Star Wars is owned by George Lucas. I own nothing; this is my creative twist to the series

Chapter 12: Forced Journey To Tatooine

Not wanting to hang around any longer on Malachor IV's surface, Anakin lifted the ship out of the inner atmosphere of the planet until the planet was well and truly behind them when Anakin turned to his brother.

"So, has the bounty hunter's ship landed yet?" he asked while Obi Wan checked the tracking device. "He's just left hyperspace and entering the planet's atmosphere" he explained. "Where?" Anakin quickly asked as Obi Wan felt a lump in his throat. "Tatooine. He's going to Tatooine" he finally told him seeing Anakin go silent, looking back out through the cock pit then he snapped, "Tatooine, he's taken them to Tatooine!" he shouted, "Obi Wan, Padme can't be there. If the hutts find out that she's a Senator, she'll be in even more danger!"

Obi Wan was then quick to point out, "What if it was the hutts who hired the bounty hunter to kidnap her?" as Anakin argued back, But that still doesn't explain how he knew she was Malachor IV, no one knew except for Lord Maul and…" he trailed off, turning around, to look around the cockpit. "Starkiller" he angrily spat right as Sabe entered the cockpit. "Sabe! Where is the administrator!" he snapped startling her before Obi Wan looked at him, confused.

"Anakin, we can't just jump to conclusions" he warned him however Anakin just snapped once more, "Where is he!" he shouted not seeing her start to shake, "He's…he's…he's with Dorme in the state room" she stuttered before he just rushed past her, ignoring his brother's calls after him, "Anakin, wait!" he heard him call out before he simply rushed after him hoping to stop from losing control even more.

Landing just outside Jabba's palace, Bane moved away from the ship's controls and towards the sleeping quarters, to where he was keeping the Senator and her friend, unconscious of course.

He stopped halfway when he heard more footsteps coming back up the landing ramp then he saw who it was-tall, white skinned female, wearing an orange jumpsuit finished with black tall boots and an utility belt around the waist while on her back, was where she kept her long trusty sniper rifle. Her hair was positioned right in the middle before he followed straight down the back, in one long plait. He knew her immediately: Aurra Sing: Jedi turned bounty hunter.

"Bane" she spoke in a sharp clear voice, "Have you brought the prisoners as ordered?" she asked seeing him nod. "Yes, but not on Naboo. Detoured to Malachor IV, easier and the Jedi were distracted by another bounty hunter" he replied moving back towards the sleeping quarters. "Keen to get the job done?" Aurra asked as he just snarled,

"And it's just another Senator less to deal with in the future" he told her assuming that Xizor would keep a sharp leash on her. "Where's Robonino?" he asked as she replied back, "He's already inside the palace awaiting his next set of orders" entering the sleeping quarters after him and saw the two young females, lying on two sleeping bunks-asleep, hands tied behind their backs and gags over their mouths.

She looked over at Padme, "Doesn't look much like a Senator?" she scoffed as he nodded. "True but Xizor's paying me a fortune for her and intend to complete the job" he informed her, lifting Padme's sleeping form into his arms while Aurra moved for Hannah before moving out after him when he spoke again. "Have you found a good sniping position to be able to see the Jedi?" he asked as she nodded. "Yes. There are some jagged cliffs just outside of the palace with an excellent view of the surroundings. I should be able to see the Jedi coming from a mile away" she explained as he smirked, "Good work but you're not to shoot them until they are outside. The prince has instructed that the slimy gangster hutt is to finish them" he informed her.

Descending the lamping ramp and proceeding over to the large, metal entrance to the palace, he knocked twice before the door suddenly started to rise open and they continued down the dark, poorly lit hallway and down to the cells finding two of Jabba's guards, two slave girls and Jabba' aide Bib Fortuna, Bane remembered awaiting them.

"Bo shuda Cad Bane" Bib Fortuna spoke, "Coona tee-tocky malia?" he asked only seeing Bane glare at him. "It wasn't that long this time" he snapped back, handing Padme over to one of the guards while Aurra did the same with Hannah. "Have these two dressed more suitably for their presentation to Jabba" he explained watching them move off deeper into the palace as Bane simply ignored Bib Fortuna and looked to Aurra. "Get into position. They'll be here soon" he told her, "I'll go find Robonino" he instructed leaving the cells once again.

