Obi-Wan loved going on missions with his master, that is until this mission. He and Master Jinn were paired with another master/padawan team Crion and Skywalker.
More than one pair of Jedi on a mission together wasn't all that unusual. He had gone on one other, but this mission was shaping into a difficult one for Kenobi and they hadn't even stepped foot off the transport ship.
With three days travel still left, Obi had already been assigned extra meditations twice to Anakin Skywalker's zero. One time was from his master for sulking and he had to agree he was sulking. The other meditation, the longer one, the one he had been knee bent into for two hours and had two more of this cramped position, was from the other master with them, Master Xanatos Crion.
//Anakin started the discord between us. I don't see him down on his knees rubbing the skin off them, meditating. Master Jinn should have insisted Ani be punished. But oh no he looked the other way to Ani's part in this. Then he had the nerve to tell me I should as well. "The boy was green new to the Jedi. I should be the ever humble Jedi apprentice and overlook his ignorance where the Jedi code is concerned. Isn't that the excuse both masters give to Anakin Skywalker when there is something wrong between him and me? //
Obi-Wan was most offended by his master's reluctance to defend him when Xanatos announced Obi-Wan was deemed in the wrong and that he and only he should be disciplined for it.
Obi thought he noticed his master grimace and start to speak but if he ever thought to defend Obi-Wan, the thought was only fleeting at best and flew right away. He held a stiff but silent posture while Xanatos hauled Obi-Wan up in front of everyone on the transport ship, chewed him out, and then sentenced him to four hours on his knees in front of everyone there, to meditate.
Obi-Wan hoped his master wouldn't notice through their bond that the first hour of meditation was focused on gaining control of his embarrassment and shame over his situation. Once he braved a look around him and saw Ani with the most satisfied sneer on his face, Obi wanted to just jump up and grab the other apprentice, shake him soundly. He knew better though. If Jinn didn't get to him Xani would no doubt beat the socks off of him for even threatening the 'Chosen One' with bodily harm.
//And I mean that in the most literal text possible. Master has never been so callous as to use physical punishment on me. No doubt if I did anything to impede Ani's progress to knighthood, he might incorporate corporal punishment as part of a daily routine.//
The blow to the back of his head was a shock and a painful one at that.
Tears, unshed but visible welled up in the apprentice's eyes. He wasn't sure if they were from the pain of being struck or the humiliation as the commoners on the ship snickered and teetered amongst themselves over the Jedi apprentice being publicly disciplined in such a way.
Jinn was not in a position to see his apprentice. He was off on another level up, on the ship going over the cock pit with Anakin.
"There now Padawan Kenobi, I thought you didn't seem to be focused on your meditations as you should. Now you may tell Jinn about the swat to the back of your head if you feel the need too run and tattle. However, I don't think he will be pleased to know you were not meditating as you should. Of course when I add that you were insolent to say the least he might find another part of your anatomy to swat. One a little meatier and a whole lot less visible."
Xani sat down in seat just couple of feet from Obi-Wan, stretched his legs gangly out in front of him, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared hatefully down with his dark cold eyes at the apprentice on his knees.
Obi fought and gained control of his emotions. He wiped away a couple of tears that had fallen before he turned to face Master Crion.
"Just how would you know I was not meditating my ability to keep a civil tongue and my grumpy disposition, as I was instructed to do?"
"Oh I could tell."
Obi knew he was in the wrong. His mind had drifted but Xani had no way of knowing that. They shared no kind of bond and Obi had made very sure he was shielded from his master and thus from any force sensitive around him.
"No, you couldn't. You just wanted to do what you did because you are unusually cruel and sadistic *Master* Crion."
"Well, why don't you just tell your master that and I will tell him I caught your eyes wondering, that you were clearly not in focus with your meditation." Now get back to what I told you to do and keep in mind you have just *questioned* another hour of meditations for yourself."
###Later when Qui-Gon returned####
"Padawan, could you please explain why you are still deep in meditation a half hour into the time you should have been up?"
Obi-Wan knew in an instant Jinn's first apprentice had 'ratted' him out. He had been the one to run and *tattle* on Obi-Wan Kenobi.
//So much for Xani keeping his mouth shut. He ran straight to my master and told him. Now what do I do? I can tell him about Xanatos striking me. If I do I will have to explain why. How much does my master know? Do I tell him Xani is lying on me? It is the truth but will Qui-Gon believe it to be the truth or that I am the one lying? //
Options were nil to none for Obi-Wan. He couldn't win for losing and he opted instead to let his master believe whatever lie Xani told for the reason he was still down on his knees.
"Come, come, Padawan, you look like you are groveling at my feet. Well it must look that way to the speculators who wander by. Surely you are tired of being ogled by every member of the transport flight team and the passengers milling around."
//Is my own master taunting me? He must be very angry over what he perceives to be my disobedience. Oh how I wish I could get Xani and his Precious Ani in trouble at the same time. However there is no way Master Jinn would believe me over either of them. Besides, Master already questions my abilities, I don't need more trouble. If he thought I had become unruly that might just be reason enough to dump me. //
"Well Obi-Wan, I await an answer and I am growing exceedingly impatient. Is this the disobedience you plan to exhibit during the entire mission? Since Ani has come to the temple to live you have been less than what I'm accustomed too. I think you and I will have a chat after you get up from your knees. Now what did you do to be here another hour?"
