That evening brought the return of the other residents of the cell. The communal cell held about twenty-five beings from numerous planets. The stench of the workers was so strong it almost gagged the Jedi. It was clear that use of a fresher and shower did not come often for the men who had worked up a smelly sweat from the mines.
Their dinner consisted of some obnoxious looking gruel and dried bread. There was hardly even enough water to go around and it had to be shared in one container by all the men. Between the stench of the men and the smell of the distasteful gruel, Xanatos almost became ill.
"Master, we have to find a way out of here. I can't handle this."
"Qui-Gon who had been taking all the nastiness in with all the Jedi stoicism that he had.
"I think we have to be able to find a way to retrieve Obi-Wan before we attempt a way out of here."
"See Master, I beg to differ. There is no way we can save ourselves and Obi-Wan too. They probably have started the mind sweep by now. The boy has already probably lost part of his memory. "
"That may be so. They may have started the procedure, but I know it will take more than a day to complete it. We have to try to get him out before it is completed."
"And if we are successful enough to save Obi-Wan from staying here but not from the mind sweep, what then.?"
"Then he will still be my ward; in my care. If his Jedi training can not be replanted in his mind, then I will leave the Jedi and care for him, but I will not leave him."
Xanatos thought his master was not thinking clearly. The Jedi were his life. How could he just leave it to care for a normal boy, as Obi-Wan would be if the mind sweep was successful?
Xani did not want to upset his master further. His only thought was for himself and Jinn escaping, if they had to drag Obi with them then hopefully it would be done quickly before they ended up stuck in the minds for ten years.
The next morning was a beginning of a very early day. Long before daylight the men in the communal cell along with the Jedi were forced to get up. The very same noxious smelling and looking meal was served. Qui-Gon tried to encourage Xanatos to eat. He reasoned they both would need their strength and that food would be the only way they could achieve any strength, with their Jedi powers gone.
It was toward the middle of the day when the men were given a fifteen minute break and something to drink. The Jedi were informed that mid-meal was non-existent for the slavers, as they were now called.
Jinn looked up while on break to see the entourage of the diplomats, including King Gerbyn, coming toward them. The King kept a large hanky over his mouth as if offended by the very air in the mines.
The entourage walked right up to where Master Jinn and Padawan Xanatos sat.
"I have some questions for you. There are some things I would like to know about the young Jedi now in my care. I want to know the foods he likes or dislikes. l would like to know also of his studies and how he spends his spare time, just things that will help him adjust to his new life here. You and your other young friend will be escorted back to the cell for a more private conversation. I will leave my assistant with you to take down all the information I need."
Xanatos was extremely thankful for the reprieve from the work in the mines, even if it was only for the afternoon. He was already worn out.
From behind the King stepped a good looking humanoid. His name, the Jedi found out later was Kylon. He, like Obi-Wan had been kidnapped. He also like Obi-Wan had been under training to assist the King, but when Obi-Wan was captured he had to step down and become assistant to the King in favor of Obi-Wan being groomed by the King to take over. The King seemed not to be able to make up his mind. The King also seemed to have a fascination with people of humanoid descent.
### Back in the cell ######
The young man, Kylon, asked various questions about Obi-Wan; what did he like to eat, was he good with academic studies, how old he was, just things the King wanted to know.
Jinn sat and listened to the young man before him. Kylon had beautiful dark creamed skin. He was to Jinn's knowledge from an unknown humanoid descent.
"May I ask how long you have been here?"
"I was not sent here for you to question me, but I have been here for ten years. I assumed I was being groomed to take over for my king, but I see now I have been replaced by your Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Qui-Gon could see he was very loyal to his king.
"So, did that upset you?"
"It is none of your business. I have been treated as a family member would be all my life. I have had the best schooling, clothes, food, whatever I want. If my King chooses to replace me then it is his decision and I will follow that. I have no complaints, none."
"But if Obi-Wan escaped from here then you would get your place back, would you not?"
"Yes I suppose I would. But know this Jedi; no one has ever escaped from my king's mines. You a will not be the first. You don't even have the use of the force here."
"How do you know that?"
