The Monty Hall Paradox

Padmé entered the room and leaned tiredly into an armchair, her eyes closed, so she didn't even notice that I had placed a cup of aromatic herbal Nabuan tea in front of her. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had followed me in and were now seated next to Padme. Obi-Wan looked impatient, and even Qui-Gon had something on his face, so they watched as Padme opened her eyes, looked around, and then only noticed the tea being served. After sipping some, she took a breath and began to tell the story:

- The chancellor decided everything himself, he didn't even let the queen get a word in! And he decided to launch a full-scale conflict with the Federation, to declare them pirates...

The Jedi looked at me and glared at me, so I had to deny it:

- What about me? I'm okay.

- Yes, yes," Qui-Gon nodded, and he looked at Padme demandingly, so she continued:

- Oh, and he's become very aggressive toward the Federation. I didn't expect such harshness from Valorum, who was usually mild-mannered... But," the queen smiled as she looked down at her cup of tea, "no one in the Senate expected it either, but everyone is happy that the Trade Federation is already too much to handle, and the blockade of Naboo is beyond the law.

- Padme was silent as I pondered the new situation. My interference led to unpredictable results, as expected - Valorum the Koshchei was not overthrown, so Palpatine remained a senator, and may never rise higher - the queen has an excuse to simply remove him from office, but that's something that still needs to be done.

- I wonder how the Chancellor is going to destroy an entire trade federation? - I asked while everyone was silent.

- "Obviously, he'll use the Jedi," Padme raised an eyebrow, glancing at Qui-Gon, who shook his head:

- The Jedi are the keepers of peace in the Republic, not the army, and besides, even if we could pull this off, the council would be dead set against the Chancellor-the Order doesn't like the Senate trying to use us as a replacement for the army and the Justice Corps.

- But there'll probably be work for us... - Obi-Wan stretched out after listening to his teacher.

- Yes, my padawan, there has never been less work for the Order, especially when it comes to destroying such a large and powerful corporation as the Trade Federation. Neimodia will fight to the last man. - Qui-Gon, as tired as Padmé was, slumped back in his chair and closed his eyes. The queen, on the other hand, asked in surprise:

- You mean you're not going to help us? - Obi-Wan answered her:

- To you, Padme, gladly, but to work as warriors instead of the army of the Republic, never. Not only did the Republic demilitarize the Order after the Ruusan reform, abolishing ranks, units, and the navy, but they also disbanded their own army. As a result, some handful of merchants, no better armed than smugglers, dictate their terms to the Republic, while the Senate has long been silent and afraid of them. Even if the embarrassment to the trade federation did happen, it would be a good lesson to the whole senate.

They had nothing to complain about - first they refused to feed their own army, and now they resented feeding someone else's. Padme stared silently to the side and said:

- We're flying to Naboo tomorrow night, and the Chancellor has promised to give some warships and ask the Order to help, so...

- We get it," Qui-Gon nodded, "Anakin, will you fly to Naboo?

- Me? - I thought seriously. The prospect of going to that dangerous place was not a good one for now, but the choice was simple - to Naboo or to the Jedi temple. On Naboo is probably more interesting, especially there is something to do, instead of exposing the sword to the discharges... - Of course, Qui-Gon.

- Well, it's your choice. Now you will continue your training. Obi-Wan? Will you watch? - He turned to his student.

- Yes, Master. - Ben nodded meekly and looked at me and stood up. I had to get up and move to the living room while it was still a long way before "Her Majesty" arrived. Qui-Gon stayed with Padme and started talking about something-I couldn't make out the words.

The second training session of the day was more fun than the first - after I'd been repelling shots for a few minutes, Ben got fed up and increased the droid's rate of fire. Unlike the first mode, I had to adjust a little - the sword tended to pull out of my hands when I moved quickly. After I adapted, it became easier, the charges stopped stinging me, and the sword held firmly. As far as I understood, the gyroscopic momentum occurs in the whole sword arch, and to keep the balance one should not end the movement by forcefully stopping the sword, but smoothly lead it away, using minimum force, or at all ending the movement and start a new one from the same moment. After about ten minutes of shots, I experimented a bit and tried to start a new movement as a continuation of the old one.

