In the morning Tahl managed to wake before Qui-Gon. A feat in its own right, but the humour of the situation was lost to them. Immediately upon waking an overwhelming sense of urgency swept through them. Time was running out. They had to find Balog today or else. Obi-Wan's life was at stake. And right now, they were losing.

Tahl had already tested her leg and they were preparing to leave when Yanci came in with their breakfast. "Wow, I must be better than I thought." She said when she saw the Knight up and about.

"Thank you for all assistance, Yanci. I appreciate all you've done for me." Tahl said.

"It was no trouble. The least we could do for the mishap in the quarry. I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for." She spoke with sincerity. It was obvious they were seeking the Absolutes for a reason. In their haste, they hadn't revealed what it was.

Tahl answered, "We will," as she placed a hand on the taller Knight's shoulder.

Smiling softly, Qui-Gon patted her hand. "You should eat to regain your strength. I will ready our transports."

Quickly he hurried to where they had parked the vehicles. He was surprised to see Eritha already checking on her speeder. "You are up early," he commented aloud.

She jumped. "You startled me."

"We will be leaving shortly."

She nodded. "I thought we would be. I came to start the refueling. I didn't want you to leave without me."

"I thought about it," he admitted, "Then I thought about how stubborn you are."

"It's a family trait." She giggled. The mirth quickly died though as her troubled thoughts resurfaced. "My sister is as much to blame in all this as Balog. Obi-Wan is a victim of her treachery just like me and my people. I could never forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to help him. I can't stand the thought of him suffering in that device." She was on the verge of tears as she spoke. Quickly she took a deep breath to reign in her emotions. New determination burned in her gaze as she looked into the man's cerulean eyes. "I have to go with you. I promise I won't slow you down."

Qui-Gon nodded. Somehow, he knew she would keep her promise. They finished refueling in silence. Shortly after, Tahl arrived with the others in tow. Qui-Gon thanked them for their courtesy and the Workers wished them luck on their quest. Soon they were out seeking Balog's trail amidst the rock.

They circled the area a number of times when they found their first clue. The discovery invigorated all of them, knowing now that they were hot on Balog's trail once more. But it was short lived. Before they could follow their lead, the Jedi were halted to a stand still. The Force trembled heralding a disturbance close by. Their first thoughts were of Obi-Wan. Yet the Force whispered of darker more sinister things on a larger scale. It was Tahl who voiced aloud the cause. "The Rock Workers."

Yes, Qui could sense it now. They were in trouble. But what of his Padawan? Was he not also in dire need of their aide? The Master could barely sense his apprentice through the Force. And with each passing moment it dwindled even more. Could he abandon Obi-Wan for the sake of strangers? "They will have to fend for themselves. Obi-Wan needs me." He stated abruptly taking the girls off guard.

This announcement practically knocked Tahl off her feet. She never thought she would see the day Qui-Gon placed the needs of one over the needs of many. He had always been the one to run to where the Force beckoned him only now he had blatantly ignored its call. "Qui-Gon Jinn, Knight of the Jedi Order, Protector of the Peace, Master of the Living Force, dares to tell me he cannot help those in need? I cannot believe what I am hearing. You heard what they said. They do not have the means to ward off another attack by the Absolutes. We have to go back."

"But Obi-Wan. He cannot hold out much longer. He needs us right now."

"Do you know that so certainly? He is a strong boy. He has gone through so much. He will wait for you Qui. I know he will. His loyalty to you is incredible. And his loyalty to the Jedi and the Force is just as great. He will wait. We must go back."

"I cannot abandon him. I have done it to him once before. I cannot put him through that again."

"And you won't be. We will find him. Perhaps we can track the Absolutes back to him. But if we do not do this now, we will lose both the Workers and Obi-Wan. You know this to be true."

"I cannot bare the thought of losing him again. We must press on."

"Qui-Gon," she stated in a firm calm voice. "I am going back to the Workers. I am going to help them with or without your help. But I tell you this now, if Obi-Wan were here he would do the same as me. He understands that these people need us. He would feel horrible knowing that you left them to die just to save him. And he would be heartbroken to know that you abandoned those we swore to protect. Do you want to tell him that you ignored the Force for his sake?" The tall man stood staring down the path Balog took, tears brimming in his eyes. She must have sensed the tearing of his heart as he contemplated following his own desires or following what he knew was right. Tahl moved up along side him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I know this is hard for you. You alone can make this choice." Her voice was gentle yet compelling. "What would Obi-Wan want you to do?"

