Chapter 18 The Fugitives Take Flight

Ged stood next to the bunker, waiting as the shuttle landed, giving instructions to the men with him, "Under no circumstances is he to be left alone when he enters the woods; there must always, always be at least three of you with him. I've seen those animals, and I've seen the way they react when they are around someone like Zak. Master Skywalker had his hands full even with our help, and Zak is much smaller than he is and not nearly as strong. Protect him, protect him at all costs; is that understood?" He said.

The men all nodded in agreement and answered, "Yes sir." Firmly and in unison; Ged nodded in return and faced the shuttle as the door opened and Zak appeared.

"This is not a good idea; you know that, don't you?" The commander said as Zak hopped out of the shuttle and walked over to him.

"Yes, it is; I'm bound to my master, and I have every right to join the search for him. Master Skywalker was wrong to send me away." Zak answered, "I will have men with me to help fend off any vornskrs that attack; and that's the only real danger."

"There are two hunters in the woods as well; have you forgotten about them?" Ged asked.

"No; I've been trained to defend myself, Commander. You worry too much." Zak replied.

Ged had to smile and then shook his head, "One more question; how did you manage to convince the Chancellor to let you come back down here?" He asked.

"The Chancellor understood that I needed to do this; but I didn't exactly have his permission." Zak admitted.

"Then how did you get around him to come back?" Ged wondered.

"He was with Boba Fett, so I went to the launch bay; since he never told the troopers up there not to let me come back down, they couldn't stop me and some of them decided I might need some help, so they came with me." Zak explained.

"Well, I don't know how I'm going to explain this to Master Skywalker." Ged told him.

"Master Skywalker isn't my Master, you don't owe him an explanation; and Master Kenobi will understand." Zak said.

Ged sighed and shook his head again, "Alright; we might just as well get started then. But you must understand that I will not allow you in the woods by yourself; I would owe Master Kenobi an explanation if something were to happen to you." He said.

"Yes, that I understand, Commander." Zak confirmed.

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"Alright, thank you for finding her for us, Master Jedi; but we can take it from here." Aang said.

"Devan Carlyle is under arrest, and she will return to Coruscant with us to stand trial for crimes committed against the Republic, as a whole; against the Chancellor, personally, and against the Jedi." Anakin replied.

"Lord Carlyle demands that she be returned to Verdant." Aang answered.

"Lord Carlyle has no right to demand anything from the Chancellor." Obi-Wan said.

"I don't think you understand, Master Jedi; Devan Carlyle is coming with me." Aang insisted, raising his blaster rifle at Anakin's chest.

"If you shoot him, the entire Jedi Order will be on your tail; there will be no place safe enough for you to hide." Obi-Wan threatened.

"Really?" Aang asked, looking Anakin up and down, "Why would that be? He's not one of you."

Anakin smiled, but remained silent, "Master Skywalker is very much one of us; he's a high ranking member of the Jedi Council. Killing or even injuring him would just be asking for trouble; and when you are caught, you will be turned over to me. You see, Master Skywalker was my student, I consider him my brother and I would not take it too kindly if you were to harm him." Obi-Wan explained.

"Well, perhaps we should just kill both of you; and no one would be the wiser." Aang said with a sly grin.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "That would not stop the Jedi from eventually figuring out what happened." He replied, noting out of the corner of his eye that another man had come out of the trees.

Aang smiled, "Look, we don't want any trouble here; we just want Devan, that's all." He said.

"Sorry, that's not going to happen." Obi-Wan answered, as he unclipped his lightsaber and pushed Devan to the ground.

Anakin shook his head and took his own lightsaber in hand and ignited it, "Why do these discussions always end like this?" He asked.

"I thought you liked it when it ends like this." Obi-Wan replied, smiling as he ignited his own weapon.

"Most of the time; but right now I'm tired and I want to get back to my family." Anakin answered.

"Ah; yes, I understand. Then let's end this quickly, shall we?" Obi-Wan said.

"I was just going to say that." Anakin replied as he raised his weapon.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen; there is no need for violence here. We can settle this like civilized people, can't we?" Aang suggested.

"There is nothing to…." Obi-Wan began and was cut off when a vornskr, without warning, leaped onto his back, driving him to the ground.

Anakin turned and reacted quickly, taking the animal's head off with one swing just as another one appeared, poised to attack. With the Jedi occupied, Aang took advantage of the situation; he quickly hauled Devan to her feet and forced her back into the trees in the direction they had come with his companion not far behind him. Obi-Wan could only watch helplessly as the pair, along with their prisoner, disappeared into the gradually fading darkness. Anakin kicked the dead animal off his brother's back just as the second one made a flying leap at him. He put his arm up and swung defensively, crippling the vornskr, but not killing it; the creature completed it's leap, catching Anakin off balance, and man and vornskr went down in an ungraceful sprawl. Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber and turned over, swinging at the vornskr to assist the beleaguered Anakin; his swing beheaded the vornskr but neither Jedi had a chance to take a breath before several more animals appeared. The pair, after fighting side by side for so many years, moved quickly, instinctively, to crouch back to back, waiting for any vornskr to make a move. The animals sniffed their dead companions then eyed the two Jedi suspiciously, bared their teeth and growled as they began to circle them, just waiting for an opening to attack. Suddenly one of them put his nose in the air and began to howl.

