Star Wars is owned by George Lucas. I own nothing; this is my creative twist to the series
Chapter 18: Zorba The Hutt, Space Pirates & An Old Friend
Orbiting high above the planet Naboo, almost ready to make its leap into hyperspace, Cad Bane returned from the small quarters that he had placed Senator Amidala and the Jedi in. He had secured the Jedi so that he wouldn't be able to try an escape and knocked the Senator out with a sleeper dart.
He knew the Prince would be awaiting his return however Bane wasn't heading back to Courscant. He would be taking his two captives to Nal Hutta to the hutts where he would be rewarded largely up front unlike Prince Xizor who had simply re hired him for another task without the first assignment paid for. The hutts should paid nicely for two people who murdered a fellow hutt.
He entered the cockpit where he found Aurra sitting in the co pilot's chair. "Are we set for our return to Courscant?" she asked straight out as Bane typed in the coordinates for Nal Hutta. "Change of plans. We're going to Nal Hutta. The hutts will want to see Jabba's killers in person, kill them and pay us up front more that the Prince was going to" he explained. "How can you be so sure they will pay us more? The Prince seemed very interested in Senator Amidala" Aurra pointed out
Cad Bane only turned to her, red eyes staring straight at her, "The Prince was lusting after her. He is a fool and the Jedi would have managed to escape with her. If we take them both to the hutts, there's no escape especially for hutt killers" he smirked right as Robonino entered the cock pit. "We all set for hyperspace?" Bane asked him, "Yup yup" he assured him with Bane smirking more, "Good, let's get this assignment completed" he informed them sliding into the pilot's chair, taking the controls before the ship launched into hyperspace, stars streaking past.
Meanwhile, having awoken in the small quarters of Bane's ship, only in her nightdress, Padme shivered from the coldness, looking around the dark quarters, "Anakin?" she asked voice a whisper, "Anakin, where are you?" she asked once more looking around more before she heard a low moan coming from behind her.
She turned around, standing to her feet, she gasped when she saw Anakin secured to the wall, gag around his mouth, blond hair dishevelled over his eyes. She rushed over to his side, pulling the gag from his mouth, "Oh Anakin, what happened to you?" she asked noticing the dried patches of blood over his face and arms. "It's nothing, I'm fine. Are you alright? After I awoke, I found Cad Bane smirking at me telling me that our time is nearly at an end" he told her
Padme went silent before she remembered what happened at the lake retreat. "An unknown bounty hunter knocked you unconscious then told me there was a bounty out for us then Bane showed up and now we're here. I wanted to fight back but I feared he would kill you if I did" Padme cried, her hands on his face, "I can't lose you Anakin" she confessed as he looked down at her, blue eyes staring at her, "You won't. I'll protect you. We're going to get out of this, I promise you" he smiled leaning as best as he can towards her as her lips touched his in a beautiful passionate kiss in this dark time.
