Chapter 39: A Pirate's Honor

Hondo Ohnaka was not a man one would make appearances in palaces or governmental buildings unless it was to rule over them. Never has he ever been cordially invited to meet with a queen. Already, he whistled and daydreamed of so many fanciful scenarios, but despite the puffed up chest and bragging of being signaled out, Hondo was suspicious. He heard of the Trade Federation's occupation of Naboo and was well aware that Queen Amidala was not a regal to trifle with when it comes to her planet and people. Nonetheless, his curiosity overrode his better judgment and he directed his crew to Naboo.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by fancy dressed guards, there to escort them to the queen. Hondo flicked his hand at the guards to lead the way, sauntering after them as the guards led them to the Queen. Hondo observed the palace's corridors, eyeing the crystal chandeliers, large tapestries of famous individuals and royals and of course the small things that would easily be swiped such as a vase, small table statues, etc. They wouldn't miss it and besides, there was plenty of wealth to share.

They arrived outside the doors and the guards opened, parting to make way for Hondo and two of his fellow crew members. Hondo cheekily thanked the guards for their protective escort with a salute. He strutted down the lined columns, straight to where a highly decorative young woman—girl?—sat. Behind her was a dark-skinned male, armed with two blasters and an array of color-hooded handmaidens. But, off to the side, Hondo noted, were individuals dressed in basic garb and robes, matching each other in outfits and expression.

As he approached the Queen, Hondo spread his arms in an open gesture. "Queen Amidala!" he half-shouted so that his voice carried in the throne room. "Your beauty far surpasses the rumors I have heard!" He stopped just a few meters away from the queen before giving an obnoxious bow, enjoying every second of the attention.

Queen Amidala returned his compliments with a stony mien. Her painted mask giving her an intimidating look that gave the impression she was far older than her true age. And when she spoke, her words were emotionless and heavy. Not at all what Hondo expected.

"Thank you for making the journey," she said to him and his mates. "I hope it was a pleasant trip."

"For you, Your Highness," Hondo said with a bit of overzealous flair of his hand. "It was most pleasant indeed."

He gave a wink to her. Queen Amidala did not smile. Nor did she look entirely impressed. She only continued on. "We have a proposition for you," she said. "With your background and history, we find that you are most suitable for the task at hand."

This wasn't the first time Hondo was asked to do an errand for someone of the elite class. By elite, he meant more along the lines of the criminal underworld. Mob bosses and criminal clans often hired others outside their circle to do tasks that they cannot have their names attached. Hondo could not fathom why a royal queen needed the assistance of a pirate like himself. After all, she had her own entourage and skilled warriors to assist in any tasks needed. Plus, with Naboo's alignment with the Republic, she could also call on the Senate's hounds, the Jedi. Or perhaps... she could not. After all, she refused to divulge any more information over the comlink when she first extended the invitation. She said that it was a discussion that needed to be face-to-face.

And that right there gave Hondo pause. "Let me hear this proposition," he said, folding his arms and cocking his chin up. "Then I'll decide."

Queen Amidala acquiesced. "We need your assistance in smuggling the Jedi onto Serenno."

All at once, Hondo's cherry and flirtatious attitude dropped, replaced with a betrayed scowl.

It was a rule for all pirates and smugglers' alike. Never do business with a Jedi. In the end, you lose money and possibly, your freedom. Hondo kept to that code. He didn't want to do any business with them. He glared over at the costumed men, now recognizing the lightsabers dangling from their belts. This was a trick! A trap to get him and his crew arrested.

He puffed his chest and turned to the Queen. "We don't do business with Jedi!" he snarled. "We are respectable pirates and we will not have Jedi filth ruin our good name!"

That wrangled a lift of her brow. "I do not wish to harm your... reputation within the community," she spoke in a wit Hondo admired, but didn't appreciate at the moment. "However, it is not the Jedi who has called for your assistance."

Hondo didn't care. Whoever asked for his specific help either was insane or wanted to kill him. "Sorry, Your Highness, but I am not foolish enough to believe someone would hire us for help."

"Not even if it's Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

Silence reigned supremacy for a brief moment as the name filtered through the great hall.

"Kenobi?" Hondo rolled the name off his tongue. It's been a long time since he's heard that name. Ever since Kenobi rejected his offer and left without wanting any revenge or favors in return, Hondo never expected to see him again. Mostly because he believed the bounty on his head would get him killed soon enough. He also found it ridiculous that the queen even claimed Kenobi sought his help. Kenobi knew better. "I'm afraid, your Highness, you have been deceived," Hondo said to the queen. "Kenobi would never call on me nor would he ever involve himself with the Jedi. You have been fooled."

