Anakin hoped no one saw him turn his head as he held back bile that threatened to spew from his mouth. He didn't care one bit how much pain Obi-Wan suffered at the hands of possibly the sith lord when he *removed* the braid from the young padawan. His concern was as always, for himself. He realized they were facing someone comparable to a sith or a sith himself. He couldn't fathom an adult inflicting such pain on a young one, a phrase often used by the Jedi for their apprentices, no matter their age.
//No telling what else he has done to Kenobi. No matter who *he* is, he certainly didn't let his victim's tender age sway his barbaric actions.//
Xanatos stepped closer to Qui-Gon and he too attempted to take the braid from Jinn.
Jinn wrestled his hand and arm away from Xanatos. The mini tussle ended with a sharp jab from Qui-Gon's elbow to his former apprentice's rib cage.
"NO!! Xanatos this will remain with me. "
"Master, who are we dealing with that would do such a thing?"
"Who have I suspected all along, Knight Crion? Answer my question and you have the answer to your own."
Neither former apprentice said it aloud but when they looked at each other and if you could read lips, SITH was clearly inaudibly spoken.
Anakin regretted his boastful words to Master Jinn. If this was the work of a sith, he wasn't sure he wanted to see him now or do battle.
//What would happen if I became a captive of the sith lord? I imagine they have already done worse to Obi-Wan by now. His braid was yanked out as a show of power for Master Jinn and the rest of us to see.//
Anakin erred when he decided to voice some of his own thoughts.
"I suppose if was a sith who did this."
Anakin motioned around the room and the slaughtered people. His stare did not stop until he caught sight of the pad wan braid in Jinn's hand. There his gaze rested.
"He doesn't care how much he harms another to reach his goals, to get what he wants. I wonder if Padawan Kenobi is still alive?"
The padawan didn't think what he said would really matter. It was statement born out of hope, though he knew it wouldn't deter the big Jedi master from searching for his captive apprentice anyway. Silently Anakin hoped, no wished they would not have to track the person responsible for such a heinous crime. However, he knew his wish not to go search for Kenobi would and could never be an option in their decision.
Anakin Skywalker had suddenly developed a case of homesickness for the temple. To be more precise, he missed the safety of the Jedi temple back on Coruscant. Fighting the sith lord didn't seem as intriguing and adventuresome now.
No, now intrigue and adventure was replaced with thoughts of fear. Fear and anxiety was the train of thought for the apprentice, who had yet to be in a real battle let alone one with the most deadly of fighters another force sensate. It wouldn't be like fighting a cumbersome Hutts, or even the more cunning but no less physically inept Jawa's of the desert.
Jinn made a slow turn toward Xanatos' apprentice, stood for a moment, and glared daggers at the boy, who still failed to notice him.
Padawan Skywalkercontinued his thoughts of the dangerousness of battling a sith and paid no attention to Master Jinn who simmered over his words until with clenched fists started to make his way closer to the padawan.
Crion wanted to step in between both of them to save his apprentice, but thought better of it. He saw the fire in his master's eyes and he did not want to step in between and wind up being the recipient of Jinn's fist to his jaw. Qui-Gon looked that angry.
Surprisingly, it was Knight Quinlan Vos who stepped up and more or less saved Anakin. He didn't particularly care for Anakin any more than Anakin had any compassion for Obi-Wan, but he knew Master Jinn would regret his actions if he did strike the boy. He did it solely to benefit Qui-Gon Jinn and his reputation within the Jedi order.
###The sith lord's ship###
"Forgive me Master. I am not sure what you mean?"
"Diablo only a few minutes ago I lavished you with praise for you intelligence and now you seem to have lost it all. How else can I put it?"
There was a long pause. Diablo waited for his master to explain.
"I want the Jedi child taken off the ship. I want him stripped of his tunic and boots, staked and tied spread eagle on the ground."
"That will accomplish what Master and why the boots?"
It seemed odd to Diablo to take off the boy's boots. If he were staked there, he certainly wasn't going to run off, especially with the force inhibitor on.
"Because I am in such a good mood. A good killing or two does that for me, I will tell you."
"While you saw to reviving the boy, I sent two Red Guard on an errand. They have been given an order to find an insect native to this area."
With the information about the other Red Guard and their *errand*, Diablo was even more confused.
" And? What are we going to do with them when we get them?"
"There is where the removed shirt, boots and socks come in. We release the nasty little critters on the child. Of course we wait for the Jedi. You probably aren't as familiar with them as I am. I have used the insects for the same purpose I plan to use them on the young Jedi. Let me give you a little lesson in Entomology, or in simpler terms, the study of bugs. In a few minutes your men will come back with bugs, insects; their name, spiny green-backed leech worms. They belong to the arthropods family, the very venomous family of anthropoids. So painful and poisonous is their bite. Oh you might not succumb to one or two bites but numerous stings in quick succession are definitely lethal. The flesh where it burrows in and latches on starts to decay within two or three minutes; just rots away and falls off. Not a big spot, the bite I mean but several to begin with then more makes what begins as a nuisance quickly become an unbearable ordeal to be endured until I decide to stop it. Or should I say until Master Jinn decides to stop it. His apprentice's fate will be in his hands and not mine.. Oh the agony it will be for the Jedi apprentice to endure and more agonizing I think for the master to witness for any length of time."
The sith lord rubbed his hands together like a child about to get an ice cream cone.
Now it was clear to Diablo and he like his master loved the idea and the evilness of it.
"Ah that would explain the boots. They can crawl up his legs!! Yes, great idea. Won't they kill him instantly?"
"They would if we released an entire nest of them on him at one time. But that wouldn't be as much fun as watching his master witness the boy's long agonizing torment."
"I get it now. Master Jinn can choose to hand you over the Jedi padawan you really want or you will continue the boy's torture!"