There on bended and sore knees Obi-Wan envisioned himself with his hands clamped soundly over his ears, his eyes tightly shut, as a blood curdling and continuous scream to proclaim his innocence. He wanted to shout at the top of his lungs that it was Xani who lied and to name Anakin Skywalker as the real cause behind the dispute today.
Of course Obi didn't follow through with his exaggerated imageries in his mind. What good little Jedi apprentice would act with such emotional strife openly displayed? No Obi-Wan bit his lip until a tiny bit of blood dripped from it, kept his eyes focused on the broken tile just in front of his right knee, kept his hands clamped together in his lap, and waited for whatever reprimand his master had for him.
He figured it couldn't be any worse that Xanatos Crion's had been and that it wouldn't be delivered with as much venom as Xani had either. Some of the coldness was gone when the master spoke to his apprentice again.
"Never mind, Xanatos explained to me your actions and I agreed they warranted at the very least another hour of meditation. When you have completed it, you are dismissed to our quarters. I will speak to you in private about what I feel has been a total lack of disrespect to another Jedi master. Whether he is one of my former apprentices or not, it gives you no leave to be rude to Master Crion or to make rude remarks about his padawan. Things are going to change Obi-Wan Kenobi. In particular the way you carry yourself, especially if you intend to continue to walk that two steps back and to the left of *this* Jedi master…….."
Obi's heart twisted with each word that came from his mouth. He had never felt such disappointment seep through their bond as he did right now. Jinn was not angry with him he was terribly distraught over what he perceived to be Obi-Wan's disrespectful actions. Actions, Obi wasn't even sure had been relayed to Jinn correctly because he couldn't trust the messenger, Xanatos Crion.
//He might not even know what happened to cause Xani to put than other hours punishment on me. How can I do this? I don't want to call Xanatos a liar and I don't want my master to have some contrived accusation about me. How can I even broach the subject? He already thinks it is I who has the grudge to bare and not Anakin or Xanatos. //
Jinn had just reached the cabin door of the large area of the ship where Xanatos had placed Obi right in the middle of. The captain's crew chief came up to him a great deal of stress.
Master Jinn, the captain requests your presence on the bridge. There seems to be several ships at our flank and bow. It would seem we have been surrounded. The captain would seek your advice on the matter."
Jinn listened carefully to the speedy declaration, making sure he heard right.
"Absurd, once they realize they have dignitaries representing the Chancellor of Coruscant, they will stand down. No one in this quadrant is brave enough to take on all the aligned forces from the planets in the trade federation.
The crew chief was still excited but just being in the presence of a Jedi master, one as infamous as Jinn brought him calm.
" I don't know about all that Master Jinn. Nevertheless, my captain sent me to fetch you to the bridge."
"Well I certainly understand why. Shall we go?"
Jinn gently took the man by the shoulders and turned him in the direction, back to the bridge. He stopped once to turn around. Obi-Wan had overhead the news and wanted desperately to follow his master in case of danger. Jinn too felt maybe the boy should be with him but not because he needed protected. He wanted to make sure obi-Wan remained safe. However, he thought Obi-Wan was just as safe here in the middle of the transport where all the other passengers were.
//Whoever it is won't dare attack a ship carrying the federation loco of Coruscant ministry on it .//
Oh how wrong Master Jinn was just about to be proven.
#############On the bridge##############
Captain Morten was deep in thought as he glared at the radar screen dotted with small green lights. Each one of them represented a ship.
Jinn looked over the captain's shoulder and saw that the first mate had indeed not exaggerated, they were surrounded. More than fifteen ships though Qui-Gon didn't have time to count them.
"Did you get permission to be in this quadrant? Is this secured air space?"
"Master Jinn, I sought and received permission to go through this sector of space. If I am correct those ships belong to the Bulenese army's space patrol."
"Then once they realize we are from Coruscant and have nothing for them they will leave us alone."
Jinn didn't look at the captain, until the captain who had begun to act very seedy to go along with his seedy appearance, let a long moaning sigh escape.
"We don't have anything on this ship they want do we Captain?" Jinn raised one eyebrow and cast a long hard angry stare at the captain.
Captain Morten waited a moment too long before he answered and Jinn started in on him again.
"Like contraband legal or illegal that the Bulenese might want and know you have in your procession?"
The captain shrugged his shoulders and it was then Jinn noticed his scarlet hued face.
"You do, don't you?" Qui-Gon was now shouting, a rare thing for a Jedi master.
"I thought with the Jedi aboard everything would be alright. We would be in no suspicion of carrying anything illegal."
"Well maybe the Bulenese are so far out in space that they didn't know we Jedi were aboard?
"Look Jedi Jinn, I would have told you but you Jedi are just so confounded prim and proper. All I have are some Bazooka blasters and twenty or thirty kegs of Corellian whiskey."
"While I think the Bulenese might enjoy the whiskey, I think the blasters are more likely their aim. Open up communications. Let me deal with them."
