How a Ship Got its Name
In which our heroes can no longer avoid the truth
Disclaimer – See Chapter 1
Obi-Wan sat up with a jerk, awakening Jerika at the same time.
"Wha-?" She blinked, trying push back the haze of sleep still clouding her mind.
"Ssssshhhh!" He hushed her and closed his eyes in concentration, "Someone's just come out of hyperspace on the edge of the system."
"Shit!"
"Yes, up to our necks." He leaped out of bed and threw on his clothes.
She mirrored his actions and ran after him. Together they dashed up the ramp. When Jerika headed for the cockpit Obi-Wan caught her arm, "No wait." His eyes lost focus and seemed to search the whole room. "Shut everything down. Leave on only the base's standby systems.
She nodded, ordering the computer to stop preflight. All the lights on the board went out with the exception of one or two status lights. She marveled at the level of trust she'd developed in him in just three days. Not since her father had she followed some one's orders without question. Deciding to examine the implications of that later she gave him a questioning look. "Alright, all that's up is life support, although what that's going to do- " Before she could ask him to explain he pulled her into his arms and put a finger to her lips.
Hush, it's the best way for me to hide us both from the sensors.
Jerika's eyes widened at the voice in her head, but she held still and said nothing.
With his eyes closed, Obi-Wan opened his mouth and spoke in a voice not his, but one she nevertheless recognized, giving her a chance to hear what he could.
"Nothing on the sensors, there's no one down there." The voice of Bim filled the dark room.
The next voice was that of Agis, a man who had worked for her since she was 19 years old, "Is there any way to check if she was there recently?"
"Certainly. Go in and check the computer logs, but we'll never get inside."
"Never?"
"Naw, Jerika always uses triple-layer security on her systems, retinal scan, DNA, and binary code. Even if we could break the code and fake the retinal, we can't fake the DNA."
"Do you know where the entrance is?"
"No, I can find it, but if we can't get in-"
"Find it, we can get in ways other than through the security system."
The Jedi surprised the smuggler yet again by swearing - suddenly back in his own voice. Obi-Wan went through a repertoire that used three-dozen languages and made the hardened smuggler's ears burn with shame. He leapt up, grabbed her hand and ran to the cockpit. "We have about two minutes before the ceiling comes down on us!"
"What?" Jerika followed him as he ran to the cockpit.
The door slid aside and Obi-Wan threw himself into the co-pilot seat. "They can't get past your security, so they've decided to simply blast their way in!"
"Oh beautiful!" Jerika skipped her regular system check and just began flipping switches and calling directions to the computer.
Obi-Wan examined the readout over her shoulder, "How much power can we divert to the shields?"
"They're at 100 right now."
"In a few minutes we are going to be hit by blaster fire, sections of the ceiling are going to crush us and the room is going to depressurize."
"O.k. then, just wanted a better reason than 'I said so.' There – power diverted, shields at 150. Will that be enough?"
"Should be…"
"Well then let's get the hell out of here." Before they could make another move, blaster fire sounded against the surface doors.
"How high is the shield rating on that surface aperture?"
Jerika actually looked embarassed, "Uh – what shield?"
"You have GOT to be joking."
"No, that is, well, you see… This is a secret fking hideout! If no one knows it's here, why should I waste money on shields?"
Obi-Wan put his face in his hands, shaking his head back and forth.
"It's not my fault! She whirled back to shielding controls, trying to figure out how to throw some together in ten seconds. "It's not my fault!" Then another blast of laser fire shook the ship. Jerika bit her lip, forced herself not to panic, and dropped into the pilot's seat. "Forget shields, we're getting the hell out of here!" She guided the ship to hover just above the floor, then aligned the topside blast-cannon and used it to blast away the remains of the roof.
With all the fury of a natural disaster 30 tons of rock, the remains of the upper hatch, and the hanger's atmosphere exploded out of the hanger. The resulting maelstrom shoved the ship into one wall and then the other. The force of it was too strong for Jerika to handle it with the controls. But Obi-Wan could. Concentrating, focusing his will on the ship, he guided it away from the wall and out the opening. Rocks and other debris slammed into the other ship, providing cover for the escaping freighter.
"We didn't get away clean. I've got shields down to 59 and a near hull-breach on the port side." Jerika shouted as they rocketed away from the moon.
