I just wanted to thank HeidiM, Stephanie and Werewolf, for their feedback!!
I really appreciate it.
I'm almost caught up with the posts on TF.N. Only two more and then you're all stuck waiting. ]:-)
Well, remember to let me know what you think. (
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Watto released Obi-Wan from his daily duties in order to prep the swoop for the upcoming race. The Toydarian needed to go and check out the odds on each of the racers and submit the boy's name for entry. Obi-Wan was excited to be outside of the shop and not have the floating creature riding him all day. Qui-Gon periodically checked on the boy's progress. Satisfied at the moment with the upgrades Qui-Gon headed back inside. Once secluded, he contacted his Padawan. "Yes, Master?" The young man responded.
"If all goes well, we will have our hyperdrive generator by tomorrow afternoon." He informed his apprentice. Quickly, he elaborated on his statement and waited for acknowledgement.
Anakin's pause made Qui-Gon worry, "What if this plan fails, Master? We could be stock here for a very long time." This time the youth could hardly hide his misgivings.
"A ship without a power supply will not get us anywhere. We have no choice." The Master mused. His thoughts began to drift off toward a beacon of light on this dismal planet. However, his attention was brought back to the moment.
"We received a message, Master. I told the Queen not to respond. And that it was a trap. She is very upset." The protégé admitted. Qui-Gon noted the hint of disquiet in his charge's tone.
"You made the right choice." The Knight validated.
"But what if Governor Bibble is telling the truth and the people are dying?" Questioned the Padawan.
Qui-Gon sighed, "Either way we are running out of time." Qui-Gon ended the transmission and headed back out to Obi-Wan.
*****
The Sith Infiltrator landed on a plateau overlooking Tatooine's Dune Sea. Once the transport had settled itself on the ground a hatch opened. A cloaked figure strode down the ramp confidently. The twin suns of the desert planet were drifting out of the sky. Their departure changed the bright blue into a colorful pallet of deep reds and violets. Now at the edge of the cliff, the figure extracted a pair of low light electrobinoculars from under his cloak. Quickly he scanned the horizon and located three cities with in range. Tapping instructions on a wrist controller, three black probe droids flew from the rear of the ship. Each one floated off in a different direction, one droid for each city. The cowled figure smiled wickedly. He could feel the Jedi were somewhere within these towns and he looked forward to confronting them. Sharply turning, the dark form returned to the confines of his ship to track the droids' progress.
*****
Anakin paced their small cabin like a caged Malia. He was anxious to have the Queen back on board. Yes, he and his Master recognized her back at their first meeting on Naboo. Even though the decoy had a remarkable resemblance to the Queen, Anakin felt that she was no substitute. He paused and closed his eyes. In his mind's eye he could see her. The smooth skin. Her enchanting brown eyes. The silken hair forced into extravagant hairstyles. His body was trembling at the mere thought of the monarch. Desperately wanting to touch the image, he tramped down his urges. He knew these feelings were non-Jedi like. And for the first time, he was thankful his Master was not around to see his indiscretion.
Admonishing the sensations corrupting his body, Anakin knelt down to meditate. He needed to cleanse the feelings attempting to over take him.
*****
Dusk had almost vanished into night, barely fending change off. Obi-Wan was finishing his toils on the swoop bike. Now he polished the fresh casings when he sensed the approach of a Jedi Knight. Qui-Gon found the boy still busying himself with the last minute preparations. The Jedi Master quietly took in a quick breath as he gazed upon the finished product. Earlier, he had admired the speeder's crude spectacle. But now the fully encased and trimmed machine astonished the seasoned Jedi. The visage of alloy and wires had completely been transformed into a functional piece of metallic art. It's form sleek and lustrous. The youth painted some decorative designs along some of the panels, giving it an air of extravagant charm. "Simply breathtaking." Managed to escape the tall man's lips. Obi-Wan turned to greet him and produced a resplendent grin.
"You really think so?" Obi-Wan asked excitedly. Taking one last glimpse at the labours of the day, pride reflected in his features at his accomplishment.
