Loyalty of a Padawan

The hyperdrive went off line and the image of a sphere began to fill the view port, blue and green, with traces of brown. The captain gracefully piloted the ship into the atmosphere of the systems main planet, aware of the two robed figures standing behind him speaking in whispers.

"Master, I sense a disturbance in the Force." The Padawan said softly. Obi-Wan Kenobi was the Jedi Apprentice to Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Obi-Wan was young, having his seventeenth birthday but two months ago. He stood tall in the cockpit of the ship, however he still had to crane his neck to make eye contact with his Master.

"Your senses are correct, Padawan." The Master said coolly. "The disturbance here is great. There has been much suffering in this place."

"And we don't know anything more of what happened here?" Obi-Wan asked.

"All we know is the information which was given to us by the Jedi Council." Qui-Gon replied. The information had not been overly abundant. There was a request put though to the Jedi Council for a Jedi to come to the planet of MaraTa to act as a guardian of peace. The only information, which was given, was that a group of rebels were taking over the planet. In a message from the rebel leader, whose identity was still unknown, it was stated that they were tired of fighting and wished to reach a settlement. The date for the meeting between the rebel leader and the Prime Minister of MaraTa was set. The Jedi would be sent in to assure that the agreement would not be one sided and that their world would go on living peacefully because of it.

Although everything seemed to be in correct order Qui-Gon could understand his Padawan's unease. Everything seemed too well in order. This was not normally the case of a planet going though a rebellion. He firmly believed that there was more to this story than they were being told. Qui-Gon's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the ship's captain.

"We are receiving a transmission from the ground, sir." The pilot said respectfully. Qui-Gon only nodded in response and in a matter of a second there was a holographic image of a woman dressed in political robes.

"I greet the Jedi warmly." She said with a slight bow. "I am Senator Kai-Shia Domia. I have been sent by the Prime Minister to escort you to the capital."

Both Jedi bowed, but it was Qui-Gon who answered. "Thank you Senator." He said simply.

Although she was composed she gave a slight smile, "I look forward to meeting you in person Master Jedi", she stated, and ended the transmission.

Obi-Wan shot a questioning glance at his Master. "I thought we were to go to the capital on our own because it was too dangerous for any of the representatives to be out in the streets?" The Padawan asked confused.

"We were." Qui-Gon said, his suspicion matching that of his Padawan's. "This escort which she is providing is unexpected, and her tone does not have the urgency that the situation on the planet calls for. There is something more to this simple escort than she is leading us to believe."

"What should we do, Master?" Obi-Wan asked concerned.

Qui-Gon smiled at his Apprentice. "We will be cautious and alert." He said to the boy. "We will watch out for each other, my Padawan."

Obi-Wan nodded, yet even with the words of his calm master, his unease was not satisfied.

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The Jedi stepped off of the ship's ramp and onto the soil of the planet. They walked up to the Senator who was sent to meet them. She was a tall woman with long black hair done up in many tiny braids, her eyes were a deep midnight blue. She wore green and blue political robes that matched the color of the planet when one sees it from the sky. Three guards in silver uniforms followed her.

The Jedi bowed in unison. "Welcome Jedi. The planet of MaraTa welcomes you and the help which you offer us." The representative stated.

"Thank you Senator." Qui-Gon said. "It is our honor to assist you in any way we can manage."

She looked as if she was about to say something, but the sight of the ship taking off took her attention. "If you would follow me," she said pointing her hand in the direction of the capital. The Jedi bowed and respectfully followed.

As they walked Qui-Gon attempted to read the emotions from the woman. All he was able to sense was complete confidence. This caused him to worry. He glanced at his Apprentice who returned the look. Something was definitely wrong.

"Again I thank you for coming here Master Jedi." The Senator said, her voice seeming to come from no where. "You will be a great help to me." Her lips curled in a smile. "Kill the Apprentice, but leave the Master alive."

As soon as she spoke these words the Jedi's lightsabers were ignited and ready. But also as she said these words ten guards appeared from inside of an adjacent building surrounding the pair. They began firing high-powered blasters at the Jedi.

Using the Force as their guide the Jedi deflected the blaster bolts. They maneuvered gracefully as the Force moved between them. They knew each other's moves and where to be to make sure the others back was protected.

Out of the corner of his eye Qui-Gon saw Kai-Shia tap something into a communicator attached to her wrist. The insignia on the uniforms of the guards began to glow. They then pulled small blasters from hidden pockets in their uniforms and fired on the Jedi at once.

With the blaster fire now doubled Qui-Gon realized that it was impossible to win this battle, or even for both of them to escape. As he worked to deflect a blaster bolt that came dangerously close to his shoulder, he came to a conclusion. "Obi-Wan, go!" He shouted to his Apprentice over the sound of the blaster fire. Obi-Wan, who was at his back, stiffened.

"No, Master!" He shouted in return. " I will not leave you!"

"You must get to the Capital! Go now!" The Master said once again, knowing that one of them must escape. He sensed Obi-Wan's hesitance. "Go now, Padawan!" He called to his Apprentice. Stressing the word 'Padawan' to remind the young Jedi that even though Obi-Wan thought of Qui-Gon like a father, he was still an Apprentice and still had to follow the orders given to him by his Master.

Obi-Wan gave one final look at his Master. He then used the Force to lift him into the air and onto the top of a building. Then he was Gone from sight.

One of the guards made his way to the building in pursuit of the young Apprentice but before he could start Kai-Shia barked an order. "Let him go, he is of no importance! It is the Master I want!"

The blaster fire began to decrease. It became clear to Qui-Gon that what she had said was true, they did Want him alive. He could use this to his advantage. As the fire began to die down he gave himself a Force amplified lift and jumped over the heads of the guards. As he began to plan his fast escape one of the guards stood directly in front of him. There was a device in his hand, which shot out at the Jedi Master. It looked like a claw with a seemingly endless cable attached to one end of it; the other end attached to the rest of the device still in the hands of the guards.

Qui-Gon easily avoided the claw like device with a jump to the side. That jump would prove to be his mistake. For as he moved past the claw, it opened up and eight long cables shot out of it. These cables wrapped around Qui-Gon's body and when their ends touched they sent a jolt of electricity thought out the Master's body. He stiffened as the electricity pulsed through him, then slumped to the ground below.

He was dazed momentarily, but then was able to open his eyes. He felt a slight pain in his left shoulder.

"This should keep him quiet for awhile." He heard one of the guards say, as he injected him with a drug.

"Excellent." Said the female voice of Kai-Shia. "All is going accordingly. It won't be long now."

"What of the apprentice?" The guard asked.

"His whereabouts are of no concern of mine right now." Kai-Shia said. "We will find him in time. Once we do...."

The rest of the words became but echoes and Qui-Gon's vision blurred. His last coherent thought was of his Padawan, hoping that the boy had gotten away and was safe.

Qui-Gon felt his eyes close, and the darkness of unconsciousness took over.

********************************************************

Obi-Wan ran until he thought he would collapse, but he kept going. He knew his only hope was to reach the capital. Perhaps the Prime Minister could shed some light on this dim situation.

Obi-Wan couldn't remain calm no matter how hard he tried. All he could think of was his Master and what had most likely become of him. Obi-Wan had stretched out with the Force to touch the mind of his Master though their bond. What he felt gave him a sense of relief as well as regret and worry. Qui-Gon was no longer in the conscious state of mind, but he was alive. That fact gave him some hope. Yet, his own mind wouldn't allow him to stray from the thought that he had left. He had left his Master to a storm of blaster fire. He had left when it was the duty of the Apprentice to stand by the Master until the very last breath. He had left, and now his Master was at the mercy of his captors. And he had left.

But Qui-Gon had given him an order, and as a Padawan he must follow a direct order given to him by his Master. It was part of the oath he had sworn when he was taken as Qui-Gon's Apprentice. He must be loyal and true to his Master. But did that count when every part of his self and his heart were screaming at him that it was wrong? Where did being loyal end and being truthful begin? There were far too many questions and no one to provide the answers. So he left these thoughts for later and instead concentrated on running.

He entered Tanhimm, the capital of MaraTa. He ran toward a large red dome in the distance, knowing from their briefing by the Jedi Council that it was the capital building. As he ran he noticed that there very few people in the streets. The buildings in the city were not crumbling as he expected them to be in a war torn city but instead standing tall and true. He saw a man standing on the porch of a house. Yet, as soon as the man saw the Padawan he quickly ducked inside the building as if Obi-Wan had fired a blaster at him. A woman stared at him though a window, but when she saw the Apprentice glance in her direction she gave a look of horror and turned away from the window.

'They are afraid", Obi-Wan thought. "But not of me, of something else, or someone else."

He was breathless when he finally reached the capital building. And now there was a force field separating him from his destination.

"Who are you and what do you want?" A guard at a terminal roughly asked him.

"I am Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi." The young Jedi stated with a confidence that he felt he did not posses at the moment. "I was sent here with my Master by the Jedi Counsel. I must see the Prime Minister at once! Things have Gone terribly wrong." Obi-Wan could sense the conflict in the mind of the guard. He too was afraid of any tricks. Obi-Wan bought the Force to bear down on the mind of the guard, allowing him to feel the honesty and desperation of the Apprentice.

"I can't keep the force field down for long," the guard said, "so you'll have to hurry when I open it. They are everywhere."

Obi-Wan only nodded. He did not ask who *they* where, he had a pretty good idea. And he could sense that the guard too was fearful. He watched as the guard pulled a lever and the red dome disappeared. Obi-Wan rushed in and stood behind the terminal. The guard then pulled on the lever quickly and the red dome reappeared. Obi-Wan heard him sigh in relief.

"I must see the Prime Minister." Obi-Wan repeated.

The guard nodded and spoke a few words into his comlink. He looked up at the Apprentice and said, "They will let you enter now." He pointed to the massive building that the dome was covering.

Obi-Wan turned and swiftly made his way up to the large structure. The doors swung open and he entered. He was standing in a grand room with a long hallway and rich tapestries hung on every wall. A tall woman came to stand before him.

"Welcome Jedi Padawan. We are grateful for your arrival. I am the second chair of the Prime Minister's Council. He is in the main meeting room and sent me to escort you to see him." She stated. Obi-Wan only bowed in response. "If you will come this way please." She said as she began to lead him down the winding corridor.

They came to a door at the hall's end. It opened and Obi-Wan was told to enter. Inside the meeting room stood a rather tall man who was about Qui-Gon's age. He had the look of a politician about him. His hair neatly cut, and he wore fancy robes meant to impress his guests, but his eyes were dim and his face showed signs of aging.

"Welcome young Jedi." He said as cheerfully as possible. "I am Eman-Jep Raescri, Prime Minister of MaraTa."

