Disclaimer: I don't own any of the songs, except for Forbidden Emotions, and Moonlight Dreams. The rest belong to their respective artists! Luve ya guys!!!
Wild Child-Enya
Brothers In Arms-Joan Boaz
Adios-Enya
Lazy Day-Enya
Hunter-Dido
Break Away-Big Pig
It's A Sin-Pet Shop Boys
Silence Must Be Heard-Enigma
There Was A Boy-Micheal W. Smith
Kryptonite-Three Doors Down
Matter Of Time-Micheal W. Smith
Don't Give Up-Micheal W. Smith
May It Be-Enya
In Dreams-Edward Ross
Moonlight Dream-Anatalia
Forbidden Emotions-Anatalia
A Song To Sing
I let the last notes die and glancing out into the crowd I was met with a shocking glance at only a few people left awake. Most had fallen asleep, probably drunk, sprawled through out the room. Jabba's laughter and booming voice echoed oddly in the large room. I hung the guitar back up and jumping down from the stage crossed the room to Jabba's float pallet.
"Very good, very good!" He bellowed clapping his tiny hands together. I almost laughed at the comical sight of the slug trying to clap.
"Thank you." I said with a light inclination of my head.
"Now, what is your name exactly."
"Roanoke."
"Roanoke, a strange name, but one that suits you. You may leave now, go and rest." I nodded and with a light bow, disappeared back down my hall. I didn't sleep, but rather took a long hot shower and washed all my jumpsuit. Setting them up to dry, I sat in the desk chair wrapped in a towel and tried to work out the tangles in my long black hair with a brush. Finally, sleep wrapped me up in it's arms and I crawled into the bed. My dreams were filled with strange vision of a child and her past. Waking up in the blackness of my room, I rolled to my feet and shaking sleep from my eyes flipped on the lights. The brightness momentarily blinded me, shaking the daze from my eyes I snapped them open. I listened for a moment swearing that in that moment I had heard another person. I snapped up my blaster whirling I faced the old wooden door. Leaning against the door frame was Fett, I almost snapped off a shot at him for fun. He nodded to me, and stood a bit straighter.
"Good morning, you seemed to have slept well." He purred out, a bit of humor actually invading his voice. I narrowed my eyes and snarled.
"I slept like hell, and waking up wasn't much better."
"Your reflexes aren't bad, and the way you handle the blaster proves some experience in live combat. Who are you, Roanoke?"
"I don't know." I let out before my mind could scramble to a stop. I stared hard at Fett. "But, then again it doesn't seem to matter."
"Not, to Jabba, no. But someday, you'll catch up with yourself, and then who will you be?" He said and then was gone, leaving the shadows to fill his place. I firmly shut the door and locked it again. Leaning against the warm wood, I sagged, letting all the pain that had been bottled up from the few days I had been on this planet. The strange dreams, the sand soaked memories, it all flowed out and washed down my cheeks as salty tears. Slamming my fist into the door, I dropped to the floor with a moan. I came to myself, shivering on the dusty floor. Standing with shaking hands I staggered to the fresher. After a quick shower, I dressed in my old jumpsuit and after checking my blaster headed back to the throne room. Halfway up the hall it hit me, dropping me to the slimy ground with the intensity of memories, cascading down. A pair of arms wrapped around me and drew me from the slimy ground. I managed a low moan before the pain took me away.
I returned to myself, wrapped in my blankets laying on my bed. I suddenly knew who I was and why I was here. How I fit into the puzzle had become clear. I sat up slowly and stared through the dim room to the man sitting on the chair watching me. This time I couldn't see any sign of life behind the t-shaped visor. I tucked my knees up to my chest and took a deep breath.
"I know who I am, now."
"I figured that much, you'd better rest though, Jabba will be expecting you." Fett didn't make any move to leave, so I lay back and forced myself to relax.
"Roanoke San Anoke, I'm a singer with twenty hit albums, and the ability to play over thirty instruments. Thrown out of the Imperium for standing up for the slaves. Pitched out with my memories blocked. I landed here on this dirty rock, but they couldn't block the reflexes that come from a childhood on the streets. That's where the blaster's from. I won it in a sabbac game on Coruscant, I was twelve when I first handled it. Hours of practice every day, it got to the point that I was the fastest in the gang. I found my voice when I was sixteen, that's when I started singing, it actually was a place not unlike Devor's. It paid descant money, and then one night it all changed when a couple hot shots trying to blend into the lower class heard me. Whisked away to their studio and taught all about music that they knew. Then I ended up here, and here I am. Singing for a gangster and being guarded by a bounty hunter." Fett didn't comment, but in the dim light I saw him nod slowly. I closed my eyes and forced myself to sleep, knowing no harm would come to me while Fett was here.