"Master Jinn, If they are not aware of your presence here on this ship, it might not be a good idea to tell them. I think knowing will only inflame their wrath against us. They don't want to have Federation troops constantly breathing down their necks because they robbed one of their appointed transport ships and killed their dignitaries, you that were on board. I don't think they will like it at all if they realize the Jedi are here in official capacity for the Chancellor himself."
"Well maybe knowing the Jedi are *official* will help to change their minds and they will let us out of their trap. For I tell you captain we *are* very much trapped."
Jinn opened communication to the main ship, but as soon as the captain of the Bulenese brigade saw the familiar Jedi Jinn wore in front of the screen, he shut down all communications without uttering a word. Jinn watched on the radar screen as the ships advanced and began to cluster together to form a web made of ships around them.
"Well Master Jinn, you idea has failed and if I am not mistaken they have taken a sudden turn against us. They don't care about my cargo now. They just plan to get rid of anyone on this ship that might relay the info back to the Chancellor of their space piracy."
"Jinn turned the communiqué panel on again only to get static. He had intended to notify Chancellor Valorum before they were attacked. Even his personal comm failed.
"Our communications have been jammed. "Static… All I get is static.
"You have condemned us all to death Master Jinn! All of us for the Bulenese will allow no one live who might report back to the authorities their activities way out here.
"You should live if just to be tried for such a treasonous act as carrying weapons to sell out here in the fifth quadrant. NO doubt you will sell them to anyone with the credits to pay your price."
"Well don't worry we are all destined to die. I will get my just rewards for my deeds but you will be right along side of me Jedi."
########
Luckily, the Jedi master was very close to the doorway of the ship's cabin when a blast tore through the ship. Master Jinn managed to grab the handles of the cabin door and held on as tightly as he could.
The blast rocked the ship. It did a double summersault in mid-air before it took a straight nose dive *down*.
Jinn tentatively felt along he and Obi's bond to insure himself Obi-Wan was alright. Nothing, the master got nothing in the line of a response from his apprentice. What seemed to take agonizingly long time to search along their bond for Obi's force signature in truth only took seconds. //That does not mean he is dead. Possibly he is so far into a coma and unconsciousness to respond or to keep the bond between us opened.//
At least two of his three major concerns subdued when he saw Xanatos and Anakin run through the hall and onto the bridge of the crashing ship.
"Master Jinn, what…how …who…."
"No time to explain, but we have been hit and we are going down."
Xani had just enough time to respond to Jinn's comment before the followed him to the control panels.
No joke master? I can clearly tell we are crashing. Anything else you think I should know?"
Sarcasm, even in the grips of despair had never been a problem for Xani. It seemed to help him focused in times of dire straits.
Anakin's voice was a high squeak when he spoke over the moans and screams of the injured throughout the ship.
"Down…Down *where* Master Jinn. We are in wide open space. The nearest planet is a day away"
Xanatos followed Jinn to the control panel and started adjusting air pressure, speed, anything that might slow their downward dissent.
Suddenly with violent whiplash jolt, the ship stopped. Just like that, it stopped right in the middle of open space. It leveled out until now it was in the position as it should be for navigation, totally vertical.
Xani looked questioningly at Master Jinn and in turn Master Jinn answered his unspoken query.
"Tractor beam…. Now they have us. There is no escape."
Just then more problems became known when two crew members came running to the bridge.
Both just noticed that their spiraling motion downward had abruptly stopped.
"Captain, it is a good thing we stopped no matter the means. We have found the damage the ship sustained when it was hit with a torpedo laser mortar."
"Well man, speak up. How much damage? Can we repair it?"
"No sir, impossible. This is one time we should be glad our attackers have captured us."
The other crew mate spoke up in a very excited tone.
"Yes, he is right Captain. The entire left side of the starboard bow of the ship is one big gaping hole surrounded by twisted metal. Through that gash went most or *ALL* of the passengers seated in that section."
Jinn realized the star board bow was the main section of the ship where most of the local travelers were in, //By the force, it was where I left Obi-Wan.//
//No force collar. I suppose that is a good thing.//
Xani, from the cell just opposite of Jinn saw the Jedi master touch his neck and knew the reason for it.
"Oh no master, their force inhibitors are for more encompassing than a thin metal band around our necks.. The cells have an inhibitor beam in them. However, and if you happen to feel a slight stiffness in your left upper arm, it is not because you injured it. We have been given some kind of Hydro spray injection that impedes any bonds, mental connection and communication, or force related powers we have. I'd say we are pretty much helpless. Oh… wait… I do have these."
Jinn waited with anticipation over Xani's words. What could his former apprentice have in his pocket, Jinn wondered?
Xani made an elaborate gesture with an exaggerated dip with his hand, down in one of his many Jedi robe pockets. He pulled from it an assortment of brightly colored and different shaped power crystals. They were once the driving force behind their sabers; each Jedi chose their own color, shape, and size according to the edicts of the force.
"They took the sabers and gave us the little trinkets or *colored bobbles* as they called them and gave those back. Oh, by the way, we have already landed on their planet. We are being housed in cells just under the leader's offices. Convenient uhn ?"
