Before - Legends Dark Accusations (JA, Obi/Qui ) UPDATE (finally!) 26 Aug/05

You may have seen this on the classic forums and it's been dormant for a bit, so here I am on a mission to post more often!

Title: Dark Accusations
Author: Arwen Jade Kenobi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst
Timeframe: JA (Obi's 14)
Summary Obi-Wan is severely beaten on a mission, and Qui-Gon is charged with Attempted Murder. Will the star witness wake up in time?
======================
Part 1

I have a bad feeling about this

Obi-Wan Kenobi, age fourteen, rushed down the back alleys of the capital city of Urnan. The Rebels were on him, they'd already nabbed his lightsaber. He slipped and fell into a puddle of mud, he rose to his feet and kept running, clutching his stomach as he ran. He wished that Qui-Gon was here.

But Qui-Gon was probably looking for him he realized. The Rebels had kidnapped him and had planned to hold him hostage until the planet's government consented to reform their policies towards the poor. Obi-Wan and his Master had been sent to guard the Prime Minister from any possible kidnapping or assassination attempts.

Well, look who they got instead of you Prime Minister Granhef

Obi-Wan dashed into the doorway of an abandoned help and pressed himself against the inside wall. It took every ounce of will power to keep his ragged breathing down as the angry mob rushed pass him, their mud drenched footsteps fading into the night. The young Jedi Apprentice, slid to the floor and attempted to regain his breath. He had to get back to the palace, to let Qui-Gon know that the Rebels were getting violent. He stood and turned towards the door.

Suddenly, someone pulled the back of his tunic and threw him to the floor. Obi-Wan's head whipped back as he hit the stone floor with a crack. Obi-Wan tried to get up, but a foot connected with his ribs. He gasped and then breath refused to come to him, the foot came down again and again. The Padawan managed to roll away, with great pain, and tried to get up.

But, his assailant grabbed his left arm and twisted it. Obi-Wan chocked back a scream as he heard the bone snap, he crumpled to the floor again pain racing through him.

//Qui-Gon!!!//

He raised his eyes in time for a blow to hit the side of his face, then the other. He ducked and managed to get a solid hit with his good arm, the attacker faltered.

Obi-Wan rushed up the stairs, stumbling with pain as he supported his broken and his ribs screamed for release. He tried to run up the last few steps, but his legs gave out.

//Help//

The attacker caught up, grabbed him by the leg and planted a well positioned blow on his chest with a club.

This time Obi-Wan did scream, each decible pronouncing his agony. The attacker, dragged him up the stairs, all 12 flights. More pain raced through him, his head pounded in time with the throbbing of the pain as he was dragged.

When they reached the top, the attacker pulled him to his feet and pushed him hard against the wall. Obi-Wan groaned hard as his back connected with the wall.

//Master...//

He felt hands wrap around his throat, his hands were to beaten to try and pry them away. He saw pinwheels of colour at the corner of his vision, as he felt his air supply weaken.

A smart blow across his head brought him to the floor again, he lay still, eyes closed and breathing in small rasps.

Obi-Wan felt him self being picked up and carried over to a window.

Oh please no!

He felt the strong hold of the attackers hands slip, he felt himself falling. He waited for death to come and claim him, before he hit the ground he saw his attackers face.

Shock was the last thing he felt before the darkness took him
-----------------

Qui-Gon Jinn tensed as he heard the cries of his Padawan over the bond, then silence. He tried to reach the boy, if he heard he didn't answer.

"Are you all right Master Jinn?" Qui-Gon snapped his attention to the security agent who had appeared next to him.

Qui-Gon didn't answer that question, instead grilled the man on the

 

Part 2

Qui-Gon Jinn had hoped that the guards would keep him in his cell, bring him his meals for him to eat in solitude. In fact, he would have much preferred to have his meals withheld than have to go take his meals in the main mess hall with the other prisoners.

But that was exactly what he was to do. He had to get his meal, take a seat with Urnan?s murderers, drug dealers and thieves. In short, the Jedi Master was going to be breaking bread with the scum of this planet.

