Well, thanks to the interest of the following reader/reviewers: Jedi Knight 13, Mo Angel, jedi josh, Jedi Daughter1, Star Wars Forever, starwarsforlife; a new reviewer - Vixen, Jedi Angel 001, and Padme1958, another installment is ready. As always I am very, very grateful for your continuing interest! You are all just awesome!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! So onto chapter 9!
Chapter 9 – The Price of Defiance
It was near dark as the figure made his way stealthily back to the battered ship. With one last look around to be sure he had not been followed, he slipped down into the ravine where they had landed several hours earlier. The shadows here were deeper, making it harder for anyone who may still have followed, but he glanced around again anyway before pulling a comlink from a pouch to alert his companions of his return. By the time he reached the derelict craft, the boarding ramp was down; with one last furtive glance around, he stepped up onto the ramp.
"Well?" The pilot questioned.
"The new arrival waited until the ramp had closed before answering, "An order for a woman was placed with a slave broker several days ago; in the event that this woman was unavailable, a second order was placed for a Jedi underling with the same broker." He began.
"What else?" The female interjected.
"The order for the woman could not be filled, but the one for the underling was filled yesterday morning and the transaction completed shortly after mid day." He continued.
"Well that changes things." The female surmised.
"Definitely." The new arrival replied.
"And the meeting?" The pilot queried.
"The meeting took place on schedule, and he has agreed to the Hutts' terms." The other answered.
"Is he still alone?" The female asked.
"A dark blue ship that could not be identified was reported entering the Tatoo system just after dawn this morning, and was seen heading out over the desert beyond Mos Eisley a short time later." The other told them.
"What do we do now then?" The female asked.
"Wait for new instructions." The returning companion informed them.
--
Soon after Ferri was returned to his cell, the pig-nosed guards returned to refill his water bucket and leave a small bowl of greasy broth. As hungry as he was, Ferri could not force himself to even taste it and he finally poured it into the corner drain. As time wore on, the chill that had invaded the cell the day before returned, and Ferri assumed the suns had again set. The music began soon after and the party above him seemed to be in full swing when the pig-nosed guards appeared once more, "Your presence is requested above." The leader informed him as he unlocked his leg restraints and pulled him to his feet.
Without protest or resistance, he was led out and up the now familiar steps; the room was crowded with various alien species and the guards pushed their way through, leading their captive to Jabba's platform. Seated in front of the great beast was a scantily clad female Chagrian who turned to whisper something to the Hutt as Ferri was brought forward. The Hutt laughed, "Unda! Se vanna to sha!" He boomed.
The guards shoved him closer before pushing him to his knees, and he immediately lowered his head to the floor. Jabba laughed again and the Chagrian laughed with him, "Ve se, unda? The Hutt said, "Na sprita, hmm?"
Ferri remained in his subservient position, feeling the press of Jabba's guests moving to catch a glimpse of Jabba's newest possession, "Utta va." Jabba went on, and Ferri guessed it must have been an order because he was quickly pulled back to his feet and turned him toward the crowd.
The Hutt then said something quietly to his Twi'lek aide who raised his arms to quiet the room, "She vassa Larda Jabba!" He announced.
"Toda me grassa tola!" Jabba told his guests.
The room exploded with applause which the Twi'lek silenced with quick gesture, "Se ven mekka to Jedi Skywalker!" Jabba continued and the guests again applauded enthusiastically.
When the Twi'lek again silenced them, Jabba pointed to Ferri, "Te Unda da Skywalker; me slava!" Jabba exclaimed, "Jedi vexa Hutts si boonta ava punta rak!"
Jabba's guests clapped and cheered as Jabba added laughter to the din, until the Twi'lek once more called for silence, "Dis Republica ve banta poodu!" Jabba said, "Ent Skywalker es nata!"
Ferri could only guess at what exactly Jabba had said, but he was fairly certain that it was not complimentary, "Fortu, Unda bis." Jabba murmured.
The Twi'lek smiled, "Lord Jabba would like you to know what he just said." He told Ferri.
"I think I can figure it out for myself." Ferri retorted.
"Oh I am sure you could; however, Jabba wishes for you to hear it in his own words." The Twi'lek replied, "You would not wish to displease your master, would you?"
Ferri snorted, "I have a master already, thank you." He said.
"May I remind you that Lord Jabba bought and paid for you; he is your master now." The Twi'lek said pleasantly.
