THE HARDEST PART IS LETTING GO
Author: KrystalBlaze
Title: The Hardest Part is Letting Go
Age: 21
Summary: Senators and Ambassadors are being murdered without a cause. It has to be a bounty hunter. Desperate, the Supreme Chancellor appeals to the Jedi for help. The Jedi devise a plan: one of them must infiltrate the ranks of the bounty hunters. The Jedi turns out to be Obi-Wan.
/ / = italics
PROLOUGE
"Ambassador Kraal from Tarmareek has been murdered, Supreme Chancellor."
The Supreme Chancellor had been sitting at his desk, writing busily on a pad of paper, but as his assistant spoke the words, he jerked his head up. Shock registered on his face as he rose to his feet, the task he had been working on forgotten.
"Supreme Chancellor Valorum that is the seventh ambassador to be murdered this year."
"I am aware of the fact, Mehemta." Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum just looked at his aide, and then sighed. He went to the window wall, and looked down at the Coruscant sky. Even now, at the early hour, it was busy with traffic. "What happened?"
"The details are not known to me at this moment, Supreme Chancellor. We just received word. Apparently, Ambassador Kraal was at a party last night in a club and did not come home. When the maid came into the room he had in the hotel, she found him dead. I do not know the cause of death."
Valorum stared out the window, contemplating what Mehemta had said. Mehemta let herself slide into a chair, waiting. The Supreme Chancellor would think, and then order her to do something. It was the routine when something happened, and she didn't expect him to break it.
Finally, after a small amount of time, Valorum said," Mehemta, seven ambassadors have been murdered. Six senators have been murdered. These ambassadors and senators are in no ways linked. We have exhausted our resources trying to connect these murders, but after this long it is clear there is no connection. The person murdering these politicians is a bounty hunter."
Mehemta stayed silent, waiting.
"I am sure it is a bounty hunter," Valorum said again, as if to convince himself. "He has succeeded capture and knowledge of the deaths for eight months. There is never any evidence." Now he was just thinking aloud. "The security force cannot handle this. They haven't been able to handle it for the last eight months."
Valorum looked out the window again, and, far away, he saw the Jedi Temple.
"We need the Jedi on this."
~*~
PART ONE
TEAR IT APART
"Master, I assure you, I am fine!"
Obi-Wan limped down the corridor of the Temple towards the quarters he shared with his Master. Qui-Gon hovered on his side, looking down at Obi- Wan's ankle in amusement.
"I am not worried if you are fine. I know you can handle that. I'm worried about how long it'll take to walk down the hall."
Obi-Wan gave Qui-Gon a look.
"Master, may I remind you I wouldn't have a broken ankle if we hadn't taken that boy along."
"Obi-Wan, that "boy" saved our lives."
"He also gave me a broken ankle, Master."
They reached their room. "It was healed in a bath of bacta. I don't know why you're complaining. It could have been worst."
"I apologize for complaining, Master. But he pushed me. It wasn't entirely my fault."
"I see." They entered the room. "Someday, Padawan, you may learn to appreciate pain. Pain is a humble reminder we Jedi are not all powerful, even with our healing techniques. Meditate on the injury so that it will heal faster."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan obediently went to his room and kneeled, keeping weight off his injured ankle.
The last mission hadn't been that hard, really. They had been sent to the planet Nyodine as Guardians of the Peace. The mission had gone simply. They had merely acted as diplomats and soon the problem was resolved. But as they prepared to go, another rebel force challenging the monarchy opened fire on them in hopes to capture one of them and ransom them.
The rebels apparently did not know the Jedi. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had quickly defeated the force, but along as they fought on the docking bay a young boy was found hiding near a box. Qui-Gon had saved him from the spot and took him with him as he blocked blaster shots. Obi-Wan had taken the boy at Qui-Gon's orders and was leading him to safety when out of nowhere the boy pushed him down a ravine near the bay. Obi-Wan had tumbled down, his ankle twisting in a crevice and snapping as the rest of his body fell.
Obi-Wan wasn't able to move for a while because of the awkward position he was in, but soon Qui-Gon found him and set him free. Qui-Gon helped Obi-Wan hop up the ravine and to the transport. Qui-Gon told him how the rebels had surrender and how they had been taken into custody. The Jedi Master called on the Council and they advised them to return home.
"What about the boy?" Obi-Wan had asked, his teeth gritted in pain.
At that Qui-Gon laughed but also gave his apprentice a stern look. "The boy saw a rebel about to fire on you. He pushed you out of the way and ran to get me. By that time the Nyodine security force took him and the boy's mother found him. He's a very smart child." He helped Obi-Wan lay on a sleeping couch. "Padawan, what did you do wrong?"
Miserable at failing Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan said, "I wasn't connecting with the Force, Master."
And with that, Qui-Gon sent Obi-Wan into a Force induced sleep and they started for home.
/Not dignified at all,/ Obi-Wan thought sourly as he arose from his meditation.
As he went into the living space, Qui-Gon tossed him his robe.
"The Council wishes to see us."
~*~
"And this bounty hunter. you have no idea to his identity at all?" Qui-Gon posed the question to the Council.
"We do not," Mace Windu said. "You and your Padawan have been enlisted by the Supreme Chancellor himself. We've chosen you because of your skills in the field. Do you accept this mission?"
"We do," Qui-Gon said immediately.
Mace nodded and looked at Obi-Wan. "How is your ankle, Padawan Kenobi? Are you ready to be running about?"
Obi-Wan thought about that. He still had some pain and was limping a little, but yes, he could manage. "Yes, Master, I am."
"Good. Report to Chancellor Valorum's office as soon as possible. He would like to brief you."
"Yes, Master."
"May the Force be with you," Mace said.
~*~
"Master, I'm confused. They cannot find a link between those who have been murdered. Why do they need us?"
"Apparently the Coruscant security force cannot find any clues at all. I don't know what they expect us to do. Maybe they gained a bit of evidence and we'll work our way from there. I'm not sure. Whatever happens, happens, Obi-Wan. We can't anticipate the future any more than we can change the past. What we have is now."
