Wow! Huge cliffhanger last chapter! I hope you enjoyed waiting in suspense for this chapter smiles maliciously. Anyway, let's just get on with this chapter, shall we? (Warning: It may be a little choppy.)
Jedi Keliam Kenobi: I hope you didn't get any brain damage while smacking your head against the wall. :)
Dark Lord Daishi: Jedi mind tricks only work on the weak-minded. ;)
john odonnell: Thank you for the review and compliment. I have read nearly all the Star Wars books and seen all the movies tons of times among other things. That would be how I know so much.
Thank you to all reviewers of my story, even if I
didn't reply. You're reviews mean a lot! Oh, and a BIG "Happy
Birthday" to Hayden Christensen, who is turning twenty-four today:) :)
Chapter Eight
Carissa Hando
… Carissa! She had a smile on her face. Obi-Wan and Anakin reeled back in surprise. Carissa used this opportunity and Force-pushed Obi-Wan into the wall of a nearby building. His head smacked loudly off of it, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
Carissa whirled as Anakin tried to escape and grab his lightsaber. Carissa grabbed the lightsaber and ignited it. She put it against his neck. "Stay in front of me," she said. "Do exactly as I say. Leave Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Anakin didn't have a choice. He had to obey her. It lit up a spark of hope in his heart, anyway. If Obi-Wan were left behind, he would surely go and get help. These hopes, however, were dashed when he glanced behind and saw Carissa throwing Obi-Wan over her shoulder.
Carissa and Anakin walked for about another five minutes before they finally reached a transport. Anakin found it odd that Carissa had been able to keep them in the small area of deserted city during that entire time. Then he realized that she had led him in circles to confuse him.
Anakin and Carissa, holding Obi-Wan, walked onto the transport. "Sit," Carissa ordered. Anakin didn't like being able to be controlled, especially not by a girl. His experience as a slave had definitely given him a sour attitude to anybody controlling him. Reluctantly, he sat down and strapped himself in. He wasn't willing to risk Obi-Wan's life.
Carissa also sat down, but she didn't strap herself in. Obi-Wan was just beginning to regain consciousness, and Carissa strapped him in before he could do anything. When she finished, she sat and surveyed her handiwork.
Obi-Wan finally fully regained consciousness. The first things he noticed was that he was in a moving transport and strapped in. Anakin and Carissa were also in the room with him. The past events assailed his mind, and he looked over at Carissa in surprise. He could see that Anakin was glaring at her, and he also felt the same way. She was a traitor. But he also remembered something that Anakin probably didn't. He had been thrown very high and very hard. He hadn't been close enough for Carissa to do it with her hands, and he hadn't seen her move. That meant only one thing. Carissa was Force-sensitive!
Carissa sensed that Obi-Wan had found out that she was Force-sensitive, and she turned to him. "Very good," she said. Her mental shields did not allow Obi-Wan or any other Jedi into her mind in the least bit, but her actions allowed people to know. "You're smarter than I thought, even with a head injury."
Obi-Wan glared icily at her. Usually, his face was unreadable; but this girl was getting on his nerves. He could see that Anakin looked confused. He obviously hadn't taken note of what had happened to Obi-Wan. Suddenly, a look of realization passed over his face; and he looked at Carissa with a surprised expression. "Who are you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Don't you remember me?" Carissa asked innocently and sweetly. "Poor, unfortunate Carissa with no family or friends and sent to look for Anakin Skywalker by and old friend." Carissa had stood up dramatically, and while she said Anakin's name, she ran a hand down his cheek.
Anakin quickly reached up, grabbed Carissa's arm, and pulled her toward him. "Anakin!" he heard Obi-Wan call. He looked at Carissa. She had a smug smile on her face.
"Go ahead," Carissa taunted. "I didn't think you Jedi were afraid of anything." Anakin threw her to the ground, disgusted.
Carissa got up and brushed herself up. "I almost forgot!" she said. "I have a present for you both!" She used the Force to produce two Force-suppression collars.
Obi-Wan would have done what he was told, but a Force-suppression collar was too much. He had endured wearing one for just a little bit when he was a Padawan. He knew that Anakin would never be able to bear it. If he didn't give into the pain of not having the Force first, his anger would get the best of him. Once that collar went onto him, Obi-Wan had no doubt that he wouldn't be able to control himself.
Before either Jedi could do anything, the collars were on them. Obi-Wan immediately stiffened when he heard the collar click, but Anakin didn't know what was happening. When the collar clicked around his neck, he struggled to get it off; but he immediately felt the Force leave him. "What's going on?" he asked, a little frightened.
"What's the matter?" Carissa asked. "Don't you know what a Force-suppression collar is?"
Anakin's eyes immediately popped open. He didn't know how long he would last without the Force, but he knew that it wouldn't be very long. He struggled even harder to get it off. "Oh," Carissa said, faking sympathy. "Don't worry. You'll only have it on until you can learn to obey. Trust me. That won't be very long. And if you cooperate, we can make it even quicker and less painful. What do you say?"
