That was a bit later then I planned, I had hoped to have this chapter finished last Friday. Annoyingly that didn't work out.
The moment Chewie finished unleashing his deafening war-cry, Han fired several quick shots at the two Inquisitors with brutal accuracy. Mara almost didn't react in time and barely managed to deflect the three blasts aimed at her head and chest. Jerec was different, he boredly batted the blaster bolts away. Leia didn't charge the Inquisitors, instead she dashed back to the blast door that Jerec had shut behind her and slashed the door, trying to cut a hole that they could escape through. As she did Jerec sprinted forward towards the three, twirling his two lightsabers and deflecting every shot fired by Han and barely avoiding the powerful shots fired from Chewie's bowcaster. Mara stood still somewhat confused at the appearance of the girl, last time she had felt a presence like this it had been that boy on Dantooine. She shook her head before sprinting forwards after Jerec. Jerec was so focused on Leia that when he got close to Han and Chewie he didn't bother to attack them, he simply threw them out the way with two well placed Force pushes.
"Young Skywalker... It seems young Anakin was very busy during the Clone Wars. Three children right under the noses of the Jedi." Jerec said, now standing directly behind Leia as she desperately tried to finish cutting through the door, "Not as foolish as your father, I have to admit."
Leia spun around to face Jerec her knuckles white as she tightly gripped her lightsabers, she slipped into a shaky Form VI Jar'Kai stance, she noticed Han and Chewie splayed out next to two separate cargo containers. Jerec sighed and deactivated the lightsaber that had once belonged to Asajj Ventress and slipped it onto his belt. He held up his own lightsaber, with it's curved hilt, in front of his face in a Form II salute. A grotesque smile spreading across Jerec's face, before he lunged forwards with a brutally fast jab towards Leia's heart. Leia barely managed to spin out the way, knocking Jerec's blade away from her with both her blades. Whirling away from Jerec, Leia managed to put some distance between Jerec and herself. Unfortunately for Leia this move didn't have the desired effect and her back slammed into a large cargo container. This managed to daze Leia somewhat, because of this when Jerec appeared in front of her again. This time striking slower, but gracefully with and overhead strike. Leia barely managed to defect his strike again, rolling away from Jerec into the hanger. As she came up from her roll she barely had time to recover or place more distance between Jerec and herself before Mara was basically on top of her. Purple blade arching towards her neck, Leia gritted her teeth as she blocked the strike with the yellow sabre in her right hand, flipping her blue blade into a reverse grip, Leia forced her body to spin bringing her blue sabre blazing down on Mara quickly followed by her yellow sabre. Leia twisted her body, kicking off and spinning through the air. Mara managed to avoid the first strike, however she was barely able to deflect the second and when Leia launched into the air and came at Mara like a deadly tornado. Mara dived out of the way, one of Leia's blades nicked Mara's left arm. Mara gritted her teeth and drew on the Force to dull her pain. Leia switched tactics, shifting to drawing Jerec and Mara away from Han and Chewie.
Twirling her 'sabres around her Leia took a deep breath and drew on the Force, strengthening her resolve as she did. Jerec leisurely walked towards Leia, trailing his lightsaber ominously along the floor leaving a glowing trail behind him. "I'm disappointed, I thought Skywalker's offspring would have more skill then this."
Leia didn't say a word, slipping into a far less shaky stance then before, this time a Form V stance with the 'sabre in her right hand in a reverse grip. Leia had managed to position herself between the two Inquisitors. Mara raised her 'sabre into a high Form V stance as she carefully approached Leia from behind, having already dealt with Leia's skill. Which wasn't at the level of a Master, however Leia still had a few years more practice then Mara having grown up around lightsabers and having several different masters teach her. Jerec twirled his blade once as he got within striking distance, his face blank. Then he suddenly spun, slashing at Leia stomach. Leia blocked the strike with both her 'sabres with crossed blades. Pushing Jerec's blade away, quickly going on a desperate offensive. Leia's blue and yellow blades flashing as she whirled in a brutal tornado, frustratingly Jerec met every single one of her strikes with his own blade.
