Hey everyone! I've reached my second milestone: chapter 10! Yay! Took me awhile but it's finally here! Now I'm warning you that school is starting for me tomorrow so updates will be slower. Anyhow enjoy! Oh and I apologise for how choppy this chapter is but still I hope you like it!
Chapter 10 - Hijackers ahoy!
Alana peeked out of the hood of her cloak slightly impatiently. She was standing in front of the ship which Senator Organa was supposed to board and per her Masters request was waiting for him to show up. As Alana turned around she accidentally tripped and bumped into someone. She quickly apologised to that person without noticing that her hood had fallen off:
-Um, I'm sorry -
-Hey, it's alright.
Alana looked up to have her midnight blue eyes meet with a pair of pale green ones and see a hand being stretched out to her. A boy around her age with slightly messy obsidian black hair which reached the base of his head and pale green eyes was offering to help her smiled and thankfully grasped it, as soon as her hand clasped his she felt a jolt of the Force. A jolt she had only felt once before. He pulled her up but even when she was standing for some reason she didn't let go of his hand and neither did he let go of hers. They just stood there for a moment. He was wearing brown jeans,a pale blue shirt with a somewhat familiar insignia at the shoulder and a dark blue vest with a collar. He smiled sheepishly:
-It was partially my fault for not looking where I was going. Sorry.
-Um, it's really ok. I was too lost in thought.
-How about we call it a draw on whose fault it is?
-Sure, are you boarding the cruiser?
-Nope, but I am docking my ship with it.
-Are you allowed to do that?
-If you've registered, sure. Um, this may seem weird but have we met somewhere before?
-I think so, but I can't exactly remember.
Alana bit her lip and looked down, the cloak was completely covering her apart from the hood, which she had just noticed had fallen off. The jolt of the Force, the connection... He couldn't be, could he? He let go of her hand:
-Well, I'm sorry but I've got to go. Still got to dock my ship, bye!
-Goodbye.
As Alana watched him jog off, she pulled her hood back up. She may be on a republic planet but there still were some people who didn't like Jedi, so it was better not to stir up trouble. Thankfully out of the corner of her eye she saw a man and a droid approaching her. Her Master was coming over with J2 at his side. She smiled when they were standing right in front of her.
-Master, nice of you to come.
-Come on, Alana, you know I wouldn't stand you up.
Alana smiled brighter and nodded her head, she trusted him and he returned that trust. Suddenly her Master hugged her, pulling her close, he said:
-I'm going to miss you ribbing me.
Alana pulled back slightly and grinned:
-Don't worry when I get back I'll call you and old man twice as many times as usual.
-Ok, but you must return in one piece, you hear me?
-Loud and clear. Take care and Master?
-Yes?
Alana opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again, she shook her head smiling ruefully:
-Nothing. Stay safe.
-I should be telling you that. Alana, remember, that Sith is still out there.
A serious expression replaced Alana's smile:
-And he wants my blood.
-Exactly. Alana, whatever is happening now, it's revolving around you.
-I'll be careful. Good luck on whatever research you're doing.
-Thanks, May the Force be with you.
-May the Force be with you too.
Alana crouched down to hug J2 who at first tried to roll away, but after a moment gave up and let the girl hug him. Alana stood up and faced her Master who unexpectedly asked:
-Two lightsabers?
-It's a long story. Short version: they're both mine. I'll explain when I get back.
-Are you going to be using the Jar'Kai now?
-Yes, I've been practicing the Rising Whirlwind and such. Look, Senator Organa is here, Master I've got to go.
-Alright. Take care, don't forget to report in.
-I know, goodbye.
As Kai watched Alana walk away he smiled and said slightly sadly:
-Force, she's grown up. She can take care of herself but then why do I feel like when I see her again this Alana will be gone for good? Huh, Jaytoo?
The droid whistled in agreement. Kai watched Alana walk up to Senator Organa, take off her hood and bow, he saw the smile on her face and he saw her nod in agreement to something. Somehow Kai felt that this was the last time he'd see her so eager and free. He hoped he was wrong but after all this was the will of The Force.
