Summary: Pre-TPM. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan try for another vacation
away together. Obi-Wan is around 20 years old.
Feedback: Please, to Kethry3@hotmail.com.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything or anyone. All the characters
and their universe belong to George Lucas. I also have no
education whatsoever in Astronomy, Physics, Medicine or
Pyrotechnics so all mistakes in any of those areas are
completely mine.
Notes: Everything in // // is Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan talking
through their bond. Many thanks to Kethry3 for all her help
with this story, without her constant encouragement none of
this would have ever happened.
Obi-Wan never tired of space flight. The starlines expanding
into shooting rays of elongated light never ceased to amaze him
as he pushed the lever forward that engaged the hyperdrive. The
white pinprick stars jumped and became long streaks of
multi-colored light that pressed around the small shuttle in
varying degrees and speeds capturing his imagination.
Qui-Gon watched his student with hidden amusement and envy; to
still be so in awe of the simple things, it must be youth he
thought.
"Is it true, Master," questioned Obi-Wan without breaking his
gaze on the pulsating lights, "that Ryliss is only habitable
for 50 years every millennium?"
"Yes, Padawan, it is true," he replied. "In fact Ryliss only
has a couple of more decades before it will become completely
uninhabitable again."
Ryliss was their destination. An odd planet within a binary
star system and an elliptical orbit that took it a millennium
to complete. At this stage in the planets path through the
galaxy it was located in, the planet was stable and livable,
experiencing the tail end of it's fifty years of prosperity in
this millennium before beginning it's glacial period as it
reached the farthest point in it's orbit. For the next year and
a half the people who had chosen to make Ryliss their temporary
home were treated to the rare cosmic event known as "crystal
storms". At dusk every evening just as the sun was setting, the
orbiting planetary ring of comet fragments would rain down
pieces of frozen ice and rock that burned brilliantly upon
entry into the stratosphere. Sulfuric compounds and metallic
salts found in the comets would ignite into various dazzling
colors streaking through the twilight sky. It was said that it
resembled a rainbow breaking into a thousand pieces and falling
to the ground. In most cases the pieces of ice and other
compounds burned up before impacting the planet, but every year
there was someone that would actually find a lump of the still
burning material. Upon cooling and polishing, the stones took
on the translucent beauty of an opalescent diamond or so the
tales went. They were known as Ryliss Gems and those that
existed were priceless. It was to this planet to witness this
phenomenon first hand that Master Qui-Gon Jinn had made
arrangements to bring Obi-Wan Kenobi his Padawan apprentice.
They had tried several times to get away just the two of them
for rest and relaxation and each time they had been disrupted
by some unfortunate event. On their last attempt to get away
their shuttle had crashed. Mace Windu, a long time friend of
Qui-Gon's who sat on the Jedi Council, had been forced to come
to their aid that time.
"Do you think we will actually get there?" Obi-Wan tore his
gaze away from the view ports to focus on his Master.
"I hope so, Obi-Wan."
"I don't think Master Windu would take kindly to our returning
his ship in the same condition we returned Master Yoda's,"
teased the apprentice.
"Oh really." Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at the smiling young
Jedi. "You think that might be a problem do you?"
"Well, Master, I did hear Master Windu threaten you if we......
how did he put it? 'If we pulled the same sort of stunt', I
believe those were his exact words, that he would take it out
of your hide." Obi-Wan tried hard to hide the smile that
threatened to over take him. "Not one scratch now you hear me?"
the young Jedi imitated almost perfectly his Masters long-time
friend. Turning back to the console to conceal his laughter he
proceeded, "I guess we should be glad that Master Windu doesn't
have a walking stick."
"Obi-Wan!" reprimanded the older Jedi barely concealing his own
laughter. "I shouldn't think Master Windu would take kindly to
being imitated by a Padawan either. Perhaps Master Yoda will
lend him that walking stick if you aren't careful."
The laughter of both men filled the cockpit. It looked like it
might actually be a good trip after all.
The hours stretched into their flight occupied by conversations
and practice in using the force to alter one's perception of
time.
Qui-Gon was leaned fully back in the pilots chair eyes closed
completely relaxed. Obi-Wan on the other hand was fidgeting
unconsciously, running out of patience. He found himself
glancing over at his Master again. The starlines, which had so
fascinated him hours ago, had lost their appeal. He had decided
to go into the back and rearrange something, anything, maybe
start a meal. He was trying to move quietly out of his seat for
fear of waking his Master when the older Jedi spoke, surprising
him and causing him to fall ungracefully back into his seat
eliciting a small laugh from his mentor.
"I was not sleeping. And yes, a meal sounds like a good idea,
Padawan." Qui-Gon glanced at him through half open eyes. "Do
you need help?"
"No, Master, I believe I can handle it." Obi-Wan smiled, color
reddening his cheeks at his awkwardness and being so easily
read by the man next to him. Qui-Gon simply nodded and
straightened in his chair.
"Don't worry, Obi-Wan, we only have five more hours," teased
the older Jedi checking the chronometer. "Perhaps you should
meditate on patience when we are through eating though." A
smiled tugged at his lips.
"Master...." groaned the apprentice with a small laugh and a
glare at his teacher. Passing the aisle between the two
stations he had almost cleared the cockpit when an alarm
sounded. Returning quickly to his seat he identified the
flashing light. "Oh no, not again!"
"What is it, Obi-Wan?"
"Master, it's the hyperdrive."
"Has it shorted out?"
"No, Master, it's going off line." The younger Jedi responded
as the craft abruptly reverted to realspace. "It's almost as
if....."
"As if we were pulled out of hyperspace by a gravity well,"
Qui-Gon finished for him, his eyes fixed on a ship hanging
ominously off their starboard side..
