Chapter Four: Yar, Me Matie
Sarah changed her tactics last minute, grabbing the blaster pistol the pirate held with one hand, and yanking Jaina away with the other. She used a pressure point in the pirate's wrist to make him drop the blaster before twisting his wrist around, forcing him into a submissive position on his knees, her blaster to his head.
Or at least, that's what she would have done, if he hadn't been a kidnapping bastard, bent on stopping her from rescuing Jaina. If he hadn't been a pirate that aided and abetted the torment of three children near and dear to Sarah's heart, she would have shown him mercy. Instead she grabbed his wrist, sliding her finger behind the trigger. A quick shot to his throat made him let go of Jaina in shock, and Sarah angled her body to protect the child.
She used her free hand to grab the same arm that held to blaster, just below the elbow, and broke his arm savagely, drawing a scream from the man, before throwing him over her hip. But she didn't let him go, she forced him down to the grounded harder than gravity would have done, knee on his rib. Then she drew her blaster again, still set on a low stun, and shot him at point blank range.
When she stood and straightened, looking for Jaina, the girl grabbed her and hugged her tightly. Sarah was shocked to notice the brunette came halfway up her abdomen, almost to her shoulder. She'd grown half a foot since Sarah had last seen her – that was when Sarah realised she hadn't visited in over a year.
I can't let things get away from me anymore, not if I want to keep the people I care about in my life. She realised with a sigh, before prying the girl away from her and crouching, looking her in the eye. "Are you alright?"
The girl nodded bravely. "How'd you know we were in trouble?"
"The Goddess warned me. Did they hurt you? Your mother and uncle said there was a Dark Jedi around here somewhere – did he hurt you?"
Jaina bit her lip, looking down the corridor, back the way she came. "They didn't hurt me, but…" She trailed off, looking uncertain.
"What is it, sweetie?" Sarah pried, anger simmering below the surface. They didn't hurt her, but? Someone was going to pay for the but.
"The Dark Jedi liked scaring us." Jaina spoke softly. Sarah was about to respond when the man on the ground groaned, beginning to wake up.
"We'll talk about it later, alright Jaina?" Sarah gave her a gentle shove towards Mara. "Go, stand near your Aunt Mara. I have to find out where your brothers are."
When the girl made her way over to the redhead, and Mara had tugged Jaina behind her, Sarah flicked the power setting on her DL-44 repeating blaster. The pirate had just opened his eyes when she pressed the barrel to his forehead, right between his eyes.
"Tell me how to get past your booby traps." Were the first words out of her mouth.
He blinked a few times, as though still waking up, and tried to free himself from her grasp, grabbing the hand that held him down, trying to pry her fingers away with his good arm. "This blaster isn't set on stun anymore. I'm not asking again. How do we get past your slippery slide?" Her voice dripped with contempt. "Trust me, I'll do it. I have no sympathy for a man who kidnapped a nine year old. And I'm sure if we come across one of those pits any time soon, your body won't be found for years."
He was sweating. "Look, I didn't mean-"
"I don't care. Answer my questions." Sarah felt Mara crouch next to her, and glanced backwards, to see Gibbs push Jaina behind him.
"This is taking too long, Sarah. Just shoot him, we'll find out own way out." The redhead gave her a nod and a quick grin.
Sarah just shrugged. "Alright. Well, you had your chance-"
"Wait! There's a secret passageway about two thirds of the way to the slip-slippery slide?" He sounded confused at Sarah's name for the trap. "It leads to a set of stairs, that'll lead back up to the passageway."
"And where are the other boys?" Sarah pressed.
"In the holding areas, unless someone's grabbed them-"
"Thanks." Sarah stepped backwards carefully, mirroring Mara, and shot him anyway. On stun, of course. When she turned around she gave a nod to the two earthlings. "Having fun yet? We might as well keep going – the holding cells must be down there somewhere."
"They split us up." Jaina supplied helpfully, and Sarah turned her full attention to the girl.
"You said the Dark Jedi was scaring you on purpose?"
"I think he got more powerful when he did." Jaina explained in a small voice, and the woman felt her eyes narrow. "Please, I don't want to talk about it…"
Holding her arms out, she crouched to Jaina's height. "Come here." When the girl obliged, Sarah stood, lifting her and ignoring her screaming shoulder. "Can you point him out if we run across him?"
The girl peered at Sarah's face, a confused expression on her own. "Why?"
"I need to know who to kill." Sarah muttered, before sighing. "Let's just find the boys."
