Well ladies and gents, here's your next chapter. For today's recommendation we have TeamFourStars Dragonball Abridged. I imagine that anyone who has spent a decent amount of time on the internet would probably be at least passingly acquainted with one of the most famous abridged series of all time, but for those who might not have heard of it, simply search for it on Youtube and be prepared to enjoy a long, and hilarious, ride.
Walking a Tightrope Chapter 5 (V. 1)
Kidnapped!
After receiving reinforcements and winning the battle for Christophsis, Jedi Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi have received a new mission, to find and rescue the son of influential crime lord, Jabba The Hutt.
While Anakin and his new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, travel with a contingent of clones to the planet where Jabba's son is being held, Master Kenobi and Padawan Zeama travel to Tatooine, to negotiate with the fearsome Hutt.
Above Tatooine
As Nitai and Obi-Wan dropped out of hyperspace Nitai finally got a good look at the planet they were going to. "Hmm, a desert planet, an…interesting choice for an influential Hutt to make his base." He said, he'd always imagined that someone is powerful and wealthy as Jabba supposedly was wouldn't spend much time on such a barren-looking backwater.
"Jabba seems to prefer staying far away from the eyes of the Republic. Even before the war Tatooine was practically lawless. Most people here will probably go their entire lives without seeing a Republic soldier or peacekeeper. Jabba is, in essence, the only real authority on this planet." Obi-Wan explained as they detached from their hyperdrive rings and flew towards the planet.
"Sounds like a genuine hive of scum and villainy." Nitai said as they entered the atmosphere. "You have no idea." Obi-Wan responded. "Let's just hope that we find Jabba in a good mood."
"He's had his son kidnapped, I'm fairly certain he's going to be stuck in a less than sunny disposition for as long as this remains true." Nitai said, clearly not sharing his Master's optimistic outlook.
Jabba's Palace
As the two starfighters approached Jabba's palace, Nitai was surprised to see that it looked almost like a monastery. Although perhaps it had been repurposed for usage by the crime lord.
They landed their fighters a few dozen feet away from the large, heavily fortified door, which soon began to slide open, revealing a trio of aliens being led by a protocol droid. Nitai and Obi Wan got out and adjusted the cloaks they had put on to protect from the sand, which seemed to constantly be shifting in the ever-present wind.
"We should not keep the wise and powerful Jabba waiting." The droid said once it had stopped in front of the two Jedi. "I wouldn't dream of it." Obi-Wan responded before glancing at Nitai. "It would probably be best to let me do most of the talking Hutts like Jabba can be dangerous even at the best of times." He said as they followed the droid into the palace.
As the doors shut behind them, a collection of curious Jawas began to approach the two starfighters. R4 beeped nervously, but as one of the Jawas attempted to climb onto Obi-Wan's starfighter she extended a dendrite and zapped it right between its glowing eyes. Sending it careening off the starfighter, where it quickly scrambled to its feet and joined its fellows as they screamed in fear and retreated.
The inside of the palace was a haze of smoke and dust as they were led towards the Hutt's throne room. Nitai had initially been intrigued by the variety of species who lingered in the room, and his face darkened slightly at some of the scantily clad dancers who were lounging around, however his attention quickly turned to the massive, slug-like alien who sat on cushion-covered dais. He had seen holograms of Hutts before, but they had always been rather small, and while he had read about how large they could get, it was a completely different experience to see one up close. He and Obi-Wan approached the dais, bowing to the Hutt crime lord.
"Mighty Jabba, we have come to inform you that we have received your request for aid and that one of our most powerful Jedi is currently on the way to rescue your son. We will not let you down." Obi-Wan said, Nitai staying silent and standing a few paces behind his master.
The corpulent Hutt spoke in a deep and bellowing voice that seemed to echo slightly in the dimly lit room. "The most gracious Jabba has one more, small condition. He demands you bring back the slime that kidnapped his little…punky muffin." The protocol droid translated, causing Nitai and Obi-Wan to speak up at the same time. "Punky muffin?" Obi-Wan's tone was more one of amusement, while Nitai just sounded confused. "Master, what is a punky?" Nitai asked, but before he could be answered, Jabba spoke again. "Dead or alive. If you do not succeed, Count Dooku and his droid army will."
