Chapter 125: Slaves of the Republic

Those who enslave others inevitably become slaves themselves.

Recap: Kidnapped! During a Separatist invasion of the planet Kiros, thousands of peaceful colonists were abducted by Zygerrian slavers. Determined to find the missing colonists, the Jedi travel to Zygerria, home to the galaxy's most notorious slave empire.

After kidnapping D'Nar, the Jedi hijacked the ship he was in as they were looking to head toward the home of the Zygerrian slave empire. They emerged from hyperspace as they arrived at the planet's orbit and saw tons of ships.

"It looks like Zygerria is a popular place these days," said Anakin as they saw the many ships entering the planet's orbit.

"Hmm. Whatever is happening is attracting plenty of high-class scum," responded Obi-wan.

Anakin soon made their ship descend as they entered the planet's atmosphere. They touched outside the town as they began to suit and exit the ship.

"Let's just hope the information our spies gave us about the Queen is accurate," stated Storm as he put on his helmet to complete the disguise.

"Remember, we'll keep her occupied while you locate the missing people of Kiros," stated Anakin to Obi-wan and Rex.

"How do you plan on keeping the Queen occupied?" asked Obi-wan.

"With my magnetic charm, of course," stated Anakin with a smile.

"Oh, yes, of course," mocked Obi-wan at how his student fancied himself a ladies' man.

"Oh, don't worry, if he starts getting out of line, I'll slap him in the back of the head," chimed in Storm as he was going to play the role of Anakin's little brother who had to keep his flirty big brother in check.

"Hold on to this, will you, buddy?" said Anakin to R2.

R2 gave a beep as he had a port open on top of his dome. Anakin, Obi-wan, and Storm tossed their lightsabers to the blue astromech as he grabbed them and put them away for safekeeping.

"Remind me why we have to be the ones playing the part of the slave?" asked Ahsoka as she and Twilight had a huge garment covering them so that only their eyes were revealed.

"I tried it once. I wasn't any good at it. Besides, the role of the master comes easily to me." smiled Anakin as they began to walk.

"Really? Well, this time, try to be convincing at it," snickered Ahsoka as she knew what Anakin meant with that statement as she walked.

"Sparky, hurry up!" shouted Storm as he saw she wasn't present.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" called out the princess as she had to put on the last bit of her outfit. Soon she stood in front of her partner as she would be acting as his slave; the two then walked to catch up with the others. "I still don't feel comfortable with this plan."

"Aw, come on, it's not that bad! Though isn't this ironic? Usually, you're the one commanding slaves." said Storm.

"They are not slaves!" shouted Twilight to her partner as he was referring to her and her family having people wait on their every beck and call. "My family and I treat everyone who serves us with equality. We don't treat them like dirt; we treat them like human beings. We care about our people, unlike this Queen and her empire."

"Sorry, I was just trying to make a joke," said Storm.

"I know you were, just... it pains me to see people treated like this. I can't picture myself being a ruthless ruler who treats the people who serve her like some common backwater slime," said the girl.

"And that's why you're gonna be a great ruler. Because you won't treat your people like that when you take the throne," spoke Storm softy as he turned the princess' face to look at him.

Though her mouth was covered, Twilight had a smile on her face as she was glad to hear that. The pair eventually caught up with the others as they entered the market. Zygerrians were shouting indistinctly as the group passed by in their disguises.

"Ugh! How can a civilization this advanced still practice slavery?" wondered Ashoka.

"It makes them wealthy and powerful at the expense of others," explained Anakin as they walked, "Before the Hutts bought my mother, she was sold in a market just like this."

The tone of the Jedi Knight had some bitterness as Anakin recalled those painful memories. The group continued their walk as something soon happened in front of them. A slave fell to the ground due to how strong his bonds were coupled with how exhausted he was. The Zygerrian, the slave's master, appeared before the man.

"Get up, you useless skug," demanded the Zygerrian.

"Master, the bonds, they are too heavy," said the slave as he begged for some mercy.

"Tell it to my whip," responded the Zygerrian, as he wasn't going to show any sympathy.

He reached for the whip on his hip as it turned on, and an electric whip appeared. He brought it back as he was looking to strike the slave on his knees before him. The slave raised his arms to protect himself, expecting to be hit. However, the Zygerrian was stopped as Ashoka grabbed his arm.

