Chapter 23

I Know You Won't

Obi-Wan and Nurkkis continued to grapple, each trying to bring his lightsaber blade into the other or force the other man to lose his footing and thus leave himself open for the killing blow. They grunted in exertion, channeling the Force to augment their strength as their blades flailed with each push, their owners unable to break the other's will to live. Obi-Wan was vaguely aware of the sounds of battle behind him, and he knew that at least some of the other Jedi were alive. He tried not to think about whether Siri was one of them.

Don't let that cloud your mind. Focus on the here and now, on this fight for your life.

Slowly, though, Obi-Wan felt his strength ebbing away, as Nurkkis' rage-fueled might gradually overwhelmed him. The Padawan tried to give ground, to step back without losing his footing and gain more leverage in the wrestling match. Nurkkis pushed him back against the helm, attempting to press the sharp, bladed end of his lightsaber pike into Obi-Wan's neck as the Padawan felt his lightsaber fly out of his hands and clatter to the deck. Obi-Wan grabbed onto the handle of the pike with both hands and struggled mightily as the Miraluka pinned him against the skiff's helm. Nurkkis threw his weight forward, attempting to bring the pike's lightsaber blade sideways across the Padawan's neck. Now the two men were wrestling over the staff, each knowing that control of the weapon would save or kill them. Obi-Wan remained pinned against the helm, attempting to pull the pike from Nurkkis' grip and drive it into the Miraluka, while Nurkkis periodically threw his weight to one side or the other, attempting to sink the pike's edged or lightsaber blade into his enemy's flesh. Nurkkis pushed again, this time with the bladed end. Obi-Wan held him at bay; channeling the Force through him as best he could to keep his strength up. At any moment, though, he knew he could lose his grip, and then the Miraluka would slice off his head with a single, mighty shove. His muscles began to ache against the exertion, but he continued to focus, hoping the Force would see him through this. He pushed back, attempting to throw Nurkkis off balance, but the Miraluka countered, slamming the handle of the pike against Obi-Wan's neck and pinning him to the helm by the throat. He tried to press further as Obi-Wan continued to struggle, fighting to draw breath against the cold metal pressed tighter and tighter against his throat.

My lightsaber…it's my only hope! I can't grapple with Nurkkis like this for much longer!

Sensing his surroundings, Obi-Wan fought through his exhaustion, and concentrated as best he could, perhaps for the last time. As the Force flowed through him, he called his lightsaber to his hand. He quit the pike with his right hand and grasped the lightsaber, igniting it. However, Nurkkis quickly released his grip on the Padawan, ducking to the right as Obi-Wan reclaimed his weapon.

I almost forgot…he's Force-sensitive as well.

Obi-Wan lunged at Nurkkis, who despite his quick reaction was still stunned by the sudden move. Nurkkis raised his weapon to block, but the move was clumsily executed, and Obi-Wan's lightsaber deflected off of the pike and onto the skiff's helm. The plasma blade smashed through the control panel, sending sparks flying into the air and throwing the skiff into a violent lurch towards the treeline. Almost forgetting about the life-or-death struggle he had been engaged in, Nurkkis dove towards the helm. Seeing his opening, Obi-Wan rushed towards his opponent, ready to finish the fight before the skiff crashed. Soon, the two were grappling once again, attempting to take the helm and steer the skiff away from its course of doom. Obi-Wan managed to pull the skiff away from its path towards the trees, but Nurkkis began slashing at the Padawan with the lightsaber end of his pike. As they grappled over the damaged controls, the two men slashed impotently at each other, their blades impacting the control box in the wild melee and destroying what was left of the skiff's helm. The vessel's course became more erratic, its speed not slowing. Obi-Wan reached out to Qui-Gon through their Force bond.

Master! We're out of control!

The running battle between the skimmers continued, the guards firing madly at the Jedi as more and more of their number fell to reflected fire. The Jedi, for their part, were nearing exhaustion after minutes of constantly deflecting blaster fire. Qui-Gon stayed at the helm, conning with one hand and deflecting blaster fire with the other.

