Author's Note- I know I haven't posted in forever, but I lost my new email
address and haven't been getting any ff.net mail, so I thought no one was
reading. When I tried to check my email yesterday, I was surprised to find
several people were indeed reading. In case you don't remember, single /
denotes private thoughts while denotes messages along the Master/Padawan
bond. Now to answer my reviews:
Makoto: Qui-Gon had just realized what a mistake he had made. He was
worried about Obi-Wan was why he was going to talk to him, and the two of
them are very close. I'm assuming that any parent who's child has just run
away because of something they regret doing to them would be upset. Part
of his grief stems from the fact that he blames Obi-Wan's leaving on
himself.
Philomena- Here's a long chapter, just for you!
Now, on with the story!
/Where am I?/ Obi-Wan looked around in confusion. He had dosed off in front of the control panel in the escape pod. Suddenly the events of the day before came rushing back to him. He leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the view screen and sighed. /I just want to go home./ He thought, wishing fervently that that were possible. He knew, however, that it was not to be. He had done things he knew his Master would never forgive him for. /Better to run now than to face the humiliation later./ Obi-Wan thought morosely. Over the past few weeks, tension had been building between Obi-Wan and his Master, and after the pirate attack and the events immediately following he had begun to seriously doubt his place at his master's side. It seemed that all they ever did anymore was fight, and Obi-Wan desperately wanted his Master back.
Normally, when something was upsetting him, he went straight to Qui- Gon. Without that lifeline to hang onto, Obi-Wan had felt cut adrift long before he even considered cutting off his braid. Looking down at the blinking light on the control panel, Obi-Wan realized it was time to exit hyperspace and pulled out, thoughts completely on the moment, at least for now.
Qui-Gon Jinn strode through the hallways purposefully. The crewmembers that saw him immediately retreated, unsure of what he was doing but knowing from the look on his face that it was important. When he reached the corridor where the escape pods were located, he walked up to the computer and entered the override code the captain had given to him. He then checked the escape pod registry, and was not surprised to find that one of the pods had departed just an hour before. /Oh Padawan, I'm so sorry. I promise I'll find you and make this up to you somehow./ Tapping a few more keys, he found what he was looking for. The pods had tracking devices that enabled the main ship to follow them no matter where they went. He keyed in the identification number for the pod Obi-Wan had evidently left in, and waited. Qui-Gon exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding as the coordinates and path of the pod came into view. Obi-Wan would soon be landing. Qui-Gon gasped slightly as he checked the readouts to be sure they were accurate. /Why does he never read the material I give him before missions? I only hope I can reach him in time./ The planet Obi-Wan was headed for was a dangerous one, notorious for its hatred of humanoids and extreme dislike of intruders. If the government of the planet found him, Obi-Wan would almost certainly be killed. Shaking his head, Qui-Gon turned and headed for the cockpit, trying to reach Obi- Wan through their bond as he walked. Padawan? Obi, please answer me!Qui-Gon frowned at the strength of the shields he encountered. He had been afraid that the boy had severed their bond, but this total shielding wasn't much of an improvement over the alternative. Resolved that he had to reach his Padawan whatever the cost, Qui-Gon tried again. Little one, are you alright? It's Qui-Gon, and I know you're angry, but you're in danger. DO NOT LAND. Please Padawan, hear me. You've got to trust meKnowing he had done his best but without any idea if he had succeeded or not, Qui-Gon quickened his pace, determined to reach the cockpit as soon as possible.
