"Welcome to Onlon, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi." A short, squat official greeted them with as much enthusiasm as the man probably would muster for eating poison. The mere words of welcome seemed to leave a sour taste in the official's mouth, for he grimaced after speaking and refused to meet their gazes. "If you will come this way, our Planetary Chairman wishes to speak with you before you retire to your chambers." He didn't even bother to introduce himself.

Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon in surprise, taken aback by the rudeness of the balding, self-important little man. Qui-Gon noted that Obi-Wan had never been faced with the disdain that Jedi sometimes dealt with because of their importance to the Senate and the Supreme Chancellor. Often times, a Jedi knight's presence was a sign of how much importance the Senate gave the matter being investigated, or how little. A Jedi was often seen as an obstacle, an insult or even an enemy to where ever he or she was dispatched.

Qui-Gon was used to being treated with disrespect he had not earned. It came with being a Jedi and the opinions of self-important people meant little to him. It meant a lot, though, to impressionable apprentices like Obi-Wan, who still thought of Jedi knights as heroes and well-respected members of the Republic.

As they followed the waddling Onlonian bureaucrat, Qui-Gon held Obi-Wan back so they could speak without the official hearing them. "Ignore his attitude, Obi-Wan. The opinions of those who do not understand us should mean nothing to us. We are here to do a job and to fulfill the mission set forth to us by the Senate, not puff up some unimportant bureaucrat's ego because he thinks he should be more important than others."

Obi-Wan nodded his agreement, but still didn't seem happy about the situation. Qui-Gon couldn't blame him; he wasn't happy about it himself. Both Jedi, master and apprentice, put aside their unease and followed their guide to the conference room of Onlon's Planetary Chairman.

The Planetary Chairman was also short and squat, though a little more athletically built than the official sent to greet the Jedi. His bright orange hair shone like a beacon in the room and his uneven teeth and bright purple eyes gave him a clownish look. Obi-Wan tamped down the urge to laugh and bowed in respect to the planetary figurehead.

"I am Ag Burch, Planetary Chairman of Onlon," the odd-looking man stated with a boundless amount of energy. He seemed to be in constant motion somehow. Finger twitching shifted to a tapping of the foot that led to a bobbing of the head. It made Obi-Wan queasy watching him for any amount of time.

"I am Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Qui-Gon returned the introductions with great aplomb, awing Obi-Wan with his ability not to get ill at the distracting motions of the Planetary Chairman.

"Please, please, sit down. I will not keep you long, for I am sure you need much rest," chattered Burch and he turned to the official who had been the Jedi's guide. "Leave us now, Muli, your work is done." Muli opened his mouth to protest, thought better of it and left the room, slamming the door behind his mutterings and bad attitude. "Apologies for Muli's personality. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer, you know."

"Sound advice, I would say," agreed Qui-Gon, for there were truth to the words. Obi-Wan wisely kept his mouth shut. "The Senate is concerned over this small rebellion you have happening under your administration."

Burch sighed, suddenly looking weary. "I know. I am worried as well. Some citizens are unhappy with the changes we had to put into place to meet the Republic's requirements for membership. It steps on some ancient traditions of Onlon and they find this unacceptable." The Planetary Chairman gave a rueful smile, made comical by his uneven teeth and wide-mouth. "I find it unacceptable, but that is only my opinion and I am one of a few who think so."

Qui-Gon leaned forward, as if to give a conspiratorial air. "What are these traditions and how can the Republic have found them, shall we say, offensive enough to ask them to be ignored?"

"Our planet survives with two species, each symbiotic upon the other. Every 25 years, a great war will break out between the two. The winner is uncertain until the last battle is fought. The planet is our third symbiot. It needs us to survive as well. In order to gain Republic membership, the wars have been postponed, I guess you would say. Because of this, we are losing some of our ecology." The Chairman looked grieved at this news.

Qui-Gon had never heard of such an ecological setup. "Am I to understand that this planet needs the life blood the two races on this planet spill every war so that it can continue to thrive?"

The Planetary Chairman nodded somberly. "Strange, I know, but that is how it has been for many thousands of years. Republic scientists have suspicions that Onlon isn't really a planet but a creature that is sustained in orbit. Over the millennia it has gathered soil, water and other things that make it livable for beings. Creatures evolved and it formed a coexistence with them that keeps everything alive."

"Now that's disrupted and signs of the creature's displeasure or weakness is shown through the loss of your ecology?" Obi-Wan seemed fascinated yet horrified at the idea.

Qui-Gon was only disturbed. "What do the rebels want? Why are they rising against the government?"

The Planetary Chairman leaned back into his chair and closed his purple eyes, looking even more weary than before. "They want a war so that more of our environment is not lost."

Both Jedi looked startled, though Qui-Gon half-expected the answer. "There has to be another way!" exclaimed Obi-Wan, fascination gone and horror completely filling the void. "The Republic won't allow that!"

Ag Burch opened his eyes, their purple depths staring right through the young Jedi apprentice with wisdom and age. "Yes, I know. Quite a quandary, is it not?"

"Indeed," Qui-Gon agreed. "Let me speak to the rebels and then I'll report back to the Senate. Perhaps something can be figured out from there."

Burch nodded and punched a button on the conference table. "Muli, the Jedi require their chambers now. Get in here." Muli entered, still muttering under his breath. The muttering stopped when Burch glowered at him. "Make sure they are comfortable before you go wandering off. Give them the proper directions to the eating establishments nearby. Tell the establishments," Burch added to the Jedi, "that this will go on the government's account. Muli will give you the proper documentation. Good evening and I will see you in the morning when we go to speak with the other side." Both Jedi bowed as the Planetary Chairman left the room.

The two Jedi followed the muttering Muli to their chambers. Qui-Gon's room was spacious and luxurious, as was Obi-Wan's across the hall. Neither were comfortable with the luxury of the rooms but said nothing to Muli. "Here are the papers to show the eating establishments. If you leave the building and go north you will hit the main market area of Oolong, which is this city, the capital city. There are many places to eat and entertainment to be found. The government insists on paying for it. We regret any inconvenience this has caused you." Muli seemed more talkative and respectful now.

"Thank you, Muli, but could I ask you a personal question?" asked Qui-Gon Jinn, directing the full-force of his attention on the small man.

"Yes?" Muli seemed suddenly wary.

"What is your view of the idea of an ecological war?" Qui-Gon waiting patiently for an answer, still watching the little man. Obi-Wan knew how disconcerting that gaze could be.

"I am undecided, Jedi," Muli answered truthfully. "I see and understand the need for it, but I have never been happy with the idea of wars and battles fought." Muli's voice lowered significantly as he went on. "As you will hear tomorrow from the opposing side, many of us do not think it is truly necessary, that the planet does not need bloodshed, but the emotional feedback of war and suffering. Onlon is not all that it seems and tradition is rooted in more than science."

With these words, Muli bowed and hurried out the door. Qui-Gon watched him go and turned to his apprentice, who was already aware of what his master's next move would be. "Let's go eat."