The same timid knock as the night before sent me hurdling from the bed, I barely beat Fett to the door. He actually seemed shocked that I could move as quickly as I had. I spoke to the little girl, took the tray from her and shut the door firmly again. I dropped the tray to the desk, and headed for my closet, pulling out the red jumpsuit and robe. I took them into the fresher room and changed quickly. Returning to the main room, I wolfed down the meal and with Fett as my shadow headed back towards the stage. Just before I entered the room Fett snagged my elbow.
"Remember, to these people your just Roanoke, not Roanoke San Anoke, don't give yourself away to them, yet." I nodded and joined the crowd, pushing my way to the stage. Cheers greeted me, and with a light smile I accepted them. I took a light guitar and stalked the stages edge for a moment selecting the song I was going to play. I was drawing a blank till I looked out and saw Fett standing there half hidden by the shadows.
If I could I would tell you why
The first time I saw her
I could touch the sky
I could turn to stone...and I could not speak
She had the ability to make me weak
Always wishing...always hoping
That she'll get the message from the
Bottom of my heart
Let's together...share forever
It's just a matter of time
I had to wait and let her breath
That's never been easy for a man to see
She moved slow...and took her time
She kept me guessing what was on her mind
It's just a matter of time
Let's forever...be together
It's just a matter of time.
The crowd was buzzing, some were bored by what they thought of as a dull song. I almost laughed at the change in Fett's stance. Leaning lightly forward, strung as taunt as a guitar wire. I carried on into another song, catching everyone's attention with this one.
I remember when you took a stand
With the pearl of wisdom in your hand
And a soul of desire
You held your own against the world
A lions heart in a little girl
So unafraid of the fire
But those days don't last
Sweet dreams die fast
A stumble when you walk on the wire
When all your friends
Start giving in
The flames are burning higher and higher
Don't give up
Got the whole world at your feet
Just keep on ~ holding on
This is where you need to be
All the days that you've been spending
Spinning while your heart's descending
Like a stone in the ocean
Sometimes when you think the world is ending
It's really just a new beginning
The other side of emotion
But I've seen your eyes no compromise
When you set your mind on the matter
Be strong through the tears
And your sight will clear
You're going get what you're after
I paused to catch my breath and felt the energy generated by the crowd. It was pulsing, flowing around everyone. I let the songs fill me and flow out, guiding my hands with their power.
Forbidden notions, flowing faster now,
Dragging me down with their power.
"STOP!" Jabba bellowed silence both me and the crowd. I slipped the guitar back onto it's rack and jumped down from the stage. Fett was at my side, practically dragging me before Jabba. He was speaking with his majordomo, arguing about something. The crowd was edging firmly away from me and Fett. Jabba had a look of fear across his face, he pointed at a guard and then at me. Fett saw him going for some hidden switch, and dropping my arm vaulted away from me. The floor dropped out and I was falling down a tunnel. Into the bowels of the palace. I dropped to a sandy floor littered with bones. A huge door was slowly opening, sending the pig like guard scampering back into the shadows. I stood and shook sand from my robes. Glancing up at the filtered light I realized where we were, underneath the main floor of the throne room. The door ground open and standing in the opening was the ugliest creature I had ever seen, it was a rancor. It stank of death, and decay. It hadn't seen me yet, but was focusing in on the pig-guard. I saw a small door snap open behind it and Fett step through. I yanked out my blaster and setting it on the lowest power setting, stung the rancor in the arm, making it bellow and howl in pain. I sprinted through the cave, past the howling creature and through the door dragging Fett along with me. I slammed into a heavy wood table, flipping over it and landing heavily on the far side. I sat up with a groan and staggered to my feet. Hissing between clenched teeth at Fett.
"What is this all about?"
"Jabba's main competition has come to see him. He fear that it's about you, and rather than giving you up, he was going to have you killed."
"Great, just great!" I sat down with a sigh and glared up at Fett.
"So, mastermind of bad plans, what's our next move?"
"Get out of here, Garba, will know Jabba is trying to trick her. She'll have her little creatures rip the place apart looking for you."
