CREATIVE WRITING: A ZABRAK WARRIOR'S DEVOTION

Riding on the tail of the fun jaunt that was Obi-Wan Kenobi, here is another Star Wars vignette that I did back in the day. This one is take place right before the fateful duel between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul. I hope you enjoy it.

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Author's Note: This story is in response to the challenge issued to me by morgynleri in the 'I challenge you' thread found in the Inkblot Forum. The challenge was: "Character POV, Darth Maul. His thoughts on the events of Phantom Menace."

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Disclaimer: Star Wars and all related characters are owned by George Lucas and LucasFilms (author's note: now Disney) and not by me. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.

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My Master waits, so I too shall bide my time. The destruction of the Jedi Order is imminent and I will have a hand in the decimation of them. Today I shall draw first blood. I will destroy the one that escorted the rebel Queen of Naboo to Tattooine and back. Then, the young one will fall beside his Master. I will end the macabre game I have played with them since the day my Master sent me from his side to kill them. They will not escape me this time.

I have studied Qui-Gon Jinn's moves until I know them by heart. And then, I worked on a counterattack, one that has already proven successful against my foe. He is a cunning warrior, but he must die. He will feel the bite of my blade and there will be no starship for him to jump into this time. No rescue by his compatriots. He will not be able to withstand the power of the Dark Side when I bring it upon him.

I am patient and strong in the Dark Side. I will let them come to me. And I will please my Master with the gift of the Jedi and his Padawan's death. The small boy that is with them is also strong in the Force, but without his Jedi protectors, he will be powerless to do anything more than be an orphan on a strange world that will be controlled by the Trade Federation, and, ultimately, the Sith. The Neimoidians are, after all, only a pawn in my Master's game. Could the boy be a future general in the army of the Sith? My Master will have to decide.

I gaze upon Jinn and Kenobi now and smile to myself as they toss off the confining outer cloaks of their doomed order. Ease of movement will not help them now. Only the skill of a seasoned fighter can. This is the ultimate test of a warrior. The ultimate sacrifice. I can feel the Force flowing through all of us. Their light disgusts me. They do not know power. They do not know strength. They do not know superiority.

Now, they will find out. As I ignite my lightsaber, the twin red blades flashing in the dimness of the hangar bay, I hear the first of the many thuds that tell me the droid army has begun their attack. I smell the ozone caused by my weapon and I breathe it in deeply. The Jedi ignite their weapons, but it will be a futile effort. I motion for them to attack. I welcome it.

Very soon Naboo will be at the mercy of the Trade Federation and the Sith. Very soon the Jedi will all be dead. Very soon my Master will be the ultimate power in the galaxy.

To that end, I stand ready to serve him.

The Jedi must die.

The Order must fall.

Starting with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi who stand before me.

And the Sith will rise again.

Original fanfiction story by Beth A. Freely, circa 2009ish.