Well, here are chapters 8 and 9. Which I am still not happy with. And I
still have not had time to correct them. So, they will have to do for the
moment. Let me know what you think. I would appreciate it.
Also, if you have the time please read "If only by one, it ends." It's an Epilogue to another piece I wrote, but I think it's perfectly wonderful on it's own. It's about a confrontation between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. Please? : )
Anyway, enough of the shameless plug, and on with the story...
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A glorious light poured in through a small window to find its occupant already awake. For a brief moment, Obi-Wan paused to bask in the orange and pink rays. A new day was beginning and Obi-Wan felt renewed. For the first time in lo so many years, he stood on the precipice of a new path. Quickly, he bathed and dressed in a black flight suit. Locating a pair of matching gloves and a set of goggles, he hurried out to meet the others.
All gathered to eat the humble breakfast Tyaña made. Once finished they gathered the swoop and headed for Anchorhead. Their journey thus far was uneventful. Qui-Gon separated from the company to seek out Watto. The Jedi found the hovering dealer near a betting stand. "Is everything set?" He asked the Toydarian.
"Of course. The boy's name has been submitted. I admire your conviction, even if it's misplaced," answered Watto.
"You don't think the boy can win?" The Knight pondered the blue being in front of him.
"The boy is good. He's a credit to your race, but I think, Nobis is going to win." He replied, swinging an arm behind him. Qui-Gon noticed a tall woman with a clean shaven head in plastoid armor. She headed toward the starting line.
"Why do you think that?" Qui-Gon inquired.
"Cause she always wins. I'm betting everything on her." He said while beginning to float away, when he was startled by what next transpired.
Qui-Gon thought about the Toydarian's passing remark and found his window of opportunity. Knowing it would be his only chance he pounced on it without thinking. The Force will guide me. "I'll take that bet." He announced.
"What?" Shock evident in his tone.
"I'll take that bet," the Jedi repeated. "I'll wager my new racing swoop against, say, the boy."
*****
Obi-Wan uncovered his swoop. It looked even more dazzling in the morning light than it had the night before. He was working on the control vanes when he felt the vehicle shift. He looked up to find his rival leaning on his racer. "Hello shag." She hissed.
"What do you want Bounty Hunter?" Trying not to pay her any heed, Obi-Wan continued his work on the vanes and repulsor pod.
"It will end here, slave. You will not survive this race." She announced. Approaching his position, she slid a hand onto his forearm. "Too bad, too. In a couple of years, you would have made a beautiful pleasure slave."
Disgusted, by her touch, Obi-Wan instantly withdrew. "We'll see. A Hutt could easily out maneuver you." Suddenly, the grip on his arm tightened. He could feel he nails trying to penetrate his flight suit.
"Pray your death is quick, shag. For if you survive, you will wish you hadn't." Releasing the boy, she stormed off. Obi-Wan watched her leave and found himself staring right at Padmé. He gave her a smirk to try and relax the worried glance on her face. Wanting to dispel any misgivings of their plan, he made his way toward her.
*****
"The boy, eh? I don't know." Watto hesitated. He wasn't sure why he didn't accept the bet immediately. He knew that the odds were invaluably in his favour, yet something glinted at the back of his mind.
"Is there something wrong? Or is the gamble too high a price?" Qui-Gon poked at the Toydarian's sense of pride. Knowing he could goad him into accepting the bet. It didn't fail.
"Deal. It makes no difference, outlander. Nobis will win." The junkdealer barked flying away as quickly as he could.
Qui-Gon noticed his three companions heading for him. He could barely make out Watto's angry remark before moving on. Obi-Wan peered back at the Jedi with a questioning glance. "What was that all about?"
"Nothing. Are you all ready?" The tall man changed the subject before it could be fully addressed.
"Just waiting for the green light." A smile overtaking Obi-Wan's youthful face and a twinkle danced in his eye.
***
Anchorhead was a prominent community on Tatooine. The government seat resided in the small city. Unlike the other settlings and spaceports, the residing population believed their status raised them higher than the others. Protecting their sophisticated lifestyle, they disliked the vulgarity of Podracing. Instead they sought different version of the sport; Swoop racing. Enhanced skills were required to utilize the machines supporting them, and a select few had the coordination qualified enough to race. Ten entrants lined the start/finish. A Dorus, Blood carver, Lorrdian, Barabel, Corellian, Phindian, Klatoonian, Quermian, Sorrusian and a human slave boy sat astride their vehicles waiting for the signal.