This has to end soon. It's only a matter of time before one of those guards gets lucky and kills one of us. And what is Obi-Wan doing?

Qui-Gon looked up at the skiff to see it wildly veering from side to side, the flashes of blue and red still prominent on the stern.

What the…have they lost control of the skiff?

Master! We're out of control!

Obi-Wan's voice through their Force bond confirmed Qui-Gon's suspicions.

Obi-Wan, abandon the skiff!

What?

I'll hold it steady with the Force, but I can't do it for long. Abandon the skiff while you can, before it smashes into the water and takes you with it!

What about Nurkkis?

He'll be trapped in the water. We just need to get rid of our pursuers, and then we'll fish him out. If he manages to jump clear at all.

Still grappling with Nurkkis, Obi-Wan quickly searched for a way to abandon the stricken skiff without leaving himself open to Nurkkis' blade.

I need to get him off of me long enough to jump into the river. And I need to do it when Master Qui-Gon holds the skiff steady.

After a moment's thought, Obi-Wan quickly hatched a plan.

Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective.

Concentrating intently despite the grappling match with Nurkkis, Obi-Wan waited for the skiff to stop lurching from side to side. As the control systems failed, the vessel's swerving became more violent, its stability less and less.

You'll get one shot at this.

Finally, the vessel held still. Nurkkis, sensing the sudden surge of Force energy on the skiff, slackened his grip in surprise.

Now!

Obi-Wan threw a Force push at the Miraluka, powerful enough to throw him against the railing. Nurkkis hit the railing with a cry of pain as Obi-Wan sprinted to the skiff's side. The vessel was still at top speed, and the water tore by in a terrifying blur.

I'm jumping into that? If I survive the impact, there's still bound to be dianogas down there, and there aren't going to be any convenient logs to fight them with this time. And who's to say I won't break too many bones to swim?

Obi-Wan felt the Miraluka's dark presence behind him, coming closer and closer with every moment.

Would you rather face him?

In the next instant, Obi-Wan crossed his arms and threw himself into the river.

Qui-Gon saw his apprentice jump from the skiff and hit the water. He instinctively pulled back the skimmer's throttle.

We'll pick him up here. Now, there's only one thing left to do.

Looking at the skiff, Qui-Gon slowly let his concentration slip. The skiff veered to starboard, and then violently swerved to port, rolling over as it did so. With a mighty crash, the skiff jackknifed into the river, throwing an enormous column of water into the path of the Jedi skimmer. Qui-Gon hurriedly threw the helm hard to starboard as Adi and Siri pushed forward with the Force, attempting to slow the skimmer down before it collided with the wreckage or the column. The second skimmer shot past the Jedi as their own vessel spun and then slowly ground to a halt before the column as it collapsed back into the river. The settling column drenched the Jedi as they stood where they were, each catching their breath. Qui-Gon slowly brought his mind back into focus.

Where's Obi-Wan? More importantly, where's Nurkkis? Did he go down with the skiff?

Obi-Wan slowly regained his senses, opening his eyes and scanning his surroundings. There were no dianogas to be seen, but a quick glance revealed the broken remains of the skiff he had just jumped off of, now settling to the river bottom.

I'm alive…and I don't think I broke anything. Where is everyone?

Obi-Wan sensed his surroundings, searching for any familiar Force presences. Soon, he found one, but it was not who he was expecting.

Nurkkis…he's behind me!

Obi-Wan shot to the surface, gasping for air as he frantically searched for his enemy. He soon spotted the Miraluka, treading water on the surface and also clearly disoriented from the skiff crash.

He must have jumped off after I did. Now it's time to finish this. He has no means of escape, and nowhere to run.

Nurkkis then turned towards Obi-Wan, his face contorting in shock as he saw the young Padawan looking his way.

What's the matter, Nurkkis? Afraid? Surprised?

The Miraluka began swimming for the shore, where a small part of the river branched off to the right. Obi-Wan stayed with him the entire time despite the day's exhaustion.

This is it. All we've done for all these months, and this is where it ends. There's no escape now, Nurkkis. You WILL face justice for your crimes.

