20 Hat Trick 1 (1/2)
CIS Frigate Midnight Solace
Near Rodia
Outer Rim
Ventress was laying on the cold deck and panting in a painful effort to inhale enough oxygen in her straining lungs. The combination of shock wave and Sith lighting was racking her body with agonizing spasms. Her bleary blue eyes stared at the scarlet lightsaber blade pointed at her throat. Anger and regret fought in the midst of her very soul. She was on the ground. Defeated before being able to engage the enemy of her master. It infuriated her!
Yet Asajj knew that it was at least partially her fault. She had been too sure in herself even after facing that Togruta Jedi master earlier. She was arrogant and now was about to pay the price.
”Go ahead. Finish it.” she was able to rasp amidst a coughing fit.
The lightning she was hit with was much worse than anything she experienced from Dooku or even his master. It was not so much the pain which was substantial. It was the damage that she could feel around her body and especially her chest. Cracked bones from the blast wave and seared flesh from the Dark side attack combined into deadly wounds. She knew that without immediate medical attention she was goner. It was harder to breathe with each passing heartbeat and all she could do through the Force was to slow down her demise and prolong the agony.
”It is not supposed to end like this!” at least that was what she tried to shout but only coughing and a spit of blood exited her lips.
=RK=
”This is such a waste.” I muttered.
The girl was strong in the Force. Give her a few more years and proper training, and she could be something to watch. I grumbled at the schemes of Dooku and Sidious. What they were doing with her was a waste of talent. Pure and simple.
I placed my left hand on her chest in the valley between her breasts and concentrated on drawling the Light side of the Force. I could feel her wounds – burned flesh and damaged lungs, the cracked bones and myriad of old injuries which were not healed properly. If it was not for her strong connection with the force she would be somewhat crippled by the old wounds.
Her body shuddered under my hand. I saw her eyes dilating in surprise and a soft moan of relief escaping her lips as she was able to take in a breath without chocking. Her cracked bones mended under the caress of the Force. Burned and blackened flesh cracked to reveal a healthy pink tissue underneath. I could see the confusion in the assassin's eyes. She had expected either quick death or for me to enjoy her slow and painful demise as she succumbed to her wounds. I had other ideas for her future.
Few minutes later she was mended enough to survive without immediate medical attention. As I was ensuring that outcome my attention was divided between healing her and deflecting blaster bolts from the rear ranks of the Super Battle droids – the ones which survived the grenade barrage. They were mowed down by Clones carrying heavy weapons who used me as a cover to unleash their substantial firepower.
”That's better, Ventress. We'll chat later.” I said and my right fist, which was enhanced with the Force slammed in her left temple knocking her out. ”Give me some covering fire.” I ordered the clones.
I deactivated my lightsaber and placed my hands on Asajj's temples. Dark tendrils of pure force enveloped the Dark Jedi's head and spread all over her body. I poured substantial amount of energy in this technique and was satisfied when to my trained eyes Ventress was bound by midnight black chains of Dark side energies.
”I want two of you to carry her back to the hangar. For at least a day she won't be able to use the Force. Stun her every couple of hours just in case. Go!”
”Yes, sir!” a sergeant snapped a salute and motioned for one of the troopers to follow him.
They grabbed Ventress and ran back retracing our steps.
”Let's finish with this nonsense! Men, follow me!” I ordered and charged the remaining droids blocking our path after checking my shield indicator.
I threw my ignited lightsaber which spun before me in a sweeping ark which cut in two the first row of still standing droids. The blaster bolts of the machines which could keep with my speed splashed harmlessly on my defense field. I lifted the closest droid on the left and hurled it at a group of its friends knocking them all to the deck. I landed and rolled under a burst of red bolts just in time to catch my weapon as it returned from its flight.
I concentrated enough Force around my left fist for it to become a visible distortion around it and slammed it into the deck sending a shock wave down the corridor. The telekinetic onslaught threw all remaining Super Battle droids off their feet.
The clones from the 71st ran behind me shooting at the clankers. Within seconds the remained enemies were turned into a bunch of scrap.
”Good work. Let's move on!” I ordered and ran forward.
=RK=
Shaak Ti pulled back her lightsaber and the droid she had impaled fell to the ground. She looked around and allowed herself a small smile. Only seven men from the 36th platoon were still on their feet but the enemies in the vicinity were dealt with. There were only couple of tactical and B-1 droids left on the bridge which would be eliminated shortly. While the butcher's bill was high it was almost worth it. They had Grievous! The cyborg was twitching on the ground with its limbs shredded by blaster fire. Four of the remaining clones had their weapons aimed at the crippled CIS general.
”You did well.” she congratulated the clones and slammed the blade of her lightsaber in the armored doors barring their entrance to the bridge.