"You are not the first force sensitive here. There may been others before you and they like you have not been able to use the force."
"Are they still here?"
"No, the only one here died several years ago, when I was first brought here."
"If we had someone to help us escape, then you would be given your place back as the successor to the King."
Jinn planted a seed in Kylons mind, as he pretended to be finishing up the reports he had gotten for the King. The guards came by but he waved them off explaining he needed another fifteen minutes.
"So you're saying that if I were to help you get "your" Obi-Wan out of here, then I possibly could be back in place to be my King's successor?"
"Exactly."
"I might think on it. But know this, they have already started the mind sweep. The Kenobi child has had the first treatment of the mind sweep. It is not a pleasant thing. But when I saw him, he had little more than a headache from it. I think his nausea had ceased."
The knowledge that the treatment started gripped at Qui-Gon's heart.
"Is he feeling better?"
"He seemed to be. The king will of course have him given medicine if the little Jedi needs it. My king is not cruel, at least to us above ground. He sees his workers in the mines as nothing more than animals."
A look of sadness crossed the young man's face.
"That is one thing I would hope to correct if I am made ruler later."
"Then will you help us?"
"I may. Let me see what I can do and I will find a reason to come down here and talk with you tonight or first thing tomorrow."
"What about Obi-Wan? When his he due to have another treatment?"
"Don't worry that will not happen for a day or two. The healers want him to feel better before another treatment is done. You see, we really are not that barbaric to our own."
The young man left. Jinn sat and waited to see if Kylon would think through and agree with his idea. That would be their only way out, especially if they hoped to take Obi-Wan with them…………Kylon came back that evening and agreed with the Jedi to help them.
"There must be no one injured during your escape. If you try to harm any of my people in your escape then I will just as quickly turn on you. I will try to get your sabers. I have a small ship in hiding waiting on you. I should be able to get the boy for you."
"I won't leave without Obi-Wan."
"It would not serve my purpose in helping you if you left without him .There is only one problem, I won't be able to help you until the day after tomorrow. I am afraid that Obi-Wan will have another mind sweep treatment, the day before that. You will have to take him as he is." The mind sweep will still not be complete, so hopefully he will have enough of his own memories intact that he can be salvaged as a Jedi. That is not my problem. You will have to deal with how ever he is."
"Is there no chance that you can help us before another treatment is done to Obi-Wan?"
Jinn clearly did not like the idea of his apprentice having another treatment to clear his mind of his past memories.."
What I have laid out before you is the best I can do. Take it or leave it. Be weary though Master Jedi. I am your only chance. I am truly sorry about the boy's mind. If he is strong in the Jedi ways then quite possibly his mind can be totally retrieved with someone diligently retraining him. So are we a "go" for day after tomorrow or not."
"Yes. Please do no think I am ungrateful, too the contrary; I would like to have my padawan back as he was, but I will take him any way I can get him."
That evening in the darkness of their cell, Qui-Gon could feel Xanatos' anger. One would not need the force or a bond to denote Xanatos' disagreeing attitude.
"Well out with it Padawan Xanatos. Just what are your concerns about this plan? I know you are not happy with the way I am handling the situation."
"It's not that master. I just hate to think of you throwing your life away if we do a manage to get out of here. Obi-Wan will in no way be prepared to carry on with his training. He will need extensive retraining before he can continue with his padawanship. For you to say you plan to keep him is absurd. I don't think the council will even agree to that. He will not be a Jedi."
"I think we should get out of here before you worry about the future so. Live in the moment. I have always tried to teach you and Obi-Wan that. You seemed to have forgotten it."
"No, my master, I have not forgotten. I just worry about you, that is are all. I mean I won't be able to finish my training if you can not live at the temple."
"Is that what it comes down to Xani, what will happen to you? I will not neglect your training no more than I would Obi's. Don't you see, I just will not send him away somewhere? That would not help him regain his memory. We will deal with it when we are faced with it. I just hope that our escape goes without a hitch and we can indeed get of this planet alive, all three of us .We will deal with the other things later, when we have too.
The day of their planned escape finally arrived. They had heard nothing from Kylon and Jinn was exceedingly anxious to find out how his younger padawan was.
