Chapter 24 - Millennium Falcon
DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P
Author's Note: In which Anakin and the others escape from Corellia...
~ Amina Gila
Ahsoka can feel Anakin tensing, even as he turns around and begins fumbling through his pockets. "I'm afraid I must have left my papers on my ship," he says apologetically, and Ahsoka already knows that this is going to go splendidly wrong.
"When I say so, run to docking bay one fifty-three," Ahsoka whispers to the twins.
"But you and Father…" Luke gives her a panicked look.
"They'll be fine," Leia assures him, griping his hand. She sounds as though she trying to convince herself of it.
"We'll be right behind you," Ahsoka promises.
"You're under arrest! Hands up!" snaps the same trooper.
"I am not under arrest," Anakin states firmly, moving his hand. "We are free to go." The stormtroopers echo him as the mind trick takes effect.
He smirks, turning to walk away, when Ahsoka hears a shout from across the hanger. "There's the Jedi! All units respond!" She can't help it; she curses.
"Run!" yells Anakin, and they sprint across the spaceport, weaving around the individuals lingering about. Blaster bolts follow them, and Anakin spins, deflecting them using the Force.
"You didn't say you were bringing friends!" taunts a male voice she's never heard.
"Shut it, Solo," hisses Anakin, glaring at the man. "We're leaving."
"I knew you'd say that." Solo shakes his head, turning to walk up the ramp.
"This?!" squawks Ahsoka upon seeing the barely held together ship in front of them. "We're expecting to escape Corellia on this ship? Anakin, are you crazy?"
"Hey! I didn't know this was the ship!" Anakin defends himself.
"She's got where it counts," huffs Solo, drawing his blaster and firing at the troopers who are blocking the hanger bay door. Ahsoka shoos the twins into the main hold as Anakin Force throws the stormtroopers backwards. He uses the Force to protect them as Solo closes the ramp and dashes to the cockpit.
Ahsoka can hear the blaster bolts pinging off the sides of the ship as the engines fire up. The Falcon sweeps out of the hanger bay with a grace Ahsoka had not expected based on its appearance. The twins are clinging to one another, wide-eyed, as the ship breaks for the atmosphere and space.
"I'll get the guns!" calls Anakin, racing towards the back of the ship to where the rear guns are located. "I bet we'll have company momentarily."
"Of course, we will," Solo's voice replies through the ship's intercomm system.
"Stay here," Ahsoka tells the twins, motioning to passenger seats. "Strap yourselves in. I'll go help in the escape, okay?" They nod dutifully, immediately sitting down next to one another as she darts to the other rear gun and takes up her position.
"Here they come!" announces Anakin. "Six TIEs in hot pursuit, and more incoming from the Star Destroyer in orbit."
"How long do we have to hold them off?" Ahsoka asks, fingers tightening on the controls. She hasn't fought in a space battle for a while, but she trusts her instincts – and Anakin's. They will make it out. They have to. There is no other option for them.
"A couple minutes," Solo replies tightly as the ship swerves violently to avoid the laser fire from the TIE pursuers. "The navicomputer needs to finish the calculations."
"This is where the fun begins!" Anakin all but sings out as he opens fire on the gaining Imperials. Two TIEs are blown into a shower of space dust within ten seconds. Ahsoka can't help but be impressed. Anakin has only gotten better and stronger since she last fought with him in the Clone Wars. Even during this past year, she's felt that he holds back when sparring with her and Obi-Wan. He's capable of so much more than he's letting on.
Not to be outdone, Ahsoka swivels the gun around to shoot down a TIE trying to attack them from below. Solo is pushing the ship at an insanely fast speed, and even though she'll never admit it, she almost admires the Falcon.
Despite their maneuvers, the ship still shakes from stray laser bolts, but since there's no alarms, the shields must be holding. Everything jerks as they make the jump to hyperspace, finally outpacing their pursuers. Ahsoka feels the tension drain out of her body, and she rises, slipping from the seat to return to the main hold. Anakin is radiating a contentment as he joins her.
"Do you think they could track us?" Ahsoka queries after Anakin ensures the twins are calm.
"Possibly," he answers with a shrug. "I have no doubt that even if they do, they'll never be able to find us on Tatooine. Solo is very competent."
Ahsoka gives him a look. "How do you know that? You've barely spent any time with him."
Her former master purses his lips. "The Force led me to him for a reason." It's all he says, and she feels like she's missing something, like there's something else which Anakin isn't telling her.
