Threads of Destiny
Chapter 36: Prisoners
A last gasp of hope!
After the assassination of his father and the fall of his kingdom beneath a planetary civil war, Mon Cala Prince Lee-Char has gone into hiding with Padawans, Ferus Olin, Ahsoka Tano and Nadia Aomori as his only protectors.
With his armies captured and friends imprisoned, the situation seems hopeless for the prince.
Count Dooku commands his sinister agent Riff Tamson to use any means necessary to bring Prince Lee-Char out of hiding, for he knows that hope does remain as long as the prince is alive.
Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, Kit Fisto and Representative Jar Jar Binks are brought before Riff Tamson.
"A senator, two Jedi Knights and a fumbling amphibian.!Riff said. "I would have thought the prince would be easier to capture than the four of you."
"It must be part of our plan."Anakin admitted bitterly.
"I had the exact same thought."Riff replied.
He then grab a hold of Padme and brought her to two Quarren Guards.
"Don't touch me!"Padme said angrily.
"Let go of her."Anakin demanded.
"Rack 'em up!"Riff ordered.
Padme and Jar Jar were brought to two torture droids.
"Mesa don't like this."Jar Jar said nervously. "Ow! That pinching!"
"Tamson, leave them alone!"Anakin said coldly.
"Do not worry, Jedi, there's plenty of suffering to go around."Riff admitted in a smirking tone.
"Ah. Eels, very dangerous."Fisto stated.
The two jedi were tortured by the Mon Calamari eels.
"Now, tell me, where is Prince Lee-Char?"Riff asked.
Outside...
Lee-Char and the three jedi were hiding and watched as Aqua droids searched in the area.
"We can't hide forever."Lee-Char said quietly.
"The Gungan Army was the last of the Republic's reinforcements."Ahsoka admitted. "There won't be any more."
"So were actually on our own."Nadia replied.
Ferus sighed. "Sorry that our plan didn't go so well Lee-Char."
"The failure is mine, not the Republic's."Lee-Char said sadly.
The four swam down as the Aqua Droids passed the area.
"If my father were here, he could unite with Nossor Ri and the Quarren."Lee-Char stated. "The Quarren and Mon Cala have always had a difficult relationship, but it was respectful, until Riff Tamson arrived, once that Carcadon got inside Nossor Ri's head the alliance between the Mon Cala and the Quarren fell apart."
The prince and the three jedi swam even further down.
"I know what I must do."Lee-Char admitted. "The Mon Cala and Quarren people must be reunited."
"Okay..."Ahsoka said.
"We like your thinking, but what's the strategy?"Nadia asked.
"Count all the prisoners, Mon Cala, Gungans, clones."Lee-Char replied. "If we all fought together we would outnumber our opponent."
"If this is going to work, we'll need to let your people know."Ferus commented. "They'll have to be ready to fight."
"We need Captain Ackbar and I think I know where to find him."Lee-Char answered.
Meanwhile...
Riff and Nossor went to take to Count Dooku.
"I have interrogated the Jedi, My Lord, but they will not give up the whereabouts of the prince."Riff said. "The Jedi's resistance to pain is impressive."
"Press the interrogation, Tamson."Count Dooku stated. "We cannot allow the prince to survive, the royal bloodline must be broken."
"Count Dooku, is this necessary? The battle is won."Nossor reminded. "The prince has no army to rally now is the time for the Quarren to take the lead and think of rebuilding."
"Rebuild?"Count Dooku asked. "While this battle has been won, there is still a war going on, Senator Ri, a war in which you pledged your allegiance to the Separatist cause!"
"Of course, Count, we owe you everything."Nossor answered.
"Do not soon forget it."Count Dooku warned and looked at Riff. "Tamson, have your soldiers arrived?"
"Soldiers?"Nossor asked.
"Yes, Count."Riff replied.
Then four Karkarodon guards arrived into the room.
"We now have the city under our control."Riff commented.
"Good."Count Dooku said. "Continue as planned."
The hologram vanished, then Riff and his men swam away making Nossor follow them quietly.
Lee-Char and the three padawans follow a column of prisoners to an underwater cave used as a prison camp.
"Lee-Char this place..."Nadia said.
"It's a prison camp."Lee-Char replied.
"Eesh, I hate electric shields."Ferus mumbled.
"How can we be sure Captain Ackbar is inside?"Ahsoka asked.
"There's only one way to find out."Lee-Char admitted.
The four followed the Aqua droids into the prison camp before the electric shield opened again.
A group of Mon Calamaris spotted them.
"Prince Lee-Char?"A Male Mon Calamari asked as he swam up to the prince. "Are you a prisoner here as well?"
"I am here, but not as a prisoner."Lee-Char replied. "I've come with a message as your future king, I have not lost hope, the time is coming when you will be free again, I will not fail you."
"We want to believe, but how can this be possible?"An old Mon Calamari asked.
Then the clone trooper Monnk went to the three jedi.
"Commander Tano, Sir Olin, Mrs Aomori."Monnk said.
"Monnk, are we glad to see you."Nadia admitted with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am, but the four of you must come with me now."Monnk stated. "You'll attract too much attention here and I think there's someone who'll be happy to see you."
