Jedi Council Forums - Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst

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Author	Topic: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 11/2/09
Healer_Leona Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 12/12/07 4:19pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	Ahhh, plans within plans. I so want to believe that Palpatine is fooled. I want... I want to very much for everyone to live happily ever after, but this is so very much better than any fairytale. Defnitley riveted to the screen as well and at first I was so excited for the long post, but it read too darn fast. I can't wait ( and yet I can) for the next post. -----signature----- Break away from everybody Break away from everthing If you can't stand the way this place is Take yourself to higher places
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PadawanKitara Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 12/14/07 10:39pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	This was a wonderful treat. I hope Palpy really will let his guard down enough not to suspect a trap. Please promise we don't have to wait as long for the next chapter -----signature----- Courtier of the Royal Order of Shambling Dufi We are Dufi...Resistance is Futile! UCLA BRUINS
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Magier Registered: Jul '07	Date Posted: 12/14/07 11:12pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	I don't trust them either, Obi-Wan. But, he really needs to let go of all this dark emotion. He should realize that if the Force is telling Qui-Gon to do this, then he has already lost the argument. I am glad that Obi-Wan is going to help Qui-Gon. The stubborn man needs someone who has his best interest at mind. I really worry about Atel. I am hoping that Palpy's overconfidence will get the best of him. I think the Jedi are going to be much more cautious than he is. -----signature----- No Legacy So Rich : Xan,OC, Obi, Qui (12/19) Seekers, Not Saints: SW/TB crossover (8/12)
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wolf_kenobi Registered: Nov '07	Date Posted: 12/16/07 11:28am Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	I have a bad, bad, bad, bad feeling about this whole plan. Palpatine wants to kill Qui-Gon, and he's having Maul go after the Bendu and Qui-Gon's family. And the stinking bag of Hutt slime is going after Obi-Wan as his apprentice! This is baaaaaaaaaaaad news. He better keep his slimy hands off them! Hoping for a happy ending, even if it doesn't seem likely. Great updates! -----signature----- Is God willing to prevent evil but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God. -Epicurus Proud Vegan
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bek Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 12/17/07 1:06pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	When he knew he was able to speak more calmly, Obi-Wan gazed at Atel and Sle'fey and Xacor. "The Force is telling me that someone is going to die tomorrow. There. In that snake's office." Feeling helpless, afraid that no matter what he did it would never be enough to stop the inevitability of it all, Obi-Wan turned to Qui-Gon, pleading with him, "It's likely to be you." His old Master sent him a brief, sad smile - and condemned himself to duty and death. "Then it will be me. But we will have destroyed the Sith. And both the Bendu and the Jedi will breathe free again." Shaking his head, Obi-Wan sank back into the pillows and closed his eyes. He did not want to look at Qui-Gon Jinn and see fate shadowing his old master's face. He wasn't sure he could take another death and ever find himself again. It was too close, too soon, too much pain, too much betrayal. Another blow and he'd shatter into dust. I really feel for Obi-Wan. Doesn't Qui-Gon understand that his former padawan will not deal well with his death should it come to that? Especially after what happened with Tharten. Doesn't Qui-Gon understand that they just found one another again and Obi-Wan isn't ready to give him up again should his death be warranted? I don't know if Qui-Gon is just being stubborn or if he's trying to recapture the past: a mission with his former apprentice. I understand that Qui-Gon feels strongly where the living force is concerned and that he lives and breathes to do the force's will, but it would seem that he needs to take some time and spend it with Obi-Wan before they head into this mess. His padawan needs him and all he's giving Obi-Wan are platitudes. Previous Post: With Jinn dead and the Temple in upheaval, Kenobi might be a possibility, an appropriate candidate to mold into a Sith. He would have to probe further, capture the man when he was most vulnerable and torture him until he accepted the darkness as his own. Kenobi was strong enough and stubborn enough to last a long, long time under agony's torment. Nuff said! Another wonderful addition! -----signature----- Update 6/23/09 - Chap. 42 - Life Beyond the Code (OWK/Anakin) - Saga Update 9/3/08 - Strength to Begin Anew - (OWK/QGJ/Xan) - Saga Update 9/24/09 - Stuck in Yesterday - NM Sequel Update 11/10/09 - Somewhere in the Middle - (OWK/QGJ) - Before Saga
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Nimloth Registered: Mar '07	Date Posted: 12/20/07 5:03pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	I´ve been reading all Betrayal in the last days, an what can I say? That I absolutely loved it and that now I´m hooked and needing more? Well, so that is! I´m a big fan of Qui-Gon and I like very much the way you portray him (not that I enjoy so much having him as a married man - kind of jealousy?- but, as his nice wife stays in Naboo, and actually doesn´t interfere in the adventure,I´ll resign myself) Wonderful work, and looking forward the next instalment!
