Author's Note: Well, I've finally managed to update. A huge thank you as
always to Warrior of the Pen. Also to Wintersong and cat. I really thought
it was clear that Obi-Wan is being physically abused. Seems like it wasn't.
Sorry about that. It will become clearer in the next chapter.
Chapter 5
Obi-Wan looked up, trying to see a bit of light along the tall building. But the durasteel seemed to stretch on endlessly and was lost in the darkness above him. The young boy sighed heavily and again scanned his surroundings. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to run away. But at the time it had seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to do. His only escape really. When he was at the temple he couldn't leave without his Master. His ID-card was set so that he couldn't just walk out of the Temple. It was the Master's decision whether his Padawan was allowed to or not. Obi-Wan knew that he was one of the few children who didn't have this freedom since it was all a matter of trust between teacher and apprentice. But the boy had never had much trust from his Master. Not that he deserved it, did he? He sighed. Now what? He hadn't really thought his plan through. He had been sure that he would somehow find a way to get to the upper levels again. And then? Well, maybe he could get on a transport undetected that would take him away to another planet. Maybe somewhere in the Mid-Rim. The worlds there were usually not as heavily guarded as those near the capital of the Republic but still not as chaotic as those of the Outer Rim.
He didn't know what he would do for a living. All he wanted was to get away from his Master, away from the Jedi, who would just condemn him for betraying Calan. He just wanted to be free of fear. Free of his old life.
Well, he had made his decision and now he had to find a way to live with it. He briefly thought of Xanatos, how he had told him that he liked to leave everything behind. Maybe, just maybe the older Padawan was a kindred spirit. But no, nobody ever thought the way Obi-Wan did. Nobody ever felt the way he did.
With a determined stride, he walked on.
**********************
Somehow the alleys looked even darker now than they had upon arriving at the level. Xanatos shuddered to think what could happen to a boy of Obi- Wan's age down here. What he couldn't understand was why the Padawan had run away. Xanatos had thought that he had managed to get a little trust from the boy. He had thought that Obi-Wan would talk to him when something was troubling him. Maybe he was just being naive. As if he always asked someone for help when he had a problem. No, he hardly ever did. He knew that he could tell Qui-Gon anything and that the Master would listen patiently but somehow it always seemed to him that he gave up another bit of the little independence he had. As if he gave away a bit of himself. Xanatos shook his head to stop the brooding. This was not the time to contemplate his attitude towards life.
He again scanned the area with the Force sensing a couple of lifeforms but no Force-sensitive.
He sighed heavily. He didn't like the fact that Calan was also searching for Obi-Wan. Whatever it was the man had done to the boy was enough to drive him to the conclusion that there was no other way than to escape while on a mission. And Xanatos was sure that this was about something Calan had done. No matter what Qui-Gon said, he couldn't trust Obi-Wan's Master. And he knew that if the man found the Padawan first, Obi-Wan would really be in trouble. No, he didn't like this one bit.
**********************
The streets were deserted. No sign of Kenobi. Either he simply wasn't there or he was shielding so strongly that he was undetectable through the Force. But Rin Calan knew the abilities of his Padawan and he also knew that the boy wasn't that good.
He needed to find him...desperately. And then he would have to invent a really original story. Otherwise his life as a Jedi-Master would be over. He knew that. It wasn't as if he was oblivious to the fact that his teaching methods weren't the ones the Jedi generally preferred. But that didn't mean they were the wrong ones. He had seen first-hand what the soft methods of the Order did. He had made that mistake once and he wouldn't make it again. Some children simply needed a strong hand. He didn't hate his Padawan, but he knew that the boy needed to learn what it meant to be humble.
He would find him. And he would teach him his limits.
**********************
Qui-Gon Jinn was a patient man but at the moment he felt quite a few of the things he always told his Padawan to suppress: anger, impatience, frustration, confusion... The Master had just commed the Temple to tell them that Obi-Wan was missing and that they had to send another team to negotiate between the clans because they wouldn't make it in time. In addition to that Mace Windu had informed him, that the weather control system had a defect of some kind and that, as a result, a storm was coming up. This wasn't too rare and normally it wouldn't have bothered him too much. Coruscant was a large planet and the system was very complex. It was normal that failures occurred. But did they have to occur now of all times? This wasn't at all the way he had imagined this mission to work out. Whatever had possessed the boy to run away? Why couldn't he talk to someone about his problems?
