Krysira's Destiny

Chapter Ten

PART ONE
Infirmary in Jinix government center

Healer Gadi stared at the wounds on Obi-Wan's upper arm, then glanced at Krysira, who stood nearby with her arms tucked inside the sleeves of her cloak with Trip and Malcolm standing on either side of her, then back at the teenager, who was still in a Force-induced sleep.

He expertly repaired the open wounds, then signaled his assistant to bandage Obi-Wan's arm, as he walked over to the humans.

"His wounds are just like what I found on Vartan and Zarnay," Gadi said.

"As did we in their chambers," Krysira replied.

"What kind of being or creature can inflict this type of wound?"

"According to Obi-Wan, a shadowy being of some kind. He did not go into details for he.fell asleep."

Gadi nodded, glancing over at the Jedi apprentice, seeing that his assistant was finished. "I hope that he can tell us more.when he wakes up."

Krysira gazed passively back at Gadi, then walked around the healer and over to Obi-Wan's bedside, sitting on the edge of the bed. Laying a hand on the youth's good arm, Krysira gathered in the Force and sent its power into Obi-Wan. Moments later, Obi-Wan's hazel eyes fluttered opened. A panicked expression crossed the teenager's youthful handsome features. He sat bolt up in bed. "Master!" He shouted, unaware of the pretty Jedi Knight sitting next to him.

"Easy, Obi," Krysira soothed.

Obi-Wan blinked, as he focused on the pretty Jedi Knight sitting in front of him. "Knight Krysira," he said, looking around. "Where am I?"

"The government center infirmary in Jinix," Krysira replied. "I suspect a great deal has happened since I spoke with Qui-Gon earlier."

Trip stood behind Krysira while Malcolm and Gadi stood at the foot of the bed.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes," he replied, then proceeded to explain what happened in the past few hours.

When Obi-Wan finished, everyone exchanged glances.

"I have never heard of these.shadowy creatures before," Gadi mused.

"Nor have I," Krysira replied. "Perhaps they are from a remote planet in the galaxy." She looked thoughtfully at Obi-Wan." Obi? Would you be able to draw one of these beings?"

The teenager thought for a few moments. "For the most part. But my supplies are in my quarters." he paused, glancing at his ripped tunic. "As well as a new tunic." His cheeks flushed slightly.

Krysira merely smiled, then looked at Gadi. "Healer Gadi, perhaps you could contact Lonan and have him escort Obi-Wan to his quarters?"

Gadi bowed slightly. "Of course," he replied, moving off to a nearby communications console.

"But Knight Krysira."the youth began, then fell silent seeing Krysira raise her hand.

"I need you to be at your best, Obi-Wan. I want you to refresh yourself, eat and draw that being to the best of your ability. I am sure that Lonan will be helpful to you." She laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Rest assured, my young friend, we will find Qui-Gon and his allies." she glanced at Trip and Malcolm. "As well as your crew members." Her expression grew determined. "However, we are going to need help.from both sides if we are to succeed." She paused. "Therefore, any differences must be put aside for now." She frowned slightly. "However, I have the feeling that this chain of events both past and present have been the catalyst of this conflict." She paused once again. "I must speak with both Counselor Ryvinia and Elkan." She stood up, turning towards the Enterprise officers.

Malcolm looked at Krysira curiously. "Who's Elkan?" He wanted to know.

Krysira's gaze rested on Malcolm. "He is the leader of the resistance group located in Delkye."

Malcolm nodded in thanks.

At this point, Gadi rejoined them. "Lonan has been summoned and knows what is expected of him," Gadi replied.

Krysira nodded slightly. "Thank-you," she replied. "I have one more request of you, Healer Gadi."

"Of course."

"Could you contact Counselor Ryvinia and ask her to meet us in the conference room where we met four days ago. I know that she is dealing with unpleasantries at this time, but please inform her that this meeting is imperative to the lives of all Exoians."

"It will be done, Knight Krysira. I also wish to know who was behind such a hideous act."

"Thank-you." She looked at Obi-Wan. "I will check on you later, Obi." She smiled softly.

The youth returned the smile and nodded, knowing that Krysira would do all in her power to rescue Qui-Gon and the others.

Krysira strode towards the door of the infirmary, then out into the large corridor. Trip fell in step beside her, while Malcolm followed closely behind.

"What do you have in mind, Krys?" Trip asked, seeing the determined look on her delicate features.

