Reflection Saga:
Part 7
Heh heh heh! I bet Darth Sidious was an unexpected surprise, neh? *cackles
insanely* And it's most definitely not the last to come! Wanna find out
more? READ!
*****
Rentha looked lazily around the bar on Tatooine, her cold, black eyes moving along the row like water. Hundreds of different species, including her own race of Twi'lek, were represented. Her lavender skin shone in the dim lights. A pair of racing goggles she had won in a bet was positioned on top of her head. Two blasters lay in holsters attached to her belt, loosened for easy access. Weapons stuck in your belt could get you killed before you blinked. A razor-sharp knife was also in the belt, along with ammo, rope, and just about every basic nessecity a bounty hunter would ever need or want.
A few men gave her what she called 'the eye' and occasionally winked, but she ignored them all and concentrated on her drink. It wasn't her fault she was beautiful, and had the species to back her up on it.
To her left sat her partner in crime; Fulageo. An olive-skinned Human, Fulageo had been in the business of collecting bounties for almost twenty years, since he was sixteen. But that was only two years before she started her life career. His naturally snow-white hair sat atop his head, pulled back into to dual ponytails, with one lock of hair hanging in front of his sleek silver eyes. He wore a baggy, sandy suit under a long dark- brown overcoat with multiple pockets. Underneath the coat was a belt that was a perfect copy of Rentha's, save there was no blasters. Instead, there was a lightsaber.
Rentha didn't know where or how he had gotten it; it wasn't a bounty hunter's job to question for the sake of asking. She scanned the countertop for any bounties she or Fulageo might have missed. No one that she knew of...but there was a new face at the counter.
Whoever-he-was had long, brown hair. For some reason, it made her think of a Wookie's fur. He wore loose, light-brown and white clothes like everyone else on Tatooine. He had a green complexion, large elfish ears, and was the smallest person Rentha had ever seen in her life. She couldn't place what species he was, unless he was a freak Rodian/Human/Wookie experiment gone wrong. The pint-sized man asked the bartender for a glass of bantha milk. The bartender seemed stumped, but did as the man said.
Nudging Fulageo in the side, Rentha whispered in his ear, "Who and what is that?"
Fulageo shrugged. "I don't really know; I've never seen that species before." He pulled out a handheld recorder of all recent bounties. "But he doesn't show up on the files; leave him be."
"Whatever you say." Rentha turned back to look at the little man, who was peacefully drinking his milk quietly. Nobody talked to him, and he did the same. After finishing off two more glasses, the elfin man began to hop off the stool when he bumped into a Wookie, who had been drinking just a little too much than any person should have.
The black-haired Wookie, known as Gibraltor by residents, rose up and roared loudly, causing every single conversation in the bar to stop. The man must have understood Gibraltor, because he said, "I'm really very sorry. Please, accept my apologies." Then he bowed politely.
Gibraltor wasn't buying it. He snarled and snatched whoever-he-was up by his crimson vest. He roared again in the man's face, making Rentha's glass wobble. "You're going to kill me?" The tiny man said curiously, and then laughed. "I wouldn't really do that, my tall and furry friend." Only Rentha and Fulageo saw the man move his three-fingered hand under his vest.
In less than a blink of an eye, the man had pulled out a lightsaber handle, activated it, and hacked off the drunken Wookie's head with a swipe of the humming yellow blade. As the huge body fell to the floor, the Jedi (as Rentha now knew he was) back flipped onto his stool with perfect grace and precision.
"Hey, hey!" The bartender yelled out, waving all six of his arms. "No fights in here, Jedi!"
The Jedi deactivated his lightsaber and put it back in his belt. "My apologies for the mess, sir. Thanks for the drinks, by the way. Very delicious." He turned back around, looking at the crowd. "By the way, folks, I have a message. I am looking for a bounty hunter or two for hire. I cannot pay you immediately, and I only have Republic credits. But I have enough of them to make you very, very happy on Coruscant. Good day." He hopped off the stool and walked calmly out the door.
Rentha and Fulageo looked at each other, stunned. As the conversations started up again and a service droid dragged away Gibraltor's corpse, Fulageo said under his breath, "We should take that job."
"Why?" Rentha sniffed. "We have bounties to collect; we're not a Jedi's nursemaid."
"You heard what he said; and I hear that Jedi can pay quite a bit of credits, enough to last both of us for almost ten years."
"That's a rumor you just heard less than an hour ago!"
"At least half of the rumors ever said are true." Fulageo looked out the door, where he could still see the Jedi walking calmly down the street. "And if he's lying...we kill 'im."
"Oh, alright. But you had best be right."
Rentha and Fulageo paid the bartender their dues, then slid off of their stools to follow the Jedi to the hanger.
*****
"Boy! Wake up." Instantly awake, Boy looked up into his Master's eyes.
"Master!" Boy jumped to his feet, standing stiff as a board. "What do you wish of me, my Master?"
"I am going away...on a trip. I need you to watch over the prisoners; especially Yaddle."
Boy nodded. It had been almost a full year now; Yaddle would go into labor any day now. "Yes, my Master. I am honored that you trust me so."
Sidious walked out the door, signaling for Boy to follow. As the pair walked down the hall and to Sidious' ship, he wondered if his Master remembered to renew Boy's memories, to clear his mind of cluttering memories and thoughts. He said, "Is it not time for my memory renewal, Master?"
"Yes, I know. Let us go refresh your mind, shall we?" Sidious stopped at a chamber and opened the door. Inside was a chair with different restraints for the arms, legs, neck, and torso. Boy was confused. His Master had never renewed him here, at least he thought so; he could never remember how his Master renewed him. This was where he took prisoners who needed to be disciplined. He had never seen his Master punish the prisoners, but he'd heard their cries of despair and pain. He started to panic. "Should I sit there?"
"Yes. Sit down, Boy."
