Qui-Gon Jinn heard Adi's accusations, understood them to be truth, but failed to acknowledge to her that she was right. He wanted to find an escape out of all this and he did what he had done when faced with Xani's problem, he ran.
One week after his long chat with Master Gallia, Master Jinn headed on another mission.
Master Jinn watched out the porthole as the pilot lifted of from the temple's space port. The only thing on his mind was the little one that he left behind.
Obi-Wan had put such a dent in the master's heart that he thought he would wind up in the swamp lands of Dagabah. He would use his escape plan just as before to dilute the hurt that mounted more, until Jinn was sure it would surpass the misery Xanatos created for him.
//How did I let myself fall into the same old trap. Affection is not something I wanted to have for anyone else, especially an apprentice and most especially to someone's else's apprentice. //
Jinn settled back in his seat and pulled the blinds down to keep from seeing planets and stars pass by. The more that passed and if he watched them he would know the further he got away from what he ran from.
//Shouldn't I be glad I am getting further away from my problems or problem, Obi-Wan. Or do I know you really can't run from your problems. I should have faced them. I should have let them break the thin filament of a bond that exits between Obi-wan and I and then leave. //
Deep down Qui-Gon knew he didn't mean what he thought about breaking the bond with Obi-Wan, but he would not admit it even to himself. It felt good, comfortable, safe to be connected again with an apprentice.
#######Later on the mission########
Master Jinn had battled more in the last two weeks than he had in the last year. Jedi always tried to settle any dispute without violence and Qui-Gon did attempt to do that. However the species he dealt with were less than peaceful or willing to listen to diplomatic reasoning. He went over his saber for the second time that night to make sure the crystals were not damaged. The saber was the only thing to suffer any during the battle fought this day. He replaced three crystals and at the rate he was going he would have to comm the temple and ask the weapon's master in charge to ship him more crystals. That is how hard this trip had been. He did not have to contact the temple late that evening . Just as he sat down to a small meal he prepared himself, Jinn found himself back up and at the com link on the small desk. It was Master Yoda and as soon as his holo picture came up on the visual screen, Qui sensed something was wrong. He saw more than sensed something wrong because he truly felt nothing through the force, but then again he had kept his shields tightly closed.
As soon as he arrived on planet, Master Jinn closed off any link with the Jedi world because of other force sensitives on the planet that were not friendly to the Jedi. As bad as he hated to admit it, his reason for shielding had as much to do with Obi-Wan as it did with any adversary on this planet. He found early on in this mission that it was the only way he could keep his mind focused on the mission. He could not afford to spend his time worrying about the little one back at the temple. He was under the best of care with Adi. He would trust her with his own life and knew she would in no way ever been cruel to anyone let alone a child as Obi-Wan was who was also confused.
"Master Yoda is there something wrong?"
There certainly looked liked something was wrong by Yoda's droopy ears and overall look of sadness.
"Need you back here we do. Send another master we will."
"Master, this mission has been an extremely difficult undertaking. I would rather not put another Jedi in harm's way. Unless there is something very pressing that I should attend too back at the temple, I request that I stay here. I am more familiar with this uprising and I know…."
"Obey the council you will Master Jinn. Needed back here you are. "
"Jinn heard the urgency in Yoda's voice and did not doubt now that something almost catastrophic had occurred."
"Very well, but could you at least tell me while I am going to streak across the galaxy in a hasty retreat back to the temple.. Of what import am I needed at the temple?"
"The child, Obi-Wan kidnapped he has been."
"Someone breached our security at the temple and took Obi-Wan, why?"
"Breach the security they did not. From within his kidnapper came. Like a thief in the night, Ja' Reen taken the boy he has. For what purpose we do not know, but fear I do, good it is not. Harm he plans Qui-Gon and I want the child found."
"Why me?"
"Master Jinn, play stupid with me, you will not. Open your bond to the boy when reach this planet you do. Find him you can with your fledgling bond."
It made sense to Qui-Gon, too much sense. Their bond thread-like, that it was could be very instrumentally used to track the boy once he returned to Coruscant, opened it up, and if Ja'Reen did not find out about it through feelings of the force. He was worried about the child but also a nagging concern was there to what opening the bond would do to it, increase it he feared." Yoda seemed to know what his thoughts were.
"Matter not whether increase or not. If willing you will be to train the boy. Riley Ja'Reen gone from this temple; banished as if he never existed he will be once the child found he is. Now next transport out you will go. Two masters to come to replace you, More needed then send more we will."
"Safe journey my padawan and may the force be with you."