Qui-Gon, Padmé and Tyaña found their way to an observation deck to observe the race. The course would begin just beyond the town of Anchorhead then head out over a portion of the Jundland wastes. After a deep valley, they would enter the ruins of Fort Tusken. Making their way back around, the course set through some old mining tunnels and then back through the outskirts of Anchorhead before reaching the starting line. Mostly all spectators held little vid-screens allowing them to view the race beyond normal vision. Holo-vid droids were positioned strategically around the track for better vantage points.
The participants fidgeted as they anxiously awaited the start. Finally the moment came, and the group raged ahead. Only two swoops remained; the Corellian's and Obi-Wan's. The Corellian's swoop puttered and simply gave out with a huge puff of black smoke. Obi-Wan's was moving but so slowly, he could have walked past himself. Quickly glancing over the readouts on the sensor panel, he reached down to the Repulsorlift Calibration Dial. Fussing with it, he was almost thrown from his seat when the settings reached their desired position. Pulling himself back into the saddle, Obi- Wan eyed up the distancing opponents. He throttled the swoop ahead and barreled off after the specs ahead.
The beginning was smooth and open. Obi-Wan hunched closer to the machine to lessen the wind resistance. His competitors loomed ever nearer. He finally reached the back of the pack as they entered canyon. With little room to maneuver, Obi-Wan held back waiting for his opportunity. He tried his best to squeeze by but to no avail. He made it past as they broke out of the narrow path into the ruins of Fort Tusken. They wove through dilapidated buildings and tunnels. Obi-Wan broke and then gunned the engine, passing the Klatoonian and the Barabel. The announcer reported the change and the crowd went wild. The Dorus had caught up to Ona and was attempting to get around the Sorrusian. But she had caught sight of him in her peripheral vision. As he came up along side the bounty hunter, a whip suddenly unfurlled. Ona had engaged the laser mode and struck toward the stabilizer bar. Sparks flew up into the Dorus' face and he didn't notice her strike again at his directional thrust nozzles. The laser mode swiftly cut through the metal sending the speeder off toward a wall. Throttling ahead she paid little attention to the explosion behind her.
Obi-Wan saw the burst of fire before him and knew the cause instantly. It had happened to him at least once previously. Ignoring the memory, he spurred the bike on to catch up to his rival. He caught up to the Quermian next in the mine tunnels. At a fork in the path Obi-Wan banked left and the Quermian drifted right. When the two paths merged, Obi-Wan had gotten past the Quermian. Urging the machine even further, Obi-Wan drove on.
Navigating the streets through Anchorhead proved to be a bit more difficult than the Lorrdian thought. He had found himself behind the Sorrusian with little chance of passing. He was also waiting for the whip to emerge. Watching her every move he knew exactly when she was going to strike and readied himself. So intent on watching the bounty hunter he failed to notice the path narrow, and careened sideways into a building.The first circuit completed, they headed back out into the Jundland Wastes. Three laps were set for the course and the leader at the end of the third won. Only four racers remained.
The second circuit paired off the contenders; Ona and the blood carver and Obi-Wan and the Phindian. The Phindian tried to club at Obi-Wan with his long arms. Obi-Wan used a ramp to gain height over the other pilot and rolled over to take the position. Ona dispatched her rival with ease as she headed back into the city. Obi-Wan could see her in the distance and called once again on the something he felt around him. Urging it to aid his chase. It answered as the vehicle began to gain on Ona's swoop. The commentator cheered on the battling rivals as the charged into the third and final circuit.
Obi-Wan came up behind the bounty hunter in the canyon. He weaved back and forth to try and pass. That's when he saw the whip fling out toward and outcropping above. Some large rocks broke free, falling directly into this path. Obi-Wan thought quickly and pulled back while breaking. Hoisting the nose up, he pounded the turbothrusters he barley managed to jump the descending boulders. Sighing at the close call he pressed the swoop further. Again catching up with the Sorrusan, he pulled along side of her. They banked and turned their way through the vacant fort side by side. Out in the open between the fort and mines, Ona utilized her weapon of choice. Flicking her wrist, she sent the slender cord to wrap around the boy's arm. Once caught in it's clutches, Ona pulled to dislodge the youth. Obi-Wan saw the whip too late and had only enough time to tighten his grip on the handle bars. Still trying to maneuver, he caught her next motion out of the corner of his eye, but it sent a wave of fear through him. He recognized the motion. Ona pressed a switch with her thumb on the hilt of her whip. The switch that activated the laser mode. Obi-Wan knew that once in that mode the whip could easily cut threw his arm, disabling him for the rest of the race. He needed to think, and fast.
