Title: Children of the Sith
Author: ewan's girl
Disclaimer: Same rules apply, I don't own anything, I make no money.
Chapter 7:
"Landing on Honarvar will be treacherous." Dooku stated as he leaned over the controls, staring at the image of the lush, green planet that continued to grow closer to them. "It seems to be made up mostly of forests." He turned and faced his companion. "What do you know about this planet?"
"Not much, I've never been here. I only know that Lusians are native to this planet because Obi Wan and I discovered they were selling Lusians on the black market on Courascant a few years ago." Qui Gon answered.
"Maybe they received their Lusians on the black market. Why didn't you mention this before?" Dooku asked, beginning to get frustrated.
"The black market on Courascant has been shut down, I know they could still get them out here in the outer rim. . .You can still buy slaves out here." Qui Gon sighed.
"Yes, it amazes me how the Republic is blind to all the evil that thrives in our galaxy." Dooku expressed, his words tainted with anger.
"I know." Qui Gon agreed, though curious as to why his former master was getting upset. "But Chancellor Valorum is doing his best."
"The taxation of trade routes is hardly acceptable, the corruption of the Senate only starts with their alliances with corporations." Dooku continued to land as he ranted. "I think the assassination attempt on his life is just the beginning of troubles for Valorum."
"Master?" Qui Gon asked, but was interrupted by the fact that they had landed.
"A discussion for another time. The life of your apprentice is at stake." Dooku put a hand on Qui Gon's shoulder and the two men exited the ship.
They found themselves standing in a very lush, very humid forest. They began to search for any clues.
"The computer said there was a settlement a little over a mile away, it seemed to be made up of primitives." Dooku stated as he hoisted a survival pack over his shoulder.
"Well, it's a starting place." Qui Gon answered, leading the way.
After they had walked about half a mile they came across a large meadow. They then heard a low rumbling coming their way. The two men glanced at each other, then strained in the sunlight to see the source of the rumbling.
"I think we found the Lusians." Dooku groaned.
The ground shook as hundreds of hooved creatures headed straight for the two Jedi. The Jedi looked around them for a place to take cover, but realized they were in the wide open.
"Run." Qui Gon commanded and the two men headed back towards the trees just as the stamped entered the meadow.
The creatures were large, and had huge hooves which could easily crush a man's skull. They also had very dangerous horns on their heads. Dooku and Qui Gon knew they would be trampled if they didn't reach the safety of the trees. They used the force to quicken their pace, but it was almost hopeless.
They were able to reach the first set of trees just as the Lusians began to surround them. Qui Gon reached the trees first and swung himself up to one of the higher branches. He then lower his hand and helped his older master up the tree as well. The tree shook under the force of the creatures running past, and even running into it. The two Jedi held on for dear life until the ordeal was over and the dust finally cleared.
"What could've caused such a riot?" Qui Gon asked, as he coughed through the dust.
Suddenly they heard several low growls and the two masters gave concerned looks.
"I don't think you want to know, I but think we're about to find out." Dooku stated, as he went for his light saber.
****
She looked at him as he slept. She watched as his eyelids fluttered and then tightened in rhythm with his dreams. She wondered what he was dreaming about. She looked around the empty, dark room and her eyes felt heavy, she now regretted volunteering for the first shift of watching over their patient. Her mother was skeptical of him surviving the night, but Kia willed him to live.
His breathing now came in short, shallow intervals. It was a change from the labored breathing, but she was sure it wasn't a good change. She felt her head get heavy from her weariness, she leaned her chin on her hands for support ad dozed off. Suddenly her wrist chrono beeped and shattered the silence, startling her.
She stopped the incessant noise and ran her hands through her hair. It was time to attempt to nourish the Jedi. She rose to her feet and went to the kitchen. She returned with a bowl full of a deep purple colored juice. She scooped out a spoonful and held it to his almost colorless lips. She attempted to open his mouth and pour the sweet liquid down his throat, but instead managed to spill it down his chin. She tried 2 or 3 more times and grew frustrated at her failed attempts. She knew the Jedi needed to have some sort of nourishment. She stopped and relaxed herself.
