"Well, at least it is sunny here," Han said sourly as they sat eating at one of the many local eating establishments in Mos Eisley. He was also scratching at his non-elaborate disguise that mostly consisted of hair dye and a few skin patches.

"It's Tatooine, dear," Leia said in her molly outfit, red dye and long desert robe common for the latest fashion on Tatooine. Over the past few years, Leia had develop a talent for uncover work, a talent she could have done without, and was able to come up with a function yet comfortable costume. At least it would be comfortable on many planets and not the bake oven that was Tatooine. "It is always sunny here."

"Yea, the perfect vacations spot," Han said watching the crowd wondering around in the early afternoon sun. "The place hasn't changed much has it?"

"No, I was just thinking the same thing," Leia said also watching the crowd act in the same manner in many market places that was found all over the Galactic Alliance. Some had come out to find the necessities of life while others were here to provide those necessities; some came to help their fellow citizens and others to help themselves to their fellow citizen's goods, whether or not they wanted to part with them. Han had pointed out at least three smugglers groups that he had spotted operating out of the spaceport along with a whole host of 'independent' shippers. There was also a good size military presence here on Tatooine due to the threat of invasion from the Yuuzhan Vong, even thought they never made a serious attempt during the war or after. Leia had heard some rumors about moving the garrison off Tatooine and move it closer to the Hutt space but apparently, that had just been talk. Tatooine did sit near the Coreillian Run Hyperspace lane and could assist any number of near-by systems in the event of a Yuuzhan Vong raid, which still occurred out here on the Outer Rim. "One of the more charming aspects of Tatooine, I guess, change happens much slower out here."

"You got a point there, I bet your father could come back and still be able to find his way around." Han said with a grimace and lowered his voice so only Leia could hear him. "Three Jedi are from Tatooine and all three couldn't wait till get as far away as they could and I keep ending up back here."

"Oh it's not that bad," Leia said in a teasing voice, "I was also thinking how nice it would be to retire here." Han looked at her if she started speaking Hutt, "we could get a nice spread, do some farming, and get 3PO to help you with the chores. It could be fun."

"I think Goldenrod was right, you been spending too much time in the sun," Han said getting up from his seat, "lets get back to the ship and see if the boss has any jobs for us. And while we are there we can get you an appointment to have your head examined."

Leia got up also; they had already paid for their meals since this was not the kind of place the relied on their customer's good will, and followed him out of the building. She didn't look behind her to make sure Meewalh, their Noghri bodyguard, was behind them. If there was one person she could always count on it was Meewalh, she would protect Han and her from all harm with her life if necessary. Meewalh, who has been with Han and Leia since before Coruscant fell, has always silently and competent handling her duties. Even after losing her very close friend Adarakh on Coruscant, she stayed with the Solos to fulfill what the Noghri believe to be their sacred duty to protect the one who freed them from slavery and erase the stain of their dishonor they hold for serving the Empire. One of these days I am going to figure out just HOW Luke managed to convince them to leave him alone. Once outside she had to blink against the blinding suns and the blowing dust.

"Still want to move here," Han asked with his crooked smile.

"Of course dear," she answered back sweetly and spent most of the way back to the Falcon teasing him about it.

About half way back, Han suddenly grab Leia's arm and pulled her into a doorway of an abandon store.

"What's it?"

"I hate it when you are always right," Han said getting his blaster out and peeking around the door, "tell me that isn't who I think it is."

"Where …" she broke off because it drew her like a magnet, walking from the hanger area was the warrior they chased all over Denon. Leia reached out with the Force to confirm that it was a Yuuzhan Vong and was surprise to see him turn and look right at Han and her. The warrior didn't break his stride but continued to walk towards the main avenue.

"Well," Han asked easing his way back out in to the alley.

"It's a Yuuzhan Vong alright," Leia said following him out, "but I couldn't tell if it was Tahiri or not."

"He or I should say she looked right at us," Han said sliding his blaster back in to his holster.

"I know and I think he or she recognized us too," Leia said, rearranging her robes so she could get her light saber out if needed. "Meewalh?" Leia turned and knew her bodyguard was right behind her. "What do you think?"

"I will need to get closer to get a scent," she said quietly.

"That is what I thought," Han said blowing a breath out, "ok we will follow her for now. If we get a chance we try to talk to her quiet like."

