I don't own Star Wars: The Clone Wars or its characters, but I only own Nadia Aomori, her family and other OCs.

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Threads of Destiny

Chapter 8: The Gungan General

Fail with honour rather than succeed by fraud!

Dooku held for ransom.

After escaping capture by Jedi knights Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Nadia Aomori and the villainous count Dooku fell into the clutches of pirates led by the brigand Hondo Ohnaka.

Eager to get custody of Dooku, the Republic agreed to pay Hondo a hefty sum in exchange for the Sith Lord.

But Anakin, Obi-Wan and Nadia had not counted on the treacherous cunning of Ohnaka and his band.

In a Prison Cell...

Nadia slowly opened her eyes and felt her hands were being held by something.

The raven haired girl stood in a sitting position and notice her hands were cuffed by some kind of glowing string chain.

"Oh, wonderful."Nadia growled in a sour tone.

Then Anakin woke up and so did Obi-Wan.

Nadia notice a blue string were attached to her Master and Anakin's waist.

"Nadia, Master."Anakin groaned. "What happened?"

"You guys got drunk."Nadia said blankly.

"Well, I guess that pirate brew is stronger than we thought."Obi-Wan commented.

Anakin, Nadia and Obi-Wan stood in a sitting position.

"I only took a sip."Anakin said with a guilty smile.

"Sure you did, Master."Nadia muttered.

"We were drugged, obviously."Obi-Wan responded.

"Why would they risk losing the ransom?"Anakin asked.

"The deal appears to have changed."Obi-Wan answered. "They must be trying to triple their payday."

"A shrewd observation, Master Kenobi."A familiar voice informed.

The three Jedi saw Count Dooku, who was attached on the blue string like Obi-Wan and Anakin.

"Great."Anakin said sourly. "It's you."

"I did warn you these pirates were devious."Count Dooku reminded. "You will notice our shackles are bound together, I have tried to separate us to no avail."

Nadia, Anakin and Obi-Wan stood up from the floor.

"It's bad enough we have to be in the same cell, but could you at least spare me the sound of your constant chatter?"Anakin growled.

Obi-Wan and Nadia immediately pushed Anakin away.

"And while I hold my tongue, the three of you will devise a brilliant strategy for getting off this godforsaken planet?"Count Dooku asked.

"Yes!"Obi-Wan, Anakin and Nadia said sharply.

"Excellent."Count Dooku complemented.

Nadia narrowed her eyes at the Sith Lord.

Back in Coruscant...

Senator Kharrus and Jar Jar contacted Chancellor Palpatine as Master Yoda and Mace Windu watched.

"And we'll be landing-"Senator Kharrus said.

"Hidey ho, Chancellor."Jar Jar greeted. "Me-sa have a question."

"In a moment, representative Binks."Palpatine instructed and Jar Jar walked away. "Good work, Senator Kharrus, I am relieved you're about to arrive at the pirates' stronghold safely, Captain Hondo, the leader of those brigands, will accept the ransom and turn count Dooku over to the Jedi and then they will bring him back with you."

"Once we've landed, our signal will be strong enough to set up proper communications."Senator Kharrus declared.

"Thank you, Senator."Palpatine responded.

Back in Florrum's prison cell...

Obi-Wan, Anakin and Nadia watched as Count Dooku used the Force to get a food platter with a knife on it.

"Don't you think our priority should be escape first, eat second?"Anakin asked.

Nadia rolled her eyes at Anakin.

"Do control your protege's insolence so I can concentrate."Count Dooku stated.

The Sith Lord then dropped the plate and the knife moved closer to them.

"Anakin."Obi-Wan said.

"What?"Anakin asked.

"Control your insolence."Obi-Wan instructed. "The Count is concentrating."

"So try not to upset him."Nadia teased.

Count Dooku smirked as he shoved the knife into the control panel and opening the door.

"Well done, if I do say so myself."Count Dooku said.

"Most impressive."Obi-Wan said.

The four then walked out of the cell and were quietly walking in the corridors.

"We do know where we're going, don't we?"Anakin asked.

"Hush, Anakin."Obi-Wan said and looked at Count Dooku. "Do we know where we're going?"

"Men..."Nadia thought with a disapproving look.

"Quiet."Count Dooku instructed. "I was brought this way when I was captured, it was open then."

He then knocked out the guard as Anakin took his key.

"I found the door key."Anakin whispered.

Nadia then notice Hondo's pet on the crate watching them and was about to run off.

"Stupid little monkey lizard."Nadia hissed.