Boy did as he was told. He sat down and waited for the restraints to chain him to the chair. But it didn't. This didn't feel like he was being punished. At least, not yet anyway. "What do you wish, Master?"
"Talk with me," Sidious said quietly, stealthily. "How do you feel?"
"Cold, Master."
"Why, Boy?"
"Because..." Did he dare tell his Master what he really thought? "Because my clothes are so thin, Master."
Sidious closed his eyes, and Boy was unable to see if the Sith was pleased or not. "You were once Jedi, Boy. Think of what that means."
Boy looked down at his bare, dirty feet. "It means I am nothing, Master."
"Are you certain?"
Boy wasn't certain; his mind suddenly became confused. He didn't know what to think, didn't know what was right or wrong. Sidious began to lean in on Boy, towering over the child. Suddenly, Boy yelled out as loud as he could and slapped his Master in the face. He knew he shouldn't have, but it felt good...so good...
"Come on, Boy," the Sith crooned. "Hit me harder, servant. Your anger betrays you!"
Boy screamed again in fury and hate, this time directing his blow repeatedly to Sidious' arm. "I hate you! I hate you! You killed my father! You burned down my home! You took me from everything, robbed me of my childhood! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you..." Boy's voice broke as he began to sob. "You even took my name!"
"So you mean you have nothing more than the usual to be angry for?" Sidious loomed in closer, breathing on him heavily, and Boy leaned as far back into the chair as he possibly could without falling over. What did he want? Why did he break his spirit so?
"I suppose you want to hit me again, don't you?" Sidious turned his head, so his right eye stared right at Boy. To the small servant, it seemed to suck him in to its eternal pit of darkness. He fell into it, unable to save himself.
Boy collapsed out of the chair, gasping for breath. Terrified, he lay on the rock floor. He had struck his Master! He could only guess what kind of death he'd be made to suffer.
But he no longer cared; even death would be better than this kind of torture.
"Boy," Sidious whispered. Boy lifted his head. "You should never say those things about me, or strike me again."
"Yes, my Master," Boy said wretchedly.
"You owe me so much, Boy. I could have left you there to rot and die."
"I know, Master. Please forgive me." I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, Boy thought furiously.
"I forgive you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Master." Boy allowed himself to be jerked up by Sidious onto his feet.
"I meant to anger you, Boy. Did you feel the power of the Dark Side flowing through you?"
"Yes, Master." But that was a lie. No matter how furious Boy became, he would never, ever turn to the Dark Side of the Force. "It was...wonderful."
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Sidious began to walk out the door, towards his ship. As he walked inside the starcraft, he turned to Boy again. "I shall be gone for only a week, but that will be enough time. When Yaddle conceives her child, drug her and then take it from her. Do you understand?"
Boy bowed. "Yes, my Master."
"Good." The hatch closed behind the Sith Lord, and the ship flew out of the cave into the sky. Boy looked outside, at the jungle below him. "Don't worry, my 'Master'." He said the word like a curse. "I will be around when Yaddle gives birth...you can count on it."
*****
"Amazing. For such a small person, he walks as fast as an acklay!" Fulageo and Rentha were having a hard time catching up with the mini-Jedi. And because of the man's shortness, it was hard to find him, especially in a crowd. Fulageo was becoming frustrated.
"There he is." Rentha gestured to a parting in the crowd, but whoever was making the path couldn't be seen.
"Let's go."
The pair of bounty hunters followed the path made by the Jedi, which was leading straight to the ship hangars. Once the crowd got thinner, Fulageo spied the Jedi making his way to a sleek, ovular ship with an astromech droid just above its cockpit. Probably Coruscantian, he guessed.
The hatch opened to the ship and the Jedi began to walk inside. "I'm back, Arthree. Guess we didn't find a tracker here."
"Wait!" Rentha walked out, with Fulageo in tow.
The Jedi turned, his eyes suddenly curious with a touch of surprise. "What?"
Fulageo straightened his jacket. "We heard about your offer, and we'd like to take it."
"Oh really?" The droid above them chirped suspiciously. "How should I know that you are bounty hunters?"
"You're a Jedi, aren't you?" Rentha folded her arms, scowling fiercely. "Can't you read our minds or whatever?"
"No, I cannot. That must mean you are what you claim to be; a bounty hunter can't afford to be weak-minded."
"Very true," Fulageo murmured, rubbing his chin. He was starting to like the company of this Jedi; he didn't seem as stuck-up or high-and- mighty as most he had known. "So, why do you require our services?"
The Jedi chuckled softly. "You think I'm going to hire you without knowing exactly who you are?"
Fulageo laughed. "Clever, Jedi. I am Fulageo, and this is my associate Rentha."
"Hm. I might have heard of you..." The Jedi trailed off when he saw the lightsaber hanging from Fulageo's belt. "Where'd you get that?"
Fulageo stiffened. "Killed a Jedi who arrested the biggest bounty I had ever heard of. I would have been set for life if I'd caught that smuggler."
"I see." Much to Fulageo and Rentha's surprise, the Jedi didn't seem angry at all. He merely bowed respectfully and said, "I am Yaro, Jedi Knight."
"Yeah, we picked that up in the bar, as did Gibraltor."
"Is that who the Wookie was? Odd names, those Wookies." Yaro walked inside the ship. "I'd prefer to discuss our business in here, if you like."
Rentha and Fulageo glanced at each other out of the corners of their eyes, instantly suspicious. Fulageo decided to risk it; after all, it was two seasoned bounty hunters against one, tiny Jedi. "Sure, why not?"
The trio walked inside. The droid began to chirp and whistle furiously. "It's alright, Arthree!" said Yaro. "I think we can trust them..."
This shocked Fulageo a bit. This was by far the weirdest Jedi he had ever met in his lifetime. From the look on Rentha's face, the Jedi's words had caught her off guard.
"Sit here." Yaro gestured to a pair of bunk beds. As the bounty hunters sat, Yaro pulled up a chair and sat down.
