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After boarding the passenger transport, Obi-Wan and Sari decided to meet in the ship's dining lounge after freshening up. Neither had eaten since breakfast that morning, and the day's excitement left them both feeling famished. Fortunately, Obi-Wan was able to secure a room for her right next to his own. The woman at the ticket counter had at first claimed no empty rooms. However, with a slight wave of Obi's hand and a subtle suggestion to check again, the lady had quickly found a cancellation.
Sari took a quick shower and slipped into a simple black dress that hit her mid-calf. Her mother had always told her a little black dress was perfect for any occasion, and now was as good an occasion as any. She liked the way the silky, lightweight fabric fell across her body and made her feel feminine, yet alluring at the same time. Her usual teacher's wardrobe left little room for sex appeal.
"I haven't forgotten about the kids," she assured her reflection in the mirror. "And besides... there's nothing wrong with being clean and looking nice, is there?" She felt giddy inside, just like when she was a teenager. It was the good kind of nervous butterflies flitting around inside her stomach.
After a little more primping, Sari slid into her shoes and spritzed a bit of perfume on her wrists and behind her ears. Now she was ready to go.
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Making her way to the lounge, she tried to calm her anxiety, but a silly grin would escape every so often. Could everyone who looked at her tell how totally smitten she was with a certain dashing Jedi Knight? Part of her knew how irrational and impractical she was being about Obi-Wan, but the rest of her didn't care. She was forever being practical and realistic, and, for once, she just wanted to let go and live a little. Experience is the best teacher, she kept telling herself.
The lighting in the corridors was low, and Sari guessed it was purposely set so in order to hide the aging interior. This was definitely not a new vessel, perhaps not even built within her own lifetime. She had laughed at her room's garrish red velvet furnishings. It appeared to be the very epitome of every house of ill repute she had ever seen on a holovid or read about in a book.
The sound of a pulsating rhythm found Sari's ears before she even rounded the corner to the lounge. The music was even louder once she entered the dimly lit room. Off to her left was a bar lined with various unsavoury types, all of whom watched her entrance with uncomfortably lingering gazes. Sari suddenly became aware of how much skin she was showing and almost wished the dress wasn't so low cut.
Straight ahead was a dance floor filled with all sorts of beings performing moves that made her look away in embarrassment. Her father, if he were present, would suggest they all go get a private room instead of subjecting everyone to their indecent actions. This was definitely a new experience for the young teacher.
Over to her right was a dining area filled with tables. After searching unsuccessfully for Obi-Wan, she decided to find an empty table and wait. Just as she was about to sit down, the chair moved from underneath her.
"Let me get that for you, sweetheart."
Sari looked up to find a very tall, very rough looking man smiling down smugly at her. He had short bleached hair cut in a spike, but his unshaven face showed stubble of a darker hue. A hoop earring dangled from each ear, and his bare arms sported tattoos from wrist to shoulder.
He was holding the chair, waiting for her to sit down. Finally, she regained her composure and eased herself into the seat, now fully conscious of the cleavage she was showing. The man noticed, too, never taking his eyes off of her form even while pulling up a chair for himself. Sari wanted to smack the disgusting grin right off of his face.
"So, what's your name?" he asked.
"Jaira," she responded. This would give her an opportunity to try out the new persona she had adopted for this trip. Obi-Wan had decided that it would be best to travel incognito for the time being.
"Well, Jaira, I'm Ace, and I'm here to make all your dreams come true." Sari couldn't stifle a snicker at his conceit, and he stopped smiling for just a moment.
"And what exactly would you know about my dreams... Ace?" she asked. Despite his rather large muscles and tall frame, Sari was not one to be intimidated by a man such as this. He leaned in closer, placed an arm around her shoulders and stared at her chest the whole time he spoke.
"You, my dear, are a woman who needs a real man, one who can satisfy her every desire--- and I'm him." He nodded his head as he spoke the last few words. He definitely wasn't suffering from low self-esteem, Sari thought. She gently took his arm and moved it off of her shoulders.
