A/N - We jump ahead to the trip in this chapter, I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it!
Chapter 2
Glancing down at the cards in his hands Obi-Wan could already foresee an undesirable end, a resounding defeat looming over the current sabaac game occupying his time. He sighed miserably over the inevitable prospect before glancing suspiciously across at his Master who adorned a smug grin, it seemed both parties were well aware of Obi-Wan's upcoming loss. The severity of the glare only increased when the next hand was played and Qui-Gon miraculously stepped further towards victory, Obi-Wan was understandably thinking of ways the elder Jedi could be cheating as this had happened more than once on their journey. Qui-Gon only smiled innocently as he picked up the thoughts, Obi-Wan narrowed his gaze he was not fooled.
"I think your cheating." He declared boldly, throwing down the remainder of his cards in defiant defeat.
"How would one do that Padawan?"
The manner in which Qui-Gon answered all but confirmed Obi-Wan's sneaking suspicions, from the slight mocking tone to the mischievous glint in his Master's gaze. It was the only logical explanation.
"You could have mind-tricked me into losing!" Obi-Wan boldly exclaimed.
His mild annoyance transformed into full-blown outrage as Qui-Gon chuckled over the idea, mocking the idea.
"If I could mind-trick you my dear Padawan don't you think I would have used the skill for good? Like making you tidy your room?"
Obi-Wan scowled at his teacher as the words rang true in the force, if not a mind-trick then it had to be something else, nobody was that lucky.
"Well then you must have looked at my cards when I went to check on the systems!" Obi-Wan half-squeaked, desperately trying to find an explanation that would explain his Master's winning streak.
Qui-Gon sobered slightly at the words, almost hurt by the accusation. Obi-Wan almost relented completely at the response but his resolve to find the truth thankfully held.
"I wouldn't betray your trust like that Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon spoke solemnly, the glint of mischief gone as he directed his promise directly into Obi-Wan's soul.
Obi-Wan gulped over the sincerity of the words, something was still nagging at the edge of his perception however, something which told him there was more to his Master's game strategy then he had revealed. A wolfish grin spread across Qui-Gon's face as he registered his Padawan's thoughts, realised that the boy was not going to be scared off the subject that easily.
"You're not going to let this go are you?"
"Sorry Master, but respectfully you are a cheat." Obi-Wan stubbornly replied, arms crossing in a huff across his chest.
"Prove it then." Qui-Gon teased, eyes twinkling with mirth.
A beeping had both of the ship's occupants glance towards the cockpit, Obi-Wan rose to his feet swiftly and made his way towards the controls. They were more than halfway through their journey now and the auto-pilot needed some alterations due to an impeding ion storm. After completing the necessary adjustments and nudging the temperature controls up slightly Obi-Wan made his way back to Qui-Gon, shaking away the chill which clung to his skin, like it always did when they undertook space travel.
Qui-Gon had reset the board in his absence, already confirming all was well with the ship through their training bond. Obi-Wan took his place and picked up the new cards, determined to keep an eye on his Master this round. He really wanted to beat him, just once.
Several hours later Obi-Wan was doing remarkably well, his hand was strong and best of all Qui-Gon's position was weakening by the second. His Master had an impeccable poker face however that didn't stop Obi-Wan from picking up on the minute signs, the slight rise in temperature and heart rate, the small tapping he did with his foot. Obi-Wan knew his Master's nervous ticks just as the elder man knew his, they had spent far too long in one another's company not to. Obi-Wan beamed as the game finally seemed to be going his way, before he could start gloating the silence was interrupted by a beep from the console.
Qui-Gon looked up at the interruption, a new glimmer of hope rekindling in his eyes. Oh no you don't… Obi-Wan thought menacingly. There was no way his Master was going to be offered such a reprieve.
"We both know it's nothing, if you walk away now I'll take that as a concession." Obi-Wan warned just before Qui-Gon went to stand, an evil gleam in his eye. He was not about to let this victory go.
