Mos C'ethra by DBKate

[capra-maritimus.livejournal.com]

Title: Mos C'ethra
Author: DBKate
Rating: R
Pairing: Q/O
Warnings:violence, adult themes, disturbing imagery

Author's e-mail, web site and/or LJ id: dbkate2@aol.com mousekate
Link to story: http://www.ktnb.net/jedi/stories/moscethra.html

Reasons for recommending: One of the things that really bug me about Q/O is the proliferation of WeepyTeenagedGirl!Obi-Wan. *shudder* I'd much rather read stories where Obi-Wan is actually a Jedi: hard working, brave, knowing for the most part what needs to be done. Having said that, I'm also a fan of stories where Obi-Wan comes into his own because Qui-Gon has somehow been incapacitated (oddly enough, I include The Apprentice Master in that category). He may not do everything perfectly but in the end he proves himself capable.

In Mos C'ethra a young Obi-Wan is thrust into a horrific situation and help is weeks away. He has to do the best that he can and make impossibly difficult choices to deal with the situation, one in which it seems no decision can be the right one.

Quote from story:

I didn't know where Qui-Gon had learned about the effects of a quarantine and wasn't sure I wanted to find out. The things he instructed me to prepare for were ghastly, even in theory. Curfews were to be imposed at the slightest sign of unrest and I was not to hesitate to use my weapon in the maintenance of order.

At one point he pulled me aside and grasped me by the shoulders, his face a grim mask. "Listen to me carefully, Obi-Wan. There may come a time when martial law will have to be carried out. It will become your responsibility to make sure that anyone who disobeys the laws set down is to be warned only once. Upon the second instance of disobedience, they are to be killed outright without regard for age or sex. Do you understand this?"

An awful chill crawled up my spine, but I nodded. "Yes Master."

He shook his head. "No, padawan. Tell me again that you understand exactly what I'm saying to you."

I swallowed hard, the words sticking in my throat. I cleared it and repeated his instructions. "Anyone who disobeys the laws set down is to be warned only once. Upon their second infraction, they are to be killed outright."

"Without regard for age or sex."

Again I quailed, but forced myself to repeat it. "Without regard for age or sex."

He sighed. "Good. I know how cruel this sounds now, but if things go badly you will understand the necessity of these instructions."

"Yes, Master," I replied, willing to obey, but not really understanding at all.

More discussion:

With Qui-Gon also sick with the plague, Obi-Wan discovers, to his horror, that he indeed has to do everything Qui-Gon warned him about. Alone.

By the thirteenth day, they'd stopped burying the dead.

The corpses began to pile in the streets, thrown aside like unwanted dolls, scarred and blackened with decay. The stench was unimaginable and I knew without swift action, the entire population would be lost.

I immediately ordered fire pits to be dug by any able bodied person available, including women and children. If no shovels could be found, they were to dig with their bare hands. If no firewood was to be had, they were to give over their personal possessions as fuel. The dead were to be dragged to the pits and thrown in without a backwards glance. When one pit was full, another was to be dug in its place. There would be no rest, no food and only one cup of water per worker until the task was completed and the streets were free of corpses for that day.

I enforced these rules with the use of the Force and the threat of my saber.

It was the hardest, most terrible thing I ever had to do.

With Qui-Gon raving in fever, he confesses to the room (with Obi-Wan there) how he feels about his apprentice. Yes, this is TPM Plot Device no.897563985790 LOL, but unlike so many lesser tellings the revelation is wrenching as Obi-Wan knows Qui-Gon will die, raving. Even a simple exchange of endearments is denied them, and Obi-Wan can do nothing but watch him die slowly.

Even after the healers finally arrive from Coruscant there is no immediate hope that Qui-Gon will live. Kate holds back the revelation of Qui-Gon's fate to the last possible second, and, even better, makes the news of his recovery the turning point for the entire town, rekindling hope in a place of despair.

I suppose some people will be mildly disappointed that they don't shag. :D Really, it wouldn't have fit the story, and I'm glad Kate refrained.

I promise I'll post smut next week. :D

Comments

[kimberlite.livejournal.com]

Great rec! This is definitely a powerful fic that stays with you long after you finish it.

[bant.livejournal.com]

This is one of those stories that always stuck with me. Yes there was no sex, but it didn't need it and I think that is one of the reason I do like it so much. I don't think there are enough stories that about Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan doing Jedi things.

[capra-maritimus.livejournal.com]

Exactly!