Chapter Text
In some worlds, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jango Fett do not meet at all. In others, they barely cross paths. Sometimes they grow up as best friends. Other times they’re born decades apart. In some worlds, Jango Fett never leaves Concord Dawn. In some worlds, Obi-Wan Kenobi becomes a Jedi Knight. In some worlds, the galaxy is nearly destroyed in the Clone Wars.
But let’s focus on this world.
In this world, Obi-Wan Kenobi is sent to visit the Agricorps settlement on Bandomeer six months before Qui-gon Jinn arrives on the planet for his own mission. Their paths do not cross.
Obi-Wan is instead welcomed on Bandomeer by Master Nadon Sulca. The female Ithorian that led the Eastern Enrichment Zone was warm and kind to the youngling. She spent a week leading Obi-Wan on tours of the massive agricultural dome and its attached labs.
She clearly explained the challenges facing the planet after centuries of harmful mining. And she outlined how the Agricorps planned to develop new hybrid crops that could thrive in the toxic soil while also cleansing it, setting the planet on the path to environmental healing. She introduced Obi-Wan to RonTha, the Meerian scientist leading that project, and to Jesbrak, who led the morning chantwork.
Obi-Wan had expected farms, and even labs. He had expected…. Well, boring labor. He had expected the Agricorps to be everything derisive padawans and ignorant younglings in the creche had said it was. But instead he was entranced by the overwhelming feeling of the Force. Every tree, every plant, every seed. Every handful of lovingly cared for soil. The thrum of pure Force, of pure Life. Like the Room of a Thousand Fountains, only amplified by ten.
And while he knew the Acrigorps did important work, he could soon admit to himself that he hadn’t really appreciated that work. In the Temple, food just… was. It was there. Sure, he knew it was sent by the Agricorps, and he knew that millions across the galaxy depended on their work. But it seemed so remote. And frankly, less interesting than the flash-bang help a Jedi Knight was famous for. But being here, understanding the specific problems just this one Enrichment Zone was tackling. Seeing everyone at work, meeting the Jedi Corpsmen (and Corpswomen) that had dedicated their lives to this work, hearing and feeling their chanting all around him in the morning…. Yeah, okay, he’ll admit it, he was inspired.
In this world, Obi-Wan Kenobi completed his week on Bandomeer, and returned to the Jedi Temple in Coruscant, just long enough to submit his report to Master Yoda, pack his belongings, and officially make his request to the Council of Reassignment to join the Agricorps.
It’s funny how destiny can work. Obi-Wan spent his childhood believing he would become a warrior. But he chose to become a farmer. Jango, on the other hand, spent his childhood believing he would become a farmer, only for fate to make him a warrior.
One night on their farm on Concord Dawn, Jango Fett’s parents are killed by Death Watch. By the end of the night, Jango is adopted by Mand’alor Jaster Mereel, leader of the True Mandalorians. Jaster’s love and guidance soothe some of the sharpest edges of Jango’s grief, showing him new purpose, and giving him the skills he needed to become the best version of himself. Jango doesn’t know where he’d be without Jaster.
He almost finds out, actually, after a disastrous job on Korda VI. In some worlds, a lieutenant’s betrayal marks the end of Mand’alor Mereel, and the beginning of Mand’alor Fett. But in this world things go a little differently. The traitor is found out before it’s too late, and Jaster Mereel survives the day.
It shook all of the Haat Mando’ade, though, to come so close to losing their Mand’alor. So afterwords, Jaster starts focusing on Jango’s training in earnest. A Mandalorian’s life is not a safe or peaceful one, after all, and someday his son will succeed him. To make sure he’s ready, and to make sure his commandos are as confident in Jango’s leadership as they are in Jaster’s, the Mand’alor starts giving Jango more and more responsibilities.
Jango was leading most of the commandos on a job on Er’kit when a very tempting request was sent to Jaster from the governor of Galidraan. He arranged for the Haat Mando’ade to regroup on Bandomeer, along the Hydian Way, before traveling on to the Galidraan system together.
So, in this world, Jaster Mereel, Jango Fett, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are all on Bandomeer at the same time. And that’s where our story begins.