Argh! It's been so long (again) my apologies (again). I've been busy settling into the new year at Uni, getting signed up for lectures/classes/seminars/tutorials the works. So it's been a hectic few weeks. And a new house- living out- so having to buy/cook meals. It's all a little stressful! But I've found time to write finally! But I feel like now I am writing- it's not as good as I haven't kept it up :/ You guys be the judge (just not too harsh 'kay?)

I have also noticed something strange. You guys do not seem to like even number chapters. The odd number chapters 1,3,5 and 7 have had far more reviews than 2, 4 and 6. What is with that? It amused me a bit. Please don't be mean to Chapter 8! lol!

Anyways- I hope you enjoy this :) The next few chapters are actually planned- they were written before the first chapter was! haha! Finding the middle to this story was difficult! The ending is pretty much sorted!

But enjoy :) You've got quite a long chapter here! And I own nothing in the Star Wars- except a certain person who appears in this chapter :P

Chapter 8- Like Master like Padawan

Sony-Da put down Qui-Gon Jinn's comm. link as he ended the call, his laughter slowly dying as he began to consider the repercussions of the conversation. Of all the people who he had expected to contact Jinn's comm. It had previously shown callers including the prestigious Councillor Jedi Master Mace Windu.

However, when the comm. had flashed up with Obi-Wan Kenobi's name as the caller, various emotions had raged within the former Jedi. The first were anger followed by suspicion. The padawan should have died. He must have died! The toxin he had injected Qui-Gon with was potent enough to kill in a matter of hours and he was certain it had travelled down the bond. How had the boy managed to survive? And now a day later Obi-Wan's comm. was calling Jinn's.

After he spent a few moments clenching his fists in rage, a new emotion began to break through as he began to think. The second emotion to emerge was glee with a cunning edge. Perhaps Obi-Wan surviving could actually be to his advantage after all. Qui-Gon would not know- he already believed his padawan to be dead. Then…ooh- there were endless possibilities Sony-Da could use to break the Master and Padawan. The Padawan would fall right into his hands. He just had to word everything the right way…

He could almost smell the fear radiating across the subspace link when he activated the link. That wasn't surprising given the circumstances of their last meeting. Sony-Da purposely kept the tone light though his words taunted the young padawan. The rage and injustice of their past was at the forefront of his mind. Obi-Wan Kenobi would pay- he would make sure of that. It was almost too easy when he deducted that Jinn had not told his precious padawan that the former Jedi had escaped the prison he had been sent to. The boy's hurt, disbelief and confusion broadcasted so strongly it was all Sony-Da could do not to laugh at the naïve boy.

The rest had been easy. The padawan would follow the master. Sony-Da knew enough about Obi-Wan Kenobi that he was loyal to a fault to his friends and of course to his Master…Tempting the boy with Qui-Gon's pain had been simple. The fear in the young voice when he had called out for his Master and the forced promise that he would save Qui-Gon. The little threats on the side about not contacting the Jedi just proved the boy's naivety. Perhaps he still did trust his former lightsaber master word.

Sony-Da sat back contemplatively. All he had to do now… was wait.

Obi-Wan could not remember how long he had lain on his bed for after receiving the ransom-like call for the life of his Master. The cruel laughter mixed with the pained cry echoed round his head as he tried to decide what to do. Qui-Gon would know what to do. His larger-than-life Master would come up with a plan in the blink of an eye- relying totally on the Force for guidance and his instincts. But Obi-Wan wasn't a Jedi Master with decades of experience, or even Qui-Gon Jinn. He was just a fourteen year old padawan, who currently was not in control of his emotions.

It all boiled down to the one thing. Qui-Gon was in trouble and he needed saving. Obi-Wan had to save him. The Padawan had no problem believing that Sony-Da would carry out his threat of killing Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan blinked hard. For Qui-Gon to have his life cut short by this…psychopath…He could not bear the thought.

Qui-Gon would not die.

Not on Obi-Wan's watch.