Qui-Gon briefly closed his eyes to centre himself. Whatever it was that had led the Padawan to this decision, it was probably a serious issue and he should try to understand it. He didn't dislike Obi-Wan. In fact, in the lightsabre-class he had once taught, Obi-Wan had been one of his best students. It was the way Xanatos had suggested that Master Calan was to blame for this that deeply unsettled Qui-Gon. His Padawan had been too sure about it. And worse, he had been too angry about it.
Qui-Gon scanned the area again, not really expecting to find anything when something suddenly stirred in the Force. Stopping his stride abruptly he did it again and this time he could be sure: it was definitely another Force-sensitive.
Following the faint signature, he walked into an even smaller and darker alley than the one he had just left and there, at the end of it, where a small hut built of old and battered durasteel blocked the path stood Obi- Wan, peering uncertainly inside.
Qui-Gon slowly made his way towards him watching for signs that the boy knew of his presence. When there was one, it took the Jedi-Master completely by surprise. The Padawan didn't look up, he didn't even turn around. Instead he suddenly let out a deep breath and his shoulders sagged. With his head bowed he stood there, waiting.
Ever so slowly Qui-Gon closed the distance between them and cautiously addressed the boy. "Padawan?"
The apprentice turned around, not speaking, not looking at the Master, hardly breathing. Qui-Gon was at a loss what to do.
"Obi-Wan, are you okay?"
"Yes, Master Jinn," hardly more than a breath, still not looking up.
Qui-Gon lifted his hand to the boys chin, wanting to make him look into his eyes, but Obi-Wan flinched at the touch and the Master retreated. "Obi-Wan, look at me."
Hesitantly, Obi-Wan did as he was told. His eyes were scared and a resignation shone in them that took Qui-Gon's breath away. His voice still soft, he ventured: "Why did you run away?"
Again, Obi-Wan bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Master Jinn. I will submit to any punishment you see fit."
For a moment, Qui-Gon was at a loss for words. The boy hadn't answered his question but was already awaiting his punishment without an explanation of his actions.
"Obi-Wan, I asked you a question. I want an explanation before punishing you." The soft tone of his voice took the sting out of his words.
The apprentice opened his mouth to say something when Qui-Gon's commlink beeped. A bit irritated he took it out of his pocket and switched it on. "Jinn here!"
"Master, where are you? Is Master Calan with you? A new Jedi-team has arrived and they told me about a storm and I've been waiting for you for almost 20 minutes!"
Qui-Gon closed his eyes. He had forgotten the time. But why was Calan not there? "I'm sorry, Padawan. I found Obi-Wan. Where are you now?"
"Is he okay?"
"Yes, he's okay. Have you tried to contact Master Calan?"
The agitated voice of his Padawan sounded slightly strained through the static. "Yes, I have. But I can't reach him. I'm in the ship the new team arrived in. The pilot is telling me that he has to get back to the Temple now before the storm gets more severe!"
"I can't get back to the meeting-point fast enough. Try to contact Calan again and then take the ship to the Temple. We'll stay down here till the storm has passed."
Xanatos seemed hesitant to leave his Master behind but after a short pause his voice came back. "Yes, Master. I will do that. I will see you at the Temple then...as soon as possible. And Master...take care."
Qui-Gon had to smile at this. "You too, my Padawan." With that he switched the commlink off and turned back to Obi-Wan.
************************
Xanatos didn't know what to make of this development. So Obi-Wan had been found. And not by Calan. That in itself was a good thing. But where was the man now? Punching in the code Xanatos waited. To his surprise it only took a few moments before it was answered.
"What is it, Padawan?"
Xanatos was about to make a comment to the harsh reply but he restrained himself, thinking that they had other problems at the moment. "My Master has found Obi-Wan."
There was an unreadable silence on the other end. Xanatos was about to speak again, when Calan's harsh voice came on. "I'm on my way back."
