The lightsaber however straight at Alav while the knife of the latter was poised for a clean swipe through the neck of the young girl. This situation may have lasted for but a few moments, but was prolonged in time; a prolongation Ahsoka and Anakin were used to. They were able to make decision in the microseconds of time.
The door burst open, and a man arrived, accompanied by an officer with one long blaster.
"Wait, wait!" he cried, aghast at seeing his daughter under the cult leader's sword. "Nara!"
"Daddy?" Nara looked elated, but a bit confused.
"Ahh, Councillor Voax. You are here at last." Alav said, not moving his knife away from the child.
"Maxer?" Voax said, startled, looking at the other councilor in the room.
"Yes, Councillor, Maxer has betrayed you." The smirk was unmistakable on Alav.
"I haven't!" Maxer exclaimed. "I needed to do this to ensure stability for myself with the new empire."
"And you have brought soldiers." Alav glanced at the mercenary.
"I see no compunction as to why he should not have, cultist." Voax's officer replied with scorn.
The mercenary had already recognised the two Jedi, even while Voax's attention had been distracted to notice them. These must be the team the rebels had sent, thought the officer. And they are Jedi!
Anakin stood stone-faced still with the lightsaber. While Anakin would otherwise have joined in such discussions with his own banter, he was too grave with events and decisions to do anything other than plan out the death of the cultist and the rescue of the children. Ahsoka for her part, did not want to attract attention so she remained, with her just one lightsaber behind Anakin.
"Release her, Alav! I am begging you. I will do whatever you ask. I have all the money right here with me!" Voax said, this information being concealed from his own officers.
"But we don't want ransom, Councillor. We just need your assurances you won't pose a problem to the empire."
"Statesmen cannot be blackmailed like that, cultist," Voax's mercenary spat out.
"Then little Nara dies." Alav smiled.
"No! I will do it! I will resign! I won't speak out or say anything. Just release her, please!"
"Ah, my dear Councillor, I am afraid it won't be that simple. The both of you, father and daughter – we need her to ensure your cooperation – will be coming with me to Admiral Tarkin."
"No deal, cultist. This hostage situation ends here." Voax's bodyguard pointed his rifle blaster at the Alav.
"Temas! That's enough. I will do anything they ask. I will come with you." The desperate Councillor knew he had no other options.
Alav smiled. We have got what we wanted, he thought. There are still these irksome warriors though, Jedi and mercenaries. We will have to deal with them.
And he was right: Anakin was ready to strike. There can be no negotiation, he thought. I never indulged in it; and I certainly won't do so now.