Read an excerpt from the new Star Wars: Brotherhood novel all about Obi-Wan and Anakin

Obi-Wan Kenobi, the upcoming limited miniseries in Disney’s recent slate of live-action Star Wars television spinoffs, will premiere next month, and with it, Ewan McGregor will reprise the role of the legendary Jedi Master turned Tatooine hermit.

We are still waiting for the Disney Plus premiere of May 27, but we will be there. Star Wars: BrotherhoodFan readers will enjoy another tale about the complicated relationship between Anakin Skywalker and the master. Mike Chen wrote the latest Star Wars novel for Del Rey. It will be available on May 10th.

“The prequel era is my favorite time period in Star Wars and the Clone Wars series may be my favorite piece of Star Wars media,” Chen told Polygon. “So to document the transition between Anakin and Obi-Wan as prickly master/apprentice to the brotherly team you see in the Clone Wars movie, it makes Brotherhood a true dream project.”

To celebrate the book’s release this next week, Del Rey offered Polygon an exclusive excerpt from Brotherhood. Obi-Wan, in the beginning of the war is about to investigate the catastrophe on Cato Neimoidia. But not before telling Anakin about a strange task that he was called to.

“There you are,” Obi-­Wan called out.

Right before he spoke, he’d spotted Anakin by himself but stayed quiet. Anakin may have thought that no one would notice the change to the configuration of the Holodisplays, which had been set up from a rotating list of scheduled and menu lists to accommodate podraces from distant worlds. Waiting for Anakin to finish, he settled in and had a bowl of simple vegetable soup placed on his table. Then he barged in.

In return, Obi-­Wan used the time to consider the scene in front of him: Anakin trying to bend rules to serve his personal desires. This was minor. Not that long ago, it was far more drastic, and a single memory flashed, summing up Obi-­Wan’s worries in a few words: “You will be expelled from the Jedi Order!”

He’d screamed it at Anakin as wind whipped into their eyes, their gunship soaring over Geonosis. Anakin responded by screaming back. “I don’t care!”

This was what caused the problem. Anakin did care. He cared about so many things—­including podracing—­that Obi-­Wan felt like he was often the safety lock on Anakin’s throttle, making sure Anakin kept from going so fast that he’d spiral out of control. They were now peers, not Master and apprentice. A war broke that protective tether and allowed Anakin to drift with his passions and instincts.

“Master,” Anakin said, standing up so fast that his knees banged the table, the soup in his bowl sloshing in reaction. Obi-­Wan noticed the subtle gesture Anakin made behind his back, cutting power to the holodisplay with the flip of a finger. “I was just catching up on the Cato Neimoidia news and—­”

“It’s all right,” Obi-­Wan said, waving his hand as if he was doing a mind trick, though in this case it simply calmed the soup from spilling farther out. “Perhaps peace could be negotiated if we all watched sports and drank ale together. Actually, I’ve come to talk with you about your next assignment tomorrow.”

Anakin looked at Obi-­Wan, the smallest twist forming on his mouth before it reset to neutral. “Tomorrow? I thought I was shipping out in two days to oversee aid delivery to Langston.”

A very strategic response formulated in Obi-­Wan’s mind. “Oh, you still are. Tomorrow’s is local.” His head tilted ever so slightly, measuring Anakin’s response. “Shouldn’t interfere with anything you have planned.”

“Ah. I mean,” Anakin started before looking over at where the refectory’s holographic projection had been. “We’re meeting with the chancellor tomorrow. That’s the new Jedi Knights. I didn’t want to miss it.”

“Anakin, you can catch a feed of podrace tournaments on any shuttle or transport. If you know how to do it.” Obi-­Wan spoke with specific precision, something equally designed to disarm while also dig a little deeper. Anakin sipped his soup while he paused. Then he moved on to another topic that was just as tactical. “Oh, did I tell you I ran into Senator Amidala at the Temple yesterday? She and some other senators seem to agree that the Jedi used the chance to talk to Cato Neimoidia. I haven’t seen her since Geonosis, but she looks no worse for wear.”

