Part 4- The Lost Son

Kidnapped! Qui-Gon's heart skipped a beat and suddenly found the air in the ship a bit thin. He grasped the console before him tightly, though his fingers screamed in protest.

"I'm sorry, Qui-Gon," Sifo-Dyas murmured. "And before you even try to accuse me, I want you to know I had no idea that they would do this." Qui-Gon did not speak, in fear that his rage would overwhelm his voice.

Suddenly, Qui-Gon realized something. He turned to Sifo-Dyas, eyes blazing.

"What do you mean, they?" Qui-Gon gasped, his voice barely above a whisper in order to conceal his intense rage.

"What? I didn't mean to," Sifo-Dyas said, flushing.

"You said they, and you did mean it. Now, who is they? Who is the Ramming Stone working with?" Sifo-Dyas began to shake his head, began to lie, but Qui-Gon would not have it. He grabbed the traitor by the collar and shook him hard.

"You will tell me, or I shall put a hole in your stomach large enough for my wife to see through!" Qui-Gon hissed. Sifo-Dyas swallowed hard.

"I-I never saw the other men he worked for, but he did speak of them. He used to talk about a Hutt named Gessa and someone he called Tyranus. I believe Gessa was only a financial link, but Tyranus helped orchestrate the attack."

"Tyranus. I've never heard of him," Qui-Gon said.

"He's some sort of Duke, thought I couldn't say what system he is from. I never saw him, as I told you. Now can you release me? I've told you everything I know." Qui-Gon, as if suddenly realizing how tightly he gripped Sifo-Dyas, freed him, and the old Master tumbled to the floor.

"I am truly sorry, Qui-Gon." Sifo-Dyas' voice trailed off.

"Sorry?" Qui-Gon asked bitterly. "Your foolishness ended the lives of two children, and destroyed my Padawan. And now my family's paying for your mistake! No, sorry will not help me."

"Then, maybe there's another way I can help," Sifo-Dyas began. "The Ramming Stone always spoke of a hideout on some Outer Rim world. Perhaps Tattooine, but I cannot be sure."

"Tattooine?" That makes sense, Qui-Gon thought. Tattooine was a desert planet controlled by Hutts, and the Ramming Stone was working for the Hutts.

"Thank you, Sifo-Dyas," he said. He had a plan of action worked out. He would deliver Sifo-Dyas to the Council and then head immediately for Tattooine.

I'm coming for you, Tahl. Hold on.

***

Nearly seventy hours after Obi-Wan had reached Coruscant, the Ramming Stone arrived. He walked nonchalantly out of the hangar, as if he weren't a man wanted for over a billion credits.

That's because he has Senator Ora wrapped around his little finger, Obi-Wan thought bitterly. He knew Ora had arranged for his landing, had provided him with false identification, and was waiting for him at her apartment. The Ramming Stone had carelessly throne little tidbits Obi-Wan's way the past few days the man had waited. It was almost as if the Ramming Stone wanted him to know.

As Obi-Wan tailed him, he considered all possibilities. Was the Ramming Stone planning to conveniently skip his meeting with Ora? Were they simply going to wait for Obi-Wan to arrive and have him killed?

The crowd surrounding the hangar was congested, though for no special reason. For any normal tracker, the Ramming Stone would have been a difficult man to follow, but Obi-Wan had the training of a Jedi, and a determination that three years of disappointment had failed to break. He focused every inch of his being on the Ramming Stone. That day he would not fail, he would kill the man who killed-

Suddenly the Ramming Stone stopped and turned. Obi-Wan could see his red eyes through the disguise, and they had that disturbing glitter of insanity and perhaps… amusement.

Obi-Wan realized with a sickening feeling that he had been discovered.

The Ramming Stone waved to Obi-Wan, smiling. He lifted his middle finger and said something, something that the voices of the crowd swallowed up.

"He said goodbye, Kenobi," a voice, which he instantly recognized as Talon Wessel's, growled behind him. He cursed himself for making the grave mistake of not keeping an eye out for the bounty hunter.

But before he could turn, before he could draw his blaster, another blaster sounded. He heard Talon laugh, heard his own small cry of pain, and heard people scream, getting as far away from Obi-Wan and Talon as they possibly could.

Obi-Wan turned back to the Ramming Stone, his heart hammering, his wound throbbing. The terrorist laughed, and walked away.

"No," Obi-Wan whispered. He couldn't let him get away. He stepped forward, his wounded abdomen screaming in pain. The bolt had struck somewhere near his ribcage. The scent of burnt flesh came to Obi-Wan's nostrils, causing him to gag.

Obi-Wan staggered, like a drunken man, grabbing the hangar wall for support. He would not let the Ramming Stone get away, would not let him win!

But the terrorist was gone, and the pain of the blaster wound brought Obi-Wan to his knees.

"No!" He screamed. "No!" He began to fall forward, but two firm hands grabbed his shoulders and drew him into a lap. The voice was familiar, speaking soothing words, words Obi-Wan could not comprehend.

"M-Master?" Obi-Wan asked as the man lifted him up. Could it be that Qui-Gon, of all men, had found him? But, no, he shouldn't see Obi-Wan this way!

But before Obi-Wan could do anything, he fell into dark oblivion, his last thoughts of Marla and Qui-Gon.

***

Mace Windu greeted Qui-Gon and Sifo-Dyas the moment they stepped out of the ship. Mace nodded to two Coruscant Security Officers, who quickly cuffed Sifo-Dyas and led him to a small shuttle. Qui-Gon nodded his greeting to Mace. Mace returned the nod, his eyes falling at the sight of his fellow Jedi.

"What's the matter?" Qui-Gon asked. "Is there news of Tahl?" Mace shook his head.

"There was a shooting at a hangar not far from here. The shooter was identified as a Clawdite, one called him by the name Talon. The victim was a young, humanoid male, short brown hair, blue eyes…" Qui-Gon closed his eyes as Mace continued to describe his former Padawan.

So, you have finally found your peace, Obi-Wan. And you have destroyed mine.

"Most witnesses say that the victim was mortally wounded, though we can't find a body. I'm sorry, Qui-Gon." Mace watched the Master carefully, unsure of his response.

But why did I not feel you die? Why, Padawan?

"Find out what happened to the body, Mace. But do not tell me until I return with the rest of my family." Qui-Gon quickly returned to his ship, before Mace could offer any more words of sympathy.

"Do not weep for him, Qui-Gon," Mace murmured as he watched the ship leave.

***

Qui-Gon mechanically set the coordinates for Tattooine, staring into the cold space. He knew he should be thinking of Tahl, Ald-Yen, and Ang-Jir, he knew he should be preparing for any trap the Ramming Stone and his colleagues had planned for him, but a single image of a hopeful thirteen-year-old boy kept driving all thoughts from his mind.

He closed his eyes again, putting a hand to his face. He had to stay in control, he had to! Tahl and his children's lives depended upon it.

But once again, the image came to his eyes, taunting him. The pain became unbearable, and Qui-Gon wept for his lost apprentice.