Chapter 18
Krayt's Claw
KAMINO,
One Year Before the Clone Wars
"As I was saying, your old man, Hondo Ohnaka that psycho Aurra Sing, that big hatted idiot Cad Bane and the craziest man I'd ever met were backed into a corner, we had just tried to make off with Graduala the Hutt's crown when we fell right into a trash compactor." Jango said while he cooked breakfast inside their personal apartment in Kamino. Heavy rain battered the windows giving a chaotic drumbeat while Jango told his story.
Jango was in the kitchen moving eggs and bacon across a frying pan, the sizzling sound of frying meat matching with the smell it produced was a heavenly aroma.
"Now what did I do son?" He asked looking over his shoulder at a young boy identical to him with flowing black hair, a button nose and tan skin "Hmm."
"Come on think?" Jango asked him.
Boba tapped his fingers on the table "Ah-ah, fingers if you have a tell that lets people know you're thinking it shows your not focused, airgo you're dead." Jango pointed out.l
The boy snatched his fingers away from the table hiding them "You had your jet pack and your grappling cord, did you fly out?" Boba asked him.
Jango held up the spatula he was using to cook breakfast and waved it around "Eeeh, wrong would like to pick a vowel?" He asked pretending to be on a game show.
Boba groaned "Half right, half right you blasted your way out with your jet packs rocket?"
"Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner." Boba heard his dad say coming around with the frying pan still sizzling from the heat "And you won breakfast."
"Alright." Boba cheered as his dad slid the food onto his sons table "Lot better then the rations were use to eh son?" Jango said, ruffling his sons hair.
Boba dug into the food "Hey dad?" Boba asked.
"What's that son?" Jango asked washing the pan and his hands before joining his offspring at the counter.
"You never talk him, the Crazy Man?" Jango who was about to start eating his own breakfast stopped "Iaco Stark, the Pirate King of the Outer Rim." Jango took a cup of blue milk "To his Majesty." He said sarcastically putting a hand on his blue tunic making Boba giggle.
"Whatever happened to him, you never talk about the Stark Hyperspace War?" Boba asked him hoping for another story "Well I never talk about it because I didn't fight in it, sure Iaco wanted me to join him but I had just rediscovered Mandalorian heritage you know the story?" Jango asked him to point a fork to Boba for him to retell it.
Boba nodded "The Warriors of Mandalore had been exiled, so you joined a group of true Mandalorian warriors to hunt down Deathwatch, restore your-" "Our honor Boba, our honor as warriors." Jango corrected him.
"The Duchess of Mandalore, misguided as she is, wanted only what was best for our people but the best way to preserve peace is to fight for it." Jango said, sounding out of character "Had different dreams then, wanting to return to Mandalore to rebuild Clan Fett, well that's one dream that's started son." He said winking at his son, the heir to the Fett Clan.
But Boba still poked at his eggs "You said Iaco had a son right?"
Jango put his fork down "Aye, he did."
"Did? Did he die?" Boba asked fear crossing over his face "No, Iaco's boy's alive but he's with the Jedi now." Jango said, turning to him "Oh so I could meet him some day when the Jedi come for the other clones?" Boba asked, smiling again.
Jango shrugged at the notion "It's entirely possible son, yes."
"Do you think we could be friends?" Boba asked his father, the Mandalorian thought about it "Don't see why not son, everyone needs friends even Jedi."
CORUSCANT
Present
"Boss, Boba are you listening to me?" Bossk hissed at Boba from across the room, Boba had his feet propped up on the dashboard holding the same The Mandalorian Way book that Leo had received from Pre Vizsla and that Leo had given to Boba when he was in jail. Boba was sitting in his ship the Slave II which was parked in the lower levels of Coruscant's underbelly waiting to depart for their mission.
Boba grunted back "Yeah what Bossk?"
The members of Krayt's Claw were gathered in the back of the ship loading up supplies, Dengar and C-21 were moving a crate onto the ship while the trandoshan Bossk was speaking to him.
"I got some bad news, looks like the mission just got a lot harder." Bossk reported.
Boba took his feet off the dashboard closing the book and got up heading back at him "What do you mean?" Boba asked.
"Security for the targets being upgraded, new ship, and two more Jedi." Bossk said, holding up a holopad showing Ahsoka and Anakin on it.
"Skywalker and the torgurtan?" Boba said looking at Ahsoka, his brow cocked looking at the picture of her "Hmm wouldn't be fun if it's not a challenge besides we'll ambush them after they arrive on Bespin." Boba said, tossing the holopad back to him.
"Dengar, C-21 get the rest of the gear on the ship, we're leaving in fifteen." Boba ordered them.
Dengar groaned down on the landing pad "Why did I have to help the droid, I'm not a droid."
"Shut up Dengar." Bossk snapped following Boba onto the bridge.
HYPERSPACE,
The Tantive IV
Leo was standing in front of a dozen Senate Commandos who were all wearing matching blue armor with identical close faced visor helmets, with metal plumes on top. The only one among them who stood out was the one on the very end who's helmet had a white emblem of the Republic senate on his helmet brow. Leo walked in front of them in his green jedi robes speaking to them "Commandos, you all received the mission briefing." Leo said stopping as he passed by them all, turning around and walking out in front.
The seven of them were in the cargo hold, "But as you can see some of those perimeter have been… altered." Leo said.
The Senate Commandos tried their best to hide the exchanged glances "Instead of taking a GX1, the Phoenix as I intended we are taking the Tantive IV as you see were on." Leo began "In addition both Senators Organa and Amidalla are with us and by personal request of the Chancellor, so is another Jedi Knight, and his padawan."
"Sir, has something about the level of the mission changed?" One of the Commandos asked.
"No, we are still going to Bespin to see if Senator Chuchi can negotiate fueling rights for the Republic navy." Leo answered "We just have extra people we need to look out for." Leo replied "Anything else?" Leo asked them.
Three out of the six hands went up "Anything that does not have to do with me fighting Count Dooku and being a spy?" All the hands went down.
Sighing Leo knitted his brown between his fingers "Before you are dismissed, I've duos of each of you to protect the Senators at all time, the same will be said for Jedi, two commandos, one jedi to each, we'll cycle off duos for the Guards, dismissed."
The Senate Commandos all saluted before heading for the door, all but the one with painted armor who waited till the others were all gone "Master Jedi?" They asked under their helmet.
Leo hadn't noticed they were even there "Hmm, oh I'm not a Master just a Knight, what is it?" Leo asked after correcting them.
