Entry 26

We quickly followed the female Wookiee through the crowded and broken down village before entering a large shelter made out of a number of discarded shipping containers connected together. "You're back!" came the sound of a soft female voice from inside the hut. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust but eventually I could see a tall Togruta woman rising to her feet. She was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, but her long black-and-white striped headtails and curved horn-like montrals gave her an almost regal appearance. Despite the cruel conditions she faced in the last few weeks, she was still the majestic poetess.

"Sheel!" I walked up to her and took her hands in mine. "Pol Haus is going to be so happy we found you." I released my grip and stood back as I looked her up and down. I was alarmed at her gaunt appearance and the number of bruises on her face and arms. "Are you okay? Did somebody hurt you?"

Sacha and Magash came along side of Sheel. "She may have a cracked rib," Sacha explained.

I frowned. "What happened?"

Sheel made a dismissive gesture. "Its nothing. I was on the prison barge Purge when I saw a guard use a stun baton to take down a pregnant Wookiee. I was outraged and ran to help. Just as the guard went to kick her in the stomach I dove in to protect her and her unborn child. I think I heard something snap when his boot connected. Luckily a group of Wookiees came to my rescue and the guard decided it was in his best interest to retreat." She reached over to her side and gently pressed down before grimacing with pain. "It still hurts, mainly when I laugh, which, fortunately, isn't a common occurrence around here."

"We had trouble finding her on our first day because she was living with the Wookiees," Magash explained. "Non-Wookiees are usually not welcome here."

Sheel went over to a makeshift stool and sat down with some effort. "The Wookiee I helped said she would make sure I was protected. She stayed in the main camp with her mate, but she asked Challanka here to watch over me." She motioned toward the Wookiee who guided us to the hut.

"The Sister Central sentries heard the men coming about a half hour before they arrived," Sacha explained. "They called the women together and Sheel came with Challanka to the meeting. That's when we found her and tried to contact you."

"And I was already on my way intending to make sure the men didn't hurt any of you." I gazed at Magash and Sacha proudly. "I see I had nothing to worry about. I'm glad you were able to get me out of the situation without having to injure any of the women." I turned to Sacha. "Although, when we get out of here I would like an explanation as to how you knew about a certain birthmark." Sacha blushed fiercely, but didn't respond.

Magash chuckled at Sacha's discomfort. "We need to discuss something more important for now." She turned her gaze to the Wookiee. "Challanka, is it possible for you to give us some privacy?" She motioned to me and the other women.

The Wookiee's brow furrowed before she let out a long string of grunts and rumbles. Sacha and Magash looked over to Sheel. "Do you understand what she said?"

A look of confusion crossed Sheel's face before she slowly turned towards me. "Challanka asks if you need privacy in order to mate with us?"

My jaw dropped in shock, Sacha blushed and Magash bit her bottom lip in an effort to keep from laughing. "No…I don't need privacy for that." I then realized that sounded like I wanted to mate and didn't care who watched. "I mean, that is not the reason we want privacy. I…uhhh…" I blew out a frustrated breath and looked to Magash for assistance.

She laughed as she walked over to Challanka. "We wish to discuss personal matters, that is all. It will only take a few minutes." The large female made a laughing noise before she looked to me and made an undulating hip gesture. Then to my great relief she stepped out of the shelter. Magash moved a wooden crate cover over the door opening to prevent people from looking inside.

Sheel looked a little uncomfortable over the verbal exchange. "What's going on?"

"It's a long story." Sacha made a reassuring wave of her hand. "I know you trust Challanka, but we don't want to discuss escape plans around anybody. We don't need people trying to hitch a ride. There's only enough room for us."

We went over and sat on the ground next to Sheel. "Pol has an inside man, a guard named Sergeant Tokk, who will get us onto a ship," Sacha explained. "We have communication devices hidden in our shoes and we will contact him tonight for a rendezvous location and time to meet."

Magash turned to me. "We'll escort you halfway back to the men's camp. Get back into your disguise and Kwan will send you a signal letting you know when we're hidden inside the broken trash carrier, the ship had been screened and it is now safe for you to show up to bum a ride and an Imperial Inquisitor."

I nodded. "Everything is going as planned…which makes me nervous. Breaking people out of an Imperial detention facility can't possibly be this easy."

Sacha gave me a reassuring smile. "We've pulled off crazier missions than this, Jax."

"You're right." I stood and looked over to the makeshift door. "Should I leave now with one of you. Or..." I tried to contain a grin. "Should I allow enough time so Challanka will believe I thoroughly bedded three women?"

Sacha closed her eyes and made an exasperated groan. "It was Magash's idea to claim you as our mate."

Magash grinned revealing straight white teeth. "Fortunately Sacha had enough intimate knowledge of our Jedi Master that we were able to convince the women of Sister Central that my words were true." Magash stood and grabbed her staff before walking over to me. "I will guide you back to the men's camp."

"Thank you." I pulled the door away from the entrance and looked back to Sacha and Sheel. "I'll see you tonight."

I stepped out into the bright Despayre sun and blinked. I had a lot of questions to ask Sacha, but that could wait until we were away from this place and we could talk in private.

I couldn't wait to hear what she had to say.