Old Man and the Desert
Chapter 10
Location: Tatooine, Blackswan crash
Ben helplessly watched as Vader's ship took off into space. It had all happened so quickly. The parting with Thrice—the meeting with Luke—and then to loose them both on the same day, it was unthinkable. Ben should have never parted ways with her to begin with. He should have helped her look for her people. He should have helped her to investigate the crash. He should have been when she found them and stood by her side when she faced the Sith. She should not have faced her grief alone, but he was afraid.
Deep down, he was afraid of growing attached. He was afraid he would grow to like her even more than as a friend. He wanted them to be apart so that he could regain some sense of control. He knew that it was foolish, but she was the first person to really see him in years. She was both flirtatious and brash, but she was also gentle and wise. She reminded him of a time before the Clone Wars. When Jedi weren't hunted like criminals, but fought valiantly against all odds. And if there was one thing Ben knew for sure was that Thrice would fight until the bitter end. He had to try and rescue her. He owed it to her for saving him. He just prayed to the Force that Darth Vader never found out the truth about Luke's real identity.
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Location: Mos Eisley
A few hours later, Ben arrived back at Mos Eisley. He used the Force to track down Captain Solo and his first-mate Chewie. He found them at a local cantina were several beings were drinking and gambling with some strange music playing in the background. It wasn't really Ben's sort of place, but he was on a mission and really didn't care.
Confidently, he sat down in the seat opposite from Han in a booth. The space-captain was talking things over with Chewie about the Hutt, but stopped when he noticed him. Han gave him a casual grin and picked up his cup.
"So, where's Juliet, Romeo? Did she dump ya?"
Ben clutched his fists under the sleeves of his robe and released his agitation into the Force. It was hardly the time to lose his temper. He would have to trust the Force to judge him. Calmly, he took a deep breath and replied, "No. On the contrary, I am here to discuss other business. I want you to take me into the Core."
Han huffed in disbelief. "What? Are you nuts? Listen, I've got no time for troublemakers. You and your partner can go find some other ship. I don't need anymore problems with those Empire jerks."
Ben was frustrated. He had a feeling that Captain Solo would turn him down, but he didn't want to involve anybody else and Solo's ship was adequate for the job. Instead, he decided to play at Solo's weakness, his greed.
"I'll pay you."
"Oh? How much?"
The Jedi Master didn't want to come off desperate. He knew that if he folded too early then Solo would grow suspicious about the trip. He would have to play his cards right and gamble on haggling. Ben leaned back in his seat and rubbed his gingery whiskers and eyed the Captain carefully.
"How about 10,000?"
Han laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. He smugly replied, "How about you buy yourself a ticket on a tin can?"
"Fair enough. 15,000 and the ticket is for only me."
The space-pirate narrowed his brow. He looked around the cantina and frowned. "Say, what did happen between you two anyway? I mean, she's kind of witch, but she looked sweet on you."
Exasperated, Ben replied, "If you must know, some rather bad people took her. She was taken to the Core. Now I have to rescue her and the boy too."
Han was shocked. He wasn't expecting that kind of explanation. He leaned forward onto the table and asked, "What people? What boy?"
"Who do you think?"
Han sighed, it just had to be the Empire. Han then turned to share a look with Chewie. The Wookie groaned deep in his throat while Han inwardly waged war with his conscious. He normally didn't stick his neck out for other people, but he had a gut feeling that Ben and his partner were in over their heads. They seemed like the type that could take care of themselves, but they sort of grew on him and the story about some kid being involved put him over the edge.
He then gave Ben a dirty look and pointed his finger at him aggressively and said, "Look. I don't like trouble. And I don't do charity either, but I'll give you a lift. Then afterwards you're on your own. And I'm doing it for 20!"
In response, Ben was genuinely surprised. He didn't think the space-captain would agree. Though, the Jedi wasn't about to argue. Instantly, he offered Solo his hand to seal the deal and he accepted.