"Go on, Skywalker. Use that frustration." Jerec goaded Leia, before guiding Leia's blades downwards and kicking her hard in the stomach. Leia barely managed leap backwards enough to avoid the full force of the kick. Slightly winded Leia stumbled backwards, away from Jerec, but towards Mara. Mara took this opportunity to strike, striking at Leia's head from behind. Leia managed to block the attack by crouching and crossing her blades over her head. Pushing the blade up Leia spun and kicked Mara square in the chest knocking her flat on her back. The moment Mara's back hit the floor a familiar hate filled voice filled her mind, "Pitiful young one. I expected better."
Before Leia could do anything further to Mara, Jerec was back within striking distance and struck again with a Force enhanced strike that Leia barely managed to block the attack. Surprising Jerec, Leia displayed a surprising amount of agility, Leia used Jerec's lightsaber as a springboard and flipped over him before spinning and slashing at his back. Both her sabres were met by Jerec's as he spun around with almost unnatural speed, thrusting out a hand he sent Leia flying across the hanger to slam into the now damaged door. The moment her head made contact with the door the everything went black.
"I'm disappointed in you Mara, you shouldn't have been beaten so easily." Jerec said turning to face Mara as she forced herself to her feet, "Come, bring the girl."
"Yes master." Mara said bowling her head, "What of the Wookie and man?'
"I don't care, they are just her pilots. Kill them or leave them, I'll let you choose." Jerec said dismissively, "Whatever you choose, do it quickly."
Mara looked to Han and Chewie, shook her head and decided to just get Leia. Holding out her hands both of Leia's lightsabers flew to her hands from where they hand dropped from Leia's hands, she examined them for a moment before throwing one to the side, the hilt clattering as it landed, and attaching the other to her belt. Walking up to Leia Mara knelt and closely examined her face, "Why does my Master want you?" Mara thought to herself, shrugging off the question Mara did as she had been trained to and drew strength from the Force, Mara lifted Leia and unceremoniously threw her over her shoulder. Mara jogged quickly after Jerec who was already striding back across the hanger to the door that they had entered through earlier.
Across the Galaxy three beings felt the exact moment Leia's head slammed against the hanger door. Luke cried out, startling Obi-Wan who had been meditating to pass the time until they reached Mandalore. On and above Lehon both Alex and Revan felt it as well. They had felt Leia's panic and fear resonating like tidal wave across their familial bond, then as suddenly as it had come it was gone, replaced by nothing. The level of Leia's fear had been so powerful that when it stopped it felt as if there was nothing there anymore. The feeling was the worst for Luke, who had been hoping he would make it before something happened. Luke released a wave of despair through the Force that would have overwhelmed Luke when he started to unintentionally channel the Dark side. Obi-Wan grabbed Luke, "Luke!"
When shouting his name failed to elicit a response Obi-Wan shook the boy by his shoulders almost throttling Luke. This worked bringing Luke back to himself, "Leia's gone." Luke said despondently, his shoulders drooping and his eyes going blank, tears welling up around the corners of his eyes.
"Calm down Luke, breathe." Obi-Wan said this as soothingly as he could, holding onto Luke's shoulders, "What happened?"
Luke took a deep shuddering breath before he answered, "I felt something happen to Leia across our bond. She was so afraid of something, I could feel it. Then suddenly it stopped, so quickly it feels like she's gone."
"Luke I need you to concentrate, feel for your bond with Leia." Luke nodded and closed his eyes, feeling for his bond with Leia. It took him a few seconds and the bond was weak, but he was able to find his bond with Leia.
Luke's entire body slumped in relief, "She's alive." Luke said finally allowing himself breath a sigh of relief.
"We'll be exiting hyperspace in a few minutes, be ready for anything. Remember what I told you about controlling your presence. It should be enough to fool any Inquisitors planetside." Obi-Wan said calmly, though in the back of his mind he had started to formulate a plan to find the other Skywalker twin. Easing the hyperspace leaver back, Obi-Wan watched as the stars came back into view and Mandalore loomed in the cockpit viewport. Obi-Wan flew the Twilight II to Mandalore's surface along a practiced route that traversed essentially the entire planet, avoiding any Imperial contact as he did. Trailing through the desert sands as he flew the Twilight II as low as possible enjoying the view of Mandalore, the world he had traversed at least twice during his first stay, when he had first met Sabine all those years ago. "Luke take the controls, fly low. I have a feeling I know where we're headed."
