Chapter 9
Betrayal
"Underestimated his cunningness we did," Yoda sighed with a hint of sadness. "More careful I should have been."
"You could not have foreseen this, do not be too hard on yourself," his friend counseled.
"Attract Vader he will, this I have foreseen," he said, emphasizing his words with a jab of his gimmer stick.
"The girl is resourceful, and she cares for Obi-Wan. She will do what she must to protect him."
Yoda gazed at his friend and sighed. "Wise you have been in many things Qui-Gon, but wrong in this I feel you are."
"I do not see this being the end for my former Padawan. He has many things yet to accomplish," Qui-Gon debated.
"Perhaps. Regardless of such, the point still remains, in grave danger he is. This Trevor will cause more harm than good."
Qui-Gon nodded his head in agreement. His ghostly visage began to pace as he talked.
"Have you tried contacting him?"
"Impossible this is without his polar being," Yoda said with a hint of irritation.
"Then I suppose I should contact him for you," Qui-Gon said with a warm smile.
Yoda's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at his friend.
"Find him, you can?"
"Master Yoda, I am one with the Force. I can be anywhere I need to be. I will talk to him."
Yoda nodded. "Good. Help the situation this may. Go now and warn him. May the Force be with you."
"And you as well, Master Yoda. I will soon return."
Sonia sat alone in the tiny, primitive cell. She was hardly surprised that such a rundown, out of the way joint would have cells that locked with a manual key.
Trevor remained unconscious in a cell adjacent to hers. Between them, two guards sat at a small table playing sabbac. One was a short, skinny human; the other was a large, overweight Gran.
"Poodoo! You almost have my whole monthly earnings!" The human spat. "I demand a rematch, double to one!"
"Hey, it's your money! Either way, I don't loose a thing," the Gran smirked.
Sonia got up and walked to her bars. "You looking for some real competition?"
The guards looked at her with disinterest.
"Sit down girly. We don't have time for the likes of you," the human barked.
"Oh, but I can make it worth your wild," she taunted.
"I said to sit down!" The human warned.
"Wait, I wish to hear what she has to say," the Gran said. "I haven't played a decent sabbac player in ages."
The human shot him an irritated look. "She doesn't have anything to bargain with. All her money was confiscated when she was arrested."
"Oh, but I still have my ship," she said.
"What kind of ship?" The Gran asked, trying to downplay his curiosity.
"Oh, it's a small freighter, Corellian class. I may as well give it to you since the Empire will confiscated when they get here."
"What do I owe if you win?" The Gran asked.
"Oh, I think that's obvious. You let me go and look the other way," she said with a smile.
"No way!" The human barked. "You do that and we're all dead! I'm not going to let you do this-"
The Gran quieted him with a well-placed punch to the jaw. The man slumped onto the table unconscious.
"Let's do it," the Gran said with an eager smile.
Slowly his mind began to un-cloud as he seeped back into consciousness. His head ached and his body felt strangely numb. He could detect voices nearby.
Not wanting to alert them to conscious state, he remained motionless. Risking a glance he opened his eyes. His head screamed as light flooded in, forcing his eyes shut. Slowly he began to adjust to the light and his surroundings came into focus. Sitting at a table, its back to his cell, sat a guard that was obviously not human. Its companion lay on the ground, completely unconscious.
I've been arrested again it would seem.
He quickly explored the surroundings within his immediate view. His eyes, ever alert, knew what to look for. Soon they found what they sought. Concentrating, he began to tug on the key loop attached to the unconscious guard's belt. Slowly they rose, separating from the belt and levitated into his cell. Careful not to make a sound, they gently rested on the bed beside him. Next he began to concentrate on the guard's weapon. Slowly the blaster slipped out of its holster and floated into his cell. Sitting up, he grabbed the gun in midair.
Without a second's hesitation he walked to the cell door and blasted the non-human in the back of the head. It collapsed with a heavy thump. Red looked up at him in surprise.
Quickly he opened his door and stepped out. He looked on with amusement as he realized the guard had been playing Red in a hand of Sabbac through her cell door. Shoving the big guard off the table with a grunt, he pushed the table away from her door and opened it.
"Surprise!" He said with a smile.
"I was about to win that hand!" She spat.
"Well if you'd rather I leave you in there…"
"Let's just go," she hissed.
