Once again, sorry for the delay, but I've made this a long part to keep you folks happy! Hope you like it!
Gone From Danger - Part 4/?
"Obi-Wan? Wake up, Obi-Wan, we've arrived."
In the small, darkened quarters normally reserved for crew, Obi-Wan half-woke from a rare period of dreamless sleep and turned his head toward the sound of movement beside his sleep couch. The lights activated at a low level, warming the room with a dim glow, and Obi-Wan turned a groggy, stupefied gaze in Noreif's direction.
"I'm sorry I had to wake you, but you need to get up," Noreif explained, already walking away from the sleep couch. "We will be landing on Banis shortly. You can join me on the bridge as soon as you're ready, all right?"
Obi-Wan rolled onto his side and drew an elbow underneath his body, pushing himself up with a weary moan. A faint, sheepish smile turned the corners of his mouth upon realising that Noreif had heard the noise, looking back at him with raised eyebrows and chuckling before striding away down the narrow corridor, the door sealing after his departure.
Noreif slipped into the shuttle's cramped bridge and settled into the pilot's chair, taking the small ship out of hyperspace and watching with relief as the shifting starlines that streaked past the viewports diminished into single, identifiable points of light and Banis coalesced directly ahead. In relation to the system's sun, the transport had dropped back into normal space behind the planet and was cast in its shadow, limiting Noreif's initial view of the neutral world.
The journey to Banis had been impossibly long, one that Noreif had spent watching over his young charge with mounting worry and growing progressively more anxious to reach Qui-Gon. During the transport's passage through hyperspace, Obi-Wan had slept erratically, kept from any real rest by dreams that obviously terrified him, and despite his continued reassurances, Noreif couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right, something that went past the younger Jedi's physical fatigue. However, the deeper level of sleep that Obi-Wan had eventually succumbed to over the past few hours had troubled Noreif more than the Padawan's previous restlessness. It had seemed too sudden a transition to be natural, perhaps something more like a Force inducement.
Noreif sighed and rubbed his forehead, banishing his apprehension; once he touched down on Banis, Obi-Wan would no longer be his concern, although there was no doubt in his mind that the boy's plight would remain in his thoughts. For once, he would be grateful for the political intricacies that awaited him on the planet, tedious as they might later prove to be – he needed just such a distraction if only to keep him from getting further involved.
At that moment, as Noreif manoeuvred the shuttle onto a course that would take it into orbit above the appropriate spaceport prior to descent, the system's sun emerged from behind the curve of the planet, dazzling him and glinting on three objects slightly to port, and it wasn't until he had piloted the shuttle closer that he spotted the trio of starfighters approaching.
He reached out to activate the comm unit, assuming that Banis had despatched an escort to meet them, but a Force-carried warning halted him and he wrenched the transport's controls, twisting the comparatively sluggish craft down and away to avoid a hail of laser blasts from the starfighters. Shocked by the aggressive actions, Noreif stabbed at the comm-unit.
"Attacking ships, discontinue immediately! This is an unarmed Republic shuttle carrying Jedi ambassadors on a diplomatic mission!" he called urgently, swinging the transport back toward Banis.
"We do not recognise your immunity here, Jedi," a harsh voice retorted over the speakers, and the response was emphasised by a furious onslaught of laser fire that Noreif struggled to evade.
The shuttle shuddered as several of the blasts penetrated its shields and struck home, grazing the craft's flanks without breaching the hull, but the cacophony of alarms that suddenly sounded in the confines of the bridge told of serious damage nonetheless, and the shuttle began to list drunkenly as its power died. Apparently unsatisfied with disabling the transport, the starfighters continued to fire upon it, intent on annihilating the ship and its passengers.
Through the viewports Banis loomed, tantalisingly close but now completely unreachable. A recognised neutral world, Banis had no manned defences, and therefore no starfighters – it relied solely on strictly controlled planetary shields, and Noreif cursed himself for not recalling this sooner. It would be pointless to request help from the planet, or from Ruya and Qui-Gon, whose transport had also been unarmed.
Then, as the bombardment of laser fire paused and the starfighters grouped themselves for a triumphant, if wanton, victory, looping around to face the shuttle head-on, the starfield around them appeared to warp and contort, and Noreif experienced a sickening heave in the Force that pulled at every cell in his body. Still sidling out from behind Banis, the sun's light flickered and dimmed fractionally. It was as though the universe was drawing a breath, stripping the very Force-matrix itself and siphoning its energy into one focal point, and for the first time in his life Noreif was terrified by the sheer power that surrounded him. His senses were swamped, his thoughts incoherent, and even with the knowledge from his Jedi training, he was unable to comprehend the events taking place.
The wrenching sensation lasted several seconds, lessening when the frightening accumulation of the Force reached some sort of apex, but there was no chance to regain any semblance of composure before the mass of power abruptly exploded in a maelstrom of energy that was unmistakably a crude Force-push; the three starfighters still poised to destroy the shuttle caught the brunt of an invisible shockwave and were flung away, careening toward the planet and certain death upon contact with the planetary shield.
