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//How could he do that, project his thoughts into my mind while I am shielded and his powers are diminished greatly with the force collar. He did it at the Inn but I did not try to shield from him then. Now I have every layer of shielding I possess tightly up against his repeated intrusions and still he broke through. And why does he fear the Master Healer? It doesn't make sense.//
"Master, Master did you here me?"
Jinn finally turned and took his eyes from the little former slave. They were far enough away that Qui-Gon could not actually see Obi-Wan, just a silhouette of him through the now misted over window. Obi-Wan stopped wiping his breath from the window to see the transport ship leave. Jinn released his worry for Obi-Wan through the force.
After all, it is unnatural to feel this closeness to him without him being my apprentice. I can't deal with this little orphan and perform my mission at the same time. It is he who insists on this bond. I can't let him interfere with my everyday living and my duties as a Jedi master to Xanatos.
"Master are you listening? Knight Gayron is piloting and he wants you to check the coordinates just to make sure he has them set right."
"Oh, very well Xanatos. I'll go up there now."
Jinn quickly turned and went forward. Master Yoda had sent Knight Gayron with them because he needed field experience. He did not have a padawan. In truth he had only been out on a handful of missions and Yoda wanted him to learn diplomacy from the best. His fighting talents had much to be desired, but he was known to be able to "talk himself out of a paper bag."
Xanatos watched his master disappear to the front of the ship.
We could be off course by a hundred miles and still Master wouldn't be willing to draw himself away from the portal where he watched Obi-Wan. I wonder if he thinks to fool me. He grows closer and closer to the child. The worst part is I don't really care anymore that we currently don't share an opened bond.
Once on the planet they found two bickering sides, one just as equally in the wrong.
Jinn and Gayron spent the first two days just reviewing the agreement on the treaty and making sure each side understood their part in the agreements. They also went over the boundary dividing the land of the two. It was a simple mistake made by one side and escalated to an almost war.
Master Yoda instructed the Jedi to stay there to help with the reorganization again and to see that they did indeed curb their temper. The war torn planet could not stand another civil war. The economics and government system would collapse under the pressure and financial cost of another battle between the two would bankrupt the two governments and their armies.
Under Master's Jinn's cool and calm exterior was a Jedi master being tormented by a little boy's misery. The most powerful and experienced Jedi master to grace the galaxy had his once impenetrable shields breached. They had been prodded and successfully tapped into. How was it done? It was done by a small former slave with no force training and a force collar on.
Obi-Wan had put a chink in the shields of Qui-Gon enough to where Jinn could here him at times and feel his comforts and distress. It was done by a child who repeatedly feigned his ignorance and innocence about the entire phenomenal event. He insisted he took no part in the bond yet Jinn's shields were being stripped away layer by layer by the boy.
It was difficult for Jinn to focus on the mission before him because of a nagging concern for the child. He reasoned it was irrational and that if the boy could penetrate his shields he might possibly be sending confused messages of his demise so that Qui-Gon would return; something which was out of the question until the mission was over.
The child is fine. When I return I plan to get to the bottom of this if I must myself assault his mind, reenter, and this time delve deeper into his thoughts. This has to stop. Of course he is alright, he's in the temple under the Master Healer's care. Even if he became ill he's staying with the right person; the most experienced and trusted healer at the temple
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Obi-Wan sat in a med ward groggy and confused. That is how he spent every afternoon since Master Jinn had been away. Master Healer had assured Yoda that the boy was fine and that his illness did not present itself as violently this time being from Jinn's presence. The opposite was true and Obi-Wan did not know why the healer lied but he was too afraid to tell the truth to Master Yoda when he asked.
Obi-Wan had been given medicine, a sedative that knocked him out every afternoon and when he awoke he felt mentally drained. Somehow Obi-Wan knew this man tried to enter his mind to know of Obi's hidden secrets but Obi refused to give in , evidently because Master Healer Pernile grew angrier at the boy on a daily basis. Obi-Wan was not sure how he had been able to stay this man's persistent attempts to "rape" his mind but he knew he had by the rise out of Pernile he would get when a session was unsuccessfully over.
He would let his mind wander to Master Jinn to override the building sickness and confusion. The treatments Pernile were using and the overwhelming need to be with the master quickly took its toll on Obi-Wan's already deteriorating health.
############
Things were going well with the mission. Late in the evening, with work and diplomacy under control Xanatos excused himself to study for a test he was to take when they returned to the temple. Master Jinn and Knight Gayron sat and talked.
"How is it Knight Gayron, you have yet to take a Padawan. Master Yoda says you are very good with little ones and I know you were with Obi-Wan."
"I have been told that and I also have been told not to worry, they grow up quickly. Nevertheless, I'm just not sure I want to handle someone so young. In a class room that's fine and I don't fear missions for myself. However if I had the added responsibility of a child I am not sure how I would handle that. No, I will wait until I am older. Then maybe I will take one. I hope to take a older padawan that either has lost his master or that can't get along with him. I mean not that I want a master to be killed on a mission to gain a padawan, but reality tells us it does happen. Yes if an opportunity like that arose I would snatch the apprentice up with no problems. I'll just bide my time."
"Well we need good masters and the longer you wait to gain a padawan, the longer it will take for you to become a master."
"Master Jinn you sound like Master Yoda."
"I guess because that is what he preached to me when I was a young Knight and hesitant to take a padawan. But I took one and have never looked back or regretted it."
Jinn wondered if that were true. He suffered from regrets even now. The bond with Xani had always been weak and he wondered whose fault it was.
Maybe neither. Maybe I was not to take Xani. Maybe the force had other plans. Maybe its "other plan" is Obi.
The mental remark to himself stunned him. How could he think like that? Obi-Wan was pulling some kind of devious trick to be able to get him to talk against his padawan, Jinn thought.
What I am saying? That's not true. I think the boy does hold evil in him and now that he has penetrated my shields he puts these thoughts in my head. Maybe the healer is right. The boy will have to go through the force cleansing. I do not want him permanently harmed or killed, but he can't be allowed to take control of me and force his own will on me over mine.
The next days were hard for Master Jinn. His battle to keep Obi-Wan out of his mind was tiring the master and draining all of his force strength. He knew he would have to go home soon or he might become ill from using so much of his force to curb the insistence of the bond to harbor within him.
There was also another troubling occurrence. He had been able to feel another in his mind being projected through to him by the bond with Obi-Wan. It had just started the day after they arrived here for the mission. At first it was a flutter in Jinn's mind. Now it became more and more prevalent, especially each afternoon.
If what the master thought was true then Obi-Wan might be controlled by the dark side for someone else was in his mind, possibly guiding and helping Obi-Wan form a bond with Jinn.
//Could it be that Obi-Wan also shares a bond with the Dark lord, Sidious himself and that is the other person in his mind and now mine? That might be it. That is why the child possesses so much force and is able to penetrate my shields, Sidious must be helping him and telling him what to do. I know for a fact that at times another lurks in Obi-Wan's mind. I feel the other's eerie ominous presence even now within Obi-Wan's sub consciousness.//
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The next two days only brought an intense and increasing need for Qui-Gon to go home, or that was what he felt. He had contacted Yoda and had been assured Obi-Wan was fine. Every time he tried to talk to the former slave however, Master Pernile would tell Master Jinn it was not a good time for a variety of reasons each time.
