Author's notes:

Finally, we come to the part that inspired this entire story. For those of you that have not played the game, my descriptions of Oovo IV and the various tech and uniforms used by the correctional officers there come from Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. Warden Booda comes from the Star Wars: Racer series. The descriptions of the Warden's apartment/office are my own invention, inspired by the warden's house on Alcatraz. For those of you that have played the game, sit back and enjoy the nostalgia trip.

Act II

Desolation Alley

Chapter 9

The Set-Up

Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Adi, and Siri had gathered in the Temple Library, where Sifo-Dyas fiddled with a holoprojector. "Just a moment…I'll have it ready soon. Ah, there it is. Everybody pay attention: where you're going, this information could save your life."

Sifo-Dyas pressed a button on the projector, and an image of a large asteroid came up. Towers, landing pads, and other artificial structures dotted its landscape.

"You're looking at Galactic Republic Penitentiary Oovo IV, known to its inmates as 'Desolation Alley.' It is a maximum-security prison for male inmates built on the asteroid Oovo IV, and the most feared institution of the Republic Correctional Authority. The galaxy's most dangerous criminals invariably get sent here: gangsters, murderers, child molesters; the worst of the worst. Those inmates with repeated escape attempts on their record are also often sent here, given its high level of security. Given the nature of the inmates, little attempt is made to reform them. Their routine is strictly enforced, and they spend most of their time working in the various mines dug into the asteroid itself. The most entertainment they get is an occasional Podrace. The prison has a series of large shield generators that both prevent escape and allow a pressurized, breathable atmosphere on the surface. Very few have managed to escape it, and all of those were tracked down and either recaptured or killed. Despite the strict control and security measures, there have been several major riots throughout the prison's history, and they have all been extremely bloody."

Sifo-Dyas pressed another button, and another image appeared; this time a tall being with light grey skin.

"This is Fenn Booda, the warden of Oovo IV. He'll be your point of contact once you get there. The Council will coordinate the details of your visit with him. I'll give you more information once you're en route."

"How will we be traveling there?"

"By starship. You'll go in via a Consular-class cruiser. Once there, you will meet your initial contact. It's probably not Warden Booda himself: likely, it will be a senior correctional officer. He'll take you to the Warden, and from there you can get to Reego."

"Sounds like a sound plan…"

"One more thing, Qui-Gon. Keep in mind that Republic law dictates that when inside a Correctional Authority institution, the officers of that institution have final authority over what any outsiders, even Jedi, can or cannot do or where they can and cannot go. You, Master Gallia, and your Padawans will be subject to their orders while inside."

"Is there anything else you need to say?"

"No, Master Gallia. The Council will arrange the details. As I said, I will give you more information once you're in the air."

"I understand, Master Sifo-Dyas."

Sifo-Dyas paused, switching off the holoprojector.

"Are there any questions, then?"

No one answered.

"Then you are dismissed. I'll let you know the time of your departure once everything has been arranged."

"All inmates prepare for inspection. All inmates prepare for inspection."

The guard's voice over the PA system woke the inmates of Oovo IV from their slumber for another day of drudgery. The inmates stood up, making their beds as best they could. Some frantically tried to hide contraband before the guards arrived. Others quickly brushed their teeth or washed up. Nio Gwerto sighed and lazily swung himself out of bed.

Another day in Hell. I don't have much longer in this dump, though. Very soon, I will be free again. Back where I belong, plundering hapless fools on the trade lanes with Vrossk and the boys. Just a few more days until we're ready. Just a few more days.

"Gwerto! Come on, get up!" The guard punctuated his exhortation with a rap of his electrobaton on the transparisteel wall that looked out onto the cellblock. Gwerto sighed and stood to his feet. He made his bed and walked to the door, waiting for the inevitable call over the PA.

"Inspection. Inspection. All inmates prepare to leave your cells. All inmates prepare to leave your cells."

With a buzz, the cell doors all opened in unison, and the inmates stepped out onto the cellblock floor. The guards walked to and fro, inspecting each inmate before searching his cell. Gwerto could hear the muffled voices of guards in other cells as they discovered contraband, and their dreaded verdicts for the offenders. "Solitary for the remainder of the day," they exclaimed as they slapped binders on the offending inmates and marched them off towards solitary confinement. Finally, the inspections finished. The cellblock commander, identified by his orange-shouldered armor, stepped up and bellowed to his charges.

