Qui-Gon had been assured by Master Yeri that the next day would be as bad as the first then the peak of the agony would be reached. The child would not feel totally well but he wouldn't be withering in pain as soon as the medication wore off.
########
Master Yeri was correct. The first part of the day was as miserable for the child but that evening, things seem to take a turn for the better. Obi-Wan was far from well, but he managed to sit beside Qui-Gon in the common room sofa and drink a few sips of clear broth. Not a monumental thing to some but to Jinn it was a wonderful accomplishment.
The one major concern was Mace breathing down their backs. Qui-Gon had not been able to call him and Mace grew more and more curious. He planned to stop by the Jinn apartment the next morning and see exactly what was going on. He hadn't seen Yeri, Yoda, Jinn, or the child for over twenty-four hours.
None of them had stepped out of the room. Yoda had yet to return to his private quarters which was highly unusual for he always claimed he couldn't sleep unless he was in his bed, cut to precision measurements just for his diminutive form and the mattress had to be just so-so with firmness. He had it checked before he brought it home. A particular master he was when his sleep was concerned.
Mace stood just outside Jinn's door just to see if he could feel anything abnormal with the force. He waited to knock for a few minutes, then quickly knocked, rap,rap,rap,. He swung the door open before anyone had a chance to open it for him.
Master Yoda had forgotten to lock it or Mace just used the force to get it unlocked. It made not matter now for Mace now stood in the common room.
Yeri and Yoda sat in the kitchen.
Qui-Gon sat on the common couch with a pillow in his lap and Obi-Wan's upper body draped over it. Master Jinn was rubbing Obi-Wan's tee-shirt clad back in small circular motions as if to bring comfort or ease pain.
"Oh hi, Qui-Gon. The door was open, well not opened, unlocked and it just kinda unlocked when I knocked; you know just swung opened."
"Yeah right. Now that you are here, is there something I can do for you?"
Mace knelt down in front of the common couch where the master sat.
"Maybe I am the one who should ask you if I can do something to help you or Obi-Wan. Master Yoda said the child had the sniffles. He looks like he's suffered an adult hangover for a week."
Mace brushed his hand over Obi-Wan's puffy face.
"I mean no disrespect, however Master Yeri has been tending to the experimental aspect of medicine for a long time, doing research. He may not be well versed on the many new viruses and bacteria children pick up now a days. We wouldn't want an epidemic here at the temple. When one child gets it another soon follows suit."
Mace hesitated and he went over his last words.
"Qui-Gon tell you didn't. Master Yeri's specialties range from subtle testing of molecules to the macabre studies of such things as the regeneration of midichlorians."
Something in Mace's mind just hit him. That was exactly what they had been doing. He voice grew louder and had a certain panic and concern in it.
"That is what you have done isn't it? You transfused your blood to Obi's. I thought you told the council you accepted the child's fate and I come here to find you have tried to alter it..What if you have killed him?"
Jinn shot Mace a sever look. Obi-Wan knew of his chance of an unsuccessful transfusion and its outcome if it didn't succeed it would instead poisoned him, but Jinn didn't think he needed to be reminded of it right now. Yes the boy felt better but not that much better.
Qui-Gon shifted the child and rose. As he did so, he placed the pillow on the couch and laid Obi's sleeping form on it. He motioned for Mace to follow him to the kitchen.
"Master I would like to talk to Mace alone. Could you and Master Yeri go in there and sit with Obi-Wan?"
Yoda turned his head slightly and squinted his one eye as he looked very suspiciously at Mace.
"Sure you are my padawan need me to help you with this one, you do not?"
//Was that a threat that little troll just put to me? Need help with me indeed. What am I going to do, attack Jinn right in his own kitchen at the temple no less? //
Jinn had to smile at Yoda's comments.
"NO, my master thank you for your offer but I think I can handle "this one" by myself. You will just be a room away, if I should need your help.
Qui-Gon flashed a pearly white smile to his friend as he thought of Mace getting hit with Yoda's gimer stick in his thin gangly legs.
"HUMPH"….. Very well see that no loud voices come from this room they do. Disturb the boy you will not. Come back in for the both of you if too loud you get in here."
Master Yoda and Master Yeri picked up there bowl of popcorn and headed for the common room, to watch over the sleeping little boy.
Mace leaned against the counter, crossed his arms over his chest and waited.
Jinn turned around to see his old friend have that condemning look he always had when he thought Qui-Gon was in the wrong.
"Alright wipe that "what have you done this time" look off your face and let's sit down and talk. First I need to know if you plan to go to the council with this revelation you have just stumbled onto?"
"Tell me first, exactly what I have just found ? Am I right? You transfused your blood to Obi's, hoping it will take hold and he will be able to get midichlorians to grow in his body again."
"You know very well that is what we have done."
"When?"
"Two days ago and counting. We won't know with certainty its outcome for two week."
"Let me guess you want me to remain silent with this until the two weeks are up?"
"What can it hurt Mace? It is done now. All we have to do is wait for the outcome."
"That is all is it Qui-Gon? What if your blood poisons him? Man, he looks like a corpse now."
"He is suppose too. What I mean is, he will until we know if it took or didn't. Either way the boy becomes ill. That is the way Master Yeri explained to me that it would be. Disappointedly, he was right. But there is a maked improvement."
