Jedi Go Home
Part 7
All the way to the space port, Qui-Gon was aware of Obi-Wan. Now that his apprentice�s shields were down, he could sense a steady stream of pain and fear and hatred coming from the back seat. Qui-Gon grimaced at the memory of the brutal torture and wished fervently that he�d been able to spare his apprentice that agony. Obviously, he�d been so caught up in Obi-Wan�s disappearance over the last five weeks that he hadn�t bothered to equate the word interrogation with torture for the simple reason that they had all believed they�d captured a member of the Theosnen Resistance and not a Jedi Apprentice. He might have thought twice about the Get-tro-wen methods if he�d only known before that they�d caught Obi-Wan! If only he�d gone outside the gates of the estate that night instead of appointing himself temporary bodyguard to the Mayor! Now he realised he�d slowly but surely been losing his focus. It was time to go home.When they stopped next to the ship and Qui-Gon got out, Obi-Wan remained motionless where he was, and the guards had to pull him out of the car and force him up the ramp into the ship. They pushed him into one of the seats in the lounge, handed the key of the handcuffs to Qui-Gon, saluted him, and left. A bit taken aback, Qui-Gon undid the handcuffs, then invited Obi-Wan to come up into the cockpit with him for the takeoff.
Obi-Wan just glared at him, and after a moment, Qui-Gon went up alone.
Once they were in hyperspace, Qui-Gon left the cockpit and came back to the lounge. Obi-Wan had stripped off his Jedi tunics and was now wearing a purple pullover trimmed with blue, which Qui-Gon assumed had been his present from Rixi. A glance at the table showed the neatly folded wrapping paper and the empty box, and he discovered Obi-Wan�s tunics flung into a corner, which made him frown slightly. His apprentice was still sitting sulkily in the chair, his arms crossed defiantly across his chest, and his expression one of anger and contempt.
"How do I know I�m really your apprentice?�he demanded.�You could be lying!�
"Jedi always tell the truth,�Qui-Gon said. He frowned as he wondered what he could offer the boy as proof. All the holos and pictures he had of Obi-Wan were at home on Coruscant.�Didn�t you ever wonder why the Jedi were looking for you so intensively? We�re not bounty hunters, you know. I wasn�t chasing you because you�d done something wrong. I was worried about you--I thought you�d been kidnapped.�
Obi-Wan snorted with disbelief.
"The genetic signature from the blood sample that they took from you in the prison corresponded exactly to the one on your identity disc--your real identity disc. The one that says Obi-Wan Kenobi on it, the one that I gave to the Get-tro-wens to help them locate you.�
"That�s only what you say!�
"No, you didn�t see the results yourself, that�s true. I�m sorry. I have nothing to offer you as proof at the moment. You�ll just have to trust me. I want to help you because I care about you like a son.�
"I�m not your son and I don�t want Jedi help!�Obi-Wan snapped, glaring angrily at him.
Qui-Gon decided to ignore this and asked instead,�Are you hungry?�
Obi-Wan continued to glare. Qui-Gon knew that he was hungry, but didn�t want to admit it. Going to the food unit in the wall, he selected a meal. It appeared in the slot three minutes later, steaming invitingly, and he took it out and placed it on the table in front of his apprentice.
"Here,�he said.�Your favourite.�
"What is it?�Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon berated himself lightly for forgetting that Obi-Wan would not remember his old favourites.�Chopped onions and apples and tomatoes, all fried with bacon and hamburger, then baked under a layer of mashed potatoes.�
Giving it a cautious prod with the fork, Obi-Wan tasted it carefully, as though expecting to be poisoned, then proceeded to eat up every bite. Qui-Gon got his own meal and sat down, glancing at him occasionally. Under the blood and the bruises, Obi-Wan appeared to be in good shape. He had put on some weight while he�d been missing, Qui-Gon thought; his face seemed fuller somehow.
"What happened to your braid?�he finally asked.
"We cut it off, it was too conspicuous,�Obi-Wan snarled.