"Never," Anakin spat.
Carissa's eyes grew cold again. "Fine," she replied. "Have it your way, Jedi. You're only causing yourself more pain. Oh, and don't even try to escape. Once you strapped yourselves in, you basically did my job for me. They're impossible to get out of. I'll come and get you when we reach our destination." Then she left, leaving the two Jedi to wonder what would happen and if they'd ever see any of their friends again. Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other. This was going to be a long and terrifying journey… for both of them.
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Anakin and Obi-Wan were asleep when they reached their destination. Apparently, the planet they were going to was nearer to the Outer Rim than the Core Worlds. It had already been quite late into the afternoon, and though Jedi could be without sleep and stay alert for days, Obi-Wan and Anakin decided that it would be best if they got some sleep. They were going to need it, and it would be easier for them than if they had decided not to sleep.
Carissa walked in and found the Jedi sleeping soundly. Skywalker is kind of cute when he's asleep, she thought. She shook her head ferociously. What was she doing thinking something like that? She frowned, even though it was true.
Carissa walked over to the Jedi and started thinking about what to do. It would keep her mind occupied. She had no doubt that they weren't in a very deep sleep, and if she did anything to them, they'd wake up. She did, however, have to tie their hands behind their backs. It would be the only way to ensure a relatively safe departing from the ship.
Carissa finally decided on what she would do. She undid each of their straps, tied their hands behind their backs, and strapped them back in, all the while using Force-persuasion to keep them asleep. She knew what would happen as soon as she stepped away and let go of her Force-persuasion. Sure enough, she was right. The new position that the Jedi had been put into was enough to wake them up. Anakin was the first one to wake up. As soon as he figured out that his hands were tied behind his back, he struggled to free them. Obi-Wan woke up while Carissa spoke to Anakin. "Don't struggle, young Jedi," Carissa told Anakin. "You only serve to increase your discomfort."
"That's an understatement," Anakin said, stopping his struggles. He knew that Carissa was right, even though he would never admit it. He saw Carissa smile. She couldn't help it.
Obi-Wan speaking startled Carissa. "You never told us who you are," Obi-Wan pointed out.
"Carissa Hando at your service," Carissa replied with a bow. She was still smiling, but this time, she meant it; and it wasn't smug. "I'd love to stay and chat," she said, "but I have to get going and pilot this ship to the docking bay." With that, she was gone.
Carissa walked into the cockpit and jumped into the pilot's seat gracefully. She piloted the ship down with ease. And as soon as they landed, she jumped up and went back to the room she had left Anakin and Obi-Wan in. They were both looking at her, obviously already expecting her entrance. "All right," she said. "Let's go. We don't want to keep our lord waiting, do we?"
She used the Force to undo both of the Jedi's straps. Then, she motioned for them to follow her.
As they walked to the ramp, Obi-Wan glanced over at Anakin. He was surprised. Anakin had more of a hold on his emotions that Obi-Wan would have thought. However, Anakin's coolness also alarmed Obi-Wan. It was possible that he might have actually wanted to have such a thing happen, or maybe he had been expecting it. Either way spelled trouble.
Carissa, Obi-Wan, and Anakin walked down the ramp and were immediately met by three alien women who were obviously used for pleasure. "Back so soon?" one of them asked Carissa. Carissa did not reply. She just continued walking forward, and Obi-Wan and Anakin followed. She didn't even smile. Everything about her was cold and icy towards these women.
Suddenly, a Twi' lek spotted Anakin. "Ooh," she said, grabbing his arm. "You sure picked a looker this time, Carissa."
Anakin, being caught off guard, fell right into the woman's arms but quickly regained his balance, not wanting to have anything to do with these women.
Carissa immediately spun around and grabbed the women who had a hold of Anakin. She yanked her off of him and held her by her arm. "Yes, but you won't look anymore. If you so much as glance at him one more time, I will personally kill you." The darkness and fire in Carissa's eyes told the other woman not to mess with her. As soon as Carissa let her go, she and the other women scattered. "Come," Carissa said, addressing the Jedi once more. They continued walking.
Anakin observed that the planet he was on was very dark. He and Obi-Wan were led into a gloomy building with many long corridors. However, Anakin didn't feel afraid or cautious. He didn't feel anything for that matter. It was beginning to disturb him. He knew he should feel something. He knew Obi-Wan knew that he should be feeling something as well but wasn't. He felt a familiar presence, but he couldn't place it. It was odd.
Suddenly, he recalled his conversation with Chancellor Palpatine:
"Actually," Anakin said hesitantly, "there are some things I want to talk to you about. Mainly, I want to know what this great power you talk about is; and I want a straight answer right now."
Palpatine smiled. "I guess I have been avoiding that subject quite a bit, haven't I? It's about time you know. Anakin, that power is the Dark Side."
