As promised, here's another super-fast update. I've been in a Star Wars mood recently (as opposed to NCIS and Psych haha….).

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any of its characters. I do own Lord Zarlo Regus, though. I like him.

If I can write 1,000+ words for you, I think you can spare 2 or 3 for me. Please?

Obi-Wan was beginning to regret bringing these smugglers into the Temple. It was against the rules anyway, but he felt like Regus needed some reassurance that he'd keep his promise about the factories on Aurumain.

But, Regus and his band of unruly smugglers were acting like Luke and Leia at a swoop race. Obi-Wan assumed that at least half of them were drunk and the other half acted like this naturally.

"Hey, Jedi, do we get a lightsaber?" one hooted loudly.

"Is there a gift shop?"

"Can I take a holo-shot with Yoda?"

"So, when we get those factories, do they come with a nice neighborhood for us and all the workers like we did here?"

Regus approached him and leaned in, whispering, "I apologize for my men. They are very good pilots, I promise you that, Master Kenobi."

"Quite all right," Obi-Wan assured him, even though it was obvious that it wasn't. Every corner he turned, a new face would give the band an odd look, and then scurry off to tell someone.

"Don't worry," Regus said, obviously sensing his worry. "Once they get their assurance of the factories, and a place to call base, they'll settle down."

The group rounded the last corner and Obi-Wan nearly crashed into another Jedi.

"Yes, I know I brought them in here. Just hurry along and go spread the news!" Obi-Wan cried, exasperated.

"Oh, no. I'd rather say hello to all of your friends, Obi," Anakin grinned. "Actually, I need to stay with you all. I'm on the run from the healer."

Obi-Wan, not yet informed that Anakin was awake (and walking, and making jokes), threw his arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"Miss me? And the sound of my melodic voice?"

"Just come on, I'll brief you on the way to the Council chamber," he said.

"So, who are your friends?" Anakin asked as he limped awkwardly beside Obi-Wan.

"Smugglers. And the best in the galaxy, Chosen One," Regus answered.

"Oh. So you know me?"

"And you know me?" Regus raised a perfectly dyed white eyebrow.

"Masters Kenobi, Skywalker, meaning of this, what is?" Yoda hobbled his way out of the chamber.

"It's for good reason, no doubt about that," Obi-Wan assured the old Jedi Master. "They're going to help take down the Fireshadow ship."

"For a small compensation of the mountain moon of Aurumain," Regus butted in, stepping forward and bowing as low as he could go. "Lord Zarlo Regus of the Smugglers' Union, at your service, Master Jedi."

"You offered them a moon?" Anakin asked in awe. "Even I don't give away moons."

Yoda shook his head and closed his eyes, deep in thought, and then said, "If destroy the Fireshadow ship, you do, gift of the moon, we shall give."

"That sounds fair," Anakin nodded his approval. "Now, let's fly!"

"Not so fast!" an angry voice cried. The owner of the voice hurried around the corner and clamped a large, callused hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Didn't I tell you not to leave the healer's ward?"

"Well, yes, but I don't listen to anyone," Anakin shrugged out of the healer's tight grip on his shoulder.

"Well you'll listen to me if you want to get better," the healer grumbled. "Come on, I'm taking you back to the ward."

"Good luck you all, and goodbye!" Anakin broke into a limping run down the hall with the healer right on his tail.

"He's a character, that one. I haven't seen a man like that since Ol' Correllia Joe joined the Union," Regus commented.

"Get your ships in order and I'll fly over to the factory. Then we'll all leave together," Obi-Wan said.

"Sounds good. Union, move out!" Regus called and the band of smugglers paraded out of the Temple.

HHHHHH

Galen pulled himself up the thin yellow ladder and into the cockpit of his trusty silver Starfighter. Settling himself into the comfortable worn leather of the seat, he clutched the controls and turned the engine on.

"Not so fast, Darth!" a voice yelled over the engine.

Galen powered the engine down and opened the door to the cockpit.

"Yes, boss?" he asked as Ahsoka climbed up the ladder and leaned on the side of the cockpit.

"You going to help Obi-Wan and those smugglers?"

"Yeah. Are you?"

"I think so, but Anakin wants me to stay behind and help him with the healer," Ahsoka told him with a roll of her eyes when she mentioned her former Master.

"I hope I'll see you out there. Wish me luck," Galen moved to turn the engine on again.

"Here's a good luck charm, from me to you," Ahsoka said as she leaned in. Carefully, she placed her lips on his and gave him a quick, fleeting kiss.

"I feel better already. Try your hardest to come out. Flying's no fun without you," Galen called as Ahsoka climbed down from the ship and hurried out of the hangar.

HHHHHH

"Mustafar's flames! That's one big ship!" one of the smugglers cried through the radio system.

Obi-Wan was too busy scanning the dark space in front of them to make sure none of the Fireshadow fire ships were headed towards them.

"Obi-Wan, I thought you said this was going to be hard," Galen complained in a good-natured voice.

He cringed as the former Sith performed a spiral loop over Obi-Wan's ship and sped in front of the others.

"Watch out, Galen," Obi-Wan warned. "Those fire ships might come back."

"What? Fire ships?" a smuggler cried. "Why weren't we informed?"

"I see one!" Galen cried. He tugged on the steering control and his ship flew higher and flipped over onto its belly.

The fire ship continued its flying pattern straight ahead, hit a clump of floating debris from the last attempt, and disintegrated.

"The only way we're going to be able to do this is by avoiding them like Sithy did," Regus decided. "If you see a fire ship, fly over it and spiral out of the way."

A few more fire ships headed towards the smugglers and they expertly dodged the flames. A chorus of rowdy cheers entered Obi-Wan's ship through the radio.

"Look out, Master Jedi," Regus called. "One's headed your way."

Obi-Wan held his breath and spun his ship over the flames. As soon as he was safely around it, he released a whoosh of air and attempted to calm his racing heart.

"Hey! You made it! Now, let's get some Fireshadow," Galen cried happily.

"Good work, friends," a new voice rang through the ships. "Here, let me read you the report from one of the clones who got a close look at the ship."

"Anakin! How'd you get away from the healer?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Easy. Luke helped me," Anakin explained. "Anyway, Lucky reports that there's a weaker, dented point of the ship near where the engine and fuel tanks should be located."

"Head for the back, men!" Regus ordered.

"You're welcome!" Anakin cried. "Palpatine's hair, Luke! What do you mean the healer's coming?"

"Uh, it means he's right around the corner," Luke's muffled voice could barely be heard by the pilots.

Anakin's voice disappeared from the radio and the pilots continued the flight towards the weaker point.

"I see the dent. Let's just shoot there and we'll see what happens," Regus suggested.

"Agreed," Obi-Wan said.

Once they reached the dent, they formed a circle around it and Galen said, "On three we all fire."

Each pilot readied his ship for a shot, cautiously moved his finger on the button, and when Galen cried "3!" a blast of light shot from each ship. The Fireshadow ship rumbled angrily and began to sink, splitting in half as it fell.

"No way anyone survived that," Regus said as the ship disappeared into the dark depths of space.

Obi-Wan leaned back in his seat and breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe things would go back to normal now.

"Galen? Are you there? Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, boss, we're fine," Galen answered.

"Good, because Yoda needs us to go to Naboo," Ahsoka informed him.

"What? Why?"

"According to our sources, there are three Fireshadows that have taken over Theed and the surrounding area."

"But we just destroyed the ship!" Obi-Wan cried angrily.

"I guess they weren't all on there…" Galen whispered, a hint of fear creeping into his normally steady voice.