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Ara-gon Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 12/22/07 7:35am Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	Oh, Obi, of course Qui-Gon will go. As heart-breaking as the thought is, as much as you, Le', and the readers will screech, plead, whine, beg, and yell that he should do otherwise, he'll walk right into that trap. And it makes me mighty nervous, too. It's such a shame that everyone is already so depleted, physically and emotionally. They're going to have little to draw on, unfortunately. That was quite a dance that Xacor, Sle'fey, and Palpatine had. Amazing, really, since there were all the hidden agendas, presumed motivations, and whatnots. Brilliant updates, Diane, but goodness, everything is coming to a head all at the same time. Maul hunting the Bendu . . . Palpatine hunting the Jedi . . . I will admit to lurking on the Killing Characters: What Does It Accomplish? thread in Resource to see if you give any hints as to who dies. You don't. So I'll continue to worry until you update in '08. -----signature----- Jinngerbread's Padawan The Trouble with Qui-Gon (humor) http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/26735859/p1/?7
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Tahi Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 12/27/07 2:48pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	It did not happen often but Palpatine was stunned speechless. Qui-Gon - 1; Palpy - 0 LOL Now he'd never have the pleasure of hearing her scream as he pulled her heart from her body or see the bright red of spilled blood or savor her last agonies in the Force. He had been looking forward to it, too. Ha, it sucks to be you, Palpy. What Jinn needed was a long lesson in wire-fine agony, perhaps some experiments in pain-enhancing drugs coupled with neural whips and saber burns. Noooooo! Luckily she was back home, negotiating with miners about living conditions or something else equally unimportant. It's little comments like that one that really get into the nitty gritty of Palpy's psyche. "Supreme Chancellor, if you can come tomorrow at 1500 hours to the Jedi Temple, Master Tharten will be honored with the lighting of her funeral pyre. Ha - if they've got any sense they'll deck the pyre out with high explosive and give Palpy the honour of lighting the first match. But as he opened his mouth to accept, something halted him. There, in the Force, was a warning; a trap was hidden somewhere in the future, a light in all that putrid darkness, danger to himself and to the final Sith victory so close at hand. He would be a fool to ignore it and Palpatine was no fool. Bother! He's seen through it. Gah. That's horribly evil that Palpy is using Qui-Gon's torture as bait for Dooku as well. "Pawns" is right, it's just how he perceives people! It was insane; they were all insane. Nope - just desperate. And brave. Powerful descriptions of poor Obi's angst over Qui-Gon and also his struggle with his hatred of Sle'fey. Very heart-wrenching. I feel for them all. It must be a terrible thing to go into something with such a strong premonition of death. How to stop the dark tainting their actions under such circumstances will be a major factor. Wonderful chapter. -----signature----- "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 Master to THE_PIED_PIPER
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ardavenport Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 1/13/08 8:20pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	I wonder is there is an intentional different between Palpatine and Sidious? In this last post with him, he was mostly referred to as Sidious, but in the one before that where he's plotting his evil deeds he was more Palpatine. Anyway, he's really evil. He's so evil in the movies, he cannot be over-acted. And he wants to see Obi-Wan scream? I guess that's a form of approval for a Sith. No wonder their apprentices plot against him. But I really wonder how this counter-trap is going to end up. They had it all set up and Sidious still smelled a trap. So, now they're walking into his......this does not look good. Don't take too long to get to the next scene. -----signature----- Links to all fics -- http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25405090&brd=10304&start=26223917 The Heart of the Jedi -- http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/26013327 ---- Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, JA and everything you wanted to know about lightsabers
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BrightFeather Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 1/16/08 5:24am Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	Please don't kill off Qui-Gon! -----signature----- Padawan of Layren. Creator of Darth Cookie E-sis of DaenaBenjen42 and BrentusofGath. http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22518786/p1/?3 http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/22764026/p1/?2
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Independence1776 Registered: Feb '06	Date Posted: 1/20/08 12:08pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	I'm sorry for not responding earlier. With Nano, moving to another state, Christmas, and sheer laziness, I haven't been on tf.n. These two updates sent chills down my spine. Palpatine knows something is up, but not what. I have absolutely no idea how this is going to work out. I'm very, very worried for Qui-Gon's survival. Until the next update! -----signature----- "Independence forever." John Adams Padawan to Luna_Nightshade Fics in bio Mostly lurking at the moment
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 2/26/08 6:06pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07
