Hi! Thanks, again, everyone, for your kind words. They are really helping
me cope with my lay-off. I'll do my best to get updates to the fic done,
but they won't be coming as often as they used to as I focus on finding a
way to support myself. But, I will keep writing this fic for as long as I
can. :)
Stars in the Darkness - Part Fifteen
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Anakin's hand strayed to the lightsaber at his side as he, Obi-Wan and the little boy made their way through the crowd to the front of the platform. The townspeople were so focused on the men and the Wookiee they took no notice of the Jedi until Obi-Wan walked up the steps of the platform. Anakin, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder and instructing him to wait, followed his master.
At the sight of Obi-Wan and Anakin, not only the crowd, but the Wookiee abruptly became silent. Although Anakin suspected the two of them must look a sight in their dusty clothes and scruffy appearance, having only recently come out of the wilderness, they were still recognizable as Jedi, but whether that would help in this particular situation he wasn't so sure. The men surrounding the chained-up Wookiee, especially the one the little boy had identified as Pa, glared as he and Obi-Wan approached them.
"Greetings," Obi-Wan said. "My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is my apprentice, Anakin Skywalker."
The boy's father, his black eyes burning, walked over until he was just in front of Obi-Wan. Being somewhat shorter than the Jedi Knight, he had to look up at him.
"What do you want, Jedi? This is none of your affair. You have no jurisdiction here."
Anakin snorted, earning a quick glance from Obi-Wan, but he couldn't help it. It was true the Jedi had no real jurisdiction on Jurie in that the planet was not an official member of the Republic. It did have a treaty with the Republic, which stipulated that, in exchange for some mining rights, Jurie could call upon the Jedi when needed, as had happened in this case. But now that their job here was done, it seemed he and his master were no longer welcome.
"I'm afraid you're wrong," Obi-Wan replied calmly.
"What do you mean?"
"That Wookiee is a citizen of the Republic and, as a representative of the Republic, I must look into why he is being treated in such a manner."
The man's dark eyes grew even hotter at Obi-Wan's words.
"A citizen?" he sneered. "That dirty animal is a citizen?" His lips curled with disgust. "If you ask me that's what's wrong with the Republic. When things like that can be thought of as being equal to a human."
A muscle jumped in Obi-Wan's jaw and his blue-gray eyes flared.
"He is not an animal," he replied calmly, although Anakin would not have wanted to be the recipient of the look Obi-Wan gave the man. "He is a Wookiee, a native of Kashyyyk and a sentient being. And, as I stated before, a citizen of the Republic. Therefore, I demand to know why he is being treated in this manner."
Suddenly the Wookiee, who had been silent, started roaring again, but he was directing his roars toward Obi-Wan and Anakin. Moving past the dark- haired man, Obi-Wan went over to the Wookiee and, his head tilted to the side, looked as if he was listening to the Wookiee who, having snared the Jedi's attention, was growling and roaring even faster.
Then, to Anakin's utter surprise, Obi-Wan responded in what sounded like a series of growls, the sounds coming from the back of his throat. A wide smile split the Wookiee's hairy face and he responded back. Obi-Wan and the Wookiee exchanged a few more words, then Obi-Wan turned away. His face was a thundercloud.
"I want him released. Immediately," he snapped at the dark-haired man.
The man thrust his face up into Obi-Wan's, his hands moving threateningly over his blaster rifle.
"You don't give the orders here, Jedi."
"You are holding him illegally and I want him released. Now."
"Illegally?" the man snarled.
"He's done nothing wrong," Obi-Wan retorted.
"What do you mean? He's a dirty, stinking thief. I caught him loading a cache of fusioncutters from my store onto his ship. I didn't give them to him. He stole them."
"No, Pa! That's not true."
Anakin turned and looked down. The boy who had spoken to them earlier was pushing his way through the crowd and up onto the platform. His bright green eyes were even brighter with fear as he ran over to his father who glared down at him.
"What do you mean? It's not true."
The boy swallowed heavily, then glanced guiltily between Obi-Wan and Anakin. "I...I...gave them to him, Pa."
"You what?" his father shouted.
"I gave them to him. I...I didn't think you'd miss them."
The man stared down aghast at the boy. Then he squatted down, putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "Toma, why would you do such a thing?"
The boy shrugged. "I like him, Pa. He's nice."
"But he's an animal."
Toma shook his head. "No, Pa. He's not. He's my friend."
