"I have had just about enough of this. Your healers have found nothing that would indicate I have abused my apprentice. He himself told them that in fact, I have done nothing wrong. I get the impression when I was summoned here before the council, it was to discuss the wrongful actions of Master Jinn. I can see favoritism has a way of clouding wrongdoing on his part. If that is the case, I must insist that Obi-Wan and I be excused. Once the council has decided what action is to be taken against Master Jinn, you can notify me. Until then, I have nothing more to say to this council."
Knight Riley stepped forward toward Obi-Wan as I in an attempt to grab him by the arm and physically remove him from the council chambers. He met resistance by both Obi's sister as she turned to put her body as a shield, in front of Obi with him grasped in her arms and Master Jinn who stepped between Ja'Reen and the two apprentices.
Ja' Reen turned to the council. His nostrils flared as he made a venomous accusation against the master who blocked his way.
"See, Master Jinn threatens me before the council masters yourselves, all of you and still no censure is to be done to him. Must I protect myself before you, without your help?"
He made another step toward the brother and sister huddled together. Not only Qui -Gon, but all the masters assembled could feel fear emanate from Obi-Wan as he waited to see what his master planned. That fear made the council question Riley's real feelings for the boy even more.
With the second step toward Obi and Sierra, Riley met with another powerful and irate master, Mace Windu. He jumped up from his council seat and stood side by side with Master Jinn. He had no intentions of Riley laying a hand on his apprentice and he certainly would not listen to any council member who told him otherwise.
Silence eerily hung in the air of the chambers as everyone held their breath. They understood the meeting had speedily turned ugly and just as quickly could escalate into a full blown argumentative confrontation. If not contained, Master Yoda felt it could just as easily take a more dangerous turn; one of an actual battle between the three Jedi masters who stood before the council.
"Stop this non ense, all here will. Think on the matter I will. Ja'Reen to your quarters and meditate I think for you. Mace take your apprentice and do the same. Unlike the Jedi to bicker and battle between our own. Like it I do not."
"What about my apprentice? Does this mean you plan to take him away from me."
"Take him we will temporarily."
Yoda had not even asked the other masters' consent when he formed his plan and so he waited to see if they agreed. Several nodded their approval and no one verbally objected.
"I absolutely think this is absurd. What if I don't' agree to him being taken.?"
"Easy that question is to answer. Take him we will anyway. Like it or not, abide by the council rules all Jedi do or Jedi no longer they are."
Riley remained stone silent for a moment.
"May I at least know what you plan to do with my apprentice while I don't have custody of him. Who will care for him as I do?"
Master Gallia spoke up before Master Yoda had a chance to voice his opinion of where Obi-Wan should stay.
Padawan Kenobi may stay with me until this is settled. It would not be good to place him with Master Jinn, though I do think that if the force is trying to form a bond between Obi-Wan and Master Jinn then quite possibly he should be placed there. However I know the objections you would well put up and I have no intentions of listening to any further complaints today. Any master on this council object?"
Sierra let out a long sigh of relief. She very much admired Master Adi and she was like family. She was apprenticed to her own master, Master Windu. In a sense, they were like sisters. She knew without a doubt, Obi-Wan would be treated well under her care. There was a part of her though that hoped Obi would have been allowed to stay with Master Jinn. Opposite of her previous thoughts about Master Jinn becoming Obi's master, she now thought it an excellent idea. She did not trust Riley JA'Reen. Something was wrong between the two, Obi-Wan and his new master..
"Then dismissed all of you will be. Decide about Qui-Gon's rightness or wrongness of this situation. Also decide whether Knight Ja'Reen keep his apprentice or not."
"I demand to know right now why you think you should have any right to take my apprentice?"
"I thought Master Yoda and Master Gallia made themselves clear that they did not wish to argue."
Mace stepped before Riley and stood there in wait of an answer.
"Because I have not been told why Obi-Wan has been taken from my care. Even if he has bonded with Jinn he had no right to do so. He is *MINE*.
Yoda tapped his gimer stick, then rose, and walked to the knight.