"Master! That's an Interdictor!"
"Interdictor's are experimental. I had thought the Senate
outlawed them."
"Master, there." Obi-Wan pointed to the far side of the
monstrous ship. Several smaller snub-nosed fighters swung
around the front of the Interdictor heading straight towards
them.
"Pirates. Obi-Wan, take us out of here as quickly as possible."
The young Jedi threw himself into the task. Bringing the flight
systems up quickly he shoved the small craft into a steep
inverted dive looping back on their initial trajectory.
"Head there." Qui-Gon pointed to a small planet with several
moons, "Perhaps we can loose them in there."
The ship bucked as the first salvos of laser fire hit their
rear deflector shields. "Master, I......" Obi-Wan's words were
cut off as one of the fighters cut straight up in front of the
view port, nearly sheering off the nose of their craft in an
attempt to stop their escape. It took all of the young man's
concentration to keep the shuttle on course and remain in his
seat. Qui-Gon glanced at him, noticing the difficulty his
Padawan was having, he reached over and brought Obi-Wan's seat
harness down over his head snapping it into place across his
lap.
//Thank you, Master// The Padawan didn't even spare a glance as
he used every ounce of training to avoid the laser fire coming
at them from all directions..
"Shields are down to 40 percent." Qui-Gon called out. Obi-Wan
was so focused on escaping the attack that he did not respond
as he threw the craft into a diving spin straight at the
nearest moon now filling the viewscreen. The older Jedi could
feel his student wrap himself in the force, calm his fears and
abandon his thoughts into the weave and bend of the force all
around them. His movements imperceptible to others aligned him
with the power that surged around him; dodging, juking, turning
always in tune with the movement and shift of the force. It was
as if he had created a bubble of the force around their ship
and could sense the decisions being made by their attackers
seconds before they happened. Qui-Gon was proud watching his
Padawan work, someday the young man would be a great Jedi
Knight perhaps even surpassing his Master. Obi-Wan smiled at
the emotions flooding the bond he shared with the older Jedi.
As the ship bucked under a renewed onslaught from their
pursuers Qui-Gon returned his attention to the instrument
panels in front of him boosting auxiliary power to the shields
and life supports systems, intent on finding a way of escape.
Skimming low into what little atmosphere the closest moon had,
Obi-Wan pushed the craft to the limits of its speed. He was
hoping to use their combined momentum and the gravity of the
lifeless rock below them to sling shot their craft around the
other side into free space.
Qui-Gon sensing his intentions brought the hyperdrive back on
line and calculated an escape vector. A small jump anywhere
would get them out of harms way.
As they rounded the far side of the moon, they were moving at
speeds that the shuttle was never created to keep. The older
Jedi felt his student shrink the size of the force bubble
around their craft in order to hold it together as they reached
the height of speed he could coax from it. They had almost
reached the point of escape when one of the pirate ships closed
on them, firing quad laser cannons into the port engine of the
shuttle. The small craft was knocked out of its trajectory,
rolling out of control. The console in front Qui-Gon erupted in
a shower of sparks and small debris shoving the man back into
his seat. Had it not been for his flight harness Qui-Gon would
have been thrown from his chair at by the blast.
//Master!// Obi-Wan's attention now divided between trying to
regain control of the vessel and assessing the seriousness of
the injuries to his unconscious teacher.
The craft was out of control, coming in hard, spinning straight
toward the moon they had been using as a shield moments
earlier. He knew he only had seconds to reverse their motion
and speed before the slight gravity of the planet below him
became too much to escape. He cut the engines counting down the
seconds and then slammed them full into reverse jerking the
small craft straight and giving him the precious time he needed
to adjust their heading. The vessel edged out into free space
and stilled with a violent shudder exhausting the limits of its
capability.
"Nice flying, Collor Mark IV." A male voice crackled over the
comm. "Stand down and we'll tow you back, resist and we'll vape
you."
"We are Jedi, we have nothing you could want," Obi-wan
responded desperately.
"Right, and I'm the Supreme Chancellor. Give us a break will
you. You have any idea what a brand new Collor Mark IV will
fetch on the black market? No tricks now."
Obi-Wan shook his head ignoring the threats he removed his
harness, his whole attention focused on his injured Master.
"Master?"
//Master?// he pressed worriedly at the bond that he shared
with the other. There was no response. Kneeling next to
Qui-Gon's seat he gently lifted his Master's head resting it
against the back of the chair. His breath caught in a sharp
hiss as he saw the deep cut above the others eye and the burn
marks to his face, chest and hands. There was spreading stain
of blood high on his left shoulder where a piece of the console
had torn through the muscle. Carefully Obi-Wan unbuckled the
seat harness that held Qui-Gon in place and pulled the man into
his arms. He slowly turned holding the older Jedi tenderly
against him for fear of hurting him further and lay him down on
the deck of the cockpit, cradling his head in his hands.
//Please, Master// there was no response. Working quickly to
stop the bleeding Obi-Wan removed his robe and pressed it
inside Qui-Gon's tunic holding it tightly to his shoulder. He
was breathing, that had to be good the apprentice kept
reminding himself and he could still feel his Master through
their bond. They were going to be okay, they had to be okay.
So preoccupied was he, that Obi-Wan took no notice of the turn
of events out the view port until the pirates voice came back
over the comm unit once more.
"You got lucky this time Mark, IV. If I were you I wouldn't
visit this quadrant of space again. You won't be so lucky next
time. 'Nice day."
Obi-Wan jerked his attention forward. A ship even larger than
the Interdictor was rounding the small planet below them,
firing on the fleeing snubnose fighters. In moments the pirates
all winked out, entering hyperspace. The new ship resembled a
Baudo-class star yacht only three times as large with elongated
fins that gave it a more organic look.
