Snowball ran as fast as he could, his legs kicking so high in the air he thought he would kick his own ass. The dogs were gaining on him. The very large, vicious dogs Napoleon had bred for the sake of running him out of the farm. If only he had known that when Napoleon had taken them from their mother.
Seeing a small hole in the fence, too small for a dog but the right size for a pig, Snowball seized his only chance and dove through it. He didn't pause or look back to see if the dogs made it through, but continued to run. He ran until he felt like he was going to collapse. He rested behind a log and tried to think things through.
Napoleon was definetly not in the true spirit of Animalism. A few months ago, the Old Major, a very wise and old hog, had died. But before he died, he gave a last speech to the animals on Manor Farm. He's told them to rise up against the humans, humans who did no work themselves but had animals to work as slaves for them, and to take over the farm. The rebellion had come quite by accident when Jones had forgotten to feed them. They had broken into the food shed and the men had attacked them. So they had attacked back, and had driven the men off of the farm. Since then, they set up a government, determined to run the farm themselves in a spirit of fairness, holding up ideals man had long since forgotten. But Napoleon was power hungry and had plotted against Snowball. That was blatantly obvious now, but it hadn't been when the windmill debate had started.
Snowball was so tired and fearfull, he didn't notice the nubian cruiser until it landed feet from him. He promptly XXXX himself, then peered over the edge of the log to see who was coming out.
"Where are we?" Anakin asked, looking out the small window.
"This doesn't look like Coruscant." Amidala said cautiously.
"No, ya think?!" Panaka said angrily. "I knew this was a bad idea." Ric Olie approached the small group.
"Umm...the ship's still busted. Watto screwed us over. I don't know what he gave us, but, well...we aren't anywhere near Coruscant. Or Tatooine. The computer's not registering out location and frankly I have no idea what's going on."
Amidala kicked the wall for no reason other than that she was very XXXXed off at the jedi's insistance to put them at risk of losing the ship, all for parts that didn't even work! Then she hopped about frantically, holding her now hurt foot in the air.
"We'll have a look around and see where we are." Qui-Gon said. He stood up and activated the ramp.
"Oh no, I'm not letting the two of you do anything else alone! Getting us busted parts, I'm coming with you!" Amidala declared. Panaka wordlessly followed her down the ramp.
"Wait for me!" Anakin shouted, following them.
"Stay on the ship Ani." Qui-Gon said. "We'll be back shortly.
"But I wanna come!" Anikan whined.
"Just stay on the damn ship! I'm not in the mood for this!" Amidala shouted. And she had been so calm and cool before. Anikan shrank back up the ramp.
The group proceeded forwards. A pink pig cautiously approached them. Amidala bent over in front of the pig and patted its side. "What are you doing out so far away from anything little fella?" She asked. The others' mouths dropped at the sudden change in her mood. "I like animals." She snapped at them.
"Greetings comrades," The pig, who was Snowball, said hesitantly. They all gaped at the pig.
"Am I losing it or did that pig just talk?" Obi-Wan asked.
"What planet has talking pigs?" Panaka asked.
"Well... the other humans on Earth were not aware that we can talk until recently, but all animals can talk. Some, naturally, are smarter than others." They again gaped at the pig. Snowball self consciously rubbed a hoof in the sand. "Where are you from?" He asked.
"We're heading to Coruscant, but our ship has been misrooted. Do you know of anyplace where we can get parts for it?" Qui-Gon asked. All he could think of was a mental picture of himself talking to a breakfast of bacon.
"Umm... comrade, we on Earth live without intervention from other planets. We did not know there were other intelligent beings in the universe, and I have never seen a spaceship before. However, if you'll take me to a city I can try to find a scientist to help you."
"That would be greatly appreciated." Qui-Gon said. Amidala shot him a viscious glare. "Do you have any ideas?" He demanded of her.
"Yes, fix the damn ship!"
"And how do you propose doing that?" Qui-Gon asked quietly.
Amidala sputtered. "Well...you're not going alone, seeing as the deal you made last time brought us SOOOOOO much help. I hope a truck runs you over." She added.
"Where is the nearest city?" Obi-Wan asked Snowball. Snowball pointed his hoof to a road down the right.