"I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude for allowing the Senate Guard to join on this mission, we've been sidelined many times for the Coruscant Guard as of late." The Senate Guard replied Leo started to notice his white marks on his armor weren't just for fashion it was his rank "You are most welcome Captain, I felt it prudent that it was the Senate not the military making this offer." Leo said up to him.
The Commando reached up and removed their helmet revealing a young man nearly out of his twenties, he had strong features around his nose and brow. His skin was a dark oak and his eyes an amber orange with black hair on his brow and head matted down on his scalp "Then we are in agreement, allow me to introduce myself." The man said.
"I am Captain Vector Naquila, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sir Rock." He said nodding at him with his helmet under his arm.
"To you as well, is there something else you wanted?" Leo asked.
Vector shrugged "I don't pretend to have a Jedi's senses, but only wish to say that I too was promoted suddenly and without warning albeit under different circumstances, I just wanted to offer you my ear should you need it."
"That is the most appreciated Captain but I believe this mission will run smoothly with all of us here." Leo told him, but when Leo started to head to the door.
"My men are not clones." Vector said suddenly "What?" Leo asked him.
Captain Naquila stood up straight "I said my men are not clones, we are not expendable, are you aware of what this mission means for the Guard?"
Leo closed the door before he could leave "No, I do not?" He asked Captain Naquila to walk up to him.
"There is talk, within our ranks, that the Supreme Chancellor will be a changing of the Guard." Naquila replied quietly "Why do they say that?" Leo asked.
Naquila locked eyes with him "You have been gone a long time Master Jedi, the Republic changing for better or worse I do not know, but this an opportunity for the Senate Guard to remind the Senate and the Chancellor of our worth, much in the way the Jedi do every day on the battlefield what I mean to say is, I will not fail you in life or death Master Jedi." The Captain said standing up straight.
Leo reached out for Naquila and put his hand on the man's arm "Alive preferably." Leo suggested.
Up on the bridge, Anakin was standing next to the ships commanding officer, a dark haired man like Anakin wearing grey Alderannian robes with a cloak and pistol at his hip, he wore a silver circlet around his head "It's a fine ship Captain Antilles." Anakin said beside him while the chips pilots flew it through hyperspace.
"Thank you Master Jedi, despite my best efforts to keep the Senator away from danger Senator Organa always seems to find it." Antilles said while Anakin snickered.
"He and Senator Amidalla seem to share that nasty habit." He whispered to him.
The doors to the bridge opened with Leo walked in seeing Anakin who thought he'd be seeing Ahsoka but when he saw it was just Leo he scowled and turned around "Anakin, can I talk to you?" He asked.
"Busy." Anakin replied.
"Now." Leo said with a bit more force in his voice, Anakin sighed rolling his eyes and walked to the back of the bridge "What is it?" Anakin asked annoyedly.
Leo frowned at the older Jedi "Whatever the Chancellor requested or your playing at the Council gave me this assignment, so we might as well work together and not against each other?" Leo asked.
"I'll do what I think is best, like not trusting you on how to keep the Senators safe." Anakin shot back going straight for the jugular.
A move Leo did his best to evade without getting drawn into an argument "I knew I could look after Senator Chuchi, but now thanks to you I have to worry about two more plus a child." Leo hissed turning to leave the bridge knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere with Anakin.
"Ahsoka's not a child anymore." Anakin said as the doors opened and Leo called back "I wasn't talking about here." He said loudly "Hey-" The doors slammed shut on Anakin before he could get the last word in. When Anakin turned around Captain Antilles and the entire bridge crew of the Tantive IV was starring at him before they snapped back to their work acting as if they hadn't heard the whole awkward conversation.
Elsewhere in the Tantive IV, the Senators were gathered in the ships meeting room, it like most of the ship had white walls with metal floors and small red and blue lights on panels around the room. While Senators Chuchi, Amidalla and Organa sipped on champagne Ahsoka was standing diligently in the corner as they spoke "So Senator Chuchi what is your plan when you meet with the Bespin Ambassador?" Padme asked.
"Actually Senator, considering you being a far more experienced diplomat I thought you should take the lead in the negotiations?" Chuchi suggested, Organa remained silent while Padme blushed a bit but wasn't happy with the compliment.
"You flatter me Riyo, but this is your mission I couldn't possibly dream of taking this opportunity from you. It's a chance to prove yourself to the Senate." Padme reminded her while Ahsoka and Bail listened.
Chuchi put her cup down "I know, but my pride isn't as important as these fuel rights will be to ending this war." Riyo said unsure of herself looking at the liquid in her glass half empty.
The doors to the meeting room opened and Leo stepped in with Captain Naquila and another Senate Guard "Senators, we'll be arriving at Bespin shortly, for you own safety I've assigned two Senate Guards for you each, and with three Jedi and three senators the same." Leo informed them as he walked in standing at the head of the table opposite of them.
"Who are we assigned to?" Ahsoka asked him "As per the Senator Chuchi's request, I will look after her well being, General Skywalker will guard Senator Amidalla and you will be in charge of Senator Organa's, Padawan Tano." Leo answered, Ahsoka didn't take to kindly for him of all people calling her Padawan.
"Actually if I think it would be better if I stayed close to Senator Chuchi, she and I have seen action together." Ahsoka said confidently looking down at Chuchi then up to Leo who wasn't at all amused by Ahsoka trying to strongarm her way into the mission like Anakin..
Leo looked at her hard, "My orders stand, I'll see you all again when we land." Leo replied before leaving so Ahsoka couldn't make another objection.
"A rather blunt Jedi isn't he Ahsoka?" Senator Chcuhi asked the Padawan "I'm sure he means well, we all trust in the wisdom of the Jedi." Padme said looking up at Ahsoka who only Padme could tell was a bit unnerved.
"Certainly, the Jedi always come through for us. I don't see why this would be any different." Bail said, holding up his cup to Ahsoka smiling kindly at her.
BESPIN
The Tantive IV dropped out of hyperspace, approaching a large gas giant in the star system of the same name, Bespin. Leo had rejoined Anakin on the bridge to oversee the landing for nothing else, no words passed between them as they approached the gas giant. The doors opened followed by the Senators and Ahsoka walking in with their Senate Guards liked by Captain Naquila.
"How can anyone life on a gas giant?" Ahsoka asked.
"The mining colony is held up in a floating city, they locals named it Cloud City." Senator Chuchi said next to her showing she'd done her homework, they began their descent across the planets cloudy surface as Chuchi continued "Ugnaughts are employed to extract tibanna from repulsorlift facilities whilst Bespin's mostly human population resided in the open upper levels, exposed to a thin layer of breathable atmosphere in an area known as the 'Life Zone'." She explained to the young padawan.
