| Should As Strangers We Meet |
| Without further thought, Obi-Wan headed for the tunnel at the opposite end of the chamber. Immersing himself in the Force to guide him through the darkness, he began walking away as fast as he felt comfortable doing. After a quick glance back to ascertain the progress of mama ele-sharkmouth-tiger, Qui-Gon flicked off his lightsaber and followed his apprentice through the mouth of the tunnel. With the Force, the two Jedi easily navigated through the blackness, ducking around the hanging stalactites and shirting the upright stalagmites. At one point the tunnel expanded dramatically, revealing a sizable cavern spacious enough for a whole herd of banthas. Dim light filtered through long cracks high in the cavern walls, casting irregular shadows in the darkness. Obi-Wan stood on a precipice, his eyes greedy for the small amount of light given. Even without light he had known the tunnel ended at a fifteen-foot drop. With the Force there was almost no need for eyes at all, but still it felt good to be able to see again. Qui-Gon caught up to his Padawan and surveyed the cavern. Below them the cave floor shimmered, reflecting the dim light. "Water?" Obi-Wan asked hopefully. "It's possible" Qui-Gon gazed up at the crevices in the walls, "rain may have seeped in and collected." "Or an underground spring." Obi-Wan remarked thinking how good a cool drink of fresh spring water would be. "Doesn't look to deep." he added. "After you then, Padawan." Qui-Gon waved him on, a smile on his face. Obi-Wan returned the smile with a nod and lightly jumped off the precipice to the waiting floor below. Closing his eyes, expecting a wet backsplash, he was surprised by the strange 'plop' that accompanied his landing in something that reached to his knees. This isn't water, he thought. Pulling his leg up, he observed how the thick, gel-like substance sluggishly dripped in threads, seeming to prefer to cling to his boots. Overhead, the Jedi Master had walked a few paces back. With a running start Qui-Gon leapt into the air, sailing as elegantly as a Alderrani falcon and landing on a large dry boulder some fifteen meters beyond. "Oh..this..is..disgusting" Obi-Wan groused. "You knew this wasn't water!" he turned, glowering at his master. "Actually I thought it was just that," Qui-Gon chuffed, trying not to show his amusement at his apprentice' predicament. "I was just in no mood for a bath." Obi-Wan began trudging angrily through the mucousy goo toward where Qui-Gon waited. Each step was a struggle as the muck seemed reluctant to release him and it was with great effort that he laboriously made his way to the nearest outcropping rock. Qui-Gon was watching the young man's progress when his eye caught sight of movement in the muck. A large swell moved with deliberate purpose beneath the viscid fluid toward his apprentice. "Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon called out alerting him to possible danger. Obi-Wan observed the swell recede as what ever it was disappeared beneath the surface. His senses on high alert, Obi-Wan scanned around him, his lightsaber in hand and ignited. Suddenly a great wave burst from the slime as a large, tentacled slug rose from the shallows, dripping sludge. As Obi-Wan swung at a groping tentacle, another lashed out, wrapping itself around his upper torso and pinning his arms to his sides. He grimaced as the muscular appendage constricted, pulling him closer, at the same time squeezing the air out of his lungs. The flattened, triangular tip wormed its way around his neck, tightening in a strangling grip. He saw his master attempting to make it to his side but the thick slime slowed even the large Jedi considerably. Black starbursts exploded before his eyes, his brain screaming for oxygen. White noise filled his head and above this he thought he heard the howl of the creature that held him in a death grip. Qui-Gon had already jumped from the rock to help his suffocating Padawan when his attention was grabbed by a ferocious roar. Standing on the precipice above Obi-Wan was the ele-sharkmouth-tiger. Raising its trunk it bellowed loudly as it launched itself on the figures below. Obi-Wan was only slightly aware of the huge, dark form that landed at his side. The ele-sharkmouth-tiger attacked the slug with stunning fury, its razor-sharp claws slicing through the tentacle that held him in place. “I'm dying,” the young Jedi thought indifferently as he fell face first into the slime. The Jedi Master pulled his blue-faced apprentice out of the goo, unwrapping the severed tentacle from around him. Beside them the two wild creatures rolled through the muck in a vicious battle of giants. Though huge and muscular, the tentacled slug was no match for the tooth and claw of the ele-sharkmouth-tiger. Holding Obi-Wan up, Qui-Gon paled at the sight of his breathless Padawan. "Obi-Wan, breathe!" Qui-Gon demanded with concern using both voice and Force. Obediently Obi-Wan inhaled then coughed explosively, expelling gobs of the thick mucous from his lungs. "We've got to go," the Master explained, glancing at the warring beasts. The slug was beginning to fail. The ele-sharkmouth-tiger