"I'm amazed at your skill, little one." Qui-Gon complimented. He ran his hand along forward shafts extending from the body of the vehicle. Obi-Wan stood and moved to rest on a protrusion of the clinic as he gazed up into the night sky. Stars began to emerge from the deep violet blanket of twilight.
"What's it like, Master Qui-Gon, sir?" A contemplative voice questioned the serene man.
"What's what like?" The Knight tried to clarify.
"Freedom." The response was such a simple word but it easily penetrated Qui-Gon's countenance. Qui-Gon absorbed the ethereal semblance perched adjacent to him.
"Not much different, I suppose." He stated knowing all to well; there was a difference. A drastic distinction defined life as a slave and life as an independent person. Yet in some ways they were similar. The boy nodded at Qui-Gon's words. He rationalized the differentiation. Obi-Wan witnessed many injustices and justices while residing with Tyaña. Many patients that received treatment for injuries and illnesses fit into two categories no matter their background. Those who deserved what they got and those that didn't. And no matter what the circumstance or situation, life still trudged on. A new curiosity stuck him.
"What about a Jedi's life." Obi-Wan withdrew his gaze from the stars to watch the Knight. Qui-Gon held the boy's eyes with his own. Awe and wonderment filled the captivating hazel orbs.
Moving to sit next to the youth, Qui-Gon answered, "A Jedi's life is that of servitude. We give ourselves to the Force. And our lives are bequeathed to do it's bidding."
Again Obi-Wan nodded before a smirk formed, "So, not much different." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
Qui-Gon placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and let out a small chuckle. "No, I suppose it isn't, except that we choose our path and are not forced into it." A brief pause hung between them. "Come, Tyaña should be nearly finished with dinner. And you should clean up." The youth's smirk widened. Qui-Gon noticed a small laceration on Obi-Wan's wrist. A thought formulated in his mind. "Let me take a look at that cut first." Obi-Wan offered his arm without question. Qui-Gon pulled a Bacta wipe from an emergency medpac on his belt and cleaned the wound.
"I dreamt I was a Jedi Knight." Said the boy, cutting through Qui-Gon's thoughts. He peered into those compelling eyes, and for a moment something flickered behind the blue-green iris' that vanished before Qui-Gon could identify it. "But I doubt it would ever happen." Qui-Gon could hear mixed emotions in the statement. He produced a comlink chip and wiped a sample of Obi-Wan's blood onto it's surface. The boy noticed the motion. "What are you doing?"
"Checking your blood for infections." Qui-Gon announced.
"Tia can do." Obi-Wan protested, but was cut off by a stern voice.
"Go on, clean up. I'll be waiting for you at the table." Obi-Wan sighed and slide off the ledge. Rushing inside to ready himself for the evening meal, Obi-Wan still questioned the Jedi's explanation.
Qui-Gon watched the boy leave. Once out of sight he contacted the ship. "Anakin, I want you to run an analysis on the blood sample I'm transmitting."
"Of course, Master. What kind of reading do you want?" His faithful protégé quarried.
"A midi-chlorian count."
"It should only take a moment." The pause for the results stretched on forever for the Jedi Master and was discouraged when his Padawan spoke next. "That can't be right. It's impossible."
"What is it? What's wrong?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"There must be something wrong with the results. I'm going to try something quickly. One more moment, Master." Anakin said. The Padawan hastily took a sample of his own blood and ran a comparative analysis or the two specimens. The final figures flabbergasted the apprentice. Qui- Gon could sense his Padawan's distress but before he could inquire further, the pupil spoke. "I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't do it myself."
"I don't understand. Explain it to me, please." The Jedi Knight pleaded.
"The initial results seemed impossible, so I took a sample of my own blood to compare. There are subtle differences, such as blood type, immunities and inoculations, but that only validates the differences. The midi- chlorian is over twenty thousand."
"And what is so odd about that, you're count is." But the elder man was cut off.
"Because Master, it matches my count exactly."
