The Hidden Truth

Chapter 10: deceiving transparency

Qui-Gon sat in cockpit. Ani was sleeping in his cabin. The boy was so much like Obi-Wan, when he was young, eager to learn, a warm personality, quick with his lightsabre, but plagued by insecurities and anxieties- a normal teenager. The Council no longer feared, that Anakin was a menace for the whole order. After Naboo the clouded future became a readable and sunny one. Naboo, a strange experience. The encounter with the Sith. His former Padawan almost lost his life during the battle, that seemed somehow to have decided the fate of Anakin. It seemed as if Anakin would have been lost, if  Obi-Wan hadn't won it. Qui-Gon hadn't  never really understood the connection of their destinies during the mission on Naboo. He always had the impression that he had been a puppet hanging on a very thin thread. But maybe he just had a very vivid imagination. He had to take a vacation with Anakin, when they would return from Dakona. Maybe they should visit Shmi, who started a new life on Alderaan after being freed by the Jedi.

Qui-Gon cursed himself. How could he sit still and think about a vacation, when Obi-Wan was in danger? He was frustrated. He knew, that Obi-Wan was still alive, he felt it over their bond, but they were too far away to communicate over it. His blue eyes stared empty into the cold space. There was a suffocating silence in the cockpit. It seemed as if the silence crushed him. When Obi-Wan had been a teenager he cherished those quiet moments because he hadn't been sure about the headstrong Kenobi. He held Obi-Wan captive in his silent world. He had never spoken to the boy privately or about his thoughts, emotions, just had considered the boy as a student and not as a friend, not as a son. But during the years Obi-Wan had wormed his way into Qui-Gon's heart and had been Qui-Gon's salvation after Xanatos' turning to the dark side. The Master sighed. Eight days of pressing silence lay ahead. But with Anakin he would survive this trip, that cost the last brown strands of his hair. Seven days to go…

** Palace…**

King Draju gathered his soldiers, subjects and bounty hunters around him. The ruler stood on his balcony and regarded his people.  He wanted to extinct  the Jedi and this girl as soon as possible. He knew, that he only had seven days left to get rid of those two people, but he had his sources in the rows of his opponents. With that sum of money on their heads, they would be lucky to make it to the rebels. He sent the whole underworld of Dakona on their heels. And his subjects couldn't deny, that the money was enough to live without any sorrows. They would be denounced very soon. He turned his head and faced the waiting mass.

" I have come before you in order to explain the matter of finding the Jedi and the girl. The one, who finds them and brings them to me awaits a life without any worries or sorrows. The one, who captures this scum during the next seven days will experience my full gratitude during the rest of his life.", he spoke in a strong and harsh voice. He would get them and nobody would detect anything. When he got the evidence back, he would burn it instantly and not a single soul would discover the hidden truth again. He turned and went to the throne room. He couldn't stand it to face the dirty and stinking people. His potato-like nose took a deep breath, when he reached the chamber. Lazily he sat down on his comfortable throne. He was confident, that the two would be found in the next seven days. He grinned evilly at himself and his brown eyes stared madly into nothing. He rubbed his hands together. He was so good, too good. Suddenly laughter erupted from his frame. It was filled with hate, insanity and darkness, that seemed to creep through the walls of the palace and to cover the whole planet in a thick blanket…

**Forest…***

Obi-Wan carried the girl in his arms all day and night, but they only could move very slowly. He couldn't shut her pain out for long. But Kyah reassured him, that they would reach the camp soon and that she could handle the paralysing pain. Her thick cherry-red hair was covered with sweat and it cost her much effort to stay calm and not to cry out. Obi-Wan knew it, but he didn't say a word, he didn't want to crush the girl's pride so he kept silent. He was wearing his brown cloak, which was getting heavier with each step he made. The heat was only bearable because of the moisture in the forest. But it forced it's tribune. They both were exhausted.

"Only a few more miles to go, Obi-Wan. When we reach the camp the hunt will be over!", she said in a sleepy voice.

"Or it just will begin.", Obi-Wan added grimly.

In times like these he knew from experience, that when he thought to be save, the real ordeal would just begin. Very carefully he made the way to the camp, trying to avoid as much movement as possible, so that the teenager was able to bear the pain. His warm-blue eyes took in everything. Kenobi wouldn't leave her safety to fortunate circumstances.

After a few more very difficult miles, they reached the camp. People came out of their tents and niches and collected themselves around the two newcomers. Among these people was Det, a close friend of Kyah. The blond-haired man's eyes widened in shock, when he caught glimpse of her condition. What had she gone through?

"Kyah, Kyah, what happened?", he asked with compassion. She couldn't answer, she slept in the stranger's arm. Det looked confused at him.

"My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi, I am a Jedi knight and your young friend here needs rest. She went through hell and is very weak. Do you have a healer here or any medical equipment?", he asked very fast.

Det looked even more confused than before.

"Yes sure, please follow me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Over there is the healer's tent.", Det slowly stuttered and led the Jedi to the open tepee-like tent. The old healer looked surprised at the Jedi and at his precious cargo. Quickly he moved over to him and helped to lay the girl very gently down. Obi-Wan stayed at her side, even when the healer ordered him to go outside, he refused to go. He insisted on helping him on the wounded 16-year-old.

After a few hours a clean, neatly dressed and bandaged Kyah lay in a warm sleeping bag in the healer's tent and a vigilant Kenobi sat next to her. The so-called rebels were a peaceful bunch of diplomats and scientist, who were against the oppression of the king and didn't want to give as fast in as the rest of Dakota's population. He inhaled deeply and decided, that it would be the best to take a little nap. Tomorrow would be a long day.

Tbc…