Star Wars and all spinoffs belong to Disney, I don't own it and if I did Clone Wars would last for 377 episodes and Gravity Falls wouldn't get put on those stupid hiatuses. Also I'd keep Damon Lindelof as far away from it as I could... I'm watching you J.J. Abrams
The second and final part of this two shot tale. And no Iella is not Wedge's wife from the EU, I just used the name, it's a completley different character.
THE CHOSEN ONE
Scourge of Tatooine! After taking leave from the war to visit his stepfamily Anakin Skywalker discovered a ravaging army of Tusken Raiders attacking the farmers of the Dune Sea. After Discovering that the leader of this murderous group not only was the sole survivor of Anakin's slaughter of a Tusken village as an act of vengeance for his mother's death, but is also the same Tusken Raider he saved when he was a boy, Anakin heads for Jabba's palace to ask for help from the vile Hutt gangster...
The main audience chamber of Jabba the hut was filled with usual unhealthy and disgusting deeds one would expect from Tatooine; drinking, smoking, backstabbing, lying, treachery, a few dead bodies even lay around as macabre decorations.
A pale human girl with ivory skin and black hair, wearing a revealing sling bikini danced as hard and as seductive as she could. Showing off her generous curves, made more noticeable by the coat of sweat on her luscious body. She was an innocent dancer from Humbarine who had been fooled into thinking she was joining up with a first class ballet when she signed up with Jabba's slavers. She was desperate to get away from her home planet after the liberation from General Grievous' invasion, and now all she wanted was to go home.
Jabba the Hutt, a disgusting blob of flesh, lay bored on his dais. The slave girl, whose name was Iella Vadith, had been in his possession for seven months now. He had only recently, as in four weeks ago, given her the "honor" of being the slave to sit with him on the dais, being shown off to business partners, bounty hunters, workers, people in debt, or enemies as work of art... or a pet.
While she worked hard and tried her best to please him, in many ways, he had grown bored with her. That Zelosian that had arrived to the harem the other day though, she could use some breaking.
Iella danced closer, showing the sweat filled valley of her breasts off to her Hutt master, eagerly trying to please him, fearing the possible death, or worse rape via Gammoreans, if she didn't give a good enough show.. Jabba signaled for her to come closer and she did so, fearing what he would do to her if she refused. She got closer and closer... and then Jabba slammed his pudgy fist on the button that opened the trap door to a cavern below the room.
Iella fell, grabbing the chain and screaming in protest, "Na! Na! No! Please! Master don't!" she sobbed as she was held in the air by the chain still attached to her which was still attached to Jabba's dais. A servant moved to unhook it but Jabba stopped them and said something in Huttese. As Iella hung she held the chain and tried to climb back up as she heard the large metal gate open up and the screeching roar of the Nexu fill her soul with dread.
She looked down and screamed as the starved creature jumped up at her, snarling, drooling, and trying desperately to claw her open and spill her blood. She kicked her shoe off, it landed in the dirt below as the Nexu briefly stopped to examine it, but instantly went back to trying to kill her. Iella prayed to her gods to save her or at least make her death quick, but she knew it wouldn't. A few days ago a fellow dancer, a violet skinned Twi'lek, tried to attack Jabba with her chain and was dropped to the Nexu for food. Iella could still hear the screams as the Nexu tore the Twi'lek girl's stomach open and feasted on her insides, ignoring the dying girl's feeble efforts to push it off as she slipped away into death. Jabba forced Iella to watch the entire time.
She watched as the creature jumped higher and higher, starving for food. For meat. She could feel the tips of its claws nearly brushing against her. Tears fell from her eyes as she heard the cruel, mocking laughs of Jabba and his fellow lowlifes. She hoped that if someone were to ever kill Jabba it would be a woman who he had sexually humiliated as she and the others had been.
All of a sudden something lifted her up. Something that wasn't really there but was there at the same time. She opened her eyes and looked around as she floated up above Jabba, who was gaping in shock and confusion. She was safely lowered to the ground as a man's voice said "Careful Jabba, we Jedi don't forget what we witness."
The crowd of drunken, drugged, criminals looked and saw Anakin Skywalker, followed by Jabba's Majordomo Bib Fortuna, who was cowering behind the Jedi Knight. TC-70 walked forward to translate for Jabba as the Hutt began to speak in his deep voice. "Skywalker, what brings you here and why do you stop my entertainment?" the droid asked for the crime lord. "You have a sick definition of entertainment Jabba. At first I only came to ask for one thing, but now I need two." Anakin said.
Jabba groaned and spoke again. "The oh so powerful Jabba says to name your demands. We are still in your debt after all for saving his son." "Very well. First of all, I believe you know about the Tusken Raider army ravaging the farms and the desert." Anakin stared matter-of-factly. Jabba barked something out. "Of course he does. Nothing like that happens on Tatooine without Jabba knowing about it." The droid said. "Then why haven't you done anything about it?" Anakin asked as the slave girl he just saved now got behind him and nuzzled up to him, as if for protection from the lustful eys of Jabba's thugs.
"They haven't attacked Jabba or any of his businesses or anything of any thing of importance to him, so why should Jabba retaliate against them if they have yet to strike at him?" the droid asked. Anakin smirked and walked up closer to Jabba, sidestepping the trapdoor. "Don't you remember how they got the name Tusken Raiders? Their attack on Fort Tusken decades ago. Hundreds dead, only stopped because you intervened. What if this is a repeat of that? The Sand People were once the dominant sapient species on this planet before humans colonized it. What if they want to take it back, and let's not forget that the one in charge of this planet is you, all mighty Jabba. So will you enforce your power and grant me aid?" Anakin asked.
Jabba gave out a deep, mighty laugh. He spoke loudly and TC-70 translated for him. "Jabba has agreed to give you aid Skywalker." It told him, Jabba spoke again, gesturing to a Weequay guard to seize Iella and finish her execution. "Jabba wants to know what the second thing you required is." TC-70 said.
Anakin ignited his lightsaber and pointed it at the guard. "The girl comes with me." He said sternly, pointing the blade towards Jabba. "Is there a problem with that?" he asked, cockily. Jabba spoke again. "No problem, you may take her and do what you wish, her services to us had ended anyway." TC-70 said calmly.
Iella hugged Anakin from behind, grateful for her unexpected savior and the possibility of freedom. Anakin took off his poncho and gave it to her so that she could cover herself. TC translated for the Hutt again. "We will supply you with one of our best Bounty Hunters. He just returned from a trip to Ansion and will gladly fight with you for our payment."
"Okay, who is he or she?" Anakin asked. A familiar voice spoke up behind him, speaking in the language of the Kyuzo. "Embo." Anakin said angrily, turning around and seeing the armored shape of the one time ally, two times enemy Embo. "I ought to gut you right here and now for what you've done." Anakin growled. Embo laughed and spoke. "He says business is business. Nothing personal, never personal. He was your friend once before and he hopes he can aid you again." The droid translated.
"Fine. Working with you is better than nothing Embo. Before we leave for the Tuskens we need to go back to Mos Espa." Embo asked why. "We can't do it alone, I need to meet up with some old friends if we're gonna do this." Anakin said. Embo nodded and said something. "What did he say?" Iella asked, "He says he knows a fellow mercenary in Mos Espa that can help us." Anakin said.
Jabba said something once more. "Jabba hopes these arrangements are in your liking." TC-70 said. "Yes, but I need one thing, some of my friends are slaves, I don't know if they've been freed. I want them to help me on this, so can I have something of yours, oh mighty Jabba, that will make their masters lend them to me?" Anakin asked. Jabba nodded and barked something to Bib Fortuna. The Twi'lek Majordomo handed something to Anakin. "This is Jabba's seal. Possessed only by those he has grated it to. Show their owners that and they will have no choice but to give them to you." He explained.
Anakin bowed, "Then we shall take out leave of you. Come girl, you too Embo." Anakin said, watching Embo closely. Embo nodded and snapped his fingers, making his loyal pet Anooba, Marrok appear, its tail wagging. Embo said something to his pet and it nodded understandingly.
"Oh and Jabba, mind your manners. It would be such a shame if we had to shut you down like we did the Zygerrians." Anakin threatened. Jabba barked out an insult in Huttese as the group left the dark palace.
They walked out of the palace. "So what's your name?" Anakin asked the girl he had saved. "Iella, Master." She said. "No need to call me Master, Iella. Just call me Anakin." He said. She nodded. "Very well Anakin. What will become of me?" she asked. "Well judging by your appearance I'd say you come from or at least your family is from Humbarine." He said "That's right." She said, nodding. "After this is done I'll have you taken home, or if you want to I can put you on a transport that's going there." Anakin said. The girl shook her head 'no'. "No, not from this planet. I don't trust it." She said. "Very well, but bear with me; until I take care of these Tuskens you can stay with my stepfamily." Anakin said. "Very well Mas... Anakin." Iella said as she followed him.
Anakin saw Embo going towards his own ship and asked Embo if Iella and his friends could ride with him, seeing as how Embo's ship was much bigger than Anakin's one seat Starfighter. Embo agreed and said he even had a change of clothes for Iella on the ship so she wouldn't have to wear the humiliating slave outfit.
Anakin got into his ship and waited for Embo to take off. The two flew side by side towards Mos Espa.
Anakin landed the ship into a large docking bay and walked out to meet Embo, who was standing with Marrok and Iella, who now wore simple garbs that were common on Tatooine.
