K-rock – I don't know if the fight will be that great. But thanks for the encouragement. LOL, I always, ALWAYS hated research projects in school. In fact, I didn't do most of them. I still don't know how I graduated, but I have a diploma so it doesn't matter what they say! :p I have only recently found the use of research, and oddly enough it's for these stories. I have read through various SW reference books and the JA books to make sure I didn't screw up completely. I also have a Crossover in the works with Farscape, which I have been attempting to do some research on how wormholes work in that series. And making sure that everything merges in a way that's believable yet theoretically correct. Well, let's give up on the philosophy, but I do want you to keep up with those Patience Meditations. Or will I just have to stop posting for a while. Hmmm? Well, enough babble for now, on with the post! :D

Yes folks, it's another post. And I would like to make a quick mention, about the end of this and beginning of the next post. I would like to thank Namco/Soul Calibur II especially the characters of Ivy and Kilik. I hope that the result of their examples make you experience more enjoyable. ;) Thanks!!

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Something roused her from the healing trance. It nudged her consciousness, prodding her to wake. At first it felt almost like a tickle, so she just ignored it. But as it grew more incessant she was forced to heed its call. When she opened her eyes, she found that she was alone. A little muddled, MysAri searched to determine the source of the nudge but came up empty handed. Deciding that that was secondary to her purpose right now, she pushed her questions aside and began assessing her body. Methodically, she stretched each muscle in turn.

To her amazement, she felt a hundred times better than she had over the past few days. Next, she took in a lungfull of air, expanding her ribcage. Happy that she was able to breathe deeply again, Mys ignored the residual stiffness and discomfort. Well, I may as well go for broke. Throwing the cover off, she gingerly sat up and swung her legs around. Cautiously, she slid off the medcouch, holding the edge tightly as her legs began to buckle. Immediately, she willed herself not to fall. No, I have to do this. I cannot give up. Slowly, her legs began to support her weight, something they had not done for some time.

As she stood, she could feel strength returning to her recently dormant muscles. After some long minutes and encouraged by her feat, MysAri took her first step. The leg remained sturdy and soon she was walking around the bed. She had completed a number of rounds when the door finally opened. MysAri already expected the reproach, "What do you think you're doing?" The Master Healer chastised her actions.

"If I intend to go on a rescue, I need to make sure I'm capable of such a plan. I told you already, I'll be leaving soon."

"I know what you told me. I just don't want you to over exert yourself yet." Bant moved to check a few readouts while she spoke.

"I don't have time to be timid." Silence fell between them, the curt response reminded them that time grew ever shorter. MysAri glanced at the Healer when she felt her bristle at the remark. Taking a deep breath, she realized that her tension was getting the better of her still. And that Bant was just as worried as she was about Obi-Wan. Clearing her throat, she offered, "I'm sorry, Bant. It's just I keep getting the nagging feeling that time's against us. And that if we don't react soon, it won't just be one Jedi lost."

The Calamarian watched her friend for a long moment before moving to place a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright. I've had similar feelings. That's why I've been working so hard to get you ready."

"I appreciate it, honestly," MysAri tried to send her thanks over the Force as well as with her words. She truly meant it, without Bant's help, she didn't stand a chance in getting Obi-Wan back. She began her exercises of walking around the bed. Curious as to how far they had gotten in her treatment, she asked, "What were you able to accomplish?"

Bant had been observing the woman's movements, noting that they were becoming more fluid as she walked. "I've given you two treatments thus far, four hours apart," she replied, checking the readouts again, "I haven't seen any signs of rejection, but since these are so rushed it's possible they may not be showing any yet."

"Well, I feel better already. Some residual aches, but they shouldn't be too bad. Thanks for everything." MysAri went to a small wardrobe in a corner to retrieve her clothes. "Now, where is Anakin? I think we should get going."

Entering in her observations on the datapad, the Mon Calamarian explained, "He had been reading in the waiting room but I told him to prepare the ship. Gave him some extra supplies to pack in the infirmary for me. I wanted to make sure we had an adequate med facility as well as stealth and maneuverability."

"You secured a ship? Thanks…. We?" The Knight was in the midst of expressing her gratitude when she comprehended the subtle implication.

Bant grinned, "I warned you that I might accept that offer. Besides, you still need to be monitored and treated if possible. And," she swallowed hard. Averting her eyes to her datapad, Bant focused on her duties to lessen her fears, "with the kind of history Obi's had, there's a good chance he'll need me."

That was all that needed to be said to convey their worries. Another tremble in the Force rippled through the room. It was a hard reality they faced, MysAri's jaded eyes stared hard at Bant. Carefully, she reached out to touch the healer's shoulder, forcing Bant to face her. "Obi-Wan Kenobi will survive. He must."

It was spoken with such a certainty that even Bant felt there was no room to argue the fact, despite her feelings. Instead, she simply nodded. She watched as the Knight turned and headed into the 'fresher to change. Not fully comprehending why, Bant suddenly believed Mys' words wholeheartedly. The shadow, she had not even known was there, seemed to lift slightly in the encompassing power. That is when she saw that it was not just MysAri's hopes, but the Force that demanded he live. Waiting for the Knight to reemerge, she felt a renewed sense of purpose while preparing to leave.

*

"Rematch? Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, not to brag or anything, but I did defeat you a couple of times when I was only a kid. And I have also beaten a Sith Lord." Obi-Wan tried to dissuade her, but he could not hide the hint of sarcasm in his voice. Yet again his wonderful sense of humour reared its head, and he wondered how it would get him in trouble this time.

Ona's eyes narrowed to dagger points, speaking death and pain. Yet it was a loud booming voice over a sound system the responded to his mockery, "Then this should be quite a show." Obi-Wan glanced up at the Observation Panels now knowing who sat behind them. Jenna Zan Arbor continued, "Making her angry will only enhance the results."