What was he to do? Meditation proved elusive as his emotions threatened his control of the Force. He ran a hand through his hair for the third time in as many minutes. He was running out of options and more importantly time. There was no knowing what Sony-Da could be doing to his Master. Qui-Gon had been in pain- Obi-Wan had heard it. And it cut him to the core. Qui-Gon was strong- the best Jedi Obi-Wan knew and trusted, and he was brought down by this madman.

Why hadn't Qui-Gon told him? Qui-Gon had known that Sony-Da had escaped his prison cell. Did he not trust Obi-Wan enough to impart the information? Or was he just trying to coddle and protect his apprentice as though he were a child? Obi-Wan straightened indignantly. No matter how much it scared him was it not best for his Master to tell him? Warn him of what was out there? This could have all been avoided…

"Obi-Wan? Are you alright?" Master Vena's voice floated through the closed door from where she was standing in the main living quarters.

Obi-Wan sat bolt upright in shock at the interruption to his thoughts, hand unconsciously tightening around his communicator. Had she heard the conversation? How much had she heard? Slowly, he got to his feet, his body still tired from his recent stint in the Healers' Wing.

"I'm fine Master Vena," he called back after a moment. He hesitated about leaving his room to join her in the living area. No, this needed his immediate attention and Vena Kaa could not help. The Jedi could not help.

Obi-Wan slumped. That thought trail would not get him anywhere fast. He needed a plan. He needed to get to Rhasta, the planet where Qui-Gon was. The Temple had access to ships but someone would most certainly notice a missing one, let alone let a Padawan travel with them out to that system. Obi-Wan was loathe to steal one of the ships but he was out of options. Did any of the masters know Sony-Da had escaped? Yoda? Mace Windu? They would certainly not allow Obi-Wan to leave for Rhasta. Master Y'Chiryō would probably confine him to the Healers' Wing and Vena Kaa would not be impressed…

Then he sat up straight, an idea flashing into his mind. It fitted into the rules Sony-Da had set. A smile almost twitched at the corner of Obi-Wan's lips. It could work. Possibly. Obi-Wan reached for his comm. link and placed a call, waiting with un-Jedi like impatience for it to connect.

"Hello- this is Kenobi…"

The cloaked and hooded figure slipped without a word through the crowded public hanger; moving effortlessly past the busy travellers making their way onto commercial freighters and transport ships. There were humans and aliens alike; most were dirty, grimy and sour looking; most of their possessions stuffed into the bags they carried on their backs. A huge freighter filled with off-worlders had just docked and the new arrivals were spilling out into the hanger, breathing in the first lungful (in most cases) of this new planet's air. Seamlessly melting in with the crowd, cloak fluttering around booted ankles the figure manoeuvred easily through the throngs, heading towards the end of the hanger.

At the end of the hanger there was a different kind of ship compared to the standard freighters and transport ships. With smooth hull, sleek lines and a clean shining silver exterior it was in a luxury shuttle, in a class far higher than its surrounding ships. It was smaller than the public freighters but beautifully designed and elegant. Standing on the hanger, waiting were a few, predominantly humanoid people, well dressed and talking quietly away from the hubbub of everyday space travel. Guards were also stationed at the entrance to the craft.

The cloaked figure broke away from the throng of off-world travellers but still managed to draw little attention as it approached the high class vessel. Two guards appeared just to let the figure slip by them, heading towards the group waiting at the foot of the boarding ramp. One in the crowd looked up and saw the cloaked figure approach.

"Sytenar," the well-dressed man said as the obscured figure drew up beside him. He was taller than the robed person, with dark hair and sharp eyes, and he wore a crimson tunic belted with matching trousers, over which was a sleeveless silver overcoat, finished with black boots.

"Nuri'Hu" the cloaked figure replied from within the confines of the hood.

There was a moment's pause as both studied each other, or as much as the man could make out of his masked acquaintance. Then his face relaxed into a small smile, breaking the tension. "Did we have to use my middle name?" the well-dressed man asked.

"I thought you liked it," the hooded person replied, a definite teasing tone present. A hand appeared from within billowed brown sleeves, removing the hood to reveal closely cropped brown hair and a Padawan braid hanging down by one ear. "It is good to see you Tarin."

