Chapter 2
Clutching the Queen's favorite lipstick, Saché sped through the Palace toward the main hangar. A shortcut by way of the generator complex would save her at least five minutes, she realized, and she made a quick turn toward the utility wing.
As she approached the double doors, they silently slid open, revealing a menacing figure clad in a black cloak. Saché gave a tiny yelp of fear, startled at the unexpected apparition. The figure strode forward, pulling the concealing hood away from its head. Saché felt a moment of confused panic as the distinctively tattooed face of Sith Lord Darth Maul was revealed. His black-gloved hand reached for her. She thrust Queen Amidala's lipstick into Maul's face, and when he blinked, Saché pivoted to the left and darted through the door toward the melting pit. Maul spun to follow her, pulling off his cloak as he advanced.
Once through the double doors, Maul stared at Saché across the pit. He raised a hand and the doors slid shut. Saché watched the Sith intently, determined to keep the melting pit between them. She was too frightened to wonder how Darth Maul had survived his battle with Obi-Wan and a fall into the melting pit. Maul simply stood and stared with his fearsome yellow eyes. Saché wished for Amidala's blaster, though now she doubted anything could kill the Sith.
With the grace and power of a tiger, Maul leaped across the melting pit to where Saché stood. She had no chance to move, so she merely waited, her heart pounding in her chest. Maul grasped her wrists and pinned her to the wall. Her feet dangled inches above the floor.
"Where are the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his brat apprentice Anakin Skywalker?" Maul growled. His savage eyes stared so intensely Saché feared her skin would burn, but she would not allow her terror to show.
"I am woman, hear me roar," she muttered to bolster her confidence. A look of confusion flickered across Maul's face. Saché kicked at Maul's shins, but he neatly sidestepped her feet and released his grip, allowing her to drop to the floor. She pulled herself to her full height and glared at the Sith. "I thought Obi-Wan killed you. How could you possibly survive . . . "
"It was a flesh wound," Maul cut her off impatiently. "Just a scratch. A little antiseptic and I'm good as new, as you can see." He flung his hands outward as if inviting her inspection.
"But Obi-Wan cut you right in half! You fell into the pit. It's not possible . . . "
Maul snarled. "Jedi lies! He fled in terror once Jinn was dead and couldn't protect him." He thrust his face into Saché's. "Where is that little candy-ass?"
Saché grimaced. "Probably reenacting your dramatic death scene for a mob of adoring Padawan at this very moment. I could kill him!"
Maul squinted appraisingly at Saché. "I see you are no stranger to the Dark Side."
Saché shrugged. "Even a Sith is no match for a woman with PMS."
With an alarmed look on his face, Maul took a step back. "I see your point. Nevertheless, I must risk it . . ."
"What do you mean?"
"I want Obi-Wan and his young apprentice, and I want them to come to me. No more hunting from one loathsome planet to the next. You will come with me and they will follow you."
Saché shook her head. "No can do, Maul. The Queen needs this lipstick, and it's my assignment to get it to her."
Maul sneered, "The Queen will have to wait. You will come with me!" He grabbed Saché's wrist and dragged her toward the door. Saché realized she was no match for the Sith's power. For now, she would comply, but not without a final protest.
"I cannot answer for the consequences if the Queen is forced to face the Senate in 'Purple Dawn' lipstick. It makes her face look sallow."
Maul snorted and continued though the door, pulling Saché with him.