Date: Wed, 8 Jun 1994 09:54:23 EDT Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Brian Macleod Subject: Force of Quickening (part one) Well, here goes nothing... F O R C E O F Q U I C K E N I N G (part 1) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Once more the bounty hunter's ship corkscrewed out of Luke's sights, the air directly behind the ship turning into a superheated cloud of vapor. Luke felt that his inaccuracies were due to his still unfamiliar artificial hand. The hand that replaced the one lost to Vader's blade. Vader. His father? Luke snapped out of his thoughts as his X-wing was rocked by a concussion missle blast, his shields overloading with the damage. The _Slave One_, Boba Fett's ship, spiraled past him after its successful attack run, already jumping into hyperspace. Artoo warbled a message to Luke. "Yes, I know, Artoo!!" Luke bit out, struggling against the controls, "We're going to have to find some place near to set her down!" Artoo beeped his reply, urging Luke toward the third planet of the system they were crossing through. "Should....be able... to make it!" Luke stammered, the fighter craft's controls taking the majority of his strength and concentration. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Luke transversed the forest floor alone, reaching out with his Jedi senses to the fullest extent. He had left Artoo and his lightsaber behind. The plan- et they were on seemed to be rather low-tech by modern standards. Luke didn't want to attract any more attention than neccesary. His only weapon was a small and easily concealed vibroblade hidden in his tan jumpsuit. A commotion up ahead focused Luke's attention... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Duncan and Ritchie walked side-by-side through the asiles, glancing at the assorted wears assembled for sale. Ritchie stopped to look at a pair of throwing knives laid out by a local smith. "They're junk, Ritchie," whispered Duncan into the youngster's ear, "just trinkets." Ritchie thanked the merchant and politely moved on, resisting the urge to grab a pair "for the road." The day was turning out less than perfect. three days ago the pair had started arguing about the whole "Mako" affair once more. It was the first time it had been mentioned since Ritchie had come back, almost a year before. Ritchie suggested that they go visit the annual Renaissance Fair in a local town. Duncan hesitated, but Ritchie was able to talk him into it. Now Ritchie regretted the entire idea. Duncan did nothing but complain the entire day, arguing the technical points that the fair participents were violating. "It wasn't like that," or "where'd they get such a ridiculous cos- tume" seemed to be Duncan's phrases of the day. "Fine, Mr.I've been alive 400 years" thought Ritchie, "_YOU_ organize one of these fairs and _YOU_ tell us what it 'really' was like back then." "Look, why don't we head back to the dojo, Ritchie," Duncan suggested. "The day's only half over! We haven't even seen the jousting tournament yet!" complained Ritchie, "Look, _you_ head back to the dojo, allright? I'll stick around here and hitch a ride home later." "Fine" bit off Duncan, and he turned and stode through the crowd, brown trenchcoat flapping in the wind. Ritchie wandered around for an hour or so, grabbing a bite to eat (and grabbing a pair of throwing knives for the collection) and checking out the festivities. He was concentrating on a cute blonde working one of the booths, trying to find a pick-up line that worked better than, "Hi, I'm an immortal, can I spend a century with you?" All of a sudden he stopped, feeling the buzz rush through him. Ritchie turned to look. There. One of the knights standing by the jousting ring. The immortal turned to stare at Ritchie, eyeing him up. Ritchie turned and headed for the edge of the fairgrounds. "Not now," he thought, "where's Mac when you need him!" "Screw Macleod," a voice in his head barked, "you can take this guy." "Yeah, well I'm just glad I decided to wear the new trench today." Ritchie advanced into the shadows of the forest and waited for his adver- sary to arrive. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well, that's all for now. E-mail me with any and all suggestions! _________________________________________________________________________ "I PULLED MY COAT AROUND MY SHOULDERS AND TOOK A WALK THROUGH THE PARK. THE LEAVES WERE FALLING AROUND ME THE GROANING CITY IN THE GATHERING DARK." -DON HENLEY, "NEW YORK MINUTE" _____________________________________________________________ BRIAN MACLEOD OF THE CLAN MACLEOD, MACLEOD@TEMPLEVM ------------------------------------------------------------- =========================================================================