Chapter 18 Mind Siege

The hike over uneven ground was painful for Ferri, but he drew strength from the Force as Park quickened his pace; soon the younglings were struggling to keep up. With encouraging words, Ferri managed to keep them going, but then little Saeri began to falter. With a sigh Ferri gathered her into his arms and hobbled on. Sensing that his followers were tiring, Park turned and with a nod called for a short rest, "Apologies. I understand that it has been difficult for injured and short legs to keep pace; it was important to distance ourselves from the growlers. We can proceed more slowly once you have rested." He explained.

Ferri nodded and Shel sat down, a signal to the younglings who followed her lead with weary sighs of relief. Saeri slid out of Ferri's arms to join them and with a groan, Ferri lowered himself to the ground. Park squatted down next to him and began to carefully unwrap the bandage, "How did this happen?" He questioned.

"Our Temple was attacked; Zak and I went to help. They shot me to force Zak to obey them." Ferri explained as Park gingerly probed his wounded leg.

"Your Temple?" Park questioned.

"Our home, on Coruscant." Ferri explained.

"I do not know this place." Park replied, "Is it far into the sky?"

"Very far I think, yes." Ferri answered.

"And how do you come to be here?" Park asked.

"That's a long story." Ferri said.

"Ah, one that you will share with us?" Park asked.

"Us?"

"My people; you did not think I dwelt alone." Park answered.

"I guess I didn't really think about it." Ferri admitted.

"This is unlike any injury I have seen; there is burning here as well as penetration." Park observed.

"Yeah, that's what a blaster does, penetrates and burns." Ferri told him.

"I am not familiar with such a weapon; and apparently fortunate not to be." Park replied, reaching into his satchel, "I have something which will ease your pain."

"No thanks, it's not that bad." Ferri assured him, still wary of this stranger.

"We have some way to go yet, Young Jedi; allow me to ease your pain until we reach my people." Park pressed.

Closing his eyes, Ferri nodded; it would do the younglings no good if he collapsed. They had already lost Zak, and as much as he hated to admit it, they looked to him for guidance now. Park smiled, "Another wise choice, Young Ferri." He said as he opened a packet and spread it out on the ground.

"What is it?" Ferri asked as Park began to mixed some kind of liquid with an powdery substance.

"This is merely water; the powder is from several plants that grow near our caves." Park answered as he stirred the two ingredients together, "What did those who attacked your Temple wish to force the one called Zak to do?"

"Surrender to them." Ferri replied.

"I see; so it seems the purpose of the attack was to take your friend." Park surmised.

"Him and these younglings, yes." Ferri expanded.

"These particular younglings? Why would that be; because they possess the Power?" Park wondered.

"So, do I have to drink that?" Ferri asked as he watched the moistened powder begin to turn into black ooze.

Park smiled, "No, Young Jedi; as you can see, it is thickening. I will apply it to your injury; it has numbing qualities." He explained, "Tell me, why these younglings?"

Ferri sighed, "That's complicated." He answered.

"Ah, I see." Park replied, clearly disappointed in Ferri's response, "Do you believe I would not comprehend the reason because I know of nothing beyond this place?"

Ferri shook his head, "I comprehend more than you know; there have been others from the sky, Young Ferri. And I do understand these cravings for the Power some possess." Park continued, "Did your takers wish to harness your Powers?"

Ferri laughed, "If that's what you think then you really don't understand." He replied.

"Then I would like to understand." Park said, "Can you not reveal why you were taken? Or do you not understand the purpose yourself?"

"The ones who attacked the Temple were from a place where people like us are feared and hated; Zak and these younglings are from that place, and the law there states, well stated until our Chancellor took control, that anyone who is Force sensitive must be either exiled or killed." Ferri explained.

"Force sensitive?"

"Yes, I think it's what you call having the Power." Ferri answered.

"Ah, I see; I know such a place. And you are from this place as well?" Park asked, as he finished mixing his concoction and then scooped it up with his fingers, "This will sting a little until it begins to work."