"Basically to get Counselor Ryvinia and Elkan to work together," Krysira replied.

"Think you can convince them?"

"We shall see."

PART TWO

Dungeon

Hoshi groaned softly as she shifted herself on the straw cot. Her eyes opened slowly as she focused in on the dark ceiling above her. The last thing that she remembered was a shadowy figure pointing some sort of weapon at her and firing.

A wave of panic suddenly hit her. She wondered where the captain was. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, looking around for Archer. She saw him on another straw cot across from her, still unconscious. She sighed in relief. Upon seeing the cell door, Hoshi took a good guess and figured that they were prisoners. She slipped her hand into a pocket and was relieved to discover that her universal translator padd was still there. Whoever captured them had taken away only their phase pistols and her scanning device.

Hoshi swung her feet over the cot and stood up, making her way across the dirt and straw floor over to Archer. She bent down on one knee, and laying a hand on Archer's shoulder, shook him a little.

"Captain!" Hoshi said softly.

No response from Archer.

She shook him harder. "Captain!"

Still no response from Archer.

Hoshi sighed and straightened up, walking over to the cell door, as she peered through the bars. Her eyes widened upon seeing that the cell across from her was occupied.

All the young ensign could tell was that there were two of them and humanoid in appearance and obviously of the same species. She also saw that the cell next to them was also occupied with what seemed to be another being from the same race - a rather huge individual to say the least.

Hoshi wondered what they had done to be in here. In fact, she couldn't imagine what she and Captain Archer had done to be in here as well.

She peered down the aisle between the cells to see a shadowy figure sitting on a stool about 30 feet away.

"Hello?" Hoshi called, and slipping her hand inside her pocket, switched on the universal translator.

The figure turned its head towards her.

"Why are we in here? Did we do something wrong?" Hoshi asked. "We're only trying to find our friends."

The figure snarled something in response then looked away.

"Our missing friends are human, like I am," she continued.

The being snarled sharply at Hoshi.

Although a bit intimidated, the communications officer continued. "We didn't mean any harm."

The shadowy figure rose to its feet and stalked down to the cell where Hoshi was, stopping a couple of feet away from the cell and once again snarled at her.

"Please.I need to talk to someone in charge," Hoshi tried.

The being stepped up to the cell and without warning slammed its arm across the bars making a scraping sound with its clawed hand. Hoshi jumped back, swallowing hard, as she stared wide-eyed at the being.

The being then slipped its arm between the bars, motioning at the straw cot, snarling softly. Hoshi got the idea and moved over to the cot, sitting down. The shadowy figure nodded and went back to its post.

Hoshi looked in the direction of the two occupied cells and realized that the occupants were unconscious seeing that the exchange did not rouse them. She slipped the universal translator out of her pocket. She was pretty certain that the being's snarling was a type of language, as she began to try to translate what she was able to get.

About an hour later, Hoshi was finally able to decipher the being's language.

The mechanical voice then translated: "Quiet.Silence.Be quiet.Sit! No want to hurt you!"

Hoshi's jaw dropped open as she stared in disbelief at her translator padd.

PART THREE

Jinix-government center-Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's quarters

After Obi-Wan had refreshed himself and put on another set of Jedi clothing, he got out his drawing supplies, then sat at a table. He had barely begun to sketch, when Lonan returned with a huge tray of food. The sight made the young apprentice's mouth water.

Lonan saw his reaction and grinned, as he set the tray on the table.

"Thank-you," Obi-Wan said. "However, I could not possibly eat all of this. Would you like some?"

"Do you mind?" Lonan asked.

The human youth shook his head. "Not at all."

Lonan seated himself across the table from Obi-Wan. "I want to apologize for asking so many questions on our way here. I had no right to bother you, being that you are recovering from an injury."

Obi-Wan smiled. "It is alright, Lonan. It is wonderful that the way of the Jedi is interesting to you."

The Exoian teenager looked relieved. "You are very kind, Obi-Wan." He paused. "I have a question."

"Of course."

"I noticed that Knight Krysira has two lightsabres and that you do as well. Do all Jedi use two?"

Obi-Wan grinned. "No, Knight Krysira is an exceptional Jedi." He sobered. "One of these lightsabres belongs to my Master Qui-Gon." He studied Lonan, seeing the curious look on the page's face, wondering how much he should reveal. "He gave it to me for safe-keeping for the time being, while he is elsewhere."

