Only Wan

Episode XVI

BRYE

Problematic did not quite cover the situation. There was no word, not even a term or metaphor, that Byre could think of which would encapsulate her current standing well enough.

It was good thing Kollen was not around to see her twirl her wrists inside the metal bracelets. Stripped of her weapon, she and Obi-Wan had been brought into an arena where Anakin, Senator Amidala, and the missing clone were already waiting.

The onlookers cheered in their seats overhead as the last of Brye's companions was strapped to each of the pillars in the centre of the arena. Obi-Wan shook his head at Anakin as his padawan turned his way.

"Good job," Obi-Wan said, voice laced with fake enthusiasm.

"I tried, Master." Anakin nodded to the clone. "We came here to rescue this version of you. I think him getting caught tells us something about your personality."

From where she was strapped, Brye could not see Obi-Wan raise his eyebrows, but she knew he had done so. The way they conversed took her aback, just had it done on Kamino. She and Kollen had a tight relationship thanks to their pairing, but with Obi-Wan and Anakin the line between Master and padawan was somewhat blurry.

Not that Brye minded. In fact, she would have been envious had she not been so thankful of her bond with Kollen.

"Oh, I doubt it. These clones are missing the real high point of my personality," Obi-Wan said.

"What's that?" Anakin's chains shook. He must have been turning to face Obi-Wan.

"The restraint which stops me from letting these Geonosians have their way with you. Now, do be quite. I'm trying to listen to the Count."

Brye craned her head towards the small balcony across the arena. Thanks to the limited number of pillars, she had been attached to the same structure as the clone. He blocked most of her view, squirming against his restraints.

She knew she should say something, to tell him to calm down. But Brye did not think her words would calm him. The clone was stubborn. He had left Kamino in search of this bounty hunter and he had ignored every message telling him to return.

What had Obi-Wan called the other clone? Ben, she remembered. She had to stop thinking about the clones as clones. As a living breathing thing, it was imperative he was protected during whatever fight was coming.

"We called him Clonie-Wan," Anakin said. He had drifted around his pillar and Brye shifted under his gaze, aware he was likely trying to guess how well she would cope in battle. "He seems to like it."

"Anakin, that is not responsible," Obi-Wan interjected. "Nor am I comfortable with it."

"I have not been comfortable since arriving here," Brye said, more to herself than to the others. The Senator was the only one who did not voice any concern, and Brye was not surprised to find her working on a scheme of her own.

"That landing did make me feel queasy."

Brye twisted, the cold metal digging into her skin. "I was referring to the hospitality of the locals, that battle droid factory and," she shook her hands, "this."

"When you spend as much time with Anakin as I do, you start to forget about the bigger picture."

Gateways at the far end of the arena groaned as they were lifted. Brye could only see the last of them, but she gathered three doorways had been opened from what she heard. Anakin and Obi-Wan stopped bickering, if only for a moment.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Anakin said.

"What is that?" Brye squinted against the sun. She could see a shadow crossing the land at the other end of the arena. What was creating the darkness, however, remained a mystery.

"You take the one on the left," Obi-Wan said. "I'll take the one on the right."

The rest of their conversation was lost to Brye. The ground shook beneath her feet, the sound of heavy steps hammering against the ground. A beast, she guessed. Some terrible beast had been set upon them.

Not just one.

Three gates. Three creatures.

Brye twisted just in time to see Anakin leap into the air. He landed on the back of the charging beast - a reek, Brye knew thanks to Kollen's endless lessons. That was the one on the right. Now all she had to do was locate the others, protect the clone-

Clonie-Wan let out a cry and Brye pivoted, sand picking up around her feet. A green limb swung at Clonie-Wan and he ducked to avoid it. His shoulder hit the pillar, giving her the chance she needed to kick around him. Her foot cracked against the creature's leg, doing her more damage than it.

"Kicking things doesn't always work!" Clonie-Wan commented.

"Obi-Wan!" She flinched as the limb came again, this time swinging high. The beast did not have its attention pinned on her nor Clonie-Wan, meaning the true Master Kenobi was in trouble.

Suddenly she was flying backward. Brye's hip connected with the pillar and she screamed, a wave of pain cursing through her. She jutted her head back, hair falling out of her eyes, and found Clonie-Wan with his palm outstretched.

The sharp end of the green limb hit where she had been standing a heartbeat before.

"Graceful," Obi-Wan said, ducking under an attacking limb. As he drew closer, the creature came with him, its many legs swinging after the Jedi. "I'll have to make sure Master Yoda teaches these clones a thing or two."

Metal chimed as it was struck by one of the limbs. Clonie-Wan fell forward and Obi-Wan pushed him aside to stop him from being skewered. Stuck in place, Brye could only watch Obi-Wan direct the clone out of her line of sight.

Alone, Brye sucked in a deep breath. She steadied herself, focusing on her surroundings. Three gates. Three creatures - two of which were occupied thanks to Obi-Wan and Anakin. The last one had failed to show itself.

The Senator, Brye remembered. She opened her eyes and did her best to see the last pillar, only to find no sign of Amidala. The woman had managed to escape the clutched of death somehow. Brye was not embarrassed to admit she was impressed.

She twisted her fingers around the chain and pulled herself up. Feet off the ground, she swung herself around the pillar and kicked off the opposing one, catching the attention of the acklay. 

The beast swung, its hit missing Brye and hitting the chain hanging above her as she fell to the ground. She recovered her balance as quickly as she could, her release making her stumble somewhat. Her hands remained locked in the handcuffs, but she spurred herself onward all the same.

She had a job to do.