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 Nine

Qui-Gon looked around the rooms that Tomas had granted him for the duration of the apparent assassination attempt. At least that's what he had been able to deduce. The ancient fortress was furnished with just the barest of essentials, more akin to something he was used to in the Temple. Leaving the room, he worked his way towards security. He wanted to find both Obi-Wan and the Viceroy's daughter before it was too late. At the moment he wasn't that worried. Obi-Wan knew how to take care of himself, and to survive out in the wilderness if they were stuck somewhere. Examining his memories on the way Qui-Gon realized that there had been so much confusing activity in the halls along with all the conflicting emotions, that he didn't catch a whiff of what was to come until it was too late. Sometimes even Jedi Masters missed things. Obi-Wan would be rather amused at that.

The amusing thought faded away and was replaced with concern. He can also take care of himself. Trust in the Force.

Qui-Gon had to admit that even he wanted to ask 'what if'. At this point two people were apparently missing, most likely kidnapped and needed to be rescued. Now stepping into Marton's office, he stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to say to the head of security. The darker skinned man stormed into his office, waves of antagonism rolled off him. Qui-Gon gave him a calm look with pursed lips. It would probably be wise to let him know what he was planning. The longer he was around the man the more he felt he could trust him. Marton was obviously angry, and that was to be expected. The other emotion coming off was something he didn't expect. It was more of a possessiveness, like whatever happened left him personally affronted and feeling violated at the same time.

"We need to keep the Viceroy with us while searching for his daughter and my Padawan," it came out as a statement.

Marton ran a hand through his short curly hair. "After that debacle, I wouldn't want anything less."

Qui-Gon folded his arms, but gave him a kind smile. "You know, Marton, you're taking this too personally. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Martin balled his fist and hit the desk, knuckles down. "Why not? Both of them are my responsibility." He pushed himself back and turned to look at the wall, his arms now folded.

Reaching out again to the Force Qui-Gon soon realized why he was taking the situation as hard as he was. "You feel responsible for his wife's death, don't you." The security chief's back stiffened.

Marton took a deep breath before finally turning to face Qui-Gon. "I had only been in this position for six months when the accident happened. I still believe that there were way too many discrepancies for me to believe that Leesa's death was unfortunate, but tragic."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Don't worry, I do not want to have anything happen to the Viceroy either. We will find them." He paused, "Have you heard from Berland's head of security?"

"No, and that's what bothers me. I don't know how far to trust him, or her." Martin threw his hands up in exasperation. "I don't even know who the person is. And their Duke expects me to work closely with them?"

Qui-Gon tapped his lips with his finger. "Maybe he or she is not used to working with other security."

Marton snorted. "I'm having a hard enough time making sure that I can trust the men and women in my command."

This made Qui-Gon turn and look out the office and into the main security offices. "How far do you trust your people?"

"As far as need be. I've had to remove the ones that weren't loyal to me our the Viceroy before."

Even though he nodded, Qui-Gon still reached out and did a light mind touch on first Marton and then the other members of his security that were with him. What he found was very understandable; confusion and anger from the events that just transpired were the most prevalent. "I will follow your lead," for now, he finished silently. If he sensed murderous intent then he would make sure that everyone that could be safe, would be.

Marton actually smiled, though it looked bitter. "Thank you. Even though I don't doubt your abilities, it's always best to have one leader." He paused for a moment before continuing, "If I need to interrogate anyone, would you be able to assist?"

"While using the Force?" the side of Qui-Gon's mouth twitched upwards as a bemused look crossed his face.

"I guess you could say that."

From the security chief's look it was apparent that he didn't want to pry into what he thought would be a personal matter. Qui-Gon thought about it for a moment before realizing that he did trust Marton, at least as far as he needed at this point. "Yes, I can. It is not unusual for us to be assigned to help with the police on Coruscant when investigating more of the nefarious crimes that are committed. It would help if I had my Padawan, Obi-Wan with me, but lately I haven't been able to communicate with him." He shook his head in frustration. Sending a thought through their intact bond he found no response.

"Why's that?"

"Either Obi-Wan's unconscious or he can't communicate with me at the present time."

Marton looked down while frowning. "You know," he raised his head, "I remember my parents telling me that if there was anyone I should trust, it should be a Jedi. They know what they're doing." He turned while looking out the door, "Do you know either where they're at?"

"For one, your parents are correct. It is our goal to know what needs to be done. And contrary to what everyone thinks, I cannot pinpoint where Obi-Wan is. Now, if he's closer, like in the next room, then I can just by proximity. The further away the more vague the 'signal' becomes."

"So, they could be anywhere on the planet." A grim look crossed Marton's face.

"Basically, yes. Still," Qui-Gon paused as he came to some sort of decision, "if this was an assassination attempt, then we need to probably look towards Berland and try and find out what they don't wish for us to know."

"It sounds we need to use our satellites to scan through Berland and its environs. They won't be happy about it." Marton turned and pressed a button the desk. A device implanted in the flat surface projected a map of one of the continents onto the wall. "It's not much, but I don't think we need to look towards here," he pointed to the desert regions. "At least that cuts down on where we should look by about a third."

"We will on the northern areas of Berland," Qui-Gon nodded.


Obi-Wan woke with a dull ache throughout his whole body. Shifting, it felt as if his skin crawled. Opening his eyes, he looked down to his hands and exposed wrists. Not good, not good at all. The rash had spread, added to the fact that he felt very hot. Raising a hand to his forehead, he noticed in a detached way that it trembled. Pushing that to the side, he felt his forehead and found the skin damp. Sliding down the wall, he curled into a fetal position. "Master, please," he mumbled both audibly and through the Force.

/Padawan? Where are you?/

"I don't know," he answered Qui-Gon's voice in a horse whisper.

"Obi-Wan? Are you okay?"

Opening his eyes once again, he squinted up to the form that leaned over him. Eira's hand hovered just above his forehead for a moment before placing it gently there. His nerves went crazy and he hissed. She jerked her hand back, eyes wide with…was that worry, he wondered. He pushed the thought to the side, for he knew he wasn't strong enough to reach Qui-Gon again. It was a fluke when he did. Maybe it didn't even happen. Exhaustion washed through him, and all he wanted to do was to sink down into the growing darkness, but he couldn't. He made to make sure that Eira made it safely back. "I…I need your help so I can reach Master Qui-Gon," he admitted.

Instead of expecting annoyance and possible revulsion, Eira leaned forward again, her voice low, "What do you need me to do?"

"Nothing," Obi-Wan whispered as he worked his hand towards hers. At least the nerves in his palms were behaving themselves. Placing his over hers and with what little strength he had left, he reached for her through the Force. She was like a beacon of light shining before him. Eira's energy flooded through him and he used that to send an anchor to Qui-Gon, along with one word, wasteland.

The last thing he heard was Eira laying down and letting out a heavy sigh as darkness overcame him.

TBC….