This was the first time in his Jedi life that Master Jinn left a mission without it being completed. It should be said it's the first time he left a mission incomplete and wasn't carried off on a stretcher with a healer administrating life-saving measures on him. That was how dedicated Qui-Gon was to the Jedi order. Now though, he had something else to be loyal too, his future apprentice. As soon as Master Yoda delivered the news of Ja'Reen's actions and the eventual dismissal from the Jedi order for those actions, when found, Master Jinn knew without a doubt he would take the child as his apprentice. His stubbornness and fear that stopped him shot last time was overridden by his undeniable desire to protect his apprentice.. This time there would be nothing in his way because he had already made his mind up.
//I will accept Obi-Wan Kenobi as my apprentice if he is agreeable. I only hope that because of my refusal of him before, I have not jeopardized his life……. //
Master Jinn did not have to go to the council and request help from other Jedi master. Master Gallia, Master Plo Koon and Mace were there and prepared to go where Jinn directed. They would comb Coruscant for the missing knight and kidnapped padawan.
However there was one ready to aid Master Jinn that could hardly be held back until he could reach the temple. Sierra Kenobi, Obi-Wan's sister was more anxious than anyone to find her pup of a brother was.
###Somewhere in the city, not far from the public transport landing.###
"You don't think this plan of yours will work do you master?"
Ja'Reen peaked around the corner of the building that hid them before he sat back down. He leaned his head against the cool brick wall of the building and looked up at the boy who stood bedside him.
"Knock it off Kenobi. It is not necessary to call me master any longer. You and Master Jinn saw to it I would never make it to master. No, I would have had a forced destiny of remaining a Jedi knight if the council even allowed me to stay. No now I will seek another career, something no so honorable so righteous driven. Maybe even become a thief or a slaver."
Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide with the mention of slavers. He had never been out to meet them but he had heard stories of missing knights, masters. and even apprentices. Either sold into slavery or pirates of the skies would kidnap them to work and they would never be heard from. He also knew with a force inhibitor, a Jedi was only as good as his abilities. He would not have the force to fall back on.
Obi-Wan toed the dust under his foot until his boot was covered in it.
"What plans do you have for me? Surely you are not going to set out on a new life with a kid tugging on your tunic."
"Well you surely described yourself Kenobi. You wouldn't have made it to knighthood so in a way I have done you a favor as well as myself. No, I don't have any intention of keeping you but neither do I have any plans to let you return to the temple to your new master, Qui-Gon Jinn."
The Jedi knight got up from his comfortable position just in time to see the transport he had been waiting on. He already had the tickets. Now he would wait until it was just about ready for take off and would hurriedly get on with Obi-Wan and secure them a seat. Once they were off the planet the Jedi would not even bother to look for him, or so he thought.
"Master Jinn, do you think maybe we should check the public transport system?"
Jinn had to agree. With the pad wan, Obi's sister. She might be young but she had a head on her head."
"Sierra Kenobi don't second guess a master. Qui-Gon knows what he is doing."
You could see the blush on Mace's face even through the ebony creamed skin. Padawans *did* not tell masters what they should do.
Jinn suddenly stopped in his tracks and threw his arm out to stop Master Plo Koon and Adi.
"No that's quite alright Mace, your padawan is right. I really didn't think Knight Ja'Reen would have enough courage to take him off world, but he might just realize he wouldn't have a chance of keeping Obi-Wan a secret here on Coruscant. Maybe we should go to the transport station, check it out."
"Very well Sierra and I can go there. "
"I will check the lower section, the bowels of Coruscant, easy to hide there sometimes. Everyone around there seems to be hiding from something. If they have a few credits, it would be easy to purchase a safe haven."
Adi listened to the two old friends talk and remembered how it use to be when Mace was her master and sometimes would hook up to journey together on a mission.
"Well you two know where you are going. Might I ask where you want Master Plo Koon and me to search?"
"Maybe down along the river, where the less fortunate poor but honest people of Coruscant make themselves a home, up under the bridge. If Ja'Reen did not have many credits or if he wants to save them possibly to seek a way off the planet, he might have stayed there for the night, bummed some food from those who had it and were willing to give to the have-nots.'
Everyone spilt up.
Sierra and Mace headed to the transport station. Sierra did not say a word to her master about the connection with her brother. She herself was not sure if it was the force that directed her or the link she had with Obi-Wan, but she felt sure they would turn up something around the transport station, maybe even Obi-Wan, himself. That is how sure she was.
Master Windu himself noticed a few odd movements his apprentice made as they walked. Sierra normally did not unhook the leather clasp around the top of her saber. She did this time. Mace also noticed that her right hand rested on her hip just above the saber already unhooked and ready for action if need be. Finally he felt obligated to ask her what she thought she was doing. He had not intended to use brute force unless it was absolutely needed.