"Come on, you need to drink something. You need to get your strength up." She looked at him and noticed him attempt to open his mouth. 'Did he hear me?' She marveled.
She then spooned some juice into his mouth and watched it travel down his throat. She sighed to herself and smiled. "See, much better." She said as she spooned another spoonful in his mouth.
She then put the almost empty bowl down when he finally stopped eating. She wiped away any remnants of juice still on his chin and checked his temperature. "102.3 degrees. You are still running way too hot Mr. Jedi." She put the thermometer down and looked at him. "I wish you could tell me about yourself." She sighed, then left the room.
She returned a moment later with a cool cloth and placed it on his forehead. "I mean, I don't even know your name. By the way I'm Kia." She smiled and stared at him for a moment longer. "You know, I think I'll call you Ben. You look like a Ben. . . of course I've never known any other Bens before, but until you tell me otherwise that's what I'll call you." She waited in silence for a response, it came in the form of a cough. She smiled. "Ok, Ben it is." She then went into the kitchen to grab a cup of jawa juice to help her stay awake.
She rubbed her tired eyes as she waited for the brew to be ready. She wondered when Bryns would return home, and hoped that everything went well at the labs. She also thought about her mother's reaction to the Jedi. She then thought about her father and his untimely death by the hands of a Jedi. 'Something doesn't seem right.' She thought to herself. 'Something is telling me that isn't what happened.'
As she poured some juice into a cup she heard a few more coughs coming from the Jedi. Suddenly the coughs became more violent. She quickly put her glass down and ran to the Jedi.
When she reached him she saw that he began to go into convulsions, she also noticed a small bit of blood staining his lips.
"Mom!" She screamed as she tried to calm the padawan. "Mom!" She called again.
The convulsions began to grow and the coughing more insistent. Kia grew very concerned, she didn't know what to do.
"MOM!!"
*****
Qui Gon called upon the aid of the force to calm his nerves. He had hardly slept since the disappearance of his apprentice, and now his nerves were all but shot. He looked down at the ground and noticed several furry animals staring up at him and his master.
They were feline creatures with a long hairless tail. They had four eyes, and a huge mouth that seemed to be turned up in a sort of smile. The part that worried Qui Gon the most was the creatures enormous claws and teeth.
"Nexu." Dooku replied.
"What?"
"I've seen these creatures before, deadly animals. They are called a Nexu." Dooku explained. "Interesting, they aren't native to Honarvar though, they come from Cholganna. . . Hmmm."
"That's great master, but I don't think we need to concern ourselves with that information at the moment." Qui Gon stated, grabbing his light saber off his belt.
"Now Qui Gon, there is always a moment to reflect on information." Dooku explained. "You must remain calm in instances such as this." He looked at his former pupil. "What have I always taught you?"
Qui Gon sighed. "There's always a bigger fish." He looked down at the hungry eyes of the predators. "But these aren't fish master."
Dooku smiled inwardly at Qui Gon's remark. He then felt the tree shudder with the added weight of one of the cat like creatures climbing up to greet them. The two Jedi ignited their light sabers and waited to fight the animals.
They fought the beasts, cutting off limbs, slicing through their flesh. The smell of burning hair was almost suffocating. The creatures endlessly came at them. Qui Gon could feel himself begin to tire when he noticed out of the corner of his eye a Nexu in the tree next to them, crouching down to pounce. He didn't have a chance to help before the creature launched itself at his former master. Qui Gon watched as they both fell to the forest floor below him.
He then watched as the remaining animals turned towards his master. Qui Gon stood there motionless as they piled on top of Dooku.
"Master! No!" Qui Gon called as he scrambled down from the tree.
Suddenly he felt a surge through the force and saw an amazing burst of blue light shoot through each of the creatures, killing them instantly. He then saw his former master rise from the ground, shooting was appeared to be lightning bolts from his fingers at the remaining creatures until they were all dead.
Qui Gon was stunned. "Master Dooku?"
