| A Bond Of Friendship: Story 7: A Fight For Life Author: Angel5000 ***************** Obi-Wan stared in horror as the two guards hooked Reeft up to a machine. There were needles and all types of wires being attached to his friend and it wasn�t hard to guess what they were for. None too gently an electric collar was placed around his neck. The stun rate could be placed any where from stun as painless as a slap on the face to a shock strong enough to kill five humans. Obi-Wan himself was hooked up to a machine similar to Reeft�s but he worried more about his friend. Who cared which one of the two boys was in a stronger state? By the time these guards were done no one would be strong enough to even sit up let alone walk or even think of escaping. A Healer dressed all in white walked up, �Please squeeze your fist.� His voice was strange and unfamiliar, and his face was covered so that no one could tell who he was. �No.� Obi-Wan chocked out. He wasn�t going to cooperate in getting injected full of drugs. If they wanted to shoot him full of that stuff they�d have to fight him the whole way. �You will squeeze your fist or I will find another way to inject you.� The man replied. He actually seemed cheerful at the idea of hurting him! �No! There is no way I�m going to let you shoot me up with whatever that is! For all I know it has the strain of a deadly virus in it!� The boy shouted back. This Healer wasn�t a very patient man and he slapped the boy hard on his cheek. �Unless you cooperate I will inject the entire syringe into your friend over there and he will die. If you are smart you will allow me to inject you with half of this liquid.� It was strange that this man seemed to make a point of avoiding what exactly was in the syringe. The guards didn�t have any problem with letting the boys know what kinds of torture devices were available and what would happen to them. �Fine. I will cooperate if you are going to play dirty like that.� Obi-Wan said dejectedly. He was in a no-win situation. On one hand Reeft would die, on the other he had to give in and they could both die anyway. Quietly the teen balled his hand into a fist, making the veins easier to find. Quickly and efficiently and with little pain the Healer injected half of the syringe into Obi-Wan and then hurried away. He didn�t gloat or make it painful like the guards. Instead the Healer seemed very compassionate. It only took a few minutes before the liquid began to take its toll. His entire arm went numb and his body soon followed. In only a matter of seconds his movements went from smooth to clumsy, slow and sluggish. Even in times when he thought of himself as rather clumsy it was nothing compared to this. When the Healer came back from injecting Reeft he proceeded to adjust the electrical collar on Obi-Wan. As he was doing so he lifted up his face covering slightly, in order to see better and allow the Jedi a look at his face. To Obi-Wan�s dismay and surprise it was Dari, �Forgive me young Jedi but I had to inject you with the Force Repellent. If I hadn�t we all would have been killed and escape made impossible. For the next few hours you will have little, if any, contact with the Force. Do not worry, I have an antidote and will inject you as soon as you are released to your cells, whether you are conscious or not. I know how important the Force is to Jedi and I plan on helping you all I can.� She whispered while pretending to check the collar�s clasps. �How do you know I am Jedi?� Obi-Wan asked quietly. �Why else would they order me to inject a Fore Repellent and why else would The Eldero want you?� She whispered back. Before Obi-Wan could ask what she meant the guard came over and Dari hid her face and turned her voice synthesizer back on. �I�m finished here. Call me when you are finished and I will come with you when you escort them back. I must put some more Truth Serum in the food of the prisoners in the cells surrounding theirs so I might as well do it when you bring them back. That way I can check them to make sure they will survive your beatings and interrogations.� She replied in her normal voice. �Watch your mouth! You could just as easily be back in those cells if you don�t keep your respect.� The guard growled. �I meant no disrespect, my answer was only logical. The Eldero will be quite angry if the children died when he specifically told you they must survive. If I check them over I can ensure their survival.� She said; her head bowed slightly. Obi-Wan was amazed. Never before had Dari actually been extremely respectful to any guards. She had always demanded what she wanted. This was not like her. �Very well then.� The guard relented, �I will call you when it is time for them to be returned. Until then stay out of here.� He snapped. �Yes sir.