Chapter 20 Power Struggle

The cruiser dropped out of hyperspace and immediately began its descent. As it dropped into the atmosphere, it slipped through the pockets of turbulence with ease under Raymus Antilles' guidance. The two Jedi joined him on the ship's bridge to monitor the slow steady blip of the shuttle's homing beacon and were rewarded when the rhythm quickened, a sign that the cruiser was nearing the downed craft; it was not long before the Republican ship was hovering above the Mound preparing to land.

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Li paced the length of her council room as Arna related his report to her, "So they were taken by the growlers then? If our young guest had been open with us, this would not have happened." Li stated angrily.

"The growlers had been there, Li; that was apparent, but I do not believe they have the intruders." Arna replied.

"If there was no one left in the craft when you arrived, and it appeared the growlers has been inside, then what reason would there be to believe our intruders were not taken by them?" Li demanded.

"This." Arna answered and opened the palm of his hand.

Li's eyes narrowed as she snatched the item from him to examine it for herself; a small carved stone suspended from a length of braided homespun, "Park. Of course the Cavers would have seen the fall as well; I just had not expected them to act so quickly. I should have known better." She said, "I want them, Arna; the Cave Clan will use them against us."

"Do you actually believe that, Li?" Geon asked.

"Yes." Li answered firmly, "And you should know better than to question me; do I sense dissent from you, Geon?"

Geon looked at the floor, "No, of course not. Apologies, Li; I should not have doubted your judgment." She conceded.

"There is more, Li; on our return, we discovered a still growler." Arna continued.

Li waved her hand dismissively, "There is nothing new about growlers moving on; just days ago one did so in the harnessing room." She replied.

"But this one was forced to move on; there was a great wound to his chest. I have never seen such a wound." Arna expanded.

"Could the Cavers have created a new weapon without our knowledge?" Li wondered.

"I do not believe so; and even if this were possible, it is not their nature to create weapons." Geon said, "And they would certainly never still a growler."

"That is true; they have never been ones to fight. And they are soft in regards to the growlers. Perhaps I will converse again with our young dissident." Li replied.

"He had no weapon when he was felled, Li." Geon pointed out.

"That does not mean that his companion did not." Li countered, "Yes, I believe we must converse again."

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"Well, this doesn't look good." Anakin stated as he stepped inside the shuttle, "It seems whoever took Zak took all of them."

"Possibly; but if that is the case, why did you not feel similar distress from your Padawan as I felt from mine?" Obi-Wan questioned.

Anakin shook his head, "I don't know; but if they aren't with Zak, then where are they?" He asked.

Obi-Wan stretched a hand out and called something to him, "It should not be difficult to find them." He answered, dangling one of the Force inhibiting collars in Anakin's face.

Anakin grinned, "Melak wasn't as smart as he thought." He said and then gestured to the wreckage, "But what do you think did all this?"

"I am sure the answer will present itself in time; for now, we should try to see if we can track our missing Jedi." Obi-Wan replied.

"Master Skywalker; I believe you should return to the ship." Raymus Antilles hailed on Anakin's comm.

Puzzled, Anakin pulled his comm from his belt, "What is it, Captain?" He asked.

There was silence for a moment, "Anakin, please come." Padme's voice pleaded.

"Padme? What is it; what's wrong?" Anakin demanded, glancing at Obi-Wan who rubbed his beard and raised an eyebrow.

"I've just heard from Master Windu, Annie...two of our babies...oh, Annie...Luke and Haddie...are missing." Padme told him, tearfully.

"Missing? That's ridiculous; they must be hiding in the Temple somewhere." Anakin insisted.

"No, Anakin; it's been thoroughly searched. They're just...gone." Padme replied.

"What does Master Windu say?" Anakin asked, trying to remain calm for Padme's sake.

"I think that's why he contacted us; he wanted permission to talk to Leia." Padme answered.

"Leia; if anyone knows what that pair is up to, it would be her. Master Windu knows our younglings too well." Anakin said, "You did tell him it was alright."

"Yes, of course; he said he would contact us again after he is finished with her."

