Choices

Rating: T+
Summary: Obi-Wan has a major decision to make concerning his future either with or without the Jedi
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to The Crucible

Timeline: 40BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Three

Obi-Wan slowly perused the bound volumes in the library. It had been some time since the head of Security had arrived and talked with Qui-Gon before the two ended up leaving for some unnamed destination. What he was doing at this particular moment was to see if this library held any information that the Temple Archives didn't possess. Finding several books that looked promising, he pulled them off the shelf and carried them over to the desk and sat down. Sometimes he saw research as a treasure hunt, never knowing what he would find.

It took a bit of doing, but Obi-Wan eventually figured out how to search through the books. His focus on the research was so complete that he jumped at the voice that interrupted him.

"Asla, what's going on here?"

Obi-Wan's eyes widened as his head shot up. He could now easily sense that he wasn't alone anymore. Oh dear, I should have paid better attention. Turning, he found a woman standing there who had dark skin and hair that matched it, while her arms were folded in front of her. Her burgundy colored dress flowed over her lithe form while her matching scarf wrapped around her neck, its ends trailed down her back. That's not what caught his attention. Her fair eyes flashed in anger. He would have considered her very pretty, but at the moment she looked very annoyed.

"I'm doing research." He swallowed, trying not to sound too nervous.

"Well, not at my desk. Go somewhere else." She waved her hand towards him as if to think that he would do her bidding as if it were their Jedi mind trick.

"I was given permission to do my research here," Obi-Wan couldn't stop the irritation that was now creeping into his voice.

"Not in my study. Now go." She pointed to the door.

Realizing that she wouldn't let him alone, he called to Qui-Gon, /Master?/

/Yes?/

/If it is at all possible, can you come back to the library?/

/Is there a problem, Padawan?/

/Not at the moment, but I suspect there will be one soon./

/I shall be there, Padawan./

Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief. It can't be soon enough.

His sigh was answered by the girl's, woman's? He really didn't know how to address her. Glancing over, he watched as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms again in an over dramatic fashion. "Didn't you hear me? I told you to leave."

Instead of answering her, Obi-Wan tried to ignore her annoying presence, but it was now getting harder by the minute.

"Listen, if you don't go, I will call my father. He is the Viceroy, and you will have to do what he says," her annoying tone turned to one of boredom.

Obi-Wan couldn't help but roll his eyes. Really? "No, I will not leave. I was given permission to stay." He turned his attention back to the books on the desk hoping she would leave him alone.

"Anything wrong, Padawan?" Qui-Gon's voice came from the doorway.

Obi-Wan never felt more relieved when Qui-Gon appeared. Not being alone anymore, he took a little bit bolder stance while turning his attention to the Master Jedi, "Master, you asked me to see if I could find any more information that could be helpful while we are here. At this point I cannot because of her." Obi-Wan indicated the dark skinned human female with an incline of his head.

"Because this is my library and my desk," she turned to look at Qui-Gon. Her eyes widened and then blinked. It looked as if she was at a loss for words when she realized just how large he was. Swallowing hard she stood up straighter, "You know, this boy is in trouble as soon as I call my father."

"And whom might that be, my Lady?" Qui-Gon's tone was neutral, but Obi-Wan could see a hint of amusement in his deep blue eyes.

She rolled her eyes, "The Viceroy of course."

"Of course, your Highness," Qui-Gon altered his tone to show respect while echoing her last words echoed her last words.

It was obvious that she wasn't getting what she wanted, for she balled her fists then stormed out of the library.

When they were alone Obi-Wan visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Master," he said the words barely above a whisper as he turned his attention back to the task at hand.

Qui-Gon's long strides quickly ate up the distance from the door to the corner desk. "Have you found anything promising?" he asked while looking over Obi-Wan's shoulder.

Obi-Wan shook his head. He felt Qui-Gon straighten up behind him and then step away. Just as he came around the desk to look upside down on what Obi-Wan was reading, they both felt an approaching disturbance. The two looked towards the door and saw the Viceroy standing just inside the room.

Qui-Gon glanced back to Obi-Wan then turned and moved across the room and towards the leader. The Jedi Master kept his voice low when they began speaking. He wasn't sure what the two were discussing, though it felt like it was part of a previous conversation. Maybe I should find out what their plans are, he mused. Then mentally shook his head. He wasn't supposed to be involved in anything here. Even doing simple research was pushing the boundaries of what he could and couldn't do. Then again, Obi-Wan knew his Master was a maverick and didn't have any qualms going against the Council's orders when he felt it was needed.

