A Sigh Is Just A Sigh (JA) Sorta ended on 10-18

A Sigh is Just a Sigh (JA) by Greencat336

Time: Obi-Wan is nineteen.

Summary: A mission to help the leader of an underground movement off planet brings Qui-Gon face to face with the woman he left behind, years ago.

Rating: PG

Disclaimers: Qui, Obi & the rest belong to Uncle George. I?m just having my way with them. The plot is loosely based on the classic movie Casablanca.

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This is a little different from what I've written in the past. I hope people will like it. Feedback is not only appreciated, but very much wanted.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi double checked the co-ordinates in the navi-computer, then pulled the lever that would activate the jump into hyperspace. The stars outside the cockpit stretched into familiar blue-white streaks.

Obi-Wan glanced at his master, Qui-Gon Jinn. He was sitting in the co-pilot?s chair, staring pensively out the viewport.

?We?ve entered hyperspace, Master.? Obi-Wan said.

?Hmmm,? Qui-Gon absently said.

?We should arrive in about half a day,? continued Obi-Wan.

?MmmHmmm.?

?Fourteen point seven nine one standard hours, to be exact.?

Qui-Gon did not respond. Ever since they had received word of this mission, Qui-Gon had been, for lack of a better word, brooding. His master usually kept his feelings to himself, but this was different. He had been almost completely withdrawn. The amount of time he had spent in meditation was unusual, even by the standards Qui-Gon set.

Every attempt Obi-Wan had made to draw his master into conversation had failed. It wasn?t so much that Qui-Gon had rebuffed him, it was more that he hadn?t even registered his padawan?s efforts.

Obi-Wan was fairly sure that whatever was bothering his master, it wasn?t his fault. His grades were good, he hadn?t gotten into any trouble lately, he hadn?t ?forgot? to do any chores. Most likely it was something to do with the mission.

Perhaps the Council had told Master Qui-Gon something that they hadn?t seen fit to tell his apprentice. So far as Obi-Wan knew the mission to the planet Ertaidos was fairly straight forward.

?I?m going to get something to eat. Do you want anything, Master?? asked Obi-Wan.

?What? Oh. No thank you, Obi-Wan,? replied Qui-Gon, not turning from the viewport.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Obi-Wan made his way back to the ship?s galley. He?d just have to wait until Qui-Gon was ready to talk to him again. It was frustrating that Qui-Gon was closing him out, but Obi-Wan had learned over the years that it wasn?t necessarily due to a lack of trust in him. Qui-Gon was a very private person. Eventually, Qui-Gon would let him know what was going on. At least, he hoped so. Obi-Wan refused to acknowledge the faint self-doubt that always nudged at him at times like these.





Obi-Wan sprawled across a blast couch, playing a hand held computer game, when Qui-Gon entered the lounge. Obi-Wan glanced up at his master as he sat down across him. Since Qui-Gon made no comment, Obi-Wan returned his attention to the game. For several minutes, neither spoke.

?Padawan, tell me what you know about Ertaidos,? said Qui-Gon, suddenly. It was normal for the Jedi Master to quiz his padawan about upcoming missions. There was something else, though, Obi-Wan sensed, that Qui-Gon was focused on besides checking on his apprentice?s preparation for a mission.

Turning off the game, Obi-Wan began. ?Up until two and a half decades ago, Ertaidos was a member of the Republic, with a single planetary government. Right before they withdrew their membership, the majority of their top leaders resigned. No one seemed to know why. The people that replaced them began to rescind many of the more liberal laws, placing limits on freedom of speech and movement. At the same time they pledged to deal with the economic troubles that were plaguing the planet.

A team of Jedi were sent undercover to investigate. They were to determine if there wa

 

Not like your other ones?? Does this mean you're going to take it easy on Obi this time??

 

Actually, I haven't decided yet. One of the boys is going to be physically roughed up, but I haven't figured out which one. I'm not sure if the story would work better with Qui or Obi being the one to get captured and tortured. I have to admit I'm leaning towards it being Qui-Gon. I know that would disappoint many Obi-Toture fans, but its Qui's turn.

By different, I mean I'm going to try my hand at some romance. I hope it works.

 

Oh...You want to rough one of the guys up eh?
Rough up Obi-wan! Yeah, Yeah Cow_Girls right! Rough him up real good! Man I love Obi torture is there anything better?
::Thinking::
Well maybe just Gummy Bears!
::Starts eating gummy bears::
Great story though!

