Ok people. Sorry it took so long, but here is the next chapter! Also sorry if it's not that good. I try, I really do.
Chapter Five
Obi-Wan stepped from the ship and shielded his eyes from the suns. He turned to look at his surroundings. Sand, sand, and more sand. *Oh look,* he thought,* a rock. That's different.* He looked up as his Master exited the ship. "This is a horrid planet, Master."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I could never understand why someone would come here to live on their own free will. Though most come here because they have nowhere else to go."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Criminals, you mean."
"Most. Others are just poor people."
The Jedi turned as Terra and Tela walked down the ramp. The two women looked around at the terrain as if they were sick. "We have to stay here?" Terra asked.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Only for a while." He stole a glance at Obi-Wan, who was grimacing at the sight of all the sand. "We'll have to find some parts so Obi-Wan can fix the hyperdrive." Qui-Gon glanced back at Obi-Wan, who now had a very funny look on his face. Qui-Gon frowned and walked up behind his Padawan, placing a hand on his shoulder. Obi-Wan jumped at the touch, but quickly calmed.
"Something bothering you, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't know. Something feels weird."
Qui-Gon frowned. "Is it the same as before?"
"Yeah, kinda. But it feels closer."
Qui-Gon looked out to the horizon, as if looking for the threat his Padawan felt. But he saw nothing, of course. "I think we should gather what things we need and head to that settlement before those suns set." He clapped Obi-Wan on the should encouragingly, then went to grab some survival gear. He came out a few moment later and looked over the small group. Obi-Wan had grabbed his survival pack, but had a scowl on his face that Qui-Gon didn't understand. But Qui-Gon understood when he turned to the two women. Somehow, he didn't know how, they had managed to drag out ever single bag they had brought on the trip.
Obi-Wan looked with distaste at one of the bags especially, and vowed that he wouldn't even try to pick the evil thing up. Qui-Gon looked at all the bags in surprise, then turned to the Ikous. "What is all this?"
"Our stuff." Terra answered.
"Surely you don't need all of it."
Tela's eyes widened. "Of course we do! You never know what you'll need on a strange planet."
"I don't think they'll be throwing many tea parties here." Obi-Wan said. "So I think half of this stuff can go back into the ship. Besides, we're supposed to look like space travelers. Not rich tourists."
Tela scowled at him. "You Jedi wouldn't know a thing about that kind of thing. You never get money!" she shouted at him.
Obi-Wan frowned. How quickly the girl's opinion of him had changed. Just the day before, she had been drooling over him, now she hated him. Not that he minded the change though...
"Silence!" Qui-Gon commanded. He turned to the Ikous. "Bring *only* absolute necessities. And put on some clothes that aren't so fancy. You'll get us robbed."
Terra stepped forward and held her daughter back. "We will do as the Jedi say. Since we are on a strange planet, I think it best to follow their lead." She turned to Qui-Gon. "However, I'm afraid we don't have any clothes that don't fit your definition of fancy."
Qui-Gon looked at the women, then to his own Padawan. "Hmm...Obi-Wan is taller than both of you..."
Obi-Wan caught his Master's trail of thought and sighed, slinging his survival pack off of his back. He walked back up the ship, and a few moments later came back out with a bundle in his hands. He handed something to Tela, then something to Terra. Tela grimaced and shook the bundle out, revealing trousers and a tunic.
She looked up at the Jedi. "You expect us to wear these? These are common servant clothes!" Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes at her, and she reddened, realizing that it was what he wore.
"Nevertheless," Qui-Gon said, "it will help you to blend in. No jewelry, also. Unless we need it to barter."
The women nodded and re-entered the ship. Qui-Gon turned back to Obi-Wan, who was leaning his head against the ship, eyes closed.
He opened them as Qui-Gon approached. "Are all women that difficult?"
Qui-Gon smiled. "I guess." Then he frowned. "We really should do something about that cut on your head."
