Chapter Seventy-Five: Once a Slave

I was in a daze as I was led up the stairs. My hands were bound before me, linked by a loose chain to the ones around my feet, a collar around my neck. It was more than they had used on me in a while. Reconditioning was a place of labor-you couldn't have your laborers bound. We always had the shock collars on, though.

I wasn't sure what was going on as I was led further and further up the twisting paths of mines. The Zygerrian guards had found me during our labor hours, chaining me up and dragging me away from my fellow slaves. They said nothing as we walked, and I knew better than to ask.

When we exited the mines, we went straight for the elevator, my heart rocketing to my throat when the guard pressed the button for the control room. The warden was up there.

I swallowed thickly as the doors hissed open, not daring to lift my gaze as I was led forward. I kept my eyes on my dirt-covered boots, but I heard the hum of the warden's chair before me.

"Look at me, skug," Keeper Arguss hissed.

I obeyed immediately, only to feel his whip across my face. I fell to the ground, unable to catch myself with the chains. Still, I knew better than to cry out. I was struck a few more times, but I took the blows and merely quivered on the floor.

"I said look at me!"

I didn't, keeping my eyes to the floor. The whip fell across me again. A cry slipped from my lips, but I smothered it into the floor.

"Filthy skug," Arguss growled. "Look at me."

There was clearly no winning this situation. So I looked at him again, this time expecting the whip. My gaze was hard...my stubbornness having been a terrible trait that I was born with. I watched the Zygerrian as his hand raised, bringing the whip back down with a powerful swing. I refused to flinch, taking the electric pulse through my body, but not breaking eye contact.

He stared at me, his growl growing even deeper. "It's time to brand this slave."

One of the attendants glanced sideways in mild confusion. "This slave has not completed reconditioning, Warden," he advised, giving me a once over. "And clearly needs more work. We usually don't brand the slaves until…" his voice tapered off when Arguss gave him a hard look.

The Zygerrian looked back at me with a sly grin. "I'm aware of the usual protocol. But this particular skug has made life difficult for almost every single guard that has watched over her reconditioning. She continuously plots escape, pits guards against each other, and causes fights." His clawed fingers steepled before his sharp teeth. "No...this particular skug needs to be completely destroyed before we can make her a purchasable good."

I recoiled at that comment. I'd basically been enslaved by the crime rings below Corellia, but at least I wasn't actually purchased.

Keeper Arguss drew a contraption from his belt, twisting the bottom. A metal piece came out of the top, the color shifting from black to red in the flick of a switch. I shoved backwards on the floor, realizing what was happening. The guards caught me under my arms, pinning me in a kneeling position before the warden. My left arm was released from its binding, only for one of the guards to hold it out in front of me.

Tears poured freely down my cheeks now as I struggled to break free from their grasps. I couldn't be branded. No. I was going to get out of here somehow. I wouldn't live my life as a slave.

Something about the brand felt...final.

The warden's claws dug into my forearm as he forced me to stay still. He pushed the branding mechanism against my skin with far more force than was necessary, searing into my muscle.

I finally screamed.

A hand wrapped around the same forearm that was pulsing from the memory. I whirled immediately as I was dragged behind a huge stack of baskets and fabrics, punching my attacker in the throat. It wasn't enough to kill anyone, but it would certainly hurt. And they couldn't call for help for a few minutes.

I turned to confront him as the attacker fell away from me, only to see Rex with a shocked look on his face. He was hacking up a lung past the neck muscles I'd just sent into spasm.

"Rex," I hissed under my breath, rushing forward to grab his shoulder. "I'd apologize, but that was stupid of you to do." I was brutal sometimes, but hey, at least I was honest. "So I guess this means only Obi-wan got himself captured?"

I glanced at him, expecting an answer, only to see him still coughing and gasping.

"Right. Sorry," I offered, glancing sideways to make sure we were completely concealed.
"It will stop in a second."

Rex gave me a skeptical look, but already his face was fading back to its fabulous sun-kissed tan. He gave a few more coughs, clearing his throat as the spasms stopped. "Kriff," he muttered finally, his voice hoarse.

"What happened?" I asked, kneeling beside him. I knew he was okay, and depending on the situation, we likely didn't have time for pleasantries.

