A psychology essay got in the way of writing this. As did a oneshot :P Please check it out- it's called First Step on the Road and is set immediately after Lost and Found- the first in this series. It might be some light-hearted mush to help with all this angst and darkness. Review it and hopefully there will be more little snippets :)

Thanks for all the reviews for Chapter 8- it got just as much as the even chapters for this story get :P My prediction was correct (little science geek that I am). Will this odd chapter do better? Hehe

Disclaimers: I own nothing in Star Wars- you know this, I know this...sad times.

Enjoy!

Chapter 9- Trap and Fall

Obi-Wan drew up his hood over his face as he slipped through the streets of the capital city of Rhashta, where Tarin's luxury transport had dropped him off as it picked up another couple of delegates. He had slipped from the ship without saying goodbye to his friend. Tarin would never have let him go alone and that was just what Obi-Wan had to do. He also suspected Tarin had not just gone to speak to the pilots; there had been an uneasy shift in Tarin's expression after his brief nightmare.

He did not blame Tarin for contacting the Jedi. But he could not wait for the Jedi's help. He alone had to go and rescue Qui-Gon. So he had left the ship unseen and followed the throng of people leaving the spaceport and entering the capital, the yellow stone buildings with shimmering round topped roofs of blue and green stone shining in the sunlight. This was the wealthy district of Rhasta's capital, Permir. Obi-Wan had read up on the planet before arriving.

Brown cloak billowing about his ankles, Obi-Wan remained in the shadows, walking carefully to avoid attracting too much notice as he blended in with the market folk who were predominantly human. There were other species also mingling but the Padawan did not stop to find out which.

Suddenly, his comm. began to beep, indicating someone was calling him. Ducking into an alley, Obi-Wan looked at the caller id. Qui-Gon. Trepidation and nerves ringing in his ears, Obi-Wan accepted the call, looking back up the alley to check no one could see or hear him.

"Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan tensed at the voice. "Yes. I can hear you Sony-Da." He could almost hear the smile on the former- Jedi's face.

"I'm surprised little Padawan that you managed to get here without any Jedi help. And with such nice accommodation on your way here. The Kambah Jewel?"

Obi-Wan stiffened. How did the man know what transport he had arrived on? Was he being watched? A shiver of fear ran down his spine. Was he being followed even now? Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder again, unable to shake the feeling that someone's eyes were on him. He cleared his throat. "I am here Sony-Da. And you need to keep up your end of the bargain. You will turn Master Qui-Gon over to me," he tried to sound as calm and in control as possible, not the nervous fourteen-year old who knew he was out of his depth.

"I said no such thing little Padawan," Sony-Da's voice sneered. "I said you would get to see Qui-Gon. I never said that I would free him. You still have to find him first."

Obi-Wan clenched his fists. He had fallen for Sony-Da's plot, hook, line and sinker. He felt bitterly disappointed. He was in Rhashta alone, knew no one and he still had his Master to rescue. "Where do you want me to go?" he said through gritted teeth. Fully aware this was a very bad idea, that Qui-Gon would definitely disapprove, Obi-Wan realised he had no other choice.

There was that cold laugh again. "I'm sending you co-ordinates for where we can meet. I am looking forward to meeting you again Obi-Wan. It has been too long."

"How do I know you will keep your word?" Obi-Wan demanded. He would not be tricked again. He had to have an upper hand somewhere.

"You are in no place to make demands. But I am a Jedi Obi-Wan- surely you should trust me?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "You are not a Jedi. You betrayed everything the Jedi stand for," he told Sony-Da. "But the meeting will be short. I'm getting my Master back," Obi-Wan assured him.

"We shall see. You have until sunset Obi-Wan. Which on Rhashta is only two hours away. This planet revolves faster than Coruscant," Sony-Da said in a typical teaching voice, as though he were back at the Temple, teaching initiates again.

The link died and Obi-Wan slowly lowered the comm. unit. A moment later than was a beep; the co-ordinates were through. Obi-Wan studied them. He had no idea where he was to begin with so getting co-ordinates probably would not help much. He sighed helplessly as the overwhelming nature of the situation hit him again.