//Obi-Wan// his Master touched him weakly through the force.
//Master!// The apprentice immediately refocused on the man in
his arms. //Lie still, Master, you've been hurt//
"What happened, Padawan?"
"Sshh, don't talk we'll be okay. I think."
"Collor Mark IV, are you in need of assistance?" the voice over
the comm cut off any response Qui-Gon might have had.
"Yes I...we are. My Master's been hurt and I don't think our
ship can fly."
"Okay, just hold tight, Mark IV, we'll get a tractor beam on
you and pull you in."
Obi-Wan turned back to Qui-Gon. He seated himself carefully
next to his Master and pulled him gently into his lap. Keeping
up the pressure on the still bleeding wound he touched his
forehead to the older Jedi's, mindful of the cut above his left
eye. He pulled the force around them filling their bond with
peace and healing.
Qui-Gon moved his hand to cover his Padawan's. //It will be all
right, Obi-Wan// he could feel the tremors in the young Jedi as
the adrenaline began to wear off.
Neither Jedi realized when they had fully docked with the large
vessel until the seal on the landing ramp was forced open and a
team of medics rushed into the cockpit.
They pushed Obi-Wan aside, pulling Qui-Gon from his Padawan's
embrace and rushed him out almost as quickly as they had
entered. Stunned, Obi-Wan turned to find a hand extended down
towards him. A tall guard in a sharp blue military uniform not
much older than he helped the young Jedi to his feet and
ushered him out following the medics through the hangar into a
nearby medical facility.
"Ashrytec." He introduced himself simply. "Your friend will be
well taken care of, Kinshasa is the best medic we have on the
Shadowed Golan."
"I beg your pardon?" Obi-Wan still confused was trying to see
into the small sterile room where they had taken Qui-Gon.
"I'm sorry, where are my manners," the officer replied his
brown eyes shining kindly. Placing his hands on Obi-Wan's
shoulders he turned the young Jedi to face him. "First your
friend will be fine. Secondly welcome. My name is Ashrytec, I
am first officer on the Shadowed Golan."
"Your accent, I can't place it."
"No, we are the Alantrayu of Alantrus. I doubt you have ever
met any of our people before. We aren't big socializers if you
know what I mean."
"I am afraid I don't." Obi-Wan cast a worried look behind him.
Laughter drew his attention back. The officer before him was
laughing and he didn't find anything funny about the situation
at all.
"No offense intended, my friend. You seem very
confused......what did you say your name is?"
Immediately embarrassed at his lack of protocol Obi-Wan ducked
his head collecting himself. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be
rude..." The other cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"Being attacked by Shalaraider pirates is no small thing.
Surviving it is something quite different. Rather unique I'd
say. You have every right to be thrown off guard."
The doors leading in from the hangar swooshed open and an
entourage of people swept in. The man in the center ringed by
guards and attendants, was definitely a dignitary. Obi-Wan had
learned some things from his Master and their diplomatic
missions together. He bowed low and locked eyes with the
gentleman. This man had kind eyes that resembled the guard who
had helped him, although they seemed older and tired.
"Administer Jarin, this is one of the Jedi we rescued from the
pirates. I am afraid I was just getting his name."
"A Jedi. We have never had the pleasure of entertaining any of
your kind. You are welcome here, young Jedi."
Obi-Wan again bowed low taking his cue he replied formally, "I
thank you, Administer. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. My
name is Obi-Wan Kenobi and my Master is Jedi Knight Qui-Gon
Jinn." Though politics demanded he be respectful, what the
young apprentice desperately wanted to do was run into the
adjoining room to visually make sure that his Master really was
okay. Through their bond he knew the older Jedi was awake, in
pain and more than a little worried about his student. As
though sensing Obi-Wan's thoughts the elder statesman moved
towards the doors of the medical room and pushed them open
motioning for the young Jedi to precede him. Forgetting all
protocol Obi-Wan stepped quickly into the room crossing to the
bed in a few steps.
The head medic looked up, words of reprimand on her lips until
she caught a silencing glance from Administer Jarin. Stepping
back she gave the worried Jedi space.
//Obi-Wan, is everything okay?//
//Yes, Master, are you okay?// the apprentice leaned over his
mentor taking his hand in his own.
//I will be. Who are our hosts, Obi-Wan?//
Obi-Wan caught himself again, he knew Qui-Gon was going to
grill protocol into him until he choked on it after this
incident. Too much had happened in the last hour for him to
process it correctly. The young Jedi turned to make
introductions as Qui-Gon attempted to sit up.
"Don't even think about it!" warned Kinshasa, the feisty medic
rounded the bed, glaring at her patient. Administer Jarin moved
closer to the injured Jedi so that he was in the line of
Qui-Gon's sight.
"Administer Jarin, my Master Qui-Gon Jinn." Obi-Wan stepped
back slightly, releasing his grip on the Jedi Knight.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Administer. Thank you
for your hospitality."
"It is my pleasure, Jedi Knight. We have heard tales on my
planet of those with your abilities. I would be honored to be
acquainted with you more when you are feeling up to it."
"Of course, Administer" Qui-Gon nodded in deference. "Tell me,
how it is you came to find us out here? We were lucky you came
along when you did."
"Our ship is on its way to Coruscant. We have decided to join
the Senate and wish to align ourselves with others in the
galaxy. Our people have been isolated by choice for years now.
Our world is in need of things that we can no longer supply. It
is time for a new generation to take control and to expand our
horizons. We came upon you and your attackers by accident. Our
sensors picked up their hyperspace distortion before they were
able to pull us back into realspace. Curious we thought to
investigate and found you. By monitoring your communications we
discovered you to be Jedi. Your apprentice is quite a pilot." A
broad smile was bestowed upon Obi-Wan.
