Star Wars : Chapter 9 : Off Tatooine

On the Death Star, Vader was giving Tarkin his report regarding the Princess's interrogation.

"Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable." He said, pacing, "It will be some time before we can extract any information from her."

The audience felt pity for the poor woman but admired her resillience, seeing her will to protect to the Rebellion was stronger. Anakin and Padmé were relieved that the Princess was safe. But they would be worried of what happened to her next.

"The final check-up is complete." An officer reported to Tarkin, "All systems are operational. What course shall we set?"

"Perhaps she would respond to an alternative form of persuasion." Tarkin posited.

Everyone was now worried. With the amount of power that Tarkin wielded, they don't know what he was capable off.

"Knowing Tarkin, it's far from good.", Anakin pointed out.

"What do you mean?" Vader asked.

"I think it is time we demonstrate the full power of this battle station. Set your course for Alderaan." he ordered.

"With pleasure." The officer said with an audible grin.

"I have a bad feeling about this...", someone uttered, though they couldn't tell who.

Back on the sand ball, Artoo and Threepio were busy dodging patrols. Currently, they were hiding in the entrance to a hab-unit.

"Lock the door, Artoo." Threepio said. The Astromech droid complied and a metal door swung closed in front of Threepio. A unit of Stormtroopers came up, armed to the teeth.

"Alright, check this side of the street." The leader ordered. He knocked on the door the droids were hiding behind a few times. "Doors locked. Move on to the next one." He ordered.

"That was a close one", Caleb sighed in relief.

When they were sure the troopers had walked off, Artoo opened the door.

"I would much rather have gone with Master Luke than stay here with you." He said to Artoo. "I don't know what all this trouble is about, but I'm sure it's your fault." Artoo blurped at him. "You watch your language!" He scolded as he closed the door again.

In the town market, Luke and Ben were finishing up negotiations for the price of his speeder.

"Alright, gimme it." he sighed. He handed the merchant the keys to the speeder and he handed over the money. "Look at this. Ever since the XP-38 came out they just haven't been in demand."

"It'll be enough. I'm just sorry you had to sell your speeder." Ben said.

"Man, I'd feel the same way if I ever sold the Twilight.", Anakin said while glancing at Obi-Wan with a raised eyebrow, where the Jedi Master merely whistled at response while rolling his eyes.

"Ah, it's alright. I'm never coming back to this planet again."

'Just like his old man.', Anakin thought for the boy. Tatooine has been but a painful memory to come back to.

As they made their way to the docking bay, they had no idea that they were being followed by a blue alien with a long, trunk-like snout wearing a black hooded robe.

A large slug-like creature stood crawling outside of a large spaceship, with several armed guards in red and black as back-up.

"Solo! Come out here, Solo!" he yelled.

"I'm right here, Jabba." He said, standing behind him. "Been waiting for ya."

"Jabba is just as vile as ever, it seems.", Ki-Adi stated at seeing the Hutt crime lord.

"Which would mean his Criminal Empire is still in power.", Luminara interjected.

"I wonder how Rota is doing?", Ahsoka wondered about the little Hutt they rescued.

"He's a prince, Snips. He should be fine.", Anakin answered. "Well, should."

"Have you now?" Jabba chortled.

"You didn't think I was gonna run, did ya?" he said with a cocky grin as he approached him.

"Han, my boy, you disappoint me. Why haven't you paid me and why did you fry poor Greedo?." Jabba said as he shuffled to meet him. A man wearing green Mandalorian armor walked to Jabba's side, blaster in hand.

"Greedo shot first!", Caleb called out.

"Metaphorically or literally? Because he had it coming.", Plo Koon stated.

Rex and Mace Windu's eyes widened at seeing the green-clad man in front of them, knowing one person wearing a similar type of armor, only in different color. "Jango Fett?"

"Brother?"

The audience took notice of this. "Don't think so, but it would he a surprise if this was Boba Fett. He surely is walking in his father's footsteps.", Ki-Adi interjected.

"A path of a Bounty Hunter? That I could see.", Yoda said as he observed the man.

"Look, Jabba, next time you wanna talk to me, do it yourself. Don't send one of these twerps."

"Han, you know I can't make exceptions like that. If every smuggler who worked for me dropped their cargo at the first sign of an Imperial starship. It's not good business."

"He still has that silver tongue I see.", Obi-Wan complimented the Crime Lord.

"Look, Jabba, even I get boarded sometimes." He walked around behind him, stepping on his tail as he did. "You think I had a choice? But I got a nice easy charter now. I just needed a little more time."

The audience were worried for this smuggler. Many of them knew that working with Jabba the Hutt of all people is a bad idea.

