Disclaimer: I don't own most of the characters (Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon etc.) we
all know who they belong to. But I do own most of them (Keira, Tohulk'la
etc.) so hope you all like it's my first fan fic so reviews are desperately
needed to improve!! More to come soon! Oh and to the many ppl who have
faithfully read my fic though it was horribly posted I fixed it. Yay!
Snap-hiss. Who's there? What ever you are don't come any closer, I am a Jedi Knight and I won't let you hurt the innocent! A huge red flash sprayed over his vision followed by black emptiness and then whiteness as consciousness regained and daylight broke through his closed eyelids.
It was just a dream. Obi-Wan thought. What time is it? The Jedi Academy was always up early, always bustling with activity. Students training, Masters teaching, it happened everyday the same way. Always.
But today was the day that he would start his early morning exercises after a week of vacationing if you called it that. Staying in the same place for a week and not be able to do anything else besides sleep.
It always seemed to be like this whenever the Jedi Council decided to assign them missions. Qui- Gon would always assign these early morning sessions. But this time he had a pretty good idea of what they were going to do. It had something to do with that strange happening in the middle of the night down one of the hallways leading to the Jedi Library.
All around that shadowy figure was this strong aura of the Force; it was so strong that even the young students who had no practice whatsoever could feel its presence. When he arrived at the sparring center, Qui-Gon was waiting for him. Along with a few Jedi Masters who were speaking with him and left.
"Obi-Wan, great hurry up and get packed. We are to leave for the shuttle to Donuskija 4."
Even though he was offered so many times to join the council, each time he would flatly refuse and become even more headstrong in his ways.
"Now before you ask about the destination I'll tell you on the way. Donuskija 4 is an asteroid that is one giant mining plant. It mines various types of minerals like spice, platinum, and gold among others are the main shipments. Unlike most asteroids, this one has an atmosphere similar to that of habitable planets like Coruscant. Its multiple shipments leave giant craters in the surface of the asteroid that are filled with steaming, hot springs. This unique feature has a very commercial appeal, because only the northernmost parts of the asteroid contain the hot springs. In the south are the tropical rainforests that host a variety of different species that come from different planets. It seems that this asteroid contains every species of plant and animal in the galaxy, extinct and existing. That makes this a very dangerous place, full of cutthroats, pirates and every backstabbing, cheating piece of scum imaginable. Also the most unlikely place for the origin of that apparition yesterday so we must be very cautious not to alarm it to our presence."
As they stepped down off the loading platform, they entered the nearby speeder rental area. The alien in charge of the place was the only one who knew something about the strange happenings.
"Ahh, hello newcomer! Everyday I see a new face but I think I remember you two from somewhere. Wait! Now I know! You two are those." but was cut off by Obi-Wan when he used a Jedi mind meld to quiet down the shop clerk.
"Calm down now, we are not here for you. We have connections that place you as the only one who knows something of the strange things that are happening throughout this sector of the planet." Said Qui-Gon, calmly speaking to Shibumwa.
"I don't know anything about the new hand of Tohuk'la? Opps!"
"So you do know something, would you mind telling us who it may be?" Asked Obi-Wan.
"Why should I? You never did anything for me!"
"What do you mean we 'never did anything for you'! Don't you remember that little incident at Zombur 2?"
"Ok, ok, I'll tell you guys everything I know. It goes like this, you see one day, I dunno maybe two or three days ago Tohuk'la got this new hand that was the most amazing one yet. You see this new drone of his had these mind powers like yours only better. But his new laborer was always dressed in a hooded cloak. You can't miss it; it looks exactly like yours only darker and more sinister looking, because if you stare into the hood it'll mesmerize you into doing Tohuk'la's biding. Oh yeah, one more thing, Tohuk'la's new hand likes to hangout at that old crusty cantina down the street. I think it's called 'The Vibro-blade'".
Walking into the Vibro-blade, the lights becoming dimmer as you went lower into the compound. All along the narrow passageway there were phosphorescent lichens as there always were in damp cantinas.
Coming near to the bottom, the lights were slightly brighter then dimmed as you came in to disorient you from your surroundings. From the stairwell nothing was visible through the hanging blue-green smoke and through the slight red- orange fog that hung just below the ankles.
It all disappeared as you entered deeper into the cantina. This allowed the customers the ability to spot newcomers easily from their seats. Once fully inside, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon could spot the large crowds surrounding the screens of races being shown as the gamblers yelled at each other in their different languages betting this and that.
A service droid came to seat them and order their drinks. They sat at a booth that faced the door and the rest of the cantina with their backs to the wall. While this prevented any surprise attacks from behind, you were completely open on one side to the rest of the cantina.
Everything became tense after the service droid came with their drinks. From the door came a shadow that seemed to cause part of the cantina near the door to quiet down. Everyone seated at the base of the door jumped up and out of the way to leave room for the hooded shadow.
Everyone seated at the bar turned and moved away to either side as the shadow approached. The bartender, a Shistavanen female growled at the shadow as she passed the free drink apparently.
Obi-Wan turned toward Qui-Gon, it was not that very well known to most people that when a Shistavanen female is guarding her territory, they growl and sometimes fight other females to back off. It was one way of knowing the specie of the shrouded figure.
A reassurance to them because now they knew the 'it' was a she. The shadowy figure turned in their direction and headed to the empty booth in front of them. She had no fear of leaving herself exposed on all sides but then again, no one even dared to approach the table she sat at. She sat in a way so she could see them but they couldn't see her.
They sat unmoving as the figure slowly drank her drink, causally turning her head to get a better look at the cantina around them. Suddenly she got up and went for the door.
"That would be our cue to follow, she's on to us." Said Qui- Gon, Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
Once outside in the clear daylight, they could see the figure rapidly moving away from them and down a street. They went around the block and met in a narrow road behind some buildings.
"I knew this day would come but did it have to be today of all days?" answered the hooded figure who stood just above their heads.
"Why? Not good enough for you?" answered Obi-Wan, just as she jumped down to face them from the ledge.
"Why do you speak so arrogantly to one whom you have not even seen the face off?" Before they could answer she fled down the alley faster than anything they had ever seen otherwise.
The chase went on for a little while more until they came to dead- end, they stopped at the mouth of the pathway to block any attempts of fleeing back the way they came.