No enquiry as to how his Padawan was doing, whether he was hurt or worse. Xanatos felt another wave of anger pass through him but he ignored it for the moment. It wouldn't change anything if he yelled at the man now. Instead, he briefly explained their situation.
When he was done, Calan said, "I'm too far away as well. I will find my way back to the Temple when the storm is over."
With that the link was cut off. Xanatos stared ahead deep in thought when he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. He looked up to see the pilot standing in the doorway that led to the cockpit, waiting for him to give his orders. And in that moment Xanatos knew that he had to disobey his Master. There was something inside him that told him exactly what to do. "Go back to the Temple and tell them we will contact them later." And without waiting for an answer, Xanatos strode down the landing ramp, leaving a confused pilot behind.
*********************
Qui-Gon Jinn had trained two Padawans and taught countless apprentices in various subjects. Never in his life had he encountered a young Jedi such as this one. He had told Obi-Wan to follow him and the boy had done so without a word. Not that the Master had anticipated any objections and it wasn't this that troubled him. It was a feeling he had when he looked at the boy. First of all, Obi-Wan had very strong shields that were highly unusual for someone his age. Children at the Temple were taught from an early age to protect their thoughts from other people. But those other people were generally no Force-users. It was much more difficult to shield against a Force-sensitive and the junior Padawans were not supposed to do so. They were supposed to think of the Order as their family, as people whom they could trust. But Obi-Wan was capable of shielding that rivalled that of most senior Padawans.
Another cause for worry was the weariness Qui-Gon could feel in the boy, despite the shields. It was almost as if he had given up hope. But, the question was, hope for what? What was it Obi-Wan didn't expect to receive that was so important to him?
Qui-Gon stopped and looked up for the hundredth time. He didn't know how severe a storm could get down here but he wasn't about to take any chances. Just when he wanted to start walking again he suddenly saw a building that seemed relatively intact on this level. He scanned it with the Force and could sense only a few low lifeforms.
Satisfied, he turned to Obi-Wan. "We will stay in there for the night. Hopefully, the storm will have passed by tomorrow."
Obi-Wan just nodded and followed him. Once settled inside, he tried again to get the boy to talk to him. "Are you hungry, Obi-Wan?"
The Padawan looked uncertain but then he said, "Yes, Master Jinn. A little."
Qui-Gon smiled slightly and took out two ration bars, handing one to his companion who answered with a barely audible "Thank you."
They ate in silence with Qui-Gon contemplating how best to find out why the boy had run away. When they were finished he tried to approach the matter a bit differently than before.
"Obi-Wan, did you know that it was me who brought you to the Temple?"
The Padawan looked at him in surprise. He clearly hadn't known. Qui-Gon smiled gently at him and continued. "I was on a routine mission when I found you. Everyone at the Temple was cooing over you when we got back, marvelling at the small boy with the beautiful eyes."
Qui-Gon laughed lightly and Obi-Wan smiled a bit. It occurred to the Master that this was the first time since the mission had started that he had seen this expression on the boy's face. Feeling that it was the right time, he changed the course of the conversation.
"You know, Master Calan was also on that mission."
The smile vanished instantly and Obi-Wan looked at the ground once again. Qui-Gon pushed on. "Obi-Wan, what..."
"I'm sorry, Master Jinn, but I'm very tired. I would like to sleep if you do not have any objections."
Qui-Gon was a bit taken aback by the interruption, but caught himself quickly. "Yes, of course, Padawan. Try to sleep." With that Obi-Wan turned his back to him and lay down on the floor.
Qui-Gon stared at him. What was it, this boy was hiding?
The Master remembered the mission he had just talked about vividly. That fateful mission. It had seemed easy. Two teams had been assigned to it. Qui- Gon and his Padawan Lieven, who had been 19 at the time and Calan and his 16-year-old apprentice Nall. Their orders were to help a tribe on Malastare who were being persecuted. The planet was in the Outer Rim where the Jedi normally didn't interfere, since the Republic didn't hold any power there. But if someone or a group of people called for help they went there, too.
