Jedi Council Forums - One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda)

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Author	Topic: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Mar. 1
PadawanKitara Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 10/3/05 8:18pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 3
	All the clues are there. I guess obi-Wan just doesn't want to reach the logical conclusion that she was hired by someone within the temple. -----signature----- Courtier of the Royal Order of Shambling Dufi We are Dufi...Resistance is Futile! UCLA BRUINS
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Amidolee Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 10/7/05 5:11pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 3
	Er, sorry for the lack of update. I have been trying, but I've been getting around 3 hours of sleep a night due to the cough lovely neighbors of mine. I'll try to have something up by this weekend. -----signature----- Mar. 1 - One Prick to Bleed: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/20423905/p1 "You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness." Dean to Sam in Roadkill.
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bobilll Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 10/7/05 6:36pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 3
	Well, neighbors have to sleep sometime. Assume that if they don't sleep at night, they sleep in the day. Solution: blast music as loud as you can at 6am in the morning, during hangover period. -----signature----- You'll have to buy him a sweater.
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Amidolee Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 10/8/05 11:30am Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	~~~ Obi-Wan needed some serious distraction, and he doubted this makeshift sandwich was up to the task. That was ‘sandwich’ in the loosest term. Not that he had much of an appetite, anyway. The twenty-three year old Padawan sighed as he lifted the Naboo sandwich, thinking, at the very least, someone could have left him the last sweet biscuit. His first bite proved the sandwich was not going to suffice. Still, he dutifully swallowed and tried to ponder all the other sandwiches he’d consumed across the galaxy. It was certainly better than thinking of— Obi-Wan looked up toward the lift door just before it whispered open. He expected, in that brief instance, to see the Queen step out, but it was only one of her orange-hooded handmaidens. Why had he expected the Queen? She had not been seen out of her private chambers since Coruscant, nor did it seem likely she’d come down to the lower common on her own for a sandwich. Still, he’d felt sure . . . The handmaiden seemed to hesitate slightly before she stepped out of the lift, her head bowed under her low cowl. Obi-Wan glanced down at his sandwich, feeling more than a little irritated to be interrupted. The Queen wasn’t the only one being reclusive on this curious return to Naboo— The Padawan watched the slight form head for the small food unit. She was not Rabé or Eirtaé, who were only seen when fetching something for the Queen. Ah, his distraction had arrived. Obi-Wan, his curiosity piqued, stretched out subtly with the Force, his sandwich only a mechanism of apparent disinterest. He dared not prod far, he just needed a little confirmation. This was not Padmé, the third and not silent handmaiden. The Queen, masquerading as one of her handmaidens, moved with seemingly calm grace, but Obi-Wan spotted the edge of tension in her slender lines. She was smaller out of her heavy gown, smaller than he’d expected. If he didn’t know better, he’d think her just a young girl popping down to the kitchen to nip a late night snack. Which, he reasoned, she actually was. Sometimes it was easy to forget Queen Amidala was only fourteen. Amidala seemed determined to show him only her back or profile as she quietly set about making tea. She worked delicately, making as little noise as possible. Then she returned to rummaging through the cupboards, her gloss-painted fingertips finding the sweet biscuit container. She pulled it out and opened it, giving Obi-Wan a glimpse of her shadowed face as she peered in. “Damn,” she swore softly. Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows. He’d said just as much a few minutes ago, but it sounded better from her. In that brief moment, he saw a rather sweet, young face twist with consternation at being deprived of sweets. Then she looked at him sharply, accusingly. Yes, he had no doubt she was the Queen. Obi-Wan shrugged unhelpfully. He wanted to call her on the disguise, but it seemed somehow impolite. Nor was he in the mood for a royal chat. She still looked a little suspicious as she turned back to the cupboards. Obi-Wan watched out of the corner of his eye as she settled for soft, thick crackers and jam. He’d never seen a queen prepare her own snack, but she worked efficiently, taking precise care not to spread crumbs or spill the jam. The Jedi Padawan smiled inwardly at her queenly manner for such an ordinary task. She poured her tea and Obi-Wan again glimpsed the left side of her face as she canted her head a little. Although her eyes were shadowed from her low cowl, he could see her bottom lip tucked in a little with concentration. He had little doubt she was being extra careful in his presence, in disguise or not. When the Queen finished preparing her snack, she paused, her orange sliver form turned slightly toward him. Indecision? Had she intended to sit alone in the lower common and he’d ruined her singular outing? Obi-Wan took another bite of his sandwich, debating whether to offer her a seat. As much as he’d come here for distraction, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to make a small chat with a Queen-in-disguise. Maybe she would say nothing. Maybe she would. It was bound to be awkward, whichever way it went. Though, he amended, if he was in the mood for underlying banter, he would have relished this. The ‘handmaiden’ picked up her tea and cracker plate, gave him a shadowed nod, and headed for the lift. The door whispered shut behind her. Obi-Wan set his half-eaten sandwich down and frowned, unable to shrug off a curious disappointment. ~~~ Inside the tiny refresher, Sabé cupped her hands and drank thirstily as water spilled over them. She knew it wasn’t drinking water, but it was clean enough and she didn’t care at the moment. Then she splashed the water over her face, scrubbing furiously, pressing her fingers into her eyelids and seeing red spots in the momentary darkness. She drank again and then, finally, turned the water off, letting her face drip into the sink. She stayed like that for several minutes, breathing slowly, eyes closed, as she tried to find her center. The Force moved unsteadily around her, a frayed, thin shawl around her shoulders. She pulled it in with her breathing. The shadow game must be kept. Whatever happened, she must keep Yoda’s order secret. When she felt marginally steadier, Sabé lifted her head and felt a sick little jolt of horror at her reflection. She looked like death. Gingerly, she touched her hollow cheeks, her eyes large and darkly luminous in their sunken shadows. Her hands were shaking. Sabé bit her lip and gripped the sink. But she continued to stare at the specter in the mirror. A white skeleton lost in a black tangle. She did not recognize herself. Sabé scowled. How dull, she thought over the sick, empty feeling threatening to rise from her stomach and tear her eyes. She stepped back from the mirror and turned to the narrow shower stall. Upon entering, she’d locked the door and checked the tiny cupboard for her hygiene kit. Everything was in place, though she had little doubt the Jedi had searched every inch of the ship. She’d noticed while locked in the hold they’d removed anything loose or helpful for escape. Damn Kenobi for realizing the hold made such a good prison cell. At least he had not jettisoned her soap. Wincing as her stiff shoulder protested, Sabé removed her clothes and stepped into the shower. She examined the scarring curving along her side, uncomfortably self-conscious of Obi-Wan’s medical cleaning of the wound area. She could sense him just outside the door, a faint, hovering presence buzzing in a corner of her mind. Guarding. Sabé glanced at the locked door. She had no worry of the Jedi intruding. Obi-Wan Kenobi was a gentleman. Still, as she tentatively traced the long, pink scar, she wished he’d left her to bleed. Frowning grimly at that notion, she turned on the water and gasped as warm water hit her weakened body. Sabé closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, letting the cleansing warmth wash over her. She let the Force sink in. She needed to get her strength back, needed to reinforce her shields. Needed to prepare for whatever was to come. It might take awhile, but Obi-Wan could wait. As the hiss of running water soaked her ears and the steam filled her lungs, Sabé slipped into a healing trance, her mind floating . . . The bounty hunter grinned, feral, flashing her jagged teeth. Sabé paced, fighting the frustration rising in her. Turning back, she leaned over the red-tattooed contract killer, fitting the witch with her best glare. “Tell me who’s contracting for Padawans,” Sabé snapped. Before I jettison you, she thought. The bounty hunter laughed, her forked tongue flashing between her teeth, her black eyes glittering with amusement. Sabé pushed her fist