The Jedi Knight had started to reply when he was forcefully
interrupted by the doctor, "All right, that's enough." She
glared at the men around her, pushing her way to the front. "I
am still the doctor here and this patient needs rest. Rest, he
won't get with all of you hounding him with questions."
"I am quite all right, thank you." Qui-Gon dismissed her.
"I will tell you when you are all right. You need to rest.
Sleep would be nice."
"Don't argue with Kinshasa," laughed the Administer, "she
always wins. We will take good care of your apprentice. My son
will see him to his quarters, he will lack for nothing." Jarin
motioned to the first officer standing by the door quietly
waiting. Ashrytec stepped forward; he was Administer Jarin's
son. No wonder their eyes had the same kind look to them
Obi-Wan thought.
//Master...//
//It will be okay, Padawan, don't worry.//
The medic was watching the Jedi through slitted eyes. "You two
are very close." It was a statement not a question. Both Jedi
looked at her surprised. "I'm smarter than I look," she teased,
"and I know a bit about how these things work." She focused her
attention on Obi-Wan, "he really needs his rest." The words
were kind but there was no room for discussion in her voice.
The young Jedi nodded.
"It will be best for both of you." The voice belonged to a man
standing to the right and slightly behind the Administer.
"My Advisor, Trok'tu." Introduced Jarin. "I am afraid he is
correct and you could use a clean set of clothing also. Have
you any on board your shuttle that my crew can get for you?"
Obi-Wan looked down, his tunic was stained with Qui-Gon's blood
and his robe lay in a corner on the floor where it had been
discarded by the medic teams.
//Go, Padawan, I will be alright.//
The Administer sensing the need for the two to be alone
motioned his entourage out to wait in the hall. Only Ashrytec
and Kinshasa remained behind. The Padawan blocked everyone out
but his Master, there would be time enough for the others
later.
//Master, I would rather stay with you.// Obi-Wan smoothed the
hair back from Qui-Gon's face.
//I know. I am proud of you, Padawan, you have done well.// The
young Jedi locked his gaze onto his Master as if memorizing
every feature. Their bond filled with emotions where words
would not suffice. Obi-Wan gently took Qui-Gon's hand back in
his own and held it to his chest.
//Then let me help you as you have always helped me// He placed
the palm of his free hand against the older Jedi's forehead
careful not to touch the bandaged cut. Waves of the force
rippled around Qui-Gon flowing over and into him as his Padawan
poured peace and calm into his weary mind and body. //Sleep,
Master. I need you well soon//
//Be careful, my Padawan. I sense great unease on this ship.
Watch yourself, be mindful of the force// He squeezed Obi-Wan's
hand weakly as the young Jedi pressed down on his consciousness
with soothing waves of quiet and rest.
//I will, Master. I love you.//
//And I love......// Qui-Gon's words were cut off as he fell
into a deep healing sleep. Obi-Wan stepped closer and placed
Qui-Gon's hand back on his chest, his own hand covering that of
his Master's feeling the strong heart beat beneath their
entwined fingers. Drawing nearer he bent down and brushed a
kiss to the older Jedi's temple.
"Rest, Qui-Gon." He turned to the doctor who stood quietly
behind the bed watching the exchange between Master and
Student. "He will sleep now for a while." She simply nodded and
began to hook monitoring devices to the resting Jedi.
"I'll let you know if there is any change." She offered quietly
then catching herself she grinned playfully at the apprentice.
"But I'll just bet you'll know before I will."
Obi-Wan forced a small smile, pressing his emotions deep down
inside him, he moved towards the door. Stopping at the
threshold he glanced back once at his sleeping Master, then
left the medical bay.
The quarters Ashrytec provided for him were elaborate by Jedi
standards and Obi-Wan wasted no time making good use of the
shower and abundance of towels. One of the crew had brought him
a change of clothes and a clean robe, discreetly removing the
stained ones he wore previously.
He had only meant to sit down on the resting couch for a minute
but a chime at his door brought him abruptly awake.
Suddenly worried, he pressed at the bond he shared with his
Master, finding him still sleeping soundly, he moved through
the entryway to answer the door.
Ashrytec stood in the doorway leaning back craning his neck to
look down the hallway outside Obi-Wan's quarters. The Jedi
curious, shot a glance around the doorframe. He just caught a
glimpse of a female cadet turning into an adjacent corridor. A
devilish look played across the first officer's face as he
brought his attention back to Obi-Wan.
"Been trying to catch that ones eye for a bit now." He confided
playfully. "I'm not sure what I am doing wrong."
"Have you ever tried speaking to her instead of simply watching
her?" Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows questioning his guest.
As though at a loss for words Ashrytec simply stood staring at
the Jedi for a heartbeat before breaking out in a warm laugh.
"Who said Jedi don't have a sense of humor?"
The man seemed to catch Obi-Wan constantly off guard.
"Actually, I thought I'd drop by and see if you would like a
tour of the ship. Might help pass the time and take your mind
off things."
"That would be nice."
Obi-Wan found the hydroponics lab fascinating. The overgrowth
that wrapped the sides of the huge room was in full blossom and
bright red and yellow birds darted through the plant life.
"Quetcaloes." Ashrytec indicated the birds. "They keep the
insects down. Trust me my friend you don't want to experience
an outbreak of cuja beetles on a spaceship." He shuddered in
remembrance.
"I'll take your word for it," laughed the young Jedi. It was
good to have someone to talk with even if he wasn't following
every word the other said. His mind was drifting again,
checking the bond between his Master, hoping as he had for the
last few hours to find the man awake and responsive.
