The Cestus Deception (Star Wars: Clone Wars Novel) by Steven Barnes

Author:Steven Barnes [Barnes, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fiction, General, American Science Fiction And Fantasy, Science Fiction, Science Fiction - Adventure, Fiction - Science Fiction, Space warfare, Adventure, Science Fiction - Space Opera, Space opera, Science fiction; American, Life on other planets, Media Tie-In - General, Star wars fiction, Science Fiction - Star Wars, Media Tie-In, Kenobi; Obi-Wan (Fictitious character)
ISBN: 9780345458988
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2005-03-01T01:57:20.928000+00:00

the confined space that simply wasn't true. Strangely, while the Nautolan's

lash splashed sparks here and there, gouged hot metal from

panels, and sent flecks of fire floating down to where they huddled

on the ground, none of them was touched. The Nautolan was pure

aggression. His face narrowed to a fighting grimace, spitting curses

in strange languages, moving his torso with a boneless agility that

seemed impossible for any vertebrate.

Certainly the Jedi would cower. Would flee and save himself. Nothing

could stand before such a bafflingly lethal onslaught—

But Master Kenobi stood firm. He wove through that narrow

space, his lightsaber flashing like desert lightning, deflecting every

flicker of the whip. The Nautolan's speed and ferocity were matched

by the Jedi's own cold and implacable determination. They leapt and

tumbled, wheeling through the confined space, somersaulting so that

they were virtually walking on the ceiling as they evaded and attacked,

achieving a level of hyperkinesis simultaneously balletic and primal.

Master Kenobi was the first to penetrate the other's guard, such

that the lightwhip was barely able to enmesh the glowing energy

blade in time to deflect. The cloth along the Nautolan's arm flared

with brief, intense heat. They saw the abrupt change in the kidnapper's

demeanor. The Nautolan snarled, and fear shone in his face.

The Jedi was winning! In another engagement, two at the most,

Master Kenobi would have solved the lightwhip's riddle, and go for

the kill.

The Nautolan lashed this way and that as if gathering his energies

for renewed aggression. Then with a single smooth, eye-baffling

motion he scooped up the wounded Desert Wind soldier as if he

were a mere child. The Nautolan bounded up through the roof, and

was gone. They heard his footsteps pattering down the tunnel. And

then . . . nothing.

Master Kenobi turned to them, his face beginning to relax back

from its battle mask. If he had not chosen to speak, there might have

been no words voiced in that car for an hour. "Are you hurt?" he

asked.

Quillwas reduced to mere babbling. "No! I—that was amazing! I'd

always heard stories of the Jedi, but never . . . I just want to say thank

you! Thank you so much."

Master Kenobi ignored him and went from one of them to the

other, checking to see that all were well. Then he examined, analyzed,

and disconnected the override device. Within moments light

returned to the car. The droid began to wheel and pivot as if awakening

from drugged slumber. He looked at Kenobi. "Ah! Master Jedi!

I assume it is you who has returned my function."

"That's true."

"And your orders?"

"Get these people back to the capital."

"At once, sir."

The droid fit his action to his words. The rescued hostages gave a

ragged cheer—even Quill, whose faceted eyes shone with awe. Young

Debbikin tugged at their savior's robes again. "Master Jedi," he asked.

"How can I repay you?

The Jedi smiled grimly. "Tell your father to remember his duty," he

said.

40

Deep in the mountains a hundred klicks southeast of the capital

raged a mighty celebration. There was much dancing and laughter,

and more than a bit of drunken boasting.

Nate leaned back against a rock, deeply satisfied. The operation

had indeed gone smoothly, without a single life lost. His throat

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