The Left-Hand Path

Part 2: Escape

The days passed in a similar fashion, Acaciah trapped in Vader’s quarters while he taught her to fight and to fuck with equal amounts of passion. She felt her sense of equilibrium passing away; he was wearing at her mind and body, demanding her unconditional surrender to his control. She felt strangely detached from the Force as she had known it before; it was as if her connection to the Jedi was being severed. Acaciah couldn’t distinguish whether the Jedi were simply disappearing or if Vader had somehow found a way to isolate her from their presence in the Force.

Meanwhile, on Alderaan, Obi-Wan Kenobi was growing worried. Weeks had passed since he had last heard from his beloved daughter, and Acaciah had never returned from her mission with Senator Organa. She can’t be dead, he thought, I would have sensed her passing. Where could she be? He sighed, and settled down to meditate. He saw an ocean of stars glittering against the black velvet of space; he felt a restless entrapment consuming him. Acaciah! He knew he saw her prison; a ship in space! He reached for her through the Force. Where are you? He asked. Who holds you?

Papa? Acaciah inquired, hopeful. Vader sat up beside her, sensing the disturbance. He covered Acaciah’s psyche, shielding her from Kenobi’s intrusion. Only a dream, mi priana, he whispered into her mind. Rest. He added the weight of the Force slip into his last command, and Acaciah sighed in her sleep. Kenobi will find out soon enough who Acaciah’s new Master is, Vader thought, grinning to himself.

Obi-Wan’s eyes snapped open. There was a knocking at his door. He opened it, and discovered a holo had been left behind. He brought it in and flipped it on.

Kenobi stared at the scene unfolding, unable to tear his eyes away.

“Would you like me to make you feel better?” Obi Wan heard Vader’s familiar voice.

“Yes, Master,” Acaciah replied obediently; she looked fearful of him.

Obi-Wan’s hands balled into fists at his side. Damn him, he thought, he had no right to do this to Acaciah. His sweet little girl had always adored Anakin, and now he used her feelings to corrupt her soul!

Vader gave theera era a wicked smile; Kenobi was certain that smirk was intended for him.