"And if it is not her," Leia asked following Han down the alley.

"Then we won't be so quiet."

"Trouble," the tiny voice of Tahiri coming across the com-link that Kell had clip to his shirt collar for easy access. He was sitting in the Mos Eisley Cantina; which, according to local legend, was the same one where Han and Luke had met for the first time many years ago. When Kell and Ratnena first scouted out this location, he wondered if it was as dark, dank and dirty today as it was 30 or so years ago. It sure fit the bill as the kind of place that people could meet and talk without worrying about being interrupted by any good upstanding law-abiding citizens. If anything you had to be worried about being caught in the cross fire from some dispute.

"What is it," he asked bring his drink up to cover his mouth.

"Han and Leia are here and they are following me." Kell silently swore to himself, if there was trouble anywhere Han and Leia usually found their way into the middle of it. "I haven't seen their bodyguard yet but I am sure there is one around somewhere."

"Right, do you want to abort," Kell asked quietly. This was Tahiri's mission, she was the expert and it was her call.

"No, not yet," she said after a pause. No doubt, she was weighting the risk of the Solos stumbling in at the wrong time. Not the risk to her, since she was young and thought she was slug proof but the risk to the Solos, whom she looked up to almost as if they were her parents. "I still have time; I'm going to see if I can lose them."

Kell clicked his comm-link once to show he heard and agreed he then heard a second click from Ratnena. Ratnena was on the other side of the cantina watching that end for trouble. Ratnena was dressed in a padded suit, wearing makeup and dye her hair to a grayish hue to it to make her appear to be an aging spacer that put in too many hard years in space. Ratnena didn't complain too much about carrying the extra weight around, Yea that is like saying Hoth is only a little bit chilly, Kell thought with amusement. The only bright point to her way of thinking was she didn't have a bunch of people drooling over her. However, awkward her disguised was or how much it made her sweat, she was being very professional about the mission. Kell couldn't ask more from anyone then to do their jobs. Sitting his drink down he gave his end of the cantina the once over again and waited for the show to start.

"We might as well admit it Han, we lost her," Leia said looking up and down the side alley that they thought the warrior might have disappeared down. They chased her from spaceport to the other end of town but haven't seen her for about 5 minutes.

"I knew she was too good at this spy stuff," Han said shaking his head.

"Maybe we should contact the local officials," that was something she didn't want to really do, not yet anyways. By the way Han was looking he didn't want to yet either.

"No, on the off chance it is Tahiri the few who know the better," Han rubbed his chin, narrowing his eyes as he thought through the problem. "If isn't her, there will be enough time later to call them in."

"Well, we should we start looking," Leia said as Meewalh silently walked up beside her.

"She was going away from the port," Han said spinning in a slow circle. "Where would you go around here to meet someone in private?"

"This is Tatooine Han, there must be hundreds of places like that," Leia said, "Do you think she went to Jabba's old palace?"

"Too far away," Han answered her, "she could have flown out there. She is too smart to be that far away from her ride. Come on, I got an idea where to start."

"Where?" By then Leia was talking to his back.

"The cantinas around the port," Han said over his shoulder.

"But …"

"Like I said she is too smart to be that far from her ship and since she was able to lose us so easily …"

"She led us here," Leia said, she was somewhat mad that Tahiri was able to trick them so easily. "Here I thought we had out grown children being able to trick us like this."

"Tahiri had a late start," Han said throwing a grin over his shoulder, "she making up for all those years we weren't around. All that means is she grounded when I get her home."

"Not if I beat you to it."

The man walked over to the booth that held the warrior, who appeared to be wearing a standard ooglith masquerade, he had been sent to find. His first impression of him was not very flattering, he didn't see how such a small man could fit in such an auspiciously place in the gods plans. True he had seen the warrior in action on Denon but still, he gave a mental shrug, the gods do as they please. It was not his place to make such judgments he was, after all, just a messenger.

["Greetings Great One,"] he said in the Holy Tongue as he sat down in the booth. The warrior gave him the once over and by the expression on his face; he didn't like what he saw.

"You're an Infidel," the warrior said with a sneer.

["That is correct …"]

"Speak Basic brain of a meat maggot, do not fowl my ears with your blasphemy attempt to be a Chosen One."

