Hello! Sorry about the delay in posting this chapter- I got slightly carried away with other writing- Lost and Found being nearly finished now. Hope the wait wasn't too bad!
Disclaimer as usual.
Thanks for all the reviews so far- I'm very happy with the response to this story- hope you continue to enjoy!
Chapter 3- Ominous Warnings
Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood with his pack at his feet in the middle of one of the Jedi Temple's docking bays. The spacecraft to take him to Rhashta was being prepared and checked over by the pilot for the final time behind him, as the Jedi Master said goodbye to the Padawan who was standing by his side. His Padawan, Obi-Wan who would not be accompanying him to his mission to Rhashta. It was surprising that Qui-Gon had even allowed the boy to accompany him to the docking bay. Only a stubborn glint in Obi-Wan's eye had told the Master the Padawan would at least be walking Qui-Gon to his space craft, even if he could not leave with him.
It felt very strange to the Master, who had only just gotten used to having a companion on missions again, to be alone again. It was as though he was a single Master again- no young Padawan to raise and guide to knighthood. Similar to the last time he had been to Rhashta. Only Qui-Gon would know he had changed.
"Remember what I said Padawan," Qui-Gon said, looking at the shorter Jedi very seriously. Obi-Wan was well wrapped up in an extra warm cloak as he stood beside his Master, to stave off any hint of infection whilst the younger Jedi's immune system battled the remnants of Dantari Flu's hold on his body.
Qui-Gon had already battled inwardly on whether to take the mission or not. There had been a part of him that had wanted point blanking to refuse. Obi-Wan had not been well, it had been his duty to look after and sure the boy was well again. However, though his meditations the Force had been illusive in a decisive answer, frustrating the Master no end. Was the Force trying to warn him about something? Despite this, Qui-Gon knew that the people of Rhashta needed him. This mission could affect the lives of billions living on the planet. In spite of his Padawan's needs, Qui-Gon had to see the bigger picture. It was his duty. He was relieved his Padawan agreed.
"Yes Master, I'll remember to rest and take the medication, sleep enough and eat enough," Obi-Wan repeated the list, his tone slightly teasing as he tugged the cloak around him a bit more securely. His Master had drilled him on everything he was to do- at least six times, as they were leaving the apartment, whilst in the turbo lift, arriving in the docking bay. He knew the score.
Qui-Gon caught Obi-Wan shifting under the cloak and frowned in concern, about to say something when Obi-Wan sent his Master a similar frown. "I am fine Master, I'm much better," he assured the man.
Qui-Gon sighed instead. "Master Vena Kaa will be keeping an eye on you, so make sure you behave," he said, trying to recall anything he might have forgotten to tell his Padawan. It was one of the conditions Qui-Gon had asked for in leaving Obi-Wan behind. Master Vena had been the Crèche Master until a year ago, just after Obi-Wan had left the crèche to become Qui-Gon's padawan. Obi-Wan had been in Master Kaa's charge since very young and Vena was very fond of Obi-Wan. She had passed on that role to Master Erine Tac, who was very capable of looking after the young children.
"You know Master I think your transport will leave without you," Obi-Wan said, raising an eyebrow.
"Cheek," Qui-Gon replied, gently cuffing his impudent Padawan. "I will see you soon Padawan."
Obi-Wan sobered, "May the Force be with you Master," he said sincerely. "I hope your mission is a success- I'll wait to hear all about it on your return."
Qui-Gon nodded. "And with you," he squeezed Obi-Wan's shoulder lightly with affection. "But if there is anything you want to talk about Padawan- anything worrying you…"
"Comm. you yes Master. I'm sure there won't be though," Obi-Wan tried to keep the tone positive.
Qui-Gon nodded shortly.
"Have a safe trip Qui-Gon," both Jedi turned and saw Master Vena Kaa walking towards them, her braids gently bouncing with each step. She was tall, close even to Qui-Gon's imposing height but lightly built, with smooth pale greenish-blue skin and eyes of deep cerulean blue. Her long dark hair was combed into many intricate blonde braids with coloured beads falling down past her shoulders.
"Thank you Vena. I'm sure Obi-Wan won't be any trouble now, will you Padawan?"
"Master!" Obi-Wan looked embarrassed.
