Chapter Thirteen

The Star Guard doctor looked sympathetically at Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon as she described Ke-Ondra's condition. She was a middle-aged woman with dark brown eyes and short gray hair. She had introduced herself as Dr. Malica.

"Knight Ke-Ondra was severely injured from the blast of the plasma bombs," she said. She then turned and gestured about the medical ward. "As were many others."

Obi-Wan frowned as he looked about. The beds were full of Star Guard personnel who had been caught in the blast. Plasma bombs not only burned the outside of the body, the radiation affected the nervous system. Even if a patient survived their burns they were often left completely paralyzed.

Dr. Malica turned and indicated that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon should follow her.

"Our medical facilities are somewhat crude," she said as she walked quickly through the ward, her boots squeaking on the floor. She stopped in front of a bio-bed around which a stasis field hummed.

Obi-Wan peered through the shimmering field. Ke-Ondra was lying on the bed. Bacta bandages covered his entire body and bio monitors beeped softly around him. Obi-Wan wondered why the Jedi wasn't inside a bacta tank, then recalled the doctor's words about the crudeness of their facility.

"We have him in the stasis field to prevent further infection," Dr. Malica explained. "His burns were the most serious. He was found sheltering one of the men with his body. He's been in a coma since he was brought in."

When Qui-Gon edged closer to the field, Obi-Wan moved next to him.

Ke-Ondra was a Devaronian or, as the males were known, a Devish. They were humanoids, but the males were completely hairless and sported a pair of horns atop their head and sharp teeth in their mouths.

Many species were uncomfortable around them for the Devish resembled the devils and demons of thousands of myths. However, Obi-Wan knew Knight Ke-Ondra was a very spiritual being who preferred peaceful solutions to violence. His mastership of Aalea, by all accounts, had been successful and the tempestuous young woman had learned much under his tutelage, or so Obi-Wan had heard.

"This complicates things," Qui-Gon said softly.

He turned and looked down at Obi-Wan.

"We must get Ke-Ondra back to the Jedi Temple as soon as possible. Yet, without his assistance, it will be that much harder to find Aalea."

Obi-Wan nodded. "We'll have to find her on our own."

"There may be another way. What about your Force bond with Aalea?"

Obi-Wan jerked in surprise. Ten years ago, in order to save her life, Obi-Wan had bonded with the then eight-year old Aalea. However, over the past ten years neither he nor Aalea had ever spoken of or utilized their bond. They had shielded against each other from day one and had gone on with their lives as if it did not exist.

He looked up at Qui-Gon.

"Master, Aalea and I...regarding the bond. We haven't....we've shielded from the other since the day I bonded with her."

"But it still exists?"

"Yes, but...."

"Find her," Qui-Gon said and his stern blue gaze indicated he would tolerate no more excuses from his padawan.

Obi-Wan looked over at Dr. Malica who had been closely following the conversation between them. Noting Obi-Wan's expression, she shrugged.

"There's nothing Knight Ke-Ondra can do to help, I'm afraid."

Obi-Wan nodded, then looked back at Qui-Gon. His master was watching him closely and Obi-Wan was afraid the apprehension which was in his heart was evident on his face.

"Yes, Master," he finally said. This was not the time nor the place to try to explain to Qui-Gon his reservations regarding the Force bond he had so rashly forged with Aalea. He had been given an order. His personal feelings did not matter.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and lowered the mental shields he had erected against the bond. He then thought of Aalea.

The last time he'd seen her had been five years ago at her padawan acceptance ceremony. He had not wanted to attend, but Qui-Gon had been invited and had ordered Obi-Wan to accompany him.

Obi-Wan briefly recalled the ceremony; the way Aalea had looked with her heart-shaped face, large violet eyes and night black hair, her padawan braid lying heavy against her shoulder.

And he also remembered that at one point during the ceremony she had looked over at him and Qui-Gon. Her gaze had fastened on Obi-Wan and she had given him an quick angry look. Now, as Obi-Wan's consciousness streaked along their Force bond in search of her, he couldn't for the life of him recall what she had been so angry about.

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Aalea hid behind a barrel as two kitchen droids clanked by. She had made it undiscovered to the compound's kitchen, although she'd had a few close calls. Without access to the Force she felt as if she were deaf and blind. She hadn't realized how much she had come to depend upon it. And her lightsaber. Although Ke-Ondra had taught her how to defend herself without it, she missed the weight of it in her hand.

Aalea reached under the collar to where it rubbed against her skin. If she ever got this thing off her neck it was going to leave a nasty bruise.

The two droids finally left the kitchen. Aalea darted from behind the barrel and stole alongside the wall, keeping close to the shadows. Fifteen minutes had passed since she had escaped from her cell and so far it appeared her absence had not been noted.