	Jinngerbread – Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. I tried really hard to give a sense of what Obi-Wan is going through. He's been betrayed over and over again. And now he's going to go face Palpatine. And Palpy is a piece of work. Always trying to get ahead. Thanks for reading. Valairy_Scot – LOL on the Oscars. They were certainly circling around each other, spewing lies left, right and center, the lot of them. Yes, someone is going to die. It's Star Wars after all. It could be the good guys or the bad or a mix. You'll just have to see. But in this universe no one is safe. LOL on not killing Obi or Qui. Does that mean I can kill everyone else? Thanks for reading. Captain_Observant – Thanks. I had a great time trying to figure out how to get each of the players to be trying to outdo the others and yet not give anything away. But as you say, the Force warns even darksiders. As for the plan, with all plans, things change. Some might get better or maybe not. As for Obi, he's not really ready for this, physically or emotionally. He needs to get his balance back and I'm not sure he'll be able to before the time. He might play right into Palpy's hands, just as you said. Atel is trying to do the right thing. She knows how much her Master loves Qui-Gon, like a father. So by going she's helping to bridge her and Obi's differences. As for who dies, can't promise anything! I'm not a super fast quilter but I manage. I only do small ones. Thanks. Glad you liked it. Musing – It was quite a dance. The manipulations that were going on were making me dizzy! I think that Obi might be right, though. They are all crazy to be doing this but the Force is showing them that they need to hurry. Someone's likely to die. After all, it's Star Wars. What would the movies be like without mayhem and murder??? LOL. Can things get more tense? Sure!!! Hope you like the next part. Thanks so much for commenting. Ocelotl_Nesto – Yes, it was but it's a new year now. Yes, Obi is very shaken. He's had a lot to deal with in the past few days. Thanks so much for reading. Jaira – A little too intricate. That means that the plan will fail. Or not. You'll just have to see. Thanks. Kivas – Yes, I know but I am such a slow writer. I try to write faster but it just doesn't work. Thanks for reading. Leona – LOL on wanting to believe that Palpy is fooled. He's very crafty, that one and I'm sure he knows something is wrong and planning accordingly. Will he succeed? Only time will tell. Thanks about the fairytale. I'm enjoying the writing at the moment. It's been fun! The next post won't be so long. I had to break it up because otherwise it would have been about 12 pages and I feel that's too long for one post. Thanks so much for reading. Kitara – Palpy letting his guard down?? Not on your life. Unfortunately, you did have to wait but the next post (after this one won't be long. I'm almost done with it.) Thanks. Magier – No one should be trusting either the Jedi Council or Palpatine. They both have shown that they are willing to do just about anything to get what they want. But you are right. Obi needs to let go of his darker emotion if he's ever going to regain his balance. Qui-Gon can be quite stubborn. I think it's his middle name. As for Obi going with him, someone has to protect the big gundark. Atel is trying to do the right thing, however. At least she's not injured. Will Palpy's overconfidence get the best of him? Maybe. It did in the end in ROTJ. Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it. wolf_kenobi – A bad bad feeling. Ah, I'd say you are right on the money with that statement. It is rather a lot of plans and counterplans. I just hope it works out. As for a happy ending, define happy… for Palpy, killing all the Jedi would make him happy. Glad you liked it. bek – Obi-Wan certainly has issues. I think that Qui does understand that Obi isn't dealing well with things but he's really quite stubborn when it comes to doing what he thinks is right – even when it's wrong. I think that Qui would likely try to make things better for Obi if they had time but there is no time left. It's all coming to a head. I do think that Obi would not do well if Qui dies, though. He's already on the edge of things. Is Qui being stubborn or recapturing the past? I'd say more stubborn. That does seem to be his middle name. But you raise some valid points! Qui is driven by the Living Force and he seems to be ready to accept the Force's will even over his own wishes and desires. I hope that Obi can accept and regain his balance in time or that quote might just come true. Thanks so much! Nimloth – It's been a while. I'm really a very slow writer but I try to write as fast as I can. I'm happy that you are enjoying it and will continue to do so. Hooked? Well, I usually have a long time between posts. Sorry about that! LOL. I'm also a big fan of Qui-Gon, have been since the first few minutes of TPM. I'm glad you like my portrayal of him. LOL on the wife. Heck, he needed to have a good life after all that stuff happened to him. LOL on the jealousy. Thanks. Hope you enjoy the next post or two. Ara-gon – LOL Of course, Qui-Gon would go. He's a sacrificing fool! He will indeed walk into the trap if he thinks it's the right thing to do. You should be nervous. I'm not above killing anyone off here, even my favorite characters. I've done it before. The depletion of physical and emotional strengths is on purpose. If they walked into Palpy's office fully charged, what fun would that be? I'm thrilled that the dance worked. I was really trying to show everyone's agendas without giving anything away to the other characters. It was hard to keep track of everything. LOL. Thanks. I'm happy that you like the updates. Everything is coming to a head. A few more posts and this long, long story will finally be over! LOL. I knew some people might be reading the Killing characters thread. I didn't want to make it too easy. Tahi – LOL on the Qui -1, Palpy 0. Very funny! So you liked my little descriptions of all