Shaking his head he began to laugh. "You know Red, I don't get you sometimes. I just saved your life and you're still ungrateful."
"You're right. I'm sorry. Can we please go now?" She said, her tone heavy with sarcasm.
"Sure, just one more thing I have to do."
"What's that?" She asked impatiently.
Without another word, he turned to the human's unconscious form and shot him between the eyes. "You might want to grab the fat one's gun, by the way."
Shaking her head with disgust she grabbed the Gran's blaster and headed for the exit.
Trevor started after her then paused as he began to sense a dark presence he'd never felt before.
"You commin'?" She hissed with an impatient glare.
"You know me Red, I'd never let you out of my sight," he said with a wink.
She gave him a funny look before continuing to the exit.
Vader strolled the walkway to the casino, several storm troopers following close behind. None of this made since. Why was Kenobi here? Something was off. Stretching out with the Force he searched for his former Master. A spark of Kenobi's presence flickered close by before disappearing in a cloud of dark energy. The dark energy took form into a man of whom he'd never met.
Obi-Wan, where are you? Are you on Earth? If so, who is here in your place?
Strolling into the gambling haven, he was immediately greeted by a large, greasy man in an outdated suit.
"Lord Vader! I'm Pala' Ostelle. I'm glad you could visit my humble establishment!"
"Where is Kenobi?" Vader asked with a bit of annoyance.
"This way. Follow me."
Vader and his troopers followed the man to a door in the rear.
"I assume there will be a reward for capturing him? I remember the reading that the Empire pays handsomely for Jedi fugitives," the man said with a level of boldness that rubbed Vader the wrong way.
"Your compensation will be that the Empire will chose to overlook this establishment and any taxes that you may owe."
The man's posture obviously changed as Vader's words sunk in.
As the entered the holding area, they were greeted by the sight of two dead guards and two empty cells. Pala's eyes widened as he clawed at his throat, realizing his life was about to end.
Without taking the time to address him, Vader kept walking. "Find them!" He ordered the troopers. They immediately ran ahead, through the exit at the rear of the hall. Behind him, Pala's body collapsed to the sound of snapping bone.
"Common!" Sonia yelled as they ran to the hanger where the Star Tamer was docked.
"I feel... strange," Trevor said with a hint of concern.
"You're going to feel dead if you don't move!" She said. "What the hell's wrong with you? You're normally bouncing off walls!"
"I don't know. I feel someone. He's cold and he knows where I am."
"Great, that's Vader! I'll fill you in on him when we get on board."
They reached the hanger entrance only to stop in their tracks. Blaster fire erupted from the entrance as six storm troopers greeted them.
"Blast!" Sonia spat as she dove for cover behind a large trash container. Trevor was close behind, nearly laying on her. "Give me some room! We need to take these guys out before Vader gets here!"
They both fired on the troopers. Within moments they'd managed to kill all but one. The remaining trooper barricaded himself behind a pillar.
"Run over there and draw him out. I'll pick him off when he shows himself," she said.
Trevor began to argue but she interrupted. "No time to debate this! Get out there!"
With a violent shove she forced him out of the hiding spot. Immediately the trooper emerged from behind the pillar. Aiming, Sonia shot him in the head.
With a sigh of relief she emerged from the hiding place and joined Trevor.
"He's here," he said in an almost dream like voice.
As if his words had called them, several storm troopers appeared on the walkway behind them.
"Move!" She ordered, grabbing his arm and dragging him into the hanger. When they finally reached the Tamer the pursuing troopers were within firing range. Blaster shots rained around them as they ran up the ramp. Without a moment to spare, she started the engine and steered the ship out of the hanger.
Vader watched with annoyance as the ship escaped. The storm troopers continued their useless assault with blaster fire as the ship gained distance. Without a second thought he pulled out a comlink.
"Admiral Wantel, the smuggler's cargo ship is exiting the system. Intercept them with your tractor beam. I want them alive."
"Yes Lord Vader," Wantel nervously replied.
Stretching out with the Force, Vader found the man who inhabited Obi-Wan's body.
'You cannot escape. Give up now and I will spare you life.'
'Who are you?' the man replied.
'I am the person that can give you the answers to the lies Obi-Wan has told you.'
'Can you teach me to use the Force?'
'With my help you can become more powerful than you've ever imagined.'
"Strap yourself in! It looks like we have company," Sonia ordered as she wrestled the controls.