was not only a far more deadly predator she had the instinctual disposition of protecting her cub and her viscous assault now had the slug retreating. Using Qui-Gon for support, Obi-Wan managed to make it to the far side of the cavern, out of the slime. Walking into the waiting darkness Obi-Wan spared a glance back before entering the tunnel. Obi-Wan could see the slug in its death throes while the ele-sharkmouth-tiger continued to devour it. "My lightsaber!" he cried out fearfully, suddenly remembering his weapon. Qui-Gon produced the lad's weapon from beneath his cloak. "It'll need a good cleaning." he said handing the slime-encrusted weapon to him. "Let's go." the elder suggested. As they followed the tunnel it began to taper to no more than a narrow shaft. Both men found it necessary to worm their way through on their stomachs. Qui-Gon being the larger of the two, found it a very tight fit as he inched himself behind Obi-Wan. "Argghh." he grunted painfully, losing a good portion of skin off his wide shoulders trying to squeeze through. "You should have used your lightsaber to widen it." Obi-Wan said with an impish grin as the master finally pushed himself through. "You could have suggested that before I went in." Qui-Gon retorted in amused annoyance, rubbing his scraped shoulder. "At least mama won't be able to follow us." Obi-Wan said with satisfaction. "Yes, but it was a good thing for you she showed up when she did." Qui-Gon concluded moving through the cave. It was only minutes later that their eyes began to register a lessening of the darkness that surrounded them. "At last," Obi-Wan exclaimed, "it was beginning to feel a little too much like blindness again." It was difficult to hide the anxiety that had surfaced during the sightless trek. More than once during his years as apprentice he had been forced to deal with the enormous adversity of blindness. He'd made a great effort to suppress everything of those situations, especially the Drojan work camp and there was little comfort when Qui-Gon had explained that lessons learned through adversity were invaluable. Just the resurgence of those memories sent an unpleasantly warm shiver through his spine. "We'll be out soon." Qui-Gon reassured, aware of his Padawan's emotions. Obi-Wan had been but a teenager when they were sent on that mission and had left the youth quite shaken. It took months before he was again comfortable to be in the dark. Qui-Gon couldn't blame him, their ordeal had been nightmarish, their physical injuries alone had taken weeks of recover. The mental toll was far more severe on Obi-Wan even after regaining his sight and still, years later it was impossible for him to negate his discomfort when subjected to prolonged darkness. Pursuing the welcoming light, Obi-Wan was at a loss when his master turned into an adjacent tunnel, away from the obvious exit. Knowing it was not just a whim of the Jedi Knight's, he followed obediently. Turning the corner he nearly walked into Qui-Gon who had stopped just inside another large chamber. Before him in a far corner of the cave stood a large capsule-shape structure. "Well, it appears the Force has lent its hand to our mission." Qui-Gon murmured, staring at the object. "The time machine?" Obi-Wan inquired. Twelve feet high it was constructed of a smooth milky-white material that seemed to radiate a soft glow of its own. Walking closer, Qui-Gon placed his hand on it, unsurprised that instead of the coolness of metal he felt an almost living warmth. Obi-Wan hung back, watching. Inside he felt the familiar tremor in the Force. Whatever the disturbance was, this structure was at its core. "Master" he stated, taking a few guarded steps closer, "we should destroy it." "Without a full examination?" Qui-Gon looked over at his apprentice curiously. "Definitely man made" Qui-Gon observed, "but of no material I'm familiar with. We need to get inside," he glanced at Obi-Wan expectantly. The young Jedi nodded solemnly and walked to what he believed to be the front of the object. Visually no seams could be discerned but with the aid of the Force his hands discovered what could only be a control panel. With careful deliberation, he manipulated the buttons until a large panel appeared, slowly sliding back with a quiet hiss. "By the Force," he exclaimed excitedly, bring a curious Qui-Gon to his side. Looking inside the structure Qui-Gon could see what had created his protégé’s shocked reaction. Outside the object was no more than four meters in diameter but looking through the opened entrance revealed a room at least four times that size. "Is it an illusion?" Obi-Wan asked with wide eyes. "Only one way to find out." Qui-Gon answered taking a step through the doorway. Suddenly a hand was on his shoulder, holding him back. "Is this wise?" Obi-Wan cautioned, his grip on his master tightening ever so slightly. "We must learn all we can in order to give a full report to the Council," Qui-Gon placated, knowing Obi-Wan's reluctance of what he considered unnecessary investigation. The Council's orders were for the destruction of such devices and Obi-Wan knew Qui-Gon would interpret it to include a thorough