An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars - All Media Types, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars Legends: Jedi Apprentice Series - Jude Watson & Dave Wolverton Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi Characters: Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi Additional Tags: Kidnapping, Implied/Referenced Torture, Obi-Wan Kenobi Needs a Hug, Hurt Obi-Wan Kenobi, Whump Series: Part 3 of Whumptober 2021 Summary:
Whumptober 2021
Day 3- Sticks and Stones may break my bones but...
taunting | insults | “Who did this to you?”
His Padawan was missing.
That was the only thought going through Qui-Gon Jinn’s mind. It circled round and round as he deflected blaster bolts.
His Padawan was missing.
.
.
.
His Padawan was missing.
That was the only thought going through Qui-Gon Jinn’s mind. It circled round and round as he deflected blaster bolts.
His Padawan was missing.
He thought about Rael. About what had happened to his Padawan. Qui-Gon was ashamed to admit it but part of him had always judged Rael for his reaction to Nyms death, and his complete refusal to even contemplate taking on another Padawan. Of course, the circumstances were particularly difficult but to speak in such absolutes… It screamed of attachment.
Now though, now Qui-Gon understood.
His Padawan was missing.
The security base was drawing closer, the security droids rate of fire was increasing. Qui-Gon deflected them with a single-minded determination, decapitating the droids as soon as he got close to them.
Obi Wan was only a child. What kind of monsters… he breathed. Getting angry and de-humanising those who had taken his Padawan would not be helpful. It was a train of thought that led perilously close to the dark.
This was not supposed to be a dangerous mission. They were only on Hosnian Prime as a representative of the Order at the inauguration of their new democratic cycle. It was purely diplomatic, not a combat mission. Force it was a mission within the Core. They were the safest missions that it was possible to be assigned. Safe enough that bringing along his thirteen year old Padawan was encouraged if not demanded. It was the type of mission where no one should come to harm.
And yet he had awoken two standard cycles ago to the sound of a clash and when he had entered Obi Wans assigned room he was greeted with the sight of chaos and no Padawan.
From his investigations, the Hosnian system had been having some problems with a separatist faction that wanted the system to split away from the Republic, which had recently turned to terrorism. Of course, the planetary government had not felt it necessary to disclose that to the Senate or the Jedi until his Padawan was gone. If he had known, if they could have put together the proper security precautions… Anger burned in his chest again.
His Padawan was missing.
He tried to centre himself again. He couldn’t deal in ifs. If he started to think in ifs then he would think on Obi Wans fate. What if he wasn’t only missing. What if he was…
No Qui Gon thought. There was nothing good to be found if he followed that thought train.
He cut through the last droid and the blaster fire stopped. The Dura-steel door stood tall and imposing before him. He ignored the chatter of the Hosnian security forces behind him. There was no control pad for the door, nowhere where any keys could be entered. This door was meant to be opened from the inside.
“That’s a blast-proof door,” the security captain said from behind him. “I’m sorry Master Jedi but there is no way we are going to be able to get through.”
Qui-Gon ignored him, relighting his light sabre and driving in through the door. The captain was right in some ways. The doors were blast-proof, and there was no way they would have been able to get through.
But it certainly wasn’t Lightsaber proof.
The door glowed orange and Qui-Gon felt the slight give as it emerged from the other side of the door.
He moved to cut through the steel as if it was no more than cardboard before a smaller door had been cut within the main door. He pushed it forwards and it hit the floor with an echoing bang.
The hallway beyond was dark. The complex main lights had failed, a few still flickering before they died completely. The only light was the eerie orange glow of the few emergency fittings and the electric green glow of his lightsaber.
The hallway was empty. Qui-Gon could sense the panic of whoever had been in there, he could just about hear them scrambling for escape in the hallways beyond. He ignored them focuses on the small pulse in his head.
He could sense Obi Wan now. Their bond was worryingly quiet but it was there. It hadn’t died.
His Padawan was close.
He strode forward. His footsteps echoed in the metallic hallway, making it sound like there was an army behind him. He sped up, not checking to make sure if the security force was following him. Qui-Gon didn’t care. He only had one thought. He had to get to his Padawan.
He rounded the corner. Two further droids were stood in the space. They barely had time to turn towards him before he had swung his lightsaber and their heads had fallen to the floor. They crumpled where they stood, Qui-Gon stepping over their forms as he walked deeper into the complex.
