Bruck stood like a sentinel as Ren administered the antidote for the poison that was killing Obi-Wan. Ren kept his end of the bargain, and Obi-Wan was spared.
Bruck wanted to cry when Obi-Wan opened his eyes and gave him a look that said, Why, Bruck? Why?
Bruck looked away, Obi-Wan was still to weak and it would be useless to try to escape. Also there were those damnable force inhibiters around their necks.
Bruck knew that they would have to survive on wits. And what better way to survive then to make the enemy trust you.
========================
An-Paj, Mace and Adi listened to Qui-Gon and Darrick with interest. Qui-Gon stated, "We have no idea where they are. The force is blocked from them, so we can not sense them."
Mace looked surprised, "After all these years Ren still hates you both? I would have thought that the years that have passed, he would have forgiven you."
Darrick replied, "Well, he hasn't. He hates us, so he is going to take his revenge on what we treasure. Obi-Wan and Bruck."
An-Paj tried to reassure them, "We will not allow that to happen. Now, we need to form a plan."
***********
Bruck stood at a window looking out over the oceans. He could not believe what he did. But he had too, he could not allow Obi-Wan to die. Obi-Wan was his friend. The only real friend Bruck ever had. He would stand with the enemy in sight only. But underneath, he would plan. He was a Jedi, nothing would change that.
Ren stepped in then, "Ah Bruck. Are you ready to start your training. I think you would be great in politics. We could take over the whole sector of planets here. Two ex-Jedi. Nothing will be able to stop us."
Bruck thought wryly, Don't count on it.
===========================
Obi-Wan was laying in his cell. He was all alone. Tears streamed down his face, he was devastated that Bruck chose to team with Ren. He knew that Bruck did it to save him, but he would have rather died, then to have his friend choose to align himself with Ren.
It is all my fault. If I had been stronger we could have beat him. It is all my fault.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He was exausted and even though the poison had been counteracted, his leg still throbbed.
From the shadows Obi-Wan heard, "Obi? Obi...Wake up."
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked at the shadow. For a moment he thought he was dreaming, "Klea?"
Klea smiled, "I found you! Thank the force! Where is Bruck? I know a way out, and the Masters are only half a day from here."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, tears slipped out of his eyes. Quickly Obi-Wan told her what had happened, when he was done, Klea tears were falling down Klea's face too.
"Obi-Wan, we have to go. I have a key." Klea unlocked the door, she entered the cell and pulled out her medpack. Checking Obi-Wan's leg, she saw that it was cut deeply, she dressed it with bacta patches and helped him stand.
Obi-Wan looked at her, "Klea, we can't leave. We can't leave without Bruck. Bruck agreed to this for me. He did it to save me. He does not want it, we need to find him."
Klea looked at Obi-Wan, "Your right, Bruck is our friend. He would not leave us, we cannot leave him."
Obi-Wan smiled at Klea, "Besides, our Masters know you are here. They will be here soon."
Klea looked away, "Well, not exactly..."
Obi-Wan did not like the sound of that, "Klea, tell me they know where we are."
Klea blushed, "Actually, An-Paj does not even know I left the temple. I snuck on the transport that brought him here."
Obi-Wan put his hand to his head, "Oh sheesh Klea, how could you?"
Klea took his hand, "Because of you, because...because I love you."
==========
Bruck was pacing back and forth. Now that Ren thought Bruck was on his side, he took the liberty of cleaning up the waters that were polluted. Ren looked like a hero, the Jedi looked inept. Bruck was seething with anger, but he burried it deep. Remembering one of Master Darick's many lessons on controlling anger.
Ren came back in, "Well, that is done. The planets waters will once again be pure, and it will look like the Jedi did nothing but delay that."
Bruck nodded, "Ingenious. But what of Obi-Wan. We really should send him away. That way..."
Ren shook his head, "No, not yet, Young Bruck. He is still needed."
Bruck tried to argue, "But..."
Ren stormed, "I said, NO! Is it understood who is in charge here? Or do I need to get your friend to help teach the lesson?"
