Chapter 4
Leia rose with a sigh and for a moment she hesitated, standing at the viewport to look out into the night. When Han called her name again she shook herself, shivering. But there was nothing she could do apart from making her own way and her own decisions. "Honey?" She had not even heard him run up the stairs and yet there he was, standing in the doorway looking flustered and concerned. Leia turned fully towards him and smiled:
"No need to worry, dear. I am alright now."
Han grimaced slightly: "Once you have heard the bad news you won't be anymore."
That got her full attention: "What happened?"
"Your father is gone."
"What?"
"Gone, vanished, whatever. Anywhere but where he should be."
"Oh my stars. This is a disaster." Leia shook her head in dismay, sitting back down on her bed, all of her strength gone in the blink of an eye: "Why does the news always have to be bad?"
"It's traditional," Han tried weakly before he sat down next to her.
"Have you told Luke already?"
"No. Not yet."
"Are they looking for him?"
"Hm-hm."
"Oh gods!"
"Yeah. Don't worry, dear. This isn't so bad."
"How can you say that, Han?"
"Well, I remember what you told me about what you and Fey'lya found out. They are as surprised as we are, but now you can strike while they are still off-balance."
"You know, Han. Sometimes I wonder why you ever left the Imperial Academy."
"Cause I didn't want to end like Needa and the rest of them."
Leia gave him a small smile: "He never would have killed you."
"You really think so?" Han seemed surprised. "Why?"
"Because, my dear, you never apologize for anything."
Stepping into the dimly lit room timidly Anakin's heart ached at the sight of Daala's frail body draped over the single bed. He could see the dark shadows circling her eyes from where he stood and for a moment despair reached for him again: what if she died while he was away?
"Anakin?" her voice sounded pitifully small.
Crossing the distance he sat down beside her and for a long moment their eyes met, sharing the deepest of knowledge.
"I came to say goodbye," he began tentatively.
"I know," she said slowly and heaved a tiny sigh.
"The question, I suppose is: will you let me go?"
She looked at him in surprise: "You would really stay if I wished it?"
"Yes."
"A lie, my love, and you know it. Don't ever do that again."
The gentle warning hurt him more than he cared to admit. Slipping from his seat he knelt next to the bed, resting his elbows on the white sheets, watching her. She smiled at him in open amusement:
"What are you doing? Are you asking me for forgiveness, or —" Daala stopped and closed her eyes tightly. "Of course not," she whispered.
Anakin merely continued looking at her, drinking in the sight of her. She understood that he could not stay, he knew. But she was also wise enough to know the dangers he was about to face. Finally, very slowly, Daala reached out to hold his left hand in both of hers. Pressing it to her heart she gave him a brave smile:
"From here to the distant stars all under heaven will be yours to command." Then, placing her left hand over his heart she continued softly: "From here to the deepest darkness all under heaven will be yours to command. When you see a chance dare to cross the line and when the risk is too high stay back. Be humble and learn from your mistakes. And come back to me."
He swallowed hard, speechless at first. Of all things he had not expected this. The words she had chosen were, admittedly, a slight variant of an ancient ritual that had survived the Sith Wars. In this manner the old Jedi had appointed their battle-leaders. And he knew the answer by heart, although he too changed the words to serve this special occasion:
"I have learned that a people cannot follow the commands of another, while an army in the field cannot follow central control. Someone of two minds cannot properly serve the Force and someone in doubt cannot respond to the enemy. I have already received my calling, and taken sole control of the awesome power of the Light and the Dark. I dare not return alive. I would like to request that you condescend to grant complete and sole command to me. If you do not permit it, I dare not take the post as battle-leader."
Daala's smile deepened despite the tears in her eyes: "I permit it," she whispered, turning up the palm of his hand to kiss it tenderly.
Anakin closed his eyes, feeling relief pour into him like a wild torrent. He could not say anything, not now. That would come later. The only thing that counted now was her. She had set him free and he could not ask for more.
"I have thirty days left. And I will make the most of that time."
"Anakin!" Her eyes widened in shock. "You can't be serious!"
"I am always serious, my love. I have accepted the sentence and it is not my place to revoke it."
"Not your place! Anakin, you are such a fool!"
"Untrue," he said with a smile." I know what I am doing."
"You know that you are endangering the government, and your daughter."
