Chapter 11 A Hopeful Initiate

"You think you can bring back dead midi-chlorians?" Obi-Wan asked, half hoping that it possible.

"I don't know; maybe." Anakin answered.

"I hope so." Zak replied, wistfully.

"Well, let's just try it; alright?" Anakin said as he put his left hand on Zak's shoulder and reached out to…nothing.

He shook his head, concentrated very hard and reached out again; and again, felt nothing, "Anakin?" Obi-Wan ventured.

Anakin shook his head and tried again, and again, and again, before finally conceding defeat, "Nothing; I guess if I can't feel you in the Force, I can't do anything." He answered, dejectedly. "I'm sorry, Zak."

"It's alright, Master Anakin; at least you tried." Zak replied, trying not to sound too disappointed.

"I can't help you heal faster either." Anakin told him.

"It doesn't matter; I don't have anything better to do anyway." Zak assured him.

"Well, when your Force sense comes back, I'll try again." Anakin said.

"If he it comes back." Zak answered.

"No, I said when." Anakin corrected. "You have to think positively about this, Zak; right, Master Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan smiled, "Yes, Master Anakin." He replied.

"What's this?" Anakin asked as spotted Boba's blue stone on the floor and called it to him.

"Oh, I completely forgot about that; I'm glad you found it, Anakin. Zak, Boba came to see you yesterday and gave that to you." Obi-Wan explained as he took the stone from Anakin and handed it to Zak.

"Boba came to see me?" Zak asked.

Obi-Wan nodded, "He and the Chancellor were here to meet our shuttle when we brought you in." He informed him and then smiled, "I think Boba would just love to get his hands on whoever pushed you."

"Then you were pushed; was it your brother?" Anakin wondered.

Zak frowned, "I don't want to talk about it anymore." He said, clutching the stone in his palm and then turning away from Anakin.

"But, Zak; if he's…." Anakin began.

"Leave it, Anakin." Obi-Wan cut him off. "We can talk about this later."

"Alright; but you need to talk about this, Zak." Anakin replied.

"He already has." Obi-Wan told him. "Leave it for now; and we will talk about it tonight."

"Alright; I'll meet you back at the Temple then." Anakin answered.

"You aren't leaving already, Anakin? You just got here." Obi-Wan said.

"Well, there are things I need to check back in the archives; I just wanted to see how Zak was doing and…oh yes, Master Nu wanted me to give you this." Anakin replied, handing Zak another data pad.

"Oh, no; not another one." Zak groaned.

"Sorry, but you know Master Nu; there's no way I would cross her." Anakin answered, smiling.

"I know; but she's so…" Zak started.

"…demanding; yes I know. I remember." Anakin finished for him. "But listen, I'd better get going; Obi-Wan I'll see you later and Zak, hang in there, it will be alright."

"I hope so." Zak replied.

"I'll be back after Zak is settled for the night, Anakin." Obi-Wan said as he clasped the younger man's hand, "Thanks for coming."

"I don't think I had a choice." Anakin answered, squeezing Obi-Wan's hand tightly.

When Anakin had gone, Zak mentioned neither his condition nor the incident that had led to it. Obi-Wan, understanding that Zak did not wish to discuss it any further, helped him to focus on the latest data pad that Jocasta Nu had sent. Zak studied and Obi-Wan answered the some questions that Zak had and then, when Zak was ready, quizzed him on it. They studied together the rest of the afternoon until ND25 brought a dinner tray to them.

"Tell Master Anakin that I'm sorry." Zak said as he took a biscuit from the tray.

"Sorry for what, Padawan?" Obi-Wan asked, taking his portion of meat from a common dish.

"I was rude; when he asked me about Terak." Zak answered.

"Oh, well, I suppose you were, a little; I'll tell him, but I think he understands why you didn't want to talk about it." Obi-Wan assured him.

"Thank you." Zak replied.

"Master, why do you think Boba brought me a rock?" Zak asked, noticing the little blue stone on the end of the table.

"Oh, he told you when you were unconscious; he found it on Alderaan and it reminded him of the color of your lightsaber. He wants you to go to Alderaan with him when you're feeling better so you can go exploring together." Obi-Wan told him.

"Alderaan? Really? Would you let me go?" Zak asked.

"Well, I would have to go with you; but yes, I don't see why not." Obi-Wan answered.

"I've never been to Alderaan." Zak said.

"It's very beautiful there; very mountainous." Obi-Wan replied, "Some of the peaks are so high that there is snow on them all year."

"I think I'd like to see it." Zak decided.