Breathing heavily and clutching the transport's controls with shaking hands, Noreif half-expected the craft to be torn apart in the raging, uncontrolled torrent, which was already beginning to disperse. However, the transport was barely affected, propelled by the momentum of the Force-push yet steadied by the barest of touches, leaving them drifting gently toward Banis. Noreif slumped in his seat, sure that they were out of danger for the moment, and quickly regained order over his rampant thoughts, calming himself enough to make sense of a negligent tendril of Force that nudged his mind, quite detached from the diffusing energy outside the ship.
Obi-Wan!
Banis' major spaceport lay on the outskirts of the planet's capital city, Sortis, and it was here that Qui-Gon and Ruya awaited the arrival of Qui-Gon's replacement. Both Masters were on edge after being informed that the Republic transport had been attacked by Kaatuu starfighters, who had obviously chosen to act upon their previous threat. According to what they had been told, the only casualties in the incident were the Kaatuu rebels after their ships had collided with the defence shield, but the Republic shuttle had been severely damaged and had to be tractored in. However, what had unsettled the Jedi was a titanic surge in the Force that they had detected just as they had arrived at the spaceport several minutes ago, a disturbance so intense that it had darkened the morning light outside.
Qui-Gon paced the small reception area that he and Ruya had been ushered into when word of the attack came; the aide who had attended them had reassured them that the substitute Knight, whose name was still unknown, would join them as soon as he, or she, landed safely. Out of courtesy, if nothing else, he was required to remain on Banis until the other Jedi arrived before leaving for Coruscant, and despite his concern over the present situation the delay irked him.
"Qui."
He turned to Ruya, expecting an amused reproach from his friend, but was met by an apprehensive expression. "What is it?"
"Noreif is here," the Toorkan said softly, glancing toward the door.
"Here? You told me he would watch over Obi-Wan!"
"I think he still is."
For long moments, Qui-Gon remained silent, staring at the other Master. "Obi-Wan is here as well," he murmured in dawning realisation. Now that his attention was focused in that direction, he could sense his Padawan's Force signature, but it was so badly distorted that it was no wonder he hadn't recognised it before.
As if he needed confirmation, the door hissed open and two robed figures entered; Noreif had a hand on Obi-Wan's back, steadying the younger Jedi, who seemed disoriented and barely capable of keeping his feet. However, before they had taken more than a few steps into the room, Obi-Wan drew away from Noreif's touch and stumbled toward his Master, one hand outstretched.
"Qui-Gon, catch him!" Noreif cried in alarm, seeing the Padawan's already precarious balance falter further, but by the time he voiced the warning, Qui-Gon had reached Obi-Wan's side and had an arm about him, guiding him toward the chairs.
"What happened?" Ruya asked, his violet eyes intense as he surreptitiously checked Noreif over. The Knight noticed the scrutiny and smiled faintly, dipping his head toward Ruya in reassurance. "I assume it concerns the disturbance in the Force we sensed?"
Noreif nodded, his face sobering. "I'm not certain how he accomplished it, but that disturbance you felt was Obi-Wan – somehow, he managed to push our attackers away from us. He believes that much himself."
"That's impossible!" Qui-Gon protested from where he sat with his Padawan; Obi-Wan was stretched out on the chairs beside him, his head resting on Qui-Gon's thigh, too worn out to resist sleep. "Not even a Master could control the amount of power it would involve to generate a Force-push of that magnitude."
"Not unaided, perhaps," Noreif said quietly, then reached into his robe and produced a holo-crystal. "Master Windu asked me to activate this when I got here. It contains instructions for all of us, and an explanation of the Council's reasons for dispatching Obi-Wan and myself."
Qui-Gon hesitated, staring at the crystal. If what Noreif had said was true – that Obi-Wan had caused the disturbance earlier – it was reasonable that at least one of the conclusions he and Ruya had come to on their way here had been right: like his ruined meditation stone, Obi-Wan had somehow become a Force-conduit.
His gaze dropped to his Padawan's sleeping face, still drawn and pallid from lack of rest, and a deep sorrow welled inside him. For the Council to send him here in this condition rather than wait for Qui-Gon's return implied that the boy's situation was dire indeed.
"Qui? Are you all right?" Ruya ventured, tapping his arm lightly.
"I'm fine." Qui-Gon looked up at Noreif. "Activate it."
"Do you want to wake Obi-Wan?" Ruya asked as Noreif removed a holoprojector from his belt and slotted the crystal into it.
Qui-Gon shook his head. "I'd rather let him sleep. He can see the recording later."
At that point, the holo-crystal began to run, and all attention turned to the miniature hologram of Mace Windu that appeared, his dark face bearing its customary sombre expression, but there was a grief in his eyes that even the grainy holo-image could not mask.