Lonan nodded. "Thank-you." He motioned towards the food. "Please eat."

"Knight Krysira wanted me to draw the being."

"Did she not want you to eat?"

Obi-Wan thought back to what Krysira had told him earlier and realized that Lonan was right. "Yes, she did." He eyed the food. "It does look and smell good."

After an hour or so, the two teenagers had polished off about two-thirds of the food and Obi-Wan had begun sketching the being.

About fifteen minutes or so later, Obi-Wan put down his drawing implement and studied the sketch.

Lonan caught the movement. "Are you finished?" He questioned.

"Pretty much so," Obi-Wan replied, then handed the paper to the teenaged page. "Please tell me what you think, Lonan."

"I am not sure that I can be of any help, Obi-Wan," Lonan replied, as he took the paper, looking at the sketch. He had barely looked at the paper, when his mouth dropped open, staring in disbelief.

Obi-Wan leaned forward. "Are you alright, Lonan?"

Lonan blinked looking up at the Jedi apprentice. "Are you certain that this is the being that you saw?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes...why?"

Lonan slumped back in his chair. "This being is from a little known remote planet on the outer edge of the Republic known as Rybrill."

"Then how do you know about it?"

"About 5 years ago, my father and I were on a mapping expedition for Noble Vartan. We came across this small purplish planet that had never been charted on any map before. When we landed, we were greeted by these shadowy- looking beings that although seemed shy, showed us kindness and generous hospitality. They have a type of snarling language that we could not understand."

"How did you find out anything then?"

"There was one being, who unlike the rest, was an angelic white. Her name was Ca-Yanne. She spoke Republic Standard and told us that we were on the planet Rybrill and she was the prefect of her people. The rest of the Rybrillians seemed to worship her. She said that although her people were a warrior race, they were actually very gentle. They did not like hurting anyone although..." Lonan trailed off, thinking.

"Go on," Obi-Wan urged.

"Because of their dedication to Ca-Yanne, the Rybrillians would do anything to keep her safe. The Rybrillians would only follow orders from another if her life was endangered."

"So...maybe this Ca-Yanne was captured and this forced the rest of the Rybrillians to obey whoever captured her."

"It is a strong possibility."

"But if they are a warrior race, why did they not rebel against their prefect's captor?"

"Well...perhaps she would be harmed or killed if there was any disobedience."

Obi-Wan nodded. "True...and maybe they do not know their prefect's whereabouts."

Lonan nodded in agreement then a look of realization crossed the teen's face. "I just remembered something else."

"Oh?"

"Father reported all of this to Drayce."

Obi-Wan's hazel eyes widened, as his face registered shock. Once again, Drayce was involved in another seemingly unrelated situation. Could Drayce really be behind this conflict?

PART FOUR

Conference room

Mace Windu's holographic figure shimmered as he folded his arms across his chest, listening to the recent events from Krysira.

"I am afraid that if I sent any other Jedi to assist you, it might put Qui- Gon and the others in more danger," he finally said as he studied his former padawan. "I can tell that you already have something in mind, do you not, my young one?"

Krysira merely smiled.

Mace chuckled softly. "I thought as much." He sobered. "I will inform Master Yoda of this development. May the Force be with you, Krysira."

Krysira bowed. "And with you as well, Master Windu," she replied.

Counselor Ryvinia strode into the room followed by Healer Gadi, as Krysira shut off her holographic communicator, slipping it into her belt. Krysira turned to face the slightly irritated Exoian woman.

"Healer Gadi said that it was imperative that I come here," Ryvinia said in a hard tone.

"Yes, it is," Krysira replied. "I have just apprised the other Jedi of the current development."

Ryvinia arched an eyebrow. "What current development?"

In her even yet gentle tone, Krysira informed Ryvinia of Qui-Gon and his Exoian allies' capture, Obi-Wan's escape and the discovery of two of Trip and Malcolm's crewmembers, along with another of their small spacecrafts.

Ryvinia sunk slowly onto one of the large chairs, her expression was one of frightened concern. She made a small gesture with a long slender hand. "I never expected any of this," she finally said softly. "I never expected to be in charge. Not like this...anyway."

Gadi, who had come up beside Ryvinia, laid a large hand on her shoulder. "If Zarnay had not thought you ready, she never would have appointed you," he assured her gently.

"But Drayce was supposed to have this position!"

Krysira exchanged looks with Trip.

"Yes, but he suddenly left," Gadi replied.

