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 Four
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Obi-Wan was feeling on-edge. The Force warned of danger, but the specific source of the danger was eluding the young Jedi.
/ Please wait here for a moment, strange one. I will only be a moment. / Mazanig spoke softly, and yet Obi-Wan could still detect a hint of malace in his soft tone. Dread washed through him. He wasn't sure how he would combat the creatures if they were indeed going to attack him.
Obi-Wan lifted his chin ever so slightly. He gave a brief nod.
As soon as Mazanig was out of sight, Obi-Wan heaved a heavy sigh. What was going on?
/ Master? Can you hear me? / The Padawan sent out a hopeful message to his mentor.
No reply. Obi-Wan lowered his eyes. Why couldn't he connect with Qui-Gon? Was he wounded... or worse? The sixteen year old felt a slight stab of alarm. What was he going to do? He fingered his lightsaber apprehensively. Why were they letting him keep it if they were going to harm him? He had no answers.
((I just want to know what is going on! Force, why do I feel so lost?))
Taking another deep breath, the young Jedi pulled into himself, into the Force, and searched for answers.
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Qui-Gon could not tear his eyes away from the giant screen that loomed in front of him.
He watched horrified as Obi-Wan fingered his lightsaber – a sign, Qui-Gon knew, that he was uncertain. He felt his apprentice's call through the Force, but he could not reply no matter how hard he tried.
((Oh, Obi-Wan... stay on your guard. Don't let them catch you by surprise. Be strong my Padawan.)) Qui-Gon wanted more than anything to be there with Obi-Wan. He didn't want his Padawan to have to face this monster alone.
"I know it's a bit boring at the moment, but don't worry, it will be much more entertaining. The action will come soon." The fat lady smiled arrogantly.
Qui-Gon wanted to kill her. It was not the Jedi way, but he didn't care. He wanted to kill this woman who was going to cause his Padawan pain. He glared at her.
"Don't loose your cool, Master Jinn. It's unbecoming of you."
Qui-Gon growled a curse through clenched teeth.
The obese woman just smiled.
Qui-Gon's attention moved back to the large screen and his Padawan's face. Although the young Jedi's face was calm and unworried, his eyes were swirled with mixed emotions.
Suddenly, there was a small clicking noise behind him. Qui-Gon started to turn his head, but a very soft voice stopped him.
"Don't move." The voice was female.
There was another clicking noise, and Qui-Gon felt his restraints loosen. Hope surged through him for the first time in days. But who...
"Go to him."
To who? Obi-Wan? ((You bet I will...))
He looked over at the overweight woman. She was insanely engrossed in the screen, and Qui-Gon knew if he was to make a move it needed to be now.
((What about my control with the Force?))
No sooner had the thought occurred to him, he felt the Force returning to his control. He had many questions. Who was helping him, and why? Was this a trap?
He didn't care. He freed himself, quickly but quietly, and glanced apprehensively at the screen. Obi-Wan was looking nervous now, and the reason for his nervousness was clear.
Qui-Gon could see at least five Tsargne surrounding the young man, looking far from beautiful.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Qui-Gon sent a tray skidding off the table on the other side of the room to attract the plump woman's attention. As she turned to look at what was going on, Qui-Gon launched himself forward, grabbing her and pinning her to the wall. She looked suddenly terrified.
"Tell me where my apprentice is," Qui-Gon growled, "now."
"He-he is on O-oxita." The woman was no match for the angry Jedi.
((Sithpawn! That is a three-day travel from here!))
"Call them off. Call the Tsargne off of my Padawan."
"I cannot. They have their orders."
Qui-Gon wanted to kill her. He wanted it so badly.
Grabbing a coil of rope off the floor, the Jedi tied the plump woman up and fastened her to the wall.
"Have a nice day," he snarled, "Someone will be here soon to collect you."
Before she could respond he was gone.
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End Chapter 4.
Thanks for reading! Your reviews make me smile every time! - Laura
