Title: Soulhunters
Author: Jedi-Nifet
Summary: The seemingly routine mission, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and one of the Padawans are sent onto, turns out to be much more dangerous than originally anticipated.
Big thanks to my beta-reader Aunecah_Skywalker :)
// denotes speaking through the Force
italics denotes personal thoughts
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Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi was so engrossed in his studies that he didn't notice his Master coming into their shared quarters at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. For a moment the Master just stood there, watching his 18-year-old Padawan fondly. The boy was crouched on a couch, his eyes fixed on a datapad in his hands, his braid dangling from behind his right ear. It was constantly falling onto the screen and the boy unconsciously brushed it away once in a while. A little smile crept onto the Master's face. Obi-Wan huffed in irritation and scrolled a few pages back. Qui-Gon decided it was time to make his presence known.
"Padawan."
At the sound of his Master's voice Obi-Wan raised his head, startled, but quickly recovered and looked at the older man questionably.
"The Council wishes to see us," Qui-Gon continued, seeing that he had his Padawan's full attention.
The boy put his datapad aside looking like he was glad to get away from it for a while, then got up and followed his Master out of the room.
"Do you think they will send us on a mission?" Obi-Wan asked on their way to the Council Chamber.
The last time they had had a mission two months ago. It ended, as usual, in the Healer's Ward. It amazed everyone how this pair always managed to end up there. Rumors and jokes about their 'love' to the Healer's Ward traveled around the Temple, which was on this account no different from any other closed community. But now both Master and his Padawan were ready to go back into the field.
"This is most probable." Qui-Gon knew that his Padawan was bored from staying at the Temple. Besides all of his friends were away on missions.
With that they came to the doors of the Council Chamber. The girl at the reception desk nodded to them, letting them know they could enter, and they proceeded inside the Council Chamber.
Obi-Wan always felt a bit nervous and excited at once walking through these doors before the mission. There were already two persons standing in the middle of the circle room: Master Ka'Niel and his Padawan Kamon Turnell. Master Ka'Niel was a revered Jedi, wide known for his fighting skills. He was rumored to be one of the best. The yellow twi'lek turned his head to the newcomers and slightly inclined it in greeting. Padawan Turnell - a human boy about Obi-Wan's age with black hair and dark brown, almost black, eyes - also turned his head. The Padawans – being old friends – exchanged glances in greeting behind their Masters' backs.
//Don't loose your focus, Padawan,// Obi-Wan heard through his bond with Qui-Gon and once again wondered if his Master had eyes on the back of his head.
//Yes, Master,// was the Padawan's obedient reply.
"A mission for you we have" Yoda started. His green sleepy eyes slowly opened to regard each Master/Padawan team in turn.
"There is a trade dispute on planet Allura. They asked for Jedi as mediators," Mace Windu continued. "Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi are assigned to this mission. Padawan Turnell will also accompany you."
No one was surprised at this - Qui-Gon Jinn was a renowned negotiator, one of the best in the Order. Any Padawan would be glad to learn from such a Master. Needless to say that Padawan Turnell was overjoyed, which earned him a reprimand from his Master through their bond.
"All the information you'll need is in your datapads. Your transport leaves in two hours. May the Force be with you" Windu finished.
Qui-Gon bowed to the Council, turned and left the chamber. Both Padawans followed suit. Ka'Niel stayed where his was apparently for the further briefing.
As soon as they were out of the hearing range of the Council Padawans almost jumped in excitement. They haven't seen each other for almost half a year and had much to discuss. The boys were about to start a brisk talk when they heard Qui-Gon's stern voice:
"Come, Padawan. We have packing to do. I believe Padawan Turnell has some business of his own to take care of." The Master;s voice sounded stern, but inside he still remembered himself being this young. "Besides you'll have nine hours to talk abroad the ship," he added in a warmer voice.
"See you later, then" Obi-Wan said to his friend and rushed to catch up to his Master who already started to walk to their quarters with his usual fast pace.
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Two hours later the three Jedi arrived at the docking bay of the Temple. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stood at the ship's ramp waiting for Kamon to join them. To their right, Master Ka'Niel was giving him some last instructions. Finally, when his mentor finished his instructions, Kamon gave him an affectionate hug, then turned and walked over to the two waiting for him.
"Are you ready?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Yes, Master Jinn."
"Good. We can inform the pilot that he may take off. Padawan, would you please do that?"
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied obediently.
He disappeared into the cockpit while Qui-Gon and Kamon strapped themselves in their seats. When Obi-Wan returned a little while later and strapped himself in his seat the ship took off. It zipped past the traffic of Coruscant and out of the planet's atmosphere. Few minutes later, when the ship jumped into hyperspace, the stars on the black cover of the sky turned from shining dots to burning streaks.
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As soon as the ship entered hyperspace the Jedi started to review the upcoming mission. It seemed to be a simple one with no danger looming over the horizon. But Obi-Wan couldn't get rid of a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. At first he wanted to tell his Master. But… he knew perfectly well what will come next: the lecture about keeping his focus on the moment. Through the years, he became tired of it. Besides the feeling wasn't connected to their mission; and, frankly speaking, it was rather faint. It wasn't his usual "bad feeling", just something unsettling. So instead of telling anyone about it he pushed it into the farthest corner of his mind.
*******************
At last the boys were left on their own. Qui-Gon retired to a separate room for meditation.
"So what shall we do now?" Kamon asked, looking around for any clue of a good occupation. They had at least four more hours to entertain themselves.
"What about taking a closer look at the ship?" - Obi-Wan winked at him.
"You do remember what happened the last time we took that 'closer look', don't you?" asked the other Padawan with mock seriousness.
"Of course I do" - laughed Obi-Wan. - "It doesn't happen every day that pilots forbid us to come close to their ship ever again."
"And I heard this very ship will take us back from this mission. What would we do if he orders us out of his ship and forbids to return?" asked Kamon half worriedly and half jokingly.
"We will not touch anything," said Obi-Wan dismissively. "Just take a look. I've never seen engines of this type" - Obi-Wan's eyes were bright with anticipation.
"Oh
no. That gleam in your eyes means nothing good." said
Kamon, but he was
as excited as Obi-Wan was.
They quietly slipped past the room Qui-Gon was in and headed down to the engine room.
*******************
It was hour and a half before landing. Everything was quiet. That was exactly what worried Qui-Gon. So he decided to go check on his two charges. He walked over to the room they stayed in and peeked inside. The mystery of the unnatural silence was solved: the boys weren't there.
Where could they have gone, wondered the Jedi Master. He wasn't looking forward to searching high and low for two wayward apprentices that managed to get lost (at least from his point of view) in a relatively small ship.
"I had my hands full with one Padawan" - mumbled Qui-Gon under his breath. - "Very nice of the Council to give me a second one on this mission" Letting the Force guide him he descended into the engine's room. The hole in the wall devoid of any light drew his attention.
"Obi-Wan, are you in there?" - asked Qui-Gon looking down into the black hole.
"Yes, Master" - came the muffled voice of his Padawan.
"What are you doing in there?"
"Nothing, Master"
"And where's Padawan Turnell?"
"He's here with me"
"What is he doing?"
"Helping me, Master"
Qui-Gon couldn't keep the smile from spreading on his face. He also hoped that the ship wouldn't fall apart.
"You both stop doing your nothing and come out here"
"Yes, Master"
The two boys got out of the hole, one by one. Qui-Gon couldn't help but laugh at their sight. They looked at each other, confused, and then laughed, too. Both were covered in grime from head to toe.
"Go clean yourselves" - said Qui-Gon finally catching his breath. - "We are to land in an hour"
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