"About ten miles up that road, no turns. I'd be happy to help you comrades."
"Good, we could use as much guidance as possible." Panaka said. So then the small group headed back into the ship.
'What am I doing?' Snowball demanded to himself. 'I should not be trusting humans. It is against the nature of Animalism. Humans work animals and then they eat them. That is all they do. But these humans...' He let the thought trail off. Yes, these were good humans, at any rate he wouldn't find any others who would listen to a pig.
The ship would make it to the city in a few minutes. He had to speak now, or forever hold his peace. He approached the young, decorated girl human who seemed to be in charge.
"Comrade, I have encountered difficulties on my farm. I was wondering if in turn you might help me?"
"Of course Snowball. And you can call me Amidala."
"Right, Amidala. Well, we recently overthrew the farm from the humans who were running it. They were running it badly and mistreating us." He went on, quickly giving her the events that had happened since Old Major's speech.
"That's horrible!" Amidala said. She really felt sympathy towards him, he liked these space humans.
"Yes, that it is. Do you think you could help me take Napoleon out of power. That is, without killing him. I think you and your ship could intimidate him quite a bit."
"But Snowball, the other animals don't trust humans. What makes you think they'll be able to trust you once you go back?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I know they know right from wrong. And you are good humans, not like Jones. And besides, comrades, I know Napoleon will do them great harm. Even if I can't have a say in the government anymore, it will be better than a dictatorship under him." Amidala nodded her agreement. It was agreed the humans would help him.
"We're nearing the city." Obi-Wan said, emerging from the cock pit. Then something like an explosion rocked the ship, sending him to the ground. Snowball was the only one who didn't fall, as his short legs acted as shock absorbers. Some red lights started flashing.
"What the hell is going on?!" They heard Ric shout from the cockpit.
"That's not something you want to hear your pilot say." Snowball said as another shock wave sent them rolling. Then a bright light engulfed the ship and they were gone.
Snowball sat up. He had woken up on his side, and found that odd. It must have been quite a shock if he had been knocked over. He looked around the ship. Nothing was broken, and the only thing that seemed odd was that the red emergency lights had turned on. The humans were all on the ground, some still unconcious.
Snowball got up on a seat and looked out a window. "We're on a farm." He reported. And boy were they on a farm! They were dead center, in the middle of the sheep pens! There was a hole in the fence from where the ship had appeared and most of the sheep had wandered out.
"Is it your farm?" Obi-Wan asked. Snowball shook his head. Nope, nobody he knew.
"Well, I suppose we should try to talk to them." Amidala said.
"We probably went somewhere else. Like how we went to your place where we can talk to animals. So maybe these animals can't talk." Anikan said.
"But someone needs to be running this farm and we can talk to whoever that is." Obi-Wan said.
"Why don't you and Snowball go talk to them. I can try to see what's wrong with the ship." Anikan said.
"This isn't a trick of Watto's I recognize, but I should be able to help somehow."
"Hello, I'm the Queen here! Can I make the plans?" Amidala asked.
"I'm sorry do you have anything to add?" Anikan asked. Amidala shook her head. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes then proceeded down the ramp with Snowball. The other passengers were starting to come to from the light thing.
"Hey, where are we?" Snowball heard Panaka say as they left the ship. Snowball approached a sheep.
"Greetings comrade!" The sheep gave him a blank look, then started to graze. "Um, aren't you a sheep that can talk?" Snowball asked.
"That one's kind of slow. He hasn't sung the song yet. I'm Nell. What can I do for you?" Another sheep replied.
"We need to find someone who can help us fix this ship." Snowball said.
"I can't understand what you're saying. It sounds like oinking." Obi-Wan whispered to Snowball. Snowball considered. He decided that the animals here could only talk to other animals, but the animals where he was from could talk to humans if the humans wanted to listen. Since he was from his place, he could talk to both. He didn't think he needed to explain this to Obi-Wan, he didn't seem stupid. But that Queen...maybe the heat on Tatooine had gotten to her. Or maybe she was just a bitch.
"I don't know of anyone who could help you fix that thing. Although, there is a spider on Zuckerman's farm. She's a genius and she could probably think of something. Right now she's trying to save Wilbur's life." Then the sheep gave them instructions to the farm. They were just about to head back to the ship when there was a bright flash of light. Then the ship was gone.
