By: Emmithar
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognizable names from Star Wars, and I am not doing any of this for anything other than enjoymentHere's the next story, the sequel to the Unseen Danger. If you have not read The Unseen Danger yet, I suggest you do, in order for this story to make, more in likely, any sense.
Anyways, go ahead and read and enjoy, and don't forget to review
Chapter One: The Plan
The Jedi Temple of Coruscant was the most beautiful and peaceful places that padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi had ever known. But he could not find peace here, not now at least. For the last hour now he had been pacing the hallway in front of the council doors, waiting for the time that they would call him in to discuss the next steps that would be taken. In his right hand, he clutched his master's lightsaber, the only thing that had been recovered from the Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
He had been angry with himself at first, if he hadn't underestimated Xanatos...he let a sigh of frustration out. Finding someone to blame was not what he wanted to do at the moment. It was his fault, but now was not the time. He wished desperately that the council would summon him inside. The entire temple was in an uproar.
The ship carrying the children never exploded, there was no device of such on the ship anywhere, but instead, a deadly gas had been released before it had landed. Many of the rooms that were used for recreation had been turned into temporarily into medic rooms, and any Jedi with the art of healing had been called to tend to the children. They had lost seven already.
He had already seen to Reena, for the first time since they were separated. She was ill, but recovering better than most. Obi-wan was grateful for that, she had been his only friend in the time of darkness. The biggest concern for the children that survived was reversing the training they had been taught, and returning them to their homes. It would take many months to do so, and housing them would be difficult.
Letting out a sigh of frustration Obi-Wan leaned against the wall, sliding down to the floor. It was quiet up here, unlike the rest of the temple. They had closed off these hallways to access except for council members and higher-ranking Jedi masters. He was only student allowed up here at the moment. The news of Qui-Gon's sudden disappearance did not help matters any.
Once finding Qui-Gon's saber, Obi-Wan had ran to deliver the news quickly. Mace Windu sent him to a healer right afterwards, despite his protest. His wounds had been tended to, and his burnt hand wrapped. Spending the night in a puddle of water had caused the padawan to catch a slight chill, but it was nothing much to worry about. His main concern was for Qui-Gon now.
Waiting was not making things better. Every second counted, and spending his time here, waiting, was not something he wanted to do. It surprised him to hear his name called, and he looked down the darkened hallway to see Bant come running up to him.
"I would of been here sooner, but no one would let me in, I'm sorry," she said softly, sitting next to him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked softly, grateful for her company, but worried on how she was able to slip inside, and what would happen once they found her.
"Ren Tereo finally let me through, once I told him I was looking for you. I have to depart when you are called in however. I thought you could use a friend."
Obi-Wan smiled. Leave it to Bant to figure out what he needed. She was always good at that now that he thought about it. "I'm just so worried. Qui-Gon wouldn't of left his lightsaber behind, would he? That's not like him. I should have finished Xanatos when I had the chance. Now thanks to me, Qui-Gon is more in likely...dead," he breathed the last word quietly, almost choking when he said it.
Bant laid a hand on his arm. "You know that isn't true, listen to the force. Your connection with your master is strong."
Obi-Wan nodded. It was true, he could feel that his master was alive, but that was all. He could not tell if his master was wounded, or worse. And knowing Xanatos, there always was a worse option.
It was that moment that the doors opened and Mace Windu summoned Obi-Wan inside. Nodding farewell to Bant, he rose and entered the room, holding his master's saber tightly.
Obi-Wan's brows furrowed together as he frowned sharply. "What do you mean I am not allowed to leave the Temple? Qui-Gon needs me, he's in danger!" He was trying his hardest to remain calm, but it was getting even harder as the meeting went on.
"It is far to dangerous for you to leave the protection of the Temple grounds with Xanatos still out there. We do not know the extent of the damage Xanatos has inflicted upon you while in his presence. We cannot risk you becoming...a risk, and endangering this mission anymore than it has to be," Mace Windu explained.
"You talk as if this is a investment in a peace treaty on a hostile planet! We are talking about a life here!" Obi-Wan cried, letting his emotions getting the best of them.
"This is a delicate mission, one that may not be worth our time. Obi-Wan, you are old enough to understand the possible consequences that become more and more certain with each day. Risking the lives of others to search for...something that wont be there, is very dangerous. Time is not on our side."
"Which is why we must act now. Qui-Gon did not abandon me when I was in danger, and so I will not abandon him either. I can do this, I know I can, if only you will let me try," the boy pleaded.
"Obi-Wan," Mace Windu said sternly, leaning forward and clasping his hands together, "this is not a test in which you take to pass, but a serious and dangerous mission. We will send another team to track down Xanatos and rescue Qui-Gon if we are in time."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"All you can do is hope for the best, and prepare for the worst," Windu told him softly. "You are dismissed."
