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Topic:
Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Anonymous
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Date Posted:
1/30/00 2:25pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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A little more...
*********
Obi-Wan looked around him in astonished silence. The tree trunks seemed to blend together into a seamless landscape. He had no idea which way was in or out. In his mind he could hear the sound of Menalu calling his name as he fell over and over. He tried to block it out and concentrate on the moment; on what he needed to do now, but he couldn’t. In his carelessness he had lost the Divine Prince of Enlightenment and the leader of his people somewhere in the jungle. He had failed the Yebbi. He had failed his friend. And even worse, he had failed Qui-Gon.
Panic welled up in him like bile in his throat. "Qui-Gon!" he shouted and then stopped and listened to the dead silence that followed. "Menalu!" Again, nothing. He screamed the names over and over, his voice becoming ragged and hoarse. Finally, he felt as though he was standing beside himself and watching what he was doing. A logical part of him could hear how ridiculous he sounded and see that this course of action would not solve anything. And yet, he continued.
Qui-Gon reached out, listening for his Padawan, but could feel nothing. A small piece of him was growing worried. They’d been gone too long. He heard Dash-te coming up to him from behind and was about to speak when suddenly he felt it. Terror. Terror and blind panic. For whatever reason, Obi-Wan was terrified. Qui-Gon suppressed an urge to simply run into the woods after him. Instead he tried to make contact, to redirect Obi-Wan’s fear and help him calm down.
Then he stood and turned to face the monk. "Dash-te, tell your contacts that they must hurry. Things have changed."
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Jane Jinn
Registered:
Jan '00
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Date Posted:
1/30/00 2:54pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Spooky!
I love it!
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Mostly retired now
Just making the occasional guest appearance
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Trika_Kenobi
Registered:
Nov '99
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Date Posted:
1/30/00 4:10pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Too cool!!!!! Please post more!!!!
Trika Kenobi
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Anonymous
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Date Posted:
1/31/00 1:31pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Thanks for the encouragement...
*********
The logical part of Obi-Wan seemed to take over. He stopped screaming the names of people who couldn’t hear him and stood silently. Adrenaline flowed through his veins still. He had to calm down. Sitting down, he shut his eyes and began a centering meditation that he’d learned in the temple a long time ago. It helped.
He listened with the force and concentrated on the things around him. There were so many life forms in the jungle, and even the plants seemed to have a consciousness. He reached out further and felt something familiar. Qui-Gon? Yes, that’s what it was. Qui-Gon telling him to calm down, that he was listening and waiting for his return. Obi-Wan felt almost instantly better. He would get out of here either by finding his master or by his master finding him. He reached out again and this time was aware of someone else out there in the forest with him. Menalu. He was still alive.
Obi-Wan was instantly mobilized. He had to find Menalu. Using the force as his guide he began the tedious process of pushing through the branches and vegetation. It took him several minutes to go a couple of feet. Quickly he pulled out his lightsabre and used it to cut away giant leaves and vines that hemmed him in.
Dash-te finished his communication and waited with Sheniko and the cabinet in expectant silence.
"They have been separated," Qui-Gon said.
A gasp rose up from the assembled group and they all began talking at once.
"Quiet!" Qui-Gon shouted. It was rare that he raised his voice and this had not gone unnoticed, apparently, because he had instantaneous attention. "The Divine Prince is still alive and Obi-Wan will find him. When he does, they will need a place to meet us. Preferably somewhere high. Do you have a topographical map of this forest? Is there anyplace where we might see them from the air?"
One of the monks brought forth a sophisticated viewing device. He scanned through the landscape and finally pointed to it. Concentric circles drew tightly together, indicating a stone outcropping that rose high above the canopy of trees like an iceberg.
"Yes, that’s it," Qui-Gon said. "We’ll rendezvous there. In the meantime it’s important that we move as well. When the six scouts sent to destroy us don’t report in, more will come searching for us. We must not waste any time."
"How will Obi-Wan know to go to the rock outcropping?" Dash-te asked.
"The force will guide him. Now hurry."
Dash-te frowned, but said nothing.
Qui-Gon helped the monks gather the supplies into makeshift packs. They were vulnerable so close to the wreckage of the shuttle and they needed to get moving.
Nearly twenty minutes later, Qui-Gon marched silently through the woods. The group of monks trailed behind him single file, moving like a single entity with surprising grace and speed. Despite their relatively sedate temple lives, the monks clearly had some sort of athletic program that kept them fit. The heat was oppressive in the depths of the forest and the undergrowth slowed their progress to a crawl.
He tried to keep his mind from straying from the task at hand. He had been alone for so long that it was hard for him to admit that he was truly worried about his apprentice. Obi-Wan was tenacious, but there were so many variables in the jungle and there was so much at stake. What had frightened him? Qui-Gon had felt the fear and panic, but had no idea what caused it. Had he been attacked by something or had he simply allowed his emotions to get the better of him? For now Qui-Gon did not know and it worried him.