The clone touched his throat gently, clearing it again. "The General went in to investigate one of the slaves in a cell. It was one of the Twi'leks from Kiros, so General Kenobi stole a brezak."

"You stole a brezak?"I interrupted, remembering the flying lizards always flying overhead. I quirked my brow. "Where is it now?"

"I let it loose as soon as I could. Had to blend in."

Fair enough. I nodded for him to continue.

"When we were escaping, a guard shot Kenobi and the Twi'lek off."

"Osik," I cursed, touching my chin gently in thought. I quickly took it away again, realizing how I had adopted some of Kenobi's stupid manerisms. I'd have to work on that.

Rex touched my shoulder gently, his other still touching his neck. "What were you doing?" He didn't seem terribly nervous about his general's capture. He had a lot of faith in the Jedi. I understood it...but also disagreed with it. They hardly followed their creed anymore. Not in the way I had learned it from Bendu.

"I was freeing a friend," I answered easily, surprised at how easily I told him the truth. That was something I didn't do a lot when it was something...personal. "I gave her my communicator." I lifted my wrist to show its lacking gauntlet.

"That would explain the silence when I called." The clone frowned at me, but there was slight amusement in his eyes. And something along the lines of admiration. "Is she back at the ship?" I nodded. "We can't get her out of here yet."

My brow quirked. "I'm aware of that. If she followed my instructions, Apex is now aboard the ship. He'll take over if she's in danger and get her out of here."

Rex nodded, touching my cheek beneath the veil. "Are you okay?"

My forearm burned with the memory that had flooded my thoughts as I'd walked the streets near the palace. I touched it gently-an action that didn't go unnoticed by the captain. "I'm okay. We need to figure out what to do next. We're near the palace. Might as well look around and see if we can hone in on Anakin" I tapped Rex's wrist comm meaningfully.

He lifted it, showing the blinking light. "I was following it when I saw you." He gave me a nod before helping me up gently. I handed him back the helmet I'd knocked from his grasp when I'd hit his throat, offering a cheeky smile. The clone rolled his eyes as he donned it, but I saw a smirk on his lips, too.

"Lead the way, Captain," I offered, assuming a rigid, formal stance. His smile widened just slightly before he stepped out from behind the baskets. I followed in a moment, acting as if I was taking a stroll with my guard.

"He's close," he whispered to me as we walked through the gardens. I nodded in return, sensing Anakin close by, as well.

I saw someone pointing out of the corner of my eye. Touching Rex's arm got him to follow my gaze. We looked up at the sound of a female's accented voice.

"No! I won't go back there!" She sounded terrified. Above us, further down the walkway, was a green Twi'lek standing on the railing. Her arms were spread out to her sides.

"Wait!" a voice called. Rex and I shared a glance, both of us recognizing it as Anakin. "Stop!"

The Twi'lek girl turned and threw herself from the level above. My first instinct was to run towards her and do something. But the terrible truth was that there was nothing I could do that wouldn't blow our cover or bring the poor girl to a worse fate. Rex thought of this before I did, wrapping me in his arms and turning me away just before she landed. I buried my face in Rex's chest, but I still heard her scream cut short. There were gasps and mumbles as a crowd collected around her body. We looked up, seeing Anakin's outline looking down over the railing.

I felt his grief. And his anger as the Queen of Zygerria sat on the railing causally beside him. She talked for a moment, and the Jedi quickly assumed his facade again. He was good at it, and his lie seemed to go over smoothly. She allowed him to take her hand and lead her from the gardens.

"I don't think the general saw us," Rex mumbled as we moved away, avoiding the guards that were gathering around the dead slave girl. My heart mourned for her, but I knew I had to focus on saving others. I shoved it aside, wishing I could save every last slave in this hellscape.

"I agree," I replied, centering myself. "But the Queen seemed pleased. And Skywalker led her away by the hand. He will likely accompany her at the next auction."

Rex raised his brow, but seemed optimistic. "Okay, so when's the next auction?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "When isn't there an auction?" I replied to his confused expression. "Come on. We should get some supplies for when this inevitably goes poorly."

"A blaster would be nice. How will we find General Kenobi?"

"If anyone recognizes him, he'll definitely be making an appearance at the auction, too. It isn't like the Zygerrians to pass up a chance to humiliate their enemies. Especially if they can enslave them while doing it." It was a pessimistic view, but it was realistic. "If he isn't, at least we can meet up with Anakin. Come on," I tried, leading him towards the marketplace again. "Let's go mug a guard."

