Here and Now

Chapter 3: there is no pattern for survival

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Obi-Wan's attempts to organize his thoughts, that were all churned up inside, failed. What would be his first move? Should he tell Qui-Gon or not? Should he really tell him that he was going to die if there wouldn't be a significant change in the chain of events. Only one single change could mean that his Master- father- could survive. But this change could also mean that another person had to die. Obi-Wan shuddered at this thought. His heart was torn. On the one hand he was so happy that he would like to jump for joy and on the other and, he knew that the life of everybody lay in his hands. Just a single lack of concentration, a single  change in his manner of protection during their trip to Theed could bring the death of an innocent person. His new gained responsibility was eating him up. Lazily he looked at the clouded sky. The sky was a reflection of his future.

"No, I won't tell Qui-Gon anything!", he reassured himself, aloud. And with this statement he went off. On his way back to his "past", he thought about how to react to Qui-Gon. He had to be discrete and slightly distant.

Distant! In the last few weeks there was a clashing gap between Master and Apprentice. More and more arguments. And less of understanding each-other. He couldn't understand his Master anymore. Though he really tried hard! Why did he always have to disobey the Council. As long as he knew Qui-Gon, he was always making the Council angry and his last inspired blunder was this boy! But now not only the boy's future was hard to see!

When he reached the forest, he saw his angry Master waiting for him. But he would enjoy the lecture of his teacher. He wouldn't argue with him. Suppressing his smile of relief that threatened to overwhelm him, he went straight to the Jedi-Master. "Distant!", he reminded himself.

"Padawan? Where have you been? I think you owe not only me but also the Queen an apology! So how do you explain your delay?", Qui-Gon said in a stern voice. But all his good intentions were gone, when Qui-Gon opened his mouth. The Apprentice tried to absorb every little detail of this "personal meeting". He wasn't sure whether it was the last time he was able to speak to his father privately. He carefully watched the wind playing with Qui-Gon's deep-brown robe, his penetrating blue eyes and his now greying long hair. Obi-Wan now knew how desperately he would miss his master. The older Jedi realized the Padawan's starring and that his protégé's eyes were watering. "Obi-Wan, what is wrong?", he asked gently, putting a hand onto Obi-Wan's shoulder, his eyes full of concern. Kenobi quickly wiped his eyes and chastised himself for his stupidity and his sentimental mawkish.

"Nothing is wrong, my Master! I went meditating and lost my sense of time.", he hesitated unsure to tell Qui-Gon more. " I just want to be careful because I have a very bad feeling about this… Promise me that you be careful." Obi-Wan said with a cracking voice. Force, why did it have to be so difficult! Again he sounded like the frightened child he used to be.

"I promise to be careful!", his Master said, his blue eyes studying his Padawan. " We are going to leave for Theed in 15 minutes. You know the plan. So get ready.", he patted Obi-Wan's shoulder and went back to the others.

"Yes I know the plan!", he muttered. They would try to break into the palace and to capture the Vice-Roy of the Trade-Federation, while the Gungans would try to divert the battle droids. But the most important task lay in the hands of the pilots, who should try to destroy the Trade-Federation's control ship and with it the huge army of droids. Only that there was one miscalculated disturbance of the plan- The Sith! The plan sounded to easy, but so difficult to fulfill. 15 minutes were left. 15 minutes more to analyse the fighting-style of the Dark-Lord.

This creature had to have a weakness of some kind. His fighting-technique was excellent and with his fitness, he surpassed both, Master and Apprentice. But The monster was too self-confident! When he was gaining the upper hand, he was getting too hasty, yes even sloppy in his movements. The only thing he had to achieve was not being separated from his Master. Easily said.

Now he had to focus on protecting the Queen and her handmaidens. Obi-Wan once more released his feelings into the force, only his determination left.

The battle began.

Tbc…