"Padawan, I think in your over zealousness to find your brother, you have gotten yourself in a state of fevered excitement. Even if Obi-Wan and Ja'Reen are at the transport station, violence of any kind around all those innocents would be the last and I mean very last thing we would engage in. Do you agree?"
"I know the Jedi code Master Windu front and back. I am only being prepared, as taught to me by my wise and good master. Is that not part of being a trained Jedi as well?"
Mace did not appreciate her curt voiced response, although he did understand how upset she was.
"Because of immense concern for your little brother I will overlook your disrespectful way of speaking to me. However, I would not suggest it happen again. You know the Jedi, all of us are family. We truly are no suppose to feel more concern for one Jedi than the other."
"You don't seriously believe that Master Windu? Would you not be concerned if your best friend Qui-Gon or former padawan Adi Gallia were missing or threatened? I know you would be as apprehensive and concerned for them, as I am about my little brother."
"Yes, well that may be true and I certainly don't want to hound you right now about the Jedi mantra, but I feel we should keep our prospective on all this. Maybe we won't have to do battle if we are fortunate enough to find them."
"Oh, I can bet you Ja' Reen is not going to give up Obi-Wan so easily .He didn't kidnap Obi-Wan just to hand him back. Come to think of it, I can't imagine why he kidnapped Obi-Wan. He will get nothing out of it and as soon as Obi-Wan can, he will escape or notify the Jedi of his location."
"Yes Sierra, you have offered a speculation only to have turned it into a quandary as to why Ja'Reen would want to keep Obi-Wan. It's not like he can get any credits for him."
Mace let his thoughts drift to a mission he and Master Jinn had when they were only young knights; breaking up a slaver's ring which dealt with only the buying, selling, and trading of children. He and Jinn both had broken one more than one children's slave ring. In addition, the pirates on Coruscant were not above making a purchase of a healthy boy child or two to work their ship while they sped across the galaxy pilfering any ship out of port.
//Now that could net him quite a few credits. He gets the credits he needs and successfully gets his revenge against Obi-Wan and Jinn. We might never find the child then. //
He didn't say anything to his padawan. He only strengthened his shields and increased the speed of his gait .
####Transport ship########
Obi-Wan tried to rub the hurt away from the left side of his head. He hoped the ringing in his ear would stop soon. His former master jerked him by the arm and slammed him into the seat.
"The next time you talk or raise your eyes to someone you, will get a lot more than an open-handed slap to the side of your head. Now try to be a good little boy."
A sadistic grin remained on Obi-Wan's *former* master's face. He enjoyed being cruel and it could only get better. He shoved Obi-Wan further into his seat until his head hit the metal rail around the porthole.
"The ship will be taking off soon so better wave bye, bye to Coruscant and the Jedi. You will never see either again.".
One thing Ja'Reen did not plan on was Sierra Kenobi recognizing Obi-Wan through the spaceport Window as she did.
Whether it was fate or an act of the force that directed her, Sierra Kenobi ventured a glance to the transport already loaded and engaging engines for take off. She could feel her brother there somewhere but where? Her question was answered by the glance to the little window of the space transport. A gingered headed little boy bobbed his head in the little rouind porthole.
"Master Look!!!!!"
Sierra grabbed her master's arm to get his attention and pointed toward the window. The normally proper and reserved padawan literally jumped up and down as she held her master's arm to get him to look at the boy seated on the transport.
"Look, there is Obi-Wan in the back. I see him. That's him!!"
Windu squinted his eyes and did see a copper-colored headed boy through the spaceport window, but his eyes could not make out with any certainty that it was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Look Selena that could be Obi, then again it might not be. I don't think the spaceport officials will take kindly to us interrupting a flight schedule to make sure. We have to have some other proof that the swatch of strawberry blonde hair I see."
"OHHHHHHH………pleeeeeease, Master, I know that is Obi-Wan. thrust me, trust the feeling I have through the force. We have to stop them before the transport takes off."
Master Windu , noted for his strictness to the code and anything Jedi, could be turned to bone-jiggling jelly by his padawan who was as much his daughter as a padawan to him over the last eight years. He wouldn't have let anyone know two little words, " Oh please" swayed him so easily. However, they had and he would; check out who the boy with the red hair was.
Right before Mace boarded the ship, his comm link alerted him to a call from Master Jinn. Mace told his friend of his plans and at first Qui-Gon was as hesitant as Master Windu had been about interrupting a flight. However, his fear for Obi overran the concern for the disruption of the flight. He agreed it would be the only way to make sure it was or wasn't Obi-Wan and to stop the knight if necessary.