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Trika_Kenobi
Registered:
Nov '99
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Date Posted:
1/31/00 5:25pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Keep it going!!!!
Trika Kenobi
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Anonymous
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Date Posted:
1/31/00 5:58pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Sweat ran in rivulets down Obi-Wan’s forehead. His tunic was soaking and stained with grime and a mix of his own blood and sweat. He had the urge to discard his heavy cloak, but was reluctant to leave anything behind lest it be needed later. Instead he took a momentary break from slashing at the foliage to tie the cloak up into a tight package with flexible vines. Somewhat cooler, Obi-Wan continued his bushwhack toward the spot where he knew Menalu lay.
Then he saw him. Laying in a patch of dappled light amidst the branches that had broken his fall, he saw his friend. Obi-Wan ignored his fatigue and ran as fast as he could to Menalu’s side and knelt down. Menalu was unconscious, but still breathing. Obi-Wan could see his fall had been similar to his own as he examined the deep gashes in Menalu’s forehead and chest. He moved Menalu’s robe away from his legs and his blood ran cold.
Menalu’s left leg wasn’t right. Just below the knee was a gaping open wound that exposed glistening white bone. More seriously, the bone was splintered and took a sudden turn to the left that it shouldn’t have. Fighting back nausea, Obi-Wan put his hand on the leg just below the injury.
Menalu let out a scream that nearly knocked Obi-Wan over.
"It’s okay. You’re okay," Obi-Wan said, trying to calm his friend down. Menalu stared at him for a moment, his lip quivering, his eyes full of panic and pain. Finally he spoke.
"It hurts," he moaned.
Obi-Wan looked around. He had to think. The wound on Menalu’s leg was serious. An open wound in the jungle like that would fester and eventually cost Menalu his leg if it wasn’t taken care of. Already a swarm of buzzing insects had gathered around the two of them to feast on the blood from their open wounds. And it was an injury that would slow down their progress considerably. Obi-Wan was beginning to get a picture of the landscape in his mind. Somewhere in his subconscious, he could see where they had to go. He just didn’t know how to get there yet.
"We need bandages and a splint," Obi-Wan said. Blinking back tears, Menalu struggled for a moment and reached into his robe and withdrew a long white scarf.
Obi-Wan found some of the flexible vine he had used to bind his robe and discovered that the thicker sections of vine were quite sturdy. He cut one to size and brought it over to where Menalu lay. He was ready, but first there was the problem of making the leg straight again. At the Jedi temple, Obi-Wan’s training had included some first aid along with the basic techniques used by the Jedi healers. Unfortunately, he hadn’t excelled in that area. That didn’t matter now, though.
"Menalu, remember what we did in the temple; how you pushed me out of your mind?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I can’t play that game now," Menalu protested.
"It’s not a game anymore. It’s a real technique, used by the Jedi to suppress, well, anything. You have to block out the pain as you blocked me. You have to listen to it and then block it. Can you do that?"
Menalu nodded weakly. He shut his eyes. Obi-Wan watched as his breathing slowed and he seemed to relax a little bit. "It’s helping," Menalu said.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He didn’t know if he could do this. "Don’t move," he told Menalu. Then, in one motion, he grabbed the foot that dangled at its odd angle and pulled. There was a sickening crunch and the feeling of the fractured bones reconnecting and sliding into place. Menalu screamed once and slid into unconsciousness.
Quickly, Obi-Wan bound the vine splint to the wound with the scarf, which he recognized as a meditation scarf he’d seen other monks wearing at the temple. It was beautifully embroidered with white thread into intricate patterns that could only be seen in the changing light and Obi-Wan hated to see it stained. He watched as bright red blood spread over its surface.
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Trika_Kenobi
Registered:
Nov '99
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Date Posted:
1/31/00 9:32pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Ewww...*wrinkles face*...
Add more soon!!!!
Trika Kenobi
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Jane Jinn
Registered:
Jan '00
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 1:42am
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Great! Completely realistic! I'm eagerly awaiting more!
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Master Peael
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 2:33am
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
to quote everyones favorite jedi....
I love this story. but I only have a computer for 23 more days...
could you finish it before then?? I'll pay you... all I have is republic credits though.
No really though. I love this story and am hanging on every word... I like all of your discription and feelings and... ahh! it's great.
Keep Going and I will read it als long as I am able.
~ Peael
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Anonymous
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 12:55pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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23 days?
That's not completely inconceivable...
*******
When Menalu came to, the sun was getting low in the sky, making it even harder to see in the dense thicket. They had to make some progress though.
"I’ll carry you," Obi-Wan said. Menalu shook his head.
"You can’t. It’s too difficult. If you go alone, you’ll survive. I know you will."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I’m not leaving you here to die."
Menalu suddenly smiled, that same infectious grin spreading from ear to ear. "Obi-Wan, I won’t die. Remember, the Yebbi never die. I will return. You do not have to worry. I will return to my people."