"Disobey the force no one can. See how this bond formed we will. Master Jinn not guilty of wrong then disciplined he will not be. Break a bond blessed by the force no Jedi even I am permitted to do. Also there is question about the boy. Fear I feel in him and it is because of his master. No padawan fear their master at this temple. Take it upon myself I do, find the reason behind that fear, I will. You, Knight Riley concern for yourself you should be. If reason for that fear is you, then answer to me personally you will."
####two weeks later###
"Master Jinn nice you see you still roam these halls. You have made yourself scarce the last couple of weeks. Need I guess why?"
Qui-Gon smiled sheepishly to Adi. She never missed a thing that went on in the temple and she wasn't afraid to mention it either.
"Well I think you know the reason . As difficult as it has been for me to see the little imp, I want to give him and I really tie away from each other so Riley can not start sprouting is lies again about my attempt to steel him from him."
"So that is why you broke his heart right after the meeting and assigned him to another saber master."
"In part, yes. But he has improved greatly in his saber skills and I thought he should be with padawans his own age.Is he adjusting?"
Adi stopped looked out the windows to the breezeway they were on and sat down on a small bench there. She patted the other side of the bench for Master Jinn to sit as well.
"He has been a little unhappy and although he's tried valiantly to hide it, I sense it. I also sense the bond you and he have. Can you?"
"Of course I can Adi, but until the council gives me some direction to go I can't interfere."
"I suppose so, but as one of the council members my self I would have no qualms about you taking the training over for Riley. How do you feel about it?"
"If the force directs it then so be it. I am apprehensive though. It has been awhile since I mastered an apprentice. The way I feel about this little one, I don't think it would take long for him to reverse the rolls and master me."
Adi laughed and slapped the knee of Master Jinn. She felt comfortable around her master's best friend and it showed.
"Look Qui-Gon, you are much wiser and [she cleared her throat] older than I."
Jinn interrupted.
"Thanks a lot."
"I don't mean that in an bad way. Anyway, I truly don't want to be intrusive in your life. However, you know yourself you can not deny what the force wants."
"Oh I know that Adi and I won't. I just want to make sure it is not something Obi and I both are doing subconsciously to reinforce the bond. Also I want to give Riley a chance, you know be fair."
Adi snorted and looked at Qui-Gon directly in the eye.
"You sit there Master Jinn and tell me that you don't suspect some kind of abuse was done against the boy by his master and I will go now and recommend to the rest of the council to send hi back to Riley."
Qui-Gon threw his hand up as if to stop Adi.
"Wow I didn't say all that. I said it has to be looked into and this time I am going to stay out of it. Way out of it. That is another reason I transferred Obi-Wan."
"I knew it. I knew you put him out of your class because you feared you'd grow closer to him."
"Can you blame me Master Gallia? Riley made a serious accusation and with that comes a serious investigation. I don't plan to throw my Jedi career away because of being accused of "snaking" someone else's apprentice. We all have to be sure about this before we uproot Obi-Wan again. His life, even behind the safety of these temple walls has be one big upheaval and test of patience for him."
"Well I personally think he belongs with you. I feel it. I am not just saying this because I am your friend."
"Nice to know that." Jinn smiled then looked down at the data pad in his hands and thrust it forward for Master Gallia.
"Here I think I have found a solution to the problem."
The Jedi master gave Adi time to review what was written on the data pad and continued.
" This way Obi can't say of I am intentionally ignoring him. It also might give he and his master time enough alone without my force signature being so strong here at the teple. Maybe they can learn to adjust work together as one, as it should be with master and apprentice."
Master Adi Gallia looked down at the data pad Jinn pushed almost in her face. It was a mission report not a completed mission but one to undertaken. Master Jinn had asked for an assignment outside of the temple and council masters, Plo Koon and Yoda, assigned had given Master Jinn a mission on the outer rim of the tirade of planets commonly known at the temple as Space Waste Trio [S.W.T.], the biggest collective force of criminals from every known species in the galaxy sought sanction there when not roaming the pilfering the innocent for anything valuable. She couldn't hide her surprise but waited until Qui-Gon had finished talking before she offered up an exactly opposite opinion.
"Well I never!! I should go to Yoda and Plo Koon right now and check and see if their brains have frozen".
Jinn leaned back on the bench, stretched his legs, and chuckled at the indignant look on Adi's face."
"Oh Adi come on, you know this is the best thing to do right now. Separate from him and see if the bond is still strong."
