Chapter 3/Escape

As I opened the door I could see both boys looked a little green. Ferus tactfully did not say anything, but Anakin could not resist.

"Could you not do that again? Please?"

I shrugged, wincing. "Hey, they do it to me all the time."

"And you let them?" He sounded incredulous.

I looked away. Ferus shot Anakin an exasperated glance.

"It's not like she has a choice in the matter, Anakin."

Anakin looked angry at Ferus's chiding tone, but apologized sheepishly to me. I made to shrug again but stopped just in time. I turned away from them and started rummaging in the large bins that were stacked against the wall. We were in the weaponry. I had seduced the guard then knocked him out when he wasn't expecting it, swiping the keys from his pocket. It made me want to gag but it worked. It appeared to make the boys want to gag as well. At least after this I would never be taken advantage of again. As long as I could find a place with good, decent people.

Anakin joined me by the bins and Ferus followed. After searching for a few seconds, Anakin held up four tube-shaped metal things and cried, "I found them!" Ferus took his reverently. I jerked my head to the door.

"Let's head out before someone sees Beefy out there."

Anakin stuck his head out the door to look at the guard. "Better lock him up in here."

I pointed to him and Ferus. "You two do that. I'll look for door to the adult quarters."

I left the boys dragging the large body of the guard into the weaponry and headed up the hallway, treading carefully and watching corners for guards. I came to the large door that barred the way into the adult slave quarters. Flinging my hand back from where I came, I shouted,

"Quick! Some slaves are attacking the weaponry! They're going to kill us all!"

The guard did not hesitate. Flinging me inside the door, he thundered off. I looked around the large foyer. I counted the doors until I came to the women's section. I knocked quietly and a beautiful lady with rich, dark hair opened the door.

"Excuse me; is there a Siri in there? The king wants to see her."

The woman rolled her painted eyes. "You mean the Tigress? She's here. I don't know why the king would want to see her, she's a case that one."

I pretended to be nonchalant. "If the king wants to see her that's not our business."

The woman nodded. "I will go get her."

I waited anxiously, glancing over my shoulder to see if Anakin or Ferus had arrived. I couldn't see them. I heard a rustle behind me and turned back to the door. A beautiful woman, whom I assumed was Siri, stood before me, hands on her hips and bright blue eyes flashing like a dozen vibro-shivs.

"Tell the 'king' I have no interest in being displayed . . ." her voice trailed off as she caught sight of something behind me.

I turned and saw Anakin and Ferus running towards us. Ferus threw something towards the women. She caught it neatly in her right hand. It was the lightsaber. She looked down at it and when she raised her eyes once more, they were shining with anticipation and gratitude. There was no time for heartfelt reunions. Just then a barrage of blaster shots were heard coming up the hallway to the door. Anakin and Ferus instantly whipped their heads around and ignited their weapons. Vivid blue and pink flooded the room with a surreal violet light. Siri's lavender lightsaber also added to the colorful array.

A line of guards came pouring into the room. I could do nothing to help so I stood back. The boys and Siri leapt to the front, blocking each ball of fire with fire of their own. I noticed the boys had formed a sort of semicircle around me. Anakin on my left, Ferus on my front. I realized they were protecting me. That startled me for a moment. These boys barely knew me yet they were risking their lives for me?

Suddenly, a slender man burst into the room. He called to us, and Anakin tossed him a lightsaber that he instantly ignited. He leaped into the fray, fighting alongside Anakin. I looked around desperately for a way out. I noticed a small door about 10 feet from us.

"That's an exit," I cried. "It leads to the courtyard!"

The Jedi did not turn to look but steadily changed their direction until they were backing up towards the door. The guards kept advancing. I tried the door and saw it was locked. I shouted as much to the Jedi and Ferus jumped back next to me, carving a circle in the door with his lightsaber. I backed out of the way. He kicked the center of the circle and that part of the door fell through to the other side.

"Get out," he yelled at me. "Quickly!"

"What about you?" I shouted back, ducking suddenly as a bolt of blaster fire hit the wall directly behind where my head had been moments earlier.

"We'll be right behind you!" He did not wait for an answer but turned back to the battle.

I sighed, but knowing I could do nothing to help, climbed through the broken door. I started running across the courtyard. There was a high wall all around the place, with an invisible electric fence around the top. I looked for the control center for the fence. Then I remembered it was in the main part of the palace. Where the king lived. I angrily hit the sheer metal wall with my fist.

Just then Ferus appeared at my side. I had never been so glad to see someone. He moved me aside gently before piercing the wall with his lightsaber. The smell of burnt metal rose to my nostrils. I made a face and stepped back. I could tell that cutting this wall was harder than cutting the door. Ferus strained on his lightsaber, his eyes shut tight, his teeth gritted, and sweat pouring down his face. I wanted to help him but I didn't know what to do.

Siri ran to us. She stuck her own lightsaber into the circle Ferus was making and went the other way. Anakin and the slender man came up soon after and held off the guards while Ferus and Siri worked. I heard a great grinding noise and I clapped my hands over my ears, turning to see what was going on. I heard someone shout my name and then searing pain ripped through my arm.

I looked down and saw that blaster fire had grazed my upper arm. I clutched at it as pain enveloped me. I started to fall forward. A pair of strong arms grabbed me and I felt myself being lifted. Everything after that faded into black oblivion.