"Alright, you cons. You know the drill. It's time for breakfast. Everybody line up and get ready to head to the mess hall."

The inmates formed a line, guards flanking them on both sides. "Move out." The inmates marched forward, the guards eyeing them warily as they kept up. Gwerto simply kept walking.

Just a few more days.

Obi-Wan awoke to another knock at his door. "Coming, coming." He opened it to reveal Qui-Gon, standing in the hallway. "Obi-Wan. Master Sifo-Dyas just contacted me. He and the Council have arranged the meeting with Reego. We leave tomorrow morning. You've still got a full day, so pack your things and make sure you're well rested."

"Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon left as Obi-Wan returned to bed. His thoughts drifted to several nights before, to the meeting with Lok'ayy. He thought of the tense questioning of Lok'ayy, the torture by Nurkkis, and, above all, the time he spent with Siri.

Seeing her for the first time in five years, speaking to her…the feel of her, the touch of her, during those brief moments on the dance floor…it was all so intoxicating.

Obi-Wan chastised himself for letting his thoughts wander.

You made a commitment, Obi-Wan. As she did. Don't ever forget that, no matter what happens between the two of you. He slowly drifted back to sleep, still thinking of her despite his best efforts.

The labor mines of Oovo IV were a deceptively dark and seemingly unwatched place. Prisoners labored by small, bright lights, working at the rock as droids hovered over them. These probe droids were the only security brought into the dark, isolated mines, equipped with cameras to keep an eye on the inmates and electric arc casters to incapacitate any attempting to escape. Destroying the droids was futile: any droid going offline would trigger an alert, and a rapid-response team of guards would quickly descend on the location while all entrances to the mines were sealed off until the escapees were caught. Gwerto took all this in as he and the inmates with him drilled away at the rock, looking for minerals. Next to him was Vrossk, a Trandoshan he had met during his early pirating days. Vrossk had, through skill, intelligence, and sheer ruthlessness, risen to become both Gwerto's first mate and close personal friend. "Vrossk?"

"Skipper?"

"You been keeping an eye on the screws, like I asked?"

"Always keeping an eye on them, Skipper. They're doing it business as usual, nobody suspects us."

"Good. Keep your head down so it stays that way. We'll have plenty of time to be conspicuous when we bust out of here."

"So, are we doing it when we planned?"

"Yes, Vrossk. Tomorrow. Why are you asking? You know I don't usually renege on my plans."

"I've been hearing scuttlebutt from the screws. They say we got visitors on breakout day."

"Visitors? Who?"

"Don't know, Skipper. But from the way they was talking about it, somebody real important."

"And what, you think we should do something else?"

"Well, with all the extra security they might have…"

An exasperated Gwerto lost his temper for a moment, before remembering the security droid monitoring him. "We'll figure it out, Vrossk. Like we always do. We're going when we said we would. Visitors or not."

Obi-Wan sat in the Temple library, reading whatever he could find on GRP Oovo IV and Vick Reego in the Archives.

I've already met Reego and know some of his past, but it never hurts to know more. And knowing more about the place I'll be is even more important.

Reading through Reego's file, Obi-Wan looked through his past affiliations and background.

Bounty hunter, skilled sharpshooter…where did he learn that? Obi-Wan read further and further through the file, until he came across two sentences that made him stop immediately.

Subject is believed to have started off as a mercenary in the Outer Rim. He is rumored to have worked with a group known as "Nurkkis' Legion", but little is known at this time of his experiences or whether this group existed at all.

Obi-Wan froze, his blood running cold as his mind went back to that dark room in the Museum. Nurkkis…what? He knew Reego?

"Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan turned to see Siri walking up on him. Such concentration…I didn't even notice her Force presence. "Siri. I was just doing some reading on Reego and the prison."

"Hmm. Find anything juicy?"

Obi-Wan froze again, thinking of Nurkkis in that back room.

"Don't you touch her!"

"I'll do more than touch her, boy. Just you wait."

"Obi-Wan?"

"Sorry. Just…thinking. My mind's a bit tired from all this reading."

"Tired? You? Don't make me laugh."

"Just one of those days."

"Well, tired or not, you still owe me a sparring match."

Obi-Wan gave a relaxed, playful sigh. She's still as feisty as ever. Better oblige her, or she'll never stop bugging me.

"If you insist," he said while doing a mockingly exaggerated bow.