"She'll be looking for a speeder leaving, so we take something else." I stood and stretched my tired muscle. "Those strange animals we came in on." Fett nodded and started off, I followed at a loose jog. The smelly animal was actually cleaner and there was two of them. The strange saddles were still there. Then I noticed a dark leather saddle that I knew very well. "Jabba has horses?"
"Yes, one." I stroked the saddle and peered into the dim stall. Remembering the first time my teachers took me for a horseback ride. The pale golden horse peering out at me was young and lithe, powerfully built. I grabbed the saddle from the rail and tossed it up, letting my memories guide my fingers.
I sprang up and watched as Fett swung aboard his mount. He glanced back and nodded his approval. I let her spring out and we flowed across the sand, chasing the suns across the sky it seemed. Then the suns were setting and we were back in the canyon entrance to Jabba's. All through the afternoon I had been churning a plan around in my mind. If I was going to escape it would have to be tonight. My chance was coming, tonight I would not have to sing, so no one would miss me till the next night. Through the dark canyon we plodded, and into the dank lower chambers. It was not long after that I found myself back in Jabba's throne room. Exhausted and feeling my skin tinge with color. It had been a long time since I had stayed that long outdoors. No one else was in the room, just Jabba, Fett and me. Jabba was smoking a strange pipe and seemed to be deep in thought.
"Roanoke, you are a strange gift and a stranger curse. Your name has spread like a fire through out the planet. That is why, I have decided to have you transported to another planet and set free from your contract." My heart leapt and danced in my chest, yet a warning screamed in my head.
"Why, this sudden change of heart, Jabba?" Jabba didn't answer he just slowly nodded to himself. I shifted firmly on my feet and waited, knowing something was brewing in the hut's mind.
"You know the answer, Fett, give it." Fett nodded and for a brief moment paused to collect himself.
"A year before you came to be here, there was another visit from a Roanoke. On a tour of the galaxy, she stopped here and performed. The woman's name was Roanoke San Anoke. She disappeared six months after that date. Six months after that you appeared here, again." I lowered my gaze to my booted feet and felt despair rising in my stomach.
"Soon, They will know I'm still alive."
"Yes, and that is why you are being let go." I raised my gaze again and met Jabba's brilliant eyes. "Where's the transport?"
"It's waiting for you in the desert." I nodded and bowing turned and left. Packing my jumpsuits again and stripping the room on anything I might need took only a short amount of time. I opened the door and almost tripped over the black box sitting before my door. I picked it up with a light smile, knowing who it was from. I laid it on the desk and removed the wicked looking blaster. It was slim and light, powerful and very lethal. I buckled on it's holster on my other leg and slipped it in the holster. It's weight was perfectly balanced with my other blaster, I pulled out it's charger and stuck that in my pack. With a strange smile, I slipped a knife from my boot. I had acquired it from another patron, who was too drunk to notice. I clipped a lock of my black hair and dropped it into the box. I slipped the lid back on and left it there, knowing Fett would return. I left the door to the room open and returned to Jabba's throne room. It was crowded again and the band was playing. A young man nodded to me and offered his hand.
"I'm your pilot, Roanoke, we can be leaving now." I nodded and shaking his hand I smiled.
"Thank you." He turned and started up the stairs. I wasn't far behind him, when I turned back and caught one last glance of that crowded room. Shrugging a strange feeling of longing away I started out after the pilot. Soon enough we were at the transport and off into the depths of space.
"So where do you want to go?" He asked, his hands moving firmly over the controls.
"Coruscant."
"Are you insane! That's the Emperor's backyard!"
"Yes, the exact reason I want to be there, and not in his front yard."
"Okay, what ever you say, Roanoke." The ship jumped and soon enough hung over the glittering planet of Coruscant. After landing the pilot practically kicked me off and lifted again. I shouldered my pack and dove into the confusing labyrinth of the city. I went to the lowest dive that I could find and listened to their singer. Her harsh voice butchered the song, it was one of my songs. I smiled and laughed mentally, the song dredged up so many memories. The sunny day that I wrote the song, singing for the first time, and finally the last time I sung it. In Devor's dive, the strange events that had come afterwards floating through my mind. She finally stopped and stepped down from the stage. After twenty minutes of no music people began to leave. I stood and edged my way to the stage. I leapt up and took a deep breath. Raising my voice, I called them back and drew people in from the street.
With one light on
In one room
I know your up
When I get home
With one small step upon the stair
I know your look when I get there
If you were a King up there on your throne
Would you be wise enough to let go
For this Queen you think you own
Wants to be a hunter again
Wants to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go.
