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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Saga - Legends Giver of Light-Book II: Sons In Shadow (AU~ Siriwan, Xanatos, Garen Muln, A/P)

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction- Before, Saga, and Beyond' started by JediMaster_Jen, Dec 4, 2004.

  1. Jedi_Tyler

    Jedi_Tyler Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 11, 2005
    Amazing Jen, simply amazing.

    I've been lurking for a while, reading your fics, and I loe this one and Book 1.


    If the Jedi had come to Naboo, all would be saved; her people, her planet, and herself. She could feel it deep down into her very soul.


    I don't know why, but this line says a lot, I think. Padme certainly has a lot of faith in the Jedi and I can't wait to see what happens between her and Anakin once they finally meet.


    Can't wait for the next chapter.
     
  2. PureBlood_Jedi

    PureBlood_Jedi Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Nov 8, 2004
    Terrific chapter, Jen.

    I agree with Skywalker_Angel, Obi-Wan is going to do great things, but I think they'll be evil things.
     
  3. Stargazer-19

    Stargazer-19 Jedi Youngling star 2

    Registered:
    Dec 29, 2004
    I just found this story and all I can say is, Wow!

    Looks like Obi-Wan is balancing on a knife's edge, but I wonder how he got there...does it have something to do with that time he spent taking his honeymoon?

    So many questions! Post Soon!
     
  4. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Kynstar{/b] Great work

    Thanks so much.


    I liked the idea of Siri telling Obi she had faith and hope in him. She's confident that he can achieve Battle Meditation.

    Yes, she has total faith in Obi. Now, whether that's a good thing or not remains to be seen. ;)


    Soon we'll see the rescue! Yay!

    Yep, the rescue is next.


    Skywalker_Angel Wow, terrific chapter, Jen.

    Thank you.


    I enjoyed watching Anakin show off his power.

    :) I knew you would.


    Obi-Wan seems to get angrier much sooner with each passing chapter of this fic.

    Yes, he is, and he doesn't even realize it. Yet. ;)

    Thanks for reading.


    Jedi_Tyler Amazing Jen, simply amazing.

    Thanks a bunch, Tyler.


    Can't wait for the next chapter.

    It won't be long now. I promise.


    PureBlood_Jedi Terrific chapter, Jen.

    Thank you.


    I agree with Skywalker_Angel, Obi-Wan is going to do great things, but I think they'll be evil things.

    You may be right. ;)


    Stargazer-19 I just found this story and all I can say is, Wow!


    Well, thank you.


    Looks like Obi-Wan is balancing on a knife's edge, but I wonder how he got there...does it have something to do with that time he spent taking his honeymoon?

    He sure is balancing, barely. Now if I told you, it's ruin the surprise. :)


    So many questions! Post Soon!

    I certainly will post very soon.






    Hello all, long time no post!. [face_laugh] The next chapter is on it's way this weekend. I've had RL issues to deal with, including a death in my family, so I've been away from the boards for a bit. But I'm back now and a new chapter will be posted shortly. Thanks for reading.
     
  5. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Chapter 12

    “Did you see that, Skywalker?” Garen whispered. “That was Queen Amidala and her advisors.”

    Anakin’s grip on his saber tightened and his heart thundered in his chest. His pale blue eyes darkened to almost sapphire. “I saw. Those droids are taking them all to a detention camp.”

    “We need to get to her quickly,” Garen muttered.

    Anakin unclipped his comlink from his belt. “Obi-Wan, do you copy? It’s Anakin.”

    The comlink crackled for a moment before the clear voice of Obi-Wan came through.

    “Anakin, what’s wrong?” he asked.

    “Garen and I have found Queen Amidala,” Anakin informed his friend. “We may need a little help rescuing her. She’s surrounded by battle droids.”

    “Do you know where they’re taking them?” was Obi-Wan’s immediate question.

    “We only know that they’re being taken to a detention camp,” Anakin replied.

    “Any sign of Count Dooku?” Obi-Wan asked, the tension in his voice coming through the comlink clearly.

    “No,” came Anakin’s clipped reply.

    “Follow them. Keep your transmitter on so Siri and I can track you,” Obi-Wan quickly ordered Anakin. “Don’t engage then on your own, Anakin. Wait for Siri and I to get there before you and Garen do anything.”

    “Copy,” Anakin acknowledged. He secured his comlink to his belt and looked over at Garen.

    “What transmitter is he talking about?” Garen asked.

    Anakin smiled as he reached down and pulled a small circular object from a pocket inside his cloak.

    “He means this. It’s a tracking device that was developed by the engineers at OffWorld. It can transmit a signal up to fifty kilometers. Obi-Wan, Master Xanatos and I each have a transmitter and a receiver.”

    “Why?” Garen asked curiously.

    “We’ve been in some tight situations on previous missions and have gotten split up. Master Xan wanted us to have a way to always know each other’s location,” Anakin explained as he activated the transmitter and stuffed it back inside his robe.

    “You three are very close, aren’t you?” Garen questioned, his voice sounding somewhat sad.

    Anakin looked at the older Jedi for a moment before speaking. He could see the sadness in Garen’s eyes and could feel it in his emotions.

