Annie looked over at the new arrivals and saw that it was Ratnena's friend, Sara Sandblaster, and several other people coming up behind her, they were all carrying blasters. Her friend was holding a light saber in her hands and looked very angry with Yunder. Annie didn't try to understand what was going on anymore. Yunder the Headmaster, a gentle man she had thought she knew gave them all a smile. She wondered where he had gone, she didn't know the sick twisted thing that was standing above her and abusing her daughter like this!
"Your friend is here to help you baby," Annie whispered to Ratnena as she sobbed in her arms and pleading for some Bliss. That all that mattered to her now, that someone would be able to save her little girl! Please Creator, let them save Ratnena; I don't matter just save my little girl!
"Who are you?" She heard Fern asked the girl sounding indigent.
"Doesn't matter Fern," a new voice said coming out of the shadows, Annie cried out in joy. It was Inspector Smith and he too looked angry. "Now get your hands out of your pockets and your arms ups. The rest of you drop your weapons and get your hands up; you are all under arrest!"
"Seriously, Inspector you expect us to surrender to you after an illegal entry into a private establishment."
"Save it Yunder," Smith said as the others fanned out behind him and the Jedi. "I heard enough alone to get you put away for years." The others were dressed as Sara; some kind of body suit and all had their weapons out and pointed at the scum in the room. Annie looked in confusion; there were only five of them. Wait, six as a very familiar looking man also came out of the shadows.
"Really Inspector, there is only six of you," Yunder said with a chuckle hands still in his pockets and acting as if Smith was here for dinner.
"Why does everyone forget about me?" A new voice said from across the room, where there were two more outsiders and five security officers were emerging from the shadows. "I knew I should've blown something up."
"What do you say now, Yunder is it?" The familiar man said, by the look on Yunder's face he recognized the man.
"I am impressed, Inspector, working with a man like Han Solo," Yunder said taking a small step back her way.
"Bliss, please I need my Bliss," Ratnena whimpered out. The young Jedi heard her friend even if no one else did; she looked over with anguish on her features.
"I said save it Yunder," Smith growled out, "Stop moving and get your hands up. We are all going back to the station!"
"I know your education was not the best Inspector but please, even with a Han Solo and this ersatz Jedi here, we still out number you. So why don't you and your little friends go away before you get hurt."
"My friend there is a Jedi," the one called Han Solo said, "and you are not high on her Life Day wish list right now. Hurting her friend like you have has annoyed and hurt her deeply," Han Solo shook his head in a slow mocking manner, "not a smart move. However, you can still get out of his with your skin attached. What do you say, let's do this the easy way, Yunder?"
"I agree Solo," Yunder said with a smile, "and the easiest way is for you all to die."
"Don't do it Yunder …," Smith screamed.
Coming behind the other officers was some kind of droid, heading straight for her and Ratnena. She saw the droid easily smash through the back up and it said it was to kill her.
"Kill them all!" Annie heard from Yunder as the Jedi headed over to take care of the droid. The next thing Annie knew the shooting started, with her and Ratnena caught in the middle of the floor between the two sides. Annie just rolled into a ball hugging Ratnena and protecting her with her body, doing whatever she can do to protect her daughter.
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Darren held on to Celia's hand as he ducked behind some crates with Fern and watched the spectacle before him. The little girl charged the Vong Hunter who stopped in the middle of the floor.
"New Target acquired, Yuuzhan Vong detected! Primary programming engaged. Default safety programming engaged target Human … target Yuuzhan …"
Darren watched in horror as the droid's malfunction allowed the little girl to remove its head and two slashes in his chest. The rest of the battle wasn't going so well either, Dirk's men had numbers but Smith and the group that could only be the Wraiths had the skills. For the way that the girl was deflecting the shoots, she was a Jedi and he wondered where … well that answers that question, as another Jedi joined in the fight.
"That must be Leia Solo," Fern said pumping laser fire into the crowd.
"Where one is the other is not …" then too his horror a third light saber joined in the battle as this one protected the cops near the north staircase. "Three Jedi, Han Solo, and the Wraiths!"
