Chapter 7 Heading for Mykr

Anakin sighed as his conversation with Yoda ended and the diminutive master's image faded. His worst fears had been confirmed, his brother was heading to Myrkr. He joined Padme and the children outside on the lawn. Hadrian was in his cradle and Anakin stooped to pick him up.

"What did Master Yoda have to say?" Padme asked.

"They are going to Myrkr." Anakin answered, taking Hadrian in his arms.

"The place they were in your nightmares?" Padme asked.

Anakin closed his eyes and swallowed hard, "Yes." He confirmed.

"Oh, Annie; what are you going to do?" Padme asked suddenly concerned.

"I don't know." Anakin told her as he shook his head, holding Hadrian to his chest.

"Don't you?" Padme asked.

"No." Anakin answered and kissed the top of the baby's head.

"I know what you want to do; what's stopping you?" Padme wondered.

Anakin looked at her and smiled sadly, "I think you know." He replied rubbing Hadrian's back.

"Don't, Anakin; this is Obi-Wan's life you're talking about. The children and I will be fine." Padme assured him.

"Master Yoda is against it; he says it would be too dangerous." Anakin said, "I won't be able to use the Force there either."

"Then you'll just have to be careful; now, what are you going to do?" Padme asked again as she stood up and faced him.

Anakin handed Hadrian back to Padme, "I…I think I should….I have to help my brother, Padme." He said.

She whispered, reaching up to kiss him, "I understand, and it will be alright."

Anakin pulled her to him and held her with Hadrian between them, "I'm sorry, darling; I don't have choice." He told her.

"I know; it's alright; do what you have to do and come back to us." She assured him and leaned her head against his chest.

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Banyon moved confidently down the narrow street; he had already visited several establishments with no luck. When he walked through the doors of the Snarling Gundark, he held little hope that his luck would change. Unlike the Jedi who had been there a little over two hours before, Banyon fit right in with the unscrupulous patrons in the tavern and no one gave him a second look. He moved swiftly to the bar at the far end of the room, ordered a drink and pulled the hard copy image of Devan Carlyle from his jacket pocket.

"I'm looking for this girl; she didn't happen to come in here did she?" Banyon asked, showing the image to the bar keeper.

"Pretty girl; what do you want with her?" The bar keeper asked as he glanced at the image.

"Her daddy's pretty worried about her; he wants me to find her and try to convince her to come home." Banyon explained.

"Well, her daddy doesn't have to worry about this one; she's pretty good at taking care of herself." The bar keeper replied.

"So, you've seen her?" Banyon asked.

"Yeah, sure; but that was hours ago and she hasn't been back since." The bar keeper answered.

"You wouldn't happen to know where she might have gone, would you?" Banyon asked.

"You're the second one to ask me that; this girl is sure popular." The bar keeper said.

"Someone else? Who would that be?" Banyon asked.

"Look, you wanted to know about the girl and I told you she was here; around here, it's best not to ask too many questions." The bar keeper advised.

"I'll make it worth your while to tell me where the girl went and who else was looking for her." Banyon promised and brought out a pouch.

"The bar keeper looked at the pouch, thought for a moment and then looked around the room before answering, "The Jedi are looking for her; don't worry, I didn't tell them anything. She wanted me to give them a holo-chip and I did, but I didn't tell them anything else."

"Jedi, hmm…that's interesting; what didn't you tell them?" Banyon asked.

"I overheard them saying something about meeting a guy at the spaceport just out of town; so they might have left with him." The bar keeper answered.

"What about where they were heading? Did you hear anything about that?" Banyon asked.

"Yeah, let me think a minute. I think it began with an 'M'….Myr…something." The bar keeper answered.

Banyon nodded, opened the pouch and counted out several credits, "Good enough, thanks." He said as he finished his drink.

"Do you know where they went then?" The bar keeper asked.

"No, but I've got enough of the name to figure it out." Banyon told him as he turned to leave.

"Good luck." The bar keeper said as Banyon left.

Banyon returned to his ship and contacted the investigator who hired him, "Aang, I have got some information that may lead me to your client's daughter; but I have also learned that I'm not the only one looking for her. You didn't tell me the Jedi were after her, and I don't want to stir up trouble with them; I'll give you what I have and you'll have to handle this yourself." He explained.

"That's what I hired you for; I didn't tell you about the Jedi, because I didn't think you'd run into them." The investigator, Aang replied.

"You hired me because you didn't want to come here; I can tell you unequivocally that she isn't here. I've got a partial name of the planet where she and this Kien Valier are headed for; I can also tell you that they apparently met someone here who might be to taking them there. The system's name begins with Myr; that's all the bar keeper could remember. You should be able to run that through your data bank and come up with the complete name." Banyon informed him.