Obi-Wan grimaced; he had to get to Acaciah soon, or she would be lost to him forever!

~~~

Acaciah! Her father’s voice traveled across the galaxy to her.

Papa? Acaciah called back, reaching for him.

Resist him, Acaciah. It is your only defense…

Abruptly the connection severed, and Acaciah’s eyes flew open.

“Are you alright, milady?” Saramai inquired.

Acaciah rubbed her temples and shifted out of her meditation stance. “How long have I been here?”

“I don’t know,” Saramai replied. “At least a month.”

Acaciah looked at her. “Where does my lord goes when he leaves this ship?”

“On missions to various places. Sometimes he goes to Coruscant to meet with the Emperor.”

“Coruscant,” Acaciah repeated softly. If she could get on planet, she could get away from Vader altogether. He kept her caged here. The Executor was a huge frigate, but she was trapped in his quarters, and she despaired of him ever letting her out. Acaciah knew Vader wanted her under his thumb, and here she certainly was. Vader ruled the Executor with an iron fist, and no one would help her escape for fear of his wrath. He was mercurial, and she feared what he would do if he tired of her. Papa was right; she had to resist, to escape. It was the only way to retain her identity and sanity.

Vader returned from his mission, his demeanor dour. Acaciah kept out of his way, letting him calm himself before she approached him. She decided she should be appealing to him if she wanted to entice him into letting her off of the ship. Acaciah dressed in a slinky ruby velvet gown that bared her shoulders and slit up her thigh. Saramai arranged her hair into a pearled headpiece so that her red ringlets framed her face and bared her neck.

When dinner was ready, Vader was still brooding. Acaciah played the gracious hostess, making sure he had everything he needed, and when they were finished she sidled up to his seat at the table and massaged his shoulders.

Vader relaxed a little under her touch. “You’re being too nice, Acaciah,” he said, grasping her by the wrist. “What are you after?”

Acaciah gave him a smoldering look. “You leave me alone so long, Master.” She sat in his lap. “Aren’t I allowed to miss you?” She lowered her head shyly, putting her hands on his chest.

He lifted her chin, running his fingers across her lips. Acaciah sucked and lapped at their sensitive tips. Vader let her tease him a bit, and then took her mouth in a deep kiss. His hands slid down the velvet of her gown, squeezing her bottom. Acaciah stifled a moan as his hands snaked beneath her gown to tease her sex; she wasn’t wearing panties, and he broke into a lusty grin. Vader unzipped his pants and lifted her up to position himself at her entrance.

Acaciah slid down on him and he grunted in satisfaction as she began to piston up and down on his member. Vader pulled off her gown and reached down to where they were joined to work her clit with his nimble fingers. Acaciah moaned and banged down harder on him. Vader loved watching her get off on his touch; Acaciah’s face flushed with pleasure, her breasts bounced in front of him, their taut nipples grazing his chest. Her breathing came now in ragged gasps; she cried his name, shuddering around him tight. When she stilled Vader picked her up and put her on the bed.

He threw her legs over his shoulders and pumped into her, drawing her into another shuddering peak. “Vatsama aya nia, mi priana,” he uttered. “Open up my sweet.”

Acaciah complied, too clouded by her passion to refuse him. Their minds intertwined as their bodies did, Vader pressing himself into her psyche. Their bond was growing, whetting Vader’s desire for her. He groaned as he spent himself inside her. They remained coiled together, and he caressed Acaciah’s skin, enjoying his possession of her.

Acaciah tried to keep her thoughts quiet; she realized her little plan had backfired. She’d thought keeping him happy would take his mind off of her, but now she had his undivided attention and he would surely sense her wayward thoughts.

The best defense is often is often a good offense, and she decided to snuggle against him and think of the things she liked about Anakin. He was bold, handsome, commanding, brilliant, and insightful. Acaciah had often wished she could be more like him when she was a girl. She gave a little shiver when she realized he still had all the qualities she’d admired in him before he left the Order. The Dark Side had not changed that in him, or her feelings for him.

Vader said nothing aloud as he listened to her inner turmoil. *You are mine, Acaciah.* he pathed. *You may as well accept it now.* He took her chin in his hand and kissed her.

It was foolish to resist him, Acaciah thought, and wondered if thaoughought was her own or his; she wasn’t sure which was more disturbing. What kind of a woman was she if she loved Vader?

“You are giving in to the Dark Side, mi priana, even if you won’t admit it yet. In time you will love it just as you love me.” Vader rose, winking at her and left the room.

Acaciah turned over and wept; Vader had no intention of ever letting her get away. She would have to make her own means of escape.

~~

One morning Acaciah rose and instead of the usual blanket of stars, she had a majestic view of a planet dear and familiar. “Coruscant!” she exclaimed. It was her home, and she was sure she could find someone there who would help her get back to Papa Kenobi and the remaining Jedi, away from this madness. She considered her options. There had to be some way to get off of the ship. Her lips curved into a smile. Vader had already left and must have landed on Coruscant by now. She would have to move quickly.

Acaciah gathered some credits and other necessary items into a pack and did the same for Saramai, who she feared Vader would harm when he found her missing. When she was ready she called Saramai to her. “Carry these,” she ordered, putting the Force into the command. The two women left Vader’s quarters and Acaciah used the Force to distract the troopers gathered there to guard her. They scurried down the hall to check out the false disturbance she’d created.

From there they crept into a work closet and put on some maintenance uniforms. Acaciah hid her red locks underneath a cap and they left, heading toward the docking bay. For once, Vader’s strict orders that no man on ship might look at her worked to her advantage. They boarded a transport down to the planet’s surface, ostensibly to clean the ship.ce tce the military personnel left they sneaked out and into the Emperor’s Palace, into its kitchens. They blended in there as well, washing dishes until a delivery transport arrived. Acaciah waited until he was engrossed in his business, and motioned for Saramai to follow her.

They hopped into the transport’s cab, Acaciah manning the controls. She turned up the engine and cruised out of the palace grounds.

“Milady?” Saramai finally spoke. “How many felonies are we going to commit today?”

Acaciah laughed. “Does it matter if we can be free?”

“No one will harbor us from Lord Vader,” she said softly.

“I am a Jedi,” Acaciah replied. “I grew up here; I know some people who can get us out of this place.”

Saramai stared at her hands and said nothing. Aah sah steered their transport downtown and parked it. She handed Saramai her change of clothes. When they were finished, they looked like a pair of college students from Coruscant U, not a Jedi and a handmaiden. They grabbed their packs and took an airbus to another section of downtown.

Acaciah grinned as a familiar restaurant came into view. She led Saramai from the bus stop into Dex’s Diner.

Hermione Bagwa nearly dropped her menus when she saw them. “A—!” Acaciah put her finger to her lips. Hermione nodded. “I’ll get Dex,” she said.

Dexster Jettster enveloped Acaciah in a tremendous hug. “Come in the back,” he said, indicating his offic“Obi“Obi-Wan has been worried sick!” His gaze turned to Acaciah’s companion.

“This is Saramai,” Acaciah said. “She’s a friend, and she helped me escape.”

“He’d kill me if I disobeyed you,” Saramai stated quietly.

“Where have you been, Acaciah?” Dex asked.

“The Executor,” she replied. “Vader’s ship. I need transportation to Alderaan.”

Dex nodded. “I’ll take you. Let me make some arrangements. Tell Hermione if you need anything.” He rose, and Acaciah took his hand.

“Thank you Dex,” she said.

Dex shook his head. “Your father’s very dear to me, Acaciah. I’d do anything for Obi-Wan Kenobi.”

***
True to his word, Dex quickly had them on his ship, hustling them off of Corusc

Meanwhile, Vader returned to the Executor, sensing Acaciah’s departure. She didn’t know it, but she was doing exactly what he wanted. Obi-Wan had carefully hidden himself and the last pocket of Jedi resistance on Alderaan. Acaciah was going straight to and and all he had to do now was follow her through their Force-bond.