"It doesn't look that way."
Jinn bent his head down and wiped his brow.
"Let me assure you he is better than he was. I have held him through torturous pain, knowing that I couldn't help him because of my lower midichlorian count."
Mace reached over and grabbed Jinn by the arm. It was with enough force to get the man's attention and Qui-Gon looked up at him.
"Tell me you have not jeopardized your health and force abilities too. If you have harmed yourself for the child I will…"
"What Mace? You will what? Should I ask of him what I wouldn't do myself? No my health is intact and so is my force abilities. My midichlorian count is almost back to normal. Master Yeri says in another day it will be as it was. I can even start help force healing the child this evening."
Mace let out a sigh of relief and released his hold on his friend.
"Very well then your secret is safe with me. I gain nothing by telling the council anyway. Either the damage is done or a miracle has been performed. Either way, we have to torturously wait for the outcome. I will sweat it out with you. Let's just hope the council lets you three masters keep your title "Masters" when the outcome is our knowledge"...........
######### In the saber training hall. #########
Xanatos waited nervously on the practice gym floor. It was Master Jinn's turn to instruct this cycle of advanced saber techniques. Although Xanatos was within three or four years of reaching knighthood, a padawan never stopped learning.
Xani was apprehensive about his former master again. He had not seen him since that evening he picked some things up. The next day he and his new master, Gayron moved all his belongings from the Jinn home.
Knight Gayron had instructed Xani to give Jinn some breathing room for he was going through more than just losing a padawan, he might lose one that didn't even get a chance to be called an apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
What surprised Xani more was when his master walked in.
"I just wanted to let you know to calm down. I can feel your apprehension through our bond."
Gayron smiled with that, for he did enjoy sharing a bond with a padawan.
"Sorry if I projected my thoughts on you. I guess I let my shields drop."
"That's alright. Anyway Master Jinn won't be here. Someone is replacing him."
"Is something wrong? Could he be ill?"
"No, no nothing like that. Now not that you should follow my example and eavesdrop on others, however I heard a couple senior masters talking, one which will take Jinn's place here in your class. They said it had something to do with the Kenobi boy. I know he is only due to be here at the temple four more days, then to the Argricorps he will go."
"A bad as I hate to see him have such a fate, I hate more that my former master, that Qui-Gon did not get what he wished. I know he would have fought the council to train that boy. Of course he did defend me but that was to rid himself of me."
"Is that self-pity or do you just hate your new master?"
"No, it's nothing like that master. I have the master I want. I think it is just an ego deflator to have a master turn his padawan freely away with no physical or mental backlash from it."
Gayron did not say more but he knew what the boy meant. There had been many talks of what happened to his apprentice and none of the statements said anything well of Xani. They seemed to have assumed he had done something wrong to warrant Jinn's dismissal of him.
The council forbade any of them to discuss openly what happened, so Gayron couldn't defend his new padawan as he would have liked too.
###Back at the Jinn apartment#######
Things had been looking better for Obi-Wan. He was certainly not as ill as he had been. For the last couple of days he had been able to hold down food. He had also been given tasks by Master Yeri to try to use the force.
Little things like moving a book or closing a door. So far nothing. Jinn did seem to feel the bond had grown stronger and Yeri indicated that might be due to Jinn's midichloirans successfully taking hold on Obi-Wan's circulatory system. In fact his blood was showing minute particles of midichlorians in his blood stream but nothing substantial yet.
Master Yeri had hoped to have more growth of the midchlorians in Obi-Wan's blood but still they had time left. It did look as though Jinn's blood would not poison the boy.
Obi-Wan had a rough afternoon. He repeatedly tried to get a book to raise up and float to the table. A quick and simple task that four year old crèche children could do, yet he could not. It was flustrating for the boy.
Jinn came running from his bedroom when he heard Obi-Wan scream at the top of his lungs.
"Obi-Wan what is it child? Are you in pain?"
"No Qui-Gon, I'm not in pain. I am just plain mad."
Yoda came in from the kitchen.
"Hope mad you are not. Only animals go mad they do. Possibly though you are angry. Master see to it he will, learn to control or release anger you do."
"Master Yoda for Qui-Gon to be my master I would have to get my midichlorians back and I would certainly have to know how to manipulate the force enough to move a book."
Master Yeri stepped in from the kitchen, where he had been preparing himself another "light snack", as he liked to call his extra five or six meals a day.
"Manipulate many things with the force you will learn to do once your midichlorians grow they do. Now simple thing you must do that does not require the force."
"What is that Master Yeri?"
"Patience my child you have no patience and that must be learned so start learning it you will. Another outburst I don't want too hear from you while I eat."
"You're always eating. I can't get an entire meal down and you eat and eat."
Qui-Gon interrupted Obi-Wan.
That's enough pad….. Obi. I will not have you speak to an elder with such blatant disrespect, apologize now please".
Obi-Wan, the normally loving child did feel bad for what he had said to the man who only tried to help him.
"I am sorry Master Yeri. I guess I will work on my anger and my patience."
That is what the boy said to the master but what he thought was how he would like to just pick that book up and throw it a crossed the room instead of quietly putting it on the table like a "good little boy".
