Caught In Between

Chapter Three

Ahsoka turned the corner to a dark hallway used for maintenance. She looked behind her, making sure no one was following her. She quietly ran down the hall, holding up the ends of her dress so she wouldn't fall. The fabric was slick and shimmery, and escaped from her sweaty fingers. She fell, a loud thud radiating down the metal corridor. Ahsoka groaned. "This - blasted dress will be the death of me." She quickly pulled it off before she continued her search for a Jeffery's tube. Two voices grew louder and louder as two workers came down an adjacent corridor, nearing her position. She panicked. Not being able to find a closet to hide in, she force lept to the ceiling. She held herself there as they rounded the corner.

"Hamal, you can't be serious! You know how despised the-"

"I know, Alcor, but you should have seen her. She pushed away the falling box just with her mind! If we can't teach her how to control it, what will happen to her? She will be taken away, and we will never see her again."

"But you're suggesting tracking down a-" Alcor ruffled the dress that lay on the floor. He picked it up, examining it. "What in the world?"

"Looks like one of Senator Amidala's hand maidens lost their covering," Hamal chuckled.

"Look at this," Alcor showed him the bottom of the dress. "A boot print, half of one anyway. Why would a hand maiden wear boots, why would a hand maiden be anywhere near here for that matter?"

"What do you suggest we do?"

"We need to report this to the Emperor-"

"You do not wish to report this to the Emperor." Holding herself up, Ahsoka managed to wave her hand in front of her, muttering the words.

Hamal grabbed Alcor's arm. "I don't think we should report this to the Emperor."

"Why not!?"

"You don't think it's important."

"I don't think it's important."

"What's gotten into you? It's all that talk of Noffati becoming a-" Alcor's eyes wandered up to where Ahsoka was. "-Jedi!" He pointed at her.

"What?" Hamal turned to look.

Ahsoka jumped down. "Please! Hear me out!"

Alcor activated his comm. "We need Imperial guards down here now!"

"What is your location?" A mechanical voice asked.

"Maintenance corridor 348."

"No, wait, please!" Ahsoka begged.

Alcor smirked. "Think you could infiltrate the Senate, eh, Jedi scum!"

"Please, just listen to me! I'm not here to take down the Empire, I swear!"

"Why are you here?" Hamal asked.

"Are you insane! Hamal-"

"Shut up, Alcor!" He glared at his friend. "Master Jedi, as you were saying."

"I'm not a Master, I'm only a Padawan learner, I need to find my Master, or any Jedi possible. I'm only trying to find the archives. I don't want to be detected."

Hamal smiled. "There's no better way to stay undetected than traveling in the maintenance corridors. I know the best way to the Archives." He led Ashoka down the adjacent corridor he had just come down.

"I-I should report you!" Alcor shouted after them.

"But I know you won't," Hamal replied. "You're a good man, and a good friend." He pointed to a lift. "Over there, we use that to get to the lower levels."