"Well Sith PooDoo!" Jinn raised his one eyebrow and cocked his head to the side as if he wondered if he heard Adi's vulgar phrase correctly. Vulgar for her because Jinn had never in his time of knowing the other master seen her so out of character, rash sounding like a Huttenese hooker..
She seemed just as shocked as Qui-Gon the words had slipped from her lips. Maybe, thought Jinn, she only planned to think them, but they came out anyway.
"Sometimes I think the males of all species have totally lost what little minds they *DO* possess. This will be extremely hard on the boy. The other council members, with the exception of Master Windu, may override my wish that he remain with me, if he can't go to you. They might go so far as to hand him right back over to Knight Riley."
"Then if the council feels he should go back then maybe he should. He can't runaway from his problems. Allowing him an out when faced with a difficult road in his life might not be conducive to forming a strong Jedi . Obi, I mean Padawan Kenobi has to learn the ways of the Jedi, all of them, even down to strict obedience. Maybe he just has to learn what his master's expectations of him are and follow them, down to the letter."
"Yes, his master's way, like a beating him anytime he steps out of line. Are you willing to condone that when before the council, you suspected it and condemned it."
"Do you know that for sure Adi? Has Obi-Wan said as much?"
A look of deep concern for the apprentice formed on Master Jinn's face as he waited for Master Gallia's reply.
"Well…no but I sense something there."
Jinn seemed relieved but he didn't believe there wasn't something not quite right between the new master and apprentice.. However he felt that with the separation of the two maybe, Riley had come to his senses.
"I assure you this is for the best."
"We will see Qui-Gon Jinn. Nevertheless, maybe you should listen to the same advice you want Padawan Kenobi to follow.."
Jinn got up and started to walked away. He stopped abruptly, his Jedi robe tangled in the draft his quick turn created as he faced Master Gallia again..
"And what part of my advice to Obi-Wan should I listen too as well?"
"The part about running away. You said Obi-Wan can't run from his problems but yet I get the feeling that is exactly what this mission is, your escape from reality. You are not willing to do what you ask of the boy; to accept one's fate, the chiseled-out destiny forged for them by the force itself. When I try to imagine your future I can only see one constant, and that is Obi-Wan by your side…..
###############
Sorry! I had to go back and edit. My processor copied the chapter twice.
PEACE ewen
Knight Riley stepped forward toward Obi-Wan as I in an attempt to grab him by the arm and physically remove him from the council chambers. He met resistance by both Obi's sister as she turned to put her body as a shield, in front of Obi with him grasped in her arms and Master Jinn who stepped between Ja'Reen and the two apprentices.
Ja' Reen turned to the council. His nostrils flared as he made a venomous accusation against the master who blocked his way.
"See, Master Jinn threatens me before the council masters yourselves, all of you and still no censure is to be done to him. Must I protect myself before you, without your help?"
He made another step toward the brother and sister huddled together. Not only Qui -Gon, but all the masters assembled could feel fear emanate from Obi-Wan as he waited to see what his master planned. That fear made the council question Riley's real feelings for the boy even more.
With the second step toward Obi and Sierra, Riley met with another powerful and irate master, Mace Windu. He jumped up from his council seat and stood side by side with Master Jinn. He had no intentions of Riley laying a hand on his apprentice and he certainly would not listen to any council member who told him otherwise.
Silence eerily hung in the air of the chambers as everyone held their breath. They understood the meeting had speedily turned ugly and just as quickly could escalate into a full blown argumentative confrontation. If not contained, Master Yoda felt it could just as easily take a more dangerous turn; one of an actual battle between the three Jedi masters who stood before the council.
"Stop this non ense, all here will. Think on the matter I will. Ja'Reen to your quarters and meditate I think for you. Mace take your apprentice and do the same. Unlike the Jedi to bicker and battle between our own. Like it I do not."
"What about my apprentice? Does this mean you plan to take him away from me."
"Take him we will temporarily."
Yoda had not even asked the other masters' consent when he formed his plan and so he waited to see if they agreed. Several nodded their approval and no one verbally objected.
"I absolutely think this is absurd. What if I don't' agree to him being taken.?"