Just then the book flew up and was slammed soundly against the far wall, but not before it whizzed by Master Jinn's head nicking his right ear. It probably would have put a hole in the wall had not the glancing blow to Jinn's ear slowed its speed.
Master Yeri looked up calmly from the sandwich he was just about to dive into.
"Suggest I do Master Jinn, put away your breakables until that padawan of yours breaks them all he does. He will not be able to control his force well in the beginning I think Example of that was that book I am afraid."
Obi could only stare in a dazed shock. Jinn busted into a wide smile and ran over and literally picked the boy up and swumg him around in mid-air.
Master Yoda smiled one of his infrequent evident smiles. He beamed from ear to ear.
"Drop him you should not. To much time put into the child we have. Wouldn't want him killed by his future master before he learns the ways of the force."
#########In the council masters offices##########
"Has anyone seen Qui-Gon lately?"
Eeth Koth was at his desk arranging the council meetings for the next week. He noticed that they had Master Jinn and the boy Kenobi penciled in to come before the council.
" No but I see we have him scheduled to come before the council. I really don't know why the child has to come before us again, just to be shippd off to Bandomeer."
Adi looked at the grumpy older master.
"I think we are doing it to be courteous to one of the best masters we have."
"Yes well I agree with you there, but we can't change things though I have thought it tempting if not just as experiment of sorts."
"What kind of experiment?"
"Had the boy been able to restore his midichlorian count to the high numbers it was when he came, I think we should have tested him by allowing him to train as a padawan. Of course with no promises in case he failed. Have you ever thought Master Gallia, that a great many force sensitive children go by the wayside because we the council's fear to take them at an older age. What if some could be successfully taken and trained by someone like Jinn, who knows what he's doing. We would not always be so short knights and later masters, if we were not so overly cautious about the dark side. I have found the if cursed with the dark, it will soon show it's ugly head and the child would be proven incapable of becoming a Jedi, thus we "axe" him from the program. How hard can that be?"
"I completely agree Master Koth but you know some such as Master Yaddle and Master Plo Koon would resoundingly voice their oppositon to the boy and older sensitives. They would sway the council to their way of thinking."
"I don't think they could have toppled Jinn's dominance in front of the council had this boy been in excellent health. His power is too great to ignore and Yoda's favored Master would carry a lot of weight with his words alone. It is too bad though the child had his midichlorians removed. Had Jinn put forth an argument for him to be trained I would have certainly voted his way."
Master Gallia looked at the master as if she was thinking of her answer had Jinn made his plea with a healthy child before them.
"I think Master, I would have voted in favor of Jinn and Obi-Wan also……….."
From the time Obi-Wan accidently threw the book a crossed the room, things had improved for him. He had to learn to control the force he was getting back. The procedure though was a success. Qui-Gon's midichlorians grew in Obi-Wan's body on a daily basis, multiplying hopefully to where the count once was. Jinn had long since gotten his strength back, Things looked better for the two. Of course they still had to face the council and admit their deception of them, but Yoda was busy making plans to ease the sting of their deciet to the council. With this new theory put into place that actually worked, Master Yeri just may have successfully handled the council on his own.
They all had wanted the procedure to work not just in theory but fact but each council member feared to voice anything but opposition to it in case the outcome of the experiments meant death for a master or padawan. Master Yeri had done the impossible and in that the council would have to be pleased. But then again would they outright show that enthusiasm for the success or censure the three masters for doing it? Also what would be done with Obi-Wan if they refused to let him stay with the Jedi?
So many questions that needed to be answered but would have to wait until they came before the council the next day.
Obi-Wan was too anxious to sit still that entire day. Jinn had threatened to put him in the bedroom and "chain" him there to meditate all day if he didn't quit pacing the floor back and forth. Jinn got so tired of the repetitive motions of the boy that he finally sent him out on the balcony to get some fresh air. Being cooped up in a small apartment did not help the child's anxiety. Jinn never believed one so young was meant to be tied down with no physical exercise.
Mace stopped in that evening and along with Master Yeri and Master Yoda kept Jinn and Obi company before their day before the council.
Once Obi-Wan was sent to bed the masters sat up into the wee hours of the morning and plotted and planned their strategy when they went before the council.
Mace had been feeling some of them out to see how they felt about Obi-Wan. He had been able to get t few of them to commit to the fact they might have been willing to give Obi-Wan a chance on a trial basis if he had not lost his power. They thought the idea of having one so young with so much power would be indeed an experiment the Jedi needed to do. Most felt that a great many sensitives were left behind for they were found when they were too old. A couple had voiced the same feeling about it as Master Eeth and Master Gallia had.
Half of their plan had been put into effect.They wanted the council members' thoughts of training Obi-Wan brought to the forefront for once they were over their anger at what the masters did, then they might concede that since done, they should follow through and have Qui-Gon attempt to train the child.
It would not be without snags. Plo Koon and Master Yaddle could be dominate when they wanted. Yaddle, like Yoda gave new meaning to the words, "Size matters not." Because just like with Master Yoda or Master Yeri, size did not matter for her notoriety within the Jedi council alone, carried with it a certain amount of power.
The day finally came that would let Jinn know if he could keep Obi-Wan at the temple and attempt to train him as a JedI.
