The Lost One: Part Two
A slit of light came to him thought the darkness. Obi-wan cautiously
opened his eyes. Everything was burly for a few moments then his
vision grew
clearer ,with the exception of the blue and purple spots that seemed to
dance
in the air. His head was pounding uncontrollably, his muscles ached,
but
for the most part he was all right.
His mind cleared enough that was able to take in the surroundings and
the
situation.
He was in a mid-sized, dimly lighted room. He was laying on a
sleep-couch, his lightsaber, belt, and cloak were gone. His mind
fuzzed
in and out. Where was he? Why was he here? Then he remembered.
Remembered
the pain. Remembered the darkness...
His thoughts were interrupted when the door slid open and four alien
creatures strode in. Obi-wan sat up, looking at the them. They were
mid-height, with glossy, gleaming skin and glittering eyes. All four
held
blasters pointed at his chest. Guards no less. Without a word, one
of the
guards motioned for him to stand. He did so quickly, ignoring his
throbbing
head. He was already forming a plan. ‘Four guards with blasters were
still
no mach for a Jedi, Apprentice or not, even without a weapon.’
Obi-wan
thought. The nearest guard was moving around him to cuff his hands.
Obi-wan
was gathering the Force around him to rip the man’s blaster right out
of his
hand. However before he could complete his attempt, an onslaught of
pain
ripped though his mind. It felt as if someone was sticking him with
hundreds
of hot needles. The sensation almost sent him crashing to his knees.
The
guards took this opportunity to quickly cuff his hands behind his back
and
shoved him though the door.
The walked down a long corridor for what seemed like an eternity.
The pain in Obi-wan’s mind subsisted some, enough to notice that they
were
in what looked like an ancient tomb of some sort. As they walked, he
could
feel a sense of doom drawing closer to him. He looked around him, all
four
blasters still pointed at him. No windows, no open doors, no where
to run
to, and for the moment, no escape. Yet he didn’t even know what he
was
trying to escape from.
Finally they reached what he assumed was their destination. They
halted in front of a large and decorated door. When it swung open
Obi-wan
staggered back. The room before him was overflowing with dark energy,
doom,
death, hatred, the Dark Side. Obi-wan felt fear start to bloom
inside of
him as the guard shoved him into the room, and slammed the door shut
behind
him.
The darkness was overwhelming, there was no where to run from it.
He remembered a lecture from Yoda which seemed like eons ago, “Places
there
are which are strong with the Dark side.” The master had said.
“Domains of
evil they are. Strong you must be to save yourself, and others.”
Obi-wan
tried to calm his mind and banish the darkness. His attempted to
concentrate
was broken when a voice cut through the room.
“Welcome Obi-wan Kanobi. I am glad to see you awake and well.” the
man’s voice said.
Obi-wan could not see. He reached out with the Force to be his eyes.
There, in the middle of the room. A man, human, as tall, if not
taller
than Qui-gon. Under any other circumstances he would have been able to
get
the entire picture of the man. However with the darkness swirling
about his
mind. He was finding it difficult to concentrate.
“Perhaps this will help.” The man said. And instantly the room
became dimly lit by candles that flickered on around the chamber.
Now Obi-wan could see him clearly. His hair was dark brown which
went down past his ears. His eyes were the color of Qui-gon’s
lightsaber.
He wore black, which was the color Obi-wan senses from this man.
“I am sorry for any discomfort I might have caused you, young
Padawan. But it was important for me to stop your use of the Force.”
He
said with an amused, but seemingly vicious smile. Yet at least
Obi-wan was
getting some mild answers. But he needed more.
“Who are you?” Obi-wan said in a demanding voice. “What is
this...place?” A coldness developed around him. Obi-wan wanted to
shiver,
but managed to push it aside.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Master Jaron Nien.” He said
bowing toward the apprentice. “And you are on Randon.”
“Master?” Obi-wan sounded disgusted. “Master of what?”
“Why, Master of the Force. Just not the side you are familiar with
I’m afraid.” Jaron said, taking a few steps in Obi-wan’s direction.
