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Catherine

by: Erin

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Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: George Lucas ownes 'em, I'm just writing stories about 'em.

Feed-back: Please, I'm new at this

Chapter 1 The Slave Girl

Catherine was afraid to fall asleep. The visions, the horrible ugly visions. She would sit and watch them like a screen. She would scream and yell warnings at them. They never heard her cries. Catherine was a slave and the most prized “possession” of Temmo, a Toydarian. Temmo was a dealer on Tatooine. The Toydarian dealed in almost everything; he specialized in ship parts and droids. He was dark green with orange eyes. He prized Catherine because of her beauty. That and she attracted customers. She had strength, much tolerance, agility, intelligence, taste, and independence. (When she could have it.) She had long black hair that hung to her waist. Part of her hair was braided into a high bun. Two braids started at each side of the bun and met in the center bottom of the bun. Her eyes were such a dark blue they were almost black. Her cheeks were a pink color. Her face was oval. And in good health she could stop all men when she walked by. She was quiet and good with small children. They all loved her. She was tall and shy. She always wore blue and gray peasant clothes. Catherine turned over and tried to fall sleep. Temmo would not be pleased if she looked tiered. She closed her eyes and slept. Then the visions and images came. A dark humanoid creature loomed over her. He was nightmarish in his creation. His face was black and red. The colors were molded into a twisted ugly pattern. A member of the Sith. She saw a young man. He looked a little older than Catherine’s seventeen years. Perhaps eighteen or nineteen. He had blue eyes. His brown hair was cut short and even. He had a small ponytail and a thin long braid down his right shoulder. Then she saw a grown man. He had green eyes. His reddish colored hair was longer and tied back in a ponytail. He had a beard. He appeared to be in his mid–thirties. The men stood behind Catherine. Both men ignited something called a “lightsaber,” she wasn’t sure. Both men swung at the Sith. The older man was struck down. The Sith ran him through. The younger man killed the Sith. Catherine cradled the Jedi’s head in her lap. “Mistress,” Protocol droid F–6 said waking Catherine up from her slumber. “Yes,” Catherine said. “It’s time.” Catherine got up and did all the daily necessities. She soon left for Temmo’s shop and junkyard. “Morning Sara,” she said cheerfully. “Oh, mornin’ Cathe.” Sara said. “Here try this.” She handed Catherine a blue pumpkin shaped fruit. Catherine took a bite and nodded. When she swallowed she said. “This is really good.” Sara smiled. “Can I have a hug?” Catherine bent over and hugged the old woman. At sixty Sara was still pretty. In Catherine’s opinion she was. “Oh, Cathe, there ain’t a kinder girl in the universe. Stay the same and don’t ever change. I’ll see you later.” She said patting Catherine’s cheek.

Chapter 2 The Landing

“Master,” Padawan Qui–Gon Jinn said. “Yes, young Padawan?” Master Alli asked. He pushed his reddish colored hair back. “I feel a disturbance in the Force.” “I feel it too.” Qui–Gon’s face contorted into surprise as a Sith ship came into view. “Master!” he cried. Alli stared. “The Sith are supposed to be extinct. Avoid it. I want to avoid a confrontation if I can.” Alli was a man of peace. He was the last to get into a fight if he could avoid it. The Sith ship fired. The blast knocked out the shields. “Were hit! Master,” Qui–Gon said. “We need to get the shields up! We are weaponless! If we get the shields up we might stand a chance!” The ship fired again and again. “We have to land!” Alli proclaimed. “There! That ship won’t be able to follow us!” The ship slowly landed in the middle of Tatooine. Neither Jedi knew where they were. “The shield generator is shot.” Alli said. “We have to get another.” The two Jedi dawned farmer’s clothing and hid their lightsabers. They headed out into the foreign planet. The Jedi soon entered a small shop. “Hi chuba de naga? (What do you want?)” Temmo demanded. “We need a shield generator for a Nubian ship.” Alli calmly said. “Ah, Nubian shield generator. Got lots of that. Girl! Get in here!” Temmo ordered. Catherine quickly stumbled into the room. “What do you need?” “Watch the shop. Ugh, that girl. I take you outback okay?” Temmo lead Alli outside. “Wha...?” Qui–Gon said. He couldn’t believe it! Of all the rude things... “Are you a slave?” “Yes,” Catherine calmly said. “But there’s Anti–Slavery laws! The Republic–” “The Republic doesn’t exist out here.” Qui–Gon sighed. “I’m Qui–Gon Jinn.” “Catherine.” “That’s an attractive girl, you have there.” Alli said. “You can’t have her! She’s not for sale!” Temmo shrieked. Disgust welled up inside of Alli. “You will release her.” “No, I won’ta.” “You will release her.” “No, I won’ta.” Temmo shoved a Nubian shield generator into Alli’s arms. Alli gave Temmo the money. “....my mother was sold to a Hutt when she was pregnant with me. The Hutt later lost her to Temmo.” Catherine explained. Qui–Gon was half–listening. He was intoxicated by her beauty. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Chapter 3 The Rescue