"This is too hot Yunder!" Dirk yelled as he and seven of his best fighters joined him. Most of the others were out cold, after being stunned.
"Agreed, gentlemen I suggest we go met our contacts at the other building," Darren said getting a good grip on Celia.
"Without Bora?"
"Unless you have some bright ideas on how we can snatch her away, YES!" Darren said losing his cool for a moment. "When we get away, we will worry about what to do but right now we need to get away!" When Fern decided to stay quiet, Darren pulled out the vial of Bliss from his pocket, "We need a diversion and I think Ratnena will be willing to assist us there. When I toss this out there, shoot her then run for the lifts. We'll meet on the roof, Dirk bonuses for everyone once I get off Kidriff 5."
"Forget the bonuses, just make sure I can leave too," Dirk said, "the Security is going to be tearing this place apart after this, I want to lay low somewhere for while before I come back."
"Agreed, ready Fern?" When the ex-cop nodded and now only they were left shooting, Darren poked his head out to see Ratnena lying on the floor with her mother covering her body. "Ratnena, look Bliss!" He saw Ratnena's head come up and stare directly at him, the hunger still there in her eyes. "Just for you, catch!" Then he tossed the Bliss underhanded it up in the air.
"BLISS!" Ratnena screamed as she broke away from her mother and Fern took aim at her, shooting her once. Darren had already gathered Celia up in his arms as they all ran towards the bank of lifts, behind him he heard only an anguished scream of "RAT!"
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"Doc hand me the monitor," Wedge heard Elassar say as he pulled Tahiri away from the still form of her best friend. Tahiri watched on in silent horror as the three medics worked on Ratnena.
"Pressure dropping," Calghal said as she applied something to her head.
"Come on Rat, work with us here," Elassar talked to her as he injected something into her.
Wedge looked around the warehouse, the other Wraiths had rounded up the unconscious drug runners and gave first aid to the wounded officers who had been knocked down by the rampaging YVH droid, while Leia tried to comfort Ratnena's mother. He caught Han's eye and nodded towards Tahiri.
"Come honey, let's wait outside," Han said trying to guild her out but Tahiri shook off his hand and stayed rooted in her spot as the medics worked.
"Doctors, brain activity is dropping off."
"Yes, I need medical here and I need it now!" Smith screamed into his comm link.
"She is dropping off …"
"There is not enough brain matter working …"
"They are sending back up and medical team here …"
"I'm trying a Jedi technique Elassar …"
"Her vitals are slipping again …"
"Heart has stopped …
Wedge saw Tahiri stiffen and Ratnena's mother moaned out, Leia was having no luck getting her to leave either.
"Calghal breath for her, I'll do the heart pump …"
"Brain activity is drooping off like a rock …"
"Come on Rat, you need to help me here, you have to get up and kick my ass for touching you!"
"Brain activity has almost stopped …"
"Calghal, if you have any tricks …"
"I am sorry Elassar but …"
"Brain activity has stopped Doctors."
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Tahiri stared numbly at her friend as they got up from her side, Rat?
She reached out with the Force but could not feel the life of her friend, Rat?
She could not feel the warmth and happiness that her spirit gave her. Rat?
No one stopped her as she kneeled at her friend's head and brushed back some of her hair, RAT!
But it was no use; her friend was gone, gone to be Anakin Solo. She crossed her friend's arms and straightens her legs in the manner of her people. Her friend was a hero, a true hero, and will be honored as one.
Rat …
Tahiri then bent her own head down to pray; to pray to the gods she help destroy, to pray to the gods she desperately needed now.
Oh, Rat …
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"I called it in, they have an A.P.B. on Fern, Yunder and the rest," Smith said quietly to Solo and the one they called Lead as they watched the young Jedi with her friend.
"They told her to kill me; they tortured her and abused her! They told her to kill me but she fought back," Annie Bora cried out as Leia Solo tried to calm her down, "they promised her Bliss but she fought back!"
