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Missing Scenes
Post Revenge of the Sith:A Hard Lesson to Learn
Sabe had known the minute she arrived on the damaged remains that was the one proud city of Theed that something was wrong. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but her instincts told her that danger was near but in her desperate desire to ensure her family was out of harms way Sabe had foolishly ignored it believing it to be none other then the sight of all the Storm troopers who now roamed the city with such ease that it was more then a little discomforting.
Theed was once the proud capital of Naboo now reduced to nothing more then shatter, soiled and broken shells. The people here had fought valiantly to preserve what peace they could and in the end they paid for it with their lives. The once beautiful rivers once crystal blue and vibrant with life now are turbulent as if even they are rebelling against the oppression that is forced upon them. Their shores once filled with green grass are now grey with soot and ashes of the fallen.
The sight was heartbreaking and it took all of Sabe’s control not to lose her nerve and break out into open fire on the clones that guarded the residential areas. Keeping her hands steady she silently hoped that the damage done had not reached Gungan territory but instincts told her it was probably too late even now for such wishful thinking.
But had she been more observant and less lost in her emotions Sabe would have realized she was being tracked. That as she silently moved through the once lively but now quiet streets that someone was being notified of her expected arrival. For if she had Sabe would have certainly realized this was but an age old trap that she had used before in the days of the Republic to capture Separatists. However in her blind desperation to rescue her family and hunger for vengeance the details are lost and so blindly she continues while at her destination the hunter waits for his prey to arrive. While she believed herself to be playing the role of the bodyguard in reality she was but the prize.
As Sabe approached the elegant courtyard of her sister’s family home her heart went to her throat. It was utterly destroyed, almost completely burnt to the ground. Even the foundations barely remained standing the powerful metal bent out of shape as the heat from the fire that once raged here.
Frozen in horror Sabe could only stare in disbelief as sorrow and guilt clung to her. After what felt like an eternity she found her legs moving of their own accord as she silently surveyed the damage until a more horrifying sight met her eyes.
Strewn about in the dirty ash filled snow was a series of corpses, all burnt beyond recognition. But upon further glance her eyes settled onto a familiar shape that was a warped bracelet that had once been a wedding bangle, Leesol’s wedding bracelet. Though she could not make out the identities of the other forms save for the smaller shape that had once been her nephew Sabe knew without question that she was staring at her family.
"What do you know about loss Sabe? You on your mighty throne of ice thinking your so damn perfect. You don't know what its like to lose everything you've ever loved and cared for. To know that in a heartbeat it could all disappear and crumble away…
Her mind was suddenly reminded of the fateful words spoken to her years ago as in silence she suddenly felt the weight of the universe drop onto her shoulders.
I do now, Anakin…Because of you, I do now.
She thought in stunned despair though not a word escaped her lips. Her hand fell to the hilt of her sword as desperately she tried to catch and grasp the ribbon that dangled from it. She fell to her knees then as her body seemed to cave under the crushing weight of her sorrow and guilt.
By the gods, I’m too late…I should have come sooner…
A soft whimper escaped her lips as her body shook like a leaf in the wind. Her fingers still on the hilt of her blade viciously rubbed the ribbon as though hoping by some miracle the normally soothing gesture would somehow lessen the pain. But it offered little solace leaving the handmaiden struggling in the waging war of despair, hate, guilt and lust for revenge.
Unbeknownst to her the Imperial Storm Troopers had begun to emerge from their hiding places as from behind a towering black form approached. It was only when Darth Vader stood behind her did Sabe managed to surface from her thoughts as the hiss hush of his respirator caused her to stiffen as her veins of blood turned to molten lava.
He didn’t say a word, he didn’t have to. She knew in that moment it was all a trap and she had just fall victim to it. The realization only added to the fuel of her fury and instantly Sabe was on her feet drawing her blade as she prepared to attack.
“YOU!”
She hissed through clenched teeth her voice sound so demonic it is hardly recognizable to even her own ears. The Sith Lord only chuckled in reply finding it amusing that the handmaiden so lost in her grief and rage didn’t seem to register the impossibility of her situation.
The Storm Troopers now surrounded her and while it wasn’t necessary it was quite intimidating to behold. However given the state of the former decoy’s mindset it was certain she didn’t even notice their presence at all.
She rushed forward about to make an elaborate move to attack when the fallen Jedi having had enough of this little game decided to intercede. With a flick of his wrist the blade flew from Sabe’s hand and landed unceremoniously in the dirty snow some distance away.
