Chapter 7

Bilbringi Shipyard

The scorched skeletal remains of the once might Invisible Hand laid prostrated on the planet's surface. The very sight of the ship once brought terror to those who encountered it in space and became a legend to those lucky enough to survive the encounter. With the separatists defeated and General Grievous dead, the ship's once terrifying presence was dulled. It also helped that a certain Jedi ripped the ship in half and crashed it on Coruscant's surface. The remains were lifted off Coruscant to Bilbringi to salvage whatever technology and resources they could from the once might ship.

The Republic wasn't the only one that wanted a piece of the Invisible Hand. The ship's presence attracted the attention of black market dealers. Security was tight with the ship was being dismantled, but greed was always more persuasive. Small items would go missing on a regular basis. The adjacent town was booming with all the traffic brought in by the dismantling work. The local cantina was a popular place to grab a drink and maybe a "memorabilia" from the Invisible Hand.

Obi Wan and Ahsoka stepped out of their antique Corellian G9 Rigger-class light freighter they acquired on the outskirts of Coruscant. Luckily, Ahsoka learned how to repair ships from her older brother and get it working well enough for the journey. That didn't stop Obi Wan from complaining about every little noise and rattle he heard along the way. He never thought he would be on another one of these blasted things.

Ahsoka tried to reassure him but that only cause Obi Wan to remind her of his experience on the Twilight. Ahsoka retorting back that Anakin forgot to fix the switching mechanism for the landing cycle. This caused Obi Wan to mutter something under his breath that Ahsoka couldn't understand.

They changed into civilian clothing, loosely hanging linen shirts with a ragged jacket, brown trousers, and knee high boots. They both carried a blaster on their hip, much to Obi Wan's disdain. Their lightsabers safely tucked away in the back of their pants covered by their linen shirts.

Bilbringi's landing platform was a bustling place and it took longer than expected to be given permission to land. They were both relieved to be off the shuttle.

As they entered town, Obi Wan was hit with nostalgia, "You know, Ahsoka. Before the Clone Wars, Anakin and I did missions like this all the time."

Ahsoka adjusted her jacket, there was a hole in the armpit and the breezing coming through was distracting, "My experience as a padawan was more of fighting as a soldier in a war." She remarked sadly, "Come to think of it, we rarely did any missions that wasn't related to the war."

Obi Wan's eyes fell gently to her in compassion, "Well, I guess it's time you to receive some real Jedi training."

"Except you forget that we are no longer Jedi," Ahsoka quipped, earning a frown from Obi Wan. He seemed genuinely hurt by her remark and Ahsoka regretted her comments.

"Either way, it'll be a good experience for you." Obi Wan finally answered and wryly added, "for when you become a bounty hunter."

Ahsoka put her hands on her hips playfully, "I'm keeping my options open."

She added on a more sincere note, "I am honored to be learning from you, Obi Wan."

Obi Wan smiled and turned his focus at the task at hand.

"I see the cantina up ahead. Follow me and watch my lead. Keep an eye on your back and pockets!" He waggled his finger at her, "There are no rules in a place like this."

"Obi Wan? Can you understand the bith language?" She questioned. Ahsoka always had a hard time with that particular language.

Obi Wan responded, "Yes, I'll do the talking. Don't worry. Just watch our backs."

The cantina was filled with sounds of music, laughter, shouting, roughhousing, and drunken banter. Making direct eye contact with anyone in here would lead to a foolhardy confrontation. The air reeked of the smell of alcohol and bodily fluids.

Obi Wan briefly wondered to himself why he always ends up going to a cantina. He lost count of the number of times he's been on a questionable planet with a dubious cantina. Some reason, he had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time either.

Once inside, Obi Wan wasted no time and headed directly for the bartender, "Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for someone by the name of Choira. Do you know them?"

Bartender sized him up as he cleaned a glass in his hand then tilts his head to the bith standing in the corner. Obi Wan thanked him and made his way over.

