Author: Sheleigh

Disclaimers: See previous chapter

Authors notes: Please, feedback always welcome, the good and the bad!





Obi-Wan walked down the silent hall of the Jedi Temple. Green eyes darted around nervously, checking for any unnoticed Jedi. He turned a corner and let out a startled yelp. Master Yoda stood in front of him, leaning heavily on his ever present gimmer stick.

"Going somewhere, are you, young Obi-Wan?" The Master looked up at him with knowing eyes. "Seen many things you have, disturbed you, they have. Aware of this I am."

In a gesture of respect, Obi-Wan dropped gracefully to his knees. "I'm sorry, My Master… but I sense something terrible."

"So leaving you are, without your Master. Dangerous this is…" The young Jedi flinched at the mention of his Master.

"Please, Master Yoda, you can't tell Master Qui-Gon. He…" the boy trailed off.

"Your Master he is! Trust him you should, help you he can." Yoda emphasized his words with a thump of his stick.

"I trust Qui-Gon! He is like a father to me… and I couldn't see him hurt…"

"Then why are you leaving, Padawan?"

"I..." abruptly, Obi-Wan stood, turned and fled, the images of Garen, his Master mixing and running through his head.

A sad sigh escaped the diminutive Jedi Master. "Prevented, this could not be. Much darkness I sense. Young Obi-Wan's life hangs in the balance." Nodding to himself, the Master set off towards a meditation garden, to contemplate the peculiar behavior of the young Jedi Padawan.

****

It was late the next morning when Qui-Gon woke. He felt unnaturally groggy, tired, not having achieved a good nights rest. The Master shook his head, trying to recall exactly what he had seen, but in the end could only remember emotions. [i] pain… suffering… hatred. [/i]

Sighing, he stood and walked out of the room. Noticing Obi-Wan's door closed, the Master knocked quietly.

"Padawan? Wake up, Obi-Wan! You're going to be late for classes!" exasperated, Jinn threw open the door, fully expecting his apprentice to leap out of bed in surprise.

Instead he was met with an empty room. Noticing the datapad on the bed, he picked it up, calling the message for him up.

Upon reading the letter, Qui-Gon collapsed to his knees, allowing himself to rest against Obi-Wan's bed. Tears ran down his face as shock set in.

****

Anguish. An immense emotional pain seared through Obi-Wan's mind. The Padawan bowed his head, realizing exactly who and what had happened. His Master had read the letter. The boy had a sudden overwhelming urge to turn the small craft he had confiscated from the temple around and go back to his Master.

[i] NO! I can't… Qui-Gon might want to know why I left… no, he WOULD want to know why I left. He can't find out… I have already betrayed him… I won't hurt him anymore! I won't! [/i]

****

The letter was short, but oh so painful to read. Qui-Gon glanced down at it again. The words, so many times had he read them, ran through his head.

[i] Master,

I am sorry. Sorry for so many things. I thank you for my training, but more so, I thank you for being my Master. You have helped me in ways you couldn't understand. I write you this letter, because I am leaving. More then anything I wish to stay, but that is no longer a choice for me. A promise was made… and I am honor bound to keep that promise. Please, Master, don't search for me, I don't want to see you hurt… any more then you already are.

May the Force be with you,

Obi-Wan Kenobi [/i]

Sudden determination filled the Jedi Master, where moments ago sorrow had laid. He stood, left Obi-Wan's room, and collected his travel pack. A brief pause at the comm center, from which he sent a message to the council, more specifically Master Yoda, and he left the quarters, strolling down the hall hurriedly.

Qui-Gon arrived at the hanger, intent upon getting to the closest ship possible. A guard stopped him, requesting that he go check with the personnel. Jinn glowered at the man, who was obviously not Jedi.

"Who are you?"

The man pulled himself up to his full height, which reached Qui-Gon's shoulder. "My name is Lieutenant Colonel Beagan Ingvar. You are not permitted to pass."

A frustrated sigh escaped the Master. "You will let me pass." He lifted his hand slightly. The man's eyes became drowsy, almost blank. He motioned Qui-Gon through, pointing towards the fastest available transport. Jinn thanked him, and went on his way.

****

Generally, he was very sore. And in much pain, but somehow that was lessened by the fact that he was being held captive. Garen shook his head, trying to clear it.

