His body
was getting a bit tired and his heart was racing. Obi-Wan breathed in slowly
through his mouth, sucking the air from the breather. When he exhaled, he did
so out of his nose. A tiny stream of bubbles passed before his eyes, but he
swam right through them. He was following his master, who was swimming just
ahead of him through the lake.
It felt as
though they had been underwater forever, but Obi-Wan knew it could not have
been more than an hour. Still he felt tired of swimming and was exceedingly
relieved when the water began to get increasingly shallow. He lifted his head
out of the water and took the breather from his mouth. Even the muscles of his
face hurt from holding it in his mouth for so long. As such, he spoke to his
master through their bond. //Do you think
we lost the Leeblins, Master?//
Qui-Gon
stood still for a moment, thinking. Then he replied through their bond, perhaps
feeling likewise, //I believe they've
lost our trail, but they will find it again soon enough. We can afford to rest
our bodies for a little while.//
Obi-Wan
nodded. As relieved as he was to be rid of their pursuers for a while, he
almost wished that they would have to keep moving. From the instant he had
emerged from the lake, he was struck with how dark and how very cold it was
outside. He was shivering so completely from head to toe. Soaking wet hit
freezing cold. His fingers were wrinkled and his arms were covered in chill
bumps. As his teeth chattered and body shook, he folded his arms over his chest
and rubbed his hands vigorously up and down his upper arms.
"Rub your
chest to get warm," Qui-Gon said, hugging his arms around his chest. "Your arms
will take care of themselves."
It did not
help much. But he knew well enough that they could not risk making a fire. The
smoke would be seen far above the tree line and their enemies would zero in on
the position in a matter of minutes.
"hehhh-CHAHH! huh-huh-huhCHOO!"
Obi-Wan
looked up, his teeth chattering, watching Qui-Gon shivering and sniffling. "M-m-master?"
"C-cold,"
Qui-Gon replied. He held an arm out. "Come h-here?"
Obi-Wan
immediately went to Qui-Gon, pressing himself against the taller man. Their wet
clothes stuck to each other, making strange squishing and sticking sounds. And
even though Qui-Gon was just as cold and wet as he was, when they were together
it almost seemed as though they were generating heat. Obi-Wan at least felt
warmer up against Qui-Gon. And from the way Qui-Gon hugged him, he assumed
Qui-Gon felt similarly.
After a
while, however, the warmth did not seem to be enough. With his arms wrapped
around Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan hugged tightly, but he was starting to feel very cold
again.
"HEHSChhhhh! EhhhhChooo! Sniiiiiff!"
Obi-Wan
looked up, trying to study Qui-Gon's face but not seeing much more than
Qui-Gon's chin and cheek. "Bless you," Obi-Wan said.
Qui-Gon
groaned and took one arm from around Obi-Wan to rub at his nose. "I feel
miserable," he muttered.
"Are you..." Obi-Wan
paused, considering, then he went for it. "Are you coming down sick? A cold?
Fever?"
Qui-Gon
nodded. "Yes, I believe so." Qui-Gon groaned again and looked up towards the sky.
"Tala is going to kill me!"
*
One and a half days ago...
"Say
'Ahhhhhhhhh', please." Tala said, sticking the tongue depressor in very far.
Obi-Wan
felt like gagging and choking for a moment. But that went away as soon as he did
as Tala had instructed. When it was over, Obi-Wan reached up and rubbed his
wrist against his nose.
Tala pulled
out another instrument and, with it, looked into Obi-Wan's nose. The little
light pressed against his nostrils, irritating them further. Obi-Wan held out
as long as he possibly could, then he cupped a hand to his nose and mouth. "ehhhTShhhhhhh!"
Tala looked
at him with suspicion as Obi-Wan sniffed. "You should try having someone stick
one of those in your nose and not sneezing. It can't be done," Obi-Wan said,
sniffling. "But I promise I'm over my cold." He rubbed at his nose again. "I
can go on the mission, right?" he asked hopefully.