Obi-Wan just looked at his Master. "Master, do you always have to turn everything into a lesson?"
Qui-Gon just turned around while walking and stared at Obi-Wan, smiling. It was all the answer Obi-Wan needed.
They reached the Senate Building. Obi-Wan paused at the door. He glanced around uneasily, finally pushing it open.
"What was it?"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, completely halting. They were in a busy hallway, and a human male practically shoved him into a wall as he hurried by. Still, the Padawan's eyes did not open and he stood where he had been shoved, still lost in whatever he was seeing.
Qui-Gon was puzzled, and reached out through the Force. He twisted in its many arms and finally found what must be bothering his Padawan- a slight, dark ripple in the Force. He looked to Obi-Wan, and was startled to find him still deep in concentration. What could be bugging him so?
Suddenly, Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open and he started walking towards the entrance. and then he walked /through it/. Qui-Gon ran to catch up with him.
"Obi-Wan!"
"Master, something is going to happen!" Obi-Wan began to run, and Qui-Gon sprinted to catch up with him. "Someone is going to do something!"
Qui-Gon was just confused by the words. He had no choice but to follow his Padawan as he raced across the Senate bridge and started down a street clustered with hotels and restaurants.
Obi-Wan led him down the street and down an alleyway to another street and started across another bridge. It led him to a district cluttered with bars and clubs, deserted in the daytime. He stopped, looked around quickly, and then started walking towards a bar which barred no name and no front door. Inside was a male human serving another being something.
Qui-Gon caught up. "Padawan, what did you feel?" He caught his breath.
"Master, look."
The Jedi Master looked into the window of the tattered bar and saw the two beings. He looked and saw Obi-Wan staring intently at them. "I don't see anything out the ordinary, Obi-Wan." He was getting worried now.
"I think he may be the bounty hunter," Obi-Wan said quietly.
"And what told you this?"
"The Force, Master. It's a feeling."
Qui-Gon sighed. "We're late for our meeting with the Chancellor anyway. He was expecting us fifteen minutes ago. At least now we'll tell him we were working."
"I suggest we follow him."
Qui-Gon thought about that. "I don't want to confront him yet. I'll head back to the Senate building. You follow our friend here. Do not confront him!" Qui-Gon added in a bark, all ready knowing what his Padawan was planning. "Go inside, have a drink maybe. Exchange some words. Do not openly accuse him!"
"Master, I'm smarter than that," Obi-Wan complained. "I'll meet you back at the Temple, than?"
"All right. Be careful, Obi-Wan. If he runs, follow him. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Master," his twenty-one-year-old apprentice said, striding down the street towards the bar.
Qui-Gon made sure he was safely in the bar, and then turned away.
~*~
"I do not appreciate tardiness, Master Jedi," Chancellor Valorum said irritably as he motioned Qui-Gon to a seat.
"Supreme Chancellor, I have a reason for my tardiness," Qui-Gon said calmly. "As we were coming here, my apprentice picked up a disturbance in the Force. We followed it and found a man who we believed to be the bounty hunter responsible for this."
That changed Valorum's attitude completely. He leaned forwards on his desk, his finger clasped tightly. "And what happened?" he asked in a whisper.
"I left my apprentice there to follow him."
Valorum snorted at the news. "You didn't apprehend him? I do not want him as a menace! What if he gets away?"
"He will not get away, Chancellor. You have my word."
"And your "apprentice"? You have this much faith in him?" Valorum's voice showed how displeased he was at the news.
"Chancellor, I trust my Padawan with my life. He will not let me down," Qui- Gon, starting to get irritated. "If he follows him, then we'll find who he is working for. There has to be a motive behind him."
The Chancellor stood up. Qui-Gon followed suite. "I want someone else there with your apprentice," he said sharply. "I'm sending over some of the security force."
"I strongly advise against that, Chancellor. It could ruin what we're working for. Do you plan to capture him? He will not talk if we do."
Valorum paused and looked at the Master. "I do not want him getting away," Valorum said with a threat in his voice.
"He will not," Qui-Gon assured him.
They took their seats. "Then it's up to your apprentice now," Valorum said.
~*~
Obi-Wan's ankle was hurting. The run had taken a toll on him, but he would never complain to Qui-Gon about it. Besides, it was his own fault he had run. As he stepped into the bar, he was limping heavily, and the bartender raised an eye to him.
He had hidden his lightsaber successfully in a pocket, but as the bartender looked at him he felt oddly naked. Something was going to happen here with the man, but he couldn't put a finger on it. He just felt unnerved. He knew Qui-Gon was worried about him, but now he had to focus on the mission at hand.
He slid into a stool at the bar shakily, trying to act carefree. He was a couple of stools from the man- the bounty hunter. He didn't know why the knowledge was burning at him, but he knew it was true. This man was the bounty hunter who killed without remorse and left no evidence at the scene of the crime. Here was the bounty hunter even the Chancellor was afraid of. Here was the bounty hunter he would have to follow.
/I'm over killing it,/ Obi-Wan thought sourly as the bartender came over.
"What'll you have?" he asked.
"What do you have?" Obi-Wan said after a pause.
"I have whatever you want," the man in a no-nonsense type of voice.
Obi-Wan nodded at this. He shot a glance to what the bounty hunter was having. "I'll have whatever he's having," he said, nodding towards the hunter.
"Whatever," the bartender said and went to get it.
Obi-Wan clasped his hands in front of him, acting casual.
"Good choice."
The Jedi Padawan looked at the bounty hunter. He couldn't believe it. He had been in the bar for just over a minute and all ready the hunter was talking! He looked at the hunter coyly and studied him.
He didn't look like a bounty hunter. His hair was dark, long, and unruly. He was clean-shaven, although there was subtle around his chin, which caused Obi-Wan to wonder if he was just growing or a beard or had no chance to shave. Was he busy, or stressed? His eyes were a dark green color that flamed fire. He wasn't a tall man, just a head taller than Obi-Wan. He was wearing dark clothes, black trousers, a blue tunic and a black cloak.