"Alright, a deal's a deal; I guess I should have told you about the Jedi when I hired you. And you're right, I hired you to go to Nar Shaddaa, and you've done that, so I got my money's worth; good work, Banyon." Aang answered.

"Thanks; next time you need me, don't hesitate to call." Banyon replied.

"I'll have your credits deposited in the usual account." Aang assured him.

"That's sounds good." Banyon said and ended the transmission.

Aang smiled, he may not have Devan Carlyle yet, but now he had a clue to where she was heading. He contacted Weston Carlyle.

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Boba sat, eyes closed, with his legs pulled up against his chest; his abdomen was on fire, his arms ached from being in the same position for so long, his head throbbed with the residual effects of the drugs that Tyrien had given to him and his throat felt raw. The last thing he remembered clearly was Tyrien drugging him when he first regained consciousness in the cargo bay and after that, his memory blurred and he only vaguely recalled being drugged several more times and being forced to drink something that burned his throat. He thought he had heard Devan's voice and possibly even Kien's, but he couldn't be sure. All he knew now was that they were taking him somewhere to kill him and that they may be trying to lure Obi-Wan Kenobi into a trap using him as bait…again, and this time, the odds of escaping were next to nothing. He flexed his wrists, something was different, he opened his eyes and he looked up; someone had put binders on him while he was unconscious. The unfairness of this happening now, when he had just accepted the idea of being part of a real family, hit him and he knew that Lady Breha would be taking his disappearance very hard; she had wanted him to accept them so badly, and now, when he finally had, he was gone. "I'm sorry, Milady." He whispered hoarsely, then felt a familiar sensation as the ship came out of hyperspace.

He swallowed and steeled himself for whatever was coming next, knowing that they must have reached their destination and would soon be landing. As a pilot, he was able to tell that the ship was descending; and he felt the landing even though Tyrien touched down with the lightness of an experienced pilot. Moments later, he heard Devan's unmistakable laugh and turned his head just in time to see her enter the cargo bay in front of Tyrien and Kien; he swallowed again.

"Well, you were right after all, Tyrien; our little bounty hunter is awake. Hello, Boba." Devan said, smiling him, "How was the flight? Not too uncomfortable, I hope."

"Go rot, Devan." Boba rasped.

"Oh, still that nasty mouth; well, I guess there's no curing that. We're about to take a little hike; I hope you're up to it." Devan told him.

"I've got no boots, you stupid witch." Boba replied, hoarsely.

"What? Did you just call me a witch?" Devan demanded.

"A stupid witch, Devan." Kien corrected.

"You little brat; you'll pay for that later." Devan threatened.

"Since I don't have any boots, I guess I'll be paying for it sooner." Boba rasped in answer.

Devan smiled again, "Yes, you're right about that." She said.

Kien squatted next to him and started to unfasten the restraint straps fastened to the bar, "Just a minute, Kien." Devan said and then bent down and grabbed Boba's face, forcing him to look at her, "A word of warning, bounty hunter; if you so much as breathe wrong when we release those restraints or the ones on your ankles, you'll pay a heavy price. It will make your barefoot hike look like a picnic; you got that?" She told him.

Boba pulled away from her, "Yeah, I got it." He answered.

"Good boy." She said and patted Boba's leg, "Alright go ahead, Kien."

Kien finished releasing the straps from the bar as Devan unfastened those holding his legs together.

Boba grimaced and moaned as he lowered his arms, but before the muscles even had a chance to adjust to this sudden movement, Kien was hauling him to his feet. Devan was busy with her recorder once more setting the remote so she could get into the picture with Kien, "You're all hunched over, Boba" Devan observed, "Can't you stand up straight?"

"No, I can't because your friend, Moran, shot me in the stomach, Devan." Boba answered.

"Oh, yes; that had slipped my mind. I guess we'll just have to record you like that." Devan decided.

"Record me?" Boba repeated.

"Yes, we have to give Kenobi some sign that you're still alive, or he won't come for you." Kien explained.

"You people are insane; you may kill me and Master Kenobi, but the Chancellor will have you hunted down and dragged back to Coruscant. You'll never see the light of day again as long as you live." Boba told them, "And since you're a party to this too, Tyrien, you will be treated no differently."

"There are many places we can hide when this is finished; they'll never catch us." Tyrien replied.

"Oh yes, they will; Chancellor Organa and the Jedi will never give you a moment's peace." Boba promised.

"Enough; we need to record this message and get to the camp so we can get set up before Kenobi gets here." Devan said as she moved next to Boba, "Not a peep from you, boy; or you'll regret it."

"Yeah, yeah; like I don't already." Boba answered sarcastically.

