Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas

Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas. Keyn, Shen, Master Thyren, and Rinsiel belong to me (wild horse aka Jedi Master Kel'gr) All hail Emperor George.

Acknowledgements: As usual, Jesus, Padawan Nik-ka, my bro and sis, Orin (really great Sonic fic writer), my rabbit Panther, Sammy, the Reviewers

Sorry for taking so long, I went on holiday … I'm working on it, though.

Chapter 6

Shen entered the docking bay cautiously, alert for any sign of danger. The Bothan had learned to sense Keyn's presence in the Force, but only just barely. Keyn's profile in the Force was an unusually low one, but now that Shen knew what he was looking for, he was able to track down the bounty hunter.

Keyn, just leaving his ship, spotted Shen. The hunter crouched down behind the boarding ramp, eyes fixed on the Bothan Jedi. Pain ripped through his side, but he ignored it.

Keyn watched Shen for a few more moments, then straightened up carefully. "What do you want?"

Shen approached Keyn, violet eyes locked with the bounty hunter's dark-brown ones. The Bothan stopped a metre away from Keyn.

"We, I need your help to find Obi-wan," Shen said quietly, eyes still locked with Shen's.

"Qui-gon doesn't deserve an Apprentice," Keyn said, his tone even.

Shen's cream-and-tan fur rippled, "Obi-wan is my friend. I ask for your help so I can help him. This isn't for Qui-gon."

Keyn bit back his instinctive, curt reply. He needed the Jedi's help. The bounty hunter said quietly, "I need a code-breaker, maybe we can make a deal."

Shen didn't bother to hide his surprise, "I've been trained to break difficult codes."

Keyn nodded. "If you can break this one, I'll go with you and Qui-gon to rescue Obi-wan."

The bounty hunter handed Shen a computer disk, "You can use my ship's computer."

Shen was aware it might be a trap, but he sensed no hostile intentions from Keyn. "Okay, my name's Shen."

"Keyn. Let's get inside." The hunter had probably figured out Shen knew his name, but it was just a formality.

Obi-wan lay face-down on the bare, cold floor. He had no idea how long he'd been unconscious, or how he'd even got here – where ever here was. He vaguely remembered being bundled onto a transport, and then being knocked out soon after. Obi-wan supposed he was already on another planet.

Obi-wan sat up, fighting back giddiness and nausea. He managed to pick out about five people and five aliens in the darkness around him. Most of them were sitting or lying down on the floor.

One of the aliens, a large, furred Togorian, snarled, showing sharp, white fangs. Obi-wan stiffened, ready for trouble.

"Don't scare him, My'la," a large, heavily-muscled man said gruffly. "What's your name, son? They call me Jen. That's My'la beside you."

"Obi-wan Kenobi," The Jedi Apprentice said quietly.

The Togorian female growled and said something in her native language.

"My'la here says you're a Jedi," Jen translated.

Obi-wan could only nod numbly. "How does she know?"

"My'la feels it," the Togorian said in barely passable Basic. Clearly, she wasn't proficient in the language.

"Oh. And where are we?"

Jen shrugged. "I don't know. I've heard rumours we're on Rinsiel. The Rebels here want to use us for virus testing."

Terror shot through Obi-wan, but he clamped down on his fear. He could see that everyone was looking up to him for help and direction. He was, after all, a Jedi. Obi-wan drew on the Force for strength. He used it to probe his surroundings, and found an entrance to the dark room he was in. The door was large, thick, and heavy. It swung open on strong, metal hinges, and was fastened with a heavy, metal bolt. It was locked too, and the correct passcode had to be entered into the keypad before the door would open.

Obi-wan tried to draw on his tele-kinetic abilities, but suddenly slumped against the wall, exhausted. The Yslamari had drained a lot of his strength, leaving him in no state to access the Force and wield it. He knew he needed to rest and heal. But he didn't have much time.

Obi-wan's body made its own decision. He collapsed and fell into a deep sleep, drawing on the Force to heal his wounds. The Apprentice fervently hoped Qui-gon would come and rescue him. But Qui-gon abandoned his partner, what makes you think he won't do it again? A voice inside his head said quietly. Obi-wan tried to silence it but he knew it might be right.

Shen worked at the computer for nearly five hours, trying to crack the encryption code. The code was unlike any he'd ever seen before – it was complex, and more difficult to crack than those he'd practised on.