["My Master wish for me to …"] the man started to say only to be cut off again by this … upstart.

"To alert the other infidels of our true identity before you are able to pass on his message, is that it fool? Because that is what will happen if anyone around us can understand your pathetic attempts at being a Chosen One." The warrior growled out and leaning forward in his seat.

"My life is in the hands of the gods, warrior, I do not fear death," the man said with an answering sneer. He couldn't help himself from adding in a small barb; "unlike some …" He saw the fist coming but could not move fast enough to block it. The warrior hit him with a left cross that nearly drove him into the wall next to him. His head was still ringing, he never though such a small person could deliver such a blow, when the warrior grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in close.

"Insult me again maggot and I won't fowl my own hands with your death, I will send your bleeding but still breathing carcass back from where ever you came from and let them dispose of you." The warrior rasped out in a whisper so harsh he could barely understand him. In addition, something was strange about his eyes. It was almost as if a god was looking at him.

"Forgive this worm, master," the man said in a whisper and lowered his eyes in a respectful position. "My life is yours to take."

"Never forget that Infidel," the warrior said releasing him and lean back in his seat. He let his gaze wonder around the room as he spoke, "and look at me. You have already made a big enough spectacle of yourself. Also tell your men to relax or …"

"Of course lord," the man signaled his back up to stand down. Later he will deal with the two who was foolish enough to reveal themselves. He had given strict orders not to interfere in any way with the actions of the warrior unless he was able to discover if the warrior was not whom he seemed to be. He also didn't see anyone settling back down who was with the warrior, which meant one of two possibilities. Either he was here alone, a strong possibility, or his hired help were very professional, which even more was likely considering what they did on Denon. Just like the Wraiths, he through briefly before returning his attention back was it belongs. His orders was to use the Holy Tongue to test the warrior to make sure it was not a ringer but the warrior had all but eliminated that option in a way that he couldn't completely disagree with. "Forgive me, but my master wished for me to speak to you in such a way to as to prove your identity. The message that I have is too valuable to allow it to fall into the enemies talons."

"I am here am I not?"

"Yes my lord, but infidels could have taken the information from the villip …"

"Not likely," the warrior said through a short raspy laugh, "the villip was tuned to Yuuzhan Vong life, not worthless infidels. I know two of my creatures that I employed had tried to open it themselves. I taught them the folly of disobeying my law." His eyes glowed again and he leaned forward with another sneer on his lips, "I've heard that the Sarlacc was very good at reminding people the follies of their lives over and over again."

"I understand but I need further proof," the man said calmly.

"Such as," the warrior said leaning back again.

"Such as you accompany me back to …"

The warrior cut him off with a laugh; the man had to get a firm grip on his temper again.

"So I can be killed in a dishonorable fashion like some Dhillith beneath the boot of the Warmaster?" The Warrior said with another sneer, "I was not Shamed because of the gods wishes but because of Nom Anor and his pet Shaper Nem Yim. I shall not rest until I have their blood on the end of my amphistaff." The warrior developed a far away look in his eyes, "daily I pray to Yun-Shuno for the chance to redeem myself and return to the glorious service of the gods."

"That is part of the message I have been charged to bring to you, great one," the man jumping on the opening that the warrior gave him. "To bring you back to the others …"

"To be slaughter, I don't think so Infidel. At least, not yet, not until I have completed my quest to destroy those who have done this to me."

"The JedI claim that Nom Anor and Nem Yim were killed at the end of the war."

"And you believe the word of an Infidel, especially Jeedai infidels? I suppose you also think children are brought to their parents by the way of a bird too?" The warrior said in a mocking tone.

"No," the man decided to take the risk and repeat the rumor he had heard. He had to convince this creature to follow him back to his masters. The warrior for once seems to allow him to complete his sentence. After he told him all that he knew, he added his own bit of logic. "Not only had there been visions but you carry a Holy Weapon and have bested Jedi."

"How do you know about that," the warrior said deadpan.

"I was on Denon and saw the reports of your escape," the man said honestly, "I know that the Jedi are concern about you and your living light saber, they fear you."

"That just proves that they are not complete fools," the warrior said with a sneer and looked him directly in the eye, "unlike some." The man found it increasingly difficult taking such abuse from one who was actually lower on the food chain then he was. "So far you have only told me rumors and those are like maw luur, everyone has heard of one and they are usually full of it."

