Recap: The ship's guns trained on their target and powered up. The feelings going between the two masters and the two padawans were so intense it seemed they could touch the link.
Then it happened......
Allaira placed her hand over Obi-Wan's and squeezed for support. His
hand turned and gripped hers in a similar fashion. Back at the
spaceport Qui-Gon took a noticable step torward the window a look of utter
sadness in eyes. Mirdon stepped up next to him and put a hand on the
sad masters shoulder.
The moment was at hand, they could almost feel the shock wave hitting the ground where their two students sat. Then something unexpected happened. A hint of silver flashed just in the corner of Qui-Gon's eye and he looked up in hope.
Just then the small Republic cruiser darted down out of the sky getting nearer and nearer to the surface. When it was in weapons range it let out 3 shots. One to the mercenaries weapons system, one to the cargo bay door the swoops had gone into and one more to the top of the ship to be sure to get their attention.
Allaira and Obi-Wan looked up at the commotion just above them. They were as surprised as their masters at the momentary reprieve. Obi-Wan remembered how apprehensive the co-pilot had been to staying around this planet at all. Now he was attacking a fully armored mercenary ship?
There was obvious damage to the little red ship. Undoubtedly, the mercenaries had fired on them in orbit when they arrived. Just as hoped, the shot to the weapons systems had knocked them out, if only for a few minutes on a ship like that. And the hit to the cargo bay doors had melted the connectors shut, sealing the door temporarily. Of course it wouldn't take long for the swoop pilots to melt it free again but that gave the two apprentices a window of opportunity.
At the spaceport the masters had taken little time in working out a plan of rescue. Three other port workers volunteered to help get the two youths to safety. When a plan was established Qui-Gon and Mirdon sent it to their charges.
In the meantime, Allaira had been getting Obi-Wan free of the mangled metal and on the move, heading to the spaceport. They were moving surprisingly fast considering Obi-Wan's injuries. The young man was thinking to himself, 'I'd rather be in pain in safety with my masters support then maybe die out here.' With that notion planted in his mind he used the Force to block the pain. In his condition is wouldn't last long, but maybe long enough for whatever he knew the masters were planning. His new determination to survive flowed through the bond to his master.
Qui-Gon was just instructing one of the techs on the exact timing of bringing down the shield. At the same time her was cross-referencing with the republic pilots for timing. Then he felt a familar nudge in the Force and opened his mind to it. He received the message Obi-Wan hadn't realised he sent. Despite the conditions a smile pulled its way across his face. He could feel the complete trust and caring from his young apprentice.
It felt good to be able to feel like that again, and he wondered why he had ever wanted to turn Obi-Wan away. Surprising, even to himself, was the wave of love and trust he felt himself send back. Somehow this young man had re-opened a part of the Master's heart he thought sealed shut for eternity. Obi-Wan had found the key, and Qui-Gon couldn't be more grateful.
Time was running out. The mercenary ship was holding its own against the small red cruiser. The scene looked almost like a large scorpian being attacked by a small ant and soon that scorpians stinger would be free again. It was only a matter of time before the bay doors would be open and the swoops would rejoin the land and sky attack. They needed to get the apprentices inside where they would be safe.
"Are you ready?" Qui-Gon called to the tech on shield control and the three volunteers. They all nodded. The plan was sketchy but plain. Two of the men would go for Obi-Wan as support since he was injured and one would cover for Allaira. Qui-Gon and Mirdon would stay back and watch out for possible problems or attacks.
The men reached the door at the same time. The cruiser signaled they would keep the mercenaries busy away from the rescue area. Qui-Gon nodded for the tech to start the count-down. "3-2-1 GO!" With a shimmer of light blue the shield went down and the men took off.
It took about two minutes to reach the struggling students who had ducked behind a wall for cover. The blaster bolts that showered the ground had sent up a cloud of debris each time they hit. As planned, two men took Obi-Wan and the other used his blaster to help Allaira keep the flying debris away from them.
They raced back toward the entrance of the spaceport as fast as was possible. But the mercenaries weren't willing to lose their prey that easily and with another shot from the hidden gun, the little cruiser lurched enough out of the way for the larger ship to get past.