"She can deal with it, I am certain of that."
"Yes, but —"
"But?"
She hesitated before answering and when she did she averted her eyes, looking out of the viewport instead of at him: "I remember the one time I let you go to face your destiny, to die. I do not want you to have returned to me now just to leave again. It hurt, you know? It hurt a lot." Her voice had died to a whisper and he could see her tears in the pale light.
"No need to try and make me feel guilty," he answered slowly. "It is enough that I am going at all, instead of being with you and my family."
"You still are a selfish one, Anakin."
"I am, am I not?" he sighed, resting his head on his arms as he crossed them on the bed.
Daala lay a hand lightly on his wrists, tracing the bones of his fingers gently. For a long time neither of them spoke, but each felt the seconds turn into long minutes as time passed them by, inevitably leading them towards the one point where they truly would have to part. Anakin did not know what else to say. He felt desolate and on edge. He was not afraid to die, not by far, but he was loath to leave all this behind. The peace he had found, the illusion of leading a normal life. It had been too good to last, hadn't it? Now he had one last mission to accomplish before he could give the responsibility over to his children and the new generation of Jedi. One last chance to righten some of the wrong he had done. There was so much more, but time was running out.
He had outlived himself twice now. Twice he had faced death only to be called back into service. He smiled at that. He always came back. But this time, he was not so sure of that. Still, he would not go against the judge's decision. There had to be justice in some form, even though 'justice' was something that was very hard to grasp. If the people wanted him dead despite everything he had done over and over again to make amends, then he would die in the knowledge that he had not succeeded in easing their fears. That they did not trust him. In a way the certainty of having failed enraged Anakin despite knowing that he had done all that he could. When all was said and done he was only human, wasn't he? But people did not see him that way. They saw either a vicious monster or else a cold and heartless warlord.
"I have to go," he managed finally.
"Then go, my love. My heart is with you."
"I will keep it safe."
Rising slowly he bent forward to kiss her, their lips touching tentatively at first, but then the kiss continued with a greater passion, turning into an all-consuming fire that burned all the way into their souls. When Daala released him again Anakin stood rooted in place for a second, before he turned around abruptly, fleeing her presence as if one moment longer at her side would kill him. As he knew it would. A few minutes later he was gliding along the darkened hallways, a shadow among shadows, feeling the night close in around him. "Jix?" he whispered once he had reached the rooftop. The Corellian detached himself from the wall and joined him. "Let's go." Taking the lead again, Anakin strode over to the small orbit jumper they had borrowed and landed up here without attracting any notice.
"They will be looking for me already. We have to leave at once. Do you have a ship?"
"No."
"Then we will have to find another solution."
Turve Glat was rudely woken by his comm blaring at full volume in his office. He opened his bleary eyes in mid-snort, but became fully awake by the time the comm chimed for the fifth time. Running over he accepted the call: "Jellan," he wheezed, his vocal cords still half asleep. "Come over here at once. Vader is gone." Mouth hanging open Turve was unable to answer and Jellan did not wait for him to overcome his shock, disconnecting the call immediately, in the secure knowledge that the reporter was as good as already there. And really, it did not take him more than twenty minutes to get to the J.A.F. MediaGroup's headquarters and into the spacious office of his boss. Admittedly Turve was hanging in the doorway, panting loudly, but when he finally walked in he tried to compose himself into a more dignified slouch.
"Sit down," Jellan ordered curtly, eyes fixed on the screen of his datapad. "Apparently he did not leave alone. There is evidence that someone broke into his cell."
"When did that happen?"
"Almost an hour ago."
"An hour? They are really fast then if they are giving out information already," Turve commented innocently, but Jellan's cold gaze nailed him into his seat.
"This is unofficial as of yet, Turve. Keep it that way."
"But this is sensational!"
"And we do not want the NRI snooping around here, trying to find out how we could know before anyone else did."
"Sure, I understand," the reporter was quick to agree.
"Very good."
But the fact that he had stopped talking did not mean that Turve had stopped thinking also. Jellan must have some informant in the prison complex. Probably. But why call Turve now? He had this Jixton to take care of. Of course, if it had been Jixton who had broken into Vader's cozy retreat... Ah, this was turning into a true feast for an investigative reporter like himself, so unlike all that superficial stuff the J.A.F. usually produced. But once in a while such a grand story would come along and Turve's eyes started gleaming when he finished the thought. This was it, finally. The Tahnera Prize was his for sure.