"It is not Obi-Wan who called personally," Queen Amidala responded to his dismissal. "I called on his behalf. He needs your help. He's being held hostage by two Sith Lords."

"Jinn and Dooku?"

The subtle widening of her eyes informed Hondo that he surprised her with the name drop. "You heard of them?"

Hondo remembered very well when he first heard about them. He knew how dangerous Jinn and Dooku were. Kenobi spoke little about the two, not wanting to engage in chatter. But his silence was enough to give Hondo an inkling at how powerful and dangerous the two men were. Hondo recognized the fear in Kenobi's eyes when he threatened to sell them off to whoever bid the highest. Hondo understood that fear.

Hondo bobbled his head. "He may have mentioned them," he said, off-handedly and he clasped his hands behind his back. "What do I care?"

Queen Amidala's eyes fell into tight slits as she peered down from her throne. "You speak of honor and reputation. And yet, you show indifference to a man who saved your life," she accused him. "Is your honor only limited to your pride?"

Hondo's nostrils flared. No wonder everyone admired her. Smart, beautiful and unafraid to challenge even those who present a threat. Or perhaps she wasn't afraid because she was surrounded by guards and Jedi. In either case, Hondo respected her strength, but did not appreciate the accusing tune she carried in regards to him.

"That debt was settled when I chose to let them go," Hondo defended. "I owe them nothing."

He owed Kenobi a lot. But, to go up against the Sith Lords... there was nothing Hondo could do. It was above his pay grade. Way, way above his pay grade.

The queen's steely gaze didn't leave him. "You owe them nothing," she repeated, lips thinning more as she spoke. "You believe your life debt is cleared because you chose not to sell them like slaves after kidnapping them? That their effort to save you, your crew and ship equaled to that one act?"

Hondo grumbled under his breath at the questioning. He didn't need reminding of all the deeds Kenobi and Skywalker did for them. He was quite aware of how much he and his crew owed the misfit pair. "I cannot help them," he said. "Not against them. You need an army."

Queen Amidala wasn't deterred. "We have an army."

An army? Hondo looked around, almost expecting to see it. But, all he saw were guards and Jedi. "You need a bigger army than what you have here. Kenobi didn't say much about them, but I know enough to not confront them on a handful of men!"

Queen Amidala hardly registered his concerns, continuing her speech. "All we need from you is your smuggling skills," she said. "We will do the rest."

She gestured to one of her handmaidens. They approached their queen, holding a small chest. She unlocked it and revealed a small trove of gold. Hondo's eyes lit up, mirroring the shining coins. "I am aware that pirates do not do anything freely or without some encouragement," she said as she noticed the pirates' excited murmur. "We are willing to offer you a small sum for your services if honor is not good enough."

The queen was good at making Hondo feel guilty. He knew he owed Kenobi (and Skywalker for his piloting skills), but the queen's plans were a certain death sentence. No way would they be able to beat the Sith and their army. Hondo was well aware of their manufactured droid army. Any smuggler and pirate has heard the rumors of Geonosis restarting their droid and weapon productions. To go on a full-frontal attack, all to rescue two people, was a suicide mission. Even if those two people were Kenobi and Skywalker.

Yet, Hondo's honor (skewed honor if he was to be honest) convinced him to offer his services. "All right! I'll honor my debt to Kenobi and participate in this… suicidal mission," Hondo said, though he would have liked more gold for this mission. "However, I am not joining in the fighting. I know when death is certain and this, Your Highness, will not end in the way you think."

Queen Amidala sharpened her gaze. "I'll be the judge of that," she coldly replied. "Please, Captain Ohnaka, see to the Jedi to hear of their plans."

Hondo's nostrils flared in distrust. He looked back to the queen. "I expect payment promptly," he said to her. "No tricks!"

The queen bowed her head. "Like yourself," she said. "I hold my honor to the highest regard."

Hondo huffed short of a chuckle. She was bold. He liked that. Hondo and his crew were led with the Jedi, both glaring at one another in suspicion and predicted betrayal. Yet, they didn't say a word as the Queen's guards escorted them to a war room where there was a large table with plenty of chairs for everyone to sit.

A little, green troll took the front and center chair, hopping up with ease that startled Hondo for the troll barely managed to even walk in the room. The rest of the Jedi showed no surprise at all by the troll's acrobatics. Instead, they all took their seats on one side of the table while the pirates took over the other side.

The green troll gestured for Hondo to take the seat closest to him. "Begin, we must. Or else, the galaxy in grave danger."

