Qui-Gon surveyed the planet. He had chosen wisely. If Balog wanted a Jedi, he would get one. The Force had warned Qui-Gon of the dangers of New Apsolon. But he had still landed and been nearly impaled by a local.
After he had escaped that, three Workers had tried to shoot him down. A few moments later, he had been tackled by a group of young children. It hadn't taken Qui-Gon long to decide that it was not good for him to remain on New Apsolon.
But why? Balog wanted power. Alani was on his side. But Balog had turned against Alani...hadn't he? A wise man lays down a trap and backs it up with another. The pieces clicked in Qui-Gon's mind.
Balog was after power. The list was merely an obstacle, something that he had at first been after, but after he had killed Tahl, perhaps he had seen a larger goal. Something beyond ruling New Apsolon.
Qui-Gon had told Obi-Wan to let Balog go . . . Obi-Wan's lightsaber had shorted out and left his Padawan defenseless . . . Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had failed to save a village from an invasion . . . even with a probe droid, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had failed their mission . . . all those things must have said something to Balog. Something along the lines of how Jedi could be easily thwarted and defeated. Easily killed. Qui-Gon's blood boiled.
So if Balog wanted the galaxy, he would obviously take out the Jedi. The Jedi were the heart of the Republic. If the Jedi fell, so would faith in the Republic. Qui-Gon clenched his teeth angrily.
It was obvious to him now.
Balog had pretended to turn against Alani so that a Jedi would come and rescue her. Then Balog could capture that Jedi and hold him hostage against the whole Jedi Order. Balog was clever, Qui-Gon mused.
If Balog had held him hostage, Qui-Gon was sure that Obi-Wan would go after him. That was the boy's failing...too headstrong. Too like himself. Qui-Gon smiled slightly. Balog deeply underestimated the Jedi. That would be the reason for his death. And you will die. Even if it kills me to ensure that.
***
"Get some rest, Obi-Wan," Eritha pushed. "I can fly."
"What's to fly?" Obi-Wan yawned. "We're in hyperspace."
Eritha smiled. "Then we can both rest," she said. "You'll need your energy."
"I can stay awake," Obi-Wan said.
"Ah, Jedi," Eritha smiled. "So determined. Balog was wrong all along. I told him I was right. But he is wise, Obi-Wan. Wise and powerful."
Obi-Wan's eyes flew open. "Balog? He killed Tahl!"
"That's right," Eritha said, smirking. "And soon enough, he'll kill Qui-Gon too. And you, my dear Obi, will be the bait for him."
Obi-Wan sprang to his feet. A slap hit him hard across the face and he stumbled backwards. Eritha hit him again, this time with the handle of her blaster. Obi-Wan slumped down dazedly. "Don't put up a fight, Obi-Wan," she crooned. "It'll soon be over."
***
Pain shot through Qui-Gon's head, sending his thoughts scattering. Obi-Wan! he screamed mentally. Obi-Wan! Something had happened to his Padawan.
"Qui-Gon!" he heard Nield's young voice echo.
Qui-Gon sat back, rocking slightly. Obi-Wan! he cried out again. His padawan was fading slightly from the Force. Not dead. But unconscious. And – feeling betrayed. Qui-Gon furrowed his brow as he glanced distantly at Nield. He knew that his leaving Obi-Wan would hurt the boy, but not this much.
"Qui-Gon! Are you all right?"
With an effort, Qui-Gon dragged his mind back to where it belonged. "Yes?" he asked.
"Are you all right?" Nield leaned closer, a med pad in his hand. "What happened?"
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon murmured. "Something happened to Obi-Wan." If Balog hurt my apprentice, he will cry for death a thousand times before I'm done with him. "Nield, I must contact the Jedi Council."
Nield nodded anxiously. "What happened to Obi-Wan?"
Qui-Gon ignored him for the time being and punched the numbers on his comlink. He didn't want to betray his position to the Council, afraid that they would try to stop him, but this was getting serious. If Obi-Wan's life was at stake . . . well, Qui-Gon was willing to do anything to save him.
But will you avenge him if Balog has hurt him?
Qui-Gon let the question hang in the air. He was afraid to answer it.
***
"You surprise us by voluntarily coming before the Council," Plo Koon said dryly. "Master Qui-Gon Jinn. What do you seek?"
"Where is Obi-Wan?"
"He is with Eritha, heading towards Melida/Daan," Mace Windu said, his dark eyes settling into a foreboding expression. "Is he not with you?"
"If he was with me, would I be wasting time by asking you where he is?" Qui-Gon shot back. "Eritha – why is she with my padawan?"
"Don't you understand, Qui-Gon?" Adi Gallia asked. "He loves her."
Loves. Qui-Gon gripped his lightsaber hilt hard. "Obi-Wan would never jeopardize someone's safety by dragging them around when he is trying to locate me."
"Without his permission, Eritha came. Snuck onboard, she did." Yaddle said.
"But why?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Loves him, she does."
Qui-Gon felt a fresh wave of pain wash through him, but he tamped it down. Finding his padawan was crucial. "Do you know where he is at this moment?"
Mace Windu shot him a calculating look. "No, Qui-Gon, we do not."
"Where is he!" Qui-Gon all but shouted.
Just then, a Temple aide, a padawan of about fourteen entered and bowed. Her hair was brown and she bore an expression that Qui-Gon remembered although he had not seen her for two years. The girl went straight to Master Yoda, bowed, and handed him a transmission. Then, she backed up, turning to her rightful place next to Adi.
Yoda opened the transmission and turned several shades paler.
"Let me see!" Qui-Gon demanded as Yoda shot him a sad look.
An image of a badly bruised Obi-Wan appeared before them. Qui-Gon drew in a sharp breath. A moment later, Balog's voice flowed over them. "Are you surprised to see your boy looking like this, Qui-Gon? You weren't around to save him, just as you weren't around to save that dear friend of yours. Oh, what was her name again?" Balog's voice darkened considerably. "Oh that's right. Tahl. That weak, pitiful Jedi, blind and helpless - "
Qui-Gon threw himself angrily at the image of Balog's sneering face, passing through the hologram and landing hard on the floor. He whipped out his lightsaber, not quite knowing what he wanted to destroy, but just knowing he wanted to smash something.
With a snarl, Qui-Gon slashed with the sparkling green blade, cutting through the Council window. A moment later, a strong surge in the Force erupted and his lightsaber unceremoniously was jerked from his hand and into Yoda's.
Disarmed, Qui-Gon forced himself to listen. "But it doesn't matter anyway, my dear friend, Qui-Gon. She's already dead. Do you know the last thing she told me to tell you? She knew that I would kill her soon. She knew that you would never reach her in time. She begged with me to spare your life." Balog laughed mirthlessly. "She begged me – and that's when I gave her the first of three injections that would cause her death within ten hours. How was I supposed to know that you would fine me? But it was too late then. She is dead. And I killed her."
Qui-Gon was glaring through tears, his hands both clenched bitterly at his sides and hanging in defeat. He had failed. He had failed her.
"And you know what?" Balog's taunting voice continued on, threatening to burst Qui-Gon's illusion of control. "You failed again, Qui-Gon. Your apprentice is weak and far too trusting for his own good. That's one thing I admire about you, Qui-Gon. You don't trust anyone, do you? You should have taught that to your boy."
Balog whirled around, showing the disturbing picture of an unconscious Obi-Wan again. Balog pointed a blaster at Obi-Wan's head. "You failed him too," he said, and pulled the trigger.
The image went blank.