Disclaimer: All recognizable Star Wars characters are the property of George Lucas. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made by the author. The storyline and all original characters are the property of the author.
Spoilers: not yet, maybe some Jedi Apprentice.
Time: 3 years pre TPM
Author's note: My first fanfic. Sorry if it's dull - I'm not too used to creative writing. I promise more action in future chapters, since the whole point of me writing this is to get away from the sometimes stifling world of essays and factual research. But I want to maintain some element of Truth, so here I go . . .
********
Obi-Wan Kenobi closed his eyes and calmly found his focus, despite the urge to rant like a madman, roll his eyes, or at the very least drum his fingers impatiently. *Peace is a process, rarely an immediate resolution during times of conflict* he reminded himself. Such thoughts had become an almost endless mantra, running through his mind in the last few weeks.
********
The conflict in question was one of potential genocide, with root causes of land and water resource disputes with a dash of religious persecution thrown in for good measure. Obi-Wan and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn had been sent to the mostly oceanic planet of Ionefl to prevent the outbreak of a few violent skirmishes from becoming an all out episode of genocide.
The humanoid inhabitants of the planet had for thousands of years enjoyed a relative peace, maintained by a balance of power and separation of the two predominate cultures, the Ionin and Efling peoples. There was peace because there were only two small continents (really more like two glorified large islands) on the planet, kept separate by vast oceans. Geographic differences existed - the land of the Ionin was volcanic, but rich in minerals with enough arable land to survive on, while Efling contained less mineral wealth but had more hospitable climate. Each nation/culture had its own religion and way of life, but they engaged most of the time in peaceful relations consisting primarily of trade - minerals for agricultural products.
Problems began to develop with technological advances by the Ionin, made possible by the mineral wealth of their land. The value of Efling agricultural products decreased in comparison to the technology of the Ionin, while simultaneously the Efling became dependant on those technologies.
And so the age old pattern was established - vying for technological and eventually military superiority escalated tensions. Natural disasters occurred on both sides at different times, allowing the other side to more easily exploit their foes. Still, some semblance of order and balance was more or less maintained. Neither side behaved any more atrociously than the other.
Balance was lost when the planet itself intervened - within 20 years, the continent of the Ionin people experienced 3 serious volcanic explosions, which devastated the population, the economy, infrastructure, and good governance on the continent. So much lost in so little time - the Ionin were left reeling by the disasters, unable to rebuild in time to protect themselves from the eager to conquer Efling, who at last saw their chance for gaining control of most of the planet's mineral wealth.
The Efling took over, banned Ionin religion and culture, and basically enslaved the Ionin. The Ionin, however, are an aggressive people with a vengeful deity, willing to take incredible risks for causes they consider just, and attempted one violent uprising after another, until finally the Efling came near to the point of deciding that really, the Ionin were more trouble than they were worth.
********
The Republic had up until this point been hoping the conflict would be resolved by the peoples of Ionefl themselves, as past conflicts always had been. But observers sent by the Peacekeeping branch of the Senate had sounded the potential genocide situation alarm, and the Senate had voted to send Ambassadors. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn were chosen due to their excellent track record for settling disputes and minimalizing casualties when crises broke out.
And THIS was why Obi-Wan was sitting through yet another long, long mediated negotiation, aimed at getting the leaders of two sides to respect the others' personhood so that some headway could be made in the direction of mutual agreement.
Obi-Wan glanced at the chrono on the table and grimaced - it was late, and they had two more days to get both sides to stop hostilities before Republic peacekeeping troops were sent in to force a cease-fire. Although sometimes a necessary action, intervention like that often set back a peace process for months, and both Obi-Wan and his master wished to avoid such action.
"I think it is time we all took a short break," suggested Qui-Gon, to the universal relief of all present at the meeting, "however, I ask that the leaders on each side please reflect on what you would realistically like to accomplish during the remaining part of our session today. I hardly need remind you that time is not an abundant luxury for this process right now. Consider - what is best for your peoples?" The Ionin and Efling parties left the room, their members looking somber, even saddened.
Qui-Gon turned to his apprentice. "Do you feel it? The disturbance?"
"Yes, master. And in a surprising number of people, though I cannot tell from which side. But I do not think the leaders present here are aware of whatever trouble may be coming . . ."
"I do not think so either, Padawan. No, whatever is brewing is being initiated at a lower level of authority. Obi-Wan, I want you to walk through the camps outside. See if you can determine the cause and source of the unrest."
"Yes, Master. I hope the negotiations improve during my absence. May the Force be with you."
"And with you, also, Padawan. I feel you may need it."
********
Obi-Wan exited the temporary shelters, erected on the Iolin continent in what had been the great capital city but was now mostly decaying buildings and ghetto, which were being used as the peace process HQ. He began walking swiftly towards the main encampment of Efling supervisors and military. He had been walking nearly 20 minutes when he suddenly received a Force warning to duck and cover.
An explosion burst from the already bombed out building next to him, throwing him to the ground with a violent surge of energy and heat. It was a small, contained explosion, but close enough to harm him. Obi-Wan tried to contact his Master and warn him before losing consciousness, but dark shadows prevented him . . .
********
Well, let me know what you think. Am I wasting my time? I do promise more exciting chapters to come (specifically, some danger and excitement for everyone's favorite Scottish Jedi), if there's some interest. I can't promise super frequent postings, however - I lead an extremely busy life.