That got a chuckle from the clone, his shoulders easing just slightly as I put my arm through his. I had no fear of someone seeing us, and I knew this to be a common stance when a guard was escorting a noble. I let myself snuggle a bit closer into his side, finding solace in his steady breath.

Our vicinity made it easier to touch his mind, enveloping his thoughts with mine. They entwined easily, and I felt his Force signature embrace me, rather than shy away. He was worried about his generals, and still grieving for the lives lost on our last mission together. But he was glad to be beside me again...I could feel it.

Still, my chest hurt with the weight in it. "I'm sorry about leaving you to face the briefings alone," I said quietly, my voice smaller than I'd thought it would be.

Rex's head tilted slightly as he listened to me and thought. "You had a mission," he dismissed.

"A voluntary one," I shot back. I wouldn't let him brush off my apology so easily. "Umbara…" the clone's muscles tightened slightly at the name. "It was horrible. And I know things are...different now because of it." I swallowed thickly, finding it hard to speak. "I shouldn't have left you to relive it alone."

There was a tense silence before Rex squeezed my hand with his. At first, I thought it was reassuring, but he steered me to the side. I sensed his change in demeanor as he leaned down to my ear. "There," he whispered, ignoring my apology as he pointed out a lone guard.

I stared at Rex's golden gaze for a brief moment. I was shocked that he would deflect my apology so blatantly. It only made me feel worse.

And now I was annoyed.

I looked back at the guard quickly. "He looks tired," I noted smoothly, taking a step back from Rex. "Should be easy."

The clone didn't react to my shying away, apart from touching my back to guide me into the closest back alley. I'd briefed the whole group on the entwining anatomy of most of the Zygerrian capitol's streets. The guard had been wandering into an alleyway further down, but we knew we could cut him off.

Once we were in the alley, the deafening sounds of the market fell away to only echo faintly down the dark stone. "For the record," Rex whispered beside me as he checked the corner before turning. "I'm not upset with you. We all handle grief in our own way."

"That type of thinking makes it seem like I handle it by running away," I hissed back.

His brow quirked at me under his helmet as we hurried down the alleyways. "Please. You bury yourself in your work, Kida. So do I." He touched my arm gently. "I understand."

We rounded the next corner without checking it, nearly slamming into the lone guard. "Watch it!" he growled at us.

I immediately kicked him between the legs, making him fall to his knees in pain. "Okay, but I still feel bad about it," I continued the conversation, not breaking stride.

The guard went to call out, but was silenced by Rex's arm around his neck. "If it's my forgiveness you want," Rex grunted as the Zygerrian struggled against him. "You have it."

The guard broke loose, slamming the captain back into the wall. I trapped him easily, ducking his clawed swing to deal two hard punches to his gut. His diaphragm went into spasm, the Zygerrian gasping around his attempts to call for help.

Rex jumped on him from behind, but the guard rolled him, their helmets flying off. The captain was thrown back to the corner, light pouring across him from where the alleyway exited.

"What's going on in there?" someone's voice called from where the light came from. A tall-eared shadow appeared, wiggling across the dirt as he began walking towards the dazed clone.

The guard on the ground before me, moved to call for help again, but I shoved him forward with my knee. I gave him an extra push with the Force, cracking his head against the stone wall. He fell limp, his tongue lolling out.

"You there!" the approaching guard yelled to Rex as he found his feet. "What are you doing?"

Rex's golden gaze found mine, and I saw his eyes were brewing with panic. I raced from my spot on the dirt, acting entirely on impulse and what I had learned as a bounty hunter. I launched myself into Rex's arms, smushing my mouth against his exposed lips.

The trained soldier was prepared to catch me, but completely caught off guard by my kiss. We both stumbled backwards into the opposite wall, but he didn't let me go. I felt the hesitation of the guard at the end of the alley, the Zygerrian stopping just before where he might have spotted his downed coworker. Any mild annoyance or embarrassment I felt from him quickly slipped from my grasp as Rex took over.

His strong arms lifted me into the air before he spun and pinned me against the wall instead, dragging my veil completely from my face to gain better access to my lips. I wasn't entirely sure if he was putting the show on for the guard, or if he was just kissing me to kiss me now.

