. Bonds of Choice #6 Star Wars: TPM FanFic Series by HiperBunny (message 3 of 3) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The arrival of the freighter was met with great rejoicing in the camps, an enthusiasm Qui-Gon took part in. He met Corubia and Master Torlamin as they exited. "Good day, Rue, Corubia. I hope you had a pleasant journey." "We did not, Master Jinn, as well you may know. Loaded up with a bunch of cattle. Is that any way to treat a Jedi, I ask you!?" Torlamin was near lived with affront. Her narrow features were flushed red, up to the blonde hairline. Her sharp features looked even more angular as her emotions displayed themselves there. "Oh, Rue, you know there's no offense in it. Nothing a field operative doesn't deal with almost every day," Qui-Gon soothed. "Well, you runabouts might get used to it, but I assure you I am more accustomed to better treatment. And just where has that boy you call a Padawan gotten off to? He should have been here to greet us properly." Torlamin cast about for the absent Obi-Wan. "Up in the hills, meditating. I told him to come down when he saw the ship arrive, but likely he's down so deep he hasn't noticed it yet," Qui-Gon excused his student. "Well that shows a fine lot of obedience. You should take him in hand now, before it's too late, Jinn." Torlamin straightened her field cowl as if unused to the garment. She flapped her sleeves about, trying to reach her belt to adjust the hang of it. When she was finally settled, she said "Best take me to meet these primitives so we can get out of here. Corubia. Go get that boy and get our things onto the transport." Corubia bowed, murmured "Yes, Master," and made good her escape. Once the Padawan was out of earshot Qui-Gon turned on his fellow Master. "Rue, if you speak like that before Corubia again, I'm going to have to take YOU in hand. I know you've no liking for my learner, but that's no reason to badmouth him in front of others. It does not speak well of your dignity." "I don't need you to tell me how to behave, * Master* Jinn. You're only still in the Order by the power of some unknown miracle. Not as if the scapegrace of the Jedi needs deference from ME, much less his little Padawan." Torlamin set off for the tents, leaving Qui-Gon to follow. *Bloody lot you know, Rue Torlamin. Your dismissal has been discussed far more often than mine has. And by those more serious about making it a reality. * He kept himself a careful two paces behind her and spoke quietly. "I saw Kourt Crowe before I left Coruscant. I believe he is thinking of expanding the research group." *Come on, little fishy. Bite. * "Really?" Torlamin slowed to pace next to him. "And did any particular names come up?" "Oh, the usual. Cord Random's being instructed, now that he's learned about it. Fought a Sith on Naboo, you know." A little dig, there, to get the juices flowing. Torlamin usually spoke too much when she had a target to aim for. "Oh, that Cord fellow. I hadn't really heard about him before all this," Torlamin replied breezily. "Like as not, he'll fair no better than I did in Kourt's little band." "And you didn't fair at all. But we've got to be thinking of the Skywalker child. We still don't know what kind of effects might come of his illness." Qui-Gon led her easily down the path he wished to pursue. "I'd do better with him than Cord any day of the week. If I didn't have a learner already, that is." Torlamin amended herself quickly. "Perhaps I could recommend Corubia for the trials. It's a little early yet, but…" "Why Rue Torlamin! Surely you're not suggesting that you would put your student aside just to deal with little Anikin! I mean, yes, the child has greater potential than any I've seen in a long while. Obi-Wan excluded, of course. But it's just Potential…and poorly tended potential at that." *Come on, say it. I dare you. I double DOG dare you. * "Of course I'd put her aside for a student like that. A chance like that comes once in a lifetime," Torlamin stopped in her tracks, then continued as if she hadn't just said the most dangerous words a training Master can utter. Qui-Gon let it pass, for the moment. "You think Corubia's ready for the Trials? I thought her training was still a year or so behind Obi-Wan's. He's close to being ready, but not quite yet." "Well, really… how can we be sure who's ready and who isn't? The trials are hardly standardized, Qui-Gon." Torlamin tried to lead the conversation onto less dangerous ground. "Well, it's pretty easy to tell, actually. Just wait for them to