Vena laughed. "I've always enjoyed looking after Obi-Wan. It will be like old times," she smiled at the young Padawan. "Now get going Qui-Gon. The pilot won't wait forever."
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow but did not rise to her bait. "See you soon Obi-Wan," the Master said, lifting his bag easily from the floor.
Obi-Wan stood still, fighting the urge to follow the man as he climbed the ramp into the ship, forcing himself to remain still. Every fibre of his body was trying to tell him this was wrong. He was meant to go with his Master- who would watch Qui-Gon's back? That was his job. Obi-Wan bit his lip. What a stupid time to be ill, he fumed at himself. What happened if…no…Qui-Gon would be fine. Fine. There would be nothing to worry about.
The engines of the craft roared and the sudden wind made Obi-Wan's cloak flap and Vena's braids dance. Obi-Wan watched the craft leave the dock, eyes following it as it joined the streams of Coruscant traffic and move out of sight.
Vena watched the shorter Padawan stare a little forlornly after the ship carrying his Master away from him. It was most likely the first time either would have been separated from each other for a long period of time, having spent most of the last year together. She had cared for the boy as he had grown up and could spot the emotions flickering in the blue eyes. Worry, concern and a little bit of hurt passed over Obi-Wan's face before the stoic Jedi mask was slipped into place and he turned to face her, composed again.
"Master Vena," he bowed his head slightly.
Vena folded her arms. "Obi-Wan Kenobi- we've known each other for years, you don't have to be so formal," she chided gently as the two fell into step, leaving the space dock side by side. "We are long due a catch up session- so tell me of your time as a Padawan. I hear you've had some pretty exciting missions."
"Leaving Coruscant airspace now, preparing for hyperspace," the pilot announced, easing the craft out of Coruscant's atmosphere and into space. Qui-Gon nodded in recognition in his seat, unstrapping the safety buckles. Picking up his bag, he walked down the narrow passage and into the small cabin at the rear of the spaceship. It was under a day's flight to Rhashta so there were few provisions on board. The cabin had enough room for two bunk beds to be squeezed in and Qui-Gon automatically put his bag on the bottom bunk, eyeing the top one ruefully. He could almost see Obi-Wan walking in behind him, putting his bag on the top bunk, saying something humorous before they sat down together to review the mission before them.
But Qui-Gon was alone now. In silence, he pulled the data pad with the mission briefing and other general information towards him and began to read it. The Force suddenly rippled in Qui-Gon's mind and without warning; his comm. began to beep.
Qui-Gon quickly reached into his bag to retrieve the comm. It was Vena's signal. Fear suddenly gripped Qui-Gon's heart before he could control it and he thumbed on the device, hoping his voice was steady. Had something gone wrong already? He had known this was a mistake… "Vena? It's Qui-Gon- what's wrong? Is it Obi-Wan-"
"Qui-Gon calm down," the former Crèche Master interrupted Qui-Gon's demands. "Obi-Wan's fine- you've only been gone ten minutes."
Qui-Gon could almost see the other master rolling her eyes and breathed out, calming himself. He was jumping at shadows so to speak. There was nothing to say that there was anything wrong. "Of course," he continued smoothly. "What did you want?"
"Qui-Gon, is it true?"
Qui-Gon blinked. "Vena?" Then it hit him what she was getting at. She knew. How many others knew? "Vena…"
There was a pause on the end of the line as Vena licked her lips, trying to phrase her next sentence carefully. "I heard…I'll make sure he's safe Qui-Gon," she assured the master. "Until you get back, Obi-Wan will be safe here. I just had to make sure."
Qui-Gon grimaced. "Thank you Vena."
"Force be with you Qui- good luck with your mission. Try not to get too distracted- I'm sure your Padawan wouldn't like that," Vena advised.
The other Master rolled his eyes. "Will do, the Force be with you too. Qui-Gon signing out." He hit the comm. button, disengaging their conversation and his cabin was shrouded in silence again. Worry again niggled at Qui-Gon's mind. He could not see the future, he could not predict with accuracy what might happen. Nothing might happen and all could be fine. However, the reverse was also true. Who knew, when you were dealing with such an unpredictable character?
