Long time no see! University took over my life for two months and a half. But luckily it is now Christmas break and I can write again! So sorry for the very long delay in updating- I was just crazily busy!
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 5- Captive and Alone
Previously...
"He's gone Mace. Klone believes it's the rebels. There is no conclusive evidence yet," Qui-Gon said heavily.
Mace looked stunned for a moment. "They've kidnapped a Jedi Padawan?" he demanded, a frown marring his face as Qui-Gon nodded the affirmative.
"Continue to investigate Qui-Gon. I will see what I can dig up from this end," Mace promised. "Do not worry- Obi-Wan is capable.
Qui-Gon nodded. He knew what Obi-Wan was capable of. He paused.
Did he?
Obi-Wan…I will find you…
Obi-Wan could not believe his eyes. Karsten had drawn back the curtain isolating their small cave and revealed a huge cavern, Obi-Wan's cave miniscule in comparison. The rocky roof was hundreds of feet above them, great arching natural columns of rock supporting the ceiling of the cave.
Obi-Wan craned his neck. He was about halfway up the cave, in a small antechamber. Outside metal gangways and steps ran along the walls of the cave, passing three different levels built directly into the rock.
Karsten glanced over at the young prisoner. He smiled; he had been exactly the same when he had first seen this great natural wonder hidden deep below the Malrion capital. No one except the rebels knew about its location.
"Where am I?" Obi-Wan asked, eyes never alighting for too long on any one sight. He moved to step forward but Karsten threw a hand up to prevent him, taking the young Padawan by surprise. Obi-Wan glanced to his left and spotted it. Running across the entrance to his cave were micro thin lasers, acting as a barrier against Obi-Wan escaping. They would deliver a very powerful electric shock, incapacitating a normal human. Obi-Wan took a deep breath; he was allowing himself to become distracted.
But without the Force...he had felt no warning of the imminent danger he had been about to step into. Even now as he tried in vain to draw on its strength and comfort he felt nothing. It was disconcerting, worrying and painful all at the same time. As though he was incomplete. It made Obi-Wan feel ill. He felt bereft without its comforting presence.
How long can I last without the Force…? He wondered ominously. His skull still throbbed painfully, too much just to ignore- though not enough to keep him unconscious
Obi-Wan grimaced. He had to do something.
"Hey- you there!"
A stern voice caught Obi-Wan and Karsten by surprise. There was the noise of clanking boots on metal and a tall, broad shouldered, human male was walking quickly towards them, staring straight at Obi-Wan. As he approached, Obi-Wan realised the man rivalled Qui-Gon for impressive height.
Obi-Wan had a bad feeling about this man.
Karsten hurried to salute the man approaching.
"The prisoner is awake?" the man glanced through Obi-Wan, careful not to get too close to the beams.
Obi-Wan felt like rolling his eyes at the obvious question. Instead, he pulled himself together. He needed to figure out where he was and more importantly- how he was going to get back to Qui-Gon. That positive thought in mind he centred himself and studied the man approaching them. He had short, closely cropped hair and was wearing clothes similar to Karsten- even similar as the rest of the people Obi-Wan saw walking through the cavern: a dark tunic, shirt and trousers, standard looking boots with a black belt around his waist. A small white symbol was sewn onto the material above his heart.
Karsten nodded.
"Bind his hands," the man ordered. "And put this over his head."
Obi-Wan observed the apologetic look Karsten shot him, before he obligingly held out his wrists. They were tied none too gently either and Obi-Wan grimaced as the plastic ties cut into the soft skin. Karsten held out the hood. Inwardly steeling himself, Obi-Wan watched Karsten raise the hood to pull it down over his head, trying to hide the fear that bubbled up inside him.
This was so beyond having a bad feeling.
All he needed to do was keep a level head and sort through this problem methodically. As a Jedi would do. Like his Master would without a doubt manage. And Obi-Wan wanted to live up to, no…surpass Qui-Gon's expectations.
And look where he had landed himself….
Obi-Wan wondered how long he could hold out for.
The hood descended over his eyes and Obi-Wan's world was plunged into a muffled darkness where light did not penetrate. He could faintly hear Karsten and the man discussing something before he was prodded in the shoulder something metallic and cold. A blaster end he surmised. The man had had several strapped to the belt around his waist.
"Move forward," the man's voice directed. "And don't try anything."
Cautiously and missing the Force more than ever, Obi-Wan stepped forward, wishing he could feel his way with the Force. Instead, he faltered blindly forward, prodded in the right direction by the end of a gun held by some unknown man.
"Left," the voice demanded.
Bewildered, Obi-Wan turned to his left, shoved roughly in the right direction by a non-too-gentle blaster in his back, making him stumble forwards, barely keeping his balance.
Oh Force…Master where are you? Obi-Wan thought anxiously.
