Obi-Wan took the first chance to rest, after Anakin refused it. Anakin finally changed places with him, finally satisfied with how he was leaving things. He left Obi-Wan to tinker with the easier of the mechanical repairs. Obi-Wan listened to Anakin's restless sleep. His friend had gotten past the initial nightmares he'd had after his return from the dark side. But lately, he'd noticed more tossing and turning. Finally Anakin sat up, listening.

"Storms over. I see daylight." He was craning his neck to see out the viewport. "I'm going to check the outside. Maybe I'll look for the other ship."

"Just be sure they don't see you." Obi-Wan observed. "Are you all right? You didn't sleep much."

Anakin sighed. "Yes. Bad dreams." He paused. "Not the regular ones. Different."

"Different how?"
Anakin just shook his head. "I'll let you know when I sort it out myself. They're probably just dreams…"

As opposed to visions? Obi-Wan got a chill at that thought. Anakin's visions were rarely good. And his need to prevent them was what led to his downfall. Still, he could trust Anakin to tell him, now. He followed him out of the ship and sighed as he stepped into water.

"See? I told you it was just a puddle." Anakin quickly pointed out.

"A puddle the size of a field."

"But not deep. It's a puddle."

"It's almost a pond, Anakin."

"Almost doesn't count. Ouch, look at our dorsal wing…" Anakin stared at the ship wing.

Obi-Wan peered up to see a massive scorch mark running down it, along with exposed circuits. "Well, that's not good." He stated calmly. "Can you fly with it like that?"

Anakin bounced up onto the upper hull with a nearly obscene amount of energy. "Yes. I'm more worried about the way the mark runs to that left ventral. It might've damaged s-foil circuits."

"A rough lift off."

"And a turbulent trip through hyperspace." Anakin had paused and pulled out a pair of electrobinoculars. He took a half step forward, slipped, caught the upper wing and stared.

"What are you looking at."

"Big mess to the south. Smoldering. Looks like trees down. Maybe…"

"Our opponents." Obi-Wan considered. "Anakin, are you sure there is no way to repair this ship with what we have?"

Anakin considered a moment. He shook his head. "Not the initiator."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Then I guess we're in for a hike."

"Are you sure you don't want to wait here?"

"Tired of my company?"

"No. I just don't want them to come and steal our ship."

"Our damaged ship."

"They don't know that. We have fixed enough it might lift off, even if it's hyperdrive is out."

Obi-Wan considered for a long moment. "I don't like the idea of you going alone. Not when it's probably you they are after."

"I'll stay in touch."

Obi-Wan sighed. "I'll agree, only because I don't have a better idea."

"If you see anything else we need, just call. Maybe it'll work for local signals."

"Perhaps."

Anakin stayed alert as he trudged through the forest. Massive spiky trunked trees loomed over him with blue foliage like giant flowers. He brushed past something that looked like shoulder high toadstools and heard the distant calls of wild creatures. He kept his Force senses alert, searching for sentients who might be hunting him, but he felt nothing. He passed a chattering brook, colorful with stones and wondered if the water was drinkable.

Finally he started passing debris, bits of broken limbs from taller trees and metal. He passed a mangled stormtrooper, obviously dead, and winced. That one had been thrown or fallen quite a distance. Bits of shattered transparisteel reflected sunlight. Then he entered the newly made clearing and saw the remains of the shuttle. All of the wings had been ripped off and the cockpit nose was crumpled. Black scorch marks showed along the engine. He hoped he hadn't fried the parts they needed with shooting. He passed another stormtrooper's body. He finally sensed life. One sentient, in pain and frightened. Even as the recognition made him rush forward, blaster fire rang out. His lightsaber was activated and in his hand instantly. A resounding screaming roar blasted out. Another scream, this one human, sent him into a run. He raced to the the shuttle and saw what looked like a giant lizard cat, dark blue with green stripes that almost blended into the landscape. It's teeth had closed on the leg of a wounded Imperial. The man's blaster was flung to the side by the long, hard, whipping tail. The blaster vanished into the brushy mushrooms. The tail had sharp spikes and blood sprayed from that arm. One fist bashed in a panic at the beast's head as the creature proceeded to drag him the rest of the way out of the ship.

