Chapter Four

Yuuzhan Vong

They were lead to a building or the the remains of one that looked disturbingly familiar to him. As a matter of fact it uncannily looked like the Senate Amphitheater. Disturbingly so. The group of humans just glared at him while Calliope continued to look defiant and strong. She clearly wanted to emulate the First Jedi with a fervor and zeal he could appreciate. If only the others were so resolved or at the very least cooperative he could work with them.

"Warrior!" A voice called out making them stop. Looking behind Obi-Wan saw a deeply scarred figure approach accompanied with other warriors. In the Force the warriors and other beings auras felt like the embers of a smouldering fire traceable but something was slightly blocking them. How odd.

"What is this that you've brought to me?" the Warrior asked gesturing to them all.

"Lost slaves my Commander Qat and from the looks of it a Jeedai escapee," the being said as he dragged Obi-Wan forward. Obi-Wan forced down, pun intended, his apprehension and returned his gaze coolly to the warrior. "He was fighting with them when I and my warriors arrived. He must be the one that the scout spotted before perishing."

"I was hardly fighting with them," Obi-Wan mildly corrected him giving a look of reproof. "I was settling a dispute."

The warrior apparently incensed that he'd been interrupted smacked him hard across the face. "Silence Jeedai! You have no say!"

Obi-Wan slowly turned towards the being and spat out some blood because of his split lip. Behind him he heard Calliope call out in shock. He quickly glanced at her and gave her a soft look that relaxed her before turning back to his tormentors. The head warrior named Qat looked impressed while his subordinates looked bloodthirstily on clearly rearing for a fight.

"Who are you?" Qat asked giving him an intense look.

Obi-Wan hesitated. Clearly he was dealing with a hostage situation here and since he no idea where he was it was clear that invoking his status in the Republic would do more harm then good at this point in time. However he could think of a few alternative names for now...

"Ben," he replied to the man. "My name is Ben Kryze."

It was one of the few safe name he could imagine at this time. Ben was innocuous enough in the galaxy so no one would think anything about it and as for Kryze...well it was one of the names he could think up off the top of his head. Besides Ben Jinn would just sound awkward on the tongue so Kryze it was.

"Kryze," Qat hissed testing out his supposed last name like a tasty morsel. "And you are a Jeedai?"

"I am." He felt no need to lie about this fact. He'd already been pegged as one so no need to antagonize the commander.

"Then why did not flee the battle going on like the rest of your kind?"

"Ah, well you see there's a simple explanation for that," Obi-Wan said his mind whirling at the possibilities. So Jedi were involved in a battle...that was unorthodox to say the least considering the Republic had stood for a millennium without a major conflict like this war he was implying. Was this an internal conflict and if so had someone called for their assistance? And if they'd been called then why did they leave? He needed answers. But he had no starting point at all.

Best to play along, he decided. I'm not sure how far a long this issue has gone on and given their hostility to Jedi it would be best if I don't cause a fuss anymore then I have now.

"That is?" The being prodded slightly impatient for an answer.

"I didn't know there was a battle to flee from," Obi-Wan shrugged. "I've been a bit busy you see, so I'm a bit behind in the times."

"So behind that you didn't noticed the reclamation of Yuuzhan'tar for our species? And where is your weapon?"

Ah so this was an interplanetary issue. So they were reclaiming a previously held territory...This sounded just like the Open-Closed War all over again only slightly larger in scale...Oh fun. Seems he had found another conflict to end. Anakin was never going to let him live it down should he find out about this. Oh bother.

"I'm afraid you have a disadvantage sir," Obi-Wan replied making all left over warriors stare at him oddly. Were manners just not used here? So uncivilized "I'm unaware of the any conflict of this magnitude save now. As for my weapon," he shrugged. "I lost it in the ruins."

The warrior stared at him with a closed face his feelings ranging from what he could feel in the Force ranging from disbelief to curiosity. The other warriors were more open with their shock.

"You mean to say that you are unaware of reforming of Yuuzhan'tar?" Qat said slowly as if to comprehend such a thing. "How is that possible?"

"As I've said I'm a bit behind on the times," Obi-Wan said with a shrug.

"I'm unsure on the fact if you're a fool or trickster if you do not know of the prowess of Yuuzhan Vong and our reshaping of Yuuzhan'tar," Qat clearly one of the said Yuuzhan Vong said smiled challenging him to make a move against him. Obi-Wan made no such move to attack him or provoke a response but merely waited and listened to the Force for guidance...now that he thought about the Force seemed much clearer then it'd been before even if it was a loud river...but getting back to the fact was that he now had a name to attach to this particular species. Yuuzhan Vong...Now that was new one.

"But you are a bold one," the warrior concluded with a smile. "I like this slave." He felt a cold shudder at the word slave. That was Anakin was before he'd been freed by Master and now he and Calliope were slaves to these beings along with the arguing group members who stiffened behind him. "I shall take him as my personal slave. If Nom Anor can have a slave of his own that why not I? Yes take him to my quarters."

"The girl as well," Obi-Wan cut in before the other warriors could grab him. He maneuvered his way back to Calliope and stood before her. "She comes with me or you are deprived of your prize."

"You know that I could refuse you," Qat said challengingly his pale skin and purple eye sacs beneath his eyes and black hair gave him a sickly and quite frankly macabre look in the daylight but Obi-Wan was still remained unmoved. "You are subject to my will which means that I could just take you and she goes with the rest to the slave quarters or the Pit."