examination. "Permit an old man to satisfy his curiosity." Qui-Gon offered a quirked smile. Sighing resignly, Obi-Wan relaxed his hand, allowing it to fall from the tall man's shoulder. Why did the nursery rhyme about curiosity and the felinx ring soundly in his mind. Granted, it was more than simple inquisitiveness that drove the elder Jedi, but it may one day prove as fatal. It was a constant irritant to the apprentice that his master's nature demanded that any door concealing a secret must be opened. Shaking his head with frustration, Obi-Wan couldn't help but wish that just once Qui-Gon would let a mystery lie as such and only do what was expected. Stepping through the door Qui-Gon half expected something unusual to happen, something that verified the sense of disquiet his apprentice felt, but there was nothing. Truly nothing. That in itself was odd. Gathering the Force Qui-Gon reached out around him searching for the steady thrum of life in the Living Force. Frowning, he turned, facing his apprentice still standing outside the structure. Obi-Wan, he sent out testing. “Yes master?" the young man's eyes furrowed uncertainly. Move away from the door. He did as commanded, and two steps away from the door all sense of his master died, as if their bond had been completely cut off. "Master!" Obi-Wan yelled loudly, rushing into the structure, lightsaber drawn. "Interesting," a smiling Qui-Gon said as Obi-Wan burst through the doorway, "a Force dampening effect." A slightly embarrassed Obi-Wan returned his weapon to his belt, relieved by the restoration of the link he had with his master. "Whatever material this is completely obstructs the energies of the Force from penetrating it. This is certainly something the Council must be made aware of," The Jedi Master intoned gravely. Now inside Obi-Wan took the opportunity to examine the contents. First noted was the fact that, impossibly enough, the interior of the structure measured at least twelve meters in diameter. Everything inside was the same milky-white hue, giving that added illusion of the room being even larger to the eyes. The cylindrical walls were bare and seamless, in fact the entire room was empty except for three rectangular benches on one end and a chair of some sort that faced a white, barren wall. Looking up at Qui-Gon questioningly, the master nodded in reply to the unvoiced query. Wordlessly, Obi-Wan took his place in the chair. Once seated a square section of the wall in front of him transformed into what resembled a blank computer monitor. Next to it a circular section with a rather large indentation of a hand appeared. Without a familiar control panel, Obi-Wan reached out and touched the blank screen. Instantly the screen flashed, displaying a page in what was almost 'basic'. The language before him was very similar, there were even some recognizable words but they were put together in a way that defied logic. At the top of the screen were ten colored buttons, only five of them, ‘open‘, ‘close‘, ‘forward’, ‘back’ and ’go’ could he cipher. Below them lines of unintelligible information were displayed and brushing his finger down the display, Obi-Wan scrolled down, each line becoming highlighted as it passed his fingertip. Hunched down beside, one hand on his shoulder, Qui-Gon stared intensely as if he could discern some understanding of the language if he just stared long and hard enough. Resigning to defeat with a snort, he retrieved his datapad, pressed a few buttons and handed it to his apprentice. “See if there’s a way to download the database,” Qui-Gon suggested, “perhaps we can record it and someone else can decipher it.” “I’ll tr...” Obi-Wan started. Smiling up sheepishly he rephrased his statement before the elder could correct him. “I’ll do my best.” Qui-Gon had the utmost confidence in his Padawan’s technical abilities. There wasn’t a vehicle he couldn’t pilot and the computer system he couldn’t circumvent was a rare thing. Obi-Wan inhaled deeply before setting to work on the computer. He knew his master’s belief in his abilities, Qui-Gon had praised him often enough. He only hoped the Master realized the limitations and dangers of utilizing this alien technology. Studying the screen before him, Obi-Wan reached out and tapped the green button that read ‘open’. It was as good a place to start as any. The screen changed, leaving a two-line message, that he read as a question, though he had no idea what it was. The circular section next to the screen brightened and he looked to Qui-Gon who was busy inspecting the far side of the capsule for authorization. With a shrug, Obi-Wan placed his hand inside the five-digit impression. At least whoever built this was humanoid, he thought, stretching his fingers apart to fit into the depression. Obi-Wan felt a warm, prickly sensation run lightly over his extended hand. The screen again flashed a change and he removed his hand from the now darkened section. There were now six lines, numbered and highlighted, the next step obviously being to pick one. Tapping the center most line the screen began to display a different page every few seconds. “Ok,” Obi-Wan muttered to himself, feeling a slight amount of