Devan didn't reply as she pressed the remote, "Hello again; I see you've decided to play with us. I'm so glad; as you can see, your little friend is still with us. But time is everything; and I'm not a patient woman, so you'd better hurry up. I know you won't be able to use your Jedi powers to find us, so we'll leave you some clues; just don't take to long or else…well, you show him this time, Kien." Kien smiled as he pulled Boba's head back with a handful of hair and slashed with his hand across the boy's throat.

Having had enough, Boba struggled to pull away, "Don't do it, Master Kenobi." He managed to get out before Devan triggered the recorder to stop.

Tyrien hit him in the back of legs and Boba fell to his knees, "That was really stupid." Kien told him.

"No…what you're…doing…that's stupid." Boba replied haltingly.

"Is everything together, Tyrien?" Devan asked as she removed the chip and placed it on the floor.

"Yes, I just double checked; everything we'll need is on the float." Tyrien confirmed.

Kien hauled Boba back to his feet and Devan prodded him toward the rear hatch, "Get going, boy." She ordered.

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Bail kissed Breha and hugged Gemma then boarded the shuttle that would take him to the medical frigate accompanying the Clone squads he had ordered to rescue Boba. The medical frigate would maintain an orbit above the planet so that medical help would be readily available when Boba was found and liberated from the hunters. He had temporarily granted Mon Mothma the authority of Chancellorship in his absence; an act that Vice Chancellor Mothma had only reluctantly agreed to. In the end, however, she realized the importance of Bail's decision and bowed to his wishes only if he swore to remain aboard the frigate and not travel down to the planet with the rescue party; something he only reluctantly agreed to. He had also heard from Anakin Skywalker and they had agreed to a rendezvous point between the Alderaan and Naboo systems. Anakin was able to borrow a Naboo fighter; a craft small enough to be taken into the frigate's docking bay. However, he had also heard from the head of Naboo's Military force; apparently, Anakin's decision to assist in the rescue operation was not eagerly accepted and Bail got the impression that Anakin could be in danger of losing his position as head of flight training. If that was the case, Bail felt badly for the young man, and wondered if he was no longer wanted there, would Anakin return to the ranks of the Jedi on Coruscant. He looked out the view port; Breha was still there, holding Gemma's hand as they both waved good bye.

Within the hour, he was aboard and the frigate headed for the agreed upon rendezvous point to pick up Anakin.

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There was little conversation on the starcruiser heading toward Myrkr. Obi-Wan and Zak knew what to expect when they encountered the Forceless pockets; for Clive Maru and his Padawan, the experience would be a new and very unwelcome one. Obi-Wan had no concern for Maru; he was an experienced master who would handle it with calm acceptance. Ferri, on the other hand, was an unknown; an arrogant loose cannon who had already expressed his reluctance to participate in this dangerous rescue. Obi-Wan was concerned for all of them, but he was most concerned with what Ferri would do. He had already heard from Anakin; and despite his request not to come, knew that his former apprentice would be with the Clone task force sent to assist them. It actually had not surprised Obi-Wan; after what had happened on Alderaan the week before, and in light of his recent nightmares, Obi-Wan knew Anakin would not be able to stay away. He checked the nav-computer again; in a little over an hour, they would come out of hyperspace above Myrkr. He glanced over at his apprentice; he could sense nothing but calm resolve in Zak as he meditated in the co-pilot's seat next to him. Taking a deep cleansing breath, the Jedi Master joined his Padawan in meditation.

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Anakin was fuming; he had been told that if he chose to abandon his duties to go off on another unauthorized trip, his career with the Naboo Air Corps was over. Even after he explained the importance of the rescue mission and his need to help his good friend, they refused to budge. Without hesitation, Anakin had made his decision; he would not jeopardize the life of the man he considered his brother for his military career. When he had contacted Padme just before he took off to tell her, she had agreed whole-heartedly with his choice; adding that since she would soon be spending much of her time on Coruscant anyway, it would be better if he were no longer affiliated with the Naboo military forces. Besides, she told him, then he could spend more time with the Jedi. He remembered all over again why he loved her so. Still, he was angry that they actually thought he could be threatened into abandoning his brother; it was unthinkable. He had been entertaining the thought of leaving the Air Corps anyway; their flippant attitude regarding Obi-Wan's life cemented Anakin's decision. He didn't even want to be a part of it anymore; and he was coming to the realization that he could no longer divide himself between his family, the Air Corps and the Jedi. If he had to give something up, the Air Corps was the only one of the three he was willing to part with. He was secure and happy with the choice he had made…but he continued to fume over the actions of his former employers.

An hour after he had said goodbye to Padme, Anakin Skywalker made contact with Bail Organa's medical frigate and slipped his Naboo fighter into its docking bay. Within minutes, the frigate made the jump to hyperspace.