Mace looked at the lightsaber and asked, "Qui-Gon, are you certain that this is Obi-Wan's?"
Qui-Gon replied, "Yes." To himself he thought, How can I not be? I watched him as he constructed it. Watched his serious expression as he studied the componets. And when he got to a particually difficult part, my hands guided his. This is my Obi-Wan's lightsaber.
Qui-Gon was taller then the administator by at least a foot. He had him against the wall and in a calm, but no nonsense voice he said, "I grow tired of asking, but where is Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
The administrator knew he was caught, he knew that Qui-Gon could kill him with a wave of a hand. He had to count on Jedi serenity that he would not.
The man swallowed hard and said, "I can tell you what happened to him, but I will not be able to tell you where he is."
Qui-Gon's eyes grew stormy, "Why won't you be able to tell us where he is?"
The administrator began to talk, "My men grabbed him when he was hit with the blaster fire," seeing Qui-Gon's expression he quickly added, "His injuries were not life threatening, I then panicked."
Mace asked, "How so? What did you do with the boy."
The man continued, "I knew that having a Jedi apprentice as a prisoner would be dangerous, so I sold him to slave traders."
Qui-Gon's heart dropped, "You what?".
In a small voice the adminisrator said, "Slave traders came before he regained conscienceness, he is gone, and I have no idea where he was taken."
Qui-Gon stepped back shaken, in a hard voice, "By the force I should kill you. But I will not lower myself to your level at this time. You better hope that my Padawan is found unharmed. For there are strict laws concerning kidnappings of Jedi Padawans. But they will not matter to you, for if anything has happened to Obi-Wan, I will return and send you to meet the maker."
With that he turned and stalked out of the room. If he was concerned about Obi-Wan before, now he was terrified. If these slave traders knew that Obi-Wan was force-sensitive, it could get him killed.
In a few minutes Mace and Plo Koon came out to join Qui-Gon. Mace had a data read out of the slave traders that operated in that part of the galaxy. There were no less then fifty groups. It would take months to find Obi-Wan, if they ever did. NO! Qui-Gon thought to himself, Not if they did, WHEN they did.
Mace turned to Qui-Gon, "I'm sorry my friend, but the administrator was telling the truth when he said he does not know where Obi-Wan is."
In a strained voice Qui-Gon said, "I know."
Mace then said, "But Obi-Wan is smart and strong in the force. You have taught him well, he will survive."
Qui-Gon agreed, "Yes, Obi-Wan is very bright and strong, but I am afraid that in his training I sheltered him in extreme. I never thought he would be alone in the cold galaxy fighting for his life."
Mace and Plo Koon could not say anything.
Obi-Wan groaned when it was time to get up. He did his normal meditation, but nowadays he did not have the strength to reach out to his Master. This pained him greatly, but he needed to conserve his strength. For the nights for his body to recuperate were short and cold and the days were long and hot.
His ripped tunic hung off his frame now, because he started to forgo his rations. Keiran and the boys needed it more then him. Keiran argued with him about this, but Obi-Wan waved her concerns away, "You all need it more then I Keiran. Please let it drop."
Then one day after the time for work was over, Obi-Wan and Keiran heard a comotion in their hut. Inside was Jaret and Querin. They sat on the floor clinging to one another. Obi-Wan motioned for Keiran to stay away, for fear that the guards would get rough and discover their secret. He stepped inside and saw the guards trying to seperate the brothers.
Obi-Wan asked, "What is going on?"
One guard finally seperated the two and lifted Jaret up by the collar of his shirt, "This one has been sold."
Obi-Wan's heart constricted, he knew that Querin would not do well at all to be seperated from his only living relative. He asked, "But...but...shouldn't they stay together?"
The guard shrugged, "Only one was sold." The guards started to pull Jaret outside the hut to the waiting transport that would take him away, before he left he said, "Obi-Wan, please take care of Querin, he trusts you." And then the boy was gone.
Querin was sobbing. Obi-Wan did his best to comfort him. He tried to remember what Qui-Gon would do when he was young and frightened. Obi-Wan sat on the ground holding the child tightly. Listening to his wordless cries of suffering. Obi-Wan then thought, I wish Qui-Gon were here. He knows how to make a kid feel better. He would always make me feel better when I was a kid. It was ironic to Obi-Wan, was it just 2 years ago when Qui-Gon would hold me in his lap and hide me from the galaxy in the folds of his robe? It seems like a lifetime ago.