"Where do we go from here?" Embo asked in his usual tongue. "Watto's Parts. First we get Kitster, Seek, and Wald, if they're anywhere, they will be there or at least Watto will know where they are." Anakin said, looking around the town as nostalgia came flooding into him, remembering many things that happened to he and his friends and family so long ago, when things were simple. Embo asked how many of Anakin's old companions they had to collect. "Five; Kitster, Wald, Amee, Seek, and Melee." Anakin answered remembering the good and bad times he had with his little group of friends. Seek and Amee were the tough ones who liked to bully others, but Anakin knew deep down they were good people and he knew he could say the same for the other three.
The group walked to Watto's shop, Marrok occasionally growling at the few pedestrians who gave them odd looks. They soon arrived to the shop, seeing Pit Droids bringing in parts and while Jawas were talking to a Rodian man who was speaking in Huttese "These parts are just barley any good, how old are they anyway? What do you take me for?" The Rodian demanded of the smaller creatures. "Careful Wald, you know how Watto doesn't like his slaves to argue with the clients." Anakin said in Huttese. Wald glared at him, "Who the heck are you to tell me..." the Rodian stopped and looked at Anakin carefully. "Anni?" he asked. Anakin nodded. "It's been a long time old buddy." Anakin said as he walked forward.
The two reunited friends hugged each other. The Jawas squeaked something out but Wald barked at them "You have your credits and spice, get outta here!" The small creatures ran off, one of them shouting "Utini!"
Wald got a better look and said "Look at you, a Jedi Knight! Just like you said you'd be! Hey, if half of what the holoscans say about you is true, then you are a..." "I have been through everything Wald, trust me, you wouldn't know what to think if I told you a fraction of the poodoo I've been through. Where's Watto and Kitster?" Anakin asked. "Come on inside, your friends too." Wald said, noticing the girl, the Kyuzo, and the Anooba. Embo said something that signaled that he and his loyal pet would remain outside.
Anakin and Iella followed Wald inside and saw the old Toydarian sitting on a stool dozing off. Anakin saw that Watto had gained weight and his scruffy beard had grown longer. "Watto, we have visitors." Wald said, stirring the old Toydarian awake. Watto looked and saw Anakin. "Anni! You've returned yet again!" he said, his wings flapping and lifting him up. Anakin shook his old master's hand. "So what do you need my boy, anything for the hero of the Republic. We've heard a lot about you son..." Watto said. "We'll catch up later Watto, right now I need Wald and Kitster for something." Anakin said. "What is it?" Wald asked. "Have you heard about those Tuskens attacking the farms by Mos Eisley?" Anakin asked. "Oh... oh yeah, we've heard a little about that." Watto said.
"They've killed dozens of people, and if they aren't stopped they'll attack towns." Anakin said "And you want your old slave buddies to help you out, huh?" Watto asked. Anakin nodded, "What better way to get in touch after all these years?" Anakin asked. "A simple get-together would do." Wald said dryly.
"Hey boss I got the parts... up." Said a voice. Anakin saw a redheaded man, growing a goatee. "Hi there Seek." Anakin greeted. The ginger man, whom Anakin remembered as a teasing bully, always trying to prove himself better than everyone else. "Anakin?" You've come back?" Seek asked. "Yep, I need your help to take on some Tusken raiders. You still a good fighter?" Anakin asked Seek. "I can still hold my own in a fight just fine and I've taken up to exterminating Womp-Rats. If the great Jedi general wants my help who am I to deny it?" Seek asked, bowing sarcastically. "And I'm just as good with my eyes and fists as ever." Wald said.
"These are your friends?" Iella asked, unsure. "Watto, is it alright if we go?" Wald asked his master. "Of course! Who am I to deny Anakin Skywalker? And if you help him take down those filthy Sand People, more power to you!" the chubby Toydarian proclaimed, "Just promise me we'll talk to catch up, for old times' sake, huh?" the Toydarian asked, Anakin now noticing his kinder demeanor. The years hadn't been kind to Watto's appearance, but Watto's attitude had definitely softened.
"Sure thing. It okay if Wald and Seek come along?" "I already said yes!" the Toydarian said. Anakin bowed to his old master and said "We'll return, I'll buy you drinks old man." Anakin said. "Ha!" Watto laughed.
Anakin walked outside with Iella following him. "Can we trust them?" she asked. "I do. It's Embo I'm worried about." Anakin said, seeing the bounty hunter talking to someone on a communicator. "Who's that?" Anakin asked. Embo responded in his language as always. "Zandor Vorkov, my old friend. He's at a bar on the other side of town. He's agreed to help us." Anakin nodded, still weary of the Kyuzo. Embo had been one of the bounty hunters that tried to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine on Naboo and he also tried to kill Padme and Clovis on Scipio, after all that Anakin wouldn't trust Embo anytime soon.
Wald and Seek came out of the store, Seek armed with an old hunting rifle while Wald had a simple, common blaster. "Watto'll have a few other slaves help him mind the shop, this'll only take a day or two." Seek said, cocky and full of himself as always.
"I hope so guys. This is Iella, former slave girl to Jabba the Hutt, now a free woman thanks to me." Anakin said. "You took a slave girl from Jabba the Hutt?" Seek said, bewildered, as he looked at Iella with barley held back lust.. "Yep, right before he fed her to one of his beasts." Anakin bragged. Wald whispered something to Seek. "And this is Embo, a bounty hunter Jabba supplied to us. He'll help, but be careful around him." Anakin said. Embo said something to Anakin. "No I don't trust you." Anakin said.
Seek saw Marrok and knelt down to pet the creature. "Hey an Anooba." Seek said. Marrok snapped at him, forcing Seek to fall back. "Whoa!" he cried. Embo snickered as he snapped his fingers, making Marrok trod up alongside him. "See what I mean?" Anakin asked as he helped Seek up.
"So where are Kitster, Amee, and Melee?" Anakin asked. "Well Amee still belongs to that Toong, Melee got sold to a guy called Woolery, and Kitster is working at the Three Moon Mansion hotel." Wald said in Huttese.
"Okay, simple enough. Embo, go on and get your friend, we'll meet up at that bar over there." Anakin said, pointing to a recently established cantina. Embo nodded and walked away, Marrok following as always.
Anakin, Iella, Wald, and Seek made their way to the home of Yor Millto, a Toong who owned Amee. Anakin waited for the door to open as the others waited by the gate. The door opened and he saw a pretty young woman who was slightly curvy, greeting him. "Hello, welcome to the home of my master Yor... Anni?" the girl asked, recognizing him. Anakin hugged the smaller girl. Anakin could tell that Amee had gained some weight but she was quite attractive, but Anakin was taken. He also noticed she had lost her braces
"So what brings the great Jedi here?" Amee asked as she parted from him. Anakin explained the situation to her. She nodded and said "And you want my help?" she asked, "I remember you were pretty handy with a slingshot and you were never one to back down from a fight." Anakin said. "My master probably won't..." she began but Anakin stopped her. "Take me to him." He said.
Amee led Anakin into the large house and walked into a living room where the Toong known as Yor Millto sat on a large mockup throne. "Master, I present to you Anakin Skywalker." Amee introduced. The Toong snarled, trying to be intimidating but failing miserably. "I told you girl I wasn't seeing anyone... Skywalker!" Millto said, his voice sounding electric due to the translator in his throat. "Do you have any idea how much money I lost because of your victory at that podrace?" he asked. "No I don't and quite frankly I don't care. I need Amee for a mission. Tusken Raiders are attacking the farms of the Dune Sea and I want her to help." "And if I refuse?" the Toong asked, smirking. "And if you refuse, well you'll have to talk to Jabba." Anakin answered, flashing the seal of Jabba.
Millto's eyes widened when he saw the seal. He nodded. "Very well, take the girl." He said, obviously afraid of angering Jabba.
Amee bowed to her master and followed Anakin. "Tusken Raiders? Of all the things Anakin you want to fight those things? This'll be too easy." She said. "That's the girl I know, hey your braces are gone too." He said. "Yeah, thank the Force." She joked, teasing Anakin about his Jedi status. She saw Wald, Seek, and Iella as they approached them. "Okay, only two more left to get. Where's Melee?" Anakin asked.
"She's down on the Upper-class circuit, Gardulla sold her to this human named Bryyn Woolery." Amee reported. "Then that's where we'll go." Anakin said, gesturing for Wald and Seek to lead the way. The group walked on to meet up with their old friend. The group was eager, but at the same time unsure. Seek was, as he tended to be, sure of himself and confident in their mission, but there was something resembling fear in the back of his mind. Wald wasn't entirely sure of this crusade, he had rarely even seen the Tusken Raiders and the stories he had heard weren't exactly encouraging, but with a Jedi like Anakin and a bounty hunter with a reputation like Embo they'd come out of it relatively unharmed. But man did he wish he had that punk Greedo for a meat-shield. Amee feelings were almost the same as Wald's but she was sure that the heroics and the power of the now legendary Anakin Skywalker would be more than enough for the Sand People.
After forty-five minutes of walking they arrived to a Speeder dealership that belonged to Woolery. Anakin saw a bearded man with long brown hair dealing a Speeder to a Bith. "That's him." Amee said, pointing to the man.
Anakin waited until the Bith drove off with the Landspeeder and Anakin approached the human. "Ah, welcome sir, are you looking to buy something?" Woolery asked. "Yes, I need one of your slaves." Anakin said, flashing the badge to him. Woolery nodded. "Ah, an agent of Jabba. What do you need a slave for?" Woolery asked, soudning a little annoyed. "She's an old friend of mine and her name is Melee." Anakin said.
