For Those that Have None (Qui/Obi) Updated 01/18/03

Prologue

Obi-Wan Kenobi brushed the curtain aside to the safehouse he and his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had stashed the Toolarian ambassdador until they could arrange for safe passage off planet. Tolar 1 had sent its lead negotiator along with the Jedi to settle the unrest on the systems smallest planet, Tolar 7. Negotiations had not gone well, not from the start, and definitely not at the end.
Tolar 7 had become disenchanted with the union the Toolarians in this sector had enjoyed for thousands of years. Tolar 7 wanted the seat of government with direct power or they would take it by force. Once the Jedi had realized that the negotiations had failed and that they and Ambassador Vorzan could be used as hostages, they had called their ride back and had gone into
hiding until its arrival.

The governor of Tolar 7 had called for help from both the Jedi and Tolar 1 before the resistance had killed the governor and taken their opposition, gathering them into prison. Not that the majority of the resistance were cold hearted killers, but the leaders were. Silky tounged beings
who had convinced the considered lower class of Tolar 7 that they had no choice if their children were to survive, but in fact only sought to further their power by oppressing their people.

Crouched down in a darkened safe, with torch fires lit like red lightsabers hunting them, saving an ambassador from being murdered by his home planet, it was not Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's most shining moment. Relief coursed through Obi-Wan like the aroma of warm tea when their shuttle, painted red to show it's diplomatic immunity, touched down in its pre-arranged grove of tress. The trees were meant for cover and were the closest thing to thick Tolar 7 could afford in the dead of its winter cycle.

"Master," Obi-Wan hissed, "our shuttle has arrived." He half crawled to his Master's side and slouched against the wall, wrapping his Jedi robe closer around him, blocking the cold winter breeze.

"The sooner we're off Tolar 7 the better," Qui-Gon whispered back. "Our charge is growing nervous."

"With good cause, Master," Obi-Wan shot back, trying to hide his apprenhension. "We are certainly outnumbered."

Qui-Gon eyed his Padawan curiously, this did not sound like his usual optimistic apprentice, ready to face any unspeakable odds. Obi-Wan didn't turn away nor did he fully meet Qui-Gon's gaze. "I'm sure there're many out there waiting for us and that we will be spotted quickly by at
least one or two of them. But no matter what happens; continue to push the Ambassador straight for the shuttle." Qui-Gon instructed Obi-Wan, focusing the boys mind on the battle ahead and away from his nervous apprehension. But the two seemed to be connected.

Obi-Wan, afraid of a battle? Qui-Gon asked himself. No, it wasn't fear that tugged at his Padawan's heart, it was something else. Something Obi-Wan was fighting against deep inside him where Qui-Gon could not get in and wouldn't dare invade. He would trust Obi-Wan to come to him if need be or figure it out on his own. His Padawan was nothing but resourceful.

Silently, obi-Wan nodded and crouched/crawled into the adjoining room where Ambassador Vorzan lay sleeping on a rickety old time cot. Qui-Gon watched him with something akin to fatherly concern then turned to the vacated window to plot their course to the warmed up shuttle. They were lucky it was Tolar 7's night cycle and that the trunks of the Sela tree's were wide enough for the threesome to hid behind. Still, it was going to be a difficult run to the shuttle and not be seen. If it had been just him and Obi-Wan there would have been no problem, but the Toolarian Ambassador had not been trained to disappear into shadow, to run or walk without the slightest whisper of cloth or the snap of breaking tigs. Nevertheless, Qui-Gon felt confident that
they could make it to the shuttle with the minimalist of incident.

Just as Qui-Gon solifidied their course, Obi-Wan came crawling back with the Toolarian
ambassador behind him. Qui-G

 

Great beginning, ZaraValinor.

Please post more.

 

I second that!

 

I agree too! Very good... please give us more... soon!!

 

Hey thanks. I'm glad you liked it.

I'll try to get the first chapter up tonight, but if I can't it will be tomorrow.

This is the first book in a triology that will follow mainly Obi-Wan. It's kind of a prequel triology to my other story "Pattern of the Force" which is also a first book in a triology. Some of the things in Pattern will be answered in this and latter books.