Without even a warning, Anakin burst straight into the stateroom startling Dorme and the Administrator, who was still resting from his encounter with Bane earlier. However Anakin didn't care, leaping straight for him, grabbing him by his robes holding him to the wall.

"How did that bounty hunter know we were on Malachor IV!" he exclaimed, "Tell me now!" he snapped right as Obi Wan and Sabe ran into the room, watching Brendan tremble in fear. "I…I…..already told you, Lord Maul hired Jango to come after you" he stuttered as Anakin tightened his grip. "No! Not him! The other one! The one who's got Padme right now!" he shouted back seeing him shake his head,

"I…I…..I don't know. I've never seen him before. I don't think Lord Maul hired him" he replied as Obi Wan spoke up, "Anakin, don't let your anger consume you. I think he's telling the truth" he told him but Anakin laughed, "What? Ben, how can you trust him! He betrayed us on Bespin, what's to say he didn't betray again!" he exclaimed

Obi Wan moved closer while Brendan stuttered even more, "I really don't know who he is. I've never seen him before. He just tossed me aside like I was nothing" he informed them. Obi Wan placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, "Anakin, I'm sensing that he's telling the truth. Remember when Padme was attacked on Courscant, even though it was Jango who was behind it. How do we not know whoever hired him, hired others to go after her" he explained as Anakin just looked over at his brother, confused,

"Why would the hutts kidnap Padme?" he asked, "She's only been Senator for a few weeks" he reminded him as Obi Wan slowly nodded. "I don't know why but don't worry Anakin, we'll rescue her" he assured him, "I promise, I want Hannah back too. I can't imagine Hannah and Padme being Jabba's prisoners like mom and grandmother were" he finished seeing Anakin slowly jump down from the bed, moving away from the group. "At least you weren't there Obi Wan. You never saw what I saw day and night when I was there with them" he sadly and slowly replied before he silently left the stateroom leaving Obi Wan alone with Brendan and Dorme.

He turned back to them "Anakin was three years old when slavers kidnapped him, our mother and grandmother" he explained going on "Right from the Courscant marketplace directly to Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine. Jabba kept mom and grandmother but sold Anakin to another seller" pausing for a moment "Luckily grandfather, dad, his former apprentice Xanatos and I arrived just in time to save them all" he pointed out as his mind flashed back to that day

Flashback

Landing down on the yellow white sands of Tatooine, Qui Gon didn't want to believe they were here to save half his own family from slavery. They all descended the ramp when Obi Wan spoke. "Dad, we don't have much time left" as Qui Gon looked at him. "What do you mean son?" he asked as he went on, "Anakin's been calling to me through the force and they're going to sell him to another slaver shortly" as fear clutched Qui Gon's heart and he picked up his pace. "Come on, let's go deal with this hutt" he told him moving towards the palace. They were nearing the front entrance when it started to open, ducking out of the way, they saw a group of burly guards with two other men dressed as common slavers and in their grip was young Anakin. "I guess shortly meant now" Obi Wan muttered, moving for his weapon as Qui Gon had done. "We'll intercept them now" he told them as all four Jedi ignited their lightsabers and leapt over the jagged rocks straight for the slavers and guards. The sound of their lightsabers caused them all to turn towards them. "Jedi scum!" the first slaver spoke, shoving Anakin into his friend's arms. "Take him and get out of here" he ordered watching him run. "Xanatos! Obi Wan! Go after Anakin!" Qui Gon ordered just as Xanatos rolled his eyes in annoyance but followed his master's orders. He forced pushed the slaver to the ground at the same time Obi Wan leapt for Anakin who smiled happily to see him. "You're under arrest slaver" Obi Wan told him watching Xanatos cuff the man as Jacen and Qui Gon handled the guards and slaver. "Daddy!" Anakin cried seeing them approach making him smile. "Good to see you again son" he smiled as Qui Gon started to turn back to the palace. "Xanatos, stay here with Obi Wan, Anakin and the slavers. Jacen and I will free Shmi and Allana" he instructed. Xanatos was not pleased. "Master, I can help. Please, Obi Wan's fine on his own with them" he argued but Qui Gon shook his head. "No, you are to remain here" he ordered before heading inside the palace before Anakin smirked proudly, "I told mommy that dad would come for us" as Obi Wan laughed but Xanatos just grunted in annoyance.