"Why?" This from Trip.

Gadi thought for a moment, then looked at Trip. "Odd. He never gave his reasons."

"When did this occur?" Krysira questioned.

"About a month before the conflict with the resistance broke out."

"I see." She looked thoughtful for a long minute. "Both Qui-Gon and I found out another reason for this conflict from different sources and it appears that Drayce is involved."

Ryvinia straightened in her chair. "What reason?" She questioned.

Briefly, Krysira explained the preventable deaths of the ten Exoian women, some mates to the resistance leaders, and a broken promise by Drayce.

"Why was this not mentioned at the negotiations?"

"The loss of life is...painful to talk about," Krysira replied.

A look of sadness flashed across Ryvinia's onyx-colored eyes. "Yes, I do understand that." She sighed, looking expectantly at Krysira. "I am at a loss of what to do next."

Krysira nodded. "My suggestion is to put aside the differences of the conflict and contact Elkan. What is happening here affects all Exoians...turmoil...senseless death. If it is not stopped here, then it could very well spread to other civilizations."

Malcolm stood quietly to one side, taking in all that he heard. They really weren't supposed to get involved in affairs of other races, but with the captain and Hoshi being held prisoner their captor now had the Enterprise crew involved as well. However, he and Commander Tucker were already involved. He wondered how that happened so suddenly. Malcolm glanced at Krysira, who moved what looked like a small communications console in front of Ryvinia. He found that he wanted to help her mostly because Commander Tucker was insistent upon helping her. Surprisingly...he did not regret this decision.

After a few minutes and some gentle persuasion from Krysira, Elkan's image finally appeared on the monitor.

"To what do I owe the honor of this communication, Counselor?" Elkan questioned warily.

"I'm afraid the situation has become...personal," Ryvinia began.

"Oh?"

"Noble Vartan and Honor Zarnay were found...murdered in their chambers this morning."

Elkan's face paled even more. "I hope you are not suggesting that my people did that?"

"No...of course not, Elkan," Ryvinia replied, reassuringly.

Elkan relaxed. "Then...by who?"

"We do not know. It was...very disconcerting to me."

"I can imagine." Then, Elkan looked thoughtful for a minute or two. "Well...it seems that we have a great deal to discuss, Counselor." He paused. "Perhaps...we should meet."

Ryvinia nodded.

"Forgive the interruption," Krysira suddenly said. "But, time is of the essence. The lives of Qui-Gon, Exoians and crew members of Trip and Malcolm are at stake."

"What?" Elkan exclaimed, glancing over his shoulder, then back at the monitor. "Grant us safe passage to you, so that we may quickly formulate a rescue."

"Done," Ryvinia replied, almost instantly.

"Until then."

The monitor went blank.

Ryvinia rose to her feet turning to the pretty Jedi Knight. "If you excuse me, I must make arrangements for Elkan's arrival," she stated. "I will contact you when he arrives."

"Thank-you," Krysira replied, bowing slightly. "I will be checking on Obi- Wan."

"Very well." Ryvinia looked at the British tactical officer. "Would you care to accompany me, Malcolm?" She suggested.

"Well...um..." Malcolm said uncertainly.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Trip began. "I'll go with Krysira." He grinned broadly.

Malcolm flushed ever so slightly, but quickly composed himself. "Very well, sir," he replied, then to Ryvinia. "I would be honored."

The attractive Exoian woman smiled brightly. "Shall we go, then?"

Ryvinia, Malcolm and Gadi left followed by Krysira and Trip.

PART FIVE

Dungeon

Qui-Gon opened his eyes slowly, as his surroundings came into focus. Using the Force, the Jedi Master refreshed himself. Feeling alert, he pushed himself up into a sitting position. His dark gray eyes narrowed ever so slightly when he saw that he was in a cell and remembered his capture by those shadowy beings, and perhaps Drayce.

He rose to his feet, moving to the cell door. Directly across from him, he saw Caden and in the next cell: Trey and Chelz. He figured that they would still be unconscious from the gas. He reached out with the Force just a little to see if he could feel his padawan's presence in the immediate area. He smiled faintly, relieved that Obi-Wan had indeed escaped.

Qui-Gon peered down the corridor to see another shadowy figure guarding the cells. He suddenly frowned slightly upon hearing some low sounds, but not quite understanding them. Drawing the Force, Qui-Gon heightened his senses and now clearly heard a mechanical voice say: "Sit! No want to hurt you!" Qui-Gon moved closer in the direction of the voice and assumed that it was coming from a cell next to him, considering the pattern of the cells.