"It shouldn't take long; Master Windu is very persuasive." Anakin assured his worried wife.

"Are you coming back here?" Padme asked hopefully.

"No, I..." Anakin began until Obi-Wan began to nod vigorously, "I...just a moment, Padme."

He muted his comm, "Obi-Wan..."

"Return to the ship until you know what has become of your younglings; Cody and I can begin the search and you can join us once they have been located. In case you had not noticed, Padme needs you more than we do at the moment." Obi-Wan told him.

"So I just desert a mission to be with my family? What kind of Jedi does that make me?" Anakin wondered.

Obi-Wan smiled and put his hand on Anakin's shoulder, "One who must sometimes make difficult choices. You are not deserting this mission, Anakin; you are only handling a more important one first." He answered.

"Are you sure about this?" Anakin asked.

"Very sure, my brother." Obi-Wan replied.

Anakin sighed, "I will see you in a few minutes." He announced into the comm.

"Thank you, Annie." Padme answered.

Anakin replaced his comm and grasped Obi-Wan's arm, "May the Force be with you, Master." He said.

"And with you and your family, Anakin." Obi-Wan responded.

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In the Lower Council Chamber, Mace Windu scowled down at the dark haired youngling seated across from him; she stared back up at him without fear.

Mace huffed, "Do you know why I wish to speak with you?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No, Master Windu." She answered innocently.

"Are you quite sure about that, Leia Skywalker?" He questioned sternly, giving her one last chance to admit she knew exactly why she had been summoned.

Leia swallowed hard and blinked, "Honestly, Master Windu; I really don't know." She insisted.

Mace's scowl turned fiercer, "Do you know where your brothers are?" He asked bluntly.

"Uh...should I?" Leia asked evasively.

"This is not a game, young lady." Mace reprimanded harshly, "Perhaps you would prefer speaking with your father."

Leia seemed to wilt just a little and stared down at the floor, "I promised not to tell." She whispered.

Mace sighed and softened as he stood up and moved to squat in front of her, "Luke and Hadrian may have done something very dangerous, Leia; you must tell me what they are up to."

"But I promised." Leia protested.

"I know; however, it was a promise you should not have made." Mace told her.

When Leia didn't answer and continued to stare at the floor, Mace sighed again, "Did they sneak aboard Boba's ship?" He asked.

Leia bit her lip and fidgeted, "Very well, as it appears you are determined to remain defiant, you must face your father now." Mace informed her as he stood up and moved to the door, "Come along."

"Please don't make me do that, Master Windu." Leia pleaded, stubbornly remaining seated.

"You leave me no choice; either tell me where your brothers are, or tell your father." Mace ordered.

For a moment more, Leia remained defiant, "Now, Leia." Mace commanded pointing to the floor beside him.

"They're with Boba." She finally admitted with a sigh.

"I thought as much; and just how did they manage to allude Master Rega?" Mace asked.

"Umm...I guess I did that." Leia confessed.

Mace shook his head and huffed again, "Do you think that was fair to Master Rega? She is very upset, Leia." He replied.

"I'm sorry." Leia answered, staring at the floor again.

"Tell that to Master Rega and to your parents who are very worried about your brothers." Mace scolded.

"I'm in trouble, aren't I." Leia guessed.

"Oh yes." Mace confirmed.

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"They've done what?" Boba asked incredulously.

"They have sequestered themselves on your ship, Boba." Mace repeated.

Boba turned to Dena and she stood up, "I'll find them." She said.

"Dena's going to look for them now; if you're right, we'll return immediately." Boba informed the Jedi Master.

"No; Master Skywalker has requested that you continue on to Bella. I believe he wishes to deal with this matter personally." Mace countered.

"Ouch." Boba replied.

Mace's image almost seemed to smile, "Here they are." Dena announced, ushering in the two stowaways.

"You are both in a great deal of trouble; just what were you planning to do?" Mace demanded as Dena pushed the two boys into Mace's line of sight.

Hadrian looked down at the floor, but Luke stared boldly at the holographic Jedi Master, "We just wanted to help." He answered.

