Hobgoblin
Mar 1st, 2009, 03:43:24 PM
"When call the Force does, answer you must. Answer not, and abandon destiny you will."
- saying attributed to Jedi Masters Yoda and Yaddle
######
Clickitclakit.
A small Mishando beetle clambered across the green rock, proboscis extended from it's proud horn in a search for food. It's brown wings fluttered briefly but it did not take off. Not yet.
The proboscis turned left and right, eventually settling back inside its niche on the horn. Satisfied that no food lay in its immediate vicinity, the beetle decided to explore the inside of a small nearby cave. It crept quietly up to the mouth of the cave and extended the proboscis inside. There was no food immediately nearby, only the smell of strange vines. The beetle decided to test a nearby vine, prodding it gently.
"ACHOO!"
Hob woke at his own sneeze, shaking his head. The small green being blinked, eventually coming to realize that yes, he was awake and yes, something had woken him. It took little effort to spot the cause of his wakening; the beetle now cowered on a nearby rock.
The quivering little beetle elicited a small, laughing sort of "Hm!" from Hob. "Hello, little one," he greeted it. "Enjoying your day, are you?"
The beetle gave no response as it did not understand Basic. Instead, it hunkered down, withdrawing its head into its shell under the assumption that because it could not see the giant green predator, the predator could no longer see it and it was now safe.
The behavior drew another "Hm!" laugh from Hob. He beamed at the simple-minded behavior of the small creature.
Brushing some of the detritus off his skin and clothing, Hob sat up. He took another look around his small dwelling just to ensure everything remained as he'd left it. It did; beetles notwithstanding few creatures had motivation to venture into the inside of a tree-trunk's hollow.
Hob then turned his attention onto the lily.
The lily bloomed a bright fiery orange color and it grew healthy and strong from a crude clay pot that sat beneath a hole in the tree trunk where outside light shone in. The pot itself looked mostly made of baked earth with a thin coat of glaze and a single metal handle that currently hung to one side. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the pot lay in the brilliant beauty of what it played home to.
Spying a tiny green leaf shoot growing from the dirt in the pot, Hob reached over and plucked it out. Quick examination revealed it as the beginnings of a weed. Hob frowned at it, then gently sat it next to where the beetle continued to play inanimate object.
Hob turned and looked at the large hole that played door to his makeshift home. He clambered up the inside of it, taking small delight in the similarities it shared with one of his past homes. It smelled wonderfully fragrant and earthy, it featured plenty of room, and the design contained many shapes, knots, and twists for both climbing and exercise. Yes, this little home was almost exactly like the old one, if maybe not as grand. Reaching the "door", Hob peeked out the tree trunk to see what he could see.
What he saw was the gray metal eye of a security camera beginning to twist towards his direction.
Hob ducked back down. So the other home had none of those.
From experience, Hob knew that the mechanical eye would sit and stare at his home for awhile. As he waited for the mechanical sounds of the camera to indicate when it looked away, Hob began to reminisce to pass the time.
######
80 years BBY. Office of the Continental Subsection Governor, Alla'Laan City, Ukio
"It is a great honor to grant our hospitality to you and your Padawan, Master Kuus'aj." the Subsection Governor inclined his head as a show of respect.
Jedi Master Fustan Kuus'aj returned the courteous nod. "We are thankful for the food and lodging the Ukian government has provided us these last few days," he stated formally, completing the minor ritual of greeting required of him. "It is much appreciated. Please rest assured, however, that my Padawan and I intend to earn our keep during our time stationed here. A year-long stay is far too much time for us to stay at your expense. My Padawan and I will be departing by week's end to begin our observation of the process by which Ukian growers contribute to the food supply of the Republic."
The Subsection Governor, a human named Kintell, nodded as he peered thoughtfully out his office window. "We are concerned of talk in the Senate that greater tariffs may soon be imposed. Ukio prides itself on being able to supply a multitude of planets with foodstuffs, and as the Overliege says, 'we would hate for the crucial service we provide our neighbors with to become no longer economically beneficial'."
"Fortunately, I have great hopes we will be able to prevent that," Master Kuus'aj assured him. "The findings we share will surely allow them to better understand that the inputs required for profitable growth of plant and animal foods are costly, and the unique structure of Ukian law as well as the talents of its growers contribute heavily to your ability to provide goods at the low cost you do."
Kintell smiled. "You speak my language, Master Kuus'aj," he said. "Truly the legendary diplomacy of the Jedi has great roots in fact."
The smile faded slightly from the subsection governor's face. "Actually," he said, his tone lightly reserved. "We have been getting reports of a... small problem that might be within your capability to deal with."
Kuus'aj smiled knowingly. People the galaxy over loved to prevail upon Jedi skills whenever they were available. "We would happily look into any issues you may be dealing with," he replied. "Any repayment we can offer, we will be glad to."
"Well, I don't know if it's worth your time," Kintell responded. "Apparently the local growers conclave of the Nekada Valley region have some kind of pest or wild animal problem. The descriptions vary so wildly that we haven't been able to make heads or tails out of what is actually going on. All we really know is that the conclave is extremely dissatisfied with our security force in the region and claiming it won't be able to meet the quarterly crop mandate."
"I'm fond of saying that good fortune is preparation meeting opportunity," Kuus'aj replied confidently. "Worry not, Subsection Governor. The Jedi will investigate your growers' concerns."