The man stared at his son for a long moment. Then he looked over at Obi- Wan. A look of belligerence remained on his face, but Anakin could see he knew he no longer had a legitimate reason for keeping the Wookiee in custody. With a curt gesture, he motioned for the chains about the Wookiee to be unlocked. It was done so quickly, and with a mighty roar, the Wookiee raised his long arms above his head.
All the men on the platform backed away, including the dark-haired man, his arm protectively around his son's shoulder. Toma, however, was grinning widely at the Wookiee as he continued to make his anger over his having been treated in such a way known to all concerned. Toma's father raised his blaster rifle, aiming at the Wookiee, but Obi-Wan reached for it with the Force and jerked it from the man's hand.
"Go home," he said quietly.
The man stared at him for a moment, then nodded brusquely. Obi-Wan handed him the rifle back and, after picking up the chains, which apparently belonged to him, steered his son off the platform, walked down the stairs and, with the rest of the townspeople, left the square. Just before they turned the corner, Toma squirmed from under his father's arm and waved back at the Wookiee.
"Bye, bye!" he shouted. "Come back and see me sometime!"
The Wookiee roared in return, waving one of his big, hairy paws. Toma's father angrily grabbed the boy by his shirt collar and jerked him around the corner and out of sight. Soon, only Anakin, Obi-Wan and the Wookiee remained.
Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan. "I didn't know you spoke Shyriiwook."
Obi-Wan grinned. "There's a lot about me you don't know. Padawan. Remember that."
Anakin nodded. He would. Despite all the years they'd spent together, his master still managed to surprise him. He looked over at the Wookiee.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said quickly. "Anakin Skywalker, may I present Chewbacca."
"Pleased to meet you, Chewbacca," Anakin said, bowing to the Wookiee.
Chewbacca roared in return, his blue eyes regarding Anakin with delight.
"He says he's pleased to meet you also," Obi-Wan translated.
Anakin grinned back at the large Wookiee. He'd only met a few, most of them on Tatooine but he'd never tried to learn his language. Maybe he would now.
"Master, if Chewbacca doesn't mind my asking, of course, but what in blazes was he doing here? These people are crazy!"
"He already told me, Anakin. His ship was damaged in an asteroid field. He'd stopped here to make repairs unaware, of course, that the residents were...." and a look of distaste moved across Obi-Wan's face"...so unaccommodating to non-humans."
"And that's when he met Toma?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Chewbacca is a trader and the boy offered him the fusioncutters in exchange for some holobooks he'd picked up on Selstris."
"Well, I'm glad everything turned out all right, but I think the sooner Chewbacca gets off this rock, the better."
Chewbacca growled in agreement, slapping Anakin companionably on the shoulder. Obi-Wan watched them, smiling, then suddenly, he grunted, listing somewhat to the side.
"Master!" Anakin cried, but before he could get to Obi-Wan's side, Chewbacca was there. Obi-Wan leaned against the Wookiee for a moment, taking in a deep breath.
"I'm fine, Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly, but Anakin could see he was not. Obi-Wan's face was pale and his eyes, which were normally a bright blue- gray, were shadowed.
"No, you're not, Master. You're exhausted and you need rest and food," Anakin scolded.
Obi-Wan shook his head, smiling weakly. "You sound like a mother nuna, Padawan."
"Humph!" was all Anakin said.
Obi-Wan could insult him all he wanted, but he was going to make sure that there were no more distractions for his master. He was going to get some rest even if Anakin had to carry him to the inn. He went over to take Obi- Wan's arm and lead him away, but before he could, Chewbacca swept Obi-Wan up in his arms. The Jedi Knight's eyes widened.
"What do you think you're doing? Put me down this instant!"
Chewbacca growled at Anakin, gesturing with his head that Anakin should lead the way. Anakin grinned at Obi-Wan who was struggling to get out of the Wookiee's arms, but to no avail.
"I think you'd better lie still, Master. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee and he appears quite determined to carry you to the inn."
"This is ridiculous," Obi-Wan muttered as Chewbacca carried him down the steps of the platform. He glared over at Anakin. "And if you tell anyone..."
Anakin assumed a look of total innocence. "Who me? Tell anyone? Why, Master. I'm terribly hurt to know that you don't trust me."
He laughed softly, however, at the picture of his master being carried like a child in the Wookiee's big arms. And, mentally rubbing his hands together, couldn't wait until he got back to Coruscant. He only wish he had a holocamera with him.
