Finally, I know, second chapter up for this challenge. This one was kind of short, but I promise the next one will be longer and more exciting. I guess one could title this the "transition chapter". I'm only planning on adding another one or two, but we'll see how things go.
Happy reading, and reviews are highly encouraged. Any comments/questions/criticisms (valid ones, only, please), feel free to tell me. Thanks!
"So," Obi-Wan said as he began ticking things off on his fingers, "the Arnesse have closed their borders, they're gunning down any Naraan crafts, they might be getting outside help, we're the only ones here with an available Republic ship, and if we don't do something soon, both sides are going to collapse into general anarchy." He looked up at Garen. "Does that cover it?"
Garen smiled wryly. "Just about."
"Well, no matter how we look at it, this is pretty serious." Sighing, Obi-Wan glanced to the other side of the room, where Qui-Gon and Clee were standing by the window, conversing in low voices. Qui-Gon's arms were folded across his chest, his brow was furrowed, and there was a rigidness about his stance that told Obi-Wan he was quite anxious about this assignment. "Even Qui-Gon said this could be potentially fatal to the system," he remarked softly, with another look at his mentor. "And the Republic can't afford for Thustra to dissolve into chaos."
Garen nodded, his eyes roaming over the room. Despite the protests of both Masters, the Sephi leaders of Naraan had provided them with a rather lavish suite in one of the best hotels in the area. Obi-Wan thought it was quite considerate of them, but he could tell that his master felt slightly out of place amidst all the unnatural luxury of the place. True, as Jedi they did not usually hold with needless accessories, yet both Obi-Wan and Garen enjoyed it nonetheless.
Seeing Qui-Gon look in their direction, Obi-Wan caught his mentor's eye. He nudged his friend lightly. "Let's go over. I think they want to talk with us."
The two apprentices shifted over to the couch nearby as the other two Jedi sat down. They were all seated around a small square table situated roughly in the center of the room. Qui-Gon exchanged a quick glance with Clee, then spoke.
"So what did you two think about our situation here?" he asked them seriously.
Obi-Wan looked at Garen, who returned the look and shrugged.
"Well," Obi-Wan began tentatively, "it's not good. When we first got here, I was expecting something more typical, I think. Something like the two groups were just having a hard time reaching an agreement and needed mediators to help smooth things out. But," he went on, thinking it through as he did so, "what we've encountered here so far is far more than that. I've never encountered circumstances where one side actually refuses to negotiate."
"And," Garen put in, "Thustra is a fairly important system. I don't think the Republic can afford to have it split into pieces, which it will if nothing is done. It seems like we'll need to act as quickly as possible if we want to convince the Arnesse to change their minds."
"A fairly accurate summary," Clee acknowledged with a nod towards her Padawan. "You're right. We need to act decisively, and as soon as we can. If nothing is done within the next couple of days, the effects could become too drastic to reverse."
"I agree," Qui-Gon added firmly. "We need to come up with some sort of plan of action."
Garen's forehead was creased in thought. "What kind of plan?"
"Something simple," replied Obi-Wan promptly. "Simple and effective."
His master nodded approvingly. "Good. Simple usually works the best. Any ideas on that note?" He glanced around at them.
"Should we all go over to the other side and try to negotiate?" Obi-Wan put in. "It would help to have more backup over there, but that would leave the Naraan totally on their own here, and I'm not sure we want that right now."
Clee bit her lip, thinking. "Good point, Obi-Wan. We need to keep things even."
"Split up?" Garen suggested. "Maybe two of us stay here and the other two head over to the Arnesse sector?"
"That would certainly help us," Obi-Wan mused thoughtfully. "Having Jedi on both ends of the dispute would make things easier, at the very least."
"We'll have to plan it very carefully, though," Qui-Gon added in a precautionary tone. "It seems like we're dealing with very touchy authorities with the Arnesse. If they think we're completely on the side of the Naraan, they won't be likely to cooperate with us at all, and then we'll be backed against a wall."
Grimacing, Obi-Wan said disgustedly, "Why did the Council have to send us here, of all places, and on this assignment? It's like trying to stack a pack of cards in a tower. Every single step we take has to be thought through completely and every precaution taken. The card must be placed precisely in the correct spot, at the exact angle. And if something goes wrong, the whole thing goes up in flames and we either start over or run for it." He noticed Garen grinning appreciatively at the analogy.
"Well," Clee said matter-of-factly, "that's what we're up against, and we just have to make the best of it. We do what we can to stop total civil war here, and then we see how things progress from there."
"What about that other rumor we picked up, Master?" Garen asked Clee suddenly. "The one about some third party being involved?"
Both masters frowned. "Yes, that could be a potential difficulty," Clee admitted. "We don't know if the rumors are unfounded of not, but if they have some truth in them…." She glanced at Qui-Gon a bit worriedly.
"The two who go over there can investigate that possibility." Qui-Gon did not seem unduly troubled by her words. "There is nothing we can do about it over here. It could make things more complicated, but," he shrugged, "we'll deal with it when the time comes."
"So typical," muttered Obi-Wan.
"What was that?" his mentor asked pleasantly.
Obi-Wan grinned. "You, Master. It's just so typical of you. You and your 'concentrate on the moment' motto. 'We'll deal with it when the time comes' — it's always worry about the future when it becomes the present. Right?"
"What did you expect?"
"Oh, I don't know. Something original for a change?"
Clee looked, smiling, between the two of them. "All right. Qui-Gon, how about if Garen and I go over to the Arnesse tomorrow morning and see what we can accomplish? Maybe you and Obi-Wan can find out more from the Sephi leaders here what the exact details are."
"That sounds good enough for me." Then Qui-Gon suddenly looked grim. "I only hope it turns out the way we have planned."
Cliffhanger music Anyway, like I said up at the top, reviews, reviews, reviews appreciated.