Disclaimer: We don't own Star Wars.
Full summary: Sequel to Sooner or Later. At last Anakin has a proper Master one he loves and trusts, QuiGon Jinn. In the midst of their complicated romance, they're put to their first test as a team when there's a sudden slew of attacks on the Temple. QuiAni
Warnings: Slash, future shota, JA reference.
Pairing(s): Eventual Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)
Fic type: AU, romance
Bizarre speaks: Yeah...almost forgot to update again. Still no reviews? Lazy, lazy, lazy. Anyway, Aubrey has disappeared...again. I don't know where she went this time. I can handle the updating though...really. Next one will probably be on Wednesday.
Chosen
Volume Two
The Heir
Chapter IV: Investigating
Personal journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi-Knight of the Jedi Order:
03/06/09-25 BBY-17:00
Transport ship MINUTE
It was a casual offer. I could have declined.
Want to shoot up with us, Sorn asked me. We were huddled in a warehouse, tremendous explosions and sounds of fierce fighting raged outside. I must have looked stupid staring at the syringe he held out. Purple Stim was the answer to my question of what is it. As for what it does, what a rush!
We all faced death that day. That's why I accepted the needle. I feel the cravings now. I know I am an addict.
Qui-Gon sorted through the best places evidence might be left behind. He would need the assistance of Jedi Knight Bant Erin and Miro, resident engineer and Temple handyman.
The Mon Calamari Bant could easily swim through the water works. Qui-Gon remembered well how his former apprentice, Xanatos, had attempted to destroy the Temple. There were many hidden passages down in the water tunnels. They ran throughout the Temple.
Miro he would ask to run a check of the ventilation systems in search of any foreign objects or malfunction.
Master Qui-Gon took Anakin to check the kitchens while waiting for results. The kitchens and water supply were equally fruitless. All were getting frustrated by the time Miro called them with news. Airflow was disrupted in a main distributor.
Anakin and Qui-Gon studied the Temple schematic. If there was something in that duct…Master Mundi had pointed to respiratory distress.
"How are we going to get it?" Ani wondered. If it was a biotoxin, going in after it seemed unwise.
"We will acquire air masks and crawl in, my young Padawan," the Master informed him.
"And if it is a contact substance?"
"Let's hope not," Qui-Gon suggested. He didn't think it was, if it were, less Jedi would be ill.
"Sounds like a plan." Anakin went over the diagrams one more time then turned to his Master. "Shall we then?"
Qui-Gon nodded and they strapped on oxygen breathers to clamber up into the vents. Miro had given them good directions so finding the mysterious object wasn't too hard.
"Is that it?" Anakin pointed to a control bank. A spliced in panel box was attached to the duct, near the main vents.
"Careful," Qui-Gon replied as they advanced to investigate further.
"I am being careful," Anakin assured him. Just in case, he pulled his sleeves over his hands before examining the device. The mechanism was set to distribute a fine powdered substance every time the main fans spun up. "I can deactivate this, Master," Anakin reported. "But how do we remove the toxin without spilling any?"
"When you are ready," Qui-Gon said with a nod back down the airshaft, "I will keep the box sealed tight with the Force."
Anakin nodded in understanding and set about dismantling the insidious device someone had planted to spread death among the Jedi.
Once back down on the ground they eyed the device critically. Now what? Couldn't risk releasing any into the air. It needed to be contained during the investigation. Once again Miro was called on to assist the Jedi. The engineer sealed off a laboratory center and analysis droids were sent for to study the toxin.
Master Qui-Gon and his Padawan had to wonder if they would be put under stricter quarantine, now that they'd come in direct contact with the dangerous stuff.
Initial results confirmed what Qui-Gon had surmised, however. The biotoxin was not activated through mere contact, Master Jinn and his apprentice could go. Both were very relieved. They could not have been of any help to the investigation confined to the lab.
Qui-Gon was relieved that they had found something, but not entirely satisfied. Now that they had the substance an antidote could be synthesized, true. But, someone had introduced the toxin into the Temple. Who would do such a thing? That is what bothered Master Qui-Gon.
Sadly, the life threatening illness did not stop spreading. Obviously, they'd not found all sources of distribution the culprit had set up. And despite having samples to work with, they still had not found an antidote. Younglings were perishing.
Anakin felt more fearful than ever. Since this attack had started Ani wondered if there was someway he could help the Healers. But, neither he nor his Master were more than mediocre at the Healing arts. They wouldn't be of much use to the medics. Perhaps their time would be better spent trying to find whoever had done this.
That presented two major issues. Someone was out to harm Jedi and there was a breech in Temple security. Somehow the villain had gotten in. Had someone assisted from within?
Qui-Gon sighed heavily. It was Xanatos all over again.
To Be Continued...