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Anakin drummed his fingers across the table. He was in the common area of the rooms provided for him and Obi-Wan in the inn. He had finally gotten Obi-Wan, after Chewbacca had brought him to his room, to eat and sleep, but it was apparent Obi-Wan needed more than just one night's rest. He needed weeks of it. He needed to get back to Coruscant. As a result, Anakin had used the comm station in the common area to send a message to the Jedi Temple, demanding to speak with Master Yoda, but he had been put on hold, for Sith's sake! Finally, the wizened face of the Jedi Master appeared on the screen.
"Padawan Skywalker."
"Master Yoda."
"How may I help you?"
Anakin took a deep breath. He knew he had a quick temper, but Obi-Wan had done much over the years to help him control it, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated over the way Obi-Wan had been treated by the Jedi Council. It was bad enough he'd been sent away from Coruscant, but he should never have been required to stay out in the field this long.
"I want to bring Master Obi-Wan home."
"Home?"
"Yes. Immediately. He needs rest, lots of it."
"Hmmm, I see. Tiring your missions have been?"
Anakin gritted his teeth. _Of course they'd been tiring, you old troll! You sent us on them._ But, again, Anakin struggled to control his anger.
"Yes, very tiring, Master Yoda. And my master was injured on this last assignment. Therefore, I insist that I be allowed to bring---"
"Return to Coruscant, you shall."
"....him home right now. And I don't care what the Council---what did you say?"
"Bring Master Obi-Wan home. Correct you are, Padawan Skywalker. Rest he needs."
"Oh, well, yes, good. I will. Right away."
Yoda nodded. He cut the transmission. Anakin rose from the table. Chewbacca, who was lying on the couch snoring, didn't stir as Anakin moved past him to Obi-Wan's bedroom. Obi-Wan had invited the Wookiee to stay with them, despite the looks the manager of the inn had given them. He'd thought it would be more comfortable than sleeping on his ship.
Opening the door gently, Anakin peered in. The only light came from Jurie's solitary moon, which shone through a window next to Obi-Wan's bed. Anakin walked over, moving as silently as a shadow so as not to disturb his master. Looking down he saw that Obi-Wan's face was twitching. Another nightmare, Anakin thought sadly. He reached down and gently stroked his master's moon-limned hair. Then he heard Obi-Wan breath a single word.
"Onara."
"Don't worry, Master," Anakin said softly as he moved his hand away. "You'll see her soon."
To be continued....
Stars in the Darkness - Part Fifteen
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Anakin's hand strayed to the lightsaber at his side as he, Obi-Wan and the little boy made their way through the crowd to the front of the platform. The townspeople were so focused on the men and the Wookiee they took no notice of the Jedi until Obi-Wan walked up the steps of the platform. Anakin, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder and instructing him to wait, followed his master.
At the sight of Obi-Wan and Anakin, not only the crowd, but the Wookiee abruptly became silent. Although Anakin suspected the two of them must look a sight in their dusty clothes and scruffy appearance, having only recently come out of the wilderness, they were still recognizable as Jedi, but whether that would help in this particular situation he wasn't so sure. The men surrounding the chained-up Wookiee, especially the one the little boy had identified as Pa, glared as he and Obi-Wan approached them.
"Greetings," Obi-Wan said. "My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi, and this is my apprentice, Anakin Skywalker."
The boy's father, his black eyes burning, walked over until he was just in front of Obi-Wan. Being somewhat shorter than the Jedi Knight, he had to look up at him.
"What do you want, Jedi? This is none of your affair. You have no jurisdiction here."
Anakin snorted, earning a quick glance from Obi-Wan, but he couldn't help it. It was true the Jedi had no real jurisdiction on Jurie in that the planet was not an official member of the Republic. It did have a treaty with the Republic, which stipulated that, in exchange for some mining rights, Jurie could call upon the Jedi when needed, as had happened in this case. But now that their job here was done, it seemed he and his master were no longer welcome.
"I'm afraid you're wrong," Obi-Wan replied calmly.
"What do you mean?"
"That Wookiee is a citizen of the Republic and, as a representative of the Republic, I must look into why he is being treated in such a manner."
The man's dark eyes grew even hotter at Obi-Wan's words.
"A citizen?" he sneered. "That dirty animal is a citizen?" His lips curled with disgust. "If you ask me that's what's wrong with the Republic. When things like that can be thought of as being equal to a human."
A muscle jumped in Obi-Wan's jaw and his blue-gray eyes flared.