"Yes that is right. You see before I knocked him senseless and unconscious I invaded his mind. Padawan Kenobi has a deep-seeded fear that his master will reject him for the *Chosen One*. I for one couldn't blame Master Jinn if he did just that. However, I think loyalty, that Jedi loyalty in him will keep him from abandoning his apprentice for the Skywalker boy. On one other mission the child even thought his master had left him in order to see to it Skywalker escaped safely. That is how he ended up here with Knight Vos. Now Jinn will really have to choose. Choose to watch his apprentice torturously die or allow me to take the Chosen One to train him in ways of the dark side."
### Back With The Jedi####
There just ahead, the ship. Is Red Guards swarming around it. You were right Master. If I am not mistaken you and I have battled the elite Red Guard, personal bodyguards to the sith lord Darth Sidious, once before Am I right?"
"Yes Quinlan you have an excellent memory. We did go up against a sith back when you could have not been more than Obi's age. At least we know our enemy or somewhat know him. What confuses me is he has Obi-Wan and he had plenty of time to escape, why is the ship still here?"
Xanatos looked around as if he expected to see some of the Red Guard surround them in some kind of trap.
"That is easy Master Jinn. Sidious didn't want to leave. I think he has no plans to leave whatsoever."
Jinn nodded his agreement to Xanatos but kept his gaze on the ship that had both rocket engines on but appeared to have no intention of launching.
"I see some of my training did not go to waste on you Xanatos. Right you are. And…what conclusions do to you draw from what you see."
Escape is not on his agenda. He wants us or one of us. I would say Obi-Wan is his bait and we are his prey."
"Exactly! but why and who does he want?????"
Anakin was getting more than irked with Jinn's little added training session with his master.
"Have you gone back to training my master, Master Jinn or are we going to do something about the problem at hand?"
"You Skywalker, would do well to hold your tongue. I am not your master but I will do everything in my power to see to it you are reprimanded for your lack of respect to me as a Jedi master and Knight Xanatos. We can't rush in without knowing what we are up against."
"I thought you knew, the sith."
At the moment, Anakin didn't care how much reprimanding he would get. He wanted out of this situation alive or at least in better shape than what he thought Kenobi was.
"Yes, but what does he want with us? And he *DOES* want us or *One* of us."
All the Jedi's questions were about to be answered. Two of the Red Guard flanked either side of Darth Sidious as he came out of the ship. A small brigade of even more Red Guard soon followed them. Jinn noticed it then.
Just to the left of the ship, a large tarpaulin was thrown over something. Qui-Gon caught his breath and held it while he watched the "tarp" move. A movement similar to a kicking motion of someone's legs. *Someone * was under it and Jinn didn't have to guess who it was. With the movement of the tarp, QUI-GON **KNEW*
Jinn watched Darth Sidious pull the tarp off his apprentice. The Jedi were not surprised by who was under it. Their surprise, more like confusion was for what the dark lord did next. He personally went over to where Obi-Wan lay and with an instrument that looked like a set of large tweezers, removed from a container in his hand two of the most hideous worm-like bugs imaginable.
Qui-Gon instantly knew what Sidious had planned for Obi-Wan. Yet again the Jedi master's age and experience caused him to be more familiar with the bug than his fellow Jedi, or most of them. Vos' mumbled favorite obscenity caused Jinn to suspect Obi-Wan's guardian knew what Sidious had planned. After all, Quinlan had been a permanent resident on Tolan's home world for several months, close to a year now.
Master Jinn's fear caused his voice to be gruffer and his involuntary held breath made the words come out in raspy gasps, which sounded like small belches…
"NO…. DON'T", this can. be handled another way, any way."
Qui-Gon gulped in a long deep cleansing breath and held it.
"Don't…. torture the boy because of some misguided vengeance against the Jedi. "
Along with his words, the Jedi master exhaled a long and drawn out cleansing breath… He hoped to expel his mounting fear along with that deep breath. Enough that at least the dark lord wouldn't see his uncontrolled passionate emotions as a weakness in his Jedi prowess and use it against him where Obi-Wan was concerned.
"He has never done anything to you to warrant this. Get on the ship and just go. Leave my apprentice and I will not follow you. Of course, I will have to notify the council of Emperor Tolan's death and *who* caused it, but I personally will not seek retribution now. Leave and know you will not be followed by any of us."
"I don't know whether I want to puke or stand up and applaud you, Jedi Master Jinn. Such dedication and loyalty to one so inept is definitely commendable. Isn't that how you thought of your apprentice when you left him once before at the hands of the Bulenese to save that one, that he was less worthy than the other apprentice now with you?"
Sidious drew his saber. Jinn didn't move a muscle. He certainly was not going to unsheathe his as a threat to the Dark lord. He wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize Obi. He also held his hand up to stop the antsy Xanatos and Anakin from pulling their sabers out in a defensive pose. Vos seemed to realize that a saber drawn on the dark lord with a captured apprentice and Red Guard everywhere was not a wise thing to do, not for any of them, but particularly not for the Kenobi who twisted and turned as if to fight his way out of an impossible position.
Some of the taut rigidity in Jinn's body caused by the threat of an attack by Darth Sidious, left the giant master as he watched Sidious only use his saber to point at the "one" he spoke of, the other padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Things became clearer in Jinn's mind. He understood more than when he arrived.
//Somehow, someway Darth Sidious has found out who the Jedi suspect Anakin is, the "Chosen One". //
Jinn bit his lip until he drew blood. He hoped the minor pain he inflicted on himself would help keep him focused on Obi-Wan's situation and his possible pending intense pain. He also knew the mental damage done to Obi-Wan by Sidious was just about as hard on the boy and the physical. Sidious was notoriously famous at torturing his captives, mental or physical. To have it spoken, though untrue that Jinn abandoned Obi once before, had to be mentally tortuous on the child.
Qui-Gon cringed with the memory of assisting his then master, Yoda retrieve two Jedi knights unlucky enough to be captured by the dark lord. One died, the other never spoke o a coherent sentence after his *torture* at the hands of the evil one.
