Misa Econo drove the transport pod in silence the rest of the way, concentrating the little power she left of the Force on the Jedi master seated behind her. He seemed cool and distant, but underneath she could sense the barrage of unanswered questions and thoughts inside him. That he was maintaining his cool exterior impressed her greatly. His apprentice, on the other hand, hadn't shut up since she had fallen silent in her mild taunting of the Jedi.

The padawan's questions ranged from the ecology around them, to what Misa had been doing on the planet since leaving the security of the Jedi Council and then back to the subject of the planet. He was an inquisitive boy, and very intelligent. She had no doubts that he understood every word she said, no matter how vague or complicated. They seemed a well-matched pair.

Finally, Qui-Gon Jinn could stand the chatter no more, for Obi-Wan fell silent at the small gesture the Jedi master made. Misa was amused again, and yet envious, for this was the bond she had dreamed of once. The bond between a master and his padawan was supposedly a glorious thing, unrivaled in its strength of bonding. Misa wished momentarily she had felt that bond even slightly and realized she had, briefly.

"Qui-Gon Jinn, do you remember a Jedi master named Shangi?" she asked casually, hoping the Jedi wouldn't latch onto why she asked the question.

"Yes, he died on a mission to the Outer Rim. If I remember correctly, he had chosen you as his Padawan before he left. The mission did not allow him to take you with him." Qui-Gon kept his tone neutral.

"Yes, I was most disappointed. Twice actually. I had hoped you would take me as your Padawan, but the master who did choose me died, so my hopes were dashed twice. It was hard for me, until the Council sent me here to Onlon. There's something," she paused trying to grasp the word she wanted, "harmonious about the people and the land here. There's more to the whole situation than meets the eye. I felt it right off and as time passed I felt bonded with this place more than I had ever felt with anything, or anyone, else."

Qui-Gon's full attention was focused on her and she felt its heaviness upon her. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked quietly.

"Because it will help you understand more when I tell you that this planet is not a planet. Whatever you were told at Oonlong were half-truths and outright lies. It's a living creature," she continued, still not looking at the two Jedi in her transport. Both stiffened when she added, "It is a very old Jedi."

Master Yoda blinked at the news. "Jedi planet?" he sputtered, sleepy-eyelids widening in surprise. "What is this, Qui-Gon Jinn, bad joke by fallen student? Explain you will please!"

Qui-Gon moved aside, saying as he did so, "I'll let Misa Econo explain herself, Master Yoda. I don't think I've quite comprehended everything myself."

"Mater Yoda," the woman bowed respectfully to the wizened Jedi master, "it is good to see you again. I am sorry for the startling news."

"Explain this you will, Misa Econo. Help me understand you will." Yoda seemed to settle back in his chair, ready for a very long explanation.

"Permission to make it short?" the ex-Jedi student asked with a wry twist to her lips.

"No, full version you give," demanded Yoda with an insistent twitch to his ears.

Misa nodded, took a deep breath and began to explain. "This planet is not really a planet, Master, but a space faring creature who grew tired of wandering and placed itself into a stable orbit around this system's sun. As time passed it began to collect space dust and other particles, eventually creating an atmosphere that began growing animal and plant life. As time passed, it told me that other creatures traveled to it, sensing a paradise lost. It contacted them and began a peaceful coexistence with them. It needed no nutrients to survive, only company." She paused and looked expectantly at Yoda's, whose eyes were beginning to droop shut. This was not a sign of boredom, but deep thinking. Obviously this struck a chord within the 900 plus years Jedi master.

"Right you are, Jedi it be. Remember old tales I do. Come to Onlon I will. Qui-Gon," the green creature snapped. Qui-Gon stiffened his posture reflexively. "Be there I will in three days. Find way to talk to creature you will. Talk to it I will to resolve problems. Find out why government lie, if you please." The request seemed almost polite, but Qui-Gon Jinn knew a direct order when he heard one.

"What about the Supreme Chancellor," began Qui-Gon, only to be interrupted by Master Yoda.

"Handle Supreme Chancellor I will. Do as I say you must." The holographic image of Yoda blipped off.

