PATHETIC LIFEFORMS

Author: Ebony

Rating: G

Disclaimer: SW belongs to George Lucas.

Summary: Episode 1. A little story in which Obi-Wan Kenobi thinks about his Master Qui-Gon and their long companionship while stranded on Tatooine. Written for Mary's drabble request in my LJ.

A/N: Dedicated to my darling friend Mary who requested this. :) This takes place during TPM, after Qui-Gon acquires the new hyperdrive generator. Includes bits and pieces of information from the “Jedi Apprentice” series by Dave Wolverton/Jude Watson that explore Obi-Wan’s and Qui-Gon’s early years as Master and Padawan – I’ve only read the first ten or so, but I can heartily recommend those for people who love Obi-Wan or/and Qui-Gon.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi stood still for a moment longer under the scorching twin-suns of Tatooine, staring after his departing Master with a small, wry smile upon his lips. The Padawan had not failed to catch the resigned look laced with just a bit of reproach that Qui-Gon had sent his way after he’d made the semi-amused, subtly sarcastic remark of picking up yet another pathetic life form. Calmly, with infinite patience, Qui-Gon had informed Obi-Wan of going back for the boy responsible for getting the new hyperdrive generator for the Queen’s sleek spaceship, asking him to get the parts installed before nudging the long-legged Eopie on the move, heading back to Mos Espa.

Why, it had been a perfectly sound question be to asked, to Obi-Wan’s logic at least. Master Qui-Gon had but ever had the habit of giving shelter to all sorts of odd things that Obi-Wan, in turn, had difficulties even recognizing as living beings. This trait of his Master’s had nearly driven young Obi-Wan to his wits end more times that he cared to recall during the twelve years he had been known as Master Jinn’s apprentice. Master Jinn’s, who was known to be very connected with the living Force, so much so that his devotion and compassion for all living things in the galaxy had long since become a source of many good-natured gibes among the other Jedi, Masters and Padawans alike. And all the same, the other Masters in the Temple used Qui-Gon as a prime example of how to listen to the living Force when teaching their own Padawans.

Obi-Wan was well aware of the reputation his Master had, knew that he was viewed very controversially among the other Jedi. All had their opinions about Qui-Gon Jinn, and all of them were different somehow. Some members of the Council shook their heads at him and his exploits, some Jedi were amused. Some scoffed at the thought of him, others fell silent out of deep respect. Younglings looked up to him in awe, having heard the stories of him – Obi-Wan had not been any different when he had first met the tall Jedi Master as an almost-thirteen-year-old boy. Yes, there were times when Obi-Wan had been, quite frankly, embarrassed over his Master’s deeds and ideas. Similarly, Obi-Wan could not remember all the times he’d been frustrated over his Master’s stubbornness and unwillingness to see things from Obi-Wan’s point of view. They were two very different persons, but yet their relationship was strong in trust. There was no other Master in the order of the Jedi Obi-Wan would rather be the apprentice of than Qui-Gon Jinn, despite everything.

And still, Obi-Wan could not quite understand his Master’s unyielding practice of ensuring every being, no matter no small or insignificant, was left alone and in peace. Obi-Wan curbed a wry smirk, thinking his Master would surely disagree with him now; to him, no being was insignificant, no matter their size or shape. This was something Qui-Gon had relentlessly tried to make Obi-Wan see during their time together. And although the Padawan had come a long way since his adolescence, the lesson had still not been learned all the way through. Obi-Wan remembered all too well that accursed mission to Galaran years and years ago – one of the first ones they’d ever been on together. The climate of the planet was damp and warm, perfect for a peculiar breed of little snails that, for some reason, had seemed to love climb on human flesh.

The small, black clots that Obi-Wan hardly believed to be animals of some sort had left unpleasant, slimy trails on the skin of his hands. Annoyed, Obi-Wan had brushed them off and made the mistake of actually crushing one particularly difficult creature under his boot heel. He had been able to feel the reproving weight of Qui-Gon’s gaze on him even without looking at him, and once he had finally done so, read the scold in his Master’s eyes. As if that hadn’t been enough, Obi-Wan’s action brought forth a long lecture about the living Force and the versatility in the ways it manifests. Needless to say, Obi-Wan did not make the same mistake twice. But it came close, however, as back on Coruscant Obi-Wan noticed that a handful of the infuriating snails had somehow smuggled themselves along and were now residing in their quarters. Obi-Wan had not put it past his Master to bring them with him intentionally, although he never did find out the truth about the matter. Life as Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawan learner was not always as wonderful as some people imagined it to be.

And now, it seemed that Qui-Gon had found yet another one of his famous lost causes he felt compelled to aid, from the sunburnt planet of Tatooine, of all places. Obi-Wan could not but to wonder about this boy. Would this be another snail episode; unpleasant, but somehow bearable – or something else completely? Suppose he had nothing to do but to wait and see. And fix the hyperdrive.

A metallic clanging noise and a subdued “oops” from somewhere behind his back brought Obi-Wan’s attention back to the present. Speaking of pathetic life forms… Obi-Wan was almost certain the clumsy Gungan was exactly that. But Qui-Gon had once again wanted to haul along a being that would’ve been better off left where it was found. His Master seemed convinced that the time for Jar Jar Binks to show his worth would yet come, but Obi-Wan was not as assured. Be that as it may, Obi-Wan decided resolutely that he would have to distract the hapless Gungan away from the hyperdrive, and soon. The amphibian was certainly no mechanic.

With a stifled sigh, Obi-Wan turned about and approached the widely smiling Gungan, wondering if it would be appropriate for him to use the Force to subdue the lively being like Qui-Gon did on the Bongo ride from Otoh Gunga. He decided it would be for the best for everybody if it came down to that; surely Master Jinn would agree with the decision if the new hyperdrive was in danger of being damaged by the Gungan. After all, Obi-Wan thought with wicked amusement, Qui-Gon should know better than to give such ideas in the first place.

THE END