"You don't want to do that," said Ashoka.

"You dare touch me!" replied the Zygerrian to the girl in disguise.

"So much for low profile," muttered Storm to the others as Anakin quickly stepped forward and separated Ashoka from the Zygerrian.

"Excuse my slave, friend. She is freshly caught," explained Anakin.

"Hmm. What have we here?" said the Zygerrian as he looked at Storm and Anakin; unlike the armor that Rex and Obi-wan had on, theirs had their faces mostly revealed so the Zygerrian could see they weren't their kind. "You wear Zygerrian armor, but you are not one of us. Who are you?"

A few guards appeared and surrounded the four of them as Storm and Anakin kept a relaxed look as a surveillance droid kept its gaze on them.

"We've come for an audience with the Queen," said Storm.

"Then you have an invitation?" asked the Zygerrian to the pair. "We can't just let anyone in to speak with Her Majesty."

"No invitation, but we do bring news, news the Queen will be eager to hear," responded Anakin.

"I doubt that; you two are nothing more than brigands," responded the Zygerrian as he didn't buy what the Jedi were saying.

"I wouldn't say that, especially when the Queen learns you prevented her from hearing the news about Bruno Denturri," spoke Anakin with a smile.

"Halt! Cease all hostilities," said the surveillance droid as it got between the Jedi and Zygerrian. "These men are to be escorted to the palace by order of the Queen."

The Zygerrian then complied as he began leading Anakin, which Ashoka followed closely.

"Move it, slave!" shouted Storm to Twilight.

The girl glared at him as she didn't like her partner calling her that. Storm remained in character as he got Twilight to move by slapping the princess in the ass as she jumped forward a bit. The sudden move made by her partner took Twilight off guard as she didn't expect Storm to do that. And yet… some part of her enjoyed it when Storm brought his hand down to smack her behind. The red on her face, hidden by her disguise, appeared as she walked forward, with the boy staying behind her in case he had to do it again to fool the Zygerrians.

While the four were being led to the palace of the Zygerrian Queen, Obi-wan and Rex were shown walking about in their disguises; their faces apart from their eyes were covered as they began to explore and find out where the colonists were being held.

The four arrived at the palace as servants were nearby working, with one of them approaching a female Zygerrian who sat on a throne and had some Kiros birds on her shoulders and fingers as they chirped.

"Make certain all preparations are complete for this evening," said the Queen to the servant who approached her.

The doors opened as the group, led by the Zygerrian, entered. Storm and Anakin had their helmets removed as the Queen looked at the males who stood before her. She first looked at Storm; as for someone his age, he wasn't that bad in appearance. A few more years to develop his charm and handsomeness, and he'd be an eligible bachelor for any woman or girl. Still, his somewhat baby face was cute. He was just a tad bit young for her taste. However, upon seeing Anakin and his face, she gasped a bit as she seemed to be smitten with the Jedi Knight.

"And fetch refreshments," said the Queen to her servant as they left.

"My Queen, I present Lars Quell. And his younger brother, Malakai Quell," said the Zygerrian guard as he introduced Anakin and Storm with their fake names.

"Hmm," said the Queen, taking in the appearance of the Jedi, "So, you are the men who claim to be acquainted with Bruno Denturri?"

"Yes, Your Highness," said Storm as he bowed.

"However, when we spoke with him, he failed to describe your beauty," said Anakin as he turned on the charm.

The girls rolled their eyes as Anakin's comment made the Queen giggle.

"Really? And did Bruno speak of my intense hatred of him? Or did that escape his memory as well?" snarled the Queen.

"He needed not speak of it, Your Majesty. In fact, Bruno Denturri will not be speaking ever again," stated Storm.

"What do you mean?" asked the Queen.

"Bruno Denturri is dead by our hand," said Anakin, "Here are two slaves from his palace, compensation for my efforts."

Anakin pulled off Ashoka's cloak, revealing the girl in her slave outfit. Storm did the same with a tug; he pulled the cloak off of the princess as he was taken aback. Twilight wore a similar outfit to Ashoka, but it was colored purple. However, the boy saw his partner and couldn't take his eyes off her. The way she looked in that piece of garment, how certain shaped parts of her body. To Storm, he found Twilight attractive in that outfit and, albeit a bit… sexy. The boy snapped out of his hungry gaze to avoid suspicions as he forcefully grabbed Twilight's right wrist, as did Anakin with Ashoka.

