damned_institute | Day 21: Lunch

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Day 21: Lunch

Hikaru and Kaoru had been so caught up in their little game that they initially hadn't heard the intercom go off. The new "ding" system was far less jarring than the old SCREECH, and as such, wasn't as easily heard, even in a place as quiet as the library. All too soon, the nurses came to separate the twins and take them to the next activity--lunch.

It only felt like a few minutes since breakfast, somehow, and yet Hikaru was starved. The lunch selection was ridiculously Americanized food of the "Pan Asian" genre, as bad as when his family had wanted Japanese food in California and had gone to the "nicest" restaurant in the English language guidebook. He cringed visibly when the surly cafeteria worker poured sauce on his rice--which was supposed to be plain--but...food was food, and he wasn't feeling terribly picky right now. At least it smelled all right.

One of the good things about being the first one into the cafeteria was having his pick of the tables. Hikaru chose one of the larger ones, saving seats for Kaoru, Tamaki, and (in a fit of hopefulness) Haruhi.

He hoped they'd come soon. He hated being alone.

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"Hopefully we can if we manage to get out of here," Obi-Wan replied, and he took a bite of his food. Like everything else they served here, today's menu was foreign and exotic to him, but the taste wasn't so bad. "Then again," his lips quirked into a small smile, "I'd hate to see what kind of lawyers these people would come up with."

After everything that had happened to him since his arrival, Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel surprised to know Hughes had once been dead. As far as he knew, this was the first formerly-dead prisoner he'd met in person, besides Qui-Gon. Very interesting.

"Good things to come home to?" Obi-Wan echoed with mild curiosity. He found he was getting along with this Hughes a bit better than he'd expected. The man seemed genuine and sincere - it was hard not to like him. "That's always nice to hear. Do you have a family?"

Obi-Wan had a feeling Hughes wasn't going to be all that familiar with where he came from, but it wouldn't hurt to tell him anyway. "I'm from Coruscant," he replied. "It's the capital of the Republic, which is basically a large, well-established interplanetary government."

"Talk about a case though," Hughes said, laughing. "Makes me wonder about what there is beyond these walls, you know? What's out there?" He hadn't the faintest idea. If there was anything, really.

"I have a wife and a daughter back home," he announced, proudly. And out came the picture. "That's Gracia and our little Elysia. Isn't she an angel? She's seven now." He couldn't resist showing off his girls.

"Never heard of it. But you've probably never heard of where I'm from either, so that's okay. Interplanetary, huh? Wow. I never even knew there was more than one world before I ended up here."

"Yes, there'd probably be so much red tape that they'd hardly get anything done," Obi-Wan said, and though it was partly to match the man's good humor, he knew it was also true. Especially considering this planet had no official relations with the Republic, as far as he knew.

Taking another bite of his meal, Obi-Wan leaned forward and got a better look at the picture. While he himself never had much of a family, Obi-Wan understood how much Hughes' wife and daughter meant to him. The pride and joy Hughes exhibited while talking about them was a welcomed contrast to such a dismal place. "I can see the resemblance," Obi-Wan said, giving a small smile. "I'm sure she and your wife will be happy to see you again."

Considering how big the Republic supposedly was, Obi-Wan was a little surprised that there weren't more people here who were familiar with it. Proof that there was a lot of uncharted space to explore, he supposed.

"I'd never even heard of any worlds without space travel until I arrived here," Obi-Wan admitted. "Your world must be a nice one if no one has tried traveling to other planets."

"I can't even imagine what it's gonna be like going home. My wife thinks I'm dead." Hughes pocketed the photo. He really didn't know how he was going to handle that. Or how she would. Or how they'd explain anything....

"Oh yeah, nice place. Corrupt government, constant wars, more intrigue than any care for the well being of the people...." He shook his head. Amestris had a lot of problems that needed to be worked out. Or... not, from what Roy had told him. He kept forgetting about that. "As for travel to other planets... why would we even try?"

"Oh." Obi-Wan watched Hughes put the photo away, his eyebrows faintly furrowing. "I'm sure you're anxious to get back to her, then."