In a few moments Keiran came back in, there were tears in her eyes. Sitting next to Obi-Wan she rubbed Querin's back. She cursed the Anitans. Hopefully the rumors she heard rang true. The resistance army was invading camps all over the planet. She could only hope that they got to this camp before the baby came, or before they all got killed.
Qui-Gon was seated at a computer on the Republic Cruiser. He was scanning for information about the slave traders in the area. He was then summoned to the cockpit for a message from the Council.
On the viewscreen was Yoda, he asked, "Find out anything did you?" Mace answered, "We found out that Obi-Wan was sold to slave traders. We do not know which group though. We have no idea where he is." Qui-Gon remained silent through this, he was beside himself with worry for his padawan, Force let him be all right. Please let him be all right. He is just a boy.
Yoda continued, "Hmph, bad this is. Meet someone you must. Help you he may."
Qui-Gon looked at the screen, "Who Master."
Yoda answered, "Member of resistance army to Anitan. Name of Bren Niral. Meet him you will."
The viewscreen faded and Qui-Gon wondered who this Bren Niral was and how could he help.
==============
Obi-Wan and Keiran were finishing up for the day when Keiran doubled over in pain. Obi-Wan rushed to her side and to himself said, Oh force, its time.
Two guards saw Keiran stop working and came over with their whips, Obi-Wan stepped in front of her, if they found out the secret now, they would kill her and her baby.
Obi-Wan said in a soft voice, "My friend feels ill..."
One guard screamed, "SHUT UP SLAVE SCUM! We did not ask you." With that the whip landed on his shoulders, ripping his tunic more and cutting the skin deeply. Obi-Wan readied himself for another beating, but the guards stopped. One said, "Hey its quiting time, lets go before the others drink all of the ale and use all of the spice."
With that they were gone and Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief. He had Keiran lean on him and the two hurried back to the hut. Querin was already there. He had gotten worst in the days that he was not with his brother. He looked at Obi-Wan and Keiran wide eyed as they entered.
Obi-Wan turned to him and said, "I am going to need your help. Will you help me?"
Querin slowly nodded. Obi-Wan smiled at him and said, "Good, this is what I need you to do."
Hours later Keiran was not doing well, the baby was taking a long time in coming, and in a few hours it would be dawn, Keiran had to have the baby by then, or they were all dead.
Obi-Wan was frightened, but he grasped onto the force. He had a slight idea on what to do. He had the mandatory class on reproduction and childbirth. But the class said nothing about delivering a child in a all male slave camp. He made a mentle note to tell the instructors at the temple that when he got back.
In a calm voice he said, "That's it Keiran, it won't be much longer now."
Keiran nodded slightly, the days in the hot sun had taken its toll and she was very weak. Querin did his best at bathing her head with the water and handing Obi-Wan towels.
Suddenly she let out a small cry, she knew that she had to be very quiet, Exited Obi-Wan said, "I see the baby's head Keiran! Its almost over!"
Keiran pushed and then her eyes rolled back, Obi-Wan said, "Keiran, stay with me, it is almost over and then you can rest. But you have to stay with me."
Keiran looked at Obi-Wan and pushed again, that one did it! A small baby boy was in Obi-Wan's hands. Obi-Wan looked down at Keiran's son, he was small and most likely weak, but alive. The force was with them, because the baby did not cry, as though he knew if he did, they would all die.
Obi-Wan whispered, "Here is your son Keiran. He is beautiful." Obi-Wan wrapped the baby in what was left of his tunic and placed him on his mothers chest. Keiran fell asleep right away.
Querin looked at the baby in awe, he then sat vigil over the new mother and child. Obi-Wan rubbed his eyes. He had seen so much death here, and now he saw life. But the time had come for them to try to escape, for there was no way that they could hide a baby for long.
Obi-Wan never went to sleep, he covered Querin with the cloak and watched over Keiran and her baby. Reaching out with the force he called, Master? Master, please answer me. I need you.
