Chapter 17 All Forces Converge

"My men will find them, Zak." Bail assured him.

Zak shook his head, "Maybe too late; as long as they are alone and being chased by those hunters, they are in great danger. And then there are the vornskrs to worry about." He replied and then shrugged, "But at least now my master's hands are free and he has his lightsaber back."

"Well, there is nothing we can do except wait now." Bail said.

"I should be down there, helping." Zak told him.

"Anakin sent you up here for a reason; I know that you disagree, but I must honor his decision." Bail answered.

"Master Skywalker is not my master; I'm beginning to wonder if he had the right to make that decision." Zak replied.

"I cannot allow you to go back down to the planet, Zak." Bail told him.

Zak looked at him sadly and then stared down at the floor, "No, I guess you can't."

Bail smiled and put a hand on Zak's shoulder, "I am going to sit with Boba for a while; you are free to wander the ship if you like." He said and then winked, "Perhaps you might want to go speak with some of my troopers in the docking bay."

"Why would I want to….oh, yes; that sounds like a good idea. But I…uh…I think maybe I'll visit Boba first, Chancellor." Zak answered.

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Banyon waited nervously as Aang's ship landed next to his. He had always had a good working relationship with Aang until this business with Devan Carlyle; now he felt like a nervous schoolboy waiting to be punished. He understood Aang's position; Weston Carlyle was a difficult man to work for, however, was it Banyon's fault that his daughter was an unpredictable psychopath? He had done his best to track her to this planet; it was just impossible to track her with sensing equipment because of the trees; that wasn't his fault either, was it? The boarding ramp to Aang's ship lowered and seconds later, Aang himself, with a blaster strapped to his side and a rifle slung over his shoulder, appeared. Aang, Banyon realized, had not come to play around; but, of course, he should have expected that. Banyon took a deep breath and walked over to meet him.

"Aang, I'm glad you're here." He said smiling pleasantly.

"Cut the pleasantries, Banyon; we have work to do." Aang replied without returning his smile.

"Yes, of course; I…shall we get started then?" Banyon answered, "I can show…"

"I'm in charge now; get your weapons and I'll decide what we should do." Aang said testily.

"Oh…yes, alright." Banyon stammered and returned to his ship.

Aang shook his head as he watched Banyon enter his craft; the last thing he had wanted was to travel halfway across the galaxy to retrieve Carlyle's crazy daughter; and now he was forced into tracking the little nut case. He had decided to demand a bonus from Carlyle when this was all over.

Banyon emerged from his ship with a blaster pistol strapped on each hip and a blaster rifle slung over his shoulder, "I've already hiked over to the clearing where they left their ship, but I couldn't find any trail." He said.

"Alright, there's a bunker complex to the south; I suggest we head that way, they may be using it as a base. I'm assuming, from what you've told me, there is also a third party here." Aang replied.

"Yes, the owner of the ship; I was told on Nar Shaddaa that they met someone there who took them off-world." Banyon answered, as he followed Aang into the trees.

"Any word on whether they actually have this boy that I told you about?" Aang asked.

"No; my source didn't know anything about that. But, then, it could be possible that this third person, the one with the ship, already had him when he picked Devan and her boyfriend up." Banyon replied, "If we find the boy, what should we do with him?"

Aang turned around to look at him, "Are you completely stupid? He's been adopted by the Chancellor; we give him back." He said.

"Oh, yes…of course; do you know which direction that bunker is in?" Banyon asked.

Aang shook his head, "What do you think?" He asked.

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"Well, it looks like Kien's going to be in for a surprise when he gets to the bunker." Anakin observed.

"Is that where they were holding the boys?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes, but the only thing he'll find there now is the Chancellor's men." Anakin answered with a smile.

"I don't think he's going to like that." Obi-Wan replied, returning the smile, "Let's see if we can put a little distance between us and Devan before we take her on."

"You won't get an argument from me; I'm tired of hiding from her." Anakin agreed, "Obi-Wan?"

"What?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I was…well, the vornskrs; I know they….are you alright?" Anakin finally managed to ask.

"What?" Obi-Wan repeated.

"While we were on our way to the bunker, we were attacked...well, I was attacked by them…they must have been after you too; you were cuffed and had nothing to defend yourself with." Anakin explained, "Are you alright?"

Obi-Wan moved further into the trees, away from Devan, "I'm fine; we'd better get moving." He answered.

Anakin followed, but refused to drop the subject, "I saw the dead vornskrs; they must have attacked you." He persisted.

"Be quiet, Anakin; she might be able to hear us." Obi-Wan said.

