TITLE: Dark Sacrifice  13/36

AUTHOR: Cara & Quintus

E-MAIL:  [email protected]

RATING: PG-13

CATEGORY: Pre-TPM, Jedi Apprentice, Original Characters

ARCHIVE: Yes. Please keep headers intact.

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars is the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. No copyright infringement intended, no profit is being made from this fiction. All original characters and story belong to the authors. 

FEEDBACK: Constructive feedback appreciated.

TIME FRAME:  Pre-TPM @ 1-2 years

SUMMARY:  When Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan join a diplomatic mission to the planet Sahmly II, they uncover a strange vergence in the Force, centered around a young padawan whose actions may determine far-reaching changes in the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan’s decisions about the padawan could save the boy's life, or drive him to the power of the Dark Side.

DARK SACRIFICE

By Cara & Quintus

Chapter 13

Ak'ra Dushiko did not sleep much. As a Jedi Master, he had learned to forgo the need for a great deal of rest. A few hours here and there, with the remainder of the time spent in meditation was a method that had served him well for years, which was a good thing, because ever since they had arrived on Sahmly II, he'd been unable to rest. Even in meditation unease gnawed at the edge of his consciousness. Ak'ra could sense the Darkness on the planet, but pinpointing its source was another matter.

Part of the problem was his padawan. Ak'ra glanced over to the bed where Remii fitfully slept. The boy tossed and turned every night, limbs twitching at random. Perhaps the planet bothered Remii more than his master thought. His sensitivity to the Dark Side had not really been tested, but the boy was a Healer. When we return to Coruscant, he should be assessed, I have been negligent. There is so much to teach this padawan, I do not know where to start. Other than with discipline, discipline is the key to a strong foundation. Ak'ra sighed, crossed his legs and rested his hands on his knees, dropping back into meditation. Something brought him out of it with a start an hour later. A soft sound, and the overwhelming sense of pain, and fear. Ak'ra's eyes flew open as Remii cried out.

"No!"

The abject terror in Remii's voice brought Ak'ra to his feet as the boy sat upright in bed, eyes wide and unfocused. 

"No! Stop!"

"Remii! Calm down, Padawan." Ak'ra touched Remii's bare shoulder and the boy started violently. He turned vacant eyes in Ak'ra's direction. "They're killing them," he whispered.

"Remii?"

As the Weapons Master watched, the glazed look faded from Remii's face. He seemed to notice his surroundings, and the Jedi by the bed. "Master!" With a sob, Remii hurled himself into Ak'ra's arms. "Master… You're alive! I thought they killed you, too!"

Ak'ra sat on the bed, arms full of hysterical padawan. He patted the boy's back. "Calm yourself, Padawan, it was but a nightmare-"

"No! It was real! Or it will be real…" Remii pushed himself back, but continued to clutch Ak'ra's upper arms. "It was a vision, Master! I saw Sahmlians, they were dying, many of them. They were being slaughtered! The blood ran until it soaked the ground," Remii took a sobbing breath. "There was so much blood and I couldn't stop it. Then I saw you, and you fought with another Jedi. I thought he had killed you." Remii dropped his hands and stared at Ak'ra. "Why would you fight with another Jedi, Master?"

Ak'ra felt a chill run up his spine, but he shook off the feeling of unease. "It was a nightmare, Padawan."

"No! It was a vision. I am sure of it! Why don't you believe me?" Remii's voice rose with each word until he practically shouted at his master.

All Ak'ra's instincts and training told him to reprimand this stubborn and disobedient padawan, and reprimand him hard. But a logical voice in the back of his mind that sounded suspiciously like Qui-Gon Jinn whispered, 'When have visions ever been the sole domain of the Masters?' Ak'ra recalled their earlier conversation. 'It sounds like a curious use of the Force, reflecting a person's emotions back at them, like a mirror.' Perhaps the boy only sent out what he felt, and multiplied it when it came back. Ak'ra knew he dwelt on the unseen Darkness far too much for everyone's own good. It could be affecting his padawan. That was the rational answer; the unusually sensitive boy was reflecting Ak'ra's own failings back on him. 

Remii stared at him, poised to explode. Ak'ra reached over and cupped his hand under the boy's chin. "I do believe you, Padawan. I have had a few visions myself at times. The Darkness on this planet is not conducive to good dreams."

To Ak'ra's surprise, the boy neither exploded nor burst into tears. Instead, he leaned against Ak'ra and rested his head on the Jedi's shoulder. " I don't want you to die, Master," he said quietly.

"I do not plan on it, Padawan," Ak'ra replied. He wrapped his arms around the boy, feeling awkward and incompetent.