Obi-Wan considered this for a moment and then made his decision. "You do not believe in fighting and so even when your people are attacked and killed you do not fight back. I don’t understand that, but I respect that it is what you believe in."
"Then you will go?" Menalu asked hopefully.
"No. You must respect my belief that you are my friend and that I won’t let you die here."
"But, Obi-Wan you must!"
"I won’t. I’m bringing you with me or we’ll both stay here."
Menalu sighed, "You are so stubborn."
Obi-Wan smiled. How many times had he heard that? "So are you. Are you ready?" Menalu nodded. "Remember what I told you. About blocking out the pain," Obi-Wan said, and pulled Menalu up onto his back. Menalu winced and stiffened, but said nothing. He held on to the fabric of Obi-Wan’s tunic so the Jedi could use his hands to push through the brush.
Carrying Menalu, the going was even slower. Twice they were thrown off balance by twisting roots below and tumbled to the ground, and once Menalu’s hands had slipped and he dropped in a heap on the forest floor. Obi-Wan considered his options. Clearly, carrying Menalu was not working, but the ground was too varied to make a travois and with only one person to carry it, a litter was impossible. Night was too close for Obi-Wan to do anything about it, but if they wanted to make real progress tomorrow, he was going to have to think of a better way.
The undergrowth hadn’t gotten any easier either. Obi-Wan had resorted to using his lightsabre only when necessary to preserve its power cell, so he pushed the leaves aside with his hands. They were already bloody and tender, covered with tiny cuts and gashes where the undergrowth had refused to yield.
The light was growing dimmer and the multitude of life forms Obi-Wan had felt earlier were beginning to make more noise in the coming dark. As he trudged on, he knew that he was going to have to stop and find shelter for the coming night.
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Anonymous
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 1:40pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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hmmm. yeah, but republic credits... I might need something more real.
Anyway.
********
The makeshift camp was running quite efficiently. The emergency shelters were more than adequate and Qui-Gon could feel the crackling energy of the force while Dash-te and the cabinet members meditated in a group a few meters from the shelters. Only Sheniko remained behind with Qui-Gon to help prepare a meal of emergency rations.
Qui-Gon winced as he rubbed the lump on his forehead from the crash earlier.
"Let me see." Sheniko leaned in and inspected it. She mumbled a few things in her own tongue and then touched it. For a second Qui-Gon felt warmth, and then the throbbing faded. He put is hand up. The lump was gone.
"That’s amazing," Qui-Gon said.
Sheniko smiled. "After I left the temple, I was trained as a healer," she said. "It is the Yebbi way to convince the body to heal itself."
"Very similar to Jedi healing techniques."
"Yes, but much faster," Sheniko said and smiled coyly. "Where your energy is split between life and death, ours is focused completely on life."
"I wouldn’t say ‘split,’" Qui-Gon said. "It’s simply a different way of thinking about it. In taking up arms against an oppressor, are we not still focused on life, from a certain point of view?"
"Only from a Jedi’s point of view, Qui-Gon Jinn."
Qui-Gon smiled. Sheniko had a sharp mind and a quick wit. He suspected that under better circumstances he would have enjoyed many lively debates with her. He also was beginning to understand that she had more power in the Rengaian government than he’d realized.
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Anonymous
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 2:08pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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It was becoming impossible to see, when Obi-Wan found what he was looking for. It was a tree with its roots spreading out in a wide cone. Inside of the cone was a space where the two of them could rest safely. He helped Menalu crawl through a space between the roots and then he followed.
"I’m thirsty," Menalu said. Obi-Wan licked his dry lips. Despite the humidity, his throat was dry as well.
He was about to apologize, but then he remembered. He had taken a water ration from the emergency supplies. Obi-Wan dug in his pocket and pulled the small container out. It was a small ration, maybe enough for one person for a day. But, it was water. He opened it and handed the container to Menalu who took a long drink.
"Better," Menalu sighed.
Obi-Wan took two swallows for himself and then stashed the container back in his pocket. He didn’t know how long it would need to last. He unfolded his cloak and spread it on the ground for them to sleep on. Menalu lay down on it.
"Do you know where we’re going?" he asked.
"In a way." Obi-Wan said. "I can see it. It’s high, but I don’t know how far it is."
"Will you sleep?" Menalu asked.
"Yes," Obi-Wan lied. He would need to stand watch and he was going to try to work on Menalu’s injured leg. If he could harness the force and convince the bones to knit faster, tomorrow they could make better progress. He didn’t want to spend another night in the jungle. He leaned against the thick center root and sighed.
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Master Peael
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 3:55pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Something more real huh?? how about cookies??
.....
don't worry about me I'm just following along.
Keep posting I love this
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Jane Jinn
Registered:
Jan '00
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 4:36pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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I like these adventures. Let's have some more!
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Trika_Kenobi
Registered:
Nov '99
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Date Posted:
2/1/00 6:23pm
Subject:
Re: Certain Points of View (a JA adventure story)
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Post more right now!!!!!!!!!
Trika Kenobi
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