The bith had a pale, smooth domed head with large, black, glassy eyes and skin folds where a nose would be. He stood hunched over against the wall finishing a deep conversation with a rodian. Obi Wan took the opportunity to approach him as the rodian walked away.

"Are you Choira?" Obi Wan asked as he strolled up to him. Ahsoka in tow monitoring the room.

The bith eyed him suspiciously with his lidless black beads, "Depends who's asking?"

Motioning to Ahsoka, "My colleague and I are looking for some work?"

The bith paused before responding, "The shipyard is looking for scrapers. Try there."

Obi Wan leaned in closer, "That's not the type of work we're looking for."

The bith seemed increasingly annoyed with the two, "You two showed up too late. The Republic is cracking down on people for selling anything, even something small like power converters. You're better off finding a shipyard on another planet."

As Obi Wan spoke, Ahsoka caught a couple of pig-like gamorreans nearby eyeing them. She gestured to the blaster at her side, as she made eye contact, warning them off. The message was received without a doubt. They turned the other way but not before whispering amongst themselves.

Obi Wan trusted Ahsoka to handle the situation. He could sense the many eyes quietly watching them. He continued his conversation with the bith, "We're not looking to move power converters. We're interested in something more….intriguing."

That caught Choira's attention as he crossed his arms, "Like?"

"Like…spice," Obi Wan concluded.

"Spice, huh? You are a bold one." Choira chuckled to himself. "You sure you want to get into spice running? Once you're in you don't get out alive." He added darkly.

Obi Wan crossed his arms and held his head up high, mimicking something he's seen Anakin do on a number occasions, "Bigger the risk. Bigger the reward." He gave the bith a cocky grin.

Choira relented if these rookies want to get themselves killed, it didn't matter to him, "You're in luck. You see those two over there?"

Obi Wan turned to look at the trandoshan and weequay arguing amongst themselves in a nearby booth.

"These guys were assigned to move some spice for me. They ran into trouble when they got their ship confiscated by the Republic. I was going to have them disposed of for their idiocy, but I guess you came in time to save their skins. If you can help them move the spice for me and not get killed then we'll talk more."

Obi Wan smirked, "We'll be in touch, Choira. Don't miss us too much while we're gone."

The bith laughed and walked away believing that was the last he'll see of these two wannabes.

After the bith walked, Ahsoka leaned in, "So…what did he say?"

Obi Wan pointed to the nearby booth, "We need to make friends with those two over there."

Ahsoka grimaced at the sight of the trandoshan. She was reminded of the last time she dealt with the species. It had left a lasting impression on her and brought back very unpleasant memories. She was so young and arrogant back then. She never saw the trandoshan hunting her and was caught, while battling on Felucia, only to be released to be hunted for sport on the trandoshan moon, Wasskah. Back then, she naively thought she was so invincible. After escaping that planet, she learned a valuable lesson to be humble. Her caution made her a better person. As they walked up to the trandoshan, she tried to suppress her rising anger. The last thing she wanted to do was collaborate with one of them. She followed behind Obi Wan reluctantly.

"Do we really have to make friends with these guys." Earning an amused look from Obi Wan.

"A temporary friendship." Obi Wan compromised noting the swirling emotions around Ahsoka.

He, too, was worried about working with a trandoshan. They were a powerful and devious species. The weequay, on the other hand, he could handle without any problem. Obi Wan wasn't thrilled to be going undercover as spice runners. Chiora was right to try and dissuade them. Failure was not an option as the different crime syndicates were always ready to pounce on the opportunity to take over a spice route. It was a very lucrative business and spice was much easier to transport than coaxium. It was true blood money.

Haduj, the scaly skin of the reptilian bipedal trandoshan had a sickly green sheen compared to the dry, thick, burnt red skin of the weequay, Nebuer. They whirled around from their heated conversation as the two newcomers approached them, their hands instinctively went to their blasters.

"Hello there." Obi Wan put his hands up in submission, "Now, now. No need for hostilities. We just want to talk."

The two didn't move from their position. Obi Wan sighed. Slowly and deliberately, he took his blaster out from his side and put it on the table in good faith and motioned to Ahsoka to do the same. She frowned her disapproval but did as she was told.