Hearing Hughes describe the world he came from helped change Obi-Wan's initial view of isolated planets. For some reason, he'd been assuming planets without space travel were much, much simpler than the political, bureaucratic entanglements that made up the Republic. In some ways, it was still true, but, sadly, Hughes' world sounded similar to a lot of the places Obi-Wan had visited in his lifetime.

Some things just never changed, it seemed.

"It's unfortunate when a government places its own interests above the citizens its supposed to protect," Obi-Wan said, suppressing a sigh. "I'm sorry to say similar problems exist in other worlds, too."

He shrugged a little at the man's question regarding the reason behind space travel. "Some beings are quick to explore beyond what they know if it means finding more resources or better places to live. Others are simply curious, I suppose."

"I am. I really am." Hughes shook his head, thinking on going home. To his house, his wife, his life. It was all he wanted.

"It's the only government I've ever known. And it's not a great one, but it will be. Just needs some time and some tweaking. I think it's the same everywhere really."

He still was puzzled over the idea of trying to go to another planet.

"Well, as far as I know, they're just... far away blobs in the sky. I mean, a lot of people say they control all kinds of things, but I dunno."

"Well," Obi-Wan said, trying to be encouraging, "with people like you trying to fix it up, maybe things will eventually work out." There were too many beings in the galaxy who were quick to give in to their own despair and turn away from the problems that plagued their world. But Hughes seemed to be have a stronger will than that, something Obi-Wan figured had helped the man adapt throughout his captivity.

"Yes, I suppose if the technology isn't sufficient, there's little anyone can do in the way of space travel," Obi-Wan admitted. He couldn't imagine living in such a primitive, isolated place. The Jedi didn't want to think about what would happen if he and Qui-Gon were stranded here.

"The place you're from...is it called Amestris, or Earth?" He briefly paused. "And what was your occupation before you came here, if you don't mind my asking?" Obi-Wan added, wanting to get a better feel for this man's background.

"Thanks." Hughes nodded, showing he did appreciate the words. He knew Roy had done a lot, but there was still so much to do.

"We're not exactly that advanced from what I can tell. I always thought we were, but after talking to so many people from so many different places... well, our science is top notch but not our machines." He shrugged.

"I guess Earth is the world. Amestris is the country I'm from. I was a soldier, actually. Head of Investigations and Internal Affairs. I dealt with serial criminals and conspiracies. You?"

So Hughes was another Earthian after all. Well, at least he wasn't too far from his home, hopefully. Taking a landspeeder or a watercraft to another country was nothing compared to trying to find a spacecraft in a place where that sort of technology simply didn't exist.

It was a sobering thought, and he sincerely hoped they'd have the means to get back to the Republic.

"A solider," Obi-Wan repeated with a small nod. "I take it you're experienced in combat as well?"

Hughes' job didn't sound like the most uplifting one, but it would explain his ability to cope with captivity as well as he did. Military men were trained for that sort of thing, after all. It already sounded like this Earthian could be a reliable ally in the future.

"As for myself, I'm what's called a Jedi," Obi-Wan explained. "We act as peacekeepers who help maintain smooth interplanetary relations. The Republic has no military because most people are content to let the Jedi handle any political disputes that come up." That is...the Republic had no military until this supposed Clone War came up, but Obi-Wan wasn't going to delve into that, seeing that it was part of an uncertain future.

"We're observant of the ways of the Force," he added. "In other words, we're in tune with the energy found in all living things, and we use our abilities for the benefit of others."

"Yeah, since I was a teenager," he elaborated. "I never saw the battlefield, but I know how to handle myself. I'm better at hand to hand than anything else, but I'm well equipped to handle the stuff that's around here. I've come up against a lot and made it out okay." He was well armed with his weapon of choice, that was all he needed.

"Living energy, huh? Is that uh.. a religious calling?" It sounded like one. He wasn't a religious man himself, but there were some guys who had been. It just hadn't really interested him much.

Hand to hand combat. That sort of skill sounded like it'd be useful at Landel's. "Seems like you're well prepared, then. You're fortunate," he said. While Obi-Wan had been extensively trained to use a lightsaber, vibroshivs, clubs and blasters were not his weapons of choice, not by a long shot.

"I'm currently unarmed," Obi-Wan quietly admitted. "They took my weapon and my utility belt, and I have no idea where they're keeping them. I've been trying to find a proper substitute in the meantime."