She piloted the Tamer away from the approaching Star Destroyer and began calculating the hyperspace coordinates.
"I think we're going to make it," she said with a sigh of relief. "That was close though-"
She stopped as she felt the barrel of a blaster press into her temple.
"Oh Red, you'll never know how close," Trevor said with a wicked grin.
Obi-Wan walked down the deserted road, trying to ignore the growing warning in the Force. All the night before he'd meditated but could find no peace. Now, as the sun began to rise and the birds sang their excited melodies, he couldn't help but feel more alone and out of place than he'd ever felt before.
"Do not be discouraged my friend."
"Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan paused at the sound of his former mater's voice. He watched as Qui-Gon's familiar form appeared before him.
"Yes my padawan, I am here."
"How is it possible that you could find me here?"
"As the Force is everywhere, I am everywhere. I have traveled to farther territories than Earth, Obi-Wan."
"Well I can't say I'm disappointed to see you. I could use the company of a friend about now."
"There is no time. I'm afraid that Trevor has escaped Dagobah aboard the smuggler's ship, taking her as his hostage."
"What? How is it possible?" Obi-Wan's heart skipped a beat as he thought of the implications.
"I'm afraid he has learned some basics in the Force. And it gets worse my padawan." Qui-Gon paused, his face grim. "I'm afraid he's attracted the attention of Vader."
"No," he whispered. Vader would use Trevor to get to him, and should he discover Master Yoda's location, and Brian...
"I must put a stop to this," he said with a face of grim determination.
"Do not delay Obi-Wan. The Force tells me time is running out."
Sonia tensed as she realized her fatal mistake. She'd grown too comfortable with Trevor. As much as she hated to admit it, she'd let her guard down and now she was going to die. If he didn't kill her, the Empire would, probably by the hand of Darth Vader himself. She cursed to herself as she vowed that should she survive this, she was going to kill Trevor – Obi-Wan's body be damned.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? If they capture us we're as good as dead!"
"I don't think so Red. I just made a deal with the devil. He's gonna learn me to play the fiddle and in exchange I just have to play in his band! And the best part of it – I can eventually kill this devil!"
He began to laugh at his cleverness. There were only twenty seconds before they fell into the range of the Star Destroyer's tractor beam.
"Do you seriously think he's going to train you? You're in Obi-Wan's body! They're enemies! He's just using you to get to him!"
Fifteen seconds
"I hate to tell you Red, but I ain't Obi-Wan. He's a million miles from here, and with Vader's help, he'll stay that way."
Ten seconds
For a brief second she could feel the blaster pressed against her head pull back. For a brief second she could feel his grip on it loosen. A brief second was all she needed. With a fluid motion, she threw her arm up, knocking the weapon from his hand. At the same instant, she threw her other arm, guided by her clenched fist, into a powerful swing as she turned her body to face him. The fist connected with his jaw, throwing him back. Without pausing to see the damage she'd inflicted on his surprised form, she turned back to the controls.
Five seconds.
She throttled the ship's hyperdrive-
Three seconds
And watched as the stars danced around them.
With a sigh of relief, she returned her attention to Trevor. He was sitting up holding his jaw. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he glared at her.
"That was really a stupid thing you did, Red!" He hissed. "I'm going to gut you for that one, but first-"
He recalled the blaster into his hand.
"You're going to turn this ship around."
"I don't think so," she said defiantly. "You can kill me if you want, but you'll never figure out how to pilot this ship."
"Ahhhh!" He screamed as he got to his feet. For the first time, Sonia began to fear the man that stood before her.
"I may not be able to kill you, but that doesn't mean I can't hurt you! And I know just the way."
She shuddered as his toothy grin mingled with his murderous rage. He approached her slowly, like a predator toying with its wounded prey.
"You know, it's been a long time since I've known the touch of a woman," he threatened.
Her heart began to race as she realized what he was implying. After the death of her mother, she'd been forced to live on the streets. She was not proud of how she had survived, and had sworn every day since, that she would sooner die than allow herself to experience the shame and revulsion she'd felt every time she accepted credits in exchange for her body. Rage began to consumer her as she looked at the man before her. She no longer saw a man in Obi-Wan's form. She saw only a monster.
"If you touch me, I will kill you," she warned.