Qui-Gon walked into the mess hall, the shackles he wore around his ankles dragging across the floor with each step. The sound made Qui-Gon wonder if he was doomed to spending the rest of his days in this place, never to be free again, never see his friends again.

Never see Obi-Wan again.

The thoughts of Obi-Wan, alone, comatose in the Med Centare had plagued him most of the night. If only he could tell if Obi-Wan was getting any better, if only he would wake up..

Do you want Obi-Wan wake because of his health, or just so he can save your neck?

It was a question that he had been thinking over a lot, did he want his apprentice well for Obi-Wan?s sake or his own?

I don?t care if I?m here for life, I just want to see that he?s okay

He walked into the mess hall, no words could better explain it than it?s name. It was simply a mess. There was graffiti on the durasteel walls, proclaiming vulgar sayings of a kind that Qui-Gon had never thought he??d live to see. There were two rows of six tables, each one looking as if they had been made of separate types of material. There was a bench on either side, almost all were filled, he saw that neither of the spaces were a welcome position to be in.

The guards behind him shoved him towards the food line, at once Qui-Gon wished that he had been made to starve, the smells filling his awareness was enough to make a rodent sick. Seeing no other alternative, he picked up a plate and allowed the stingy old woman fill his plate with some kind of bubbling slime. He grabbed a bottle of water, sure that he would need it later.

Qui-Gon surveyed the hall again, seeing with gratitude that there was a solitary seat over to the left or the room. He took his seat and stared down at his food, was it moving?? Before he could determine the validity of his observations, three large beings sat down across from him.

They were all human, two males, one female, each looking quite disagreeable and menacing. Qui-Gon gave them a nod of acknowledgment. ?What can I do for you??

?You?re the one who tried to kill their apprentice right?? asked the man sitting in front of him, he had several scars on his face and his fingers were stained with the colour of a certain narcotic that Qui-Gon could not remember the name of. The Jedi Master did not allow reaction to show, but inside he was uneasy. Even the convicts were probably seeing him as some sort of psycho, but something got his attention, a feeling he had never sensed from someone on this sort of a subject.

It was understanding.

The first man didn?t wait for Qui-Gon to answer. ?I know how it is,? he said in an almost sympathetic tone. ?They piss you off so much, there?s nothing left for you to do but terminate them.? He shrugged and laughed gruffly. ?My brat was like that, he was always sticking his nose where it didn?t belong, trying to tell me that I was wrong, resisting the beatings I gave him. You know the drill.?

His companions smirked and laughed. The female grinned sadistically. ?Same problem with my kid, she was running away all the time. I made sure she would never run away again.? She winked at Master Jinn. ?I knocked her out with an anaesthetic, and left her in the tub to drown.?

Qui-Gon stared wide eyed at the woman, who was laughing and shoveling the gruel into her mouth. How could she talk so...freely and jokingly about murdering her own child.

The second man slapped the woman on the back. ?Man you are cruel, a blaster to the head was all that managed to get rid of my brat! Best thing

 

Part 3

It is of belief, for beings belonging to any religion, that there is a large space in between the Land of the Living and the Realm of The Dead. But it isn?t a place where those lost souls wait until the Force calls them back to life or death...

They become the Perdun - Lost One. One is used in the singular tense because the souls loose their sense of individuality and succumb to the bliss of a mindless limbo. Many remain there until the pull of Death becomes too strong for the tired soul, they pass on without ever noticing the difference until much later.

The Perdun had claimed a new member recently. He slept in almost a dreamlike trance, feeling nothing except the warm hum of all the other minds trapped here with him. He knew no pain, only a blissful happiness that his simplified state couldn?t allow him to describe.

He did not know of the pain that his body was feeling. He did not reflect to what had caused him to be here. He did not feel the pitiful attempts of his Master to reach him, he knew nothing of his Master?s trouble.

He knew nought of anything that Obi-Wan Kenobi knew. For Obi-Wan Kenobi did not exist here.

There was only the Perdun.

- - - - -
Qui-Gon Jinn sat the same table he had chosen his first day here. The same company sat at the far end, choosing to not speak to him anymore. For that, he was grateful, thank the Force for small miracles.

