Chapter 3 No Tears Left To Cry

The next few day passed in a blur to Obi-Wan. He sat in his room one late afternoon right before sunset. It a little while he would attend another funeral of a friend. Less then six weeks ago was Klea's funeral. Cerasi didn't even have a funeral.

Qui-Gon stood unseen at the doorway of Obi-Wan's room. The Master's heart wanted to break. It seemed that his padawan lost everyone and everything he loved. "Padawan, its time to go."

With a heavy sigh, Obi-Wan stood up from the chair he was in. He looked so much older then his sixteen years. A realization suddenly came to Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan would soon be seventeen. Placing his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders, Qui-Gon led Obi-Wan out of the apartment.

Qui-Gon had been to many funerals in his time. As a padawan, as a knight, and as a master. But nothing ever made it easier. It such a short time Obi-Wan had lost two close friends. The order lost two promising students. Two Masters had lost their padawans.
Qui-Gon almost felt guilty that he still had Obi-Wan, when two close friends did not have their own padawans. Qui-Gon was also worried about Obi-Wan who stood stiffly next to him. Obi-Wan was stoic, as though he had no tears left to cry.

After the funeral, Obi-Wan made a hasty exit. He could not stand to see the looks of pity he was getting. It seemed like everyone was waiting for Obi-Wan to crack. To finally lose it all. Qui-Gon watched his padawan leave. He wanted no more then to follow him and offer comfort, but he respected Obi-Wan's need to be alone. Qui-Gon walked over to Darick. "I'm sorry, Darick."

The other master looked at his friend. "Thank you, Qui-Gon. I miss him. He was the joy of my life. I just hope he knew that."

Wanting to offer his friend comfort. "He knew, Darick. He knew."

"I have to go to the council now. They need my report." Darick sighed, "I really don't want to go."

Qui-Gon lightly touched his friend's shoulder. "I could go with you, Dar."

Darick nodded and the two went to the council hall.

Elsewhere in the temple, Obi-Wan's walk found him at the archives. He went in and sat at a computer terminal. Then without even thinking, he turned the computer on and starting to pull up every file he could find on Thanills. If he was to bring them down, he would need to know everything he could about them.

Jocasta Nu noticed the young man. She also read on his face absolute concentration and dedication. He looked like he carried the weight of many worlds on his shoulders and was determined to do something about it. The archivist silently went about her duties. She would be there if the padawan needed her assistance, but she would not disturb him.

It was several hours later when Obi-Wan finally came home. His data pad was full of information on the Thanillians. Qui-Gon was seated on the couch. "Obi-Wan, where have you been?"

Obi-Wan dropped down on a chair and pulled out his data pad. "At the archives. Did you know that the Thanillians have been developing this chemical weapon for over ten years? Why is it that we have just started to investigate it."

Qui-Gon rubbed his beard. "Well, Thanills has been a very private world. They never liked outsiders."

With a scornful tone, Obi-Wan stated. "That much is obvious. So what do we do now?"

This confused Qui-Gon. "What do you mean, what do we do now?"

Obi-Wan replied. "Well, we have to go after them. We need to make them pay for what they did to Bruck."

Qui-Gon did not like the direction this was going. "Obi-Wan, we are Jedi. We are not vengeful."

"Maybe that's our problem."

This concerned Qui-Gon. "Obi-Wan, you have been through a lot these past few months. I think you should go get some rest."

The caring in his Master's voice almost made Obi-Wan concede. But he did not. "Master, I want to go to Thanills."

Qui-Gon did not know why he was surprised. Of course Obi-Wan would want to go. So as gently as he could, Qui-Gon told him. "We are not going to Thanills."

Looks of disbelief, pain, and anger crossed Obi-Wan's face. "Please, Master. Bruck would have wanted to do the same if it was me. I have to go. Something is drawing me there."

Wanting to avoid an argument, but knowing he could not, Qui-Gon told him. "The council has ordered that all Jedi stay out of Thanillian territory for the time."

Not being able to help himself, Obi-Wan all but shouted. "You picked a fine time to start listening to the council."

Qui-Gon then stood up. "You had better curb that tone, Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Obi-Wan heard the no nonsense tone in his master's words, but he was to worked up to stop. "Oh, yes. I forgot. It's your way or no way. Your house, your rules. I thought we were a team. How am I ever going to be a knight if you don't start trusting me? Don't start trusting my abilities?" Obi-Wan then went to his room and slammed the door shut.

From behind Qui-Gon a small voice said. "How indeed?"

Qui-Gon turned and saw Yoda, he then slumped back onto the sofa. He felt the starting of a massive headache coming on. "Is it really my way or no way?"

Yoda's ears perked. "Truth you want? Or lie to you I should?"

Rubbing his hand across his eyes, Qui-Gon said. "You are not helping me, Master."

Yoda stood before his former padawan. "Open your eyes you must, Padawan."

Yoda then turned and left the apartment. Leaving Qui-Gon to figure out another one of Yoda's riddles.