Jacen, Jaina, and Kento, led Anakin through the forests of Yavin until they reached a large clearing. In the center of the clearing was the wreckage of a several decades old starfighter.
It was pointed in a design very reminiscent of the old Delta-7 starfighers, with a pair of large round intakes on the front. Its wings were swept upward slightly and had what was left of four laser cannons attached underneath the upward swept wings. The ship had obviously been destroyed from beneath as the top was more preserved.
The hull had old and faded dark blue paint on the hull with a unique white stripe pattern leading towards the center of the craft.
"What is that?" Anakin asked as they approached.
"This is the Azure Angel…or what's left of it." Kento said as Anakin looked it over.
"What happened to her?" Anakin asked, running his hand over the broken hull.
"Well Jacen brought a piece of metal from her back to the temple and R2 dated it back to the early clone wars." Jaina replied as Anakin marveled at the old fighter.
"But who flew it?" Anakin asked.
"We don't know…a Jedi we presume. But there is a familiar presence about it though." Kento said as he headed over towards an old metal footlocker and pulled it out from under the fighter.
"We've found these all around the woods in various places…" Kento said as he opened the footlocker, revealing it full of weathered old pieces of white phase one clone trooper armor, "…we can assume that there was once a battle here during the Clone Wars."
"I don't recall there being any battles here during the Clone Wars…even the Empire would have kept records of those." Anakin replied.
"Because it wasn't clones versus droids…" a young female voice said causing all four of the Jedi to activate their sabers towards where the voice came from.
"…It was between a Jedi and a Sith." The voice said as its owner emerged with R2-D2 close behind.
"Tahiri! Geez don't scare us like that!" Anakin said as they all put away their lightsabers.
"Sorry…I was just wondering what you guys were up to." Tahiri replied.
"How did you find us?" Jacen asked.
"I followed you…with help from the force and R2's sensors; following you guys was a piece of cake." Tahiri replied.
"Oh." Kento replied as R2 took notice of the old ship.
"So what are you guys doing out here?" Tahiri asked.
"None of your business…besides it's not like you could join anyway." Jacen replied as Kento nodded.
"Join what?" Anakin asked.
"The Secret Order of the Azure Angel." Jaina replied as R2 spun his head around to look at her surprised and started beeping frantically.
"What's the matter R2?" Anakin asked as R2 continued beeping.
"Whoa-whoa-whoa! Who did he say flew this ship?" Jacen asked.
"I think he said Anakin…but I think he meant grandpa." Jaina replied as R2 beeped affirmatively.
"Whoa…I wonder what master Skywalker was doing here when the ship exploded…we haven't found any remains from any battle droids but if what Tahiri said is true…then that means Master Skywalker battled a Sith here…but who?" Kento said in thought.
"Maybe we should ask him?" Tahiri suggested.
"Perhaps. He might be thrilled to see his old ship again." Jacen replied.
"But you never answered my question. What is the Secret order of the Azure Angel?" Anakin asked impatiently.
"The order was just a silly club Jacen, Kento, and I created when we first found this place. We were how old then?" Jaina asked.
"We were ten and Kento was twelve." Jacen replied.
"So really there's no secret to it?" Anakin asked.
"Well there's a rule about joining…you have to be a blood relation to someone on the Jedi Council." Kento replied as all eyes turned towards Tahiri.
"Oh come on!" she whined as R2 chimed in.
"Yeah R2 you can join you're part of the Skywalker family." Jacen replied as R2 cheered.
"Why can't I join?" Tahiri whined.
"Oh slag it, just let her in, it's not like it's swearing to become apprenticed to some traitorous Sith Lord in disguise right Jacen?" Jaina asked as Jacen nodded.
"Oh sure why not…it's just the three of us anyway." Jacen replied.
"So how do we join exactly?" Anakin asked as the three looked at each other sinisterly. A few seconds later however…
"NOT ON YOUR LIFE!" Anakin and Tahiri replied in unison as the other three doubled over in laughter. Apparently the requirement to join involved Tauntaun guts, a bottle of Bantha Blue Milk, and a Hutt.
"That's just…sick!" Tahiri gagged.
"I'd sooner kiss Chewy on the lips! With TONGUE!" Anakin replied as the other three howled with laughter.
"What's going on out here?" Galen asked as he and Anakin Skywalker emerged from the woods.
"Those three are just being disgusting Gamorreans is all." Tahiri replied as Galen rolled his eyes due to lack of surprise.
"Hmm…what's this?" the elder Anakin asked as he approached the wrecked hulk.
"R2 seems to think it used to be your ship grandpa." The younger replied.
"Hmm…R2 is correct! It is my old ship! The Azure Angel!" Anakin exclaimed excitedly.
"How did it get blown up Master? You were legendary for your piloting skills both then and now." Kento asked as Anakin fell silent.