Qui-Gon felt a sharp pang of regret. He should have been the one to cut Obi-Wan�s braid in the ceremony that would raise him from apprentice to knight. He�d been watching the braid grow, proudly marking its progress as it reached first to the boy�s shoulder, then down to his chest. And now it was gone. It would take years to grow it out again. Obi-Wan would be dismayed when he regained his memory and realised what he�d done.
"We didn�t want the Jedi to find me,�Obi-Wan added, twisting the knife. Qui-Gon managed to keep his face impassive as he nodded.�Your friends took good care of you.�
"It�s only the Getters who go around torturing people,�Obi-Wan said. Finishing his meal, he stood up.�And the Jedi.�
"Do you remember the ship?�Qui-Gon asked, ignoring the hate-filled comment. Without waiting for an answer, he gave Obi-Wan a quick tour.�Your cabin is the first one there on the right. Mine is right next to it. There�s the refresher, and the cockpit is through there.�
Without another word, Obi-Wan stalked to his cabin, found the button to open the door, and went in without a backwards glance. Feeling his apprentice�s pain through their bond, Qui-Gon stood up as well, reaching for the emergency medical box and removing a painkiller cylinder from it before knocking on Obi-Wan�s door.
"What?�Obi-Wan called out, obviously annoyed.
Qui-Gon opened the door.�I thought you might need this.�
"What is it?�Obi-Wan had come forward menacingly, as though to physically push him away, but now he stopped and stared at the small device that Qui-Gon extended to him.
"A painkiller. See, you press this end against your skin and press this button to release it. You can regulate the dosage here.�Qui-Gon barely had time to finish the demonstration before Obi-Wan snatched it out of his hand and reached for the door control.
It was only a few minutes later that the torrent of pain, anger and the beginnings of hate that Qui-Gon could constantly sense through their bond slowed abruptly to the merest trickle, and Qui-Gon guessed that Obi-Wan had fallen asleep. Entering the cabin, he stared down at where his apprentice had collapsed onto his side on top of the covers. Obi-Wan looked more at peace now than he had when he was awake, despite the bruises on his face. He was also still fully clothed, right down to his boots, so Qui-Gon gently eased them off, one by one. When he�d finished, he found the boy�s cloak and spread it over him, then turned out the lights on his way out.
Obi-Wan slept almost a full day. Qui-Gon used the time to send a message to the Jedi Temple, advising them of Obi-Wan�s condition. After discovering that Master Healer An-Paj had set out for the medical center on Sceotan to personally pick up the drug that would be used to treat Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon spent many hours afterwards in meditation. He had a good feeling whenever he thought of the future, and it reassured him.
The peace of the journey came to an abrupt end when Obi-Wan woke up. Through their bond, Qui-Gon felt a short-lived sense of well-being, but then came surprise and a sudden return of anger that seemed even stronger than before. Coming out of the cabin, he stamped to the table where Qui-Gon was eating his lunch.
"What was this?�he demanded, holding out the cylinder.
"A painkiller,�Qui-Gon replied.
"You�re lying! It was a sedative! You mind-tricked me into sedating myself so that you could come in and influence my mind while I was asleep.�
Qui-Gon was surprised, but repeated mildly,�It�s a painkiller, Obi-Wan.�
"Don�t call me that.�
"I�m sorry. Ben. It really is a painkiller, you can open it up and look.�
Giving him another hard look, Obi-Wan fumbled with the cylinder and finally exposed the cartridge inside, silently reading the tiny words printed on it.
"What dosage did you give yourself?�Qui-Gon asked.
"Ten,�Obi-Wan mumbled.
Ten? No wonder he�d slept so long. Qui-Gon had set the dosage to seven, which was a little higher than the recommended amount for the average adult, before giving it to him. Now he said,�Never mind. You needed it.�
"You mind-tricked me into taking it.�
"Why should I have done that?�
"So you can influence my mind while I�m asleep. Make me do things I don�t want to do.�
"I didn�t influence your mind while you were asleep, Ben,�Qui-Gon said patiently.
