Slide Foolery

The Witness

Not really a fanfic, but a short story I did in my writing class. Anyways, enjoy...

The Witness

By: Donald Truman

The alley was dark and cold, a stark contrast from its daytime nature. Wrapped in ragged woolen blankets, nestled beside the trash cans and recycling bins of the neighborhood pub, I sleep. Feebly I toss and turn, a vain attempt to stave off the cold of the night. Finally I lay still, slipping into exhaustion. In time, my shabby character is indistinguishable from the rubbish around me.

An intruder stumbles in from the street, trespassing on my realm of security. Panting, he leans against the wall, desperately attempting to catch his breath. I remain still, well-versed in the art of remaining unnoticed. It's not hard, most people ignore bums anyway. The intruder's breathing slows, and he starts to relax. He is dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off. Hardly appropriate attire for this kind of weather, yet not surprising since he won't have to sleep in it.

A spasm of pain grips him suddenly, and as he grabs his arm I finally notice the cut above his left elbow. It is deep, and his blood, the ever-flowing river of his existence, trickles down his arm to the pavement below. He looks up into the air, cursing or praying to whatever gods would listen. They don't listen, or don't care.

Another intruder walks into my domain, this one with purpose. He is silhouetted almost perfectly against the fog of the street beyond. So silent is his approach, that the first interloper doesn't realize his presence until he is within a dozen feet. In a panic, he scrambles backwards into the alley. He yells, screams, shouts at the top of his lungs, but this part of town is empty at this late hour. A knife flashes in the light, and he is silent forever.

JOURNAL OF SAND AND WIND by Lady Shada

Reposted with permission of the author!


To lose a padawan...

Of all the nightmares I have ever dreamed, of all the horrors I have ever visited in my mind as well as in reality...this is the one I had not expected. No, this had come by surprise.

Then again, perhaps I am fooling myself. Perhaps it all goes back to those first few fateful days, back when I shook that young hand. If I had known this would have been my destiny...

No, if this had been my destiny—to sit in this hovel as the wind whips outside, the sand blows up against the doorway and underneath the small opening at the bottom—I probably would have chosen this future for myself, for my deeds...for my failure as a master. I could live with this if I knew it was only myself that I had failed.

But there are so many others. Too many to count, to name, to...to even dream.

I faltered in a promise. One piece of life I had prided myself in, one part of my soul that had made up Obi-Wan Kenobi, was my word. I made an effort each time I made a promise—I would see it through to completion. I couldn't leave it sit there, festering, unanswered and unprovided for. Trust is a deep thing, a true thing, that needs to be nurtured and allowed to grow. That trust was found in how one answered their promises, I learned.

I wonder now how Master Qui-Gon would think of me. Once before, I had broken his trust, given up my training—ignorant foolish child—for a cause that I saw fit for fighting. Melida/Daan had been a mistake; I see that now. Only with time did I recognize what Qui-Gon himself had already seen, had already foreseen. Perhaps there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps I lack the latter.

My promise had been made to Qui-Gon upon his death—I would take that boy, Anakin Skywalker, as my own apprentice and train him.

I promised. And I followed through...

...from a certain point of view.

I did take Anakin as my apprentice. I trained him as best as I knew how, having my own training prematurely cut short before I even realized what had truly happened. The bond the developed between Anakin and I was never as strong as I had hoped. It left me guessing as to what I had done incorrectly, what move I had made in the match that had caused me to lose. Perhaps it was simply that the boy had bonded first with Master Qui-Gon instead of me; after all, he was the one to find Anakin, to be the first true father figure in my young padawan's life. Perhaps that was the reason.

Another part of my mind, of my heart, believes it was me. To harbor a bitter...coldness after a death is not a healing thing. But I can't truly say I was cold, either. I was...in hiding, yes, perhaps. As a Jedi, I was expected to be calm, serene, even in the face of my own master's murder. I would not permit myself tears, except for behind closed doors. When I was out from underneath the watchful eye of my masters and my padawan, then I would allow myself the emotion, each throat-tearing sob killing my heart as I relived that moment.

It's still with me. Every night, I relive my horrors, and that is just one of them.

My next promise had been made to Anakin Skywalker. To that young boy, so vibrant and alive and with a passion for learning. Never have I seen a student at the Temple so quick in his studies, in his pursuit for knowledge. He seemed to want to have it all, know it all, as quickly as possible. I remember those days...regardless of the pain that I still carried inside, those days were some that made me smile. They were moments when I believed that I could succeed in my goal, in my promise to my master...

...and my promise to Anakin. He would become a Jedi. I had said the very same words to him as we both stood over Qui-Gon's pyre. I had uttered them truthfully, honestly, and with every conviction in my heart that I would see that through, for my master's sake as well as for the boy's.

I saw Anakin become a Jedi. I held that blonde Jedi braid within my fingertips, taking the ceremonial cutting knife and neatly slicing the twined strands off near the scalp. It was a time of war. We needed all the Jedi Knights we could procure, and while I believed Anakin was not ready, the Council saw it fit to promote him from his padawan status. Perhaps they found it necessary more than fit; I do believe that regardless of the decision, Master Yoda partially agreed with me, but in dire times, drastic measures are needed.

If only I had seen Anakin succeed as a Jedi. Then I would have felt like I had accomplished my promises to both men.

Instead I saw destruction. Anger and hurt and pain...

I don't even—I can't even begin to express how much...

I am certain the history holos will record the story with far more accuracy than I can. But I know they will tell more of the horrors of Lord Darth Vader than they will of my former padawan, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. A good man, a trusted friend...turned by power and corrupted by evil. I failed you, my friend. For that, I am truly sorry.

My last promise, perhaps my greatest, was made to the galaxy. To keep and protect, to promote justice and serve as a symbol of honor and peace. I look around now—where there is no protection, no justice aside from the twisted logic of the Emperor. There is no honor is his methods of war, and with his war there is no hope of peace. In my failure to Anakin, I have failed a galaxy of people.

I have watched them murdered, watched them tortured. Heard the screams and seen the scarred faces and bodies of those who the Empire has found. Every night I'm haunted by the echo of their words, of their wordless cries as they reach out, seeking for help and finding that I have none to give. One man standing in a brown robe...amongst so many dead and dying. I saw the destruction of my own Temple. My own padawan confronting me with his lightsaber. I...I don't even...

That is a story the history books will not share. And neither will I—not tonight. Perhaps, if I can...no, another time. I want to prolong the dreams this evening.

Part of me is grateful for the solitude here. Part of me has longed so deeply for it. At the same time, I miss the comfort of what I once had, of the life that I had known. And while I know there is no sense looking at the past, it is all I have to look at. All I have to judge myself on.

Aside from this piece of the future. This one piece of Anakin that's left. I'll have to watch the boy carefully from afar, but I believe that perhaps this is a second opportunity that the Force has graced me with. Even if I am not permitted to train Luke Skywalker in this moment, this young one will find his way in the Force. I am almost certain of that. His promises will not be broken.

There is so much that I need to lay out in my mind, so I thought perhaps laying it out in plain view might be of aid to me. As of now, I don't know how much good this will do. I thought that my life as a Jedi would be productive; I thought that this endeavor to write would be productive. What is keeping the latter effort from failing...just as the former had.