Not wanting to disrupt the two, he decided to send a tendril of thought through the bond.

/I will explain everything later, Padawan,/ was the abrupt reply as the older Jedi left the room once again with the Viceroy.

Obi-Wan shut down the thought and turned his attention back to the open book before him. He hoped what he was doing was allowed during his probation. At least it's almost over, he sighed. It had been a very long year, and Obi-Wan strove not to complain outwardly at his current predicament. Part of it was his fault, and it could have been much, much worse.

It was some time later when Qui-Gon finally reappeared. The Jedi Master looked as if he were lost in thought as he perused the rows and rows of books on the shelves.

"Master, is there anything I need to be aware of?" Obi-Wan closed the last book he was searching through. His search had been a futile effort.

Qui-Gon pursed his lips before moving towards the desk. He sat down in a nearby chair. "Her name is Eira."

"What?" Obi-Wan had no idea what Qui-Gon was talking about.

"The one who was distracting you from your research — her name is Eira." A smile flitted across his face.

"She was not distracting, me, Master," Obi-Wan frowned.

Qui-Gon gave him an amused look before continuing, "And it appears that you were the first person other than her father to not let her have her way."

Obi-Wan flushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry for my actions, especially since I'm still on probation, Master. I will do better next time."

"Do not worry about your actions, Padawan. The Viceroy was very pleased by how you handled the situation without letting it get out of hand." Qui-Gon paused, "And with the security situation, we are both going to have to make sure that no one gets hurt. This is not something I wanted, because of the probation, but I cannot have you just sitting around doing nothing."

Obi-Wan frowned. "We're going against the Council again." I'm not supposed to do this.

Qui-Gon shook his head. "There's nothing else I can do. I cannot keep watch over both the Viceroy and his daughter."

"What about their own security?"

For a moment Qui-Gon was silent. "I did ask the Viceroy about that. All he did was shake his head. I feel that things are happening beyond his control."

Great. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Master, I don't want to be stuck babysitting."

"Padawan, we are to do the will of the Force, not what the council dictates. If the Force wills us to guard, or babysit as you state it, both the Viceroy and his daughter, who are we to complain?"

Obi-Wan wanted to sigh, but he knew his master was right. He opened his mouth to apologize, but an explosion outside cut him off. The windows rattled as they both looked in its direction. Putting everything to the side, they both rose to their feet and went over to look outside. From where they stood all they could see was a large black plume of smoke rising from beyond the compound walls, but through the Force they felt the growing cries of fear and pain.

They left the room and went straight for the front entrance. Security personnel, heavily armed, were everywhere either running towards windows or doors. As Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan made it to the entrance more armed guards had already made it there, making sure that the doors remained closed.

"Open the door," Qui-Gon ordered.

"Jedi, no one leaves when an explosion happens just outside the compound," the guard countered.

Qui-Gon raised his hand and was about to repeat himself when another voice came from behind, "Let the Jedi out."

"Thank you," Qui-Gon answered, not even bothering to turn around to address the newcomer.

Obi-Wan furrowed his brow as he turned to look at the one who spoke. He wasn't sure who he was, but he could sense that Qui-Gon knew him.

With the doors locked and barred, it took longer than expected to get the doors open. When free Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon moved at a brisk pace towards the main gates into the compound. One security officer was nodding to something as they approached, then turned and opened a side door just wide enough for them to slip through and to the street on the outside.

The area was in complete chaos. The building across, and a little down the way had lost the whole front side that faced the compound. It was a wonder that the structure was still standing. Not only was dust falling to the ground, but flimsies were everywhere. As smoke and dust wafted through the air, sirens that sounded in the distance grew louder obviously approaching the area. Looking up at the devastated building they could see offices where men and women had worked just a short time earlier.

Everything competed with the cries of the wounded.

Obi-Wan blanched at the assault from all directions through the Force, though he dare not block it out. Reaching down to his utility belt, he pulled out his breather and put it in his mouth as he plunged into the building. He soon realized he didn't need it, which surprised him, and he replaced it back in his belt.

"Where are you going?" he heard a faint call. "That building is unstable. It could collapse on you."