Mace, a council member didn't have to be told how to handle this if the port officials were not convinced by his story of a kidnapping at the temple Mace Windu would not be past using a mind suggestion or two to get on board the ship which was within five minutes of taxing and lifting into space.
It was Obi-Wan's turn to have a feeling through the force. Something akin to a bond but not yet a bond, not like the one he felt growing within his mind with Master Jinn. No ,he knew well who touched his mind so intimately was not his destined-to-be master.
It was his sister, Sierra, and she was close, *really* close Obi-Wan realized after he took the time to listen to the force's edicts to him. His fear and then pain from being knocked around by his master, former master kept him closed off from the force, only temporarily though. Now he let it flow through him and mentally reached out to make contact with his sister.
Riley made no attempt at an escape or to even draw his weapon. Mace Windu was up right beside him before he had time to react to the vibes he received from the force. By the time he realized another force sensitive was close, Mace nudged at the elbow of the kidnapper. With just the touch of a sadistic smile on his face, Mace gauged Riley's shocked reaction when he looked up into the face of the Jedi council master.
"Well I see you have found me. Quick action on your part. Alone or did Master Jinn have his devious little mind in all of this?"
"Makes no difference Ja'Reen. The only thing you can do now is to quietly, without making a scene, get up and follow me. Obi after I have him off the ship, you and Sierra may follow. But stay with your sister. I am not sure I trust this one."
Mace nudged Riley again just at his elbow. It was to draw his attention because Mace Windu wanted him off the ship in case he tried something. They were too enclosed and could end up harming another, if a battle ensued in such close quarters.
"Oh Master Windu you are so melodramatic. What do you expect me to do, draw my saber right here with no place to go? If I did run, Jinn would no doubt be waiting for me. On second thought Master Jinn isn't here is he, at least not at the moment? If he had been here he is the one who would have charged in here like a knight on a white horse to save his little apprentice or soon to be *his*. I am right. I can see it in your face, by your reaction to my words."
With that thought Riley formed his own plan for escape. There were no other Jedi at the landing port, Riley Ja'Reen felt confident enough to know that if Jinn had been at the port it would have been him instead of Mace there to retrieve the child. He also thought his chances would Mace would be better even with his apprentice.
Master Jinn was noted for his saber expertise and Riley was not really sure he could handle the bigger Jedi. He thought Mace would be the easier adversary to take out if he had to choose..
//Jinn would have been the one to come in and demand he release Obi. Either that or just out and out engage in a fight with the me on the ship. Qui-Gon does not control his emotions as well as Master Windu does. I suppose that is why Windu is the one who sits on the council; because of Jinn's reckless abandon.//
As soon as the two in their seat rose to disembark, Sierra grabbed her little brother and pulled him back to her. She allowed Master Windu and Knight Ja'Reen to leave the ship first.
Mace wanted to disarm the knight before he got off the ship but he did not want to alarm the people that sat waiting for take off. He decided he would just have to wait and do it once off the ship. Mace knew that would possibly give the knight time to attempt an attack or escape but he would have to handle it as it came he thought.
No sooner had they stepped off the steps of the ships than Mae and Riley caught sight of Master Jinn both at the same time. Mace's acknowledgement to his friend of the rescue of his future padawan was just the time Riley needed to pushed himself away from Mace, twirl and when he faced him again Knight Ja'Reen was armed.
Sierra instinctively shoved her little brother to the side and drew her own saber. It was Master Jinn who came up beside her and touched her arm holding the saber. Attend me Padawan. Don't make a move until or unless I tell you too."
'Sierra, a master in her own right of defiance and even more defiant retorts voiced her opinion.
"Master Jinn, need I remind you that you are not my master and my master is in harm's way. I plan t do anything in my power to aid him in his escape."
"Pipe down Sierra, This I am not a crotchety antiquated council member you have to prattle rules too. I am your master's best friend and hopefully yours as well. The only thing you will do if you do not listen is get yourself and possible your master killed as well."
Master Windu heard the comment about council masters and raised one eyebrow in disapporval of Jinn's assessment of them, himself included, before he directed his apprentice to listen to Qui-Gon.
"Please padawan, for once in your stubborn life listen to Qui-Gon."
"Yes little girl listen or you all might end of dead, down to that little boy there you all have so faithfully searched for. You have found him, but you will not keep him. It will be over my dead body."
"Oh is that a promise? If it is, I am more than willing to fulfill it."
Obi-Wan's eyes doubled in size and their blue hue coloring grew deeper in color . He had never heard Master Jinn, *his* Qui-Gon speak to someone so cruelly. He didn't even know the big master had it in him; to speak with so much venomous vengeance to another living being. Obi-Wan believed Master Jinn meant every word he said….......