Qui-Gon and Mirdon both saw the large menacing ship break away and head not for the rescue party, but the port itself. Of course! They were going after the government representatives now that the shield was down. They could hear Senator Wallan yell at the Republic ship to re-engage the enemy but communications were being blocked.
Looking out over the field they could see that it was going to be another 3 minutes at least until the rescue team was close enough. Unfortunately, the ship would be in firing range in less then one. It was obvious, leaving them out there would be a death sentence.
Allaira and Obi-Wan could feel the stress on their masters to make a terrible decision. Looking at each other they reached out to the Force, waiting until they felt it surge around them, then used it to give them an instant boost in speed. Obi-Wan pull free of his helpers momentarily allowing them to see he could go faster and they increased to full speed as well.
The masters were surprised but overjoyed. Now the time to the port was greatly reduced. The ground team and the ship would arrive at about the same time. Qui-Gon ordered the shield to stay down, even over the objections of the representatives. The two masters and security team were sure they could handle it until everyone was safely inside.
Seconds slid by as quickly as stars in hyperspace until the team was
just outside shield range, maybe 20 seconds away. The tech monitoring the sensors said the ship would be in range in 15 seconds. They could see
the ship training it's guns on the spaceport and hear the power running to them.
Ten seconds, nine, eight, the team was almost here, seven, six, five, the ship targeted, four, three... then the ship changed targets and trained on the rescue team. Two, one, FIRE!
The thundering sound of the blasters firing all at once shatter the
tense silence into thousands of pieces, like crystal. Everyone inside
the port, except the masters, screamed at once. A cloud of dirt and metal flew up into the air and the ground shook, with the close distance.
Luckily the masters' combined plan had worked! Qui-Gon and Mirdon had managed to use the Force to deflect the blaster fire at the last moment.
Quickly recovering, the two masters darted out in the direction of the blast. To their surprise, they heard rushed feet coming their way. What they hadn't noticed before was a medium sized crater which was between the base and the rescue team. It had partially shielded them from the blast and they had been able to use the shockwave to push themselves forward even faster. The first two rescuers reached the masters and were pulled inside. Then the two students and finally the last man reached the perimeter and were pulled inside.
As soon as the tech saw them all pass the door he started up the shield. Relieved, they saw the light blue field shimmer to life again around the ruined building.
With the danger passed for the moment the atmosphere inside died down to a low hum again. The three security volunteers returned to their squad and the masters turnd to see their apprentices standing behind them breathing heavily, but safe.
Obi-Wan began to weaken and felt himself begin to fall. Then, as if on queue Obi-Wan's, injured leg gave out and he stumbled forward, going down. To his suprise he didn't hit that hard marble floor but fell into his master's arms. Qui-Gon had sensed his Padawan's distress and had instantly been there to catch him.
It was obvious that the strength Obi-Wan had pulled from the Force to make the run to the spaceport had gone from him now. The pain of his shoulder and leg returned with a vengence, made worse by the strain the run had caused.
Obi-Wan looked up into his master's face, intending to apologize for his weakness, when he caught a look in his teacher's eyes he'd never seen before. He was startled, but not scared, as the look was too soft to be a reprimand. Slowly he realized... it was love ... and relief.
Obi-Wan was surprised to say the least, but overjoyed to be... home again. Not to be forgotten, his body reminding him of the injuries he had sustained and he almost doubled over in pain. Obi-Wan was just at the point of passing out when his Master, sensing his Padawan's increased pain, and wrapped a field of healing energy over the boy. It hit Obi-Wan like a blaster bolt and he gasped in a breath. Qui-Gon held him tighter, just in case he did pass out. A moment later, the body in his arms relaxed and turned back to face him again. Obi-Wan had regained control over the pain, with Qui-Gon's help. Obi-Wan looked up and made a weak attempt at a smile.
As a joke, Qui-Gon made a good attempt at looking stern, but his words gave him away as he said in a gentle whisper, "Don't EVER scare me like that again, Padawan."
Despite his condition, Obi-Wan's smile broadened, "I'll try not to, Master."
