The Marionette's Dance
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sorry, this part isnt beta'ed so you'll just have to suffer through my ramblings. :P
Denotes creature speaking.
Obi-Wan hit the record button on the companel, paused and lowered his head. He took a deep breath and look up at the screen. "This is quite possibly the last transmission I'll ever send. I just returned from the council. They decided that since the creature can't be removed to save my masters life, then there is no alternative than to kill the creature. They issued the authorization, wanting a Knight to be the one to deliver the killing blow, but I couldn't allow that to happen. "
Tears slid down Obi-Wan cheeks as he continued. "I demanded that I be the one to do it, though I know it's like signing my own death warrant. When the creature dies, it will not only take my master with it, but me as well."
"You see, ever since we rebuilt our training bond, we've been closer than master/padawan." Obi-Wan smiled through the tears at the memory. "He's more than my mentor. He is my father, the only parent I have ever known. When the creature dies, it will no longer control his system, and he will die."
Obi-Wan's voice cracked, becoming a low whisper, his voice breaking into sobs. "I'll be an orphan, but for a short while. When my father dies, I will too. Our bond is so strong that we can't survive without each other. And when half of your soul is gone, how can you continue living?"
The holorecorder blinked quietly, allowing the young Jedi time. Obi-Wan looked up to the ceiling, tears streaking down his red cheeks. "Oh force help me. I don't think I can do this alone. Please give me strength."
Obi-Wan looked back at the recorder, his eyes swelled from crying. "This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. End transmission."
The device beeped showing that it saved the recording. Obi-Wan put the transmission on automatic, which it would automatically be sent to this terminal, to be retrieved later in case of his masters survival.
Obi-Wan walked down the halls to the infirmary. He stared blankly ahead, his mind numb, his eyes distant and unfocused. Passers-by bowed solemnly to him, as if knowing what was in store for the young man.
The temple had always been a sheltering, nurturing, loving place. Filled with Jedi that took care of their own. Obi-Wan no longer saw the temple in the same light as before. Now it seemed cold, harsh, empty.
Obi-Wan entered the medbay, the healers nodded sadly, allowing him the time to compose himself to do what was necessary.
"He has regressed faster than anticipated. His vitals are so low, his systems so weak, that even our machines and healing abilities won't be able to save him." L'Tash said sadly.
"There's nothing you can do?" The grim situation had a hard time registering with the shocked padawan.
"I'm sorry, but no. The majority of his systems is already shutting down and is severely damaged. We wouldn't be able to do anything. His heart is weak, blood flow is slow, and brain activity is nominal. The damage is too extensive."
Obi-Wan's eyes drifted to the floor, his hands began to shake, a heavy feeling settling over his chest. "I understand" He whispered.
L'Tash wiped a tear from his cheek and warned Obi-Wan, "The creature is still dangerous. You mustn't get near it in case it decides to take you as a host."
Obi-Wan assured the healer that all precautions would be obeyed and turned to see Yoda, Master Windu, and a couple other council members standing outside of Qui-Gon's room. They bowed their heads solemnly at the youth and told him the force was with him.
Obi-Wan nodded and reluctantly went into Qui-Gon's room, shutting the door behind him. The mental anguish came flooding him all at once upon seeing his master tied to the bed, monitors surrounding him and the creature still attached to his chest. Obi-Wan wished he could yank the thing off and strangle it until he vented out all his anger.
Qui-Gon was already beginning to show advanced signs of dehydration. Large cracks began to form, with smaller crevices jutting out in odd patterns across his upper body, some of them on the verge of bleeding. His chest labored for air, each breath becoming harder to expand the lungs. The soft death rattle that accompanied the wheezing breaths, made a chill go down the padawan's spine.
Obi-Wan ignited his saber, hoping he could cause minimal damage to Qui-Gon's body. He had practiced several accuracy exercises throughout his initiate days, honing his abilities and sharpening his skills. The training did little good, the situation made him so nervous that his hands shook and his lightsaber waved unsteadily.
Obi-Wan was panting, apprehensive at delivering such a precise blow. Though he knew Qui-Gon couldn't live without the creature for support, he needed to sever their link and cause minimum damage to his masters' body.
"Go ahead. Do it."
Obi-Wan fumbled, "What?" He hadn't expected his master to be conscious and a lump rose in his throat.
"If you refuse to return me to Belarius and another host, then go ahead. End my life."
"I have no problems with that part, let me assure you!" Obi-Wan spat.
"You wouldn't have to kill two innocent beings if you would only listen."
"ONE innocent! YOU are the one killing him. My master wouldn't take another's life for his own selfish reasons. You are a murderer!" Obi-Wan yelled, disengaging his saber.
"I didn't do this intentionally. I don't mean to cause him such pain and suffering. I thought he was a Belariusian, but now you won't let me correct my mistake, so he will die with me. So I AM innocent. You condemn me for trying to survive."
Obi-Wan glowered at the creature attached to his masters' chest. "You have the option of leaving peacefully, yet you will take an innocent with you out of spite." Obi-Wan looked down sadly and added, "Actually, you'll take both of us with you."
"It will kill you to?"
"Yes." Obi-Wan whispered, the distant look crept back into his saddened blue eyes.
"I can't understand why or how." The creatures' voice was curious. "As I understand this force thing from your master, you and he share a training bond. You don't share a body, only a bond in your mind. When he dies, you will suffer through the separation, but you will recover from it. It will not be fatal."
Obi-wan stared at the creature, not his masters face, a set determination creased his brow. "We are more connected than you realize. It's true, we don't share a body, but he we DO share a mind. And when you kill him, it will destroy us both."