"I think…I think we need to get you three to the council chambers…we have a mission for you of the utmost importance." Anakin replied as the others shrugged and they all headed off out of the jungle towards the Praxium.
Elsewhere in the galaxy…
In a dark cold place somewhere in the outer rim a dark figure sat meditating on a dark pedestal as an armored guard approached.
"My lord we have recovered the package you requested." The guard reported.
"Excellent. What word is there about the bounty hunter we hired to deal with the traitor?" the figure asked.
"I fear that we have been duped. The bounty hunter is not who he…or she claimed to be." The guard replied.
"Then we shall have to find an alternate means…and I have just the assassin for the job." The figure said as a mysterious whirring noise was heard approaching and a pair of glowing red photoreceptors pierced through the gloom.
"Give him the information on the target." The figure ordered as the guard nodded.
Meanwhile in the Council Chambers…
"We want the three of you to go to the Rattatak system. It's a backwater planet in the outer rim." Luke said to the three Jedi Knights. Anakin the younger and Tahiri were present also.
"We need you to investigate the rumors of a Sith cult on the planet." Galen added.
"A Sith cult?" Kento asked.
"Oh yeah, them and the pirate problems are what's got the Republic's tongue wagging." Jacen replied.
"You're relying on three Jedi knights to go on this mission alone against an entire Sith cult?" Jaina asked as the others nodded.
"Master K'Kruhk has volunteered to accompany you on your mission." Jaden replied.
"And it's only a scouting mission, we're not sending you to go fight the Sith on your own." Kyle added.
"Well that's one plus side." Kento shrugged with a smile towards the Whiphid who smiled back.
"What about us? Two Padawans adds at up to at least one Knight doesn't it?" the younger Anakin asked.
"Do we really want to send the youngest son of the Republic's Chief of state into a mission like this?" Kyp asked.
"Ugh I wish people would just stop treating us with kid gloves just because we're the kids of the Chief of State or someone really important…it's really annoying." Anakin grumbled, earning silent nods from Jacen and Jaina.
"Here-here." Kento said glaring at his father. That was another thing that Kento shared with the three Solo children. They each were descendants of the major heroes of the Rebellion and as such tended to generate a lot of interest so they usually got preferential treatment in most cases.
"Regardless of your lineage, we don't think that this mission would be appropriate for any Padawan. Perhaps if we made it for Knights and Masters only on this one." Tionne replied.
"Then it would make sense for more than just three Knights and a master to go wouldn't it?" Jacen asked.
"To quote master Yoda…" the elder Anakin said as he pressed a button on a small box attached near his throat and instantly started sounding like the late Master Yoda, "…Underestimate your skills you do. Strong in the force you are. Rely on each other you must."
"And for his next trick he will imitate the late Boba Fett while doing a tap dance." Mara muttered to herself. However Luke overheard and leaned over to her.
"Don't mock him. He's been sighted all across the Galaxy. However there are some sightings that conflict with each other." Luke replied.
"I fail to see the relevance of that old Bounty Hunter in this conversation." Kam said, obviously having overheard.
"Oh just a snide comment that Mara made regarding my father's voice synthesizer." Luke replied as the senior Skywalker rolled his eyes.
"Misplaced respect I'm sure." Anakin Sr. said as Mara snorted in amusement but said nothing.
"Anyway…I agree with Skywalker. Four Jedi are enough for a simple scouting mission like this." Rahm said as the three Jedi nodded.
"Dad, you mind if I borrow PROXY?" Kento asked as Galen shook his head.
"Sorry but he's been over due for some repairs and routine maintenance for some time now." Galen replied.
"Ripped his head off again, Starkiller?" Mara Jade asked in amusement, as Galen glared at her but said nothing.
"However if you want to bring R2-D2 along you can. He may prove useful." Luke offered as Mara nodded.
"Yeah besides that new holoprojector mobile for Ben will keep him hypnotized-I-mean pacified for a long while at nights." Mara said. Galen nodded in agreement as he recalled his own experiences he'd had of being a new parent. The holoprojector on PROXY came very much in handy as a makeshift mobile and baby monitor.
"We'll be honored to have the (ahem) Skywalker family heirloom amongst us." Jaina said as Anakin Sr. smirked.
"Clever title for him although fitting. Yet I doubt he would find it nearly as amusing." Anakin Sr. replied.
"It's settled then, the four of you plus R2 will depart for Rattatak as soon as you are ready. May the force be with you all." Luke said as the six Jedi in the center bowed and left.
"You are going to let the two of us stowaway right?" Tahiri whispered into Kento's ear who gave her a thumbs up as soon as they were out of earshot of the council.
Later…
A custom built stock freighter roared out of the Yavin IV hanger and into space.
"What is this thing, she's practically brand new. Fresh paint and everything!" Jaina marveled from the controls.
