Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The characters and venue of Star Wars belongs to Lucas Films Limited. I receive no profit from this story or its distribution.

This story is based on an idea from Julie Mattison

Part One

Ah he thought to himself. I have managed to infiltrate their stronghold! Theem thinks he can get away with his nefarious scheme. Ha! He didn't count on the Jedi being here. I will just listen, find out all I can, memorize their plans and schemes. I'll bet the Jedi council will be more than interested in this information! This guy is a big time criminal. They are plotting to take over a planet! Will those fiends stop at nothing! It's a good thing I am here. The Galactic Senate can rest easy because of me. I will come before them and expose this plot. Hmm...I suppose I'll have to make a quick exit when the Senators aren't looking or they will probably try to pin another medal on me. It's getting embarrassing! The Jedi are jealous of me. Yes, Beb, you are too brave for your own good. Good thing you gained access to this meeting. The most infamous gangster in the galaxy will now be brought to justice, thanks to me. Theem, your syndicate is about to fall...and you don't realize that it will fall at the hands of someone who is right here in your inner most sanctum that will betray you! Memorize each face; commit to memory each number. The safety of the Republic depends on you.

The wise Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi stood at the center of the circular chamber which looked down from atop the Jedi temple over the busy city-planet of Coruscant. They were closely attentive as the Jedi council was instructing them on their latest assignment.

"Go to Senota, you will," Yoda spoke. "Important person to escort to Coruscant."

"Yes," Mace Windu added. "His name is Beb Gonk."

Obi-Wan had to muffle a giggle at the odd name. Qui-Gon gave him a severe look. Such behavior was not looked highly upon before the august Jedi council and the master would take it up with his apprentice later. He could hear Obi-Wan's thoughts and his face softened somewhat. I'm sorry, Master. Well, at least he seemed sincere.

Mace Windu continued. "Beb has important information to give to the Galactic Senate. Have you heard of Gorba Theem?"

"The Horodian crime king?" Qui-Gon asked. "Yes, he is infamous for his syndicate and gangster activity."

"Well, Beb has first hand knowledge of data that could help convict Theem and his top henchmen. We are holding Theem for prosecution right now. We need for you to go to Senota and bring Beb here to testify against him."

"Sounds simple enough," Obi-Wan responded.

"Ah, quick you are to jump to conclusions," Yoda rebuked. "Many are Theem's contacts. In all systems associates he has. Much danger this represents."

Made Windu added, "They will stop at nothing to protect Theem. He's their paycheck. We must make sure you get Beb here safely."

"How did he come about his information?" Qui-Gon asked.

"He apparently was in one of their meetings and heard deals made, killings planned, and saw a couple of record books."

"And he decided to come forward after that?" Obi-Wan wondered aloud. "He must be courageous to dare to stand against this crime system you describe--especially since he must be well known, being in on the meeting like that."

"Brave man he is," Yoda agreed.

"He could probably come here on his own," Mace Windu cut in. "But he is so far outnumbered that we didn't want to risk his safety. You leave first thing in the morning. We need him here in one piece. Take no chances. May the Force be with you."

******

Qui-Gon was piloting their ship into the spaceport at Senota. "This restores my faith in the galaxy, Padawan. To think that a person is willing to put their life on the line to bring someone like this to justice instead of trying to bury their head and ignore it. I must admit, I am looking forward to meeting this Beb Gonk."

Obi-Wan stifled a laugh. Qui-Gon glanced over at the young man and said, "That reminds me...we need to have a talk about your behavior before the council yesterday..."

"Oh, look, Master. Someone there is waving at us."

Standing off the concrete pad of the landing area stood a tall uniformed man who was indeed waving his hands at the transport as it settled to the ground. He waited patiently for the Jedi to go through their post landing checks and then rushed forward as the ramp lowered. The man waited at the bottom for the departing Jedi.

"I'm Qui-Gon Jinn and this is my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Happy to meet you, sir. I'm Captain Donat of the Senota Security Police. You are here to pick up Beb Gonk?"

Qui-Gon was about to reply in the affirmative when he heard a chuckle from behind him. As he turned to face his apprentice, he was met with a look of exaggerated innocence. Again addressing the officer, the Jedi master replied, "Yes, we are the escorts for Mr. Gonk." The last word was accompanied by contact from the master's elbow to the apprentice's ribs.

