Chapter 101 - Journey to Prison (1) (1/2)

Dageer went to check on their captives, who were, at the moment, being guarded by Metal, and Ragout was keeping him company.

Their hijacked ship didn't have any kind of prison, or cell block, so they had to make do with what they had at hand, and locked Sing and the Nikto in the same storage room the clones had used.

Metal was still using his dusty armor, and it was only when Dageer saw it that he realized that neither of the clones had cleaned theirs. He had to find a moment to wipe it, and also tell do others to do the same.

Metal was also wearing his helmet, and his beloved Z-6 was leaning on the wall just beside him. It wasn't a blaster good for guard duty, as it took some time to charge, and it also didn't have stun mode, so Metal also had Brain's DC-15S with him.

The clone made a salute to Dageer when he passed, straightening his back. His head injury was probably still hurting pretty badly, but he didn't make a sound.

Sitting on the floor, with his legs crossed and eyes closed was Ragout. Since Commander Keeli had started calling him general, Dageer and the others had followed suit. For the first few times Ragout corrected them, but after noticing that it was useless, he only gave an exasperated look. It was the same now, when Dageer greeted him.

”General. Are you sure you don't want to go rest? Metal and I can take care of that sc.u.m.”

”I feel no need to sleep at the moment. In fact, staying here is quite good for my training.”

”I don't get it, general.”

”I'm training my senses. We jedi have ways of sensing danger, and I feel an incredible amount of it from there.”

The padawan stretched his index finger and pointed it to the storage room. When Dageer approached the glass window, he saw the penetrating eyes of Aurra Sing. She and the other bounty hunter were tied together, back to back, in the middle of the room.

The Nikto was sleeping, and his leg - or what was left of it - was wrapped in bandages. After they got on the ship Brain had taken care of it under General Di's orders, and given him some sleep drugs. Aurra Sing, however, was awake, staring back at Dageer with palpable hostility. After five seconds, Dageer understood what Ragout meant. He was sure that if the bounty hunter got her hands on any of them, she would kill them cruelly.

Taking his eyes off Sing, Dageer stood besides Metal, and told him and Ragout about the news. Their reactions were different. Metal was curious and happy, but Ragout looked pensive and disappointed. Dageer noticed that, but it wasn't his place to say anything.

”And for you, bounty hunters, a nice little prison cell is your next stop.”

Dageer couldn't help but taunt Sing. There was something about the woman that worried him. She was facing a lifelong jail time, and yet there were times she laughed and smiled. He wasn't sure if Sing heard him or not, but her stare intensified.

...

The following two days passed in a blink. The group had stopped at some other planets to refuel, and were about to make the final jump to Sector 76.

Dageer was on guard duty himself. Usually, as an officer, he wouldn't need to do that, but they had a limited contingent, and Metal and Brain needed rest. Commander Keeli was the one controlling the ship, and although the starcraft was small, Dageer wasn't sure on where the jedis were.

Dageer looked through the window, and saw both prisoners awake, and talking to each other. He didn't understand everything, but apparently they were discussing about a reward from one job.

There was a slight tremor and Dageer knew the ship was in hyperspace. He turned to look at one of the windows, but heard a noise behind him.