"He is not an animal," he replied calmly, although Anakin would not have wanted to be the recipient of the look Obi-Wan gave the man. "He is a Wookiee, a native of Kashyyyk and a sentient being. And, as I stated before, a citizen of the Republic. Therefore, I demand to know why he is being treated in this manner."
Suddenly the Wookiee, who had been silent, started roaring again, but he was directing his roars toward Obi-Wan and Anakin. Moving past the dark- haired man, Obi-Wan went over to the Wookiee and, his head tilted to the side, looked as if he was listening to the Wookiee who, having snared the Jedi's attention, was growling and roaring even faster.
Then, to Anakin's utter surprise, Obi-Wan responded in what sounded like a series of growls, the sounds coming from the back of his throat. A wide smile split the Wookiee's hairy face and he responded back. Obi-Wan and the Wookiee exchanged a few more words, then Obi-Wan turned away. His face was a thundercloud.
"I want him released. Immediately," he snapped at the dark-haired man.
The man thrust his face up into Obi-Wan's, his hands moving threateningly over his blaster rifle.
"You don't give the orders here, Jedi."
"You are holding him illegally and I want him released. Now."
"Illegally?" the man snarled.
"He's done nothing wrong," Obi-Wan retorted.
"What do you mean? He's a dirty, stinking thief. I caught him loading a cache of fusioncutters from my store onto his ship. I didn't give them to him. He stole them."
"No, Pa! That's not true."
Anakin turned and looked down. The boy who had spoken to them earlier was pushing his way through the crowd and up onto the platform. His bright green eyes were even brighter with fear as he ran over to his father who glared down at him.
"What do you mean? It's not true."
The boy swallowed heavily, then glanced guiltily between Obi-Wan and Anakin. "I...I...gave them to him, Pa."
"You what?" his father shouted.
"I gave them to him. I...I didn't think you'd miss them."
The man stared down aghast at the boy. Then he squatted down, putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "Toma, why would you do such a thing?"
The boy shrugged. "I like him, Pa. He's nice."
"But he's an animal."
Toma shook his head. "No, Pa. He's not. He's my friend."
The man stared at his son for a long moment. Then he looked over at Obi- Wan. A look of belligerence remained on his face, but Anakin could see he knew he no longer had a legitimate reason for keeping the Wookiee in custody. With a curt gesture, he motioned for the chains about the Wookiee to be unlocked. It was done so quickly, and with a mighty roar, the Wookiee raised his long arms above his head.
All the men on the platform backed away, including the dark-haired man, his arm protectively around his son's shoulder. Toma, however, was grinning widely at the Wookiee as he continued to make his anger over his having been treated in such a way known to all concerned. Toma's father raised his blaster rifle, aiming at the Wookiee, but Obi-Wan reached for it with the Force and jerked it from the man's hand.
"Go home," he said quietly.
The man stared at him for a moment, then nodded brusquely. Obi-Wan handed him the rifle back and, after picking up the chains, which apparently belonged to him, steered his son off the platform, walked down the stairs and, with the rest of the townspeople, left the square. Just before they turned the corner, Toma squirmed from under his father's arm and waved back at the Wookiee.
"Bye, bye!" he shouted. "Come back and see me sometime!"
The Wookiee roared in return, waving one of his big, hairy paws. Toma's father angrily grabbed the boy by his shirt collar and jerked him around the corner and out of sight. Soon, only Anakin, Obi-Wan and the Wookiee remained.
Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan. "I didn't know you spoke Shyriiwook."
Obi-Wan grinned. "There's a lot about me you don't know. Padawan. Remember that."
Anakin nodded. He would. Despite all the years they'd spent together, his master still managed to surprise him. He looked over at the Wookiee.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said quickly. "Anakin Skywalker, may I present Chewbacca."
"Pleased to meet you, Chewbacca," Anakin said, bowing to the Wookiee.
Chewbacca roared in return, his blue eyes regarding Anakin with delight.
"He says he's pleased to meet you also," Obi-Wan translated.
Anakin grinned back at the large Wookiee. He'd only met a few, most of them on Tatooine but he'd never tried to learn his language. Maybe he would now.
"Master, if Chewbacca doesn't mind my asking, of course, but what in blazes was he doing here? These people are crazy!"
"He already told me, Anakin. His ship was damaged in an asteroid field. He'd stopped here to make repairs unaware, of course, that the residents were...." and a look of distaste moved across Obi-Wan's face"...so unaccommodating to non-humans."