Little one, are you alright? It's Qui-Gon, and I know you're angry, but you're in danger. DO NOT LAND. Please Padawan, hear me. You've got to trust meObi-Wan was shocked to feel the words through the bond he shared with his Master. The man didn't sound angry or upset, but even worse, sad and disappointed. Obi-Wan hadn't meant to disappoint his Master! He would have heeded the command, but unfortunately it had come as he touched the ship down on the planet's surface. He knew the ship didn't have the power to lift off again and clear the planet's gravitational pull, but he tried anyway. Much to Obi-Wan's surprise, the thrusters wouldn't even start. /I guess I'm stuck here until someone finds me then./ Obi-Wan thought, wondering why his Master hadn't wanted him to land. Whatever the reason, he knew that it must have been important, and began to plan out his next course of action. /If whatever my master warned me about saw me land, it might come after me, and if I'm still near the pod I'll be easy to track. On the other hand, if I'm going to leave I have to have some kind of trail Qui-Gon can follow to find me, or I could get lost forever.Obi-Wan snorted to himself. What am I thinking? There's no way Master will come after me, not after everything I've done. He probably warned me just to be courteous. This whole thing started because my health was being put after the mission. There's no way he'd risk it now just to save me.Obi-Wan frowned. He wanted to cry, but he knew he had more important things to do at the moment. Gathering up the survival equipment in the small pod, he headed for the shelter of the forest, then turned. /Figure out what your enemy expects, then do the opposite./ Qui-Gon's lesson came back to him. It had been two years before, and they had been talking about fighting, but Obi-Wan figured it was good advice for running as well. Heading instead towards what seemed to be some sort of wheat field, Obi-Wan focused on creating a force shield around himself. Qui-Gon had taught him force shields a year before after he had suffered a brutal attack traveling in a small colony that forbid the ownership of weapons. Those rules obviously hadn't applied to his attackers, and Obi-Wan had nearly been killed. Qui-Gon had then decided that it was time to teach Obi-Wan to use the force to protect himself. It had taken Obi-Wan months to learn the shields, and he wasn't sure that he could construct one in his current physical condition, but he knew he had to try. Having left his lightsaber on the ship, he was completely unarmed and would be a sitting duck should the beings Qui-Gon seemed to fear find him. Center, PadawanQui-Gon's voice in his head was strong and comforting, and Obi-Wan wondered if it had been only a memory or if his Master had really spoken. Checking his shields, Obi-Wan realized that he had unconsciously let some of the ones he had erected as he left down, and wondered if his Master had or would contact him again. The here and now Obi, the here and now. You can worry about your mental shields later. Right now lets focus on your physical onesObi-Wan gaped in wonder. It was his Master! Master?Obi-Wan's voice was hesitant, but his Master's reply was full of joy. Little one? Are you there? I didn't know if I was getting through to you or if you would answer even if I were. Obi-Wan, did you do your reading on the surrounding planets before we left port?His Master's voice was gentle, but Obi-Wan knew he would be displeased with his answer. Obi-Wan took a deep breath. Yes, well sort of. I read some of it.In truth, he had read about two pages, but he hoped his Master wouldn't ask. How much Padawan?Qui-Gon's voice held a hint of steel now; he had asked Ob-Wan before they departed if he'd finished the reading and the boy had assured him that it was complete. Umm...about the first two pages.Obi-Wan winced at the quickly censored anger and disappointments he felt through he bond. I'm sorry Master!He added quickly. I got distracted.Obi-Wan's mental voice was barely more than a whisper now, and he almost hoped Qui-Gon hadn't heard him. Distracted? By what, or should I say who?No such luck. Although Qui- Gon was shielding his apprentice from the bulk of his anger, traces of his annoyance slipped through, and Obi-Wan sighed. The stewardess has a son, as does the captain. We're all about the same age and we spent a lot of time just sort of hanging out.More than once they had done their hanging out in a bar, but Obi-Wan had no intention of telling his Master that. As it turned out, he didn't have to. I was well aware of where you were, Padawan. The whole time. You never had enough to actually get drunk, and since you had supposedly finished your reading and other exercises, I chose to overlook it. Evidently that was a mistake on my part.The rebuke in Qui-Gon's words and the disappointment in his voice cut Obi- Wan straight to the core. /How could I've been so stupid? I lied to my Master. I LIED TO MY MASTER!!!!!! What kind of an apprentice does that? It's against the code. If he was going to take me back before, he sure won't now./ Obi-Wan's musings were cut short by a sound behind him. A tractor! "Oh, Sith!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. Not knowing what else to do, he stood there, waiting to see where the vehicle was coming from. Before he knew it, the tractor was in sight, and the inhabitant calling out to him. "Hey! You boy! What do you think you're doing out here?" The man stopped the tractor and climbed down, taking a length of rope from the cab of the vehicle. When he reached Obi-Wan, he spoke curtly. "Turn around, hands behind your back, no funny stuff. Got it?" Obi-Wan nodded and turned, waiting patiently as the man bound his hands. He was then guided into the cab of the tractor, and they set out towards where Obi-Wan could only assume the man's home was. He thought about using the Force to unfasten the ropes binding his hands, but seeing no chance of escape even if he could use his hands, he decided to wait until absolutely necessary to reveal his abilities. Without his saber or his braid and dressed in civilian clothes, Obi-Wan knew the man wouldn't realize he was a Jedi, even if he knew what one was. /Thank the world for small miracles./ Obi-Wan thought with a sigh. He wondered where the man was taking him. He sensed a great deal of fear coming from his captor, but fear of him or of where they were going he wasn't entirely sure. The man seemed determined and resolute, but almost as if he were doing something he didn't want to.
Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan where are you? Answer me Padawan!Qui-Gon's voice became frantic. If Obi-Wan wasn't answering, that probably meant that he wasn't able to. Qui-Gon knew that the Force was very common amongst the species living on the planet, and he also knew that any measure taken to restrain Obi-Wan should he be caught would be Force resistant by default. The only explanation for the abrupt ending of their conversation was that someone had found Obi-Wan and captured him. The capturer had most likely used some form of restraints that cut off the victim's connection to the Force, not even realizing they were needed. Qui-Gon turned to the Captain. "My Padawan has been captured. Is there any way we can speed up?" They were already heading back towards Obi-Wan, a fact the Senator would be most displeased about should he find out. /How could this have happened? I was concerned about the mission, and I forgot to be concerned about my Padawan. I usually sit with him the entire time he's with the healers, but the Senator demanded I spend all of my time talking to him, so he didn't get bored! My Padawan's well being or my mission's amusement, and of course I choose the mission's amusement. How could I forget, even for a moment, how important he is to me? Oh Obi-Wan, I promise I'll make this up to you./
"She's an old ship, but I think for this I can coax a little more out of her. Your apprentice is a terrific young man. I really hope he's all right. He's been coming in here sometimes, keeping me company and such, since the attack. Fine young fellow." Qui-Gon smiled, in spite of everything. Obi-Wan had a way of touching people, even people he'd only known a short time, and affecting their lives forever. /Hang on Padawan./ Qui-Gon thought. /I'm on my way./
Please review!! You get longer, better chapters if I have feedback, even if all you say is I like it or I want to know what comes next!
/Where am I?/ Obi-Wan looked around in confusion. He had dosed off in front of the control panel in the escape pod. Suddenly the events of the day before came rushing back to him. He leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the view screen and sighed. /I just want to go home./ He thought, wishing fervently that that were possible. He knew, however, that it was not to be. He had done things he knew his Master would never forgive him for. /Better to run now than to face the humiliation later./ Obi-Wan thought morosely. Over the past few weeks, tension had been building between Obi-Wan and his Master, and after the pirate attack and the events immediately following he had begun to seriously doubt his place at his master's side. It seemed that all they ever did anymore was fight, and Obi-Wan desperately wanted his Master back.
Normally, when something was upsetting him, he went straight to Qui- Gon. Without that lifeline to hang onto, Obi-Wan had felt cut adrift long before he even considered cutting off his braid. Looking down at the blinking light on the control panel, Obi-Wan realized it was time to exit hyperspace and pulled out, thoughts completely on the moment, at least for now.
