Part 4 con't
After a reflectful moment, Qui-gon quickly turned his attention to his fallen Apprentice. Obi-wan lay still, not sure if the boy was even breathing. Qui-gon turned him to his back, cradling the boy by his shoulders. Yes, he was breathing. Although his body was wracked with pain, knowing that his Padawan was alive eased some of the pain in his mind.
“Obi-wan?” he called to the silent form in his arms. The boy stirred and moaned. “Obi-wan?” Qui-gon said again. Obi-wan’s mind was still distant, perhaps in another time and place.
Obi-wan could hear his master calling to him. He wanted to reply, to know finally that everything was all finally as it should be. But he surpassed the urge. Because still nothing was as it should be. Something was still very wrong. The voice came back to him, echoing in his mind.
“Even a Jedi Master can only hold off thirty well trained Mandorian guards firing at him at point blank range for so long.” The voice said, Jaron’s voice.
“Even a Jedi Master can only hold off...”
Then...he knew...
Obi-wan snapped to attention, his eye’s opening as wide as a Getalian Moon. Qui-gon was somewhat startled when his Apprentice had come from a half-conscious state to sudden total alertness.
“Master, Jump!” Obi-wan cried. Qui-gon did not question his Padawan, he only acted. Obi-wan still in his arms, he used the Force to lift them off of the ground toward the high ceiling.
The same instant that he jumped, a storm of blaster fire came from the door opening. Thirty, perhaps more, Randonians were firing at them. It was dark and the guards could not see in the blackness of the room, yet they kept firing. They had most likely been ordered to fire at once at a specific time.
It was all so well planed. Giving Jaron his time to fight the Jedi Master, let him think that the battle with him was all that was to come. But in reality, things were not what they seemed. It was only because of Obi-wan’s quick realization to the matter that they were alive. His Apprentice had saved him more than once today, and Qui-gon would not soon forget that.
A second passed, then two. It would not take them long to figure out that they were firing at nothing. Qui-gon used every once of power left in him to will them toward the door. He felt Obi-wan’s power meld with his. Even now, the battered boy was still fighting.
They seemed to hang in the air for what seemed like an eternity. It was really only seconds. They started do descend, gravity catching up with them. For a moment it seemed as if they would not make it. But they did. Through the wide doors and over the heads of the guards.
They tumbled down to the ground. Unfortunately Qui-gon landed face down. Pain was sent searing to every part of his body as he hit the floor hard on his open wound. A groan caught in his throat. But he would not quit, he struggled stand. He then saw Obi-wan beside him, he helped the boy to his feet.
Together Master and Apprentice raced toward freedom.
***
They ran as fast as their bodies would allow, Qui-gon leading the way through the labyrinth of hallways. Yet they were not alone. The guards chased after them. Even though the one they had been taking orders from was now dead, they still were following the last command they had been given, “Do not let the Jedi escape.”
Qui-gon’s lightsaber deflected a blaster bolt as they ran. Both Jedi knew that their only hope was to escape, for there would not be much of a fight if there was one. Two battered Jedi with one lightsaber were not much of a match for as many as forty guards, all with weapons, all well trained at what they were doing.
Qui-gon turned and deflected another bolt that had come to close, then another. The fire was becoming heavy again.
Obi-wan wished for his lightsaber. At the thought a stray fire caught him across the arm. Only a flesh wound, but it put a shocking realization on things. Time was running out.
They ran again, turning down another corridor. A blaster bolt sizzled by Qui-gon’s ear, taking a few strands of his hair with it. The bolt was deflected, but not by him. Something, or someone, else was ahead of them. More blaster fire flew down the hallway ahead of them, all came back to where they had come from.
Qui-gon saw it then, three streams of light ahead of them in the darkness. One blue, one green and the last yellow. Qui-gon reached out weakly with the Force. Waves of energy came back to him, of light, of friendship.
They were caught up with them now, and he could put faces to them now. Two were Jedi Knights that he did not recognize at the moment. And the other was...
“I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so glad to see you Mace Windu.” Qui-gon said a smile appearing on his face.
“Thats because normally you’re never very happy to see me.” Mace Windu said, as sarcastic smile searing across his face. The blaster fire was coming close to them once again. “This way.” Mace said, putting one of Qui-gon’s arms around his shoulders, letting the weary Jedi master lean on his friend. One of the other Jedi did the same for Obi-wan, as the third continued to repel the shots that found them.
Finally they were out of the old temple...and they were free.
***
As they stepped from the darkness of the temple into the sunlight, Obi-wan thought that he would be glad. But his eye’s immediately flung shut in brightness. He had been in total darkness for hours, days? He had no idea. All sense of time was gone. The darkness was still in him, still in his mind, still willing him to go to them. They were whispering at him still, softly, their words laced with evil. But they could not hurt him, this he knew. And he was so tired, so very tired.
He slowly opened his eyes, the light, it was beautiful. He could see clearly, he was glad to be in the light once more. He had almost forgotten what it was like. The darkness seemed to loosen his grip on him allowing him to see clearly with his mind as well.
And with that peace of mind he let himself fall into unconsciousness.
***
They ran up the ramp of the ship, the blasters still firing. Yet they were harmlessly repealed by the ship’s strong shields. The ramp door shut, were they safe? Qui-gon would not be satisfied until they were in lightspeed back to Coruscant.
Obi-wan was unconscious now. Qui-gon looked at him wordily, the guilt again washing over him.
“Take off.” Mace told one of the Jedi, who swiftly ran to the cockpit. “Take Obi-wan to cabin one.” He told the other. “Master Qui-gon will be in cabin two.” Qui-gon opened his mouth to protest. He wanted to stay with his Padawan, to be there to help heal him. Mace stopped him before he could argue. “You need to rest and heal.” came the commanding yet concerned voice. “You wont do that by sitting in an uncomfortable chair looking wordily over your Apprentice.”
The other Jedi had already taken Obi-wan into the cabin, Qui-gon looked after them.
“Should I even bother arguing?” He asked, smiling up at Mace who was leading him into the next cabin. As they entered, Mace helped him to the bed. Qui-gon flinched as he lay down, his wound still burning, but then relaxed gratefully into the soft bed.
“You know it wont get you anywhere so you may as well save your strength.” Mace countered at him. Qui-gon managed a laugh. “You need not worry about Obi-wan. He will be well cared for. I will see to that myself.” Mace assured him. He turned to leave the room. “Sleep now and heal my friend. We will be far away from here and toward home when you awaken.”
Qui-gon didn’t hear the last part of what Mace said. He was still back at “my friend.” Glad to hear those words meat not as a taunt, but as the truth.
Knowing Obi-wan was safe, and in the hands of people who would help and care for him. Qui-gon let his weary mind and body rest.
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