INT. WAYWARD SON/FORWARD HOLD
Sn. Mal'Akhi and Dr. Zosime Moulin currently stand together over a large crate, at work preparing supper. Opening metallic foil ration packets, the Barabel takes out the self-heating foodstuffs and arranges them on a makeshift platter, the Gungan at his side offering assistance.
SN. MAL'AKHI: (finishes arranging rectangular meat logs and sucks gravy off his fingers) And there we are.
Hefting the ersatz platter up, he turns around and starts off with Moulin for the main hold.
INT. WAYWARD SON/MAIN HOLD
A hatch opens, allowing the Barabel and Gungan entry into the Wayward Son's main hold. Waiting for them -- empty plates at the ready -- is the rest of the crew.
DR. MOULIN: Dinner is served.
Making his way to each of the awaiting teammates, Mal'Akhi gives each of them a serving of each of the items on the tray in his hands.
MSC. NAAD: (looks down upon the food on her plate with distaste) What is it tonight?
SN. MAL'AKHI: Processed meat logs in gravy, a slice of maize bread, and candleberry pudding for dessert.
MSC. NAAD: (takes a bite of meat log and immediately gags) When was this packaged? 8000 PE?
SN. ANTILLES: (grins) There's a reason they're called MREs, little sister. It stands for Meals Regurgitated by Elom.
MSC. NAAD: Not even Elom would touch this food.
SN. MAL'AKHI: Sorry, Ms. Naad, but I'm only a gourmet chef. I can't work miracles.
MSC. NAAD: This doesn't require a miracle worker, just an undertaker. This stuff's long overdue for a proper burial.
OBI-WAN: Just hold your nose, Käthe. It'll go down much easier.
Heeding the knight's advice, the slender woman pinches her nose shut before taking another bite.
CMDR. CODY: We shouldn't be going through our rations like this. We should be conserving them in the event we lose control of our ship and end up stranded in unknown territory.
CMDR. VANESS: (smirks) Still quite the iron warhorse, aren't you, Cody? (beat) Have you ever considered lightening up a bit, Commander?
CMDR. CODY: "Lightening up" has never saved anyone under my charge, Commander. Keeping an eye out for the future -- being prepared -- has.
DR. MOULIN: (takes a seat with her own plate of food) Can we not get into another one of these conversations, please? I like eating in a peaceful environment.
CMDR. VANESS: I have no problem with that. (to Cmdr. Cody) Do you?
Cody merely picks up his slice of bread and takes a bite.
MSC. NAAD: (turns to Obi-Wan) Maj. Kenobi, I --
OBI-WAN: (holds up a hand) Please, Käthe, just call me Obi-Wan.
MSC. NAAD: (cont'd) Obi-Wan. (beat) I've been meaning to ask you this for some time now, and -- well -- I guess I've been a little too shy to ask you before ...
OBI-WAN: (smiles) Go ahead. You can ask me anything.
MSC. NAAD: How long have you been in the service?
OBI-WAN: Over five years now. I enlisted shortly after I was knighted.
MSC. NAAD: And you've already advanced to the rank of sergeant major?
OBI-WAN: (solemn) It's not as glamorous as it sounds. For every step I've taken up that ladder, I've had to make a sacrifice. Sometimes it's been a friend or a comrade, other times it's been a piece of myself.
MSC. NAAD: What's your plan for the future, after the war's over?
OBI-WAN: (smiles) Siri -- my wife -- thinks I should return to the Academy and work towards becoming an officer. Personally, though, I feel like hanging up my armour and leaving the military life behind when all is said and done. (beat) I think I'll take a course in journalism, become a reporter. (laughs) That way I can continue my work as a Jedi and get paid for it, too.
MSC. NAAD: Jedi don't have pensions?
OBI-WAN: Oh, the Jedi of the larger sects do. I'm an independent, though, so I'm left to my own devices.
MSC. NAAD: I see. Thanks for clarifying that. (to Nik) What about you? What do you have planned for the future?
ANAKIN: Well, I don't have any real long-term plans. If things continue to run smoothly with my girlfriend, I suppose I'll return to Orron III to live with her and her parents on their farm.
MSC. NAAD: (grins) So, no grandiose plans on becoming the next galactic superhero celebrity, with sixteen-hundred mansions on every major world in the Inner Core with harems of beautiful women in each?
ANAKIN: (laughs) No. I was born a farmer and I'm content to live the rest of my life as one. I used to hate the lifestyle, but after five years of fighting whitefaces, I think I've had my fill of adventure.
MSC. NAAD: So you'll be hanging up your lightsaber, quit being a Jedi?
ANAKIN: Well, no. I won't go out looking for trouble, but if my services as a Jedi are needed, I'll be there. I'll always be a Jedi. (looks down at his lightsaber) If I have any kids, I'll train them the same. I'll even give my firstborn my lightsaber when he or she's old enough.
MSC. NAAD: (smiles) Well, I think you'd make a great dad.
ANAKIN: (returns her smile) Thanks. I like to think so, too.