"Son of a bitch!" Obi-Wan shouted. Snowball stared at him. And he had seemed so calm too.
"Tough past few days?"
"To say the least. Okay, let's go see this genius spider you were telling me about." He answered.
"Then what are we going to do?" Snowball asked.
"I don't know. Let's just go." They started walking down a dirt road. They walked a few minutes in silence. Snowball observed the area more closely. It was very hot, probably mid-summer or something. The land was flat and grassy, the roads were all dirt with few paved exceptions. They were awhile away from the farm when they reached what must've been the town. The roads were paved here and there were more houses and apartment buildings, with shops in between. "I don't think I should talk to you for awhile, it might look odd." Obi-Wan whispered to Snowball.
"I think we look odd already." Snowball responded quietly. He would've preferred being stranded with the kid, Anikan. He had more personality and always had some idea of what to do. His ideas were usually bad, but they were something to work with. Still, he could tell Obi-Wan was working on a plan to get them out of this. Besides, he was better than the damn queen.
People were staring at them. I guess most people didn't take pig for walks. Add to that Obi-Wan's odd clothes and the relative smallness of the community. They probably didn't get outsiders a lot.
"Where do we go now?" Obi-Wan hissed. Snowball stopped. They were in front of Pete's newstand. He didn't remember that in the sheep's directions. He looked around a bit more. No... nothing looked right.
"We're lost." He whispered to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan let out a small groan. "I hate this stupid place." Snowball muttered to himself.
"Excuse me..." They turned around and saw a small girl. "You guys new here?" They both nodded. The girl laughed and looked at Snowball. She scratched behind his ears. "Cute pig." She was about eight, Snowball guessed. "Where are you going?" She asked.
"Zuckerman's."
"Oh, I know where that is. That's my uncle's farm. Why are you looking for him?"
Obi-Wan motioned to the pig, trying to think of something on the spot. He couldn't very well tell her that he was going to talk to a superintelligent spider. The girl bent down next to Snowball and whispered in his ear:
"You know Wilbur, right?" Snowball nodded. The girl laughed. She spoke so Obi-Wan could hear too. "I'm Fern and Wilbur used to be my pig, but papa made me give him away. I can talk to the animals on the farm. They gaped at her. "Most people say I'm imagining it, but I really can. You just need to learn how. Can you talk piggie?"
"Yes, and my name is Snowball." They were already heading to Zuckerman's, and they were safely out of earshot of anybody.
"What happened?" Fern asked. They quickly related their story, not expecting her to believe a word of it, but she nodded intently. Apparantly children in this universe were easier to believe things than adults.
They reached the farm. Fern went into the house to greet her uncle. She went outside within a few minutes. "Okay, he doesn't know about you two so you need to stay in the shadows. I'll show you where Charlotte is." She led them into the pens. Wilbur was sitting under the doorway with his snout in the air. Above him sat a pretty gray spider, Charlotte. There was a sheep pen to the left of them and a goose pen to the right. A fat rat sat on the pig trough.
"Greetings comrades!" Snowball said.
"Salutations!" Wilbur answered.
"Salu-what?" Snowball asked.
"Salutations! It's a fancy way of saying hello." Charlotte said. "Who are you and what is your business please."
"I'm Snowball. That's Obi-Wan. We're from alternate universes, but not the same ones each. We were brought here in a messed up ship and it disappeared. We need help and we are unsure of what to do."
"I'll need to hear the story in more detail please." Charlotte answered. Snowball, Obi-Wan and Charlotte went into the barn and discussed their plight. Wilbur had a nice visit with Fern. After about twenty minutes, the three emerged.
"What did you come up with?" Fern asked.
"We're screwed." Obi-Wan answered.
"What?" Fern asked.
"It's hopeless." Charlotte said. "The ship is going to randomly go from alternate universe to alternate universe until it ends up where it's supposed to be. It could take years, even decades for the ship to get back here and we certainly don't have the technology here to reconstruct whatever they have there."
"Well that's terrible!" Wilbur exclaimed. "What are you going to do?"
"Try to make a living here. I could probably live on a farm somewhere. With Obi-Wan though..." Snowball said.
