Chapter Nine

STRANGER

.:Tatooine:.

After a near fatal breakdown in hyperspace when the power had suddenly died (forcing them to temporarily land on an asteroid,) the sleek starship finally landed in the hectic spaceport of Mos Eisley and Piett exhaled in relief. Though still feeling like wringing Jixton's neck, he had to admit that it was the Corellian's calm and mechanical skills that had gotten them safely to Tatooine after drifting in space for almost a day.

And now they were facing a new problem. The ship had to be repaired, but they weren't exactly inconspicuous. Piett and Jixton could dress casually enough to fit in among the merchants and traders, but the troopers weren't as easily disguised.

"We'll just have to leave them on the ship or dress them from head to toe in rags." Jixton answered Piett's thoughts, which earned him a distasteful glance from the seven troopers. "What a cheerful load."

Piett had always addressed the stormtroopers by rank, if at all, but upon seeing their faces he had felt the urge to call them by their names. The clones were different, yes, but they weren't droids. They said they didn't mind, that they had only come up with nicknames for the use of their brothers, but Piett tried hard to remember their names nonetheless.

He knew that the ones in charge were CC-224, or Commander Cody as the troopers called him, and Captain Rex, CT-7567. He had also managed to memorize the name Chip do to the fact that he was the only trooper who wasn't a clone. He seemed a little out of place next to the older and identical clones, but Piett saw in his eyes that his conviction was just as strong.

Piett realised that these had to be some of the top soldiers to have served in the 501st. Some might even have flown with Vader.

"I need to get some supplies and equipment, then we need to get out of here." Jixton said from the cockpit. "I'll be right back. Try not to blow the ship while I'm gone."

Piett just nodded. He had given up trying to argue with the man. Apparently Jixton wasn't one to follow orders, unless they came from Vader. Piett made his way to the cockpit, hoping to find a moment of peace, but it didn't take long before one of the troopers came up to him. It was the commander.

"Sir, with your permission, I'd like to take four troopers with me to take a look around the docks. See if there's any trouble. Captain Rex and Chip will stay here to guard the ship."

Piett nodded. "Very well, Commander. Go ahead."

"Thank you, Sir. We'll report back in an hour."

Piett sighed as they left. He finally had a moment of solitude. He was still worried about Thrawn's plans, but something told him that the Chiss wouldn't bother to seek them out. Still, he couldn't quite believe their luck. With Vader around, no one would have gotten off the Executor just like that. Not even Jixton. And Piett was quite sure that by now Thrawn had noticed his absence.

But he's got enough to worry about to start chasing deserters.

Less than an hour later, Jixton returned with clothing and some food supply. Reluctantly Piett took off his uniform and pulled on the tunic Jixton was offering him. He then secured his blaster underneath the garment.

"You'd better start explaining."

Jixton pretended not to hear him.

"I did not agree to be dragged across the galaxy. Where exactly are we going?"

Jixton rolled his eyes and handed Piett a small device. "Fine. Go ahead. Have a look… as long as you're quiet. D gave me that. My last mission so to speak..."

Piett made a move to interrupt, but Jixton cut him off. "And one more thing. You're technically the one who dragged us here."

Piett clenched his jaw. The man really was a pest. "And the plan?"

Jixton huffed. "Look, it's all there in your hands… for once."

Piett was too busy studying the device in his hands to notice Jixton's sarcastic remark. He switched on the datapad and in the next moment a coded message appeared on the screen.

Here are your orders, Jixton. Don't fail me. I want this done and ready to be executed by the time the rebel attack comes.

I need you to go to Bast Castle and collect the data crystals I mentioned earlier. Then take the information I gave you and make sure it falls into rebel hands.

"What?" Piett said under his breath, trying to comprehend.

Be discreet. No questions asked. Make sure things go according to plan. And make sure that the other message I gave you reaches Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi...

Piett didn't notice that his jaw had dropped lower for every word.

Jixton snorted. "And I thought I looked stupid when I first read it."

Soon the Emperor will be gone and I most likely with him. The plans I gave you should be enough to ensure a rebel victory.