The difficulty turned out to be that the movement had to be not only a continuation of the past, but also hit the shot at the right moment in time, that is, it was necessary to start reflecting the second shot even before the first occurred - from the first movement.

It's a bit like chess - making a move, assuming a second move, and initially arranging the pieces so that the opponent's second and third moves would run into tight defenses. After the first three failed attempts, Obi-Wan, whom I'd forgotten all about, sat on the couch and just stared blankly as I deflected the droid's shots. The droid, a balloon of sorts, was flying around me, unlike in the memorable movie, in a circle, so I couldn't relax. In the time dimension it looked interesting - here the droid shoots, then describes a parabola and goes slightly down, making a shot at the lowest point, then accelerates and comes in from the back, making two more shots, then back, but already at the height of my height. First I put my sword under the first shot, then, trying to synchronize my movement in time, I describe an arc with my sword, and in the process I catch two more charges, then using the inertia of the sword I turn a hundred and eighty degrees and put the sword at an angle, so that both shots hit him, and then, without stopping the movement, I put the sword behind my shoulder and reflect a shot from the back. It's not bad fun, let me tell you... if the droid didn't keep firing all the time, giving me no respite. It was easier after I realized what the training was all about, though.

Again I consider the droid in its near future - it moves in a circle around me, firing at four points - I retaliate by sweeping my sword at a speed that would be parried in one movement, and not have to strain my so tired arms.

Before the droid could fire again, Obi-Wan got up from the couch and turned off the droid. I, on the other hand, naturally took the blindfold off without opening my eyes, but Ben didn't wait for me to look at him and spoke:

- Yeah, you're pretty good at this. Your experiments must be taking their toll. But there's something strange about your movements...

- Maybe a complete lack of style? I didn't learn how to move that thing... - I said as I slowly opened my eyes. Ben thought for a while and then answered:

- "No, it's something else... You parried a series of shots so easily, five rounds in one motion, that's something. But I don't understand how you do it," he said. Well, that's something to think about in the underworld-apparently something about my results is atypical of a Jedi. And Ben's not a silly little boy; he's already figured it out for himself.

- Well, I don't know about that. How do you do it?

- You're doing all right. It's not bad. We'll get to the faster modes later," he said, and then he placed the disabled droid on the table and continued: - You can put the sword aside for now.

I rested, but before Ben could call out to me, I turned to him and feigned attention.

- The gift is well developed, but you're right--you have no training in swordsmanship, so let's start at the beginning...

- With what?

- With breathing. So, breathing is the most important thing in fencing - how we breathe determines the rhythm of combat and all other movements. You can put the training sword away for now and sit closer," he sat down in a pseudolotos pose next to the couch on the clean floor and, closing his eyes, took a deep breath... I seem to recall something like that - Qui-Gon had done this exercise during his duel with Maul.

I had to repeat Ben's pose, sitting across from him. The only exception was that when I closed my eyes, the perception of power came over me again-vision in the entire sphere around me and a time frame of five to ten seconds ahead. I was able to sit up in the non-dolotos pose without my legs getting as stiff, and I was able to sit up easily. I didn't see much of a difference, so I just sat across the table, savoring my new perception. It wasn't so much beyond the clarity of my vision, but there was a power to it-as a bright and not-so-bright glow all around me that permeated every molecule of matter... The glow was strong in Obi-Wan, as it was in me, and separately I could see the bright dot on his belt-the lightsaber crystal. Ten minutes passed after I closed my eyes, and Ben, when I was beginning to worry that he had fallen asleep, said:

- Relax. Just relax your muscles, and don't worry about anything, think about the pink hutt... - he said in an "otherworldly" voice without opening his eyes.

