Disclaimer: Star Wars genre and mentioned characters all belong to their respected owners. I own nothing except the story idea for this fic.
Part One: p. 46
I am merely a substance, waiting to take a defining shape. The following contour of my body molded, it shifted. It was nothing. Shape shifting came to me as easy as breathing.
Currently, I was taking the form of a gdan. Harmless creatures, really. They were never meant to be overestimated. However, while it was easy to take form as a gdan, it was simply another problem to blend in as one.
There was a pack nearby, trailing curiously after a silver clad soldier. A commando. I remembered a conversation with Valaqil concerning them. So… was this how we were going to strike up a deal with the Republic? The concept of 'if we help them and they will help us' was most unreliable. However, I was in no position to complain. We were desperate.
Most of the gdans took nibbles at the clone's armor, trying to determine if he was eatable or not. The clone itself was gallantly putting up with them. He shined his headlight, hoping that they would scatter. Fat chance, they kept right on nipping at him. I slowly edged closer, willing the small creatures not to be alarmed by my alien scent. I had to get a closer look. This was my first time seeing a clone personally. I mingled in, following their example and found myself staring at a pair of giant boots. …Tough.
Shape shifting 101: To blend in is to mimic others.
With much hesitance as I would've liked to display, I bit into the clone's boot. It wasn't the taste I was worried about. Shape shifting was merely taking on the appearance of other thing. I didn't actually develop taste buds. Thank the Force.
But honestly, this was humiliating. Valaqil would be laughing.
I gnawed, not knowing what else to do. Just like taste buds, the eyes of my gdan form weren't eyes at all. I studied the clone, taking in his professional movements. I felt his slight anxiety and wondering what was the cause of it, I focused on his mind.
Well… first of all, he was annoyed at this one gdan who was persistently nibbling on his boot even though his fellows have long darted away.
Stupid gdan…
…Oh.
I stopped nibbling and tilted my gdan head up just in time to see the butt of the clone's rifle ram into my head.
"Come on," the soldier said irritably, "I've got to get to work. Shove off."
He nudged me again, not caring where the butt of his riffle landed about my body. Too dazed from the first blow to comprehend what he said, I stared stupidly at him. I got the feeling that he stared right back. Blue multiple glowing T-shaped figures wavered in my vision. I finally backed off and trotted away, giving the clone a cool glare.
Which was pretty hard to achieve as a gdan. Nevertheless, I hoped I made some sort of impression.
I love it when they R+R... -cough-