This one has a bit of angst for you. Enjoy!! : D
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'Antina's Light' transitioned easily from Hyperspace to Normal space. The ship was her pride and joy. Antina had acquired the vessel a few cycles ago. As part of that transaction she traded-in her old ride and covered the difference with currency she collected from various sources. Remorse filled her. Only a year before had she decided to retire from the dangerous hectic life of smuggling and start anew. As a child, her home was raided and most of the people died, including her parents, brothers and sister. She had barely escaped when a friend picked her up. Shortly after, in a secondary attack her new guardian was killed. Not knowing where else to go or to do, she scrounged around for quite a while, before ending up in a pirate's crew. She was 16 when she first arrived and remained there for 5 years. Secretly, she withheld some of her gains from various jobs and collected her cut. With those meager amounts she managed to buy her first vessel. It was old and looked awful, but it was hers. She fixed it up and became one of the best smugglers. That's when she got involved with some people she ended up hating. She had picked up her cargo and upon delivery, she discovered what she transported; slaves. The sight of the sickly group disgusted her. Quickly she had found herself in a 'fresher vomiting. The journey had taken a number of days, and she was never instructed to care for them. By the time they arrived a couple of the weaker prisoners died, including a couple of children. Involuntarily, she shuddered. Her memory switching to the site of a boy trembling on the floor then morphing into a coughing fit at being denied food and drink. What have I gotten myself into?
Antina vowed after that run to renounce her previous life and create a clean, honest one in its place. This was her first 'legit' job since her sabbatical. Now she wished she had not accepted their offer, but maintenance of a ship is costly and her funds were beginning to run low. For the second time in her life, she was duped into taking live cargo, and she wanted out as quickly as possible. Antina prayed that once the delivery was complete she would be released from her contract. In the back of her mind however, she knew it was not going to be that easy.
Antina contacted the port when she arranged docking. Security checks passed, and she was cleared for landing. Once on the planet, she hastily gathered the shipment onto a pallet behind her speeder and drove out to make her delivery. The shipment was small but it was still a valuable bounty. When she returned to the hanger, she found the building locked up tight. Confusion coursed through her. She noted movement to her left and turned to see a figure approaching. The man was tall and in mechanic's coveralls. Rubbing his hands with a cloth she could see the oil and grease trademarking his outfit. "'Scuse me, Miss." He called to her and she eyed him carefully. "But we had to close up the hanger. Infestation."
"What are you talking about?" Antina demanded.
"Chawgrens arrived on yer vessel. Had ta clamp up the place ta purge 'em. Won't be clear for a couple more hours." J'fidah stated calmly.
"What? How would you know?" She questioned the grimy man.
"Well, Missy, I own the place and was called shortly after you landed. They told me 'bout the infestation and I ordered them to close and fumigate. You were haulin' Chaawn root, weren't you?" She nodded. "Yep, little critters are extremely attracted to them. May as well find a spot to relax for a bit. Like I said, it will be a while 'fore it's safe to go back in."
Annoyed at the delay, Antina spun around and stomped off toward the closest diner. A cloaked man followed by a hooded child strode toward her. As she drew closer she noted the man's step falter. She pushed past him and kept walking. Feeling uneasy, Antina quickened her step. She could feel the man's eyes following her as she rounded the corner. When she was out of sight, she sighed in relief and wandered off.
Qui-gon and MiraCyn had almost reached the hanger. Qui-gon had hoped that he could get there before the pilot had returned from their delivery. He wanted to be there when J'fidah told them about the bluff. As they approached he noticed his friend talking to someone. Qui-gon knew he was already too late. He saw the woman turn and head in their direction. As she drew near, he suddenly felt a weariness and desperation overpower his body. His step faltered in response to the sensation. Then he had a deep sense of warmth and love that was unmistakably Obi-wan. He realized the boy had placed a trace on the woman and all he could do was stare after her retreating form. Qui-gon noticed her pace hasten and wanted to call out to her to stop. He resisted the urge to follow her and demand answers. They needed a plan first. The desire to find his apprentice and the sudden awareness that she had come in contact with Obi-wan conflicted his movement and he froze. MiraCyn paused beside him feeling something in the Force but not having the same reaction Qui-gon had had with the touch. She could feel the surge in emotions from the tall Jedi. "What is it, Master Qui- gon?"