PEACE ewen
One week after his long chat with Master Gallia, Master Jinn headed on another mission.
Master Jinn watched out the porthole as the pilot lifted of from the temple's space port. The only thing on his mind was the little one that he left behind.
Obi-Wan had put such a dent in the master's heart that he thought he would wind up in the swamp lands of Dagabah. He would use his escape plan just as before to dilute the hurt that mounted more, until Jinn was sure it would surpass the misery Xanatos created for him.
//How did I let myself fall into the same old trap. Affection is not something I wanted to have for anyone else, especially an apprentice and most especially to someone's else's apprentice. //
Jinn settled back in his seat and pulled the blinds down to keep from seeing planets and stars pass by. The more that passed and if he watched them he would know the further he got away from what he ran from.
//Shouldn't I be glad I am getting further away from my problems or problem, Obi-Wan. Or do I know you really can't run from your problems. I should have faced them. I should have let them break the thin filament of a bond that exits between Obi-wan and I and then leave. //
Deep down Qui-Gon knew he didn't mean what he thought about breaking the bond with Obi-Wan, but he would not admit it even to himself. It felt good, comfortable, safe to be connected again with an apprentice.
#######Later on the mission########
Master Jinn had battled more in the last two weeks than he had in the last year. Jedi always tried to settle any dispute without violence and Qui-Gon did attempt to do that. However the species he dealt with were less than peaceful or willing to listen to diplomatic reasoning. He went over his saber for the second time that night to make sure the crystals were not damaged. The saber was the only thing to suffer any during the battle fought this day. He replaced three crystals and at the rate he was going he would have to comm the temple and ask the weapon's master in charge to ship him more crystals. That is how hard this trip had been. He did not have to contact the temple late that evening . Just as he sat down to a small meal he prepared himself, Jinn found himself back up and at the com link on the small desk. It was Master Yoda and as soon as his holo picture came up on the visual screen, Qui sensed something was wrong. He saw more than sensed something wrong because he truly felt nothing through the force, but then again he had kept his shields tightly closed.
As soon as he arrived on planet, Master Jinn closed off any link with the Jedi world because of other force sensitives on the planet that were not friendly to the Jedi. As bad as he hated to admit it, his reason for shielding had as much to do with Obi-Wan as it did with any adversary on this planet. He found early on in this mission that it was the only way he could keep his mind focused on the mission. He could not afford to spend his time worrying about the little one back at the temple. He was under the best of care with Adi. He would trust her with his own life and knew she would in no way ever been cruel to anyone let alone a child as Obi-Wan was who was also confused.
"Master Yoda is there something wrong?"
There certainly looked liked something was wrong by Yoda's droopy ears and overall look of sadness.
"Need you back here we do. Send another master we will."
"Master, this mission has been an extremely difficult undertaking. I would rather not put another Jedi in harm's way. Unless there is something very pressing that I should attend too back at the temple, I request that I stay here. I am more familiar with this uprising and I know…."
"Obey the council you will Master Jinn. Needed back here you are. "
"Jinn heard the urgency in Yoda's voice and did not doubt now that something almost catastrophic had occurred."
"Very well, but could you at least tell me while I am going to streak across the galaxy in a hasty retreat back to the temple.. Of what import am I needed at the temple?"
"The child, Obi-Wan kidnapped he has been."
"Someone breached our security at the temple and took Obi-Wan, why?"
"Breach the security they did not. From within his kidnapper came. Like a thief in the night, Ja' Reen taken the boy he has. For what purpose we do not know, but fear I do, good it is not. Harm he plans Qui-Gon and I want the child found."
"Why me?"
"Master Jinn, play stupid with me, you will not. Open your bond to the boy when reach this planet you do. Find him you can with your fledgling bond."
It made sense to Qui-Gon, too much sense. Their bond thread-like, that it was could be very instrumentally used to track the boy once he returned to Coruscant, opened it up, and if Ja'Reen did not find out about it through feelings of the force. He was worried about the child but also a nagging concern was there to what opening the bond would do to it, increase it he feared." Yoda seemed to know what his thoughts were.
"Matter not whether increase or not. If willing you will be to train the boy. Riley Ja'Reen gone from this temple; banished as if he never existed he will be once the child found he is. Now next transport out you will go. Two masters to come to replace you, More needed then send more we will."
"Safe journey my padawan and may the force be with you."