“Pathetic.”
He growled in disgust as she promptly drew her laser pistol and fired. Anticipating this course of action as well Darth Vader was swift to use the force to block the shots aimed at his chestplate before removing her gun as well.
“Finished?”
He stated simply unfazed by her actions still as he approached casually closing the distance and forcing her to step back instinctively as he neared. But despite this Sabe was far from done and soon she had her Wakizashi drawn as she swung trying once more to make a final stance against the dark form before her.
Sabe might have been able to inflict a mortal wound but the Sith was faster and soon Sabe was once more at his mercy. Not amused by this course of action he did not hesitate to suddenly grasp her by the throat and lift her well off the ground. She gasped desperately for air the blind rage promptly fading into fear as the walls of her mind began to receive a brutal pounding as he tried to break through them with mental attacks.
But his grip tightened around her throat gradually and with it the mental walls began to crumble. In a blind panic she continued to struggle attempting to kick at his respirator unit while her fingers fruitlessly tried to pry his hands off her neck. But soon the lack of oxygen takes its toll and her arms and legs begin to feel too heavy to maneuver properly.
As her body weakened stars began to dance behind her eyes as an inky blackness began to edge at her thoughts inviting her to join its dark solace. Yet she continued to struggle desperate to keep the last of her mental walls up for there was too much at risk should she fail. But in her barely conscious mind she couldn’t quite remember what that was or why it was so necessary.
Eventually Sabe despite her valiant attempts to stand her ground, began give into the painful sharp tendrils that were piercing the walls of her mind. But her thoughts were no longer coherent as she no longer register where she was or what was happening to her. A strange peaceful smile began to creep into her features as Sabe became lost in her thoughts.
In her mind she is no longer on Naboo. For the stars that danced behind her eyes from the pain as well as the inky darkness that now dominated her conscious was nothing more the peaceful night sky of Tatooine where she had only a day ago celebrated Solstice with none other then her perpetrator’s former mentor.
My love, see the stars how brightly they shine for us. Even the heavens are bestowing their blessings. This is meant to be my dearest, no matter what anyone says we were meant to be.
She inwardly thought as in her mind she spoke these words to the one who held her heart before finally succumbing to the darkness as her body went limp. The Sith Lord was furious upon hitting the blank wall that was her unconscious mind. Outside of garbled incoherent thoughts and emotions too foreign and yet so familiar there was little information to be found. Frustrated he held the still form for a moment before tossing her aside as though she was nothing more then a rag doll. No one spoke a word as her body landed with a dull thud into the dirty snow a short distance from her Katana.
Unfazed by their silence Darth Vader turned to the man beside him as he retorted in cold tones.
“Commander Typho retrieve the body and return her to the ship for intarigation.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
He curtly replied to which the dark being did not reply as he turned briskly away not caring or noticing the Wakizashi that he had just stepped over in the process. In silence the rather unsettled intelligence commander moved swiftly to retrieve both blades before offering it to female Captain who took it without a reply. Then without hesitation he moved to lift the unconscious form of his former second in command.
====
It had been a little over two days since Sefa had told the Darklighters that she would be at the shop. It wasn’t like her to be absent without reason or notification. The older woman knew that she was to return from a mission and had already begun to fear the worst. Though they were not related Celia had come to regard Sefa like a daughter she never had and as such, was always fearful of the day the younger woman would not make it home safely from one of her many missions. For all intents and purposes it would seem this mission proved to be the one she had dreaded all along.
Though she had tried to keep optimistic it was more then a little disconcerting to find that over the past two days two of her regular contact posing as customers had come by to retrieve different items. She tried her best to cover Sefa’s tracks explaining she was already out on duty and would be back soon but she knew they knew better. Though they covered their tracks well the older woman observed both were troubled by this news. Something had gone wrong of that she was certain.
Now as the suns had begun to rise a third contact had entered the small shop and was asking not about the items she was meant to pass along but rather the destination to which Sefa was last said to have gone. The older woman knew that Sefa was out on a personal mission though she couldn’t certain and was unable to offer much information pertaining to where she might have gone. For all that Sefa had said was that she was going home to tend to a family emergency.
