Book of Flesh and Bone Part VI
"I don't think I can," Qin Luc wearily whispered. Her long fingers gripped Obi-Wan's shoulder for support.
The knight turned to face the fragile visage of the biotech researcher. Lending a little Force compulsion to his voice, he said softly, "Yes, you can."
The Melorian nodded as Obi-Wan refined his support of the woman, helping her move more quickly through the narrow catacombs.
The blue glow of his lightsaber was the only light to fill the constantly twisting passageway. The knight would not have been using it if it were not for Qin Luc's terror at entering the pitch-black catacombs. She had been imprisoned in total darkness for so long even this little bit was too much. "We are almost out," he said evenly. "The transport is just beyond the edge of the tunnel."
The information seemed to give Qin Luc that extra needed burst of energy as she pressed forward toward the freedom that had eluded her for so long.
The labyrinthine catacombs were clear of obstacles making Obi-Wan feel that they were not in as much disuse as he had been lead to believe. Still, they were empty and he sensed no immediate danger.
The catacombs ran from the small Xim villages that encircled the larger, guarded Calor research facility. The ancient tunnels provided the Xim rebels perfect access into the colony to kidnap Qin Luc. The same access he had used to steal her back.
After a time of quiet travel, the golden evening light danced deep into the tunnel and Obi-Wan deactivated his weapon not choosing to draw anymore attention to them than needed.
Qin Luc faltered at the light. She withdrew slightly, covering her pale blue face. "It's been so long," she whispered tiredly.
"I know." The knight reached over and pulled the ornate hood of the dingy Melorian long coat over her head to protect her from the still bright evening light. He had found the woman bound and imprisoned deep within a catacomb at the edge of the colony. She had been kidnapped from her apartment in the research colony. Her captors were against her research in biotech duplication–cloning of living body parts. "We will be out of here soon."
At the entrance, Obi-Wan cast out again searching the area for any threat. There was something mildly unsettling but he had felt that ever since he had arrived at the colony. Moving in a protective stance, Obi-Wan guided Qin Luc along the wall. Large shipping crates, long since abandoned, hid the entrance to the catacomb. They moved as quickly as she could.
As soon as they cleared the crates the dull gray of Obi-Wan's small transport waited at the far edge of the landing platform. He was relieved to see it, knowing soon that they would be leaving this place forever. For both, it would not be quick enough.
Qin Luc was slow and he had to take his time so not to drag the Melorian but time was not theirs to waste.
The evening sun had sunk behind the massive legislative building casting a long shadow across the platform.
"We are going to have to run," he said softly as he maneuvered the researcher to the closest point along the wall to the transport. He glanced back at the Melorian who nodded weakly.
Both started sprinting across the platform.
They were half way to the ship when Obi-Wan called out on the Force to trigger the ship's loading ramp.
In a flash of light and sound the small craft exploded. A blast of heat and debris slammed into the knight and researcher sending them tumbling across the rough surface. Obi-Wan threw himself over the fallen woman as debris continued to rain down on them.
When it was safe, Obi-Wan twisted around to see the burned out husk of his ship. He was reeling as he quickly tried to come up with another plan. "Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so," Qin Luc said softly as the knight helped her to her unsteady feet.
Intently studying his surroundings, Obi-Wan spun to check the catacomb entrance; concerned the Qin Luc's captors would realize she was gone and pursue.
Before the warning manifested itself, a blaster bolt flew past his right ear, so close he could feel the heat. The bright flash of orange struck Qin Luc square in the chest. The woman made no sound. She was dead before she even hit the ground.
In a single, fluid motion, Obi-Wan activated his lightsaber, bringing it up protectively. A swirl of emotions rose and then was quickly quelled at the sight of the researcher's killer. "Halla."
The dark haired woman stood in the shelter of a Seikhan corvette. Shadows danced on her face as the light twisted and glinted off the ship's silver body. In her hand, she tightly gripped the small blaster pointed at the knight. "I'm sorry."
Obi-Wan stole a glance at the dead researcher next to him. "How could you?"
The soft, innocent features of her face had hardened. The lines deep with regret aged her. Instead of the usual brightly colored cloak, he had seen her in many times the last few days; she wore a deep, reddish brown one. It was almost invisible against the dark stone walls that protected the landing platform. Her grip on the blaster trembled slightly before she gained control and refined her aim.
"I have to thank you for finding Qin Luc. It saved us the time and money paying her ransom just to have her killed." She frowned slightly. "I couldn't let you get away with her. She possesses too much information on my husband's research."
"So you resort to murder?" Obi-Wan could sense a weakness in her façade.