Jinn meticulously sorted through visually the crystals pooled in Xani's extended right hand. He had already found his. He searched for any indication that the crystals from Obi-Wan's saber was there.
"*Obi-Wan* … Xanatos have you heard anything about my apprentice?"
A dark look passed Xani's face. With the inability to stay connected with his apprentice Jinn had all but forgotten for a moment his apprentice had been in meditation in the section of the ship that sustained the most damage from the laser blast.
"I am sorry Master, but I have heard nothing. In fact as you see evident with the crystals I hold, Obi's saber hasn't even been found. If it was, I am sure there would have been questions about the saber or maybe they would have returned the saber crystals themselves. So far nothing. I thought maybe if you had the crystals that were once to Obi-Wan's saber it would be at least some minor memento of his existence by your side. However, it seems that the saber went out the ship along with your apprentice. If he hadn't have been sucked out through the hole then his saber would have been found by now. We would have heard something."
Jinn heard Xani as he continued to talk but this thoughts were elsewhere. He knew he could not touch the force, not with all the medication and the laser inhibitor directed at his cell but he felt the need to meditate. Maybe he could not reach Obi or the force but meditation was the only thought process he found he could go through right now. Even without the force he could focus on his thoughts and zone out everything else around him. That was his intent anyway. He didn't want to hear more unbearable truths about the missing precious light that was his apprentice, his imp, his Obi-Wan.
Xanatos was glad Master Jinn could not feel any of his thoughts. The one good thing about their capture was that Kenobi was now gone. Puff.. just like that Jinn's apprentice no longer was a hindrance. He and Jinn both could now focus on the 'Chosen One'. The only problem with that was they needed to get out of the mess they were in and keep Ani's identity a secret. If they didn't it would surely mean his imprisonment in order to attempt to harness the immense power the child possessed.
All mental conversations to themselves stopped. Their attention was drawn to the large outer doors of the prison containment center.
Jinn watched as a man or being of medium height entered the prison chamber. His long green/ gray robe flowed obtrusively behind him. Not a very purposeful piece of outerwear thought Jinn as he watched the man who entered, walk up to Master Jin's cell and stop.
"Master Jedi, are you the leader of your kind?"
"Kind... do you mean all those on the ship or of the Jedi? I am a leader of the small group here with me, the other two Jedi. Also there was another Jedi. He is mine as well."
Qui-Gon didn't particularly like speaking of Obi as if he was a slab of meat that he personally owned. However, the master wasn't sure how much of the workings of Coruscant or the Jedi these more primitive people knew.
"You mean there were four Jedi? We know somewhat the Jedi. Enough to know we have committed an egregious error in our attack of you. We meant no harm."
"No harm… do you realize that you killed more than fifty people in the main section of our ship. Jinn wanted to add his apprentice was one of them, but he didn't want to admit the truth, not yet."
The Bulense before Jinn waved his hands.
"Nothing can be done about that now. However as we speak our ambassador to the federation planets are in the contact with Chancellor Valorum. A ship from Coruscant is being sent here immediately to retrieve you and everyone left alive from the ship."
They were being released. The attack for whatever reason to begin with was now deemed unnecessary and just like that an "I'm sorry" and they were suppose to go on from there.
"I want to see the leader of the Bulenese."
"He is predisposed at the moment. Possibly later after you have been shown to your rooms."
"Shown to our rooms? You mean we are free to go?"
The Bulenese before him twisted his face in a confused look.
"Not exactly free, Jedi. Within the compounds of your room and this building you are free. We do not allow force sensitives free reign on our planet. While we don't know as much possibly as the galaxy you are form about them. There is very little trust for them. We are just beginning to learn about your powers. That is why we have so many safe guards up. Out here in the outer rim we get a lot of force powered beings not of the force you Jedi work for. No, they are of the darker side and seek anonymity for what ever dastardly act trey have committed in your trade federation planets. Simply put we get all the criminals out here Master Jinn, and we are quite prepared to deal with them."
"I see that. However, I must find my apprentice. If you plan to allow us to go home, I have to get to him, find out if he is injured, and have him ready to return to Courscant with me."
"Another Jedi. Is he missing? Was he injured in the blast?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen him since you opened fire on us. He was right in the path of the blast though."
The Bulenese being before him did not seem to have a compassionate bone in his body. Jinn easily knew that with the reply he gave the Jedi master..
"Well then, ease your mind. I think I know where your Jedi friend is. I would suppose if he was in the main room of the blast when we launched the laser torpedo, he was sucked out of the ship with the rest of the passengers. I doubt even his Jedi wit and power allowed for him to be saved with the swiftness of which the bodies no doubt flew from your ship."
Ever how horrific it was, Jinn sadly had to admit that the being before him was right. He did like the idea that those alive on the ship with them would be personally escorted home by the ship of Jedi that were on their way to retrieve them. Jinn was nearly inconsolable over the fact that he would return to Coruscant without a padawan, without *HIS* Obi-Wan………………………
[b]#########################################[/b]
I would thank all of you for the feedback ,but as of yet I have not received any. If you are reading this then thank you!!!!! Keep in mind, the next post will have our favorite rogue, Quinlan Vos in it. So stop back by this weekend.
nvos/
PEACE ewen
More than one pair of Jedi on a mission together wasn't all that unusual. He had gone on one other, but this mission was shaping into a difficult one for Kenobi and they hadn't even stepped foot off the transport ship.