that death and mayhem. I must admit that I had fun writing that stuff, trying to make it sound beautiful and awful at the same time. I did throw in that comment about Amidala's negotiating just to show how petty Palpatine is. Glad you caught it. LOL on the high explosive pyre. I could see that. I'd enjoy it, too! I'm glad you think they are brave because they are. And desperate. Thanks about the descriptions. I love that stuff. I'm happy it came through for you. Thanks. ardavenport – No, actually not on the name choices. It was sort of deliberate but not nearly as much as it should have been. I tried to make him more evil this post but having him be mostly Sidious. I think when I go back and reedit (I've been cleaning up the story and fixing grammar/POV mistakes) and I'll see what I can do about the name thing. Yes, Palpy is pretty much evil incarnate as far as I'm concerned. And he likes it, too. There are traps and traps. We'll just have to see if the traps work. Thanks for reading! BrightFeather – LOL. Sorry, can't promise anything. Thanks. Independence1776 – Don't worry about not responding. Heck, I take forever to write so I'm responding to your response much later than I should. I hope the next post won't be nearly as long a wait! LOL on being worried about Qui-Gon. Yes, you should be worried about good guys and bad. Thanks for reading. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 11/2/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 2/26/08 6:12pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 12/11/07 - Date Edited: 2/28/08 4:44am (1 edits total) Edited By: dianethx
	Okay, quilting is done! Two of them are up on my website if you are curious. I hope to have another post for you by the weekend (keeping my fingers theoretically crossed). It's almost done. I had originally planned to include that post in this chapter but it's really too long with everything else so you are getting the rest of it now. Okay, when last we saw Anakin, he was very unhappy with Mace Windu. Have things changed for the better? Chapter 32 - The Consequences of Choice Another stone thudded into place. Anakin stood back, frowning down at the half-built wall. He'd been repairing the blasted thing for hours, using nothing but brute strength and primitive tools. The hand-sized laser drill had obviously been built in the last century and the other equipment was even older. The Bendu was short on supplies at the moment and everything that worked reasonably well had been given to someone else. Windu had insisted on it. The worst tools and the most back-breaking job at the Sanctuary - this was his punishment for attacking Kenobi. He wasn't allowed to use the Force either. Damn the man for being stubborn as a bantha and damn the rest of them, too. He should be breaking Qui-Gon out of that blasted Temple prison of his, not building a wall that no one cared about. He should be helping the Bendu defend themselves against the Republic slime, not standing here thinking about how to fit stones together. He should be going after the demon in black and red that had been haunting his dreams, not bowing to Windu's idea of proper behavior in a Bendu apprentice. The whole thing was nothing but poodoo. A trickle of sweat itched past his mouth and he swiped it away, irritated. There was rock dust clumped between his fingers and a long scratch on the back of one hand, with a bright line of blood reminding him of mistakes made in the past few minutes. The heat did nothing to help his fraying temper. It had been four days - four days of knowing that his Master was in pain, being tortured, maybe dying. It had been four days of Windu's platitudes and acceptance and his unrelenting insistence on letting Qui-Gon go to his fate without any chance of rescue. It had been four days of nightmares and visions polluting the Force, his dreams full of fire-storm agony, trapped desperation, suffocating darkness. He'd woken up screaming every night. Anakin Skywalker was sick of it. Sitting down, he wiped his face with his sleeve. The afternoon had been beautiful if he'd cared enough to notice, but now the sky was growing heavy with threatened storms. Clouds were thickening and he could almost taste thunder in the air. It matched his mood. He'd known that he would face expulsion from the Bendu and possible a prison term if he'd tried to rescue Qui-Gon. Master Windu had threatened to turn him over the Naboo authorities if he'd reneged on his promise and tried to rescue his Master; Anakin knew that Windu meant every word. That first night after his Master had been taken had been the hardest. He'd ached to go, but much as he'd told himself that he should defy Windu and leave anyway, even ignoring the threats of prison, the Force had made it abundantly clear that he was needed here. The compulsion to remain had only grown with time and he'd not been lying when he'd told Windu that he felt like he was being torn in two. The problem was he didn't know why he was supposed to stay. It made no sense at all. Bendu adepts were trained as well as the Jedi, maybe more so since they had fewer rules. They were on high alert with that damnable killer loose, too. If he were to leave Naboo and go after Qui-Gon, one less Bendu apprentice wouldn't make any difference for whatever was coming and he'd be able to rescue his Master from the Temple and bring him back to fight alongside the rest of the Bendu. Surely that was more important than obeying some kriffing Jedi edict. He hated it - the futility of it all, the not-knowing and Windu's incessant reminders about duty and keeping his word to Kenobi. He hated it. Looking down at the drying blood on his hand, he realized that he'd had enough - of everything. It was time to do something about it. He was going to go after Qui-Gon Jinn and nothing - not Windu nor the threat of prison nor the Force itself was going to stop him. Starting to rise, he