Obi-wan believed this. He had never felt so much dark power before.
He shuttered at the thought. “Why have you brought me here?” he asked.
struggling to meet Jaron’s gaze, who was only a few feet away from him
now.
“Quite simple really.” He said, looking down at the Padawan. “Your
coming here is somewhat of an invitation to your master.”
‘Which is a nice way of saying I’m bait.’ Obi-wan wanted to say
aloud, but decided against it. This meant that his master was in
danger,
and he had no way of warning him. “What do you want with Master
Qui-gon.”
Obi-wan asked, his voice icy.
“We were friends, long ago. Yet he betrayed me. In the worse way a
person could be betrayed.” Jaron’s voice was bitter, with fragments
of
hatred.
“I’ve heard that line before.” Obi-wan spat, remembering his
Qui-gon’s former apprentice. Who had tried to turn him away from his
soon to
be master. “It didn’t work then and it wont work now.”
“I thought as much.” Jaron said, a smile beginning to crawl up his
face. “But I do wish you to hear my side before you close your mind to
me.
After all, isn’t that what your master has taught you? To hear both
sides
first, then make a decision.”
“Take your time.” Obi-wan said with more than a hint of sarcasm.
“It doesn’t look as if I’m going anywhere anytime soon.”
Jaron laughed , “Now I can see why Qui-gon chose you for his
apprentice.” He said, cupping his hand around Obi-wan’s chin. “You
are
just as headstrong as he once was, so many years ago.”
Obi-wan jerked his face away from the man’s grip and lost his gaze,
not really wanting to return it.
Jaron smiled , “They had a name for Qui-gon and I when we were
children in the Jedi temple.” He began. “They called us “The
brothers.”
for we were as close as any blood brothers, friends till the bitter
end. We
were never far apart from each other. Where one of us was, you could
bet
the other was not far behind. Some said we even looked the same, and
could
only be told apart by our lightsabers.”
The man said. Obi-wan turned
his
head back and looked at the man, but this time the cold gaze of the
man was
not on him. He was looking beyond Obi-wan, looking back toward the
past.
“We were taken on as Padawan learners at the same time. Even though
we were unable to see each other all the time we were still friends. I
had
thought we always would be...but I was wrong.” The voice was filled
with
what Obi-wan thought was sadness and regret, Obi-wan continued
listening.
“He became a Jedi Knight before I did. I remember being there to
wish him well on his first solo mission as a full Jedi. Reminding him
that
if he needed me, if he ever needed me, I would be there to help him.”
Jaron’s said, the last of those words become harsh. “While he was on
that
mission I was here, on Randon with my Master. Trying to settle
disputes
with the near by system of Mandor, who were on the verge of attack.
“The Randonians believed that the appearance of two Jedi would be
enough calm the neighboring system and allow them to reach a
compromise. But
they were wrong. Our coming here only enraged the Manorians further,
and
there was to be no compromise.
“But my master did not give up. He believe that a settlement could
be made, and arranged to have a meeting with the Prime Minister of
Mandor,
alone, in a neutral place.” He circled his hand in the air, “In this
place.” he grew quite now, but continued speaking. “As much as I
advised
against it my master came to this place to discuss peace, ordering me
to
stay and protect the Randonians. It would be the last order he would
ever
give me.”
He closed his eyes and slowly walked toward the center of
the
room. Then he turned back to Obi-wan and looked in the boys eyes.
“Even a
Jedi Master can only hold off thirty well trained Mandorian guards
firing at
him at point blank range for so long, young Kanobi. As I’m sure
Qui-gon has
told you, we are not invincible.”
‘We? Meaning We Jedi?’ Obi-wan thought. ‘How could he still
consider himself a Jedi when he has become everything a Jedi is not.’
He
pondered this silently and listened on.
“I knew when it happened. I ran here as fast as my legs could carry
me. Hoping that there was still something that I could do, but it was
to
late.”
He gestured to the spot where he was standing. “I found him
laying
here, cut down but a storm of blaster fire. My great master, who had
been
closer to me than even Qui-gon, was dead.”
The hurt in the man’s eyes made the Apprentice’s heart wrench.
