" I imagine you remember me now don't ya kid? I guess the beard and mustache threw you off for a second. I wouldn't have recognized you, but of course you were a wee tiny fellow always up under my feet in the daytime and bothering your mom and me at night. I suppose you don't remember that part of it. I was like a father to you then. Hell, I was your father for all those arouind when you were younger. Dear Daddy of yours didn't stick around, didn't want you when you where a snot-nosed baby wearing a diaper and tee-shirt. Now though he wants to reap the rewards of a strong Jedi son with force abilities. Now Papa wants to play the perfect father to make himself look good in front of that old master of his."
"That's not how it is. I didn't have any other relative to go too. My dad had to take me."
"You make it sound like Qui-Gon didn't even want you in the beginning. Is that how it was? Just like your mother, he wanted to toss you to the side for his precious Jedi. Uhn, boy? I asked you a question."
"My dad wanted me…wants me now…"
"Then why was he sending you somewhere, to the temple I think, without him. That is not normal prodigal for master and apprentice. Have things changed so much since I left the temple; the master and apprentice separate during the mission. I don't think so. There is a reason for you not staying with your daddy. I just have to find it out. When I am ready to know you will tell me. I promise you that."
Obi-Wan refused to tell this man that is father was sending him home because he was not accepting his place properly as a Jedi apprentice. In plain simple terms, Obi-Wan screwed up and Qui-Gon would have no more of it.
Over on a stand against the wall sat a comm link, but not a very impressive looking one. In fact Obi-Wan noticed it when it rang, interrupting Delaney. He walked over and picked up the mouth piece. Instantly on the tiny screen that sat on the rickety stand, Gerod's image appeared.
"Senator I wasn't expecting your call so soon. It is good though, that you called earlier. We seem to have a problem."
"Yes, I know I found out earlier today. You have the Jedi child and not the king's son. You can just release him. I will still pay what I owe you."
"No I can't do that. Seems I know this little one I have. Had things gone a little differently I would have been his father. Now though I have another agenda. I want to speak with Master Jinn. I, as an old friend or at least an acquaintance, have something he might be interested in getting back."
Jinn stepped up to the screen, They had planned at first not to let Delaney know Jinn was even there, but it was necessary now. Qui-Gon knew it was not a good sign that Delaney knew who Obi-Wan was. He and Jinn were not exactly friends, in fact they were the opposite. They came close to being sworn enemies.
"Here I am Delaney. I want you to let Obi-Wan go. Just leave him where he is. He can care for himself, until I can get there to take him home where he belongs."
"You think me a fool Jinn? You are quite good at just leaving the child for him to take care of himself. Isn't that what you did when he was born too? All those years you were the one thing that kept Kaylin and I from being happy. Well you and that kid of yours. I never liked him Master Jinn and I still don't. Of course he is older and he doesn't have his mommy to hide behind now. Oh he did get on my nerves but always she stopped me from correcting him. I think maybe it is pay back time. After all I think you sent him away for something he did. Am I not right? Why should I be any different in the way I treat him? If you want your little one back, we have to reach some kind of agreement."
"Just what would that be? Oh and before you answer that, be weary of me Delaney. I can forget my Jedi training and beliefs long enough to kill you with my bare hands if my son comes to any harm."
"Oh so now he is your son. I remember how Kaylin told me you abandoned them with nothing when you found out she was to have your kid. Now he is all important to you. I don't think so. The only thing important about the child is his force ability and not as your son. Besides Jinn, we are playing by my rules now. I will be back in contact once I have decided what I want of you and maybe even that rich king, who is probably there listening to us . Wonder what he thinks of the mighty Jinn now that he knows you left the mother of your son and your only son to fend for themselves with not even one credit to their name?"
CLICK
The sound of the comm disconnecting, was not something Qui-Gon wanted to hear at that moment. Now he would have to play Delaney's game."
One of the communication technicians came from out of a little booth with earphones still riding on top of his head; the wire tangling down the side of his face much like a padawan braid.
"I managed to track the comm link call. He is on this planet. The coordinates would indicate somewhere in the Beigender Forest."
"Thanks to the quick thinking of your man here, at least we know where to start looking for them"
Jinn held onto the knowledge the radio man gave him with hope that he could locate his son before Delaney had a chance to harm him.
'WHOA….Master Jinn, maybe you don't realize it, but the forest is scattered throughout a third of eastern section of this planet. It would be like going out in the dark with blind eyes trying to search the entire expanse of it. It would take days."
"I have the time. I am not sure my son does though. What else can I do?"
"I think the safest thing to do Master Jinn, would be to wait until he contacts you again. Maybe you and the king can give him what he wants. Don't blame me for his erratic behavior. I didn't know of his connection to you or your family when I hired him. Besides I didn't hire him to kidnap and rough up a kid; only to hold him until my demands were met. That was all he was told to do. Harming a child was certainly not part of my plan."
The senator seemed as worried for the child as the king was. Jinn could tell he had not meant for this to happen.
The King looked at Jinn and wondered if what the man on the other end of the comm told the truth or not. Did Master Jinn abandon Obi-Wan and his mother? Now was not the time to delve in the sorted past of the Jedi master, although he was curious. The king's priorities lay with getting the boy back safely.
"I think he is right Master Jinn. Before we go blindly into that mass forest, we should see if his demands can be meant. It's worth a try."
"I'm not all that familiar with this man. I know some of his some history and past works of crime but I don't know what he is capable of. I will wait for a couple of hours to see if he calls back. If he doesn't, I must ask you to transport me to the forest so I can begin my search."
"That will not be a problem and I certainly wouldn't let you start your task alone. You have the use of ever how many of my men you need. But I agree, we should wait and see if he contacts us and if his demands are not so bizarre that they can't be met."
##Back with Obi-Wan######
"Did you hear me kid, talking to your "Daddy"?"
The title "Daddy" came out of the man's mouth more like a curse word.
Obi-Wan knew what Delaney meant. He wanted to know if Obi-Wan heard what he said about his father leaving him and his mother..
"That's a lie. My dad didn't leave me. He never knew I was born. Mom didn't tell him."
Delaney couldn't stand for Master Jinn to be thought of so highly by another Kenobi; first Kalyin, now the child. He decided he could tear down the boy's high opinion of his Jedi master father.
//I can just knock him right off his pedestal both Kenobi's have put Qui-Gon on and the child will never know the difference. At least I can plant a "seed of doubt" in Obi-Wan's mind of his father's love, for ever how long I decide he lives. //
"So sure of that? You have seen already that it was not past your mother to lie to see she got what she wanted. She just didn't want to be bothered by Jinn and she didn't want you to think badly of the choice she made for Jinn as your father. Had I been your father I wouldn't have left like a scared chicken. I would have openly excepted my responsibilities. I would have gladly continued loving your mother; forever or until "death do us part",had I been given the chance too."
"You LIE!!. Dad would never do that."
"You know what I think son? You lived with your mother everyday and still did not know how treacherous, lying, and conniving she could be and now you think you know everything about a man you have only been forced upon because he has legal claim to you? Claim, he probably didn't want to admit too. Now he probably even regrets allowing you in his life."
Delaney said those cruel things about Obi's mom to get his attention. To him, being corrupt was not all that bad, but he suspected to Obi-Wan, it crumpled his world to know how his mother truly was. He knew nothing of how Jinn felt about his son. He just found he could terrorize the child by planting thoughts of being unwanted. He could tell by the child's reactions, it was torture for him to listen to Delaney talk about his parents and the vindictive Morrow loved every minute of it.
Obi-Wan turned away from the man who spoke so badly about both his parents. All the things Delaney said played back over and over in his mind like the rewinding and replaying a recording of it.
"Oh, stub up and get mad little one. That will solve so much won't it? Let me tell you Obi-Wan Kenobi, I might be hard pressed to get your father to agree to any of my commands. He just might let me have you to do what I wish. He didn't seem all that interested in getting you back. Maybe he'll let you be my "payment" for this mission………"
Two torturous hours passed and still no communication came through to the king's castle. Qui-Gon got a chair, from down the hallway and placed it right beside the communication room's door. He did not want to impede the work of the radio officers in the small cubical of a room, but he refused to move very far from the door should Delaney contact him, as promised.
If he did not hear from Obi-Wan's kidnapper soon, he would ask the king for transportation and a few of his soldiers to help in the search for his son.
As Qui-Gon sat there, thoughts of what Delaney said, passed through his mind.
//He did not acknowledge the child as his. Said the mother told him I left her and Obi abandoned, so the child is not his. Obi-Wan, in truth, is my child and now it doesn't seem so overly important that he be. I love him no matter. My fear has not lessened or increased with the knowledge that he is really my son. My love for the boy is given freely with no stipulations, certainly not something as minuscule as a blood test result, written down on a piece of paper. //
Qui-Gon had to be nudged out of his thoughts of his son, by one of the communiqué officers.
"Master Jinn, I think this is the call you have been waiting for."
Jinn didn't even think to thank the man, he rushed to the comm link. There on the screen stood Delaney, with his all too familiar flaming red hair and beside him stood a tiny little Jedi apprentice, my Obi-Wan
"I hope you have rethought what you are doing, Delaney? Have you decided that it would be in your best interest to just hand my son over to me?"
"Now Master Jinn, you are being insufferably unfair and way too hasty. With all due respect for our shared dead love, I am not sure I should give you the boy back under any circumstances. Kaylin never truly wanted you to have him, only if something happened to her. Oh, I forgot, it did. She got herself killed, didn't she? But I think had she thought I would be willing to keep the boy and raise him, she would have wanted me to have him instead of you."
"That's enough Delaney. If you are not willing to just hand the boy back to me, tell me what you want. What will it take to give me back my son?"
"That's more like it. I do think you should be a little more civil to me, however. I am the one holding all the aces in the deck, while you on the other hand, have to play strictly by my rules. In fact, had I Kaylin's best wishes foremost in my thoughts, I just might kill you and keep the child for myself. Nothing like a force sensitive chubby-cheeked little boy to help charm the pants off someone or better yet, their wallets, jewels, rings, and anything else worth anything. I still have some force left, but he child is more powerful than me. One swipe with his hand over our victims' faces and we could be wealthy the rest of our lives. He is a cute little fellow. Took after his Mom I suppose. Now I might let you have him back for the right price and safe passage out of this quadrant of the galaxy. Think you could manage that for me?"
"I might be able too. I would have to know how many credits you want. The Jedi are not rich. The king has promised me use of a ship,…. but the credits…Just how much did you need?"
"It is not a question of need. I have need for very little. The question you have to answer is how much do I want?"
"Maybe you find yourself amusing with your play on words, however I find nothing humorous about playing with a child's life. What will it take to get you to send Obi-Wan home where he belongs?"
"Oh, I don't know Master Jinn. What do you have to offer? I really think the child enjoys my company over yours anyway. Should we ask him? Here Obi-Wan, where would you rather be, with Master Jinn or me, the man who raised you just like my very own son?"
Delaney jabbed the boy very hard in the ribs with his elbow. The jab in the ribs was followed by Delaney's even rougher shove of Obi-Wan so he would be standing directly in front of the screen.
