Chapter Two
[Lux's Perspective]
"So, this is your room." I say, and set down Ahsoka's things on the desk. She comes in and takes a look around, sits down on the bed. "This room is pretty nice," she remarks, and I swell with pride, stupid right? "Do you get many passengers during your travels?" she asks, those bright blue eyes looking curious as ever. "Well, at first I did. My employers wanted to make sure the job got done, and since they didn't know me, they decided to come along, but since then I've kind of made a reputation. People trust me now, mostly."
She watches me intently as I talk, like she's hanging on to every word I say. I'm tempted to lean in and kiss her right now, but she'd never forgive me. So I hold myself back, convince myself once again that we're just friends. It's hard, but it gets easier every time. I ask her what's been going on since I last saw her, and I have to admit that it sounds a lot more exciting than what I've been doing. Droid battles, chasing bounty hunters, compared to that my life sounds like it's a piece of stale bread. It makes me want to blurt out everything to her, boast about all my near run-ins with the military on both sides, show her my smuggling holds, exaggerate all my dangerous exploits. Wouldn't she be impressed then, if I told her about all my bravery? But I can't. She may be my friend, but she's still a Jedi, and she'd turn me in in a second.
The next two days are great, and Ahsoka and I have a lot of fun. She tells me about life as a Jedi, and how hard it's been tracking down Boba Fett. She tells me all about her adventures, and I love to listen to her talk. Everything she says, she says with excitement. Every thing she does, she does with enthusiasm. You can't help but light up around her, she just does that to you. The only bad thing is her master, Anakin. Sure he's nice enough, but I always feel nervous around him. Like I have to be extra careful with everything I do, especially how I interact with Ahsoka. If he got the idea that I was interested in her, I have no idea how he would react, and I don't really want to find out. Besides, I'm getting better at hiding it, the more I talk to her. I guess practice really does make perfect after all.
Now we're just hours from Jaxus Prime, and I'm dreading when we have to part ways again. For a moment I considered sabotaging the ship, so we would have to wait on repairs, but it was just a passing thought and it exited my mind almost as soon as it entered. It was a stupid idea, and I couldn't do that to Ahsoka. She needed to get Boba back to Coruscant in chains, and I was going to help her do it. I take the two of them in to a back room and hand them some clothes. "These are your disguises," I explain, "You can pass yourselves off as the new members of my crew. I'm the captain and pilot. I manage the deals and sign your paychecks. Anakin, you're my engineer. You take care of engine upkeep, spare parts, keep the hyperdrive working, and all that stuff. Ahsoka, you're going to be in charge of security. You operate the weapons and security systems around the cargo hold. Got it?" They both nod and go off to change.
Anakin comes back first, his Jedi attire replaced with a blue vest and shirt, baggy gray pants, and black engineering gloves and boots. His face is recognizable by several people within the Separatist Alliance, so he's got a visor over his eyes and a protective helmet. Ahsoka is looking stunning in a tight-fitting blue and green jumpsuit, complete with a utility belt decked out with all kinds of weapons. I hand them each their security passes and we're ready to go. As we approach the Jaxus system, I explain some more of our plan. "I know some places Boba frequents, so we'll check those out first. When we find him, let me do the talking. I'll tell him we want to hire him for a deal we'll explain on the way, make him an offer he can't refuse, and then he'll come with us willingly. Once we're out of the system, we arrest him and take him to the nearest Republic outpost, where you two will transport him back to Coruscant, and I'll take my payment and be on my way." On that last sentence I glance over at Ahsoka. She seems slightly upset, but not too much. Oh well. I've always known she doesn't feel the same way about me as I do about her, I just need to accept it.
We pass the checkpoints with no problem, after all I've made stops here before. They weren't perfectly legal trips, but they don't know that and neither do the Jedi. What I'm worried about is security on the surface, and I desperately hope the Republic is good at making fake Separatist clearance badges. Otherwise, our cover will be blown and we'll all be taken in to custody. That'll be the end of everything. I'll be taken to prison, and Ahsoka will be executed most likely. I take a deep breath. No, I won't let that happen. No matter what, I will protect Ahsoka with my life. I know I'm not much of a fighter, but I wouldn't hesitate for a heartbeat if Ahsoka was in trouble. "Shut up, you fool." I tell myself. Ahsoka can take care of herself. She's a Jedi, what does she need me for?
I receive instructions on where to land the ship, and I fly down to the landing pad. "All right, guys," I say, "It's time for you to be my crew." As we make our way down the ramp, loading droids are already bringing out my cargo, and security is approaching us for identification. "The name's Lux Bonteri," I say, "My crew and I have got several large shipments for Karlac distribution center. He checks my supplies, and they're clean, but I get a little nervous when he asks for our individual identification. My badge passes without a hitch, after all it really is legitimate. Then he scans Anakin and Ahsoka's and I hold my breath.
"You are clear to proceed," his robotic voice answers, and I let out a puff of air. "Thank you so much," I answer, "My crew and I are weary after our long journey. I think we'll go get a few drinks." Once we're out of earshot, Ahsoka whispers, "You did a great job back there." She gives my hand a squeeze and we exchange a look. I smile, because I finally impressed her, and lead the way to Boba Fett.