- ??? Um... Ben? Are you all right? - Jabba immediately burst into my thoughts. This mountain of meat... pink? No, my imagination is failing me.

- Heh heh... I couldn't help it. - Said Kenobi with a smile.

- What a joke you are. I was beginning to color Jabba. In my mind.

- Yeah, that would be funny," Kenobi smiled again and then pretended to be serious, "just relax.

That's how Qui-Gon caught us, trying to steady our breathing. Unlike Ben, I saw him, so I interrupted the breathing exercise and struggled to get up. Ben noticed the stirring and opened his eyes.

- I see you started with the basics. Well, that's fine. Anakin, Obi-Wan and I are going to stay here for now, and tomorrow the queen leaves. You will fly with us, since I have taken responsibility for you to the council," the Jedi said nonchalantly.

* eight hours later *

- What the hell is that? - Qui-Gon asked in amazement, looking at Skywalker asleep. The Obi-Wan Kenobi dragging him along looked at the teacher, then at the boy, and had no better answer than "that's Anakin.

- I see it's Skywalker! Tell me, Obi-Wan, what is he doing on OUR ship? - The knight tried to calm down, and watched his breathing, but what had happened still threw him off balance.

- Well, he was sleeping in the cargo bay. - Obi-Wan Kenobi answered, unconsciously ruffling his hair.

The culprit of the argument, aka Anakin Skywalker, was just beginning to wake up and come to his senses.

- Obi-Wan, I ask again, how did he get on the ship and why isn't he with the Naboans?

- Master, you'd better ask Anakin himself. I have no idea.

- All right. - In a tone that did not bode well for Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon replied. The boy yawned widely at that moment, stretching at the same time. He was finally awakened by the conversation in raised tones and looked in astonishment at his place of residence, a Consul ship that looked nothing like the Nubian at all.

* An hour before the events described above.

I was rudely shaken. As I woke up, I heard a lot of noises around me - voices, both male and female, the stamping of feet, the metallic sounds of moving droids... Without really knowing what was going on, I opened my eyes and looked at the person who had woken me, but all I saw was Obi-Wan's back, moving away from my room. The Jedi was fully clothed, and that was all I could see. I reached up and noticed the noise, and, thinking something had happened, I hurriedly began to get dressed. After dressing quickly, I put my lightsaber on my belt and took my credit cards and went out into the living room... Well, the picture that appeared to my eyes was worthy of a chronicler as a sample of chaos and disorder, and undiscipline. The maids in orange and red robes were flitting around, the usual servants, and somewhere in the distance, a black man Panaka, invisible to me, was commanding something - I could hear him clearly in the whole cacophony of sounds. I decided to find out what was going on, so I looked for Padmé or Mom, but I had to press myself against the wall-people were walking at an astonishing rate, and I could have been knocked off my feet without anyone noticing.

The Jedi didn't add to the calm - Qui-Gon was standing by the window, saying something to the male guards, who were led by Panaka. His apprentice, Ben, was seen at the other end of the room, dragging something heavy under the guidance of a maid in a bright orange robe.

Mom was spotted in all this trouble, and I went over to her as quickly as I could, immediately asking:

- Mom! What's going on, what's all the commotion?

- Ani? Ani, we're leaving for Naboo, so hurry up and get your things. Go on, run," she nudged me toward the room where my belongings were nestled in the corner-the few belongings I'd bought here on Coruscant.

I just as hastily shoved my things into the backpack and left. As I was leaving the room, I ran into Qui-Gon, who noticed me. Deciding to ask about the reasons for the rush, I blurted out:

- Qui-Gon, what's all the trouble? What happened, why are we leaving?

- Anakin, not now. - The Jedi brushed me off as if I were a child in the way, and walked past me.

