Chapter 126: Escape from Kadavo

Great hope can come from small sacrifices.

Recap: A people enslaved! To locate the abducted colonists of a peace-loving world, the Jedi infiltrated the slaver planet of Zygerria, only to be captured by its ambitious queen, who plots to rebuild her empire of oppression. Now even Obi-Wan Kenobi must come to terms with a life in chains.

On Kadavo, in the slave mines, many people tolled at the intense work they were being put to do. Some groaned as they felt themselves beginning to faint. Obi-wan was near some workers loading some stuff into a cart when Warden Agruss approached him on his floating chair.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, once a Jedi Master, now a Jedi slave," chuckled the warden. "Pitiful."

The warden got his chuckle as he left Rex and Obi-wan to continue to shovel coal into the mine cart as more groans from slaves were heard. All around, it was nothing but the Togrutan colonists being put to death by hard labor. One fell to a knee when shoveling coal as a nearby guard was unhappy.

"Keep eyes on your toil, skug!" shouted the Zygerrian guard as he pulled out his whip and gave the slave some lashes as he got back up.

"Everything about this place is designed to shatter the will. It has already gone to affect these poor people," said Obi-wan to Rex as he saw the slave getting whipped.

As it hit his collar, he soon got a whip and sent some electricity to spark as a warning.

"Speech is forbidden!" stated a guard.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again," said Obi-wan as he started to go back to shoveling.

"There will be punishment!" said the guard as he whipped the slave next to the Jedi.

"No, stop, it's my mistake! Leave him alone!" said Obi-wan as he tried to help the slave for suffering for his actions.

However, the guards didn't care as one of them had a spear and put the end around Obi-wan's collar; they shocked him, and he backed up and fell to his knees.

"Now a slave gives me commands? Beg!" demanded the guard as he whipped the slave. "Beg me before this one dies because of you!"

"Please. Forgive me, Master," pleaded Obi-wan as he put his hands up.

The guards laughed at seeing the Jedi submit to them as they left. Obi-wan put his hand on the Torgutan's back to check on him when he swatted it away.

"Keep away from me. Jedi only make things worse," said the slave as he went back to work to avoid any more lashing.

Obi-wan looked at Rex as they had unhappy expressions on their faces.

Several ships were going in and out of space, descending to the planet. Among them was a Separatist ship carrying Count Dooku, who was sent on a mission by Darth Sidious to discuss how the Queen had the Jedi and their friends in her possession.

"Long have Sith empires been built upon the backs of slaves. To carry on this tradition, we will require millions," said Sidious to Dooku.

"I assure you, the Queen's defiance will not sour your plans, Master," stated Dooku.

"If she fails to see the error of her ways, end her rule," ordered Sidious as the transmission ended and Dooku descended into the planet's orbit.

The morning came over the palace. The rays of the morning star entered a room. Storm was shown sleeping on his side as he had the blanket over him. The rays hit the boy's face as he groaned. He opened his eyes and let out a yawn. A wake-up like this would make him cranky. This, however, did not make him immune to the allure of a comfy bed. It's not like he could get out of bed anyway, if the soft breathing against the back of his neck was any indication.

Twilight had snuggled up against him at some point during the night while they were asleep. Moving quietly to avoid waking the sleeping princess, he adjusted to where he was now facing Twilight's sleeping form. Her navy blue hair was messily splayed out in every which way, a few silky strands hanging in her face. He had seen her with her hair and how she looked so many times, yet he was always surprised by how long it was and how well it framed her cute little face. As she continued to snore softly, he came to what can only be called the most scientific of conclusions.

The girl he was sharing a bed with was adorable. No... adorkable.

Even though he didn't know her before their first meeting, the boy found her cute in a nerdy way. But the way she was now, her hair a mess, a little bit of drool at the corner of her mouth, and wearing a slave outfit that allowed him to see the perfect curves of her body. It was so naturally adorable that he couldn't help but admire her in this state. It was almost enough to stop him from waking her up.

But the day must go on. And... they were still prisoners.

"Twilight," he called softly, trying to get her attention.