This was the first time in his Jedi life that Master Jinn left a mission without it being completed. It should be said it's the first time he left a mission incomplete and wasn't carried off on a stretcher with a healer administrating life-saving measures on him. That was how dedicated Qui-Gon was to the Jedi order. Now though, he had something else to be loyal too, his future apprentice. As soon as Master Yoda delivered the news of Ja'Reen's actions and the eventual dismissal from the Jedi order for those actions, when found, Master Jinn knew without a doubt he would take the child as his apprentice. His stubbornness and fear that stopped him shot last time was overridden by his undeniable desire to protect his apprentice.. This time there would be nothing in his way because he had already made his mind up.
//I will accept Obi-Wan Kenobi as my apprentice if he is agreeable. I only hope that because of my refusal of him before, I have not jeopardized his life……. //
Master Jinn did not have to go to the council and request help from other Jedi master. Master Gallia, Master Plo Koon and Mace were there and prepared to go where Jinn directed. They would comb Coruscant for the missing knight and kidnapped padawan.
However there was one ready to aid Master Jinn that could hardly be held back until he could reach the temple. Sierra Kenobi, Obi-Wan's sister was more anxious than anyone to find her pup of a brother was.
###Somewhere in the city, not far from the public transport landing.###
"You don't think this plan of yours will work do you master?"
Ja'Reen peaked around the corner of the building that hid them before he sat back down. He leaned his head against the cool brick wall of the building and looked up at the boy who stood bedside him.
"Knock it off Kenobi. It is not necessary to call me master any longer. You and Master Jinn saw to it I would never make it to master. No, I would have had a forced destiny of remaining a Jedi knight if the council even allowed me to stay. No now I will seek another career, something no so honorable so righteous driven. Maybe even become a thief or a slaver."
Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide with the mention of slavers. He had never been out to meet them but he had heard stories of missing knights, masters. and even apprentices. Either sold into slavery or pirates of the skies would kidnap them to work and they would never be heard from. He also knew with a force inhibitor, a Jedi was only as good as his abilities. He would not have the force to fall back on.
Obi-Wan toed the dust under his foot until his boot was covered in it.
"What plans do you have for me? Surely you are not going to set out on a new life with a kid tugging on your tunic."
"Well you surely described yourself Kenobi. You wouldn't have made it to knighthood so in a way I have done you a favor as well as myself. No, I don't have any intention of keeping you but neither do I have any plans to let you return to the temple to your new master, Qui-Gon Jinn."
The Jedi knight got up from his comfortable position just in time to see the transport he had been waiting on. He already had the tickets. Now he would wait until it was just about ready for take off and would hurriedly get on with Obi-Wan and secure them a seat. Once they were off the planet the Jedi would not even bother to look for him, or so he thought.
"Master Jinn, do you think maybe we should check the public transport system?"
Jinn had to agree. With the pad wan, Obi's sister. She might be young but she had a head on her head."
"Sierra Kenobi don't second guess a master. Qui-Gon knows what he is doing."
You could see the blush on Mace's face even through the ebony creamed skin. Padawans *did* not tell masters what they should do.
Jinn suddenly stopped in his tracks and threw his arm out to stop Master Plo Koon and Adi.
"No that's quite alright Mace, your padawan is right. I really didn't think Knight Ja'Reen would have enough courage to take him off world, but he might just realize he wouldn't have a chance of keeping Obi-Wan a secret here on Coruscant. Maybe we should go to the transport station, check it out."
"Very well Sierra and I can go there. "
"I will check the lower section, the bowels of Coruscant, easy to hide there sometimes. Everyone around there seems to be hiding from something. If they have a few credits, it would be easy to purchase a safe haven."
Adi listened to the two old friends talk and remembered how it use to be when Mace was her master and sometimes would hook up to journey together on a mission.
"Well you two know where you are going. Might I ask where you want Master Plo Koon and me to search?"
"Maybe down along the river, where the less fortunate poor but honest people of Coruscant make themselves a home, up under the bridge. If Ja'Reen did not have many credits or if he wants to save them possibly to seek a way off the planet, he might have stayed there for the night, bummed some food from those who had it and were willing to give to the have-nots.'
Everyone spilt up.
Sierra and Mace headed to the transport station. Sierra did not say a word to her master about the connection with her brother. She herself was not sure if it was the force that directed her or the link she had with Obi-Wan, but she felt sure they would turn up something around the transport station, maybe even Obi-Wan, himself. That is how sure she was.
Master Windu himself noticed a few odd movements his apprentice made as they walked. Sierra normally did not unhook the leather clasp around the top of her saber. She did this time. Mace also noticed that her right hand rested on her hip just above the saber already unhooked and ready for action if need be. Finally he felt obligated to ask her what she thought she was doing. He had not intended to use brute force unless it was absolutely needed.