The message ended and Piett was left frozen in place – the last words echoing in his mind. To ensure a rebel victory…

"Well…" Rex, who had come up behind Piett, said after a long moment of silence. "I for one didn't see that coming."

"Who did?" Jixton muttered as he emerged from the cockpit and took the datapad from Piett's numb hands. "Ready to come along now, Admiral?"

"Yes." He responded quietly. "I believe I am."

-0-0-0-

The stranger stopped in the doorway of the packed cantina, his eyes making note of every single detail. A swirl of sand blew through the door before it closed, and several eyes turned to look at the newcomer. He was tall and lean, and covered from head to toe in a brown robe.

Skye Starkiller ignored the stares. His face was covered and his right hand was concealed in a black glove, knowing that it would otherwise draw unwanted attention. It had been risky coming to Tatooine, but at least it was his home turf. He knew his way around and he knew how to get what he wanted, though it wouldn't be easy.

Pirates, smugglers, bandits, bounty hunters and merchants could all be very unpredictable. Skye's first thought had been to stay at the Lars' old moisture farm, but his mind had changed upon seeing the ruins. He hadn't known that Owen and Beru had been so brutally murdered: burned alive while trying to protect what was theirs. Standing in the ruins, he had been able to feel the echo of their deaths… and that was it – he couldn't stay.

He had always despised the new stormtroopers (consisting of volunteers and clones created at the end of the war or later during the rise of the Empire). They weren't as thoroughly created or trained as the original clones, and they lacked both heart and wit.

Only Palpatine's clones would have done something like the slaughter of two innocent people. His own 501st would never have gone that far. He wouldn't have let them.

No wonder Luke followed Obi-Wan off the planet. Skye could see it all before him as he reached into the Force. Bitterly he shook the image out of his head. There was nothing to be done about the past. He had learned that the hard way.

Skye moved smoothly past the close-fitted tables, staying well clear of bumping into any of them, which wasn't the case with most customers. Many stumbled around, grunting half-hearted apologizes and that's why his entrance didn't go unnoticed.

Under the hood Skye smiled. Dangerous or not, he enjoyed playing this game. He stopped at the bar and leaned casually closer to the alien bartender. "Can you tell me where to find someone by the name Zito?"

The bartender looked curiously at him. "Depends on who's asking. Strangers are rarely appreciated here. Especially faceless strangers…"

Skye's eyes narrowed under the hood. "Thank you, but I can't remember asking for a warning."

The bartender made a face and pointed his finger at something behind Skye. He turned slowly around to face a tall human male with dark tattooed skin and four armed men flanking him. The man was about Skye's height, but behind the façade of power and confidence was nothing but a common man. Still, Skye knew that the man was good at what he did.

"I'm Adkar Zito. And you are?"

Skye pulled off his hood, but his features were still obscured by the makeshift mask. When landing on Tatooine, Skye had known that there might be people who would recognize the face of Anakin Skywalker and even though a mask always drew attention, questions were seldom asked among criminals like pirates and bounty hunters.

"Someone who's looking to hire good men." He answered calmly.

Zito laughed. "No one looks for me or my men. I look for good men and you haven't exactly impressed me, stranger."

Skye's eyes narrowed. "Don't push your luck with me, unless you want this place to blow up."

With a flick of his hand a detonator appeared in it and Zito backed off a few steps. Some of the other guests stopped their doings as well. Fights were always an anticipated fun, but someone with a detonator meant serious danger.

Skye smiled. "I see I have your attention."

Zito's men aimed their blasters at him, but Zito raised his hands with a chuckle. "Don't. I like him. Maybe we can discuss this civilly."

Behind the façade of Skye Starkiller, Anakin Skywalker smiled and Darth Vader's eyes narrowed in pleasure. "Good."

As said, he knew how to get what he wanted.

Zito led the way to an alcove furthest away from the commotion in the cantina and offered his visitor a seat opposite him. He then dismissed his men who left reluctantly but stayed within a striking distance. Skye ignored it. They wouldn't need to interfere anyway. Taking Zito's life wasn't his desire or purpose, although he didn't quite like dealing with criminals.