The three Jedi trained individuals stared at each other in surprise, resignation and amusement, depending on the party member. "Is it always this unpredictable, Master?" asked Obi-Wan with no little excitement.

Qui-Gon sighed and looked at the amused Misa. "I've had better assignments," he muttered and then walked off into the woods to center himself and plan his next action.

Obi-Wan's face fell at the brusque delivery of the answer, but he recovered with a fourteen year old's natural aplomb. He fell in behind Misa as she wandered her make-shift camp. "How far is it to where we can talk to planet?" he asked, probing her with the Force to ascertain her true intentions. He felt nothing but sincerity.

"A short ride from here. The creature is helpless now, because of age and the circumstances of time with the debris that houses us. It has relied on the people to give it what it desires, but now many leave to join the Republic and others come from other places, not knowing and unintentionally injure it. Miners want to mine deep into the planet's core, but there is no core. Blasting has sent shards of rock deep into the creature, wounding it. Thankfully, none of the blasting has done damage that the creature can't heal itself, but it's only a matter of time." Misa sat down in a camp chair and thrust her long legs in front of her. She looked up at the boy and smiled crookedly. "So tell me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is being padawan learner to Master Qui-Gon Jinn as enlightening as I thought it would be?"

Obi-Wan sensed that she wanted a certain answer but answered her truthfully. "Yes, in some ways, it is, in others it is not. Being a padawan learner is more work than I had thought, but it's worth it." Obi-Wan's blue eyes widened as he sensed his master behind him, but he continued. "Master Qui-Gon is strict in many ways but lenient in others. He's more like a father than a master. I'm honored to be his apprentice."

"He speaks the pretty well, Qui-Gon," Misa informed the man behind the boy. Qui-Gon rested his hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders.

"After we eat may we speak to the creature?" asked Qui-Gon, acknowledging the comment with a nod but ignoring it otherwise.

Misa shrugged. "Sure, Onlon is amiable enough, near as I can tell. We can head out at dusk. For some reason the creature is more lucid during the evening hours, at least on this side of the planet. There are a couple other points planetwide where there are communication temples set up." Misa stood up and led them to the main campfire where a huge pot bubbled merrily with a delicious smelling soup. "Have some criteroo soup and then we'll head out. I'll tell the rest of the camp what we're up to."

Obi-Wan grabbed a bowl and spoon for each of them while Qui-Gon stirred the mix, eyeing the green and brown ingredients pensively. "Obi-Wan," the master began, his blue eyes cloudy with misgivings and remorse," I want to apologize to you."

Obi-Wan dropped the bowls, so startled was he. "What for, Master?" the boy gaped.

"My chastisement of you in Oolong was misguided and heartless. It was uncalled for and I apologize. They are your belongings and you are wise enough in your young years to know what is important enough to carry and what is not. I misjudged you and I am sorry for my lack of faith in your abilities and understanding of being a Jedi." Qui-Gon couldn't quite meet the boy's gaze, but through their link Obi-Wan could feel the sincerity of the apology.

"It is I who should be sorry, Master. I disobeyed you many times and you were lenient, ignoring my infractions..." Obi-Wan began protesting.

"We're going to need those remote models of yours. I want to use them for recognizance." Qui-Gon interrupted his padawan's protest with a gentle wave of his hand. Obi-Wan's jaw dropped and he glanced down at the pack he'd dropped on the ground when he had gone after the bowls.

Qui-Gon took a bowl from Obi-Wan, filled it with soup and then traded the other empty bowl for the full one. Obi-Wan began to dutifully eat when Qui-Gon motioned him to. The two Jedi sat in silence, eating the surprisingly good , but disgusting looking soup. Obi-Wan finished first with the typical fast-eating of a teen-age boy and he went back for seconds. Qui-Gon did the same a few moments later.

"Can we trust her to tell us the truth, Master?" asked Obi-Wan when he could stand the silence no longer.

Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan thoughtfully. "Yes, I believe so. She has no reason to lie to us, not too much to gain and everything to lose. She seems to have the creature's welfare in mind, as well as the residents of Onlon. A large goal for only one person."