I didn't particularly care, because it was a fabulous kiss.

When the clone pulled away, I'm ashamed to say I was dazed. I blinked a few times, glancing up at the strong man who still loomed over me. I was still pinned between his arms as he craned his head to see the guard leave. My eyes slid over his strong shoulder, short-cropped bleached hair, and Adam's apple.

"You checking me out?" Rex asked, a bit of color tinting his cheeks. Then again, I was sure I was blushing too. I offered him a shrug. The man chuckled gently. "Are you feeling better now?" Another shrug.

Rex laughed genuinely now, leaning his head back to let the sound ring down the alley. "Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, Cyar'ika," he muttered before kissing me again. Finally, he pulled away to deal with the guard we just took down.

What a strange romance. "I love you, too," I whispered, smiling to myself before moving to help hide the body. Rex took the blaster, giving a small huff. "Not what you wanted?" I asked cheekily.

"He only has one." I blinked at the captain for a moment until it occurred to me that he didn't know of my stashed lightsaber.

"Oh, I don't need one," I assured, patting at my waist where the hilt was concealed among the flowing cloth.

Rex frowned at me. "You did bring it. I knew you wouldn't leave it on your ship."

I rolled my eyes at him as we dragged the body to the trash, hiding it beneath empty crates. "What? You thought I would come to this place without a weapon?"

"If you'd been discovered-"

"They'd know who I was, either way. I've got their mark, remember?"

Rex's lips pressed into a line, but he said nothing else. He smacked his hands together, patting off the dust, before putting his helmet back on. "Shall we?"

I smirked, leaning up to press a quick kiss to the metal just outside his lips and replacing my veil. "Let's go save the Jedi again."

The auction arena was swarming with buyers and guards alike. There was some time before everything started, but thankfully, it didn't look like we needed any special passes to get in. This was a big event, apparently.

"The return of the Zygerrian empire," I muttered to Rex, repairing what I had overheard a moment before. "It never really died."

"What do you mean?" We were ushered towards the bar, the clone taking a moment to order us drinks. He pressed a fruity and decorated glass into my hand, a whiskey in his own. I quirked my brow.

"You should get the fruity drink, because that looks way better," I commented before continuing as we walked along the bar to look around. "And I mean that yes, their great empire fell when the Old Republic made slavery illegal. But being a part of the underworld doesn't mean you can't prosper." We glanced around as Gorga the Hutt slumped by with his slaves in tow. It seemed he'd already made some purchases today. "They did just fine," I grumbled in conclusion, watching the group pass.

Rex chuckled casually, draping his arm around me as we leaned against the railing, scoping out the crowd. I shifted slightly, using my silks to hide the blaster at his hip. "Your drink is whiskey, I just thought that glass would better suit your current...getup."

"A disguise," I bit jokingly. "But I appreciate the drink." There was a slight heat in my face as I took a drink. The whiskey was like fire in my throat, but a good one. I coughed slightly, earning a smirk and a lifted brow from Rex. "Hetikles."

"Jate, 'lek?"

I smiled, giving him a nod and taking another grateful sip. We turned, looking over the balcony to survey the stadium. It was more like an arena, really. The slaves were paraded below us to make them feel like livestock even more.

"The Queen watches the auction from up there," I whispered, nodding to the box that rose above the center of the arena.

"I don't see her up there."

"Well the auction won't start until she is. Might as well take a look around." Rex and I took our drinks, my arm laced with his, and strode around the halls of the arena.

"We should find a vantage point."

My brow quirked. "For what? If they were smart about this, they would use this opportunity to gain the Queen's trust."

"And if General Kenobi is being tortured?"

"He's a Jedi. Isn't it his job to think for the good of the many? He can handle an afternoon." Rex stared at me for a moment in silence. It made me uncomfortable. "What?" I asked.

He stared a moment longer. "You're a dark woman."

"Dark heritage," I returned with a shrug and a teasing grin.

The clone swallowed and I felt his hesitation in his mind. He broke through, muttering, "It's actually rather attractive."

My breath caught in my throat, my eyes slowly sliding to the captain's flushing face. It was mostly obscured beneath his helmet, but I could see his tan skin darkening along his neck. I smirked. "Did the good, honor-bound captain just say he liked my dark side? You know that side breaks the law and murders people as a bounty hunter, right?"