"I want you to get on Vader's trail, track him down. Keep us posted and we will give you a prime-time special any day you want. But don't lose them. I would advise you to start looking on Nar Shadaa. Just a hint."
"Yeah, he's still got his information brokerage office there."
"Indeed. You are the perfect man for this job, Turve. Just don't get yourself killed. This Jixton is dangerous and I don't have to tell you to watch yourself around Vader."
Turve barked a laugh: "No, not really."
"Good. Get to work and you can use the company account for your expenses. You know which one."
"Sure. Thank you. I'll be on my way then."
"Good hunting to you. I am counting on you, my man."
"Sure. See ya."
"Yes," Jellan said with a smile. "I will see you."
They were facing each other as they waited for the right opportunity to arrive. Warrior and assassin, both looking tired and worn. Despite the fact that it had been seven years since they had seen each other last, nothing seemed to have changed at all. Jix was following orders and Anakin was putting up with him. But there was something about this encounter that made it very special and somber. After they had left the prison, Anakin had led them up here, not knowing why at all until he realized that they could see the distant stars from here, something he had missed almost more than seeing Daala again. There was something about that night that reminded him of the desert. It was the feeling that although they sat so close together, both fugitives, they could just as well have been separated by a wall of ice. Each of them had been through a lot during the past years and even though Anakin had not yet asked Jix about it he knew that whatever had happened to the Corellian, it had shaken him badly and changed him too. Where he had been completely carefree before, confident in his abilities and unafraid to die, his aura felt much darker now.
"Are you going to ask or what?" Jix told him finally, his blue eyes flashing with annoyance.
"Only if you insist," Anakin shot back coolly.
"Still the same, I see."
"True. So, what happened? I sent you on a routine job. All I wanted you to do was to kill whoever was behind those slave trading deals on Ryloth. I assumed it was one of the Hutts. They usually were."
"It was a Hutt. You are right on target there."
"But? What was the problem?"
"I ran into a trap and was captured."
Raising his eyebrows slowly Anakin shook his head: "That was never something that could delay you for long."
"This time it was." Jix looked as if he had aged by decades in the matter of a few seconds.
"What happened?"
"You weren't aware of what you were getting me into, I guess, but I believe Palpatine knew all about it."
"He usually did. So, what was it?"
"It is huge. Imagine that there are some people who are loath to give up their positions. They have really good positions, mostly, connections everywhere. They are - like a huge club. They work with each other, favor each other, the whole stuff."
"You are talking corruption. That is nothing new."
"Not only corruption. Do you know that there was a major power failure threatening to black out Coruscant a few years back? Apparently there were not enough power generators. Fifteen new ones were built."
"Sounds reasonable."
"Yes, it does. But fact is that Coruscant had more than enough power at that time."
"What?"
"It was all fake. False alarm, to get a few companies more money, more profit."
"Creating your own markets. I see what you mean."
Jix shook his head violently, putting his face very close to his: "You don't know half of it. There were experiments, drugs, viruses they developed. The famine four years back on Larus was no famine. The water was contaminated, famishing the people, destroying their crops, so Agracorp could open a new market there. Celltec was working on a new way for ''resocialization' of criminals. They stole their memories for their own ends."
"How do you know all this? Did they tell you?" The Corellian turned his head away again. "They did experiments on you too, am I right?" Anakin asked softly. Jix nodded with a sigh.
"They tested a prototype on me. But first they had me walk through their latest security systems. When they found that I was too good at cracking them they implanted a chip in my brain. Now I have this dead alien in my head."
"What alien?"
"I don't know. He never told me his name. He is from the desert somewhere."
"The desert?"
"Yes, Is that important?"
"Maybe. So that chip is distracting you?"
"Our ... memories ... are like one. We are one. It is ... strange."
"I know what you mean."
"Really? I doubt it."
"I was trying to be someone else when I thought I could redeem myself. But I am who I am, still the same, as you have spotted at first glance."
"Well, I know you."
"Yes, that you do. Which is why you came to me and not the New Republic, right?"
"They have infiltrated simply everything. You are the only one who can move in whatever way you chose. Fact is, your mind is about the only thing they can't control."
Anakin stared at him for a long time: "You do not know what you are saying, Jix. I am only human."