"Incoming fighters." Captain Antilles suddenly said "Where?" Leo asked quickly sounding nervous.
"Heading straight for us, Cloud Cars from the city to escort us." Captain Antilles said back to him.
Leo relaxed seeing the ships coming toward them that they had no attack pattern "Republic vessel, on behalf of Cloud City welcome to Bespin we'll escort you down to the city."
"Much obliged." Captain Antilles said following the escort toward their destination.
"Cloud City is something of an anomaly in the outer rim, far away from anything political and pirates never go near it." Chuchi said over to Ahsoka, Anakin and Leo listened in when Ahsoka asked "How come?"
Chuchi delightfully answered "The city has the advantage of long range scanners and the ability to move, if pirates ever did try to raid the city it would just need to move to another part of the planet and the pirates would never be able to find it."
"Impressive." Anakin said, the Tantive went through some thick clouds for a few moments before everyone got to see Cloud City.
Rising from an ocean of condensed water and gas, the rising citadel in the sky appeared before them with a blue sky backdrop and the sun shining down on it from above. "Now thats something you don't see everyday?" Leo said seeing Cloud City in all its glory rising to meet them. completely man-made tibanna gas mining colony staff hovering over the gas giant Bespin, occupied by millions of workers, tourists and support staff. Located in Bespin's Life Zone, the station had no need for airlocks or life support systems, with the atmosphere comprised mostly of oxygen and acceptable levels of gravity and temperature. The station was situated 59,000 kilometers above Bespin's core, while its disk was approximately 16.2 kilometers in diameter. 36,000 repulsorlift engines and tractor beam generators kept the giant city floating above the planet. It contained 392 levels, along with platforms and rooms for residents and visitors. The top 50 levels of the city were used as a luxury resort, renowned for its famous casinos such as Yarith Bespin and Pair O'Dice, while the lower levels housed workers and catered for the mining and processing of tibanna gas. The city had a controlled environment that meant residents did not have to worry about the weather.
The Republic vessel flew over the city skyline, white buildings that reflected the color of the sloughs whenever they moved mixed with the beautiful architecture unlike anything on Coruscant. Rather then cutting through the city or bulging out Cloud City "What kind of government does Cloud City have?" Leo asked looking at the star fighters showing them the way.
"The Outer Rim political world is a very complex organism Master Jedi, Cloud City's head of state is given the title of Baron Administrator its part president part ceo from what our reports tell."
"And who is this Baron Administrator?" Anakin asked her.
"His name is Corpus Drell Master Jedi, he's been eager to speak to the Republic for some time now." Chuchi replied.
When the Tantive IV landed on one of the platforms inside the city, it was outside the Administrators Palace, a large dome shaped building in the center of one of the city squares. As the ramp lowered the Senate Guard exited first followed by Chuchi in front with Amidalla and Organa behind her, and finally the jedi emerging last
The Senate Commandos stood at attention when everyone came off the ship after them and they were approached by a greeting party. Six men all wearing dark blue uniforms with a yellow trim and red cuffs approached them with short brimmed hats and at the had of them was a short fat white haired man with bulging gut wearing a dark blue suit, his white hair was done up in an exotic fashion "Welcome, Welcome, Welcome my friends to Cloud City." Man said bowing before them.
"Senator Chuchi it is a pleasure, we are so lucky that not just one Senator but three have come to our humble mining facility." He said, taking Senator Chuchi's hand and kissing it "Allow me to introduce the Baron Administrator of Cloud City, Corpus Drell."
"A pleasure." Senator Organa said bowing with Padme "And Baron allow me to introduce three representatives of the Jedi Order, Master Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano, as well as Leo Rock Jedi Knight."
The Baron seemed to bounce up and down with excitement "My, my, such a delightful party you make first we shall dine then we shall talk business please follow me my dear." The Baron offered Chuchi his arm, he more or less grabbed her arm pulling her along while the others followed.
"Captain Naquila have two of your men guard the ship for this evening, once we've secured the Palace you can join us." Leo ordered the Senate Commando Captain.
Naquila gave a firm nod "Sir yes sir."
Leo then followed the other Jedi toward the palace "Something about that Baron is off putting?" Ahsoka said next to her Master "Maybe, but he does seem weird."
Meanwhile high above them already arrived were the Krayt's Claw scouting out the position, Boba, Bossk and Dengar were looking through a pair of binoculars at them "Won't it be easy getting into the palace Boss?" Bossk pointed out.
"We won't be getting into the palace, the target will undoubtedly take a tour of the city and they'll be exposed then-" "-Then I get to disintegrate them." Dengar said giddy as a school child holding up his disintegrator rifle.
"Shut up Dengar." Both Bossk and Boba snapped, Dengar pouted behind them "Just an idea." He mumbled to himself.
Boba looked down at the binocular "All we have to do is be patient, I hope the target enjoys their last meal."
"What do you think they're having?" Dengar asked getting too close for Boba's liking "Dengar-" "I know, I know, shut up." Dengar mumbled to himself.
Later that evening, the Republic ambassadors were dining in a grand hall all in white with silver chairs and table wares. The back of the hall had a large circular window that let in a dark blue sky. The Senate Commandos lined the walls standing on guard while Ahsoka stood behind Senator Organa while the Baron sat at the head of the table laughing. A silver protocol droid was walking around serving wine to all the guests "And so I told the Trade Union representative, I beg your pardon sir but is that your tube in my soup- HAHAHA." Nobody but the Baron seemed to enjoy his joke, but the Senators forced themselves to smile and giggle at the bad story.
Outside the dining hall Anakin and Leo approached one another in the hallway, "So far nothing out of the ordinary, this place is pretty secure." Leo told him "You sure about that?" Anakin asked him.
"I scanned every level, every room if something happens we'll know it." Leo replied walking toward the dining room.
"It's what we don't know you should be prepared for." Anakin stoically pointed out "Like someone suddenly trying to take over my first mission as a knight?" He asked Anakin.
"Exactly, so hurry up and follow me to the dinning room so we can check on the Senators." Anakin ordered, Leo ground his teeth to dust grunting "I'm only going because that's where I was planning to go."
Anakin smirked at him "Whatever you say."
When they walked into the dinning room, the Baron had finished laughing and Chuchi finally got a word in "Baron you've been a lovely host, but might we discuss the fueling rights for the Republic navy?" She asked.
