Need Chapter XXIV - Obi-Wan
by Esmeralda
It was cold...cold and dark, but sounds were slowly penetrating the silence as Obi-Wan emerged from the muted shadows of sleep. His own harsh breathing - ragged, painful. The whispery rasping of the wind, throwing grains of sand against the shelter. The...flap...flap...of the canvas door - like the beating wings of a trapped bird.
The hazy memory of a passing dream called out to him - splintered images already scattered and fading; but even as he pulled away, a 'voice' clung to the tangled threads of consciousness.
*...What will you give?...*
A stranger's slick tones - and a stranger's disturbing touch. Cold fingers caressing his cheek, trailing down his throat; toying with the folds of his tunic...
*...What will you give to keep him safe?...*
Persistent fingers playing across his warm skin, sliding lower; drawing down his chest - nails scratching over a taut nipple...
*Nooo!*
With a gasp Obi-Wan jerked awake. He sat, gulping air; trying to quiet the frantic pounding of his heart. *A dream...It was just a dream* Shivering, he struggled to break free of its cloying embrace - the lingering memory of cold fingers and a cruel voice. However he was unable to dispel the unsettling sensation that it had been much more than 'just a dream'.
Ignoring the protests of stiff, aching limbs Obi-Wan reached for his tunic. His connection to the Force was still tenuous, but the Bond link was undiminished - and he could sense Qui-Gon close by. As he dressed Obi-Wan felt a flutter of uncertainty; Qui-Gon must know that he was awake - why then was the older man silent?
Hesitantly, Obi-Wan reached out along their link - and panic slammed into him as he was gently, but firmly rebuffed by Qui-Gon's mental shields.
//Ma...Master?// His bewildered query received a terse reply,
//Stay in the shelter Obi-Wan.//
//But...?//
//*Please*, Obi-Wan. Just do as I ask.//
Obi-Wan felt the sick sensation in his stomach tighten into a cold hard knot. Shakily he crawled toward the shelter door, drawing the canvas flap aside he peered out - but saw only black sand and bleak grey skies. Closing his eyes he tried to use the Force...he could sense a disturbance, shadows rippling the calm...but nothing else.
Frustrated Obi-Wan re-opened his eyes; quickly glancing around the shelter he discovered his boots half-hidden beneath his robe. Reaching for them he swayed - almost falling forwards - as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Biting his lip he waited until the nausea passed before struggling on with his boots.
Still feeling light-headed and dizzy, Obi-Wan scrambled back to the doorway; however he hesitated - recalling his Master's instructions.
//Qui-Gon?//
//Stay there Obi-Wan!//
Obi-Wan frowned. Sometimes his Master knew him a little too well. He decided to try a different approach. //Is something wrong Master?// The ensuing pause only fed his growing unease.
//It's...There is a ship.// Qui-Gon's tone betrayed neither excitement or relief at the possibility of rescue. Obi-Wan was immediately wary,
//Republic?//
//I...I don't think so.//
The slight stumble sent all of Obi-Wan's senses onto full alert; ignoring Qui-Gon's order to remain inside the shelter he scrambled out.
The cold wind bit into him; he blinked, eyes watering furiously - blurring his vision. Using the Bond link as a guide he turned and made his way unhesitatingly toward Qui-Gon.
Obi-Wan's legs felt stiff and awkward as he crossed the sand; his tread clumsy and heavy-footed. Muscles unused to movement cried out in protest - a steady ache building up through bone and sinew. He no longer felt cold; hot sweat trickled down his neck. Closing his mind to the discomfort Obi-Wan pushed himself forward.
He moved around the ship and clawed his way up the sand bank - his hands and feet slipping and sliding in the gritty silt. Staying low, he wiped his fingers across his eyes, and looked out across the lava desert.
A strange cylindrical ship was hovering steadily above the razor edged rocks. It's engines were virtually silent; scarcely blowing up any of the fine grey ash which coated the landscape. A small number of heavily suited individuals were making their way cautiously across the uneven tundra; their faces concealed behind darkened visors. Obi-Wan could clearly see Qui-Gon - pressed against a raised slab of lava - directly in their path.
Obi-Wan's fingers instinctively reached for the handle of his lightsaber - and panic surged through him - it was still inside the shelter.
Torn between a desire to retrieve it, and his reluctance to leave Qui- Gon, Obi-Wan hesitated. Suddenly his gaze sharpened - just behind his Master - the air...it seemed to be...shimmering?
//Master!// Even as he cried out a warning, Qui-Gon seemed to sense the danger; turning - drawing his lightsaber - just as a creature appeared from nowhere. Weapon already brought to bear it fired faster than Qui-Gon could move, and Obi-Wan watched - horrified, as his Bond mate crumpled to the ground.
Choking back a scream, Obi-Wan started forward - visible for a moment above the sandbank. Every fibre of his being called for him to rush to his Master's side...only years of Jedi training held him back. With a stifled sob he sank back down. He sat frozen, his exhausted mind unable to think. Then, mouth set - determined, he slid back down the bank...back toward the shelter...to retrieve his lightsaber.
Running across the sand Obi-Wan suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end...Panicked, he glanced around him wildly - there was nothing. Angrily dismissing his own hysterics he turned back toward the shelter - and the air before him shimmered like a desert haze. With a stab of alarm he stepped back, away from the creature materialising in front of him. He had no time to take in its appearance - his eyes focused on the weapon in its hands. There was no sound, no heat, just a bright white flare...and then he was tumbling into darkness.
Chapter XXV
The creature carried Obi-Wan across the black sands towards his companions, dropping the youth beside Qui-Gon's still form. One of the suited figures hurriedly stepped forward; kneeling by the Jedi it held a medi-scanner over them.
"These are the two life forms we detected. They're alive." The voice was flat and metallic - artificially forced out through the visor's transmitter.
One of them nodded decisively. "Good. Collar them and get them on board." It turned around to face the others. "Breshaa, you help him. The rest of you come with me."
As Breshaa and the kneeling figure hastened to comply, the rest moved off toward the ship.
A short while later, having scavenged all they wanted from the Jedi's crippled vessel - the shuttle craft took off. Climbing quickly through the swirling gray clouds it sped toward another, much larger ship - The Black Narcissus.
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