"Deal."
Han took it, but had a funny feeling he might regret it later on. Though, on the bright side Ben's offer was a lot better then the Hutt. With luck he may not have to go to Jabba for a loan after all.
XXX
Location: Imperial battleship, Core space
Thrice awoken inside a cell. Her head was throbbing and dry blood was caked on to her nose and chin. Slowly, she got up and held her head. Her head was spinning, but gradually it started to clear. She gently placed her forehead against the cool metal of the wall and pressed her hand down to her side to check for her sword. It was gone. Her blaster as well.
"Seven rings of hell…"
"Are you all right?"
The she-warrior turned her head to the side and saw that it was a boy. She hadn't noticed him before, but he looked half-grown with sandy hair and blue eyes. He was dressed in a plain white tunic and pants and looked worried.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Luke. Who're you?"
"Thrice."
Luke watched as Thrice move to sit back down on the bench in the cell. She had a dark bruise on her left cheek and she was wiping away the dried blood from under her nose and lips. He thought she was a strange girl. She was dressed like a fighter and she wasn't human. He didn't know why the Empire wanted her.
"Why did those men take you?"
"I don't know."
"Then why were you fighting?"
Irked, she replied, "The Emperor killed my people. They'll probably try to kill me too."
The teen was disturbed. He didn't want anybody to get killed. He just wanted to go back home and see Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen again. The crash site wasn't anything like he imagined and the Imperial troops were heartless and mean. They weren't like what the holo-vids said.
Suddenly, the door opened and in walked Darth Vader and Darth Sidious. She saw that they had another prisoner with them. It was man who looked tired and worn. Thrice recognized him. She sprang to her feet and inched closer to the force field.
"Lord Blackswan!"
"T-Thrice?"
The meek scientist lifted his head and peered up at her in disbelief. He then walked towards her and dropped to his knees in front of her cell. Tears of joy began to fall down his face.
"Thrice…it is you. Oh, heaven and earth, I thought they were lying."
Darth Sidious pointed at Lord Blackswan and said, "Remember our bargain, Lord Swan."
The scientist suddenly looked very sad. Thrice bent down to face him and softly asked, "What bargain? I don't understand."
Lord Blackswan answered, "The Emperor wants me to work for him and I want you to obey him too. For now on you will serve Darth Sidious. He is your new master now."
Thrice was wide-eyed with disbelief. Lord Blackswan couldn't possibly be asking her serve their enemy. It went against everything that they believe in. Yet, the war-maiden would not abandon her faith. She believed in her Maker. He was her father, teacher and master. As far as she was concerned there was no man more worthy of her obedience.
"As you wish, my lord."
"Excellent," stated Darth Sidious. "There is nothing more gratifying then a servant who knows her place. Lord Vader, take the good doctor back to his room."
Submissively, Vader replied, "Yes, Master," before guiding the worn scientist away.
Meanwhile, Thrice couldn't help following Lord Swan's movements with her keen red eyes. It pained her to see her father treated so poorly, but there was nothing she could do. She was trapped though not just physically, but by her word.
Yet, a second later, Darth Sidious lowered the force field on the cell and she was free. Thrice stepped out cautious and glared at the Sith Lord with ruby eyes filled with hate. In response, the Emperor grinned. He liked the hatred in her eyes. It made her seem like a Sith.
"Come, my warrior. I have plans for you."
"What about the boy?"
Sidious was surprised by her question and asked, "What about him?"
Thrice boldly approached him and said, "I want to keep him as my servant."
The Dark Lord was amused by her request and with an air of indifference turned to exit the room. He dismissively replied, "Do as you like, my dear. The boy is worthless."
XXX
TBC
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Find out next time as Ben takes a trip back behind enemy lines to the Core. How will he rescue Thrice and Luke? Will Vader find out that Luke is his son? And what does the Emperor have in store for Thrice and Lord Swan? Wait and see in Chapter 11.
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