"All in do time my dear, but…" The Baron trailed off yawning "It is late and we best began fresh in the morning, I shall give you a tour of our City of our fair city, as you take in the sights we may discuss how best a Republic presence here will benefit my people." The Baron said rising to his feet. Everyone got to their feet when he backed out of his chair his guards coming up to him to escort him out. "My guards will show you all to your chamber, please enjoy your evening."
The Baron promptly waddled to the door leaving the Senate Guard to escort the Senators to their perspective rooms, "So much for negotiations." Leo said seeing they hadn't even happened.
"Give it time, diplomacy is a grind but its worth it when a peaceful resolution occurs." Padme said next to him before she gave Anakin a glare that read they need to talk, now.
"Allow me to escort you to your room Senator." Anakin said as Ahsoka started to escort Bail with the two Senate Guards.
Soon it was just Leo and Chuchi with Captain Naquila in the room with him, "Oh right." Leo said under his breath "If you'd please follow me." Leo escorted Senator Chuchi to one of the guest suites inside the Administrators Palace.
"I trust all is well Sir Rock?" Chuchi asked him as he walked beside her "Nothing to worry about Senator, your safety is our top priority." Leo replied.
"That's a relief, if I may ask how have you found yourself returning to the Republic after being gone for so long?" Senator Chuchi asked him as they approached her door. Not far from it down the hall Leo could see Ahsoka and the Senate guards watching over the entrance to Organa's room. Anakin was however not at his post in front of Amidalla's room, that caught Leo's ire making him frown. The Guards opened the door for Senator Chuchi who looked at Leo's back even covered in dark green robes so she could see his broad shoulders.
Leo looked at Ahsoka "Where's Anakin?" He asked.
"He said he had to go check something on the ship?" Ahsoka said dismissively holding up an empty hand like it wasn't a big deal.
"I told him to stand guard." Leo growled at her "He said you wouldn't mind." Ahsoka replied. Before they could get into it, Senator Chuchi spoke up"Sir Rock, would you like to join me for a night cap?" Senator Chuchi asked, her sudden offer made Leo turn around and even reach Ahsoka's ears. The Knight turned around looking at her "Thank you Senator, but I'm on duty." He said walking down the hall passing Ahsoka "and I don't drink." He added glaring at Ahsoka before he passed Padme's door which unbeknownst to anyone had Anakin landing on the balcony behind it.
Anakin landed in front of Padme who had her arms crossed tapping her foot "Ah alone at last." Anakin said before Padme slapped him across the face.
Anakin turned back to her like a wounded dog "... Ow?" He snapped at a lost for words.
"What was that for?" Anakin asked, "I said offer him advice, not take over his mission and drag me into it." Padme chastised him "I didn't drag you into anything, if anything we dragged Organa into and that guy needs to get off Coruscant more."
"The last time he was of Coruscant he was on Christophsis during a battle?" She pointed out "It was just a siege, dang you hit me really hard." Anakin rubbed his cheek, he said, batting his eyes.
Padme didn't break her glare "Oh come on, he's not ready for this."
"How many times do you think Windu said the same thing about you?" Padme asked "What do you want me to do, not protect you and everyone else?" Anakin asked her, Padme groaned hearing his excuses.
"How would you feel if Obi-Wan took over one of your missions?" Padme asked him.
"He wouldn't because we respect each other." Anakin said as Leo walked out of the palace onto the landing pad approaching the Tantive IV, standing guard out in front of it were two of the Alderaanian guards who had come with Bail and a blue and white Astro droid who beeped happily seeing Leo and he smiled back seeing R2-D2.
The droid rolled up to him beeping a few kind words "I'm glad to be back to Artoo, have you seen Skyguy?" He asked.
"What do you mean he's on guard duty, he's not there?" Leo corrected the droid "He's not where?" Anakin said coming up behind him, Leo turned to confront him.
"Where were you?" Leo asked him walking up to Anakin getting right in his face.
Anakin held his arms up "I was tracking a suspicious character when Ahsoka rang me, now is there something you want or can I get back to guarding the Senators?" Anakin asked.
Leo could feel Anakin batting him into something "This is my mission, my command." Leo reminded him "So you keep saying, now are we done here good?" Anakin said, ignoring his reminder before setting off back to the palace.
"General?" Leo called out to him, like he use to when they first met.
"Yeah?" Anakin asked after hearing him call his name "For better or worse, I'm on your side." Anakin didn't say a word he just walked back into the palace to stand guard.
THEN NEXT DAY
When dawn broke, the three well rested Senators and three drowsy Jedi were following the Baron and his guards across one of the tall walkways overlooking Cloud City, coming out of a large pyramid shaped building. It was a sunny day with a few rogue clouds giving shade across the life zone that the city was at. The Jedi walked with a heavy yawn coming out of Ahsoka's mouth "Did you get any sleep Master?" She asked him.
"No, because someone remembered we had three Jedi, and didn't need all three on duty?" Anakin said looking at Leo who had his brow twitch "You were sent here by the Chancellor to guard Senator Amidalla, that's what you'll do" Leo replied following the Baron and the Senators.
High up on one of the balconies the real danger was on the prowl, Krayt's Claw was up in three different teams, Bossk and Boba were on one tower overlooking the bridge the Republic delegates were walking, C-21 and Latts were on another rooftop across from them while Dengar was sitting in a getaway speeder polishing his disintegrator rifle. "Don't you worry my love, soon we'll get our change and then-'pow pow'- 'Aaah I'm being Disintegrated, 'Poof'... and then the Boss will stop treating me like a part timer, yeaaaaaah." Dengar day dreamed while he polished his rifle.
"Alright everyone clear on the plan?" Boba asked from behind his binoculars while Bossk was looking down a scope, "Affirmative." C-21 said the battle droid "Let's get this party started." Latts said slipping on a jet pack and handing one to C-2.
Back on the bridge the Baron was talking Riyo's ear off "Ah you not believe the price and threats the syndicates have thrown at us, but I'm sure once they know the Republic and Cloud City have entered into an alliance we won't have that problem anymore."
"Syndicates?" Leo asked making the Baron stop, "Yes Master Jedi vile villains, but Cloud City does not bow easily to threats, why just last cycle the Black Sun said they would kill me if I didn't hand over our mining rights, I told them they could shove off." The Baron said, turning to any of them least of all the Baron the Black Sun's hired Bounty Hunters were shoving rockets into a launcher handing it to Boba. The rocket flew out from atop the tower heading right for the Jedi and Senators, feeling the incoming danger Leo, Anakin and Ahsoka looked to the sky "Incoming!" Leo shouted.
