Chapter 4: Force Sensitives

Obi-Wan stood still, reaching out for his master's force signature. He wasn't far away. Keeping his grip on his light saber Obi-Wan ran in the direction the Force was guiding him. Qui-Gon met him half way.

"Obi-Wan keep centered. There is something much more going on here." The master said, putting a hand on his student's shoulder. Obi-Wan said nothing as his master led him farther into the forest. "There are many caves here, we can take shelter in one until the rain lets up at least."

"Should we go back for our supplies?" Obi-Wan asked as they continued to run though the rain and mud.

"The pirates probably took all we had. There is no use going back to the ship."

"Perhaps the people will help us? At least get us a transport out of here." Obi-Wan suggested. Anything to get off the planet.

"Yes, perhaps. We will check in the city tomorrow. But for now we must wait this out. I believe there is more than one party after us." Qui-Gon said and they stepped into a moist cave.

"Those people on the outskirts of the forest. You felt them too?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes. We must find out who these other people are and what they want." Qui-Gon said, lighting a small fire. Obi-Wan felt a restless unease in the Force, as if his master wasn't telling him the whole story.

"Master, it's not my place to question you, however," Obi-Wan looked in his master's eyes. "Is there something else?"

Qui-Gon didn't blink. He stared at his padawan then smiled slightly. Obi-Wan let out a relieved sigh.

"It seems I can keep nothing from you padawan. Yes there is something else. I felt many force signatures in the people watching. I felt the Force radiate off of them in waves.

"Force sensitives?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "I believe so. Keep your shields up."

Obi-Wan did so and though it was draining on his energy he didn't let up. He and Qui-Gon stayed in their small shelter and meditated, thinking about what the next course of action should be.

~*~

Ranu Klorein, the head leader of Dooku's small army led his men though the forest. He put his hand to his throat again, if only he could learn to harness the Force like his master, then he wouldn't be subjected to such pain and embarrassment. Since Eli was the only one with him he was much harder on the young man, not wanting him to think he could overthrow him.

"They must have taken shelter. You are positive the ship was empty?" Ranu asked, looking behind him to the other five men.

"Yes sir. The pirates had cleaned it out, and there were no Jedi."

"We will start with the snake caves. Those are the closest ones," He said and put his hand on his blaster. "And remember our masters words. The Jedi are to be brought back alive."

~*~

The rain had continued to pour in and Obi-Wan could feel his head start to get cloudy as a headache started to come on. He was going to get a cold. 'Well isn't this lovely?' He asked himself. He knew he would be less focused if indeed the wet and chilly weather gave him a cold.

Qui-Gon had went out of the cave not long ago to search the area of anything that might be useful for the two of them. Obi-Wan had not wanted his master to go alone but Qui-Gon had told him to stay, to try and keep their small haven shielded. Obi-Wan had agreed but as time went on he was getting weaker and reached out through his bond with Qui-Gon, just to make sure his master was alright.

Obi-Wan felt the bond and reached out. Feeling that Qui-Gon wasn't far away and he didn't seem to be in any danger or pain. Satisfied, Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked out of the cave. Nothing was seen but rain and trees.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi."

The startled apprentice turned and looked at his master.

"Master."

"You could have been killed just now." Qui-Gon said in a relaxed tone. He was not angry nor upset with him. He could feel his padawan was feeling a tad under the weather when Obi-Wan opened their bond to search for him.

"I'm sorry master," Obi-Wan said and thought about telling Qui-Gon about his headache that was now a constant pounding in his head.

"Go back inside. We don't want you any more vulnerable then you already are."

If Obi-Wan didn't know his master he would have taken that comment as an insult, but he knew his master was right and his mind was indeed clouded.

"Perhaps you should take a brief nap Obi-Wan, I want you to eat first though. I can feel your strength is all but gone."

How did he always know? It was true Obi-Wan was very tired and the energy it took to keep his shields up was draining him constantly but he dare not make a blunder.

"I am fine master, but thank you. I just need some rest."

Qui-Gon nodded and watched as his apprentice went to the back of the cave to lay down. Helping his padawan into sleep he stood just inside the cave, searching out his feelings until he felt the first touch of another mind. A Force sensitive.

~*~

"How much further?"

"Not much. But if you keep complaining you won't make it back." Ranu said, using his instincts to guide him as Master Dooku had said. There was a small tingle in the back of his mind, guiding him. Then it was gone, like a veil had draped over him. He stopped and the five men behind him groaned in relief.

Ranu looked around, nothing was to be seen but he knew he was close to the master and apprentice.

~*~

"Obi-Wan. Come Obi-Wan, I need your help." Qui-Gon said, rousing the boy from his sleep. Obi-Wan woke up and was on his feet at once.

"What is it master?"

"They are getting closer."

Obi-Wan reached out his feelings, and felt the mind of the force sensitive. "Are there many of them?"

"Not that I can tell however, I feel we are in danger." Qui-Gon said calmly. He and Obi-Wan left the cave and climbed on top of it, shielding themselves with the force. The slight touch of Obi-Wan's mind with the intruders no doubt gave them the direction they needed. Soon they saw six large men come out of the trees.

The two Jedi were still as they watched three of them enter the small cave. Obi-Wan could tell which one was the force sensitive, he radiated the Force, however all the fear and hate caused the waves of the Force to be blackened. The Dark Side.

Obi-Wan looked to his master who never took his concentration off the intruders. Then as one both blue and green light sabers were ignited. They knew they had been spotted.

TBC

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