AN: Thank you for the reviews so far! Now the plot thickens.....

Qui-Gon Jinn's mind raced to assess the situation. With an almost unconscious ease of skill, the Force swelled and seemed to slow down time just enough to let him think. Three fins, even larger then their first opponent, snaked forward slowly through the crumbled ground. He decided it would take several carefully placed strikes with their lightsabers to bring the creature down. Plus, it would distract from their first mission objective: the natives. Fighting it would be taking an unnecessary risk for himself and his Padawan. Besides, these strange people had seem to evade it so far. Perhaps they could lead them to shelter where they could discuss planet matters more appropriately. Churning all these thoughts in a matter of seconds, he came to his final decision.

"Obi-Wan, follow them!" the Jedi Master deactivated his weapon.

His apprentice struggled with the order at first. Only cowards run away and he was confident in their skills. Perhaps over confident. But he also knew escaping was another important tool in battle when used appropriately. Reluctantly, the blue blade slid back into its hilt. Together, they flanked the last of the rushing crowd, prepared to defend them if necessary. Fortunately, the animal's size made it slow and clumsy over long distances.

As Obi-Wan ran, he noticed the scenery began to gradually change. Behind them the city grew smaller and the surrounding desert began to fill with several cactus like trees. He had seen similar plants before, but not nearly as tall. On top of that, the blue sun was rising as the red set, now casting a purple tinge on everything. He had slept longer then he thought.

His master trotted next to him silently. He seemed very focused on the people still jogging ahead, but he knew he hadn't missed any details of their surroundings either.

A shift in the Force alerted them of their pursuer finally giving up on its prey. With a glance back, Obi-Wan saw it slowly flip around and head back to Kareem. Facing ahead again, the cactus trees suddenly grew very dense, a forest no doubt.

"Step carefully Padawan," Qui-Gon spoke up.

There was no need to inquire the command. Thorns of all sizes seem to stick out in every path and crevasse. Some, he guessed, must have been as thick as his arm. One clumsy move, and a traveler could be easily skewered. Gathering the Force to guide them once more, they continued forward. Their objective, however, was nowhere in sight.

"Master, where did they go?" Obi-Wan paused his maneuvering around the deadly trees.

"I believe they live here. This is excellent protection from any hungry beasts that might be lurking about."

Before the Jedi apprentice could reply, he suddenly flew through the air and jarred to a halt in midair. Qui-Gon eyed him, a tinge of laughter hovering in his calm gaze. To Obi-Wan's dismay, the older Jedi was upside down along with everything else.

"Hunting traps," a ghost of a smile played on Qui-Gon's lips as he observed his padawan dangling from a branch, his boot caught in thick twine. Obi-Wan's face turned bright red, whether from embarrassment or blood rushing to his head, he wasn't sure.

"Clever," the boy said dryly as he tried to bend his torso up and untie himself.

Qui-Gon reached for his lightsaber to assist before a heavy net landed on him.

Some excited chatter made both Jedi gaze upward. Mon Keftians were gathered in the thorny branches either laughing or growling at them.

"I don't know how much longer I can stand their hospitality," Obi-Wan sighed.

Qui-Gon nodded under the net. He too wanted get past these preliminaries. He wanted answers, not more questions. They were slowly getting nowhere.

His padawan opened his mouth to complain some more when they suddenly began to shake the rope attached to his leg. His anger shifted into worry as he swung dangerously close to a cluster of thorns. They laughed and continued to toy with him until Qui-Gon's lightsaber thrummed to life. It shredded the net away easily. They gasped and gawked at the glow. Surprisingly, they actually came closer for a better look. They hadn't seen what real harm the weapon could, so they had no reason to fear it, Qui-Gon assumed.

"We grow tired of this," Qui-Gon bellowed," Can you take us to someone who understands? A representative?"

Obi-Wan huffed. Why did he even bother? They didn't speak Basic obviously and their manners were even worse.

"Tired? Tired!" their captors whispered the word to each other and began to chat in their tongue. The Jedi waited out their discussion until one waved them to follow. Qui-Gon put his weapon away. Another native used a thorn to expertly toss at Obi-Wan. The rope snapped and he plunged to the ground with a yelp. Even more embarrassed, the boy got up and brushed himself off.

"Are you alright?"

Obi-Wan grimaced as he pulled some smaller thorns out of his robes. He'd definitely been better.

"Yes, let's get this over with."