"Then what did you do? I know you were in my cabin!�
"I took your boots off and covered you up. It gets cold in hyperspace. I turned off the light. That�s all, Ben.�Obi-Wan still looked sceptical, and Qui-Gon added,�You�ve done the same for me, when I was hurt or exhausted after a mission.�
"I don�t remember,�Obi-Wan snapped.
"I know. Shall I make you some tea?�
"I don�t want any stinking Jedi tea.�
"You�re hungry. I�ll get you something to eat.�
"I�ll get it myself!�Obi-Wan stood up and moved to the food unit, and Qui-Gon could sense him figuring it out, then making a selection.
"Hey, Jedi,�he said after a long silence.
"My name is Qui-Gon Jinn,�Qui-Gon stated calmly, turning in his seat to face him.�You may call me master, or Qui-Gon.�
"I�m not calling you master. I�m not your slave!�
"Then call me Qui-Gon.�
"Hey, Jedi,�Obi-Wan said, sarcastically emphasizing the word,�is there any ice cream on this ship?�
"No.�
Conventiently overhearing Obi-Wan�s curse, Qui-Gon thought for a moment, then said,�If you want something sweet, I think there�s bread pudding with vanilla sauce.�
"Yuck.�
"You always used to like it.�
"Bread pudding?�Obi-Wan scoffed, removing his meal from the heating unit and bringing it to the table.
"With apples and chopped almonds,�Qui-Gon added.
Obi-Wan gave him another glare, then began to eat. When he�d finished, he put his tray away in silence, then disappeared into the refresher. Qui-Gon went into the cockpit to check their course, which took all of two seconds, then dropped into a light meditation mode. To his surprise, Obi-Wan came and joined him when he�d finished in the refresher. He�d taken a shower and shaved, and although he was wearing that pullover again, he looked (and smelled) much better.
"Did I know how to fly this ship?�Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon was astonished by the civil tone of voice that his apprentice had suddenly developed, then felt a sort of prickling in the Force around him that seemed to be warning him to be alert. There wasn�t any danger, not yet, but Obi-Wan was planning something.
"Yes,�Qui-Gon replied truthfully.�In fact, you flew us to Theosne. Does it look familiar?�
"Sort of.�
Obi-Wan sat silently for several minutes, staring at the console, then stood up abruptly and went back to the lounge area. Qui-Gon felt the prickling increase slightly as he considered joining his apprentice, then noticed it recede as he decided to stay where he was. Ah, he thought again. Obi-Wan was definitely up to something.
He�d better get it over with. Standing up from the pilot�s seat, Qui-Gon walked back to the lounge. Obi-Wan was crouched under the table, as though picking up something that he�d dropped, and when he straightened up, he threw a punch aimed directly at Qui-Gon�s chin. Sensing it coming, however, Qui-Gon ducked back instintictively.
It wasn�t much of a fight. Obi-Wan�s strength had yet to return completely after his torture, and he probably did not even remember the existance of the Force, let alone how to use it. Grabbing the boy�s left arm and executing a few well-practised moves, Qui-Gon had pushed him face-down to the deck and sat on him before he�d been able to put up any resistance at all. Then Qui-Gon removed the handcuffs from one of his belt pouches and snapped one end around Obi-Wan�s wrist and the other end around the nearest table leg, which was securely bolted to the floor.
"Get off me, you great hulking piece of Jedi scum!�Obi-Wan cried, trying to buck him off and pull his wrist free at the same time.
Qui-Gon stood up, then stepped back smoothly as Obi-Wan tried to grab his leg and pull him down with his free hand.
"Obi-Wan, listen to me,�he said, selecting a point that was out of reach and kneeling down so that they were at the same eye level.
"I told you not to call me that!�
"Ben. Listen.�
"Let me go!�Obi-Wan tugged at his wrist again.