serve the Order as your equal rather than your subordinate. I learned that years ago, before I even took my first learner. Didn't you?" Qui-Gon smiled to himself. "Well, yes, of course," she replied faintly. "My last Padawan passed the Trials, you know." _As yours did NOT _ her tone said. "Yes, he did, didn't he? And with your expert training for all of, what, ten months? Well done, Master Torlamin." Qui-Gon didn't give the barb time to sink in. "But Corubia, now. She's been your student for…oh, eleven years now? She's a year older than Obi-Wan…but I was given to understand in the Rate and Rank that she's fallen behind him in her studies, if not in rating." "Well, rank…that's only a measure of experience. It's the rate that really matters…how well they use their resources to serve the Order. In that sense, she's lost nothing," Torlamin explained. "And a good thing, too. If someone of her Potential lost footing on both fronts, the Council would have to take a hard look at their training, don't you think? And at the Master who trained her. Or him. I mean, Swederantari's almost on par with the both of them, but the Council has Kourt near leading Knight Jayden about by the nose. Not that Jayden doesn't need a little guidance, what with this being his first Padawan and all. Perhaps if you asked nicely, Kourt would give you a hand here and there…but he is awfully busy of late. Near unreachable at times." Qui-Gon watched the ideas he planted take root in Torlamin's mind. After a moment, he peeked, just barely, into her thoughts. Nothing overt, nothing she could really note or call him down for…just a sneaky edge to get a hint of her mindset. Her thoughts were to commit a sin of omission. Withhold training from Corubia until Kourt and…others came to her rescue. *Stupid. As if that'll get you anything but stripped of your student. Oh, I REALLY got you that time, Torlamin. The Group's getting this the second I get back to Coruscant. And the Council's getting it next.* "Well, that's not really what I wanted to speak to you about, anyway." He continued. "I'm to be allowed to make a recommendation on the next initiates. I was thinking of inviting Obi-Wan. It would make the most sense. He's got all the qualifications except one. Trained by a High Potential, exemplary service record, quick mind, astonishing abilities in the area of research…but you know all that." "He's far too young yet. You know that as well as I do," Torlamin put in quickly. "You'd need someone with far more experience in these matters." "Someone older? With more interest in the subject, perhaps?" Qui-Gon hinted. "At least. Researching the Dark Side isn't the work of youth, Master Jinn." "Nor is the training of High Potentials, Master Torlamin. That's the real purpose of the Group. It's just that the Dark Side is so…perilous to us. The Dark attracts those who come to such power so early. We still know so little about what makes us what we are." Qui-Gon tugged at his beard for a moment. "It is as yet undetermined what makes one of us successful and another…" "A stark-raving Darkside loony? I had noticed that about you all." Torlamin gave a poisonous smile. "I thought perhaps High Potential was brought about by a combination of emotional weaknesses, nervous tics and hyperactive cognitive skills. I mean, those are the hallmarks of your so-called 'manifestations'." "And those misconceptions right there are what keep you from understanding us. What are you going to do when Corubia begins to manifest her abilities? How will you know when to call one of us for help?" Qui-Gon asked. "I don't need you or anyone else to help me with my Padawan. The Council thought well enough of my abilities when they let me take her. You should have more faith in your betters and less pride in your own attributes," Torlamin snapped. "The COUNCIL had no inkling that you would so fully disregard their wishes, ignore our assistance, the precedents and protocols set forth for a student like yours. If they knew how badly you've gone astray I don't think it would be that far a leap towards your student finding herself in the care of a new Master," Qui-Gon informed her. "I've done nothing to be reprimanded for! Everything I've done falls well within the range of the norm…" "Yes, the NORM, Torlamin. When your student falls so clearly outside the norm that she was trained up from the age of FIVE to expect better. To deserve better. I'm sure you've not done anything unmentionable. But I also believe it would be short work to condemn you by the things you HAVEN'T done for her. Mind what you do, Torlamin. She's at a critical stage. Your actions do not go unobserved." "And who do you think could observe me without my notice, Jinn? I AM a Jedi Master." Qui-Gon focused his thoughts carefully, wove himself through the minuscule chinks in her mental armor and whispered directly into her mind. //We are. All of us. All the way down the line. We're better and smarter and faster and you'll never EVER be allowed to hurt one of ours.