"Your weapon," the man said with a spark of intuition, "was that given to you by the gods."

"Yes," the warrior said with pride, "the gods gave me that weapon so I may slay those who soil the great works of Yun-Yuuzhan with their very presence."

"As the Yuuzhan Vong wish to do to those who defile the gods' great works, the Jedi, the Infidels and the false god, Zonama Sekot!" The man saw that he finally had the warrior's attention. "Your special powers, did they come to you as did the weapon? Yes, the gods gave you the chance to avenge yourself not only against those two traitors but also against all of your people enemies. To blaze a new trail for the Yuuzhan Vong to be strong again!"

"Lecturing me on the ways of the gods? You are amusing, I give you that. You must bring hours of enjoyment to your master," the warrior said but without the mocking tone or anger he had used so far. I have you; he said smiling where no one could see it. "But you keep forgetting that I have been Shamed, I won't last two foot falls before they slaughter me. If I am dead, how do I avenge myself? Answer me that funny man."

"If they wished you dead, I would not be here now. Instead there would be Slayers here instead." That produce a thoughtful reaction from the warrior, he knew that had to have been on the Shamed One's mind on the way here. "The true Yuuzhan Vong knows who their true enemies are and who was blessed by the gods. All they ask is for you to allow me to escort you back to them so they may explain the gods plan to you."

"No," a voice coming from the doorway of the cantina said loudly, the man turn and saw a pirate that he had dealing with before. A pirate that left on less then good terms with the Peace Brigade. Behind him, several of his so-called fighters rushed in and covered just about everyone in the bar. No, not everyone, the bartender and several of the patrons also had their guns out covering his back up and two others who he know suspected was the warriors back up. "Allow me to take you somewhere, somewhere so we can do business again. Just like old times, only this time I will get what is mine and you will get what is coming to you."

"A friend of yours?" Tahiri asked in a tone she hoped in a casual, dismissive tone. Well, so much for planning for every possible contingency, Tahiri thought as she slowly loosened her collar so Bangor could crawl out from around her neck. Two to one, odds are not the best in the galaxy either. They planned for Slayers being here, or a all out assault on Tatooine, even the Galactic Alliance showing up but never did the idea that a rival pirate gang would crash the party ever come up in planning.

"A bug, my lord, a bug with an overblown idea of its importance in the galaxy," the Peace Brigadier said in an icy tone.

"Is that anyway to speak to an old friend?" The pirate asked in a fake hurtful tone. He stayed up by the door while his men spread out to disarm everyone not on their side. The person that was disarming Rat pulled out about six knifes before he was finished.

"Got enough blades lady?"

"A girl can't be too careful now a days," she said in a enhance but sultry voice. Licking her lips she added, "You're a cutie want to do a lady a favor."

"Lady, I can't drink enough to do that with you," he said with a push to move her over by Kell. Rat mumbled some kind of remark that Tahiri was sure it wasn't pleasant.

Sometimes Rat doesn't have to work too hard at staying in character. Tahiri thought as she complied with the order to stand. Bangor was starting to make his way down her back as she studied the situation. Not good, a few are bunched up but the more alert ones were keeping space between them. Some how she needs to disarm enough of them so Rat and Kell had at least some chance of getting out alive.

"What do you want anyways," her contact asked.

"My money now!" The pirate said staying near the door with his own gun out. "You and the scar heads owe me lots and I'm taking my money now. Either from your hide or the scar head there makes no difference to me."

"Careful bug, you may take a bigger bite then you can chew," Tahiri said narrowing her eyes at the windbag. Turning slightly she added, "You just had to show off, didn't you?"

"Not to worry my lord, if he is as good of a shot as he is at obeying orders he will just shot himself in the head."

"Cute," the man snarled, "almost as cute as stiffing me."

"If you had done your job you would have been paid, as it stands you are lucky to still be alive," he paused, "for this long."

"Yea, real lucky," he spat out, "the damn military ruined my ship. I had to limp here just to survive."