Obi-Wan lifted his hand to it. "Yeah, I'll get something for it." He placed his bag on the ground and began to rummage through it. He pulled out a bacta patch and peeled of the protective back. He felt his forehead for a moment, then stuck it right on the gash. He stood up, closing his bag. "There, all done."
Qui-Gon smirked at his Padawan's self-assureness. He would need better care for the cut. He didn't say anything, though, he just set a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Not exactly the typical mission, is it, Obi-Wan?"
"No. We haven't had to use our lightsabers yet." Obi-Wan smiled, then looked up as the Ikous stepped back out of the ship.
Tela stepped out first, and Obi-Wan had to say, she did look the part of a space traveler. She had taken her hair out of its elaberat braid, and pulled it into a simple tail. She had also found rough boots somewhere, which matched her whole outfit. The tunic, however, was far to big for her, making her look small. Terra was the same, though the tunic fit her better. She scowled at the Jedi as she stepped up to Qui-Gon.
"Happy?"
"Esctatic." was his bland reply. He turned to Obi-Wan. "Are we ready?" The Padawan nodded. "Good. We should get there before dark."
It took the small group nearly an hour to reach the edge of the small settlement. Terra kept slipping in the sand, while Tela complained about sand getting into her too-big boots. Obi-Wan tried his best to ignore them, but it began to get on his nerves.
Luckily, when he had reached the breaking point, Qui-Gon spotted the smooth roof of a building. The group quickened their pace, for the first sun was almost set. The second would fall soon after. They ran, slipping and sliding, until they made it up a small hill to get a better look at the town.
The whole mainstreet, from what Obi-Wan could tell, consisted of five buildings. So much for the hope of a spaceport, he thought. He sighed and adjusted the straps of his survival pack. He then watched as Qui-Gon surveyed the town.
He pointed to the distance. "Look. There are homes out that way, so we may be able to get board in one of those." Obi-Wan looked in the direction his Master was pointing, and just barely withing his sight, could see the roofs of homes.
"Why are they way out there?" he asked.
"They're moisture farmers, Obi-Wan. They live a hard life."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Why would they choose such a life? Do they have no choice?"
"Some don't. For others, it's all they've ever known." He turned to the Ikous. "We'll have to go there and look for a place to stay. Alright?" The Ikous nodded, now too tired and afraid to argue. "Good." Qui-Gon replied as he started down the hill.
Obi-Wan adjusted his pack once more, then steadily followed his Master. Tela was following closely behind Obi-Wan, but she had no solid footing. She stepped once, and the sand sunk beneath her feet, causing her to stumble. She fell, then collided with Obi-Wan, causing them both to tumble down the hill. They landed in a crumpled heap at the foot of the hill, and Qui-Gon rushed towards them. He picked his dazed Padawan up first, then lifted Tela to her feet.
Obi-Wan shook his head, flinging sand. "This is just NOT my day!" he complained.
Tela looked up at him as she brushed sand off of her. "Not your day? What about me? Huh? I've had nothing but a bad day!"
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at her selfishness, then stooped to pick his bag up again. He slung it over his shoulder and walked up to her, so that they were only inches apart. "You don't know anything about a bad day until you live the life of a Jedi!" he whispered hoarsly. "I've had worse days than this, but I love what I do!" He narrowed his eyes at her, then continued to walk toward the small town.
Qui-Gon glanced from his Padawan's back to the embarassed face of Tela. She avoided his gaze and continued to brush herself off. The Jedi Master quickened his pace to catch up to Obi-Wan. "Something bothering you, my Padawan?" he asked quietly.
"No...well, yes. She keeps whining, but it seems to bother it more than it should. You know?" Obi-Wan frowned; once again he didn't know how to express himself.
Qui-Gon nodded. "You're just irratible. It happens. Especially after crash-landing on a strange desert planet."
Obi-Wan grinned. "What did we do to get stuck with a pair like that?"
"We were just efficient."