"We have you trapped; there is no way out except by going through us. You have no need to fear us we will not harm you. We come in search of your help." Said Qui-Gon. "Please we only wish to speak to you." They could tell that the figure was weighing out all the outcomes and options in her mind, she stood there for just a few moments staring between the Jedi.
At last she gave up and started to walk to them, the Jedi moved towards her still blocking her only way out. They were but a few meters away when she sprang through them.
The sensation was incredible, it felt as if their insides were being transported outside then inside but there was no pain only a certain kind of warmth that ran through their bodies wherever she passed through them.
It took a few moments for them to come out of shock which were a few moments too long because she was gone into the approaching darkness.
Only an echo of her voice could be heard, it sounded as clear as day: "Nice try but if you really wish to seek my help meet me tomorrow midday at Middle Park near the fountain in the northwest corner, if you really speak the truth I will find out soon enough."
They did as they were told and waited for her there near the fountain in the northwest corner of Middle Park. By the time it was midday they were tired of waiting and were just about to leave when she finally showed up.
"My, my you actually came, and what's this you brought me something!" she jumped out of the surrounding bushes to join them. "What is it? What does it do, if anything?" she reached out to grab the cylindrical object that Obi-Wan had left on the bench.
"Its nothing that you should worry about now" said Obi-Wan as he quickly snatched up his lightsaber before she could reach it. She was still shrouded in her dark blue cloak that concealed her features.
"First we'd like to see who you really are, no offense to yourself but it is something we'd like to be sure of." Said Qui-Gon.
"Yes, yes everyone that I meet like this always wants to know who I am and who my employer is. Well you'll know soon enough at least the former of the two." She pulled off her cloak to reveal her true identity.
Her eyes were that of a cat, still rounded like a human's but the pupils were both crescent shaped slits when she became angry or nervous, their color were of a light blue-gray surrounding a strikingly bright violet and green. Her hair was no ordinary color; in fact it was a mixture of several, fine thin streaks of blond that shone with an iridescent light matching her happy mood.
There was the most beautiful shade of brown in her hair that seemed to be the dominant color. As well as a golden hue of red that shined with the reflecting light from the fountain.
Her face was smooth in complexion and maybe even ordinary beauty but there was no mistake that in her eyes gleamed a fire of mischief that would never be put out and would just grow if not kept in check.
At the corners of her mouth a smirk of some kind always tugged to be loose but always kept guarded by her stern, straight jaw line whenever she spoke. She was like no other person Obi-Wan had ever seen before.
Her body was very lithe and graceful as a cat in movement, for every move she made was flowing and smooth with her surroundings. She was just made of curves that one longed to hold tight and never let go.
Obi- Wan stood mouth agape at the sight of her and let Qui-Gon do all the talking. He would never be able to keep a straight face while looking into her eyes.
She had the ability to keep an unblinking stare and would eventually get the truth out of anyone she talked to, or much to her liking, rather pummel them with her great strength that lay hidden beneath the layer of false frailty she could portray when needed.
"Now that this is settled, I would really like to know what it is you want. My employer always leaves his customers with well deserved products." She answered with the telltale grin.
"We'd like to know your name first so that we may contact you whenever we wish."
"You do not need to know my name, I am just the courier, I am unimportant to you. What you need is the name of my employer to order your goods. I just deliver them." She said hastily as if trying to change the subject.
"What if we want the same courier who spoke with us to deliver our equipment because we trusted them first?"
"Then you would have made a mistake, the first rule in this business is not to trust any one with anything. Luckily I am not here to cheat you out of house and home like most others."
"You still have not told us what we want, what is your name? You must have a name right?"
"My name as I have told you before is unimportant, what you need is."
"What we need is your name or we will take our business elsewhere." She stood there in silence in front of them shaking her head and remembering the last time she failed her master.
It was because she lost a very big deal all because she had not wanted to sleep with the buyer at her master's command. He was a pervert, the alien wanted to inflict some kind of pain onto her in order to prove that the female race are so weak that they would do anything to please the men.
The alien had beaten her hard with various forms of painful weapons that at first didn't cut through her skin but then bruised and blistered. After that incident she had tried to escape the wrath of her master, with no success.
He had found her weeks later and broke nearly every bone in her body that hadn't already healed, consequently once she was healed entirely; he broke every other bone, kicked and punched her senselessly until he grew tired of inflicting pain.
He then placed her bruised and battered body in a dark, damp cell where she was cared for her injuries without concern for the pain the doctors created trying to heal her.
"No! Wait, please! You don't have to go anywhere else; if you wish to know my name you will have it on one condition, that you don't say where you got it. It is imperative that you don't reveal my name to anyone else, promise me you won't!" she went on her knees and bowed her head almost touching the ground.
Obi-Wan turned toward his master who had the same thought as him, why was she acting as if anyone found out what she was doing, her life would be at stake?
"We'll do as you ask, there is no need to fear us, rise young one." Answered Qui-Gon gently.
"Thank you, as I have promised my name is Keira, Keira Yumuri and I bid thee farewell till next we meet!" with that she disappeared with a flash but again her voice came ringing back with the same gentle, clear sound saying:
"If you wish to speak further come wait around that same cantina again, I am free at dusk!"
Keira saw them walk away through the foliage; this was the first time that she found someone who was true to their word. She could actually feel the truth come out of them. She remembered the look that the younger of the two gave her when she unveiled herself.
He had stared at her with such knowing, if you could call it that, there were no other words to describe the tenderness he showed her just by watching her. She knew she had to see him again, she longed for their next meeting.
But now she had to get back before her master changed his moods again. Tohuk'la was sitting on his chair that he dubbed his throne but it was quite simply an ordinary stool that had been upgraded with all the necessary torture he required.
Tohuk'la in all his form and glory was actually quite handsome; he was in excellent physical condition, the peak of his life with an extraordinary build. He prided himself on his shape and paraded whenever he could to show it off to everyone just to make sure they knew he was in control.
A human with a lean, tall and muscular body. With jet black hair, olive tanned skin and eyes that glistened green with greed and sometimes envy at seeing how little he had in comparison with other crime lords, though none do anything to him.
At least not while he had Keira as his personal bodyguard. Keira, his alone for the keeping was his personal assistant. She was also his secret weapon against any possible attack.
He discovered her one- day while roaming through the streets of some completely unknown planet in the Outer Rim several years ago. It was as if fate had decided to give him a break from the repeatedly endless failures that had besieged him.