Nadia stared into Pikk Mukmuk's eyes as her eyes grew light yellow a little bit.

Pikk Mukmuk got sleepy and collapsed.

The raven haired girl then followed the three men, who didn't notice what she has done.

"This is the way to the hangar."Count Dooku commented.

"Yes, but are you sure it's safe?"Obi-Wan whispered.

"The key works."Anakin complemented.

Then a confirming beep sounded on the panel.

"Is it safe?"Obi-Wan asked.

"Of course it is."Dooku answered.

Then the door slip opened, revealing an entire pack of pirates lounging on the halls that aimed their guns at the group.

"Right."Nadia muttered under her breath.

The three Jedi and the Sith Lord were then brought back to their cell.

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Count Dooku were bounded to each other more tighter while Nadia's hands were still cuffed and was bounded to them as well.

"What were we thinking?"Anakin complained. "Following a Sith Lord?"

"At least he got us of the cell."Nadia stated bitterly.

Hondo began circling Anakin, Obi-Wan, Count Dooku and Nadia.

"What to do? What to do? What to do?"Hondo murmured as he circled them. "I don't want to kill you, per say, in fact, you seem like decent fellows even you, Count, this is just business, and once I get my money, we can go back to being friends."

The pirates aimed their guns at the four hostages.

"It's very simple."Hondo commented. "Now, try not to complicate things by breaking out again."

Then Hondo and his crew left leaving the four warriors alone in the cell.

"We have to get out of here before the Republic arrives with the ransom."Obi-Wan said.

"For once, I agree with you."Count Dooku admitted.

"You do not want to stand guard."Obi-Wan retorted.

Nadia, Anakin and Count Dooku watched as Obi-Wan used a mind trick on a pirate.

"I do not want to stand guard."the pirate repeated.

"You want to deactivate the cell bars and go out drinking."Obi-Wan instructed.

"I want to deactivate the cell bars and go out drinking."the pirate repeated.

The pirate opened the cell and walked away.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, Nadia and Count Dooku went out of the cell.

Anakin smirked. "Not bad."

"You should teach me that clever trick, master."Nadia insisted with a smile.

"Yes, most impressive, Master Kenobi."Count Dooku declared.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, Nadia and Count Dooku were then quietly sneaking on the corridors.

"Hurry it up, Dooku."Obi-Wan demanded.

The four warriors hid in a bunch of crates as a pirate passed by and went to a room.

When the coast was clear, they started walking again.

Nadia followed beside Anakin.

"You should be more patient, Master."Nadia stated.

"After all, the Count is an elderly gentleman and doesn't move like he used to."Anakin sneered.

"I suppose you're right."Obi-Wan agreed.

"I would kill you three right now if I did not have to drag your bodies."Count Dooku stated.

However, the four warriors tripped on an alarm and they were now running in the halls while being chased by a few pirate guards.

Count Dooku knocked over a pile of crates to slow the pirates down.

Anakin kicked down the entrance that led them outside and they all landed on the floor.

"Ouch."Nadia muttered.

"Now we just have to get beyond that wall."Obi-Wan informed.

"Let's go!"Anakin instructed.

Anakin grabbed a pole and they raced for the wall.

"What are you trying to do?"Nadia said nervously.

Then a few pirates showed up and started firing at the three Jedi and the Sith Lord.

Anakin then launched himself into the air with the pole while the others used the Force to jump as they all sailed through the air.

The Jedi Knight hanged onto the ledge.

"This is not going well."Anakin muttered.

Nadia sent Anakin a glare as she nervously glanced the ground below.

"At least your not the one, who's dangling in the air!"Nadia complained.

"Hey, what are you guys doing?"Anakin grunted. "You're too heavy."

Obi-Wan grabbed Count Dooku from falling down as Anakin started to lose his grip.

"I can't do it."Anakin stated.

"Drop Count Dooku!"Nadia complained.

Then Hondo showed up in front of Anakin.

"I guess this means we won't be friends."Hondo announced grimly.

The four warriors were once again sent back to their cell.

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Nadia were sitting down while Count Dooku was leaning against the wall.

"We have to find a way out of here before Senator Kharrus and Jar Jar arrive."Obi-Wan said.

"Otherwise, we'll keep looking like fools."Nadia muttered.

Anakin eyed Count Dooku with a hateful glare.

"I think it's time to lose the dead weight."Anakin insisted coldly.

"Anakin-"Obi-Wan started.

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Nadia stood up as a few pirates showed up in the cell.