Well, like both Jacen and Qui Gon predicted Jabba had not been willing to free his two new slaves and dropped them down into the rancor pit. "Vile hutt" Jacen spat as a loud roar could be heard "Oh poo doo that's not good" Qui Gon muttered before they saw the large rancor moving towards them. They ignited their weapons and ran to each side of the creature, in an attempt to confuse him though he was a tough creature and finally Jacen had enough and simply threw his lightsaber straight into his chest hearing him cry out in pain then seconds later, he was dead on the ground. Brought before Jabba, Qui Gon and Jacen warned him that if he didn't release Shmi or Allana, he would brought forward to the Republic for ALL his crimes. "Jeedai poodoo!" he roared but gave in and released them. Embracing happily, Qui Gon felt Shmi crying into his chest. "Oh it was awful and they took Anakin away!" she cried before he gently re assured her, "Well, not really. We got to the entrance just as slavers were leaving with Anakin but we handled them and he's outside with Obi Wan and Xanatos" he assured her as she smiled, "Oh Qui Gon" she cried happily, kissing him tenderly while Allana and Jacen kissed before both wrapped them warmly in their cloaks and exited the palace where they were reunited with Obi Wan and Anakin. "Good to see you again mom" Obi Wan smiled as she hugged both her sons, "Oh, I thought I would never see either of you again" she cried as Anakin looked up at her, "Never worry again mom" he promised her

End of flashback

Noticing his brother's quiet behaviour since they re entered the cockpit and entered hyperspace, Obi Wan knew why. "I can never know what you experienced that time but it's in the past now" he tried to assure him as Anakin just nodded not turning around, "Yeah I know. It's just sometimes I hear the word Tatooine, I remember what happened at the palace and seeing mom and grandma dressed in those slave outfits is something I can't see Padme in" he told him allowing a small smirk, "Though it would only show how truly beautiful she is" as Obi Wan just rolled his eyes, "Oh Anakin, I'm sure she doesn't want you to say that to her" he warned him reaching for a drink off the tray 3PO had brought in while Anakin just scanned over the ship's controls in an attempt to distract himself from thinking about where Padme was right now.

Her eyes felt heavy, she found her shivering from the coldness and her wrists and feet were strapped down to a cold metal table. She felt something tight around her neck before she lifting her head slightly and found herself wearing a gold metal bikini top and skirt with deep purple fabric in the middle. The skirt had slits up the sides and her midriff was exposed. Her hair was woven into a long neat plait down the back of her head. Turning her head slightly, she saw Hannah in the same outfit, strapped to another table and her head wound was cleaned and bandaged. "Oh Anakin, please help me" she cried before she heard her friend. "Good to see you up" Hannah smiled over at her, "Where are we?" Padme asked, "Do you know where he's taken us?" she added seeing her shake her head. "Sadly no, I remembered falling asleep on the way here but I think we're on Tatooine. Because he did mention something about the hutts" she explained as Padme felt herself shaking, "Why would the hutts want us?" Padme asked seeing Hannah shrug slightly, "I don't know but Anakin's past with the hutts isn't going make this any happier for him" she told her. Padme was about to ask what she meant by that but the door slid open and they watched two guards and Bane enter the room. The guards moved over to them, snapping a chain onto their neck chain each before unlocking the restraints around their wrists and feet. Stubborn and refusing to move, Bane snarled, lifting Padme's chin up with his right hand, "You shouldn't defy me Senator, You'll see your Jedi friends die soon" he explained. She smiled, "That's what you think" she spat before the guards simply yanked their chains hard, pulling them from the cell up to the throne room, who was watched them closely before the protocol droid spoke. "Cad Bane, the almighty Jabba wants to know have you brought the prisoners as ordered?" they asked seeing him nod, "Indeed, I have. I present to you Senator Amidala and her friend, captured away from the Jedi to be delivered to you as promised" he informed him as Jabba's eyes moved over to the two girls, struggling in the grip of the two guards. Jabba then spoke in Huttese, "Ootman's shag. Bargon u noa-a-uyat" he informed them before the droid then translated, "Jabba says that the outlanders will be his slaves and you will be rewarded for bringing them to him" they spoke as both guards brought forth a struggling Padme and Hannah. Padme was attempting to slow them down by digging the heels of her boots in the ground however the guard just lifted her up and over to him. Padme pulled away in disgust but her chain only pulled her back closer to the hutt. "You will soon regret kidnapping us when the Jedi get here" she angrily spat only to hear Jabba roared in laughter followed by the rest of Jabba's gang inside the throne room.