// Torlamin's face was pale with shock. //That's right, Torlamin. You can't even figure out how I got in here, much less how to throw me out. Don't make the mistake of underestimating us again. You'll only be warned this one time.// Qui-Gon withdrew. After a moment Torlamin regained her composure. "You're not the only ones who could teach me, Qui-Gon. There are other options available to those who choose to seek them." Her eyes were cold and hard. Qui-Gon stepped in until they were nose-to-nose. "You will not make that insinuation in my presence or the presence of any other ever again, Rue Torlamin. What you speak of is forbidden, always will be. I will watch you all the closer for having said it, mark my words." He stepped back, waited a long moment before he spoke again. "Say NOTHING about this before our students. If you do, you force my hand." "What is it you are all so afraid of? What is it you're finding out in this little project? That the Dark Side is nothing more than another aspect of the Force? I think it could be used, harnessed to serve us as the Light does…" Torlamin hissed. A fist of the Force closed around her throat. "The Force does not serve us, we serve IT. THAT is the difference, Torlamin, even if you can not grasp it." Qui-Gon let her go. She sank to her knees, gasping. "The Dark Side enslaves those who touch it. The Light Side sets us free. Hold that first in your thoughts, Rue, lest you destroy yourself and your student with you." "You call this life freedom? Scraping and serving the Republic, the Council? We could be the rulers, the decision makers, not the messengers of the powerful. Haven't you ever wondered what that would be like? Haven't you ever wanted MORE?" Torlamin's voice was strident, if rasping. "No. Never." **************************************** Pren chaptel, en lue Vrecha tel an oue "In this place between us / We were meant to be together." Obi-Wan held out his arms to Corubia for a hug. They both disappeared in the folds of Qui-Gon's robe. The freighter was being unloaded down in the camp. Corubia had come to find him when he had not been there to meet her. "I'm sorry. I was meditating and did not notice your ship come in." "Qui-Gon said it might be something like that. That doesn't mean I forgive you. Please tell me this isn't yours," she teased, stepping out of his embrace and tugging at his sleeves. "Don't you know Jedi Master castoffs are all the rage this season?" Obi-Wan stood and delivered a low, courtly bow. "Did you bring it?" "All this and more, my brother." Corubia reached into her shirt and pulled out a stone bauble on a cord. "I told you you'd need it some day." "I can't believe you saved it after all these years." Obi-Wan held the stone ring up to the light. Within the circle, three clear crystals stood in a cluster set in gold. They clung to the inside of the pale gray ring, glittering and pure. "Too bad I can't use it now." "Your life is such a soap opera. Last night you take up airtime on a secured transmission to ask for it, now you say you can't use it. I swear, Kenobi, you're gonna be the death of us all." Corubia rolled her eyes. "What did you want it for, anyway?" "As if you didn't know. I was going to ask Qui-Gon to wear it, but…" Obi-Wan turned away. "What happened?" Corubia came up behind him and began rubbing little circles along his shoulders. "On my oath, I'll never tell a soul." Obi-Wan reached up and clenched thumbs with her on that. "I…he…we were up here talking about the mission. Out of nowhere he tells me to take my boot off. He knew about the ribbon, Cor. He probably knew all along." "And…" "I took it off, of course. Gave it back. You don't think I would try to keep something I stole from him, do you? Besides, the whole thing was just stupid. Kid stuff." Obi-Wan reached up and stilled her hands. "Did he ask for it back, or did you just get all flustered and throw it at him?" she demanded, stepping around to face him. "Well, I mean…no. He didn't ask for it. I just took it off and gave it back," Obi-Wan admitted. "And now you don't want to give him this