"Right, well, that's a matter for debate." Ferri countered and then shrugged, "But if J...Lord Jabba insists, I'm not in a position to say no."
"A wise choice." The Twi'lek observed.
"Yeah, yeah; just get on with it." Ferri prompted.
The Twi'lek frowned, "Careful, Underling; you are close to crossing the line." He warned.
Ferri bowed, "My apologies." He said, forcing himself to sound sincere.
"Excellent! Now, Lord Jabba has announced that he will soon gain a great victory. He has lured the Jedi, Skywalker here and taken you as his slave. Soon, Skywalker will show all of Tatooine how weak the Republic and the Jedi are when he competes in the Boonta Eve Pod Race representing the Hutts." The Twi'lek translated and then smiled again, "Jabba the Hutt says the Republic is bantha crap, and Skywalker is a fool."
The young Jedi turned slowly back toward the Hutt who had started to laugh again, "Laugh while you can, you fat disgusting slug." He declared, "Anakin Skywalker will never do anything for you. You're the one who's a fool if you actually think he will."
Jabba growled, "Ootta!" He ordered with a gesture to his guards.
The first blow brought Ferri to his knees, but he glared up at the Hutt, "Is that the best you can do?" He demanded, smiling defiantly.
The second blow knocked him to floor, and still he managed to raise his head and laugh.
The third silenced his laughter.
The fourth plunged him into darkness.
He never felt the fifth...or the sixth.
--
Anakin rubbed the back of his neck as he stood on the ledge above the courtyard. The suns had set some time ago, but he was reluctant to join the others inside, "Anakin, I'm getting ready to power down; you should come back in." Owen called up to him.
"Alright, I'm coming." Anakin answered, then sighed and with one last look around, he slipped through the doorway.
"Are you feeling alright?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Not really." Anakin replied, rubbing the back of neck again.
Obi-Wan looked at him in concern, "Headache?"
"Yeah." His friend admitted, "And I can't tell whether it's actually mine, or Ferri's."
"I know you're worried, Anakin; but the Hutts are not stupid, I do not believe they are foolish enough to hurt him." Obi-Wan said, gripping the younger man's shoulder.
Anakin sighed, "I hope you're right. I'll just feel a lot better when we've gotten him out of there." He answered.
"I know this; but we must have patience and tread carefully." Obi-Wan advised.
"Patience. I've never been very good at patience, Master." Anakin reminded him.
"Yes, I know this as well." Obi-Wan replied with smile, "Perhaps a little meditation will ease your headache."
"Your answer to everything is meditation." Anakin stated , annoyance creeping into his tone.
"Meditation brings clarity, Anakin." Obi-Wan counseled patiently.
"What happened to Ferri is already clear; I don't need any more clarity." Anakin retorted, shaking Obi-Wan's hand from his shoulder and stalking out.
Obi-Wan shook his head and sighed, "He's just worried, Obi-Wan." Padme told him.
"I have known him since he was a boy, and he has never learned how to balance his emotions." Obi-Wan said and then shook his head again, "It was my place to teach him this, and in this, I have failed him."
"Anakin doesn't believe that, Obi-Wan; you shouldn't either." Padme insisted.
"It is a truth that cannot be denied, Padme." Obi-Wan countered with a sad smile, "And now Ferri's best chance depends on an ability Anakin was never properly taught."
"Obi-Wan..." Padme began.
"Well, maybe we should all get some rest; tomorrow will be a busy day." Cleigg interjected, effectively ending the conversation.
--
Later, as Padme slept beside him, Anakin lay awake; guilt over his failure to protect his apprentice, and the difficulty they faced in his rescue preyed upon his mind. That he had earlier snapped at his best friend added to his anxiety. Padme stirred and rolled over and rested her head on his chest, "Go to sleep, Annie." She murmured.
"I'm trying." Anakin replied.
She stroked his chest, "You need to rest, Anakin."
"And how much rest is Ferri getting?" Anakin retorted angrily.
"Calm down." Padme said, reaching up to stroke his cheek, "You won't do Ferri any good if you don't get some sleep."
Anakin closed his eyes and breathed deeply, "You're right; I'm sorry. First I turn on Obi-Wan, and now you; I just can't stand the thought of Ferri..." He trailed off.
"We both understand, love; it's alright. Just rest." Padme whispered as she continued to stroke his cheek, "Relax and sleep."
Anakin sighed and he allowed himself to be soothed by her touch. Soon afterwards, sleep found them both.