"Well, when you're back on your feet and strong enough, then I'll take you there so that you can explore with Boba." Obi-Wan promised.

"Thank you, Master." Zak answered.

After they had eaten and the dinner tray had been removed, they continued the lesson the archivist had sent over until Zak started to yawn and had to force himself to keep his eyes open. When he had dropped the data pad for the third time, Obi-Wan decided it was time to quit.

"Time to quit, Zak; I think you've done enough for today." Obi-Wan said, taking the data pad from Zak's lap.

"But I'm not done yet, Master." Zak protested.

"You are for tonight; we can finish up in the morning after you've gotten a good night's sleep." Obi-Wan said.

"Oh…alright." Zak answered as ND25 entered the room.

"Ah, yes, ready to get some sleep, Zak?" It asked, adjusting the sling so that Zak could comfortably lie down and then checking the monitor, "Hmm…this looks very good; you might be able to stand for a moment or two. I shall consult with the PT droid and arrange a schedule for you."

"Well, that sounds good; the sooner you are on your feet, the sooner you can go back to the Temple." Obi-Wan said.

"Mmm hmm." Zak murmured sleepily.

ND25 made recalibrated the flow through the IV line, "I believe this can be removed tomorrow also." It stated.

"That's good." Zak mumbled.

"I will let you sleep now, Zak; remember if you need anything, use your transmitter." ND25 told him upon dimming down the light in the room before leaving.

"I will." Zak yawned.

Obi-Wan stroked Zak's forehead, "I'm glad you're here, Master." Zak whispered.

Obi-Wan smiled, "I'm where I should be, Padawan." Obi-Wan replied.

Zak smiled and closed his eyes, "I'm glad it's here." He said as he drifted off to sleep.

Obi-Wan stayed another half an hour to be sure his apprentice was sleeping soundly before he returned to the Temple. The Hall of Archives was deserted when he got there, and so he went in search of Anakin. A week ago, this would have been a simple matter of reaching out through the Force. Now, however, with his Force sense gone, Obi-Wan would have to guess where to look next. He decided to stop by the practice floor first; perhaps Anakin was watching the sparring matches that usually went on at this time in the evening.

Several students were demonstrating their skills to a small group of knights looking to take on apprentices. Yoda stood to one side along with Cin Drallig the fight instructor, "Good evening, Master Kenobi; how is young Zak tonight?" Cin asked.

"As well as can be expected. He should make a complete recovery." Obi-Wan answered. "With one exception."

"Yes, I was sorry to hear about that; it's disturbing to know that such a thing is possible." Cin replied.

"Dangerous it is if it falls into the wrong hands. Investigate this we must to find who is responsible." Yoda said.

"I'm looking for Anakin; have either of you seen him?" Obi-Wan asked.

Yoda closed his eyes and reached out, "Waiting in your quarters he is, Master Kenobi." He said.

"Oh, I should have known; thank you, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan answered.

He watched the potential apprentices for a few minutes, remembering how he felt as he had watched Zak nearly a year ago when he was looking for his next apprentice. A tall youth, waiting for his turn, noticed Obi-Wan standing there and approached, "Good evening, Master Kenobi." He said politely, bowing in respect.

Obi-Wan inclined his head slightly, "Good evening…er…" Obi-Wan stumbled on his name.

"Del, Master." The boy answered.

"Well, Del, what can I do for you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, I'm friends with your apprentice; I just wondered how he was doing." Del explained.

"What have you heard?" Obi-Wan asked, suddenly wondering where this conversation was going.

"That he was hurt on his home planet and that he might not ever recover completely." Del answered.

"He will recover sufficiently enough." Obi-Wan replied, evasively.

"Oh, I'm…uh…that's good to hear." Del said, bowing before he returned to his place.

"Unbelievable." Obi-Wan uttered, shaking his head, "He claims to be a friend of Zak's when all he really wanted to know was if I was here to pick a new apprentice."

"Sensed that did you?" Yoda asked curiously.

"No, I didn't have to; I think his intention was very clear." Obi-Wan answered.

"Hmmm….speak with him, I will, Obi-Wan; and all the others. Understand they must that still your Padawan Zak is." Obi-Wan assured him.

"Thank you, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan answered, bowed and then headed for his quarters.

Anakin was sitting in his chair, drumming his fingers on its arm when Obi-Wan arrived, "There you are." He said as the older master walked in.

"I thought you were going to meet me at the archives?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, I found what I wanted and I had to speak with Master Yoda; I didn't see any point in returning to the Archives, so I thought if I came here, you'd find me." Anakin answered.