"Unhand me, brigand!" spoke Ashoka in a rather unconvincing tone as Anakin gave a face to his Padawan.

The girl removed herself from her teacher's grip as the Queen got up from her throne. She was now circling Ashoka and Twilight, still held by Storm. Upon looking at the teens, she had a thought but didn't say it as she addressed Anakin.

"You impress me, Lars Quell. She is quite a prize," said the Queen after examining Ashoka. "And no doubt, this one is also an exquisite sight to behold. Smarts and beauty, perhaps she can be my new librarian," stated the Queen as she looked at Twilight, who had a glare.

"And to have defeated Bruno Denturri in combat, you two must be quite the warriors."

The Queen complimented Storm and Anakin before turning back to the girls.

"The slaves are certainly of fine stock; Bruno always knew how to choose a beautiful female."

"Yes, she is," Storm muttered as he looked at Twilight. He quickly snapped out of it to retain his focus. It seemed Twilight unintentionally heard that as she couldn't help but have some hints of red appear on her cheeks.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Ashoka told the Queen.

The nearby birds chirped.

"Though she will have to be processed. Her demeanor leaves much to be desired. What is your price for them?" the Queen asked the boys.

"Well…" said Storm.

Twilight glared at her partner as she couldn't believe Storm was trying to determine how much she was worth, like some property to be sold willingly. Thankfully, before he could give an answer, Anakin stepped in.

"With respect, how can I price the beauty of these slaves when I look upon the magnificence of Your Highness, whose beauty would make the brightest star seem dull by comparison," flirted the Jedi Knight.

"Oh, boy. Here we go," groaned Storm as he saw Anakin was trying to woo the Queen's favor.

It worked as the Queen gave another giggle as she seemed to enjoy it.

"Lars Quell, you flatter me," flirted the Queen.

"No, Your Majesty, however..."

Anakin then leaned in as he was whispering to the Queen as she seemed to be enjoying what the Jedi was saying to her.

"Lars, stop it. Stop it!" said the Queen playfully as she giggled.

"Okay, let's dial it back a bit, bro," Storm said as he got in between the two and separated. "Apologies, Your Majesty, but as you can guess, growing up, my brother fancies himself a lady's man. And I often had to cover him on all his… ahem, skirt-chasing. But he did mention how interested he was in meeting you. So much so that he even brought this as a token of his appreciation."

Storm then pulled out his pendant and showed it to the Queen. Twilight gasped when she saw Storm handing the very gift she gave him for his birthday, being passed on to another female. It hurt her heart a bit as she bit her lip, knowing she got that for him, and him only. In a way, that gift signaled that he was hers. The girl was struggling as she knew that Storm was only doing it as part of her plan, but… it hurt so much.

"You are a bold one, aren't you?" said the Queen as she took the pendant from Storm that he said was from Anakin to show his affection for her.

"My reputation precedes me then," smiled Anakin as he gave a secret wink to Storm for adding that nice touch on convincing their enemy.

"Perhaps we can find a way to put a price on your slaves. Come, walk with me," said the Queen to both Jedi males. She extended her hand as Anakin took it, and they interlocked arms and walked with the girls following closely.

Meanwhile, Obi-wan and Rex arrived at the slave pits, hoping they may hold a clue as to where the colonists were being held. They kept a close eye on the nearby guards to avoid blowing their cover. Soon, Rex noticed something as he got the Jedi's attention.

"Sir, take a look at this," called out Rex as Obi-wan approached him and looked down into a hole that had a Torgruta.

"Stand watch. I'll take a closer look," instructed Obi-wan to the clone as he nodded. He then dropped down to a knee as he approached the prisoner as he was familiar. "Governor Roshti?"

"No! No!" shouted the governor as he backed up upon seeing the guard, thinking he would endure some harsh treatment.

"Governor, I'm a friend, a Jedi, here to help," said Obi-wan calmly as he took off his helmet to show his face.

"Where are your people?" asked Governor Roshti, "They're..."

The governor released a wheezing sound as he collapsed into Obi-wan's arms. The Jedi knew he had to get the governor out, so he put him over his shoulder, jumped back out of the hole, and landed next to Rex.

"Sir, did you find out where the others are?" asked Rex.

"Not yet. We've got to get him out of here," stated Obi-wan.