Keyn watched the Bothan quietly, saying nothing at al. He let Shen concentrate on his work. Keyn knew he and Qui-gon had to try to resolve their differences in order to rescue Obi-win and save Rinsiel.

"I've cracked most of the code," Shen said finally. "What's all this anyway?"

"Info on a bioweapons engineering facility on Rinsiel. Obi-wan's most likely held there. I sent him there," Keyn glanced over Shen's shoulder.

"You don't care about Qui-gon, do you?" Shen got up from his seat to stretch his cramped muscles.

"Why should I?" Keyn sounded mused at Shen's question, but then his tone was grim. "Rebels on Rinsiel plan to replace an epidemic to get the Republic to meet their demands."

"Like you said, why should you care?"

Keyn shrugged. "You know who I am. My Master died protecting those people. It would be all for nothing if I don't do something to help."

Shen canted his head to one side, "I always thought bounty hunters never helped anyone."

"Then you're right. I'm not out to help Obi-wan."

"You're helping the people of Rinsiel."

"I have my reasons. I'm keeping my side of the deal. Raise Qui-gon on his comlink and tell him about it."

Shen did so, but deep in his heart, he knew Keyn was different. The hunter feigned indifference, but he couldn't completely shake off his Jedi training and adopt the practices and morals of mercenaries and bounty hunters. That was why he was going to help Rinsiel.

"I'll be going over," Qui-gon ended the conversation with Shen. He sighed and closed his eyes. Shen had told him about the deal, but it troubled Qui-gon that he had to work side-by-side with – and trust in – Keyn.

The past haunted him. Qui-gon was sure it haunted Keyn too, but the bounty hunter hid his grief and pain well. Yet, Qui-gon didn't know what Keyn might do to him. Keyn hadn't forgiven Qui-gon for abandoning his Master. Perhaps he never would.

Obi-wan needs me, the thought entered Qui-gon's mind. He can't just die because I won't work with Keyn, Qui-gon opened his bright blue eyes, then closed them again. For Obi-wan. Qui-gon knew he must face down his past, for his Apprentice. He got to his feet.

The Jedi Master left the Republic's passenger ship and headed for Keyn. The bounty hunter's modified cargo ship was a better choice, since it was armed and significantly faster. It was, also, illegal, Qui-gon thought wryly.

Keyn was waiting, arms folded, for Qui-gon. The bounty hunter's and the Jedi Master's eyes met briefly, each reading mistrust in the other's. Qui-gon noticed the two lightsabres hung on the hunter's belt – Obi-wan's and his own.

As if knowing Qui-gon's thoughts, Keyn unhooked Obi-wan's sabre, and handed it to the big Jedi, "Your Apprentice's weapon," he said quietly, "On my honour, we're partners 'til the end of this venture – when we leave Rinsiel."

Qui-gon knew bounty hunters rarely partnered, but when they did, there was an unwritten – and unspoken – rule that they would neither kill nor abandon each other until their partnership was up. It was an unbreakable rule, and, perhaps, the only rule that governed the bounty hunters' relations with each other. Anything else went in this ruthless trade.

Qui-gon nodded, "You have my word." They shook hands, then Keyn led the way into his ship.

Qui-gon had seen many things, but knew little about the bounty hunter trade. Keyn had bought a cargo hauler – most likely secondhand - , dumped whatever he wouldn't and didn't need, then added all kinds of equipment. Unlike most bounty hunters, Keyn had done nearly all the modifications on his own. Qui-gon recalled that the ex-Jedi had had a talent for working on spacecraft. He must have put it to good use.

Inside, weapons and equipment were stowed neatly in lockers, boxes and crates. Qui-gon suspected Keyn sometimes hauled contraband from system to system, since the cargo hold was fairly empty except for two holding cages and a stack of crates in one corner. The Jedi Master concluded that bounty hunters paid no heed to Republic laws.

Keyn turned to Qui-gon, "We should leave immediately." His voice was curt, clearly, their partnership was purely business. Keyn wasn't forgetting Qui-gon's past mistakes.

Qui-gon agreed. Keyn readied the engines for take-off, flipping switches and glancing at display panels. Qui-gon studied a map of the bioweapons facility which Shen had decrypted. The Rebels had concealed it cleverly – among a group of rocky caves and boulders. The Jedi Master remembered the last time he'd been sent to destroy their plans, recalled – with grief and despair – the sacrifice of someone to save the planet. Keyn. Shen Ly'an. Obi-wan Kenobi. Qui-gon Jinn. Who would die this time? Would they all get out alive? Or fail and die inside? Qui-gon didn't want to think about it.

