“Help me Obi-Jens, you’re my only hope.”
A message has reached Obi-Jens Kenobi from the small Separatist-held planet of Semnoz. Rui Costa had fled there following his escape with the TimeWarp device and plans, but crash landed on the surface. Costa emerges dazed from the wreckage clutching the device, but his ship is consumed by fire, destroying the plans and stranding the Separatist. Making his way through the local souk, Rui Costa is targeted by a pickpocket, and loses the device. The young thief rushes home, where his mother recognises the significance of the item he has lifted. Concerned that the furious Separatist will eventually track the thief down, she smuggles a message to Obi-Jens Kenobi on a small droid, begging for his assistance.
Obi-Jens Kenobi leads the rebels to Semnoz, the veteran Jedi knight setting a solid example to the rest of the alliance on what may well be his final and greatest mission. The indigenous population of Semnoz are sick of the oppressive rule of the Movistarr and are out in droves to support the rebels, willing to protect them from Movistarr attacks should it be necessary. Greeting the rebels in the traditional way of their people, they reach out to touch the Jedi as he passes. Not happy with the bystanders patting his ass, however, Obi-Jens swats the hands away.
Obi-Jens receiving the ritual greeting of the region. (photo by Lesli Cohen)
Obi-Jens takes the device from the terrified family, and learning that the plans were destroyed in the crash, sets off on the double ascent required to destroy the last Separatist held TimeWarp device. The first ascent with the device is completed without incident, and Obi-Jens charges down, ready to complete the second. Behind him, he is supported by the Padawan Van Garderen and Rolland from Europ’car, with Jar-Jar Schleck, and Skyrider and the ever faithful Porte.
Obi-Jens calls out to Skyrider to take over control of the device, the forces created by the final push proving too much for the veteran Jedi. Froome Skyrider grabs the device and accelerates hard, taking the Quintana and Rodriguez with him. The trio take up the attack, determined to destroy the TimeWarp device. The dreaded space pirate Valverde, leader of the Movistarr faction is chasing, determined not to lose their only other TimeWarp device to the rebel alliance. Behind Valverde, Contador Solo, with his co-pilot Kreuziger provide covering fire.
Skyrider has the same problem as Obi-Jens with the overenthusiastic locals, forced to push away a Semnozi determined to touch him for luck to avoid careering off course. The lightyears ticking off, Skyrider’s sense of relief is palpable, the realisation growing that their mission is nearly over and the Separatists will be vanquished. Valverde is still in pursuit, but he cannot reach Skyrider, Rodriguez and the Quintana before they reach their destination height and destroy the TimeWarp device. Not prepared to take any chances, the Quintana fires his afterburners and flies the last few lightyears alone, the device rendered useless.
Celebrating with the elated Quintana, talk now turns to a final showdown with the Empire Forces and Darth Sagan to destroy the last remaining TimeWarp device, and free the galaxy from the menace once and for all…
To be continued…
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