SeraphimXII: Thanks for the encouragement! Maul will return, oh yes, he will return! It's just taking longer than I had expected! Keep reading!

AndrossKenobi: I really hadn't even thought of writing in Palpatine, but it seemed a good way to re-introduce old Nawe and try to explain how Obi could have remained hidden from a sith master who was in the same room with him! As for Dooku ….

Boba was scared. He hated being scared, but his fear was the only thing he had to cling to in these rooms right now and it made him angry, which was giving him the strength to climb out of the window and onto the ledge that was probably several hundred feet above the orange sand. He had thought to climb down and find his dad, but he had not counted on the structure of the mountain-like building he found himself on. So he sat there, looking out over the rocky terrain, the valley floor below him. He rather liked the way the wind was racing passed him, blowing his hair in complete disarray, as chaotic as his world had become.

Of all the things he was scared of the most, when he truly thought about it, it was how easily his father had lied to him about the safety they would find in this place. How could he have done such a thing?

The last thing he had said to Boba before they were separated was "Trust Ben," but he was being carried off on a gurney. This Count Dooku character had been nice enough, but he gave Boba the creeps, no old man should be that tall. At least he had gone to find out how Ben was doing, that was something.

So, he couldn't climb down, he couldn't climb up as it was just as treacherous. He was trapped, as caged as he had ever felt stuck on Kamino only this time dad wasn't coming back from a mission, he was stuck in a jail cell somewhere waiting for the inevitable execution that was to take place tomorrow and there was nothing Boba could do about it. There was one thing he could do and that was to scream and shout and yell out his frustration at the howling wind. He let the wind drive the pent up rage from his body as he rose on his knees to force everything out. Perhaps his dad would here it and somehow, he didn't care how, come and take him away, back to Kamino if they had to, but away from here.

He sank back onto his feet once the cry was done, wondering what the sensation of falling from such a great height would feel like. Probably not half as bad as the impact when he hit the sand, he pondered. A lull in the blistering wind allowed him to hear the voices of people approaching the apartment and he quickly scrambled to get back into his room. The apartment doors opened and there was Ben, looking tired, but none the worse for wear.

He ran at Ben, fists clenched and pounding on the Jedi.

"This is all your fault! We wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you! Get my dad out of this!" He continued to pound into Obi-Wan, who took the boys punches, knowing he just needed to release the frustration he felt towards his dad out on someone. The punches quickly slowed and all that was left was a small boy, sobbing into Obi-Wans chest. He knelt down to Boba's height and held the boy close to him.

"I'm so sorry, Boba, I had no idea this would happen, or I never would have taken your dads offer of help. Look at me, Boba," he held the boy back a little so that their eyes could meet, "I will do everything I can to get Jango out of this, I promise you." Ben spoke with such conviction, Boba knew he was telling the truth, and not some half truth his father had spouted, but an assurance Boba could believe in. Ben looked over his shoulder at Dooku who had entered the room with him.

"May we have some time alone, I think Boba just needs a little space right now."

"Of course," he said bowing and taking the doors, "take all the time you need. I shall discuss things again with the Geonosian Judiciary."

"I don't trust him," said Boba rather bluntly immediately after Dooku had left.

"I don't trust him either, not yet anyway. But let's not forget you had me pegged for the bad guy when we first met!"

Boba looked rather sheepishly at Ben. "Sorry about hitting you," he said quietly.

"Completely understandable, old chap, would hit myself if it would help any!"

"You're odd!" said Boba through his chuckles.

"So I've been told!" said Ben smiling at the lad. "I meant what I said, Boba, I'm getting your dad out of this one way or another. The Count is working through diplomatic channels, but if that doesn't work we'll have to come up with something else. You up for another little adventure?" he asked with his must playful smile. Boba nodded vigorously and then remembered the success of their last one and his expression turned to one of concern. Ben lifted his hands and shook his head. "No crash landings, I promise."

"OK, I'm in. What's your plan?"