    “Yes, we are, especially Obi-Wan and I. We’ve grown up together, we’re brothers and we’ve always been there for one another. The bond we share, the connection, it comes from having been together through some of the worst situations people can go through.”

    “You think the relationship you two have will help you when the time comes for you to fulfill the prophecies?” Garen wondered.

    Anakin shrugged. “Of course. We know each other better than we know ourselves. That can only help us in the end.”

    “I don’t know anyone that well,” Garen confessed, his voice low as he said them mostly to himself.

    Anakin didn’t hear the words, but he could sense Garen’s feelings; the sadness and loneliness. “Maybe someday you will.”

    *******************************************************************

    Obi-Wan clipped his comlink back to his belt and then took out his transmitter and flipped a switch converting it from transmit mode to receive. Immediately, Anakin’s location was indicated. Obi-Wan studied the location and committed it to memory.

    “What do you plan to do?” Siri asked, carefully watching Obi-Wan.

    She could see the tension in his shoulders, in the way he was now carrying himself.

    “We’re going to help Anakin and Garen. It won’t be hard to rescue Queen Amidala, and hopefully Gunray will be nearby as well and we can capture him in the process,” he explained easily.

    He was confident, she could see that without effort. But what she sensed beneath the surface of his words was an intense desire. Desire to eliminate Nute Gunray. To eliminate him through any means necessary.

    “What about Count Dooku?” she wanted to know.

    “He will meet his destiny at the end of my blade,” Obi-Wan told her, a small smile gracing his handsome features. “He will not be allowed to continue to lead this blockade.”

    “You’re going to kill him?” she asked, incredulous.

    “I’m going to do whatever becomes necessary to stop him. He’s caused enough damage already, I won’t allow him to do more,” came his steadfast reply.

    “Be careful Obi-Wan, please,” she plead with him.

    Sensing her fear, Obi-Wan concealed the receiver in his belt and moved closer to her. Taking her in his strong arms, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

    “You have nothing to fear. I’m always careful. Nothing is going to happen to me, Siri, I promise. I’ll always be here.”

    She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly. Fear clouded her every thought, the fear of losing him to an unseen enemy, or worse, to himself and his own dark thoughts and feelings.

    Obi-Wan pulled back suddenly and out of their embrace. “Come on, we have to go. Anakin and Garen need our help.”

    She nodded, putting aside her fear and her doubts. They climbed into the speeder and headed off towards the capitol city. Fate and destiny were about to collide, and she only hoped Obi-Wan would survive the fallout.

    *******************************************************************

    Queen Amidala marched defiantly into the detention camp, surrounded by battle droids. She looked side to side as she and her handmaidens were escorted into the camp. Her people were suffering, she knew that, but now she could see. Their clothing was torn and tattered. They were hungry and thirsty. The children were crying. Her people were dying, physically and emotionally. Their spirits were being crushed under the weight of oppression.

    “We’re going to die, aren’t we, M’lady?” asked a young handmaiden.

    Queen Amidala turned to her youngest handmaiden, a girl little more than fourteen with the same dark hair and eyes as her own. “We are not, young one. Our people are strong and resilient, and we will find our way out of this.”

    The girl smiled, her belief in Queen Amidala never wavering. “I trust you, M’lady.”

    Amidala smiled as the group arrived at an empty tent in the camp. The lead droid turned around to face her.

    “Wait here. You will be processed,” came the mechanical voice of the droid.

    Amidala and her advisors and handmaidens watched the droid walk away from them. Amidala immediately looked around at her surroundings. She motioned Governor Bibble closer and spoke softly. “There are two Jedi Knights out there.”

    “Where?” he asked, his voice low and tense. His eyes darted around, trying to pick out their would-be rescuers.

    “I glimpsed them as we were being led from the palace. I’m certain that once they have a plan, they’ll rescue us,” she explained. “We must be patient until then.”

    “M’lady, can two Jedi destroy an entire droid army alone?” asked Sabe, Amidala’s head handmaiden.

    Amidala shared a skeptical look with Sabe. “I don’t know.”

    *******************************************************************

    From their hiding place among the trees just yards from the entrance to the detention camp, Garen waited patiently while Anakin paced. His long legs carried him back and forth with ease. His chest was heaving with heavy breaths. His eyes had darkened and Garen knew that the Chosen One was readying himself for the battle.

    “Will you sit down please?” Garen asked, his tone giving away his frustration with Anakin’s restlessness.

    Glaring at Garen through intense blue eyes, Anakin stopped moving.

    “Just how am I supposed to relax when the battle is at hand?” he demanded. “I have all this…nervous energy. I’m always like this before a battle.”

    “Use the Force, Anakin, let it guide you,” Garen offered. “Trust in the Force. It’ll never let you down.”

    “Sound advice,” came a clipped tone from behind them.

    Anakin and Garen both whirled around and came face to face with Xanatos.

    “Master!” Anakin exclaimed as he moved quickly towards his teacher and surrogate father.

    Xanatos smiled at his apprentice as they two men shared a friendly hug.

    “What’s going on?” he quickly asked them.

