Bounty (Alex Rider/Star Wars Crossover) (BOOK 2)

Chapter Two

Fourteen hours later, Obi-Wan and Alex had landed in a spaceport in Sorin City, the capital of Alderaan. The senatorial aide met them at the floating platform that was used as a sort of parking lot for starships. The two Jedi pulled the hoods of their robes over their heads to help conceal their faces, for Obi-Wan would surely have been recognized here.

The Senator arrived shortly. "It's nice to see you again, Master Kenobi," he said, greeting them. "I'm glad you could come on such short notice."

"I'm glad we could help," Obi-Wan assured him. "This is my apprentice, Alex Rider."

Alex bowed respectfully. "It is good to meet you, Senator Organa."

"You have a very good teacher, Alex," the senator said.

Alex exchanged looks with Obi-Wan. "Yes sir, I know. He is one of the best."

"Please, follow us to the shuttle. It will take us to my home."

They boarded the shuttle and within minutes, they had arrived at the senator's home. It was situated nicely in the clouds, high in a building in the center of the city. The small group arrived in the home and Alex was awestruck. It was huge, almost majestic in appearance. The front room was high-ceilinged and spacious, with sapphire blue carpet flecked with gold and silver particles. Around the room, there were stone statues, almost like guards, forbidding passage to those who dared to harm the home's inhabitants.

A gold protocol droid peeked out from a doorway, and made its entrance. "Senator Organa, it's good that you have returned. Oh, and you brought guests. Hello, my name is C-3PO, human-cyborg relations. I am fluent in over six million forms of communications. If you need anything, I would be happy to assist you."

Obi-Wan chuckled. As much as he hated to admit it, he almost missed the babbling droid that accompanied Anakin almost wherever he went. "Thank you, Three-pi-o."

The droid turned to face him. "Pardon me, but have we met?"

Alex laughed to himself. He had never seen a protocol droid before. Something told him that this was no ordinary droid. Its mannerisms were almost like that of a child, or as if a child programmed him. A small astromech rolled along beside the golden protocol droid.

C-3PO spoked up once again. "And this is my counterpart, R2-D2."

The blue and white astromech beeped a "Hello" and the pair left them alone.

"Please have a seat," the senator invited. "I guess I should actually have said 'Welcome back,' shouldn't I have had?"

"For me, yes, but not for Alex," Obi-Wan answered.

"How long have you been training as a Jedi?" Organa turned to Alex.

"A little over two years, sir,"

"So you wouldn't have been at the temple when Lord Vader slaughtered all those children, then, would you?" Alex shook his head. "That is good. You probably would not be alive today if that had been so. How did it come that you are Master Kenobi's apprentice, then?"

Alex settled deeper into the comfortable seat. "My parents died when I was very small. Since then, I had been living with my uncle and a housekeeper. When I was fourteen, they died, and I went to live with a friend's family. Along the way, Master Obi-Wan found me and discovered that I was Force-sensitive and offered to train me. Since then, I have been more than grateful for all that he has taught me."

Organa laughed briefly. "I see he has continued his own master's tradition of picking things up along the way."

Obi-Wan smiled at this. He remembered vividly his own master, Qui-Gon Jinn seemingly picking up passengers along the ways of countless missions. He had a big heart and wanted to help everyone. "This one was a special case," he told the senator. "To get to the point, though, senator, we think it would be safest to take Leia to Naboo for the time being. It will be easier for Ferus and Damar to keep an eye on her with Vader coming at any time. We definitely don't want him getting his hands on her. There is no telling what would happen."

"I understand," Senator Organa said, nodding. "I'll get her." He rose from his seat, and left the room. A few minutes later, he returned with a young girl, no older than four years old, holding her by the hand. She was small, dressed in a purple dress, and had long brown hair that was pulled back into a braid that fell loosely down her back. She had dark, mischievous brown eyes. Obi-Wan thought she looked a lot like her mother. "Leia, these men are going to take you on a trip for a little bit."

Leia looked up at her father. "Are you coming, too?"

The senator knelt down to look her in the eye. "Princess, I can't come this time. Maybe we can go another time. This is Master Kenobi, and his apprentice, Alex, and of course, you know Mister Olin, don't you?"

Leia nodded. "Master Kenobi, are you a Jedi."

Obi-Wan knelt down to look at her. "What makes you say that?"

Leia pointed at his robes. "You have an apprentice, and you have a lightsaber."

Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder at Alex and Ferus. "She's very observant, isn't she?"

"Well, she's right in front of you." Little Leia crossed her arms across her chest. "I have to get my stuff." She ran off down the hallway, presumably towards her bedroom.

Senator Organa laughed. "She is quite spirited, definitely her mother's child. How are you going to get her to Naboo?"

Just then, C-3PO shuffled back into the room. "Senator, an Imperial cruiser has just entered the atmosphere. It is the Inquisitor, Lord Vader's ship."

The droid had just delivered what most would consider a death sentence. Alex and Obi-Wan looked at each other. "We'll have to do something, Master," Alex said earnestly.

Obi-Wan thought for a moment. "I will definitely have to leave. If he detects me here, it could mean the death of hundreds in order to find me. Senator, I must ask you a favor. You and Alex must meet Vader. He knows how to handle himself. Meanwhile, I will take Leia and leave for the time being and return when the coast is clear." His plan was hasty, but they couldn't afford to waste more time. He turned to Alex. "Alex, you will need to use the technique you learned to hide your presence in the Force. Now is one of those times when I will be very thankful for your perfection of those Force-tricks. We must leave now if we are to get away.

Organa nodded. "I understand," he agreed. "I'll get Leia and she will leave with you." Within a moment, he had returned with the young girl in hand.

Obi-Wan took Leia by the hand and led her quickly through the building, being careful to watch for any signs of Imperial troops or personnel. They made it safely out of the building and into their starship. Once inside, Obi-Wan sat down hurriedly in the pilot's seat and readied the ship for takeoff. "Oh, I hate flying," he said aloud to no one in particular. He pulled back on the controls and the engines roared to life. The ship slowly lifted off the landing platform and soared off quickly.