Jim and Carol were herded into a large, empty building that was mostly dark. Iyell shoved them. "Keep walking," he said.

Jim was getting more apprehensive, thinking of what he could do to get Carol out of this situation. As they went into another area of the building, there were three more waiting for them. "Good, Iyell, you got them," one of them said. "Did anyone see?"

"No," Iyell said.

Jim glared at the one they were facing now. "You think you can get away with this?" he asked.

"I'm already getting away with it," the other replied. "Bounty hunting in this galaxy is very profitable."

"So who are you planning to turn us over to?"

"Me," someone else said.

Jim looked at the newcomer and was surprised at who it was. The other approached them. There was not much light in that place but there was enough so that Jim could see who it was. "Oh, I see you recognize me," Mas Ameda said. "You hardly notice I'm around when you decide to pop into our galaxy unannounced."

"So, what? You decided to become a kidnapper and bounty hunter?" Jim asked. "I have an idea who you're working for too. You think this is going to get him into the chancellor's office?"

"Oh, no, but the technology that we will get from you will help him, because when the public finds out that Chancellor Valorum has secrets with an intergalactic traveler, I'm sure they will question his loyalty."

Jim frowned. "What secrets?" he asked. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh come now, Admiral Kirk. You have brought an item into this galaxy that could have catastrophic consequences. Have you not?"

"No."

"You won't lie to the one who will question you."

"Why don't you just go ahead and say his name? We all know who it is."

"You will know soon enough, and then we will have what we need to get rid of Chancellor Valorum."

"You won't get anything out of me."

"We will see about that, because the one whom I work for has ways of making you talk."

"I'm sure he does. Who is it?"

"Like I said, you will know soon enough, and then we will have the item that you brought, your technology, and the chancellery."

"Not if I can help it." With that, Jim pressed the button on his communicator and grabbed Carol's hand…

Spock stood up as he saw the light start flashing on his chair. "Mister Scott, transport Admiral Kirk and Doctor Kirk at once!" he said.

Scotty got a lock on Jim and Carol, and they were soon appearing on the transporter pad. Jim blew out a breath. "I was hoping you guys were paying attention," Jim said.

Spock arrived at the transporter room. "Admiral, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yes. Thanks, Spock, and Mister Scott. Get me the chancellor right now. We need to talk to him! I also want to talk to the Jedi."

"Yes, Admiral."

Jim looked at Carol and kissed her. "I told you I wouldn't let them touch you," he said.

"I love you," Carol said.

"I love you too."

Jim left the transporter room and headed for the Bridge. As he walked in, Spock came over to him. "Uhura has contacted the Jedi and Chancellor Valorum," he said. "What has happened, Admiral?"

"Carol and I were kidnapped, and I know who kidnapped us," Jim said.

"Admiral, I'm getting an answer from the Jedi," Uhura said.

"On screen."

Qui-Gon appeared on the screen. "Admiral Kirk, what is the urgency?" he asked.

"My wife and I were kidnapped by Mas Ameda," Jim replied. "He intended to turn us over to someone else to get information out of us. He said we had brought something into this galaxy that could have catastrophic consequences and that they would use it against Chancellor Valorum because he knows about it. Either they were listening, or someone is leaking information."

"Have you spoken to the chancellor about this?"

"Not yet. We were trying to reach him as well."

"He could be in grave danger. We will get on our way there now. Warn him if you can."

"Call us if you need us."

The transmission ended. Jim just stood there for a moment. "Uhura, have you heard from the chancellor yet?" he asked.

"Not yet," Uhura replied.

"We can get their quicker with the transporter." Jim hurried to the turbo lift.

Spock got there before he got in. "Admiral, I must advise against this course of action. You would be putting yourself in danger and could be accused of wrongdoing if something happens."

"We have to get to him before someone else does."

Jim went on into the turbo lift, and Spock followed him. "Admiral, if someone is trying to murder the chancellor, they could accuse you," he said. "We do not know what is happening right now."

Jim left the turbo lift as they got to the right deck. "Spock, we can't just sit here and do nothing," he said.

"I will go with you."

"No. You stay here, and if anything happens to me, you get my family and everyone else on this ship out of this galaxy. You hear me?"

Spock just stood there a moment. "Yes, Admiral."

"That's an order, Spock."