(Imperial Palace- Qui-Gon Jinn)
Unbeknown to the young Padawan, the Jedi Master was thinking almost exactly the same thing as he sat in Chief Advisor Klone's private office as he watched the ghostly blue figure of Mace Windu disappear with a soft hiss. He then rubbed a hand across his face, sinking deep into thought.
"Let the Force guide you."
To find Obi-Wan he needed a level head and to be in complete control. Anxiety and restlessness flickered within him. Registering the emotions' intensities with slight surprise, Qui-Gon exhaled slowly. How different his life was turning out to be, barely having a Padawan a month. Missions had another complex side now he had someone to guide.
Well, how well his guidance was shaping out to be. He had failed to keep his Padawan safe. On the first mission. That had to be a Temple record of some sort. And not one that Qui-Gon was pleased to hold. He would find Obi-Wan. Quickly.
Standing, he left the private office and walked back to where Advisor Klone, his secretary Viza and the Captain of the Imperial Building Guard Raidon were waiting for him.
Advisor Klone rose quickly to greet the solemn Jedi Master. "There was no problem was there Master Jedi?" Klone asked. "Is there anything I can do to help? I am at your disposal Master Jinn," he offered humbly.
No problem? Qui-Gon gritted his teeth. Of course there was a problem. "Chief Advisor, what files do you have on the rebels? I need all available information. How would they have known Jedi were arriving?"
Klone looked momentarily perplexed. "We have very limited intelligence on these rebels Master Jinn- they are a new occurrence here in Malrion. But I am sure there will be some files for you to read. Captain Raidon will take you there," the Chief Advisor said.
"It would not be difficult for the rebels to have found out about the Jedi's presence," Viza spoke up. "The Government did not hide the fact that Jedi would be overlooking the elections. Everybody knew."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I see. How long have the rebels made themselves known?"
"Only a few weeks," Klone admitted. "First they demanded that the election process be made more public. Then they accused us of 'rigging' the election. They mean to spread chaos in the streets!" Klone was angry.
"Do they go by a name?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Freedom for Malrion," Klone said. "They believe Malrion is not being run properly. They would tell us officials they could run it better!" The Advisor frowned. "I'm sure it will not be long before we hear demands concerning your Padawan, Master Jinn."
Qui-Gon schooled his features carefully. That had been another thing on his mind. There had yet to be any call- to say whether or not this rebel party had indeed captured Obi-Wan. "We still do not know for definite whether this rebel group have my Padawan," the Jedi Master said as neutrally as possible. "Have they kidnapped anyone before?"
Viza exchanged a glance with Raidon but neither said anything.
"Well no they haven't," Klone sputtered. "But I really can't think where else you Padawan would have ended up. He didn't just wander off did he? There has been an extensive sweep of the grounds and rooms and nothing has been turned up. The boy is not here."
Qui-Gon reached out with the Force for the umpteenth time, searching, hunting for any sign of his Padawan. There was nothing. A stony silence where once there had been a brilliant light at the back of his mind that linked him to the boy. It was gone.
He couldn't be dead…
Qui-Gon drew himself out of his ominous thought pattern. Focus would determine his reality. He needed to focus- on getting Obi-Wan back. "Thank you for your help Chief Advisor. May I now be shown to your data collection of these rebels?"
"Of course, of course. Captain Raidon if you please."
"Sir," Raidon nodded. "If you would like to follow me Jedi Master," he said, moving towards the door, Qui-Gon quickly falling into step with the Captain, Viza remaining with the Chief Advisor. The secretary watched the two men disappear, before placing something down on the desk.
(With Obi-Wan)
Obi-Wan could feel the sweat beading on his forehead as he was turned roughly around yet another corner. It was hot beneath the hood and he ached from the occasional glance off a solid object, which, without the Force he was unable to detect until too late.
He had trained blindfolded before. Since his sight was taken he was relying on his other heightened senses. All around him, he could hear voices, marching footsteps, the sounds of orders being given, grumbles and grunts as two, no three people carried something heavy past him.
Obi-Wan was starting to think he knew where he was.
"Alright stop," the man's voice said at last.
Gratefully, Obi-Wan stopped. Someone brushed past him on the right, someone taller. Voices murmured a little way off, though Obi-Wan was at a loss at what they were saying. Then there was a loud hissing noise and the clanking of metal. Doors opening?
Obi-Wan felt a hand fasten around his arm, pulling him forwards across some sort of threshold. All of a sudden the hood was yanked off his head, the suddenness of the light making Obi-Wan wince and close his eyes a fraction.
