Obi-Wan returned to his quarters and sat out on the veranda trying to determine where to begin. He was unable to sense anything of Amira. The same emptiness he felt after Qui-Gon was killed was enveloping him. His thoughts turned to his old mentor.
A voice he had not heard in a long time came to him, "Obi-Wan my old Padawan. It is your fear that robs you of your focus." Obi-Wan could not believe what he was hearing, "Is that you Master?" The reply came back, "Yes Obi-Wan. You seem to have a problem."
Obi-Wan smiled despite his mood. Qui-Gon always had a way of understating things, "Master I have allowed harm to come to a fellow Jedi. I have not been able to protect her…I have made mistakes, mistakes unusual even for me." Qui-Gon replied, "Your feelings for Jedi Organa are strong, what has happened however, was unavoidable."
He continued, "There are powerful forces at play, dark forces that have been using your weakness with regards to Jedi Organa." Obi-Wan considered this for a moment then asked, "Why was I so late to sense she was in danger?" Qui-Gon replied, "You weren't listening, you closed yourself off to her. You struggle to suppress your feelings because of what you have been taught. This left you unaware of what was happening too her."
Obi-Wan thought for a moment and then with desperation in his voice he spoke to Qui-Gon's unseen form. "I cannot feel her presence…I fear she may already be dead." The apparition of Qui-Gon appeared in front of Obi-Wan, "You must let your feelings guide you."
Obi-Wan stood in awe as the ghostly image of Qui-Gon appeared in front of him, "I cannot go where they will take me. It is too painful." Qui-Gon nodded and said, "Obi-Wan…you are indeed in trouble. You are in love with Amira."
Obi-Wan moved to stand at the railing and he looked out at the Macaven Sea, "Yes Master, I do love her, but it is impossible, that is why I have denied my feelings. Attachment is forbidden."
Qui-Gon seeming more like a father to Obi-Wan than a teacher said, "You have been taught that according to the Jedi Code it is wrong for Jedi to fall in love. You must realize that no one has the power to avoid falling in love not even a Jedi. The Code is there to discourage it because in most cases nothing good can come of it. This is especially true if the other person is not a Jedi and cannot understand and accept the selfless life a Jedi must lead."
The apparition moved closer, "When two Jedi fall in love, it is, on rare occasions, that this is possible as long as both know the dangers and responsibilities the other faces and the life they have committed to as Jedi. They must find a way to love without letting it interfere with their duty. It is a difficult feat but not an impossible one. You cannot ignore your love for Amira. You must learn how to handle your feelings, but do not bury them completely."
Obi-Wan was somewhat taken a back by Qui-Gon's revelation, "Master you were always able to live with your own interpretation of the Code but the Jedi Council will never approve." Qui-Gon moved to stand next to Obi-Wan and replied, "Do not be too sure."
Obi-Wan's eyes opened wide, "What do you mean?" Qui-Gon continued, "The two of you have been paired together for years, for training, for missions, you have a bond that is not common among Jedi. A bond that developed the day you met each other, a bond that allowed Amira to reach you on that asteroid when no one else could. I knew this and the council knows this."
Obi-Wan lamented, "Master, I never told her how I felt. I cherished her as a friend but pursued nothing more. It never seemed possible. Now…now that I might lose her I wish I had been able to tell her."
Qui-Gon smiled and his eyes twinkled, "You must have faith Obi-Wan; faith that her strength and knowledge of the Force will protect her until you can find her."
He continued, "Trust your feelings. Be mindful of the Force and listen to your heart to find her." Obi-Wan paused for a moment and then he asked, "Master, this isn't the last of the Sith that will hunt us is it?" Qui-Gon replied, "I think you know the answer?"
Helooked away from his mentor and out over the water, "It won't be the last. Each time we destroy one, another will take its place. It won't end at revenge. There is something deeper. One day all the Jedi will be hunted."
Qui-Gon nodded, "The future is very uncertain. For now you must concentrate on the here and now. Amira is what is important. She will grow weaker with each moment she is in his control."