frustration at having no idea what he was viewing. He didn‘t believe it was in any way it was the database, but he held the datapad in front of the screen to record the information it showed. With Obi-Wan intently watching the monitor and Qui-Gon inspecting the far side by the benches, neither was aware of the strange energy field silently forming above their heads. Rippling like water in vibrant shades of blue and purple, the energy field spread out filling the overhead compartment and began drifting down to the unsuspecting Jedi. It was only the sudden hiss as the door began to close that alerted them to danger. Simultaneously, they bolted for the door. Obi-Wan being the closest, he managed to squeeze through with less than a foot to spare. Immediately, he grabbed onto the moving door, pulling with all his might, trying to stoop its closure. Eight fingers appeared from the inside as Qui-Gon added his strength to the struggle. The power of the Jedi notwithstanding, the door continued its journey. Master and Padawan released their grip only a nano-second away from amputation as the door shut closed. “Qui-Gon!” Obi-Wan shouted wildly at the sudden break of the Master/Padawan bond. Instantly he reached for his lightsaber, meaning to cut the device apart, but before he could move the capsule’s soft glow intensified a moment, then before the young Jedi’s eyes, it appeared to shimmer, wavering to transparency and then disappeared entirely. Inside the capsule, the ever calm and controlled Jedi Master sat himself in front of the computer. A quick scan of the screen told him little. Like Obi-Wan, only a few of the words was he able to read. The screen continued displaying new pages, as he reached out and pressed the ‘Stop’ button. Nothing happened. He pressed it again. One line appeared before him and the circular handprint glowed brightly. Placing his large hand in the depression, he felt a tingling as it scanned his palm and the panel behind his hand turned an alarming red, heating up unbelievable fast. Pulling his hand away before it burnt, the one line on the screen flashed angrily and he began to feel a sense of anxiety creep in, gnawing at the edge of his mind like a hungry vrelt. The handprint also blinked, though the red was gone, the Jedi Master knew without doubt if he placed his hand in it would undoubtedly heat up again, refusing his palm print. During these few seconds the energy field continued to descend from the ceiling, swirling and humming with electrical vibrancy only inches from his head. Knowing it would do no good, Qui-Gon punched the ‘Stop’ button again, his irritation increasing. Unsuccessfully trying to use the Force, he opted to try what was evidently a form of identification and only succeeded in receiving a searing burn to his hand as he held it in place. As the energy field surrounded him he was overcome with the sensation of falling down an endless, multi-colored tunnel, one that roared with sound that filled his head. Except falling wasn't quite the right word as he felt his body pulled through a vortex that turned and twisted. As suddenly as it started, it stopped. One moment he was tumbling down the proverbial leapus hole and the next he was seated in the chair, blinking in bewilderment at a blank, white wall. It took a moment to collect himself, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Behind him the door opened of its own accord with a whispered hiss. Watching the door he felt a sliver of dread slice through him when no eager Padawan came rushing through it. Don't jump to conclusions, he told himself, easing out of the chair and exiting the capsule. Two things the Jedi Master was aware of upon leaving the object. One was the return of the omnipresent resonance of the Force as it permeated his being, reaching both within him and out around him. A reassuring comfort to be sure. However, the other thing noted was not so comforting. The cave was empty, no Obi-Wan in sight. Casting out for his apprentice, Qui-Gon was disturbed by the absence of the familiar link to the young Jedi. There was no impression of damage or discord in the Force, yet he felt an abnormal emptiness in it. Where once was a substantial stream that flowed in both ways, connecting the two Jedi in an almost telepathic way, now there was nothing. It was as though the Master-Padawan bond never existed. Squashing the thread of panic that threatened to erupt he searched the Force thoroughly, realizing it was more than just that one signature that was altered in perception. It had to be some lingering effect of whatever produced the Force-dampening field in the capsule. That was it, he reasoned. Until he could learn more, he would go on that assumption. With that thought in mind he left the confines of the cave. Outside, bright sunlight stabbed painfully at his eyes. Reaching in a pocket he pulled out his commlink. "Obi-Wan," he called into it. After several seconds, he manipulated the knobs and tried again. Still nothing. Of course any number of things could account for the commlink to malfunction. Most specifically the zenite in the mountains. Absently, he returned the commlink to his pocket and scanning the surrounding area he saw a city looming in the distance. That would be the logical destination. He couldn't imagine his Padawan choosing to retrace his steps back to their ship. Not with that chance of another encounter with this planet's wildlife. Reason dictates to contact Superior Dukka and the Jedi Council and even before that thought settled, he was on his way. Five and a half hours later, hot, tired and coated in a rather unpleasantly smelling mud, Qui-Gon made his way to the city limits. 