Astrid Stovall stood looking through the windows of the Talusian State Senate building. The building was hers now and she watched as armored transports rolled down the street below her. She did not look the part of a radical revolutionary and this had served her well. She was a small plain woman with brown hair, gray eyes and a freckled face. At first glance she appeared delicate, but second look revealed the strength that lay hidden behind her unassuming exterior. Her outward appearance of innocence and vulnerability had opened many doors for her and belied the passion for her people and their freedom that burned within.
Taking over the Talus senate building and bombing the temple at Es-Speeth at the same time had been a masterstroke. For years they had ignored her. Perhaps it was because she was a student. And after that it may have been because she was a woman. But now they would listen. She would force them to listen.
The remaining members of the Talusian government had taken up refuge in the outlying regions, but she didn't care. Here she could control from the center. The coup had been calculating and careful. Though she had allowed General Ruusk to plan his own actions when it came to the Yebbi, the take over of Talus was a different matter. As disillusioned by religion as they could be, these were her people. She loved them and she wanted what was best for them. They deserved their whole planet. They didn't need to share it with a bunch of monks. The time of the sovereignty was over.
She turned away from the window. She had preparations to make. The addition of the two Jedi had surprised her and she wasn't totally sure that the Divine Prince of Enlightenment, former leader of a dead theocracy, wouldn't come knocking on her door. She had to be sure that if he did, and if the Jedi were with him, that she kept the upper hand.
* * *
Obi-Wan stood frozen. He contemplated the question. What was he going to do about it? He was still in shock at having been sneaked up on. How long had the soldier been following them?
The soldier cocked his head as though he'd heard an answer. "Nothing? Good. That's what I like to hear." He continued, happy to run the conversation on his own. "Now, if this is who I think it is, I'm pretty sure you don't want me to kill him. But if you move, I will. How does that sound?"
Obi-Wan looked at Menalu. The soldier had on hand around his neck and the other on the trigger of the rifle. Despite this Menalu looked serene. In his eyes was a calm acceptance of his fate. It was not passivity, but true bravery. And there was trust there. Menalu knew that Obi-Wan would make the right decision. He trusted him.
Obi-Wan didn't move. He breathed and felt the force around him. He looked into Menalu's eyes. Strength over fear. How many times had he heard it? The Jedi's own mantra. There was strength in those eyes. We entrust the spirit to the love advocated. Menalu trusted him. And the love advocated?
Obi-Wan found his center and in a voice that was so calm and confident he wasn't even sure it was his he said, "You will release him and drop your weapon." Obi-Wan saw the man's hand on Menalu's neck loosen. For a moment, there was doubt in the man's eyes. Then he laughed and reasserted his grip.
"I don't think so." He said slowly.
Obi-Wan acted before he could think. The blaster rifle leapt from the soldier's hands and landed at Obi-Wan's feet. Throwing Menalu aside the man lunged for his weapon, but Obi-Wan was there, his lightsabre in his hand and before the man reached him, he ran it through his chest. The soldier gasped in surprise and then crumpled to the floor.
Obi-Wan stared at the dead soldier in shocked silence. Though dueling with lightsabres was part of a Jedi's training, it was rare that it was used as anything but a method of deflecting blaster fire. It was carried more as a symbol more than any thing else. There were Jedi who had never drawn their lightsabres in battle. Obi-Wan had always enjoyed practice duels, but he had never ever used the weapon at full power on a person. And now he had.
The smell of burnt flesh made him feel ill and he knelt down. He looked away and to his embarrassment, felt his eyes welling with tears. There was a hand on his shoulder and for a second he thought it was Qui-Gon. He looked up and saw Menalu with an expression of deep concern on his face.
"I never… I've never." But Obi-Wan couldn't bring himself to say it. He'd fatally injured attackers before, but never like this, never so close. He felt a tear break loose and roll down his cheek. Quickly, he wiped it away with his sleeve.
"When they bombed the temple the first time, do you know what I did?" Menalu asked. Obi-Wan shook his head.
"Nothing. I did nothing. I wanted to do something though, to take up arms against those who would slaughter innocents. But, my heart tells me that aggression must not beget aggression. To fight would have been the end of my people, our way of life. But to do this, to do nothing when people I grew up with, that I loved are dead. It was so hard.
"You're a Jedi. And your heart is not the same as mine. You were not angry when you killed this man. You were at peace. Is that not your way?"