Jayden walked away from the girl with the midnight blue eyes. Who was she? She seemed so familiar and that connection again. Could she really be Alana? But the way she smiled and the way she looked flustered, she didn't seem like the fierce warrior he had fought. Besides she was wearing a cloak so he couldn't see if she had lightsabers or ,there was no way that she was Alana and that was that. Jayden quickly mounted the ramp of his ship, the Crimson Storm. He sat down in the pilots seat and for a moment closed his eyes, relaxing his entire being. He hadn't noticed that he'd been tense. Unexpectedly he heard a woman's voice behind him:
-Hey, are you gonna sleep or are you going to complete the mission?
Jayden opened one eye lazily and saw a few strands of blonde hair:
-Seila. Weren't you meeting Alda with Heims? The data?
Seila made a face:
-I was but then the sappiness started and I took that as my cue to leave. We got the don't change the subject: are you going to get a move on or not?
Jayden sat up straighter and flipped a switch. The ship began to hum:
-I'm going, I'm going. See? Now unless you want to be my travel companion for the rest of the trip I suggest you get off.
-Ok,ok, I'm getting off. By the way, Jayden?
-Hm?
-You should change the shirt. It may give you away.
-Seila, we talked about this and I'm not going to hide the insignia. Perhaps I'm risking it but I'm not going to hide it. Plus, come on, how many people here know the symbol? Basically none. So nobody will recognise me.
-What if you run into that girl again?
-Alana? Hmph, I doubt it. Seila the chances of us meeting anytime soon are a million to one. I can say I'm pretty sure I won't meet her. Now get off the ship.
-Sure,sure and by the way I left the emergency bag near the ramp.
-Again? Seila I don't know how you guess what I may need but thanks. Now shoo!
-I'm going, I'm going. Don't get shot, kid.
With those parting words Seila stepped out of the ship leaving Jayden alone. He quickly flipped the switch for the ramp to close and fired up the engines. He was ready for take off. As the Crimson Storm took off Seila watched it from afar and smiled. If what she had packed in that bag was correct Jayden was in for one interesting journey.
Oh, she just couldn't wait for him to get back.
Alana sighed as she walked along the relatively empty corridors of Atlantida (that was the name of the cruiser), she was bored. All the people on board were the senators and nobles, a few representatives of different moons, droids and providing security- Clones. So in short Alana had absolutely nothing to do and no one to talk to. Alana turned the corner of the ship and nearly crashed into a clone. He was a bit different from the others, his armour was white and red. He was a clone commander, like Rex and Cody. Alana quickly apologised (what was it with her and bumping into people today?):
-Sorry, I didn't see you.
-Not a problem, Miss. Are you lost?
-No, just bored. I've got absolutely nothing to do.
-Why are you not joining the party with your parents?
Alana stared at him for a moment, bewildered, before laughing. Smiling she said:
-Sorry, you've got it all wrong. I'm not the daughter of any of the senators or representatives, my clothes definitely show that.
-I'm sorry, Miss. I don't know much about fashion.
-Eh, it's okay. There's no need to call me "Miss" my name is Alana Sheelan. I'm the Jedi.
-Ah, so you're the Jedi that was said to be joining us for additional security. Nice to meet you, General - I'm Clone Commander Arc.
-Nice to meet you, Commander Arc.
-The pleasure is mine, General Sheelan.
-Um, I'm not a general. I'm just a totally bored Padawan that has nothing to do, I'm not even a Jedi Knight yet. So please call me Alana.
-Alright, Miss Alana. Do you want to join me on the security inspection then?
-Sure that's better than doing nothing.
Alana followed commander Arc through the corridors. As they passed the clone troopers they saluted their commander and Alana could feel their curiosity in the Force directed towards her so she simply smiled. This curiosity the clones had defined them as humans, in a way that was both comforting and torturous. Tortuous because Alana understood they were sending out millions of human beings to fight for them in the war with no choice in the matter and comforting because they were not cold, heartless machines like the droids of the Separatists were. They were strictly disciplined soldiers who could think, could care about others, who had a better chance of surviving this ghastly war. Commander Arc turned to Alana and asked a trace of concern evident in his voice:
-Miss Alana, are you alright?
Alana was silent for a moment before softly saying:
-How long? How much longer is this war going to continue? How many more will die?
