Assassin
Chapter 1: Run
Jazen's POV:
You know the feeling when you're being watched? That's exactly how I felt walking through the crowded market of Lothal. Not just one pair of eyes boring into me, but several. Even with the sunglasses on and my hood pulled low, they knew something was different about me. They're not wrong. Everyone knew about me, but they didn't know what I looked like, aside from my eye color. No one really did. It was a lot easier, though, since I was wanted for treason.
A couple Stormtroopers walked past me, holding their weapons. They barely even glanced at me as they walked by. I wasn't going to start a fight in a public space. Not with so many people at risk. Besides, with the stunt I had pulled just yesterday, the local Imperials were already on edge. That's what happens when you blow up half of their base. Of course, it wasn't completely my fault. I never detonated the explosive on purpose. I had been tackled on the way out, which happened to set it off. Granted, I had planted the device, but was never going to actually blow anything up. It was just in case things went south in a very bad way, and had a ten second timer to give me an opportunity to run.
I adjusted the bag I had slung over my shoulder before brushing a few strands of my dark blonde hair out of my eyes. Most of the stolen weapons I was going to sell had already been sold. All I needed now was to buy some new gloves, some food and water, and a couple new shirts. I was wearing my last un-ripped or otherwise ruined shirt, so I couldn't leave without buying some new ones.
I easily cut through the crowd and crossed over to a vendor selling clothing. I grabbed new black leather gloves, and a few t-shirts- black and grey-and draped them over my arm before handing over the credits to the merchant. The Rodian took the money without a word, and I walked away, tucking the shirts into my bag and then pulling on my new gloves.
As I was starting over to another stand, I noticed a couple Stormtroopers harassing one of the sellers. Everyone else had given them space. Don't start a fire-fight, I warned myself. But, even so, I purposely walked in between them and the poor lady, shoving one slightly as I did so. Before I got all the way past them, one gripped my shoulder.
I huffed and pushed his hand off. "What do you want?"
"Interfering with Imperial business can get you arrested."
"Since when is antagonizing citizens your job?" I asked calmly. The second Trooper walked over as well when I asked that. The lady darted off without looking back.
"It's not your place to decide what is and isn't our business, kid. Go find your parents before you get in more trouble." Even though I couldn't see his eyes, I knew he was studying me.
"Then I'll make it my place," I muttered before jerking his blaster out of his hands and taking off with it. They followed, of course. I couldn't start some kind of shoot off in the middle of a crowded market, but I could lead them out of the crowds. Then I could do whatever. Plan in mind, I effortlessly ducked through the people. By the time I had slipped out of the crowds, the Troopers had only made it about halfway through. I dashed into an alley to wait. That's one thing all Stormtroopers have in common. They're predictable, I thought, absently checking the blaster to make sure it was charged. And I started to count.
Four minutes and thirty-seven seconds later, the two Stormtroopers entered the alley. I leaned against the wall-about one and half yards above my head, the wall about nine or so feet tall total- where it dead ended, twirling the blaster in my left hand.
"We don't have time for games, kid. Give me the blaster," the one on the right demanded.
"I don't have time for games either." With that, I fired two quick shots and their bodies crumpled to the ground. Someone nearby shouted at the sudden gunfire, and I kept the weapon trained on the alley entrance. A few people- I counted four- stepped into the alley. One wore a helmet, Mandalorian by the design, another had shoulder armor, one had shin armor, and one had no armor that I could see. All four were armed.
They looked from the bodies to me. I lowered the stolen blaster when I realized they were civilians. The man stepped forward, his hand up towards me. I had my knife in my hand before I even registered my instinctive movement. He froze in his tracks, staring at me. I studied them more carefully. A human female and a human male, both a little older than me. An adult male. And...a Lasat.
"What do you want?" I asked, still watching them warily behind my tinted sunglasses.
"We heard blaster fire," the man replied.
I took a step back as he stepped forward. "Stay right there," I warned. He stopped.
"What even happened?" the girl asked, looking down at the dead Stormtroopers.
"They got shot," I said simply.
I had the feeling that she was rolling her eyes inside that painted helmet. "Got that. Who shot them?"
"Who do you think?" I retorted, casually tossing the blaster next to the bodies. I examined the people carefully and then turned around, pulling my hood back up as I jumped up on the wall. I easily found footholds and handholds and scrambled up the wall in less than a minute. Pausing at the top, I glanced down once more, meeting the man's gaze even though he couldn't see my eyes. Something was strange about him and his friends. I started down the wall, deciding I could get my food later.