Keira had literally fallen into his arms that fateful day; she had stumbled out of some alley seemingly from nowhere at all into the streets followed by some low lives that wanted to take advantage of her vulnerability.
She dispatched them with such ease and power he could not even begin to account for. The bruises on her arms were disappearing instantly, no trace of it ever happening lay there for proof.
She fell down in a heap of clothing; he walked carefully out to where she was. It was then that he realized that she was not even unconscious but asleep. She woke startled but alive.
She turned to thank him for something he couldn't even remember now. But from that day on he knew with her at his side he would be invincible. The only problem with his plan was keeping her amazing talent a secret.
If word got out that he had something capable of rousing fear into the galaxy, every known murderer, thief, scum bucket that ever was would come crawling out from whatever rock they were hiding under, begging for something.
He immediately offered her a job that he knew she could not refuse, because if she did everyone would know about her powers. And she wouldn't remain in the world of the living.
Back to the real world now, Keira was late and he gets suspicious when she's late because lately she's been acting funny. Maybe it has something to do with her powers but he can't be sure.
Everything nowadays seems to be getting ever more suspicious, especially those reports he's been getting from the well-known trader Shibumwa. Something about two strangers asking the wrong questions about him, wanting to know about the new package he got from the latest trade off with Keira or was it dealing with Keira herself?
Anyway it isn't important now because she was late and she was going to pay for the delay and unpleasantness she had caused him for the wait. Keira entered the room cautiously, time had flown by rapidly during that secret meeting she had with the Jedi, unbeknownst to Tohuk'la.
Hopefully it'll stay that way, otherwise I'm gonna have one heck of a time trying to explain my disappearance to him. She thought quietly to herself. Upon her arrival into the waiting room Keira cleaned herself up before presenting herself to the master.
If just one hair was out of place Tohuk'la would get angry. He always did pride himself upon his workers looks. It was always about looks with him. Vain as he was one still did not wish to be noticed by him.
Being noticed was like getting the death count from the entire galaxy. You would never be allowed any freedoms in how you wish to live your life. Just as he always was when someone wished to see him, Tohuk'la was sitting erect in the high chair positioned against the wall on a series of steps, three in all.
"Well Keira its about time, where were you? I hope you are not conspiring against me now are you? It would certainly be a shame, and not to mention a great pain to myself for you to go and waste your precious life like that."
Not to mention what a loss it would be in profits if you did, but if you are hiding something from me be sure that it won't stay hidden for long! Tohuk'la thought as he always did, looking over Keira in a dirty way.
As usual Keira would keep a blank face to whatever he thought to himself but this time she accidentally flinched at the remark. A feeling of panic erupted from Tohuk'la's subconscious, the sudden power from that emotion flowed right into Keira's mind, threatening to overpower her sense of pain, like an antenna drawing electrical signals. It pained Keira to have these sudden emotions instantaneously pop into her mind without control. She didn't know what was happening to her but felt for sure it had something to do with the new arrivals to the world. She would have to go search them out but before that could happen, Tohuk'la here must not suspect any more than he knows.
Tohuk'la couldn't understand why Keira flinched the way she did but thought better not to ask and just ignore it as one of her many side effects that occurred from the drug he secretly gave her a while ago in order to prevent her from discovering that implant that allowed him to control her if chance should have it she should mutiny.
It was just one of the many safety precautions he placed on her in order to keep himself ahead of the game. As the rippling pain passed Keira stood up properly and brushed down her tunic as nonchalantly as she could manage.
She faced Tohuk'la and stared right into his eyes and spoke like she always did, with a certain degree of fear and respect that would satisfy his prying question.
"I had a little run in with the law but hopefully they didn't know who I was because of my cloak. You have no need to worry about anything, Master Tohuk'la." She stood there in silence a few moments until she summoned enough courage to speak again.
"If that is all you require of me then," she paused as if trying to sense if anymore reactions would arise from what she just said, "may I go now, my Master Lord of all things made?" she knelt down on one knee bowed head in silence.
At last Tohuk'la acknowledged her presence and simply nodded in agreement for her to leave. Keira turned and left as quickly as she had come in order to ensure no other task would be set upon her, lest Tohuk'la suspect her own doings behind his back about that implant of his in her head.
She thought to herself, as low a mind pulse as possible just to make sure no one would be able to guess her actions least someone be listening in, I've got to arrange a meeting tonight and see those Jedi again. They must know a way out of this miserable life I have now. Once her voice finished speaking the air surrounding them was silent again with the slight rustle of leaves blowing in the brief gusts of wind. They stood as they were until Obi-Wan broke the silence.
"Master, what must we do now? We have found the supposed entity that is capable of creating that strong pull throughout the Force. Are we to bring her to the Council directly?"
"I am guessing that it would have to be very soon now, I have felt a disturbance in the Force but it is not coming from her this time. I fear that the Sith have already figured out this location and are now headed here in order to snatch Keira out of our grasp. Obi-Wan, she could be a great tool of power but, it must be for good we must not allow the Sith to get her! With the amount of control she has already, our forces could be wiped out of existence! It is imperative that whatever course of action that must take place must happen soon or we might not be able to get a second chance like this again."
They walked out from under the shadows of the drawing twilight, the sky turned dark here much sooner than in any other planet. Together they walked in silence toward their hotel, before the coming of dawn, many events will have passed that they would have no clue about.
Keira waited in the same cantina from this morning. This time her guise was less ominous and more of a regular patron out for a late night drink. She sat there waiting in the same booth that she first saw them in.
Its getting late, where are they? Was there some trouble I hadn't anticipated? Oh I wish they would hurry up and get here if not I'm going to have to leave. The longer I stay here that much I'll have to lie to Tohuk'la about my whereabouts. And he always seems to know more than what I tell him, Keira muttered under her breath as the serving droid came back to refill her cocktail of juices from different planets.
Soon her wait would be over because they came at the end of her thought through the door as she waved them over to the empty seat next to her.
She sat in the middle towards the back with either Jedi flanking her on each side, Obi-Wan to the left and Qui-Gon to the right. She would have preferred another arrangement but there wasn't much time for that. She had to say what she wanted now before time was up.
"You wanted to talk?" asked Obi-Wan
"Yes, since your off-worlders you have access to a ship, you did come in your own ship right?" she tried not to sound too anxious if not they might not agree with her terms of escape.