So much of this does not make sense, and for that I owe my apologies to whomever might be reading this. You do not have the full story, nor do I believe you ever will. But I can only ask for an open mind, one willing to take in the thoughts and not pass judgment upon their author. I feel I have judged my past enough, and I have reached my conclusion.

But as I said before, I cannot look to the past. And as I've been taught, I cannot look to the future. I must keep my thoughts in the here- and-now where they belong. That is one thing I remember, Master.

I remember that...

Part VII - THE HAPPIEST YEAR

PART I - PART II - PART III - PART IV - PART V - PART VI


Over the next year, Master Jeran was true to his word, and sent Traelyn around the galaxy on various missions. Supplying emergency medical support to outlying colonies, administering vaccinations to children and taking newly discovered medicines to the poorer planets outside the core region. Often she was sent to do her most satisfying service, treating neurological or systemic disorders that only Jedi healers could cure.

Jedi rules required a healer to be accompanied by a Knight on such missions, for the healer's protection. Often it was Obi-Wan who accompanied Traelyn, although he laughed at her need for protection.

"You're as good with a lightsaber as I am," he remarked.

"Yes, but you are better with words than I am," she replied with a smile. "Who knows what sort of diplomatic incident I could cause without you along to keep my mouth from overrunning my brain."

Usually, young Anakin did not accompany them, for he was studying at the Temple with other the other younglings his age. Traelyn and Obi-Wan had never enjoyed so much privacy or freedom in their lives. Often the missions involved a layover of several days while they waited for transport, and they put their time to good use.

While Traelyn learned new and unusual healing practices from the people she went to serve, Obi-Wan enjoyed learning the customs and politics of the different worlds. It didn't take long for him to develop a deep mistrust of politicians.

"You don't have to be a Jedi to know when a politician is lying, you know," he said to her one night at dinner. "You only have to hear that he is speaking!"

They were treated with kindness and respect wherever they went. They ate in exotic restaurants and slept in fine hotels and resorts, or had their meals with local families and slept on pallets on the floors of farmhouses. Every experience added to their education as Jedi, for everyone they met had something to offer.

And most nights, they had each other.

* * *

First there was Dantooine, where the work took a only few hours but they had two days to wait for transport, and decided to visit the lush forests surrounding the port city.

They camped out beside a thermal waterfall, swimming in the clear, warm water, laughing and splashing about like younglings. They'd made love beneath shooting stars and in the pale light of the twin moons as they set just before dawn.

It was there that Obi-Wan finally found the courage to try to link his mind with hers during sex, a lesson he'd learned from Qui-Gon years before, but had never had the nerve to try. The results were astounding. The blending of their emotions was like melting two metals together, forging the whole of the experience into something stronger than the two halves.

Traelyn had wept with joy as she clung to him, and he felt as if a star had gone supernova inside his body.

"How?" She'd whispered.

"Qui-Gon told me about it, but I couldn't believe it was true."

"I think we caused a ripple in the Force," she said with a giggle.

* * *

They spent nearly a week on Chandrila, when Traelyn's patient needed multiple treatments. Obi-Wan had brought Anakin along, and they spent their days exploring Obi-Wan's home planet. Even though he had no memory of ever having lived there, he was naturally curious about the culture of his family's planet.

"Aren't you going to look for your mom?" Anakin asked.

"No," Obi-Wan replied, "There would be no purpose to that, she would be a stranger to me."

"But she would remember you," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan had no answer.

At dinner that night, Anakin asked Traelyn about her family. "The Jedi are my family, Anakin," she said. "I've lived at the Temple since I was a little baby."

"Traelyn and I had the same caregiver when we were tiny younglings," Obi-Wan says. "She doesn't remember, but I do. When we were older we were in the same clan, so we are like siblings, you might say." Traelyn hid her smile behind her wine glass.

"Is that why you both talk funny?" Anakin asked.

"Well, I suppose that is true," Obi-Wan replied with a chuckle.

"Your mom probably misses you," Anakin said innocently.

Traelyn laughed. "I don't think so."

"Leave it, Anakin," Obi-Wan said with a quelling look.

Later that night, after Anakin had gone to sleep, Obi-Wan and Traelyn sat on the balcony of her hotel room and shared a bottle of wine. The night breezes were warm, and smelled of sweet flowers.

"I don't know what to say to Anakin when he is missing his mother."

"Digeeta cared for us like a mother would," Traelyn said thoughtfully. "Think how you might feel if you were not certain that she was safe and happy back at the Temple. The Jedi care for our own, it is our way. But it is not the way of Anakin's people."

"I have tried to teach him to put her out of his mind, but there are nights he cries for her. He thinks I don't hear him."

"I sense he misses her very much. And he has great concern for her well-being. I could feel his worry during dinner tonight. I think you should go to the Council and ask them to... improve her situation." Traelyn sipped at her wine and gazed at the stars.

"It was wrong for us to leave her in slavery, but we had no other choice," Obi-Wan mused.

"Then, but something could be done now. Surely our treasury can afford to free a slave and set her up in some better living situation. It would ease Anakin's mind a great deal."

"Or he could learn to live with it," Obi-Wan said. "If he really wants to be a Jedi, he has to put that behind him."

'Perhaps," she replied, but she did not share her unease about the boy. She still felt a peculiar grayness about him, but Obi-Wan had enough to worry about without her adding that to his thoughts.

Obi-Wan hopped across the balcony railing to his own room to check on Anakin. He returned with a smile. "He's fast asleep, and peacefully this time."

"He should be, I slipped some sleep enhancing waves into his thoughts at dinner," she grinned.

Obi-Wan held out his hand, and led her into her room, leaving the doors open so they could smell the sweet breezes and hear the night birds singing while they shared a gentle reminder of their affection for each other.

* * *

There several trips when Obi-Wan did not accompany her, and she made friends with other Jedi during the voyages and enjoyed the company of people from other worlds. Without classes to study for, she had time to enjoy holonovels, and she finally learned to play dejarik and sabaac.

There would be many times in the future that Traelyn would look back and consider that except for her lingering grief for Qui-Gon, that year was the happiest time of her life.

* * *

One day Traelyn returned from a trip to find her Master gravely ill. The other healers were baffled by his condition, as all the scanners registered nothing, and none of their Force techniques found anything wrong.

"Why didn't you send for me?" She asked Master Porgon.

"Why should I have? You are only a Padawan, after all," he replied crankily.

"Yes, but I'm HIS Padawan. Don't you think I have any feelings for him?"

She fumed at the other healers, although they outranked her, it was no excuse for such thoughtlessness.

She sat with Master Jeran for several hours, holding his hand and poking around in his mind. She opened up her empathic abilities, reaching out towards his unconscious body.

Suddenly, she caught the feeling of something dark, something out of place. She placed her hand on the back of his head and opened herself further to her emotions and to the Force. She called for Master Porgon.

"He's got a blood clot in the left rear quarter of his brain," she said.

"That's impossible, the scanner would have picked it up," he said.

"It's right here," she replied, taking his hand placing it on the spot. Porgon's eyes went blank for a moment as he reached into the Force.

"Blast, you're right, there is something there!"

