TITLE: Dark Sacrifice  25/36

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 25

Remii huddled beside a rock in the campsite. His thoughts roiled from one topic to another, from one idea to the next. Uppermost in his mind was that Master Dushiko would be angry; both for what happened with the Lho Scree leader, and for going off with this other Jedi. Remii knew Master Dushiko disapproved of Remii's relationship with the Explorer Adin. Why would this be any different?

His senses snaked outward in an attempt to locate Dushiko through their bond, and assess his mood. Remii's unease turned to apprehension when he found he could not reach his master. The bond lead no where. The harder he tried to access Dushiko, the more his head hurt. As soon as he backed off from it, his headache lessened. Remii frowned and turned his thoughts.

Another thread shimmered, the one that led to the Jedi Explorer, but it was fragile. Whatever had grown between them was not yet fully formed. His attempt to follow the thread to the Knight resulted in a fierce headache also. He gave up. Perhaps when he felt stronger, he could try and reach his master. Just to let Dushiko know he was okay.

Remii was torn. If he went back, Dushiko was sure to be angry with him. If he stayed... this master was unknown. But it was no different from when the Council shuffled him between masters like a faulty utility belt, until they decided to assign Dushiko to him. Dushiko took him, because he obeyed the wishes of the council. Remii learned in their time together that Ak'ra Dushiko was an honorable man who took his responsibilities seriously. Even when he didn't like them. On the other hand, this master sounded as if he actually wanted Remii. Maybe to him, Remii wasn't a problem to be assigned, or someone to be gotten out of the way.

A sound jerked his attention back to the present. Muat walked toward him, grin on his sallow face. The apprentice tossed a small energy bar in his direction. Remii caught it on reflex.

"Eat it. Water's over there in the carrypak."

"Thanks," Remii ventured.

Muat grunted. He looked Remii up and down for a long moment. "You might prove useful. We can always use a Mind Jedi…err, Healer the places we go."

"Truly?" Remii watched the man cautiously.

"Sure." The apprentice gave a slow smile that revealed sharp incisors. It disappeared as suddenly as it came. "I got work to do repairing the ship. Just stay here until my master says otherwise."

Remii nodded. As Muat turned away Remii thought to ask. "The master? What is his name?"

Muat looked over his shoulder and gave that maddening grin again. "It's not important. If I were you, Entw'a, I'd just call him 'Master'." He walked off and disappeared around a rock outcrop.

Remii glanced down the long valley. Even with the sun shining, the canyon was shrouded in gloom. The trees were stunted and twisted into unnatural shapes. Animals darted from rock to rock, never pausing long enough for Remii to get more than a fleeting impression of fur and fangs. He shivered, looked at the energy bar in his hand, and automatically scanned it with his senses. They told him the bar had a taint to it, a shadow. He studied it, puzzled. It was a standard ration energy bar, readily available throughout the galaxy, but it reflected the murkiness of the whole area. Remii looked down the canyon again, and studied the swath of sapphire grass two kilometers away. Getting to the savannah meant walking through the ominous canyon. The… things that roamed between the rocks didn't look as if they appreciated visitors.