"So, tell me; what did you find?" Obi-Wan asked, sitting down on the bed.

"I went there to try to find out why I couldn't do anything for Zak." Anakin answered.

"Well, that was because his Force sensitivity is gone." Obi-Wan replied.

"No, I had a feeling that there was more to this. I mean, I should be able to help non Force sensitives, and without his Force sense, that's what I thought Zak would be." Anakin told him. "But apparently, it works differently."

"How?" Obi-Wan asked.

"That's what I wanted to talk to Master Yoda about. See, according the archives, I should have been able to at least boost his healing ability like I did yours; but I couldn't even reach him. It was like there was a barrier up between us." Anakin explained.

"And what did Master Yoda have to say?" Obi-Wan asked.

"That everyone has midi-chlorians; they may not have enough to actually sense the Force as we do, but they have them. So a Jedi's healing ability is dependent on interacting with the midi-chlorians." Anakin answered. "I can't help Zak because his are dormant."

"So now we play the waiting game and hope whatever the Belaridian doctor gave to him wears off." Obi-Wan concluded.

"Yes, and you." Anakin added.

"Well, me, I'm not worried about; half of Zak's midi-chlorians are dead." Obi-Wan replied.

"Half ? I knew it was some, but half ?" Anakin repeated incredulously.

"Yes, I haven't told him that; this whole thing has been hard enough for him without adding that to it." Obi-Wan answered.

"What happened, Obi-Wan? Was it his brother?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, and Zak apologizes for his rude behavior." Obi-Wan replied.

"He didn't need to." Anakin said.

"I know, but he made me promise to tell you. His brother tried to provoke him into a fight; it ended when Terak threw himself at Zak and Zak sacrificed himself so that Terak wouldn't go over the edge with him." Obi-Wan informed him.

"His own brother?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, and it was hard enough getting that out of Zak once." Obi-Wan confirmed.

"You mean he was trying to cover for him?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, I know what you're thinking; but for Zak, he still considers those people his family." Obi-Wan said.

"Even after he's been rejected, labeled a freak and his own brother tried to kill him?" Anakin wondered.

"Yes, well, he did; and maybe in a small way, he still does. But I think I've finally convinced him that Belarid is not his home." Obi-Wan answered.

"His home? He thought of Belarid as home?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, he thought I was going to take him back there after he was released from the medical center." Obi-Wan told him.

"What's the matter with him?" Anakin asked.

"This has been an ongoing problem with him ever since he was brought here. His family rejected him, Anakin, when he was four. He was called a freak and an abomination right to his face when he was that age. He remembered that and some part of him has never gotten over it and he's still constantly worrying that the Jedi will reject him too. When this problem with his midi-chlorians came up, he naturally thought that I and the rest of the Jedi would send him back to Belarid." Obi-Wan explained. "I didn't even know he thought that until his medical droid told me. If I had thought for one minute that he had thought I was speaking of Belarid as his home, I would have made sure that he understood where he home is."

Anakin shook his head, "And I thought I was messed up as a youngling." He said.

Obi-Wan smiled, reached over and put a hand on Anakin's arm, "Well, you got over it; Zak will too." He replied.

"I hope so. Well, I think I'll take a little walk before I go back to my quarters." Anakin answered as he stood up and walked to the door. "Good night, brother."

"Good night." Obi-Wan said.

Obi-Wan shed his boots and changed into his sleeping tunic. There is something to be said about sleeping in one's own bed, Obi-Wan fell asleep immediately and the dreams came again….

The Jedi Temple, Zak's parents are there. Anakin is trying to force them to tell him where Terak is. Zak is missing, and Obi-Wan senses through the Force that he is in danger. Anakin gives up on Zak's parents and together he and Obi-Wan run to the meditation area. One of the doors is locked, but Obi-Wan quickly disables the lock and he and Anakin force their way into the room. Terak is standing near the window with a red lightsaber in his hand. "Freak, abomination. You should be dead like all the others." He screams. "No, Terak; you're my brother." Zak tells him. "Don't call me that, you freak." Terak screams even louder as he vaults toward Zak. Zak Force pushes him back, but loses his balance and falls. "No, Zak!" Obi-Wan screams as he launches himself toward the window. "He's my brother." Zak calls back as he falls. Anakin grabs Terak by the collar "Why did you do that?" He demands. "He should be dead like all the others." Terak tells him.

And not far away, in the medical center, a young Jedi apprentice is also dreaming…