Title: Survival Instinct 1/?
Just a training exercise.
It had been decided that for a change flight class would take place on the neighbouring planet Jaruma. Having flown around Coruscant Obi-Wan believed that he would be ready for anything. More than once he had avoided a head on crash in the skies of the deeply populated planet. Cursing himself for his over confidence he turned to survey the damage to his ship. The thrusters were gone and the ship had a deep gaping hole on the left side where it had been scoured by the outcrop. The radio was wrecked.
“Blasted wind” Obi-Wan shouted.
Obi-Wan immediately felt stupid. Just the day before he had listened to his flight teacher warning the class about the rapidly changing weather systems on the planet. The exercise was to fly to the planet and pick up some supplies, the location of which had been given to him beforehand. Each pupil had their allocated times and different locations.
‘A training exercise not a race.’
How those words haunted him at this precise moment. Pulling out his survival pack, he hoisted it over his shoulders. The pain in his side made him throw it back down again. Pulling up his tunic he noticed the large already deeply purpled bruise over his side. With all the adrenalin pumping his system after the crash he had not realised he had injured himself. Opening his survival pack he pulled out the healing ointment. Slowly he eased the liquid over his side. Obi-Wan concentrated deeply, using the force to eliminate the pain. Moving more slowly he again placed the rucksack over his shoulders and began to search for a vantage point.
Obi-Wan sighed as he saw the thickness of the forest before him. He knew it was the only way to go but the thought of being lost in there scared him. He could sense through the force an abundance of life forms within the forests. Breathing deeply he checked his lightsaber was in place and then walked into the forest. His feet disappeared below him as he walked through the undergrowth and he had to constantly push branches away from his face.
Obi-Wan lowered his arms to rest them and as he did so a branch sprung back whacking him in the face. The young boy sat down amongst the tall grasses. He wanted out of here and as quickly as humanly possible but there was something about this place. It was beautiful, an abundance of life all around him. Nature almost untouched, Obi-Wan marvelled at the different plants and small animals that scurried about oblivious to his presence.
Obi-Wan rubbed some ointment on his scratched face and drank a little water. Standing again to continue his journey he opened his mind to the living force, listening intently to the noises of the forest.
‘No turning back’, Obi-Wan thought to himself as he walked deeper into the forest.
Obi-Wan’s trepidation soon left him as he walked further and he began to enjoy the walk. As a learner he had been prepared for this kind of event and Obi-Wan felt relaxed with the knowledge he had learned. This experience would help him as he prepared to hopefully be chosen as a padawan. The thoughts kept racing in his mind of what the others would think of his disappearance.
Obi-Wan pictured Bant worrying about him as she always did and Bruck laughing hysterically when he realised Obi-Wan was in trouble. The thought of satisfying Bruck made Obi-Wan grumble to himself. Shaking his head he continued to walk forward.
Then ahead, Obi-Wan noticed a clearing, it was small but he hoped it would give him some indication of where he was. Obi-Wan’s heart sank as he gazed down to see the drop below him. The only clearing for miles proved to be a fifty-metre drop and below was as dense a forest as above. The cliff was too steep to simply climb down and Obi-Wan knew he would have to think of something quick before nightfall came.
Dropping his backpack he looked around surveying the area for any clues to help him. The only option he could think of was to make a jump for it to the nearest tree but the thought of that did not fill him with much encouragement. Gathering up his backpack he stretched out, imagining himself making the jump, pushing further and grabbing the tree before him. Stepping backwards he thought deeply, concentrating his mind on the force, letting it flow through him.
“It’s now or never” Obi-Wan whispered to himself.
Running forward, he looked straight ahead concentrating on the leap. The cliff edge approached and Obi-Wan prepared to jump.
“No, don’t do it,” a voice shrieked at him.
Obi-Wan was distracted, losing his concentration he began to fall. Turning he desperately reached out using all his energy to change his direction and speed. His fingers scrapped the edge as he hung precariously.
“Help!” Obi-Wan, yelled out. Obi-Wan was startled to see the face of a young girl peer down at him.
“Grab hold of my hand, we will pull you up,” she instructed him.
Obi-Wan hesitantly released his grip and stretched his hand out to clasp the girls hand. He could make out another set of arms around her waist and he could hear several voices.
“Okay I have him, PULL!” the girl shouted behind him.
Obi-Wan was relieved to feel himself being hoisted up and he struggled to find some sort of grip to push himself up. Obi-Wan was pulled over the edge and he continued to lie on his stomach.
“Are you okay?” the girl asked.
“Yes, I guess I got a fright,” Obi-Wan pulled himself up.
“A fright? I thought you were trying to kill yourself,” she replied.
“Kill myself? I was trying to reach that tree,” he answered brushing the dust off his tunic.
“As good as then,” a boy snickered as he surveyed the distance Obi-Wan had tried to jump.
“I am Tarina and this is my brother Joru,” the girl introduced herself.
“I am Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
“What are you doing out here Obi-Wan?” Tarina asked.
“My ship crashed and I suppose you could say I am lost” Obi-Wan replied feeling embarrassed.
“Is anyone hurt?” Joru looked concerned.
“No, I was alone on a training exercise and, well, I crashed” he added, “I need to find a transmitter to let them know where I am.”
“Who know?” Joru prodded.
“Sorry my brother is continuously nosey, he just can’t help himself,” Tarina nudged her brother.
“No it’s ok really, I am a learner from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant,”
Obi-Wan smiled.
“A Jedi!” they both replied together.
“I try to be,” Obi-Wan looked downcast.
“I have never seen, never mind ever met, a Jedi,” Tarina informed him “You hear such amazing and exciting stories about them, I didn’t think they really existed.”
“We really should be going, as it will soon be nightfall and it is too dangerous to be in the forest at night,” Joru informed Obi-Wan.
“You must come with us Obi-Wan, you can’t stay out here alone,” Tarina added.
“I don’t want to be a problem,” Obi-Wan replied.
“Believe me, you’re not but if you stay out here you will become something’s dinner,” Tarina grabbed his arm. “Come on.”
Obi-Wan could see the light was fading quickly, much quicker than on Coruscant.
“Does the sun always go down so quickly?” Obi-Wan enquired racing to keep up with Joru.
“Only in winter, it is rarely out during these months and this is when we are at our most vulnerable,” Joru glanced at him.
“Vulnerable from what?” Obi-Wan asked.
“The Cryslin.” Tarina replied, “They eat humans, we have the speed to outrun them but I wouldn’t advise ever being in that predicament”.
A large growl came from the forest and Tarina and Joru laughed as Obi-Wan jumped out of his skin.
“Come on Obi-Wan, we are close enough to home” Tarina smiled as she placed her arm around his.
TBC
This was posted on April 21, 2001.
© 2001 heather.lively@ns.sympatico.ca
Author: Jill
Rating: PG
Summary: Obi-Wan goes on a flying exercise and learns a good lesson on survival.
Archive: Would anyone really want it?
Disclaimer: SW universe and characters belong to George Lucas. Others belong to me and I am making no money from this. Thanks again to Laheara and the other SW writers who inspire me. Special thanks to Kim B for checking this for me :)
*******
Obi-Wan stood up dazed. Rubbing his forehead he remembered the events that had just occurred. The words of his teacher echoing in his mind.
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