Luke raised an eyebrow at Obi-Wan's comment, but decided to say nothing choosing to focus of flying instead. Allowing the Force to guide him Luke piloted the Twilight II quickly through the deserts of Mandalore, heading unknowingly towards Sundari.
In a specially build cell deep in the palace of Gar Saxon, Leia groggily opened her eyes to find Jerec standing in front of her. Despite the blindfold over the Miraluka's eyes Leia was certain he was staring at her, "Who are you?" Leia snarled at Jerec.
"I'm Grand Inquisitor Jerec. It's fascinating to know that Anakin Skywalker had more then two children, I must say I'm impressed he was able to hide you and your brother for so long." Jerec said, his voice silken. Leia just scowled at Jerec in response not saying a word, pulling at the bindings holding her arms above her head. "I wouldn't bother trying to escape, containment units like this one were used to hold Jedi during the Clone Wars. They are able to disrupt your connection to the Force, disconcerting isn't it?"
"Where are my companions?" Leia asked after short pause.
Jerec raised an eyebrow at the question, "I do not know or care. I'm more interested in what would bring a child of Skywalker to Mandalore and flaunt their power so foolishly."
Leia glared at Jerec, "I don't know what you're talking about." Leia spat at Jerec.
Jerec shook his head, "You do seem to share you're father's disrespect for your elders and betters. How Kenobi was able to put up with that boy I will never understand."
When Leia didn't reply Jerec sighed, "Personally I don't understand the Emperor's desire to control you or train you to become true Sith. He seems far too fixated on your family, he should be more interested in training those under his command."
Leia hid a small smirk, if Jerec sensed her smugness at the small amount of insight into his ideology and true goals he didn't show it. Though it was only a tiny glimpse, it was something Leia could potentially use against him. Jerec turn and left leaving Leia to ponder on his words. Once Jerec had left the room Leia returned to straining against her bonds, after growing frustrated Leia stopped and closed her eyes and attempted to reach through the Force for her brothers. That path was as frustrating as trying to escape from the containment unit, there was an annoying bussing in her mind that she couldn't quiet. "Kriffing hell!" Leia shouted in frustration.
Outside the holding cell Jerec watched Leia over a view monitor next to the holding cell door, "Interesting reaction. She still tries to escape, moving her to Coruscant will be difficult unless she is heavily sedated or completely incapacitated." Jerec commented to Mara who had been waiting attentively outside the door, successfully hiding her splitting headache.
"What does the Emperor want with her?" Mara asked frowning, the moment she asked his voice whispered to her, "Oh, my little hand. You know what I desire for the young Skywalker, after all you need a partner." With each word came a wave a of pain shooting through Mara's head. Jerec noticed her pain through the Force, but did nothing to help.
Back in the hanger across from the Falcon, Han blinked his eyes as he came to. Sitting up next to a pile of neatly stacked crates Han rubbed his head in a futile attempt to lesson the pain that spiked through his brain. Across the hanger he saw Chewie lying in a pile of crates, Han painfully forced himself to his feet. When he stood practically his entire body hurt, but he forced himself to check of his friend. Thankfully Chewie was still alive, when Han got close enough he was able to see the rise and fall of Chewie's chest. Letting out a sigh of relief Han sat down heavily on one of the boxes next to Chewie, Han started to try and remember what had happened. The last thing he remembered was running back to the Falcon with Chewie and Leia… Leia! Where was Leai? Han stood almost panicking and ran to the door, finding the partly cut hole in the door and the lightsaber that Mara had discarded earlier. Han knelt and scooped up the weapon, "She wouldn't leave this behind without a fight." Han muttered to himself.
Han walked back to Chewie and shook the Wookie till he awoke, as Han worked to wake Chewie up he started to panic thinking about what may have happened to Leia that ended with her leaving behind one of her lightsabers. Chewie woke up with a groan, "Han? What the hell happened?"