"Great. No, I'm not from their homeworld." Ferri replied and winced when Park began to apply the paste to the burned edges of his leg.

"Then they took you because you also possess the Power?" Park questioned, gently moving toward the center, the more damaged area, of the wound.

"They didn't take us just because we possess this Power, every Jedi does; they took Zak and the younglings because they considered them their people and subject to their antiquated law." Ferri told him, gritting his teeth as he began to feel the sting Park warned him of.

"I see, so possessing the Power makes one a Jedi?" Park guessed, "The discomfort will pass momentarily."

Ferri winced, squeezing his eyes closed and biting his lip to stifle the pain, as the stinging seemed to increase rather than decrease, "It will pass; give it a moment." Park assured him.

Gradually, as Park predicted, the stinging subsided, taking with it much of the pain, "There, you see; better is it not?" Park stated more than asked and then began to replace the bandage, "So the Power makes one a Jedi?"

"Well, it's a little more involved than that; I mean, being Force sensitive, having the Power, means that you can become a Jedi with training. The Temple is our home." Ferri said.

"Fascinating; when we reach my people, we must talk more of this. But I am puzzled; if you are from another place, and you are not bound by their laws, why did they take you?" Park wondered.

"There were two escaped criminals working with them; I share a...a past with them, and when they found out I was with Zak, they wanted me too." Ferri answered.

Park smiled, "I feel you are uncomfortable speaking of this; I will press you no further. However, I am curious; you mentioned 'exile', that is intriguing. You see, from what we know of those who came before us, they were exiles." He said, "And therefore, I am wondering what place young Zak and the little ones came from."

Ferri furrowed his brow, "Belarid." He revealed.

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Once his ship was in hyperspace, there was very little for Boba and Dena to do; they exchanged small talk for a short time, but the unspoken concern for their mutual friends made any trivial conversations difficult and the silence prevailed. Even with Boba's sleek, fast ship, Bella was still more than two hours away. To pass the time, Boba turned his attention to polishing the barrel of his ever present blaster while Dena fell back on her Jedi training and meditation. Although she appeared outwardly calm compared to Boba nervous fiddling, inwardly, Dena was as anxious to reach Verdant and find the exiled Jedi as Boba was.

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"Master Windu, you have not happened to have spotted two of Master Skywalker's younglings, have you?" An anxious Master Rega inquired.

Mace scowled at her, "I have not; but I am sure they are here somewhere. Have you checked the Room of A Thousand Fountains; they seem to spend a great deal of time there." He suggested.

"Yes, Master; thoroughly and several times." Rega answered.

Mace sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, suddenly getting a bad feeling, "Which ones are missing, Rega?"

"Young Luke and Hadrian." Rega told him.

The Council Master moved from rubbing the bridge of his nose to massaging his forehead, "Luke? That one is much like his father; I hope he has not gotten the idea to go searching for the younglings himself." He said.

"He is only 6; you can't think he would go off on his own." Rega replied.

"Apparently you do not know that youngling very well." Mace countered and then thought for a moment before moving to a nearby comm station, "Derek? How long ago did Fett take off?"

"Nearly two hours ago, Master Windu? He had clearance to leave...should I have stopped him?" Derek asked.

"No, no; you did nothing wrong." Mace assured the comm master and then changed to subject to ease his concern, "Have there been any further transmissions from Ferri Cortis?"

"Not a word, Master; but we are still receiving their homing signal." Derek replied.

"Very good, Derek; thank you." Mace answered and then turned to Rega, "How long have those two been missing?"

Rega sighed and looked grim, "About two hours, Master Windu." She admitted.

Mace huffed in frustration, "I have feeling if we check with the docking crew, they will have been seen in the docking bay." He stated, "Anakin will not be happy about this."

"I'm sorry, Master Windu; I should have been more vigilant." Rega replied regretfully.

