Rescue

- Zaalbar -


The metal clawed into my fur. Resolutely, I ignored the pain and tried once more to yank the thick chains apart. They would not yield, no matter how I struggled.

I will not be a slave; not if I have to fight until my last breath! Slavers deserved to die, all of them. Capturing those less fortunate and using them like dumb animals. I'd fight against these rabid kinrath with all of my will; I'd done so before. But that brought up painful memories.

No, thinking about what cannot now be changed is fruitless. I must be strong; I must escape. Who else will look out for Mission, if not me? I continued straining at the chains around my wrists. If ever I needed your skills, my rambunctious young friend, it is right now.

She was the only one who accepted me for what I was; the only one who looked past the appearance of a towering off-worlder that could not speak Basic. Such a bright, mischievous cub. Who else would keep her from the trouble she always sailed head-first into? Zaerdra would endeavour to, yet her efforts did naught but spur Mission on. Just tell me that she is safe; that she found a way to escape.

I gritted my teeth, and pushed such sentimental thoughts aside. Not the time to reflect upon such matters. I must find a way to break free first. The room was small, and smelt of rotting corpses. My feet could just reach the door when I kicked with all my might; I'd tried again and again, but the door held firm. Although, with my hands tightly shackled, breaking the door would do little more than appease my temper.

Hunger gnawed at my insides, and I realized that soon the Gamorreans would be back to sedate and then transport me. I shall not let them!

And yet already I heard the grunts of my captors - they were returning. It sounded like less of them this time. I did not understand their language, and was glad of it.

They stayed outside of my prison, snorting at each other for some time. Desperation creeped insidiously into my furious resolve; I could feel myself turning despondent. No matter how hard I tried, I could not even bend the thick metal clamped around my wrists.

A rumbling blast from outside hammered at my ears; caught unawares, I staggered backward and crashed against the side of my cell. The walls were vibrating with aftershocks. What was that? I could hear pained squeals from the Gamorreans. They are under attack? A confused howl ripped itself from my lungs.

Deadly silence followed in its wake. I lurched off the wall and kept my eyes trained on the closed door – whatever had happened might still be to my detriment. I could no longer hear the Gamorreans.

A minute later the door swung open. Stunned relief flooded through me as Mission's happy face peeked into the room. Her eyes lit up as she spotted me.

"(Mission!)" I cried in utter shock. She is alive! I am free!

"Big Z!" She grinned happily and bounded inside, jumping up to hug me. Clumsily, I tried not to fall over. I was still not used to her effusive displays of affection. She is safe! And so was I.

"(Mission)," I complained, as she continued clutching at me tightly. "(My hands are bound. But you are a sight for sore eyes, as the Tarisians say)."

"You didn't think I'd forget about you – Mission and Zaalbar, together forever!" she replied emotionally. Her big blue eyes were blinking at me. She stepped backward and grabbed my paws, fiddling with the restraints. "Let me get those for you, Big Z. Phoaw, you smell!"

It was then that I noticed a Human female had followed her in.

"(Who's that with you?)" I asked warily, eyeing over the newcomer. I did not like Humans in general, and this one in particular raised the hackles on my neck. She was poorly dressed, but by stance alone I could tell she knew how to use the vibrosword she wielded. I wondered just how my young friend had managed to acquire her aid.

The stranger snapped her head up to look at me full on. "My name is Jen Sahara," she answered.

Surprise swamped me and I did not take my eyes from the Human. "(You understand the language of my people? That is rare among your species; I am impressed)," I answered slowly. I had not met anyone on Taris who did; it had taken Mission months of dedicated practice to understand me on a basic level.

"Whoa!" Mission shot this Jen Sahara a speculative glance. "First Mandalorian and now Shyriiwook? You sure did learn a lot of weird languages!"

"(Weird?)" I grumbled.

Mission finished playing with the handcuffs, and they opened with a click. I rubbed my wrists thankfully.

"Well, y'know what I mean Big Z!"

