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Chapter 2

22 BBY (Before Battle of Yavin)
Geonosis, Outer Rim 43,000 Light Years from the Galactic Core

Geonosis. It was an arid, rocky desert planet with little to no water. A combination of flatlands, mesas, and foothills dotted the planet. The harsh environment had a slight beauty to it by the reddish tint in both the sky and the rocks. From space, the many rings around the planet gave it a breathtaking picture. Also, orbiting the planet in various shapes and sizes were fifteen moons, none of which were habitable. Though the environment was harsh and not ideal for human colonization, Geonosis was habitable for most oxygen-breathing life forms. And with certain colonization methods, it could be quiet lovely. Not that Obi-Wan wanted to move here or anything.

The hot sun beat down on the Jedi Knight as he stood, back against a pillar, his arms held up by a chain. The stadium around him was filling with Geonosians – an insectoid species with wings. They were indigenous to the planet, living in massive pillar nests dotting all over the planet. Their cries filled the air with their excitement, presumably for his death and the show that it would be. He tugged at the chains. Nice and solid. At least they did their job right. You had to hand it to them. They were efficient.

Obi-Wan wasn't really afraid of what was to come. He had been in much worse places and everything had come out alright. He had notified the Council, his Padawan, Ork Fao, having received his transmission and passing it on. Attuned to the Force, Obi-Wan knew that whatever came he would be ready. If today would be his last, he would face it with a raised head knowing that was the will of the Force. If not, well, he would be glad about that as well. Though, the probability of rescue wasn't that high. It was a long way from Coruscant.

A cart exited the tunnel underneath the arena and headed toward the four pillars. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow as he saw his Padawan, Ork Fao and Padme Amidala, the senator from Naboo, get roughly pushed off the cart and escorted toward the pillars.

"I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you." Sarcasm was evident Obi-Wan's voice. He actually wasn't pleased to see them but he wasn't surprised. His Padawan was loyal to a fault and would have come. He was a bit surprised to see the senator here but then again, his Padawan's job was to guard her. The only way he could have come and obeyed his mission was if she did. And she too was nothing if not kind-hearted. She probably came to help make the Padawan's decision easier.

"I'm really sorry, Master." Ork Fao said, blinking his three eyes embarrassed. "After re-transmitting your message, I thought it would be a good idea to rescue you. The others wouldn't have gotten here in time." The Gran sheepishly avoided eye contact.

"It looks like you're doing a good job so far." Obi-Wan kept it light. He knew his Padawan was feeling real bad. "Relax, Ork Fao. You're here now. There's nothing that can be changed."

The Geonosians guards finished chaining the prisoners and they wheeled the cart away. A roar went up in the crowd and the three looked up toward the main box. Archduke Poggle the Lesser, subservient to Queen Karina the Great of the Geonosians, but the public leader to the galaxy, made his way out onto the archducal box. Nute Gunray of the Trade Fedaration, Count Dooku, and other dignitaries of the Separatists followed.

"Well, this should be good." Obi-Wan smiled as the archduke's herald came forward.

He spoke in a series of clicks that ended with the crowd cheering and applauding. "What did he say, Master?" Ork Fao inquired.

"More or less that we're to be executed." Obi-Wan replied. "At least we got adoring fans."

The archduke rose. Once again silence passed through the arena. He raised his hand and then after a few quick clicks, dropped it. The crowd went wild again.

Different roars sounded on the far side of the arena. Three gates opened, each one revealing a massive creature.

Geonosians loved their games. They loved the sight of various monster-like creatures playing with their victims. It was such a major past time that they spent a lot of time and money funding it. They imported all kinds of rare, exotic creatures to broaden the games and make things more lively.

For the execution of the Jedi and the senator, Archduke Poggle the Lesser, had chosen good combination of such creatures to please the crowd: a Reek, a Nexu, and an Acklay.

Reeks were massive, quadrupeds with a single rhino like horn towering right above its nose. Curved horns grew out on either side of the face, adding to its "unique" touch. In some worlds, Reeks were not that bad. If fed right and handled correctly, they could be docile and easy to work with. However, when underfed or purposely given meat, they became extremely aggressive and therefore dangerous. Native to the planet Ylesia, this Reek had just recently been imported to Geonosis. This was its first time in the arena. Everyone, including the archduke was anxious to see how well it did.