necklace, because he found out about your ribbon. I should have known it was something planet-shaking," Cor tried to make it sound like a joke, but a tone of scolding slipped in. "Like I said before, you're gonna be the death of us." "If we're not careful on this assignment, you might be right. So, how may I serve you?" He pulled the cord over his head and tucked the charm under his tunic. "Come down and help me. You'll never believe what I brought for you. But no, it's a surprise. We have to leave soon, so I need your help getting our gear onto the 'Fortnight Gannet'." She hooked her arm through his and tugged him towards the camp. "Qui-Gon said your master was bringing something he wanted to show me. Do you have any idea what it is?" Obi-Wan asked. "Of course I know what it is! But I'm under orders not to tell you. Sorry." Corubia shrugged. Things were often like that among the Padawans, and nothing to be done for it. "I think they're about to give you a life lesson." "I hate that. They always spend hours deconstructing my every motivation, then tell me what a good boy I am. How am I supposed to take any of it seriously?" Obi-Wan kicked a tuft of grass. "So where are we going next?" Corubia sighed. "Into the pits of hell, of course. Some tiny little iceworld or something. Might be a desert world. Cord thinks there's some kind of stronghold there. Anyway, the Chendry crystals were positively traced to it, called Repta. It looks creepy as hell. Too close to the outer rim for my taste." "Yeah, but everything further out than Naboo is too close for you. The outer rim is where we are needed most." Obi-Wan settled into their oldest argument. "You can't just say the Jedi only protect the Republic. We're bigger than that." "You're bigger than that, you mean. You shouldn't expect so much out of us mere mortals. Come on, if we don't get this stuff moved, we'll be scrubbing the decks with toothbrushes. Again." Corubia tugged him up the side ramp and into the freighter. The Kurasians were offloading livestock, supplies, foodstuff and the like at a fast clip all around them. It took some long moments to gather the Jedi's cargo crates and clear out. Corubia used the Force to tug on Obi-Wan's braids. "Ready to get rid of these?" "Yeah, I was about to yank them out myself. What a mess that would have been," Obi-Wan laughed. "I brought my clippers in case you still needed that haircut." "I just want to get these braids out and never mind the haircut until we know what else I might have to dress up for on this mission." They dumped the packs on the gangplank of the Fortnight Gannet and headed back into camp. They found Qui-Gon and Torlamin packing up there. Obi-Wan and Corubia quickly stepped in and took over. Qui-Gon stood back and watched for a moment, then turned to Torlamin. "Are you sure these two aren't twins? Look at them! I've never seen anything like it." "Are you complaining? The other masters would gladly beat you senseless if they heard you." Torlamin muttered. "Why? Just because we have the two best Padawans in the Order?" Qui-Gon knelt down to fold his clothes. Obi-Wan nudged Corubia's shields. She threw him a startled glance then grinned crookedly and opened to him. ::Finally got the ol' brain in gear?:: **Finally! What are they talking about? ** ::The rate and ranks came out last week. Didn't you see them?:: **I saw them come down. What does that have to do with us? ** ::You didn't even check your placement, did you?:: **Have I ever? ** ::Vain thing. I don't think you're going to get away with it this time, though.:: **What?** Obi-Wan was totally confused. The rate and rank showed where everyone stood in the Order, from the Council to the newest trainee. Like a roll-call. Only the Masters were supposed to see it, but an army of curious Padawans could not be held down or kept in the dark for long, so the rankings were pretty much public knowledge. And useless knowledge at that, to Obi-Wan's thinking. What did it matter where his name was on a readout? The training Masters used the knowledge at their own discretion, of course. Qui-Gon had never brought the subject up and Obi-Wan hadn't been all that curious, beyond keeping tabs on Qui-Gon's rank. He'd had plenty of that for himself the two months before he was taken as a Padawan. He shivered slightly at the memory. Qui-Gon had already made their good-byes to the Nurians, and Jenka wasn't back from hunting yet, so there was no one for Obi-Wan to bid farewell. The Jedi were on the Gannet and ready to go within hours of their rendezvous.