The salesman nodded and called into the business establishment for the girl. The now twenty-three year old woman ran out. "Yes master, what do you require?" she asked. "This man..." "Anakin Skywalker." Anakin said. "Anni!" Melee said. She jumped into him, hugging him tight. "Whoa! Where was this affection when we were kids?" Anakin said jokingly.
"What do you need her for?" the merchant inquired. "To rage war with the Tusken Raider army attacking farms and small villages out on the Dune Sea." Anakin explained. "What?" Woolery asked in shock, he sighed and said "Very well, but if she is killed because of you Jedi, I'll take it out on you. I may be a merchant but I can still pay bounty hunters to kill you." The man threatened, staring at Anakin straight in the eye.
"Your not like most slave masters, you actually care about your slaves don't you?" Anakin asked, "I'm not cruel or uncaring if that's what you mean." Woolery said. He looked at his servant and whispered to her "Be careful, I don't want you hurt."
Melee nodded, "I'll be safe master, heck it might be fun." She said optimistically.
"My my, little Anni's grown up to be a handsome man." she said to Anakin as she inspected him. "You're not to bad yourself." Anakin said, making her blush.
They group of reunited friends plus the former slave dancer made their way to the hotel Kitster now worked at, Anakin explaining to the former bully girl the situation. She was a little hesitant at first, but as she remembered all of Anakin's adventures in the Clone Wars, she realized they'd be fine. They soon arrived at the Three Moon Mansion; it was a medium sized three story tall building.
Wald went in and gestured for Anakin to follow him inside.
Anakin and Wald were greeted by an old Twi'lek woman. "Welcome gentlemen, I am Rarta Dal. Would you like a room?" she asked. "No Madame, we're here on business." Anakin said, showing her Jabba's seal. "We've paid our taxes and our debts so what does he want of us?" Rarta asked fearfully. "We just got it from Jabba, we don't work for him." Anakin assured her with a warm smile. "Oh thank gods. Now what do you want?" she asked, obviously not amused at being scared like that, her voice going from scared to annoyed with the drop of a hat. "Is Kitster Banai here?" Wald asked. "Oh, your his Rodian friend." The old woman said, recognizing Wald. She went over to a hallway and called "Kitster, your Rodian friend is here to see you along with some human chap!"
Anakin's eyes widened a bit as an older version of his friend from so long ago, Kitster Banai, walked out of a doorway. "What is it Wald, I got work to... Anakin!" he cried as he saw his friend.
Anakin grinned as he and his old best friend ran towards each other and hugged, reunited after so many years. "Hey there Kitster." He said. "Hey yourself, look at you, the big hotshot Jedi hero of the galaxy, I knew you could do it Anni, never doubted you." Kitster said, fighting back tears of happiness. "Never?" Anakin asked. "Not even for a minute." His old friend assured him.
"What do you need Anni?" Kitster asked, "I need your help in dealing with an army of Tuskens out on the Dune Sea, they're bothering my stepfamily and I need to stop them and I need you and the gang's help to do it." Anakin explained. Kitster looked to his boss and she nodded. "Just come back in one piece boy, I'd hate to hire another steward." Rarta said. Kitster shook her hand gratefully. "Thank you so much Madame! I'll be back in a few days, I swear." He said as he followed Anakin and Wald outside.
Kitster saw Melee, Amee, and Seek. "Hey, the gang's all here." he observed cheerfully. "And all it took to get Skywalker out here was an army of those pathetic Sand People." Seek said, confident as ever. The group walked back, Anakin in front leading them back to the bar where Embo was no doubt waiting for them.
"Can't wait to see your mom again Anni, we haven't seen her since she got married to Mr. Lars and left for Mos Eisley." Amee said. Anakin stopped dead in his tracks. He had forgotten they never knew about his mother's death.
"Anakin, what's wrong?" Melee asked, concerned.
Anakin decided to tell them. "My mom was killed by the Sand People." He told them.
The group was quiet. Iella was shocked at this, seeing as how she had only known Anakin for a few hours and was now being drawn into his own crusade for vengeance against the dreaded Sand People. She hoped this wouldn't end with her dying.
Seek was shocked and furious. While he was a bit of a jerk to Anakin, Anni's mother was always nice to him and the other kids. Now he was definitely going to make those things pay.
Wald was equally aghast. He had been close to the Skywalker family and was horrified at the revelation at Shmi's murder. He understood why Anakin now had gathered them all like this, this wasn't just his revenge now, it was all of theirs.
Melee was furious. Shmi had been kind to everyone, even the kids who picked on Anakin. The girl had secretly developed a crush on Anakin after he won the Boonta Eve Classic, and had been saddened to hear of his departure. She and Melee had frequently visited Shmi and C-3P0, she even admitted her crush to Shmi (even though she expressed interest in every handsome young man she saw), she now felt for Anakin's grief and wanted to make those monsters pay.
Amee was hurt by the death of Miss. Skywalker, finding the middle-aged woman to be a kind friend and mentor. Shmi had helped them to read and write, seeing as how they, live most slaves, were illiterate. Tears began to fall from her eyes at this news. She wanted revenge too.
Kitster closed his eyes and clenched his fists, the tears of joy now turning into tears of anger. Why her? He knew out at Mos Eisley the Sand People were more bold and aggressive but why take Shmi Skywalker, the one person on this terrible planet that didn't deserve their barbarism? She was like a second mother to him, another parent to stand in for his pirate father who was somewhere out there in the galaxy. Back in the day they were practically brothers and their mothers had to work together to keep them out of trouble. The news of her death was heartbreaking to say the least.
"We're still in Anni. We'll make those animals pay." Kitster said, the others raising their voices in agreement, except for Iella, who was still unsure about all of this but she did know that she didn't have to go and fight the Sand People with them and it was still better than Jabba.
"Thank you. All of you, I knew I can count on you guys, even you Seek." He said. The old gang of friends smiled at the returned slave turned Jedi. "We'll tear 'em apart." Seek said, "Miss Shmi will be avenged." Wald said.
"Thanks, thank you all so much... I... mom would really be happy to know you all loved her so much. So let's go, Embo will be waiting for us with this Zandor Vorkov character." Anakin said, "We're working with that Vorkov guy?" Melee asked. "I guess so, you've heard of him?" Anakin asked. Melee, Amee, and Seek all nodded. "I've heard he killed an entire city of his race." Seek said, "I've heard he's insane and violent on a scale that would make a Hutt shudder in fear." Said Amee, "And I heard he killed a Kryat Dragon with his bare hands." Melee put in.
Kitster gulped, "Always livin' dangerous, huh Anni?" he said. Anakin laughed, "We'll see..." he said as he led the group away.
They arrived at the bar down the street from Watto's shop and saw Embo sitting on a chair, leaning against the wall while Marrok sat on its belly, waiting for them. Marrok looked up and barked to Embo. Embo opened his eyes and saw them and welcomed them back. Anakin introduced his friends to the bounty hunter and Amee and Melee knelt down to pet Marrok. "Hey be careful he's..." Seek tried to warn, but stopped when Marrok nuzzled up against the two girls and licked them. Embo laughed and said something. "He says Marrok tends to like girls." Anakin said to Seek, who sneered at the animal.
Embo walked inside, telling Anakin that Zandor was in there. Anakin gestured for Kitster to follow him while everyone else stayed outside.
They entered the bar, listening to the fights and the drunken conversations. "So where's this pal of yours?" Anakin asked Embo as Kitster walked beside him. Embo said he was close by and that they'd know him when they saw him.
All of a sudden...
"I'm giving you karkin' slagheads to the count of ten to get the hell out of my sight! One... Ten!" yelled a loud deep voice, followed by gunshots as various alien species dropped dead from a wildfire of lasers. Anakin and Kitster's mouths dropped open at the sight of an eight foot tall humanoid creature with gray skin with black markings, blood red eyes, armed with a large blaster and a chain whip, and what appeared to be a black hair in the style of a mullet. He was kicking, punching, shooting, and whipping any challenger that came towards him. "T-t-that's him? Your Zandor buddy?" Kitster asked as he noticed Embo pointing towards the large creature. Embo shook his head and said his companion was behind the brute.
The trio walked past the rampaging brute, heading towards a booth, only to see that Embo's old partner was...
"Is... is that a..." Anakin said in disbelief. "I never believed they existed, I thought they were just children's stories." Kitster said in bewilderment.
It was an Ewok.
Embo spoke up and the Ewok, sharpening a wooden stake, looked up and made a noise that Anakin guessed was a greeting. Embo returned it and sat down, Anakin and Kitster following in suite.
Embo introduced the Ewok; "This is Zandor Vorkov" he said in his native language. Anakin looked at the creature that was only slightly bigger than Master Yoda. "Um... hello... Zandor... I am, uh, Anakin Skywalker and this is my friend Kitster." The furry creature made a greeting in its native language. Embo explained what Zandor's story was: He was captured on him home planet of Endor by hunters and sold to a zoo on Chandrila. He escaped during an earthquake and met up with Embo, who was hired by a rich couple on Chandrila to save their kidnapped daughter. After helping Embo to save the girl Embo gave it it's new name and trained the small creature in its quest to make the criminals of the galaxy fear its kind. Though the last part would most likely never happen. Embo explained to his small friend their situation, about the Tuskens and their need for help in stopping them. The Ewok nodded and held up a spear and gave out a war whoop.
Embo told Anakin that Zandor was in.
"Okay... Zandor, let's go." Anakin said, feeling very unsure.
The four left the bar to meet up with the others. "I've got a bad feeling about this." Kitster said, shaking his head.
