Okey-day peeps, I've got some really good news for you. I'm about a Chapter and a half away from completing my rough. And I promised to have this fic completed by Thanksgiving. Since there's 7 more chaps and only 5 days to Thanksgiving, guess what that means, double posts!! Well, I'm posting this chap now but who knows, could be more later on today. So keep an eye out and enjoy!! :D
K-rock – Well thanks for the advice. I know what you mean, sometimes I'm torn though. At one point I want all the juicy details and then on other points, I would have preferred to have let my imaginatio take it over. I'm sorry if it's not what you like generally, but I will try to find a happy medium at somepoint. ;) As for those meditations, well, I guess English papers can contribute. Unfortunately I don't know anything about AP English, since I was not very good at finishing regular English I doubt they even considered me for anything else. ;) It would figure that I enjoy writing so much now. Now go on and read the chap, I try not to get too mean to Obi. ]:)
rusho100 – Well, I hope the buildup to the end is certainly worth the wait. As far as describing the area, well, I'll have to keep that in mind for the next time. I kinda had this chap written for a while, just got caught up in other fandoms to finish it up. But as I said, since I promised to have it done by Thanksgiving, I had to kick in to gear and finish this up, so I didn't have too much to go back and really re-work it. But I will try and keep your suggestions in mind as I go into the final chapters. ;) Thanks again!! :D
oceanphi01 – Thanks, I hope the action keeps you captivated. There's still a lot to come! :D
Anway, on with the post!! :D
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Glancing down at the red stain that was spreading on his sleeve, Obi-Wan quickly thought. He knew his best strategy to beat his opponent was to know exactly what her weapon could do. And in order to find that out, he would have to provoke her. The pair moved back and forth searching for an opening. He decided that risks needed to be taken to get this battle going. Crouching, he lunged extending his arm and the staff as far as it could. She dodged the thrust by side stepping, then rolled forward and released her blade as she came back up. Instead of rising fully, she began twirling the links along the ground beneath her attempting to cut at his feet. Pulling back the staff, he pressed it into the ground once more and propelled himself up the length to avoid her spinning whipblade. Utilizing the momentum, he came back down with full force bringing the rod with him in a devastating blow.
Nobis sprang back just in time to see the tip crash in to the dirt she vacated. The blade still loose she began to spin it in wide circles on either side of her. Advancing slowly toward her prey. Suddenly, she spun around, pulling the swirling metal with her and then shot it forward. But this time, its direction was not a straight line, rather angling down at the ground. It hit the dirt oddly, its energy barely fazed by the contact and then changed direction, coming up at him from the lower angle. A couple of the sections left thin red lines along his abdomen as he parried the alteration too late. Stumbling back, his back foot dug into the floor giving him a stable stance to start his next move. Ona's eyes sparked as she gazed at the lacerations her weapon created. Yanking back on the chain, the blade snapped back to its solid form, she waited.
Jumping again, the Knight came at her from above. He took another swipe at her head in the midst of his descent. Instinctively, she ducked as the rod whooshed past her. Rising, she brought the sword with her, trying to uppercut him with the blade. The long metal cylinder spun to block the blow and he hopped back in precaution. He jabbed the staff at her feet but it was only a ruse as his leg came up to kick at her chest. Following through with he swing, Nobis twisted around, she caught a glimpse of the rod shooting at her unprotected feet but ignored it. Instead she thrust again straight ahead, her impudence scored the first true hit. The tip of her blade pierced his shoulder, and she reveled in her triumph. But it was short-lived as his outstretched foot collided with her chest, sending her backward and pulling the blade out. Unbalanced and in pain, Obi-Wan fell to the ground with a grunt. They both lay gasping, their eyes locked.
A feral grin curled the Bounty Hunter's lips at her small victory. Wincing, he gingerly touched his wound. Obi-Wan marveled at this new weapon, it was unlike anything he had ever dealt with before. However, his determination to win, to survive this struggle, he would need to utilize all his skills. Until now, he refused to give himself up to the ever-present power that accentuated his life. Worried that if he dwelled in its power too long, he would only be serving Arbor's experiment. But now, he realized that he could not defeat this skilled woman and her strange sword unless he could properly predict her moves. He now had a better concept of what it could do, but that wouldn't be enough to win. Using the Force was the only way. Before he had only been tapping it when he needed to, but now he had to delve into it completely so that it could guide him. Opening himself up, he drew on its strength. His mind centered quickly and the pain subsided. He was ready to face her again.
Carefully, he got to his feet. She mirrored his moves. Both held their weapons ready waiting for the onslaught to begin anew. It didn't take long, but this time the pace quickened. Their moves much more precise, efficient and effective. One struck, the other defended and they lost themselves to the dance. Obi-Wan was able to sense her moves before she made them, granting him the ability to react and counter prior to striking.
For some time, they were evenly matched. But as the battle progressed, Obi-Wan started to notice a change in his mind. Now as he saw the moves and planned for them, he began to receive additional images and plans. At first he didn't know what they were, perhaps feedback of some kind. But as they continued to fight, he began to realize that they were Nobis' thoughts echoing in his mind. He did his best to filter them out but they soon began merging with his own. Not long after he determined the mix, he found he could not decipher his own from hers. His reactions to the conflict still waging slowed in his confusion. Gradually, more scrapes and cuts etched his body. And he could not clear his mind enough to correct the problem.