That was probably the single most question he did not want to hear right now. Because he already knew the answer. And it tore him apart. Why did fate have to play these cruel games? Why couldn't it just leave them alone? Why did so much have to rest on their shoulders? Had they not been through enough trials to last a lifetime? Must there always be one more? He wanted to scream! He wanted to tear something apart. To make it feel the same way he did inside. But it was pointless. It would not quell the pain in his heart. It would only make it worse. Instead, he pleaded for forgiveness. I am sorry Padawan. You know what must be done. Just wait for me a little bit longer. I will be there as soon as I can. I swear it.

Then he turned and got back on his swoop. "Let us hurry then, before all is lost." The other two quickly mounted their rides and sped after him.

Not long after, they ran into Yanci who had been sent to find them. "Help us. A raid… unlike we have ever seen before. They are killing everyone! Please!" She managed to get out between gulps of air. Without any further hesitation they raced back to the settlement.

They got there in time to stop the Absolutes from stealing everything. And more importantly from killing everyone. The Jedi fought back the group headed toward the out-building where the last of their group was holding out. If they had not come back when they did it would have been a total loss. As the last of the Absolutes fled the others took stock of what was left. About two thirds of their heavy explosives were taken and about half of the Workers were killed. Among the lost was Bini. Kevta had come away with some bad injuries and Yanci was hard at work patching up those she could. Eritha and the Jedi did what they could to assist, they only hoped it would be enough.

Hours later, Yanci sat outside her little clinic with the trio. Too exhausted to look at them directly, she spoke in general. "Thank you all for your help. If you hadn't come, well, I'm terrified to think that I may have been the only one to survive. I'm even more grateful that the children were saved. It will be hard for many but at least they are alive."

Eritha vowed, "The Absolutes will pay for what they have done here, I promise you that Yanci. I have contacted the Workers in the city, they are sending out a team with as many medicines and supplies as they can carry right now. They should be here tomorrow."

"Thank you. We appreciate any help you can offer. In return, I may be able to offer you something." The small group looked up at the Healer now. "While we were looking for survivors, I noticed a certain kind of red soil caked into the Absolutes' boots. This soil is very particular and can only be found in one region of the quarries."

"Can you show us where this place is?" Qui-Gon asked urgently. They had spent more time here than they could afford. Anything that could speed them back to Balog's trail would be invaluable.

"No, there's still too much for me to do here. But I had one of the Workers upload the coordinates to your speeder. You'll have to search for the Absolutes on your own from there, but that is the only place they could be. The area is rough and you won't be able to get a speeder through. You'll even have to leave the swoops. Be careful. I hope that will be enough of a payment for you."

Qui-Gon gratefully rose and stood in front of the woman. "That is more than enough, Yanci. Especially once we have Obi-Wan, my apprentice back safely."

She glanced up at him now. "They have taken someone dear to you?" The look in the clear crystal gaze was answer enough. "Then go. There are plenty here to take care of what's left. Hurry, the Absolutes are brutal." The last comment was unnecessary but it reflected that she now understood their urgency and the sacrifice they made to help.

It was all the prompting they needed. Within minutes the trio was back speeding toward the coordinates given in hopes that they were not too late. Only time would answer that question now. Not long after they left the settlement they arrived at the coordinates provided. Yanci was right. The rock formations and hills forced them off their transports.

In front of them, the cliffs widened to embrace a small canyon. A deep pit was to the right, filled with water. The soil around the pit was a muddy red dotted with huge boulders. Sunlight danced on the smooth surface of the water. Some distance to the left they could see the dark opening of a cave. However, no movement or even a sign of any living beings could be seen.

"There's no one here," Eritha said, disappointed. "Yanci was wrong."

Tahl said nothing. She could feel her lifelong friend stretching out with the Force. His senses were on high alert, testing the air, seeking anything that might give him hope. He sent a message to Obi-Wan. I am here.

Relief flooded him when he received something back. It wasn't much, just a slight reverberation. The fact that it was so weak compared to the usual strength and passion his young charge was known for troubled him deeply. But it was enough to tell him they were in the right spot. "No," he said aloud, "This is the place."

Suddenly, the water of the lake rippled which quickly grew into waves large enough you could hear them lap at the shore. The two Jedi grew alert.