-katharos
Spoilers: not yet, maybe some Jedi Apprentice.
Time: 3 years pre TPM
Author's note: My first fanfic. Sorry if it's dull - I'm not too used to creative writing. I promise more action in future chapters, since the whole point of me writing this is to get away from the sometimes stifling world of essays and factual research. But I want to maintain some element of Truth, so here I go . . .
********
Obi-Wan Kenobi closed his eyes and calmly found his focus, despite the urge to rant like a madman, roll his eyes, or at the very least drum his fingers impatiently. *Peace is a process, rarely an immediate resolution during times of conflict* he reminded himself. Such thoughts had become an almost endless mantra, running through his mind in the last few weeks.
********
The conflict in question was one of potential genocide, with root causes of land and water resource disputes with a dash of religious persecution thrown in for good measure. Obi-Wan and his master, Qui-Gon Jinn had been sent to the mostly oceanic planet of Ionefl to prevent the outbreak of a few violent skirmishes from becoming an all out episode of genocide.
The humanoid inhabitants of the planet had for thousands of years enjoyed a relative peace, maintained by a balance of power and separation of the two predominate cultures, the Ionin and Efling peoples. There was peace because there were only two small continents (really more like two glorified large islands) on the planet, kept separate by vast oceans. Geographic differences existed - the land of the Ionin was volcanic, but rich in minerals with enough arable land to survive on, while Efling contained less mineral wealth but had more hospitable climate. Each nation/culture had its own religion and way of life, but they engaged most of the time in peaceful relations consisting primarily of trade - minerals for agricultural products.
Problems began to develop with technological advances by the Ionin, made possible by the mineral wealth of their land. The value of Efling agricultural products decreased in comparison to the technology of the Ionin, while simultaneously the Efling became dependant on those technologies.
And so the age old pattern was established - vying for technological and eventually military superiority escalated tensions. Natural disasters occurred on both sides at different times, allowing the other side to more easily exploit their foes. Still, some semblance of order and balance was more or less maintained. Neither side behaved any more atrociously than the other.
Balance was lost when the planet itself intervened - within 20 years, the continent of the Ionin people experienced 3 serious volcanic explosions, which devastated the population, the economy, infrastructure, and good governance on the continent. So much lost in so little time - the Ionin were left reeling by the disasters, unable to rebuild in time to protect themselves from the eager to conquer Efling, who at last saw their chance for gaining control of most of the planet's mineral wealth.
The Efling took over, banned Ionin religion and culture, and basically enslaved the Ionin. The Ionin, however, are an aggressive people with a vengeful deity, willing to take incredible risks for causes they consider just, and attempted one violent uprising after another, until finally the Efling came near to the point of deciding that really, the Ionin were more trouble than they were worth.
********
The Republic had up until this point been hoping the conflict would be resolved by the peoples of Ionefl themselves, as past conflicts always had been. But observers sent by the Peacekeeping branch of the Senate had sounded the potential genocide situation alarm, and the Senate had voted to send Ambassadors. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn were chosen due to their excellent track record for settling disputes and minimalizing casualties when crises broke out.
And THIS was why Obi-Wan was sitting through yet another long, long mediated negotiation, aimed at getting the leaders of two sides to respect the others' personhood so that some headway could be made in the direction of mutual agreement.
Obi-Wan glanced at the chrono on the table and grimaced - it was late, and they had two more days to get both sides to stop hostilities before Republic peacekeeping troops were sent in to force a cease-fire. Although sometimes a necessary action, intervention like that often set back a peace process for months, and both Obi-Wan and his master wished to avoid such action.
"I think it is time we all took a short break," suggested Qui-Gon, to the universal relief of all present at the meeting, "however, I ask that the leaders on each side please reflect on what you would realistically like to accomplish during the remaining part of our session today. I hardly need remind you that time is not an abundant luxury for this process right now. Consider - what is best for your peoples?" The Ionin and Efling parties left the room, their members looking somber, even saddened.
Qui-Gon turned to his apprentice. "Do you feel it? The disturbance?"
"Yes, master. And in a surprising number of people, though I cannot tell from which side. But I do not think the leaders present here are aware of whatever trouble may be coming . . ."
"I do not think so either, Padawan. No, whatever is brewing is being initiated at a lower level of authority. Obi-Wan, I want you to walk through the camps outside. See if you can determine the cause and source of the unrest."
"Yes, Master. I hope the negotiations improve during my absence. May the Force be with you."
"And with you, also, Padawan. I feel you may need it."
********
Obi-Wan exited the temporary shelters, erected on the Iolin continent in what had been the great capital city but was now mostly decaying buildings and ghetto, which were being used as the peace process HQ. He began walking swiftly towards the main encampment of Efling supervisors and military. He had been walking nearly 20 minutes when he suddenly received a Force warning to duck and cover.
An explosion burst from the already bombed out building next to him, throwing him to the ground with a violent surge of energy and heat. It was a small, contained explosion, but close enough to harm him. Obi-Wan tried to contact his Master and warn him before losing consciousness, but dark shadows prevented him . . .
********
Well, let me know what you think. Am I wasting my time? I do promise more exciting chapters to come (specifically, some danger and excitement for everyone's favorite Scottish Jedi), if there's some interest. I can't promise super frequent postings, however - I lead an extremely busy life.
-katharos