All he got in response was a grumble and an adorable little squeak. He couldn't help but smile at the sight. At least that was the case until he felt one of her small hands sleepily slap against his lips.

"Mm, less wake. More sleep," Twilight said, still clearly asleep, while continuing to lightly tap his face with her hand.

After her sleepy assault subsided, he decided to try again, though this time, there was a bit more humor in his voice, "I know you want to sleep, but it's time to wake up."

"No," she said childishly before completely taking Storm off guard by latching onto him and snuggling her head in the crook of his neck.

This alone would have been enough to make the man blush, but the two mounds of soft flesh squishing against his chest caused his face to burn with the fury of a thousand suns. He was surprised by just how large they felt! As far as he had known, Twilight was relatively small-chested, yet going by the large objects he felt against his body, she was actually the larger size.

As his mind continued to go into overload, he was unaware of Twilight slowly fluttering her eyes awake. She slowly lifted her head, still half asleep, to look up at Storm with squinted eyes. All she could really make out was his general form. She didn't quite recognize him initially in her sleepy state, but her eyes snapped open when she did, and blush colored her face. A blush only grew in intensity when she realized she had her sizeable breasts pressed against him. They spent a moment of silence staring at each other wide-eyed, their faces colored a deep red hue.

…

…

"Eeeeeee!" Twilight screamed before shoving Storm away, causing him to tumble inelegantly out of bed and onto the floor as she jumped to her feet on the other side.

"Ow…" Storm groaned out.

Realizing what she just did, Twilight gasped and ran over to her partner.

"Oh my goodness, Storm! I am so sorry," she said as she reached out to help him. He got up with a groan but was quick to wave off her worries.

"I'm fine. I've taken worst tumbles while running." He then stretched out, causing a few audible pops to come from his back.

This had the added benefit, at least in Twilight's mind, of showing off his chiseled, shirtless body. She started chewing on her bottom lip, wondering why her body was tingling. The pair may have fallen asleep in their clothes, but for Storm, the guard outfit proved to be too much to handle that he removed it during the night to sleep comfortably.

Oblivious to her current state, Storm looked awkwardly toward Twilight. He didn't consider himself a pervert, but he would be lying if he didn't admit that the soft feeling of her surprisingly voluptuous breasts wasn't still on his mind. He also felt ashamed of his difficulty keeping his eyes off her chest. Luckily, he was saved when the lavender girl cleared her throat.

"So, we should probably get ready for the day," she said, having trouble keeping her eyes off the boy's body.

"Y-yeah," said Storm as he grabbed his guard shirt.

"Let me," said Twilight as she approached Storm.

The girl grabbed his shirt and began to help put it on him. However, she did it so slowly that as she pulled it down, her hands touched and grazed his muscles as Twilight felt them, adding more to her body's tingling. Once the shirt was on, Twilight kept her hands under it and on Storm's abs as she was close and pushed her chest against him. The two were in a lull as he felt the soft mounds while staring into the girl.

"Storm..."

"Twilight..."

The boy wrapped his arms around the girl as his hands trailed her backside, feeling bits of her back exposed due to her slave outfit. However, one of his hands came across a zipper. The boy stopped as this was dangerous territory; they were already past simple hand-holding. If last night's feeling session was any indication, it seemed Twilight was okay with them moving into the second base of this partnership and feeling the other's body. However, going through with this would speed them to third base, but... she was a princess. She had dignity, status, and expectations to uphold... and she wouldn't throw it all the way for someone like him...

"Storm..." stated Twilight as it got the boy to snap out of his thoughts and look at her.

"Yes, Sparky."

"It's okay. Go ahead."

"What?" said Storm.

"Do it," smiled Twilight.

"No... we can't..."

"Master..." said Twilight, getting into the role that she was a servant and Storm was in charge of her. The boy was stunned as he never expected Twilight to say or be into this kind of roleplay, but soon her voice had him in a trance. "Do it... do it..."

