Friends Like These
Part 4
The swoop shot forward like a blaster bolt. It was so natural for Obi-Wan to surrender himself to the Force when he was flying that he all but forgot about the pain in his body and his hand. He was aware of every pole that connected the framework to the ceiling of the cave and kept his swoop on a course that led between two rows of them, reading the markings as he flashed by. Keeping his speed, he dodged to the left several times, moving the swoop from one corridor to another in order to reach the narrow part where one cavern ended and the next one began.From there, he braked once for a sharp turn to head in the direction of the neighbourhood where the house was located, then picked up speed again until the markings showed him that he was only a few poles away from where he needed to be. Slowing down, he began to glance around for an access hatch, and spotted one a little to his left. Letting the swoop hover over it, he brought the Force to bear on the security lock, then dropped through, almost directly onto the roof of the shop where he�d bought the mineral water. It only took a few seconds to guide the swoop down the street to the safe house. Seeing Jerrup�s speeder outside sent a wave of despair through him, but he parked the swoop next to it anyway and dismounted stiffly.
The door to the house was open and Obi-Wan walked through, fearing that he�d come too late. It must have taken longer than he�d thought to free himself, he thought unhappily, and he shouldn�t have wasted time by getting dressed. Two steps into the living room, he saw and heard several things at once. With his Force-enhanced senses, he could distinguish the sounds of blaster fire and light saber hum from the upper story of the house, and at the same time, he saw Jerrup standing next to the Senator, threatening him with the hilt of Obi-Wan�s own light saber and demanding,�Where is the other information, the other proof of corruption that you have? Tell me, or I�ll switch this thing on and it�ll go right through your precious bladder!�
"I--I�ll show you, it�s--it�s here, I�ll show you--!�the Senator stammered, gaping at his Aide and no doubt trying to process the fact that he had been betrayed by someone whom he�d trusted so much. As soon as he caught sight of Obi-Wan entering the room, his eyes and expression changed from fear to relief and hope. Jerrup turned to see what he was looking at, and stared at the Jedi in sheer astonishment for a moment. Then the blaster fire from above ceased abruptly, and Qui-Gon began to come down the stairs. Obi-Wan recognised that he�d taken care of the other two Sullustans and was now checking for any other danger. Looking panicked at the sound and obviously unwilling to engage a Jedi Master in a fight, Jerrup let go of the Senator and rushed towards Obi-Wan. Pushing him out of the way, Jerrup managed to not only knock him backwards into the wall, but also to savagely attack Obi-Wan�s injured hand with the hilt of the light saber, and then he was gone, disappearing out the door. Briefly paralysed by the explosion of pain through his body, Obi-Wan had no chance of stopping him. He was only vaguely aware that Qui-Gon had pushed past him in pursuit of the Sullustan.
"You fool!�Senator Yirrit finally hissed.�You let him get away! You didn�t even fight back--some Jedi you are!�
Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut in despair, pulling his injured hand around so that he could hug it next to his body and cover it with his good arm. It was true, he�d let Jerrup get away. He could hear the speeder start up and roar away down the street even now. He�d had the perfect chance to grab him, to fight back, and he hadn�t done anything. His connection to the Force had ceased at the moment the Sullustan had attacked him. So much for his concentration! Feeling suddenly very cold and very weak, he murmured,�I�m sorry, Senator.�
"Where have you been all this time, boy? Why didn�t you get the hologram and get back here?�
"I--uh--�Obi-Wan said again, shivering now as he searched for words.�I�m sorry, Senator--I--�
"If you worked for me, I�d fire you for incompetence! You just don�t seem to understand how important these things are!�Senator Yirrit screeched, spraying saliva in Obi-Wan�s direction as Qui-Gon came back in, much more slowly than he had gone out.�I betrayed myself because of you! If you�d been there and got the hologram, I never would have had to call Jerrup in the first place! I never would have had to tell him where I was if you had only done your job!�
"Obi-Wan?�Qui-Gon was asking for an explanation.
"Master--sorry,�Obi-Wan mumbled. It was an effort to speak, it was taking all his energy just to stay upright. There was darkness around the edges of his vision.�Wasn�t fast enough--to get here before they did--to stop Jerrup--sorry--�
"You might think you�re sorry now, but when I get done with you--�the Senator began, stepping forward menacingly, but before he could reach out, Obi-Wan felt his knees give way and he collapsed.