"Oh please. Let's not talk about honor with us." Rex had chuckled, but my smile melted as I mulled over his words.

"What do you mean?" I tried.

The clone gave me a glance. "Kida, we're breaking the rules being together. Breaking an oath I swore to the Republic."

"Finding love shouldn't be against the rules, Rex. Laws are meant to be challenged. Doing that doesn't make you dishonorable." I chuckled slightly, taking another sip of whiskey. "If anything, choosing to hang around with me should bring you honor."

Rex laughed, sliding his arm around my waist and holding me close. "It's a great honor to...hang around with you, Cyar'ika."

I smiled, but my head lifted from his shoulder abruptly at the approach of a familiar powerful presence. "Anakin is close."

We moved back to the railings, looking out over the arena to the Queen's box. Rex checked his wrist comm, seeing the light blinking happily. The clone nodded to me in confirmation just before the Queen waltzed into her box. The crowds erupted as her greeting, the decorated female giving a practiced wave.

Below, a Zygerrian began to walk to the center stage, which was more a raised stone platform at the middle of the arena. It almost reminded me of an executioner's block. The thought made me shudder.

"It's starting," I whispered, glancing down to see the spectators taking their places in bidding booths. Rex shifted closer to me in comfort as I tensed beside him, the Zygerrian presenter calling to the rowdy crowd.

"Your Highness," he greeted, arms raised to the screaming crowd. "Zygerrians, guests from a thousand worlds, our auction begins with slaves of unmatched quality and impossible quantity!" We leaned closer over the railing eagerly, drinks forgotten behind us. "I give you... Togruta from the Kiros System!"

I felt Ahsoka's dread from the Queen's balcony, along with my own. Then again, if the people of Kiros were all here, it would be easier than trying to find them wherever reconditioning was. Of course, I had no idea how we were going to free an entire village of enslaved people when we couldn't even keep one of our Jedi from being caught.

An elderly Togruta was stumbling his way into the center of the arena. "This handsome specimen represents a lot numbering no less than 50,000 slaves!" the presenter cried out to a roaring crowd.

We were moving again, making our way to the same level as the Queen's private suite. As we walked, I felt Anakin's presence grow stronger. And he seemed to notice us, too. His icy blue eyes cast over us quickly, seeing Rex tap the weapon on his thigh. Anakin nodded in understanding.

Below, the announcer was continuing. "Note the compliance. Virtually untrained in combat, there will be no rebellion from these slaves!"

I pursed my lips, my teeth gnawing ragged lines on the inside of my cheeks. Rex was leaning carefully in the shadow of the pillar, but I stood in plain view. It would be weirder for a noblewoman to try to hide than anything else, after all.

The Force brushed against my senses. "Something's wrong," I hissed, earning a nervous look from the clone. "The Queen….she suspects Anakin."

Suddenly, the female in question rose from her lavish seat and raised her hands to silence the crowd. "Before we begin the auction," she called loudly, her voice amplified so everyone could hear. "I would welcome a most special guest. Obi-wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight."

"Osik," I cussed under my breath, watching the gates open again to reveal a battered looking Obi-wan.

The crowd screamed and jeered, booing the Jedi. "The Jedi are not so tough!" someone screamed.

"Bring down the Republic!" another cried.

I glanced at Rex, seeing the worried expression creasing his forehead. The Queen continued above us, drawing out gazes. "My friends, my good friends," she called, getting them to quiet again. "Do not fear the Jedi. They are not different from others we have forced into submission." I frowned up at her from beneath my veil. "For they have forsaken their ideals to serve a corrupt senate!"

My frown stopped as I thought about that. Was she even wrong there? The Jedi Order once believed in peace and discovery. They didn't fight unless they had to and they certainly weren't military leaders. I hummed lowly, almost snorting a chuckle at the fairness of the Queen's statement. It earned a shooting look from the captain.

I didn't mind.

"The Jedi Order is weak," the Queen continued her speech, Obi-wan now held at gunpoint at the center stage of the arena, "and we will help break it!" Her manicured fingers swept up the elaborately decorated whip hilt on her balcony ledge. She offered it to Anakin, saying something lowly to him.