"It's good to see you up and about Obi," Bant smiled across, watching her friend sitting on the opposite sofa. "When Master Jinn told us you were gravely ill we were all really worried," she admitted.
Obi-Wan stretched out his legs on his sofa in his quarters. Bant had come over to visit a few hours after Qui-Gon had left for Rhasta and after evening meal, the day was growing old. Vena had withdrawn to allow the two padawans to talk, sitting at the back of the apartment at the table, reading a data pad. "I'm fine Bant," he smiled, rolling his eyes. "You're nearly as bad as my Master," he said.
"Obi- Dentari Flu is nothing to be sneeze-" Bant paused, a grin emerging on her face.
Obi-Wan caught his friend's slip and could not help but burst out laughing. "Bant that's so bad!" he spluttered, before he began to cough, the laugh catching at tickle at the back of his throat. He waved away Bant as she rose from her seat in concern. "I'm fine, really," he held up a hand to pacifying the concerned Mon Calamari.
Bant settled back down, watching the other padawan closely, her eyes narrowed. "You've got to be careful Obi," she admonished.
Obi-Wan nodded, catching his breath. "I know, I know. Now you're really sounding like my Master!" he sat back again, rubbing at his chest in order to ease the tightness. "To be honest- I had thought of sneaking on the ship when Master Qui-Gon wasn't looking," he admitted.
His friend raised an eyebrow. "He would not have been pleased with you," she pointed out.
"Probably not," Obi-Wan agreed. "It just feels…weird, like I've been left behind or something," he began to fiddle with the hem of his sleeve, a clear sign to Bant that Obi-Wan was not as cheerful as his countenance was trying to suggest.
"Oh Obi, you know it's not like that," Bant comforted the dejected looking padawan, sliding off her couch to sit beside him. "You know Master Qui-Gon wouldn't just leave you behind. He's trying to look after you, keep you well in the Temple."
Obi-Wan nodded. "You're right. I'm sitting here moping- I should be trying to get better. Then maybe I can join him on the mission if it takes longer than first thought," he mused.
Bant looked at him disapprovingly. "Just get better full stop," she said. "And wait for Master Jinn's return. There will be other missions Obi- you've been together for just over a year. You've got at least another decade to go."
A smile twitched at the corner of Obi-Wan's lips. "You think it will take me that long?" he asked in a teasing manner, smile morphing into a grin as Bant slapped his arm playfully, scolding him for teasing her. "Yes there are other missions. But I just feel this one…there's something, something wrong."
Bant cocked her head, "Obi-Wan? What do you mean?" she asked.
Obi-Wan shrugged. "I don't know. Just a feeling…niggling. It's probably nothing," he reassured his friend. "I think…I'm going to turn in Bant," he said after a moment's pause.
She nodded understandingly. Her friend needed rest and she felt bad having kept him up so late. "Of course Obi-Wan. Good evening Master Kaa," Bant bowed to the former Crèche Master who had also risen and approached the two young padawans.
"Have a good evening Padawan Erin," Vena said pleasantly, smiling warmly at another old charge of hers. "Give my regards to your master."
"I will thank you," Bant smiled. "See you later Obi," she waved briefly at her friend before the apartment.
Obi-Wan watched the door slide shut and then sank back down onto the sofa. He was tired and his whole body felt weary he noticed. The day had taken a lot of out him. He sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face before he stood up, glad that his legs weren't shaking like earlier.
He saw the Master watching him. "I'm going to bed," he announced.
Vena nodded. "Do you need anything? It's been so long I've forgotten your usual routine," she teased lightly.
Obi-Wan smiled, "I'm fine. Are you…." he gestured to the apartment.
"I will sleep in the living quarters," Vena supplied. "Are you alright with that?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, don't worry. I'll see you in the morning."
"Making our final descent to Rhasta," the pilot's voice echoed through the ship's comm. bringing Qui-Gon out of his meditations. It only took a few hours to reach the Inner Rim planet of Rhasta on a hyper-drive engine and Qui-Gon was not surprised.
Stowing away his belongings back in his bag, Qui-Gon rose and made his way smoothly to the cockpit, where his pilot was navigating the small ship through the upper atmosphere of the planet. The clouds began to thin as they flew lower and the capital buildings began to emerge. Not the large skyscrapers of Coruscant but rather similar to Naboo in architecture and building style. As instructed, the pilot directed his craft to the main hanger of the airdrome.