"Well, just get a job-job-job and buy a house-house-house." The stuttering goose said.
"It's not that simple." Charlotte answered. "To get a job you would need a social security number, a birth certificate and other things Obi-Wan doesn't have. I'm afraid he's stuck."
"Well, wait a minute. Uncle needs some help on the farm and he doesn't asl for that stuff. You could work for him!" Fern said.
"I'm not sure if that would be enough to live on." Charlotte answered.
"I'm sure it would be better than nothing. I'll go ask." Fern said.
"Wait, Fern! We need a cover story first. Like how he got here and why he doesn't have a home and why he has such odd clothes!" Snowball said.
"Oh, why can't we just tell him the truth?"
"Because he'll think we're crazy or I'm a psychopath or something. Do they believe you when you say you talk to animals?" Obi-Wan asked. Fern shook her head.
"How's if we say your house was burned down and now ya ain't got nothing so you came here and you need the job. And then maybe Uncle'll even get you someplace to stay."
"That's a good start." Charlotte said. "But we still need clothes that will make you fit in."
Templeton and Fern took care of that. Templeton is the rat that lives in Wilbur's trough. Templeton went searching through the town until they found something and Fern carried it back.
"That smells worse than manure! Where'd you get it, the garbage?" A ram complained.
"Of course. We didn't want to steal!" Fern said.
"It will make your story more convincing." Charlotte said approvingly. "Put them on."
"Could you all turn around or something." Obi-Wan said.
"Touchy humans." Templeton said as he turned around. "We all walk around in our birthday suits without getting embarassed.
They turned around and all had to try not to laugh. He certainly looked homeless and poor now. Charlotte still wasn't satisfied. "Rub some dirt in your hair and over your skin. You're too clean and you don't match your clothes."
"Your hair is another thing." Fern said. "It looks kind of weird. You should cut off the braid thing."
"I'm not cutting off my braid." He said as he rubbed dirt over his hands. Wilbur reared up on his hind legs and peered into one of Obi-Wan's pockets. "Looking for something?"
"What's that silver tube?"
"It's a lightsaber."
"A light what?" All of the animals were interested now, even Snowball.
"It's a weapon. Like a sword, only the blade is lazer. It's something jedi carry. That's my religion."
"Is your braid a part of that too?" Fern asked.
"Yes."
"Oh. That must be a funny religion. We just go to church every sunday for ours. Well, I guess we should go talk to my uncle." They dissappeared into the house.
"Do you think this will work?" Snowball asked.
"I think it will. The Zuckemans are good people and all they'll see is a man in need of help. I'm sure they'll take him in."
"We're playing on his pity. That's not exactly nice." Wilbur said.
"Yes, but he really is homeless and jobless. It's not twisting the truth too much. Just enough to keep him out of the looney bin." Templeton said.
"I'm going to sleep. I've had a long and interesting day." Snowball said. He walked into the barn and curled up in a pile of hay. He wasn't too anxious about finding out if Obi-Wan was okay or not. It didn't really matter. This farm reminded him of Manor Farm. It didn't matter how nice Zuckerman was. The same things would happen. The animals would work and be killed for food if they tasted good. He decided to plan a rebellion, like before only there were no potential Napoleons here. he had to lay low and observe first, of course, but if he didn't find anything to change his mind he would make his move. He would find some way to get back to his universe and take an army of his animals back. Then they would declare war on Animal Farm, he would overthrow Napoleon with the army he was planning to build and he could free his comrades, creating a relative paradise. With those happy visions of success in his mind, Snowball drifted off into a pleasant sleep.
They lived on the farm pretty much in peace for awhile. Snowball was thought by Zuckerman to be a lost pig that had wandered to his farm, and he just took him in like that with no suspicions. Snowball thought Zuckerman to be pretty dumb, but let's face it, that was a good thing for someone in his position. Snowball got along with the rest of the animals. They were curious about where he'd come from, so at night he told stories about his home. Sometimes he'd tell them while Fern or Obi-Wan was there, but most of the time he preferred to tell when there weren't humans around. Snowball was trying to sneak the idea of revolting into the animals minds in a gradual way, and no doubt the humans would interfere with his plans.
