Amira had no idea where she was, where Ewan was or anything that happened after she saw the woman standing in her doorway. She did know she was locked in some type of cell. She rubbed her temples with both hands and looked around.

Painfully, she came to her feet and began a long slow walk around the room. She scanned the walls, ceiling and the floor for anything to tell her where she was, but it was utterly featureless. She shivered. "And cold", she said aloud.

As if her voice triggered a switch, the door opened. The woman stood in the entrance. Her appearance had changed. "I see you are up and around."

Amira looked her up and down. "Might I have the courtesy of your name?"

"Asajj Ventress, next question?"

"Where is Captain Trimorri?"

Ventress sauntered further into the room. "He is being dealt with."

Amira's anxiety level began to climb. "What does that mean; dealt with?"

Asajj circled Amira. "It means he isn't feeling as well as you are. I am afraid I shot him at a little closer range then you and he's not taking it well. I guess my stun setting needs to be calibrated; even you took awhile to regain consciousness."

"You shot me? That explains the headache." Amira stepped closer to her. "You should let me see him I am a doctor."

"I will consider it. In the meantime I have instructions to make sure you are well taken care of." She snapped her fingers and a droid rolled in with food and water. "Now, please have something to eat and drink."

Amira sat down on the floor and accepted the offering. Keeping up her strength was the first rule of survival. She smelled the water first and looked at its color.

Asajj laughed "Don't be ridiculous Commander; we're not going to poison you. You are too valuable. As we speak we are awaiting word from Senator Organa whether he intends to negotiate the surrender of Alderaan in exchange for your release."

It was Amira's turn to laugh. "He won't surrender Alderaan. Even if he has lost his mind and considers it for a second, I wouldn't let him."

Ventress turned and walked toward the door. "I hope for your sake commander, you are wrong."

As Amira watched her leave she saw the metallic glint of the lightsaber attached at Asajj's waist and noted it. She called after her. "What about Captain Trimorri? When can I see him?"

"Later." Asajj continued out the door and it slid shut; the locking mechanism making an audible hiss as it engaged.

Alone once again, Amira finished the rest of her food and drank half of the water keeping the rest in reserve. She lay down on her back and stared up at the ceiling. Her thoughts were of Ewan. Being shot at close range; even on stun could be very damaging. All the possible complications ran through her mind; paralysis, heart arrhythmias, impaired respiration. Her own head felt like it was going to explode; she couldn't imagine how bad he was.

A few hours later her door opened. Amira had fallen asleep and groggily came to her feet. Ventress crooked her finger. "Come with me, and don't contemplate trying to escape, I will know it before you can think it."

Escape had not crossed her mind, if this woman was trained half as well as General Kenobi she didn't stand a chance, and she certainly wasn't going to leave without Ewan. "I don't plan on escaping; I will accept my fate."

Ventress was impressed. "That's very brave of you Commander, I expected more sniveling from a woman of privilege."

Amira walked slowly beside the arrogant woman. "My family is not like that, we serve the people of Alderaan; that has been my privilege."

They reached the end of a long corridor and Ventress opened a door and escorted Amira in. She couldn't tell if the room was set up to be a medical facility or a droid repair facility. Trimorri was in a makeshift bed in a corner being attended by a droid.

Amira walked cautiously to his side and was very relieved to find him awake. She grasped his hand. "Hello E."

The look in his eyes was an indeterminable mix of emotion. She saw joy, sorrow and regret. He spoke with very little strength behind his voice. "I'm so sorry."

She smiled. "Hey, I always wanted to see the inside of a Separatist ship, its ok."

He shook his head. "No, I wanted to protect you; you were never supposed to be involved."

"Shhh, I am alright. I'm certain my brother is going to get us out of here." She let go of his hand and gently placed it back on the bed. "Just lie still, I'm going to examine you."

She made a visual observation first; checking his color and respiration rate. He was notably pale and clammy." E, are you having trouble breathing?"

"I can breath, but…" Amira finished for him. "You're not getting enough oxygen." He nodded. Amira turned toward Ventress. "Do you have an image scanner?"

She waved her off and retreated across the room. "Ask the droid. I don't know. This whole ship is built for droids, they don't normally treat humans."

As the droid zipped off in search of the scanner; Amira unbuttoned the front of Trimorri's shirt. His chest had a rather large bruise just over his heart. She suspected that his heart had sustained some level of damage from the weapon, but would not know for sure without the scanner.

Trimorri shivered and Amira squeezed his hand. "I'm going to find you a blanket."

She crossed the room to where Ventress stood. "Do you have anything resembling a blanket on this ship full of droids?"

"Not that I am aware of."

Amira could feel her anger rising and she eyed Ventress' cloak. "I believe Capt Trimorri's heart has been damaged by your unnecessary and reckless use of force. He cannot regulate his temperature. I need to get him warm. If there are no blankets then I would ask that you give up your cloak."

"Don't be absurd I'm not giving him my cloak."

"You cold hearted…b…"

Ventress smiled and released the clasp on her cloak. "Now, now Commander let's be civil." She handed Amira the cloak. "I will be expecting this back."

She returned to Trimorri's side and wrapped the cloak around him. "You'll feel warmer in a minute."

He reached for her hand and she took it in both of hers. "You are going to be alright."

The droid returned with a portable scanner that seemed decades old and Amira eyed it skeptically. "I guess I can make this work."

She moved the scanner over Trimorris' chest. The image flickered and wavered but she saw what she needed to see. She turned off the unit and set it aside. Trimorri noticed the look on her face. "What is it?"

Amira took a deep breath and let it out. "Your heart has been damaged. You are going to need surgery."

"How long do I have?"

She shook her head sadly. "There's no way to tell. If you stay immobile like this; you could last for days, but you absolutely cannot exert yourself; you would have a massive heart attack. I'm going to try and get you transported to the Mercy."

She kissed his forehead softly and returned to Ventress. "It is as I thought, his heart is damaged. Without surgery he will die."

"He's a traitor; isn't he? What difference does it make?"

Amira tried to remain calm. "That doesn't matter now. What matters is his life is at stake. I am a doctor and I can help him."

"So you want to operate?"

"Yes, but I can't do it here. He needs a state of the art medical facility; either on the surface or on the Mercy."

Ventress denied her request. "Neither of you are leaving this ship."

Amira tried to reason with her. "Then just send him, you can keep me. I'm the one you want anyway. He's suffered enough. I'm sure if you contact my brother something…"

Ventress cut her off." As I said, neither of you are leaving this ship. You can treat him here with what ever we have. I am not concerned whether he lives or dies."

Ventress spun around and left the room giving the guards at he door orders not to let anyone come in or go out.

Amira walked back to Trimorri. "It's going to take some time to arrange but we'll get you to the Mercy."

"You don't lie well you know."

She smiled sadly, tears pooling in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't know what else to do."

"You're doing it. Just stay with me."