"How much do you really remember about flying this ship?�
"Enough!�
"You�re bluffing.�
"No, I�m not!�
"We�re in hyperspace now. If you pull us out prematurely, you could fly the ship right into a star or an asteroid, or something else, and we�d both die.�
"I know that!�Obi-Wan replied petulantly, in exactly the manner that convinced Qui-Gon of the opposite.
"And even if you do remember how to fly, even if you manage to get through the Get-tro-wen space patrols and land the ship on Theosne again, you will be caught, arrested and executed before you ever reach Rixi.�
Obi-Wan�s face turned red and he snapped angrily,�Who said I was going back to Theosne? I could take this ship anywhere in the galaxy!�
Smiling bitterly, Qui-Gon asked,�Ben, which planets do you remember? Where would you go?�
Obi-Wan was silent just long enough, and Qui-Gon knew his theory had been correct even as the boy protested,�I wouldn�t go to Coruscant, and that�s all you need to know, Jedi!�
"How about Kessel?�Qui-Gon asked, knowing in advance that it wasn�t a fair question.
"Maybe!�
"They don�t get many volunteers to work in the spice mines there. Usually, they rely on convicted criminals.�
Obi-Wan�s anger increased and he struggled again, trying to pull his wrist through the cuff by sheer willpower.�You�re mind-tricking me again, Jedi!�
"No. I�m merely pointing out some of the dangers involved when someone tries to commandeer a ship and yet has no idea where to go or even what�s out there. Now. I�m going to go into the cockpit for twenty minutes. I want you to sit here and consider what I�m about to tell you. You do not remember how to fly this ship. You do not remember anything about astro-navigation.�
"Stop trying to mind-trick me!�Obi-Wan protested.
Qui-Gon sighed. This was going to be more complicated than he�d thought.�Ben, I was stating the facts, not mind-tricking you.�
"Prove it!�
"All right, I will.�Summoning the Force, Qui-Gon used it to give emphasis to his words as he commanded,� I will lay down on my stomach and put my hands flat on the floor.�
Slowly, obviously unwilling, but unable to resist, Obi-Wan stretched out, repeating the words as he did so. When he was prone, both palms on the deck, Qui-Gon released him, and he scrambled up again almost instantly.�Stinking filthy Jedi!�
"Did you feel the difference? You had to obey.�
Obi-Wan spit in his face, and it took all of his Jedi training for Qui-Gon not to show his disgust. After a moment, he wiped it away with his sleeve and went on as though nothing had happened.
"That�s what a Jedi mind trick feels like, Ben. Now that you know the difference, I do not want to hear another word about it. I will not use another mind trick on you and you will have no reason to accuse me of doing so.�
Obi-Wan glowered at him in silence.
"Now, as I was saying. If you were to gain control of this ship, you would kill us both through sheer ignorance, because you simply don�t remember. As I am your master and pledged to protect you, even from yourself, I refuse to let this happen. If you give me your word that you will not attack me again and try to take over, I will release you. If you feel that you cannot give me your word, I will have no choice but to keep you here for the rest of the trip. If you give me your word and break it later, I will handcuff your hands behind your back for the next three days until we reach Coruscant, and that would include mealtimes and going to the refresher. Consider the consequences before you act, Ben.�
Standing up gracefully, Qui-Gon turned and went into the cockpit, ignoring Obi-Wan�s angry shout of "Come back here you stinking filthy Jedi cheat!�
For the next twenty minutes, Qui-Gon stared alternately down at the console or at the blackness of space outside the viewscreen, and wished heartily there were some way to program the computer to respond only to him. But there wasn�t, and therefore he was left only with the options he had just presented to Obi-Wan. Although it pained him to be so harsh, it was for the boy�s own protection, after all, and hopefully, the threat would be enough. He wasn�t looking forward to having to humiliate his own apprentice, but he was prepared to do it and anything else that was necessary to keep Obi-Wan from hurting himself until his memory returned.