"Please just say what you really mean, we already know and we're here to ask you the same thing but since you're already in agreement we'll just get down to business. Is that all right with you?" said Qui-Gon.
Keira stood in amazement at their ability to guess her very thoughts.
"We have come in reality for you. As you yourself may very well be aware of, certain strange headaches and pain the likes you have never felt suddenly appear."
"Okay then, you uh, where do you come from, first of all? Then next you have a means of transport or rather a ship and I need a way off this planet. And not to mention, you were here in the first place for me so, uh where do you come from? I don't want to be taken somewhere I don't know the location to, no offense."
"You have every right to suspicion, we come and want to take you to Coruscant to join our order." She stared at them in amazement; she just couldn't believe her luck.
Imagine, her, a small-town girl being randomly selected to join this far away club in the galactic center! To actually be where all the greatest laws of the galaxy are made and passed!
To be surrounded by all those important dignitaries, near the Senate of all places. Her, lucky her, but there still was the matter of Tohuk'la to be taken care of.
"What exactly do I have to do to join this uh, um, group?"
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon looked at each other for a moment before deciding what course of action should be taken next. If they told her who they really were, she might not understand. The locals here seem to be afraid of their presence of authority it seems to impose upon the rest. Qui-Gon turned again to face Keira and put on the most truthful expression he could manage before speaking again.
"Keira we are Jedi, and you have an undeniable strong ability of control over the Force. We wish to bring you to Coruscant for training, if from what you see there or if you don't wish to continue your training, we are obliged to return you to your planet of choice. Now what do you say? Do you wish to come with us or to stay here where you've spent most of your life?"
Her response wasn't what they had expected. Keira was so overjoyed at finally having someone whom she can relate to about the strange things happening at the moment, that she couldn't speak. The fact that they were Jedi didn't seem to bother her; in fact it just made her feel even more secure.
It was well known that if Jedi came seeking your help in something they would protect you from any immediate harm that was plaguing you when they arrived. So this meant that Tohuk'la would not be able to hurt her, Jedi bodyguards were the best in the business. There was only one thing on her mind now.
"When do we leave?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tohuk'la was sitting or rather sunbathing on the pool deck, he had an easy day and he thought he deserved a nice long undisturbed nap. The day turned out to be absolutely perfect as it always was on Donuskija 4.
There was never a bad day but he so rarely had a chance to enjoy these types of days that it didn't matter whatsoever to him if everyone on the asteroid was sick of it.
After all it was their choice to come live here in the first place. If it were up to him he would have this entire system cut off to everyone except tourists with tons of cash.
Who ever said money doesn't buy happiness, has never met the likes of him. There was only one thing on his mind now and that was Keira, even though he did not show it he sure did felt it.
She was the ultimate object of lust, he could see that in every man's eye, human and non-human the way they're eyes move about her body. And together they make the perfect holocam couple, him with his tanned skin and jet- black hair, and her with that sensuous body that makes anything she wears look good.
One of his jobs perks is that he gets to fuck her whenever he wants, after all she can't object to him, he's the one who made her what she is no questions asked about her origin.
He also has a secret that he doesn't want her to know about; he's got Force powers as well. And he's at his peak for his powers to be most effective, and they ought to be for he was trained by the best Sith lord there ever was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keira grew increasingly uneasy every minute that passed and they weren't on their way. What if at the last minute Tohuk'la finds out that I've gone never to come back? She thought to herself, silently dreading that possible outcome.
She tried to cover her nervousness but talking to her companion, Obi-wan.
"How long before we're able to leave? I want to be as far way possible for whatever ship we're taking."
"Hey don't worry we just have to get through this last checkpoint and then we're free to board our ship. Its just taking long because we have to get you checked out."
"Oh, well then they should speed up the process a little more, people are waiting to leave." Obi-Wan took her aside from the line and together they sat on a nearby bench.
Qui-Gon was still talking to the guard who looked suspiciously at Keira. I knew this was too great a risk that guard works for Tohuk'la. Oh I hope he doesn't recognize me from all the holos.
Sensing her thoughts, Obi-Wan looked over to Qui-Gon and nodded silently that they might be in danger. Obi-Wan turned to Keira and started to talk but noticed her uneasiness and hugged her close.
She stopped shaking and curled up next to Obi-Wan amazingly. A sudden sense of comfort and security washed over him, he hadn't expected to feel anything like that.
All around them that warm sense flowed making everyone pleasant again. He looked down at Keira and noticed that the nice feelings were irradiating from her. He could feel the warmness with his bare skin.
Once she noticed what she was doing, Keira immediately broke her connection with Obi-Wan by pushing herself away from him. She suddenly blushed immensely as a huge grin swept over her face, why did I have to do that?
Obi-Wan also turned a little red when he turned to face Keira.
"Umm. I. I mean. about that."
"Umm yeah, I, no its okay. I don't mind if you. what I mean is, well."
Both Keira and Obi-Wan stuttered in the same way at the same time that they both just seemed about to explode the way that their smiles were reaching towards their ears.
It was just a fling thought Keira, nothing more I was only cold and he noticed it and that was all, still it was nice of him, I haven't felt a real hug in so long.
Gradually the feeling faded away until they were again just sitting on the bench waiting for the customs official to clear their passports. Luckily Qui-Gon had gotten safe passage to Coruscant for Keira to coincide with their return trip to the same place so they wouldn't be separated.
The ship that they would be taking was an old relic, a trash pile, a piece of junk, what a bucket of bolts! Are we really going entrust our lives our very safety on this pile of worn out transparisteel?? Though Keira may have thought that this was just an old ship it was actually her first time ever in one.
In all her years of service to Tohuk'la, not once had she ever ridden off world. She had gone on several trips around the asteroid but never one in space.
Once on the ship in their assigned seats stated on their holo-tickets, the repulsorlifts activated and the ship leisurely rose into the air.
Occasionally the ship would pass through some turbulence that occurred as you went further up into the atmosphere. During the long slow ascent into the clouds, no one had spoken a word.
The extreme lack of silence was unnerving to Keira everywhere she had been to in her life had been either a large crowd of people shouting with loud music in the background or some room but there was always sound to block out her cries for help.
Deep within this reverie, Keira sat gazing unblinkingly at the bulkhead directly in front of her.
It had never occurred to her to ask them for their names.
