I know I said this would be out within a week, but the last week was so
busy for me, today is about the first day I was able to have some time to
myself that was more than 15 minutes. But I will have the next part as
soon as possible.
Chapter 15
The power on this level had been knocked out some time ago, forcing Qui-Gon to rely completely on the force to guide him through the darkness. Dawn was nearing, and Qui-Gon knew they had little time before the Temple was under attack, if all went accordingly to the plans. But he worried little on that matter, his main concern was on finding Obi-Wan.
Fear twisted in his heart for his young apprentice, if he had only listened all those years before, no of this would be happening. Obi-Wan had done nothing, the boy was just a pawn in Xanatos' cruel plot. But now he would end things, how he wasn't quite sure, but the suffering had to end.
A Jedi doesn't seek blood nor vengeance, but if he couldn't capture Xanatos, then. . .
Qui-Gon shook his head, hopefully it wouldn't come to that.
*~*~*~*
Obi-Wan ran his fingers along the wall, ignoring the pain from the burn in his hand. Behind him the water lapped at his ankles, rising at slow but steady pace. He had figured that he would be completely submerged within ten minutes. He needed more time. The room, if it filled completely, would be so within a half hour.
He desperately felt along the smooth surface for any breaks that he could use as foot and handholds, but he knew already that the room had none. But he refused to give up.
He gathered the force around him again, with difficulty, but got little more than a void. It seemed to him that he was the only living thing around for a while. Anger rose in him, and Obi-Wan pounded the wall with his fist, wincing as pain soared up his arm.
He banished his anger with a silent breath as he slowly sank into the rising waters. What could he do? One thing for certain, he wasn't going to sit here and die. Obi-Wan thought about his situation, he would have to swim for it, he finally decided.
*~*~*~*~*
The landing platform lay just ahead, and Qui-Gon slowed his pace. No need to alert Xanatos to his coming. But it was already to late for that. Xanatos stood on the platform, lightsaber drawn. A smile was on his face as he beckoned Qui-Gon nearer.
"So nice of you to join me Qui-Gon," he quirked. Xanatos stood near his ship, the door hung open in case of a needed quick escaped.
"It's over Xanatos, you have lost," Qui-Gon told him as he walked slowly near his old apprentice. Xanatos smile grew as he laughed softly.
"That is where you are mistaking my friend. I am far from losing."
The remark was odd, Xanatos had no true means of escape. If he could hold Xanatos at bay long enough for help to arrive, all would end well. Or so Qui-Gon hopped.
"Where is Obi-Wan?"
Xanatos' face became blank as he said the name softly. "Obi-Wan? Oh you mean the boy. Well let's not worry about him."
"Where is he?" Qui-Gon asked once more, edging closer toward his dark form.
"He's dead," Xanatos laughed at the sudden shock that passed over his former master's face.
Qui-Gon was speechless for a moment, but finally shook it off. "You lie."
His reaction only caused Xanatos to laugh harder as he began to circle Qui- Gon. Not willing to become trapped, Qui-Gon followed his movements.
"Perhaps I do, than again, perhaps I don't. After all, I'm not certain how long he is capable of holding his breath, but I doubt that it is as long as his little fishy friend."
Qui-Gon's heart skipped a beat. "What did you do to him?"
"He's down in the water passages. The system flushes out at dawn," Xanatos looked upward at the light slowly covering the darkened sky.
Qui-Gon had also followed his gaze. "But I have a more interesting proposition," Xanatos continued, pulling Qui-Gon's thoughts back.
He could see his former master's grip tighten on his weapon, and he smiled. Things were working well.
"Sadly it is too late to save one life, but perhaps you can save more lives, a lot more."
"What are you saying?" Qui-Gon asked, fear rising in his chest, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
"I suppose you know of the attack on the temple. I am not a fool, children will do nothing. The ship they are traveling in will explode, but maybe, just maybe we can arrange a different fate for them. . ."
*~*~*~*
Obi-Wan fought back the rising fear in his chest as the water settled in about his neck. He was trying to save his energy for when he was forced to swim. The water level was rising faster than he expected, and that thought worried him.
It would be a thin chance if he came out of this alive, but fighting to the end would be better than giving up. The current was light up here, but there was no telling how strong in was underneath. He had no idea where the tunnels lead out, or how far they went.
His thoughts were broken suddenly as the surface near him broke with ripples. He was startled that he had not felt anyone coming, but it was banished in a sigh of relief. Bant shook the wet strands of hair from her face as she drew Obi-Wan into a hug.
"I'm so glad I found you!" she said softly, her voice changing in the next instant. "We don't have much time, we have to get out before the current becomes to strong."
Obi-Wan nodded as she pressed an aqua breather into his hand, which he accepted gratefully. Fitting it into his mouth he nodded and dived under after Bant, who had already taken off. She slowed, looking back over her shoulder to make sure Obi-Wan was near.