"We're wasting time. We should go back," Eritha said.

The two Jedi remained focused on the lake. "There is no wind," Tahl commented softly.

"Exactly," Qui-Gon concurred.

A structure rose from the surface. Water streamed off its curved dome. An opening slowly widened and a ramp emerged. It extended over the water to dry land. A few seconds later, two tech vehicles sped down the ramp, hit land, and then headed for the cave. They disappeared inside. Apparently they didn't even notice the trio.

"Everything is hidden," Qui-Gon said. "The camp can't be seen from the air. Clever."

"Then how shall we infiltrate it?" Tahl questioned.

"By the cave off to our left. The tech vehicles did not seem to go through a checkpoint," he answered while scanning the entrance. "I do not think there are sensors outside the cave." Then he turned back to Eritha, "Stay here until we send for you."

"No. If you go without me, I'll follow you." The young girl's jaw set.

Qui frowned. "Then stay behind us. Realize that you can endanger the mission if you act hastily. You will follow my orders. Agreed?"

"Agreed. I'm stubborn, not stupid." She flashed a shaky grin.

"All right, Let's go."

A small explosion shook the cave quickly followed by a siren. Tahl commented wryly, "I should have known you meant that kind of distraction. Now what do you plan on doing about Obi-Wan and Eritha?"

Qui-Gon was about to answer when a figure emerged from the smoke. He recognized the stocky form of Balog immediately. "Balog."

"Where?"

"Heading for the tunnel."

"Then we should hurry and follow him."

"Not yet. As I said before, Obi-Wan is not down that tunnel. He will be back shortly – then we follow." They didn't have to wait long before Balog came storming back. In the dim lighting he didn't seem to notice the Jedi watching him. Heading in the opposite direction, he went down the tunnel Eritha had been taken, only he kept going. The Jedi quietly chased him. Balog darted down another small tunnel where the glow rods barely gave off any light. Here Tahl led them through.

Only a light gleam off a durasteel door gave any indication of where they were headed. Balog paused outside the door for a moment to access it. Without a word, the Jedi moved in tandem – springing forward to get inside the room before the door closed. Each Knight stood with sabers glowing brightly.

In the center of the room Balog waited smugly. The sensory deprivation device was leaning against the wall behind the Absolute. There was a small slit in the casing that lined up with the captives eyes. Dull sea-kissed eyes barely managed to flicker open. A tremble in the Force indicated that he was reaching out to his Master. Qui-Gon was finally here and the boy's effort was even weaker than before by the lake. Anger swelled in his heart. But the elder Jedi quickly suppressed it. He knew left as is – raw and aching – it would not help his apprentice. Instead he focused it on the squat smiling man that stood between him and his charge.

The Security Chief must have thought the angered expression on the Jedi's face was meant to intimidate him. Perhaps it was if only subconsciously. Still the Absolute thought it comically and soon was laughing derisively. "Do you think you can threaten me? Do you think because you are Jedi you can frighten me? What you don't know is that I have all the power here." He held up a small transmitter. "I can take away his life."

He watched as the pair tensed in front of him. "That's right. You know what this is, don't you?" He held the transmitter aloft. "I can give the boy a last, lethal dose. He is very weak. I had planned on keeping him alive, but I've come to realize there is no need."

"What do you want?" Qui-Gon asked as calmly as he could.

"Nothing from you." Locking gazes with his rival, Balog's eyes narrowed. "However, she might have something I want. Shall we see if she values the boy's life as much as you do?"

"Spit it out Balog. What do you want?" Tahl demanded.

"The list."

"What list?" It was just as Irini had suspected, he was after the list of informants. She feigned dumb for the moment trying to buy them time to think and act.

"You know what list. I know you have it. Give it to me!"

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Don't play games with me. You don't have the time." A wicked smirk mad him look even closer to the edge of sanity.

The Jedi realized immediately that something else was going on. The man was attempting to play a double gambit. Qui-Gon quickly deduced what he had done. "You set the weapons room to detonate."

A flicker of surprise swept across the man's face before he recovered. "I'll be long gone before that happens. Your Worker friends won't find anything here when they arrive. No records. Nothing to spy on, nothing to steal. And we have plenty of support in the city. We don't need the followers here to accomplish what we need to."

"You don't care what lives are lost?"