As for the nature of the Jedi Order, well, Obi-Wan could understand why he'd need to put it in simpler terms. The concept of the Force could be a little strange to those who were unfamiliar with it.

"I wouldn't say it's a religious calling as much as it's a sort of...public service," Obi-Wan told him. "Those who are Force-sensitive often choose to join the Jedi Order, but many become medics, teachers, farmers and explorers. Others choose to live their lives normally, but it's a bit of a waste, if you ask me, especially when those who do are often more confused and angered by their abilities without the proper training."

"We all start out unarmed. What's your weapon? I'll see what I can do for you." They had been planning on setting up sort of trade situation. And weapons... well, everybody needed weapons.

"Huh. So how do these people know if they're sensitive or not? Do they just... try stuff? Or does it manifest somehow? I take it it's probably the latter, by the way you describe it." He was curious. And he always liked hearing about other people's worlds. There were so many, and he had a thirst for knowledge.

"I'm trained to use what's called a 'lightsaber,' which is basically a blade of pure energy that emits from a hilt," Obi-Wan told him. "It's a traditional Jedi weapon," his eyebrows furrowed a little, "though I saw a droid creature named Grievous who uses one while wandering the halls the other night. If you come across him, I suggest making a retreat if you can."

Then Hughes asked how to identify Force-sensitives, and Obi-Wan quietly smiled at the man's genuine curiosity.

"Trained Jedi can sense when a being is strong in the Force," he explained. "But for more accuracy, we can also perform midi-chlorian tests. Midi-chlorians are microscopic lifeforms that exist in the cells of all living things, and they act as a sort of sensory organ to the Force, like eyes allow us to see and ears allow us to hear. A high midi-chlorian count is usually a sure sign of Force-sensitivity. We generally identify Force-sensitives at a very young age so they can begin their Jedi training as soon as possible, with the family's permission of course."

"Huh, I'll watch out for him. I can't promise you a light-saber, but if you can deal with a normal blade... I might be able to help." Hughes shrugged, his expression casual but his eyes focused on Obi-Wan to watch for any signs of interest.

"So it's... a science thing?" Miticlorians or whatever sounded like some kind of chemical. And if it was just a plain biology thing, that made it much easier for Hughes to understand.

"I can't promise you a lightsaber," Hughes said, "but if you can deal with a normal blade...I might be able to help."

Obi-Wan paused and met the man's gaze, definitely considering Hughes' offer. In some ways, it was a tough call. He doubted a regular blade would be anything like the swift and elegant lightsaber he was used to wielding. On the other hand, it sounded more precise and civillized than something like a a club or a blaster.

Still, it wasn't like he was completely helpless. If he could just re-center his Force-perception, then combat situations wouldn't look quite as grim...

But even if my Force abilities were 100 percent, I wouldn't feel comfortable using it as my weapon, he silently admitted. He was accustomed to using the Force as a tool or an aid during battle, not his main means of attack. That was something a Sith would do.

Either way, it'd be foolish for him to refuse Hughes' help based on a matter of whether the weapon in question was as good as a lightsaber. Whatever the man had in mind would more than likely put Obi-Wan in a better position than he was now. After all, Hughes was far more experienced with the ways of this place than he was.

"I'd appreciate any help you could give," Obi-Wan told him, and he meant it.

"In some ways, I suppose you could call it both a science and an art," he explained, answering the man's question. "A high midi-chlorian count doesn't guarantee a successful Jedi, only that the being in question is a Force-sensitive. The Force itself, and the mastery of it, can't be measured in precise terms. Those things require great discipline, and in the case of a Jedi, great sacrifice and personal commitment to the will of the Force. The Order forbids personal attachments and upholds concepts like rational thought, patience and benevolence. A person could have a high midi-chlorian count, but that doesn't make them fit for the life of a Jedi. There are many who decide to follow other paths, sometimes darker ones where they use their abilities for personal gain."

Obi-Wan faintly frowned. "There have been scientists who have tried to understand and measure the mysteries behind the Force, often at the expense of other Force-sensitives." He thought of Jenna Zan Arbor, who had once captured Qui-Gon and tortured him to the point of near death in an effort to discover more about his abilities. "The Jedi don't condone such studies."