-Miss Alana?
-I'm so tired of this fighting, of this war. The Force is filled with anguish and sadness. I wish ... I wish I could do something to make it stop. To make the pain go away. I don't want to sound completely negative but if we carry on like this we'll end up destroying the very thing we're fighting for.
Alana lapsed into silence and Commander Arc didn't say anything, they continued walking through the corridors with Commander Arc noting things down on a data pad each time they passed a security post. Unexpectedly as they were nearing the docking ports they heard voices arguing. Alana quickly glanced at Commander Arc,who nodded, before taking off towards the source of the voices. As she ran she felt a jolt in the Force, whoever was close by that person was important, she knew that person.
Jayden inwardly rolled his eyes as he looked at the officer in charge of the docking bays. Sure, he knew that he hadn't registered (come on, what idiot would leave behind a trail when you're trying not to be found?!) but the guy could stand to indulge him a bit by at least checking the list. Another officer came up seemingly hearing the noise. He turned to his colleague:
-What's wrong?
-Well this guy says he registered while I know there was no ship of that type on our list.
-Did you check?
-I know clearly that there is now HNM model registered!
-Ok,ok, but let me check.
Jayden sighed, they were getting nowhere he didn't know if this trick would work (because sometimes it didn't) but it was his only option. Jayden closed his eyes for a moment and reached into it. The "it" was something Jayden couldn't quite describe, he called upon it when he desperately needed help and sometimes the oddest things happened. He couldn't control it, it was like an instinct. He hoped it would help him out this time. Jayden opened his eyes and focused on the officer that was checking the registration list and said firmly, drawing upon "it":
-I am on the list.
The first officer looked at him mockingly:
-Look, buddy, I know you're not on the list so drop it.
Jayden, however, was undeterred. He said again adding even more power into his words, this time he focused on both officers:
-I am on the list.
The two officers obediently repeated:
-You are on the list.
Jayden inwardly sighed in relief, it was working. He concentrated once more:
-You will -
Before Jayden could order them to go about their business a demanding girls voice cut him off:
-And what exactly is going on here?!
Both Jayden and the officers turned to look at the girl. Jayden felt a strange sensation run through him for the second time that day, she seemed really familiar somehow. She had long caramel brown hair that was pulled up in a ponytail that was tied by a midnight blue headband which matched her eyes perfectly. She wore a black dress that stopped a bit above her knees and knee-length black boots, on her arms were a pair of fingerless elbow-length grey gloves. On her grey belt hung two lightsabers. A Jedi. Jayden looked at her face closer, she looked about the same age as him and in her eyes he saw a flicker of confusion and recognition. She asked:
-Hey, aren't you the guy I met this morning?
This morning? Jayden's mind reeled back to the morning and he remembered the girl he had accidentally bumped into. It was her. But for some reason this wasn't the only thing his mind made him remember, he recalled the night when he had fought the young female Jedi. She had the same expressionate midnight blue eyes as the girl in front of him, now that he came to think of it her clothes and one of the lightsabers looked familiar too. She seriously couldn't be ,could she? Thankfully the two "idiotic morons" (as Jayden had named them in his head) saved him from answering her question:
-Oh Master Jedi, don't worry it was just a misunderstanding.
The girl lifted an eyebrow and crossed her arms:
-A misunderstanding?
-Yes, it was mainly our fault. You see, this young man had told us that he had registered and was allowed to dock but my colleague didn't believe him and neglected to check the list. I checked the list and it turns out he is authorised to dock. Please forgive our negligence!
The two officers bowed and Jayden had to hold back a laugh. He was really surprised by the amount of reverence they were showing the young Jedi but, in all honesty, this all was a bit funny. The Jedi seemed to be surprised too, from the look on her face she didn't know quite what to do. She said:
-Well, it's alright just make sure this never happens again.
-Yes, Master Jedi.
-Good. Now, you really should go about your work. While you,- she fixed Jayden with a steely glare,- please stay behind.
Jayden shrugged in response while the two officers scrambled away. Soon it was just him and the girl, he knew that she recognised him the same way he did her but why was she looking at him suspiciously. And moreover where did this connection come from? Before either of them could say anything a clone commander (Jayden deduced from the markings on his helmet) appeared beside the female Jedi.