 

Seems pretty deep. Something about this Qui-gon that I don't get to see in other stories strikes me as all too REAL.
Keep 'er coming.

 

OOOO, good story so far! I DEFINETLY think you should have Obi captured and tortured beyond belief (Mwahahahahahaha!) Qui torture won't be as fun cause Qui won't break down physically, and he won't have to wait for Obi to save him, cause he will probably find a way out, so my plea is PLEASE TORTURE OUR DEAR BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LIVE FOR OBI TORTURE!!!

 

I say torture Qui-Gon! I think it's his turn!

Nice start Greencat! Now, what's got our Qui acting so vague? More soon please!

 

Yeah, I agree with Jemmiah! Good start, greencat. And to think that I was just about to PM you and ask if you were going to start a story soon...

Sarah >^,,^<

 

Yes, but Qui-torture leads to Obi-angst! Interesting beginning greencat. You've portrayed Qui-Gon's mood very well. Looking forward to more!

 

Poor Obi, a crowd of people howling for his blood

Next post is coming soon.

 

Well, add one more to that crowd, but seriously, you aren't going to go easy on him are you?

 

Casablanca is one of my favorite movies, I look forward to reading this. I gather Qui-Gon won't be playing the part of Rick, so will that part be played by the abandoned girlfriend? An interesting turnaround if so.

 

greencat posts that say you will post don't count as posts.... soooooo post

 

The part of Ilsa will be played by Qui-Gon. The part of Rick will be played by Raichelle "Rai" Blaine. The part of Victor Laslo will be split between Vilaso and the Jedi Order. If you don't know who the characters are don't worry. You don't have to have seen Casablanca to follow this story. However, I would recommend seeing it, just because its a fantastic film. Oh, watch it in the original Black and White. The use of shadows is incredible.


As for the pleas for Obi to be abused . . . its a good thing for you people that I have such a high regard for democracy. I figured out a way to rearrange things so it is Obi that gets in 'trouble' rather than Qui.

:::::: Obi runs in and says - 'don't go to any trouble for me. Its okay if Qui has a turn getting tortured.'
Greencat says - 'Sorry, the people have spoken. Get the bacta tank ready.'
Obi - ARRRRGGGHHHH. :::::::::::



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Chief Constable Lewi Devin nervously glanced at the soldiers standing at attention around him. They had arrived yesterday, informing him that Major Stauser would be arriving and expected him to meet him at the airport. What could a major of the Sepovlic army be interested in here, worried Devin. There was nothing in Marrako. Except the smuggling trade, of course. But why would they bother with that now? Devin feverently hoped that it was something else that brought the Major. A good part of his income was from ?gifts? various smugglers gave him for non-interference.

The shuttle settled to the earth. Devin forced himself to look relaxed. With a soft swoosh, the door to the shuttle opened. Major Stauser and his entourage marched down the ramp.

?Marrako welcomes you, Major Stauser,? Devin said, with false cheer.

?Chief Constable,? acknowledged the Major, not pausing in his strides towards the speeder he had ordered to be waiting near the landing pad.

?I hope your journey here was enjoyable,? remarked Devin, hurrying to catch up.

?Dispense with the pleasantries,? interrupted the Major. ?I am not here for a vacation. I am here to retrieve information that was stolen by Bristesca spies. You and your people will give me your utmost cooperation in this matter. Understood??

Taking another quick look at the heavily armed soldiers surrounding them, Devin said, ?We are at your service, Major. If your staff will give mine the details, I will have them begin investigating at once.?

The Major climbed into the speeder, indicating that Devin should join him.

?My informants tell me that the disc containing the information will be passed on tonight. I have the name and description of the spy who has the disc. The meeting place is a nightclub called Rai?s. Are you familiar with this club?? said the Major.

?Everyone who lives in Marrako is familiar with Rai?s. It is very popular. I will alert my people to be ready. Your spy will be apprehended,? said Devin. And with any luck the lot of them will be gone from my town by tomorrow, he thought.

?The spy must not be allowed to escape. It is vital we retrieve the disc. I shall be most unhappy if anything goes wrong,? the Major said dangerously.

?I assure you, Major, you will get the results you want,? said Devin.

 

Obi torture Obi torture!!!!!! Yea!!!! Uh, I mean, good post Greencat....always nice to met the bad guys before they "mistreat" Obi....

 

So you've decided to go with the Obi torture... good choice. Not that Qui torture isn't good too. Maybe you can do a general all around Jedi torture. Why should Obi have all the fun...er...pain.