"We should probably get out of here," the Human said, glancing back to the exit furtively. "There's still rakghouls crawling around."

"(I owe you a debt, Jen Sahara)," I said solemnly. "(You and Mission together have saved me from a life of servitude and slavery)."

"I didn't really do much," Mission chimed in. "I mean, I'd never have got this far without Jen."

"It's nothing; we made a deal," Jen said flatly.

"(A deal?)" I asked. A feeling of trepidation slowly uncurled in my stomach. Just what had Mission agreed to?

"Yeah, Jen needs my help to break into the Vulkar base," Mission added.

Alarm tensed my nerves; I felt my muscles bunching up in anger. "(No, Mission! We cannot go there, it's too dangerous!)" I demanded. Suddenly, I did not like the Human so much.

"I have to, Big Z, I promised! And besides, she rescued you!" Stubborn indignation was something Mission did all too well.

"I only need access to the entrance, Zaalbar," Jen added. "Mission won't accompany me inside."

"Hey, I'm quick and plenty smart! I can help!" Mission protested.

Jen raised a hand to quell Mission's impassioned plea. "I believe you Mission, but I don't wish Gadon for an enemy."

"Gadon? What's he got to do with this?" Mission demanded, folding her arms stubbornly.

The Human shrugged at her. "I talked to him, like you suggested. He also warned me not to let you inside the base if I cared for my life."

"He threatened you?" Mission gasped. Her eyes widened, although I wondered why Mission was so surprised. Gadon might not be as... enthusiastic as Zaerdra, but he had always tried to look out for the young Twi'lek. With all of us struggling to keep Mission from danger, it is a wonder how she always manages to elude safety. One day, I was going to lock her in one of those Upper City apartments and throw away the key.

It was unfortunate she knew how to pick locks.

"You could call it that." Jen was grinning impishly at Mission. Humans are odd, I reminded myself. Why would she find a life threat amusing?

"Gadon's not running my life for me. I do what I want!" Mission declared hotly.

I groaned. Trying to talk reason to Mission was like taming a kinrath: dangerous and ultimately a waste of time. But I had to prevail. "(Mission, please, be sensible. I will help Jen inside the base, in return for her rescue)."

Jen looked at me in surprise. "Thank you, Zaalbar. We'd appreciate that."

"Oh, so you're going to take him along, and not me?" My young charge was getting angry. And stubborn. I would have a fight on my hands to talk her out of this.

"Mission, I do not want the Beks for enemies," Jen said wearily. "But we will need a lookout at the base entrance."

Mission sulked.

It's a compromise, but I do not have to like it.

"Please, Mission," Jen said softly.

"Fine," she muttered. "But only because Big Z would never let me hear the end of it!"

The Human smiled warmly at Mission. "Alright, let's head back."

xXx

The journey to the outcast village was fairly uneventful. We ran into a few solitary rakghouls that were killed by Jen's blasters before they came close. I was beginning to respect the fighting abilities of the Human; she was tough and capable. She also made sure no harm came to Mission during the rescue attempt. I would do my best to help her in whatever foolhardy plan she had inside the Vulkar base.

The villagers let us through the gates and I noticed they acted wary of Jen. Mission had told me Jen's Human friend was hurt; healing inside the camp. I followed the females to the centre of the dark courtyard.

"You're back. I'm surprised you're not both dead," a male voice directed at Jen and Mission. I saw an injured Human, tied up tightly to a pole. This was rather puzzling – I did not realize the Outcasts imprisoned people.

"No faith in me?" Jen asked. I could hear the humour in her voice.

"You should have waited until I could help!" the man responded in frustration.

"I would have asked you, but you seemed a little tied up."

Mission burst out laughing. He is tied up. What is so funny?

"Ha ha," the Human male answered, but he did not sound amused. "Care to get me out of this mess?"

"I dunno, Onasi. I kinda like you better this way." The merriment was obvious in the female's eyes, as obvious as the growing irritation in the male's. Finally, Jen Sahara threw her hands up in capitulation.