"You too, my Jedi friend. When I got your call I was somewhat worried," the former delegate of Kambah, now Senator for the entire Vendovian planetary System said, a small frown on his brow. "You were very cryptic in your message."

Obi-Wan's face was a smooth mask of serenity. "I could not impart much information, but I did say I needed a favour," the Padawan said.

Tarin nodded. "You wanted a ship to take you to a planet called Rhasta was it? Yes that was it. Well, you're in luck- I'm off to a close by system for a round of negotiations about half a light year away. You are more than welcome to travel with us." He indicated to the ship behind him that was currently being fuelled and supplied.

Obi-Wan nodded his thanks. His plan was coming together. He had felt guilty calling his Senator friend; it felt as though he was using Tarin. He was sincerely happy to see the young man but he needed to get to Rhasta. The Jedi were not able to help him. It was not as though he was breaking any laws- stealing a ship and making a run for it.

Tarin still looked concerned. What was the young Jedi up to? Where was Master Jinn? From the last time they had met of Sytenar, apart from their long trek in the jungle after crash-landing together, the two Jedi had been almost glued to each other's sides. "Obi-Wan, where is your Master?"

"He is already on Rhasta, I am to meet him there," Obi-Wan replied. It was not a lie. In fact, it was the truth, Obi-Wan convinced himself. Qui-Gon was on Rhasta and Obi-Wan was going to see him there. However, the Padawan could tell that the Senator still was not satisfied. And they were wasting precious time.

/Master please hold on. I am coming for you. I will save you/ Obi-Wan thought to himself. With every passing hour, Qui-Gon's likelihood of survival dropped another notch.

"Why is there a need to travel with me anyway?" Tarin queried. Was Obi-Wan in some kind of trouble? All he had to do was ask and the Senator would do anything he could to help his friend. Especially after their adventures a few months previous.

"Qui-Gon is in trouble," Obi-Wan lowered his voice. "I have to go to him on Rhasta. There is little time," his sentences were clipped and Tarin noted the worried stance and restlessness in his friend's eyes. For some reason, it almost made him smile. He had seen the exact same expression on a Jedi Master's face one time, almost in the same predicament. The Jedi Master, who just happened to be the master of the padawan standing now before him. Like Master, like Padawan, Tarin thought to himself ruefully.

"Alright then. The others are finishing boarding, we should follow them. Welcome to the Kambah Jewel, our transport for our journey. I think you may find it a little more comfortable than the ship you came to pick me up in," Tarin smirked. His smile faded slightly as his young companion did not rise to the bait. The situation was obviously worse than he first thought.

With discreet guidance, Tarin led the way aboard the luxury transport ship, the door hissing closed as Obi-Wan stepped through. "You can share my quarters, they are big enough," Tarin said as they navigated the decks heading towards the private quarters of the ambassadors and delegates travelling. Tarin placed his palm in the keypad by a door and then allowed his irises to be scanned. The console beeped and the door slid open.

"There is a separate bunk through there," Tarin pointed to the smaller room off of the main living quarters, where three plump sofas filled the space, with luxurious rugs and thick carpet. There was also a fresher, kitchen area off to the right, with Tarin's bedroom on the left. "Make yourself comfortable."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Thank you," he bowed gratefully. "When do we leave?"

"In under five minutes," Tarin replied as he moved to the kitchen to procure himself a drink, holding up a glass in offering to Obi-Wan but the Padawan shook his head.

"I will meditate," the young boy said. "I wouldn't want to get in your way."

Slightly dejected, the Senator nodded. He had hoped to spend the journey catching up with his friend. There had been a lot going on in the last three or four months and their calls had become few and far between, often just a computerised message every couple of weeks. There was much to tell, but it looked as though it would have to wait now. "Sure, do whatever you need to," Tarin agreed.

Slipping out of his robe, Obi-Wan knelt on the floor beside the window that looked out on the hanger. He could feel the ship's engines thrumming through the ship and saw the hanger start to slide away as the Kambah Jewel disengaged from the hanger, heading out of Coruscant's atmosphere towards the stars. As the ship shot forward, jumping into hyperspace, Obi-Wan slipped into meditation, hoping and praying to the Force he had made the right decision. For there was no going back now.