"Prince!"A male Mon Calamari said. "You can't leave us here."
"Have courage."Lee-Char commented. "The next time I appear to you, I will appear as your king."
The prince then followed after the clone trooper and the three padawans.
In the Prison Cell...
"I grow tired of waiting, Jedi."Riff said coldly. "Where is the prince?"
"Even if we knew, we would not say."Fisto admitted.
"Unfortunate."Riff replied.
He looked at the Qurren guard, who used its staff to hit a Eel making Anakin get electrified and groan in pain.
"To be honest, it matters little to me."Riff said. "I would torture you either way, but Count Dooku insists I capture the prince and there is the slight chance you're deceiving me and holding back some information I could use and in my position, I cannot afford to take chance!"
He then bit Padme's breathing helmet making her get startled and a little crack appeared in her helmet.
"Time is of the essence."Riff laughed. "Now tell me what I want to know."
Meanwhile...
Monnk brought the prince and the three padawans, where Senator Meena Tills and Captain Ackbar were.
"You're alive."Meena said. "Captain, you were right."
"Prince, I knew you would survive the battle."Captain Ackbar admitted.
"Captain, I need your help."Lee-Char stated. "I have a plan, I know how we can win this fight."
"But the battle is over, young Prince and it appears that we have lost."Captain Ackbar said.
"No in truth, we now outnumber our enemy."Lee-Char commented. "We can overwhelm them."
"But we are prisoners."Meena reminded. "If we revolted thousands would die."
"Not if the Quarren struck first and aided in our attack."Lee-Char admitted.
"Prince, how can you say this?"Captain Ackbar questioned. "The Quarren betrayed us, they assassinated your father!"
"No, Captain, Riff Tamson murdered my father."Lee-Char answered. "Of that, I am sure."
"The Quarren are being used, we've seen it happen before."Ferus said.
"Count Dooku has deceived them."Ahsoka muttered.
"Well that's no surprise."Nadia admitted with her arms folded.
"Riff Tamson murdered my father,we'll find Nossor Ri, he was my father's friend, I know he will listen."Lee-Char said.
"How can you be certain of this?"Meena asked.
"I can't, but it's time for me to lead."Lee-Char replied. "And this, I feel, is my only course of action."
"I will ready our people, Prince."Captain Ackbar commented.
"But, Captain, you're injured."Meena reminded.
"I'll be ready to fight with our future king."Captain Ackbar answered.
"I'll marshal the remaining clones and Gungans."Monnk stated. "What will your signal be?"
"When a Quarren attacks our enemy, that will be your sign."Lee-Char answered.
But then a group of Aqua Droids surrounded them.
"You are under arrest."An Aqua droid said.
Ferus, Ahsoka and Nadia activated their lightsabers.
"No, stay your blade, my friends."Lee-Char replied.
The four jedi deactivated their lightsabers.
"I am Lee-Char, leader of the Mon Cala people and I demand to speak to your superiors."Lee-Char said.
The Aqua Droids took the prince and the three padawans away.
In the Prison Cell...
Padme's helmet was getting water
"Your friend's time is running short."Riff said. "I'm beginning to believe you're both telling the truth and know nothing about the prince's whereabouts."
Then his comlink beeped.
"Yes?"Riff asked.
"We have located the prince and have him in custody."An Aqua Droid reported. "He has requested an audience with the leadership."
"By all means, bring him to me."Riff ordered. "I shall meet you in the throne room."
"Roger, roger."the Aqua Droid replied and ended the call.
"The throne room?"Nossor asked.
"Yes, I want that little one to see me in my rightful place as ruler of this world."Riff admitted.
"Ruler? That was not our arrangement with Count Dooku!"Nossor reminded.
"No, it wasn't your arrangement."Riff answered and laughed. "It was mine!"
"Wait! The prisoner! You have to save her!"Anakin protested.
"No, I don't."Riff replied evilly.
"Tamson-"Anakin growled.
Then the Eels electrified him as Riff and Nossor left the room.
"Ani, mesa have an idea."Jar Jar said/
"Not now, Jar Jar."Anakin stated. "We need to save Padme."
"Anakin, we must create a bubble for her to breathe from."Fisto instructed. "Use the Force to push the water away from her helmet."
"I'm on it."Anakin said.
He closed his eyes and used the force to make a bubble to help Padme breathed.
"It's working! It's working!"Jar Jar said. "Look out!"
Then the Eels electrified Anakin making Jar Jar spit saliva on Padme's helmet to complete the bubble.
"Jar Jar?"Padme asked awkwardly.
"Padme! I'm sorry I couldn't-"Anakin said sadly.
"I'm here."Padme replied. "Jar Jar sealed my helmet with his..."
"Yesa, it's Gungan waterproofing."Jar Jar answered. "It's why wesa swim so good."
In the Throne Room...
The prince and the three padawans were brought to the place to see Riff and Nossor by the Aqua Droids.
"Greetings, Prince."Riff greeted and cackled. "We meet again, I must admit you were more difficult to capture than I anticipated, Prince, you have my respect as hunter to his prey."