Hesighed heavily and nodded, "Yes, I know. Thank you Master. I know what I must do." Qui-Gon's figure slowly faded from view, "Remember Obi-Wan your love will lead you to her, but the battle will not be over. You have much to face and much you will have to bear. The Force will be with you." Obi-Wan replied, "Yes Master." And Qui-Gon was gone.
Hestood alone on the veranda looking out across the Macaven Sea. For years he had watched Qui-Gon live by his own interpretation of the Code; never abandoning it so much as bending it just enough to accommodate the situation. Obi-Wan had always strived to follow it without question.
Was there a destiny for he and Amira? Would the council allow it? He wasn't sure that he would be able to balance loving her and being a Jedi. His mind raced trying to envision how it would all work out. He stopped himself, "First things first." He said to himself. "I have to find her."
He closed his eyes and reached out hoping he would make a connection, hoping to touch her mind. If she could find him across light years on a remote asteroid he could certainly sense her here on this planet. He dropped all his shielding and opened his heart to her. Doing as Qui-Gon had said; he let his feelings guide him.
Waves of pain swept through him. He had found her. She did not respond to him but he could sense someone was with her and she was in terrible agony. He continued to sense her pain for several minutes and then a wave of relief hit him as the pain subsided and the dark one left her.
He had to grip the railing of the veranda to keep steady. He was deeply shaken by what he had just experienced. He focused again desperate to let her know he was coming "I am coming Amira; you must trust me and remain strong." He felt his connection fade and then disappear altogether.
He tried to find her again but there was nothing. However, during his brief connection he had sensed her surroundings. She was in a cell somewhere. The walls were metal; there was no furniture; no textiles; just cold metal. It seemed like a small detention cell standard on many types of ships. He knew he would find this ship hidden somewhere close, after all Amira was the bait and he was expected.
After dispatching another message to Coruscant informing the Jedi Council of the presence of a Sith on Macaven, he grabbed his weapon and headed for the door. Just before closing the door he turned around and went back for Amira's lghtsaber. When he found her he would have to tease her about losing her weapon.
He had one stop to make before he headed out. He did not go far when his objective met him, "Jedi Kenobi, we have located a ship not far from here." Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes, I knew it would be close can you show me where?"
Dumaas hesitated and hesensed his fear, "I understand, do not be afraid I will not ask you to come with. You have already provided the help I need. Just point me in the right direction."
As they made their way outside he told Dumaas, "The dark one will not bother your people any longer after this is over." Dumaas nodded, "You will battle him then. Will you be victorious?"
Obi-Wan replied, "That I do not know, but regardless of the outcome, his only interest in your world was to find Jedi Organa and myself. He will either be destroyed or he will leave. Either way your people will have no more to fear."
Sadness filled Dumaas' face, "Why does he hunt you?" Obi-Wan responded, "Sometime I may be able to explain this to you in greater detail; just know that we are all part of something greater than ourselves. There is a living Force that surrounds us and this Force provides phenomenal power to those who are sensitive to it and trained to use it."
He shrugged into his robe and attached his lightsaber to his belt, "There are those, like the Jedi, who use it for good, preserving peace and justice in the galaxy, but there are those who use it for evil. Those that embrace the dark exploit the power of the Force for evil and are threatened by the power of the good. They seek to destroy those that represent the good."
Dumaas nodded, "I think I understand. Our culture also has good and evil. We believe the good is stronger, but sometimes it is not. He believes that you and Jedi Organa are a threat to him." Obi-Wan agreed, "Yes."
Without further delay Dumaas pointed to the nearest coastline and asked, "Do you see the hills just beyond the waters edge? There is a valley just over that first ridge. The ship you seek lies in this valley. Take my transport." Obi-Wan thanked him and climbed into the speeder and engaged the throttle.
Dumaas watched as the Jedi sped off across the sea towards the valley and the dark enemy that awaited him. Suddenly Dumaas realized how insignificant the petty disputes of his people were and how tragically it had led to so many years of war. There was good in the universe and individuals like the Jedi were defending it at great risk.
This Jedi, this man who was so willing to help his world, was speeding off to an uncertain fate and the people of Macaven had done nothing to prevent the situation. He began walking back to the great hall filled with regret for not having the courage to stand up to the dark one.