Author's Note: Hello again! It's a good thing I have another chapter ready today – I think my dog would be afraid of an Ewok army! Hee! Hope you all enjoy the next chapter! And thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! I have the most wonderful readers in the Galaxy! Truly!
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Blindly, she entered the lift as she tried to calm her breathing which was tearing through her lungs at a ragged pace. As she began to feel the remaining cobwebs drift from her mind, she realized she was clutching the next clue in her fist. How did I get this? She had no recollection of picking it up or of anyone handing it to her. Turning to the silent camera droid hovering next to her, she accessed its main control panel and punched in a code to activate the playback option. A small screen slid out and she saw her journey begin to play out on the monitor.
With a growing sense of apprehension, she watched herself enter the maze and sprint from tunnel to tunnel, eventually losing her way altogether. Rounding a corner, she staggered almost imperceptibly as a faraway look fell over her eyes. Moving in a trance, she seemed to float through the maze as she navigated it with ease, only making a couple incorrect turns. A stack of clues could be seen beside the final exit and her fingers easily plucked one from the bin, her eyes never dropping the fixed stare they had adapted. She knew the exact second she returned to full awareness as the fog seemed to lift from her face and her head shook slightly.
Leaning heavily against the wall, she closed the droid's control panel and instructed the lift to return to the ground level. Her thoughts were swirling through her mind, crashing into each other as they fought to come to the forefront. What did it mean? Was Anakin in danger? Did he really think she was going to abandon him? What would make him think that?
She pushed the fear and doubt away, biting her lip as her cheeks flushed slightly with determination. No! Anakin would never think that of her. Whatever -or - whoever was trying to break their Force Bond - well, the plan was going to fail plain and simple. These visions were nothing more than cheap mind tricks.
Feeling much better, she looked up as the doors opened with a hiss and she saw Anakin waiting for her, his face awash with relief. Recalling his anguished voice in the vision, she hurried towards him and hugged him a bit longer than usual. As they released each other, he held her at arm's length, studying her intently. Quietly, he asked, "Are you okay?" She quickly reassured him as she promised, "I'll tell you more later." After another inquisitive glance, he nodded and she tore the clue open as they began to read:
"Congratulations! You've completed the Blockade! Teams must now board their speeders and follow the marked path to the Hovget Gorge. Once there, you must use the pair of zip lines to cross to the middle of the river. At the appropriate point, the mechanism will release automatically and send you into the river below. Never fear, the current will carry you to your next clue."
Moving awkwardly across the spongy surface, they reached their speeder and raced off, following the well lit path. As the camera droid backed off to film some scenery, Padme quietly murmured, "How far ahead are Obi-wan and Mace?" She braced herself for his answer, recalling her lengthy trip through the maze. Her eyebrows lifted in shock when Anakin replied, "Not far - they had just disappeared over the horizon when you returned."
Seeing the well-lit area ahead of them, Anakin slowed the speeder and parked it next to two others. They heard a scream as the first team fell from the zip line and plunged into the water below. Obi-wan and Mace stood side-by-side facing the gorge, their posture expressing their impatience as they waited for their cue. Reaching up, Mace tightened the red scrap of fabric that covered his head and narrowed his eyes, anxious to get started.
"Hello!" Anakin called with a wave of his hand. As they turned their heads to reply, a loud buzz sounded, signaling their impending departure. With a screech, the rollers jerked forward, taking the startled Jedi Masters with them. As they headed for the middle of the river, the speed increased rapidly until the clip released, sending the men tumbling end-over-end to the water below. With an angry shout, they splashed into the raging river and their safety belts inflated, carrying them away swiftly.
Padme immediately moved into place, fastening her safety belt and engaging the lock on the harness. She glanced over and watched as Anakin did the same, the mechanism snapping into place securely. Almost immediately, the buzz sounded and she felt herself being jerked off her feet and was sent sailing through the air, the wind whipping past her face sharply. As she saw the end of the zip line draw closer, she could feel the lock release and shrieked softly as she felt herself tumbling through the air.
She felt the slap of the warm water as she hit feet first and started to sink. Immediately, the safety belt kicked in and inflated fully, sending her rocketing upwards. She bobbed up, sucking in a deep breath of air as soon as she felt her head break the surface. Looking around frantically, she spotted Anakin a few yards away and drew parallel with him, grasping his outstretched hand. Drifting downriver, they scanned the surrounding area as they searched for the next clue. Finally, they spotted a series of brilliant lights up ahead and began to make their way to the side of the river. As they worked their way closer, they could make out the large hologram as it rotated slowly and watched as Obi-wan and Mace hurried towards it.
