Chapter Eight
Qui-Gon brought his ship out of hyperspace close to the planet. C'lasi loomed in the viewport . He'd spent the trip mostly in meditation and doing basic kata's knowing he would need to be at his best for the coming confrontation with Gaikusan. He wondered if Gaikusan had truly turned and why he'd left the Order in the first place. Had he left, thinking he would go before he was expelled officially? Or had he decided that when forced to choose between his own methods and what the Council wanted, he preferred his own ways? Would that make him better or worse that Qui-Gon had chosen differently? He knew his questions would soon be answered.
He was given clearance to land at a local spaceport in the capital city and had been instructed to wait for escort. Deputy Minister Gaikusan would be arriving to speak to him. Expertly Qui-Gon set the ship down in the hangar and headed down the ramp, making sure his lightsaber was attached to his belt.
Qui-Gon was met at the ramp of his ship by seven C'lasi in the uniform of the planetary Guard. Each of them towered over Qui-Gon, their thick fur in various shades of deep red, fluorescent orange, and bright yellow. Clawed hands flexed on weapons. The mission briefings had said that C'lasi tend to be a bit dismissive of smaller races, considering the lesser physical ability to be a reflection on their lesser worth.
"I have been instructed to escort you. Come with me," the squad leader, his uniform distinctive from the rest by the thick gray piping that stripped the otherwise plain dark blue. The rest of the C'lasi quickly arranged themselves so Qui-Gon was in the middle of the group as they headed towards the nearby building. Three, including the squad leader in front, the other four, weapons still at the ready, following behind him.
Qui-Gon's senses were on full alert as the C'lasi flanked him on both sides and behind blocking retreat. He wondered why Gaikusan had sent such a large, heavily armed escort to receive him. Yet another question to add to the ever-growing number on the list. The C'lasi people towered over him, that would be a distinct disadvantage if it came down to a fight and he had no backup. Qui-Gon felt a bad feeling forming in the center of his gut as they entered a lavish, ornately decorated building not far from the spaceport.
Qui-Gon examined his surroundings as he took a seat in one of the plush chairs in the small conference room. He noted that there was only one door and no windows. [I]Not the best place for a fight, if it comes down to that,[i/] he thought grimacing slightly. The room didn't afford him much space to work with, as well as seven of armed guards, all larger than he was. Their claws and weapons would be a distinct advantage. He wondered if the room was also soundproof. Sometimes such rich beings preferred soundproofing to prevent anyone from listening in. He looked up as the door swished open and a very tall, imposing figure headed into the room.
The Trandoshan was dressed in dark blue robes. Although of a simple cut, they were made from the finest quality shimmersilk and edged in gold embroidery. He strode towards Qui-Gon, hand outreached, hissing in his species version of a friendly laugh. "Qui-Gon, my old friend, how glad I am to see you again."
Qui-Gon arched a brow at his friend and looked him over. "It is good to see you as well. You appear to be doing well." He nodded to the fine clothes and furnishings in the room.
"Things are going very well, I have been most fortunate these past few years. Would you care for some refreshment?" Gaikusan sat opposite of Qui-Gon at the table.
Qui-Gon nodded in agreement. "If it's not too much trouble."
"Commander, make it so." Gaikusan ordered without his eyes ever leaving Qui-Gon. "So, how have you been these past years? It was too bad we let our friendship lapse over the years."
"Indeed it is. Thank you." he nodded to the guard that he brought him a fresh mug of hot tea and a small plate of sliced vegetables. Was that meant as an insult, since the C'lasi were primarily carnivores and held that only prey dined on raw vegetables or was it a polite acknowledgement of the fact many Jedi were vegetarians? Only time would reveal that. Qui-Gon sipped at the tea for a few minutes before carefully putting it down on the table. "I actually was hoping that you come back with me. The Council has several questions they want answered.'
Gaikusan hiss laughed again. "I stopped doing what the Council wanted long ago and am a much happier person for it. You have made a long trip for nothing, my friend."
"Not entirely for nothing. I got a hot mug of tea." He smirked, knowing his old friend would appreciate his sarcasm.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. However, I have many things to attend to. It was pleasant seeing an old friend again. Have a good journey home." Gaikusan rose from his chair.
Qui-Gon stood as well. "I'm afraid you don't understand. I have the authority of the Jedi Council behind me to bring you to Coruscant."
"The Jedi Council has no authority here. I wonder, my friend, if you have ever considered that their authority is based only in the willingness of the Jedi to make themselves unquestioning drones to them. I remember how you questioned our teachers, how you refused to accept blindly the dogma they taught. Have you changed so much over the years?"
" I do my duty just as I always have done. " Qui-Gon responded in a flat voice.
"Why? What does it benefit you to be the Council's errand boy?"
"The Jedi serve the Republic for it's greater good. You know this Gaikusan. You were once one of us." Qui-Gon stated.
"Did you ever wonder why I left?"
"That was between you and the Council. My concern now is returning you to Coruscant. The Council has given me the authority to bring you back under arrest if I must."
"It is your concern, for one day you will face the same situation, if you haven't already. The Council will question any action that takes you beyond the narrow path they want you to follow. They can see nothing beyond their own hidebound rules, disregarding anything that they themselves did not order. I could no longer live that way, punished for doing what I must to complete their missions."
Qui-Gon frowned at that. Gaikusan's arguements sounded oddly familiar to his line of thinking. He shook himself. Gaikusan had been accused of taking over control of a government most likely using his Force-abilities to do so, actions that were clearly not of the Light. He was bound to comply with the conditions of his probation for the next year. That was what he had to keep in mind "You will come with me and answer to them for your actions, Gaikusan. You are under arrest."
"I can sense that you have experienced just that, although not quite so say so. Stay with me for a few day, see what is possible when one follows one's own will and not that of the Council. Then, we can discuss your errand."
"I'm afraid I must insist we leave now."
"If you are sure you won't change your mind?"
"I am certain. Please surrender any weapons you have and come with me."
"What a coincidence, that was exactly what I was intending to say to you." Gaikusan stepped to the side of the room and signaled to the Guards. Seven blasters aimed at Qui-Gon.
Qui-gon tensed as seven blasters were now pointed in his direction. His mouth slightly dry, he frowned. "I'm afraid I can't do that."
"Very well. Take him, Commander." Blue rings of stun bolts fired out from the seven blasters.
Qui-Gon had his saber out and ignited in an instant at those words and deflected several, causing the light to bounce harmlessly away from him but the parts that he missed jolted through him. He felt himself fall to his knees but he tried in vain to get back up. His legs were effectively stunned. He took a breath knowing that they had him, still he refused to give up.
A second round of stunblasts filled the room and the Jedi Knight sprawled forward. His lightsaber rolled from him limp hand, deactivating as soon as it left his grip. Gaikusan reached down, picking it up. "Inform the Prime Minister that the assassin disguised as the Jedi Knight Jinn has been captured. Send regrets that Knight Jinn was discovered bound and severely injured on the assassin's ship, but despite our best efforts he could not be revived. Take the assassin to Tuvlat and await further instructions."