Tala took a
while to answer, to make it dramatic. Obi-Wan, and the onlooking-Qui-Gon, grew
anxious. But finally Tala smiled and nodded. "Yes you can." Then he looked over
at Qui-Gon. "You, on the other hand..."
Qui-Gon
sighed. "Tala, it's just a little sniffle. I haven't come down with Obi-Wan's
cold."
"Not yet,"
Tala warned. "I will let you go on the mission so long as you promise to stay
warm. I want you to keep taking those herbs I gave you, and to continue
meditating. All right?"
Qui-Gon
nodded as he collected Obi-Wan. "All right." He gave Obi-Wan's shoulder a
squeeze. "And I am certain my Padawan will be looking out for me, as always."
Obi-Wan nodded affirmatively.
Tala did
not look entirely convinced, perhaps because he knew them far too well. But he
wished them luck with their mission.
*
Obi-Wan thought
they could use some of that luck right about now. "hehhh-hahhhCHOO!" Qui-Gon was sounding worse by the minute and
Obi-Wan was starting to feel as though they needed to move on again. He
couldn't explain it, but he had a feeling that their pursuers were getting
close. And with Qui-Gon sneezing they were sure to be heard. Their only hope
was to keep moving and stay near places where they could hide quickly if
necessary.
On one side
was the lake and on the other was a thick forest. Mountains lay far beyond
that, but on the other side of the lake was the city. It seemed they had no
choice but to move into the forest.
"Master... we
should be going."
Qui-Gon
nodded. "The forest will be dense, but we should try to stay together."
Obi-Wan had
absolutely no intention of straying from his master's side. He knew it might be
difficult to see Qui-Gon at times, but he knew he would be able to sense
Qui-Gon. He was also fairly certain that he would need to be alert when it came
to sensing his surroundings. He would need to avoid running into trees and
would need to avoid their pursuers as well. As Obi-Wan pulled away from
Qui-Gon, they both shivered violently. Obi-Wan felt the desire to go back to
him, hugging him to try to warm up again. But if he could not warm up his
master, the least he could do was help keep him safe. "That way?" Obi-Wan
asked, gesturing towards one spot between trees.
Qui-Gon
nodded in agreement and they were off. They navigated the forest well at first,
running through the dirt and fallen leaves and past the foliage and brush. After
a while, however, their pace slowed. It was not due completely to their
exhaustion, though their limbs felt heavy and stiff after the long swim and
then their wet arms meeting the cold air. The terrain was getting more and rocky
and elevated.
Obi-Wan
stopped as he realized he was no longer with Qui-Gon. He looked around, seeing
trunks of trees in every direction until he noticed a hint of brown cloak
behind one tree. He headed over quickly, reaching Qui-Gon who had stopped. "Master,
we really should keep going."
"I know,"
he said, panting. "I just need to... catch my breath." He was shivering as well.
And his breath was hitching. He turned and pressed a fist to his nose and
mouth. "huhh-huhh-Choo! hahhShoo!
HAHShooo!" Qui-Gon shivered so violently afterwards that Obi-Wan simply had
to wrap his arms around his master again.
"We need to
get you warm. And dry. Or your cold will get worse."
Qui-Gon
nodded and coughed a very troublesome cough. Qui-Gon's cold was too new to be
settling in his chest already. Whatever the extent, it was clear that Qui-Gon
would not be able to run as well as usual.
"We could
find somewhere to hide," Obi-Wan suggested.
"I'm..."
Qui-Gon rubbed at his nose. "I'm not so certain I will be able to be quiet even
if we do." He coughed and cleared his throat to no avail. Then he pulled back,
holding Obi-Wan out at arm's length. His expression was full of seriousness. "I
should turn myself in. That would allow you to get away. You could come back
for me."
"Absolutely
not!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. When they'd first arrived on the planet and had still
been in the government's good graces, they had seen the detention units while
on the tour. The conditions and torture carried out was not something he would
let Qui-Gon suffer for even an instant. There was always another choice, and
they would just have to have trust in the Force that they would find it. Until
then, "I will help you move quickly. You can have some of my strength."