Qui-Gon had to stand there, grit his teeth, ball up his fists, and wish that the view screen was actually Delaney's face. That is where his fists would be right now if it was.
Obi-Wan did not want to lie and he was afraid to tell the truth. He wanted desperately to be with his father, but would Delaney harm him if he told the truth? Did Delaney want Obi-Wan to say he would rather be with him?
The red-headed devil must have felt the child took too long answering his question. He grabbed the little apprentice by his padawan braid and jerked it hard enough for Obi-Wan to think it had been pulled from his very scalp.
"Don't make me ask you again. Who would you rather live with?"
The child said what he thought would keep him from being hurt again.
He mumbled his answer under his breath.
"You!"
"Oh, I don't think your father heard that. Want to say it again, only loud enough for dear old dad to hear you?"
"I. Said. you. I want to stay with you, alright?"
There, he told a lie. He only hoped his father knew it was a lie.
Obi-Wan turned his head away from the screen; away from being able to see his father's face. He then abruptly stepped away from the screen, as if ashamed of what he said.
Jinn knew his son said what he said, only to keep from being harmed by Delaney.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes momentarily and nudged at the boy's mind. He let himself trace his way along he and his son's shared bond, but only to a point. He was met with the impenetrable shields of a terrified little boy. Obi-Wan had either forgotten how to lower his shields, or that he even had them and the bond with his Jedi master.
//If only Obi-Wan would remember our bond and open it up. I could help him with all this. At least I could give him more comfort than a conversation through the video screen.//
"See Master Jinn. I think since I will have to pry the child from me to send him back to you, you should have to pay me more than I first intended. Let's say somewhere around 300,000 credits. I think that is fair. What do you think?"
Even before Delaney got out the amount of credits he wanted, Jinn had released an exasperated sigh. He could not even imagine where he could come up with that many credits.
"You must be out of your mind. Where would you suggest a Jedi come up with such a large amount of credits and I assume in a very shot length of time?"
"Yes, I want the credits immediately, unless you want me to leave with the little one and you never see him again. As for where you get the credits, I don't really give a "sith's behind" where or how you get them. Rob every rich man in the galaxy if you have too. But let me tell you this, I grow tired of playing games now. If you don't have the money and ready to meet me by ten in the morning, Obi-Wan and I will be on our way. Don't worry Master Jinn, he won't be able to use his force for you and he to link with that bond of yours. Right now he knows not too, but if I have too, I can give him a hydro spray shot of Colizine in the neck and that will contain his force abilities until I need them. The medicine is nasty going in and even while it is working Quite a crude, outdated, and dangerous way to stifle the force, but that is all I have and I. will. use it."
Qui-Gon had heard of the medicine that Delaney referred too. It was used by the Jedi enemies years and years ago to tame the Jedi when captured. It not only tamed their force but resulted in the brain damage for a great many Jedi knights and masters and a horrible lingering death for their young protégés.
The Jedi master was terrified at the thought that the crazed man, holding his son, would not hesitate to use the possibly deadly medicine for a force sensitive.
'No, wait don't go and most importantly don't use that stuff on him. Call me back at midnight. I will have found a way to get the credits you want, all of them. Don't use Colizine on Obi-Wan. You know well what could happen."
"Yes, Qui-Gon I certainly do. He could end up brain damaged or maybe worse, depending on whose eyes you're looking through. Your apprentice and son, Obi-Wan Kenobi, could very well end up dead …."
Two torturous hours passed and still no communication came through to the king's castle. Qui-Gon got a chair, from down the hallway and placed it right beside the communication room's door. He did not want to impede the work of the radio officers in the small cubical of a room, but he refused to move very far from the door should Delaney contact him, as promised.
If he did not hear from Obi-Wan's kidnapper soon, he would ask the king for transportation and a few of his soldiers to help in the search for his son.
As Qui-Gon sat there, thoughts of what Delaney said, passed through his mind.
//He did not acknowledge the child as his. Said the mother told him I left her and Obi abandoned, so the child is not his. Obi-Wan, in truth, is my child and now it doesn't seem so overly important that he be. I love him no matter. My fear has not lessened or increased with the knowledge that he is really my son. My love for the boy is given freely with no stipulations, certainly not something as minuscule as a blood test result, written down on a piece of paper.//
Qui-Gon had to be nudged out of his thoughts of his son, by one of the communiqué officers.
"Master Jinn, I think this is the call you have been waiting for."
Jinn didn't even think to thank the man, he rushed to the comm link. There on the screen stood Delaney, with his all too familiar flaming red hair and beside him stood a tiny little Jedi apprentice, my Obi-Wan
"I hope you have rethought what you are doing, Delaney? Have you decided that it would be in your best interest to just hand my son over to me?"
"Now Master Jinn, you are being insufferably unfair and way too hasty. With all due respect for our shared dead love, I am not sure I should give you the boy back under any circumstances. Kaylin never truly wanted you to have him, only if something happened to her. Oh, I forgot, it did. She got herself killed, didn't she? But I think had she thought I would be willing to keep the boy and raise him, she would have wanted me to have him instead of you."
"That's enough Delaney. If you are not willing to just hand the boy back to me, tell me what you want. What will it take to give me back my son?"
"That's more like it. I do think you should be a little more civil to me, however. I am the one holding all the aces in the deck, while you on the other hand, have to play strictly by my rules. In fact, had I Kaylin's best wishes foremost in my thoughts, I just might kill you and keep the child for myself. Nothing like a force sensitive chubby-cheeked little boy to help charm the pants off someone or better yet, their wallets, jewels, rings, and anything else worth anything. I still have some force left, but he child is more powerful than me. One swipe with his hand over our victims' faces and we could be wealthy the rest of our lives. He is a cute little fellow. Took after his Mom I suppose. Now I might let you have him back for the right price and safe passage out of this quadrant of the galaxy. Think you could manage that for me?"
"I might be able too. I would have to know how many credits you want. The Jedi are not rich. The king has promised me use of a ship,…. but the credits…Just how much did you need?"
"It is not a question of need. I have need for very little. The question you have to answer is how much do I want?"
"Maybe you find yourself amusing with your play on words, however I find nothing humorous about playing with a child's life. What will it take to get you to send Obi-Wan home where he belongs?"
"Oh, I don't know Master Jinn. What do you have to offer? I really think the child enjoys my company over yours anyway. Should we ask him? Here Obi-Wan, where would you rather be, with Master Jinn or me, the man who raised you just like my very own son?"
Delaney jabbed the boy very hard in the ribs with his elbow. The jab in the ribs was followed by Delaney's even rougher shove of Obi-Wan so he would be standing directly in front of the screen.
Qui-Gon had to stand there, grit his teeth, ball up his fists, and wish that the view screen was actually Delaney's face. That is where his fists would be right now if it was.
Obi-Wan did not want to lie and he was afraid to tell the truth. He wanted desperately to be with his father, but would Delaney harm him if he told the truth? Did Delaney want Obi-Wan to say he would rather be with him?
The red-headed devil must have felt the child took too long answering his question. He grabbed the little apprentice by his padawan braid and jerked it hard enough for Obi-Wan to think it had been pulled from his very scalp.
"Don't make me ask you again. Who would you rather live with?"
The child said what he thought would keep him from being hurt again.
He mumbled his answer under his breath.
"You!"
"Oh, I don't think your father heard that. Want to say it again, only loud enough for dear old dad to hear you?"
"I. Said. you. I want to stay with you, alright?"
There, he told a lie. He only hoped his father knew it was a lie.
Obi-Wan turned his head away from the screen; away from being able to see his father's face. He then abruptly stepped away from the screen, as if ashamed of what he said.
Jinn knew his son said what he said, only to keep from being harmed by Delaney.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes momentarily and nudged at the boy's mind. He let himself trace his way along he and his son's shared bond, but only to a point. He was met with the impenetrable shields of a terrified little boy. Obi-Wan had either forgotten how to lower his shields, or that he even had them and the bond with his Jedi master.
//If only Obi-Wan would remember our bond and open it up. I could help him with all this. At least I could give him more comfort than a conversation through the video screen. //
"See Master Jinn. I think since I will have to pry the child from me to send him back to you, you should have to pay me more than I first intended. Let's say somewhere around 300,000 credits. I think that is fair. What do you think?"
Even before Delaney got out the amount of credits he wanted, Jinn had released an exasperated sigh. He could not even imagine where he could come up with that many credits.
"You must be out of your mind. Where would you suggest a Jedi come up with such a large amount of credits and I assume in a very shot length of time?"
"Yes, I want the credits immediately, unless you want me to leave with the little one and you never see him again. As for where you get the credits, I don't really give a "sith's behind" where or how you get them. Rob every rich man in the galaxy if you have too. But let me tell you this, I grow tired of playing games now. If you don't have the money and ready to meet me by ten in the morning, Obi-Wan and I will be on our way. Don't worry Master Jinn, he won't be able to use his force for you and he to link with that bond of yours. Right now he knows not too, but if I have too, I can give him a hydro spray shot of Colizine in the neck and that will contain his force abilities until I need them. The medicine is nasty going in and even while it is working Quite a crude, outdated, and dangerous way to stifle the force, but that is all I have and I. will. use it."
Qui-Gon had heard of the medicine that Delaney referred too. It was used by the Jedi enemies years and years ago to tame the Jedi when captured. It not only tamed their force but resulted in the brain damage for a great many Jedi knights and masters and a horrible lingering death for their young protégés.
The Jedi master was terrified at the thought that the crazed man, holding his son, would not hesitate to use the possibly deadly medicine for a force sensitive.
'No, wait don't go and most importantly don't use that stuff on him. Call me back at midnight. I will have found a way to get the credits you want, all of them. Don't use Colizine on Obi-Wan. You know well what could happen."
"Yes, Qui-Gon I certainly do. He could end up brain damaged or maybe worse, depending on whose eyes you're looking through. Your apprentice and son, Obi-Wan Kenobi, could very well end up dead …."
King Rozel had not wanted to interrupt the conversation between Qui-Gon and the man that held his son. He opted instead to stand just out side of the radio room door, while the Jedi master talked with the kidnapper. Once he heard Jinn disconnect the comm link, the king walked to where the Jedi was.
"I know you don't want to ask, but the credits are yours. All you have to do is say the word. I will have them along with some men ready to board my other ship. It might not be quite as fast as the one Obi-Wan was on, but it will get you there in time."
"My thanks is yours King Rozel. I have an idea....Well some bits of ideas I need to put together. It might get Obi-Wan and your credits back. However I can't promise you your credits back more than I can promise you that you would get paid back in a speedy amount of time, if it's lost. In fact it might take me the rest of my life to secure that many credits."
"Not to worry about paying me back. You and the Jedi have already paid me in so many ways, more than what money can buy. You helped me keep my life and you helped show me something?"
Qui-Gon cocked his head sideways and looked quizzically at the rotund king before him.
"What did I help show you?"
"I heard some of the conversation and now I know some of your agony. You weren't married to Obi-Wan's mother, I know that now. In fact you even questioned the child's relationship to you at all, didn't you?"