/He looks like a vagabond,/ Obi-Wan thought without reserve.
"It's Nectarwine," said the hunter, raising his glass to his lips. "In class you're wondering." He took a long drink.
Obi-Wan pretended to be impressed. "You know your drinks," he said easily, taking the glass from the bartender and taking a sip. He could have gagged right there; the drink was so sour. He gritted his teeth and smiled. "Excellent."
"As usual," the hunter said, not even grinning.
"And so who are you?"
"Who am I?"
"Yes."
The hunter was silent for a minute, and then spoke. "I am nothing of concern to you."
Obi-Wan bit his lip. He had to get something out of the man. "Well, that's nice. My name is Xancar. I'm a smuggler."
The hunter gave him a once over, taking in his eyes and face. "You don't look like a smuggler."
Obi-Wan felt a chill stalk his spine for some reason. "Well, looks can be deceiving." He took another sip of the drink.
At that, the hunter gave him his full glare. He was stunned at the power his eyes portrayed. "Yes, they can," the hunter said, almost to himself. "Of all things that cannot be projected, it is looks."
Obi-Wan had to keep him talking. "You seem to know a great deal on this."
The hunter smiled thinly. "Perhaps I do." He drained his drink and slapped from credits on the counter. "Farewell," he said shortly. He quickly strode out of the door and disappeared from view.
Obi-Wan waited a few minutes, gave the bartender some credits, and quickly set out after the hunter.
~*~
PART TWO
FIGHT AGAINST THE FIRE
The bounty hunter wasn't walking too quickly; in fact, he was strolling down the street, heading towards a destination only he knew. Obi-Wan watched him walk down the street until he was almost to the end, and then came out of the bar. He walked at a casual stroll, all the while watching.
When the hunter turned down an alley, he sprinted after him until he was a meter from the alley. He slowed, and then turned into it.
The Force warned him a second before the blaster bolt sailed over his head. He dropped and rolled, his lightsaber all ready igniting. He shot his gaze around, seeing a black shape hurtling at him. He fell to his back, the black shape following him down.
He saw a flash of green eyes and knew it was the hunter. He gritted his teeth and rolled on top of the man, his ankle jolting in pain. He ignored it and dug his knee into the man's stomach, pinning him beneath him. He was greeted by a blaster slamming into his jaw.
Obi-Wan collapsed off the man in pain, his head spinning. He blinked rapidly and suddenly felt the pull of rope around his neck. He gagged, the rope jerking him to his feet. The rope tightened and he was pressed back into the hunter's stomach.
Obi-Wan struggled against the rope. His lightsaber had fallen from his hand to about five feet in front of him. He freed one arm from the hunter's grip and called the saber to him, slashing at the hunter's arm. He heard the sizzle of his weapon hitting flesh and he was released from the grip. He fell to his knees, quickly rolling to his feet.
The Force warned him to move, and he did, but the bolt grazed his stomach. He gritted his teeth and rushed to the man, who was retreating into the alley. He somersaulted through the air and ended up on the other side of the man, who lashed out with a vibro-blade, barely missing the Jedi.
The hunter had not been prepared to attack him, Obi-Wan knew, and that scared him. The hunter was throwing him for a loop, and he hadn't been prepared. What would have happened if he had been prepared?
The hunter seemed to have the same thought, because he turned and started to run.
Obi-Wan didn't like this at all. Why was he running?
As Obi-Wan raced out of the alley, he realized why.
There were four human males waiting for him as he sprinted out.
~*~
Qui-Gon returned to the Temple shortly after his meeting with Chancellor Valorum. He was slightly angry that Valorum didn't trust Obi-Wan, but then again, the man had never met his Padawan. He wouldn't know how headstrong and trustworthy Obi-Wan truly was. For a moment he allowed himself to feel a stab of pride, but he dismissed the feeling. It wasn't becoming a Jedi.
He hoped to find Obi-Wan in their quarters, but of course, his apprentice wasn't back yet. He sighed, and saw that the comm unit on the wall was blinking, showing he had message. He pressed the button and was greeted by Master Windu's voice.
"Qui-Gon, your Padawan is in the medical ward-" Qui-Gon's heart stopped right there, but Mace's voice went on."-he'll be fine; he's just suffered from cracked ribs. He's bruised and beaten, but he's fine. Before you head over there, your presence is immediately requested here. Come as soon as you can."
Qui-Gon was worried. Someone had hurt Obi-Wan.
He raced to the Council Chambers, nearing knocking an apprentice over. "Sorry!" he called as he finally reached the turbolift. The chambers were on the top floor. He rode the lift alone, and when he exited he saw no one in the corridor leading towards the chambers. When he reached the desk, he was admitted immediately by the Padawan working it.
Qui-Gon knelt in front of the Council and was told to rise. "Hello, Masters. Why did you wish to see me?"
"Qui-Gon, your Padawan did a good job of tracking that bounty hunter," Mace said. "He has given us the information that he has left the planet."
Qui-Gon wasn't sure if Mace was being sarcastic or sincere.
"I'm not being sarcastic, Master Jinn. Obi-Wan knows what planet and where he is going."
"If he all right?" Qui-Gon blurted. "What happened?"
"Your Padawan followed the bounty hunter was engaged in a fight with him. The hunter ran and tried to follow him, but he was attacked by four other beings. He tells us they knocked him out and when he woke up he was in the bar you left him in. He doesn't think they wanted to kill him. He asked the bartender about the man, and the bartender told him where he usually lives.
"And Obi-Wan found out where the hunter lives, he went there and found it deserted. He questioned the neighbors and he went to a docking bay they said he usually worked. Apparently he's been posing as a worker there. Obi- Wan found him and hid while the hunter spoke to his crew. That's what he heard. He would have snuck aboard but thought it would be better to come back."
Mace peered at Qui-Gon. "You have a very capable Padawan, Qui-Gon. Be grateful."