Qui-Gon spotted his apprentice in the water, swimming for the shore.

What's he doing? He's swimming away from us!

"Qui-Gon! Look!"

Adi pointed out in front of Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon looked up to see what she had noticed. A familiar figure, his green bandana still wrapped around his head down to his nose, was frantically swimming away from Obi-Wan, towards the shore.

Nurkkis.

Qui-Gon reached out to Obi-Wan through their Force bond.

Obi-Wan! We'll come pick you up! Stay where you are!

I'm right on him, Master! I can catch him and end this here and now!

Obi-Wan, you can't take him alone!

We can't lose him, Master! He's almost ashore! Once he's there, he'll flee into the jungle! I won't be long!

Obi-Wan!

Obi-Wan's shields went up, shutting out Qui-Gon before he could respond.

I'll have a long talk with him when he gets back. If he gets back.

Obi-Wan kept swimming as Nurkkis climbed ashore and sprinted into the jungle, following the river branch. The Padawan soon found shore and hit the dirt running, following the Miraluka's Force presence.

You can run, but you can't hide!

Obi-Wan followed Nurkkis along the river branch to a small pool, with a waterfall coming down off of a rock formation. A path led up along the formation to a cave behind the waterfall. As he glanced over the pool, Obi-Wan could see eyestalks going above and below the surface of the water.

Dianogas. Better not fall in.

Nurkkis stood at the edge of the pool, catching his breath and leaning on his lightsaber pike.

He's still armed, though. He won't come quietly.

Upon seeing Obi-Wan, Nurkkis turned and sprinted up the pathway leading to the cave. Obi-Wan ran up after him, but then felt a pang of danger in the Force. Turning his head towards the pool, he saw the second skimmer coming up the river branch and towards the pool, the guards aboard glaring at him with murder in their eyes. He called his lightsaber to his hand and ignited it, prepared to face a fusillade of blaster fire as he clambered up the rocks after Nurkkis. The fire came within moments, Obi-Wan struggling to deflect it as he traversed the narrow walkway.

I'm not giving up now. I've come too far to let them stop me.

Qui-Gon guided the skimmer towards the river branch, sensing the surrounding jungle for Obi-Wan.

Where did he run off?

The sound of blaster fire suddenly split the jungle air, coming from the river branch. Qui-Gon eased the throttle up as he continued down the waterway, the blaster fire growing louder and louder. Though he could not locate Obi-Wan, he could sense distress in his apprentice.

They're shooting at him. I told him he was biting off more than he could chew.

As the skimmer rounded a corner, Qui-Gon saw the second skimmer in a pool beneath a waterfall, its crew firing at a rock formation behind the waterfall. Standing on a ledge on the rocks was none other than Obi-Wan, deflecting blaster fire from the guards aboard the skimmer. Sizing up his options, Qui-Gon made a bold decision.

It's an extreme move, but it should eliminate that threat to Obi-Wan.

Pushing the throttle to maximum, Qui-Gon turned to Adi and Siri.

"Adi! Siri! Brace for impact!"

"Are you going to…"

"I am, Master Gallia! Hold on to something, and tell your Padawan to do the same!"

A look of worry on her usually calm features, Adi grabbed Siri by the head and forced her onto the skimmer's floor, under a bench. Lying sideways, the two women placed their backs against the solid base of the bench and tucked their heads between their legs as Qui-Gon focused intently on the second skimmer.

Here we go!

Keeping the vessel steady in the narrow river branch, Qui-Gon saw several guards turn towards the approaching skimmer, pointing and shouting to their fellows as they saw the vessel bearing down on them. Several turned around and swung their rifles from Obi-Wan to the approaching skimmer. Qui-Gon ignited his lightsaber and deflected their fire, focusing his attention on the opposing skimmer's coxswain. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected a rifle shot towards the coxswain as the man grasped his vessel's throttle, terror in his eyes. An instant later, the bolt hit home, and the coxswain fell to the deck in a heap. Qui-Gon was vaguely aware of panicked shouting from the guards as they saw the coxswain fall, but his focus remained on his target and on deflecting the blaster bolts headed his way.