"Yes I did. However, what I questioned wrongly, was my love for him. I did not really question it for I continually felt it, but I wondered if it mattered; if my love increased on decreased with certainty that he was or was not my son."
"And what conclusion did you reach?"
The king seemed interested in knowing as a parent, how the big master felt.
"I think I was possibly worried more about how Obi-Wan would handle it. He has issues of his own on whether he wants to be a Jedi or not. I think I thought he wouldn't even want to be my apprentice, if he found out the truth and if that truth was he was not my son. As a Jedi, I wouldn't, no couldn't in good conscience hold that kind of knowledge from him. Loving Obi-Wan is easy just as I imagine your love for Mason comes as easily. I see it."
"Yes and I see that now. The opening of this old stubborn man's eyes is do in part to you. You have shown me that it doesn't matter whether our love for our sons is by birthright or growing commitment and loyalty. They both are equally as strong."
"Yes, well I hope to get to show Obi-Wan that. We have had a couple of slight arguments in the last couple of days."
"That's the reason you sent him home?"
"No. I thought maybe at first I was sending him home purely because we were not connecting as master and apprentice, but I have come to realize the only reason I made him go home was my growing fear for his safety. You were right before, he is too young to be on a mission that might pose any kind of danger. I don't stay focused on my job if I worry too much about him and I do.. Worry to much, I mean. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to my room and contact Yoda. He might have some insight on this, that would help me."
"Yes, go now. Just let me know about the credits. I will have my men get the ship fueled and ready now."
Master Yoda sat at his desk and tapped his fingers while he listened to his former pupil and beloved padawan.
"Problems you have Master Jinn. King Rozel not let you down where credits are concerned. But remember this you should. Lived 900 years I have and a few credits lying around I also have. Take them if need of them you have."
"No, the king has promised the amount I need. I hope I can get them back to him. No matter whether the credits or lost or not, I have to try to get Obi-Wan from that maniac's grasp."
"Yes, agree I do. Use the Colizine on him Delaney should not. Never a true Jedi that one was, more a disciple of the sith he is. Do that to a child I am not sure Sidious himself capable of. Now go prepare, meditate, and reach for the force. Sorry, not time you have to wait on Master Windu and I. Confronted this evil one myself, liked too I would have.. Cut him down to my size I could have."
Jinn smiled even through the mounting stress he was under. Yoda could make some terribly hilarious comments and Jinn had just heard one of them.
####Back at the cabin where Obi-Wan is######
Delaney sat on the other side of the table and stared at the little boy a crossed from him. He seem to drink in every little feature; the pallor of his skin, the overly blue hue-colored eyes, graced with extra long eyelashes over them, and of course the red, flaxen-wheat- colored hair on the boy's head: all of Obi-Wan IS Kaylin, he thought. There was not one single inherited physical trait of his father, Master Jinn.
//Oh I can see Jinn's mannerisms, his stubbornness, but the looks, they all belong to his mother. She was a beautiful woman.//
"You know what I was sitting here thinking, Obi-Wan? No, of course you don't. I was thinking that your mother would be happy if she knew I had you in my possession. Yes, I believe I could make her happier even in her death than Qui-Gon ever could while she was alive. She just couldn't see that. We could work as a team, you and me. I said those things about teaching you my ways just to taunt your dad. But as I sit hear and go over what I told him, I think I could make it happen. We would have a little nest egg to start out with until I could train you in the art of everything from lifting wallets to mind controlling our robbery victims. I'll just take the money your father will give me for your safe return and kill him. That leaves you with me. Oh, I am a genius!!"
Delaney eyed the boy more intensely to see his reactions to what he said. He was indeed proud of his plan. Delaney felt he was jus a proverbial master-mind of corruption, who had everything under control, or so he thought.
Delaney would never be able to imagine the anger he had evoked in the big Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Maybe he didn't even think Jinn was capable of real anger because he was one of the purest Jedi's, Delaney had ever known of; maybe with the exception of Yoda. He would soon get a taste of that anger, never before unleashed to such degree of high leveled intensity by he normally passive Jedi master.
Delaney didn't understand that Jinn would ignore all of his Jedi training and stoicism when it came to the protection of his son.
Obi-Wan's eyes turned into giant blue orbs as they widened with the astonishment of what Delaney said.
"You can't do that. You promised my dad you would give me to him for the credits. That would be dishonest, if you go back on that promise."
Delaney could not help but laugh hysterically at the comment that Obi-Wan just made.
"Spoken like a true Jedi or either a naive little fool. I can see you may have your mother's looks, but you don't have her greed, her burning desire to make your life better. That was why she was with me. She had all she ever wanted in life with me. Then when she went out on her own, it was harder, but still she survived. No, you carry within you the essence of your mother in your looks only, certainly not in her talent to do things that reaped the most financial gain or personal reward for her."
Obi-Wan did not understand all the man said. It was just a bunch of garbled words to him. Nevertheless, he did not like the picture Delaney painted of his mother. Ex-Jedi Delaney Morrow made Kaylin Kenobi sound corrupt, credit hungry, even as evil as he was. The boy was crushed by the thought. Then of course he had the worry that this man planned to kill his father.
Not knowing Qui-Gon as well as he would later, he did not know of the enormous powers his father possessed within the force, if he chose to use them. He was second only to Yoda with the power given him by the force itself.
Ever since the conversation with his father Obi-Wan had been trying to figure out how he could his shields to drop and renew the bond with his father. He hadn't thought about it before Delaney and Qui-Gon discussed it earlier. Now in the confusion and mayhem, the child had literally forgotten how to reestablish the all-important bond with his master. He wanted to feel Jinn's presence in his mind.
//Not only would I feel better, I could warn dad of Delaney's plans when he arrives. Now I know how I got'em up, how do I get'em down. Boy, Kenobi some Jedi you'll make. !!! //
Obi-Wan mentally reprimanded himself for not remembering how to lower his shields in order to allow the bond to reconnect.
//Let me see. How. did.I .do. that.? Well, "sith spit", I am an idiot. No wonder Dad doesn't want me as his apprentice any more.............. //
###############
//This radio room is becoming to feel like my second home. I have spent so much time in here today. It is within fifteen minutes from the scheduled hour of Delaney's call. I hope he honors his words and comms me back. //
Qui-Gon did not set outside the door this time. The soldier on night duty brought Jinn's chair in and moved his over to make a spot for Jinn to sit and wait. The King and Queen had yet to go to bed. They sat in the dining hall and pretended to sip tea and nibble on warm sweet biscuits. The only reason they were up so late, was worry for the little Jedi and to find out what Delaney's decision was.
Delaney was on time and did honor his words of another call, much to the master's relief. There on the screen was Morrow with his copper-red hair, pulled back with a band. However, the ominous look on his face remained the same.
Qui-Gon felt his heartbeat at every pressure point in his body. He was sure he had to swallow to keep it out of his throat. Fear and worry had caused the master's heart to beat with such violent thrusting against his chest, you saw the front of his tunic rise and fall with the rhythm of the beat. He turned his head and strained his eyes to view the screen in front of him. He hoped to get a glimpse of Obi-Wan. He had no doubt the child was alive, he just wanted visual assurance that his son was truly all right.
"Well Master Jinn, have the poverty-riddled Jedi come up with a way to get me the credits I want; the exact amount, nothing less?"
"Yes, I have it and am prepared to deliver it. Where should we meet?"
"Whoaa!!! You are getting way ahead of yourself. First let me lay down some ground rules on how I want the credits delivered."
"No, first I want to see my son; know that he is all right."
"You don't trust me? Master Jinn that does disappoint me. I wouldn't harm Kaylin's lovely little babe, now would I? Oh, very well. Let's get this little father and son reunion over with so we can continue with the business at hand."
Jinn watched the screen with apprehension as Delaney turned to look toward another side of the room.
"Get over hear child. Your "Daddy" wants to see that you are all right. For some odd reason he doesn't trust me."
Qui-Gon moved even closer to the screen, as he waited for Obi-Wan to appear in front of it. Then suddenly there he was, his little imp. Jinn let out the breath he held while he waited for Obi-Wan to step up to the view screen.
"Obi, are you alright?"
"Yes sure but…."
Obi-Wan wanted desperately to tell his dad he forgot how to drop his shields to allow their bond to reopen. He knew very well it might sound stupid and maybe his dad would think him the dumbest Jedi ever, but right now, he did not care. Had he not been so afraid of the man that held him captive, his mom's "friend", Obi-Wan would have shouted it too his dad, shame or not.
"What is it Obi? Are you hurt, sick, you can tell me anything?"
Qui-Gon watched as a larger white silk-clad arm shoved the boy out of the view of the screen.
"He's fine Jinn. I didn't hurt him, at least not yet. If you keep stalling I might."
"You are the one stalling. Moreover, Delaney remember this when and I say when because I will; when I get my hands on you, I will kill you, if for no other reason than too watch you die. Keep your hands off the child. He has done nothing to deserve any kind of abusive treatment from you."
"Don't worry about it Jinn. I will take your threat as a challenge. As far as the boy and my abusive treatment of him, if he has any broken bones or bloody wounds you can perform your Jedi healing on him. How is that? Now I will give you your instructions. Meet me on the eastern edge of the forest. There is a place there known as the "Entrance to Evil". It is a rocky mountainous section on the outer rim of the forest, with a large seemingly bottomless crevice in the center of it. I am sure if you tell the king, his men will know exactly where it is located. You can have a pilot and co-pilot, no others on board with you. Also, bring me more fuel in some tanks. I want to make sure we…I mean I don't run out during my escape trip."
#############
Both Queen Bella and King Rozel escorted Master Jinn to the transport landing of their castle.
"I had my man secure the credits in a valise which is right up front by the pilot's seat. It was counted and recounted to make sure all of it was there. Don't worry about getting the credits back. I can replace them. However, what cannot be replaced is your son. Worry about him and nothing else. I know it is said that Jedi do not do something so common as worry, however, I think we both know that is not so, especially when it concerns the safety of one of our loved ones."
"Yes, I think you have learned one of the Jedi trade secrets. We are not without emotions. Whether it is fear, love, or sadness, it's all there, just well contained and even hidden. I will comm you as soon as I can. If something unthinkable happens and I don't return, you can let Yoda know, although I think the force would alert him to my demise."
"Master Jinn think positive."
"I am, but I also think rationally too."
The Queen and King stood and watched the ship take off and become only a trail of smoke in the darkened skies. They locked themselves in a loving embrace, thankful that their two sons lay in their beds, in the safety of their home. The king and royal highness only wished Jinn's child was in the safety of his master's care right now..
########At the "Entrance to Evil"##########
The pilot continually turned and watched over his shoulders as they waited at the appointed spot.
"You sure this is it?"
Qui-Gon was not familiar with the area and he needed the guidance of both the pilot and co-pilot.
"This is the place Master Jedi. On our planet, this place has been common knowledge for thousands of years. Even in our most ancient history of the planet, there is mention of the "Entrance of Evil". Yes without a doubt this is it."
"Well, we are on time. Where is Delaney?"
From behind some bushes and no knowledge of him, came a voice.
"Impatient aren't we Master Jinn? I am right here."
"Where is Obi-Wan? Why isn't he with you?"