With three days travel still left, Obi had already been assigned extra meditations twice to Anakin Skywalker's zero. One time was from his master for sulking and he had to agree he was sulking. The other meditation, the longer one, the one he had been knee bent into for two hours and had two more of this cramped position, was from the other master with them, Master Xanatos Crion.
//Anakin started the discord between us. I don't see him down on his knees rubbing the skin off them, meditating. Master Jinn should have insisted Ani be punished. But oh no he looked the other way to Ani's part in this. Then he had the nerve to tell me I should as well. "The boy was green new to the Jedi. I should be the ever humble Jedi apprentice and overlook his ignorance where the Jedi code is concerned. Isn't that the excuse both masters give to Anakin Skywalker when there is something wrong between him and me? //
Obi-Wan was most offended by his master's reluctance to defend him when Xanatos announced Obi-Wan was deemed in the wrong and that he and only he should be disciplined for it.
Obi thought he noticed his master grimace and start to speak but if he ever thought to defend Obi-Wan, the thought was only fleeting at best and flew right away. He held a stiff but silent posture while Xanatos hauled Obi-Wan up in front of everyone on the transport ship, chewed him out, and then sentenced him to four hours on his knees in front of everyone there, to meditate.
Obi-Wan hoped his master wouldn't notice through their bond that the first hour of meditation was focused on gaining control of his embarrassment and shame over his situation. Once he braved a look around him and saw Ani with the most satisfied sneer on his face, Obi wanted to just jump up and grab the other apprentice, shake him soundly. He knew better though. If Jinn didn't get to him Xani would no doubt beat the socks off of him for even threatening the 'Chosen One' with bodily harm.
//And I mean that in the most literal text possible. Master has never been so callous as to use physical punishment on me. No doubt if I did anything to impede Ani's progress to knighthood, he might incorporate corporal punishment as part of a daily routine.//
The blow to the back of his head was a shock and a painful one at that.
Tears, unshed but visible welled up in the apprentice's eyes. He wasn't sure if they were from the pain of being struck or the humiliation as the commoners on the ship snickered and teetered amongst themselves over the Jedi apprentice being publicly disciplined in such a way.
Jinn was not in a position to see his apprentice. He was off on another level up, on the ship going over the cock pit with Anakin.
"There now Padawan Kenobi, I thought you didn't seem to be focused on your meditations as you should. Now you may tell Jinn about the swat to the back of your head if you feel the need too run and tattle. However, I don't think he will be pleased to know you were not meditating as you should. Of course when I add that you were insolent to say the least he might find another part of your anatomy to swat. One a little meatier and a whole lot less visible."
Xani sat down in seat just couple of feet from Obi-Wan, stretched his legs gangly out in front of him, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared hatefully down with his dark cold eyes at the apprentice on his knees.
Obi fought and gained control of his emotions. He wiped away a couple of tears that had fallen before he turned to face Master Crion.
"Just how would you know I was not meditating my ability to keep a civil tongue and my grumpy disposition, as I was instructed to do?"
"Oh I could tell."
Obi knew he was in the wrong. His mind had drifted but Xani had no way of knowing that. They shared no kind of bond and Obi had made very sure he was shielded from his master and thus from any force sensitive around him.
"No, you couldn't. You just wanted to do what you did because you are unusually cruel and sadistic *Master* Crion."
"Well, why don't you just tell your master that and I will tell him I caught your eyes wondering, that you were clearly not in focus with your meditation." Now get back to what I told you to do and keep in mind you have just *questioned* another hour of meditations for yourself."
###Later when Qui-Gon returned####
"Padawan, could you please explain why you are still deep in meditation a half hour into the time you should have been up?"
Obi-Wan knew in an instant Jinn's first apprentice had 'ratted' him out. He had been the one to run and *tattle* on Obi-Wan Kenobi.
//So much for Xani keeping his mouth shut. He ran straight to my master and told him. Now what do I do? I can tell him about Xanatos striking me. If I do I will have to explain why. How much does my master know? Do I tell him Xani is lying on me? It is the truth but will Qui-Gon believe it to be the truth or that I am the one lying? //
Options were nil to none for Obi-Wan. He couldn't win for losing and he opted instead to let his master believe whatever lie Xani told for the reason he was still down on his knees.
"Come, come, Padawan, you look like you are groveling at my feet. Well it must look that way to the speculators who wander by. Surely you are tired of being ogled by every member of the transport flight team and the passengers milling around."
//Is my own master taunting me? He must be very angry over what he perceives to be my disobedience. Oh how I wish I could get Xani and his Precious Ani in trouble at the same time. However there is no way Master Jinn would believe me over either of them. Besides, Master already questions my abilities, I don't need more trouble. If he thought I had become unruly that might just be reason enough to dump me. //
"Well Obi-Wan, I await an answer and I am growing exceedingly impatient. Is this the disobedience you plan to exhibit during the entire mission? Since Ani has come to the temple to live you have been less than what I'm accustomed too. I think you and I will have a chat after you get up from your knees. Now what did you do to be here another hour?"