The ship was huge and quite industrial. Built to be
self-sustaining for long periods of flight the Alantrayu had
thought of everything and everything came replete with
redundant back up systems. His mind wandered back to their
initial meeting with Administer Jarin, something had been
nagging him about a statement that Ashrytec had made.
"You said your people were not big socializers. What did you
mean by that?"
"Oh right, that." The first officer pushed open a door in the
far wall motioning Obi-Wan through with a nod of his head. The
Jedi stopped at the threshold, catching his breath at the scene
before him. The large bay had been turned into an arboretum. In
every direction all there was to see were forests and simulated
rolling hills bathed in artificial sunlight. A few small,
grazing creatures took flight at their entrance. "Alantrayu
back up systems at their height, and my Father's pet project.
Claims it helps him relax." Ashrytec commented wryly, walking
past the stunned apprentice and seating himself next to a small
river that disappeared into a grove of purple-leafed trees.
Obi-Wan sat next to him waiting for the man to collect his
thoughts.
"Our people were oppressed for years, Obi-Wan, by neighboring
planets and raiders like the ones you encountered. We fought
back but our technology was far behind theirs for so long. Then
one day one of our scientist discovered the ability to vary
subspace and wrap an object in it, effectively hiding that
object from the naked eye. We developed the basics into a
planetary shield and wrapped the entire planet in subspace
particles. The particles bend and refract light making it
appear that nothing solid exists at that point in space. So one
day we simply disappeared."
"That's incredible."
"Yes, and it would have worked too except for the fact that we
have exhausted the limits of our planetary resources. In the
time that we have been isolated from the rest of the universe
we have improved our technology and unfortunately heightened
our xenophobia. My Father's delegation is the first to leave
our planet in centuries. He is trying to save us, although
there are those who oppose him and his radical viewpoints as
they call them. But he is correct, if we don't change we will
die."
"I see your problem. I am sure the Senate can help your people
establish trade routes and give you aid until you are back on
your feet again. But your people will have to learn to deal
with many other species. It won't be easy."
"No, I don't believe it will."
They sat for a few minutes listening to the water behind them
and the call of the quetcaloes in the trees. Obi-Wan glanced at
his host who was lost in his own thoughts.
"Listen, I'm sorry but do you think...." the Jedi hesitated
unsure if his request would be denied.
"You want to go see your friend?" Ashyrtec smiled glancing at
him knowingly.
"Yes please, if you wouldn't mind showing me the way." Obi-Wan
returned the smile relieved.
The first officer took the lead winding them through endless
corridors keeping up a friendly banter. Obi-Wan was finally
beginning to feel comfortable in the presence of the man he was
walking with, given different circumstances he was sure they
would have become fast friends.
"Do you really think that the Senate will be able to help our
people?"
Obi-Wan started to respond when a sharp knife of pain shot
through his mind. He staggered under the weight of the shock,
catching himself against the wall of the corridor to keep from
falling. It felt as if someone had separated part of his brain
from the rest of him. His stomach turned and with a gasp he
realized what had happened. The bond with his Master had been
abruptly broken, severed. He could no longer feel the presence
of the other in his mind. Reaching out he was met with nothing.
//Master!// Nothing. The loss was almost more than he could
handle. He couldn't think, he couldn't move. Tears from the
pain and the separation threatened to flood his eyes. His
Master just couldn't be gone. He realized that Ashrytec was
talking to him, gently shaking him. Opening his eyes and taking
a shaky breath he focused on the worried officer.
"Obi-Wan, what is it?'
"My Master," the torn apprentice gasped, "I can't feel him,
he's...he's gone."
"That can't be. Where would he go."
"No, you don't understand, I would know if he left. All of a
sudden he is simply gone."
"You don't think....." the question died on the officers lips.
"No I don't." Obi-Wan said forcefully. Then adding quietly, "I
can't."
Ashrytec grabbed his elbow and pulled him along the corridor in
the direction of the medical bay. "Come on Obi-Wan, we'll find
your Master, I promise you."
They rounded the last corner and skidded to a stop inside the
small medical bay. The room where Qui-Gon had been only hours
earlier was torn apart. An orderly was kneeling next to an
unconscious on-call medic and the Jedi Master was no where in
sight. Both young men helped the orderly place the injured
doctor on the bed that previously held Qui-Gon.
"What happened here?" Ashrytec's voice demanded an answer.
The orderly's answer was drown in the earsplitting klaxon of a
siren as the lights dimmed and turned red. The shipped lurched
and an automated voice announced, "Warning! Structural
integrity failure imminent."
"What now?!" Obi-Wan followed Ashrytec into the corridor. The
officer grabbed the nearest personnel running towards the
emergency.
"What happened?" he demanded shouting to be heard over the din
of sirens and people.
The tech pushed them back against the wall making way for a
large vehicle rushing past them. "It's the back up drives sir.
They are off line and powering up. We can't get to them to shut
them down, someone's shorted out the circuits to the door
mechanisms." Tearing away from the officers' grip the man ran
to catch up with the others hurrying to help contain the
crisis.
Obi-Wan and Ashrytec ran after the crew into the engine bay.
Huge massive steel doors had sealed all access to the drives.
The vehicle that had pressed passed them in the corridor was
attempting unsuccessfully to force the hinges open.
"What will happen if they can't reach the drives?" Obi-Wan took
in the chaos momentarily forgetting his own distress.
"If we can't reach the backup drives and shut them down or
bring them on line they will create an energy feedback loop.
Without an outlet to channel all that energy we only have a few
minutes."
"How bad?"
"At best they will blow and only take out the lower levels.
Worst case they compromise the ships hull integrity and breach,
we break apart." The ship shuddered violently throwing them off
balance.
