Chapter Text
Obi-Wan trudged through the wastes. His eyes drooped. He hadn’t had anything to eat in the past few days. Even the Force could barely sustain him. All he wanted to do was collapse in an exhausted heap and sleep. He couldn’t stop though. He had to keep going, he had to find Satine.
Find Satine. Find Satine. Find Satine.
The mantra ran through his mind on repeat. It kept him moving.
The last time he saw her… well the last time he saw her human form was the night in the ancient ruins. They woke the following morning and he saw a blonde haired strill lying across from him. Obi-Wan had jumped in panic, only to realize that he suddenly had six legs and not the normal two.
That was the last time he saw her. Death Watch found them. For a moment, Obi-Wan thought they were in the clear, Death Watch was looking for two humans but then one of them said they wanted a new strill.
Obi-Wan and Satine shared a frantic glance before they took off running through the ancient halls. Obi-Wan took the lead, glancing every so often behind him to check on Satine and gauge the distance between them and the Mandalorians. They turned a corner and there was a small crack, big enough for a strill but too small for a human, and Obi-Wan pointed at it and urged Satine to hide. Thankfully, she did.
He continued his mad dash, bolting down the hall with surprising speed. His six legs carried him quickly.
The Mandalorians were right on his tail. Obi-Wan counted them and came up with the same number that had been following him the whole time. Satine was safe.
Obi-Wan darted into a large room with a crumbling roof. He found another crack, similar size to the one earlier, and slipped inside it. He held his breath and ducked low, willing the Mandalorians not to see him.
The Mandalorians raced into the large room and stopped in the middle of it. They clustered in a group and stared around them.
“Where’d he run off?” One of them asked.
Another of the Mandalorians gave a low huff. They removed their helmet, revealing a hooked nose and a long, pale scar that cut through their brow and down to the middle of their cheek. They peered about the room.
“Are we sure he went in here?” Someone asked in a brusque voice.
“Give it up, Klint, he’s long gone,” Another person said, patting the unhelmeted one’s shoulder.
“Kriff it,” Klint said, slapping his helmet back on.
The squad stomped out of the room and headed back the way they came.
Obi-Wan waited a few minutes before leaving his hole. He peeked out the door. The hallway was clear.
He gingerly made his back down the hall, following their scent. His sensitive nose was quite convenient. It led him all the way back.
He stopped and poked his head into the hole Satine had been in and frowned when she wasn’t there.
Obi-Wan jerked and sniffed the air. He could still smell her light fruity scent. It was still strong so he figured she had been there recently.
He tracked her scent back down the hall. Worryingly though, the Mandalorians’ ozone scent was right there with hers. Her scent led him outside.
Obi-Wan’s heart hammered.
He shoved his snout into the air and chased her scent, following it to a large clearing. The scent vanished in the middle of the clearing. Not faded or blown away. It just disappeared.
Obi-Wan searched for a clue and found a set of impressions in the sand, four large circles like landing struts from a ship.
He sat back on his haunches and stared up at the bright blue sky. He couldn’t see a single ship.
His heart dropped.
Which was why he was now wandering the wastes, searching for her. His duty was to protect her. He had failed. But he wouldn’t stop trying.
He marched on, determined to save her from Death Watch.
A chuckle escaped him. Death Watch had managed to capture Satine but they had no clue that they had her.
The stink of fuel caught his attention.
Obi-Wan jerked away, adrenaline rushing through him.
If he had to, he’d let Death Watch capture him just so he could join Satine.
Obi-Wan stuck his nose in the air and grinned in triumph when he found the scent’s direction. He chased after it, not caring that he was out in the open. The scent grew in strength and led him to a large clearing surrounded by sheer towering cliffs.
The ship was a fairly standard troop transport vessel with rotating wings. Two people in Mandalorian armor of varying colors stood at the base of the ramp. The non uniform color scheme suggested they weren’t Death Watch.
Obi-Wan huffed in frustration. He didn’t know how much longer he could last alone in the wastes. He had tried hunting but that ended in dismal failure as he came up fruitless with each attempt. At least water was easier but this was the wastes, he only found water twice and he was already getting thirsty again.
He could try sneaking onto the ship and slipping off wherever they landed and restarting his search there. They’d likely bring him close to civilization and he’d have an easier time scrounging for food and water. But that didn’t mean that he’d be anywhere nearer to Satine. If anything, these people might take him further away, much further than he could reasonably traverse. As advantageous as it would be to rejoin civilization, being closer to Satine was better for the mission.
“Hey there, Strill’ika,” a Mandalorian to his right said. He was wearing blue and gray armor and staring right at Obi-Wan.
No. Getting caught would be worse than sneaking onto the ship. If he was caught, he wouldn’t be able to look for her at all.
Obi-Wan bolted, heading for the other side of the large valley, hoping to find a cave or a crevice, someway for him to escape the Mandalorian.
“Kriff,” the Mandalorian yelled.
The Mandalorian next to him let out a loud, uproarious laugh.
