CHAPTER 11
Shadow woke up to blackness, chilled not because of the open window, but because of the what actually jolted him awake—his dream. He swallowed, feeling his body radiate with a warmth that would only keep one awake. His heartbeat was erratic, his body trembled, and his mind could only focus on the darkness swelling from the dream.
His vision depicted the scene when he'd return to Coruscant, and his search for Ahsoka turned out useless. Shadow found himself wandering a shipping port where dozens of massive containers spread as far as the eye could see. It felt real. Starting from the irritable droning from the crane, to the cold gathered in the metal canisters when he touched them, and the horror that laid before him beneath a dimming lamp.
As he was walking, he noticed something sprawled out on the ground. The light overhead was faint, making the object look more like something black jutting from the dark concrete. But as he walked closer, the item seemed to change to a body in his eyes, a figure that was far too familiar.
He saw Ahsoka, all bloodied and limp.
Shadow soundlessly eased off his bed, tossing the covers aside and getting up. He couldn't sit in this room wallowing away in his nightmare. He needed to do something; he needed to clear his head. As he exited his room, his mind thought of what he felt when he saw Ahsoka in the dream-scape. He recalled the terror that gripped his heart; the cry that rose from his lips as he gathered her in his arms.
He was heartbroken. And now, in the cold reality he crept through, his heart's pounding gradually eased in relief, knowing she was still alive. Deep down he knew she was.
He wandered outside, bare feet touching the ground, and his open chest exposed to the night breeze. He continued walking forward and into the field. Shadow didn't know what else to do but practice the combat moves Rogen taught a few days earlier. The better he perfected it, the better chance he stood in battle.
A flat area lay near the center of the field, circular and the space to train with more than one person. It's ground was bare soil, which made the area even better. Rogen had uprooted the grass to create this mini arena.
Shadow stood at the center, closing his eyes for a moment to draw in the Force to completely awaken him. His muscles grew taut, and as his eyes opened, his hands—formed into fists—shot out in the air at an imaginary opponent. In his mind he imaged striking around the chest and driving the air from their lungs; his other hand would come up to strike the temple with a move so jarring, it'd send them tumbling sideways.
Next came his leg, which smoothly swept out to slam against the imaginary waistline in the air. With the amount of power he used behind the kick, while also being amplified by the Force, could do some damage there.
Shadow continued practicing, using different combos and his own spins to ensure that he'd be the victor even before the fight started. The sooner it ended the better. He continued doing his aggressive forms until the sun peeked over the horizon. By that time, his body was sweaty but nowhere near exhaustion.
He paused in his practice, watching as the sun rose up into the sky, before he decided that it was enough for the day. A nice jog sounded good to him, seeing that he had so much energy to burn through. He left the field and took off down the road, not caring about going out with bare feet or an unclothed torso. He wasn't gonna be long, really.
His path lead somewhere toward the village, but not so close. Shadow didn't know how much time passed, nor did he care. Still bundled inside him was all this energy, this desire to do something more. As he neared the first few outside buildings of the village, he had just attempted to turn around and go back when a shriek rang from deeper within; a scream filled with terror.
Shadow's gaze narrowed as he quietly crept through the narrow gap formed between town square was just a couple of home rows ahead, which seemed farther than Shadow last remembered. But then again, it'd been weeks since he last been to this place. He slipped through one narrow pathway to another until he decided for a better vantage point.
He propelled himself up soundlessly, and used the Force to muffle his landing. He kept low, and close to the chimneys puffing out smoke from morning fires. Shadow could now see the square. It looked so bare with all the booths folded up for the morning.
However, the square wasn't empty. Several people gathered around, on their knees with hands on their heads. Standing before them stood the smugglers, with guns aimed for the villagers. Shadow's blood boiled as he spotted the group's burly leader pace anxiously. He was waiting for something—or maybe someone.
From this distance, he wouldn't be able to learn anything. Shadow deduced to get to another vantage point. Quickly he scouted for another place to perch on, and seeing nothing but a narrow crevice to Barret's far right. Good enough, Shadow thought.
He slid down the slope quietly and returned to the ground and made his way stealthily toward he new vantage point. Shadow navigated through the small maze and found his way with little trouble. He kept to the darkness, careful not to tread so far forward, but also mindful not to stand so far back.
