Chapter 8 – Attack!!!
"Anakin, time to move," Obi-Wan said, as he woke the young Jedi from his deep sleep.
Obi-Wan felt more refreshed than he had in some time. He felt warnings in the Force, growing stronger, but he figured this just meant that the planet was indeed rapidly approaching its end. The scientists had already awoken long before Anakin.
They probably won't sleep well again until they are home, Obi-Wan thought.
The scientists gathered only a few of their supplies. The night before Obi-Wan had scanned the cave and decided what was necessary to take. The snow sled could be made to accommodate all 4 of them, but not if there was a lot of extra weight along. Obi-Wan exited the cave first, followed by Saya Vil. Anakin and Cranner trailed behind, still discussing some mechanical challenge from the night before. The snow sled was easily within sight. Obi-Wan took one step toward the snow sled before he pushed Saya Vil down and dove to the ground.
"Anakin, we've got company," Obi-Wan yelled as he ignited his lightsaber.
He need not have bothered yelling. Anakin was already engaged in a fierce battle with some sort of creature. As Obi-Wan looked closer he could see that it was some sort of snow cat, not much bigger than a man, but with razor claws and sharp teeth. The cat had no tail, which Obi-Wan found strange, but its outer coat seemed tough beyond imagination. It was all white, except for it's eyes, which meant that even as you gazed right at it, there was still the possibility of losing sight of the creature among all the snow and ice of this planet. Obi-Wan had to make all these observations in the blink of an eye because another cat was barreling down on him. He slashed out with his lightsaber and heard a sickening howl pierce the air. A wave of the creatures seemed to come out of nowhere, and Obi-Wan had to somersault away to get a better fighting position. He could see that Anakin was struggling to hold the many creatures at bay, particularly as he tried to protect Cranner, who had only the metal pole from the day before to defend with. Obi-Wan saw Saya trapped near the cave entrance with one of the snow cats. He slashed ferociously at his attackers and then leapt to Saya's aid. He sliced through the cat with ease and pushed Saya back into the cave.
"Take cover," he yelled, sorry he had to be so rough with so little warning.
Obi-Wan watched Anakin lose his balance on a patch of ice and fall to the ground. In that moment Obi-Wan called the Force to him fully. He pushed outward with the Force in all directions, generating something akin to a shield around himself that kept the creatures partially at bay as he sliced his way toward the fallen Padawan. Anakin still had his lightsaber in hand, but was in a losing position if he couldn't stand. Obi-Wan spun and sliced, jumped and dodged, the Force flowing through him more strongly than it ever had before. There was fire in his eyes, a determination to see this mission succeed. He was so fully into the dance that he didn't feel the slashes come. One across his leg which should have floored him, but instead fueled his drive. He brought only death with him as his blue lightsaber whirled through the air with superhuman speed. The onslaught seemed to dissipate as he moved steadily toward Anakin. He reached out a hand and sent several snow cats flying into the air. A slash of a claw grazed his wrist but he held firm to his lightsaber. He was beginning to feel the blood now, emptying out of him, though he pressed forward with cool resolve. Obi-Wan almost reached Anakin when he felt a heavy weight on his back. Razor sharp teeth dug into his shoulder and he lost his grip on the lightsaber. He threw a sharp elbow into the creature's midsection, loosening its grip for an instant. Rolling away he called the lightsaber back to his hand, slashed out in a wide circle and cut the creature in half. He felt the darkness closing in, and with a last ounce of strength managed to toss his lightsaber toward Anakin. Then he saw no more.