The Strength of the Jedi
Author: Laura Kenobi
Disclaimer: Unfortunately for me, I don't own Star Wars. I do, however, own any original characters, planets, etcetera that I created for this story.
Archive: Please contact me first!
Comments/Reviews: You can email me through my profile, and you can always leave a review!
Author's Notes: ((italics)) represents thoughts and / italics / represents communication through the Force.
This story was first published in its original version beginning on September 3, 2001. In July 2005, I decided that since four years had passed and my skills as a writer had undoubtedly improved since this story was first written and posted, it might be refreshing to return to this story and give it a fresh look and an update. For the most part the overall story remains the same - my goal has been to improve on and expand on the original, so I hope the result will prove enjoyable to all of you who are wonderful enough to read and review. The version of this story below is the updated version. Call it the "Special Edition" version of this story.
Summary: A mission to Alderaan takes a wrong turn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn must rely on their inner strength and determination to survive.
Chapter Three
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Obi-Wan was having an unusually good time. After he had awoken to find his injuries healed, he had asked Mazanig to show him the surrounding area. The Tsargne must be harmless, he decided, unless provoked, because they were very kind to him and Mazanig was helping him understand more about the planet.
/ ...and I am sure you have heard the tales of what we do to Force-sensitives. /
His voice gave Obi-Wan a moment of pause. Was that malice in the monster's voice?
Obi-Wan looked up, feeling uneasy for the first time since he had woken up.
/ Yes. /
/ Myths. Tales people have created to scare beings away from our planet. No harm will come to you while you are here. /
Obi-Wan scolded himself internally. He had let himself be drawn into a false sense of security. He made a mental not to be much more alert and cautious.
/ Okay. / Obi-Wan kept his tone neutral. His mind began running away with him.
((Why did they heal me? Was it out of kindness? How can I get out of here? Why...why... why...)) He jerked to a halt as a particularly dreadful thought came to mind. ((Did they heal me just so they would have more to torture later?))
He took a deep breath, focusing on what Qui-Gon would say. ((Focus on the here and now. Don't get distracted.))
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The metal door in front of him swished open, and Qui-Gon steeled himself. It would do Obi-Wan no good if he got himself killed because he couldn't control his emotions.
But instead of the plump woman, a light purple Twi'lek glided elegantly through the door. She was beautiful, slender, and poised. The combined material from her clothes would hardly be enough to dress Master Yoda, Qui-Gon thought with the first hint of amusement he had felt in days. She had an assortment of jewels and trinkets hanging from her scant clothing, and she wore a golden headpiece that had a beautiful violet stone in the center just above her forehead – a tone darker than her skin and the exact color of her eyes. She was the most exquisite Twi'lek Qui-Gon had ever seen.
She did not see him at first, but as she gathered some papers from a desk, she looked up and caught sight of the tall Jedi Master bound to the wall.
A small gasp escaped from her lips and she nearly dropped the papers she was carrying. She didn't seem quite surprised to see him, just startled.
"Hello." Qui-Gon croaked out, realizing suddenly how thirsty he was. His throat was dry and cracked.
She recovered quickly, and smiled at him. "Hello."
Qui-Gon realized how long it had been since he had seen someone smile a real smile. He tried to return the gesture.
"Who are you?" the Twi'lek spoke softly in a slightly accented voice. She hurried over to a cabinet on the wall and pulled out a small bottle of some kind of clear liquid. Carrying it over to Qui-Gon, she motioned for him to drink.
"My name is Qui-Gon Jinn. Do you know where we are?" Qui-Gon decided that he would try to drill some information out of this woman.
He took a look at the liquid she was offering, hesitating, but his thirst overcame him and he then sipped it, discovering that it was water. He quickly drank the entire bottle and smiled at the Twi'lek. She took the empty bottle from him and quickly threw it away.
"I'm Raya. We're on Coruscant. Why are you here?" It was her turn to ask him.
"I'm a prisoner." Qui-Gon practically spat out the words. Thoughts of his Padawan flashed through his mind, and he regained control again. ((At least we're on Coruscant.))
"I am sorry..." Raya stopped short and dropped her eyes as the door again hissed open. To Qui-Gon's dismay, the small plump lady entered. She was grinning wickedly.
"Master Jinn... how nice to see you."
Qui-Gon noticed as Raya give him a quick encouraging smile before she turned and hurried out of the room.
He turned a cool stare to the plump woman.
"It is time for a little entertainment, Jedi. If you will, please turn your attention to that screen over there," she spoke sarcastically, pointing to a large screen slightly to the right of the room, "we will begin."
Qui-Gon stared at the screen as it flicked to life. His heart clenched painfully as he looked at the small figure on the screen.
It was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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End Chapter 3.
I love reviews... thank you for reading! - Laura
