Title: Survival of the Fittest
Author: The Jedi Princess
Feedback: Please, to, rsrwrsfan@aol.com
Rating: PG13
Archive: Anywhere, just let me know.
Spoilers: Not really, maybe some for JA books.
Timing: Begins a few months before Obi-Wan's fifteenth birthday, ends
at around his sixteenth.
Summary: While on a mission that goes wrong, Qui-Gon is forced to
leave Obi-Wan behind. Obi-Wan soon is using every bit of training
just to stay alive.
Warnings: Full of Obi torture, angst, and hurt comfort.
Disclaimer: I am not George Lucas, therefore I do not own anyone
recognizable. All those not recognizable are indeed mine, but An-Paj belongs to Jane Jinn.
The smoke was thick and the blaster fire heavy. Qui-Gon could barely
make out the form of his 14 year old Apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. But
the blue glow of the boy's lightsaber gave Qui-Gon some peace of mind.
The mission started out normal, But then again, all of our missions seem to start out normal. It was not long before the negotiations turned ugly and the two Jedi were ambushed. They had no choice but to call the temple for reinforcements and try to fight their way back to the waiting transport.
The transport was in sight, and Qui-Gon breathed a sigh of relief. Through the bond, he called out to Obi-Wan, Padawan, hurry, the transport is waiting. We need to leave immediatly.
The reply came back, Yes, Master. As soon as I am through with my friends I will be there. Qui-Gon had to grin, his apprentice had the strangest sense of humor and chose to show it at the strangest times.
Then the world seem to crash down. Whatever was being used against the Jedi was no longer simple blasters. It was a heavier artillary. From a 100 yards away Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan scream out in pain, over the bond came a terrified, MASTER!
Outloud Qui-Gon started to yell, "PADAWAN! PADAWAN, WHERE ARE YOU?" But there was no answer, outloud or through the bond. Then Qui-Gon himself was hit with something and gave way to darkness.
*************************************************************
Qui-Gon woke sometime later. He realized he was in a spaceship. He
was relieved to see that it was a Republic Cruiser. He was about to
go back to sleep when he realized something was wrong. Obi-Wan was
not on the ship! Qui-Gon reached out with the force and felt Obi-Wan
dimly through the bond. He was very far away.
Struggleing to get up despite his injuries, Qui-Gon called out, "Hello? Hello?" Qui-Gon could not believe that they would leave his padawan behind.
Qui-Gon was relieved to see An-Paj. The medic who had helped him and Obi-Wan at one time. Qui-Gon blurted out, "An-Paj, we must turn around! Obi-Wan is still there! I can't leave him, I won't."
An-Paj shook his head slowly, "I am sorry Master Jinn, but the pilots and I have our orders. We are to return you to Coruscant at once, so you can report to the Council and the Senate."
Qui-Gon started to get up, "I am altering the orders. I won't leave Obi-Wan there alone to fend for himself. He is not even 15 years old yet." Suddenly Qui-Gon's head started to spin and he layed back into the pillows.
An-Paj came over with a sedative, quietly he said, "Qui-Gon, I am sorry. But there was no sign of Obi-wan when we rescued you."
Qui-Gon looked confused, "But how can that be, he was no more then 100 yards away from me. He had to of been there."
An-Paj answered gently, "We scanned the area, Master. We were not able to locate any trace of him." An-Paj knew that this was not going to be easy on the Jedi Master, for he knew that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had a strong bond. "Master Jinn, is it possible he was...killed?"
Qui-Gon shook his head furiously, "NO! He is alive, I still feel his life-force, but it is dim. We need to go back for him!" Qui-Gon again started to get up, but An-Paj injected him with the sedative and the Master fell asleep almost instantly. An-Paj silently said an apology and hoped that Obi-Wan would be all right when they finally returned to rescue him.
********************************************************************
The first thing Obi-Wan noticed was the smell. It smelled of animals
and unwashed bodies. He opened his eyes and saw that he was in a
crowded transport. People and animals all crammed into a small hold
of a ship. Obi-Wan took in his surroundings, he sensed fear as well.
Seated next to him was a boy his age, or so Obi-Wan thought, the boy turned to Obi-Wan and said sarcasticly, "Look who is awake." Obi-Wan thought that the boy's voice sounded strained to make it sound tough, and that it was actually a very soft spoken voice, behind the facade.