His captor strolled into the room, lazily. He walked up to Garen, and patted him on the head. The boy lifted his head, and glowered at the man. In response, he was slapped across the face.

"Well, boy, you're little friend is on the way, no doubt to rescue you. It is really too bad he will die before he finds you. And you, my boy, will die soon after, so as to put you out of your misery."

"No! Please… don't kill Obi-Wan! Kill me instead, just don't kill him…"

"My my, how self-sacrificial of you both. One is always willing to die for the other. How touching. You know, you shouldn't try and save your friend. It isn't worth it… they only betray you." Garen stared at the man incredulously.

"Obi-Wan wouldn't betray me, or anyone else!"

"Oh, but he would. He left his Master to save you."

"He wouldn't want to see his Master hurt. He cares too much."

****

A yawn escaped Obi-Wan. He blinked, stretching in the pilot's seat that he had occupied for hours. The trip was slow, giving him all the time in the world to think. And he really had no desire to think.

[i] Oh yes, thinking is definitely over-rated. Especially if you have recently betrayed you Master. GET OVER IT Kenobi! It is over. You have made your choice; you can't go back on a promise. You will keep you Master safe, and save Garen. I wonder if the council knows Garen has gone missing. [/i]

Obi-Wan started.

Standing up, he walked over to a small holo-projector, and punched in a code to the Jedi Temple. His hand hovered over the transmission button. The boy gathered enough nerve to face the scrutiny of a roomful of irate High Council Masters, than pressed the transmission button.

****

A soft chime rung outside the vast council chamber, and a very aggravated Jedi Master by the name of Mace Windu answered it.

The young voice that came over the line told him the council had an open communication from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Mace curtly told the girl to accept it, and get a trace on the signal. She immediately complied, and before long, the image of the council's frustrations appeared before them.

The scene was almost humorous. A defiant, but nervous Jedi Padawan stared at the Masters he respected so much, and the Masters, in return, stared at the Jedi Padawan that had caused them the most frustration, and worry, though most wouldn't admit it. Only Master Yoda seemed calm, which wasn't surprising.

It was Mace Windu that broke the silence. "Kenobi! Where are you?!" Obi- Wan bowed his head, looking appropriately contrite.

"I'm sorry, My Masters. I cannot speak long. I wished to contact you, because Jedi Padawan Garen has gone missing. I am sure of this. May the Force be with you." The council saw Obi-Wan reach forward and the comm shut off. Mace Windu checked to see if the tracking signal had gone through. The other Masters waited expectantly, a collective groan echoing in the Force when Windu shook his head no.

****

Obi-Wan wiped his damp hands on his robe. The boy walked quickly back to his pilot's chair, and dropped into it, gripping his head with his hands. Out of instinct, he checked the ETA, nearly falling off the chair as he saw he was due to arrive in a matter of hours. Intending to meditate, he knelt on the floor, and slipped into the comfort of the Force.

[i] In Meditation [/i]

Obi-Wan drifted peacefully over the intricate patterns of the Force. Signatures of other Jedi drifted past, some giving him notice, others ignoring him. He opened himself completely to the Force, and allowed the brightness of it enter his soul. It wrapped itself around him, embracing him, giving him comfort. Strengthening him, as if it knew of something that was coming to pass.

It was a moment later when he felt the tug from the bond he shared with his Master. It became stronger, more insistent, until Obi-Wan carefully allowed it to open.

Almost immediately, the Padawan felt comfort from the Master. Concern, and pure love. 'Padawan. Where are you?' the boy wept silently, though he didn't know it.

'I'm sorry, My Master. I can't tell you, please don't look for me.'

A gentle laugh was felt through the bond. 'I am already looking for you, my Padawan. And I will find you. Please, tell me, I don't want you hurt, Padawan.'

The unconscious tears fell faster now. 'Master, please… this is going to be dangerous… I don't want you to be hurt.'

The Master sent a burst of love through the bond, calming the younger Jedi. 'My Padawan, if it is dangerous, then I should be with you. Tell me where you are. I speak to you as the Master. As the Padawan you are honor bound to obey.'

Obi-Wan collapsed into a ball, pulling his knees tightly to his chest. 'No! I can't Master!'

