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.
Are my cliffhangers really that bad? Well then, this post will be a killer...
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 Eight
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Obi-Wan kept his eyes closed as he waited for the pain he thought would accompany his death. He waited, and waited...
Without warning, there was the recognizable snap-hiss of a lightsaber. Obi-Wan wondered what was going on, but he barely had the strength to stay awake, much less lift his head.
"Stay away from him." A soft female voice sounded loud to his ears.
((What in the name of the Force is going on? There is another Jedi here?))
The hum of the lightsaber continued, and Obi-Wan attempted to raise his head as high as possible.
There was only one Tsargne left. The three that had just been killed looked as though they had disturbed an angry chef. The remaining Tsargne looked frightened and angry. Suddenly it lunged at Obi-Wan in a desperate last attempt to end his life. Obi-Wan lowered his head to the ground, too weak to really care what happened to him, and he heard the lightsaber come down again...
Silence.
Obi-Wan hardly dared to breathe. Or was it that he couldn't breathe even if he wanted to? He couldn't remember. The world was spinning strangely and he began to drift into unconsciousness, but the voice of his Master snapped him back to the present.
"Padawan..."
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Qui-Gon stopped short at the scene before him.
His Padawan was lying face down on the ground, and all the Tsargne were dead. Questions whirled through his head, but now his main concern was Obi-Wan.
"Padawan..." The Jedi Master spoke softly to avoid startling the young man.
Obi-Wan's head snapped up, searching desperately for his master. It was obviously a painful move, as the apprentice's eyes rolled back slightly into his head and he nearly lost consciousness.
Qui-Gon was beside the young Jedi in a flash. Taking his apprentice's hand, he sent waves of comfort and love to his injured Padawan. Obi-Wan groaned softly.
"M-Master?" The voice was weak and laced with pain, but it was also full of relief. Qui-Gon swallowed a lump that suddenly formed in his throat.
"I'm right here Padawan. You're going to be okay now." Qui-Gon filled his tone with hope and calm.
The only response from Obi-Wan was a sudden coughing fit, and a small pool of blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. Qui-Gon fought back a surge of panic.
Obi-Wan tried, in a feeble attempt, to roll himself over so that he could actually see his Master. Knowing that the young man would not give up until he was able to see his face, Qui-Gon quickly helped Obi-Wan roll onto his back. Obi-Wan's eyes locked onto the Jedi Master's face and a weak smile lit up his young face.
"Master... I thought," the teen was gasping for air, "...I wasn't sure..." Another coughing fit overcame the apprentice and Qui-Gon decided that it was time to leave.
Pulling a comlink off of his belt, Qui-Gon dialed for the healer's section of the Jedi Temple. He spoke to a Master healer who arranged for a team to come and collect the young Jedi. Moving Obi-Wan in his current condition was something Qui-Gon was not comfortable with.
"Obi-Wan, a group of healers is coming. You'll be all right. I'm very proud of you, my Padawan."
The younger man let out what may have been a laugh. "P-proud? I did...nothing... someone," Obi-Wan stopped to gasp for breath, "someone saved me..."
Qui-Gon suddenly remembered the flash of purple that had saved his apprentice. He stood quickly and did a quick scan of the surrounding area. A few life forms and a lot of trees were scattered around, but he could sense nothing else.
Turning his attention back to Obi-Wan, he began to ask his Padawan what he had seen...
...and watched as the young man sprang into action.
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End Chapter 8.
Thanks for reading! Remember, leave your email if you'd like to receive an email when I post a new chapter. - Laura