Obi-Wan bowed, reluctantly. He was beginning to feel rather tired of all the representatives welcoming him when he did not feel welcome at all. "Prime Minister, I'm afraid there has been a terrible occurrence." The Padawan began. The Prime Minister motioned for him to sit at the end of the meeting table. Obi-Wan seated himself and began again. "My Master, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and I were attacked upon arrival by many of the rulers who were led by woman who claimed to be one of MaraTa's senators." Obi-Wan noticed the pale sheen that the Prime Minister's features took on when he said those words. "Prime Minister Raescri?" The Apprentice asked, but the man did not respond. He only sat there in a daze. "Sir!" The forcefulness in his voice jerking the Prime Minister back to the present time. "My Master was taken captive by these people. If you have any information which might help me to find him, please tell me!"

"This 'Senator' which you speak of," The Prime Minister said slowly. "Did she give you her name."

Obi-Wan nodded. "She said her name was Kai-Shia Domia," he replied.

"It is as I feared", he said. "I am afraid I must come clean with you Jedi Kenobi."

"Come clean?" Obi-Wan said in a soft, confused voice.

"Yes," Raescri said. "I am afraid I was not entirely honest when I put in a request for a guardian of peace. You see," he said as he nervously rearranged himself in his seat across from Obi-Wan. "The woman, Kai-Shia, is the leader of the rebel forces which are reeking havoc on the planet."

"You had known the identity of the leader and yet you told the Jedi Council that you did not. Why?" Obi-Wan asked, suddenly unsure of the Prime Minister's motives.

"Because," he said softly, "She is my daughter." He looked into the eyes of the Padawan. "She was at one time one of the senators here, the best in my Council in fact. She had such a way with words and incredible reasoning. But something changed her. She began to believe that fear was the way to run the planet. She had said that if we struck fear in the hearts of the citizens they would no longer be unruly and we could keep better order.

"The Council and I did not agree with this of course. We are a peaceful people and we did not want our population afraid of us. It was the one time she had ever been refused by us...by me.

"She lashed out at me. Stating that she could run this planet better than I could and that I should be able to see that clearly. So she left, and the rebellion began."

"How did she get the funding for such a large rebellion?", Obi-Wan asked, knowing the story was far from over.

"I'm afraid, I provided the findings for it", The Prime Minister said regretfully.

"You?", Obi-Wan said appalled.

"Yes," Raescri replied. "I told her that if she believed she could run the planet better than me then let her go ahead and try. I gave her an old structure where she could run it from, some credits and sent her on her way. What she did was astonishing. She began spreading terror though the planet. Soon she had a small army, then people began suffering, dying! I tried to stop it but I found that my forces were now nothing compared to hers. For she had the frightened citizens on her side. They were terrified of her, of her forces, and what would be done to them. The only thing I could do was to put the force field around the capital building and ask the Jedi Council for h elp. I did not know what else to do."

"How did she manage to strike such fear in the people?" Obi-Wan asked, remembering the face of the man and woman who had cowered at the sight of him.

"The worse way a person could." He said with remorse. "If a man or woman refused to fight for her or obey her she would take their family or children and have them tortured in front of their eyes." The color left Obi-Wan's face after hearing these words. The Prime Minister went on. "She sends her guards out into the streets to find the people who will not become one of followers. When they find these people they torture their family until they decide to join her. If they do not, their family is killed there on the spot. The person is then left with the knowledge that they were responsible for the death of their loved ones and normally end up dying in the end." This was why those people had looked at him so fearfully. They had thought he was coming to take their families away from them.

"But I still don't understand." Obi-Wan said while shaking his head. "You gave the Jedi Council practically no information at all and yet, you knew all of this. Why didn't you tell them, it would have allowed us to be better prepared for what we were up against."

"Because if I were to tell that my own daughter was the leader of the rebellion and that *I* was the one who funded it I would be the laughing stock of the Galactic Senate!" Raescri shouted.

Obi-Wan stood from his seat, he had reached the boiling point. "You allowed us to enter a war torn planet knowing of the dangers, but you didn't state them because of your pride?!", Obi-Wan shot at him.

The Prime Minister looked regretful. "I did not think she would go up against the Jedi", he said. "I have told her stories of you, of your powers. She always seemed fascinated by them. I thought you could help, that is all."

"My Master is gone!" The Apprentice spat. "Taken because of your selfishness and deceit!" He knew he should control his anger, it would get him no where, yet right now his words rang true and no one could deny it.

"I am sorry." Were the only words Raescri could think of to say.

"You must tell me where her base is. I must find my Master!" Obi-Wan said, trying to regain some composure.

"Her main base has moved since the first one I allowed her to use. I no longer know where she is based or where she may be keeping Master Qui-Gon." The Prime Minister said shaking his head.

"I have to contact the Jedi Council and report this to them." Obi-Wan said quickly.

"I'm afraid that is also impossible. Our transmissions outside the planet have been completely blocked. The last message I was able to send was the one to Coruscant. After that they were gone. *She* controls them now."

Obi-Wan slumped back into his chair, his face blank and emotionless. "She took him alive, Young Jedi." Raescri said. "This means that she has some sort of plan for him. What that plan is I can only imagine", he looked at the Padawan, who's was staring down at the table in front of him. "But if she has a plan, that means he will remain alive for the time being. So there is hope. Now, you must be tired. I will have someone escort you to your room." He said and called a servant in.

Obi-Wan took no comfort in the words of the Prime Minister. He had deceived them and he did not even know any information that would help him find his Master other than that he was alive and was part of a plan. Obi-Wan did not want to try and imagine what that plan might be after hearing the awful stories of torture. He closed his eyes and saw a vision of Qui-Gon in pain. 'Is that the future?', he wondered. He hoped it would not be, and if it was that he could somehow change it. 'Oh Master!', he thought and clenched his eyes tightly, 'Why did you make me leave!' The Prime Minister was talking to him again, saying something about a servant taking Obi-Wan to where he would be staying. But the Padawan did not hear him. The image of his Master in pain and the words, 'I left, I left," kept repeating themselves in his mind, over and over. Allowing him no peace, but only darkness.

'I left, I left, I left...'

****************************************************************************

Cold. That was all Qui-Gon could think of as he slowly began to awaken. Wherever he was, it was as cold as a night on Hoth. His eyes weakly opened and the room he was in began to spin. Although his head was pounding in time with his heartbeat, he shook it in an attempt to gain some clarity. It worked to clear his vision some, but it made his head throb more than it already was.

His cloak was gone, his tunic was torn, and he was leaning against an ice-cold wall with chains around his wrists. He now recalled that he had been captured and injected with a drug, which explained his groggy, disillusioned state. Yet, why was he here? He had known there was danger when he arrived but there was no explanation for what had happened. What was to become of him and his Padawan?

His Padawan...Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan had gotten away. Or had he? Did the guards catch up with him before he had gotten a chance to escape? Qui-Gon hoped that was not the case. Remembering the words of the so-called 'Senator', "Kill the Apprentice, but leave the Master alive." Obi-Wan must have gotten away. Even with the state of mind he was in right now, he would know if his Padawan were dead. No, Obi-Wan was alive, but what would happen if he were to be caught at some time? What would happen then?

As if hearing all of his unvoiced questions, the door slid open and the 'Senator' strode in, the wind of the closing door caused her hair to blow about her shoulders. She gave him an icy stare along with an equally cold smile.

Qui-Gon could not stand to face her, due to his lack of strength and the chains that bound his wrists, forcing him to remain where he was on the floor. The best he could manage was to sit as straight as he could against the wall which was causing his back to go numb. Yet, even with this all this against him, he still shot her the gaze of a Jedi, for that is what he was. And no amount of chains could change that fact.

"Awake at last I see", she said. "Good, our business can begin then."

"Who are you?" The Jedi asked confidently although it took all his will not to keep his teeth from chattering while he spoke.

"I have told you before Master Jedi. I am Senator Kai-Shia Domia." she cynically replied.

"You *are* Senator Kai-Shia Domia, or you *were*?" Qui-Gon stated.

"If that's the way you wish to look at it then I suppose I *was* Senator of MaraTa. Now I own it." Kai-Shia replied with a smile.

"You are the leader of a rebel band," Qui-Gon said, coming to that conclusion without the need of being directly informed. "You do not own the planet or the people on it."

"Oh but you are wrong, my Jedi." She said viscously. "So very wrong." She began to pace the room, coming closer to him with each turn she made. "Do you think you are here because it was the request of the Prime Minister? If you do, I am afraid you are mistaken." She paused to bend down and stare into his eyes. "I told him I wished to talk, knowing he would call for Jedi assistance. But it was I who allowed him to send the message to Courscant. I have had control of the transmissions for longer than he thinks. You are here, because I *want* you to be here. You are going to help me show the citizens of this planet what fear truly is. You are here to help my cause."

"You took me but not my Apprentice. Why?" The Jedi asked.

"He is young and lacks knowledge, this makes him weak." She stated simply. "People do not fear the weak." She smiled at the Jedi Master.

"Yet, they do fear the strong. Which is why you were chosen. They have it all wrong in the capital. To strike fear in the hearts of men and women is the way to control them. And when they see I have defeated a Jedi Master, they will know there is no longer any way to stop me. I will be in complete and total control."

"You believe that controlling people by fear makes you strong." Qui-Gon said to the woman. "But it doesn't. It makes you weak instead."

Kai-Shia stood up and took a step back. She had a stunned look on her face. With his softened tone, Qui-Gon could see a young girl, a young spoiled girl who had never been told 'no' in her life. And when she was, it had destroyed her.

Her look hardened once again. Her brow knitted in a glare. Her hand came back and she struck the Jedi Master across the face with all of her might. Although the blow caused Qui-Gon's vision to blur, he showed no sign of weakness.

"Pain and fear come as one Master Jedi", she spat, "And as a Jedi I know you are aware of both those feelings. Yet the Jedi push fear away, when you should embrace it. The Jedi push pain away, but you should use it. And for that one comment you will feel pain that you never thought possible." She knelt close and whispered into his ear, lightly touching his face with the back of her hand, "When you think there is no more we could do to you, we will find away. And then, when that part of pain has stopped, and you think it is over, it will really have just begun. Because, my dear Jedi, when we find you're little Apprentice we will do the same and worse to him. And you will watch. You will hear every scream, feel every blow as if you yourself had been struck, and you will smell his burned skin and fresh blood. Then, when you beg us to stop, we will, and he will die. And it will be because of you, Master Jedi. Because of you." Kai-Shia spoke these words with a gleeful smile on her face. As if merely thinking of the pain she spoke of gave her a rush.