“You could help,” the first Mando growled, chasing after Obi-Wan.
“If you want him, you have to catch him,” the second one said in a teasing tone.
Obi-Wan panted for breath, quickly growing winded with the lack of food and sleep.
Sleep had been especially hard to come by as he was alone and constantly on guard. He barely caught a wink at night. He debated continuing his search at night but ultimately didn’t as his nightvision wasn’t great.
He pressed himself to run as fast as he could.
The Mandalorian behind him wasn’t giving up.
Ahead of him was a small crack in the rock. It was his only hope though. The valley they were in was large but had few entrances.
Obi-Wan pushed himself even harder. He had to make it. He had to escape.
The crevice came closer and closer. As it did, Obi-Wan came to the horrifying realization, it was too small. He wasn’t going to fit.
He skidded to a stop in front of it and spun around.
The Mandalorian was right on his heels.
Obi-Wan jerked, struggling to figure out how to escape now. He was ready to collapse though. He didn’t have the energy left to run much further. That last sprint took everything he had.
The Mandalorian stopped about ten feet from Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan stood on his shaky legs and growled at them.
“It’s okay,” the Mandalorian said, holding up their hands.
Obi-Wan would not be placated though. He had a mission. He needed to find Satine. Besides that, he was absolutely starving. He could eat a whole roast fathier.
“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise,” the Mandalorian said. He reached up— Obi-Wan tensed and glanced around them, questioning whether or not he could escape while the Mandaorian removed their helmet.
The other Mandalorians were standing near the ship, except for the one that had teased this Mandalorian. The teasing one, who was wearing green and orange armor, stood closer, arms crossed over his chest, watching the pair of them. Even though the other one said he wouldn’t help, Obi-Wan wasn’t too sure about that. He might block Obi-Wan’s escape.
The blue and gray Mandalorian knelt down and set his helmet on the ground. His curly dark hair lay flat against his head.
“You look like you’re starving,” he said, gazing at Obi-Wan with a soft expression.
Obi-Wan raised his hackles and let out a low growl. He needed to escape. He wasn’t some wild strill. He was a human. He had a mission.
“I’ve got some jerky,” the man said. He dug in a pouch at his waist and pulled out a long strip.
The most delicious, incredible smell that Obi-Wan had ever had the pleasure of smelling wafted over to him.
His stomach rumbled, betraying him.
“You can have some,” the Mandalorian said, grinning at him. He tore the jerky in half and tossed a piece near Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan didn’t even take a second to think about it before he bent low and devoured the strip.
It tasted as good as it smelled.
“Do you want another?” the Mandalorian asked, waving the other piece as if to entice Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan licked his lips in anticipation. He had to have the next piece, but how to get it without getting caught was the question.
The Mandalorian chuckled and threw the piece about halfway between them.
Obi-Wan darted forward and snatched the piece from the ground. He ate it in two quick bites.
The Mandalorian grabbed another strip of jerky from his waist pouch and tore it in half. He tossed it a few feet from him, cutting the distance between them.
The meat was close, almost too close to the Mandalorian.
But Obi-Wan needed it. Having just those two bites reminded him of how ravenous he was. He had to have more.
He tentatively stepped forward, eyeing the Mandalorian as he did. He was ready to bolt if the Mandalorian came any closer.
Obi-Wan lowered his head, eyes on the other, and nabbed the piece and ran back to the cliff. He ate it a safe distance away from the Mandalorian.
“You’re a timid strill, aren’t you?”
Obi-Wan turned his head. He wasn’t a strill. He was a person.
“Did I insult you, strill’ika?” the man asked, grinning. He pulled another piece of jerky from his pouch and tossed another torn off chunk between them.
Obi-Wan huffed and nodded. He’d prefer to not be called a strill but he couldn’t exactly say he was human. He stepped close again and ate the piece of jerky. Another piece popped into his view and he chomped on that.
At this point, he was only a few feet from the Mandalorian. The man was holding the next piece of jerky in his hand, waving it as if to tempt Obi-Wan.
Kriff, he was hungry and the jerky was good.
Obi-Wan edged closer, glancing from the jerky to the man’s eyes and back.
When Obi-Wan was within biting distance, the man slowly pulled the jerky back, forcing Obi-Wan ever closer. Obi-Wan huffed in frustration.
Finally, the man stopped moving his hand. Obi-Wan snatched the jerky from him and chewed. His eyes drifted closed in bliss.
This was the most he’d eaten in a week.
The man held out his hand, another piece of jerky lay flat on his palm.
Obi-Wan gingerly approached. His heart hammered. This was definitely crossing the line of too close. The man could easily grab him and steal him away and Obi-Wan would never find Satine.
He lowered his head and picked the piece up and chewed it.
The man raised his hand.
Obi-Wan stopped chewing and tensed up, ready to bolt.
The man brushed his hand through Obi-Wan’s hair. His nails scratched along his skin.
Delightful little tingles shot through Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan’s eyes fluttered closed and he swallowed the jerky. He could get used to that.