* * *

When Master Jeran had recovered, he suggested it was time for Traelyn to take her trials. "You've proven yourself medically, my Padawan, it is time for you to face the council."

Traelyn smiled. "Yes, Master."

When the day came, Traelyn was first sent to the training area, where she demonstrated her physical fitness. Swimming, climbing, running, acrobatic leaps and jumps were all part of the test.

Then she moved on to the swordmaster. "Good Morning, Master Drallig," her Master said as they entered his domain.

Master Drallig turned and looked at Traelyn. "Oh, my favorite remote destroyer!" He said with a chuckle. "I have something here for you." He reached into a cabinet and pulled out a gleaming new remote. "Ten emitters, a thousand random intervals, and a transparisteel lens."

"Oh, shiny," Traelyn said, her eyes glittering with anticipation.

The remote followed her into the center of the training room, hovering just above her head. She turned to face it, and the swordmaster clicked it to life. The first few shots it took at her were predictable, and she deflected them away with ease. But, the faster she moved, the faster the remote reacted.

It backed her up, almost against a wall, but she tumbled away and landed on her feet behind the seeker, which fired a shot as it rotated around and she deflected it directly back into its emitter, frying it.

The remote continued shooting at her randomly, but it seemed to be following her movements. She sent a backhanded slash towards it, searing an emitter with the tip of her saber blade, pushing the melted metal towards the remote's eye.

As she fought the remote, she was only slightly aware of the group of people who had gathered to watch. Not only were the council masters there, but a large group of Padawans, and Obi-Wan and Anakin.

She took out two more emitters with deflected shots, and then scored a glancing blow to the side of the hovering orb, sending it spinning out of control. Master Drallig caught the ball and adjusted a few knobs on it, and sent it back after Traelyn, but before he re-started its firing sequence, he tied a blindfold around Traelyn's head.

She grinned at the challenge, and took her stance. As the remote hummed to life, she went deep into the Force, letting it guide her hands and feet back and forth across the room. She twirled and dodged the energy bolts, deflecting them away and scoring two more hits on the globe. It was down to less than half its emitters, but it was a machine and wasn't programmed for surrender.

She was on the offensive now, so deep in the Force that her arms moved her lightsaber with the fluidity of a swimmer, and her feet slid across the floor like a dancer. Suddenly, the remote reversed its course and zinged backwards past her head, but it wasn't quick enough.

Traelyn sensed the air moving by her face an instant before it happened, and she swung her lightsaber up and drove it into the remote's transparisteel eye. It fell to the floor, dead.

The younglings cheered and Traelyn removed her blindfold and blinked her eyes to see such a crowd assembled. Master Jeran was grinning happily, and the swordmaster looked annoyed.

"That remote was fresh from the factory! State of the art," he grumbled. "Well, let's see how your defenses are!" He ignited his saber and charged after her.

She blocked and parried his strikes, moving around in circles to stay out of corners, somersaulting and flipping over him and turning the fight the other direction. All that sparring with Obi-Wan paid off, as she remembered his defensive tactics and moved in turn with Master Drallig's attacks.

But as she tired, she grew impatient with the standoff and tried to Force push him down, and he caught her with a wave of his own. She went down, his saber pointed at her neck.

He chuckled and extended his hand and pulled her to her feet. "Well done, Padawan." Traelyn was pleased, for that was high praise from the swordmaster, who rarely complimented anyone.

Traelyn caught site of several of the High Council members leaving the room as Master Jeran approached her. "We're to see the council in one hour." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "This is it, my Padawan. The hardest test of all. But you will become a Jedi Knight today, I feel it in the Force. Now go shower and change, and meet me at the Council chambers."

"Yes, Master."

* * *

Traelyn ran to her room, showered, brushed out and rebraided her hair, pinning it tightly to her head. She smoothed out her Padawan braid, wondering if she was about to part with it. Quickly she dressed in her best tunic, a long brown skirt, indoor boots and her newest cloak.

As she exited the elevator at the top of the Council spire, she took several deep, calming breaths before she approached her Master. "I am ready, Master," she said bravely.

Just then the door opened, and the youngling serving as the Council's helper that day announced solemnly that the Council would see them now.

As always, she was awed by the view from the Council chambers. Without showing any emotion, she stood before Master Yoda and bowed. Master Jeran stood behind her, a reversal of every other time they'd come before the Council.

She stood without moving for two hours while the Council members tested her Force abilities and skills, and questioned her. She moved only to face the Master who was speaking. Questions on diplomacy, fighting styles, healing techniques, the ethics of battlefield medicine and euthanasia. And most of all, the Jedi Code. Anger leads to hate... trust in the Force... wisdom over passion... in trying, one does... believe and you will succeed...

"How feel you?" Asked Master Yoda.

"At peace, Master," she replied.

"Then eye-to-eye face me you must," he said. Master Jeran gently nudged her in the back, and she stepped forward and knelt on one knee before the diminutive master.

"A long time have I waited for this, Padawan Traelyn. A day perhaps never would come, I believed." He chuckled. "Commit your life to the Jedi Order, do you? To serving others, and upholding justice you dedicate yourself? The responsibility of a Jedi Knight do you desire and accept?"

"Yes, Grand Master."

"Then a Jedi Knight you shall be."

Master Jeran stepped forward, and igniting a small laser scalpel, he lifted Traelyn's Padawan braid and severed it, holding it tenderly in his hand for a few moments before taking her hand and placing the thin plait of hair into it.

"Keep this with your most valued treasures, Jedi Traelyn. It will remind you always of the journey you took to get to where you are, to who you are, and it will always be a symbol of your learning and acceptance of our ways." He extended his hand and gracefully she rose her to her feet.

"May the Force be with you both," Master Windu said, gesturing towards the door in an indication that they were dismissed. They bowed to the Council members and left the chamber, Master Jeran's arm around her shoulders.

As the door slid shut behind them, Traelyn caught sight of Obi-Wan, waiting just around the bend of the corridor. Grinning, she held up her braid and ran towards him and he scooped her up in a wampa hug, whirling her around. "We did it!" She cried.

Master Jeran was smiling, but looked a bit puzzled.

"When we were very young, and in trouble with Master Yoda, we swore we'd find a way to become Jedi Knights," she explained.

Jeran grinned at them both. "And so you have. Try not to forget it, either," he said with mock sternness. Slipping a credit chip into Obi-Wan's hand, he whispered in his ear. "Take her out for dinner, and perhaps breakfast, too." He winked, and then strode away, his own emotions threatening to overflow.

Tenric's Gambit: part VI

Here, for now, is the end of the story. I would be happier actually writing the confrontation with Dalba, but time constraints (and other duties) prevent it.
Hope you enjoyed the story.....please feel free to leave comments or feedback as I am interested in both. As to Dale & Orlan's new business; that is another story....

Thanks for reading!!

Part VI

Tenric paused and closed his eyes momentarily. His brow furrowed a bit and he took a deep breath. Dale and Orlan looked at each other as Tenric seemed to finish whatever he was doing then raised his hand to order another Ale.

“I have been putting this little operation together for awhile now, since just before Dalba cheated Dale out of his liberty actually.” Tenric began. “I wanted to find a way to free you from Dure-Lite Orlan, and also free Dale from his debt to Dalba. It seemed best to find a way to combine both objectives and cut the risks thereby.” Dale and Orlan exchanged looks once more.

