The Lost Ones
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Problems arise when a group of crechlings have a field trip to the zoo.
Notes: This is a general sequel to The Cry.
Disclaimer: All canon characters are property of the Great Flanneled One and now Disney. I make no money off this endeavor.
Timeline 54 BBY

Speech: " "
Training bond communication: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Two

Kias Limkee palmed the door open to the employee entrance and walked through with a purpose. Even though Courscanti Weather Control had the temperature at a comfortable level in this particular quadrant, he still wore a bulky coat. With one hand he pushed the sleeve up on his other arm to expose his watch. He was late, and that wasn't good.

A quick glance to the side revealed a felinoid species native to Rama, walking beside him. Her ears were flat against her head and her eyes looked in all directions. She moved with the grace of a hunter. Many years ago they worked together as bounty hunters, but after a tangle with the law and time in jail he lost contact with her. Nothing was the same since he was freed. He couldn't even hold down a decent job.

This time it wasn't his fault, and he wanted the man who fired him to realize he did the wrong thing.

It had been a long time since he saw Lamana. It was only then he realized just how much he missed her.

"Are you sure this is the right direction?" her sultry voice matched her movements as she looked around.

Kias made a shushing sound while waving his hand. "Be quiet," he hissed, "or they'll hear us."

She scoffed, her tail twitching as she gave him a rather amused look that bordered on boredom.

"And yes, I know what I'm doing."

The two moved deeper into the employee's area. At this time of day most, if not all, were out and about, making sure that the people who visited the area wouldn't get lost in the maze of passageways. Information droids were only so good, plus the creatures actually fared better if they interacted with other life forms.

Kias stopped by a nondescript door. With a bit of work he got it open and stepped inside. Before him the room was dark. The only light came from the control panels on the far end of the room. These were the same panels that controlled various parts of the zoo.

Sitting down, he looked at the instrumentation before him. Reaching out, he pressed a button. Above him a light turned on. It didn't light up the entire room, just where he sat. Kias rubbed his hands together while smiling. "This should be fun," he muttered as his dark fingers danced across the surface before him. Looking up, several indicators changed from their normal indicators to something different, more ominous.

"Of course," Lamana's smiling voice came from behind him.

He looked towards her only to see her pointing to other controls.

"And don't forget…,"

"Of course." He smiled. "Let the fun begin," Kias smiled as his fingers danced across other controls. When finished he got to his feet. As the door closed behind him, the control panel began sparking and quickly shorted out.

The lights went out. Lamana remained quiet as the people around him began looking around in confusion. Reaching inside his heavy jacket, he pulled out several components and put them together to form a smallish blaster.

"He's got a blaster," someone cried out.

The people scattered in panic.

"Kriff," Kias muttered as he now found himself in an empty area. Either this will make it easier, or harder.

"Kias, what are you doing here?"

The Tholothaian turned around and let a smile cross his face. "Looking for you, of course." He raised his blaster and fired.

Numa shook her head. This was not good. /Aayen, see if you can find Obi-Wan./

/Yes, Master./ Her Padawan came over and handed her four leashes. At least their training bond was still in tact. Maybe that wasn't based on the Force. Mentally shrugging, Numa went in search for her wayward child. She wouldn't leave for too long, though. With the combination of distance and the wall separating her from the yslamiri, she could feel her Force sensitivity come back.

Reaching out, she was hit with a wave of panic and fear. It was almost overwhelming for her. Clamping down, she pulled her senses back while looking around the first corner. I should have asked for one or two other Masters to accompany me, she realized. But that was neither here nor there, and she had to deal with everything by herself and her padawan.

The power went out, plunging the area into darkness. Just as Numa reached for her lightsaber, the emergency lights flipped on, bathing everything in a red glow.

May I have your attention please. Please remain where you are. Security is on their way to escort everyone to safety.

Without thought, the Twi'lek master went back in the direction she came. Looking into the room she came from the children were huddled in a corner with Aayen standing between them and the door with her own lightsaber in hand. This had gone from an inconvenience, to something more sinister.

"Aayen?"

"Yes, Master?" the young Twi'lek's voice warbled.

"Trust the Force. Everything will be fine."

"Yes, Master," Aayen muttered, though it sounded like she wasn't sure.

Voices began to echo down the corridor. Ducking back into the room, Numa waited until footsteps joined in with the voices. A quick look and she saw what looked like a security guard leading a group of mothers and their children in her direction. As they passed by the room it was obvious they were not in any sort of panic, at least not yet.

With the first group gone, and the corridor empty once again, Numa decided that it was time to lead her young charges out of the area. She heard voices once again, this time they were raised in obvious panic.

Stepping into the corridor, Numa lit her lightsaber. Along with the snap/hissing sound, it let off a blue light that fought with the red emergency lights. She didn't want to be too close to the bend in the corridor. If the people were running then she might inadvertently kill someone, which would not be good.

As the first ones came around the corner, they skidded to a halt, with more colliding into them. "Jedi," a Pantoran paused, breathing hard, two children with her.

Numa opened her mouth to indicate the room, but realized there wouldn't be enough space to hold everyone. Obi-Wan. She knew she needed to find him, but at this point, her duty was to protect and lead the panicked civilians out of the area and into safety.

The Pantoran, after catching her breath, came near with wide eyes. "Master Jedi," she began, keeping her voice low. "There's a man back there with a blaster."

"I see," Numa's voice grim. "Padawan?"

"Yes, Master?" Aayen's voice sounded oddly stronger.

"I need you to lead the civilians, along with the younglings, to safety.

/What about Obi-Wan?/

/Not now. For you, the lives of these civilians are more important. Don't worry, though, I will find him./

"A child?" civilian scoffed.

Numa gave the man a bitter smile. "Sir, I assure you, Padawan Wetu is a fully trained Jedi. She will make sure that you will be safe. There is nothing for you to worry about."

He grumbled as Aayan led not only the nine children out of the room, but the rest of the civilians. As they disappeared around the corner, Numa let out a sigh she didn't realize she was holding. She trusted her Padawan to get the group out. With lightsaber in hand, she moved in the opposite direction.