"This is not good, Anakin." Obi-Wan gasped as he tried to get his breath back.

"You always say that; it's not all that bad." Anakin answered optimistically.

"Not yet, but that one has just called more of his friends." Obi-Wan said, "It's about to get very bad."
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"Slow down, Aang." Devan said as Aang dragged her swiftly through the trees.

"Shut up you stupid girl." Aang replied, never altering his pace.

"Aang, come on; what's your rush?" Devan asked, fighting him.

"We have to get out of this system before the Chancellor's men have a chance to stop us." Aang answered and then jerked on her arm, "Now stop fighting."

"Alright, alright; but can't you at least stop and untie me?" Devan requested.

Aang stopped, turned to look at her and smiled, "No, I'd much rather leave you like that." He told her.

"What? But why? I thought my father sent you to help me." Devan replied, sounding surprised.

Aang gave a short laugh and shook his head, "Your father wants an end to this nonsense; you've caused him too much trouble and he wants you and your friend put where you can't embarrass him any longer." He explained.

"My…my friend? I don't…" Devan stopped short when she spotted Kien with his hands behind his back being prodded by the man who had backed Aang up, "Kien?"

Kien lowered his head when he spied her, "Sorry, Devan." He mumbled.

"Look, Aang; I can make this worth your while. Just let us go, and…" Devan began.

"No, your father has made his wishes very clear and I work for him, not you." Aang replied, cutting her off in midsentence.

"Wait; I'll bet you want Tyrien, don't you? He's the one who brought us here." Devan pointed out, "Maybe you should wait until you've taken care of him too."

Aang shook his head and took her by the arm, shoving her ahead of him, "Lord Carlyle never mentioned anything about this Tyrien; he only instructed me to return you and your friend here to Verdant. Nice try, though, sweetheart." He said.

Then Devan began to cry, "It wasn't my idea, it was his; he made me go along with him. Please, Aang; you've got to believe me." She sobbed.

"What?" Kien exclaimed, "I never made you…you lying little…."

"Give it up, Devan; you've played that card once too often and it doesn't work anymore. I think it's more likely that you talked your red-haired boyfriend here into this; so just turn off the tears and keep moving." Aang replied, poking her in the back with the end of his rifle.

"You stupid idiot; this is all your fault." Devan hissed as she threw herself sideways into Kien.

Kien staggered and his captor grabbed him by the arm to steady him while Aang shoved Devan to the ground, "Listen here, you spoiled little witch; you do that again and I'll tie your pretty little ankles together and drag you back to the ship. You got that?" He said as he jabbed her in the back with his weapon.

Devan didn't move and said nothing, "Answer me, Devan; you got that?" He repeated and jabbed her again.

"Yes, I got it." Devan mumbled.

"Good." Aang answered as he jerked her back up and shoved her forward, "Now, get moving."

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Zak led the way through the trees toward the vornskr's howl; within minutes, he could see the glow of two blue lightsabers and the dark forms of the men who wielded them as they swung back and forth in defense against the attacking animals. He quickened his pace as he pulled his own weapon out and ignited it, then entered the fray with his Clone escort to quickly and methodically mow down the entire pack. A quarter of an hour later, two Jedi masters, one Jedi apprentice and a squad of Clones stood, catching their breath surrounded by the bodies of two dozen vornskrs.

"Your timing could not have been better, Padawan." Obi-Wan said when he could speak.

"Thank you, Master; I was worried when the troopers couldn't find you." Zak answered.

"Well-done, Zak." Anakin added putting a hand on Zak's shoulder.

"We should get out of these woods before more vornskrs show up." Zak suggested, as he shrugged Anakin's hand off and ignored him completely.

"Contact Commander Ged, have him transmit a report to the frigate informing them that Devan has been taken by someone working for her father; he's probably going to try and take her back to Verdant." Obi-Wan said.

The trooper in charge nodded and moved off to transmit the news.

"What? You've seen Devan? What about Kien?" Zak asked.

"We had Devan. Kien quit and went back to the bunker to kill you and Boba; he should be there by now." Anakin answered.

"We have to get Devan back; she can't get away with this." Zak said, urgently; again, ignoring Anakin.

"Oh, I agree; and she won't. As soon as the frigate is notified, they will prevent any strange ship from leaving the system." Obi-Wan assured him.

The trooper rejoined them, "Commander Ged has just finished speaking with the Chancellor; he is relieved that the two of you have been located and he has alerted his captain to tractor in any strange ship that tries to leave the system. I also asked Commander Ged if Kien Valier had returned to the bunker, and he informs me that he has not; he must be still hiding here in the woods." He announced.

"Well, it doesn't matter, when we leave, we can take the two other ships with us and then set them to drift in orbit. If he's still here, he'll have nowhere to go and no way to contact anyone." Anakin suggested.