Maybe this meant that he had some hope. That he would be freed from this place and the real culprit would be brought to justice. Qui-Gon?s hopes soared for the briefest of milliseconds. . .

The he realized that, even should he somehow be found innocent, it didn?t mean that Obi-Wan would wake up. Would Obi-Wan even be all right again? Would he have to be kept in an institution all his life? Qui-Gon closed his eyes, he was far to young for that fate. But, Qui-Gon knew, that it could happen.

Though Obi-Wan?s death was far more probable.

You can?t go on like this Qui-Gon. You have to hold on to something

But there was nothing certain in his life anymore. Nothing he could even try to hold onto, not even hope.

The only thing that was certain, was that he was going on trial in only two short hours.

- - - - -

Saline Ne?hera put her pen down on the small desk in the corner of her temporary quarters in the Med Centre. This was her first report on the Padawan that lay in a coma in the next room, and it wasn?t positive in the slightest.

Obi-Wan was slipping away from them at a very slow rate. Technically, there was still hope for him, but Saline would not count on it. No medicine she could give would bring him out of it. His wounds would heal, but that didn?t assure that he would wake up. Nothing was certain in his case.

The Twi?lek sighed in defeat. There was nothing she could do for him except treat his wounds. Qui-Gon would say that she had done all she could when this was over. Saline didn?t care, Obi-Wan was like a nephew to her in the great Jedi family. Losing him was something she would half to face if he got any worse.

All she could do was help Qui-Gon in whatever way she could. It would have to suffice for now.

Saline?s eyes set in determination. She would do everything within her power to make the jury see that Qui-Gon Jinn was an innocent man. The Healer-Knight rose to her feet and picked up her papers to hand in at the Front Desk.

All I have is hope that Qui-Gon will be free and that Obi-Wan will pull through. At least it?s something

- - - - -
Den Calthorpe sat nest to Obi-Wan Kenobi, gripping his friend?s hand. ?I?m going to your Master?s Trial now,? he informed his friend, ?We won?t be gone all day.?

What a stupid thing to say. Like he?d noticed how long I?ll be gone

He hoped that the mention of Qui-Gon?s trial got through to him, maybe motivate whatever was left of the Padawan to shock medical science yet again. Den was heavily depending on that history of making radical improvements from a s

 

Part 4

Saline Ne?hera shifted uncomfortably in the hard, bench-like, seat she had settled into. The court room bustled with mindless gossip mixed with meaningful analysis as beings filed into the small building to see how the trial of a Jedi Master would turn out. The Healer-Knight turned to Den, who sat with unbelievable calm. Saline couldn?t detect one hint of worry from her Padawan. The Twi?lek leaned over to her apprentice to question him on his admirable calm.

Den winked at her, his eyes letting her see through the facade. ?All I have is faith and hope in this whole messed up thing. Better to hold onto that than nothing at all.?

True words Padawan, true words

But, it didn?t make the waiting any easier. She was sitting about three rows back from the table where Qui-Gon Jinn and Kris Frabz would be sitting. Adjacent to it, was the matching table where Prime Minister Krio Granhef would present the case against Qui-Gon Jinn. In the middle, straight across from the narrow aisle way, was the tall desk where the judge would sit. On the left, beside the defendant table, was where the jury would sit. The nine people that would decide the fate of Qui-Gon.

Saline?s braintails were twitching in anxiety, cornered between her back and the back rest of her seat. She preformed the Jedi Calming Technique in a last-ditch attempt to calm herself down, as well as stop the people behind her from making a move to cut them off. The Master was brushed slightly by the amusement of her student, she made no move to reprimand him. She was too nervous to care.

The woman writhed her hands together while darting violet eyes towards the chrono on the wall to her right. What was taking so long? They were supposed to have filed in at least half an hour ago.

A creaking noise filled the room and Saline?s eyes returned to the small door by the left side of the judge?s desk. A queue of nine walked out and sat down in the jury box. Four males, Five females. Five were human, two were silver skinned Astra, the other was a Bith. Saline noted the majority of women of the jury. She hoped that the Prime Minister didn?t pick the jury and was attempting to play of the softer side of females.