The Jedi Master then looked up as on the ledge above them was one of the guards riding a Brezak. He jumped and landed behind the guard before throwing him off as he screamed. He flicked the reigns of the lizard as it began to take off. It glided down to where Rex and the governor were as they began to climb on it. However, it didn't go unnoticed.

"You there, what are you doing with that slave?" shouted one of the guards as he alerted the others.

Obi-wan moved the creature as it started to hop over the pits and slowly built itself up to glide away. It was about to take off when one of the guards, who was crouched and had their guns aimed, pulled the trigger. It hit Obi-wan in the back as he tumbled along with the governor. Rex could watch as he was forced to get away without his allies to avoid him getting captured. Obi-wan came to as the armor he wore managed to null the blast from doing any serious damage; however, he got a knee as he was now surrounded.

Back in the palace, the girls, Anakin, Storm, and the Queen, were on the balcony as she was informing the Jedi of how things worked in her empire.

"Slavery is the natural order of things. The weak deserve nothing more than to kneel before the strong, bound to our service. I will need men with your talents to spread our ways across the galaxy." said the Queen to both of them as a servant girl carrying a tray of drinks approached them. They each took a cup as they prepared to take a sip.

Having delivered the drinks, the servant girl quickly looked before moving her hand from under the tray. It was shown that she was concealing a dagger and looked to murder the Queen but was stopped by Anakin catching her arm as he acted on reflexes. Storm soon took the knife from her hand.

"Let me go!" shouted the girl as she felt the strength of Anakin as he released her and took a few steps forward as she backed up.

"You dare raise a hand against your master. Clearly, you require further processing," threatened the Queen.

"No! I won't go back there," the girl shouted as she raced toward the balcony's edge.

"Wait! Stop!" shouted Storm.

The girl didn't listen as she got on top of the railing and threw herself face first off. She screamed as Storm raced over to the edge along with Anakin to see the servant lying on the ground below them, not moving. It seemed she would rather die than live in torture under the Queen's wrath. It seemed to her that death was better than bondage.

The Jedi felt sympathy as the Queen approached them from behind, unfazed by what had occurred.

"Such a waste. But perhaps she was more trouble than she's worth. But you two, you are proving quite resourceful." said the Queen to Storm and Anakin before sighing. "Very well, I will pay your price for these slave girls. It seems I am in need of a new servant. Perhaps two."

"She is our gift to you, Your Highness," stated Storm as he didn't feel too good about saying that, given what he watched and the danger he was putting Twilight in.

"You two are men of many surprises. It pleases me. I wish you to be my guests at the slave auction and to sit at my side." said the Queen as they nodded, and Anakin began to lead the Queen away with Ahsoka following.

Storm approached Twilight as he looked at the girl.

"I would never do that. Nor my family. We would never treat someone like to where they would try to murder us or... take their own life rather than live under our rule. It's just..."

"Shh... I get it. And I know for a fact that when you're Queen, you're not gonna be like her," stated Storm as he tried to not let Twilight's fear get to her.

They soon began to walk to catch up with their friends.

In the slave pit, Obi-wan was pinned against a wall with his back turned as a whipping sound was heard. It seemed he was now being whipped as, despite having his robes on, the Jedi Master could feel the pain as he groaned.

"Well..." asked a Zygerrian named Atai Molec, the Zygerrian who talked with D'Nar back on Kiros. "Who is he?"

"He hasn't talked, but I'll loosen his tongue," stated the Zygerrian, torturing Obi-wan as he prepared for another crack of the whip.

"Why would a slaver try to rescue a slave from the palace? It's suicide," stated Molec as Obi-wan let out another groan as his face was shown. "Wait. I know you from the hologram. I never forget a Jedi." growled the Zygerrian as he grabbed the Jedi's head and glared.

A crowd was cheering as the auction began for all to see. The Queen and the Jedi were in their booth high above as they watched the auctioneer Zygerrian begin the festivities.

"Your Highness, Zygerrians, and guests from a thousand worlds, our auction begins with slaves of unmatched quality and impossible quantity!" announced the Zygerrian as he got a loud cheer, "I give you Togruta from the Kiros System!"

The crowd cheered as the governor was brought out and shoved forward as he clutched his side.

"Oh, no," gasped Ahsoka as she saw the sight of her people; it sickened her.