"Tell your men to move back. I can open the doors." Obi-Wan
ignored the questioning glance from the man beside him and
focused inwardly. He pushed aside the emptiness inside of him
that cried out, pushed away the thoughts that tore at his mind
begging for answers, pushed away all the outside noise and
chaos and found the force. Bright, warm and inviting; he was
tempted to merely step off into it, but there were too many
people depending on him. He drew it to him, wrapping it around
him and saturated his mind with its living energy.
//Be mindful of the force, my Padawan//
//Help you it will//
The voices of his Master and teachers flooded back to him.
//Concentrate, Padawan. Remember size matters not// For a
moment he thought he could feel his Master lending his support
and strength. The force swirled, building around him and in
him. Opening his eyes he looked at the doors before him and did
not see their massiveness nor the fear in the eyes of those
around him as the automated warning system counted down to
structural failure. Instead the young Jedi saw the force
weaving through and connecting everything on the deck. Raising
his hand as if simply gesturing he gripped the doors with the
tangible force he could see and moved his arm to the right. The
force in response wedged between the doors and exploded
horizontally forcing them open as though following the guiding
path of his hand.
A rush of humanity flooded through the open portal quickly
setting about shutting down the errant drives. Obi-Wan so
closely in tune with the force used the power to shunt the
drives' excess energy into various systems throughout the ship,
automatically deactivating the emergency warning system.
Ashrytec's hand on his shoulder brought him back to the present
grounding him and with the rush of reality came the horrible
lonely ache from the loss of his Master's touch. He turned
haunted eyes toward his new friend. "I have to find him."
"The doors! I don't understand what you did but thank you." The
officer's awe was evident.
"Please." Opening the doors and losing his Master had taxed the
young Jedi, only one thing occupied his thoughts now. Ashrytec
nodded.
"Wait here. Let me make sure everything is under control."
Obi-Wan waited patiently, continually pressing the bond he once
shared with his Master, continually feeling nothing. He
wondered if he would feel this empty for the rest of his life
if his Master were gone. The emptiness had threatened to over
taken him when the officer suddenly returned.
"I'm sorry," noticing the worry in the others eyes, "everything
is under control now. Come on I know right where to start."
Administer Jarin's quarters were comfortable and spacious. A
large portal looked out into space stretching the length of the
receiving room. The Administer, his Advisor and the Captain of
the ship an older gentleman well worn in his years, listened
intently as Jarin's son told his Father the course of events of
the last few hours.
The Official traded looks with his Captain who silently crossed
to a console and began programming it.
"This greatly worries me, Ashrytec. You know what this means."
The Administer turned troubled eyes on his son.
"Yes, Father. Someone from your opposition is on board. We have
a saboteur. But of the disappearance of Obi-Wan's Master, I
don't know."
Nodding slowly Jarin turned to Obi-Wan. The apprentice had
stood by quietly listening to the recounting, weariness etching
lines in a face too young to bear such weight.
"Young Jedi, I believe we may be able to find your Master."
Again the glance at the older Captain who looked quickly down
when Obi-Wan turned to him.
"Please, if you can help me." Implored the Padawan, not
understanding the exchange or the reluctance he felt from the
two men.
"Sit." Jarin indicated the chairs in the middle of the room.
"Has my son told you of our planetary shield?"
"Yes, sir." Replied Obi-Wan taking a seat opposite the
dignitary.
The Administer shifted his gaze out the portal collecting his
thoughts. "Our people tried to find other uses for the
technology of bending subspace. Some thought that it would have
medicinal benefits. If an injured person's mind could be
wrapped in subspace while his body was being cared for perhaps
the shock to the system could be minimized. For short periods
of time it actually seemed to work. For extremely short periods
of time only. If a mind is wrapped in subspace for substantial
amounts of time the damage is irreparable. An hour proved to be
too long an amount of time for a mind to be separated from it's
body. While in subspace the individual has no sensory input
whatsoever. Sometimes the person under this type of treatment
never came back."
Horrified Obi-Wan simply stared at the Administer.
"Father, how come you never told me of this?"
"It was outlawed long before you were ever born Ashrytec. There
was no need. It is a practice that is rarely ever used and
never talked about. There are some who would still have access
to this information but I never would have thought they would
use it."
"Are you saying that my Master's mind has been wrapped in
subspace?" Obi-Wan's voice was small when he finally found it.
"No, I am saying from your description that it is a
possibility. We can scan the ship for a subspace disruption."
"Why?" Ashrytec shook his head trying to assimilate all the
information at once.
"Ashrytec," chided the older man, "you of all people should
know, if there is a faction aboard that does not want this
alliance with the Galactic Senate, what better way to sabotage
a peaceful meeting than by destroying one of it's emissaries."
Jarin turned to the man behind him at the console, "Captain, if
you will."
"Please, Captain, move your hands where I can see them.."
Trok'tu stepped from the corner where he had been observing the
conversation in silence. He lifted a blaster from under his
jacket and pointed it at the Administer.
"Don't act so surprised, Administer. What better position to
place a saboteur than right under the nose of the intended
victim." His face twisted in a vicious sneer. "You and your
Master were an unfortunate turn of events, and I apologize, it
need not have been this way." The advisor glanced at Obi-Wan.
"Administer, if you turn the ship around I will release the
Jedi and we can be on our way. This trip was unnecessary, if
you would listen to our people...."
Jarin stood fists clenched at his sides, "If I listen to our
people, we will be dead by the end of this decade. You know
that as well as I."
Obi-Wan and Ashrytec stood slowly to their feet drawing the
Advisor's attention.
"No fast moves. Over there all of you.", Trok'tu motioned the
two younger men to move closer to Jarin.