Speaking of the devil?s advocate, stepping out from that same door was the dark haired Prime Minister. Kiro was dressed in a black business suit and quickly took his seat to the table on Saline?s right. The woman kept her tongue in check and contented to glare daggers at the man. She didn?t believe that he had reluctantly accepted the role of prosecutor. Saline would bet credits that he had pushed to have the job. Damn him and his reputation, she hoped a scandal would break out soon. Den was muttering profanely under his breath, and Saline, once again, didn?t bother to reprimand him.

But, there was one word at the end of the long string that she had never head before. She mentioned this to Den. His brown eyes were angry as he repeated the word in question and his Master nodded.

?That is a Sanderai word that has no Basic translation,? he recited in a tight voice. ?It?s the most vile thing to call any being. It?s not right for me to say it, but I can?t help it.?

Saline placed her hand in Den?s as she made a mental note to tell Arwen Jade Dumais to stop teaching her boyfriend Sanderai curses. ?Well, have a session on that tonight. When we go back to the...hospital.? The last word had to be forced out of her throat. Saline?s student nodded in understanding and squeezed her green hand before releasing it.

A hush came over the audience as the door where they had all came in opened. Saline?s head turned as one with her Padawan and the others around her. The first to step through was Major Kris Frabz, his gray eyes fixed on the judge?s desk in front of him. Then, they flickered to a clutch of people on the other side of the room.

?Frabz?s family,? Den reported with a gloomy sort of tone. ?His wife is strongly against him fighting for Qui-Gon like this.?

?We owe him more

 

Part 5

?Now, Qui-Gon. Are you sure that no one but the Jedi knew about that incident??
Qui-Gon nodded furiously at Kris. ?No one knew a thing, save for those involved and our close friends.? The Jedi?s face was calm, but inside he was anything other than it. Melida/Daan was an incident that both he and his apprentice had worked hard to put behind them. The mention of it in the courtroom only a few minutes ago was enough to pull painful memories back into his consciousness. Each one, as painful as they were on the day itself.

?Qui-Gon??

The elder man pulled himself out of his thoughts to meet Kris?s anxious gray eyes. ?Sorry, Kris, this whole thing has taken me by surprise.?

The lawyer took his seat and glanced hurriedly at the chrono on the wall. Qui-Gon knew that they only had a few seconds left before he was dragged back to the prison for the evening. His thoughts reflected bitterly on evening meal, for it would no doubt be as horrid as the previous ones.

?Master Jinn.? Kris?s voice pulled him back to reality once more. The tone was deadly serious. ?Den Calthorpe goes on the stand tomorrow, I know there is a shortened trial tomorrow because of the commitment of some of the jury members. They will only have time for Den, you will go on the next day. Melida/Daan will be a subject of great interest for the Prime Minister. I need a full back story and the names of all who know.?

Qui-Gon inclined his head and was about to speak when the prison guards appeared to lead him away. Despair seized him briefly as he heard Kris yell out a promised visit for later tonight. Qui-Gon had that small amount of time to ponder everything about Melida/Daan and it?s aftermath.

That was not a pleasant thought to be left with.

- - - - -

Kris Frabz filed the last few of his papers away in his briefcase, the snap of the fasteners echoed in the empty room as he picked it off of the desk. This first day had not gone as well as he had anticipated. The revelation of the Melida/Daan incident was unexpected and obviously was intended to stay within the walls of the Jedi Temple.

Someone had tipped Kiro off, that much was obvious. The question was who, and Kris could not believe that Saline or Den had done it. Not after Saline?s emotional display on the witness stand and the look on the boy?s face. No, there was no way they did it.

Perhaps Qui-Gon would have some answers when he visited. He made his way to the door of the room and was immediately greeted with voice recorders and holocams as questions about the days proceedings were shot at him at him. The security officer turned attorney preformed the only option available to him: he slammed the door in their faces.