The concern for his son stirred and became paramount in Jinn's thoughts.
"I said we would meet here. I did not say we would exchange our "gifts" to one another here. Now did I? I could not take a chance that you would not have more of the king's guards with you. No, you can follow me and I will take you to the cabin where we have been. There you can retrieve your padawan and I will relieve you of that heavy valise in your hand. It should be heavy with 300,000 credits waiting for me to carry it away."
"Yes, well let us hurry. It is growing dark and I want to see my son, before you get this package."
"Don't think of trying any of your Jedi wizardry on me for if you do, Obi will live but seconds. All I have to do is press this mini comm on my arm and my men will know of trouble. I instructed them if I signal through my it, that means big problems and that they are to kill your son."
"There will be no trouble. Just see to it that the button on that thing isn't accidentally activated. I don't do anything to jeopardize Obi-Wan's life."
"Just perfect aren't you? That's what Kaylin thought, at least until you dumped her, when you found out she was carrying your child."
"Look let's just get this exchange over with. That is not how it happened, but I don't care to go into my personal life with you."
"You mean to tell me you didn't know of your own son's birth?"
"Yes, that is exactly what happened, but it is of no concern now, especially to you."
"Well, when you get your son, you might want to explain it to him. He thinks both of his parents betrayed him in so many ways. It is a wonder he doesn't want to stay with me. At least he knows from the beginning how corrupt and despicable I am."
They were just words to taunt Qui-Gon further. Delaney had not intentions of giving Obi-Wan to Master Jinn. If he had his way the Jedi Master would soon be dead anyway!!!!
"I will correct the lies you have told Obi-Wan about me and possibly about his mother.. You don't have to worry yourself about that."
"Oh, I am not worried. You should be though. Right now, your son places you and his lovely mother in just about the same category of "low-life scum", as he places me.."
As if to demonstrate his fierceness in front of this notoriously battle-mastered Jedi, Delaney turned his back on the three men and started to walk away. He just as quickly turned back around and halted, when he realized all three of them were following him. He threw up his arm to stop them.
"No, I meant for only the Jedi master to follow. You other two can stay here. I'll point Master Jinn and his apprentice in the right direction back. You can be ready to take off with he arrives. Qui-Gon can help me carry the containers of fuel. I almost forgot them."
"My King sent us to remain at the side of the Jedi Master Qui-Gon. We can not do otherwise."
"You can and you will or you might be the reason I notify my men to kill his son. Is that understood?"
The pilot and co-pilot made a couple of steps back. They had no wish for the child's death to be on their heads. Delaney seemed to lose his control at times. His emotions were erratic to say the least.
It did not actually take long for Qui-Gon and Delaney to reach the cabin, but to Qui-Gon it seemed forever. Foremost in his mind was the boy's physical welfare. He would worry about what Morrow had done to the boy mentally later.
//So many lies told to a little boy and he is to decipher which ones are true or not. Besides being scared out of his wits, he's probably confused maybe even angry at his mother; the both of us really. //
Just ahead of them, the Jedi master could see smoke coming from an old-fashioned brick chimney. A few more steps and they reached their destination; abandoned run-down cabin out in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
The guard watching over Obi-Wan could not catch the child in time; he flew in the arms of his father. He may have doubts about his father and mother, but Obi-Wan at that moment forgot about them. The safety of Qui-Gon's arms was the only place he wanted to be.
Qui-Gon hastily dropped the valise and the cans of fuel to pick the imp up. He swung him around, pulled him out to look at him, and then almost crushed him against his chest in a gigantic hug.
While Obi-Wan lay buried against his master chest, hugging on for dear life, Qui-Gon took a quick swift look around. He was pleasantly surprised that there were only two other men. He found out later two more of Delaney's men held the two royal guards of the King, on the ship. They kept it ready to take off on a moment's notice. Qui-Gon watched Delaney, with bitter contempt as he jerked the valise up from off the floor where Qui-Gon dropped it. He then drew a saber, a Jedi light saber.
"Yes Master Jinn I still have my saber. After all, I built it as a padawan, why should I allow the Jedi to have it back?"
"Because you are not a Jedi any longer and you are not worthy of carrying our symbolized weaponry."
"Death is your symbol? Oh Master Jinn, I am ashamed of you. Do you have any idea how many people I have killed with this Jedi "symbol" of yours? Way too many to count, I am afraid. Your death I will remember well, although I won't know the number of it."
Obi-Wan took his stubby-fingered hand and gently turned his father's face so he could reach his ear.
"It's a trap Master. He wants to kill you and…."
"That's enough Obi-Wan or I will take care of your insolence later, after I have taken care of Daddy here."
Delaney watched the interaction between father and son, Kaylin's son and became jealous of Qui-Gon all over again.
"The kid is right you know Jinn, I don't plan to let you walk out of here with him. He is mine now. I have use of him with his powers. Of course he would be strong in the force with a father having the power and his mother's father also."
Jinn cocked his head and wondered if he had actually heard right?
"You have gone mad. Kaylin's father was not a Jedi."
"She didn't tell you everything Master Jinn. I am afraid she confided in me more than she ever did you. She was quite bitter that she was not blessed with the force. Oh we would have been a good pair had she possessed even half of her father's force capabilities. Just as you did not know of her evil ways, you did not know of her true heritage, her true father's identity."
Qui-Gon did not know if he could believe anything this insane man said and besides, Obi-Wan's safety was his priority right now. The past would have to wait to be sorted out for if he did not deal with the present, there would be no future for him and his son.
"Get on with it Delaney just what do you have planned?"
"I thought I just told you and when I drew my saber, I thought I just physically demonstrated what my plans are. I am going to kill you and Obi-Wan will go with me. He knows if he doesn't stay a good little boy, I will use that hydro spray of Clorizine on him, don't ya Obi?"
Obi hugged his father tighter and hid his face in the robe of his master. It was odd and certainly out of place but Qui-Gon could not keep his mind from wandering to his son's overly diminutive physique. //So tiny and small, he is like holding a leaf he thought, instead of a little boy who by rights should be a good twenty pounds heavier.//
Strange how one can think of something else to worry themselves over other than the danger that truly faced them. Qui-Gon stood there in the middle of the cabin and anticipated an attack by Delaney at any moment and he wondered how he could improve his son's eating habits once home.// Indeed a mystery of the mind.// He let himself come back to the present where Delaney seemed poised and ready to begin his frenzied onslaught at any time now.
Qui-Gon had to pry the little one's hands from his robe to stand his son beside him upright on his feet. Obi-Wan did not stand beside his father long. He managed to find his way behind him. The terrified child placed his little hands on either side of his father's waist and gripped as tightly as he could. He buried his face deeply within the folds of the back of the Jedi robe. He waited to see what would happen between his dad and Delaney.
Jinn whipped his saber out and pressed the button on the hilt to activate it in one clean graceful gliding move of his hand. Immediately the saber glowed green with life and sizzled through the air as he welded it in front of him. He took his left hand and pushed his apprentice gently back a little further from him so as to have maneuverability room for a battle. Obi-Wan was reluctant to go far though. He felt safe if he was close to his father, even though he suspected the Jedi master was about to do battle with Delaney.
"Aren't you a bit curious as to why I let you keep your saber? I'll tell you. My men are going to stand over there with your son. I am going to battle the Great Qui-Gon Jinn, one on one with the "symbol" weaponry of the Jedi, as you referred to it earlier.. Now let's see how "good" you really are."
"Oh, I see!!! Your men will stand there only if you are winning. But if I overtake you?"
"I am not a fool. You are not going to come out of this alive. My men are here to see to that. I just want to see if I am capable of battling the Mighty Jinn with any success. I want to see how well the Jedi trained me and how much I have learned since then."
Jinn stood there and watched one of the men grab his son and pull him out of the way. Obi kicked at the man, actually landing a couple of good blows before his captor got the child over out of the way.
A chair right beside Jinn was the first weapon he used. He took his booted foot, up-ended the chair, and flipped it high in the air, directly at Delaney Morrow.
Qui-Gon used the chair, more or less, to get the attention of the now startled Delaney; to make him off balance before the battle even got under way.
The ex-Jedi was stunned and did not dodge in time. He did block the blow of the chair with his left arm bent up and out in front of his head. That was the only thing that kept it from hitting him smack dab the face.
Qui-Gon noticed that the saber Delaney Morrow had in his hands was outdated. Master Jinn always kept his up-to-date and modernized it frequently. Delaney parried forward with the murky clay-colored saber. It was shorter and seemed to possess less power than a more modern saber that the Jedi used now.
Delaney got a little anxious. His first lunge toward Jinn resulted destruction of the top of the master's right boot. Qui-Gon had turned to the side and Delaney almost fell when he tumbled to his knees from a missed parry toward his opponent. The boot was the only place he could make contact as he went half-way down to the floor. Now Jinn was able to gage the strength of the saber and just as he suspected, it was far weaker than sabers used today by the Jedi. He thought that might just be to his advantage.
Morrow righted himself and attempted another quick lunge. Master Jinn could not sidestep it, but with a little help of the force he jumped high in the air with his legs bent up at the knees. He literally jumped over the saber thrust that time. When Qui-Gon did 180 degree turn to counter attack, Morrow was able to make solid contact to the master. His saber was weak but still direct contact with the Jedi master's body produced a searing painful gash on Qui-Gon's shoulder. The sound of saber to skin as it blistered and ripped through Qui-Gon's body, reverberated through the master's ears.
The room was dead silent for a moment. You could hear the loud hiss that escaped the master's lips as he battled the pain from the antiqued-blade of his opponents' saber.
Obi-Wan became too fearful for his father's safety. He covered both eyes with his hands. Only problem with that was he would split his fingers to supply little slitted peep holes to occasionally watch the battle. He wanted to make sure his father was O.K.
Qui-Gon's anger had reached the point of no return now.
He decided to do away with his opponent's ridiculous plan to have a duel as long as he won. Jinn swung around and faced the men who held his son at the sidelines.
His penetrating blue eyes stared in both of their faces at the same time or it seemed. As if in slow motion, he raised his hand. Delaney tried to thrust his saber again at Qui-Gon, but he stopped suddenly and remained frozen in one spot. Jinn pointed his saber in Delaney's direction. The ex-Jedi knight watched in stunned silence as the tip end of the glowing green saber seemed to arc a current of electricity in his direction. He was not even aware that a saber could do that. It was then he realized his saber was truly behind the times in its assembly.
The stream of electric current did not hit Delaney. However, the man feared to make another step toward Qui-Gon after he watched the beam of electric hit right in front of his feet. Qui-Gon turned once again to the men with his son. With the same hand he raised, he made a waving motion to force shove Obi-Wan's captors against the wall. There they remained in a force hold that kept them from even making one small step. They certainly would be of no help to their leader now.
Qui-Gon knew he could not battle this way against Delaney, for he was force sensitive too and could ward off some of the power Jinn had.
"Are you ready to continue this one-on-one? Seems we are about equal now."
Jinn raised his saber and tipped it to his forehead, as if some kind of salute.
"I still "think" I can manage to take you Master Jinn, even without my back up. That is, unless you plan to use some other kind of Jedi trickery on me."
