Chap. 9 Bastila:
The scent of potent alcohol wafted beneath my nose. I stifled a moan as I twisted my head from the odor. I was bound at the wrists and ankles, thick wire cutting into my skin.
Had I been drugged? My brain felt fuzzy, and I couldn't concentrate enough to touch the Force.
I opened my eyes to see a Twi'lek leering over me. His breath had the reek of cheap cantina swill and his skin was the shade of green that I felt.
He offered a vile grin as he pulled a dagger from his belt. So this was how it was to end, was it? I only hoped the Jedi council wouldn't hear of my last moments. I wished to be remembered with dignity.
The clod lowered the dagger to my bosom, I remember praying that he thrust the blade deep and quick. With a flick of his wrist the Twi'lek cut a button from the front of my Republic uniform. So that was his plan? I gnawed on my lower lip, trying to flood my mind with soothing thoughts.
The Twi'lek edged closer and I glared, determined to be defiant to the end. That's when he screamed. Just below his rib a glistening wet blade poked through his abdomen, pointing towards me. He made a muffled gurgle as he collapsed to the ground.
"What did I say about touching her, you oafs?" a man hissed, wrenching the blade free of the Twi'lek's corpse.
He knelt beside me and cleaned his sword on the front of my uniform. His black eyes were cold and calculating. Merciless. "What's your name, pet?"
"That's none of your business." I exclaimed.
"I suppose your right," He shrugged. "but your new master will like to know. Of course, he might prefer to give you a name of his choice. Maybe something like gyrating honey suckle pri—"
"Rian Vega!" I had to tell him something. Anything but Bastila Shan was safe. There was no way I could allow my capture to leak out, especially to the Sith.
But why did I choose the name "Rian Vega"? Of all the names I could have blurted out, it had to be that one. The masters would say that it was the will of the Force. Why wasn't the Force allowing me the strength to use my telekinesis? Why was it wasting its time dredging up the name and memory of that, woman?
It was a useless debate. All I was trying to do was build anger at others who weren't even present to distract myself from that black eyed man and my situation. I turned my attention the headpiece in his hands and I understood.
I struggled against my bonds and screamed warnings to the man. He laughed softly as he lifted the neural inhibitor towards my skull.