"This handsome sample represents a lot of numbering no less than 50,000 beings," said the auctioneer as the crowd cheered.

Anakin and Storm watched in front of them as Rex, in disguise, was off to the side on the left wall. The clone managed to avoid being caught as he was now back, and this time, he had some weapons close to his side as he signaled to the Jedi that he was ready to strike once they made their move. They nodded as that meant to be on standby.

"Note the compliance. Virtually untrained in combat. There will be no rebellion from these slaves." continued the auctioneer.

"So where do you keep 50,000 slaves, like the people of Kiros?" asked Anakin.

"Your Majesty, I have urgent news," said a Zygerrian guard as he came rushing in. He whispered into the Queen's ear as her eyes widened at what was told before she dismissed him.

"All will be revealed in time," stated the Queen as she stood up and addressed the crowd, "Before we begin the auction, I would welcome a most special guest, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi knight!"

Everyone gasped at what they heard as they looked, and true to the Queen's word, Obi-wan was shown exiting from a door as he clutched his side. He put a hand up to cover his eyes from the blinding light as he was shoved and pushed toward the center of the massive space. The entire audience jeered at seeing the Jedi.

"Down with the Jedi!"

"The Jedi are not so tough."

The crowd began to shout their displeasure before the Queen spoke.

"My friends, my good friends, do not fear the Jedi. They are no different from others we have forced into submission, for they have forsaken their ideals to serve a corrupt Senate. Every Jedi has become a slave to the Republic. The Jedi Order is weak, and we will help break it." shouted the Queen.

The audience cheered as they bought into the words spoken by the Queen. She then turned to Anakin and Storm as she handed them some whips. The girls were a bit worried as they were left with the Queen and were unsure what their friends would do to save Obi-wan this time.

"Teach the Jedi his place," said the Queen as both grabbed the devices and began to head down there.

"Whip the Jedi! Whip the Jedi! Whip the Jedi! Whip the Jedi!" chanted the Zygerrians.

Anakin and Storm were approaching Obi-wan on his knees with his hands behind his head.

"Looks like we have to rescue you again, old man," said Anakin so only Storm and Obi-wan could hear.

"I knew you'd have a backup plan," responded Kenobi.

"Yeah, don't count on it yet. We're still working on it," responded Storm as he and Anakin looked back up at the Queen.

"Prove to me you two are slavers. Swing that whip, or die beside him!" stated the Queen to the pair.

"Those are some lousy options," said Anakin.

"They couldn't at least say we'll be prisoners with him if we don't do it," snickered Storm.

He and Anakin then looked as they saw Rex and nodded. R2 appeared and rolled up to the balcony as he had the port in his head open up. The girls also stood by as they nodded.

"You leave us no choice, Highness," said Anakin as he and Storm bowed while turning on the whip.

The Queen smiled as Anakin did a two-finger salute. He then raised his whip and flicked it to grab ahold of the nearby guard; he took away his blaster, allowing Obi-wan to roll through and elbow him in the gut. R2 then ejected their lightsabers from within him as they sailed through the air and into their hands.

"Guards, subdue them!" shouted the Queen.

The guys were now deflecting the shots from the nearby shooters as Rex made his move. He shot a few in his path before striking a bomb that sent two over the edge. Above, the girls made their moves as they flipped the Zygerrian near them onto the floor as R2 shot out their lightsabers. They turned them on as they reflected the blaster shots to the two guards near the door as they fell. Rex turned the corner; he stopped upon seeing three Zygerrians aiming at him. Another tackled him from behind and fell off the ledge and into the pit below. He managed to get to his hands and knees as he was a few meters away from the platform where the guys were.

Storm was also using his whip as he got a hold of one of the guards.

"Get over here!" said the boy as he pulled the guard in to deliver a high knee to his face.

"Girls, the Queen!" shouted Anakin.

They heard that as they aimed their lightsabers at the Queen, who sat down in her chair.

"Looks like your slave empire is finished... again," said Ahsoka.

"Get that thing out of my face, you little skug!" responded the Queen.

She then pushed a button on her chair; the collars she had put on the girls sent an electric pulse as they were shocked and fell to the floor.

