.Seven.
There was only one instance in their past Qui-Gon could recall when he had to make the difficult decision of leaving Obi-Wan behind. It had been during a strenuous mission to a planet called Melida-Daan. His student, being the compassionate and sympathetic young man he is, chose to ignore his Master's wishes as well as his Jedi commitment in order to stay and help the young people there who had become involved in a civil war. Obi-Wan had believed so much in their cause that he'd been willing to give up everything he had achieved to help his new friends.
The event had occurred early in their relationship. If it had occurred later, Qui-Gon believed he could've perhaps persuaded Obi-Wan to take another course of action. His influence would've been greater.
This particular scenario was vastly different. Obi-Wan hadn't made a choice, he'd been imprisoned and Qui-Gon was forced to leave. Qui-Gon didn't like the feeling of being forced to do anything. He was a grown man; a Master of the Light! He decided his own path based upon his feelings alone. He walked in full knowledge of the powers of Good and Evil, and although he could not detect as much evil in Naboo as his apprentice apparently could, he realized the Queen was not herself and something needed to be done. Especially since she had the unmitigated gall to arrest and hold his apprentice hostage.
He could've snuck off the transport and figured out a way to free Obi-Wan, but what good would that do? The Queen would not be better for it and the relationship between Naboo and the Republic, including the Jedi, would become strained if not broken.
The best thing he could do to help Obi-Wan was to return to the Jedi Temple and convince the High Council to act. Perhaps they could send an envoy of not only Jedi but perhaps even a few politicians to intervene. Senator Palpatine himself could try and talk some sense into the young woman.
There was no doubt in his mind that Queen Amidala was troubled. What Qui-Gon wasn't certain about was if she was indeed possessed with the Dark as Obi-Wan believed. He didn't want to question his student's opinions since he was no longer a junior apprentice. At this point in his training, it would serve his apprentice better to guide him rather than tell him what to do. Soon, Obi-Wan would face his trials to become a full-fledged Knight. At that point, the young man was on his own regardless of how much Qui-Gon worried about him.
Until that day, he was responsible for his apprentice; not only training him in weaponry but developing his diplomatic skills as well as his control and manipulation of the insight and power provided by the Light Side.
He had stood before a jury of his peers and argued Obi-Wan's case. Their response was considerably lacking. As during most stressful negotiations, Qui-Gon found the leaders of the Jedi hesitant to act. They were far too passive and concerned about overstepping their bounds. Normally, he would ignore their advice and do what he thought best. But this was Obi-Wan. He was one of their best and Qui-Gon was disgusted to find the Council unable to come up with any sort of plan that would satisfy him and save his apprentice from imprisonment and who knew what else!
"Shadowed the night has been, overlapping into the day it is. A veil before our eyes is placed…"
"Dammit!" Qui-Gon howled, which shook a few members of the Council awake. "I don't have time to stand here and listen to any more philosophical babble! I want to know what's going to be done about helping my apprentice!"
An outburst such as this shouldn't have come as a surprise. It wasn't his first and probably wouldn't be his last. Therefore, no reprimand came, unless you regard the scalding look he was receiving from Master Windu as such.
"Master Qui-Gon, please calm down," his colleague asked him politely.
"Find your center you should or undo you, your emotions will," Yoda joined in.
Yes, yes. He knew all of this! He wasn't angry at them as much as he was himself! He shouldn't have left Naboo, but he wasn't about to ask the Council to allow him to return.
"A delicate political situation this is," another softly-spoken comrade said from his left.
Qui-Gon turned his attention to Master Ki-Adi Mundi, one of the most intelligent members of the Council who rarely spoke up unless it was absolutely necessary.
"What do you think I should do?" he asked the Cerean. Qui-Gon was trusting the Jedi Master would come up with something more plausible than 'meditate.' He wasn't disappointed.
"Arranging a meeting with Senator Palpatine, I believe would be wise. Naboo, after all, is his home. He should know better than anyone else how to handle this Queen."
