At long last the next chapter in this small saga has arrived, I hope you guys enjoy it!
Chapter 16: The Search is Over
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"Anakin, are you sure that Riina is taking over Tahiri?" Jaina looked at her brother still a little disbelieving. Riina couldn't becoming back now, she just couldn't be. Things were finally going back to normal.
"It's not the first vision of Tahiri being taken by Riina and the darkside." Anakin looked up at everyone who sat around the table. "After Tahiri had been rescued from the Vong I had a vision of Riina. I told Tahiri about it and I thought she had gotten rid of Riina. Apparently I was wrong and if we don't find Tahiri soon I may not be able to save her." Anakin's eyes swam with unshed tears. He couldn't cry, not now, he had to stay strong for Tahiri.
"We'll find her Anakin," just as Zekk said that a beep sounded from the scanners. "I think our chances just got even better." Everyone ran to the scanners. Sure enough an ion trail had been found.
"All right let's follow that thing." Jaina set the ship to a setting that would allow them to follow the trail through hyperspace. "It shouldn't be that long till we find them now."
"I sure hope you're right Jaina," Anakin's eyes held a faint glow of hope. "Maybe I won't be too late."
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Tahiri opened her eyes and immediately closed them again. Her entire body felt as though it was on fire. Vera had whipped her relentlessly, each gash in her back still oozed blood two hours later. Tahiri didn't know how much more she could take, but she knew she had to keep her resolve. She couldn't turn it was too dangerous. A fall for her could mean the end for the galaxy.
Tahiri was brought out of her revive by the sound of the door opening. She opened her eyes again. It was Vera, she wasn't holding anything but that didn't mean she couldn't harm her.
"Hello Tahiri, how are you feeling?" Vera smiled sweetly.
Tahiri uttered a string of curses that would have made Han or Lando blush.
"Tut, tut, such language isn't befitting to a woman Tahiri." Vera's smile had turned evil.
"Shove it," Tahiri spat.
"Now, now Tahiri, I'm going to have to teach you a lesson." Vera snarled at Tahiri. Then she hit Tahiri. She hit her in the head, chest, abdominal, groin, knees and ankles. Tahiri kept a straight face through the beating. It wasn't something that she would cry from.
By the time Vera was done Tahiri hung by her chains. Vera had once again beaten Tahiri unconscious. Once the bruising stated to show Tahiri was nothing more than a black and blue mark. Her eyes were swollen shut and both her legs were broken. Vera smiled at what she had done; people didn't fear her for nothing. She was a skilled mistress in torture. Within the week she would own Tahiri's mind, body and very soul.
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"Anakin? What's wrong?" Tenel Ka had turned around just in time to see Anakin's eyes role up into the back of his head. At the sound of Tenel's voice Jacen was behind his brother. Jacen eased Anakin to the floor. "Jacen, what's happened to him?" Tenel Ka asked, concern and apprehension evident in her voice.
"I don't know Tenel, I don't know."
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"Anakin?" Tahiri couldn't believe her eyes.
"Tahiri is that you?" Anakin could believe what he was seeing.
Tahiri ran to Anakin tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "Yes Anakin it's me. Oh Anakin where are you guys? I don't know how much longer I'll be able to survive here." She hung her arms around his neck.
"We're on our way, do you know what system you're in?"
"Somewhere near the Degobah system I think."
"That's the direction that we're headed for. We'll be there soon sweetheart. Just hold on a little longer."
Tahiri nodded her head. "Oh Anakin, I'm so frightened. Markiss wants to use me against you. He wants you to turn or be destroyed. Anakin you must be careful. I can't lose you."
Anakin pulled Tahiri tightly to himself. "Those things won't happen. Don't worry Tahiri; we'll get out of this all right. You'll see we've been through worse before."
Tahiri nodded. "I know just hurry."
"We will. I swear I will find you no matter what happens. I will find you. I love you Tahiri, don't ever forget that and don't ever doubt it."
"I won't. I could never forget that. I love you as well. I miss you."
"I know, Tahiri, I know."
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Ok guys here's the post. I'm sorry it's takeing me so long to get these posts up I just have a hard time finding time to do it. Hopefully it won't take so long for the next post.
Thanks to Sticks for betaing this for me again.
Fireyforce