Hondo exasperatedly rolled his eyes. Great! Now he had to spend the rest of his time with a troll that cannot even speak correctly. What did he sign up for? He swore to himself then and there that this would be the last time he ever got himself involved with Kenobi or Skywalker.

The next morning, Obi-Wan assisted Anakin with his bacta bandages. They changed them three times during the night. The scars faded into the skin to the point it almost looked like there were no scars at all. Almost.

Anakin's servants arrived to dress him, along with a medical droid to address his wounds. Anakin refused the medical droid and quickly took the new clothes to change. He didn't complain or put up any resistance. An improvement according to Abe. Obi-Wan ignored him.

Anakin came out of the refresher, fiddling with the buttons as he hurried up to Obi-Wan's side. "Why can't I wear normal clothes?"

"As prisoners, we don't get that luxury," Obi-Wan sardonically commented. "Now, we are most likely going to be joining them for breakfast. I know, I know, but again, we don't have a choice. Whatever happens, don't do anything unless I give you the sign. Okay? Can you do that?"

Anakin reluctantly nodded.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

They were escorted to the dining hall again. The same as yesterday only to discover that Qui-Gon sat at the table alone. No Dooku. Obi-Wan stared, puzzled for a moment before realizing that dear, old Count was most likely busy with galaxy domination. Obi-Wan recovered from his initial surprise and shepherd Anakin to take a seat opposite of Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan sat next to Anakin. It was a tense setting. Neither individual spoke as they were catered to. Rather than focus on Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan chose to draw all his energy to Anakin, helping him fill his plate with food. Qui-Gon said nothing. He merely observed them as he drank his tea.

Anakin kept glancing to him, nervous at the prospect that Qui-Gon may inflict pain on them. But, Anakin kept his promise and didn't react to Qui-Gon. He did his best to show little interest and kept most of his attention on either the food or Obi-Wan.

They ate through breakfast without any interruptions or attacks. Qui-Gon tended to himself, reading off the holopad for entertainment. Anakin ate as much as his stomach could handle and Obi-Wan ate little, his stomach too upset to digest anything properly. Nerves, most likely, Obi-Wan thought. Too much stress and anxiety building up inside him. Although, he needed to give Jolene credit. Her breakfast spread was amazing!

It was at the end of breakfast that Qui-Gon turned off the holopad and tucked it inside his robes. "All done?" he asked them. They nodded. "Good. I have something I need to show you."

Anakin's eyes immediately sought Obi-Wan. Large and round, heightened to a level of worries that choked Obi-Wan's Force. Obi-Wan patted Anakin's shoulder and smiled softly. A promise everything would be all right. They got up from their seats and followed Qui-Gon out of the dining hall. Their guards just a step behind them.

Qui-Gon led Obi-Wan and Anakin through the corridors. "Anakin?" Qui-Gon broke the silence to which startled Anakin. "How is your back? I was told you denied medical assistance this morning."

Anakin looked to Obi-Wan for direction. Obi-Wan gave him the signal: talk, but be cautious.

"It's better," Anakin muttered.

Qui-Gon nodded his approval. "Good. I'm sure Obi-Wan took good care of you," he said, sounding boastful and demeaning at the same time. "The scars will fade soon enough."

Anakin grumbled under his breath, which got Obi-Wan to prod him as a reminder of his promise not to hassle the Sith Lords. Anakin crinkled his brows in agitation, but pressed his lips closed. Obi-Wan gave a gentle squeeze on the shoulder to comfort him, a gesture Anakin craved at the moment in an unsettling time.

Qui-Gon led them to another floor in Dooku's massive palace. Meandering through the palace brought a depressed feeling of recognition. He's been down this corridor before, but no vivid memories surfaced to remind him of what. Only a familiar feeling.

They stopped outside a door and Qui-Gon unlocked it, gesturing for them to hurry inside the room. They entered into a suite. The design similar was to Naboo's guest suite with a room that contained a bed, a living space decked with a holoprojector, sofas and other entertainment items, and another room that appeared only to have a workbench and a vast assortment of tools.

It was the last room that Obi-Wan finally realized where he was.

Qui-Gon waved to all the rooms. "This," he introduced, "is your very own suite, Anakin."

Anakin quirked up a brow, skeptical of what Qui-Gon gifted. "Suite?"

"Bedroom. Living quarters," Qui-Gon clarified for him. "You see... over there? That's your bedroom. Here is the common space. And, over here in this room," Qui-Gon moved to the doorway that led to the workbench. Obi-Wan and Anakin followed, "is your workbench. I was told you are some sort of prodigy in mechanics. Figured you would enjoy having a place to build whatever you wish."

