Obi-Wan's Shotgun Wedding

There's a certain amount of build-up before we get to the fun part, so bear with me, please. Any comments and constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

Turning away from the console, Obi-Wan Kenobi tripped over his own feet, and the hardware from the navigational computer fell from his hands as he landed on the deck."Oh, no..."

He picked it up and stared in horror. Only one thing had broken off, but of course it was the most important and therefore the most delicate piece of the entire section. Even if it could be reattached, which was not certain, given the lack of specialist tools that they had at their disposal, it probably would not function reliably again. Qui-Gon was really going to punish him for this!

"What is it?"asked his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, sitting up from where he'd been working under the console, systematically removing the parts of the navigational computer to check the connections and find the fault.

Still on his knees, Obi-Wan turned around and extended the section to him, wordlessly fingering the fractured part, then bowed his head and awaited his master's wrath.

There was a silence. Obi-Wan kept his head down. Through the Master-Padawan bond, he could feel that Qui-Gon was more puzzled than angry, and that in turn puzzled him.

"It was an accident, Padawan,"his master said."Your growth is making you--"

He stopped, but Obi-Wan supplied the word himself."Clumsy!"

Oafy-Wan. The name sprang unbidden to his mind, and the taunt from his days at the Jedi Temple hurt just as much now as it had five years ago.

"Awkward,"Qui-Gon corrected him."On occasion. Don't look so panicked, I'm not going to scold you for having one last growth spurt. Falling over your feet was an accident, but this--this was meant to happen."

"What?"Obi-Wan looked up."What do you mean, master?"

"I'm not sure. I just have this feeling that we're supposed to be here."Qui-Gon seated himself at the console and sent an emergency message to the Jedi Council on Coruscant, advising them of their difficulties and asking to be picked up as soon as possible. Shutting off the holo-transmitter, he said,"We'll be staying a few days. We might as well look around."

Obi-Wan followed him out of the ship. Qui-Gon had felt compelled to land in the flat spot between two hillocks, which was all that he could see of their surroundings at the moment. After the navigational computer on their ship had failed and brought them automatically out of hyperspace, they had set down here, on the southern continent of the nearest planet, to repair the computer at least enough to get someplace civilized. But now they were stuck here, thanks to Obi-Wan. He sighed miserably.

"Stop that, Padawan, and close your eyes,"Qui-Gon commanded."Tell me what you feel through the Force."

Obi-Wan obeyed and was surprised at how strongly and quickly the feelings came to him."This place is strong in the Force, master, and I sense both light and darkness. Most of the light seems to be centered in that direction. Most of the darkness is farther away over there. But where the light is, there is...sadness. Mourning. I can hear them calling out for help."

"Yes,"Qui-Gon agreed."That's what I felt, guiding our ship here. And now I hear once voice in particular."

Obi-Wan tried to focus on the silent pleading."The voice is very distinct and very strong."

"I feel the Force is guiding us to investigate."Qui-Gon shut the loading ramp of the ship and they began to walk up one of the hillocks to get a better view of where they were. It was afternoon here, a brilliantly sunny day, the air hot and sweet after the cool, stale atmosphere of the ship. On one side, they could see the hills turning into mountains, but on the other side, the hills got smaller until they disappeared completely into a flat plain that was marked in regular rectangles. Obi-Wan could make out a rough circle in the center of the rectangles.

"Is that a city, master?"

"Definitely a settlement of some kind,"Qui-Gon agreed.

They both felt the vergance in the Force at the same time, an

 

I'm looking forward to reading more of this...

 

Great start!

Obi-Wan's emotional scarring just isn't goint to go away, now is it?

 

*lol* Jane Jinn, master of Obi-torture, strikes again!

 

Obi-Wan was already throwing up before he was fully awake, then sank back, panting for breath. After a few moments, he tried to sit up and realised that his wrists had been chained together, in broad manacles with a hand's length of links between them. Shifting his feet told him that his ankles were bound as well. He glanced around dully, but could only make out a few faint forms in the weak crack of light that fell from the ceiling.