Dooku then fell over as if exhausted. Qui Gon ran to his side. He stared at Dooku with a confused look on his face. Dooku noticed the expression and smiled a weak smile. "There is so much power in the force Qui Gon, you just have to harness it."
"I don't understand."
"Now is not the time to discuss this, we have to get moving." Dooku stated, picking himself up and brushing himself off. He walked past a very confused former apprentice as if nothing strange had happened. "Come Qui Gon, Obi Wan's life is hanging in the balance."
They then continued their trek to the settlement.
*****
"Kia?" Her mother asked when she heard her child's screams. "What is it?" But her question was answered when she saw the man on her son's bed writhing with convulsions. She quickly ran to his side.
She took a small bottle out of her medical bag and took a syringe out as well. She filled the syringe with a clear liquid and turned to the Jedi.
"Kia, hold him still." She commanded as she stuck the needle in the Jedi's thigh. A moment later his body stilled, and the room was quiet. "That will slow the poison for now, but it isn't a cure." She sighed.
"Thank you mom." Kia stated and wiped the blood of Obi Wan's lips.
"Don't thank me Kia, I am still very much against this whole thing." She looked down at the Jedi's young, battered face. "However, the healer in me cannot stand by and let a living creature die." She sighed.
Kia rushed up to her mother and hugged her. "I'm sorry mom." The two sat for a moment in the embrace before letting go. Kia then watched as her mother examined the Jedi over.
"He is getting worse. If we don't find an antidote to that poison. . ." She let the answer hang unspoken.
Kia could feel tears form in her eyes, yet she didn't understand why. She didn't even know this Jedi, why did he mean so much to her? "If only he'd use the force to heal, but he's probably too weak." Kia said, as she tried to hide her tears from her mother.
Her mother stared at her. "Kia, I'm worried about the effect this Jedi is having on you. I think the longer you are in his presence the more you fall under his spell." She placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Mom, what spell? He's unconscious."
Before she could answer they noticed another presence in the room. They turned and notice Bryns had come home. He looked ragged, and he was out of breath. His mother walked towards him, with a worried look on her face.
"Bryns?"
"They are searching for him. He cannot stay here." Bryns answered. ****
*Please review!!!
Chapter 7:
"Landing on Honarvar will be treacherous." Dooku stated as he leaned over the controls, staring at the image of the lush, green planet that continued to grow closer to them. "It seems to be made up mostly of forests." He turned and faced his companion. "What do you know about this planet?"
"Not much, I've never been here. I only know that Lusians are native to this planet because Obi Wan and I discovered they were selling Lusians on the black market on Courascant a few years ago." Qui Gon answered.
"Maybe they received their Lusians on the black market. Why didn't you mention this before?" Dooku asked, beginning to get frustrated.
"The black market on Courascant has been shut down, I know they could still get them out here in the outer rim. . .You can still buy slaves out here." Qui Gon sighed.
"Yes, it amazes me how the Republic is blind to all the evil that thrives in our galaxy." Dooku expressed, his words tainted with anger.
"I know." Qui Gon agreed, though curious as to why his former master was getting upset. "But Chancellor Valorum is doing his best."
"The taxation of trade routes is hardly acceptable, the corruption of the Senate only starts with their alliances with corporations." Dooku continued to land as he ranted. "I think the assassination attempt on his life is just the beginning of troubles for Valorum."
"Master?" Qui Gon asked, but was interrupted by the fact that they had landed.
"A discussion for another time. The life of your apprentice is at stake." Dooku put a hand on Qui Gon's shoulder and the two men exited the ship.
They found themselves standing in a very lush, very humid forest. They began to search for any clues.
"The computer said there was a settlement a little over a mile away, it seemed to be made up of primitives." Dooku stated as he hoisted a survival pack over his shoulder.
"Well, it's a starting place." Qui Gon answered, leading the way.
After they had walked about half a mile they came across a large meadow. They then heard a low rumbling coming their way. The two men glanced at each other, then strained in the sunlight to see the source of the rumbling.
"I think we found the Lusians." Dooku groaned.
The ground shook as hundreds of hooved creatures headed straight for the two Jedi. The Jedi looked around them for a place to take cover, but realized they were in the wide open.