Obi-Wan gingerly sat up and realized that the injuries he recieved had somewhat been dressed, but he felt very weak. He wanted to slip into a healing trance, but could not focus. Instead he reached out to Qui-Gon, with all his might he searched for his Master, but to no avail, he simply did not have the strength. Glancing back at the boy, he asked, "What is this place?"
The boy snorted and pulled his robe even tighter around him, "we are guests to the royal family of Anitan."
Obi-Wan was confused, "But the royal family of Anitan are slave owners. My master told me about them."
The boy laughed again,"What do you think they are sending us there for? To work on our suntans?"
Obi-Wan shook his head, not knowing what else to say he asked,"What is your name?"
"Why should I tell you?" Was the gruff reply.
Obi-Wan's temper flair,"I was just being friendly."
The other boys eyes softened, and Obi-Wan sensed something, but could not put his finger on it, "So we are meant to be slaves?" Obi-Wan had trouble comprehending all of this. His life at the temple had been very sheltered, and in spite of all the dangerous missions, Qui-Gon kept him relatively protected from the cruel galaxy.
The other boy shrugged, "Yeah, but you said you had a Master, so you are used to a slaves life."
Obi-Wan shook his head, "No, you don't understand, I am a Jedi and my Master, his name is Qui-Gon Jinn, well he is like...I guess you could say, he is my father."
The boys eyes grew wide, in a whispered voice he said, "Jedi? You have to keep that quiet, if the overseers know that you are a Jedi, they will kill you."
Obi-Wan said, "But the enemy who injured me back on the planet knew who and what I was."
"And they probably are enjoying thinking that they sent you to your death, by the way, my name is Keiran." Keiran realized that he should not take out his anger on this boy.
Obi-Wan thought that was a strange name for a boy, holding out his hand, "Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Keiran replied, "Well, Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is survival of the fittest."
Obi-Wan did not answer. Later that night, Obi-Wan managed to go into a healing trance. Everyone else was asleep, everyone except for Keiran, he was shifting to find a comfortable position.
Obi-Wan sensed something else, but he could not put his finger on it.
The next morning the transport landed, Obi-Wan noticed the stiff way that Keiran got up, and shrugged it off to the trip in the crowded transport. Keiran kept his robe wrapped tightly around him. But when they lined up to be searched, there was a look of terror on Keiran's face.
When it got to be Keiran's turn, Obi-Wan stepped up, "You do not need to search him."
The guard repeated, "I do not need to search him."
"You will skip him."
"I will skip him."
In awe, Keiran moved through the line without being searched. When they were processed, Keiran turned to Obi-Wan and said, "You should not of stuck your neck out like that, you need to fend for yourself."
Obi-Wan shrugged, "I do what I must do."
Obi-Wan tried to reach Qui-Gon again, MASTER, MASTER? and again was met with nothing.
Silently Obi-Wan promised, I will make you proud Master. This is survival of the fittest, and for almost two years you have been preparing me. I will honor you and my Jedi training.
***********
By the time all of the slaves were processed it was evening. Obi-Wan
was kind of relieved when he was placed in a hut with Keiran. Along
with them were 2 others. They were brothers, Jaret was 10 and his
little brother was Querin was 7. Obi-Wan felt sad to see those little
boys, brought into slavery when they should be playing. He made a
note to ask about their parents.
Obi-Wan looked around at the dank surroundings. Though not crowded, the quarters were dreary and drafty. He then turned to Keiran, "Why are they only males here?"
Keiran turned pale again, after a little bit of stuttering, "Th...Th...this is a male only camp, th...th...the women are...murdered."
Querin then started to cry and Jaret tried to comfort him. Obi-Wan then had his answer about their mother. Obi-Wan walked over to the crying child and knealt in front of him, trying to think what Qui-Gon would do in the situation, "I'm sorry Querin, I did not mean to make you cry."
Querin turned away shyly and Jaret spoke, "It is ok sir. But Querin does not speak, he has not spoken since that night."
Obi-Wan wanted to question, what night, but thought better of it. Instead he ruffled both of the youngster's hair and got up, vowing to look out for them too.
After a meal of a watery soup, it was time for bed, the guards informed them that work detail began at dawn.
Obi-Wan meditated again. Obi-Wan felt lonely without his Master by his side, and the ritual of meditation helped some. Fondly, Obi-Wan thought of all the hours he spent by his Master's side, both in meditation. Master? Where are you? Again, there was no reply, just a cold emptiness.
When Obi-Wan came out of his meditation, he saw that Jaret and Querin were cuddled together on one sleeping pallet, though the hut had four. Both children were sleeping, but shivering in the cold that night brought.