"Padawan, I think in your over zealousness to find your brother, you have gotten yourself in a state of fevered excitement. Even if Obi-Wan and Ja'Reen are at the transport station, violence of any kind around all those innocents would be the last and I mean very last thing we would engage in. Do you agree?"
"I know the Jedi code Master Windu front and back. I am only being prepared, as taught to me by my wise and good master. Is that not part of being a trained Jedi as well?"
Mace did not appreciate her curt voiced response, although he did understand how upset she was.
"Because of immense concern for your little brother I will overlook your disrespectful way of speaking to me. However, I would not suggest it happen again. You know the Jedi, all of us are family. We truly are no suppose to feel more concern for one Jedi than the other."
"You don't seriously believe that Master Windu? Would you not be concerned if your best friend Qui-Gon or former padawan Adi Gallia were missing or threatened? I know you would be as apprehensive and concerned for them, as I am about my little brother."
"Yes, well that may be true and I certainly don't want to hound you right now about the Jedi mantra, but I feel we should keep our prospective on all this. Maybe we won't have to do battle if we are fortunate enough to find them."
"Oh, I can bet you Ja' Reen is not going to give up Obi-Wan so easily .He didn't kidnap Obi-Wan just to hand him back. Come to think of it, I can't imagine why he kidnapped Obi-Wan. He will get nothing out of it and as soon as Obi-Wan can, he will escape or notify the Jedi of his location."
"Yes Sierra, you have offered a speculation only to have turned it into a quandary as to why Ja'Reen would want to keep Obi-Wan. It's not like he can get any credits for him."
Mace let his thoughts drift to a mission he and Master Jinn had when they were only young knights; breaking up a slaver's ring which dealt with only the buying, selling, and trading of children. He and Jinn both had broken one more than one children's slave ring. In addition, the pirates on Coruscant were not above making a purchase of a healthy boy child or two to work their ship while they sped across the galaxy pilfering any ship out of port.
//Now that could net him quite a few credits. He gets the credits he needs and successfully gets his revenge against Obi-Wan and Jinn. We might never find the child then. //
He didn't say anything to his padawan. He only strengthened his shields and increased the speed of his gait .
####Transport ship########
Obi-Wan tried to rub the hurt away from the left side of his head. He hoped the ringing in his ear would stop soon. His former master jerked him by the arm and slammed him into the seat.
"The next time you talk or raise your eyes to someone you, will get a lot more than an open-handed slap to the side of your head. Now try to be a good little boy."
A sadistic grin remained on Obi-Wan's *former* master's face. He enjoyed being cruel and it could only get better. He shoved Obi-Wan further into his seat until his head hit the metal rail around the porthole.
"The ship will be taking off soon so better wave bye, bye to Coruscant and the Jedi. You will never see either again.".
One thing Ja'Reen did not plan on was Sierra Kenobi recognizing Obi-Wan through the spaceport Window as she did.
Whether it was fate or an act of the force that directed her, Sierra Kenobi ventured a glance to the transport already loaded and engaging engines for take off. She could feel her brother there somewhere but where? Her question was answered by the glance to the little window of the space transport. A gingered headed little boy bobbed his head in the little rouind porthole.
"Master Look!!!!!"
Sierra grabbed her master's arm to get his attention and pointed toward the window. The normally proper and reserved padawan literally jumped up and down as she held her master's arm to get him to look at the boy seated on the transport.
"Look, there is Obi-Wan in the back. I see him. That's him!!"
Windu squinted his eyes and did see a copper-colored headed boy through the spaceport window, but his eyes could not make out with any certainty that it was Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Look Selena that could be Obi, then again it might not be. I don't think the spaceport officials will take kindly to us interrupting a flight schedule to make sure. We have to have some other proof that the swatch of strawberry blonde hair I see."
"OHHHHHHH………pleeeeeease, Master, I know that is Obi-Wan. thrust me, trust the feeling I have through the force. We have to stop them before the transport takes off."
Master Windu , noted for his strictness to the code and anything Jedi, could be turned to bone-jiggling jelly by his padawan who was as much his daughter as a padawan to him over the last eight years. He wouldn't have let anyone know two little words, " Oh please" swayed him so easily. However, they had and he would; check out who the boy with the red hair was.
Right before Mace boarded the ship, his comm link alerted him to a call from Master Jinn. Mace told his friend of his plans and at first Qui-Gon was as hesitant as Master Windu had been about interrupting a flight. However, his fear for Obi overran the concern for the disruption of the flight. He agreed it would be the only way to make sure it was or wasn't Obi-Wan and to stop the knight if necessary.