No one spoke again until they reached the streets of the city. Obi-Wan looked around, frowning, at the tiny town with no one in sight. The Ikous stared at it as if it were infected. Qui-Gon's look was neutral. "We should ask someone about room and board." he said to the group. He turned to his Padawan. "You look in the buildings on the left side with Tela. I'll check the other side with Terra. Just see if there is somewhere we can stay for a while. We can pay a small sum."
Obi-Wan nodded and began to head toward the first building. The door hissed open as he reached it, and he stepped inside, with Tela close in tow. His eyes adjusted to the light quickly and he began to investigate his surroundings. A chime sounded as he stepped up to the counter of what looked like a junk shop. Seconds later a small, wiry man stepped up to the counter, still wiping grease off his hands.
"Why! Hello there, stranger! I didn't hear a ship land."
"Well, we uh...kinda landed far from town."
"Oh, right. Usu Gra," he held out his hand, and Obi-Wan shook it.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The man made a curious face. "Really? That name sounds familiar. But anyway! What can I do for you today?"
"We were wondering if there was any place in town where four people could find room and board for the night."
The man looked at the roof in thought. "Well...I think that the Lars family may take people in. Though I don't know about four. The wife seems to have a soft spot for unfortunate people." He looked at Obi-Wan again. "You look so familiar..."
Obi-Wan grinned. "The Lars family? Where would they be at?"
"Well, over yonder." Usu said, pointing to the east. "They're simple people. Moisture farmers."
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "Thank you, sir. We will check it out." He nodded to Tela, and she followed him out the door. Qui-Gon was just coming out of the second building on his side.
He shook his head. "No luck at either place."
Terra crossed her arms across her chest. "They won't even talk to us. They are so rude."
"That guy in there told us a place we might be able to stay." Obi-Wan said, gesturing to the old shop.
"Really? Where at, Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked.
"He said it was a moisture farm to the east. The Lars family."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Then let's check it out."
The small group all nodded, then followed the large Jedi as he walked out of the town into the outskirts.
Chapter Five
Obi-Wan stepped from the ship and shielded his eyes from the suns. He turned to look at his surroundings. Sand, sand, and more sand. *Oh look,* he thought,* a rock. That's different.* He looked up as his Master exited the ship. "This is a horrid planet, Master."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I could never understand why someone would come here to live on their own free will. Though most come here because they have nowhere else to go."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Criminals, you mean."
"Most. Others are just poor people."
The Jedi turned as Terra and Tela walked down the ramp. The two women looked around at the terrain as if they were sick. "We have to stay here?" Terra asked.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Only for a while." He stole a glance at Obi-Wan, who was grimacing at the sight of all the sand. "We'll have to find some parts so Obi-Wan can fix the hyperdrive." Qui-Gon glanced back at Obi-Wan, who now had a very funny look on his face. Qui-Gon frowned and walked up behind his Padawan, placing a hand on his shoulder. Obi-Wan jumped at the touch, but quickly calmed.
"Something bothering you, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't know. Something feels weird."
Qui-Gon frowned. "Is it the same as before?"
"Yeah, kinda. But it feels closer."
Qui-Gon looked out to the horizon, as if looking for the threat his Padawan felt. But he saw nothing, of course. "I think we should gather what things we need and head to that settlement before those suns set." He clapped Obi-Wan on the should encouragingly, then went to grab some survival gear. He came out a few moment later and looked over the small group. Obi-Wan had grabbed his survival pack, but had a scowl on his face that Qui-Gon didn't understand. But Qui-Gon understood when he turned to the two women. Somehow, he didn't know how, they had managed to drag out ever single bag they had brought on the trip.
Obi-Wan looked with distaste at one of the bags especially, and vowed that he wouldn't even try to pick the evil thing up. Qui-Gon looked at all the bags in surprise, then turned to the Ikous. "What is all this?"
"Our stuff." Terra answered.
"Surely you don't need all of it."