After the woman had disappeared from sight, Qui-gon managed to divert his eyes. He answered the girl's question, "She has been with Obi-wan. He placed a mental trace on her. Maybe he also placed the image of this Port in her mind as well. This is where we landed before he was taken from me." MiraCyn understood the significance in the moment. It gave the large Jedi hope that his apprentice had the strength to place the trace. Of course that was a while ago. It took several hours journey between Coruscant and Chandrila. But they couldn't give up hope. Dragging himself from the touch of his apprentice, Qui-gon continued on to meet J'fidah.
J'fidah had already noticed their arrival and went to join them. "That was the pilot just a moment ago. I thought I was supposed to call you after I delivered the bad news. What are you doing here so early?"
"We couldn't sleep so we decided to head on over. We need to plan quickly. She knows where they are." Qui-gon replied.
Bewildered, J'fidah queried. "How do you know that? Oh, wait, you are a Jedi. I always f'rget the amazing things you can do. What do you suggest we do?"
Qui-gon thought for a moment then reached for his commlink.
*****
The world around him faded in and out, but he could not mistake the pain that flowed through him. Obi-wan could hear voices close by. He decided it was pointless to move and remained on his stomach. Trying to keep his mind clear he concentrated on what was said.
"This isn't working." Obi-wan recognized his assailant. The words rang loudly in his ears as his mind pushed the haze away.
"Patience, Fiza. Our bluff hasn't completely failed yet. True, this will set back Serrine's influence for a while, but there is still the possibility it will work." Obi-wan cracked his eyes to take in the two before him. Harenti remained calm against Fiza's impatience. The guard paced back and forth, occasionally taking in the sight of the battered prisoner.
"If it weren't for this one, we could have already started." The brut paced up to the prone form and kicked him in the ribs, forcing another cry from the weakened body. "I dislike unnecessary delays. And so does she."
"I am fully aware of that already. Take this one to the Tube and let him stay there the night. That should take out the remainder of his resistance. This isn't over but I sense our time is drawing short." Obi- wan watched as the assistant approached him and looked him over. "Too bad we had to waste the surprise on her. Oh well. Have a good night, little one." Harenti mocked the beaten boy before leaving.
Realizing he was once again alone with Fiza, Obi-wan thought. Great, what can happen now? The man looked sadistically toward the shaking prisoner. An evil grin made him appear that much more demonic. He came up close and leaned down to Obi-wan's ear. "You know, he didn't tell me to take you to the Tube right away. Maybe we could spend a little more time together before bedtime."
"Would love too, but you're not my type." Obi-wan managed to whisper out between ragged breaths. A frown and a swift kick answered his remark. When am I going to learn to just keep quiet? He thought fleetingly as a second hit to his ribs caused a loud snap. White-hot pain flashed through him. He opened his mouth to scream but nothing escaped.
Fiza reached down and hauled the youth up to pin him against the wall. "Where's that great power you had before, boy? I was hoping we could have a real fight." He barked.
Obi-wan tried to keep the spots threatening his vision at bay. "You know - this room - blocks it." Gasping to get air in his lungs. Fiza again slammed him into the wall forcing what air he gained back out.
