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Full summary: Sequel to Immolated Destiny. As the Clone Wars rage around them, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi attempt to rebuild the broken bridges between them. But the Master's romantic entanglements with Anakin Skywalker continue to cloud his judgment...even when Obi-Wan's life is on the line.

Warnings: Slash, JA reference, drugs, and violence

Pairing(s): Qui-GonxAnakin (subdued GarenxObi)

Fic type: AU, romance

Bizarre speaks: Yessss. I love this Volume. Its just so tragic. And sexy. Don't forget sexy.

Chosen
Volume Five
The Seeds of Darkness
Chapter I: Drifting

The Republican military cruiser was not the most lavish of ships. It would get the Jedi where they needed to go, though. When it was working that is. At the moment it wasn't. The crew didn't know why. So, Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker was currently lying under the console panels trying to discern the problem.

The Clone Wars had raged on for two years now. The Padawan, his Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi were on their way to the siege of Praesitlyn. They were charged with securing the crucial communications center there.

Anakin was getting frustrated not being able to pin down the problem. "It looks like the whole thing is shorted," he snarled, crawling out from under the decking. He looked up at Master Qui-Gon and wiped some grease from his face. "I need parts or we're stuck."

When systems began to fail ship-wide, Anakin and Obi-Wan had managed to land the crippled vessel. Well, crashed was more like it, onto the nearest planet they could find. A piece of trash place in the Simpla 12 system. Obi-Wan knew it well and was unperturbed by the remote locale. Master Qui-Gon sat there trying to come up with a plan of action. Anakin waited in silence then posed an idea of his own.

"Shouldn't we contact the Temple, Master?" he offered shyly. "They could send a ship."

"It would take far too long to get here, Padawan," the Master murmured. Unless they could hitch a ride they were stranded. This was a major set back.

Glancing out the cruiser's curved cockpit Anakin examined their surroundings. Not much out there. "I don't think we're going to find much help here, Master."

"It'll be fine," Obi-Wan called nonchalantly. "This rock is only twice as bad as it looks," he chuckled.

Anakin bit back his urge to reply, merely crossed his arms and turned back to the window, unconsciously fingering the thick glove hiding his durasteel arm. It took the place of the hand he'd lost to the villainous Count Dooku at the war's start.

"We'll figure something out," the young man muttered, trying to sound more sure than he was.

"We don't need to contact the Council, guys," Obi-Wan insisted. "You two stay here. I'll find us the parts we need."

Master Qui-Gon's brow knit into a frown. He was unused to taking orders from a subordinate and did not want them to separate on this wild planet. He trusted Kenobi implicitly, however.

Anakin said nothing, just scrounged around making a list of what was needed. "Some of it's going to be hard to find," he warned, "And expensive. We need new circuits, though, if we're going to get off the ground."

"Don't worry," Obi-Wan grinned, taking the list and heading out.

Anakin watched through the view port till the Knight disappeared from sight. Then he flopped into the pilot's seat "We'll be fine," he grumbled, "If, he comes back!"

The Master made no comment. Qui-Gon did not doubt Obi-Wan, not in the least, even if Kenobi no longer had faith in him.

After many hours Obi-Wan still had not returned. The Jedi Master was growing concerned.

"Something is wrong," Qui-Gon stated simply. He could feel it. A disturbance in the Force…

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin wondered. "Maybe he got distracted and went off to do…something else," the apprentice grumbled. The youngster had some serious issues with Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Does that sound like Obi-Wan to you, Padawan?" the elderly Jedi asked.

"I wouldn't know," Anakin replied stiffly. "I really don't know him, do I?"

"Obi-Wan would not simply 'get distracted', Anakin," Qui-Gon answered firmly. He fished around in his belt pouch for the commlink thinking to contact Kenobi. After several fruitless attempts he felt his suspicions were confirmed.

"Maybe something is wrong," Anakin acquiesced. "He could be off somewhere drunk you know," the Padawan looked angry. "I could go look for him."

Qui-Gon scowled. He'd been on missions with Obi-Wan for years now, and though the Knight did take to the drink, Qui-Gon was certain that Obi-Wan would not shirk his duty. Something felt very, very, wrong…

"Let's go," he nodded to Anakin. They set out together in search of the missing Jedi Knight.

Since they had no idea where Obi-Wan had gone they were relying heavily on the Force to guide them. Anakin had to stop often to focus, listening intently to the will of the Force. It led them to a seedy, run down place. A weathered sign hung over the door. The faded word "Lizard" painted on it.

"He's in there," Qui-Gon concluded.

It was very dark inside. Though the Jedi could sense the presence of many people, they could only make out shadowy forms through the thick smoke. The strange musical sounds that thumped and pounded at their ears was very distracting. Both tried to concentrate on Obi-Wan, hoping to locate him before going further.

Anakin fidgeted uncomfortably. The place reminded him of a nefarious dive on Tatooine he'd once stumbled into. If his mother had known, she would have been furious. He got the distinct feeling it would be best not to announce themselves as Jedi.

"Where is he?" the youngster asked under his breath.

The Master made no reply. Qui-Gon calmly approached the bar. "Excuse me," he said mildly. The proprietress looked at him with a blank expression. "We are looking for someone."

"You've come to the wrong place," she returned his smile. "No one's here."

The Jedi Master was unfazed. "He is shorter than either of us. With long russet brown hair and a full beard," Qui-Gon gestured to Anakin. "He would be dressed much like my companion and I."

"I don't rat out my customers, mister," the woman replied sharply. "If you find him, good for you. But I don't think he's here."

"He is," Anakin murmured scanning the dim setting. A heavy cloud fogged his senses and he felt very tired…

"You should leave," the woman hissed urgently. She was very nervous now.

Qui-Gon kept his eyes on her. He could feel a steady undercurrent of menace building around them. His lightsaber was out and activated a second later. To his surprise Anakin did not react. The Padawan seemed befuddled…

Then they were jumped.

Anakin went crashing to the dirty floor, tackled by several men at once. Blasters were leveled at him. The assailants numbered half a dozen, normally not a problem for a pair of Jedi. A rough voice called to them from the back of the joint. The villains had Obi-Wan! The Knight was unconscious and bleeding from the mouth.

"Master," Anakin started. Someone smashed the butt end of a blaster onto his head with a loud crack. He was out.

"Now, Master Jedi," a feminine voice called to Qui-Gon. "Lay down the glow stick." When the big fellow made no move she aimed her blaster down at the prone Anakin. "This one can die first," she offered mildly.

The Jedi deactivated his weapon with a snap hiss and set it down at his feet, keeping his eyes on the lady.

"Good," she crooned. Then her voice went cold and commanding. "Now move!" she jabbed toward the door with her weapon.

As they tromped out with their prize she paused to turn steely eyes on the gawking patrons. "Tell no one," she growled loudly. "Or we'll be back to tie up any loose ends!"

Then they marched Qui-Gon out, dragging the two subdued Jedi along behind him.

To Be Continued...