"Say that again, but this time without trying to make it sound as if you mean it, cause you don't. You told me you are still the same, Lord Vader. And if you truly are the Sith I remember, you have forgone your humanity for the sake of others."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because you are here with me instead of meekly awaiting your execution. Because I know that you don't give up. That's why."
Anakin did not answer at first. But then he leaned closer, reaching out to touch Jix' forehead. The Corellian flinched back at first, a move that shocked Anakin slightly. The agent had never been afraid of him before.
"I only want to take a look at that chip."
"Okay."
It was easy to find, the only non-organic matter in the other's brain, and Anakin could see almost immediately that there was no way to remove or deactivate it without killing Jix in the process. His mouth hardened slightly at the sight and at the feel of the thing. If Palpatine had had access to that technology earlier Luke would never have been able to call to his father on board the first Death Star and get through to him in time. And then the last missing piece of the puzzle his captivity on Byss was to him fell into place. He had been wondering for ages why the resurrected Emperor had kept another environment suit for him and why he had had him poisoned, if he had had real hopes of turning him back to the Dark Side again. In the light of these new facts it became clear that it had been another experiment, nothing more, to determine how Palpatine could control him more effectively and efficiently without leaving him any chance of escape. But something must have delayed the development of the transmitter-chip.
"It works only at short distances, am I right?" Jix nodded. "How could you escape then?"
"They did not think this through properly. By implanting the desert being's memories in the chip they had unknowingly inserted a virus in their own programme. He fought it and it hurt like hell, I'm telling ya. But he got us out that way."
"You do not know his name?"
"No. Do you?"
Anakin shook his head. There was a legend on Tatooine, one the Sand People told their young ones before they sent them to leave the clan on their journey into maturity. But it had been only words, right? Legends were not necessarily true. On the other hand, they had to have some point of origin too. Noone just came up with a story like that. It was a rite of death and rebirth the young Tusken Raiders had to go through and if they returned, with emphasis on the if, they would be full members of the clan. Anakin had heard the legend when he had been very little. Life, it said, was like the desert, without beginning or end.
There were just the endless wastes under the vast canvas of the eternal sky, with the stars guarding the all. Noone knew what the young warriors experienced on their journey and little Anakin surely had not been allowed to try it out himself, even though he had insisted quite emphatically that his mother allow him to. He smiled at the memory of that particular discussion. He had ran outside, but had wisely stayed in sight of their hut. The desert had been very dark in the distance and there was nothing on the horizon but the stars, millions of them, as if frozen in a never-ending dance. As if time had been stolen and replaced by the mere moment. A moment that had held so much more than he could fathom at that age. It was only later that he realized what it meant. The past and future were merely states of time. But the present was forever. And in the desert all became one.
"Lord Vader?"
Jix' voice broke into his world of thought brutally, waking him again to find himself back in the here and now, so much older and without the innocent mind of the child he had once been. There was no way back and none forth, he knew. There was only the moment and what he made of it.
"I am ready. Lead the way."
As Turve hastened onto the private landing pad atop the MediaGroup's headquarters' roof a few hours later he was too busy with carrying his luggage safely to the small yacht perched there to pay any heed to the two men watching him arrive. But it was kind of hard overlooking the tall, broad figure of Anakin Skywalker suddenly blocking his way. "Ngh!" the reporter managed before something that felt like the muzzle of a BlasTech was poked into his side. "You have the ship codes and special clearance, I assume," the Dark Lord told him amiably. "And I am sure that you would be very pleased to have some company on your otherwise very brief voyage to Nar Shadaa." Turve's eyes flicked toward the security cameras observing the roof constantly: "They are disabled," a familiar voice said from behind him and now he could be certain that the BlasTech belonged to Wrenga Jixton. Shrugging helplessly the reporter heaved a sigh:
"Do I have a choice? No. So why don't we get on board."
"Yeah, let's," Jix snorted and pushed him forward.
"We are very grateful for your cooperation, Mister Glat."
"You- " Turve snarled at the Sith, but thought better than to continue that sentence. The smile on the tall man's face was far too cold for that.