Force help me…

Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan fought to centre himself. He needed the Force- the Force was the one who would help him get his Master back. He felt the warm shine of the Light infuse him for a brief second until he opened his eyes and the situation seemed just as bleak.

Obi-Wan's bad feeling had doubled. Scrap that, it had tripled. Keeping a hand on his lightsaber he moved slowly through the building. This was where Sony-Da had told him to meet him. It was a factory that smelted some type of metal, but the workers had all gone home for the night. It was dark, dingy and it went on for many metres into the darkness. It was also very quiet. Too quiet for Obi-Wan's liking. Deciding he needed to get a height advantage, Obi-Wan climbed up a metal ladder to a small catwalk that surrounded the top of the building.

It had taken him an hour and a half later to find the place, in another district altogether, a much darker and disreputable area of Rhashta, far away from the capitol building. The beautifully designed, impeccably clean buildings had disappeared and were replaced by dingy, smaller abodes. The sky overhead could now not been seen between the thin narrow streets. Factory chimneys arose, belching smoke into the air as the factories rumbled.

Obi-Wan crept silently along the catwalk, checking frequently over his shoulder as he went. There was a nagging feeling that he was being watched. The quiet clinking of chains was the only noise he could hear apart from the great whoosh of air as the rotating fans slowly whirled at the top of the plant keeping the air cool.

Reaching another staircase, Obi-Wan ascended cautiously, keeping one hand close to his lightsaber. He had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling. This was very clichéd. A dark, dingy, abandoned warehouse where Sony-Da was waiting for him, with his Master held captive. There could be traps hidden anywhere. Fear threatening to smother him, Obi-Wan took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. He had to be clear headed and focused. Qui-Gon's life depended on him.

Suddenly the Force was whispering a warning, sharp and insistent, rising to almost a shout danger in Obi-Wan's ear. There was something up ahead. Obi-Wan's eyes snapped up just in time to see the catwalk section he was standing on unbolt from the connecting section and ceiling supports. With an enormous jolt, the end fell away in a downward slide towards the floor of the plant. Unable to catch anything to stop his fall, Obi-Wan pitched forward with a cry, unbalanced by the sudden movement, sliding head first down the sharp incline. On his stomach and sliding down at a fast rate, Obi-Wan looked further along and saw a boiling vat of liquid metal at the bottom of the broken catwalk. He was falling straight towards it.

Fear now strongly bubbling in his stomach, Obi-Wan twisted his body so he was falling feet first, still on his stomach. Fumbling for his lightsaber, the friction from the catwalk metal sending sparks in his face, he unclasped it and ignited it, burying the blade straight into the metal walkway. The azure blade bit deep into the metal, immediately halting Obi-Wan's fall as he clung to the hilt, arms outstretched. Glancing gingerly over his shoulder he spotted the roiling metal bubbling mere metres from his boots, the warmth already seeping through the leather and warming the soles of his feet.

Letting out a shaky sigh of relief, Obi-Wan flexed his fingers more tightly about the hilt of his lightsaber, his lifeline keeping him suspended above the molten metal. His heart was hammering so hard against his ribcage he thought it might break free of his chest. He sucked in air as he looked around, trying to find a way to escape.

Looking beyond the molten vat, Obi-Wan saw another catwalk, leading away from the liquid metal. There were more metal steps leading back up towards the roof, which would be a safe lookout point. There was nowhere else for him to go. The catwalk was at too steep an angle for him to climb up it. There were railings along the edge he could shimmy up but it would be slow and exhaustive work climbing back up. It would waste time he did not have.

Obi-Wan gulped. There seemed only one course of action that he could take. Mentally taking some measurements and calculating in his head, Obi-Wan bit his lip. Suddenly, he jolted downwards a fraction, the air expelling from his lungs in shock. The heat of the lightsaber was slowly melting the metal, cutting through the catwalk slowly and lowering the Padawan closer to the vat. He had to act now.

Turning slowly, keeping one hand firmly on his lightsaber hilt, Obi-Wan manoeuvred his body so he was still feet first but lying on his back, arms still holding onto his lightsaber. He judged the distance again, indecision and fear gnawing strongly at his insides. As the saber lowered him further, Obi-Wan steeled himself, letting a momentary flash of calm flood through his body as he shut his eyes and prepared.