The coxswain's dead. They have no way of running now.

Taking stock of the situation, a guard sprinted to the coxswain's station, throwing his rifle to the deck and grasping the controls. By now, the incoming skimmer was mere seconds away from a collision. The would-be coxswain looked up at Qui-Gon as he fiddled with the controls in vain, terror etched onto his face. Several guards ran to the railing and jumped over the side, apparently more willing to take their chances with the dianogas than with the enormous battering ram about to collide with them.

Poor devils. Either way, they'll die here.

Obi-Wan stood motionless on the ledge, transfixed by the spectacle before him despite the looming threat of Nurkkis. The guards that had not seconds before been confidently shooting at him were now running about the deck of their skimmer in a panic. Some were jumping over the side; others stood frozen in terror, waiting for the end to come. Bearing down on them was the hijacked skimmer, Qui-Gon standing at the helm with a mad glint in his eyes and a steely focus on his doomed enemies that unnerved even his apprentice. Two sets of legs barely protruded from behind one of the benches.

Siri and Master Gallia. They must be hiding under there, bracing for the impact.

On the LMC skimmer, a guard standing directly in the path of the oncoming vessel raised his hands in horror as Qui-Gon bore down on him. In the next instant, the impact came. With a splintering crash, Qui-Gon rammed the LMC skimmer, cutting the vessel in two. The Jedi skimmer violently bucked with the impact, its bow dipping and nearly going awash before the vessel settled and began to slow to a halt. The two halves of the LMC skimmer began to slowly sink, the surviving guards leaping from them in terror. Ominously, a smear of blood adorned the underside of the Jedi skimmer's bow where the impact had occurred, barely visible as it gave way to the waterline. Adding to the carnage, dianogas soon began snatching up guards, dragging them under one by one as the panicked guards and ravenous beasts churned the calm, picturesque waterfall basin into a frothing, screaming hell. The terrified, animal howls of guards as dianogas dragged them under and the slowly reddening surface of the water only added to the gruesome spectacle. Obi-Wan finally had to avert his eyes and continue his pursuit of Nurkkis.

I can't feel satisfied at a sight like that. That guard crushed by the impact was lucky compared to his comrades.

Obi-Wan continued up the path, entering the cave and brushing past a string of vines near the entrance. He paused for a moment, catching his breath and taking in his surroundings. The relaxing din of the waterfall and the gentle dripping of water inside the cave calmed his overwhelmed senses.

The Living Force is strong here…I should take whatever rest I can get.

The Padawan went down on one knee, and briefly meditated. A dark and familiar presence nearby jolted him out of his trance. Looking up, he saw Nurkkis standing before him, his pike held across his chest and hatred burned into his features.

"Your men are dead, and you have nowhere else to run, Nurkkis. It's impossible for you to make it off this planet a free and living man. Surrender and stand trial for your crimes."

"I may or may not get off this planet, boy. But I know you won't."

Nurkkis punctuated his sentence with the hiss of his lightsaber pike igniting. He brought the weapon to his waist, taking a fighting stance. Obi-Wan ignited and raised his lightsaber in response.

"So be it."

Obi-Wan was ready for Nurkkis' initial rush. He easily avoided and parried the flurry of thrusts as the Miraluka continued to bore in. The clash of lightsabers echoed through the cave as the two men fought, knowing that this bout would end in death for one of them. Nurkkis gradually backed Obi-Wan towards the cave entrance as the Padawan kept up his defense, waiting for the opening he knew would come. Finally, it came. Nurkkis hesitated for a moment too long before delivering another thrust, and Obi-Wan pounced. He swung his lightsaber at the Miraluka's neck, but Nurkkis quickly blocked the blow. Caught off guard, however, he was now forced into a saber lock with the Padawan, losing what initiative he had. As Obi-Wan continued to press against Nurkkis, the Miraluka suddenly shunted the Padawan aside and swung his red blade at Obi-Wan's neck. The Padawan ducked under the blow, but the sudden loss of footing left him open to a kick to the chest. Obi-Wan recoiled under the blow, hitting the tangle of vines at the cave entrance. Trying to move, he realized he had become ensnared in them. His lightsaber hand stuck fast, unable to come down to continue the fight. Looking down the dark, narrow cave, Obi-Wan saw Nurkkis standing there, anger and hate pouring off of him like sweat as he prepared to move in for the kill. Then, Obi-Wan's mind went back to the spider's web in the terrifying tunnels on Kessel. He remembered his hand stuck fast, and the horrific sight of the spider as it slowly came for him across the web. Then, he saw in his mind's eye his Master's green blade in his own hand, as he sliced through the web and freed himself. Looking across at Nurkkis, he saw the Miraluka ready to advance and kill him.