Tarin watched from the sofa as he worked on his private console, reviewing the notes he had made for the upcoming delegations, half keeping his eye on the Padawan who had remained kneeling serenely by his window for over three hours now. There was something really wrong. For Obi-Wan to come to him, so quietly, mysteriously and with very few answers to Tarin's confused questions, there had to be something up. And the boy's façade had cracked when Master Jinn's name had been mentioned. Tarin was used to reading people and however hard the Jedi tried, Tarin had spotted the minute flicker of suppressed emotion on Obi-Wan's face.

Where were the other Jedi? Surely if a Master was in trouble then other Jedi would go and help? Sending a Padawan out by himself, a boy of fourteen years was highly irresponsible, Tarin thought. Even though this particular thirteen year old had managed to navigate through a jungle, whilst mostly delirious with fever, saving Tarin's own life on numerous occasions and delivering him to Sytenar predominantly in one piece.

"N-no…p-please…"

Tarin's back straightened immediately, eyes snapping over at once to rest on the only other person in the room that could have spoken. The Jedi was still kneeling at the window, posture relaxed, hands resting on knees, eyes closed. Then a tremble wracked the body.

"M-master…don't…"

Tarin had already heard enough. If those words did not take him back to the jungles of Sytenar…Obi-Wan must be in trouble. Hallucinations? Unlikely- Obi-Wan was not poisoned as he had been last time. What was it then? Something he had seen in the meditations? Was it safe to bring him out of them?

"Sony-Da…"

When a hoarse cry of terror ripped itself from the Padawan's throat, Tarin leapt off his sofa, moving swiftly towards the kneeling figure. "Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan wake up. It's not real, whatever you're seeing. Come on, snap out of it," he commanded.

He laid a hand on the boy's shoulder; surprised at the wracking tremors he could feel coursing through the small body. It made him even more concerned. "Obi-Wan Kenobi wake up now," he ordered, keeping his voice as steady as possible.

With a jolt and a cry, Obi-Wan's eyes flew open so suddenly, it made Tarin stumble backwards in shock.

For a few moments, nothing happened. The Jedi struggled to get his breathing and emotions under control as his slid into a cross legged position, chest heaving as he closed his eyes again, though back in the land of the conscious. Tarin regarded his friend silently, watching him with a keen eye.

"What did you see Obi-Wan?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

Obi-Wan glanced up, his face flushing. "It was nothing," he dismissed Tarin's concern. "How long was I meditating for?"

Tarin glanced at the chrono on the other side of the room. "At least two and a half hours. Obi-Wan…that looked like what happened to you on Sytenar…in the jungle remember? When you were hallucinating? Did you see anything?"

Obi-Wan sucked in a breath. Just shutting his eyes briefly caused the terror of the nightmare to come flooding back in alarmingly clear detail. Sony-Da…Qui-Gon in chains…torture, pain, despair, darkness…no! The padawan jerked, his eyes flying open, panic easily recognizable in the blue depths. "It was…similar to what I saw on Sytenar. Qui-Gon has disappeared and being held captive. I have to rescue him. I am running out of time."

The Senator looked alarmed. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No. I must get to Rhasta and save Qui-Gon- alone," Obi-Wan shook his head. "Is there anyway the ship can go faster?"

"I could talk to the pilots?" Tarin suggested uncertainly. He was not sure if there was anything they could do. Just the look in Obi-Wan's eyes made him wish he could do something. There was something wrong with Master Jinn and Tarin wanted to know what. "You eat and rest Obi-Wan. I will go and speak to the pilots. We should be arriving at Rhasta soon. It takes less than a day."

Faintly, Obi-Wan nodded. "Thank you. I'm grateful for everything you have done for me."

Tarin raised an eyebrow. "Just as grateful as I am for everything you have done for me." He would never forget the lessons he had learnt on Sytenar from the courageous young Jedi. Patting the Padawan on the shoulder, the Senator rose, smoothing his crumpled tunic as he headed for the door.