"Is someone there?" Qui-Gon ventured in a low voice.

In her cell, Hoshi's head snapped up from her translator padd, shutting it off, as her eyes widened upon hearing a voice...in English. She rose to her feet, going to the cell door. She looked at the cells across from her, but saw no movement. "Hello?" Hoshi dared to say in a quiet tone.

Qui-Gon quirked an eyebrow. A female voice speaking Republic Standard, young, he assumed by the tone. "Greetings," he replied.

"Where are you?"

"In the cell next to you, I am sorry to say."

Hoshi's shoulders slumped. "Oh." She paused, blinking. This was a first contact! She glanced over her shoulder at Archer, wishing that the captain was awake handling this.

"Are you uninjured?"

She heard the gentle concern in his voice. "Yes."

"That is good. I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn."

"Ensign Hoshi Sato from Earth."

"Earth?" Qui-Gon exclaimed softly.

"Have you heard of it?"

"Yes...from Commander Tucker."

Hoshi got excited. Finally, a possible lead to her missing superior officers. "Are he and Lieutenant Reed here?"

"No, but they are safe at this time. I can assume that you came looking for them?"

"Yes. Captain Archer and myself. He's still unconscious. "She paused. "Where are we? Why were we captured?"

Qui-Gon felt Hoshi's anxiousness. "Easy, my young friend," Qui-Gon's smooth voice soothed. "You are on the planet Exoia. In the cells across from you are Exoians Trey and Chelz and their large companion, Caden." He paused. "I am afraid that you are in the middle of a very complicated conflict that myself and my Jedi companions were here to mediate."

"Obviously they didn't like your suggestions."

Qui-Gon smiled briefly even though he knew that Hoshi couldn't see him. "Neither side was responsible for this, Ensign Sato." A pause. "I am curious. I heard a mechanical voice speak earlier."

"Oh. It's from my universal translator padd. I'm a communications officer and an exolinguist."

"I see. What language were you...translating?"

"That shadowy being out there guarding us." She paused, her voice softening. "It didn't want to hurt me."

"Hmm." Qui-Gon sounded thoughtful. "This could complicate matters."

Before Hoshi could question Qui-Gon further, Hoshi heard a groan behind her and looking around, saw Archer sitting up on the straw cot. "Captain!" She exclaimed. "Excuse me," she said to Qui-Gon, then went to Archer's side. "Captain?"

Archer groaned again, rubbing the back of his neck, as he peered at Hoshi. "Hoshi?" He grunted. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Captain," she replied. "You?"

"I've been better." He looked around. "Where are we?"

"In a cell."

Archer shot the young ensign a sharp look. "That much I'm aware of, Ensign."

Hoshi looked sheepish. "Sorry, Captain. What I found out from the prisoner next to us is that we're on the planet Exoia and in the cells across from us are Exoians." She gripped his arm. "He knows Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed and says they're fine."

Archer looked doubtful. "How can you be certain?"

"He mentioned Commander Tucker when I said I was from Earth."

"I see." Archer rose to his feet moving to the cell door. "And who is our neighbor?"

"I am Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn," the smooth male voice responded.

"Captain Jonathan Archer of the starship Enterprise from Earth. Hoshi tells me that two of my crewmen, Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed are okay?"

"Yes. They are under the protection of one of my Jedi companions."

"Jedi?"

"Simply put, we are guardians of the Republic assigned to promote peace wherever it is needed at the time."

Archer nodded. "I see...thank-you." He paused. "You want to tell me why in the hell we were stunned and put in here?"

"I have no clue as to why you two were captured, but as to myself and my Exoian allies, I would venture a guess and say it is because we are getting too close to the truth and the person responsible for the conflict on Exoia."

"Trying to keep you out of the way?"

"I would say so."

Archer grunted, then glancing aside saw Hoshi come up beside him.

"Captain, I was able to translate that being's language," Hoshi said.

Archer smiled. "And you didn't want to come along. I told you I would need a translator."

Hoshi's cheeks darkened a bit. "Yes, sir."

"Now...maybe we can ask it why we're prisoners."

"I would agree with that, Captain Archer," Qui-Gon said.

A deep groan filled the air. All three humans looked to see the large Exoian, Caden, slowly rise to his feet. Archer and Hoshi merely stared at the huge Exoian.