Once Zandor had been introduced to Anakin's friends, all of whom had reactions like Anakin and Kitster, Anakin led them to the hangar and began to fill them in on some of his adventures, proud that they all had similar reactions that the Lars family had had.
Anakin and Embo's ships left Mos Espa and headed for the Dune Sea. Iella sat next to the new Ewok companion Zandor, who snarled at her when she curiously tried to pet him. She sat with Melee, Amee, Seek, and Marrok as Embo and Kitster were up in the cockpit while Anakin flew ahead of them.
Kitster sat by Embo as he piloted the ship. He eyed the Kyuzo with admiration, he wondered if Embo had ever heard of his father. "Hey, uh, Embo, you ever hear of Rakir Banai?" he asked, hoping the bounty hunter had some word of his pirate father. Embo said something that Kitster instantly recognized as a 'no'. He sighed and went back to gazing out the window at, looking at the dull sand and the occasional farm or settlement.
Ahead of Embo's ship Anakin flew his fighter calmly, waiting for the Lars farm to appear over the horizon and soon enough it did as the sun began to set, but the house was now a disturbing sight.
Several farmers were gathered around the place, Anakin could recognize Saren's Landspeeder outside as well as the dead bodies of several Tusken Raiders. Anakin was now filled with dread at the possibility of what happened and what he realized had happened. The Tuskens had secretly followed them back and then returned in greater numbers. "Oh no, please don't be dead..." he said aloud, hoping his actions hadn't led to more grief for the Lars family.
He landed his ship and ran past the farmers, hearing Embo's ship land behind him. He ran into the house and saw Owen sitting with a rag against his bruised head while Cliegg was being attended to by a local doctor. He saw the Land Baron Owen had called Darklighter, weeping his heart out, holding his infant son to him. He noticed Beru was missing.
"What happened?" Anakin demanded loudly, announcing his presence. Owen, Cliegg, Darklighter, and the doctor looked up at him. "It was the Sand People; they followed us home and waited until you left. They... there were at least two dozen. Baron Darklighter and his wife came to thank you for your heroics when they attacked..." Owen began, when the Baron interrupted.
"Those things took my wife! My Amber might be dead because of you Jedi!" Darklighter said accusingly as Kitster, Embo, and the others, minus the Zandor and Marrok, came in, surveying the damage. The Baron's wife had hid their son Biggs in a closet in the rear of the building before the fight could get as bad as it did, sparing the young child from the horrific acts of the Sand People
"They took Beru and Amber, they hit dad in the shoulder pretty bad, we managed to take out half of them before they knocked us out... I don't even know why they left us alive." Owen said. "I do." Anakin said, "They want me to chase after them. They want to finish this tonight and Beru and Amber are the bait." Embo said something, "What was that?" Seek asked, "He says that if we don't stop them now they'll never give up. They want to have revenge and it'll get worse than this if we don't put an end to them tonight and I agree with him." Anakin said.
All of a sudden a closet door in the hallway burst open, revealing a Tusken wielding a rifle. It roared hoarsely and charged at the group, firing wildly, hitting the walls. Anakin took out his lightsaber, Embo readied his shield/hat, while everyone else dropped to the ground, Baron Darklighter covering his son with his own body.
Out of nowhere a laser blast hit the Tusken dead center in the forehead. The creature dropped dead, its rifle falling out of its hand along with something else. Everyone looked to where the blast had come from and saw Owen Lars, sitting up in his chair, holding Owen's blaster.
"You things will never harm my family again." He said angrily.
"Nice shot dad." Owen praised in amazement. It had been years since Cliegg Lars had shot that good and that fast.
Anakin and Embo looked at the now dead body. "I don't get it, why leave one of their own behind? It doesn't make sense." Melee pondered. Embo said something and picked up a small object the Tusken had dropped. It was a holorecording.
"A recorded message, he was meant to die." Anakin said, looking at the dead creature. Usually the saying was 'don't shoot the messenger' but in this case the messenger was meant to be shot.
"Let's see what he was supposed to deliver." Anakin said, placing it on a holoprojector in the living room. The form of the Tusken leader Anakin had faced on the Sandcrawler appeared in the hologram speaking in basic, which disturbed Anakin's friends seeing as how the Sand People were supposed to be mindless monsters, and yet here one was speaking in basic.
"Jedi!" it said "I have taken the two women. If you want to see them alive meet me at the Great Pit of Carkoon! There we shall end it. Bring help if you wish, it is of no concern to me." It said as the holo ended.
Anakin looked at the others, "He's at Carkoon." Anakin said, he had always heard about it when he was a boy but never understood what it was. "It's the Sarlacc pit." Said Wald, "It's a living creature in the desert that digests its victims for a millennia!" he elaborated. "I've heard Jabba uses it to kill some of his more troublesome foes." Seek said.
Embo said something; he said it would be a stalemate. Even with all the help Anakin had acquired it would be a great battle that would be evened out by a natural element like the Sarlacc.
Anakin looked around at the group of people gathered around in the home. Iella began to keep little Biggs company by playing with him, distracting the child from the horrors that had just occurred. He saw Saren coming in, obviously listening in the whole time.
"If any of you want to back out I won't blame you. This is going to be a pretty dangerous rescue and some of us may die." Anakin said. There was silence for a bit. Owen stood up. "I'll go, if anyone's gonna save Beru it'll be me." He said. "If little Anakin Skywalker can slaughter ten of these things without breaking a sweat, it'll be a breeze for me." Melee said teasingly. "I won't back down for Shmi, this is for her." Amee said. "Screw running away I'm in." Seek said. "They won't know what hit 'em." Wald said bravely. "I'll go too, can't leave this unfinished." Saren said.
Anakin looked to Kitster who smiled. "Do you even have to ask?" he said, smirking.
Anakin explained who Iella was and that she'd stay at the house. Anakin walked out of the farm, leaving Iella and the doctor to take care of Cliegg, Darklighter, and young Biggs.
Anakin smiled inwardly. One Jedi Knight, two bounty hunters, five slaves, and two farmers going up against an army of savage Tusken Raiders.
This'll be a night to remember.
Embo's ship was now packed. In the cargo area Saren's Landspeeder had been loaded in, she now sat in the driver seat, mounting a gun Embo had gave her on the back for Wald to use. Owen, Seek, Amee, Melee, and Kitster were all loading thier weapons Embo had given them. Zandor sat alone with his own arsenal.
The plan was this: Anakin would strafe the camp sight giving Embo enough time to land. Embo would then lead a charge where he, Zandor, Amee, Seek, and Marrok attacked on the ground while Saren piloted the Landspeeder and Wald would use the newly mounted gun to tear the Tuskens' numbers down to size. Meanwhile Anakin, Owen, Kitster, and Melee would infiltrate the Sandcrawler, subtlety be damned, and rescue Beru and Amber while Anakin killed the leader. Without the leader the Tuskens would be left directionless and would scatter, falling apart like insects when a queen is killed.
Anakin had explained to the group what had happened all those years ago when he found Shmi, dying and beaten. It had reduced Amee, Melee, and Wald to tears and Kitster had a hard time hiding his grief.
"No wonder you killed 'em Anni." Seek said. "Yeah, but my slaughter brought this upon our heads." Anakin said, "They had it coming!" Amee said angrily. "But it wasn't the Jedi way..." Anakin said, "Forget the Jedi way!" Kitster said, "Remember Anakin, if the Jedi way involves leaving someone like Ahsoka behind and throwing her to the wolves then it's not worth our time and it's not much better than our ways." Kitster said, remembering what little Anakin had told them.
Anakin solemnly nodded, he would have to ponder that later. He didn't know why, but he briefly flashed back to Mace Windu ordering him to kill Vos, Ventress, and Dooku.
At the Tusken camp, over three hundred Sand People had gathered from dozens of tribes. Most had refused to join, seeing this as insane and only provoking the citizens of Tatooine to finish off the Tuskens one and for all, but the leader would not be deterred. He went on, recruiting any Tusken that believed in his cause and raising this army. He looked out at the Sarlacc, trying to grab a Tusken or two but it was no good. The Sandcrawler was safely pointed away to the Sarlacc's side in case they had to leave.
"You won't get away with this you beast! Anakin will slaughter you without any hesitation!" Beru yelled from behind him. The leader turned to her. His face was the usual blank expression that the mask left, but Beru could feel a coldness inside of him as he approached her.
"That may be so, but if I cannot destroy the Jedi..." he said, gesturing to a collection of knives and blades on the wall. "I will make him grieve more." He said.
Amber sobbed wildly, fearing for her life, knowing she would probably never see Huff or her little Biggs ever again. "Quiet woman! I will kill you first." The Leader said, making Amber cry harder. Beru glared at him and snarled "Leave her out of this! She doesn't even know Anakin!" "Exactly!" the Leader snapped, "If innocents are killed in this, it will dwell on the Jedi's mind forever, making him suffer as I have suffered!"
"I hoped you enjoyed this morning's sunrise, because it was the last you'll ever see!" Beru barked. "My dear..." Leader said, rubbing Beru's face with mock-affection. "I don't plan on surviving this night."
Outside the Sand People stood guard, waiting for something to come. Just then one roared out and pointed to the sky, making the others look up and see two ships, just in time for Anakin's fighter to begin bombarding them.
A huge explosion sent flaming bodies flying into the air and landing in the sand. Anakin flew by, blasting the enemy covered ground as much as he could. Embo fired his ship's guns, blasting Tuskens apart, blowing up tents. He swerved the ship around and landed it behind a large rock. He pushed a button and the loading ramp opened.