Anakin gaped at the room, wowed by all the fancy and expensive tools at his disposal. He abandoned Obi-Wan to rush over to the workbench, inspecting the tools in great excitement that his hands couldn't stop touching every single device in his vicinity. His words spilled out in a jumble of exhilaration as he hopped from one tool to the next.

"Obi-Wan!" Anakin squealed, picking up a hydrospanner from its secured spot. "Look! It's a hydrospanner 6000! Do you know what that means?"

Not wanting to burst Anakin's bubble of joy, Obi-Wan played along. "What?"

"It means we can finally fix that dreadful repulsorlift engine," Anakin gleefully answered, awing over the tool. "I mean, of course, if we still had it."

Obi-Wan recalled how Anakin nearly lost his life when trying to fix that junk of a speeder. Messing around and forgetting to put the full brakes on it. The speeder zipped right off the cliff in Eriadu. Luckily, Anakin fell off from the initial reaction and missed tumbling over the side. Since then, Obi-Wan always had to be either present or give his explicit confirmation to Anakin to fix anything.

Anakin happily went on explaining all the other tools and gadgets available. Based off Anakin's ramblings, Obi-Wan noted they were the latest and best mechanical tools the galaxy had to offer. No doubt a tactic to get on Anakin's good side.

Qui-Gon lightly chuckled. "Yes, Anakin, you can now build whatever your heart desires," he said, coming up behind them. "Check out the rest of your suite. Make sure it is to your liking. If you find something you don't like, please let Abe know and he'll remove it.

"In the meantime, I need to see Obi-Wan for a moment," he said, which caused both Obi-Wan and Anakin grave concern. Anakin's little eyes darted away from the infinite assortment of tools to Obi-Wan. A sorrowful mute of concern why Obi-Wan was leaving again. Obi-Wan only offered a warm smile to ease Anakin's nerves.

"I'll be back in a bit," he promised to the boy. "See what else is around, so that you can show me later. All right?"

Anakin tentatively agreed. "Sure," but then he whispered. "Come back fast, though."

"Of course," Obi-Wan returned and he left with Qui-Gon, hoping that whatever happened next wouldn't be too terrible or time-consuming. He didn't want to spend any extra time with the Sith Lord.

Qui-Gon led him up another floor. Obi-Wan wasn't paying attention to much where they were heading. He figured it had to do something with their overall plan of galaxy domination. He'll learn about it soon enough and find a way to dismantle it. Maybe it had to do with Satine? He hoped not. Qui-Gon promised to let Satine go and live in another prison-like accommodations, but it could have been a lie. It wouldn't surprise him.

Qui-Gon stopped him and opened a door, gesturing Obi-Wan to enter first. Obi-Wan shrugged passed Qui-Gon and stepped through the doorway.

Instantly, Obi-Wan knew what he was looking at. "My old room," he whispered in shock, reviewing his surroundings. It looked the same as when he left it. Nothing moved. Nothing changed. "You kept it?"

"You were going to return," Qui-Gon said, entering in after him. "We had no use for it. As you can see, we have plenty of rooms to spare if visiting dignitaries arrived." Qui-Gon meandered near Obi-Wan's old desk where his old, half-finished lessons plans were left in a neat pile. "May need to upgrade a few things, but that can be arranged."

Obi-Wan moved to his bookcase. All the same books were there. None were taken. "I'm surprised Dooku allowed it," he commented, turning back to Qui-Gon. "I figured he would want to burn this room."

"Count Dooku," Qui-Gon corrected him again. Like Obi-Wan even cared. "He had no feelings over the matter."

Obi-Wan roamed his old room, checking everything out. Someone must have cleaned it. Not a single layer of dust laid on the surface of his bedroom and there was an aroma of sweet garden that wafted through the air. Otherwise, it would have been covered in dust and stale air would clogged his nostrils.

He came to a sudden halt when he spotted a small bassinet pressed up against the wall. His feet glided to the crib. For a split second, he thought he saw baby Anakin, tucked under the covers and blubbering in delight with those wide blue eyes locked on him. But the image disappeared and all that was left was an empty crib. Blankets and toys gone.

"I'll have the crib removed by tonight," Qui-Gon said. Somehow, he managed to slide next to Obi-Wan without a single sound. He studied the empty crib, a solemn look in his eyes. "I remember purchasing the crib and moving it to this exact spot. You persuaded Dooku to have Anakin sleep in your room, something I'm sure Dooku regrets now."