"We all should have been, Rega. I think it is time to speak with Leia; she always seems to know just what her brothers are up to." Mace answered.

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Obi-Wan rubbed his temple, "I am concerned that we did not find Terak and our two hunting friends; I would not be surprised if they were not already on their way to Bella." He admitted to Anakin as Antilles took the ship into hyperspace.

"You're probably right; hopefully Ferri and Zak will be able to keep them busy until we get there." Anakin replied, trying to sound less worried that he actually was.

"Hopefully; but there is little we can do for them at this..." Obi-Wan stopped in mid sentence and leaned forward holding his head.

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin placed a hand on his friend's back, "What is it?"

After a moment Obi-Wan took a deep breath and sat up, "Something is forcing itself into Zak's mind." He

"That's not possible." Anakin refuted quickly and then looked at Obi-Wan in puzzlement, "Is it?"

"If the information Boba uncovered is true, then it is possible those ancient Force sensitives exiled there could have survived." Obi-Wan surmised, "And if that is possible, then it is also possible that they have passed their Force sensitivity on."

"Well, they don't sound very friendly; but I'm not feeling any distress like that from Ferri. Could they have become separated?" Anakin wondered.

"I don't know; but whoever probed Zak's mind did so without his consent." Obi-Wan replied.

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It had taken five of Li's strongest men to finally subdue their combative intruder as he continued to fight even after he had been removed from the privacy chamber and forced into the chair in the outer room. Li watched with detached interest from a safe distance as the young man continually used his Power to shove his captors away and kicked out with such force that some were thrown hard into the far wall. Control was gained gradually as first one arm, then the other was tethered to the arms of the chair and his ankles one at a time to the chair's legs. With his limbs secure, it only took another moment to position a strap around his chest and upper arms to bind him securely to the chair, "Now we will converse." Li said as she moved to stand in front of him.

Zak laughed breathlessly, "You've got to be kidding." He retorted.

"Why are you being so difficult?" Li asked.

"I woke up to find I was a prisoner; if you wanted to converse with me, that wasn't a very smart way of going about it." Zak countered.

Li narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, "If you do not tell me what I wish to know, then I will force it from you." She threatened.

"You can try." Zak answered.

With an angry huff, Li turned her back to him for a moment, "I had hoped to welcome you to our lodge as our honored guest; but by withholding knowledge from us, you have proved to me that you would be a disruptive presence here." She began and then turned to face him again, her face hard, her eyes cold, "It appears the time for civil conversation has passed."

Zak narrowed his eyes and stared boldly back at her, "Yes, it appears so." He agreed.

"So be it." Li replied and turned to one of the men, "Tell Geon it is time so that she may summon the Four, Tarka."

The one called Tarka answered with a nod of his head, waved his hand to reveal the opening and exited.

Li returned her attention to her captive, "It will take a few moments to summon them; there is still time to reconsider." She offered.

Zak shook his head and laughed again, "I'm a prisoner here; if I tell you anything, it will not be willingly." He told her.

"That is a foolish choice." Li replied and stepped closer to him, "Because this will be most unpleasant."

Zak felt her begin to push against his defenses and he raised his shields, easily forcing her out, "You are strong, intruder; but you will be no match for us." Li warned, "Give in to me now and I can make it easier for you."

Zak shook his head and closed his eyes, gathering the Force around him for the coming battle.

Li scowled with annoyance at her rebellious guest as she raised one arm and stepped close enough to lay her palm on his forehead; but Zak brushed the hand off with a shake of his head, "Restrain him." Li ordered impatiently.

One of the remaining men came up behind the chair and clamped a hand on each side of Zak's head, forcing him to face Li who again placed her palm on the prisoner's forehead, "No." Zak protested, struggling to free himself.

"Resistance is pointless." Li told him as she tried once more to penetrate Zak's mental defenses.