Qui-Gon began to feel as if he were going to be sick. He did not know if it was a side affect of the drug they had injected him with, or the sheer pleasure in her voice as she spoke of unfathomable pain and suffering. He could not let this become of his Padawan. However, she believed Obi-Wan was young and helpless. Incapable of helping himself or anyone else. But Kai-Shia did not know his Padawan.

"Three days, Master Jedi. That is all it will take." She stood, her gaze never leaving Qui-Gon's, and her smile never faltering.

"You believe torturing me in front of the citizens of MaraTa will cause them to fear you." What Qui-Gon said was not a question. "It may work, but only for a time. If you keep hurting them in such ways they may fear you, even be terrified of you. But fear leads to anger, and anger to hate. They will hate you Kai-Shia. This will cause your downfall. You must stop this while you still can."

"Ah, a lecture. I should have thought as much from a desperate Jedi", she said amused. "But it will not come to that. You think I have no knowledge of where fear ends and hate begins? You are wrong again then Master Jedi. After these three days I will no longer need to continue to show the population horror. They will have already seen it, and it will be enough. I will have won my power." She said, her smile shining, she then added, "With your help of course."

"I would recommend you not try to escape. The cuffs you are wearing have sensors. The guards will be in at a seconds notice if you use your precious Force to loosen them. But, I believe you will not have much of a chance to act on such a matter. You will be, 'resting' soon again. And by tomorrow afternoon you will be concentrating more on your own pain, and fear", her smile widened and she gave a mocking bow. "I must go prepare for your outing tomorrow. So I leave you for now, my Jedi, with these happy thoughts of course." She gave one last look at the Jedi, and chuckled softly.

As she left, two guards came in to take her place. They began to come towards him. Qui-Gon ignored them. His mind was enveloped in images of Obi-Wan in searing pain. He closed his eyes and brought all his strength in to him at one time. He must warn his Padawan. He tried to send a message to his Apprentice, but the words he intended were corroded with terrible visions and Kai-Shia's talk of pain. In the end he was only able to send a one-word message to Obi-Wan.

He then felt something hard hit his head. Then for the second time since he had reached this planet, Qui-Gon lost consciousness.

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Obi-Wan could not sit still. He paced his elaborate room tirelessly. Every now and again he would stop at the window and look out across the city. Then he would begin his pacing again.

He had gotten no sleep. He lay in bed for hours staring at the ceiling. When he just began to doze off visions and words of horror sprang before his eyes and the word "Padawan!" spoken in his Master's voice rang through his mind. The word cut though his mind like a gust of wind, and then died away. He sat up in a start and rushed to the window, sweat streaming down his face.

Whether his Master was in pain or there was pain soon to come, Obi-Wan could feel it. And there was nothing he could do but wait.

When the morning hours finally came, those in the capital building began to stir. They had brought him breakfast, which he only picked at. He could not bring himself to eat. All he could do was sit and think. When he grew tiered of sitting he began to walk.

Obi-Wan walked the length of the room more times than he could count. The visions of he and Qui-Gon fighting the guards and Qui-Gon demanding that he leave came to mind again. His Master had known that without Obi-Wan to help him he would have had no way of escaping from the guards. Yet, he told his Padawan to go anyway, while he himself became a prisoner.

Obi-Wan had obeyed his Master by leaving when he was told to. But was it the right thing to do? The Padawan began to think of loyalty, honor, and trust. He had left his Master because he had asked him to. But should he have gone against his own feelings to keep his pledge of loyalty? These questions repeated themselves over and over in the Apprentice's mind until he thought he could go mad if he got no answers to them.

He stopped at the window as one of Yoda's teachings suddenly came back to him. "Reflection there must be in times of need." The voice of the old Jedi master echoed inside his mind.

Obi-Wan did not know what any amount of reflection could do to help his situation or answer his questions. But, he would try. He closed his eyes and centered himself within his mind, bringing the Force around him.

Remembering......

*************

"Obi-Wan?" His Master asked concerned.

Obi-Wan was sitting on the couch in their apartment in the Jedi Temple, looking rather troubled. The young Apprentice glanced up at him, but looked back down at his hands again, saying nothing.

"What's wrong, my young Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked as he sat on a chair across from the boy.

The newly turned fourteen year old opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. However his Master was patient and waited until he was ready.

"A man on the streets said something to me today that I don't understand", the young Apprentice said softly.

"Look at me Obi-Wan." His Master said, and Obi-Wan met his eyes. "What did he say?"

"He said that he felt sorry for me. That he knew that I was an Apprentice to a Jedi and that soon I would not have a thought of my own in my mind because I will have to obey my master." The young Padawan stated as if the man who had said this had stabbed him. "Why would he say that?" he asked puzzled.

"People don't always understand the ways of the Jedi, Obi-Wan." Said the older Jedi. "They hear what they want to hear, and believe what they want to believe, never bothering to find out the truth." Qui-Gon could tell that his Padawan was still disturbed. "You are your own person Obi-Wan. You are loyal to me, yes. But I am loyal to you as well. Such is the way of the Master-Padawan bond." He comforted.

"But," Obi-Wan said, with widened eyed. "What if you give me an order and I know in my heart its wrong. What do I do then?", he paused for a moment, then added softly. "I don't want to betray you."

A soft smile crept up the face of the Jedi Master. "You will know what is right Obi-Wan. If you truly think something is wrong, even if it is something I tell you, you will know what to do." He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "But, you must know that any order that I give is simply because I care and I am trying to do what's best. It is something which is based on trust. Will you trust me Obi-Wan?"

The look on the face of the Padawan looked at ease. "Yes." he said with a nod. "I will always trust you Master."

"And I you Padawan." Qui-Gon stated softly. "Now, lets go to lunch shall we?"

"Sure!" Obi-Wan replied happily as jumped to his feet and headed toward the door. Before he could get but a few feet a hand seized him by the hood of his robe and stopped him in his tracks.

"Right after you clean up that mess you call, a room." Qui-Gon said while he pointed his Apprentice in the direction of the apartment.

"My room isn't messy." Obi-Wan said innocently.

"No, it isn't messy. It's chaotic." The Jedi Master laughed. "Come Obi-Wan. It won't take you long once you get started. Then after lunch we can go find Master Windu and exchange stories."

"Can we?" The sullen Obi-Wan said, suddenly excited again. He always enjoyed hearing Master Windu and his Master tell stories about each other. Especially the ones that made his Master turn red.

"I don't see why not." Qui-Gon said, amused. The Jedi Master was caught off guard as his Padawan embraced him in a tight hug.

"Thank you, Master." Obi-Wan said and Qui-Gon knew that he did not mean for the invitation of a story swap with his Jedi Master friend.

"You're welcome, Obi-Wan", Qui-Gon said with a smile as they pulled away from the embrace. "Now hurry." The Master stated. He couldn't quite muffle the laugh which came from his throat when Obi-Wan entered his room, almost tripping over his pillow which had somehow managed to end up in the middle of the floor.

********

Obi-Wan found himself smiling at the long ago memory. It had been the first smile which had escaped him since he arrived on the planet. He had believed he was too overcome with frustration and confusion to be able to think of a good memory. Yet, once again, the teachings of Yoda had proved him wrong.

He had learned about loyalty that day, and what it meant. But, he also learned about trust. The trust runs deep within the Master-Padawan bond. He was beginning to rethink his Master's order. If he had stayed there was a good chance that they still could not have gotten away. In that event he would have been killed and his Master would have no hope of escape. At least with the Apprentice alive there was hope of a rescue and of completion of their mission. Obi-Wan now trusted Qui-Gon's decision, as he had always trusted Qui-Gon. And his Master trusted him as well. Therefore he would not let him down. He would find a way to come to his Master's aid. There had to be a way.

There was a knock at Obi-Wan's door. He turned to face the front of the room.

"Enter." He called.

The entryway slid open and the woman who had greeted him upon his arrival, the Prime Minister's second chair, stepped through.

"Jedi Kenobi," she said with a slight bow, her pale hair falling about her shoulders. "Forgive me for coming to you so early, but I must speak with you."

Obi-Wan nodded, "Please, have a seat." He said, directing her toward a chair. He sat opposite of her.

"I apologize for not truly introducing myself before. I am Counselor Noela Tanmhin." She gave her name, which was as formal as the purple robes she wore.

"There is no need to apologize, Counselor." The Padawan stated. "I am honored to meet you."

"But, I believe there is great need of apology, Young Jedi." She said. "The Prime Minister told you of his message to Coruscant and the troubles of this planet?" She asked.

"He has." Obi-Wan replied, attempting to keep his voice neutral and not show the bitterness which he still felt over the deceit of the Prime Minister.

"You must know that it was not suppose to be this way." The counselor said regretfully.

"You knew of the transmission to the Jedi Temple." Obi-Wan's statement was not a question.

"Yes," she said softly. "The Council of MaraTa all agreed that we were in dyer need of assistance. Yet, it was not until after the call was put in that I was made aware of the lack of information which the Prime Minister gave the Jedi Council. I advised him to send a communication to them again and give them the information they needed, but it was too late. We no longer had control over the transmissions." She bent her head down. "I am truly sorry, Jedi Kenobi."

"I believe that you are, and I thank you." Obi-Wan replied to the regretful counselor. "However, I'm afraid your apology will not change what has happened."

"This I know." She said with a certain amount of confidence. "Which is why I wish to help you."

"How so?" The Padawan asked, hoping she could tell him something that might aid him in his search for his Master.

"I was told by one of our spies that Kai-Shia has ordered all to gather in the center of Tanhimm to witness her greatest triumph." She stated.

Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide. The plans for his Master which the Prime Minister spoke of. "I must go." He said quickly. "Will..."

"The force field will be lowered to grant you passage to enter the city." Counselor Noela stated. Obi-Wan rose to his feet and was almost out the door when the Counselor called him back. "Jedi Kenobi!" Obi-Wan turned toward her. "I warn you, know that what you will discover when you reach your destination will not be pleasant." She said painfully. "The center of Tanhimm is where Kai-Shia and her forces torture the citizens of MaraTa. You must be prepared for what you will find there."

The visions of Qui-Gon in pain surfaced again, but he pushed them down for the time. He had to concentrate on the here and now.

"Thank you Counselor Noela." Was all the Apprentice could think of to answer. He bowed and swiftly ran though the capital building, knowing that whatever he was to find in this place, he would definitely find his Master.

************************************************************************

Three guards, two at his sides and one at his back led Qui-Gon onto the platform with a blaster pointed at his head. He was weak from his injuries and the conditions he was being held in. He was hardly able to walk, much less call on the Force for help.