Bruck quickly said, "No, that will not be necessary."
Bruck did not know what he was going to do, but he would get them out of this, no matter what.
********
An-Paj, Qui-Gon and Darick all stood around the holo of Yoda, An-Paj was speaking, "And you are certain she is not at the temple?"
Yoda shook his head, "Certain we are, snuck on your ship she did."
Qui-Gon did not like the sound of that, "Well, she is no longer here, so my guess is she is already looking for Obi-Wan and Bruck."
An-Paj let out a curse, "I can't believe she did this. She is a healer not a fighter. She is going to get herself killed."
Darick then said, "If she finds them, they will protect her. They will not allow her to be harmed.
An-Paj sighed, he knew that Darick was right. Obi-Wan and Bruck were honorable young men, but he knew that Obi-Wan was injured and Bruck was in a difficult position. He only hoped that they could keep her safe.
Ren sat at his desk enjoying a cup of tea. He knew that in order to keep Bruck's alliance, he had to keep Obi-Wan imprisoned. Obi-Wan was the leverage that Ren needed, but if it ever proved that difficult, he would execute them both. That would be the final revenge on Darick and Qui-Gon. Once they were dear friends, now only another enemy in the cruel galaxy.
Ren knew the cruelness of the galaxy, the Jedi tossed him to it years ago. He made a mistake. But even Ren knew it was not a mistake. It was a well thought out plan. Each detail concieved in Ren's own mind. Each detail so against the code.
When the council found out, he knew he would be punished. Knew he deserved it, but what he did not expect was to be betrayed by his two best friends. Sure they were sorry-or so they said. But they had to uphold the code, for it was the very thread that held the entire order together.
It was almost funny, hearing those words come out of Qui-Gon Jinn's mouth. No other Jedi ever defied the council as much as he. But, Darick was quick to point out, Qui has never done anything for his own gain. All he has done has been for the good of the order. For the good of his padawans, for the good of the galaxy.
Ren remembered those words. Each word dug into him like a vibro knife in his soul. He wanted them to suffer. Wanted the padawans to suffer. And suffer they would.
Ren allowed himself to muse more, The days and months after he was banished turned to years. And over those years, he kept in touch with one person. Senator Palpatine. The senator was the one who helped him get his start. Now he was a success, and nothing was going to change that.
A knock brought him back to the present, "Enter."
Vrel came in, "Ren, we have a problem. The kid, padawan, mini jedi, whatever you call him, is gone."
Ren raised his brows, "Bruck? Hmm, did you check..."
Vrel interupted, "Not Bruck, the Obi-Wan kid. He is gone."
Ren jumped up, "We need to find him, when you do. He will suffer greatly."
***********
Bruck was in his assigned room, it was more like a cell, but comfortable. He could not help worrying about Obi-Wan, who did not look at all well the last time he saw him. Bruck still had on the force inhibitor, so he could not call on the force to help him. He was alone, and his best friend probably hated him. But Bruck did what he thought was right at the time, he thought he would have come up with a plan by now.
The door then swished open and Ren stepped in. Ren was the last person who Bruck wanted to see.
Ren snarled, "Where is your friend, Bruck?"
Bruck looked confused, "I don't understand what you mean."
Ren grabbed Bruck roughly and spat, "He is gone! How in the hells was he able to escape? He could barely walk."
Bruck surpressed a smile, "Well, Obi is no ordinary person, he is like his Master, through and through. I thought you would have figured that out by now."
Ren replied with a hard slap to Bruck's face, "Is he like the all mighty Qui-Gon now? Well lets see how much like Jinn, he really is."
Bruck did not like the sound of that.
-----
Obi-Wan stopped suddenly, "Klea, help me get this stupid collar off."
Klea looked at it, "How?"
Obi-Wan answered, "I need to draw the force around you, hopefully it will disable it, and I can draw on the force again to open it up."
Klea did as she was told, after a few minutes Obi-Wan felt the force return to him, and he joined Klea in drawing it around them. A moment later the collar popped off.