Upon arrival they learned that the majority of that tribe were slaves to the royal family and that they had been lied to. The Jedi couldn't do anything against slavery. It was normal on Malastare.
But with their presence alone they had angered the rulers. The situation had escalated and soon they had been in the middle of a small war between the slaves and their oppressors. And in the midst of all the chaos, when they had been inside the palace trying to find a way out, a young woman, a slave by the thin collar around her neck, had appeared with a bundle in her arms. Qui-Gon had realised immediately that the child she carried was Force- sensitive.
With tears streaming down her face she had given him the small bundle, only whispering four words: "His name is Obi-Wan." Then she had vanished.
For a moment Qui-Gon had stood there, immobilised, before Lieven had screamed for him to move.
They had found a way to freedom at last but it had taken a long time. Too long, and Nall had paid for it with his life.
He didn't remember much about their flight back to Coruscant. He remembered Lieven telling him to leave her alone. Her sitting in a corner most of the time, her slight frame shaking with sobs. He remembered Calan staring into nothingness, not shedding a tear. And he remembered his own feelings of helplessness, wanting to take his Padawan into his arms to comfort her, his need to be close to her, not being able to imagine the pain the other Master was feeling. But she hadn't wanted him to comfort her. It had been one of the first reminders that she was growing up, needing to take care of her problems herself. It had been a painful reminder.
But he also remembered holding the small bundle close to him the entire flight. The baby didn't once cry or whimper, as if he knew that something terrible had happened.
Qui-Gon had told Obi-Wan the truth. The boy had captured everyone's attention at the Temple. And he had regarded all the foreign people with wide, beautiful eyes. But there had been one person who hadn't looked back.
Master Rin Calan closed himself off after Nall's death. And it took him twelve years before he chose another Padawan. That he took Obi-Wan had been a surprise to everyone. Qui-Gon knew that Yoda had been suspicious but he himself had just thought that it was good for the Master to have an apprentice again. Maybe Obi-Wan was the only one who could really help him overcome his past.
But now it almost seemed as if he couldn't have been more wrong.
Looking over to the small form on the floor, Qui-Gon sensed that the boy wasn't asleep but he let him have his rest. Shrugging deeper into his robe he prepared himself for a long and restless night.
Chapter 5
Obi-Wan looked up, trying to see a bit of light along the tall building. But the durasteel seemed to stretch on endlessly and was lost in the darkness above him. The young boy sighed heavily and again scanned his surroundings. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to run away. But at the time it had seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to do. His only escape really. When he was at the temple he couldn't leave without his Master. His ID-card was set so that he couldn't just walk out of the Temple. It was the Master's decision whether his Padawan was allowed to or not. Obi-Wan knew that he was one of the few children who didn't have this freedom since it was all a matter of trust between teacher and apprentice. But the boy had never had much trust from his Master. Not that he deserved it, did he? He sighed. Now what? He hadn't really thought his plan through. He had been sure that he would somehow find a way to get to the upper levels again. And then? Well, maybe he could get on a transport undetected that would take him away to another planet. Maybe somewhere in the Mid-Rim. The worlds there were usually not as heavily guarded as those near the capital of the Republic but still not as chaotic as those of the Outer Rim.
He didn't know what he would do for a living. All he wanted was to get away from his Master, away from the Jedi, who would just condemn him for betraying Calan. He just wanted to be free of fear. Free of his old life.
Well, he had made his decision and now he had to find a way to live with it. He briefly thought of Xanatos, how he had told him that he liked to leave everything behind. Maybe, just maybe the older Padawan was a kindred spirit. But no, nobody ever thought the way Obi-Wan did. Nobody ever felt the way he did.
With a determined stride, he walked on.
**********************
Somehow the alleys looked even darker now than they had upon arriving at the level. Xanatos shuddered to think what could happen to a boy of Obi- Wan's age down here. What he couldn't understand was why the Padawan had run away. Xanatos had thought that he had managed to get a little trust from the boy. He had thought that Obi-Wan would talk to him when something was troubling him. Maybe he was just being naive. As if he always asked someone for help when he had a problem. No, he hardly ever did. He knew that he could tell Qui-Gon anything and that the Master would listen patiently but somehow it always seemed to him that he gave up another bit of the little independence he had. As if he gave away a bit of himself. Xanatos shook his head to stop the brooding. This was not the time to contemplate his attitude towards life.