Admiral Wantel nearly passed out as he watched the Star Tamer jump into hyperspace. Lord Vader would kill him for sure. He was not so naive that he couldn't admit that. Mustering what little courage he could find, he contacted the dark lord, whose personal transport was in route to the Star Destroyer at that very moment.
"Lord Vader," he said as he addressed the hologram of the Sith lord before him.
"Yes Admiral?" Lord Vader replied with a hint of malice.
"I regret to inform you that the smuggler was able to escape mere seconds before we could pull them in."
He began to tug on his collar as he waited for the invisible hand that was sure to come.
"It is of little consequence. They cannot escape us for long. We will find them."
"Yes my lord," he said with a sigh of relief.
"Calculate all coordinates for their last known trajectory. Contact all ships in those regions and instruct them to detain the ship with the crew in tact."
"It will be done Lord Vader," he said, standing straighter as he regained his composure.
"And Admiral," Vader said before ending the transmission.
"Yes my lord?"
"Do not fail me again," he warned.
The transmission blinked out and Wantel's knees turned to jelly.
Sonia watched as Trevor approached. Faster than she could anticipate, he pounced, tackling her roughly to the ground. Air escaped her lungs on impact, throwing a dark curtain on her vision.
"This is gonna be fun Red!" His voice echoed in her ear as she gasped for breath.
She struggled against his weight but his strength was incredible. He laughed at her futile efforts to break free. Tears began to stream as she realized how hopeless her situation had become.
Trevor's laugh stopped abruptly as he began to scream. He rolled off her and began to clutch his head. Sonia scooted away and watched in horror as he thrashed on the ground. Retrieving the blaster he'd been holding, she leveled it on him.
"Get out of my head!" He screamed. "You've had your fun, now let me have mine!"
Hope surged through Sonia as she watched the conflict.
"Obi-Wan?" She asked. "Are you there?"
"No!" He screamed. "I will not let you do this!"
His thrashing ceased as a look of calm came over him.
"Obi-Wan?" She asked again.
"Yes, I'm here."
Slowly he sat up and looked around.
"Is he gone?"
He shook his head and grimaced in pain.
"No, he's here, but I'm in control at the present time. You must restrain him. Do you have any binders? Or rope perhaps?"
"Yeah, hold on." She ran into the lounge and opened the storage locker, pulling out a pair of binders and a strong rope. She returned to him and he nodded his approval.
"Good. Let's get into the cargo bay and you can restrain me. We must hurry. I won't be able to contain him much longer."
They quickly made their way into the bay. Lying on his stomach he placed his hands behind his back, allowing her to lock the binders on his wrists. Cutting a portion of the rope, she tied his feet together. With the remaining rope she tied his feet to the binders.
"There," she said with satisfaction. "I'd like to see him get out of this."
"I suggest you make a pit stop on the way to Dagobah and purchase a Force inhibitor. They're hard to find, but I'm sure you have the resources to locate one."
"Oh don't worry. I'll find one if I have to search every system in the Empire!"
"Good," he said, wincing in pain. Sonia wondered if it was the awkward position or Trevor that caused it.
A moment later she watched as his posture transformed. He began to scream and struggle as Trevor took over.
"No!" He said as he realized his position. "You're going to pay for this Red!"
With a smile, she lifted the blaster in her hand. Setting its controls to stun she aimed.
"I said to stop calling me that!"
With satisfaction she pulled the trigger and for a short time, he grew very quiet.
Obi-Wan collapsed as he re-entered Trevor's body. His head ached and his energy was drained from the effort of maintaining control of two bodies. A slight smile of satisfaction came as he acknowledged that he'd stopped Trevor just in time. His smile quickly vanished as he realized the disturbance he'd felt before was stronger than ever. With effort, he got to his feet and continued his journey. Time was running out. He needed to find a faster mode of transportation.
Darth Quietus spun the crimson blade in his hand. Drawing in the Force, he let it guide his movements as the remote buzzed around him. The softball-sized robot flew and spun; randomly shooting tiny blasts of laser. His elegant weapon effortlessly deflected each blast. Nearby, his son played a similar game, as he trained with the second lightsaber.
Sidious observed their progress with delight as they both showed great promise. The boy, especially, was very talented with the blade. His movements were fluid and precise; his speed and reflexes perfect. Darth Quietus, on the other hand, was slightly clumsy, which retarded his movements. What he lacked in grace, however, he made up for in power. His strength rivaled that of Lord Vader.
