Waking Up

The image of the baster bolt shooting through Rex's chest looped in Ahsoka's mind. There was nothing she could do... she was powerless. 'If only I was strong enough, I could have saved him. I could have saved my people.' These thoughts played on loop as she sat alone in the darkness of her cell, tormenting her. Jedi were meant to accept loss, and rejoice for those who had become one with the ****. Ahsoka found that impossible, she had fought with him, bled with him, cared for him. Why were Jedi allowed no attachments? How was it fair?

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sudden blinding light from her doorway. Since installing her collar, the Zygerrians had moved her from her ray shielded cell to a cramped ****'s quarters. There was nothing but chains hooked to the wall and a bed with no sheets. "Her Majesty demands your presence, whore," said the bulking guard at the door. His finger was hovering over the activation button for her collar, she wouldn't give him the opportunity. She raised herself on unsteady legs, still bruised from her thrashing around on the floor while being shocked in the throne room.

The brutish zygerrian looked disappointed, but grunted and turned to lead the way. Once again Ahsoka was completely lost by the maze of a palace. Every corridor looked the same, every door identical. All that changed was the smell. Over near the slaves' rooms the stink of singed cloth and flesh permeated every corner, the closer they came to their destination, however, a more perfumed scent filled the nostrils. Nobles' quarters. The decorations became more fanciful too. Rich tapestries and vibrant drapes lined the walls, starkly contrasting the lower levels of blank stone.

After about 20 minutes of walking they arrived at a giant ornate door, equal in magnificence and intricacy as the throne room door. 'I'd expect nothing less for the Queen's bedroom,' thought Ahsoka distastefully. She found such obvious displays of wealth and power garish and sickening when one considered the pain of so many slaves that must have gone into making such a thing. The door swung open with a tiresome creak and she was shoved forward roughly by her escorting guard who then slammed the door immediately behind her. The queen lay on the bed, scantily clad but still dangerous. Fury boiled inside Ahsoka seeing her, remembering what she had done to her friend. She restrained herself for the moment, she had to play this carefully.

"Come here, child" Miraj said, voice like silk. It was a dramatic change from her harsh fear-inducing tone she had used previously. Ahsoka did as she was bid, walking cautiously to the Queen's bedside. From there she could see clearly the figure before her. She wore gold rings around her torso, hugging her figure tightly with translucent blue fabric hanging to barely conceal her firm chest. Likewise her groin was almost visible through the thin cloth hanging loosely from the golden waistband resting on her hips. The sight stirred conflicting feelings for the young Jedi. Of course she had fantasized, stealing glances at Barriss and Kit Fisto. Occasionally images of her fellow Jedi would creep into her mind as she toyed with herself in the down time between mission, trying to relieve stress.

She fought back the images and ideas racing through her mind. She hated this woman. She was evil, a slaver, a murderer! **** didn't seem a stretch of the imagination, which is the reason Ahsoka guessed she was here, with the queen dressed as such.

"I propose a deal, Jedi..." that simple statement shocked her. Miraj wasn't speaking down to her as she would a normal ****, though not quite as an equal either. Ahsoka nodded for her to continue. "You will serve as my personal bodyguard, and loyal servant. Your lightsaber shall be returned to you and that collar will be removed. You will be under my protection, as such no more harassment from the common guard, but you shall do whatever it is I ask of you." That last part lingered in the air like a foul smell to Ahsoka, she knew that would mean commiting deeds against the Jedi code and her own morals. She was about to throw the offer back in the queens face when she added, "in return I will not execute your Jedi companions." That threat hit home. They had Anakin and Obi-Wan...