At that moment the only thing Qui-Gon was grateful for was that Obi-Wan was alive and breathing.
"Idea, we have, Qui-Gon," Yoda said, speaking for the first time. "Dangerous, it is. In danger, Obi-Wan will be."
"What is it?" Qui-Gon asked sharply.
"We still have to discuss it with the Chancellor," Mace said. "We know how to catch the bounty hunter and how to find out who he is working for. We know how to spy on him."
"How does this involve Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"As a bounty hunter, Obi-Wan must pose," Yoda answered. "A bounty hunter, Obi-Wan will be."
~*~
When Obi-Wan awoke he was in a bed. He groaned, pain shooting throughout his body. He touched his abdomen and found layers of white bandages wrapped him. He gritted his teeth and remembered he was in the infirmary.
He had taken an air taxi from the docking bay to the Temple. The taxi driver had been concerned over him; he was such a mess. He went directly to Council Chambers, and was granted access. He had explained to them what had happened.
They had sent him to the infirmary and the healer, Veira Dirmond, had put him into a bacta tank.
And now he was here. How grand.
Obi-Wan sat up in the bed, letting out a small gasp of pain. The four men had done a job on him. He was bruised from the hunter's blaster across a face, and a thin angry red mark glared on his neck from the rope. The men, no doubt friends of the hunter's, had beaten him with their fists and with their feet. His ribs were most likely cracked or broken, and he had bruises everywhere on his body.
/At least I didn't break anything/, Obi-Wan thought, sighing.
It was at that moment Qui-Gon make his appearance, pulling back the curtain which trapped Obi-Wan. He smiled in relief when he saw his Padawan sitting up, but then frowned when he saw Obi-Wan's bruised face.
"I TOLD you not to confront him!" Qui-Gon snarled as he sat in a chair besides Obi-Wan's bed.
"Master!" Obi-Wan cried. "I didn't! He confronted me!"
Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan and let out a long breath. "How are you injured?" he asked.
"Not seriously, Master. I believe I cracked my ribs. Master Dirmond hasn't spoken to me. I just woke up."
Qui-Gon nodded, looking down. He sighed deeply. Obi-Wan sat and waited. "You worried me," Qui-Gon said finally. "I don't believe you know how worried I was."
"I'm sorry, Master."
Suddenly tired, Qui-Gon leaned back in his chair. "No, it's okay, Obi-Wan. It's not your fault. I just worry."
"Well, then, I thank you for your worry." Obi-Wan smiled at Qui-Gon.
Very suddenly, Qui-Gon got serious.
"I have something to tell you."
~*~
"You have to look it, Obi-Wan."
"I am NOT cutting my braid, Master. I've spent the last seven years letting it grow! It's a symbol! I can't just let it go!"
"Padawan, I know what it means. But if you're going to do this, you have to cut it."
"Master, it's a symbol!" Obi-Wan knew he was complaining, but he held his Padawan braid protectively. He still couldn't believe he was going to do this. He still couldn't believe he would have to cut his braid.
"Well, you don't have to cut it yet," Qui-Gon said, "but I'm telling you, you have to! It is for the sake of this mission, Obi-Wan. You can always grow it back. It isn't the end of the universe. Come now. The Council wants you to 'shop.'"
"They want me to shop?" Obi-Wan muttered as he followed Qui-Gon out of their room. "All right, how about I shop for hair?"
It was the day after Obi-Wan had his run in with the hunter. His ankle wasn't bothering him, and his ribs were taped. The bruises and line across his neck were still there, but for this they needed him black and blue. At least until tomorrow afternoon.
"Do you even know what bounty hunters wear, Master?" Obi-Wan as they emerged from the Temple.
Qui-Gon was in a bad mood, to say the least. He wasn't at all pleased that he was sending his Padawan into danger, but the Council commanded it. As they walked from the Temple he angrily looked up at the tower, for a moment wishing it would burst into flames. If the Council was no longer around, he reasoned, than Obi-Wan wouldn't have to go.
Then he chastised himself, and looked away.
"I'm not sure," Qui-Gon snorted. "You need armor and you need clothes. You need weapons."
"Well, we're looking for a trip into the storage room of the Temple. Let's go to the BlackMar District."
The BlackMar District was named the BlackMar District for good reason. It was bustle of activity for all things sold on the Black Market. There were shops for everything. Obi-Wan had only been there a few times, but he knew enough that they could find whatever they needed there within a few hours. Not only that, they may find someone to help them.
Qui-Gon sighed. "You're correct. We have to get this over and done with, quick though. When we get there, hide your lightsaber and keep your hood up. We don't want anybody to see us."
"All right, Master, let's get an air taxi."
It took them under thirty minutes to reach the district. It was on a lower level of Coruscant in an area which also thrived with illegal racing and gambling. Their hoods up, they entered the district and found themselves surrounded with booths and shops.
"We'll get the weapons first," Qui-Gon said uneasily as they walked through the crowded street. "Keep your face down."
Obi-Wan couldn't understand why his Master was being so cautious, but he kept silent as Qui-Gon led into to a booth selling blasters.
"Hey," said the man behind the table. He was a tall, scrawny man with a five o' clock shadow. "I got blasters of all kinds." He voice was scratchy.
"I'm looking for a state of the art blaster," Qui-Gon said gruffly. "I want the most powerful one you have. It's for my companion here." He motioned to Obi-Wan.
The man scratched his chin. "I see." He disappeared beneath the table and they heard some noises. He popped up a second later holding a blaster the size of a small animal.
"Do you have something /smaller?/" Qui-Gon asked in annoyance. "Something that will fit into the palm of a hand?"
The man snorted, replaced the weapon, and opened a box on another table. "These are the most powerful weapons I have. Take your pick." He offered the box to them. It was filled to the brim with small, pistol-like blasters.
Obi-Wan selected four, and Qui-Gon paid.
"Have a GREAT day!" the man called.
"That wasn't too bad," Obi-Wan commented as they went over to another stand which carried blades.
"Not bad at all," Qui-Gon said sourly.
