The desert sands were starting to whip against the Womp rats, half burying the carcasses and the humans who had shot them down. "Hurry up!" Lando shouted through the harsh wind. "It looks like there's going to be a sandstorm coming through, we've got to get going!"

"Just hold on," Han shouted back. Earlier on, Luke had managed to find several pieces of debris and together, they had made a makeshift sled on which to carry the rats. Now it seemed as though it wasn't big enough.

Another gust almost blew him off his feet. Luke had to reach up and pull him back down. "Forget the rats," he screamed, "We've got to get to safety!"

Han knew that he was right, but the stubborn part of him that didn't want to let go of his prize continued to hang about his mind. "Do you really think I'll let all this go, after all the work we did for it?" He gestured to the rats. "This is a quick ten grand here, you know!"

Luke tried to glare at him, but had to blink to keep sand from getting into his eyes. "Hey, maybe Leia was right," he said. "You really are all about money, aren't you?"

Han stared at him, and then abruptly turned away. "Don't talk to me about moral values," he said. "I've had enough of that psycho-talk, and I certainly wasn't expecting to hear it from you."

"Look, we've got to argue later! Lando shouted. "You can work on the Womp rats all you want, but I'm going to get myself to shelter! Sorry, Han," he glanced towards his best friend, "But you're on your own here. I have my own life to worry about." With that, he struggled away.

Han and Luke were left alone in the swirling sandstorm. "It'd be craziness to stay out here," Luke said. "If we're going to run for it, it's now or never."

Han shut his eyes and struggled with the conflict in his mind. He had to make a decision, and for his family's sake, it had to be a wise one. Finally, he opened his eyes.

"If I'm not alive to collect what's left of the quarry," he shouted, "Then the aliens I bartered with might as well be killing two birds with one stone. I say we don't give them that pleasure."

Luke grasped his hand. "Yeah, so come on." He wrapped his tunic around his mouth and nose. He ignited his lightsaber to lead the way, but soon found out about the sparks which flew from the sand coming in contact with the weapon. They would have to make a blind leap, then. At least they would have a small chance to survive.

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"Sheesh, can't you just stay put?"

"No!"

Even now that they had landed, the twins were still having troubles with Ben. The nasty little imp, as Jacen called him, apparently wanted to go down with them to see the swamp. But what was there to see?

"Is there something the matter with you?" Jacen argued. "It's really boring this time; do you need any more explanations?"

"Yeah. If it's so boring, then why are you going?"

Jaina gritted her teeth and tried to use the force to mind-trick him. "We're going to see, um, Pepe the Clown." She said, waving her hand slightly. "He's doing Balloon shows underwater today."

"Oh, sounds like fun. Can I tag along?" Ben's face did not show any sign of being convinced.

"Fine," Jacen snarled. "You can come, but only after we've verified that it's safe." His sister mouthed horror at him, but he barely spared her another glance. Someone was going to pay for this, and it wasn't him.

Ben, finally satisfied with this answer, sat down on a chair and waited. He wouldn't touch anything. After all, he was getting his way.

"Don't tell me your heart has suddenly softened towards the brat," Jaina muttered as she followed her brother out. He stiffened and turned towards her, his face a picture of mock surprise.

"Why, of course not," he said. "He only thinks he's coming along. It's all a matter of time before he realizes he's not, and by that time, we'll have knocked his puny little brain out."

Jaina smiled. "Do you know how much I love you?" she asked as they scanned the waters for any signs of life.

"Far too well. I don't see anything out here; he must still be underwater. Let's get our breathers and head in."

They turned back to the ship. Before they went aboard, Jacen signaled to his sister, who nodded her head. Immediately after they went on, they started to open up boxes and compartments, pretending to rummage around for their breathers. "What are you looking for?" Ben asked, standing up from his chair.

"Our breathers. Could you help us find them? We'll need another one for you, too."

Ben almost snorted. The breathers were right under the cockpit, where he had seen them put the box. And they said that older people were supposed to be smarter. "They're right here," he said, crawling underneath to fetch the box. "Some people just can't-oof!"

The next thing he knew, something heavy had struck him on the head. Ben immediately became unconscious. Jacen put down the metal box and gently picked his cousin up.

"Instant results," he said to his sister, who had gone pale. "We'll shove him into one of the compartments and make sure he's got enough food and water for a couple of days."

"Jacen, no. It's not right." Jaina shivered at she stared at the unconscious little boy. Something about the sight scared her.

"Oh, all right. We'll stick him onto a cot or something, lock the ship up, and then leave him here with enough food and water."

"Do you really think he'll be able to take care of himself?"

Jacen chewed on this for a minute. "No. I have another idea," he said, going over to the computer. He set up a connection to the family apartment in Coruscant and asked the droid for C3PO.

"Yes-oh, hello, Master Jacen! May I be of assistance?"

"Threepio, don't tell my mom this, but could you get a video connection hooked up somewhere around the house? I need you to watch somebody for me."

"Why, of course, Master Jacen. However, I must remind you that I am a protocol droid, and am not programmed to connect wires."

"Um…could you ask Artoo for help? And please, please make sure that my mom doesn't know about it. Maybe you could do it in the closet where you two stay?"

After some coaxing and an hour of shouting, Jacen managed to remotely direct R2D2 on setting up a connection. He placed a small camera on top of a shelf, connected it and asked, "Can you see us?"