put one hand out, steadying himself and.... Between one breath and the next, the vision took him. Shadows poured over the sun, a great churning mass of clouds that billowed bloody mist. As he watched, the wall, the Sanctuary, the mountains beyond, Naboo, the galaxy blackened into night - a color so deep that it pulled in all light, all life. Somewhere in the dark, he could hear a small child crying. Struggling to see, watching as the black roiled and pulsed, staring as the colors of the night fought for domination, he reached for his lightpike, hoping to turn back the darkness before it was too late. But the weapon was gone, the silver cylinder left on Coruscant when he'd tried to rescue Qui-Gon and failed. He was unarmed, helpless to stop the darkness, defeated. A pair of malevolent eyes now filled the sky. There was a sneering hiss and then a great bark of laughter. The black shattered and crimson began pouring out over the obsidian night, droplets flung wide like bloody stars in a dark sky - mixing, merging, melting into the demon that had haunted his dreams, a tattooed monster in black and red. The killer was standing before him, all sneered contempt, his double-bladed saber moving into an infinity loop of dried blood. The searing color blinded Anakin for a moment. When his eyes blinked clear again, he could see the madman still grinning, his face full of rotted teeth and anticipation. Behind him, mountains of mutilated bodies writhed and moaned. He could almost hear them crying for vengeance. Almost. But the voices merged into desperation and then into the broken sound of a young boy's grief. It was Ben, calling for Le'orath. Frantic, Anakin stepped forward, hoping to find Ben and keep him safe. But he was trapped in the vision, helpless, unarmed, defeated by the choices he'd made when he left Naboo, when he'd failed to rescue Qui-Gon. The scene changed again, color beating back the darkness. He was standing by the half-finished wall. A roaring in the atmosphere and as he looked up, a spaceship, black and menacing hurtled downward, trailing flames and oily smoke in the afternoon sky, spreading shadows in its wake. It shot past the Sanctuary, so close to the ground that Anakin ducked instinctively. As he stared, the vessel changed course and streaked toward the Jinn farm. There was a shriek of overheated metal and he could smell seared meat. Malice filled the air. As he watched, the soft afternoon light crystallized and shattered into dust. Suddenly he was in Qui-Gon's barn, his lightpike now in his hands, and the monster grinning at him. Anakin moved toward him, hoping to stop him somehow. His weapon was humming madly, wild discord and blue light streaking through the gloom. But there was a smear of red brilliance, then flashing agony in his right arm. As he flinched back, he could see his hand lying on the ground a meter away, still smoking, still holding onto his pike. He looked down to see glowing skin and seared bone and the pain drove into him. He screamed at the agony, the sound tearing his throat. He felt himself toppling to the ground and then his belly was melted open with another stab of searing light. His voice shredded into bloody meat as pain and defeat gutted him. He'd failed again. There was no one in sight. Mace Windu hadn't come with him. His head swam, his eyes rolling back as he began to lose consciousness but before the darkness destroyed him, there was one last thing - a roaring wall of flame engulfing everything, a high-pitched wail that gurgled into silence. And Ben was still crying. The vision let him go. Anakin stood there, chest heaving frantically, drawing in air as if he'd been without it for hours. He'd been screaming, too; he could feel it in his throat and the way his body hurt. There were bloody half-moon shapes in the palms of his hands where he'd clenched his fists so tight that the nails had cut into his skin. Every muscle in his body ached. He stumbled back, sitting down on the wall, trying to make some sense of it all. He forced himself to take several deep breaths and he let them out deliberately, trying to slow his racing heart, trying to clear his mind. The vision had been one of futures, different ones mixed up in a way that showed him the consequences of his choices. He'd gone to rescue Qui-Gon and failed; he'd stayed on Naboo and gone to rescue Le'orath and Ben alone and failed. He knew now why the Force had told him to stay. He was needed here. He was needed at the Jinn farm. Ben had been crying as if his heart were broken and he recognized the high-pitched agonized wail at the end. It was Le'orath. Ben and Le'orath were in trouble, perhaps today, perhaps now. They were unprotected at a time when the Jedi killer was on the loose. He had to talk to Master Windu before it was too late. He had to make sure Windu came with him to the Jinn farm, and pleaded, insisted, forced if necessary, Qui-Gon's family to come back with them to the safety of the Sanctuary. Now, it had to be done now. Before it was too late. ******************************** Anakin was never one to do things by half-measures. Dropping all pretense about obeying Kenobi's mandate or finishing that blasted wall when there were more important things to do, he ran over to the main building, desperate to see Master Windu. He knew he'd have to convince the Bendu Champion to act quickly. It would be no small task but it had to be done and soon. Already he could feel the currents of the Force clouding with shadow. That could mean only one thing - that the killer was nearing the complex. He could see that something was going on as soon as he neared the building. Janson and Denn and a couple of the other Agri-Corps personnel were moving equipment and weapons into speeders parked by the side entrance. Apparently, someone must have felt the same changes in the Force that he had. Normally, a mission would be serious