Spock knew Jim meant it. "Admiral, seeing that we are not in our own galaxy, you cannot send me up for court-marshal, so I can ignore that order."

Jim could not believe what he was hearing. "Are you being insubordinate?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Fine!" Jim turned and headed for the turbo lift.

Ajah came in there. "Admiral, where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going down to the planet."

"I will go with you."

"No. I'm going with him!" Anakin said as he came into the room.

Jim did not think he would ever get used to seeing Anakin with those glowing eyes. Anakin stepped onto the transporter pad with Jim, and Ajah did as well. Spock felt better since others were going with Jim. Jim checked his phaser. "Put us down in the government complex, Scotty," Jim said. "Energize."

Jim, Anakin, and Ajah disappeared from the transporter pad and were soon right outside the government building. Jim looked up. "The chancellor's quarters are right up there," he said. "Let's go."

They hurried to the building and went inside. They were met by a droid. "State your purpose here," it said.

"We're here to see the chancellor," Jim said. "Tell him Admiral Kirk is here."

The droid was silent for a moment and then looked at Jim. "You are under arrest," it said.

"What?!"

"Do not resist."

Anakin drew his lightsaber and cut the droid's head off. "Let's go," he said. "Something is obviously wrong."

They headed down the corridor and got into the lift. "Be ready," Anakin said. His eyes seemed to be glowing almost as much as Ajah's.

As they came out of the lift on the floor where Chancellor Valorum's quarters were, they could hear fighting already. Jim, Anakin, and Ajah ran down the corridor to the large dining room where they had the dinner before. Valorum's guards were fighting, and he was hiding and firing at the enemies himself. Jim and the others got behind the table where the chancellor was hiding. "Are you injured?" Jim asked.

"No," Valorum replied. "How did you know something was wrong?"

"Because they came after my wife and me first."

"What do they want?"

"They know about that object I told you about, and they think if they can get it, they can get you taken out of office, and get their Sith lord in."

"Oh. How do we get out of here?"

"The Jedi are on their way. We just got here quicker so we could help you until they get here."

"I'm not sure their coming here is a good idea. People think the Jedi influence me and the Senate to get their way already."

"Why would they think that?"

"We have enemies. I do think that it would be best for you and your crew if you left this galaxy. They will accuse you if they can. They are already about to accuse you of killing Mas Ameda. That is what they came here for was to ask me where you are, and they would have arrested you. If you are arrested, you will not be able to escape."

"I know that, but we won't let them kill you. If you die, this Republic is doomed."

"He's right," Anakin agreed. "And I'm about to get into some aggressive negotiations." He drew his lightsaber. "If you'll excuse me."

Anakin stood up and jumped over the table they were hiding behind. Jim looked over the table to see what he would do. Ajah stood up next. "I will help him, Admiral," he said.

"Ajah…"

Jim did not have time to say anything, because Ajah went after Anakin, and they made short work of the attackers. Jim looked at the chancellor. "How did they get in here?" he asked.

"I don't know," Valorum replied.

"I want you to know that Mas Ameda is one of them. He kidnapped my wife and me, and he intended to turn us over to that Sith lord."

"Mas Ameda?"

"Yes."

"Why would he let you know him?"

"Because he had no intention of us getting away and living. I have a way to let my ship know when I need to be transported, so they couldn't do anything to stop us."

"That technology must come in very handy."

"It does."

"There are times when I wish I had it, but I know that is not possible."

"What are you going to do? We need to get you to safety."

"If I go into hiding, they will take over."

Jim frowned. He was not sure what to do. "Come to the ship with us for now," he said.

Chancellor Valorum smiled. "If I go there and it is found out, they will say you kidnapped me," he said.

"They can't. You're coming willingly."

"You do not understand the ways of this galaxy, Young Admiral."

Jim had not been called Young Admiral since the Klingon, Lolak, had died. "I can't tell you what to do, but I know that if you die, this Republic will fall," he said. "You can send out a message to everyone here from our ship. Some of Kavis Jocle's people were even in on this. They know about the Tacitus somehow. Obviously, they were eavesdropping on us at dinner. That's the only time I talked to you about that."

"They are using listening devices. Who knows if they are listening now?"

"Come to the ship with us until we figure this out."