Anakin sighed, "You're so blasted stubborn." He said.

"You should talk." Obi-Wan replied.

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"I'm going to find you, Kenobi; and your trooper friend as well. We can end this right now if you would just show yourself." Devan called out and then waited for an answer.

When none came, she continued, "Come on; admit it, I've won. I know you've got to be exhausted by now, what's the point in continuing?"

The silence persisted and she went on, "We've won; Kien's on his way back; I'm going to contact him and tell him to just finish your cub off."

Devan listened for a moment, heard rustling farther into the trees and moved in that direction, "This is ridiculous, Kenobi; why are you being so stubborn. You've lost, and it's time for me to claim my prize." She said, as she stepped carefully forward.

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Kien mumbled to himself as he walked swiftly back to the bunker; "Stubborn, why is she so stubborn? She has no idea how dangerous this has become. We could get caught; I don't want to go to Kessel…I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a mine, and I can't imagine…"

"Don't worry, my friend; neither one of you will end up on Kessel." A man said as he stepped in front of him.

Kien brought his crossbow up and aimed it at the man's chest, "Back off, whoever you are." He warned.

"Now, now, Kien…it is Kien isn't it?" The man asked pleasantly.

"None of your business; I said back off." Kien warned again.

"No, I don't think we will…oh yes, there are two of us." The man said as he brought his blaster up, "You see, if you shoot me with that nasty thing, my friend will shoot you in the back."

Kien turned his head enough to see another man pointing a blaster rifle at him, "I'd listen to him if I were you." The other man said.

Kien swallowed and lowered the crossbow, "Drop it on the ground, Kien." The man in front of him said.

Kien swallowed again, closed his eyes and let the weapon fall, "You're obviously not the Chancellor's men; who are you?" He asked.

"Well, let's just say we are acquainted with the Carlyle family." The first man said, smiling, "Now, just put your hands behind your back."

"What do you want with me?" Kien asked; he was beginning to sweat.

"Lord Carlyle would like to meet you; now, cooperate and put your hands behind your back before my friend loses his patience." The first man answered.

Kien swallowed for the third time, closed his eyes again and put his hands behind his back, "I don't know anything about Lord Carlyle." He said as the second man secured a pair of binders around his wrists.

"No, but you know all about his daughter, Devan, don't you?" The first man replied.

"I…what difference does that make?" Kien asked.

"Lord Carlyle is not very pleased with what you and Devan have been up to; it's become an embarrassment." The first man told him, "Now, we'll just go find Devan; you know where she is, don't you?"

"An embarrassment? What will happen to me?" Kien asked as he began to quiver.

"To you? Oh Kien, no concern over what will happen to your lover? I'm disappointed." The man said.

"What? I never….what does Carlyle want?" Kien asked.

"To be sure that you and Devan don't cause him further embarrassment." The man answered, "Oh, don't worry; as long as you don't cause any trouble, you won't be harmed."

"Look, I promise to disappear completely; I'll even take Devan with me. We can…" Kien tried to bargain.

"No, it's too late for that; you should have disappeared as soon as you escaped instead of kidnapping the Chancellor's son. That was the last straw, Kien; Lord Carlyle wants you and Devan where you won't cause any more trouble." The man cut him off, "Now, I'm beginning to lose patience with you; take us to Devan before I become decidedly unpleasant."

Kien slumped in defeat, "This way." He sighed and started back the way he had come.

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"What are you planning?" Boba whispered.
Zak looked around before answering, "Well, I'm not staying here." He answered.

"You can't; Master Skywalker ordered you…" Boba began.

"He's not my master; I've decided…" Zak interrupted.

"Zak, I don't believe you; how many times have to told me…I just can't believe you're going to defy an order." Boba said shaking his head.

"Master Obi-Wan will understand." Zak told him.

"I wish I could go with you." Boba said with a sad smile.

Zak smiled back, "I know; wish me luck?" He replied.

"All of it good." Boba nodded and held up a bandaged hand, "And may the Force be with you, Zak."

"Thanks." Zak answered squeezing it carefully.

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"Any sign of them yet?" Commander Ged asked.

"No sir; I've made sure the men are spread out pretty well, but nothing yet. There's alot of ground to cover here." The trooper answered.

"Alright, just let me know the minute they're spotted so I can let the Chancellor know." Ged instructed.

"Yes sir." The trooper answered.

Ged frowned, shook his head and contacted the Chancellor.

"I'm sorry sir; we're combing the woods, but no sign of them yet. The sun will be up soon, that should make the search a little easier." He explained.