Unread book
Painful look
The tvs on the sound is down,
One long pause then you begin,
Oh, look what the cats brought in.
If you were a King up there on your throne
Would you be wise enough to let go
For this Queen you think you own
Wants to be a hunter again
Wants to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go
Let me leave.
For the crown you've placed upon my head
Feels to heavy now
I don't know what to say to you
But I smile anyhow
And all the time I'm thinking, thinking
I want to be a hunter again
I want to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go.
I want to be a hunter again
I want to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go
Let me leave
Let me go.
The dive was crowded with people and ever single one was staring at me. I smiled and let them all get a good look at the young woman singing. Then taking a firm step back, I disappeared into the shadows. Making my way along the wall to the door and outside, then running away from the dive as fast as I could. I used a turbolift and shot up several levels. Now, all I would have to do was let the word spread. That would bring the Imperial's back to their own worlds. Let them search for me and what I carried. The codes that filtered through my head, the codes to the very heart of the Imperium. The central computer system, or CCS, as some call it. The codes could never be changed, and by pure accident I now had the only set outside the Imperium in my head. I found another dive and settled at a table with a drink, waiting for the word that I knew would come. Sure enough not long after a scrawny man came running through the door.
"Roanoke San Anoke, is back!" The buzz that erupted in the dive sent shocks of elation through me. My plan was forming it's own life and hurtling along the course with power of it's own. A flame was flickering in the wind, but soon it would be a forest fire. I left the dive and found a clean room to stay the night in. I slept with both my blasters under my pillow, and oddly enough dreamed of a stranger searching for me. Yet, that stranger didn't seem so strange. I woke to the creak of a floor board outside my room. Someone had paused before my door. The door jiggled and the lock flicked back. I slipped both blasters free and waited. The door slid open and the black figure slipped inside. Shutting the door and locking it again, the person stood and paused. I sat up and brought both blaster to bear, freeing myself from the bed I face the person. They stood still and silent I edged towards the window and pushed open the curtain with my elbow. The cities lights illuminated the room and revealed the compact man standing there. His dark eyes met mine and I knew who it was.
"Fett...what are you doing here?"
"The pilot got back and told me he dropped you here. What ever is up that sleeve of yours isn't going to work, Roanoke." I laid down a blaster and opened the curtains fully. I sat down on the bed with a sigh and a light smile.
"You have no idea, none what so ever."
"He's issued a bounty on your head, dead or alive." I took a deep breath and fingered my old blaster, the one I hadn't laid down.
"I carry the codes to the CCS in my head, the only set that's not accounted for. It was during the memory block, something went wrong and the codes were planted along with the block. They tried to extract them without telling the Emperor, but they failed. I was on my way out when he found out, the ship was recalled, but before we got there a mercenary boarded us. The woman escorting me out was killed and I was kidnapped. Tossed from ship to ship, until I reached the outer core. Now, he wants the codes back, and will do anything to get them. He knows I'm here and that is exactly what I want."
"Why! That doesn't make any sense!"
"He will hunt me here, but fail, because he may rule this planet, but does not know it."
"You grew up here, and you believe you can just disappear back into these streets, right?"
"Yes." Fett shook his head and sat back in the rooms only chair.
"You may loose him, but other's will find you. The bounty hunters, the assassins, they will be looking there, waiting for you."
"I can handle them, any ways I doubt they will be able to find me as it is." Fett met my eyes again, his gaze was burning, a great pain deep in those dark eyes.
"I will find you." He snarled and stood, turning towards the door to leave.
"You may find me, or you may not, but look as you will." I said with a strange grin to the figure turned away from me. Fett paused and then something changed in him. He whirled and crossed the distance between us. I barely managed to stand, let alone bring my blaster to bear. He caught the blaster and pinned me against the wall. I gasped for breath and fought against his grip on my wrists. He tightened his grip and twisted my wrist around. I hissed at the pain and brought my leg up. I kicked at him, but he caught my leg with his and pinned it against the wall. Suddenly, a new idea came to me. I reached forward and kissed him. Suddenly, I was free and standing squarely on the floor. Fett was several feet away, shock passing through his eyes. The cities lights cast strange shadows across his face. I took a deep breath and forced my voice to be calm.
"Hunt if you will, find me if you will, but catch me none shall." Fett took a step back and lowered his head.
