Author's Note: Well, I managed to finish up one last chapter before I head out for the weekend. I tried to leave it on a positive note you wouldn't feel like I left you hanging. Thanks for all the reviews of the last chapter. You guys are the best! Seriously - you keep me inspired! I'll be back with more on Monday!
SHIP OF LIRI AND KAIDE - THIRTY MINUTES LATER
Anakin looked at Padme worriedly. She hadn't spoken much since they received their next clue, choosing to stare out the side window as she watched the Blarnum landscape race by in a blur. Occasionally, her face would crinkle up as if she was going to cry, but then her features would relax and she would seem to be at peace. He had tried to suggest that they drop out of the Race, but that had met with a resounding "NO!" so he hadn't asked again. He could feel her clinging to their Force Bond and he sent another wave of love towards her, which only caused her face to crinkle up again.
His attention was brought back to the control panel as it began to emit a series of beeps that indicated they had reached their next challenge which was waiting for them below. Automatically, he activated the landing sequence and felt the ship shudder slightly as the landing gear engaged. With a quiet thump, the ship came to a stop on the planet's surface. Anakin slowly unbuckled his harness and reached for Padme, his fingers gentle on her shoulder.
Fully expecting a face streaked with tears, he was staggered when she fixed him with an earnest gaze and said, "Okay, are you ready? Let's go!" and raced from the cabin.
Force, how he loved her.
By the time he made it down the ramp, his wife was waiting impatiently at the hologram, Obi-wan and Mace already by her side. Artoo and Threepio had once again dispatched the hovering camera droids and they took in the scene from above. He quickened his steps and joined the group seconds later, just as the image shimmered into view. The voiceover instructed: "You have reached a Blockade, a task only one team member may perform. Now, who's a good shot?" Knowing it was their turn, Anakin and Mace step forward.
"Contestants must take a Blarnumian spear and stand at the marked line. Across the field is a set of targets - actual stuffed droid replicas. The spear must make contact with a target before you'll receive your next clue."
Anakin followed Mace to the metal bin where the spears were stored. He picked one up, surprised at the heavy weight. This is not going to be easy, he thought.
Striding across the field, he and Mace stood next to each other as they sized up the droids which were quite a distance away. With a grunt, Mace took a few hops and then released his spear, frowning as it sank into the ground several feet shy of the intended target. Anakin grinned only to find himself scowling a few seconds later as his spear also came to rest short of the replica. The retrival droids quickly went to work, returning their spears in seconds.
And that's how it went. Miss! Frown. Miss! Growl. Miss! Snarl. Miss! Glare.
Miss!
Miss!
Miss!
Several teams caught up and joined the competition, moaning and groaning as they too tried to complete the task. Finally, Mace let out a triumphant cry as his spear embedded itself in the midsection of the target. With a pointed smirk at Anakin, he stepped back, waiting for Anakin to give it another try.
Anakin felt his eyes darken with concentration, knowing he couldn't use the Force to aid himself. He took one step, and then another before heaving the spear with all his might. He watched with grim satisfaction as the spear pierced the replica, right in between its sightless eyes. Grinning, he turned to face Mace, expecting to see the Jedi Master glowering at him with distrust. Instead, he found him returning his smile and watched as it turned into a deep, throaty laugh. Side-by-side, they returned to their partners, an unspoken peace settled between them.
Padme and Obi-wan congratulated them as they approached, waiting until they were near before opening the next clue. Reading silently, they saw: Well done! You have completed the Blockade, the final challenge of this leg of the race. Take the designated air carriage and follow the marked path to the Race's fourth destination. Hurry! The last team may be eliminated!"
The camaraderie suddenly broken as they realized the end of the leg was almost near, the two teams scrambled for their transportation. Entering the strange looking contraption, Anakin fiddled with the controls before the small engine finally fired up. Immediately, the fabric canopy above them inflated and they floated several stories off the ground. Pushing the throttle forward, he waited for the carriage to move - which it did, but very slowly. They were merely floating, trailing along at a slow pace as they wound their way through the marked course. Anakin found Obi-wan and Mace puttering along slightly ahead of them, looking just as frustrated at the sluggish turn the Race had taken.
Padme, on the other hand, found it utterly delightful. She scanned the horizon, taking in the shapes and sizes of the landmasses. She watched the way the sky sparked as tiny asteroids were burned up as they entered the atmosphere. Although the colors of Blarnum weren't too varied, she still found it beautiful. In her mind, every planet was breathtaking in its own way.
Turning to Anakin, she felt the invisible grip of fear suddenly clench her heart. The carriage lurched, unseating Anakin from his place at the controls. Instinctively, he grabbed a handhold on the side door, almost disappearing from view. Looking up at her, his eyes pleaded for her to help him. But as she tried to dive towards him, ropes came out of nowhere, tethering her to her seat. With one last desperate look, Anakin let go and the ties holding her evaporated. Without a second though, Padme jumped after him-
And snapped back to awareness as Anakin grabbed her ankle. "Padme!" Anakin cried. She gasped, disoriented, as the blood rushed to her head and stars filled her vision. Blinking them away, she opened her eyes and saw the ground below. Far below. Stifling a yelp of fear she looked back up at Anakin who was trying to pull her back into the carriage, but to no avail. Obi-wan and Mace were frantically trying to make their way towards them, but the slow vehicle was hampering their progress.
"I need your hand," he instructed. Taking a deep breath, she jerked herself forward and almost cried in relief as she felt Anakin's hand grab hers. Slowly, he pulled her up and she fell into the carriage, her breath ragged with unshed tears. For a moment, they simply laid there as the fear of what could have happened pummeled their minds.
"What were you thinking?" Anakin finally exploded. He didn't meant to yell, but he couldn't seem to help it. He had been so frightened. One second she was there looking like she was simply absorbing the scenery, the next she was trying to dive overboard. And she had almost succeeded. If it hadn't been for his Jedi reflexes... The thought paralyzed him and he pulled her close again.
"It was... a vision," she explained haltingly.
Anakin closed his eyes as another wave of fear rushed over him. The visions were getting worse. Now they were leading to actions - she was physically responding to them. There was no telling what could happen. Oh, this is bad.
There was a moment of quiet as the carriage continued towards the fourth destination. He connected telepathically with Obi-wan, telling him he would explain everything at the destination and felt his Master's acknowledgement. He was anxious to get there - there was much to discuss, to ponder. There had to be something they could do.
But what? How do you fight an unseen enemy?
Anakinknew his wife. She had a sharp mind, a beautiful soul and a fascinating streak of stubborness. If something was able to manifest itself in her thoughts that easily, it was powerful. Incredibly powerful.
Forcing a light tone to his voice, he smoothed the hair off her face and promised, "It will be all right. Don't worry." He felt her nod into his shoulder.
As they felt the carriage begin to descend, Padme seemed to get hold of herself and eased herself out of Anakin's arms. With a watery smile full of determination, she stood up and waved gingerly at Obi-wan and Mace, who seemed very relieved to see her. With a frown, she turned back to Anakin and asked, "How did they get ahead of us?"
For a moment, he sat there and just looked at her, incredulous. And then he started to laugh.
Everything would be okay.
