~*~

„Garen," called the big Jedi Meister the Padawan, as he ran through one of the many halls.

Garen stopped and looked at Qui-Gon asking.

"Did you see Obi-Wan?"

"No, not since you left the ship," Garen answered confused.

Qui-Gon let out a deep sigh.

"I saw him two hours ago," a voice form behind the Jedi, said.

Hopefully, Qui-Gon turned to look at the Padawan. "Did he say, were he want to go, Reeft?"

"You don't know?", Reeft asked, surprised. "He borrowed my ship, I got as Thanks for the Rescue of the Thissipias queen. Were he want to fly, he didn't say. Only, that it is a solo mission."

That means, they are straight on the way to the outer rim. They're goal is Kamino, Rishi, Ryloth, Geonosis or Tatooine. So we know quite exactly where they're heading for!, echoed his Padawans voice in his head. We can't leave her in the hands of this slaver. She is still thinking we lost our trust in her.

Of course! Why haven't I thought of it in the first place? Qui-Gon admonished himself. He want to free Danielle alone.

"It is no solo mission," sighed Qui-Gon. "I am only to late."

"With all due respect, master Jinn," Garen asked grinning. "YOU are to late? Cause of what?"

"Blindness, young Garen!", Qui-Gon answered shortly and took off in a run.

Reeft and Garen looked after him, surprised.

Then Garen turned back to Reeft. "You gave Obi-Wan your new ship?", he asked with a big grin on his face.

"Of course. He is my friend," Reeft answered without understanding.

"How long do you know Obi-Wan? Probably since you can think. And you still didn't learn the highest rule of the 'intercourse – with – Obi-Wan – law` !", Garen said chuckling.

"And this rule is?", Reeft asked unnerved.

"Never, NEVER, give Obi-Wan your ship, when he is going to go on a mission?"

"Why not?"

Garen sighed dramatically. "I'm afraid you will never see your precious ship again!"

"Oh nonsense!", Reeft protested. "Obi-Wan knows how much I love this ship. He will take care of it, cause otherwise I'm going to kill him!"



~*~

"Reeft is going to kill me!" Obi-Wan sighed, as the ship was rocked by blaster fire. "If I will ever see him again," he whispered.

Leaning forward, Obi-Wan moved the ship, to avoid the fire as best as he could. "This damn pirates," he swore silently. "Take this!" and with that he started to fire his own proton canons.

One of the attacking ships moved aside, in time. The other were hit at the broadside. The ship waved and started to burn.

The other ship was to fast. Whatever Obi-Wan tried, he wasn't able to hit it.

Finally he activated the communication device and build a link with the attacker.

"I have no valuable freight on board.", he called, before he could see the holo-image of his opponent.

"You're mistaking!", a familiar voice sounded, as the holo-image started to clear. "There is no more valuable freight for me."

"You!", Obi-Wan hissed.

Another shoot hit Obi-Wan`s ship. More hard as the others before. And the ship was rocked with such a power, that Obi-Wan stumbled. His head hit the console hard. Burning pain filled his senses and his vision were blurred, as he slowly sank to the floor. The last thing he heard, was a cruel laughter. Then all went black.