~*~
Author: KrystalBlaze
Title: The Hardest Part is Letting Go
Age: 21
Summary: Senators and Ambassadors are being murdered without a cause. It has to be a bounty hunter. Desperate, the Supreme Chancellor appeals to the Jedi for help. The Jedi devise a plan: one of them must infiltrate the ranks of the bounty hunters. The Jedi turns out to be Obi-Wan.
/ / = italics
PROLOUGE
"Ambassador Kraal from Tarmareek has been murdered, Supreme Chancellor."
The Supreme Chancellor had been sitting at his desk, writing busily on a pad of paper, but as his assistant spoke the words, he jerked his head up. Shock registered on his face as he rose to his feet, the task he had been working on forgotten.
"Supreme Chancellor Valorum that is the seventh ambassador to be murdered this year."
"I am aware of the fact, Mehemta." Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum just looked at his aide, and then sighed. He went to the window wall, and looked down at the Coruscant sky. Even now, at the early hour, it was busy with traffic. "What happened?"
"The details are not known to me at this moment, Supreme Chancellor. We just received word. Apparently, Ambassador Kraal was at a party last night in a club and did not come home. When the maid came into the room he had in the hotel, she found him dead. I do not know the cause of death."
Valorum stared out the window, contemplating what Mehemta had said. Mehemta let herself slide into a chair, waiting. The Supreme Chancellor would think, and then order her to do something. It was the routine when something happened, and she didn't expect him to break it.
Finally, after a small amount of time, Valorum said," Mehemta, seven ambassadors have been murdered. Six senators have been murdered. These ambassadors and senators are in no ways linked. We have exhausted our resources trying to connect these murders, but after this long it is clear there is no connection. The person murdering these politicians is a bounty hunter."
Mehemta stayed silent, waiting.
"I am sure it is a bounty hunter," Valorum said again, as if to convince himself. "He has succeeded capture and knowledge of the deaths for eight months. There is never any evidence." Now he was just thinking aloud. "The security force cannot handle this. They haven't been able to handle it for the last eight months."
Valorum looked out the window again, and, far away, he saw the Jedi Temple.
"We need the Jedi on this."
~*~
PART ONE
TEAR IT APART
"Master, I assure you, I am fine!"
Obi-Wan limped down the corridor of the Temple towards the quarters he shared with his Master. Qui-Gon hovered on his side, looking down at Obi- Wan's ankle in amusement.
"I am not worried if you are fine. I know you can handle that. I'm worried about how long it'll take to walk down the hall."
Obi-Wan gave Qui-Gon a look.
"Master, may I remind you I wouldn't have a broken ankle if we hadn't taken that boy along."
"Obi-Wan, that "boy" saved our lives."
"He also gave me a broken ankle, Master."
They reached their room. "It was healed in a bath of bacta. I don't know why you're complaining. It could have been worst."
"I apologize for complaining, Master. But he pushed me. It wasn't entirely my fault."
"I see." They entered the room. "Someday, Padawan, you may learn to appreciate pain. Pain is a humble reminder we Jedi are not all powerful, even with our healing techniques. Meditate on the injury so that it will heal faster."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan obediently went to his room and kneeled, keeping weight off his injured ankle.
The last mission hadn't been that hard, really. They had been sent to the planet Nyodine as Guardians of the Peace. The mission had gone simply. They had merely acted as diplomats and soon the problem was resolved. But as they prepared to go, another rebel force challenging the monarchy opened fire on them in hopes to capture one of them and ransom them.
The rebels apparently did not know the Jedi. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had quickly defeated the force, but along as they fought on the docking bay a young boy was found hiding near a box. Qui-Gon had saved him from the spot and took him with him as he blocked blaster shots. Obi-Wan had taken the boy at Qui-Gon's orders and was leading him to safety when out of nowhere the boy pushed him down a ravine near the bay. Obi-Wan had tumbled down, his ankle twisting in a crevice and snapping as the rest of his body fell.
Obi-Wan wasn't able to move for a while because of the awkward position he was in, but soon Qui-Gon found him and set him free. Qui-Gon helped Obi-Wan hop up the ravine and to the transport. Qui-Gon told him how the rebels had surrender and how they had been taken into custody. The Jedi Master called on the Council and they advised them to return home.
"What about the boy?" Obi-Wan had asked, his teeth gritted in pain.
At that Qui-Gon laughed but also gave his apprentice a stern look. "The boy saw a rebel about to fire on you. He pushed you out of the way and ran to get me. By that time the Nyodine security force took him and the boy's mother found him. He's a very smart child." He helped Obi-Wan lay on a sleeping couch. "Padawan, what did you do wrong?"
Miserable at failing Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan said, "I wasn't connecting with the Force, Master."
And with that, Qui-Gon sent Obi-Wan into a Force induced sleep and they started for home.
/Not dignified at all,/ Obi-Wan thought sourly as he arose from his meditation.
As he went into the living space, Qui-Gon tossed him his robe.
"The Council wishes to see us."
~*~
"And this bounty hunter. you have no idea to his identity at all?" Qui-Gon posed the question to the Council.
"We do not," Mace Windu said. "You and your Padawan have been enlisted by the Supreme Chancellor himself. We've chosen you because of your skills in the field. Do you accept this mission?"
"We do," Qui-Gon said immediately.
Mace nodded and looked at Obi-Wan. "How is your ankle, Padawan Kenobi? Are you ready to be running about?"
Obi-Wan thought about that. He still had some pain and was limping a little, but yes, he could manage. "Yes, Master, I am."
"Good. Report to Chancellor Valorum's office as soon as possible. He would like to brief you."
"Yes, Master."
"May the Force be with you," Mace said.
~*~
"Master, I'm confused. They cannot find a link between those who have been murdered. Why do they need us?"
"Apparently the Coruscant security force cannot find any clues at all. I don't know what they expect us to do. Maybe they gained a bit of evidence and we'll work our way from there. I'm not sure. Whatever happens, happens, Obi-Wan. We can't anticipate the future any more than we can change the past. What we have is now."