"So," Rentha said. "Why do you want a bounty hunter?"
Yaro pulled a small hologram transmitter from a pocked in his vest and pushed a button. A hologram of a female of Yaro's species appeared. "I'm looking for this woman; she's...a friend of mine, a Jedi. Her name is Yaddle."
"Why?"
"She was kidnapped from the Temple almost a year ago. I've been looking for her since, and have been unsuccessful alone. So I've finally decided I need...help. What do you say?"
Rentha and Fulageo consulted each other, whispering quietly. After a few minutes of discussing, Fulageo smiled at Yaro. "Deal."
*****
Yaddle sighed. "Sho must still be asleep, little one," she murmured to the tiny life, who she was certain was a girl, inside of her. Of course, the fetus didn't answer back, or even give the slightest hint she had paid attention. Yaddle chuckled. "Oh yes, you are most definitely Yaro's child."
Suddenly, a series of tapping came from the wall she was sitting against. "About time," Yaddle grumbled. Turning over with effort, she tapped, 'How is the tunnel coming?' She and Sho had been toying with the atoms in the wall, causing small bits to collapse.
'So far? About half a foot into the wall. We might even break through your side today,' was the answer. 'How is your little one today?'
'Restless. She keeps kicking me, and it is starting to hurt.'
'You must be close to delivery then, Yaddle.'
Yaddle sighed. She now knew Sidious knew that she was pregnant, and was terrified to think of what could happen to her child. 'I know.'
'You must not give up hope. If you do, your being and courage will soon follow.'
'Yes, Sho. Now, let us go to work on that passage, shall we?'
'Let's.' As she worked carefully, Yaddle could feel Sho on the opposite wall, working away on the atoms delicately with the Force. Suddenly, a small piece of the wall collapsed. 'Sho!' Yaddle pattered at the Jedi Master excitedly. 'It is breaking through!'
'Yes, yes, I know!' Sho began to work a little faster, as did Yaddle. More and more rapidly, parts of the concrete wall began to fall apart. Yaddle felt the excitement of probable escape grip her. Her stomach began to tighten.
Wait...that wasn't her stomach... "Sho?"
For the first time in almost a year, a voice answered her. It sounded almost silky, but rough. "Yes, Yaddle?"
"I...I think..."
"The baby?" Sho sounded surprised.
"Yes! She's on her way!"
*****
Boy gasped. He had been in his room when he felt something ripple in the Force; like a new life coming into existence. "Can it be? Yaddle's giving birth?"
He opened his door and sprinted down the hall, going over his plan in his mind as he ran. He could only hope it would work...
*****
Another contraction came, the hardest one yet. Yaddle gasped out in pain and shock. "Sho, I need help!"
"Just a second!" Yaddle could feel Sho widening the passage with both the Force and his hands so he could crawl through it.
She gasped again. "I don't have a second!" She reached out to the Force, to try to push away the pain coming from her screaming muscles. If there was one thing good about this, it was the fact that she could finally practice some Jedi techniques she had read about, but had never used. "Sho?" She gasped again.
Suddenly, the hole in the wall became bigger. A head popped out, followed by a small, green body in a dirty rag of a tunic. It was a male of her species, Yaddle realized. He had light brown hair, but it was falling out and the hair that was left was graying. He had deep, bronze eyes that seemed to fill up the entire room. "Yaddle?" He asked.
"Yes, it's me. Nice to finally see your face, Sho." Yaddle groaned again. She could sense the tiny, undeveloped mind in her panicking. Don't worry, little one, she thought toward the babe. She didn't blame her child; the passing into a world she knew absolutely nothing about must have been truly terrifying to the baby. It's going to be alright, my daughter. I'm here, don't be afraid.
"Come on, Yaddle," Yaro said soothingly. He held her hand in his, stroking it with the other. It was very comforting. "Push, and remember to breathe!"
"I am," Another contraction took her attention once more. "Oh..."
"You all right?"
"Oh! It-It hurts, it hurts," Yaddle breathed, her voice almost strangled.
"I'm right here, my friend." Sho caressed her now sweaty forehead. But she hardly heard him. She turned her full attention to the life, the life that she and Yaro had created together, as it moved. Her daughter's mind was no longer scared; she was in complete terror.
Don't be afraid, my love, Yaddle thought at her baby. I'm here; it's almost over, my...Yaddle paused as she tried to think of a name. Later, she decided. Don't be afraid, my little one.
Suddenly, for the first time in almost a year, the mind actually acknowledged the thought. Although the child didn't understand a single word, she responded to the feelings that Yaddle offered. The fear began to disappear. Yes, yes. I'm your mama; I am here, waiting for you.
The mind finally calmed down, seeming to consider that. Yaddle almost laughed. You truly are Yaro's daughter! She said excitedly at her baby. Suddenly, she had a vision, a vision of a small, green girl with yellow eyes and reddish-brown hair, standing proudly next to Yaro and Yaddle. The image filled Yaddle with pride and hope that she and her child would be found by Yaro and that she and her lover would be reunited again, this time with a child.
Suddenly, a sound like the slamming of a door eliminated the peaceful image. "What?" Yaddle yelped, gripping Sho's hand even harder.
"Oh no..." Sho breathed. Yaddle turned her head and almost cried out.
It was Sidious' young servant; Boy. He stood speechless in the open doorway. Sho growled under his breath and Boy jumped, closing the door behind him. All the happiness that had filled Yaddle was gone in the blink of an eye; Boy had seen her giving birth! Now he would most certainly go find Sidious. Sidious would take the baby from her, and probably kill or torture Sho for breaking out of his cell. Tears began to stream down her face.
Releasing her hand, Sho stood up and placed himself in front of Yaddle. "If you want the baby or Yaddle, you will have to go through me, Boy!"
What Boy said next shocked both of the Jedi: "I don't want the baby."
Yaddle winced as a contraction became more painful. "What do you mean?"
