This is a story based on a challenge by Darth KenObi-Wan, which was to use the following excerpt in a story:
"It was raining. There was mud and blood everywhere. In the middle of the battle field were two figures. Closer inspection revealed them to be Jedi Knights. [insert character Obi-Wan Kenobi knelt in the mud, his head resting against [insert character Qui-Gon Jinn's shoulder as he sobbed. They had already taken his body away."
I have made a few changes, will will be evident later on in the story. Thustra is a real planet in the Star Wars universe, but I completely made up all the details regarding it (government, people, etc.) And, though I feel like I shouldn't need to say this, I will: This is obviously not the whole story, as the excerpt has not been mentioned yet.
I hope you like it, especially, you, Darth KenObi-Wan!
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its names, characters, worlds, etc.
"It's not a bad place," Obi-Wan Kenobi remarked interestedly, tilting his head to view the tall, slim buildings rising above them. "Nothing compared to Coruscant in terms of height, perhaps, but I like it. More welcoming than some of the other capitals we've visited." He turned and grinned at the tall man walking beside him.
Smiling at his apprentice's enthusiasm, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn placed a hand on the nineteen year-old's shoulder and propelled him forward. "And if you keep stopping to gawk at the scenery we're going to be late. Thustra is at a touchy political stage right now; you see how reluctant authorities were to accept outside help. And as such, turning up late for the conference is not going to make a particularly pleasing first impression."
"I hate politics," muttered Obi-Wan absently, twirling his Padawan braid around his finger. It was a habit Qui-Gon had never quite been able to suppress.
"Your view are noted, young Padawan. Keep moving."
Obi-Wan turned a mock glare up at his mentor. "Why was I ever desperate to get you as a master, Master? I think I must have been delirious. No one in their right mind would ever want to be trained by a cold, uncaring rock like you." But he was grinning.
"So I've heard," answered Qui-Gon dryly as he began walking faster. "But as I recall, you were desperate enough to accept anyone who would train you."
The apprentice hurried to catch up with him. "Yes, I suppose you're right." He frowned, thinking for a moment about their assignment. "Are Garen and Master Rhara meeting us there?"
"As far as I know, they are," Qui-Gon replied. "Clee contacted me earlier. She said she and Garen would already be there when we arrive."
"Oh, good," Obi-Wan said happily. "We haven't seen them in awhile."
"Because they were stuck on an isolated moon in the Mid Rim."
"Well, yes…."
"This is the building here." Turning off the raised walkway, Qui-Gon headed for a tall, rather ornate-looking skyscraper. From what they could see, it was built in the shape of a hexagon and culminated with a smooth dome at its peak that shined silvery-white in the bright sunlight reflected off its lustrous surface. At the entrance, two security guards were stationed on either side of the door as they walked in.
"Security check," one of them announced in a bored voice, as though they had done this job far too many times. In response, Qui-Gon handed them a small datapad he had been provided with at the beginning of their mission. The guard looked it over quickly, then nodded and handed it back to him. "All in order. Turbolift is in that hallway on your left. Eighteenth floor."
"Thank you." The two Jedi continued onward. Once they stepped into the turbolift, it made a small grinding sound and began to move quickly upward.
Two people were waiting for them as they exited the lift at the appropriate floor. One, a woman, was Jedi Master Clee Rhara, who had vivid red hair and was a good friend of Qui-Gon's. She smiled at him in greeting, then turned to look at the Jedi next to her, apprentice Garen Muln. Garen was of a leaner build than Obi-Wan, with light tan hair and very blue eyes that sparkled mischievously. Catching sight of the other two, he grinned at Obi-Wan, with whom he had been friends since they were younglings.
"Master Rhara," Qui-Gon acknowledged with a bow. At his side, Obi-Wan did the same.
She laughed. "Why the formality, Master Jinn?"
"Perhaps it's the setting." Qui-Gon glanced around indicatively. "We are in government headquarters, after all," he said with a wry smile. "How have you been?" Clee laughed again, and as the two Masters immersed themselves in conversation, Obi-Wan moved over next to Garen.
"Where have you been the past few months," he demanded in mock anger. "What were you doing, building a summer home on that moon?"
"Nah," Garen replied seriously, his face completely straight. "Too many insects. You should have seen us by the end — covered in bites the size of laser bolts. I did try making a sort of tree-house," he added thoughtfully, "but then this bug — I swear it was a foot and a half — sort of made it through the window and told me in no uncertain terms that it was taking over. It said something about resettling the colony, I think — hard to make out with all the buzzing."
Obi-Wan hit his friend playfully on the shoulder. "You big liar. I'll bet it had the mass of a pinhead."
"No, really, it was —"
"Garen!" Clee called from halfway down the hall (the two Padawans had not realized their masters had been walking away). "Let's go. Time for the meeting."
"Coming!" they both returned in unison.
"So how long have you been here?" Obi-Wan inquired softly as they fell into step behind the older Jedi.
"Three days." Garen was looking annoyed at something.
"That long?"
"You mean 'that short'. In those few days…" He was wearing a grim smile. "Well, suffice to say the situation here isn't looking good." Lowering his voice to an undertone, he added, "Clee and I have spoken to quite a few people and from what we've heard, it's a good thing they're accepting Jedi help — you know, outside negotiators with an unbiased view. Apparently there are two factions dividing control of the planet, so with that in mind —"
"Let me guess," Obi-Wan interrupted wearily. "One of the two sides wants a bigger piece of the pie. Am I right?"
"Of course." Garen looked faintly disgusted. "Mind you, it's all been very subtle and, well, more refined than some of these disputes usually are. Nothing out in the open. They've been exchanging ambassadors and making all the normal false promises, and for awhile it looked like things might burn themselves out, after all. Just yesterday, though, the Arnesse — they're the ones making most of the trouble here — they announced they aren't allowing any more envoys from Naraan to enter their section."
"They're not accepting negotiators?" Obi-Wan demanded incredulously.
"Not anymore. And it's been causing a massive uproar here, I can tell you. The Arnesse say it's because negotiations weren't getting anywhere in the first place, but the decision was so sudden that Clee suspects another outside force might be involved. It's going to be difficult to tell, though. We need to convince them to let people in, and since they've threatened to target any Naraan ships that cross the borderline, and we're the only ones with a neutral Republic craft, it's probably going to fall to us to set their minds straight. I only hope we can get across before something sparks a complete civil war."
Sighing, Obi-Wan ran a hand along his jawline. "So if you know this already, why are we going to this government meeting?"
"Probably just a formality," Garen explained dismissively. "We obviously need permission if we're going to attempt something across the border. Plus," he added with a grin, "we don't want people to think us Jedi are omniscient or something."
"Not a bad point," Obi-Wan agreed.
"We'll just have to see how things go, I guess."
Nodding but not saying anything, still digesting all he had learned from his friend, Obi-wan stepped up behind Qui-Gon just in time to follow him through the large, durasteel double doors and into the conference room. He hoped that the meeting wouldn't go on too long; he knew how tedious and unproductive these political discussions could be. But he still nodded as Qui-Gon turned to him and said softly, "Listen closely to what is said, Obi-Wan. Not everything will be evident immediately." Clee Rhara and Garen followed them quietly inside.
Reviews are encouraged and greatly appreciated! I would also encourage anyone who likes my writing (dare I hope) to take a peek at my other stories, especially Lost Jedi. Thanks!