Kylon came down to where the two Jedi were hard at work in the mines. He signaled the guards to move away so he could speak with the master and his apprentice.
"Everything is planned. I am going to tell the guards I have been sent for you. They will put cuffs and leg manacles on you so you can go up with me. We will be going through a tunnel down here. I have the boy waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. I will get the cuffs off of you and give you directions on how to find the ship. From there you are on your own. "
"Thank You. How is Obi-Wan?"
"Well he is alright. I had to tape his feet together and gag him. You must remember he knows me no more than he will remember you. It might be best to keep him secured until you are on the ship. I would hate for him to yell and draw attention to you or worse yet get away from you and escape."
"Are you sure he will not remember me?"
"Master Jinn I am not sure he even knows his name or age. I assure you he will not remember you. He had quite a long session with the healers and I think the last mind sweep therapy was long and more intense than the first. I truly don't know what his mind state is. That will be for you to assess, once you are off the planet."
Everything went without hitch.
What alarmed the master most was his pad wan, Obi-Wan.
The boy had a wild terrified look on his face. He definitely did not recognize his master or Xanatos. Jinn knew when he first saw him that he could not untie him or even remove the gag from his mouth. They would have to wait until they reached the ship to try to reason with the boy and then maybe it would still be useless.
Jinn hoped that things would be better once they were on the ship. In truth they got worse. Master Jinn began flying the ship and sent Xanatos to undo and ungag Obi-Wan. A blood curdling screech could be heard, followed by unsavory words that Qui-Gon did not even know Xanatos used.
"What's wrong back there?"
Out of the room in the back, Xanatos came dragging a very disgruntled Obi-Wan with him.
"I will tell you what is wrong. The brat bit me. He drew blood."
While still holding Obi-Wan with a very tight grip, he showed Qui-Gon his other hand that had blood dripping down it.
"Just a minute. Let me get us safely out of the Zarcodian quadrant and I will take Obi-Wan. You can get that bite taken care of. You wouldn't want to get an infection."
"I don't know what you plan to do with him Master. They will not even let him in the temple if they know how treacherous he is."
"I don't think biting you classifies him as being "treacherous". I think it makes him scared. Am I right Obi-Wan?"
"I don't know you .Why have you kidnapped me? I wish to go back to where I belong."
"Young one, we are your rescuers, not your kidnappers. You belong with us. Maybe you will see that later. At least you know your name."
"Of course I know my name. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi and I belong with my master, King Gerbyn. You might be this one's master, but you are not mine."
Obi-Wan nodded toward Xanatos in a very unfriendly way.
Jinn pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes hoping to ward off a headache that was threatening to take over.
"Well hopefully we can get you back to thinking more clearly once we are home and the Jedi healers look at you."
"I don't want any Jedi healers looking at me. There is no telling what kind of experiments they will do on me. I am not even sure I care for the JedI in any way. King Gerbyn do not hold you in very high regard. In fact I know you are suppose to be down in the mines with the common prisoners, the scum of the planet."
Jinn got up from his seat and took Obi-Wan, still not letting him have full rein of the ship. The master chose to ignore Obi-Wan's last words because he knew the boy was not thinking with a clear mind. He had been poisoned by the lies King Gerbyn had planted in his mind.
"The healers will not harm you. Your thoughts are just confused. You belong with the Jedi and with me. I am your master. For now you may call me master or Qui-Gon or whatever you like, but you young man are going to sit down in this seat beside of me and act like the epitome of goodness."
Jinn gingerly shoved his apprentice down in the seat beside the pilot's seat.
"If you won't stay there and do as you are told then I will have Xanatos tie you to the seat and put the gag back on."
Jinn did not want to seem cruel but he felt sternness was the only way to get through to his apprentice right now.
To accent what he was saying, Qui-Gon put one of his hands of each of Obi's shoulders. He noticed that Obi-Wan turned with an opened mouth as if to bite his master. Jinn quickly removed his hands to keep from being bitten by his youngest padawan. He reached down and turned the boy's face up by his chin to meet the master's dark blue eyes.
