Underground. That was where the disturbance was coming from, so that was where we needed to go.
"How do we get underground Master?" I asked. He shrugged.
"There's actually a very large cavern system in this area," Annabeth chimed in. What a smart girl. I was always glad to have her here. It reminded me of having Barriss along on some of the missions I went on. She was always so much more prepared than me. Made me look like a fool.
"You lead the way," I offered, gesturing for her to take her position ahead of us. "We'll follow you."
Annabeth led us to the top of the canyon, where we saw a small group of people, one of them holding a sign. "The Darkest Side: Guided Cavern Tours- $15 per person," it read.
"I don't like the sound of that, Master," I said, looking at him. He didn't look very happy about it either.
"What choice do we have? Without a guide, we'll get lost down there."
"Is something wrong Ahsoka?" Annabeth asked, walking over to the two of us. "You seem uncertain. We don't have to do this, we can find another way into the caverns."
"No, this is fine. Let's do it."
"There's another problem. Do either of you have forty five dollars?"
Anakin and I both shook our heads. Annabeth sighed. "Now what?"
I pulled the gold coins the Percy had given me before he had disappeared. They had been to contact someone if we needed to. But I wondered if we might be able to use them to get ourselves a tour of the caverns.
"Ahsoka, it will never work," Annabeth said, catching onto my plan.
"Have faith Annabeth," I just smirked, and walked up to the man who seemed to be in charge. "A tour for three people please."
"That will be forty five dollars," he grumbled.
"Will these cover it?" I asked, pulling out my handful of coins.
"A Greek coin?" he leaned forwards, taking one between his fingers to inspect it in the light. He looked at one of the other men, who nodded. "Yes, I believe it will do very well."
He took the whole pile from my hands, motioning for one of the guides to take us down. We were joined by another friendly couple, and their young child. He looked about six or seven human years old.
"I think this is a trap," I whispered to Anakin, as we stood in the elevator, slowly making our way down into the caverns. Meanwhile, the guide explained the history of the caves. Only Annabeth seemed really interested.
"Of course it's a trap Snips," he whispered back. "But they don't know that we know that. So we still have the upper hand."
The elevator stopped, and we all climbed out. The disturbance was much stronger down here. We were going the right way.
"As you can see," the tour guide said, gesturing to the ceiling of the cavern, "there are barely any stalactites and stalagmites in these caverns. This is due to the lack of moisture present."
He led us past opening after opening along the sides of the tunnel. As we passed each one, I reached out with the force, searching for the disturbance. There was nothing. Yet, with each step, the disturbance got stronger. It seemed the man was leading straight to the source.
Everything changed in an instant. A flash of red light. He grabbed the little boy, holding him in a tight grip, a beam of red light at his throat. The couple screamed, racing for their child.
"One more step," he threatened, "and the boy dies." They stopped, eyes wide in fear.
"It's over Jedi," he smirked at me. "There is no escaping. One wrong move, and this stupid little boy dies."
"Please," the couple begged, "let him go!"
"What do you want, Sith?" I spat at the man, but he just laughed, pressing the blade closer to the boy's neck. He screamed, the light searing into his flesh.
"You foolish Jedi," he sneered, "I don't care what happens to you, whether you live, or… die. But my master wants you alive."
Then, turning to Anakin and tossing him some rope, he said, "you, boy. Tie that scum up!"
Anakin obeyed, leaning in closely as he tied my hands behind my back. "I'll get you out Snips," he muttered. "Don't worry."
"Don't worry about me," I whispered back. "I'll take care of myself. Just keep these people safe."
I turned over my shoulder as I was dragged deeper into the system of caverns. Anakin's face was one of hopelessness, yet determination. I gave him a quick salute. We did it all the time on the battlefield. It was very efficient, both as communication and mockery. But today, the message was clear.
"You have command."
"Where are you taking me!" I demanded, struggling to my feet in order to avoid the humiliation of being dragged in front of whoever it was that I was about to meet.
A door opened ahead of us. The power of the dark side pulsed strongly inside the room it concealed, so strongly I nearly collapsed. I couldn't breath.
"Like I said, Jedi," he snarled, shoving me inside, "my master cares a lot about getting her hands on you. Alive."
The door shut behind his with a thud. I was sealed in.