"Stay up! Fight me!" The guard demanded, backhanding the worn figure. Obi-wan barley noticed the new cut inside his mouth, as he had already tasted the iron flavor of his blood that evening. A wicked laugh filled the room. Fiza knew that there was no fight left in the pain-ridden body. Only the slight hint of defiance in the sea change eyes betrayed his will. Determined to enjoy this, Fiza took his time beating the spark out of the youth. Only when he saw the blue-green eyes dilated from the agony and staring blankly out, did Fiza desist. Dragging Obi-wan by the scruff of his tunic, Fiza bought him to the Tube. Tossing, Obi-wan onto the thin slab, he reminded, "Remember the rules, slug." He accessed the controls and sent Obi-wan back into the shaft. "Sleep well." The laugh echoed in the room even after the foul man left. Obi-wan's limbs shook involuntarily and he tried his best to relax. But he found that and sleep impossible. All he could do was wait for morning. {Master, I need you.}
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'Antina's Light' transitioned easily from Hyperspace to Normal space. The ship was her pride and joy. Antina had acquired the vessel a few cycles ago. As part of that transaction she traded-in her old ride and covered the difference with currency she collected from various sources. Remorse filled her. Only a year before had she decided to retire from the dangerous hectic life of smuggling and start anew. As a child, her home was raided and most of the people died, including her parents, brothers and sister. She had barely escaped when a friend picked her up. Shortly after, in a secondary attack her new guardian was killed. Not knowing where else to go or to do, she scrounged around for quite a while, before ending up in a pirate's crew. She was 16 when she first arrived and remained there for 5 years. Secretly, she withheld some of her gains from various jobs and collected her cut. With those meager amounts she managed to buy her first vessel. It was old and looked awful, but it was hers. She fixed it up and became one of the best smugglers. That's when she got involved with some people she ended up hating. She had picked up her cargo and upon delivery, she discovered what she transported; slaves. The sight of the sickly group disgusted her. Quickly she had found herself in a 'fresher vomiting. The journey had taken a number of days, and she was never instructed to care for them. By the time they arrived a couple of the weaker prisoners died, including a couple of children. Involuntarily, she shuddered. Her memory switching to the site of a boy trembling on the floor then morphing into a coughing fit at being denied food and drink. What have I gotten myself into?
Antina vowed after that run to renounce her previous life and create a clean, honest one in its place. This was her first 'legit' job since her sabbatical. Now she wished she had not accepted their offer, but maintenance of a ship is costly and her funds were beginning to run low. For the second time in her life, she was duped into taking live cargo, and she wanted out as quickly as possible. Antina prayed that once the delivery was complete she would be released from her contract. In the back of her mind however, she knew it was not going to be that easy.
Antina contacted the port when she arranged docking. Security checks passed, and she was cleared for landing. Once on the planet, she hastily gathered the shipment onto a pallet behind her speeder and drove out to make her delivery. The shipment was small but it was still a valuable bounty. When she returned to the hanger, she found the building locked up tight. Confusion coursed through her. She noted movement to her left and turned to see a figure approaching. The man was tall and in mechanic's coveralls. Rubbing his hands with a cloth she could see the oil and grease trademarking his outfit. "'Scuse me, Miss." He called to her and she eyed him carefully. "But we had to close up the hanger. Infestation."
"What are you talking about?" Antina demanded.
"Chawgrens arrived on yer vessel. Had ta clamp up the place ta purge 'em. Won't be clear for a couple more hours." J'fidah stated calmly.
"What? How would you know?" She questioned the grimy man.
"Well, Missy, I own the place and was called shortly after you landed. They told me 'bout the infestation and I ordered them to close and fumigate. You were haulin' Chaawn root, weren't you?" She nodded. "Yep, little critters are extremely attracted to them. May as well find a spot to relax for a bit. Like I said, it will be a while 'fore it's safe to go back in."
Annoyed at the delay, Antina spun around and stomped off toward the closest diner. A cloaked man followed by a hooded child strode toward her. As she drew closer she noted the man's step falter. She pushed past him and kept walking. Feeling uneasy, Antina quickened her step. She could feel the man's eyes following her as she rounded the corner. When she was out of sight, she sighed in relief and wandered off.
Qui-gon and MiraCyn had almost reached the hanger. Qui-gon had hoped that he could get there before the pilot had returned from their delivery. He wanted to be there when J'fidah told them about the bluff. As they approached he noticed his friend talking to someone. Qui-gon knew he was already too late. He saw the woman turn and head in their direction. As she drew near, he suddenly felt a weariness and desperation overpower his body. His step faltered in response to the sensation. Then he had a deep sense of warmth and love that was unmistakably Obi-wan. He realized the boy had placed a trace on the woman and all he could do was stare after her retreating form. Qui-gon noticed her pace hasten and wanted to call out to her to stop. He resisted the urge to follow her and demand answers. They needed a plan first. The desire to find his apprentice and the sudden awareness that she had come in contact with Obi-wan conflicted his movement and he froze. MiraCyn paused beside him feeling something in the Force but not having the same reaction Qui-gon had had with the touch. She could feel the surge in emotions from the tall Jedi. "What is it, Master Qui- gon?"