Obi-Wan shuttered at the memory when Anakin arrived in Serenno. His fingers instinctively gripped the side of the bassinet. "Anakin wouldn't stop crying unless I was in the room with him. It was easier for all of us to sleep if he stayed with me."

"Yes, but the arrangement didn't last very long did it?"

"Lasted for seven years," Obi-Wan answered. "I would say that's long."

A little smirk appeared from Qui-Gon's beard. "I guess so," he concurred. "Must have been hard raising him by yourself."

It was, but Obi-Wan wasn't going to give Qui-Gon that satisfaction. "Not at all. Anakin's a good kid."

"Didn't say he wasn't," Qui-Gon commented, turning away from the crib. "He is a good kid. Passionate too."

Obi-Wan's fingers went cold. "Only for mechanics."

"That and life in general," Qui-Gon observed. "That's why I made the comment. Must have been challenging. A kid like Anakin... hard to keep him still. Always wanting to move and do things."

"Good thing we lived life on the run then," Obi-Wan remarked, walking away from the crib and Qui-Gon. "Always moving and fighting for our lives. Thanks for that by the way."

Qui-Gon rubbed a palm over his face. His skin wrinkled in weariness from the constant battling of words with him. "Don't start," he said. "I don't want to get into an argument with you."

"Then don't talk to me," Obi-Wan suggested, heading to the window that used to dominate his whole worldview of Serenno. Mountain landscapes he used to dream he could reach. All to get away from the very room he stood in.

He heard Qui-Gon let out a heavy sigh. It appeared that the conversation didn't go as planned. Then again, what did he expect? Obi-Wan wasn't happy and showing his old room wouldn't make things better. Nothing here would ever make Obi-Wan happy.

Soft pats of boots moved across the room and Qui-Gon reappeared beside him. "This isn't how I wanted things to be between us," the Sith Lord said. "I know we have a long ways to go before we could go back to being... well, like we used to be." Obi-Wan raised a brow, doubtful in that hope. It was far too late for them to ever be a master-padawan again. Qui-Gon, however, wasn't discouraged. "Anyway, I wish to give you something. More like return to you," he corrected. "Hold out your hand."

Obi-Wan thought about declining, but he went against the idea. It was only a gift. He could reject afterwards. He held out his hand and a soft, smooth stone fell into his palm. Obi-Wan stared, confused by the stone, until recognition jolted his memories. He lifted the stone up by his fingers, examining the entire surface. "It's the river stone."

Qui-Gon nodded. "The same one I gave you for your fourteenth birthday," he affirmed. "Found it a few days after you ran away. Kept it in my pocket the entire time. Wanted to return it to you when I found you again." He paused to watch Obi-Wan's face wonder at the stone. "Sorry it took me so long. With everything happening, I never got the chance until now."

Obi-Wan brushed the top of the stone with his thumb. The little red veins glowed and the cold stone warmed at his touch. Obi-Wan couldn't help the smile that grew on his face. He remembered the first time he received the stone. He found it as a funny and odd gift, but so very much Qui-Gon to give it to him. Obi-Wan always held it whenever he became sad or anxious, a reminder to him that maybe Qui-Gon would return. The Qui-Gon he knew.

"Thanks," Obi-Wan said, closing the stone around his fingers and placing it in his pocket.

When he looked back up at Qui-Gon, the Sith Lord looked relieved. Happy to not have a stone thrown at his face as expected. Obi-Wan had no plans to throw it at him. The gift was from Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master. Not the Sith Lord. And Obi-Wan wouldn't throw away the last remnants of his late master.

Qui-Gon, however, didn't see it like that at all. "You're welcome," he said, pleased. "I'll let be alone and be reacquainted with your room. If you need anything, um, you remember how to use that panel, right?"

Obi-Wan looked to the old panel beside the door. All the buttons that helped him communicate throughout the palace. Dooku had it installed a long time ago when he locked Obi-Wan in his room. A way for him to contact outside if he needed anything so that he wouldn't die.

He nodded. "I do."

Satisfied, Qui-Gon departed, closing the door behind him to give Obi-Wan the privacy he craved. Although, Obi-Wan knew better that he had complete privacy. Eyes and ears were everywhere.

Once he was sure Qui-Gon would not return, Obi-Wan slipped into the chair at his desk. He pulled out the river stone, twirling it in his fingers. The river stone's red vines shined brighter, welcoming Obi-Wan's presence after their separation. A small pulse energized from the stone, coming alive in his palm.

After all these years being dormant, it came back to life for him.