Consequences

Chapter 42 - Captured

The world slowly comes into focus around me. It takes me a moment to realize that I am not, in fact, at Padme's apartment but rather – Right. Oh. Oh no.

My eyes dart around the room, rapidly taking in the situation. I'm in Force restraints in a prison cell with a ray shield blocking the door. I shift into a sitting position, drawing in a deep breath, trying to quell my rising apprehension.

Why is everything I try to do ending in failure? First with Sidious and now with Maul? At least it's only Maul who managed to capture me, but I need to be fighting Sidious and helping Anakin, not sitting here imprisoned by a Sith Lord, especially when I have no idea what he wants with me.

I'm not sure how much time has passed as I mull over my new situation, before everything suddenly jolts like we just went into or came out of hyperspace. So, I'm on a ship? That doesn't sound good. For a reason I can't explain, I suddenly have a very bad feeling about this. It's as if there's something a lot more sinister going on than Maul taking me to some off-planet prison or something. And then I remember the feeling I'd gotten when I saw him the second time. Something happened, something changed. I don't know what and I don't understand it, but I have a very, very bad feeling about it. He hates Sidious – that much is clear – but what if... what if he's still working for Sidious? I doubt it, but there's no way to know.

Before long, I hear footsteps and two guards in Mandalorians armor approach my cell. They lead me out, keeping their blasters trained on me as I follow them through the ship and down the ramp. I could escape if I tried, but I have no idea where I am right now. I'd be running around blindly on the ship. First, I need to figure out where I am. They bring me to a stop in the hanger bay behind Maul.

I freeze as I take in my surroundings. The towering castle peaks... it's a place I've only seen a few occasions on the holonet but I'd recognize it anywhere. Dooku's castle on Serenno. Why is Maul taking me to Serenno? Unless –

An all too familiar figure approaches Maul. Dooku.

"Here she is as Lord Sidious requested," Maul declares. Ice cold fear rushes through me. Sidious. Maul was working for or with Sidious, like I was afraid of. Which means Sidious must have a plan. Either he figured out that I saw the future, or he's going to use me to get Anakin to Fall. Either way, this is a disaster. I need to get out of here. Now. Somehow.

Dooku hands him something that undoubtedly contains money. "The rest of your reward will arrive in due time." For some reason, I really don't like the tone he says that in. Do I even want to know what the rest of Maul's reward is?

"You're both making a mistake," I interrupt. They're never going to listen to me, but I have to give the warning anyway. "I know what Sidious's plans are. He's going to betray both of you in the end anyway."

"He still needs us," Dooku replies, appearing unconcerned.

"Others have said the same," I retort, eyes narrowed.

They don't say anything in response, and moments later, I find myself being accompanied to a prison cell in the lower levels of the castle by four battle droids. I can't risk staying here. I need to get out before Anakin comes looking for me – because of course he will – and now would be a perfect time. Spinning around, I kick over the two droids standing nearest to me. With cries of alarm, they topple backwards to the floor unable to stop their falls.

"Oh no! Don't let her escape!" cries one of the two droids still standing.

"Roger, roger!" replies the other as they both fire at me. I dodge out of the way, swinging my hands to the right angle so one of the bolts rips through the cuffs restraining me. The other bolt hits the wall, blasting a smoking hole into it. They fire again, but this time I'm ready, Force-shoving their weapons aside so the bolts bounce off into the wall. I Force-throw them both hard against the wall and they collapse, continuing to shoot non-stop at nothing at all.