Once the three of them were crowded in the cockpit though his hands were shaking too much to work the controls. Without a moment of hesitation Jixton took over and Turve saw the Dark Lord flinch. Interesting. He watched Vader tense even more when the Corellian lifted the ship off the landing pad easily, wondering. Obviously they knew each other well. And from Vader's reaction he could only conclude that Jixton was a miserable pilot. Oh gods. What had he gotten himself into?
Relaxing a bit Anakin refrained from ordering Jix out of the pilot's chair. He was doing well so far and chances were that he had learned a few things over the past years. Like piloting a ship. Jix had changed, definitely, and not only his hairstyle. It had been quite a shock to see the agent with that short, nearly white hair instead of the long, dark mane he had sported before. But they all had to bring sacrifices for this mission. Anakin smiled to himself a bit, but then he remembered that he still had had no time to ask the Corellian just where he had been over the last seven years. There was a feeling though, that told him to wait a bit before asking him about it. It had been so long, and they were not the same anymore. Not at all.
When he noticed a New Republic warship coming at them he leaned forward, tapping Glat's shoulder lightly. The reporter jumped, but caught himself quickly.
"I am not certain if my clearance is valid even now. I mean, this is a very special occasion."
"You mean the state of emergency that the planet was put under?"
"Yes. They think that you are still down there somewhere. And I can understand that they would not want you running around loose."
"Then they should have killed me when they had the chance to. If that ship sends a few officials over try to stay calm. If you don't, I fear we will have to part with your charming company."
"Understood."
"Good. Just relax and nothing will happen to you."
"They are hailing us."
"Then answer."
"Hello? What can I do for you?" In the pilot's seat Jix was rolling his eyes in disgust.
"Yes? Of course. No, I understand. I will, sure. Okay." Disconnecting the call Turve leaned back, his face pasty-white. "They are coming over."
"Alright." Rising slowly Anakin mustered the ship ahead, assessing possible escape routes, just in case. They would have a free run at the jump point for Duro and from there they could get to Nar Shadaa easily. No need to worry. "Take over here, Mister Glat. And remember, just stay calm. Jix and I will be back there."
"What if they spot you nevertheless?"
Anakin merely smiled at him.
Turve was wringing his hands, trying to stop sweating, but found that he could not. He was afraid, he had to admit, very much so. True, he had wanted the story, and maybe he had even wanted an adventure, but this was getting nasty. Perhaps he should try to get out of here after all. The New Republic ship had pulled them into one of their hangar bays and the engines were powered down, as were their weapons. If they discovered his two passengers they would stand no chance to escape. Then, on the other hand, he did not put it past the Sith to simply blow out of there, no matter what. When the first inspector showed himself at the landing ramp Turve forced a smile on his lips.
"Welcome."
"Yeah, yeah. This ship is registered to the J.A.F. MediaGroup. Your user license please."
He produced the chip instantly, still smiling.
"Seems okay, Mind if we have a look around?"
"No, no. Go ahead." They are back there.
The inspector gave him a quizzical glance.
"Are you trying to tell me something?" he asked finally, trying to make sense of the words Turve was mouthing silently at him. The reporter turned red with anger and humiliation. But by then two more officers had come aboard.
"Just watch your step," he growled, waving them toward the aft hold.
And finally the other man got it. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, then nodded. With a flick of his hand he brought his commlink up, but he never got a chance to use it. The landing hatch slammed shut very suddenly, startling the three inspectors for a second, and that was all the time Wrenga Jixton needed. When everything was over Turve stared at the three bodies lying at his feet, white-faced. "Come on," Jixton ordered coldly, pointing toward the cockpit. "Better strap in."
They joined the Dark Lord moments later, as the ship was already lurching forward, headed for open space. Vader's gaze was fixed ahead, but his words flowed over Turve's back like ice when he said:
"One chance left, Mister Glat."
Finally Turve found his voice again: "You are mad! Both of you! You killed them!"
"You knew what you were getting yourself into. And now sit down and shut up. This might get a little bit rough. Jix, watch the shields."
Five hours later the New Republic government had to admit that the Dark Lord had escaped custody and Leia was already on her way to the NRI headquarters when Luke caught up with her. They walked the bleak corridors side by side, each staring ahead and keeping silent. She had already worked out a plan of action together with Fey'lya and they would hit the Senate today. The fact that her father had vanished would give her a very good excuse to extend the state of emergency and would give her free leave to make a few changes. Morally it was not the right way to do it, she was well aware of that, but her enemies had no moral to speak of. Which was no excuse either. Biting her lower lip in furious concentration Leia tried to think of a way out of this dilemma, but it was a useless effort.