Obi-Wan smiled, "Now lets go find Bruck." He started to walk, ignoring the sharp pain in his leg. Which was growing worse by the minute.
*********
Ren did not want to do anything to Bruck just yet. He would find Obi-Wan Kenobi and then make his choice. One would die, or both. It did not matter to him. One or both, preferably in front of their masters.
Bruck was back in his cell, he had to think of something and something fast. Obi-Wan was walking into a trap. Master Dar...Where are you?
Obi-Wan and Klea moved with stealth through Ren's fortress. Obi-Wan held on to Klea's hand and said in a determined voice, "Stay close at all times. If things get to dangerous, you are to leave."
Klea argued, "I can't leave you."
Obi-Wan tightened his grip on her hand, "Please, just trust me on this. I could not stand it if anything happened to you."
Klea gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, but did not answer.
Ren knew Obi-Wan was coming. He knew that the kid figured out a way to take off the collar. He underestimated the brat. He truly was Qui-Gon's brat.
************
Qui-Gon was meditating. He was worried for Obi-Wan and for Bruck and Klea. The three teens were happy go lucky. And it tended to rub off on the Master. Yoda once said that Obi-Wan was the best thing that ever happened to Qui-Gon Jinn. And Qui-Gon would have to agree.
Suddenly Qui-Gon felt something. The bond was back! It filled his mind with light and washed warmth over his being. Stunned, Qui-Gon said aloud, "Obi-Wan?"
Darick heard this and asked, "Qui, do you feel Obi-Wan?"
Qui-Gon reached out with the force and nodded, "I do, but it is weak."
Darick sighed, "I still can not feel Bruck, but he is alive, I know that."
Qui-Gon replied, "And alive they will all stay, lets get the others. We must move quickly."
===
Obi-Wan and Klea were creeping down a hallway. Out of nowhere, there was screams of pain. Obi-Wan cried out, "Bruck?"
He and Klea ran down a different hallway, and Obi-Wan used the force to open a door. Stepping inside he did not see Bruck. In fact, the room was empty, aside for a voice recorder.
Obi-Wan then got uneasy, gripping Klea's hand, he said, "We need to get out of here."
From behind him, a voice said, "What is your hurry? We have much to discuss. But I must say I am disappointed. I thought you were like the great Qui-Gon Jinn. But in reality, you are clumsy. For Qui-Gon would have never walked this easily into a trap."
********
Obi-Wan pushed Klea behind him and responded bravely, "My master is a great man, he has taught me much."
Ren only laughed and said, "Taught you how to walk into traps is more like it. Well, enough of that. Guards!"
On Ren's word, ten guards entered the room. Ren motioned at them, and they went to Klea and roughly yanked her away from Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan then yelled, "Get away from her! Let go of her!" He went to try and defend her, but was shocked with an electro-pole. Obi-Wan fell to his knees, gasping in pain.
Klea screamed, "OBI-WAN!" But she was dragged out of the room.
Ren laughed and knelt so he was facing the injured padawan. Roughly taking the boy's chin in his hands, he snarled, "Now, Brat, we will do things my way."
Bruck was laying on his bunk in his cell when he heard kicking and screaming, "Let me go, let me go! When our Masters get here, you are going to be sorry!"
Bruck jumped up and asked in disbelief, "Klea?"
He watched as his friend was thrown into a cell next to his. Her face was beginning to show a welt where she had been slapped, and it was tear streaked. Bruck waited until the guards left and ran to the bars that blocked him from Klea.
"Klea, oh force! What are you doing here? What happened?" Bruck was full of anxiety and questions.
Klea was gulping for air through her tears, she grabbed Bruck's hand and managed to say, "Obi-Wan, he has Obi-Wan. He...he set a trap for him. Bruck, we have to do something. Or he is going to do something terrible to him!" She dissolved in tears again.
Bruck's hands went to his collar. If he could only get it off, they would have a chance. Klea, reading his mind, "I can help with that! I helped Obi get his off."
In moments, the collar was off and Bruck was formulating a plan.