"Easy that question is to answer. Take him we will anyway. Like it or not, abide by the council rules all Jedi do or Jedi no longer they are."
Riley remained stone silent for a moment.
"May I at least know what you plan to do with my apprentice while I don't have custody of him. Who will care for him as I do?"
Master Gallia spoke up before Master Yoda had a chance to voice his opinion of where Obi-Wan should stay.
Padawan Kenobi may stay with me until this is settled. It would not be good to place him with Master Jinn, though I do think that if the force is trying to form a bond between Obi-Wan and Master Jinn then quite possibly he should be placed there. However I know the objections you would well put up and I have no intentions of listening to any further complaints today. Any master on this council object?"
Sierra let out a long sigh of relief. She very much admired Master Adi and she was like family. She was apprenticed to her own master, Master Windu. In a sense, they were like sisters. She knew without a doubt, Obi-Wan would be treated well under her care. There was a part of her though that hoped Obi would have been allowed to stay with Master Jinn. Opposite of her previous thoughts about Master Jinn becoming Obi's master, she now thought it an excellent idea. She did not trust Riley JA'Reen. Something was wrong between the two, Obi-Wan and his new master..
"Then dismissed all of you will be. Decide about Qui-Gon's rightness or wrongness of this situation. Also decide whether Knight Ja'Reen keep his apprentice or not."
"I demand to know right now why you think you should have any right to take my apprentice?"
"I thought Master Yoda and Master Gallia made themselves clear that they did not wish to argue."
Mace stepped before Riley and stood there in wait of an answer.
"Because I have not been told why Obi-Wan has been taken from my care. Even if he has bonded with Jinn he had no right to do so. He is *MINE*.
Yoda tapped his gimer stick, then rose, and walked to the knight.
"Disobey the force no one can. See how this bond formed we will. Master Jinn not guilty of wrong then disciplined he will not be. Break a bond blessed by the force no Jedi even I am permitted to do. Also there is question about the boy. Fear I feel in him and it is because of his master. No padawan fear their master at this temple. Take it upon myself I do, find the reason behind that fear, I will. You, Knight Riley concern for yourself you should be. If reason for that fear is you, then answer to me personally you will."
####two weeks later###
"Master Jinn nice you see you still roam these halls. You have made yourself scarce the last couple of weeks. Need I guess why?"
Qui-Gon smiled sheepishly to Adi. She never missed a thing that went on in the temple and she wasn't afraid to mention it either.
"Well I think you know the reason . As difficult as it has been for me to see the little imp, I want to give him and I really tie away from each other so Riley can not start sprouting is lies again about my attempt to steel him from him."
"So that is why you broke his heart right after the meeting and assigned him to another saber master."
"In part, yes. But he has improved greatly in his saber skills and I thought he should be with padawans his own age.Is he adjusting?"
Adi stopped looked out the windows to the breezeway they were on and sat down on a small bench there. She patted the other side of the bench for Master Jinn to sit as well.
"He has been a little unhappy and although he's tried valiantly to hide it, I sense it. I also sense the bond you and he have. Can you?"
"Of course I can Adi, but until the council gives me some direction to go I can't interfere."
"I suppose so, but as one of the council members my self I would have no qualms about you taking the training over for Riley. How do you feel about it?"
"If the force directs it then so be it. I am apprehensive though. It has been awhile since I mastered an apprentice. The way I feel about this little one, I don't think it would take long for him to reverse the rolls and master me."
Adi laughed and slapped the knee of Master Jinn. She felt comfortable around her master's best friend and it showed.
"Look Qui-Gon, you are much wiser and [she cleared her throat] older than I."
Jinn interrupted.
"Thanks a lot."
"I don't mean that in an bad way. Anyway, I truly don't want to be intrusive in your life. However, you know yourself you can not deny what the force wants."
"Oh I know that Adi and I won't. I just want to make sure it is not something Obi and I both are doing subconsciously to reinforce the bond. Also I want to give Riley a chance, you know be fair."
Adi snorted and looked at Qui-Gon directly in the eye.
"You sit there Master Jinn and tell me that you don't suspect some kind of abuse was done against the boy by his master and I will go now and recommend to the rest of the council to send hi back to Riley."
Qui-Gon threw his hand up as if to stop Adi.