A dark foreboding look came over Qui-Gon's face. This man before him would not negotiate on anything. Why Master Jinn thought for even a moment that Sidious would be more lenient with a young one's life at stake was beyond him. Jinn suddenly grew angry over the seemingly impossible situation.
"Alright Sidious, what is it you want? There must be something or my apprentice wouldn't be alive right now. You would have left. No, you are using him as bait, but for what? If there is any way possible to see you get what you want, I will do it?"
It wasn't that Qui-Gon Jinn didn't know the answer or thought he did, he just wanted verbal confirmation of it.
"Now, now, Master Jinn, what would Master Yoda think of you and how easily you cave in. I thought Jedi had a tight rein on their emotions. I assumed I would have to torture the boy to get what I want. Now you have already offered it up without even one little leech worm being dropped. Can't have that can we? I think you should witness a tiny bit of these little bugs' power. Because frankly, I don't think when you hear what I want, you can hand it to me as easily as you think. No, I think a little demonstration is in order. If not for your benefit, then for mine. I can't have my men work so hard to find these little creatures and do nothing with them."
Jinn and Vos watched in horror. Obi-Wan would have screamed at just the idea of the bug being dropped on his chest, but his mouth was gagged. The thought of his apprentice's immense fear of little creepy crawly creatures passed through the mind of Obi's master as Sidious dangled one of the squirming worms over the bare chest of his apprentice. Obi-Wan had no knowledge of what the nasty little worm-like bug was capable of.
He was however, as Master Jinn's remembered, terribly afraid of anything that resembled the pesky little six inch worm that was about to fall on him... Just from listening to Sidious and the fear he saw on his master's face, gave him all the information he needed. Obi became even more terrified of the little creature just by the terror in his master's gaze.
Padawan Kenobi, for one didn't want a demonstration of their ability, especially not with him being part of that gory demonstration. Jinn didn't know if he actually let out a groan or only thought about it.
The little creature latched onto to Obi's chest like a babe suckling milk from its mother. Blood flowed; just a tiny trickle but Jinn knew with that trickle of blood was immense stinging that would only grow worse as the worm burrowed its way under Obi-Wan's skin.
By now, the Jedi master had a very clear idea of how Sidious planned to torture his apprentice.
He asked again, what Sidious wanted. He did it only to keep the dark lord focused on him and maybe that way he wouldn't drop the other worm that he still dangled over Obi-Wan.
"What is it you want of me? Just tell me what I can do to prevent this, all of it."
"Yes, you are wise Master Jinn. I find that is not the case with all Jedi masters. Some would allow their apprentices' to die for the Jedi virtue and loyalty you are so noted for. Yes, you are correct there is something you can give me that will stop the torture of your apprentice. It will also insure your life. Well temporarily for it will only be a matter of time before we meet again. I will give you safe passage off this planet with your apprentice and I only want one little thing from you. Now how fair can that be?"
"Depends on what that one thing is Darth Sidious. Name it and let me be the one to judge how fair you are being."
As Qui-Gon waited for Sidious to name his price for his apprentice's freedom ,he mentally went through how to handle Sidious' dark request; one child's life for another's. He couldn't let Obi-Wan lay there and be tortuously and agonizingly eaten alive by the leech worms. However, he didn't know if he could just hand another Jedi apprentice, another child, though granted, a potentially darksider already, to Darth Sidious to train further in the ways of evil, C.O.U.L.D. H.E. ?
"Come on Master Jinn care to ask why I am willing to give your apprentice back to you? I think you can. Better than that, I think you know already what I want. I am right aren't I?"
Qui-Gon refused to answer the dark lord. He knew that every eye was on him, even Xanatos Crion's, the master to the one Sidious wanted.
The Jedi master took time to make a discreet glance toward his former apprentice, as the silence remained. He didn't want to blurt out what he knew, what Sidious suspected he knew and most of all what Xanatos would more than likely have a quick and negative answer upon hearing Sidious' proposition for a trade off of apprentices.
No, he would let Darth Sidious do the dirty work on this one. Let him name his price for Kenobi and Jinn would watch the reaction of both Xanatos Crion and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker when Sidious delivered his proposition.
Qui-Gon wasn't sure if he really contemplated the idea of a trade between apprentices or not. One part of him, mainly ruled by his heart, wanted too with all that he was. The other part ruled by his mind and his Jedi traits, said it was an impasse. One could not be traded for the other. After all, one was no more important than the other one. To Sidious the Chosen One was the sought after apprentice.
Jinn had learned his lesson over the last several months that for him Obi-Wan was far more valuable in so many ways not Jedi that Jinn couldn't fathom going through his life without him. Now in Jinn's heart the boy had buried himself so deep that Qui-Gon knew he would always be there. It would not be as it was with the other apprentice. Vos had taught him some well learned lessons about love and cherishing those you do love, have loved, and let go.
"Well Master Jinn, if you would come back to reality I want an answer. You know what I want. Tell your companions what it is."
"I am not sure I know. I know what I suspect. I however, don't want to be the one to say it. What don't you spit it out Darth Sidious. You are the one with the idea and in such a hurry, you tell them. Better yet, speak with Xanatos Crion. I am sure he will be the one with the most objections."
Xanatos stood silent and off to the side. He watched all that had taken place. He didn't know until the worm was dropped why it was there. After he saw the pain Obi was in from just one little bug gnarling its way through Obi's flesh, it didn't take much of an imagination what the dark lord had planned.
Anakin was still oblivious to everything. He didn't have a clue what Darth Sidious wanted. When he looked up to see Xanatos staring at him, his master's ashen colored face alarmed him. Crion braved stepping forward. He suspected what Sidious wanted and he would not get it. No matter how much he and his apprentice did not get along, he would not allow him to be traded. Xani quite truthfully thought Anakin was the best of the bargain between him and Obi-Wan and that he should be protected over Kenobi.