Siri place her hands on her hips and shook her head with a smile.

"You haven't changed at all, Kenobi."

"You ready, Obi-Wan?"

"Always."

The two Padawans ignited their training sabers and engaged. Obi-Wan went straight for his opponent, only to see her flip into the air and land behind him. She went straight for him, and he quickly turned to face her. Siri hit Obi-Wan with a flurry of attacks, twisting and turning with every blow.

Form IV…her signature. She's really been practicing over the last five years.

Obi-Wan kept up with her, until she jumped into the air and brought her saber down on his with all the strength and momentum she could muster. Obi-Wan was knocked to his knees, his guard broken. Siri came in for a finishing strike as Obi-Wan quickly raised his blade to counter her. Their blades connected in a saber lock, and Obi-Wan quickly shoved her off balance. Anticipating another strike, he rolled past Siri as she swung at his rolling form and missed. He came out behind her and went on the offensive. He swung at her right side as she turned to face him, only for her to block his strike. He came at her with blow after blow, and she coolly blocked every single one. She spun off to the side as she blocked another strike, and then spun towards his flank, trying to bring the blade of her saber into the back of his neck. Obi-Wan, caught by surprise, ducked and brought his own blade underneath her guard. Sensing this, Siri backflipped over the blade and to the rear, opening the distance. Obi-Wan rushed in to strike before she regained her footing, but she swung with surprising power against his strike and knocked him off balance. Obi-Wan rolled to the left as she spun around, swinging her saber in a downward arc. He counterattacked, knocking Siri off balance as she blocked. She was knocked to the floor, but as Obi-Wan brought his saber down, she locked blades with him, and the two were once again in a saber lock. Obi-Wan continued to press downwards, certain he had the advantage. However, he felt a sudden blast to his chest, sending him flying towards the other side of the room.

Force push…should have kept my concentration.

When he got to his feet, he saw Siri coming at him from the other side of the room, saber at the ready. Obi-Wan rushed towards her, and the two locked sabers again. Obi-Wan again began pushing Siri back, but then he remembered his previous mistake. Sure enough, Siri raised her hand, determined to knock Obi-Wan back. Obi-Wan raised his own, and for several seconds the two pushed against each other with the Force, trying to knock the other back for the finishing blow. Both Padawans suddenly flew back, having pushed each other out of the saber lock. They dashed towards each other to re-engage, and the two began trading blows in the center of the room. They stood their ground, each blocking the other's strikes as they grew in intensity. After what seemed like hours, both simply stood where they were, too exhausted to continue. Obi-Wan then raised his hand, attempting to push Siri onto the ground to finish the fight. Siri responded, and the two were once again trapped in a Force lock, neither able to overcome the other. They stood there, concentrating with everything they had, tapping as deeply into the Force as either had ever gone. Finally, mercifully, Obi-Wan felt a violent push, like the wind of a hurricane. He flew across the room, hitting the floor violently and lying there, too exhausted to continue. Suddenly remembering the fight, he raised his head weakly, expecting to see Siri thrusting her training saber into his exhausted form.

You're expecting the wrong thing, Kenobi.

The sudden sound of Siri's voice inside his head jarred Obi-Wan.

What…what is this?

He felt her surprise through the Force, clearly as unnerved as he was.

I…I don't know, Obi-Wan. I think it's…no, it can't be.

A Force bond?

I think so, but how did this happen?

Obi-Wan's mind was already racing, fearing that this connection was a product of much more than an intense training session.

Our closeness, our…our lo-…

No. Don't say it, Obi-Wan. We agreed never to go down that road. After that dance, we must remember our commitment more than ever. What I felt that night, in your arms…

Don't go there, Siri. Don't remind me. Don't remind yourself.

Obi-Wan could feel his blood boiling with every thought. Anger and sorrow coursed through his veins, his exhaustion rendering him impotent against the wave of emotions. He could feel the same in Siri.

"Padawans?"

The voice snapped Obi-Wan out of his trance. He groggily stood up, facing the Temple's battlemaster, Cin Drallig.

"Master Drallig?"

"I saw much of that fight. That was quite impressive. Rarely do I see Padawans display such skill, or fight with such intensity."

"Thank you, Master Drallig."

Obi-Wan turned to Siri, who was still on the floor. He helped her to her feet, and as their eyes met, he could see a single tear on her cheek.

She felt every ounce of that intensity. As did I.