"Well, he's just inside this building here. We didn't want him standing out in the open--too many eyes."

"A good idea, Captain." The two Jedi trailed behind the police officer as he opened the door and waited for them to enter the building. Qui-Gon went in immediately and looked for their cargo. There was no one in the room. He turned and looked all around...no one. Captain Donat walked up next to the Jedi master.

"Uh, excuse me, Captain. Where is he?"

Captain Donat began walking around the room and called out, "Beb! Beb, it's OK. It's me, Captain Donat. The Jedi are here to take you to Coruscant."

Obi-Wan reached up to tap his master on the shoulder. Qui-Gon turned in annoyance...but followed the apprentice's stare. At the far side of the room he could see a pair of tiny beady eyes peeking around the corner at him. He put his hand to the hilt of his light saber as he said, "Captain, I think we have company."

The captain turned to where Qui-Gon was pointing. "Oh, there you are! Come on out, Beb. It's OK. See, it's just the Jedi knights who've come for you."

Very slowly a form emerged from around the corner. A short, very slight human. His dark hair was slicked back and Qui-Gon could see the tiny beady eyes were due to the very thick pair of glasses the man wore. He wore a non-descript brown jumpsuit which was zipped all the way up to his small pointed chin. He strained to look at the duo as he adjusted his glasses. "Oh! You are Jedi knights! I would recognize those robes anywhere." The small man came forward and made a large circle around the two knights as he appraised them with wide, staring eyes. "Oh, wow! Real Jedi knights! May the Force be with you," he said as he held his hand out to them.

Qui-Gon slowly reached forward to shake the man's hand and was rewarded with an ice-cold weak grip. He resisted the impulse to wipe his hand against his robe after the little fellow released it. Obi-Wan had to stifle another laugh as he observed his master's behavior, but then found himself in the same boat as his hand was grabbed and vigorously pumped. "You're a Jedi knight too? Pleased to meet you!"

Qui-Gon turned to the captain, attempting to keep down his amazement. "This is Beb Gonk?"

"Yes, Beb Gonk, this is Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Oh yeah," Beb breathed out. "Yeah, you're a padawan," he said as he fingered Obi-Wan's braid. It was all the apprentice could do to keep from pulling away from him.

"These are the Jedi who are going to escort you to Coruscant," Captain Donat repeated.

"Hmm...oh!" Beb suddenly hit the floor. "I forgot about the windows! Duck everybody! Somebody might see you!" Beb crawled to one of the windows and peeked out. "Are you sure you weren't followed?" he whispered. "You know, Theem has men all over the galaxy. They'd be glad to kill me for what I know." He crawled to a second window then noticed the Jedi staring at him. "Get down! Anybody could see you! Get down!" He was almost hysterical by now. To calm him Qui-Gon knelt down and motioned for Obi-Wan to do the same. He was rubbing his brown bearded chin in wonder as he watched the little man crawl around the floor looking for any one who might have followed the Jedi.

Satisfied that no one was near by and looking through the windows, Beb got to his feet. "OK, you guys can get up now. No one there," he proclaimed as if it was the greatest discovery he'd made.

Qui-Gon pulled Captain Donat to the side and dropped his voice. "Are you sure this is Beb Gonk?"

Meanwhile Beb was eyeing Obi-Wan. He padded up to the Jedi, gently grasped the sleeve of his robe and was rubbing it between his fingers. The apprentice turned to see what was causing the pulling sensation he'd felt. Beb was staring intently at the robe and was oblivious to Obi-Wan. Seeing that he was in no danger of being left alone any time soon, Obi-Wan yanked his sleeve from Beb and gave him a dirty look.

"Yes," Captain Donat was saying, "This is Beb Gonk. Why do you ask?"

"Well," Qui-Gon began slowly, not knowing how to say it. "I was led to believe that he was...well...a...bigger man."

"Well, I don't know where you got your information, but this is Beb. Known him for years. I vouch for him--this is Beb Gonk." A snicker sounded from the opposite side of the room.

While the Jedi master had been engaged in this conversation, he had not noticed Beb creeping up behind him. Beb had spotted Qui-Gon's light saber and his eyes were wide as he tiptoed up to the Jedi. He became aware of something tugging at his belt and looked down to see Beb Gonk's finger dangerously close to the power stud of his light saber. "Wow!! Is that really a light saber?? Cool!!"