business but there would also be time for small talk and a few smiles before the Bendu had to leave. Now, they were working quickly - no discussion, no easy camaraderie. This was serious. Pushing past them, he hurried toward Windu's office. He noticed that in one of the side rooms, several of the Bendu were talking rapidly to each other, checking on computer screens and vid feeds, muttering into commlinks. They paid no attention to him as he rushed past. Finally he arrived only to find Master Windu sitting at his desk, the calm center in a storm of activity. There was a crowd of beings around him, waiting patiently for answers. With each reply, they nodded and turned away, clearing the space for the next Bendu to ask their question. Anakin did not have time to waste. He shoved his way forward over the quiet protests of the others. As he opened his mouth, Windu ignored his agitation, saying calmly, flatly, "Skywalker, I don't have time for your theatrics. I...." Windu wasn't the only one who could cut through meaningless pleasantries. "Master Windu, the killer, the one I've been dreaming about. He's coming. He may be here already." Obviously trying to maintain his temper, Windu growled back, "What do you think we've been doing? He's butchered two more and we're trying to make sure those were the last he'll ever kill. Now wait your turn." "Two?!" Anakin realized that he might have been too late, after all. The anguish of it took his breath away. "Two... not Ben and Le'orath. Please, Master, not them." Looking startled, Windu reached for the datapad that another of the Bendu - Anakin recognized him as one of Janson's friends - had shoved in his direction. "No, not them. The murders were on the other side of Naboo. They were discovered about two hours ago. The two Bendu had been dead for at least half a day." He looked over the screen, nodded, apparently satisfied with what he'd read and gave it back to the man, saying, "Go to Otah Gunga. Take three guards with you and help Master Gallia and the others escort the children back here. No telling what that madman will do with innocents." "But Master, he'd have had time to get here. It doesn't take that long." Anakin couldn't keep the horror out of his voice. He looked around the room at the others. Set faces, eyes and sensing appendages hard with determination, a collection of former Jedi, Agri-Corps personal and newer members of the Bendu and they were all focused on one thing - capturing the killer and making sure he would never kill again. "Master, I'm sure he's at Qui-Gon's farm," Anakin insisted. He must have caught Windu's attention because he stopped, putting down yet another datapad, listening to him at last. "The Force sent me a vision and he was.... " "Enough, Skywalker, enough." With a sharp frown and an annoyed glare sent in Anakin's direction, Windu picked up the 'pad again, nodded, handed it back to a waiting hand and the crowd decreased by one. An older former Jedi, one Qui-Gon had known well at the Temple, stepped up. "Ranze, take Le'tzel and Hwet with you and see to the perimeters. Skywalker may be right about the killer having had time enough to reach the Sanctuary. Turn on the forcefields and lock down the buildings. Have our Tatooine guests moved to a more secure location. I don't want anything or any one to get through." When the three men left, Anakin thrust himself forward again, not willing to be ignored. "But Master Windu, what about Ben and Le'orath? They are in danger." The other Bendu were frowning at him, clearly unhappy with his interruptions, but Windu only took another datapad, looked at it, made some selection and handed it back. Then he looked straight at Anakin, brown eyes dark with worry, saying, "We don't have time to gather everyone up at the moment. There are several families not on site who are vulnerable, not just Qui-Gon's family. We've notified them and I've sent everyone available to escort the ones willing to come here back to this location." Windu looked down at a flimsiplast note that had been thrust into his hands while he had been talking to Anakin, nodded and pushed it to one side. It disappeared into the crowd and one more being left the room. "Le'orath has refused, saying that she's capable of handling it." "She's as stubborn as Qui-Gon and you know it. If we go to her, I'm sure we could...." Anakin was trying desperately to get Master Windu to see reason. He had to, for Le'orath's sake and Ben's. "I don't have the time." Windu snapped back and then taking a deep breath, rubbing one hand across his face as if to ease some pain there, he said mildly, "I have obligations to the Bendu, to the people who depend on us to keep them safe, Anakin. This facility...." Anakin had had enough of excuses. At the moment, all he cared about was the two people who had been almost family to him for ten years. "Put Master Ranze in charge. He's been with the Bendu and the Jedi long enough to know what to do. Or Janson. He knows more about the Sanctuary and how it's run than anyone else." Windu started to reach for another datapad but Anakin was growing impatient with all the bureaucratic poodoo. His voice rising sharp, he said, "Master, she'll ignore me but she'll listen to you. I know she will." "I don't have the time. You have my permission to go and see if you can talk some sense into her." Windu wasn't even looking at him. "The Force sent me the vision for a reason. The killer is at the farm or soon to be. If I go alone, I won't be able to stop him. They'll die and me with them and he'll get away again." Anakin kept getting louder and it didn't help that the Force was telling him to go more urgently with every breath. "I've seen it." "You don't know that for certain." The datapad clattered to the desk and Windu was frowning up at him, annoyed, immovable. "I have more important things to do than argue with you. You are dismissed, Skywalker." And he