Without even thinking, Obi-Wan took off his cloak and wrapped it securely around the sleeping boys. By the moonlight Obi-Wan saw Querin open his eyes and smile at him. Obi-Wan smiled back, and thought, Well, that's a start.
Laying on his own pallet, Obi-wan centered on the force. The force would get him through this.
Obi-Wan was aware of being shaken, "Wake up Obi-Wan, wake up."
Obi-Wan groaned, "Five more minutes Master."
Then realizing where he was, he bolted up with an embarrassed look on his face. He looked to Keiran who had a grin on his face.
Keiran replied, "Obi-Wan we need to get to work detail."
Obi-Wan nodded and quickly got ready. Turning around he saw Querin standing there holding his cloak out to him. Obi-Wan knealt and said, "You and your brother keep it little one."
Querin looked shocked, and Obi-Wan continued, "I mean it. Keep it."
Querin smiled again and through his arms around Obi-Wan in a split second hug and then he turned and ran to find Jaret.
Keiran sighed, "You are going to get yourself killed with a heart like that Kenobi."
Obi-Wan shrugged, "If it is the will of the force. I will not dishonor my training or my Master by turning heartless and selfish."
Keiran and Obi-Wan were sent to the cliffs. The cliffs were rich in
ore, and it was their job to take pick and harvest it. It was back
breaking work and the sun was unforgiving. Keiran was having a hard
time of it, and at one point Keiran's robe started to open. Keiran
quickly closed it and fastened it. Obi-Wan thought that was strange.
It was so hot. Why would he want to keep on a heavy robe?
Hours later, the days work was done and the slaves could return to their quarters. Obi-Wan and Keiran were walking back to the hut when they saw a crowd of slaves gathered.
In the center was several guards with whips and a shivering Querin. Obi-Wan started to step up, but Keiran grabbed his arm, "are you nuts?"
Obi-Wan shook of the hand and said, "I am not going to stand by as they beat that child."
Stepping forward, Obi-Wan tried to think what Qui-Gon would do, "What has the child done?"
One guard spit out, "He stole bread!"
Jaret then shouted, "That's a lie! He did not steal anything! You just want someone to blame! We just got here, he does not even know where the kitchens are!" Jaret was then slapped in the face hard.
Obi-Wan swallowed his anger and released it into the force, "Did you see him steal it?"
The guard answered, "No." Then the guard wondered why he was even answering a slave, but could not help it.
Obi-Wan asked again, "Do you have edvidence that he took it?"
"No." Came the reply. "But someone must be punished!" He raised his whip to beat Querin, who had fallen to the ground and was hiding his face.
Obi-Wan stepped in front of the whip and gasped when it tore across his chest. In a calm voice that would of done his Master proud he said, "If an example must be set, use me."
The guards shrugged and lit into Obi-Wan holding back nothing. Again and again the whips tore clothing and flesh. Obi-Wan tried to use the force, but soon was too weak to do anything but cry out. "MASTER...MASTER...MASTER!"
The guards continued their beating, thinking Obi-Wan was calling to the Master of the grounds, one laughed and said, "The Master does not help slave scum!" The other men laughed.
Only Keiran knew who Obi-Wan was calling to, and with all of Keiran's heart, Keiran hoped that the Master heard.
********************************************************************
The republic transport was entering Coruscant. Qui-Gon was in heavy
meditation. His injuries were on the mend and he was feeling
stronger. Suddenly Qui-Gon groaned in pain, he fell to the floor and
held his head, he had heard it, "MASTER...MASTER...MASTER!" Obi-Wan
was in pain, Qui-Gon reached out searching, OBI-WAN? OBI-WAN, Answer
me...PLEASE! But he was met with an eerie silence.
Qui-Gon stood up and walked with purpose to the cockpit. He was pleased to see that they were descending.
The pilot turned and said, "Masters Yoda and Windu will meet you at the landing platform."
Qui-Gon nodded, He would return to find Obi-Wan, no matter what the council said.
The cruiser landed and Qui-Gon stepped off. He immediatly went to Yoda and Mace Windu. Yoda spoke first, "Qui-Gon, glad to see you we are. Worried we were."
Qui-Gon bowed and replied, "Thank you my Master, but the situation is more complicated. We must return for Obi-Wan at once." Mace answered, "We do not know where Obi-Wan is Qui-Gon. We spoke to the administrators of the planet, and they said that he left with you."