“Qui–Gon, let’s go.” Alli said. “Yes, Master. Nice meeting you.” Qui–Gon said glumly. “Nice meeting you too.” Catherine said. “Huh!” Temmo said. “That outlander thought he could buy you.” She looked at the men as they left. She felt scared and amazed at the same time. “Mistress Catherine.” F–6 said. “I need some assistance with this.” She quickly left to help the struggling droid. An hour later Temmo said “Go home.” The next morning a drunk pilot swayed in. His appearance startled Catherine. She didn’t like the way he looked at her. Soon his friend, also very drunk, came in. Qui–Gon’s head shot up. He had a feeling in his gut someone was in trouble. “Master,” he said. “Someone needs help!” Without waiting for an answer Qui–Gon ran off. He was to be a Jedi. A Jedi preserved the peace. “Well well,” the first pilot said. His words were slurred from his drunken state. “What have we here?” Catherine backed up. “I saw her first! She’s mine!” The second one shrieked. The scum and villainy of Tatooine was evident in these two. “Noooooo.” The first one said. “She’s mine.” “No! Mine!” The second pilot grabbed her arm. Catherine tried to pull free. “Let me go!” She screamed and slapped the pilot with her free arm. The first pilot grabbed her other arm. “Have a drink with me....” “No me! You see what this girl did?!?” The second pilot’s cheek was bright red from where Catherine slapped him. The first pilot laughed. “Stop it!!” Catherine screamed her heart pounding in her throat. The light from the doorway was blocked. Both pilots looked up to see Qui–Gon standing there. His face was a mask of fury. “Let her go.” He said. “You can have her when we’re done with her.” The second pilot teased. “Let her go this is your last warning.” The first pilot acted scared. He grabbed Catherine’s face. “Do you–” He never finished his sentence. Qui–Gon shot him in the arm with a blaster. He turned to the second one. “You can let her go or I’ll make you let her go.” Qui–Gon said coldly. The second pilot dropped her arm with a curse. He quickly stalked out of the room. “Oh, thank you, Qui–Gon!” Catherine said. “Thank you!” Qui–Gon touched her trembling shoulder. “That was a daring move. Where I come from no male of any species would try that.” Catherine forced a smile. “I wish I live where you come from.” “What was that all about??” Temmo demanded flying into the room. “I saved her from two drunk men.” Qui–Gon calmly said. “Huh! Good! I’m placing her on a bet.” Temmo said. Qui–Gon felt Catherine stiffen. He squeezed her shoulder. “Why?” He asked. “I have nothing else to gamble away.”