"Han, my boy, you're the best. So for an extra twenty percent- "

"Fifteen, Jabba. Don't push it."

"Alright, fifteen. However, fail again, and you'll have a price on your head so bug you won't be able to go near a civilized system."

"Yep, defenitely Jabba-like.", Anakin said in a deadpanned tone.

"Jabba, you're a wonderful human being." Han said as he walked up the ramp into the ship.Jabba motioned his bodyguards to follow him while Boba Fett looked around the area before moving on.

"This isn't the last time we're going to see that Mandalorian.", Shaak Ti said.

The audience present likewise agreed as they felt that Fett would soon play a pivotal role in time.

"If the ship's as fast as his boasting," Ben said as they turned into the hangar, "We ought to make good time."

They were greeted by Chewie, and led inside. The alien following them pulled out a communicator and said something into it. His language barely even sounded like a language, just a bunch of weird electronic noises.

Entering the hangar proper, Luke and Ben got their first looks at the ship that would take them to Alderaan. It was big, sure, but not exactly impressive. It was shaped like a massive tear drop with two tips and a cockpit sticking out of one side, and it was colored a mixture of tan and grey.

"What a piece of junk!"Anakin and Luke said at the same time, resulting of everyone laughing at this, seeing that Luke had inherited his father's habit of whining.

"Are your standards in ships really that high, Skywalker?", Mundi curiously asked.

"Of course I do! I'd make them better!", Anakin boasted.

Han was a little offended but he spoke anyway. "She'll make point-five past light speed." Han said, looking up from his work. 

"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. Not to mention, I've made a few special modifications myself. However we're in a little rush so get on board and we'll get out of here." he gestured to the boarding ramp, ignoring the droid who greeted him.

A platoon of Stormtroopers walked through the spaceport single file until the robed alien ran up to them.

"Which way?" The leader asked. The spy said something in his weird language and pointed towards the Falcon's hangar. "Got it. Load your weapons, men." They filed into the hangar and spread out in the entrance, creating a firing line. Han's eyes widened and his hand fell to his blaster. "Stop that ship! Blast 'em!"

Han returned fire, quickly making his way to and up the boarding ramp. "Chewie, get us out of here!"

"These soldiers have terrible aim. Are they even Clone troopers to begin with?", Shaak Ti wondered, always seeing them as the adept type.

"For one, ma'am. I don't think they are if they're serving the Empire than the Republic.", Rex agreed with her.

The Falcon slowly lifted into the air and fired it's sublight engines, taking it out of the spaceport at speeds that were nowhere near legal. Chewie lets out a growl that Han took notice.

Han looked himself. "Looks like an Imperial cruiser. Our guests must be hotter than I thought." he stood up and began working on the switches behind his chair. "Try and hold 'em off. Angle the deflector shields while I make the calculations for the jump to light speed."

In the void, a pair of Star Destroyers began to gain on the ship.

"If the Empire knew they have the plans, they could be in grave danger.", Padmé worriedly said.

"Stay sharp, there's two more." Han said, getting back into his seat. "They're gonna try and cut us off."

"Why don't you outrun them?" Luke said snidely as he and Ben entered the cockpit. "I thought you said this thing was fast."

Everyone looked at Anakin, and they could say that Luke inherited his mouth as well. "What? I'm proud of him!", Anakin stated with his hands raised.

"Watch your mouth, kid, or you're gonna find yourself floating home." Han warned. "We'll be safe enough once we make the jump to hyperspace. Besides, I know a few maneuvers. We'll lose 'em easy enough."

The Star Destroyer's shots caused the Falcon to tremble a bit, and Han smirked. "This is where the fun begins..."

Ahsoka chuckled. "I can tell you and Han would get along pretty well, Skyguy."

Anakin looked at her for a moment, finding that statment to be ridiculous.

"How long before you can make the jump to light speed?" Ben asked as the ship was rocked by fire from their pursuers.

"It'll take a moment to get the coordinates from the navicomputer-"

"Are you kidding? At the rate their gaining?" Luke said impatiently.

"Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dusting crops, boy." Han said annoyed, "Without precise calculations, we'd fly right through a star, or bounce too close to a supernova, and that'd end your trip real quick, wouldn't it?"

"What's that flashing?" Luke said, pointing at an indicator.

Han slapped his hand away. "We're losing the deflector shields. Go strap yourselves in, I'm gonna make the jump to hyperspace."

"Here we go...", Anakin said in anticipation.

Chewie reported with a grunt, indicating they are ready. Han reached forth and pulled on a lever. The Falcon seemed to hang in space for a moment. Suddenly, the stars began to elongate and the Falcon shot forward, disappearing into the void.

"Off to Alderaan we go!", Obi-Wan said out loud.

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