Qui-Gon's eyes grew dark, "Obviously that is not the case. Obi-Wan was injured, I know that much. Soon after I too was injured and knocked out. On the cruiser, I felt his life force, but it was far away."
During the exchange, the Masters had made their way to the Council chamber. The other twelve members of the council heard the last part.
Ki-Adi Mundi asked, "Is it possible he was killed and you just do not know it?"
Qui-Gon answered firmly, "Certainly not! I would know it if he died. He is alive, but we have to find him, or he may die still."
Yoda nodded, "Return to speak with the administrators you will. Leave later today you will."
=============
Obi-Wan was aware of pain, he groaned and rolled over. Opening his eyes he saw that he was still on the hard ground where he fell during the guards' beating. It was night. Obi-Wan sat up carefully, every part of his body screamed. Focusing on the force Obi-Wan did his best to release the pain.
Obi-Wan was then aware that he was not alone, he turned around to see Keiran, who said, "Can you walk, we need to get back to the hut before curfew."
Obi-Wan got up and got a little dizzy, Keiran said, "Here, lean on me." Obi-Wan did so and thought how small his shoulders seemed to Obi-Wan's own. But Obi-Wan just put that thought in the back of his mind.
The two got back to the hut in time and Keiran said, "Good, you boys got the water I asked for."
Keiran then started to clean the young Jedi's back and chest of the dried blood. Obi-Wan winced as Keiran probed the cuts, some which were very deep.
Jaret then said, "Thank you sir, thank you for helping my brother."
Obi-Wan winced again, "Your welcome, Jaret."
Later, after the boys were asleep, Keiran said to Obi-Wan, "That was a selfless thing you did."
Obi-Wan shrugged, "This is survival of the fittest, and Querin would never have survived the beating." After that Obi-Wan slipped into a healing trance.
Sometime before dawn, Obi-Wan opened his eyes. He was not surprised
to see Keiran already awake, Keiran always seemed to be up long
before Obi-Wan. Keiran had his back turned to Obi-Wan and Obi-Wan saw
that he was dressed in a tunic top and leggings. Obi-Wan was about
to close his eyes for a few more minutes of precious sleep when
Keiran turned to the side.
Obi-Wan gasped and sat right up. Keiran was not a boy Obi-Wan's age, but a female about five years older. And not only that, Keiran was with child. And from the looks of it, quite sometime along.
Keiran quickly put on her robe again. Obi-Wan stood up and mentally kicked himself, Master always says that I am not mindful of the living force. How could I miss that?
Keiran turned to Obi-Wan and said in a soft spoken voice, "Now you know."
Obi-Wan asked, "How did you end up here?"
Keiran sat down, "My husband, Bren, is an officer in the resistance movement against the Royal family of Anitan. One day the royals sent guards to our village and slaughtered almost all there. I had a choice, disguise myself as a boy, or die. I did not know that I was pregnant until a month later."
Obi-Wan's mind was realing, "How are you going to hide it once the baby comes?"
Keiran's eyes filled with tears, "I don't know."
Obi-Wan replied, "Well I don't know either, but you are not in this alone."
Keiran smiled a half-hearted smile, "I appreciate that Obi-Wan, but you are only a boy yourself."
Obi-Wan answered, "I will be 15 soon, and anyway, I am a Jedi. I will help you."
Obi-Wan kept a close eye on Keiran that day, in spite of his weakened form, he did most of the work, and used the force to flow energy through his friend.
Later that night Obi-Wan laid on his pallet exhausted. Reaching into a hidden pocket of his now ripped and filthy tunic and pulled out a holo. It was of him and Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan laid on his back, holding the holo in front of him, staring at it. It was a nice holo, taken after Obi-Wan had won a sparring championship. Obi-Wan was grinning ear to ear and Qui-Gon was standing behind him with his hands on his apprentices shoulders, the look of pride and love radiating from his proud features. Obi-Wan then noticed Querin, who was looking at the holo curiously.
Obi-Wan smiled and motioned for the little boy to come closer, "Querin, this is Qui-Gon Jinn, the greatest Jedi to ever live."
Jaret then got curious and asked, "Is he your father?"
Obi-Wan smiled, "I guess you could say that, he is the only father I have ever known."
Jaret looked down, "Our father died, the night our mother died." Jaret then stopped when he noticed his little brother start to tremble. Obi-Wan pulled the boy into his lap and said, "Let me tell you both a story about Master Qui-Gon."