Nitai reached forward and tapped Obi-Wan on the shoulder. "Master, permission to speak?" "Permission granted." Nitai stepped forward and bowed to the reclining Hutt. "Most venerable Jabba, I have only one thing that I might request you clarify. If we return the kidnappers to you dead, how many pieces of their body would suffice?" He said, and while such a question would have sounded ominous coming from some, Nitai seemed to only be curious.
Jabba laughed at the question before speaking once more. "The wise and vengeful Jabba would prefer their heads, but anything to prove their demise will suffice." After hearing the response Nitai straightened back up. "He has deigned to give your Jedi one planetary rotation to retrieve his son and return him to Tatooine." The droid said.
"We will inform him immediately, you needn't worry, might Jabba, your son will be safe soon." Obi-Wan said as he and Nitai withdrew to a secluded corner of the room in order to contact Anakin and Ahsoka. "Was that line of questioning really necessary?" Obi-Wan asked with a raised brow. "I believe it would probably be best to not leave any ambiguities when dealing with someone like Jabba." Nitai responded as Obi-Wan pulled out an imagecaster. The figure of Anakin soon taking shape.
"Master Obi-Wan, what do you have to report?" Anakin asked. "Here's the situation, Jabba has given us one planetary rotation to rescue his son and return him to Tatooine." Obi-Wan reported.
"It won't take us that long Master." Anakin replied confidently, and Obi-Wan just shook his head slightly at his old apprentice's cocksure attitude. "Well be sure to take extreme care, we have no idea who's holding Jabba's son. Nitai and I will join you once we've finished negotiations." He said before Nitai poked his head in so that Anakin would be able to see him. "Also, Jabba wants the kidnappers brought to him dead or alive, he'd prefer a head, but any physical confirmation of their death will suffice." He added before stepping back after receiving a scolding look from his Master, who then turned the imagecaster off.
"Nitai, you go back to the fighters while I finish up negotiations with Jabba, we'll need to leave as fast as possible if we want to provide Anakin with more support." Obi-Wan said and Nitai nodded before heading out of the palace. He shooed away a few Jawas who were milling around the fighters, although they seemed to be staying a safe distance away, probably due to the fact that any time one of them tried to get closer S1 or R4 would extend an electrically charged prong and zap the ground just in front of the approaching Jawa. "S1, R4, get the engines warmed up, Master Kenobi will be out soon and we'll be going to support Ahsoka and Master Skywalker." He said as he climbed into his fighter. He didn't have to wait long before Obi-Wan emerged and slid into the cockpit of his starfighter. R4 let out a relieved series of beeps while S1 released a final surge of what was probably the droid version of profanity at the Jawas as they took off. However, as the two Jedi took off neither was aware of the cloaked figure watching them leave.
Once the two Jedi had arrived in the Republic cruiser that had arrived during their negotiations they were met by Commander Cody, the Commander of the 212th attack battalion. "Commander, tell Admiral Yularen to get underway, we need to reinforce Anakin." Obi-Wan said as his cockpit opened up. "Right away, sir." The clone responded before turning and relaying the order to a pair of troopers who were milling around near one of the dropships.
"It'll be a while before we manage to get to Anakin's position, and it's likely we'll have to fight our way down. Do you have any experience with space combat?" Obi-Wan asked as he and Nitai climbed out of their fighters to stretch their legs out.
"To be entirely honest with you, Master Kenobi, I am quite afraid of space combat. Luckily that fear is at its strongest when I'm not actually flying a ship, I don't like the feeling of being helpless and unable to act. But put me in a cockpit and it's a bit more manageable, still present, but not nearly as petrifying." Nitai admitted, his face paling a bit as he remembered the all too recent descent he and Ahsoka had made onto Christophsis, and how much it had shaken him.