//He is the chosen one and in that he is more important than that little do-gooder apprentice I now have captive. //
It suddenly donned on Xanatos at that moment that Darth Sidious must have found out Anakin's suspected identity some way. Yes that's it, thought Crion. //He knows my apprentice is the supposed *Chosen One* and what ruler wouldn't want him to be at his side to guide and apprentice in his ways. In Darth Sidious' case, his evil ways. //
"Sidious I think perhaps you ask the wrong person for permission. I think you actually presume to exchange Kenobi for my apprentice is that correct?"
For the first time in his young life, Anakin knew what fear, real fear was. He could only stare at his master and then Jinn as he listened to the exchange between his own master and the one who wanted evidently to be his master, Darth Sidious.
"Well I see Jinn's apprentice or former one is just about as smart as you are. Yes, that is precisely what I want and if I don't get it, Jinn's apprentice will die.
"What makes you think we would trade one's death for another's. I don't think there is anything written in the Jedi code book for such a macabre exchange. It is not there because it wouldn't ever be done."
Xanatos looked to Jinn as if he wanted him to reiterate what he such said. No such backing for his former apprentice's words came. Xanatos became even more worried with the thought that Qui-Gon was actually contemplating such an exchange.
"You know very well I don't plan to allow your apprentice to die Knight Crion. He will have the best of life that can be granted."
Until now, Sidious had been enjoying himself, taunting Master Jinn and the start of the apprentice's torture. Xanatos Crion's refusal to hand over his apprentice halted all that. Sidious wasn't often refused what he wanted.
"Up start little knight aren't you Crion? I wonder what gives you so much back bone to think you can deny me anything I want. I mean I can kill this one and take your apprentice anyway. In fact ,I can kill all of you. I thought my little trade off deal would be more to your liking but if you would prefer the death of all of you instead of a trade with the boys then I can arrange that as well."
Sidious cocked his head to the side held up higher the last worm he had already out of the case and dropped it.
Qui-Gon didn't see what part of Obi-Wan's body the worm was dropped on and luckily he also didn't see the terror-filled eyes of his apprentice when it was dropped. Sidious threw the tarp back over Obi-Wan .
Jinn made a step toward Sidious and four blasters came down off the shoulders of the Red Guard, all of them directed at him. They were very protective of Sidious and they should be. Right about that moment was when Jinn had an urge to grab the dark lord's neck with his large calloused hands and squeeze the life out of him.
"Let us get down to business Master Jinn. You know I want the "Chosen One". Yes I have put two and two together with the help of Tolan. Stupid man, he tried to blackmail me. Said if I left and didn't help him I couldn't keep Obi-Wan. After that he let the information that he'd heard from Knight Vos out."
Jinn swung around and cast Quinlan a long hard look.
Quinlan only shrugged his shoulders.
"No one ever told me I couldn't tell anyone Anakin was the *supposed* Chosen One. I had my doubts about him anyway."
"You shouldn't have doubts Knight Vos."
Qui-Gon didn't have a chance to reprimand the young knight. Sidious was anxious to tell what he knew or what he felt from the boy.
"He didn't offer the information to me. I felt a strong one in the force and not all of that was of pure goodness and light. Of course you suspect that already don't you Master Jinn? I know you do."
Jinn had no words for what Sidious' knew now about Anakin. His anxiousness to train the one so powerful had nearly cost Jinn his apprentice, he might still lose his apprentice but he knew now the truth of how he felt about Anakin Skywalker and his astute powers.. He regretted that Sidious was able to pick up on Anakin's strength in the force and his weakness that leaned toward the dark side.
The one they spoke of, Anakin Skywalker had remained silent. Had you asked him, he wouldn't have attributed his silence to fear but that was exactly what caused his thoughts to remain unspoken. Had it been before they came to retrieve Jinn's apprentice Anakin would have had an entirely different answer than what he thought Master Jinn would give concerning the trade off. Had it been while they trained and went on missions together without Obi, Anakin would have said Qui-Gon would easily choose him over Obi-Wan.
Now though he could tell Master Jinn saw through his façade. He was no more a Jedi apprentice than Darth Sidous was. Yes, he did border the dark and he loved it. Maybe not loved it but enjoyed it in the sense he loved living on the edge, reveled at the thought of power, unfettered and power. Of course that would meean he couldn't be a Jedi.
Jedi controlled their own in everything, from thought to actions, to the way you dressed even wore your hair. However, Ani certainly didn't want his life to end here and now, even if it meant he would have to remain a Jedi for now.
//Maybe Sidious is afraid of the power I possess, that one day I will become more powerful than even him. Maybe that is why he wants me; to do away with me now before my power grows and matures into something he can't manipulate or control.//
While his thoughts were boastful, his actions or words thus far hadn't been. The more Anakin thought about it, the more he was convinced Master Jinn would indeed trade him a potential dark sider anyway, for Obi-Wan, the miracle apprentice so pure and good. He had wanted his master to do something. Sure, Crion had *said* something, but Anakin felt Xanatos should have raised his saber right then and there. //Shown them whose was boss.//
Too bad Anakin hadn't bothered to shield his thoughts from his master.
//The proper time or way to engage an enemy is not when he has you captured. Especially if your enemy is a sith who holds as much power from the dark force as we have power of good. No, we have to *wait out* our enemy. Remember, a proper time and a proper place for everything and *now* is neither to attack Sidious with all his men surrounding us. //
That wasn't good enough. Anakin knew now his master had been privy to his thoughts. No matter Crion's instructions to his apprentice, Anakin wanted something done right now to prevent Sidious from taking him total captive as Obi-Wan was.
Fear has a way of making one do things they don't ordinarily do. Showing bravery was not something Anakin Skywalker had done thus far and though he thought what he planned was an act of bravery, in reality it was a compulsive and stupid reaction to the fearful situation his own life had suddenly taken with Sidious' announcement of an intended trade.