"One person can change the course of thousands of lives, Master Jinn," rebuked Misa, coming around from behind the master to grab herself a bowl of soup. "I believe we were taught that at the Jedi Temple?"

"True," conceded Qui-Gon, "my only worry is that you invest to much of yourself in this situation, missing other opportunities that present themselves." Obi-Wan knew this trick. It was an observation that Qui-Gon used to bring out any misgivings or second-thoughts to view. The master had used it on him several times to ascertain if Obi-Wan was being truthful with himself and his master.

Misa Econo merely gazed back at the Jedi knight and answered, "I'm not worried, Qui-Gon. I couldn't be more sure." She shrugged. "Once this is resolved, who knows where my path will lead, but it leads no where but here for now." The two adults took measure of the other, nodded to each other as if content with what they discerned and dinner was finished.

"I have a dozen people who have volunteered to go with us. It seems the government has gotten nervous. They have guards setup right outside the communications temple, blocking out all unauthorized personnel." Misa grinned mischievously. "We're going to make ourselves authorized."

"How?" asked Obi-Wan, shouldering his pack as the two Jedi followed Misa outside the camp to a large group of transports.

"Distraction and we sneak in," answer Qui-Gon, looking with approval at Misa.

Misa merely smiled. "No doubt there will be guards within as well as without. I think we can handle them, don't you?" She pulled out her own lightsaber and activated as a test, tilting her head to listen to the soft hum. "It's been a while since I've used it. It sounds in good working order." Both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan gaped at the blade. It shown a bright purple, an unusual color for a lightsaber, though not unheard of. She powered it down. "Shall we go?"

As the transports hummed their way to the communications temple, Qui-Gon asked, "How were you allowed to keep your lightsaber?"

Misa chuckled. "Master Yoda declared a loophole, I guess. I had been taken as an apprentice. It wasn't my fault my master didn't make it back to take me with him. Yoda informed me if I only used when necessary, then it would be permissible for me to keep it. I've used it maybe twice since arriving on Onlon. I deem this necessary, wouldn't you?"

"Just ascertaining that the Council is aware of your saber's existence," Qui-Gon assured her and dropped the subject.

"But why purple?" asked Obi-Wan, still curious.

"I saw a master with that color once. It was beautiful in it's intimidating way. I insisted that Yoda show me how to design that particular color," Misa explained.

"It also showed you did your research. That master was my own, Ashanti. Everything about Ashanti is purple if she can get away with it." Qui-Gon ended the matter. Misa wisely kept silent on the intended remark of her trying to get Qui-Gon's attention when he hunted for a padawan.

The small ride ended and the fifteen people skulked through the brush as quietly as possible. "They have a few droids, but none that can't be taken down with little difficulty. It's those hoverpods that we'll have trouble with," murmured a man who introduced himself as Hiki Gabot.

"Take out their fuel lines and then shoot through the window ports. There are enough vital controls in that general area that you'll destroy something important without taking lives," remarked Qui-Gon, also in a whisper.

Gabot nodded and returned to his squad of distracters to give them the game plan. "We should know the layout inside in case we get split up," Obi-Wan stated. Both adults looked at him in surprise but Qui-Gon nodded his agreement.

"When we enter the main archway, we will go right immediately. A small doorway there leads to the upper chambers of the communications area. There are two places for ambush and guards on the route. The first is at the first corridor we come to. We'll have to run down it briefly to hit the stairs again. The second is at the center itself. It's one huge room filled with the equipment used to communicate with Onlon. There is usually one guard there. The last was aligned with us, but last time I went in he was no longer there. I'm assuming he was removed to end the 'security risk'." Misa smiled wryly. "Gotta love the bureaucrats." Qui-Gon merely grunted.

The three of them waited until the distraction began their, well, distraction and then bolted for the first archway. As they cleared the massive arch, blaster fire screamed by them. Three lightsabers powered up almost simultaneously, the blaster fire being deflected away from the Jedi and away from the men shooting at them. It was unspoken that no lives taken would be better in the long run for the time being. They just wanted in the temple; not to start a civil war.