    “We’re waiting for Obi-Wan and Siri to arrive,” Anakin began. “We’ve located Queen Amidala, her advisors, handmaidens and Viceroy Gunray.”

    Xanatos nodded. “Good. Garen, when they arrive, I want you and Siri to make your way back into the city. Get into the hanger bay of the palace and free the starfighter pilots that are being held hostage there.”

    “May I ask why, Master Renashaii?” Garen inquired.

    “Of course. I want the two of you to lead the squadron into battle. The Droid Control Ship must be destroyed before Anakin and Obi-Wan can even think about going into that detention camp,” Xanatos explained. “With all those droids in there, despite their combined power, they’d never be able to destroy them all.”

    “Master, will you be coming with Obi-Wan and myself?” Anakin wondered.

    Xanatos smiled fondly at the young man as he simultaneously reached out a hand and caressed Anakin’s youthful face. “No. My destiny lies along a different path, Padawan.”
     
  6. Jedi_Tyler

    Jedi_Tyler Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 11, 2005
    {face_applause] Good work, Jen


    Xanatos smiled fondly at the young man as he simultaneously reached out a hand and caressed Anakin?s youthful face. ?No. My destiny lies along a different path, Padawan.?


    That line bothers me. You're not gonna kill Xan, are ya? [face_worried]


    Can't wait for more.
     
  7. Kynstar

    Kynstar Jedi Knight star 5

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2004
    Great job!! :D You are doing awesome with these characters! Loving it! :D
     
  8. ZaraValinor

    ZaraValinor Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    May 31, 2002
    I think Xan is plotting something here. It makes me feel uneasy.
     
  9. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Jedi_Tyler Good work, Jen

    Thanx a bunch.


    Xanatos smiled fondly at the young man as he simultaneously reached out a hand and caressed Anakin?s youthful face. ?No. My destiny lies along a different path, Padawan.?

    That line bothers me. You're not gonna kill Xan, are ya?

    ;) Can't tell ya that.


    Kynstar Great job!! You are doing awesome with these characters! Loving it!

    Thanx so much, Kynstar. Glad you are enjoying it.


    ZaraValinor think Xan is plotting something here. It makes me feel uneasy.

    Xan? Plotting? :eek: Never!!

    Thanx for reading.
     
  10. Skywalker_Angel

    Skywalker_Angel Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Sep 12, 2004
    Good fic. =D=


    I have to agree with Jedi_Tyler. That last line of Zan's is a bit ominous. I have a bad feeling about this.



    Can't wait for more.
     
  11. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Skywalker_Angel Good fic.

    Thanks. Glad you're still liking it.

    That last line of Zan's is a bit ominous. I have a bad feeling about this.

    [face_laugh] So do a lot of other people.

    Can't wait for more.

    Very soon. :)
     
  12. Briman

    Briman Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 8, 2004
    OMG, that was GREAT! I'm so sorry I haven't been around to read this, but I've just caught up and I am even more impressed then before.
     
  13. Salmeera

    Salmeera Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    May 29, 2005
    I've only had time to read the prologue and first chapter, but I'm very, very impressed. Wish I had time to read the rest now, I'm eager to see what happens next. Keep me posted on updates. Great Work!
    Sincerely,
    Salmeera
     
  14. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Briman Hey, welcome back!! *waves*

    OMG, that was GREAT!

    Thanks a bunch. :)

    I'm so sorry I haven't been around to read this, but I've just caught up and I am even more impressed then before.

    No worries. Thanks for reading and I'm glad you're enjoying it.


    Salmeera I've only had time to read the prologue and first chapter, but I'm very, very impressed.

    Well, thank you very much. :)

    Wish I had time to read the rest now, I'm eager to see what happens next.

    Take your time, I'm actually pretty slow in posting this fic. [face_blush]

    Great Work!

    Thanks.



    ******************************************************




    Happy Hug A Lurker Day!!! Many hugs to all ya lurkers in my thread.

    [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D]



    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/Vegas_Baby/ksresist.jpg]~~A button by Rhonderoo for all you special lurkers out there



    Hello lurkers. *waves* :) I'm JediMaster_Jen, a former lurker myself. [face_blush]

    I know how hard it can be to come out and intorduce yourselves. I joined the boards in 2002 and didn't make my first post until a little over 2 years later. :eek:

    Anyway, everyone here is very nice and helpful, so stop in and leave a word, a comment, anything you want.

    For any and all lurkers that leave a post in my thread, you'll win a prize. =D= A vignette will be written by me, with any character and topic of your choosing, just for you. [face_dancing]

    Contact me via PM and give me your requests.

    Thank you to all my lurkers. [:D] Your readership means as much to me as those who post. Enjoy this week, it's all for you. :)
     
  15. NomiJinn

    NomiJinn Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 6, 2004
    Hi i'm NomiJinn a long time lurker and long time reader. love your story and i'm looking forward to more.
     
  16. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    NomiJinn Hi i'm NomiJinn a long time lurker and long time reader. love your story and i'm looking forward to more.

    Hi there, Nomi *waves* Thanks for delurking. I'm glad you're enjoying this fic. More is on the way soon.


     
  17. Briman

    Briman Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 8, 2004
    Can't wait for the next chapter.
     