Down in the pit, the guys were starting to slowly get overrun. A door opened as many Zygerrians entered carrying whips. The first to go was Rex, as the whip got a hold of him and sent an electric pulse as he fell to the ground. Anakin and Storm jumped on the platform as Obi-wan was below them. They dodged and used their lightsabers to avoid the whips as one of them wrapped around the Jedi Master's arm and started to shock him. Weak from his whippings from before, soon he was wrapped around by others, one around his throat, as he struggled to break free before the electricity knocked him out.

Storm and Anakin saw their friend succumb as the whip they had was taken away from them. They soon had both their hands wrapped around and pulled as their lightsabers dropped. Electricity then began to flow to shock the pair into submission.

"This isn't the first time... I've been wrapped in chains and shocked," grunted Storm as he recalled what happened with the wedding in Canterlot.

"Such determination," said the Queen as she saw how resilient both were, despite having electricity flow through them.

Anakin was growling as he tried to use his anger to fight through the pain, but the electricity proved too much, and he soon fell and succumbed. Storm was about to as more whips were starting to wrap about his body part as he yelled. The boy's eyes were shown as he spread his arms about; the Zygerrians holding onto him began to skid. In one mighty move, Storm reeled his arms back and brought them together as his hands clapped. A sudden boom was heard as the Force pushed all the guards back and destroyed some nearby statures. The entire structure shook from what Storm did as the Queen gasped and looked. The boy stood slouched over but was still standing as all around him laid her guards, knocked out. He looked up at the Queen as he raised his hand and gave her the middle finger before taking one last gasp and falling forward.

A pair of Kiros birds were shown flapping as they landed and hopped a bit. They appeared next to two individuals who were laid out on a bed. They began to peck at them as they stirred. Anakin and Storm slowly opened their eyes as they felt the birds waking them up and sat up. One of the Kiros birds nuzzled against Storm as he seemed to enjoy the boy's warmth and decided to perch on his shoulder when he sat up to nuzzle his cheek. The pair then heard a voice speak.

"You destroyed my auction and frightened my customers. Count Dooku and half my kingdom are demanding your death," said the Queen in front of the Jedi, waiting for them to wake up before turning to address them.

She then felt some gasping as Anakin stood up and had his hand out to choke her.

"You should have listened to them. Our friends, where are they?" shouted Anakin.

"Anakin!" yelled Storm.

He rushed to his friend's side and again grabbed his arm to release his hold on the Queen. He stuck his hand out as he fought against his buddy to relieve her from choking on Anakin's grip. The two glared as they did on the ship as they looked like they were about to come to blows.

"Continue to misbehave, and they die," spoke the Queen, still clutching her neck.

She coughed as Storm managed to loosen Anakin's Force grip, which he then put his hand down. The Queen was set down as she collected air to fill her lungs.

"A most curious Jedi who cares more about their friends than their own mission," said the Queen to the pair. "Heros. Generals. And now, my servants." she laughed.

"We will not serve you," said Storm.

The Queen merely chuckled.

"Your heart is not in your words. You will stand beside me, a testament to my power. Here, my bodyguards will need weapons." The Queen offered the pair their lightsabers which they took hesitantly. "And you need not worry about your friends. They will be quite safe."

And by safe, Ahsoka was currently in a cage, hanging off one of the palace's balconies. A Kiros bird poked at her cage as she sat and meditated, not thinking about the danger she would see if she looked down. A Zygerrian guard approached behind the cage.

"The Queen has promised once the other Jedi is tamed, you will be mine, little skug," said the guard.

Ahsoka merely raised her hand and waved it a bit as the guard nearly fell over the edge and managed to grab on.

"You better hope that doesn't happen," taunted Ahsoka with her eyes still closed.

The guard pulled himself up as he didn't take kindly to that threat. He then pulled out a device and pushed the button as the collar on Ahsoka began to shock her. She let out a scream of pain as the Zygerrian continued to push it several times to remind the Padawan who was in charge. Unlike everybody else, Twilight was actually put to work. True to what the Queen said, she needed a new slave librarian. The princess thought it would be okay, given her love for books and reading. But it was far from that. In addition, she had to clean the whole thing from top to bottom, all before nightfall without any breaks, and it was already starting to be sunset. And failure to do so would result in 30 lashes.

While the girls remained in the palace, Obi-wan and Rex were transported elsewhere. They were taken to the Zygerrian reprocessing center on Kadavo, where many slaves were sent to work. Their ship docked, and they exited it with Governor Roshti as they were bound. In front of them were the governor's people.