Qui-Gon Jinn strode through the hallways purposefully. The crewmembers that saw him immediately retreated, unsure of what he was doing but knowing from the look on his face that it was important. When he reached the corridor where the escape pods were located, he walked up to the computer and entered the override code the captain had given to him. He then checked the escape pod registry, and was not surprised to find that one of the pods had departed just an hour before. /Oh Padawan, I'm so sorry. I promise I'll find you and make this up to you somehow./ Tapping a few more keys, he found what he was looking for. The pods had tracking devices that enabled the main ship to follow them no matter where they went. He keyed in the identification number for the pod Obi-Wan had evidently left in, and waited. Qui-Gon exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding as the coordinates and path of the pod came into view. Obi-Wan would soon be landing. Qui-Gon gasped slightly as he checked the readouts to be sure they were accurate. /Why does he never read the material I give him before missions? I only hope I can reach him in time./ The planet Obi-Wan was headed for was a dangerous one, notorious for its hatred of humanoids and extreme dislike of intruders. If the government of the planet found him, Obi-Wan would almost certainly be killed. Shaking his head, Qui-Gon turned and headed for the cockpit, trying to reach Obi- Wan through their bond as he walked. Padawan? Obi, please answer me!Qui-Gon frowned at the strength of the shields he encountered. He had been afraid that the boy had severed their bond, but this total shielding wasn't much of an improvement over the alternative. Resolved that he had to reach his Padawan whatever the cost, Qui-Gon tried again. Little one, are you alright? It's Qui-Gon, and I know you're angry, but you're in danger. DO NOT LAND. Please Padawan, hear me. You've got to trust meKnowing he had done his best but without any idea if he had succeeded or not, Qui-Gon quickened his pace, determined to reach the cockpit as soon as possible.
Little one, are you alright? It's Qui-Gon, and I know you're angry, but you're in danger. DO NOT LAND. Please Padawan, hear me. You've got to trust meObi-Wan was shocked to feel the words through the bond he shared with his Master. The man didn't sound angry or upset, but even worse, sad and disappointed. Obi-Wan hadn't meant to disappoint his Master! He would have heeded the command, but unfortunately it had come as he touched the ship down on the planet's surface. He knew the ship didn't have the power to lift off again and clear the planet's gravitational pull, but he tried anyway. Much to Obi-Wan's surprise, the thrusters wouldn't even start. /I guess I'm stuck here until someone finds me then./ Obi-Wan thought, wondering why his Master hadn't wanted him to land. Whatever the reason, he knew that it must have been important, and began to plan out his next course of action. /If whatever my master warned me about saw me land, it might come after me, and if I'm still near the pod I'll be easy to track. On the other hand, if I'm going to leave I have to have some kind of trail Qui-Gon can follow to find me, or I could get lost forever.Obi-Wan snorted to himself. What am I thinking? There's no way Master will come after me, not after everything I've done. He probably warned me just to be courteous. This whole thing started because my health was being put after the mission. There's no way he'd risk it now just to save me.Obi-Wan frowned. He wanted to cry, but he knew he had more important things to do at the moment. Gathering up the survival equipment in the small pod, he headed for the shelter of the forest, then turned. /Figure out what your enemy expects, then do the opposite./ Qui-Gon's lesson came back to him. It had been two years before, and they had been talking about fighting, but Obi-Wan figured it was good advice for running as well. Heading instead towards what seemed to be some sort of wheat field, Obi-Wan focused on creating a force shield around himself. Qui-Gon had taught him force shields a year before after he had suffered a brutal attack traveling in a small colony that forbid the ownership of weapons. Those rules obviously hadn't applied to his attackers, and Obi-Wan had nearly been killed. Qui-Gon had then decided that it was time to teach Obi-Wan to use the force to protect himself. It had taken Obi-Wan months to learn the shields, and he wasn't sure that he could construct one in his current physical condition, but he knew he had to try. Having left his lightsaber on the ship, he was completely unarmed and would be a sitting duck should the beings Qui-Gon seemed to fear find him. Center, PadawanQui-Gon's voice in his head was strong and comforting, and Obi-Wan wondered if it had been only a memory or if his Master had really spoken. Checking his shields, Obi-Wan realized that he had unconsciously let some of the ones he had erected as he left down, and wondered if his Master had or would contact him again. The here and now Obi, the here and now. You can worry about your mental shields later. Right now lets focus on your physical onesObi-Wan gaped in wonder. It was his Master! Master?Obi-Wan's voice was hesitant, but his Master's reply