Obi-Wan nodded. It was. He hadn't been angry or frightened; at that very moment the man had lunged he had truly been in the moment, at one with the force, as Qui-Gon and Yoda had taught him. He knew he had done the right thing and yet it had still been so hard.
Bowing his head to honor the man he had struck down Obi-Wan had a sudden thought that nearly sent him leaping into the air with joy. This man had been alone. How had he found them? Certainly he hadn't walked through the forest alone. It was probable that he had come by speeder bike; flying above them and looking down through the trees. If he could locate the speeder, the two of them could get to the rock much quicker.
"I'm going to find his transport." Obi-Wan was already on his feet and running back the way they had come. "Wait here!" he called back and then disappeared into the thick brush.
* * *
Obi-Wan was sweating as he whacked through the bush with his hands. Even though they had come this way, the forest had closed up behind them, erasing all traces of their passage and it was like blazing their trail anew. He was unsure of where the soldier might have hidden the speeder, if there was a speeder, but he knew that the man must have come from behind and so he continued to follow their path back into the woods.
He came upon a large flowering tree with bright red leaves that he didn't remember. When he touched the leaves they wilted almost instantly. He pushed the plant aside and was surprised when it swung back and hit him with such deliberate force that it knocked him off his feet. He shook his head in astonishment at what seemed like a conscious act on the part of a tree. On this planet, anything was possible. He sat up and the burning started. Besides giving him a good slap, the plant had peppered Obi-Wan's chest, neck, and face with bright orange thorns about a centimeter in length each.
"Ouch." He said to no one in particular and began plucking thorns from his face. The thorns had a strange sticky quality though and no matter how carefully he handled them after removing them, they often impaled themselves into his fingers spreading the burning to his hands. After several minutes of struggling, he gave up. He would deal with it later. It was more important to try and locate the speeder that could get them out of there.
He walked on but soon the burning became so unbearable that he had to turn around to find Menalu.
* * *
Qui-Gon watched the Talusian cruiser land with a sense of relief. This unwanted mission that had become so complicated and dangerous was coming to an end. He could see already that the cruiser was well armed and more maneuverable. Given what this mission had become, it was a more appropriate vessel. He hadn't suggested that they leave the planet yet, but he was going to mention it to Dash-te when they were aboard. Even now that he knew the truth, something still didn't feel right.
The ramp lowered and Governor Laoul stepped off followed by two aides and several guards. A tall man with thinning hair and a long face, he surveyed the scene sadly and continued toward the gathered monks. He and Dash-te Dey formally greeted each other by clasping hands and bowing heads.
As the guards collected their things, Governor Laoul briefed them on the situation in Talus City, their capital.
"It is most serious and unexpected." Laoul told them; "During an emergency session of our senate to discuss the implications of the destruction of the monastery in Es-Speeth, a group of Astrid Stovall's supporters made a summary motion of annexation into Rengaian territory. When the motion was turned down, General Ruusk and his army stormed the building.
With the building secure, Astrid Stovall freed those who did not support her, and declared herself leader of the 'Liberation Front of Talus'; a new government for the whole planet, which she claims, will free our people from the bonds of an imperialist theocracy. The coup was well planned and a complete surprise to us. She has military control over much of the capital city and has taken over all public communications."
Dash-te fumed. "You were never in the bonds of an imperialist theocracy. We would have remained peaceful neighbors."
The governor shook his head. "Not everybody believes this to be true. In Talus, many people have become reluctant to practice Yebbi rituals as support for the Divine Prince of Enlightenment wanes. I believe that what has happened was inevitable."
Qui-Gon spoke up. "I suggest we continue this when the Divine Prince is on board. We haven't much time."
* * *
Removing the many stinging thorns was a tedious process. With his hand wrapped in one of the Kalla scarves, the fabric of which seemed immune to the thorn's stickiness; Menalu meticulously plucked one thorn at a time and threw it deep into the brush. But once Obi-Wan was free of them, the stinging had gone away and they continued on.
Obi-Wan was thinking of ways to make the journey easier. Menalu had grown too weary to continue on foot and he had been carrying him for what seemed like hours. Pushing through the dense brush was becoming a tedious chore, which he hoped never to repeat and yet seemed to have become his whole life. He found it difficult to remember a time when he could simply walk, without having to push something out of the way. The buzzing insects were relentless. Their water ration was long since consumed. The sun was giving him a headache and bright spots danced in his periphery. It was delicious to imagine life with just one of those miseries gone.