Anakin reached out and Force punched the beast. It flew back but the man flew with it. Anakin winced as the teeth clenched tighter instead of releasing. He leaped, saber swinging and sliced the long tail. It released and spun, leaping at him with extended claws. Another Force punch sent it back. For a few moments they battled, Anakin trying to convince the beast to find dinner elsewhere, the beast too enraged to walk away. Finally he succeeded by Force throwing it so hard it crashed through the trees. Anakin sighed with relief. He hadn't had to bloody his new blade with death yet. He could sense it fleeing.

Turning back to the Imperial, he saw the very blood stained leg, old burns on his face, one massive scar and finally, a bloody arm. The man was white as a sheet and staring at him. Anakin stared back. With all the injuries, old and new, it took a moment for him to recognize Admiral Piett.

And only a split second longer for the man to recognize him right back. "Lord Vader." He whispered.

Anakin felt a cold shock roar through him. How could Piett possibly recognize him? He'd never seen his face without the mask!

In spite of the momentary shock, Anakin kept alert. The lizard cat might come back, and it might have friends. Also, there might be other survivors who might take a shot at him. But he sensed no immediate danger and headed over to the Admiral. For a moment, he eyed him, then darted into the empty shuttle. It had hit so hard the seats were crooked, and he could see the bodies of the cockpit crew still in front, along with a red stain on the windscreen. He winced, then opened a cabinet with a med kit. He spun back to the seats, found one fairly upright and swung his lightsaber through the supports. He extricated the metal bar from the padding. Finally he hurried back out.

The Admiral was still staring, alternating between him, the wild surroundings and the badly injured leg. Anakin kneeled next to him, making him start. He started with carefully slicing a hole in the pants leg and putting a pain patch on, followed quickly by larger patch to cover the bleeding holes in the leg. But he could sense from the man's pain, the depth of the wounds and the lump in the leg that it was probably broken. He sighed. "I think it's broken." He pulled a random, small brace out of the bag. Too small for the injury. "Here. Bite down on this. Yelling might bring them back and it's going to hurt. Sorry." He shoved it into the man's open mouth. Apparently it was the "sorry" that left Piett's mouth gaping. It was not a word he ever used as Darth Vader. Wincing slightly in sympathy and using the Force to feel out the appropriate shape of the leg, he straightened. The Admiral howled into the brace. Using the metal bar and the bandages he quickly splinted it. Sensing the man's reaction, he grabbed the splint from his mouth and leaped back just in time to miss the man being sick. As soon as that was done, he followed through on the arm injury, which was just a deep cut.

"I'll be right back. I don't sense any of those creatures too close. Just hang on."

He left the man gasping weakly, handing over his canteen. Piett didn't question now, he just rinsed his mouth out as Anakin hurried back into the wreckage. He quickly checked the engine compartment and let out a concerned grumble at the damage. Then he dug out the hyperdrive initiator. He sighed uncertainly as he checked it. There was damage all around it and studying it he could see at least one fried bit of circuitry. But he might be able to patch it. It wasn't supposed to be doable, but then, a lot of the engineering experiments he'd done weren't. Then he glanced back out to where he'd left the admiral. A quick check of the Force warned him that the creature was coming back, and with friends. Spinning for the communication system and cringing as he had to move aside a body, he quickly downloaded the messages, nav data and especially the highly classified intel. His eyes narrowed and he took in a deep breath as he scanned for the pertinate data.

"Oh, KRIFF it." He growled. He shuddered as he saw the image and message that appeared, eyes only intel. It was meant to be spread among only highest ranked commanders. It was him. His younger face looked out at him, followed by an image of him, scarred, mask less but in Darth Vader's armor. That gave him a jolt. He rocked back on his heels in disbelief. How had they gotten it?

There was an enormous bounty offered on him and it clearly detailed he was Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker and warned that he was very dangerous. He was wanted for the attempted murder of the Emperor and treason. But the knowledge was to be kept secret on Grand Admiral Thrawn's orders. Any local bounties offered were only to mention Anakin Skywalker, Jedi and give his face, including the scarred one but with the armor edited out.

"Oh, that's rich." He snorted, shaking his head. And if word got out, when word got out, the flip side would be obvious. If he was Vader and Anakin Skywalker, he was the one who betrayed the Jedi. And there were people, too, who would take it out on his family just to get at him.