"Master Qui-Gon," Master Gallia said to draw his attention. She was the heart of the High Council. Being Tholothian, she had the gift of cognitive empathy and could sense how worried he was about Obi-Wan. "Please be careful. I sense something sinister surrounding your young apprentice. A narrow road he walks. On one side is peace and fulfillment, but on the other is suffering and death."
Finally, somebody who was taking this as seriously as they ought to! Qui-Gon offered a gift rarely presented within the Council Tower; an appreciative smile. Immediately afterward, he was excused and went in search of the representative from Naboo.
He carried the words of Adi Gallia within his heart as he made his way to the Senate Complex. If there was anyone he could say he actually trusted on the Council it was Master Gallia. Not only was she wise, but she was also sensitive and kind.
He couldn't say as much about the man he was about to meet with. Senator Palpatine was like most politicians. They were a greedy lot who pretended to care about others when all they truly cared about was their bank accounts. Although he didn't know Sheev Palpatine all that well, Qui-Gon had no doubt the man was the same. He'd seen Naboo. Its wealth lay in its long and successful plasma trade and Qui-Gon imagined Palpatine had invested heavily in it.
Even his clothing spoke of his financial successes. For example, today he was wearing a most elaborate cloak that hung to the floor. It appeared to be made from dyed Velisil; a type of brushed silk only found on Naboo and highly sought after. Palpatine most likely had invested in its production as well.
"Master Qui-Gon, indeed it is my pleasure to see you again. How may I help you?"
The senator's grin was purely diplomatic, a result of forced habit. Qui-Gon wasn't fooled by it, yet he didn't have a choice but to ask the man for help. One thing he didn't wish to do was talk to the man while standing in the hall.
Following his request for a private audience, the Senator asked his aide to escort the Jedi Master, promising to meet him in a few minutes. A few minutes turned into an hour. Qui-Gon was a patient man – or at least he pretended to be, and he waited.
"My apologies. You know how it is. Never a moment's peace," the senator announced while walking in. "Would you care for some refreshment?"
"Actually, my concern cannot be postponed much longer," the Jedi told him just before explaining the dealings he and Obi-Wan had with Naboo's queen.
Palpatine had taken a seat behind his enormous desk and seemed to be seriously pondering the events. "She is much worse than I had initially believed. Although, Master Jedi, you do have to admit that you and your apprentice defied her specific orders. According to Royal Decree, she could've easily had you both tried and condemned for treason."
Qui-Gon bit his lip. Pointing out something so obvious wasn't helpful. "Are you aware that the dungeons beneath the palace are full? I didn't see one empty cell. She has even arrested her own Governor."
The news seemed to have taken the Senator aback, which pleased Qui-Gon. If the man wasn't concerned with Obi-Wan's fate, then perhaps he would be about someone else's.
"Sio Bibble," Palpatine said the name fondly before his thin, frail-appearing fingers touched his mouth rather sedately. "He and I go way back. In fact, he was the one who talked me into pursuing politics. He has strong opinions and is often too outspoken for his own good. I have spoken with him about this fault on several occasions. It's most likely what got him arrested. What a shame," the Senator continued, dropping his hand onto the desktop. "What would you like for me to do about this, Master Jinn?"
Wasn't it obvious? "I am officially requesting an investigation by the Senate into how Queen Amidala handles her responsibilities. Her people are beginning to see her as a tyrant. I sensed much fear from those outside the palace, which is the opposite of what should be expected. I'd always heard about the Queen's mercy and kindness. All I witnessed was oppression and indignation."
"Those are strong words, Master Jinn, but I'll see what I can do. As a representative of the people of Naboo in this Senate, it is my duty to make sure the people are being treated properly. I will meet with the Chancellor and make some suggestions as to what can be done."
Another smile was offered that did not quite reach the Senator's eyes, and Qui-Gon realized his audience with the man had come to an abrupt end. He excused himself and returned to the Temple, wondering how difficult it would be to access a public transport headed to the Chommel Sector.