� She replied and after bowing she hurried from the room. Right at the moment she wasn�t acting her normal self but she had to play the part of the obedient prisoner if her plan was going to work out. As soon as the Healer left the guards go to work poking and prodding the boys. When they wouldn�t answer a question they were shocked with an electrical jolt. Each time they refused to answer the jolt was put up one notch. It wasn�t too long before the jolts of electricity became so strong that the boys had to fight to keep consciousness. Without the Force it was nearly impossible and several times the guards had to inject them with drugs to keep them from slipping out of consciousness. �Now. We�ll try this one more time. Who is Maktall?� �I�told� you� I�. don�t�. know�� Reeft gasped out painfully. This time the jolt was too strong and painful. His eyes rolled back into his head and his whole body began convulsing. His heartbeat was doing crazy and his breathing strained. �What�s going on here?� A voice commanded. Immediately the guards dropped to one knee but neither one answered. Xanatos scowled at the guards, �Inject him with a stabilizing drug quickly! If he dies you both will suffer the consequences!� The dark Jedi�s voice was angry and the guards jumped to obey. They wanted in no way to be on the receiving end of this man�s anger. To disobey Xanatos would result in a very slow and painful death and they both knew it. Obi-Wan watched hopelessly as they injected Reeft with several different combinations of drugs. None of them seemed to be working very well. His breathing would become normal only for it to become strained a few seconds later. What the boy needed was some medicine and he needed it fast. �Inject him with a painkiller and another stabilizing combo. I want the highest dosage available put into that boy!� �But sir! That is the guard�s dosage! It is against the regulations for a prisoner to receive any painkiller, let alone a dosage that high! We have already broken several regulations by even giving him a stabilizing drug!� The guard protested. Xanatos grabbed him by the neck and held him above the ground a few inches. The man�s eyes widened and he grasped at the fingers that were cutting off his air, �You will inject him or I will kill you right here and now and then inject him myself. I gave you an order and you will obey it! Is that understood?� Xanatos ground out, taking his time in talking. Really he didn�t care if he suffocated. This guard had always questioned his orders anyway. His only response was a nod, as he couldn�t breath enough to respond verbally. The man was dropped rather unceremoniously. Before his feet hit the ground the guard was already running to get the painkiller. When his task was completed Xanatos surveyed the room carefully, �Return these boys to their cells. No one is to touch them until I give the word. They must receive at least twenty-four hours of rest before being interrogated again. I want them to stay alive. They are of no use to me dead. Is that understood?� Xanatos ground out sternly. He didn�t have to tell them the consequences of disobeying him. They already knew. �Yes sir, we understand perfectly.� The guards replied quickly, wanting to quell Xanatos� anger. Good. Take them to their cells now. When they are safely locked up report to me.� Xanatos replied evenly. �Yes sir. Right away sir.� With that the Padawan�s were dragged without kindness or feeling from the room and back to their cell. The guards had contacted Dari as they had promised and she arrived at the cell door just as they were tossing them in. �I�ll take over now.� She said quietly. The guard didn�t argue. They were too pre-occupied by their order to report to Xanatos to worry about anything at the moment. Xanatos, or The Eldero as they called him, was the most feared man on the planet. He wasn�t Codi but he was in charge, a very important man to the Codi. He was a friend with some of the largest, richest and most important families in the entire Codi race so he was well respected and feared. As soon as the guards were gone Dari hurried into the room. She was afraid of the danger Obi-Wan and Reeft were in. Anyone who was taken to the Interrogation Room usually returned nearly dead and not many survived afterwards. The boy�s health was, as she had feared. Obi-Wan was in shock from the jolts he had received and Reeft�s health was only slightly better. The only reason he was any healthier at all was because of the injections they had given him. �You poor dears!� She whispered and immediately began to inject them with painkillers and antidotes that would reverse the damage done by the electrical shocks. Right now her biggest hope was that the two boys would get through this ordeal alive� * * * * * * * �There�s camp number 3.� Binn said, pointing towards the structure on their left. �Something is not right here. I sense pain and confusion from this place�and�and I sense Obi-Wan! I can feel him inside of here!� Qui-Gon stopped the landspeeder and jumped out as quickly as he could while still being somewhat safe. Just as Binn started climbing out five guards rushed from the gate, their blasters raised and ready to fire. �Stop! Please state your name and business for being here!