She reached the large doors at the end of the kitchen. There were two windows atop the doors. She stood on tiptoes and looked through them.

Inside was a storage room. At the far end was a loading ramp. The ramp was closed, but there were skylights above it and through them Aalea could see the Farontan sky. She noted that it was starting to brighten towards dawn.

Aalea pushed against the doors. Just as she was about to run through them, she heard a rumbling laugh. Her heart thudded in her chest. She turned around.

Titon stood behind her. He was holding a blaster which was aimed at her chest. Next to him towered a Hutt who eyed Aalea with amusement.

"Well done, little one, well done. I congratulate you on getting this far. Aren't you impressed, Titon?" The Hutt glanced down at the smuggler.

"Not really, Lord Luba. This little Jedi bitch would've never gotten away from me," he said.

Aalea glared at Titon, but she also kept her eyes focused on her lightsaber which was still clipped to his belt.

"Now, now, Titon," Luba said. "You really should watch your language. I, on the other hand, am not as uncouth as my employees." He looked back at Aalea. "For example, my dear, allow me to apologize for what Vol tried to do to you in your cell."

He turned back to Titon. "You will see that Vol is properly punished, won't you, Titon. Knowing the Jedi and their peculiar views on sex, which seems to involve no sex, this one is most likely a virgin. Vol's clumsy attempts at lovemaking would have substantially reduced her value on the slave market."

Aalea's cheeks burned as the Hutt looked down at her, his large eyes glittering with delight.

"Don't be embarrassed, little Jedi. None of these mushbrains know that I have surveillance cameras installed in the cells. Sometimes I like to watch my men have their fun with the prisoners."

Luba reached down and patted Titon on the head. Titon flinched at the Hutt's touch and his face paled to a deathly white. Aalea guessed he was probably recalling his earlier words in the cell about Luba being a big blob of pus and wondering how much the Hutt had heard.

"But Vol's instincts were on the mark," Luba continued as he leered down at Aalea. "For you certainly are quite the beauty. I'm almost tempted to keep you for myself." His thick tongue slid over his lipless mouth. "But, that wasn't very Jedi-like, kicking Vol when he was unconscious."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

Luba's eyes widened in surprise.

"An apology, little one? But, he was going to hurt you. And most unpleasantly, I suspect. How curious you Jedi are."

Aalea inched closer to Titon. She saw he was still mulling over what Luba had heard of his remarks in the cell.

She leapt towards him and slammed the blaster from his hand.

Titon swung at her with his fist.

Aalea ducked under the swing, then grabbed her lightsaber from his belt. Twisting under him, she back-flipped away and ignited her weapon.

Titon made as if to charge her, but Luba grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. He then looked over at Aalea and dipped his massive head.

"Again, well done, little one. I see that even without the Force as an ally, you Jedi are not to be underestimated."

Aalea pointed her lightsaber at him.

"Unlock this collar."

Luba reached into a bag that was slung across his corpulent body. He pulled out a small metal box. There were two studs on it, one green, the other red.

"The key, little Jedi," Luba said as he waved it at her. "But, as my uncle the great Jabba the Hutt is fond of saying; be careful what you wish for. You may get it."

He smiled wickedly and pressed the red stud.

Aalea screamed as waves of pain surged through her. She dropped to her knees, her lightsaber clattering to the floor. She lifted her hands to the collar on her neck, clawing at it with trembling fingers.

"Interesting gadget this Force collar," Luba said thoughtfully as he watched Aalea scream. "It's a Force nullifier combined with a device which causes pain by nerve induction. Not only does it hobble the Jedi, Titon, it tames them too."

Titon nodded appreciatively. He picked up Aalea's lightsaber, switched it off and clipped it to his belt.

"I knew she would have a pretty scream," he said grinning as he watched Aalea twist and writhe on the floor, her screams ripping through the air.

Luba scowled at Titon. He did not care for Titon taking pleasure in the Jedi's torment. She was such a lovely little thing and Luba didn't want to permanently damage such potentially valuable property.

He lifted his big thumb off the red stud.

Aalea gasped and rolled, shuddering, onto her side. Tears blurred her vision and spittle ran down her chin. Sobbing, she drew her knees up to her chest as her body twitched from the aftershocks of the pain.

"Take her to the transport ship, Titon. I would keep her for myself, but I fear in the end she would prove to be more trouble than she is worth."

"As you wish, Lord Luba."

Titon bent down, hoisted Aalea up and slung her over his shoulder. Just before she sank into unconsciousness, the last thing she heard was the Hutt laughing at her.

To be continued....