**********
Obi-Wan gathered all of his strength and pulled away from Ren's hands. Taking a deep breath, he said stongly, "You will be sorry. Master Qui-Gon and Master Darick will be here soon."
Ren laughed, "I am counting on it. I must say Kenobi, your Master really has you snowed. You really think he is unfalliable."
Obi-Wan answered, "I know what he is. He is a good, strong man. Honorable and full of the light side of the force. I am honored to be called his padawan."
Ren then said sharply, "An honor he was going to deny you. Or don't you remember the 12 year old boy who begged Qui-Gon to take him as a padawan, only to have the High and Mighty Jinn refuse."
At those words, Obi-Wan winced. It was true, Qui-Gon did not want him at first. But when he came around, the bond was unbreakable. Forged in love and trust. Even after Melida/Daan it remained, and had only grown stronger as time went on. Obi-Wan said bravely, "My master loves me. Nothing you can say or do will change that."
Ren ignored the remark, "So tell me Obi-Wan, how does it feel to be padawan to a man that only took you after you offered to die for him countless times?"
Obi-Wan argued, "Its not like that..."
Ren did not give him time to finish, "He loves you? He left you to die on Melida/Daan. Just turned and walked away. And just recently, you were in a slave labor camp for months." With sarcasm, Ren added, "He FINALLY got there to save you. Took you home, cared for you, and allowed you to starve yourself right under his nose."
By now Obi-Wan was growing angry, "Master Qui-Gon loves me, what I did to myself was my fault." Then something dawned on him, "How do you know all of this?"
Ren laughed again, "I know people. And it is refreshing to see that Qui-Gon is still the same. You say your near starvation was your fault, Qui-Gon made you believe that? He once told me that my being banished from the order was my fault. When it was his."
Obi-Wan was more confused then ever, "His fault, I don't believe that."
Ren then looked at the boy, "Oh, yes, I forgot, you are blinded. Qui-Gon is perfect. He will come for you." With that, Ren kicked Obi-Wan hard in the ribs. The boy went skidding across the floor and landed at rest near the wall.
Ren then said, "When he gets here, lets see what he will find."
*******
Ren left a battered Obi-Wan gasping for breath. He did not want to work the boy over to much. He still needed Obi-Wan. The plan came to Ren as he beat the kid senseless. The plan was perfect. Ren could not wait to carry it out.
Obi-Wan laid on the floor, bleeding. He ached all over, the injuries from the slave camp at Anitan, though healed, still ached at times. Qui-Gon was told to take it easy on him with training, and the master had done his part in making sure that Obi-Wan did not over exert himself.
Master, where are you? Obi-Wan then closed his eyes and allowed himself to succumb to the darkness.
===
Qui-Gon stopped in his tracks, "Obi-Wan?" But try as he might, he could not get a response through the training bond. Qui-Gon was lost in thought, the only way Obi-Wan would not answer him, was if he was to hurt to make the effort.
Ren interuppted his thoughts, "Qui! Qui, I made contact with Bruck, he and Klea are safe."
Qui-Gon nodded, "And Obi-Wan?"
Ren gave his friend a sympathetic look, "I am sorry Qui, but Ren has him."
Qui-Gon started to pace, "Ren, he hates me, he will do anything to get back at me...us, for all those years ago when he went against the code. He still blames us."
Ren agreed, "He blames us because we would not lie for him. He was our friend, but we had a greater responsibilty. But, we are only a few hours walk from the fortress. Hopefully Bruck will listen to my order and find a safe place for he and Klea to hide."
===
At the fortress, Bruck was doing anything but. If he found Obi-Wan, then the three of them would have an excellent chance to escape without being caught, but he was not leaving without his friend, no matter what.
Klea then grabbed his arm, "This way, he is this way. I can feel him."
Bruck nodded, "All right, we will go that way, stay behind me, and keep a sharp look out. The Masters will be here in just a few hours, we need to have found Obi-Wan by then and get out."