Sidious smiled. All was going according to plan. The time would soon come that they would make their move against the capital.
Two additional squads of storm troopers had arrived. The warehouse was full of their activities as they transformed it into an efficient base of operations. He eagerly awaited the next shipment, which would contain the necessary weapons and supplies needed to begin the invasion.
In the meantime, the troopers had been instructed in the navigation of earth vehicles. At night, Quietus led a selected group to intercept and obtain vehicles needed for transportation and assault. They'd managed to confiscate thus far three large vans, four all terrain vehicles and four pick up trucks. Each would have shields and weapons installed, transforming them into effective ground assault vehicles.
Sidious frowned as a disturbance in the Force caused him alarm. Quietus and Mark stopped their training as they noticed their master's dismay.
"What is it Master?" Quietus asked with concern.
"I don't know."
"Commander," he said, turning to the nearest squad commander.
"Yes my Emperor," he said with a bow.
"I sense a disturbance. Contact all perimeter guards and get a report."
"It will be done," he said with a bow. He ran into the office and began contacting each guard unit. A moment later he returned.
"The east perimeter guard reports a law enforcement vehicle has arrived. Their lights are flashing but no one has yet to exit the vehicle."
"I'll check the police scanner," Quietus replied, before heading into the office. The trooper in charge of monitoring the equipment stood and saluted as he entered.
"Has their been any activity on the scanner?" He asked.
"No sir, nothing pertaining to us."
"Let me know if you hear anything. There's a police car out front that has the Emperor concerned."
"Yes Sir. I'll let you know the moment-"
He stopped as the scanner began talking.
'Base, this is five-tango-seven. I'm at the warehouse on Kingsley. It's still abandoned, isn't it?'
'That's affirmative five-tango-seven.'
'That's what I thought. I see some lights and there seems to be activity inside. I'm going to investigate.'
'Copy that five-tango-seven. Please advise if you need backup.'
'Will do base. Over.'
Quietus cursed under his breath. Without a second thought he left the office and reported to his master.
"The police outside suspect something is going on in here."
"Then I suggest we have a talk with the officer," Sidious said with a smile.
They walked to the east exit and opened the door. The officer immediately saw them and began to approach.
"Freeze! Keep your hands where I can see them!" He said as he approached, gun raised.
"Can I help you with something officer," Quietus asked.
"You have no business in there," the officer said. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to arrest you both for trespassing. Is anyone else in there?"
Sidious smiled. "Yes, there is, but you will not tell anyone that."
The officer nervously frowned. "Are you threatening me?"
"No. I am just stating a fact."
'Five-tango-seven, what's your status?' His radio hissed.
Sidious waved his hand. "You will tell them everything is fine. That you've made a mistake."
The officer grabbed his radio and spoke. "Everything's fine here. I guess I was mistaken."
"Good. Now you will leave and remember this no more."
The officer holstered his gun and returned to his car. Getting in, he cut the lights and drove away, his face maintaining a blank expression the entire time.
"That was too close. We cannot afford to attract any more attention," Sidious warned.
"I agree. I'll see to it that the windows are boarded up immediately. I suggest we start posting troops in civilian gear around the neighborhood. They can alert us of any approaching trouble."
"You are most wise my apprentice. I suggest we get started tonight."
"Yes my master."
The Star Tamer emerged from hyperspace near the system of Tal Shennar. Sonia frowned as she noticed the approach of a Star Destroyer. A squad of ties emerged and swarmed around her ship.
"Not again!" She hissed.
'Star Tamer, this is the Imperial Star Destroyer Tranquil. Prepare your ship to dock at once. A squad of escorts has been sent to guarantee your cooperation.'
Sonia cursed to herself as the Tamer lurched from the impact of a warning shot.
"Hey! Watch it!"
Fighting the controls, she narrowly avoided collision with one of her escorts.
"I'm not giving up without a fight," she hissed. Her keen eyes observed the tight formation of the Ties around her. Her lips, pulled back in concentration, relaxed as a lopsided grin took over. A tiny breach to her lower right was visible. Throwing the Tamer into a barrel roll, she dove for the gap. She lurched forward in her seat as her ship clipped the wing of one of the Ties, sending it careening into one of its companions. A fiery explosion resulted, rocking the Tamer hard.
"Damn!" she hissed as warning alarms began to blare.