Thanks.

 

Very detailed and certainly an enthralling read. About time there was some real detailed added on the Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan relationship.

 

great start

 

Chapter One:

Qui-Gon walked away from the communications unit with an aggravated mixture of frustration and anger. Emotions that only seemed to rise after a difficult conversation with the Council, which the Jedi Master had just participated in. The Council, in their high and infinite wisdom,
were sending him and Obi-Wan on yet another mission. Despite his protests that Obi-Wan was still healing from the disaster of the last. In face, even now, his Padawan was being extracted from the bacta tank he had been submerged in for over a standard day. However, it wasn't so much Obi-Wan's physical state then his mental state that bothered Qui-Gon.

Master and Padawan hadn't seen any down time in recent memory. Qui-Gon could count nine
different sectors in the last season alone, and many more before that. So long in the field without rest breaks could strain even the strongest Master/Padawan team and he and Obi-Wan were no exception. They were over due for a break.

However, Qui-Gon had to admit that if they had had the same schedule five years ago, that they had now, he would have been beyond the breaking point of exhaustion. Obi-Wan's twenty-second birthday had passed while they had been negotiating on Tolar 7, marking their ninth year together as Master and Apprentice. Each passing year Obi-Wan brought more and more to the many missions the Council or the Chancellor sent them on. His insight concerning the unifying Force was so different from Qui-Gon's, who tended to focus on the living Force, brought the Jedi Master new avenues in which to pursue a problem. Obi-Wan had even been able to bring difficult groups to mediation where Qui-Gon had failed repeatedly. Needless to say, Obi-Wan was a far cry from that nearly thirteen year old boy who had practically begged to be in Qui-Gon Jinn's life.

Still, Obi-Wan had his faults. The young mans patience was easily tried, he was often headstrong and impulsive, and, to Qui-Gon's thinking, adhered to readily to the will of the Council instead of the will of the Force. Just of late Qui-Gon began to worry that his Padawan had reverted to his old insecurities. As a boy, Obi-Wan had struggled with feelings of inadequacy. First with his place amongst the Jedi and second his place with Qui-Gon.

You were right about me Master. I failed. I failed us all.

Those three sentences had echoed in his mind the moment his protege had uttered them. yes,
Obi-Wan's old insecurities had resurfaced, but from where? Had it been the birthday that marked his apprenticeship, but also, was a memorial of all that he might have lost.

Qui-Gon wished he knew. He hated to admit it but he could have easily lost Obi-Wan on this last mission and now the Council was merrily trotting them off to the next.

Qui-Gon stopped in the middle of a large floor to ceiling pane of transparasteel, one of the few in the medical clinic Qui-Gon had brought his apprentice to. Gripping the had rail, he took deep even breaths and seized the beautiful panoramic view in front of him, hoping to quail the fire that rose in him. he had nearly lost Obi-Wan and the Council hadn't so much as even blanch.

A gentle wind ruffled the tall almost blue grass that was abundant on Tolar 1 and imagined the breeze whisking away him mounting anger. Tolar 1 and Tolar 7 were both heavily green planets, but where 7 was more deep forests and craggy mountain plateaus, 1 possessed great plains and
sparkling streams and rivers. The ever present breeze only served to heighten the beauty of Tolar 1, making the grass wave welcomingly and the water ripple desiringly. Qui-Gon's sense of the living Force took pleasure in the sheer brilliance and beauty of a planet alive. He let the complicated simplicity of it all cool the remaining fire in him.

Perhaps the Council didn't understand how much Obi-Wan meant to him, how important the boy was to the Jedi and the galaxy. That Qui-Gon's legacy would be passed through Obi-Wan in the choices the boy made and the people he helped.

Snap out of it, Jinn. Brooding isn't goin

 

UP

 

Loving it! More soon please!

 

Up

 

This is really interesting. A very different portrayal of Qui and Obi's relationship, as well as a conflict that is fascinating. I love it!

 

Thanks.

I think Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan at this time in their lives are about in the same place Anakin and Obi-Wan are in Attack of the Clones. There is definitely a friendship and they do care for one another but they're learning to deal with the fact that Obi-Wan is not a child.

