Jedi Apprentice: The Uncertain Path

The Uncertain Path by Jude Watson is the sixth in a series of young reader novels called Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice. All the books in the series are written by Jude Watson, except for the first book, Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force, which was written by Dave Wolverton. The series explores the adventures of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi prior to Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

Editions[]

ISBN 0590519697; February 2000, Scholastic, 144-page paperback^[2]
ISBN 0439014506; 2000, Scholastic, 144-page paperback^[3]
ISBN 0613225511; September 2000, Sagebrush, School/Library binding^[4]
ISBN 0606196188; February 2001, Demco Media, School/Library binding^[5]

Publisher's summary[]

Peace over anger.
Honor over hate.
Strength over fear.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is no longer a Jedi. He has chosen instead to be a part of the revolution on the planet Melida/Daan. His Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, has gone back to Coruscant, where trouble is stirring inside the Jedi Temple.

Obi-Wan takes comfort in his friends, the other leaders of the revolution. Together they have power—perhaps too much power. As the revolution continues, friends become enemies, and Obi-Wan's path grows more and more uncertain. Qui-Gon is no longer around to help him.

Obi-Wan is on his own.

Plot summary[]

Obi-Wan Kenobi continues to fight for the Young on Melida/Daan after leaving the Jedi Order, and after they destroy the Elders' starfighters, the Middle Generation agrees to support them. Peace is declared, and the winners form a government.

Nield is elected governor, but though winter is coming, he uses their resources to destroy the Halls of Evidence, which are not only war monuments but columbariums, rather than feed, clothe, and shelter their citizens. Cerasi thinks it is a mistake for them to destroy them. Obi-Wan agrees with her, and after they vote against further destruction, Nield turns against them and singles out Obi-Wan as an offworlder.

Nield leads a force to destroy the Hall of Evidence where Cerasi's family's ashes are buried, and he is met by armed resistance from the Melida Elders, led by Wehutti, whose weapons were previously confiscated by Obi-Wan as head of the Security Squad. During the confrontation, Cerasi is shot and killed, and the Elders and the Young both use her death to justify another war.

Meanwhile, Qui-Gon and Tahl are investigating a series of petty thefts in the Jedi Temple that culminate in the theft of the Healing Crystals of Fire and several lightsabers, including Obi-Wan's. With help from Bant Eerin, they discover the thief is hiding everything under the lake.

Qui-Gon attempts to follow Bruck Chun when he returns for his ill-gotten goods, but Tahl's 2JTJ personal navigation droid spooks them when she tries to discreetly alert Qui-Gon to the presence of Bruck's accomplice, who was following him. Bruck runs away from the Temple.

Yoda passes along Obi-Wan's request for assistance, and Qui-Gon travels to Melida/Daan where he helps Obi-Wan realize the Melida Elders where rearmed by Mawat, head of the Scavenger Young, who wanted another war to break out. Cerasi was killed by one of the snipers Mawat stationed on the roofs to start a war themselves if they looked to be backing down.

He tells Nield, and they rush to the Hall of Evidence to prevent its destruction. Qui-Gon ends the Last Battle of Zehava by playing a recording Cerasi made on the morning before her death, reiterating her desire for peace.

Mawat returns to the countryside, where Nield hopes he will repent for his actions, and the Elders and Middle Generation join the Young in governing the united Melida/Daan. Qui-Gon welcomes Obi-Wan back to the Jedi Order, but he does not take him back as his apprentice.