turned away. "E chuta!" Anakin slapped his hand flat on the desk, a blaster shot of sound. "You are not listening. Listen!" The room fell silent as everyone looked at him in shock. As Windu started to rise up, Anakin thrust his face forward, almost nose to nose with the Master, both of them glaring at the other. "The Force is telling me that the killer is at the Jinn farm or will be soon. You can hate me or arrest me or tell me to go to hell but listen to the Force. You are supposed to do that, aren't you? Or are you too blind with your obligations that you can't see the truth?" "I've had enough, Skywalker." Windu was as angry as Anakin had ever seen him. "Enough of your tantrums. Enough of your temper. Get out of my sight before I turn you over to the Naboo authorities and let them deal with you. Jinn was too lenient with you and this is the result. Now get out!" Anakin jerked back, suddenly and desperately afraid that he'd blundered this beyond all repair. He didn't care about himself but if Le'orath and Ben died because of his stupidity, he'd never forgive himself. "Master, I...." "Out!" A hasty whisper of apology and Anakin backed away and ran out of the room. He was cursing all the way back to the armory, angry with Windu for being so blind and with himself for not getting the Master to see reason. He knew that if he'd been more mindful, if only he'd gone about it another way, Windu might have agreed. Letting out a deep sigh, he realized that he was only lying to himself. Mace Windu had always disliked him and they usually fought like boar-wolves whenever they had to work with each other. He would never have agreed to anything Anakin wanted, even if it was important. Now he'd have to go to the Jinn farm alone and try not to get everyone killed. "Kriffing bureaucrats. Kriffing Masters with heads up their...." Ignoring the others in the weapon's room, he was rifling through the stockpile, gathering up equipment, Force-cuffs and cortosis gauntlets and a couple of blasters just in case when a voice interrupted his tirade. "Anakin, I could go with you." "What?" Anakin glanced up to see Denn standing there, lightpike in hand, looking both sheepish and eager. "Denn, why aren't you helping with the equipment?" "I heard your shouting match with Master Windu. Most of us did. If you need someone to go with you, I'll go." Denn seemed determined to appear as if he could take on a demon killer by himself but all he did was emphasize how very young he was. "You've only just finished saber training. This rsshak slime has defeated Temple-trained Jedi and Bendu." Anakin desperately needed backup but this kid wasn't it. It would only get Denn killed, maybe all of them killed. He shook his head. "I'm sorry but I need the best swordsman in the Bendu if we are going to defeat this killer. Since Qui-Gon is not here or Master Yoda, that means Windu. If he'd only listen." Denn looked disappointed but also relieved. He said shyly, "I think Master Windu will listen if you asked him the right way." "I did ask him." Anakin wasn't in the mood to hear how he'd managed to foul up everything - even if it was true. "Yes, you did but your way. Shouting and demanding and impatient. Maybe you should plead instead of demand. Begging if it's that important." Anakin stood there, mouth open, staring at Denn. The kid had no idea of what he was saying. Begging was for the helpless - slaves whose backs were stripped with bloody scars or children so thin that they seemed to melt away into death while crying for food or boys watching their mothers being beaten or sold away. Begging was blood in his mouth and fists raised to strike him and fear in his chest. Begging was for the desperate, the hopeless, the dying. Begging was for the weak. "I don't beg," Anakin said flatly. He drew back, turning away, looking for the final few items he'd need before he went to face the killer alone. "Even if it means that Qui-Gon's family might die if you don't?" Denn was too persistent, asking things that Anakin didn't want to think about. It didn't matter, though. Windu had said no. "He won't listen." "Maybe not to you but he'll listen to the Force." The kid didn't know when to shut up. "If you remind him." It was impossible. Windu had sent him away. To go back now and ask, even to beg, was impossible. Windu might just blow a hyperdrive and have him arrested. At least this way, he was free to go to Le'orath and Ben and protect them both, maybe get her to change her mind before it was too late. "Denn, I...." But the kid wasn't listening. He was looking at Master Windu. While they were arguing, Windu had entered the armory, and was talking to a group of beings at the far end of the room. One large hand full of datapad and the other curled around a commlink, he looked stern and clearly unhappy. "Master Windu," Denn called out, raising his hand and motioning him over. "Master, a moment of your time." Windu's gaze flicked toward Denn, then as he saw Anakin standing there, a sudden frown cut into his face. Nodding to the others, he walked over to them, and ignoring Anakin, said, "Denn, I'm busy. It will have to be quick." Denn smiled up at Master Windu and then pointed to him. "Anakin has something to ask you." The Master's eyes narrowed and he looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth. For a moment, he said nothing and then staring at Anakin, he growled out, "Did you put him up to this?" Shaking his head, Denn said quickly, "No, Master Windu, it wasn't like that but I think you should listen to what he has to say." His mouth flattening down to a thin line, Mace Windu glared vibroshivs at Anakin but nodded. "What is it, Skywalker?" He knew he didn't have much time. Le'orath and Ben needed him to say the right thing, do the right thing. "Please Master Windu, I need you to come with me to the farm. The Force is telling me that the killer is there. He'll destroy them both