Just like Kessel. Clear your mind, and focus.

Nurkkis began sprinting forward, roaring in rage as he charged towards Obi-Wan with his pike leveled at the Padawan's chest. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and focused on his lightsaber hand.

Calm. Stay calm, and you will be free.

Despite Nurkkis' bloodcurdling yell and the growing closeness of his Force presence, Obi-Wan felt a wave of calm wash over him. In the next instant, his hand moved, almost involuntarily. He heard the humming of his blade through the air, and he felt the vines around his body slacken and drop from him. Without opening his eyes, he sidestepped and struck out to his front, the Force guiding his every move. He opened his eyes with a jolt as something slammed into his forearm, knocking his lightsaber to the ground. Obi-Wan had narrowly avoided the blade of Nurkkis' pike, but the Miraluka had gotten within his reach and avoided the Padawan's blind lightsaber strike. Still, Nurkkis had just collided with his enemy and was now easily within Obi-Wan's reach, stunned by the impact and armed with a weapon whose length was now a liability rather than an asset.

I couldn't have asked for a better opening.

Forgetting about his dropped lightsaber, Obi-Wan grasped the pike and nearly pulled it from Nurkkis' hands. However, the Miraluka still had some forward momentum from his charge, and with one hand on the pike he pulled Obi-Wan out of the cave and onto the ledge. The two men stumbled and fell onto the ledge just short of the drop into the dianoga pool, where Nurkkis lost his grip on his weapon. The pike flew out towards the water, but then deviated from its natural trajectory and began falling towards the Jedi skimmer. Obi-Wan looked at the skimmer to see Siri take the pike in her hands, a grin on her face. She looked up at Obi-Wan, meeting his eyes with hers. For a moment, the life-or-death struggle seemed long off as the two lovers gazed at each other.

That's my Siri.

Rough hands turning him onto his back snapped Obi-Wan out of the moment. Nurkkis was now on top of him, attempting to throttle him. He spoke, sadistic glee seething from every syllable as he grinned at the Padawan.

"I don't need a toy spear to kill you, worm. And your whore gets to watch you die."

Obi-Wan continued to struggle as Nurkkis brought his thumbs up to the Padawan's face.

"I'll enjoy feeling your eyes squish under my fingers, Jedi. And after that, I'll just push into your brain. I hope she gets to hear your screams."

Mustering what strength he could as he struggled to draw breath, Obi-Wan drove his shin into Nurkkis' crotch with a roar and all the violence he could muster. The Miraluka doubled over and lost his grip, screaming in pain. As Obi-Wan struggled to his feet, Nurkkis charged at him, driving his shoulder into the Padawan's gut. By now, they were precariously close to the edge, eyestalks clearly visible in the water below. Obi-Wan stumbled back under the blow, and then felt his heel hit air rather than rock. He struggled to regain his balance and keep from falling over the ledge, but his foot wobbled over the edge. Thinking quickly, Obi-Wan grabbed Nurkkis as he felt his feet leave the ledge. The Miraluka tried to break free, but he had already lost his own footing. Together, the two men tumbled into the water.

Qui-Gon, Adi, and Siri watched in horror as Obi-Wan and Nurkkis tumbled from the ledge into the dianoga-infested water, now red with the blood of the dead guards. Siri threw her shields up as her mind raced.

Obie…he's down there with that monster Nurkkis, and those ravenous squids…and there isn't anything I can do about it!