Anakin did something totally un-Anakin and completely out of character, well it certainly wasn't any characteristic his master or grand master had ever witnessed. He drew his light saber, out of fear and not bravery, ignited it, and leveled it directly at Darth Sidious himself…………………..
PEACE ewen
//No telling what else he has done to Kenobi. No matter who *he* is, he certainly didn't let his victim's tender age sway his barbaric actions.//
Xanatos stepped closer to Qui-Gon and he too attempted to take the braid from Jinn.
Jinn wrestled his hand and arm away from Xanatos. The mini tussle ended with a sharp jab from Qui-Gon's elbow to his former apprentice's rib cage.
"NO!! Xanatos this will remain with me. "
"Master, who are we dealing with that would do such a thing?"
"Who have I suspected all along, Knight Crion? Answer my question and you have the answer to your own."
Neither former apprentice said it aloud but when they looked at each other and if you could read lips, SITH was clearly inaudibly spoken.
Anakin regretted his boastful words to Master Jinn. If this was the work of a sith, he wasn't sure he wanted to see him now or do battle.
//What would happen if I became a captive of the sith lord? I imagine they have already done worse to Obi-Wan by now. His braid was yanked out as a show of power for Master Jinn and the rest of us to see.//
Anakin erred when he decided to voice some of his own thoughts.
"I suppose if was a sith who did this."
Anakin motioned around the room and the slaughtered people. His stare did not stop until he caught sight of the pad wan braid in Jinn's hand. There his gaze rested.
"He doesn't care how much he harms another to reach his goals, to get what he wants. I wonder if Padawan Kenobi is still alive?"
The padawan didn't think what he said would really matter. It was statement born out of hope, though he knew it wouldn't deter the big Jedi master from searching for his captive apprentice anyway. Silently Anakin hoped, no wished they would not have to track the person responsible for such a heinous crime. However, he knew his wish not to go search for Kenobi would and could never be an option in their decision.
Anakin Skywalker had suddenly developed a case of homesickness for the temple. To be more precise, he missed the safety of the Jedi temple back on Coruscant. Fighting the sith lord didn't seem as intriguing and adventuresome now.
No, now intrigue and adventure was replaced with thoughts of fear. Fear and anxiety was the train of thought for the apprentice, who had yet to be in a real battle let alone one with the most deadly of fighters another force sensate. It wouldn't be like fighting a cumbersome Hutts, or even the more cunning but no less physically inept Jawa's of the desert.
Jinn made a slow turn toward Xanatos' apprentice, stood for a moment, and glared daggers at the boy, who still failed to notice him.
Padawan Skywalkercontinued his thoughts of the dangerousness of battling a sith and paid no attention to Master Jinn who simmered over his words until with clenched fists started to make his way closer to the padawan.
Crion wanted to step in between both of them to save his apprentice, but thought better of it. He saw the fire in his master's eyes and he did not want to step in between and wind up being the recipient of Jinn's fist to his jaw. Qui-Gon looked that angry.
Surprisingly, it was Knight Quinlan Vos who stepped up and more or less saved Anakin. He didn't particularly care for Anakin any more than Anakin had any compassion for Obi-Wan, but he knew Master Jinn would regret his actions if he did strike the boy. He did it solely to benefit Qui-Gon Jinn and his reputation within the Jedi order.
###The sith lord's ship###
"Forgive me Master. I am not sure what you mean?"
"Diablo only a few minutes ago I lavished you with praise for you intelligence and now you seem to have lost it all. How else can I put it?"
There was a long pause. Diablo waited for his master to explain.
"I want the Jedi child taken off the ship. I want him stripped of his tunic and boots, staked and tied spread eagle on the ground."
"That will accomplish what Master and why the boots?"
It seemed odd to Diablo to take off the boy's boots. If he were staked there, he certainly wasn't going to run off, especially with the force inhibitor on.
"Because I am in such a good mood. A good killing or two does that for me, I will tell you."
"While you saw to reviving the boy, I sent two Red Guard on an errand. They have been given an order to find an insect native to this area."
With the information about the other Red Guard and their *errand*, Diablo was even more confused.
" And? What are we going to do with them when we get them?"
"There is where the removed shirt, boots and socks come in. We release the nasty little critters on the child. Of course we wait for the Jedi. You probably aren't as familiar with them as I am. I have used the insects for the same purpose I plan to use them on the young Jedi. Let me give you a little lesson in Entomology, or in simpler terms, the study of bugs. In a few minutes your men will come back with bugs, insects; their name, spiny green-backed leech worms. They belong to the arthropods family, the very venomous family of anthropoids. So painful and poisonous is their bite. Oh you might not succumb to one or two bites but numerous stings in quick succession are definitely lethal. The flesh where it burrows in and latches on starts to decay within two or three minutes; just rots away and falls off. Not a big spot, the bite I mean but several to begin with then more makes what begins as a nuisance quickly become an unbearable ordeal to be endured until I decide to stop it. Or should I say until Master Jinn decides to stop it. His apprentice's fate will be in his hands and not mine.. Oh the agony it will be for the Jedi apprentice to endure and more agonizing I think for the master to witness for any length of time."
The sith lord rubbed his hands together like a child about to get an ice cream cone.
Now it was clear to Diablo and he like his master loved the idea and the evilness of it.
"Ah that would explain the boots. They can crawl up his legs!! Yes, great idea. Won't they kill him instantly?"
"They would if we released an entire nest of them on him at one time. But that wouldn't be as much fun as watching his master witness the boy's long agonizing torment."
"I get it now. Master Jinn can choose to hand you over the Jedi padawan you really want or you will continue the boy's torture!"
"Yes that is right. You see before I knocked him senseless and unconscious I invaded his mind. Padawan Kenobi has a deep-seeded fear that his master will reject him for the *Chosen One*. I for one couldn't blame Master Jinn if he did just that. However, I think loyalty, that Jedi loyalty in him will keep him from abandoning his apprentice for the Skywalker boy. On one other mission the child even thought his master had left him in order to see to it Skywalker escaped safely. That is how he ended up here with Knight Vos. Now Jinn will really have to choose. Choose to watch his apprentice torturously die or allow me to take the Chosen One to train him in ways of the dark side."