Saren's speeder rushed out, running over Tuskens as Wald opened fire on them. Zandor ran out and jumped high in the air and landed on a Tusken's head, stabbing it in the eyes with his stick. He rose off of the dead body as it slumped down and launched himself at another Tusken, gutting it as he knocked it to the ground.
Seek and Amee gave covering fire as Owen, Kitster, and Melee ran out towards the Sandcrawler. Seek watched in amazement as Zandor killed two more Tuskens with a slingshot, shooting stones into their eyes. "Remind me never to make an Ewok mad." He said to Amee.
Owen, Kitster, and Melee ran forward, blasting down as many Sand People as they could and dodged as many blasts or gaffi stick blows as they could.
Embo and Marrok rocketed out of the ship. Marrok launched itself at a Tusken and tore its throat open, then launched itself at another one and began to maul it.
Embo ran forward with his modified bowcaster to blast Sand People down, shooting some in half and taking off his hat and now using its shield function to deflect laser blasts and smash enemies down. He shot a Tusken at point blank range, blowing its head off while he smashed his fish into another one and then saw that he was surrounded by armed Tuskens, all aiming their rifles at him. He spun around as they fired, his shield deflecting every shot right back at them. He came to a stop and then lifted his bowcaster behind him, blasting a Tusken that tried to sneak attack him.
Up above Anakin blasted more tents, sending more and more Sand People flying or running away. He smiled; amused by some of them retreating from this battle knowing it was already lost. He set his ships setting to auto-land so he could get out there and fight. He opened the cockpit and jumped down. He hoped the ship wouldn't crash; he never really used the auto-landing before. 'That's what I get for leaving R2.' He thought.
He landed on his feet, igniting his lightsaber and swinging wildly, cutting down any Sand People that dared approach him. He ran over to Owen, Kitster, and Melee who were taking cover by a dead Bantha. "Battle's going nice so far." Anakin said as a laser blast nearly hit his head. "Well it better stay that way." Owen said as he fired off his blaster as another Tusken.
Saren drove up alongside them. "We'll cover you, get going!" she shouted over the gunfire and Wald's vulgar taunts. "Let's move!" Owen yelled, running ahead with Kitster and Melee shooting Sand People down while Anakin cut down any attackers.
They made it to the main opening in the Sandcrawler and Anakin cut the door open as his three companions covered him. The door fell open and Anakin led the way inside. He slashed two guards down and then said to the three following him "Careful, we don't know what he has in store for us so be prepared." He warned them. "Hey, we came this far." Kitster said. Anakin grinned and led the way inside the dark land vehicle.
Meanwhile at Embo's ship Seek and Amee had finished shooting down all the Tuskens that tried to attack the ship. "That's for Miss Shmi." Amee said as she shot the last one down.
"Amee stay here and guard the ship, I'm going out there to help 'em." Seek said. "Seek wait, it's too dangerous!" Amee cried, "Too dangerous for me, but okay for Kitster, Melee, and Wald?" he shouted as he ran into the battle. "Idiot!" Amee groaned as she turned on some auto-turrets to help her protect their only way home.
Seek ran up to Embo and blasted down a Tusken. "How we doin' bounty hunter?" Seek asked, knowing he wouldn't understand the answer. He looked over and saw Zandor riding Marrok into battle, stabbing and slashing Sand People as he rode along, both howling all the way.
"This is without a doubt the craziest night I'll ever see." Seek said. All of a sudden sniper fire scattered around he and Embo. Embo used the hat to shield them both. Embo looked up on the hill near the Sarlacc. He pointed to them and Seek looked in their direction. "I see, we takin' them on?" he asked the Kyuzo. Embo nodded and shot back with the bowcaster. He took up his shield and charged up the hill with Seek following him.
Inside the Sandcrawler; Anakin, Owen, Kitster, and Melee were on an elevation lift and had to fire like crazy whenever they passed a floor, due to the number of Sand People waiting on each floor.
"How many do you think there are?" Melee asked, "I don't know, maybe all of them!" Kitster joked as they reached the top floor.
The gate opened and two Tuskens greeted them by pointing their guns at them. Anakin rushed forward and cut the two in half, dropping them instantly. "You are way too good at this." Kitster said as he exited the elevator. "I have to be with the war going on." Anakin answered.
They walked by the window where Anakin and the captive women had made their escape, seeing it was still broken They arrived in the main room and saw the Leader standing up while Beru and Amber were in front of him on their knees. The Leader was armed with both a rifle and a Gaffi stick, he looked a stoic as ever behind the mask, but deep down he was enjoying this with sadistic glee.
"I knew you'd make it Jedi!" it said. "Yeah I'm here, now let the women go and fight me, we'll finish this like I should've three years ago." Anakin said. "Yes, but first..." the leader said as he aimed his rifle at Amer's back and he fired, killing Amber. The dark haired woman screamed in pain as she fell down on her face, dead.
"Amber! No!" Beru cried, tears beginning to fall. Anakin snarled in anger, "I didn't even know her!" he yelled, "I am aware, how does it feel for innocents to die because of you Jedi?!" the Leader said accusingly, "Do you feel grief, like I felt it when I found my tribe dead by your hand?!" he roared.
"How was that even your clan? When I found you when I was a boy you were near Mos Espa" Anakin pointed out. "Our clan took shots at the podrace, this angered the Hutt, he had us hunted down and slaughtered by bounty hunters, but one saw me injured and took pity on me so she helped me escape. I wandered the desert for months before that Clan found me and saved me, gave me a home and a new tribe, welcomed me in! I met my mate in that clan! But then you destroyed them!" he yelled.
"Enough, you killed my mother!" Anakin yelled back. "The... that woman was your..." Anakin shot his hand forward, knocking the leader against the wall. Tuskens poured out from the side, but were shot down by Owen, Kitster, and Amee while Anakin cut some of them apart.
Owen rushed to Beru's side and untied her. She leaped into his arms and kissed her love. "I knew you'd come for me." She said, "I'd be here even without Anakin." He said as he shot a Tusken down that tried to sneak up on Kitster.
Beru looked to Amber's body and shook her head sadly. "We can't leaver her here." She said to Owen. "Right, can you get her while we cover you?" he asked, Beru nodded and looked to Anakin as the Leader got up.
"We were paid handsomely to take your mother and keep her alive." The Leader said as he took out his Gaffi stick, watching as the rest of the Tuskens either ran off or were shot down. "What?!" Anakin snarled, he used the force to slam the leader against the wall.
"Who was it?!" he demanded, leaving the others equally confused; 'who'd want Shmi captured by Sand People?' they all pondered. "It... was..." the Leader began, but all of a sudden he kicked Anakin's hand, knocking the lightsaber out of his other hand and distracting Anakin long enough for him to jump down and attack Anakin in the side with the Gaffi stick.
Anakin grunted as he jumped back up and caught the Gaffi stick, pulled it towards him, then bashed his head against the Leader's, making him stagger backwards. "Owen, Kitster, Melee, get Beru and Darklighter's wife back to the ship!" he ordered as he stabbed the lightsaber backwards, impaling a Tusken that tried to attack Amee.
"What about you?" Kitster asked, "I'm ending this." Anakin said as he glared back at the Leader who was taking the knives off the wall.
Kitster nodded and turned to the others. Owen and Beru picked up Amber's body and carried it out while Kitster and Melee guarded them, shooting any Tuskens who tried to stop them.
The Leader threw the knives at Anakin, the deadly blades spinning in the air as Anakin used the force to stop them before they reached his body, he sent them flying back at the leader, who dodged them. The leader threw one last dagger and Anakin didn't force catch it fast enough and it stabbed through his cybernetic hand. Anakin cried out as sparks flew out of his hand. He pulled it out as the Leader grabbed his rifle while Anakin retrieved his lightsaber.
The Leader fired off the rifle, Anakin deflected every shot into the walls, making sparks explode off of the brown walls. Anakin jumped forward, landing right in front of the rifle's nozzle, he ducked before the Leader could fire it, he then stabbed upwards, cutting the rifle in half. Anakin rose up, only for the Leader to smash both his fists into the sides of Anakin's head. Anakin clutched his head in pain, moaning as the Leader jumped up and kicked Anakin in the chest, knocking him onto the floor.
He launched forward and landed on top of Anakin and began to punch him over and over again. Anakin reached up and grabbed the tan mask of the Tusken and pulled with all his strength, ripping it off. Anakin gasped in shock as he saw, for the first time, the face of a Tusken Raider.
It had a pale, sickly green skin, its face was resembling that of a Nikto but green and far more rough, beady black eyes that looked like they belonged on a rodent, its hair was a ratty shade of brown and its nose was flat and had no curve like most humans would. Its teeth were sharp, like most predators' teeth would be. The Leader looked at Anakin, it's black eyes filled with nothing but hatred.
Anakin pushed the Leader off, but the Leader easily got back up, snarling like an animal. "You have seen my face Jedi, no one except for my love should see my face! You will pay! Blood Duel!" he ranted.
"Oh boy." Anakin muttered as he stood up. "You have taken everything from me Jedi, my tribe, my love, and now my secret. You must pay for this in a Blood Duel!" he roared as he took a mask off one of his dead brethren. "Well we're pretty even I'd say." Anakin growled quietly.
"We fight it like Tuskens, with the sticks of Gaderffi!" he said as he picked up two Gaffi sticks and tossed one to Anakin. "If we are going to fight each other like this, in this perfect way... we might as well know each others' names; I am J'Corck." The leader said, revealing his true name. "And I am Anakin Skywalker." Anakin said as he put his lightsaber on his belt and held out the Gaffi stick. One way or another it ended tonight.