He was led to the middle of the platform where there was a device, which bound his arms high above his head. He looked out over the crowed of people. Their faces held many different expressions. Fear, terror, and pity, pity for him.

Then Kai-Shia, wearing gold and silver robes, made her way onto the platform. A silence fell over the crowed as she stood before them.

"Citizens of MaraTa!" She called out to the people. "I bid you welcome, and thanks that you have come to witness my greatest triumph." She walked over to where Qui-Gon now stood. "The Jedi," she said. "The defenders of the Galaxy. They stand for what is just and good. They have the ability to bend the Force to their will, and use it in ways beyond our imaginations. They can never be stopped, and can never be killed." she paused, then added. "Or can they? As this Jedi Master found out, as will all of you, they can." She smiled at Qui-Gon, who looked back at her with eyes full of confidence that he could not say he felt. Kai-Shia then motioned for her guards. She moved and the guards took her place, ready.

Qui-Gon braced himself, calming his mind, preparing for what was about to happen, and accepting it like a Jedi.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a figure standing in the mists of the crowd. Although the hood of the cloak was pulled far down the face, he recognized his Padawan regardless. He did not dare look straight at his young Apprentice for fear of giving away his location to Kai-Shia's guards.

He would not have had time anyway, for that was when they started.

********

Obi-Wan attempted to keep his head up. However, there were times when he could not bear to look and he turned away from the site of his Master's torture.

However, even with all that Qui-Gon was going though at the moment, with the horrible pain even Obi-Wan had to block out of his mind so he himself would not feel it, there was an amount of confidence his Master had about himself. Qui-Gon would not cry out. Even at times Obi-Wan thought that he must, he did not make a sound. This caused the crowd shock and wonder of how someone who was feeling so much agony would not cry out in his pain.

Obi-Wan had not yet learned all the tricks to the fine art of healing. But, because of the bond he held with his Master he was able to keep a steady stream of energy flowing to Qui-Gon. This eased some of his Masters pain, but none of his.

How can this be happening? He asked himself over and over. It couldn't be happening to his Master, but right before his eyes it was. And he was forced to watch! 'I can't just stand here and do nothing!' He screamed in his own mind.

'But you must, my Padawan.' Qui-Gon's voice said through their link.

Obi-Wan's head shot up to look at his Master, who's eyes were closed tightly as if sending the few words was taking all energy he had.

His Master was correct. What would he do? The guards were everywhere, on the platform, on the roofs of the buildings, and in the crowed, some in uniform and some disguised as citizens. If he were to attempt to save his Master he would fail miserably. Then there would be no hope left.

'Patience, Obi-Wan.' His Masters voice came to him again.

Obi-Wan clenched his eyes tightly. He kept the Force strength flowing through their bond to Qui-Gon, and waited.

*********************

They finally stopped. They had hit him, burned him, cut his body, causing both the fabric on his tunic and his flesh to rip. Now there was nothing more they could do. And they so stopped, at least for the time being. There were still devices sitting untouched on the table. Qui-Gon could not even begin to imagine what they did, and he didn't want to.

The Jedi Master was weak and exhausted. He could feel the coolness of his blood trickling from open wounds. Yet, despite the pain he was in he could still feel the depth of concern from his Padawan. The strength that Obi-Wan had sent him had helped him more than the boy probably realized.

The guards released his hands from their bindings and he slumped to the ground below. They took him by his arms and brought him up to his knees.

Kai-Shia knelt in front of him. She brought her hand behind his head and grabbed a handful of his hair, yanking his head upright to face her.

"Your pain, my Jedi? Your fear?" She asked smiling.

However, Qui-Gon's eyes answered her question. Although his body was in pain, his spirit was strong. His eyes held no fear.

Kai-Shia saw this and became unamused. "It is no matter." She spat at him. "In time, Master Jedi." Kai-Shia gestured with her hand and the guards half carried, half dragged him away.

A voice came though the darkness of Qui-Gon's mind.

'I'm sorry, Master.' Said Obi-Wan's pain filled voice.

'It is no fault of yours, my Padawan.' He replied.

'I will not fail you, Master.' The boy said to him.

'I trust you Obi-Wan.' Qui-Gon answered him. Saying those words to his Padawan would be his last for a time. His energy had been eaten up, he had nothing left. Now it was his turn to wait.

***************************************************************************

Obi-Wan kept a safe distance away from the guards but close enough not to lose them. Occasionally one would glance back, but the Padawan brought the Force to bear down on the guard's mind causing him to look away, believing he had seen nothing.

It took a great deal of time for them to reach their destination on foot, yet the guards did not seem to notice, nor did they notice the people who cowered from them as they passed. They walked as if they had made this journey hundreds of times before, perhaps they had. Either way they were leading him to wherever Qui-Gon was being held, and that was all that Obi-Wan cared about. He did not know what he would do when he got to the command center of the rebels, but he would figure that out later. "The here and now." He continued telling himself over and over.

Even with his concentration it was impossible for him not to think of the sight he had witnessed only hours before. His Master, held by chains at the wrists while Kai-Shia's minions inflicted him with unimaginable pain, and Obi-Wan had been unable to do anything to stop them. That fact, the look of anguish written on his Master's features, and the wounds on Qui-Gon's body, was enough for the Apprentice to feel his heart slowly cracking into dozens pieces.

Although Obi-Wan's attention had been focused on his Master, he was aware of the citizens of MaraTa and their emotions. They felt sorry for the Jedi Master and Obi-Wan could sense that they want to help him, but their predominate emotion was fear. They were far too afraid of Kai-Shia to risk helping the man who was being tortured before them. Yet, Obi-Wan also sensed an abundance of anger though their fear. The Padawan could not blame them. Who knew how long the same thing had been happening to their loved ones. But would they become angered enough to revolt against the one who was causing this pain? Obi-Wan couldn't even fathom a guess. Yet, even that did not matter to him at the moment. The only thing that mattered was finding his Master and getting away from this place.

At that thought, he realized that they had arrived at their destination. What had once been a grand mansion on the edge of the city, far from the capital building had been converted into Kai-Shia's base. And somewhere in the bowls of that building he would find his Master.

He hid behind a nearby building and waited for the guards to disband. Once they did and there was no longer a large number of them in one place, he came out from his cover and made his way to the entryway of the base. Two guards who stood with their weapons ready patrolled the door. Obi-Wan sent a wave of the Force to them. 'There is no one there.' He projected into their minds. The guards stood blankly, unaware of the young man who approached them. 'You should open the door.'

"I should open the door." One guard said as she punched a command into the panel and the door slid open. The Padawan stepped through quickly and made sure he was far enough away from the guards before he released his control from their minds.

The first corridor was well lit and made it difficult to keep covered. However, it was also lavishly decorated. Kai-Shia apparently had not forgotten the elaborate state of the capital building where she had grown up. It had followed her, she had not completely forgotten her past. Therefore, Obi-Wan made use of the many statues scattered about the halls and any open doors with no one inhabiting the rooms inside.

The Force led the Padawan further and further down the passage. He turned the corner and left the light behind, entering a hallway darkened and dimly lit. Narrow and cold the walkway was cast in eerie shadows thrown onto the walls by a few glow rods scattered down its length. He came to a metal door at the end of the corridor. The Force was screaming at him now, biding him to go down. He was about to obey the command when the footsteps and faint voices coming from the other end of the entrance made him think other wise. He quickly stepped around a corner and pressed himself as close against the wall as he could manage. Then the door opened.

"Two more days should be sufficient." Said the female voice. Obi-Wan recognized it as Kai-Shia's. It took every ounce of training for him to push down the rage he felt against the one who had caused his Master such pain and suffering.

"He is very weak, my lady", the voice of her advisor responded. "I'm not sure he can survive another two days of torture."

"We can go somewhat easy on him tomorrow then." She said with a nod. "However, if he does not survive it is of no matter. I will already have won."

"What of the Apprentice?" The advisor asked. "There is still no word of him."

"He is probably too devastated by the disappearance of his Master to know what to do." Kai-Shia chuckled. "I have no doubts that he will show up tomorrow or the next day. When he does we will have him. And his fate will be no different than that of his Master's." she paused, then added. "Perhaps worse. After all, I have a promise to keep." Kai-Shia laughs became quieter as they continued down the hallway, fading all together when they were gone from sight.

Obi-Wan let go of the breath he did not even realize he had been holding, his mind racing. They were planning on torturing Qui-Gon again?! He could not allow this to happen. He had to get his Master out as quickly as possible.

Kai-Shia's confidence was a great help to him. Her pride in herself and belief that she had the people of MaraTa virtually wrapped around her finger had allowed him a near flawless entrance into her base and to his Master's whereabouts. Yet, it could not last much longer. He could not bring Qui-Gon back the same way he had come. His Master would undoubtedly be well guarded. He would have to find another way out. But, that would all come in time.

First things first, he had to get to Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan brought the Force to bear down on the lock of the door. As it opened, he stepped though and found himself on a winding staircase. He walked down cautiously, testing every step as he went.

He finally reached its end and was faced with the door of a cell guarded by two of Kai-Shia's men. They saw him instantly and pulled raised their blasters against the intruder. In a blink Obi-Wan's lightsaber was in hand and ignited. With one slash he melted away the barrels of the blasters. He then jumped behind the now unarmed guards and with two powerful side kicks by the Apprentice, they were unconscious. Obi-Wan quickly opened the door of the cell. The site he found drained the color in his face. Lying on his side in the far corner of the dark, cold cell, with chains around his wrists, was his Master. He looked haggard and pale. His exposed flesh was covered in cuts and bruises. The Padawan hardly recognized him. Obi-Wan went to him, gently lifting the Jedi by the shoulders cradling him in his arms.

"Master?" He called quietly to Qui-Gon. 'Master?' he said again, this time directly into the bond that they shared.

The eyes of the Jedi Master weakly opened. "Obi-Wan?" he asked hoarsely.

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan said, while removing his cloak and wrapping it around his Master who was as cold as ice. "I have to get you out of here." he said and began to bring the Force down on the bindings around Qui-Gon's wrists.

"No." Qui-Gon said weakly before Obi-Wan could finish.

"Master, please..." the Apprentice started, but was cut off.

"No!" The Jedi Master said again, this time with force. "You don't know what they'll do Obi-Wan. They won't kill me, not yet at least. But they will you, without a second thought. You must go now."

"I'm not leaving you." Obi-Wan said. He was momentarily stunned by the visions of himself in pain and suffering which were coming from his Master's mind. He remembered Kai-Shia's words "We will do the same and worse to him". The Apprentice shuttered inwardly, but would not let these threats stop him. His Master's almost frantic voice came to him again.