Arriving back at the Jedi Temple, Obi Wan and Hannah soon found Qui Gon and Shmi along with Jaden who had immediately flown to the Temple after sensing the disturbance. "You arrived here fast" Obi Wan smirked as Jaden just laughed, "Yes, well let's just say when Anakin talked about modifying my ship's speed, I'm glad I let him. It allowed me to get here shortly after I sensed the trouble" he explained
Qui Gon turned to him, "So you sensed it too, didn't you dad" Qui Gon pointed out, "Something's happened on Naboo" he went on as Jaden nodded "Yes, son I have, but I still don't quite understand who could have gone after them?" he asked them as Hannah spoke up, "Exactly, Padme hasn't even been in office a month and she's already target of bounty hunters. This isn't right" she pointed out right before another voice joined them, "Do you think it could have been my father?" they asked as they all turned to see Sola joining them,
"I mean he doesn't know where I am but with Padme on Naboo with just Anakin. They could have gone and done something drastic" she informed them as Obi Wan laughed, "With Anakin there? I don't think so, if anything, he would have stopped them from going after Padme" he corrected her as Qui Gon nodded, "Obi Wan's right, I don't think it was them neither. It's a different attacker altogether" he went on as Jaden remembered something, "Hang on a minute, Hannah, didn't you say you and Padme managed to kill Jabba?" he asked her going on, "It could have been a bounty hunter who was hired to track down Jabba's murderer" he explained
Shmi quietly started to cry softly as Qui Gon spoke once more, "Even if the hutts did place a bounty out for a Senator, it could land them in trouble with the Republic" looking to Hannah who gave a small smile, "I think you're onto something Master Jinn. I'll head over to the Chancellor's office to bring this matter up with the Chancellor" she informed them, turning to Obi Wan, "I'll contact you if I have any luck" she told him with a kiss, she was gone
Once she was gone, Obi Wan, Qui Gon and Jaden to figure out who took Anakin. "Dad, I think we need to go to Naboo and find out the last place they were before they were taken" Obi Wan suggested, "Good idea son" he agreed turning to his wife, "Sorry to leave once again but we won't be long this time" he assured her as she hugged him tightly then her eldest son,
"Just go and find Anakin and Padme quickly" she replied through her tears watching all three race towards the hanger. She knew that her husband, her father in law and her eldest son would succeed-she hated knowing her youngest son was in danger once again with the girl he loved who Padme regarded like the daughter she never had.
Newly appointed Senator for his planet Scipio, Rush Clovis arrived on the capital of Courscant eager to represent his planet but also to see his old friend Padme Amidala who he heard had succeeded as becoming Senator of Naboo. He remembered her from all those years ago he met her on Naboo when she was studying to become a political aide and he was instantly attracted to her natural beauty.
He saw the Chancellor awaiting him at the end of the platform. "Senator Clovis, welcome to Courscant and congratulations on your new leadership role. I have no doubt you will prove yourself in the Senate" Palpatine happily smiled as Rush politely bowed before him, "It is lovely to meet you Chancellor. I was wondering if I might be able to get in touch with Senator Amidala" he explained,
"We are old friends and I would like to be re acquainted with her" he went on. "Well, I would be happy too however Senator Amidala is off world at the moment. Naboo was recently invaded and she made sure she defeated the Trade Federation" he informed him, starting to walk back towards the Senate building.
"I trust she should be back in a few days then you will be able to meet up with her and she will be delighted to hear you are here" he assured him. "You two were very close" he pointed out as Rush smiled, "Of course, she was always a wonderful friend" he replied as his mind wandered back to one of his earlier encounters with Padme.
Flashback
"An early morning once again I see" Rush noted seeing a young fresh faced 14 year old Padme attending to some files. She looked up and smiled, "The Senate never creases to rest Rush and files have to be looked after" she informed him seeing him laugh, "Yes but it shouldn't be left entirely up to you. The Chancellor has four aides including yourself, they should be helping you" he explained as she shrugged, "Jack and Sarah had a late night working last night so I let them sleep in as for Rabe. She shouldn't even be here. She just wants to make me fail and see to it that I quit" she informed him placing the folders back down on the desk right before he took her right hand, "Don't worry about her. She won't become anything important. I'll see to it you become Senator when I do and we can work together" he informed her as she blushed, "Rush, you're too kind. I'm so glad I met you" she confessed feeling his lips touch hers, in a warm sweet kiss, "And I'm happy that you accepted my offer of a date two nights ago" he smiled as she blushed, "Well, you are quite charming and it was very nice of you" she replied happily holding his hand in hers, she looked back up at him, "So, do you want to help me with these files?" she asked as he just smiled, "I would be happy too" he simply answered her
End of flashback
"I hope she returns soon. I am eager to see her despite the stories I've heard of her and a certain Jedi" he spoke out as the Chancellor gave a smile, "Ah, yes Skywalker. He had been keeping her close company lately and perhaps she has moved on" he suggested as Rush went quiet. He certainly hoped not.
When Padme ended the relationship because she wanted to remain professional with him, it had crushed him inside and to hear of these rumours that she had fallen in love with another man, a Jedi no less was upsetting to here. They entered the Senate building just as Rush saw a young blond haired girl running towards them.