"Quite clearly. Do you want me to watch over that small boy in the corner?"

"Yes! Watch over him; make sure he doesn't try anything. If he does, feel free to use the commlink and reprimand him. And, if mom asks you to do anything when you're watching, leave somebody else back there or have it take screenshots while you're gone. Thanks, and remember not to tell anyone!"

Jacen wiggled his fingers at the camera and grabbed his bag. "Are you satisfied now?" he growled to his sister as they made their way out.

"Quite," she replied sarcastically. "Shouldn't we have started by now? It's getting dark." They walked to the edge of the pond, diving in simultaneously. As soon as their eyes became adjusted to the light, Jacen signaled for his sister to follow him.

"Come on. Let's go find our brother."

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To keep from escaping, Anakin had been placed in the same cell with Tahiri, their arms bound together. The only time they were released from this uncomfortable position was when they were given time to stretch or served their daily rations of fish entrails. At least the intestines were usually cleaned.

Anakin had no way of telling what time it was, but judging from the obnoxious snores resounding in the pits, it was the middle of the night. Usually he felt like sleeping, but not this time. There was a feeling nagging his brain, telling him that something was about to happen.

If only Tahiri were awake. Then at least he could have someone to talk it over with…

'Who said I was sleeping?'

Anakin almost jumped. She had kept her feelings well hidden. That was both bad and good, in a sense.

'Sorry. I didn't know.'

'That's okay. Anyway, you can't sleep either?'

'No. It's as if something is about to happen; did you feel it too?'

'…Yes, but I highly doubt that it's going to be our rescuers. For them to come straight after we met the Boss would be too easy, wouldn't it?'

Anakin laughed quietly. 'Yes. While they're at it, wouldn't it be convenient for them to come with dry clothes and food, not to mention a ship to bring us home?'

'Mmm.' Tahiri fell silent, and her thoughts disappeared from his mind. After a while, Anakin felt pretty sure that she had fallen asleep. He was getting tired too; maybe she wouldn't mind if he just leaned a little against her back…

'I'm not sleeping.'

Wincing with embarrassment, Anakin shot upright, making sure that his feelings were as hidden as possible. Maybe the more logical thing to do was to lean forward, onto his knees. He tried it.

"Look," Tahiri grumbled as she was pulled back towards him, "It's not exactly the ideal time for a nap, mainly because I'm not ready. Maybe you could try to sit straight for a little longer. Or we could take shifts."

"Sure. I'll take first," Anakin offered.

"Oh no, my macho friend," she laughed. "You were the one making a fuss just to get into a good position, right? Lean against me all you want. I really don't feel like resting for a while."

"Um, right. Thanks," Anakin replied. He tried not to lean very hard; after all, he didn't want to hurt her. Tahiri was his best friend, and from the way she always stood up for him, she was probably going to remain that way for the rest of their lives. Involuntarily, he smiled. It was hard to find people as nice as that…

The next thing he knew, he was being pushed back onto his knees. "Get off me," Tahiri whispered, "Someone wants to talk to you." She motioned towards the grate.

Worried about the trouble that he might have put her through, Anakin rolled over until he was facing the grate. A wave of water splashed into his face, and he had to shake his head to rid his skin of the coldness. When he opened his eyes, what he saw next made his blood run cold, then very, very hot.

"So, Mansa Musa!" he hissed. "Coming back to gloat at us after you decided to run away?"

Mansa Musa almost felt like running away right then, but he swallowed his fear and kept his voice steady. "No," he replied. "Mesa sorry about what happened the other day. Mesa wants to help you get out."

"Oh, come on," Anakin snorted. "After virtually deserting us while saving your father, do you honestly expect us to believe you now?"

Mansa Musa sighed. Though he had known that this would happen, he decided to press on. "I'm tellin' the truth," he insisted. "Yousan are Jedi, can't you feel it?"

Tahiri sent a message to him. 'I think he might have a point. His feelings are quite pure.'

'But what if he's trying to trick us again?'

'That's why the term 'barter' came into existence.' Tahiri leaned over towards the Gungan. "If you're true to your words," she said, "Then you have to prove it. If you really want to get us out, bring your father to help, too."

Mansa Musa inwardly groaned. "Yousa know, it was so much trouble justa get him out? Now I have to put him back in danger-zone?"

"Call it a way of making sure that you're going to do what you say. If you try to rat on us, your dad gets caught again. If you get us safely out, then we all escape with our lives."

"Mesa is already hated by the society. I'm riskin' a lot just to be talkin' to you!"

"Don't worry; we'll help with the process. Now go back and find your dad. When will you guys be able to come back?"

Mansa Musa thought hard. "Two days from now. Wesa will prepare da Bongo you stole for a quick getaway and put it nearby."

"Thanks. Make sure you come," Anakin called softly as the Gungan swam away. His heart was pounding. So his intuition had been right; someone had come to save them after all.

"Well, he certainly didn't come with clothes or some food," Tahiri said, a bit of humor in her voice. "Why is it that I always see through you during these moments?"

Anakin blushed as he thought of his feelings towards her earlier that night. "You don't mean-"

"I told you that you needed rest. Maybe tomorrow you'll be a little more alert. Anyway," she yawned and leaned back against the wall. "Goodnight, Anakin."

He wasn't sure whether he mumbled a reply or not. One thing was for sure, though: he didn't dare let his guard down after that. He was far too embarrassed to let anything more slip.