Chapter 2:
Qui-Gon stood at the center of the Jedi Council room, surrounded by the twelve council members all in their Council robes. It had been a long day in debriefing and he was getting restless. Their last mission to the Garsha system was uneventful so Qui-Gon couldn't understand the need for such a long debriefing, especially when he still had hyperspace lag from the trip.
He pretended to listen to Plo-Koon lectured about the importance of the new law concerning trade on Garsha but he found himself staring out at the window glass of the Council. Coruscant's sky was bustling with freighters and cruisers, intertwined among tall skyscrapers. The bright orange sun was setting, creating a halogenic crown on the city, a perfect symbolism for the capitol of the known Republic.
The sight overlooking Coruscant's main district was equally magnificent as it was appealing to the worn out Jedi Master such that he wasn't able to keep his mind focused on the mundane activities of the debriefing.
//When is this ever going to end?// Qui-Gon shielded his thoughts tightly. //I can never understand how Mace puts up listening to these boring debriefs all day long//
He gave a quick glance at his best friend, Mace Windu, sitting to his right. Mace Windu had a glassy eyed expression on his face as though he was deep in thoughts, but Qui-Gon knew better. That was the same 'I'm bored out of my mind, somebody please stop Plo-Koon from lecturing' expression. Qui-Gon had to gather all his thoughts to keep from laughing out loud his friend.
"Master Qui-Gon!"
The voice shook Qui-Gon out of his daydreaming state. Qui-Gon jerked up to see all twelve pair of eyes looking at him intently.
"I'm sorry, my Masters. I meant no disrespect..."
"Tired I see you are, Qui-Gon. Rest now, you can. Resume tomorrow, we will." Yoda announced.
"Thank you, my Master." Qui-Gon bowed reverently and left the Council chambers without further thought.
Qui-Gon started for his quarters in hopes of a nice relaxing shower. Just then, he heard footsteps of someone running towards him. He spun around to see Mace Windu panting breathlessly as he tried to catch up to Qui-Gon.
"Qui-Gon!! Wa.Wait up!!"
"What can I do for you Mace?" Qui-Gon asked his breathless friend.
"I.I.I wanted to ask if you and Obi-Wan would want to test out my new star cruiser HX-45 tonight. I just got the whole thing rewired to a new hyperdrive. It can jump to hyperspace within seconds!!!" Mace excitedly announced like a little kid anxious to show his new toy.
"That sounds great. I'm sure Obi-Wan would love it and I think it would be good for you my friend" Qui-Gon answered with a wink.
"What do you mean good for me?" Mace Windu asked
"Well it seems like you need the exercise Mace"
"What do you mean?? I do exercise regularly for your information" Mace Windu replied, incredulously
"Come now.Look at you Mace. You're panting and gasping just trying to catch up with me. I think actions speak for themselves."
"I did not pant and gasp."
"Right Mace. If I didn't know any better, I'd think ."
That was when it hit him, full force. Through the Master/Padawan bond, Qui- Gon could feel an immense fury of pain and fear swept through. Qui-Gon gasped out loud and had to steady himself by grabbing Mace Windu's shoulder.
"Now look at who's." Mace Windu began to say but stopped short, seeing the sudden change on his friend's face. Qui-Gon had turned completely pale in the matter of seconds.
"Qui-Gon, what's the matter?" Mace Windu asked in worry.
"It's..it's Obi-Wan" Qui-Gon managed to say under his breath and immediately took off towards their quarters. Mace Windu immediately ran after him.
For what seemed like an eternity, Qui-Gon finally reached his destination. He pushed the door wide open, using more energy than he would need, but it didn't matter. Qui-Gon's eyes searched the living area for Obi-Wan and couldn't see his padawan anywhere. The frightened Jedi Master rushed to Obi-Wan's room when he found the young boy sprawled out on the floor. He quickly knelt down next to his Padawan.
The boy looked deathly pale.
Obi-Wan, can you hear me?? Obi-Wan, answer me!!! Qui-Gon pleaded through their bond.