On the hill near the Sarlacc pit, Embo and Seek fought off the Tuskens who were trying to shoot at them from a distance, while at the same time shooting down at the Tuskens that were caught up in the chaos. Embo used his shield and bowcaster to fight the snipers while Seek simply blasted them.
The raiders ran off, trying to get away. Seek ran after them but Embo stopped him, saying something to him. "Whatever." Seek said, not heeding Embo's warnings and ran forward. Several large tentacles appeared over the hill and grabbed the few remaining Tuskens and pulled them into the beak of the Sarlacc. Seek stopped dead in his tracks and turned around only for a tentacle to slither around his leg and drag him towards the pit. Seek fell to the ground, trying to stop his body from moving but it was no use. "Embo, help!" he cried, trying to shoot the tentacle as more of the slithery appendages came at him.
Embo jumped up and shot a few them with his bowcaster, but it was no use as the tentacles wrapped around Seek tightly, squeezing his body as they dragged him forward. Embo jumped up again and used his shield to forcibly sever the tentacles by stabbing his shield hat downwards. There was a screech of pain from the Sarlacc as more of its tentacles withdrawed.
Seek got up, "Hey thanks man..." he was stopped by a tentacle attacking Embo's arm. Embo shouted out in anger as he aimed his bowcaster at the thing and blasted it off easily, but not in time to save Seek as Seek was once again grabbed and pulled quickly into the pit, screaming.
Embo blasted another tentacle that tried to grab him. He ran off back down the hill to rejoin the fight. There was noting he could do for the poor slave now.
Kitster and Melee led Owen and Beru out of the Sandcrawler. The amount of Tuskens had significantly dropped; those that weren't dead were either still fighting or had ran away but it would still be hard to get back to the ship.
Owen waved to Saren and Wald, who was still blasting and yelling Tuskens. Saren nodded and drove the Landspeeder towards them. All of a sudden Saren was blasted several times in the chest she cried out and she slumped over the dashboard dead. This forced the speeder to accelerate towards the Sandcrawler. Wald jumped off the ship before the Landspeeder could crash as Kitster and the others rushed to escape as the Landspeeder crashed into Sandcrawler, exploding.
This set off a chain reaction in the Sandcrawler, making the entire thing begin to explode. In the control room the operator Tuskens began to make the Sandcrawler move but it was too late as the explosions engulfed them.
Owen gave Wald his blaster and said "We gotta get back to the ship, help cover us!" he said. Wald nodded and took the gun.
The massive vehicle began to move towards a cliff side that led them into the desert sand. Anakin and J'Corck battled with the Gaffi sticks. They dodged, parried, and struck at each other until the felt the Sandcrawler shake and buckle from the internal explosions of the vehicle. "What's...?" J'Corck asked aloud as Anakin tried to run by him. "Where do you think you're doing?!" the Tusken yelled as he lunged after Anakin. Anakin jumped out the window and landed in the sand. J'Corck landed beside him and they both ran out of the way as the Sandcrawler tread on, before finally falling over a cliff into the sand below, disappearing in a spectacular fireball.
Anakin and J'Corck stood up, facing each other. The Tusken slammed his Gaffi down towards Anakin but Anakin easily blocked it. Anakin swung around and tried to slam the stick into his foe's side but the Tusken easily dodged it.
J'Corck ran off and began climbing up the rocks, closer to the reach of the Sarlacc. Anakin grimaced and then smirked. The Sarlacc probably deserved a treat. He jumped onto the rocks and began to follow.
Not far away Zandor had left Marrok so the Anooba could run off and attack on its own, that suited the Ewok just fine, he preferred being alone. He ran between the legs of a raider and yanked him it down. He turned and then stabbed it in the back of the head killing it, then he saw a Massiff, a creature commonly used by the Sand People to track or protect camps, approaching him growling while its Tusken masters edged it on.
Zandor looked over to see Embo in the distance, surrounded by over a dozen Tuskens, fighting them off as best he could. Zandor made a call to Embo and made a hand signal to show they needed to work together. Embo nodded as he smashed his fist into a Tusken's head and called for Marrok to aid him.
Zandor beckoned the Massiff over to him. The creature charged, snarling, at him. Zandor readied his spear and prepared to stab forward, only for a Tusken to shoot him in the shoulder before he could do anything. This dirty shot allowed for the creature to grab Zandor in its mouth. It shook him from side to side, the rapid shaking breaking several bones in Zandor's body as the teeth crunched down and drew blood.
Zandor screamed in anger as he stabbed the creature deep in its foreleg with his spear. The creature's moth opened wide, dropping the injured Zandor from its mouth. Zandor grabbed the spear and hoisted himself over and on top of the creature's back. The Tuskens who had sent the Massiff at him fired their rifles, shooting both Zandor and the creature. The Massiff had been hit right in the legs as it was running and and the propulsion sent it right into a tent. The Tuskens roared in victory as they followed. Embo had seen what had happened and rushed ahead to save his old friend, using his bowcaster to blast any Tusken that tried to stop him.
Zandor looked around the tent he was in and saw something in a box he had knocked over that could be of great help to him.
The Tuskens entered the tent Zandor had crashed into and discovered that it was their weapons tent, loaded up with guns and explosives that they had stolen from farms, miners, and small villages.
They aimed their guns at the injured body of the Ewok, who held something in his hand. Something he got from the crate. A thermal detonator. Zandor looked at the Sand People as they aimed their guns at his prone form, he said something in his language "Long live the spirits of the forest moon!" he pushed the button on the detonator and the entire tent exploded.
Embo's eyes widened as the tent went up into the air in a ball of fire, incinerating all that was inside of it. Embo knew that he had no time to mourn for his friend, but he saw that Zandor's sacrifice was worth something, as now Tuskens retreated in droves, no longer wanting part of this madness. "Well done little friend." He said quietly to himself as Marrok rubbed his head against his master's leg to comfort him.
He saw Kitster, Wald, Melee, Owen, and Beru approaching him with the body of Amber. "We lost Saren and Anakin was inside the Sandcrawler when we last saw him." Owen said. Embo looked behind them and pointed upwards to the cliffs. They turned and saw Anakin fighting the Tusken Leader. "I hope he'll be okay." Melee said, "He's a Jedi, of course he'll be okay." Kitster said.
Beru looked at Amber's body, "Come on, we have to get her to your ship." She said. Embo said something in Kyuzo mournfully and Wald seemed to understand it. "He says the Ewok died in that explosion and..." Wald translated, but he was interrupted by "Seek! Where's Seek?" asked Amee. "Seek was eaten by the Sarlacc." Wald finished sadly. Melee and Kitster looked up to the Sarlacc in sadness; Seek was never that good of a friend, but he was still a friend and he came here with them to help. Seek had died fighting these things, died to save the people of Tatooine. All who died today died as heroes.
Up on the cliffs Anakin and J'Corck swung their weapons at each other, the sticks clanging together and almost sparking. Anakin jumped up and landed on a higher edge. "It's over J'Corck! Your army is defeated, those that aren't dead are running away like the cowards they are! You have failed." Anakin said, "Not yet Skywalker, all I need to succeed is to kill you!" J'Corck yelled as he climbed up the rocks and jumped to attack Anakin. The two slashed at each other, both striking each others' weapon. Anakin swirled around as his Gaffi stick met J'Corck's clashing so hard sparks were ignited.
"You know what?" Anakin asked, "When I rescued you in the desert all those years ago and you told your people to let me and my droids be, I honestly thought that all the rumors and urban legends about your kind were just exaggerated lies, that you weren't so bad. But now I see that they were all right, your nothing but a race of savages." Anakin said, glaring darkly at the Tusken, "You are one to speak, a murderer of children!" J'Corck said accusingly. "You killed my mother, you brought it upon yourselves! You were dead the moment you touched her!" Anakin yelled as he swung his Gaffi, hitting J'Corck in the chest, knocking him back. Anakin used the force and flung the Tusken up onto the largest rock, which overlooked the Sarlacc's gaping maw.
Anakin jumped up and avoided a blow from J'Corck just in time. Anakin struck next, edging onward towards the edge.
"Who paid you to take my mother?" Anakin demanded. "Since you're going to die anyway, there's no point in not telling you..." J'Corck hissed as he struck again. "I never learned his name... but he was..." J'Corck went on, trying to block Anakin's strikes aimed at him, driving the Tusken closer to the edge. "...he was a creature that walked on hands... a Dug." The Tusken answered.
Anakin stopped for a brief moment. A Dug? It couldn't have been him... Sebulba was a cheater and a piece of scum to be sure but he wouldn't have paid Sand People to kill Anakin's mother... would he?
Anakin's hesitation gave J'Corck the opportunity he needed, he lunged his Gaffi outwards, striking Anakin in the chest and knocking him down with a blow to the shoulder that forced Anakin to drop the Gaffi stick.
J'Corck jumped on top of Anakin and raised up the Gaffi stick and roared in the unsettling, inhuman Tusken Raider roar, shaking the stick up and down, ready to end the Blood Duel.
Anakin grabbed his lightsaber from his belt, held it outwards and ignited it and stabbed J'Corck right in the gut, the blue blade exiting through the spine. J'Corck cried out as the air rushed out of his lungs. Anakin rose up and used the Force to push J'Corck off of the cliff and into the eager, forever hungry mouth of the Sarlacc, which swallowed him in one bite.