He was back at the Temple- in the meditation gardens- he could hear the streams gurgling and splashing quietly through their meandering channels…

He could see his friends- Bant, Garen, Reeft smiling and laughing at a joke as they ate food together in the Temple cafeteria…

He was in his quarters at the Temple- warm and safe- in his bedroom

He could see his Master, Qui-Gon as they sparred together, laughed, shared stories, cooked, mediated…

Master…

Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber.

Wind rushing past his ears, Obi-Wan fell the last few metres down the ramp, heading straight towards the boiling vat, watching with trepidation as great bubbles of molten metal rose and burst in liquid goo on the surface. A few more seconds, just another second or he wouldn't make it…

With a cry, Obi-Wan's feet hit the bottom of the ramp, the lip of the vat and with a Force propelled leap, aided by fear, determination and downright stubbornness and will to rescue his Master, Obi-Wan threw himself over the vat. Time seemed to slow down as he flew through the air. He could feel the intense heat searing his face, stomach and hands as he flew over the circular container, eyes firmly trained on the stretch of catwalk on the other side. He had to make it; had to…he did not dare look down.

He had not thrown himself far or hard enough. Obi-Wan felt himself losing momentum as the catwalk seemed tantalising just out of his reach. He was not going to make it. Dread roiled through him, making him feel sick and dizzy. NO! He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the fiery, agony-filled end. No one would know- there would be no remains left. Qui-Gon would be left at the mercy of Sony-Da, to a painful death with no hope of rescue. Sony-Da would win.

Suddenly, all the air was driven from his chest as something collided with his body and his flight was stopped. There was a hard, solid, cold surface beneath him. Obi-Wan cracked open an eye, disbelievingly. He was lying on the catwalk on the other side of the metal vat, safe from the bubbling contents of the chemical container. Hysterical laughter threatened to take over as the relief almost brought tears to his eyes as nausea rolled in his stomach, threatening to overwhelm him. He had survived. He had not died. He had crossed the vat!

Lying still for a few more minutes, recovering his sanity and wits, Obi-Wan knew he could not just lie there. Lightsaber still in his hand, he gingerly pushed himself to his feet, brushing down the front of his tunic. His ribs twinged from the jarring impact of hitting the second catwalk but apart from that he seemed to be all in one piece, despite shaking from adrenalin, shock and fear still pumping through his veins. Taking a steadying breath, he took a shaky step forward, before continuing even more warily: eyes, ears and senses peeled for any more traps.

In Qui-Gon's small chamber, the Master's tired, bloodshot, pain filled eyes were riveted to the screen in front of him. Sony-Da was prowling behind his chained form, smirking at the anxiety and pain flitting through the long haired Jedi, who could not remove his eyes from the scene that was unfolding before him, urging with his fading breaths that his Padawan exercise caution and care as he navigated his way through the warehouse.

Padawan…please be careful…please don't throw your life away meaninglessly…Why are you even here? Leave! Qui-Gon thought frantically, fear flitting through his nerves like fire coursing through his body, sending tendrils of pain shooting down his limbs.

"Ah…he's approaching the first of my little…welcoming surprises," Sony-Da purred as they watched the droid camera zoom out on Obi-Wan, glancing further down the walkway.

"Let…him…go…" Qui-Gon gasped, using most of his strength to turn his head and look at the former- Jedi. "He's…just…a boy."

Sony-Da tutted disapprovingly. "Just a boy? He's more than just a boy Qui-Gon and you know it. He will be a great Jedi- or would have been if I had been allowed to train him. No…I've seen how you to interact- he's almost like a son to you – even after such a short time being together. No, we'll see how much potential he has shall we?"

Qui-Gon shuddered as pain lanced through his shoulder as he tried to get comfortable.

"Three…two…one…" Sony-Da began to countdown.

Qui-Gon felt himself straining against his constraints. Something bad was going to happen and Obi-Wan had no idea. "Obi-Wan…" he tried to call out.

Then the catwalk beneath Obi-Wan's feet gave way.

"NO!" The yell ripped from Qui-Gon's torn throat as he threw himself forward, trying to get to the screen, ignoring the scream of agony from his body as he focused only on the plummeting body of his Padawan, careening out of control down the slope.