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How's that for a cliffie? Hehe. Don't worry you'll get more tomorrow. Now go and tell me what you think!! ;)
~~Ari
I'm almost caught up with the posts on TF.N. Only two more and then you're all stuck waiting. ]:-)
Well, remember to let me know what you think. (
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------
Watto released Obi-Wan from his daily duties in order to prep the swoop for the upcoming race. The Toydarian needed to go and check out the odds on each of the racers and submit the boy's name for entry. Obi-Wan was excited to be outside of the shop and not have the floating creature riding him all day. Qui-Gon periodically checked on the boy's progress. Satisfied at the moment with the upgrades Qui-Gon headed back inside. Once secluded, he contacted his Padawan. "Yes, Master?" The young man responded.
"If all goes well, we will have our hyperdrive generator by tomorrow afternoon." He informed his apprentice. Quickly, he elaborated on his statement and waited for acknowledgement.
Anakin's pause made Qui-Gon worry, "What if this plan fails, Master? We could be stock here for a very long time." This time the youth could hardly hide his misgivings.
"A ship without a power supply will not get us anywhere. We have no choice." The Master mused. His thoughts began to drift off toward a beacon of light on this dismal planet. However, his attention was brought back to the moment.
"We received a message, Master. I told the Queen not to respond. And that it was a trap. She is very upset." The protégé admitted. Qui-Gon noted the hint of disquiet in his charge's tone.
"You made the right choice." The Knight validated.
"But what if Governor Bibble is telling the truth and the people are dying?" Questioned the Padawan.
Qui-Gon sighed, "Either way we are running out of time." Qui-Gon ended the transmission and headed back out to Obi-Wan.
*****
The Sith Infiltrator landed on a plateau overlooking Tatooine's Dune Sea. Once the transport had settled itself on the ground a hatch opened. A cloaked figure strode down the ramp confidently. The twin suns of the desert planet were drifting out of the sky. Their departure changed the bright blue into a colorful pallet of deep reds and violets. Now at the edge of the cliff, the figure extracted a pair of low light electrobinoculars from under his cloak. Quickly he scanned the horizon and located three cities with in range. Tapping instructions on a wrist controller, three black probe droids flew from the rear of the ship. Each one floated off in a different direction, one droid for each city. The cowled figure smiled wickedly. He could feel the Jedi were somewhere within these towns and he looked forward to confronting them. Sharply turning, the dark form returned to the confines of his ship to track the droids' progress.
*****
Anakin paced their small cabin like a caged Malia. He was anxious to have the Queen back on board. Yes, he and his Master recognized her back at their first meeting on Naboo. Even though the decoy had a remarkable resemblance to the Queen, Anakin felt that she was no substitute. He paused and closed his eyes. In his mind's eye he could see her. The smooth skin. Her enchanting brown eyes. The silken hair forced into extravagant hairstyles. His body was trembling at the mere thought of the monarch. Desperately wanting to touch the image, he tramped down his urges. He knew these feelings were non-Jedi like. And for the first time, he was thankful his Master was not around to see his indiscretion.
Admonishing the sensations corrupting his body, Anakin knelt down to meditate. He needed to cleanse the feelings attempting to over take him.
*****
Dusk had almost vanished into night, barely fending change off. Obi-Wan was finishing his toils on the swoop bike. Now he polished the fresh casings when he sensed the approach of a Jedi Knight. Qui-Gon found the boy still busying himself with the last minute preparations. The Jedi Master quietly took in a quick breath as he gazed upon the finished product. Earlier, he had admired the speeder's crude spectacle. But now the fully encased and trimmed machine astonished the seasoned Jedi. The visage of alloy and wires had completely been transformed into a functional piece of metallic art. It's form sleek and lustrous. The youth painted some decorative designs along some of the panels, giving it an air of extravagant charm. "Simply breathtaking." Managed to escape the tall man's lips. Obi-Wan turned to greet him and produced a resplendent grin.
"You really think so?" Obi-Wan asked excitedly. Taking one last glimpse at the labours of the day, pride reflected in his features at his accomplishment.