"Wow I didn't say all that. I said it has to be looked into and this time I am going to stay out of it. Way out of it. That is another reason I transferred Obi-Wan."
"I knew it. I knew you put him out of your class because you feared you'd grow closer to him."
"Can you blame me Master Gallia? Riley made a serious accusation and with that comes a serious investigation. I don't plan to throw my Jedi career away because of being accused of "snaking" someone else's apprentice. We all have to be sure about this before we uproot Obi-Wan again. His life, even behind the safety of these temple walls has be one big upheaval and test of patience for him."
"Well I personally think he belongs with you. I feel it. I am not just saying this because I am your friend."
"Nice to know that." Jinn smiled then looked down at the data pad in his hands and thrust it forward for Master Gallia.
"Here I think I have found a solution to the problem."
The Jedi master gave Adi time to review what was written on the data pad and continued.
" This way Obi can't say of I am intentionally ignoring him. It also might give he and his master time enough alone without my force signature being so strong here at the teple. Maybe they can learn to adjust work together as one, as it should be with master and apprentice."
Master Adi Gallia looked down at the data pad Jinn pushed almost in her face. It was a mission report not a completed mission but one to undertaken. Master Jinn had asked for an assignment outside of the temple and council masters, Plo Koon and Yoda, assigned had given Master Jinn a mission on the outer rim of the tirade of planets commonly known at the temple as Space Waste Trio [S.W.T.], the biggest collective force of criminals from every known species in the galaxy sought sanction there when not roaming the pilfering the innocent for anything valuable. She couldn't hide her surprise but waited until Qui-Gon had finished talking before she offered up an exactly opposite opinion.
"Well I never!! I should go to Yoda and Plo Koon right now and check and see if their brains have frozen".
Jinn leaned back on the bench, stretched his legs, and chuckled at the indignant look on Adi's face."
"Oh Adi come on, you know this is the best thing to do right now. Separate from him and see if the bond is still strong."
"Well Sith PooDoo!" Jinn raised his one eyebrow and cocked his head to the side as if he wondered if he heard Adi's vulgar phrase correctly. Vulgar for her because Jinn had never in his time of knowing the other master seen her so out of character, rash sounding like a Huttenese hooker..
She seemed just as shocked as Qui-Gon the words had slipped from her lips. Maybe, thought Jinn, she only planned to think them, but they came out anyway.
"Sometimes I think the males of all species have totally lost what little minds they *DO* possess. This will be extremely hard on the boy. The other council members, with the exception of Master Windu, may override my wish that he remain with me, if he can't go to you. They might go so far as to hand him right back over to Knight Riley."
"Then if the council feels he should go back then maybe he should. He can't runaway from his problems. Allowing him an out when faced with a difficult road in his life might not be conducive to forming a strong Jedi . Obi, I mean Padawan Kenobi has to learn the ways of the Jedi, all of them, even down to strict obedience. Maybe he just has to learn what his master's expectations of him are and follow them, down to the letter."
"Yes, his master's way, like a beating him anytime he steps out of line. Are you willing to condone that when before the council, you suspected it and condemned it."
"Do you know that for sure Adi? Has Obi-Wan said as much?"
A look of deep concern for the apprentice formed on Master Jinn's face as he waited for Master Gallia's reply.
"Well…no but I sense something there."
Jinn seemed relieved but he didn't believe there wasn't something not quite right between the new master and apprentice.. However he felt that with the separation of the two maybe, Riley had come to his senses.
"I assure you this is for the best."
"We will see Qui-Gon Jinn. Nevertheless, maybe you should listen to the same advice you want Padawan Kenobi to follow.."
Jinn got up and started to walked away. He stopped abruptly, his Jedi robe tangled in the draft his quick turn created as he faced Master Gallia again..
"And what part of my advice to Obi-Wan should I listen too as well?"
"The part about running away. You said Obi-Wan can't run from his problems but yet I get the feeling that is exactly what this mission is, your escape from reality. You are not willing to do what you ask of the boy; to accept one's fate, the chiseled-out destiny forged for them by the force itself. When I try to imagine your future I can only see one constant, and that is Obi-Wan by your side…..
###############
Sorry! I had to go back and edit. My processor copied the chapter twice.
PEACE ewen