Before she has a chance to call him out on it, Solo walks into the room, followed by a lumbering Wookie. "What are y'all going to be doing on Tatooine?" Solo questions, curiously.
"Vacationing," Anakin deadpans, and they both burst out laughing.
"The day someone goes on a vacation to Tatooine is the day I sell my ship," Solo states firmly, still chuckling. Despite herself, Ahsoka's lips quirk into a grin.
The Wookie growls, dark eyes fixed on Ahsoka. "I recognize you too."
She nearly starts at the words, not missing how Anakin's eyes flash to him. So, he must have recognized Anakin as well then. "Who are you?" Ahsoka asks after a moment.
"Chewbacca," the Wookie tells her. The name instantly rings a bell. Many years ago, during the Clone Wars, she'd run into him. They'd helped one another. She hadn't thought that Wookie's memories were so good.
"And I'm Han Solo," the man smirks slightly.
Anakin seems to deflate. "You already know who we are, so there's no point in hiding it," he admits. "The Force is… insistent that you help. Yes, I'm Anakin Skywalker, and these are my children Luke and Leia."
"Ahsoka Tano," she introduces, tilting her head slightly.
Han looks uncertain. "I thought all the Jedi were dead."
"Not all of them," Anakin corrects.
"Can you tell us why you're going to Tatooine?" Chewie questions.
Anakin exhales. "I suppose," he concedes slowly. Ahsoka gives him another look. She hopes that he knows what he's doing, but since he's far more paranoid than she is, he would never risk them like this without a good reason. "I'm sure you remember Master Kenobi. He was recently captured, so we're going to rescue him. And take out the Emperor at the same time."
Luke flinches, and as if sensing his son's distress – he probably did – Anakin wraps an arm around his shoulders, doing the same to Leia as he pulls them closer to him. They immediately scoot against him, silently soaking up the comfort his presence provides. Ahsoka almost wouldn't mind doing likewise.
"And you'll be asking us to take you to Coruscant next?" Han inquires warily.
Anakin inclines his head. "That would be preferable."
Han huffs incredulously. "Are you insane? Two of you against the Emperor and his army?"
Ahsoka gives him an assessing glance. "Are you saying you're not up for the task?"
He scowls at her, and she can sense a hint of tentative fear just below the surface. "If I get paid – and don't get killed – then I'll take you anywhere."
Anakin laughs mirthlessly. "Oh, you'll be paid alright if we succeed," he assures Han. "If we don't, go to Senator Organa on Alderaan and ask him for payment. I know he'll pay you."
Ahsoka doesn't need to be a Jedi to know that Han is feeling uneasy.
"I – I don't know…" mutters Han, eyes roaming around the room.
"We have to help them, cub," Chewie states firmly, placing a paw on Han's shoulder. "The decision is up to you, but I want to help them. The Jedi saved my people during the Clone Wars. All Wookies owe them a great debt."
Han scowls down at the floor. "Fine," he huffs, looking up at Anakin. "We'll come with you to Coruscant and help you with whatever you want to do there. But that'll cost you."
"Of course, it will," drawls Anakin. "If Ahsoka and I destroy the Emperor, then the throne falls to me."
Dead silence. Ahsoka can barely hold back her mirth as the realization dawns on Han. "You're the second in command?" he splutters. "I thought that – that Vader was… Oh!"
Ahsoka snorts. "In the spirit of full disclosure, you should be aware that Anakin was once Vader, yes," she tells them lightly.
"I can't require this of you," Anakin says finally, after several minutes pass in silence, "But if, by some chance, we fail, I would be grateful if you could watch over my children."
"Why are you taking such a risk if you have children?" Han wants to know.
Anakin gives him a serious look. "Because if I, who helped create this monstrosity, do not take action to rectify my mistakes and destroy the Empire, then can I really expect others to do so? If I don't work for the future, for my children, my family, then I'll be leaving them in danger, leaving them to repair the galaxy on their own."
Ahsoka very much doubts that this smuggler understands a great deal about caring for the greater good if his expression is anything to go by, and it makes her wonder what kind of childhood he's had. Probably not a good one if she were to venture a guess. But to his credit, even if he doesn't really grasp the feeling which would motivate one to sacrifice themselves for others, he seems to be trying. And, she realizes, he seems to want to a part of something like that, something where he'll have people to help him if he needs it. Maybe the Force guided them to the right place after all. She shouldn't have doubted.