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Chapter Five
Fully aware that the Empire was not welcome on a planet such as Seralia, Prince Maul had come prepared, bringing a number of troops, heavily armed. His inside contact had given the exact location of Kenobi and his crew, and it was a matter of minutes before he reached it.
He motioned for his men to stop when they were within sight of the pleasure establishment. Maul turned to face his first lieutenant and in a low, hissing voice, issued his warning. "I don't want the princess injured and Kenobi is mine!"
His hand flicked once and the imperial troops encroached upon the building, weapons drawn. A drunken pirate from another crew stumbled outside and quickly sobered at the sight of the white clad troops surrounding the building, bellowed out a loud warning before being gunned down in his tracks by rapid blaster fire. High pitched screams were accompanied by the sounds of male voices barking commands and laser blasts were fired from windows on several floors.
"Move it princess!" It was Jarell that urged her on through the back alleyways. Kenobi had stayed behind to ensure all of his men had escaped the building before it had been run over with imperial guards, firing fairly accurate shots at a few before he retreated.
"Captain!" One of his crew members pulled him away just as the troops entered the building and they ran down the dark streets to join up with their comrades. Stopping at the entrance to the docks, he could see his ship just beyond guarded by at least ten imperial guards.
"We'll have to take them out and then get the princess on board."
A young pirate who had not been with the crew for that long spoke timidly. "Why not hand her over now and escape? Maul's not going to let us get away with this."
Kenobi's hand was quickly gripped around the man's throat. "The princess is mine." His hand increased its tight hold until Jarell firmly grabbed Kenobi's arm and pried his hand away.
"Captain. The guards."
Still glaring at the young pirate now gasping for breath, Kenobi turned to face Padmé and she could not help but notice an immediate softening of his features. He then focused his attention on the troops blocking their way and clenched his jaw. With a couple of nods of his head, four pirates moved to the left and three to the right, with he, Jarell, and Padmé maintaining their position. Kenobi then aimed and fired, hitting one of the guards in the neck. Padmé hid behind him as they slowly advanced amongst the rapid laser bolts flying in both directions.
In what seemed like just a few seconds, all ten of the troops lay dead on the ground as well as two of Kenobi's crew members. Padmé watched as the captain knelt over each of them, took out his knife, and cut off their braids, placing a kiss on each strand before placing them in his leather vest pocket. It was a somber and revealing moment, until more laser blasts struck right above their heads. More troops had arrived.
Kenobi quickly ushered the pirates on board, pulling Padmé with him, guarding her with his body and his blaster, his deadly shots aimed quite accurately at the opposingand advancing force.
"Get on board!" He yelled at her while firing off a rapid succession.
"Not without you!" She yelled back.
It was then that he saw Maul entering the space dock, his steely grin splitting the pattern of red and black marks that covered his face.
To Padmé's amazement, Kenobi seemed to be advancing forward, not retreating into the ship. She backed down the loading platform and peered to see Maul approaching. Kenobi stood transfixed as if waiting for him, firing an occasional shot at the few guards who were still firing on the ship. She watched in horror as Maul advanced even closer, reached to his belt and withdrew his laser sword, igniting one red blade and then another. Kenobi didn't flinch, until one of the imperial troops actually hit their target, sending him spiraling backwards down onto the platform.
"No!" Padmé screamed and without thought, knelt down and grabbed the blaster from Kenobi's hand, aimed it at Maul and fired, sending the laser sword flying from his hand, and causing a look of stunned surprise on his face. Everything went silent for just a moment as her intense brown gaze met his cold yellow glare, and then the ship platform they were both on began lifting and the ship took off.