"Chancellor!" they cried almost out of breath upon reaching them, "My dear girl, what is the matter?" Palpatine asked her as Hannah paused to regain her breath, "I need to talk with you about Senator Amidala. Something has happened and we need to deal with it urgently" she informed him as Rush's eyes widen, "Something's happened to Padme?" he asked straight out seeing the girl turn to him and it was then he recognised this girl.
"Rush?" she asked, "What are you doing here?" she went on as Palpatine, "This is the new Senator of Scipio, Rush Clovis. I was just showing him around as he only just arrived. I'm sorry I have to cut it short but I must deal with this matter" he informed him as Rush only smiled, "I'll move around at my own pace and explore my new surroundings for myself" he simply replied not seeing Hannah's stare at him before moving off with the Chancellor leaving Rush standing with his own personnel-he would explore but he would also wait around to see what had happened to Padme.
The ship exited from hyperspace to see barren wasteland before them, once a lush dense jungle, Nal Hutta was a barren wasteland, breeding grounds for the Hutts who had made it their adopted homeworld including Jabba's father Zorba the Hutt.
"Here we go" Bane told his two companions, bringing the ship closer to the planet before he saw the Hutt palace amongst the mountains and landing amongst the trees in an open landing a short distance from the palace.
"Let's not keep the Hutts waiting" he told them moving out of the cockpit followed by Aurra and Robonino towards the small quarters where Anakin and Padme were being kept.
Stroking the side of Anakin's face softly, Padme cried once more, "Why are they doing this to us?" she asked, "What could we have done to them?" she went on as Anakin shook his head, wishing he wasn't secured to the wall so that he could hold her in his arms. "I don't know angel perhaps it could be in relation to Jabba's death but then killing a Republic Senator and a Jedi could cause serious consequences to the hutts" he explained
He felt her arms around his waist, head against his chest, "This shouldn't be happening. We have done nothing wrong except kill someone who was trying to kill us" she cried just as the door to the quarters open and Cad Bane stepped into the room, tipping his hat to Padme and Anakin.
"Senator, Jedi, it is time to meet your killers because the hutts will probably not be killing you around for much longer" he snarled seeing Anakin glare over at him, "And don't try anything with me because I can just as easily kill you both now" he informed him moving closer, he roughly ripped Padme from Anakin cuffing her wrists together at the same time Aurra released Anakin from the resistants attached to the wall then cuffing his wrists together then he felt a small prick in his neck.
Bane smirked, "A little something that should stop you calling for help, Jedi" he explained. He remembered Prince Xizor giving him a dose of the ysalamiri serum shortly before he left the palace that Xizor picked up from Cloud City. "Let's go" he snapped pulling Padme along as Aurra and Robonino shoved Anakin out after them down the landing ramp where he saw the planet they were on-Nal Hutta, adopted home world to the hutts, a planet that use to be rich with colour now a barren wasteland and the hutts palace not too far ahead.
He needed to overcome these bounty hunters before they reached the palace and so, with his strength, Anakin flipped right over Aurra and Robonino surprising them before they even had time to react, however Anakin had not suspected Bane's secret and before he could use the force to retrieve his lightsaber of Bane's belt, Bane activated a small device in his hands that sent a sudden wave of electricity through Anakin sparked by the cuffs
Anakin cried out before seconds later, he was unconscious once more. Bane laughed, "Young Skywalker, you didn't think I'd expect you to try and escape, did you?" he smirked, "Which is why I fitted you with force resistant cuffs, I'm not taking any chances" he spat, "Let's keep moving" he snarled pulling Padme along by her arm while Aurra and Robonino simply dragged Anakin after him towards the palace.