'Padawan…' a warning.

'No, Master! I won't! I won't see you hurt, I l-' The bond was slammed close by Obi-Wan before he completed his thought. Yanking himself out of meditation, Obi-Wan rubbed viciously at the tears, before allowing sleep to take him.

His destination was becoming clearer. His ship settled gently into orbit, and Obi-Wan Kenobi waited for the expected com transmission. It came moments later, the button flashing an angry red, waiting for him to answer it.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi." The laugh that filtered through the comm was cold.

"Hello, Kenobi, I trust your flight went well? Well, enough pleasantries. Land the ship in the outskirts of the main town. Then, fight your way into the town… the people here… aren't the most pleasant, so don't expect any friendly greetings... oh, did I forget to mention that they are all, for the most part, Force sensitive…? How foolish… must have slipped my mind." Before Obi-Wan could respond, the communication was cut short, and he was left in silence.

[i] I have a bad feeling about this… of course, that is to be expected, seeing as I have managed to, most likely, break every rule the Jedi live by. [/i]

A soft sigh escaped his lips, before he sat back in the chair, and started landing procedures. He shoved his thoughts away brutally, promising to re-examine them later, preferably when this mess was over.

Fifteen minutes later, Obi-Wan finally exited the ship, looking around the barren location. The land was brown, and for the most part, dead. Ahead, he could see the towering city, smog covering it. Factories littered the skyline, huge smokestacks pouring out smoke, and other life killing chemicals.

He checked his travel pack quickly, before heading out. The trek for the most part, was boring, with no noticeable changes in scenery.

That is it, was boring until he felt the Force urgently telling him to move- quickly. Years of training and listening proved to be Obi-Wan's savior as he flipped easily out of the path of the blaster bolt. Smoothly, he pulled out his lightsaber, flipping the elegant weapon on. He deflected the bolts, carefully avoiding a killing blow to any of his attackers. A gurgled scream came out of the darkness, as the Force quivered around him, telling Obi-Wan a person had been killed. Obi-Wan winced, still deflecting the bolts of energy.

A man stepped out, glaring at Obi-Wan. He held up his hand, and the weapons silenced immediately. "Identify yourself, unknown."

In response, Obi-Wan bowed, speaking quietly, in a tone, he hoped, that wasn't threatening. "My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padawan Learner to Qui-Gon Jinn-"

Obi-Wan was cut off as the man's eyes narrowed.

"What name, said you?!"

"Qui-Gon Jinn…" came the unsure response.

"Speak not that name! Qui-Gon Jinn is the cause of our planet's failures! You shall serve as retribution for his crimes." Dark force shot from the man's finger tips, shocking Obi-Wan. Simultaneously, his brain was invaded by the surrounding people. Obi-Wan cried out in pain, as he fell to the ground, unconsciousness claiming him, again.

****

Clan Leader Karign glowered down at the boy kneeling at his feet. The child quietly told him the news that the apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn had been captured, and brought here.

"Call together the Elders, boy. Tell the guards to bring the apprentice of Jinn. A trial will be held."

"Yes, Clan Leader." As the boy scurried off, another presence entered the tent where Karign sat.

"You will not kill the boy, Karign. Karigin stood, and turned, glaring at the intruder.

"Playing a dangerous game, aren't you. I thought we agreed to not get in each other's ways."

"That was before you captured Obi-Wan Kenobi." The man speaking walked fully into the light.

"So sorry. The boy is now ours, and will be dealt with accordingly. You can go back to your torture of the Jedi child; we will pay you no mind, assuming, of course, you don't interfere with our own plans."

"I want Obi-Wan Kenobi NOW." Karign brought a hand, reaching out with his malice directing the Force to choke the life from the man standing across the room from him. The man calmly brought up a hand to stop the dark Force from choking him. "Trying to choke me, Karign? You should know b-b-" The man clutched frantically at his throat, fingernails leaving a bloody trail from the scratches.

"Your arrogance was always something I wanted to crush. Now I get the pleasure of crushing that and you." The man let out one strangled gasp for air, before collapsing to his knees. His eyes rolled back into his head as blood spurted from his mouth, leaving a light trail of red along his chin; he died a painful but mercifully short death. "Good bye, Mathias Hjeldorn, the Force was not with you."