Obi-wan had never lost anyone that close to him. All of his friends
had
become Padawans, farmers, or healer Apprentices by now. True he did
not
see or talk to them as much anymore, but they were still there, they
were
still alive. And to lose his master. Obi-wan could not even begin to
consider what would happen if Qui-gon were dead. The Jedi Master had
taken
him as his apprentice, although it took a bit of convincing. And even
if
they didn’t agree all the time, Qui-gon was still his best friend,
mentor,
and family. His heart went out to the pain that Jaron must have felt.
Then Obi-wan remembered that his hands were chained behind his back.
He gave himself a mental shake. ‘Stop it.’ He told himself firmly.
‘This
man has kidnapped you, filled you with darkness, and is using to lure
your
master here, no doubtedly to try and kill him. So stop feeling sorry
for him
and start trying to figure out a way out of this!’ His musings were
interrupted by Jaron, resuming his story after a long, reflective
pause.
“Never will I understand why my master trusted the Mandor. I told
him not to go, I warned him of a possible trap, I told him not to
trust
them. But he told me that if there was to be peace there must be a
certain
amount of trust. I don’t know if he senesced the ambush before it
happened.
Perhaps he did, or perhaps he didn’t. But what I do know is that his
death
left a hole in me, that never healed.” He paused, then began again.
“And, adding insult to injury, the ones who did this could not be
brought to justice. After my master’s death the Jedi Council and the
Republic got involved. But there was no evidence to link it to the
Mandarians. It seemed, coincidentally, that the speeder they were
using to
reach the temple from their camp in the outskirts had technical
problems and
never reached the destination.
“And the death of my master, why it could have been a group of
smugglers who had taken refuge in the ancient temple and didn’t like an
unexpected visor dropping in. There was no evidence to confirm or
deny, so
the courts had no choice but to drop the case.” Jaron’s brow curled,
his
eyes glaring. “But I needed no proof. I didn’t need a court to tell
me what
was and what was not. The Manorians like to use fear to manipulate.
They
knew that if they could show their power by killing a Jedi Master,
that
Randon would bow to their wishes. Perhaps they did not think that the
Republic would get involved as they rarely do.”
He spat out the words.
“And
they got away with such a crime. For awhile at least.”
“I begged the Jedi council to bring justice by allowing me to track
down my master’s murderous. But they told me no. Their old Jedi ways
thought it better to move on from the past then to make a wrong right.
Yes
it was a terrible tragedy that my master was gone, and he would be
missed by
all Jedi, they told me. But there was peace in Randon and Mandor
again,
perhaps because of my master. And he died nobly doing what a Jedi
does,
trying to bring peace.” His voice was full of disgust.
Obi-wan still wasn’t seeing how his master fit into all of this. All
of this was quite unfortunate, but what of Qui-gon and his “supposed”
betrayal? At this thought Obi-wan got his answer.
“Because the Council denied me I went to the one other person I knew
I could trust. I asked Qui-gon to help me. I wanted to avenge my
masters
death, and I new I couldn’t do it alone.”
Jaron returned his gaze at
Obi-wan now, but it was different, as cold a night on a planet with a
far
way sun. It sent a shiver up Obi-wan’s spine.
“The last person in the
galaxy who I thought would refuse to help me did. He agreed with the
Jedi
council and told me to try to move on. I don’t believe I had ever felt
so
alone in my life. I told him that I would bring justice to those who
deserved it, and to those who refused to help me would one day suffer.
At
that I left the Jedi and came back to Randon.”
“I helped them settle some lingering disputes, and rebuild their
planet which was almost lost.”
“But not without cost.” Obi-wan spoke up for the first time in what
seemed like forever. What he said was not a question. Jaron smiled at
him
amused.
“Very perceptive of you, young one. Yes there was a cost. I was in
no mood to do anything out of the kindness of my heart..” He told the
Padawan. Obi-wan wondered if the man had any of a heart left.
“The cost of my service to them was only two things. This place,”
he gestured around the large room. “I meditated here, for hours on
end.