Then, about a week after they had been trapped there, Snowball made a discovery. Two, actually.He was sitting with Fern, reading one of the books she had brought for him to read. Wilbur and Fern were sitting by a haystack, and she was singing to him. One of the stuttering goose's goslings was sitting with them as well. Charlotte was respinning one of her webs where a fly had mussed it.
"Do you really need to tend to that web right now Charlotte? Why not have a visit with us?" Fern asked.
"I need this web intact now. So tonight I can write in it." Charlotte answered. Snowball poked his head out of the book.
"Why do you need to write in your web?" Snowball asked.
"Well, you see the farmers here eat the animals just like the farmers where you're from. And they may do so with Wilbur, so I'm helping him."
"By writing in your web..." Snowball let his voice trail off. There was something here he wasn't getting. Charlotte didn't seem to particularly like him, but the other animals did. So when she gave curt answers, they spoke right up. Wilbur finished the story.
"Oh, Charlotte is making Mr. Zuckerman think I'm real special. Because he's, how do you say it Charlotte?"
"Gullible Wilbur." Charlotte answered. Snowball rolled his eyes.
"That's it. Thank you Charlotte. When Zuckerman thinks I'm extra special he won't kill me."
"You'd have to win a ribbon or something. Yes, I understand now." Snowball filed the information away in his mind. So they weren't entirely naive to the ways of the humans. They chose to live around them. Or, the spider did. She seemed to be their leader.
Obi-Wan approached the group. "Fern, your uncle wants you."
"I'll be in in a minute." She said, scratching Wilbur's ears. Wilbur smiled.
"I love you Fern, you're so nice." Snowball felt like gagging after that statement.
"Wilbur, you're oinking again. I can't understand you when you talk like that." Fern said.
"You couldn't understand him? But I could." Snowball said, surprised.
"Now, now, now pig-pig-pig. Animals can talk,talk,talk two different ways,ways, ways. One to humans and one to each other,other, other." The goose answered.
"That's great." Snowball said. "How do you do the animal to animal one?"
"We can't really explain it, you just kind of do it. Try it out, it takes practice." Wilbur answered.
"Why would you be so eager to learn, if you don't mind my asking?" Charlotte asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"Not at all comrade, I love learning new things. That is the reason." Snowball said, lying through his teeth. He loved the idea of communicating without the people hearing him. Within minutes he mastered it. And he found that you could narrow it down to species. Pigs could talk so that only pigs could understand. Sheep could talk so that only sheep could understand. But a pig couldn't talk so that only a sheep could understand. It was their own species or all.
It didn't really matter anyhow, the humans went inside the house. At this point, Snowball had nearly forgotten all of the new lessons he'd learnt since leaving Animal Farm. At first when he'd left, he'd thought not all humans to be bad. Fern and Obi-Wan were particularly nice to him and he enjoyed their company. But he'd been locked up, back into the farm situation. And he knew he was going to be killed for food if he didn't do something, and he didn't count on Charlotte to fool Zuckerman into loving him as well. No, he would make sure no animals would die for idle humans. He would extend Animalism to Zuckerman's. He had decided, if there was anything he could do about it, the animals on Zuckerman's farm were rebelling.
"What's Snowball doing?" Charlotte asked. She had awoken from a nap to discover that the pig had been awake all night and was scribbling something on the floor with some chalk Fern had gotten him.
"Oh, he says he's planning a surprise for us." Wilbur said. Charlotte frowned. She loved the animal's at Zuckerman's farm, but they were so gullible and trusting. She knew Snowball was going to do something drastic and wrong the first chance he got, she could feel it inside.
Charlotte raced along the rafters of the barn until she was perched just above where Snowball sat, scribbling with the chalk. She started reading it. There was a messy map of the house, barn, pasture areas, pretty much the entire farm. There were small marks around the farm. There were five two scratch marks, which she took to represent the humans on the farm. Zuckerman, his wife, Obi-Wan, and the other two hired help. Then there were several four scratch marks, enough to represent all of the animals on the farm. In the corner, a schedule was written out, what each of the humans and animals did every day.
"What do you think you're doing?" Snowball demanded. Charlotte frowned. She'd been so absorbed in reading the plan, she didn't notice Snowball at all.
