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.

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this, but the site kept rejecting the chapter, saying it wasn't in the correct format...

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 Six

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Qui-Gon rushed down the hall and into the elevator, sending it shooting toward the sixth floor. He spared a moment while in the lift to look at his Padawan on the small screen...

... and watched as his apprentice slammed into a metal wall, screamed out in pain, and collapsed to the ground. Even with its bad sound quality, Qui-Gon could hear the cracking of bone through the screen. Obi-Wan's face was twisted in pain and it looked like he was having trouble taking in a breath. Qui-Gon willed the lift to go faster.

And then he heard a voice in his mind that struck panic into his very soul.

/ I'm sorry... Master... /

No! Qui-Gon was nearly frantic. Obi-Wan could not give up. Not now – he was too close.

/ Obi-Wan! Padawan, I do not have time to explain the situation to you, but I'm coming for you, Obi-Wan! Do not give up, my apprentice. Help is on the way! /

/ How? Can't br-breathe... M-Master... hurts... /

/ I know, Padawan, I will be to you soon. Be strong! /

/ Yes, Master. / Obi-Wan hesitated. / Hurry. /

Qui-Gon knew he didn't have much time. As the elevator doors slid open, Qui-Gon took off running down the hall, hoping he could reach his Padawan in time...

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Obi-Wan was so happy to hear from his Master, in a normal, caring tone of voice, that he could barely think straight. Qui-Gon was okay. Nothing else mattered.

A thundering behind him caused him to raise his bruised head off the ground to look at what was coming. All seven Tsargne came crashing out of the forest. Obi-Wan wondered if it would hurt to die this way.

The Tsargne approached slowly, taunting him with every movement. The young man let his head fall back to the dirt.

Suddenly the image of his Master came to mind, and he leapt to his feet in one smooth motion, trying to ignore the intense pain that coursed through his body and the struggle he was having keeping his lungs working. He would follow Qui-Gon's orders. (("Be strong."))

/ How do you expect to defeat us, strange one? You will die as we found you: helpless and afraid. /

"I am not afraid of you." Obi-Wan felt better speaking the words aloud. It made the monsters uneasy. But it did make his head throb terribly.

/ You will be... /

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Qui-Gon listened to his apprentice tell the monsters he was not afraid. Pride swelled within him at his Padawan's bravery, but the feeling of dread overwhelmed it.

Racing down the hall, he counted the numbers on the doors.

1440

He continued to run.

1447

He felt a strong surge of panic from Obi-Wan, and he pulled the screen up to see what was going on...

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End Chapter 6.

Thank you for reading! I'd appreciate a review!

I know that the author alert feature has been removed, so if you want me to email you when I post again, please leave your email in the review. Thanks again! - Laura