Qui-Gon was beginning to suspect that the healer did not wish for him to speak with Obi-Wan at all. The master would think how absurd his thoughts were and put them and his worry for Obi-Wan aside in order to deal with the mission at hand..
//I shouldn't be that concerned for him anyway. Nothing will come of this bond. It was built on trickery and deceit by someone. Who I don't know, but his presence is ever increasing in Obi-Wan's mind and that makes his presence be felt in mind. Maybe the healer knows something and wants me not to contact the boy for a good reason. Maybe it could increase the bond. I am sure he only has mine and Obi-Wan's best interest in mind when he keeps me from speaking with him.//
Still the master felt the need to contact the boy. He grew melancholy over not being able to have any visual or vocal contact with Obi-Wan.
Jinn cursed himself for allowing the former slave to manipulate his mind in such a manner that would cause the Jedi master actual pain over not being with him. All the while he assured himself things back on Coruscant were fine, he was thinking of a way to get to the temple quicker than what Yoda said. His former master wanted the team to stay there at least another week. //impossible//, thought Master Jinn. //I have to go back. Why, is something is pulling me back? //
Jinn worked on the paperwork necessary to have ready for the council. Gayron and Xanatos worked with the people making sure they understood all the factions of the treaty. Qui-Gon could not help but notice that Xanatos seemed in a better mood. He occasionally smiled as he laughed and talked to the young Knight while they did their work . Qui-Gon thought it was because they were away from the Kenobi child and that the young Knight in turn was not much older than Xanatos himself.
At least Xanatos had calmed down about their temporary closed off bond. Jinn could not even remember now how it was to have a bond with his padawan. Now all he ever felt was the insistence of Obi's bond to be allowed to form. Jinn continually fought it though.
Yoda commed Master Jinn and Qui-Gon found out he would not have to ask to leave early. Master Yoda wanted them to return "NOW"!
Qui-Gon became alarmed at the urgency in Master Yoda's voice. His face had such a look of concern or call it worry that Master Jinn knew something was wrong, but what?
"Is there a problem?"
"Problem there may be. Not sure I am, but come home you will. Take your ward home with you as soon as you arrive you also will. Something not right there Qui-Gon.. Feel it through the force I do. Child seems ill he does however Pernile insists he's fine. Not sure what it is. Just come home to him now."
Jinn's first inclination was to pack up and leave now, //right now//, he thought. Then the master hesitated.
"Master Yoda do you think it wise for me to let this child control my life? If he is able to control me then why not others at the temple. No I should not just drop everything and go too him in this manner."
"Feel it you have not? Does not the force direct you home to this temple and now? Lie to me Qui-Gon Jinn you will not."
"Yes Master I have even considered calling you and asking you to cut our time short here and let us return. Call it a feeling or.."
"Listen to the force you did not Master. Not wise it is to turn a deaf ear on it. Should have told me your concern before now. Right I am to have you home."
"What if this is not a calling through the force, but some magical devious way Obi has planned to get me back to the temple where with physical and visual contact, the bond will only form more rapidly."
"Of the dark this calling is not. Felt it myself I have Qui-Gon. Assure you of the light it is and problem it will be, if you do not return soon. Reason for rapid return you will not give. Enough it is for the knight and Xanatos to know return now they should. Tell them you will that it my decision to bring you back. TELL NO ONE Qui-Gon. Only yourself and I to know of this. Important to the Jedi this is. Much danger I feel for you and for the little slave Obi-Wan. Rumblings in the force tells me of real danger at this very temple."
Qui-Gon immediately almost in a run found Xani and Gayron. He told them of Master Yoda's abrupt decision to have them return as soon as today to the temple.
Xani as well as the young knight seemed both curious and perplexed by the need for the hasty return, but they did not question the head master of the mission, Qui-Gon. They packed their things and within two hours they were in their little transport with the auto pilot's coordinates set on their destiny, Coruscant.
The feeling of a sense of urgency overwhelmed Qui-Gon as he made sure the settings were correct on the auto pilot.
//How can this boy who has gotten under my skin and has annoyed me in so many ways manage to worm his way in my mind and if I didn't know better, in my heart. First I want to throttle him and accuse him of everything the dark is and the next moment, I see him as a helpless child reaching out for someone to care for him.//
Less than six hours and the ship that carried the Jedi would dock on the landing port high on top of the temple on Coruscant.
Xanatos seemed to feel Jinn's need to be left alone. So did Knight Gayron. Neither were sure of what was going on, even after they in private, without Jinn, they discussed it.
They knew something was indeed wrong for Jinn to be in an almost meditative state the entire trip. He seldom even ate for he could not break his meditations. Extremely unusual for the big master thought Xani. He personally had been with Qui-Gon for several years and had never seen him is such distress.
Jinn had his own personal reasons for being in such a stress. Not three hours after boarding the ship Qui-Gon went into a meditative trance to try to actually link with Obi-Wan. It was dangerous and he knew it. It could have caused the bond Obi-Wan pressed so reverently on Jinn, to form completely. However that did not happen. What alarmed the master so much, was a slight whisper of three words in his mind; HELP ME MASTER.
Obi-Wan's tormented and agonizing plea was followed by a sudden jolt to the Jedi master's mind. The jolt was accompanied by a great deal of blinding pain that signaled the mental disconnecting of Obi-Wan to the master. Jinn remained in the meditative trance trying to make contact with the child again with no success.
He surprised even himself by doing such a thing. However he felt he must know if the child was alright.
//Why after so many relentless and constant attempts to bond with me would the child just withdraw from my mind? I know he lives. I can feel his signature through the force. Did the child do this willingly or was he manipulated into an action he had no intention of doing on his own?//
What Qui-Gon was not aware of was that as he attempted to make contact, Obi-Wan did the same with Qui-Gon. He knew that their mental link or bond had been interrupted in some way. He did not know how or why their connection faltered because he did not know how it established itself in the big master's mind to begin with. That did not keep Obi-Wan from being afraid. He lay on the gurney in the med unit and looked at Master Healer while Pernile prepared another injection for him. Kenobi had a feeling that this master in some way interfered with Master Jinn and his connection. Now Obi-Wan felt alone and empty without what Jinn called their "bond". He knew Master Jinn did not want it but right now Obi-Wan wanted the security of their mental joining more than he did anything in his life.
###Just before Jinn lost contact with Obi-Wan back at the temple!!###
The healer advanced closer and closer to the little slave, a needle in the forefront edged closer to its target, Obi-Wan's arm.
The child had already suffered several bursts of electric power that surged through his mind making him nauseated and disorientated by the confusion the neurons created in his mind. Still he attempted gallantly to stay in some semblance of mental control of his own mind.
"Very soon boy your power will be mine. When I am finished with you, you'll be a babbling idiot and then you'll see how much Master Jinn wants you then to care for. This drug will see to that. Yes after this, the council will be forced to put you in an asylum for the insane."