They followed the Keftians overhead to what Qui-Gon guessed to be their main settlement. He was just glad they were finally moving ahead, not back. His thoughts were interrupted by his apprentice.

"Master, are you sure this is a good idea? How could they possibly understand what you said?"

"They seemed to have caught onto something," the Jedi gazed upward and admired their skill to leap from branch to branch quickly while dodging the thorns.

"But none of this makes sense. Why didn't the Council mention any of this?"

"Little was known, Padawan."

"Yes, but why would they send us blindly to such a place? It seems almost . . .desperate. I mean, all this for a bacta supply? Many planets farm it. It's a guaranteed profit from such a high demand in the galaxy.

"You are not wrong to question, Obi-Wan. Indeed, there are reasons behind reasons. I met back with them privately before our sojourn.. I wondered the very same thing, and the Council informed me of a rumor. The bacta supply on this planet is particularly unique. It is far more potent then the normal formula with different healing qualities, or so the gossip claims. The mysterious loss may have thrown some senators into a panic."

"Why wasn't I told?" Obi-Wan chided. Didn't they trust him? Didn't his master trust him? He shattered it with his experience leaving the Jedi Order, he knew, but it still hurt that he was possibly considered a risk for information.

"It is a rumor with no hard evidence. The Council felt confident it wouldn't alter our mission, and they were hesitant to provide it by specific request."

"Some one tipped them off?" the padawan was dismayed. It changed his view of this strange planet considerably, and though it was a rumor, it would explain a lot.

"Anonymously. The Jedi have researched any possible bacta experimentations. Nothing has turned up, as of yet."

"I understand," he added solemnly.

Walking further in silence, they finally came to many dwellings built in and through the cactus trees. Some Keftians jumped down and guided the Jedi to a lower hut. Inside it was modest and primitive. Light poured in from lack of a roof. The blue rays played on the hollow face of an old man in the corner.

"Tired!" a young Keftian pointed to the being and then left the dwelling.

"Hello," Qui-Gon approached,"Can you understand us?"

The man's mellow eyes, gazing into empty space, suddenly sparked with recognition.

"Ah, yes, yes. I speak Basic. Though it has been so long."

"So long?" Obi-Wan stepped up, excited they could finally communicate,"Since what?"

"Since-since the. . .Change," he lowered his raspy voice,"I am all that's left."

"Can you tell us what happened here?" Qui-Gon joined again.

"You would be wise to leave, or the Change will engulf you as well."

"We are Jedi, sent here on an urgent mission to research Mon Kefta's sudden withdrawal. Please tell us what you can."

"Oh, I am tired. Very,very tired," the old man ignored them and tried to lay down.

Obi-Wan began to get frustrated. He did not like it when their questions were avoided and the answers were too aloof, "This is very important, sir. Is there anything else you know?"

"So tired . . ." he rudely dozed off in the middle of their conversation.

Obi-Wan turned to face his master,"Do you suppose he is the only one that can speak Basic, being the last . . . whatever he is?"

"We will return at a better time," Qui-Gon added gently," I don't think we'll be going far in meantime."

Reluctantly, they left the hunt. Even more questions were popping up.

Together, the Jedi spent their afternoon observing the natives and their new way of life in the village. They depended mostly on the forest for their food, and water was easily accessible by drilling through the trees. Even the thorns were put to good use by brandishing fine weapons and building materials. Children sped through the camp playing games, while the young adults were busy with daily work. There were hardly any if none of elderly people. Once again their exploring made Obi-Wan unusually tired. It immediately wafted away, however, when Qui-Gon suggested they pay the old man another visit.Being much more familiar with the area, they made their way to his hut.

"Curious," Obi-Wan quickened his step as it came within sight. A crowd had strangely gathered. From his observations, the Keftians kept to themselves, minding their own business. Then after they merged with the gathering, they glared as if something rancid smelling had arrived. Before they weren't entirely friendly, but tolerant atleast.

A few came out of the hut holding the frail body of the tired old man. He was dead.

"Ne seetzta omma kipf!" One shouted.

Suddenly, the entire crowd pushed forward to grab the Jedi intruders. Obi-Wan went immediately for his lightsaber, but Qui-Gon's look prevented it.

"We must not be seen as a threat yet," he whispered.

"What's wrong? What are they doing?" Obi-Wan was startled as they roughly snatched his robes and shoved him to the ground.

The old man must have been very dear to the village, the Jedi Knight realized. They were the last to visit him before his untimely nap. The crowd seemed furious as they shackled the pair with ropes.

"They think he was murdered . . . by us."