The bond was getting stronger. He had to be getting closer. He tried to send a sense of reassurance to Obi Wan, to tell him he was coming.
He got no response.
Qui-Gon was able to pick up some emotions through the bond now. Obi Wan’s shields were failing, emotions bleeding into the force.
His Padawan was panicking. And in pain.
He felt another flare of anger. Someone hadn’t just taken his Padawan, they had hurt him.
He felt a desire for retribution, he wanted to hurt these people like they had hurt his Padawan. He had to centre himself again. He would be of no use to Obi Wan if he kept thinking those thoughts. His Padawan did not need a Master that was touching the dark.
He reached an intersection of the hallways. Qui-Gon closed his eyes, reaching out into the force. Searching.
Below. Obi Wan was below him. He set off down the left path, his steps quickening as the path circled downwards. The metal walls gave way to stone, the artificial hallways becoming a natural cave.
The light was even worse here. There were no artificial lights at all. He moved forward, his path only illuminated by the green glow of his sabre.
There were multiple small off-shoots of the cave but Qui-Gon knew which one he had to aim for. After all, it was the only one that had been fitted with a shining new Dura-steel door.
His Padawan was behind them. He was sure of it.
Qui-Gon drove his lightsaber into the door control panel, no longer having the patience to try and slice into it. The door sagged in its housing as whatever current keeping it sealed failed. He pushed it aside, drawing on the force to help him move the heavy metal.
The inside of the cell was pitch black.
He walked in lightsaber first.
His Padawan was sat hunched in the corner.
Obi Wan flinched away from him, away from the light and Qui Gon lowered the blade.
Recognizing him Obi Wan tried to stand, to move towards him but he barely made it two steps before he fell to the floor with a pained groan.
Qui-Gon rushed forward, forgetting about any of the adversaries in the complex, forgetting about the Hosnian Security Force, forgetting about all confines of their mission. His Padawan was hurt. That is all that mattered.
“Padawan.” Qui Gon dropped his hands to Obi Wans face. Bruises were marring his usually pale skin. He could see a bloodstain on his tunic, and one of his Ankles was twisted in a way that looked desperately painful.
This is my fault Qui-Gon thought dully It is my responsibility to protect a Padawan and look what had happened. He never should have taken one on. He clearly wasn’t capable enough for the job.
“Padawan, who did this to you?”
Obi Wan didn’t seem to hear him.
“I didn’t tell them, anything Master.”
Obi Wan seemed desperate. He grabbed hold of Qui-Gons arm, staring at him imploringly.
“I swear it. I told them nothing. I didn’t tell them any of the Orders secrets.”
At Qui-Gons shocked silence Obi Wan grew even more frantic.
“You have to believe me, Master. I promise they didn’t get anything out of me, please don’t leave me. I didn’t betray the order. Please let me come back.”
At this moment Qui-Gon could not have cared if Obi Wan had told his captors the detailed schematics for the Jedi Temple’s security system. He just wanted him to be safe.
“Of course I believe you, Obi Wan.”
Obi Wan deflated as if all the strings that had been supporting him had been cut.
“Master… I’m Tired Master.”
“You have to stay awake Padawan.”
Qui-Gon glanced around. There was still no sign of the Security Forced. He had to get them out. There was no way he was leaving his injured Padawan on this damp stone floor any longer than he needed to.
He scooped Obi Wan into his arms. His skin was hot to the touch. He had a fever. They needed to get out of this complex quickly.
His Padawan instinctively curved into his body, mumbling incoherently.
He walked back into the cave system. Without his lightsaber, he had to squint to see anything. He moved forward, trusting that the force would lead them to safety.
Obi Wan groaned, shifting slightly. His head nodded down to his chest.
“Awake Padawan. I need you to stay awake!
“Mm…awake” Obi Wan mumbled “Can we go back to the temple Master. I’m tired”
Qui-Gon’s boots hit the metallic floor of the complex. He breathed a sigh of relief as the orange glow of the emergency lights began to illuminate the room.
He looked down at Obi Wan. The non bruised parts of his skin were deathly pale.
“We’ll be back soon Padawan. You’ll be all right. We’ll be back soon.”
Qui-Gon Jinn desperately hoped that the last thing he said to his Padawan would not be a lie.