'Star Tamer, this is your final warning. If you do not deviate from your present course we will be forced to take immediate action.'
The cockpit began to smoke. Aiming for the planet below, she began an emergency decent through the atmosphere. The Ties were in hot pursuit as the Tamer continued its decent. Trees filled the view-port as the nose dive brought her closer to the surface. Fighting to pull up she realized her attempts were hopeless.
"I'm sorry baby, but it looks like this is the end of our journey," she told her ship as she got out of her seat. Sprinting to the cargo hold, she pulled our a small blade and cut the bonds restricting Trevor's movements.
"Come on! We have to abandon ship!"
Without a word he got to his feet and followed her to the escape pod.
"We're cutting it close!" She said as she hit the emergency eject.
The pod lurched forward, rocketing them over a grove of trees. An explosion could be heard from the Star Tamer's impact with the surface below. Tears began to run well in Sonia's eyes as she watched the destruction through the tiny window in the rear.
"Oh well, it wasn't paid for anyways," she sadly muttered under her breath. She could feel Trevor glaring at her but refused to meet his eyes.
Violent turbulence rocked the pod as it began its decent into the forest. With a bone shattering impact, the tiny ship hit the surface. Sonia was thrown from her seat, cracking her head on the ceiling. Pain surged through her body as the world around her grew dim.
Obi-Wan, tired and hungry, found himself very grumpy. The deserted street had long since given way to a busy highway. The forest and farms had been replaced by restaurants, gas stations and retail chains. The smells of exotic foods filled the air as restaurants began preparing for the midday crowds. His stomach growled noisily in response as he continued down the street.
Spotting a bench on the side of the road, Obi-Wan took advantage to rest his aching feet. Closing his eyes, he proceeded to meditate on his current situation. The growing alarm in the Force had not dissipated, nor had worsened. There was still time to act, though how much time he could not tell.
Deep in thought, he did not notice a car pull up to the bench. A loud horn blared, shaking him from his trance. Opening his eyes, he regarded the vehicle with mild interest.
"Marcus?" A smile broke on his lips as he recognized the only friend he'd made on this frustrating planet.
"Ben! Hurry up and get in before someone sees you," Marcus said, throwing open the passenger door.
Without a word, Obi-Wan got into the car.
"I thought that was you," Marcus said as he pulled into traffic. "What were you doing out there in the open like that? You realize you're a wanted man don't you?"
"You're right. I should have been more careful."
Marcus gave him a funny look. "What happened to your hair?"
"Ah, yes. I thought I'd try to change my appearance a bit."
"Well, it certainly is... different. You know you missed a few spots in the back and on the sides."
Obi-Wan's face flushed. "Well I'm not really attuned to such grooming activities."
Marcus nodded before breaking into a laugh. Obi-Wan joined him, having forgotten how good it felt.
"Look, the other day, when I kicked you out. I'm sorry. I guess I just freaked out a bit."
"So you believe me then?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yeah, as hard as that may be to believe. Like I said, I've always been good at reading people. I know you're a good man Ben."
"Thank you Marcus. That means a lot to me."
Marcus nodded. They rode in silence for a bit before Marcus continued.
"You said you're heading to D.C. right?"
"Yes. And I'm afraid I'm running short on time."
"I may be able to help you out. I have a friend who has his own plane, a little Cessna. He flies up to D.C. quite a bit to visit family and to do some... private business. He's headed up there today in fact. He owes me a few favors so I'm sure I could convince to give you a lift; if you're interested."
Obi-Wan had no idea what a plane was but if it got him to his destination he was all for it.
"Sure! That would be great Marcus. Thank you!"
"No problem. You just give that evil tyrant attempting to steal my planet a swift kick in the rear for me."
Laughing, Obi-Wan agreed.
Darth Vader glared at the holograph image of the Admiral before him.
"Deploy every man at your resource to the crash sight and find Obi-Wan and the smuggler! Do not fail me again Admiral or the failure will be your last!"
Sonia opened her eyes and cringed as shooting pain shot through her skull. Reaching up, she could feel blood where her head had impacted. Slowly looking around, she spotted Trevor's unconscious form. She sat up slowly and checked herself out. Besides her head, everything else seemed fine. Leaning over she checked Trevor. A nasty bump protruded from his forehead and his lip was bloodied. She gently shook him and he began to moan.
