Following the rise of the Empire, the Star Wars timeline ignites with events spanning the galaxy regarding well-known heroes like Han Solo and up-and-coming adventurers like Ezra Bridger and the Bad Batch. As destinies are forged, remnants of the Republic also remain, such as Cal Kestis from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a Jedi-turned-scrapper after the Great Purge. While it seemed like there wasn’t enough space in this era of the galaxy to continue exploring, the new trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi once again proved viewers wrong.
The trailer reveals some key details about its setting, Tatooine in 9 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). This includes a heightened presence of Sith Inquisitors, including the Grand Inquisitor and some of the brothers and sisters. Other than in Star Wars Rebels, which transpires after the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the only other time they are shown earlier in the timeline is in 14 BBY, during the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. But if the Inquisitors were able to survive the events of the game, what became of the Cal Kestis and the crew of the Mantis at that point?
Aside from the events of Fallen Order, Cal has shown great skill in keeping a low profile. As a Jedi, it’s difficult to avoid conflict when innocent lives are at risk and even more difficult to avoid using the Force when applicable. This is why he was exposed at the start of the game. However, now that Cal has a new crew, it’s more than his own life that’s at risk. As a result, he may have continued Jedi training with his master, Cere Junda. If true, survival would have been even more crucial for him as he likely would have become a master himself in the five years that followed the game. Since he had no interest in restarting the Jedi Order, he may have continued as a Jedi Seeker, learning about the ancient galaxy during the events of Kenobi.
Master Cere Junda was last seen to have embraced her calling as a Jedi and even promoted her apprentice, Cal. While she couldn’t quite hold her own against the likes of Darth Vader, she has shown skill in using the Force and her lightsaber against other threats. In the years following the game, she likely remained with the Mantis and trained Cal while exploring the secrets of the galaxy. However, it’s hard to say if she would still be alive by 9 BBY, as old age or more harrowing events may have claimed her.
As for Mantis captain, Greez, Cal’s droid BD-1 and the last Nightsister, Merrin, the only family they had left was now on the Mantis. As a result, they likely remained with Cal and Cere, charting courses to new worlds leading up to and during Obi-Wan Kenobi. Greez, while grumpy at first, eventually grew accustomed to his guests and even learned to care for Cal. BD-1 and Cal formed a bond as strong as Poe Dameron and BB-8, proving that nothing would separate them. As for Merrin, while she was distant at first, she connected with Cal since they had both lost their homes and families thanks to the Dark Side. Though they showed the sparks of a deeper relationship, it’s hard to say if their beliefs would have allowed for them to become more than friends by Kenobi.
Jedi: Fallen Order‘s sequel may provide some confirmation as to whether or not everyone survived to the timeline of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Inquisitors may have endured following the losses of the Second and Ninth Sisters, but as more disturbances erupted, the Inquisitors’ attention was likely pulled from revenge to hunting for other, more active Jedi, like Kenobi. There’s little doubt the Mantis crew encountered more dangers before and during the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it was likely due to their desire to explore as a team rather than fight.
Obi-Wan Kenobi premieres May 25 on Disney+.
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