Don't you worry, though, I am going to finish this story, come hell, high water, or undead Egyptian High Priests! :-)
But you have to give me some time here. And no, I will not take any shortcuts just to finish quickly, since it would ruin the story. Remember: Patience is a virtue. ;-)
And now: Lean back and enjoy!
***
Force of Destiny
Chapter 20
Reunion
***
Wrenga Jixton and Maximillian Veers had found the moisture farm without problems, following Vader's directions. What they found, however, had not been very encouraging. The farm had obviously been attacked and fire set to it several years ago. Two shallow graves marked the fact that there had been at least one survivor, or else a kind soul who would not leave the bodies of the owners to rot in the sun. What remained had been looted and picked over by the Sandpeople and the Jawas in the intervening years, leaving only the buildings themselves intact and a few permanent fixtures that neither tribe had any use for. Sandstorms had done the rest.
The two men had a busy first day cleaning out the rubble and the ever-present sand from the buildings. Several trips to the nearby town of Anchorhead on the second day were required to replace at least some of the most crucial equipment, including the vaporators. Jixton and Veers had found the underground water tanks empty, the vaporators that filled them gone, stolen like almost everything else that the fire had not destroyed. Jixton also had the tanks filled to a quarter of their capacity. He did not like sitting without water in the middle of a desert one bit.
Veers had protested against using their funds to buy so much water, but Jixton argued that it would look strange to the locals if they did not fill the tanks. The younger man had quickly picked up that the locals believed they had bought the Lars farm, as they called it, and would start planting crops as soon as possible. However, that took more water than the vaporators could provide until the planting season started. A quarter tank was the absolute minimum.
Veers finally had to agree; although they would not stay long, it was best to keep a low profile by simply filling the expectations of the locals. Anchorhead was a closely knit community; even for the short duration of their mission, they needed to blend in as good as possible lest they gave cause for suspicion.
Now Jixton was sitting in the pit in front of what used to be the common room, enjoying the afternoon sun slanting over the rim and smoking a pipe. Some rest and relaxation was in order after all his hard work, thank you very much! Veers was puttering around in the kitchen, complaining about Jixton's choice in supplies.
"Did you have to go on an all-out shopping trip?" he called.
Jixton sighed. Veers was a battle commander, not a field agent, and it showed.
"I told you the folks here hoard staple foods. It would look funny to them if we didn't", he replied.
"Yes, but a three month supply of beans? And dried Dewback meat? And what is that grain you bought? Couldn't you at least get something decent?"
"That grain is called emmer, and I did get you your precious coffee as well, thank you very much", Jixton grumbled back. "Besides, we don't know how long we are going to be stuck here, and this stuff will at least keep."
"Don't tell me you're planning on an extended vacation on sunny Tattooine?"
Jixton laughed and stretched out his long legs in front of him.
"I'm not", he assured Veers. "But you never know what will happen until tomorrow."
Veers stepped out of the kitchen, curiously regarding Jix.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" he asked.
"Only that we're about to enter the sandstorm season. It might make getting back to Mos Eisley difficult."
Veers rolled his eyes. Wonderful! Sandstorms, now that was something Veers could definitely live without. Did it ever occur to Jixton to share information without being prodded? How in the seven Sith hells did Vader put up with the obnoxious Correllian?
***
"Put him down, Chewie!" Solo yelled, trying to get a grip on the Wookiee's massive forearm. Chewbacca roared and shook his Human friend off, but his death grip on Vader's throat had somewhat loosened, allowing the former Dark Lord to get his hands between the Wookiee's fingers and break his grip. Gasping for air, Vader landed on his feet and attempted a defensive position. Chewbacca's attack had rattled him worse than he cared to admit. When the Wookiee's thick fingers closed around his neck and he found himself unable to breath, the thought of using the Force had not even entered his suddenly panicked brain. Instead, he had kicked and struggled against his larger and stronger opponent, depleting his bodies oxygen reserves until dark spots danced in his vision.
The Wookiee stepped back, growling a question in Solo's direction. His fur was almost standing on end. Coughing, Vader massaged his abused neck.
"Yes, he thawed me, Chewie", Solo answered his friend. "I think he's serious about this. Give him a break, will ya?"
The Wookiee growled again, obviously upset with Solo.
"No, I don't trust Vader!" Solo protested. "I'm just willing to give the man a chance, okay?"
Chewbacca still eyed Vader with suspicion.
"I would prefer it if you called me Anakin", Vader croaked, and coughed again. "Unless you want Jabba to squeal my whereabouts to the Empire. Of course, that would bring half the Imperial Fleet down on us."
"Good point, Anakin", Solo conceded. "So you think they're already searching for you?"
Vader almost laughed. "Of course they are. The Emperor knows, and that means Imperial Intelligence knows. And Black Sun. I bet Xizor already placed a bounty on my head."