 

I like this, Zara, but why do I get the feeling that they won't return to Coruscant soon?

I love the exploration of Qui and Obi's relationship. Please post more when you can.

 

Great story!!!! I hope Obi will confide in Qui-Gon soon, if not it doesn't bode well for his mental health.

Look forward to your next post!

 

YAY! I NEW QUI/OBI FIC FROM THE WONDERFUL ZARA!!! More soon.

 

Cascadia

I like this, Zara, but why do I get the feeling that they won't return to Coruscant soon?
I love the exploration of Qui and Obi's relationship. Please post more when you can.

Probably because nothing ever goes as planned for our dynamic duo. I'll probably post Monday on this. I'm kind of jumping between this and Pattern of the Force.

Kelly Kenobi

Great story!!!! I hope Obi will confide in Qui-Gon soon, if not it doesn't bode well for his mental health.
Look forward to your next post!

Obi-Wan won't be opening his soul to Qui-Gon for a while. There is really good reason for this.

Master_Comedy_Kitty

YAY! I NEW QUI/OBI FIC FROM THE WONDERFUL ZARA!!! More soon.

You're making me blush MCK, but thanks.

 

Chapter Two

The interior cells of the prison ship, were no different from any of the other cells Obi-Wan had seen during his travels with his Master. Large enough to provide accommodations to any being, if not comfortably than adequately so that the prisoner would not have to be removed until they were off loaded to their trial. If Obi-Wan found the sense of the outer cells sad, the interior ones were heart-wrenching. He was glad that he had insisted on checking the interior while Qui-Gon examined the docking bay. With his Master's touch in the living Force there was no doubt in Obi-Wan's mind that Qui-Gon would have been physically ill. Obi-Wan himself was having a hard time keeping the queasy feeling building in his stomach from flooding over him.

I So much despair, Obi-Wan thought, sadly. Briefly he wondered how much would have to occur in his life from him to lose hope, to experience this kind of despair. However, his curiosity was short lived. As always Obi-Wan's sense of duty took over any other emotion, even idol curiosity. His evaluation of the interior cells was not finished and he decided to hurry up before
Qui-Gon came looking for him.

He glanced down at his datapad, where he had already jotted down some notes and a small
detailed map of the area. Qui-Gon would be doing the same at his end of the prison ship and when they returned to their quarters they would exchange findings. Master and Padawan had adopted this procedure a little over a standard year ago, finding it to be the fastest and most efficient execution of their duties.

Is that why the Council has decided to make us flit from one side of the galaxy to the other?Obi-Wan asked himself lightly. It was a question much easier to answer then the one he had been posing to himself since Qui-Gon had told him of their mission to Ionla. Why was it them being sent?

It was a rare moment when Obi-Wan questioned the motives of the Council. If it weren't for that face that he sensed that there was more to this mission then what he and his Master had been told, he wouldn't have. Whether this information was being kept from them or negligently withheld, Obi-Wan didn't know, but coming off of a long string of missions, the last one a complete disaster, Obi-Wan was growing weary. He admired and envied the fact that Qui-Gon, at nearly sixty, had a greater stock of endurance then his twenty-two year old apprentice.

Obi-Wan smiled ruefully. If only Master Jinn could hear my thoughts now.

But Qui-Gon couldn't, Obi-Wan had been shielding a part of his mind from his Master and any other Force-sensitive for weeks. That and a number of sleepless nights contributed to Obi-Wan's fatigue.

"Can I help you Jedi Kenobi?" Captain Dexter Jettster said from behind him. The Captain's large mouth seemed to be formed in a perpetual smile and his sense in the Force only mirrored his visage. This only served to reinforce Obi-Wan's opinion of the prison ships Captain.

Executing a bow, Obi-Wan nodded his head meanwhile keying his datapad to record his
conversation with Jettster. "I would appreciate it Captain, if your time table permits it."

"What member of the Republic would shun the chance to assist a Jedi?" Jettster questioned in a drawled tone that was half facetious, half sincere.

"Who, indeed," Obi-Wan agreed aloud. To himself he thought, You'd be surprised.

