Chapter 6
Eclipse-Class Super Star Destroyer Hope of the Alliance
"You must learn to utilize your environment better," said Anakin to Valin. "You can fight excellently in the confines of a gym, but what about the deserts of Tatooine, or the streets of Coruscant."
"Therefore," said Requiem, we've taken the liberty of setting up a bit of an obstacle course in one of the side gyms today. It simulates a city block. You will have to get through the crowded alleys to the door on the other side of the room."
"And you'll all try to stop me?"
"Anakin and I will. Jaina's with you on this one," Requiem replied with a grin. The two boys had become good friends during Requiem's time at the Maw. "Instead of real lightsabers, we're using modified stun sticks. They won't kill you but, you might ache a bit when you come to. They'll also deflect blaster bolts, but unfortunately, our two mechanical whizzes here couldn't get them to have the same accuracy that real lightsabers have."
"Blaster bolts?" asked Valin, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness.
"Some of our squadmates have, uh, volunteered. They're going to be in the maze with blasters set on stun." Volunteered wasn't the right word. Most had been extremely reluctant about getting into any arena with two enemy Jedi in it, even with two other Jedi on their side.
"Okay. Just don't blame me when you're lying on the floor unconscious," Valin taunted.
"Let's go Anakin." Requiem turned to Valin and Jaina as he drew his dual stun sticks.. "Wait until our command. Good luck."
The two Jedi jogged into the gymnasium, leaving Jaina and Valin alone in the corridor. About three minutes later, Requiem's voice sounded in their heads, Come on in.
Valin powered his up his stun stick and moved it into a ready position before heading through the door.
Instantly, two stun bolts came his way. He deflected them, sending the shooters behind cover. The gym looked much like a city street indeed. A holographic overlay covered the stacked up mats and makeshift buildings, the ceiling was covered by sky, but was cloudy and looked like it was about to storm. But Valin had no time to inspect the scenery. Several more stun bolts came his way these from two shooters behind fake dumpsters.
Valin charged them and dropped both of the pilots, both rookies in Twin Suns squadron. He was rounding the streets corner when his first real challenge appeared. Anakin leapt from a tower and cut Jaina down before she could even respond. That had to be planned. She's wouldn't have been caught that unaware, Valin thought as he parried a blow from Anakin's stun stick.
Seizing the opportunity for a counterstrike, Valin kicked Anakin in the chest, knocking him slightly off balance, and then stabbed hard into Anakin's chest. But the former Sith jumped back from the stab and jabbed Valin in the thigh. Valin felt his leg nearly give out, but he was okay. Anakin raised his blade high for a overhead strike, but it was too slow. Valin caught him in the stomach and Anakin dropped, stunned. They must've planned that. Anakin's one of the best swordsmen in the Jedi Order. But I defeated him! Fairly, too! Spurred on by this boost of confidence, he began to dash for the exit, elated over his victory.
A stun bolt brought him out of his thoughts. He deflected it and use the Force to aid him in a leap to a low rooftop near the exit.
But he would not make it. There was a roar as a holographic speeder sped by, and suddenly Requiem was upon him, his two blades held in an offensive stance. He came in with a jab from one blade, which Valin caught easily enough, but the second one came in a slash towards Valin's shoulder, which was much more difficult.
After about thirty seconds more of this, Valin said, "You're holding back."
"Who? Me?" replied Requiem, feigning innocence.
"There's no way I–" Valin was cut short as a sniper's bolt fell across his right shoulder, disabling the arm. Requiem then unleashed the full brunt of his amazing lightsaber skills. As he faded into unconsciousness, Valin thought, At least it wasn't a real lightsaber...