Focusing on my anger and want of revenge,”
‘Dark meditation.’ Obi-wan thought silently. ‘No wonder this place
is crawling with darkness.’
“Once I felt I was strong enough I left for awhile. A few days later
the Prime Minister of Mandor was found dead. With no one to link to
the
killing.” He peered at Obi-wan, smiling evily.
“After that I stayed here, for many years. All the while becoming
stronger and more powerful. Now my power is at its peek. I am ready
to make
the others suffer.”
“And the other part of your deal with the Randon people?” Obi-wan
asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
“A favor.” Jaron said simply. “To be called on whenever I needed
it.”
“And that was for them to help you with your plan to make Qui-gon
suffer. Is that it?” Obi-wan said assertively.
“Quite right. But don’t flatter your Master to much.” He said
mockingly. “I plan to go against all those who refused me. The
entire Jedi
Council if I must. However Qui-gon is first, because his betrayal of
me
hurt almost as much as my master’s death.”
There seemed to be real hurt
in
his voice.
“Why are you telling me this?” Obi-wan asked, genuinely curious.
Jaron apparently didn’t expect Obi-wan to live much past today. He had
just
told him that he was going to move against the Jedi Council. He
wouldn’t
risk Obi-wan’s being able to warn them. Or perhaps he would try to
turn the
Apprentice against his master and over to the Dark side, which was a
fate
worse than death. ‘But he’s not going to get the chance to do either.’
Obi-wan thought.
“For your own benefit.” he said, sounding truthful.
“Qui-gon cannot
be trusted. I found this out the painful way. After all I had done
for him,
and all we had been through together. Always with the talk of being
there
for each other no matter what. But the one time I asked for his help
he
refused me. Don’t place to much trust in him Obi-wan, you are likely
to
regret it in the end. And be hurt by it as I was.”
Obi-wan shook his head. “There was no way Qui-gon could have done
what you asked of him.”
He said, with a voice that was almost
respectable...almost.
“You were asking him to go against his training,
his
own master, and everything that he believed and knew was right. Maybe
if
things were turned around you would have made the same decision. I
would
have, and I would stand by it. As I stand by my master.”
Jaron gave him an icy stare, yet the Jedi Apprentice caught the gaze
and kept it. After moments that seemed like hours, Jaron’s look on
Obi-wan
softened, and he smiled.
“As I said, I thought as much. I would have
stood
by my master till the bitter end as well, were I given the chance.”
He
walked back over to where Obi-wan was standing.
“Yes I must say I
admire
Qui-gon’s choice in his Padawan.” He smiled, then strode to the door.
“I must bid you farewell for now, young Kenobi. It is becoming late
and I must prepare for my friends arrival.”
Obi-wan felt his jaw drop. He was going to leave him here, in this
place full of darkness? Then his thoughts turned to Qui-gon. How
would he
warn him of the dangers that awaited him?
“Don’t strain yourself with the attempt, Padawan.” He smiled at
Obi-wan’s thought. “Something tells me you will be needing your
strength.”
He laughed, and as the door shut, the candles went out at once.
Obi-wan
was alone, in the darkness.
He forced himself to remain calm, dispite the dread he felt. Then
he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned quickly, but
nothing was there. ‘Don’t panic.’ he told himself. ‘It wont do you
any
good. Stay calm!’ he focused his energies on the cuffs that bound his
hands.
He managed to bend the Force enough to remove them. He rubbed his
wrists,
glad to have his hands free. Now he tried, with all his might, to
send a
warning to his master. But as before with the guards, a shot of pain
went
through him and he could not complete his thought.
Again he thought he saw something, a form in the darkness. His eyes
grew wide.
“No!” he said aloud. “Its not true, its not real.” He said into
the void. Things were crawling at him now, on his skin, in his mind.
And
this time, the pain would not go away, not allowing him to focus,
try as
he might.
It was overwhelming now. Between the pain and the darkness, he
groaned and sunk to his knees. Trying desperately to remember the
light, and
call on it. But it was no use, and the darkness kept crawling around
him.
Just outside the room, Jaron was smiling.
Part Three
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