Obi-Wan just looked at his Master. "Master, do you always have to turn everything into a lesson?"
Qui-Gon just turned around while walking and stared at Obi-Wan, smiling. It was all the answer Obi-Wan needed.
They reached the Senate Building. Obi-Wan paused at the door. He glanced around uneasily, finally pushing it open.
"What was it?"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, completely halting. They were in a busy hallway, and a human male practically shoved him into a wall as he hurried by. Still, the Padawan's eyes did not open and he stood where he had been shoved, still lost in whatever he was seeing.
Qui-Gon was puzzled, and reached out through the Force. He twisted in its many arms and finally found what must be bothering his Padawan- a slight, dark ripple in the Force. He looked to Obi-Wan, and was startled to find him still deep in concentration. What could be bugging him so?
Suddenly, Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open and he started walking towards the entrance. and then he walked /through it/. Qui-Gon ran to catch up with him.
"Obi-Wan!"
"Master, something is going to happen!" Obi-Wan began to run, and Qui-Gon sprinted to catch up with him. "Someone is going to do something!"
Qui-Gon was just confused by the words. He had no choice but to follow his Padawan as he raced across the Senate bridge and started down a street clustered with hotels and restaurants.
Obi-Wan led him down the street and down an alleyway to another street and started across another bridge. It led him to a district cluttered with bars and clubs, deserted in the daytime. He stopped, looked around quickly, and then started walking towards a bar which barred no name and no front door. Inside was a male human serving another being something.
Qui-Gon caught up. "Padawan, what did you feel?" He caught his breath.
"Master, look."
The Jedi Master looked into the window of the tattered bar and saw the two beings. He looked and saw Obi-Wan staring intently at them. "I don't see anything out the ordinary, Obi-Wan." He was getting worried now.
"I think he may be the bounty hunter," Obi-Wan said quietly.
"And what told you this?"
"The Force, Master. It's a feeling."
Qui-Gon sighed. "We're late for our meeting with the Chancellor anyway. He was expecting us fifteen minutes ago. At least now we'll tell him we were working."
"I suggest we follow him."
Qui-Gon thought about that. "I don't want to confront him yet. I'll head back to the Senate building. You follow our friend here. Do not confront him!" Qui-Gon added in a bark, all ready knowing what his Padawan was planning. "Go inside, have a drink maybe. Exchange some words. Do not openly accuse him!"
"Master, I'm smarter than that," Obi-Wan complained. "I'll meet you back at the Temple, than?"
"All right. Be careful, Obi-Wan. If he runs, follow him. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Master," his twenty-one-year-old apprentice said, striding down the street towards the bar.
Qui-Gon made sure he was safely in the bar, and then turned away.
~*~
"I do not appreciate tardiness, Master Jedi," Chancellor Valorum said irritably as he motioned Qui-Gon to a seat.
"Supreme Chancellor, I have a reason for my tardiness," Qui-Gon said calmly. "As we were coming here, my apprentice picked up a disturbance in the Force. We followed it and found a man who we believed to be the bounty hunter responsible for this."
That changed Valorum's attitude completely. He leaned forwards on his desk, his finger clasped tightly. "And what happened?" he asked in a whisper.
"I left my apprentice there to follow him."
Valorum snorted at the news. "You didn't apprehend him? I do not want him as a menace! What if he gets away?"
"He will not get away, Chancellor. You have my word."
"And your "apprentice"? You have this much faith in him?" Valorum's voice showed how displeased he was at the news.
"Chancellor, I trust my Padawan with my life. He will not let me down," Qui- Gon, starting to get irritated. "If he follows him, then we'll find who he is working for. There has to be a motive behind him."
The Chancellor stood up. Qui-Gon followed suite. "I want someone else there with your apprentice," he said sharply. "I'm sending over some of the security force."
"I strongly advise against that, Chancellor. It could ruin what we're working for. Do you plan to capture him? He will not talk if we do."
Valorum paused and looked at the Master. "I do not want him getting away," Valorum said with a threat in his voice.
"He will not," Qui-Gon assured him.
They took their seats. "Then it's up to your apprentice now," Valorum said.
~*~
Obi-Wan's ankle was hurting. The run had taken a toll on him, but he would never complain to Qui-Gon about it. Besides, it was his own fault he had run. As he stepped into the bar, he was limping heavily, and the bartender raised an eye to him.
He had hidden his lightsaber successfully in a pocket, but as the bartender looked at him he felt oddly naked. Something was going to happen here with the man, but he couldn't put a finger on it. He just felt unnerved. He knew Qui-Gon was worried about him, but now he had to focus on the mission at hand.
He slid into a stool at the bar shakily, trying to act carefree. He was a couple of stools from the man- the bounty hunter. He didn't know why the knowledge was burning at him, but he knew it was true. This man was the bounty hunter who killed without remorse and left no evidence at the scene of the crime. Here was the bounty hunter even the Chancellor was afraid of. Here was the bounty hunter he would have to follow.
/I'm over killing it,/ Obi-Wan thought sourly as the bartender came over.
"What'll you have?" he asked.
"What do you have?" Obi-Wan said after a pause.
"I have whatever you want," the man in a no-nonsense type of voice.
Obi-Wan nodded at this. He shot a glance to what the bounty hunter was having. "I'll have whatever he's having," he said, nodding towards the hunter.
"Whatever," the bartender said and went to get it.
Obi-Wan clasped his hands in front of him, acting casual.
"Good choice."
The Jedi Padawan looked at the bounty hunter. He couldn't believe it. He had been in the bar for just over a minute and all ready the hunter was talking! He looked at the hunter coyly and studied him.
He didn't look like a bounty hunter. His hair was dark, long, and unruly. He was clean-shaven, although there was subtle around his chin, which caused Obi-Wan to wonder if he was just growing or a beard or had no chance to shave. Was he busy, or stressed? His eyes were a dark green color that flamed fire. He wasn't a tall man, just a head taller than Obi-Wan. He was wearing dark clothes, black trousers, a blue tunic and a black cloak.