"The Inquisitors, I think they whammed us. The big one didn't even flinch at your bowcaster shots." Han answered with a frown, "Do you remember what that Revan guy said he'd do to us if we let her get hurt?"
"I think I recognised him, he used to be a Jedi, that eyeless inquisitor." Chewie said standing up and dusting off his legs, "Did you see what happened to my bowcaster?"
"No," Han held up Leia's lightsaber, "Leia is missing and this is our only clue to what happened."
Chewie looked at Han for a moment, "Then we should go talk to that Mandalorian again."
"Who Korkie?" Han asked, Chewie just nodded. Han sighed, "That may be a good idea, but he may have lead them straight to us."
"I don't think so. He doesn't seem the type, I knew his aunt from before the Clone Wars." Chewie said calmly, though to anyone who didn't understand Shyriiwook it would have sounded pretty angry.
"If you say so buddy. We need to save the Princess or that Revan will come after us himself. That guy gave me the creeps." Han said wincing, remembering his discussion with the masked Rebel leader. It hadn't exactly been particularly friendly. Just as Han and Chewie managed to get to their feet when a Corellian G9 Rigger landed next to the Falcon and two fairly familiar figures stepped off the ship, though Han only recognised Luke straight away. Luke recognised the two smugglers immediately, before running to them as they limped towards the Falcon.
"Han, what happened?" Luke asked for the moment not noticing the lightsaber still in Han's hand.
"We were ambushed by a pair of Inquisitors." Han held up Leia's lightsaber, "I think they took Leia."
Luke wordlessly held out his hand and Han placed Leia's lightsaber into Luke's hand. Luke wrapped his fingers around the familiar hilt and turned to Obi-Wan behind him. Holding out his sisters weapon Luke finally spoke, "Why would the Inquisitors take her, and where is her other 'saber?"
"Both are questions that we need answers to, however I suspect I know why they would have taken Leia." Obi-wan said taking Leia's lightsaber from Luke, sighing he continued, "The Emperor has had an obsession with your father since long before even the Clone Wars. However before we can worry about that, lets help Chewbacca and Han." As he spoke Obi-wan moved to Han's side, "We have a medical droid on the Twilight II, I'm fairly certain you have a concussion."
"I won't argue that old man." Han said earning him a raised eyebrow from Obi-Wan and a chuckle from Luke. The odd group made their way onboard the Twilight II, Luke quickly took Han and Chewie to the medway, while Obi-Wan returned to the cockpit. Keying in several layers of encryption's codes, Obi-Wan waved his hand in the general direction of the door closing it. Then tapped a single key on the holoprojector and Revan's masked face appeared.
"Obi-Wan, what news do you bring?" There was a strange edge to his voice, not that Obi-Wan blamed him.
"That's a very odd way of asking old friend," Obi-Wan commented, "The Inquisitors seem to have taken Leia prisoner, I can only imagine because of her blood line and connection to you."
Revan sighd heavily and two hands appeared gripping the edges of the mask before slowly pulling it off, "Please bring her back Obi-Wan."
"Oh, I have no doubt we will. I have Luke with me after all." Obi-Wan replied without hesitation.
Quinlan Vos was now extremely annoyed. While he had eventually found a clue on this Mara Jade girl, who he vaguely remembered from the holocron lists he had kept with him when he had escaped the war with Ventress. He hadn't really payed much attention to what had actually been on the label for the Holocron and so had been been disappointed when he found he had taken one of the many Force fed list of Force sensitive children to come. He had taken to memorising sections of it when he was bored. The moment Quian's name appeared on the list was the day they left their hiding place on Felucia and moved to Dantooine and started living as farmers, though frankly it had started to drive both Asajj and Quinlan stir crazy. Each had taken to doing small bouts of policing for the local authorities, both being extremely good at detective work. Now that was a bit of a rant on the reasoning for Quinlan's extreme annoyance, though it is lacking the main reason. While he had found information on stolen children, even one he recognised he had still found nothing about his daughter. Then he had decided to go to Takodana and talk to Maz, she had helped him years before to move to Dantooine as well as helping his during his years as Jedi knight from time to time.
