I've been nagged, so I must update. No I haven't forgotten you guys, there's just so many distractions and a new found obession. Whatever the case I will not abandoned this story, or writing in the SW fandom, but they will come slower. I know it's a lot to ask but any reviews would be nice to read, and could be motivation for a quicker chapter.


Chapter Nine: A World Apart

They had been following him for nearly an hour now, throughout the brush, the trees…even the open landscape if they stayed far enough behind. Qui-Gon knew that they were there; they being an older man, and younger boy, most likely a few years younger than his own padawan. He didn't acknowledge them, even in the slightest bit, only continuing on his trek. They were very careful, moving only when he did so, coming to a silent stop when the Jedi Master observed his surroundings, staying out of sight, and sound. If Qui-Gon had not been in tune with the force, there would be no real way he could have known of their existence.

They weren't a threat…that much he could be certain of. Even though he had always held a knack for judging others, it would be unwise to rely solely on that. He had, after all, been wrong about someone before. Deadly wrong. Qui-Gon came to a pause, outstretched hand resting on the trunk of a nearby tree.

This jungle was a maze of never ending trees, but he was getting closer to a city…or at least what he hoped was a city. There were more and more signs of travel through this area, and he could feel it in the force. Yes…there was definitely life on this gloomy planet.

"I wouldn't go that way if I were you."

The voice didn't startle him; Qui-Gon knew the pair had been moving up quietly beside him even though he had stopped himself. Instead he replied in his own quiet voice, steady and firm. "And what way would that be?"

"The city," came the man's reply without hesitation. He was nearly a head shorter, but that wasn't unusual. Qui-Gon was a tall man by far, for the most part overshadowing everyone around him, save for a few cases when meeting with other beings.

Qui-Gon turned to the man, studying him intently without really seeming to. "How do you that's my destination?"

"You've been heading north for a while now. Any further and you will reach the boundaries. But it wouldn't be a warm welcome. Ever since the government collapsed from failed negotiations there is no rule, no order. If they find you wandering the city they'll take you into custody…if they don't kill you first, that is."

"And who exactly is 'they'?" Qui-Gon questioned, his gaze drifting back across the land.

"A mix of people really, we call them the Resistance, for obvious reasons. You're a newcomer here; we don't get very many as of late. It'll be safer if you travel with us. We have a camp that's not too far from here, we're holding up quite a few different beings, but we always have room for one more."

"How do I know that I can trust you?" Qui-Gon offered up, somewhat skeptical that he was offering up help for free. On a strange planet, shortly after being attacked, it was hard to place his faith in the hands of complete stranger. At this point in time it was difficult to know who was friend, and who was foe.

"You can't," the man offered up freely, "but then again, can I trust you?" He tilted his head, motioning for Qui-Gon to follow. "You can call me Ril, this is my cousin Katehn."

Ril didn't wait for an answer, disappearing into the brush with Katehn close at his heels. Qui-Gon waited for a moment longer, staring back out at the city. There was a pulse of unease all around him, though it was difficult to tell where it came from. War always seemed to send everything into chaos.

He could take his chances within the city, keeping Ril's warning in mind. On the other hand he could follow the odd little man, and take his chances with him. Either way he was venturing into the unknown, and it would be easier following a guide than just his own wits. With a sigh he turned, following the retreating form of the pair ahead of him.


"You don't have to stay," Obi-Wan reminded her, barely raising his head to meet her gaze. It was a mix of pity, concern, and overall worry that comforted him.

"I want too," Bant reminded him, her silver eyes never leaving his.

There was nothing to be said, just a quiet a thank you as Obi-Wan let his gaze fall back to the hands in his lap. He had found himself speechless shortly after the accusation, and it was there that Mace Windu had called the investigation to an end. Though the boy knew it was far from over, he was grateful for the respite.

"You don't honestly believe him, do you Obi?" Bant wondered, using his nickname as a form of comfort.

