Here's that second post!

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The evil women watched as the young Knight collected himself from the floor and adjusted into a meditative position. Arbor smiled, pleased with her method of vengeance. "Did I not tell you is would be much more gratifying to watch him destroy himself?"

"He's not dead yet," Nobis answered coldly.

"He will be soon." Bringing up a datapad, she accessed her systems. They were already recording his actions. Together they stood vigil waiting to catch the bitter end to this episode of their lives. But as they observed his quiet efforts they were surprised to see what could only be described as an aura emerge around him. Captivated by it all, they didn't notice the warning pop up on the pad expressing that their fortress had been breached.

*

From the moment they burst into the building, they began searching for the trademark signature. It didn't take them long to locate. Amazingly, it still shone brightly. They had assumed it would be close to flickering out, instead it was bright and growing brighter. Worriedly, they glanced at each other. There were frightening implications to this turn of events that made it all the more imperative that they find him. "Quickly," MysAri reiterated pointlessly. And they hurried off in the direction they could feel him.

*

It seemed so effortless to reach out and grab onto the wealth of energy that pervaded his life. It answered his call before he even made it. Soon he could feel the encompassing power wrap itself lovingly around him. When he felt safe and warm within its folds, he began setting about his task. With great diligence he began stretching himself out, finding the weak life forces of the children around him. One by one he called upon the Force to cure the innocent. And with each successful attempt he could feel a tiny sliver of himself slip away.

*

They ran at full Force enhanced speed. It was easy even for them to reach out to it. And they could feel Obi-Wan's handiwork trickling through. Suddenly, they skidded to a stop. In front of them, was a dead-end. The last door they passed was several meters back. But they could sense Obi-Wan's presence beyond. However their concern for his safety was so great, that without any further consideration, Anakin and MysAri ignited their weapons and began tracing a line in the wall at opposite sides. Quickly, they worked meeting in the middle. Once their blades touched, they withdrew their sabers and Anakin kicked the new doorway open. Inside they found another hall that lead deeper into the complex. Unwavering, they resumed their dash to the rescue.

*

So engrossed in watching their prey, the two woman stood gaping. Suddenly, their trance was broken when Arbor's Datapad and Nobis' wrist control began to beep in unison. Glancing at each other, they knew exactly what it meant. "We have been infiltrated." The Bounty Hunter glared menacingly at her employer.

Arbor bellowed, "How could they have found us? It's impossible."

The Sorrusian had always believed that Arbor thought too highly of herself. So much so that it was obvious that the scientist never fathomed they could be tracked down. Being a Bounty Hunter she knew better, she had hoped that their game would have been finished before anyone found them. Snarling at the ignorant woman, Nobis spoke curtly, "Obviously, it wasn't."

"Hold them off. I need my data. Once I have it, even they won't be safe any longer."

The audacity the scientist continued to portray managed to maintain its shock value even amidst pending doom. Resenting this treatment that she was nothing more than hired help, she spat, "I am not your lackey."

"No, but you are my cohort. They won't care if I paid you or not. You and I are in this together to the end. Now go do what you're good at and then we can escape. With everything I have gathered, we'll be able to get our revenge on the entire Jedi Order." When the Bounty Hunter didn't move, Arbor shouted, "Go!"

The versatile Sorrusian stormed off to prepare for battle. As much as Arbor wanted to watch the Jedi's demise, she knew that it was only a matter of time before they found them. She had to work fast. Hurrying off, she went straight for her laboratory to begin downloading the extensive material.

*

Surprisingly, Obi-Wan managed to work his way through the moderately sized ward faster than he had anticipated. As he finished with the last child, a young girl maybe about 3 standard years, he began to relax. Assessing what he was able to accomplish, he couldn't believe what he had done. There had to have been about 30 children in total. Ecstatic knowing that they were free of pain and suffering, Obi-Wan felt himself slip a little further.

Too much of a toll had been drained from him. His own wounds were sapping his strength with increasing astuteness. Willing to give himself completely over to the Force, his thoughts drifted. He only had a few regrets in his life, but currently he wished he could speak to those he cared about one last time before the end. He wanted to thank Master Yoda for always supporting him when he had given up hope. He wanted to have one last romp with his childhood friends, Bant, Garen and Reeft. He desperately wanted to fulfil his promise to his Master. And he hoped that the boy would forgive, he never intended to abandon the boy. He knew how fragile Anakin's emotions were. This would be a hard blow to overcome. There were also many others he wished he could say good-bye to, but there was one person he wished he could utter different words to, MysAri. There were three words he wanted to tell her. Let her know how he truly felt. But in all the years they had known each other was never permitted to say. Due either to his own stubbornness or from on of her cunning aversions. Frustrated he wondered why she always cut him off or changed the subject before he could ever express it. And now he would never get the chance.

