Chapter 7

Selah and Millennia threaded their way through the labyrinth of moving bodies on the dance floor, keeping the Brats in sight. Not that it was hard; every man on the floor seemed to be vying to dance with the two newcomers.

Once the Brats were within their range of vision, both Millennia and Selah easily took dancing partners and waited.

Afton's gaze wandered as she kept her cheek pressed against the broad chest of her partner, her ears tuned into the slow song the band was currently playing. He was a Jedi, and a cute one with short pale blond hair, light green eyes, and a beard that rather reminded her of Qui-Gon's. Not much older than Obi-Wan, probably… Nejaa Halcyon he had said was his name.

Familiar, but at the moment she wasn't too interested in anything except dancing. A short distance away, Lonespirit and a very handsome man with emerald eyes were dancing cheek to cheek. Lonespirit gave her friend a wink and returned her attention to the man.

The slow song ended and Nejaa fixed young woman with a sweet grin. "Feel up to another dance?" he asked, enjoying the way her blue eyes danced in the light.

"Definitely!" Afton said laughing, and looking up at Nejaa's unbelievable green eyes mischievously as the band started in on a song with an unbelievably fast beat. She pulled him out further onto the floor into the spinning sea of beings.

Selah fumed mentally. 'What is with that Brat and the Jedi? They get away from that idiotic Master and Padawan, and fall right in with another!' Well,

Lord Jareth had sent her to do her job, regardless. Jedi or no Jedi, she would have both those chits by the end of the night. She closed her eyes, knowing Millennia was doing the same, and reached out through the Force, deftly and subtly pushing the dancers on the floor to press in around the two girls and the men, separating them onto opposite edges of the dance floor.

Wearing twin smiles of contempt, Silver Songsteress and Jeanna made their way to where Afton and Lonespirit were standing looking slightly disoriented.

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Nejaa looked around worriedly. He felt a disturbance in the Force and it certainly wasn't good or pleasant. Something was also telling him to find Afton and her friend quickly. But they seemed to have disappeared. He almost jumped out of his skin when a hand touched his shoulder.

"Hello, Halcyon," Obi-Wan Kenobi said, smirking.

"You're looking for something?" Jinn asked looking down at the younger man, and disregarding his apprentice.

"Yes. There was a girl…I have got to find her…" Nejaa turned away to scan the crowd again. Obi-Wan frowned.

"Is her name Lonespirit?" the Padawan asked.

"No, but that is the name of the girl she was with. I know they're in.." A shriek loud enough to break plastiglass rang through his mind.

As one, the three Jedi looked to the door and immediately took off through the crowd.

"Stop it!" Silver snarled as her captive continued to struggle, hampering their pace down the conveniently deserted street.

"Like freakin' Tartarus I will!" the girl yelled back. The Songstress yelped in pain - the heel on Afton's boot had made contact of the most painful kind with her shin. Her grip loosened fractionally. But it was enough.

Afton wrenched free, ducking under Silver's arm and twisting it in the process. For extra protection, she kicked at the back of her opponent's knees, sending the silvery-haired woman toppling face first onto the duracrete. Cursing the heels of her shoes, she took off back down the street. 'I hope that yell was loud enough to get the guys' attention… if only I hadn't left the damned lightsaber on my dresser…' she thought.

Lonespirit bit down on the hand over her mouth and was rewarded with a series of satisfying curses. "You little…" Jeanna broke off as Lonespirit's elbow plowed into her stomach. Her porcelain doll features twisted in rage, she whirled the girl around. "You'll pay for that."

"I do hope you take Visa? I'm fresh out of credits," Lonespirit quipped and ducked the larger female's punch. She shoved Jeanna through the Force, causing her to perform a perfect flip and land on her back. Not waiting to see the results of her handiwork, Lonespirit dashed down the same direction she'd seen Afton take.

"Not so fast, sweeties," Selah said, stepping out of the shadows. A malevolent smile played across her face. Her fiery orange lightsaber sprang to life and she advanced toward the two.

Beside her another blade ignited, illuminating the lithe form and short dark hair of Millennia.

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Dreamin fought as Nicole, Lisa, and Rhonda shoved her into the sleep chamber. She pounded on the door for a moment before succumbing to the chemicals and slipping into her slumber. Jareth smiled approvingly and stroked Kelly's long dark blond hair. "Good, my darklings. Soon you will have completed this wonderful collection and we may go on to even more enjoyable tasks," he said with a seductive smile.

At the sound of the doors sliding open, however, the smile was quickly replaced by an ominous scowl. The unfortunate victim of the look however was a droid, so it had little effect. "There's a message from Viceroy Seona of the Trade Federation for you, Master," it said.

"Ah," Jareth's scowl lightened somewhat. "Play it."

The droid obediently bowed and a small holo of a young woman dressed in gold trimmed black robes of office with flowing auburn hair and emerald eyes appeared. "My Lord," it said, "We have continued the blockade of Naboo, but it seems the Queen has returned. And several Jedi have been secretly dispatched to aid her."

"Well, my darklings," Jareth spoke quietly, "it seems we shall be making a trip to Naboo. Heather," he stroked the girl's freckled cheek softly, "you and Kelly go and guide our ship." The two eagerly rose with deep bows and hurried to the bridge. He turned to Rhonda, Lisa, and Nicole. "You my three little velkers, bring the last two pets out."

Jade grinned as the other three girls left, leaving her alone with Lord Jareth.

Disclaimer: George Lucas owns Star Wars and its characters, places, etc. Nejaa Halcyon is from 'I, Jedi' by Michael A. Stackpole. Jareth thankfully belongs to Jim Henson Productions. The Listians all belong to themselves.