Chapter Five

Boeus System

The Ghost emerged out of hyperspace and flies towards the dark, shadowy planet.

"Welcome to Stobar," Hera hollowly announced, "A planet full of criminals."

Hera descends the ship down through the atmosphere and lands it at the docking bay on the planet. After the crew wished them good luck, Kanan, Ezra, Moreena and Hondo piled out of the Ghost. Moreena was wearing a cloak and a chain from her collar that's being dragged by Hondo. They've walked for what seems like forever. Kanan grunted and sped up towards Hondo.

"Hondo, we've been walking for hours," scolded Kanan, "Are you sure you know where we're going?"

"Sure, I do," Hondo answered, relaxed, "I've been to his place many times."

Kanan stared at him in disgust.

"Hey, I may be old," said Hondo, shrugging, "But I still like to have fun."

They continued walking. Ezra glanced over to his side and saw a couple of thugs loitering in the alley way. One of them, a Rodian, noticed Ezra staring at them and glared at him. Ezra glared back at him, but he kept walking.

"There sure are a lot of friendly faces around here," Ezra said sarcastically.

"Stobar has a notorious reputation for their high crime rate," explained Kanan, "There's always gonna be a lot of shady people here. My advice: Lay low. We don't want to attract trouble."

"There it is!" announced Hondo, pointing to a building, "The Blood Moon!"

It was a huge building that has a giant sign that's shaped like the moon, shining in blood red color. Ezra can hear noises coming from inside. As they came up to the entrance, they were stopped by a Falleen bouncer.

"I'm Hondo Ohnaka," Hondo introduced himself, "Your boss, Severo Carnage, has invited me to be here. These men are with me."

The Falleen glared at Kanan and Ezra, whose hearts are pumping fast. Then he looked back at Hondo.

"Alright," the Falleen answered in a husky voice, "Follow me."

They followed the bouncer inside.When they got inside, it was even noisier than it was outside. All the loud music booming and people yelling over each other. Ezra had already started to have a headache the minute he stepped inside. Not only was is loud in there, but it was also overcrowded in there as well, top to bottom. They had to push by to get through. Nevertheless, despite the loud noises and the overcrowdedness, the interior was rather beautiful. The walls were crimson red with golden linings, bronze columns and red satin curtains. The lights in there were crimson red as well. Above their heads hangs an enormous chandelier. As Ezra pushed through, he saw a group of young women in flashy clothes dancing on an enormous stage. Hondo glanced to the jedis.

"Severo's office is upstairs!" Hondo yelled, pointing up to the chandelier, "It's right above the chandelier!"

They followed the bouncer up the stairs through the second level(that happens to be the bar) all the way to the third level. Then they walked through a narrow hallway that sloped upwards towards the office. When they finally entered the office, Ezra glanced around the office. The wall were also crimson red with gold lining. The carpet were red with soft fabric. At one side of the room stood a table with different types of liqours. Leather sofas facing each other in curved parallels. Up at the front of the office was a huge wide window that shows the entire inside of the club. And there stood before it, a Zygerrian, gazing through the glass below.

"Boss," called the Falleen, "Ohnaka's here to see you."

Carnage turned around and saw Hondo. Then he signaled his two fingers for them to come in. The Fallen nodded, let Hondo and company in and leaves.

"Greetings, Severo!" greeted Hondo, grinning, "How are you in this fine evening?"

"Only my friends call me Severo," hissed Carnage.

"But we are friends, aren't we?" protested Hondo, still grinning.

"Where's the girl?" demanded Carnage.

"Right here," answered Hondo, grabbing Moreena by the wrist and pulled her up front, "Her name is Moreena Krai. I hope she's much to your liking."

Hondo removed her cloak and let it slide off her body to the ground. Moreena tried to cover herself with her arms, pretending to be embarrassed with herself. Carnage walked up to Moreena, now looming over her. Moreena felt her heart pounding and her body trembled before him. Carnage tipped her chin upwards to have her look at him. Than he turned her face one side then to the other. Then he began to circle around her, letting his hand slide off her face. As he slowly circled around her, his eyes carefully studied her body. When he's done, he lifted her arms and let his fingers glide across the underside of her arms. Moreena felt her stomach twisted when the Zygerrian placed his hands on her waist. Ezra clenched his fist as he watched the Zygerrian touch her. Kanan noticed this and placed his hand on his shoulder. Ezra turned his head to Kanan, who shooked his head, and continued to watch helplessly. When Carnage is finished, he glanced up to Hondo.