Anakin got up and stood again. This was a very careful maneuver that prevented any table collisions. Anakin leaned back towards the access panel of his holoprojector and kept his face covered. “If you run into her again, tell her I say hello. One second,” he said, tinkering with the configuration. “Can’t let anyone know I was watching podracing. So, I hear you’re off to Cato Neimoidia tomorrow?”

“Word travels fast.”

“You know I should be there with you.” Obi-­Wan had heard variations on that statement before, and in some cases it came with the intimation that Anakin considered himself more powerful, more capable, the obvious solution. However, in this particular case his voice and posture were authentic. His concern was evident. It was a remarkable shift in attitudes.

“I would much rather have that. But we must abide by Count Dooku’s caveats. He smartly backs the Jedi into a corner. It must be me alone.” Anakin’s discomfort at the idea painted his entire expression, a stony silence, as if the young man tried to will his way into the situation. “Even though I’m sure the Trade Federation would love to hear your take on the galaxy’s best podracers. Perhaps you could even inform them of your favorite underdogs,” he said, allowing a smirk to come through.

Anakin smiled, and it helped build a connection between them. Perhaps even an acknowledgment silently of their equal status. The tension was at best broken. “I wish,” he started before his voice trailed off. Another surge of emotion came, like a wave but rather than a complex mix of feelings, Obi-­Wan sensed . . . That was a regret.

“I wish Master Qui-­Gon could see us now.” Anakin often left Obi-­Wan flustered, sometimes with his bravado, sometimes with his stubbornness, sometimes with the way that bravado and stubbornness always pulled off the impossible. This was a surprise.

Anakin barely mentioned Qui-­Gon to Obi-­Wan. Was that how much time did the Jedi Master who was killed occupy his mind? “I’m sorry, Master, I shouldn’t have—­”

“He would be proud of you,” Obi-­Wan said, a pure sincerity in his voice. Qui-­Gon, with such belief that Anakin was the Chosen One—­whether or not that was true, it was hard to argue with Anakin’s accomplishments. “His faith would be rewarded.”

For several seconds they sat silently, with the exception of plates and cutlery echoed far away in the dining room. Anakin ended up pushing things ahead. Like he did every time. “I really should fly out to Cato Neimoidia. Backup. I don’t trust Dooku. The Trade Federation. Or Neimoidians in general, for that matter.”

“That’s not within the parameters of the mission, unfortunately.”

Anakin let out a quiet, mumbled laugh and then shrugged his shoulders. “Wait a minute. Is it true that Jedi Knights follow all of the rules? We thought that was something you told the Padawans to keep us in line.”

“Indeed. In fact, I think you’ll find that life as a Jedi Knight is much easier when you stick to the rules. Improvising is only a way to create trouble. Speaking of which—­” Obi-­Wan brightened, and suddenly he found himself trying to contain the urge to chuckle. “You should have a plan for tomorrow.”

“What is this mystery assignment?”

“It is something far more challenging, far more emotionally taxing than a simple negotiation, but it is a rite of passage, something notched on the belt of every Jedi.” Anakin’s face crinkled in curiosity, and Obi-­Wan knew he had his young companion exactly where he wanted him. “You must meet with the younglings and pass on your wisdom.”

Anakin’s laugh echoed through the nearly empty hall, enough that it caught the attention of the group of Padawans in the far corner. “Okay, seriously, what’s the assignment?”

“Anakin,” Obi-­Wan said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I am being completely serious with you.”

Anakin’s eyes grew wide and he began to slowly shake his head. “No. You can’t be.”

“I’m afraid I am. And this can’t just be about lightsaber techniques or physical manipulation of the Force. You must teach them the wisdom you’ve gathered on your journey from Padawan to the trials. And—­” Obi-­Wan bit his lip to hold in his laughter. “—­you must answer their questions. All of them.”