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 Eleven

Qui-Gon never did pay attention to how they got back to the fortress. It didn't matter, for he needed to hold onto Obi-Wan until they could get him into the fully stocked medical facility and put him on life support. Until then he remained where he was. Unlike meditation, he was aware of what was happening around him. Both the soldiers along with the medic were moving around the room while another pilot, thank the Force he had come, had gone to the cockpit. He could also feel the internal workings of the ship as it flew through the air.

"Papa, I feel so guilty."

"Why child?"

"He never once complained of our predicament, or how bad off he was. In fact, if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be alive. All I have to show is my anger when he ruined my shoes, and he did that to keep me from breaking either my ankle or my leg."

Qui-Gon pulled back from the private conversation, though he let a small smile cross his face. He expected nothing less from his Padawan. Focusing on their bond he pulled the younger Jedi closer. /Show me what happened to you, Padawan. Maybe I can help./

For a moment Obi-Wan's presence remained silent. Qui-Gon wasn't surprised because sending words through a bond was difficult at best. Feelings and images were easier, and didn't take as much energy. The link remained quiet for some time until Qui-Gon thought Obi-Wan wouldn't. Eventually his vision darkened. What?

Qui-Gon was about to ask again, until he saw a bright light and then a harsh voice though he paid no attention to what was said. His felt Obi-Wan's hands bound and his feet were turning numb from how tight they were held. There was the prick in his neck and then Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan being cut off from the Force. Not good. Not seeing anything else of importance, he skimmed through the events until the present time. Whatever was injected into Obi-Wan was not good. Not only that, but he had to figure out who it was that poisoned his padawan.

Feeling the medic come near, Qui-Gon watched as he busied himself over Obi-Wan. If only a bacta tank worked on poison. Qui-Gon refused to keep his mind on the what-ifs, and focused on what was happening now. "Have you found out what's wrong?" he kept his voice low.

The medic jumped then turned his attention to Qui-Gon, "Sorry, Master Jedi. I was trying not to disturb you."

Qui-Gon shook his head, then cracked one eye open to see where he was. "Don't worry, you're not disturbing me in the least."

"Good," the medic nodded. He paused, "I know that Jedi can go into a healing trance, will it work with someone who's been poisoned?"

That was something Qui-Gon was unaware of. He figured that it wouldn't be safe, or work. A healing trance, or meditation was more for injuries. "Sadly enough, no."

"That's what I thought." He looked at his datapad again. "I don't know how, but he's holding steady. I need to get him on full life support as soon as possible, that way your Padawan can work on purging his system of the poison."

How? This time Qui-Gon looked directly at the man. "How did you know?"

"Master Jedi, we're not so backwards here. I traveled to Coruscant for my medical training. I also did a year in your Healer's Ward for advanced training when it comes to Force sensitive individuals."

"I wish more were like you."

"Be lucky it's not Berland. They don't care, and they also manipulate the people by their media. Their goal is to make everyone think the same way and have the same ideas."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "Group think. No, it's not good. There needs to be a free flowing give and take of different opinions and ideas." He paused when he felt Tomas come up from behind.

"Master Jedi?"

Instead of turning around, Qui-Gon looked down and to the side to show he heard, "Yes, your Highness?"

"I keep telling my people that group think is very dangerous. It turns everything into absolutes. And absolutes are never good. I want the men and women of Marlote to have freedom of thought and expression. I wish I could have just my area join the Republic, but it's not possible with Berland just beyond."

"No, it's not good."

"Attention everyone, we will be landing shortly. Please make sure that everyone is strapped in safely," the announcement came over the loudspeakers.

"We can speak more when we're landed, Master Jedi," Tomas nodded and moved to the other side of the room.

Qui-Gon looked up for a moment before climbing to his feet. Technically he didn't need to be beside Obi-Wan to keep hold of him. Sometimes he felt that was more for his benefit than anything else. Finding a seat nearby, he strapped himself in and waited for the landing.

What surprised him was that when he stepped out of the transport he found himself in the green space before the large house they had just left maybe three days earlier. Had it been only three days, or was it four? What it did feel like was eternity had passed since what he saw as an assassination attempt had happened. The media was already there and snapping holostills and broadcasting live holovideos to let the citizens know that the Viceroy had returned safely. The ship landed in such a way that Obi-Wan was not filmed. When he was out in the open and on a stretcher, most, if not all the cameras lowered giving Obi-Wan the privacy that was needed. As soon as he disappeared inside, several spokespeople remained outside to answer any and all questions that were asked.

Once inside Qui-Gon turned to Tomas and raised an eyebrow.

"I called for them Master Jedi," Tomas answered with a steady look. "I wanted my people to know that I am safe after what happened earlier. They need to know so that my people can still trust the government. And," he paused, "There is a fully functional medical suit in the building. Go tend to your padawan."

Nodding, Qui-Gon turned and followed the floating gurney through the corridors to an area of the building he had not been to before. It didn't take long and soon Obi-Wan was hooked up to everything that was needed. There were so many tubes and wires stuck to his body that he looked as if he had just come out of some sort of surgery.

/Master?/ Obi-Wan's head slowly moved back and forth, the tube that helped him breath steadily kept him from moving any faster.

With quick steps Qui-Gon went over to the side of the bed. Obi-Wan's eyes were now glazed over.

/Did you get it?/

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes, not entirely sure what Obi-Wan was talking about. Delirium, he finally realized. "Yes, Padawan. Everyone is being taken care of, and so are you." He sat down in a chair next to the bed. At first he reached out to cup Obi-Wan's cheek but backed his hand away. Even the rash looked painful, and it was getting worse. Near the site of the injection the rash had turned into an open wound that was now weeping clear fluid. Pulling out his datapad, he began typing in the symptoms, hoping that there might be something recorded in the large database.

Hearing someone enter the room, Qui-Gon turned only to find it was the medic from the transport. "I'm sorry, I never asked for your name."

He brushed it off. "When it comes to friends and family of the injured party I don't bother with trivial things such as names." He then reached out a hand, "Davido Perkon, Master…?"

"Master Qui-Gon will be fine." He turned his attention back to Obi-Wan. "The rash is getting worse. I don't think this is your average poison, if poison could be called average."

"Let me see," Davido came around the bed so he could take a good look. "You're right, it's not good at all. I need to do some research on this."

Qui-Gon's datapad just happened to beep at that moment. "Maybe this will help?" He handed the small computer over without even looking at what answer it came up with.

"Thank you, Master Qui-Gon," Davido smiled as he looked down at the small screen. After reading a few moments, the smile morphed into a frown. "I hope this this is a mistake," he muttered.

"What do you mean by mistake?"

Davido tapped a finger on the small screen. "Solomide. It's lethal if injected into a Force sensitive individual unless given an antidote. Whoever did this wants him dead."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed, trying to hide his dismay. First Tahl and now Obi-Wan? It felt as if he were eternally cursed when it comes to the ones he cared most about.

/I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean to hurt you,/ another delirious thought came through the bond.

Closing his eyes for a moment Qui-Gon actually had to fight the tears that threatened to come. /Have no worry, Obi-Wan. Rest. You need your strength./

"How…how long does he have?"

Davido shook his head, "Honestly, I really don't know at this point. He's stable, but I suspect that won't last." He came forward and placed a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder, "I am sorry Master Jedi. It's only a matter of time now. We'll do what we can and keep him comfortable for as long as possible."

TBC….