The threat.
Gerota staggered towards Obi-Wan. He could see the gaping hole in his stomach, but before he could reach the shackled teen, Qui-Gon flung him back against the wall knocking him unconscious. Mace deflected a blaster bolt back to Davik, killing him instantly. In the next moment, Qui-Gon Force-lifted Gheza as he tried to aim his blaster at Mace, ripped the blaster away, and threw him against the wall. Luckily, the noise of the ships taking off muffled the sounds of blaster fire in the stables. Mace pressed his emergency button and shortly several Jedi rushed into the barn to help. Qui-Gon and Mace hurriedly unchained Obi-Wan.
Mace spoke to the Jedi Masters, who put Gheza and Gerota under arrest while they carefully and gently lifted Obi-Wan up and carried him to their ship. On board the ship, several healers worked on Obi-Wan. He was in critical condition – the blaster bolt had torn through his lower chest and his ribs were broken. He also had a punctured lung, a broken jaw, and a broken hip.
The healer shook his head and confirmed their worst fears. He probably wouldn't make it. "His life signs are very faint and we cannot put him in Bacta until we repair the damage. We will need to operate because his ribs are pressing into his lungs, and we cannot set his broken bones until we stitch him up."
Obi-Wan was a mess, and Qui-Gon was so distraught that Mace threatened to give him a sleep suggestion if he didn't calm down. Qui-Gon placed his hand on the healer's shoulder. "Isn't there anything we can do to keep him alive until we reach Corruscant?"
"Would you send healing energy into his body?"
Mace stepped up next to Qui-Gon. "We will do all we can." Qui-Gon felt relieved at Mace's words and smiled at him. Both Jedi Masters gathered the Force around them and placed their hands on Obi-Wan's body, directing healing waves into him. After several minutes, Obi-Wan's vital signs levelled off enough so the healers could work on Obi-Wan.
By the time they got back to Coruscant, the healers had pried his ribs away from Obi-Wan's lungs and had stopped the bleeding. His shoulder and hip were put in place using the Force and strapped to stop movement. However, Obi-Wan's jaw was shattered. It needed reconstructing, and they hadn't had the necessary equipment on board. Upon arrival, they took Obi-Wan straight into the operating ward. Qui-Gon paced up and down the corridor and refused to go to the Council meeting with Mace.
Mace went alone and informed the Council of their success in capturing two of the slave cartel and explained how one had died at his hand. Their infiltration of the cartel had been successful and their Jedi operatives were in the process of closing down the slave operations.
The council chambers fell to silence when Mace informed them of their discovery of Obi-Wan Kenobi. He explained how they had found him, and what the boy had gone through to ensure that their mission was successful. Mace commended Obi-Wan's bravery and proposed that he be readmitted to the Jedi Order if he survived. Several of the Councillors shifted in their seats, and Mace sensed doubt radiating from some of them.
It wasn't long before Master Yarael Poof spoke. "You believe young Kenobi had full use of the Force while he was held captive, Master Windu?"
"Yes, when we first found him he hid his Force sensitivity behind his shields."
"Why didn't he escape his slavery if he had the ability to use the Force," Master Yaddle asked.
"He was alone and he was confused. As you know, his descent into slavery was unexpected and he had no one to turn to. His slave master ruled by torture, and Obi-Wan saw many slaves die at Gerota's hands," Mace confirmed.
"This Gerota, did he have a mind hold over Obi-Wan," asked Master Gallia.
"No, I do not think it was anything like that," Mace explained.
"Yet he did everything Gerota told him to do, even though he had the Force available to him," Master Gallia continued.
"What other choice did he have? He had nowhere to run to and no one to help him. As far as Obi-Wan knew, this was what his life was meant to be." Mace was getting exasperated and wondered if this was why Qui-Gon hated coming to Council sessions. He was starting to see the Council in a different light.
Master Poof spoke up again. "When you found him, was he afraid?"
Mace knew what they were getting at. If Obi-Wan had fear in him, he would not be able to function as a Jedi. They believed he may turn to the Dark Side if he couldn't release his fear.
"You must understand what young Obi-Wan has gone through. When you do, you will see, as I do, that he is strong and worthy of a place here in the Temple. My fellow Councillors, all of you were on the Council when Obi-Wan went missing. You read the reports and know what happened between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. You know what his so-called friend did to him on Melida/Dann. Obi-Wan's life plummeted to the depths of despair, and yet he did not waver when he learned of our mission. He risked his life to save all the slaves on that planet. He knew that he would probably die, and yet he helped us anyway," Mace explained. "So, to answer your question – yes, he was afraid. But he was not afraid for himself, he was afraid for the slaves under Gerota's control."
"You said that Gerota forced Obi-Wan to do things, did Obi-Wan kill anyone while he was in captivity," Poof inquired.
"No, I don't think so. Qui-Gon told me that Obi-Wan had been witness to the torture and killing of many slaves. Therefore, in an attempt to keep Gerota happy, he obeyed his every whim in the hope that Gerota's lust for pain and torture would be focused on Obi-Wan, instead of the other slaves."
"Did Gerota have an unhealthy desire for Obi-Wan," Master Gallia questioned.
"Yes, he is obsessed with Obi-Wan. I will be relieved when he is sentenced and taken to Kessell, where he cannot hurt Obi-Wan or any other slave ever again."
"When will the sentencing transpire," she asked.