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Next chapter coming right up! Review! Review! Please?
Thanks for reading.
Also, if you have the time please read "If only by one, it ends." It's an Epilogue to another piece I wrote, but I think it's perfectly wonderful on it's own. It's about a confrontation between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. Please? : )
Anyway, enough of the shameless plug, and on with the story...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
A glorious light poured in through a small window to find its occupant already awake. For a brief moment, Obi-Wan paused to bask in the orange and pink rays. A new day was beginning and Obi-Wan felt renewed. For the first time in lo so many years, he stood on the precipice of a new path. Quickly, he bathed and dressed in a black flight suit. Locating a pair of matching gloves and a set of goggles, he hurried out to meet the others.
All gathered to eat the humble breakfast Tyaña made. Once finished they gathered the swoop and headed for Anchorhead. Their journey thus far was uneventful. Qui-Gon separated from the company to seek out Watto. The Jedi found the hovering dealer near a betting stand. "Is everything set?" He asked the Toydarian.
"Of course. The boy's name has been submitted. I admire your conviction, even if it's misplaced," answered Watto.
"You don't think the boy can win?" The Knight pondered the blue being in front of him.
"The boy is good. He's a credit to your race, but I think, Nobis is going to win." He replied, swinging an arm behind him. Qui-Gon noticed a tall woman with a clean shaven head in plastoid armor. She headed toward the starting line.
"Why do you think that?" Qui-Gon inquired.
"Cause she always wins. I'm betting everything on her." He said while beginning to float away, when he was startled by what next transpired.
Qui-Gon thought about the Toydarian's passing remark and found his window of opportunity. Knowing it would be his only chance he pounced on it without thinking. The Force will guide me. "I'll take that bet." He announced.
"What?" Shock evident in his tone.
"I'll take that bet," the Jedi repeated. "I'll wager my new racing swoop against, say, the boy."
*****
Obi-Wan uncovered his swoop. It looked even more dazzling in the morning light than it had the night before. He was working on the control vanes when he felt the vehicle shift. He looked up to find his rival leaning on his racer. "Hello shag." She hissed.
"What do you want Bounty Hunter?" Trying not to pay her any heed, Obi-Wan continued his work on the vanes and repulsor pod.
"It will end here, slave. You will not survive this race." She announced. Approaching his position, she slid a hand onto his forearm. "Too bad, too. In a couple of years, you would have made a beautiful pleasure slave."
Disgusted, by her touch, Obi-Wan instantly withdrew. "We'll see. A Hutt could easily out maneuver you." Suddenly, the grip on his arm tightened. He could feel he nails trying to penetrate his flight suit.
"Pray your death is quick, shag. For if you survive, you will wish you hadn't." Releasing the boy, she stormed off. Obi-Wan watched her leave and found himself staring right at Padmé. He gave her a smirk to try and relax the worried glance on her face. Wanting to dispel any misgivings of their plan, he made his way toward her.
*****
"The boy, eh? I don't know." Watto hesitated. He wasn't sure why he didn't accept the bet immediately. He knew that the odds were invaluably in his favour, yet something glinted at the back of his mind.
"Is there something wrong? Or is the gamble too high a price?" Qui-Gon poked at the Toydarian's sense of pride. Knowing he could goad him into accepting the bet. It didn't fail.
"Deal. It makes no difference, outlander. Nobis will win." The junkdealer barked flying away as quickly as he could.
Qui-Gon noticed his three companions heading for him. He could barely make out Watto's angry remark before moving on. Obi-Wan peered back at the Jedi with a questioning glance. "What was that all about?"
"Nothing. Are you all ready?" The tall man changed the subject before it could be fully addressed.
"Just waiting for the green light." A smile overtaking Obi-Wan's youthful face and a twinkle danced in his eye.
***
Anchorhead was a prominent community on Tatooine. The government seat resided in the small city. Unlike the other settlings and spaceports, the residing population believed their status raised them higher than the others. Protecting their sophisticated lifestyle, they disliked the vulgarity of Podracing. Instead they sought different version of the sport; Swoop racing. Enhanced skills were required to utilize the machines supporting them, and a select few had the coordination qualified enough to race. Ten entrants lined the start/finish. A Dorus, Blood carver, Lorrdian, Barabel, Corellian, Phindian, Klatoonian, Quermian, Sorrusian and a human slave boy sat astride their vehicles waiting for the signal.