Fey'lya and she had been hard-pressed as it was to come up with a moderate solution. There would be new standards and new auditionings, new regulations and new investigations. There would be changes elsewhere. Of course she was very aware of the consequences. People would accuse her of following her father's path, and of course there would have to be more regulations concerning the head of state and her powers too. It was not so much a concession on her part than an insurance for the people, Leia thought. Few would see it that way though. Still, she could not please everyone but herself.
Rounding a corner the twins were welcomed by Admirals Palleon and Ackbar, both looking nervous. Leia gave the two of them a sharp nod:
"Is she still in there?"
"Yes," Palleon answered smoothly. "And she does not know a thing, as expected."
Leia shook her head with a smile. It was only natural for the former Imperial that he was trying to protect her father, but he needn't have bothered to hide his efforts in front of them. The fact that he did concerned Leia though. If he did not even trust her...
"Maybe you are not asking the right questions. Gentlemen, please."
"After you, ma'am."
"Thank you."
They filed into the interrogation room one by one and Gita Deron did look a bit harassed, sitting very straight on her chair, her eyes gleaming with lack of sleep.
"Master Skywalker, Madam President. An honor."
"Miss Deron, I will be brief. I am sure that my father did not mention anything of his plans to you, but I am also certain that you had some suspicions. A man visited me two days ago, asking me if I could help him get to my father. I had to deny him my help, but he told me a few very interesting facts."
"Was his name Wrenga Jixton?" Gita asked slowly.
"He did not introduce himself. Why?"
"Because Turve Glat was in contact with him. And apparently this Jixton was eager to meet with your father too."
"There might be a connection there. Anything else you can tell me about this man?"
"He worked for your father and he knew something he wanted your father to get notice of. I assume that it was that news that prompted him to go into hiding."
"Then we are talking about the same man. Chances are that they have left the planet together. And they took Turve Glat with them."
"What?"
"A ship registered to the J.A.F. MediaGroup was inspected five hours ago and the sole passenger was Mister Glat. The ship escaped, the investigators are reported missing, and I think we all can draw our conclusions here."
"Yes, I see. But what do they want with Glat?"
"I do not know. But I know that I will need your help."
Looking up from her desk Firek Nab gave the newcomer a long, hard look. "Can I help you?" she asked, her musical voice filling the room with strange echoes. The man stepped forward, further into the light and a low hiss escaped the Bith's mouth.
"You here? That is unexpected."
"Is it?" Placing his slender hands on the top of her desk he leaned forward, a smile on his lips. Firek leaned back instinctively. "You did not do as we told you to."
"I had no choice."
"You did have a choice, my dear. But you chose to ignore it."
"Haven't I heard that line before?" she whispered wearily.
"I am sure you did. The trial was very interesting and in fact I was a bit surprised at the sentence, not only because we had arranged for something else originally."
"He is too dangerous to keep alive."
"And now he is gone."
"What?" Her startled whistle made him flinch. But he rallied immediately, shaking his head slowly:
"What a tiny world you must be living in inside your head. Did you not listen to the news?"
"No. They are distracting."
"Well. Fact is, he is gone and we cannot control him. Had you done as we asked he would be no problem and we would have another foot in the door, so to speak."
"I do not care for your enterprises," she hissed.
"But you should. They are paying your wages too, after all. And don't tell me that you serve justice, Firek Nab, because that is a lie."
Finally the Bith gave up trying to postpone the inevitable any longer. She rose with a sigh and came around her desk with measured steps. He spread out his arms with a smile and it was an almost tender gesture, one of welcome. But Firek knew that it meant death for her. "Joy to you, Loaz," she whispered and leaned towards him. When his hands touched her shoulders she started shaking violently, but in the matter of moments there was nothing left to wonder about what was happening. Gently depositing her body on the floor Loaz closed his eyes in satisfaction. It would take them some time to find her and by then he would be gone again. As if he had never been there at all.
Turve sat nervously in the rec couch, glancing at Jixton wide-eyed. The Corellian was calmly leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed in front of his chest, one foot propped up against the wall. Finally the door slid open to reveal the imposing figure of Anakin Skywalker. He nodded at Jixton, then vanished back into the galley. "What did he do with them?" Turve asked finally. "Threw them out of the air-lock. A pity he refused to let me do the same with you." Jixton gave him a cold smile.