Eyes still closed, face a mask of calm; the Jedi swiveled in his seat to face the port side. "I'll deal with that. Divert everything you can to the thrusters and the aft shields. Our best chance is to go to light speed as soon as possible."
"And then? Are you going to hold the ship together with the Force while we're in hyperspace?" She asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I can't do it during a dogfight. Just plot the shortest safe course you can, under fifteen minutes, and strengthen the port shields with every bit of power available."
"F-kin Jedi hero." She grumbled. Firing lasers with one hand she set the navi-computer to plot a hyperspace trajectory with the other, and then scrounged through every available system for power to divert. The Force was apparently with them. Just when the computer pinged its readiness to jump, the main terminal scrolled out a list of power sources. Jerika pushed buttons and flipped switches and saw some of the tension leave Obi-Wan's face.
And then the communication terminal beeped. "Falcon, this is the Nostromo – talk to us Delorolo, we don't want to kill you if we don't have to. Give us the Jedi and we'll let you go."
"What would you idiots want with a Jedi? You will want to take over my operation I suppose?"
"You'll be alive, that's something."
"No thanks boys, I'll take my chances with the stars. If I were you Bim, I'd watch my back from now on, that's my ship you're flyin', and that was my base you just destroyed. You do remember what happened to the last person interfered with my business?"
Obi-Wan calmly reached across the board and switched off the microphone, "Give me to them."
"What?" She stared at him, mouth open, looking horrified.
"I'll be able to get away and I might find out who they are working for."
"They won't keep you alive, they'll kill you. No way they could keep you captive."
"You know that and I know that, but do they?"
"Damn you Kenobi! I have to give you up and let you go back to your wretched temple. I can barely stomach that. Do you think for an instant that I can give you to cold-blooded killers?"
"Ah, in love with me are you?"
A galaxy of emotions flashed across her face and then she stated calmly, "Yes, of course."
His wicked smile threatened to destroy his Jedi persona. Leaning close, he captured her lips with his and gave her a fast, searing kiss that made her toes curl. "Then punch the hyper drive and get us the hell out of here." Obi-Wan ordered her softly as he pulled away and resumed his seat.
"Smug bastard," She pulled down on the light-drive levers, "Should have handed you over and gotten rid of you when I had the chance." The freighter vanished in a blur of speed.
The crew on the Nostromo watched as the hologram of the hooded man faded, the two men collapsed onto the deck simultaneously. It took awhile for one of the others to work up the courage to check the prone men's pulses. After feeling each throat he turned to his closest comrade, "They're dead, Tim."
The stars shifted back to pinpoints from streaks in just under ten minutes and Obi-Wan slumped forward against the controls. He sat up, sweat running freely down his face, "You never know what – pant – you can – uff – do – huh – 'til you have to." He leaned back, closing his eyes.
Jerika grunted in annoyance and worked furiously at the controls. "Shut up." She growled. He opened one eye to watch her work, listening to her bitch softly about goddess-forsaken Jedi heroes running around holding ships together with their minds, frightening honest smugglers half out of their wits and so on and so forth. She interrupted her tirade long enough to turn and glare at him, "It's sealed off now, you can release it."
He did so, gratefully. "Thank you." She watched him close his eyes again. Nodding to herself she started out of the cabin, but a hand shot out to catch her wrist. "Just where do you think you are going?"
"Back to locate the breach and set my repair droids to work on it. Hopefully it's small and we'll be under way in a couple of hours."
"I know where the breach is, how big it is, and exactly what to do to repair it, I'll help." He started to lever himself out of the chair.
She pushed him back down, "Not this time. Rest; get some sleep if you can. The droids and the 'puter can make a patch that will stand up in hyperspace. We'll go to a core world; no one would suspect that. There I can get the breach completely repaired, but I might need you to negotiate us a safe port. My nifty forged documents that no rim world official would look twice at will come under heavy scrutiny in the core."
"You want me well rested so I can assist you in illegal activity?"
"Yeah."
"Alright." He settled more comfortably in his chair, "Wake me when we get there."
"Smug bastard."
"Difficult not to be when the most beautiful smuggler in the galaxy says she loves you."
"Oh well, that was under duress."
He opened his eyes and smiled at her, tapping his temple with one finger. "True nonetheless, I can tell."
She grabbed the finger and bent it painfully, until he twisted his hand, caught her waist, and pulled her into his lap. "Oh yeah? So is the feeling reciprocated?"