"Qui-Gon! Bring the skimmer around! By the time Obi-Wan comes up, we'll be right on top of him when he tries to break the surface!"

If he comes up, Master.

Siri tried to quiet her racing thoughts as Qui-Gon maneuvered the skimmer away from the fight, attempting to give Obi-Wan space to come up. Then, she remembered the lightsaber pike in her hands.

The lightsaber blade won't work underwater, but the other end is bladed…and Obi-Wan needs a weapon right now.

"Siri? What's your idea?"

Siri looked up at her Master in surprise. Adi simply smiled at her.

"I know that look on your face when you have an idea, my Padawan. What is it?"

"The opposite end of this pike is sharpened, Master. The user can either use the pike's lightsaber blade, or the sharpened end as a conventional sword. Thus…"

"It can be used underwater."

"Exactly, Master. If I could throw this to Obi-Wan, it might give him what he needs to defeat Nurkkis."

"Can you throw it to him?"

"I can sense his presence, Master. Whether he can catch it is another question. But I think it's worth a shot."

Adi paused for a moment, clearly pondering the idea.

"Let's try it, then. Qui-Gon! Bring the skimmer around!"

Qui-Gon again turned the skimmer as Siri sensed the murky water below for Obi-Wan's Force presence. She quickly located him, raising the pike as the skimmer neared his location.

Be accurate with your throw, and wait until you're right on top of him. You've only got one shot.

When he regained his senses, Obi-Wan saw Nurkkis across from him, the rage in him as strong as it had ever been. The Miraluka reached into his utility belt and withdrew a large vibroblade, bringing it up before him with a subtle flourish. Quickly scanning his surroundings, Obi-Wan saw dianogas circling the pair and clearly watching, but keeping their distance. At the edge of the murky water, he could see the mutilated remains of the guards on the skimmer being feasted on by more dianogas.

These ones circling us know what's going on. They may be far from sentient beings, but animals know a fight when they see one. They're sitting back and waiting for the winner to swim away in triumph. Then, they devour the loser.

Nurkkis lunged at Obi-Wan, the vibroblade missing by centimeters as the Padawan desperately tried to evade the blade. A mortal blow was not necessary: the dianogas were waiting for blood in the water and would pounce once first blood was drawn, and thus any wound would have lethal consequences for he that sustained it. And with a vibroblade, even a glancing blow would leave more than enough blood to attract the ravenous beasts. Entirely unarmed, Obi-Wan could only duck, weave, and hope for an opening to swim to the surface.

We can only stay down here so long. Sooner or later, one of us will bleed. And given that he's the one with the knife and I'm not, chances are that one will be me.

Nurkkis swung again, and again, and again. Obi-Wan continued to dodge, but he tired as his body began to crave oxygen. One false move, one moment's delay, and Nurkkis' blade would find him. Then, the Miraluka would escape while his victim met an unspeakable end in the depths, torn apart alive by the dianogas. Obi-Wan fought his urge to draw breath, struggled to keep his mind sharp despite his body's increasing craving for oxygen.

I can't do this for much longer. I'm already tired, and my brain needs air in my lungs. I can hold my breath down here, but all Nurkkis needs is a momentary lapse in concentration. Then, I'm finished.

Out of nowhere, Obi-Wan felt a signal from the Force, warning him of something to come. He instinctively held up his right arm, his hand opened to receive some mysterious gift his conscious mind was not aware of. Nurkkis, seeing the Padawan stopped in the water, swam greedily towards his prey, his blade raised. Just then, Obi-Wan felt a long, metallic object shoot through the water near his hand. He closed his fist around a smooth metal shaft, and turning his head he saw the unmistakable shape of Nurkkis' lightsaber pike.

Siri. It had to be Siri. I owe her one for this.

Reinvigorated, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and focused. Then, he opened his eyes and swung the blade through the water, the Force guiding his strike. Nurkkis attempted to avoid the blow, but had only partially cleared the way before the blade grazed his bicep. He grimaced and clutched at his arm as blood oozed out into the water, but then his expression of pain turned to fear as he realized what the sight of his blood meant.

That's it. The fight's over.