under the bony chin, bringing her face within an inch of the snakelike female’s. “You will tell me. Or I’ll hand you over to the Jedi.” The hunter’s tongue lashed out, licking Sabé’s face. Sabé whipped her head away in disgust, but did not relent. She slipped her small blaster out of its holster, holding it loosely at her side. The red female grinned coldly. “You capture me and say you speak on behalf of the Jedi,” she hissed, “but you threaten death.” Sabé shrugged. “I am not a Jedi.” She twitched her blaster hand subtly. The Slissian’s glittering eyes flickered again. She snarled fiercely up at Sabé. “If I tell you all I know, it is amnesty, then?” “Depends on what you tell me.” The bounty hunter growled, tugged against her shackling, and then hissed a sigh. “Fine.” Sabé waited. Her heart pounded. Would she finally discover the needed information, or would she come to another dead end? Did this Slissian not possess the fear of the contractor as the other bounty hunters did, or would she only find a ghost representative like before? “A blanket contract is out for any Jedi apprentices,” the Slissian slithered out. Sabé noted the inward twitch of the tiny, narrow, sloping shoulder bones under the red tattoos. “Nice price. Better than some of the senators’ heads.” “Get to the point,” Sabé ground out. The Slissian shrugged, her shoulders folding in more as her black eyes never left Sabé. “I didn’t believe the contract at first. The Trade Federation is too deep in war to pay up, but word got round that the contractor makes good on the bounty.” “Who is it?” Sabé noted the folding of the shoulders had ceased, but she sensed the tension like a spring. The bounty hunter smiled coldly. “I could not really say—” She coiled, springing inward as her shoulders folded and rotating, her sinewy legs kicking out at Sabé. But Sabé was not off-guard and easily jumped over the kick, her right leg connecting with the Slissian’s face. The bounty hunter howled angrily as Sabé landed and leveled her blaster. But she was not done as she folded further, whipping her snakelike body around, twisting lighting fast. Sabé’s vibro-dagger was out in an instant and under the pointed chin, pricking. “That’s enough of that,” Sabé growled. The Slissian spat. “Look at you. You’re no more than a girl. Playing a game. I can snap you like a twig.” Sabé pressed a little more. The Slissian hissed. “You say this, yet you are the one chained to a post.” “Not for long.” “Try it and you’re dead.” The Slissian female smiled cruelly. “Have you ever killed anyone, little girl?” Sabé gritted her teeth. “It is delightfully easy,” the bounty hunter whispered. “It’s just an instant. No matter how you do it. The foreplay can be long and drawn out, or you can just blast them. It does not matter. The actual killing, the final stroke—just an instant.” Sabé could smell the Slissian’s black blood sizzle on her blade, it’s acrid, metallic scent burning her nose. “Tell me who the contractor is.” “You’ll be just as easy as the little Jedi.” The Slissian let out an earsplitting cry and turned her body into a whip. Sabé barely had time to fold her body into a roll as the flexible Slissian broke free, her arms slithering out of her shackles. She sprang up, turning, as the bounty hunter uncoiled to leap. Three shots rang directly into the Slissian’s heart. The glitter flickered out of her black eyes and she fell in mid-leap, collapsing to the floor. Sabé slowly lowered her blaster and stared. She stood dumbly for a long moment. The bounty hunter was right. It was just an instant. Sabé turned the body over. A burned circle smoldered over the cooked heart. Her shaking hand reached for the thin braids pinned to the belt. An instant. Seven instances clutched in her fist. Seven. Sabé stood and backed away. Then she turned and vomited violently. Lost in the shower, her tears fell unabated. ~~~ Obi-Wan Kenobi’s patience was starting to lean toward irritated when the refresher door opened. He’d heard the shower cease awhile ago and had wondered if his prisoner had been standing in there to be ornery. The Jedi Knight straightened and couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows as she stepped out of the fresher. She stared up at him, daring him defiantly as she held herself straight. Some color had made it to her full lips, though she still remained rather pale and drawn. Her long, dark hair had been gathered back into a simple, clean braid she draped over her left shoulder, again piquing Obi-Wan’s curiosity. Most active beings such as her kept their hair short for efficiency. She still wore her torn, bloodstained gray tunic, but it barely dampened the effect. The beauty Obi-Wan had seen under all the blood and exhausted was apparent now. She cleaned up well. And