“You’ve got a gorgeous coat,” the man said in a wistful tone.
Obi-Wan preened at the compliment and leaned into the man’s touch.
“You like being pet?” the man asked, chuckling.
Obi-Wan obviously couldn’t answer. He ignored the question and nosed at the man’s pouch, eager for more jerky.
“I don’t have an unlimited supply of those,” the man said but he still took another one out and held out the whole piece for Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan groaned in delight and happily ate it, letting the man pet him as he did. He was gentle with him, running his hands down Obi-Wan’s back, eyes glancing over him. Obi-Wan couldn’t feel anything wrong from him, he seemed to be holding true to his word. Obi-Wan nosed at the man’s pouch again, smelling more jerky.
“I have more food at the base, strill’ika,” the man said, pointing at a ship. “If you come with me, I’ll give you some.”
Obi-Wan nosed at the pouch again, he was a strill, he could play dumb and act like he didn’t understand a word of what the man was saying.
The man huffed but he pulled out another piece of jerky. He didn’t give it immediately to Obi-Wan though. He held it up and stared at Obi-Wan, giving him a hard look. Or rather trying to give a hard look but the man’s lips were curled into a soft smile that absolutely spoiled anything hard about the man’s expression.
“This is the last one I’m giving you, if you want more you have to get on the ship with me,” the man said before holding the jerky out.
If Obi-Wan had been anything less than starving, he might’ve walked away at that point. But he wasn’t. He hadn’t eaten in a week.
He grabbed the last piece and chewed on the strip of meat, letting the man pet him.
This was his last meal for a while. He wasn’t going to join the man. He had to find Satine. That meant staying in the wastes. He couldn’t leave her behind. Surely Death Watch would come back. They were afterall hunting for them.
A Pantoran man wearing green and orange armor approached, holding his helmet under his arm. He tapped the man’s shoulder.
The Mandalorian in blue and gray looked up, brows drawn.
“Come on, Jango, we need to leave before Death Watch patrols find us.”
“Right,” Jango said, nodding. He stood up and dusted himself off before grabbing his helmet and holding it under his arm. He turned back to Obi-Wan. “Come on, strill’ika.”
Obi-Wan grimaced and stepped back. He couldn’t go. He couldn’t leave Satine behind.
“Kriff,” Jango said, frowning.
“Jango, if he doesn’t want to come,” the Pantoran said, shooting Obi-Wan a pitiful look.
“He’s skin and bones, Myles. He’s starving out here,” Jango said, waving at him.
Obi-Wan ducked his head. He wasn’t that bad. He hadn’t eaten much the week before he was turned into a strill but he wasn’t starving. He knew what starving was, he had experienced it on Melida|Daan.
“Come on, Jango,” Myles said, patting Jango’s shoulder, “We need to leave. When we do reconnaissance again in a few days, we can check on him.”
“Right, hopefully he’s still around,” Jango said, casting one last longing look at Obi-Wan before turning around and heading for the ship.
Hopefully he’s still around.
Jango’s words struck Obi-Wan. He was already weak from hunger. The jerky, while helpful, would only delay the inevitable. He needed more food and on a consistent basis.
If he died out here in the wastes, no one would know. His Master would search for him and never find him. And no one would know what happened to Satine.
As much as he longed to stay and find her, he couldn’t do it here. He needed to rest and regroup.
And there was this aura of safety around Jango, like he would protect Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan could finally let his guard down.
After a quick minute thinking it over, Obi-Wan barked as if to ask if the offer to join them was still available.
Jango spun around, grinning. “Do you want to join us, strill’ika?” he asked.
Obi-Wan stepped forward, head down. His heart pounded. He stopped in front of Jango.
Jango scratched behind Obi-Wan’s ears.
Oh.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. Lightning shot down his spine. It was like Jango found an itch that Obi-Wan hadn’t even known existed.
“Come on, strill’ika,” Jango said, pulling his hand away and walking towards the ship.
Obi-Wan huffed in annoyance but trailed after Jango.
As he climbed the ramp onto the ship, he cast one last glance around the wastes, despairing over his failure to find Satine.
The rest of the squad followed behind them onto the ship. Jango and Myles sat near the front. A petite Twi’lek woman with magenta skin sat in the pilot’s seat.
The ramp closed and the ship flew off with a slight jerk.
Obi-Wan considered jumping into the seat next to Jango and sitting there like he would if he were a human but he wasn’t a human, he was a strill. So he sat at Jango’s feet and leaned his head against Jango’s knee. He warily eyed the other squad members.
“Good boy,” Jango said, scratching behind Obi-Wan’s ears.
Obi-Wan’s eyes fluttered closed and his heart did a funny little flip. His tail thumped against the metal floor.
“I’ve never seen coloring like his before,” Myles said in a curious tone.
“It’s gorgeous isn’t it?” Jango said.
After finally eating and feeling like he was somewhere safe, it wasn’t long before Obi-Wan truly fell asleep. His eyes drifted closed. He was out like a light.
It was the first real rest he had in days.