"Get up. We need to get out of here before they find us."
Moaning again, he began to sit up. His hands, still shackled behind his back, made it difficult for him to gain his balance.
"Hold on. I'm going to take the binders of your wrists. If you try anything, I'll shoot you on sight."
He weakly nodded his head. She wondered if he even knew who he was.
She leaned forward and removed the binders before moving back, blaster leveled at the ready. He sighed in appreciation and began to massage his wrists.
She opened the door, which hissed loudly. Stepping out of the pod, she straightened her back and stretched. Trevor joined her and looked around.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"Tal Shennar. It's a little planet, not known for anything special. This was just a pit stop on the way back to Dagobah."
"So what happened?"
She shrugged. "I dunno. It's like they were waiting for us. I guess they calculated our destination based on our jump into hyperspace. It's likely that they had welcome parties stationed at a dozen other systems."
"So what now?" He asked with a sarcastic tone.
"Now, we find a way to get the hell out of here," she replied impatiently. She looked around to get her bearings. She could see smoke rising in to the south from the Star Tamer's crash.
"We'll go north," she said, pointing the direction.
Trevor nodded in affirmation and began walking. She followed a short distance behind, her blaster firm in her grip.
Obi-Wan and Marcus arrived at a tiny airfield an hour latter.
"This is a private airfield, so there shouldn't be any authorities or cameras to give you away. I can't guarantee there won't be any when you get to Washington, but I believe he uses a similar airfield up there," Marcus warned as they got out of the car.
"I don't want to be a danger to your friend," Obi-Wan said.
"Hey, trust me. Frank... he's what you might call someone who doesn't always walk the straight and narrow, if you know what I mean. He makes a living transporting 'rare' goods that may... raise some eyebrows in the judicial system."
"So he's a smuggler," Obi-Wan observed.
"Yeah, I guess that's as good a description as any. Is that going to be a problem?"
"No. I'm rather partial to smuggler pilots," he winked.
Marcus gave him a somewhat confused smile. "Good. Let's go meet him."
"Marcus, you don't know how much I appreciate this. You really are a good person. I only wish we could have met under better circumstances."
"Hey, it's the least I could do."
Marcus led him to a tiny hanger. Obi-Wan marveled at the small winged aircraft inside.
"That's Frank's plane. It's kind of small but it'll do the trick."
"Marcus!" A man called from behind them. Turning they beheld a short man with graying hair and a mustache. "Long time no see!"
"Frank!" Marcus embraced his friend in a hug before turning to introduce Obi-Wan. "This is my friend Ben. He needs a lift to D.C. and I thought, since you're heading there anyways, if you didn't mind, as a favor to me."
"Sure, anything for you," Frank said with a grin before offering Obi-Wan an enthusiastic handshake. "Good to meet you Ben."
"A pleasure Frank. I really appreciate this."
"Hey, no problem. This man here has helped me out of more pickles than I can count."
"Yes, he is a good man," Obi-Wan agreed.
"Well, you got here just in time. I was about to pull her out of the hanger and get underway."
They helped him push the tiny aircraft out of the hanger and then Marcus said his goodbyes.
"Ben, it's been interesting. Good luck man," Marcus said before embracing him in a bear hug.
"Thank you Marcus. May the Force be with you."
Marcus smiled at the phrase. "Thanks! May the Force be with you too."
"I'll see you in a few days Marcus," Frank said.
"Have a good flight man."
The two friends hugged again and then Marcus left.
"Well Ben, get inside and we'll get underway."
A short time later they were in the air. Obi-Wan was once again reminded why he hated flying. As much as he hated to admit it, he would have much preferred flying with Anakin in a speeder through Coruscant's busiest traffic than to be suspended in the air in a tiny gas-powered aircraft that used a propeller and wings to literally pull them into the air.
"First flight?" Frank asked as he observed Obi-Wan's nervousness.
"Not quite. I've flown quite a bit. I've just never developed the stomach for it."
Frank nodded. "Yeah, I know a few people like that, especially in one of these babies. I know it's not a smooth as one of the big jets but I love the freedom."
Obi-Wan nodded before returning his gaze to the clouds below them. This aircraft may be crude, but it was a lot faster than walking.
"So how long before we get there?" He asked.
"Oh, I'd say about three hours."
'Yes,' he mused. 'This is definitely faster than walking.'