Feeling her feet finally touch the squishy ground, Padme struggled to shore, shedding her safety belt along the way. She ran beside Anakin as they headed towards the smaller hologram which was blinking discreetly below its larger mate. Coming up behind Obi-wan and Mace, she stifled the impulse to giggle hysterically as she saw the water had caused most of the dye to leech out of Master Windu's head covering, leaving it a very delicate pink. As Anakin heard the strangled noises she was making, he followed her eyes to the source of her enjoyment. Immediately, he turned a bright shade of red as he too struggled to keep his face impassive.
Obi-wan, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide his amusement as the clue sprang to life. "Welcome to the shores of the Hovget Gorge. Here you will participate in a well known Wrespin tradition - Replica Building. In this challenge, teams must build a small replica of a personal dwelling using sand, water and a few tools. You will be graded by an official judge and must receive a mark higher than "5" to receive your next clue. Now, proceed to the space marked with your name and begin!"
Turning quickly, Padme and Anakin ran to the space marked "Liri and Kaide." Vaguely, Padme noted that "Dake and Tarv" were supposed to be situated in the space next to them although the men in question were currently wandering in the wrong direction. Finally, the Jedi Masters spotted their space and headed over reluctantly. Returning her attention to the task at hand, she pawed through the sand to create a flat, firm surface for their 'dwelling.'
"We used to build sand forms all the time when I was younger. First we need water," she explained softly and Anakin hurried to the river with the supplied bucket. When he returned, she quickly instructed him to stack the wet sand while repeatedly pushing it down to get it as compact as possible. They worked side-by-side, their expressions locked in deep concentration. When they had finally amassed a fairly tall structure, Padme began to carve away the surface and Anakin smiled as he recognized the dwelling - the Lake Retreat. Catching on to her intentions, he began to work on the other side.
Meanwhile, Obi-wan and Mace were trying to keep their structure upright. Their sand was not packed very tightly and as a result, half of their structure was threatening to fall away. Obi-wan gave the cracking structure a tiny trickle of water, hoping it would be enough to cement the form at least temporarily. With a growl, Mace watched as the turret he had been working on began to crumble. Shoring it up as best he could, he continued to carve the surface, hoping it would hold.
"Done!" Padme called and watched nervously as the short, blue creature ambled over to view their creation. He scrutinized it from all sides, taking in the intricate detail and solid construction. "Ten!" he exclaimed, handing over the next clue. Thanking him profusely, Anakin and Padme read the clue silently:
"You have successfully completed the final challenge of this leg of the race. Proceed across the swinging bridge to the temporary encampment, the Race's third destination. Hurry! The last team may be eliminated."
Slamming the clue shut, they hurried away from the beach just as Obi-wan called, "Done!" Glancing over their shoulder, they paused for a moment to watch the judge examine the castle before giving it a "reluctant 6." With a sheepish grin, Obi-wan took the clue just as the structure crumbled. Pretending not to notice, the Jedi Masters hurried away as Mace made a point to step on the remaining half of the building, crushing it instantly.
Laughing quietly, Padme and Anakin resumed their trek across the shaky bridge, catching sight of the host droid waiting at the other end. Holding each other's hands, they stepped on the mat as the droid cried, "Welcome Liri and Kaide! You are team number two!" Stepping aside, they watched as Obi-wan and Mace approached and declared team number three.
With a frustrated look, Mace reached up and ran his hands over head, his fingers coming to rest on the pink fabric. Gripping the material, he pulled it off and his eyes widened as he took in the color. Silently, he stomped off towards the tents.
WRESPIN ENCAMPMENT - TWO HOURS LATER
"The next thing I knew, I was standing at the maze's exit," Padme explained, her voice hushed. Her eyes took in the concerned faces of the Jedi Masters and came to rest on Anakin. He looked horrified and angry at the thought of someone invading her mind. She reached out and brushed a soft hand over his cheek and he kissed her palm in response, but the tension in his frame remained.
"It is extremely important you continue utilizing your mind shields," Mace instructed with a firm look at Anakin.
"Master, I am trying," Anakin insisted. "I am. I just don't understand - why am I not able to sense these visions?"
"We don't know," Mace admitted, a fresh trace of worry in his voice. "And that's what makes it so troublesome. Whatever this is, it is focused solely on the Senator." As he spoke, the Jedi Master faced her and she eyed him warily, certain she wasn't going to like what was coming next.
She was right.
"Milady, you must find a way to stop these visions once they start. Shut them out. Expel this unwelcome visitor from your mind," he insisted fervently. He paused before continuing gravely, "If you don't, I'm afraid there may come a time where you won't be able to. Your mind will become trapped. Forever."