Boy walked over and Sho crouched again, almost snarling. "I said I don't want the baby; I want to help you."
"Why?" Sho sneered.
"Because...because I don't want the baby to have to go through the same childhood I had. No baby, especially a Jedi's baby, deserves that."
Yaddle groaned in pain and Sho dropped next to her. "Why?" She breathed. "I thought you were loyal to your Master."
"He is not my Master!" Boy almost yelled. Panting, he said, "I hate that man, above all things. I want to help you, because without that child, his plans won't work."
"What plan?"
"Sidious left on a trip yesterday. As soon as you had the baby, he wanted me to drug you, and then take the baby from you. He knew if he had the baby, he would have complete power over you, and you would teach him the last Dark Art to get your baby back." But he shook his head. "I can't do it. I just can't do that to a baby! But I do have a plan on how to help her get out of here."
Yaddle was about to answer, but a white light seemed to explode in her eyes. "Oh!"
"It's coming!" Sho yelped, instantly at Yaddle's side. "Boy! Give me your shirt, now!" Boy did as told, slipping his shirt off and handing it to Sho, who held it just between Yaddle's legs. "Your daughter is almost out! Looks like she's trying to crawl out herself! One more push should do it, Yaddle!"
Yaddle strained, combing the Force and sheer will to extract her child. And suddenly, it was all over. The crying of a newborn baby echoed in the room. Yaddle strained to see Sho wrapping the bawling baby in the cloth.
Sho smiled lopsidedly at Yaddle. Where had she seen that smile before, she wondered. But Yaddle didn't care at the moment. "It's your daughter, Yaddle..." He placed the crying child in her mother's open arms.
Boy kneeled by Yaddle, and Yaddle almost laughed at the fascinated, boyish expression on the boy's face. "Whatcha gonna call her, Yaddle?" he asked quietly.
Yaddle thought for a second. "Yiara..." She murmured. "My little Yiara..." She stroked the short, auburn, misplaced hairs on Yiara's tiny head. Yiara opened her eyes, revealing innocent, yellow eyes. "You have your mommy's eyes, my baby," Yaddle cooed.
Sho smiled and patted Yaddle on the shoulder. "She's beautiful. Who is the father, anyhow?"
"Another Jedi. His name is Yaro."
Suddenly, Sho's face turned from wonder to shock. "Did-Did-Did you say 'Yaro'?"
"Yes...why?"
Sho's eyes began to tear. "I...I once had a son named Yaro. But he was killed by Sidious when he was only two centuries old..." The old Jedi's voice broke as he softly cried. Yaddle put a comforting hand on his shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Sho."
"That's real sad, Sho," Boy said quietly. Then he shook his head. "I guess I had best tell you my plan now, Yaddle." He took a deep breath, making his ribs stick out. "My plan is this: Sidious is coming back today in a few hours, if not sooner. I could take the baby and run for it. I have a small starfighter that nobody wanted, but I fixed it this past year. I could go to Coruscant, tell the Jedi Temple where you two are, and bring them back here."
Yaddle was stunned. "But why take my baby? She's not even a day old yet!"
"I know, I know. But if I don't, Sidious will take her from you!"
That thought burned into Yaddle's brain like blaster fire. Sidious couldn't take the baby away from her when Yaddle was pregnant, but now that Yiara had been born...she shuddered with full-blown terror. "He's right, Sho." She gazed sadly down at the now sleeping babe in her arms, Yiara's arms occasionally flailing against her chest. "It's selfish of me to keep Yiara here, in danger." To her daughter, she said sadly, "I gave you life, and now I must give it to you again, by getting you out of here." Yaddle hugged Yiara tightly. "I pray we meet again, my little one."
Standing up with the assistance of Sho, Yaddle carefully wrapped Yiara in the cloth and handed her to Boy, who held her like a precious treasure, for the child truly was in his eyes. "Please, go gently for me. Such precious cargo you bear now, Boy."
Yiara fussed and Boy stroked her, soothing her back into sleep. "I will. I have some milk in the ship for Yiara, so she won't go hungry." He smiled sadly. "I'll starve before she goes without food."
"Thank you so much, Boy. May the Force be with you, and with Yiara."
Boy walked out the room and into the hallway. Turning around slightly, he whispered just for them to hear, "And with you, always. Goodbye." Then he ran down the hall, Yiara held protectively in his arms. Yaddle heard him talking to a droid or another servant, saying the child was born dead. When Boy's voice and presence had disappeared, Yaddle began to sob. Sho tried to comfort her, but to no use. "I only had her for ten minutes, Sho...only ten...minutes!" She cried tears of rage and despair into Sho's shoulder.
"It was for the best, Yaddle," Sho said soothingly as he cradled Yaddle, rocking her like a child. "Soon, the Jedi will come for us. Your lover, Yaro, will come for you, with Yiara in his arms. I just know it."
Suddenly, there was the sound of a starship landing down the hall. Sho raced to the open door and slammed it shut. "I have to go! Help me rebuild the tunnel, quickly!" As Sho crawled backwards into the tunnel, pushing rocks against Yaddle's wall, Yaddle piled the rocks in a pile and leaned against it.
She listened quietly to Sidious' voice, talking to whoever Boy had told the baby was born premature. She heard Sidious howl with fury and their was a sound of crashing metal. Yaddle huddled against the wall as she heard Sidious' feet pound down the hall, stopping at her door. It swung open with a crash and there stood the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, in all his fury. In his hand, he held what appeared to be a razor-edged whip.
"Born dead, eh?" Sidious growled. He was glowing with fury, powered by the Dark Side. He stalked into the room, wringing the whip in his hands. The blades on the ends of the whip's many tails cut into the man's hands. Red blood dripped onto the floor and Sidious' robes, but the Sith ignored it. "You killed it, didn't you? So I wouldn't have it! I'll teach you, Jedi!"