  18. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Briman Can't wait for the next chapter

    Well wait no more, my friend. =D= Here it is.

    *******************************

    Chapter 13

    The sound of footsteps caught the attention of the gathered Jedi. All three turned and came face to face with Obi-Wan and Siri as the pair marched towards them.

    “I was beginning to wonder if you’d completely forgotten how to read the receiver signal,” Anakin teased.

    Obi-Wan smiled roguishly at his friend. “I didn’t need the receiver as it turned out. I merely followed your ego, it’s large enough to be spotted thousands of meters away.”

    Xanatos smiled at the two men he had raised. Their closeness was a work of art. Removing them from the Jedi Temple had worked exactly as he had hoped it would. The two young men were closer to one another than most brothers. In the end, Xanatos just hoped it would be enough to save them both.

    “All right, that’s enough,” Xanatos warned them. “We have to plan quickly. Knight Tachi, I’ve already explained this to Knight Muln. The two of you are going to make your way back to the hanger bay in the palace and free the pilots from their captors.”

    “Then what?” she asked eagerly.

    “Then the two of you are going to lead an attack squadron to destroy the droid control ship,” Xanatos explained in a clipped tone. “That ship must be destroyed before Obi-Wan and Anakin can get into the detention camp and rescue the queen and her entourage.”

    “Father, if they’re going back to the palace, and Anakin and I are going into the detention camp, what exactly are you going to be doing?” Obi-Wan questioned uneasily.

    Xanatos turned a loving gaze on his son. “I have sensed the presence of Count Dooku here on Naboo. I’m going after him.”

    *******************************************************************

    Gavrem Dooku kneeled before the holographic image of his mentor.

    “What is thy bidding, my Master?” he asked, his head bowed.

    “The Jedi have come to Naboo, my apprentice,” came the sinister voice of Darth Sidious.

    “I know, my Master. I have felt their presence,” Dooku acknowledged.

    “Master Renashaii is going to confront you,” Sidious stated, his voice hard as durasteel and cold as ice. “I have foreseen this, my apprentice.”

    Dooku struggled to contain his sudden fear. He knew that Xanatos was a powerful Jedi. Sidious had often spoken of his power, and of his importance to the future. Dooku remembered the first time he’d seen Xanatos Renashaii. He had been an infant, recently brought to the Temple. There had been so much potential in that tiny body. He’d quickly moved through his Jedi training until the day came that he turned on his mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn, Dooku’s own former apprentice. Dooku had still been a Jedi back then and he’d seen the devastation on Qui-Gon’s face over the years. But now Xanatos was back and he was a Jedi Master.

    “What is to be done with him, my Master?” Dooku asked, concealing his thoughts from the Sith.

    “Kill him,” Sidious instructed easily. “Renashaii is too powerful to be kept alive. His influence over both Kenobi and Skywalker must be broken if we are to have them within our grasp.”

    Shock quickly settled across Dooku’s aging face. He’d known all along that Sidious meant to turn Obi-Wan Kenobi to the dark side, but this was the first mention he’d ever heard of Anakin Skywalker being a target as well.

    “You want…them both, Master?” he asked haltingly, cautiously.

    “Yes,” he hissed evilly. “Only when together are they a power not to be denied. I must have them both if I am to rule the galaxy.”

    Dooku swallowed heavily.

    “What of me, my Master?” he questioned, distinctly afraid of the answer.

    Sidious cackled loudly. “You needn’t worry, my apprentice. I have no intentions of getting rid of you.”

    Despite that reassurance, Dooku still felt uneasy regarding his place as Sidious’ apprentice. He was determined to prove that he was necessary to Sidious’ plans for the galaxy.

    “Now Count Dooku, go to the power station. That is where you will confront Master Renashaii,” Sidious told him. “Do whatever is necessary to kill him.”

    Dooku stood and bowed before Sidious. “Yes, my Master.”

    The hologram faded and Dooku grasped his lightsaber. He took several deep, calming breaths before striding from the room and making his way to the power station.

    *******************************************************************

    “You’re going after him?” Obi-Wan asked, not sure he’d heard his father correctly.

    Xanatos rested his hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder and their blue eyes met. “Yes, I’m going after Dooku. He’s here on Naboo, and while I don’t believe that he is the mastermind of this blockade, he has turned to the dark side. He must be stopped.”

    “Why you?” Obi-Wan demanded. “Why can’t I go after him?”

    Xanatos saw the quick spark of bloodlust ignite in his son’s eyes and then disappear just as quickly. For that reason alone, he was not about to let him go after Dooku.

    “You can’t go after him because you are charged with the rescue of Queen Amidala. Anakin cannot do it on his own. The two of you have to work together.”

    Obi-Wan wanted to be angry with his father. He had been asked personally by Senator Palpatine to see to it that Dooku was either captured or killed and now he was losing that chance.

    “As long as he’s caught it doesn’t matter who does the catching,” he muttered, trying to calm his mounting anger.

    Xanatos gave a small smile. “Exactly. Now come here Anakin.”

    Anakin stepped closer and was immediately pulled into a hug along with Obi-Wan. Each young man felt a kiss on his forehead. When Xanatos pulled away, there was sadness in his sapphire blue eyes. There was also pride.