Qui-Gon had to keep reminding himself that Obi-Wan�s feelings of fear and anger were directed at the imaginary picture of the Jedi that he�d picked up on Theosne, and not against himself personally, but it still stung a little to hear those furious comments in his apprentice�s voice. It would all have been easier to accept if Obi-Wan had been a stranger, but to have every kindness misconstrued as a Jedi mind trick--or worse--by the boy who would have said �thank you, master� with a grateful smile five weeks before was almost too much for Qui-Gon to bear. Although the Jedi Master knew that he could call up almost infinite patience when it was needed, he was also convinced that Obi-Wan�s antagonistic attitude would disappear as soon as he started remembering things, and therefore, the sooner they could get started on treating the amnesia, the better. He began to hope that An-Paj would already be at the Temple when they arrived.
At last, it was time. He came back to where Obi-Wan was sitting on the floor, his knees drawn up to his chest and his right arm curled around them, simply radiating resentment.
"Have you considered your answer, Ben?�Qui-Gon asked gently.
"I�ll give you my word,�Obi-Wan replied, refusing to look at him and obviously very angry at having to give in.
"You promise not to attack me or try to gain control of the ship again?�
"I promise,�Obi-Wan said through gritted teeth.
Kneeling down, Qui-Gon released the handcuffs, and Obi-Wan stomped off to his cabin.
*****
"Ben? We�ve landed at the Temple.�
At first, Ben did not react. Ever since his unsuccessful attempt three days ago to take over the ship--and he grudgingly had to admit that the Jedi was right, he would have killed them both because he really did not remember how to fly the ship, although he�d hoped he�d be able to figure it out--he�d stayed in his cabin, coming out to use the refresher and grab a meal tray only when he knew that the Jedi was not in the lounge. Now, it seemed, he had to leave his relatively safe haven and turn himself completely over to the enemy by entering the Jedi Temple. There�d be no escaping them here. There�d be too many of them, for one thing, and he was no match for them, for another thing. He�d been astonished at how fast the older, bigger man had been able to move, surprised at how easily the Jedi had overcome him.
"Ben? May I come in?�
Ben sighed and stood up from the bed, then opened the door.
"Have you packed your things?�Setting down his own bag, the Jedi came in and reached for the one that had been in the cabin when Ben had come on board, then tracked down the clothes that Ben had tossed into the tiny wardrobe, folding them neatly into the carryall. He handed the bag to Ben, then went out, and Ben followed, feeling similar to the way he�d felt when the Getters had taken him into their prison. There was no escape. There was no point in even trying. He was surrounded, and he had to submit. And he was scared.
They went down the ramp and were met by a woman only just coming into middle age, almost a full head shorter than Obi-Wan and pretty, with auburn hair twisted up on top of her head.
"Leona,�the Jedi said, sounding surprised.�Where�s An-Paj?�
"He�s still on his way back from Sceotan,�the woman said.�How are you?�
"He should have been here by now. I was hoping to start the treatment immediately.�
"There�s no hurry, Qui-Gon. How long has it been?�
"About six weeks.�
"Then one or two more days won�t make any difference, will it?�Looking beyond him, the woman smiled.�Hello, Obi-Wan. That�s a lovely pullover.�
Ben just glared.
"I�m Leona, one of the Healers here at the Temple. Why don�t we go down to the infirmary now and check you over, make sure you�re all right before we really do start the treatment.�
"I�m fine! And I�m not going to any stinking Jedi infirmary!�
"As you said, Leona, one or two more days won�t make any difference, will it,�the Jedi put in smoothly, which surprised Ben. He�d fully expected the taller man to march him straight there.�Let�s give Obi-Wan the chance to get used to being here first.�
"All right, if you insist, Qui-Gon.�Leona smiled again.�You two can go to your quarters and get settled in, and An-Paj can do the preliminary check-up when he gets back.�
As Ben followed the Jedi to the back of the hanger where there were two lifts, side by side, he decided that he didn�t know which would be worse, going to a Jedi infirmary, or going to Qui-Gon�s quarters.