Her meeting with the Chancellor turned out to be unsuccessful, telling her that he needed more proof that Padme had been kidnapped and simply not off on vacation till the Senate resumes, Hannah headed straight for Padme's office as she ran into Senator Clovis. "So, what has happened to Padme?" he asked straight out as Hannah tried to brush past him,
"I can't say. Too many people shouldn't know about the matter" she explained as they heard a laugh, "I'll tell you what's happened" they gloated before Hannah rolled her eyes as Rabe moved over to them, flicking her red hair behind her ears, "Farm girl didn't take the warnings seriously and now she must suffer the consequences" she smirked just as Hannah was becoming increasingly frustrated with Rabe.
"Rabe, please!" she screamed angrily, "Can you just leave me alone! I don't have time to deal with your lies right now" she went on, "Padme has been captured and I need to help the Jedi to save her" hands over her mouth as she realised what she just said, "Padme's been captured?" Rush asked stunned, "Who? When? We must save her!" he exclaimed
Rabe scoffed, "Oh this is just pathetic. What good is having her for a Senator when she lets herself be captured all the time?" she asked them laughing, "And she's suppose to be in the company of Anakin Skywalker?" she laughs more, "Some Jedi he is" she adds as Hannah glares over at her,
"Anakin has protected her from even her father taking her back. There is something happening here and when I find out who is behind all this, they will be dealt with severely" Hannah explained turning to Rush, "Senator Clovis, I know Padme and you had a previous relationship together before she ended it. Can you keep professional to help me find a way to save her?" she asked him as Rush remained quiet but he did want to see Padme again, so he nodded, "Yes, she is still my friend and I wish to see her safe" he replied.
Unlike his son's palace on Tatooine, Zorba the hutt's palace on Nal Hutta was brightly lit yet had a distinct musty smell the moment you entered the palace. The smell was overbearing Padme had to raise her cuffed hands to her mouth to stop herself from gagging whilst Bane proceeded through the hallways with his two companions following from behind with Anakin, still unconscious.
They were soon met by two weequay guards and a pale skinned Twilek. "Achuta Cad Bane, what are you doing here?" the twilek asked him as Bane replied, "I am here to speak with Zorba. His son Jabba has been murdered and I have brought his killers" he informed him. The twilek looked over at Padme then behind at Anakin. "Zorba is unavailable at the moment. Follow me down to the cells" he explained
The twilek led them down towards the cells that were even darker and the smell was even worse. Reaching an empty cell, Bane released the cuffs from Anakin and Padme before they threw Anakin into the cell after Padme. "I expect my payment now" he snapped to the twilek who just nodded,
"Bargon u noa-a-uyat Cad Bane" he assured him leading the three bounty hunters from the cells whilst Padme knelt before Anakin, placing both hands on his face. "Please Ani, wake up" she whispered stroking his face softly.
Bringing the ship back into the hanger bay outside Theed Palace, Obi Wan, Qui Gon and Jaden spotted the Queen and Padme's two handmaidens moving towards their ship, "This doesn't look good" Obi Wan noted as Qui Gon silently nodded, "Let's just see what they have to tell us" he told them exiting the ship proceeding across to the Queen.
"Your highness, have you seen Senator Amidala or Anakin since we left" Qui Gon asked straight out after all three Jedi bowed respectively to her, "Only for a brief few minutes. Padme then mentioned she was heading back to the country side to visit her mother. We don't know where she went after that" as Sabe stepped up, "Padme did tell me before she left with Anakin, she was going to show him to her family's lake retreat further out in the country" she told them
"Can you take us there?" Jaden asked her, "Captain Typho will. He knows the way and the driver of the boat is an old friend of Padme's" Dorme informed him. Obi Wan looked up at the two older Jedi, "Come on, we should keep moving. We can't waste time hanging around" he told them with them both agreeing before moving off with Sabe and Dorme, not seeing the lone figure watching from a distance.
He felt soft hands stroking his face as his eyes slowly opened and he saw Padme looked down at him, a scared worried look across her face and she also appeared to be shivering. Pulling himself up, he turned to face her, "Padme, what's going on?" he asked, "Where's Bane?" he added as she spoke, "I don't know. After we were thrown in here, he took out. I don't if he's still around but I did hear the name Zorba the hutt" she told him.