Just then, Qui-Gon came in, along with Obi-Wan. "What happened?" Qui-Gon asked.

"They were trying to kill or capture the chancellor," Jim said. "I thought it would be better if he came to my ship and stayed there for a while until we figured out a safe place for him. They're listening somehow, but they can't listen there."

"They can if the listening device is attached to the chancellor somehow. He will need to wear something else besides his usual wardrobe."

Chancellor Valorum did not argue. "I will do what you think is best," he said. "But I do not want to bring danger or trouble to you or your crew. It would likely be something that you could not get out of."

"I appreciate that, Sir, but the fate of this galaxy is more important," Jim said. "We can always just leave. They need you."

"I can see why you are their leader, Admiral."

"Let's return to the Jedi Temple," Obi-Wan suggested. "He can change into Jedi robes, and we'll burn the clothes he's wearing right now."

They all agreed, so they got into a transport and went to the Temple. Jim, Anakin, and Ajah stood waiting. "What do you think, Admiral?" Anakin asked.

"I think this galaxy is on the brink of war," Jim replied. "That's what I think, and I also think we need to get out of here."

"I can feel it. We could just leave him in the hands of the Jedi. They'll do what they can."

"But will they do enough? They are known to stand by and do nothing, and these people mean business. They want in power, and they will do whatever they have to do to get it."

"I'll go along with whatever you say, but there is danger. The chancellor is right. We could be accused."

"He is right, Admiral," Ajah agreed. "You said that Mas Ameda kidnapped you and Carol. Where is he now? What if he was killed? What if they accuse you of doing it?"

"The chancellor just told me that they were accusing me of killing him and looking for me here, but we didn't do anything."

"You know that if they want it to look like that, they can do it," Anakin said. "We're dealing with evil, powerful people, and we know Palpatine doesn't want to be found out. He will implicate you if he can, and if he has already sent people after to accuse you, then there's no use to try unless we can prove that he's in on this."

"Where is Palpatine? I'm surprised he wasn't around there somewhere," Jim said.

"He wouldn't dare. He won't show his face until he can look like the shining knight. We need to get out of here."

Chancellor Valorum soon came back to them dressed in Jedi attire. "I am ready," he said. "Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan wish to go along."

"Alright," Jim replied. He opened his communicator. "Spock."

"Yes, Admiral," Spock answered.

"Stand by for transport."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan soon came in there. "Spock, six to beam up," Jim said.

They soon all appeared on the transporter pad. Chancellor Valorum was rather stunned at that mode of transportation. "That was rather disturbing," he said.

"But it's a lot quicker," Jim replied. "Come with us, Chancellor."

They all went to the conference room, and Spock came in as well. Jim paced back and forth as he was trying to figure out what they should do. "We know they want you out of office," he said. "That's one thing we know for certain. They're trying to come up with something that will give them leverage, and we know that they want our technology, and they want me to get it."

"The murder of Mas Ameda will give them that," Chancellor Valorum said. "I'm not sure how you can help me. They wouldn't dare kill me. They want to humiliate me to get me out of the office. It has been going on since I was elected."

"He is right," Qui-Gon agreed. "I have never seen such unrest and criticism of the chancellor's office. It used to be an office of dignity and respect, and now…"

"So what can we do to let people know the truth?" Jim asked.

"Someone who has credibility," Obi-Wan said. "I wouldn't say any of us have that."

"Why do the Jedi not have credibility?"

"Because they all believe we are on the side of the chancellor. We are, but not in the way they think. We're not ruling the Senate."

"What about news channels? Don't you have news reporters?" Ajah asked.

"Of course, but there aren't that many who don't like to dig up dirt that will further their career, true or not."

"This should be some dirt they would want. Let me write it."

Jim considered that. "Write a report about all this, Ajah," he said. "Bring it to me when you're done."

"Yes, Sir."

Ajah left the conference room. "If one of Kavis Jocle's people was in this, where is he?" Jim asked.

"I'd like to know that myself," Qui-Gon said. "I can't see Kavis being involved in something like this."

"From what I know about him, I can't either."

"If he is in trouble, he could come to the Jedi Temple."

Jim looked at Spock. "So what should we do, Spock?" he asked. "Should we go back to our galaxy and leave all this?"

Spock considered that. "I am not certain that our presence here can help matters. Perhaps we should take the Tacitus back with us and go about our original plan."