He again scanned the area with the Force sensing a couple of lifeforms but no Force-sensitive.
He sighed heavily. He didn't like the fact that Calan was also searching for Obi-Wan. Whatever it was the man had done to the boy was enough to drive him to the conclusion that there was no other way than to escape while on a mission. And Xanatos was sure that this was about something Calan had done. No matter what Qui-Gon said, he couldn't trust Obi-Wan's Master. And he knew that if the man found the Padawan first, Obi-Wan would really be in trouble. No, he didn't like this one bit.
**********************
The streets were deserted. No sign of Kenobi. Either he simply wasn't there or he was shielding so strongly that he was undetectable through the Force. But Rin Calan knew the abilities of his Padawan and he also knew that the boy wasn't that good.
He needed to find him...desperately. And then he would have to invent a really original story. Otherwise his life as a Jedi-Master would be over. He knew that. It wasn't as if he was oblivious to the fact that his teaching methods weren't the ones the Jedi generally preferred. But that didn't mean they were the wrong ones. He had seen first-hand what the soft methods of the Order did. He had made that mistake once and he wouldn't make it again. Some children simply needed a strong hand. He didn't hate his Padawan, but he knew that the boy needed to learn what it meant to be humble.
He would find him. And he would teach him his limits.
**********************
Qui-Gon Jinn was a patient man but at the moment he felt quite a few of the things he always told his Padawan to suppress: anger, impatience, frustration, confusion... The Master had just commed the Temple to tell them that Obi-Wan was missing and that they had to send another team to negotiate between the clans because they wouldn't make it in time. In addition to that Mace Windu had informed him, that the weather control system had a defect of some kind and that, as a result, a storm was coming up. This wasn't too rare and normally it wouldn't have bothered him too much. Coruscant was a large planet and the system was very complex. It was normal that failures occurred. But did they have to occur now of all times? This wasn't at all the way he had imagined this mission to work out. Whatever had possessed the boy to run away? Why couldn't he talk to someone about his problems?
Qui-Gon briefly closed his eyes to centre himself. Whatever it was that had led the Padawan to this decision, it was probably a serious issue and he should try to understand it. He didn't dislike Obi-Wan. In fact, in the lightsabre-class he had once taught, Obi-Wan had been one of his best students. It was the way Xanatos had suggested that Master Calan was to blame for this that deeply unsettled Qui-Gon. His Padawan had been too sure about it. And worse, he had been too angry about it.
Qui-Gon scanned the area again, not really expecting to find anything when something suddenly stirred in the Force. Stopping his stride abruptly he did it again and this time he could be sure: it was definitely another Force-sensitive.
Following the faint signature, he walked into an even smaller and darker alley than the one he had just left and there, at the end of it, where a small hut built of old and battered durasteel blocked the path stood Obi- Wan, peering uncertainly inside.
Qui-Gon slowly made his way towards him watching for signs that the boy knew of his presence. When there was one, it took the Jedi-Master completely by surprise. The Padawan didn't look up, he didn't even turn around. Instead he suddenly let out a deep breath and his shoulders sagged. With his head bowed he stood there, waiting.
Ever so slowly Qui-Gon closed the distance between them and cautiously addressed the boy. "Padawan?"
The apprentice turned around, not speaking, not looking at the Master, hardly breathing. Qui-Gon was at a loss what to do.
"Obi-Wan, are you okay?"
"Yes, Master Jinn," hardly more than a breath, still not looking up.
Qui-Gon lifted his hand to the boys chin, wanting to make him look into his eyes, but Obi-Wan flinched at the touch and the Master retreated. "Obi-Wan, look at me."
Hesitantly, Obi-Wan did as he was told. His eyes were scared and a resignation shone in them that took Qui-Gon's breath away. His voice still soft, he ventured: "Why did you run away?"
Again, Obi-Wan bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Master Jinn. I will submit to any punishment you see fit."