He imagined what it would be like walk freely without the constant battling with leaves and branches. Or, to move without the weight of another person on his back; that would have made things much easier. He pictured a flowing waterfall of fresh water that they could drink from and even bathe in. And of course, the headache that pounded his temples. If that were gone, he wouldn't have minded the buzzing insects so much.
He was roused from his reverie when his foot hooked on a root and he tripped sending Menalu headlong into the underbrush. It was the second time he'd done this. Menalu got up without a word and Obi-Wan didn't apologize as he knelt down so his passenger could climb back on.
The rigors of the forest began to wear them thin.
* * *
The Talusian cruiser skimmed the tops of the trees. Qui-Gon and Dash-te stood in the cockpit watching as the navigator guided them toward the rock outcropping. The mood was expectant and neither man spoke. Dash-te may have made many mistakes, but Qui-Gon understood the depth of his worry. He felt it as well.
In the distance a small gray speck appeared in the carpet of green. But, as they grew closer, it was obvious that no one stood at the top. Qui-Gon could feel Dash-te's disappointment.
"Not there." Dash-te sighed.
Qui-Gon shook his head. "They need more time." He said. "Is there anywhere we can go that's safe? We should return tomorrow."
"We should land and look for them." Dash-te protested.
Qui-Gon considered this. He wanted to with all his heart, but it didn't make sense. Around the rock the trees were too dense. For them to find a proper landing spot and then send out a search party was too risky. He shook his head. "No, we need to meet them here. On this rock."
As the ship turned away and headed for Talus, Qui-Gon felt a heaviness in his heart. He wondered if he would ever see Obi-Wan again.
* * *
The reality had begun to set in that Obi-Wan might be asked to stay and rebuild the temple. It hadn't made sense at first, but he was beginning to see that it did. Of course, the Yebbi would need a new temple. And with all the monks gone they would need someone to help. They would ask him. He was sure of it. That would mean no longer being a Jedi knight. He would have to leave that. Wait. He wasn't a knight. He was an apprentice, a padawan learner. So, it wouldn't be so hard to leave after all.
What was his master's name? He couldn't remember. Such a strange thing to forget. What was it? Oh, of course. Kenobi. No. That was his name. He tried to picture him. Jinn something. No, that didn't sound right either. Perhaps he didn't have a master after all.
"Obi-Wan, watch where you're going!" The shout was close to his ear and like a sleepwalker waking from a dream Obi-Wan was suddenly aware that he was on a collision course with a large tree trunk. He whirled away from it and the world seemed to spin out of control. He threw out his arms for balance, but it didn't help. Obi-Wan swayed for a moment and then toppled over, dumping Menalu onto the forest floor for what seemed to him like the hundredth time.
"Are you feeling all right?" Menalu asked, sitting up slowly.
Obi-Wan rubbed his throbbing temples. The world still spun and he shut his eyes before propping himself on his elbows. "I forgot my master's name." He said.
"Qui-Gon's name?"
"Yes. Qui-Gon. That's it. That's his name. That's what I forgot." Obi-Wan felt warmth run down his lip and tasted blood. His nose was bleeding. He wiped it on his sleeve.
"Perhaps the heat is getting to you. You look tired."
Obi-Wan read the concern on Menalu's face. "I'm fine." He said. "I was day dreaming." He stood up and waited for the blood to stop pounding in his ears. Part of him was worried; how could he have forgotten Qui-Gon's name? What was wrong with him? But, another part of him told him to ignore it and continue on. Weighing his options, continuing was the only logical choice.
"I think I'll walk on my own if you don't mind." Menalu said.
The two of them started off again, but Menalu was worried. Obi-Wan didn't seem right and he didn't know how much further they had to go.
* * *
The cruiser landed near a small village on the outer edge of the Talus State. There they would wait until morning. Qui-Gon waited with the others inside of the main passenger compartment of the ship.
The Talusian governor was understandably reluctant to return to Talus City or even make their presence known, until he was sure of the status of the Divine Prince. If the Divine Prince were dead that would change the political climate of the planet considerably. He felt that it was the due to the corruption of the Rengaian regency that had reigned for so long while the Divine Prince came of age that had been the chink in the armor that allowed Astrid Stovall's ideas to take root. Even now, at 14 he had not yet reached his majority and was only a political figurehead. The needless death of a Jedi apprentice as well would certainly not garner sympathy for them in the Republic should they require further intervention.