Storm's hand reached up to her back as he found his target. With a slight tug, the zipper slowly began to move down as it was ever so gently opening up. Just then, a sound was heard as the doors came open. As if on cue, the two separated as some Zygerrian guards came in. They grabbed ahold of Twilight and pulled her away from Storm before applying her shock collar and binds.

Storm merely stood there, watching his partner before looking at the Queen who entered.

"I trust you had a pleasant sleep," said the Queen as Storm looked over to Twilight, who was being held.

"Yes... thank you," stated the boy as he was grateful the Queen allowed him to have a night of holding Twilight in his arms and keeping her safe.

"I told you that I am nothing but honest. Take her away," said the Queen to the guards as they began to drag Twilight away to start her chores.

"Just hang on, Twilight! I promise Anakin and me will get you guys out!" said Storm.

"I know you will," said the girl as she stopped to turn and address her partner. "What kind of personal guard would you be if you didn't rescue your princess when she needed you the most?"

The two teens smiled as Twilight left through the doors. Storm stood there next to the Queen, vowing to save her and their friends.

"Your dedication to her is admirable. But as long as you are here, you are my bodyguard," said the Queen as she left Storm to himself.

The boy sighed as he had no choice but to play along and wait until the opportunity came for him and Anakin to make their move. Speaking of his friend, Storm had to get ready as he and Anakin had to be by the Queen's side for her morning walks around the palace in a few minutes. Soon he found his friend as they headed to where the Queen was waiting. Anakin walked alongside her as Storm was behind them.

"Have you considered my offer, Skywalker? If you vow loyalty to me, I will free your friends," reiterated the Queen to the Jedi Knight.

"It's not an easy decision," said Anakin.

"Hmm, curious. I thought the Jedi were selfless, placing the needs of others before their own," countered the Queen as they walked.

R2 was shown turning the corner as he found his targets. He slowly began to approach the trio as he followed from afar. The three stopped before a corner of the balcony when a guard approached the Queen.

"My Queen, I bring word. Count Dooku is on his way here," said the guard.

"Ah, sooner than anticipated. Make preparations for his arrival," ordered the Queen as the guard left.

"So even you have a master," snickered Storm.

"Dooku is not my master!" stated the Queen as if she was anything but someone's pawn, "Perhaps you should not attend this meeting. Can I trust you two not to run away?"

"We don't run away from anything, Your Highness," stated Anakin as he grabbed his lightsaber and aimed it at the Queen but didn't turn it on to show that he was no coward.

The guards behind him cocked their guns and aimed them at the Jedi. The Queen chuckled at Anakin's display before taking his lightsaber from him. She approached Storm as the boy had given her his weapon without any issue as they watched her leave. Both were then shoved into the corner of the balcony so the guards could watch them. They had their guns on them when R2 made his move and "accidentally" bumped into one of the guards.

"Get off, you miserable tin can!" shouted the guard as he turned to address the blue astromech.

Anakin smiled as he took that distraction to jump over the railing and off the balcony as Storm looked on. At the last moment, the guards saw the Jedi jumping, and when they looked over, he was gone.

"Get down there and find that Jedi. I'll keep an eye on this one," said the guard to his comrade.

"Yes, sir," responded the other as he ran.

"Oh, don't worry. I assure you, I won't be going anywhere," smiled Storm.

Before the guard could ask him what he meant, Anakin appeared before him on the railing and punched the guard. He threw him using his Force powers, flying into the market as he screamed. He soon came crashing down through some banners and into a fruit crate as his head swirled before falling unconscious.

"Hey, I said I wasn't going anywhere," shouted Storm as he didn't lie.

"Nice work, pal," said Anakin to R2 as he rolled up to the pair, "You find Ahsoka?"

The droid beeped as he said yes and began hovering away. Storm told Anakin to go on as he was gonna search for Twilight and meet up with them. They nodded and split paths, with Anakin leaping into the air to follow his droid. As the pair was doing this, Dooku was in the throne room; he was shown walking toward the Queen.

"I wasn't expecting you, Count. Not without an invitation," said the Queen.

