Mistress Wolf
I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, I'm hoping this chapter turns out better than my last one
Saiyan Jedi
What can I say? We authors are quite evil…especially when it comes to torturing our beloved characters. I saw the trailer for Episode three today –grins- so wonderful, I can't wait!!
K-rock
Ah, Bush, you happy that he won? I'd rather have bush than kerry, I don't trust kerry. Yes, busy this weekend, busy next weekend, I may not be able to post next weekend, I'll have to wait and see.
MusicDreamer
Yay, I get them back! –hugs the jedi- I'll be nicer I promise. And I can't say what will happen next, I can only say they aren't out of the woods yet.
Halfling
Hehe…you're asking me to save your sanity? I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask, for obvious reasons of course. I'm glad you are enjoying it so much, but don't get overworked, I may miss a post for next weekend, but I'll try to have it up.
Mellaithwen
I know how that feels, I'm starting to get mad at my computer here, word is freaking out, and won't let me do certain things. I'm getting very irritated at it, but it seems to be working now. Hehe, poor serr has a lot of death wishes and threats on him right now…you can have him after the story is done with, how does that sound?
I'm still waiting for that next chapter of yours, maybe this time when I review, it won't be cut in half like my last one, I was upset about that.
Don't ppl like that make you mad? The only flamers I've had before was Carrie and my combo story, and we had a lot of mixed controversy on that. We had flamers and then our reviewers flamed the flamers because they disagreed to their thoughts and it was a bit of a mess. But at least they said why they didn't like the chapter.
And trust me, it's a good story, besides…what kind of pen name is barfing? Glad you're back on msn though, cheers!
Kynstar
Yes, getting out is easier than getting into trouble, yesh? Glad you are enjoying it so much
Chapter Twelve
Obi-Wan crouched behind Siri as the two waited for the corridor to clear. Several rounds of armed guards patrolled the area, but did not seem very alert as they conversed in their own tongue. When they had passed through the curved doorway, the two padawans continued down the twisting hallway.
The ceilings were low in many parts, causing both to stoop in order to pass through. Siri came to stop at the next crossway, waiting for Obi-Wan to catch up to her. The way split up in three paths, and she beckoned to him to choose what one to take.
Breathing heavily, Obi-Wan glanced up one way, then back to the other, before turning to the third path that sloped upward. He nodded to Siri and the two began to move once more, their senses on alert. They hadn't seen any guards for some time now, but that did not mean they were in the clear.
The pathway led to an enclosed room where the only other way to continue was to climb the ladder near the wall. Computers lined the wall closet to the door, and charts mapping out the vent and pipe systems were plastered on the other side.
Obi-Wan studied the charts as Siri took a seat in front of the largest computer, assuming it was the main databank.
"Where are we now?" Obi-Wan asked, sitting next to her. Fatigue was clearly etched on his face, as he leaned forward, careful not to disturb his aching back.
Siri shook her head. "I have no idea," she told him, clicking through several files.
Obi-Wan frowned, "I thought you said you knew where we were going."
She nodded, frowning as she read files that started popping up on the screen. "I do know where we are going, I just don't know how to get there."
Letting out a sigh, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. Getting a straight answer out of Siri was almost nearly impossible. Sometimes, he thought, it would be easier to rope a bantha.
"What are you looking for?" he asked, standing. He leaned over her shoulder to get a better look at the screen.
"A map, or any records about this place. You don't build a place like this off a whim, they had to work off something. They should have backup files in case they need to rebuild something, or if they have equipment failures."
Obi-Wan agreed. There were so many twists and turns in this building, it was much larger inside than it had seemed from an outward view. He sat back down, groaning as his back came in contact with the chair.
"How are you doing" she questioned, giving him a short glance.
"I've been better," he admitted, sighing. "I was fool to trust him, you were right, I'm sorry."
Siri shook her head. "We're all fools sometimes Obi-Wan, you showed me that before. Stop blaming yourself for what has already happened, learn from it and get over it."
Obi-Wan laughed softly. "Lovely, we're having heart to heart talks now. What's next?"
Siri grinned, "Consider yourself lucky, the last guy that did something stupid like that ended up with my fist in his face.'
"Temper problems?" Obi-Wan asked teasingly.
Siri blushed, "My master has me going through classes with Yoda on anger management, Adi says that I need to find a more constructive outlet for my feelings."
Obi-Wan rubbed his chin "I wonder why?"
Siri glared at him. "Don't press your luck. Check this out," she said suddenly, pointing to the screen.
Obi-Wan leaned forward, looking at the charts that she had brought up. "We're underground," Obi-wan said suddenly. "That's why this place seems so much larger once you're inside. Most of the building is underground," he stated, tapping the screen.
Suddenly the screen zoomed in on the section he had tapped, files popping up on the sides containing information that covered every feature from when it was built to what sector it was.
Obi-Wan frowned. "Something's not right," he told Siri, pointing at construction date. "This building is only a few years old, but these sectors, they were built nearly twenty years ago."
Siri shrugged, "What's so odd about that? When you construct a building, you build from the bottom up. They built everything underground first than continued upward. It just took them longer to get to the stuff above ground."
"True, but according to records," Obi-Wan pointed out, tapping a different part of the screen, bringing up a list of the planet's history, "This city has only been hear for a little over nine years. Why would someone go through all of this trouble building this place, then wait for 16 years before building anything else?"
Siri pursed her lips, nodding. "I see you point, it is odd. Maybe the Rixiens started the project and when the Strunians invaded, they finished it."
"Maybe," Obi-Wan agreed. "So, now that you found the map, what's next?"
"I'm looking for a supply closet, or concealed room, some place that someone would feel secure about hiding stuff they don't want anyone else to find."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Whatever for?"
Siri glanced at him, then turned back to the screen. "Where else would Xanatos put your stuff?" she queried.
"Try with him maybe?" Obi-Wan suggested.
Quirking an eyebrow Siri continued to search the computer. "You really think he would carry all your stuff around?"
Obi-Wan shrugged. "Check the upper levels then, I doubt he would come all this way down here to hide them."
She nodded and continued her search on the upper levels, smiling when she found something.
"What about his office?" she wondered, tapping on the large room. "Seven floors above us, not far from the back entrance."
Obi-Wan sighed. "That is much easier said than done," he reminded her. "Guards are everywhere. Not to mention Xanatos."
"You're telling me that you don't want to rush into a possibly dangerous situation in which we may be killed?" she wondered.
"Well, Adi did say we had to stay out of trouble," he shrugged, "I think this would be classified as troublesome."
Siri grinned. "We're only in trouble if we get caught."
"Then let's not get caught."
TBC...