"Results?" Obi-Wan called aloud.

"Yes, I told you before, I still have a few more experiments to conduct to perfect my collar. I just needed a willing participant. And I needed to have the Force in action to get the final statistics. Unfortunately, if you are anything like that stupid Master of yours, I know you would not willingly use the Force unless provoked by other means. Nobis had always wanted to fight you again, so I had this constructed to fulfil both needs. Do you like it?"

"Does it matter?" He countered in clipped tones. Her reference about his beloved Master irked him considerably, and he made no attempt to conceal it. When he got no response, he inquired further, "So what kind of experiments are they?"

"Now, now, since when do the womprats get told what is being done to them?" the scientist jeered.

Realizing he was getting no where fast, Obi-Wan glanced over to address his opponent, "I hope you don't expect me to fight barehanded. Last time we tangled, I had my lightsaber."

Jenna answered his unspoken question, "Your lightsaber is too powerful and we don't want you escaping."

"Then how do you expect me to fight?"

"It has been arranged." Even over a speaker, that dark tone in Jenna's response could be heard.

Obi-Wan turned back to the Bounty Hunter. She reached behind her, pulled out an object and tossed it at him. Instinctively, he caught the item then examined it. He held a sleek thin cylinder a single button protruding from its center. Extending his arm, he hit the button and a metallic shaft sprang from both ends. It was a simple weapon but better than nothing. Tapping the control again it collapsed back to its original form. Looking up he was surprised to find that he was now alone. Apparently, the Sorrusian thought their battle had begun.

Scattered throughout the training room, foliage had been planted to provide cover. Obi-Wan as well as Nobis made great use of their environment. They had been in there for at least an hour and neither had found the other yet. Currently, Obi-Wan sat next to some shrubs and a boulder, waiting. Now what? He wondered, still unsure of his predicament. His rival had not engaged him and the experiment was not clear.

Starting to feel anxious, Obi-Wan sighed. He then decided to give in, at least in some way, to their wishes. The best way to get this battle over with was to confront Nobis and fight. Taking a number of calming breaths, the experienced Knight centered himself quickly. Stretching out tendrils through the Force to seek out his enemy. It took him some minutes but he was finally able to locate her in the vast room, surprisingly close by. Hoping to get this test over with expeditiously, he crept from his hiding place to find her.

He deftly moved through the brush to reach a place on a landing above his rival. Knowing she was below him, he peered through the branches hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He was not disappointed. There about fifteen meters away, tucked between two large boulders in the shade of some trees, Ona Nobis lay in wait. At the moment, believing he had the advantage, Obi-Wan formulated a plan. With the element of surprise, he had to hit hard and fast. But she had a clear view of her surroundings and he wasn't sure he could reach her before she spotted him. His best bet was to create a diversion to give him those extra precious moments he needed. Tapping into the comforting presence once more, he willed some branches of a shrub opposite him to move. Immediately, Ona turned toward the disturbance.

Reacting instinctively, Obi-Wan advanced in his window of opportunity. Leaping high into the air, he extended the shaft intending to land directly on top of his prey. But she had not been fooled. A second after he leapt, she sprung from her hole. He landed smoothly just short of his target, glancing over his shoulder at the Bounty Hunter. Nobis had rolled away coming up on bended knee only now she had a sword in her hand. Regarding the weapon for a moment, Obi-Wan was surprised not to see a whip flying towards him. Still, he welcomed the change, since he was more accustomed to dealing with sabers and blasters instead of whips during combat. She rose to her feet as he moved to face her. And there they remained, circling each other waiting for someone to strike.

Slowly, they crept closer together yet neither truly advanced. Minutes passed, the ominous tension mounting to a point where it could snap. It was almost unbearable when one finally struck. Nobis swung down toward his head, which he blocked easily. Her moves were planned and calculated, but the Knight was not without skill of his own. Able to keep her from hitting her marks, her anger began to make her sloppy and demanding. She kept the attack up, pressing him back with her blows until their weapons locked. Using the rod, he pushed her back then shifted to the offensive. Spinning he came at her from the other side, but she was quick and brought her blade up to stop his attack.

He swung twice more at each of her sides to no avail. He realized she was expecting a limited and direct attack. I hope those lessens with Master S'nk work. (Years ago, while he was still an apprentice he had taken a class for advanced Padawans regarding various weapons. Of all the choices available, Obi-Wan had preferred working with a Quarterstaff the best. He could only hope that that brief training would save him now.) Instead of striking at her, he planted one end of the rod into the ground and used it to shift from her front to her side. As soon as he was in position, he used the end closest to the ground to swing between her feet, knocking her toward the ground. But he didn't stop there, preventing her from falling completely, he lifted the tip and Nobis with it to swing her over his head. She landed in a heap, rolled, came up and growled. Obviously, she didn't appreciate his moves.

Stretching out her free arm, she brought her blade up level with her gaze. They began circling again, poised for action. Her face creased into a snarl and the Force surged a warning. Expecting her to advance, he did not move properly to avoid the attack. He watched her curiously, knowing he was out of her reach. Suddenly, Nobis thrust her arm forward, but to his bewilderment she didn't move. Instead, the blade separated into sections held together by flexible metal roping. The divided sword flew through the air grazing his bicep then snapped back to its original form. He knew then that this fight would be a lot harder than he initially believed. Also that he still did not know what Arbor's experiment was. Stepping back, he fell into a defensive stance, he needed to think, to plan his moves or he might yet lose.

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Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoyed it. More to come!! :D And if you could please review. I don't consider myself a very good fight writer so if you have any comments or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate the advice!! :D