What was she thinking? That she could take them on her own if they tried anything? And didn't they say that they had their own ship??
Her thoughts were broken by the electronic voice that hammered through her skull.
Snap-hiss. Who's there? What ever you are don't come any closer, I am a Jedi Knight and I won't let you hurt the innocent! A huge red flash sprayed over his vision followed by black emptiness and then whiteness as consciousness regained and daylight broke through his closed eyelids.
It was just a dream. Obi-Wan thought. What time is it? The Jedi Academy was always up early, always bustling with activity. Students training, Masters teaching, it happened everyday the same way. Always.
But today was the day that he would start his early morning exercises after a week of vacationing if you called it that. Staying in the same place for a week and not be able to do anything else besides sleep.
It always seemed to be like this whenever the Jedi Council decided to assign them missions. Qui- Gon would always assign these early morning sessions. But this time he had a pretty good idea of what they were going to do. It had something to do with that strange happening in the middle of the night down one of the hallways leading to the Jedi Library.
All around that shadowy figure was this strong aura of the Force; it was so strong that even the young students who had no practice whatsoever could feel its presence. When he arrived at the sparring center, Qui-Gon was waiting for him. Along with a few Jedi Masters who were speaking with him and left.
"Obi-Wan, great hurry up and get packed. We are to leave for the shuttle to Donuskija 4."
Even though he was offered so many times to join the council, each time he would flatly refuse and become even more headstrong in his ways.
"Now before you ask about the destination I'll tell you on the way. Donuskija 4 is an asteroid that is one giant mining plant. It mines various types of minerals like spice, platinum, and gold among others are the main shipments. Unlike most asteroids, this one has an atmosphere similar to that of habitable planets like Coruscant. Its multiple shipments leave giant craters in the surface of the asteroid that are filled with steaming, hot springs. This unique feature has a very commercial appeal, because only the northernmost parts of the asteroid contain the hot springs. In the south are the tropical rainforests that host a variety of different species that come from different planets. It seems that this asteroid contains every species of plant and animal in the galaxy, extinct and existing. That makes this a very dangerous place, full of cutthroats, pirates and every backstabbing, cheating piece of scum imaginable. Also the most unlikely place for the origin of that apparition yesterday so we must be very cautious not to alarm it to our presence."
As they stepped down off the loading platform, they entered the nearby speeder rental area. The alien in charge of the place was the only one who knew something about the strange happenings.
"Ahh, hello newcomer! Everyday I see a new face but I think I remember you two from somewhere. Wait! Now I know! You two are those." but was cut off by Obi-Wan when he used a Jedi mind meld to quiet down the shop clerk.
"Calm down now, we are not here for you. We have connections that place you as the only one who knows something of the strange things that are happening throughout this sector of the planet." Said Qui-Gon, calmly speaking to Shibumwa.
"I don't know anything about the new hand of Tohuk'la? Opps!"
"So you do know something, would you mind telling us who it may be?" Asked Obi-Wan.
"Why should I? You never did anything for me!"
"What do you mean we 'never did anything for you'! Don't you remember that little incident at Zombur 2?"
"Ok, ok, I'll tell you guys everything I know. It goes like this, you see one day, I dunno maybe two or three days ago Tohuk'la got this new hand that was the most amazing one yet. You see this new drone of his had these mind powers like yours only better. But his new laborer was always dressed in a hooded cloak. You can't miss it; it looks exactly like yours only darker and more sinister looking, because if you stare into the hood it'll mesmerize you into doing Tohuk'la's biding. Oh yeah, one more thing, Tohuk'la's new hand likes to hangout at that old crusty cantina down the street. I think it's called 'The Vibro-blade'".
Walking into the Vibro-blade, the lights becoming dimmer as you went lower into the compound. All along the narrow passageway there were phosphorescent lichens as there always were in damp cantinas.
Coming near to the bottom, the lights were slightly brighter then dimmed as you came in to disorient you from your surroundings. From the stairwell nothing was visible through the hanging blue-green smoke and through the slight red- orange fog that hung just below the ankles.
It all disappeared as you entered deeper into the cantina. This allowed the customers the ability to spot newcomers easily from their seats. Once fully inside, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon could spot the large crowds surrounding the screens of races being shown as the gamblers yelled at each other in their different languages betting this and that.
A service droid came to seat them and order their drinks. They sat at a booth that faced the door and the rest of the cantina with their backs to the wall. While this prevented any surprise attacks from behind, you were completely open on one side to the rest of the cantina.
Everything became tense after the service droid came with their drinks. From the door came a shadow that seemed to cause part of the cantina near the door to quiet down. Everyone seated at the base of the door jumped up and out of the way to leave room for the hooded shadow.
Everyone seated at the bar turned and moved away to either side as the shadow approached. The bartender, a Shistavanen female growled at the shadow as she passed the free drink apparently.
Obi-Wan turned toward Qui-Gon, it was not that very well known to most people that when a Shistavanen female is guarding her territory, they growl and sometimes fight other females to back off. It was one way of knowing the specie of the shrouded figure.
A reassurance to them because now they knew the 'it' was a she. The shadowy figure turned in their direction and headed to the empty booth in front of them. She had no fear of leaving herself exposed on all sides but then again, no one even dared to approach the table she sat at. She sat in a way so she could see them but they couldn't see her.
They sat unmoving as the figure slowly drank her drink, causally turning her head to get a better look at the cantina around them. Suddenly she got up and went for the door.
"That would be our cue to follow, she's on to us." Said Qui- Gon, Obi-Wan nodded in agreement.
Once outside in the clear daylight, they could see the figure rapidly moving away from them and down a street. They went around the block and met in a narrow road behind some buildings.
"I knew this day would come but did it have to be today of all days?" answered the hooded figure who stood just above their heads.
"Why? Not good enough for you?" answered Obi-Wan, just as she jumped down to face them from the ledge.
"Why do you speak so arrogantly to one whom you have not even seen the face off?" Before they could answer she fled down the alley faster than anything they had ever seen otherwise.
The chase went on for a little while more until they came to dead- end, they stopped at the mouth of the pathway to block any attempts of fleeing back the way they came.
"We have you trapped; there is no way out except by going through us. You have no need to fear us we will not harm you. We come in search of your help." Said Qui-Gon. "Please we only wish to speak to you." They could tell that the figure was weighing out all the outcomes and options in her mind, she stood there for just a few moments staring between the Jedi.