It was not as if Jinn felt he could not train Obi-Wan. It would be how much faith the council had in him to do so. For without their consent, Obi-Wan would be shipped to Bandomeer even after all the trouble and pain he had gone through.
Master Jinn stood nervously in front of the council and explained what he,did. Well not by himself he finally had to tell the council masters that Master Yeri and Master Yoda were in on it too. Everyone saw the nasty look sent to Yoda by Master Yaddle who had just a little crush on the master and thought she knew everything about the little troll of a master. Evidently she didn't know he would willingly go against the council's advice to help his former padawan.
Eeth Koth had a twinkle in his eye, like just maybe this would work out. Adi seemed to have a passive look on her face. She would hold her judgement until Master Jinn was finished.
Mace waited with his breath held, his hand over his eyes, and his head drooped down with guilt. He waited for his friend Qui-Gon to bring him into this mess, but Jinn never mentioned Mace's knowledge of what had gone on in the Jinn apartment.
Well he hadn't really known until it was over, but Mace had resigned himself to the fact that he would stand up for his friend and if truly need be tell them he knew and agreed with their deceit of the council. Although deep down he hoped his name would be kept out of it. They would just say it was because he was friends with Jinn and not his willingness or desire to see the experiment work or not. Right now Mace wasn't sure why he went along with their crazy idea to get Obi back his force abilities but he knew Qui-Gon or Yoda had never steered him wrong before and wasn't likely to do it now.
"Are you pleased that you so easily pulled the "wool over our eyes", Jinn, Master Yoda? Did you not have enough confidence in the council to come to us and ask for permission to do this deadly and dangerous transference of blood from one to the other?"
Yaddle's voice was squeaky and small but no less commanding than any other. The other council members valued her opinion of things as highly as they did Yoda's. Although Jinn was not so sure how highly Yoda's opinions meant right now since he was part of the deception of the council.
"Think this child a Jedi he can be?"
Yaddle asked the question that all were curious to know its answer too.
"Not with any certainty."
Jinn spoke in a mild voice trying to hide the apprenhension behind his words.
"No master is certain he can train any padawan he takes with any "true certainty", Master Yaddle.. I am sure with the midichlorian count as high as it is, Obi-Wan will be easier to train and will be able to quickly catch up with his classmates in academics as well as saber and kata techniques."
"Are you willing to put the boy to the test before we agree to keep him in the Jedi order and allow you to train him? That is if we allow it at all."
Jinn suspected that Plo Koon had something devious up his sleeve. What he did not know.
"What kind fo test do you have in mind Master Plo Koon?"
"Well Master Yeri states that the boy will have all his count up in two weeks . Take the child on a mission when his midichlorians are up to normal. See how well he handles himself? Would you agree to that Master Jinn?"
"I am not sure that would be fair to Obi-Wan or the mission we are sent on. I mean he has no training."
"Are you taking back what you said about him already Master Jinn? Are you trying to deceive this council again as you already have once?"
"Master Plo Koon, I am not sure what you mean by deceiving the council. I only mean the boy doesn't know any of the Jedi ways yet. He is not trained with the saber.
"Knock it off Jinn. Don't play words with me. If the child has a brain in his head and his midichlorains reach the count they were, he should be able to do almost anything required of a Jedi without all this training and schooling. Are you falsely saying the child can catch up with the rest? The rest of the padawans have been out on missions and have been for over a year. So I see you aren't as eager to have him as your apprentice agter all. You are not willing to have him out in the field with you. Do you not place any faith in this super Jedi you purport to bring us?"
"Faith Qui-Gon has in the child he does. So much so, take you up on your challenge he will, Master Plo Koon. Send them on a mission you will, assess their progress you also will. Then if does what he should become and apprentice to Jinn, Obi-Wan will ."
Several of the masters Koth and Adi included seemed to nod their acceptance and approval.
"I insist I go along on this mission and supervise. We would not want Master Jinn to come back before this council and misrepresent the truth again. I mean one council member should go and document it and I don't think it should be one of his friends."
Plo Koon planned to see Jinn's little charade be destroyed. He did not like the way Qui-Gon had deceived the council and now they were willing to "fluff" over it.
Master Yaddle spoke up.
"Quardrant four mission is still available is it not Master Koth?"
Along with scheduling appointments before the council Koth often assigned many of the mission for the masters.
"Yes but it takes four, two master and two apprentices for that one."
"I don't see that as a problem. We wanted to test the compatibility of Knight Gayron with Padawan Xanatos. They can be partnered with Jinn and Kenobi. What better way to test the stamina of all four?"
Now Jinn knew Plo Koon had it in for him To send his former padawan with Qui, who was adjusting to being without Xani, with them on a mission was not conducive for success, or at least JInn did not think so.
Yoda didn't either.
"Protest I do. To many other things the master would have to deal with. Needs to stay focused on Obi-Wan he does."
"It is perfect for all concerned I think Master Yoda. I don't think you have any reason to object to anything. You were in on the deception of the council with Jinn."
Koth and the other masters agreed.
Master Koth was the last to speak.
"Then Master Jinn start instructing the child in the ways of the Jedi. As soon as his midichlorian count reaches what it was, you will leave. We can stall that sector's observation trip until then."
It was decided. Jinn would be thrown with Xani again and worse, Plo Koon would be there to watch for any mistakes, on anyone's part……….……
#################
Just wanted to thank you for the feedback. I read them!!!
