Ch. 2 Discovery
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon whispered, gently shaking his apprentice awake. "I need you. Wake up." Obi-Wan rolled over and opened one eye.
"Master?" he questioned sleepily. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"We have a visitor," his master replied. "Use your senses. You can feel the presence."
Obi-Wan did and he did. "How could he get all the way out here?" he asked, rolling out of bed ready to go.
"Hutts are not afraid to use their spies, even on peacekeepers such as ourselves," said Qui-Gon as they strode together out of the room. "We must find and question him."
"Right," said Obi-Wan, covering a yawn. He would never be as adept as waking up in the middle of the night to deal with potential threats as Qui-Gon was; still, he was improving. "Let us spy out the spy."
Qui-Gon smiled grimly. "That we shall," he replied. "That we shall."
"If we have any luck, our presence will go unnoticed," said Kira, glancing around the cargo bay. Rose had had less trouble with the screws than she had anticipated; Kira grinned with anxiety released. She hoped she always underestimated her friend in such a way.
"We were lucky enough to get here," said Rose, examining her bleeding fingernails. Screw-picking was not easy.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kira's asked wryly. "That we've used our luck up? Or just that it's with us tonight?"
"It means-" Rose began, but Kira suddenly threw up a hand. Her eyes turned wild.
"They're coming!" she hissed, "Quick! Hide!"
"Where?" asked Rose desperately.
"Behind the barrels! Go!" Kira pushed Rose towards them, diving behind her not a moment too soon. The cargo bay doors opened with a steamy hiss. The two Jedi entered. Rose watched tensely through a crack in the barrels as Kira worked as quietly as she could on catching her breath. Rose covered her friend's mouth with her hand as she felt the Jedi's listening sweep over the large room.
"Reveal yourself," Qui-Gon said in a low voice. "We know you are here. It is only a matter of time." The holding room was silent. The Jedi's hand went to his saber and he nodded for his apprentice to do the same. Obi-Wan returned the nod and they began to scan the room, separating but still in perfect synch. Kira joined Rose at the crack and was unnerved by their unimaginable grace and energy. She felt Rose's breathing hasten, and did her best to calm her silently. To no avail; she saw both Jedi share a glance and move ever so slowly towards their corner. Damn! Kira thought.
"Speak," said Obi-Wan. "Speak, or we will be forced to recognize you as a threat." Do they know how many of us there are? Kira wondered, calculating their dwindling chances. Sabers crackled into life. The Jedi loomed closer. She looked at Rose, who looked back in terror. Kira held her eyes and Rose's own widened. Kira nodded, forcing her will upon her friend. There was nothing else for it. Kira stood slowly, her hands raised above her head.
"Uncloak yourself," Qui-Gon said sternly. They both looked exceedingly dangerous, elegant weapons in hand. Both were calm, though Obi-Wan's eyes shifted occasionally to his Master. Kira was surprised to find herself still hooded from her desert romp. She slowly lowered the covering.
Neither Jedi could hide their surprise at their spy's identity. Peace! Qui-Gon thought to his apprentice. Do not let appearances deceive you. But do not be too quick to judge at the same time.
Yes, Master, was all Obi-Wan managed before Qui-Gon spoke once more.
"Who are you?" he asked, his deep voice cold. The girl before them did not speak. She approached them slowly, hands still up and open. She looked them both in the eye and remained silent.
"You were sent by Korba?" asked Obi-Wan menacingly. Both lightsabers remained lit. "Do not lie to us. We'll know."
"No," the girl replied. Her voice was low and tense. It did not waver. "I'm not a spy." Qui-Gon reached out to her aura, trying to sense the feelings that would betray her or perhaps lend her credulity. To his great shock, he felt his questioning tendrils slide around her mind, as if it were protected by glass walls. Obi-Wan, startled by Qui-Gon's own surprise tried the same, with similar results.
"Who are you?" Obi-Wan asked, wary of this girl who seemed a threat, despite being unarmed. No sentient being he had ever encountered had been unreadable as this young woman was. It was possible to block the powers of a Jedi if one were trained in the force, but this talent was one he, and he thought Qui-Gon as well, had never seen. His master seemed on a heightened alert. She was certainly disconcerting.
Kira wracked her brain. What to say? The truth was impossible. Or… or was it?