“Go on,” Orlan prompted, “We’re listening.” Dale simply nodded.

“Dalba was my sponsor for this race. I sought out her sponsorship as a means to gain her trust.” Tenric confided. “I will use the winnings from the race to pay off Dale’s debt.”

“But it isn’t enough.” Dale interrupted.

“It will be when I ask her how much my interview tomorrow morning will be worth to her.” Tenric continued. “You see she has gotten a reputation for being soft among the Hutts and her underlings have begun to grumble and challenge her. If she wants to stay in power here on Soma III she needs to solidify her control.”

“How will your interview help her do that?” Dale asked, while Orlan sat thinking about what Tenric was saying.

“It will help her image immensely when I confess to the reporters that my desperate gambit was fueled by both the awe and fear I have for Dalba. I will say that my desperate need to not disappoint her drove me to accomplish what I did. I will be very sincere.” Here he paused to sip from his newly arrived ale.

“That might actually work!” Dale sounded hopeful now.

“It will my friend, Dalba is desperate and I will be handing her just what she needs.” Tenric encouraged.

“But,” Orlan interjected, “How will she spend this extra sum you offer her? Tempting as it sounds, what will make her underlings buy into it?”

Here Tenric fixed Orlan with one of those stares of his for a moment or two. It gave him the creeps, but he had become used to them over the time they had known each other. Orlan had his suspicions, but kept them to himself. One did not openly discuss certain things nowadays.

“Astute as always my friend,” Tenric replied. “Dalba’s underlings will buy into it because I will be freelancing for her, for a time, to ensure they do.”

“But, you can’t!” Dale began in a splutter of ale. “I’d rather it was me serving that worm than you!”

“Dale,” Tenric soothed, “Trust me on this. I have need of what Dalba can give me with this exchange. The arrangement will be temporary and at my discretion.”

“Need! What could you need from a Hutt?” Dale protested.

“I am about to embark on a new career, if you will, and an association with Dalba will strengthen my entry into it.”

“Just what, if I may ask, will this new venture be?” Orlan asked.

“But!” Dale managed say before Tenric raised his hand to gain their attention.

“I am going to begin Bounty Hunting for Dalba. I will do so until I have enough of a reputation to go it alone.” Here he smiled as both of his friends began to object. He raised his hand again and continued. “I know you are confused and cannot see me as one of the ‘filth of the galaxy’, but there are extenuating circumstances.”

“Such as your Uncle?” Dale almost whispered as he caught on. “Like that trip to Dantooine last year.”

“For one, yes.” Tenric confirmed. “My uncle left SomaIII to take his place in the Clone Wars and fell in battle. I wish to find his remains and bring them back home. My first attempt was misguided, to a point.” Here he once more quieted their objections. “It matters not which side he was on, the truth remains the same. Bounty Hunting will provide me both the credits and cover for traveling widely as I must.”

“What is the other reason?” Orlan asked. Dale had almost forgotten there was a second reason as he contemplated what Tenric was saying.

“The other reason is to be of service to those who have been most injured by Palpitane’s power grab. Those who have been disenfranchised, outlawed, and hunted. The injustice of it has burned within me since the beginning and the time is right for me to step in.”

“But I still don’t…” Dale began.

“I think I do.” Orlan stated flatly, interrupting him. “Things make sense now that you have said it.”

“Said what?” Dale asked feeling somewhat left out.

“You are both intelligent and wise Orlan. Please explain it to Dale after you are free from Dure-Lite.”

“You may count on it. Now just how am I to be free?”

Dale crossed his arms in a determined huff but kept silent as Tenric finished explaining his plan to them.

“Dale, you are a natural pilot and a gifted mechanic. You can feel when something is not right with a ship. Orlan, you are an amazingly gifted engineer and designer. Together you can make your own way in the galaxy free from the Hutts or the glory-stealing bureaucrats of Dure-Lite.”

Once more Orlan and Dale looked at each other as the service droid arrived with a fresh round for all.

“The credits Dale has amassed to pay back Dalba combined with the investment capital Orlan will receive when he announces the founding of his own custom shipyard will set the two of you up in business. Racers from all over the quadrant will flock to you for their needs. Then others will follow. Between the two of you I foresee great advances being made.”

“Exactly why would I make such an announcement Tenric?” Orlan asked.

“Because in my interview I will also give you full credit for saving my life today. It was your modification to the shield generators and repulsors that allowed me to survive being hit by that asteroid. No other racer on the circuit would have survived.”

“Neither would you without those damned reflexes of yours.” Orlan stated.

“True. However even without them there would still have been a fighting chance. Together you can both rise above the mining colony and make a difference that counts.”

“Where shall we find a base of operations?” Orlan asked. “Since you have planned everything else.”

“There is an abandoned asteroid mine in the ‘suicide sector’ that will do nicely. Dure-Lite examined it a generation ago but decided it was too costly to mine. Then the Hutts set up a mining base on it and ran it dry. It has lain dormant for over a decade now, the durelium depleted. Neither the Hutts or Dure-Lite ever made legal claim to it and neither will judge it worth vying for when you claim it.”

“You sound so sure of all this Tenric. How can you know?” Dale asked. “I mean it sounds great and would sure take care of my family, but…”

“I have done my homework on this, be assured my friends. It only needs your agreement to make it happen.”

“I suppose it would work,” Orlan mused. “And, naturally, you’d drop by during the course of your ‘service’ to those poor souls you mentioned.”

Tenric just smiled at his astute friend. Yes. Orlan was the right choice for this, and with Dale along it was sure to flourish.

“Um, Orlan?” Dale turned to face his table-mate. “I’m in if you’re in. Anything’s better than the way things are now, and if we can help Tenric here…..”

“Yes. We can help Dale, and running my own business on the side will be fun as well.” Orlan replied, “It appears we have a deal Tenric.”

“Great then let’s drink to it!” Tenirc said as he raised his ale. All three drank to seal the deal, and Tenric drained his flask. “Now! Dale and I have an appointment with Dalba down below, and you my dear Orlan shall need a good night’s rest if you are to start drawing up your business venture plan in the morning.”

With that they rose from the table and separated for now. Dale and Tenric headed for the gambling dens below to face Dalba, and Orlan headed home. He was overwhelmed with all he had learned this night, and with what the future might hold. As he headed off down the street he began running the numbers in his head and mumbling under his breath….

“At least three ship bays, zero-g fabrication unit, some sort of perimeter security.....and a full engineering simulator….”

Fade to Black / roll credits & play theme music….



The sequel to this story is now posted in the fanfic area at: http://www.wordcraftcafe.com/ and available to members It is entitled "Gambit Inc." and is a cross between the story lines of a fellow fanfic writer, Jedi Ranger, and Tenric’s. Jedi Ranger carried much of the story as we collaborated on the details.

“Gambit Inc.” establishes Orlan and Dale in their new business and sets up some new contacts that will serve Tenric well in the future.Please stop by, Join, and let us know what you think of it.....

Part VI - THE DEATH OF QUI-GON JINN

PART I - PART II - PART III - PART IV - PART V

A few nights later, Traelyn was deeply asleep when suddenly, a jolt in the Force startled her awake.