"Well?"

"Too scrawny," answered Carnage, waving his hand and taking a seat at his desk. Everyone was surprised when he said that.

"Look, I know that you're picky when it comes to girls," Hondo tried to persuade, "She may not have the curves or the chest, but trust me she's an excellent servant."

"Is that so?" questioned the unamused Carnage, resting his chin on top of his entwined fingers.

"You're not actually going to trust this guy, are you?" asked a voice.

Kanan's heart stopped when he heard that voice. That voice, he thought, I know that voice anywhere. His heart slowly pound against his chest as footsteps came around then stopped before Carnage. His eyes widened when he saw a familiar wide-brimmed hat, trench coat and red eyes. A Techno-service droid flew up next to his owner.

"Cad Bane," greeted Carnage, grinning, "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," answered Bane, coolly.

"Oh, no," gasped Kanan.

Everyone turned and looked at Kanan, including a suspicious Cad Bane. Kanan realized he spoke out loud and he thought quickly.

"I can't believe I'm standing before The Great Cad Bane himself!" he quickly added, forcing a smile, "I've heard so much about you! In fact, you, my friend, are a legend!"

Bane stared at him for a moment. Kanan's heart is still pounding slowly against his chest and felt a sweatdrop trickling down his temple. Did he buy it? He hoped. Finally, Bane said something.

"You flatter me," Bane spoke lowly, then he turned to Carnage. "Anyway, I was able to capture the two runaways who escaped. They're downstairs 'waiting'."

"Well done, Bane," congratulated Carnage, "I'll deal with them later."

"I was about to tell you this when I came in and saw you talking with Hondo," explained Bane.

"Oh, Bane," said Hondo, about to wrap his arm around his shoulder, "Don't act like you're not happy to see me."

"Don't touch me!" growled Bane, shooting a death glare at him.

Hondo then quickly jolted back to where he was standing. Bane turned to Carnage again.

"As I was saying," he continued, "Are you really going to believe what this low life has to say?"

Well, what do you think of this girl?" asked Carnage.

"You're seriously asking for my opinion?" snorted Bane.

"I think she's a pleasant young woman," complimented the droid.

"Shut up, Todo," snapped Bane.

"I was just being polite," said Todo.

"Thank you, Todo," said Moreena.

Suddenly without warning, Hondo slapped Moreena in the face. Everyone were startled, even Cad Bane and Carnage themselves. Ezra gritted his teeth but he was able to restrain himself. Moreena looked up at the elderly Weequay, holding her cheek and tears streaming down her face.

"Did I give you permission to speak!?" yelled Hondo.

"N-no," croaked Moreena.

"You're not allowed to speak unless you're being spoken to, do you hear me!?" Hondo continued to yell.

"Y-yes, sir," whimpered Moreena.

Carnage looked up from Moreena to Hondo.

"You've trained her to behave?" questioned Carnage.

"It wasn't easy at first," explained Hondo, "But in the end, she finally learned to obey."

"Can she dance?" asked Carnage.

"Oh, yes," answered Hondo, "Moreena, dear, demonstrate."

Moreena twirled and leaped and swayed her arms. Ezra gazed at Moreena. I didn't know she can dance, thought Ezra. When she's done, she stood perfectly still.

"Very impressive," commented Carnage, "Such flexibility."

"Not bad," muttered Bane.

"What else can she do?" asked Carnage.

"Well...uh...she...can sing," Hondo added, "In fact, she has such a melodious voice."

Now that's something I know she does, Ezra thought. He remembered that sometimes whenever he had the chance to hang out with her, he would catch her humming a tune to herself.

"Really? Wait outside my office," said Carnage, "Let me think for a moment."

Hondo bowed his head and dragged Moreena out of the office. Kanan and Ezra followed them out. Bane watched them leave and turned to Carnage.

"Why the sudden change of mind?" asked Bane, raising an 'eyebrow', "I thought she's too scrawny for you."

"True," agreed Carnage, looking out the window and rubbing his chin. Then he smirked. "But she's actually pretty when she cries."

Outside on the third floor the group were waiting against the railing that reveals everything downstairs.

"Was it really necessary?" scolded Ezra, scowling.

"Huh?" Hondo was confused.