"What is one more death? I mean really I am responsible for so many."
Obi-Wan just stared at her.
"I can see it in your eyes; the shock and the horror so bright in them. You believe I betrayed the Order." She laughed weakly then shook her head. "Leave now. Go back to your precious Jedi. You will die if you stay here."
"Halla–"
"Don't tell me it was an accident!" she yelled the blaster in her hand quivered slightly. "They sent me on a dangerous mission to get hurt!" Her eyes reflected the pure rage she barely held in check. "If that woman got away she would destroy everything. My husband is working on a way to give me a second chance at having a family."
"Halla–"
"No!" She leveled the blaster. "I won't let you take this chance away from me again. Ighista knows about us. He knows, Obi-Wan. He's the one who set your ship to explode. He wants you dead."
Obi-Wan carefully shifted around slightly to study his surroundings. "And you?"
"Are a very good wife," Trocha interrupted as he and several large, heavily armed men surrounded the platform.
Halla twisted to see her husband. Shock and hurt reflected in her green eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Following you, of course." Trocha approached the woman. "I knew you wouldn't be too far away from your lover."
"That was a long time ago," Halla said quickly but a wave of Trocha's hand silenced her.
The Master Healer paced about the platform, unconcerned with the fact the Obi-Wan was armed and ready to spring at any moment. "All my men are armed. They are expert sharp shooters. I promise you will be dead before you can even get close to me."
"Qin Luc is dead, what more do you want?" Obi-Wan growled, but his gaze never left Halla.
"Your life and those images you are protecting," Trocha replied coolly.
Shock clouded Halla's face as she turned to her husband. "You said–"
"You did good, but he will still destroy everything I have built." Trocha studied his wife and gave her a gentle smile. "He will take away everything I have done for you." Approaching his wife, he cupped her chin and tilted her head up until her eyes met his. "I will make this be your choice, my wife."
Tears glistened in the bright green depths of Halla's eyes.
"Remember, it was the Jedi and their Council that put you in harm's way. Their actions sent you away from the Temple when you were pregnant. Your master that decided to mediate a truce between warring factions that got you injured when you should have been someplace safe. The Jedi did you no favors and they only welcomed you back after the injury and coma that took your unborn child away." Trocha shifted to glare at the cornered Jedi. "If he had loved you, he would have given up to Order and left, then you would be happy. You would have a family." Rough fingers brushed tears from her cheek. "I only want you to be happy, my wife. It is either the Jedi and all he represents or family."
Halla was quivering with grief. "Don't make me choose," she begged softly.
Obi-Wan searched the three armed men. He did not think he could escape them.
"Him or me?" Trocha pressed.
Still in possession of Jedi reflexes, Halla raised her hand and fired. Obi-Wan deflected the first but missed the second, taking it in the chest. The durasteel platform rattled with the force of his fall. Consciousness quickly fled.
Trocha's laughter echoed in the crisp evening air. "My beautiful, silly wife. Do you not think I can tell you stunned him?" He ripped the blaster out of her hand and switched it back to a more deadly setting. "I am tired of wasting time. Men!" He ordered.
Immediately the three men converged on the fallen knight.
________________________
Holonet Broadcasting Company
"early reports state that there was an attempted assassination of Senator Amidala of Naboo.
"Panic has filled the Senatorial towers and the governments of various worlds are boosting their Senator's security"
________________________
The Book of Warm Hearts
Anakin paced back and forth before the grand window of Padmé's senatorial apartment. He paused briefly to eye the traffic in the distance before beginning his trek again.
"I'm fine," Padmé said quickly as she pulled herself free of Sirceé and marched through the corridor from her private apartment into the public common room.
"Senator, you need to rest. The physician said you must take it easy," Sirceé pleaded as she chased after her defiant patient.
"I am fine," Padmé repeated a little more forcefully. She looked across the room at Anakin who was still unhappily pacing. Beyond him stood several heavily armed guards. Her security force had been tripled. Especially after her private guard apparently suffered mild amnesia. None of them remembered leaving their posts let alone why. They had all been found several floors below just staring aimlessly at the wall. She supposed it was a necessary precaution. Yet, she carefully glanced about the room looking for any other members of her beefed up security. The Chancellor himself had added two SAA-12 security droids. Their flat black armored bodies scared her. The droids carried more weapons each than her private guards did together. She understood that they were to patrol the corridors outside her apartment.
Blessed spirits please keep her from facing those machines.
She would request the Chancellor assign them elsewhere. She did not want them with Anakin Skywalker watching over her. She turned on her assistant. "Leave me."