With Jedi speed, Qui-Gon grasped Beb's hand and gently pulled it away from the weapon. "Yes. It is a light saber...and it is not a toy." The Jedi slapped Beb's hand, then released it sharply. "Very well, Captain. If you can vouch for his identity, I guess we will be on our way." Qui-Gon turned sharply and headed for the door. Beb watched the Jedi robe flutter with the movement and mimicked Qui-Gon's turn as he started for the entrance, leaving Obi-Wan to suppress yet another laugh.

Qui-Gon strode purposefully toward their transport, followed closely by Beb, head held high. A loud "boom" sounded and Beb hit the deck, covering his head with his hands and pleading, "Don't kill me! I won't talk! I didn't see anything!!"

The noise and Beb's reaction alerted the Jedi who immediately ignited their light sabers and turned their backs toward each other, thus protecting one another. As they scanned the area to figure out what happened, Captain Donat pointed toward a ship at the next landing slip. One of its engines was on fire, black smoke billowing out. "It's Ok, Beb. That ship just blew an engine, that's all."

Beb peeked between his fingers at the black smoke. He raised his head and laughed sheepishly. Slowly and with much looking about, Beb got to his feet. Qui-Gon held out a hand to help him up. Beb ignored him as he took in the surroundings. He dusted himself off, tried to straighten his hair and glasses and then broke into a dead run for the Jedi transport. He was up the ramp in a shot.

Qui-Gon saw the look on Obi-Wan's face and raised a warning finger to him. Then he turned to Captain Donat, who had a big grin on his face. "That's Beb, all right. I don't know who told you he was, how did you put it, a bigger man--but the Beb Gonk I've always known is just like that," he pointed toward the ship.

"Yes," Qui-Gon said, not sure what to make of all this. "Well, thank you for your help, Captain. We must leave for Coruscant right away."

"You're welcome, Master Qui-Gon. Good luck...and take care of Beb. If it wasn't for you two, I'd sure be worried about him."

Qui-Gon shook his head and turned to follow their passenger into the transport. After Obi-Wan ascended the ramp, he hit a switch to close it and started forward. He almost ran into his master who had come to a dead halt. "Where is he?"

The two Jedi scanned the interior and saw no sign of their undersized charge. "Beb? Beb, where are you?" Qui-Gon called out.

After a minute's hesitation, he heard a small voice, "Here I am." The two Jedi looked for the voice and finally saw the two beady eyes peeking out of a storage compartment.

Obi-Wan turned away, his hand over his mouth. Qui-Gon delivered a small kick to his apprentice's shin while he said gently, "It's all right, Beb. You can come out now. It's just the three of us. There's no one to hurt you here."

"Are you sure we weren't followed? Are you sure no one got on board while you were inside?" Beb asked from his sanctuary.

"Yes, I am sure. There's no one else on board."

"How do you know that? You haven't even looked around yet!" Beb's voice was getting shrill.

"Take it easy. I sense no one else on board except the three of us."

"Sense no one else?"

"Yes, with the Force."

"Oh, I knew that," Beb said as he crawled out of the storage compartment. "I knew that too. The Force told me that there was no one else on board. I was just...checking, yeah, that's it. I was just checking your Force sensitivity, to see if you knew no one else was on board."

Obi-Wan could hold his laughter back no longer and a chuckle escaped him. Qui-Gon turned on his apprentice with a stern look and rebuked him severely through the Force. Quickly, the apprentice straightened up, but could no longer look Beb in the face.

"You have Force sensitivity?" Qui-Gon asked in doubt.

"Oh yes!"

Obi-Wan turned and headed for the cockpit. Qui-Gon found he had to follow quickly.

******

"So, you were in a meeting with Theem?" Obi-Wan asked as he watched the instruments on the control panel.

"Who...me?" Beb Gonk asked in shock.

"Well, yes. I mean, that's what...I thought that's what we were told. That's how you got this information on Theem."

"Oh, no. That's not it at all," Beb replied. "Me, in a meeting with Theem? That's the funniest thing I've ever heard." Beb let out a laugh that sounded for all the world like an Alderaan sea dog barking. Obi-Wan couldn't help staring; it was the first time he'd heard such a noise from a person. Qui-Gon poked him in the ribs to remind him he was staring.

