Here's today's post. Have fun! :D

K-rock – Yeah, between Mys and Obi I don't know who's been knocked out the most or the longest! Lol. And that's ok. I know there have been plenty of times I've been distracted from my reading. And it takes all my strength not to bite the head off of whatever distracted me. ;) Um, yeah, Robin Hood, started yeah. *scratches head* Well, I did do some research and such. But I probably only have a paragraph or two written. And that was done almost a year ago. Heh. We'll just have to see if inspiration finally manages to show up! :D Thanks again!

Aut-of-Mandos – Thanks for reading!! Always glad to see a new face. :D As for the name Ona Nobis? Well, it's quite possible, but I didn't make it up. The character was originally conceived by Jude Watson who wrote the Jedi Apprentice books. It's just she made reference that Ona wanted revenge on Obi because of the wound he caused her. LOL, if I do have a kingdom, it's actually very small. And fits comfortably inside my head. ;) Cliffies? Never heard 'bout no cliffies, but I sure like leaving my readers dangling! ]:) LOL. You're just lucky you started reading now. And that I plan on finishing it this week. I haven't posted to my epic in 6 months! But I promise to get a new chap on that by Christmas! So we'll see what happens. Thanks for reading!! :D

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Consciousness came quickly and she sat up with a start. Immediately, she regretted it as the rush of blood did not help her already throbbing mind. She began messaging her eyes and head, when she heard a startled voice behind her, "Well that was sudden. How do you feel?" A smirk creased her lips as she thought, ever the vigilant Healer, huh Bant? But decided it best to keep it to herself.

"Alright, I guess." Looking around now, MysAri figured she had been in the little infirmary the moment she woke up. The Knight was not disappointed. Turning to her Calamarian caretaker, she swung her legs over the side of the medcouch. "How long have I been out?"

"About two hours." Bant watched MysAri for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Mys, do you know what happened? Does it have something to do with your situation? Is there something you aren't telling me?" The questions have been burning in the Healer's mind since her collapse but she had to wait to get her answers.

The Knight sighed and closed her eyes, she gave a quick shake of her head. "No, this had nothing to do with me." Carefully, deliberately, Mys' gaze caught the silver bulbous eyes of the Healer.

Reading into the look Bant confirmed her deeper fear, whispering she said, "Obi-Wan." She had begun to suspect it was something else, when shortly after MysAri lost consciousness both started getting a moderate headache. It dissipated only a few minutes later, but the mere fact that they both had one at the same time revealed it was more than coincidence. However, she was curious about the severity of MysAri's reaction to the occurrence. "But you…?"

"I had just opened a bond with him, directing my thoughts toward him and Balesco. Letting him know we were on our way. The good news is that it seems we are heading in the right direction. The bad news is, well, I'm afraid of the condition he'll be in when we find him." She spoke plainly, not hiding her grim concern.

Bant accepted this and then released her worry to the Force. If she thought about it too much it would only eat away at her. Instead she focused on the object of her concern right now, "Now that you're awake and I know that it's not due to any unknown complications, I would like to give you the next injection."

"Go ahead, I need to be ready when we land."

"That won't be for another few hours." Bant prepped the hypospray as she spoke, "Ani, is pushing this ship to the limit. All we can do now is wait."

MysAri could hear the strain in her voice. "Don't worry. We'll save him."

"I know, but even if he's alive the trauma to his body and mind may last."

"If anyone can work miracles you can. Look at me, I'm walking and talking again." She smiled trying to comfort and encourage her friend. "And he would be much more comfortable under your care than anyone else's. Together we can bring him back to us. The best therapy we can give him is our love."

Relaxing a little, Bant returned the gesture, "Now I know why you were Master Uvontra's Padawan. For as long as I've known you, you've always told me what I needed to hear just when I needed to hear it."

"You exaggerate." The woman dismissed the compliment automatically. "Besides, it wasn't only for you. I need to hear such words myself." The two exchanged sympathetic glances and then went about finishing up.

*

Something disturbed the darkness. If he had his choice, he would happily remain lost in the night. But as he was roused from his slumber he groaned against the pounding, thundering pain in his head. Vaguely, he began to remember what had caused the raging storm in his ears. A swell in the Force, an overload of his senses. Arbor. She somehow manipulated his body to accept in more information than it was intended to handle. Now, even as he woke he could feel an overwhelming sense of fatigue throughout his weary form. He began to wonder why he slowly returned to consciousness. But he didn't have to wonder long as another frigid splash of water clashed against his fevered countenance. Gasping, he managed to open his eyes, if only half way. Standing menacingly over him, empty bucket in hand, was Ona Nobis.