He blew nervously, ignoring the smell of death in the cockpit. Someone had ejected from this ship. Someone on a mission. Someone who knew too much.

He glanced around and turned to another damaged support beam. Activating the lightsaber, he sliced it free and with a strong twist of the Force, bent the end into a handle. Then he found another. He quickly yanked padding from one of the seats and wrapped the handles, then hustled back out to the Admiral. The man was breathing hard.

"I know it's a bad idea with that leg, but those creatures are coming back. You are going to need to walk." Or run, he thought, but didn't add. "I can't carry you out on a stretcher fast enough." As if to emphasis this, there was movement in the distance, a low growling and hooting. It came first on one side, then another.

"Hunting pack." Anakin said, handing him one crutch and pulling him up, swaying. The man took both crutches, face white and breathing hard in near panic. Anakin pulled a hypo out of the med kit and gave him a shot. The man blinked. "Adrenaline." He glanced at the creatures. "We need to move!"

He led him into the flowering bush, heading back to Obi-Wan. He slowed enough to keep pace with the Admiral, who was trying to push crutches through the dense foliage. Anakin kept one hand on his lightsaber hilt. He kept alert for the creatures, which fell back quickly. For the moment, he could sense they had lost some of them. The bodies, he realized wincing. Fresh enough they wouldn't turn their noses up.

The Admiral finally had to rest. He was drenched in sweat and Anakin could see his leg still bleeding a bit. Not a good sign, the lizard cats were sure to smell it if the breeze shifted. Right now it was at their backs and coming in on a down draft. It brought the tingle of plasma to the air. He hoped it wasn't enough to cause lung damage.

"I...don't understand. Alive...and not in the mask..." Piett was confused, in shock and a bit loopy from the drugs. Otherwise he'd never have dared question.

"Long story." Anakin glanced over his shoulder. At least one of the beasts was on the trail again. Abruptly making a decision, he reached into the Force, searching for his hunter. It was a woman and he could feel her, but not quite pinpoint her. She also was heading toward his ship. "Obi-Wan," he whispered in warning. He felt the answering touch and acknowledgement of danger.

"You ready?" He knew the man wasn't. But Piett simply gritted his teeth and started bravely on again.

The man finally gave out again, this time nearly toppling over and retching. Anakin pushed him over to a tree. The man's flailing hand caught it and Anakin caught the crutch he dropped. Finally, he just sagged back. Anakin let him rest. He still could feel the creatures hunting, three now. One in the lead.

"Admiral. What's this about 'attempted' to murder the Emperor?" Now was the time to nudge the question. The drugs made him more inclined to answer.

"I...don't know." The man was weak. "It just came down that you were alive, and...a traitor..."

Anakin turned his attention tighter onto him. The confusion and uncertainty were honest. But there was a sense of suspicion there, a hunch..

"But you suspect."

Piett swallowed, trembling. "Officers who would not agree on new leadership are suddenly cooperating, as if the Emperor is back and directing them."

"Like who?"

"Isard. Thrawn."

And an agent who answered only to the Emperor. Anakin felt a chill go through him. The Emperor was dead. He'd killed him, himself. So who could be daring to take his place?

Piett suddenly pushed off and Anakin led him forward toward the shuttle. He resisted the urge to speed up. The lizard cats were gaining. And the agent was closing on the shuttle. He could feel it. The alertness of a prey animal was driving him. He felt a tingle of anger along with it. He was accustomed to being the hunter, not the hunted. That feeling brought a sudden nausea with it. This was how the Jedi felt, when he had hunted them.

A distant sense of alarm, brought him to a momentary halt. Cocking his head he listened intently. The Admiral paused, panting and glanced back. Anakin could hear the rumble of engines as he strained. A flicker of the Force told him Obi-Wan was coming to them.

"Where did those orders come from Admiral? If not who, do you know where?"

"Deep core, Byss..."

Anakin shuddered. A danger premonition, completely unrelated to the current situation filtered into his perceptions. There was trouble coming that would make Dariqsen look like a flash in the pan. Which he was, but only because they had stopped him.

"We need to get to a clearing." Anakin said. "Our ride is coming to get us."

"What...are you going to do with me?"

