Little Wolf Pup

Chapter One

Alzena had been in the Kadavo slave processing facility a couple of days longer than the Togrutas. It had been built as a deterrent for rebellious slaves. In her case, she'd refused to clean her master's ship in the blistering heat of the sun, and was now being processed before she'd be sold off to another master at auction.

She glanced down at her bandaged hands, the burns that still hadn't healed, remembering the feel of the hot oil he'd poured on them, the lick of the flames against her skin: and then how she'd been forced to clean the ship with her still injured hands. They still hadn't quite healed yet.

She'd had no reaction to the Togrutas joining her down here. Alzena knew the drill: work, or be punished. When the clone and the Jedi arrived, however...now, that was a shock.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," she overheard Agruss gloating from somewhere off to her right. "Once a Jedi Master, now a Jedi slave," he laughed that sick, stupid laugh of his as he moved away. "Pitiful."

Obi-Wan Kenobi? He was a hero of the Republic, wasn't he? Along with Anakin Skywalker. Not seeming to know the rules, Obi-Wan then got told off for talking, another slave being hit by an electro-whip because of him.

"No, stop! It's my mistake, leave him alone!" He then proceeded to be electrocuted, the staff going straight for his neck.

"Now a slave gives me commands?"

Alzena sighed, continuing to shovel the Kadovo ore. He just made one stupid mistake after another, didn't he? So much for the legendary hero of the Republic thing. The situation continued, the Togruta slave being electrocuted again.

"Beg! Beg me, before this one dies, because of you!"

The poor man, already on his knees, dropped his hand back down to the floor.

"Please, forgive me, master."

The slaver laughed, at last leaving them alone. In an instant, Obi-Wan moved forward to check on the other slave, who only batted his hand away.

"Keep away from me. Jedi only make things worse."

She saw Obi-Wan share a look with the clone, then bow his head in shame. Something sharp tugged at her heart, and she hesitated. She didn't want to end up like the others. With a sigh, she continued working. Of course, that wasn't the end of it for the Jedi.

At lunch time, Alzena nibbled away at her meagre meal, watching as the same slaver knocked Obi-Wan's bowl away. On instinct, it seemed, the Jedi leapt up to defend himself, while his opponent raised the electro-whip.

Don't start anything. Just don't.

She waited. Obi-Wan shrunk back, realising perhaps that this was a fight he could not win. He reached for his bowl again, and the slaver moved away. Alzena looked around for anyone else, then silently crept over to him, leaving her own bowl next to his, with the last of her water. She slipped away immediately after, hiding herself when he looked around for her.

In all honesty, he scared her just as much as the slavers, though she felt sorry for him having to suffer this treatment. This was no place for a Jedi. She'd heard of his stories: apparently he was a good man and a true hero. Legendary. But he was still a man.

Although he seemed quiet, thoughtful, not making as much trouble as she'd expect for a Jedi forced into oppression. Living in the wild with the Loth-wolves, Alzena had noticed this among the animals they'd come across: weak males were always the loudest. She supposed the equivalent in humans would be flashy new speeders and the like. Overcompensating at its finest.

That night was the same as usual. Alzena didn't get nightmares anymore. Reality was far more terrifying than any of her dreams could conjure up. At least she got a bunkbed near the window, though. She smiled softly to herself. Small pleasures. She'd learnt to look for those little pockets of peace. It made the horror more bearable. She studied her hands, the burns over them, and carefully wrapped a new bandage around them.