Before - Legends To Build A Bridge - Qui/Obi (repost from '04 Summer Challenge)

To Build A Bridge

?Master, what is this lesson again??

Obi-Wan Kenobi leaned wearily against a tree, savoring what little shade it offered. To say it was hot out was an understatement. The Padawan could think of many ways he?d rather spend such a day. Eating a bowl full of Yoda?s gruel, then sparring against said master came to mind. Or maybe being trampled by a bantha herd. Yes, that sounded downright pleasant compared to his master?s latest project.

?To tell you would defeat the purpose, Padawan.? Qui-Gon Jinn replied, bending down to pick up yet another wood beam. Obi-Wan suspected it was also a discreet way to hide his smile. When the master stood up, he was once again composed. He took a few steps, then turned to face his Padawan. ?This bridge will not build itself, Obi-Wan.?

?Yes, Master.? With a sigh, Obi-Wan dutifully obeyed and swung a beam of wood onto his shoulder, before joining his master. ?You are enjoying this.?

?Of course, Obi-Wan.? Qui-Gon glanced down at the younger man. ?We are outside, surrounded by nature, creating something with our own hands, and helping those in need by doing so. Why wouldn?t I enjoy it??

?The Council will not approve of this?detour.?

The two Jedi stepped to the side of the road as a speeder approached from behind.

?The treaty negotiations are at a recess. I would not consider this a detour from the mission. Is there a reason we should stay in our quarters instead of helping where we can??

The speeder sped by, carrying a load of wood to the workers down the road. Whatever the driver yelled at them was lost in the wind created by the speeder, but the sign he made with his free hand could not be misinterpreted.

?I don?t believe they want our help, Master.? Obi-Wan commented dryly as they continued on.

?And yet they have accepted it. To want and to need are two very different things, Padawan.?

?Yes Master.? A moment later, he let himself focus on the next day when the negotiations would continue. At least he could take this time to once again go over the material he had memorized days earlier.

?Something?s happened.? Qui-Gon?s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. A moment later, he too felt the disturbance in the Force. The Jedi threw the wood to the ground and raced towards the work site. Obi-Wan berated himself the entire way for his lack of focus.

The shouts that greeted them as they approached were not the familiar insults. Qui-Gon did not pause has he disappeared into the foray, soon followed by his apprentice. Frantic workers dug through the rubble, looking for buried friends. Obi-Wan slid into a gap between two workers, bending down to dig. The worker at his right instantly jabbed the Padawan with his elbow. Obi-Wan winced as it connected with his ribs.

?Go away, Jedi ! You?re in the way. Like always.?

Ignoring the taunts, he continued to move rubble. The workers bent down to help a moment later. The seriousness of this task outweighed their dislike. However, they did not miss any chance to shoot hateful looks his way. The looks were similar to the ones a large creature, just one of his master?s previous projects, had given him. Obi-Wan had been sure it wanted to bite his head off.

Soon, the red of a worker?s jumpsuit came into view.

?Tam!?

Obi-Wan suddenly found himself on the ground, having been shoved away by a large, burly worker. He began to push himself up, but got kicked in the ribs instead. Whether it was an accident or on purpose he couldn?t tell. He was definitely going to have a bruise in the morning. Looking around cautiously, he climbed to his feet and moved back towards Tam. He found the three workers trying to move one of the bridge?s support beams off their comrade?s chest. From the labored breathing it was clear he would not survive long.

?Move!? Obi-Wan ordered, shoving the workers away.

?Hey! Just who do you think you are?!? He ignored the protests as he focused on the Force. Slowly, the beam was lifted off the injured man. The workers were suddenly deathly quiet. Obi-Wan direc

 

Simple and sweet. I liked the way Obi-Wan's help was repulsed, and then, the worker's awe when they see him use the Force. And the worker's reaction with a water-canteen later was great. Just like Qui-Gon to insert a lesson in everything.

Nice work.

 

nicely done

 

Good job! I like the workers' reactions. And how Obi-Wan dealt with it. I guess it ended up a good lesson for him.