"Do? I hadn't planned on doing anything." Anakin said as he steered toward the gap in the Force nearby that he was sure spelled 'less trees'. "I wasn't exactly expecting survivors. Then I figured you didn't really want to be dinner. You won't last here in this condition. You need medical help."

"Are you turning me in to the Alliance?"

"Best place for medical help. Look what they did for me."

That seemed to cut through the man's slightly drug and pain addled state. He glanced at him in realization. His eyes widened as he took him in. It occurred to Anakin he'd just confirmed what the man already knew.

Then the shuttle was dropping toward them. In the distance he felt a surge of Force power, someone racing to intercept, determined and angry. Behind he glimpsed blue green stripes and a flicker of eyes. "Hurry."

Piett stumbled up the ramp. Anakin spun around, hand outstretched and slammed the creature with a Force blow, it fell back, yowling in rage and confusion. Two more were coming from the sides and he backed toward the shuttle, throwing force punches at them too. A hint of red and green burst from the trees, charging him. His lightsaber came up and he blocked the blow of an orange lightsaber blade as it slammed toward him. Mara Jade. The thought rocked him as they battled briefly, lightsabers clashing and throwing sparks. She struck out with one hand and Anakin nearly jumped into her blade to avoid it, seeing the glint of metal syringe in it. A sudden Force blow struck her from above and behind, knocking her back, courtesy of Obi-Wan. He'd risked leaving the cockpit with the ship hovering. Anakin did a back flip onto the ramp, which started to rise. Obi-Wan was diving back into the cockpit and lifting them so suddenly Anakin stumbled back. Piett held onto his seat tightly battling to put the harness on. As the ramp shut Anakin saw Mara throw something at the ship. The ship charged for space.

"Please tell me you got it!" Obi-Wan called from the cockpit, referring to the hyperdrive initiator. The ship rocked through skies, which still bore traces of plasma and electrical sparks. The two moon's atmospheres was parted but the after effects lingered.

"Yes!" Anakin didn't clarify that he couldn't guarantee it would work. He just battled the acceleration and hurried to the engines, swapping the old part for the replacement, then swapping the damaged circuit for another one. The ship was steadying now, free of atmosphere. "Try it anytime." He hesitated. "But drop us out before we get where we're going. I need to check something."

The jump was made quickly and lasted several minutes. Anakin glanced at Piett, his eyes shut and passed quickly into the cockpit.

"You brought a passenger." Obi-Wan remarked.

"It was that or leave him to be the guest of honor at dinner. The kind that never gets to leave."

"What do you need to check? If you aren't sure about the initiator and we drop out of hyperspace, it might give out before we jump again."

"I'm more worried at what Mara threw at the ship."

"Mara?"

"Mara Jade, that agent. Might've been a tracker she threw."

"Or a sleeper bomb?"

Anakin winced. "Didn't think of that."

"You've been busy."

"Still, we can't just lead them right to the med center and base. I'll drop us out a minute and you can go out and check."

"Fine."

It was a tracker and a sleeper bomb in one. It was set to detonate to prevent detection. Anakin stared at it, debating how to free it. His breathing distracted him, loud in his own ears, reminding him of his years in the suit. Only the translucency of the space helmet prevented claustrophobia in deep space.

"Well?" Obi-Wan's voice echoed through the comlink.

"We were both right. I'll have to be careful or it'll blow up on removal."

Obi-Wan sucked in a breath.

"How's the Admiral?" Anakin inquired.

"Unconscious."

"He's the lucky one at the moment."

"You can do this."

"I know. It's the pressure of knowing someone may be right behind us that's getting to me."

Anakin carefully reached into the device with the Force. He surrounded it, gripped slow and evenly with the Force, simulating natural atmospheric pressure. Carefully he clicked it free, shifting the magnetic attachment to the hull to the tool. A warning quiver went through the device. Eyes widening, he carefully drew it free, still keeping a grip on that quivering component. It was trying to trigger the bomb. Holding tight, closing his eyes, and he through the tool, hard, giving it a firm Force push to top it off. He pressed against the hull, eyes shut as the bomb exploded behind him. A brief wave of pressure and a sonic boom that he could only hear through the helmet com and feel bouncing off his suit. He bumped the shuttle, which was knocked aside but undamaged. Then he headed back in the airlock.

"Let's go home." Anakin said. Or as close to one as they currently had.

to be continued