He could hear Barret's booming voice address the crowd, and by the tone in his voice, he wasn't too pleased.
"The supplies you all gave us was very poor," Barret growled, abruptly halting in his pacing to stare at the trembling people. His eyes gleamed, as if the fear appeased his thirst for power and strength. "But you're all at my mercy—I won't annihilate your village. But," he raised his hand to stop the villager's sighs of relief, "I demand your chief to give up his eldest daughter."
Murmurs of shock erupted from the villagers as they looked at one another. Shadow scrutinized the people until he spotted a girl, with her eyes frozen on Barret and her mouth on the verge of hanging open. He assumed she was the chief's eldest daughter.
"You want my daughter?" spoke up a man, one Shadow recognized from his first visit. This man was the tall, bold one who spoke up several weeks ago to Barrett. The bold farmer, Shadow silently noted, he's their actual leader.
Barret's eyes darted to the man chillingly. "We're in need of more hands in our home," he answered. "She will make a nice addition."
The farmer stood up and made his way to stand before Barret. His eyes gazed at the smuggler in defiance. "You can't have her—take me instead. I'll be just as good as a servant as her."
Shadow saw the thinking look on Barret's face, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. This village would be loosing its leader.
"That offer is tempting," Barret admitted. "Take you away from the village or take away your daughter. I like the idea of taking you away-" Shadow only blinked and he could see something scarlet protruding from the chief's back.
The villagers screamed in horror, so taken back, they were scrambling to their feet, ignoring the danger that waited for them at gunpoint A shriek of despair cried out from the chief's daughter, and Shadow couldn't help but close his eyes as a deadweight collapsed to the ground.
When Shadow's eyes reopened, Barret was cleaning his bloodied vibroblade on the chief's dirtied tunic. "Anyone else have any objections?" the smuggler laughed haughtily.
A cold silence weighed over them.
"No?" Barret gave a wicked grin. "Good." He strode toward the ground, seizing the wrist of the now-dead-chief's daughter and dragged her out. She screamed, slapping and struggling vainly. "No one's gonna save you little girl," jeered the smuggler. "Come on!"
"Asha!" screamed a woman as she shoved her way through the throng. Her hand reached out to grab the struggling teenager, but one of Barret's smugglers stopped her in her tracks. As the butt of their gun knocked the woman to the ground, and as Barret's grip tightened on Asha's wrist, Shadow couldn't take staying by anymore.
First thing he had to do: stop the follower from beating an older woman. He leaped out of the shadows like a predator, fists smoothly flying at the man. Smack, smack, smack, his arms glided smoothly to deliver the strong punches that sent this man flying to the ground.
Weapons clicked in unison as the other smugglers prepared to shoot, their aim nowhere near the villagers. By now all of them have gathered back toward the houses, wondering if they should run for cover. The woman looked up at Shadow, a grateful smile on her face.
"Thank you!" she gasped.
Shadow helped her to her feet. "Go get to safety," he ordered, and quickly he turned to face Barret, who stood scarlet-faced with Asha—who also wasn't struggling anymore.
"You!" Barret snapped through gritted teeth. "I remember you. You were with that man—travelers you said. Why are you still here?"
Shadow ignored his question. Instead, he adopted into a fighting stance. "Let her go," was all he said.
Barret howled with laughter, amused by his efforts. He tossed her aside. "Don't go anywhere," he warned her. "Or every person in this village will have the safe fate as your father." She flinched, but didn't say a word. He gazed at his guards, eyes narrowed. "Kill him."
Time slowed, and Shadow counted his opponents. One, two, three—five, he noted. As the four soldiers fired simultaneously, Shadow rolled forward and allowed the bolts hit the ground he momentarily stood on. He abruptly ended his somersault and leaped to the left. His motions were in a blur, but deadly.
A hand directed his blaster rifle elsewhere while his fist flew in to slam against his arm holding the weapon. Shadow drew closer, letting his elbow abruptly rip back against the soldier's jawline with shattering power. As he released his weapon and staggered back, Shadow leaped and slammed his foot against his chest to drive him back. He turned and flipped to elude the next wave of bolts.
The blaster rifle Shadow now had in his hand felt useless, a deadweight, but he needed to use it. He didn't want to reveal what he was so quickly. Several paces away Shadow shot a soldier. He fell, clutching his shoulder.