Misa led the way to the right, Obi-Wan taking center, and Qui-Gon bringing up the rear. They battled to the first floor and ran pell mell down the small corridor. No guards were present there, but the two adults allowed Obi-Wan the honor and thrill of chopping down two droids that lumbered their way.

By the time they had made the second set of stairs, running coming from behind them could be heard as well as shouting. "If we can get there and block the doors to the communications center, we can dispatch whoever is inside and have free access to Onlon directly," Misa ground out, huffing as she rounded another corner of stairs.

The three of them screeched to a halt in front of the center and then barreled through. Three hapless guards were quickly overpowered and the door jammed shut. Misa patted one of the guards on the head as she bound him up. "Sorry, my friend, but I have to talk to Onlon. You understand." The guard merely scowled.

As the two Jedi and Misa approached a soft voice filtered into their minds. "Welcome, Misa Econo. It has been a while since you have visited me."

"I apologize, Onlon. As you can no doubt tell, things are getting disturbing on the surface. I had to break in just to speak with you." Misa answered but outloud. Obviously, the creature communicated telepathically but understood oral speaking.

"You bring friends. Strong friends. Welcome to me, Jedi master and apprentice. Misa is the only Jedi trained individual I have spoken to in many centuries that has been trained as the ancient Jedi were trained." Onlon's voice was soft, soothing and comforting. He seemed unconcerned with the petty problems of the aliens living on his makeshift world.

"You honor us with your acknowledgement, Onlon. We ask your help in resolving the conflict surrounding you," began Qui-Gon Jinn, bowing low though he wasn't sure the creature could see the sign of respect.

Onlon interrupted him with an amused laugh. "I know what is going on, master Jedi. It is hard to hide things from me. I am just too weary and too old to care. If I die, they will continue on. My life is not needed to sustain this planet."

Misa's eyes widened. "I don't believe I just heard that, Onlon! You are too important to the Onlonian people, and the Jedi now that they know of you, to give up hope now!"

"My name is Qui-Gon Jinn, Master Onlon, and my apprentice is Obi-Wan Kenobi. We ask that you explain your meaning to us. If not to us, then our own master, Yoda of Dagobah. He travels here even as we speak to visit with you and learn of how we can help you with your troubles." Qui-Gon gasped as a white water of information and histories of Onlon careened through his mind. Obi-Wan and Misa also fell to the ground, stunned by the force of Onlon's rapid fire teaching. When the ordeal was over, however, the three rose from their prone positions, each understanding what needed to be done.

"I accept your help and patronage, Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and Misa Econo." Onlon's soft voice was interrupted by pounding on the door. Blasts shook the room, giving realization to the idea that their distraction had only done so much and now the guards wanted back into the room. "Your enemies seem intent on doing you harm. I cannot allow that, my new allies. So away with you. Do not be afraid." Before the three of them knew it, they were no longer inside the temple's communication's center.

The doors blew apart and guards came racing in, blaster rifles and pistols pointed in every which direction. No sign of the three intruders were to be found. Planetary Chairman Ag Burch came bustling in, his head bobbing in his peculiar fashion.

"Onlon, revered creature, are you injured? The intruders got passed our contingent, but I assure you such effrontery will not happen again." Burch practically fell over himself in his concerted efforts to kiss up to the ancient alien. With so many centuries of wisdom, Onlon knew garbage when he saw, or sensed it. He ignored the irritating official and concentrated on keeping his charges safe in their bizarre hideaway. The ancient one could feel their surprised panic at their new surroundings. Perturbed at being ignored, Burch began to issue orders at double checking the control center.

Onlon was relieved at the distraction. Burch had always irritated Onlon, using whatever means he had on the planet surrounding him to guide the biped from dealing directly with Onlon. However, when Burch wound up being elected Planetary Chairman, Onlon found to his irritation that he would have to deal with the idiot even more than as a lowly Temple guard.

So with a mental sigh that reverberated throughout all the visitors is all the Temples planetwide, Onlon settled down to being irritated and keeping his charges safe until help could come to their aide. If his senses were still as attuned to the Force as it used to be, help was only a few parsecs away and closing fast. A quick mental communication to this Yoda creature and his job was temporarily completed. The war, he knew, had yet to be fought.