(Star Wars) ~ Alice

XIV

The following day, Mama Jae and Jahn flew to Naboo to watch all the children. Meanwhile, the team had gone home to Tatooine so they could load up and get the flagship. Now, roughly thirty-six hours later, Escuro Squad was almost to Kessel. About a click away, Padme, her husband and Dak loaded up on a smaller ship to board Jabba's cartel cruiser. Once they were secure, she flew straight into the cartel ship. Jabba quickly cleared her through and even greeted her in the hangar where she landed. "Greetings, Mighty Jabba; it has been some time since we last met." She offered, bowing formally. "Padme, my dear, we are family; no need to be so formal." Jabba chuckled, smiling at her. Over the four years his son had been married to her, the Hutt had come to love her like his own. She made his son happy, gave him grandchildren; Jabba had grown to have a soft spot for her.

Padme smiled back at him and somewhatrelaxed. "I came to discuss Anakin's birthday; it's coming up soon and there are several things I would like to set in stone...." She explained as they began to move away from the landing bay, towards one of his entertainment rooms. When he could no longer could hear his wife's voice, Anakin popped his head up into the hangar. Dak slowly crept out behind him; the guardian armor of Jabba's thugs made the man look even more massive than normal. His brother stood up beside him, now both of them looking like Giants.

As quiet and nonchantlantly as they could, they snuck out of the hangar and headed down toward the prisoner cells. The ship was rather quiet, as this wasn't one of Jabba's planned excursions, so it was less staffed than usual. The occasional droid or bowed servant was all that passed but in their uniforms, people paid them little to no mind. Gradually the light began to dim and the tiling of the floor changed; they had reached the prison levels. "Keep watch, I'm checking the prisoner records..." Dak got to work on a nearby terminal. Anakin nodded his head and turned himself towards the door while Dak moved to access the computer system. It seemed to take forever for the information to load but then again, to him, everything was slowed down right now.

"Finally." Dak grumbled, Alice's file popping up on the screen. "Cell Block V, holding cell one. She's two levels down, end of the left corridor; apparently it's deserted downstairs."

"This whole place is like a tomb today." Anakin grumbled as they began moving again. "Yeah, I know; it's quiet." Dak commented, an internal warning went off in his head. "Too quiet... We need to get moving, now." Anakin nodded in agreement. "I was just thinking the same thing." Both men picked up their paces; in no time they were down on the third holding level, walking to the edge of the corridor to the said door number. "Here we go..." Dak quickly unlocked the door with a wave of his hand, praying to the force that she was still inside. He nodded to Anakin before shutting the door. "Alice?"

There was a slight shifting from one of the back corners but there was next to no light in the room so it was impossible to see. "Dak, find a light or something." Anakin said before walking back carefully. Dak managed to find a single panel while gave off a dim glow; at the same moment, Anakin crouched down to study something. "Dak, come here..." He called softly. The gangster crouched down behind him. "Oh my Gods..." Alice lay curled up and shivering violently; her eyes were closed, but she made small jerking movements now and again. Her breath came out in thin gasps, occasionally bringing on a harsh coughing spell. Even as Dak placed a hand on her arm, he drew back; her skin was incredibly hot to the touch.

"She's ill..." He whispered yelled back to his brother. Carefully, Dak reached forward and pulled her into his arms. "Alice? Come on, Bunny; talk to me..." She moaned a little, her eyes cracking open. "Dak?" She whispered, her voice hoarse. "It's me, Baby; I'm taking you home right now." He hugged her to his chest, keeping her face against his shoulder. "Alright, Anakin; lead the way out of here." Anakin nodded; he didn't waste any time getting them out of the room and out of this hell hole. Carefully, Dak carried Alice bridal style through the shadows as they went. They made it all the way back to the entrance to the hanger when Anakin peered around the corner, only to slam back against the wall, looking almost terrified. "Crap..."

"What's the deal, Bro? We need to get Alice to the flagship and more importantly, to a doctor." Dak hissed slightly, though he too was worried. "Dad..." That's all he said before jerking his head towards where he had just looked. "Thank you so much, Jabba." Padme smiled to the Hutt, slowly walking back into her ship. "I'm sure Ani will love what we have planned for him."

"You are always welcome my dear." The Hutt drawled, standing near the ramp of her ship and watching her leave. "Damn it..." Anakin hissed, readying his comlink. "We missed out window; here's you choices. Either we make a break for one of Jabba's ships or we signal the flagship and completely blow our cover. Clock's ticking Dak."

"If we break for it, they may open fire and hit her... We're going to have to break cover but I'm not leaving her." Dak answered, his voice both firm and scared. "It's your call man; I'm going to signal the flagship. Mouse'll load up and then all of them will head this way." Anakin hit a button on his comm, a confirmed blue light popping up once they'd received his signal. "Use your incredible charm and get us out of this." Dak grumped, his hold on Alice changing slightly when she shifted.

Anakin smirked. "As you wish, brother."