Anakin's eyes widen. "Zorba the hutt, Jabba's father?" he asked out loud placing both hands on her shoulders, "Padme, that is why they came after us!" he exclaimed, "Bane was hired by Zorba to find his son's killers and Zorba's not going to keep us around for long because we killed his son" he went on as Padme gasped, "But Anakin, you didn't kill Jabba. You only blew up his barge. Hannah and I killed Jabba by choking him. He'll kill me when Bane tells him what happened" she cried
Anakin pulled her close, "Padme, listen to me. I love you and I won't allow them to kill you" he assured her, as she looked up at him, with her bright brown eyes filling with tears. "Oh Anakin, I love you too but what if they kill you instead. I don't want to lose you" she cried as he smiled down at her, "You won't lose me. Dad and the others are coming, I can promise you. They're probably on Naboo right now trying to figure out what happened to us" he assured her
She felt his lips brush against hers right at the same time the cell door opened and moving into the cell were four weequay guards, two ripped Padme from Anakin's arms before the other two cuffed Anakin's wrist behind his back then attaching a strange device around his neck. "So, you don't try any weird tricks Jedi" one snarled then shoving him from the cells after the other two guards with Padme in their grip up to the throne room.
With no word from the bounty hunter, Prince Xizor was not amused and this new figure still around in his palace was not making the mood any lighter. He had been unable to contact Bane or his companions and he was beginning to wonder if he had failed. "Your highness, perhaps we should contact the hutts themselves to see if they have heard from the bounty hunter" Guri suggested to the Prince who was looking out over Courscant with his hands clasped behind his back,
"He better not have betrayed me or he's just lost his pay altogether" he snarled as Guri moved closer, "Isn't it worth contacting the hutts then to find out if he's taken them there?" she asked before Xizor turned around sharply to face Guri, "Contact Zorba the hutt immediately! Senator Amidala will be mine!" he angrily snapped right as he heard Lord Maul speak, "That is not necessary your highness" he spoke
"I have received word from my master that the bounty hunter has captured the Senator and Jedi but has taken them to Nal Hutta" he informed them. Xizor's eyes widen as he tried to maintain his anger but failed. "What! You promised me the Senator was mine if I agreed to your plan! Now what do we do?" he snapped at him, "We must wait and see what the hutts decide to do with them, and once Skywalker is truly dead either at their hands or my own, then you can have her. Not while he is alive" he explained.
Xizor composed himself once more, "You better be right about this or I'll take matters into my own hands" he warned him as Maul smirked, yellow eyes gleaming, "It will your highness and with your help, the Sith will rise again" he informed him.
Just like Jabba's palace, Zorba's throne room was crowded with various species, entertainers, slaves, bounty hunters and guards, including Cad Bane who had not left but remained at the back watching as the weequay guards dragged Padme and Anakin into the throne right as Zorba spoke in huttese, quite angrily.
The droid next to him translated for him, "Mighty Zorba, these are the two people who murdered your son Jabba and blowing up his barge" he started to say, Zorba roared once more, "Bona nai kachu Jeedai, Senator" then laughed, "You are in trouble now Jedi and Senator however the mighty Zorba is surprised that a mere Senator has managed to kill his son when she's a small weak little thing" the droid translated to them as Anakin, struggling against in the guard's grip on him spoke back,
"She's stronger than you think, sleemo" staring back at him. Zorba laughed once more, "Jeedai kung, soong peetch alay. Tah-koh tee womp rat e'nachu" he told him before the droid went on once more and Bane smirked at the same time the droid spoke, "Jedi fool, it is too late for you and you will soon end up as womp rat food" before Zorba went on in huttese that Padme and Anakin saw the guards moving closer towards them, "Zorba demands that this Jedi be disposed of immediately for he has no need of him but he does have need for the Senator" the droid translated
The guards then started to move Padme up to Zorba who struggled against them, "No, Anakin! Please help me!" she cried as Anakin felt his anger rising at seeing these thugs holding his beloved. "No Zorba, leave her alone! She didn't kill Jabba at all, I did!" he shouted to him and with his cuffed hands, he forced pushed the guards away, running towards Padme
However it was at that moment, the collar around his neck activated sending electricity throughout his body causing him to fall to his knees, crying out in pain, "No, Anakin, please stop!" she cried out, tears in her eyes at seeing Anakin in pain once more, "Jeedai kung, you will die" Zorba roared, "Take him away!" he ordered at the same time the guards grabbed Anakin, leading him away from the throne room.