"Adin said visions do not always happen as you think. That the Force holds many paths to the future…" Remii said, then yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"This Adin is correct, Padawan."

"I think I'll tell Adin about my vision… he'll know what to do. He's very smart."

Ak'ra could sense the boy's exhaustion. "You must get some rest, Padawan," Ak'ra said. He waited until Remii slid down onto the bed, then tucked the light covers over him and asked, "So, who is this Adin, Padawan?"

"A friend, Master." Remii yawned and closed his eyes. "He is the Explorer the Council sent. He knows a lot about everything. He says he will figure out the origin of the Darkness on Sahmly, and it's just a matter of time." Remii yawned again and tucked his arm under the pillow. "I hope he does, then maybe you will feel better, Master. I don't like it when you are upset all the time. But Adin will fix things…"

Ak'ra concealed from Remii a rush of irritation so strong it startled him. Who was this Adin, to command such devotion from his padawan?

~~~~

Qui-Gon Jinn entered the kitchens, followed closely by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Morning sun streamed through the open windows as Sahmlians scurried back and forth at chores, chatting to one another loudly in their language. They stopped as Qui-Gon came in, gave what passed for a smile to Obi-Wan, peered behind him, then appeared to droop when no others appeared. They gave the Jedi respectful bows and continued with their chores.

"What was that all about?" Qui-Gon asked his padawan. "I sense they were… disappointed."

"They looked for Remii, Master."

Qui-Gon arched an eyebrow down at his apprentice. "And why would the non appearance of a young padawan disappoint them?"

Obi-Wan shrugged and looked around. "They like him."

"They like him." Qui-Gon repeated. He shook his head, bemused. The serving line caught Qui-Gon’s attention because of the one non-Sahmlian that appeared to be doing the work of a server – a server wearing Jedi robes. He efficiently arranged food on platters, and shoved the platters out to the table, where waiting Sahmlians grabbed them up to carry to the main dining room.

"Interesting," Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan followed his gaze. “That’s him, Master. Jedi Knight turned sous chef.”

Qui-Gon approached the server, who paused, then spoke to the Sahmlian next to him before turning around to look at Qui-Gon. The brown Jedi robes swirled, and Qui-Gon saw the blaster rifle the man kept carefully concealed underneath his robes. The blaster was suspended on a shoulder lanyard; a light saber hung from a hide utility belt. The man quickly pulled the robes closed. A well-armed sous chef at that.

He sported shoulder length brown-blonde hair, a neatly trimmed beard, startlingly blue eyes, and a faded scar along his left jaw line, clearly visible through the beard, undoubted testimony to a previous misadventure. His smile involved his whole face, a refreshing change from the overt solemnity of the negotiating Masters.

“Adin-Duanath Yeriamman?” Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes?"

"Qui-Gon Jinn."

The man bowed his head respectfully. “Master Jinn. How may I be of assistance?”

"I heard you were on world. I wondered when you would grace us with your presence."

Adin flashed a charming grin. "I try to avoid gatherings of Jedi negotiators, Master Jinn. The excitement of negotiations easily overwhelms me."

Qui-Gon heard his padawan stifle a chuckle. He chose to give the Jedi Knight in front of him a patient look. "So you seek refuge in the kitchens? An interesting alternative."

"Well, I'll never go hungry waiting for a speech to finish, that's for sure."

Qui-Gon restrained a sigh. Calm…"Every Jedi is needed for negotiations at this stage, Knight Yeriamman. There are too few of us to represent the natives as it is. So why are you here in the kitchens instead of out in the City?”

Adin grabbed something off a tray that looked suspiciously like a small eyeball, popped it in his mouth, and chewed vigorously a few seconds before swallowing and nodding his approval. He motioned Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to follow him. “I'm plying my trade, Master Jinn. When you want information, bars, kitchens, and the street are usually the places to go,” he added over his shoulder. He stopped by a large pot, grabbed three mugs from the shelf above, and filled them with a frothy green liquid. Handing one to Qui-Gon, and one to Obi-Wan, he carried his over to the large table in the back and swung a leg over a stool. He took a swig from the mug, and watched the other Jedi.

Qui-Gon sat opposite the Knight, Obi-Wan slid into the spot beside his master. Qui-Gon lifted the mug, studying the liquid with his senses before taking a small sip. It was spicy, hot, and oily in texture. Next to him, Obi-Wan took a healthy gulp, and promptly gagged. He manfully swallowed the mouthful and set the mug on the table with a thump. His baleful glare was directed at the innocent looking Yeriamman. Qui-Gon swallowed a grin. No use encouraging the knight's antics.