"I do not seek, nor do I want your respect."Lee-Char replied. "I have come to demand the freedom of my people."
Riff laughed. "Your people? You're mistaken, Prince. They are my people and under my rule, they, like you, are nothing more than slaves."
"Your rule is not recognized here, Tamson."Lee-Char stated. "My people are all those who live in these seas, whether they be Mon Cala or Quarren."
"Surely you have not come here seeking the aid of Nossor Ri."Riff said. "Do you really think he would trade his position to join you?"
"The Quarren are already slaves, though they may not see it."Lee-Char admitted. "Nossor Ri, you knew my father whatever differences our people had in the past, surely you must know we can work together to make Mon Cala whole, Dooku and Tamson want only to exploit us, and leave our cities broken and our resources depleted, what will then be left for the Quarren?"
"Well, Nossor Ri, would you like to join this pitiful little fish and his dead father?"Riff questioned.
Nossor looked down in sadness.
"There, you see."Riff replied. "What good will their help be anyway, Prince? The Quarren are more gutless than your people."
"As long as I live, I shall give all people of Mon Cala hope to fight another day."Lee-Char stated.
"Hmm, hope? We are of the same mind, Prince."Riff admitted. "That is why I have scheduled your public execution, take him away!"
The prince and the three padawans were sent out by the Aqua Droids.
"Nossor Ri, there's still time!"Lee-Char protested. "Unite and we will defend our home."
Riff let out a evil laugh as the four were taken away from the throne room.
In the Prison Cell...
"All right, I think I'm getting the hang of this."Anakin admitted.
He then got electrified by the eels.
"Less talking helps."Fisto reminded.
But then Riff's men came and the robots began to sent the prisoners up.
"Jar Jar, I can't see anything."Padme said. "Where are they taking us?"
"Hey, yousa."Jar Jar stated looking at an Aqua Droid. "Where yousa taking us?!"
"To the execution of Prince Lee-Char."the Aqua Droid answered.
The team members united and the prisoners were all taken to witness the prince's execution, who was circled by three Karkarodon.
Anakin was placed next to Ferus, Ahsoka and Nadia, who had their hands cuffed.
"Good job protecting the prince."He said in a sarcastic tone.
"It's all part of the plan, Master."Ahsoka replied.
"I was hoping you were going to say that."Anakin answered. "Anything I can do?"
Ferus just frowned while Nadia rolled her eyes.
"Unfortunately, this time it's out of our hands."Nadia replied.
"I'm not sure I like this plan after all."Anakin admitted.
"For crimes against the Separatist state, I command the execution of former Prince Lee-Char!"Riff stated.
Nossor swam up to Captain Ackbar and gave him a small staff.
"Captain, Nossor Ri and the Quarren are with you."He whispered.
"Kill him!"Riff ordered.
The thee Karkarodon charged at the prince, but Nossor went in the way and made black ink appear to save Lee-Char.
"Fight, Quarren!"Nossor admitted. "Fight for Prince Lee-Char!"
Lee-Char used a droid staff to fire and kill the three Karkarodon.
The Mon Calamari took down the aqua droids with the Quarren and the Gunagans.
The three padawans took that as their signal and taking down the aqua droids.
They then activated their lightsabers to slash the eels to release Fisto and Anakin.
Anakin used his lightsaber to slash the droids that were holding Padme and embracing her.
"Send in more droids!"Riff ordered.
"Roger, roger."An Aqua Droid replied.
The Aqua Droids started firing at the Quarren and the Gunagans.
Then more Aqua droids showed up, but the Quarren, Mon Cala, Jedi, Gungans and clones fought back.
Lee-Char held a staff while Riff held a knife.
"Prince Lee-Char."Riff said.
"Your rule is at an end before it started, Tamson!"Lee-Char commented.
Lee-Char and Riff started fighting each other.
But then the prince grab Riff's knife and gave him a deadly glare.
"I killed your father without pity or mercy."Riff said.
"Then I'll return the favor!"Lee-Char replied.
He threw the knife at Rif, who charged at him.
But the prince used his staff to fire at the Karkarodon making the knife explode and making Riff's corpses spread in the water.
"The day is won!"Nossor stated proudly.
"Long live the prince!"Captain Ackbar commented.
"Long live the prince!"the Mon Calamari and the Quarrens chanted. "Long live the prince! Long live the prince!"
Afterwards in the Throne Room...
Lee-Char arrived to be crowned and to be greeted by his allies.
"Your father would be so proud."Meena said.
"I know."Lee-Char answered quietly.
"May the blessings of the water keep you."the Old Mon Calamari said. "The might of your ancestors, give you strength."
Nossor placed the crown on Lee-Char's head.
"As representative of the Quarren people, I pledge our loyalty to you."He admitted.
"And as your king, I pledge my loyalty to all people of Mon Cala."Lee-Char stated.
Senator Amidala and the five jedi smiled at him.
"I present King Lee-Char!"the Old Mon Calamari commented.
"Long live the king! Long live King Lee-Char!"the Mon Calamari and the Quarrens chanted happily as they clapped at their new king. "Long live the king! Long live King Lee-Char!"
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
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