Bound

Exceeding Tolerances

They were heading to the mines.

"Where is Master Jinn?" Obi-Wan asked deliberately infusing his adolescent voice with indignance if only to mask the trepidation he feared would squeak out. Much to his disappointment, but not his surprise, the Codru-ji said nothing. Closer still they drew to their destination. Now Obi-Wan could begin to make out the tell-tale signs of a large mining operation and the entrances to the voluminous caverns that promised wealth to those with the will and technology to extract their hidden treasures. Treasures hidden deep with its caves; caves the large, growling caninoid was now steering him towards as they exited the vehicle. Obi-Wan's steps slowed to a reluctant stagger that forced his escort to grab his arm roughly and drag him towards one cavern's entrance.

"What are you doing? Where are you taking me? Where is Master Jinn?"

"Master Jinn will be with you soon enough," the Codru-ji replied as he pulled Obi-Wan deeper into the mine. Finally given a least some kind of answer, Obi-Wan wasn't sure if he felt better or worse for the knowledge.

* * * * *

"Where is he?" Qui-Gon roared as he burst back into Ilia's office. Xanatos hadn't moved from his seat and he still didn't even as an enraged Jedi master towered over him.

"I'm sorry, Qui-Gon, have you lost something or perhaps someone?"

"Master Jinn, what's going on?" Ilia asked stepping from behind her desk. "What's this norlian bog rat done now?"

"He's taken Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon replied without looking at her, his thunderous gaze firmly locked on Xanatos. "Where is he?"

"I honestly have no idea where the boy may be. Have you checked his quarters, the dining hall, maybe the recreation room? Or perhaps he met a nice girl?" Xanatos answered politely. The unassuming, innocent expression on his darkly handsome features threatened to further inflame the master's rage. Qui-Gon took a small step back, studying his adversary intensely. With a few deep breaths the master managed to rein in his increasingly corybantic emotions.

"Xanatos, whatever your business here, whatever your problems with me," Qui-Gon paused awaiting a protest, but finding none he continued. "Obi-Wan is not a part of it. He's sick, Xanatos. He's very sick. He needs Jedi healers. Please, tell me where he is," he finished his eyes pleading with the man as much as his words. "Please."

"I... I can't help you, Qui-Gon," Xanatos answered unusually sober.

"Can't or won't?" the master retorted clearly not expecting an answer and receiving none. Qui-Gon turned to Ilia, her face tense with conflicting expressions of horror and anger. The master did not have the luxury or energy to deal with her upset and hoped feverently that she could calm herself enough to be of use to him to deal with the current crisis.

"Administrator Voluk, I need you to organize a search for Obi-Wan. We will need as many hands as possible to cover as much ground as possible," the master intoned sending clam reassurance through the Force.

"Yes, of course," Ilia responded. Some of the lines in her face eased as she spoke, falling easily into the familiar confines of authority. She reached over to her comm. panel, keying in a quick sequence. "Hal."

"Hal here."

"We've got a code 819."

"The missing person?"

"It's the Ghost and he's ill."

"I'll put someone from medical on each team then. I'll setup a base in the back of field one and we'll operate from there," the female voice on the comm. spoke quickly.

"Hal, find him," Ilia said her voice firm and brooking no other possible outcomes. There was a second of silence before the other voice responded just as earnestly.

"We will," Hal replied and with a solemn nod Hal couldn't see, Ilia ended the transmission. The Administrator then turned her attention back to the Jedi master.

"What else do you need?"

"I must contact the Council and then I must meditate to see if I can help locate him," Qui-Gon replied evenly as he turned to leave the room. He paused as he glanced down at Xanatos's seated figure. "I cannot lawfully hold you here, but I would suggest you remain with the Administrator for the time being."

Smirk gone, the younger man gave an uncharacteristically humorless nod.

"Qui-Gon, I do want you to find the boy. Believe that," Xanatos spoke his blue eyes narrowed, his gaze stern, mildly compassionate, but clearly unrepentant. Qui-Gon turned his attention back to the view of the empty corridor just outside the office's open door, his back to Xanatos.

"It is my sincere wish that I could, Xanatos," the master replied wistfully then he exited the room.

* * * * *

"Master," Qui-Gon greeted softly, his head usually cowed. He knew he should have contacted the Council, but somehow he knew that they would have been no help or, even worse, they would have been a hindrance. Instead he had chosen to call upon one of the only other beings whose judgment he knew he could trust especially when he couldn't trust his own.

"Qui-Gon, look well you do not," the blue image of the Order's oldest, living Jedi replied. Qui-Gon stifled a rueful smile. If he appeared half as enfeebled as he felt he must truly be a sight indeed. The holo-figure of Yoda flickered slightly as the Grand Master's left ear perked up and turned out.

"Happened something has."

"Yes, Master. Obi-Wan has been taken, hidden away by Xanatos."

"Certain you are that work of Xanatos this is?"

"There... is no proof, but yes, I am certain," the younger master replied. Yoda closed his eyes, his large ears rising minutely as he silently communed with the Force. Qui-Gon waited patiently not bringing his own powerful Force sense to bear. His talents had never favored prescience as he was more firmly rooted in the Living Force, but he too had long since learned to never discount the uncanny insights granted to the elder master through his extraordinary connection to the Unifying aspects of the Force. After several quiet moments, the Grand Master opened his large, sapient eyes.

"More than missing our young one is, hmm?" the wizened master asked. Qui-Gon nodded, unsurprised that the elder somehow knew of Obi-Wan's increased distress.

"Yes. I fear he is dying, Master."

"Likely that may be," Yoda replied cryptically. Qui-Gon raised one elegant eyebrow in question.

"You know what afflicts him?"

"Know, I do not. Suspicions only I have," Yoda corrected. "Know for certain one thing I do. Find Obi-Wan you must."

Yoda's emphasis on the penultimate word was not lost on Qui-Gon's hearing, but a growing sense of exigency prevented him from following up with unnecessary questions. Instead, with a half bow to the elder, the master ended the call, closed his eyes, and settled into a deep state of meditation.