"But I was invited by your faithful advisor," said Dooku as he gestured his gaze to Atai Molec, standing next to the throne. The Zygerrian didn't like the Sith Lord ratting out his name, as he was the reason Dooku was summoned. "He's concerned over how attached you've become to Skywalker."

"Skywalker is a symbol of my... our power to enslave even Jedi," said the Queen as she caught her words.

"Your power over him is an illusion. You forget I was once a Jedi myself," stated Dooku to the Queen as he stood before her.

"You have little in common with Anakin. Much less his friend, Storm," chuckled the Queen as she had gotten to know the pair in the past day to know who they were as people. She grabbed a drink from a servant holding a tray, as did Dooku. " Please, hear my plans for the Jedi, then decide. "Right now, at my facility in the Kadavo system, Obi-Wan Kenobi is in despair."

"I'm listening," said Dooku with a smile.

The Queen began to speak, and when she did, it shifted to show what conditions Obi-wan was undergoing.

"Kenobi is coming to realize, perhaps for the first time in his life, that his efforts to help others will only injure them. As plans for escape and hopes of rescue fade, the gnawing fear that he will never be able to take action will grow in Kenobi's heart. To ease the burden of his fellow slaves, defiance will become compliance. When Kenobi realizes he cannot help those around him, his spirit will break, and he will be mine."

As the Queen spoke, it showed Obi-wan was given a plate of food as the slaves around him began to viciously eat the small scraps they were given as if they'd been waiting all day for some food. Obi-wan was taking a bit out of his when a guard came by and kicked his bowl away. The Jedi got to his knees with his fists raised, and he was looking to fight, but the guard took a stance with his whip, ready to strike. However, Obi-wan was reminded of how every time tried to spark hope in the prisoners, they were punished for his actions. He backed off as he reached for the bowl and continued to eat. It then showed him climbing up on a small makeshift bed and leaning against the post with a defeated look as the screams and cries of the slaves around him echoed.

"If such Jedi as Skywalker, Storm, and Kenobi can fall, how many others will follow? Hmm?" asked the Queen with a chuckle. "Imagine... Imagine an army of Jedi in your service. Zygerria will be invincible!"

"A most ambitious plan, Your Highness. Only my goal is not the enslavement of the Jedi Order but its extermination," said Dooku as he placed his drink on the tray with the Queen, whose back was turned to him when she made her speech, she was not pleased to hear that. "I have come to supervise their execution, perform it if necessary. Now, summon Skywalker."

Meanwhile, Ahsoka was still in her cage, hanging high above. She was lying on her side as the birds on top of her cage looked and cawed at her. Soon a figure was shown jumping across her vision as she looked up to see Anakin.

"Well, hello, Master. Took you long enough," snickered the girl.

"Well, I knew you had a nice view," countered Anakin as he stood on the edge and looked out over the market and city.

He then put his arms out as he slowly unhooked the cage and placed it next to him. He then ripped open the door and extended a hand to his Padawan.

"Are you okay?"

"I sense a disturbance in the Force," said Ahsoka as she put her hands to her neck and used her powers to destroy it.

"It's Dooku. I need you to get our ship. Here, take this comlink." said Anakin.

"Where are you going?" asked Ahsoka.

"The Queen knows where Obi-Wan is. Hold on to that comlink and wait for my signal!" shouted the Jedi as he was going to find the Queen.

"Come on, R2," sighed Ahsoka as it seemed she would have to sit and wait again instead of getting into the action. R2 beeped as he followed the girl back to their ship.

Twilight was washing some floors as several guards watched her. Ever since leaving Storm, she'd been working nonstop to the point where she was about to collapse any minute; however, the guards were ready to give the girl some lashes the moment she fell to the floor. Twilight willed herself to keep going as she scrubbed the floor with a rag. Soon a shadow loomed over her as she saw the guard's feet and cringed at what he was about to say.

"I'm going as fast as I can-" said the girl, keeping her head down before she was pulled to her feet and spun around as she fell back-first into a pair of arms.

"I thought princesses didn't have to do hard labor," smiled Storm as he spun Twilight around in his arms as they came to a stop.