The door was locked, yes, but Kris knew that there wouldn?t be a door standing there for very long if he knew reporters. There was no other way out of this room save for the door that led to the courtroom, no doubt Kiro was basking in glory in there. The man?s teeth grit as he heard a pounding at the window.

He turned and locked eyes with gray ones that were much like his. Her blonde hair was tied back into a long braid and her beautiful face was in a grin as she lifted the window open. ?Care for a lift, Dad??

?Mira?? Kris was surprised at the sight of his eldest daughter, she was supposed to be away for her lawyer in training apprenticeship. ?I thought you were on Courscant!?

She winked. ?I was, then I passed. I?m a lawyer with all the certifications. I?m here to help you out, Force knows you need some family with you. Now come on, the press are all inside and I have my speeder waiting.?

The father grinned at his daughter and stepped through the window as dignified as he could under the circumstances. The young woman led him through the ankle deep snow as more started to fall on the pair. Mira walked beside him a short distance ahead until they reached the small speeder pulled up to the side of the road. With the pair of them settled in, Mira started the engines and started to dr

 

Yeah! Glad to see you're back!! and that this story will be updated.

Shivers. Still creep as ever.

 

2 years [face_shocked] but more is coming sooner right?

 

It's alive!

 

Wow! This is soooo great!! The Qui angst is awsome! Can't wait for the next postie!! Great work! And with them following the laws of the planet, even better! hehehehe the Healer loosing her cool was a nifty touch too!

 

I remember reading this story before!

I'm glad it's back, and I'm looking forward to more.

 

You're resuming this? It lives?! Hurrah!!!!! I think I've read (and re-read) it a dozen times, if I've read it once. It had such a promising premise. I would say it's an emulsion of noir and hope--eventually it's gonna settle out, but for now it's hard to tell *how*, which is important in a mystery.

So, thanks for posting this. It's definitely worth a revisiting.

 

Well, I guess this is a common time for resurrecting old stories. I rescued one of my abandoned stories a few weeks ago and I've been in the middle of a major overhaul. Fun stuff!

I remember reading part of this story a while back and liking it very much. I hope you continue to post it, Arwen, and quickly. I think it's great that you've rescued this story, because I remember being extremely disappointed when there was no ending.

I really wanna know what little canary sang about Melida/Daan. Is there an old enemy out there pulling strings, or does someone just not like the Jedi and are trying to discredit them.

I also like your characterization of Qui-Gon. He's a tough head to get into, but I can see your Qui-Gon perfectly as the same guy who was in Episode 1 and also in the JA books.

As a last note, MORE PLEASE!!! And soon!

Kathleen

 

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I honestly didn't expect many people to have been waiting for the continuation. I'm really sorry that I don't have a post right now, but I'm working on it. I haven't really had a chance to sit down and finish it yet. Just give me another day or two and we'll be good to G.O.

 

Toppers, juz so folks can have access to it!

 

*de-lurks*

I was wondering when this story would start up again.

*re-lurks*

 

*sigh* I hate cliffhanger.... I hope you post soon!

*waits patiently*

~Darklighter

 

Yeah, cliffhangers alone are enough to make the Dark Side look pretty damned appealing.

ARWEN!

looks around

Damn, that usually works.

Kath

 

Hey, just found this story, and I'm pretty far behind. Only about halfway through, actually. Still, just wanted you to know that you're doing a good job, and keep it up!

 

upping!!!

 

Okay, I finally caught up to the rest of you! Wow, what a great mystery this is. Who beat Obi-Wan? What is the hope for Obi-Wan's awakening? how intrigueing! I really can't wait for the next postie!

 

wow... this is awesome! keep going pleassseee!

 

up...

 

hello- anyone home?

 

UP!

 

I'm beginning to experience symptoms of withdrawal here, Arwen!

Just for fun, how about all of us comes up with one thing that will never be said in Episode 3.

My first contribution:

"Man, you Nubians are seriously ****ed in your heads. You elect twelve-year old little girls and eighty-year old men to public office and you have the nerve to complain about us? And exactly who was the one who sicced JarJar on us?" --any Republic Senator (but preferably Bail Organa)

Kath