Qui-Gon reached out and caught him in a rough hug, then lowered him to a sitting position. As his master�s arm went across the welts on his back, Obi-Wan moaned in protest, trying weakly to pull himself away from the agonising touch. He ended up leaning sideways against Qui-Gon�s chest, then cried out as Qui-Gon jarred his injured arm by shifting slightly. A moment later, his master had pulled up the back of his tunic, making him shiver even more.
"I think Obi-Wan understood quite well just how important that proof was,�Qui-Gon said in a very calm and yet somehow fierce voice.�I don�t think he has -anything- to be sorry for.�
The Senator was silent.
"Run upstairs and find Obi-Wan�s robe, will you, Senator?�Qui-Gon asked.
"Uh--yes. Just--a moment.�
As Senator Yirrit began to climb the stairs, Qui-Gon asked quietly,�Jerrup tortured you?�
"I didn�t--tell them--where he was!�
"I never thought that you did.�Qui-Gon smiled and Obi-Wan relaxed a little at the affirmation of his master�s trust in him. Pulling the back of Obi-Wan�s tunic down again, Qui-Gon sent him gentle waves of healing power that dampened the pain somewhat.
"Senator Yirrit is his own worst enemy. He is eager and impatient to do what�s right,�Qui-Gon went on.�But--there will be time to talk later. We are no longer safe here.�
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and nodded with understanding. Coming down the stairs again, Senator Yirrit extended the brown robe awkwardly with one hand while pressing his handkerchief to his mouth with the other one. Qui-Gon pulled the robe around Obi-Wan�s shoulders as gently as he could. There was something about the colour that was different than Obi-Wan remembered, but it was too much effort to tell the Senator that it was actually Qui-Gon�s. It didn�t matter anyway. He was grateful for the warmth.
"Here, I got this, too,�the Senator said, extending a medical emergency box that he�d clamped under one arm.
"Thank you,�Qui-Gon said as he took it.�Pack everything that you need, Senator. We have to leave as soon as possible.�
"To take him to the hospital?�the Sullustan asked quietly.
"No, to find another hiding place until the transport arrives. Jerrup might well come back with reinforcements.�Qui-Gon opened the box and took out a tiny jar of bacta salve, looking at it doubtfully as though afraid it wouldn�t be enough.
"But--but he�s hurt.�
"Yes, and if Jerrup finds him again, he will kill him.�Moving one flap of the robe away, Qui-Gon flipped up Obi-Wan�s tunic again and began to rub the salve across the welts on his back, continually sending waves of healing power with every movement. Obi-Wan shivered visibly, making small, hurt sounds that would have been agonised screams if not for the Force. Bacta healed, but it was not a painkiller.
"Where are we going? Where else can we hide?�
Qui-Gon was silent for a moment, considering the options, and Obi-Wan said,�Master--above the lights.�
"What?�Qui-Gon put the tunic back down, then reached for Obi-Wan�s arm. He looked curiously at the small wound, but it was obvious that he�d decided to save his questions for later. Gritting his teeth as Qui-Gon dipped his finger into the jar again, Obi-Wan couldn�t help crying out as his master applied a large dab of salve to each side of his injured hand, nor could he prevent himself from whimpering a few times as Qui-Gon began to bandage it. Only when his master had finished with the first aid was Obi-Wan able to speak again.
"The space--above the lights--the way I came--�
Frowning when he realised Qui-Gon didn�t understand, Obi-Wan tried again.�Maintainance--the roof of the cavern--�
"Yes, of course!�Qui-Gon exclaimed, pulling the robe back around his Padawan and giving his shoulders a gentle hug.�Good idea, Obi-Wan.�
"Access hatch--above the store.�
"Yes. Very good, Obi-Wan. I�m going to get up now, I have to get a few things ready before we go.�Qui-Gon helped Obi-Wan move slightly so that he could lean one shoulder against the wall, then got to his feet and started towards the stairs.
"What are you going to do about--?�Senator Yirrit indicated the ceiling, obviously worried about the two dead bodies upstairs.
"I�ll inform the local authorities before we leave the planet,�Qui-Gon said.�Now pack your things.�
When they had gathered everything together that they intended to take, Qui-Gon shook out a second robe, which Obi-Wan recognised as his own, and placed it over his padawan�s shoulders on top of the one that was already there.