Along with his thoughts, his mind automatically sought out their presence. A last attempt to grasp onto the remaining threads that wove them together. He hoped that with Arbor's collar he would be able to brush their conscious. He was pleasantly surprised to find some of them so quickly. He could feel his Padawan, Bant and MysAri. A tear traced his cheek at finding MysAri. She was very much alive and obviously recovering, although he could feel an underlying ache. She was worried for him, as they all were, which touched him deeply. Their bright presences calmed him even more. They felt as if they were so close to him that he could reach out and touch them. All at once it hit him, there were there, somewhere in the building trying to find him.

Elated to know that they had come to bring him home, he was suddenly gripped with fear. They were here, in the belly of the beast. He had to warn them. He didn't want them to suffer his fate. He couldn't allow Arbor to place her collar on them or any other Jedi. He had to contact them somehow. Quickly, his mind kicked in to gear.

*

They had been running through endless corridors. They could feel themselves getting closer, but he was still painstakingly out of reach. Sensing the Force surging around them did not alleviate their worries. The group came to a halt at a junction. Knowing they were close, they were certain they could pinpoint his location by now. But due to the expansion of his consciousness he seemed like he was surrounding them.

Frustrated, Anakin spoke his mind, "Great, now which way?" The women shook their heads equally stupefied.

After another agonizing moment passed, MysAri blurted out, "We need to find our center. Perhaps one of us could let him know we're here looking for him. Then maybe he'll be able to lead us to him." Closing their eyes in concentration, they opened the bonds that linked them together.

The response was immediate. Within seconds they could feel him in their minds. Relief washed through all of them at the touch. Anakin was first to speak, "Master, we're here."

Even in their minds he sounded tired and strained, {"I know. And I thank you for coming, but you must forget me. You need to stop Arbor. She mustn't escape. The fate of all Jedi is at stake. And beware Nobis. She's a formidable foe. Please, you must do this for me."}

Heartbroken, Anakin wanted to seek out his lost Master but he felt compelled to follow the Knight's orders. If he could not ease his pain, he prayed he could ease his mind. "We will, Master, we will."

Relief poured through the channel expressing how thankful he was that they were listening to him. {"Good boy. Now go stop her."}

"Alright," Anakin said, then turning to his companions, he shouted, "Let's go." Anakin and Bant were about to run off, when they noticed MysAri wasn't following. He stopped and looked at her questioningly, "Master MysAri? We need to find Arbor."

"No, Ani." Her voice gentle but permitting no room for argument, "You and Bant need to find her and stop her. I'm here to get your Master back, whatever the cost."

At first Anakin looked like he was about to protest, when an awkward smile curved his lips. "Bring him home safe," he said then started to run off down one of the hallway.

Bant hesitated a moment longer, "Are you sure?" MysAri nodded. "What about Nobis? Obi said she's dangerous."

"You worry about Arbor. The Bounty Hunter is mine. Watch out for Anakin, he's as brash as they come, but he's a good kid. Now get going." Holding her gaze a second longer, Bant finally ran off after the Padawan. MysAri looked down another corridor when they had vanished from view. She knew Obi-wan was only a few rooms away. She just had to use their bond to find him. Making a few more turns, she happened upon a long hallway. And there at the other end was the Sorrusian waiting calmly at ready for the battle to begin.

*

Bant and Anakin twisted and turned through the laboratory blindly, or so Bant thought. She asked breathlessly, "Where are we going?" The Calamarian had just caught up to her companion.

He looked over his shoulder at the Healer and stated, "To Arbor."

"But how do you know where she is?"

"Master gave me her signature. I'm just tracking it down. She's only a few rooms away." Bant continued to follow the young man hoping he was right. At last, they burst into a room. At quick glance, both Jedi took in all the machinery that lined the walls. And standing in the center of the room was the criminal mastermind.

Her hand was raised, holding a small device. When they registered her presence, she cried out, "One more move and your precious Master dies."

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I know, ain't I a stinker. But don't fret, tomorrow's the exciting conclusion!! :D And then I'll post a little Epilogue for you Friday. And if you would be so kind, a review. I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks. :D