"My people, we have found them," said Roshti as he had a small smile on his face.

"Keep moving, skug," said one of the guards.

They walked as they noticed some of the Togrutans were in binds themselves as they stood in circles. The door to the center opened, and out came the warden. It was a Zygerrian named Agruss; he saw the Jedi with a huge smile.

"General Kenobi, you are the first Jedi I have entertained at our educational center. Few possess a Jedi's resolve, and it is strength of will that is my greatest enemy."

The warden then pushed a button that triggered something. A row of circles that some Togrutans were standing on opened beneath them as they fell through. They were now falling as it showed the center was on top of a bottomless void. The people screamed as they fell and were soon silenced as they entered the void. Obi-wan was disgusted by what he saw as he glanced back at the warden.

"Now that I have your attention, Jedi, be aware that it will not be you who suffers should you defy me," said the warden as he left with Obi-wan, Rex, and Roshti being led to work.

In the palace, Storm was currently saddling up a Brezak as he and Anakin were going to accompany the Queen on an evening ride. The boy was petting the giant lizard when he saw the Queen approaching him. He glared, though it didn't seem she was here to taunt him but rather talk.

"Why keep me? You're clearly more interested in Anakin, so why not enslave me with my friends?" asked Storm as he found it odd that the Queen kept him around despite being fascinated with Anakin.

"I have my reasons," responded the Queen as he scoffed.

He turned and was making the final preparations for their ride when she spoke.

"You're an orphan. Abandoned at birth."

"What makes you think I was abandoned?" asked Storm, not directly looking at the Queen.

"The way you walk, the way you talk. The way your eyes tell everything without saying a word. You don't know who your parents are." said the Queen as that got to Storm. "For all you know, they could have been slaves themselves?"

The boy took a deep breath as he petted the Brezak's side.

"I don't know my parents. Nor what they look like. But... I can't deny countless nights when I would stare off into the distance and... imagine what they looked like. Imagine what life they led and what I would have had. Were they slaves? Were they nobles? Hell, were they bandits? And what would become of me?"

Storm closed his eyes as he was deep in thinking.

"But you seem to know the answer, don't you?" responded the boy.

"No, but... I do know one thing. Your parents were prisoners when they gave birth to you," said the Queen as she could deduce how he could take all that punishment and knock out her guards before he succumbed.

"What if I told you that I could help you? What if I could figure out who your parents were?" said the Queen.

"How would you know that? I don't think they were slaves to your kind!" scowled the boy.

"No, but as a slave empire, you have connections to other means of slavery. Even in slavery, you keep track of who you take," stated the Queen as Storm was now thinking of what she said.

Could this be the break he was looking for? A chance to finally figure out where he came from before Luna took him in.

"All it would require is you to pledge your loyalty to me," said the Queen with a smile.

Storm remained silent as he was really thinking it over.

"No deal," said Storm as he got on the Brezak and prepared to take to the air.

"What if I said no harm would come to the girl you have eyes for?" said the Queen as Storm looked at her with an interesting look. "You don't need to be a genius to see that you two are more than what you claim to be. Now listen, Jedi, I have been honest with you. No harm would come to her if I gave you my word."

"I'd rather see Twilight myself," responded Storm as he took off before they could continue this conversation.

The Queen could see that she was right about the boy, and while he may not have fully come to terms with it, she could tell Storm cared for Twilight too much. To the point where he didn't want to leave her side. She put that aside as she approached Anakin, who was waiting for her. She got on behind him as the Jedi flicked the reigns of his Brezak, and they took to the sky. A few guards and Storm joined them as they glided about the evening sky for a ride. In a way, the rush of the wind and the adrenaline pumping gave the pair a sense of peace, despite their friends' danger.

"You were once a slave, weren't you?" said the Queen as she held onto Anakin.

"What makes you think I was a slave?" asked the Jedi as he kept looking forward defiantly.

"The noble selflessness in your eyes. Your commitment to the service of something greater than yourself. Your Jedi, the Grand Republic, even your friends. Something your friend over there shares with you. You two are a lot alike." said the Queen.

"I don't see commitment as slavery," responded Anakin.

"Oh, it is when it comes at the cost of yourself. What you could be! With you two willingly beside me, there is nothing we could not accomplish." said the Queen.

"We are nothing. You have all the power," spoke Anakin, as those words had meaning behind them.