"Better?�he asked quietly.
"Uh huh,�he affirmed. Qui-Gon touched the top of his head briefly and smiled down at him, then straightened up.
"Right, then. You�ll be coming with me, Senator--�
"What about him?�
"We don�t have the landspeeder any longer, we have a swoop. We can fit two people on it, but not three. I�ll take you to the hiding place, then come back for Obi-Wan.�
"No, you have to take him first, he�s hurt!�Senator Yirrit exclaimed, moving his handkerchief across his lips again.
"You are in more danger here alone than Obi-Wan is,�Qui-Gon said.�You�ll be safe enough for fifteen minutes up in the maintainance channels. They won�t know you�re there, and nobody will be able to gain access to it without the security codes or the Force.�
"�S�okay,�Obi-Wan said, forcing a weary smile.�I�ll--play dead.�
"Senator, we must go now,�Qui-Gon said, looking worriedly down at his padawan. The remark had obviously been too close to the truth for his liking, but he added,�Obi-Wan will be all right.�
Reluctantly, Senator Yirrit allowed himself to be escorted out to the swoop, and Obi-Wan shut his eyes for a few moments in the ensuing silence. But leaning against the wall was rapidly causing the dull ache of his mistreated shoulder to flare up into actual pain, and he let himself slump in the other direction until he was able to lie down on the floor and roll carefully onto his stomach. That hurt, too, but not as badly as laying on his back would have. He was still cold, despite the two cloaks, and gathered up the feeble remains of his strength to start a healing trance.
The next thing he knew, Qui-Gon was kneeling next to him.�Obi-Wan?�
Opening his eyes, Obi-Wan tried to get up, but pain shot through his body and he groaned. He didn�t know how long he�d been out, but his entire body had become very stiff and every movement was an effort rewarded by agony. Gently, Qui-Gon helped him get off the floor, pouring Force energy into him, and eventually, he was able to stand upright.
The overhead lights had been turned off and streetlights were the only illumination now. Obi-Wan almost stumbled into the swoop, and Qui-Gon held him steady as he battled weakly to get his leg over the seat. A moment later, his master had mounted the swoop in front of him and started the engine.
"Hang on, Obi-Wan!�
Obi-Wan was only vaguely aware of them heading away from the house in the opposite direction of the store and finding a different access hatch than the one he�d come down. Qui-Gon was taking his own advice about not being seen in the same places too often. Then they were up in the maintainance area and had stopped close to the walkway where Senator Yirrit was sitting next to one of the poles. The Sullustan scrambled to his feet as the swoop stopped, and reached out to help Obi-Wan off, but unfortunately, he caught the padawan by his injured hand.
Obi-Wan screeched and pulled away, almost falling off the swoop on the other side, but Qui-Gon was there to catch him. Carefully, he guided his padawan to the place next to the pole and helped him sit down, then took a seat next to him, offering his leg as a pillow.
"What happened to your hand?�Senator Yirrit asked as Obi-Wan struggled to get comfortable.
"Jerrup--put a nail--through it,�Obi-Wan reported.
"A nail?�Senator Yirrit looked sickened to the point of nausea. Staring fixedly at the padawan as though trying to see the injury through two layers of bantha wool cloaks and a gauze bandage, he slowly brought out his handkerchief to wipe his mouth.�And--and what else did they do to you?�
"Hit me--with--a crowbar. Whipped me--�Obi-Wan did not tell the Senator that Jerrrup had set everything up for -him-, but to judge by the expression of sheer horror on the Senator�s face, he had just realised it anyway.
"Don�t talk, Obi-Wan. Save your strength. I�ll help you into a healing trance now. We don�t know how long we�ll be waiting,�Qui-Gon said quickly. He plainly did not want the Senator, who had started to twist his handkerchief around his other hand, to dwell on Obi-Wan�s injuries and how they might have been inflicted on him instead, if not for the Jedi. Just then, however, Qui-Gon�s comlink beeped, and he removed it from his belt pouch.
"Yes?�he asked, not identifying himself by name.
"You have a shipment of refresher tanks headed for Alderaan?�
"No, I have two shipments of refresher tanks for Corellia.�
"Two shipments?�
"Yes, two.�
"We can take two. Docking bay FH-7.�
"Two shipments, docking bay FH-7,�Qui-Gon nodded.