"No, what are you doing? Why are you spying on us? And don't say you're planning a surprise, because that won't work on me."
"Fine. I'm going to take over this farm and convert it to Animalism."
"What is Animalism?" Charlotte asked.
"Animalism is a form of government. You see, the humans use and abuse animals. They work them until they are unfit to work and then they eat them. Under Animalism the animals rule the farm. There is no trading or money, no houses, no beds, no clothes, no drinking. Just work and food and all are equal. And no animals may kill other animals." Then he sang a round of Beasts of England.
Charlotte was impressed. She figured it was going to be something bad. But this sounded good, then something dawned on her... "How do you plan on taking control of the farm?" She asked.
"Well... last time we attacked the humans and they ran away. But we may have to kill them this time. It depends how much they want to keep the farm. Jones didn't want it bad enough to deal with Boxer. However, the animals here are a bit weaker and a lot less violent. We may need to train them in combat first."
"They aren't going to want to hurt the humans." Charlotte pointed out.
"True, so we'll tell them we're just playing. They'll believe that."
"That's manipulating them! It't almost as wrong as what the humans do to them!"
"And what are you doing to Zuckerman, writing in your web?" Charlotte couldn't find a reply. "I'm not killing anybody and the result will be better than what the humans do. You are not helping any of the animals except Wilbur. Keep out of this spide for it doesn't concern you."
Charlotte scuttled away. She would have liked to ask about Obi-Wan and Fern, but she got the feeling being back behind fences had hardened Snowball against humans, and that he didn't care what happened to them. He was mad, and if what he did worked, he would no doubt become the leader. And how could the farm animals survive without the help of humans? They weren't wild. He would be killing them in the long run.
Charlotte ran towards the house to confer with Obi-Wan.
Snowball awoke from a nice nap humming Beasts of England. He could feel it in his veins, today was the day he would talk to the animals. And he was a very convincing speaker, they would have to go along with it. He was about to step out into the pig pen when he noticed the animals were already gathered. Both Fern and Obi-Wan were sitting nearby. And sure enough, Charlotte was in the center of them all seated on Wilbur's nose and speaking to the animals.
"What is all this comrades?" Snowball asked. The horses retreated into their stalls and the sheep were suddenly very interested in their feet. No one would look him in the eye. Well, except Charlotte, as always.
"I'm telling them about your plotting against Zuckerman." She declared.
"Charlotte, you are unkind in your half truths! Yes, I may be planning something that is not in Zuckerman's best personal interest, but true, it will help all of us comrades! And I do mean all of us." He said earnestly. The animals snapped to attention.
"You mean you're not going to hurt my uncle?" Fern asked.
"Heavens no! I simply would like to introduce Animalism to this farm. Animals have rights. We have feelings. Should we toil in the fields while the humans reap the benefits. Should our brother horses slave away at the plows whil the farmer cracks the whip? Should our brother pigs fatten up for the day they are taken to the block? No! We shouldn't put up with it and we don't have to anymore!"
"But Snowball, that's the way it's always been! It will continue to be that way." The old sheep said.
"No, change is possible. We got rid of the farmer on my old farm and we can do the same here as well. Who is with me?" By this point he'd won over all of the animals. After all, it worked on one farm, why not theirs as well. They considered his word proof. No one seemed to notice Charlotte and Obi-Wan back away from the group. Snowball didn't notice himself. Instead, he related his plans to the animals, making the least point of the fact that they may have to injure the humans. He completely danced around the point. In fact, he wouldn't even have had to mention it if it wasn't for the damn sheep.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Charlotte conferred by the pasture. "I think he's going to kill Zuckerman. Or do something bad, I've never trusted that pig." Charlotte said.
"I've been sensing a change in him since we arrived at the farm. You're probably right. But what can we do? He's stirred rebellion in the animals and I'm not going to kill all of them."
"I wouldn't want you to. Listen, he hasn't considered you and Fern one of the enemies. He's a good politician and he can campaign, and that wouldn't be popular. So just stay here and keep an eye on things. He doesn't trust me, however, and I get the feeling that I may end up dissappearing. I'm going to go away for awhile."
"You won't be able to get very far by yourself."