The last words spoken by Pernile were just a hazy slur of jumbled up words. Obi-Wan's vision and all his other senses dulled as he felt the hot flash of liquid medication coursing though his veins while Pernile roughly jabbed the needle in Obi's arm that injected him with…………?
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Jinn waited at the door of the transport it touched down, to be the first off the ship. He had already instructed his padawan to take their things to their apartment, he would soon be there.
That was not exactly the truth for Jinn was not sure what he would find at the med unit. Yoda had not contacted him with any distressing news, but still Jinn harbored something akin to raw fear. Fear, he as a Jedi master had encountered, however had been able to control it. The magnitude of this fear out weighed any the Master had ever felt through his years. It was hard to disperse such strong feelings of anticipated doom and despair by the master even though he knew his concern was unnatural, uncalled for, and unusual to feel toward someone he shared no bond with.
Jinn almost ran over two initiates hurrying through the hall as he rushed to the med unit.
However once there, he slowed his pace and seemed almost reluctant to open the door with Master Healer Pernile's name on it. He dreaded what he might find out; what condition the boy was in. Jinn had no doubts now that something terribly wrong had occurred and it had to do with the boy, but still he could not even contemplate what he was about to find out.
Qui-Gon hesitated at the door separating him from Master Healer Pernile. His large hand rested on the doorknob and he tried to gain control of his raging thoughts.
//I have to at least seem rational and have a grip on my emotions before I talk with him.//
Qui-Gon closed his eyes, inhaled a large calming breath, and focused on at least appearing to be calm as he turned the door knob to open the door….
Jinn could literally see the surprised shock on the master healer's face when he saw who his uninvited visitor was.
"Ugh.. Well.. Master Jinn this is indeed a surprise. I certainly did not expect you back so soon."
//I am sure you didn't.//
Jinn was not sure why he held so much mistrust and animosity for the healer but he did and he was going to find out why he harbored so much concern for the former slave he rescued and now had put him in danger. Jinn was positive the child was in danger, but why, how, and by whom he was not sure. It was something, some kind of feeling being telepathically sent to him by the force but still he could not reason his outright alarm.
" Master Yoda had us return sooner than even I had anticipated. I have come to take Obi-Wan home."
"Well there could be a problem with that you see…"
Jinn did not let the man finish. He suspected those words to come from the healer and now he wanted to know immediately what the problem could possible be.
"Just what do mean Master Pernile. There should be no problem with Obi-Wan coming home since I am his custodial guardian. He may still return here for the treatments on a regular basis."
" That won't be necessary.... I mean having him return here. In fact I don't think he will be able to leave here until a proper facility is found for him."
Jinn sat down and was immensely glad a chair was almost under him.
"What do you mean facility? Why can't he just come with me now?"
Qui-Gon tried to quell the rising fear that had again enveloped him.
"I hate to tell you this but since you had no true desire to bond with the boy anyway, I don't suppose it will come as such devastating news. I ran into some problems when trying to access Obi-Wan's mind to get to the bottom of this. I really thought I could help him but instead I am afraid I might have done him irreversible damage to his mind. I had the best intentions for him Master Jinn I assure…."
"Just out with it Pernile. What have you done to the child?"
"Master Jinn I resent your inference. We always knew we had to access the boy's mind. You, yourself said it would be necessary to find out if the bond in truth formed from the force or of something as sinister as the dark forces. I, in a way, only did what you asked. I attempted the create an entrance to his mind. Let me explain. I used Neuron electric telepathic trackers on the boy. The amount of neurons sent to the boy's mind was horribly and mistakenly misjudged; the power more than double of what should be sent, shocked Obi-Wan's mind. To put it in simpler terms shall we say Obi-Wan's mind was "fried" by the excessive amounts of the electrical charge.."
Jinn stared up at the master before still not sure he had heard what he just had. The healer was the best the Jedi had and he made such a drastic and devastating mistake?
Qui-Gon could only send a glaring look at Master Pernile as he continued to try to explain the boy's condition.
"I knew he held quite immense power through the force whether light or dark I was still not certain. Though we knew he possessed such force my assistant forgot to adjust the power to compensate for the force collar on him. He adjusted the settings on its highest potential when he read how many midichlorains the boy harbored in his blood stream; sending a massive charge of electric neurons shock to the boy's brain. Quite damaging it was. Also irreversible I am afraid."
"Where is he? I want to see the boy right now. Do you understand, IMMEDIATELY"
Master Healer knew Jinn was reaching a dangerous point of his anger. He had never truly seen this big master exhibit such hostility and it alarmed him. However he must go through with this farce and convince Jinn he did not intend to harm the boy. The opposite though was true.
"Well you are certainly welcome and entitled to see him. However be aware I can not release him to you. While his health is not an issue, his mental competency is. We will have to do mental workup on the boy before we can help him."
"From what you have told me you have helped enough. You have helped into to a life of nothingness. You should have proceeded with the force cleansing. It might not have left such a devastating effect on the boy."
"True Master Jinn, but it was your wish to try not to force cleanse the boy's blood but instead to find the source and reason of the mysterious bond the boy tried to pressure you into. I did what you asked."
"And why wasn't Master Yoda notified?"
"He is the High master of this temple. I was in the process of writing a report, but I did not feel the need to rush down the temple corridors to tell him news of a former slave who had no real connection to this temple other than trying to tamper with your mind Master Jinn. I quite likely have done you a favor. Is not the bond dormant now? You should be able to link uninterrupted and successfully with Padawan Xanatos now. I'm sure that is more a priority for you than worrying about a former slave that you have done all you can for. He is at least out of the grips of the slavers now."
"Yes, he certainly is. And if Obi-Wan is how you have explained him to be, he will live his live devoid of true existence and knowledge of the world around him."
.
Jinn's back was turned as he left to seek Obi out while the Master healer still rambled on. Had it not been turned he would have seen a sinister smirk form on the Master Healer's face as he shouted his last words.
Almost in a tone of maliciousness and cruelty, Pernile gave his opinion of the boy as Jinn headed down the hall to see for himself what kind of condition the boy had been placed in by this "madman".
"Well we all have our fate we are forced to deal with and accept, Master Jinn. Now Obi-Wan Kenobi has been given his."
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Master Yoda entered an obscure little room in the temple's med unit. There was nothing to make the room stand out other than it was off from the others. No it was not for quarantined patients, it was for the mentally insane. It was for one who was suspected of having the capabilities of hurting himself or someone else.
In that room he found Qui-Gon Jinn sitting on the foot of the bed that held the little former slave Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Jinn at first did not even acknowledge his former master's arrival, opting instead to sit there quietly staring at the boy in bed.
Then still without a word he looked over to Master Yoda and the little master could see the pain and concern in every line wrinkled in the master's face. Master Yoda could not help but note how drained physically and mentally his former pad wan looked.
"How Master Yoda. Master Pernile said he did not force cleanse Obi-Wan's blood to destroy his midichlorians. How could he wind up like this?"
It did not take a Jedi or a healer to know the boy was nothing more than a vegetable left in a catatonic state by this neuron treatment of some kind the healer had been doing on Obi-Wan.