/He looks like a vagabond,/ Obi-Wan thought without reserve.
"It's Nectarwine," said the hunter, raising his glass to his lips. "In class you're wondering." He took a long drink.
Obi-Wan pretended to be impressed. "You know your drinks," he said easily, taking the glass from the bartender and taking a sip. He could have gagged right there; the drink was so sour. He gritted his teeth and smiled. "Excellent."
"As usual," the hunter said, not even grinning.
"And so who are you?"
"Who am I?"
"Yes."
The hunter was silent for a minute, and then spoke. "I am nothing of concern to you."
Obi-Wan bit his lip. He had to get something out of the man. "Well, that's nice. My name is Xancar. I'm a smuggler."
The hunter gave him a once over, taking in his eyes and face. "You don't look like a smuggler."
Obi-Wan felt a chill stalk his spine for some reason. "Well, looks can be deceiving." He took another sip of the drink.
At that, the hunter gave him his full glare. He was stunned at the power his eyes portrayed. "Yes, they can," the hunter said, almost to himself. "Of all things that cannot be projected, it is looks."
Obi-Wan had to keep him talking. "You seem to know a great deal on this."
The hunter smiled thinly. "Perhaps I do." He drained his drink and slapped from credits on the counter. "Farewell," he said shortly. He quickly strode out of the door and disappeared from view.
Obi-Wan waited a few minutes, gave the bartender some credits, and quickly set out after the hunter.
~*~
PART TWO
FIGHT AGAINST THE FIRE
The bounty hunter wasn't walking too quickly; in fact, he was strolling down the street, heading towards a destination only he knew. Obi-Wan watched him walk down the street until he was almost to the end, and then came out of the bar. He walked at a casual stroll, all the while watching.
When the hunter turned down an alley, he sprinted after him until he was a meter from the alley. He slowed, and then turned into it.
The Force warned him a second before the blaster bolt sailed over his head. He dropped and rolled, his lightsaber all ready igniting. He shot his gaze around, seeing a black shape hurtling at him. He fell to his back, the black shape following him down.
He saw a flash of green eyes and knew it was the hunter. He gritted his teeth and rolled on top of the man, his ankle jolting in pain. He ignored it and dug his knee into the man's stomach, pinning him beneath him. He was greeted by a blaster slamming into his jaw.
Obi-Wan collapsed off the man in pain, his head spinning. He blinked rapidly and suddenly felt the pull of rope around his neck. He gagged, the rope jerking him to his feet. The rope tightened and he was pressed back into the hunter's stomach.
Obi-Wan struggled against the rope. His lightsaber had fallen from his hand to about five feet in front of him. He freed one arm from the hunter's grip and called the saber to him, slashing at the hunter's arm. He heard the sizzle of his weapon hitting flesh and he was released from the grip. He fell to his knees, quickly rolling to his feet.
The Force warned him to move, and he did, but the bolt grazed his stomach. He gritted his teeth and rushed to the man, who was retreating into the alley. He somersaulted through the air and ended up on the other side of the man, who lashed out with a vibro-blade, barely missing the Jedi.
The hunter had not been prepared to attack him, Obi-Wan knew, and that scared him. The hunter was throwing him for a loop, and he hadn't been prepared. What would have happened if he had been prepared?
The hunter seemed to have the same thought, because he turned and started to run.
Obi-Wan didn't like this at all. Why was he running?
As Obi-Wan raced out of the alley, he realized why.
There were four human males waiting for him as he sprinted out.
~*~
Qui-Gon returned to the Temple shortly after his meeting with Chancellor Valorum. He was slightly angry that Valorum didn't trust Obi-Wan, but then again, the man had never met his Padawan. He wouldn't know how headstrong and trustworthy Obi-Wan truly was. For a moment he allowed himself to feel a stab of pride, but he dismissed the feeling. It wasn't becoming a Jedi.
He hoped to find Obi-Wan in their quarters, but of course, his apprentice wasn't back yet. He sighed, and saw that the comm unit on the wall was blinking, showing he had message. He pressed the button and was greeted by Master Windu's voice.
"Qui-Gon, your Padawan is in the medical ward-" Qui-Gon's heart stopped right there, but Mace's voice went on."-he'll be fine; he's just suffered from cracked ribs. He's bruised and beaten, but he's fine. Before you head over there, your presence is immediately requested here. Come as soon as you can."
Qui-Gon was worried. Someone had hurt Obi-Wan.
He raced to the Council Chambers, nearing knocking an apprentice over. "Sorry!" he called as he finally reached the turbolift. The chambers were on the top floor. He rode the lift alone, and when he exited he saw no one in the corridor leading towards the chambers. When he reached the desk, he was admitted immediately by the Padawan working it.
Qui-Gon knelt in front of the Council and was told to rise. "Hello, Masters. Why did you wish to see me?"
"Qui-Gon, your Padawan did a good job of tracking that bounty hunter," Mace said. "He has given us the information that he has left the planet."
Qui-Gon wasn't sure if Mace was being sarcastic or sincere.
"I'm not being sarcastic, Master Jinn. Obi-Wan knows what planet and where he is going."
"If he all right?" Qui-Gon blurted. "What happened?"
"Your Padawan followed the bounty hunter was engaged in a fight with him. The hunter ran and tried to follow him, but he was attacked by four other beings. He tells us they knocked him out and when he woke up he was in the bar you left him in. He doesn't think they wanted to kill him. He asked the bartender about the man, and the bartender told him where he usually lives.
"And Obi-Wan found out where the hunter lives, he went there and found it deserted. He questioned the neighbors and he went to a docking bay they said he usually worked. Apparently he's been posing as a worker there. Obi- Wan found him and hid while the hunter spoke to his crew. That's what he heard. He would have snuck aboard but thought it would be better to come back."
Mace peered at Qui-Gon. "You have a very capable Padawan, Qui-Gon. Be grateful."