The man on his left began to vomit as well, and the sound, along with the smell, made Obi-Wan want to retch in sympathy. He reached into himself, using the Force to dull the nausea and the headache that had started pounding between his temples. Along with the pain in his arm where the blow dart had penetrated, he was also thirsty, but he forced himself to ignore all that. Calm again, he called out,"Master?"

"I'm here, Obi-Wan."By the sound of his voice, Qui-Gon was about a meter away, two at the most, but Obi-Wan could not see which of the shadows he was. No doubt he was in chains as well. They all were.

Sometime later there was a grinding sound from above, and whatever had been blocking the entrance was pushed to one side. A rope was lowered into the cavern with a jug hanging from it, and one of Conak's men stood up hastily to catch it. He drank thirstily without even bothering to detach it first, then stopped suddenly and removed it from the hook. Glancing around guiltily, he shuffled over to Qui-Gon, knelt down in front of him, and offered him the jug."Forgive my weakness, my lord of the light."

"Your thirst is greater than mine,"Qui-Gon. He handed it to the man next to him, and Obi-Wan heard him take several great gulps before passing it along. By the time it got to Obi-Wan, it was nearly empty. He took a few sips, holding the water in his mouth for a long time before swallowing, then managed to get to his feet and return the jug to Qui-Gon, who drank the rest of it.

"Send it back up, prisoners"came the harsh command from above. Qui-Gon extended the jug to Obi-Wan and he looped the handle of it over the hook, then watched as it was pulled up. Hearing the grating sound of the heavy door being pushed back into place, he sat down next to Qui-Gon and felt the chains on his wrist hit something at his waist.

"Master, they haven't taken our light sabers away,"he said quietly.

"They probably have no idea what they are,"Qui-Gon replied."And I don't think it's wise for us to show them, either."

Obi-Wan had been entertaining the idea of igniting his saber, slicing through the chains, and escaping. Now he replied dispiritedly,"Yes, master."

"Patience, Padawan."

*****

It was about two or three hours later when the door was shoved aside again and a rope thrown down. The voice called out,"Come up one at a time. Just put your feet in the loop and hang onto the rope, and we'll pull you up."

"They're going to execute us,"moaned the pessimistic man.

"They are not going to execute us,"Qui-Gon said firmly, quelling the fears that the statement had caused in the other men."I'll go up first. Then Conak, and then you, and you, and you, and--"

He indicated Obi-Wan."--you."

When the others had gone and it was Obi-Wan's turn at last, he stepped onto the loop and took hold of the rope. The guards pulled him up, and as soon as his head was above the hole, he could see the others standing against the far wall of what appeared to be more a great hall than a room. It was obviously the prison block; aside from their cell, there were also three or four others, each distinguished by a thick metal door in the floor, and a rope pulley above. One of the guards pushed him away from the hole and helped him step onto the flagstones, then shoved him towards the others.

"You will be taken before King Tul-Kahan,"the guard announced. Obi-Wan recognised him as the leader from the day before."In his presence, you will kneel. You will keep your eyes to the floor at all times. If the king speaks to you, you will answer. You will address him as 'Your Majesty' at all times. We will be standing

 

Geez, Obi-Wan's gettin' beat up again.... *sigh* I suppose I'll watch

 

You've captured my attention once again.

 

This is great, Jane.

 

Jane, this is excellent. Keep going! I want to read more! (Returning the favour is the least I can do.. )

 

Great start! And follow up!

 

Ooh, I like this story very much. Keep it up, I want more!

 

Go Jane go!
and don't hold back with the 'quirky' alien customs that the boys have to figure out on the fly- that's what makes for good Jedi- coping with the unexpected! 'Course it helps when poor Obi gets the brunt of the surprises... it's too tough to surprise the tall old guy!

 

Thanks, everybody, for reading and commenting. Rhui, quirky alien customs coming up, but sorry, JOWK, to disappoint you. We're still in the build-up.

"Look at him, Rassak,"said the king.

"The resemblance to His Royal Highness is startling, Your Majesty,"said the man on the right hand side of the throne."Except for the hair, of course."