"That was foolish and inconsiderate. Your mother has been beside herself with worry and your father has had to suspend his part in the search; and to involve your sister in this foolishness..." Mace replied and then shook his head, "Did you stop to think about how dangerous these people are?"

"We were gonna be careful." Luke protested.

Mace glared at him, "Two Jedi lost their lives facing them; Master Horan was an experienced Master, and Khyber was only several years from Knighthood. What makes you believe you could have been more careful than they were?" He asked.

Luke shrugged and looked down, "I dunno." He conceded.

"No, you don't; and how do you think your sister would feel if one or both of you had been hurt or worse? How do you think the rest of your family would feel?" Mace questioned.

"We didn't think about that." Luke admitted.

"Well, you should have; impulsiveness is not a good trait in a Jedi." Mace replied.

"No, Master Windu." Luke mumbled, "What happens to us now?"

"Your father will deal with you." Mace answered.

"Uh oh." Hadrian whispered.

"Yes, 'uh oh'; I would not want to be in your boots right now, either of you." Mace said, "Now you are under Boba's authority, so you will listen to him until you arrive on Bella; is that clear?"

"Yes, Master Windu." Both boys responded.

"Good." Mace finished, "I am sorry about this, Boba."

"That's alright; we'll handle these two." Boba assured him.

"I know you will; follow the shuttle's homing beacon, their ship has landed nearby." Mace instructed.

"Will do, Master Windu." Boba replied and then turned to the wayward Skywalkers, "Boy are you two in trouble."

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Anakin put an arm around his wife, "Well, at least we know where they are now." He said.

"I'm alright now, Anakin; you should go." Padme told him.

"I'll wait until Boba gets here; I want to have a talk with those two." Anakin replied.

"I can do that." Padme insisted.

"I'm sure you can; but this is something they have to hear from both of us." Anakin answered, "And I don't want to give Luke any more time to think of excuses for his recklessness."

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Asjen turned away from her work as Li strode into the harnessing room, "Li, I was just going to contact you, our intruder is attempting to resist, but your mind sweep has weakened his will." She began.

"Does he possess awareness?" Li asked studying the young Jedi suspended inside the harnessing stanchion; his eyes were closed and his head appeared to be resting on his chest.

"Some." Asjen answered.

"Enough to converse?" Li asked, sceptically.

"For a short period, possibly." Asjen told her truthfully.

Li nodded and moved closer to the stanchion, "Intruder Zak?"

Zak's fingers twitch and he moaned softly, "Rouse yourself; I have questions." Li ordered.

His fingers twitched again and he murmured something unintelligible, but he did not raise his head; Li turned to Asjen, "This does not seem right, Asjen." She observed.

"A moment." Asjen replied and then waved her hand over the a corner of the console.

The energy field securing the captive hummed and Zak moaned again, louder this time; his fingers flexed convulsively and he tossed his head. Then he moaned once more, licked his lips, sighed heavily and then cracked his eyes open to squint at her.

"I wish to converse." Li said.

Zak shook his head slowly, "Know...all." He mumbled thickly.

"I do not know all, intruder; tell me about your weapons." Li demanded.

Again Zak shook his head, then licked his lips and swallowed, "No...weapons." He answered with great effort.

"You are lying; a growler was stilled by a weapon we have never encountered." Li countered accusingly.

"Stilled?"

Li huffed in annoyance, "Do not test my patience." She warned.

"Explain...stilled." Zak requested.

"Oh. Apologies; do you know slaughtered?" Li asked.

Zak closed his eyes, nodded and swallowed for the second time, "Slaughtered; yes...but..." He insisted.

Li scowled angrily, "I can take the knowledge from you as I did before." She threatened, "Now tell me about your weapons."

Zak sighed, licked his lips again and dropped his head, "No...weapons...no...slaughter." He mumbled.

"Very well; you leave me little choice." Li told him, then closed her eyes in concentration.

Zak's necked snapped back, his fingers curled and he screamed in pain. With his shields gone, he had no defense as she ripped through the raw open wound that was his mind and then withdrew quickly. Zak's head fell forward as he gasped for breath.