"My name is Kira," she said at last. She knew her accent would be somewhat strange to them; different and impossible to place. Her words, however, were completely intelligible. "I am a slave of Korba the Hutt. I seek asylum with the Republic- with the Jedi." Her eyes flashed, as if threatening them harm if they dared refuse her. Qui-gon had to cover his grin with his hand. The girl could not be more than two inches over five feet. Obi-Wan caught his eye and grinned. Their new prisoner only bristled further.
I would suggest we take her seriously, Master, Obi-Wan communicated. She may spontaneously combust if we don't.
I agree, my young apprentice, said Qui-Gon, his thought voice warm and flowing. We don't know she speaks the truth. It is very rare to encounter a being like her, shielded from our questioning.
Rare, you say… But not unique, certainly? Obi-Want thought anxiously. Qui-Gon smiled.
No, not unique. But no humanoid race has ever been documented as such. To the matter at hand. You know this request cannot be granted. Not if talks with Korba are to progress. Obi-Wan's face fell noticeably. Kira braced herself for the worst. The conversation, though, was not over yet.
Do we return her, then? Obi-Wan asked. The Hutt will kill her without a second thought. She seeks our asylum! How can we just turn her away?
Others may die, Obi-Wan, if these talks fail, Qui-Gon pointed out gently. Obi-Wan's angry gaze dropped to the floor. Kira thought she might cry, seeing that. I share in your sorrow, my apprentice. She should not have hoped, should not have sought us out.
But she did, Obi-Wan protested weakly. She did. The argument was over. Qui-Gon was right, he knew. His master turned back to their stowaway.
"Is that it, then?" she asked boldly. "You refuse me in my need? I expected better from the Jedi." Obi-Wan blushed to the roots and wouldn't meet her eyes. Qui-Gon did.
"We are the peacekeepers of the galaxy," he said calmly. "By offering you asylum, we would break a fragile peace we seek to weave between ourselves and the Hutts. Many will benefit from our treaty. You yourself might, on your return." Daggers shot from Kira's eyes into the Jedi's.
"You send me to my death," she hissed. "Don't doubt that for a minute."
"By taking you we risk more deaths," Qui-Gon said with finality. "Come with us now by your own free will or we will not hesitate to use force." Obi-Wan's eyes remained on the ground near his feet. Kira eyed him contemptuously and then raised her gaze to Qui-Gon's. The Jedi did not waver. His lightsaber sat in his hand, ready for use at any moment. For a moment, he saw an awful look go through Kira's eyes and he gripped his saber tightly, ready for a wild attack. Tears welled up for a brief moment and he wished he could let her feel his own sadness, his grief at the idea of a young life so tragically snuffed out in the name of peace. She blinked the tears away forcefully, then nodded determinedly. She stepped forward and Obi-Wan followed them both, sandwiching Kira between the two great fighters.
Stay where you are, please, Rose, Kira prayed. I can distract them enough, you'll be okay, just don't-
"Nooo!" came a ragged voice, and Qui-Gon whirled and grabbed Kira, twisting her arms behind her, his lightsaber suddenly at her throat. She held very still though her heart hit the floor with despair… but no figure appeared, and Kira couldn't figure out what Rose thought she was doing. Then she noticed a barrel wiggling in the farthest corner. Oh, God…
Obi-Wan carefully approached the corner once more, saber in hand. "Don't," Kira pleaded with him quietly, making no sudden movements. Her throat practically vibrated from the nearness of Qui-Gon's humming green saber. "She's like me, she's just a girl-" Obi-Wan hesitated, her voice affecting him and Qui-Gon both. For an instant all was still. Then the wiggling barrel was flung by an unseen hand, across the room, heading straight towards Obi-Wan, who turned just in time to dodge. Qui-Gon yelled a warning as it came back again, out of control. The barrel's crazed course might have been funny if Kira hadn't felt a death grip on her throat.
Obi-Wan mentally grabbed the barrel easily from the air, and it stopped to hover several yards away from him. Slowly he forced it to the ground. Rose jumped up from behind the barrels where Kira had left her, hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"You- you beasts!" she cried. "You frauds! Hypocrites!" Obi-Wan held up his hand and twisted it, his patience with those who attacked from behind highly limited. Rose found her tirade winding to a quick close as her voice left her larynx. Apprentice turned to face Master, both baffled and disturbed.
"Are we commoners not even allowed to voice our discontent with your actions, o holy Jedi?" Kira asked archly. Obi-Wan glared at her, and released the newcomer's voice at a nod from Qui-Gon. He glared at Rose.