Tahiri felt Bangor near the back of her wrist, lucky no one was behind her, and she tensed to make her move when she felt a new variable enter the picture. A Jawa, who wasn't a Jawa, enter the cantina and headed to the bar, which just happened to be the biggest knot of pirates. The two men both stopped arguing and just watched it cross the room. Tahiri opened up to the Force enough to confirm her guess and then took the biggest gamble of her young life; it is me, no light saber, no light saber please.

"Hey the bar is closed runt," one of the men around them said.

The Jawa stopped and just threw up its arms as if to say, 'what'.

"Just kill it, we have bigger fish to fry," the boss said.

Tahiri took a deep breath, hoping that everyone was ready and extended her left hand.

["Bangor extend."] Bangor leapt in to her hand as one of the bullies laid a hand on the Jawa. The Jawa leapt up and began a complex dance of self-defense that was as elegant as it was deadly. ["Bangor ignite.'] The light saber slashed thru on of the guns pointed at her, the expression of shock stayed with her for a long time after that, the saber went a little longer then she planned and stabbed him in the chest. She didn't have long to grieve the lost of life as she was busy making sure that fate didn't fall on her as the bar exploded into a chaotic scene of mayhem. She caught a glimpse of Rat smashing the guy who searched her into the bar counter repeatedly. Kell was holding his own and the Jawa had already eliminated about six would be fighters. Han and Leia had taken out the boss guy; Han was taken a bead on another one as Leia shoot at a third.

Seconds later, when it was all over, she took stock of the scene. Kell was up and undamaged with two pistols in hand. Rat, for once was, was unharmed and gave one of her attackers a swift kick before joining Kell at the head of the bar. They both had their guns trained on the few who were still able to moan. The Noghri was back over at Han and Leia's side standing silently and ready. Her contact was not so lucky, he was alone now, and all his men were gone. The man, himself, was unharmed and still cocky as ever.

"I see that you paid well for your help," he said looking around the room.

"Unlike many of my brethren, I only keep competent help, [Bangor disengage], those who fail me don' last long." Tahiri turned and walked towards Han and Leia, mouthing silently play along. "Gramps, you were slow."

"Sorry sire," Han said, giving her a small bow, "It won't happen again."

"Yes, I know," Tahiri said turning back around, "as much as it disgusts me, I suggest we flee. The authorities will be arriving soon. While the battle will do me good, I do not wish to waste anymore of my time dealing with fleas when there're bigger prizes out there."

"I'm humbling request a ride my lord, my pilot …" he pointed to the ground to one of the bloody messes laying there.

"We can take him to the first stop, my lord," Kell said, "He can find a way back from there."

"Do you have everything?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Very well, go with those two; I will go with gramps to make sure he doesn't get lost." She said walking as fast as she could to the entrance, "now let's move quickly." When she got outside the street was empty, but she could hear the sound of approaching law enforcement vehicles and the low roar of X-wings. "Fas, alpha now!" Rat and Kell grab the contact and went one way, while Tahiri led Han and Leia in a different direction. After leading them for a few minutes, she asked where they were parked.

"Docking bay 97," Leia answered.

"You guys still have that surprise you had last time I was aboard?"

"Yea," Han answered leading the way now towards the spaceport.

"Good, I need to hide. I'll show up like a supernova on a scan and they are going to tear this port apart looking for me now. And thanks for the rescue back there."

"Hey, if anyone is going to kill you it's going to be me," Han said but without any heat. It sounded more like relief then anything. "Besides if you're in the pod then I know you'll stay there long enough for me to pound some damn sense in you."

"Gee, you're grumpy for an old man," Tahiri said in jest.

"Keep making comments like that and I just ground you for a year."

"You can't ground me, I'm eighteen now."

"Just try me young lady," Han said with a slight hint of humor in his voice.

"I should've stay dead," Tahiri mumbled, she had said it in total jest, but immediately wished she could take those words back. Not only did she feel it in the Force but saw it in their faces as they spun around. All the pain and anger they had been carrying around since she was 'dead', since Anakin had died, came flooding back in to them. Tahiri stop and took a step back so overwhelm she was, " I …" she lowered her eyes. "I had no right to say that, I know what pain and anguish you suffered by my hands and the pain you still suffer for Anakin. I can not ask for your forgiveness, for the pain I caused, I must earn it." She began to drop in to a submissive position but Han grab her arm and pulled her down the street. It was a long quiet trip back to the Falcon.