"What was all that about?�Senator Yirrit asked as the Jedi master tucked his comlink away.�Refresher tanks going to Alderaan or Corellia?�
"Special code,�Qui-Gon said, shifting himself out from under Obi-Wan and up into a kneeling position.
"Special code?�
"I spoke of two shipments, that means two passengers. I�ll be sending Obi-Wan back with you. By disagreeing with them about the destination of the shipment, I was informing them that everything was all right otherwise.�
"I�ve never been referred to as �refresher tanks� before,�the Senator stated, alternately twisting his handkerchief in his hands and patting his mouth repeatedly.
"Can�t--imagine--why not,�Obi-Wan murmured in disbelief. Even though Senator Yirrit showed no signs of having heard, Qui-Gon frowned down at his padawan.
"I don�t know whether to be insulted or �flushed� with pride,�the Senator went on, grinning briefly at his own joke, but his hands were still working nervously at the square of cloth.�I�ll wait here while you get the boy over to that docking bay.�
"No,�Qui-Gon said, motioning to the swoop.�We�ll do it the same way again. Obi-Wan stays here and you come with me now. It won�t take very long and Obi-Wan will be fine.�
"Are you sure? He looks a bit drained to me. Get it? Refresher tank? Drained?�He started to laugh, but it sounded harsh and forced somehow.
"You have been through a lot and you are very close to hysteria, Senator. The sooner you are safely on your way to Coruscant, the better you will feel,�Qui-Gon said with a little wave of his hand.
"Yes, the sooner I�m safely on my way to Coruscant, the better I�ll feel,�the Senator repeated, swinging his leg over the seat.
Still kneeling, not making any movement to get up, Qui-Gon said gently,�Stay here, Obi-Wan. I�ll be back in a few minutes.�
"Yes, masser,�Obi-Wan slurred.
Qui-Gon placed a hand on his shoulder, lingering for a moment with a worried look on his face, then finally got to his feet and went to the swoop. Obi-Wan watched for a moment, then shut his eyes, but he was no longer in any position to concentrate on a healing trance, and the pain did not allow him to sleep, either. He simply lay there, opening his eyes occasionally and glancing around. After the sound of the swoop had died away, it was very quiet in the maintainance channels--eerily quiet. Obi-Wan tried incoherently to tell himself that he was glad to be away from Senator Yirrit�s bothersome chatter and that he should be enjoying the silence, but the truth was, he�d rarely felt so alone or so vulnerable. In his present state, he knew he�d scarcely be able to fight off even a rat, and he wished fervently that Qui-Gon would hurry up and come back. It was a long and painful time until his master returned, parking the swoop right next to him so that he wouldn�t have to walk more than a step or two to reach it.
"Still alive?�he tried to ask jokingly as he knelt down next to his padawan.
Obi-Wan wanted to reply, but only managed an inarticulate sound.
"I was worried about leaving you here, but I knew I could trust you not to wander off or do anything stupid,�Qui-Gon said, sending him a burst of energy through the Force.�I wasn�t so sure about the Senator. He was too close to a nervous breakdown. Right, then, let�s get you up.�
If anything, Obi-Wan was even stiffer than before, and the agony of movement made him groan several times.
"I�m sorry it hurts, Padawan. I�d put you to sleep, but I don�t want you to fall off while we�re flying,�Qui-Gon said grimly, picking up Obi-Wan�s leg and dropping it on the other side of the seat. Keeping hold of his padawan�s good arm, pulling it around his own ribs, he sat down in front. Obi-Wan leaned forward against him, resting his head on his master�s back, then closed his eyes. For him, the journey was a never-ending sequence of being pushed back slightly and falling forward again, or occasionally leaning to one side, the pain in his ribs increasing and decreasing by turns. When they left the maintainance channels, they dropped vertically through the hatch into the docking bay below, landing directly in front of a loading ramp. Obi-Wan didn�t bother to look at the rest of the ship as Qui-Gon put an arm around his waist and lifted him off the swoop, then supported him the rest of the way.
There was a corridor. Then a door. He was being lowered facedown onto a narrow bunk. Someone was pulling his boots off. There was a gentle touch, which he felt both physically and mentally. And then there was only darkness, warm and comforting darkness.