"And that's when he met Toma?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Chewbacca is a trader and the boy offered him the fusioncutters in exchange for some holobooks he'd picked up on Selstris."
"Well, I'm glad everything turned out all right, but I think the sooner Chewbacca gets off this rock, the better."
Chewbacca growled in agreement, slapping Anakin companionably on the shoulder. Obi-Wan watched them, smiling, then suddenly, he grunted, listing somewhat to the side.
"Master!" Anakin cried, but before he could get to Obi-Wan's side, Chewbacca was there. Obi-Wan leaned against the Wookiee for a moment, taking in a deep breath.
"I'm fine, Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly, but Anakin could see he was not. Obi-Wan's face was pale and his eyes, which were normally a bright blue- gray, were shadowed.
"No, you're not, Master. You're exhausted and you need rest and food," Anakin scolded.
Obi-Wan shook his head, smiling weakly. "You sound like a mother nuna, Padawan."
"Humph!" was all Anakin said.
Obi-Wan could insult him all he wanted, but he was going to make sure that there were no more distractions for his master. He was going to get some rest even if Anakin had to carry him to the inn. He went over to take Obi- Wan's arm and lead him away, but before he could, Chewbacca swept Obi-Wan up in his arms. The Jedi Knight's eyes widened.
"What do you think you're doing? Put me down this instant!"
Chewbacca growled at Anakin, gesturing with his head that Anakin should lead the way. Anakin grinned at Obi-Wan who was struggling to get out of the Wookiee's arms, but to no avail.
"I think you'd better lie still, Master. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee and he appears quite determined to carry you to the inn."
"This is ridiculous," Obi-Wan muttered as Chewbacca carried him down the steps of the platform. He glared over at Anakin. "And if you tell anyone..."
Anakin assumed a look of total innocence. "Who me? Tell anyone? Why, Master. I'm terribly hurt to know that you don't trust me."
He laughed softly, however, at the picture of his master being carried like a child in the Wookiee's big arms. And, mentally rubbing his hands together, couldn't wait until he got back to Coruscant. He only wish he had a holocamera with him.
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Anakin drummed his fingers across the table. He was in the common area of the rooms provided for him and Obi-Wan in the inn. He had finally gotten Obi-Wan, after Chewbacca had brought him to his room, to eat and sleep, but it was apparent Obi-Wan needed more than just one night's rest. He needed weeks of it. He needed to get back to Coruscant. As a result, Anakin had used the comm station in the common area to send a message to the Jedi Temple, demanding to speak with Master Yoda, but he had been put on hold, for Sith's sake! Finally, the wizened face of the Jedi Master appeared on the screen.
"Padawan Skywalker."
"Master Yoda."
"How may I help you?"
Anakin took a deep breath. He knew he had a quick temper, but Obi-Wan had done much over the years to help him control it, but he couldn't help but feel frustrated over the way Obi-Wan had been treated by the Jedi Council. It was bad enough he'd been sent away from Coruscant, but he should never have been required to stay out in the field this long.
"I want to bring Master Obi-Wan home."
"Home?"
"Yes. Immediately. He needs rest, lots of it."
"Hmmm, I see. Tiring your missions have been?"
Anakin gritted his teeth. _Of course they'd been tiring, you old troll! You sent us on them._ But, again, Anakin struggled to control his anger.
"Yes, very tiring, Master Yoda. And my master was injured on this last assignment. Therefore, I insist that I be allowed to bring---"
"Return to Coruscant, you shall."
"....him home right now. And I don't care what the Council---what did you say?"
"Bring Master Obi-Wan home. Correct you are, Padawan Skywalker. Rest he needs."
"Oh, well, yes, good. I will. Right away."
Yoda nodded. He cut the transmission. Anakin rose from the table. Chewbacca, who was lying on the couch snoring, didn't stir as Anakin moved past him to Obi-Wan's bedroom. Obi-Wan had invited the Wookiee to stay with them, despite the looks the manager of the inn had given them. He'd thought it would be more comfortable than sleeping on his ship.
Opening the door gently, Anakin peered in. The only light came from Jurie's solitary moon, which shone through a window next to Obi-Wan's bed. Anakin walked over, moving as silently as a shadow so as not to disturb his master. Looking down he saw that Obi-Wan's face was twitching. Another nightmare, Anakin thought sadly. He reached down and gently stroked his master's moon-limned hair. Then he heard Obi-Wan breath a single word.
"Onara."
"Don't worry, Master," Anakin said softly as he moved his hand away. "You'll see her soon."
To be continued....