"The trial will commence in a few days. I am sure with all the evidence, Gerota and his Partner will be in prison for a long time," Mace confirmed.
The Councillors nodded in agreement. For a few moments there was silence in the chambers, until Master Yoda tapped his cane, bringing the attention to him. "Deserve our support, Obi-Wan does. But gone for three years, he has been. Far behind his peers, he is. Who will take on his training?"
"Master Yoda, as you know, Qui-Gon refused to replace Obi-Wan with another apprentice for these last three years. He has informed me that he desires to resume Obi-Wan's training. Qui-Gon is resolute in keeping Obi-Wan as his apprentice – with or without the authorization of the Council, if he must."
They all knew of Qui-Gon's stubborn character, and they sensed Mace's resolve in the matter as well. There was a short silence in the room, and then Master Yoda confirmed their decision. "Many lives Obi-Wan has saved. We are indebted to him. A Jedi he was raised to be, and a Jedi he is. May the Force be with him."
oooooooooooooooooooo
Many hours later, the operation was over and Obi-Wan had been immersed in bacta. Qui-Gon stood by the tank and watched his far-too-thin and pale child floating in peace. Tubes were attached to every part of his body – checking his heart and his breathing, making sure his injuries were being monitored, and supplying sustenance to him. Qui-Gon wondered whether Obi-Wan was aware of anything, or whether he had asked the Force to take him to his special place in the garden to keep him safe until the pain subsided.
Qui-Gon wished he could be with Obi-Wan in his dreams – to comfort him and hold him like he had the other night in the stable. He remembered how clingy Obi-Wan had been and how his whole body had trembled. Qui-Gon had felt the rightness of it as his arms had embraced his child. He remembered how he had sent warmth and peace to him through their bond.
Abruptly Qui-Gon stirred from his musings. Bond? I don't have a bond with Obi-Wan! Guiltily, he remembered Melida/Dann. When Obi-Wan had remained on the planet, he had closed down the bond from the boy's consciousness. At the time, he hadn't cared about how much it may have hurt Obi-Wan. All he could see was another failure – another Xanatos. No, Qui-Gon thought, he didn't disobey me. I disobeyed the Force. I was selfish and Obi-Wan paid the price.
Nevertheless, in the stable, Qui-Gon had sent kind thoughts to him. He sat down on a chair next to the tank. He placed his hand on the glass and closed his eyes. He went within himself, travelling deep into his own mind, and searched for the remnants of the shattered bond he once had with Obi-Wan. In his mind's eye, he saw a dark area. It was large and black. In the shadows of this mass of darkness was a tiny speck of light – like a candle flickering in a dark room, barely keeping the darkness from consuming it.
Qui-Gon pushed in further towards the dark mass, calling out to Obi-Wan. As he did, he realised the candle was getting brighter and consuming the darkness. He felt into the darkness and was shocked to realise that it was the dead remnants of his bond with Xanatos that was wrapped around the flame of light. He watched as the darkness retreated and the white light of the flame burned brighter and brighter.
Yes, Qui-Gon thought, it is Obi-Wan's essence! His light is struggling to be seen over the darkness. I must latch onto it. Qui-Gon touched the white light with his senses, and the candle flared. He called out again, "Obi-Wan, can you hear me?" He felt a chill and confusion radiated through his mind. Qui-Gon opened his eyes, hoping that there may have been some reaction from Obi-Wan. There was none.
All these years, Qui-Gon had held onto the charred remnants of his bond with Xanatos. He realised that he had to purge the ash and soot from his mind – virtually sweep it clean, and make it inviting and welcome for Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon leaned back into the chair and wondered if he could mend their fractured bond. He thought back to the day when he cut his bond off from Obi-Wan. He had walked to the top of the ramp of his ship and closed the door. As he did, he closed off the bond. It must have hurt Obi-Wan so much to be abandoned; and then to be dealt a further blow when one friend died and the other friend sold him into slavery. Qui-Gon shook his head in disgust and rested his head in his hands.
The next day, the healers removed Obi-Wan from the bacta tank, cleaned him, and dressed him in loose fitting pants and tunic. His hair was clean and shone with copper streaks intermingled with the golden colour. With all the suffering, his face still glowed with innocence. His boyish features were shining through. Even though his skin was a pallid colour and his jaw was swollen, the healers had done a wonderful job of putting him back together.
Many days passed by without him stirring. His injuries were healing and the swelling around his jaw had gone. Yet he slept on. Long after he should have woken, he was still unconscious. The healers grew concerned and were at a loss to the cause.
Qui-Gon wanted to stay with Obi-Wan until he woke up, but he had to attend the court hearing to decide the fate of Gerota and Gheza. It was his and Mace's testimony that would send them to prison. Mace was adamant that they should be at the trial to make sure Gerota would be put behind bars for a long time for the atrocities he had committed. Qui-Gon knew he was right, so he sat by Mace's side while the trial proceeded.
Gerota and Gheza tried everything to win their case, even bribing some officials to let them off. Thankfully, the courts were opposed to the deplorable actions of the slavers. They were sentenced to life in prison on Kessel. As Gerota was dragged from the court, he screamed abuse at the two Jedi Masters. He warned them to keep an ever vigilante eye on Obi-Wan, because one day he would return to claim him. He yelled, "No one will take my boy away from me! He is mine! I will find him – even if it takes a lifetime, I will have him back!"
tbc