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"We've got Jaina." Mara's voice came over the comm., and Leia felt the tight band around her chest loosen slightly. One of her children was safe. "A pirate was trying to spirit her away to safety. Apparently there's been a 'redheaded bitch murdering people'."
"Mara-"
"It wasn't me. Just ask Sarah, she's been with me the entire time." Mara leapt to her own defence.
"I wasn't going to say that." Luke shook his head in amusement. "I was going to say, watch out for the redhead."
"Who do you think you're talking to, Farmboy? Sarah's new friends? I know how to take care of myself." Leia heard scorn on her voice.
"Can I speak to Jaina?" Han's voice was heard over the comm., and Mara sighed.
"In a minute. We've just got to deal with the delivery boy."
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"Hey, sweetheart, how are you doing?" Han's voice was soft over the comm., Sarah could barely hear it as Jaina held it to her mouth.
"I'm okay, papa. Have you got Anakin and Jacen yet?"
"Not yet, sweetheart. So you're okay? No injuries, you're not hurt at all?" The exsmuggler's voice was almost anxious.
"I'm fine. Aunt Mara, Sarah and her two friends who she still hasn't introduced yet saved me from the pirate." Jaina giggled as Sarah rolled her eyes.
"Well well, Little Miss Nosy, if you really want to know, that's Gibbs and Ziva. They heard you were in trouble, and they just had to come to help." Sarah shot a look at the two NCIS agents, and smirked.
Gibbs shot her a glance before nodding to Jaina. "We don't like it when people kidnap children."
The girl sat up in Sarah's hold, causing the knight to wince at the strain the different position took on her shoulder. "I hope not. You'd be a bad person if you did."
Sarah choked back a laugh even as Gibbs gave an uncharacteristic chuckle. "I suppose you're right."
Jaina turned back to Sarah, a frown on her face. "He's weird."
"I know. Just put up with it." The knight couldn't keep the grin off of her face. It was good to have the girl safe.
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They'd just rounded yet another corner in the labyrinth when the sound of small running feet met Sarah's ears. She shared a look with Mara before passing Jaina back to Gibbs. Just in time, as the sound of blasters whining came down the corridor towards them. "It sounds like it's just around this bend." Sarah muttered to Mara.
The redhead nodded and Sarah gestured for Gibbs and Ziva to stay back, behind the corner with Jaina. When they stepped out into the corridor, Mara with her lightsaber ignited, Sarah with a shield ready, the sight they saw startled them. It wasn't Jacen, or Anakin running, but a redheaded child in lizard skin armour. No way has she been the one running around killing people… She ran towards them, pirates with blasters set on stun chasing after her. Lucky for the kid, who could be no older than Jaina, they weren't very good shots.
Sarah put up a shield, blocking any shots from hitting the girl. That didn't stop her from running straight at Sarah, fist drawn back ready to punch the woman. Which made it fortunate the pirates had seen the bright crimson shield and realised something was wrong, running the other way. "Whoa, calm down!" The knight hurriedly blocked punch after punch before grabbing the girl's hands and forcing her arms down to her sides. "I'm not going to hurt you – calm down!"
Instead of listening, the girl launched a kick at Sarah's chest, forcing her to either let go or cop a broken rib. The knight kept a hand on one of the girl's arms and spun her around, about to pick her up when the cool blade of a knife pressed to the skin behind her ear. "Let my daughter and the daughter of Leia Organa Solo and Han Solo go."
"I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding." Sarah replied evenly, voice calm even as she inwardly winced at the situation. "I'm not harming your daughter, I was merely trying to help."
"What of the Solo child? Why does your male friend not let her go?" The knife increased its pressure on her skin, but Sarah held her ground and carefully let go of the young girl.
"Gibbs, let Jaina go."
"No." The man replied. "She's staying behind me."
"Just do it-"
"No. How do we know they aren't pirates, looking to recapture them?"
"I'm rather fond of hearing, Gibbs." Sarah replied through clenched teeth.
Mara's voice came, muffled by the stone wall – Sarah assumed she was pressed against it. "Hey, kid. They actually your parents, or are they just trying to kidnap you again?"
"Mother, father." The girl nodded, and Sarah could hear a struggle from behind her.
"Jaina, stop squirming-"
"Was that Tenel Ka?"
"Jaina, my friend." The girl gave a grave nod to the brunette.
"Gibbs, let me go! These guys are friends."
"Sarah?" The man deferred to Sarah.
"I already told you to, didn't I? They've got the drop on us, I just hope Jaina's right." Sarah sighed. "I'm never going to live this down."
"Child, come here." The voice holding the knife commanded.