 

Okaaaay... what's with the military guy and the spy? Somethin's gonna go wrong, right?

Ah well, so long as Obi gets hurt, I don't suppose I'll worry too much.

Sarah >^,,^<

 

I feel so happy... I can't wait to start! :rags Obi into the torture room as he begs for mercy:: Sorry Obi! This has to be done! ::Kisses him passionately then beats the heck out of him:: Hehe... I wish!

 

hmmm...I've never watched the movie all the way through, but your story is interesting so far.

 

The plot thickens...eagerly awaiting to see further develpoments.

 

Please post again very very soon greencat! (ah i too loved the use of shadow, light and dark in that film. it was increadable. it was amazing to how they really did get the external feel of moroccan architeture tooo... the beeds didn't work but the buildings on the whole were quite acurate.) Pleeeeeeeeeeease post!

 

All of these different story lines will converge soon. It may be a bit boring, but the exposition and character introduction are necessary to the story. Qui & Obi will be along soon.


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Ugati was a short human with the face of a well fed rat. With a nod to the bouncer, he entered the nightclub. Even this early in the evening, Rai?s was packed. Ugati made his way through the crowd, past war refugees trying to forget their troubles, young people seeking pleasure, and smugglers making deals. He edged around the dance floor, where people moved to the pulsing beat of the live band.

In the back of the club a few steps lead up to a set of double doors. A large, unfriendly looking man stood before the doors. When Ugati approached, the man opened the doors, admitting him to the small casino.

It was quieter in the casino, although the faint sounds of the club could still be heard amidst the rattle of chance wheels and betting at the sabacc tables. Ugati made his way to where a woman sat alone, studying a dejarik board.

In her late forties, the woman was still attractive. Blond hair was artfully piled atop her head in loose curls. Dark brown eyes looked out from under long lashes, missing nothing. The conservative cut of her dark purple dress accented, rather than hid the curves of her body. There was a hardness about her that warned off any causal contact.

?Good evening, Rai,? said Ugati as he slid into the chair next to her.

?If you say so, Ugati,? replied Rai, continuing to move the pieces around the game board.

?I do say so. I?m about to complete a deal that will get me out of Marrako forever. I?ll have enough credits to live in a Free Territory that has more to offer than just sand and heat.?

?How nice for you. Just stopping in to say good-bye?? Rai asked in a bored voice.

?Perhaps. Going to miss me?? said Ugati.

?No. There?s lots of information brokers in Marrako. Most of them better than you,? answered Rai.

?That?s what I like about you, Rai. You don?t give a damn about anybody, but you?re honest about it. I need you to hold onto something for me, while I work out the final details of my deal.? Ugati slipped a disc onto the table next to Rai?s hand.

Rai picked up the disc without looking at it, tucking it into her pocket. ?I don?t want it here long.?

?A few hours, then you?ll never see either of us again,? Ugati promised.

?Good,? said Rai.

?Now, if you don?t mind, I?ll try my luck at the Sabacc tables, while I wait,? Ugati said as he stood.

Rai didn?t bother to reply. After a few minutes, she got up and walked into the night club. She stopped occasionally, speaking with regular patrons. Eventually, she made here way to where the band played. Unobtrusively, she put the disc Ugati had given her into the back of the sound control system. Waiting a few more seconds, Rai drifted towards the bar.

?How are we doing tonight, Sophia?? Rai asked the bartender.

?About average, boss, but the night?s still young,? Sophia answered.

Rai?s attention was drawn to the entrance with the arrival of several uniformed Sepovlic soldiers and members of the Marrako Security forces. A wave of nervousness swept through the crowd as they began to spread out along the perimeter of the room.

Seeing Chief Constable Devin, Rai strode over. ?What?s the idea, Lewi? We?re not due for a raid. I know you got your money this month.?

?Relax, Rai. A Sepovlic major is here to pick up some spy. We won?t take long. It will amuse your customers, give them a bit of excitement.? Devin said.

?The band is enough entertainment. Try not to break anything,? said Rai.

?I?ll will, but you know Sepovlics,? replied Devin.



In the casino, two Marrako security personnel came up to Ugati. ?Mr. Ugati?? one of them asked.

?Yes?? answered Ugati, nervously.

?Come with us, please,? said the security person.

?All right. Do you mind if I cash in my chips first?? asked Ugati, scooping up his betting

 

Here's lookin' at you... Jedi