"No I don't need trickery of any kind. My saber will be enough to defeat you. Oh, by the way, Mr. Morrow, you better not just "THINK" you can manage to win this battle with me, for if you can't, you will be a dead man… That I promise you………….."
PEACE ewen
"That's not how it is. I didn't have any other relative to go too. My dad had to take me."
"You make it sound like Qui-Gon didn't even want you in the beginning. Is that how it was? Just like your mother, he wanted to toss you to the side for his precious Jedi. Uhn, boy? I asked you a question."
"My dad wanted me…wants me now…"
"Then why was he sending you somewhere, to the temple I think, without him. That is not normal prodigal for master and apprentice. Have things changed so much since I left the temple; the master and apprentice separate during the mission. I don't think so. There is a reason for you not staying with your daddy. I just have to find it out. When I am ready to know you will tell me. I promise you that."
Obi-Wan refused to tell this man that is father was sending him home because he was not accepting his place properly as a Jedi apprentice. In plain simple terms, Obi-Wan screwed up and Qui-Gon would have no more of it.
Over on a stand against the wall sat a comm link, but not a very impressive looking one. In fact Obi-Wan noticed it when it rang, interrupting Delaney. He walked over and picked up the mouth piece. Instantly on the tiny screen that sat on the rickety stand, Gerod's image appeared.
"Senator I wasn't expecting your call so soon. It is good though, that you called earlier. We seem to have a problem."
"Yes, I know I found out earlier today. You have the Jedi child and not the king's son. You can just release him. I will still pay what I owe you."
"No I can't do that. Seems I know this little one I have. Had things gone a little differently I would have been his father. Now though I have another agenda. I want to speak with Master Jinn. I, as an old friend or at least an acquaintance, have something he might be interested in getting back."
Jinn stepped up to the screen, They had planned at first not to let Delaney know Jinn was even there, but it was necessary now. Qui-Gon knew it was not a good sign that Delaney knew who Obi-Wan was. He and Jinn were not exactly friends, in fact they were the opposite. They came close to being sworn enemies.
"Here I am Delaney. I want you to let Obi-Wan go. Just leave him where he is. He can care for himself, until I can get there to take him home where he belongs."
"You think me a fool Jinn? You are quite good at just leaving the child for him to take care of himself. Isn't that what you did when he was born too? All those years you were the one thing that kept Kaylin and I from being happy. Well you and that kid of yours. I never liked him Master Jinn and I still don't. Of course he is older and he doesn't have his mommy to hide behind now. Oh he did get on my nerves but always she stopped me from correcting him. I think maybe it is pay back time. After all I think you sent him away for something he did. Am I not right? Why should I be any different in the way I treat him? If you want your little one back, we have to reach some kind of agreement."
"Just what would that be? Oh and before you answer that, be weary of me Delaney. I can forget my Jedi training and beliefs long enough to kill you with my bare hands if my son comes to any harm."
"Oh so now he is your son. I remember how Kaylin told me you abandoned them with nothing when you found out she was to have your kid. Now he is all important to you. I don't think so. The only thing important about the child is his force ability and not as your son. Besides Jinn, we are playing by my rules now. I will be back in contact once I have decided what I want of you and maybe even that rich king, who is probably there listening to us . Wonder what he thinks of the mighty Jinn now that he knows you left the mother of your son and your only son to fend for themselves with not even one credit to their name?"
CLICK
The sound of the comm disconnecting, was not something Qui-Gon wanted to hear at that moment. Now he would have to play Delaney's game."
One of the communication technicians came from out of a little booth with earphones still riding on top of his head; the wire tangling down the side of his face much like a padawan braid.
"I managed to track the comm link call. He is on this planet. The coordinates would indicate somewhere in the Beigender Forest."
"Thanks to the quick thinking of your man here, at least we know where to start looking for them"
Jinn held onto the knowledge the radio man gave him with hope that he could locate his son before Delaney had a chance to harm him.
'WHOA….Master Jinn, maybe you don't realize it, but the forest is scattered throughout a third of eastern section of this planet. It would be like going out in the dark with blind eyes trying to search the entire expanse of it. It would take days."
"I have the time. I am not sure my son does though. What else can I do?"
"I think the safest thing to do Master Jinn, would be to wait until he contacts you again. Maybe you and the king can give him what he wants. Don't blame me for his erratic behavior. I didn't know of his connection to you or your family when I hired him. Besides I didn't hire him to kidnap and rough up a kid; only to hold him until my demands were met. That was all he was told to do. Harming a child was certainly not part of my plan."
The senator seemed as worried for the child as the king was. Jinn could tell he had not meant for this to happen.
The King looked at Jinn and wondered if what the man on the other end of the comm told the truth or not. Did Master Jinn abandon Obi-Wan and his mother? Now was not the time to delve in the sorted past of the Jedi master, although he was curious. The king's priorities lay with getting the boy back safely.
"I think he is right Master Jinn. Before we go blindly into that mass forest, we should see if his demands can be meant. It's worth a try."
"I'm not all that familiar with this man. I know some of his some history and past works of crime but I don't know what he is capable of. I will wait for a couple of hours to see if he calls back. If he doesn't, I must ask you to transport me to the forest so I can begin my search."
"That will not be a problem and I certainly wouldn't let you start your task alone. You have the use of ever how many of my men you need. But I agree, we should wait and see if he contacts us and if his demands are not so bizarre that they can't be met."
##Back with Obi-Wan######
"Did you hear me kid, talking to your "Daddy"?"
The title "Daddy" came out of the man's mouth more like a curse word.
Obi-Wan knew what Delaney meant. He wanted to know if Obi-Wan heard what he said about his father leaving him and his mother..
"That's a lie. My dad didn't leave me. He never knew I was born. Mom didn't tell him."
Delaney couldn't stand for Master Jinn to be thought of so highly by another Kenobi; first Kalyin, now the child. He decided he could tear down the boy's high opinion of his Jedi master father.
//I can just knock him right off his pedestal both Kenobi's have put Qui-Gon on and the child will never know the difference. At least I can plant a "seed of doubt" in Obi-Wan's mind of his father's love, for ever how long I decide he lives. //
"So sure of that? You have seen already that it was not past your mother to lie to see she got what she wanted. She just didn't want to be bothered by Jinn and she didn't want you to think badly of the choice she made for Jinn as your father. Had I been your father I wouldn't have left like a scared chicken. I would have openly excepted my responsibilities. I would have gladly continued loving your mother; forever or until "death do us part",had I been given the chance too."
"You LIE!!. Dad would never do that."
"You know what I think son? You lived with your mother everyday and still did not know how treacherous, lying, and conniving she could be and now you think you know everything about a man you have only been forced upon because he has legal claim to you? Claim, he probably didn't want to admit too. Now he probably even regrets allowing you in his life."
Delaney said those cruel things about Obi's mom to get his attention. To him, being corrupt was not all that bad, but he suspected to Obi-Wan, it crumpled his world to know how his mother truly was. He knew nothing of how Jinn felt about his son. He just found he could terrorize the child by planting thoughts of being unwanted. He could tell by the child's reactions, it was torture for him to listen to Delaney talk about his parents and the vindictive Morrow loved every minute of it.
Obi-Wan turned away from the man who spoke so badly about both his parents. All the things Delaney said played back over and over in his mind like the rewinding and replaying a recording of it.
"Oh, stub up and get mad little one. That will solve so much won't it? Let me tell you Obi-Wan Kenobi, I might be hard pressed to get your father to agree to any of my commands. He just might let me have you to do what I wish. He didn't seem all that interested in getting you back. Maybe he'll let you be my "payment" for this mission………"
Two torturous hours passed and still no communication came through to the king's castle. Qui-Gon got a chair, from down the hallway and placed it right beside the communication room's door. He did not want to impede the work of the radio officers in the small cubical of a room, but he refused to move very far from the door should Delaney contact him, as promised.
If he did not hear from Obi-Wan's kidnapper soon, he would ask the king for transportation and a few of his soldiers to help in the search for his son.
As Qui-Gon sat there, thoughts of what Delaney said, passed through his mind.
//He did not acknowledge the child as his. Said the mother told him I left her and Obi abandoned, so the child is not his. Obi-Wan, in truth, is my child and now it doesn't seem so overly important that he be. I love him no matter. My fear has not lessened or increased with the knowledge that he is really my son. My love for the boy is given freely with no stipulations, certainly not something as minuscule as a blood test result, written down on a piece of paper. //
Qui-Gon had to be nudged out of his thoughts of his son, by one of the communiqué officers.
"Master Jinn, I think this is the call you have been waiting for."
Jinn didn't even think to thank the man, he rushed to the comm link. There on the screen stood Delaney, with his all too familiar flaming red hair and beside him stood a tiny little Jedi apprentice, my Obi-Wan
"I hope you have rethought what you are doing, Delaney? Have you decided that it would be in your best interest to just hand my son over to me?"
"Now Master Jinn, you are being insufferably unfair and way too hasty. With all due respect for our shared dead love, I am not sure I should give you the boy back under any circumstances. Kaylin never truly wanted you to have him, only if something happened to her. Oh, I forgot, it did. She got herself killed, didn't she? But I think had she thought I would be willing to keep the boy and raise him, she would have wanted me to have him instead of you."
"That's enough Delaney. If you are not willing to just hand the boy back to me, tell me what you want. What will it take to give me back my son?"
"That's more like it. I do think you should be a little more civil to me, however. I am the one holding all the aces in the deck, while you on the other hand, have to play strictly by my rules. In fact, had I Kaylin's best wishes foremost in my thoughts, I just might kill you and keep the child for myself. Nothing like a force sensitive chubby-cheeked little boy to help charm the pants off someone or better yet, their wallets, jewels, rings, and anything else worth anything. I still have some force left, but he child is more powerful than me. One swipe with his hand over our victims' faces and we could be wealthy the rest of our lives. He is a cute little fellow. Took after his Mom I suppose. Now I might let you have him back for the right price and safe passage out of this quadrant of the galaxy. Think you could manage that for me?"
"I might be able too. I would have to know how many credits you want. The Jedi are not rich. The king has promised me use of a ship,…. but the credits…Just how much did you need?"
"It is not a question of need. I have need for very little. The question you have to answer is how much do I want?"
"Maybe you find yourself amusing with your play on words, however I find nothing humorous about playing with a child's life. What will it take to get you to send Obi-Wan home where he belongs?"
"Oh, I don't know Master Jinn. What do you have to offer? I really think the child enjoys my company over yours anyway. Should we ask him? Here Obi-Wan, where would you rather be, with Master Jinn or me, the man who raised you just like my very own son?"
Delaney jabbed the boy very hard in the ribs with his elbow. The jab in the ribs was followed by Delaney's even rougher shove of Obi-Wan so he would be standing directly in front of the screen.
Qui-Gon had to stand there, grit his teeth, ball up his fists, and wish that the view screen was actually Delaney's face. That is where his fists would be right now if it was.
Obi-Wan did not want to lie and he was afraid to tell the truth. He wanted desperately to be with his father, but would Delaney harm him if he told the truth? Did Delaney want Obi-Wan to say he would rather be with him?