"Very well, Commander; I know you are doing the best you can." Bail replied and then looked down. "I also have some news for you."

"What is it, sir?" Ged asked.

"Master Kenobi's apprentice has taken some of my men and headed back down to the planet." Bail answered.

"What? Why would he do that when Master Skywalker ordered him away from here?" Ged wondered.

"He felt he had the right to help search for his master; and he told me that he did not think Master Skywalker had the right to prevent him from doing that." Bail said.

"I suppose it would not be my place to ask how he managed to convince your men to let him go, let alone go with him." Ged questioned.

"No, it would not be your place. Just keep an eye out for them and make sure Zak is protected from the vornskrs." Bail ordered.

"Yes sir." Ged answered, ended the transmission and turned to a trooper standing next to him, "Well, I have to hand to young Zak, I don't know how he managed it, but he's on his way down here."

"We'll take care of him, Commander; we'll make sure he's not harmed." The trooper assured him.

"Good; I don't know how I would ever be able to explain it to Master Kenobi if anything were to happen to him." Ged replied.

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Devan stepped forward carefully, her crossbow up and poised to shoot, "Come on, Kenobi; I know you're here. Just step out and give me a chance to end this. I'll make it quick and as painless as possible." She offered.

She took another step and Obi-Wan appeared in front of her, "Alright, Devan; let's end this right here." He said.

Devan smiled at him, adjusted her aimed and started to squeeze the triggering mechanism, "So, this is the famous Devan." Anakin said as he stepped up behind her and tipped the weapon up just as the bolt fired, causing the shot to go wild.

Devan swung around to face him, whipping the crossbow at his head, "Who do you think you are?" She demanded.

Anakin only smiled as he held up his gloved hand and easily pushed the weapon aside, "I'm Master Kenobi's brother." He informed her, "And I must say that I am not happy at all with this game you've been playing."

Devan swung at him again, "You had no right to interfere; this is my hunt." She said.

Anakin shook his head and this time, instead of knocking the weapon away, took hold of it with his gloved hand, "Now, stop swinging that around before you hurt someone." He ordered.

She was attempting to pull it free when Obi-Wan, who had quietly moved, put his arms around her from behind, forcing her arms to her side, allowing Anakin to take the crossbow, "Now, just be a good girl and stand still." Obi-Wan said patiently as she struggled to break free.

"Kien will kill them; he'll kill them both if he doesn't hear from me." Devan claimed.

"Well, since both of them are no longer in Tryien's company, I think that might be a little hard." Anakin said as he threw the crossbow into the bushes.

"Anakin, I thought I taught you better; that's evidence, we need to keep it." Obi-Wan admonished with a tone of amusement.

"Oh right! I forgot; you know me, I get distracted when someone tries to kill you." Anakin answered with a glare at Devan before he retrieved the discarded weapon, "Now, what should we do to…I mean with her?"

"Hmmm…well, if we had a pair of binders, we could cuff her; but you threw those away…let's see. Well, we could just…no, that wouldn't be right." Obi-Wan replied.

"Why not? I'm sure she wouldn't mind…well, maybe she would; but still, it wouldn't be right, on the other hand, what choice do we have?" Anakin asked.

"None, really; you'll have to do it, though because my hands are full." Obi-Wan told him.

"Do what? I…you can't hurt me, my father will…." Devan threatened.

"Oh don't worry; we aren't going to hurt you." Anakin assured her as he grasped the bottom of her tunic and ripped it.

"What are you…? Hey!" Devan protested as Obi-Wan moved his hands to her wrists and pulled them behind her.

She struggled as Anakin deftly wrapped the scrap of cloth around her wrists several times, pulled it tight and then knotted it securely, "That's better." Obi-Wan said with satisfaction.

Devan continued to struggle, though futilely, "You're in trouble; you have no idea who I am, my father will…" she threatened.

"I don't think so, Devan; the last time I spoke with your father, he wasn't very happy about what you've been up to." Obi-Wan told her and he grabbed her arm and guided her forward, "Now, why don't you just take us back to the bunker."

"Why should I?" Devan asked defiantly.

"Because Anakin here, has very little patience; try as I might, I just couldn't teach him that. He also has a temper; so if he loses patience with you, he will also lose his temper, and I don't think you'd want that." Obi-Wan told her.

Devan huffed but quit struggling, "Oh alright." She conceded and turned, "It's this way."

"Not so fast." A man said as he stepped out of the trees.

"Aang! Thank the stars, you have to help me!" Devan exclaimed.