The girl turned her head to look at her partner as she gasped and smiled. In the background behind him, the guards were all laid out. Twilight had her hands on top of Storm's as he had a firm grip on her with his hands interlocking. She then put her head back and sighed peacefully as Storm placed his head on her shoulder and sniffed the girl's hair. Despite the taxing and grueling, the scent of lavender never once left her.

"So, what's the plan?" asked Twilight, still resting her head against Storm.

"Well, the first step is to let you go," spoke the boy softly into her ear.

"Do you have to?" responded Twilight with the same playfulness as Storm. "I'd rather stay like this."

"Then how are we gonna escape?" asked Storm, keeping their playfulness with each other.

"You could always carry me. I don't mind that, either," said the princess.

"Is that a command, your highness?" asked Storm.

"Yes," sighed Twilight blissfully while bringing an arm up and grabbing Storm's head as she turned her neck to allow herself to be vulnerable in his presence and do whatever he wanted.

Storm merely unhooked one of his hands as he brought it up. He used his fingers to trace and graze Twilight's skin as the girl enjoyed it so much. She made a small sound and let the boy have his way with her. Soon he turned her around in his arms as he looked directly into her eyes.

"Here," said the boy, slipping a comlink into her fingers while staring into her eyes. "Anakin should have found Ahsoka by now. You two get everything ready, and once we find the location of Obi-wan and Rex, we'll head out."

"Be safe," said the girl.

"I will. Now get going," stated Storm.

Twilight removed herself from the boy's arms as she started walking. She took a few steps forward as Storm gave a light tap on her behind; while she didn't let him see it, she enjoyed it and blushed even more as she disappeared. Storm smiled at what he did before he changed into a serious expression as he escaped the library and was going to confront the Queen. He soon bumped into Anakin as the pair made their way to the throne room, where the meeting with Dooku took place.

"I have no desire to end Skywalker's life. He and his friend have become a valuable asset to me and my throne," said the Queen to the Sith Lord.

"Your compliance is not optional. I command you to kill Skywalker," demanded Dooku.

"I will not be ordered about in my own palace, Count!" responded the Queen.

"If you won't do my bidding, perhaps your prime minister will," said Dooku as he looked at Atai.

"Atai, what does he mean?" asked the Queen.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but the Count is right. The Jedi should die. You're not fit to be queen any longer," the Zygerrian prime minister responded.

"Atai, you traitor! I'll make you both pay for this treachery," said the Queen as she threw her cup, and it smashed on the floor.

She then pulled out an electric whip and began to be lifted as Dooku had his hand out. He was now choking the life out of the Queen as she was gagging and gasping for air.

"Punishment for a slave who disobeys her master," stated Dooku.

"That's enough, Dooku!" shouted Anakin as he and Storm emerged from the doors as they opened.

Dooku dropped the Queen, and she fell to the floor as the pair entered.

"Skywalker," said the Queen weakly as she stuck her hand out to the pair before collapsing. Storm bent down to check on her as Anakin kept strolling to confront the Sith Lord.

"I see the Queen has given you and your friend a long leash. One more step, and I will end her life," said Dooku as he turned to face the Jedi Knight.

"Why would you think I care about this slaver scum?" asked Anakin.

"Indeed," said Dooku as he turned on his lightsaber.

Anakin stuck his hand out to grab the whip the Queen had as he turned it on. He then began to use it to fight as he gave a whip which Dooku casually blocked. With another swing, Dooku merely raised his lightsaber. More swings from Anakin as Dooku blocked them as they got closer. Dooku then swatted the whip away from Anakin before thrusting his hand out and shocking Anakin to the floor as he groaned in pain. The prime minister was smiling at what he saw when the door opened, and in came some more guards who saw their ruler on the floor next to Storm.

"The Queen!" said one of the guards.

"She was murdered by the Jedi," said Dooku as he stopped his Force Lightning on Anakin and pinned the blame on him and Storm.

"You son of a bitch!" shouted Storm at what Dooku said.

Anakin activated his comlink as it began to beep.