The red-headed devil must have felt the child took too long answering his question. He grabbed the little apprentice by his padawan braid and jerked it hard enough for Obi-Wan to think it had been pulled from his very scalp.
"Don't make me ask you again. Who would you rather live with?"
The child said what he thought would keep him from being hurt again.
He mumbled his answer under his breath.
"You!"
"Oh, I don't think your father heard that. Want to say it again, only loud enough for dear old dad to hear you?"
"I. Said. you. I want to stay with you, alright?"
There, he told a lie. He only hoped his father knew it was a lie.
Obi-Wan turned his head away from the screen; away from being able to see his father's face. He then abruptly stepped away from the screen, as if ashamed of what he said.
Jinn knew his son said what he said, only to keep from being harmed by Delaney.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes momentarily and nudged at the boy's mind. He let himself trace his way along he and his son's shared bond, but only to a point. He was met with the impenetrable shields of a terrified little boy. Obi-Wan had either forgotten how to lower his shields, or that he even had them and the bond with his Jedi master.
//If only Obi-Wan would remember our bond and open it up. I could help him with all this. At least I could give him more comfort than a conversation through the video screen.//
"See Master Jinn. I think since I will have to pry the child from me to send him back to you, you should have to pay me more than I first intended. Let's say somewhere around 300,000 credits. I think that is fair. What do you think?"
Even before Delaney got out the amount of credits he wanted, Jinn had released an exasperated sigh. He could not even imagine where he could come up with that many credits.
"You must be out of your mind. Where would you suggest a Jedi come up with such a large amount of credits and I assume in a very shot length of time?"
"Yes, I want the credits immediately, unless you want me to leave with the little one and you never see him again. As for where you get the credits, I don't really give a "sith's behind" where or how you get them. Rob every rich man in the galaxy if you have too. But let me tell you this, I grow tired of playing games now. If you don't have the money and ready to meet me by ten in the morning, Obi-Wan and I will be on our way. Don't worry Master Jinn, he won't be able to use his force for you and he to link with that bond of yours. Right now he knows not too, but if I have too, I can give him a hydro spray shot of Colizine in the neck and that will contain his force abilities until I need them. The medicine is nasty going in and even while it is working Quite a crude, outdated, and dangerous way to stifle the force, but that is all I have and I. will. use it."
Qui-Gon had heard of the medicine that Delaney referred too. It was used by the Jedi enemies years and years ago to tame the Jedi when captured. It not only tamed their force but resulted in the brain damage for a great many Jedi knights and masters and a horrible lingering death for their young protégés.
The Jedi master was terrified at the thought that the crazed man, holding his son, would not hesitate to use the possibly deadly medicine for a force sensitive.
'No, wait don't go and most importantly don't use that stuff on him. Call me back at midnight. I will have found a way to get the credits you want, all of them. Don't use Colizine on Obi-Wan. You know well what could happen."
"Yes, Qui-Gon I certainly do. He could end up brain damaged or maybe worse, depending on whose eyes you're looking through. Your apprentice and son, Obi-Wan Kenobi, could very well end up dead …."
Two torturous hours passed and still no communication came through to the king's castle. Qui-Gon got a chair, from down the hallway and placed it right beside the communication room's door. He did not want to impede the work of the radio officers in the small cubical of a room, but he refused to move very far from the door should Delaney contact him, as promised.
If he did not hear from Obi-Wan's kidnapper soon, he would ask the king for transportation and a few of his soldiers to help in the search for his son.
As Qui-Gon sat there, thoughts of what Delaney said, passed through his mind.
//He did not acknowledge the child as his. Said the mother told him I left her and Obi abandoned, so the child is not his. Obi-Wan, in truth, is my child and now it doesn't seem so overly important that he be. I love him no matter. My fear has not lessened or increased with the knowledge that he is really my son. My love for the boy is given freely with no stipulations, certainly not something as minuscule as a blood test result, written down on a piece of paper.//
Qui-Gon had to be nudged out of his thoughts of his son, by one of the communiqué officers.
"Master Jinn, I think this is the call you have been waiting for."
Jinn didn't even think to thank the man, he rushed to the comm link. There on the screen stood Delaney, with his all too familiar flaming red hair and beside him stood a tiny little Jedi apprentice, my Obi-Wan
"I hope you have rethought what you are doing, Delaney? Have you decided that it would be in your best interest to just hand my son over to me?"
"Now Master Jinn, you are being insufferably unfair and way too hasty. With all due respect for our shared dead love, I am not sure I should give you the boy back under any circumstances. Kaylin never truly wanted you to have him, only if something happened to her. Oh, I forgot, it did. She got herself killed, didn't she? But I think had she thought I would be willing to keep the boy and raise him, she would have wanted me to have him instead of you."
"That's enough Delaney. If you are not willing to just hand the boy back to me, tell me what you want. What will it take to give me back my son?"
"That's more like it. I do think you should be a little more civil to me, however. I am the one holding all the aces in the deck, while you on the other hand, have to play strictly by my rules. In fact, had I Kaylin's best wishes foremost in my thoughts, I just might kill you and keep the child for myself. Nothing like a force sensitive chubby-cheeked little boy to help charm the pants off someone or better yet, their wallets, jewels, rings, and anything else worth anything. I still have some force left, but he child is more powerful than me. One swipe with his hand over our victims' faces and we could be wealthy the rest of our lives. He is a cute little fellow. Took after his Mom I suppose. Now I might let you have him back for the right price and safe passage out of this quadrant of the galaxy. Think you could manage that for me?"
"I might be able too. I would have to know how many credits you want. The Jedi are not rich. The king has promised me use of a ship,…. but the credits…Just how much did you need?"
"It is not a question of need. I have need for very little. The question you have to answer is how much do I want?"
"Maybe you find yourself amusing with your play on words, however I find nothing humorous about playing with a child's life. What will it take to get you to send Obi-Wan home where he belongs?"
"Oh, I don't know Master Jinn. What do you have to offer? I really think the child enjoys my company over yours anyway. Should we ask him? Here Obi-Wan, where would you rather be, with Master Jinn or me, the man who raised you just like my very own son?"
Delaney jabbed the boy very hard in the ribs with his elbow. The jab in the ribs was followed by Delaney's even rougher shove of Obi-Wan so he would be standing directly in front of the screen.
Qui-Gon had to stand there, grit his teeth, ball up his fists, and wish that the view screen was actually Delaney's face. That is where his fists would be right now if it was.
Obi-Wan did not want to lie and he was afraid to tell the truth. He wanted desperately to be with his father, but would Delaney harm him if he told the truth? Did Delaney want Obi-Wan to say he would rather be with him?
The red-headed devil must have felt the child took too long answering his question. He grabbed the little apprentice by his padawan braid and jerked it hard enough for Obi-Wan to think it had been pulled from his very scalp.
"Don't make me ask you again. Who would you rather live with?"
The child said what he thought would keep him from being hurt again.
He mumbled his answer under his breath.
"You!"
"Oh, I don't think your father heard that. Want to say it again, only loud enough for dear old dad to hear you?"
"I. Said. you. I want to stay with you, alright?"
There, he told a lie. He only hoped his father knew it was a lie.
Obi-Wan turned his head away from the screen; away from being able to see his father's face. He then abruptly stepped away from the screen, as if ashamed of what he said.
Jinn knew his son said what he said, only to keep from being harmed by Delaney.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes momentarily and nudged at the boy's mind. He let himself trace his way along he and his son's shared bond, but only to a point. He was met with the impenetrable shields of a terrified little boy. Obi-Wan had either forgotten how to lower his shields, or that he even had them and the bond with his Jedi master.
//If only Obi-Wan would remember our bond and open it up. I could help him with all this. At least I could give him more comfort than a conversation through the video screen. //
"See Master Jinn. I think since I will have to pry the child from me to send him back to you, you should have to pay me more than I first intended. Let's say somewhere around 300,000 credits. I think that is fair. What do you think?"
Even before Delaney got out the amount of credits he wanted, Jinn had released an exasperated sigh. He could not even imagine where he could come up with that many credits.
"You must be out of your mind. Where would you suggest a Jedi come up with such a large amount of credits and I assume in a very shot length of time?"
"Yes, I want the credits immediately, unless you want me to leave with the little one and you never see him again. As for where you get the credits, I don't really give a "sith's behind" where or how you get them. Rob every rich man in the galaxy if you have too. But let me tell you this, I grow tired of playing games now. If you don't have the money and ready to meet me by ten in the morning, Obi-Wan and I will be on our way. Don't worry Master Jinn, he won't be able to use his force for you and he to link with that bond of yours. Right now he knows not too, but if I have too, I can give him a hydro spray shot of Colizine in the neck and that will contain his force abilities until I need them. The medicine is nasty going in and even while it is working Quite a crude, outdated, and dangerous way to stifle the force, but that is all I have and I. will. use it."
Qui-Gon had heard of the medicine that Delaney referred too. It was used by the Jedi enemies years and years ago to tame the Jedi when captured. It not only tamed their force but resulted in the brain damage for a great many Jedi knights and masters and a horrible lingering death for their young protégés.
The Jedi master was terrified at the thought that the crazed man, holding his son, would not hesitate to use the possibly deadly medicine for a force sensitive.
'No, wait don't go and most importantly don't use that stuff on him. Call me back at midnight. I will have found a way to get the credits you want, all of them. Don't use Colizine on Obi-Wan. You know well what could happen."
"Yes, Qui-Gon I certainly do. He could end up brain damaged or maybe worse, depending on whose eyes you're looking through. Your apprentice and son, Obi-Wan Kenobi, could very well end up dead …."
King Rozel had not wanted to interrupt the conversation between Qui-Gon and the man that held his son. He opted instead to stand just out side of the radio room door, while the Jedi master talked with the kidnapper. Once he heard Jinn disconnect the comm link, the king walked to where the Jedi was.
"I know you don't want to ask, but the credits are yours. All you have to do is say the word. I will have them along with some men ready to board my other ship. It might not be quite as fast as the one Obi-Wan was on, but it will get you there in time."
"My thanks is yours King Rozel. I have an idea....Well some bits of ideas I need to put together. It might get Obi-Wan and your credits back. However I can't promise you your credits back more than I can promise you that you would get paid back in a speedy amount of time, if it's lost. In fact it might take me the rest of my life to secure that many credits."
"Not to worry about paying me back. You and the Jedi have already paid me in so many ways, more than what money can buy. You helped me keep my life and you helped show me something?"
Qui-Gon cocked his head sideways and looked quizzically at the rotund king before him.
"What did I help show you?"
"I heard some of the conversation and now I know some of your agony. You weren't married to Obi-Wan's mother, I know that now. In fact you even questioned the child's relationship to you at all, didn't you?"
"Yes I did. However, what I questioned wrongly, was my love for him. I did not really question it for I continually felt it, but I wondered if it mattered; if my love increased on decreased with certainty that he was or was not my son."
"And what conclusion did you reach?"
The king seemed interested in knowing as a parent, how the big master felt.