King Tul-Kahan got up and came to stand directly in front of Obi-Wan.

"But he has this,"said the king, running his hand along Obi-Wan's Padawan braid without actually touching it."Three strands. One for the servant, one for the master, and one for the light."

"Many people wear braids, Your Majesty."There was amusement in the man's voice."Especially women."

"But with four strands, not three like this."Then the king commanded,"Look at me."

Obi-Wan glanced up straight into his eyes.

"He has blue eyes, Rassak. Blue, the holy colour. Truly, this is a sign."

"If Your Majesty believes so,"sighed the man caled Rassak.

"What is your name?"King Tul-Kahan turned his attention back to Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, Your Majesty."

"Obi-Wan-Kenobi,"the king repeated, making into one name."Tell me, Obi-Wan-Kenobi, why were you and your companions outside the city walls yesterday, in open defiance of my decree, when I myself was upon the tower, speaking to the lords of the light?"

"We are strangers here, Your Majesty,"Obi-Wan tried to explain."My master and I came here because we--because we heard a call for help. Then we ran into these four men. They said that they came from the city of Enkerra--"

"Enkerra! Did you say Enkerra?"

"That is what they said, Your Majesty, that they came from the city of Enkerra and were searching for their distant brothers. Conak can tell you more, Your Majesty."

"Conak!"King Tul-Kahan glanced beyond Obi-Wan, scanning the row of prisoners."Which one of you is Conak! Come forward!"

"I am your humble servant Conak, Your Majesty,"came the reply, and the guards escorted him to stand beside Obi-Wan at the edge of the dais.

"I heard correctly?"the king asked."You are from Enkerra?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. We have been traveling for many days in search of our distant brothers, who left our city three generations ago to inherit the land of our ancient fathers. Yesterday afternoon, we were at a crossroads in the mountains and did not know which way to go. Then we saw something descend from the sky and land a little west of us. We thought it must be a sign from the lords of the light, and we followed it to its resting place on the earth. There we saw these two men. They knew immediately that we were searching for something and they showed us where it is, otherwise we truly would have gone into Imilachil territory. If they are not lords of the light themselves, then these men truly are their messengers, for they led us here."

"Guards! Take their chains off immediately, all of them!"King Tul-Kahan commanded, and the guards leaped forwards to obey. Obi-Wan rubbed his wrists where the manacles had been and saw that Conak was doing the same.

"You are my guests now, all of you,"said the king."Be welcome in my house, which is the House of Kahan, be welcome in my city, which is the city of Getra."

He stopped, and Obi-Wan saw that he was blinking away tears, but his voice remained steady when he spoke again.

"Honoured guests, your presence here fills me with great joy. My prayers to the lords of the light have been answered at last. After several wars, we have become slaves to the Imilachil. We have lost too many men to fight back again, and now we pay a tribute of half of everything that we produce. We had thought that Enkerra was lost to us forever, for in three generations of wars and tribulations, we had forgotten the way back to that free city. But now, you have come to us, and you will guide us back there so that we may be free again. The harvest begins to-day. We don't have much time, but if we can find a plan to escape the Imilachil before Tribute Day this year, we can take all our crops with us for the journey, and we will not be a burden on the

 

Interesting. Most interesting. (Jane Jinn, I wonder what you'll come up with this time. *grin*) I'll have to continue reading.

Sorry, I feel very stupid to ask this, but what is a "shotgun wedding?" I have no idea what that phrase means.

 

I wonder why I didn't see this thread earlier.
It's great! I wanna read more.

 

It was like,

I really got to read this and then I didn't and then i was like "i really really got to read this" and then i didn't. Repeat that little exercise about fourteen times and you may get an idea aof what trying to read Jedi Jane's work was like.

Hmmm, as usual this is absolutly cool, including the complusory Obi-wan torture.

good mood now.

Thanks Jane why did you quit Talon Squad by the way?

Kithera

 

I hope you enjoy the "compulsory Obi-Wan torture" when we finally get to it, but you have to be patient for a few more posts before then. Please don't turn away in disgust.

