New Star Wars novel solves Obi-Wan Kenobi mystery going back to A New Hope

A new sample from Mike Chen’s upcoming Star Wars novel has been released… and it confirms something about Obi-Wan Kenobi that, for a long time, many of us wondered.

The novel, Brotherhood, focuses on an adventure between Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker before the events of The Clone Wars and around the period of Star Wars Episode II and it looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun.

But two things have gotten fans excited about the segment, below.

firstly, it features the return of fan favourite diner owner and Besalik, Dexter who Obi-Wan went to on Coruscant for information… despite only appearing for a few minutes, Dex became a fast favourite with fans… which is probably the most Star Wars thing of all.

Secondly, in the passage, Dex says to Obi-Wan about an ‘old friend’: “Dresses better than you. Striking eyes. Mandalorian royalty. Used to call you Ben, for some reason.”

Fans of The Clone Wars will know that Dex is talking about Satine Kryze, the woman who loved Obi-Wan and who he told he would have left the Jedi Order for; she also died in his arms thanks to [Darth] Maul and it seems that when Obi-Wan goes to Tattooine to look after a young Luke Skywalker, he takes the name Ben because it’s what she used to call him.

However…

While it’s great that the book has drawn attention to this, on a recent rewatch of Clone Wars, I noticed that in Season 5 Episode 16, The Lawless, Satine says to Obi-Wan: “I trust you have an escape plan, Ben.” to which he replies: “As always, my dear.”

So, not only is their relationship one that more Star Wars fans should know about, it made the Ben Kenobi canon a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) but we love that fans are discovering it for the first time here.

Read the excerpt after the image of Obi-Wan and Satine:

“The Neimoidians.” The hologram of the bombing fizzled as Dex poked at it, then swiped it aside to pull up data on the Trade Federation’s purse worlds. “Unique species. Their brains are wired for calculation. Everything is an instinctive risk assessment to them. Some call it cowardly. I think it’s a strong survival instinct, percentages and risk. I worked with some, back in my black-­market days. Quick thinkers. I’d want them on my side. Picking a side means losing half your customers, though.” Dex straightened up, his massive shoulders suddenly looking like mountains as he stood behind the bar. “In most cases.”

“So that’s it. Appeal to their sense of risk. How do you recommend going about that?” Obi-­Wan lifted his plate. “Bring them cake?”

“They don’t have a tidy relationship with the Republic, I’ll tell you that. And not exactly with the Jedi, either. If I recall, you were involved with some of that.”

Obi-­Wan’s voice dropped his sense of humor. “Nute Gunray is considered an extremist by their government. Senator Lott Dod—­”

“There you go again. You Jedi, getting lost in the details.”

Obi-­Wan tapped his fork against his plate. “So go with cake then?”

“Perhaps.” Dex stretched out, upper arms reaching overhead while his lower arms clutched his belly. “It’s simple, really. Cato Neimoidia is the base of operations for the Trade Federation. Long memories, those Neimoidians.”

“Make them forget.” Obi-­Wan waved his hand, prompting a laugh from Dex. “I don’t know if one Jedi is powerful enough to do that.”

“Not forget. Show them that sending Palpatine might invite more trouble than it’s worth. And show them that a Jedi isn’t going to tear through them like at Naboo.” Obi-­Wan nodded, his mind reframing options to Dex’s new direction. “Remember, it’s all numbers to them. It’s what got them where they are. See, all of the Republic types think it’s their ideology.” Dex shook his head with a chuckle. “That’s shortsighted. It’s a strategy, not politics. Their neutrality is different from the neutrality your old friend preaches.”

Obi-­Wan had known Dex a long time, going back to a youthful misadventure out in the Unknown Regions. And though they only saw each other occasionally, his old friend knew just how to needle him.

This particular jab was so effective that a grin slipped through, and Obi-­Wan raised an eyebrow in subtle acknowledgment.

“What old friend?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Dresses better than you. Striking eyes. Mandalorian royalty. Used to call you Ben, for some reason,” Dex said with one of his hearty chuckles. “That one. I hear she’s quite the savvy politician.”

Obi-­Wan wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of saying her name out loud, or the fact that the Duchess Satine of Mandalore was maintaining neutrality in the Clone Wars to ensure that her people didn’t return to their previous warlike ways. “Ah, the simple foolishness of impulsive youth.”

“You keep telling yourself that, old buddy. I don’t know, why don’t you ask her about neutrality instead of an old slug at a diner?”

“Well, it’s simple, Dex. I wanted dessert.” To prove the point, Obi-­Wan stabbed two pieces of cake, one from each layer, then took them down in one bite. “So suppose I convince them. The Republic sends a Jedi,” he continued, still chewing. “Then what?”

“I’d say it starts with the bombing. What was targeted, how was it done, and why?”

Obi-­Wan clicked a button on the holoprojector to deactivate it, then tapped the datapad before sliding it over. “I’m glad you asked.”

Dex took one glance at the numbers and lists on the pad, then pushed it back. “No, no, no. See, you’re looking at the wrong thing here. All you’ve got is facts.”

Another eyebrow rose, though this one had nothing to do with Satine Kryze. “What’s so bad about facts, Dex?”

“Without context, facts are useless.” The holographic images returned as Dex tapped the pad with his large finger, then started swiping through. “You look at this and you see blast radius, casualty total, potential targets. What is the context?” he asked, tapping his finger with every word of his question.

“The context is—­” Obi-­Wan took in a breath. “We know the Republic didn’t do it.” Dex started to retort but Obi-­Wan held up a finger. “We assume the Republic didn’t do it. The Separatists say they didn’t. The Trade Federation is neutral.”

“Whoever did it is an extremist. Regardless of side. Correct?” Dex asked. His question came with a tangible weight, and in that moment Obi-­Wan considered that Dex would have made a really good teacher for a Padawan.

“Fair to assume. And the Trade Federation considers Nute Gunray an extremist.”

“Extremism only escalates when it’s left unchecked. When you stay neutral in the face of it.” The Besalisk gave a knowing grin. “But what if you could turn the Trade Federation into an ally? Make neutrality seem like the”—­Dex’s chuckle echoed through the space—­“risky thing to do.”

Obi-­Wan nodded, the remaining food on his plate suddenly forgotten. Dex was right: Going to Cato Neimoidia, treating things strictly as an investigation to clear the Republic’s name—­that would only keep the Trade Federation neutral. And that neutrality would in itself enable the war to escalate. “This catastrophe,” Obi-­Wan said, pointing to the looping simulation of the attack, “may also be an opportunity.”

“Oh?”

“Senator Lott Dod acts as a firewall for the Trade Federation. Getting an audience with their leadership is nearly impossible. But this provides us a direct opportunity to speak to them. To be heard. Possibly.” He leaned back on his stool, hand over his beard. “Especially right now, while the war is young.”

“Now you’re getting it. So the first trick is to get them to accept a Jedi. And while that Jedi is earning their trust, perhaps talking them out of neutrality. Easy, right?” Dex looked over his shoulder. “Wanda?”

The waitress droid rolled to the kitchen window. “Ya need something, hon?”

Dex took a bite from the remaining cake slices, then looked at the chrono on the wall. “Brew a new pot of caf, please. We’re gonna be a while.”

“You got it, boss. Cream and sugar in yours, hon?”

“Oh, no,” Obi-­Wan said. “I prefer my caf straight black.”