Chapter 4 Freedom

“Qui–Gon!” Alli said running into the room. “Master,” Qui–Gon said. He moved away from Catherine. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “We have to free her. She could be gambled away to another.” Alli was going to say something. But he saw Qui–Gon’s expression. Frustration and love filled the Padawan’s face. “Okay.” Alli said. “We’ll take that bet!” Qui–Gon announced. “What?” Temmo said. “I said we’ll take that bet.” Catherine’s head shot up. Surprise and disbelief filled her lovely features. Then it was replaced with a smile. “Okay,” Temmo said. “The bet is a pod racing bet. There are eight racers. Six have already been betted on.” He laughed. “Once I told them the girl was being betted on they rushed.” He flew out of the room laughing to himself. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Catherine asked. “Their is still time to get–” Qui–Gon put his fingers to her lips. “I’m sure.” He said. The two Jedi left the room. “Qui–Gon,” Alli said. “This is not smart for a Padawan, especially a nineteen–year–old boy.” Qui–Gon wasn’t listening. He was thinking about Catherine and how good it would be to free her. The next morning the stands were full. Almost everyone on Tatooine was there. The stands were so full people and aliens were sitting in the sand. “And they’re off!” The announcer cried. The eight pods flew across the land. Two were smashed on the first lap. The other four were destroyed on the second lap. Now it was between Temmo and Qui–Gon’s racers. Catherine’s throat tightened as the pod Temmo betted on was in the lead. “There’s still time.” Alli reassured. At the last second Temmo’s racer was destroyed. Qui–Gon’s racer sped past the finish line! Catherine screamed for joy. She hugged Alli. She then rushed into Qui–Gon’s arms. They hugged. She kissed him. “Thank you!” she cried. “It wasn’t a fair bet!” Temmo screamed separating the two humans. “Yes, it was.” Alli said firmly. Temmo backed away. “Fine! Take the girl!” The Toydarian said and turned away. Back home Catherine was quickly packing her things. “I don’t believe it! I’m free!” She said. “Catherine, there’s something I need to tell you.” Qui–Gon said taking her hands. “What is it?” She asked.

Chapter 5 Jedi

“I’m a Jedi Padawan. Alli is a Jedi Knight and my teacher.” Qui–Gon said. He expected her to shun him. “A Jedi,” Catherine repeated. “Amazing. Mom was right.” “What?” “My mom. She said I would be freed by a Jedi.” “C’mon! We have to go!” Alli said. They quickly left the small home. “Master,” Qui–Gon said. “Yes?” Alli asked. “Master!” Qui–Gon pointed to the Sith bearing down at him. Catherine screamed. Her visions and dreams were coming true! The Sith was the same as it was in Catherine’s dreams. A living nightmare. Qui–Gon and Alli ignited their lightsabers. The Sith had a double–bladed lightsaber. Each attack and defense was blocked. “Catherine!” Alli screamed. “Get back to the ship!” She was running toward the ship when the Sith used the Force to stop her. She felt invisible hands grab her and hold her still. The sand around her began to sink. Wherever she tried to move the sand sank. Then two hands grabbed her ankles and pulled her down. Any attempt to free herself was unsuccessful. The two grimy hands continued to pull. “Catherine!” Qui–Gon screamed. She was knee deep in the quicksand and sinking fast.

Chapter 6 The Final Assault

Alli and Qui–Gon continued to fight the Sith. The Sith swung at Alli. The Sith’s lightsaber grazed Alli’s arm. Alli doubled over in pain. Qui–Gon brought his lightsaber down. And missed. Catherine continued to struggle against the hands and the quicksand. The hands took hold of her belt. Alli brought his lightsaber up. He cut his opponent’s chest open. Qui–Gon rushed to Catherine. He grabbed her wrists and pulled. He was strong. The hands were strong too. Catherine felt she would spit in two. She was chest deep in the sand. With one final grunt Qui–Gon pulled her out. “Master!” He cried. The two raced for the ship. Alli wasn’t far behind. Something sharp struck Catherine in the shoulder. Once on the ship she removed it to see what it was. A dart. A poison dart. The Sith with his last ounce of strength shot her. Now the Sith was dead and she would be joining him. “What?” Qui–Gon asked. Catherine showed him the dart. She quickly collapsed in his arms. “Master!” Qui–Gon screamed. He cradled Catherine in his arms. He soon looked down at her. She was dying and he knew it. “Catherine.” He whispered through the tears. “Qui–Gon,” she whispered. “Thank you, you freed me. Don’t forget me.” “I won’t!” Qui–Gon swore. She smiled and touched his cheek. She soon died. Qui–Gon hung his head. Softly saying her name he cried.

Chapter 7 The Funeral

Catherine’s body laid on a funeral bed. Her body was set on fire. A tradition of the Jedi. Giving the body and spirit back to the Force that gave them life. Qui–Gon forced back the tears. His heart aced. Some part of the Padawan died with Catherine. Her body turned to ashes. Doves were released and flowers were thrown. Catherine was one with the Force. Qui–Gon knew he had to let go of her. He heaved a sigh. he thought of the short time they knew each other. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her spirit. She smiled warmly and slowly disappeared. He forced a smile. When Qui–Gon Jinn thought of Catherine and of her last words he would truly live again.