    “I want the two of you to remember that working together is the only way you can overcome the obstacles you’ll face,” he told them quietly. “Rely on each other, help each other and you’ll survive.”

    Anakin and Obi-Wan both nodded. The sense of foreboding was heavy in the air. They could feel it. Things would change here on Naboo; and soon.

    “Knight Muln, Knight Tachi, I wish you both well on your mission,” Xanatos called to the as they stood together a few short steps away. “May the Force be with you both.”

    “May the Force be with you, Master Renashaii,” they said together.

    Xanatos nodded to the four young Jedi and then turned and moved away. He headed for the speeder that Obi-Wan and Siri had left hidden. He quickly checked to make sure he had his saber clipped to his belt, then he jumped into the speeder and rocketed away towards the confrontation with Count Dooku.

    *******************************************************************

    “Do you think he’ll be successful?” Siri asked Garen as they quietly approached the hanger bay in the palace.

    Garen looked at his long-time friend. She was worried. Even if he couldn’t sense it through the Force, it was plainly written on her face.

    “I don’t know. Dooku was a powerful Jedi once. It stands to reason that he’s now a powerful Sith.”

    “What do you mean?” she asked fearfully.

    “You’ve read the stories in the Archives as well as I have,” he said. “The mysterious powers the Sith were said to have; lightening shooting from their hands, the ability to see the future as clear as a Nubian lake, the knowledge to stop death itself. No Jedi can do those things, Siri. Dooku is dangerous, I know that much. I think Master Renashaii is going to have his hands full.”

    Siri nodded. She didn’t want to think about it. They crept silently through the long corridor leading to the hanger bay. When they reached the large hanger, they settled into crouches.

    “There are at least fifty pilots in there,” Garen whispered.

    “Half as many droid guards,” Siri pointed out. “It shouldn’t be too difficult to take care of them and draw up a plan of attack for going after the control ship.”

    Garen reached for his saber. The familiar weight of the weapon brought him a sense of peace and calm he hadn’t felt in days. He could trust in his weapon, and in his own actions as he wielded that weapon.

    “You take the north side of the hanger and I’ll take the south,” Garen instructed. “We’ll converge in the center and deal with any leftover droids.”

    Siri nodded. She grasped her own saber and held it at the ready.

    *******************************************************************

    “Do you think they’re in the hanger yet?” Anakin asked as he and Obi-Wan waited for word from Garen and Siri.

    Obi-Wan was pacing back and forth. “I don’t know. I’m certain that they’ve at least reached the palace, but we won’t know anything for sure until they contact us.”

    Anakin sighed deeply. He’d never been as worried as he was right at that moment. Every other mission they’d been on had had a clear objective, a clear target. But this mission had so many different things going on at once that he could barely keep track of it all in his mind.

    “I’ll be glad once this mission is over and we can go home to Telos,” Anakin commented lightly.

    “We won’t be going back to Telos, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said suddenly. “This mission is just the beginning. The tides of the galaxy are changing and the Jedi are going to be leading the fight that is to come.”

    “You’ve had a vision of this?” Anakin questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him.

    Obi-Wan faced his friend and the closest person he had to a brother. “No, no visions. I can just feel the Force shifting. This mission, this battle is a…tipping point. Reach out, I’m sure you can feel it, too.”

    Anakin wasn’t so sure. Obi-Wan abilities, while not so much more developed and honed than his own, were used with a confidence that Anakin didn’t share. Still, he did as he was told. He closed his eyes and reached out with his senses. He could feel the Force flowing around them. The gentle eddies that were usually calm and peaceful were churning just beneath the surface. A darkness had crept close.

    His eyes snapped open. He looked at Obi-Wan and nodded slightly.

    “A storm is brewing.”
     
  19. Briman

    Briman Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 8, 2004
    :D Loved it, Jen!

    The anticipation is building! Obi-Wan and Anakin going to rescue the queen, Siri and Garen to save the pilots, and the one that I'm worried about, the duel with Dooku. I'm so glad that this is going forward, its in my opinion one of the best fics on these boards, the story is just amazing!

    Can't wait until next weekend, your killing me, Jen! [face_beatup]
     
  20. Skywalker_Angel

    Skywalker_Angel Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Sep 12, 2004
    Yay!!! You finally updated. I'm so happy. [face_dancing]


    Xani's going after Dooku? :eek: Nothing good can come of that.

    I've got a bad feeling about the duel between the two of them.


    Can't wait until next weekend to see how it all goes.

    Great job.
     
  21. Jedi_Tyler

    Jedi_Tyler Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Apr 11, 2005
    Great chapter, sis. Very well written.

    Can't wait for the duel between Xan and Dooku. That's gonna be good.


    A storm is brewing.

    That line seems very ominous to me. [face_worried]


    Great work. =D=
     
  22. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Briman Loved it, Jen!

    Thanks a bunch. :)

    The anticipation is building! Obi-Wan and Anakin going to rescue the queen, Siri and Garen to save the pilots, and the one that I'm worried about, the duel with Dooku.

    Yep, the action is picking up. I myself can't wait for the duel to take place.