"It does seem to have created a big problem."

"It is not your fault," Qui-Gon said. "You have helped this galaxy a great deal. You have nothing to blame yourself for."

"He is correct," Chancellor Valorum agreed. "This has been going on since I took office. They have tried every way they can to discredit me and make me look like a monster, but someone is working against me with everything I try to do to improve anything."

Jim nodded. "Would you rather we take the Tacitus back with us?" he asked. "At least they can't say the Jedi are harboring it."

"If they figure out how you are going to and from your galaxy, they may try to stop you from leaving," Qui-Gon said.

"Or worse, try to follow you," Obi-Wan added. "No one knows what would happen if they were to get to your galaxy where no one but Anakin and his children can use the Force."

Jim thought there were too many angles to this problem. "Well, Ajah is going to write a detailed report about everything that has happened, and you can hand it off to one of your most trustworthy and nosey reporters to spread all over the…what do you call it?"

"The holonet," Obi-Wan said. "That might work, but they will have a million questions that we cannot answer all of them."

"We don't even know everything about that thing. Do you know exactly what it is?"

"It is what you said it is, but it seems to be almost sentient, and you can't destroy it."

"Why not? We thought about shooting it into a star. No one could get it out of there."

"It's a thought."

"Perhaps we're thinking along the wrong lines," Qui-Gon said. "Why not just tell the public about the object? Why not just tell them what it is and how valuable it is? Tell them that we will share information from it with them. If everyone knows about it, the bounties will decrease because it won't be such a secret that everyone wants."

"That could work," Jim replied. "But I don't think it would decrease the bounties because they would want to make money off the information that they already know is there."

"But they don't know what information is there. No one knows what all is there."

"Cabal could tell you, but to me, he's dangerous too. Hearing him say, I'm the only one who can access it, with such a haughty attitude, makes him seem dangerous. If the Sith got hold of him, they might reprogram him. That's why I wanted to take him back with us. We have a safe place to keep him. Why don't we all just take it easy for a while and see what happens while Ajah writes that? Chancellor, we'll be glad to assign you quarters, so you'll be comfortable."

"Thank you, Admiral," Chancellor Valorum replied.

"Spock, will you show him to his quarters?"

"Yes, Jim," Spock said.

Spock and the chancellor left the conference room. Jim looked at the three Jedi. "What do the three of you really think?" he asked as he sat down at the table.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin sat down. "I think you are correct in everything that you are saying," Qui-Gon said. "But we cannot allow fear and scandal to dictate our actions. We must make the right decisions for this galaxy and yours."

"I know somewhere that no one could get either one of them," Anakin declared.

"Where?" Jim asked.

"The mycelial network. Without it, no one could get there."

"There's an idea," Qui-Gon said.

"We could only do it one time though. Once we did, we couldn't go back either. It's like nothing I ever felt, but they would keep it safe."

"Who?"

"I think they're the midichlorians. They look like nothing more than a swarm of red and green sparkles, but they are connected to the Force, and I could feel everything."

"Then perhaps it is the best place for an object of this kind."

"That's what we'll do then," Jim said. "As soon as Ajah finishes that and gives it to you, we will get on our way."

"I would like to see it," Qui-Gon said. "I would like to see this mycelial network and your galaxy. It will be the last chance."

Obi-Wan scowled at that. "You would go with them?" he asked.

"I could get back here, but we won't be able to go back there again."

"What if they can't bring you back right away?"

Qui-Gon smiled. "I don't think this galaxy would miss me so terribly."

"Master, we would miss you. Don't talk like that. I have to admit I am curious."

"One wouldn't be human without being curious. Admiral Kirk, if you wouldn't mind my going with you, I would like to see this mycelial network."

"What if we can't get you back here right away?"

"Then I will make my place in your galaxy until you can."

"You're welcome to go with us."

"I would like to find my friend, Kavis, first. It is quite disturbing that he has not made contact and you said that one of his friends were in the group who tried to kidnap you and your wife."

"We could transport you down to that area," Jim said.

"I'll go with you, Master Qui-Gon," Anakin said.

"No, we do not need too many Jedi down there," Qui-Gon replied.

"I'll go with you," Jim said. "And we can take Ajah and Solan. I don't think it would be a good idea for you to go alone."