and I won't be able to stop him alone." He could see that his chance was slipping away. His contrite voice, his face earnest and pleading and still Master Windu was looking at him like a bug. He could almost hear Windu's reply snaking up his throat. It wasn't going to be enough. Denn was right. He'd tried to persuade Windu his way and it wasn't going to work. There was only one thing left to do and much as he hated the very thought, their lives were worth more than his wounded pride or the shiver of memories down his back. Going down onto one knee, his head bowed in surrender, he murmured, "Please, I'm... I'm begging you. Before you say no, ask the Force. Please, Master Windu, ask the Force." He could feel the shock reverting around the room. The buzz of conversation died; even Master Windu said nothing. With every beat of his heart, Anakin waited for the strike, for the sarcastic reminder that Windu thought he was nothing but trash and had always been nothing but trash, for the final words that would prove that even begging would never have been enough to get the Bendu Master to listen. There was a sound of creaking leather and the clearing of a throat close by. Flinching back, he dared to glance up. Master Windu was looking down at him in astonishment and then seeming to collect himself, he murmured, "Anakin, get up." As he slowly rose, still bewildered by the lack of scathing reply, he was even more astonished to hear the Bendu Master say, "I have a few minutes before the first of the families arrive. I will seek the Force's guidance but if I get no indication of a problem with Qui-Gon's family, this discussion is over. Do you understand me?" He could only nod. "Yes, Master Windu." "Take five minutes to clean up. I'll be in my office. Come to me when you are done. I'll have an answer for you then." Turning away, Master Windu didn't wait for him to reply. The Bendu was already speaking into his comlink and hurrying out the door. Anakin took him at his word - for once. Whispering thanks to Denn, he smiled and sprinted off, looking for an available speeder to put the weaponry in and then a place to wash off the stone dust and dried blood on his hand. He didn't have much time. He could only hope that Windu would accept what the Force was going to tell him, that he was willing to let others handle the situation at the Sanctuary and come with Anakin to the Jinn farm, that he realized that the killer was there or almost there and that they had to hurry. He hoped that it would be enough. It was exactly five minutes later when he poked his head into the office. Master Windu was sitting at his desk, eyes closed, fingers steepled. Anakin could feel the movement of the Force in the air, the taint of terror coloring the currents in black and red blood as the Master searched for answers. When Windu finally opened his eyes, Anakin knew what he would say. "Is the speeder ready? Weaponry?" "Blasters, cortosis gauntlets, Force cuffs. A second lightpike for each of us. Just in case. The speeder is out front, ready to go." He had no time for satisfaction, only relief. With Master Windu there, it might be enough to defeat the killer and save the Jinns - if they got to the farm before it was too late. Master Windu grabbed his lightpike and his commlink, hurried toward the door. "You drive, Skywalker. It should shave off a few minutes." He was striding down the hallway so fast that Anakin was hard-pressed to keep up. "I'll be coordinating things with Janson over the commlink. Just in case this is a wild bantha chase." Scurrying down the stairs and jumping into the driver's seat, Anakin said breathlessly, "Yes, Master." "And Anakin?" As he climbed into the speeder, Master Windu said sharply, "Hurry!" -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 11/2/09 jedidas3's Master Merlin - Diplomatic Immunity - http://boards.theforce.net/nswff/b10808/30459852
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Jinngerbread Registered: Sep '07	Date Posted: 2/26/08 6:26pm Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 2/26/08 - Date Edited: 2/26/08 6:32pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Jinngerbread
	Echoing what I said earlier, I'm just so relieved that Anakin put his pride aside long enough to do what was necessary and took Denn's counsel before it was too late. At least even if it is too late, it's not because Anakin was prideful and didn't do what he should have in asking for help, and so very glad Master Windu listened to the Force, though I still worry You should see my poor jagged nails, and they're all your fault! I'll have to send you the bill for my manicure -----signature----- Miscellaneous http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/29654978/p1 2009 diary challenge entry All That Slithers is Goa'uld http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/29365461
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Musing Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 2/27/08 3:17am Subject: RE: Betrayal (Obi/Qui angst - very AU) Updated 2/26/08
	Fighting like boar-wolves...that about sums up the relationship between Mace and Anakin. I loved the even-handed way you portray them both, dianethx, in that Mace is just as stubborn and prideful as Anakin. While Anakin should have chosen a different approach at the outset, Mace should have consulted the Force first instead of dismissing Anakin's visions outright. In a way, I think Mace is more to blame for the antagonism between himself and Anakin - as a former Jedi Master and councilor, he's older and more experienced with people of all ages. He's let his dislike of Anakin get in the way of dealing with him more constructively. Although, I do hope that Anakin's mature enough not to say "I told you so" when they arrive at the Jinn home. One of my favorite posts - really top-notch, dianethx!
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