At last she gave up and started to walk to them, the Jedi moved towards her still blocking her only way out. They were but a few meters away when she sprang through them.
The sensation was incredible, it felt as if their insides were being transported outside then inside but there was no pain only a certain kind of warmth that ran through their bodies wherever she passed through them.
It took a few moments for them to come out of shock which were a few moments too long because she was gone into the approaching darkness.
Only an echo of her voice could be heard, it sounded as clear as day: "Nice try but if you really wish to seek my help meet me tomorrow midday at Middle Park near the fountain in the northwest corner, if you really speak the truth I will find out soon enough."
They did as they were told and waited for her there near the fountain in the northwest corner of Middle Park. By the time it was midday they were tired of waiting and were just about to leave when she finally showed up.
"My, my you actually came, and what's this you brought me something!" she jumped out of the surrounding bushes to join them. "What is it? What does it do, if anything?" she reached out to grab the cylindrical object that Obi-Wan had left on the bench.
"Its nothing that you should worry about now" said Obi-Wan as he quickly snatched up his lightsaber before she could reach it. She was still shrouded in her dark blue cloak that concealed her features.
"First we'd like to see who you really are, no offense to yourself but it is something we'd like to be sure of." Said Qui-Gon.
"Yes, yes everyone that I meet like this always wants to know who I am and who my employer is. Well you'll know soon enough at least the former of the two." She pulled off her cloak to reveal her true identity.
Her eyes were that of a cat, still rounded like a human's but the pupils were both crescent shaped slits when she became angry or nervous, their color were of a light blue-gray surrounding a strikingly bright violet and green. Her hair was no ordinary color; in fact it was a mixture of several, fine thin streaks of blond that shone with an iridescent light matching her happy mood.
There was the most beautiful shade of brown in her hair that seemed to be the dominant color. As well as a golden hue of red that shined with the reflecting light from the fountain.
Her face was smooth in complexion and maybe even ordinary beauty but there was no mistake that in her eyes gleamed a fire of mischief that would never be put out and would just grow if not kept in check.
At the corners of her mouth a smirk of some kind always tugged to be loose but always kept guarded by her stern, straight jaw line whenever she spoke. She was like no other person Obi-Wan had ever seen before.
Her body was very lithe and graceful as a cat in movement, for every move she made was flowing and smooth with her surroundings. She was just made of curves that one longed to hold tight and never let go.
Obi- Wan stood mouth agape at the sight of her and let Qui-Gon do all the talking. He would never be able to keep a straight face while looking into her eyes.
She had the ability to keep an unblinking stare and would eventually get the truth out of anyone she talked to, or much to her liking, rather pummel them with her great strength that lay hidden beneath the layer of false frailty she could portray when needed.
"Now that this is settled, I would really like to know what it is you want. My employer always leaves his customers with well deserved products." She answered with the telltale grin.
"We'd like to know your name first so that we may contact you whenever we wish."
"You do not need to know my name, I am just the courier, I am unimportant to you. What you need is the name of my employer to order your goods. I just deliver them." She said hastily as if trying to change the subject.
"What if we want the same courier who spoke with us to deliver our equipment because we trusted them first?"
"Then you would have made a mistake, the first rule in this business is not to trust any one with anything. Luckily I am not here to cheat you out of house and home like most others."
"You still have not told us what we want, what is your name? You must have a name right?"
"My name as I have told you before is unimportant, what you need is."
"What we need is your name or we will take our business elsewhere." She stood there in silence in front of them shaking her head and remembering the last time she failed her master.
It was because she lost a very big deal all because she had not wanted to sleep with the buyer at her master's command. He was a pervert, the alien wanted to inflict some kind of pain onto her in order to prove that the female race are so weak that they would do anything to please the men.
The alien had beaten her hard with various forms of painful weapons that at first didn't cut through her skin but then bruised and blistered. After that incident she had tried to escape the wrath of her master, with no success.
He had found her weeks later and broke nearly every bone in her body that hadn't already healed, consequently once she was healed entirely; he broke every other bone, kicked and punched her senselessly until he grew tired of inflicting pain.
He then placed her bruised and battered body in a dark, damp cell where she was cared for her injuries without concern for the pain the doctors created trying to heal her.
"No! Wait, please! You don't have to go anywhere else; if you wish to know my name you will have it on one condition, that you don't say where you got it. It is imperative that you don't reveal my name to anyone else, promise me you won't!" she went on her knees and bowed her head almost touching the ground.
Obi-Wan turned toward his master who had the same thought as him, why was she acting as if anyone found out what she was doing, her life would be at stake?
"We'll do as you ask, there is no need to fear us, rise young one." Answered Qui-Gon gently.
"Thank you, as I have promised my name is Keira, Keira Yumuri and I bid thee farewell till next we meet!" with that she disappeared with a flash but again her voice came ringing back with the same gentle, clear sound saying:
"If you wish to speak further come wait around that same cantina again, I am free at dusk!"
Keira saw them walk away through the foliage; this was the first time that she found someone who was true to their word. She could actually feel the truth come out of them. She remembered the look that the younger of the two gave her when she unveiled herself.
He had stared at her with such knowing, if you could call it that, there were no other words to describe the tenderness he showed her just by watching her. She knew she had to see him again, she longed for their next meeting.
But now she had to get back before her master changed his moods again. Tohuk'la was sitting on his chair that he dubbed his throne but it was quite simply an ordinary stool that had been upgraded with all the necessary torture he required.
Tohuk'la in all his form and glory was actually quite handsome; he was in excellent physical condition, the peak of his life with an extraordinary build. He prided himself on his shape and paraded whenever he could to show it off to everyone just to make sure they knew he was in control.
A human with a lean, tall and muscular body. With jet black hair, olive tanned skin and eyes that glistened green with greed and sometimes envy at seeing how little he had in comparison with other crime lords, though none do anything to him.
At least not while he had Keira as his personal bodyguard. Keira, his alone for the keeping was his personal assistant. She was also his secret weapon against any possible attack.
He discovered her one- day while roaming through the streets of some completely unknown planet in the Outer Rim several years ago. It was as if fate had decided to give him a break from the repeatedly endless failures that had besieged him.
Keira had literally fallen into his arms that fateful day; she had stumbled out of some alley seemingly from nowhere at all into the streets followed by some low lives that wanted to take advantage of her vulnerability.