"Will you take me somewhere?" He nodded. "Good, then I'll leave tonight. I need to tell Wilbur I'm going. If anyone asks, one of my sisters is sick and I'm going to be with her for awhile." He nodded again. "Thank you."
The rebellion was a success. At first, the animals were lacking in motivation. Snowball did the best he could, but he is just a pig and diving at the men's knees wasn't doing much. Then Zuckerman brought out the rifle and shot the stuttering goose, which had been pecking at his pant leg. After the goose hit the ground, something savage and wild appeared in the animals, and oh did they attack.
After the farm was clear of all humans except Obi-Wan, who was still accepted by the animals, they held a short funeral service for the goose and buried her. Then they did much like what was done on Manor farm. The house was declared a museum, the humanly possessions burned and the largest wall of the barn was decorated with the seven commandments of Animalism. It was going pretty well by Snowball's standards.
The animals were uneasy. They wanted a leader and wanted to be told what to do. Snowball declared that there must be an election for the leader. He ran unopposed and was then put in office. He told them what to do to bring in the crops, then began work on the windmill's plans.
Yes, things were looking up for Snowball.
Charlotte crouched behind the branch in the tree Obi-Wan had found for her. It wasn't much, but it was better than the rock she'd found. She waited patiently for him to arrive. Moments later she saw him enter the clearing with Wilbur at his side.
She scurried down the branch and swung down on a silky thread until she hovered at eye level with Obi-Wan. She waved to Wilbur, then asked, "How are things going?"
"The rebellion happened today. The farm has been cleared and the animals are all working. Snowball has been elected their leader and he's drawing up plans for a windmill. Actually, it's not that bad. I'd say it's an improvment." Charlotte stared at him in disbelief.
"An improvement? Running innocents off of the farm? Throwing away order and society for what?"
"A government that works. And this way, we won't have to die for the humans." Wilbur said. "Face it, you're jealous. You came up with a solution to save only me, but Snowball saved the whole farm."
Charlotte felt like she'd been slapped. "He told you that, didn't he! He's brainwashing you! Manipulating pig! He won't even let you think for yourselves!"
"Think as you wish, but I throw my support to Snowball. Maybe if you'd hung around instead of running away, you could be leader but you didn't, did you?" And with that, Wilbur left. Obi-Wan remained for another moment, but an awkward silence hung between them so he left as well.
Charlotte hung in her tree, thinking of a way to bring down the damn pig.
Four weeks passed. The former Zuckerman's farm, now renamed Animaltopian farm was flourishing. With time, Snowball had hardened all of the animals against humans. They believed that all humans had some evil in them, and it wasn't hard to convince the animals that humans are evil. War, rape, murder, those are human things. And besides, Snowball truly believed all of it.
None of the animals trusted Obi-Wan and Fern, who had taken up residence on the farm. Obi-Wan felt a little bad about his sharp words to Charlotte. Things weren't really improving that much. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, well Snowball had become corrupted. He hadn't abused his power yet, but he was determined to keep it and Obi-Wan knew it was only a matter of time before he did something horrible. He also knew it was only a matter of time before the animals grew so displeased with the humans that they did something to him or Fern. Fern was too naive and trusting to leave the farm, so he stayed on to look out for her.
Worst of all, they had lost contact with Charlotte. She no longer lived in the tree and they feared the worst for her. Obi-Wan and Fern had checked every inch of the forest.
One nite, returning from another failed search, they stumbled into the barn. Obi-Wan was very weary and he didn't notice the eyes that followed him as he led Fern into the barn and tucked the thin blanket around her. He heard a noise nearby, Templeton crawling across the floor. He pretended he hadn't heard it and lay down. He closed his eyes and listened. The rat was sitting in front of him, waiting to see if he would move. After fifteen minutes, Templeton scurried away. A minute later, Obi-Wan got up and followed him.
Templeton ran out to the toolshed where Snowball sat, waiting. "Well comrade?" Snowball asked.
"They went into the forest. They were looking for the spider." Templeton reported.
"This cannot do. They are conspiring against us, they want the humans to have control of the farm again."
"Then we should kill them." Obi-Wan reeled in shock. It wasn't Snowball who had said that, but Wilbur!