"Teneniel Djo, Sarah's a friend of mine, and Mara's my Aunt. Tell your husband to stop pointing the blaster at her." Jaina's voice was almost humoured, and Sarah narrowed her eyes.
"Hey, kid, don't you go telling your parents about this. I'll never live it down." The blade was removed from behind Sarah's ear, and she stood carefully, arms held by her side and hands open and weaponless. When she turned, she was looking into the fierce green eyes of another redheaded woman who was still in the motion of resheathing a vicious looking dagger. Sarah gave the woman a half smile. "Nice blade."
"It is functional."
Sarah looked the woman up and down, noting the similar armour to the young girl. "Oh, now don't tell me you're a warrior people that don't appreciate the value of a shiny, pretty knife."
The woman gave her a slow blink, and Sarah sighed. "Right. I guess you don't. Alright, well, your girl's safe, we've still got two boys to rescue, I believe in safety in numbers but I'll understand if you want to skedaddle off in your pretty space yacht and get your kid to safety."
"Who else is here looking for the Solos?" The man asked.
"Well… the Solos." Sarah replied. "As well as their uncle, Chewie and a couple of other Jedi."
"And just who are you?" The man asked Sarah suspiciously.
Sarah held her hands up placatingly as Jaina answered. "She's Sarah. We met her two years ago-"
"Let's just leave it at 'family friend', eh Jaina?" Sarah raised her eyebrows expectantly. "That other little part about my life isn't public knowledge here."
"But-"
"No buts. I'd prefer anonymity here anyway, if at all possible." Sarah sighed. "Things go downhill when everyone finds out who I am."
"But we can trust-"
"You can. I don't even know their names." The knight pointed out firmly. "Now, we're leaving it at 'family friend' until I'm a little better acquainted."
"What do you mean, 'things go downhill when everyone finds out who you are'?" Mara asked, and Sarah jerked her thumb at Gibbs and Ziva.
"Ask them. They saw my press conference."
"Press conference?" The redhead's mouth spread into a smile.
"I'd like an answer to my question." The man spoke quietly.
"My name is Sarah. That's all you need to know about me – after all, it's more than I know about you. Now we've bickered enough – we've got at least two more kids to rescue."
"Mother, father, I'd like to help Jacen Solo if I can."
"Look, kid, I can tell you've got some skills with your hands and feet, but-"
"Do not presume to belittle my daughter's training." Teneniel Djo began icily, and Sarah held up her hands again.
"Calm down, what I'm saying is that she's what, nine? Ten? These guys have blasters, and they're more than willing to use them. These guys have a Dark Jedi. Heck, I didn't even want to bring these two on this little sojourn of ours." At this Sarah nodded to Gibbs and Ziva. "Do you think a kid's got what it takes to bring down pirates? Because you obviously know her better than me, but-"
"Mother, she's right." Tenel Ka's voice was small. "She blocked all my punches, even my kick."
At this, Sarah laughed. When the young redhead turned to glare, she shook her head, unable to wipe the grin off her face. "Kid, unless I'm busy on rescue missions and whatnot, I'm training at least five hours a day with and without weapons. Don't go comparing yourself to me – I'm not your standard measuring stick. You could still kick Gibbs' a- butt. You could still kick Gibbs' butt."
"You think well of yourself." Djo commented abruptly.
"Well… yeah." Sarah shrugged and grinned. "Comes from a duelling record of zero defeats and Gods only know how many wins."
"She has a real way with people, too." Mara commented lightly. "So are we just going to stand around and chat, or…"
"Gotcha." Sarah gave the woman a nod and picked up her blaster. Then she held out her hand to Jaina. "Come on, let's go rescue your brothers. How lazy can they be, I mean, you and Tenel Ka here were as good as escaped already. What are they doing, lazing around in their cells?"
The girl gave a little giggle as she took Sarah's hand, but Teneniel Djo interceded, a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "Let me take the Solo child. We will take her safely to our ship while you aid Leia Organa and her companions in rescuing the other two Solo children."
Sarah winced and glanced at Mara. "Sorry, really, I am. But we just rescued Jaina, and… well, truthfully, I just don't trust you. You'll understand if I don't want to leave her life in the hands of a woman that I only just met."
"She will be safer with us."
"Yeah, well, forgive my ego, but she's safest with me until we can get her back to her parents." Sarah gave a patient look. "I have a lot of experience in guiding rescuees around underground caverns without them getting hurt. Heck, I only did it last week."