Klea and Bruck came to a doorway, they knew Obi-Wan was on the other side. Gathering the force, they over rode the lock. They both gasped at the sight that met their eyes. Obi-Wan was laying in the center of the room, shivering. He was bloodied and bruised.
Klea got right to work, healing the injuries. A few minutes later, Obi-Wan opened his eyes, taking a moment to focus, he rasped, "Klea...Bruck?"
Bruck responded, "Yes, it is us. You did not think that we would leave without you, did you?" Helping his friend to his feet he said, "Let's go, we need to get out of here."
Behind him a voice said, "I don't think so. I can't believe you walked into a trap as well Bruck."
Bruck snarled, "I came for my friend."
Ren laughed, "Ah, yes your friend. Well I have a bargain for your friend, and I am interested to see what he does."
Obi-Wan swallowed hard, "What sort of bargain?"
Ren stepped towards them, "I will let you go. And I will allow you to take ONE of your friends. Only one will walk out, you get to choose who."
Obi-Wan looked at Ren, then turned to his friends, then turned back to Ren again. Reaching out with the force, he called with all his might, MASTER! PLEASE HURRY. Obi-Wan also knew that his friends were also calling for their masters.
Ren sensing this laughed, "Now that is not fair. I think I will cut you all off." And with that a strong force field went up around the room. Ren, satisfied with his work, turned to Obi-Wan, "So now Padawan Kenobi, you have a choice. Let us consider the choices. You have the beautiful and brave," condidering Klea he added, "hmmm, I don't believe we have met, but I can almost see Obi-Wan choosing you. A good woman by your side is worth much. But then there is Bruck, friend, peer, and fellow Jedi."
Obi-Wan was seething, he could not sense anything outside the room he was in, but he refused to give into fear, "I cannot choose. I care for them both deeply and in different ways. I can not and will not choose between them."
That made Ren furious, "How about I kill them both then?"
Obi-Wan jumped forward, "NO! Don't!"
Ren walked to Obi-Wan and grabbed him by the tail on the back of his head, through clenched teeth he snarled, "Then choose! Choose and maybe I will spare your Master when he comes."
Obi-Wan tried to pull away, but could not, he snarled back, "When my Master gets here, he will wipe up the filthy floor with you."
Ren responded with a punch to Obi-Wan's gut that doubled the boy over, Klea started forward, but Ren shouted, "STAY THERE! Or you will be the one who will not walk out."
Obi-Wan caught his breath, "Touch either one of them, and I will kill you."
Ren was surprised at those words, "Ahhh, so the real Kenobi surfaces at last. You are feeling fear and anger. The two traits that almost caused your reverent Master not to choose you. I wonder how he really feels about you."
Bruck then shouted, "You scum sucking friend of a hutt. You have no idea how Master Qui-Gon feels about Obi-Wan."
Ren yelled, "SHUT UP!"
Obi-Wan managed to stand straight again, "Bruck, its OK. I know how Master Qui-Gon feels about me, and this worm will not change that."
Ren then hit Obi-Wan again and the boy slumped to the floor, "CHOOSE!"
Obi-Wan then looked up, and with a calmness that would have done his Master proud he stated, "As I said, I will not choose. You have failed, no wonder the Jedi tossed you out."
Ren's eyes narrowed into slits, "We need to do something about that mouth of yours Kenobi. So since you won't choose, you will be the one to be carried out."
********
The fortress was a few miles ahead, Qui-Gon thought, When we get there, we will get the kids out, and then we will deal with Ren. Our priorities are Obi-Wan, Bruck and Klea.
Qui-Gon thought back fifteen years ago, when he and Darick were friends with Ren. But Ren had gone against the code. He had taken a bribe and killed for it. It left him considerably well off, but it also was cause to remove him from the order.
Ren pleaded with Qui-Gon and Darick not to go to the council, but Qui-Gon and Darick did not have to go to the council. Yoda already knew, not that Qui or Dar would have covered for Ren, they were both honorable men. Neither willing to disgrace the Jedi.
After Ren was banished, he publicly and privately blamed Qui-Gon and Darick, swearing revenge on both.