Tela's eyes widened. "Of course we do! You never know what you'll need on a strange planet."
"I don't think they'll be throwing many tea parties here." Obi-Wan said. "So I think half of this stuff can go back into the ship. Besides, we're supposed to look like space travelers. Not rich tourists."
Tela scowled at him. "You Jedi wouldn't know a thing about that kind of thing. You never get money!" she shouted at him.
Obi-Wan frowned. How quickly the girl's opinion of him had changed. Just the day before, she had been drooling over him, now she hated him. Not that he minded the change though...
"Silence!" Qui-Gon commanded. He turned to the Ikous. "Bring *only* absolute necessities. And put on some clothes that aren't so fancy. You'll get us robbed."
Terra stepped forward and held her daughter back. "We will do as the Jedi say. Since we are on a strange planet, I think it best to follow their lead." She turned to Qui-Gon. "However, I'm afraid we don't have any clothes that don't fit your definition of fancy."
Qui-Gon looked at the women, then to his own Padawan. "Hmm...Obi-Wan is taller than both of you..."
Obi-Wan caught his Master's trail of thought and sighed, slinging his survival pack off of his back. He walked back up the ship, and a few moments later came back out with a bundle in his hands. He handed something to Tela, then something to Terra. Tela grimaced and shook the bundle out, revealing trousers and a tunic.
She looked up at the Jedi. "You expect us to wear these? These are common servant clothes!" Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes at her, and she reddened, realizing that it was what he wore.
"Nevertheless," Qui-Gon said, "it will help you to blend in. No jewelry, also. Unless we need it to barter."
The women nodded and re-entered the ship. Qui-Gon turned back to Obi-Wan, who was leaning his head against the ship, eyes closed.
He opened them as Qui-Gon approached. "Are all women that difficult?"
Qui-Gon smiled. "I guess." Then he frowned. "We really should do something about that cut on your head."
Obi-Wan lifted his hand to it. "Yeah, I'll get something for it." He placed his bag on the ground and began to rummage through it. He pulled out a bacta patch and peeled of the protective back. He felt his forehead for a moment, then stuck it right on the gash. He stood up, closing his bag. "There, all done."
Qui-Gon smirked at his Padawan's self-assureness. He would need better care for the cut. He didn't say anything, though, he just set a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Not exactly the typical mission, is it, Obi-Wan?"
"No. We haven't had to use our lightsabers yet." Obi-Wan smiled, then looked up as the Ikous stepped back out of the ship.
Tela stepped out first, and Obi-Wan had to say, she did look the part of a space traveler. She had taken her hair out of its elaberat braid, and pulled it into a simple tail. She had also found rough boots somewhere, which matched her whole outfit. The tunic, however, was far to big for her, making her look small. Terra was the same, though the tunic fit her better. She scowled at the Jedi as she stepped up to Qui-Gon.
"Happy?"
"Esctatic." was his bland reply. He turned to Obi-Wan. "Are we ready?" The Padawan nodded. "Good. We should get there before dark."
It took the small group nearly an hour to reach the edge of the small settlement. Terra kept slipping in the sand, while Tela complained about sand getting into her too-big boots. Obi-Wan tried his best to ignore them, but it began to get on his nerves.
Luckily, when he had reached the breaking point, Qui-Gon spotted the smooth roof of a building. The group quickened their pace, for the first sun was almost set. The second would fall soon after. They ran, slipping and sliding, until they made it up a small hill to get a better look at the town.
The whole mainstreet, from what Obi-Wan could tell, consisted of five buildings. So much for the hope of a spaceport, he thought. He sighed and adjusted the straps of his survival pack. He then watched as Qui-Gon surveyed the town.
He pointed to the distance. "Look. There are homes out that way, so we may be able to get board in one of those." Obi-Wan looked in the direction his Master was pointing, and just barely withing his sight, could see the roofs of homes.
"Why are they way out there?" he asked.