"Second time for us both," Keyn's voice broke into Qui-gon's thoughts. The ex-Jedi had already piloted his ship into hyperspace.

"Yeah. What will you be doing there?" Qui-gon asked quietly. "Obi-wan isn't your concern."

"No, he isn't," Keyn didn't look at Qui-gon, but the Jedi sensed sincerity in every word. "Thyren died saving these people, but it hasn't stopped. I'm going in to finish off the Rebels once and for all."

"How are we doing it?

Keyn called up a map – on the computer screen - of the area surrounding the bioweapons facility. "Through the network of caves. The Rebels use only a number of them for their facility, we can sneak in. All the caves are connected through passages. The Rebels aren't expecting us, but I don't have a map of the caves."

"We'll have to trust the Force," Qui-gon said evenly.

"That's your job. Once we're in, you've got an hour to find Obi-wan and get out of there. I'll set charges, blow the place sky-high. You and the other two Jedi will have to get your own transport off-planet."

"Is there a map showing the way to the nearest town?"

"Shen has it," Keyn replied quickly. "It's eight hours, at least, 'til we hype into the system. Get ready."

Qui-gon nodded, then headed for the cargo hold, where Shen was waiting. Before he left, Qui-gon turned, "Thanks."

Keyn faced Qui-gon, "It's a deal. In this trade, there's no such thing as 'thanks'."

Qui-gon shrugged. Then he left the cockpit.

Keyn leaned back in the pilot's chair, closed his eyes. His head hurt. His side hurt. His whole body was ablaze with fiery pain. The painkillers didn't heal – they merely blocked off the pain for a while. Keyn knew he had to accomplish what he'd set out to do. He couldn't forget the vision of people suffering and dying. The bounty hunter trade had hardened him, removed compassion, but not completely. He felt for these people. Thyren's death was all for nothing if the Rebels succeeded this time.

Keyn felt exhaustion creep into him – the fight had weakened his body considerably – and he let himself drift into sleep. He was still alert, though, never letting his guard down.

Obi-wan was awakened by My'la shaking him by the shoulders. "Get up, bad people here" the Togorian managed in Basic. She looked worried and agitated.

The Jedi stumbled to his feet, leaning on My'la for support. He heard someone at the door, then it swung open. Four humans walked in. Everyone in the room got to their feet immediately, afraid of punishment. To Obi-wan, it was clear that these actions were routine.

Two of the humans were burly and muscular. They wore body armour and held long electro-pikes. Blasters were strapped to belts, and their expression was menacing, that of a trained killer. Though Obi-wan didn't know it, the assassin who'd attacked Keyn was from the ranks of these guards.

The other two were dressed in starched, white laboratory coats. They were clearly scientists.

"Take them," one of the scientists gestured towards three of the aliens and two of the humans, "to Lab 6. Have them checked out and ready for me by 1300h." As the guards carried out their orders, the first scientist turned to the other, "the rest are yours, Dan."

The other scientist, Dan, nodded, "I'll need them in a day. Let's go."

The two scientists left the room, locking and bolting the door shut behind them. Obi-wan looked at My'la, aware that the Togorian might have been chosen by the scientists. The Jedi was thankful that My'la hadn't been selected – he was growing fond of the large, furry creature.

"Is it always like this?" Obi-wan queried.

"Yes …"

Jen interrupted, "Can you do anything to help, Obi-wan?"

"I don't know … I'm working on it."

Jen nodded glumly, "Good luck."

The rest of the captives sat down, pretty much resigned to their fates. But My'la stayed beside Obi-wan.

"You are Jedi," she said softly, "anyone come? Rescue you?"

"Yes," Obi-wan's bright blue eyes were troubled. "I think. I have a Master, Qui-gon. But … someone said he abandoned a partner to die. I used to trust him, now I don't know."

My'la tilted her head to one side thoughtfully, "You, not believe that someone. He lying."

"No, he wasn't."

"My'la, used to be a slave," the Togorian's eyes were a mix of fear and sadness. "Obi-wan, Jedi. Get us all out please."