"Well, how did you find out?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Oh that." Beb seemed hesitant to answer. "It's not very interesting."

"Finding out something that will put Theem away, that sounds interesting to me, " Obi-Wan replied.

"Are we asking something too personal?" Qui-Gon asked as he studied Beb's hesitation.

"No," Beb replied shortly. Then seeing that there was no way around it, began the story. "I was out...walking one night. I was coming home from a meeting..." his voice trailed off.

"A meeting?" Obi-Wan prompted.

Beb flushed red and finally blurted out. "A meeting of the mrphhh..." his voice trailed away.

"What was that you said," Obi-Wan leaned toward Beb.

He sighed and said, "The Jedi Apprentices. It's a group of people who meet to study the Jedi and their ways."

"Really, I didn't know such groups existed," Qui-Gon replied. "It sounds like a benevolent enough cause, why are you embarrassed?"

"Because people laugh at us for wearing Jedi robes."

Qui-Gon turned his head to hide his smile. Obi-Wan broke the uncomfort for Beb by asking, "You were saying you were out walking?"

"Oh, yeah...well I was walking home after the meeting...and I, well, I..."

"Yes," Qui-Gon encouraged, wondering what was so hard to tell.

"I...had. Uh...I had to, you know...go...uh...relieve myself."

Qui-Gon quickly turned to investigate the instrument panel.

"Well, there was no place convenient...and I thought...well," Beb's face was growing redder by the second. "I don't usually do things like this," he added quickly. "But it was late and there was no place I could stop in...and well, there was an alleyway."

Qui-Gon tried to help. "I think we understand, Beb."

"Well, I guess I was thinking about what we had talked about at the meeting. I, uh...oh dear."

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, it's just that I was excited about the meeting and I didn't notice..."

Obi-Wan interrupted, "What was so exciting?"

Beb looked away. The apprentice thought he might cry. "Well...it's just that, well...I, uh."

"If you don't want to tell us, Beb, it's OK," Qui-Gon said, much to Obi-Wan's disappointment.

"Oh...it's just that I had finished making my light saber."

"Light saber," Qui-Gon replied in obvious surprise.

"Not a real one," Beb reluctantly admitted. "A nonfunctioning one. It's one of the things you have to do as a Jedi Apprentice."

Qui-Gon gave his padawan a dirty look at the chuckle that escaped him. Obi-Wan began coughing and clearing his throat to try to hide his humor.

"Anyway," Beb tried to change the subject. "I guess I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, because I was still...thinking about the meeting. I didn't know I was in such a rough section of town until I had to...uh...go into the alleyway." Beb paused and Qui-Gon looked back at him. Beb's face grew pale as he relived his memory. "I heard a commotion. Shouts, scuffling, footsteps. I didn't know what was going on-but I knew they were coming my way! I didn't know what to do--so I hid behind some junk in the alley. Then Theem and his men stopped under a light nearby and had a 'business meeting' he called it--right there in the alley.

"So you heard everything from your hiding place?"

"Yeah. I heard them plotting to kill some governor because he wouldn't take a pay off--and then they were gonna put their own man in power. I was terrified. If they weren't afraid to kill a governor-they wouldn't be afraid to kill me!" Beb's face had broken out into a sweat and his breathing increased.

"It's OK, Beb. It's OK. You're here with us now and we're going to make sure you get to Coruscant." Qui-Gon patted Beb's hand. For the first time he actually felt sorry for him.

******

The trip back to Coruscant was without event and Beb finally seemed to calm down. Beb really relaxed when he realized he was on the same planet with the Jedi temple. But when Qui-Gon informed him he would be lodging at the temple during his stay on Coruscant, Beb became agitated again--but this time out of excitement.

"Really!" His eyes bugged open. "At the temple itself? Wow! Cool!"

"Well," Qui-Gon tried not to smile too big and had to deliver another well placed kick to Obi-Wan's shin. "It's the most secure place. We will be staying with you around the clock for protection also." But Beb hadn't heard a thing Qui-Gon said. His eyes were glazed over as dreams of light sabers filled his head.