"Perhaps, but then who knows the future?" With that he was gone and only the shadows saw me cry.
Wild Child-Enya
Brothers In Arms-Joan Boaz
Adios-Enya
Lazy Day-Enya
Hunter-Dido
Break Away-Big Pig
It's A Sin-Pet Shop Boys
Silence Must Be Heard-Enigma
There Was A Boy-Micheal W. Smith
Kryptonite-Three Doors Down
Matter Of Time-Micheal W. Smith
Don't Give Up-Micheal W. Smith
May It Be-Enya
In Dreams-Edward Ross
Moonlight Dream-Anatalia
Forbidden Emotions-Anatalia
A Song To Sing
I let the last notes die and glancing out into the crowd I was met with a shocking glance at only a few people left awake. Most had fallen asleep, probably drunk, sprawled through out the room. Jabba's laughter and booming voice echoed oddly in the large room. I hung the guitar back up and jumping down from the stage crossed the room to Jabba's float pallet.
"Very good, very good!" He bellowed clapping his tiny hands together. I almost laughed at the comical sight of the slug trying to clap.
"Thank you." I said with a light inclination of my head.
"Now, what is your name exactly."
"Roanoke."
"Roanoke, a strange name, but one that suits you. You may leave now, go and rest." I nodded and with a light bow, disappeared back down my hall. I didn't sleep, but rather took a long hot shower and washed all my jumpsuit. Setting them up to dry, I sat in the desk chair wrapped in a towel and tried to work out the tangles in my long black hair with a brush. Finally, sleep wrapped me up in it's arms and I crawled into the bed. My dreams were filled with strange vision of a child and her past. Waking up in the blackness of my room, I rolled to my feet and shaking sleep from my eyes flipped on the lights. The brightness momentarily blinded me, shaking the daze from my eyes I snapped them open. I listened for a moment swearing that in that moment I had heard another person. I snapped up my blaster whirling I faced the old wooden door. Leaning against the door frame was Fett, I almost snapped off a shot at him for fun. He nodded to me, and stood a bit straighter.
"Good morning, you seemed to have slept well." He purred out, a bit of humor actually invading his voice. I narrowed my eyes and snarled.
"I slept like hell, and waking up wasn't much better."
"Your reflexes aren't bad, and the way you handle the blaster proves some experience in live combat. Who are you, Roanoke?"
"I don't know." I let out before my mind could scramble to a stop. I stared hard at Fett. "But, then again it doesn't seem to matter."
"Not, to Jabba, no. But someday, you'll catch up with yourself, and then who will you be?" He said and then was gone, leaving the shadows to fill his place. I firmly shut the door and locked it again. Leaning against the warm wood, I sagged, letting all the pain that had been bottled up from the few days I had been on this planet. The strange dreams, the sand soaked memories, it all flowed out and washed down my cheeks as salty tears. Slamming my fist into the door, I dropped to the floor with a moan. I came to myself, shivering on the dusty floor. Standing with shaking hands I staggered to the fresher. After a quick shower, I dressed in my old jumpsuit and after checking my blaster headed back to the throne room. Halfway up the hall it hit me, dropping me to the slimy ground with the intensity of memories, cascading down. A pair of arms wrapped around me and drew me from the slimy ground. I managed a low moan before the pain took me away.
I returned to myself, wrapped in my blankets laying on my bed. I suddenly knew who I was and why I was here. How I fit into the puzzle had become clear. I sat up slowly and stared through the dim room to the man sitting on the chair watching me. This time I couldn't see any sign of life behind the t-shaped visor. I tucked my knees up to my chest and took a deep breath.
"I know who I am, now."
"I figured that much, you'd better rest though, Jabba will be expecting you." Fett didn't make any move to leave, so I lay back and forced myself to relax.
"Roanoke San Anoke, I'm a singer with twenty hit albums, and the ability to play over thirty instruments. Thrown out of the Imperium for standing up for the slaves. Pitched out with my memories blocked. I landed here on this dirty rock, but they couldn't block the reflexes that come from a childhood on the streets. That's where the blaster's from. I won it in a sabbac game on Coruscant, I was twelve when I first handled it. Hours of practice every day, it got to the point that I was the fastest in the gang. I found my voice when I was sixteen, that's when I started singing, it actually was a place not unlike Devor's. It paid descant money, and then one night it all changed when a couple hot shots trying to blend into the lower class heard me. Whisked away to their studio and taught all about music that they knew. Then I ended up here, and here I am. Singing for a gangster and being guarded by a bounty hunter." Fett didn't comment, but in the dim light I saw him nod slowly. I closed my eyes and forced myself to sleep, knowing no harm would come to me while Fett was here.