Obi-Wan's eyes filled with tears, he was only 14, he could not handle this anymore. Then something hit him, he was not 14 anymore, he was now 15. He had his birthday in a slave camp, away from the temple, his friends, and away from his Master.
Moving to the other side of the small hut Obi-Wan sat in a corner and wept quietly. How he missed the strong and reassurring presence of Qui-Gon. He never felt so alone in all his life. Would he ever get out of this camp? And if he did, would he do it alive?
Suddenly Obi-Wan felt someone sit on his lap. It was Querin, the little boy wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan's neck in silent comfort. Obi-Wan returned the hug and said, "I'm OK now Querin, it is all going to be fine."
Obi-Wan just hoped that was true.
===========
Qui-Gon was sitting in a cantina in a major space port. He was getting very impatient. How many times had he told Obi-Wan to have patience? Too many times. Qui-Gon thought to himself, but he brushed that aside, he had to find his apprentice, he was only 14, too young to...
Outloud Qui-Gon said, "Oh Force!"
"What is it?" Mace inquired.
Qui-Gon swallowed the lump in his throat, "Today is Obi-Wan's birthday." Had it really been three months since his dissappearence?
Mace looked at his friend, "We will find him Qui. I promise."
Then they were joined by a young man about 23 years of age, "Greetings, I am Bren Niral."
The three Masters stood up, Mace spoke, "I am Master Mace Windu, this is Master Plo Koon, and this is Master Qui-Gon Jinn, it is his apprentice who is missing."
After the four men took their seats again Bren spoke, "I have reason to believe that the boy in question is on Anitan."
Qui-Gon cut in, "Anitan? They hate the Jedi. If they know that he is a Jedi...he..." Qui-Gon's voice trailed off, he refused to think like that.
Plo Koon asked, "And how do we find the boy?"
Bren smiled, "We are planning to liberate more camps. You are welcomed to join us, we would be grateful for the help."
Mace added, "But we can not fight your war."
Bren added, "I am not asking you too. You can join us, look for the kid, and leave."
Qui-Gon asked, "What is in this war for you?"
Bren's eyes grew sad, "I am looking for someone special to me as well."
Obi-Wan shook Keiran awake, she looked weaker then ever. She opened her eyes and in a soft voice she said, "Thank you."
Obi-Wan smiled, "Wait till you get my bill." Then he turned serious, "Your welcome, but we have to get up now. I have made a sling for you to put the baby in, he can hide under your robe. I can use the force to keep him quiet."
Keiran nodded and started to get up, "I think I want to call him Bren-Kenobi Niral." Obi-Wan looked at her and she continued, "Bren for his father, and Kenobi for..."she broke off and then said, "Obi-wan I will always be grateful."
Obi-Wan blushed and said, "I know Keiran, and I am honored that you want your baby to have a part of my name."
Then they heard footsteps, Keiran quickly placed the sling around her and Obi-Wan placed the baby inside. Keiran got her cloak on just before the door was swung open.
Obi-Wan stepped in front of Keiran, "Good morning."
The guard barked, "Shut up slave scum, we want both of you out here now."
Keiran and Obi-Wan followed the guard outside, there was another man there. He looked over the two and said, they will do. I want them ready in two days to leave."
Keiran and Obi-Wan looked shocked, all Obi-wan could think of was Querin, they could not leave him behind. The time to run was today.
========
Several hours later another man joined Qui-Gon, Mace, Plo Koon, and Bren. The man said, "I saw them all right. The girl looked thin and weak, but she disguised herself rather well as a boy. The kid looked thin too. Thin, scared and lost. Other then that, I think they were ok."
Bren smiled in relief, "Good job Anspa."
Qui-Gon was lost in thought. He reached out to Obi-Wan, Hang on Obi-Wan, I'm coming. Qui-Gon was not surprised when he was met with silence.
How they managed to get through the days work was a mystery. Little Bren-Kenobi did not make a peep the entire day. Later that night, Obi-Wan and Keiran knelt on the floor of their hut, with a stick Obi-Wan drew an escape route.
"We will go as soon as everyone is asleep. I will use the force to confuse the guards who are on duty at night." Obi-Wan explained.
