"A new life is waiting But danger's no stranger here"

("Two Worlds" by Phil Collins)

Chapter 17

Earlier…

"Princess Leia! Come here, quick!"

Normally she would have taken a small amount of pleasure in making him wait for her to turn towards him to see what he deemed to be so important that he would demand her presence in such a way.

However, this was not 'normally': her brother was in trouble, as well as missing.

"What is it, Han?"

"I have found a triple star-triple planet system. What do you think?"

"How many moons?"

"Well, the first one appears to have…" he started, watching her reaction.

"I don't care about the first planet, nor the second planet. How many moons does the third planet have?" she demanded, all business.

"I think that there are about twelve. In any case, it has more than the six that you said it had to have, minimum."

"Seven."

"What?"

"I said it had to have at least seven. He told me he was on the seventh moon," she explained, slightly distracted. "In any case, unless anyone else has been successful in finding another system that fits this description, I think we should go and check it out immediately…"

Lonny carefully crept closer to the well and peered inside. The rope had been cut, but maybe he could find another bucket to attach to it. He knew that he had to hurry, but he could not afford to be careless. Incredibly, he discovered what he needed just across the path from his hiding place, though retrieving it would leave him in plain view of anyone who happened to look in his direction. Taking a chance, and a deep breath, he rushed forward and made a grab for it. He saw a shadow out of the corner of his eye and dashed back to his hiding spot. Anxious to get back to the family he had rescued, yet determined not to leave without the water they so desperately needed or to be followed, he cautiously peeked around the hill, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger…
"You! Get up and follow me!" said a voice that might have frightened him if he had not heard a trace of fear in it.

"What do you want of me?" he asked.

"No questions! You are to come with me, now!"

He was tempted to roll his eyes, but realized that he no longer had his hood on and that Maria was looking at him with wide eyes. He knew that she was scared, but he had learned that his survival depended on his ability to control his fear, as well as his anger, no matter what the reason for it. He smiled slightly to reassure Maria and followed the Trooper out of the room, wondering again, 'What is going on? They did not kill me when they had a chance to. Why? And why do they seem to think that I do not need to be tied up properly? Though that one may be to my advantage…'

AN: Sorry about the long wait, everyone!I promise I'll update as soon as possible! -ducks objects thrown at author- -gulp!- Heh, heh... Uh...R&R, please?

okanabe: No problem... Just glad I was able to help! I intend to continue (both R&R your story and posting chaps of this one)... I am currently trying to 'puzzle' my way through a sequel, but it's rather slow going and I am having to change a few details here and there in THIS story in order to help things flow a little better. (Not to mention my Incredible urge to add quotes, song lyrics, chapter titles, and lines from as-of-yet-unwritten-or-discovered poems to each chapter--as I go...) My current schedule (and family) aren't exactly cooperative in this area, are they?

;-)

General AN: Updates may end up a little shorter than usual. -At least, for a little while, though mainly for suspense and to switch back and forth properly…

"Friendly Banter", Part 7:

Arami: Like I'm scared, what could you possibly think of? ----smiles in a devious way, failing to see the look in JCPuzzler's eyes.---- ----Crowd looks on with anticipation wondering what will happen next?---- ----Both are facing off, with identical expressions.----

JCPuzzler: ----JCPuzzler suddenly looks away, smiling mischievously---- ----begins to concentrate, then slips off, even as Arami continues to think she is still staring at JCPuzzler---- ----a snicker is heard, then a slight gasp as person snickering realizes that sound gives off position---- ----JCPuzzler suddenly allows illusion of self to fade, revealing her absence----

Arami:---- What? Where'd she go? ----crowd has no answer---- ----Meanwhile... JCPuzzler is looking over a valley, standing on a slight hill, smirking, imagining Arami's shock that JCPuzzler would use the Force to sneak away...----