Chapter 7. Sold!

So I stand still
In front of the crowd
Excited faces
What will be next?
I still don't have a clue
I still don't have a clue

Blind Guardian "The Minstrel"

Qui-Gon was not sleeping that night. Just could not. He was remembering his apprentice, left on Tatooine, again and again. Fortunately, Anakin was not in their shared quarters and did not see his Master's torments. He allowed the boy to have a short vacation—about a week—and to stay with his mother.

The next day he was standing in front of the Jedi Council. He carefully raised some mental shields and lowered the others, uncovering some thoughts about his gone Padawan. He didn't want the Council to be suspicious. This session should be rather hard and wearing.

"Master Yoda, I'm asking about some days off. I want to visit the Tatooine again." Well, it was true. He should keep his voice convincing. Though it was not difficult after his hang-over dreams—it sounded sadly.

"Tatooine, you want visit to?" asked the ancient Master, staring at Qui-Gon.

"Qui-Gon, are you sure?" Mace Windu asked. He was Qui-Gon's old friend, so he didn't want his fellow Jedi to grieve more. He knew that Master Jinn was very attached to his Padawan. At first, Mace was very suspicious (Obviously, he remembered Melida/Daan well), but then he understood.

"Yes, I must… (Indeed, what did he have to do?)… The Force says to me… (This lame excuse was working since reaching the knighthood)… I would like to find him… his body for a proper Jedi funeral (Yes, 'to prepare' him. For funeral.)"

"Yes, the Council gives you its permission. The boy, we will look after." Master Yoda answered after eternity. Master Jinn even began to think that old Master had guessed about something.

Qui-Gon respectfully bowed. He instinctively wanted to turn his head and check up the apprentice, who certainly was following him, then remembered that Obi-Wan was no longer his padawan and Ani was spending time with Shmi. Then he headed to the Temple Hangar.

On the board of the fast Jedi fighter Qui-Gon was in deep meditation.

Honestly, he began to worry, whether it had been the will of the Force or only his cruel imagination.

I will land there and what then? What will I be supposed to tell my former apprentice? "Yes, the Council allowed me to train the Chosen One and they're sure you was shot during the street fight. I only had enough time to pick up your 'saber—the sacred Jedi weapon—and to run with the boy and his mother to protect them. If they think you're dead then it soon will be so…" Or I'll ask him to live peacefully on Tatooine and do not leave it… for his entire life. Surely, my dutiful apprentice will understand and won't prevent me. But… No, it's not an option. It will be too dangerous. So, only one choice is right. The first one. What an irony, we often dreamed about ceremony of Obi-Wan's knighthood and now I'm going to kill him in cold blood. To kill and to go away, forgetting about this.

He shut his eyes. The meditation could not help him to calm himself.

Soon, the Tatooine with its two blazing suns appeared.

Master Jinn landed the ship, put on his farmer's cloak and carefully hid his lightsaber. Hm, Obi-Wan's lightsaber now was on the shelf in his own common room. After this… he would put it away.

He headed to Mos Eisley, trying not to think about anything, but images of the last years stubbornly appeared in his head.

Ah, the familiar shop. He pushed the door, came in, wishing that soon it all would end. He just could not bear any more. He took enough money to buy the slave. Then he would lead Obi-Wan out of the city, explain him everything and… kill him. And burry his body somewhere in the sand. Nobody on the Tatooine would remember about this accident, this kind of events happened too often here. Obi-Wan would not resist much, not with force-inhibitor collar and blind trust in his Master.

"Yes? What do you need?" the blue Toydarian asked. "Ah! I remember you! Do you need some parts? You're lucky; I'll sell my shop in two days."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Can I see Obi-Wan?"

"Ah, that lad? Yes, he was a good mechanician. And so an obedient one. He even didn't try to run away. First, he murmured something about terrible mistake; the council won't leave this, hate my master… Nothing particular. Though he imagined himself as a Jedi! Ha-ha! He did exactly what he had been ordered to do. A good slave. Very skilled. Are you a slave-holder? I have some friends, who would not mind to buy such clever slaves—"

"Where is he?" Qui-Gon tensed.

"I sold him yesterday! For good money!"

"Who?" the tall Jedi was in deep shock.

"I don't care. He was wearing the black cloak with hood on his head. He called himself Baal Baster. He signed all slave papers and they were gone. They're not on this planet anymore. What about my offering?"

"Thanks, nothing," Qui-Gon mumbled and went out.

With the help of the Force he quickly scanned Watto's mind. He wasn't lying. Master Jinn could not recognize this person.

Slowly he headed to his ship and took off.

Was it one of their friends, who noticed a young Jedi here? Or one of the Jedi enemies, who wanted to torture the boy? Or somebody only needed an experienced slave? He should be more careful now. If the Council knew about this, they would banish him out of order. Not to mention about the Chosen One. He would find his former apprentice. Any means necessary. He would search all data banks and all slave auctions…

But deep in his heart he was glad that he had not had to kill the boy.

Not now.