The group sat in silence listening to a public broadcast of the propaganda of the Liberation Front of Talus. Though most of the propaganda was about the improvements the people of Talus would see there was a brief, but disturbing segment in which is was announced that the Divine Prince of Enlightenment had personally endorsed a treaty in which Rengaia agreed to accept the rule of the Liberation Front. There was no mention of the destruction of the temple.
"I can only assume that my people are listening to similar news." Dash-te said.
"We must consider the possibility that the Divine Prince is dead." Laoul said. "We will need a strategy."
Dash-te shook his head. "His High Holiness is still alive. Master Qui-Gon says they need more time. Let's at least give them until tomorrow."
"They have been missing in the jungle for two days. Their chances of survival are slim. We must be prepared." Laoul said.
Sheniko stood up, "We will be prepared, but Qui-Gon says his apprentice is still alive."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Obi-Wan is still alive."
"And the Divine Prince of Enlightenment?" Asked the governor.
"I don't know." Qui-Gon admitted.
"Then we must give them both a chance." Sheniko said. "For tonight, the subject is closed."
The force of her proclamation surprised Qui-Gon. Conversation continued, but it never strayed toward the subject of the Divine Prince or his missing padawan. Then again, he'd always felt Sheniko held more power than she appeared to have. Her faith in Obi-Wan was astounding as well, considering her overall opinion of the Jedi was not that high. And yet, he was growing more worried. Obi-Wan was still alive but over the last few hours Qui-Gon had felt him growing weaker.
* * *
Something was most definitely wrong. Their progress had slowed to a near crawl. Since their brief rest, Menalu watched as Obi-Wan grew weaker and lost his balance more often. They were tired, hungry, and thirsty, but this was something more; Obi-Wan was sick and Menalu wasn't sure if there was anything that could be done about it. At least, not until they were rescued.
Menalu was beginning to have an idea of what it was that ailed Obi-Wan and he hoped he was wrong. When he was a young boy, pilgrims would come to Es-Speeth from the outer villages of Rengaia by way of the jungle. The practice had long since been discouraged as dangerous, however there were still those that did it back then. When the pilgrims reached Es-Speeth they were allowed a brief audience with the Divine Prince. They were usually lead in to the audience chamber in large groups and Menalu's memories of the visits were mainly of stinking people in dusty clothes supplicating to him. There were a few that stood out however. There were some people who came who were very ill and were carried by their fellows. They coughed and cried blood at the sight of him. These Menalu had requested by healed by Sheniko.
He had very little power in those days, but Sheniko had always obliged him and taken these pilgrims in. It was forbidden to lie to him and whenever Menalu inquired about them, Sheniko always was forced to answer, "I'm sorry, they died."
He hoped it wasn't the same thing making Obi-Wan ill. He watched Obi-Wan drop to the ground in front of him with a sense of dread.
"I can't go on. I'm sorry." Obi-Wan said when Menalu reached him. He sat with his eyes shut leaning against a tree. He'd given up on wiping his nose, which now trickled blood constantly. His sleeves were so saturated it didn't do any good anyway. Every few minutes he was racked with that familiar wet cough that haunted Menalu from his childhood. Menalu took one of the clean Kalla scarves from his robe and gently wiped the blood off Obi-Wan's face. Obi-Wan opened his eyes, which were bright and feverish. "I'm sorry." He said again.
"I thought we were going together." Menalu said.
"Can't I change my mind?"
"If you want." Menalu said diplomatically, "But I was hoping you would come with me. We haven't had a rest in a while. Why don't we rest and you can decide if you want to change your mind a second time?"
"I won't" said Obi-Wan and shut his eyes again. He leaned his head against the tree. He longed to be cool; or at least to have something cold pressed against his face. The fact that his nose wouldn't stop bleeding had been frightening at first, but now seemed another fact of life in the jungle. Each time he coughed it pounded his bruised ribs making it impossible to draw breath for several minutes. Not that he felt much difference. Every joint in his body ached. He longed to stop moving, to just be still like he was now. He would miss Qui-Gon and Menalu, but it didn't matter anymore. He opened his eyes.