Silence.
Please Obi-Wan, answer me Padawan
Silence.
"Mace!!! Get An-Paj right away" Qui-Gon yelled at his friend who had just entered the room.
Mace quickly fumbled for his comm. link and directed his call to An-Paj, one of the main Healers at the Temple. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon swooped Obi-Wan into his arms and headed immediately towards the Healers Ward. Mace Windu trailed behind, screaming into the comm. link for An-Paj to get ready for an emergency.
Please hang on, Obi-Wan. You're going to be alright! Hang on!!
Silence.
Qui-Gon held the limp body of his young Padawan close to his chest as he ran to the Healers Ward. The Healers Ward wasn't far but to Qui-Gon it seemed like light-years away. He could still feel Obi-Wan's life force but it was waning, his pulse was thready.
Damn it Obi-Wan. I am not going to lose you. Hang on, we're almost there!!!
Silence.
Qui-Gon burst through the Healers Ward's doors, causing some of the Healers to gasp in shock. He placed Obi-Wan on the bed and grabbed one of the Healers nearby with a strong grip.
"Help him!!" Qui-Gon screamed at the unlucky Healer who was trying to break free of Qui-Gon's grasp.
"Qui-Gon! Stop it!" a voice came from the doors. It was Master Healer An- Paj.
An-Paj quickly motioned for some of the Healers to hold Qui-Gon back so that he could take a look at Obi-Wan. By this time, Obi-Wan was already hooked up to several machines that monitor his vital signs.
An-Paj turned his full attention on Obi-Wan. From a cursory inspection, the kid didn't show any signs of external wounds and it puzzled him slightly. He didn't know what could be the cause, but from years of experience and instincts, only one thing was possible. The young boy must have been poisoned.
An-Paj motioned for one of the Healers nearby to get blood for further tests when loud blaring alarms began to sound. On a little screen that monitored Obi-Wan's heartbeat, a horizontal line appeared on screen following by a steady monotonous hum.
Obi-wan was in cardiac arrest.
Qui-Gon stood at the center of the Jedi Council room, surrounded by the twelve council members all in their Council robes. It had been a long day in debriefing and he was getting restless. Their last mission to the Garsha system was uneventful so Qui-Gon couldn't understand the need for such a long debriefing, especially when he still had hyperspace lag from the trip.
He pretended to listen to Plo-Koon lectured about the importance of the new law concerning trade on Garsha but he found himself staring out at the window glass of the Council. Coruscant's sky was bustling with freighters and cruisers, intertwined among tall skyscrapers. The bright orange sun was setting, creating a halogenic crown on the city, a perfect symbolism for the capitol of the known Republic.
The sight overlooking Coruscant's main district was equally magnificent as it was appealing to the worn out Jedi Master such that he wasn't able to keep his mind focused on the mundane activities of the debriefing.
//When is this ever going to end?// Qui-Gon shielded his thoughts tightly. //I can never understand how Mace puts up listening to these boring debriefs all day long//
He gave a quick glance at his best friend, Mace Windu, sitting to his right. Mace Windu had a glassy eyed expression on his face as though he was deep in thoughts, but Qui-Gon knew better. That was the same 'I'm bored out of my mind, somebody please stop Plo-Koon from lecturing' expression. Qui-Gon had to gather all his thoughts to keep from laughing out loud his friend.
"Master Qui-Gon!"
The voice shook Qui-Gon out of his daydreaming state. Qui-Gon jerked up to see all twelve pair of eyes looking at him intently.
"I'm sorry, my Masters. I meant no disrespect..."
"Tired I see you are, Qui-Gon. Rest now, you can. Resume tomorrow, we will." Yoda announced.
"Thank you, my Master." Qui-Gon bowed reverently and left the Council chambers without further thought.
Qui-Gon started for his quarters in hopes of a nice relaxing shower. Just then, he heard footsteps of someone running towards him. He spun around to see Mace Windu panting breathlessly as he tried to catch up to Qui-Gon.
"Qui-Gon!! Wa.Wait up!!"