PEACE ewen
########
Master Yeri was correct. The first part of the day was as miserable for the child but that evening, things seem to take a turn for the better. Obi-Wan was far from well, but he managed to sit beside Qui-Gon in the common room sofa and drink a few sips of clear broth. Not a monumental thing to some but to Jinn it was a wonderful accomplishment.
The one major concern was Mace breathing down their backs. Qui-Gon had not been able to call him and Mace grew more and more curious. He planned to stop by the Jinn apartment the next morning and see exactly what was going on. He hadn't seen Yeri, Yoda, Jinn, or the child for over twenty-four hours.
None of them had stepped out of the room. Yoda had yet to return to his private quarters which was highly unusual for he always claimed he couldn't sleep unless he was in his bed, cut to precision measurements just for his diminutive form and the mattress had to be just so-so with firmness. He had it checked before he brought it home. A particular master he was when his sleep was concerned.
Mace stood just outside Jinn's door just to see if he could feel anything abnormal with the force. He waited to knock for a few minutes, then quickly knocked, rap,rap,rap,. He swung the door open before anyone had a chance to open it for him.
Master Yoda had forgotten to lock it or Mace just used the force to get it unlocked. It made not matter now for Mace now stood in the common room.
Yeri and Yoda sat in the kitchen.
Qui-Gon sat on the common couch with a pillow in his lap and Obi-Wan's upper body draped over it. Master Jinn was rubbing Obi-Wan's tee-shirt clad back in small circular motions as if to bring comfort or ease pain.
"Oh hi, Qui-Gon. The door was open, well not opened, unlocked and it just kinda unlocked when I knocked; you know just swung opened."
"Yeah right. Now that you are here, is there something I can do for you?"
Mace knelt down in front of the common couch where the master sat.
"Maybe I am the one who should ask you if I can do something to help you or Obi-Wan. Master Yoda said the child had the sniffles. He looks like he's suffered an adult hangover for a week."
Mace brushed his hand over Obi-Wan's puffy face.
"I mean no disrespect, however Master Yeri has been tending to the experimental aspect of medicine for a long time, doing research. He may not be well versed on the many new viruses and bacteria children pick up now a days. We wouldn't want an epidemic here at the temple. When one child gets it another soon follows suit."
Mace hesitated and he went over his last words.
"Qui-Gon tell you didn't. Master Yeri's specialties range from subtle testing of molecules to the macabre studies of such things as the regeneration of midichlorians."
Something in Mace's mind just hit him. That was exactly what they had been doing. He voice grew louder and had a certain panic and concern in it.
"That is what you have done isn't it? You transfused your blood to Obi's. I thought you told the council you accepted the child's fate and I come here to find you have tried to alter it..What if you have killed him?"
Jinn shot Mace a sever look. Obi-Wan knew of his chance of an unsuccessful transfusion and its outcome if it didn't succeed it would instead poisoned him, but Jinn didn't think he needed to be reminded of it right now. Yes the boy felt better but not that much better.
Qui-Gon shifted the child and rose. As he did so, he placed the pillow on the couch and laid Obi's sleeping form on it. He motioned for Mace to follow him to the kitchen.
"Master I would like to talk to Mace alone. Could you and Master Yeri go in there and sit with Obi-Wan?"
Yoda turned his head slightly and squinted his one eye as he looked very suspiciously at Mace.
"Sure you are my padawan need me to help you with this one, you do not?"
//Was that a threat that little troll just put to me? Need help with me indeed. What am I going to do, attack Jinn right in his own kitchen at the temple no less? //
Jinn had to smile at Yoda's comments.
"NO, my master thank you for your offer but I think I can handle "this one" by myself. You will just be a room away, if I should need your help.
Qui-Gon flashed a pearly white smile to his friend as he thought of Mace getting hit with Yoda's gimer stick in his thin gangly legs.
"HUMPH"….. Very well see that no loud voices come from this room they do. Disturb the boy you will not. Come back in for the both of you if too loud you get in here."
Master Yoda and Master Yeri picked up there bowl of popcorn and headed for the common room, to watch over the sleeping little boy.
Mace leaned against the counter, crossed his arms over his chest and waited.
Jinn turned around to see his old friend have that condemning look he always had when he thought Qui-Gon was in the wrong.
"Alright wipe that "what have you done this time" look off your face and let's sit down and talk. First I need to know if you plan to go to the council with this revelation you have just stumbled onto?"
"Tell me first, exactly what I have just found ? Am I right? You transfused your blood to Obi's, hoping it will take hold and he will be able to get midichlorians to grow in his body again."
"You know very well that is what we have done."
"When?"
"Two days ago and counting. We won't know with certainty its outcome for two week."
"Let me guess you want me to remain silent with this until the two weeks are up?"
"What can it hurt Mace? It is done now. All we have to do is wait for the outcome."
"That is all is it Qui-Gon? What if your blood poisons him? Man, he looks like a corpse now."
"He is suppose too. What I mean is, he will until we know if it took or didn't. Either way the boy becomes ill. That is the way Master Yeri explained to me that it would be. Disappointedly, he was right. But there is a maked improvement."
"It doesn't look that way."
Jinn bent his head down and wiped his brow.