Since I had no energy to be in this pandemonium, I just closed my eyes and immersed myself in the perception of reality through sheer force. I don't know what it is called, but when the brain began to receive information of circular, or rather spherical-panoramic view, it became easier, at least the chance to bump into someone and not notice him was much less, and if you add temporal perception, then it was reduced to zero. I walked swiftly through the crowd without hitting anyone, and to the door.

I walked out of the royal chambers, wishing I were out of the way, and down the corridor to the hangar where Nubian was standing. The noise in the chambers had not migrated to the hangar, so here, the silence was interrupted only by the quiet hum of the city. The air at night was a little cooler than it was during the day, and it smelled like machinery.

There were two ships in the hangar-the Nubian itself, and another, a red-and-white ship about one and a half times the size of the Nabuan yacht.

After me, Obi-Wan came out with a heavy bale to look at, and followed me into the red-and-white yacht. Once inside the ramp, he hurried back out in a few seconds, and with a "we're leaving, it's on," tossing me back. As soon as he was out of the hangar door, a maid came out and followed me to Nubian. Without thinking too much, I walked into the red and white spaceship, still asleep on my feet and acting on automatic. Qui-Gon had said we would leave tonight, but something must have happened to cause such a commotion.

Inside was a roomy cargo cabin, similar to that of a cargo plane, only unlike airplanes, it was full of all sorts of boxes, things, and other stuff. Judging by the size of this "warehouse" it occupied hardly the fifth part of all fuselage, but it was also very impressive. Even the apron was twice the size of the Nubian's. Deciding to wait for Qui-Gon to explain what was going on, I put my duffel bag among my other things and, yawning, sat down on the crate.

The Erdva drove past me with its caterpillars whirring. The droid stopped and turned the sensor in my direction, beeping something warningly, but I said, "Uh-huh," without opening my eyes. Erdwah somehow let out a cheerful or trill that must mean something like a laugh or a giggle and drove on, leaving me alone...

Qui-Gon was still not coming, so I didn't notice how I fell asleep...

* Present tense *

Qui-Gon looked at me demandingly. At this point, the ship was already flying in hyperspace, and there was no way to get out of it and bring everything back.

- Um... Qui-Gon, why don't you explain what happened? I don't get it! - I started to defend myself. But the Jedi Knight surprised me by putting his right hand to his face and after a few seconds of silence, he said:

- Obi-Wan, explain to Anakin, I don't have the strength from you two anymore. You're going to drive me to my grave!

Ben, looking at his teacher in surprise, didn't argue and turned to me:

- "Anakin, we're not going to Naboo. I mean, the Naboans are going back, and the Council summoned us to Neimodia.

- Well, well, stop! Ben, tell me what happened in order! - I demanded, glancing at Qui-Gon. He was still sitting in his chair with his hand over his eyes. Ben started to talk:

- In order? Well, then listen. The Chancellor, before making such decisive proposals as the destruction of the TF, or rather the disbandment and reorganization, got the support of important allies...

Something must have reflected on my face, as Ben explained:

- Well, the Techno Union, other major organizations... the Valorums are an ancient and influential clan, so the Chancellor has plenty of connections. Here.

- I realized I didn't get it," I explained, eliciting a heavy sigh from Qui-Gon.

- Anyway, Skywalker, before he put up a fight with the Federation, the Chancellor negotiated with the Federation's main allies and got their support. I don't know what he promised them, but many, if not all, turned their backs on the Federation. The last who might have been a big problem were the Hutts. They could have let the Federation use their sector of space and turned them from punitive to true rebels. But luckily, the Hutts declared neutrality--they wouldn't let us in, but they wouldn't get anything from the Federation either. True, they gave an answer when everyone was already asleep.

Kenobi cleared his throat and, after a few seconds of silence, continued:

- The Neimodians, having learned that a large-scale action was being prepared, began hastily withdrawing troops from Naboo and other planets, concentrating all forces to Neimodia and the so-called "money worlds" - the main planets of their trade. But mostly, of course, Neimodia. It happened almost immediately--a few hours after the chancellor's speech.