Haduj motioned for them to sit with them. He hissed, "I see you were talking to Choira? Have you come to steal our loot?"

"Oh, no. We have no such intentions. We have come to offer a collaboration." Obi Wan stated as casually as possible.

Haduj growled, "We don't need your help. We have this under control."

Obi Wan stroked his beard in fake thoughtfulness. "From what I hear you are in need of transportation."

Ahsoka crossed her arms as she added, "You're not getting off this planet without a ship. At least we're willing to work with you. Others here would rather just kill you for it."

She tilted her head to the corner where the gamorreans were standing around plotting how to take over their spice run.

Ahsoka added, "News travels fast when a person losses their ship."

The weequay sneered at the togruta. He was unimpressed, "We split it 80 and 20 with you." Hoping to deter them.

Ahsoka barked, "That's outrageous!"

She didn't care about the money but they were just insulting them at this point.

Obi Wan motioned for Ahsoka to stand down. They need to get these two on their ship as quickly as possible. He could sense others in the cantina ready to start a mutiny that he would rather avoid being a part of.

"We…accept your terms. Do we have a deal?" He held his hand to shake on the offer.

A sinister laugh was shared between Haduj and Nebuer. It made Ahsoka very uneasy.

Haduj extended his leathery, clawed hand, "We have a deal."

Corellian G9 Rigger-class light freighter

Ahsoka shifted her outfit, her lightsabers were starting to dig into her skin, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Obi Wan confessed, "No, but will of the Force has lead us here so we must follow and see where it goes."

He tried to offer some comfort, "I agree with you, Ahsoka. Do not underestimate these two. I sense they will try to betray us at the first chance they get."

Ahsoka spat out, "Don't worry. I don't plan on taking my eyes off those two, especially that trandoshan."

Haduj and Nebuer enter the shuttle with their blasters by their sides with looks of disgusts on their faces.

Nebuer snorted, "What a dump. This thing can barely fly!"

Ahsoka quipped, "It will get us there. So where is there anyways?"

Haduj responded, "Bothawui."

Obi Wan was skeptical, "It's in Bothan space?" He raised an eyebrow, "How do we know that's the right location?"

Haduj produces a puck from his pockets. "This has the information on the location, the point of contact, and delivery location. It won't leave my side at any cost."

The trandoshan tucks it back into a pocket in his pants. "If you want to be a part of this then you'll have to trust us." Haduj displayed his sharp fangs through a very toothy smile.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes, "Well, strap in. I wouldn't want you guys flying around in the cabin while we take off." She smirked slyly.

Obi Wan and Ahsoka took their seats in the cockpit as Ahsoka started the ignition cycle.

She stated, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Obi Wan was tight lipped as he punched in the coordinates, "First, we have to make sure this thing can get back into space."

Ahsoka asked, amused, "You really don't like these ships do you?"

Obi Wan let his disgust slip out. "Oh….you have no idea."

The ship sputtered and rattled its way into space. Once out of the planet's orbit, Obi Wan turned to Ahsoka, "Go check on our lovely guests. I can handle the navigation from here."

"If you say so." Ahsoka checked to make sure her lightsabers were still carefully tucked away in her shirt before proceeding to the cabin.

She found both of them up, out of their seats, and wandering the cabin. She put her hands on her hips, "You guys must have a death wish wandering around like this."

The weequay circled her and snorted, "Standing. Sitting. It doesn't matter if we don't make it to the rendezvous location!"

"Hey, we're flying aren't we? We're going to go into hyperspace soon so…."

She stopped as she noticed Nebuer circling her as his eyes scanned her from toes to tip. Her skin crawled at the sight. She turned her head as Haduj snickered at her.

Haduj snarled, "Back on my planet we would hunt pretty things like you."

This set Ahsoka off as she clenched her fists and was about to say something as the weequay drew her attention back.

Nebuer taunted her, "I knew there was something I didn't like about you."