"And who might you be?" he asked sarcastically. Qui-Gon sighed. This was getting completely out of hand. Rose did not answer, simply spat at him. Obi-Wan rubbed his head as if it pained him, and Kira offered him a mean grin. Her eyes locked on Rose's. There was no hope to be had. It was all over. And for what?
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said at last. His apprentice looked up. "Take our… guests… to a holding cell. Then join me in my room." Blue eyes met blue eyes and Obi-Wan nodded slowly. We have much to discuss, Apprentice. I will be meditating. And- don't get distracted.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan murmured. Qui-Gon released Kira, who did not struggle or turn on him. She was limp and looked breakable as he walked backwards towards the door. The master's heart went out to her, far out, and he felt a great pity that he would only be able to save one of them. He turned swiftly and strode away.
Obi-Wan was left with the two young women. "Over there," he ordered Rose, gesturing with his saber. She trudged over to join Kira at the front of the room. The fight seemed to have gone out of the both of them. Perhaps knowing you're going to die will do that to you, he thought gravely, his eyes drawn by Kira, frozen, her eyes firmly on her trudging friend. There were no tears in her face. But- don't let an appearance deceive you, he reminded himself. I never would have guessed from Kira there were two. "No trouble," he told them both. Neither looked at him. "Walk."
Qui-Gon sat cross-legged in his quarters, meditating on the problem of their stowaways as Obi-Wan led a pair of broken girls to the one room designated to hold those the Jedi did not wish to lose. It was not an uncomfortable place; upholstered, albeit without furniture. Rose sank to the floor, and gave in to wracking sobs. Kira, however, looked the young apprentice straight in the eye. He was apprehensive as he looked back, magnetized by her dark green eyes, set in her thin pale face, made paler by fear- or was it determination?
"Go to your Master, Jedi," she said softly at last. "I won't ask you to act against him. I know that is not your way." Obi-Wan stared. How could she be so calm? So reasonable? Yet the fire was still in her eyes, unmistakable. "Anything you can do- please know that to return to Korba means our deaths." She nodded to the slumped figure on the ground. "You saw Rose has Talent. Please. If you can, help her."
Obi-Wan found his throat dry and empty of words. He nodded curtly, turned and left, robes billowing out behind him. Kira sighed and joined Rose on the floor. She held her friend close as Rose cried herself out.
"Master," said Obi-Wan, coming in the door. Qui-Gon's eyes snapped open.
"Sit, Obi-Wan," he commanded gently. Obi-Wan sat and both were silent a long moment.
"I want to help her-help them," Obi-Wan said, correcting himself. "Can't we? Somehow?" His eyes were pleading. Qui-Gon sighed.
"Yes," he said, and Obi-Wan's heart lifted. "And no." It sank down again. "We can help one of them. Possibly."
"Which?" Obi-Wan asked intently. Qui-Gon met his eyes, guessing at Obi-Wan's feelings and hating to disappoint the boy.
"The second one," he answered softly.
"Rose," Kira whispered. "Shh. Shh. Stop crying." Rose could not. "Rose," Kira said authoritatively. Then she paused, considering. She smiled. "Rose," she said again. "This may yet end well." Her cloak of sorrow fell away like the act it was. Rose looked up, bewildered.
"How?" Rose asked miserably.
"Because they may grant you asylum, based on what you showed them just now. Clever girl," said Kira, trying to display a cheerfulness she could not really feel.
"Grant me asylum? Why? And what about you?"
"What about the other girl?" Obi-Wan asked, trying to hide his emotions. He could not fool Qui-Gon.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said. "I told you the truth, we can't offer her asylum because it may damage the treaty. But the other girl, her friend, has talent in the Force. She showed us just now. She's too old to begin any sort of formal training, but she has the right to study at the Jedi temple. That's already been worked into the treaty."
Obi-Wan sighed. He liked Kira. Moreover, he didn't want to let an innocent die. It went against everything in his nature and his training. Qui-Gon reached out and gripped his shoulder.
"I wish with all my heart that things could be different," his Master told him. "But the girl must come with us. And Kira must stay here."
"And die," said Obi-Wan sullenly.
"And die," Qui-Gon agreed quietly.
Rose was silent as Kira explained what she thought would happen. The silence stretched over the explanation and into their thoughts.
"I can't do this alone," said Rose. Kira did not appear to hear her. Her thoughts were far away, moving a mile a minute towards some sort of solution. Rose let her think, praying there was a way out of this. Suddenly an idea popped into Rose's own head.
"Kira," she said, shaking her friend. Kira started from her reverie. "I have an idea."