Jettster's smiled widened, as if he had guessed at Obi-Wan's thoughts. "What can I do from you Jedi Kenobi?"

"Padawan," Obi-Wan corrected absently, softly.

"Excuse me?"

Obi-Wan, realizing his mistake, hastily explained. "Pardon me, Captain. I forget myself. Although, I am Jedi, I have yet to reach the full status of Jedi Knight. An apprentice and learner, my rightful title is Padawan. However, I would be honored if you called me Obi-Wan."

"Dexter. Call me Dex," Captain Jettster said. "What can I do for you Obi-Wan?"

"I was hoping you could tell me what cell the prisoner from Ionla will be occupying," Obi-Wan told h

 

I love the interaction between the two. That is what I thought was missing in Ep I. The Dex cameo is great!

 

Another great post there. I agree, Dex appearing is great.

 

I like it very much. The interaction between master and apprentice is something I always look forward to, and it's done very nicely here.

Please post more when you can.

 

Okay, I lied.

Part 2 of Chapter 2

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan stood at the opening of the hatch, awaiting the arrival of the prisoner. As part of the escort service they were due to sign her release from Ionla's security force to the guardianship of the Forbidden Spirit. More bureaucratic finagling that the Republic had
come up with and major headache to the paper hating Qui-Gon Jinn.

The only thing to lighten Qui-Gon's mood was the fact that his trickery in inducing Obi-Wan into getting some sleep, had greatly improved his Padawan's health. The boy was less drawn then he had been when he had come into their cabin a couple of days ago. And although, Qui-Gon hadn't been able to sneak up on his apprentice a second time, Obi-Wan had gotten the message and had readily agreed to rest when Qui-Gon had instructed him to.

Sometime his apprentice was just as stubborn as he was.

The hissing sound of air compressing in the lock could be heard through the hatch door. And in moments the signal was given that the lock had been pressurized and it was safe to open the hatch.

Obi-Wan stepped forward, brandishing a keycard that would release it. A spurting sound preempted the doors release and Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan came face to face with their prisoner. To Qui-Gon's surprise Obi-Wan gasped at the sight of Zara Daalon.

Qui-Gon did not see much to gasp about, despite the fact that the girl was rather beautiful. Her hair seemed to be an unnatural blonde color, but it was her eyes, multi-hued in blues, greens, browns, and even grey, that drew Qui-Gon's attention. Over one of those eyes was a very violet
bruise that only heightened the different color of her irises. She was tall for a female human, coming just below Obi-Wan's nose, and her body was lean and trim. The beauty of the girl hadn't been diminished by the orange coverall she wore that marked her as a prisoner.

One thing that disturbed Qui-Gon was the that the prisoner was just a girl, probably younger then his protege. No matter his years of experience and training that told him that even the young could commit evil, he was still stunned.

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn?" the security guard on the right of Daalon, a Ranoc, whose gravity-heavy planet, had made their species as hard as rocks before the planet had been destroyed in a supernova, asked, and the girl winced slightly.

Qui-Gon did not miss her fear. "Yes, I am Master Jinn."

The security guard thrust out the datapad in his hand and gave it to Qui-Gon. Pressing his thumb to the reader plate, a green line of light traced the contours of his finger and then beeped in response.

Qui-Gon handed the datapad back to the guard and the Ranoc examined the information that
Qui-Gon's thumb print had activated. With a satisfied nod, the burly Ranoc, pushed Daalon
forward. "Everything checks out, Master Jinn. She's all yours."

And the other Ranoc guard pushed Daalon forward, the girl tripping and nearly crashing to her knees. Before Qui-Gon could react, Obi-Wan reached out to steady the prisoner. An uncharacteristic gentleness was evident in the way Obi-Wan helped her catch her balance. As soon as Obi-Wan noticed it however, he backed away to his place at his Master's side.

"Officer?" Qui-Gon began to question the obvious abuse of the prisoner, but both the Ranoc Security Officers had retreated into the airlock and had initiated compression exercises.

Qui-Gon turned to their prisoner. "Do you wish to see the onboard prison medic, Ms. Daalon?"

The girl only tilted her chin and glared at him with pure hatred. "What do you care?"