"Hmm, I suppose we'll have to work on that after this mission is over. But for now, just try and stay close to me, and trust that the clones will be watching out for you." Obi-Wan said as he placed a hand on his Padawan's shoulder. Nitai smiled slightly and nodded. "Thank you, Master Kenobi."
Later, Above Teth
"General, we've dropped out of hyperspace, but our scans are showing a Separatist dropship near the monastery, as well as signs of battle. General Skywalker's communicator is also giving off signals from deeper in the monastery." Commander Cody reported as Nitai and Obi-Wan once again entered their starfighters.
"Thank you for the report, Commander, we'll keep the skies clear and provide support." Obi-Wan said as he and Nitai took off, soon being joined by a squadron of clone fighters.
"Skywalker is in trouble, you know the drill." Obi-Wan said as they flew towards the planet before glancing out of his cockpit towards Nitai's fighter, which was dutifully sticking close by.
"We've got incoming fighters!" One of the lead clones shouted shortly after they'd entered the atmosphere, a hail of lasers shooting towards them. Nitai could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he swerved to dodge the streaking red bolts. "It's just like the simulations Nitai." He said to himself, his voice tight with tension. "Keep by Master Kenobi, and remember the simulations." He said as he opened fire on one of the droid fighters, a tight smile stretching across his face as he watched it explode into a cloud of debris.
However, during the dogfighting one of the clones got hit, and was being homed in on by a Separatist fighter. "I'm hit, I can't shake him!" The droid cried as he began to ascend towards the cruiser. "Just relax Oddball, I'm right behind you, Nitai, you take the second fighter, I'll take the first." Obi-Wan said. "Got it." Nitai replied tersely, he didn't trust himself to speak anything words longer than a syllable without his voice cracking from the tension. He and Obi-Wan fell in behind the pair of fighters pursuing the damaged clone ship, and with a controlled burst of fire, both droid fighters exploded, sending shards of debris raining onto the planet below.
"Thanks, sirs, sorry I panicked." The clone said with a relieved sigh. "That's alright Oddball, it happens to everybody." Obi-Wan said, although Nitai could tell from the tone that the comment wasn't just meant for the clone.
The number of droid fighters had been drastically thinned thanks to the prolonged dogfighting, and as they drew closer to the monastery Nitai could see flashes of blaster fire.
"It looks like a battle is taking place on the east side of the monastery. And if there's a battle Anakin's probably in the middle of it. We'll start looking for him there, all ships form up on me." Obi-Wan ordered as the ships formed into a loose arrowhead and began heading towards the monastery. "Commander Cody, prepare the gunships for ground assault." He added, as they drew closer to the monastery, and in response four gunships flew out of the side hangars and made a beeline for the building.
"Nitai, give control over to S1, we'll be jumping down to give Rex some assistance on the ground." Obi-Wan said. "You heard him S1." Nitai said with an almost relieved sigh as he transferred control over to the astromech. The two Jedi starfighters released a volley of blaster fire at the droids which were surrounding Captain Rex and the remaining troopers, before the cockpits popped open and Obi-Wan and Nitai leapt out, immediately igniting their lightsabers as they landed and cutting down the nearest droids. While Obi-Wan cut through the droids, Nitai was content to direct their blaster fire back at them, taking out quite a few B1s and even a few B2s in that manner. The gunships made short work of the Separatist dropship, and began to provide covering fire as Commander Cody and a squadron of clones rappelled down and began gunning down the remaining droids before taking cover along with Rex and what remained of his squad.
"Where's Skywalker?" Obi-Wan shouted as he and Nitai ran up to Rex's position, deflecting blaster bolts the entire way. "Should still be in the castle sir." Rex responded quickly, most of his attention occupied by firing at any droid unable to find cover. "You keep the droids occupied, Nitai and I will go find him." Obi-Wan said before he and Nitai turned and sprinted towards the entrance to the monastery's main castle. A few droids did try to take potshots at the departing Jedi, but most were still too occupied with the increased number of clones that were now firing at them.