"Oh I don't think so," he softly stated his voice almost but not quite growling out the words. He had no clue what the pit was nor was he intending on letting her into such a situation. Not if he had a say in it. "She comes with me or I won't go at all. Your choice."

The warrior stared at him menacingly but Obi-Wan didn't back down still looking at the being straight in the eye. He hated the fact that he was going to have to leave the others behind for the sake of saving one. But he knew just as well that for one thing he wouldn't be able to save them all with the state they all were in and Calliope had been placed under his protection so he couldn't just leave her alone. She needed him because most sorrowfully he wasn't even sure she'd be cared for. He felt bad for pitting her life against others and not saving theirs but he'd been charged with her safety and he didn't trust her alone with the other group while important had too many factors to it for him to properly save. Besides once I have the information I call in support and help them out since I've still got my weapon so I can cut my way out. His opponent smiled and nodded with approval.

"Then it seems that the gods have favored you because you amuse me," he whispered sounding satisfied and intrigued. "I shall humor your request. Take the rest to the slave quarters but bring me those two."

Obi-Wan allowed himself to lead off along with Calliope. She squirmed a little at the touch but a reassuring hand from him ushered her forward. They walked into a building seeming to be made of organic material. The Force felt bloated around them making him feel slightly ill. It was the Dark Side but different from the Sith that he'd dealt with on Naboo. Instead of malice there was a sense of decay and stagnation like something was being blocked from them. Something was wrong with the structure and the people within. Finally the reached a room that evidently was was Qat's. It was spartan in terms of decorum with no personal artifacts save for a statue of what looked like a human brain with eyes and tentacles placed in what looked like a miniature shrine.

"You behold the shape of our god of warriors Yun-Yammka." Qat's voice said as he entered behind Calliope. Calliope Force bless her was looking at him and tracking his movements. Her awareness of the Force was similar to his own. "I'm still not sure if you're a fool."

"I've been called worse but as I've said I am behind in the times and I've been a bit isolated from others," Obi-Wan commented.

"And the girl?"

"She's my ward," Obi-Wan said stepping in front of her placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I've been asked to care for her."

"Odd," Qat said looking slightly perplexed. "I'd thought Jeedai were older when trained usually."

"She's an exception," Obi-Wan replied mildly. There was no way in any way, shape or form that he was going to even insinuate that the Temple had younglings in their care. Obviously they'd run into Padawans and Knights up until now. And as far as he was concerned he'd keep it that way given the callous behavior of the guards he had a feeling that it would suicidal not to mention dangerous and irresponsible to mention them.

"Psh, shows your weakness for not weeding out the weaker ones."

"There are some that say mercy is a gift of the strong to the weak," Obi-Wan countered.

"But why give out a gift when one can crush the opposition instead?" Qat raised an eyebrow ridge at him. "Why should I give when I can take what is rightful mine."

"Says who?"

"Says the gods," Qat said reverently.

Obi-Wan stayed silent after that. So they had a cutthroat theocratic society? Well given their warriors seemed to worship war itself which sadly familiar to him it wasn't too surprising. In fact it reminded him of the time he spent on Mandalore. But if Mandalore could find a way to peace then so could they. Still it would take time and effort on the people's part as well as religious reform if it was endorsed by this faith and the sad fact of the matter was that Obi-Wan while willing to wait for an opportunity to escape with Calliope and the other slaves wasn't going to wait decades for them to change. He had to get himself and others out.

"What are my duties?" He asked folding his arms into his robes.

"Observe and wait for my commands."

"That's all?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Qat hissed. "If Nom Anor can have a pet from Overlord Shimrra then so can I from the new home world."

"A pet?" Obi-Wan blinked as he tried and failed not to think of the implications behind that statement.

"Yes a pet being known as Vergere," Qat dismissively said as he started to pace. "She speaks in riddles and nonsense. Supposedly she gives out sage advice which is...doubtful to say the least."

"You doubt her intelligence?"

"No," Qat shook his head. "I doubt her motives. She claims to be on our side but yet takes an interest in the Jeedai...It is suspect to me."

"Clearly she most have the gods' favor and be right if she's survived for this long despite being an infidel."

"Do you mean to quote the Gospel to me?" Qat's face took on a sardonic look.

"I merely speak on what you've told me," Obi-Wan said demurely lowering his head.

"Do not do that," Qat snapped making Calliope jump Obi-Wan slowly raised his head to face the angry warrior. "You might be a pet but if I wanted a sniveling slave for one then I would've chosen on from the slave quarters."

"As you wish," Obi-Wan said bowing. "Now I don't suppose I can ask for a meal?"

"Very well," Qat said gesturing to a...rather large spider sitting in the corner of the wall. "This viewspider will keep an eye on you while I arrange for your food and clothing to arrive. Should you try to escape we'll know and the girl will be sacrificed to Yun-Yammka for your insolence. I shall be gone for a meeting with the rest of the warriors."

Obi-Wan stayed silent as he clung Calliope closer to himself as if to protect her from the threat itself. Something about his stance seemed to satisfy the warrior because he walked out of the room with smirk. Let him think that he had the leverage for now. After all once he'd memorized the layout of the building and could locate a ship he'd be off with the others in tow. He'd fine a way back to his home and he'd bring in a task force to deal with this atrocity.

I'm going to get out, he thought to himself. And then I'll get help and I'll make sure this ends. This is will not continue. Not if I have a say about it.