"What can I do for you Mace?" Qui-Gon asked his breathless friend.
"I.I.I wanted to ask if you and Obi-Wan would want to test out my new star cruiser HX-45 tonight. I just got the whole thing rewired to a new hyperdrive. It can jump to hyperspace within seconds!!!" Mace excitedly announced like a little kid anxious to show his new toy.
"That sounds great. I'm sure Obi-Wan would love it and I think it would be good for you my friend" Qui-Gon answered with a wink.
"What do you mean good for me?" Mace Windu asked
"Well it seems like you need the exercise Mace"
"What do you mean?? I do exercise regularly for your information" Mace Windu replied, incredulously
"Come now.Look at you Mace. You're panting and gasping just trying to catch up with me. I think actions speak for themselves."
"I did not pant and gasp."
"Right Mace. If I didn't know any better, I'd think ."
That was when it hit him, full force. Through the Master/Padawan bond, Qui- Gon could feel an immense fury of pain and fear swept through. Qui-Gon gasped out loud and had to steady himself by grabbing Mace Windu's shoulder.
"Now look at who's." Mace Windu began to say but stopped short, seeing the sudden change on his friend's face. Qui-Gon had turned completely pale in the matter of seconds.
"Qui-Gon, what's the matter?" Mace Windu asked in worry.
"It's..it's Obi-Wan" Qui-Gon managed to say under his breath and immediately took off towards their quarters. Mace Windu immediately ran after him.
For what seemed like an eternity, Qui-Gon finally reached his destination. He pushed the door wide open, using more energy than he would need, but it didn't matter. Qui-Gon's eyes searched the living area for Obi-Wan and couldn't see his padawan anywhere. The frightened Jedi Master rushed to Obi-Wan's room when he found the young boy sprawled out on the floor. He quickly knelt down next to his Padawan.
The boy looked deathly pale.
Obi-Wan, can you hear me?? Obi-Wan, answer me!!! Qui-Gon pleaded through their bond.
Silence.
Please Obi-Wan, answer me Padawan
Silence.
"Mace!!! Get An-Paj right away" Qui-Gon yelled at his friend who had just entered the room.
Mace quickly fumbled for his comm. link and directed his call to An-Paj, one of the main Healers at the Temple. Meanwhile, Qui-Gon swooped Obi-Wan into his arms and headed immediately towards the Healers Ward. Mace Windu trailed behind, screaming into the comm. link for An-Paj to get ready for an emergency.
Please hang on, Obi-Wan. You're going to be alright! Hang on!!
Silence.
Qui-Gon held the limp body of his young Padawan close to his chest as he ran to the Healers Ward. The Healers Ward wasn't far but to Qui-Gon it seemed like light-years away. He could still feel Obi-Wan's life force but it was waning, his pulse was thready.
Damn it Obi-Wan. I am not going to lose you. Hang on, we're almost there!!!
Silence.
Qui-Gon burst through the Healers Ward's doors, causing some of the Healers to gasp in shock. He placed Obi-Wan on the bed and grabbed one of the Healers nearby with a strong grip.
"Help him!!" Qui-Gon screamed at the unlucky Healer who was trying to break free of Qui-Gon's grasp.
"Qui-Gon! Stop it!" a voice came from the doors. It was Master Healer An- Paj.
An-Paj quickly motioned for some of the Healers to hold Qui-Gon back so that he could take a look at Obi-Wan. By this time, Obi-Wan was already hooked up to several machines that monitor his vital signs.
An-Paj turned his full attention on Obi-Wan. From a cursory inspection, the kid didn't show any signs of external wounds and it puzzled him slightly. He didn't know what could be the cause, but from years of experience and instincts, only one thing was possible. The young boy must have been poisoned.
An-Paj motioned for one of the Healers nearby to get blood for further tests when loud blaring alarms began to sound. On a little screen that monitored Obi-Wan's heartbeat, a horizontal line appeared on screen following by a steady monotonous hum.
Obi-wan was in cardiac arrest.