Obi-Wan ignored the call as he started working through the debris. While using the Force he was able to move the heavier pieces away. Doors were either blown off, or they were still closed. Casting his senses out he tried focusing on the room before him and what was beyond. All was silent. He still hoped there would be survivors. Each room he looked into he found nothing. The last door hung drunkenly from its hinges. Being careful, he removed the door and leaned it against a pile of debris that was not attached to any wall. Turning back he looked into the room, then closed his eyes as he turned away. For a moment his eyes stung, and Obi-Wan knew it wasn't from the lingering smoke and dust in the air. Stepping inside he forced himself not to leave, but search for any spark of life. Eventually he found one under even more debris. Clearing it away he found a child of maybe four standard that was barely alive.

Hold to me little one, Obi-Wan sent waves of the Force to do anything possible for this lone survivor. He wrapped the child up in the Force as he slowly picked his way through the destruction and back outside and the street.

"Obi-Wan, let him go," the voice came as if from far away.

"No, he needs help." Obi-Wan tightened his hold on the bloody and bruised child.

/Obi-Wan, let him go. There is nothing more you can do for him./

With Qui-Gon's words it was as if his arms went limp as he released his small charge. "No," he mumbled as he dropped to his knees and leaned forward, now openly weeping at the death and destruction all around him.

A hand set on his shoulder as he felt waves of the Force surrounding him. /I know it's difficult Padawan, but we must see to the living./

With a sniff and a shuddering breath, Obi-Wan looked up then rubbed his face with the back of his hand. "He was the only one I found…alive."

A man covered in dust with an official looking hat approached. Obi-Wan watched in detached fascination as Qui-Gon handed the child over to the newcomer. It was as if he were now watching some bad holomovie.

"Padawan Kenobi states that there were more children that didn't survive," Qui-Gon told the man.

/Who is he?/

/One of the officials here./

The official shook his head, while holding the child's body close to him. He also looked as if he were close to tears. "Yes, inside the building there was a place for children to be cared for while their parents are at work."

Obi-Wan finally rose to his feet and limped after Qui-Gon. For the time being, he locked away the horrors of what was surrounding him. It was the only way if he was to help the ones that lived.

/We shall meditate on this later, Padawan./

Obi-Wan didn't even acknowledge the message as he began helping once again.

It was a long time before they finally made it back to the Viceroy's compound. Both Jedi trudged through the gates and then into the house itself. With the lessening of him being bombarded by cries through the Force, Obi-Wan began to feel the churning of the horrors he felt earlier deep inside. Apparently him locking away everything only worked for so long. He sniffed while rubbing his face with both hands, not really caring who saw him. It left streaks of dirt on his face.

"Come Padawan." A hand pressed down on his shoulder, "Now it's time for us to grieve such tragic loss."

Obi-Wan turned and looked at Qui-Gon for several minutes before he finally nodded. They would meditate in the chambers that Qui-Gon was given, for privacy. Once they reached their rooms, and the door was closed, they shed their dirt covered outer cloaks and sank to their knees. "Why Master?" Obi-Wan finally asked.

"I don't know." Qui-Gon reached out and placed his hand on Obi-Wan's arm. "I know how difficult it was for you. I don't want to say that I was proud of what you did. This is something that no one is ever truly prepared to deal with."

"It was stupid," Obi-Wan muttered.

"No, Obi-Wan, it's not stupid. The ones that perpetrated this wanton act of destruction we should have compassion and pity for them, for they have lost their way."

They remained there until most of the horrors they witnessed were finally released into the Force. Eventually Obi-Wan stood up and bent his back, trying to get the kinks out of his muscles. They had been there so long that the room had grown dark.

With a flick of his hand, Qui-Gon turned the lights on low. "Get some rest, Obi-Wan."

Turning, Obi-Wan could just see his master through the dim light. "Will there be a meeting with both sides tomorrow?" Obi-Wan reached over for his cloak and draped it over his arm.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and sighed. After a few minutes he turned his attention back to Obi-Wan, "I'm not sure. At this point there is too much confusion radiating through the Force.

"I wish I could go to them and tell them how stupid all this is." Obi-Wan paused, "Children."

"I know, Padawan."

Just as Obi-Wan reached the connecting door Qui-Gon's voice echoed through their bond, /Padawan, don't be stubborn. Let me know if you have difficulties tonight./

Obi-Wan paused then looked over his shoulder, "I will, Master," then left the room.

TBC….