"Like I said, I'll see what I can do. It'll take materials, though. Metal to make it out of." That was important thing. He hoped Ed didn't have too much to do, he didn't want to over-tax the kid. But he knew Ed was eager to help.

"So it's kind of like a monastic order," he said, nodding. That was the best equivalent he could think of, for something he could relate to. "Or, well, I guess it'd be like someone from my world who's got skill in alchemy going into the State Alchemist's or not. Not everybody's who's got alchemy skills wants to join up, or even use alchemy."

Obi-Wan was curious how Hughes had the means to craft a blade from metal, especially in a place like this. He was obviously resourceful, perhaps with an extensive network of people with various talents and abilities. Something to keep in mind.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said. "I could start gathering materials. Where do you suggest I go?"

Then Hughes mentioned this alchemy business. Obi-Wan had heard Lust mention it his first day here, but he hadn't gotten much of an explanation, other than a list of people at Landel's who were considered alchemists.

"What is alchemy?" Obi-Wan asked. "Is that a kind of science?"

"The kitchen is good for metal," Hughes said. "That's where most supplies for weapons come from." There were probably other places to go, but the kitchen was the best bet.

"Alchemy is a science. I don't do anything with it myself, don't have the knack. It's the science of changing things into other things, manipulating an object's chemical composition. But some people can do it and some people can't. I could make an attempt with the right arrays, but it wouldn't come out well. A lot of alchemists have private practices, helping out in villages and things. Some use it for medical purposes but from what I understand, medical alchemy is really difficult. And then there's the State Alchemists, which is a military branch and the best of the best."

The kitchen. That made sense, considering it probably had all sorts of utensils stored there. "I see. Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

Obi-Wan remembered reading a little bit about alchemy on the board, but he'd had no idea there was actually a military made up of these alchemists. It was interesting that someone had developed a science to alter an object's chemical composition. He imagined it could have been useful for times of bacta shortages back home, but, at the same time, Obi-Wan could see how some people could use it for more destructive reasons.

"I've heard about something similar since I arrived here," Obi-Wan told him. "Does this alchemy operate by a 'principle of equivalent trade'?" He paused, and his eyebrows raised as if an idea had just struck him. "Is that how you intend to form a blade out of metal?"

"Yeah, that's alchemy. There are a few alchemists around here." Hughes nodded. So Obi-wan had talked to someone from Amestris already.

"A friend of mine's real good at transmuting weapons. He took care of me, and he's willing to lend a hand to people who need it."

"That's very kind of him to want to help," Obi-Wan said, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was a price for this kind of aid. Then, there was also another issue concerning muted abilities.

"Has Landel's significantly affected the alchemists' skills since their arrival?" Obi-Wan asked. "They obviously can do things like form weapons, but are they experiencing any limitations?"

"Oh yeah, everybody's got limitations," Hughes said with another enthusiastic nod. "This place mutes everything. Nobody's spared when it comes to that. Don't know how they do it, but all powers and skills are dampened somehow."

"What are their limitations, if you don't mind my asking?" Obi-Wan was partly curious to know if the quality of the blade would be hindered somehow, but he was also concerned about what the prisoner on the board (he'd signed his message as "Ed") had said about those who wound up being maimed from their alchemy. Granted, it sounded like it only applied to bringing people back from the dead, but with the way Landel's tended to bend the rules, it was dangerous to be making assumptions like that.

"I don't want anyone getting injured on my account," he added.

"They can't do as many transmutations as normal, they're limited to how much alchemy they can do," he went on, expanding the explanation. "Instead of being able to do unlimited numbers, they can manage maybe six or seven big things in a night. It tires'em out, but it doesn't hurt them any."

Obi-Wan nodded, indicating he understood. "That's good to know, then," he said. "Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it."

The Jedi took a sip of his juice, having decided to try experimenting with something other than water. It was a little sweeter than muja fruit, but it wasn't bad by any means.

"I'm a little surprised I haven't heard about any organized escape attempts," Obi-Wan said with a soft voice, ensuring no one could overhear them. "Granted, I haven't been here for all that long, but my companion and myself are interested in helping out however we can. We're just not sure who we need to talk to." He gave a wry smile. "We tried striking out on our own last night to investigate, but we didn't exactly get very far before we ran into some, ah, trouble."

Day 21: Lunch

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