The young Jedi tensed, reaching out with the force he grabbed
hold of the blaster in the traitor's hand. In one swift move he
jerked the weapon towards himself catching it with his left
hand and igniting his lightsaber with right. He stepped in
front of the Administer and assumed a defensive posture. "Now
we end this; you will tell me where my Master is." The
dangerous edge to his voice demanded a response.
"Maybe I should just let the Jedi cut you in two, we can find
his Master with or without you. You did use a subspace field to
shield him from his Apprentice didn't you?"
Trok'tu swallowed hard eyes fixed on the blade inches from him.
"You are making a big mistake, Administer."
"Yes or no!" barked the official his patience worn thin.
"I've got it." The Captain behind them called out. With the
attention drawn away from him he had proceeded with the
subspace sweep.
Ashrytec stepped quickly forward, taking custody of Trok'tu and
calling for additional security.
"Where?" relief flooded the young Jedi. He deactivated his
lightsaber as the first officer handed over the traitor to the
guards who entered the room.
"Level three, 14b."
Exchanging a glance, Obi-Wan and Ashrytec ran from the office,
a security detail and Administer Jarin in their wake.
"Give me a med team now level three, 14b," cried the first
officer into his comlink as they headed for the nearest
turbolift.
The room was small. Small and cold thought Obi-Wan as he knelt
beside the cot, holding the body of his Master. Ashrytec had
forced him to wait not allowing him to remove the small
blinking devices attached to Qui-Gon's temples.
//Master// It was his Master's body but there was no answering
through their bond. What if they were too late, it had been
over three hours. What if Qui-Gon couldn't find his way back,
what if he was lost forever? A hand pushed him firmly aside.
The doctor he had met in the medical-bay knelt beside him.
"Damn, how long?" she questioned Obi-Wan carefully looking over
the devices..
"Over three hours." The wavering in his voice surprised him.
The medic jerked her head in his direction anger flashing in
her eyes. Refocusing her attention back on Qui-Gon she made
precise minute adjustments to the mechanisms until the lights
slowed and stopped flashing. Removing them from the older Jedi
she looked over at Obi-Wan.
"I don't know." She said quietly in answer to the question in
the apprentice's eyes. She moved back and gave the young Jedi
more room to be near his Master
//Master?// No answer.
//Please, don't go, please, Master. Come back. I need you.// No
answer. The grief in Obi-Wan's heart was too much to bear. He
lay his head gently on his Master's chest wrapping his arms
around the older Jedi and let the tears fall of their own
volition.
The despair that washed through Qui-Gon was the first sensation
he had felt in too long. The depth of the emotion flooding the
bond with his apprentice shocked him. He wasn't sure exactly
what had happened; he had only known that one minute he was
able to feel Obi-Wan and the next the students presence was
absent from his mind. For that matter, he realized that he
couldn't feel anything, and he couldn't wake up. It was as if
his mind was pressed down, held captive by something he had no
strength to fight against and so in self-defense he had
surrendered himself into the force to wait. But this emotion
tore at his heart. For some reason his Padawan believed that he
was gone and he would not allow such pain to destroy the young
man that he loved. Drawn by the heartache so close to him he
pushed towards consciousness.
So wrapped up in his grief was the young Jedi that he never
felt Qui-Gon reach back to him through their bond. The past two
days had brought the apprentice to the end of his resources and
he had given up completely. The hand that brushed softly into
his hair and cradled his head startled him.
//Obi-Wan?//
He lifted his face to gaze into the clear eyes of his Master,
still not comprehending the fact that his teacher was fully
back. Seeing the confusion in his students eyes and sensing his
sorrow through their bond Qui-Gon took the young mans head in
his hands and pulled him forward kissing his forehead, gently
running his fingers in soothing patterns through the soft spiky
hair.
//I am right here, Padawan. It's all right. I'm here.//
//Yes, Master// This time the tears in Obi-Wan's eyes were
tears of relief and joy.
"I don't believe it." The doctor moved in next to the reunited
Jedi and ran a scanner over Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan moved back
slightly to allow her to work but never lost the physical
contact with his Master. The mental separation had made it
necessary for the physical closeness in order to calm the young
Jedi. Qui-Gon sensed this and took his Padawan's hands in his
own bringing them in close to his chest until Obi-Wan could
feel the beating of the others heart under his fingertips.
//Thank you, Master// the smile in the apprentice's eyes was
reflecting in his own.
The doctor had declared Qui-Gon fine and sent him back to his
quarters with his relieved apprentice. She chased them out of
the medical bay claiming she didn't want to have to deal with
the two of them at one time softening her words with a small
smile.
Apparently the induced sleep and separation had allowed the
Jedi Master the necessary time his body needed to heal. Only
the force had saved him from being damaged by the subspace
displacement and the love of his Padawan had brought him back.
Administer Jarin had offered to take them to Ryliss when he
discovered their disrupted plans for a vacation. He also
offered them the full use of his repair crew for their damaged
shuttlecraft as an apology for all that had transpired while on
board his vessel. When Qui-Gon had declined the Administer had
insisted and so repairs had begun on the borrowed shuttle. Both
Jedi had thanked them for their generosity and then retired
together to their room for the remainder of the trip to
recuperate.
However there were still a few matters to be taken care of,
which was how Qui-Gon Jinn found himself sitting in front of
the communications console in their quarters not quite able to
convince himself to make the call. He dreaded contacting
Coruscant and prayed that Master Yoda would be the one to
answer.
"Still there?" teased Obi-Wan toweling the water out of his
hair after a long hot shower. He stood just inside the small
antechamber a towel wrapped low around his hips, steam wafting
out of the adjoining bath. It was good to see the young Jedi
smiling even if it was at his expense.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. I was just dialing now." Qui-Gon
pretended take offense at the teasing, not fooling his
apprentice in the least.
