TITLE: Dark Sacrifice  35/36

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 35

Adin looked at Yoda, who stood patiently in front of his chair. Qui-Gon Jinn seemed anxious to depart and not keep Yoda waiting with excessive sentiment.

“Will you be on Coruscant a while?” Adin asked.

Jinn shook his head. “I am afraid not. Obi-Wan and I depart in a few days for the Stennes Node. The Hutts are getting uppity again; taking ships and goods that aren’t theirs in order to reduce economic competition.”

Adin rolled his eyes. “Of course. They’re Hutts.”

“They are consistent.” Jinn smiled.

“Look, I want to thank you, Qui-Gon,” Adin said, extending a hand, which Jinn grasped. “In the short time we have known each other, you have reminded me that temperance in sentiment and speech are vital to what we do. I am indebted to you, and your padawan, sir. Obi-Wan was instrumental in saving Remii's life. If I do not see Obi-Wan again, thank him for me. I foresee that he will be a great Knight. The Order will owe much to him one day.”

Jinn’s humor disappeared, and he seemed taken aback. “You have had another vision?”

“Yes, and I think it will come to pass. Everything that Obi-Wan will be is largely because of you, Qui-Gon Jinn. He will carry your legacy forward. This I know." Adin smiled softly. "May the Force be with you both. Live well.”

“And with you, Adin-Duanath,” Jinn said, clasping both of Adin’s shoulders before turning and walking away.

Adin closed his eyes and took a deep breath to keep from saying more, still, Jinn stopped short of the door, and looked at Adin with a quizzical expression. Adin clasped his hands behind him. I am sorry Qui-Gon. It is my weakness. I do not have the heart to tell you that I have foreseen your death. I know not when, or where, but it will be soon. It is my skill, and my curse, and it is not something that I will inflict upon you, or on anyone. It is my burden to be borne. Adin forced himself to raise a hand in farewell.

Jinn waved back, and strode out of the Council Chambers. The door closed. Adin turned toward Yoda.

“Formidable your visions are,” Yoda said softly, stepping off the dais onto the alabaster floor. “Underestimated you, we have, Master Yeriamman.” Yoda hesitated a step. “Underestimated you, I have.”

“It is something I have become used to, Master Yoda. I used to think of as persecution of course. I was wrong.”

“Wrong we have been, about a number of things,” Yoda said. “Apologize for any pain we have caused, I do.”

Adin was startled. “I…thank you, Master Yoda. I do not think it necessary, but - ”

“Necessary, perhaps not,” Yoda replied, passing Yeriamman and heading toward the door, “but humane, an apology is. Many regrets I do not have, but this failed bonding is one. Unnecessary pain it caused. Important for you to know this, it is.”

Adin nodded, uneasy and uncertain why Yoda was talking to him. “Yes, Master.”

Yoda stopped short of the door. “Your orders, Master Billaba will receive. Convey them to you, she will. Difficult, the road ahead will be for you, Master Dushiko, and the boy. Courage you must have, and trust that this path is correct for the three of you.” Yoda shook his head. “Mistakes we have made, but this decision is correct. Trust in it.”

Adin felt cold arc up his back. “You have had your own vision, haven’t you Master Yoda?”

Yoda nodded. “Yes. Know you, as we all do, dark times are yet ahead. Impact upon the Order, no one knows. Risk the Order, I will not. Arrangements will I make, and part of them, the three of you will be.”

Adin nodded. Whatever it is, this new mission is big. The Jedi Temple has to be one of the most secure places anywhere. Whatever the mission is, Yoda doesn’t want anyone to know, perhaps not even the council. “Does the council know about this?”

“They will know you have been selected,” Yoda said. “Verify with Master Billaba if you wish.”

“I will,” Adin said.

“Good. Truth now must be told, again we will not speak” Yoda replied, touching Adin’s lower leg gently with a three-clawed hand. “The future for you will be most difficult. Isolated will you be, perhaps for many years. Painful could it become. Aware of this I am, Master Yeriamman; sorrowful it makes me.” Yoda paused for a moment, as if selecting the right words. “Selected you are because you have demonstrated fortitude, tenacity, and courage. Advise you this, I will: should grim things pass, live for tomorrow if you cannot live for the present. Create a tomorrow you will. Pass wisdom to your descendents you must. Into your mind, burn this and remember it always. More, I do not have to give.”

Adin reached down and gently grasped Yoda’s hand, struggling to find words. “I have not had a vision of this, but I believe I know your intent. What shall I tell Master Dushiko and Apprentice Hajradurama?”

“Confidential you must keep this until you are far from Coruscant,” Yoda said. “Exercise your judgment, you must. Entitled to know eventually, they are. ”

“It will be done,” Adin replied, lifting his hand from Yoda’s. “I remain an explorer of time and space, Master Yoda. I willingly live astride light and shadow.”

Yoda nodded gravely and removed his hand from Adin’s leg. “Understand each other, we do. Go in peace, Master Yeriamman. The Force will be with you. Always.”

“And with you Master Yoda,” Adin said, taking in Yoda’s appearance a last time before departing the Council Chambers.

--Continued in Chapter 36--