was full of joy. Little one? Are you there? I didn't know if I was getting through to you or if you would answer even if I were. Obi-Wan, did you do your reading on the surrounding planets before we left port?His Master's voice was gentle, but Obi-Wan knew he would be displeased with his answer. Obi-Wan took a deep breath. Yes, well sort of. I read some of it.In truth, he had read about two pages, but he hoped his Master wouldn't ask. How much Padawan?Qui-Gon's voice held a hint of steel now; he had asked Ob-Wan before they departed if he'd finished the reading and the boy had assured him that it was complete. Umm...about the first two pages.Obi-Wan winced at the quickly censored anger and disappointments he felt through he bond. I'm sorry Master!He added quickly. I got distracted.Obi-Wan's mental voice was barely more than a whisper now, and he almost hoped Qui-Gon hadn't heard him. Distracted? By what, or should I say who?No such luck. Although Qui- Gon was shielding his apprentice from the bulk of his anger, traces of his annoyance slipped through, and Obi-Wan sighed. The stewardess has a son, as does the captain. We're all about the same age and we spent a lot of time just sort of hanging out.More than once they had done their hanging out in a bar, but Obi-Wan had no intention of telling his Master that. As it turned out, he didn't have to. I was well aware of where you were, Padawan. The whole time. You never had enough to actually get drunk, and since you had supposedly finished your reading and other exercises, I chose to overlook it. Evidently that was a mistake on my part.The rebuke in Qui-Gon's words and the disappointment in his voice cut Obi- Wan straight to the core. /How could I've been so stupid? I lied to my Master. I LIED TO MY MASTER!!!!!! What kind of an apprentice does that? It's against the code. If he was going to take me back before, he sure won't now./ Obi-Wan's musings were cut short by a sound behind him. A tractor! "Oh, Sith!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. Not knowing what else to do, he stood there, waiting to see where the vehicle was coming from. Before he knew it, the tractor was in sight, and the inhabitant calling out to him. "Hey! You boy! What do you think you're doing out here?" The man stopped the tractor and climbed down, taking a length of rope from the cab of the vehicle. When he reached Obi-Wan, he spoke curtly. "Turn around, hands behind your back, no funny stuff. Got it?" Obi-Wan nodded and turned, waiting patiently as the man bound his hands. He was then guided into the cab of the tractor, and they set out towards where Obi-Wan could only assume the man's home was. He thought about using the Force to unfasten the ropes binding his hands, but seeing no chance of escape even if he could use his hands, he decided to wait until absolutely necessary to reveal his abilities. Without his saber or his braid and dressed in civilian clothes, Obi-Wan knew the man wouldn't realize he was a Jedi, even if he knew what one was. /Thank the world for small miracles./ Obi-Wan thought with a sigh. He wondered where the man was taking him. He sensed a great deal of fear coming from his captor, but fear of him or of where they were going he wasn't entirely sure. The man seemed determined and resolute, but almost as if he were doing something he didn't want to.
Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan where are you? Answer me Padawan!Qui-Gon's voice became frantic. If Obi-Wan wasn't answering, that probably meant that he wasn't able to. Qui-Gon knew that the Force was very common amongst the species living on the planet, and he also knew that any measure taken to restrain Obi-Wan should he be caught would be Force resistant by default. The only explanation for the abrupt ending of their conversation was that someone had found Obi-Wan and captured him. The capturer had most likely used some form of restraints that cut off the victim's connection to the Force, not even realizing they were needed. Qui-Gon turned to the Captain. "My Padawan has been captured. Is there any way we can speed up?" They were already heading back towards Obi-Wan, a fact the Senator would be most displeased about should he find out. /How could this have happened? I was concerned about the mission, and I forgot to be concerned about my Padawan. I usually sit with him the entire time he's with the healers, but the Senator demanded I spend all of my time talking to him, so he didn't get bored! My Padawan's well being or my mission's amusement, and of course I choose the mission's amusement. How could I forget, even for a moment, how important he is to me? Oh Obi-Wan, I promise I'll make this up to you./
"She's an old ship, but I think for this I can coax a little more out of her. Your apprentice is a terrific young man. I really hope he's all right. He's been coming in here sometimes, keeping me company and such, since the attack. Fine young fellow." Qui-Gon smiled, in spite of everything. Obi-Wan had a way of touching people, even people he'd only known a short time, and affecting their lives forever. /Hang on Padawan./ Qui-Gon thought. /I'm on my way./
Please review!! You get longer, better chapters if I have feedback, even if all you say is I like it or I want to know what comes next!