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, "I hate the idea that he will not stand trial if we do that, but I don't think we have much choice. I doubt the Chancellor will wish to waste further resources on him as long as it seems he is already effectively incarcerated here." He said.

"You may be right and I believe the Chancellor would rather have you off this planet as soon as possible as well. Let's at least get out of these woods." The lead trooper replied and began to position his men to protect the Jedi.

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"Come on, you nasty little witch." Aang ordered as he dragged Devan into the clearing.

"I'm going as fast as I can, Aang, but I'm exhausted." Devan complained.

"Well, you wouldn't be if you hadn't been chasing that Jedi around all night." Aang replied as he shoved her in front of him and pushed her up the boarding ramp.

Kien and his captor followed, with Kien silently allowing himself to be prodded onto Aang's ship.

Aang pushed Devan into one of the passenger seats and started to fasten the harness, "Wait; you are going to untie me, aren't you?" She asked.

"No." Aang answered and tightened the straps as Kien entered the passenger compartment, sat down without being told and allowed his captor to strap him into the seat.

"I'm going to go prepare my ship to take off, Aang; I'll meet you on Verdant." Banyon announced.

"Fine, I'll be leaving momentarily, so we can fly together." Aang told him; Banyon nodded and exited the ship.

"Why can't you behave like your boyfriend there, huh? It would make my life much easier." Aang said after Banyon was gone.

"That sniveling little coward? He disgusts me." Devan replied haughtily.

Aang smiled at her, "Well, you'd better get used to him, because the two of you are going to be spending the rest of your lives together." He informed her, "I think it's rather nice of your father to allow you a companion, don't you?"

Devan glared at him, huffed and then turned to stare off to the side.

"Are you comfortable there, Kien? Banyon didn't tighten the harness too much, did he?" Aang asked.

"No, but these binders are a little tight; could you loosen them a little?" Kien asked.

"I don't think so; nice try." Aang answered and then laughed, "You two are a good match."

"Really, it's my hand; I've lost part of some of my fingers, and…." Kien persisted.

"Well, I'm sure Lord Carlyle will see to that when you get to Verdant. Time to leave, children." Aang replied as he moved forward.

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As the sky lightened and the sun rose, finally just peeking over the tops of the trees surrounding the clearing, the rescued and the rescuers emerged from the woods. Ged, who had been waiting for them, quickly reached his hand out to shake Obi-Wan's, "Master Kenobi, you have no idea how relieved I am to see you; you must be exhausted. The shuttle is waiting to take you up to the frigate." He said.

Obi-Wan squeezed Ged's hand and sighed, "Yes, but there is the matter of my partner in this investigation and his apprentice." He replied.

"That's all been taken care of, sir; the men Master Skywalker ordered to stay in the clearing where your ship was have already taken it up to the frigate." Ged explained.

"Good; now, what about Devan and the man who took her? Any sign of them yet?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Not yet, but no ships have left the atmosphere, so they have not left the planet." Ged answered, "The Chancellor has decided that the frigate will maintain it's position until they are apprehended."

Obi-Wan rubbed his temple, closed his eyes for a moment and sighed, "Alright; it appears that everything is…" He puzzled for a moment, "That's strange; I forgot what I was going to say."

"You're exhausted, Obi-Wan; come on." Anakin said, took him by the arm and led him toward the waiting shuttle.

Ged looked down at Zak who grinned at him, "See, I told you it was a good idea." He said.

"Yes, you did." Ged answered and smiled back.

With a weary sigh, Obi-Wan flopped into the nearest seat, he leaned forward, placed his head on his knees and put his hands on the back of his neck. Anakin stood next to him and placed his flesh hand on Obi-Wan's back, "Here, at least take this off; let me help you." He offered as he brushed Obi-Wan hands away from his neck and helped him ease out of his cloak.

Obi-Wan grunted as he struggled out of it and then groaned quietly when Anakin accidentally bumped the vornskr bite on his arm, "I'm sorry; he got you pretty good, didn't he." Anakin said as he examined the torn bloodied sleeve.

"Yes, it appears so." Obi-Wan replied with a tired smile, "But it looks like one of them got you too."

Anakin looked down at his gloved prosthesis; the glove had been ripped open showing the shining apparatus underneath, "Oops, I guess I'll have to get a new glove, won't I." He answered jokingly and looked back at Obi-Wan, "You just lie back and rest; it's all over."

"No, it's not; not until they catch Devan." Obi-Wan told him as he leaned back, stretched out his legs and closed his eyes, "Then, it will be over; but I'm too tired to think about that right now."

Anakin nodded and patted his leg, "I know. It's alright, it can wait." He said, and then when he turned to sit down, noticed Zak watching them.

Zak looked away, sat down and looked out the viewport; Anakin hesitated for a moment, gave Obi-Wan a pat on the shoulder and moved to sit near his brother's Padawan.

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Aang waited until Banyon's ship had cleared the trees before he too lifted off and the pair gradually rose up into the sky and pushed their way out of the atmosphere and into space where they could make the jump to hyperspace. One of them would never make it.