Chapter Four

Two men approach Padme and Nadia. They bow.

"Milady. My name is Darian this is my Padawan Lane."

"Milady."

"I'm pleased to meet you."

"How did you come to be here?"

"We were ambushed in an asteroid belt on our way to Coruscant. We've had no contact with them for some time."

"You think it was a trap?"

"Yes. I hope uncle Luke comes soon. I don't know how long we will last here."

"There are other Jedi here. We have made contact with two other Jedi Masters who tell us they have not seen their padawans since they arrived."

"I believe there may be more in the other camps."

"Are you able to look?"

"Yes. They allow me to go into the other camps for short amounts of time."

Anakin lands the Falcon on the outskirts of what appears to be a fairly large city. Anakin points out another city in the distance.

"Mos Eisley. My uncle and his father were both raised here on Tatooine."

"What of your mother?"

"She was raised by Bail Organa of Alderaan."

Anakin and Merric stand just outside of the ship. Ben and Echo are behind them.

"Master?"

Anakin turns somewhat surprised to see them there. "Yes Ben?"

"Shouldn't someone stay with the ship?"

"Oh yes. I almost forgot. Ben you and Echo are going to stay here the trading post is no place for children."

"Yes Master."

Ben and Echo go back in. R4-D6 follows as the two Jedi set off for the trading post.

"You think she's here?"

"I know she is."

They approach the high walled city.

"Why the security?"

"It's not a normal trading post. It's a slave trade."

"Padme is here?"

"Yes I'm afraid she is."

"This makes things more difficult."

Anakin goes to one of the larger buildings the guard stops them.

"NO droids."

"He is what I've com to trade. I find Slaves to be more useful than droids."

"Alright you can go in."

"Thank you."

Anakin and Merric go in. "How did you do that?"

"I didn't do anything. He let us in."

"Yeah sure."

"You can't use mind control?"

"No. Master Than stopped teaching me before we got to that. Is Padme here?"

"I think so."

A slave trader comes up to them. "How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for a girl."

"Human I suppose." Anakin nods. "Well you're in luck I'm just about the only one who carries them. This way."

He leads them into a circular room full of girls there was a small cage in the corner with five or six girls.

"Why are those in the cage?"

"They are the more dangerous ones."

Anakin looks at the girls. "My friend is looking for a couple of boys. Young and strong. He fights them you see."

The traders' eyes light up. "I have just what you are looking for."

The trader takes Merric into another room. Anakin walks around looking at all the girls. He walks up to the cage and looks in. "Anakin?"

"Nadia? Why are you in here?"

"I was protecting your sister."

"Where……….?"

The trader returns. "Found something have you?"

"Yes. I'll take that one." He points to Nadia. "I like her spirit."

"Very good choice Sir. I must warn you though she's very dangerous she nearly killed one of the guards."

"Do you have any more like her?"

"Only the ones in there."

"Which other traders have girls?"

"I'm not sure."

"Take me to my friend."

The trader leads them into the room Merric is in he is standing near the door with three boys. "I'll take these three."

"Fine choices. Though you may not want the little one he's not such a good fighter."

Anakin looks at the boy. "He'll do fine with some training."

The boys walk over to Anakin. The younger one goes over to Nadia and stands beside her."

"Any more?"

"This will do."

"How will you pay?"

"My droid."

"What make?"

"Astromech. R4-D6. He's a good droid."

"Fine fine. Take your slaves and go."

Anakin holds out his hand Nadia takes it and he leads them all out. Padme looks around.

"What is it Milady?"

"He's here Darian."

"Who?"

"Her brother."

"She can sense him?"

"Yes."

"He has Nadia and the Padawans."

"Good. He is looking for you."

"Yes and he won't leave until he finds me."

"And us?"

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen Milady."

"He won't leave with out finding the Padawans Masters."

Anakin takes Nadia and the boys back to the Falcon.

"I'm going back."

"But Anakin it's getting dark."

"Are you sure she's even……….?"

"She's still here and I don't care if it's dark. I'm going to find her."

Echo comes in and looks at her master. "You know what I need you to do." She nods and he leaves for the camps. He goes to dealer after dealer after dealer looking for Padme and not finding her. Finally he finds a Jedi master and his Padawan. "Have you seen my sister?"

"She was with us."

"We were sold to another dealer and haven't seen her since."

"How long ago?"

"A few hours."

Anakin goes to several more dealers and finally one tells him he sold her just before he got there. "Who was it?"

"He was wearing a cloak I could not see his face."

Anakin curses to himself and goes back to the Falcon.

"I found two more. Didn't find Padme though."

"She's cleaning up."

Anakin spins around lightsaber drawn. "Luke!"

"I heard you needed help."

"Who…...?"

"Echo."

"She knew I was getting desperate."

"I know."

Anakin looks down, "Sorry Master."

"Go see your sister I'll fly home. I'll take all the padawans to Coruscant before we go back to Naboo."

Luke leaves and Anakin goes to see Nadia and Padme.

"Master?"

"Yes Lane?"

"Are we ……….?"

"The council has not yet decided."