-Miss Alana?
-Yes, Commander Arc?
-There seems to be a problem on one of the higher levels if you'll excuse me-
-Of course! It was nice meeting you, Commander.
-The same.I hope I have the honour to fight beside you one day when you become a general, Miss Alana.
Commander Arc went off somewhere leaving Jayden and the girl alone. He had called her Alana but there was no way in the world she was that Alana, right? Suddenly the girl asked him:
-Are you Force Sensitive?
-What do you mean?
-I mean can you use the Force?
-Like you Jedi? Nope, I'm just an ordinary guy. Why?
She looked away and said quietly:
-I must have been mistaken then. Anyway,- she faced him again,- who are you?
-Full name, last name or first name? Would you also like to hear my life story so far?
-Just your first name is fine. And heck no, to your life story!
Jayden laughed, this girl, she intrigued him. He held out his hand:
-I'm Jayden and you are?
-Alana, but you may have guessed that already.
She slipped her slender hand into his and they shook hands. And there it was again. That jolt, that unknown spark. Unexpectedly Alana asked:
-Did you just feel that too?
-Yeah, I've felt it every time.
Suddenly Alana looked worried and as if on cue the alarm sounded. They quickly let go of each other's hands and exchanged a glance before nodding and beginning to run
Alana raced through the numerous hallways of Atlantida aiming for the bridge with Jayden right behind her. As they ran she heard him ask:
-What do you think caused the alarm to go off?
-I don't know but I have a bad feeling about this.
As if on cue an assassin droid appeared before them and they both skidded to a halt. The droid aimed a blaster at them and spoke in it's deep mechanical voice:
-Hands up, surrender your weapons humans. This ship is under the control of the Red Hand Syndicate.
Alana and Jayden spoke in unison:
-Pirates.
The droid fired a warning blast right beside Alana's head and said:
-Drop your weapons or the next shot will kill you. This ship belongs to us, everyone aboard is our hostage, if you don't want anyone to get hurt you better do as we say. Now-
Suddenly a blaster shot sounded and the droid fell to the floor with a clank, it's head blown off. Alana turned to look at Jayden beside her who shrugged and slipped his blasters back into their holsters:
-What? He was going to start monologuing.
Alana smiled and shook her head:
-Nothing. Good shot.
-Thanks. But if the Red Hand syndicate is really here this could spell trouble.
-You know them?
-Better than I care to admit. Let's go we have to seize command of the ship.
-Right, let's go. Follow me, I know the way to the bridge. Jayden nodded and ran after Alana. Alana had memorised the ships schematics beforehand and was now immensely grateful that she had - the ship was a maze and with the Red Hand syndicate in control this was double the trouble. As she ran Alana tried to recall all she knew about the Red Hand Syndicate. They were a notorious gang of pirates and held power equal to that of the Black Suns. Unlike other gangs they were all highly trained, bloodthirsty and ruthless. They were the blood-stained elite. That's how they got their name, the Red Hand or otherwise known as the blood-stained hand. Alana knew as well as Jayden did that just by surrendering to them they were condemning everyone to death. The Red Hand would hold them all hostage, they'd use a few people for ransom, sell a few pretty faces and a couple of individuals into slavery or worse to the separatists and then they'd blow up the ship with many still inside. They never left anyone alive. So giving up wasn't an option, they had to stop them. They both knew that.
Jayden was really not looking forward to meeting any of the gang members again. He didn't want to admit it but with it being just Alana and himself they were at a distinct disadvantage even with Alana being a Jedi and him being a highly trained Mandolorian warriors/ bounty hunter. There had been a time when Jayden, while he was still very young had worked for the syndicate. They were all bloodthirsty and merciless killing machines and what's worse they enjoyed it. He hated to admit that as part of his past but it was the truth. He glanced at Alana in front of him, her body language didn't betray a trace of fear and that both worried and comforted him. If Alana and he were to be overpowered and caught they would both end up in some very unfavourable circumstances. He would most probably be killed because he had left the syndicate after betraying them as a little boy and Alana... Alana would most probably either be sold to the separatists or as a slave, she was definitely pretty enough for that. But that was just the best case scenario if they were to be caught. Suddenly Alana made a sharp turn left and Jayden had to slow down a bit so as not to crash into the wall as he turned. Geez, he thought to himself, who built this place?!