She dispatched them with such ease and power he could not even begin to account for. The bruises on her arms were disappearing instantly, no trace of it ever happening lay there for proof.
She fell down in a heap of clothing; he walked carefully out to where she was. It was then that he realized that she was not even unconscious but asleep. She woke startled but alive.
She turned to thank him for something he couldn't even remember now. But from that day on he knew with her at his side he would be invincible. The only problem with his plan was keeping her amazing talent a secret.
If word got out that he had something capable of rousing fear into the galaxy, every known murderer, thief, scum bucket that ever was would come crawling out from whatever rock they were hiding under, begging for something.
He immediately offered her a job that he knew she could not refuse, because if she did everyone would know about her powers. And she wouldn't remain in the world of the living.
Back to the real world now, Keira was late and he gets suspicious when she's late because lately she's been acting funny. Maybe it has something to do with her powers but he can't be sure.
Everything nowadays seems to be getting ever more suspicious, especially those reports he's been getting from the well-known trader Shibumwa. Something about two strangers asking the wrong questions about him, wanting to know about the new package he got from the latest trade off with Keira or was it dealing with Keira herself?
Anyway it isn't important now because she was late and she was going to pay for the delay and unpleasantness she had caused him for the wait. Keira entered the room cautiously, time had flown by rapidly during that secret meeting she had with the Jedi, unbeknownst to Tohuk'la.
Hopefully it'll stay that way, otherwise I'm gonna have one heck of a time trying to explain my disappearance to him. She thought quietly to herself. Upon her arrival into the waiting room Keira cleaned herself up before presenting herself to the master.
If just one hair was out of place Tohuk'la would get angry. He always did pride himself upon his workers looks. It was always about looks with him. Vain as he was one still did not wish to be noticed by him.
Being noticed was like getting the death count from the entire galaxy. You would never be allowed any freedoms in how you wish to live your life. Just as he always was when someone wished to see him, Tohuk'la was sitting erect in the high chair positioned against the wall on a series of steps, three in all.
"Well Keira its about time, where were you? I hope you are not conspiring against me now are you? It would certainly be a shame, and not to mention a great pain to myself for you to go and waste your precious life like that."
Not to mention what a loss it would be in profits if you did, but if you are hiding something from me be sure that it won't stay hidden for long! Tohuk'la thought as he always did, looking over Keira in a dirty way.
As usual Keira would keep a blank face to whatever he thought to himself but this time she accidentally flinched at the remark. A feeling of panic erupted from Tohuk'la's subconscious, the sudden power from that emotion flowed right into Keira's mind, threatening to overpower her sense of pain, like an antenna drawing electrical signals. It pained Keira to have these sudden emotions instantaneously pop into her mind without control. She didn't know what was happening to her but felt for sure it had something to do with the new arrivals to the world. She would have to go search them out but before that could happen, Tohuk'la here must not suspect any more than he knows.
Tohuk'la couldn't understand why Keira flinched the way she did but thought better not to ask and just ignore it as one of her many side effects that occurred from the drug he secretly gave her a while ago in order to prevent her from discovering that implant that allowed him to control her if chance should have it she should mutiny.
It was just one of the many safety precautions he placed on her in order to keep himself ahead of the game. As the rippling pain passed Keira stood up properly and brushed down her tunic as nonchalantly as she could manage.
She faced Tohuk'la and stared right into his eyes and spoke like she always did, with a certain degree of fear and respect that would satisfy his prying question.
"I had a little run in with the law but hopefully they didn't know who I was because of my cloak. You have no need to worry about anything, Master Tohuk'la." She stood there in silence a few moments until she summoned enough courage to speak again.
"If that is all you require of me then," she paused as if trying to sense if anymore reactions would arise from what she just said, "may I go now, my Master Lord of all things made?" she knelt down on one knee bowed head in silence.
At last Tohuk'la acknowledged her presence and simply nodded in agreement for her to leave. Keira turned and left as quickly as she had come in order to ensure no other task would be set upon her, lest Tohuk'la suspect her own doings behind his back about that implant of his in her head.
She thought to herself, as low a mind pulse as possible just to make sure no one would be able to guess her actions least someone be listening in, I've got to arrange a meeting tonight and see those Jedi again. They must know a way out of this miserable life I have now. Once her voice finished speaking the air surrounding them was silent again with the slight rustle of leaves blowing in the brief gusts of wind. They stood as they were until Obi-Wan broke the silence.
"Master, what must we do now? We have found the supposed entity that is capable of creating that strong pull throughout the Force. Are we to bring her to the Council directly?"
"I am guessing that it would have to be very soon now, I have felt a disturbance in the Force but it is not coming from her this time. I fear that the Sith have already figured out this location and are now headed here in order to snatch Keira out of our grasp. Obi-Wan, she could be a great tool of power but, it must be for good we must not allow the Sith to get her! With the amount of control she has already, our forces could be wiped out of existence! It is imperative that whatever course of action that must take place must happen soon or we might not be able to get a second chance like this again."
They walked out from under the shadows of the drawing twilight, the sky turned dark here much sooner than in any other planet. Together they walked in silence toward their hotel, before the coming of dawn, many events will have passed that they would have no clue about.
Keira waited in the same cantina from this morning. This time her guise was less ominous and more of a regular patron out for a late night drink. She sat there waiting in the same booth that she first saw them in.
Its getting late, where are they? Was there some trouble I hadn't anticipated? Oh I wish they would hurry up and get here if not I'm going to have to leave. The longer I stay here that much I'll have to lie to Tohuk'la about my whereabouts. And he always seems to know more than what I tell him, Keira muttered under her breath as the serving droid came back to refill her cocktail of juices from different planets.
Soon her wait would be over because they came at the end of her thought through the door as she waved them over to the empty seat next to her.
She sat in the middle towards the back with either Jedi flanking her on each side, Obi-Wan to the left and Qui-Gon to the right. She would have preferred another arrangement but there wasn't much time for that. She had to say what she wanted now before time was up.
"You wanted to talk?" asked Obi-Wan
"Yes, since your off-worlders you have access to a ship, you did come in your own ship right?" she tried not to sound too anxious if not they might not agree with her terms of escape.
"Please just say what you really mean, we already know and we're here to ask you the same thing but since you're already in agreement we'll just get down to business. Is that all right with you?" said Qui-Gon.
