Jedi Apprentice Volume 18: The Threat Within

Written by: Jude Watson

The final volume (not including the special edition), which finally sees Obi-Wan take the lead on the investigation this time around and Qui-Gon allows him free reign for the most part up to letting him fail. The Jedi go to the planet of Vorzyd IV where it is all work and no play. And by no play I mean that anything that disrupts work, makes the inhabitants depressed and anxious.

Lately they have been the victims of sabotage. They blame the sabotage on nearby Vorzyd V who has recently become larger in the system due to casinos and entertainment activities. They have long been at odds but had been under a diplomatic truce until the sabotage.

The Jedi work as always to find an answer despite the leaders of IV stepping on them in everyway. Not allowing any other possibility to be suggested and even going behind the Jedis’ back to use their arrival as leverage.

Obi-Wan though discovers that the sabotage is actually from a group of kids on the planet who are sick of the mentality and want to change Vorzyd IV’s culture. At first the group was not dangerous and most of the stunts were of the prank variety but there was a faction within the group that wanted to take it further so that the adults would notice them more.

Obi-Wan tried to change things from within and on his own despite Qui-Gon’s attempts to change things on his end.

It is an interesting dichotomy and it is great to see Obi-Wan come into his own lending credence to Qui-Gon’s declaring that Obi-Wan is ready to face the trials at a later time in the saga.

Overall it is a fine conclusion to the saga and fun story.

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