was apparently recovering her strength. He’d sensed her touching the Force and again had found it to not move darkly around her. This was no Sith, though she had a commendable glare for one. “Allow me to escort you to your suite,” said Obi-Wan. Her expression was nothing less than withering. The Jedi was again struck by haunting familiarity as a cool mask slipped over her annoyance. She passed him, walking ahead, her movements sure and graceful. The recovery trance. Well-trained, this one. She stood expressionlessly as he pulled her arms around the post and secured the manacles. Her head only came to his shoulder, but she carried it as if a crown belonged there. Obi-Wan glanced at her profile as he double-checked the shackles, thinking, really, she did not look so young. Younger than his thirty-three years but older than Anakin’s twenty. When he stepped back, a faint curiosity played at her brow. “You must be hungry,” he said. She did not answer but he recognized the starved want in her brown eyes. He stepped out and returned a short while later with a water flask and sustenance bar. A hungry grimness settled along the corners of her mouth as he set the items down and went to the manacles again. “The cuisine is lamentable, but so is your situation.” He paused, watching her face. “No antics, yes?” She turned her face to him, and again, Obi-Wan felt he should know her. Why did he expect to see something sweet in those eyes? She acquiesced with a curt nod. Obi-Wan mentally shook his head at himself and brought her arms around to the front and slipped the left cuff over her wrist again. Her lips were parted slightly and her eyes lowered away from him. The Jedi found it oddly disarming. Obi-Wan gestured to the flask and bar. “Please.” She grasped the “meal” and settled down on the floor, her back against the bulkhead across from her usual post. Obi-Wan leaned against the bulkhead and crossed his arms casually to wait, watching as she adapted to limited use of her hands as she unwrapped the food bar. She looked up pointedly. “Oh, don’t mind me.” Looking a touch irritated, she proceeded to ignore him as she took her first bite. She was a courtly eater, almost dainty. Obi-Wan knew this mannerism well; he’d seen it throughout the galaxy in the higher classes. It suited her, unlike the bounty hunter profile. The Jedi scratched absently at his beard, pondering. -----signature----- Mar. 1 - One Prick to Bleed: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/20423905/p1 "You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness." Dean to Sam in Roadkill.
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bobilll Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 10/8/05 12:26pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Gah, I love your juxtapositions! Two eating scenes, in two completely different situations... yet with creepily similar reactions from the charactors. Cool, apathetic, composed... yet so curious. “Damn,” she swore softly. I totally cracked up there. Nice going, "Amidala"! The meditation scene was somewhat creepy. So Sabe isn't the only one out there on a murderous errand? Makes Yoda's role in this so much more interesting... She's killed seven times? Ouch. Guess being a hit-man's hard work. I wonder how long it's gonna take Kenobi to wake up... -----signature----- You'll have to buy him a sweater.
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Miana Kenobi Title: Pacific RSA & NSWFF Mod On Limited Time Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 10/8/05 2:52pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Obi, you are SO close to figuring it out... LOL! The cookie jar bit is SO Sabé-like. Great job, babe! -----signature----- President of San Diego FanForce He tini nga whetu e ngaro I te kapua iti. Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!
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Amidolee Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 10/9/05 6:53am Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	No no, bobill, Sabe hasn't killed seven times. That was the bounty hunter. Sabe collected the Padawan braids off her. Guess I'm not being very clear. But, yeah, the eating scenes -----signature----- Mar. 1 - One Prick to Bleed: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/20423905/p1 "You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness." Dean to Sam in Roadkill.
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bobilll Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 10/9/05 10:33am Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Ohhh! That makes so much more sense! Otherwise, I'd wonder why Sabe's making such a big deal out of kill #8... Lucky #7, eh? -----signature----- You'll have to buy him a sweater.