"Apologies. Had you been more truthful with me when we last conversed, I would have been more inclined to believe you this time." Li said.

Zak continued to gasp and did not respond, "And because you resisted and wasted time, Arna did not reach your companions in time." Li continued.

"In...time...for...what?" Zak asked.

"The growlers reached the ship before Arna and the others could. They were gone when Arna arrived." Li replied.

Zak shook his head; even in his dazed and weakened state, he could sense Li's deception, "Dead...then?" He asked.

"Dead? I do not know this word. However, the growlers are primitive and uncivilized; how do you think your little ones will fare against such brutality?" Li answered.

What may have been a weak, gasping laugh escaped from Zak and he managed to raise his head and stare back at Li, "Brutal...ity? Better...dead...than...here." He retorted; then his head dropped back down again.

Li turned to Asjen who shook her head, "He retained awareness longer than I expected. Unless you wish me to release him, I believe your discussion is finished." She explained.

The Clan leader sighed and nodded, "Had he not proven uncooperative, I would have enjoyed conversing with him long and often." She replied then turned and triggered the opening, "I will leave you to work."

"At least his Power will not be wasted; he has both focus and power and is already compensating for Tog's randomness; we may not even have to replace Gul." Asjen said.

"That is something to hope for, then; but is it not unusual for him to lose all awareness?" Li questioned.

Asjen rubbed her chin, "I do not know what would be usual for one such as this one." She admitted, "However, without awareness, all his focus could be on concentrating the Power to run our systems; and that would be to our advantage, would it not?"

Li nodded, "That is a truth, Asjen; your knowledge serves the Lodge well." She complimented.

"Thank you, Li." Asjen replied with a nod of her head.

Li nodded back as she disappeared the through the opening and closed it behind her.

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The Force. Zak had never been so deeply submerged into it. But this time was different; this time he had not reached out for it, he had been thrust into it. He had tried to fight it, but was soon overpowered, letting it course through him and pull his consciousness away from his body and to become part of the systems he now understood Asjen had programmed his stanchion to control; systems that he was only just beginning to understand. A jolt had roused him temporarily, but it had been a struggle to concentrate on Li's interrogation and prevent himself from being pulled back; and he had not been strong enough to remain lucid for long before he was pulled back once again, seeming to become part of the Lodge itself as his consciousness expanded into the surrounding systems. Without understanding why, he seemed to know what to do, sending a surge of power through one system and withholding it from another; but he didn't want to be here, he did not want to do this. He felt another presence merged within the systems, primitive, powerful, crude; he recoiled from the presence and tried to pull back to his body, and for a moment, he could feel his fingers, and the warmth of the metal band Asjen had placed on his head; he even managed to lift his head and catch a glimpse of his captor. But it did not last and soon he was being pulled back once more, fighting to hold onto hope that his master would come for him.

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Ferri felt himself drifting to sleep after finishing the bowl of broth Ket had brought to him. Groggily he turned to see Park watching him; puzzled he looked over at Ket holding the empty bowl. She smiled gently as she put the bowl down and replaced the damp cloth that had slipped from his forehead. As he struggled to remain awake, the realization that there had been something more than broth in Ket's offering of nourishment. He tried to push himself up, but his arms were strangely uncooperative. Once more he turned toward Park and glared; sensing Ferri's thoughts, Park sighed and placed a hand on the young man's shoulders, "We cannot risk you going to the Lodge, Young Jedi." He explained.

"Will you harness me now?" Ferri asked.

"No, Ferri; we do not believe in harnessing. But we cannot allow you to fall into the hands of Li; she will use you against us as she will use your companion, Zak, unless we prevent it." Park explained, "You must understand our position."

"Prevent it...how?" Ferri asked and then struggled again, "No...you can't."

"We must, Young Ferri. I am very sorry." Park answered, holding Ferri down until he succumbed to Ket's drugged broth.

"No." Ferri whispered as the darkness closed in.

"Are you certain it is the only way?" Ket asked.

"I can think of no other; we cannot allow Li to control so much of the Power. It saddens me to say, but young Zak must move on." Park told her.