Chapter 4- City of Angels
"ANAKIN! Are you there? Are you alright?" Obi-Wan called out. His voice was followed by silence. He waited for a beat or two and then heard scratching noises as he was pulling down towards the planet. A planet that looked oddly familiar. Could it be the Old World? The world that was taken over by the Dark Forces? Obi-Wan shivered as he stiffly flew the ship and looked around anxiously for his apprentice. Obi-Wan paused as the scratching sound grew louder as he came closer to the planet. He started to breath slowly. Fear was only a path that would drag him in another direction.
"I hate flying! Why didn't he listen to me," Obi-Wan muttered with a sigh as he ran his hand over his face for a second. The scratching began to grow louder.
"Great! No driod or pilot. It looks like this is going to be another life or death landing," Obi-Wan cried aloud to himself as he entered the planet's skyway. Clunk, clunk, clunk, went the ship as he shifted side to side awkwardly in his seat as something white landed next to him in a flash. Obi-Wan blinked repeatedly as he took deep breaths in and out.
"Missed me, Master? I can see you can't wait to land this thing so I decided to stop by and lend you a hand," Anakin said with a smile as he quickly leaned over Obi-Wan's seat.
"Well it took you quite awhile, didn't it? Don't ever scare me like that again!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.
"I thought Jedi weren't supposed to be afraid," Anakin said, grinning at Obi-Wan.
"This one here always has an excuse with a Padawan like you around," Obi-Wan said as he leaned over Anakin to take his lightsaber. "Well at least you learned one thing from me," Obi-Wan exclaimed as he placed his lightsaber in his belt.
"I don't think I recognize this planet, Master. Where are we?" Anakin frowned as he tried to look for a place to land his ship. It was quite dark and the full moon glowed within the sky.
"It's the Old World, Anakin. It's called Earth," Obi-Wan answered softly as they landed behind a mysterious, old, empty looking building.
"It's dark in the sky and there are very few lights. Why is there so much darkness, Master?"
"Dark forces have started to take over this world and have ripped more than half of the day into what is called night. The artificial lights provide little protection for the innocent people who travel. I feel we have landed on one of the darkest planets in the galaxy. Mind your step, Anakin. Keep a close watch and a clear ear and stick with me. We must not separate," Obi-Wan commanded. Anakin nodded in agreement as his eyes adjusted to the night's darkness as he followed closely behind his Master to find a fuse to fix his ship and R2D2. This planet was definitely beyond the Jedi's helpful eye.
"I want your Queen of Hearts."
"Go fish, Fred," Doyle said with a laugh as he stole away her King of Clubs.
"That was my last card!" Fred exclaimed, laughing.
"I win!" Doyle said with a wink.
"Just wait a second, Mister! I saw those extra cards up your sleeve!" Cordy pointed out. "Put those away before Angel comes in and sees them. Quickly!"
"See what? That you guys have been lagging behind while we steal into the night with absolutely nothing to the name of Dooku and a few empty pizza boxes to our names? I have clever ears, guys and a sharp nose. Nothing can get past me. Really!" Angel exclaimed as he appeared in the room.
Everyone jumped except for Cordy who was used to Angel sulking around. Natalie was up, but looked still quite a bit pale. She looked at Angel with pure concentration until Angel's eyes met hers and then she backed away.
"No need to be afraid of him, Natalie. It's just Angel. He always lurks about in the darkness," Fred replied, patting Natalie's shoulder companionably. Natalie nodded and took a seat next to Doyle.
"Yep, that's his past time. It's what he does best," Gunn joked. Natalie gave him a slight smile.
"Is there anything we need to know about Dooku?" Wesley asked Natalie as he adjusted his glasses. "What kind of demon is he? Does he have any special power or does he take pleasure in killing with his bare hands?"
"Easy with the questioning, inspector," Kate chimed in as she looked on empathetically towards Natalie.
"Give the poor girl a chance ta refocus here. She seems worn out," Doyle added as he rushed over to grab her some water.
"Thank you," Natalie answered as she sipped the cool liquid.
"We're ready whenever you are Pumpkin. There's no rush. Well…except to save your friend," Lorne replied.
"We'll get to it right away. Where did you last see her?" Connor asked.
"She was a block o' so from this club. I'll find her. It's me fault 'hat she is lost," Doyle replied quickly, looking down, embarrassed.
"It's not your fault, Doyle," Natalie replied quietly.
"She speaks?" Angel noted, gesturing to Natalie.