"Run." Qui Gon commanded and the two men headed back towards the trees just as the stamped entered the meadow.
The creatures were large, and had huge hooves which could easily crush a man's skull. They also had very dangerous horns on their heads. Dooku and Qui Gon knew they would be trampled if they didn't reach the safety of the trees. They used the force to quicken their pace, but it was almost hopeless.
They were able to reach the first set of trees just as the Lusians began to surround them. Qui Gon reached the trees first and swung himself up to one of the higher branches. He then lower his hand and helped his older master up the tree as well. The tree shook under the force of the creatures running past, and even running into it. The two Jedi held on for dear life until the ordeal was over and the dust finally cleared.
"What could've caused such a riot?" Qui Gon asked, as he coughed through the dust.
Suddenly they heard several low growls and the two masters gave concerned looks.
"I don't think you want to know, I but think we're about to find out." Dooku stated, as he went for his light saber.
****
She looked at him as he slept. She watched as his eyelids fluttered and then tightened in rhythm with his dreams. She wondered what he was dreaming about. She looked around the empty, dark room and her eyes felt heavy, she now regretted volunteering for the first shift of watching over their patient. Her mother was skeptical of him surviving the night, but Kia willed him to live.
His breathing now came in short, shallow intervals. It was a change from the labored breathing, but she was sure it wasn't a good change. She felt her head get heavy from her weariness, she leaned her chin on her hands for support ad dozed off. Suddenly her wrist chrono beeped and shattered the silence, startling her.
She stopped the incessant noise and ran her hands through her hair. It was time to attempt to nourish the Jedi. She rose to her feet and went to the kitchen. She returned with a bowl full of a deep purple colored juice. She scooped out a spoonful and held it to his almost colorless lips. She attempted to open his mouth and pour the sweet liquid down his throat, but instead managed to spill it down his chin. She tried 2 or 3 more times and grew frustrated at her failed attempts. She knew the Jedi needed to have some sort of nourishment. She stopped and relaxed herself.
"Come on, you need to drink something. You need to get your strength up." She looked at him and noticed him attempt to open his mouth. 'Did he hear me?' She marveled.
She then spooned some juice into his mouth and watched it travel down his throat. She sighed to herself and smiled. "See, much better." She said as she spooned another spoonful in his mouth.
She then put the almost empty bowl down when he finally stopped eating. She wiped away any remnants of juice still on his chin and checked his temperature. "102.3 degrees. You are still running way too hot Mr. Jedi." She put the thermometer down and looked at him. "I wish you could tell me about yourself." She sighed, then left the room.
She returned a moment later with a cool cloth and placed it on his forehead. "I mean, I don't even know your name. By the way I'm Kia." She smiled and stared at him for a moment longer. "You know, I think I'll call you Ben. You look like a Ben. . . of course I've never known any other Bens before, but until you tell me otherwise that's what I'll call you." She waited in silence for a response, it came in the form of a cough. She smiled. "Ok, Ben it is." She then went into the kitchen to grab a cup of jawa juice to help her stay awake.
She rubbed her tired eyes as she waited for the brew to be ready. She wondered when Bryns would return home, and hoped that everything went well at the labs. She also thought about her mother's reaction to the Jedi. She then thought about her father and his untimely death by the hands of a Jedi. 'Something doesn't seem right.' She thought to herself. 'Something is telling me that isn't what happened.'
As she poured some juice into a cup she heard a few more coughs coming from the Jedi. Suddenly the coughs became more violent. She quickly put her glass down and ran to the Jedi.
When she reached him she saw that he began to go into convulsions, she also noticed a small bit of blood staining his lips.
"Mom!" She screamed as she tried to calm the padawan. "Mom!" She called again.
The convulsions began to grow and the coughing more insistent. Kia grew very concerned, she didn't know what to do.
"MOM!!"
*****
Qui Gon called upon the aid of the force to calm his nerves. He had hardly slept since the disappearance of his apprentice, and now his nerves were all but shot. He looked down at the ground and noticed several furry animals staring up at him and his master.