There on bended and sore knees Obi-Wan envisioned himself with his hands clamped soundly over his ears, his eyes tightly shut, as a blood curdling and continuous scream to proclaim his innocence. He wanted to shout at the top of his lungs that it was Xani who lied and to name Anakin Skywalker as the real cause behind the dispute today.
Of course Obi didn't follow through with his exaggerated imageries in his mind. What good little Jedi apprentice would act with such emotional strife openly displayed? No Obi-Wan bit his lip until a tiny bit of blood dripped from it, kept his eyes focused on the broken tile just in front of his right knee, kept his hands clamped together in his lap, and waited for whatever reprimand his master had for him.
He figured it couldn't be any worse that Xanatos Crion's had been and that it wouldn't be delivered with as much venom as Xani had either. Some of the coldness was gone when the master spoke to his apprentice again.
"Never mind, Xanatos explained to me your actions and I agreed they warranted at the very least another hour of meditation. When you have completed it, you are dismissed to our quarters. I will speak to you in private about what I feel has been a total lack of disrespect to another Jedi master. Whether he is one of my former apprentices or not, it gives you no leave to be rude to Master Crion or to make rude remarks about his padawan. Things are going to change Obi-Wan Kenobi. In particular the way you carry yourself, especially if you intend to continue to walk that two steps back and to the left of *this* Jedi master…….."
Obi's heart twisted with each word that came from his mouth. He had never felt such disappointment seep through their bond as he did right now. Jinn was not angry with him he was terribly distraught over what he perceived to be Obi-Wan's disrespectful actions. Actions, Obi wasn't even sure had been relayed to Jinn correctly because he couldn't trust the messenger, Xanatos Crion.
//He might not even know what happened to cause Xani to put than other hours punishment on me. How can I do this? I don't want to call Xanatos a liar and I don't want my master to have some contrived accusation about me. How can I even broach the subject? He already thinks it is I who has the grudge to bare and not Anakin or Xanatos. //
Jinn had just reached the cabin door of the large area of the ship where Xanatos had placed Obi right in the middle of. The captain's crew chief came up to him a great deal of stress.
Master Jinn, the captain requests your presence on the bridge. There seems to be several ships at our flank and bow. It would seem we have been surrounded. The captain would seek your advice on the matter."
Jinn listened carefully to the speedy declaration, making sure he heard right.
"Absurd, once they realize they have dignitaries representing the Chancellor of Coruscant, they will stand down. No one in this quadrant is brave enough to take on all the aligned forces from the planets in the trade federation.
The crew chief was still excited but just being in the presence of a Jedi master, one as infamous as Jinn brought him calm.
" I don't know about all that Master Jinn. Nevertheless, my captain sent me to fetch you to the bridge."
"Well I certainly understand why. Shall we go?"
Jinn gently took the man by the shoulders and turned him in the direction, back to the bridge. He stopped once to turn around. Obi-Wan had overhead the news and wanted desperately to follow his master in case of danger. Jinn too felt maybe the boy should be with him but not because he needed protected. He wanted to make sure obi-Wan remained safe. However, he thought Obi-Wan was just as safe here in the middle of the transport where all the other passengers were.
//Whoever it is won't dare attack a ship carrying the federation loco of Coruscant ministry on it .//
Oh how wrong Master Jinn was just about to be proven.
#############On the bridge##############
Captain Morten was deep in thought as he glared at the radar screen dotted with small green lights. Each one of them represented a ship.
Jinn looked over the captain's shoulder and saw that the first mate had indeed not exaggerated, they were surrounded. More than fifteen ships though Qui-Gon didn't have time to count them.
"Did you get permission to be in this quadrant? Is this secured air space?"
"Master Jinn, I sought and received permission to go through this sector of space. If I am correct those ships belong to the Bulenese army's space patrol."
"Then once they realize we are from Coruscant and have nothing for them they will leave us alone."
Jinn didn't look at the captain, until the captain who had begun to act very seedy to go along with his seedy appearance, let a long moaning sigh escape.
"We don't have anything on this ship they want do we Captain?" Jinn raised one eyebrow and cast a long hard angry stare at the captain.
Captain Morten waited a moment too long before he answered and Jinn started in on him again.
"Like contraband legal or illegal that the Bulenese might want and know you have in your procession?"
The captain shrugged his shoulders and it was then Jinn noticed his scarlet hued face.
"You do, don't you?" Qui-Gon was now shouting, a rare thing for a Jedi master.
"I thought with the Jedi aboard everything would be alright. We would be in no suspicion of carrying anything illegal."
"Well maybe the Bulenese are so far out in space that they didn't know we Jedi were aboard?
"Look Jedi Jinn, I would have told you but you Jedi are just so confounded prim and proper. All I have are some Bazooka blasters and twenty or thirty kegs of Corellian whiskey."
"While I think the Bulenese might enjoy the whiskey, I think the blasters are more likely their aim. Open up communications. Let me deal with them."