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AngelQueen Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 10/9/05 5:52pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	grins Yes, Obi dear, you should recognize her! As for something sweet in her eyes... Well, perhaps once, long ago, you would have. But betrayal will get rid of that pretty quick. Excellent post, Amidolee! The flashback about Sabe killing one of the bounty hunters trying to kill the Padawans was chilling! Outstanding writing! AQ -----signature----- "Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic, to democracy!" "If you're not with me, then you're my enemy." "Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." "You will try." Obi-Wan and Anakin
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PadawanKitara Registered: Dec '01	Date Posted: 10/9/05 6:45pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Great post -----signature----- Courtier of the Royal Order of Shambling Dufi We are Dufi...Resistance is Futile! UCLA BRUINS
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Pandora26 Registered: Apr '05	Date Posted: 10/12/05 3:33pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Well, I've finally caught up on this story, and can now properly respond. It's almost as though this is a mystery story, and not just one that asks "Will she be able to kill him?" It's as if the character of Sabé is the real mystery that propels the story. Who is she? How did she become what she is? The flashbacks show this happening, but in flashes indeed, as though Sabé's head is swarming with all these memories that float to the top on occasion. There's the Big Thing with Amidala (and I can't help but feel that a big, and final, showdown between these two might happen). The odd thing about the scene where Amidala dismisses Sabé is that I could see both of their points of view. Amidala needs to listen to Sabé, and she can't (hence, the dismissal). But perhaps Amidala has said something that Sabé needs to hear? That duty is important, but that it doesn't last forever? Sabé is so content with being a Tool, either to Amidala or another cause, that I can't see her as allowing herself something so personal, something so only for her, as a relationship, with Obi-Wan or anyone. But we shall see. If you send PMs, please let me know when you update. -----signature----- we'll take our hearts outside leave our lives behind I'll watch the stars go out --dubstar "stars"
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Senator_Lorena Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 10/13/05 6:38pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Obi-Wan better not let his guard down! While he ponders why she is familiar, she could strike him. Sabe has spunk in making a Jedi wait on her. I like the flashbacks as they are effective is revealing Sabe's evolution. -----signature----- "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~ Less Brown "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17 NIV
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Amidolee Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 10/14/05 5:38am Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Welcome, Pandora! I'm glad you seem to be enjoying this. I'm always worried people will bore of it. It meant to be a bit more actiony, but it seems to mostly be a characterisation sort of thing. There will be more happenings soon, tho. I'll add you to the PM list. Everyone: I'm going to Edinburgh this weekend (and meeting Jemmiah and Calamity Jinn!!), so I won't have anything up. I'm also moving to an off campus house around Monday or so and have some projects coming up, so there probably won't be anything until next weekend (which must compete with the Aintree meet). So, basically, um . . . it might be a little bit. Also, if you have not been receiving PMs, let me know on here or send me a PM. I left my little list at home, so I've been kind of going off dodgy memory. If I've missed you on the updates, I'm really sorry! Just let me know, ok? -----signature----- Mar. 1 - One Prick to Bleed: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/20423905/p1 "You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness." Dean to Sam in Roadkill.
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bobilll Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 10/22/05 7:39pm Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 8
	Wow, a whole week's wait! (alliteration? Hmm...) Well, definently upping this so we know what can't ever die! -----signature----- You'll have to buy him a sweater.
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Amidolee Registered: Jan '00	Date Posted: 10/23/05 8:30am Subject: RE: One Prick to Bleed - an AU beginning in AotC (Obi, Ani, Sabe, Yoda) - Oct. 23 - Date Edited: 1/19/06 10:16pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Amidolee