Not looking forward to report back his failure to Lord Maul, Jango landed cautious and secretively in the city of Theed, finding the cover of nightfall was the perfect cover for him to make his way through the palace. Of course, unknown to him, Lord Maul already knew of his arrival and he took it upon himself to greet the bounty hunter. "So you have failed in capturing the Senator?" he asked straight out, startling him as he entered the main entrance hall of the palace. "I'm sorry Lord Maul, another bounty hunter captured her right under my nose. I had the Jedi distracted and that's when the other bounty hunter attacked" he explained however Lord Maul was not pleased. "Jango, you fool!" he snapped, "I gave you a simple task and you let them escape. Escape from a planet virtually dead itself" he pointed out as Jango felt his yellow eyes staring directly at him but he thanked himself for still wearing his helmet. "Fool! Why didn't you go after them instead of coming back here?" he asked as Jango didn't hesitate but replied. "I thought I should inform you of what has happened and await your new orders" he told him watching him moving over to one of the palace's large windows. "Well, we can't do anything without the Senator. We have the Queen but not the Senator and she can convince the Senator to sign the treaty" he explained just as a new plan came to him. "So, your new mission is to remain here and when they land, you'll intercept before they can reach the palace. I'll take on the Jedi and you'll bring the Senator to the Viceroy" he instructed him seeing him nod in agreement, "Yes my lord" he simply replied.

Deciding that they've spent enough time on Cloud City, Qui Gon and Ahsoka quickly headed back to their ship to find an incoming message had been left for them. Ahsoka moved over to the controls to check who the message was from. "Master, we've appeared to have just received a message from Anakin" she started, "He says that he's going to Tatooine because apparently when they were on Malachor IV, the Senator and Hannah were captured by an unknown bounty hunter" she explained while he looked over her shoulder. "Well, we have our next destination then" he pointed out as she looked confused, "Master?" she asked while he simply smiled, "We must go help them. Tatooine will bring bad memories for Anakin, of an incident that happened when he was younger" he told her, moving into the pilot's seat and taking control of the ship. "Master Qui Gon, why do you think someone kidnapped Senator Amidala and brought her to Tatooine?" she asked, "Could it be linked back to what happened here?" she went on as he looked over at her. For still a young student, Ahsoka was very inquisitive at times and it reminded him of Anakin when he was younger, "I don't know young one. The hutts are vile gangsters and it could have to do with slavers or someone wanting revenge on the Senator" he pointed out continuing to fly the ship away from the city, through the white clouds till they each saw the small white stars before them. "But whatever the true motion behind this kidnapping, we'll foil their mission from succeeding" he assured her then launching the ship into hyperspace.

As nightfall crept over Tatooine, soon everyone was asleep inside Jabba's throne room except for two. Padme could not sleep-she was uncomfortable and forced to lie before the great slimy hutt as he kept his hold on Hannah's and her's chains. She sobbed quietly before she heard Hannah speak, "Padme, are you alright?" she asked quietly as Padme sobbed more, "No…this is just horrible. I shouldn't be like this. I'm a Senator and yet here I am, a slave girl for a hutt. I might as well have married Palo and this would have never had happened" she cried while Hannah couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Padme Amidala! You can't be serious! You don't love Palo and he would hurt you!" she exclaimed, in a low voice still, trying to move closer to her. "Padme's it's going to be fine. Anakin and Obi Wan will come for us" she assured her, "Anakin loves you. They'll find us" she smiled however Padme just wasn't sure. "But Hannah, I feel that it's all a trap. What if Jabba kills Anakin and Obi Wan?" she asked, "I don't want to lose him" she cried quietly as Hannah tried to move closer to comfort her. "Padme, you won't lose him. I have faith in Anakin and Obi Wan even after all these years, they're on their way right now and they'll rescue us. That's a promise" she told her seeing her smile slightly, "Oh Hannah, that's reassuring to hear and lifted my spirits slightly" she told her. He was coming, she knew it in her heart and with Hannah's words, and she was strongly assured that he was coming.