Jinn let out a grunt then a mocking laugh of sarcasm.
"Of course Master Pernile said it was a tragic mistake. I think he lies. I think I blamed the wrong person for the evil I felt being emitted from the temple. I think I confused the message. It was not Obi-Wan who held so much dark in him, it was Master Pernile, a Jedi healer."
"A very high Jedi healer he is. Voice accusations like that without proof you should not and will not again. Understand me Padawan? Do this quietly we will. Get to bottom of this we also will."
"Yes, but is it too late for the boy? While I did not want to bond with him, I did not want something like this to happen to him. I would not wish his fate on even my enemies. His mind seems gone."
Obi-Wan's bed sat by the window. What he did at the Jinn's home to amuse himself was to whimsically look out the window at the many various space travel ships that passed. Now he looked out of the window with a cold blank look blanketing his face with seemingly sightless eyes focused forward, never showing even a miniscule twitch to them. His body did not even flinch at the noise Qui-Gon made with the scraping of the chair legs when he moved it to sit on the bed with Obi.
"Tragic it is if the child suffered at the hands of one of our own. Tragic for the Jedi, more so for Kenobi."
" So it is not just I who suspects the master did something intentionally to cause Obi-Wan to be in this state. I know we both felt something through the force. You eluded to that fact when you called me back. Had I just had the foresight not to have left him in the first place."
"Ignorant to the truth I was also Master Jinn. See first if our hunch is correct though we will.."
Jinn watched as Master Yoda pulled out a machine that Masters used when they were in search of babies who might be force sensitives. It was a pocket sized midichlorian counter.
"Master Yoda you said he did not destroy the midichlorians with the force cleansing procedure."
"If correct I am he did not. Did something worse to Obi and himself if what I think is correct. For Obi-Wan can not recover and Healer Pernile will become a criminal Jedi if truth in what I suspect there is."
Yoda proceeded to stick the boy in the finger and squeezed it to allow a drop of blood to flow out on a small piece of glass.
Yoda then put to tiny slide into the midichlorian machine and turned it on. The small humming sound let them both know it was going through the calculus procedure.
Yoda's ears twitched and his face crunched in a frown. The only sound from the wizened master was a low grunt.
"Thought right I did Master Jinn."
"What did you think Master Yoda? What exactly did Master Pernile do to him?"
"Did not destroy the midichlorains Master Pernile stole them he did."
With that Yoda commed security for immediate lockdown of the temple. They had to retrieve the blood harvested from Obi-Wan. Pernile had managed to gather every midichlorian in Obi-Wan's blood in one containment, probably no more than a pint of blood saturated with highly concentrated midichlorians.
In essence he had stolen Obi-Wan's force through his massive midichlorian count. Not only did he do that, he had left the boy's mind nothing but jelly but more than likely intentionally zapped him with high quantities of the electrical charged neurons.
Had Obi-Wan had at least some of his midichlorians he could have tolerated the assault to the force and the neuron shock to his brain, but without his midichlorains there was no way too protect himself and there was no way to rejuvenate his mental nerve endings to come out of this catatonic state he was in.
Qui-Gon tore out of Obi's room but when he got to the healers office he along with his paperwork he needed was already gone. The other papers not needed was everywhere strewn through the office. Jinn then contacted the front gates which was now locked down because Yoda had ordered it.
Master Jinn got bad news when the guard at the gate said that the Master Healer had left not long before the locked down was ordered.
Qui-Gon returned to Obi-Wan to find Master Yoda sitting quietly talking to the boy as if Obi-Wan understood and listened.
For unlike the way Obi-Wan was, while Jinn was there, sedate and calm, when he left the boy became overly agitated and Master Yoda had to use the force plus his calming voice to keep the child in his bed.
Yoda looked up to see Qui-Gon.
"Sad this is. Suppose I do, we can leave him here until other healers confirm what I suspect.
Master Jinn looked at the boy who had returned looking at the window with no indication of comprehending anything.
"Master what is it exactly you suspect?"
"Tell you I should not Master Jinn. For keep him I am sure you will not be willing."
"What do you mean "keep him"? Master he can't do anything for himself."
Then Jinn realized that maybe Obi-Wan did understand what they were saying, just could not respond to it. He thought his next words.
//He is not much more than a vegetable maybe never regaining any of himself back. How can he stay with me? //
Jinn watched as the former slave quickly jerked his head away so that the master could not see his face. Jinn calmly reached over and with one hand turned Obi's face back to meet his.
There on his flushness of Obi-Wan's face perched two tear drops resembling glittering diamonds dotting each cheek; seemingly caught and unwilling to move. Jinn used his oversized calloused thumb to very slowly and gently wipe them away.
//Did you understand what I said?//
There was no outward indication that he understood and Jinn got nothing from their once mental link, but he still believed Obi-Wan knew what he thought and was just not able communicate that knowledge to him.
Sympathy and concern for the child stirred in Master Jinn. He was still hesitant to let go of this boy even though this was a perfect time to do it. No one, not even Master Yoda would blame him for abandoning the boy now in the condition he was in.
Master Yoda had waited to answer Jinn because he could tell the master's mind drifted somewhere else. He waited until he had Qui-Gon's attention before he continued.
"Know that with certainty we do not what the child capable of doing or not doing. Maybe with kindness instead of fear work wonders on the boy it will, maybe not, however seems to me worth a try. Positive I am. Owe it to the boy the Jedi do to at least attempt to help him now that we have done so much damage to him. What one Jedi did to destroy him, the others hold a certain accountability and obligation to this child for it we do. Also when left you did, child became extremely upset. Master Pernile might be wrong about the bond you and Kenobi had. Threads of it there still may be, yet. Boy needs you by his side he does. Decision yours it is solely. Condemn you I will not for whatever decision you make."
"Master neither you or I wanted this for the boy. I am not sure I can care for him in this state. Then of course I want to track down Healer Pernile."
"Wanted it we did not. Stop it though we failed to do. In failing to act on what the warning the force sent both you and I, failed the boy we also did. Tragic. Other Jedi there are to capture Pernile or if worse is worse then take the boy with you."
"Yes master I know we failed miserably and I will have to live with that though I know it is nothing comparable to what Obi-Wan has to live with. You said there might be one hope for the child. What is it? As far as tracking Pernile with Obi-Wan I am not sure that can be done. He's …he's…"
Jinn was still hesitant to say anything outright which was negative toward the child's recovery or condition. He even put his shields in place so the boy would not know what he was thinking just in case Obi-Wan still possessed that capability.
"Need the blood stolen with high concentrate of midichlorains we do. Blood transfusion will insure Obi's well being. His midichlorians will take hold and multiply. However we must retrieve that blood before Master Pernile gives himself a blood transfusion with it. Then I don't think we could succeed in transfusing it to Obi-Wan.. Obi-Wan only grow worse he will without his midichlorains and worse also he will be without you by his side, I fear."
" I will have to think this situation through with Obi-Wan while I pack. For if Pernile and the midichlorian enriched blood is what it takes to get Obi-Wan back to what he was, I will find a way to do it."…………………..