Menalu was carefully adjusting the sandal on his good foot. They were thin open toed sandals meant for the smooth stone floors of the temple not the craggy forest floor. Menalu's toes were bloody and sore. Obi-Wan looked at the sturdy boots on his feet; much more suited to this type of travel. Menalu's monastic robes were even less practical as they dragged on the ground, catching on roots and branches. And of course, the travel itself was unlike anything Menalu would have experienced in the temple. But, he never complained about any of it. Obi-Wan realized how ironic it all was. He had been trained to persevere in the direst of situations. The clothes were designed to be simple yet functional in a variety of environs. Jedi were supposed to never give up and yet here he was. He was giving up when a monk with no training or equipment had chosen to carry on. And that wasn't even factoring in that Menalu's leg was broken. It wasn't right.
Menalu was surprised to hear Obi-Wan laughing. "What's funny?" he asked.
"You." Obi-Wan said, "Me. You wanted to stay and I made you come. Now I want to stay. I'm supposed to be this great Jedi and I want to give up. I've made a mess of everything."
Menalu grinned; he was happy to hear his friend laughing again. "It's only a mess if we don't make it out of here, right?"
"That's true." Obi-Wan admitted.
"Is it much farther?"
"No, we're very close."
Menalu scrambled to his feet. "We must go then. Together." He held out his hand.
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I can't see straight. I keep falling."
"I'll help you. You're the one who knows how to get there. You have to come. And you're my friend." Menalu insisted. "You said that Jedi never give up."
Obi-Wan smiled despite himself. "They don't." he said taking Menalu's hand. Obi-Wan had led the way for nearly the entire journey. Now they walked side by side.
* * *
The final leg of the journey had been the most difficult. Menalu had been able to push back as Obi-Wan had showed him against the pain of his leg, but as time wore on it was growing more difficult to do. He winced with each hop. Obi-Wan still pushed most of vegetation aside for them to pass through, but Menalu was picking him up off the ground more and more. Each time he was helped back to his feet he apologized and for each apology Menalu answered, "There is nothing to be sorry about." And for what seemed like an eternity, these were the only words the two said to each other. Night was falling and it was becoming nearly impossible to see when Obi-Wan pushed the brush aside and instead of more foliage felt hard stone.
"We're here." He cried. Menalu reached out and felt the rock and let out a whoop of joy.
"Now what?" Menalu asked.
"We climb it." Obi-Wan felt in the dark for discernable handholds, but he only felt smooth rock. "It's too dark to climb. I can't see how far up it goes. We'll have to wait until morning."
They were both too exhausted to find a safe shelter for the night. Instead they lay down at the base of the rock wall and tried to sleep.
* * *
Qui-Gon sat outside the parked cruiser staring at the stars. Far from the city lights they gleamed brightly against a black sky. Only a few clouds drifted by to obscure them. He was genuinely worried now. Obi-Wan was clearly very ill. Qui-Gon was also aware the boys were without any supplies. Two days without food or water in any jungle was a long time and from his short trek with the monks to a safe camp, he understood the dangers that this one posed were greater than most. He heard movement and turned.
Sheniko sat down beside him. She hugged her knees for warmth. It was amazing how much colder the air was above the forest. Qui-Gon offered her his cloak.
"No, I do not need it." She said and looked away a moment as though the offer embarrassed her. When she turned back, she said, "You're worried."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Obi-Wan is a good apprentice, but he is young. This is more than can be expected of him."
"You've had other apprentices?"
"Obi-Wan is the third. I wasn't going to take another, but he sort of…happened."
Sheniko smiled. "Destiny has a way of bringing people together. I have only His High Holiness." She said, "With him missing, it is like a part of me is missing."
"Jedi Masters and their padawans become very closely bonded. I feel much the same way."
"And yet one day he will become a knight and you will let him go."
"When he's ready."
"And will you be ready to give him up?"
"It is difficult, but yes. When he's ready, I too will be. When knighthood was conferred upon my first padawan it was a proud day for both of us."
"And your second?"
"He did not choose to complete his training."
"This was a great shame for you."
Qui-Gon was impressed by her insight. "Yes, I felt that Xanatos' betrayal was my fault. When the other masters doubted him, I thought they doubted me and I fought against them. It was a difficult lesson."
"It was difficult to give up E-yadu. But I had so much hope for him and so I made the decision. But, His High Holiness is like a son to me. I have dedicated my life to him. I do not wish to give him up." Sheniko shivered and Qui-Gon once again offered his cloak. This time she took it.
"I hope you won't have to."
"And I hope you won't lose your apprentice before you are both ready."
And yet as she said that, Qui-Gon was growing more worried that he would. He
looked at the sky and found himself wishing he were anywhere but where he was.
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