Here's Chappie 4, thanks to Katieelessar, the world's greatest beta reader. But please, Katie, no more "comma splice" grammar lessons… I have had enough of those in English as group lessons… I know all about it and really don't do it that often! A comma splice only occurs when you have two independent clauses joined by a comma and nothing else. If it is an independent clause and a dependent clause, a comma is strong enough… If anybody out there is a "Grammar Nazi" as my best friend terms it, and I am wrong, please tell me and I will be sure to correct it in future writing!
Warning, this chappie contains VERY LIGHT ObiSiri. I'm not a major fan of the pairing, but it makes for a funny chappie ending… heehee…
"…I was responsible for the death of my last Padawan."
"What?" Qui-Gon asked in shock. "You said he had died from an illness!"
"I lied," Mace replied simply, but much more solemnly than usual. The other two could see the sadness and guilt in his eyes. "He committed suicide because he felt that I gave harsh punishments." He took a deep breath. "Obi-Wan is so full of promise! I don't want the order to lose such a good Padawan!"
"Tell me about this, you did not, Master Windu," Yoda reprimanded him. "Displeased, I am, for tell no one, you did."
"I apologize for my deception, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me."
"Always willing to believe, we are, until a claim is proven false," Yoda reprimanded gently. "Do well, you would, to remember that in the future."
"Yes, Master Yoda," he replied, humbly accepting the elder Jedi's console. "If you don't mind, I'll turn in early. I, as well as the others whom are going, have a big day tomorrow."
"Of course. Dismissed, you are."
As Mace passed out of range, Qui-Gon posed a question to Yoda. "Yoda, what you said earlier… Am I really to be the one who finds the Chosen One?"
Yoda smiled. "Said I did before, always in motion, the future is. If come true the events of my vision do, then yes."
Qui-Gon sat in silent shock as Yoda quietly left the room.
The next morning, Obi-Wan went to check on his Master before leaving for his mission. He said goodbye, then performed the same treatment he had the previous day before running to board his transport.
He waited in the back with Siri as Master Windu and Master Gallia prepared the shuttle for takeoff. All of a sudden, he was bombarded with the urge to run off the ship and stay with his master. He fought the urge as best as he could until they were in the air- then, unable to control himself any longer, he burst into tears.
Siri was surprised at this display of emotions by this boy who rarely, if ever, displayed emotions to anyone except his own Master and the Council members, and even then it was still quite rare. "Obi-Wan?" she asked concernedly, moving toward him cautiously, "What is it?"
Obi-Wan sat there, sobbing, for a minute or two, never replying to her. Siri gently laid a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, though it obviously made her feel a little uncomfortable doing so, since she was worried it would make Obi-Wan think she had feelings for him, and attachments were forbidden for the Jedi. With that thought came a sudden realization- "I… this is impossible… could I… I… I really like him… but I can't! That goes against every fiber of the Jedi Code!" As these thoughts ran through her mind, Master Gallia came into the room with the intention of announcing that they were safely on their way to Bandyniidor. As she entered the room, she managed to catch Siri's thoughts, and, frightened but at the same time merely worried for her Padawan, she sent her a warning.
"Siri, be careful! Attachments lead to fear, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering! This pattern of thinking will take you to the Dark Side!"
Siri jumped slightly as she felt her Master's voice invade her thoughts. Fortunately, Obi-Wan was too upset to even catch a snatch of her Master's words. She turned her head to see Adi standing there, a worried expression on her face. Siri smiled and sent her master a message back- "Thank you, Master. I guess I'm just so worried about him…"
Adi smiled. "Don't worry, Siri, I understand! I'm just reminding you to be careful. Why don't you go to your quarters, I'll take over here, and then when he's calmer, I'll send him to join Master Windu and we can talk. It's high time for a particular talk anyway!" She laughed inwardly as her Padawan blushed and hurried away to her room. She then walked over to Obi-Wan, sitting next to him and running a gentle and comforting hand up and down his back.
"Obi-Wan, your Master is a very strong man, physically, mentally, and in the Force. If anyone can beat this, it is him."
"It's just…" he hesitated, sniffling, "I worked up the courage to ask the Council to allow me to go on this mission, and now… I'm beginning to wish I had stayed." He looked up at her, eyes bloodshot and cheeks tearstained. "Master Gallia, he needs me!"
"You're right, Obi-Wan, he needs you- he needs you to go on this mission! You know the planet better than the rest of us, and we'll need your help with getting around, and dealing with the people. You also have seen the effects of this disease, and we'll need that to help us find a cure. You have to understand that by going on this mission, you are being the biggest help to Qui-Gon that you can be."
"I understand that, but it does not make leaving him any easier."
"Remember, you can always contact the Council for information about his condition. We will contact them as often as you need to keep your mind at rest."
Obi-Wan sniffled again as he struggled to stop crying. "I know, Master Gallia. He's become so very important to me! He is more than just my Master now; he is like a father to me."
"I understand, Obi-Wan, more than you think I do. I went through this exact same situation with my own Master. She was like a mother to me, and then she suddenly grew very ill and died. I was trained enough to become a knight at that point, and so I was immediately knighted, but for the first few weeks, I could do little more than eat, sleep, and cry over my Master's unexpected death." She gave Obi-Wan a sad smile. "But you, Obi-Wan, you have the chance to save your Master. Do not forsake that chance, or you will forsake your Master." She stood, helping him stand as well, brushing some hair from his face. "Go in with Master Windu. He can talk with you, but now I must discuss a few things with my own Padawan." She turned away to walk toward Siri's quarters.
"Yes, Master. Oh, and Master Gallia?" he inquired. She turned to look at him. "Thank you," he graciously said, bowing to her in a gesture of respect for her assistance.
She smiled again. "Always remember, Obi-Wan, anytime you need to talk about something, but you don't want to talk to your Master, you can always come to me. I will always be happy to listen to anything you have to say and share with you what little wisdom I possess." She then turned and continued on her way to her Padawan's quarters to give Siri The Talk.
Okay, you know the drill, read and review, the more reviews, the sooner the next chappie will be posted. I haven't actually written chappie five, though… (blushes heavily)… Oh well, I gotta go. School starts again tomorrow. BYE!