Official Disclaimer: The usual. I don't own these characters and places, I'm not receiving money for this and no copyright infringement is intended. And I'm still poor. Whee.

Shameless Advertising: CSI fans out there, check out Spazoid's new CSI fic, Paint it Black. Good stuff.

Author's Note: Wow all the reviews were awesome! They inspired me to get out his chapter faster, so don't forget to drop another one by after you get done with this one!
Jules: You're welcome. And knowing the boys, trouble is around the corner.
Aoi Tenshi: You got it.
Spazoid: Ha, I did it again. And please don't kill Merry. *holds up her Pippin doll* Pippin wouldn't like it.
Jedi Ha'Li: Thank you.
Tavae Themisal: Oh, Qui-Gon and the Council will sweat. Believe me. Just wait.
Anna Skywalker: Yes, running is order. ;)
Culf: "Poor Obi" is right.
Shelia: Thank you very much. Hope this is updating soon enough.
~Becky~: Glad you picked it up again. And I was expecting a request like yours... *she drags up a bin* Free Legolas dolls for reviewers. Get 'em before supplies run out.


Exile

By Ender

Part 7


Qui-Gon started as the being's voice reverberated through the almost empty safe house. Payton, less in control of himself, cursed lightly beneath his breath.

"Damn! What is going on?" he exclaimed as he punched the arm of his chair in frustration. Obi-Wan merely stared at the flickering hologram, faint reflections glinting off of his pale irises.

"I don't know. But we need to get out of here," the former Jedi stated at last as his growing feeling of unease turned his stomach. It was only a matter of time before the Tora led them to the remote building. "Now."

He braced his arms on the fluffy chair, muscles growing taught as he lifted himself onto his feet. With a small grimace, he put a delicate pressure on his left leg until he was standing fully, then began to walk towards the door. An obvious limp marred his gait, but he stood steadily on his leg as he turned to look at the other men. Payton was already in motion, grabbing his scabbard and roughly attaching itself to his belt. Qui-Gon merely strode over in the noble manner which surrounded him everywhere he went; he knew Obi-Wan's premonitions were often right, as much as he tried to convince his Padawan otherwise.

The three men grabbed the barest survival supplies available and set out to the nearby woods, Payton and Qui-Gon treading slightly behind Obi-Wan in case his newfound strength should give out. Lush greenery within the vast trees soon trapped them into the mass of wildlife. Sounds normally absent in civilization hummed around them as winds rustled leaves and animals moved through the brush. Obi-Wan found himself nearly calmed by the peaceful air.

"Where are we headed?" Qui-Gon asked quietly, also affected by the tranquility. Payton's answer was abruptly cut short as the harsh rev of a motor penetrated the wall of greenery. Jedi and Tora dropped to the ground as more engines joined the sound of the first. Faint voices could be heard seconds later, all coming from the direction of the abandoned structure.

They laid and waited until the dim speech finally faded away, right as Ruida's sun set in the twilight sky. Payton grabbed his charge by the shoulders and hauled him up; no time could be wasted. His face dark from the moving shadows of the forest and his own anger, he turned to the Jedi Master and finally answered his question.

"As far away from the city as possible."

~~~~~~~~~~~~


Twin moons shed pale silver light over the warriors as they hiked deeper and deeper into the wilderness, clouds crossing their path in the threatening sky. Qui-Gon led the way up a steep embankment as Payton supported Obi-Wan as much as the younger man would allow. Though he would admit it to no one, the throbbing in his leg had increased to excruciating pain. But he could still walk on it, so he would.

The way was hard going, stones littering the ground as the companions weaved through the path leading to the top of the rise. Obi-Wan paused to lean on a stick he had picked up earlier, shifting his weight off of the afflicted leg.

"Almost there," Payton muttered to Obi-Wan, who offered an answering grunt in return.
Qui-Gon, now almost to the crest of the mount, was well aware of Obi-Wan's suffering, his Force signature full of pain. The Jedi wanted nothing more than to use the Force to alleviate the ache, but the risk of driving his former Padawan away further kept him from doing do. Obi-Wan was not used to Qui-Gon yet, and the Jedi would do nothing to jeopardize getting his son back.

Now the ground far below came into view, a long stretch of level plain illuminated by one of the moons as it broke through the suffocating clouds. Qui-Gon stared as his gaze caught sight of a substantial building at the bottom of the hill directly in front of him. He dropped to the ground and motioned for Obi-Wan and Payton to do the same as they came up behind him.

"I thought you said this was open land," the Jedi stated, reaching out with the Force to scan the area.

"I did," Payton answered heatedly, peering over the apex through the tall mound of grass crowing the slope. "That's not supposed to be there."

"But it is," Obi-Wan added, the strain in his voice apparent under his words. He paused a second before resuming, his voice growing stronger with effort. "We need to scout it."

Making an attempt to stand up, Obi-Wan rose about halfway before his leg gave out and he crashed back into the dirt. Qui-Gon, ignoring his earlier caution, laid a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder as he probed the wound and let the Force absorb much of the pain. An uneasy pause fell over the tiny group until Obi-Wan gave a tiny nod.

"Thank you," he said, nodding in the Jedi's direction. Qui-Gon nodded as well, relieved, and turned to the Tora beside them.

"I will go scout the area. Give me an hour." Payton motioned his consent, his gaze still fixed on the injured man beside him.

"We will alert you to any dangers." He handed over a comlink, which Qui-Gon placed inside his tunic pocket.

Without a word, Qui-Gon raced over the hill and down to the clearing below, staying as close to the ground as possible and using his dark brown robe for camouflage. Stooping behind a close tree, he reached out again with the Force. As he explored the building's signatures something jolted him; his blood ran cold as ice and his body tensed against the rough bark. One familiar presence shone like a beacon through the night, filled with malice. There was no mistaking the revolting aura of Boh.