"That's our signal. Let's get going," said Ahsoka to Twilight and R2 as they were still in their slave outfits and made it back to the ship.

R2 gave them a beep as they fired up the engines and began to make their way to where their friends were.

"Take your vengeance!" commanded Dooku.

Anakin then moved as he picked up the Queen in his arms as he and Storm jumped. The guards were shooting at the pair as they hopped about the throne room and soon burst through the window as they landed on the ramp of their ship. They walked in as it closed behind them. Anakin laid the Queen down as they both saw her coming too.

"Your Highness," said Anakin.

"No escape... for any of us," spoke the Queen softly as she presented the pair with their lightsabers as they took them.

"Where is Obi-Wan? Tell us," said Storm.

"Kadavo system," answered the Queen, "You were right, Skywalker. I am a slave. Just as you are." The Queen could feel herself fading as she looked at Storm and gave him back his pendant.

The Queen's hands shook as Storm grabbed the object and looked at her.

"Make sure you... tell her... before... it's... too... late-"

And just like that, the Queen took her final breath as she closed her eyes. The pair put their heads down and gave her a moment of silence.

Back in the recreation center on Kadavo, many prisoners were being shoved into a room. Obi-wan and Rex were being shoved into the warden's office as they were on their knees before the Zygerrian as he smiled.

"Someone wishes to speak with you," stated the warden as he hovered to the side and a hologram of Dooku appeared.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi. In chains once again, I see."

"Count Dooku. Still afraid to get your hands dirty?" said Obi-wan to the Sith Lord.

"I would gladly make an exception in your case, my friend. I wanted to say a proper farewell before Keeper Agruss puts you to death," addressed the Sith Lord; the warden smiled upon hearing that, while Obi-wan and Rex had grim expressions.

At that moment, the ship carrying the others arrived. The ship docked and opened as out came the Jedi, all dressed in their robes and R2 as they were rushing to save their friends.

"Keeper, the slave ship Tecora is making an unscheduled landing on platform two-four," said one of the guards to the warden.

"Skywalker," said Dooku as he sensed the group was there to rescue them.

The guns on the facility turned as they aimed and fired at the ship, destroying it in a huge explosion. The Jedi turned and saw as they put their heads down and ducked. The guns then turned to fire at them as they ran forward, but the doors closed before they could get in.

So much for our ride home," said Storm.

"What now?" asked Ahsoka.

"We get through the old-fashioned way," stated Anakin as he turned his lightsaber on and thrust it through the door. Storm joined in as the pair cut an entrance for them to get through.

"Kenobi, tell your young friends, Skywalker and Storm, if they do not surrender, the slaves will be terminated in his name," threatened Dooku to the Jedi Master.

R2 gave a beep as he moved back to nearly avoid a shot from one of the guns. By now, both Anakin and Storm were about to finish making their entrance when Obi-wan got their attention due to one of the feeds on the wall.

"Anakin! Storm! I'm glad to see you both, but I'm afraid our host feels otherwise," explained Obi-wan.

"You can't make everyone happy, Master," said Anakin as he and Storm were seconds away from cutting through when...

"They're threatening to kill the slaves unless you surrender," said Kenobi to the pair.

"It's good to see you're always ready to negotiate. But I've had enough bargaining with slave drivers!" shouted Anakin.

"Anakin, you must realize this is a fight you cannot win alone," spoke Obi-wan to his apprentice.

"Who said I was alone?" responded Anakin with a smile.

At that moment, a fleet of Republic cruisers emerged from hyperspace as they were now in front of Kadavo. Emerging from the cruisers were fighters led by Master Plo, who received the call from Anakin and Storm after escaping.

"Keeper, a fleet of warships has dropped out of hyperspace in sector six," said the guard to the warden.

"Jedi reinforcements!"

Wolf Leader to Wolf Pack, accelerate to attack speed," said Master Plo to his squad.

"This is Warthog. We're going in," said the pilot as they began to fire at the gun towers and make the center shake.

"Rex! Now!" shouted Obi-wan as he stuck his hands out to destroy his collar.

"About time," stated Rex as Obi-wan destroyed his.