### Back With The Jedi####
There just ahead, the ship. Is Red Guards swarming around it. You were right Master. If I am not mistaken you and I have battled the elite Red Guard, personal bodyguards to the sith lord Darth Sidious, once before Am I right?"
"Yes Quinlan you have an excellent memory. We did go up against a sith back when you could have not been more than Obi's age. At least we know our enemy or somewhat know him. What confuses me is he has Obi-Wan and he had plenty of time to escape, why is the ship still here?"
Xanatos looked around as if he expected to see some of the Red Guard surround them in some kind of trap.
"That is easy Master Jinn. Sidious didn't want to leave. I think he has no plans to leave whatsoever."
Jinn nodded his agreement to Xanatos but kept his gaze on the ship that had both rocket engines on but appeared to have no intention of launching.
"I see some of my training did not go to waste on you Xanatos. Right you are. And…what conclusions do to you draw from what you see."
Escape is not on his agenda. He wants us or one of us. I would say Obi-Wan is his bait and we are his prey."
"Exactly! but why and who does he want?????"
Anakin was getting more than irked with Jinn's little added training session with his master.
"Have you gone back to training my master, Master Jinn or are we going to do something about the problem at hand?"
"You Skywalker, would do well to hold your tongue. I am not your master but I will do everything in my power to see to it you are reprimanded for your lack of respect to me as a Jedi master and Knight Xanatos. We can't rush in without knowing what we are up against."
"I thought you knew, the sith."
At the moment, Anakin didn't care how much reprimanding he would get. He wanted out of this situation alive or at least in better shape than what he thought Kenobi was.
"Yes, but what does he want with us? And he *DOES* want us or *One* of us."
All the Jedi's questions were about to be answered. Two of the Red Guard flanked either side of Darth Sidious as he came out of the ship. A small brigade of even more Red Guard soon followed them. Jinn noticed it then.
Just to the left of the ship, a large tarpaulin was thrown over something. Qui-Gon caught his breath and held it while he watched the "tarp" move. A movement similar to a kicking motion of someone's legs. *Someone * was under it and Jinn didn't have to guess who it was. With the movement of the tarp, QUI-GON **KNEW*
Jinn watched Darth Sidious pull the tarp off his apprentice. The Jedi were not surprised by who was under it. Their surprise, more like confusion was for what the dark lord did next. He personally went over to where Obi-Wan lay and with an instrument that looked like a set of large tweezers, removed from a container in his hand two of the most hideous worm-like bugs imaginable.
Qui-Gon instantly knew what Sidious had planned for Obi-Wan. Yet again the Jedi master's age and experience caused him to be more familiar with the bug than his fellow Jedi, or most of them. Vos' mumbled favorite obscenity caused Jinn to suspect Obi-Wan's guardian knew what Sidious had planned. After all, Quinlan had been a permanent resident on Tolan's home world for several months, close to a year now.
Master Jinn's fear caused his voice to be gruffer and his involuntary held breath made the words come out in raspy gasps, which sounded like small belches…
"NO…. DON'T", this can. be handled another way, any way."
Qui-Gon gulped in a long deep cleansing breath and held it.
"Don't…. torture the boy because of some misguided vengeance against the Jedi. "
Along with his words, the Jedi master exhaled a long and drawn out cleansing breath… He hoped to expel his mounting fear along with that deep breath. Enough that at least the dark lord wouldn't see his uncontrolled passionate emotions as a weakness in his Jedi prowess and use it against him where Obi-Wan was concerned.
"He has never done anything to you to warrant this. Get on the ship and just go. Leave my apprentice and I will not follow you. Of course, I will have to notify the council of Emperor Tolan's death and *who* caused it, but I personally will not seek retribution now. Leave and know you will not be followed by any of us."
"I don't know whether I want to puke or stand up and applaud you, Jedi Master Jinn. Such dedication and loyalty to one so inept is definitely commendable. Isn't that how you thought of your apprentice when you left him once before at the hands of the Bulenese to save that one, that he was less worthy than the other apprentice now with you?"
Sidious drew his saber. Jinn didn't move a muscle. He certainly was not going to unsheathe his as a threat to the Dark lord. He wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize Obi. He also held his hand up to stop the antsy Xanatos and Anakin from pulling their sabers out in a defensive pose. Vos seemed to realize that a saber drawn on the dark lord with a captured apprentice and Red Guard everywhere was not a wise thing to do, not for any of them, but particularly not for the Kenobi who twisted and turned as if to fight his way out of an impossible position.
Some of the taut rigidity in Jinn's body caused by the threat of an attack by Darth Sidious, left the giant master as he watched Sidious only use his saber to point at the "one" he spoke of, the other padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Things became clearer in Jinn's mind. He understood more than when he arrived.
//Somehow, someway Darth Sidious has found out who the Jedi suspect Anakin is, the "Chosen One". //
Jinn bit his lip until he drew blood. He hoped the minor pain he inflicted on himself would help keep him focused on Obi-Wan's situation and his possible pending intense pain. He also knew the mental damage done to Obi-Wan by Sidious was just about as hard on the boy and the physical. Sidious was notoriously famous at torturing his captives, mental or physical. To have it spoken, though untrue that Jinn abandoned Obi once before, had to be mentally tortuous on the child.
Qui-Gon cringed with the memory of assisting his then master, Yoda retrieve two Jedi knights unlucky enough to be captured by the dark lord. One died, the other never spoke o a coherent sentence after his *torture* at the hands of the evil one.
A dark foreboding look came over Qui-Gon's face. This man before him would not negotiate on anything. Why Master Jinn thought for even a moment that Sidious would be more lenient with a young one's life at stake was beyond him. Jinn suddenly grew angry over the seemingly impossible situation.