� The superior officer barked out. �I am Qui-Gon and I am here to get my Apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. You will let me pass.� Qui-Gon said, taking a step forward. He didn�t bother trying to use a mind suggestion because he knew it wouldn�t work. �You have no authorization. There is no one here that I know of by the name Obi-Wan Kenobi. Please return to Headquarters and I will tell The Eldero you have come. He will see to it that you are contacted. You will leave now.� The guard replied. �I�m sorry. That isn�t an option.� With that Qui-Gon and Binn simultaneously pulled out their lightsabers and attacked the guards. They didn�t kill them all. Actually the only ones that died were the three that were hit by the blaster fire that was reflected back at them. The other two surrendered when they saw that there was no chance of survival. �Now you will tell us where the boys are being held.� Binn said firmly. �All I know is that the newest prisoners are in Cell Block A1. They were taken to the Interrogation Room today so we do not expect them to live long.� The guard replied in a shaky voice. He was scared to death by the lightsabers being held in the hands of the Jedi. Qui-Gon looked at Binn. His face was still the same blank face as before but Binn could sense his fear. �You two come with us. You will escort us to their cell.� Binn said; his voice had a strange, deadly sound to it. The guards were too scared to refuse and they nodded their heads. �We will escort you but if we get caught we won�t defend you.� The second guard said. When Qui-Gon nodded his head in understanding they headed into the building. * * * * * * * Lorenda watched as Dari injected shot after shot of painkillers and antidotes into the boys� bodies. Finally she couldn�t stand sitting there helplessly. There was a lot that she could do to help, �Dari let me help you. They have many wounds that need to be cared for. Let me do something.� Dari didn�t look up from her work. Normally she wouldn�t let others help but this time was different. This time she was racing time. �Look through my bag and find the ointment for Obi-Wan�s ribs. He needs it applied again. Then put an ointment on both boys� wrists. We can�t remove the chains on their ankles or the collars on their necks unfortunately so that will be untreated.� She replied without stopping. Carefully Lorenda crawled over and began to complete the task. It was a slow process because the slightest touch was painful to the teen. It took her ten minutes just to do half of his ribs. She was just starting the second half when the door suddenly slid open and two guards stood before her. Lorenda became scared for perhaps the first time in her life. Why would the guards be here unless they wanted to hurt them some more? Out of the blue the two guards stepped aside and two human men stepped into the room. �Step away from them.� The first man said. His lightsaber was ignited and the blue light filled the room. On the other side of the room Jozu shrank in fear next to Cassiono but Cassiono could only stare. She knew that face, that man was familiar. Where have I seen him before? Lorenda gasped when she saw the lightsaber. The Jedi have come! �Please � we are only helping the boys. They have been subjected to a lot of electrical jolts and are suffering tremendously. You don�t have to worry Qui-Gon, we are helping the boys.� Qui-Gon stared at the Codi before him. He didn�t know where he had seen her before yet she seemed slightly familiar. She knew his name and so they must have been acquaintances. �Who are you?� He asked quietly. �Lorenda. I have met you once before when Cassiono�s father lived near my home. You came to their house a couple of times. Maktall has hidden himself deep in the country and we don�t know where but Cassiono and my son Jozu are in the corner over there. If you are here to free us then please see about removing those chains from their ankles. The electro chains are set high and I don�t want to try to escape while wearing them.� Lorenda replied. Binn hurried over to check on the children while Qui-Gon knelt down beside Obi-Wan, �He is seriously injured but we must leave immediately. If we don�t there will be quite a few more problems.� Dari nodded, �It isn�t safe to remain here.� She turned to the guards in the doorway. �Remove the boys� chains.� She commanded. �No way! I�m not going to help you escape! The Eldero will be angry enough as it is!� They protested. �Fine.� Dari stood up and jabbed a needle into both of their arms before they could move away. She watched, as their eyes grew wide. It only took a moment before they collapsed onto the floor. �We didn�t have time to argue with them. Take the keys off their belts and unlock the boys. You have two hours before they will awake and sound the alarm.� Lorenda hurried to unlock them. She had the boys and herself unlocked in less than a minute. �Let�s go.� She said, picking up Jozu. Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan. The boy was still conscious but he weak. �It�s time to go Obi-Wan.� He said. Gently he reached down and picked the boy up. In his strong arms Obi-Wan felt light as a feather. �Master�Xanatos�� Obi-Wan murmured. The painkillers were beginning to take effect and he was getting drowsy. Qui-Gon looked at him in surprise, �Xanatos? But Obi-Wan, Xanatos is dead! He died two years ago.� The drugs must have affected the boy�s brain. �No Master�he�s alive�� Obi-Wan fought the drowsiness; he had to warn his Master! �We have to get out of here now!� Dari interrupted. Binn picked up Reeft and the two Jedi Masters hurried from the room with Lorenda and the children following. Dari led them through twisting corridors and halls until they reached the back door. �Take the two Landspeeders and head for headquarters quickly. You will have about an hours lead so you should be able to get out of here okay. Whatever you do don�t stop until you�re safe. Take these medicines and inject the boys once a day with the red liquid until it�s gone to help them heal quicker. The pills should be taken every morning, afternoon and evening at regular times, preferably with food. They will boost the immune system and help to reverse the damage done by the electrical jolts. In the white bottle is a liquid that will help with the pain. It can only be administered once every two hours by an injection. Try to alternate injection sites every so often so that the area doesn�t become too sore and the veins don�t become bruised. God speed and Good luck.� Dari whispered the instructions to them before handing over a small survival pack with everything in it. Then she turned and hurried from the door. Jozu turned to his mom, �Mamma, please may we go home now?� He whispered. �Yes dear. We may leave now.� The Codi woman replied. Tucking the boy into her arms she hurried to the landspeeder. �We can finally go home.� * * * * * * * Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan tossed and turned in a restless sleep. The boy was completely exhausted yet he couldn�t seem to sleep well. One minute he was burning with fever and the next his body shook with chills. Qui-Gon was continually bathing his head with cool water or piling blankets on him. This isn�t right! The people on the planet asked for our help and then they turn around and beat my Padawan! It isn�t right! His mind was raging and Qui-Gon had to fight to steady his thoughts. Obi-Wan lay on the couch bathed in sweat. The dreams continued to haunt him. They just wouldn�t leave him alone. He was back in the prison on Codani II and the Information Seekers were beating him for information. Master! Help me! Save me from these people! I have no information to give yet they continue to hurt me. Master�I need you� Obi-Wan I�m here. You�re okay. Relax child. I�ve come. Qui-Gon sent out the thoughts over and over to his Padawan but none of them registered in the boy�s mind. Quietly Qui-Gon placed his hands on Obi-Wan�s damp forehead and concentrated. Slowly and carefully he pulled on the force to help heal the boy. For several hours Qui-Gon knelt beside his Padawan and healed him. Finally, late that night, Obi-Wan�s eyes opened. It took a couple minutes for his vision to clear but when it did his first sight was that of his Master kneeling beside him. �Master?� He asked weakly. �Shh Obi-Wan. Do not try to speak. Just rest Padawan.� Qui-Gon soothed the boy. Master�please let me speak. There is something you must know. Obi-Wan replied mentally. Fine, speak child but do not take long. I worry about you and don�t want you to sicken yourself more. Qui-Gon responded. Master�the leader of the camp is called The Eldero�I was taken before him and I know his identity�you will not believe me but The Eldero is Xanatos. Xanatos stopped the men from killing Reeft because he said he needed us, he said we were very valuable to him. You are sure that it was Xanatos, Padawan? Yes Master, it was Xanatos. His face was scarred deeply from the acid in the pools on Telos but his hair was the same raven black and his eyes were as blue and cruel and haunting as before. Master he had the scar on his cheek, the half circle. It was Xanatos and he was in charge of the camp. I don�t know what he was doing there but it wasn�t good. Obi-Wan said. Wherever Xanatos is evil is there also. I will contact the Temple and request that the Council send someone to Codani II to investigate this. We must stop Xanatos but not at the risk of our own lives. You are weak and injured and we will return to Coruscant. It will take us a couple of weeks and hopefully by then you and Reeft will almost completely healed. Qui-Gon replied quietly. How is Reeft doing? I worry about him; they hurt him badly in the Interrogation Room. Obi-Wan responded. Reeft is resting and should be fine. Right now you should be doing the same. I will wake you when it is time for your next injection. Qui-Gon sent soothing, sleeping images to the boy hoping they would help. A few minutes later he was sleeping again, this time much more restfully. As he slept Qui-Gon sat deep in thought. They were on a transport and were headed back to Coruscant but wouldn�t be there for at least two weeks. Reeft was in a state very similar to Obi-Wan�s. Both boys had trouble sleeping and would often call out in their sleep. Lorenda, Cassiono and Jozu were on the transport also. They couldn�t be left on Codani II because now Xanatos would be after them. Qui-Gon looked up as the door slid open and Lorenda stepped inside the room. �Forgive me if was intruding but I must speak with you Qui-Gon.