"Master Qui-Gon?" She said out loud. She shook her head, trying to get a sense of the disturbance she'd just felt. Whatever it was, she was certain something was not right. She reached out into the Force, searching for his presence, but there was nothing. She searched for Obi-Wan, but the currents of the Force that swirled around him were cloudy and dark.

She needed to find her Master.

She grabbed her lightsaber and went looking for Master Jeran. He was not in his apartment, so she headed for the Infirmary, and found him packing some medical equipment. She waited for him to finish, but he could sense her distress and looked up.

"Traelyn?" He asked.

"I felt a disturbance in the Force, Master, like a death. I think it was Master Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan is in great pain."

He sighed and put his arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Traelyn, but you are right. Master Jinn is dead. We must go to Naboo and see about his... his mortal remains."

Traelyn looked away, blinking back her tears.

"I told the Council I would go personally, I knew you would want to be there. And Obi-Wan could use a friend, I'm sure. Go get dressed, we must leave for Naboo right away."

"Yes, Master," she replied automatically.

* * *

On board the ship with Master Jeran and the Council members, Traelyn spent her time sleeping or meditating. In the Force, she could still feel Qui-Gon's physical pain and Obi-Wan's mental anguish. Hang on, Obi-Wan, I'm coming.

Master Yoda raised an ear and looked in her direction, but said nothing.

* * *

Upon their arrival at Theed, Master Jeran asked to be taken to Qui-Gon immediately. They were led through long hallways until they reached the room where his body lay, with Obi-Wan keeping watch.

The Council members started to enter the room, but Master Jeran turned to them and put his hand up.

"We will take care of this," he said, motioning for Traelyn.

"But we must investigate," said Master Windu.

"I will give you my findings after I have examined the body," he said firmly.

"We must question Padawan Kenobi," Windu tried again.

"We must see to his condition as well," Jeran replied. "We will let you know when you may speak with him. Now go, please, and let us do our work. Come, Padawan," he steered Traelyn into the room ahead of him, closing the door firmly behind him, leaving the Council members to gather at the window.

Traelyn was impressed at how he handled them, but he was the Master Healer and this was his area of authority.

Obi-Wan looked up. "Traelyn," he said softly.

Traelyn looked at him with love and sympathy in her eyes, but she couldn't bear to look at Qui-Gon's body. Not yet.

"Traelyn, take Obi-Wan into the next room and see if he's injured, please," Master Jeran said.

Obi-Wan rose from his chair, "I'm not injured, Master, I..." Traelyn put her finger to her lips and led him into the next room, away from the window.

As she closed the inner door behind them, she held out her arms to Obi-Wan, and he nearly fell into them, burying his face on her shoulder and letting his tears flow. She wrapped her arms around him, stroking his head, and emanating soothing Force energy in his direction.

"Obi-Wan," she said gently, her own tears falling into his hair.

"I couldn't save him," he sobbed. "I couldn't get to him in time."

She rocked him back and forth and let him cry. When his shaking lessened, she guided him over to a comfortable looking chair and made him sit. Kneeling in front of him, she looked him in the eye.

"Are you injured, Obi-Wan?" She asked, while visually checking him over. She placed her hand on his chest and sought the Force, checking for damage.

"No, I'm not," he replied, drying his tears on his sleeve. "Just bumps and bruises."

She placed her fingers on his temples and began to send healing tendrils into his mind.

"Stop that," he said angrily. "You can't just wave away my pain."

"Nothing's going to take your pain away, Obi-Wan, now let me do my job. Trust me." She soothed away his anger and centered him in the Force. He began to breathe normally, and his heart rate slowed.

"I'm sorry," he said. "And thank you."

"The council is going to question you. I have to be sure you are ready for that. Do you want to tell me what happened?" She sat down next to him and held his hands.

He told her the story of the duel in the power station. His pain was agonizing when he told her how he couldn't get to the fight in time, and how he watched his master go down while he was trapped, helpless, behind an energy shield.

"I overheard the Masters on board the ship," she told him. "They think the Zabrak was a Sith!"

"He stank of the Dark Side," Obi-Wan said. "I've never felt a presence like his before. It was frightening, but I killed him, and I'm glad, too. I 'm glad he's dead," he said.

"You might not want to tell the Council that, my friend. Just relate the facts. If he was a Sith, he would have killed you, too. You know you did the right thing. You saved not only yourself, but many others, including Queen Amidala. And, you brought Qui-Gon justice. He would be proud of you," she said.

* * *

They waited while Master Jeran finished his examination of Qui-Gon's body. He looked tired. Sad and tired.

"There wasn't anything you could have done, Obi-Wan," he said. "That sort of a wound is always fatal."

Obi-Wan nodded silently.

"Traelyn, take my report to the council while I finish up here, please."

"I'll go with you," Obi-Wan said. "They're going to want to talk to me, I know."

"Is he up for that, Traelyn? I can keep him here under medical supervision if he's not ready," Jeran said.

"He can do it, Master," she replied.

* * *

Traelyn recited Master Jeran's findings to the council without looking any of them in the eye. She didn't trust herself to hold back her grief. She laid a datacard on the table and stepped back. Obi-Wan stepped forward.

"Padawan Kenobi, a report for us you have?" Asked Yoda.

Obi-Wan retold his story again, in more detail this time, but without his emotional reactions. Traelyn watched him carefully, ready to send out soothing, healing thoughts if necessary. By the end of the tale he had tears in his eyes.

"No honor to your master, do you do with your tears, young Obi-Wan," said Yoda.

Traelyn experienced a flash of anger, but a Padawan Healer did not argue with the Grand Master.

"Your anger, you cannot conceal from me, Padawan," he said, looking in her direction.

"I beg your pardon, Master Yoda, but humans often find the release of tears to be calming. It rids the body of stress toxins and centers the spirit," she said.

Master Yoda looked annoyed.

"You are finished here, you may go," Windu said to her dismissively.

"I'm sorry, but my Master's instructions were to wait for Padawan Kenobi and bring him back to the Medical Center."

Windu sighed. "Very well, you both may go."

* * *

"I can't believe you stood up to them like that," Obi-Wan said.

Traelyn was shaking. "I can't either, but he shouldn't have said that to you."

"Bury your feelings deeper, Traelyn, or the whole Council will know our secret," he said with a shake of his head.

She nodded. "We have to go back to the Medical Center, or else I'll be a liar, too."

* * *

They'd been given rooms in the guest wing of the palace, next to each other and away from the Council members, at the request of Master Jeran.

"Stay with him," he ordered Traelyn, although she had every intention of doing so anyway. "Let him talk, cry, whatever he needs. If he gets too bad, put him into a healing trance. In spite of what the Jedi say, a human needs to let his grief out, you know that."

"Yes, Master, I will watch over him."

"I'm thinking of your grief, too, Traelyn. I know Qui-Gon was special to you," he said.

"He brought me to the Temple when I was a baby," she said tearfully. "He was always checking up on me, he saved my life when he brought me to you when I was ten. And Obi-Wan is my best friend, I can sense his pain deeply. I know I would be heartbroken if I lost you, Master."