As the two Jedi entered the castle they were met by a bald, pale woman wielding a pair of red lightsabers with curved hilts, along with a pair of B2 battle droids. "Master Kenobi, always chasing after Skywalker, how predictable. And I see you've brought a friend, not confident that you could take me on your own?" She taunted as her gaze flickered towards Nitai.
"Anakin leaves quite a mess, which always leads me to you, Ventress." Obi-Wan responded with a smirk as he raised his saber. "Take him." Ventress ordered the pair of droids before running off down a corridor. However, the droids didn't slow the two Jedi down, as they quickly deflected the blaster bolts aimed at them and bisected the two droids at the waist.
"So, anything I should know about this Ventress woman?" Nitai asked as he followed his master, his saber raised as he scanned their surroundings, the deep shadows and numerous pillars provided many places for an ambush. "Dooku's personal assassin, and a rather persistent thorn in my side." Obi-Wan replied as they came to a circular room ringed by pillars.
"Ventress, I know you're here." Obi-Wan called out as he looked around the room. "You can't hide, I feel your frustration. Let me guess, you're after Jabba's young son too." Clearly Obi-Wan's words were effective in getting a rise out of Ventress, as she leapt down from her hiding place and attempted to bring her lightsabers down on Obi-Wan's head, only to find them being blocked by both Obi-Wan's and Nitai's lightsabers. After briefly locking blades Ventress slid back and removed her long skirt, revealing a shorter one underneath it. She threw the fabric at the two Jedi and closed in while their vision was briefly obscured before leaping at them, however they each blocked one of her blades with their sabers.
"You'll have to do better than that, my darling?" Obi-Wan said with a grin, causing Nitai to raise a brow in confusion, since he didn't dare take his eyes off of Ventress. The two Jedi broke the blade lock and began to push Ventress back. The assassin was having an increasing amount of difficulty dealing with the two of them, Nitai would have been a moderate challenge, since his left-handedness meant he had an unusual pattern of attacks, however in a one-on-one fight she probably would have been able to overcome him. But when paired with Obi-Wan's greater skill it was all that she could do to simply hold her ground.
However, there came a point where Obi-Wan's defenses dropped briefly, and she managed to knock his saber out of his hand. "Well, now I'm impressed." He said, further taunting the assassin. She continued to try to strike him with one of her sabers while deflecting Nitai's blows. However, as he made a swipe at her from above he did something unexpected, he deactivated his lightsaber. The blade that she had raised to block it suddenly found itself facing nothing but empty air, and Ventress leapt back just in time to avoid the reignited blade of his lightsaber piercing the air where her head had just been. This pause in her assault gave Obi-Wan enough time to stretch his hand out and use the Force to pull his lightsaber back into his hand.
"It seems my new Padawan has a few interesting tricks up his sleeve, shall we continue?" He asked as he pointed his saber towards Ventress. "With pleasure." She hissed before closing in. Now in addition to fighting against two opponents Ventress also had to find herself contending with the red-skinned Padawan's unorthodox style, he deactivated his lightsaber seemingly at random, causing her to stumble when she tried to lock blades with him as he sabers soared through empty air, only to have to twist and contort her body to avoid being impaled once he reignited the weapon after slipping past her guard, if not for her exceptional agility and reflexes she would have quickly fallen under the assault of the two Jedi.
"We know of Dooku's plot to turn the Hutts against us, it will not succeed." Obi-Wan said as the three combatants separated once again, slowly circling as Ventress tried to look for an opening in either of their defences. "It will when the truth dies with the two of you." She said before lowering her sabers to the floor, sending up a glut of sparks as she charged towards them before jumping into the air and spinning, bring her sabers down with a great deal of increased momentum that the two Jedi only barely managed to deflect. "Nitai, out the window." Obi-Wan barked, Nitai nodded and joined his master in jumping up onto the top of one of the pillars and out one of the open windows that ringed the room's ceiling.