"When you slapped Moreena," he angrily reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, that! Don't fret kid," assured Hondo, I was just pretending to be her master like Kanan asked me to. Severo was losing interest in her, so I had to improvise."

"Ezra, you need to control your emotions," said Kanan sternly, "You can't help Moreena in this situation, one slip up and Carnage will know something is up."

"And besides, I didn't slap her that hard," Hondo added.

"It still hurts a little," muttered Moreena, rubbing her cheek.

"I'm so sorry, child," apologized Hondo.

"Hondo!"

They turned around and saw Carnage walking up to Hondo with Bane and Todo behind him.

"I've decided to give Miss Moreena a trial run," informed Carnage, " She shall sing on stage in front of everyone."

Moreena's eyes widened when she heard it. O-on stage!? Thought Moreena, feeling her stomach drop.

"It shall be done," Hondo cheerfully agreed.

"But this better not be a waste of my time," snarled Carnage.

"I-it won't be," assured Hondo.

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Downstairs, Hondo and Carnage are sitting at a table booth where they got a good view of the stage. Kanan is up at the bar on the second floor, leaning against the railing. Bane is also upstairs but leaning against the column with Todo by his side. Moreena peered around the curtains from the backstage. S-so many p-people, she thought, feeling her hands going clammy and her head spinning. Moreena yelped when she felt a hand placed on her shoulder and spun around only to find Ezra standing behind her.

"You know, it's bad luck to peer through the curtains at the audience before the performance," said Ezra.

"Y-yes, I know," stammered Moreena.

Ezra noticed something about her.

"Are you okay, Mo?" he asked.

"Uh, yes," she lied. But then she decided to be honest. "Actually, I can't do this, Ezra. Not in front of this many people, especially when it's mostly men."

"But you have to," said Ezra, "The fate of the girls is on your hands."

"Yes, I know," said Moreena, "But I just can't do this."

"Hey," Ezra gently grabbed her arms with both hands, speaking softly," Don't pay attention to them. Pretend that it's just me in the room, like on Lothal. I'll be at the second floor with Kanan, okay?"

"Okay," Moreena softly spoke, nodding.

"Break a leg, Mo," said Ezra.

Moreena gasped.

"It means good luck, Moreena," chuckled Ezra.

"Oh," Moreena sighed in relief.

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Ezra made his way back upstairs and leaned against the railing next to Kanan.

"Where've you been?" whispered Kanan.

"I was giving Moreena some encouragement," explained Ezra.

"For what?"

Ezra didn't answer and the lights dimmed down. Then a spotlight shined on Moreena, who is now standing before a microphone. She shakily grabbed the neck with both hands and her eyes wandered around the room. Then she swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Born into a world of darkness," she quietly sang, she paused for a minute and continued, "Where no star to be seen."

Moreena glanced up and saw Ezra, who's watching and nodded his head. Moreena quietly took another deep breath and continued to sing:

"People's hearts filled with emptiness

Shadow stride through our lives

Swallowing up the light inside of us

Taking away everything we love

You may feel all is lost

But it won't last forever

Because I know, things will get better

Because I see the light of hope

Shining brighter than the stars

I feel its warmful glow

Lighting up our empty hearts

Terror spreads faster than fire

But so is our hope

It will rise so much higher

There are those

Who want to kill the light

Wanting to make us feel hopeless

But I can feel hope

Burning inside of me

Oh, I see the light of hope

Shining brighter than the stars

I feel its warmful glow

Lighting up our empty hearts

Yes, they try to fade the light

They hit us with everything they've got

We may be at the end of our rope

But it's not gone forever

There's still hope

If we shine together

We can make it bright

Yes, we may lose everything,

But there's one thing we won't lose

Yeah!

I see the light of hope

Shining brighter than the stars

I feel its warmful glow

Lighting up our empty hearts

I see the light

I see it, I see it

Shining bright, shining brighter

I feel it, I feel it

Yeah! Yeah!

I see the light of hope."

The minute Moreena finished singing, the whole house broke out in applause. I knew you can do it, Mo, thought Ezra, grinning and applauding. Even Cad Bane was clapping his hands. Hondo was clapping and whistling. Carnage, on the other hand, only sat there and rubbed his chin. When Hondo noticed this, he composed himself, sat back down and cleared his throat.

"So, what do you think of her now?" he sheepishly asked.

There was a long moment of silence before Carnage spoke.

"How much do you want for her?" Carnage asked.