� She said in a low voice, not wanting to wake the sleeping boy. Something was wrong and Qui-Gon could sense it right away. Confusion, fear and sadness were all being radiated from the Codi woman. �Come in Lorenda, you weren�t interrupting anything. I was just able to get Obi-Wan back to sleep.� Qui-Gon said encouragingly. �I have come to speak with you about Cassiono.� She whispered. �Ever since she was young there were signs that she was�different. Cassiono has always been able to do things, special things. When she makes a wish it usually comes true, although not in always in the way that she expected. Back in the prison the boys were in extreme pain and she wished that they would feel no pain for one hour as least. She had hoped their pain would stop completely but instead they lost consciousness for an hour. There have been other examples too. Also she can sense things. While we were there and I was attending to the boy�s wounds she was able to warn me that the Information Seekers were coming.� Qui-Gon looked at her carefully before answering. When he did speak he made sure that his voice was neutral and calm, �Are there other things she can do?� He asked. �She can project thoughts. While she is holding Jozu and he is scared she thinks of encouraging things and he becomes calm again. She has been this way her entire life.� �What about her brother? Maktall?� Qui-Gon questioned. Lorenda looked sad for a moment, �Maktall is probably dead. It would be nearly impossible for him to hide long before they found him, before someone found him. As for being her brother�� she paused and glanced down before continuing, �Maktall isn�t her real brother. They have the same father but their mother is different. He has never had any signs. I do know that Cassiono�s uncle, her mother�s brother, was taken to become a Jedi. Last I heard he had died in a war between two planets.� Lorenda said quietly. �Are there other family members that are of some importance? Specifically those taken to become Jedi or those that are known to have force-sensitivity?� Qui-Gon inquired. �I know there were no Jedi on her fathers side. Of the family members on the mother�s side I have only met the uncle so I know of no one else there. The only other family member I knew was her brother.� �I thought Maktall wasn�t her real brother though.� Qui-Gon replied. �He isn�t. I don�t speak of him. There was another boy, which was indeed her full blood brother. He is older than her by almost three years and was taken away from his parents when he was six months old.� Lorenda replied. �Where was he taken?� Qui-Gon asked although he was sure he already knew the answer. Realization was take place and he was starting to understand. �He was taken by a Jedi Knight to go the Temple.� She responded, �I think that Cassiono has Jedi potential and I want you to take her with you.� �I cannot do that. Most children arrive at the temple when they are six months old and even if the Council did allow her to stay she couldn�t do the things that say, Obi-Wan could do. She is almost too old to be taken as a Padawan and she doesn�t have the training to become one anyway. By the time she would be ready she would be much too old.� Qui-Gon said. �I know she cannot become a Padawan but I am hoping someone will be kind enough to train her in the ways of a Jedi anyway. Perhaps she can become a Healer like her mother. Even that would be helpful. She isn�t safe with me. I know that once The Eldero as they call him, finds out about Cassiono he will begin to search for her and she won�t be safe unless she is on Coruscant with the Jedi.� Lorenda said quietly. Qui-Gon nodded, �I think I may be able to take Cassiono with me but I promise nothing. The Council will probably grant her sanctuary at least, especially when they find out who The Eldero is. But first I have a question for you. You said that we had met before, when Cassiono�s parents were friends of yours. It is vaguely familiar to me. Was Cassiono born yet?� Qui-Gon asked. �No.� Lorenda said, shaking her head. �It was right after their oldest son, Benji, was born.� �Benji? You mean, the force-sensitive child.� Qui-Gon corrected. His voice was calm but inside his thoughts were in turmoil. She nodded, �Yes. I speak of Benji.