"Everyone down, Ahsoka, Leo" Anakin shouted looking at them, Leo saw what the two of them were about to do and immediately held their ground looking at the incoming rocket. The three Jedi held their hands up and grabbed the rocket out of the air redirecting it back up into the open sky, the explosion drew every eye and ear around them for a ten mile radius.
"Captain Naquila, protect the Senators." Leo ordered drawing his lightsaber like Anakin and AHsoka, the Senate Commandos rushed in helping up the Senators and surrounding them with blue armor. With three Jedi watching the skyline for anymore rockets the Senators were in good hands even the Barons own guards surrounded him.
Ahsoka scanned the horizon when she spotted to glares coming off of Boba and Bossk sniper rifles "There, the shooters two of them!" Ahsoka shouted pointing to one of the taller spiral buildings.
"They see us." Bossk said "Then shoot them for star's sake." Boba snapped the opening fire.
The laser bolts flew and the jedi started to deflect them "Latts, C-21 you've got your window." Boba said, firing at the Jedi. "What about me boss, what can I do?" Dengar asked from his speeder, excited to join in on the action "Stay put and shut up Dengar" Boba shouted into his coms. While the Jedi and Senators retreat, the Barons' own guards ere getting picked off by Boba and Bossk between the incoming fire. "Heads up we got two more coming our way." Anakin called out seeing the battle droid C-21 and the theelin woman Latts alongside him on jetpacks flying straight toward them, another one of the Baron's guards went down and he just had two left he was cowering behind.
"There not after the Senators." Leo said to himself.
"Anakin, Ahsoka get the Senators back to the Palace." He ordered before he rushed forward toward the Baron across the bridge, "Leo what are you doing?" Anakin called out.
The Jedi Knight didn't hear him, Leo was heading straight for the Baron and the Bounty Hunters could see his white lightsaber from a mile away "Uh oh, green boy is onto us." Bossk said shooting at Leo.
"I can see that, keep shooting we still have plan B." Boba said.
On the bridge Latts and C-21 flew over the Baron killing his guards before the Baron was about to be shot by C-21. A shadow cast over the battle droid and he looked back to see Leo had taken to the air with the force and swung his lightsaber down on the battle droid cleaving its arm straight off.
When he landed Latts tried to shoot him but he grabbed her with the force and flung her into the nearest buildings wall. Her jet back started to go haywire sending her in every direction before she unclipped it falling down to the city below, thinking fast she used her blade wip that looked like a scarf to grapple onto a nearby flag pole and swing to safety.
Still armed with another blaster C-21 flew circles around Leo who deflected them, keeping himself between the Baron and the bounty hunter droid. But Boba had the Baron in his sights he just needed to wait for Leo to move a bit more to th right "Come on, come on oh Kriffing hell." Boba said.
"FOR THE REPUBLIC!" Captain Naquila had rushed in from out of nowhere shooting at the snipers from a far, even so far away his blaster lasers were snipping the air around Bossk and Boba.
"Plan B?" Bossk asked, seeing there was no way of getting past Leo or Naquila.
Boba reached into his pocket and pulled out a detonator, pressing "Plan B." That detonator sent a signal to a series of explosives planted at the base of each one of the bridge's pillars sending a chain reaction making it all come tumbling down "Everyone run!" Anakin shouted to the Senators who were at the entrance to the bridge. Everyone didn't need a reminder running straight for the entrance back into the pyramid when they were all safely inside Leo shut the doors on Leo, Naquila and the Baron who were consumed in the rubble.
"Time to go." Boba said as Dengar and Latts came up in the speeder, both Bosk and he got in followed by C-21 who was looking at his broken arm and missing limbs "Don't be such a baby C-21 we'll get you a new one." Boba said before they flew off.
Later, after Cloud City first responder droids had arrived on the scene pushing over the rubble, keeping civilians back and medical droids tending to anyone hurt. Not long after Anakin and Ahsoka came running across the yellow laser lines looking around "Scan the area." Anakin ordered the droids. Even a small gathering of Cloud Citizens were at the line wondering what all the chaos had been.
"Master look." Ahsoka said pointing to a pile of rubble rising slowly, five large metal chunks of what was once the bridge started to levitate each of them the size of a Republic gunship and from underneath appeared Leo his arms outstretched lifting them with the force while Captain Naquila was helping the Baron out from under the rubble. The fat man's blue suit was torn and his exotic hair cut ruined but he was otherwise alive and unharmed. After Naquila and the Baron were clear Leo tossed the rocks back to the safest distance and helped get the old man down to the medical droids awaiting to help him.
The droid took one look at the Baron, "How is he?" Leo asked the medical droid.
"A small concussion, nothing to worry about." The droid replied.
Leo gave a sigh of relief and looked to Captain Naquila who's helmets black visor had been shattered open exposing his face. He nodded to Naquila who returned it with a nod back before he limped off to the Senate Commandos and on looking at Senators who were gathered in the crowd. Leo felt both Anakin and Ahsoka's eyes on him and for the first time in a long time the two of them had a hint of pride behind their eyes.
"Wait, wait." The Baron said, pushing off the droid "Baron?" Leo asked, seeing the old man getting to his feet "Master Jedi, I owe you my life." The Baron said stumbling toward him, the concussion taking effect immediately.
Leo caught him before he could fall "You owe nothing Baron, except that you consider the Senate's offer."
"Consider it ha-ahahahaha." The Baron let out a chorus of laughter "It's done, the Republic will have all the fueling rights from Bespin they can want and we shall have the protection of the Republic and the JEDI!" The Baron said loudly, an applause erupted from the crowd who had bore witness to all the heroics. Far away the Bounty Hunters were watching the holofeed with absolute disgust. Boba squeezed the hologram device so tight he broke it.
"So uh Boss… is there a plan C?" Dengar asked him while driving the speeder, Boba took off his helmet scowling at Dengar who looked forward "I know, I know… shutting up."
A few hours later and after a quick visit to the hospital the Baron was putting his official seal on a holographic document, next to the symbol of the Senate. They had gathered into the grand dining hall for the signing and when the Baron took his hand away now wearing a red and golden tunic with the Republic colors on it everyone clapped in applause followed by the sound of a bottle of some vintage being uncorked for the celebration.
The champagne flowed like rain around the hall with the Republic Senators speaking with other members of the Barons Administration who had come to join them for the signing. Anakin was holding a cup next to Padme who was watching Ahsoka speaking to Riyo who had a cloud over her head and Leo who was standing next to the Baron who was holding a glass of champagne.