"They're moisture farmers, Obi-Wan. They live a hard life."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Why would they choose such a life? Do they have no choice?"
"Some don't. For others, it's all they've ever known." He turned to the Ikous. "We'll have to go there and look for a place to stay. Alright?" The Ikous nodded, now too tired and afraid to argue. "Good." Qui-Gon replied as he started down the hill.
Obi-Wan adjusted his pack once more, then steadily followed his Master. Tela was following closely behind Obi-Wan, but she had no solid footing. She stepped once, and the sand sunk beneath her feet, causing her to stumble. She fell, then collided with Obi-Wan, causing them both to tumble down the hill. They landed in a crumpled heap at the foot of the hill, and Qui-Gon rushed towards them. He picked his dazed Padawan up first, then lifted Tela to her feet.
Obi-Wan shook his head, flinging sand. "This is just NOT my day!" he complained.
Tela looked up at him as she brushed sand off of her. "Not your day? What about me? Huh? I've had nothing but a bad day!"
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at her selfishness, then stooped to pick his bag up again. He slung it over his shoulder and walked up to her, so that they were only inches apart. "You don't know anything about a bad day until you live the life of a Jedi!" he whispered hoarsly. "I've had worse days than this, but I love what I do!" He narrowed his eyes at her, then continued to walk toward the small town.
Qui-Gon glanced from his Padawan's back to the embarassed face of Tela. She avoided his gaze and continued to brush herself off. The Jedi Master quickened his pace to catch up to Obi-Wan. "Something bothering you, my Padawan?" he asked quietly.
"No...well, yes. She keeps whining, but it seems to bother it more than it should. You know?" Obi-Wan frowned; once again he didn't know how to express himself.
Qui-Gon nodded. "You're just irratible. It happens. Especially after crash-landing on a strange desert planet."
Obi-Wan grinned. "What did we do to get stuck with a pair like that?"
"We were just efficient."
No one spoke again until they reached the streets of the city. Obi-Wan looked around, frowning, at the tiny town with no one in sight. The Ikous stared at it as if it were infected. Qui-Gon's look was neutral. "We should ask someone about room and board." he said to the group. He turned to his Padawan. "You look in the buildings on the left side with Tela. I'll check the other side with Terra. Just see if there is somewhere we can stay for a while. We can pay a small sum."
Obi-Wan nodded and began to head toward the first building. The door hissed open as he reached it, and he stepped inside, with Tela close in tow. His eyes adjusted to the light quickly and he began to investigate his surroundings. A chime sounded as he stepped up to the counter of what looked like a junk shop. Seconds later a small, wiry man stepped up to the counter, still wiping grease off his hands.
"Why! Hello there, stranger! I didn't hear a ship land."
"Well, we uh...kinda landed far from town."
"Oh, right. Usu Gra," he held out his hand, and Obi-Wan shook it.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi."
The man made a curious face. "Really? That name sounds familiar. But anyway! What can I do for you today?"
"We were wondering if there was any place in town where four people could find room and board for the night."
The man looked at the roof in thought. "Well...I think that the Lars family may take people in. Though I don't know about four. The wife seems to have a soft spot for unfortunate people." He looked at Obi-Wan again. "You look so familiar..."
Obi-Wan grinned. "The Lars family? Where would they be at?"
"Well, over yonder." Usu said, pointing to the east. "They're simple people. Moisture farmers."
Obi-Wan bowed his head. "Thank you, sir. We will check it out." He nodded to Tela, and she followed him out the door. Qui-Gon was just coming out of the second building on his side.
He shook his head. "No luck at either place."
Terra crossed her arms across her chest. "They won't even talk to us. They are so rude."
"That guy in there told us a place we might be able to stay." Obi-Wan said, gesturing to the old shop.
"Really? Where at, Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked.
"He said it was a moisture farm to the east. The Lars family."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Then let's check it out."
The small group all nodded, then followed the large Jedi as he walked out of the town into the outskirts.