"Kill him!" Barret crowded, eyes narrowed as he stared in disbelief. To Shadow, he looked almost amazed.
Continuing on his course, Shadow twisted to the man standing beside him and shot him in the shoulder. Quickly he kicked away the soldier's weapon and turned to the final one, who looked like they were actually easing back, afraid Shadow would end them sooner than their fellow smugglers.
He dropped his gun and ran.
"Coward!" Barret howled after him. He gestured wildly to a couple of guards behind him to follow after him. "I'll deal with him myself!" His eyes glowed toward Shadow, nothing but cold chips of malice glowing in the irises.
Shadow couldn't help but grin as he tossed aside the blaster in his hand. I never really liked those things anyway, he silently chuckled. He took a step forward and watched the smuggler leader raise his vibroblade.
"Stop!" shouted a voice.
Shadow jerked his head, spotting Rogen easing his way through the crowd. His blood boiled in anger. Urg! Now what's he doing?
He watched his mentor step in front of him, and stand before Barret. "Is this violence necessary?" he asked coolly. He gazed at the groaning guards scattered around the ground.
"He was taking the chief's daughter," Shadow quickly explained. "He killed the chief—do you expect me to sit by and do nothing-?"
Rogen's hand silenced him, and he realized the man wasn't talking to him, but to Barret. He scowled, grumbling tartly beneath his breath, "You think this ass is gonna stop? Think again!"
"Shut up!" Rogen hissed over his shoulder before he stepped closer to Barret. "Your men are wounded. I think it's time for you to back down, Barret." There was a coolness in his voice, something so gripping that it made Barret flush deeper shades of red.
"You can't tell me what to do!" Barret spat.
"Yes, I can," Rogen mused, waving his hand.
"Yes...yes you can." Barret's tone lowered.
"You're going to leave this village alone," Rogen continued. "You won't touch the chief's daughter again.
"I'm leaving this village alone. I won't touch the chief's daughter again."
Shadow could tell Rogen was grinning.
"Good," Rogen said. "Now go." He nodded, and quickly Barret swerved around, shouting to his remaining group, "to the speeders!" The wounded managed to get on their feet, and limped their way after their leader, confused.
As Rogen returned to Shadow's side, Shadow couldn't help but chuckle, "Hey, what did you do back there?"
"Jedi mind-trick." The man smirked. "It's been a while since I've done that." His shoulders shook with brief laughter before he pivoted around to find Asha crouched beside her father's corpse. He walked over to her, knelt beside her, and whispered something inaudible to Shadow's ears. She had only nodded while wiping away some of her tears.
When Rogen returned, he glanced at Shadow. "We should leave," he announced. "We've done enough." He led the way through the crowd of villagers converging on their deceased leader, and when they were finally making their way back to the main path leading to their shelter, he decided it was a good time to talk. "What are you doing way out here?"
"Jogging," Shadow explained. He had nothing terrible to hide. "I couldn't sleep, so I went jogging."
"All night?"
"All morning, actually." Shadow folded his arms across his chest. "What? Am I not allowed near the village?"
"You should have woken me up," Rogen said. "We'd have gone together. If I'd been there, I think it'd have gone out more...smoothly."
"Really?" Shadow challenged, stopping at the top of the hill that could overlook the village and his childhood home. "Either way, people would have died. Even if you were there, the chief would still die!"
Rogen didn't say anything right away. Instead, he just paused and looked back toward the village, a long sigh stretching past his lips. "They'll be back," he announced sadly. "I know they will be."
"I thought you did that Jedi mind-trick thing on Barret." Shadow's heart sank in his chest. "I thought I was getting to go back to Coruscant."
"I did," Rogen said. "But that doesn't mean he'll regain his conscious. As much as he is weak-minded, he will, in a few days or so, realize his mistake and return to ravage this village. He's so driven on power, it'd become the only thing he knows in life."
"What happens when he comes?" Shadow asked.
"Hell will break loose," Rogen whispered. "The village, and all who live in it, will burn."
Apologies for another late chapter, but it's been a little longer since my previous ones. I haven't been able to get internet access for a couple weeks. But I will make this up for you all by adding a "Bonus" chapter. Chapter 12. I can assure you, that the next chapters will be posted sooner rather than later. The next chapter posting will be August 25th, 2014!