“So, Adin-Duanath, my padawan tells me that you are an Explorer.” Qui-Gon studied the man across the table. “I must admit I have never met an Explorer face to face before. I would not have thought to find one in the kitchens.”

Adin raised an eyebrow. “Call me Adin. It is usually bad form, if not outright dangerous to ply our trade with only a dearth of information, as you can well imagine, Master Jinn. Master Billaba assigned me to the mission after your contingent left. I got here two days ago, and Master Toock tasked me with obtaining information about Sahmly and its inhabitants. The only way I can do that is to work with them. It’s not sexy like a diplomatic mission, but if I can obtain the proper information, it might make your negotiations go smoother.” He picked up his mug and drank from it.

Qui-Gon again contained his amusement. Yeriamman may have retained a touch of youthful arrogance, but he felt that the Explorer's strength with the Force was considerable, much more than he’d initially given the young man credit for. He silently studied the Knight across the table until Yeriamman grew uncomfortable. “I noticed the blaster, Knight Yeriamman. It is not the typical Jedi weapon. Why do you carry it?”

“With respect Master Jinn,” Adin said, “I am not a Consular, nor am I a Guardian, and I do encounter things from time to time that are best addressed at the business end of a blaster. While light sabers are elegant; this business at times can get downright dirty. It is a hazard of my chosen profession.”

Qui-Gon folded his arms across his chest. “Is that what being a Jedi is to you? A profession?”

“No, Master Jinn." Adin looked at Obi-Wan as he answered. "If I had to describe my profession, I would say ‘eccentric hobbyist’ is probably more accurate - I admit the truth only under extreme duress,” he added with a wry smile before turning his attention back to Qui-Gon. “However, I sense that my unconventional choice of weaponry is not why you wanted to speak to me.”

“No, it is not,” Qui-Gon said. He rubbed his beard, allowing a smile. "My advice to you, Knight Yeriamman, is that you should probably keep your attitude here in the kitchen. It most likely would not play well in the halls of power.”

Adin grinned broadly. “Master Toock said the same thing. Now you know the other reason why I’m in the kitchen.”

Obi-Wan laughed out loud.

Qui-Gon shot him a look and a thought. Do not get any ideas, my young padawan.

Obi-Wan dropped his head, picked up the mug and sipped in an attempt to hide the smile on his face.

“Right,” Qui-Gon said. He rubbed his chin again. “The reason I wish to speak to you is that Obi-Wan tells me that you have met another padawan here with us. Remii Hajradurama?”

“Yes,” Adin said. He looked puzzled. "I've met him. He's the Ga Scree's current outworlder idol. Lucky for us their worship makes the kid uncomfortable."

"It is not a situation that should ever have come to pass," Qui-Gon said with a quick glance at his padawan, "but what's done is done. We must contain the damage so that it does not affect the negotiations."

"You should be proud of the padawan's actions, Master Jinn. Are Jedi not supposed to show compassion?" Adin leaned across the table, bright blue eyes intent on the Jedi Master. "It was an action to be commended."

"In any other situation, I might agree with you," Qui-Gon said, "but the negotiations here are intricate. Remii unwittingly added a complication."

"I doubt that it will be the only complication," Adin said. "and I don't think it will be an isolated incident."

Qui-Gon frowned, and studied the Explorer. He sensed sincerity, and an underlying worry. "I'm not sure what you mean by that. Remii has been ordered by his master to abstain from healing."

Adin shook his head but said nothing, smile playing about his mouth.

"What?" Qui-Gon asked.

"I told you I've met the boy."

"And?"

“He has issues.”

“Like what?” Qui-Gon asked.

Adin sighed. “Like being a well-intentioned padawan that does not see eye-to-eye with his well-intentioned master on what constitutes a proper Jedi education for one thing." Adin placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward again. “I saw the light saber practice a few days ago between Obi-Wan and Remii. I sensed Ak'ra Dushiko's frustration with Remii. And the boy's frustration with his master. I also saw the bruising on Remii’s face in the last day or so. That did not come from light saber practice. If I figured that out, so have others. Even Sahmlians.” He stared at Qui-Gon a long moment. "Correction derived from anger is not discipline at all."

Qui-Gon ignored Obi-Wan’s ‘I-told-you-so’ look.

“It is unseemly to question another Master, Adin-Duanath,” Qui-Gon said. “You know this. It is not a matter of not trusting the opinions of others, or of my padawan. We do not know the circumstances. We do not know what transpired between master and padawan. It is not our business."

Adin closed his eyes. "When does it become Jedi business, Master Jinn? When the padawan becomes anxious? Or Force forbid, afraid?" Adin opened his eyes and stared at Qui-Gon. "We all know where fear can lead an undisciplined padawan, don't we?"

--Continued in Chapter 14--