The Queen gasped upon hearing that as she glanced over to see Storm gliding a few feet away. Even though he didn't quite hear what was said between the two, he could sense what was said.

The pair soon landed back at the palace. They got off with Anakin offering a hand to the Queen.

"What if I freed your friends? Would you two promise to stay? Commit to serving me?" wondered the Queen as she got off, trying to get the pair to stand by her side. "If a Jedi as noble as you two gave their word, I think you might keep it."

"We don't trust you," said Storm.

"Have I been anything but honest? I have no reason to lie. I am who I am. It is you two, you two, who are the complicated ones," said the Queen to the pair, "Now, Master Skywalker, Master Storm, the future of your friends lays in your hands. If they are to live as slaves, it will be you who keeps them that way."

The Queen left the pair as they were deeply thinking about what she said. And how it was up to them that would determine the fate of their friends. And it was a tempting offer.

Night had fallen as Storm was heading to his room. He entered as inside were some guards as well as the Queen. Storm felt like she was here for a reason when she stepped to the side and in the middle of the room was Twilight, still bound and wearing the shock collar. The girl managed to finish everything in the library to avoid any punishment. She was about to be permitted to sleep when she was taken away and brought before the Queen. They soon arrived in Storm's room while waiting for the boy to show up.

"Twilight!" said the boy as he saw her. "If you think this is gonna convince me to join…."

"I'm not here for that. Release her binds," said the Queen to guard behind Twilight.

The guard bent down as he unlocked the binds around Twilight's hands; she brought them forward and rubbed her wrist. The shock collar around her neck was then released. Storm was in disbelief as he looked at the Queen, wondering what her aim was.

"I told you, I am honest with. You asked to see her, and here she is. I'll allow you two to spend the night together, " the Queen said as she left with her guard.

The boy looked at the door as he saw the Queen leave.

"Thank you," mumbled the boy.

He turned as he approached Twilight on the floor, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Twilight…"

"Storm…"

The girl rested her head on her partner's shoulder as she sighed. The pair relished being in the presence of the other after what had happened. They broke apart as Storm immediately picked up Twilight in his arms and carried her bridal style as he made his way to the bed. He placed the princess to sit on the edge of the bed as he removed the headpiece of her slave outfit and bent to a knee in front of the girl.

"Twilight, I'm sorry…."

"Storm, it's okay. At this point, being kidnapped, going undercover, and being persecuted is a normal day for us. It'd be weird if we didn't encounter anything like this." The girl smiled as she pressed her finger to his lips before moving them to his cheek.

"Still… I'm supposed to be your personal guard. And… I'm sorry for giving the Queen the pendant you gave me. I just…"

"I understand why you do it. And don't worry, I can… always give you another," smiled Twilight.

"But that one has so much meaning," smiled Storm.

He then put his hands on Twilight's waist as he pulled the girl in close so their faces were close as Twilight wrapped her legs around him. Soon Twilight laid back as Storm was now on top of her, as they stared into each other's eyes. Twilight moved her hands to feel Storm's muscles as she removed his uniform. The boy's hands traced the girl's figure and felt the curves of her body that her slave outfit offered as he soon made his way to her rear. With a nod of consent from the girl, the boy did what happened on Hearth's Warming and squeezed it. The girl let some sounds escape her mouth as she felt Storm's fingers dig into her behind. The girl also enjoyed herself as she felt her partner's abs and muscles, how they were hard like diamonds but soft that she could fall asleep in them. It was scientifically impossible, but she didn't care.

The more he rubbed and kneaded it, the more she enjoyed it. Soon the pair touched their foreheads while holding each other as they slowly drifted off to get some sleep. The looming threat and the offer the Queen made still hung over Storm's head.

Author's Note: Things seem to have taken a turn for the worst. The mission to find the people has resulted in our heroes being captured by the Queen and in the case of Storm and Anakin, having to make the choice on whether to accept her offer of serving her in return for their friends being freed. And the statement the Queen made that the Jedi are enslaved themselves by serving the Senate, which there is some truth to that. Not to mention some themes covered, including a scenario that many enslaved people had and that death was better than bondage. Which makes you glad that Twilight and her family, despite being royal and having servants serve them, they don't treat them like they're beneath them. And then the small discuss that the Queen said to Storm about knowing who his parents might by or who they might have been. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.