Chapter 15
Mace Windu and Yoda stood outside the room where Obi-wan Kenobi lay. The child was so still he scarcely drew breath. The head healer looked over his vitals one last time before joining the masters out in the hallway.
"Well," she sighed, "he's stable. He isn't in a coma and from what I can tell so far, no permanent damage has been done." Mace and Yoda looked relieved; the healer continued.
"But, if this were to keep happening... He's very young and these past days have been so difficult for him, and for his body. I think we need to seriously consider severing the bond."
Yoda shook his wise head vigorously. "Do that we must not," he grunted. " Cause more pain that would, to both of them. Young the bond is, yet attached deeply Obi-wan is."
"Master Yoda, Obi-wan is our mirror for what Qui-gon is experiencing, but you know it is merely a shadow of what Qui-gon is actually going through. In my medical opinion, Qui-gon does not have long to live if he is not receiving treatment, and we cannot allow a 5 year-old to be our medium for death."
"If Qui-gon died, Obi-wan would not die too. Bonds are rarely that strong," Mace explained. "Yet, we know Qui-gon does not have control over the bond right now and it would be devastating if Obi-wan had the blunt impact of Qui-gon's passing. Master Yoda and I have interfered with the bond and we control what passes through it. Obi-wan shouldn't suffer anymore."
The healer nodded, turning to look at the child. "As you see fit," she called softly and returned to her ward.
"Discuss with the council we must what to do next. Not sure am I what actions to take." Yoda sighed tiredly. Mace bowed with respect, and left to assemble the council.
Tyndale stood watch behind the curtains, making sure Perany's visitor hadn't been followed. The elder senator had managed to contact his physician and smuggled him over to look at the Jedi. They had waited until after dark, but it wasn't impossible for them to be caught, even if the Prince had ordered the end of residential searches.
In the lower level of the house, Dr. Anders examined the damaged body before him. Through his seventy years of life, he had practiced medicine in the harshest of war zones, and from that experience Anders was shocked the Jedi continued to live.
"Well, he's not internally bleeding at least. He'd be dead by now. As for his other injuries, all we can do is keep changing the bandages."
"What about the seizer?" Perany asked.
"From what you described, it was caused by head injuries that are obviously not severe enough to kill him. But they must be treated. I have nothing I can give him for that; we'll just have to wait and pray. I'll bring you all the bandages I can, and some splints for his legs. I'll figure out a way to get some fluids in him."
"There's nothing else we can do?" The doctor shook his head.
"It's amazing he's made it this far. My supplies are severely limited, but I'll bring everything I can tonight. It would be better if we didn't have to worry about being discovered 'cause I could monitor him more closely, but...well, you know."
"He's our last change, Anders." Perany pled. Dr. Anders sighed.
"Don't get your hopes up," was all he could say.
With the council assembled, Mace stood before them presenting their options: Invade the planet where they aren't welcome and attack an army that they couldn't fight and save Qui-gon, or give him up for dead. Despite the numerous downsides to the former, Mace obviously voted for it. Master Da'li wasted no time to disagree. This elder member of the council stood to address them.
"Qui-gon was a friend to us all, even in the past year as we watched him push towards self-destruction. But we must accept the fact that Qui-gon is dead. In the days since the attack, we have witnessed through young Obi-wan the degenerating condition of his life. As our intelligence has found, some form of coup may have occurred on this planet. If so, Qui-gon would be killed off along with the other remnants of the past government. If Qui-gon remained undiscovered, it is unlikely he was able to receive proper care, or that he was ever found at all beneath tons and tons of concrete rubble."
Other members expressed their accord with Master Da'li. While Yoda remained undecided, Mace, fuming, regrouped and prepared to fight back.
"Master Da'li, you may continue to name it a fact that Qui-gon Jinn is dead; you many continue to assume that a new government would kill him, and you may certainly go on believing that Obi-wan is receiving pain through a bond with a DEAD BODY beneath the rubble. But Master Da'li, will you stand before this council and tell me if it were you on that planet you would not expect your fellow Jedi to come for your body?"
At this the council was silent. Some looked away as Mace glared at each of them. Master Da'li, sat down, quietly stunned. Yoda had made up his mind.
"My padwan he was," he hoarsely began, breaking the silence. "Owe it to him we do, and to the child, to risk conflict. Dead or alive, at home I want him." Yoda, whose gray eyes looked damp, excused himself from the chamber. Another long silence ensued as Mace waited for other objections. Someone finally asked, "How are we going to get in?"
"Believe it or not, "grinned Mace, "we've found a back door."