"I'm amazed at your skill, little one." Qui-Gon complimented. He ran his hand along forward shafts extending from the body of the vehicle. Obi-Wan stood and moved to rest on a protrusion of the clinic as he gazed up into the night sky. Stars began to emerge from the deep violet blanket of twilight.
"What's it like, Master Qui-Gon, sir?" A contemplative voice questioned the serene man.
"What's what like?" The Knight tried to clarify.
"Freedom." The response was such a simple word but it easily penetrated Qui-Gon's countenance. Qui-Gon absorbed the ethereal semblance perched adjacent to him.
"Not much different, I suppose." He stated knowing all to well; there was a difference. A drastic distinction defined life as a slave and life as an independent person. Yet in some ways they were similar. The boy nodded at Qui-Gon's words. He rationalized the differentiation. Obi-Wan witnessed many injustices and justices while residing with Tyaña. Many patients that received treatment for injuries and illnesses fit into two categories no matter their background. Those who deserved what they got and those that didn't. And no matter what the circumstance or situation, life still trudged on. A new curiosity stuck him.
"What about a Jedi's life." Obi-Wan withdrew his gaze from the stars to watch the Knight. Qui-Gon held the boy's eyes with his own. Awe and wonderment filled the captivating hazel orbs.
Moving to sit next to the youth, Qui-Gon answered, "A Jedi's life is that of servitude. We give ourselves to the Force. And our lives are bequeathed to do it's bidding."
Again Obi-Wan nodded before a smirk formed, "So, not much different." His eyes twinkled with mischief.
Qui-Gon placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and let out a small chuckle. "No, I suppose it isn't, except that we choose our path and are not forced into it." A brief pause hung between them. "Come, Tyaña should be nearly finished with dinner. And you should clean up." The youth's smirk widened. Qui-Gon noticed a small laceration on Obi-Wan's wrist. A thought formulated in his mind. "Let me take a look at that cut first." Obi-Wan offered his arm without question. Qui-Gon pulled a Bacta wipe from an emergency medpac on his belt and cleaned the wound.
"I dreamt I was a Jedi Knight." Said the boy, cutting through Qui-Gon's thoughts. He peered into those compelling eyes, and for a moment something flickered behind the blue-green iris' that vanished before Qui-Gon could identify it. "But I doubt it would ever happen." Qui-Gon could hear mixed emotions in the statement. He produced a comlink chip and wiped a sample of Obi-Wan's blood onto it's surface. The boy noticed the motion. "What are you doing?"
"Checking your blood for infections." Qui-Gon announced.
"Tia can do." Obi-Wan protested, but was cut off by a stern voice.
"Go on, clean up. I'll be waiting for you at the table." Obi-Wan sighed and slide off the ledge. Rushing inside to ready himself for the evening meal, Obi-Wan still questioned the Jedi's explanation.
Qui-Gon watched the boy leave. Once out of sight he contacted the ship. "Anakin, I want you to run an analysis on the blood sample I'm transmitting."
"Of course, Master. What kind of reading do you want?" His faithful protégé quarried.
"A midi-chlorian count."
"It should only take a moment." The pause for the results stretched on forever for the Jedi Master and was discouraged when his Padawan spoke next. "That can't be right. It's impossible."
"What is it? What's wrong?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"There must be something wrong with the results. I'm going to try something quickly. One more moment, Master." Anakin said. The Padawan hastily took a sample of his own blood and ran a comparative analysis or the two specimens. The final figures flabbergasted the apprentice. Qui- Gon could sense his Padawan's distress but before he could inquire further, the pupil spoke. "I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't do it myself."
"I don't understand. Explain it to me, please." The Jedi Knight pleaded.
"The initial results seemed impossible, so I took a sample of my own blood to compare. There are subtle differences, such as blood type, immunities and inoculations, but that only validates the differences. The midi- chlorian is over twenty thousand."
"And what is so odd about that, you're count is." But the elder man was cut off.
"Because Master, it matches my count exactly."
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How's that for a cliffie? Hehe. Don't worry you'll get more tomorrow. Now go and tell me what you think!! ;)
~~Ari