They were feline creatures with a long hairless tail. They had four eyes, and a huge mouth that seemed to be turned up in a sort of smile. The part that worried Qui Gon the most was the creatures enormous claws and teeth.
"Nexu." Dooku replied.
"What?"
"I've seen these creatures before, deadly animals. They are called a Nexu." Dooku explained. "Interesting, they aren't native to Honarvar though, they come from Cholganna. . . Hmmm."
"That's great master, but I don't think we need to concern ourselves with that information at the moment." Qui Gon stated, grabbing his light saber off his belt.
"Now Qui Gon, there is always a moment to reflect on information." Dooku explained. "You must remain calm in instances such as this." He looked at his former pupil. "What have I always taught you?"
Qui Gon sighed. "There's always a bigger fish." He looked down at the hungry eyes of the predators. "But these aren't fish master."
Dooku smiled inwardly at Qui Gon's remark. He then felt the tree shudder with the added weight of one of the cat like creatures climbing up to greet them. The two Jedi ignited their light sabers and waited to fight the animals.
They fought the beasts, cutting off limbs, slicing through their flesh. The smell of burning hair was almost suffocating. The creatures endlessly came at them. Qui Gon could feel himself begin to tire when he noticed out of the corner of his eye a Nexu in the tree next to them, crouching down to pounce. He didn't have a chance to help before the creature launched itself at his former master. Qui Gon watched as they both fell to the forest floor below him.
He then watched as the remaining animals turned towards his master. Qui Gon stood there motionless as they piled on top of Dooku.
"Master! No!" Qui Gon called as he scrambled down from the tree.
Suddenly he felt a surge through the force and saw an amazing burst of blue light shoot through each of the creatures, killing them instantly. He then saw his former master rise from the ground, shooting was appeared to be lightning bolts from his fingers at the remaining creatures until they were all dead.
Qui Gon was stunned. "Master Dooku?"
Dooku then fell over as if exhausted. Qui Gon ran to his side. He stared at Dooku with a confused look on his face. Dooku noticed the expression and smiled a weak smile. "There is so much power in the force Qui Gon, you just have to harness it."
"I don't understand."
"Now is not the time to discuss this, we have to get moving." Dooku stated, picking himself up and brushing himself off. He walked past a very confused former apprentice as if nothing strange had happened. "Come Qui Gon, Obi Wan's life is hanging in the balance."
They then continued their trek to the settlement.
*****
"Kia?" Her mother asked when she heard her child's screams. "What is it?" But her question was answered when she saw the man on her son's bed writhing with convulsions. She quickly ran to his side.
She took a small bottle out of her medical bag and took a syringe out as well. She filled the syringe with a clear liquid and turned to the Jedi.
"Kia, hold him still." She commanded as she stuck the needle in the Jedi's thigh. A moment later his body stilled, and the room was quiet. "That will slow the poison for now, but it isn't a cure." She sighed.
"Thank you mom." Kia stated and wiped the blood of Obi Wan's lips.
"Don't thank me Kia, I am still very much against this whole thing." She looked down at the Jedi's young, battered face. "However, the healer in me cannot stand by and let a living creature die." She sighed.
Kia rushed up to her mother and hugged her. "I'm sorry mom." The two sat for a moment in the embrace before letting go. Kia then watched as her mother examined the Jedi over.
"He is getting worse. If we don't find an antidote to that poison. . ." She let the answer hang unspoken.
Kia could feel tears form in her eyes, yet she didn't understand why. She didn't even know this Jedi, why did he mean so much to her? "If only he'd use the force to heal, but he's probably too weak." Kia said, as she tried to hide her tears from her mother.
Her mother stared at her. "Kia, I'm worried about the effect this Jedi is having on you. I think the longer you are in his presence the more you fall under his spell." She placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Mom, what spell? He's unconscious."
Before she could answer they noticed another presence in the room. They turned and notice Bryns had come home. He looked ragged, and he was out of breath. His mother walked towards him, with a worried look on her face.
"Bryns?"
"They are searching for him. He cannot stay here." Bryns answered. ****
*Please review!!!