Zorba looked over at Padme, as Bane spoke, "Zorba, I have a client who will pay greater for the Senator, provided you take care of the Jedi first" he smirked as Zorba looked back at Bane then at Padme who was struggling once more, "Che copah?" he asked as Bane smiled,
"The client will pay anything for the Senator after hearing the Jedi is dead" he replied. Zorba laughed, and the droid translated for him, "The mighty Zorba says we have a deal" he assured him as Padme spoke up, "The Republic won't stand for this. You'll regret the deal you made here today" she defiantly told him but he laughed at her reply.
Unknown to either Zorba or Cad Bane, the space pirates known as the "Lumini" had secretly snuck into the hutt's palace waiting for something valuable to steal and soon found it, with the prisoners Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala. "This is too risky. We'll be killed right away when Zorba finds out what's happened" one of the pirates spoke out
Another spoke out, "Not if we're quiet about it. The Jedi shouldn't be hard to move. We'll just say we're here to kill him while the rest of you go for the Senator" he explained, "Dak, this is a risky idea and I don't like it" a third confessed before he then was slammed at the back of his head by Dak who then looked around,
"Anyone else wish to say anything?" he asked them as they all remained silent. "Good, then get to work! There's not much time!" he snapped angrily watching the group split off into two groups-one for the slave quarters, the other for the cells. Dak smirked to himself, heading back towards the entrance-this plan, he hoped, would make him a wealthy pirate indeed.
It was now early morning and the sun was just beginning to rise over the hills over the Lake Retreat, Obi Wan, Qui Gon and Jaden now stood with Captain Typho and a maiden from the retreat on the balcony over looking the lake. "It seems they were inside the retreat when they were attacked" Qui Gon told them, turning to the maiden
"Do you know what they did after dinner last night?" he asked her seeing her nod, "Yes, Jedi Skywalker took Mistress Amidala into the living room asking not to be disturbed for the rest of the night" she replied as Obi Wan gave a laugh, "Ha! That's Anakin for you. He wanted more 'alone time' with Padme" he smirked cheekily as Jaden just shook his head,
"This isn't the time for jokes Obi Wan. We need to figure out who attacked them and where they are now" he explained when Qui Gon turned to R2 who had joined them back to the retreat, "R2, do you have any recordings from last night?" he asked the droid who beeped in reply just as Obi Wan sensed a disturbance, rushing through the lake retreat, lightsaber in hand, without a word to Qui Gon or Jaden.
"Obi Wan! What's going on?" he called out with no reply as Jaden just sighed, "Sometimes I can't decide who's worse-Anakin or him" he pointed out as Qui Gon started to run after him, "Sometimes I feel they both influence each other" he replied continuing through the lake retreat as Jaden followed after his son and grandson.
The four pirates entered the slave quarters of Zorba the hutt, to find various young females dressed in the revealing slave girl outfits. They moved through them eyeing them all till they found the Senator.
Dressed like the other girls, she was in a short pale blue mini skirt with silver lining on the edges, with matching pale blue bikini top. Silver heels, hair plaited in one long plait and neck manacle around her neck that was chained the wall. She looked up at them silently, "Well, well, aren't you a pretty thing?" one asked
Another released the chain from the wall while the other two grabbed her by her arms, she struggled, "Let me go!" she snapped as the first smirked, "Oh, you're a feisty one but your friend and yourself will earn us a great reward" he told her moving out of the quarters with the others following with Padme, still struggling in their grasp right before she felt a small prick in her neck, knocked out leaving one of the men to throw her petite body over his shoulder.