Caden's gaze fell on Archer and Hoshi then turned his attention towards Qui- Gon. "Ori betrayed us," he said quietly.

"Yes, I am afraid so, Caden," Qui-Gon replied.

"She will pay for her treachery."

"The authorities will deal with Ori when we apprehend her."

Caden merely snorted in disgust.

"Master Jinn?" It was the raspy voice of the space pilot, Trey.

"Yes, Trey. Are you and Chelz recovered from the gas?"

Trey helped Chelz to her feet. "For the most part. You?"

"I am fine."

Chelz felt the sting of tears in her large eyes. "Master Jinn, please forgive me for trusting Ori so...explicitly," she began in a soft voice. "It is just that I so desperately wanted to find Drayce and have him explain why he let ten innocent women die." She pressed a cheek against Trey's chest, as tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "I want to know why he let my friend die."

Trey put a comforting arm around Chelz holding her close.

"Your intentions were admirable, Chelz," Qui-Gon began soothingly. "Ori played her part very convincingly. I, too, was taken in by her performance, even though I had my doubts." He paused. "I must admit that I was also anxious to find Drayce so that this conflict can come to an end."

Trey nodded in understanding.

Archer and Hoshi listened quietly to the exchange both surprised that they were able to understand the conversation without the use of the universal translator.

"So...what do we do now, Master Jinn?" Caden questioned.

"Perhaps we should ask Ensign Sato to help with the shadowy being's language with Captain Archer's permission so that we can inquire as to why they are prisoners and what its master wants with us," Qui-Gon replied.

"That seems to be the best place to start," Trey replied, then smiled over at the two Enterprise officers.

Surprisingly, Archer found Trey's smile encouraging. He turned to Hoshi, nodding. "Go ahead, Ensign," he said.

Hoshi pulled out her translator padd, turning it on. "I'm not sure if I have enough to carry on a conversation, sir," she replied. "I still need a little more time. It's unlike any language I've heard before."

"How much more time?" Archer replied.

"Maybe another half hour, sir."

"Captain, if I may," Qui-Gon began. "If we are to understand this being properly, then it would be to our advantage to allow Ensign Sato the time needed to be...prepared. Our host has yet to make an appearance. Probably quite confident that we are...helpless and therefore will not attempt anything."

Archer sighed heavily. As much as he wanted to find out why they were captured and get out of here as quickly as possible, Jonathan Archer realized that Qui-Gon was...right.

"Alright, Hoshi," Archer began. "Do what you need to do."

"Yes, sir," Hoshi replied.

The pretty Oriental woman seated herself on a straw cot and began to once again work on deciphering the being's complex language, while the others waited.

PART SIX

Jinix Government Center

Krysira and Trip walked along a quiet corridor towards Obi-Wan and Qui- Gon's quarters.

"I'm glad that Malcolm went with Counselor Ryvinia," Trip said.

Krysira looked at Trip curiously.

Trip flushed slightly. "Gives me a chance to be alone with you," he admitted.

Krysira felt her cheeks grow warm, then gazed into Trip's eyes. "I am glad as well," she replied softly.

They stopped in the corridor, looking at each other.

"What I feel for you, frightens me, Trip," she went on to say. "I have never experienced such deep feelings before." Her gaze fell on her hands.

Trip hooked his large fingers under her delicate chin, lifting her face up to his face. "It's okay, Krys. I'm feeling the same way and it's scaring the hell out of me," he admitted softly.

They gazed into each other's depths for a long minute, then shared a smile. Once again, the Force swirled around and through them gently. They embraced and kissed each other passionately, before withdrawing slightly. They held each other tightly, enjoying the closeness of the other for a bit, before finally parting. They continued down the corridor, their hands finding each other.

After much persuasion by Lonan, Obi-Wan reluctantly went into his room to rest. He wanted to tell Krysira what he had found out from Lonan regarding the shadowy beings known as Rybrillians.

However, he knew that Lonan was right about trying to regain his strength and besides he remembered that Krysira would be by to check on him. Obi-Wan sighed heavily as he stretched out on the bed after putting his and Qui- Gon's lightsabres under his pillow as he had been taught for easy access if need be. Most of all, he had to be patient...which was hard for any teenager to do.

He allowed his eyes to close, as he drifted off into a peaceful slumber, unaware of his window opening silently and a dark figure climbing into the room stealthily making its way towards the unsuspecting Jedi apprentice.