Quinlan brought the Lancer-class ship that Asajj had dubbed the Banshee down to land just outside Maz's castle. The landing cycle had fairly finished when Vos vaulted over his seat and sprinted to the boarding ramp. Briskly walking across the small field and through the courtyard. Quinlan practically burst through the doors to the cantina, "MAZ KANATA!" He shouted, his voice booming through the room. Maz appeared at his elbow a moment later.
"Quinlan Vos, still in search of your daughter?" Maz asked with a raised eyebrow, "Have you had any contact with your old Master?"
"He died at the start of the Clone Wars, I can't ask the dead for help." Quinlan snarled at Maz.
"Jedi Master Tholme has died more times then you know. You know very well he may have faked his death and gone into hiding. What do you know of T'ra Saa?" Maz asked looking up at Vos, as she walked backwards, leading Vos to a table.
"She was a Jedi Master when I was young. I never saw that much of her after I passed my trials." Vos admitted.
"Then I have two pieces of good information for you, Quinlan Vos." Maz said with a smile.
Back on Mandalore Luke, Han and Chewie sat with the medical droid, who was treating the two smuggler's for concussion. Han's was far worse then Chewie or at least his injuries were. While they weren't life treating in any way, Han was covered in dark bruises. As a Wookie Chewie was somewhat tougher then Han and managed to escape the same bruising as his human friend. Luke sat in the corner and meditated quietly. When the droid allowed Han to stand he joined Luke in the corner, noticing the worried frown that furrowed Luke's brow, Han knelt beside him. Waving his hand in front of Luke's face Han sighed before punching the kid lightly in the shoulder.
"What was that for?!" Luke exclaimed opening his eyes.
"I thought you'd be able to sense that coming." Han said with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "Kid worrying about her wont help, we'll find her and bring her back."
Luke let out a sigh, "I'm worried they take Leia off world before we are able to get her back, or worse torture her till she's lost completely to the dark."
"I don't get how this Force mumbo jumbo works, but she's strong. It would take a lot to make her change her view on what is right. Have a little faith on that front." Han said as reassuringly as he could. At that point Obi-Wan entered the fairly small medbay.
"What do you know of the Inquisitors you encountered?" Obi-Wan asked Han pointedly.
"Not much." Han answered.
"Can you describe how they fought or their appearances?" Obi-Wan asked frowning.
This time it was Chewie who answered with a series of growls that Luke didn't understand at all, while Obi-Wan understood enough to have a clear idea of what and who the Inquisitors may have been. "Luke was one of the Inquisitors you encountered a Miraluka?"
"I think so, though I barely saw them to be honest. Why do you ask Master?" Luke asked with a frown, "Did Chewie say something about a blind Inquisitor?"
"Indeed he did, Luke the Inquisitor you encountered had a companion right?" Obi-Wan asked stroking his beard.
"Yes, a girl with red hair and a purple lightsaber." Luke said looking at Obi-Wan curiously.
"I don't know about the purple lightsaber, but there was a girl who stood behind the man." Han said in confirmation, "I also distinctly remember that the man had two different coloured lightsabers."
"Hmm, that is interesting. Jar'Kai wasn't particularly uncommon among the Jedi, however I don't believe we have ever seen it among the Inquisitors before. They all weird those curious spinning 'sabres." Obi-Wan said, still stroking his beard, "I'm going to talk to my contact in the city, he should know."
"I'm coming with you." Luke said standing up.
Obi-Wan shook his head, "That's probably a bad idea. Stay here with Han and Chewbacca, I'll contact you with any information I receive."
"Why do you want me to just sit here? I can help!" Luke said glaring at Obi-Wan.
"You could, but I can find my way through the city faster on my own. Luke it's a matter of logic and practicality, currently you can't disguise your Force signature properly. It's wiser if you stay here with Han and Chewie. I'll contact you if I get into trouble." Obi-Wan said, silently preying that Luke would listen to him.
"Fine." Luke dropped back to the floor, letting go of his frustration as he did. He had long since learned it wouldn't help to allow his frustration to build, it often just got in the way. Luke closed his eyes and felt for Leia across their bond again, sending as much comfort as he could across to Leia. Then he felt it, Leia sending waves of reassurance to Luke that she was alive.
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May the Force be with you.