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
PEACE ewen
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//How could he do that, project his thoughts into my mind while I am shielded and his powers are diminished greatly with the force collar. He did it at the Inn but I did not try to shield from him then. Now I have every layer of shielding I possess tightly up against his repeated intrusions and still he broke through. And why does he fear the Master Healer? It doesn't make sense.//
"Master, Master did you here me?"
Jinn finally turned and took his eyes from the little former slave. They were far enough away that Qui-Gon could not actually see Obi-Wan, just a silhouette of him through the now misted over window. Obi-Wan stopped wiping his breath from the window to see the transport ship leave. Jinn released his worry for Obi-Wan through the force.
After all, it is unnatural to feel this closeness to him without him being my apprentice. I can't deal with this little orphan and perform my mission at the same time. It is he who insists on this bond. I can't let him interfere with my everyday living and my duties as a Jedi master to Xanatos.
"Master are you listening? Knight Gayron is piloting and he wants you to check the coordinates just to make sure he has them set right."
"Oh, very well Xanatos. I'll go up there now."
Jinn quickly turned and went forward. Master Yoda had sent Knight Gayron with them because he needed field experience. He did not have a padawan. In truth he had only been out on a handful of missions and Yoda wanted him to learn diplomacy from the best. His fighting talents had much to be desired, but he was known to be able to "talk himself out of a paper bag."
Xanatos watched his master disappear to the front of the ship.
We could be off course by a hundred miles and still Master wouldn't be willing to draw himself away from the portal where he watched Obi-Wan. I wonder if he thinks to fool me. He grows closer and closer to the child. The worst part is I don't really care anymore that we currently don't share an opened bond.
Once on the planet they found two bickering sides, one just as equally in the wrong.
Jinn and Gayron spent the first two days just reviewing the agreement on the treaty and making sure each side understood their part in the agreements. They also went over the boundary dividing the land of the two. It was a simple mistake made by one side and escalated to an almost war.
Master Yoda instructed the Jedi to stay there to help with the reorganization again and to see that they did indeed curb their temper. The war torn planet could not stand another civil war. The economics and government system would collapse under the pressure and financial cost of another battle between the two would bankrupt the two governments and their armies.
Under Master's Jinn's cool and calm exterior was a Jedi master being tormented by a little boy's misery. The most powerful and experienced Jedi master to grace the galaxy had his once impenetrable shields breached. They had been prodded and successfully tapped into. How was it done? It was done by a small former slave with no force training and a force collar on.
Obi-Wan had put a chink in the shields of Qui-Gon enough to where Jinn could here him at times and feel his comforts and distress. It was done by a child who repeatedly feigned his ignorance and innocence about the entire phenomenal event. He insisted he took no part in the bond yet Jinn's shields were being stripped away layer by layer by the boy.
It was difficult for Jinn to focus on the mission before him because of a nagging concern for the child. He reasoned it was irrational and that if the boy could penetrate his shields he might possibly be sending confused messages of his demise so that Qui-Gon would return; something which was out of the question until the mission was over.
The child is fine. When I return I plan to get to the bottom of this if I must myself assault his mind, reenter, and this time delve deeper into his thoughts. This has to stop. Of course he is alright, he's in the temple under the Master Healer's care. Even if he became ill he's staying with the right person; the most experienced and trusted healer at the temple
############
Obi-Wan sat in a med ward groggy and confused. That is how he spent every afternoon since Master Jinn had been away. Master Healer had assured Yoda that the boy was fine and that his illness did not present itself as violently this time being from Jinn's presence. The opposite was true and Obi-Wan did not know why the healer lied but he was too afraid to tell the truth to Master Yoda when he asked.
Obi-Wan had been given medicine, a sedative that knocked him out every afternoon and when he awoke he felt mentally drained. Somehow Obi-Wan knew this man tried to enter his mind to know of Obi's hidden secrets but Obi refused to give in , evidently because Master Healer Pernile grew angrier at the boy on a daily basis. Obi-Wan was not sure how he had been able to stay this man's persistent attempts to "rape" his mind but he knew he had by the rise out of Pernile he would get when a session was unsuccessfully over.
He would let his mind wander to Master Jinn to override the building sickness and confusion. The treatments Pernile were using and the overwhelming need to be with the master quickly took its toll on Obi-Wan's already deteriorating health.
############
Things were going well with the mission. Late in the evening, with work and diplomacy under control Xanatos excused himself to study for a test he was to take when they returned to the temple. Master Jinn and Knight Gayron sat and talked.
"How is it Knight Gayron, you have yet to take a Padawan. Master Yoda says you are very good with little ones and I know you were with Obi-Wan."
"I have been told that and I also have been told not to worry, they grow up quickly. Nevertheless, I'm just not sure I want to handle someone so young. In a class room that's fine and I don't fear missions for myself. However if I had the added responsibility of a child I am not sure how I would handle that. No, I will wait until I am older. Then maybe I will take one. I hope to take a older padawan that either has lost his master or that can't get along with him. I mean not that I want a master to be killed on a mission to gain a padawan, but reality tells us it does happen. Yes if an opportunity like that arose I would snatch the apprentice up with no problems. I'll just bide my time."
"Well we need good masters and the longer you wait to gain a padawan, the longer it will take for you to become a master."
"Master Jinn you sound like Master Yoda."
"I guess because that is what he preached to me when I was a young Knight and hesitant to take a padawan. But I took one and have never looked back or regretted it."
Jinn wondered if that were true. He suffered from regrets even now. The bond with Xani had always been weak and he wondered whose fault it was.
Maybe neither. Maybe I was not to take Xani. Maybe the force had other plans. Maybe its "other plan" is Obi.
The mental remark to himself stunned him. How could he think like that? Obi-Wan was pulling some kind of devious trick to be able to get him to talk against his padawan, Jinn thought.
What I am saying? That's not true. I think the boy does hold evil in him and now that he has penetrated my shields he puts these thoughts in my head. Maybe the healer is right. The boy will have to go through the force cleansing. I do not want him permanently harmed or killed, but he can't be allowed to take control of me and force his own will on me over mine.
The next days were hard for Master Jinn. His battle to keep Obi-Wan out of his mind was tiring the master and draining all of his force strength. He knew he would have to go home soon or he might become ill from using so much of his force to curb the insistence of the bond to harbor within him.
There was also another troubling occurrence. He had been able to feel another in his mind being projected through to him by the bond with Obi-Wan. It had just started the day after they arrived here for the mission. At first it was a flutter in Jinn's mind. Now it became more and more prevalent, especially each afternoon.
If what the master thought was true then Obi-Wan might be controlled by the dark side for someone else was in his mind, possibly guiding and helping Obi-Wan form a bond with Jinn.
//Could it be that Obi-Wan also shares a bond with the Dark lord, Sidious himself and that is the other person in his mind and now mine? That might be it. That is why the child possesses so much force and is able to penetrate my shields, Sidious must be helping him and telling him what to do. I know for a fact that at times another lurks in Obi-Wan's mind. I feel the other's eerie ominous presence even now within Obi-Wan's sub consciousness.//
######################
###########
The next two days only brought an intense and increasing need for Qui-Gon to go home, or that was what he felt. He had contacted Yoda and had been assured Obi-Wan was fine. Every time he tried to talk to the former slave however, Master Pernile would tell Master Jinn it was not a good time for a variety of reasons each time.
