author's notes:
will I ever update my other story? who knows. which is funny because I have like 5 other works planned, but I promised myself that I would finish these two works before starting anything else. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed my story. It really means a lot to me. I'm also down to hear other people's ideas about things that I should write about, and I'm down to collaborate. hope that life is treating all of you well, and thanks again for reading.
"I've arranged a meeting with my sister for when we land." The Duchess said while checking a data pad as Ahsoka steered the ship into the port. "She knows people who have worked and currently work with Maul, and can help guide us."
"We will have to thank your sister." Padme said "What kind of things did she mention when you two spoke?"
"She was cautious not to say too much over hologram incase we were being watched, or the call was being tapped, but she did mention that Maul has some kind of base on the planet outside of the city that he operates out of. She isn't sure where it is, but she knows it exits."
"Has she heard members of Death Watch talk about it?" Master Kenobi asked.
"She has. That's why she's sure there is one."
"And if we can find it, then we can find Anakin." Ahsoka said, excitement creeping into her voice. It finally felt like they were starting to see some light at the end of this horrible nightmare.
"We cannot be too sure of that, padawan." Master Kenobi said. "Maul is masking both his and Anakin's presence. I don't want to be a pessimist, but they honestly could be anywhere."
"Well," Padme said. "There's a good chance that they're here on Mandalore, and if they aren't, I'm sure we could find some more information about their whereabouts inside the base."
"I agree." The Duchess said. "I also think that we should be careful not to mention anything in regards to Maul or the republic. Brining Jedi to a neutral planet already looks like a political statement, and we don't want to attract any more attention."
"I agree. We don't want to cause any trouble." Master Kenobi said. "Ahsoka, when we exit the ship, make sure your cloak is on and your hood is up. We want people to think that we are here as an escort for Senator Amidala, not here on a mission."
"Got it." Ahsoka said while reaching down to grab her cloak. They made their way to the door of the ship, where it opened up to reveal guards wearing traditional Mandalorian armor.
"I tried to inform as little people as possible about our arrival," The Duchess said while turning to face Padme. "No need to attract extra attention for a friend who is just visiting." She said while turning to face straight ahead.
"No need indeed." Padme said while smiling.
The stone walls were damp, the cold air filling Anakin's lungs and sinking into his stomach. The mist swirled around his feet, and if he listened closely, it seemed like it was talking to him. A harsh breeze would come, and the wind would swirl and scream and scream that sounded just like his mothers. Then there was silence.
"Interesting, isn't it?" Maul asked him as they made their way down a staircase.
"What?" Anakin said, his voice quiet against the sounds of the temple.
"The dark side." Maul said. "It isn't what you thought it would be."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" Anakin retorted.
"It's easy." Maul said. "Which is why you're going to help me."
"Why would I help you?" Anakin replied in disgust.
Maul laughed. "I knew you would say that." He reached down to get something from his belt, and Anakin reached for his lightsaber- only to realize that he didn't have it on him. Maul pulled out a small holodisk and turned it on, the recording showing Satine and Padme walking through a port, followed by two people with Jedi robes that covered their faces. He was pretty sure he knew who they were though. The footage looked like it was coming from sort of body camera, given the angle and the quality of the film. Maul pressed a button and it sped up to show Satine walking with Obi-Wan down a hallway, deep in conversation.
"If you want them to live, you'll help me." Maul said with a smile on his face and a glint in his eyes. Anakin felt his stomach drop, his skin grew cold and clammy as the worry, the fear and then the anger, which transformed the cold into a raging fire in his heart, trying to take over…
But it didn't. He took a calming breath, inhaling the cool damp air from the temple and remembering Obi-Wan's words to him.
"Breathe, Padawan." He would always tell Anakin when he got worked up.
"I see you've started to listen to your master's teachings." Maul whispered to him, his voice blending in with the whispers and wails of the temple "What a shame he wasn't here to see it."
Maul continued to walk forward, the sound of his metal legs hitting the stone reminded Anakin of battle droids marching forward. "You know that I will kill them if you do not cooperate. I know their every move, and I know yours as well. You cannot escape." Maul said with an even tone.
A lighter voice whispered in his ear, giving him hope, that maybe he could over power Maul, take his weapon and make a break for it.
"I can sense your hope, Skywalker." Maul said. "But you cannot overpower me. Not with that poison running through your veins."
"Poison?" Anakin exclaimed. "What poison?" He demanded.
"Hmmmmmm, you probably were not awake enough to remember." Maul mused as he scratched his chin. You've been injected with a slow acting poison, and I'm the only one with the antidote."
The cold feeling was back again, followed by a heavy weight on his chest that made it hard to breathe, hard to see, and hard to feel.
"And that would be the poison starting to kick in." Maul said as he watched Anakin fall to his knees and grab at his chest. "From what it looks like, I'd say you only have 48 hours left to live unless you get the antidote."
"How do I know you'll give it to me?" Anakin said in between gasps for air.
"You don't" Maul sneered. "But if you behave, then we'll see."