Jedi Initiate Obi-Wan Kenobi ran his hands along the side of the console before him. He had to admit to a certain amount of nervousness. After all, this was the final step to complete before an Initiate could become a Padawan. The past few days had been filled with saber sparring and kata exercises. As a result of his performances, several masters had approached him. Now, there was one final hurdle to be crossed and the dream of every Initiate would be in his grasp.
Jedi Master Mace Windu was walking to the center of the platform that Obi-Wan and nine other Initiates occupied. The final trial was about to begin and Obi-Wan flexed his fingers nervously.
"Good evening, everyone," Master Windu intoned seriously. "We have ten Initiates that are eager to move onto the final stage of becoming a Padawan, so let's get started."
He turned to face the young Jedis, all seated at individual consoles.
"Are you ready to begin?"
They all nodded their heads and placed their hands on the top of the consoles.
"Excellent. Remember, you may not use the Force at all during this final evaluation. Master Yoda will be monitoring you." He gestured towards a corner of the stage where the esteemed Jedi sat quietly. Yoda thumped his walking stick once in acknowledgment of the introduction.
"If any use of the Force is detected, you will be automatically disqualified. Is that understood?"
All ten Initiates replied in the affirmative.
"Very good," the dark skinned Jedi said. "Then we will begin now."
The Initiates all straightened in their seats and placed their hands on top of the console.
Mace Windu looked at the datapad he was holding.
"Beginning with the earliest, place these planets in order of their entry into the Republic."
A. Rutabaga IV
B. Desitin Prime
C. Isuzu VI
D. Desenex Major
Ten sets of fingers flew across the face of the screens facing them. When all were finished, Master Windu read the proper sequence and announced that Obi-Wan Kenobi had finished correctly and with the fastest time.
Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. He jumped up and crossed over to the center of the stage.
"Congratulations, Initiate Kenobi. Please be seated."
Obi-Wan practically jumped onto the tall stool that awaited him. He was almost a Padawan! He drew a deep breath and worked to center himself. There were still ten questions to answer before he achieved his goal.
Mace Windu had settled himself onto his own stool directly across from Obi-Wan.
"Well, Initiate, I see that several Masters expressed interest in taking you on as a Padawan. Which one will you be playing for this evening?"
Obi-Wan cleared his throat nervously.
"Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
Master Jinn took his seat in the audience directly behind Obi-Wan. The members of the audience clapped enthusiastically. Yoda thumped his walking stick on the floor and nodded his approval of this choice. Even Mace beamed at this potential pairing.
"Let's not waste any more time. On with the questions" he declared.
The sudden blare of music and swiveling of lights almost caused Obi-Wan to fall off his seat. No one had prepared him for that!
"Now, remember, Obi-Wan, you may not access the Force to help you answer any of these questions. But you do have three lifelines available. You may poll the audience, call a friend, or use the 50/50."
"Yes, Master."
"Here is your first question: What is the alternate name for kata number 57?"
A. Electric Slide kata
B. Hokey Pokey kata
C. Chicken Dance kata
D. Gettin' Jiggy With It kata
Obi-Wan couldn't believe it. This was one of his favorite katas. He released the breath he had been holding.
"The answer is D. Gettin' Jiggy With It."
"You sound pretty sure. Is that your final answer?" Mace asked.
"Yes. My final answer." Obi-Wan affirmed.
"And it's the right one!"
The audience clapped. Even though he was not allowed to access the Force, he was aware of Master Jinn's silent support.
"Now for your second question..."
And on it went. Obi-Wan was now on the final question. He was doing well. There had been no need to use any of the lifelines. He had gotten used to the loud music and dancing lightbeams. Only one more question stood between him and his goal of becoming Qui-Gon's Padawan.
"Obi-Wan, you're doing very well. I have one more question. Are you ready?"
Another deep breath. "Yes."
"Where on Tatooine would you find the most wretched hive of scum and villainy?"
A. Mos Eisley
B. Mos Espa
C. Mos Beehive
D. Mos Hopeless
Obi-Wan stared at the console in front of him. He had absolutely no idea what the correct answer was. He looked up at Master Windu. Back down at the console again. Still no idea. He began to nibble on his thumbnail. The audience had gotten very quiet.
"Obi-Wan." The Jedi moderator's voice broke into Obi-Wan's frantic thoughts. "You still have all your lifelines. Would you like to use one now?"
"Yes." The lifelines! Surely one of them would help him to answer this question. "I'd like to call Initiate Bant."
"We're calling Bant now." There was a short beep and then a female voice was heard.
"Hello."
"Hello, Initiate Bant?"
"Yes."
"This is Master Mace Windu. I'm calling for your friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Oh." Bant sounded a little breathless. "How's he doing?"
"Quite well. He's on the final question. But he needs a little help from you to answer it. I'm going to let him read you the question and answers. Remember, no use of the Force." The Jedi nodded at Obi-Wan to begin.
The hopeful Initiate read the question and answers slowly and clearly. Unfortunately, his friend had no more idea what the correct answer was than he did.
"What's your best guess, Bant?" he asked.
"Go for Mos Hopeless," she answered, just as her time ran out.
Obi-Wan continued to stare at the screen. Mos Hopeless. Well, that certainly described the way he felt right now. But he didn't think it was the right answer.
"I'd like to poll the audience, please."
"Of course," Mace answered smoothly. He instructed the audience on how to place their votes. The graph came up on the screen.
"Well, it seems the audience is pretty much split between Mos Eisly and Mos Espa. Not much help, were they?"
Obi-Wan could only shake his head. He had one more lifeline he could use. The computer would take away two of the choices. And, even though Obi-Wan had a good idea what the remaining choices would be, he had to try.
"I'd like to use the 50/50, please," he told Mace.
"Very well, it's come down to this, your final question and your final lifeline," the Jedi said dramatically. "Computer, remove two of the choices from the screen."
Predictably, the two choices left on the screen were Mos Eisly and Mos Espa. One answer was right and one of them was wrong. But, how to decide? Obi-Wan had to restrain himself from using the Force to discern the correct answer. If he should slip and reach out with the Force, he wouldn't even get the chance to guess at the answer.
The quiet in the hall was disconcerting. Obi-Wan stifled a sudden impulse to giggle. One way or another, he was going to get off this stage.
"My answer is....," he hesitated briefly, "Mos Espa."
"Mos Espa," Master Windu repeated. "Is that your final answer?"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and braced himself. "Yes, final answer."
There was no response from Master Windu. Obi-Wan felt his heart sink to the bottom of his feet. He opened one eye.
"Congratulations, Padawan Kenobi," Mace said with a smile.
There was confetti pouring from the ceiling. Qui-Gon had suddenly appeared directly behind Obi-Wan's chair. Master Yoda tapped his way over to the center of the stage.
"Wish to take this Initiate as your Padawan learner?" he asked Qui-Gon.
"Yes, I do," Jinn replied. He placed his hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze.
Yoda looked at Obi-Wan.
"Wish you to become apprentice to this Master?" he asked Obi-Wan.
The answer was quick and definitive.
"Yes," he smiled. "And that's my final, final answer."