"I think I was possibly worried more about how Obi-Wan would handle it. He has issues of his own on whether he wants to be a Jedi or not. I think I thought he wouldn't even want to be my apprentice, if he found out the truth and if that truth was he was not my son. As a Jedi, I wouldn't, no couldn't in good conscience hold that kind of knowledge from him. Loving Obi-Wan is easy just as I imagine your love for Mason comes as easily. I see it."
"Yes and I see that now. The opening of this old stubborn man's eyes is do in part to you. You have shown me that it doesn't matter whether our love for our sons is by birthright or growing commitment and loyalty. They both are equally as strong."
"Yes, well I hope to get to show Obi-Wan that. We have had a couple of slight arguments in the last couple of days."
"That's the reason you sent him home?"
"No. I thought maybe at first I was sending him home purely because we were not connecting as master and apprentice, but I have come to realize the only reason I made him go home was my growing fear for his safety. You were right before, he is too young to be on a mission that might pose any kind of danger. I don't stay focused on my job if I worry too much about him and I do.. Worry to much, I mean. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to my room and contact Yoda. He might have some insight on this, that would help me."
"Yes, go now. Just let me know about the credits. I will have my men get the ship fueled and ready now."
Master Yoda sat at his desk and tapped his fingers while he listened to his former pupil and beloved padawan.
"Problems you have Master Jinn. King Rozel not let you down where credits are concerned. But remember this you should. Lived 900 years I have and a few credits lying around I also have. Take them if need of them you have."
"No, the king has promised the amount I need. I hope I can get them back to him. No matter whether the credits or lost or not, I have to try to get Obi-Wan from that maniac's grasp."
"Yes, agree I do. Use the Colizine on him Delaney should not. Never a true Jedi that one was, more a disciple of the sith he is. Do that to a child I am not sure Sidious himself capable of. Now go prepare, meditate, and reach for the force. Sorry, not time you have to wait on Master Windu and I. Confronted this evil one myself, liked too I would have.. Cut him down to my size I could have."
Jinn smiled even through the mounting stress he was under. Yoda could make some terribly hilarious comments and Jinn had just heard one of them.
####Back at the cabin where Obi-Wan is######
Delaney sat on the other side of the table and stared at the little boy a crossed from him. He seem to drink in every little feature; the pallor of his skin, the overly blue hue-colored eyes, graced with extra long eyelashes over them, and of course the red, flaxen-wheat- colored hair on the boy's head: all of Obi-Wan IS Kaylin, he thought. There was not one single inherited physical trait of his father, Master Jinn.
//Oh I can see Jinn's mannerisms, his stubbornness, but the looks, they all belong to his mother. She was a beautiful woman.//
"You know what I was sitting here thinking, Obi-Wan? No, of course you don't. I was thinking that your mother would be happy if she knew I had you in my possession. Yes, I believe I could make her happier even in her death than Qui-Gon ever could while she was alive. She just couldn't see that. We could work as a team, you and me. I said those things about teaching you my ways just to taunt your dad. But as I sit hear and go over what I told him, I think I could make it happen. We would have a little nest egg to start out with until I could train you in the art of everything from lifting wallets to mind controlling our robbery victims. I'll just take the money your father will give me for your safe return and kill him. That leaves you with me. Oh, I am a genius!!"
Delaney eyed the boy more intensely to see his reactions to what he said. He was indeed proud of his plan. Delaney felt he was jus a proverbial master-mind of corruption, who had everything under control, or so he thought.
Delaney would never be able to imagine the anger he had evoked in the big Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Maybe he didn't even think Jinn was capable of real anger because he was one of the purest Jedi's, Delaney had ever known of; maybe with the exception of Yoda. He would soon get a taste of that anger, never before unleashed to such degree of high leveled intensity by he normally passive Jedi master.
Delaney didn't understand that Jinn would ignore all of his Jedi training and stoicism when it came to the protection of his son.
Obi-Wan's eyes turned into giant blue orbs as they widened with the astonishment of what Delaney said.
"You can't do that. You promised my dad you would give me to him for the credits. That would be dishonest, if you go back on that promise."
Delaney could not help but laugh hysterically at the comment that Obi-Wan just made.
"Spoken like a true Jedi or either a naive little fool. I can see you may have your mother's looks, but you don't have her greed, her burning desire to make your life better. That was why she was with me. She had all she ever wanted in life with me. Then when she went out on her own, it was harder, but still she survived. No, you carry within you the essence of your mother in your looks only, certainly not in her talent to do things that reaped the most financial gain or personal reward for her."
Obi-Wan did not understand all the man said. It was just a bunch of garbled words to him. Nevertheless, he did not like the picture Delaney painted of his mother. Ex-Jedi Delaney Morrow made Kaylin Kenobi sound corrupt, credit hungry, even as evil as he was. The boy was crushed by the thought. Then of course he had the worry that this man planned to kill his father.
Not knowing Qui-Gon as well as he would later, he did not know of the enormous powers his father possessed within the force, if he chose to use them. He was second only to Yoda with the power given him by the force itself.
Ever since the conversation with his father Obi-Wan had been trying to figure out how he could his shields to drop and renew the bond with his father. He hadn't thought about it before Delaney and Qui-Gon discussed it earlier. Now in the confusion and mayhem, the child had literally forgotten how to reestablish the all-important bond with his master. He wanted to feel Jinn's presence in his mind.
//Not only would I feel better, I could warn dad of Delaney's plans when he arrives. Now I know how I got'em up, how do I get'em down. Boy, Kenobi some Jedi you'll make. !!! //
Obi-Wan mentally reprimanded himself for not remembering how to lower his shields in order to allow the bond to reconnect.
//Let me see. How. did.I .do. that.? Well, "sith spit", I am an idiot. No wonder Dad doesn't want me as his apprentice any more.............. //
###############
//This radio room is becoming to feel like my second home. I have spent so much time in here today. It is within fifteen minutes from the scheduled hour of Delaney's call. I hope he honors his words and comms me back. //
Qui-Gon did not set outside the door this time. The soldier on night duty brought Jinn's chair in and moved his over to make a spot for Jinn to sit and wait. The King and Queen had yet to go to bed. They sat in the dining hall and pretended to sip tea and nibble on warm sweet biscuits. The only reason they were up so late, was worry for the little Jedi and to find out what Delaney's decision was.
Delaney was on time and did honor his words of another call, much to the master's relief. There on the screen was Morrow with his copper-red hair, pulled back with a band. However, the ominous look on his face remained the same.
Qui-Gon felt his heartbeat at every pressure point in his body. He was sure he had to swallow to keep it out of his throat. Fear and worry had caused the master's heart to beat with such violent thrusting against his chest, you saw the front of his tunic rise and fall with the rhythm of the beat. He turned his head and strained his eyes to view the screen in front of him. He hoped to get a glimpse of Obi-Wan. He had no doubt the child was alive, he just wanted visual assurance that his son was truly all right.
"Well Master Jinn, have the poverty-riddled Jedi come up with a way to get me the credits I want; the exact amount, nothing less?"
"Yes, I have it and am prepared to deliver it. Where should we meet?"
"Whoaa!!! You are getting way ahead of yourself. First let me lay down some ground rules on how I want the credits delivered."
"No, first I want to see my son; know that he is all right."
"You don't trust me? Master Jinn that does disappoint me. I wouldn't harm Kaylin's lovely little babe, now would I? Oh, very well. Let's get this little father and son reunion over with so we can continue with the business at hand."
Jinn watched the screen with apprehension as Delaney turned to look toward another side of the room.
"Get over hear child. Your "Daddy" wants to see that you are all right. For some odd reason he doesn't trust me."
Qui-Gon moved even closer to the screen, as he waited for Obi-Wan to appear in front of it. Then suddenly there he was, his little imp. Jinn let out the breath he held while he waited for Obi-Wan to step up to the view screen.
"Obi, are you alright?"
"Yes sure but…."
Obi-Wan wanted desperately to tell his dad he forgot how to drop his shields to allow their bond to reopen. He knew very well it might sound stupid and maybe his dad would think him the dumbest Jedi ever, but right now, he did not care. Had he not been so afraid of the man that held him captive, his mom's "friend", Obi-Wan would have shouted it too his dad, shame or not.
"What is it Obi? Are you hurt, sick, you can tell me anything?"
Qui-Gon watched as a larger white silk-clad arm shoved the boy out of the view of the screen.
"He's fine Jinn. I didn't hurt him, at least not yet. If you keep stalling I might."
"You are the one stalling. Moreover, Delaney remember this when and I say when because I will; when I get my hands on you, I will kill you, if for no other reason than too watch you die. Keep your hands off the child. He has done nothing to deserve any kind of abusive treatment from you."
"Don't worry about it Jinn. I will take your threat as a challenge. As far as the boy and my abusive treatment of him, if he has any broken bones or bloody wounds you can perform your Jedi healing on him. How is that? Now I will give you your instructions. Meet me on the eastern edge of the forest. There is a place there known as the "Entrance to Evil". It is a rocky mountainous section on the outer rim of the forest, with a large seemingly bottomless crevice in the center of it. I am sure if you tell the king, his men will know exactly where it is located. You can have a pilot and co-pilot, no others on board with you. Also, bring me more fuel in some tanks. I want to make sure we…I mean I don't run out during my escape trip."
#############
Both Queen Bella and King Rozel escorted Master Jinn to the transport landing of their castle.
"I had my man secure the credits in a valise which is right up front by the pilot's seat. It was counted and recounted to make sure all of it was there. Don't worry about getting the credits back. I can replace them. However, what cannot be replaced is your son. Worry about him and nothing else. I know it is said that Jedi do not do something so common as worry, however, I think we both know that is not so, especially when it concerns the safety of one of our loved ones."
"Yes, I think you have learned one of the Jedi trade secrets. We are not without emotions. Whether it is fear, love, or sadness, it's all there, just well contained and even hidden. I will comm you as soon as I can. If something unthinkable happens and I don't return, you can let Yoda know, although I think the force would alert him to my demise."
"Master Jinn think positive."
"I am, but I also think rationally too."
The Queen and King stood and watched the ship take off and become only a trail of smoke in the darkened skies. They locked themselves in a loving embrace, thankful that their two sons lay in their beds, in the safety of their home. The king and royal highness only wished Jinn's child was in the safety of his master's care right now..
########At the "Entrance to Evil"##########
The pilot continually turned and watched over his shoulders as they waited at the appointed spot.
"You sure this is it?"
Qui-Gon was not familiar with the area and he needed the guidance of both the pilot and co-pilot.
"This is the place Master Jedi. On our planet, this place has been common knowledge for thousands of years. Even in our most ancient history of the planet, there is mention of the "Entrance of Evil". Yes without a doubt this is it."
"Well, we are on time. Where is Delaney?"
From behind some bushes and no knowledge of him, came a voice.
"Impatient aren't we Master Jinn? I am right here."
"Where is Obi-Wan? Why isn't he with you?"
The concern for his son stirred and became paramount in Jinn's thoughts.
"I said we would meet here. I did not say we would exchange our "gifts" to one another here. Now did I? I could not take a chance that you would not have more of the king's guards with you. No, you can follow me and I will take you to the cabin where we have been. There you can retrieve your padawan and I will relieve you of that heavy valise in your hand. It should be heavy with 300,000 credits waiting for me to carry it away."