"Go now, Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon said firmly. Although he was in great pain, he refused to allow Kai-Shia do the same to his Padawan. "That is an order, from Master to Padawan."

"An order which I choose not to follow." Obi-Wan shot back. "You can discipline me later for disobeying you." There was no more time for argument. Once again the Padawan let the Force come down on the cuffs around Qui-Gon's wrists. When they opened the green light which had been glowing on them abruptly turned red. Obi-Wan knew they did not have much time now. He gently brought Qui-Gon to his feet, letting the weary Jedi Master lean on his shoulders. They made their way out the door of the cell and down the dark corridor.

Obi-Wan knew that the guards would be on their way at any moment, therefore there was no possible way they could go out the way he had come. As they walked down the hallway they came to a dead end. A wall made of thick metal blocked their way to the outside. Yet, behind that wall was freedom.

Finding the strength to stand on his own, Qui-Gon moved away from his Apprentice and leaned against the wall. His Padawan looked at him, and Qui-Gon gave him a nod of approval. With that, Obi-Wan unhooked his lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. The blue blade gave off a dim light, which cast eerie shadows on the walls. The Apprentice then plunged blade into the wall in front of him, melting away the metal.

He heard shouting behind them, the guards were coming. He didn't have much time left. The Padawan cut the last part of the wall away, and with a physical push as well as one from the Force the part of the wall he had burned fell to the ground with a large thud. Once again helping his Master walk, they quickly but carefully made their way through the exit they just had made.

They had not gotten far when the blaster fire began to rage behind them. Alth ough the streets of MaraTa were dark they lit up like a light show with the storm of blaster fire which followed the two Jedi into the city. Obi-Wan deflected many of the bolts with his lightsaber, but the fire was becoming increasingly heavy. They had to find cover and find it fast.

The Padawan was distracted when a jolt of pain seared though his body. One of the random bolts had hit him in his side grazing his ribs. He started to stumble, but caught himself. 'You must leave me, my Padawan.' Qui-Gon's voice said into his mind, too weary now to speak aloud.

'No." Obi-Wan simply replied, concentrating on controlling the pain.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a hooded figure beckoning him to follow. Instinct took over, as the first thought of the Apprentice was not to trust the person. Yet, he had no time to argue and had no where to go, so he followed the shadowy figure ahead of him into a dark ally way.

Just before turning the corner into the alley, Obi-Wan sensed a blaster bolt heading straight for Qui-Gon. He had no time to react with his lightsaber, so instead of deflecting the bolt he quickly spun around letting the shot hit him rather than his Master. What would have hit Qui-Gon in the back struck the Young Jedi in the shoulder. This time he could not stop himself from falling and both he and his Master collapsed to the ground. In his downward plunge Obi-Wan let out a quiet gasp as his head hit against the corner of the building.

He could still hear the blaster fire, and knew neither he nor his Master was safe. 'Get up!' he told himself firmly, but his body would not obey the command his mind gave to it.

"Padawan! Obi-Wan!" He could hear Qui-Gon call worriedly. Obi-Wan tried to give a reply but could not find his voice when he attempted to speak. As his eyes slowly began to shut he saw the cloaked figure standing over him making a hand gesture. The Padawan then hazily saw three more figures appear. One picked him up and the other two helped Qui-Gon to his feet. The barely conscious Apprentice heard the sound of a door sliding open, and shut again once they were all inside. Through the door he could still hear the fire of blasters, but realized they could not follow them here.

He was carefully laid back on the ground and the figure which had first led them here, moved into his line of sight, standing over him. His vision clouded just as the being pulled back the hood of its cloak to reveal who lay beneath it, then everything around him went black. Even though he was rapidly losing his grip on consciousness he could still sense Qui-Gon's concern though their bond. His last thought was of his Master. Hoping that he was safe, and that he had not failed him.

After that thought, there was nothing except darkness.

**********

Qui-Gon watched as his Padawan slipped into unconsciousness and watched as the hood of their rescuer was removed to reveal the identity of the person beneath it. Long pale hair spilled out of the hood and fell about the waist. Crouching by the fallen Apprentice, she checked his pulse and his breathing. Only when she was content with what she found did she turn to the battered Jedi Master.

"He will be all right." The tall woman said, answering the Jedi's unvoiced question. Qui-Gon noticed that her blue eyes seemed to gleam in the darkness.

"Who are you?" Qui-Gon asked in a tired but determined voice.

"I am Counselor Noela Tanmhin." She gave her formal name. The Jedi was somewhat stunned to learn that a government representative was behind their rescue. "I must apologize for what has happened to you Master Jinn", she stated remorsefully. "I am sure you have many questions, all which will be answered in time. However, first we must leave this place and get you and your Apprentice to a healer." Counselor Noela motioned for them to follow. Obi-Wan was once again picked up off the ground and his limp form was carried down the dark passage.

Qui-Gon kept a close eye on his Padawan as they walked. The boy had saved him, even when he had told him not to, even when he warned him of what would happen, and ordered him to go, his Apprentice had saved him. However, Obi-Wan had also gotten himself badly hurt in the process. Now instead of one injured Jedi on the mission, there were two.

'Obi-Wan,' Qui-Gon thought more to himself than his unconscious Padawan, 'why do you have to be so stubborn!' Another thought crossed his mind at almost the same time, one of Yoda's teachings.

"Look to yourself you must, when questioning others." Came the words of the old Jedi Master.

A small faint smile appeared on Qui-Gon's bruised face as he realized his own feelings. He gave an inward sigh and thought to the boy, 'I would have done the same thing for you.' Although Obi-Wan could not hear him.

***********

"Gone?" Kai-Shia hissed though clenched teeth. "What do you mean he is gone?"

"He is gone, my Lady." The shaken Captain of the Guards replied.

"Tortured Jedi do not just disappear from their cells." An angered Kai-Shia shot back. "Report Captain."

Many things flashed though the Captain's mind as he attempted to speak, the lives of his family, his wife, what would be done to them, in the midst of this he founds his voice. "He escaped with the help of his Apprentice." He said, fearful of angering his leader.

Kai-Shia stood from her chair and faced the window.

"So it appears I have underestimated the Apprentice." She said to herself. "A mistake I don't plan on making again. Captain!" She called and the Captain immediately came to attention. "I doubt they got far without aid. The Master was already weakened and from your reports one or both of them very likely might have been shot. Find them, and when you do, throw the Master back into his cell, but bring the Apprentice to me." She said, and the Captain of the guards quickly left the room, gathering his troops as well as his wits. With no one left in the room to hear her, Kai-Shia added, "It's time I met this Obi-Wan Kenobi."

******

There was a far off point of light in the darkness he was surrounded in. He knew he must reach the light to return to the surface. Slowly, ever so slowly, he made his way to it. It became brighter and brighter, leaving the darkness behind him. He heard someone calling to him, and he knew he must break free. He pulled toward the light and toward consciousness.

"Obi-Wan?", came the voice in the haze around him. The image before him was blurred and he couldn't quite make out all of the voices around him for his heart was pounding in his ears. He felt a hand move to his and the voice come to him again. "Padawan?", it said, the voice of his Master. His eyelids opened the rest of the way and the blue-green orbs which lay beneath focused on the older man at his side.

"Master?" Obi-Wan asked questioningly, Qui-Gon simply nodded. Slowly he began to remember the events which took place before he was knocked out. As he tried to sit up he was met with a stab of pain in his ribs and shoulder. He winced as the sensation hit him, his head still throbbing.

"Careful, my Padawan." Qui-Gon caution as he slipped a bandaged arm around his Apprentice to support him. "You have been shot twice and you have quite a concussion. You've been unconscious for some time now. You are lucky to be all in once piece."

Obi-Wan looked up at his worried Master. The wounds Obi-Wan could see had been treated and the rest lay under a new tunic. The Apprentice looked around him. They were in a large room lit by many glow lamps, what was not lit was dark and shadowy, there were many people dressed in dark clothing talking amongst themselves. The entire place had a very secretive atmosphere about it.

"Where are we?" The confused Jedi asked. Before Qui-Gon had a chance to answer a figure stepped out from behind the shadows.

"I believe that is a question I can answer, young Kenobi", said a female voice. Obi-Wan recognized the voice as its owner came into view.

"Counselor Noela?" the Padawan said, surprised to see the government representative. "You were the one who helped us." he stated, Noela nodded.

"I am afraid that the Prime Minister has more secrets which he hid from you, young Jedi. It is time you and your Master hear the entire truth", she paused for a moment, then began again. "I know that you were told that everything in our power was done to attempt to stop Kai-Shia, although that is not true."

"What has been done?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Nothing." Noela said bitterly. "Nothing at all has been done. The Prime Minister is in a state of complete denial. He refuses to believe it is his daughter doing these things. He put up the force field around the government building in hopes of waiting her out and that she will soon tire of her little 'game' as he likes to put it." Her fists were clenched tightly and they began to turn white. "Before either of you ask," she said, her gaze drifting to each Jedi, "Yes, he does see the terrible things which take place at his daughters behalf, those who are tortured and killed. Yet, he is determined to be a good father in his own mind and will therefore do nothing to stop her."

"A good father would not have let things escalate this far." Qui-Gon interjected. Noela nodded in agreement.

"The people are getting tired, Master Jedi. I am getting tiered." She said with a great sigh.

"You formed a resistance then." Qui-Gon did not ask, but stated.

"I did not like going behind the backs of the Prime Minister and the rest of the Council, but I had no choice. I could not let this continue." She truthfully said. "I suppose you could say we are a rebellion for the rebellion. We are growing stronger but we still do not match Kai-Shia's forces."

"Who are the people who decided to join you", asked the Apprentice. She turned toward the other people who filled the room.

"Mostly we consist of those who have lost someone they love because of Kai-Shia and do not wish the same for others." She said this sadly, turning to face the Jedi again. "I will not ask you to help our cause. I am aware of the Jedi code and I understand you cannot take sides. That, and how could I ask you after what has been done." She stated this without looking in Qui-Gon's direction, she couldn't. "Only, I am afraid that there is no way to get off of the planet and there is no way to call for help. We have no starfighters and Kai-Shia is in control of the transmissions. Until she is over thrown I am afraid you are simply stuck here."

Qui-Gon felt her deep remorse and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We thank you for your help Counselor. And we assure you that we will do everything in our power to help and protect you." Noela smiled at the tall Jedi.

"Thank you", she but whispered. "Now," she said with more confidence. "I ask that both of you get some rest. You are in need of it." This time she did look at Qui-Gon when she spoke.

"Thank you Counselor Noela." Obi-Wan stated to the woman who was filled with sorrow. She smiled at him.