The woman didn’t say much in reply but promptly left as their eyes were now filled with more concern then they were when she first entered. This all left her feeling more then a little unsettled and concerned as she wished there could be a way to contact Sefa somehow to make sure she was alright. Or at the very least contact her ever elusive sweetheart, Ben. But he was a private man and outside of literally going out to his hut there was no way to reach him. Even that was impossible as she had no idea where he lived, leaving her dependent and hopeful that he would come by today to trade in the water collected from his farm.
But as the day progressed she did not see the elusive man and the old woman began to grow even more fearful that he might not come by at all. For it was beginning to feel as though he was the only one who was in any position to be able help. She took a deep breathe as her eyes fell onto the clock in the back it was almost time to call it a day. If he was to stop by, he would have to do it and soon. But time was working against them and she knew that with each minute that passed the chances of Sefa surviving whatever danger she was in would erode away and so she did the only she knew how. She called to the gods of the desert and prayed that somehow Ben would miraculously show and make the beginning steps needed to retrieve the one she had come to regard as her child.
Four days. Four days and not a word from Sabé. Obi-Wan stopped by her home each morning, hoping to find that she had returned, but each day, he did not sense her presence nearby. It was strange. He wonderd why she hadn't told him she was leaving or left a message for him of any kind. He assumed the Alliance needed her, that it was a last-minute thing, but surely she would have left something...
Obi-Wan was loathe to admit that there was a chance she had spoken rashly, that she didn't in fact want to marry him and that she had left Tatooine for good. Was it because he hadnt asked her properly? That he had rushed into it? That they hadn't had enough time together beforehand? DId she think he wasn't sincere in his affections?
But no, Obi-Wan would not allow himself to entertain such thoughts. It would not do any good.
Today, the fourth day since he last saw her. He rose in the morning and went to check on Luke as he had each day before she had come back into his life. He then collected moisture from the vaporators, knowing he was late to do so this week.
It wasn't until late that afternoon when Obi-Wan brought the moisture to sell in order to buy food. He had a better week, moisture-wise, than he had in quite a few months, though this did little to lighten his mood. He had hoped once again that he would run in to Sabé today, but as he neared the Darklighter's shop, he didn't sense her presence and he felt more downtrodden than usual.
He prayed whatever mission the Alliance had her on that she was safe and would come home soon. He had a nagging feeling in his gut that something was amiss as he entered the shop.
His thoughts drifted back to the Solstice celebration. They had been so happy, so at ease... Everything seemed like it was finally close to perfect. No, she has not foresaken me... I just pray she is all right.
The older woman was about to lock up for the day as her husband brought in the machinary that was on display behind. Inwardly she sighed believing perhaps that Ben's arrival today wasn't meant to be before feeling her heart jump to her throat in surprise as he came into sight.
The gods be praised! She inwardly sighed in relief before offering Obi-Wan a troubled smile as she bowed slightly in greeting.
"Ben! So good to see you! How have you been?"
She asked careful to be polite before completely overwhelming him with her fear and concerns.
'Good afternoon,' he replied, bowing though weighed down with the satchel which held the moisture containers. 'More moisture than in the last few months,' he said, keeping in business terms, 'though I'm sure you're quite aware of that already...'
He set the canisters on the table, sensing much unease from her. Obi-Wan figured they didn't know much more than he about Sabé's whereabouts, but didn't think it would hurt to ask. He lowered his hood, facing the kind old woman. 'You haven't by any chance heard from Sefa recently, have you?'
At his reply the older woman nodded offering a kind smile. It was a relief to learn things were improving that perhaps the drought had been lifted.
"It is such a relief to know that things are improving. These past few years have been dry ones and it always worried me how the farmers with families were managing."
She took the containers quietly all the while trying to resist the urge to pounce on the subject that lingered in her mind. After the last discussion they held she thought it would be wise not to frighten him away as she did before. As she processed the sale and gave Obi-Wan his monies she caught his question and almost froze. It was as if he knew what she was thinking.
"I was actually going to ask you the same question. I haven't heard from her in bit. The last time we spoke she said she would be at the shop two days ago but she has yet to show."
She remarked in concern before leaning in slightly as though the walls had ears. She continued in quiet tones her expression turning troubled as she did so.
"Some of her contacts, or 'clients' as we call them have come by looking for her. Apparently she has something she was supposed to pass along but I don't know where it is kept!
But the most troubling thing is, there was someone here that I know is one of her 'clients' who was asking where she last said she was going. I told them I didn't know that all she told me was that she was going home; had some family emergency apparently.
She didn't like what I said I could tell. Her eyes looked frightened as if she knew something."