"Excuse me Master Yoda, Master Windu but there's a call for both of you," a young Jedi aide hesitantly entered the private meditating chambers of the Council Masters.

Both Masters looked up. "Take this call we shall. Say does it the caller's identity?" Master Yoda spoke up, his ears twitching slightly as he surveyed the aide holding the communication device. It was placed on the floor between the two mediation mats, the blue figure shimmering blue waiting to address the Jedi.

"Esteemed Masters, I am Senator Tarin Nuri'Hu Elam of the Vendovian System," the blue figure introduced himself with a polite bow.

Mace inclined his head as did Master Yoda, both watching the Senator gravely. What was a Senator doing contacting two members of the Jedi Council? "Senator Elam, is there anything we can do for you? Is there any reason for your call?" Mace inquired.

The Senator shifted, glancing over his shoulder. "I am on the Kambah Jewel bound for the Carterian System for delegations. However, we are making a detour, to the planet Rhasta."

Mace's eyes caught the wizened green orbs of the small master sitting beside him. "Continue Senator you will," Master Yoda encouraged.

"Padawan Kenobi is with me," the words tumbled from the Senator's mouth and he looked vaguely guilty. "I wanted to know why he is alone in searching for his Master- he says Master Jinn is in trouble. He also said something…Sony-Da?"

Both Masters' eyes widened at Tarin's words. Mace's brow furrowed. Was it possible Kenobi was aware of the escape of the former-Jedi? And now, Kenobi was travelling alone through the galaxy to find his master. Now who did that sound like?

"You say Padawan Kenobi is aboard your ship?" Mace demanded to know. The padawan was meant to be in the Healers' Wing- or resting in his quarters. How was he suddenly on a ship bound for Rhasta? How did he know that Qui-Gon was in trouble? "Is he with you now?"

"He is in my guest quarters," the young Senator explained. "Is he in trouble?"

Mace suddenly had an inkling as to how Qui-Gon felt having to look after a young padawan. "Make sure he remains on the ship and stays away from Rhasta. We will contact you shortly when there are Jedi close by. Thank you for informing us Senator Elam."

The Senator bowed. "I just wish to help Obi-Wan. He needs help."

Master Yoda nodded. "Our thanks you have Senator Elam. Help Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi we will immediately. Please stay in contact."

With a promise to do so, the blue figure to Tarin Elam disappeared, leaving both Masters with their thoughts. They had little time to voice their opinions when there came another knock on the door to their mediation chamber.

"Enter," Mace called curtly.

Master Vena Kaa flew into the room, her face pale, hair beads rattling as she approached, bowing quickly. "Masters- it's Obi-Wan-"

"On route to Rhasta Obi-Wan is. Impulsive- like his Master he is. Knows, we suspect, that Sony-Da has escaped his prison," Master Yoda spoke up. "Suspects like we do that Sony-Da is involved. Send Jedi teams to Rhasta we must- too long has Master Jinn been missing. The Force is uneasy, great danger ahead I sense." His pointy green ears lowered as he shared a grave look with Mace Windu, who nodded in agreement.

Having called the Jedi Council- something he still felt fairly guilty about going behind Obi-Wan's back to do- Tarin headed back to his quarters. As he moved through the corridors, he spotted one of the guards heading towards him.

"Senator Elam- we have arrived at Rhasta," the guard informed Tarin.

Tarin paled. "Already?" He remembered what the two Jedi Masters had told him. Thanking the guard, he hurried down the passageway to his quarters, slamming his palm on the pad and impatiently waiting for his eyes to be scanned. The door opened far too slowly and the Senator tumbled into his rooms.

"Obi-Wan?" he called out, moving into the kitchen area, checking the fresher and finally entering the guest quarters. There was no one in the suite.

Obi-Wan Kenobi was gone.

Obi-Wan! Silly Padawan. What will he do now?

Hopefully the next chapter will not take 3 weeks- but it depends how heavy my workload gets and what my lecturers give me to do :/ But I hope it's not too much either!

Please review? Thank you, thank you, thank you :D

AldabaranFox