"But–"
"Leave me," she demanded. Quietly she waited until she had been left alone then slowly continued her trek into the room. Everything felt a little unsteady and completely weak but she made herself continue to stand. Slowly she walked to where Anakin was pacing. "I told the security, the investigators, the Chancellor's people and anyone else who asked. I told your master and the Jedi Council. Now tell me, what attacked me?"
Anakin stopped and stared at her. A tiny, pinkish mark was all that remained of the gash above his eyebrow that Vengier had inflicted. "You were attacked by a Sith."
"Yes, I know that. Master Yoda said that. What is a Sith?" she demanded but her authority wavered as a momentarily fainting spell seduced her.
Anakin was at her side immediately.
She felt lighter than air as he scooped her up and took her back to the private side of her apartment. "You don't have to carry me," she complained softly.
"I can't have you falling down and hurting yourself. It wouldn't look good having you hurt twice on my watch."
"It wasn't your fault," Padmé replied as she was carried back into her bedroom.
"I should have been more vigilant."
Padmé heard the anger in the young man's voice at his failure. Gently, she wrapped her arms around Anakin's strong shoulders. "Don't blame yourself. This Sith was powerful, right?"
"There were two."
Padmé brushed her fingers down Anakin's forehead, touching the pinkish, healing skin. "Is that how you got that?"
"Yes."
A fearful look found her eyes. "But they got away."
"I promise we will find them. They will never harm you again."
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The Book of Master and Padawan Part IV
Soft footsteps glided over a well-worn path in the small waiting area of the mind healing center. Obi-Wan twisted about, his anxiety getting the best of him. Stopping, he glanced around the dull amber walls. Even mid morning, he was the only one there, which suited the agitated knight just fine. Last think he needed was some gossiping busybody watching him have a mental breakdown.
Obi-Wan stopped and glanced at the light fixtures on the wall opposite the windows. He was just being silly, he told himself. Still he felt like someone was watching. This was no different than the regular healing center a floor below and for that reason alone, it was enough to set him on edge.
The bench seats were not comfortable and besides he preferred to pace just in case he suddenly decided to run. He stopped and shook his head. Thinking like that is not going to make matters any better. He had promised Bali he would do this. Even if everything inside him demanded he rebel. He needed to get control off himself.
The first thing he decided was he needed to calm down. Facing Master Healer Lorus while agitated would do little for his case. Slowly the Jedi turned to the row of narrow windows that lined one wall of the waiting room. It stared down over the hydroponics garden. The protective dome glowed with the lively green of plant life and wished he were in the safety of a mediation garden. All those times he had sought Yoda's advice was in the gardens. That was all he needed to get through.
"Excuse me," the senior padawan from the reception desk said from the doorway she waited in.
Obi-Wan twisted to greet the red haired girl but his gaze quickly dropped to the eight-year-old held in place by a firm grip on his shoulder. "Does this little one belong to you?" she asked.
Bali smiled nervously and before Obi-Wan could respond, pulled free of the padawan's grip and raced to his master's side.
"Yes," Obi-Wan replied curiously as he looked down at the boy who stared back at the girl worriedly. "You should be in class."
The girl replied, "Master Lorus had him brought in." She hesitated for a moment. Worry fluttered across her deep blue eyes. "It is for the master/padawan review. That is why you are here, is it not?"
For a time, Obi-Wan just stared at her. "Honestly, I am not sure."
"Well, that is what the appointment book says," she said quickly before retreating from the room leaving the two alone.
Obi-Wan frowned before folding himself into the warmth of his cloak. It did not go unnoticed that Bali imitated the action, except he was not wearing a cloak.
"I have never been here," Bali said quickly as he glanced around the room. Bright green eyes studied the plainly decorated amber interior but he did not venture from his place at his master's side. "I have not been many places though," he admitted.
Carefully Obi-Wan reached out and brushed his fingers through the little boy's dark spiked hair.
"Master!" Bali cried out plaintively as he struggled to fix his hair. He then broke up into giggles falling up against his master.
The little apprentice's giggles were infectious bringing a smile to Obi-Wan's weary face. It would not be so bad if Bali were there with him, he decided.
"Master?"
"Yes, Padawan?"
"Why are we here?"
The Jedi sighed softly. "Master Lorus wants to make sure we are all right," Obi-Wan answered as he sat down on one of the bench seats. From there, he could better face the small eight-year-old.
Bali screwed up his face in concentration. "I feel fine." He looked around carefully, then whispered, "Is he going to give us shots?"
"No, only Bant does that."
"Good, I don't like shots."