"It's called, of all things, the Mynock." Kento said from the co-pilot's seat.
"The Mynock? Of all the things to call a brand new ship! Why call it the Mynock?" Jaina asked. R2 beeped that he agreed with Jaina's question.
"Don't look at me, I didn't name it!" Kento replied.
"Hasn't your mom been working on modifying this thing with some of the latest stealth tech?" Jacen asked as Kento nodded.
"Yep, according to Mom, Master Skywalker, and your aunt Mara this thing is the Rogue Shadow and the Millennium Falcon rolled into one." Kento replied.
"Your parents and family members are very talented." K'Kruhk added as R2 beeped in agreement.
"I think so." Kento replied as K'Kruhk furrowed his brow.
"Apparently your talent for pulling the wool over my eyes until it's too late is also very good. Where did you stash Padawans Anakin and Tahiri?" K'Kruhk asked annoyed.
"I don't know, they're the ones who stowed away." Jacen replied as the two in question appeared.
"We're right here." Anakin said as K'Kruhk rolled his eyes and pulled his conical hat down over his eyes.
"If we get in trouble with the council, don't come crying to me." K'Kruhk grumbled as he crossed his arms.
"Aw come on Master K. You know that you wanted them to come along too." Jaina replied.
"Yes but through the proper channels not by stowing away." K'Kruhk grumbled as the Mynock flew through space. Unknown to them a green AIAT/i Gunship roared after them from a distance through the system shortly before the Mynock made the jump to hyperspace.
"Now where are you off to Jedi?" the pilot in green Mandalorian armor asked as a list of possible destinations appeared on the screen.
"Like you can run from me…the Boba Fett." The Mandalorian scoffed with a laugh as he selected the Rattatak System from the list and the Slave IV raced off into hyperspace.
Meanwhile on Coruscant…
Han Solo and Chewbacca were both working on the Millennium Falcon on one of the landing pads at 500 Republica as C-3PO hurried towards the two.
"Master Solo, Master Solo!" the Protocol droid said eagerly as the two turned towards him.
"What's the hurry Golden rod?" Han asked.
"Mistress Leia says it is urgent that you get inside her office, she says that she wants you there when she receives a special call." The Protocol droid replied as Han shrugged.
"Ok then, we can't keep her worshipfulness waiting, come on Chewy!" Han said as he and his Wookie companion hurried inside.
"Oh good you're here…" Leia said as she stood up, "…brace yourself, this is going to be one hell of an interesting call."
"How so?" Han asked as a hologram of Leia's Droid receptionist appeared.
"Chancellor Solo, the call you have been expecting is coming through." The droid reported as Leia took a deep breath and nodded.
"Ok put him through." Leia instructed. Suddenly the Hologram of the droid receptionist was replaced by the all too familiar hologram of none other than…
"Boba Fett?" Han asked in shock.
"Solo…it's been a while since we last met." The unmasked Bounty hunter replied with a genuine half-smile.
"Yeah it has." Han said, still in shock.
"You can't let an old grudge go can you?" Fett asked.
"Well when the same guy hunts you frequently for years you kind of grow to hate the guy." Han replied.
"Then allow me to try and make amends. I've been named the new leader of the Mandalorian clans on Mandalor there are several here who wouldn't mind seeing Mandalor return to the Republic like it was during the days before the Clone Wars. I am not opposed. In fact that Jedi who bested me at Carkoon not only has garnered my distain…but also my deepest respect." Fett offered as Leia arched a surprised eyebrow.
"You mean Mandalor wants to join the Republic?" Leia asked as Fett crossed his arms.
"We will only consider it under one condition…you help us with something first." Fett replied.
"So what trap are you wanting us to fall into?" Han asked as Leia gave him a glare.
"Relax Solo, I just want you or those Jedi friends of yours to play the Bounty Hunter this time is all." Fett replied.
"We're not going to kill anyone if that's what you're suggesting." Leia said as Fett shook his head.
"No, I don't want you to kill the target just determine whether or not they're dead or alive then have her or whatever's left of her brought to me here on Mandalor." Fett replied as Leia and Han furrowed their respective brows.
"Her?" Leia asked.
"Yes, I want you to find one, Ailyn Vel. A half-Kiffar, half-human bounty hunter from Concord Dawn." Fett replied.
"Why's this bounty hunter so important?" Han asked.
"Because she's been impersonating me all across the galaxy…that and there's a personal precedent involved." Fett replied.
"What kind of 'personal precedent?" Han asked. Fett paused for a moment, apparently mulling it over, before he answered.
"Simply put…she's my daughter."
End Chapter 2.
I am borrowing a bunch of characters from the Expanded Universe, mostly because I find them cool.
The Mynock is supposed to be the same one from the Star Wars Legacy comics by the way only with different modifications (like the addition of a stealth system).