"Let me assure you he is better than he was. I have held him through torturous pain, knowing that I couldn't help him because of my lower midichlorian count."
Mace reached over and grabbed Jinn by the arm. It was with enough force to get the man's attention and Qui-Gon looked up at him.
"Tell me you have not jeopardized your health and force abilities too. If you have harmed yourself for the child I will…"
"What Mace? You will what? Should I ask of him what I wouldn't do myself? No my health is intact and so is my force abilities. My midichlorian count is almost back to normal. Master Yeri says in another day it will be as it was. I can even start help force healing the child this evening."
Mace let out a sigh of relief and released his hold on his friend.
"Very well then your secret is safe with me. I gain nothing by telling the council anyway. Either the damage is done or a miracle has been performed. Either way, we have to torturously wait for the outcome. I will sweat it out with you. Let's just hope the council lets you three masters keep your title "Masters" when the outcome is our knowledge"...........
######### In the saber training hall. #########
Xanatos waited nervously on the practice gym floor. It was Master Jinn's turn to instruct this cycle of advanced saber techniques. Although Xanatos was within three or four years of reaching knighthood, a padawan never stopped learning.
Xani was apprehensive about his former master again. He had not seen him since that evening he picked some things up. The next day he and his new master, Gayron moved all his belongings from the Jinn home.
Knight Gayron had instructed Xani to give Jinn some breathing room for he was going through more than just losing a padawan, he might lose one that didn't even get a chance to be called an apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
What surprised Xani more was when his master walked in.
"I just wanted to let you know to calm down. I can feel your apprehension through our bond."
Gayron smiled with that, for he did enjoy sharing a bond with a padawan.
"Sorry if I projected my thoughts on you. I guess I let my shields drop."
"That's alright. Anyway Master Jinn won't be here. Someone is replacing him."
"Is something wrong? Could he be ill?"
"No, no nothing like that. Now not that you should follow my example and eavesdrop on others, however I heard a couple senior masters talking, one which will take Jinn's place here in your class. They said it had something to do with the Kenobi boy. I know he is only due to be here at the temple four more days, then to the Argricorps he will go."
"A bad as I hate to see him have such a fate, I hate more that my former master, that Qui-Gon did not get what he wished. I know he would have fought the council to train that boy. Of course he did defend me but that was to rid himself of me."
"Is that self-pity or do you just hate your new master?"
"No, it's nothing like that master. I have the master I want. I think it is just an ego deflator to have a master turn his padawan freely away with no physical or mental backlash from it."
Gayron did not say more but he knew what the boy meant. There had been many talks of what happened to his apprentice and none of the statements said anything well of Xani. They seemed to have assumed he had done something wrong to warrant Jinn's dismissal of him.
The council forbade any of them to discuss openly what happened, so Gayron couldn't defend his new padawan as he would have liked too.
###Back at the Jinn apartment#######
Things had been looking better for Obi-Wan. He was certainly not as ill as he had been. For the last couple of days he had been able to hold down food. He had also been given tasks by Master Yeri to try to use the force.
Little things like moving a book or closing a door. So far nothing. Jinn did seem to feel the bond had grown stronger and Yeri indicated that might be due to Jinn's midichloirans successfully taking hold on Obi-Wan's circulatory system. In fact his blood was showing minute particles of midichlorians in his blood stream but nothing substantial yet.
Master Yeri had hoped to have more growth of the midchlorians in Obi-Wan's blood but still they had time left. It did look as though Jinn's blood would not poison the boy.
Obi-Wan had a rough afternoon. He repeatedly tried to get a book to raise up and float to the table. A quick and simple task that four year old crèche children could do, yet he could not. It was flustrating for the boy.
Jinn came running from his bedroom when he heard Obi-Wan scream at the top of his lungs.
"Obi-Wan what is it child? Are you in pain?"
"No Qui-Gon, I'm not in pain. I am just plain mad."
Yoda came in from the kitchen.
"Hope mad you are not. Only animals go mad they do. Possibly though you are angry. Master see to it he will, learn to control or release anger you do."
"Master Yoda for Qui-Gon to be my master I would have to get my midichlorians back and I would certainly have to know how to manipulate the force enough to move a book."
Master Yeri stepped in from the kitchen, where he had been preparing himself another "light snack", as he liked to call his extra five or six meals a day.
"Manipulate many things with the force you will learn to do once your midichlorians grow they do. Now simple thing you must do that does not require the force."
"What is that Master Yeri?"
"Patience my child you have no patience and that must be learned so start learning it you will. Another outburst I don't want too hear from you while I eat."
"You're always eating. I can't get an entire meal down and you eat and eat."
Qui-Gon interrupted Obi-Wan.
That's enough pad….. Obi. I will not have you speak to an elder with such blatant disrespect, apologize now please".
Obi-Wan, the normally loving child did feel bad for what he had said to the man who only tried to help him.
"I am sorry Master Yeri. I guess I will work on my anger and my patience."
That is what the boy said to the master but what he thought was how he would like to just pick that book up and throw it a crossed the room instead of quietly putting it on the table like a "good little boy".
Just then the book flew up and was slammed soundly against the far wall, but not before it whizzed by Master Jinn's head nicking his right ear. It probably would have put a hole in the wall had not the glancing blow to Jinn's ear slowed its speed.