She concluded before sighing deeply as she glanced to her hands.
"I'm worried about her."
This information hit Obi-Wan hard. If her 'clients', as Mrs. Darklighter referred to them, were trying to reach her and finding she was not available...if one had asked her location... He didn't know where Mrs. Darklighter's concern ended and his began.
'I knew something wasn't right,' he muttered more to himself at the realisation than to Mrs. Darklighter. Shaking his head, he continued, 'I kenw it hadn't a thing to do with the proposal. She must be in trouble, no, I sense it now. Pain...'
The older woman noted his evident concern and felt her heart sink. It would seem he knew about as much of this situation as she did. If only there was something more she could offer to help. However the thought promptly dissappeared upon hearing his soft mutterings. Did he just say proposal? She wondered before promptly coming the excited conclusion that he just did. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately she missed the rest of the remarks made for her thoughts were already into overdrive. A wide smile played on her lips as she practically beamed as she gave his hand a squeeze as she exclaimed.
"You proposed to Sefa? Oh thats absolutely wonderful news dear! Now don't be shy you must tell me everything!"
Obi-Wan was lost in the looming other...sense of dread, or pain, that Mrs. Darklighter's exclamation caught him off guard. 'Oh,' he said, realising she had heard that he, that they--
'Yes, I did, thank you,' he bowed his head in gratitude, but was not so easily deterred from the matter at hand. 'We'll have plenty of time to discuss this later, but I need to find her. If what you're saying about the clients unable to contact. Do you know where I could find personal transport off planet?' This was the first time he actually lamented not having the Jedi starfighter on hand.
She beamed and gave his hand a quick pat nodding slightly in understanding as his words pulled her back to the fierce reality of the situation at hand.
"You're right of course, there will be more time for that later. I'm sorry dear you know how an old lady can be sometimes. Although I am so happy for you both!"
She admitted with a sheepish smile not minding the fact his thoughts were too focussed to really discuss the proposal further.
At his question she furrowed her brow turning thoughtful for a moment before calling her husband who soon joins them.
"Jolnir, is that friend of yours still running that transport?"
The older man furrowed his brow slightly obviously curious to where this question came from.
"Of course he still does he'll be driving that thing till the day he dies. But you already know that so why are you asking me this?"
He stated before noticing Obi-Wan as he offers a friendly but relieved smile marking his own concern for the events surrounding SEfa's absense. Celia just tilted her head slightly as she quietly explained Obi-Wan's need to get of the planet as swiftly as possible. Nodding the older man waved a hand.
"He's not exactly in business anymore but he'll still do transports for the right kind of parties if you know what I mean. Believe me he'll get you off TAtooine asap. Especially if when he knows who you work for."
He remarked with a proud grin believing that Obi-Wan was part of the resistance as well.
"If you give me a few minutes I set it up for you. I presume you want to leave as soon as you can?"
He asked though already knowing the answer to which his wife chides him shakig her head.
"Good makers Jolnir of course the poor boy wants to take off right away he's trying to find his fiancee."
She stated with more then a little hint of pride at the mention of the word Fiancee. The older man just casted Obi-Wan a wry but proud smile as he nods in silent congratulations before turning to make the preparations needed.
"Very well just leave it to me and we'll get you out of here before you know it."
'Thank you,' said Obi-Wan, bowing, after Mr. Darklighter said he would arrange a transport for him. 'Your help is most appreciated.'
Then Mrs. Darklighter remarked that he wanted to leave as soon as possible to find his fianceé.
Fianceé, fianceé... Obi-Wan didn't think he would ever have a fianceé, let alone be referred to as somebody's fiancé...which led to husband and wife... He blushed furiously under the Darklighters' gaze.
'Thank you,' he said again, unable to say anything else at the moment. It took all of his willpower to make a bow to Mrs. Darklighter before pulling up his hood once more, and following Mr. Darklighter.
Mr. Darklighter just offered a friendly but slightly sheepish smile as he waved a hand.
"Just glad to be of some help when we can."
He said good-naturedly before motioning Obi-Wan to join him in the back as it is obvious he hasn't noticed the Jedi MAster's blushing cheeks. His wife on the other hand being more observant bowed in reply to him but said nothing further of the matter as she noticed his cheeks turning red. However despite her silence, her smile and concerned but joyous eyes seem express volumes.
"Good-Luck to you Ben. May you find her quickly and may you both come home safely."
She said quietly her expression turning serious and caring as she speaks.