    I'm so glad that this is going forward, its in my opinion one of the best fics on these boards, the story is just amazing!

    :eek: Well, thanks so much for that.


    Skywalker_Angel Xani's going after Dooku? Nothing good can come of that.

    I've got a bad feeling about the duel between the two of them.


    Ah, don't have a bad feeling. ;)

    Great job.

    Thanks sis. :)


    Jedi_Tyler Great chapter, sis. Very well written

    Thanks, little brother. I didn't know you had read the last chapter.

    Great work.

    Thank you, Ty. :)
     
  23. Briman

    Briman Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 8, 2004
    Can't wait until the weekend, I hate the supense.
     
  24. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Briman Can't wait until the weekend, I hate the supense.

    It's coming. [face_laugh] Patience, young one.
     
  25. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Chapter 14, Part 1

    “Now!” yelled Garen.

    Together, he and Siri jumped from their hiding place, lightsabers blazing. Blaster fire rang out immediately. They separated, each taking their side of the room, sweeping through the battle droids.

    Her face a calm mask, Siri kept moving forward; her teal-bladed saber severing the head of one droid just before she stabbed at the next. Leaps and bounds took her from one attacker to the next. Slashing and stabbing, the sound of metal hitting the floor could be heard.

    Garen pushed his way towards the pilots sitting in the south corner of the hanger. He directed blaster fire right back at the droids, dropping them where they stood. High sweeping arches and low parries kept him safe from the red-hot blaster bolts. His orange saber was a blur of light as he worked his way towards the last of the droids between him and the captured Nubian pilots.

    “Go, get inside where it’s safe!” he yelled at them once the path was clear.

    Before they could even move, Garen pivoted on his heel and drove his saber into the torso of a droid that was trying to sneak in behind him. The smoking rubble was all that was left of the pathetic would-be assassin.

    Siri thrust her blade into the last remaining droid between her and the pilots on her side of the room.

    “Get inside. We’ll meet you there in just a few moments,” she instructed the awe-struck pilots.

    Moving towards the middle of the large hanger, both Siri and Garen saw only a handful of droids left. With their backs against one another, they set about the task of eliminating those few droids.

    Quick stabs at the blaster bolts directed the energy beams back at their attackers. One by one the droids fell to the skilled Jedi. Within moments, the last droid fell.

    Breathing heavily and as sweaty as he could ever remember being, Garen thumbed off his saber and clipped it back to his belt. He looked around and shook his head at the hanger full of smoking metal. Droid parts littered the hanger bay from one side to the other.

    “Well, that went better than I thought it would,” he quipped.

    “Not…entirely,” Siri said, her voice tight and laced with pain.

    Garen shifted his gaze to her and immediately saw the blaster wound. Her upper arm was bleeding. She’d been hit by one of those shots.

    Garen quickly reached into a hidden pocket in his cloak and pulled out a small med-kit. He dug around in it for a moment before finding when he was looking for.

    “Take off you cloak so I can see your arm,” he instructed her.

    Just moving aside enough of her clothing so that Garen could see the wound had Siri nauseated. He dabbed at the wound with a cloth, clearing away excess blood. “I need to give you a few injections.”

    Siri glared at him. Somehow she knew he was enjoying her predicament, if only a little.

    “Fine, just make it quick,” she snapped.

    He pulled one hypo-spray from his belt and pressed it against her neck. He hit the injector button and Siri felt the sting of the needle as it entered her flesh.

    “This is just Nullicaine,” he said. “It will dull the pain and help fight any infection that may have already entered the wound.”

    By the time he had withdrawn the needle, she could already feel the pain beginning to subside.

    “Is that all?” she asked.

    “Not yet, there’s two more,” he told her. “This next one goes directly into the wound itself, so…”

    She knew it was going to hurt. She fought the urge to scream when she felt the needle press into the tender, exposed flesh of the wound.

    “Almost done,” Garen said quietly. “This one is called Myocaine, it’s a muscle relaxant. It’ll keep your arm muscle from clenching like it is now and the pain will be lessened.”

    “Hurry up,” she demanded. “We have a mission to complete.”

    Garen smiled at her impatience. “Look, you have a serious flesh wound. If it’s not taken care of properly, it’ll get infected and your arm will need to be amputated. I’m sure that isn’t what you want to happen.”

    Her glare would have physically wounded a lesser man. But Garen was used to her reactions when she heard something she didn’t want to hear, especially when the person telling her was right.

    “Alright, last one. This one goes in the next. It’s called Triptophagea; prevents fever.”

    Again, she gritted her teeth. The finally it was over and he was wrapping the wound with a bacta-bandage. Once he had secured the bandage, he looked at his work and grinned.

    “Not bad for a field dressing,” he said with a smile.

    “Oh yeah, just wonderful,” she quipped sarcastically. “Where’d you learn all this anyway?”

    “From Bant,” he responded. “When I learned that I was being sent on this mission, I asked her to give me a crash course on being a medic. I don’t have the skill of a healer, but with the med-kit I can help with non-life-threatening wounds, fevers, cuts and scrapes.”

    Slipping back into her cloak, she smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Garen.”