Master Yeri looked up calmly from the sandwich he was just about to dive into.
"Suggest I do Master Jinn, put away your breakables until that padawan of yours breaks them all he does. He will not be able to control his force well in the beginning I think Example of that was that book I am afraid."
Obi could only stare in a dazed shock. Jinn busted into a wide smile and ran over and literally picked the boy up and swumg him around in mid-air.
Master Yoda smiled one of his infrequent evident smiles. He beamed from ear to ear.
"Drop him you should not. To much time put into the child we have. Wouldn't want him killed by his future master before he learns the ways of the force."
#########In the council masters offices##########
"Has anyone seen Qui-Gon lately?"
Eeth Koth was at his desk arranging the council meetings for the next week. He noticed that they had Master Jinn and the boy Kenobi penciled in to come before the council.
" No but I see we have him scheduled to come before the council. I really don't know why the child has to come before us again, just to be shippd off to Bandomeer."
Adi looked at the grumpy older master.
"I think we are doing it to be courteous to one of the best masters we have."
"Yes well I agree with you there, but we can't change things though I have thought it tempting if not just as experiment of sorts."
"What kind of experiment?"
"Had the boy been able to restore his midichlorian count to the high numbers it was when he came, I think we should have tested him by allowing him to train as a padawan. Of course with no promises in case he failed. Have you ever thought Master Gallia, that a great many force sensitive children go by the wayside because we the council's fear to take them at an older age. What if some could be successfully taken and trained by someone like Jinn, who knows what he's doing. We would not always be so short knights and later masters, if we were not so overly cautious about the dark side. I have found the if cursed with the dark, it will soon show it's ugly head and the child would be proven incapable of becoming a Jedi, thus we "axe" him from the program. How hard can that be?"
"I completely agree Master Koth but you know some such as Master Yaddle and Master Plo Koon would resoundingly voice their oppositon to the boy and older sensitives. They would sway the council to their way of thinking."
"I don't think they could have toppled Jinn's dominance in front of the council had this boy been in excellent health. His power is too great to ignore and Yoda's favored Master would carry a lot of weight with his words alone. It is too bad though the child had his midichlorians removed. Had Jinn put forth an argument for him to be trained I would have certainly voted his way."
Master Gallia looked at the master as if she was thinking of her answer had Jinn made his plea with a healthy child before them.
"I think Master, I would have voted in favor of Jinn and Obi-Wan also……….."
From the time Obi-Wan accidently threw the book a crossed the room, things had improved for him. He had to learn to control the force he was getting back. The procedure though was a success. Qui-Gon's midichlorians grew in Obi-Wan's body on a daily basis, multiplying hopefully to where the count once was. Jinn had long since gotten his strength back, Things looked better for the two. Of course they still had to face the council and admit their deception of them, but Yoda was busy making plans to ease the sting of their deciet to the council. With this new theory put into place that actually worked, Master Yeri just may have successfully handled the council on his own.
They all had wanted the procedure to work not just in theory but fact but each council member feared to voice anything but opposition to it in case the outcome of the experiments meant death for a master or padawan. Master Yeri had done the impossible and in that the council would have to be pleased. But then again would they outright show that enthusiasm for the success or censure the three masters for doing it? Also what would be done with Obi-Wan if they refused to let him stay with the Jedi?
So many questions that needed to be answered but would have to wait until they came before the council the next day.
Obi-Wan was too anxious to sit still that entire day. Jinn had threatened to put him in the bedroom and "chain" him there to meditate all day if he didn't quit pacing the floor back and forth. Jinn got so tired of the repetitive motions of the boy that he finally sent him out on the balcony to get some fresh air. Being cooped up in a small apartment did not help the child's anxiety. Jinn never believed one so young was meant to be tied down with no physical exercise.
Mace stopped in that evening and along with Master Yeri and Master Yoda kept Jinn and Obi company before their day before the council.
Once Obi-Wan was sent to bed the masters sat up into the wee hours of the morning and plotted and planned their strategy when they went before the council.
Mace had been feeling some of them out to see how they felt about Obi-Wan. He had been able to get t few of them to commit to the fact they might have been willing to give Obi-Wan a chance on a trial basis if he had not lost his power. They thought the idea of having one so young with so much power would be indeed an experiment the Jedi needed to do. Most felt that a great many sensitives were left behind for they were found when they were too old. A couple had voiced the same feeling about it as Master Eeth and Master Gallia had.
Half of their plan had been put into effect.They wanted the council members' thoughts of training Obi-Wan brought to the forefront for once they were over their anger at what the masters did, then they might concede that since done, they should follow through and have Qui-Gon attempt to train the child.
It would not be without snags. Plo Koon and Master Yaddle could be dominate when they wanted. Yaddle, like Yoda gave new meaning to the words, "Size matters not." Because just like with Master Yoda or Master Yeri, size did not matter for her notoriety within the Jedi council alone, carried with it a certain amount of power.
The day finally came that would let Jinn know if he could keep Obi-Wan at the temple and attempt to train him as a JedI.
It was not as if Jinn felt he could not train Obi-Wan. It would be how much faith the council had in him to do so. For without their consent, Obi-Wan would be shipped to Bandomeer even after all the trouble and pain he had gone through.