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon exchanged a curious look. They hadn't expected her to start a mutual admiration society in their honor, but to refuse medical attention which she clearly needed, made little sense to either.

"I don't know how you were treated on Ionla, but the Republic does not abuse their prisoners," Obi-Wan said.

She said nothing else, her lips pressed hard to a fine line. Qui-Gon knew little else to do then for he and Obi-

 

Good to know you posted the rest.

Hmm, Force sensitive, and Obi thinks she's familiar, and her hatred is directed towards Qui.

This is getting very interesting.

 

Yeah, this is getting very interesting. I have a few guesses, but I think I'll keep them to myself for now.

 

Once she had planted herself in the corner, Zara did not move from her position. Her side hurt from where one of the Ranoc guards had hit her hard enough to crack several of her ribs. The bruise over her right eye throbbed in time with her rushing blood and the scar on her left forearm beat in syncopation. Easily, she put the pain out of her mind, shoving it away from her. If only she could shove the stupid boy Jedi who was watching over her. He changed from studying her to looking down the long corridor. His azure eyes flicking like a wave.

"What?" she suddenly snapped, like a rabid Nek Battle Dog.

She had hoped that the Jedi would have jumped but instead he just turned his intense gaze on her. "Yes?"

"What is it you're starring at? Surely, a Jedi, even a Padawan, has escorted a dangerous criminal before," Zara drilled him.

"Yes, I have," he answered shortly.

Zara's anger rose, and with that a burning sensation filled her. "Why didn't your Master guard over me? I'm a dangerous criminal, far to dangerous for a Padawan."

"How is it that you know so much about my Order?" the boy Jedi asked, not even a trace of annoyance showing in his face or evident in his voice. But she could feel that his was disturbed.

"You're not the secret sect you think you are," she answered, intentionally infusing her voice with crypticism.

Rolling up her sleeve, she massaged the scar on her forearm. She was surprised when the Jedi did the same. "Do you always mock your prisoners?"

The younger Jedi looked down at his hand rubbing at his arm, surprise flickered in his own eyes and he instantly threw both hands down to his sides. "I, too, have just recently recovered from an injury." He dodged her accusation. "What happened?" he asked gesturing at the flaming red scar.

"I wasn't taken easily," Zara answered. She really didn't want to get friendly with this annoying Jedi boy. Despite the fact that she could read him so well, he was just another liability in her plan.

The ruddy brown eyebrows leaped on the younger Jedi's face. "That's a fresh scar, when were you captured?"

"It is none of your business!" she shouted. Why was she letting this weakling bother her so much?

The Jedi seemed as confused by her outburst as she did. She mustn't give too much away before she could carry out the plan.

He folded his hands in front of him, portraying that blasted Jedi facade. "It is meal time, Ms. Daalon. Do you wish for your evening meal?"

"Valinor," she whispered, correcting him. There was a hint of emotion to her voice, other then the anger she displayed so readily. It was a heart-wrenching sound.

It had come out so softly, that the Jedi leaned forward and asked, "What was that?"

"Zara Valinor. That other name is something those rejects gave me," she elucidated.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," the Jedi said in turn and a shiver ran up Zara's back. It wasn't that of a chill, but something warm and...comforting?

She stiffened to hide the shiver. "Is that supposed to thrill me?" she shoot back facetiously, although it had done just that.

"Did you really murder that family?" he asked abruptly.

For some reason she had been expecting the question. "No, I didn't murder them."

"Then how come you're here?"

"That doesn't mean I am not responsible for their deaths," Zara said, evenly.

Silence stretched out between them, managing to cut through the red energy bars that separated them. What was it about this Obi-Wan Kenobi that made her say things that could endanger the plan? She had met Jedi before, had shielded her mind from them with relative ease.

"Padawan?" came a voice, the barrier out of sight.

Kenobi retreated back into the darkness of the corridor.

............

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan answered as soon as he got close enough to be out of earshot of Valinor.

Qui-Gon looked much better then he had before, he had settled his mind in meditation, and had caught a few hours of sleep. "I've come to relieve you, Padawan. Has everything gone as planned?