"You are very brave, Young Kenobi. Many have wanted to do what you did. You give our people hope." She bowed to the two Jedi, then turned and left.

Obi-Wan watched her leave then looked back up to see Qui-Gon starring at him. A question hit the Apprentice with a wave of panic. 'Was his Master angry with him?'

"No Obi-Wan, I am not angry with you." Qui-Gon said with a shake of his head. "I am simply worried, but by no means angry."

A flood of emotions came over the young Padawan. "Oh Master! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! But I couldn't, I just couldn't..." he stopped unable to go on as he was struck with the visions of his Master suffering so much pain and not being able to do anything to help him.

"Shhhh it's all right, my Padawan. I know." Qui-Gon soothed his grief stricken Apprentice. Although he was still in great pain and was weary the older Jedi sent a gentle wave of the Force though the bond he shared with the boy.

The complete caring and sense of family which came over Obi-Wan calmed his hurting soul. He relaxed into the Force and let it lead him to sleep.

Qui-Gon watched his sleeping Padawan for a moment longer before he turned to leave. He was only a few feet from where his Apprentice lay when he was struck by a sensation of pain. The effects of the torture had left him weak and the pain he had been trying to hide came back to him with a stronger force than before. He abruptly stopped, his hand moving protectively to his chest where many of his injuries lay hidden under his tunic. He brought the Force around him to relieve some of the agony.

"Are you all right", came the voice of Counselor Noela.

"Yes, I will be" he assured her. She looked at him sadly.

"I am deeply sorry, Master Jedi."

Qui-Gon nodded, "Thank you." She looked over to the sleeping figure of Obi-Wan.

"I hope you were not too hard on him for coming to find you." She stated, and for the first time truly spoke of the abduction of the Jedi to him.

Qui-Gon smiled and gave a small laugh. "I assure you Counselor I was not." He said. "That boy is like my son. If things had been turned around and it was him who had been taken I would have done the same thing." Noela smiled at him, but the Jedi saw the mournful look in her light blue eyes. "She took someone from you." He stated.

Noela looked startled for the moment, not understanding how the Jedi could know such a thing. "Yes," she confirmed. "My older brother, who was also my best friend. He was always so watchful and protective of me. I use to find it annoying, now I would give anything to hear his voice scolding me for being out too late or not letting him know where I was." Her mask of strength and confidence slipped for a moment and her eyes sparkled with tears. "Kai-Shia bid me to join her," she continued, "but I refused to have any part in her rebellion. So she took something I loved. She tortured him, as she did you. I was forced to watch his life drain away and there was nothing I could do. She stole him from me." The tears spilled down her cheeks. She felt the Jedi's hand once again on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry", was all he could say to her for the loss of someone whom she cared had for so deeply.

She regained some composure and very lightly put her hand on his arm, afraid of further hurting one of his injuries. "Take good care of Obi-Wan, Master Qui-Gon. You will never truly know how precious he is to you until you lose him." The Jedi held her gaze for a moment until she broke away, "And I am afraid he is in danger now", she said regretfully. "By saving you he has shown the people of MaraTa that they can rise up against Kai-Shia. If one person could do it, Jedi or not, then so can they. He has shown her up, Master Jedi and she will not take kindly to that."

**********

Qui-Gon was in pain, but more to his horror, so was Obi-Wan. His Padawan was screaming, crying out for his Master to help him, only, Qui-Gon could not. He could not move, could not speak, and could come to the aid of his Apprentice.

"It is your punishment, my Jedi." The soft but evil voice of Kai-Shia said, "Yours and his alike." Violent laughter erupted as his Padawan gave out one last bone chilling cry and then was gone.

Qui-Gon awoke with a start, sitting straight up in the sleep couch, sweat dripping down his face; a nightmare, an awful, horrible nightmare. Or was it? Something did not feel right.

The Jedi Master heard a clank and the shuffling of feet. Panic flooded the bond he shared with Obi-Wan, then there was nothing. Qui-Gon already on his feet, raced to where he had left his Apprentice, only the sleep couch was empty, his Padawan no where in site. Qui-Gon felt panic surge through him again, only this time it was his own. He looked down to discover what had made the noise he heard. He bent down and picked up his Padawan's lightsaber where it lay discarded on the ground.

Obi-Wan was gone, and whoever took him was still here.

**************************************************************************** Loyalty of a Padawan

Qui-Gon sensed his attacker hiding in the shadows and quickly turned to face him. The man shot out the same weapon they had used on Qui-Gon before in an attempt to once again stun the Jedi Master. The Jedi would not make the same mistake twice. Although the movement caused pain to his battered form, instead of jumping to the side Qui-Gon tucked and rolled away from the energy claw, the electric wires passing over him by only inches. While still on the ground he ignited his Padawan's lightsaber and cut the cables away from the claw. His attacker watched as the weapon fell useless to the ground.

The man drew a blaster set for stun; however before he could fire at his target he felt cold metal press against the back of his neck.

"Drop your weapon." the female voice of Counselor Noela said, pressing her blaster closer to the man's neck as he hesitated; he threw his weapon to the ground. "Are you all right?" she called to Qui-Gon who was slowly rising to his feet.

The Jedi did not reply as he ran to where Noela held the attacker at bay.

"What have you done with Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked, almost out of breath.

The man simply looked down at the floor beneath his feet, saying nothing. The Jedi Master had great amounts of patients, however it was wearing thin. He brought the lightsaber up so that it was level with the man's neck. The fearful eyes of his would be abductor stared at the blue fire.

"I want to know what happened to my Padawan, as of now you seem to be the person to ask. Where have you taken him?" Qui-Gon said calmly yet allowing force to enter into his voice so the attacker would know his request was not to be taken lightly.

"No..." the man quivered. "No, you don't understand. You don't know what she'll do to me." he pleaded.

"Right now *she* is not your concern, we are." Noela countered. "Tell us where the boy is and no harm will come to you."

"W...we were ordered to come here and recapture the Jedi." he said to them but his gaze never pulled away from the blade of light at his neck. "But, this time the Lady Kai-Shia wanted the Apprentice as well. Once we took him a group of us were told to stay and wait for the Master. But at the first sign of trouble the rest took off and left me here." he said the last part bitterly as he was left behind by his fellow soldiers.

"They took Obi-Wan back to the base then?" Qui-Gon asked. The soldier gave a small nod, not wanting the blue blade to come any closer to him. The Jedi felt despair go through him. Kai-Shia had told him what would be done to his Padawan if he was caught, and she did not seem like the type to go back on her word.

He looked to Noela, who understood his worry.

"They'll be gone by now, and they'll be expecting us to try something." she said to him.

"That can be easily fixed." the Jedi said as he took the comlink from the soldiers belt. "Contact your people and tell them to come back."

"No!" he said horrified. "No, I can't she'll torture my family! She'll kill them! I can't! Please!" he pleaded.

"She will do all of what you have said to my Apprentice if you don't help me." Qui-Gon said, the soldier looked up at him confused. "I am not ordering you, I'm asking for your help. Don't let what has happened to so many happen to my Padawan. He has done nothing to you or to Kai-Shia. He does not deserve what will happen to him."

"You can do this of your own free will, make the right decision." Noela asked softly. "We can protect you."

"The choice is yours." The Jedi said to the soldier, hoping he would make the right one. The man looked at him for a moment longer, then took his comlink from Qui-Gon who lifted the lightsaber away from his neck.

The conversation was short. The soldier said that he had the Master and needed help to bring him back to base. The team which had left him would be sent back to offer assistance. Although he was thanked for his help the soldier was taken into custody by Noela's forces to assure that they would not be double-crossed. As he was taken away, the Jedi Master and the Counselor raced down the dark corridors to meet Kai-Shia's forces who would soon arrive.

"I need reinforcements on the roofs and in the alleys now!" Noela ordered into her comlink to her commanding officer. As they ran, she mumbled something about how Kai-Shia could have found her secret base.

They reached the entrance to find that Kai-Shia's band had already returned.

"Send team two down there to help." the commanding officer of Kai-Shia's troops ordered firmly but quiet in manner.

"That wont be necessary." Qui-Gon said while stepping out of the shadows, Noela at his side. All weapon's pointed to the Jedi Master and the government representative.

"I think team two can belay that order." Noela stated while motioning toward the roofs of the buildings above them. All looked up and standing over them were Noela's volunteer soldiers, and within moments her comrades where in the alley as well, all with blasters pointed at Kai-Shia's group who were greatly outnumbered.

"Put down your weapons." the officer said, unwilling to let his men be killed in a battle they were destined to fail in. He looked to the pair in front of him. "Counselor Noela." he said to the representative.

"Captain Parcen." Noela replied with a slight bow.

"You know him." Qui-Gon did not ask but stated.

"Yes," Noela nodded. "he was the Captain of the guards of Tanhimm before he joined with Kai-Shia." she said with a certain amount of bitterness.

"What was I to do Noela?" the Captain asked, forgetting formalities. "Let Kai-Shia torture and kill my wife and children?"

"You could have taken a stand, Parcen." she stated gently, understanding his reasoning. "You didn't then, but you can now."

The Captain shook his head, "It's not that easy."

"Captain," Qui-Gon interjected, "when was the last time you gave an order to your forces which was *your* order, not Kai-Shia's? When was the last time you were given an order which you knew would not cause another person pain, and then passed on that order?" Captain Parcen hung his head, not looking at the Jedi's face, which still had cuts and bruises from his torture. Qui-Gon went on calmly, "I know you don't want this to continue. There has been so much pain here and it must be stopped. You can stop it Captain. The question is: will you?" The Captain lifted his head and looked at the Jedi Master.

"Commander," Parcen called over his soldier to his second officer.

"Yes, sir." the female officer responded.

"Send out the order that I am overriding any command given by Kai-Shia or anyone associated to her. We are no longer a part of her rebellion. Anyone still following her orders will be considered our enemy."

"Gladly, sir." She replied and ran back to give the long awaited order.

Qui-Gon heard Noela sigh in relief, s small victory had been won.

"The boy has been taken to Kai-Shia." The Captain answered the question Qui-Gon had not yet been able to ask. "After he helped you escaped she has been very interested in him. I'm not sure what her plans for him are. Only, considering what has been done to you and so many others I doubt it can be good."

"Will you take me to him?" The Jedi asked.

"Yes, but there are those who still follow Kai-Shia and have from the beginning. Some forced, some of their own free will. There could possibly be a battle. It may not be easy." The Captain admitted.

"It's no matter." Noela said, calling for her forces to follow. "It is time we end this."

"I will do whatever it takes to get him back." Qui-Gon said. The Captain nodded and gestured for them to follow.

"I just hope we get to him before it is too late." Noela said under her breath, not wanting Qui-Gon hear her.

