Ewan's girl I know, Obi-Wan's been through a lot in this, but who knows? There might be some good luck for him in here somewhere...maybe.
Sith Lord Darth Revan His friends will be along, once the story moves into a new setting.
Athena I don't know what to say, really. You're so sweet and I hope I keep your interest throughout the rest of the fic. Thank you.
O
Sidious watched the approach of Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda, eyes never straying from the mismatched pair. But he didn't need to shift his sight in order to determine the cause of the dread heavy on their features. The collar hovered over the awareness of all three, a weapon of monumental ability. The Force trembled, very slightly, in the atmosphere.
This would not bode well with his student. But the young man needed to expand his perspective. It was one of the few flaws still standing in his character, surviving the hours of fevered training and punishment. He couldn't grasp completely that every burst of pain was a chance to learn.
Yet, he was a worthy pupil. And ultimately, appreciated the hard-taught lessons. There had been so many.
But functioning while bereft of the Force, surrounded by those he was sworn to hate--destroy? It would be the most effective lesson of all. He smiled wryly to himself, amused by the irony. In seeking retribution from his former apprentice, Qui-Gon Jinn was providing him with the experience that would solidify his power to a magnitude beyond imagining.
But his glee was smoothed behind the mask of Palpatine, and he greeted the leader of the Jedi with a respectful bow. "As always, it is an honor, Master Yoda."
The small creature blinked up at him. "Prefer our meeting under different circumstances, I would."
He designed and displayed a solemn expression. "Yes, of course. The Naboo government and I, personally," He rested a hand over his heart, "Are dismayed by what has occurred. We have worked stridently to keep this event from spreading to the population. It would be damaging to the ancient reputation of the Jedi, and I won't have it."
Padme nodded in agreement. "The Jedi have been invaluable to our cause. There," She paused to compose, "There aren't words that could ever serve to describe my gratitude."
Qui-Gon briefly touched her elbow. "Thank you, your Highness."
Anakin was studying Yoda with open curiosity. He was an odd species, but by far not the strangest the boy had come across while on Tatooine. He was small, smaller than Anakin himself, and spoke in very peculiar style. And Master Qui-Gon had told him, quite confidently, that this was the greatest Jedi living.
The greatest of them all, and he had been against Anakin's training.
The very best-but Anakin was supposed to be the Chosen One, wasn't he? And wouldn't that mean—
A hand rested on his shoulder and the child was jolted from his wanderings. He craned his neck to look at Qui-Gon.
"Ani, you'll need to stay here again while we continue with this."
A pout threatened Anakin's lip. "For how long?"
Qui-Gon smiled kindly. "Not long. I promise."
The boy ground his feet in the floor. "When are we going to the Temple again? To be Jedi?"
The man bent beside him. "What was it that I told you about the future?"
"To live in the moment."
"That's right." Qui-Gon clapped his back, but the boy could tell there was very little real spirit in the action, "And in the moment, you need to stay here."
Anakin sighed. "Okay."
Though he was much older and far more educated in such things, Bruck was showing the flush of impatience as his Master devoted more time to the desert refugee. "Master, we should get going."
A gray mist traveled over Qui-Gon's eyes, and he squeezed Anakin's shoulders once before standing, and turning to address Padme. "Your Highness, it would be wise for you to remain with Anakin."
But there was a fierce welling of determination in the porcelain face. "I need to see him, Master Jinn. I need to see the man who tried to kill me."
Qui-Gon swallowed and shook his head. "Very well. But you must allow me to accompany you. I don't trust him, even under restraint."
The comment stirred something in Yoda's clouded green gaze, and his fingers tightened around the cane. "Go then, we shall."
O
He sat and watched shadow move across the wall, a darkness cast by the figure of Velis Marlwen, who stood, perusing a datapad, one finger poised on the slender rim of his spectacles.
When the man stepped outside the door, the swarm of black remained a stain on the surface. But he knew well, some shadows never retreated, not even when years came to separate them from the present. Shadows could seep into your eyes.
The physician returned, smiling grimly. "Deep in thought?
The other man seemed to still to breathlessness before answering. "Reminiscing." Each syllable curved in the cold, cultured inflection.
"About what, I wonder?"
"The last time I killed a doctor."
Marlwen stopped. He didn't catch a line of humor in that face. In fact, there was a complete absence of emotion. And he had the sudden, terrified thought that Kenobi could truly be that detached, to kill without conscience.
But then Kenobi smirked, a jagged amusement lighting in his eyes. "Don't worry. Although it's good form to warn before an attack, I prefer more...suitable competition."
Marlwen snorted. "In your condition, bets would probably side with me."
A crisp peal of laughter. "And the credits would end in my hands."
"Believe what you will." Marlwen murmured, scanning the datapad once more. "But I admit, you do seem to be recovering quickly."
"The mind can fuel restoration better than any medicine devised. I thought, perhaps, you would know that, Doctor."
Marlwen's lips twisted in a sour smile. "That's your secret, eh? Brainpower?" He looked at the pale face and felt a sharp reminder slice through, that this man had attempted to murder the young sovereign of his planet. With renewed enmity, "Anxious to be transferred from a hospital room to a prison cell? I'd be offended if I wasn't just as elated to be rid of you."
His opponent in the little joust merely laughed. "You'll hear of a heat wave on Hoth before I'm imprisoned."
"An escape artist, are you?" Marlwen crooked a brow.
"You forget. It isn't what you know, good doctor. It's who."
"And who exactly do y-"But then Marlwen paused, frowning at the monitors. A soft beep had sounded in the background, alerting him of changes in Kenobi's vital statistics. He studied the screens, then turned a quizzical eye to his patient. "Fired up by our dialogue?"
"Not particularly."
"Hm." Marlwen shook his head, "Well, your heart would argue otherwise. It's beating about a million light years a minute."
And the man that had been Obi-Wan Kenobi, in a long-faded reality, went a bit cold.
He could sense his mentor, but would not be so bold as to send a message. No, he wasn't naïve. He knew the Jedi Masters wielded an incredible power. The Dark was a beautiful shroud exceedingly difficult to penetrate, but it wasn't impossible for exchanges within its warm caverns to be intercepted. Intrusion was a specialty of the Order, after all.
There was a blunt clatter of footsteps near, and he took a breath, to rid himself of his body's unwanted reactions.
He would do as his teacher would wish.
He would guard his Master's plans until the last crimson drop of his blood was purged.
O
Qui-Gon looked down at his hands; refused to acknowledge the slight quivering. He wondered if it would ever become easier. If the blade would slip free of his flesh.
Yoda stood at the door to the infamous room, and the younger Master had the illogical urge to move beside him, to protect him from the monster waiting on the other side. "I should go with you, Master."
He noted with a hot inner flush that, if he were to adjust the tone of his voice, it would have sounded remarkably similar to his own apprentice's worried suggestion.
"The other side, I do not fear." Yoda croaked quietly, on the weak fringes of a whisper. "Bring its own kind of shadow, every light does. That is why balance, we all must have. So that the shadow does not flood the light."
Qui-Gon lowered beside the ancient one and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Master, there is no light left in him."
"Determine that, I must, for myself."
He disappeared through the uniformed gate of security officials.
Qui-Gon remained close to the ground, head bowed.
O