"I feel I must apologise, personally and on behalf of the entire Council, to all of you, and to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in particular," Mace began, clasping his hands and shifting on his feet. "It is to the two of you that the majority of this recording is directed. During the past few months, it has been necessary to conceal specific information from you for your own protection. However, events have taken place that are outside our control, and it has become necessary to involve you."
The imposing Master paused, gathering his thoughts, and continued. "We have learned that the Lamarin High Priestess Sashri lives – reports of her death were fabricated by the government of Lamari, to prevent us from discovering the true nature of your mission to the planet a half-year ago.
"Despite these attempts at deception, Priestess Sashri succeeded in contacting the Council. It would seem that the Lamari have become dangerously ambitious regarding their sensitivity to the Force – their desire for Force-borne power has prompted them to develop a neural device, based on the principles of the planet's meditation stones, that will increase an individual's command of the Force. This device, an organic neural web as they have named it, is designed to grow and spread over a period of time, eventually permeating the brain and nervous system."
Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan's head move and glanced down, realising with a silent sigh that his Padawan had woken after only a few minutes. His face was turned slightly away, tired eyes focused on Mace Windu's image, and he didn't seem to register Qui-Gon's gaze. Gently, the older Jedi placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, and almost at once one of the boy's hands reached up and back, grasping his fingers. Qui-Gon smiled and looked at the hologram once more.
"What is of more concern to us is that a prototype of this web has already been created…and implanted."
Ruya and Noreif, holding the holoprojector, exchanged worried looks, obviously disturbed by the news; even in the hands of a relatively benevolent race like the Lamari, Force-augmenting technology was potentially disastrous.
"Priestess Sashri carried out the procedure, without the patient's consent or knowledge, and informed the Council of the identity of the recipient of the prototype web." Mace hesitated again, and his eyes closed. "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"No," Qui-Gon gasped, his voice shaking, and beneath his hand Obi-Wan's body jerked in shock.
Mace Windu's recording went on. "I know this is hard to accept, and I wish there was more time to explain, but it is crucial that Obi-Wan be taken to a secure location. The Lamarin government had no part in the implantation and were furious to learn that the prototype had been smuggled off Lamari: they are demanding its return immediately. We have reason to believe that there are bounty hunters involved, and Coruscant is no longer safe for Obi-Wan. Protection has been arranged for him, and a ship is on its way to take both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to a planet under our control. Ruya and Noreif must remain on Banis to dissuade any suspicion for as long as possible." Mace bowed his head. "Once again, I am sorry."
Abruptly, the image flickered off and the holoprojector became dormant, leaving the room in uncomfortable silence, broken seconds later by Obi-Wan as he released Qui-Gon's hand and rose unsteadily, moving to one of the broad windows that revealed a view of Sortis. Morning light was beginning to soften the stark silhouettes of the tall buildings forming the city, but Obi-Wan saw none of it.
"I knew it," he whispered, placing a palm against the window to steady himself. He looked round at the other Jedi, his expression sad yet composed, devoid of the fear that Qui-Gon now struggled with. "I felt something on Dareela that I couldn't understand. And what happened up there…" His face turned toward the window again, his gaze directed to the dawn sky. "I knew something was wrong inside me, something that I can't control."
"Padawan," Qui-Gon said, getting to his feet and approaching the boy. "What Sashri did to you cannot be irreversible. You'll be all right."
"No, Master," Obi-Wan responded softly. "I don't think I will be."
Qui-Gon stopped, struck by the conviction he heard in Obi-Wan's voice. From an early age, his Padawan had been strongly influenced by the Unifying Force, and his abilities had continued to grow since starting his apprenticeship with Qui-Gon, allowing him to sense future events with a degree of accuracy that the Jedi Master had come to respect. If the prototype web in Obi-Wan was functioning, the amplified awareness of the Force that it created could have made any visions much more potent.
"What have you seen?" he asked, touching Obi-Wan's arm.
"I've had nightmares. Most of them are only dreams, but a few felt real, like visions I've had in the past." Obi-Wan faced Qui-Gon, his eyes dim. "I have witnessed enough to know that, wherever we are being taken, I won't be safe there for long. Master, the future I've seen holds nothing but pain for me…perhaps even death before long, and that's a future that I don't want you to be part of."
"Oh, Obi-Wan." Reaching out, Qui-Gon pulled the boy into a hug, which Obi-Wan returned readily, each trying to relieve their concerns for the other. "Whatever happens, I will be with you – your pain is my pain, and I won't let you face such a future alone."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan murmured, closing his eyes. In Qui-Gon's embrace, he could allow himself to believe that he could be saved, but deep inside he was already resigned to the fate that the Force had revealed to him. Not even Qui-Gon could defy the will of the Force, and despite his Master's comforting words, he knew he was destined to be alone when the end came. His only desire was to prevent the technology inside him from harming anyone else, as it ultimately would if the Lamari succeeded in implementing it, and if that meant his death then he would accept it. He had no other choice.
tbc...