"It looks like the Sand-People did this, alright. Look, there's Gaffee Sticks, Bantha Tracks, it's just I've never heard of them hitting anything this big before." Luke said. Ahsoka let out a sigh. "That's cause they didn't. But I guess they want us to think that. The Bantha tracks are Side By Side, all sand-people ride single file to hide their numbers." She told Luke. Before they went to Mos Eisley, they saw the wreck and decided to investigate. "These are the same Jawas that sold us R2 and Threepio." He told her. She bit down on her thumb nail and messed with the fabric of her ripped skirt. And then she saw something...
"Luke, come here." She said, walking to the side. She pointed at the smoking holes. "See the blast points? Those are way too accurate by Sand-People and they aren't even by their blasters... Only Imperial Stormtroopers are that precise." She told him. He looked down closer at it. "But, that doesn't make sense! Why would Imperials want to slaughter Jawas?" He asked her. She folded her arms. "I don't know everything." She said. He looked at R2 and Threepio. "If they traced the robots here, then they must have traced who they sold them to. And that would lead them back... Home!" He then ran for it.
"Wait, Luke! Wait!" She ran after him. But it was too late. He was already gone. "Ugh, great! He's acting just like his father. Always running before thinking..." She sat down in the smoldering dirt and rubbed her temples. "Come on, worthless brain! Think!" And before she broke a blood vessel, Luke came back. She sensed his sorrow. The droids were cremating the bodies of the Jawas. Luke walked up to Ahsoka.
"There's nothing you could've done Luke, if you were there. You would've been killed too... And the droids would be in the hands of the Empire." She said. He then looked up. "I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing for me here, now... I want to learn the ways of the force and become a Jedi... Like my father." He said. She smiled at him. "A deal is a deal... We're going to Mos Eisley first... To the Saloon." She said.
"What for?" He asked. "Find a pilot." She said. Luke wasn't about to argue with her. She's got an advantage on him. Both in age and knowledge. She's seen it all. And they sped off in his Landspeeder. Stopping on a hill, she leaped out of the speeder and looked at the city. "Mos Eisely Spaceport. You'll never find a more wretched hide of scum and villanry. Of course, that's what Anakin always used to say." She smiled. "So, why are we starting at the Saloon? Can't we find better pilots somewhere else?" He asked. "Nah. Luke, take this to heart. If you wanna find a lowlife, you start at the Saloon." She smirked.
He just shrugged as she jumped back into the speeder. They headed for the Spaceport but Imperials held them up. "How long have you had these droids?" The Captain asked. "About 3 or 4 seasons." Luke said. "They're up for sale if you want them." Ahsoka grinned. "Let me see your Identification." He said. She squinted her eyes and waved her hand at his face. "You don't need to see his identification." She said.
"We don't need to see his identification." The Captain said. She then kept her eyes squinted and waved her hand again. "These aren't the droids your looking for."
"These aren't the droids we're looking for." Luke stared at her in amazement. "He can go about his business." She finished off. "You can go about your business." The Captain said. "Move along." She said. "Move along," The Captain said, pushing them forward. The speeder parked outside the Saloon and a Jawa was checking out the Speeder. Threepio made a comment. "Go on. Get." Luke pushed them off. "I still don't know how we got passed those troops! I thought we were dead." He said. Ahsoka pulled off her robe and tied it around her waist.
"The Force can have a strong impact on the weak-minded, Luke. I'll teach that to ya someday." She grinned. He nodded and looked at the Saloon. "You really think we're gonna find a pilot here that'll take us to Alderaan?" He asked. She shrugged. "It's worth a shot. Some of the best pilots hang around the Spaceport, looking for opportunities like this. And then, some transport Thugs or people who work for Exchange... Be careful." She told him. "Course. Your the Jedi." He said. She rolled her eyes and walked inside. Luke was pretty far behind her. Ahsoka then recognized someone. "Chewbacca?" She said.
He looked up and looked at her funny. "It's me. Ahsoka! Remember back when I was a Youngling... We were hunted on that Planet by Trandoshans?" She reminded. He then remembered her. "Wow... It's been a while since I've seen you... Listen, I uh... I'm in a situation. You see, me and my friend... We need a pilot. We'll pay anything. Know where we could do that?" She asked. He purred at her and she got it. "You work on a Freighter? Wow. Miss a lot in 20 years." She said. Then Luke stood next to her, asking the Bartender for a drink. He looked around, seeing how easily these people can get wasted. And then, someone grabbed his shoulder and said something he didn't understand. So he just looked back down.
And then another guy grabbed his shoulder. "He doesn't like you." He said. "Well, sorry." Luke said. "I don't like you either." He said, grabbing Luke's shoulder. "You just watch yourself! We're wanted men. I have a death sentence on 12 systems." He said. "I'll be careful." Luke said. And he roughly grabbed his shoulder. "You'll be dead!" He yelled. Ahsoka looked up and snapped her fingers. "Hey, he's not worth your trouble, sir. I'll get you something." She said. And then, he grabbed Luke and threw him into a table, knocking it over. He bashed his head in and the men pulled out their blasters... Ahsoka then pulled out her lightsaber, deflected the shot and with one swipe, cut the man's arm off. He fell to the ground and screamed.