And after that, Yaddle forgot all about her child, about Sho, about Yaro. All she knew was pain.
*****
~See why this is PG-13? O_o'
*****
Rentha looked lazily around the bar on Tatooine, her cold, black eyes moving along the row like water. Hundreds of different species, including her own race of Twi'lek, were represented. Her lavender skin shone in the dim lights. A pair of racing goggles she had won in a bet was positioned on top of her head. Two blasters lay in holsters attached to her belt, loosened for easy access. Weapons stuck in your belt could get you killed before you blinked. A razor-sharp knife was also in the belt, along with ammo, rope, and just about every basic nessecity a bounty hunter would ever need or want.
A few men gave her what she called 'the eye' and occasionally winked, but she ignored them all and concentrated on her drink. It wasn't her fault she was beautiful, and had the species to back her up on it.
To her left sat her partner in crime; Fulageo. An olive-skinned Human, Fulageo had been in the business of collecting bounties for almost twenty years, since he was sixteen. But that was only two years before she started her life career. His naturally snow-white hair sat atop his head, pulled back into to dual ponytails, with one lock of hair hanging in front of his sleek silver eyes. He wore a baggy, sandy suit under a long dark- brown overcoat with multiple pockets. Underneath the coat was a belt that was a perfect copy of Rentha's, save there was no blasters. Instead, there was a lightsaber.
Rentha didn't know where or how he had gotten it; it wasn't a bounty hunter's job to question for the sake of asking. She scanned the countertop for any bounties she or Fulageo might have missed. No one that she knew of...but there was a new face at the counter.
Whoever-he-was had long, brown hair. For some reason, it made her think of a Wookie's fur. He wore loose, light-brown and white clothes like everyone else on Tatooine. He had a green complexion, large elfish ears, and was the smallest person Rentha had ever seen in her life. She couldn't place what species he was, unless he was a freak Rodian/Human/Wookie experiment gone wrong. The pint-sized man asked the bartender for a glass of bantha milk. The bartender seemed stumped, but did as the man said.
Nudging Fulageo in the side, Rentha whispered in his ear, "Who and what is that?"
Fulageo shrugged. "I don't really know; I've never seen that species before." He pulled out a handheld recorder of all recent bounties. "But he doesn't show up on the files; leave him be."
"Whatever you say." Rentha turned back to look at the little man, who was peacefully drinking his milk quietly. Nobody talked to him, and he did the same. After finishing off two more glasses, the elfin man began to hop off the stool when he bumped into a Wookie, who had been drinking just a little too much than any person should have.
The black-haired Wookie, known as Gibraltor by residents, rose up and roared loudly, causing every single conversation in the bar to stop. The man must have understood Gibraltor, because he said, "I'm really very sorry. Please, accept my apologies." Then he bowed politely.
Gibraltor wasn't buying it. He snarled and snatched whoever-he-was up by his crimson vest. He roared again in the man's face, making Rentha's glass wobble. "You're going to kill me?" The tiny man said curiously, and then laughed. "I wouldn't really do that, my tall and furry friend." Only Rentha and Fulageo saw the man move his three-fingered hand under his vest.
In less than a blink of an eye, the man had pulled out a lightsaber handle, activated it, and hacked off the drunken Wookie's head with a swipe of the humming yellow blade. As the huge body fell to the floor, the Jedi (as Rentha now knew he was) back flipped onto his stool with perfect grace and precision.
"Hey, hey!" The bartender yelled out, waving all six of his arms. "No fights in here, Jedi!"
The Jedi deactivated his lightsaber and put it back in his belt. "My apologies for the mess, sir. Thanks for the drinks, by the way. Very delicious." He turned back around, looking at the crowd. "By the way, folks, I have a message. I am looking for a bounty hunter or two for hire. I cannot pay you immediately, and I only have Republic credits. But I have enough of them to make you very, very happy on Coruscant. Good day." He hopped off the stool and walked calmly out the door.
Rentha and Fulageo looked at each other, stunned. As the conversations started up again and a service droid dragged away Gibraltor's corpse, Fulageo said under his breath, "We should take that job."
"Why?" Rentha sniffed. "We have bounties to collect; we're not a Jedi's nursemaid."
"You heard what he said; and I hear that Jedi can pay quite a bit of credits, enough to last both of us for almost ten years."
"That's a rumor you just heard less than an hour ago!"
"At least half of the rumors ever said are true." Fulageo looked out the door, where he could still see the Jedi walking calmly down the street. "And if he's lying...we kill 'im."
"Oh, alright. But you had best be right."
Rentha and Fulageo paid the bartender their dues, then slid off of their stools to follow the Jedi to the hanger.
*****
"Boy! Wake up." Instantly awake, Boy looked up into his Master's eyes.
"Master!" Boy jumped to his feet, standing stiff as a board. "What do you wish of me, my Master?"
"I am going away...on a trip. I need you to watch over the prisoners; especially Yaddle."
Boy nodded. It had been almost a full year now; Yaddle would go into labor any day now. "Yes, my Master. I am honored that you trust me so."
Sidious walked out the door, signaling for Boy to follow. As the pair walked down the hall and to Sidious' ship, he wondered if his Master remembered to renew Boy's memories, to clear his mind of cluttering memories and thoughts. He said, "Is it not time for my memory renewal, Master?"
"Yes, I know. Let us go refresh your mind, shall we?" Sidious stopped at a chamber and opened the door. Inside was a chair with different restraints for the arms, legs, neck, and torso. Boy was confused. His Master had never renewed him here, at least he thought so; he could never remember how his Master renewed him. This was where he took prisoners who needed to be disciplined. He had never seen his Master punish the prisoners, but he'd heard their cries of despair and pain. He started to panic. "Should I sit there?"
"Yes. Sit down, Boy."
Boy did as he was told. He sat down and waited for the restraints to chain him to the chair. But it didn't. This didn't feel like he was being punished. At least, not yet anyway. "What do you wish, Master?"