"Let's settle this the easy way." Mara interrupted Teneniel Djo's reply. She pulled out her comlink and flicked it on. "Leia, Sarah's taking Jaina to Tortall, alright? Oh, and we found the red head the pirate was on about. Jaina says she's Teneniel Djo – apparently her kid was nabbed too."
"Tenel Ka's here?" Sarah could almost hear the frown on Leia's voice. "Mara, if Teneniel Djo agrees, can you get Sarah to take Tenel Ka with her to Tortall? It'd be safest for both of the children-" At this, Teneniel Djo drew her daughter against her body, her eyes flashing.
"If she will not entrust your child to the hands of a stranger, why should I entrust mine?"
"Look, lady, Sarah's saved our kids lives more times than I can count-"
"It was only twice, Han." Sarah interrupted, amused. "And that's including this time. Of course, let's continue this argument, I think the pirates must know where we are by now."
"That's not a laughing matter, Sarah-" Luke began.
"It is for me. I'm in the mood for a good fight. Not a scuffle – they don't last long enough." She winked at Jaina, who giggled.
"Queen Mother," Leia began diplomatically. "It will be safest for your daughter where the pirates cannot ever find her. Sarah can take her there, but only if you trust us."
"She does not look like someone who can keep our daughter safe." The warrior woman eyed Sarah as she spoke softly. "Her stance is sloppy, her-"
"Shoulder has a hole through it, her other arm has burns all down it and her back has gashes made from the biggest damn dog you will ever see." Sarah interrupted sweetly. "And need I remind you, I have won every duel I have ever competed in, most of them against men three times my size who thought just because I'm a woman I'm weak. Trust me, I can fight." She carefully forgot to mention the matches against Mara when she first arrived in that dimension, and the matches against Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl, where she might not have won. After all, they weren't duels, so it wasn't a lie. "Look, it's your kid's life at stake here, not mine, so I can't make the decision for you. But Leia's alright with it, so I'm taking Jaina."
"Wait a minute, Sarah-" Leia's voice came through the comm., as Sarah hoisted Jaina.
"Here, kiddo, say goodbye to your mother and father." Sarah passed her her comlink, and Jaina spoke quietly to her parents for a few moments before passing it back. "You ready?"
"Ahuh." Jaina gave a nod and Sarah looked over the young girl's head to the redheaded warrior and her husband.
"Last chance." They shook their heads, and Sarah sighed. "Alright, fine." And with that, she was gone.
The moment she disappeared, Isolder started forward, as though to stop her. When he realised he was too late, he grimaced. "We should have said yes."
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Sarah reappeared at the dais of the ballroom, right beside King Jonathan's throne, where he was sitting. "Hello King O' King of mine." She gave him a big grin, and dumped Jaina on his lap. "Would you mind looking after Jaina for me for a little while?" At this she turned to Jaina, mock stern. "And you, heed your Uncle Jon's wishes, alright?"
Jon gave her a look that she correctly interpreted as 'What the hell is going on' and Sarah gave him a falsely bright smile. "What? You're as good as her uncle – you call Leia your 'Royal Cousin'. Alright, fine. Jaina, honey, heed your second cousin's wishes, alright?"
Jaina giggled and got down from Jon's lap, giving the man a wobbly bow, at which Sarah scowled. Jon just gave Sarah a look. "Sarah, what's going on-"
But she was already gone. Jon sighed and gave Jaina a look. "And what trouble have you and your brothers been getting into this time?" He asked with a smile.
"The usual." Jaina replied with a nervous one of her own.
"Ah." Jon pursed his lips and looked the girl up and down. The ball was standing still, everyone staring at the dais, and the king realised Jaina was dirty and pale.
Thayet saw it too, and stood from her seat next to Jon. "Come on, Jaina. We'll get you some clean clothes and some dinner, alright?"
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Sarah reappeared in the cave system, where Mara was waiting expectantly. "Finally. These two wanted you to take Tenel Ka, too."
"Make up your mind." Sarah muttered as she looked Teneniel Djo and Isolder over. "Do you really want a stranger disappearing with your daughter?"
"The Chief of State trusts you with hers." The man pointed out, before turning to his daughter. "Tenel Ka, I know you may not want-"
"I wish to stay with you, Father, and help rescue my friends."
"Daughter, now is not the time." The woman scolded. "You will have other opportunities to prove your skills as a warrior. Now, however-"
The child hung her head. "I will heed your wishes."
"Alright, it's settled." Sarah held out her hand to the young warrior, mirroring the gesture she had offered Jaina. "Let's go." When the girl just stared at the outstretched hand, Sarah sighed, and placed her hand on the girl's shoulder.