"Where does that hallway lead," the leader asked quietly pointing down the way Fern and the others ran down after shooting Ratnena.
"According to the floor plans, there is a series of lifts to the upper floors. There is one that is an express to the upper hundred floors." The one called Snoop said.
"What is she saying 3PO?" Solo asked his droid as he came up next to them.
"The school has some hover cars in the hanger up on the roof, he might be making a break for them," the one called Snip said reloading his weapon.
"Sir, Miss. Tahiri is praying to the Yuuzhan vong Deities, asking them to accept Lt. Bora's spirit and explain all the great deeds she has performed during her life."
"Thanks 3PO, let me know if that changes," Han said then turn back to them, "what do you say Wedge, we go do some hunting."
"I for one wish to sit down with them and teach them the follies of killing a Wraith," the one called Hunter said.
"A life of a Wraith, sir, you know how special that is," the one called Socket said.
"I just have an itch that won't be satisfied until I see those scum bags in jail, I am game if you all are," Smith said. "More importantly, if they some how get off planet it may be impossible to track them down later.
"Agreed," the leader, said with a tight nod, "Han, Snoop and Snip you guys stay here with the medics and Tahiri. Smith …"
"Ma'am, you head is bleeding!" The one called Doc said loudly. Smith and the rest looked over at the young Jedi and saw that there was blood dripping from her head.
"Sir, she is now praying to the … Oh my," the droid said backing up from the group. "Oh my dear, oh dear …"
"Tahiri no! You have to calm down!" Both Leia and the one doctors said at the same time.
"What is going …" Smith stopped himself as she raised her head, three bloody scars appeared on her forehead and then she opened her eyes. They weren't human, they glowed … gold!
"Do-ro'ik vong pratte!" She screamed out as she leapt to her feet.
"Tahiri stop!" The leader and Elassar both shouted trying to block her way as she started down the hallway but she hit them with something knocking them both out of the way.
"Oh crap," Doc said as she chased after the other girl.
"Doc, wait …," Snoop said while helping Elassar up.
"Wraiths go! Track her but don't interfere," the leader screamed out as he got to his feet. The male members of the team didn't waste any time as they ran after their female partners.
"Wedge, we have an Ysalamiri in the Falcon," Leia said from her spot next to the horrified Bora. "We are still out hunting Rar."
"Good, Han and Elassar go get that thing; we might needed, Leia and Calghal stay here. Smith leave your men here to stand guard and follow me."
"Are we going to save him or help her?" Smith said keeping pace with the man.
"Yes, warn the other units not to interfere with her until we get there," the man said, "I'm not going to lose two of my best officers in the same day!"
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"Mr. Yunder I don't understand!"
The whinny voice of his shift instructor said following him around his office. Celia was near the door, shaking with fear and tears running down her face. He opened his private safe and grabbed enough hard currency to hold them both over for many weeks; he would just have to raid his accounts once he was off planet. He was sure that they couldn't find all of his dummy accounts, especially with Ratnena either dead or severely wounded. Hopefully, if the Creator was in a kind mood, his diversion would keep they busy long enough to get to the hanger and board that ship. The last thing he wanted to do was stay on Kidriff 5 with that Jedi running around looking for him.
"There is nothing to understand, Mr. Lovejoy, Celia and I must take an emergency trip off planet for a few days that is all." He said packing the currency in a briefcase and latching it shut, "you are in charge until I return. Come Celia," he said grabbing her hand and walking quickly to the bank of lifts that will take him to the roof where Fern and the others were waiting for him. "Just remember, no one, no matter whom or for any reason, is allowed into any part of the Institution until my return."
"I understand that Mr. Yunder, it is just the idea that you will be traveling with your assistant …"
"I need her help in a very delicate matter, Mr. Lovejoy," Darren said pressing the call button.
"Yes sir, however why is she so upset …"
"It's my fault," Celia lied as smoothly as if she was telling the truth, "that this problem had come to light, Mr. Lovejoy. I hate to let Mr. Yunder down in any way, as I am sure that you feel the same way. And since I am not yet in your league Mr. Lovejoy, I must travel with Mr. Yunder so that I may learn from my mistake."