"I care about Apsolon. My Apsolon," Balog said fiercely. "Not the Apsolon the Workers want. You Jedi are in my way." He stepped back and accessed a door behind him. A tiny space contained a small transport with a bubble shaped top. No doubt it was to allow the exit of the transport into the lake.

"Now I'm leaving. You may make it out of here when the explosives room goes, but I doubt is – especially when you have to drag your young friend along." Balog pointed to Obi-Wan with his chin. "And believe me he's in no shape to walk. I made sure of that."

Qui-Gon tensed, then relaxed. It took an effort of will to absorb his anger and continue to wait for his opening.

"Wait! What about the list?" Tahl tried to stall the man's escape.

"It doesn't matter now. Of course it would have made it easier to accomplish our goals but even without it our plans will work. Now, I leave you to your fate." Balog said, stepping back toward the transport. His small, dark eyes glinted. "Don't move, either of you. You see my finger near this button? If you try to stop me and are a fraction off, if you stumble, if you give me only a split second, I can press it. If, in short, one of one thousand things can go wrong does go wrong, the boy will die."

Qui-Gon sprang. He had never moved faster or more surely. He knew Balog did not see him, that one moment he was standing meters away and the next he was in the air next to him. With careful precision, Qui brought down his lightsaber neatly slicing off Balog's finger. The transmitter fell to the floor. "I guess you did not flinch," he said.

Howling with pain and rage, the Absolute backed up toward the transport as he fumbled for his blaster with his good hand. Tahl sprang forward as Qui-Gon headed for Obi-Wan. Another explosion rocked the cave, this one larger than before. The force of the blast nearly knocked the Jedi off their feet. The sensory deprivation device began to slide. Qui-Gon threw himself forward and caught it in his arms. He laid it down gently.

Instead of attacking Tahl, the Security Chief aimed his fire at the sensory deprivation device. Qui-Gon ignored the ping of blaster fire around his head; he knew Tahl would deflect it. A chain of explosions went off and dirt began to rain down from the ceiling. Balog scrambled into the transport.

"Tahl!" Qui-Gon shouted. He wanted her back by his side. Even as he shouted he put his lightsaber to work, cutting away at the device. She turned back to her lifelong friend and shut off her saber.

Balog accessed the exit. Water poured into the tiny room, knocking Tahl off her feet as she was heading back.

Concerned Qui-Gon called out to her. As much as he wanted to go to her, he had a bigger worry right now. Soon the room would flood and Obi-Wan was still trapped.

Balog's transport took off underwater, bouncing wildly as it fought against the impact of the water gushing toward the opening. "Obi-Wan will drown!" The Knight bellowed frantically. The deprivation device was already floating making his task even harder. He could sense his Padawan's life force flickering and he was growing desperate. They had to get him out of there.

Tahl struggled through the water. It was already up to their knees and the wound on her leg gave protest at the extra strain. By the time she reached them Qui had opened a seam in the side of the device. "That sounded like the main weapons room," he said tersely. "The cave could collapse. We have to get Obi-Wan out of here now."

Water was almost to their waists and rising fast. Deactivation his saber, Qui-Gon opened the device and froze. He didn't think he heart could ache any more than it already did, but he was wrong. His apprentice was horribly pale which only accentuated the bruise under his eye and the cut on his swollen lip. The rush of water reminded him he didn't have the time to figure it out now. Desperately he lifted the boy out of the device. Obi-Wan said nothing as his head flopped against his Master's chest entirely unable to support it. To see him so weak sent agony ripping through him. They struggled through the water. "We need to get back to the cave."

Tahl understood his meaning exactly and quickly activated her saber. She sliced a neat whole in the durasteel door that led back to the base and went through. She did her best to help Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan through. Once they were through, they were able to stand again unheeded. Water was already pouring through the opening she made. They ra, splashing though the flood until they made it to the dry area of the cave. The smoke was thick and acrid now, burning their lungs. The cave area was deserted.

Qui-Gon allowed Obi-Wan to slide down his body so that he was on his feet. But his legs gave way immediately virtually boneless. He picked the boy up again cradling him in his arms. The Knight had to control his anger against Balog for his sake. What Obi-Wan needed was calm. Gently, he said, "Obi-Wan. We are going to get you out of here."

With great effort, sea-misted eyes opened and a hand came up to lightly touch the fringe of his beard. A hint of a smile curved his lips. "It is too late for me Master."