He was in a rocky rectangular shaped chamber, which held a long wooden table with high backed chairs around it. Most were filled with various men and women all staring grimly at Obi-Wan. The room was lit by many flickering lights set in the craggy walls, but even then the room was gloomy and oppressive. It was also very warm but Obi-Wan spied various vents in the rock where fresh air was constantly being pumped in. There was only one door, the one he had entered through. Looking back over his shoulder he saw two guards had taken their place by the door.
That exit was now barred.
The Padawan did his best to hide his apprehension. However, there was no Force to release the feeling to and for a moment he felt panic surge up inside him. He could not do this. He wanted his Master here. No, he needed his Master here. Qui-Gon would know what to.
Obi-Wan was roughly positioned at the end of the table, staring straight along to its head where a man sat. He wore exactly the same as everyone else except the small white symbol over everyone else's hearts was emblazoned over his whole chest. The symbol now Obi-Wan saw was a circle with a diagonal line through it. The man's skin was olive and his eyes a bright startling blue. A white jagged scar passed from his left eye down to the centre of his cheek.
Karsten had disappeared. The man who had led Obi-Wan to the room sank into a seat on the right of the man who sat directly opposite Obi-Wan. The Padawan guessed the scar-faced man to be the leader of the operation.
The leader sat up straighter in his chair and leant forwards, setting his elbows on the table, steepling his fingers and resting his chin upon them. His eyes were directly fixed upon Obi-Wan.
"What is your name," he asked voice chilly in the warm room.
There was no reason to lie, Obi-Wan thought briefly so he told the truth. "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The man's brows frowned. "You are not from Malrion,"
Obi-Wan nodded shortly. "I am from Coruscant."
The leader sat back in his chair and murmurings broke out from the men and women sitting around the table. He held up a hand to silence them.
"Are you a Jedi?" the leader asked.
Obi-Wan paused.
"One of the men who captured you reported that you threw him across the room with a wave of your hand," the leader leant forwards, steepling his fingers together, eyes concentrated on Obi-Wan. "That sounds remarkably like the ability Jedi possess if I am not mistaken."
"I am a Jedi," Obi-Wan replied stiffly, straightening as best he could. His hands were still bound before him and he felt his side twinge in protest but he tried ignored it. Now was not the time to show any weakness if he could help it. He would not deny being a Jedi. He was proud to be a Jedi. Proud to be Qui-Gon Jinn's Padawan. He would try to bring honour to his training.
There is no try- there is do or do not
The familiar mantra rose up from the back of Obi-Wan's mind, offering some comfort which he gratefully took. He squared his shoulders looking straight ahead. He would bring honour to his training.
"No matter, your powers are useless here," the man who had led Obi-Wan to the room spoke up. "We made sure of that. And any sign that you're regaining connection with this…Force…the dosage will be increased."
Obi-Wan blinked. Dosage? They had used Force inhibitors on him? He had heard of such things, rumours from back at the Temple, drugs and technology which left a Jedi without the presence of the Force. His headache was worsening. He needed the Force. Needed to feel its soothing presence, feel the glow of the bond he was beginning for forge with Qui-Gon.
"You look young to be a full Jedi," The women to the left of the leader seemed sarcastically amused. "You cannot be over sixteen standard years."
"An apprentice then?" someone else along the table suggested.
A low murmur ran around the people seated in front of Obi-Wan. He said nothing, but looked directly ahead.
"We order the capture of the Jedi and they come back with an apprentice. No matter. Perhaps it was for the best after all. Do you have a Master?" The scar faced leader asked.
Obi-Wan said nothing. Where was Qui-Gon? They could not have him too could they? The again, if they were asking if he had a Master, then it was plausible that they did not hold Qui-Gon captive. He did not reply to the question.
"Answer!" the woman shot at him, her eyes cold. "You caused enough damage when we captured you."
Obi-Wan hid a smile. He had not gone down without a fight- that was for certain.
"I've heard that the Jedi are excellent fighters," one man, further down the long table said, a tinge of curiosity in his voice. "I would like to see one fight." Murmuring agreements followed his words.
The leader held up his hand for silence and it fell effectively. "I want to know," he said, turning his full attention to Obi-Wan. "What are you doing here on Malrion?"
Obi-Wan again said nothing.
"Jedi I am going to make this simple. You will give me the answers I require. I'm not going to be patient with you. Time is short," the Leader leant forward. "Answer me."
"Who am I addressing?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We are the Freedom for Malrion. The rebels who blew up the air taxi outside the Airdrome earlier. We mean to take down the Government," Scarface replied coolly. "You will answer me, or you will be made an example of."
This is a bit shorter than usual but more is coming! I landed in a bit of a snag- not knowing where I was really going with this story- it started well then I sort of…well, lost the plot? As in the file disappeared? And I cannot remember what I planned, which is sad because it was quite good. If anyone has suggestions to add to my alternative plot line I'd welcome them- they may end up jogging my memory!
Please review- hope you enjoyed!
AldabaranFox