Anakin looked down at the creature, and then he deactivated his lightsaber and made his way down the rocks.
Anakin made his way through the wreckage and ruin of the Tusken camp and made his way to Embo's ship. He saw that Owen and Beru had wrapped Amber's body up in cloth, while Kitster, Amee, Melee, and Wald all looked down and saddened, and Embo and Marrok also seemed to be in mourning. "It's done." Anakin announced and then he noticed the absence of three of their companions.
"Where's Seek?" Anakin asked. Kitster shook his head sadly, "Sarlacc got him." He said. Embo said something to Anakin, saying that Seek fought bravely but that Embo wasn't strong enough to save him. Anakin put his arm on Embo's shoulder and nodded. "Zandor got killed to, eh?" he said grimly. Embo nodded, saying that Zandor would have made his people proud. "Saren crashed her speeder into that Sandcrawler, that's the reason it blew up." Wald said to Anakin.
Anakin sighed sadly and looked out to the grim scene of carnage. After this the Tuskens wouldn't try anything like it ever again. And if they did, he'd have to stop them all over again.
"Let's go home." Anakin said.
They returned to the Lars farm in the morning, Cliegg relieved that his sons and future daughter-in-law were all safe, but was saddened by the death of Amber Darklighter. Huff Darklighter wept over his beloved's death while keeping his new found hatred for Anakin Skywalker hidden, fearful of what Anakin would do to him. He just thanked his god that little Biggs was too young to understand this and would forget his mother in time.
They held the funerals for both Amber and Saren that afternoon. Friends and families of both Amber and Saren showed up to mourn and pay their respects together. Embo held his own private ceremony for Zandor some miles away from the farm in privacy.
Anakin, Owen, Kitster, Embo, Wald, Amee, and Melee were treated as heroes for ending the terrible menace of the Tusken army, one farmer even gave Kitster a ship, so they could return to Mos Espa without having to ride with Embo.
"I think I like being treated as a hero." Kitster said, "Then you'd love my life." Anakin said to him jokingly.
The next day Embo prepared to leave, taking Iella with him to return her to Humbarine. "Embo, I just wanted to thank you, I thought that you were nothing but a killer for hire, but after what we went through out there I see that you're way more now." Anakin said. Embo nodded and replied in a similar way to Anakin, telling him that 'And I was beginning to think that you were the typical hero with no flaws, but now I see that you're just like the rest of us Skywalker, and I respect you for that.' Anakin smiled and shook his head, "Well they do call me the Hero with No Fear." Anakin said. Embo laughed and made his way to his ship with Marrok following him.
Iella hugged Anakin before she boarded Embo's ship. "That you Anakin, without you I'd be dead and food for that Nexu." She said. "It was the least I could do, I wasn't about to let Jabba kill an innocent for no reason." Anakin said as he returned her hug. "Embo will take me back home, I'll be with my family again!" she said, tears of joy falling from her eyes. "Have a safe trip and a good life." Anakin said. "I'll watch the holonet for you; I'll listen for more of your heroics." She said as she began to walk towards Embo's ship. She turned to him one last time and said "No one has ever stood up to Jabba the Hutt like that, you really are the Hero with No Fear." She said as she made her way to Embo's ship.
Two days later the wedding of Owen Lars and Beru Whitsun was held. Anakin stood next to Owen as a best man while a local farm girl that was friends with Beru stood next to Beru's position. Cliegg, Anakin's friends, Baron Darklighter, and many farmers stood at attention as Beru walked towards Owen, looking beautiful in her simple dress made by local tailors. "I'm nervous." Owen whispered to Anakin. "If you could take on an army of Sand People to save her without a second thought you can marry her." Anakin assured him.
A local holy man presided over the wedding ceremony, having both Owen and Beru to say their vows to each other and to the galaxy. "I now decree you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." He said. Owen and Beru kissed simply, sealing their bond for the rest of their lives.
The crowd applauded for them while Anakin smiled, secretly wishing that he and Padme could have the freedom that Owen and Beru had. Freedom.
The next day Anakin and his friends returned to Mos Espa, to continue catching up, as well as bring Watto up to speed on Anakin's life, while also bringing the bad news to Seek's family of his death.
Anakin was saddened by the news that Jira, an old woman he had befriended when he was a boy, had passed away. It seemed natural, she was old and the environment of Tatooine wasn't exactly kind to the elderly, but Anakin still felt bad about her death.
He and his friends gathered up with Watto and Seek's family to hold a small funeral service for the redheaded man, made all the worse by the fact that there was no body to bury, but Anakin was just relieved that the family didn't blame him for Seek's horrific death.
Later He, Watto, Kitster, and the rest went to a bar and celebrated their victory over the Tuskens while also honoring Seek's memory, since Seek had apparently been a frequent customer at this cantina. Anakin took a deep breath and ordered himself some water, he was going to need it as he began to tell everyone his story of his life since he left Tatooine with the outlanders.
Sebulba walked to his house and took out the key card from his pocket and slid it in the slot to his home. "What a day." He said in Huttese, exhausted from dealing with sponsors for his race. The Dug had long since recovered from the humiliating defeat at that podrace years ago, but he personally never got over it.
He opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him. He turned the light switch but nothing happened. "Huh?" he asked aloud. Then he felt something grab his neck. He tried to call for help, but he couldn't, he couldn't move or do anything.
He was slammed against the wall by the unseen force and he saw Anakin Skywalker come out of the darkness. "You..." he rasped out, his voice dripping contempt. "You die here and now Sebulba." Anakin said angrily with a no so subtle hint of murderous intent. "It was years ago! So I cheated, the crowd loved it..." he said weakly. "Not the race." Anakin snarled, "My mother." "What about her?!" the Dug gasped, desperate for air. "You paid those Tusken Raiders to kill my mother. I slaughtered the entire tribe but the one survivor told me you paid them to kill her you monster!" Anakin said.
"It lied!" Sebulba said. "You don't fool me." Anakin said. Sebulba glanced at Anakin's lightsaber hilt, wondering if Skywalker would use it and Anakin noticed this. "No, you don't deserve a quick death." Anakin said as he tightened his grip. Sebulba gasped out miserably for air as his limbs dropped and his head moved downward. His heart stopped and his body ceased all movement. Anakin dropped Sebulba's now dead body and walked out, using the Force to close the door. He shut his eyes tight and then opened them. He thought he'd feel better, but he didn't.
As Anakin walked away he didn't realize he was being watched...
In Mos Espa, a white skinned woman with blood red hair tied up in a pony tail turned on a holographic communicator and spoke to the hologram that appeared on it. "It is done, Sith Lord. Skywalker killed the Dug just like you said he would" She, notorious bounty hunter, ex-Jedi, and sadist Aurra Sing, said. "Excellent," the sinister form of Darth Sidious said to her, "Skywalker treads ever closer to the dark side. These Tuskens have finally served their full purpose in the plan." Sidious said. "Was that why you had me come here all those years ago? Set off that avalanche, force the Jawas to contact the Toydarian, and make sure that specific Tusken got away?" Aurra asked. "Yes, bounty hunter. No more questions. You have finally up held your part of the plan." Sidious said. "I don't get it, what was the point of all this?" Aurra asked, "Skywalker is powerful, yeah, but there are better. Me, Quinlan Vos, Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, that damned Dark Woman, or even Kenobi?" she asked.
"No, Kenobi is too weak, Windu too heroic and hates the Sith with a passion, Billaba is too afraid of the dark side after the events on Haruun Kal, Vos is obsessed with uncovering my true identity, the Dark Woman is is a weakling despite her pathetic claims of otherwise, and you are far too unpredictable." Sidious explained. "So why go through all this trouble for Skywalker?" Sing asked. "Because he IS the chosen one. He will be bent to my will and my will alone. He already has." Sidious said, trying not to chuckle sinisterly.
"Whatever you say Darth, just make sure I'm paid." Aurra said. "Calm yourself, girl. You will have your money." He said as he switched off.
Aurra got up and looked out the window. There were no clouds in the sky, but Aurra could sense a storm coming. A storm unlike any other.
When Anakin returned to the Lars Moisture Farm he saw the droid Z-KP5 coming towards him. "Z-K, what is it?" he asked, curious as to why Owen or Beru didn't come out to greet him. "Master Anakin, I'm afraid something has happened in your absence."
For a brief moment Anakin was horrified, filled with ideas that the Tuskens had returned and finished the job, but there were no signs of any Tusken attack. He saw a speeder that had medical symbols on it.
"Oh no..." he said realizing what happened.
He ran into the home and saw Beru and Owen crying while a local doctor came out of Cliegg's room. "Cliegg's..." Anakin said, announcing his presence. Owen looked up and nodded to his brother, face stained with tears.
Cliegg Lars had died.
The next day Anakin watched as they lowered Cliegg's body into the grave. He saw Beru comforting Owen as the man fought to hold back his tears. The holy man who married Owen and Beru said a prayer for Cliegg as the body was finally settled inside.
Owen stood up and spoke. Huff, holding his son nodded to him. Owen spoke to the small crowd of farmers and friends who attended the funeral ceremony. "My father was a good man. I... I really don't know what to say... I.." he sighed "My father survived the deaths of two wives. He got past the first one because he had to take care of me, but when we came here and he found a woman named Shmi Skywalker. He freed her from slavery and married her, she gave him her love and he gave her his. It was the happiest I've seen him in a long time. He survived her death at the hands of the Sand People, and he even saved her son's life when he returned to help us. I'm so grateful he lived long enough to see my beloved Beru and I wed. He was a great father and a loving man." Owen finished, tears flowing freely from his eyes.