	Sorry about the wait, guys! I've been busy with school and travelling. Also, I just arbitrarily found out my grandma died (it was expected, tho). Chapter Ten The Jedi Padawan supposed he’d seen worse situations than this. An adolescent queen leading a ragtag, motley group of Naboo soldiers and affronted Gungans into a metallic gundark nest with several thousand times the firepower? No, it could be worse. Much worse. It could be raining. Obi-Wan Kenobi glanced up at the brilliant, perfectly blue sky glittering through the sweetly swaying branches of the aged swamp trees. At least this beautiful planet had the decency to give them a proper good-bye. No one liked marching into carnage soggy. He smiled to himself, ducking his head to hide it as Captain Tarpals, a Gungan more sensible than his counterpart, gave him a quizzical look. Obi-Wan surveyed the ambling order skirting the edge of this swampy forest. Captain Panaka and Boss Noss were talking quietly by the debriefing speeder, Binks fidgeting nervously and pointlessly behind them. Qui-Gon . . . well, Qui-Gon was off having a chat with the boy. Obi-Wan, as a mark of their amending, had been invited along, but the Padawan could not quite bring himself to join. His hard feelings weren’t directed at the boy, exactly, but Obi-Wan sensed curt politeness would do more harm than good. Best to just stay out of it. He trailed his eyes away from them, perhaps quicker than he’d like to admit. An invisible wall from centuries of prejudice loosely divided the humans and Gungans, but curiosity and soon-to-slaughter camaraderie had started dissolving the barrier. Some younger Gungans donning battle gear were discussing, Obi-Wan could grasp, differences in their weapons with the Naboo soldiers. The young Jedi looked on, following the young queen’s movement to a smaller cluster beneath the trees. Obi-Wan smirked. Amidala halted before the little group standing to the side of everything, a seemingly aloof, untouchable satellite. The two Naboo guards started to bow to their incognito queen, but stopped when they saw Rabé and Eirtaé remained upright. To Obi-Wan, the charade seemed a bit pointless now: If spies or snipers were creeping around, they would not have been fooled by a “handmaiden” ordering the battle plans instead of the Queen. Obi-Wan watched as Amidala and the decoy Queen stepped away from the little group. He studied the white painted face (as he’d been doing a lot lately), bowed slightly to Amidala. If she allowed any expression, it was only tight seriousness. Intent. Unwavering. Obi-Wan found himself moving a little closer and attuning his senses to their low voices. Unmindful of the Living Force, master? Jedi were not supposed to be smug, but Obi-Wan could not deny his satisfaction in spotting the switching roles when Qui-Gon blissfully missed it. Of course, Obi-Wan had been slightly off the mark at first. Why would the Queen have her handmaiden deliver the initial plan to them on approach to Naboo? But then they had switched again before trudging off to the Gungans, and Obi-Wan had it. Maybe he should have let Qui-Gon in on the ruse, but they had not been on speaking terms before then, and afterwards, well, Obi-Wan rather liked his little secret knowledge. Now, of course, everyone knew. “ . . . sure you want to do this?” Amidala was saying quietly, her voice low but unaffected. “This is real danger, Sabé.” A brief, tight smile flashed across the decoy’s white face. “I will do my duty, Ami. I always wanted to be a big, flashing, walking target. You have the difficult task. I just have to draw to look like a queen and draw the fire. Simple.” Obi-Wan’s ears absorbed the new sound of the decoy’s voice. These were Sabé’s words, not Queen Amidala’s. Soft but strong, rhythmic and cultured. “You make it sound so—” The young queen gave a little shudder and grasped Sabé’s hand in hers. “Just a little levity, Your Highness.” “I do not find any of this funny,” Amidala muttered darkly. “Jar Jar Binks is a general.” “That is not funny!” Amidala sighed, paused a moment, and then, solemnly: “My life.” Sabé raised her chin slightly, dark intensity filling her brown eyes. “My life.” Handmaiden and Queen stared at one another for a long, drawn moment, and Obi-Wan could almost see the cords connecting them through the Force. They were bound, life duty bonding them beyond friendship. Sacrifice. One did not need to be attuned to the Living Force to see it, feel it. Obi-Wan was struck. Then Amidala broke away to speak to Eirtaé and Rabé. Obi-Wan watched as Sabé stood alone, still and frozen like a statue or a hunted animal. What thoughts were running through her mind? So young and going into battle as the number one target of her enemies. Sacrificing her life for another’s. Obi-Wan approached her quietly, wondering if he should speak with her or not. He would not console her, not really. The reality of the situation was as it is. Her eyes shifted to him. Guarded. “Jedi Kenobi,” she said in her deep Queen’s voice. Obi-Wan bowed his head. “Your Highness—or should I say . . . Sabé?” Something flickered in her dark eyes as he tested her name. She seemed undecided, somehow, and then, after a moment, she said in a more natural voice, “I am sorry for the deception, Jedi Kenobi.” “No worries. And it’s Obi-Wan.” When she only watched him, still closed, he pushed a little. “You and the Queen played an excellent ruse, but I figured it out.” “Did you?” she said sharply. Her gaze darted toward the Queen, and Obi-Wan could almost hear Sabé say, I told her not to switch on the ship! “Yes,” he said, trying not to grin. “On the ship. You were down in the common