"I see," Mr. Lovejoy said standing there with a befuddled look on his face, "but sir where are you going in case her parents arrive here looking for her."
"Just tell them I shall …," he said as the doors to the lift opened and some children started screaming down the corridor. He paused to wonder what could be causing the commotion when a young blonde-haired person came running down the hallway carrying an icy blue light saber in her hands.
"Do-ro'ik vong pratte!"
Darren had enough time to pull Celia, who was also screaming, into the lift and get the doors closed. He wasn't quite fast enough as the blade sliced through the door stopping barely millimeters from his throat. The blade disappeared through the floor as the lift went up towards the roof area. Shaking more then he should, he fumbled to pull his comm link out of his pocket.
"I'm scared Darren," Celia cried holding on to him.
"Don't worry my dear, we will go somewhere safe and she wouldn't be able to find us," he said, wishing he felt half as sure as he was sounding. Why, or better yet how, did her eyes change like that? Even though he couldn't remember what they were before he knew he would remember them being gold! "Fern, you in place?"
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Cathy followed the trail that Tahiri was leaving behind; so far, it was just scared people. Not that she could blame them, a Jedi running through the halls with a light saber would be enough to unhinge anyone. Cathy was sure that Tahiri was too upset to be thinking straight, again after what they heard, after what they saw, who could blame her. The abuse that they could see on Ratnena, the bruises, the blood and cuts, and who knew what else they had done to her that they have yet to discover. The purposely-addicting Ratnena on Bliss … no, no one in their right mind could fault her for losing control. If that had been one of Cathy's best friends, she was not sure what she would do but she knew it would be messy.
However, there are many who would claim that she is overreacting to the situation, people without the heart or brains and too many of them resided on Denon in the upper military and Senate. After the actions of Jaina Solo at Ossus, Kyp Durron, many would paint Tahiri with the same brush. She was just too of a visible target; too many people like High would want to slap her down after this, to make sure the evil Jedi knew their place. Or worst, the Jedi would pull her out and force her to resign the Wraiths! Tahiri was just too good of a leader to allow that to happen!
"Wait!" Cathy yelled out as Tahiri walked into a lift, leaving a man who was crawling away as fast as his fat knees would move him. Cathy got through the doors just before they closed. Trying to catch her breath, Cathy started to try to save her CO from herself, "ma'am we … need … to … talk." Starting tomorrow, I start running more! Tahiri didn't say anything; she stood very still in front of the door, light saber in her left hand, waiting for lift to arrive to its destination. "I know that … Ratnena was your … friend … and you are … justifiable hurt … but … we need to slow … down and talk about this." Still Tahiri didn't say a word or move, "wait a minute … you ran faster … then me … why are you not … out of breath!" The lift's door opened and she went charging out of them, heading towards the hanger on the roof. "Wait …" Cathy yelled out as she ran after her again, mentally repeating some choice Hutt curses she had learned.
"Do-ro'ik vong pratte!" Tahiri screamed out as she entered the hanger, Cathy could see one large air vehicle leaving and the face of Yunder staring out at them. There were two other men left behind, next to an open top air car, trying to kill Tahiri. Tahiri was deflecting the shoots with ease, most of the deflections hit near the gun men's feet causing them to back away from the air car towards the near by wall. None of the deflections hit the men, any vehicles parked near by, or the couple of people huddling behind some of those same air cars. With one swing she shredded the weapons in their hands and after a little hand to hand, they were both lying on the floor out but appeared to be breathing.
"Ok now … what … ma'am," Cathy said; hoping against hope, that she would stop her running. Tahiri jogged back over to the air car, which the people left running, and snapped her light saber back in its holster. "You want … me to …" but Tahiri was already jumping into the driver's seat. "Wait for me," Cathy screamed as she tried to jump in as Tahiri was lifting off. Cathy didn't even have her seat straps on as Tahiri flew out the hanger in hot pursuit.