The Jedi then backflipped behind the guard as he kicked him and avoided the blaster as he put his arms up so the blaster could destroy his binds. Master Plo's fighter shot at the towers as he passed, but they had no effect.

"Those towers are ray-shielded," stated the Jedi Master.

"I hope you told Master Plo not to destroy this facility before we get off of it," said Ahsoka.

"Yeah, all of us and the slaves," responded Anakin as he and Storm finished cutting and kicked down the door.

"We'll need a bigger ship," said Twilight.

A guard began to shoot at them, and the girls barely had a chance to turn on their lightsabers when Anakin lunged forward and killed the guard without mercy. He then slashed and thrust his lightsaber backward at an incoming guard as the Jedi Knight didn't give them a chance to defend themselves. He looked at the other three as they stood there shaking their heads at what Anakin did. He gave a questionable shrug as he didn't see what he did wrong.

Some of the Zygerrian guards hopped into their fighters and started them up. They took to the air as they were now looking to combat the Republic fighters shooting at their towers.

"I'm catching too much heat!" said Warthog as he struggled to shake the enemies on his tail.

"R-7, cut the engines!" said Master Plo.

The droid did that as their ship started floating back as the Zygerrains saw him fly by. The ship returned online as Master Plo was behind them, and he took them out.

"Yeah! That got 'em. Good work, General!"

"Keep your focus, Warthog. Watch out for those towers!" said the Jedi Master, as even though they couldn't take them down, they still needed to avoid getting shot.

The towers continued to shoot as they shot a gunship pilot directing through the window; he made their ship fall and crash into the side of the facility inside; Obi-wan and Rex felt it. They were taking out the remaining guards; Obi-wan was struggling with one of them as he looked up to see the warden near the control panel. He then activated and pushed some buttons as he slammed his hand on the panel.

"No!" shouted Obi-wan.

The cell walls of the prisoners began to flow with electricity as some close to them were shocked and fell to the floor.

"The walls; they're electrified," said a prisoner as they all backed up and gathered away from them.

The warden then pushed some more buttons as he was now making the floor the slaves were standing on retract as they would either touch the wall and be shocked to death or fall. The warden smashed the panel with his fists as he hopped back in his chair and laughed. Obi-wan approached the panel but could do nothing.

"The controls are destroyed, Master Plo. There's nothing we can do from here!" said the Jedi over his comlink.

"I cannot move the cruiser in for the rescue operation until those enemy canons are destroyed," said Master Plo.

"We'll take care of those canons," said Anakin over the comlink.

"Just make sure that cruiser gets down here," Storm stated as the four ran along a hallway. "We're running out of time!"

"I'm going to go help my people. I'll see if I can buy us some time!" said Ahsoka.

"I'll go with you!" stated Twilight.

"Good luck!" shouted Anakin as they came to a crossroad with Anakin and Storm heading down in one direction as the girls went in the opposite directions.

"Incoming!" shouted Rex to Obi-wan as he took out a guard and had an electro-staff. He began to exchange combat with one of the guards rushing in as the other had a blaster and took aim at Obi-wan, who ducked and took cover behind the communicator in the center.

The girls made it to where Ahsoka's people were being held as the princess noticed the controls on the side and unlocked the doors. They jumped on the retracting platform and stood before the prisoners.

"A Jedi!" said the slaves, especially to see one of them.

The girls then bent to a knee as they approached the platform that was retracting as they were trying to come up with a solution. With their friends, Anakin and Storm made it back out the way they came as they saw the towers. Both rushed toward a set as they each jumped and took a tower. They opened the hatch, and the guard inside looked up and shot as the two moved. Each turned on their lightsaber as they entered their respective tower. Unlike Storm, who used the Force and some kicks to take out the guards, Anakin was ruthless; he jumped in and swung his lightsaber at a guard as it, left a mark along his throat, before stabbing his lightsaber through the chair and to the guard sitting in it before slumping to the side.

They soon sat in the chair and began to fire at the other towers aiming at their comrades as they took them out.