Obi-wan's eyes searched out My'la's, held their gaze. "I'm trying. I promise." Obi-wan closed his eyes. Master, please. Hurry. You betrayed your partner, abandoned him. It can't be true, but it is. Through his fever, Obi-wan found Qui-gon. The Bond, weak though it was, was there.

Master … Qui-gon started. He felt his Padawan. Obi-wan, we're coming, he returned immediately, instinctively. But then, the rest of Obi-wan's thoughts reached him through the Bond. Anger and grief rose in him. Fury. Qui-gon fought it down, but failed.

"Keyn," he called to the bounty hunter. Keyn left the cockpit, stood in front of Qui-gon.

"What," Keyn's voice was cold, dangerous. Shen made ready to intervene.

"You told Obi-wan I betrayed Thyren," Qui-gon's eyes burned furiously.

"I told him the truth," Keyn didn't raise his voice.

"It's twisted."

Keyn's eyes were suddenly troubled, pained. "I didn't lie, Qui-gon. You ran out on him."

"I had no choice!" Qui-gon struggled to keep control of his feelings.

"Yeah, right. You didn't have to feel his pain," Keyn didn't expect Qui-gon's swift Force blow, which knocked him to the ground. The headache intensified. Keyn tried to straighten and stand up from his kneeling position, but the pain stopped him.

"Sith!" the hunter snarled. "I'll kill you, Qui-gon!" He bit back his pain and managed to stand up.

"Try …" Qui-gon taunted recklessly. Shen tensed his muscles, ready to stop the seemingly inevitable fight.

"No … I keep my word," Keyn said, "I'll kill you, next time."

Shen decided to intervene, "Many people will die if we don't stop the Rebels. If you two don't settle differences."

Keyn's eyes flickered. "We're going in in an hour, Qui-gon. I'll forgive you that, 'cause I have to trust you with my back later."

Qui-gon said nothing, but he sat down on a crate, looking at neither Keyn nor Shen. Obi-wan. Qui-gon had hurt his Apprentice, deeply. Keyn watched the Jedi for a while, thinking. Then, he went to a locker, removed the First Aid Kit, and left.

"Master Qui-gon," Shen said quietly, "what is really wrong."

Qui-gon shook his head numbly, "It's in the past. So long ago. But Thyren's death hurt us both." The Jedi Master didn't explain anything else.

"It's the Rebels that count now."

"And Obi-wan."

Keyn winced, pressed his hand to his forehead. The pain was so bad, he could hardly think. He knew he was probably concussed. Keyn didn't fully remember what had happened, but he recalled, vaguely, that he'd received a blow to the head.

The bounty hunter removed a syringe from the kit, drew the painkiller through it's hollow needle. He injected the painkiller, waited for it to start working on his system. Keyn knew he'd be in big trouble when the drugs wore out, but he couldn't back out now.

Ten minutes later, he headed for the cargo hold. Shen watched silently as Keyn loaded explosive charges into a bag. The hunter checked each one before putting it in his bag, Shen counted about thirty. The Bothan recognised the charges as the highly-explosive type, clearly Keyn was preparing to blow the entire facility sky-high.

Keyn strapped a blaster to his hip, hooked on his lightsabre, then retied his dark black hair. He sat down on a nearby crate to wait.

Shen glanced, first at Keyn, then at Qui-gon. The cream-and-tan furred Bothan knew there was something that linked the pasts of Qui-gon and Keyn, though he didn't know what. Shen hoped fervently that they wouldn't go for each others' throats until the Rebels' plans were thwarted.

There was so much they were expected to do. So much that could go wrong. So much that would involve two antagonists with the same past. So much that was based on trusting a bounty hunter who used to be a Jedi. Keyn could turn on them anytime. Shen only hoped he wouldn't. Only hoped that Keyn was who his feelings told him he was.

I dunno how this chapter became like this. I must be going crazy (too much Pink Hair? Don't think so …). I hope you like it, though, please tell me if you do :) Qui-gon provoking and attacking a bounty hunter. The same bounty hunter going on a dangerous mission with a concussion (thanks Orin!) and grievous injuries, not to mention side-by-side with his antagonist. Okay, I really am crazy. But it worked out fine =) so please review. (and read, of course) Thanks! And sorry about the anti-Qui-gon stuff. Tell me if you like Keyn, though … and forgive this really, really long passage. I don't know what's gotten into me. Any hypothesis?

- wild horse.

Chapter 7 should be out in a week.