"We will also have no more biting of any other Jedi, myself included. Is that understood Obi-Wan?……….."
PEACE ewen
Their dinner consisted of some obnoxious looking gruel and dried bread. There was hardly even enough water to go around and it had to be shared in one container by all the men. Between the stench of the men and the smell of the distasteful gruel, Xanatos almost became ill.
"Master, we have to find a way out of here. I can't handle this."
"Qui-Gon who had been taking all the nastiness in with all the Jedi stoicism that he had.
"I think we have to be able to find a way to retrieve Obi-Wan before we attempt a way out of here."
"See Master, I beg to differ. There is no way we can save ourselves and Obi-Wan too. They probably have started the mind sweep by now. The boy has already probably lost part of his memory. "
"That may be so. They may have started the procedure, but I know it will take more than a day to complete it. We have to try to get him out before it is completed."
"And if we are successful enough to save Obi-Wan from staying here but not from the mind sweep, what then.?"
"Then he will still be my ward; in my care. If his Jedi training can not be replanted in his mind, then I will leave the Jedi and care for him, but I will not leave him."
Xanatos thought his master was not thinking clearly. The Jedi were his life. How could he just leave it to care for a normal boy, as Obi-Wan would be if the mind sweep was successful?
Xani did not want to upset his master further. His only thought was for himself and Jinn escaping, if they had to drag Obi with them then hopefully it would be done quickly before they ended up stuck in the minds for ten years.
The next morning was a beginning of a very early day. Long before daylight the men in the communal cell along with the Jedi were forced to get up. The very same noxious smelling and looking meal was served. Qui-Gon tried to encourage Xanatos to eat. He reasoned they both would need their strength and that food would be the only way they could achieve any strength, with their Jedi powers gone.
It was toward the middle of the day when the men were given a fifteen minute break and something to drink. The Jedi were informed that mid-meal was non-existent for the slavers, as they were now called.
Jinn looked up while on break to see the entourage of the diplomats, including King Gerbyn, coming toward them. The King kept a large hanky over his mouth as if offended by the very air in the mines.
The entourage walked right up to where Master Jinn and Padawan Xanatos sat.
"I have some questions for you. There are some things I would like to know about the young Jedi now in my care. I want to know the foods he likes or dislikes. l would like to know also of his studies and how he spends his spare time, just things that will help him adjust to his new life here. You and your other young friend will be escorted back to the cell for a more private conversation. I will leave my assistant with you to take down all the information I need."
Xanatos was extremely thankful for the reprieve from the work in the mines, even if it was only for the afternoon. He was already worn out.
From behind the King stepped a good looking humanoid. His name, the Jedi found out later was Kylon. He, like Obi-Wan had been kidnapped. He also like Obi-Wan had been under training to assist the King, but when Obi-Wan was captured he had to step down and become assistant to the King in favor of Obi-Wan being groomed by the King to take over. The King seemed not to be able to make up his mind. The King also seemed to have a fascination with people of humanoid descent.
### Back in the cell ######
The young man, Kylon, asked various questions about Obi-Wan; what did he like to eat, was he good with academic studies, how old he was, just things the King wanted to know.
Jinn sat and listened to the young man before him. Kylon had beautiful dark creamed skin. He was to Jinn's knowledge from an unknown humanoid descent.
"May I ask how long you have been here?"
"I was not sent here for you to question me, but I have been here for ten years. I assumed I was being groomed to take over for my king, but I see now I have been replaced by your Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Qui-Gon could see he was very loyal to his king.
"So, did that upset you?"
"It is none of your business. I have been treated as a family member would be all my life. I have had the best schooling, clothes, food, whatever I want. If my King chooses to replace me then it is his decision and I will follow that. I have no complaints, none."
"But if Obi-Wan escaped from here then you would get your place back, would you not?"
"Yes I suppose I would. But know this Jedi; no one has ever escaped from my king's mines. You a will not be the first. You don't even have the use of the force here."
"How do you know that?"
"You are not the first force sensitive here. There may been others before you and they like you have not been able to use the force."
"Are they still here?"
"No, the only one here died several years ago, when I was first brought here."