Qui-Gon's gaze narrowed and nostrils flared at the words, pride forcing him to settle back down again. If there was anything to be said about Qui-Gon Jinn it was that he rarely walked away from a challenge.
They continued onward ignoring the computer's request for confirmation, Obi-Wan continued to gain a tactical advantage and Qui-Gon had actually started to sweat over the upcoming defeat. He did not like losing. Just as the game was coming to a close the beeping emitting from the console altered to a shrill screeching, a moment later the vessel rocked to the side and the lights flickered under a shockwave.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's impressive reflex's saved them from a meeting with the floor, they both looked at one another for a brief moment before throwing down their cards and racing towards the source of danger, game all but forgotten.
Obi-Wan skidded into the cockpit first just in time to grab at the controls and avoid a very nasty collision, Qui-Gon took up the position next to him and started to read out the locations of incoming projectiles.
"It looks like a storm has destabilised the astroid belt." Qui-Gon theorised as he glanced out of the viewport at all the spinning chunks of rock, some were up to three times larger than their ship.
"Do you think we should turn back?"
Obi-Wan risked a glance at his teacher in between dodging rocks, Qui-Gon seemed to mull the question over whilst checking on the galactic map.
"No, we are closer to the planet than the edge of the field. It will be much safer to continue."
Obi-Wan nodded over the plan, teeth gritted in concentration and knuckles turning white over how hard he was gripping the yoke. Avoiding the perilous chunks of rock was taking up all of his concentration. He felt a reassuring hand grip his shoulder as he felt his panic start to rise.
"Calm Padawan, trust in the force. You can do this."
Obi-Wan nodded determinedly, thankful that his Master was here to ground and aid him. That was how they continued the last leg of their journey, Obi-Wan at the helm with Qui-Gon reading out incoming information and updated trajectory coordinates, as Obi-Wan delved deeper and deeper into the force he began to find the task effortless. Their ship danced between the rocks at dizzying speeds, any other pilot would surely have perished by now but with their Jedi reflexes and the force the task became inconsequential.
Eventually they were above the planet and when Qui-Gon had issued the latest readouts, Obi-Wan began to prepare for entry into the atmosphere. As they rocketed towards the surface Obi-Wan realised the next part would really push his skill, hundreds of asteroids fell with them towards the planet's surface. Thankfully the vast majority had burned up and therefore had been drastically reduced in size, of course the larger asteroids were still substantial even after re-entry.
Obi-Wan felt his concentration slip just for a moment as he worried over the consequence's, Qui-Gon shouted out a warning but it was too late to make any sort of adjustment. The ship rocked off course as a chunk of rock slammed into them from the side, with enough velocity to give the two Jedi a jolt. Obi-Wan wrestled for control of the ship as they hurtled towards the ground at an alarming speed, his panic increased as the vessel refused to level out properly. He felt Qui-Gon's rock-solid calming presence touch his mind and instantly felt the effects, striving to control the overwhelming feelings. He was thankful that the world his Master had chosen was unpopulated by sentients, he didn't have to worry about casualties. Well other than us, his subconscious grimly informed him.
Qui-Gon routed some of the power through to his controls and proceeded to aid in the attempt to level the ship out, the strain showed on both Jedi's faces as they pulled back on their yokes and reached out into the force to slow the ship's plummeting velocity. Between them the ship mercifully levelled out and the velocity was reduced to a much safer level.
Obi-Wan braced himself for a bumpy landing as he touched down in a wide clearing. The vessel skidded along the ground for a couple of hundred yards, ripping and churning up the ground underneath, before coming to a jolting stop just shy of the clearing's edge. He didn't let go of the iron-grip he had until Qui-Gon gently pulled him away, adrenaline and shock rushed up to meet him as soon as he attempted to stand. Funnily his legs felt wobbly.
"I hate flying." He ground out as Qui-Gon helped him out of the ship and onto solid ground.
