Wow. Thanks for the great reviews. I was nervous about putting this story up but I am glad I got such a good reaction. Sorry it has taken me so long to get the next chapter up. I've been sick for a while and haven't had the energy to put it up. Here it is though.
CHAPTER 3
Qui-Gon stood in the middle of a large hut in the middle of the tribe waiting his turn to talk to the tribe's ruler who the people called Klaus, which meant supreme in their native tongue. Shaw, the Nokumain that had been following him and Obi-Wan, had explained some of the dialect in their culture. He had even taught Qui-Gon how to say hello and goodbye, something that would give Qui-Gon a good start with Klaus.
He was grateful that Shaw spoke basic since, as Shaw explained, most of the tribe did not know any other language other than the language of the tribe. A few had learned basic so there would be a way to understand the King and make negotiations but the tribe wanted to keep the outside world away from their people.
This was a place that seemed unchanged for hundreds of years. Qui-Gon had been to many museums that showed this kind of life style of natives on other planets but he was actually standing in a native's quarters, which he had studied about. He could understand why the Nokuma did not want their way of life to be destroyed or changed. It seemed peaceful here and the people looked happy. Children were free to play without worrying about being taken or hurt. There was no fighting over wealth or power. They were free.
"Qui-Gon Jinn." Shaw's voice said from the doorway of the joining room, which was separated only by a curtain. Qui-Gon stood up and faced Shaw who motioned the Jedi to come in the room. Shaw followed and closed the curtain behind them before taking the lead as they stepped up to two large chairs at the end of the room, which Qui-Gon thought, was larger.
The room was barren for the most part. A floor was made out of small trees that were bonded together with vines. The only light that was in the room was the ones coming from the candles, which were hung up all around the hut.
"Klaus..." Shaw bowed. "Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn."
As Shaw stepped aside Qui-Gon bowed the man out of respect. He looked like the other tribe members, darker skin which was hidden by the paint all of his body. He was made to stand out by a large headpiece made out of feathers.
"Shaw, you bring a Jedi here?" Klaus asked and stood to his full height. He was almost as tall as Qui-Gon but appeared to be bigger from the headpiece. "Jedi bring nothing but trouble. Tell me Jinn, why did you come?"
"I am here on a mission of peace. The King has told us he has received threats of war from you. We are here to keep war from breaking out."
Klaus said nothing for a moment and looked the Jedi over, sizing him up. "He contacted you, did he? The coward would bring the Jedi into this, he can not take responsibility for what is happening to my land."
"He claims he does not want to see your land taken or your people hurt, but he has to keep his city and people safe. He doesn't want war." Qui-Gon said.
"Because he knows he can not win. Master Jinn I have no desire to hurt his people, but I too must protect my tribe. We are being driven out of our homes so his people can build their city bigger and greater. We do not want this to filter into our lives. Yet it seems we can not stop it."
Qui-Gon nodded. "You seem to speak basic very well." He commented.
"It was my wife's first language. She taught me how to speak it correctly and fluently."
Qui-Gon raised a brow. "Your wife is from Sclien?"
"Yes. She was born and raised there."
"I would like to meet her." Qui-Gon said.
"You will. I am sure she will want to discuss some matters with you." He paused, facing Qui-Gon. "I am a good judge of characters. You, Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn, have much in you. We welcome your help."
Qui-Gon smiled and gave Klaus a bow. "We are happy to come to your aid."
"Even if it was my enemy who called for it?"
"Jedi do not take sides in a conflict like this. We only help keep the peace." Qui-Gon said in reply.
"A smart things to do, remaining neutral." Klaus nodded. "Come I must take you to meet my wife." He motioned for Qui-Gon to follow as he left the hut and down the streets of the Nokuma village. The Tribal members looked upon him with respect and smiled but they did not worship him. He seemed to be just another tribe member.
Klaus took him to the edge of the village where a great field started and went on as far as the eye could see. It was filled with wildflowers of every color. The clear sky had no clouds in it, which only magnified the beauty of the land. It was some of the most beautiful land Qui-Gon had ever seen.
Standing in the field was a young woman, her dark hair blowing in the wind. She had a small headpiece on as well as face pain to show she was an important member of the tribe.
"That is my wife, Maryicha." Klaus said as he led Jedi towards her. She soon spotted them and ran to her husband and embraced him. "I have someone you need to meet." Klaus said and moved so she could see Qui-Gon. "This is Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He is here to help keep peace on this planet."
Qui-Gon bowed and as he looked up he saw the smile on Maryicha's face. She took Qui-Gon's hand and preformed the Nokuma welcome, which Qui-Gon completed flawlessly. "It is too to meet you. I used to be told stories of the Jedi when I was a child."
Qui-Gon smiled at the beautiful woman. "It is a pleasure to meet you. And I hope those stories were all good ones."
She gave a gentle laugh. "Yes Master Jinn. I highly respect the Jedi. I believe you can help us. War is not in our best interest as you can imagine."
"War is never in the best interest, but is sometimes necessary. Jedi are devoted to preventing war. Is it possible for you to take me to some of the building sites?"
"Of course." Klaus nodded and started leading him across the field and through the heavy woods that seemed to go on for miles. "It is over the hill." Klaus motioned to the land in front of them and the tree walked up and over it and found themselves in a clearing.
Trees had been torn down to make the clearing and constructions had already begun on a new building which ran into the city. Klaus walked down into the clearing until he was almost in the middle.
"This is where our land starts." He said. "As you can see they have taken a great deal of our land.
Qui-Gon frowned, seeing this. "Who is in charge of this production?"
"Several companies." Maryicha answered. "They are funded by the citizens. The citizens pay taxes, giving it to the city who hires the work needed to keep the city looking nice, and expand."
"So the whole city contributes."
"Not exactly..." Maryicha said. "There are some that make sure their taxes are not used for this. Then there are some who do not care. And then there are a few who deliberately give credits to see the city expand."
"Do you know who these citizens are?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I do." She nodded. "However they work under false names so I would have to do research to find who they are."
Klaus frowned. "My wife that would involve the use of their technology."
Maryicha just took his hand and said, "I know but to help them, this is something I must to." She turned to Qui-Ton. "When I was a girl I was raised in the city. The school we went to taught us that the Nokuma way of life was primitive but I found it peaceful. It wasn't concerned with technology and power. I just wanted peace and I found it here, with my husband." She touched Klaus's face with a smile. "And my child." Her hand went to her belly. "I will do anything to save my people, my way of life."
Slowly Klaus nodded. "I will take you into the city, we have some allies that will help us." Maryicha said pulling the hood attached to her tunic over her head, and Qui-Gon did the same.
"I must return to the village." Klaus said. "Be careful." He warned his wife.
"I will." She smiled and kissed him before motioning Qui-Gon to follow her.
"Take care of her." Klaus said as Qui-Gon walked away, following the woman.
Ok, so not the best chapter. The next one will be alot more exciting, I promise. :)