"Talk with me," Sidious said quietly, stealthily. "How do you feel?"
"Cold, Master."
"Why, Boy?"
"Because..." Did he dare tell his Master what he really thought? "Because my clothes are so thin, Master."
Sidious closed his eyes, and Boy was unable to see if the Sith was pleased or not. "You were once Jedi, Boy. Think of what that means."
Boy looked down at his bare, dirty feet. "It means I am nothing, Master."
"Are you certain?"
Boy wasn't certain; his mind suddenly became confused. He didn't know what to think, didn't know what was right or wrong. Sidious began to lean in on Boy, towering over the child. Suddenly, Boy yelled out as loud as he could and slapped his Master in the face. He knew he shouldn't have, but it felt good...so good...
"Come on, Boy," the Sith crooned. "Hit me harder, servant. Your anger betrays you!"
Boy screamed again in fury and hate, this time directing his blow repeatedly to Sidious' arm. "I hate you! I hate you! You killed my father! You burned down my home! You took me from everything, robbed me of my childhood! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you..." Boy's voice broke as he began to sob. "You even took my name!"
"So you mean you have nothing more than the usual to be angry for?" Sidious loomed in closer, breathing on him heavily, and Boy leaned as far back into the chair as he possibly could without falling over. What did he want? Why did he break his spirit so?
"I suppose you want to hit me again, don't you?" Sidious turned his head, so his right eye stared right at Boy. To the small servant, it seemed to suck him in to its eternal pit of darkness. He fell into it, unable to save himself.
Boy collapsed out of the chair, gasping for breath. Terrified, he lay on the rock floor. He had struck his Master! He could only guess what kind of death he'd be made to suffer.
But he no longer cared; even death would be better than this kind of torture.
"Boy," Sidious whispered. Boy lifted his head. "You should never say those things about me, or strike me again."
"Yes, my Master," Boy said wretchedly.
"You owe me so much, Boy. I could have left you there to rot and die."
"I know, Master. Please forgive me." I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, Boy thought furiously.
"I forgive you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Master." Boy allowed himself to be jerked up by Sidious onto his feet.
"I meant to anger you, Boy. Did you feel the power of the Dark Side flowing through you?"
"Yes, Master." But that was a lie. No matter how furious Boy became, he would never, ever turn to the Dark Side of the Force. "It was...wonderful."
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" Sidious began to walk out the door, towards his ship. As he walked inside the starcraft, he turned to Boy again. "I shall be gone for only a week, but that will be enough time. When Yaddle conceives her child, drug her and then take it from her. Do you understand?"
Boy bowed. "Yes, my Master."
"Good." The hatch closed behind the Sith Lord, and the ship flew out of the cave into the sky. Boy looked outside, at the jungle below him. "Don't worry, my 'Master'." He said the word like a curse. "I will be around when Yaddle gives birth...you can count on it."
*****
"Amazing. For such a small person, he walks as fast as an acklay!" Fulageo and Rentha were having a hard time catching up with the mini-Jedi. And because of the man's shortness, it was hard to find him, especially in a crowd. Fulageo was becoming frustrated.
"There he is." Rentha gestured to a parting in the crowd, but whoever was making the path couldn't be seen.
"Let's go."
The pair of bounty hunters followed the path made by the Jedi, which was leading straight to the ship hangars. Once the crowd got thinner, Fulageo spied the Jedi making his way to a sleek, ovular ship with an astromech droid just above its cockpit. Probably Coruscantian, he guessed.
The hatch opened to the ship and the Jedi began to walk inside. "I'm back, Arthree. Guess we didn't find a tracker here."
"Wait!" Rentha walked out, with Fulageo in tow.
The Jedi turned, his eyes suddenly curious with a touch of surprise. "What?"
Fulageo straightened his jacket. "We heard about your offer, and we'd like to take it."
"Oh really?" The droid above them chirped suspiciously. "How should I know that you are bounty hunters?"
"You're a Jedi, aren't you?" Rentha folded her arms, scowling fiercely. "Can't you read our minds or whatever?"
"No, I cannot. That must mean you are what you claim to be; a bounty hunter can't afford to be weak-minded."
"Very true," Fulageo murmured, rubbing his chin. He was starting to like the company of this Jedi; he didn't seem as stuck-up or high-and- mighty as most he had known. "So, why do you require our services?"
The Jedi chuckled softly. "You think I'm going to hire you without knowing exactly who you are?"
Fulageo laughed. "Clever, Jedi. I am Fulageo, and this is my associate Rentha."
"Hm. I might have heard of you..." The Jedi trailed off when he saw the lightsaber hanging from Fulageo's belt. "Where'd you get that?"
Fulageo stiffened. "Killed a Jedi who arrested the biggest bounty I had ever heard of. I would have been set for life if I'd caught that smuggler."
"I see." Much to Fulageo and Rentha's surprise, the Jedi didn't seem angry at all. He merely bowed respectfully and said, "I am Yaro, Jedi Knight."
"Yeah, we picked that up in the bar, as did Gibraltor."
"Is that who the Wookie was? Odd names, those Wookies." Yaro walked inside the ship. "I'd prefer to discuss our business in here, if you like."
Rentha and Fulageo glanced at each other out of the corners of their eyes, instantly suspicious. Fulageo decided to risk it; after all, it was two seasoned bounty hunters against one, tiny Jedi. "Sure, why not?"
The trio walked inside. The droid began to chirp and whistle furiously. "It's alright, Arthree!" said Yaro. "I think we can trust them..."
This shocked Fulageo a bit. This was by far the weirdest Jedi he had ever met in his lifetime. From the look on Rentha's face, the Jedi's words had caught her off guard.
"Sit here." Yaro gestured to a pair of bunk beds. As the bounty hunters sat, Yaro pulled up a chair and sat down.
"So," Rentha said. "Why do you want a bounty hunter?"