"I don't know," he replied monotonously. He didn't want to talk about it at this particular moment, but he knew that avoiding it would only be worse. There would be a new trial starting soon, and even if Qui-Gon would be there to back him up, he needed more than the confidence of others. What he needed was a clear mind, and a clean conscience.

"You're not a killer Obi-Wan, despite what anyone says. You tried your best to save him, even after all he did."

"Did I?" he wondered silently, "I can see it in my mind…but am I seeing what actually happened, or what I wanted to happen?"

"Don't do that," she warned, "don't doubt yourself. Besides, you already said it yourself, someone else is behind this. You didn't write that journal, and I know you didn't steal that stuff."

"That's all coincidental," Obi-Wan agreed with a heavy sigh, "but do not forget who was with him when he…when he died."

"He made a choice Obi-Wan," Bant pointed out, "as did you. We already talked about all of this once…or have you forgotten?"

"It's just harder without Qui-Gon around…" Obi-Wan confessed, nodding as he looked up at her. "You offer a lot of council, but I'm afraid…I need guidance, and I don't know what to do."

"And it won't be forever until he returns," Bant nodded, understanding how he felt. "Are you still angry that he lied?"

"Of course," Obi-Wan frowned, "he spends so much time preaching on how trust builds a strong relationship, then he lies…"

"But you've let it go."

He nodded, sighing. "I have…I no longer care, I may later, but at the moment, I just want him to come back, and soon."

They both looked up even before the door opened, unsurprised to see that it was Mace entering the small balcony where the pair had retreated. Obi-Wan wasn't sure what had brought the master out here, but he could sense the unease. So could Bant, who quietly excused herself from the threesome, exiting in short haste.

Obi-Wan remained sitting, only glancing at him briefly before turning away. It was rude to do so, but he was too tired to remain with formalities, and aside from that fact, what more could the masters do to punish him?

"How are you holding up?"

"I am doing well," Obi-Wan started, quickly adding on "as well as I can be, that is."

"I was concerned the trial was starting to become a bit intense for you. I must apologize; I did not realize that was their direction."

"I do not think anyone had," he nodded up to the master, moving to his feet now. "Master Windu…you must believe when I tell you that none of the evidence there is mine. Qui-Gon and I have been to busy to allow me to keep a journal even if that had been my desire. And I haven't been at the temple long enough to really be in my quarters, so how could I have hidden those items there?"

Mace Windu sighed, his face growing grim, "I brought that point up as well, but the journals entries stop shortly after you and Qui-Gon came back from Telos, and it is assumed that Bruck's possessions were hid shortly thereafter, following the first trial, that is. All of which when you were residing at the Temple. There is no clear argument there."

"What will happen then?" Obi-Wan wondered, "To me, I mean."

"That is uncertain," Mace reassured him shortly after, "but I will try to see that a fair trial is put into effect. Sano Sauro was out of line; even so he'll most likely try to use similar tricks later on. Keep this in mind. Yet there is another matter of importance at hand, involving your Master."

Obi-Wan felt his stomach turn, not quite liking how the man stated the last part. "He's not going to be back tomorrow then?"

It was a hope, a feint one, but it was all he had. Still Obi-Wan knew that was not the case even before Mace Windu answered.

"We lost contact with him a few hours ago, at the moment the council is debating if we are to send another team out to search for him."

"How can that be so if you are here right now?"

Mace smiled, marveling in the boy's quick thinking, "I took my leave to find you. The council did not wish for me to tell you all of this, but I felt that it was important."

"And they shall say no," Obi-Wan sighed.

"We do not know for certain, but it is dangerous. Besides, we have no real way of knowing if he is actually in danger. Qui-Gon is a rash man sometimes, but he's been known to get out of scrapes by himself."

Obi-Wan nodded, bowing as Mace turned to take his leave. "Master Windu…you do believe me, don't you?"

For a moment he didn't respond, but after thinking it over he smiled reassuringly, "I always have, have I not?"

TBC