"I am not certain it would be a good idea for you to go. You are a wanted man."

"I've been wanted plenty of times."

"You are curious as well, my friend."

"Always have been."

When Spock found out Jim was going down to the lower levels of Coruscant, he was troubled. "Admiral, I must advise you against this," he said. "After what happened, you should not even venture to the planet at all."

"Spock, Kavis is our friend too," Jim replied. "We can't just leave without helping him if it's possible, can we?"

Spock considered that. "I am not certain that you can find him," he said. "They may have captured him. If his friends would capture you, they may have betrayed him as well."

Jim frowned. "That's what I'm afraid of, but we have to help him if we can. They can't all be corrupt."

"I agree, Admiral. What will you do if you find him? Take him with us as well?"

"Maybe I will. It can't be worse than living down there."

Jim got several weapons from the weapons locker and hid them and strapped on a phaser. "I'm not going unprepared, and I'm taking Ajah and Solan with me, plus we'll be with Qui-Gon. Anakin wanted to go, but Qui-Gon didn't think it as a good idea."

"Why?"

"He thought it wouldn't look right if there were too many Jedi down there."

"It may not look much better if there are too many from another galaxy."

Just then, Anakin came in there. "I'm going with you," he said. "Qui-Gon can't keep me from going with you. You're my Admiral."

Jim was not sure he wanted to be in this argument. "Well, I don't want a conflict," he said.

"There's no conflict. I just want to go with you."

"Alright."

Jim looked at Spock. "You feel better now?" he asked.

"Somewhat," Spock answered. "I will keep a lock on all of you, however."

"Thanks."

Jim started for the transporter room, and Bones came around the next corner. "Jim," he said. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going down to the planet to help Qui-Gon," Jim said.

"Why? After what happened? Don't you think we should be getting out of this galaxy before something happens that even you can't get out of?"

"Bones, just relax."

"Have you even told Carol that you're going?"

Jim rolled his eyes at that question. "You haven't?" Bones asked. "Are you actually considering going down there like this without telling her?"

"Bones…"

Just then, Carol came into view, and she walked up to him. "Jim, where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going down to the planet with Qui-Gon," Jim replied.

"You weren't going to tell me?"

"Well…"

"Good luck worming your way out of this one," Bones mumbled as he walked away.

"Why weren't you going to tell me?" Carol asked.

"It was kinda just thought up pretty quickly and it shouldn't take us long," Jim said.

"You didn't want me to worry. That's it, right?"

Jim nodded. "That's it. I don't want you to worry." He pulled her closer to him and kissed her. "I don't want you to go with us, but I'd sure like to catch the ones who ruined our evening."

"You still didn't have to keep it from me."

"I'm sorry."

"You best come back to me so we can get out of this galaxy and back to our own."

"Don't worry. We're gonna get out of here, but we need to find Kavis if we can. He was our friend. He helped us."

"I understand that, but I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. We just have to do this."

They stared at each other for a moment and then kissed again. "I love you," Carol said.

"I love you too."

Jim went on into the transporter room where Anakin, Solan, Ajah, and Qui-Gon were waiting for him. He stopped for a moment and then stepped up onto the pad. "You guys ready?" he asked. He looked at Scotty. "You got the coordinates?"

"Yes Sir," Scotty answered.

Just then, Bones came in and got onto the pad too. Jim looked at him a little confused. "Well, you can't go down there without a doctor," Bones said.

Jim scowled at that and looked at Scotty. "Energize."

Jim and the others disappeared from the transporter pad, and they were soon down on the planet…the underside of Coruscant. They were close to the ship graveyard. Jim drew his phaser. He wanted to make sure he had it ready. "Which way?" he asked.

"This way," Qui-Gon said in his quiet way.

They followed Qui-Gon into the darker areas of the lower levels of Coruscant, and they soon arrived where Kavis and his group usually stayed, but they were not there. "Now what?" Jim whispered as he was looking out the window.

"If Kavis is around here, he will know we're here," Qui-Gon said.

"You think he will show up?"

"Someone's here," Anakin said. He looked at Jim with his glowing eyes. "I don't think it's Kavis."

They were all silent. Ajah stood beside Jim, and Jim could feel his hair trying to stand on end because Ajah was getting ready for whatever happened. Anakin drew his lightsaber but did not activate it. "They're coming up from the front," he whispered.