The same timid knock as the night before sent me hurdling from the bed, I barely beat Fett to the door. He actually seemed shocked that I could move as quickly as I had. I spoke to the little girl, took the tray from her and shut the door firmly again. I dropped the tray to the desk, and headed for my closet, pulling out the red jumpsuit and robe. I took them into the fresher room and changed quickly. Returning to the main room, I wolfed down the meal and with Fett as my shadow headed back towards the stage. Just before I entered the room Fett snagged my elbow.
"Remember, to these people your just Roanoke, not Roanoke San Anoke, don't give yourself away to them, yet." I nodded and joined the crowd, pushing my way to the stage. Cheers greeted me, and with a light smile I accepted them. I took a light guitar and stalked the stages edge for a moment selecting the song I was going to play. I was drawing a blank till I looked out and saw Fett standing there half hidden by the shadows.
If I could I would tell you why
The first time I saw her
I could touch the sky
I could turn to stone...and I could not speak
She had the ability to make me weak
Always wishing...always hoping
That she'll get the message from the
Bottom of my heart
Let's together...share forever
It's just a matter of time
I had to wait and let her breath
That's never been easy for a man to see
She moved slow...and took her time
She kept me guessing what was on her mind
It's just a matter of time
Let's forever...be together
It's just a matter of time.
The crowd was buzzing, some were bored by what they thought of as a dull song. I almost laughed at the change in Fett's stance. Leaning lightly forward, strung as taunt as a guitar wire. I carried on into another song, catching everyone's attention with this one.
I remember when you took a stand
With the pearl of wisdom in your hand
And a soul of desire
You held your own against the world
A lions heart in a little girl
So unafraid of the fire
But those days don't last
Sweet dreams die fast
A stumble when you walk on the wire
When all your friends
Start giving in
The flames are burning higher and higher
Don't give up
Got the whole world at your feet
Just keep on ~ holding on
This is where you need to be
All the days that you've been spending
Spinning while your heart's descending
Like a stone in the ocean
Sometimes when you think the world is ending
It's really just a new beginning
The other side of emotion
But I've seen your eyes no compromise
When you set your mind on the matter
Be strong through the tears
And your sight will clear
You're going get what you're after
I paused to catch my breath and felt the energy generated by the crowd. It was pulsing, flowing around everyone. I let the songs fill me and flow out, guiding my hands with their power.
Forbidden notions, flowing faster now,
Dragging me down with their power.
"STOP!" Jabba bellowed silence both me and the crowd. I slipped the guitar back onto it's rack and jumped down from the stage. Fett was at my side, practically dragging me before Jabba. He was speaking with his majordomo, arguing about something. The crowd was edging firmly away from me and Fett. Jabba had a look of fear across his face, he pointed at a guard and then at me. Fett saw him going for some hidden switch, and dropping my arm vaulted away from me. The floor dropped out and I was falling down a tunnel. Into the bowels of the palace. I dropped to a sandy floor littered with bones. A huge door was slowly opening, sending the pig like guard scampering back into the shadows. I stood and shook sand from my robes. Glancing up at the filtered light I realized where we were, underneath the main floor of the throne room. The door ground open and standing in the opening was the ugliest creature I had ever seen, it was a rancor. It stank of death, and decay. It hadn't seen me yet, but was focusing in on the pig-guard. I saw a small door snap open behind it and Fett step through. I yanked out my blaster and setting it on the lowest power setting, stung the rancor in the arm, making it bellow and howl in pain. I sprinted through the cave, past the howling creature and through the door dragging Fett along with me. I slammed into a heavy wood table, flipping over it and landing heavily on the far side. I sat up with a groan and staggered to my feet. Hissing between clenched teeth at Fett.
"What is this all about?"
"Jabba's main competition has come to see him. He fear that it's about you, and rather than giving you up, he was going to have you killed."
"Great, just great!" I sat down with a sigh and glared up at Fett.
"So, mastermind of bad plans, what's our next move?"
"Get out of here, Garba, will know Jabba is trying to trick her. She'll have her little creatures rip the place apart looking for you."
