Official Disclaimer: All the characters/places/things used in this fic are the property of Lucasfilm etc. No copyright infringement was intended, and I am not making a cent from this.

Author's Note: Okay, so my computer decided to screw me over and crash at the worst possible time. I've finally rewritten this chapter, things will be moving forward. And also thanks for the reviews! *does the 70 review dance* Keep 'em coming please! Oh, and about Boh's behavior: though it may seem very eccentric and implausible, his symptoms actually are the main indicators for a real-life psychopath, according to medical standards. Just wanted to let you know. ^_^

Shout-outs...
Anna Skywalker: Nice. Here's some more. *bin of rocks appears* And yes, I will. ^_^
Shelia: Yes, he better. Or things will get very messy.
Jedilittlebee: Meat and potatoes at your service. Dessert on the way. ;)
Jules: Thank you! And more will come soon.
REALbluelightsaber: Thanks a lot!
Agent Jaid: GOING!
Exile

Part 9

By Ender

Obi-Wan lurched forward clumsily, his foot preventing him from doing much more than throwing himself blindly at the nearest guard in a last desperate act. The tall man swung around as he caught the motion in the corner of his eye, his fist catching the young man's jaw, snapping it back. Obi-Wan dropped to the ground, stunned, as his mouth filled with slick blood. Coughing hoarsely, he leaned to the side, shaking his head to clear it as he spit out the blood with a groan. He could hear the fierce grunt of Payton as the Tora had marginally more success; the other guard swore loudly as he was slammed into the wall.

Both guards surged forward threateningly, but the smaller figure of Boh stepped in front of them; Obi-Wan could make out only the man's silhouette, rimmed in the blinding light of the hall. A disconcerting giggle filled the room, a high-pitched whine that ground at Obi-Wan's already aching head.

"Nice try," Boh laughed, then cut off abruptly. "But you will die." The two guards stepped forward, one cracking his knuckles in uncontained anticipation. Boh held up a hand, his demeanor suddenly an icy calm. "Not now perhaps. Take them to the holding rooms."

The guards paused in noticeable confusion before leaning down to pick up their captives, Boh walking out briskly to let them do their work. Obi-Wan was too weak to resist the guards' rough grip on his arms and Payton was knocked nearly senseless by the guard he had assaulted. The two men were dragged down the hall, feet scrabbling for purchase on the slick stone floors as their captors pulled firmly, their arms a tight vise around Obi-Wan and Payton's torsos.

Minutes later the warriors were deposited in separate places, Obi-Wan dropped into an unceremonious pile in the center of a large room. A glance from Obi-Wan's bleary eyes revealed numerous sharp and very dangerous looking instruments around them, shining from tables trapping them in. He closed his eyes for a moment as a wave of despair washed over him, his head tilting down in defeat. The former Jedi's mind couldn't concentrate; Obi-Wan felt his self control ebbing as he kneeled painfully on the floor.

Feeling a pulse in the back of his mind, Obi-Wan raised his head, eyelids snapping open to focus on a shape in the corner almost directly in front of him. For a second, the young man felt a movement in the Force and the figure of his former Master came into view. The former Jedi recognized the Force camouflage that Qui-Gon was employing to stay hidden, a trick Obi-Wan himself was going to learn...before his banishment. As the shock wore off, Obi-Wan let his head drop again; he couldn't give away Qui-Gon's position.

Boh walked in front of him, tilting Obi-Wan's head up gently with a greasy hand.

"You just don't appreciate my greatness, Obi-Wan," he murmured softly. His fingernails pressed into the skin at Obi-Wan's throat, cutting off a part of his air supply. "You never have."

Obi-Wan gave a choked cough and then answered between clenched teeth, visage twisted in pain and anger. "You're insane, Boh. A cold-blooded murderer. You deserved life in prison."

Boh wrenched away Obi-Wan's head with a hard cuff to Obi-Wan's cheek, a growl animating the man's voice.

"I never deserved any of your Jedi justice," Boh snarled, volume rising as his face turned increasing shades of crimson. "You never saw the great things I could do. You twisted my words; I never did anything wrong."

Obi-Wan's face displayed utter disbelief and contempt. "What about the hundreds of people you killed?" he asked incredulously. "What about the families of your victims?"

Boh snorted, a grin spreading on his face. "It's their problem, not mine. They'll get over it. Just as this planet will adjust to a war." His eyes took on a glazed look as he stared off in thought. "And to me as their ruler."

Obi-Wan's eyes opened in astonishment, his jaw dropping open slightly.

"I mean," Boh continued with a giggle, starting to stalk around the room in steps trembling with excitement. "How many people can say they've started a war?" He held up a hand as if motioned to invisible crowds of adoring subjects. "I'll be revered!"

Obi-Wan shook with disgust at Boh's insanity, his bound hands straining against the cuffs uncontrollably. His gaze centered on Boh, Obi-Wan almost missed the blurred motion of Qui-Gon against the gray walls of the holding room. The Jedi had taken advantage of Boh's distracted reverie; before anyone could comprehend what was going on, the guards were down on the floor, dead or mortally wounded.

Boh whipped around with a roar, his rage skyrocketing when he recognized Qui-Gon. The Jedi's lightsaber blazing green as he advanced, its faint hum familiar music to Obi-Wan's ears. Boh launched himself at the Jedi Master, but Qui-Gon threw out a hand at the last moment, Force-pushing him back. The man hit the wall with a bone-jarring crack and fell to in heap, legs and arms sprawled. Stepping forward, the Jedi watched as Boh rolled over, braced himself on his arms, and attempted to rise, laughing the whole time.

Obi-Wan observed Boh's hand slipping around something in his pocket, grasping it in a firm grip. Time seemed to slow as the man held out a rectangular control, psychosis radiating from his dilated pupils. The former Jedi screamed out a warning to Qui-Gon, but too late; the bearded man was hit from behind by a hidden laser blast triggered by the remote in Boh's hand. Falling to his knees, Qui-Gon dropped his lightsaber, stunned.

Now, in the confusion, Obi-Wan could feel the Force pulsing around him, waves of it crashing over his consciousness. He drew on the light, as he had done on his first mission with Qui-Gon seven years before. Its power dulled his pain and caused an amazing clarity to exploded inside his chaotic thoughts, once-absent energy flowing through his veins. The throbbing in his ankle gone, Obi-Wan stood in a effortless motion and charged at the preoccupied Boh, hand outstretched and calling Qui-Gon's lightsaber to him.

Cool metal hit his palm with a satisfying firmness, gripped in his hand with an old familiarity. Thumbing the power button, Obi-Wan ignited the humming blade as he swung towards Boh, who was now readying the laser for another blast. He was too late.

Obi-Wan dealt the killing blow to the man, executing a gymnastic flip he had perfected as a Jedi to deal a maximum force of power behind his blow. Boh collapsed, his face frozen forever in anger. Obi-Wan landed, but took no time to savor his victory, dropping to the floor to dodge the blaster bolt that shot past his head.

Looking up in the ensuing silence, the young man felt his blazing awareness of the Force dim, back to his normal level. He rose, walking over to Qui-Gon to see how badly the Jedi had been hit. Qui-Gon assured him he had only been grazed by the laser, accepting his lightsaber with a small smile as Obi-Wan held it out to him. Obi-Wan couldn't help smiling back, taking a moment to savor the friendship he had once had with his former Master. However, they had to escape, and fast; time was running out and Payton still had to be freed.

Before exiting the room, Obi-Wan took one look at the motionless body of Boh, the man that had ruined his life. And walked away.