Yaro pulled a small hologram transmitter from a pocked in his vest and pushed a button. A hologram of a female of Yaro's species appeared. "I'm looking for this woman; she's...a friend of mine, a Jedi. Her name is Yaddle."
"Why?"
"She was kidnapped from the Temple almost a year ago. I've been looking for her since, and have been unsuccessful alone. So I've finally decided I need...help. What do you say?"
Rentha and Fulageo consulted each other, whispering quietly. After a few minutes of discussing, Fulageo smiled at Yaro. "Deal."
*****
Yaddle sighed. "Sho must still be asleep, little one," she murmured to the tiny life, who she was certain was a girl, inside of her. Of course, the fetus didn't answer back, or even give the slightest hint she had paid attention. Yaddle chuckled. "Oh yes, you are most definitely Yaro's child."
Suddenly, a series of tapping came from the wall she was sitting against. "About time," Yaddle grumbled. Turning over with effort, she tapped, 'How is the tunnel coming?' She and Sho had been toying with the atoms in the wall, causing small bits to collapse.
'So far? About half a foot into the wall. We might even break through your side today,' was the answer. 'How is your little one today?'
'Restless. She keeps kicking me, and it is starting to hurt.'
'You must be close to delivery then, Yaddle.'
Yaddle sighed. She now knew Sidious knew that she was pregnant, and was terrified to think of what could happen to her child. 'I know.'
'You must not give up hope. If you do, your being and courage will soon follow.'
'Yes, Sho. Now, let us go to work on that passage, shall we?'
'Let's.' As she worked carefully, Yaddle could feel Sho on the opposite wall, working away on the atoms delicately with the Force. Suddenly, a small piece of the wall collapsed. 'Sho!' Yaddle pattered at the Jedi Master excitedly. 'It is breaking through!'
'Yes, yes, I know!' Sho began to work a little faster, as did Yaddle. More and more rapidly, parts of the concrete wall began to fall apart. Yaddle felt the excitement of probable escape grip her. Her stomach began to tighten.
Wait...that wasn't her stomach... "Sho?"
For the first time in almost a year, a voice answered her. It sounded almost silky, but rough. "Yes, Yaddle?"
"I...I think..."
"The baby?" Sho sounded surprised.
"Yes! She's on her way!"
*****
Boy gasped. He had been in his room when he felt something ripple in the Force; like a new life coming into existence. "Can it be? Yaddle's giving birth?"
He opened his door and sprinted down the hall, going over his plan in his mind as he ran. He could only hope it would work...
*****
Another contraction came, the hardest one yet. Yaddle gasped out in pain and shock. "Sho, I need help!"
"Just a second!" Yaddle could feel Sho widening the passage with both the Force and his hands so he could crawl through it.
She gasped again. "I don't have a second!" She reached out to the Force, to try to push away the pain coming from her screaming muscles. If there was one thing good about this, it was the fact that she could finally practice some Jedi techniques she had read about, but had never used. "Sho?" She gasped again.
Suddenly, the hole in the wall became bigger. A head popped out, followed by a small, green body in a dirty rag of a tunic. It was a male of her species, Yaddle realized. He had light brown hair, but it was falling out and the hair that was left was graying. He had deep, bronze eyes that seemed to fill up the entire room. "Yaddle?" He asked.
"Yes, it's me. Nice to finally see your face, Sho." Yaddle groaned again. She could sense the tiny, undeveloped mind in her panicking. Don't worry, little one, she thought toward the babe. She didn't blame her child; the passing into a world she knew absolutely nothing about must have been truly terrifying to the baby. It's going to be alright, my daughter. I'm here, don't be afraid.
"Come on, Yaddle," Yaro said soothingly. He held her hand in his, stroking it with the other. It was very comforting. "Push, and remember to breathe!"
"I am," Another contraction took her attention once more. "Oh..."
"You all right?"
"Oh! It-It hurts, it hurts," Yaddle breathed, her voice almost strangled.
"I'm right here, my friend." Sho caressed her now sweaty forehead. But she hardly heard him. She turned her full attention to the life, the life that she and Yaro had created together, as it moved. Her daughter's mind was no longer scared; she was in complete terror.
Don't be afraid, my love, Yaddle thought at her baby. I'm here; it's almost over, my...Yaddle paused as she tried to think of a name. Later, she decided. Don't be afraid, my little one.
Suddenly, for the first time in almost a year, the mind actually acknowledged the thought. Although the child didn't understand a single word, she responded to the feelings that Yaddle offered. The fear began to disappear. Yes, yes. I'm your mama; I am here, waiting for you.
The mind finally calmed down, seeming to consider that. Yaddle almost laughed. You truly are Yaro's daughter! She said excitedly at her baby. Suddenly, she had a vision, a vision of a small, green girl with yellow eyes and reddish-brown hair, standing proudly next to Yaro and Yaddle. The image filled Yaddle with pride and hope that she and her child would be found by Yaro and that she and her lover would be reunited again, this time with a child.
Suddenly, a sound like the slamming of a door eliminated the peaceful image. "What?" Yaddle yelped, gripping Sho's hand even harder.
"Oh no..." Sho breathed. Yaddle turned her head and almost cried out.
It was Sidious' young servant; Boy. He stood speechless in the open doorway. Sho growled under his breath and Boy jumped, closing the door behind him. All the happiness that had filled Yaddle was gone in the blink of an eye; Boy had seen her giving birth! Now he would most certainly go find Sidious. Sidious would take the baby from her, and probably kill or torture Sho for breaking out of his cell. Tears began to stream down her face.
Releasing her hand, Sho stood up and placed himself in front of Yaddle. "If you want the baby or Yaddle, you will have to go through me, Boy!"
What Boy said next shocked both of the Jedi: "I don't want the baby."
Yaddle winced as a contraction became more painful. "What do you mean?"
Boy walked over and Sho crouched again, almost snarling. "I said I don't want the baby; I want to help you."