Qui-Gon, Padmé and Tyaña found their way to an observation deck to observe the race. The course would begin just beyond the town of Anchorhead then head out over a portion of the Jundland wastes. After a deep valley, they would enter the ruins of Fort Tusken. Making their way back around, the course set through some old mining tunnels and then back through the outskirts of Anchorhead before reaching the starting line. Mostly all spectators held little vid-screens allowing them to view the race beyond normal vision. Holo-vid droids were positioned strategically around the track for better vantage points.
The participants fidgeted as they anxiously awaited the start. Finally the moment came, and the group raged ahead. Only two swoops remained; the Corellian's and Obi-Wan's. The Corellian's swoop puttered and simply gave out with a huge puff of black smoke. Obi-Wan's was moving but so slowly, he could have walked past himself. Quickly glancing over the readouts on the sensor panel, he reached down to the Repulsorlift Calibration Dial. Fussing with it, he was almost thrown from his seat when the settings reached their desired position. Pulling himself back into the saddle, Obi- Wan eyed up the distancing opponents. He throttled the swoop ahead and barreled off after the specs ahead.
The beginning was smooth and open. Obi-Wan hunched closer to the machine to lessen the wind resistance. His competitors loomed ever nearer. He finally reached the back of the pack as they entered canyon. With little room to maneuver, Obi-Wan held back waiting for his opportunity. He tried his best to squeeze by but to no avail. He made it past as they broke out of the narrow path into the ruins of Fort Tusken. They wove through dilapidated buildings and tunnels. Obi-Wan broke and then gunned the engine, passing the Klatoonian and the Barabel. The announcer reported the change and the crowd went wild. The Dorus had caught up to Ona and was attempting to get around the Sorrusian. But she had caught sight of him in her peripheral vision. As he came up along side the bounty hunter, a whip suddenly unfurlled. Ona had engaged the laser mode and struck toward the stabilizer bar. Sparks flew up into the Dorus' face and he didn't notice her strike again at his directional thrust nozzles. The laser mode swiftly cut through the metal sending the speeder off toward a wall. Throttling ahead she paid little attention to the explosion behind her.
Obi-Wan saw the burst of fire before him and knew the cause instantly. It had happened to him at least once previously. Ignoring the memory, he spurred the bike on to catch up to his rival. He caught up to the Quermian next in the mine tunnels. At a fork in the path Obi-Wan banked left and the Quermian drifted right. When the two paths merged, Obi-Wan had gotten past the Quermian. Urging the machine even further, Obi-Wan drove on.
Navigating the streets through Anchorhead proved to be a bit more difficult than the Lorrdian thought. He had found himself behind the Sorrusian with little chance of passing. He was also waiting for the whip to emerge. Watching her every move he knew exactly when she was going to strike and readied himself. So intent on watching the bounty hunter he failed to notice the path narrow, and careened sideways into a building.The first circuit completed, they headed back out into the Jundland Wastes. Three laps were set for the course and the leader at the end of the third won. Only four racers remained.
The second circuit paired off the contenders; Ona and the blood carver and Obi-Wan and the Phindian. The Phindian tried to club at Obi-Wan with his long arms. Obi-Wan used a ramp to gain height over the other pilot and rolled over to take the position. Ona dispatched her rival with ease as she headed back into the city. Obi-Wan could see her in the distance and called once again on the something he felt around him. Urging it to aid his chase. It answered as the vehicle began to gain on Ona's swoop. The commentator cheered on the battling rivals as the charged into the third and final circuit.
Obi-Wan came up behind the bounty hunter in the canyon. He weaved back and forth to try and pass. That's when he saw the whip fling out toward and outcropping above. Some large rocks broke free, falling directly into this path. Obi-Wan thought quickly and pulled back while breaking. Hoisting the nose up, he pounded the turbothrusters he barley managed to jump the descending boulders. Sighing at the close call he pressed the swoop further. Again catching up with the Sorrusan, he pulled along side of her. They banked and turned their way through the vacant fort side by side. Out in the open between the fort and mines, Ona utilized her weapon of choice. Flicking her wrist, she sent the slender cord to wrap around the boy's arm. Once caught in it's clutches, Ona pulled to dislodge the youth. Obi-Wan saw the whip too late and had only enough time to tighten his grip on the handle bars. Still trying to maneuver, he caught her next motion out of the corner of his eye, but it sent a wave of fear through him. He recognized the motion. Ona pressed a switch with her thumb on the hilt of her whip. The switch that activated the laser mode. Obi-Wan knew that once in that mode the whip could easily cut threw his arm, disabling him for the rest of the race. He needed to think, and fast.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Next chapter coming right up! Review! Review! Please?
Thanks for reading.