Note:
I forgot to put this on the first page. If you haven't read Nothing Left to Have it could be helpful. I don't think it is completely and utterly vital to this fic but it explains how everything came about. Relationships, (note, there will be NO romantic relations between any of the original characters and my own. Just own and own I think...maybe I don't know. I thought I should clear that up, I've been asked twice by friends now. So, no, nothing but friends between my own characters and original.) and a bit of past, though the past has nothing to do with this one I think..i dunno. :) Aren't I helpful? Lol. Sorry. I'm not sure about half of these things myself. Sorry if I confused anyone. Too much party for New Years. Btw, HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Ch. 2 The Line
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Stepping onto the floor of the hanger on Tiucka Obi-Wan glanced around. Busy beings hurried about the large hanger and didn't really pay all that much attention to their presence there.
"Welcome Speakers!"
A loud voice boomed over everything else in the hanger and the three off worlders looked in the direction in which it came. Coming their way was a stout little creature with grayish skin. His eyes were rather reflective and he had no hair at all, but little pieces of flesh that hung over his lip like a mustache.
"Greetings, I'm Officer Poishen. Cpt.Stafferi I spoke with you earlier."
Jesi nodded slightly in rememberence.
"You are Master Jedi Jinn I assume?"
Qui-Gon nodded.
"You're correct."
"And you, young sir, must be Padawan Kenobi."
Obi-Wan nodded with a slight bow. Silence stood a moment then Poishen spoke again.
"My word, I heard that Jedi are very formal I just didn't expect to this extent. Come, come, I'll show you to your quarters."
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon glanced at eachother as he led them out of the hanger. Was that a compliment or not? Jesi smiled holding in a laugh.
**~~**~~**~~**~~Few Minutes later~~**~~**~~**
"Here you are sirs."
Poishen announced entering the living quarters. It looked much like ones Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had stayed in before. They all seemed the same.
"I hope this is to your satisfaction."
He continued as a few young men and other species brought their few bags in.
"This suits very well Officer Poishen."
Qui-Gon replied.
"Good, good."
Poishen rubbed his fin like hands together.
"Cpt.Stafferi, if you'd follow me you're just down the hall a bit."
He continued to ramble on as he went back out the door. Jesi gave Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan a sideways glance then followed with the baggage carriers behind. Obi-Wan came back into the main room after walking quickly around the small quarters.
"Well, this should be exciting."
He said sarcastically. Qui-Gon shot him a quick glare.
"Action and adventure, a Jedi craves not these things."
He quoted, Obi-Wan joined him once he realized what he was saying. And Qui-Gon looked at his apprentice trying not to smile or laugh. The boy had heard that so many times it must be in his nightmares. Speaking of nightmares...
"Did you ever talk to Jesi about those dreams you've been having?"
He asked. The Master couldn't help but notice how his Padawan stiffened slightly as he grabbed his bags when he asked the question. Clearing his throat slightly Obi-Wan continued to the room he claimed,
"Yes, a little bit."
He replied. Qui-Gon fingered through the papers on the kitchen table.
"And what did she have to say about it?"
"Well..."
Obi-Wan paused as he entered the other room then continued as he came back.
"She just told me what she knew about nightmares."
He concluded. Really in all truth. Qui-Gon looked up at his apprentice.
"Whi-"
'Beep!'
They both looked towards the door.
"Enter."
Qui-Gon called. A young human aide entered.
"Pardon me Jedi, but I was sent to lead you to a condference that is about to take place."
The Jedi looked at eachother and the apprentice shrugged slightly.
"Very well."
Qui-Gon said. The aide smiled and bowed slightly then turning out of the quarters with the Jedi in step.
~~~~~~~~
"Thank you."
Jesi called after the baggage carriers left. She left the bags as were. She'd deal with them later.Walking to the large window in the main area she looked down into what was a large garden. She'd have to walk through there sometime before they left. Sighing she remembered they weren't scheduled to even consider return plans for another 2 weeks. Turning away from the window she julted to a stop seeing someone in the doorway.
"I'm sorry I frightened you."
The young female aide said.
"That's alright."
Jesi replied.
"I was sent to lead you to a conference...About the negotiations."
She said. Jesi thought back then nodded following the young aide.
~~~~~~~~
The whole room stood at their arrival. Qui-Gon scanned through the group around the long table. Many were different species ranging from ones like Poishen to a strange small type with crouse hair and squinty little eyes.
"Thank you for coming Jedi."
Poishen welcomed motioning to their seats.
"It will just be a minute before Cpt.Stafferi and our defense speaker, Mr.Raider join us."
Poishen continued returning to his seat.Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sat as the others did waiting.
~~~~~~~~~
Jesi stopped dead in her tracks as they passed one empty corridor.
"Jesi."
She looked down it. No one was there. Odd, she could of sworn she heard he-
"Jesi.."
"Cpt.Stafferi, is something amiss?"
"What's down that corridor?"
She asked not taking her eyes away from it.
"Why, that's the historical wing Cpt."
Jesi glanced at her.
"Oh, I see."
She replied.
"Shall we keep going?"
The aide asked. Jesi shook her head to get her back the the present.
"Certainly."
She replied.
"Jesi.."
The whisper said. Jesi slowed her pace behind the aide and looked back. No one. With a chill she continued.
~~~~~~~~~
"I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."
A man entered the room. He was younger then the others in the room. Perhaps near Jesi's age. Early thirties.
"Ah, Lt.Colonel Raider.Welcome."
Poishen greeted.
"We're still awaiting Cpt. Stafferi."
Poishen stood shaking his hand.
"She hasn't come in yet? I sent for her 5 minutes ago."
Raider said looking to the Jedi as they stood.
"Master Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi Lt.Colonel."
Raider shook their hands.Obi-Wan hid his surprise. Most negotiator leaders could care less if you were there, they just wanted your presence.
"Lt.Colonel Grant Raider."
He introduced himself.
~~~~~~~
"I believe we are slightly late."
The aide informed Jesi.
"Well, I'll take the slashes for it."
Jesi replied trying to ease the nervous aide.
"Here we are."
She announced coming to two large doors with guards on either side.
"Th-"
Jesi stopped mid-word feeling someone brush past her. Turning she, again, saw no one. She must be more tired than she thought, she was having hallucinations.
"Cpt.Stafferi..they're waiting."
The aide whispered. Jesi turned back around.
"Thank you."
She finished what she started. The aide nodded and bowed slightly. Entering the room she was met by at least 13 people of different species. She looked at Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan for they were standing next to another man.
"Cpt.Stafferi?"
The man questioned.
"That would be me sir."
She replied. He offered his hand but when she reached out to shake it she stopped at the small gasp that escaped a few people.
"Jesi, what happened?"
Qui-Gon asked concerned taking a step towards her. Jesi looked at her own bloody hand.
"Get an aide Mr.Poishen."
Raider ordered.Jesi closed her hand and blood seeped from the palm.
"If you'll excuse me sirs and ma'ams."
Jesi said putting her other hand over the somehow wounded one. Obi-Wan glanced at his Master and Qui-Gon nodded.
The younger Jedi went after Jesi just as a few aide's came into view with Mr.Poishen. Raider looked at Qui-Gon who shrugged truly confused.
"Well, I suppose we should continue."
Raider announced taking a seat.
"Mr..."
Qui-Gon looked back at the closed doors. That was very strange. She should of at least known of a cut like that. Her whole hand was bloody. Qui-Gon frowned and returned his thoughts to the conference as best he could.
Tbc...
So? What do ya think? Happy New year again everyone!