as a handmaiden, but it was the Queen in the throne room with you on her left that gave it away.” A frown tugged on her painted lips. “I failed Her Highness. I should have been a better decoy.” “The fault does not lie in your acting,” Obi-Wan reassured her. He wondered how much he should say, how far he should go to satisfy his curiosity. “The white face helps, but there are still subtle differences in your features, as well as in your voices. And I—well,” he paused, uncertain quite where he was treading, “I can sense you differently through the Force than the Queen.” She glanced away for just a moment, a flutter in her stoic mask. “Oh?” Oh? indeed. Obi-Wan sensed quite bit behind that innocent syllable. Should he press about her Force-sensitivity? Or should he let it be, let her be, and order his curiosity to shove off? He could not deny there were more pressing matters on hand. “I suppose ‘how are you feeling’ has too obvious an answer,” he said quietly. A rueful smile twitched across her red and white lips before settling grimly in place. “Yes.” She shifted her shoulders a little further back. A stubbornness hardened along her jaw, regal and queenly beneath her sunburst crown. Obi-Wan again wondered her age. The other two handmaidens were certainly a little older than the Queen, the passive maturity in their manner blending rather than startling, as in the Queen. She looked up at him, determined and rather fierce. “I am not afraid to serve.” Then she softened and smiled wryly. “You understand, don’t you, Obi-Wan?” Her natural voice, soft and young here. Something stirred in Obi-Wan when she said his name, a protective instinct as she tentatively dropped some of her mask. He wanted to protect her in this upcoming battle, but he had already been given his duty to protect the Queen. “Yes, I do,” he said quietly. ~~~ Duty. The word hung in the cold, recycled air. Sabé stared at the blank bulkhead, absently wondering if she would begin to despise the word. She had lost track of all time, all sense of passing measurement, as she sat with her back against the pole, her shoulder stiff, her hands manacled behind her. On and off she meditated, gaining strength every time, but finding only a bleary fog in the Force. She could not risk stretching far, opening herself—not with the Jedi around, but what she did sense disturbed rather than consoled. Things had not gone well, nor were they going well, and she doubted they would improve. Obi-Wan would either figure her out or lose his patience, or Skywalker would do something drastic and impulsive. She’d already resigned herself to her fate. No help would be coming for her. What could Master Yoda do? It was up to her. Keep Yoda a secret, keep her orders secret. Duty. Though it should have never come to this. Sabé gritted her teeth. If she died without Obi-Wan or anyone else discovering who she was, she would be as satisfied as one could be after failing. One last shred of dignity, a small cling to the past. But one should not dwell on the past, on things that cannot be changed. And round and round it goes, she thought. The hatch opened and Obi-Wan stepped through again, Skywalker in tow. Sabé straightened up as best she could, checking her mind shields. Was Obi-Wan weary of bantering to himself? Did he truly believe she was killing Padawans, and therefore, Jedi morals could be tossed aside for Skywalker’s hinted persuasion? “This is getting ridiculous, don’t you think?” said Obi-Wan. Boring, more like, Sabé thought. If she were unchained, she could pass the time with stretches. “I’m telling you,” Skywalker said heatedly, “let’s just hand her over to Republic authorities.” “You’ll be charged with attempted murder and hunting without a legal bounty,” Obi-Wan said. “Not to mention all this on a Jedi. The Republic does not take this offense lightly.” As before, he knelt down before her, a soft sort of appeal edging his hard gaze. “Will you not speak on your behalf? Will you not reason? We are only looking for answers.” Sabé dug her thumbnail into her left palm. Obi-Wan was so close, staring, searching, an open door between them. It hurt how much he didn’t know. About her, about his Padawan, his beloved Order. She felt relief and offense he did not recognize her, that he only saw a paid killer in her. He could not know. For her own good. For his. She stared back, concentrating on the sharp, tiny pain in her palm. Yet his eyes were at once so blue and so grey and those days so long ago flooded back, dulling the pain in her hand and sharpening it elsewhere. They were not friends. Not now. Obi-Wan sighed. “You are only hurting yourself by this.” That was the point. The Jedi Knight rubbed his light, reddish beard for a moment, as if testing a decision. Then he raised both hands to either side of her face, palms slightly cupped just inches from her head. Sabé glared at him. He’d done this before. “You leave me with very little choice,” he said softly, already sinking into the Force. Sabé braced herself, pulling everything in as Master Yoda taught her. The shadow game inside her. Perhaps it was what kept Obi-Wan from recognizing her. Keep him from breaking her shields. Slide over, slide past. She felt him pressing in, prodding. So familiar and strangely gentle for an