Solo blanched; he knew the name Xizor, and he knew the Falleen's reputation. So far, he had been careful to avoid crossing him and his organization. Han Solo knew what was good for his health. Jabba was bad enough, but compared to Xizor the Hutt was small fish.
"What have you got to do with Black Sun?" he asked.
Anakin grimaced. "Nothing. Xizor and I are... old acquaintances. He has been trying to get my job for a number of years."
Solo whistled. "He's got nerve", he commented.
"Yes, and the Emperor's ear in too many matters", Anakin replied darkly.
"Figures", Solo muttered. "So, what is Luke's great plan?" he asked Chewie. The Wookiee growled and pointedly looked at Anakin.
Han threw his hands up in despair. "Fine! If you're going to be difficult about this, we can just sit here and wait some more! At the rate we're going, we'll all be sharing this cell come morning!"
Anakin gave an amused chuckle. "You know, Solo, I would not put it past Luke to plan exactly on that."
"Huh?"
Anakin shrugged. "I would. It's not the worst position to start the escape from, you know."
Solo shook his head. "Tell me, is insanity a requirement for Jedi, or do you pick it up during training?" he asked in a caustic voice, bringing a grin to Anakin's face.
"What is insanity, but a different point of view?" he asked lightly.
"Wonderful! Now he's getting all philosophical again", Solo muttered, retreating to the nearest corner where he sat down to wait. The other two followed his example, keeping a careful distance from each other.
***
Leia, still in her bounty hunter's get-up, wandered around the reception hall. Several of Jabba's lackeys tried to strike up a conversation, but she made it clear that she was not interested in small talk. Instead, she tried to familiarize herself with the place without arousing suspicion. Strangely, nobody seemed to mind, although she believed her attempts to be clumsy at best. It was only when she caught Boba Fett's appreciative nod that she understood. Any bounty hunter worth her salt would do exactly that – familiarize herself with the place, look for escape routes. It was expected of her. Fett finally turned away, chatting up one of the dancers. Leia relaxed somewhat. If even the master hunter bought her disguise, there was not much that could go wrong at this stage.
***
Night had fallen again, and the party at Jabba's palace wore on until well after midnight. Leia kept to the shadows, not taking part in the drinking and gambling. She would need a clear head later.
The princess had started to think that the feast would go on until morning when, finally, things started to wind down. One after the other, the revelers would go off to their individual quarters. Those too drunk for the short trip to their rooms simply went to sleep in the reception hall, or rather, they passed out. Leia waited until the last of them had either left or was snoring under a table before she silently crept into the corridor that led to the dungeons.
***
Once out of the hall, Leia silently and swiftly made her way toward the cells. The guard on duty had long since fallen asleep, assisted by a bottle provided by Lando. A quick examination revealed that he did not have any keys on him. So she would have to do it the hard way. Peering into the peep holes in each cell door, Leia finally reached the only cell occupied at the moment.
"Han?" she whispered, her voice distorted by the helmet. "Chewie?"
A low growl answered her, and three figures crowded against the door. A tall Human – not Han – pushed himself in front of the others. Studying her diminutive form, he smirked.
"Aren't you a little short for a bounty hunter?" he asked.
"Save it, Anakin", Solo piped up from behind him, trying to get in front of the taller man. "Who are you?"
Han! Finally! Taking off her helmet, Leia smiled the first true smile in months. "Someone who loves you", she responded.
"Leia!" Solo plastered himself against the door.
"We have to get you out of here. Step back", she ordered, and leveled her blaster at the lock.
"No, wait, they'll hear", Anakin warned in a hushed whisper, but too late. Han had hurriedly stepped back, and Leia blasted the door. The door, minus the lock and a good portion of the doorframe, swung open, and Solo was the first to jump through, gathering Leia in his arms and pressing a quick kiss on her lips.
"Come on! Let's go!" he called to the other two.
"Great. Just great. Between your shouting and her blasting everything in sight, the whole palace will know we're breaking out!" Anakin muttered.
Leia gave him a hard stare. "Did you have any better ideas for opening the door?"
"I could have picked the lock, your Highness."
"With what? A lock of Chewie's fur?" Leia shook her head. "Come on now, unless you enjoy Jabba's hospitality so much. I hear he provides entertainment for his guests. Unfortunately, you would be the entertainment." Turning on her heel, she led the three down the corridor, up a flight of stairs and back into the main hall. There was no other way out except through the maze of kitchens and store rooms, which Leia did not dare navigate in the darkness with her limited knowledge of the place. No, the reception hall was their quickest way to freedom.
They had crossed half the expanse of the room when they heard deep, guttural laughter. Guards jumped from the shadows and surrounded them, blasters trained on the four would-be escapees.
"Is it just me, or have we gone through this before?" Solo uttered. Anakin gave him a look that clearly said 'I told you so' and raised his hands over his head.
***
To be continued