"Yes, well let us hurry. It is growing dark and I want to see my son, before you get this package."
"Don't think of trying any of your Jedi wizardry on me for if you do, Obi will live but seconds. All I have to do is press this mini comm on my arm and my men will know of trouble. I instructed them if I signal through my it, that means big problems and that they are to kill your son."
"There will be no trouble. Just see to it that the button on that thing isn't accidentally activated. I don't do anything to jeopardize Obi-Wan's life."
"Just perfect aren't you? That's what Kaylin thought, at least until you dumped her, when you found out she was carrying your child."
"Look let's just get this exchange over with. That is not how it happened, but I don't care to go into my personal life with you."
"You mean to tell me you didn't know of your own son's birth?"
"Yes, that is exactly what happened, but it is of no concern now, especially to you."
"Well, when you get your son, you might want to explain it to him. He thinks both of his parents betrayed him in so many ways. It is a wonder he doesn't want to stay with me. At least he knows from the beginning how corrupt and despicable I am."
They were just words to taunt Qui-Gon further. Delaney had not intentions of giving Obi-Wan to Master Jinn. If he had his way the Jedi Master would soon be dead anyway!!!!
"I will correct the lies you have told Obi-Wan about me and possibly about his mother.. You don't have to worry yourself about that."
"Oh, I am not worried. You should be though. Right now, your son places you and his lovely mother in just about the same category of "low-life scum", as he places me.."
As if to demonstrate his fierceness in front of this notoriously battle-mastered Jedi, Delaney turned his back on the three men and started to walk away. He just as quickly turned back around and halted, when he realized all three of them were following him. He threw up his arm to stop them.
"No, I meant for only the Jedi master to follow. You other two can stay here. I'll point Master Jinn and his apprentice in the right direction back. You can be ready to take off with he arrives. Qui-Gon can help me carry the containers of fuel. I almost forgot them."
"My King sent us to remain at the side of the Jedi Master Qui-Gon. We can not do otherwise."
"You can and you will or you might be the reason I notify my men to kill his son. Is that understood?"
The pilot and co-pilot made a couple of steps back. They had no wish for the child's death to be on their heads. Delaney seemed to lose his control at times. His emotions were erratic to say the least.
It did not actually take long for Qui-Gon and Delaney to reach the cabin, but to Qui-Gon it seemed forever. Foremost in his mind was the boy's physical welfare. He would worry about what Morrow had done to the boy mentally later.
//So many lies told to a little boy and he is to decipher which ones are true or not. Besides being scared out of his wits, he's probably confused maybe even angry at his mother; the both of us really. //
Just ahead of them, the Jedi master could see smoke coming from an old-fashioned brick chimney. A few more steps and they reached their destination; abandoned run-down cabin out in the middle of absolutely nowhere.
The guard watching over Obi-Wan could not catch the child in time; he flew in the arms of his father. He may have doubts about his father and mother, but Obi-Wan at that moment forgot about them. The safety of Qui-Gon's arms was the only place he wanted to be.
Qui-Gon hastily dropped the valise and the cans of fuel to pick the imp up. He swung him around, pulled him out to look at him, and then almost crushed him against his chest in a gigantic hug.
While Obi-Wan lay buried against his master chest, hugging on for dear life, Qui-Gon took a quick swift look around. He was pleasantly surprised that there were only two other men. He found out later two more of Delaney's men held the two royal guards of the King, on the ship. They kept it ready to take off on a moment's notice. Qui-Gon watched Delaney, with bitter contempt as he jerked the valise up from off the floor where Qui-Gon dropped it. He then drew a saber, a Jedi light saber.
"Yes Master Jinn I still have my saber. After all, I built it as a padawan, why should I allow the Jedi to have it back?"
"Because you are not a Jedi any longer and you are not worthy of carrying our symbolized weaponry."
"Death is your symbol? Oh Master Jinn, I am ashamed of you. Do you have any idea how many people I have killed with this Jedi "symbol" of yours? Way too many to count, I am afraid. Your death I will remember well, although I won't know the number of it."
Obi-Wan took his stubby-fingered hand and gently turned his father's face so he could reach his ear.
"It's a trap Master. He wants to kill you and…."
"That's enough Obi-Wan or I will take care of your insolence later, after I have taken care of Daddy here."
Delaney watched the interaction between father and son, Kaylin's son and became jealous of Qui-Gon all over again.
"The kid is right you know Jinn, I don't plan to let you walk out of here with him. He is mine now. I have use of him with his powers. Of course he would be strong in the force with a father having the power and his mother's father also."
Jinn cocked his head and wondered if he had actually heard right?
"You have gone mad. Kaylin's father was not a Jedi."
"She didn't tell you everything Master Jinn. I am afraid she confided in me more than she ever did you. She was quite bitter that she was not blessed with the force. Oh we would have been a good pair had she possessed even half of her father's force capabilities. Just as you did not know of her evil ways, you did not know of her true heritage, her true father's identity."
Qui-Gon did not know if he could believe anything this insane man said and besides, Obi-Wan's safety was his priority right now. The past would have to wait to be sorted out for if he did not deal with the present, there would be no future for him and his son.
"Get on with it Delaney just what do you have planned?"
"I thought I just told you and when I drew my saber, I thought I just physically demonstrated what my plans are. I am going to kill you and Obi-Wan will go with me. He knows if he doesn't stay a good little boy, I will use that hydro spray of Clorizine on him, don't ya Obi?"
Obi hugged his father tighter and hid his face in the robe of his master. It was odd and certainly out of place but Qui-Gon could not keep his mind from wandering to his son's overly diminutive physique. //So tiny and small, he is like holding a leaf he thought, instead of a little boy who by rights should be a good twenty pounds heavier.//
Strange how one can think of something else to worry themselves over other than the danger that truly faced them. Qui-Gon stood there in the middle of the cabin and anticipated an attack by Delaney at any moment and he wondered how he could improve his son's eating habits once home.// Indeed a mystery of the mind.// He let himself come back to the present where Delaney seemed poised and ready to begin his frenzied onslaught at any time now.
Qui-Gon had to pry the little one's hands from his robe to stand his son beside him upright on his feet. Obi-Wan did not stand beside his father long. He managed to find his way behind him. The terrified child placed his little hands on either side of his father's waist and gripped as tightly as he could. He buried his face deeply within the folds of the back of the Jedi robe. He waited to see what would happen between his dad and Delaney.
Jinn whipped his saber out and pressed the button on the hilt to activate it in one clean graceful gliding move of his hand. Immediately the saber glowed green with life and sizzled through the air as he welded it in front of him. He took his left hand and pushed his apprentice gently back a little further from him so as to have maneuverability room for a battle. Obi-Wan was reluctant to go far though. He felt safe if he was close to his father, even though he suspected the Jedi master was about to do battle with Delaney.
"Aren't you a bit curious as to why I let you keep your saber? I'll tell you. My men are going to stand over there with your son. I am going to battle the Great Qui-Gon Jinn, one on one with the "symbol" weaponry of the Jedi, as you referred to it earlier.. Now let's see how "good" you really are."
"Oh, I see!!! Your men will stand there only if you are winning. But if I overtake you?"
"I am not a fool. You are not going to come out of this alive. My men are here to see to that. I just want to see if I am capable of battling the Mighty Jinn with any success. I want to see how well the Jedi trained me and how much I have learned since then."
Jinn stood there and watched one of the men grab his son and pull him out of the way. Obi kicked at the man, actually landing a couple of good blows before his captor got the child over out of the way.
A chair right beside Jinn was the first weapon he used. He took his booted foot, up-ended the chair, and flipped it high in the air, directly at Delaney Morrow.
Qui-Gon used the chair, more or less, to get the attention of the now startled Delaney; to make him off balance before the battle even got under way.
The ex-Jedi was stunned and did not dodge in time. He did block the blow of the chair with his left arm bent up and out in front of his head. That was the only thing that kept it from hitting him smack dab the face.
Qui-Gon noticed that the saber Delaney Morrow had in his hands was outdated. Master Jinn always kept his up-to-date and modernized it frequently. Delaney parried forward with the murky clay-colored saber. It was shorter and seemed to possess less power than a more modern saber that the Jedi used now.
Delaney got a little anxious. His first lunge toward Jinn resulted destruction of the top of the master's right boot. Qui-Gon had turned to the side and Delaney almost fell when he tumbled to his knees from a missed parry toward his opponent. The boot was the only place he could make contact as he went half-way down to the floor. Now Jinn was able to gage the strength of the saber and just as he suspected, it was far weaker than sabers used today by the Jedi. He thought that might just be to his advantage.
Morrow righted himself and attempted another quick lunge. Master Jinn could not sidestep it, but with a little help of the force he jumped high in the air with his legs bent up at the knees. He literally jumped over the saber thrust that time. When Qui-Gon did 180 degree turn to counter attack, Morrow was able to make solid contact to the master. His saber was weak but still direct contact with the Jedi master's body produced a searing painful gash on Qui-Gon's shoulder. The sound of saber to skin as it blistered and ripped through Qui-Gon's body, reverberated through the master's ears.
The room was dead silent for a moment. You could hear the loud hiss that escaped the master's lips as he battled the pain from the antiqued-blade of his opponents' saber.
Obi-Wan became too fearful for his father's safety. He covered both eyes with his hands. Only problem with that was he would split his fingers to supply little slitted peep holes to occasionally watch the battle. He wanted to make sure his father was O.K.
Qui-Gon's anger had reached the point of no return now.
He decided to do away with his opponent's ridiculous plan to have a duel as long as he won. Jinn swung around and faced the men who held his son at the sidelines.
His penetrating blue eyes stared in both of their faces at the same time or it seemed. As if in slow motion, he raised his hand. Delaney tried to thrust his saber again at Qui-Gon, but he stopped suddenly and remained frozen in one spot. Jinn pointed his saber in Delaney's direction. The ex-Jedi knight watched in stunned silence as the tip end of the glowing green saber seemed to arc a current of electricity in his direction. He was not even aware that a saber could do that. It was then he realized his saber was truly behind the times in its assembly.
The stream of electric current did not hit Delaney. However, the man feared to make another step toward Qui-Gon after he watched the beam of electric hit right in front of his feet. Qui-Gon turned once again to the men with his son. With the same hand he raised, he made a waving motion to force shove Obi-Wan's captors against the wall. There they remained in a force hold that kept them from even making one small step. They certainly would be of no help to their leader now.
Qui-Gon knew he could not battle this way against Delaney, for he was force sensitive too and could ward off some of the power Jinn had.
"Are you ready to continue this one-on-one? Seems we are about equal now."
Jinn raised his saber and tipped it to his forehead, as if some kind of salute.
"I still "think" I can manage to take you Master Jinn, even without my back up. That is, unless you plan to use some other kind of Jedi trickery on me."
"No I don't need trickery of any kind. My saber will be enough to defeat you. Oh, by the way, Mr. Morrow, you better not just "THINK" you can manage to win this battle with me, for if you can't, you will be a dead man… That I promise you………….."
PEACE ewen