    “You’re welcome,” he said easily. “Now come on, we have to get to that control ship and take it out.”

    They both headed for the inside area where the pilots were waiting for them. It would take a sound plan if they were going to destroy that ship and they didn’t have much time.

    *******************************************************************

    Xanatos entered the hanger bay of the palace just moments after he watched Siri and Garen head into a briefing room off to one side. He’d been masking his presence from them, and he would continue to do so until they were in their fighters and headed for the droid ship. He didn’t want them to know he was anywhere near them while they planned their part of the mission. With any luck at all, they’d be gone by the time he engaged Dooku.

    The silence was deafening, and eerie. His own breathing seemed so loud to his ears. As he approached the double doors that led to the power station, he unclipped his lightsaber from his belt and held it tightly in his hand. He could sense Count Dooku just beyond the doors, laying in wait for him. Taking a deep breath to calm his sudden nerves, Xanatos lifted a hand and used to Force to open the doors.

    *******************************************************************

    “Who are you?” Col. Jaren Dagos asked immediately as Garen and Siri came into the room.

    “We’re Jedi Knights,” Siri responded. “I’m Siri Tachi and this is Garen Muln. We were sent to rescue all of you.”

    “What about Queen Amidala?” asked a young male pilot. “Isn’t she more important than a few starfighter pilots?”

    Garen looked at the young man. He couldn’t have been any older than twenty. His eyes were bright and his devotion to the Nubian Queen was evident.

    “There are more Jedi on-planet waiting to storm the detention camp once we have destroyed the droid control ship,” Garen explained. “We must act quickly or we’re going to lose the initiative.”

    *******************************************************************

    Gripping his saber as tight as he ever had, Xanatos stepped forward. The coolness of the air in the power station surprised him. It gave chill to his over-heated skin. His sapphire eyes took in every sight, eagerly searching for Count Dooku. Every dark corner fell under his scrutiny.

    He realized as he walked further into the station that fear had begun to enter his mind. He didn’t fear for himself, but rather he feared for both his son and his apprentice. For all their power and their training in the light side of the Force, Xanatos sensed a darkness in them both. He feared what may happen to them should he fail to capture or kill Count Dooku.

    The sudden snap-hiss of a light saber caught his attention. He spun on his heal and came face to face with Dooku. He looked older than Xanatos remembered. Of course, he’d been only seventeen years old when last he’d seen Gavrem Dooku.

    “Xanatos Renashaii,” came the cultured voice of the former Jedi. “It’s been a long time.”

    Xanatos ignited his own lightsaber. “It hasn’t been long enough, Count Dooku.”

    Dooku smiled. “I see your vanity hasn’t faded throughout the years. You’re still carrying that saber that so matches you eyes.”

    Xanatos didn’t react to the thinly veiled insult. He’d been teased as a young Padawan by others as well as by Qui-Gon on his unusual lightsaber color. The sapphire blade did seem to match his eyes, but while everyone else seemed to think he’d chosen that color of crystal because he was vain, he knew the truth. The color was the only thing he remembered of his birth mother. Her eyes had been that same vivid blue. That’s why his lightsaber was the sapphire blue that it was.

    “Believe what you wish about me, Dooku,” he said easily.

    Dooku laughed. “I’ve been keeping an eye on your son. Obi-Wan has become quite powerful. As has your young apprentice. They would be quite an asset to Master Sidious.”

    Xanatos lifted his arm and squeezed his hand into a fist, using the Force to cut off Dooku’s air.

    “You will stay away from my son, and you’ll stay away from Anakin.”

    Dooku’s hands were clawing at his neck, trying to release the invisible grip. He hadn’t planned on Xanatos using the dark side in their battle.

    An evil smile crossed Xan’s face as he loosened his grip, allowing the older man to take in some air.

    “Surprised, Dooku?” he taunted. “How quickly you must forget. I’m quite well-acquainted with the dark side of the Force. I’m the Jedi that pulled his saber on his own master and tried to kill him. I’ll have to qualms about doing the same to you.”

    Fear rose in Dooku’s dark eyes. Xanatos was obviously powerful; far more powerful than Sidious had anticipated. Dooku reached out with a hand and Force lightening crackled towards Xanatos, forcing him to release his grip and defend himself. His saber absorbed the lightening easily.

    “You’ll have to do better than that, Dooku,” Xanatos said.

    Xanatos heard the warning through the Force only moments before Dooku launched himself forward, red saber twisting and flying. Xanatos stepped back and raised his own blade, the two clashing together above their heads.

    Twisting away, Xanatos swung low behind him, aiming for Dooku’s knees. The Count jumped into the air and half-twisted and landed behind the Jedi. With only seconds to spare, Xanatos jerked his saber behind him, letting Dooku’s blade hit against it. Dooku stepped back, giving Xanatos time to turn. He attacked immediately; his blade twisting in his hands so fast it was nearly a blur. He backed the Sith up, both men moving onto one of the long catwalks behind them, sabers clashing together with amazing speed and precision.

    *******************************************************************

    Col. Dagos carefully looked over the attack plan that Garen and Siri had drawn up for them. It was solid, and if they were precise, it would work.