TBC
Chapter 15
The power on this level had been knocked out some time ago, forcing Qui-Gon to rely completely on the force to guide him through the darkness. Dawn was nearing, and Qui-Gon knew they had little time before the Temple was under attack, if all went accordingly to the plans. But he worried little on that matter, his main concern was on finding Obi-Wan.
Fear twisted in his heart for his young apprentice, if he had only listened all those years before, no of this would be happening. Obi-Wan had done nothing, the boy was just a pawn in Xanatos' cruel plot. But now he would end things, how he wasn't quite sure, but the suffering had to end.
A Jedi doesn't seek blood nor vengeance, but if he couldn't capture Xanatos, then. . .
Qui-Gon shook his head, hopefully it wouldn't come to that.
*~*~*~*
Obi-Wan ran his fingers along the wall, ignoring the pain from the burn in his hand. Behind him the water lapped at his ankles, rising at slow but steady pace. He had figured that he would be completely submerged within ten minutes. He needed more time. The room, if it filled completely, would be so within a half hour.
He desperately felt along the smooth surface for any breaks that he could use as foot and handholds, but he knew already that the room had none. But he refused to give up.
He gathered the force around him again, with difficulty, but got little more than a void. It seemed to him that he was the only living thing around for a while. Anger rose in him, and Obi-Wan pounded the wall with his fist, wincing as pain soared up his arm.
He banished his anger with a silent breath as he slowly sank into the rising waters. What could he do? One thing for certain, he wasn't going to sit here and die. Obi-Wan thought about his situation, he would have to swim for it, he finally decided.
*~*~*~*~*
The landing platform lay just ahead, and Qui-Gon slowed his pace. No need to alert Xanatos to his coming. But it was already to late for that. Xanatos stood on the platform, lightsaber drawn. A smile was on his face as he beckoned Qui-Gon nearer.
"So nice of you to join me Qui-Gon," he quirked. Xanatos stood near his ship, the door hung open in case of a needed quick escaped.
"It's over Xanatos, you have lost," Qui-Gon told him as he walked slowly near his old apprentice. Xanatos smile grew as he laughed softly.
"That is where you are mistaking my friend. I am far from losing."
The remark was odd, Xanatos had no true means of escape. If he could hold Xanatos at bay long enough for help to arrive, all would end well. Or so Qui-Gon hopped.
"Where is Obi-Wan?"
Xanatos' face became blank as he said the name softly. "Obi-Wan? Oh you mean the boy. Well let's not worry about him."
"Where is he?" Qui-Gon asked once more, edging closer toward his dark form.
"He's dead," Xanatos laughed at the sudden shock that passed over his former master's face.
Qui-Gon was speechless for a moment, but finally shook it off. "You lie."
His reaction only caused Xanatos to laugh harder as he began to circle Qui- Gon. Not willing to become trapped, Qui-Gon followed his movements.
"Perhaps I do, than again, perhaps I don't. After all, I'm not certain how long he is capable of holding his breath, but I doubt that it is as long as his little fishy friend."
Qui-Gon's heart skipped a beat. "What did you do to him?"
"He's down in the water passages. The system flushes out at dawn," Xanatos looked upward at the light slowly covering the darkened sky.
Qui-Gon had also followed his gaze. "But I have a more interesting proposition," Xanatos continued, pulling Qui-Gon's thoughts back.
He could see his former master's grip tighten on his weapon, and he smiled. Things were working well.
"Sadly it is too late to save one life, but perhaps you can save more lives, a lot more."
"What are you saying?" Qui-Gon asked, fear rising in his chest, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
"I suppose you know of the attack on the temple. I am not a fool, children will do nothing. The ship they are traveling in will explode, but maybe, just maybe we can arrange a different fate for them. . ."
*~*~*~*
Obi-Wan fought back the rising fear in his chest as the water settled in about his neck. He was trying to save his energy for when he was forced to swim. The water level was rising faster than he expected, and that thought worried him.
It would be a thin chance if he came out of this alive, but fighting to the end would be better than giving up. The current was light up here, but there was no telling how strong in was underneath. He had no idea where the tunnels lead out, or how far they went.
His thoughts were broken suddenly as the surface near him broke with ripples. He was startled that he had not felt anyone coming, but it was banished in a sigh of relief. Bant shook the wet strands of hair from her face as she drew Obi-Wan into a hug.
"I'm so glad I found you!" she said softly, her voice changing in the next instant. "We don't have much time, we have to get out before the current becomes to strong."
Obi-Wan nodded as she pressed an aqua breather into his hand, which he accepted gratefully. Fitting it into his mouth he nodded and dived under after Bant, who had already taken off. She slowed, looking back over her shoulder to make sure Obi-Wan was near.
TBC