"If we had someone to help us escape, then you would be given your place back as the successor to the King."
Jinn planted a seed in Kylons mind, as he pretended to be finishing up the reports he had gotten for the King. The guards came by but he waved them off explaining he needed another fifteen minutes.
"So you're saying that if I were to help you get "your" Obi-Wan out of here, then I possibly could be back in place to be my King's successor?"
"Exactly."
"I might think on it. But know this, they have already started the mind sweep. The Kenobi child has had the first treatment of the mind sweep. It is not a pleasant thing. But when I saw him, he had little more than a headache from it. I think his nausea had ceased."
The knowledge that the treatment started gripped at Qui-Gon's heart.
"Is he feeling better?"
"He seemed to be. The king will of course have him given medicine if the little Jedi needs it. My king is not cruel, at least to us above ground. He sees his workers in the mines as nothing more than animals."
A look of sadness crossed the young man's face.
"That is one thing I would hope to correct if I am made ruler later."
"Then will you help us?"
"I may. Let me see what I can do and I will find a reason to come down here and talk with you tonight or first thing tomorrow."
"What about Obi-Wan? When his he due to have another treatment?"
"Don't worry that will not happen for a day or two. The healers want him to feel better before another treatment is done. You see, we really are not that barbaric to our own."
The young man left. Jinn sat and waited to see if Kylon would think through and agree with his idea. That would be their only way out, especially if they hoped to take Obi-Wan with them…………Kylon came back that evening and agreed with the Jedi to help them.
"There must be no one injured during your escape. If you try to harm any of my people in your escape then I will just as quickly turn on you. I will try to get your sabers. I have a small ship in hiding waiting on you. I should be able to get the boy for you."
"I won't leave without Obi-Wan."
"It would not serve my purpose in helping you if you left without him .There is only one problem, I won't be able to help you until the day after tomorrow. I am afraid that Obi-Wan will have another mind sweep treatment, the day before that. You will have to take him as he is." The mind sweep will still not be complete, so hopefully he will have enough of his own memories intact that he can be salvaged as a Jedi. That is not my problem. You will have to deal with how ever he is."
"Is there no chance that you can help us before another treatment is done to Obi-Wan?"
Jinn clearly did not like the idea of his apprentice having another treatment to clear his mind of his past memories.."
What I have laid out before you is the best I can do. Take it or leave it. Be weary though Master Jedi. I am your only chance. I am truly sorry about the boy's mind. If he is strong in the Jedi ways then quite possibly his mind can be totally retrieved with someone diligently retraining him. So are we a "go" for day after tomorrow or not."
"Yes. Please do no think I am ungrateful, too the contrary; I would like to have my padawan back as he was, but I will take him any way I can get him."
That evening in the darkness of their cell, Qui-Gon could feel Xanatos' anger. One would not need the force or a bond to denote Xanatos' disagreeing attitude.
"Well out with it Padawan Xanatos. Just what are your concerns about this plan? I know you are not happy with the way I am handling the situation."
"It's not that master. I just hate to think of you throwing your life away if we do a manage to get out of here. Obi-Wan will in no way be prepared to carry on with his training. He will need extensive retraining before he can continue with his padawanship. For you to say you plan to keep him is absurd. I don't think the council will even agree to that. He will not be a Jedi."
"I think we should get out of here before you worry about the future so. Live in the moment. I have always tried to teach you and Obi-Wan that. You seemed to have forgotten it."
"No, my master, I have not forgotten. I just worry about you, that is are all. I mean I won't be able to finish my training if you can not live at the temple."
"Is that what it comes down to Xani, what will happen to you? I will not neglect your training no more than I would Obi's. Don't you see, I just will not send him away somewhere? That would not help him regain his memory. We will deal with it when we are faced with it. I just hope that our escape goes without a hitch and we can indeed get of this planet alive, all three of us .We will deal with the other things later, when we have too.
The day of their planned escape finally arrived. They had heard nothing from Kylon and Jinn was exceedingly anxious to find out how his younger padawan was.
Kylon came down to where the two Jedi were hard at work in the mines. He signaled the guards to move away so he could speak with the master and his apprentice.