"Nevertheless you did wonderfully."
Obi-Wan allowed himself to be steered towards a log which they both sat upon, thankful that the force had been with them throughout the storm. Things could have gotten a lot worse, they were lucky to get away with just the glancing blow. After they had allowed themselves the time to readjust to surroundings they turned their attention back to the ship, gratefully a lot of the damage looked to be superficial.
They both proceeded to give the engines and equipment a thorough examination to check for any hidden damage, it would not do to take off in a death-trap.
"Should we call for a pick-up Master?" Even though Obi-Wan tried he couldn't help but keep all of the hopefulness out of his voice.
Qui-Gon chuckled at the attempt, glancing over at Obi-Wan and shaking his head with glee.
"No my Padawan, I'm afraid you're not getting out of this one so easily."
"But Master we crashed! It's a bad omen I'm telling you." Obi-Wan replied frustratedly, finished with his examination of the engine components.
"Nonsense it was merely a diversion, the only thing seriously damaged is the long-range communications. We have everything we need to complete our goal's." Qui-Gon too had completed his check of all major systems and dealt the devastating blow to his Padawan's dreams of an escape mercilessly.
Obi-Wan scowled at the filthy ground as realisation dawned that he would not be granted a miracle, it seemed in the end the force was not with him. He obediently followed Qui-Gon to the back of the ship and helped the Jedi Master retrieve their bags, gaping at the sheer amount of packing the Jedi Master had done.
"How long are we staying here?" Obi-Wan squeaked fearfully as he saw that they had provisions to last a very long time.
"As long as it takes Padawan, whether that be a few days or weeks that is down to you." Qui-Gon happily replied as he picked up half of the luggage and headed away from the ship.
"If it's anymore than a few days I can't promise I won't turn to the dark side…" Obi-Wan muttered to himself quietly,
"What was that Padawan?" Qui-Gon spun, a warning look in his gaze.
"Nothing Master." Obi-Wan groaned miserably before hauling the rest of the gear on his shoulders, grunting under the strain of how heavy it was.
"Just as I thought."
Qui-Gon spun back around and continued his stroll away from the ship, when his Master did not slow down at the edge of the clearing Obi-Wan was confused.
"Are we not camping by the ship?"
Qui-Gon stared back incredulously at his student, as if the answer was too obvious to have to be spoken. He looked amused by Obi-Wan's sour mood even though Jedi were not supposed to revel in another's misery, perhaps I should remind him of that little rule…
"What and have technology and distractions so nearby? This is all about you communing with the living force Padawan, that means nature." Qui-Gon indicated the vast expanse as he spoke, evidently in awe over their surroundings.
Obi-Wan glanced around their surroundings also, unimpressed by what he saw. Obviously he was observing something vastly different to Qui-Gon. His Master shook his head in mild annoyance over the snub before beckoning for Obi-Wan to catch up, and steering him towards what looked like a gruelling hiking trail.
As Obi-Wan stumbled his mood grew sourer, he continued to follow Qui-Gon dutifully however as the elder Jedi marched them further and further away from their only link with the outside world. The oppressing heat burned his fair skin and pesky bugs invaded personal space, one even had the audacity to take refuge on his neck. Slapping the blasted thing before it bit him Obi-Wan glanced at the smeared remains of the creature on his hand, scowling in disgust over the sight before wiping the sticky remnants on a nearby plant.
"So uncivilised." He darkly muttered.
He rushed to catch up to the Jedi Master who was practically jogging along the uneven ground, heavy packs seemingly doing nothing to slow his pace. Looking ahead Obi-Wan saw only green, no sign of anything but nature, his scrutinising gaze fell on Qui-Gon's back as the man began to hum a jolly tune. It seemed the Jedi was finally getting his revenge.
A/N - I'm actually writing this a lot quicker than I expected so the next chapter should be up fairly soon
Until next time...