Master Jeran hugged her. "I know. Now go be with your friend, he needs you."

* * *

They spent the entire night together, sitting on the veranda of his room, listening to the waterfalls. They talked about Qui-Gon, they told stories, they held each other. Traelyn soothed his distress, and he comforted her.

"I loved him, Traelyn," Obi-Wan said. "He was like what a father should be to me. He taught me so much, and in our last days together we were at odds with each other. Or rather, I was annoyed at him."

"And he forgave you, didn't he?"

"Of course," he smiled wanly. "He told me I was a wiser man than he." Obi-Wan shook his head, as if such a thing was not possible.

"He did know about us, didn't he?" She asked.

"Yes, and he told me to protect my heart. And yours, too," he replied with a sad smile.

"We can't change what we feel for each other, Obi-Wan, we will just have to be sure our love does not influence our actions in other matters."

"I know, and I promised him that we would do that."

"And so we shall," Traelyn assured him. "It will be our promise to each other in his memory."

In the wee hours of the morning, they went inside and made love in the waning moonlight, reaffirming life with the tender expression of their love for each other. They slept in each other's arms for a few hours, and awoke clear eyed and calm.

Obi-Wan was summoned by Master Yoda. Traelyn was concerned. "It's all right, I can handle myself today," he said.

"You may be over your shock, Obi-Wan, but don't think for a moment you are over your grief. That will be with you for a long time. A very long time."

"I know. I will learn to live with it as a Jedi should," he said firmly. "I'll see you tonight, at the memorial."

* * *

Traelyn spent the morning learning about post-mortem procedures from Master Jeran. After grieving with Obi-Wan, she was emotionally ready to face Qui-Gon's remains, but the absence of his presence in the Force still disturbed her.

"As healers, it's our responsibility to see that the dead are treated with respect. Often there are questions that we must answer, although in this case the cause of death was obvious," he told her. "But there will be times when we are the last to speak for the dead."

She examined the lightsaber wound with shock. "I've never seen anything like that, and I hope never to again," she said.

"There will be worse things, and many times it will be people you care about. You must learn to deal with it as a Jedi, and that means duty first. You must put aside your feelings and deal with the facts. I have no doubt that you are capable."

"Does it get any easier?" She asked.

"No, but you will become better able to deal with it."

* * *

That afternoon, she assisted Master Jeran as he physically examined the strange little boy from Tatooine. He did indeed have a very high midi-chlorian count, and he seemed very bright. He was curious about their medical equipment, and fascinated by Traelyn's lightsaber.

"If you're a doctor, why are you carrying a laser sword?" He asked. "Are you a Jedi, too?"

"Yes, she is, we both are," Master Jeran replied with a chuckle.

"To be precise," she said, "He is the Master Healer of the Jedi Order, and I am his apprentice. And you, are perfectly healthy."

"I feel cold all the time."

Traelyn nodded. "Tatooine is a hot place, I hear. I'll get you some medicine that will help you adapt, and see to getting you some warmer clothes."

He looked down at the floor. "I feel bad about Master Qui-Gon," he said.

"We all do, Anakin. We all do."

* * *

"There's something odd about him, Master," she said later, in private.

"Is it something you feel empathically, or through the Force?"

"Empathically, it feels just like he says, cold and sad. But, there's something not right with him in the Force." Traelyn shook her head and rubbed her eyes. "I sense a grayness about him."

"I think you are tired, Padawan. Go take a nap before the memorial, and then perhaps you can sort out these feelings."

"Yes, Master," she replied, grateful for the chance to stop and think for a while. Her emotions were in a turmoil of grief, sympathy, anger and helplessness. And Obi-Wan would need her support during the memorial. She went back to her room for a hot shower and a long nap.

* * *

As the sun set over Theed the Jedi gathered for the memorial. There were many important people in the room; even Queen Amidala was there. Obi-Wan stood beside his Master's body. Traelyn managed to slip in next to him, the long sleeves of their cloaks concealing the fact that he held her hand tightly.

Oddly, on the other side of him stood Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan turned and spoke to him, and then turned back towards Traelyn.

"This is Anakin Skywalker," he said.

She nodded, "We met this afternoon."

He's coming back to the Temple with us to be a Jedi, isn't that right, Anakin?"

The little boy nodded, and Traelyn smiled at him in spite of her shock. Then she noticed the absence of Obi-Wan's Padawan braid. She touched the side of his head briefly with a questioning look.

"It's a long story," Obi-Wan whispered to her. "He's to become my Padawan."

I have a bad feeling about this. She thought. But she squeezed his hand and turned back towards the burning pyre. "Life goes on, Qui-Gon," she said quietly. "We will see you again someday."

Tenric's Gambit: part V

part V

Dale wandered down to the cantina he and Tenric usually met at. The Shaft, as it was affectionately called, was an interesting place. Carved from a building sized boulder it had several underground rooms used for playing Sabaac as well as other, less friendly, games of chance. Tenric liked the place mostly because he liked the owner. Old Ragün had been a friend of Tenric’s grandmother since before he’d been born. Ragün ran as clean an establishment as the Hutts would allow and was respected by all the miners, human and non-human alike. The Hutts might run the lower levels, but up top he was boss. The fact that his grandson was highly placed in the local Enforcer Brigade also helped keep the peace. There were arguments aplenty, and fistfights were common, but if you pulled a weapon or drew unnecessary blood you’d end up not only banned from the establishment for life, but also might just be summarily arrested and shipped to the Asteroid mines for “community service”. Many said Kessel was a preferable fate.

Dale got a booth and waited for Tenric. Only his friend’s last remark kept him from getting drunk and going below to face Dalba now. Tenric seemed to have a plan of some sorts to help him pay back the money he’d lost to the Hutt playing sabaac. He’d had an Idiot’s Array, a guaranteed win, but a seemingly random ‘shuffle’ had given his hand to Dalba at the very last second. Accusing the Hutt of cheating would have been suicide so he’d had to accept the loss. Now he owed the slimy cheat enough to buy a small freighter, and he couldn’t pay. He’d scraped some of it together with his racing winnings, but time was up and today’s loss sealed his fate, unless Tenric had an Idiot’s Array of his own to play.

The Holo-Vid at the bar was tuned to the news coverage of the race. The reporter, a canine-faced Bothan, was repeating the ruling that had just been handed down by the racing commission.

“In an unprecedented decision the judges have decided to pool the credits for first, second, and third place and split them evenly between the three winners. The official statement cites the heroic actions of the three winners in preventing loss of life as the basis for their decision….”

Dale shook his head as he did a quick calculation. Even if Tenric were to give him his third of the winnings it still wouldn’t be enough. Still, if Tenric felt there was hope he was willing to feel it too. Maybe the money would be enough to buy more time.

“…Furthermore, stay tuned for at first light we have been promised an exclusive interview with the racer who had all of us on the edge of our seats. Tenric of Darkwood Settlement has promised to let us in on what inspired him to such lunacy and greatness.”

Dale stared at the screen. “An interview, huh?” He thought, but his musing was interrupted by the arrival of Orlan. He looked around, spotted Dale, and headed over. Dale knew him mainly through Tenric. He was an engineer with Dure-Lite by day and Tenric’s ship mechanic and developer by night. He couldn’t recall how they had met, but they seemed to get along quite well.