Master Jinn stood nervously in front of the council and explained what he,did. Well not by himself he finally had to tell the council masters that Master Yeri and Master Yoda were in on it too. Everyone saw the nasty look sent to Yoda by Master Yaddle who had just a little crush on the master and thought she knew everything about the little troll of a master. Evidently she didn't know he would willingly go against the council's advice to help his former padawan.
Eeth Koth had a twinkle in his eye, like just maybe this would work out. Adi seemed to have a passive look on her face. She would hold her judgement until Master Jinn was finished.
Mace waited with his breath held, his hand over his eyes, and his head drooped down with guilt. He waited for his friend Qui-Gon to bring him into this mess, but Jinn never mentioned Mace's knowledge of what had gone on in the Jinn apartment.
Well he hadn't really known until it was over, but Mace had resigned himself to the fact that he would stand up for his friend and if truly need be tell them he knew and agreed with their deceit of the council. Although deep down he hoped his name would be kept out of it. They would just say it was because he was friends with Jinn and not his willingness or desire to see the experiment work or not. Right now Mace wasn't sure why he went along with their crazy idea to get Obi back his force abilities but he knew Qui-Gon or Yoda had never steered him wrong before and wasn't likely to do it now.
"Are you pleased that you so easily pulled the "wool over our eyes", Jinn, Master Yoda? Did you not have enough confidence in the council to come to us and ask for permission to do this deadly and dangerous transference of blood from one to the other?"
Yaddle's voice was squeaky and small but no less commanding than any other. The other council members valued her opinion of things as highly as they did Yoda's. Although Jinn was not so sure how highly Yoda's opinions meant right now since he was part of the deception of the council.
"Think this child a Jedi he can be?"
Yaddle asked the question that all were curious to know its answer too.
"Not with any certainty."
Jinn spoke in a mild voice trying to hide the apprenhension behind his words.
"No master is certain he can train any padawan he takes with any "true certainty", Master Yaddle.. I am sure with the midichlorian count as high as it is, Obi-Wan will be easier to train and will be able to quickly catch up with his classmates in academics as well as saber and kata techniques."
"Are you willing to put the boy to the test before we agree to keep him in the Jedi order and allow you to train him? That is if we allow it at all."
Jinn suspected that Plo Koon had something devious up his sleeve. What he did not know.
"What kind fo test do you have in mind Master Plo Koon?"
"Well Master Yeri states that the boy will have all his count up in two weeks . Take the child on a mission when his midichlorians are up to normal. See how well he handles himself? Would you agree to that Master Jinn?"
"I am not sure that would be fair to Obi-Wan or the mission we are sent on. I mean he has no training."
"Are you taking back what you said about him already Master Jinn? Are you trying to deceive this council again as you already have once?"
"Master Plo Koon, I am not sure what you mean by deceiving the council. I only mean the boy doesn't know any of the Jedi ways yet. He is not trained with the saber.
"Knock it off Jinn. Don't play words with me. If the child has a brain in his head and his midichlorains reach the count they were, he should be able to do almost anything required of a Jedi without all this training and schooling. Are you falsely saying the child can catch up with the rest? The rest of the padawans have been out on missions and have been for over a year. So I see you aren't as eager to have him as your apprentice agter all. You are not willing to have him out in the field with you. Do you not place any faith in this super Jedi you purport to bring us?"
"Faith Qui-Gon has in the child he does. So much so, take you up on your challenge he will, Master Plo Koon. Send them on a mission you will, assess their progress you also will. Then if does what he should become and apprentice to Jinn, Obi-Wan will ."
Several of the masters Koth and Adi included seemed to nod their acceptance and approval.
"I insist I go along on this mission and supervise. We would not want Master Jinn to come back before this council and misrepresent the truth again. I mean one council member should go and document it and I don't think it should be one of his friends."
Plo Koon planned to see Jinn's little charade be destroyed. He did not like the way Qui-Gon had deceived the council and now they were willing to "fluff" over it.
Master Yaddle spoke up.
"Quardrant four mission is still available is it not Master Koth?"
Along with scheduling appointments before the council Koth often assigned many of the mission for the masters.
"Yes but it takes four, two master and two apprentices for that one."
"I don't see that as a problem. We wanted to test the compatibility of Knight Gayron with Padawan Xanatos. They can be partnered with Jinn and Kenobi. What better way to test the stamina of all four?"
Now Jinn knew Plo Koon had it in for him To send his former padawan with Qui, who was adjusting to being without Xani, with them on a mission was not conducive for success, or at least JInn did not think so.
Yoda didn't either.
"Protest I do. To many other things the master would have to deal with. Needs to stay focused on Obi-Wan he does."
"It is perfect for all concerned I think Master Yoda. I don't think you have any reason to object to anything. You were in on the deception of the council with Jinn."
Koth and the other masters agreed.
Master Koth was the last to speak.
"Then Master Jinn start instructing the child in the ways of the Jedi. As soon as his midichlorian count reaches what it was, you will leave. We can stall that sector's observation trip until then."
It was decided. Jinn would be thrown with Xani again and worse, Plo Koon would be there to watch for any mistakes, on anyone's part……….……
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Just wanted to thank you for the feedback. I read them!!!
PEACE ewen