Star Wars (2015) 15

FROM THE JOURNALS OF OBI-WAN KENOBI

• Another story unfolding during Obi-Wan's period of exile on Tatooine!
• While Owen Lars accepted Luke into his care, he prevented Ben from having any involvement in his life. What was the reason for this?
• What kind of predicament might Ben have caused by protecting Luke? [1]

The journal commences by recounting the year following the Great Drought on Tatooine, noting the restoration of normal conditions and the resumption of everyday life. Luke Skywalker is seen piloting his family's T-16 Skyhopper across the desert landscape, while his friends, including Biggs Darklighter, offer encouragement from below. As he approaches Beggar's Canyon, Biggs cautions Luke to turn back for his own safety, but Luke, displaying overconfidence, dismisses his friend's advice, declaring that "[he] was born for this." From a distance, Obi-Wan Kenobi observes Luke flying the airspeeder into the canyon. He reflects on the numerous parallels between Luke and his father, notably their significant Force sensitivity and exceptional piloting skills. Luke enters the canyon at high speed, once again ignoring his friend's warning. Luke believes that mastering his piloting skills is essential for eventually leaving Tatooine, and he sees conquering Beggar's Canyon as his next step toward reaching the stars. It is at this moment that he crashes the ship.

Upon returning to the Lars homestead, Uncle Owen reprimands Luke for damaging the vehicle and, as a consequence, grounds him. With the Skyhopper out of commission, the family is short a speeder and lacks the funds for the necessary repairs, which Luke offers to cover if Owen allows him to enter the race at Anchorhead. Despite his persistence, Owen refuses, driven by concern for the boy's safety, and declares that Luke will never fly again as long as he is alive. Once again, Obi-Wan watches over the family from a distance. As sunset approaches, he embarks on a lengthy journey across the terrain. Following his encounter with Jabba the Hutt's thugs, he has retreated further into isolation, avoiding public appearances in town as the Hutt seeks the individual who defied him. To remain inconspicuous, he realizes he must seek assistance from those already marginalized.

Reaching his destination, a solitary Sandcrawler, he reveals himself to a group of Jawas and proposes an agreement that would benefit both parties. As evening falls, Kenobi sits outside the Sandcrawler, patiently anticipating the customary raid on the Jawas by Tusken Raiders. While waiting, he contemplates how Qui-Gon Jinn regarded Anakin Skywalker as the Chosen One, and considers that, in some respects, he might have been, and that if Luke demonstrates similar abilities, there may still be hope. Finally, the Tusken Raiders descend upon the Sandcrawler and Kenobi, who force pulls a gaderffii stick from one of them to defend himself. He acknowledges that his intervention could endanger Luke, but also recognizes that he cannot protect him indefinitely and that, at some point, Luke will need to defend himself, which includes learning to fly. As dawn breaks, the fight concludes, and Kenobi emerges victorious, causing the invaders to flee. He considers the need to develop a simpler method to deter the Sandpeople in the future, but for now, it was worthwhile, as it allowed him to feel like a Jedi once more.

At a market, Owen brings Luke along to purchase several droids. While Owen is occupied with selecting his purchases, two Jawas approach Luke and present him with a box containing the parts required to repair the Skyhopper. Luke, assuming it to be a gift from his uncle, expresses his gratitude and hurries away, leaving Owen perplexed and a concealed Kenobi smiling.

Returning to his home, Kenobi prepares a meal. Suddenly, a knock is heard at the door. As he rises to answer it, he uses the Force to summon his lightsaber to him. However, the visitor is Owen Lars, who carries with him the box of Skyhopper parts. Angrily, he instructs Kenobi to stay away from his family, and seeing through the Jedi Master's feigned ignorance, reveals that he is aware of Kenobi's secret meddling in their lives, preventing raids and now sending Jawas to Luke. He drops the box at his feet and demands that the hermit cease his activities, declaring that he will not allow Kenobi to "warp" Luke as he did his father, and that it is his responsibility to shield Luke from danger, including the Jedi. Kenobi interjects that Luke "has the potential to become something...truly remarkable," similar to his father. An enraged Owen retorts that Anakin's "death" was Kenobi's fault. Before departing, he asserts that if Luke ever leaves Tatooine, he will not return, and therefore, it would be better if Kenobi kept to himself, as he only attracts danger. Owen then leaves a somewhat disheartened Kenobi, who ultimately concedes to his points. Kenobi, however, insists that no harm will come to Luke, not while he is alive, and that fortunately, he has developed a knack for escaping death.

At Jabba's Palace, the Hutt, through his protocol droid, requests a demonstration of an assailant's skills before agreeing to pay his high asking price. The demonstration commences, and the individual eliminates all of Jabba's guards in a barrage of blaster fire, nearly striking the Hutt himself. Jabba swiftly terminates the display and states that he will pay half now and the remainder later, once the man who ambushed the Hutt's water tax collectors during the Great Drought has been located. As an added incentive, the bounty hunter is offered additional payment for bringing the man back alive. The droid inquires whether the terms are acceptable, and the bounty hunter—who is Krrsantan—responds with a roar.

Star Wars: Timelines places the events depicted in Star Wars (2015) #15 in 10 BBY. However, as detailed here, the events likely transpire in either 8 BBY or 7 BBY.