The realization hit Anakin like a brick. It was Palpatine's presence that he felt. But what was he doing here? Was he really a part of the Dark Side and had captured Anakin to let him feel it for himself? Or was Palpatine just an innocent victim of the rising Empire?
None of those questions were to be answered anytime soon, however. Carissa had stopped at a cell and opened the door. She gestured them inside, not even bothering to remove their bonds. The two Jedi stepped inside, and Carissa left.
She walked through long corridors until she reached the throne room. She knelt as soon as she stepped inside. "Rise, my servant," a dark voice said.
"It is done, Master," Carissa replied, standing up. "I have captured the Jedi, and they are in a holding cell right now."
"Good," Sidious replied with a malicious grin. He turned to the man standing beside him. "You are not to see them until I say so. Is that understood, Chancellor?"
"Clearly," Palpatine replied with a smile and a bow.
Sidious turned back to Carissa. "There are only two other things I want you to do. Firstly, I want you to keep an eye on the two Jedi, sort of like a personal guard. Secondly, I want you to go tell our entertainment that they can entertain themselves on the boy Skywalker."
Carissa's eyes grew large, but she immediately regained herself. "With all due respect, my lord, is that wise? I don't believe…"
"That we should let that happen because it will poison Skywalker's mind toward us," Sidious finished. "But that's the plan. I will step in at the last minute and stop them if Skywalker agrees to join us. First, I want them to have a little fun. Who knows? Skywalker may even begin to like it. Either way is a win for us."
Carissa bowed and left. Her hand moved into fists, her nails biting into the flesh of her palms. She was not very wild about having to watch the things that she had no doubt that the women would be doing. She still did not know why Sidious was doing it, but she wasn't going to question him and end up dead. She was not, however, going to do nothing. Anger flared within her as she walked into the chambers of the women.
She was met with all smiles as she opened the door and the women turned and looked at her. "Oh," the Twi' lek sympathized sarcastically, seeing the anger evident on Carissa's face. "Carissa looks sad. Is something wrong?" The women laughed.
Carissa worked very hard to keep her anger in check. It would do no good to unleash herself on the women. "My lord has given you permission to… play with the boy," Carissa said quietly.
The women were ecstatic. They looked at each other, and their grins grew wider, if that was even possible. "But I will say this," Carissa continued. "If you do anything like I've seen you do to others, I will kill you."
"But you don't have permission," the Twi' lek said sweetly.
"I don't have to," Carissa replied darkly. The fire shone in her eyes, and the women decided not to provoke her any further. Instead, they took their opportunity and followed Carissa to the cell. Obi-Wan was moved to a different cell, but the rest of the group stayed.
The entertainment women entered the cell, and Anakin stood up, looking at Carissa, who was leaning against the wall just outside of the cell and looking in. Her arms were folded across her chest, and Anakin could see that something burned in her shining, glossy eyes. Was it anger? But why?
He didn't have much time to contemplate this, for the women soon surrounded him. "You look like some fun," the Twi' lek said. Anakin guessed that she was kind of the leader of things. "And we are certainly going to have some fun."
The women untucked his shirt and slowly slid their hands up his chest and back. They were smiling sweet smiles, and it made Anakin sick. He knew that he really didn't have a choice. He could kill them right then, but he was afraid of what would happen to Obi-Wan if he did. Obi-Wan had been moved, and Anakin wasn't able to contact him with the Force-suppression collar.
The women slowly slipped his shirt off and wrapped their arms around him, stroking his muscled arms and chest. They slowly pushed him down onto a nearby bench. One girl took a seat on top of him, and the other two sat on either side of him, their hands steadily moving downward.
Suddenly, blaster fire broke out. The three women and Anakin looked up, startled. Carissa immediately kicked into self-defense mode and pulled out her blaster, standing erect. "Get out of here," she ordered the women. They didn't need any bidding. They quickly moved away from Anakin and stumbled out of the cell door, which Carissa had opened for them.
Carissa quickly closed the door after the women left. She didn't need them getting hurt. She'd have to answer to Sidious for that. She didn't need Anakin getting hurt, either; but she wasn't sure that she could trust Anakin with the women. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, she had to keep him in the cell. It didn't matter. She would be able to defend him. She would defend him until the death if she had to, which she probably would… the death of her opponent that is.
The blaster fire drew closer. Anakin could hear it. He quickly put his shirt back on and tucked it in and went over to stand by the door of his cell. Carissa's teeth were clenched, and her hand was tight around the blaster, but those were the only signs of stress she showed. She wasn't even developing the tiniest bit of sweat. Anakin was a little surprised at it, but he didn't spend much time on that thought, for at that moment, their adversary rushed around the corner…
Don't ask me why I'm being so mean. I don't know. I guess I just feel like it. Besides, these cliffhangers keep people reading my story… I hope. Anyway, please review. I know this is a lot shorter of a chapter than most, and it got kind of gross. But trust me. That won't happen again. (And the rating will be going back down after this and shouldn't go back up again.) Please tell me what you think, and I'll try to get the next chapter up soon:) ;)