At that moment the only thing Qui-Gon was grateful for was that Obi-Wan was alive and breathing.
"Idea, we have, Qui-Gon," Yoda said, speaking for the first time. "Dangerous, it is. In danger, Obi-Wan will be."
"What is it?" Qui-Gon asked sharply.
"We still have to discuss it with the Chancellor," Mace said. "We know how to catch the bounty hunter and how to find out who he is working for. We know how to spy on him."
"How does this involve Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"As a bounty hunter, Obi-Wan must pose," Yoda answered. "A bounty hunter, Obi-Wan will be."
~*~
When Obi-Wan awoke he was in a bed. He groaned, pain shooting throughout his body. He touched his abdomen and found layers of white bandages wrapped him. He gritted his teeth and remembered he was in the infirmary.
He had taken an air taxi from the docking bay to the Temple. The taxi driver had been concerned over him; he was such a mess. He went directly to Council Chambers, and was granted access. He had explained to them what had happened.
They had sent him to the infirmary and the healer, Veira Dirmond, had put him into a bacta tank.
And now he was here. How grand.
Obi-Wan sat up in the bed, letting out a small gasp of pain. The four men had done a job on him. He was bruised from the hunter's blaster across a face, and a thin angry red mark glared on his neck from the rope. The men, no doubt friends of the hunter's, had beaten him with their fists and with their feet. His ribs were most likely cracked or broken, and he had bruises everywhere on his body.
/At least I didn't break anything/, Obi-Wan thought, sighing.
It was at that moment Qui-Gon make his appearance, pulling back the curtain which trapped Obi-Wan. He smiled in relief when he saw his Padawan sitting up, but then frowned when he saw Obi-Wan's bruised face.
"I TOLD you not to confront him!" Qui-Gon snarled as he sat in a chair besides Obi-Wan's bed.
"Master!" Obi-Wan cried. "I didn't! He confronted me!"
Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan and let out a long breath. "How are you injured?" he asked.
"Not seriously, Master. I believe I cracked my ribs. Master Dirmond hasn't spoken to me. I just woke up."
Qui-Gon nodded, looking down. He sighed deeply. Obi-Wan sat and waited. "You worried me," Qui-Gon said finally. "I don't believe you know how worried I was."
"I'm sorry, Master."
Suddenly tired, Qui-Gon leaned back in his chair. "No, it's okay, Obi-Wan. It's not your fault. I just worry."
"Well, then, I thank you for your worry." Obi-Wan smiled at Qui-Gon.
Very suddenly, Qui-Gon got serious.
"I have something to tell you."
~*~
"You have to look it, Obi-Wan."
"I am NOT cutting my braid, Master. I've spent the last seven years letting it grow! It's a symbol! I can't just let it go!"
"Padawan, I know what it means. But if you're going to do this, you have to cut it."
"Master, it's a symbol!" Obi-Wan knew he was complaining, but he held his Padawan braid protectively. He still couldn't believe he was going to do this. He still couldn't believe he would have to cut his braid.
"Well, you don't have to cut it yet," Qui-Gon said, "but I'm telling you, you have to! It is for the sake of this mission, Obi-Wan. You can always grow it back. It isn't the end of the universe. Come now. The Council wants you to 'shop.'"
"They want me to shop?" Obi-Wan muttered as he followed Qui-Gon out of their room. "All right, how about I shop for hair?"
It was the day after Obi-Wan had his run in with the hunter. His ankle wasn't bothering him, and his ribs were taped. The bruises and line across his neck were still there, but for this they needed him black and blue. At least until tomorrow afternoon.
"Do you even know what bounty hunters wear, Master?" Obi-Wan as they emerged from the Temple.
Qui-Gon was in a bad mood, to say the least. He wasn't at all pleased that he was sending his Padawan into danger, but the Council commanded it. As they walked from the Temple he angrily looked up at the tower, for a moment wishing it would burst into flames. If the Council was no longer around, he reasoned, than Obi-Wan wouldn't have to go.
Then he chastised himself, and looked away.
"I'm not sure," Qui-Gon snorted. "You need armor and you need clothes. You need weapons."
"Well, we're looking for a trip into the storage room of the Temple. Let's go to the BlackMar District."
The BlackMar District was named the BlackMar District for good reason. It was bustle of activity for all things sold on the Black Market. There were shops for everything. Obi-Wan had only been there a few times, but he knew enough that they could find whatever they needed there within a few hours. Not only that, they may find someone to help them.
Qui-Gon sighed. "You're correct. We have to get this over and done with, quick though. When we get there, hide your lightsaber and keep your hood up. We don't want anybody to see us."
"All right, Master, let's get an air taxi."
It took them under thirty minutes to reach the district. It was on a lower level of Coruscant in an area which also thrived with illegal racing and gambling. Their hoods up, they entered the district and found themselves surrounded with booths and shops.
"We'll get the weapons first," Qui-Gon said uneasily as they walked through the crowded street. "Keep your face down."
Obi-Wan couldn't understand why his Master was being so cautious, but he kept silent as Qui-Gon led into to a booth selling blasters.
"Hey," said the man behind the table. He was a tall, scrawny man with a five o' clock shadow. "I got blasters of all kinds." He voice was scratchy.
"I'm looking for a state of the art blaster," Qui-Gon said gruffly. "I want the most powerful one you have. It's for my companion here." He motioned to Obi-Wan.
The man scratched his chin. "I see." He disappeared beneath the table and they heard some noises. He popped up a second later holding a blaster the size of a small animal.
"Do you have something /smaller?/" Qui-Gon asked in annoyance. "Something that will fit into the palm of a hand?"
The man snorted, replaced the weapon, and opened a box on another table. "These are the most powerful weapons I have. Take your pick." He offered the box to them. It was filled to the brim with small, pistol-like blasters.
Obi-Wan selected four, and Qui-Gon paid.
"Have a GREAT day!" the man called.
"That wasn't too bad," Obi-Wan commented as they went over to another stand which carried blades.
"Not bad at all," Qui-Gon said sourly.
~*~