For a moment, Qui-Gon was at a loss for words. The boy hadn't answered his question but was already awaiting his punishment without an explanation of his actions.
"Obi-Wan, I asked you a question. I want an explanation before punishing you." The soft tone of his voice took the sting out of his words.
The apprentice opened his mouth to say something when Qui-Gon's commlink beeped. A bit irritated he took it out of his pocket and switched it on. "Jinn here!"
"Master, where are you? Is Master Calan with you? A new Jedi-team has arrived and they told me about a storm and I've been waiting for you for almost 20 minutes!"
Qui-Gon closed his eyes. He had forgotten the time. But why was Calan not there? "I'm sorry, Padawan. I found Obi-Wan. Where are you now?"
"Is he okay?"
"Yes, he's okay. Have you tried to contact Master Calan?"
The agitated voice of his Padawan sounded slightly strained through the static. "Yes, I have. But I can't reach him. I'm in the ship the new team arrived in. The pilot is telling me that he has to get back to the Temple now before the storm gets more severe!"
"I can't get back to the meeting-point fast enough. Try to contact Calan again and then take the ship to the Temple. We'll stay down here till the storm has passed."
Xanatos seemed hesitant to leave his Master behind but after a short pause his voice came back. "Yes, Master. I will do that. I will see you at the Temple then...as soon as possible. And Master...take care."
Qui-Gon had to smile at this. "You too, my Padawan." With that he switched the commlink off and turned back to Obi-Wan.
************************
Xanatos didn't know what to make of this development. So Obi-Wan had been found. And not by Calan. That in itself was a good thing. But where was the man now? Punching in the code Xanatos waited. To his surprise it only took a few moments before it was answered.
"What is it, Padawan?"
Xanatos was about to make a comment to the harsh reply but he restrained himself, thinking that they had other problems at the moment. "My Master has found Obi-Wan."
There was an unreadable silence on the other end. Xanatos was about to speak again, when Calan's harsh voice came on. "I'm on my way back."
No enquiry as to how his Padawan was doing, whether he was hurt or worse. Xanatos felt another wave of anger pass through him but he ignored it for the moment. It wouldn't change anything if he yelled at the man now. Instead, he briefly explained their situation.
When he was done, Calan said, "I'm too far away as well. I will find my way back to the Temple when the storm is over."
With that the link was cut off. Xanatos stared ahead deep in thought when he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. He looked up to see the pilot standing in the doorway that led to the cockpit, waiting for him to give his orders. And in that moment Xanatos knew that he had to disobey his Master. There was something inside him that told him exactly what to do. "Go back to the Temple and tell them we will contact them later." And without waiting for an answer, Xanatos strode down the landing ramp, leaving a confused pilot behind.
*********************
Qui-Gon Jinn had trained two Padawans and taught countless apprentices in various subjects. Never in his life had he encountered a young Jedi such as this one. He had told Obi-Wan to follow him and the boy had done so without a word. Not that the Master had anticipated any objections and it wasn't this that troubled him. It was a feeling he had when he looked at the boy. First of all, Obi-Wan had very strong shields that were highly unusual for someone his age. Children at the Temple were taught from an early age to protect their thoughts from other people. But those other people were generally no Force-users. It was much more difficult to shield against a Force-sensitive and the junior Padawans were not supposed to do so. They were supposed to think of the Order as their family, as people whom they could trust. But Obi-Wan was capable of shielding that rivalled that of most senior Padawans.
Another cause for worry was the weariness Qui-Gon could feel in the boy, despite the shields. It was almost as if he had given up hope. But, the question was, hope for what? What was it Obi-Wan didn't expect to receive that was so important to him?
Qui-Gon stopped and looked up for the hundredth time. He didn't know how severe a storm could get down here but he wasn't about to take any chances. Just when he wanted to start walking again he suddenly saw a building that seemed relatively intact on this level. He scanned it with the Force and could sense only a few low lifeforms.
Satisfied, he turned to Obi-Wan. "We will stay in there for the night. Hopefully, the storm will have passed by tomorrow."
Obi-Wan just nodded and followed him. Once settled inside, he tried again to get the boy to talk to him. "Are you hungry, Obi-Wan?"
