Obdurate Heart – VI

Sooo, things are starting to happen now, eh? Let me know if you think the progression is too slow. Thanks so much for the reviews, and reading, even if you aren't reviewing.

"Time will explain it all. He is a talker, and needs no questioning before he speaks."

-Euripides

"Sir!"

Obi Wan jolted as his door shot open, spilling in two young looking guards that seemed a tad out of breath. "What is it?" he asked, standing quickly to meet them. It felt odd to be addressed as 'sir', he wondered if he should ever get over that.

"We were sent to retrieve you straight away. The prisoner has awakened, and the others, they—said that you were the one in charge and—"

"Awakened?" Obi Wan put a hand to the side of his neck and blinked a couple of times. This was not a good thing. Surely Maul, in even his worst cunning, could outdo those guards in a matter of minutes judging by their behavior the previous night. "When?"

"Moments ago, Sir. He's demanding answers; we thought it best to have you explain this to him."

Or to put him in the line of fire, he supposed. Swallowing heavily, Obi Wan nodded and quickly followed after them.

As soon as Obi Wan came to the scene, he noted that it looked very much like the war he had faced just a day prior. Guards were scattered all around, armed with blaster guns and clearly ready to open fire should the slightest thing go awry. It was always a hostile situation with a Sith, he shouldn't have expected less.

"He's just in there." Informed a guard as he approached, and Obi Wan felt a pulse of frustration. Where else would he be?

As Obi Wan marched into the room, he eyed first the two guards that were posted on either side of him, weapons raised and pointed at Maul in the case that he decided to twitch. He turned towards the bed and stopped a good distance away from it, erasing any nervousness from his face into a stoic expression as he gazed at Maul. Their relative hostage was livid, raised up on one elbow with a hand weakly clutching his injury and his breathing labored. When he saw Obi Wan, it seemed as though something in him snapped. "You!" he snarled out, surprisingly strong for someone who didn't even have the energy to sit up properly.

"My name is Obi Wan Kenobi." Obi Wan stated primly.

"I don't care who you are…" Maul's eyes darted around the room quickly. "Where am I? What is this?"

"You're still on Naboo." He returned calmly.

"Why?" Maul hissed back.

"You are currently our prisoner, so I don't think that puts you in a place to ask questions. If you'd calm yourself for a moment, perhaps things would be explained to you." Obi Wan said. Classically a Sith trait. Unable to control their ridiculous anger, spurred into tantrums the very instant things did not go their way. The predictability somehow tamed his nerves.

Maul growled loudly and bore his teeth, the sound broken a little by occasional panting. "Then speak, Jedi."

"I'm sure you can guess the reason as to why you're here. We've accommodated you quite well thus far. In addition to that which you've already been granted, we are also willing to offer you a comparatively lenient sentence, in exchange for information." Obi Wan relayed, knowing that this was sure to go over poorly.

"…So you want something from me…" Maul paused, the anger leaking out of him a bit and a disgusted sort of sneer tugging at the corner of a lip for just a second.

"That's right, Lord Maul." Obi Wan confirmed placidly with a nod. "We want something from you. But don't mistake that want for need. We are ready and willing to send you to the most rancid holding facility this side of the galaxy without your cooperation."

Maul stretched his neck to the side a little and glared into Obi Wan cruelly. "How very generous of you. And what is it I'm promised provided that cooperation? The most rancid of facilities on the nicer side of the galaxy?"

Obi Wan only paused, taking in that statement resentfully. He certainly did not appreciate that wicked sort of humor, for it suggested nonchalance. This would be a most disappointing task if Maul was truly unwilling to divulge a single truth, whatever the benefit to his own plight it may earn.

"Use your head." Maul continued in a rough bark. "Look at what I am. I'd sooner throw myself into a sarlaac pit than aid the Jedi."

Perhaps something of that nature could be arranged. Obi Wan thought sarcastically. He had to admit, it would be somewhat satisfying a thing to watch. He quickly reprimanded himself for being so morbid, however. "We're not asking for help, Lord Maul. We're offering it. If you don't want to take it, that's your prerogative."

"We. You continue to use the word 'we'. I see only one." He growled back, attempting to shift into a more comfortable position, but unable to move much.

"I speak on behalf of the Jedi council." Well, that was a bit of a bluff. He spoke on behalf of an authority Qui Gon had granted him, but why be meticulous about it?

"You?" Maul scowled. "Precious. You represent an order that allows its vital affairs to be charged by children."

Obi Wan felt a thrum of annoyance. Maul was not much older than he himself, if not very much the same age. "Why my lord, what makes you believe that you are a vital affair?" he quipped, hiding an inner smirk.

Maul radiated a wave of hot anger, eyes searing into the young Jedi across from him. How dare you Obi Wan thought that stare said to him, and he looked back towards his prisoner with calm calculation. Maul rose up a little and the guards around Obi Wan moved their blasters to follow the movement, making the Sith apprentice hesitate. Maul bore his teeth again and glared daggers into Obi Wan. "I've had enough of this. Take me to your damned holding cell."

Obi Wan was a bit surprised and dismayed to hear that. Not only did it mean that Maul was final in his decision to remain silent, but rarely did he come across a prisoner that was so willing to leave their holding room—let alone one this nice—in exchange for prison. Not to mention while weak and wounded. Then again, Maul was of a different breed of criminal. He cared about nothing and no one, perhaps not even himself. "You aren't going anywhere just yet." Said Obi Wan pointedly. "Not in that condition." And he knew that he should also give the brooding prisoner a chance to reconsider his choice, as unlikely as that may have been.

Maul reacted like a provoked dog, fury outwardly visible at the inclination that he was weak. "Obi Wan Kenobi." He said suddenly, and the mentioned man was slightly shocked. Maul gave a lengthy pause and half-collapsed down on the bed with a painful shudder. "I shall remember that name…"

Obi Wan blinked a few times and concealed a shiver, turning to leave the room. "That's more than I can say for yours…" he uttered to himself in the barest mutter, making his exit swiftly.

He kept his eyes low as he walked on, intent on finding Qui Gon so that he may report this incident right away. Much to his relief, his master had already been notified, and was near the holding room as soon as Obi Wan had made it out. "Obi Wan?" he greeted quickly.

"He's quite awake, Master." Obi Wan said to him with a nod. "But none too agreeable…"

"I wouldn't imagine so." Qui Gon patted his learner on the shoulder and glanced towards the room. "…I'm sure he'll talk in time."

"If you say so, Master." Obi Wan nodded in agreement. He himself, however, had a nagging sort of doubt about that.