"Master Jinn, If they are not aware of your presence here on this ship, it might not be a good idea to tell them. I think knowing will only inflame their wrath against us. They don't want to have Federation troops constantly breathing down their necks because they robbed one of their appointed transport ships and killed their dignitaries, you that were on board. I don't think they will like it at all if they realize the Jedi are here in official capacity for the Chancellor himself."
"Well maybe knowing the Jedi are *official* will help to change their minds and they will let us out of their trap. For I tell you captain we *are* very much trapped."
Jinn opened communication to the main ship, but as soon as the captain of the Bulenese brigade saw the familiar Jedi Jinn wore in front of the screen, he shut down all communications without uttering a word. Jinn watched on the radar screen as the ships advanced and began to cluster together to form a web made of ships around them.
"Well Master Jinn, you idea has failed and if I am not mistaken they have taken a sudden turn against us. They don't care about my cargo now. They just plan to get rid of anyone on this ship that might relay the info back to the Chancellor of their space piracy."
"Jinn turned the communiqué panel on again only to get static. He had intended to notify Chancellor Valorum before they were attacked. Even his personal comm failed.
"Our communications have been jammed. "Static… All I get is static.
"You have condemned us all to death Master Jinn! All of us for the Bulenese will allow no one live who might report back to the authorities their activities way out here.
"You should live if just to be tried for such a treasonous act as carrying weapons to sell out here in the fifth quadrant. NO doubt you will sell them to anyone with the credits to pay your price."
"Well don't worry we are all destined to die. I will get my just rewards for my deeds but you will be right along side of me Jedi."
########
Luckily, the Jedi master was very close to the doorway of the ship's cabin when a blast tore through the ship. Master Jinn managed to grab the handles of the cabin door and held on as tightly as he could.
The blast rocked the ship. It did a double summersault in mid-air before it took a straight nose dive *down*.
Jinn tentatively felt along he and Obi's bond to insure himself Obi-Wan was alright. Nothing, the master got nothing in the line of a response from his apprentice. What seemed to take agonizingly long time to search along their bond for Obi's force signature in truth only took seconds. //That does not mean he is dead. Possibly he is so far into a coma and unconsciousness to respond or to keep the bond between us opened.//
At least two of his three major concerns subdued when he saw Xanatos and Anakin run through the hall and onto the bridge of the crashing ship.
"Master Jinn, what…how …who…."
"No time to explain, but we have been hit and we are going down."
Xani had just enough time to respond to Jinn's comment before the followed him to the control panels.
No joke master? I can clearly tell we are crashing. Anything else you think I should know?"
Sarcasm, even in the grips of despair had never been a problem for Xani. It seemed to help him focused in times of dire straits.
Anakin's voice was a high squeak when he spoke over the moans and screams of the injured throughout the ship.
"Down…Down *where* Master Jinn. We are in wide open space. The nearest planet is a day away"
Xanatos followed Jinn to the control panel and started adjusting air pressure, speed, anything that might slow their downward dissent.
Suddenly with violent whiplash jolt, the ship stopped. Just like that, it stopped right in the middle of open space. It leveled out until now it was in the position as it should be for navigation, totally vertical.
Xani looked questioningly at Master Jinn and in turn Master Jinn answered his unspoken query.
"Tractor beam…. Now they have us. There is no escape."
Just then more problems became known when two crew members came running to the bridge.
Both just noticed that their spiraling motion downward had abruptly stopped.
"Captain, it is a good thing we stopped no matter the means. We have found the damage the ship sustained when it was hit with a torpedo laser mortar."
"Well man, speak up. How much damage? Can we repair it?"
"No sir, impossible. This is one time we should be glad our attackers have captured us."
The other crew mate spoke up in a very excited tone.
"Yes, he is right Captain. The entire left side of the starboard bow of the ship is one big gaping hole surrounded by twisted metal. Through that gash went most or *ALL* of the passengers seated in that section."
Jinn realized the star board bow was the main section of the ship where most of the local travelers were in, //By the force, it was where I left Obi-Wan.//
//No force collar. I suppose that is a good thing.//
Xani, from the cell just opposite of Jinn saw the Jedi master touch his neck and knew the reason for it.
"Oh no master, their force inhibitors are for more encompassing than a thin metal band around our necks.. The cells have an inhibitor beam in them. However, and if you happen to feel a slight stiffness in your left upper arm, it is not because you injured it. We have been given some kind of Hydro spray injection that impedes any bonds, mental connection and communication, or force related powers we have. I'd say we are pretty much helpless. Oh… wait… I do have these."
Jinn waited with anticipation over Xani's words. What could his former apprentice have in his pocket, Jinn wondered?
Xani made an elaborate gesture with an exaggerated dip with his hand, down in one of his many Jedi robe pockets. He pulled from it an assortment of brightly colored and different shaped power crystals. They were once the driving force behind their sabers; each Jedi chose their own color, shape, and size according to the edicts of the force.
"They took the sabers and gave us the little trinkets or *colored bobbles* as they called them and gave those back. Oh, by the way, we have already landed on their planet. We are being housed in cells just under the leader's offices. Convenient uhn ?"
