A/N- Thanks for reviewing, Alli, and also for the tip about enabling the anonymous reviews...I didn't even think of that!

Chapter 18

Arryn had never seen anything as large or as menacing. The torture device took up the entire volume of the room. Emory pulled her into the middle of the device and pushed her into the chair that was placed there. He strapped her arms to the armrests and placed two electrodes at her temples. Arryn kicked and flailed in an effort to get free.

"Stop it right now, or I will kill you on the spot." Emory hissed.

Arryn reluctantly stopped. "What will happen to me?"

"We will search your mind until we find your greatest fear. Once that is known, we will recreate it. You won't be released from your greatest fear until you talk."

"Knowing the Sith, I doubt that I will ever be released. And, since you have kept me alive this long, I am guessing that I am worth a great deal to you. You wouldn't dare kill me." Arryn replied, feeling a surge of boldness.

"I will not respond. You are only a child, you know nothing." Emory said.

Arryn felt the effects of the machine instantly. She felt drowsy, but not drowsy like when she had studied late into the night. She was able to see all that went on around her, but couldn't register anything. Senator Ballastiodes placed several Ysalamiri around the chair. The Sith all stepped back from the perimeter and the Senator pushed a switch in the wall. A giant metal ball on a long metal stand arose from the floor.

"You do not mind if I do the honors." Senator Ballastiodes said. It was not a question.

Arriette trembled slightly. "No, no, please, go ahead." Ballastiodes put his hands on the metal and felt a power surge through his body. The platform with the chair on it began revolving, faster and faster until it was little more than a white blur. The air around the Sith crackled with energy. Senator Ballastiodes had a strained look on his face.

"Almost there…. Almost there…. I've got it!" He cried triumphantly. He lifted his hands from the metal ball and immediately, the platform slowed down. Several moments later, it came to a complete stop.

"Her fear is of heights." He announced.

"Heights? That's it?" Coram said. "I thought it would be something like scarab beetles or waumpas. But heights? How do we simulate heights?"

Senator Ballastiodes smiled malevolently. "It is quite simple, really. The top of the Government tower will do quite nicely. It is over a hundred stories high in Bondor and the roof is accessible only from the interior of the building. The pillars that hold the building up will do quite nicely as a backrest, should the Padawan decide to sit down. Of course, she could not do so without getting a nice 270-degree view of the city below."

"What about the weather? The Padawan will not be protected from the harsh elements." Said Coram.

Senator Ballastiodes smirked. "Touching, Coram Nelamin. How kind of you to show such sympathy for the Jedi. A little rain or snow won't kill her."

Coram averted his eyes. "Yes, Senator." He mumbled.

"Now get the Jedi! We must transport her to Bondori, now." Ordered the Senator. The Sith scrambled to follow the orders.

Elantra couldn't sleep. He wasn't sure if it was late at night or very early morning. He got up and padded downstairs from his third floor quarters. He noticed a light under one of the doors and cautiously knocked. He needed to be around someone, he didn't care whom. With Arryn gone, he felt a hole in his heart.

"Come," called the voice. Elantra recognized Anaria immediately. The door opened and he saw her sitting by one of the large, broad windows.

"I take it you can't sleep either," she said. Elantra nodded.

"And neither can you. You aren't reading." He pointed out mildly.

Anaria took a deep breath and got up from where she was sitting. "I wonder where she is right now."

"Arryn?"

Anaria nodded. "Have you been downstairs yet?"

"No," he replied. "Why?"

"Because Masters Darsha, Siri, and Obi-Wan are all down there working on a plan to get her back."

"They are?"

"Yes. You know what I have been thinking?" She sat on the edge of her sleep couch.

"What?" Elantra sat next to her.

"If Emory Tiana is a Sith and he knows we are staying here, why hasn't he come after the rest of us?"

Elantra thought for a moment. "I have no idea. That makes no sense…wait, unless something has prevented him from coming here."

"Right, and what would be so important that he could not leave his lair?" Anaria probed.

"I don't know…maybe as a precaution to ensure Arryn doesn't escape?" He asked.

She nodded. "Or…a visit from a superior?"

"A superior? Like who?"

"Whom, Elantra, not who. Perhaps a certain Governor and Senator?"

"You mean Senator Ballastiodes and Governor…what's his name?" answered Elantra.

"Schualberke. Yes, exactly. I had a hunch about them when I first learned that they backed Chancellor Palpatine, even after we learned he was a Sith. I have little doubt that they are behind the kidnapping of Arryn." Elantra paused to take in the information. "Anaria, once again, you astound me with your intelligence."

"Thank you." She got up and walked to the window.

"Have you told anyone about your hunch?" asked Elantra

"No, I was about to, but you came in." she turned back to him.

"Don't you think we should?"

"Of course."

"Well, come on. Let's go."

Elantra followed Anaria downstairs. Just as Anaria had promised, the three adults we clustered around the large dining table pouring over a large map of Bondori. They looked up when they sensed the two Padawans in the doorway.

Darsha smiled gently. "Can't sleep?"

Anaria and Elantra shook their heads. Elantra elbowed Anaria. Anaria took a deep breath and told them her theory on the Senator and Governor being involved in the plot. When she was done, Obi-Wan, Siri, and Darsha all looked at each other. Finally, Darsha spoke. "Anaria, your intelligence never ceases to amaze me. I am proud of the way you have both handled this situation. As for your idea about Senator Ballastiodes and Governor Schualberke, I have no doubt now that you are correct."

"Which makes our position here much more difficult. If the government is involved, it could be very difficult to get Arryn back." Said Obi-Wan grimly.

"Look, the sun is coming up," said Elantra.

"So it is," agreed Obi-Wan. "We can resume our search in broad daylight now."

Siri beckoned Elantra and Anaria over to the map. "From what you have told us, we believe the fortress to be within this several kilometer radius. Can you remember anything else? The search area is big and anything you can tell us to minimize it will be of help."

Elantra tried to remember everything he could. The scene had played out in his mind over and over. He could see Arryn's face twisted in pain as she was hit by the Sith. He could see them stunning her.

"There was a large clearing where we fought the two Sith," he began.

"That's right! And the entrance to the fortress was disguised as a large boulder. There were trees around it and bushes too! That probably doesn't help much, but it's the best I can do." Anaria finished.

"Actually, that helps a great deal. We can narrow our search to this area," said Obi-Wan pointing out an area on the map.

"When are we leaving?" asked Elantra.

"In five minutes. Pack your things. It's going to be a long day." Replied Siri.

A/N: Hope you liked it...more to come soon, I promise. PLEASE REVIEW (I enabled anonymous reviews, so please please please tell me what you think! Muchos gracias!)