Jim squatted beside the wall so Solan, Ajah, and Bones did as well. "Let's capture whoever it is if we can," Jim said.

"I agree," Qui-Gon replied.

They saw the doorknob turn on the door and whoever was out there came in the door. When he closed the door and pulled the light switch, Anakin and Qui-Gon activated their lightsabers, and Anakin took the newcomer's weapon. Iyell was completely startled as he saw them all. Jim stood up and walked over to him. "Now, you're going to tell us where Kavis is and who hired you to kidnap me and my wife," Jim said.

Iyell looked terrified as he was surrounded by them all. "I can't tell you," he said. "And I don't know where Kavis is."

"Don't tell me that," Jim replied. "You told me when you were feeling all good about yourself that Kavis didn't know how to make real money. Remember that? What happened? Did these terrorists who want to take over your government get to you? They offered you enough money that you betrayed your own friend? Did they take him?"

"No."

"Does the Pyke Syndicate have anything to do with this?" Qui-Gon asked.

Iyell just stared at them for a moment. Anakin stepped closer to him. "You're going to answer us," he said.

Iyell's eyes widened. "Okay," he said. "I don't know if the Pyke Syndicate has anything to do with this. Mas Ameda came to talk to us. He wanted to recruit us to help him. Kavis just listened to him and told him we would think about it. He offered us an astronomical amount of money. Kavis, he said, no way, and I told him, I wanted to do it. We had done bounty hunting before. But Kavis wouldn't do it. He told me I was on my own, and I haven't seen him since."

"Where would he go?" Qui-Gon asked.

"You know where the other hideout was. If he's not there, he'd go to the Jedi Temple."

"He hasn't come to the Temple."

"He knows the tunnels under the Temple."

Qui-Gon took out his communicator, which was barely visible in his hand. "Master Yoda," he said.

"Yes," Yoda answered.

"Has Kavis Jocle come to the temple?"

"No. Been here, he has not."

"Thanks. If he does show up, let me know."

Qui-Gon ended that transmission. "I suppose this means we go to the other hideout," he said. "Our friend here can lead the way."

"And don't even think about leading us in circles or of trying to get away," Anakin added.

Iyell stared at Anakin. He led them through the alleys and into an even darker area. As they reached the hideout, they could see a light inside. "You don't want to sneak up on him," Iyell said.

"That's right," someone said quietly.

Jim aimed his phaser at whoever was standing in the dark, but Kavis walked out into the dim light, his crystal blue eyes being the first thing they saw. "We've been wondering about you," Jim said.

"Your name certainly has been very popular," Kavis replied. "I've been in hiding for quite a while now." He looked at Iyell. "What are you doing here?"

"He led us here," Qui-Gon answered. "We were rather concerned about you since you had not been seen for quite a while."

"I've been surviving. It's very dangerous down here though. I never saw so much activity down here in my life. Most of the others have left on transports getting out of here while they could."

"Why didn't you go?"

"I didn't want to."

"Well, we have a chance for you to go with us now, perhaps to a new galaxy. I'm going with Admiral Kirk and his crew to see the mycelial network, and I may end up in the other galaxy myself."

"And never come back?"

"Perhaps one day when the admiral can bring me back."

"Why not? I certainly don't have anything here."

"Come on then."

They all turned to Iyell who took a step back. "Don't even try to follow us," Jim said.

They turned and hurried back out of the dark alleys. "You think he has some way of telling them we're here?" Solan asked.

"No doubt," Kavis replied. "We best hurry. I assume you have a way out of here."

"Yeah, the transporter."

"I even heard what happened to you and your wife down here, Admiral," Kavis said. "You came down here after me? Why?"

"Because you're our friend," Jim replied. "I don't leave friends behind."

Before they got to their transporter area, they saw someone else in the ship graveyard, coming that way…actually more than one someone. "Oh, we're in trouble," Kavis whispered as he drew his own blaster. "This way!"

They followed Kavis into one of the alleys and started running. "They're coming after us," Bones said as they were running through the alley. "How do they even know we're here?"

"They're from the Pyke Syndicate. They know everything that goes on down here. I also have to pick up someone else when we shake them. I can't leave him behind."