Anakin watched as farmhands buried the body alongside Shmi's.
"Goodbye, dad." Anakin said quietly.
It was after midnight, Anakin sat at the table, performing his own version of meditation; fixing things. Anakin looked up as Beru entered the room, looking exhausted. "Owen alright?" he asked, Beru been comforting the mourning Owen all night, trying to help him sleep. "As good as he be. Cliegg's death will be pretty hard on him. I... I hope he'll be alright." Beru said, holding in her own tears. "He'll be fine. After all he did to save you; he can survive this one loss." Anakin said encouragingly. Beru thanked him and sat across from him at the dining table.
"Anakin, I've wanted to know... have you seen Ahsoka since she left the Jedi?" Beru asked, her mind had been dwelling on the story and she wanted to know more. "No." Anakin answered simply in a saddened voice. "Have you heard anything? From what you've told me someone like her can just lay low, they've got to be out there helping people. From how you trained her it's all she's known for the last few years." Beru pointed out. "Well I did hear something about her fighting the Pyke Spice Trade or what's left of it, and there have been reports of a teenage Togruta her age making little scenes of herself in the underworld, but other than that I've heard nothing. She's made no effort to contact me and I... I don't know." He said.
Beru raised her eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?" she asked. "I don't know what to do Beru. What to do or where to go in this whole mess. The war, the Jedi, this Sith lord that could be anywhere... I want this whole thing to end. When I left to become a Jedi I wanted to be a hero, to return to places like this and free the slaves. After everything Ahsoka has done for the Jedi; protecting younglings, refusing to kill Barriss when she was infected with the Brain Worms, helping me rescue the infants on Mustafar... only four of them on a council of twelve thought she was innocent Beru. Only four. Another abstained... after everything she went through, everything she did for them you'd think they'd trust her more." Anakin said bitterly. "Anakin, try to see it from their point of view; the war has put a lot of pressure on the Jedi Order... how many Jedi have died since this war began?" Beru asked.
"Nearly a thousand, with two hundred at the first battle of Geonosis. Combine that with the slaughter on Jabiim, those killed by Maul and Savage, Grevious' body count, and every thing else... I don't know how many Jedi have really died. There's this thing on New Holstice where we use Memory Moths and the glow the species give off to represent the death of every Jedi inside of large glass cylinder. Ever since the war began the case keeps getting brighter." Anakin said grimly.
"And how many Jedi have... uh turned to the 'dark side'?" Beru asked. "Too many. Count Dooku, Sora Bluq, Pong Krell, Barriss Offee, Tol Skorr, Artel Darc, Kadrian Sey, Nikkos Tyris, Sev'rance Tann, Karoc, Vinoc, Saato... Depa Billaba went insane on Haruun Kal and we can't figure Quinlan Vos out half the time..." "Then see it from he council's point of view. From what I know, from what little news we can get out here public opinion isn't very kind to the Jedi." Beru said. "It's not. They've seen how badly the war has torn the galaxy apart. They know that everyday the death toll rises. They know that because of the war scumbags like Jabba get away with their crimes. They think we shouldn't fight in the war, only if we're absolutely needed, which we are all the time. Millions of people would be dead if not for us. Earlier this week for example, Virujansi would still be under Separatist occupation with hundreds dead. The common people are too damn stupid to realize that." Anakin ranted bitterly, Beru continued, trying to help Anakin see what his council was trying to do, "And your council is trying to win them back and show them that the Jedi are necessary to win this war. That bombing and all of the evidence..." "Which was all circumstantial." Anakin pointed out, "True, but still, with public opinion against the Jedi, the demand for the bomber's execution, and the Republic Military wanting control of the trial and the verdict you can't blame them for giving into pressure." Beru said.
"Yes I can." Anakin said "We are the Jedi; we're not supposed to care what others think of us." He said, remembering the second battle on Christophsis and how he tried to kill Quinlan Vos. How he blindly followed Windu's furious commands. Vos nearly died because of the Jedi but mostly because of Windu and Anakin himself. Vos was in a situation similar Ahsoka, he was trying so desperately to help the Jedi order by discovering the true identity of the mysterious Sith Lord, but all they gave him in return for his efforts was their paranoia, mistrust and a death sentence that was almost carried out. Anakin hung his head in shame. He was no better than the council for trying to catch Vos and not stopping to consider Ahsoka at the same time. What were they becoming? "These are strange times we live in Anakin, the galaxy is being changed by this war, it's changing the Republic and the Jedi." Beru said. "It shouldn't. Before this war we wouldn't have cared what the public wanted we would never throw one of our own to the military or try to execute them. We'd have made our own trial, our own judgments; the rogue Jedi's fates were in our hands, not the courts." Anakin said. "It would appear biased otherwise; think about that Krell person you told me about. Had his behavior been reported to you by his clones would you have put him on trial?" Beru asked. "Yes, we would have judged him to be guilty and then hand him over to the courts because of his crimes against the military." Anakin said, "And you would've given him a fair trial, even after what the clones would have told you?" Beru asked.
Anakin hung his head. Had he known about Krell and what he was really like he would stabbed him before he left Umbara and left Rex in charge. That way Hardcase and dozens of other clones would still be alive. He wouldn't have given Krell fairness.
"Anakin, the council is good, but everyone makes mistakes. The council made their biggest when they abandoned Ahsoka in her hour of need and whether or not some of them will admit it they do know they were wrong. But I think that they, like me, now have full confidence in Ahsoka. She may have left the Jedi order, but that proves she was strong enough to say no. After everything she's been though in this war be it a Blue Shadow Virus, a Huttlet, bounty hunters, slavers, The Citadel, Mandaloreans, constant wars, brain worms, and being framed for terrorism; she'll be fine. If she could survive all of that then the galaxy should look out for her." Beru said, laying her hands on top of Anakin's and squeezing them tightly.
Anakin smiled as tears fell from his eyes. "Thank you." He said.
Owen came in the room and saw the touching scene between his wife and stepbrother. "She's part of the family Anakin." Owen said, causing the two to look at him. "You are too, brother." He said. Anakin smiled.
"So who's the lucky woman?" Beru asked. Anakin and Owen gave her odd looks. "What?" Anakin asked, nervously. "Honey, he's a Jedi. I don't think that outside of..." Owen began but Beru stopped him. "I know a married man when I see one, love. I've been to more weddings and been around more married couples than I can remember in my life. So who is she Anakin?" Beru asked.
Anakin shook his head and cracked a grin. "Okay, you got me. Can't fool you." Anakin admitted. Owen sat down, interested in the fact that his stepbrother had broken the sacred Jedi code. "So who is it?" he asked.
"Let's just say you've already met her." Anakin answered. Beru smiled and said "Okay Anakin, be that way. I'm off to bed, good night." She told the two men as she walked out of the room. "Good night love, I'll be there soon." Owen called to her and then he returned his attention to Anakin.
"It's that Senator from Naboo, isn't it?" he asked. "Yes." Anakin answered. Owen looked down and said "Anakin if the Jedi discover that you are married what will happen?" he asked. "They'd expel me, but right now they can't afford to at this point in the war. I'm the Hero with No Fear." Anakin said. Owen smiled and shook his head. "Anakin after the war is over leave the Jedi, they've put you through enough. Take your wife and leave. The Jedi are just some damned idealistic crusade that's doomed to fail."
"No. The Jedi Order may be flawed, but it's not doomed. If anyone can fix it I can. Me, Obi-Wan, and anyone who will listen to us. We're the Jedi Owen, the galaxy will always need us." He said. Owen nodded, "I see. But Anakin promise me this, don't let the Jedi or anyone else for that matter take you away from your family." He said
"I won't." Anakin vowed. And with that they went to their respective rooms for the night.
That morning Anakin walked out and did something he always loved doing when he was a boy; watching the twin suns of Tatooine rise.
Anakin sighed. He had to tell someone. After returning home from Tatooine he felt a great pressure on his mind. Killing all those Sand People, Sebulba, sure they deserved it but it still felt wrong somehow.
He needed to talk to someone. Not Padme, she might let her feelings of the Clovis incident earlier in the year cloud her judgment and Obi-Wan and the other Jedi would go nuts if they found out what he did on Tatooine three years ago and Rex wasn't due back until tomorrow.
He needed to talk to someone who wasn't biased or judgmental. Someone he could trust.
The door opened and the smiling face of an old friend greeted him.
"Anakin! Come in, sit down. You wanted to talk about something?"
"Yes Chancellor."
The End
Notes here: The ending with Palpatine is to explain how he knew about Shmi's death in Revenge of the Sith.
The Tusken's have never been unmasked in any Star Wars media that I know of because I couldn't find any official pictures or descriptions that were consistent so I made up my own, I gave him green skin because some behind the scenes photos of the Tuskens in Attack of the Clones show that the women and children's fingers are green.
The Ewok character was a reference to an abandoned idea for a Clone Wars episode by the great Paul Dini in which Anakin and Padme, needing a mercenary, go to a bar and see a big Lobo-esque guy and then seeing that the mercenary they're looking for is an Ewok.
Watto owns Seek because I couldn't find any info on who owned Seek and it was also for simplicity's sake.
I wanted to analyze the Jedi Council's actions in the Ahsoka's Trial arc, see things from their point of view and interpret Windu's line about them not being in full agreement. As well as their messed up decisions in the Dark Disciple novel.
I don't know if Aurra Sing had a reason for being on Tatooine in Phantom Menace, but I gave her one, seeing as how she was an ex-Jedi.