"No little comrade. That is harsh." Snowball corrected. Wilbur started to protest but Snowball raised a trotter. "Besides, the humans have not outlived their usefulness. Comrade Templeton, the human Fern is missed by her family?"
"Greatly, I was just there the other day. They think we are brainwashing her."
"That can be used to our advantage. We are running low on supplies. We will tell the humans that we will kill Fern unless they give us what we want."
Obi-Wan backed away before they made the specifics of their plan. He would have liked to hear more, but now was not the time to listen. He knew enough and he needed to get Fern out of there. He went back into the barn and shook her to rouse her. She didn't respond. He shook her again, more urgently. Her head lolled over to one side. He took her pulse. She was still alive, just unconscious. He picked her up, not questioning why, just deciding to leave. One hand was on the hilt of his lightsaber.
"Going somewhere?" He looked to the left. Charlotte was sitting on Snowball's shoulder and they were blocking the exit. Wilbur had Zuckerman's rifle aimed at his chest.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Charlotte's with us. We've been using her to keep tabs on you. She is my partner." Snowball said. "We very well can't have you mucking things up, but we need the girl so I suggest you put her down and back away."
"Or what? You'll kill me?" he asked.
"You die either way, but the girl won't die if you surrender her."
Obi-Wan looked around desperatly, trying to think of a plan. wilbur cocked the gun.
Then a green blade went through the barrel of the gun. Obi-Wan had never been more relieved to see his master before in his life.
The pigs and the spider backed into a wall. Obi-Wan looked at Snowball. "What did you do to Fern?" he asked.
"Just a mild sedative, it will wear off shortly." he stuttered. Snowball looked at Qui-Gon. Then his gaze shifted to Obi-Wan, then to Anakin, Panaka and Amidala, who had just arrived. "Comrades, perhaps we got off on the wrong foot! See, a human expression! Ha ha! Why don't you all just go back to your star ship and leave us here to tend the farm and all will be well."
"You could tell that to Zuckerman. His men are outside. And the animals are on his side. They aren't as easily manipulated as you three may think." Qui-Gon said cooly.
"It was all them! I'm an innocent!" Wilbur shouted.
"Don't be too upset Wilbur, you'll make excellent bacon." Obi-Wan said dryly. Wilbur started pounding the floor with his trotters.
"I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die!"
Charlotte ran for the beams. Anakin squished her. Snowball ran through a hole in the back. Panaka and Amidala fired at him, but he was surprisingly fast and agile. Obi-Wan (who had laid Fern on a bale of hay) and Qui-Gon raced around the back of the farm and after him. Snowball was running as fast as he could, but the jedi were gaining on him. Then the three of them were overcome by a bright flash.
Napoleon sipped the whiskey and couldn't suppress a giggle. Those animals would believe anything that came out of squealer's snout. He reclined in the chair and thought about how much of a success animal farm, no manor farm, was. Now that they were on good ties with the humans, life was pretty good.
Then a bright flash of light caught his attention. He exited the house with his posse of dogs. He saw two humans and, good heavens! Snowball lying on the ground.
"Comrade!" Snowball gasped. "Help me, these humans are mad!" Napoleon sighed. Snowball was always a problem. His ideas, equal rights for animals, and most dangerous, he remembered what life was like right after the revolution. Napoleon dragged a trotter across his throat, then the dogs lunged.
A day later
Obi-Wan sat in the nubian cruiser thinking about the events of the past few days. When the ship left, they had gone into another universe, but they were in the middle of space. It had been quite uneventful, but they had used that time to figure out the new machinery on the ship. All this while obi-wan worked his ass off on a farm, dealt with power hungry animals and battled with a crazy pig. He shuddered, the image of the dogs tearing out snowball's throat wasn't going to leave him anytime soon.
After Snowball had been... executed, the nubian cruiser had picked up him and Qui-Gon. There was sufficient ridicule for Obi-Wan's farm clothes, and smell, and then he showered and changed. Scrub as he might, he still smelled like horse shit and pig slops. Now they were headed back to Coruscant. There they would dump off the queen to the senate, the council would reject the boy and Obi-Wan could have some peaceful time...
The End
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with George Lucas, George Orwell or EB White. This is all for no profit on my part. :(