Before Nurkkis could react, Obi-Wan swam for the surface with every ounce of strength he had. Although Nurkkis was now bleeding, there was no guarantee that the dianogas soon swarming the scene would discriminate between he and Obi-Wan. And with his fate sealed, Nurkkis would be more determined than ever to take Obi-Wan to the grave with him.

Go! Go! Get to the surface! Get there quickly, before you're savaged by the dianogas or stabbed by Nurkkis!

The light above the surface grew brighter as Obi-Wan swam up, vaguely aware of Nurkkis' Force presence following him.

Go! Swim! Swim or die!

As he neared the surface, Obi-Wan saw the outline of the hijacked skimmer near him, inviting him upwards. Still gripping the pike that had saved his life, he let thoughts of Siri and her gift motivate him to swim even faster.

Swim! Swim! She's waiting for you! Go!

Finally, the water gave way to humid jungle air. Obi-Wan gasped in oxygen as he scanned his surroundings. Right there, next to him, was the skimmer, with the others standing on its deck, looking at him. He focused on Siri, his eyes locked on hers as he began furiously paddling for the skimmer.

She's there! She's waiting for you! Swim!

"Obi-Wan! Grab my hand!"

And Qui-Gon…he's waiting too! Go! You're almost there!

After what seemed like an eternity, Obi-Wan finally felt the hull of the skimmer against him. Barely looking up, he reached out to feel multiple pairs of hands grasping his.

And everybody's pitching in to rescue me. What a fantastic group! Say what you will about the Jedi Order, but we always take care of our own!

Siri's panicked shriek brought Obi-Wan back to the moment.

"LOOK OUT!"

Obi-Wan had barely turned to look behind him when he felt something pass through the skin of his calf. A second later, a searing pain shot through his leg. He screamed in agony as the water behind him turned red. Seeing the water discolor, Siri's voice was now pure terror.

Nurkkis…he got me!

"OBIE!"

Turning to look, Obi-Wan saw Nurkkis treading water behind him, brandishing his vibroblade. Qui-Gon shouted to his Padawan as Obi-Wan took stock of the situation, trying to ignore the incredible pain of his leg wound.

"GRAB MY HAND! NOW!"

Without hesitation, Obi-Wan pushed the pain to the back of his head and reached up for his Master. Again, he felt all three Jedi pulling him out of the water. Qui-Gon shouted orders to Adi and Siri, barely keeping the panic out of his voice.

"PULL! PULL!"

With a single, desperate heave, the three pulled Obi-Wan from the water. The four Jedi crashed to the deck of the skimmer under the forward momentum, gasping in exertion. Obi-Wan lay on the deck in agony as Siri rushed to his side, Qui-Gon helping Adi to her feet as the two Masters turned their attention to Nurkkis. Sitting up despite his injury, Obi-Wan looked over the edge of the skimmer's hull at Nurkkis. The Miraluka treaded water at the edge of the skimmer, his wounded arm producing a cloud of blood in the water. Before he could do anything else, however, the dianogas were upon him. A tentacle shot up and wrapped around his neck, and a dark shape moved up behind him. A second later, Nurkkis screamed in pain, his hand going to his back. More shapes darkened the water around him, and soon Nurkkis' screams rang out again as he flailed in terror and pain. The water around him was now bright red, frothing with the constant motion of the beasts tearing chunks out of him. Despite the pain clouding his mind, Obi-Wan could sense disgust emanating from the Masters and Siri at the horrific sight, even as they continued to watch in morbid fascination. As the Jedi watched in muted horror, more tentacles crept up Nurkkis' chest and towards his face, and soon the whole body of a dianoga emerged from the water, crawling slowly up Nurkkis' chest. Its eyestalk craned in towards Nurkkis' face, its remorseless, animal eye sizing up its soon-to-be dinner as the Miraluka sat frozen in fear. The dianoga observed him for several more seconds, its eyestalk swaying with an almost sentient sense of curiosity, before it moved in for the kill. It moved the center of its body, where its mouth lay, up towards the Miraluka's face.