Remii opened the energy bar and ate mechanically. It wasn't much in the way of filling him up, but maybe he would feel better with something in his stomach. The fuzziness in his head hadn't dimmed with time; instead, it seemed to grow stronger. He sat down and leaned his back against the rock wall, then wrapped his arms around his knees before he rested his head on his arms.

~~~~

"I want everyone to search the Force," Master Toock said. "Look in the Light. I want to know if anyone feels any trace of the boy." She glanced around. Every Jedi nodded, and began to assume meditative postures and expressions.

Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon's mind touch. Follow my lead, Padawan. Obi-Wan struggled to find a meditative entry point. Calm, Obi-Wan. I am with you. Just relax. Obi-Wan gave up then and let himself follow his master, as Qui-Gon rode the mental eddies and vortices of the Force. Think of Remii, Padawan. You were close to him, you have the best chance. Think of anything that would lead us to him. Obi-Wan immediately thought of the music, and searched for the faint jewel-like overtones that clung to the young apprentice. He searched the city for Jedi resonance, and young Jedi in particular. He sensed Qui-Gon delving into places Obi-Wan hadn't the discipline yet to reach. Eventually, their paths diverged, and Master and Padawan continued the search separately. Obi-Wan thought he found a trace, and followed it, but the music dissipated like waves against the shore. It started from the center of Sahmly City and radiated outward, fading rapidly as it went. Obi tried to follow, but could not. The melody was gone. Remii was not in the active Force, not that he could tell. To Obi, that could only mean one thing. The youth's essence had been removed from the Force. He was truly gone.

Obi-Wan finally opened his eyes. Qui-Gon studied him quietly. The other Jedi also watched, Dushiko with an anxious expression on his face. Only Adin sat, hands steepled in front of him, staring off into space. Obi-Wan looked to Dushiko, and shook his head.

At that the others shook their heads also. Master Toock closed her eyes one last time, whiskers and one floppy ear twitching. When she opened them again, she looked directly at Dushiko. "I am sorry, Ak'ra. We cannot find any trace of him in the Light. We must assume... he is gone."

Dushiko nodded. "I understand…" He looked at each of them in turn. "This is my fault. I beg your indulgence on this matter, but I would like to continue to search for… the boy's body."

"With due respect, Ak'ra, what good would that do?" Bondura rumbled. "The body is merely a storehouse for Force energy. What made up the boy is vanished now. "

Waruk Kai snarled and showed her sharp teeth. "Ceremony, Bondura. When Torgruta females lose their young, we do not pretend it didn't happen. We mark their passing with a ceremony. Then we go back to work."

"I would like to continue to search also," Adin broke in. "What if he is not… gone? What if his Force connection is blocked, or just missing? There have been cases… where the Jedi was deeply unconscious. He could be injured. Remii would expect us to look for him." Adin folded his hands in front of him. "What if he needs us and we are not there?"

"Accept, Knight," Bondura rumbled. "The padawan is dead. We must move on."

"He is not dead! I do not see it!"

Qui-Gon held up a placating hand. "With respect, Master Bondura, Master Toock, I understand what the knight feels. Without the certainty of a… body, it is hard to accept. If there is the slimmest chance the padawan lives, we must explore it. We should not give up on one of our own, no matter what the age. If nothing else, Master Dushiko and Knight Yeriamman need closure." As do you, my padawan.

Obi-Wan looked at his master, startled.

Qui-Gon gave him a faint smile. I can feel your denial from here, Obi-Wan. It is strong. Perhaps there is a reason?

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. I agree with Adin. I do not feel he is gone either. But I have nothing to base my feeling on.

What is gut instinct but the voice of the Force, my young apprentice?

Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon a long moment. His master merely raised an eyebrow, then turned to study Adin Yeriamman again.

"We cannot feel him in the Light. His master has lost the bond that tied them. This city is ready to explode, yet we are forced time and again to change our actions because of one willful, disobedient, and likely dead child!" Bondura leapt to his feet and stood, hands on hips. "Forgive me, Master Dushiko, for your loss, but you are a practical man. Surely you see the folly in continuing?"

Dushiko stared back at the Twi'lek, eyes wide with unspoken emotion.

Master Toock drummed a rear leg on the floor. "This is not folly!" The little Kushiban paused, and glanced at each Jedi in turn, fur tinged crimson. "I do not take the loss of a padawan lightly. Despite the gravity of these negotiations, I will abandon them if it is found the Sahmlians had anything to do with the disappearance of the boy." She looked at Bondura. "We value our young, do not forget this. Padawani are the future of the Jedi Order. I would not like to be the one to stand before the Council and inform them we casually abandoned a child because it was inconvenient to look for him. The boy was a Healer; we can ill afford his loss. We need facts, not feelings!"

Bondura looked as if he were going to argue more, then gave a short nod and sat back down.

Qui-Gon studied him, then turned abruptly to face Master Toock. "We must search for the boy. The fact that we find no trace of him in the Force is irrelevant. I've felt a deep foreboding since Knight Yeriamman told us about the Dark presence on this planet. I fear the padawan has come under its influence. I was unsure before, but I have been unable to shake the feeling, especially since the events of the past few hours."

"I have felt the Dark Presence, Master Jinn," Adin admitted. "I, too, was reluctant to say so without more proof than my intuition." He looked at each of them in turn. "If we do not at least attempt to find out what happen to Remii, we could condemn him to path he would not otherwise take. The Dark side preys upon despair."

"I will not allow my padawan to be tainted," Dushiko said. "I would rather he was dead."

"Remii would not turn," Obi-Wan protested.

Qui-Gon gave him a look. "Not knowingly, perhaps, but do not underestimate the seduction of the Dark side, my padawan. Its logic can be insidious."

"It preys heavily on the young and defenseless," Adin added. He rubbed a hand over his face as if to erase the thought.

"So we agree, then," Master Toock said. "The boy or his body needs to be found. I recommend the three of you, Master Dushiko, Knight Yeriamman, and Apprentice Kenobi, continue your search until it comes to a conclusion." Her large indigo eyes bore into Dushiko's. "Bring back evidence of the boy's death, or otherwise. The rest of us will continue in negotiations. I see no reason not to at this point." She held up a paw. "If you find out anything that gives us solid reason to believe Dark ones or Sahmlians are behind this, return so we may hold further counsel." She glanced at the ceiling a moment, eyes unfocusing before she looked back at the Jedi and gave a shake of her head. The ears flopped. "Darkness falls. I sense it is not safe in the city tonight, not even for Jedi. You will resume your search in the morning." Her gaze on the three stricken Jedi was gentle. "I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but I have made up my mind. If the boy lives, he will have to be patient. If he does not live… then to wait will hurt him not."

"Yes, Master Toock," Adin said. He bowed his head.

Master Dushiko got to his feet. "I understand your reasoning, Master. I will abide by your decision. I think now I will retire to meditate." He gave a short bow in her direction, then walked from the room, back straight and head high.

The others followed, until only Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Adin remained.

"I will not sleep tonight," Adin said softly.

Qui-Gon walked over and put his hands on the younger man's shoulders. "You must relax. You and Obi-Wan both need to rest and prepare. I have a feeling you'll need strength for the days that follow."

"How can I sleep, Master Jinn, knowing I broke my word? I promised Remii no harm would come to him."

"As much as we would like to have everything under our control, my young knight, the Force moves in mysterious ways. It is best we move with it." Qui-Gon gave Yeriamman's shoulders a squeeze before he dropped his hands. "Come, Obi-Wan. You need to rest, and I think Knight Yeriamman would like to mediate on all that has transpired the past few days. Perhaps he can forge some connections." Qui-Gon gave Adin a nod. "If anyone can link the Dark resonance, Remii, and recent events, you can."

"I think your confidence in my observational abilities is misplaced, Master. Otherwise none of this would have happened."

Qui-Gon tucked his hands inside his robes and gave a gentle smile. "You see and interpret the future and past, Knight, more so than the rest of us. Combine your observations with what you know in your heart. In the end, you must trust in the Force to guide you." Qui-Gon paused a long moment. "The Force would not have bound you to that boy without a reason, Adin-Duanath. It was meant to be. Think on that."

--Continued in Chapter 26--