Jungle Run

By SecretJedi

Set: J.A. era. Obi-Wan is 17

Summary: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent to the planet of Devaron to try and settle a dispute between neighbouring regions. It seems like a simple mission but then it all goes wrong….

Disclaimer: Every recognisable world, building and character belongs to George Lucas….darn!

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

/Bond Talk/

"You're disgusting, you know that, right?" Bant remarked as she observed the feeding habits of a very hungry Obi-Wan Kenobi, who was, at that point, stuffing a large muja tart into his mouth. He looked up at his friend with a mock hurt expression on his face and went to open his mouth but was cut off, "and don't even think about replying when your mouth is that full; I don't particularly fancy sharing the remnants of your desert. You've made more mess than a wild bantha!" Having known Obi-Wan for as long as she could remember, she had witnessed many a meal being downed with great enthusiasm, particularly if Garen was present, who seemed to find it funny to challenge Obi-Wan to an eating race – Bant had escorted the pair numerous times to the Healer's ward to sort of bouts of indigestion. However, she concluded, thanks to the sheer quantity of food and the fervour with which it was being eaten, this particular meal had to rank amongst the top three.

Obi-Wan swallowed loudly and dusted off the crumbs on his tunic. In front of him were the remnants of his evening meal: a plate that bore the signs of heavy food demolition and a bowl that had once held his muja tart. Sat opposite him with her head supported by her right hand, Bant surveyed the disaster zone that surrounded her friend and shook her head in disbelief: "I knew you humans ate a lot but seriously, Obi-Wan, just how did five slices of gornt meat, a sizeable helping of Nubian potatoes, various vegetables, three slices of fopa melon and one muja tart just disappear like that?!" Obi-Wan had arrived back from a mission in the Outer Rim with his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, two hours previously and was ravenous. Despite the late hour, Bant had been kind enough to wait with him while he ate and did not know whether to feel privileged or ill that she alone (for the pair were the only ones left in the canteen) had been witness to the gastronomy phenomenon that was Obi-Wan.

"Well, I think I can speak for all human males in the universe when I say that, living on nothing but ration bars for two weeks, while trying to persuade the rebels on Sluis Van that they did really want to negotiate a peace treaty with the government, is enough to make one want to eat an entire bantha." Qui-Gon had estimated that they would be gone only five days ('Oh, how wrong he was' thought Obi-Wan) but the Sluis Van rebels had been far more persistent than first thought. He and Qui-Gon had had to make the seventy kilometre trek between the rebel camp and the government building at least five times before deciding that the best course of action was for Obi-Wan to remain with the rebels and communicate with Qui-Gon via comlink.

Bant rolled her eyes: "Come on, you look exhausted and those dark circles under your eyes won't go away if we just sit here and bicker." The Mon Calamarian reached across and stacked Obi-Wan's plates and cutlery. "I'll take them to the kitchen hatch for cleaning, just go to bed."

"First you decide my eating habits resemble that of a wolf-like koriena and now I look like the living dead. Bant, what would I do without you?"

"Probably live with an inflated impression of your own brilliance. I like to think that my helpful comments bring you back to reality," came the amused reply from the kitchen hatch at the opposite end of the canteen, "and I thought I told you to go to bed!"

Obi-Wan rose from his seat and yawned, "yes, Master!" He could feel his friend's sharp eyes watching him. She knew him far too well.

'Knowing Qui-Gon, despite our long journey he will still make me meditate on the mission," Obi-Wan thought wryly as he walked back to the apartment he shared with his beloved Master. He only had one thing on his mind: 'bed'.

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Qui-Gon Jinn took a final sip of the steaming tea from the mug in his large hands; it was his favourite – Selonian, extra strong. Despite its high energy value, he knew that it would have little effect on him; he was far too tired. The Master was sat on the old, beaten couch in the main room of the apartment. He looked out of the wide window and tiredly gazed at the city lights that seemed to dance in front of his eyes. Corasaunt never seemed to sleep but, at this moment, that was all Qui-Gon wanted to do. In their mission debrief, the Council had promised, with the exception of emergencies, they would let the pair rest. Their mission to Sluis Van had been trying indeed. He would have taken himself to bed but he needed to make sure that his apprentice returned safely. 'Knowing Obi-Wan, he's probably asleep in the canteen with his face planted in his food."Qui-Gon chuckled at the image that now formed in his head. Obi-Wan seemed to have a knack for snoozing just about anywhere. He looked at the time-keeping device to his left – his apprentice had been in the canteen for over an hour. 'No doubt he is enjoying the opportunity to eat a solid meal,' he mused. He had prepared himself a small supper in the apartment's tidy kitchen, not wanting to interrupt his apprentice's opportunity to catch-up with his dear friend, Bant.

Qui-Gon placed the empty mug on the stand next to the couch and sat back. His thoughts turned to his apprentice. Obi-Wan had shown great maturity in dealing with the rebels on the Outer Rim planet, and a great deal of skill in the Force. They had been particularly tenacious and had proved difficult to deal with. A proud smile formed on Qui-Gon's lips; Obi-Wan was growing up and he felt privileged to be a witness. 'He will make a fine Jedi Knight one day.'Although that day was not yet on the horizon, Qui-Gon could feel his apprentice's powers growing.

He felt a familiar presence approach the door and used the Force to cause the door to slide open, surprising the sleepy figure that now stood before him. "Hello, Obi-Wan. You look like you could use some rest!"

"Have you been talking to Bant, Master? She said I looked like a, ummm...I must look horrendous."

Qui-Gon had absolutely no idea what Obi-Wan was mumbling about.

"I'm sure Bant's observations were as keen as usual and I'm sure she'd agree that the exhausted look is most unbecoming."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes serenely and smiled. "I must be getting old: tired eyes, can't deal with late nights... you understand such feelings, Master?"

"Ah, my young apprentice, I see you can't conserve your energy for fear that you mighty lose that sparkling wit of yours!"

Obi-Wan's smile widened.

"Now as your apparently ancient Master I command you to take yourself off to bed." His instructions were instantly obeyed. Qui-Gon watched as his apprentice trudged into his room, shrugging his cloak off as he moved.

/Thanks, Master/ And with that Obi-Wan disappeared.

/Sweet dreams, my apprentice/

Qui-Gon's own bed beckoned; it looked so inviting. His feet tingled as he removed his boots and placed them next to the bed. After dressing into his sleep-trousers he climbed under the covers. Never had they felt so warm and comfortable. His last thought before closing his eyes was that he hoped the universe could look after itself, just for a little bit.