There was a clanking sound as the short legs of the craft were deployed and the engines fired one last time before the ship landed neatly on the outside landing pad of the main hanger. The engines were cut off and a low whirring noise filled the cockpit as the pilot checked the flaps, fiddling around with his control panel.
"Thank you," Qui-Gon said graciously as he rose from his seat.
The pilot nodded offhandedly as he leaned forward to hit the engine coolers. "No problem Master Jedi. I'll be here for a couple of days if you need anything."
Qui-Gon thanked him again before disembarking. He could already see a few people waiting for him outside on the hanger. Tugging his cloak more firmly around his shoulders, he opened his mouth to call for Obi-Wan to follow him closely and then shut it again, shaking his head slightly. Obi-Wan was on Coruscant, in the Jedi Temple.
"Ah, Master Jinn, welcome back to Rhasta," a young woman stepped forward to greet Qui-Gon as he approached the group waiting for him. "I have heard a lot about you."
Qui-Gon nodded, "Thank you…" he waited for a name to be supplied. He did not recognize her as being part of the government he had watched form on Rhasta nearly ten years ago now. Much had changed he thought. None of the faces looked familiar. Rhasta was primarily a human world and the expressions which gazed back at him were stony and cool.
"Kalia Gunter- I was First Minister Ista Calib's secretary for the last four years," Kalia introduced herself, shaking hands with the Master, her expression cool and calculating in Qui-Gon's first impression. "The deputy minister would be here to greet you himself but he was tied up in affairs in the Capitol Building," she informed him. "I was sent in his stead. Please follow, we have much to discuss."
The Jedi Master nodded smoothly. He scanned the Force gently as Kalia led the way out of the hanger and to the transportation awaiting them to take them to the Government Headquarters. He did not like the way the Force felt as they walked. There was an ominous air about the place that caused the Qui-Gon some concern.
"How has everything been since the earlier events?" Qui-Gon asked quietly as they sat in the transport which hovered a few feet above the ground as it sped through the streets. There were only two other aides with them, sitting primly on the other side of the small shuttle. He watched as the secretary's eyes shifted. She was hiding something he surmised. But what…
With a rush, the façade was dropped and the woman in front of him suddenly looked very frightened, unlike the cool, stern persona she had pulled off out on the hanger. "Master Jinn, it's terrible," she began, leaning forward so their conversation was more private. "The assassin got clean away and has murdered two other government officials. No one is safe in Headquarters."
Qui-Gon frowned. "Who else has been killed?" he asked.
"One of the foreign ministers," Kalia supplied the name, "and also one of the Deputy's body doubles. We think it was meant to be the Deputy Minister. There was a fourth attempted but she escaped- by the luck of the gods," the secretory whispered. "The whole government is in chaos."
This was worse than Qui-Gon had thought. "Secreatory Gunter, have you any leads on the assassin?"
Kalia paused, glancing at the two aides sharing the shuttle with them. "I believe I'm onto something- I have this-" she began, leaning in closer to Qui-Gon, holding out her holo board. Qui-Gon shifted slightly on his seat to look at the board. He caught a glimpse of blonde.
There was a sudden jolt and the whole transport shook. Qui-Gon stiffened, something was wrong. Kalia looked very pale. Without warning there was a tremendous bang from the front of the shuttle and the Jedi Master felt the floor beneath his feet tremble violently before everything was turned upside down and suddenly the floor became the ceiling.
The transport flipped, smashing into the ground and gouging out a large gash in the paved street as smoke billowed from the driver's section of the shuttle. Flames began to lick the outer hull as there was no stirring from within.
A couple of light years away from Rhasta on the Galactic Core planet of Coruscant, at exactly the same moment in the Jedi Temple, a young Padawan woke up with a anguished scream, his eyes wide and frantic as he was wrenched cruelly from his nightmare, sweat dripping from his temples, his whole body quivering in terror and distress.
Oh my- and we're back to the cliffhangers :P Sorry folks! Hope that was worth the wait- the fourth chapter will not take as long as it did to produce this one!
Please review and make my day :D
AldabaranFox