The boys sat enthralled with the stories that Obi-Wan told. Starting with Bandomeer, and the space pirates, and the draigons. Even Keiran, who was more at ease that she did not have to play the charade in the privacy of the hut, listed to the stories with a great interest.
Soon the little ones fell asleep, and Keiran asked, "Do you think we will ever get out of here?" Obi-Wan nodded, "My master will come. He will not rest until he finds me."
====
On the cruiser Qui-Gon laid on his bunk looking at the same holo of
him and Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon missed his padawan desperatly. He would not
rest until Obi-Wan was safe at his side again.
Qui-Gon was grateful that he was not making the trip alone. Plo Koon and Mace Windu were with him. But Qui-Gon still felt lonely in another way. He and Obi-Wan were still to far away from each other to feel one another. Qui-Gon missed the bright flame of light in his mind that was his Padawan.
A knock pulled Qui-Gon out of his reverly. He called out, "Yes?"
Mace Windu opened the door, "Come and eat something my friend. You will need to keep up your strength."
Qui-Gon nodded and got up, hoping to himself that Obi-Wan was getting enough to eat.
========
Obi-Wan awoke before anyone for once. He got up and tried to wash as
best as he could in the filthy water that was alloted for the slaves.
Looking over at the children he thought, How thin they are getting.
But Obi-Wan did not notice that he had lost about 15 pounds in the
short time he was there.
Dawn arrived to quickly and the four reported to work detail. As usual Keiran and Obi-Wan were sent to the cliffs to harvest the ore. Obi-Wan was worried for Keiran, she was getting weaker by the day, and her baby would surely come soon. Obi-Wan rubbed his eyes with his hands. Dark circles from malnourishment and lack of sleep were under his eyes, and his skin was terribly pale. But pushing aside his own discomfort, Obi-Wan focused on the needs of his friends.
All day long Obi-Wan flowed force energy through Keiran while he filled the hover car with ore. He also took in his surroundings. Obi-Wan was memorizing the valleys. Everyday he would make a map in his head, when he was confident that they could run without being caught, they would.
Somewhere on this force-forsaken planet there had to be an ally. And with the help of the force, they would find that ally.
=====
Qui-Gon was standing in the cockpit watching as the Republic Cruiser
landed on the platform where just two weeks ago he and Obi-Wan were
desperately trying to reach. Only one of us made it.
Once the ship landed, Qui-Gon stepped off, Mace and Plo Koon behind him. Qui-Gon noticed that the admininstrator looked nervous. He stepped forward, "Revered Jedi Masters, it is an honor to have you among us again."
Qui-Gon held up a hand, "Dispense with the pleasantries Admininstator, I am here to find out what happened to my apprentice."
Mace Windu stepped up, "And find that out we will my friend. Administator, where can we speak?"
The man led them to a transport and within minutes they were in his office.
"You must understand Master Jinn, we have no idea where your apprentice is." The administrator said in a tone that gave nothing away.
Qui-Gon looked at him closely, "I beg to differ, but my apprentice was here. He was injured, I made it to the transport and he did not. Somebody here knows what happened to him."
Plo Koon then spoke, "You must understand, that Master Jinn is extremely concerned to his apprentice..."
The administrator cut Plo Koon, "Well he knows that he was here, he knows he was injured, and the Master is the only one who made it to the transport. Perhaps HE knows what happened to the boy."
Mace's eyes narrowed, "What are you suggesting?"
The man snorted, "I don't trust you Jedi. You say you are for the good of the galaxy, but I don't believe it. Maybe the good Master here had something to do with his Padawan's disappearance. Maybe he is just looking for a scapegoat to cover his own misdeeds."
Qui-Gon was never so furious in his whole life, "HOW DARE YOU! How dare you suggest that I had something to do with this. Obi-Wan was with me, he was fighting at my side and we were seperated. Then I was injured, and he was gone. WHERE IS HE? I WANT TO KNOW NOW!"
Mace and Plo Koon looked at one another and Mace said, "Qui, calm down. Let us go and search the grounds. Maybe we will find something. When you calm down we will continue our conversation with the administator."
Qui-Gon nodded and the three turned to leave. At the door Qui-Gon turned around and saw the administator accidently let his jacket open. There hanging on his belt was a lightsaber! Qui-Gon's eyes grew wide, when he saw that it was not just any lightsaber, but Obi-Wan's lightsaber!
In three short strides Qui-Gon was at the administrators side and ripping the Jedi weapon off his belt.
Though clenched teeth he said, "This is my Apprentice's. How did you get it?"
TBC
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