"We're all clear, Master Plo," said Storm over his comlink.

"Bring the cruiser down to the landing pad," said Anakin.

"Cancel that order, Master! There's no way to get the people out of the holding cell and up to the landing platform," said Ahsoka as the pair didn't like that sound.

"But we have an idea. We need to have the cruiser move in underneath the facility. We can escape onto the ship if Admiral Coburn can get in close enough." said Twilight as she devised a solution.

"You heard Commander Sparkle. I want the men topside with rocket packs and cable guns. Move it!" said Admiral Coburn to some clones behind him.

"Yes, sir!" said the clones as they left.

In the command center, the guard was approaching the table Obi-wan was hiding under as the Jedi came out and aimed his blaster away before using the Force to fling him into a control panel. He then turned to the warden and stuck his hand out as he made his lightsaber fly into his hands and turned it on.

"Come now, Master Kenobi, I know a Jedi won't kill an unarmed man!" said the warden as he was safe because of the Jedi Code that forbade killing anyone, or someone who couldn't defend himself less it be considered treason.

Obi-wan held his ground but looked at Rex, who was still holding the electrostaff.

"I'm no Jedi," stated the clone captain.

He got a nod from Obi-wan as he threw the electrostaff with such momentum that it went right through his body and out the back of his chair. It spun out of control and splatted him against a console as he was dead.

The cruiser was now directly under the facility as the clones with jetpacks were on the outside and aimed their guns upward. Their cables were fired as they zoomed past the girls and attached to the ceiling.

"Okay, everyone, get ready," said Ahsoka.

"We'll have to go by groups!" said Twilight.

The prisoners nodded as the girls began to get the folks out of there. Meanwhile, Anakin and Storm found Obi-wan and Rex as they raced out of the entrance and to a gunship that arrived to pick them up. They all got on board and took off. With the girls, they were getting the last ones out as one of the prisoners missed the rope she leaned over and fell. She screamed as Ahsoka dove off and landed before putting her arms out to catch them.

"Gotcha," stated the Padawan.

The rest of the prisoners were now falling as the platform reached its end, and they couldn't get to the ropes. They screamed before the clones used their jetpacks to catch them before they splat against the cruiser. Twilight was the last to jump down as she landed effortlessly on the ship.

"That's everyone. We have to go. The facility's breaking up!" said the clone to the princess.

She nodded as they all began to run inside the ship.

"Okay, Master Plo, the cruiser is clear!" stated Anakin over his comlink.

"All guns, fire!" shouted Master Plo as he gave the command.

The gunships fired their missiles. They removed the support beams as they ensured that this horrible place was destroyed for good. The building shook as it was sent down into the void below, as any remaining Zygerrians inside were forever gone. The fighters now began to pull back and withdraw.

Our heroes were now safely behind their cruisers as the Jedi talked and walked with Governor Roshti.

"I thank you, the Jedi, and the Republic for saving our lives," said the governor.

"The girls are the real heroes," said Anakin.

"Please, it was all Ahsoka," said Twilight as she gave full credit to her friend, surprising her. "Without her creativity, I don't think we would've gotten your people to safety."

"Indeed. Padawan Tano, might I have a word in private?" asked Governor Roshti.

"Of course," stated the girl as she walked with Governor Roshti.

"Ahsoka, you have done a great deed for your people today," said the governor, as he didn't seem happy.

"You're sad?" asked the girl.

"Well, you and the Jedi have done your best, but I do not think our people will recover from this horror anytime soon," stated the governor.

"I understand, but in the end, surviving this will only strengthen the people," said Ahsoka.

"Perhaps, and perhaps the people of Kiros will also join the Republic," responded the official.

"I think that's a wise choice, Governor," said Ahsoka as they walked off together.

Author's Note: We've reached the end of this slave arc. Learning so many things along the way. Seeing how helpless Obi-wan was in the beginning of the chapter, despite having all this power to break free, but would cost the lives of the other prisoners, puts into perspective how that happens in real life. Even if you may have power, you can still be trapped, because you're binded not by actual chains, but by other things around you. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.