Obi-Wan shook his head, 'That's not fair," he started, only to be cut off by the elder Jedi, his voice even sterner.
"You are dismissed, Obi-Wan. Return to your quarters."
Frustrated Obi-Wan left, fighting back tears. It was only when he returned to his room that he gave into them. It had been a long while since he had cried in such frustration. He felt so helpless, and it angered him that the council would not allow him to go. He lay on his sleep mat, placing his master's saber on the table next his bed. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. How could he do that when his master was danger? He couldn't idle around while Qui-Gon was tortured, even killed at the hands of a mad man.
Obi-Wan nearly laughed. Mad man, Xanatos was lucky if he was only that. Rolling over he sat up, dangling his feet over the edge of the bed. Sleep would not come, despite how tired he was. Grabbing Qui-Gon's saber and sticking it in his belt he left his room to wander the halls.
It was near the tech center when he first heard his name spoken. He had been drifting around the halls for hours now, lost in thought. He was passing the room and doubled back, standing near the door out of sight as the two inside talked.
"No one knows, " the first voice said, who obi-wan identified to be as Miro Daroon. He had helped both Qui-Gon and himself figure out that Xanatos was behind the attacks in the temple. It was the second voice he did not recognize.
"It pains me to say that it will crush the young boy. There are few that hope for a safe return for Master Jinn."
"We will all loose a good friend," Miro said softly, "if, and only if it comes to that. I have faith in the team being sent after them."
"As do I, it must pain Kenobi that he cannot go along. The council wishes to protect him mostly. He's been through a lot, it's a surprise he even survived, many are saying."
"Obi-Wan has a good heart, and he is strong. He has his mistakes, as do we all, but his are small ones in which he will outgrow I do believe."
Miro's words comforted Obi-Wan a little as the two continued to talk. Suddenly Miro's voice changed.
"There, it's working. I've gotten the trace on Xanatos' ship." Obi-Wan felt his heart quicken as he listened closer.
"It's on Rixein, about a three day travel it looks like. I must get this information to the council. Master Mayx and his padawan will be able to leave in the morning now."
Obi-Wan pulled away and ducked into a supply closet as the Miro rushed passed, followed by another person, one he hadn't seen before. Biting his bottom lip, Obi-Wan began to formulate a plan in his mind. It was risky, but he would be willing to try it if it meant to help Qui-Gon.
Rixein, a small planet compared to most, wasn't known very well to most. Obi-Wan had never heard of the planet until Milo had mentioned it earlier. After hearing of the destination, Obi-Wan headed straight to the chart rooms, and began gathering the information he could get.
It was much more difficult, on a mission, the information was already provided to him. Here, he had to find it first. The Temple had little information on the planet, since Rixein did not wish for Jedi to mettle in its business. They wished to solve their problems themselves.
Obi-Wan skimmed through the articles the data bank had pulled up, tapping on the next file. The screen shifted and a hologram of bluish planet appeared.
"Rixein," the computer voice started, "has been locked in bloody warfare for most of its existence. Any transports entering or leaving the planet must be approved before hand or the ship will be decimated. All travelers must have an off-world license, acquired at the main port, or immediate restraint will occur. Rixein indulges in violent punishments, often after an unfair trail."
Obi-Wan switched off the device, standing up. He had heard enough for now. This was going to be more difficult than he thought. He leaned against the table thinking. He could find out when Mayx would be leaving, and on what ship, and stow away…that would be risky, very risky. Suddenly a better plan came to him, but he would need someone first.
Obi-Wan knocked quietly on the door, wishing only to wake the person he wanted. He had thought for only a moment when he made his final decision. He knew that his choice would change his life forever. The last time he defied the council's order, he had served on probation. He knew he that he would not be able to return.
Another knock served its purpose, as the door opened slowly. Garen Muln peered at him, squinting his eyes. He obviously had been sleeping. "Obi-Wan?" he asked softly, "what are you doing here? And at this hour too?"
"I need your help," Obi-Wan said quickly, glancing down the halls. Obi-Wan quickly explained his plan, keeping an eye out for anyone passing down the hall.
Garen Muln frowned, rubbing his head. "You want me to help you steal a ship?" he questioned slowly.
"Borrow," Obi-Wan corrected him. "You know them better than any other student here, and I must leave a soon as I can."
Garen beamed, smiling a little as he stepped back a little, "The best you say? Well, I don't know…I am good, but the best?" he laughed when Obi-Wan lifted an eyebrow. "Why do you not just ask the council?"
Obi-Wan sighed. "The council has forbidden me to leave the temple."
"And you wish for my help in order to disobey them?" Garen questioned softly. This was not like his friend at all.
"I must do what I can Garen, you would do the same if it were me, would you not?"
Garen was silent for a moment, nodding his head. I suppose I would. Let us go then."
TBC