"Yes, Master."
Qui-Gon put the call through, gritting his teeth as the screen
blanked acknowledging it had been received.
"Qui-Gon!"
Oh damn, just his luck, it was Mace. Behind him Obi-Wan laughed
quietly and moved out of range of the viewscreen.
"Oh, Mace, hello! It's good to see you. I need to speak with
Master Yoda."
"How's my ship?"
"Your ship? It's here. I'm mean fine." Qui-Gon winced at his
slip in words.
"Sort of." Came the soft comment from behind the older Jedi.
His Master threw him a dangerous look over his shoulder, but
the caution was lost on the Padawan who was thoroughly enjoying
seeing his teacher squirm.
//Padawan, you aren't making this any easier//
//Sorry, Master// Silent laughter flooded their bond and
Qui-Gon had to work hard to keep from smiling himself.
"What'd he say, Qui-Gon? What do you mean it's there? Where are
you?"
"It's okay, Mace, the Alantrayu have graciously agreed to
return it to you when they reach Coruscant. Now, is Master Yoda
available? There are some things I really need to apprise him
of." The attempt to change the topic was not lost on his
friend.
"What, who's bringing it back? Jinn, I am warning you, that was
a brand new Collor Mark IV. "
"Uh, yes that was part of the problem."
"What did you do to my ship? I knew I never should have let you
borrow it."
"Mace. Mace!" Qui-Gon tried to interrupt his friend. "It's
still in one piece."
"Sort of." The laughter from behind the Jedi Master was clearly
audible this time. Qui-Gon shot his apprentice a desperate
glance. "I don't need your help here Obi-Wan," he hissed under
his breath.
"What!!"
"Mace, look we've got to go, we have a shuttle to catch and a
vacation to take."
"Qui-Gon, you gave me your word."
"Mace, I can't hear you, you're breaking up. We're losing the
connection. Tell Master Yoda I will contact him once we make
planetside. There is a lot he needs to know. And tell him that
an Administer Jarin will be getting into touch with him also."
"Qui-..."
With his explanation finished Qui-Gon reached over and cut off
the call breathing a sigh of relief.
Turning in his chair he faced his Padawan. The young man on the
verge of laughing, had a wide-eyed half-horrified look on his
face.
"What?" The Jedi Master asked him exasperated. "You were a big
help. Did you really want to hear how much trouble we are going
to be in when we get back?"
"Master?!?"
The older Jedi smiled, "I am afraid we are never going to hear
the end of this, Obi-Wan. Now go get some clothes on. We are
going to have that vacation because I think it's the last we
shall be permitted in sometime."
Obi-Wan stepped back in the bathroom quietly commenting as he
changed from the towel into his clothing, "We had better hope
Master Windu doesn't get a hold of Master Yoda's walking
stick."
"I heard that, Padawan!" Laughed the older Jedi, "And I think,
young one, that this time you may be right."
//Hurry, Obi-Wan, it has started.// Qui-Gon called to his
student.
//Coming, Master// Obi-Wan came running out of the small
housing unit they were staying in during their vacation. He
whipped his robe around him bringing it down over his head as
he joined Qui-Gon on the small hill where the older Jedi stood.
"Look," the words were barely a whisper.
Obi-Wan turned his attention to the sky. It still glowed golden
from the remnants of the setting sun, which could no longer be
seen on the horizon. But it was the sight of what appeared to
be falling stars that caught his breath. Bright points of light
in all colors of the spectrum fell in burning arcs, dissipating
into the air just above the tree line.
"Master...." his voice trailed off in awe.
The two stood side by side for sometime content simply to be
with each other watching the light show as the dusk slowly
crept on.
//Padawan, here// Qui-Gon reached out suddenly and pulled
Obi-Wan in front of him. Leaning over the younger man he
pointed low over his shoulder off to the right. His student
shook his head trying to follow the intended gaze. The Jedi
Master lowered his head to his Padawan's height pressed his
temple against Obi-Wan's and gently moved his head with his
free hand until their sights were lined up in the same
direction. Pointing again, his head still pressed against
Obi-Wan's he spoke softly into his ear. "Do you see it now,
Padawan?" The sharp intake of air by the young Jedi was his
answer. Off to edge of the horizon a large crystal was falling
towards the forest burning brightly in the violet hues. "The
violet ones are most rare, Obi-Wan," his Master explained.
Qui-Gon could feel the awe emanate from his apprentice even as
he felt his Padawan lean gently back against him. The older
Jedi folded his arms slowly around the young man standing in
front of him pulling him back against his chest; Obi-Wan did
not resist, relaxing further into the embrace. When the crystal
had finally burned up just above the tree line the younger Jedi
turned his attention to Qui-Gon looking over his shoulder and
up to catch a glimpse of his Master out of the corner of his
eye.
"It was beautiful, Master."
"Yes, it was." The older Jedi smiled warmly down at the young
man in his arms. Contentment and love radiated out of his
student through the force. The strength of the emotions
threatened to overpower him momentarily until his Padawan
quietly spoke again.
"I am so glad you are back, Master."
"So am I Obi-Wan, So am I," he replied hugging the smaller Jedi
tightly to him briefly. When he started to release the
apprentice, Obi-Wan's hands came up covering the larger ones of
his Master and holding him in place. They stood that way until
night took the light from the sky and only the stars could be
seen.
"Do you think we'll find a Ryliss crystal, Master?" Obi-Wan
asked as they turned and began walking back to their quarters.
"Padawan, it would not surprise me if you did!" Qui-Gon laughed
placing his arm around the young man smiling down into the
upturned face.
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