Qui-Gon, busy
rubbing more at his nose, smiled back at his Padawan. "That seems fair, as you
are obviously borrowing some of my optimism." He cupped his hands over his nose
and mouth. "huh-huh-HUH-Shooo! hehhChoo!"
Each threw him forward, shoulders raised and pain in his expression.
"I wish I
could offer you more," Obi-Wan said sympathetically.
And then
they heard a sound that was quite separate from their voices and the sneezing. Footsteps.
Coming quickly. In their direction. Nearly upon them.
Obi-Wan had
no time to panic. He grabbed Qui-Gon's arm and pulled. "Run!" They did, with no
regard for anything except to escape from whoever it was. And as they ran,
Obi-Wan could not help but remember how they had been reduced to freezing and
dripping and running for their lives in the first place.
*
Obi-Wan
bowed deeply beside his master, who spoke for them both. "We are most honored
to accept your hospitality. We have had an excellent visit. However, we really
must be going."
In an
instant, as though on cue, Laser guns were pulled out and aimed right at the
Jedi. "I'm sorry, Master Jinn. But you and Padawan Kenobi will not be going
anywhere."
At the mere
glimpse of the weapons, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had pulled out their Lightsabers. But
less than a second later there were several dozen armed men with weapons
pointed at the Jedi. Qui-Gon turned to the Leeblin prime minister, his
expression calm but his tone harsh and eyes fiery. "You planned this from the
beginning."
The man
nodded, his arms crossed over his chest. "Even before your arrival we had
decided to hold you hostage if the talks did not go as well as we wanted. This
would be the only way to make the Republic see how strong we are."
Obi-Wan shook
his head in protest. "The Republic does not care about strength the way you
do." The differences between the two cultures had been evident from the start.
"Oh, they
care," the prime minister said, sounding very sure of himself. "And they will
care when they hear we are holding two of their Jedi hostage."
Qui-Gon
took a deep breath that Obi-Wan was sure only he noticed. His master was
straightening not only to speak but to gather strength. "You must realize, Your
Excellency, that two Jedi would never allow themselves to become prisoners." Without
notifying Obi-Wan-- without needing to-- Qui-Gon sprang into action. Literally. He
jumped up in a graceful display, kicking one man right in the chest and sending
him sprawling back against the ground. //Obi-Wan,
do not kill,// Qui-Gon told him through their bond. //Defend the blasts and strike only in means of escape. They are too dependant
upon their guns. They will only shoot.//
Their
escape was easy enough. Blaster fire could be absorbed by their sabers or
deflected. And, as they broke through the lines, there was nothing but firing
on them. No man touched the Jedi physically, with the exception of being pushed
away or hit.
Getting out
of the city was even easier. It took them away from the one place they wanted
to be, though, and that was their ship. Without it, they had no way to get back
to Coruscant. They were certain that it would be heavily guarded now and of no
use to them like that. It was best to shake those following them first, before
deciding what to do next.
The Jedi
moved quickly and none outside of the meeting chamber dared confront them. However,
there was the problem of enemy airships. The Leeblins were an advanced culture,
and seemed to be able to mount an offense unusually quickly. Their only escape,
which was instantly recognized and agreed upon by both, was to drive into the large
lake and hope the ships could not track them.
*
It was not
the Leeblins who had found them this time. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan came to an
abrupt stop at spearpoint. They were surrounded by a group of no fewer than thirty
warriors. Unlike the darker-skinned Leeblins, these had lighter skin and fairer
hair. But their bodies were covered with different symbols and shapes, using
mud as paint. Instead of blasters they all held long, sharp spears. One stepped
forward, towards the Jedi, and spoke in a language Obi-Wan did not recognize.
Qui-Gon
cleared his throat and spoke back. Amazed, Obi-Wan watched the warriors react as
though they fully understood Qui-Gon's meaning. The one who had stepped
forward, a woman whose hair reached down to her waist, replied.
"Master?"