"Okay, okay!" she said, her voice still shaking with suppressed mirth as she started untying the ropes. "At least you sound a lot better, at any rate."

"Hey! You can't do that!" A female villager ran up to us. Jen whirled around to face the stranger, and the interloper took a few steps back hurriedly.

"Just watch me," Jen said menacingly. I could see rage on her face, and I tensed in wariness. Something about this Human was a little... off. Even Mission looked alarmed.

"I – well, I guess we can tell he doesn't have the rakghoul disease anymore," the healer stuttered, backing away.

"You have the social skills of a rancor," the tied up Human muttered. I saw amusement chase away the anger on Jen's face.

"Oh?" she responded, smiling mischievously. She gets the same contrary look as Mission. "You'd prefer me to leave you here?"

"No!"

Jen grinned, and finished untying the man. "Zaalbar, this is Carth." He nodded at me, and I returned the greeting. "Zaalbar's offered to help us break into the Vulkar base."

I grunted in confirmation. I may not trust her, but I owe her that much.

The man looked surprised. "Uh, that's great. Thanks, we could do with the extra help."

"What do you guys want in there, anyway?" Mission piped up.

"Gadon's asked us to do something for him," Jen told her. I noticed the man named Carth frown at Jen. "What?" she snapped at him. "They're helping us, they deserve to know something."

"Lighten up, would ya Carth?" Mission said. "Jen's refused to tell me anything at all, other than you're a pilot."

"What?" Carth spluttered. He was still leaning against the pole, flexing an injured arm. It looked painful.

Jen groaned. "Thanks Mission."

"Oh. Oops." Mission giggled sheepishly.

The male Human was frowning at Jen again. "I can't believe you, woman!"

"Right. I'm getting out of here," Jen stated baldly. "We can't go back to the Upper City with you in that state, Onasi, the Sith will get suspicious." I wondered briefly who Onasi was. Jen was still speaking, in a hurried monotone as if she wanted to get her piece out before anyone interrupted. "I think we should camp down here tonight, and hit the Vulkar base tomorrow if you're up to it. Zaalbar, do me a favour and make sure Carth doesn't leave? He really needs to rest and recuperate."

"Hey!" Carth objected, his brows lowering. "You're not ordering me about, sister!"

Jen ignored his protests, facing me as she spoke. "He's hurt and grumpy. The last thing he needs is to be moving about."

I eyed the injuries I could see. Most had been bandaged, but judging by the way Carth was balanced against the wooden pole, he looked to be in a lot of pain. He was favouring his left side, and could not stand up straight. Kolto had some instantaneous effect, but injuries as severe as his would need at least a night's rest to heal considerably. Jen Sahara speaks sense.

"(I will do as you ask, Jen Sahara)."

Carth turned to look at me, frowning. "What did you just say?"

Mission started laughing again. "He said that if you even think about moving, he's gonna wallop ya one! And Big Z always says what he means, so you'd better get comfortable for the night, Carth!"

"(Mission, you are making my words sound stronger than they are)," I complained.

"(It's the only way he'll listen)," Mission responded in Ryl.

"I'll be back later," Jen muttered, and dashed off.

"Where are you going now, you reckless woman?" Carth called after her, and made to follow. I walked in front of him and barred the way. He scowled at me.

"(It is for your own health, Human)," I tried to explain.

"If I wasn't so hurt, I'd take you on, Wookiee," he muttered at me. It was a token protest, I felt, for the Human looked irritated rather than genuinely angry.

Mission guffawed in disbelief. "I'll go after her," she said brightly. "See you guys later!"

"(Mission!)" I lamented loudly. She had already run ten paces. "(Get back here!)"

She flashed me an impish grin. "No, you promised to look after Carth! I won't be long!" With that, my roguish young friend turned tail and ran after Jen.

I howled in frustration.

"Yeah," Carth commented next to me. "I know exactly how you feel."

xXx