After the woman had disappeared from sight, Qui-gon managed to divert his eyes. He answered the girl's question, "She has been with Obi-wan. He placed a mental trace on her. Maybe he also placed the image of this Port in her mind as well. This is where we landed before he was taken from me." MiraCyn understood the significance in the moment. It gave the large Jedi hope that his apprentice had the strength to place the trace. Of course that was a while ago. It took several hours journey between Coruscant and Chandrila. But they couldn't give up hope. Dragging himself from the touch of his apprentice, Qui-gon continued on to meet J'fidah.
J'fidah had already noticed their arrival and went to join them. "That was the pilot just a moment ago. I thought I was supposed to call you after I delivered the bad news. What are you doing here so early?"
"We couldn't sleep so we decided to head on over. We need to plan quickly. She knows where they are." Qui-gon replied.
Bewildered, J'fidah queried. "How do you know that? Oh, wait, you are a Jedi. I always f'rget the amazing things you can do. What do you suggest we do?"
Qui-gon thought for a moment then reached for his commlink.
*****
The world around him faded in and out, but he could not mistake the pain that flowed through him. Obi-wan could hear voices close by. He decided it was pointless to move and remained on his stomach. Trying to keep his mind clear he concentrated on what was said.
"This isn't working." Obi-wan recognized his assailant. The words rang loudly in his ears as his mind pushed the haze away.
"Patience, Fiza. Our bluff hasn't completely failed yet. True, this will set back Serrine's influence for a while, but there is still the possibility it will work." Obi-wan cracked his eyes to take in the two before him. Harenti remained calm against Fiza's impatience. The guard paced back and forth, occasionally taking in the sight of the battered prisoner.
"If it weren't for this one, we could have already started." The brut paced up to the prone form and kicked him in the ribs, forcing another cry from the weakened body. "I dislike unnecessary delays. And so does she."
"I am fully aware of that already. Take this one to the Tube and let him stay there the night. That should take out the remainder of his resistance. This isn't over but I sense our time is drawing short." Obi- wan watched as the assistant approached him and looked him over. "Too bad we had to waste the surprise on her. Oh well. Have a good night, little one." Harenti mocked the beaten boy before leaving.
Realizing he was once again alone with Fiza, Obi-wan thought. Great, what can happen now? The man looked sadistically toward the shaking prisoner. An evil grin made him appear that much more demonic. He came up close and leaned down to Obi-wan's ear. "You know, he didn't tell me to take you to the Tube right away. Maybe we could spend a little more time together before bedtime."
"Would love too, but you're not my type." Obi-wan managed to whisper out between ragged breaths. A frown and a swift kick answered his remark. When am I going to learn to just keep quiet? He thought fleetingly as a second hit to his ribs caused a loud snap. White-hot pain flashed through him. He opened his mouth to scream but nothing escaped.
Fiza reached down and hauled the youth up to pin him against the wall. "Where's that great power you had before, boy? I was hoping we could have a real fight." He barked.
Obi-wan tried to keep the spots threatening his vision at bay. "You know - this room - blocks it." Gasping to get air in his lungs. Fiza again slammed him into the wall forcing what air he gained back out.
"Stay up! Fight me!" The guard demanded, backhanding the worn figure. Obi-wan barley noticed the new cut inside his mouth, as he had already tasted the iron flavor of his blood that evening. A wicked laugh filled the room. Fiza knew that there was no fight left in the pain-ridden body. Only the slight hint of defiance in the sea change eyes betrayed his will. Determined to enjoy this, Fiza took his time beating the spark out of the youth. Only when he saw the blue-green eyes dilated from the agony and staring blankly out, did Fiza desist. Dragging Obi-wan by the scruff of his tunic, Fiza bought him to the Tube. Tossing, Obi-wan onto the thin slab, he reminded, "Remember the rules, slug." He accessed the controls and sent Obi-wan back into the shaft. "Sleep well." The laugh echoed in the room even after the foul man left. Obi-wan's limbs shook involuntarily and he tried his best to relax. But he found that and sleep impossible. All he could do was wait for morning. {Master, I need you.}
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FEEDBACK!! I love to get FEEDBACK!! : D