The reporter swallowed hard. They had reached Hutt space a few hours ago, but the Dark Lord was hesitant to go to Nar Shadaa right now. He had not given them any specific reasons, but some seemed clear. Nar Shadaa was the first place anyone would go looking for him. Even Jellan had known that. And the NRI would know it too. Then why were they here at all?
"Jix! Get over here!"
The Corellian shot a warning glance at the reporter before he vanished too. Great. It was just great. He was trapped on his own ship with two madmen and he had no way of calling for help. But hey, on the other hand, should he survive this he would have quite a story for the prime-time version of Coruscant Daily. If. He could hear them discuss quietly, their voices no more than hushed whispers. Turve would give much to learn what it was they were talking about in there. He had the distinct feeling that they would not let him in on their plan, even if he asked nicely.
"Glat! In here!"
Jumping at the snarled order Turve scrambled to his feet and ran over to the galley, where the two men were waiting for him. They looked like twin mirrors, both leaning against the board, their arms crossed in front of their chest, blue eyes regarding him unblinking. Frankly he could see no difference at all, except maybe for appearance. But even though Jixton was head and shoulders shorter than Skywalker he by no means seemed demure in comparison to the Sith. Those two were deadly, there was no doubt about it.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"Actually you can," Skywalker told him, waving him in. "The New Republic will undoubtedly send a team on our trail. They will root around in my office on Nar Shadaa. As you would have too." Turve managed a squeak, but refrained from answering to the unspoken question. "So, if we land this ship there now we are as good as dead. But we will do so anyway."
"What?" Glat croaked, disbelieving. "Why?"
"Because there might be some urgent messages that were sent to my private account on my datapad there. They will try to crack the codes and to do so they will take the datapad with them. I want you to find out where they are taking it."
"And you think they will trust me?"
"No. I think they will lead you astray, sensing that I am behind your request. And while they are busy Jix and I will access the account from elsewhere."
"But if they have the datapad..."
"Who ever said it was the right one? So, you are given no choice really. Try to stay alive
and good luck to all of us. Strap in. We are leaving."
Sitting in the copilot's chair Jix was watching the readouts intently. There was no unusual activity going on around Nar Shadaa, at least not more unusual than was common on the Smuggler's Moon. He did not know how Vader was planning to get past the New Republic troops that would undoubtedly be waiting for them. But he trusted the man completely. The Dark Lord always got his way and this time would be no different. When the Sith hissed between clenched teeth very suddenly, Jix turned to look at him.
"What is it?"
"Jedi."
"Your son?"
"No. He sent someone else."
He was sitting cross-legged on the floor, ignoring Mara's intent gaze on him. A room apart he could feel Kam and Tionne practicing with Kirana Ti and Streen. There was no way he could start looking for new apprentices right now, not with the discussion about the Jedi and controlling them rising up again. Leia had come down hard on any senator who even dared to think of proposing another ban, but Luke knew that another round in this battle was inevitable. It would be Tionne's turn to take up the fight this time. And he trusted the silver-haired Knight to do the right thing. She had a great insight into people and the history of the Jedi. But on the other hand there were others among the new order who would only distract people from Tionne's arguments.
And so Luke had taken the opportunity to achieve two goals at once by ordering Gantoris and Kyp off with the special ops team the New Republic had dispatched for Nar Shadaa. They had left a few days ago, both well aware of the reasons why the mission was given to them alone. But this way the Jedi could demonstrate their willingness to help and the two Jedi Knights who had been the whole reason the discussion about the Jedi's autonomy had been sparked in the first place were conveniently out of the picture for the time being. Luke felt that his sister was having a bad influence on him. He was turning into a politician. A strategist, his father would insist. How Anakin would react to the two Jedi's presence on Nar Shadaa he did not know, but he was certain that he would not harm them. And if he did, Kyp and Gantoris were very capable of taking care of themselves. Luke did not want his father to get hurt, but he still vividly remembered his uncontrolled attack back in the prison complex when he had heard of Daala's injury.
Fact was that Anakin would push his plan through no matter what.