"She'll be looking for a speeder leaving, so we take something else." I stood and stretched my tired muscle. "Those strange animals we came in on." Fett nodded and started off, I followed at a loose jog. The smelly animal was actually cleaner and there was two of them. The strange saddles were still there. Then I noticed a dark leather saddle that I knew very well. "Jabba has horses?"
"Yes, one." I stroked the saddle and peered into the dim stall. Remembering the first time my teachers took me for a horseback ride. The pale golden horse peering out at me was young and lithe, powerfully built. I grabbed the saddle from the rail and tossed it up, letting my memories guide my fingers.
I sprang up and watched as Fett swung aboard his mount. He glanced back and nodded his approval. I let her spring out and we flowed across the sand, chasing the suns across the sky it seemed. Then the suns were setting and we were back in the canyon entrance to Jabba's. All through the afternoon I had been churning a plan around in my mind. If I was going to escape it would have to be tonight. My chance was coming, tonight I would not have to sing, so no one would miss me till the next night. Through the dark canyon we plodded, and into the dank lower chambers. It was not long after that I found myself back in Jabba's throne room. Exhausted and feeling my skin tinge with color. It had been a long time since I had stayed that long outdoors. No one else was in the room, just Jabba, Fett and me. Jabba was smoking a strange pipe and seemed to be deep in thought.
"Roanoke, you are a strange gift and a stranger curse. Your name has spread like a fire through out the planet. That is why, I have decided to have you transported to another planet and set free from your contract." My heart leapt and danced in my chest, yet a warning screamed in my head.
"Why, this sudden change of heart, Jabba?" Jabba didn't answer he just slowly nodded to himself. I shifted firmly on my feet and waited, knowing something was brewing in the hut's mind.
"You know the answer, Fett, give it." Fett nodded and for a brief moment paused to collect himself.
"A year before you came to be here, there was another visit from a Roanoke. On a tour of the galaxy, she stopped here and performed. The woman's name was Roanoke San Anoke. She disappeared six months after that date. Six months after that you appeared here, again." I lowered my gaze to my booted feet and felt despair rising in my stomach.
"Soon, They will know I'm still alive."
"Yes, and that is why you are being let go." I raised my gaze again and met Jabba's brilliant eyes. "Where's the transport?"
"It's waiting for you in the desert." I nodded and bowing turned and left. Packing my jumpsuits again and stripping the room on anything I might need took only a short amount of time. I opened the door and almost tripped over the black box sitting before my door. I picked it up with a light smile, knowing who it was from. I laid it on the desk and removed the wicked looking blaster. It was slim and light, powerful and very lethal. I buckled on it's holster on my other leg and slipped it in the holster. It's weight was perfectly balanced with my other blaster, I pulled out it's charger and stuck that in my pack. With a strange smile, I slipped a knife from my boot. I had acquired it from another patron, who was too drunk to notice. I clipped a lock of my black hair and dropped it into the box. I slipped the lid back on and left it there, knowing Fett would return. I left the door to the room open and returned to Jabba's throne room. It was crowded again and the band was playing. A young man nodded to me and offered his hand.
"I'm your pilot, Roanoke, we can be leaving now." I nodded and shaking his hand I smiled.
"Thank you." He turned and started up the stairs. I wasn't far behind him, when I turned back and caught one last glance of that crowded room. Shrugging a strange feeling of longing away I started out after the pilot. Soon enough we were at the transport and off into the depths of space.
"So where do you want to go?" He asked, his hands moving firmly over the controls.
"Coruscant."
"Are you insane! That's the Emperor's backyard!"
"Yes, the exact reason I want to be there, and not in his front yard."
"Okay, what ever you say, Roanoke." The ship jumped and soon enough hung over the glittering planet of Coruscant. After landing the pilot practically kicked me off and lifted again. I shouldered my pack and dove into the confusing labyrinth of the city. I went to the lowest dive that I could find and listened to their singer. Her harsh voice butchered the song, it was one of my songs. I smiled and laughed mentally, the song dredged up so many memories. The sunny day that I wrote the song, singing for the first time, and finally the last time I sung it. In Devor's dive, the strange events that had come afterwards floating through my mind. She finally stopped and stepped down from the stage. After twenty minutes of no music people began to leave. I stood and edged my way to the stage. I leapt up and took a deep breath. Raising my voice, I called them back and drew people in from the street.
With one light on
In one room
I know your up
When I get home
With one small step upon the stair
I know your look when I get there
If you were a King up there on your throne
Would you be wise enough to let go
For this Queen you think you own
Wants to be a hunter again
Wants to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go.