--
Jabba the Hutt watched as punishment was administered to his newest slave. That the underling was spirited was initially amusing, but that he had proven to be insolent was annoying. The first strike did nothing more than force the boy to his knees, and though the second floored him, he continued to mock the Hutt with his laughter. He managed a defiant glare after the third, but at least his mocking laughter had been effectively quelled. Only the unconsciousness rendered by the fourth blow brought an end to his insolence.
"Enough!" The Hutt ordered after the guards hit him several more times.
Immediately, the punishment ceased and the guards stepped away to allow the Twi'lek to check the captive Jedi, "He lives, Lord Jabba." The Twi'lek announced.
"Does he." Jabba retorted, "Have him removed, Fortuna."
"As you wish, My Lord." The Twi'lek answered with a bow, "What will you do with him now?"
"He no longer amuses me. Contact my broker in the morning." Jabba decided.
"But, My Lord, what of Skywalker?" The Twi'lek questioned.
"What of him? My broker will find a buyer, I have only to wait until after the race to complete the sale." Jabba explained.
"And in the mean time?" The Twi'lek queried.
The Hutt laughed, "In the mean time, you may do with him whatever you wish." He answered, "Only see that he is not damaged so badly that I will not profit from his sale."
"I will take great care that does not happen." The Twi'lek assured the Hutt.
"See that you do, Fortuna; or I may choose to recover my losses by selling you." Jabba warned, "Now, remove him from my sight."
The Twi'lek bowed and gestured to the guards; two of them took the unconscious Jedi by the upper arms and dragged him from the chamber.
--
Some time later, the battered Jedi finally stirred from his position on the cold cell floor, and groggily rolled over from his back to his side. For several minutes, he struggled to recall where he was; as the fog of unconsciousness cleared, so did the memory of recent events, more specifically, his outburst in the Hutt's presence which resulted in his current condition. He remembered clearly being struck three times, and vaguely remembered the fourth shot just before he blacked out; however, his body told him the beating must have continued after he had lost the ability to feel it. It was quiet in the chamber above him and pitch dark in the cell; and so he guessed that he been unconscious for some time. He licked his lips and tried to swallow, but his throat was so dry, he nearly choked. With a groan, he rolled again, intending to push himself up with his hands, but his wrists were now bound together with the chain; a quick flex of his legs, told him his ankles were similarly bound, "Force." He gasped as he closed his eyes and brought his bound arms up to his face.
He did not move for several minutes as he gathered his thoughts together. He might still be able to get to the water bucket if the chain binding his ankles was not still attached to the ring in the floor. With only a small shred of hope, he reached down with his hands to explore that possibility. He discovered that both legs were shackled as they had been previously, with a separate chain extending from each shackle, just as they had been before; something else, it appeared bound his ankles together. For a moment, he actually believed he would be able to reach water even if the chains remained secured the floor. He would be forced to crawl, but if the chains had not been shortened, it was still within the realm of possibility. Gripping one of the chains in his hand he began to count the links leading up to the ring in the floor, estimating how many links he would need to reach the corner. To his great relief, he discovered the chain's length had not been altered, and he allowed himself a small victorious smile.
Once more he rolled onto his stomach and inched his way toward the water bucket in the corner. Dizziness and nausea forced him to stop several times before he finally reached the corner; and then had to rest again before he was able to pull himself up into a sitting position against the back wall. It had never occurred to him that the bucket would be empty until he was about to dip his hands into it, "Please." He whispered and sighed in relief as he fingertips came into contact with cool wetness.
That it was the same rank water he had been forced to drink for the past two days no longer mattered; it quenched his parched throat. With his thirst taken care of, he reached down, to run his hands once more over his ankle bindings, if he could remove the chain securing them to each other, he would be less helpless to protect himself from further abuse. A separate chain was wrapped twice around his ankles and fastened securely to both shackles; there was no way to remove it. Raising back up, Ferri was overcome by another wave of dizziness, and laid back down; the floor was hard, but the cold duracrete seemed to ease his throbbing head. He berated himself for his loss of control; he had been warned, but in anger, he had disregarded that warning. He knew he was in no position to defy the Hutt, and yet he had done so anyway. And now, because of his own stupidity, he was even more helpless than he had been before; he had paid a high price for his defiance.
"You are a fool, Ferri Cortis." He croaked as rolled over onto his right side and pulled his legs up as far as the chain would allow; then, closing his eyes, he let unconsciousness take him once again.