The Padawan looked uncertain but then he said, "Yes, Master Jinn. A little."
Qui-Gon smiled slightly and took out two ration bars, handing one to his companion who answered with a barely audible "Thank you."
They ate in silence with Qui-Gon contemplating how best to find out why the boy had run away. When they were finished he tried to approach the matter a bit differently than before.
"Obi-Wan, did you know that it was me who brought you to the Temple?"
The Padawan looked at him in surprise. He clearly hadn't known. Qui-Gon smiled gently at him and continued. "I was on a routine mission when I found you. Everyone at the Temple was cooing over you when we got back, marvelling at the small boy with the beautiful eyes."
Qui-Gon laughed lightly and Obi-Wan smiled a bit. It occurred to the Master that this was the first time since the mission had started that he had seen this expression on the boy's face. Feeling that it was the right time, he changed the course of the conversation.
"You know, Master Calan was also on that mission."
The smile vanished instantly and Obi-Wan looked at the ground once again. Qui-Gon pushed on. "Obi-Wan, what..."
"I'm sorry, Master Jinn, but I'm very tired. I would like to sleep if you do not have any objections."
Qui-Gon was a bit taken aback by the interruption, but caught himself quickly. "Yes, of course, Padawan. Try to sleep." With that Obi-Wan turned his back to him and lay down on the floor.
Qui-Gon stared at him. What was it, this boy was hiding?
The Master remembered the mission he had just talked about vividly. That fateful mission. It had seemed easy. Two teams had been assigned to it. Qui- Gon and his Padawan Lieven, who had been 19 at the time and Calan and his 16-year-old apprentice Nall. Their orders were to help a tribe on Malastare who were being persecuted. The planet was in the Outer Rim where the Jedi normally didn't interfere, since the Republic didn't hold any power there. But if someone or a group of people called for help they went there, too.
Upon arrival they learned that the majority of that tribe were slaves to the royal family and that they had been lied to. The Jedi couldn't do anything against slavery. It was normal on Malastare.
But with their presence alone they had angered the rulers. The situation had escalated and soon they had been in the middle of a small war between the slaves and their oppressors. And in the midst of all the chaos, when they had been inside the palace trying to find a way out, a young woman, a slave by the thin collar around her neck, had appeared with a bundle in her arms. Qui-Gon had realised immediately that the child she carried was Force- sensitive.
With tears streaming down her face she had given him the small bundle, only whispering four words: "His name is Obi-Wan." Then she had vanished.
For a moment Qui-Gon had stood there, immobilised, before Lieven had screamed for him to move.
They had found a way to freedom at last but it had taken a long time. Too long, and Nall had paid for it with his life.
He didn't remember much about their flight back to Coruscant. He remembered Lieven telling him to leave her alone. Her sitting in a corner most of the time, her slight frame shaking with sobs. He remembered Calan staring into nothingness, not shedding a tear. And he remembered his own feelings of helplessness, wanting to take his Padawan into his arms to comfort her, his need to be close to her, not being able to imagine the pain the other Master was feeling. But she hadn't wanted him to comfort her. It had been one of the first reminders that she was growing up, needing to take care of her problems herself. It had been a painful reminder.
But he also remembered holding the small bundle close to him the entire flight. The baby didn't once cry or whimper, as if he knew that something terrible had happened.
Qui-Gon had told Obi-Wan the truth. The boy had captured everyone's attention at the Temple. And he had regarded all the foreign people with wide, beautiful eyes. But there had been one person who hadn't looked back.
Master Rin Calan closed himself off after Nall's death. And it took him twelve years before he chose another Padawan. That he took Obi-Wan had been a surprise to everyone. Qui-Gon knew that Yoda had been suspicious but he himself had just thought that it was good for the Master to have an apprentice again. Maybe Obi-Wan was the only one who could really help him overcome his past.
But now it almost seemed as if he couldn't have been more wrong.
Looking over to the small form on the floor, Qui-Gon sensed that the boy wasn't asleep but he let him have his rest. Shrugging deeper into his robe he prepared himself for a long and restless night.