They soon found themselves on a walkway between the temple and one of the outlying towers. However, as they faced one another Ventress looked confused while Nitai and Obi-Wan grinned. "I sense it too, Anakin is gone." Obi-Wan said. "I wonder how your Master will look upon this failure?" Nitai added, this further taunting only seemed to enrage the assassin as she charged at them, her attacks becoming more and more furious with each passing moment. As she locked blades with Obi-Wan he forced her sabers down onto the stone railing before pushing it away, causing one of her blades to careening off the bridge and into the forest below. Ventress tapped a band on her wrist before hissing "Jedi scum" and resuming her attack, although now she was at a much clearer disadvantage.
"Why do you continue to fight? The Hutt is safe, you can't get him now." Nitai said as he and Obi-Wan brought their sabers down towards her head, she raised her blade and struggled to keep it steady as she tried to resist their combined force. "He's right Ventress, we've won, lay down your weapon." Obi-Wan said, however any further demands to surrender were interrupted by the distinctive humming of an approaching droid fighter. Ventress jumped off of the side of the bridge and landed on top of the fighter before flying off, Obi-Wan and Nitai deactivating their sabers as she departed.
Shortly afterwards, their communicators began to beep. "General Kenobi, this is Commander Cody, we've neutralized all the remaining droids in the courtyard, we are clear for extraction." "Good, we'll meet you there shortly." Obi-Wan said before turning to Nitai. "We shouldn't keep Cody waiting, and we'll want to get to Tatooine to pick up Anakin and Ahsoka." He said as they began to walk back towards the entrance that would lead them back into the temple.
"I agree, with any luck they'll get him there sooner rather than later, I wouldn't want to keep Jabba waiting for his kid to return." Nitai said as he followed his Master, he could practically hear his own heart beating in his chest, that had been the first time he had ever seriously dueled an opponent with the intent to kill or cause harm, and he was silently very grateful that Master Kenobi had been there, he doubted that he would have been able to defeat Ventress on his own, the assassin was not an opponent to take lightly. "…But one thing, Master, what was that whole 'my darling' thing about?" He asked, causing Obi-Wan to shrug in response. "You'd have to ask Ventress, she started it, I just play along since it seems to frustrate her when it fails to get under my skin."
As they made their way back to the courtyard a message came through on their imagecaster, and hologram of Anakin showed up, although strangely enough he appeared to be shaking. "Kenobi here, have you reached Tatooine yet?" He asked, responding to Anakin's hail. "Almost, but we ran into some small-" "Anakin, did you get shot down again?" Obi-Wan cut off his former Padawan. Ahsoka's head then popped into view and she spoke up. "Yes." She said, in a tone that was all too cheerful for someone who was in the process of being falling towards a planet.
"The ship is too slow, I haven't had time to modify it yet." Anakin protested and Nitai couldn't even find the words to express his current feelings. Were those two really bickering while being shot down? "Anakin, I'm still cleaning up your mess, but I'll get there, Obi-Wan out." Obi-Wan said before ending the transmission.
"Master, are you certain they'll even survive, I mean they're crash landing on a planet that is nothing but one giant desert?" Nitai asked, but his response was just a chuckle. "Don't worry, Anakin has survived much worse crashes than that, I have faith that he'll get Jabba's son back to him. You can help the clones transport the wounded, I have to send a message to Master Yoda to inform him of Dooku's plans, if all goes well he should be able to meet us and arrive on Tatooine to pick up Anakin and Ahsoka." Obi-Wan said, Nitai simply nodded as the leapt down onto the floor of the room they had battle Ventress in.
Once he had reached the courtyard he walked up to Commander Cody and Captain Rex and looked helplessly at the two of them. "I think my Master and his former apprentice are crazy." The two clones just looked at each other before turning their gazes back to the young Padawan. "Well of course they are, they're Jedi." Rex said jokingly, drawing a beleaguered groan, which only made the two clones laugh. "Don't worry kid, you'll get used to it, after all, you're a Jedi too." Rex said with a grin and Nitai smiled slightly as he placed a hand on his lightsaber. "Yes, I suppose I am."