'Tunoozia-capital city of Dolari Tunz' a sign erected on the outskirts announced. Curious, Qui-Gon thought. The information given to him before the mission listed Dolar as the capital city. He shook it off unconcerned. Worlds were constantly changing names of cities and such. He had once spent eight months on a mission of peace negotiations where the inhabitants changed the named of the planet three times just while he was there. Upon first entering the bustling city, he had been greeted with numerous stares and suspicious mumblings from those he passed. Of course it was the fact that he stuck out like a blue bantha. The Tunzi were a shorter than average race whose main distinction was the complete lack of body hair. Here he was a taller than the average human with long hair and a beard. To make matters worse his trek had required hiking through a wet, smelly swamp and now his appearance was certainly not one of a stately Jedi Master. Stained and covered in grime, he had removed his cloak, carrying it over an arm. His clothes though somewhat cleaner still reeked of the swamp. It didn't take use of the Force to read the thoughts of passersby at the sight of this dirty, disheveled offworlder. Their narrow stares and grim faces only supported the reports he'd read on the populace being overly suspicious if not downright xenophobic. Pulling the Force around himself to dim himself from view, he became as inconspicuous as possible. Walking the streets in a hurried pace he allowed the Force to guide him. Presently he spied a man in uniform standing near an open kiosk across the street. Changing direction, Qui-Gon quickly strode across to him. The constable stood tall, watching the denizens of his beat. He preferred the assignment of circuit officer to desk duty. How else did one cultivate the respect of authority if not out among the people you were sworn to serve and protect. Of course, the perks were always an added incentive, he thought taking a large bite from the freshly baked sweet round he held. It was his favorite kind, filled with fruit and covered in powered nectar. Qui-Gon stopped in front of the uniformed man. "Pardon me," he said calmly. "Wha..." the officer choked, surprised by the sudden appearance of this large stranger. It was as though he had materialized right in front of him. Coughing to clear his throat, white powder spayed from his mouth, dusting his black shirt. The Jedi Master smiled amiably, giving the man time to compose himself. He had felt the official's shock as he spoke to him, forgetting he had been cloaked in the Force. "I apologize for startling you." he said sincerely. Now, taking full notice of the stranger, the man's demeanor changed to one of distrust. "Who are you and what do you want?" he asked curtly, dropping the sweet round as his hand fell to the blaster at his side. "I am Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn and I'm in need of contacting the Superior," Qui-Gon spread his hands out before him in an assuring gesture, bowing his head. "Jedi Master huh," the officer croaked incredulously, his eyes traveling the length of the stranger. "Yes, it's urgent that I speak with Superior Dukka as soon as possible." "Dukka!" The man spat out venomously, "That madman was run out of office years ago. Thought he knew what was best for us, ha! we don’t need your kind here,” the man’s face flamed with anger. People around them began to turn their way, wondering what all the commotion was about. “What I want to know is exactly who you are and what you really want?” the constable accented the question by drawing his blaster and aiming it at the Jedi. He wasn’t about to be intimidated be some slovenly offworld troublemaker, no matter how big he was. “You don’t need the weapon,” Qui-Gon brought the Force to bear on the man with a small wave of his hand, “I am your friend.” The man’s features slackened as he stared into the Jedi’s deep blue eyes. A smile slowly blossomed on his face and he reholstered the blaster unconsciously. “Now friend,” he said reaching up for the tall man’s shoulder, “what can I do for you?” Qui-Gon thought a moment about what the officer had already said. The implications were disturbing. “What is the date?” he asked. “Ahh, one of those days, heh?” the Tunzi officer chuckled knowingly, giving the information. Not sure if he was relieved by the answer, he then inquired as to the location of the nearest spaceport. “Leaving our fair city so soon?” the constable asked. “Duty dictates I be elsewhere,” Qui-Gon answered as he left the man’s company with a slight bow. “Have a nice day,” the constable called after him. |
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