"So, how may I be of service?" Zito asked with a crooked smile and ordered drinks. "I'm usually quite good at reading people, but I must admit I don't quite know where to place you."

"That's because I prefer it that way."

Zito's smile widened. "Interesting indeed."

"As for your services…" Skye continued, placing both hands on the table. "My resources say you know your ships and weapons, but most importantly information... and stealth?"

Zito's smile became a bit uncertain, which would have gone unnoticed if it hadn't been for Skye's particular talent – reading living beings with the Force.

"I might be familiar with that, yes." Zito said after a moment. "Why?"

Skye leaned closer over the table and spoke in a low voice. "Let's just say that I need to get to a certain place without attracting too much attention."

"What place?"

Skye smiled. "Ever heard of a Star Dreadnought called the Executor?"

Skye saw the change in Zito's expression and was ready to pull him back down when he made a move to stand up. Zito's men moved in closer, but Zito gave them the sign to stay away. Skye knew quite well why Zito was hesitant. An open collaboration with the Imperial fleet could mean an end to Zito's organization.

Zito shook his head and ran his fingers through his short-cut black hair. "You have to be out of your mind. I won't risk my men. What makes you even think that I would be so stupid?"

"Dealing with illegal affairs can lead you to extinction." Skye said calmly. "It wasn't very hard for me to find out about you."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Not at all. I'm just saying that misfortunes happen in this business… and a soldier like you doesn't have to be part of that."

Caught off guard, Zito's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing again. "And what tells you I'm a soldier?"

Skye just shrugged, giving Zito a reason to continue. "How do I know you're not with the Empire or the so called Rebel Alliance?"

Skye chuckled. "You can't, but trust me, neither side is attractive for me. I'm not saying neither was in the past, but that's history. You if anyone should understand that."

Zito relaxed visibly. He even managed to smile a little less scornfully. "So you're a soldier, too?"

"Something of the sort." Before Zito could ask what he meant, Skye continued. "And I'm a more than a fair pilot."

Zito smiled to himself. This man had him right on the edge and he knew that he was either someone to be trusted completely or then the absolute opposite. However, now Zito was the one with something to bargain with.

"Can I count on you?"

Zito crossed his fingers thoughtfully. "If your piloting skills are as good as you say… I'll consider it. What kind of return would we be talking about?"

Skye smiled, still unmoved by Zito's challenge. "If you can reach the requirements, I'd say around one… all in advance."

Zito raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling. "One hundred grand?"

Skye chuckled. "One million."

Zito didn't respond, but his eyes were clearly indicating a taken interest. However, despite the promising credits, he was thinking – trying to read the stranger's expression, but it was impossible. Finally he said, "I need time to think and talk to my men."

Skye nodded. "Very well. I'll give until tomorrow. Is that enough?"

Zito nodded and stood up. "One million, huh?"

"One million," Came the answer. "And I'll cover all your expenses as well."

Zito shook his head in wonder. "I hope you didn't rob anyone I know."

Skye turned to leave, but Zito stopped him. "You know where to find me, but how will I know how to find you? I don't even know your name."

"You don't have to. I'll be here tomorrow." Skye said and watched as Zito joined his men with a shake of his dark head. Before he turned around to leave, though, he said two more words. "It's Starkiller."

When Zito turned around, the man was already gone, but he knew who had spoken those words. Starkiller? That's a name I'm going to check out.

"So, what about this offer, Chief?" One of his men asked, still looking a bit skeptically in the direction of the vanished stranger. "Are we going to take it?"

"We might." Zito was surprised to find him self actually meaning it. Then he chuckled. "Yes, we just might."

When the group left through the backdoor, two casually clad men with masked helmets left as well. The blasters that had been at the ready under the grey cloaks, were unloaded and reattached to their holders. The men didn't share a word. They didn't have to.

They had both seen the weapon carefully hidden under the stranger's cloak.