Jinn meticulously sorted through visually the crystals pooled in Xani's extended right hand. He had already found his. He searched for any indication that the crystals from Obi-Wan's saber was there.
"*Obi-Wan* … Xanatos have you heard anything about my apprentice?"
A dark look passed Xani's face. With the inability to stay connected with his apprentice Jinn had all but forgotten for a moment his apprentice had been in meditation in the section of the ship that sustained the most damage from the laser blast.
"I am sorry Master, but I have heard nothing. In fact as you see evident with the crystals I hold, Obi's saber hasn't even been found. If it was, I am sure there would have been questions about the saber or maybe they would have returned the saber crystals themselves. So far nothing. I thought maybe if you had the crystals that were once to Obi-Wan's saber it would be at least some minor memento of his existence by your side. However, it seems that the saber went out the ship along with your apprentice. If he hadn't have been sucked out through the hole then his saber would have been found by now. We would have heard something."
Jinn heard Xani as he continued to talk but this thoughts were elsewhere. He knew he could not touch the force, not with all the medication and the laser inhibitor directed at his cell but he felt the need to meditate. Maybe he could not reach Obi or the force but meditation was the only thought process he found he could go through right now. Even without the force he could focus on his thoughts and zone out everything else around him. That was his intent anyway. He didn't want to hear more unbearable truths about the missing precious light that was his apprentice, his imp, his Obi-Wan.
Xanatos was glad Master Jinn could not feel any of his thoughts. The one good thing about their capture was that Kenobi was now gone. Puff.. just like that Jinn's apprentice no longer was a hindrance. He and Jinn both could now focus on the 'Chosen One'. The only problem with that was they needed to get out of the mess they were in and keep Ani's identity a secret. If they didn't it would surely mean his imprisonment in order to attempt to harness the immense power the child possessed.
All mental conversations to themselves stopped. Their attention was drawn to the large outer doors of the prison containment center.
Jinn watched as a man or being of medium height entered the prison chamber. His long green/ gray robe flowed obtrusively behind him. Not a very purposeful piece of outerwear thought Jinn as he watched the man who entered, walk up to Master Jin's cell and stop.
"Master Jedi, are you the leader of your kind?"
"Kind... do you mean all those on the ship or of the Jedi? I am a leader of the small group here with me, the other two Jedi. Also there was another Jedi. He is mine as well."
Qui-Gon didn't particularly like speaking of Obi as if he was a slab of meat that he personally owned. However, the master wasn't sure how much of the workings of Coruscant or the Jedi these more primitive people knew.
"You mean there were four Jedi? We know somewhat the Jedi. Enough to know we have committed an egregious error in our attack of you. We meant no harm."
"No harm… do you realize that you killed more than fifty people in the main section of our ship. Jinn wanted to add his apprentice was one of them, but he didn't want to admit the truth, not yet."
The Bulense before Jinn waved his hands.
"Nothing can be done about that now. However as we speak our ambassador to the federation planets are in the contact with Chancellor Valorum. A ship from Coruscant is being sent here immediately to retrieve you and everyone left alive from the ship."
They were being released. The attack for whatever reason to begin with was now deemed unnecessary and just like that an "I'm sorry" and they were suppose to go on from there.
"I want to see the leader of the Bulenese."
"He is predisposed at the moment. Possibly later after you have been shown to your rooms."
"Shown to our rooms? You mean we are free to go?"
The Bulenese before him twisted his face in a confused look.
"Not exactly free, Jedi. Within the compounds of your room and this building you are free. We do not allow force sensitives free reign on our planet. While we don't know as much possibly as the galaxy you are form about them. There is very little trust for them. We are just beginning to learn about your powers. That is why we have so many safe guards up. Out here in the outer rim we get a lot of force powered beings not of the force you Jedi work for. No, they are of the darker side and seek anonymity for what ever dastardly act trey have committed in your trade federation planets. Simply put we get all the criminals out here Master Jinn, and we are quite prepared to deal with them."
"I see that. However, I must find my apprentice. If you plan to allow us to go home, I have to get to him, find out if he is injured, and have him ready to return to Courscant with me."
"Another Jedi. Is he missing? Was he injured in the blast?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen him since you opened fire on us. He was right in the path of the blast though."
The Bulenese being before him did not seem to have a compassionate bone in his body. Jinn easily knew that with the reply he gave the Jedi master..
"Well then, ease your mind. I think I know where your Jedi friend is. I would suppose if he was in the main room of the blast when we launched the laser torpedo, he was sucked out of the ship with the rest of the passengers. I doubt even his Jedi wit and power allowed for him to be saved with the swiftness of which the bodies no doubt flew from your ship."
Ever how horrific it was, Jinn sadly had to admit that the being before him was right. He did like the idea that those alive on the ship with them would be personally escorted home by the ship of Jedi that were on their way to retrieve them. Jinn was nearly inconsolable over the fact that he would return to Coruscant without a padawan, without *HIS* Obi-Wan………………………
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I would thank all of you for the feedback ,but as of yet I have not received any. If you are reading this then thank you!!!!! Keep in mind, the next post will have our favorite rogue, Quinlan Vos in it. So stop back by this weekend.
nvos/
PEACE ewen