“Hey, how’s it going Dale?” Orlan said as he sat down and ordered a large ‘Hutt-Buster’ from the service droid that approached. “Tenric told me last night to meet you two here around now. He said he might be late.” He finished with a frown. “He is alright isn’t he?”

“Yeah. He’s ok. Got banged around a bit but he’ll be fine.” Dale replied. “ Should be here in a bit. He got the med-techs to play up the injuries so he could avoid the media hounds ‘til morning. He was dropped off at Dure-Med a while ago and will…”

“…Be along any time now,” called Tenric from the doorway. Both men swiveled to watch their friend come across the room to their table. As he did so many patrons lifted a glass in salute or greeting and the buzz in the cantina switched notably to the topic of the race. The Bacta-patch was gone and the “gash” on the left side of his head looked well on it’s way to healing cleanly. He was wearing a loose tunic and pants, probably from the med facility, and though a bit pale looked well enough.

As he joined them in the booth the server-droid whizzed up and said in its metallic voice, “Ragün says this table drinks for free tonight.” With that the droid put two large Corellian Ales and a ‘Hutt-Buster’ on the table and departed. Tenric waved his thanks to the bar and grabbed his glass. After draining it in one long draught he put it down thoughtfully. He gazed at it a moment or two with that look of his, kinda like he was far away and running his body by remote. Dale and Orlan were looking at each other, wondering which of them should speak first, when Tenric shook his head, looked at them and said…

“Well, let me tell you why I’ve thrown this little party…”

Tenric's Gambit: part IV

Part IV

The Holo-coverage switched to commercials for race sponsors Incom and Byblos Drives, in order to allow the producers and judges time to decide what to do about the finish. Never before had there been a tie for any position in the Somantus Slalom. Indeed the race was dangerous enough that many thought of it as pod-racing for idiots and nearly every race used to end in numerous deaths until the local Dure-Lite engineers had come up with a shield/repulsor combination that could usually save a ship from glancing blows. All racers were now required to have the modifications made in order to race.

Dale headed over to the landing pits to see if Tenric was any better off than his ship. He knew there was no way the crippled Z-95 could land planet side which meant his friend would be coming down in either a med transport or on the media-sled. He wasn’t sure which he hoped for, since the trip planet side in the media-sled could be the more painful of the two. He waded through more than a hundred spectators waiting for the sleds. Reports being piped over the address system from the comm. channels said Tenric was ok and the media-sled would be mobbed when it landed. Dale looked from the crowd by the media bay to the med pit. The reports said Tenric was ok, but knowing his friend he headed for the med pit anyway.

Sure enough when the med transport landed Tenric was strapped to a grav-bed with full life sensors engaged. There was an audible gasp from the nearby media bay as they took him from the transport and the crowd took notice. Dale was wondering how he could find out how bad Tenric was when one of the med-techs called out to him.

“Hey, you there! Your name Dale by any chance?” called the med-tech, causing the guard to glance at both of them.

“Uh…Yeah that ‘s my name.” Dale responded somewhat cautiously. “Why?”

“He said you’d be here waiting and he wanted you to come along.” Came the reply.

The guard eyed Dale’s zero-g racing suit and the advancing mob and quickly waved him in past the barrier. Dale headed over to the medical speeder they were loading his friend onto wondering what was going on. As he got in he saw that Tenric had a bacta patch across the left side of his head and some visible scorching along the arm of his suit. The med-tech gave Dale an odd look as he closed and secured the hatch, then turned and winked at him.

As Dale was trying to figure out what that could mean the med-tech went over to Tenric and shut off the life sensors and removed them. The Speeder rose and headed out toward the Dure-Med Facility as the med-tech took a seat. Dale waited a moment then slid up to the bed and took a look at his friend. Tenric looked disheveled and beaten up, but otherwise not too bad. The left side of his head had apparently been burned by whatever had scorched his flight suit. There was a bruise on his chin as well.

While Dale was still taking stock of his friend’s injuries Tenric popped his eyes open wide and said “Boo!”. This had the intended effect of surprising Dale enough to cause him to jerk back, knock his head on the wall of the compartment, and slide off the seat. Tenric sat up laughing, then coughed and grimaced from the effort. The med-tech also thought it was funny.

“What the hutt are you doing!” was all Dale could manage by way of protest.

“Tenric wanted to avoid the media and asked us to play it up a bit.” The tech answered while Tenric recovered from his coughing fit. “ His ribs took a beating and he got a nasty gash on his head, but otherwise he’s fine.”

“Yeah, forgot to max out the inertial compensator’s in all the excitement.” Tenric offered with a lopsided smile. “Got banged around a good bit by that big ol’ rock.”

“Everyone thought you were dead when that rock hit you. What happened?” Dale asked.

“Well I had seen it coming and knew Halphon and Guurk wouldn’t so I turbo’d up between them and told them to roll out fast. Then I threw everything into the shields, nearly broke the control stick banking hard, and got bounced clear over the neighboring rock, well…skipped over the rock is more like it if you believe my ribs.” He finished while gingerly testing his side.

Dale just shook his head. “Only you could have lived through what you tried. Heh, only you would ever have even tried it in the first place.”

“Hey, can’t let my best friend end up enslaved to the Hutts.” Tenric replied.

“Well thanks for at least trying.” Dale offered dejectedly as the speeder stopped at the med facility.

The Med-tech told Tenric to lay back down. When Tenric asked why he was told that since he had wanted to “play it up” he would now have to endure an examination and convince the droids he was alright as well.

“Ohh Burble-blow.” He responded with a laugh. “I guess I got myself into that didn’t I?” He said as he lay back down. “Dale. Remember my Ale. I’ll be along as soon as I can.”

Dale turned to leave and heard Tenric call out to him as he was taken into the med-facility, “Besides I’m not done trying yet!”

Part V - ON THE EDGE OF CHANGE

PART I - PART II - PART III - PART IV

WARNING: Contains some sexual content. Nothing graphic!

Ten days later Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon returned from their mission. Obi-Wan was in a highly agitated state, telling Traelyn the story of their narrow escapes and battles, but without the usual calm, focused frame of mind he usually possessed. Finally he confided that his Master seemed to have lost his mind and his good sense somewhere in the Outer Rim.

"Obi-Wan, if he wants to take this child on as his Padawan, he must be certain that you are ready to face your trials," she commented.

"Oh yes, he told the council that, and I do feel ready, but I don't understand him, always defying the council's wishes. The boy is far too old to be trained, and there's something dangerous and dark about him. They all sense it, even I do. So, why can't Qui-Gon?"

"Once you pass your trials it will no longer be your concern."

"I behaved rudely to him, I will have to apologize," he sighed.

"Master Qui-Gon loves you, Obi-Wan, you've been like a son to him for twelve years, he will forgive you. Now come to bed." She sent soothing and enticing tendrils of Force energy his way, but they didn't seem to make an impact.

"We can't, Traelyn, what if the council finds out? We could be expelled!"

"Three years we've been sleeping together and now you're going to lecture me on the rules?"

"You need to start thinking with your brain and not your passions!" He said shortly.

Traelyn was both embarrassed and hurt. "Get out of my room!" She said angrily.