"Alright Sidious, what is it you want? There must be something or my apprentice wouldn't be alive right now. You would have left. No, you are using him as bait, but for what? If there is any way possible to see you get what you want, I will do it?"
It wasn't that Qui-Gon Jinn didn't know the answer or thought he did, he just wanted verbal confirmation of it.
"Now, now, Master Jinn, what would Master Yoda think of you and how easily you cave in. I thought Jedi had a tight rein on their emotions. I assumed I would have to torture the boy to get what I want. Now you have already offered it up without even one little leech worm being dropped. Can't have that can we? I think you should witness a tiny bit of these little bugs' power. Because frankly, I don't think when you hear what I want, you can hand it to me as easily as you think. No, I think a little demonstration is in order. If not for your benefit, then for mine. I can't have my men work so hard to find these little creatures and do nothing with them."
Jinn and Vos watched in horror. Obi-Wan would have screamed at just the idea of the bug being dropped on his chest, but his mouth was gagged. The thought of his apprentice's immense fear of little creepy crawly creatures passed through the mind of Obi's master as Sidious dangled one of the squirming worms over the bare chest of his apprentice. Obi-Wan had no knowledge of what the nasty little worm-like bug was capable of.
He was however, as Master Jinn's remembered, terribly afraid of anything that resembled the pesky little six inch worm that was about to fall on him... Just from listening to Sidious and the fear he saw on his master's face, gave him all the information he needed. Obi became even more terrified of the little creature just by the terror in his master's gaze.
Padawan Kenobi, for one didn't want a demonstration of their ability, especially not with him being part of that gory demonstration. Jinn didn't know if he actually let out a groan or only thought about it.
The little creature latched onto to Obi's chest like a babe suckling milk from its mother. Blood flowed; just a tiny trickle but Jinn knew with that trickle of blood was immense stinging that would only grow worse as the worm burrowed its way under Obi-Wan's skin.
By now, the Jedi master had a very clear idea of how Sidious planned to torture his apprentice.
He asked again, what Sidious wanted. He did it only to keep the dark lord focused on him and maybe that way he wouldn't drop the other worm that he still dangled over Obi-Wan.
"What is it you want of me? Just tell me what I can do to prevent this, all of it."
"Yes, you are wise Master Jinn. I find that is not the case with all Jedi masters. Some would allow their apprentices' to die for the Jedi virtue and loyalty you are so noted for. Yes, you are correct there is something you can give me that will stop the torture of your apprentice. It will also insure your life. Well temporarily for it will only be a matter of time before we meet again. I will give you safe passage off this planet with your apprentice and I only want one little thing from you. Now how fair can that be?"
"Depends on what that one thing is Darth Sidious. Name it and let me be the one to judge how fair you are being."
As Qui-Gon waited for Sidious to name his price for his apprentice's freedom ,he mentally went through how to handle Sidious' dark request; one child's life for another's. He couldn't let Obi-Wan lay there and be tortuously and agonizingly eaten alive by the leech worms. However, he didn't know if he could just hand another Jedi apprentice, another child, though granted, a potentially darksider already, to Darth Sidious to train further in the ways of evil, C.O.U.L.D. H.E. ?
"Come on Master Jinn care to ask why I am willing to give your apprentice back to you? I think you can. Better than that, I think you know already what I want. I am right aren't I?"
Qui-Gon refused to answer the dark lord. He knew that every eye was on him, even Xanatos Crion's, the master to the one Sidious wanted.
The Jedi master took time to make a discreet glance toward his former apprentice, as the silence remained. He didn't want to blurt out what he knew, what Sidious suspected he knew and most of all what Xanatos would more than likely have a quick and negative answer upon hearing Sidious' proposition for a trade off of apprentices.
No, he would let Darth Sidious do the dirty work on this one. Let him name his price for Kenobi and Jinn would watch the reaction of both Xanatos Crion and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker when Sidious delivered his proposition.
Qui-Gon wasn't sure if he really contemplated the idea of a trade between apprentices or not. One part of him, mainly ruled by his heart, wanted too with all that he was. The other part ruled by his mind and his Jedi traits, said it was an impasse. One could not be traded for the other. After all, one was no more important than the other one. To Sidious the Chosen One was the sought after apprentice.
Jinn had learned his lesson over the last several months that for him Obi-Wan was far more valuable in so many ways not Jedi that Jinn couldn't fathom going through his life without him. Now in Jinn's heart the boy had buried himself so deep that Qui-Gon knew he would always be there. It would not be as it was with the other apprentice. Vos had taught him some well learned lessons about love and cherishing those you do love, have loved, and let go.
"Well Master Jinn, if you would come back to reality I want an answer. You know what I want. Tell your companions what it is."
"I am not sure I know. I know what I suspect. I however, don't want to be the one to say it. What don't you spit it out Darth Sidious. You are the one with the idea and in such a hurry, you tell them. Better yet, speak with Xanatos Crion. I am sure he will be the one with the most objections."
Xanatos stood silent and off to the side. He watched all that had taken place. He didn't know until the worm was dropped why it was there. After he saw the pain Obi was in from just one little bug gnarling its way through Obi's flesh, it didn't take much of an imagination what the dark lord had planned.
Anakin was still oblivious to everything. He didn't have a clue what Darth Sidious wanted. When he looked up to see Xanatos staring at him, his master's ashen colored face alarmed him. Crion braved stepping forward. He suspected what Sidious wanted and he would not get it. No matter how much he and his apprentice did not get along, he would not allow him to be traded. Xani quite truthfully thought Anakin was the best of the bargain between him and Obi-Wan and that he should be protected over Kenobi.