Quietly moving back out near the entrance to the palace, they then saw the rest coming back from the cells with Anakin, also knocked out, behind them. Dak smirked proudly, "Excellent work, now let's keep moving before we're discovered" he informed them continuing out into the cloudy night sky towards their ship. He knew just who would be pleased to see who he had captured; someone who sought revenge and now had the chance.
Flashback
Ever since he was exiled from the Jedi Order, Xanatos was furious to learn that his former master Qui Gon Jinn had started training his eldest son Obi Wan and his youngest son Anakin was getting ready to join the younglings for training. He always suspected Qui Gon was only taking him on as a padawan just till his sons were ready to be trained and since discovering Anakin was now the Chosen One, he knew what he had to do to destroy the Jedi Order for what they did to him.
"So, you call yourself the best space pirate in the galaxy?" he asked Dak as they were alone one night in a cantina on Courscant, "How good are you at capturing Jedi?" he went on as Dak became nervous, "I haven't come across a lot of Jedi but I believe simply drugging them would be an easy approach" he replied as Xanatos smirked, "Well, be careful. The Jedi you're going up against is a powerful Jedi even for a learner" he warned him knowing the rumours were probably true about his old master's youngest son being the 'Chosen One'. Dax scoffed, "A Powerful Jedi learner?" he asked with a laugh, "That's rich, I'll believe it when I see it" he replied but Xanatos wasn't laughing. "You are a fool to think you can match wits with a Jedi. I knew this Jedi's father. He was my old master before I was forced out of the order and he has probably trained him well" he scoffed as Dax sat up straighter, "Well don't worry. I'll handle him and bring him to you. Where was he last?" he asked him as Xanatos produced a small holo projector activating it. "Skywalker was last seen on the planet Naboo with his no good brother and Senator Amidala" he spat, "You can start there" he informed him watching him get up and leave, "And one more thing" Xanatos spoke out as Dax stopped in his tracks, "Do not under estimate any of his friends. If any of them get in the way, knock them out and bring them with you. I'll handle them as well as Skywalker" he explained. "Of course, I will not fail" Dax assured him and moved out of the club as Xanatos leaned back-he would have revenge on his old master by taking out his family.
Having rushed after Obi Wan through the lake retreat, Qui Gon and Jaden both ran into the living room with the fireplace and saw Obi Wan holding an unknown figure to the wall. "Where are they!" he snapped, "Where are my brother and the Senator!" he snapped once more as the bounty hunter scoffed,
"I don't know where they are and even if I did I wouldn't tell you, so kill me" he taunted the young Jedi as Qui Gon and Jaden moved closer, as Obi Wan turned to face the older Jedi. "I sensed this bounty hunter spying on us and I feel that he knows what happened to Anakin and Padme and refuses to tell us" he told them. Jaden spoke next, "Why would bounty hunters be after Padme and Anakin?" he asked
The bounty hunter then laughed, "Because there's bounty on their heads for murdering Jabba the hutt" he finally admitted as Obi Wan looked confused. "Anakin didn't kill Jabba. He wanted to but Hannah told me it was Padme and her" he explained. His grip still on the bounty hunter he turned to his father and grandfather.
"After the chaos started, Padme and Hannah decided to get away and with their chains, they managed to choke him to death" he explained before he remembered, "But Anakin blew up the barge" he then added. Qui Gon looked to the bounty hunter, "Where did you take them?" he asked
He laughed, "I didn't get to capture them. Cad Bane showed up and captured them himself. Probably took them to Zorba the Hutt" he scoffed right before Jaden took him from Obi Wan, cuffing his wrists together. "Well, thank you for your help but unfortunately for you, you'll coming back with us" he told him exiting the room leaving Qui Gon and Obi Wan behind in the room.
Unaware of where he was exactly, Anakin felt a soft hand touching his face, he lifted one hand up to touch her face, "Padme" he spoke as she smiled seeing his bright blue eyes look up at her, "Where are we?" he asked her before he then noticed the figure standing behind her, blaster pointed at her back.