Mace, a council member didn't have to be told how to handle this if the port officials were not convinced by his story of a kidnapping at the temple Mace Windu would not be past using a mind suggestion or two to get on board the ship which was within five minutes of taxing and lifting into space.
It was Obi-Wan's turn to have a feeling through the force. Something akin to a bond but not yet a bond, not like the one he felt growing within his mind with Master Jinn. No ,he knew well who touched his mind so intimately was not his destined-to-be master.
It was his sister, Sierra, and she was close, *really* close Obi-Wan realized after he took the time to listen to the force's edicts to him. His fear and then pain from being knocked around by his master, former master kept him closed off from the force, only temporarily though. Now he let it flow through him and mentally reached out to make contact with his sister.
Riley made no attempt at an escape or to even draw his weapon. Mace Windu was up right beside him before he had time to react to the vibes he received from the force. By the time he realized another force sensitive was close, Mace nudged at the elbow of the kidnapper. With just the touch of a sadistic smile on his face, Mace gauged Riley's shocked reaction when he looked up into the face of the Jedi council master.
"Well I see you have found me. Quick action on your part. Alone or did Master Jinn have his devious little mind in all of this?"
"Makes no difference Ja'Reen. The only thing you can do now is to quietly, without making a scene, get up and follow me. Obi after I have him off the ship, you and Sierra may follow. But stay with your sister. I am not sure I trust this one."
Mace nudged Riley again just at his elbow. It was to draw his attention because Mace Windu wanted him off the ship in case he tried something. They were too enclosed and could end up harming another, if a battle ensued in such close quarters.
"Oh Master Windu you are so melodramatic. What do you expect me to do, draw my saber right here with no place to go? If I did run, Jinn would no doubt be waiting for me. On second thought Master Jinn isn't here is he, at least not at the moment? If he had been here he is the one who would have charged in here like a knight on a white horse to save his little apprentice or soon to be *his*. I am right. I can see it in your face, by your reaction to my words."
With that thought Riley formed his own plan for escape. There were no other Jedi at the landing port, Riley Ja'Reen felt confident enough to know that if Jinn had been at the port it would have been him instead of Mace there to retrieve the child. He also thought his chances would Mace would be better even with his apprentice.
Master Jinn was noted for his saber expertise and Riley was not really sure he could handle the bigger Jedi. He thought Mace would be the easier adversary to take out if he had to choose..
//Jinn would have been the one to come in and demand he release Obi. Either that or just out and out engage in a fight with the me on the ship. Qui-Gon does not control his emotions as well as Master Windu does. I suppose that is why Windu is the one who sits on the council; because of Jinn's reckless abandon.//
As soon as the two in their seat rose to disembark, Sierra grabbed her little brother and pulled him back to her. She allowed Master Windu and Knight Ja'Reen to leave the ship first.
Mace wanted to disarm the knight before he got off the ship but he did not want to alarm the people that sat waiting for take off. He decided he would just have to wait and do it once off the ship. Mace knew that would possibly give the knight time to attempt an attack or escape but he would have to handle it as it came he thought.
No sooner had they stepped off the steps of the ships than Mae and Riley caught sight of Master Jinn both at the same time. Mace's acknowledgement to his friend of the rescue of his future padawan was just the time Riley needed to pushed himself away from Mace, twirl and when he faced him again Knight Ja'Reen was armed.
Sierra instinctively shoved her little brother to the side and drew her own saber. It was Master Jinn who came up beside her and touched her arm holding the saber. Attend me Padawan. Don't make a move until or unless I tell you too."
'Sierra, a master in her own right of defiance and even more defiant retorts voiced her opinion.
"Master Jinn, need I remind you that you are not my master and my master is in harm's way. I plan t do anything in my power to aid him in his escape."
"Pipe down Sierra, This I am not a crotchety antiquated council member you have to prattle rules too. I am your master's best friend and hopefully yours as well. The only thing you will do if you do not listen is get yourself and possible your master killed as well."
Master Windu heard the comment about council masters and raised one eyebrow in disapporval of Jinn's assessment of them, himself included, before he directed his apprentice to listen to Qui-Gon.
"Please padawan, for once in your stubborn life listen to Qui-Gon."
"Yes little girl listen or you all might end of dead, down to that little boy there you all have so faithfully searched for. You have found him, but you will not keep him. It will be over my dead body."
"Oh is that a promise? If it is, I am more than willing to fulfill it."
Obi-Wan's eyes doubled in size and their blue hue coloring grew deeper in color . He had never heard Master Jinn, *his* Qui-Gon speak to someone so cruelly. He didn't even know the big master had it in him; to speak with so much venomous vengeance to another living being. Obi-Wan believed Master Jinn meant every word he said….......
PEACE ewen