It had been days. No, more than that. Weeks. Possibly even months. He had nothing to mark the time with not that the marble would've allowed any to be placed. Its surface was too dense and he was too weak to make a dent. There was no telling how much weight he'd lost. His leggings weren't nearly as snug as they once had been and his tunic hung loosely across his shoulders.
During his residence in the royal prison, he received minimal nourishment and hardly enough water to survive. The Republic would be astounded and quite troubled if they knew of the crimes being committed far beneath the palace.
Obi-Wan's only contact thus far had been with a single guard who came each midday to deliver his single meal of broth and bread. Sometimes a piece of muja would be tossed on the plate, though most of the time there wasn't any. The guard wouldn't speak to him no matter how many times Obi-Wan tried to get some response from him. After a while, the apprenticed realized he was alone and sometimes late at night wondered what had become of his Master. Was the Council even concerned about his well-being? His whereabouts? What if Qui-Gon hadn't even made it back? What if he had been intercepted during his voyage \to Coruscant, or worse, killed?
As his apprentice, they shared a training bond, and Obi-Wan realized he would feel it when his Master passed. He would know. Not being able to access the Light in this place, completely eliminated his ability to do so. As a result, Obi-Wan was in the dark in more ways than one. Late at night, the only thing that aided his sight was the red glow of the plasma gate across the opening to his cell.
Once in a while, an access panel opened on the far wall. Through it was shoved a bucket of water and a sponge. The first time it appeared, Obi-Wan laughed out loud at it. The Queen may want him to starve, but she apparently didn't want him to stink. The first few times, he'd refused to use what had been offered until he began to smell himself, and finally, he gave in and washed from head to toe. Which did very little good once he was forced to put his filthy uniform back on. Long ago, he had placed his empty belt and stola aside, choosing to remain in his leggings and tunic only. It was more comfortable that way and didn't draw attention to the way his hip bones and ribs were now protruding.
And yet, he refused to give in to negative thoughts or depression. One day soon, his Master was going to appear and get him the hell out of there, or he was going to figure out a way to get out himself! He'd already tried the hidden panel. It was only accessible from the outside and was flat and smooth against the wall. He couldn't even insert a fingernail into its edge.
In time, he had come to terms with the obvious fact that he wasn't only a prisoner, he had been given a life sentence. He'd been cast into the bowels of the palace and forgotten. Not even the Evil Entity haunted his dreams anymore. Surely, it didn't think he was dead. Most likely, it figured he was simply beaten.
But that's where it was wrong. Obi-Wan wasn't beaten or even forgotten. He was a Follower of the Light and in him there was Darkness. The Light never faded and it was always present, even though he couldn't touch it from where he stood. Obi-Wan was certain it was only a matter of time before he could and he looked as forward to being reunited with it as much as a diseased man longs for a cure.
He spent his time meditating and recalling the lessons he had learned, repeating the mantras of the Jedi and trying to maintain his muscle tone through light calisthenics. He never pushed himself too hard. He was tiring sooner than he used to. It was a matter of weeks, perhaps months, before he realized he needed to save what little energy he had left. When the time came to walk out of there, he was going to do it on his own two feet.
"I'm so sorry," he heard a voice one night speak to him through the red energy field.
After lifting his weary gaze, Obi-Wan beheld the sorrow-filled expression of Captain Panaka. Obi-Wan had always been generous to others with his smiles and kindness, but he couldn't offer any to the man solely responsible for his current condition.
"I had no idea this was what she had planned for you. She convinced me you were an enemy of the throne who was determined to depose her. The Queen never, not once did she ever...did she ever..."
The words were apparently difficult for him to say, and Obi-Wan grinned rather lopsidedly. It was all he could manage at the time.
"I never believed she would neglect you this way. I'm so sorry, Jedi Kenobi."
He wanted to shout at the man - to demand he be set free. If Panaka was so sorry, then prove it! Release him! Yet, Obi-Wan realized that decision was beyond the Captain's authority. He, too, was a prisoner in this palace, just one of a different kind.
All Obi-Wan could do was nod his head to acknowledge the atonement. He didn't have the energy for anything else.