"Yeah and she moves and eats like any other human. Really, Angel! The poor girl is under some shock. Give her some time to let this all sink in," Cordy exclaimed as she gently covered the girl with a blanket.
"I appreciate your concern, but I need to find my friend. You have no idea what you are standing up against," Natalie replied, as she stood up.
"I think we have an idea," Angel insisted. "I also think you've been through too much to help fight or save your friend."
"Your words mean nothing to me at this moment. You must trust that I know what I am doing. I feel her. My friend is trapped somewhere and is calling for my help. I will not let her suffer. I'm coming with you," Natalie insisted.
"I don't mind a beautiful woman coming along," Connor said with a wink. Angel looked back at him and shook his head. Natalie looked intensely at him, holding his gaze.
"You will let me go," Natalie replied firmly.
"We'll let you go," Angel commanded, while his eyes briefly flickered with confusion.
"Angel is your name?" Angel nodded as Natalie continued. "You best learn the ropes from me. For this Evil Force is nothing that you have ever discovered."
"Try me," Angel replied quietly, annoyed.
"As you wish. All in good time," Natalie replied with a slow smile that only touched her lips.
Lindsey fiddled with the gadgets in Senator Becky's robe. He had a feeling that this girl had more secrets and power than they could ever imagine. No one human could withstand that much loss of blood let alone play with people's minds unless they were using magic. She could have been using dark magic. No one can stay alive or have the power to keep life for that long. Lindsey squeezed the cold metal in his hands. It felt good. It felt powerful as he examined it more closely. As he was about to push the button above the handle Lilah walked in with her arms folded.
"Playing with stolen toys again, Lindsey? You are such a kid! Give that to me!" Lilah said, marching over to Lindsey and grabbing it out of his hands.
"Where is the girl?" Lindsey asked, taking the object back from Lilah.
"She is in a confined space, small cell just for her with the works, lucky girl. She even gets a small window. Most of the species that come here usually get a dark hole. She definitely has the royal treatment. Did you find any I.D. that describes who she may be?" Lilah asked, with a sly smile.
"No, but I'm confident she will tell us soon." Lindsey smiled as he placed his hand for security to get access to the cell.
"Natalie? Senator Becky? Are you there? Can you copy?" A young man's voice sounded through the room, but no one was there. The girl got up slowly her hair in her face as she scouted the room for the sound. Lindsey smiled as he saw a small communicator in her robe. The communicator was disguised as a button. How clever! This is something new that I never saw, Lindsey thought with pride. Looks like part of the mystery is being solved already. Lindsey smiled as he tucked the communicator into his pant pocket. The girl's eyes followed the communicator as her hand reached out as if she wanted to grab something. Lindsey gasped and fell down, smacking down onto the floor. He felt like he was being choked. Blackness danced around his vision as he saw the girl clench her fist.
Lilah waited awhile for Lindsey to finish his inspection. What's taking him so long? I could have gotten in and out within seconds. Lilah frowned. She couldn't hear anything because the room was sound proof for the Law Firm's sake to torture the info. out of their victims. Lilah felt impatient.
"Enough is enough, Lindsey! I'm coming in whether you like it or not," Lilah stated under her breath as she placed her hand on the security door to go in. She froze inside of the door as she saw Lindsey lying on the floor in shock and not being able to breathe. She looked around her. The place didn't seem to be disturbed. No sign of Angel. She looked up to see the girl with her hand stretching out in a fist like fashion. Shocked and fascinated Lilah beeped for security to come into the room.
"Any sign of them?" Obi-Wan asked, nervously.
"No, not a sound. I'm afraid that they have been captured. I don't think I could live if Natalie got hurt," Anakin said anxiously, his blue crystal-like eyes glassed over with worry.
"There are worse things, my young apprentice.You must control your feelings.The Dark side of the Force is strong here. Dooku could be anywhere,"Obi-Wan warned. Anakin nodded, but still looked a bit tense with his fist held tightly by his side.
"What if what you say about this planet is true? What if they are devoured by demons? " Anakin asked uncomfortably as Obi-Wan briefly laid a comforting hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"Trust your senses. Make no tricky movements. If Natalie and Senator Becky are here than they will need us all in one piece. Beware of your surroundings and be patient.We'll find them." Anakin nodded and then turned towards R2D2.
He had a feeling Obi-Wan was not telling him everything. His ears may not hear it, but his mind and heart could feel it. Anakin's eyes shone darkly as he finished fixing R2 as a dark figure approached the two men from behind.