Where the Reek was a dumb beast, the Nexu was the opposite. High in intelligence, the predatory feline was from the planet Cholganna. With sharp claws and various shaped sized teeth, it made a deadly opponent. Combined with a bad-tempered, the cat-like creatures were not to be trifled with lightly. It had been used many times before and was always a crowd favorite due to its toying with its victims before finishing them off.

Lastly, came the archduke's personal favorite: The Acklay. This massive beast was almost a cross between a reptile and a crustacean. Unlike the Nexu's teeth, the Acklay's teeth were very short, though still razor sharp. The deadliest part of the Ackley, however, was not its teeth but the sharp, claw-like legs. Moving like a quick crab, the Ackley used its legs to smash its opponents with deadly force. An Ackley's legs were known to be strong enough to smash through thick stone. The fact it was somewhat intelligent, not to mention strong, made it – in the archduke's opinion - a perfect match for a Jedi knight.

His choices of the monsters was well received. The combination of the three made the crowd ecstatic, the noise thundering the arena. Ignoring them, Obi-Wan watched the monsters be guided toward them. He nodded toward his Padawan. "You take the one on the left, I'll take the one on the right."

"And the Senator?" There was just a slight hint of worry in Ork Fao's tone.

Obi-Wan glanced over to where Padme, using the chain, had pulled herself up to the top of the post. Using a small pin she must have smuggled on her, she worked on unchaining her left hand. "It looks like she's already on top of things." He glanced toward the creatures again. "Don't worry about her. Stay focused on the Force."

The Reek was the first to make a move. Pawing the ground, it charged angrily toward Ork Fao. The Gran jumped aside at the last moment as the Reek smashed horn-first into the pillar.

Obi-Wan didn't have a lot of time to watch what happened as the Acklay charged him. Ducking around the post, he avoided a jab. The Acklay stroke again, its claw smashing the pillar knocking it over. Jumping up, Obi-Wan moved aside just as the Acklay brought its claw down. The sharp claw broke the pillar sending it into several big chunks of stone. With the chain now broken Obi-Wan moved quickly toward one of the nearby Geonosian guards. The guard attempted to move away but Obi-Wan was far quicker. Grabbing the long spear he used it to launch himself over the guard and out of the way of the Acklay who was close behind.

Angry that its prey had gotten away, the Acklay snapped at the Geonosian guard, crunching him in one bite.

Clear for the moment, Obi-glanced to see how the others were doing.

Padme was actually doing fairly well. She had managed to unlock her chains and was using them to swing at the Nexu. Staying out of the way, the creature methodically moved its way up the post, its sharp claws digging into the stone. It dodged the chain and took a swipe at Padme. Moving aside in the nick of time, she screamed as the claw ripped the top layer of her skin, drawing blood. Turning, she brought the chain back hitting the Nexu. It retreated down the pillar a bit hoping to avoid the chain. Taking advantage of its retreat, Padme jumped off, and, using the chain to swing herself, kicked the Nexu hard on the head with both her feet sending it falling to the sandy floor below.

Whereas Padme was doing well, Ork Fao wasn't. Obi-Wan winced as his Padawan barely managed to avoid getting rammed. The Garn had managed to free himself from the pillar but he was having a difficult time evading the Reek's.

A nudge in the force and the cry of the Acklay made Obi-Wan jump aside, his attention back on his own advisory. Regrettably, Ork Fao would have to take care of himself. At least for the moment. Rolling to avoid another strike, Obi-Wan jumped to his feet. Gripping the spear he had gotten from the Geonosian guard, he aimed and threw it at the Acklay, relying on the Force to guide it.

The beast screeched horribly as the speer imbedded itself in its neck. Backing away, it turned its attention to the spear, giving Obi-Wan time to help his Padawan.

"Over here, you overgrown rhino," he called running toward the Reek. Seeing an easy prey, the beast turned. Angrily pawing at the ground it charged toward Obi-Wan. Force jumping up and over the beast Obi-Wan twirled to face it again. But it didn't charge back. Now much closer to the Acklay, the Reek smelled the fresh blood coming its wound. Crazily, it turned and charged the Acklay. The crowd's cheers turned to booing as the two monsters ignored the humans and went at each other.

Obi-Wan ran and helped his Padawan up. Padme dropped down beside them. "What now, Master Jedi?" she asked glancing toward their opponents.

Back on its feet, the Nexu moved out of range and started to slowly circle them, looking for an opening. With a roar, the Reek bounded away from the Acklay, a deep gash in its side. The crab-like monster turned its gaze and looked straight at Kenobi.

"We stay alive," he told her as the two monsters moved forward.