- saying attributed to Jedi Masters Yoda and Yaddle
######
Clickitclakit.
A small Mishando beetle clambered across the green rock, proboscis extended from it's proud horn in a search for food. It's brown wings fluttered briefly but it did not take off. Not yet.
The proboscis turned left and right, eventually settling back inside its niche on the horn. Satisfied that no food lay in its immediate vicinity, the beetle decided to explore the inside of a small nearby cave. It crept quietly up to the mouth of the cave and extended the proboscis inside. There was no food immediately nearby, only the smell of strange vines. The beetle decided to test a nearby vine, prodding it gently.
"ACHOO!"
Hob woke at his own sneeze, shaking his head. The small green being blinked, eventually coming to realize that yes, he was awake and yes, something had woken him. It took little effort to spot the cause of his wakening; the beetle now cowered on a nearby rock.
The quivering little beetle elicited a small, laughing sort of "Hm!" from Hob. "Hello, little one," he greeted it. "Enjoying your day, are you?"
The beetle gave no response as it did not understand Basic. Instead, it hunkered down, withdrawing its head into its shell under the assumption that because it could not see the giant green predator, the predator could no longer see it and it was now safe.
The behavior drew another "Hm!" laugh from Hob. He beamed at the simple-minded behavior of the small creature.
Brushing some of the detritus off his skin and clothing, Hob sat up. He took another look around his small dwelling just to ensure everything remained as he'd left it. It did; beetles notwithstanding few creatures had motivation to venture into the inside of a tree-trunk's hollow.
Hob then turned his attention onto the lily.
The lily bloomed a bright fiery orange color and it grew healthy and strong from a crude clay pot that sat beneath a hole in the tree trunk where outside light shone in. The pot itself looked mostly made of baked earth with a thin coat of glaze and a single metal handle that currently hung to one side. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the pot lay in the brilliant beauty of what it played home to.
Spying a tiny green leaf shoot growing from the dirt in the pot, Hob reached over and plucked it out. Quick examination revealed it as the beginnings of a weed. Hob frowned at it, then gently sat it next to where the beetle continued to play inanimate object.
Hob turned and looked at the large hole that played door to his makeshift home. He clambered up the inside of it, taking small delight in the similarities it shared with one of his past homes. It smelled wonderfully fragrant and earthy, it featured plenty of room, and the design contained many shapes, knots, and twists for both climbing and exercise. Yes, this little home was almost exactly like the old one, if maybe not as grand. Reaching the "door", Hob peeked out the tree trunk to see what he could see.
What he saw was the gray metal eye of a security camera beginning to twist towards his direction.
Hob ducked back down. So the other home had none of those.
From experience, Hob knew that the mechanical eye would sit and stare at his home for awhile. As he waited for the mechanical sounds of the camera to indicate when it looked away, Hob began to reminisce to pass the time.
######
80 years BBY. Office of the Continental Subsection Governor, Alla'Laan City, Ukio
"It is a great honor to grant our hospitality to you and your Padawan, Master Kuus'aj." the Subsection Governor inclined his head as a show of respect.
Jedi Master Fustan Kuus'aj returned the courteous nod. "We are thankful for the food and lodging the Ukian government has provided us these last few days," he stated formally, completing the minor ritual of greeting required of him. "It is much appreciated. Please rest assured, however, that my Padawan and I intend to earn our keep during our time stationed here. A year-long stay is far too much time for us to stay at your expense. My Padawan and I will be departing by week's end to begin our observation of the process by which Ukian growers contribute to the food supply of the Republic."
The Subsection Governor, a human named Kintell, nodded as he peered thoughtfully out his office window. "We are concerned of talk in the Senate that greater tariffs may soon be imposed. Ukio prides itself on being able to supply a multitude of planets with foodstuffs, and as the Overliege says, 'we would hate for the crucial service we provide our neighbors with to become no longer economically beneficial'."
"Fortunately, I have great hopes we will be able to prevent that," Master Kuus'aj assured him. "The findings we share will surely allow them to better understand that the inputs required for profitable growth of plant and animal foods are costly, and the unique structure of Ukian law as well as the talents of its growers contribute heavily to your ability to provide goods at the low cost you do."
Kintell smiled. "You speak my language, Master Kuus'aj," he said. "Truly the legendary diplomacy of the Jedi has great roots in fact."
The smile faded slightly from the subsection governor's face. "Actually," he said, his tone lightly reserved. "We have been getting reports of a... small problem that might be within your capability to deal with."
Kuus'aj smiled knowingly. People the galaxy over loved to prevail upon Jedi skills whenever they were available. "We would happily look into any issues you may be dealing with," he replied. "Any repayment we can offer, we will be glad to."
"Well, I don't know if it's worth your time," Kintell responded. "Apparently the local growers conclave of the Nekada Valley region have some kind of pest or wild animal problem. The descriptions vary so wildly that we haven't been able to make heads or tails out of what is actually going on. All we really know is that the conclave is extremely dissatisfied with our security force in the region and claiming it won't be able to meet the quarterly crop mandate."
"I'm fond of saying that good fortune is preparation meeting opportunity," Kuus'aj replied confidently. "Worry not, Subsection Governor. The Jedi will investigate your growers' concerns."