//He is the chosen one and in that he is more important than that little do-gooder apprentice I now have captive. //
It suddenly donned on Xanatos at that moment that Darth Sidious must have found out Anakin's suspected identity some way. Yes that's it, thought Crion. //He knows my apprentice is the supposed *Chosen One* and what ruler wouldn't want him to be at his side to guide and apprentice in his ways. In Darth Sidious' case, his evil ways. //
"Sidious I think perhaps you ask the wrong person for permission. I think you actually presume to exchange Kenobi for my apprentice is that correct?"
For the first time in his young life, Anakin knew what fear, real fear was. He could only stare at his master and then Jinn as he listened to the exchange between his own master and the one who wanted evidently to be his master, Darth Sidious.
"Well I see Jinn's apprentice or former one is just about as smart as you are. Yes, that is precisely what I want and if I don't get it, Jinn's apprentice will die.
"What makes you think we would trade one's death for another's. I don't think there is anything written in the Jedi code book for such a macabre exchange. It is not there because it wouldn't ever be done."
Xanatos looked to Jinn as if he wanted him to reiterate what he such said. No such backing for his former apprentice's words came. Xanatos became even more worried with the thought that Qui-Gon was actually contemplating such an exchange.
"You know very well I don't plan to allow your apprentice to die Knight Crion. He will have the best of life that can be granted."
Until now, Sidious had been enjoying himself, taunting Master Jinn and the start of the apprentice's torture. Xanatos Crion's refusal to hand over his apprentice halted all that. Sidious wasn't often refused what he wanted.
"Up start little knight aren't you Crion? I wonder what gives you so much back bone to think you can deny me anything I want. I mean I can kill this one and take your apprentice anyway. In fact ,I can kill all of you. I thought my little trade off deal would be more to your liking but if you would prefer the death of all of you instead of a trade with the boys then I can arrange that as well."
Sidious cocked his head to the side held up higher the last worm he had already out of the case and dropped it.
Qui-Gon didn't see what part of Obi-Wan's body the worm was dropped on and luckily he also didn't see the terror-filled eyes of his apprentice when it was dropped. Sidious threw the tarp back over Obi-Wan .
Jinn made a step toward Sidious and four blasters came down off the shoulders of the Red Guard, all of them directed at him. They were very protective of Sidious and they should be. Right about that moment was when Jinn had an urge to grab the dark lord's neck with his large calloused hands and squeeze the life out of him.
"Let us get down to business Master Jinn. You know I want the "Chosen One". Yes I have put two and two together with the help of Tolan. Stupid man, he tried to blackmail me. Said if I left and didn't help him I couldn't keep Obi-Wan. After that he let the information that he'd heard from Knight Vos out."
Jinn swung around and cast Quinlan a long hard look.
Quinlan only shrugged his shoulders.
"No one ever told me I couldn't tell anyone Anakin was the *supposed* Chosen One. I had my doubts about him anyway."
"You shouldn't have doubts Knight Vos."
Qui-Gon didn't have a chance to reprimand the young knight. Sidious was anxious to tell what he knew or what he felt from the boy.
"He didn't offer the information to me. I felt a strong one in the force and not all of that was of pure goodness and light. Of course you suspect that already don't you Master Jinn? I know you do."
Jinn had no words for what Sidious' knew now about Anakin. His anxiousness to train the one so powerful had nearly cost Jinn his apprentice, he might still lose his apprentice but he knew now the truth of how he felt about Anakin Skywalker and his astute powers.. He regretted that Sidious was able to pick up on Anakin's strength in the force and his weakness that leaned toward the dark side.
The one they spoke of, Anakin Skywalker had remained silent. Had you asked him, he wouldn't have attributed his silence to fear but that was exactly what caused his thoughts to remain unspoken. Had it been before they came to retrieve Jinn's apprentice Anakin would have had an entirely different answer than what he thought Master Jinn would give concerning the trade off. Had it been while they trained and went on missions together without Obi, Anakin would have said Qui-Gon would easily choose him over Obi-Wan.
Now though he could tell Master Jinn saw through his façade. He was no more a Jedi apprentice than Darth Sidous was. Yes, he did border the dark and he loved it. Maybe not loved it but enjoyed it in the sense he loved living on the edge, reveled at the thought of power, unfettered and power. Of course that would meean he couldn't be a Jedi.
Jedi controlled their own in everything, from thought to actions, to the way you dressed even wore your hair. However, Ani certainly didn't want his life to end here and now, even if it meant he would have to remain a Jedi for now.
//Maybe Sidious is afraid of the power I possess, that one day I will become more powerful than even him. Maybe that is why he wants me; to do away with me now before my power grows and matures into something he can't manipulate or control.//
While his thoughts were boastful, his actions or words thus far hadn't been. The more Anakin thought about it, the more he was convinced Master Jinn would indeed trade him a potential dark sider anyway, for Obi-Wan, the miracle apprentice so pure and good. He had wanted his master to do something. Sure, Crion had *said* something, but Anakin felt Xanatos should have raised his saber right then and there. //Shown them whose was boss.//
Too bad Anakin hadn't bothered to shield his thoughts from his master.
//The proper time or way to engage an enemy is not when he has you captured. Especially if your enemy is a sith who holds as much power from the dark force as we have power of good. No, we have to *wait out* our enemy. Remember, a proper time and a proper place for everything and *now* is neither to attack Sidious with all his men surrounding us. //
That wasn't good enough. Anakin knew now his master had been privy to his thoughts. No matter Crion's instructions to his apprentice, Anakin wanted something done right now to prevent Sidious from taking him total captive as Obi-Wan was.
Fear has a way of making one do things they don't ordinarily do. Showing bravery was not something Anakin Skywalker had done thus far and though he thought what he planned was an act of bravery, in reality it was a compulsive and stupid reaction to the fearful situation his own life had suddenly taken with Sidious' announcement of an intended trade.
Anakin did something totally un-Anakin and completely out of character, well it certainly wasn't any characteristic his master or grand master had ever witnessed. He drew his light saber, out of fear and not bravery, ignited it, and leveled it directly at Darth Sidious himself…………………..
PEACE ewen