Qui-Gon was beginning to suspect that the healer did not wish for him to speak with Obi-Wan at all. The master would think how absurd his thoughts were and put them and his worry for Obi-Wan aside in order to deal with the mission at hand..
//I shouldn't be that concerned for him anyway. Nothing will come of this bond. It was built on trickery and deceit by someone. Who I don't know, but his presence is ever increasing in Obi-Wan's mind and that makes his presence be felt in mind. Maybe the healer knows something and wants me not to contact the boy for a good reason. Maybe it could increase the bond. I am sure he only has mine and Obi-Wan's best interest in mind when he keeps me from speaking with him.//
Still the master felt the need to contact the boy. He grew melancholy over not being able to have any visual or vocal contact with Obi-Wan.
Jinn cursed himself for allowing the former slave to manipulate his mind in such a manner that would cause the Jedi master actual pain over not being with him. All the while he assured himself things back on Coruscant were fine, he was thinking of a way to get to the temple quicker than what Yoda said. His former master wanted the team to stay there at least another week. //impossible//, thought Master Jinn. //I have to go back. Why, is something is pulling me back? //
Jinn worked on the paperwork necessary to have ready for the council. Gayron and Xanatos worked with the people making sure they understood all the factions of the treaty. Qui-Gon could not help but notice that Xanatos seemed in a better mood. He occasionally smiled as he laughed and talked to the young Knight while they did their work . Qui-Gon thought it was because they were away from the Kenobi child and that the young Knight in turn was not much older than Xanatos himself.
At least Xanatos had calmed down about their temporary closed off bond. Jinn could not even remember now how it was to have a bond with his padawan. Now all he ever felt was the insistence of Obi's bond to be allowed to form. Jinn continually fought it though.
Yoda commed Master Jinn and Qui-Gon found out he would not have to ask to leave early. Master Yoda wanted them to return "NOW"!
Qui-Gon became alarmed at the urgency in Master Yoda's voice. His face had such a look of concern or call it worry that Master Jinn knew something was wrong, but what?
"Is there a problem?"
"Problem there may be. Not sure I am, but come home you will. Take your ward home with you as soon as you arrive you also will. Something not right there Qui-Gon.. Feel it through the force I do. Child seems ill he does however Pernile insists he's fine. Not sure what it is. Just come home to him now."
Jinn's first inclination was to pack up and leave now, //right now//, he thought. Then the master hesitated.
"Master Yoda do you think it wise for me to let this child control my life? If he is able to control me then why not others at the temple. No I should not just drop everything and go too him in this manner."
"Feel it you have not? Does not the force direct you home to this temple and now? Lie to me Qui-Gon Jinn you will not."
"Yes Master I have even considered calling you and asking you to cut our time short here and let us return. Call it a feeling or.."
"Listen to the force you did not Master. Not wise it is to turn a deaf ear on it. Should have told me your concern before now. Right I am to have you home."
"What if this is not a calling through the force, but some magical devious way Obi has planned to get me back to the temple where with physical and visual contact, the bond will only form more rapidly."
"Of the dark this calling is not. Felt it myself I have Qui-Gon. Assure you of the light it is and problem it will be, if you do not return soon. Reason for rapid return you will not give. Enough it is for the knight and Xanatos to know return now they should. Tell them you will that it my decision to bring you back. TELL NO ONE Qui-Gon. Only yourself and I to know of this. Important to the Jedi this is. Much danger I feel for you and for the little slave Obi-Wan. Rumblings in the force tells me of real danger at this very temple."
Qui-Gon immediately almost in a run found Xani and Gayron. He told them of Master Yoda's abrupt decision to have them return as soon as today to the temple.
Xani as well as the young knight seemed both curious and perplexed by the need for the hasty return, but they did not question the head master of the mission, Qui-Gon. They packed their things and within two hours they were in their little transport with the auto pilot's coordinates set on their destiny, Coruscant.
The feeling of a sense of urgency overwhelmed Qui-Gon as he made sure the settings were correct on the auto pilot.
//How can this boy who has gotten under my skin and has annoyed me in so many ways manage to worm his way in my mind and if I didn't know better, in my heart. First I want to throttle him and accuse him of everything the dark is and the next moment, I see him as a helpless child reaching out for someone to care for him.//
Less than six hours and the ship that carried the Jedi would dock on the landing port high on top of the temple on Coruscant.
Xanatos seemed to feel Jinn's need to be left alone. So did Knight Gayron. Neither were sure of what was going on, even after they in private, without Jinn, they discussed it.
They knew something was indeed wrong for Jinn to be in an almost meditative state the entire trip. He seldom even ate for he could not break his meditations. Extremely unusual for the big master thought Xani. He personally had been with Qui-Gon for several years and had never seen him is such distress.
Jinn had his own personal reasons for being in such a stress. Not three hours after boarding the ship Qui-Gon went into a meditative trance to try to actually link with Obi-Wan. It was dangerous and he knew it. It could have caused the bond Obi-Wan pressed so reverently on Jinn, to form completely. However that did not happen. What alarmed the master so much, was a slight whisper of three words in his mind; HELP ME MASTER.
Obi-Wan's tormented and agonizing plea was followed by a sudden jolt to the Jedi master's mind. The jolt was accompanied by a great deal of blinding pain that signaled the mental disconnecting of Obi-Wan to the master. Jinn remained in the meditative trance trying to make contact with the child again with no success.
He surprised even himself by doing such a thing. However he felt he must know if the child was alright.
//Why after so many relentless and constant attempts to bond with me would the child just withdraw from my mind? I know he lives. I can feel his signature through the force. Did the child do this willingly or was he manipulated into an action he had no intention of doing on his own?//
What Qui-Gon was not aware of was that as he attempted to make contact, Obi-Wan did the same with Qui-Gon. He knew that their mental link or bond had been interrupted in some way. He did not know how or why their connection faltered because he did not know how it established itself in the big master's mind to begin with. That did not keep Obi-Wan from being afraid. He lay on the gurney in the med unit and looked at Master Healer while Pernile prepared another injection for him. Kenobi had a feeling that this master in some way interfered with Master Jinn and his connection. Now Obi-Wan felt alone and empty without what Jinn called their "bond". He knew Master Jinn did not want it but right now Obi-Wan wanted the security of their mental joining more than he did anything in his life.
###Just before Jinn lost contact with Obi-Wan back at the temple!!###
The healer advanced closer and closer to the little slave, a needle in the forefront edged closer to its target, Obi-Wan's arm.
The child had already suffered several bursts of electric power that surged through his mind making him nauseated and disorientated by the confusion the neurons created in his mind. Still he attempted gallantly to stay in some semblance of mental control of his own mind.
"Very soon boy your power will be mine. When I am finished with you, you'll be a babbling idiot and then you'll see how much Master Jinn wants you then to care for. This drug will see to that. Yes after this, the council will be forced to put you in an asylum for the insane."