******

Throughout the entire trip to the temple, Beb had his nose on the windscreen of the transport looking for the temple building. As soon as Obi-Wan pointed it out to him, Beb hopped up and banged his head on the roof of the vehicle. This time it was Obi-Wan who punted his master for laughing at their guest. Beb was mortified and settled down finally for the remainder of the trip. He was determined that he was going to show the two Jedi that he was not the goof that his tormentors back on Senota ragged him about being. Yes, he would show these two that he was worthy of their respect..the same respect he gave them. After all they were fellow Jedi; there should be mutual esteem between Jedi. Thus, Beb preened and settled into his seat and took on an air of pretended indifference...but inside his heart was pounding like it would burst.

Finally, I will be getting the recognition I so deserve! Finally the Jedi council will get to lay their eyes on the best kept secret in the galaxy! Now I will take my rightful place among the Jedi. When I enter that chamber, my overwhelming power will reach out to all...and they will see me for who I am...the chosen one! Hidden from birth by those who try to thwart the purpose of the Jedi! Ha! They tried to hide me until I was too old to begin training. But my power is so great the masters will beg me to join them. I'll bet...yeah! I'll bet they'll even ask me to join the Jedi council! Beb rubbed his chin thoughtfully at that. Well, it would be an honor...but I think I could best serve as a guardian of justice and peace in the galaxy. He sat up straighter at that thought. Yes, that's my destiny! To fight against the dark side, over coming evil and restoring peace to the galaxy. Now, now, Master Yoda. It doesn't look dignified for a council member to beg like that. I'm honored that you want me to sit on the council, but you must understand that a Jedi as powerful as I must be about the business of defending the poor and oppressed!

Obi-Wan turned to let Beb know that they were coming up to the temple. Beb had a strange faraway swagger on his face. His eyes glimmered and shone and he looked very pleased with himself. The apprentice tapped Qui-Gon on the shoulder and nodded in the slight fellow's direction. Qui-Gon was as mystified by Beb as Obi-Wan. He just shrugged and pulled into the temple complex.

******

A large room had been set aside in the temple complex for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to stay with Beb over night. Not that anyone really expected any of the gangsters to try to get into the temple, but it was thought that someone needed to make sure Beb stayed put and didn't wander off. Also, having met the little man, Qui-Gon realized that he probably would have been terrified to stay alone if he thought he was in the least amount of danger.

The Jedi master had had quite a problem in trying to contain Beb. He wanted to go on a tour of the complete temple facility. Qui-Gon tried to explain to him why he couldn't have free run of the place, but that was lost on Beb. It began to dawn on him that Beb thought that he was a Jedi. Qui-Gon couldn't decide if he was more mystified or amused at that perception. When he realized that their charge was not going to be put off by rules that he felt didn't apply to him, he appealed to rules that, he hoped, Beb would respect.

"Beb," Qui-Gon said as he grabbed the diminutive arm. "There are rules here at the temple. Rules that even Jedi have to abide by. Certain parts of the temple are just for the council, unless you are invited. You can't go bursting into the chamber; that would be unseemly for a Jedi. Also there are parts that are restricted to certain personnel or certain hours because of what is going on there. Do you understand?"

"Of course! I'm not some padawan...oh, sorry," he mumbled to Obi-Wan. "I know. I was just...well...I've never been here before...and to think that this is where it all takes place!"

"Yes, I can understand," Qui-Gon responded as he guided Beb in the direction of their quarters. "But a Jedi learns to control himself."

"Yeah, we talked about that at one of our Jedi Apprentice meetings..."

Beb tried to go on but Qui-Gon interrupted him. "Really, that's very interesting. Maybe one of these months you could get the council to let Obi-Wan come and address your group." Obi-Wan stopped dead in his tracks and looked at his master in disbelief. His mouth fell open and he stammered to try to get out an answer.

"Really! You think we could get a REAL Jedi to come?"

"Well, we can ask the council and see what they say."

"You'd help me ask them?" Beb stopped and craned his neck to look up at the tall man. "Wow! You are so cool, Qui-Gon...I mean, Master."

Qui-Gon cringed at the title squeaked out at him from this little make believe Jedi. He tried not to let his feelings show on his face. Maybe Beb can give me some pointers on that he thought dolefully. The master kept quiet and just tried to hurry Beb to their room so he could, hopefully, have a break from him for a bit.