"See it all worked out fine." Anakin whispered to his wife "The treaty is signed, everyone's safe we have a few more glasses of champagne then we're back to Coruscant." Anakin said, sipping his wine.
"You're still missing the point." Padme whispered back "What point you know what you should show it to me, in your room." He said winking at her "What, here?" She blushed redder than Geonosis at hearing him suggest such a thing.
Anakin winked at her and gave her the Skywalker stare before she melted before him "Ok, fine meet me there." She said, turning to leave the room.
Across the hall, Ahsoka was speaking to Riyo "Are you alright Senator?"
"Yes I'm fine." Riyo replied sipping her own drink "Padme said this was your first time leading a diplomatic mission, sorry Leo stole your thunder he… has that effect?" Ahsoka said looking at Leo while the Baron patted him on the shoulder.
"Oh I'm not bothered by that, I'm relieved the Baron will give us fuel and well can I ask you a personal question Ahsoka, you've known Leo a long time?" Chuchi asked, leaning in.
Ahsoka nodded "Um yes, what is it?"
"Well I was wondering, if you could, maybe…" Chuchi fidgeted in her spot scratching her wrist, while Ahsoka took a sip of her drink "Put in a good word for me with him?" Ahsoka almost spat out her champagne coughing it down.
"My goodness Ahsoka are you alright?" Chuchi asked her "I-I-I- I'm fine I just… I need a minute." Ahsoka coughed out trying to come to terms with Riyo asking Ahsoka to play matchmaker for her, with Leo of all people. Leo and the Baron had noticed Ahsoka struggling with her wine "It seems the padawan isn't accustomed to Cloud City Champagne, by any way a toast, a toast to you Sir Rock." The Baron said pushing the drink in his hand, taking a glass of champagne from one of the serving droids "Let us drink in the Republic and to Cloud City." The Baron said, raising his glass.
Leo looked at the champagne glass and hesitated to raise it "Oh my stars, my apologies are the Jedi not allowed to partake, I just assumed because of the padawan?" The Baron asked him.
"No, that's not it." Leo said shaking his head holding up the glass "I myself don't partake, but. I will always toast to the Republic." Leo said as the Baron raised his glass "Then toast and I shall drink for the both of us haha." The Baron and Leo raised their glasses together, tossing them for everyone else around.
Outside the dining hall and in the hallway of the Palace apartments, Anakin approached an unguarded door to Padme's room "Sending the guards away, hmm." Anakin smiled, opening the door to see nothing but pitch black.
"My lady?" Anakin asked walking in when he sensed danger, he reached for his lightsaber but as soon as he did the light came on to reveal the Krayt's Claw bounty hunters were there blasters pointed at him, all but Boba Fett's who was sitting on a couch next to Padme with his blaster pressed right against her head "Drop the laser sword Jedi, you and the lady are coming with us."
Anakin squeezed his lightsaber about about turn it on "Oh I don't-"
WHAM
Dengar had smashed Anakin in the back of the Knight's head with his own rifle but knocking him out for the Bounty Hunters to tie up and move.
Back in the party, Ahsoka was still trying to catch her breath with Riyo, when someone let out a scream. All heads snapped to the entrance to see one of the Senate Commandos walking in with a bleeding wound, Captain Naquila who was without his helmet wearing a ceremonial cape came running forward "Cor, what happened?" He said calling the man by his name. The injured Senate Commando collapsed right into Naquila's arm coughing.
"B-Bounty Hunters- from the bridge, killed Venq- took the Jedi and Senator Amidalla…" the Guard said holding up a holodevice for Naquila to take before he passed on from his mortal shell. Naquila watched the life leave his comrades body and bowed his head, they may have won the battle for Cloud City but the war was just beginning.
LATER
Tantive IV
Leo, Ahsoka, Senators Organa and Chuchi with Captain Naquila were standing in the Tantive IV command center in the heart of the ship, the walls were dark black with circular hallways and a holotable in the middle, they inside red the holodevice into the table letting the recording play. Boba Fett walked out with his helmet on both Anakin and Padme on the floor in the recording
"Alright, let me tell you how its going to go down, your going to bring that scum water sucking Baron to these coordinates in the city and we're going to have us an exchange." Boba said to them all.
"I know that voice." Leo said listening in closer "Sounds like a clone?" Ahsoka said, hearing it to.
"One Senator, One Jedi, two birds for one pig got it." Boba said stopping "You have till the next rotation to decide who lives and who dies." The recording cut itself off leaving the heroes to plan their next move.
"Well we can't give them the Baron." Leo said to everyone "But we can't just leave them?" Ahsoka said quickly after he spoke.
Anakin turned to her nodding "We won't, we just need a plan." Leo said looking at Naquila "Get your men ready Captain, I bet they want payback."
"Yes sir." Naquila said taking his helmet and putting it on, he'd removed the shattered black visor so his face wasn't obscured anymore.
"What do you plan to do?" Riyo asked him "I would like to know as well?"
Looking to the Senators Leo started to speak but cut himself off "I will inform you as soon as I have a plan ready, in the meantime we best be prepared to leave the system."
"Excuse me?" Ahsoka asked after the Senators left he room, leaving Ahsoka and Leo alone for the first time since he was Knighted.
Leo closed his eyes knowing what he said sounded worse than it was "So you're already planning on abandoning them?"
"No, of course not-" "Because it sure sounds like it?" Ahsoka interrupted, pointing at him "Oh my force, what is with you, you Anakin you're cutting me off in every direction I can't win." Leo said flinging his arms up in the air.
"What you thought you could just come back and everything would go back to normal, sorry?" Ahsoka said crossing her arms "I know it won't be normal but I'm trying here, and maybe if you could we can try to work together to save Anakin and Padme before it's too late." Leo said turning on the holotable to show them a diagram of Cloud City in holographic form.
Ahsoka looked at him then at the hologram "Fine." She said coldly.
Leo pointed to the lower tower coming out of Cloud City's underbelly "The Bounty Hunters want to meet here, inside the lower tower there's a platform here." Leo pointed to showing a large structure sticking out into the tower.
"It's hollow?" Ahsoka asked "Yes, it's part of the cities propulsion's system, and one nasty drop too." Leo added before he pointed to another section "We can go through the carbon freezing plan here with the Commandos."
"Wish we had Rex and the boys here." Ahsoka said, looking at it.
Leo turned to her "I trust Naquila and his men will be just as good." He said "Last Senate Commando I worked with betrayed us, hope he's different." Ahsoka replied.