� There were tears in her eyes. Qui-Gon had come to take Benji, Cassiono�s older brother to go to the Temple. A few years after that Cassiono had been born. Qui-Gon had been sent back to see if this child too was force sensitive and if she was he was to find out if they wanted the child to return with him to the temple. Cassiono�s mother didn�t want her to be taken away as well, even though she knew that the girl was force sensitive. The thought of another child being taken was unbearable. Instead she had convinced her husband to take them to another planet until the Jedi left. They would be, in a sense, on vacation. While they were away Qui-Gon had come and, not finding them on the planet, had asked Lorenda about them. She had been asked by both parents to say that they had all died in a dreadful accident and Lorenda had gone on telling falsehoods because they were her friends and she didn�t want to see another child ripped from them. Years later, when Cassiono had been placed in her care the girl�s mother had begged her to take care of the child and keep her safe and Lorenda had. Only now her life was at stake and she wouldn�t risk keeping Cassiono here any longer. The girl was in danger and it was time that she knew the truth. After Qui-Gon heard all this, his face paled and he didn�t answer for a few minutes. Finally he looked up and met Lorenda�s eyes, �I believe that Cassiono is Obi-Wan�s sister.� * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lorenda stared at Obi-Wan�s sleeping face while tears streamed down her face. �Benji, dear sweet baby Benji. Are you sure that this boy is him?� She asked quietly. �Yes, I am positive of it. The facts fit perfectly. I took as a Padawan the same boy I took from so long ago and this is that boy. We must tell him and Cassiono the truth. I believe that they are old enough to understand.� Qui-Gon replied. As they were speaking Obi-Wan began to stir and slowly he opened his eyes, �Master? Lorenda? Is something wrong?� He sat up quickly. Lorenda took a step forward and brushed away the boy�s hair with her fingers then gently kissed his forehead, �You dear boy.� She said through her tears. Quietly she stood and turned to Qui-Gon, �I will bring Cassiono in an hour.� She whispered before hurrying from the room. �Master what was that about?� Obi-Wan asked. Everyone was acting so weird! �Lorenda is upset but not to worry, everything will be fine and will be explained to you soon. We are probably going to take Cassiono with us to the Temple because she will be safe there.� Qui-Gon said, his eyes on the boy. �What? Why are you staring at me like that?� The boy asked. �Nothing.� Qui-Gon turned away, �You just look so much like your father is all.� He mumbled. �My father?� Obi-Wan jumped up, �You knew my father? Why didn�t you tell me?� He exclaimed. �Yes, I knew your father. He was a good man. Had it not been for him I do not believe you would have been allowed to return to the temple. Your mother didn�t want you to leave. Years later, three years to be exact, she had another child, your sister. When your sister was born I was sent to see if she too was Force Sensitive. When I arrived I was informed that everyone was killed in an accident. Only a little while ago did I come across information telling me that my friend, your father, had not died at the time. He died a few years later as did your mother.� Qui-Gon couldn�t believe he was telling this to his Padawan. �You mentioned a sister. What happened to her?� Obi-Wan asked breathlessly. �She survived and was sent to live with relatives.� Qui-Gon knew that this wasn�t the complete truth but he had to wait until later to tell the whole truth. �Will I ever meet her?� Obi-Wan asked quietly. �Yes Obi-Wan, you will meet her someday, someday soon actually.� �Soon? Master what are you getting at? I don�t understand.� Obi-Wan burst out. �Nothing. You will find out later. For now you should dress because Cassiono and Lorenda are stopping by sometime soon. Everything will reveal itself in good time.� Qui-Gon replied. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Obi-Wan and Cassiono stared at Qui-Gon and Lorenda. They had just been told the news and neither one could believe it. �Auntie! Why didn�t you tell me I was force sensitive? I could have gone to stay with the Jedi much sooner!� Cassiono said quietly. �I promised your mother I would take care of you. How could I do that if you were on the other side of the galaxy on a planet that I�ve never even seen? All I knew of the Jedi was what they had done to your family. Of the pain they had caused your mother when they came for Benji. She had agreed to give him up but every day of her life was spent regretting that decision.� Lorenda replied. �So my parents are truly dead?� Obi-Wan questioned sadly. Even though Qui-Gon had told him that before deep inside he had hoped it wasn�t true. He had never thought about his parents being dead and it was unnerving. �I don�t know. Honestly I don�t think they are. The police reports said that she had been shot and that your fathers ship had been shot down but that means nothing. It could have been a cover to protect them from The Eldero.