It wasn't just Hannah and Padme who were the only ones awake inside the large palace. Cad Bane moved silently through the palace chambers to where the surveillance equipment was kept, which is where he found the other new member to his team. Robonino. He was a small, light purple skinned animal like creature with red glaring eyes, who knew how to work his way around various technologies in any building he was asked to work on. Jabba's palace was no different and Bane found him, fiddling around with the surveillance equipment like he had earlier been with the lighting around the palace, "How's it all going?" he asked straight out, "Will it be ready for the Jedi's arrival?" he went on seeing him turn to him, "Don't worry. I'll have it all ready in time. You'll be able to notice when the Jedi arrive right away" he explained in his rough creaky voice. "You better be right about this" Bane warned him as he went on, "I managed to tap into the palace's alarm system and the moment they enter the palace, your comm. will alert you immediately" he pointed out seeing him look at him, "You are proving yourself to me very quickly. Let's hope you don't disappoint me" he replied

Emerging from the hyperspace, Anakin was forced to see the brown, yellowish planet once more before his eyes. It hadn't changed at all after all these years. "Padme and Hannah are down there and we're going to get them off that planet before it's too late" he spoke with determination as Obi Wan listened to him, "I hear you, I mean seeing mom and grandma in those slave outfits was just horrible to see. I can't imagine seeing Hannah in one of those outfits" he told him as Anakin just sighed "Well, unfortunately it's going to be a sight to see because most beautiful girls who are brought to the hutts end up as their slaves" he sadly informed him as he flew the ship over the barren desert wastelands as R2 whistled from behind them. "Master Anakin, R2 senses that Jabba's palace is not too far ahead" 3PO informed him as Anakin nodded, "Thanks 3Po. We'll land close enough so that if we have to, we can make a quick escape" he explained while Obi Wan once again, saw the large, brown stoned palace before him. Anakin gently brought the ship down in for a landing and activated the landing ramp just as Obi Wan turned back to Captain Typho, who had recovered from his injuries by Bane, Sabe and Dorme. Brendan was still resting in the stateroom. "You three stay with the administrator in the ship. If anyone attempts to contacts the ship, you'll have to answer" he explained watching Anakin simply brush past them, out onto the sands of the barren desert. "I never thought I'd be back here" he sighed looking back into the ship, "Obi Wan, come on! Let's get this over with" he called out. "3PO, R2, you too!" he snapped hearing the two droids scuttle down the ramp followed lastly by Obi Wan. "We'll send the droids in first. While we were in hyperspace, I had R2 record a message for that fat, vile hutt" Anakin spat. Obi Wan smirked at his brother's comment before heading after him and the droids, unaware of just who was watching them.

"The Jedi have just landed and are making their way towards the palace" Aurra spoke into her comlink, while keeping an eye on them from her spot. "Excellent work, keep an eye on them until they enter the palace. Then I'll handle them once they get inside" she heard him reply. "Of course, they've brought two droids with them but they're not combat droids, it seems" she added hearing his reply, "Well that's helpful, probably think that they have some plan to rescue the Senator and her friend" as she continued to watch the two Jedi just standing outside the palace doors with their droids and as she watched them, she was reminded of her earlier days when she was a Jedi-hard to believe that she was a Jedi herself, she never really thought of herself as one and was more comfortable being a bounty hunter, sometimes she would have to hunt Jedi, and these Jedi were not different and like always, would enjoy killing her victims.