Leo continued his plan "We'll need to hit hard and fast, taking out the Bounty Hunters should be second securing the Senator and Anakin."
"What if this doesn't work?" Ahsoka asked him "Then I'll have killed both a Senator and a Jedi on my first mission, so Anakin will have what he wants."
"What?" Ahsoka asked.
Leo followed his eyes, turning off the holotable "Oh come on he wants me to fail you both did until this happened."
"Yeah well maybe but not like this." She said leaning on the table crossing her arms "Yeah, well, maybe? What does that even mean Ahsoka?"
"It means he needs time Leo, we both do!" Ahsoka shouted at him "You pretend to be a spy, then you turn on us for real, now you're acting like you'll lay your life down for the Republic its just… just a lot to take in Leo, I think deep down Anakin wants to trust you again he wants that connection head with you when we all first met." She said looking at the floor holding herself in her own arms.
"And you?" Leo asked her.
Ahsoka looked up at him "I… I should go get ready." She said walking out of the holotable leaving Leo alone, again.
As the day started to come to a close, the Bounty Hunters had arrived to hand off, in the heart of the great spire that hung beneath Cloud City like a handle on an umbrella. The Bounty Hunters had tied both Anakin and Padme to two at the end of the structure that came out of the tube. It was a small walkway with a an antenna on the end. The wild winds of Bespin were coming up from the tube sipping all around them from the chasm below.
The Bounty Hunters were gathered on the platform waiting for the Jedi, Dengar leaning on the railing looked over and whistled "That's a nasty drop ain't it Bossk?"
"Shut up Dengar." Bossk hissed at him baring his fangs but this time Dengar didn't cower instead he gripped his rifle tight glaring at Bossk who snickered.
"Where are they?" Latts asked Boba who was waiting in silence "They'll be here, one thing the Jedi love, it's a rescue." Boba said under his helmet, he had Anakin's lightsaber at his belt, a trophy of his captured prey. Anakin and Padme hung their over the drop that would surely kill them if they were cut free, but Anakin kept struggling against his restraints "What are you doing?"
"Trying to get us out of here." Anakin told her "These are force dampeners so I just need the right-" "Anakin stop it, I'm sure Leo and Ahsoka are on their way." Padme suggested hoping he wouldn't make the situation any worse.
Anakin scoffed hearing that "Ahsoka maybe, but Leo I doubt it."
Padme swore under her breath "Oh would you shut up about-"
"NO- YOU SHUT UP!" All the Bounty Hunters and Jedi stopped looking at Dengar who was holding his disintegrator rifle at Bossk and Boba, he had mistaken Padme's shut up for one of his own crew. Boba and Bossk held up their hands blasters pointed to the sky "Easy Dengar." Bossk hissed. While this was all going on the Senate Commandos and two Jedi were moving through the carbon freezing chamber and into one of the upper halls.
"Don't you easy me Bossk, I am tired of you all pushing me around!" Dengar snapped at them while Anakin and Leo were strung up.
Dengar stomped his foot "Every since I joined Krayt's Claw you've done nothing but treat me like I'm not even a part of this team?"
"I mean that's what we are aren't we, a team?" Dengar asked "Now I know we're all a bunch of merciless cutthroats but you're my merciless cutthroats and I wish you weren't so hurtful to me all the time." Dengar berated them, as the Senate Commandos and Jedi got into position and started to overhear the Bounty Hunters feud.
"You can't be serious?" Boba grumbled "That's what I'm talking about, none of you take me serious I may not have claws or fangs like Bossk, or be programmed killing machine like C-21, have whatever that whip thing Latts does, and yes I'm not the son of one of the greatest Bounty Hunters ever like you Boba- but I am a person and I-HAVE-FEELINGS!" Dengar shouted pointing his disintegrator rifle at Boba.
Up in their hiding spot Leo and Ahsoka locked eyes "Boba, as in Boba Fett the clone Jango called his son?" Ahsoka asked in a low whisper "That's gotta be him." Leo replied.
Dengar let out a controlled yell "Yes I'm a bloodthirsty mercenary who likes to disintegrate people but who doesn't like to disintegrate your victims, it's clean, its quick and nobody forgets seeing someone disintegrated I'm Dengar the Disintegrator; it's my thing!" He barked like a mad dog.
"Okay, Dengar, Okay." Boba said, holding up his blaster, laying it down "What do you want?"
"I want you to stop treating me like a hired gun." Dengar asked them still fuming "But Dengar… we are hired guns?" Bossk pointed out.
"Semantics your kriffing lizard, I'm talking about respect, loyalty, the Bounty Hunters code?" Dengar added in outrage "I mean why am I still here if you don't appreciate me, I try and I try to contribute to the team and yes I've made mistakes I admit it but you can't keep treating me like this or else I'm gonna leave I'm not a screw up or a turncoat I just want to help." Dengar snapped at the other hunters.
Anakin groaned up from where he was chained up "I'm going to vomit, I'm actually going to vomit Bounty Hunters having a heart to heart." Anakin grunted.
"Well he has a point." Padme whispered looking at Anakin "You're taking his side he's- oooooh." Anakin realized it all in one sudden epiphany of revelation at how he'd been treating Leo.
"Dengar, Dengar, nobody thinks that about you we assigned you as the getaway driver because you're the best pilot here." Bossk said hands up "And we all love how you disintegrate people, it's awesome." Latts said, dropping her blade whip.
Dengar's eyes lit up or maybe it was because he was almost about to cry "Y-you mean that?" He sniffled "Affirmative, you are most efficient in killing meatbags." C-21 computed.
"Tell you what, next job we get we'll make sure it's a kill contract that we can record you disintegrating the bounty, send it to the money and then we can watch over and over again." Boba said walking up to him and putting his arm around Dengar.
"Oh Boss you don't have to do that, I'm just glad you guys got to hear me out means a lot." Dengar said over to Boba who patted him on the chestplate "Hey the job gets to all of us, and maybe we're a bit too hard on you we'll try to do better okay."
Up in the ambush spot both Leo and Ahsoka looked at one another awkwardly, the sudden similarities between the Jedi and the Bounty Hunters making the air very awkward indeed. "Th-thanks Boss, I mean it and sorry about going all kriffing crazy."
"What did I say the job gets to us all, am I right?" Boba asked the crew, all the Bounty Hunters let out groans of agreement. Bossk waved his hand at Dengar and Boba in agreement, Latts nodded her head, C-21 beeped in confirmation.