Keira stood in amazement at their ability to guess her very thoughts.
"We have come in reality for you. As you yourself may very well be aware of, certain strange headaches and pain the likes you have never felt suddenly appear."
"Okay then, you uh, where do you come from, first of all? Then next you have a means of transport or rather a ship and I need a way off this planet. And not to mention, you were here in the first place for me so, uh where do you come from? I don't want to be taken somewhere I don't know the location to, no offense."
"You have every right to suspicion, we come and want to take you to Coruscant to join our order." She stared at them in amazement; she just couldn't believe her luck.
Imagine, her, a small-town girl being randomly selected to join this far away club in the galactic center! To actually be where all the greatest laws of the galaxy are made and passed!
To be surrounded by all those important dignitaries, near the Senate of all places. Her, lucky her, but there still was the matter of Tohuk'la to be taken care of.
"What exactly do I have to do to join this uh, um, group?"
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon looked at each other for a moment before deciding what course of action should be taken next. If they told her who they really were, she might not understand. The locals here seem to be afraid of their presence of authority it seems to impose upon the rest. Qui-Gon turned again to face Keira and put on the most truthful expression he could manage before speaking again.
"Keira we are Jedi, and you have an undeniable strong ability of control over the Force. We wish to bring you to Coruscant for training, if from what you see there or if you don't wish to continue your training, we are obliged to return you to your planet of choice. Now what do you say? Do you wish to come with us or to stay here where you've spent most of your life?"
Her response wasn't what they had expected. Keira was so overjoyed at finally having someone whom she can relate to about the strange things happening at the moment, that she couldn't speak. The fact that they were Jedi didn't seem to bother her; in fact it just made her feel even more secure.
It was well known that if Jedi came seeking your help in something they would protect you from any immediate harm that was plaguing you when they arrived. So this meant that Tohuk'la would not be able to hurt her, Jedi bodyguards were the best in the business. There was only one thing on her mind now.
"When do we leave?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tohuk'la was sitting or rather sunbathing on the pool deck, he had an easy day and he thought he deserved a nice long undisturbed nap. The day turned out to be absolutely perfect as it always was on Donuskija 4.
There was never a bad day but he so rarely had a chance to enjoy these types of days that it didn't matter whatsoever to him if everyone on the asteroid was sick of it.
After all it was their choice to come live here in the first place. If it were up to him he would have this entire system cut off to everyone except tourists with tons of cash.
Who ever said money doesn't buy happiness, has never met the likes of him. There was only one thing on his mind now and that was Keira, even though he did not show it he sure did felt it.
She was the ultimate object of lust, he could see that in every man's eye, human and non-human the way they're eyes move about her body. And together they make the perfect holocam couple, him with his tanned skin and jet- black hair, and her with that sensuous body that makes anything she wears look good.
One of his jobs perks is that he gets to fuck her whenever he wants, after all she can't object to him, he's the one who made her what she is no questions asked about her origin.
He also has a secret that he doesn't want her to know about; he's got Force powers as well. And he's at his peak for his powers to be most effective, and they ought to be for he was trained by the best Sith lord there ever was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keira grew increasingly uneasy every minute that passed and they weren't on their way. What if at the last minute Tohuk'la finds out that I've gone never to come back? She thought to herself, silently dreading that possible outcome.
She tried to cover her nervousness but talking to her companion, Obi-wan.
"How long before we're able to leave? I want to be as far way possible for whatever ship we're taking."
"Hey don't worry we just have to get through this last checkpoint and then we're free to board our ship. Its just taking long because we have to get you checked out."
"Oh, well then they should speed up the process a little more, people are waiting to leave." Obi-Wan took her aside from the line and together they sat on a nearby bench.
Qui-Gon was still talking to the guard who looked suspiciously at Keira. I knew this was too great a risk that guard works for Tohuk'la. Oh I hope he doesn't recognize me from all the holos.
Sensing her thoughts, Obi-Wan looked over to Qui-Gon and nodded silently that they might be in danger. Obi-Wan turned to Keira and started to talk but noticed her uneasiness and hugged her close.
She stopped shaking and curled up next to Obi-Wan amazingly. A sudden sense of comfort and security washed over him, he hadn't expected to feel anything like that.
All around them that warm sense flowed making everyone pleasant again. He looked down at Keira and noticed that the nice feelings were irradiating from her. He could feel the warmness with his bare skin.
Once she noticed what she was doing, Keira immediately broke her connection with Obi-Wan by pushing herself away from him. She suddenly blushed immensely as a huge grin swept over her face, why did I have to do that?
Obi-Wan also turned a little red when he turned to face Keira.
"Umm. I. I mean. about that."
"Umm yeah, I, no its okay. I don't mind if you. what I mean is, well."
Both Keira and Obi-Wan stuttered in the same way at the same time that they both just seemed about to explode the way that their smiles were reaching towards their ears.
It was just a fling thought Keira, nothing more I was only cold and he noticed it and that was all, still it was nice of him, I haven't felt a real hug in so long.
Gradually the feeling faded away until they were again just sitting on the bench waiting for the customs official to clear their passports. Luckily Qui-Gon had gotten safe passage to Coruscant for Keira to coincide with their return trip to the same place so they wouldn't be separated.
The ship that they would be taking was an old relic, a trash pile, a piece of junk, what a bucket of bolts! Are we really going entrust our lives our very safety on this pile of worn out transparisteel?? Though Keira may have thought that this was just an old ship it was actually her first time ever in one.
In all her years of service to Tohuk'la, not once had she ever ridden off world. She had gone on several trips around the asteroid but never one in space.
Once on the ship in their assigned seats stated on their holo-tickets, the repulsorlifts activated and the ship leisurely rose into the air.
Occasionally the ship would pass through some turbulence that occurred as you went further up into the atmosphere. During the long slow ascent into the clouds, no one had spoken a word.
The extreme lack of silence was unnerving to Keira everywhere she had been to in her life had been either a large crowd of people shouting with loud music in the background or some room but there was always sound to block out her cries for help.
Deep within this reverie, Keira sat gazing unblinkingly at the bulkhead directly in front of her.
It had never occurred to her to ask them for their names.
What was she thinking? That she could take them on her own if they tried anything? And didn't they say that they had their own ship??
Her thoughts were broken by the electronic voice that hammered through her skull.