The last words spoken by Pernile were just a hazy slur of jumbled up words. Obi-Wan's vision and all his other senses dulled as he felt the hot flash of liquid medication coursing though his veins while Pernile roughly jabbed the needle in Obi's arm that injected him with…………?
#############
Jinn waited at the door of the transport it touched down, to be the first off the ship. He had already instructed his padawan to take their things to their apartment, he would soon be there.
That was not exactly the truth for Jinn was not sure what he would find at the med unit. Yoda had not contacted him with any distressing news, but still Jinn harbored something akin to raw fear. Fear, he as a Jedi master had encountered, however had been able to control it. The magnitude of this fear out weighed any the Master had ever felt through his years. It was hard to disperse such strong feelings of anticipated doom and despair by the master even though he knew his concern was unnatural, uncalled for, and unusual to feel toward someone he shared no bond with.
Jinn almost ran over two initiates hurrying through the hall as he rushed to the med unit.
However once there, he slowed his pace and seemed almost reluctant to open the door with Master Healer Pernile's name on it. He dreaded what he might find out; what condition the boy was in. Jinn had no doubts now that something terribly wrong had occurred and it had to do with the boy, but still he could not even contemplate what he was about to find out.
Qui-Gon hesitated at the door separating him from Master Healer Pernile. His large hand rested on the doorknob and he tried to gain control of his raging thoughts.
//I have to at least seem rational and have a grip on my emotions before I talk with him.//
Qui-Gon closed his eyes, inhaled a large calming breath, and focused on at least appearing to be calm as he turned the door knob to open the door….
Jinn could literally see the surprised shock on the master healer's face when he saw who his uninvited visitor was.
"Ugh.. Well.. Master Jinn this is indeed a surprise. I certainly did not expect you back so soon."
//I am sure you didn't.//
Jinn was not sure why he held so much mistrust and animosity for the healer but he did and he was going to find out why he harbored so much concern for the former slave he rescued and now had put him in danger. Jinn was positive the child was in danger, but why, how, and by whom he was not sure. It was something, some kind of feeling being telepathically sent to him by the force but still he could not reason his outright alarm.
" Master Yoda had us return sooner than even I had anticipated. I have come to take Obi-Wan home."
"Well there could be a problem with that you see…"
Jinn did not let the man finish. He suspected those words to come from the healer and now he wanted to know immediately what the problem could possible be.
"Just what do mean Master Pernile. There should be no problem with Obi-Wan coming home since I am his custodial guardian. He may still return here for the treatments on a regular basis."
" That won't be necessary.... I mean having him return here. In fact I don't think he will be able to leave here until a proper facility is found for him."
Jinn sat down and was immensely glad a chair was almost under him.
"What do you mean facility? Why can't he just come with me now?"
Qui-Gon tried to quell the rising fear that had again enveloped him.
"I hate to tell you this but since you had no true desire to bond with the boy anyway, I don't suppose it will come as such devastating news. I ran into some problems when trying to access Obi-Wan's mind to get to the bottom of this. I really thought I could help him but instead I am afraid I might have done him irreversible damage to his mind. I had the best intentions for him Master Jinn I assure…."
"Just out with it Pernile. What have you done to the child?"
"Master Jinn I resent your inference. We always knew we had to access the boy's mind. You, yourself said it would be necessary to find out if the bond in truth formed from the force or of something as sinister as the dark forces. I, in a way, only did what you asked. I attempted the create an entrance to his mind. Let me explain. I used Neuron electric telepathic trackers on the boy. The amount of neurons sent to the boy's mind was horribly and mistakenly misjudged; the power more than double of what should be sent, shocked Obi-Wan's mind. To put it in simpler terms shall we say Obi-Wan's mind was "fried" by the excessive amounts of the electrical charge.."
Jinn stared up at the master before still not sure he had heard what he just had. The healer was the best the Jedi had and he made such a drastic and devastating mistake?
Qui-Gon could only send a glaring look at Master Pernile as he continued to try to explain the boy's condition.
"I knew he held quite immense power through the force whether light or dark I was still not certain. Though we knew he possessed such force my assistant forgot to adjust the power to compensate for the force collar on him. He adjusted the settings on its highest potential when he read how many midichlorains the boy harbored in his blood stream; sending a massive charge of electric neurons shock to the boy's brain. Quite damaging it was. Also irreversible I am afraid."
"Where is he? I want to see the boy right now. Do you understand, IMMEDIATELY"
Master Healer knew Jinn was reaching a dangerous point of his anger. He had never truly seen this big master exhibit such hostility and it alarmed him. However he must go through with this farce and convince Jinn he did not intend to harm the boy. The opposite though was true.
"Well you are certainly welcome and entitled to see him. However be aware I can not release him to you. While his health is not an issue, his mental competency is. We will have to do mental workup on the boy before we can help him."
"From what you have told me you have helped enough. You have helped into to a life of nothingness. You should have proceeded with the force cleansing. It might not have left such a devastating effect on the boy."
"True Master Jinn, but it was your wish to try not to force cleanse the boy's blood but instead to find the source and reason of the mysterious bond the boy tried to pressure you into. I did what you asked."
"And why wasn't Master Yoda notified?"
"He is the High master of this temple. I was in the process of writing a report, but I did not feel the need to rush down the temple corridors to tell him news of a former slave who had no real connection to this temple other than trying to tamper with your mind Master Jinn. I quite likely have done you a favor. Is not the bond dormant now? You should be able to link uninterrupted and successfully with Padawan Xanatos now. I'm sure that is more a priority for you than worrying about a former slave that you have done all you can for. He is at least out of the grips of the slavers now."
"Yes, he certainly is. And if Obi-Wan is how you have explained him to be, he will live his live devoid of true existence and knowledge of the world around him."
.
Jinn's back was turned as he left to seek Obi out while the Master healer still rambled on. Had it not been turned he would have seen a sinister smirk form on the Master Healer's face as he shouted his last words.
Almost in a tone of maliciousness and cruelty, Pernile gave his opinion of the boy as Jinn headed down the hall to see for himself what kind of condition the boy had been placed in by this "madman".
"Well we all have our fate we are forced to deal with and accept, Master Jinn. Now Obi-Wan Kenobi has been given his."
##################
Master Yoda entered an obscure little room in the temple's med unit. There was nothing to make the room stand out other than it was off from the others. No it was not for quarantined patients, it was for the mentally insane. It was for one who was suspected of having the capabilities of hurting himself or someone else.
In that room he found Qui-Gon Jinn sitting on the foot of the bed that held the little former slave Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Jinn at first did not even acknowledge his former master's arrival, opting instead to sit there quietly staring at the boy in bed.
Then still without a word he looked over to Master Yoda and the little master could see the pain and concern in every line wrinkled in the master's face. Master Yoda could not help but note how drained physically and mentally his former pad wan looked.
"How Master Yoda. Master Pernile said he did not force cleanse Obi-Wan's blood to destroy his midichlorians. How could he wind up like this?"
It did not take a Jedi or a healer to know the boy was nothing more than a vegetable left in a catatonic state by this neuron treatment of some kind the healer had been doing on Obi-Wan.