I think I quit Talon Squad because I couldn't keep up with all that military stuff. I'm really out of my element in things like that, as I discovered to my chagrin. But Lieutenent Jane Jinn could always be transferred back in once her current assignment is completed...

[This message has been edited by Jane Jinn (edited 02-01-2000).]

 

This is pretty cool! So post!

BTW, a shotgun wedding is when Daddy is holding a shotgun on the groom to make sure he goes through with the wedding to save his daughter's reputation.

 

A very interesting story! I like, I like!

Post more!!!

I'm dying to know what Obi-Wan does to get himself on the wrong end of a shotgun wedding. <evil grin>

 

Okay, I have an idea of what might happen. Maybe Tohar-Kahan has a fiancee(sp?) already, and for some reason Obi-Wan has to pose as the prince in the wedding.

You know, that sounded a lot more probable in my head...

 

Obi-Wan Kanobi. "Shotgun wedding." Hang on folks, we're in for a bumpy ride.



[This message has been edited by Mekial (edited 02-01-2000).]

 

I am tempted to make a few comments here, but it's so much more fun to keep you guys guessing!

The hospitality began with the chance to scrub the stink of the prison cell out of their skins with warm water and rough soap. Their clothes were taken away to be washed and replaced with clean ones, and Obi-Wan bit down a smile to see his master dressed in the Getran fashion, then noticed with indignation that Qui-Gon was smiling at him, too. Back in the great hall, they were entertained with music and dancing girls while a feast was prepared, and then they spent the evening consuming one course of delicacies after another. It was late at night when they were finally shown to lavishly decorated bedchambers, and Obi-Wan fell asleep almost instantly.

He awoke to voices.

"Please, amma, let me tell him. Please. I didn't get to see the strangers at all last night."

"Young ladies should not be in the bedchambers of young men,"came the fierce reply."Especially not when the young men are still in bed."

"It's not fair! Just because I am a young lady, I'm shut off from everything!"

"I don't want to have to explain this to your father..."

"Then you give him the message. I just want to have a look at him!"

Opening his eyes, Obi-Wan sat up. Standing between his bed and the door were two women, one very young and beautiful, and the other much older and not beautiful at all. The young one put her hands to her mouth and blushed when she saw him looking at her, then collected herself and came forward a few steps, bowing her head, but looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"My lord of the light, the king desires your company at breakfast."

"Right,"said the older woman bruskly."You've told him. Now out with you. Let him get dressed."

"Wait,"said Obi-Wan."Who are you?"

"My name is--"

"None of your business, even if you are a lord of the light, which I doubt,"the older woman interrupted.

"Amma, don't be blasphemous."

"It's not blasphemy if I don't believe something."

"Sshh! My name is Jenan-Kahan. My lord of the light, you don't look a bit like my brother."

"I don't?"Obi-Wan blinked in surprise."But the king--"

"You're much more handsome!"Jenan-Kahan giggled, which made her dangling earrings jiggle about her neck, and the older woman put a hand on her shoulder, steering her around towards the door."That's enough now. The king will have my ears, and then where would I hang my earrings?"

*****

It wasn't just Obi-Wan that the king and his advisors wanted to see, but Qui-Gon and the four men from Enkerra as well. They had started to plan the evacuation of Getra and were debating on how to get three thousand people away from the city without the Imilachil garrison noticing, when a servant came in.

"Your Majesty, there is a messenger from King Imilachil."

"I shall see him in the great hall."King Tul-Kahan stood up, and when he returned, the light had gone out of his eyes and he slumped down at the table.

"King Imilachil demands an extra tribute of wine as soon as possible,"he said.

Only his two advisors looked dismayed; the puzzlement of the others showed in their faces, and Rassak explained,"It's part of the condition of our slavery that a member of the royal household must accompany every tribute. The last few years, it was His Royal Highness Prince Tohar-Kahan who took the tributes to the Imilachil."

"I can't send my son this time,"King Tul-Kahan said quietly."He would die on the road and the Imilachil would leave his body for the beasts to devour. I can't refuse the tribute, especially not now, or King Imilachil would become suspicious and send someone to investigate. And I can hardly send my daughter. He'd take her as part of the tribute."