Ahsoka crossed her arms, "What, that I actually take a shower from time to time?" Nebuer reeked of something horrible. This earned a hardy laugh from Haduj.

He shot him a dirty look then smirked, "This pretty little togruta has been lying to us. She's no spice runner." He pulled out Ahsoka's lightsaber.

Ahsoka's hand whipped to her back to find the lightsaber missing. The weequay had picked her pockets when circled her. Her eyes went wide.

Haduj pulled his blaster on Ahsoka, "Well, well. We have a Jedi in our mists. I bet you would go for a pretty penny."

"Not one Jedi. Two," Obi Wan appeared from the cockpit with his lightsaber drawn.

Haduj snarled and shot at Obi Wan who deflected the blast. Nebuer reached for his blaster as Ahsoka tried to use the force to regain her lightsaber. The weequay's reflexes were quick as he tightened his grip and shot a blast at her. Ahsoka's other hand came out producing her second lightsaber. She deflected the blast but it went straight into the cockpit. The lights from the cockpit started to flash and alarms sounded off.

The fight continued as the ship started to rock. Ahsoka sliced through Nebuer's blaster but he somehow managed to turn on the lightsaber in his hand. He swung wildly cutting at the panels inside the shuttle. A tube was sliced open and the cabin filled with a white smoke that blinded everyone. Ahsoka couldn't see through the smoke and force pushed Nebuer back. He screamed as he hit the wall and her lightsaber dug deep into the panel there. Sparks flew and then fire erupted in the shuttle.

Obi Wan lunged at Haduj but he had quick reflexes and sideswiped Obi Wan, who anticipated this and disarmed him as he moved. The reptile put his hands up in surrender as he eyes the panel of controls behind him.

"Now, hand over the puck and no one needs to get hurt." Obi Wan stated firmly.

Haduj sneered and pulled it out of his pocket. "You want this? Then, come fetch it in space!" He pushed the emergency release for the shuttle's backdoor. If he can't have it then no one can.

There was a gush as the cabin depressurized. The trandoshan and the weequay were sucked out into space. Obi Wan used the force to quickly grab the puck before it was sucked out with them. Frantically, Ahsoka grabbed the nearest thing and crawled with her hands towards the emergency release to close the doors. The cabin repressurized as Ahsoka and Obi Wan landed on the ground with a hard thump.

"Well, that went better than expected." Obi Wan proclaimed nonchalantly.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and grunted as she got up. At least that put out the fire but the control panels in the cockpit were still flashing angrily. Rushing over, Ahsoka went over to the panel to run the ship's diagnostics.

Obi Wan came over beside her, "How are we doing, Ahsoka?"

Ashoka mumbled as she quickly punched buttons, "The ship is badly damaged. My lightsaber must have cut the fuel line. We're leaking fuel at an exponential rate. We have to land somewhere quickly or we're going to end up dead weight in space."

Obi Wan pulled up the navigation, "There! We need to land there!"

"Dorin? You want to land there?" It was the closest planet to them and their best chance of not becoming space junk.

Obi Wan confirmed, "Yes, send a distress signal to the surface. Let them know we need to make an emergency landing. I believe there's someone on the planet that'll be familiar with us and be able to help. You know who I'm talking about."

Ahsoka grinned broadly, "Oh, yes I do."

A/N: Ahsoka is going to be younger in this series. Yes, she left the order but without order 66 I think she won't be as bitter. Plus, she spent a good part of last year with Anakin, Padme, and the twins so she's not going to be as broody and still have some of that impulsive, youthfulness.

On the other hand, Obi Wan is grumpy and jaded, but don't worry he has a tenacious spirit and steadfast beliefs. He'll get over it eventually….because he's Obi Wan.

Sorry no Anakin in this chapter. Do you know what species lives on Dorin? *Wink* The Kel Dor! Plo Koon to make a special appearance! I think the next chapter will make the Jedi loving fans happy.

Lastly, who's excited for the Bad Batch animated series coming out? Can we petition to get an AU where Anakin doesn't fall?