He took the whip from her outstretched hand, the crowd erupting into cheers. I swallowed thickly. If they were smart, Anakin would whip Obi-wan, just like the Queen asked. The likelihood we would escape if he rebelled now was...low.

I hoped that was his plan, as morbid and messed up as it was. Ahsoka looked genuinely worried when her master entered the arena, whip in hand, so I was hoping for the best. Then again, no one ever really knew Anakin's plan. I don't even think he knew right up until he was doing something.

The arena was flooded with Zygerrian guards, the elderly Twi'lek still crumpled on the side of the stage. As Anakin climbed the steps, the crowd cried to him, rooting him on. "Whip the Jedi!" they screamed. "Whip the Jedi! Whip the Jedi!" Obi-wan was knelt in the center, his hands behind his head as Anakin crossed his arms.

"Prove to me you are a slaver," the Queen commanded from her balcony, claws curling over the stone railing. "Swing that whip, or die beside him!"

"He should do it," I muttered, seeing Anakin frown below us.

"He won't," Rex returned. He was right, of course, as the Jedi looked up, his icy blue eyes finding us easily. The captain gave him a nod, always ready to follow his general.

Skywalker gave a lavish bow, calling back to the Queen. "You leave me no choice, Highness." I sighed lowly, shifting my feet to allow for me to dig into the layers of my dress and find my lightsaber. The whip ignited at the Jedi's side as he gave a small grin to the crowd, offering a lazy salute.

Anakin used the whip to disarm the closest guard, Obi-wan rolling and throwing the next off the stage. Their lightsabers were launched from R2's position beside the Queen, Anakin catching them both.

"Guards!" the Queen called angrily, "Subdue them!" The Jedi ignited their blades, deflecting the onslaught of fire that followed. The guards that lined the viewing halls fired as well, but Rex and I had an angle on them.

I grabbed the first by his wrist, throwing him from the window to crash down into the arena. Rex shot down the hallways, taking down a few more guards, before throwing a grenade.

"Go!" I yelled, kicking another guard back before following the clone around the corner. I nearly slammed into his back when he skidded to a halt, three more guards waiting with their guns trained on us.

I stepped around him, throwing my hands forward. The Force listened to me, bowling the guards down the hallway in a heap. I heard a grunt and a yell behind me, turning to see Rex and a guard flying from the window and down to the courtyard. It was too late for me to do anything but watch helplessly as they fell. Rex, thankfully, landed on top of the guard before rolling aside, his helmet tumbling off.

He was alive, but he looked barely conscious as he tried to crawl to his hands and knees. "Rex!" I cried, drawing my saber finally. I leapt from the level above, using the Force to cushion my fall. Landing gracefully, I deflected the shots aimed at my captain as he struggled to find his feet.

I heard Ahsoka scream above us, the young Togruta falling unconscious at the Queen's feet. The poor girl must have had a collar on. The doors hissed open, Zygerrian guards flooding the floor of the arena.

I brandished my white saber before me, standing protectively in front of the clone captain. Electrical whips hissed out of their hilts as we were surrounded. I slashed at the first few that snapped near us with my blade, the weapons sizzling sharply when they made contact. One wrapped around Rex's neck, the clone screaming in pain.

"No!" I cried, a whip wrapping around my wrist. I reacted on instinct, leaping into a flip and slicing with my blade to sever the whip from my arm. Landing on the balls of my feet, I continued to deflect the attacks. There were too many, and even more as Kenobi went down with a pained cry.

A whip of electricity wrapped around my calf, shooting jolts up my spine. When I turned to slash it away, my elbow was caught in another whip, pulling me backwards. My lightsaber flew from my grasp as the guards pulled in opposite directions, dragging me to the ground. My body convulsed beside Rex's as more whips licked at my skin, lightning dancing through my muscles.

Somewhere beyond my own agony, I heard Anakin crying out, but it barely even registered. I thought of nothing but wanting the pain to stop...until I felt nothing at all.

MANDO'A

Hetikles- nose burn (burning sensation in the sinuses brought about by specific spices - Mandalorians prize this)

Jate, 'lek?- good, yeah?

Osik- shit

Author's Note:

Hello again! Sorry for the wait, as usual. Yes I know I did some cliche things in this. But some of these tropes are just too good to pass up. As always, reviews, likes, and shares are always welcome:)

-Ryder