Pulling himself up more, he saw her quietly crying. He pulled her closer to him, "Who are you? What do you want with us!" he snapped angrily as another voice laughed, "Well, personally I have nothing against you but my employer does and your girl here, is here for leverage to make sure you don't try anything stupid, Jedi" he spat,
"Well your employer's a dead man when I see him" Anakin angrily warned him but Dax just laughed, "We'll see about that" he smiled, clicking his fingers, two men pulled Anakin to his feet as he struggled but they continued to drag him towards the door, "Anakin!" Padme cried as he struggled more,
"Don't worry Padme, I'll come back to you" he promised before he was out of her sight leaving Dax to smirk down at her, lifting her chin up with his hand, "Such a pretty girl, my men would just love you" he told her before she pulled away and he left leaving Padme to wrap herself in Anakin's cloak that was lying nearby, quietly start to cry once more.
"I shouldn't have let Anakin stay here on his own with Padme, dad" Obi Wan confessed as Qui Gon placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "Son, even if you had the bounty hunter would have probably knocked you or you would end up with Padme and Anakin right now. We'll find them Obi Wan. I can still sense Anakin however it's seems as if he's being moved around, I can't get a proper trace" he informed him
Obi Wan just sighed, "But I could have stopped them from taking him. He's my brother and I feel like I failed him" he admitted falling down onto the couch. "You didn't fail him son. We'll find him. We'll start with Zorba the hutt" he explained at the same moment Jaden returned, "That won't be necessary" he told them, "Captain Typho just handed me this hologram from someone claiming to have Anakin and Padme. He felt that we should see it before he did" he told them.
"Play the message dad" Qui Gon told him watching him activate the message and all three Jedi saw a man mid to late 20's dressed in smuggler's attire appear before them. "Greetings Jedi, I am Dax Turner, notorious space pirate in the outer rim" he spoke in a clear voice, "I don't usually deal in kidnappings but this is something that will make me rich and affects all the Jedi" he smirked "I believe I have something that belongs to you and something that you believe can 'save' your precious order" he informed them.
Obi Wan, Qui Gon and Jaden watched the hologram move slightly before they saw Anakin chained to a wall, shirtless and two other figures on either side, shocking him with electric staffs causing him to scream out in pain as Dax laughed, "He's been difficult to handle but those shocks will put him into his place" he informed them as the hologram moved back to Dax,
"Now, if you want the Jedi back and his companion, you will await the next message from my employer" he informed them before the message was gone. Obi Wan quickly spoke out, "They have Anakin and Padme! We have to go after them!" he exclaimed, "We don't know where they're headed or who their employer is, we need to wait for the next message" Qui Gon explained. "But he said he conducts business in the outer rim, we should start out there!" Obi Wan exclaimed as Jaden shook his head,
"There are many planets in the outer rim Obi Wan. We need to wait for the next message" he informed him as Obi Wan stared at both of them then stormed from the living room in frustration, "You can see why they're both brothers can't you?" Jaden asked with a laugh as Qui Gon nodded "Yes but what he said, is half right. We need to start moving before we're too late" he pointed out.
Obi Wan moved around the lake retreat over to the balcony overlooking the crisp cool blue water. He hated waiting around while his brother was in danger. At times, he could sense his brother's pain through the force. He had to keep moving, he had to go out to find Anakin and Padme.
He was a Jedi Knight now and he felt ready to go out on his own. He was lost in his thoughts when he heard R2 rolling beside him, whistling a low whistle, "I know R2 but we don't know where they were headed with them" he explained as R2 whistled another reply that gave Obi Wan an idea. "But we can't wait around for the next message, it might be too late" he went on, turning on his heel, he started moved over to the small boat with R2 and 3Po following,
"Master Obi Wan, where might I ask we are going?" he asked him as Obi Wan kept on moving, "We're going to start heading out to find Anakin. Dad will surely pass the message through" he told the droid and without another word, Obi Wan, R2 and 3Po sped away from the retreat back into the city, knowing his father and grandfather had probably sensed his sudden movements by now.