Jinn let out a grunt then a mocking laugh of sarcasm.
"Of course Master Pernile said it was a tragic mistake. I think he lies. I think I blamed the wrong person for the evil I felt being emitted from the temple. I think I confused the message. It was not Obi-Wan who held so much dark in him, it was Master Pernile, a Jedi healer."
"A very high Jedi healer he is. Voice accusations like that without proof you should not and will not again. Understand me Padawan? Do this quietly we will. Get to bottom of this we also will."
"Yes, but is it too late for the boy? While I did not want to bond with him, I did not want something like this to happen to him. I would not wish his fate on even my enemies. His mind seems gone."
Obi-Wan's bed sat by the window. What he did at the Jinn's home to amuse himself was to whimsically look out the window at the many various space travel ships that passed. Now he looked out of the window with a cold blank look blanketing his face with seemingly sightless eyes focused forward, never showing even a miniscule twitch to them. His body did not even flinch at the noise Qui-Gon made with the scraping of the chair legs when he moved it to sit on the bed with Obi.
"Tragic it is if the child suffered at the hands of one of our own. Tragic for the Jedi, more so for Kenobi."
" So it is not just I who suspects the master did something intentionally to cause Obi-Wan to be in this state. I know we both felt something through the force. You eluded to that fact when you called me back. Had I just had the foresight not to have left him in the first place."
"Ignorant to the truth I was also Master Jinn. See first if our hunch is correct though we will.."
Jinn watched as Master Yoda pulled out a machine that Masters used when they were in search of babies who might be force sensitives. It was a pocket sized midichlorian counter.
"Master Yoda you said he did not destroy the midichlorians with the force cleansing procedure."
"If correct I am he did not. Did something worse to Obi and himself if what I think is correct. For Obi-Wan can not recover and Healer Pernile will become a criminal Jedi if truth in what I suspect there is."
Yoda proceeded to stick the boy in the finger and squeezed it to allow a drop of blood to flow out on a small piece of glass.
Yoda then put to tiny slide into the midichlorian machine and turned it on. The small humming sound let them both know it was going through the calculus procedure.
Yoda's ears twitched and his face crunched in a frown. The only sound from the wizened master was a low grunt.
"Thought right I did Master Jinn."
"What did you think Master Yoda? What exactly did Master Pernile do to him?"
"Did not destroy the midichlorains Master Pernile stole them he did."
With that Yoda commed security for immediate lockdown of the temple. They had to retrieve the blood harvested from Obi-Wan. Pernile had managed to gather every midichlorian in Obi-Wan's blood in one containment, probably no more than a pint of blood saturated with highly concentrated midichlorians.
In essence he had stolen Obi-Wan's force through his massive midichlorian count. Not only did he do that, he had left the boy's mind nothing but jelly but more than likely intentionally zapped him with high quantities of the electrical charged neurons.
Had Obi-Wan had at least some of his midichlorians he could have tolerated the assault to the force and the neuron shock to his brain, but without his midichlorains there was no way too protect himself and there was no way to rejuvenate his mental nerve endings to come out of this catatonic state he was in.
Qui-Gon tore out of Obi's room but when he got to the healers office he along with his paperwork he needed was already gone. The other papers not needed was everywhere strewn through the office. Jinn then contacted the front gates which was now locked down because Yoda had ordered it.
Master Jinn got bad news when the guard at the gate said that the Master Healer had left not long before the locked down was ordered.
Qui-Gon returned to Obi-Wan to find Master Yoda sitting quietly talking to the boy as if Obi-Wan understood and listened.
For unlike the way Obi-Wan was, while Jinn was there, sedate and calm, when he left the boy became overly agitated and Master Yoda had to use the force plus his calming voice to keep the child in his bed.
Yoda looked up to see Qui-Gon.
"Sad this is. Suppose I do, we can leave him here until other healers confirm what I suspect.
Master Jinn looked at the boy who had returned looking at the window with no indication of comprehending anything.
"Master what is it exactly you suspect?"
"Tell you I should not Master Jinn. For keep him I am sure you will not be willing."
"What do you mean "keep him"? Master he can't do anything for himself."
Then Jinn realized that maybe Obi-Wan did understand what they were saying, just could not respond to it. He thought his next words.
//He is not much more than a vegetable maybe never regaining any of himself back. How can he stay with me? //
Jinn watched as the former slave quickly jerked his head away so that the master could not see his face. Jinn calmly reached over and with one hand turned Obi's face back to meet his.
There on his flushness of Obi-Wan's face perched two tear drops resembling glittering diamonds dotting each cheek; seemingly caught and unwilling to move. Jinn used his oversized calloused thumb to very slowly and gently wipe them away.
//Did you understand what I said?//
There was no outward indication that he understood and Jinn got nothing from their once mental link, but he still believed Obi-Wan knew what he thought and was just not able communicate that knowledge to him.
Sympathy and concern for the child stirred in Master Jinn. He was still hesitant to let go of this boy even though this was a perfect time to do it. No one, not even Master Yoda would blame him for abandoning the boy now in the condition he was in.
Master Yoda had waited to answer Jinn because he could tell the master's mind drifted somewhere else. He waited until he had Qui-Gon's attention before he continued.
"Know that with certainty we do not what the child capable of doing or not doing. Maybe with kindness instead of fear work wonders on the boy it will, maybe not, however seems to me worth a try. Positive I am. Owe it to the boy the Jedi do to at least attempt to help him now that we have done so much damage to him. What one Jedi did to destroy him, the others hold a certain accountability and obligation to this child for it we do. Also when left you did, child became extremely upset. Master Pernile might be wrong about the bond you and Kenobi had. Threads of it there still may be, yet. Boy needs you by his side he does. Decision yours it is solely. Condemn you I will not for whatever decision you make."
"Master neither you or I wanted this for the boy. I am not sure I can care for him in this state. Then of course I want to track down Healer Pernile."
"Wanted it we did not. Stop it though we failed to do. In failing to act on what the warning the force sent both you and I, failed the boy we also did. Tragic. Other Jedi there are to capture Pernile or if worse is worse then take the boy with you."
"Yes master I know we failed miserably and I will have to live with that though I know it is nothing comparable to what Obi-Wan has to live with. You said there might be one hope for the child. What is it? As far as tracking Pernile with Obi-Wan I am not sure that can be done. He's …he's…"
Jinn was still hesitant to say anything outright which was negative toward the child's recovery or condition. He even put his shields in place so the boy would not know what he was thinking just in case Obi-Wan still possessed that capability.
"Need the blood stolen with high concentrate of midichlorains we do. Blood transfusion will insure Obi's well being. His midichlorians will take hold and multiply. However we must retrieve that blood before Master Pernile gives himself a blood transfusion with it. Then I don't think we could succeed in transfusing it to Obi-Wan.. Obi-Wan only grow worse he will without his midichlorains and worse also he will be without you by his side, I fear."
" I will have to think this situation through with Obi-Wan while I pack. For if Pernile and the midichlorian enriched blood is what it takes to get Obi-Wan back to what he was, I will find a way to do it."…………………..
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
PEACE ewen