Only, the Jedi had heard. His hand unconsciously moved his hand to his Padawan's lightsaber on his belt, his own had been taken from him long ago after he was attacked when they first arrived on the planet. Clutching to the last thing he had of his Apprentice for the time, images flashed before his eyes of the horrible things that had been or would be done to Obi-Wan if they did not reach him in time.

The Jedi Master let out a long, shaky breath. He would get to his Padawan in time to save him. He would not let Kai-Shia win by hurting his Apprentice. Because then she would have achieved what she wanted all along, to strike him with fear and pain in the only way she could, in the only way anyone could.

When they reached Kai-Shia's base, the battle began.

*****************

'Oh no, not again.' was the first thought that came to the young Jedi when he realized he was, once again, trying to regain consciousness. As the fog swirling about his mind began to clear he thought of the last thing he could remember. He had been sleeping peacefully when he was brought abruptly awake by the sharp pain of a needle in his neck. He had panicked and as he struggled to move, many rough hands grabbed him and held him in place. After that there was, once again, the darkness.

His eyes slowly opened as he awoke from his drugged state. He was lying crumpled on his side on the floor of a large and lavishly decorated room. When his vision finally cleared, he was met with the coldest, darkest brown eyes he had ever seen glaring back at him.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, little Jedi." Came the voice he recognized as Kai-Shia.

Obi-Wan did not answer, he could only gaze at the person who singly caused the one he cared for most so much pain. He found that his hands were chained behind his back. He began to use the Force to unlock the binders around his wrists, an almost instinctual gesture for him. When one of the binders opened a loud click was heard and echoed though the room. He was seized roughly by his injured shoulder by a guard he had not realized was behind him in the room. He bit his lip to keep from crying out as the pain in his shoulder sent a tingling down his spine. The guard hauled him to his knees, then quickly re-chained his hands.

"I trust you will not try that again." Kai-Shia said to him.

"I wouldn't count on that." Obi-Wan replied dryly while using the Force to control the pain

Kai-Shia gave a small smile and laughed under her breath. "You are very bold, little Jedi." she stated, amused. "Bold and foolish."

"You are not the first person to tell me that." The Padawan said. Kai-Shia ignored his remark.

"I mistook you for being weak. It would appear that I was mistaken in doing this. I must say I was impressed with your successful rescue." Her smile widened, "Such a shame it didn't work out quite the way you planned, isn't it?"

"How did you find us?" Obi-Wan asked, genuinely curious.

Kai-Shia shrugged, "Noela has her spies- I have mine."

"You can't want this for these people." The young Jedi attempted to reason with the woman. "They are in so much pain, Kai-Shia. They are tired and are beginning to hate you. You must end this before it is to late."

"You Jedi are all like." she said. "Always trying to talk things through, always trying to see the good in people. Well, you will find none of that here. I am in power, that is what I want, that is what I care about." Again she laughed quietly. "Yes, you Jedi are all alike." She turned away from him and slowly walked to the other end of the room. "Or perhaps it is just you and your Master who are alike." she stopped as she reached the wall opposite side of the room and opened a secret panel. In it was his Master's lightsaber. She took it out and held it before her. "I hear the Master-Padawan bond is strong. I am now quite sure that you were there so I'll ask you; what was it like watching your Master tortured before your eyes, little Jedi?" Her smile and eyes both held an eerie coldness to them as she said these words.

Obi-Wan looked away. How easy it would be to use the Force to call his Master's weapon to his hands and escape this place. But, as the hand of the guard once again gripped his injured shoulder and he felt the cool metal of a vibroblade against his neck, he forced himself to be realistic. He would not be able to escape under these circumstances. He had only two choices: to hope he could make Kai-Shia see things his way, which he found very unlikely, or hope that Qui-Gon would find him in time.

Kai-Shia walked back over to where the Padawan was on his knees. She put a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look up at her. "I made a promise to your Master. That he would feel pain, and fear beyond his imagination. I have not yet achieved my goal, but, as I'm sure you know by now, I don't give up that easily."

Two more guards entered the room and moved toward Obi-Wan. They held him by his shoulders while the other brought the vibroblade back to go down across his chest. They looked at Kai-Shia who nodded at them. He saw the blade glisten before he clenched his eyes tightly shut. The Apprentice braced himself for what was about to happen, calling to the Force to help him.

"Stop this at once!" A voice called before the vibroblade came down on the Padawan.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes to look at his rescuer. What he saw stunned him. He and Kai-Shia shared the same look of surprise.

"How did you get in here?" she asked in a hiss.

"I have my ways." The intruder replied as he moved closer to her.

"Well, Father, you are certainly the last person I expected to see." An amused smile crept up her face. "What is it that you want?"

"For you to stop this Kai-Shia." The Prime Minister said softly to his daughter. "It is time for it to end."

Kai-Shia gave a quick laugh, "You have never been able to stop me before. What makes you think you can do so now?"

"That is only because I never tried before, but now I must. I owe it to the People, and to the Jedi." He said and glanced down at Obi-Wan who looked back at him.

Suddenly the sound of blaster fire caught their attention. Kai-Shia and the Prime Minister looked out the large window to see her own soldiers in a battle against each other joined by the unmarked volunteers of Noela's army.

"You!" she hissed though clenched teeth at her father. Rage was written on every line of her face as she saw everything she had worked so hard for crumbling away. "You did this! How dare you!"

"This is not my doing, my dear, but your own. Because you have let these people grow to hate you. This is the people acting on their own, with their own thoughts, thoughts that are not yours." She turned away from him, and momentarily had what Obi-Wan thought to be a sorrowful look on her face. "It is over Kai-Shia, you must accept that." She turned back to her father as he held out a hand for her. "Come home, my daughter."

Her softened face took a hardened look to it once again. Her brow curled in a glare, "You think you know me so well? You know nothing you old fool!" From under the sleeve of her robe a small blaster appeared. Obi-Wan did not have the time to blink before Kai-Shia pulled the trigger, and the Prime Minister lay dead on the floor, a blaster bolt burned through his chest.

Obi-Wan gasped in horror and shock. Although Kai-Shia had done unimaginable things he assumed that her father could lead her back home and help her begin again, but that was not to be. Only now did the Padawan truly understand what he was dealing with. He was dealing with a person who had no conscious, and seemingly no heart. The fact made him sick to his stomach.

Kai-Shia moved to point the weapon at the still stunned Apprentice. "A promise made a promise kept, little Jedi." She said as her finger tightened around the trigger once more.

A shot was fired and there was a cry of pain, only it was not Obi-Wan who cried out, but Kai-Shia. She sunk to the floor, the blaster falling from one hand and his Master's lightsaber from the other. She clutched her wrist which had been shot.

The guards who held Obi-Wan abruptly let him go to face their attackers. They reached for their weapons, the guard with the vibroblade already beginning to advance. But before they could take the offensive a stream of blue fire came down on them.

Obi-Wan turned and what he saw made his heart leap. For standing just inside the doorway was his Master and Counselor Noela at his side. Noela held the blaster before her, smoke still filtering from it. Her face took on a look of horror as her eyes trained on the dead prime minister.

Kai-Shia began to reach for her fallen blaster. However, before she could grasp it was pushed away by an invisible hand. Those hands also opened the binders around Obi-Wan's wrists, and they fell with a clank to the floor.

Qui-Gon rushed to his Apprentice. He knelt so he could look into the blue- green eyes.

'Obi-Wan,' he said directly into the bond which they shared, 'are you all right?' he asked concerned, using the Force to check for any injuries on his Padawan.

'Yes, Master.' Obi-Wan replied relieved.

'I'm so sorry, my Padawan.'

'Don't be Master. I'm fine, they didn't hurt me.' he felt his Master's guilt. 'You didn't fail me.' He added to comfort his Master.

Qui-Gon wrapped his arms around his Apprentice and held him tightly and Obi-Wan clung to his Master just the same. It was true, he was safe. There was no pain, and no fear. Noela's footsteps brought them back to the present. She stood in front of the fallen Kai-Shia who looked up at her.

"Well Noela," Kai-Shia gasped, "what will you do now? Will you kill me?" her tone was mocking.

"I would have every reason to." Noela responded calmly. "After what you did to the planet, the Jedi, your own father, and my brother. I'd say I have a fair amount against you." she paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "But I wont. Because killing you wont change what has happened, and it wont bring my brother back. You will have to answer to the people Kai-Shia, not to me." Captain Parcen came in with a few of his soldiers. "Captain." Noela called to him and he stepped forward. "Send out the word to Kai-Shia's soldiers that we have captured their leader, there is no reason for them to continue fighting." She closed her eyes and said, "It's over."

"With pleasure, Counselor." Parcen said with relief. He motioned for two of his guards, who came to where Noela stood. As she stepped away, the guards hauled Kai-Shia to her feet and pushed her out the door. The power and fear she had over MaraTa dissolved as she stepped out of the room.

Noela bent down to pick up Qui-Gon's fallen lightsaber. "I believe this belongs to you." She said as she moved toward the two Jedi and handed the Jedi Master his weapon. He nodded in thanks and returned his lightsaber to its rightful place on his belt, handing Obi-Wan back his own. Noela looked around the room for a moment, then turned and quietly left.

Qui-Gon's strength was failing him. His adrenaline had worn off and he was still weak from the torture. His heart seemed to be beating somewhere around his ears and his vision blurred. The Jedi brought his hand to his pounding temples.

"Master are you all right?" His Apprentice asked worried.

Qui-Gon smiled and said, "I am now, my Padawan." He carefully stood and put out a hand to help the boy to his feet. "Come, Obi-Wan." he said, Obi-Wan took his Master's hand and stood beside him. "It is time we leave."

"Yes, Master."

Together they walked out the door, and together their healing could now begin.

**********************************************************

The wind blew a cool gentle breeze across the now peaceful landscape, a long awaited sense of rightness in the air.

"I hope that your trip home is safer than your stay on our planet." The tall woman in the shimmering green robe half teased.

"I assure you it will be quite uneventful." Qui-Gon replied, then added, "Prime Ministress Noela."

Noela smiled shyly. After the death of Prime Minister Eman-Jep it was voted that Noela should take his place as head of the planet.

"The title comes at a great cost." she said sadly. "The Prime Minister made quite a few bad choices, but he was a good man. He did not deserve an end such as the one he was met with."

"He gave his life while trying to do the right thing." The Jedi Master comforted. Obi-Wan had told them of the late Prime Minister's attempt to speak to his daughter and save her before the unthinkable happened. "MaraTa has lost a leader, but it has gained a great one in his place."

"Thank you, Master Jedi." Noela said with a nod.