"I doubt that. You're just being over-dramatic."
"If you don't believe me, scan us."
Qui-Gon's body jolted, his facial expressions shifting around, mentally sorting out the feelings, emotions, and the connection to Obi-Wan. A tendril of strange, unfocused force wave slammed into the youth's mind, carelessly and sloppily searching.
Obi-Wan suddenly felt a strange warm tingling in his mind, invading and numbing his senses. The feeling washed over him, tentatively inspecting the young Jedi mind and investigating every nuance of his psyche. He felt a deepening of concentration, and better grasp on the force ability, then sensed a more intimate scan. The scan felt like razors skimming across his mind, then a feeling of immense cold started from his head and settled straight down through to his feet, making him feel sluggish and lethargic.
He wanted to pull away, to repel the invader, but his rational mind reasoned that this intimate encounter was necessary. The creature had to see the connection, the bond that tied master and apprentice together. Maybe it would realize it would kill two beings and feel some remorse, and hopefully be willing to leave Qui-Gon.
A strange stab of white hot heat passed down Obi-Wan's spine and he shuddered. Something felt odd. Wrong. He never did like anyone reading his mind and definitely didn't like the creature having this kind of contact. Suddenly, there was silence. The creature had retracted.
Qui-Gon's head rose up off the bed and the creatures voice spoke, "You speak the truth. I felt the connection you share with this host. I will restrain myself from further harming him to allow you time to dissolve your bond, to ease the separation procedure and allow you to live."
"What? NO!" Obi-Wan fumed, feeling confused and somewhat disoriented. "I will NOT dissolve my bond!"
"But it will save your life. If you refuse, you will only suffer and die with him. Why not severe your link and be free?"
Obi-Wan stared at the creature hard, his gaze fixed for an instant, then everything clouded over again. "You just don't understand. What it's like to be part of another person, part of another mind, linked so closely that you can't fathom life without the other. I would rather die than to lose him. "
"I understand more than you realize. I am part of another life, another 'whole'. I am part of a great unity, everyone part of the other. But, because of your narrow minded ways, you refuse me the chance to join with my brethren, and are causing the death of this host." The creature shifted slightly, one tentacle retracting from Qui-Gon's spine and pulling close to its body.
"You invaded his body and took him without permission. You are nothing but a parasite. How could you be connected to another individual when all you do is cause pain and suffering? You have no idea what it's like to be bonded to someone that you would be willing to give your life for." Obi-Wan snapped at the creature. He blinked several times, trying to regain his visual acuity, and trying to get the feeling of intrusion out of his mind. His mental discipline fought to control its erratic fluctuations, steadying his nerves and making the room come into better focus.
"That is where you are wrong. I am connected to countless others, but I also can live without their presence. I would not die for them or for the link. I do not understand why YOU would." Qui-Gon's breathing had slowed and became more regular.
Obi-Wan sadly looked down, collecting his thoughts in a semi-haze. "Ever since I was young I've had people to overlook me, cast me aside, even be cruel towards me. Master Qui-Gon has been patient, understanding, and though it took time, very fatherly."
Two more of the long spindly legs retracted to the creatures body as it clung on to Qui-Gon's chest. "I know of all the difficulties you have had with this host. I can see his memories and know about your shared past. I don't understand why you would remain dedicated to an individual that speaks to you with such little warmth and regard."
"I can't imagine my life without him, without his guidance, his support, his love. He's the only family I have. He doesn't need to tell me anything, he shows me in little things he does." Obi-Wan's mind cleared and he looked at his masters' face for the first time since he entered, tears rolled down his cheeks. "Please master, if you can hear me, PLEASE don't give up. You don't have to fight this alone."
Qui-Gon gasp, his face mirrored his padawan's sorrow. His normal voice spoke, "Oh Obi-Wan, I'm so sorry that this terrible incident has to burden your young shoulders. Please know, that whatever happens, I am Proud of you. Never forget… never…" Qui-Gon began to shudder and choke on his words. Pain shot through him, causing him to jerk and writhe on the bed. He pulled at the restraints and caused the dried cracks along his skin to break open and bleed freely.
Obi-Wan didn't care about the healers advice and went to his masters side, grabbing a firm hold on the elders hand. "Please master! Fight it!" He tried calling on the force to aid him, but his mind felt drained and weak. He squeezed his masters' hand, hoping that his presence would be sensed.
Several of the transparent legs recoiled against the creatures' body, as Qui-Gon continued his violent reaction. Several monitors beeped wildly, showing the fluctuation in vitals and the instability of the patient. Qui-Gon thrashed on the bed, his eyes protuberant and watery. His breathing was sharp, ragged, gasping out, as if struggling to hold onto the last breath of air to sustain his life.
Obi-Wan didn't know what to do. He felt tendrils of fear in him, and apprehension at what was going to be the outcome. Remembering that the creature had shut down several of Qui-Gon's organs, and that now he was in some sort of spasmodic distress, Obi-Wan ignited his saber again, and rose it high above his head to deliver a killing blow to the creature.
Qui-Gon's back arched up off the bed, splitting the skin along his torso even further, then fell back limp against the bed. The monitors showed no life signs, no brain activity, no heartbeat. All was still and quiet.
Obi-Wan lowered his saber, tears streaming down his cheeks as he buried his face against his masters' neck. The muffled sobs filled the air as the apprentice began to grieve.
The last couple of tentacles retracted to the creatures' body, and it started to twitch, which went unobserved by the crying padawan.