"See Dengar, it's not just you we all have days like this the important thing is to talk it out." Boba added nodding to his crew
"Aww that's sweet." Padme whispered next to her husband "Tell you what, you can disintegrate the Jedi, sure Count Dooku will pay us well for killing Skywalker."
Dengar primed his disintegrator eagerly ready to shoot Anakin "Thanks Boss you're the best."
"You were saying?" Anakin asked Padme.
But before Dengar disintegrate Anakin into dust the rifle flew out of Dengars hands and into Leo who was standing over them with the Senate Commandos weapons all trained on them, "Well I'm glad you all learned a valuable lesson on respect, now respectfully put your hands in the air." Leo ordered.
"Oh Kriff this, C-21." Boba said, the bounty hunter droid opened up a series of vents on its chassis and smoke screen filled the walkway and was only spun up into the Commandos' sights with the wind from the tube.
"Come on." Leo said to Ahsoka jumping off their higher ground down onto the platform, the two padawans landed on it and stood back to back. Then out of the smoke screen Bossk and Latts appeared swiping and slashing at the Jedi. Leo swatted Latts bladed whip away while Ahsoka dodged Bossks claws. Leo jumped off the railing and swung around it cutting off a cord using it to swing across to the other side and kick Latts off the side her screams carrying her all the way down.
Dengar suddenly appeared behind Leo with a knife "Get away from my friends!" Dengar rushed Leo who without even looking over his shoulder smashed the bounty hunter into the face breaking his nose. Ahsoka roundhouse kicked Bossk back knocking out three of his teeth, making him fall back. The white cloud around them started to disappear with C-21 nowhere insight "Not bad Jedi." Boba said at the end of the walkway standing over Anakin and Padme holding a knife to their restraints the only thing keeping them suspended from death.
"Hold your fire." Leo ordered Naquila and his men
"Been a while…. Boba." Leo said seeing him.
Boba didn't flinch, he just reached up and took off his helmet "Back at you, Napoleon." He said using Leo's real name, "...N-Napoleon?" Ahsoka asked
"You finish that book?" Leo asked him "Bal'ban Jettii ad." Boba replied, speaking Mandalorian.
Leo held up his lightsaber and turned it off "Gar kar'taylir, sa pirusti sa Ni ogir cuyir nayc ijaat o'r kyr'amuri mirci'ts"
The Jedi and the Bounty Hunters were at a loss for words not sure what they were saying "What language is that?" Anakin asked Padme "Mandalorian, I didn't know Leo spoke it?" She said.
"My crew and I go free?" Boba asked looking up at the Commando's. Leo looked back at them and held up his hand waving for him to lower his weapon. Boba kept his blade on the rope holding it firmly up to the ropes, the Bounty Hunters started to get up and when they were on their feet.
"Out of curiosity Boba, where did you plan to go?" Leo asked and just as he asked the answer appeared, the Slave II flew up from the depths of the chasm with C-21 at the helm with Latt at the guns ready to blast the Jedi and Commando's into oblivion.
Dengar let out a broken laugh still holding his shattered nose "Blasd'em Druid."
"Not the time Dengar." Boba said over him "Bossk, you and Dengar get on the ship." The boy told. The Slave II shifted into the position it needed to be for the trandoshan and other men to get on the ship before it flew over to Boba.
Leo and Boba locked eyes "You win this round Leo."
"Don't make this a habit Boba." Leo said before he jumped into his ship letting it fly down and out of the tube to flee Cloud CIty. When they were gone Leo let out a sigh of relief and walked over to Padme and Anakin kneeling down and undoing the Senators restraints helping her up with Ahsoka coming to help Anakin. When everyone was up on the platform Leo smiled at Anakin who smiled back before giving a nod.
Ahsoka looked at the two men "So… your full name is Napoleon?" Anakin asked.
"Leave it, let's just get back to the ship." He said turning around "Oh no, I'm going to have so much fun with this, I get Leo but maybe we should call you Nap for short instead."
"I said stop it." Leo said back "Maybe Napol, or Ollie?" Anakin added "Stop it." Padme elbowed Anakin while Ahsoka snickered.
"One more and I'm going call you Annie from now on." Leo replied as they started to head back to the ship and back to Coruscant.
HYPERSPACE
Tantive IV
Anakin was walking through the ship before he came up to Leo's quarters and knocked on the door "Who is it?" Anakin heard from inside.
"Anakin." He said through the door.
At first nothing came back from the other side, then it opened with Leo standing there. "Can we talk, I just wanted to say…" Anakin looked into the room to see he was alone and that the work bench inside his quarters was covered with parts and tools.
"What are you working on?" Anakin asked.
Leo moved to the side so he could come in "I've been trying to reconfigure my lightsabers crystal matrix to go out both ends again, I thought about going back to the hinge lightsaber but I grew accustomed to Exar Kun's original design."
The white haired knight but his lip sitting back down "But I'm having a hard time figuring out how to balance the power emission?" He said.
Anakin looked at the pieces and held up one half of Leo's lightsaber looking at it, the crystal still inside it "Do you have the schematics for Kun's?"
"Right there." Leo said gesturing to a hologram of it "Ah I see what the problem is, the emitters that Kun used are out of date they worked at a different frequency." He said as he pointed to them and the ones Leo had "What about the power cell?" Leo asked him.
Anakin bent over looking at it "Hand me that splicer I think I can configure it to recycle the power from the crystal." Leo handed him the tool "Now hold this here Rusty." Anakin said as Leo held the tool. Leo did so smiling hearing the old nickname from his first true Jedi Master. Outside the room Ahsoka walked by seeing them work on the lightsaber in a split second she saw a younger redheaded Leo and an Anakin who didn't carry the worries he carries now before she moved on.
Ahsoka walked down the hallways of the Tantive IV when she heard her name called "Ahsoka?"
It was Padme walking up to him "Senator how are you?"
"I'm fine, I wanted to talk to you actually?" She asked.
Ahsoka shrugged "I'm fine, another successful mission, what's there to complain about?"
"Yes, what indeed I was curious about was how you were handling Leo's…. Success?" Padme asked her.
Ahsoka frowned "I don't have an opinion on it really."
"Riyo told me she asked you to put a word in for her, she was disheartened to learn that Jedi aren't allowed to have such connections." Ahsoka hid her smile hearing that "Well she would have found out sooner or later, better for it to come to a friend." She said walking down the hallway with Padme "And you?" Padme asked.
"And me what?" Ahsoka asked, stopping curious about what she meant, Padme smiled at her softly "Nothing, it's nothing Ahsoka."