He strode down the landing ramp slowly, deliberately, taking his time. His face was a mask of boredom with a bit of arrogance shining through. But Anakin knew very well that the twenty or so troopers assembled in the hurriedly cleared hangar bay would not hesitate to attack if given leave. They did not want to take any chances, he could feel that clearly. Of course, they were not the ones he had to worry about. It was the two men standing a bit apart, one short and wiry, the other tall and muscular, but both dark-haired and blue-eyed. Kyp and Gantoris were watching him with keen eyes, and Anakin was sure that there was no fear coming from them. They had faced him twice in battle and lost, but they had also learned a lot in those encounters. And one thing was that he would not kill them in cold blood. Behind him, half-hidden by the ship's entrance, Jix was observing the New Republic soldiers and the Jedi Lord could feel the Corellian tense slightly, poised for action.
"Now," he announced calmly, his rough voice ripping through the terse silence like the sound of ice cracking against ice in the Northern seas of Hoth. "We can do this the hard way or the easy way. Either you let us pass or else you will die."
"Our orders were specific, Lord Skywalker. We are to escort you back to Coruscant."
He shook his head at the brave lieutenant who had stepped forward to address him directly. "I will be back in twenty-five days. Until then, do not interfere. For your own sake."
"Lord Skywalker," Gantoris said suddenly, walking towards him with Kyp in tow. "It is customary for the convicted to remain in custody until the sentence is executed. There can be no exception for you."
"Oh yes, there can be. I am making that exception and I would advise you not to stand in my way."
"That we cannot do. It is our duty to protect these men and they will not back down."
"So be it," Anakin snarled, truly angry.
But it was not him who moved first. Jix came charging out of the ship at high speed and before the soldiers realized that the threat was not coming from the tall warrior standing at the ramp it was too late already. It was good to see that the Corellian had lost none of his skills, despite whatever had happened to him. And maybe it was a sort of release too. Turning towards Kyp and Gantoris the Jedi Lord moved to block their way elegantly. Both were determined to not let him get the better of them this time, but Anakin would be damned if he gave them any chance.
Spreading out his hands he showed them that he was unarmed, prompting them to ignite their lightsabers in unison. They knew him well. He did not need any weapon to defend himself. Or to attack. Shielding his presence in the Force he feinted at Gantoris first, then moved toward Kyp only to reverse his steps again and jab an elbow into the older Knight's throat. Gantoris stumbled back, but not without slashing at Anakin first. By then Kyp had already reached him, his blade arching at his shoulder. As Anakin stepped back Kyp lashed out with his left leg, hooked it around the other's ankles and dropped him to the floor. Hitting the deck with a laugh Anakin half-rose to smile up at the young man with some pride. "You have learned, I see," he told him pleasantly before slamming a wall of air into him. He jumped straight up, aiming a kick a Gantoris that left them both on the floor.
From then on the two Knights moved more cautiously and Anakin had a hard time predicting their movements. They worked as a team easily and their lightsabers gave them a slight edge when it came to keeping him at a safer distance. In the background Anakin was aware of the battle between Jix and the New Republic soldiers entering the critical stage and decided to risk a bit more. Moving in between Kyp and Gantoris he was intent on knocking them both out at once. But somehow he had misjudged and over-stepped the invisible line he had drawn for himself just slightly.
Immediately Gantoris used his overbalanced position to push him against the wall hard. As Anakin bounced off again he almost flinched when Kyp's blade impaled itself in the wall right in front of his face. Drawing back he was just barely able to evade Gantoris' lightsaber. He turned his back to the wall, trying to escape, but the two lightsabers formed a sparking cross that trapped his head and neck effectively. If he tried to move any further, either up, down, forward or any other way, he would die. The waves of satisfaction and pride rolling off both Gantoris and Kyp only served to fuel his anger. Still, there was nothing he could do right now. Across from him he could see Jix smile and shake his head at him.
"Lord Skywalker, please. We do not want to hurt you any more than necessary," Kyp tried soothingly.
"No? A pity," Anakin hissed back.
For a split-second his comment startled the two and he used that moment fully to hurl both of them straight up. They came back down in an easy roll not too far away, but he did not let them recover. Slamming the Force into them again and again Anakin did not stop before both were too dazed to move. He bent over Kyp's half-conscious form threateningly: "Stay out of my way. This is your only warning." Waving Jix on he turned to leave. Time to accomplish what they were really here for.