Even though Zak's defenses continued to repel Li's assault, she continued to press relentlessly, searching for any weakness she could exploit to break through. When Tarka returned with Geon, however, she had yet to find one, "Join me, Geon." Li requested amiably and stretched out her other hand.

Without a word, Geon grasped the offered hand and allowed Li to draw Power from her. Li felt her subject stiffen slightly at the added assault but still she was unable to break through his tight mental shields, "You have been well taught." She told him with admiration, "Will you not reconsider?"

"Never." Zak retorted through gritted teeth.

"A pity." Li said as another woman, young and dark haired, entered the room.

"Ah, Rendar; join with Geon." Li instructed.

Zak's arms strained against his bonds and his hands curled into fists as the siege against his mind elevated; he tried unsuccessfully to turn his head to one side in a vain attempt to gain a brief respite from the onslaught, "It is useless, Young Zak; do not cause yourself further pain by continuing to fight." Li advised.

But Zak remained resistant and when a third appeared and took Rendar's outstretched hand, he let out a low moan, straining even harder against his restraints, "You are in agony; give in and end this foolishness." Li entreated once again as another woman joined with the third, "No." Zak gasped.

Li sighed, "Join me, Sealle." She instructed.

The fourth woman nodded and placed her free hand on Li's forearm completing the circle and besieging the weakening Jedi with a devastating wave of Power; Zak arched his back, fighting against the inevitable failure of his mental shields, "NOOOO!" He screamed as he felt his defenses finally beginning to buckle under Li's ruthless assault; with one last moan, they crumbled and Li's intrusion was complete. Moments later, she smiled triumphantly and lowered her arms, breaking the circle, "Release him, Arna; we are finished." Li ordered.

Arna nodded and complied; Zak dropped his head, breathing heavily from the exertion of the battle with Li, "It did not have to be that difficult, Young Zak; you could have joined us of your own free will." Li said.

Zak shook his head weakly and Li sighed once again, "You have great Power that you could have freely shared with us." She continued and then began to untie the tethers securing him, "You will remain with us because we have need of your Power; but as we cannot countenance rebellion, you will be treated as a hostile and must be harnessed." She told him, "Your little ones will be taken into our Lodge as its newest members; however, I fear the one called Ferri will be as resistant as you have proven to be and he too will be treated as a hostile. Only in time will we know if the girl, Shel, will fit in here; if she proves resistant, she will be turned out to the growlers as she will not be strong enough to endure the harnessing."

Zak raised his head to regard her, "Others...will...come for...us." He whispered, then his head lolled forward and he seemed to drop into a stupor.

Li smiled and lifted his chin, "So you say; well; time will tell, will it not?" She retorted, letting his head fall again, then turned to Arna, "Take several of your men to his craft and retrieve his companions; subdue the one called Ferri if you must, but have a care, his Power is valuable, and must not be wasted. If the girl, Shel resists, bind her and leave her for the growlers."

Arna nodded and triggered the wall opening; as he was leaving another woman with a gray streak running through her hair entered, "He is no good to me if his will is broken, Li." She said.

"Have you so little faith in my abilities, Asjen? His body is weakened, and his will subdued, but it is not broken. His pliancy will make him easier to harness." Li informed her.

"Hmm." Asjen responded as she touched the side of Zak's face, "Perhaps; is he mine to take now?"

"He is." Li confirmed and then gestured for the remaining guards who moved forward, one releasing the strap across Zak's chest so that the other could haul him to his feet, "Such a pity, Young Zak; you had so much more to offer than your Power." Li said and then moved aside.

Zak stumbled forward as the guards led him toward the opening; "He will give us great Power, Li." Asjen told the gray haired woman.

"Yes, and he has brought little ones to renew the Clan." Li added.

Asjen smiled, "Yes." She agreed and then followed her prisoner and his escort out.

"Do you think he is telling the truth, Li? About others coming for him?" Geon wondered.

Li shook her head, "I think not; they are exiles as those before us were. No one will come." Li assured her.