    “Col. Dagos, you’ll lead Alpha Flight,” Garen commanded. “Lt. Olie, you’ll be leading Bravo Flight. Your job, and that of your pilots is to take on and destroy as many of those droid starfighters as you can. Alpha Flight, you’ll be defending the planet. If Bravo Flight misses any fighters, you blast them into oblivion. We don’t want any of those fighters to get close to the surface. As for Knight Tachi and myself, we’ll be leading Gamma Flight. We’re going to skim close to the surface and use the N-1’s proton torpedoes to take out the central reactor.”

    “Will this really work?” asked a young pilot, a member of Alpha Flight. “Can three squadrons of our fighters really go up there and destroy that thing?”

    Garen understood that the young pilot was nervous. He looked barely more than twenty standard years old. He most likely hadn’t been with the Royal Security Forces for very long.

    “What’s your name, pilot?” Garen asked.

    The young man cleared his throat before speaking. “Vulen, Sir. Mikal Vulen.”

    Siri smiled kindly at the young man. “You just listen to your squadron leader; do as he says and you’ll be fine.”

    Garen nodded at Siri’s words. “The Force is with you, Mikal Vulen, I can sense it. You will survive this battle.”

    The young man smiled. He had heard stories from his great-grandparents of the Jedi and their ability to see into the future. If a Jedi told him he would survive, he believed him.

    “Now, everyone to your fighters, we have a droid control ship to destroy!” yelled Col. Dagos.

    The pilots all grabbed their gear and headed for their ships.

    “Knight Muln,” Dagos called after the tall Jedi.

    Garen, carrying his own borrowed flight gear, turned and locked eyes with the Alpha Flight leader.

    “May the Force be with you, Jedi,” the Colonel said softly.

    Garen smiled. “With us all, Colonel.”

    *******************************************************************

    Even with sweat dripping from the long strands of his hair and into his eyes, Xanatos pressed on. He danced and twisted and leapt across the catwalk, giving Dooku all he could handle. His sapphire blade weaved through the air with delicate ease, impacting Dooku’s crimson sword with thunderous force. Back and forth they traded heavy blows. Dooku was tiring, and Xanatos could sense it.

    “Your powers are weak, old man,” Xanatos said as he twirled his blade above his head and brought it down at Dooku’s exposed shoulder.

    Red flashed upwards and blocked the well-placed strike.

    “Do not…underestimate the power…of…the dark side,” Dooku managed to say through his labored breathing. Suddenly he lunged forward, red saber slashing and driving at Xanatos, driving the younger man back towards the edge of the catwalk.

    Sensing danger approaching, Xanatos pulled the Force in around himself and leapt from the catwalk they were on to the one above, high above the generators below that gave power to the hanger. Dooku followed, the thudding of their boots and clashing of their lightsaber resounded in the empty room. Xanatos again pressed the attack, pushing Dooku towards a small door that led into a long corridor.

    Xanatos roughly disengaged their locked sabers with a hard upward thrust and at the same time he delivered a hard kick to Dooku’s midsection. The older man fell to the floor, his hand hitting the heard floor and wrenching his saber from his hand. He lay there breathing heavily, sweat pouring down his face.

    Xanatos stepped forward, the tip of his lightsaber pressed just against Dooku’s throat. His chest was heaving from the exertion of the battle. His sapphire blue eyes had darkened to near black. His emotions were on edge. He knew the threat Dooku posed to the Jedi, to the Republic, and most important to Xanatos, he understood the threat Dooku posed to Obi-Wan and Anakin.

    “I should kill you here and now, Dooku,” he told the beaten man.

    A gleam entered Dooku’s eyes suddenly. He sensed an opening, and he seized it immediately.

    “Yes, kill me,” he hissed. “Strike me down, use your anger, young Jedi.”

    The long-ago feelings of power and glory came rushing back to Xanatos in that moment. He remembered using the very same lightsaber he now held in his hand to attack Qui-Gon Jinn in hate and rage so many years ago. He recalled how much he had enjoyed those feelings and how much he wanted to always feel that way.

    ”Father,” Xanatos heard his son call to him in his mind, distracting him very briefly. Quickly, he turned his attention back to Dooku.

    He wasn’t quick enough.

    Blue Force lightening flew from Dooku’s hands while he remained on the floor. Xanatos didn’t get his saber up in time to deflect the energy tossed at him and it hit him directly in the face, the blinding light infecting his eyes. Reaching up to claw at his burning eyes at the same time the lightening tossed him off his feet, Xanatos heaved. A scream tore from deep in his throat.

    Dooku cackled evilly as he continued to pound Xanatos’ near unconscious form with Force lightening. Scorch marks and burns began to appear on Xanatos’ skin. He writhed in pain, howling at the intensity of the shock being done to his body.

    Finally, Xanatos stopped moving and Dooku ceased his attack. Believing that the younger man was dead, Dooku took a deep breath and collected himself. He called his saber to his hand and attached it back to his belt and walked slowly out of the power station. His next meeting was with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.

    *******************************************************************

    “No!” came the scream from Anakin Skywalker.

    “Father!” Obi-Wan yelled, his hands clenched at his sides.