Then Qui-Gon pulled the boy into a tight but gentle hug, careful to not jostle his bloody shoulder. Qui-Gon whispered into the boy's ear, "I love you, Obi-Wan." They stayed there for what seemed like hours, holding each other, glad the other was safe.
Nearby, Mirdon had directed his exhausted apprentice to a near-by chair and sat her down. Speaking as softly to her as Qui-Gon had to his student. "I'm very proud of you Allaira. You did well, and honored your training in helping Obi-Wan, no matter the personal cost to your own safety. You both showed great courage, and did your Masters proud."
Allaira blushed at the compliment, "Thank you, Master. I've had a good teacher," she said smiling back at the man. Then Mirdon gave in to the same emotions that had washed over Qui-Gon and he couldn't help himself. He pulled his student into a tight, loving hug and held her.
Out of respect for the Jedi, the government members had turned away, and gathered in the center of the lobby, while the Jedi were reunited. The mercenary ship hovered angrily outside and the small Republic cruiser had just enough time to reach the port before the shield went up. It was now safe in the hanger behind them.
The Senator took a call from the second team, saying the Chief Electorate was nearly. Just a minute or so away, and to prepare the Republic ship for arrival. The Senator acknowledged the communication and signed off.
When he looked up the two Jedi Masters were standing just outside of earshot, waiting for his report. The two apprentices were together on the floor.
"My man with the Chief Electorate informs me that they will be here momentarily. They wish to leave as soon as possible, so there are no further incidents," the Senator remarked nodding toward the window where they could all see the results of the lastest problem.
Qui-Gon nodded and stepped forward, just a few meters from Wallan, "We will be ready when they arrive." The Senator nodded as well. Then Qui-Gon took another look at Obi-Wan and asked, "Would it be possible for one of your healers to look Obi-Wan and Allaira over before the party arrives?"
Wallan made a gesture of pretending to slap himself, and smiled standing up, "Yes, of course. Where are my manners. Tunsellon, please have your team look over the Jedi apprentices?"
A tall man with shoulder-length brown hair and a calm, caring face stood up and moved towards the two youths. He was near Qui-Gon's height but not as well built and he had intense ice-blue eyes, very striking amongst the more typical native brown or dark grey/green. He was dressed in the usual red and white of medical personel on this world.
Qui-Gon was glad to have the apprentices looked at. Since he didn't want to strain Mirdon any more, it was sensible to ask Wallan's people. Plus the fact that now that the Cheif Electorate would be arriving, the stakes were going to rise again.
Suddenly the dream he and Obi-Wan had on the ship coming here came to the forfront of his mind. The dream took place while they were getting the group of politicians onto the Republic ship. It also struck him that in all this time he still did not know the name of that ship. Reaching for his comm unit he contacted the ship and a reply came quickly.
"What is your status? Did the ship take any series damage that could pose a problem to our escape efforts?" Qui-Gon asked.
"No Master Jinn, we have had time to repair all major damage to the Lennac. Our departure should be on time and without complication. At least not machanical complication," the co-pilot said.
Qui-Gon knew that the man was referring to the large ship outside waiting to take them down. "Thank you. The rest of the party will be arriving very soon."
"We'll be ready sir."
"Thank you," Qui-Gon said and signed off. At that point the healer who had been looking at Obi-Wan walked towards him. He glanced over the woman's shoulder to his apprentice and saw that the boy seemed to be in a little pain. "How is he?"
"He is doing remarkable well considering what he just went through. The beam that went into his leg missed all the major muscles. It did rearrange a few ligaments, but the bone was not damaged and I believe that a short dip in bacta upon arrival at your Temple will be all that is needed," the small red haired healer told him.
"And the shoulder?" Qui-Gon asked, naturally expecting that report to be more involved.
"Yes, his shoulder is a more serious matter. It has been dislocated to say the least. In fact, the bone was actually totally shattered. Which is not difficult to repair given time and a bone knitter, but is *very* painful. I could tell before that you did something to ease his pain. Not being Force sensitive, I don't know what that is, but it is obviously the only thing holding him together. We have no painkillers substancial enough to dull that kind of pain."