"Why?" Sho sneered.
"Because...because I don't want the baby to have to go through the same childhood I had. No baby, especially a Jedi's baby, deserves that."
Yaddle groaned in pain and Sho dropped next to her. "Why?" She breathed. "I thought you were loyal to your Master."
"He is not my Master!" Boy almost yelled. Panting, he said, "I hate that man, above all things. I want to help you, because without that child, his plans won't work."
"What plan?"
"Sidious left on a trip yesterday. As soon as you had the baby, he wanted me to drug you, and then take the baby from you. He knew if he had the baby, he would have complete power over you, and you would teach him the last Dark Art to get your baby back." But he shook his head. "I can't do it. I just can't do that to a baby! But I do have a plan on how to help her get out of here."
Yaddle was about to answer, but a white light seemed to explode in her eyes. "Oh!"
"It's coming!" Sho yelped, instantly at Yaddle's side. "Boy! Give me your shirt, now!" Boy did as told, slipping his shirt off and handing it to Sho, who held it just between Yaddle's legs. "Your daughter is almost out! Looks like she's trying to crawl out herself! One more push should do it, Yaddle!"
Yaddle strained, combing the Force and sheer will to extract her child. And suddenly, it was all over. The crying of a newborn baby echoed in the room. Yaddle strained to see Sho wrapping the bawling baby in the cloth.
Sho smiled lopsidedly at Yaddle. Where had she seen that smile before, she wondered. But Yaddle didn't care at the moment. "It's your daughter, Yaddle..." He placed the crying child in her mother's open arms.
Boy kneeled by Yaddle, and Yaddle almost laughed at the fascinated, boyish expression on the boy's face. "Whatcha gonna call her, Yaddle?" he asked quietly.
Yaddle thought for a second. "Yiara..." She murmured. "My little Yiara..." She stroked the short, auburn, misplaced hairs on Yiara's tiny head. Yiara opened her eyes, revealing innocent, yellow eyes. "You have your mommy's eyes, my baby," Yaddle cooed.
Sho smiled and patted Yaddle on the shoulder. "She's beautiful. Who is the father, anyhow?"
"Another Jedi. His name is Yaro."
Suddenly, Sho's face turned from wonder to shock. "Did-Did-Did you say 'Yaro'?"
"Yes...why?"
Sho's eyes began to tear. "I...I once had a son named Yaro. But he was killed by Sidious when he was only two centuries old..." The old Jedi's voice broke as he softly cried. Yaddle put a comforting hand on his shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Sho."
"That's real sad, Sho," Boy said quietly. Then he shook his head. "I guess I had best tell you my plan now, Yaddle." He took a deep breath, making his ribs stick out. "My plan is this: Sidious is coming back today in a few hours, if not sooner. I could take the baby and run for it. I have a small starfighter that nobody wanted, but I fixed it this past year. I could go to Coruscant, tell the Jedi Temple where you two are, and bring them back here."
Yaddle was stunned. "But why take my baby? She's not even a day old yet!"
"I know, I know. But if I don't, Sidious will take her from you!"
That thought burned into Yaddle's brain like blaster fire. Sidious couldn't take the baby away from her when Yaddle was pregnant, but now that Yiara had been born...she shuddered with full-blown terror. "He's right, Sho." She gazed sadly down at the now sleeping babe in her arms, Yiara's arms occasionally flailing against her chest. "It's selfish of me to keep Yiara here, in danger." To her daughter, she said sadly, "I gave you life, and now I must give it to you again, by getting you out of here." Yaddle hugged Yiara tightly. "I pray we meet again, my little one."
Standing up with the assistance of Sho, Yaddle carefully wrapped Yiara in the cloth and handed her to Boy, who held her like a precious treasure, for the child truly was in his eyes. "Please, go gently for me. Such precious cargo you bear now, Boy."
Yiara fussed and Boy stroked her, soothing her back into sleep. "I will. I have some milk in the ship for Yiara, so she won't go hungry." He smiled sadly. "I'll starve before she goes without food."
"Thank you so much, Boy. May the Force be with you, and with Yiara."
Boy walked out the room and into the hallway. Turning around slightly, he whispered just for them to hear, "And with you, always. Goodbye." Then he ran down the hall, Yiara held protectively in his arms. Yaddle heard him talking to a droid or another servant, saying the child was born dead. When Boy's voice and presence had disappeared, Yaddle began to sob. Sho tried to comfort her, but to no use. "I only had her for ten minutes, Sho...only ten...minutes!" She cried tears of rage and despair into Sho's shoulder.
"It was for the best, Yaddle," Sho said soothingly as he cradled Yaddle, rocking her like a child. "Soon, the Jedi will come for us. Your lover, Yaro, will come for you, with Yiara in his arms. I just know it."
Suddenly, there was the sound of a starship landing down the hall. Sho raced to the open door and slammed it shut. "I have to go! Help me rebuild the tunnel, quickly!" As Sho crawled backwards into the tunnel, pushing rocks against Yaddle's wall, Yaddle piled the rocks in a pile and leaned against it.
She listened quietly to Sidious' voice, talking to whoever Boy had told the baby was born premature. She heard Sidious howl with fury and their was a sound of crashing metal. Yaddle huddled against the wall as she heard Sidious' feet pound down the hall, stopping at her door. It swung open with a crash and there stood the Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, in all his fury. In his hand, he held what appeared to be a razor-edged whip.
"Born dead, eh?" Sidious growled. He was glowing with fury, powered by the Dark Side. He stalked into the room, wringing the whip in his hands. The blades on the ends of the whip's many tails cut into the man's hands. Red blood dripped onto the floor and Sidious' robes, but the Sith ignored it. "You killed it, didn't you? So I wouldn't have it! I'll teach you, Jedi!"
And after that, Yaddle forgot all about her child, about Sho, about Yaro. All she knew was pain.
*****
~See why this is PG-13? O_o'