Alana veered sharply left, they were very close to the bridge and oddly enough she could sense anyone on it. It was empty and that bothered her. Just before they entered the bridge Alana stopped and so did Jayden, although he was a bit confused. Perplexed he asked:
-What's wrong?
-There's no one inside.
-Are you sure?
-Positive. I don't like this at all.
-Me too but we need to go in. Weapons at the ready?
-That better not be a question.
Alana unclipped both of her lightsaber and Jayden got out his blasters. Now armed both of them went onto the bridge. It was just as Alana had sensed, empty. There was not a soul inside. Alana walked up to the main computer and after glancing at the monitor looked back at Jayden, her face alarmed:
-Um, we may have a few rather big problems.
-What are they?
- Problem 1: the senators and all the guests are trapped in one room and are surrounded by the syndicate and it certainly doesn't look pretty. Problem 2: the clones are all knocked out in one room so we're on our own. And the biggest of them all, problem 3: the ship is wired to explode and without the deactivation sequence I can't do a thing!
-That is an issue. Let me try something, watch my back.
Alana nodded and they switched places. Jayden quickly started trying to deactivate the countdown sequence, he still remembered the wiring sequence they used but he had a sneaking suspicion that they had changed their deactivation sequence after his escape. Unfortunately he was proven right.
-Damn...
-Didn't work?
-No. It looks like-
A voice sounded cutting Jayden off:
-Like you two are trapped?
Both Jayden and Alana whipped around to see a large group of pirates and a quite few assassin droids standing at the doorway. Jayden's pale green eyes flickered with hatred:
-Aures.
-Long time no see Jayden Callen. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us with your new bounty hunting job.
Jayden felt Alana tense beside him and inwardly cursed Aures for mentioning that he was a bounty hunter. Aures saw the flicker of discomfort in Jayden's eyes and his voice dropped to a dangerous level:
-But I can assure you that the syndicate never forgot about your betrayal. And you know how we deal with traitors.
-Betrayal? I stopped you from taking millions of innocent lives Aures, you were and still are monsters. I was never truly part of you.
-Sadly I believe that's true. As much as I'd love to sit down and have a chat for old times sake I have a traitor to execute. Specifically you.
Jayden slowly pulled out his blasters so as not to draw attention to what he was doing he retorted:
-You know that not how it works Aures, I'm sure that Kiznyd would want to do that himself. Or are you saying you want to become a traitor yourself?
-Damn you, Jayden Callen! It's been 11 years and you're still as infuriating as you were when you were 6.
-And you still are a bunch of monsters.
Aures eyes suddenly flickered over to the young woman standing beside Jayden:
-Oh and who is this gem? Is she your newest partner Jayden, because if so I'd have so much more satisfaction in taking her life.
-You won't be dragging her into this Aures, she's not involved. This is between the syndicate and me.
Aures laughed and Jayden felt a shiver run up his spine. Oh how he hated that laugh. The skin on his back stung as he unwillingly recalled all the punishments he had received while hearing that laugh. It was as though his back was being torn open again and again with blood rushing down it and the excruciating pain exploding in him. He forced himself back to the present just in time to see Alana stepping forward and igniting her two lightsabers and saying her voice ringing out across the bridge:
- Deactivate the bombs at once.
Aures just laughed:
-Oh a Jedi?! The separatists will pay well for one but on the other hand you do have a pretty face and you'd go for quite a price on the black market.
-You'd have to catch me to sell me.
-Honey, I don't like announcing the odds but a little girl against all of us - I like our chances. Boys, catch her and the traitor!
The pirates and the assassin droids sprang into action at the same time as Jayden whipped out his blasters. The fight quickly became an all out kill zone. Alana and Jayden were surprisingly for the pirates holding their own until Aures cried:
-Hiaro, we're getting nowhere like this! Gas them!
Before Jayden had any time to warn Alana a gas grenade was detonated and a poisonous yellowish-brown vapour filled the room. Alana's vision swam and everything went black. The last thing she remembered was hearing Jayden calling her name.