Chapter Eight: "Biding Time"

I guess deep down I always believed it was inevitable. There were laws in the galaxy and regardless of whether they were right or wrong, I had risked my freedom by breaking them. I wasn't sure how the news of my guilt had made its way to the Core so quickly. Someone who had been on Stewjon had to have heard of my crimes. It couldn't have been Padmé so it stood to reason the informant had to have been Senator Organa.

All my life I had done my best to serve others. Once I'd been hired at Mehon School, I'd assumed my destiny was helping those less fortunate. There were plenty there who needed it. I was just beginning to make some headway – or so I thought – when the rug was pulled from under me.

I often thought about destiny and fate and had come to the conclusion that I didn't necessarily believe in either. I chose my own path and now apparently was unable to escape its destination. Not that I had tried very hard. The electrobinders had essentially disabled any attempt to get away although regardless of that, I seemed content to accept outcome.

Why? I asked myself during the transport ride to the detention facility. Now that I had someone in my corner, someone who seemed willing to fight for me, why wasn't I fighting for myself?

I glanced down at my hands and studied the binders more carefully. Perhaps if I asked, the Force would disengage them. However, I quickly learned there more to these restraints than met the eye. I couldn't access the Force no matter how hard I tried. The sensation of the loss was a strange feeling and I'd never realized before what a comforting companion it had been all these years. Without it, I felt as if part of me had died.

I was escorted inside a three-story structure, where I was registered, relieved of every belonging on my person, and taken to a cell. We passed several while walking down the narrow hall which were filled with criminals of a variety of species. However, the room they took me to was empty. I was its only occupant.

The guard shoved me inside and sealed the transparisteel door before pulling out some type of controller from his pocket. With a push of a button, the binders deactivated and fell from my wrists. The Force came flooding back to me like a cool breeze during the heat of the day.

"Stay where you are and kick them over," the guard commanded.

I complied, amazed at how careful everyone was being with me. I imagined they had imprisoned Force users before and were aware of what they were capable of. This guard wasn't only being wary, he was afraid of me. The thought was empowering, although I wouldn't do anything about it. Not just yet.

Once the binders were in his grip, another push of button lit up the transparent barrier between us. I would test its strength after I was alone.

"A city-appointed attorney will be contacting you shortly. Enjoy your stay."

I waited for the guard to leave before I approached the barricade. The closer I got to it, however, the more my contact with the Force seemed to diminish. They weren't messing around. Like the binders, apparently, this brightly-lit blue shield was designed to cut off my access to the Force.

I didn't have a choice now but to wait. If anyone was able to help me out of this mess, it was Padmé and I wondered what she was up to. I wouldn't be surprised if she marched into this prison at any second with an army behind her. Not one of soldiers, but of politicians and lawmakers who demanded my release. Any second now…

Several hours later, as the light coming through the narrow opening at the top of my cell began to dim, I started to worry that perhaps Padmé wasn't having much success. Other than the occasional curse word drifting the hallway from other cells or the sound of snoring and other bodily functions, everything was quiet.

That is, until I did hear the marching of several pairs of feet approaching. Was she actually coming to my rescue as I had hoped?

Excited, I jumped up from the metal bench and approached the barrier, though keeping a slight distance, only to be disappointed to see nothing but more guards. Their rifles were raised, the wall powered down, and another set of binders was tossed in my direction.

"Put those on," the leader announced, his voice unnaturally modified behind his helmet. "By order of the Chancellor, you're being transferred to a research facility."

"A research facility?" I couldn't help but ask before I put the binders on.

As a result, the four guards approached me, blasters raised, the leader activating an electrostaff I hadn't noticed before.

"Comply or suffer the consequences," he stated simply.

An opportunity lay before me. Perhaps I could make it out of here alive. But where would I go? And if I went on the run, when would I ever be able to stop? Whatever happened, one thing was sure: I could forget ever seeing Padmé again.

My time wasn't yet. I needed to wait and see how this all played out.

After placing the binders on myself, they were quickly activated and I was escorted back outside to a different transport, which took me far away from the senator's apartment. The vehicle parked inside a massive garage where we were met with even more security officers, although these were wearing white armor instead of black. They too had electrostaffs and the binders remained on my wrists.

Even the inside of the building was white and sterile looking. Unlike the prison, the spaces were more open and its prisoners appeared to roam freely, although on a second glance, I noticed a few security droids posted about, as well as holovid recorders hanging from the ceiling.

A research facility? Not hardly. This was simply another maximum-security prison pretending to care.

I was led to another single cell, although this one had an actual door and a bed, as well as a commode and sink. There was also a metal shelving unit filled with reading material as well.

My hands were freed by one of the guards who never spoke a word before I was left alone. There was no blue barrier or apparent shielding of any kind. I was able to still access the Force. In fact, they hadn't even bolted the door.

I thought about opening it, though I wasn't quick enough to do it. Soon, a smiling blond-headed young woman came through. In her hand was a datapad, that she began studying.

"You will henceforth be known as patient OK259 and will be addressed as such. I am Dr. Jassa Treven and I'm the one who will be the one handling your care. Do you have any questions?"

This was a rather unique situation. Of course, I had questions! The trick was, would she provide any answers?

"Why am I here?"

"Didn't they tell you?" she asked with concern, her brows lowering.

"I was told I was being transferred to a research facility, but that's all."

Her grin widened which narrowed her green eyes. "Actually, that's all you need to know," she informed me. "At least for now. Rest up. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

That didn't tell me much. "What are you going to do with me?" Perhaps I'd get a clearer picture if I rephrased the question.

"You'll see," she added with yet another friendly grin. "Get some rest. Evening meal will be sent down shortly. I believe tonight we're serving roasted duck with mashed tubers, although I'd avoid the pudding if I were you. It's just nasty. Trust me."

Some of my initial dread was relieved. Dr. Treven actually seemed like an honest and caring individual.

Perhaps my stay here wasn't going to be so bad after all.