They got to the end of the alley and there were others coming from the left. "It's time to fight," Anakin declared. He drew his lightsaber and jumped over between his friends and the threat. They fired at him, but their shots were deflected easily by his lightsaber.

Qui-Gon deflected the shots from the other advancing enemies. Jim fired around the corner and took out two of them, and Ajah took out another. Bones and Solan were firing at the ones on the other side, but then someone else came into the alley. Qui-Gon moved back into the alley looking toward where Anakin was with one of his determined looks on his face. The one who had entered the alley looked a lot like Dex, who had operated the "truck stop" they had gone to find out information before. However, this one was not looking quite so friendly, and in two of his hands, he had double bladed lightsabers which were folded at the moment. He was in much better shape than Dex.

"Admiral, I'm afraid you and your crew will have to take care of this end," Qui-Gon said.

Jim looked down the alley. "Who is that?" he asked.

"A very dangerous being, Pong Krell. He betrayed the Jedi and turned to the dark side. You would be wise to get yourself and your crew out of here."

"We can't just leave you."

"You cannot help us with this."

"We can keep the Pyke Syndicate from advancing on you."

"It's time to end this," Krell said. "And I didn't come alone."

Anakin frowned as Savage Opress entered the alley behind Krell. "Too bad, your friend Kenobi isn't here," Opress said.

"Think again."

They all saw Obi-Wan enter the alley, along with Mace Windu. "You're not so confident now, are you?" Anakin asked.

Jim looked up at Qui-Gon as he was still squatted by the wall looking around into the alley. "You want us to leave or take care of anyone who comes out of this alley?" Jim asked.

"We still have to get someone else," Kavis said. "We can't leave him behind. He's only 10 years old."

"How far is it to where he is?" Jim asked.

"Not far."

"We have to get past them first. Are you sure he's safe?"

"Yes. I know where he is."

"Okay then. I could give you my communicator, and you go get him, and when you find him, you just press a button and they will transport you, but make sure you hold his hand, so he is with you too."

"I'll do it," Kavis agreed.

"We have to get you a clear path first." Jim opened the bag he had on his back and took out a flash grenade. "Don't look." He stood up and looked around the corner. He tossed the grenade. "Fire in the hole!" He got back around the corner as the grenade exploded into brilliant light in the dark alley. "I always wanted to say that." He looked at Kavis. "They should be blind now." He looked around the corner again, and the enemies were all on the ground. He gave Kavis his communicator. "It's this red button. It's for emergencies. I'm gonna have them transport us and we will get you as well."

Kavis took the communicator. "Thank you, Admiral."

Jim watched as Kavis disappeared into the darkness to the right. He looked down the alley where there was a fierce lightsaber battle going on. Anakin looked right at Jim with his eyes glowing brighter than they were before. He nodded slightly.

"Bones, where's your communicator?" Jim asked.

Bones took it out of his pocket without letting his phaser rifle down. "Make sure they know your communicator is somewhere else," he said.

"Don't worry." Jim opened the communicator. "Enterprise…"

Spock pressed the intercom button on his captain's chair. "Yes, Admiral."

"I have four to beam up," Jim said. "My communicator is with Kavis. He will use the emergency button when he's ready to beam up."

"Yes, Admiral."

Jim, Bones, Ajah, and Solan were soon standing on the transporter pad. It was not long until the emergency button was pressed on the communicator, and Kavis and his friend were brought onto the ship. The kid stood beside Kavis looking rather baffled. "Come on," Kavis said.

They stepped down from the transporter pad. "You alright?" Jim asked.

"Yeah." Kavis gave him the communicator. "Thanks for that. This is Han Solo. He was a homeless kid, and I have been taking care of him since he was five."

Jim just stood there dumbfounded for a moment, and Bones stood next to him. "Well, that shouldn't be surprising," Bones said. He scanned them both. "They're clean. Han Solo, huh?"

Han looked at Bones. "Yeah. Do you know me?" he asked.

"No…not yet." Bones mumbled as he walked away.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Jim asked.

"Positive," Kavis replied. "We won't be any trouble to you."

"You're no trouble."

Just then, Spock came in. "Spock," Jim said. "Show Kavis and…Han Solo to their quarters."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Right this way," he said.

Jim wondered if they were interfering in history doing all this, but he supposed they could not change it now…