"Prime Ministress Noela," The young Apprentice said quietly, as both sets of blue eyes turned to him. He was reluctant to ask the question biting at his tongue, but he had to know, "what will become of Kai-shia?"

Noela was touched by his hesitancy to ask a question that he feared would bring her pain. "That was something which was discussed for many hours." Noela told him. "Many wanted her killed for all of the death and pain she has caused the people and for the destruction of so much of our world."

She paused for a moment, the vision of her brother came into her mind, it faded and she began again. "But her life will not come to an end. She is to live out the remainder of it in a prison tower, alone, with the knowledge that she failed, and that all that she had accomplish was lost to her and can never be regained. That knowledge will hurt her more than any torture she could endure."

Obi-Wan nodded in acceptance to what Noela told him. Although he had been angry at Kai-shia for what she had done to his Master, the rage he felt was no longer in him. He decided instead that he felt sorry for her. He felt sorry for a person who was so cold and had such a lust for power that they would hurt others for it. Such a person knew no warmth and no goodness in life and never felt love. That was a very lonely way to live and the young Jedi pitied her for it.

A ship began to appear in the distant sky, coming closer with each passing moment. Noela looked up at its figure on the horizon, then turned to the Jedi and said, "No more formalities between us, my friends. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, I hope that one day you will return to MaraTa. I assure you it will be under much better circumstances." She smiled at them warmly.

"I hope that day will not be long in coming, Noela." Qui-Gon said to the woman.

"Thank you, for all that you did to help us." The Apprentice put in, realizing he never truly had a chance to thank her for the help she had shown them throughout the mission.

"No, Obi-Wan. It is I who thank you." She said as she looked down at the young Jedi. "I have no doubts that your bravery saved our people and our planet. You and your Master will be remembered for all of time."

The ship landed and caught their attention. The entrance slid open and a robed figure stepped out and quickly came to stand next to the Jedi and the planets new leader.

"It is good to see you alive, my friend." Mace Windu said while placing a hand lightly on the shoulder of his Jedi friend, aware of the injuries he had sustained.

"It is good to see you as well, Mace." Qui-Gon replied.

"Prime Ministeress Noela." Mace said with a bow.

"Master Jedi." Noela said, returning the gesture. As the two briefly talked about some minor points from the Jedi Council, Obi-Wan felt the Living Force, which he usually had a difficult time grasping, come to him in a rush. He looked around and understood why. Off in the distance he could see the capital, which had been deserted when he first arrived was now buzzing with activity. The citizens were out of hiding and no longer feared their day to day lives. All of the living that had been forced to come to a halt now was able to begin again.

Obi-Wan felt his Master's eyes on him, and looked up to meet them.

Qui-Gon nodded at him in a silent gesture of approval. Their mission here was over.

The Jedi exchanged their goodbyes with Noela and started toward the transport that would take them home to the Jedi Temple on Corucsant; a trip which seemed past overdue.

"You know, Qui-Gon," Mace, who walked next to his Jedi friend, started. Qui-Gon gave an inward groan, knowing by the sound of his friend's voice that whatever remark that was to come would be a sarcastic one. "You look terrible." Mace softened his statement with a smile.

"Thank you, Mace. I could not have figured that one out on my own. I'm so grateful that you are present to tell me these things." Qui-Gon teased.

"Any time, Qui-Gon. Anytime." Mace replied.

Obi-Wan laughed; causing Qui-Gon to smile, knowing that it was the first time the boy had done so since before they arrived on the planet. He put a hand on his Padawan's good shoulder. "It's time to go home, my Padawan." Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan looked up at him and smiled.

"Yes, Master."

"Oh, and Mace." Qui-Gon called over his shoulder to his friend who was behind them now as they walked up the ramp of the ship. "By the way, you looked like you've gained some weight."

******

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were given as much time as they needed to recuperate from their injuries. Qui-Gon especially needed rest after the torture he had endured. Both Master and Apprentice were healing well now that they were home at the Jedi Temple. Only, their spirits seemed to be healing slower than the bodies which kept them.

The sun had set on Courscant long ago, it was far into the night. All was quiet and peaceful within the Jedi Temple, all except the apartment where a restless Qui-Gon slept.

He sat up with a start on his sleep couch, dripping with a cold sweat. It was only a dream, yet it seemed so real. He saw himself, back on MaraTa, cold and tortured. But more to his horror he saw blood on the ground, which he knew to be Obi-Wan's. He could hear his Padawans screams in the darkness before him, only he couldn't reach him.

But it was only a dream, no a nightmare, and not the first he had suffered since his return. He lay back down and centered himself, attempting to get back to sleep. However, sleep eluded him, he was beyond rest. He stood up from his sleep couch and quickly dressed himself. He needed to find peace, and he would not find it here.

Almost unconsciously Qui-Gon quietly slid the door to his Padawan's room open to check on the sleeping boy, as any parent would their child when they themselves were ill at ease. Obi-Wan seemed to be sleeping soundly for the time being. The Jedi Master stood watching the boy rest for a few moments longer, he then turned and left, shutting the door behind him. He left the small apartment and walked to the most peaceful garden in the Jedi Temple, the Garden of a Thousand Fountains.

The wind blew lazily though the trees, the sound of the wind in the leaves along with the trickling of the many fountains was that of a gentle whisper. Qui-Gon seated himself on a bench near one of the larger fountains, letting his hand dip into the cool water which glimmered in the moonlight.

He tilted his head upward to the sky, letting the atmosphere of the garden be absorbed into his consciousness.

"Beautiful the garden is at night." said the familiar voice of the Jedi Master whom Qui-Gon hadn't noticed was sitting beside him.

"Master Yoda," Qui-Gon said, almost startled, "I'm sorry I didn't hear you enter the garden."

"Quiet I can be, when I want to." The small green Jedi Master teased his former student. "How feel you?" he then asked.

"Better, Master Yoda, thank you." Qui-Gon replied.

Yoda nodded thoughtfully, "Yet, unrestfull your sleep has been." He said, looking at Qui-Gon with sleepy eyes.

There was no use in arguing, Yoda knew him to far to well. "Yes, Master Yoda."

"Understandable this is, Qui-Gon. Been through much you and your Apprentice have." Yoda said.

At the mention of Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon's thoughts turned to the dream he had suffered. He closed his eyes and images of the events on MaraTa sprang before his eyes. Yoda sensed his change.

"Hurting you are, Qui-Gon." Yoda commented, putting up a hand to silence the tall Jedi by his side when he began to open his mouth to say other wise. "Your spirit cries out. Listen to it you must. Failed your Apprentice think you did."

"I was warned they would be after him." The Jedi Master replied while shaking his head, "I should have watched him more closely."

"Remember you must Qui-Gon, grows Obi-Wan he does. No longer a boy he is, but a young man, and a remarkable Apprentice. For knew he did when go against his Master's orders he must. Saved you he did. Taught him well you have, therefore failed him you did not." Yoda lending his wisdom to his former student. Qui-Gon simply looked at him, for a moment, then nodded.

Yoda lowered himself from where he sat on the bench and left the Jedi in the garden with his thoughts.

Qui-Gon remained on the garden bench, pondering Yoda's words. It was true, Obi-Wan was growing, a little to fast for his Master's liking. It didn't seem too long ago that he was that 12 year old boy trying to please him and desperate to be taken as a Padawan, frightened no one cared what would become of him. Now he was a strong 17 year old, with a good heart and spirit. Qui-Gon thought of the great Jedi his Padawan would one day become.

He smiled and looked up to the sky once again, "One of the greatest." He said to himself.

'Master?!' Came Obi-Wan's voice into their bond, panic and confusion with it. The Jedi Master bolted up and raced out of the garden back to the apartment where he had left his Padawan.

Qui-Gon burst though the door and found his Apprentice standing in the middle of the living area, intense worry written on his face.

"Obi-Wan, what is it? What's wrong?" a deeply concerned Qui-Gon asked as he made his way across the room to stand next to his Padawan.

"I woke up, and you weren't here, you were gone. I... I thought..."

The startled Obi-Wan trailed off, now becoming a little embarrassed.

Qui-Gon saw this and a soft smile crept its way up his face. "Sit down, Obi-Wan." he said as he led his Apprentice to a nearby couch. They both sat and Qui-Gon turned to face Obi-Wan. "Tell me." The Jedi Master said simply.

"I had woke from a bad dream, Master." A calmer Obi-Wan stated. "I went to your room and when you weren't there I thought..." he paused, gathering the painful words, "I thought this time you were truly gone and I would never see you again." he said this with his head hung low, somewhat ashamed that he had let a dream frighten him so badly. He looked up only when he felt his Master's hand on his shoulder.

"It is all right, Obi-Wan." the Master reassured his Apprentice. "I too had a disturbing dream. I left to the garden to center myself, that is where I was. I should have let you know, but I did not want to wake you. I'm sorry."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan gave the respectful reply, his eyes down cast once again.

"What troubles you, my young Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked, although he knew the answer already.

"I couldn't do anything to help you, Master." Obi-Wan quietly said. "All I could do was stand and watch."

"But you did do something, Obi-Wan. I was too busy trying to protect you to understand what you were feeling at the moment. That is why I gave you the order to leave me. Yet, you knew in your heart what was right, you let the Force guide you. These are things that I have taught you all along. You did the right thing, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon assured his Apprentice.

"I almost lost you." Obi-Wan said in a barely audible muffled cry.

Although his head was bent, Qui-Gon could see the glistening of tears in the eyes of his Padawan.

"And I almost lost you, Obi-Wan. But, we were able to protect each other and come out safe in the end." Qui-Gon's hand lifted his Padawan's chin up to meet the blue eyes, using his thumb to brush away a tear that made it's trail down the young face. "I am proud of you, Obi-Wan." The life in the eyes of his Apprentice seemed to fill with light once again.

"Thank you, Master." Obi-Wan said, letting his face relax into a small smile. Qui-Gon gathered the young man into his arms, they embraced in a tight hug. The Force filling the bond they shared, yet it was stronger than Master and Apprentice, it was that of a father and son.

When they finally separated the sun shone though the window, taking away the shadows of night, and the shadows which lingered in their minds.

"Come, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon said as he stood, helping his young Apprentice to his feet. "It is a new day, and you have much to learn."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan replied, standing next to Qui-Gon.

They turned to walk in the light of a new day, and in the light of the Force.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Authors Notes: I’d just like to thank a few people. To all the site owners who put my stories on their pages. Thanks so much! Rabe_1 and Laheara who always give their help and support. And most of all to Siobhan for everything! Because there is no way I could have written this without her! Thanks so much! And to everyone who takes the time to read my stories. Thank you all!




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