"You three, come with us."A pirate ordered.

The three Jedi were being dragged away as Count Dooku was left alone in his cell.

Obi-Wan Anakin and Nadia were sent to the bar, where they were strapped up for all the pirates to see in the banquet hall.

"I take it the Republic didn't arrive with the ransom."Obi-Wan commented.

The pirates laughed at the three Jedi which caused Nadia to give them a deadly glare.

"Your Republic obviously doesn't want the Sith Lord."Hondo said.

"They didn't show?"Obi-Wan asked.

"They did."Hondo replied. "They did show with a huge army that they thought would be enough to get the better of me, Hondo!"

"That can't be right."Anakin muttered.

"Are you calling me a liar?"Hondo asked.

"Actually he has a point."Nadia admitted bluntly. "Isn't that kind of what you do for a living?"

This caused Hondo to become angry.

"You reject my hospitality, refuse to wait in your cell, and now, you and your friends going to insult me?"Hondo asked angrily.

"I'm just saying."Nadia said simply with a smug smile.

Obi-Wan frowned at his padawan and former apprentice's behaviour.

"Anakin, Nadia."Obi-Wan sighed.

"What?"Anakin asked. "He is a pirate."

"Yes, but this may not be the best time for either of you to speak-"Obi-Wan warned.

"But master you-"Nadia started.

"At all."Obi-Wan finished.

Obi-Wan, Anakin and Nadia then got electrified by Hondo's device.

But then the power went down causing the three Jedi to drop on the ground.

"What happened to the power?"Hondo questioned in confusion while holding his remote. "I was having fun."

The three Jedi summoned their lightsabers before activating them.

Anakin took Hondo as hostage causing the pirates to aim their blasters at them.

Obi-Wan, Anakin and Nadia began to walk away with Hondo as the pirates followed them.

"What chance do you really have, Jedi?"Hondo asked. "Now let me go and I might let you live."

Anakin and Nadia glared at the pirates.

"Approach us, and he dies."Anakin stated.

"So no funny business."Nadia threatened while holding her lightsaber tightly.

Then the pirate tanks showed up behind the three Jedi and Hondo.

"Looks like your forces were destroyed, Jedi."Hondo sneered.

Then Jar Jar came out from one of the tanks.

"Ani! Obi!"Jar Jar called out while waving. "Dia!"

"Jar Jar?"Anakin asked in surprise.

"Me-sa have arrived with the spicen."Jar Jar admitted.

"Excellent, Jar Jar"Obi-Wan praised. "Assuming the pirates still have Count Dooku to trade."

Then everyone saw a ship powering up and flew away from the planet.

A frown grew on Nadia's face when she realised Count Dooku was the one piloting the ship.

"Well...there goes our chance to find Darth Sidious' identity and ending this war sooner."Nadia scowled.

Obi-Wan, Anakin and Nadia began to walk away with Hondo.

The Jedi Master looked at the Clone Commander.

"Commander, start the engines, please."Obi-Wan stated.

The Clone Commander nodded and went back on the ship.

"So what now, Jedi?"Hondo asked. "You're going to arrest me?"

"No."Obi-Wan said and deactivated his lightsaber. "Anakin, release him."

"Huh?"Nadia questioned.

"What?"Anakin said in shock.

Obi-Wan glanced at Hondo.

"Captain, you have nothing we want."Obi-Wan exclaimed. "And since we're not prisoners anymore, you have no bargaining power."

"What?"Jar Jar asked in surprise. "You-sa was in bombad trouble? Me-sa rescued you."

"No, Jar Jar."Anakin answered. "We weren't in any trouble."

"Let's leave on even terms."Obi-Wan suggested.

Anakin deactivated his lightsaber and released Hondo.

Obi-Wan, Anakin, Nadia and Jar Jar began to walk into the ramp of the shuttle while Hondo's pirates and the Clone Troopers aimed blasters at each other.

"Hold, Hold!"Hondo protested in confusion. "Jedi, after everything, you're just going to walk away?"

"We have no quarrel with you and we seek no revenge."Obi-Wan informed.

"That's our way of things."Nadia commented with a slight smile.

"Indeed."Hondo answered. "Very honorable, Master Jedi."

"Captain, you will find that count Dooku doesn't share our sense of honour, and he knows where you live."Obi-Wandeclared with a warning look.

Nadia covered her mouth and chuckled lightly as she and the others went inside the shuttle.

Then the shuttle powered up and flew off as Hondo and his crew watched the Jedi leave their planet.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter

See you all in the next one:)