He's looking right at its big, demonic maw. Just like I was not too long ago. And it'll be the last thing he ever sees.

Obi-Wan shuddered at the thought as he and the others continued to watch the macabre spectacle before them. The dianoga let out a grumble of anticipation as its mouth hovered in front of Nurkkis' face, its tentacles holding him fast. Nurkkis let out a long, high-pitched, primal scream of fear as the beast's maw loomed in front of him, unnerving everyone in the boat. Then, with a roar, the beast ended Nurkkis' shriek of horror as it brought its maw down on his head. Its body wiggled and gyrated as it chewed on his face, causing Adi to put her hand to her mouth in disgust. A sickening crunching and pulping sound then emanated from Nurkkis' mercifully obscured head as the dianoga munched on it, and Adi turned away with a groan of disgust as Siri clambered away from Obi-Wan's side and vomited over the railing. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon could barely watch the gruesome scene now.

I'm glad its body is between us and what's left of Nurkkis. Just seeing it gyrate and hearing it chew on him is sickening enough without having to see it munch on his skull.

Then, mercifully, the beast's wiggling and the sick crunching sounds stopped, and with a single, fluid motion, it pushed Nurkkis' motionless body under the surface. The other dark shapes vanished into the deep as well, and within seconds there was a red stain on the water where the Miraluka had gone under, never to come up again as the dianogas undoubtedly made a full meal of him. The Jedi sat in horrified silence, unable to move or say anything for what seemed like hours. Then, as the adrenaline of the fight gradually wore off, Obi-Wan felt the pain in his leg grow and grow. Looking down at his leg, he saw blood all over the deck where his leg was.

How…how much blood have I lost?

He reclined onto the deck, his groans of agony bringing the others to his side. He felt his senses beginning to slowly degrade.

I'm losing blood…I need med tech! Now!

"Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan? We'll get you medical attention, just hang on!"

Master…

"Siri! Search the skimmer for a medkit!"

"Yes, Master!"

The pain in his leg grew as the adrenaline continued to wear off. Qui-Gon and Adi now kneeled next to him, worriedly exchanging glances and occasionally looking up at what was presumably Siri searching for a medkit. After a few moments, her voice rang across the deck, much to Obi-Wan's delight.

"Here! I've got it!"

"You hear that, Obi-Wan? She's got it! You'll be fine!"

Adi walked out of view, reaching for her commlink as she did so. Her voice was indistinct, but Qui-Gon quickly turned to reassure his apprentice.

"She's calling in extraction, Obi-Wan. We're getting out of here."

"Master…I'm sorry…I shouldn't have chased after Nurkkis alone…"

"No…no, no, no…you did well, Padawan. Despite your impulsive decision, you did well."

Now Siri came into view, medkit in hand.

"Obie! Obie, hang on!"

She reached in and pulled out some medical supplies, her hands visibly trembling. Now, the world was growing darker, the voices more indistinct.

"Obi-Wan! Stay with me!"

"Yes…Master…"

Adi's voice was still indistinct, but Obi-Wan could hear desperation in it now.

"Obie. Obie, we've got you."

Siri began working on his leg. Obi-Wan was too incoherent to notice the pain as she handled his wounded flesh. He could feel her trembling growing stronger as her body touched his.

"Obi-Wan! Stay awake!"

"Yes…Mas…"

He wasn't aware of finishing his sentence. Adi's voice stopped briefly, and then came back, more desperate than ever. Now, Qui-Gon and Siri's voices began to grow indistinct as blackness closed in.

"Obi-Wan!"

"Obie!"

He was aware of hands grasping his, one his Master's and the other his lover's.

"Don't do this to me, Padawan! You can't die here!"

"Obie…don't leave me. Don't leave us. Please."

Qui-Gon's hand shook more and more violently, and Siri's voice quivered with every syllable as she gripped his hand more tightly. Obi-Wan gently stroked the back of Siri's hand with his thumb as her trembling became greater and greater, sending her comfort through the Force with what little strength he had left.

Don't be afraid, my love.

"Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan? Are you there?"

"Obie? OBIE?"

Her voice echoed through his mind as darkness descended over him.