The Captive Diplomat
Nike
Summary: "Are you sure kidnapping a Jedi Knight is a good idea?"
Category: Obi/Ani Non-Slash, Adventure/mild humor/fluff
Rating: G, unless there's a curse word somewhere that I'm not aware of.
Archive: If you want it, just let me know.
Feedback: Please! I write for myself but I like to know whether or not other people liked it as well.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars and I'm making no money off of this (*pouts*). The plot-line and any non-recognizable characters are mine, however.
Author's Note: I get my ideas from the oddest places. This was spurred by a phrase "Held captive by the negotiations." I haven't the least clue where it came from but in context it simply meant the character was extremely interested in what was being discussed. For me, it conjured images of Obi-Wan sitting at a negotiating table in chains. Things went from there as I wondered who on earth would chain Obi-Wan up only to have him sit down and mediate a contract. It was like the captors didn't expect him to want to be there. Then it stuck me. What if he didn't want to be there? My creative urge went to work and, well, here it is…
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The Captive Diplomat
Chapter One: Discussions
The shouting and whining had been going on since dinner and on long into the night. Anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck nearby sincerely wished all of the noise would stop soon. Of course, they had been hoping that for the last several hours to no avail.
Everyone quietly tiptoed past the room where the altercation was taking place, but it was rather pointless since the room's occupants wouldn't have noticed a hostage situation even if it took place in the same room, much less the same building. The row simply got louder and, if it wasn't stopped soon, would probably end up coming to blows.
Inside the room was an intricately carved large round wooden table. Matching plush chairs surrounded it. Three of the chairs were occupied by three different men, each of a different species and each sitting as far from the others as he could get and still remain sitting at the table and within easy hearing range. Curses, vile epithets, and name-calling made up the conversation, that is, if one could still call it a conversation.
Somehow, either through coincidence, fate, or the will of the Force, all three ran out of breath at the same time. Sitting there, gasping after yelling for hours, the three men glared silently at one another in the suddenly deafening silence.
Commander T'Hal, a walrus-like alien creature and the most forceful of the three, leaned back in his chair and looked at the other two.
"Now that we've gotten that off of our chests, I believe it is safe to state that we agree to disagree." The other two nodded in assent.
"Indeed," came the high-pitched voice that had done most of the whining. Vik Laston, Mayor and Overseer of the grand city of Vespa, was a thin, almost reed-like, creature that appeared to be the cross between a cat and an otter that had somehow taken humanoid form. While extremely nervous in most situations, he, however, was extremely diligent and tended to succeed in large projects that more impatient people tended to fail at quickly and spectacularly, and this was a very large project.
Quent Nir was the third member of the political meeting. He resembled, despite the formal robes, a primitive human shaman in face paint. The bright colors on his cheeks, chin, and forehead, however, were entirely natural.
"Yes, quite safe," Quent Nir wryly admitted, his marked accent making the sentence even more sibilant.
"So… what are we going to do about our problems?" The three looked at one other before each launched into a tirade. Realizing that neither was listening to the other, they all stopped and glared at one another.
"We need a mediator," T'Hal pronounced. Nir visibly brightened.
"A Jedi!"
"Yes, we're all aware of why you're in this to begin with," T'Hal muttered.
"But the Republic won't send one unless we are a part of them," Vik pointed out, "That's the larger goal behind this peace treaty."
"Peace treaty? What peace treaty? There isn't going to be a peace treaty if we can't negotiate and I refuse to settle for less than the best mediator, and that would be a Jedi," Nir spat out angrily. Vik's mammalian features looked distressed, but then, they always appeared distressed. T'Hal merely looked thoughtful.
"I think I have a solution to this problem." The other two leaned forward, curiosity getting the better of them. Quickly, T'Hal explained his idea to them in great detail.
"Well, what do you think?" T'Hal asked his companions once he had finished. Nir nodded.
"Yess," he hissed, "I think it would work and solve our situation admirably. Laston?" The last comment was directed at the nervous felinoid.
"Yes, quite but…"
"But?" T'Hal asked quietly. Vik looked around conspiratorially before finally whispering, "Are you sure kidnapping a Jedi Knight is a good idea?"
TBC…