"All's not over yet," Sony-Da warned, gleeful at the unfolding drama.

Qui-Gon's eyes widened in shock as the camera panned ahead. The end of the catwalk had fallen directly into the path of one of the great cylindrical vats of boiling, red-glowing, liquid metal. Obi-Wan was sliding to his death, the fear evident on his face. The pain that now clenched and tore at Qui-Gon's heart had nothing to do with the wounds his body had sustained. His eyes were now fixed on his apprentice, a fourteen year old boy, who had blindly followed his Master to this damned planet and to his death.

"Obi-Wan…no…" the whisper fell from Qui-Gon's lips as tears pricked the corners of his eyes. He was fourteen, for Force's sake, fourteen! Obi-Wan had his whole life ahead of him.

There was a flash of blue on the screen and suddenly, Obi-Wan was falling no more. Qui-Gon couldn't breathe, he almost lost consciousness as sweet relief crashed over him as he watched Obi-Wan dangle above the fiery, molten doom a few metres beneath his feet.

Sony-Da straightened, a frown forming. "Not exactly what I had planned," he mused. "He won't be able to hold on for long."

"He's…more…resourceful…" Qui-Gon could not finish his sentence as he coughed, blood appearing at the corner of his lips as the tremors wracked his body. Come on Obi-Wan…find a way out…

"That's more like it," Sony-Da sounded pleased as Obi-Wan jerked closer to the molten pit as his lightsaber began to melt through the metal. "What is he doing? What can he be…oh… Oh! Stupid, foolish boy," the blonde haired Jedi began to laugh as he realised what the Padawan was attempting to do. "I think he might just kill you himself Jinn!"

Qui-Gon did not reply. He had little strength to. He watched as Obi-Wan turned on the catwalk so he was on his back, looking straight down at the vat. In that moment too, Qui-Gon also knew what his brave Padawan was going to try. The pain in his heart increased tenfold. The jump was far too great, Obi-Wan would not have enough momentum…The Jedi Master watched the Padawan shut his eyes for a moment, knowing his apprentice was centring himself. A look of peace almost flashed across Obi-Wan's face.

Then the blue blade was retracted. Obi-Wan went hurtling towards the vat, a look of concentration mixed with fear and dread mixed on his flushed face. The room was sucking the breath out of Qui-Gon and time seemed to slow as he watched Obi-Wan's feet connect with the lip of the container and launch himself into the air.

No…please Force keep him safe…

OBI-WAN!

Obi-Wan's body flew across the open top of the boiling toxic container, arms outstretched for the narrow catwalk he was aiming for on the other side. It was infinitely out of his reach, Qui-Gon could see the apprentice's trajectory wobbling. He was not going to make it. It was too far, too ambitious…

Sony-Da shivered in cruel delight as he watched Obi-Wan start to fall, taking pleasure in the tortured look on the Master's face as he watched his brave, yet foolish Padawan's attempts to save him come to nothing after all. Obi-Wan was going to die, finally, and it was going to crush Jinn's soul, killing him more effectively than any pain the former –Jedi could inflict.

To Sony-Da's bitter annoyance, the whelp managed to land on the other side of the metal vat. It seemed that he was unable to get rid of Obi-Wan so quickly. It did not matter, there was more awaiting the young Padawan.

Nausea threatened to overwhelm Qui-Gon as he saw Obi-Wan's body impact the catwalk, safe from the boiling metal. When he came face to face with his Padawan the boy was going to be cleaning the bathroom with a toothbrush for months, no years into their lives. What Obi-Wan's reckless, foolhardy actions were doing to his heart - he didn't know if he could survive anymore.

"Stop it..." Qui-Gon managed in a hoarse croak. "You have...me. Let him leave...alive."

Sony-Da shot a smirk in the other Master's direction. "But it's a test of his training. You do take some credit in that, don't you Jinn? He survived the first test. Let's see how many more he can face, shall we?"

Oh dear...what's Sony-Da got up his sleeve now? I promise you it's nothing good. So much angst and pain...it's rather depressing to write! But oh well, I hope you guys enjoyed it :D

Review? Pretty, pretty please? *bats eyelashes* haha!

AldabaranFox