Sadly, he closed his mind off to the reassuring presence, hoping that would at least get him back on even ground. Fear swelled in him when he discovered that he could no longer control his connection to the Force. It still flowed through him, bombarding his mind with images. Soon he found that it was no longer limited to the fight, but enhancing his senses. Not only was his mind calculating false battle sequences, he could hear her ragged breathing. The Bounty Hunter's heartbeat pounded his consciousness in an anti-rhythm to his own. The various scrapes transitioned from mere annoyances to agonizing wounds. And his aching shoulder cried out in bitter protest. His world expanded to infuse more into his already cluttered psyche. He could hear the locking and releasing mechanisms within the Sorrusian's whipblade. It went even further, allowing the thundering air cycling units to rumble through him as they switched on.
Too much, it was too much for him to accept in. Crashing to his knees he no longer had the ability to concentrate on the competition. Currently, he had a hard enough struggle just to maintain any thought. His hands pressed into his head, trying to block out the chaos that resided there. Glancing up at his opponent, he saw the smug satisfied smirk on her face before it blurred then doubled. He cried out then fell onto his back. Forcing his lips to move, he managed to croak out, "What's - hap - happening - t-to me?" The question remained unanswered as he writhed on the ground. At last, his overloaded body breached its limit and beyond, blissful darkness claimed him.
*
MysAri gingerly made her way up the access ramp. She had walked the entire distance from the Healer's Ward to the landing bay. Feeling so much better in the room, she believed she could make it without any problems. But her muscles were tired from disuse and she soon came to realize that she was not yet in pique condition. Halfway there, she had to stop to relax a moment. Sighing, she was glad she finally made it. She was making her way toward the small bridge when Anakin came running up to greet her. "I'm glad to see you are well, Master. I have prepared everything I could think of. The Infirmary is stocked to Master Bant's specifications. I have a datapad loaded waiting for you in your room to read the reports as well. But I have taken the liberty to input the coordinates to the first possible destination we should search. I hope you don't mind."
"You have done exceedingly well, Ani. I thank you. Bant should be here any moment. Let's wait for her in the bridge while you tell me where we're going." MysAri smiled at the youth and all the hard work he had done to please her. In a way, she could see many of Obi-Wan's insecure characteristics reflected in the special child before her. She hoped that when his Master was returned, the Knight would be able to reassure the boy, to avoid the same mistakes Qui-Gon had made.
But the young man in question was oblivious to her thoughts, smiling at the praise he said, "Here, let me help you." Lifting his arm the Padawan escorted the Knight to the bridge.
Once inside, she lowered herself into the co-pilot's seat while Anakin took the pilot's chair. Settled in for the moment, she regarded the Apprentice, "So, where are we heading?"
"I thought we should head to a planet called Simpla-12. Jenna Zan Arbor had a secret laboratory there where she held Master Qui-Gon for some time before Master Obi-Wan was able to rescue him. Actually, he tried to. He was able to get an antidote for Didi Oddo there but had to leave Qui-Gon due to complications. It also isn't too far out of the way so we should be able to get there quick and search for clues."
"Good work Ani. Now if Bant were only here, we could take off."
"And who said I wasn't," The Mon Calamarian eyed her two cohorts.
MysAri grinned sheepishly up at her caregiver, "I'm sorry. I guess my senses are not up to par yet either." Concern passed through the silver gaze briefly, and Mys quickly added, "I'm sure it will get better as I re-acclimate myself."
Bant dismissed this for the moment, vowing to return to the subject at another time. Instead, she turned to Anakin, "Well, are we going or what?"
Anakin looked toward his acting Master, a sparkle in his eyes. MysAri grinned, adding, "You heard the lady, let's get outta here." She winked and a broad smile crossed his young features before turning to power everything up and get clearance for take off.
Before long, they were on their way. Bant took MysAri to the makeshift infirmary for her to check the recovery progress. Disliking the prodding and fuss, MysAri soon excused herself. She left the dumbfounded Healer and headed to one of the small cabins of the craft. As soon as she was alone in her room, she fell back against the wall sighing. I think I've finally figured out your aversion to the Healers. If they're stifling to me, with everything you've gone through, they're probably suffocating to you. She spoke mentally to her lost friend, somehow it made the separation bearable. Laughing lightly, she recounted all the times she knew that he had visited the dreaded ward. Oh, Tschüxani, where are you? Closing her eyes, a tear slid down her cheek.
Exhausted, she made her way to the sleepcouch and flopped onto it. She lay there for a while before deciding to get up. She found the datapad on the nightstand and to her surprise, her travelling mythical collection also rested there. If nothing else, Ani, you're thorough. Reaching for the pad, she accessed the downloaded files and began reading the reports. She was finishing up her second time through when Anakin sounded the alert that they were coming out of hyperspace. Quickly, she went to join her companions as they approached their destination.
Bant was already there and Anakin was working the controls, easing them back into normal space. Collapsing into her seat, MysAri voiced the thought that was on all of their minds, "Let's hope can find a clue, at least." No one remarked on their mutual wish, remaining silent as they made their descent.
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Review? Possibly? I'll take whatever I can get. ;) Like I said, another post possibly later today. Thanks again for reading!! :D