"Everything is planned. I am going to tell the guards I have been sent for you. They will put cuffs and leg manacles on you so you can go up with me. We will be going through a tunnel down here. I have the boy waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. I will get the cuffs off of you and give you directions on how to find the ship. From there you are on your own. "
"Thank You. How is Obi-Wan?"
"Well he is alright. I had to tape his feet together and gag him. You must remember he knows me no more than he will remember you. It might be best to keep him secured until you are on the ship. I would hate for him to yell and draw attention to you or worse yet get away from you and escape."
"Are you sure he will not remember me?"
"Master Jinn I am not sure he even knows his name or age. I assure you he will not remember you. He had quite a long session with the healers and I think the last mind sweep therapy was long and more intense than the first. I truly don't know what his mind state is. That will be for you to assess, once you are off the planet."
Everything went without hitch.
What alarmed the master most was his pad wan, Obi-Wan.
The boy had a wild terrified look on his face. He definitely did not recognize his master or Xanatos. Jinn knew when he first saw him that he could not untie him or even remove the gag from his mouth. They would have to wait until they reached the ship to try to reason with the boy and then maybe it would still be useless.
Jinn hoped that things would be better once they were on the ship. In truth they got worse. Master Jinn began flying the ship and sent Xanatos to undo and ungag Obi-Wan. A blood curdling screech could be heard, followed by unsavory words that Qui-Gon did not even know Xanatos used.
"What's wrong back there?"
Out of the room in the back, Xanatos came dragging a very disgruntled Obi-Wan with him.
"I will tell you what is wrong. The brat bit me. He drew blood."
While still holding Obi-Wan with a very tight grip, he showed Qui-Gon his other hand that had blood dripping down it.
"Just a minute. Let me get us safely out of the Zarcodian quadrant and I will take Obi-Wan. You can get that bite taken care of. You wouldn't want to get an infection."
"I don't know what you plan to do with him Master. They will not even let him in the temple if they know how treacherous he is."
"I don't think biting you classifies him as being "treacherous". I think it makes him scared. Am I right Obi-Wan?"
"I don't know you .Why have you kidnapped me? I wish to go back to where I belong."
"Young one, we are your rescuers, not your kidnappers. You belong with us. Maybe you will see that later. At least you know your name."
"Of course I know my name. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi and I belong with my master, King Gerbyn. You might be this one's master, but you are not mine."
Obi-Wan nodded toward Xanatos in a very unfriendly way.
Jinn pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes hoping to ward off a headache that was threatening to take over.
"Well hopefully we can get you back to thinking more clearly once we are home and the Jedi healers look at you."
"I don't want any Jedi healers looking at me. There is no telling what kind of experiments they will do on me. I am not even sure I care for the JedI in any way. King Gerbyn do not hold you in very high regard. In fact I know you are suppose to be down in the mines with the common prisoners, the scum of the planet."
Jinn got up from his seat and took Obi-Wan, still not letting him have full rein of the ship. The master chose to ignore Obi-Wan's last words because he knew the boy was not thinking with a clear mind. He had been poisoned by the lies King Gerbyn had planted in his mind.
"The healers will not harm you. Your thoughts are just confused. You belong with the Jedi and with me. I am your master. For now you may call me master or Qui-Gon or whatever you like, but you young man are going to sit down in this seat beside of me and act like the epitome of goodness."
Jinn gingerly shoved his apprentice down in the seat beside the pilot's seat.
"If you won't stay there and do as you are told then I will have Xanatos tie you to the seat and put the gag back on."
Jinn did not want to seem cruel but he felt sternness was the only way to get through to his apprentice right now.
To accent what he was saying, Qui-Gon put one of his hands of each of Obi's shoulders. He noticed that Obi-Wan turned with an opened mouth as if to bite his master. Jinn quickly removed his hands to keep from being bitten by his youngest padawan. He reached down and turned the boy's face up by his chin to meet the master's dark blue eyes.
"We will also have no more biting of any other Jedi, myself included. Is that understood Obi-Wan?……….."
PEACE ewen