"Your Majesty, you must not consider going yourself,"said Rassak."If anything should happen to you, you would leave us not only without a king, but without an heir."

"You could send me, Your Majesty,"Obi-Wan volunteered.

Everybody turned to look at him. Qui-Gon frowned, but the king brightened visibly."Truly, I will! Why else have the lords of the light given you

 

OOOO! I can't wait to see Qui-Gon's reaction to Obi getting his ears pierced. I don't know how I missed this story but I am definitley looking forward to more. Great Job so far.

Igraine

 

I went to reply to this last night, but my comp crashed.

So yeah, well.....this is really cool. I can't wait to see OBi-1's reaction to getting his ears pierced.


Kithera

 

Getting closer...

The wine barrels had been lashed to wooden frames which the animals would drag behind them. The servants who were to accompany the animals stood ready, holding a halter in each hand. Watching them from the window of his chamber for a moment, Obi-Wan heard the household servants go out, leaving him and Qui-Gon alone. They had brought all of Prince Tohar-Kahan's own clothing for him to choose from, and he'd dressed in something that looked both royal and half-way practical for the journey. Practical! What could be less practical than a skirt that ended just above his knees, and sandals instead of boots! At least the tunic was similar to his own, though coarser and infinitely more colourful.

Obi-Wan was still trying to get used to the unaccustomed weight of the massive blue and gold earrings that now dangled just above his shoulders. Although he'd baulked at first, the king had been adamant. Everybody in the royal household wore earrings, from the laundry servants on up, and the rings got bigger according to rank. He would be spotted immediately as an imposter if he had none. Obi-Wan still wondered that Qui-Gon had not protested, either about the earrings, or about the plan in general, and now he waited for his master to berate him about rushing headfirst into things without thinking them out first. But Qui-Gon remained as silent as he had been the entire time.

"Master, aren't you going to say anything?"he finally asked.

Qui-Gon smiled."They look good on you."

"I didn't mean that."Obi-Wan felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment for a moment."I meant about me volunteering for this."

"Are you having second thoughts?"

"No. It should be easy enough, just take the wine tribute there and come back. It's just that you always protest whenever I have an idea like this. I must be doing the right thing for once."

"I think you are. That's not to say there couldn't be danger ahead, but all in all, I have a good feeling about this. I believe that the Force led us here to help the people of Getra gain their freedom. You have your part in it, and I have mine."

"What's your part, master?"

"I'll suggest to the king that he send drugged wine to the Imilachil garrison in the afternoon before the people leave the city. He sends provisions up there regularly anyway, so this won't look suspicious. And the drugs will be enough to make them sleep a day or two, but not to kill them. I'll influence them through the Force to drink more than they normally would."

"It doesn't seem like very much. You said you thought we were supposed to be here, but we don't seem to be doing anything very important. Conak and his men would probably have found Getra on their own anyway."

"I don't think so, Obi-Wan. From what they said, they would very probably have marched straight into Imilachil territory if they hadn't seen our ship. That might be just a little thing that doesn't seem important, but remember the navigational computer. One little thing was broken, one little thing upon which everything else was dependent. I think, right now, you and I are little things like that. And who knows? Your part in all this might turn out to be bigger than you think."

There was a silence while Obi-Wan considered this, and then Qui-Gon said suddenly,"Give me your light saber."

"Master, couldn't I--"

"No. You have to be a prince now, not a Padawan."

Obi-Wan unclipped it from his belt and handed it over with a little pang of regret."Master, what if the rescue ship comes while I'm away?"

"Don't worry. We won't leave without you, no matter what happens."Qui-Gon regarded him solemnly for a moment."May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan."

"And with you, master."

"Come on, let's get you going, then."

*****

The journey to the Imilachil city lasted all day. At the end of it, Obi-Wan was ready to believe that his earlobes had stretched to twice their usual length under the weight of those earrings. They didn't hurt much anymore because he'd used the Force to speed up the healing, but he still hadn't got used to them, not li