Obi-Wan held her close, marveling at the way that, even in the dim cabin lights, her eyes sparkled like green gems. "Meaning, do I love you too?"
She nodded, with that tiny flash of vulnerability that made him feel lighter than air.
"Yes my lovely captain, if I live a thousand years."
"You don't need to see further documentation."
"We don't need to see further documentation."
"We need clearance for three days."
"I'm giving you clearance for three days."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure sir." The port official turned away from the counter without a backward glance.
Jerika folded her arms. "Level with me, that's the best part about being a Jedi isn't it?"
Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully, and then patted his light saber. "It's a close call." He grinned a silly grin, "This is much more fun to use than a blaster."
On the third night in the rooms they rented, Obi-Wan gathered her close as she drifted off to sleep, whispering into her hair, "Mmmm – do you trust me?"
"With my life." She yawned and snuggled closer.
He lay quietly until her breathing indicated she had gone to sleep. "What about your heart? You already have mine. How will we live apart? How can I live without my heart?" For the first time in his life, the young man regretted being a Jedi. Months, maybe even years it would be now before he would hold her like this. Long after Jerika fell asleep he lay awake holding her.
When she woke the next morning he was sitting on the edge of the bed, fastening his boots. She sat up smiling, "Somewhere you have to be right away?"
He didn't look at her, "I have to get back, I've been away too long as it is." He stood and picked up his sash, wrapping it around his waist and tucking in the ends.
She pulled the sheet up around her neck, "You're leaving alone, not waiting for me to take you?"
"It would be too dangerous for you, some one might recognize your ship and – "
"Try to arrest me."
"Or kill you."
"That was happening long before I met you." She folded her arms over her knees and rested her chin on her hands.
For an instant he froze and a look of agonized worry flashed across his face. Then that completely infuriating mask of Jedi calm replaced it. "Undoubtedly, but not because of me and not where I could prevent it." He fastened his belt and settled it in place with a lot more force than normal. Turning, he picked up his cloak and settled it around his shoulders, his hands disappearing inside the sleeves. Jedi armor in place, he slung his cari-sac from the table onto his shoulder.
"No, wait!" She shoved the covers aside and hastily grabbed the long caftan dress lying on the nearby chair. Diving into the dress, she slipped her long embroidered vest on over it and belted that into place. Pulling on her boots, she dashed for the bathing room. Seconds later she emerged, clean, make-up in place, hair covered by a scarf.
Obi-Wan was suitably impressed. "I believe you did that quick change in under five minutes."
"Yes, well there's a reason I'm still alive. Shall we go?" He regarded her silently for a few moments, and then turned for the door.
The public transport facility was a short distance away so they walked. About halfway there he reached over and took her hand. She gave him a hard stare and then let him pull her close. The transport was nearly ready to leave and the clerk at the desk immediately tried to hustle Obi-Wan aboard.
"Give me a moment." He waved a hand at the young man.
"Take a moment sir, there is no hurry."
"You use that trick a little too often."
"So I've been told. Does it really bother you?"
"Not in the slightest. Tell them to go without you."
He smiled and pulled her close, kissing her gently, "You have my secure holonet address and I have yours. I'll let you know where I have been assigned as often as I can." Lifting one hand he pulled the scarf from her messy curls and stuffed it inside his tunic. "Never cover these again." He whispered.
She eyed the wisp of green silk peeking out of his tunic for a moment, chewing her lower lip. Their eyes met for an instant, and then she nodded decisively, and yanked the cari-sac off his shoulder and dropped it on the ground. Then she pulled his robe down over one shoulder and started to drag his arm out of the sleeve.
"Stop, love." He whispered, cupping her cheek, he looked into her eyes, smiling gently. Without another word, he released her, stepped back and removed his robe. Swirling it out behind her, he settled it around her shoulders, and fastened the clasp under her chin.
For one instant, he thought she might break down. Instead, she dragged her eyes away from his to stare at the ceiling. After a couple of hard blinks she managed something close to her casual smile, but her voice betrayed her dismay. "W-we'll see each other soon enough Kenobi. Get going, you c-can't m-make everyone wait." He nodded and turned for the hatch.
Without looking back he sighed softly, whispering to himself. "It can never be soon enough." The hatch closed with a hiss, and the transport lifted from the planet.