* * *

Traelyn fumed for a while, and then changed her clothes and headed for the training room, gripping her lightsaber tightly in her hand, she made no sound as she entered the room in her soft-soled boots.

She was not surprised to find Obi-Wan there, sparring with a remote. She was mildly surprised that he sensed her soundless entry since his feelings were in turmoil, although he was oblivious to her agitated state of mind.

"You want to spar with me?" He asked.

"Sure," she replied, and stood in the center of the room.

He faced off with her, igniting his saber and taking a defensive stance. She lit her blade and attacked, first to the right, then the left. She circled him like a feline on the prowl, taking jabs at his middle with the point of her saber.

Taking a small step back, she drove in towards him, slashing at his lightsaber blade with ferocity. She backed him across the room, but remembering their duel six years earlier, when she'd nearly killed him in a jealous rage, he avoided the corners of the room, somersaulting over her and forcing her to whirl around the fight him back towards the center of the room.

But she was relentless, dominating him in each exchange of slashes and parries. Only his superior knowledge of defensive tactics and the gymnastic moves that went with them allowed him to keep her at bay.

As he fought, his mind began to clear and he sensed the hurt and anger he had caused her with his careless words. Silently he berated himself for speaking so harshly to her. Damn his Master for stirring up his resentments!

Traelyn took advantage of his momentary distraction and swung her blade low, and as he leaped over it she stepped back, gathered the Force around her and pushed him to the floor. His lightsaber flew into her left hand, and she stood over him waving both of the shimmering blue blades in his face.

She was grimacing in triumph. The Force seemed to sparkle around her, and tendrils of energy escaped her body as her anger abated into the satisfaction of victory. He lay there and stared at her. She looked terrible, her face covered in sweat, her eyes cold, wisps of dark side energy flaring from her mind. She was terrifying, and he'd never wanted her so much in his life.

She clicked off the sabers and tossed his to the floor beside him. "Goodnight, Obi-Wan," she said. She turned and left the room.

* * *

A half-hour later he slipped into her room in his bathrobe, and found her sitting on her bunk wearing only a nightdress and caressing her face with her lightsaber. An empty wine glass sat on her night table.

He pulled her up from the bed, and she resisted, but he took her saber and dropped it to the floor, along with her nightgown. He gathered her naked body into his arms, and kissed her, inhaling the sweet smell of soap and bath powder, and feeling the silky strands of her hair in his hands.

She started to speak, but he shushed her with another kiss, and gathered her up and tossed her onto the bunk. Shedding his robe, he fell on top of her, kissing her deeply, and spreading her hair out around her.

Touching, tasting, teasing, and tantalizing her with touches of the Force, he dominated her the way she'd dominated him in their duel and soon she was soft and malleable in his hands, bending to his will, gasping for breath and begging for more.

He brought her to the edge of climax and then held back, over and over, until she was desperate for his touch, and she threw her legs around him, grabbing his Padawan braid and pulling him into her, and they muffled their cries of pleasure in the pillows and in each other's kisses.

With a deep, satisfied sigh, he rolled onto his side and pulled her into his embrace, cradling her head on his shoulder in the place she most like to be. He could feel her tears on his bare skin.

"Traelyn, I'm so sorry about..."

"No," she interrupted with a finger on his lips, "You were right."

"I hurt you with my words, and I didn't mean to. Now your feelings are so confused, happy and sad, I can't tell if those are tears of pleasure or pain."

"All of those things. I love and want you so much, and as long as we are both Padawans, we have only our masters to answer to, and both of them have chosen to look the other way. But when you become a Knight, you will have to answer to the council. I won't let you risk censure because of me. We will have to stop."

"No! We will find a way, we'll just have to be more cautious."

"You'll be moving upstairs, and Padawans are not permitted to wander the halls there in our nightclothes!" She said with a wan smile.

"I'll be sick every night and call for you to tend to me!" He chuckled. "Ah, Traelyn, I can't give you up. I won't. There're at least a thousand casual affairs going on in the Temple at any time."

"No one on the council would believe this was casual, least of all Master Yoda."

"We will have to behave as if it is. I'm afraid we won't be seeing as much of each other. I could be sent anywhere at any time."

"And so could I, " she replied. "Master Jeran wants to send me on more mercy missions; he thinks I need more real life experience. I have been rather sheltered," she said wryly.

"Perhaps I can be your escort. And, you won't always be a Padawan, you know."

"Hmmm," she said sleepily, "When we're both masters we'll do as we please."

"I have to go get ready to leave, we are going to Naboo at first light. We're protecting the Queen, you know," he said with mock seriousness.

He slipped out of bed, and tucked the blankets around her. He leaned over and kissed her gently.

"May the Force be with you, my love," she mumbled, and she curled up and fell asleep before his warmth could fade away.

Tenric's Gambit: part III

part III

“Gentle Beings,” the announcer began a moment later. “It appears that Tenric’s Gambit has failed. After his dramatic rescue of a fellow racer and death-defying battle to take the lead it seems…”

The spectators saw it before the announcer had and a sharp intake of breath was heard from everyone followed by a rousing cheer. There on the heads-up display a green dot, Tenric’s dot, had emerged from the backside of a neighboring asteroid. The other two lead ships had just recovered their vectors and were speeding away from the area. The Announcer, having found his voice by now, was even more enthusiastic than before.

“Against all odds and in defiance of reason itself it appears that Tenric not only survived the collision, but is still in the race!” It came out as a nearly unintelligible shriek, but no one was paying attention.

The vid feed hastily swung in the direction of the asteroid and needed a moment or two to lock onto the ship. When it did the cheer died as disbelief took over. There in the center of the display were the remains of Tenric’s Headhunter. One wing had been sheared off near the engines and the nose looked as though it had been chewed on by a hungry rancor. There was a nasty looking black smear behind the cockpit usually occupied by the shield generator and another along the port side. It seemed impossible that the ship was still space-worthy, much less pilotable.

“Wait!” The announcer called out. “It appears that Guurk and Halphon have changed course.”

As the crowd watched in stunned disbelief the two other lead ships took up escort positions to either side of Tenric’s ship. Even as they did one of his engine exhaust valves gave way and was blown off.

“Well now I shall have to retire my friends.” The announcer continued in a subdued tone. “For I have witnessed this day not only the improbable and impossible, but also the height of the racing spirit. I have just been informed that both Halphon and Guurk have comm’d their withdrawal from the race. It appears they are each using their damaged shield generators to extend a bubble around Tenric’s ship.”

There was a burst of traffic over the comm. channel and the announcer continued.

“Both Halphon and Guurk have confirmed their withdrawal. They claim they are honoring the pilot who saved their lives by warning them about the rogue asteroid in time for each to escape the collision. Both affirm that Tenric would have won the race had he not changed course to warn them.”

Surely enough all three ships now flew in tandem with Tenric’s wobbling at the center. Together they moved out of the field and headed toward the finish line. The other racers, having now caught up, came screaming toward the finish trying to beat the limping trio. Their lead had been too great though and all three crossed the finish together a few seconds ahead of the pack. The crowd cheered wildly and several made attempts to hug Dale as he stood there blinking, trying to fathom what he had just seen….