Chapter 101 - Journey to Prison (1)

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.

Centimeters away from Dageer's face was Aurra Sing. She had somehow freed herself from her handcuffs, and smashed the door panel with it, opening the door. Dageer wondered how the bounty hunter could release her ties over and over again, no matter how well they detained her.

Sing grabbed Dageer's head, and bashed her knee on his stomach. Dageer felt something rising on his insides, and had to hold back not to throw up. But Sing wasn't over yet, and when Dageer curled up her elbow crashed down on the back of his head, and his vision went dark.

But even then Dageer didn't give up. Since Sing had made him fall to the ground, Dageer grabbed her ankles, and twisted it hard.

"Ahhhhhh!!! You! Clone! Bastard!"

The wound on her calf opened again, and bright red blood started oozing out. Unable to bear the pain, Sing fell over Dageer. He twisted his body, and they switched positions, now she was under him.

Using both hands to grab her head, Dageer bashed it in the ground, and when the bounty hunter got dizzy he locked his right arm around her neck, and his left on top of her head.

Applying pressure, Dageer could see Sing's face turning red and then acquiring a slight purple color. Her nails scratched his armor and his helmet, but she could do nothing more than that. Her legs were kicking the air to no avail, but her movements started to decrease until she turned stiff.

Very slowly, Dageer decreased the strength on his arms, so Sing wouldn't die, but he made sure to keep his lock on her firmly. It was only after confirming that she was unconscious that he remembered the Nikto.

Looking over his shoulder, Dageer saw that the half legless bounty hunter was up, rummaging through the boxes, looking for something to use against Dageer.

Dageer let his left arm leave Sing's neck and pulled out his DC-17.

"Halt! This blaster doesn't have stun mode!"

Defeated, the Nikto dropped the power tool he was holding, and sat on the floor.

"Commander? Sing tried to escape. I restrained her, but I would appreciate some help."

"I am sending Brain."

...

Sing was still unconscious, but maybe this was a blessing for her. That way she didn't have to see the whole Republic fleet that was waiting for her.

A group of ARC-170s flew near the ship. All of them were painted with the colors of the 303rd Attack Legion.

"General Di, this is Steel leader. We will escort you to The Sincerity. Is there anything we need to do?"

"Hello, Rozal. Yes, please. Prepare a well-guarded cell."