"Get up," she commanded coldly. Blearily, he regarded her for a moment before his eyelids dropped again. Annoyed, she kicked out at the prone prisoner, not holding anything back. A rush of air lost and a small whimper escaped her victim. She watched as he feebly curled up and rolled onto his side. The pained grimace on his face gave her a taste of satisfaction. "Get up," she repeated, her tone even harsher than before. When he didn't move, she once again kicked at him, adding a few more blows to get her point across.

Agony, pure and blinding agony. He couldn't believe how one kick could have hurt so much. Instantly, he moved to protect his aching side. But it hurt so much. Laying there he tried to figure out what was wrong with him. Once again his thoughts returned to the rematch and how it ended, he gathered that it was a residual effect of the heightened senses that Arbor caused in him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Obi-Wan heard the Bounty Hunter bark at him. He wasn't exactly sure what she was saying, through the pounding in his ears and the pain in his side, but he figured he wouldn't have complied anyway. Then when he felt he was finally recovering from the first blow, more assaulted him.

Those few hits were almost more than his tortured body could take. Too exhausted and spent, he lost all self-consciousness and allowed himself to cry out at the misery inflicted. Even with his eyes closed he could see the stars plaguing his vision. Desperate to get air back in to his lungs, he gulped down whatever breaths he could despite his raging ribs. Then just as suddenly, someone grabbed a fist full of hair and yanked him to his knees. The hand released him and thrust him back into a wall, exciting new sparks in his mind when his head collided with the unforgiving metal. Leaning against the support, he could hear soft sobbing in the distance. It took him another minute to realize that the gentle weeping came from him. Surprised by this revelation, he wondered. Had they broken him so thoroughly with such little effort?

Disbelieving it could be true, he shook his head whispering 'no.' He thought he was stronger than that. No matter how much he denied it, he could not hold the despair at bay. Slowly and surely, it consumed him. Master! His mind cried out to the Force, searching for hope. When there was no answer forthcoming, he called out again. Yoda. Bant. Anakin. Still no one responded to his call. As he was about to give up, his mind quietly pleaded, MysAri. Anyone. Nothing, he was alone. Alone to wallow in his suffering. Then, at last he heard a thought, cast out into the Force not long ago. We're coming for you, Tschüxani, hold on just a little longer. They were coming for him. He knew who was searching endlessly for him and relief washed over him. He just had to hold on, not relinquish himself to the hell he was in. A relieved sob escaped him, but he didn't care. He would be going home soon, free of the pain, free of the abomination that circled his neck.

Arbor's collar. No one should suffer such a fate as wearing Arbor's collar. He wouldn't even put one on a Sith. Any prototypes or research that created the foul mechanism had to be destroyed. Thankful that help was on the way, he hoped that they would not be subjected to his misery when they arrived. A new determination filled him, Obi-Wan knew that he had to survive. He had to help with the eradication of such a threat to the Jedi Order. A threat to everything he believed in and everyone he cared for. He had to be strong, he couldn't sink into the well of self-pity. Tapping into a reserve he didn't even know he had, he could feel the quiet sobs still. Abruptly, he was torn from his thoughts.

Tasting the familiar wash of iron in his mouth, he finally opened his eyes to find the Sorrusian peering down at him. An angry scowl lined her features. Lost in his thoughts he had forgotten all about her, but was quickly reminded of her presence by the brutal backhand. Just as he registered what happened she flung her hand out again, snapping his head in the opposite direction. She grabbed the remnants of his tunic and brought his face close to her, growling she said, "You're mine to play with now."

She threw him back against the wall. A knee came up to jab him in the chest, effectively pinning him. Reaching down she pulled his arm up and pressed it into the cool metal. He thought he heard something being unsheathed but his vision was still a bit foggy to see what was happening. In a dark and cold tone, she spit, "I have been waiting a long time for this." Without any other type of warning, he felt a blazing fire pierce his hand. Too weakened to bite it back, he screamed at the torment. Thankfully, darkness greeted him.

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