"Thanks, but I'm not interested," she stated, thinking that he would surely get the message. Much to her dismay, he didn't quite make the connection. He scooted even closer to her chair and put his face in hers. His smile was gone and only a look of pure meanness shone in his eyes.
"I don't think you understand," he growled lowly. "Lots of women would die for a chance with me." A flutter of fright swept through Sari, but she wasn't about to let him know it. She pulled her face away from his.
"No, you don't understand. I'm not interested in a 'chance' with you." She spoke more slowly in hopes he would get the point this time.
It didn't work.
His male pride was pushed to the point of no return. Several other rough looking characters were now watching the scene intently, anxious to see the outcome. Ace wouldn't be beaten.
He grabbed her arm and jerked her up from the chair. His tight grip made her wince in pain, and, for a moment, the thought of what he was capable of doing to her scared her to death.
"I believe the young lady told you she wasn't interested."
The voice broke through the tension like a ray of light in a dark room. The accent was unmistakable. However, when Sari turned toward the voice, a new face looked back at her. It had to be Obi-Wan, but gone were his long hair and beard. He now had a much shorter layered cut and a smooth shaven face that made him appear younger than his thirty-some years. He was still dressed in all black, but instead of a cape, he wore a tailored nerf leather jacket to cover his black turtleneck shirt.
Ace scowled at Obi-Wan and dropped Sari's arm. He walked around the table and stood only inches away from Obi, having no idea he was facing a highly trained Jedi.
"I don't think it's any of your business... punk!" Ace spat as he poked a finger into Obi-Wan's chest. The man was quite a bit larger than the Jedi, but size mattered not when it came to using the Force. Obi-Wan fought down the desire to knock the man into next week, but couldn't keep a snarl from his lips. Types like Ace gave men a bad name.
Obi stood his ground. "Yes, it is my business. She's with me." Sari smiled at his defense of her. She liked being 'with him'. Ace glanced back at Sari as if to ask if this was true. In response, she quickly moved to stand next to Obi-Wan's side. Now, all the people in the lounge were watching. A silly grin spread across the big man's face.
"Well, then, accept my apology." Suddenly, Ace drew back his arm and swung at Obi-Wan. Luckily, Obi had sensed the man's intentions and pushed Sari out of the way before ducking the blow just in time. He grabbed Ace's arm, swung it around the man's back, and slammed him down into the table.
Obi-Wan leaned down to whisper in Ace's ear. "I don't think you want to mess with me. It's not worth it." After keeping Ace down for a few seconds of 'quiet contemplation, Obi loosened his grip to let the man back up. Ace rubbed his arm and backed away.
"Yeah, you're not worth my time," Ace repeated. Then he turned and strode arrogantly out of the lounge. Within seconds, all of the spectators resumed their previous activities, and Obi-Wan and Sari sat down at the table.
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In the cold, sterile hold of a cargo freighter, twenty frightened and confused children of various races sat huddled together. Muffled sobs sounded from several of the small captives, and some attempted to comfort their classmates with hugs and reassuring words. However, in one corner, a small group of three were quietly discussing their plight with hushed whispers.
"It was too Mr. Rafe!" Aido, a Rodian boy exclaimed. "I saw him shoot Miss Zendar right before the door shut on the transport."
"Do you think she's dead?" the Twi'lek girl Nay'la asked. She had formed a close attachment to her teacher, and the thought that the woman might be dead broke the young girl's heart.
Aido looked down at the floor and whispered, "I... I'm not sure. She flew back and hit the ground awful hard....." He glanced at the girl and saw the look of devastation on her face, then added, "But, maybe she's okay. That Jedi man was there when we took off. Maybe he saved her." Nay'la smiled weakly at her friend's attempt to ease her pain.
"I sure hope so, Aido. I sure hope so."
Ebo, who had been sitting in silence for the duration of the conversation, finally spoke. "Do you think someone will come for us?"
The others looked at him, but no one answered. No one was sure where they were, who had them, or what was going to happen to them next. There was simply nothing else to say.
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