Obi-Wan whispered nervously. He felt the tip of a spear touch the back of his
neck and another press into his sleeve, not hard enough to draw blood, only to
alert Obi-Wan to their presence, as though he might forget.
"She says
that we are in their forest," Qui-Gon explained, rubbing his arms to warm
himself. He was shivering still.
"Yes,"
Obi-Wan said with a nod. "I gathered as much. These must be the Greesians that
the Leeblins mentioned to us." Qui-Gon nodded in agreement. "But how do you
come to speak their language?"
"It is not so
different from what is spoken on my home world," Qui-Gon explained. Obi-Wan
suddenly had the feeling that perhaps he and his master had not been chosen by
the Council for this mission arbitrarily. "There are some significant
differences, but I think we understand each other. I will attempt to tell them
why we are here."
"The
truth?" Obi-Wan asked, feeling uneasy, but still not quite to the level of
panic. "Do you think that is wise?"
"I feel it
is," Qui-Gon said, ending any and all remaining doubts. He cleared his throat
again and spoke slowly in words that sounded strange and halting to Obi-Wan's
ears. The woman considered his words, and then replied.
Qui-Gon smiled.
"What is
it?" Obi-Wan asked at once.
"These are
indeed the people our pursuers spoke of. And the two peoples are at war." He
looked down at Obi-Wan with a confident smile. "The enemy of my enemy is my
friend."
"Can you
ask them if they will help us, then? Can you ask them for refuge?"
Qui-Gon
nodded, his jaw hanging open. Obi-Wan knew that look. He wrapped an arm around
Qui-Gon's middle to keep the man steady. Qui-Gon cupped his hands to his face,
wanting to be over and done with his sneezing as quickly as possible, lest he
lose the thread of conversation. "hahh-ahhhh-HUHSchhhh!
Hehh... sniff! Sniff! heh-Shooo!" Qui-Gon rubbed his soaked sleeve beneath
his nose, to no avail. "Sniff! Sniff!"
He quickly jumped back into the conversation, however.
There was a
short exchange, back and forth, with both parties gesturing widely at points. Finally,
Qui-Gon smiled and bowed to the woman, and to the other warriors. They slowly
lowered their spears. Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan. "They have ships, Padawan. Ships
that can get us across the galaxy at least, possibly back home if we are lucky.
And they are willing to g-give us one." He sniffed hard and hugged his arms tightly
to his chest to try to get warm.
"A ship?" Obi-Wan
said incredulously. "But these people..." He looked at them more closely and
still saw nothing but thing clothes made of animal skins and mud paint on bare
skin. The Leeblins, on the other hand, had clothes clearly manufactured out of
synthetics and by machines.
"It does
not make sense for two civilizations to live and grow in such close proximity
to be so vastly different technologically. If the two have been at war for so
long, then the Greesians would have to be equally advanced in order to fight
and stay alive against their adversaries. I understand this is just a front to
strangers. And clever... hahhh... hahh-SHOO!
They are willing to help us in exchange for some intelligence as to their plans,
which we can certainly provide... Sniff!
"
Obi-Wan put
a hand on Qui-Gon's back, looking quite sympathetic. "I think we should comply,
Master." The thought of getting out of this mess and off the planet was quite favorable.
The Force had clearly led them to this solution, and Obi-Wan felt they should
take it. He looked back at his master, shivering from the cold and sniffling
from his cold. "But can you ask them
first for some warm blankets? Can you ask them for some dry clothes? For you at
least, Master?"
Qui-Gon
chuckled. "Thank you, Padawan Mine, for looking out for my health through all of
this. I would like to be warm again." He rubbed his nose. "I also believe it is
in our best interest to go as soon as possible if we do not want to be found by
the Leeblins."
Obi-Wan
stared at him, waiting.
Qui-Gon
stared back, then he sighed and nodded. "I shall ask them the moment we are
safe. Is that soon enough?"
Obi-Wan
hesitated, thinking it over and feeling it was a good compromise. He nodded and
Qui-Gon smiled back. They followed the group of warriors deeper into the
forest.