- It was expected, wasn't it? - I asked, realizing that it's kind of a normal thing for the defense of the metropolis to pull in forces from all sorts of far-flung garrisons.

- Yes, it is. But that's not what matters. The chancellor, as soon as he realized that Palpatine was trying to pass a vote of no confidence, used his connections... or powers, or bribes, in general, in half an hour he had the original memory cards of all the droids that served Senator Palpatine. Your suspicions were confirmed, but we didn't get them...

- Did Palpatine publicly admit he was a Sith? - I asked, admitting I underestimated the beast. There are no fools in such positions, and the general "democratic" lawlessness generates very unthinkable moves for the power. A goddamn bribe-taking chancellor? Yeah, we've come a long way, we've played the game of democracy... but on the other hand, no courts and no search warrants... Palpatine must have something to answer to that.

- Almost. It's been proven that he was behind the assassination attempt on the Queen and that he's a Sith. Not quite publicly, but enough dirt to bury him and the entire Trade Federation. Speaking of the time when the senators wake up and start demanding proof of the Viceroy's guilt... Doesn't matter! What matters is that he unearthed a real live Sith. Guess how he used the information? - Obi-Wan asked, smiling.

- I know how, considering you went off in the middle of the night to see what's-her-name?

Kenobi smiled, and then, after a pause, he asked:

- So why Hutt are you flying with us? And why do I find you sleeping in the cargo hold?

- Well... yesterday Qui-Gon said, "We're leaving. And today, too.

- Is that so? - The student looked at the teacher, but came across a frown.

- I thought we would continue the mission, but Valorum managed to manipulate even the Jedi council by digging up information about the Federation and Sith connections. Master Yoda will personally lead the attack on Neimodia, and is gathering the best Jedi to do so. We don't expect any peace talks- the Neimodians, or rather, the heads of the Federation are ready to fight to the last man, so it's going to be dangerous. And why the Sith are following us, I don't know. Kwai-Gon had already recovered from his exasperation and returned the Samurai coolness.

- Master, have you forgotten what happened to the last of the 'Consul's' men who brought us to Naboo?

- I haven't, Ben. And you, Anakin, I hope you won't do it again. - Qui-Gon said reproachfully.

- Um... I had nothing to do with that! - I exclaimed back. I had a meeting with the Master and stormed the Trade Federation planet ahead of me, and something told me that sitting on the sidelines was not an option. Damn, what a "lucky" thing to get into! And all I remembered was the phrase "we're leaving tomorrow". But at least I have my sword with me, and where there's our missing...

Qui-Gon and his apprentice sat in the main compartment, silently pondering their own thoughts. Perhaps Qui-Gon was already preparing to be reprimanded by a master, and his apprentice, Ben, was waiting for something to be understood. The silence was broken again by me:

- Um... Qui-Gon, ben, while we're flying we should practice. It's so boring in hyperspace.

- He's bored," the Jedi grumbled. He grumbled, but he got up and went to his quarters. Qui-Gon Jinn returned with my old friend, the training droid. Ben, do you have the training sword?

- Yes, Master. - Kenobi pulled a training lightsaber from somewhere from his sinus and handed it to his master, but Qui-Gon addressed it to me:

- "Give it to Anakin. Anakin, I hope you realize that it's in our best interest that you do well, or the Master will kill me...

- Think you brought an untrained boy with you? - I raised an eyebrow, taking my saber from Obi-Wan.

- There, you understand. Now just pull yourself together and do your best. Obi-Wan, where was the ribbon?

Ben Kenobi, making a magician's gesture, drew the good old ribbon from the folds of his robes and handed it to me. He didn't have to try, because my perception is much better with my eyes closed than with them open. But I hadn't told the Jedi that secret yet, though they would figure it out sooner or later.