Qui-Gon knew that Ren would not be kind to the three teens he had in his clutches. He would hurt them, NO! Qui-Gon screamed to himself, I will not think that, they will be fine, Obi-Wan and his friends will be fine, they have to be. Qui-Gon did not want to think what it would be like if they were not safe.
They were only half a mile away from the fortress when the mental scream hit Qui-Gon, it was full of fear and pain. Qui-Gon slumped to his knees at the intensity of it. Darick and An-Paj went to his side, Qui-Gon gasped for breath, "We have to hurry, Obi-Wan is screaming. He is in such pain, we need to get to them!"
Darick, while relieved that Bruck was not being physically harmed, was still distraught with the fact that Obi-Wan was being hurt, and that his apprentice was being forced to watch his friend's torture. He helped Qui-Gon up and said, "We need to hurry, lets go!"
************
Obi-Wan was on the cold ground, he was bit on his lip to hold back the screams, but soon he was screaming in pain. Ren was using a electro-pole that sent painful currents running through the boy's body.
Bruck and Klea stood together, Klea sobbing, and Bruck looking determined, finally, Bruck screamed, STOP! LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
Ren took stopped Obi-Wan's torture to look at Bruck, "Excuse me, but you are not in a position to give orders."
Using the distraction, Klea made eye contact with Obi-Wan, who slowly and painfully moved away.
Bruck stepped forward, "You are not going to touch him again, or at least, I warn you not too, because Master Qui-Gon will not be happy."
Ren laughed again, "Precisely my idea."
Bruck then swallowed and said, "Well, seeing that our Master's are not here, you will have to get past me first."
Obi-Wan weakly cried out, "No! Bruck, don't."
Ren snarled, "Shut up Brat! I will finish with you soon enough."
Suddenly the door swung open, and Vrel ran in, "Ren, this is serious! The Jedi, they have turned the people of Kranta against us! You have been removed rom the leadership of the planet! A revolt is planned."
Ren went pale, "Noooo, you can't be serious. How did this happen?"
Vrel responded quickly, "Yoda and the Jedi council found a way to show that you were responsible for the pollution of the waters. They exposed you, and all that you have done."
Ren then turned furious, "Yoda! Damned green troll. And Qui-Gon and Darick, again making my life miserable."
At the door, someone responded, "No, Ren. We do not make your life miserable, you do with your evil ways."
Ren swung around to see Qui-Gon, Darick, and An-Paj standing there. Qui-Gon pulled out his weapon and said calmly, "Surrendor Ren, you can not win." Qui-Gon stole a look at his injured apprentice, the boy was worked over badly, and would surely be sore for quite a few weeks, but he would be fine. Qui-Gon sighed in relief, through the bond, he sent a soothing messege, It's all right Obi-Wan, I am here and you are safe now.
Obi-Wan sent back a wave of love and relief, Yes, Master.
Ren then shouted, "I will not surrender." Ren pulled out his lightsaber and added, "I will be happy to finally destroy you."
Qui-Gon pulled out his own weapon, while Darick stood behind him at the ready to help if need be. An-Paj went to Klea, who through her arms around him, sobbing. She was shaking and not speaking. An-Paj whispered to her, "Shh, its all right, but we need to check on Obi-Wan." Klea managed to nod, and they went to Obi-Wan who was leaning against the wall, taking deep breaths.
An-Paj gently proded the boy, who gasped a bit in certain places, An-Paj nodded and said, "Well, Obi. You have bruised some ribs, and you have some nasty cuts, but you will be fine."
Obi-Wan barely nodded, "My...Master...got to help him."
Obi-Wan struggled to get up, but An-Paj gently pushed him back, "Obi, you need to rest, Qui-Gon is well capable of handeling that poor excuse for a person."
Obi-Wan nodded and took Klea's shaking hand.
Then suddenly, Ren took his lightsaber cut it through the wall, giving access to the outside of the fortress, Qui-Gon had no choice to follow, he was not going to allow this criminal to escape.
TBC
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