Luke stared as the severed limb laid there and the blaster was still attached. Ahsoka backed up and closed the lightsaber. Everyone then went back to their business. She shrugged at Chewbacca and went to Luke, helping him to his feet. "You alright?" She asked. "Yeah." he said, rubbing his head. She motioned towards Chewbacca. "Chewbacca here is an old friend. Also, he's first mate on a ship that might suit us." She grinned. They walked to a table and a man sat in front of them. "Han Solo. I'm Captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here says your looking for passage to the Alderaan system." He said.
"Yep. If it's a fast ship." She folded her hands on the table. "Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?" He said. "Well, I've missed a lot in 20 years. I didn't even know Chewbacca had a job." Ahsoka said. "Well, it's the ship that made the Kessler run in less than 12 parsecs." He said. She grinned. "That is fast."
"I outrun Imperial Starships. Not the local Bulk Cruisers mind ya, I'm talkin' about the big Corillean Ships now." He said. "She's fast enough for you, Smart-ass." He said. She grinned. "If I've learned anything in my solitude, its that, To be a smart-ass, make sure your smart first. Otherwise, your just an ass." She grinned, kicking her feet on the table. Luke was shocked. She's the most straight forward, smack talking woman he's ever met. Han let her comment go. "What's the Cargo?"
"Only passengers. Me, the boy, two droids, and no questions asked. Understand?" She said. He laughed. "What is it, some kind of local trouble?" He asked. "You could say that. You could also say, we're not wanting to be in any... Imperial Entanglements." She said. "Well, that's the real trick, ain't it? And it's gonna cost ya something extra... 10,000. All in advanced." He said. Ahsoka grinned but Luke went berserk. "10,000?! We could almost buy our own ship for that!" He said. "But who's gonna fly it, kid? You?" Han said. "You bet I could! I'm not such a bad pilot myself! We don't have to sit here and listen, Ahsoka, come on!" He said, standing up but she shook her head.
"Nah... Here's the deal. We can pay you 3,000 now... Plus 18,000 when we reach Alderaan... Safely." She said. He gaped at her. "20,000?" He said. She took her feet off the table. "You bet your ass, 20,000." She said. He smirked. "Alright, you guys got yourselves a ship. We'll leave as soon as your ready. Docking Bay 94." He said. "94. Got it. Ready?" She looked at Luke. Then Han called her out. "Looks like someone's beginning to take an interest in your... Handiwork." He said. She saw Imperials.
"Oh great. Come on, we better go." She grabs Luke's arm and pulled him into the dark corner of the Saloon. And when the Troopers were out of there, they left. "You're gonna have to sell that speeder of yours." She said. "That's alright, I'm never coming back here, again." He said. Then she coughed. "Ugh. We'll only get 15,00 out of that." She held up her second lightsaber. "I'll be back. Gonna go sell this." She said. "Wait, Ahsoka! What are you doing?" He asked. "We need the money, Luke. It's the only way we're getting out of here." She said.
"How much is it worth?" He asked. "Rare weapon. Say about 10,000. It was 20 back when I was a Padawan... Won't forget the day that my lightsaber was stolen. That woman put up quite a chase." She said to herself. "You lost your lightsaber?" He asked. "Long story... I'll tell you one day. For now, we need the Credits." She said. He nodded and then took his speeder to the market. Ahsoka went inside the weaponry shop and smiled at the man behind the counter. "You run this shop?" She said. "Who wants to know?" He said back. She smirked.
"Name's Tano. Ahsoka Tano." It felt really good to say her real name again. "Reness. Jared Reness. What's your business?" He said. "I'm selling this," She held up her lightsaber. "And uh... Where'd a gentle Kitty-Cat like you pick up a weapon like this?" He said. She growled. "Look, I'm pretending to be in a hurry. What can you give me?" She said. "Any modifications?" He asked. "I replaced the cells and upgraded the fixture cells. It runs a lot smoother than 20 years ago." She said. "Ah... Uh-huh. Show me," he gave it to her. She took the lightsaber from her and she threw a magazine in the air before slicing it in half. "Proof enough for ya? Now, what's it worth?" She said. "15." He said. "15,000? Deal." She grinned. "Pleasure doing business with you, Kitty." He smiled. "And uh... Don't call me Kitty. Ever again." She said. "Fine." He went in the back and he came back out with a suitcase. She looked at it.
"It's all there?" She asked. "Yep." She opened the case and he was telling the truth. It was all there. "Thanks." She grinned. "Pleasure doing business with you." And she left. Luke was selling his Speeder and walked over to her. "I only got this." He held out 8,000. "That'll be enough. Come on." She pushed on his shoulder. "If that ship is as fast as his mouth, we'll make great time."