Keiran hugged her baby to her chest, and nodded, "I am ready."
Obi-Wan looked at Querin and ruffled his hair. Obi-Wan then said, "Good."
==========
At the resistance headquarters Bren and Qui-Gon were making their own
plans, Bren stated, "Tomorrow Anspa will go in and "purchase" Obi-Wan
and Keiran, once they are safe, we can liberate the camp."
Qui-Gon nodded, "A formible plan, but do you think it will work?"
Bren said, "It has too."
========
Obi-Wan shook Keiran and Querin awake, whispering he said, "Let's move."
They slipped out of the hut and ran to the cliffs. Obi-Wan pointed to an overgrown path, "That way."
Once they were on it they heard, "Stop them! Stop them, kill them."
Obi-Wan cursed himself for not being able to weild the force the way he wanted, but the days had taken their toll and he was barely strong enough to run. Still, he scooped up Querin and they ran down the path.
It was not long before they heard animal noises. Obi-Wan knew that they were being tracked by a viscious animal. If this animal found them, it would rip them apart. The only hope they had was to keep running.
It was daybreak when Obi-Wan, Keiran, and the children made it to the valley. Obi-Wan glanced around and asked himself, Which way? Which way?
"Lets go north," He finally decided.
Keiran nodded, tightening the hold on her baby, and gripping Querin's hand, "Do you think you can walk Querin? Obi-Wan is very tired."
Querin nodded and went over to Obi-Wan, taking his hand. Obi-Wan smiled down at the boy, "Let's keep moving." They heard the sounds of the animals that were stalking them and they started to move again.
===
At the camp Anspa was livid, "What do you mean they are gone?"
The overseer swallowed hard, "They ran sir. Took some brat that they were attached to. But don't worry, we will find them and they will be severely punished."
Anspa then grew nervous, he knew how they would be punished. He needed to contact Qui-Gon and Bren.
===
Bren spoke into the comlink, "They are GONE?"
The voice replied, "Yes, they took a child that they grew attached too."
Qui-Gon's stomach started to flip flop, with all his might he called through the force, /Obi-Wan, where are you? Answer me so I can find you./
Obi-Wan stopped running and turned his head, "Master?" Through the
force he answered, /Master? Are you really here? We are lost, I am
with my friends Keiran and Querin, Keiran also has a....OH NO!/
The connection was cut off, Obi-Wan was too weak to carry on a force conversation and run for his life at the same time. They had to find a place to hide, a place where the animals could not smell their scent.
There was a waterfall not far away. Obi-Wan led Keiran and Querin to it. Looking it over he declared it the perfect hiding place. There was a "room" behind the waterfall, and the water would hide them from view and throw off their scent.
Only one problem, the room was barely big enough for Querin and Keiran. Obi-Wan pushed them inside and said, "I am going to lead them away. When I do, keep moving north."
Keiran pleaded, "No Obi-Wan, they will kill you."
Querin began to softly cry. Obi-Wan said,"I will have to trust in the Force." And with that he turned away.
A guard then stepped into veiw and Obi-Wan ran, drawing them to him. He got them a comfortable distance from his friends when his legs gave out. This is it. He thought as the animals descended on him. Obi-Wan knew pain, and then he knew nothing at all.
Qui-Gon fell to his knees at the intesity of the pain that his padawan was in. He turned to Bren, and said, "They are going to kill him. We need another plan."
Bren looked confused, "What do you mean?"
Qui-Gon stood up and caught his breath, "Obi-Wan made contact with me, but he cut it off, they found him."
Bren asked, "What about Keiran?"
Qui-Gon replied, "He said that they were lost and that he was with his friends, Keiran and Querin. He also started to say something else about Keiran, but could not finish."
Mace then asked, "Is that when you felt his pain?"
Qui-Gon shook his head, "I first felt his confusion, then a solution. I then felt his pain. My guess is that he found away to protect Keiran and Querin, but not himself." Qui-Gon looked at Bren, "My Obi-Wan is like that, he is always ready to sacrifice himself for others."
Bren looked at the Master, "If that is true, then I am indebted to him."
TBC
You are visitor # to come here since May 11, 2000.
© 2000 heather.lively@ns.sympatico.ca
Get your own Free Home Page