Title: Adrift
Author: Durhelediel
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: George Lucas owns and profits from the Star Wars universe. I just play in it's sandbox from time to time...
Dedication: To my Jedi Master, Layren, who has done so much for me lately. I have been going through a rough time with medical things and she has been wonderful on either distracting me or supporting me. Thanks Master Layren. Your aide has not gone unnoticed.
Chapter One
Seventeen year old Obi-Wan Kenobi wished that he could have been allowed to watch the sunset of Penne't II. The sky was a riot of colors ranging from palest pink to deepest purple, entangling and mixing together in a glorious riot of color.
"Mind on the moment, padawan," came a soft murmur to his left.
Obi-Wan grinned, blushing a little at his Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon seemed stern, but Obi-Wan could see that a corner of his lip was twitching upward.
Obediently, Obi-Wan turned his back on the beautiful sunset that was reflected in the body of water that the Pennetians called the Un'ocean, or "the one ocean". He focused on the being who was speaking. He was a half-human, half-fish mix and his hairâ€"like most Peenetian'sâ€"was light green. Webs stretched between his fingers as he flexed his hands when he spoke.
"...therefore the Penne nation wanted to request admittance to the Republic," the Penne't merman finished. He was lounging on the sand, the waves of the ocean crashing over him from time to time.
Qui-Gon frowned, lines appearing on his face that had not been there when Obi-Wan first really met him.
"If such is the case," Obi-Wan heard Qui-Gon saying, "then I wonder why you requested Jedi assistanceâ€"and my padawan and myself in particular. To join the Republic you would need a senator to travel to Coruscant and do the necessary requirements."
The merman, Chieftain Zodek, scowled. "None of my people can survive out of the water that long, Master Jinn. How are we to represent ourselves if we die on the way to Coruscant?"
Obi-Wan felt a flicker of irritation from his master before he calmly stated, his arms in the opposite sleeves of his robes, "That is regrettable, Chieftain Zodek, but as Jedi we cannot represent you. We can aide you, perhaps find someone that you would allow to represent you as a proxy, but we cannot."
Zodek was obviously not pleased at the Jedi's refusal. His long, scaled tail thrashed in the sand for a few moments, though Qui-Gon calmly waited the merman out. Finally, Zodek sighed. "What do you suggest?"
"Let us find a proxy for you on the mainland," Qui-Gon patiently repeated. "Not everyone there think of your people as 'strange' or 'unnatural'. I'm sure that if you give us a week we can set something up for you."
Zodek idly scratched near his belt as he thought. The water people of Penne't II were very strong-willed and proud. For centuries they had remained aloof from the travelers that had arrived on the mainland of their world, preferring to remain in their large, underwater cities. It had come as a shock to receive a message from them requesting Jedi to visitâ€"and even more of a surprise when they specified who they wanted to come.
Obi-Wan found himself glancing at the sunset again as the merman thought and scratched. His mind started to wander again...
"Ow!" He slapped a hand to his neck where something sharp had just hit him. Before he could do anything, he was yanked off of his feet and dragged by his neck into Zodek's arms. Blood ran down his neck and his back began to feel numb from some kind of salve that was spread on the line in his neck. "Master..." He gasped as Zodek's arms tightened around him.
Qui-Gon had his lightsaber out. "Zodek! What are you doing? Release my apprentice!" He barked out.
"No, Master Jinn," Zodek said, his breath passing along Obi-Wan's neck and stirring his hair slightly. Obi-Wan almost gagged at the smell of raw fish that came from the merman's mouth. "He will stay with us until you have achieved your task. You have no longer than a week."
Obi-Wan then felt himself being lifted and he caught sight of the beach and water tilting dangerously to the side. His master was running after them, but Obi-Wan knew that he'd never make it to him in time. Within moments, Obi-Wan was plunged into the cool water, a strong arm around his middle. He hadn't had time to take in a breathâ€"it had all happened so fast. His vision grayed. His brain and lungs were soon starving for air and were not receiving the precious oxygen. When he could stand it no more, he passed into unconsciousness.