� Lorenda answered. �Yes, that is very possible. Another reason why it is important to take Cassiono with us but it is up to her and you to decide. I know how you feel Lorenda but I need to know Cassiono�s thoughts.� Qui-Gon said. Lorenda nodded and turned to Cassiono, �It�s up to you dear.� �Auntie you know I love you and I love Jozu but I feel I must go with them. It will be safer for me and for you and Jozu and I will have a chance to learn things that I don�t know yet.� She had tears in her eyes as she answered but her voice was calm. �Very well then dear. You will stay with the Jedi when Jozu and I get off.� Lorenda replied. Tears glistened in her eyes as she tried to hold them back but eventually a single tear worked its way down her cheek. Qui-Gon could see that Lorenda and Cassiono needed time to spend together before they got off and Obi-Wan was also tiring, �I think it�s time we go. My Padawan is growing tired, this has been to much excitement for him.� �Please Master, let Cassiono stay. I want to speak with her, there is so much I want to know.� Obi-Wan begged. Qui-Gon shook his head, �Tomorrow Obi-Wan, but right now you must sleep.� Cassiono stood up and nodded, �He�s right Obi-Wan�brother�and you need your sleep. I�ll see you tomorrow.� The girl turned to Qui-Gon, �Thank you sir for everything you�ve done for me. I hope I�m not causing any trouble.� She said with a small curtsey. �No problem child. The Council will be surprised no doubt but I think they will understand. I don�t know what they will say about training you in the arts of the Jedi but I doubt they will send you away.� Qui-Gon answered. The two females said goodbye and left quickly, not wanting to overstay their welcome. Once they were gone Obi-Wan lay back on the sleep couch with a sigh, �Master, I have a sister.� �Yes Padawan, you have a sister.� �But, she is here, with me. She may even have the ability to stay at the temple and become a Jedi herself. Do you know how much fun that would be to have a sister who was a Jedi with me?� Obi-Wan asked, sitting back up again. �Obi-Wan, I do not think the Council will let her become a Jedi. She will probably be allowed to stay at the temple but no more than that. Maybe You must remember that she is 13, already too old to become a Padawan and she isn�t training at all.� Qui-Gon didn�t want the boy�s hopes getting too high. �Yes Master, I understand.� Outside Obi-Wan seemed to be accepting the decision but inside his thoughts were spinning as he attempted to find a way to keep his sister with him. �Sleep now Padawan.� Qui-Gon said gently. Obi-Wan lay down and fell asleep, dreaming about the things he would do with Cassiono when she got to the Temple. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Several days later the group landed at the temple. Lorenda and Jozu had got off on a planet a few days before and now only five of them descended the ramp. Over the last three days Obi-Wan had spent several hours with Cassiono discussing their parents and also discussing the Jedi Temple and training. Obi-Wan had started to teach Cassiono simple things, such as control emotions and learning about the force. She wasn�t ready to do anything else yet but she would be ready soon. His sister was very smart and learned fast. Now as they descended the ramp Obi-Wan kept hold of Cassiono�s hand. He knew she was a little scared and he wanted her to know that everything was going to be okay. He had come up with an idea that would get his sister trained. Maybe not as a Jedi Knight but she wouldn�t be just a Healer. She would be a mixture of both. Something they called a Healer Knight. It was a traveling Healer who went to planets that often times were suffering from war or severe diseases or something of that sort. They were trained in basic fighting maneuvers and did carry lightsabers yet they were sent specifically to help with Healing, not for fighting. If he could convince the Council to let her become a Healer Knight she would have to remain at the Temple for a while to train but also she would get to do so much more. He knew that she wanted to help people but he knew she also would enjoy being a Knight. That much he had learned just from talking with her. They were just stepping off of the ramp and onto the Temple ground when suddenly a wave of dizziness washed over Obi-Wan. Wave after wave hit him. His legs buckled and as he fell to the ground he felt nausea wash over him. Qui-Gon and Cassiono were at his side in an instant but his vision was becoming blurry and he couldn�t see them well. Someone was yelling for a Healer but it was all so distant, so very far away. Obi-Wan felt the weariness washing over him and he became aware that he was tired, so very tired. That�s when the blackness came. Slowly the edges of his vision became black and it was as though he was looking through a tunnel and could only see the light at the end. And then it was gone and everything was black. There was no more� ***The End...*** |
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