Unread book
Painful look
The tvs on the sound is down,
One long pause then you begin,
Oh, look what the cats brought in.
If you were a King up there on your throne
Would you be wise enough to let go
For this Queen you think you own
Wants to be a hunter again
Wants to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go
Let me leave.
For the crown you've placed upon my head
Feels to heavy now
I don't know what to say to you
But I smile anyhow
And all the time I'm thinking, thinking
I want to be a hunter again
I want to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go.
I want to be a hunter again
I want to see the world alone again
To take a chance on life again
So let me go
Let me leave
Let me go.
The dive was crowded with people and ever single one was staring at me. I smiled and let them all get a good look at the young woman singing. Then taking a firm step back, I disappeared into the shadows. Making my way along the wall to the door and outside, then running away from the dive as fast as I could. I used a turbolift and shot up several levels. Now, all I would have to do was let the word spread. That would bring the Imperial's back to their own worlds. Let them search for me and what I carried. The codes that filtered through my head, the codes to the very heart of the Imperium. The central computer system, or CCS, as some call it. The codes could never be changed, and by pure accident I now had the only set outside the Imperium in my head. I found another dive and settled at a table with a drink, waiting for the word that I knew would come. Sure enough not long after a scrawny man came running through the door.
"Roanoke San Anoke, is back!" The buzz that erupted in the dive sent shocks of elation through me. My plan was forming it's own life and hurtling along the course with power of it's own. A flame was flickering in the wind, but soon it would be a forest fire. I left the dive and found a clean room to stay the night in. I slept with both my blasters under my pillow, and oddly enough dreamed of a stranger searching for me. Yet, that stranger didn't seem so strange. I woke to the creak of a floor board outside my room. Someone had paused before my door. The door jiggled and the lock flicked back. I slipped both blasters free and waited. The door slid open and the black figure slipped inside. Shutting the door and locking it again, the person stood and paused. I sat up and brought both blaster to bear, freeing myself from the bed I face the person. They stood still and silent I edged towards the window and pushed open the curtain with my elbow. The cities lights illuminated the room and revealed the compact man standing there. His dark eyes met mine and I knew who it was.
"Fett...what are you doing here?"
"The pilot got back and told me he dropped you here. What ever is up that sleeve of yours isn't going to work, Roanoke." I laid down a blaster and opened the curtains fully. I sat down on the bed with a sigh and a light smile.
"You have no idea, none what so ever."
"He's issued a bounty on your head, dead or alive." I took a deep breath and fingered my old blaster, the one I hadn't laid down.
"I carry the codes to the CCS in my head, the only set that's not accounted for. It was during the memory block, something went wrong and the codes were planted along with the block. They tried to extract them without telling the Emperor, but they failed. I was on my way out when he found out, the ship was recalled, but before we got there a mercenary boarded us. The woman escorting me out was killed and I was kidnapped. Tossed from ship to ship, until I reached the outer core. Now, he wants the codes back, and will do anything to get them. He knows I'm here and that is exactly what I want."
"Why! That doesn't make any sense!"
"He will hunt me here, but fail, because he may rule this planet, but does not know it."
"You grew up here, and you believe you can just disappear back into these streets, right?"
"Yes." Fett shook his head and sat back in the rooms only chair.
"You may loose him, but other's will find you. The bounty hunters, the assassins, they will be looking there, waiting for you."
"I can handle them, any ways I doubt they will be able to find me as it is." Fett met my eyes again, his gaze was burning, a great pain deep in those dark eyes.
"I will find you." He snarled and stood, turning towards the door to leave.
"You may find me, or you may not, but look as you will." I said with a strange grin to the figure turned away from me. Fett paused and then something changed in him. He whirled and crossed the distance between us. I barely managed to stand, let alone bring my blaster to bear. He caught the blaster and pinned me against the wall. I gasped for breath and fought against his grip on my wrists. He tightened his grip and twisted my wrist around. I hissed at the pain and brought my leg up. I kicked at him, but he caught my leg with his and pinned it against the wall. Suddenly, a new idea came to me. I reached forward and kissed him. Suddenly, I was free and standing squarely on the floor. Fett was several feet away, shock passing through his eyes. The cities lights cast strange shadows across his face. I took a deep breath and forced my voice to be calm.
"Hunt if you will, find me if you will, but catch me none shall." Fett took a step back and lowered his head.
"Perhaps, but then who knows the future?" With that he was gone and only the shadows saw me cry.