intruder. Bumping, brushing, soft and warm . . . back in the ship’s throne room . . . Different than the reactor core, when she had been open and giving without knowing . . . The memory of it, the pull . . . she almost . . . not, she would not. He was tempting, soothing, not pushing. Asking to be let in, inviting her out, inviting her in . . . No, she would not. Stone, stone, solid, opaque. Then—palms, pressing in, pressing on her. Firm, intent. Pressure aching. She wasn’t bowing, no. No. Then he eased back and she opened her eyes. She was biting her lip and breathing a little strongly. “What? What is it?” Skywalker said, his voice thundercracking against her temples. “Why did you stop?” Obi-Wan did not answer immediately, his gaze searching her as she relaxed her jaw and fixed him with a glare. He knew he hurt her. “Her shields are too strong,” he said quietly. “If I pushed anymore, I could break her.” “Isn’t that the point?” Skywalker came forward, bowing over his master’s shoulder. “Don’t we want to break her so she’ll speak?” “Her shields, not her mind,” Obi-Wan said tiredly. “Her mind? Who cares about her mind, Master? She’s a murderer!” Sabé snorted despite herself. The Jedi shot her sharp looks. Sabé raised an eyebrow at Skywalker, and she saw a flicker of fear in his shallow blue eyes. A murderer, am I? What about you? She leveled him, allowed a cold smile to creep up one cheek. Let him see she knew. Set him back. Skywalker’s nose flared as he straightened up a little, backing from her. Agitated. “Master—” “Not here, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said firmly, standing. Sabé glanced at him. Curiosity and suspicion. Intrigue. Had she revealed something? “Fine,” Anakin snapped. He disappeared through the hatch. Obi-Wan lingered, studying her, and then slowly followed his Padawan. ~~~ “Anakin, I don’t want to have this discussion again,” Obi-Wan said as he entered the cockpit where Anakin was pacing in the small confines. Behind him lay pinprick stars far from this empty pocket of space. It was a short jump to the closest planet, leaving them very isolated but not unreachable. “Looks like we’re having it,” Anakin muttered darkly. Obi-Wan counted to five. He could not blame Anakin for being upset and irritated. The young man was not naturally patient, and the circumstances were unfavorable for him, to say the least. An assassin had severely injured him and now they were wasting time. “I still think Dooku could have trained her,” Anakin said before Obi-Wan could reach five. “Fine—I’ll give you she’s probably not Sith. But Dooku could have trained her, sent her after us.” “Us?” Anakin shrugged. “Okay, maybe just me.” “She clearly targeted you. I was completely open.” Obi-Wan rubbed his chin, frowning. “It is a possibility, Anakin, that Dooku trained her. Why he would only target you, I do not know. But if she is an apprentice of his, then we definitely should not break her mind. If we could persuade her, she could be an asset.” Anakin shook his head. “I can see your reasoning, Master. I just don’t understand it.” Obi-Wan frowned. “I mean—why haven’t you just handed her over?” Obi-Wan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He had not properly slept since the attempt on Anakin’s life. Just brief rejuvenating meditations. Someone needed to be on guard, and Obi-Wan could not shake his distrust in Anakin’s impulsiveness. The Jedi Knight stepped up to the viewscreen, staring out at the distant stars. He might as well speak a little honestly here; Anakin would allow nothing else. “There’s . . . I dislike to say it . . . something about her. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something . . .” Anakin stood beside him. “You mean aside from the fact she looks eerily like Padmé?” he joked. It hit Obi-Wan. Hard. He stopped breathing. Visions from ten years ago hailed down, pummeling as the past few days raced through him, all the while shouting of course! of course! of course! while he felt a black, sinking feeling from his chest to his gut, disbelief battling with grim certainty as the cracked piece to the puzzle slipped in, however uncomfortably. “Master? What is it?” Obi-Wan shook himself. “Wait here, Anakin,” he said firmly, turning aft. “What—Obi-Wan?” “Wait here.” It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t. But it was, he could feel it. He wanted to be mistaken. Yet the veil dissolved, the pull explained. Certainty sickened him. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and entered the cargo hold. He saw her instantly but with new eyes, with new dread. She sat just as he’d left her moments before, but she looked clearer, obvious, but he did not want to believe it. She watched him, large, dark brown eyes regarding him stonily—but was that a hint of fear there? How could he have not seen her so clearly before? Yes, she looked older, soft innocence of youth almost gone, but it was her. Obi-Wan was certain of it. He wanted to be wrong. Obi-Wan crossed his arms, but then they dropped to his sides. “Sabé.” -----signature----- Mar. 1 - One Prick to Bleed: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/20423905/p1 "You're like a walking encyclopedia of weirdness." Dean to Sam in Roadkill.
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