The Hidden Truth
Chapter 20: crossing the plans
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** shuttle**
~Master, they are trying to kill us!~
Qui-Gon's head jerked up from where he was reading data files about the planet and its political system. His hands started to tremble. What were these rebels doing to him and to the other hostages? But he wasn't told of any other hostages by the Council. Qui-Gon sighed. With every day that passed, he felt more helpless. If Qui-Gon only knew of the circumstances of his former Padawan's disappearance. Slowly but surely he was feeling hate for the rebel scum who attacked the king and the Jedi so recklessly. He clenched his fists and fired the datapad across the room, then went to his bed and sat down putting his head in his hands. The situation became more and more dangerous and he was running out of time.
"Master, Master! I have an idea how we can speed up our voyage!"
Qui-Gon looked up as Anakin stormed into his mentor's cabin. The 14-year-old teenager was excited to tell his proposal to his teacher. The weary looking older Jedi acknowledged Ani with a small nod as he didn't trust his voice right now.
"In this sector of the galaxy, there are a lot of anomalies, worm holes and supernovas. We have to leave hyperspace and watch out for a supernova, so that we can surf on the wave of the explosion," the apprentice babbled like a waterfall.
"So we could cut a day or maybe even one and a half days. I know that this could be very dangerous, but it's worth a try, don't you think?" the nervous apprentice waited expectantly for an answer from his Master. He started to fidget, another trait that made him comparable to the great Obi-Wan.
"Ani, are you sure about this? It sounds logical, but in this action lies a lot of danger. We can be blasted into a million pieces if the wave is too strong or if we are too close to it." He looked up tiredly at his student and stroke his grey beard.
"I am certain that it will work and no risk, no fun! Don't forget, Master, I raced pods," he grinned mischievously. The blond boy raced into the cockpit to prepare the exit from hyperspace. Only the fact that they would arrive at the surface of the planet earlier finally convinced the aging Master as he stood up and joined Ani in the Cockpit. Buttons blinked in different colours and alarm sounds screamed in high tones, but they ignored the noises around them. They focused on the here and now and tried to locate a supernova. A few minutes later, Anakin's blue eyes snapped open.
"Master, over there!" Ani pointed with a finger in the direction and piloted the ship towards the imploding star.
"Anakin, don't look into the light when the star implodes, do you understand," Qui-Gon asked in a severe voice as he took Ani's chin in his gigantic hands. Anakin stared for a few seconds at Qui-Gon and finally gave a small nod.
"Welcome on board of Skywalker Spaceline. This is your captain speaking. Please remain seated during the whole flight and fasten your seatbelts. I'm afraid that there aren't any emergency exits, but have a good voyage," Ani said delightfully and got a small smile from Qui-Gon. Suddenly there was a bright beam of light, but both covered their eyes with their hands. Tensely, they watched the shock wave approaching. Qui-Gon heard Anakin swallow hard only a few seconds before the blast arrived and took the spacecraft with it. It was working! They were surfing on the shock wave as on a wave of an ocean. A heavy weight fell from Ani's shoulders and he wiped away the sweat that was pouring down his face and seemed to say a thanksgiving prayer. Jinn didn't understand the mumbled and hushed words that Anakin spoke; maybe they were huttese. They were going faster and faster and were being pressed back into their seats. With this kind of speed, they would arrive on Dakona in only a day, a whole day earlier than they were expected. Young Skywalker was a clever person and Qui-Gon thanked the Force for having him at his side. The bright boy was becoming a wonderful Jedi and he was proud to be able to train Ani.
Qui-Gon was sure that Ani was making him feel younger, which he couldn't say of his former Padawan. Obi-Wan didn't only cost him the last few brown strands of his hair, but also a few years of his life… But tomorrow, he would be happy to take the young man back to Coruscant and to hold him in his arms. Tomorrow….
Tbc...