Qui-Gon looked over at Obi-Wan who was now getting the leg wound dressed. He gently brush against the boy's mind to remind him that he was thinking of him. Obi-Wan look up and smiled at his Master, reflecting the touch lovingly.
Then redirecting is attention back to the woman in front of him he began listening again. "However I am concerned about you."
Confused, Qui-Gon questioned, "Me? I was not injured in the last attack."
"No, but you are holding your apprentice's pain from him. That must be taking it's toll on you given the severity of his wounds. I wonder how much longer you can continue before it takes it's tole on you," she pointed out bluntly.
Now understanding, Qui-Gon assured her, "Do not worry about me, Jedi are trained, to a certain degree, in medical healing using the Force. I will not do anything that will effect me in a fight."
Still not convinced the healer remarked, "That may be so, under normal circumstances."
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," Qui-Gon confessed.
"I saw you and that boy when they were safely inside with us. You were so intune to him that you were moving to catch him before he he started falling. It is clear that he means a great deal to you," she pointed out.
Qui-Gon smiled, realizing how transparent his feelings for Obi-Wan must be. He answered, "Yes, you are correct. He is very special to me. We have a stronge bond built on trust, friendship, and love."
The healer smiled and looked back at the boy. "Then you Jedi are lucky," she said turning back to Qui-Gon. "Some people search for an entire lifetime to find a person they can form a bond like that with. Many never find that person and are forever left with a ghostly feeling of emptiness. But the ones fortunate enough to find it, would do anything to keep that other person safe. Am I correct Master Jedi?"
Still a little confused as to where she was going, Qui-Gon nodded and responsed, "Yes that is true. I still don't see where you are going with this Ms...."
"Lessanna Combanie. And where I'm going is that I think you may be momentarily forgeting what you learned in those classes and doing more to help him. With the pain from that shoulder combined with the ripped flesh of his leg, that boy should be unconscious. Since he is so alert and obviously awake it must be you who are allowing this."
Now Qui-Gon saw what she was alluding to. "You believe that I am using too much of my own energy to help him and therefore endangering myself." She nodded in reply. "I assure you, if I were my apprentice would sense it and demand that I stop. You see, *he* is just as protective of me as you see I am of him. He would not allow that."
"Granted I don't know just what you Jedi are capable of with the help of the Force. But if I see you as much as waver I'm knocking him out and putting him on the ship with another healer to watch over him." Qui-Gon was taken back by her statement and no-nonsense attitude, he sensed she was serious. She looked at him and said, "Besides, being the master of the team, there are things you haven't taught him yet. So you could be blocking your discomfort from him."
Before Qui-Gon could response to that, she turned on the ball of her foot and walked back over to the two apprentices. She reached out to take Obi-Wan's wrist and check to see his pulse was still good. Satisfied she checked the dressing on his leg and shoulder and spoke a few comforting words to him. He smiled and nodded. She repeated her actions on Allaira, checking her pulse and the numerous cuts in her skin.
Qui-Gon then came back to his senses and noticed Senater Wallan beside him. "I must apologize for Lessanna, Master Jinn. She was a mother herself and therefore is protective of all children as her own."
"Was a mother?" Qui-Gon inquired.
"Yes... Her village was one of the first ones hit in the initial wave of attacks. Her... husband and her two children were killed the same day... only a hour apart." Noticing the softening expression on the Jedi's face he added, "It happened 2 days ago. Which is why she is still... effected by it. But considering that, you can be assured that your apprentice will be well taken care of."
"Thank you. I, also, sense she will take good care of my Padawan," Qui-Gon said.
"I've been meaning to ask one of you what that word meant. Padawan?"
Qui-Gon turned his attention back to the Senator and answered, "It is a Jedi title given to our apprentices. They become our Padawan learners. It basically means apprentice."
"I see. Thank you. I'm always learning new things since I joined the Senate in my father's place," Wallan remarked with a light laugh.
Just then some activity got everyone's attention. Qui-Gon smiled at Wallan and they walked to the east side of the spaceport.
TBC
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