When she reappeared in the ballroom, to see Thayet leading Jaina out into a corridor, and Jon standing talking quietly to Raoul and Gary. When she cleared her throat, he turned, and the somewhat concerned look on his face turned into an amazed acceptance – acceptance of her eccentricities. "Got another one for you. Tenel Ka, meet King Jonathan the Fourth of Tortall. Jon, meet Tenel Ka. Tenel Ka, mind these people like you would your parents, they're only trying to help. I'll be back no later than a few hours from now."
When Sarah disappeared, Tenel Ka could hear Jon sigh gustily. "She can be so aggravating when she wants to be."
"This is a fact." Tenel Ka nodded soberly, causing Jon's face to break out into a small smile.
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When Sarah reappeared the second time, it was to stares from Isolder and Teneniel Djo. "What?"
"Where did you take them both?"
Sarah shared a glance with Mara, and in the time it took for them to communicate silently that no, perhaps now wasn't the best time for that conversation, Gibbs had already started talking. "I'm assuming it was to another dimension. That's where she goes when she disappears."
While Sarah glared at the man, Isolder floundered for something to say. Finally, he managed, "What?!"
"Thanks, Gibbs." Sarah muttered as she started down the corridor again. "We don't have time for an explanation, and you managed to tell them the one thing that needs an explanation."
Teneniel Djo stopped her forward momentum with a tight hand on her shoulder. "What did he mean?"
"Very long story very short, I'm a dimension hopper. I travel between dimensions – I took them to the one that I call home. Trust me, Jaina and Tenel Ka couldn't be in safer hands right now. But we still have two boys to rescue, so if you wouldn't mind…?" The knight gave a nod down the corridor, and when they started walking again, various weapons raised, she muttered under her breath, "I'm gonna kill Gibbs when we get out of this."
They continued deeper into the labyrinth that was the pirate base, with Teneniel Djo and Isolder on Sarah's right, Gibbs and Ziva behind them, and Mara bringing up the rear. It was just a moment before the native man started his interrogation. "You're from another-"
"Yes. Let's keep it under our hats though, alright? I'd rather not discuss it in nest of pirates." Sarah snarked. "I'll explain it all later."
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"Papa!" A small voice cried from behind the bars of a cell. Anakin's voice quavered with relief at the sight of his father, his grubby little hands stretching towards the man.
"Anakin!" Han grasped the boy's hands through the bars. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you-"
"I'm okay, but I want to go home." The boy's blue eyes were clear of tears, but his voice was choked up, as though he would burst into tears at any moment. The sound created a warm buzz of anger in Han's heart.
"We've just got to get you out of here and collect your brother, and we can go home, alright? We'll have you out in a second."
"What about Jaina?" The boy asked.
"Your Sarah and Mara have already got her. Sarah took her back to Tortall." Han explained.
"Sarah's here with you? And Aunt Mara?"
"And your mother, your Uncle Luke and Kam Solusar. And three people Sarah brought with her." The exsmuggler confirmed.
Chewie was already hotwiring the door, trying to rig it to open. After just a few moments trying, the Wookie roared in annoyance, ripping out the wires in an attempt to force the door open. It didn't work. He growled plaintively, as though to say 'it's not my fault'.
"Way to go, furball." Han muttered. "Of course the safety overrides were programmed out of these doors! It's a pirate base!"
"Han, calm down." An amused voice came from behind the pair. "Are you forgetting I'm here? Anakin, buddy, stand back."
Kyp stepped forward, lightsaber in his hand, as the young boy stepped back from the bars. A few slices from the blade and Anakin was free, leaping into his father's arms. "Come on, let's go find your mother."
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Jacen had barely let the bars hit the ground before leaping into his mother's arms. Luke extinguished his blade, placing a hand on his nephew's shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "Are Aunt Mara and Sarah here as well?" Jacen asked when he pulled back from his mother.
"Yes, they are. How did you know?" Leia asked her son, holding him at arms length.
"I could tell from Jaina. They felt familiar." The boy explained. Before Leia could respond, Han's voice came over the comm.
"We have Anakin."
"We just found Jacen." Leia said in reply. "Meet at the entrance."
"Sounds good." Mara's voice this time. "See you in – Sithspawn!"
"Mara?!"
"Mara can't talk right now. Get the kids out of here – we've got a Dark Jedi to take care of." Sarah yelled into the comm., before disconnecting.
TBC….
I'm sorry, I'm a fan of cliffies. Only when I'M the one that's writing them, I hate reading them. I know, hypocritical, but too bad. blows raspberry
I'll try to update soon (I SHOULD be doing uni work, but hey :D)