Standing at the back of the palace's throne room, Jango watched the Neimoidian Viceroy Nute Gunray and his companion, Rune Haako speaking with Lord Sidious once more. He observed how the Neimoidians appeared to be very afraid of Lord Sidious, having never met him in person before. "The invasion is on schedule, my lord" Nute informed him, "We have Naboo is under our control. However, the Queen is refusing to cooperate" he went on as Sidious spoke, "And Senator Amidala, has she arrived on the planet yet?" he asked as Nute replied, "My lord, it appears she has been captured by another bounty hunter, taken to the hutts" as Sidious snarled, "We cannot fully take over Naboo until that treaty is signed and with Senator Amidala and the Queen as our prisoners, Naboo will fall to us" he assured them. "Inform me once you have the Senator" he finished before the hologram faded and Nute turned to look over at Jango, "It appears your failure to capture the Senator has delayed our plans further, bounty hunter" he pointed out as Jango only stared straight back at him, a stare that caused the Viceroy to quickly turn away back to his companion. "You didn't tell Lord Sidious about the Queen's secret transmission sent out to Courscant before we captured her" he told him seeing Nute smirk. "It was not important and worthless if the Senator is not on Courscant" he simply reminded him.

"Anakin, are you sure Jabba will fall this, believing that we are giving these droids to him as a gift?" Obi Wan asked, as Anakin smirked, "Of course, the hutts don't think much and he'll take like he does with his slaves" he assured him hearing the door open and R2 wheeled right into the palace with 3PO worryingly hurrying after him. "R2, wait for me! Oh, I have a bad feeling about this" they heard him call out to R2 while Anakin just sniggered with Obi Wan just rolling his eyes. "You are really teasing 3PO, aren't you?" he asked just as Anakin smiled, "But it's the only way to trick the slimy disgusting hutt" he pointed out hearing the door close once again. Anakin sighed. "I don't know how dad did it, but I just want to go in there right now and hold my lightsaber to Jabba's neck, threatening him to release Padme" he admitted as Obi Wan laughed one hand on his brother's shoulder. "Being a good Jedi, means to have patience and eventually you'll succeed" he reminded him. "I mean it's horrible to think of Hannah as Jabba's slave like Padme is, hopefully not for any longer" he added.

The music inside the throne room was loud and entertaining to all as the band continued to play and the dancers were forced to dance for Jabba, except for Padme and Hannah who were stuck chained to the hutt. Padme could feel every male's eyes on her and it made her sick. She sighed once more, fiddling with her skirt when she heard a familiar droid whistling into the throne room and Hannah gasped, "Padme, look who's here!" she whispered and sure enough, there was R2 and 3Po descending the stairs as Bib Fortuna moved next to the silver droid who turned to Jabba. "Mighty Jabba, these droids wish to give you a message" they told him as he just looked back at the droids, "Bo shuda" he spoke before 3PO muttered to R2, "The message R2, play Master Ani's message!" he snapped as R2 only whistled and activated the message and seconds later, the hologram of Anakin Skywalker appeared-Padme's heart lifted as just seeing his face again. "Greetings mighty Jabba, allow me to introduce myself" he started, "I am Anakin Skywalker Jinn of the Jedi Order, friend to Senator Padme Amidala and her friend" he spoke as Jabba laughed, "You have made a great mistake kidnapping the Senator to keep as your own personal slave and I seek an audience to have you release them to me" he went on causing Jabba to laugh more while Padme and Hannah looked at the hologram once more, "What's he doing?" Padme asked curiously as Hannah started to understand what he's up to, "Oh, he's got a plan alright" she whispered back, "Too 3Po doesn't know it" she smirked. "As a token of my goodwill, I offer you a gift" Anakin went on, "This two droids" he added meaning R2 and 3Po. "Oh my!" 3Po gasped, "R2, this isn't right" he muttered hitting his droid friend on his dome head, "Both will become loyal to you and serve you well" he finished before his hologram disappeared and a small laughter could be heard coming from the crowd as Padme and Hannah could hear his assistant murmuring in Huttese to the hutt when Jabba spoke once more, "Soong peetch alay, cha skrunee da pat" he told them as 3Po became worried even more before Jabba pulled back on Padme's chain then closed the deal at the same time, two large gamorrean guards shoved 3Po and R2 out of the throne room, towards the lower levels. "Oh, I knew this was a bad idea" 3Po muttered but R2 wasn't concerned, he already knew the rest of Anakin's plan.

Having watched the message being played out from the back of the throne room, Bane had already known that the Jedi wouldn't back down so easily but he also knew Jabba and most of the hutt's enemies always ended up victims at the sarlacc pit. As the music and dancing resumed once more, Bane was distracted by his comlink chiming, a warning like Robonino had told him, meaning that the Jedi had finally entered the palace, the last place that they would enter alive.