Chapter 16

Leia and Han entered Luke's office to find him sitting behind his desk examining a holo-display. The glow of the holo display made the lines of age and the long healed scars on his face looking more pronounced than usual and made his hair look unnaturally grey.

"Hey kid, what's so urgent you had to drag us out of bed?" Han demanded.

"Saba and Tesar," Luke said without looking up. "We got an urgent call on subspace that their ship was crippled near the Roche Asteroids after returning from an unsuccessful diplomatic mission on Phindar. We don't have any more details than that, but the Falcon is the only ship we have available that can pull this off. I had a crew prep the Falcon and I'm clearing you for immediate takeoff."

His comm panel bleeped for his attention.

"Jedi Delivery Services, Booster speaking," A sarcastic, rough voice came from the heavyset holographic man with a red eye that appeared over the comm unit. "How can I help you?"

"Booster, it's good to see you again," Luke Skywalker responded. "Welcome to Ossus. Please hold a minute."

Luke flicked the unit into standby without pause and looked up at his sister.

"Leia, I wish I knew more, but Saba and Tesar may be under attack. The Falcon is both fast enough to get there in time to make a difference, and armed enough to handle just about anything waiting. You're their only hope."

"I understand," Leia said. "We'll head out right away."

"I'll send you the bill when we get back," Han grumbled, and walked out.

"'Bout time, Skywalker," Booster replied when Luke reactivated the display. "Why is it every time you need something moved you ask the guy with the biggest ship?"

"We have lots of equipment," Luke said reasonably. "And I figured a former pirate with a star destroyer wouldn't want anyone else transporting his grandchildren to Coruscant."

Booster made a funny grunt in his throat. "How much are you offering?"

"Fifty thousand, all in advance."

Boosters eyebrows disappeared under the brim of his captain's hat. "You're actually paying me this time? What's the occasion? Did you rob the Galactic Bank again? No, let me guess: You sold your favourite bantha."

"Nah, we came across a cache of old Imperial credits I can't get rid of," Luke said, holding up one of the near-worthless coins. "I've been using them as flimsy-weights. They're yours if you want them. Might be able to sell them to a museum."

"Funny, Skywalker," Booster growled. "Cargo ships can go to docking bay 10. Send my grandkids with the credits first thing in the morning."

-! #$%^&*()

The modified YT-2400set down at Mos Eisley's spaceport just after midday. The suns were high in the sky still, and the scorching heat created shimmering mirages on the horizons in every direction. Most beings moved quickly from building to building to avoid the heat, with only droids and the occasional womprat or dewback lingering around in the sun. An odd group consisting of five humanoids wearing Jedi robes with the hoods up, an R12 unit, and a vicious looking canine walked leisurely from docking bay 34 to the main cantina. Unlike the locals, the humanoids appeared to be enjoying the heat, as some do after a long hyperspace journey in the cold of space. The tallest of the humanoids turned and spoke to the group. After a brief argument with the shortest humanoid in the group, whose body language indicated he, or she, was quite upset, the tallest walked towards the cantina with the canine and droid following. The face of Jacen Solo appeared under the hood of the robe just briefly, but enough for Boba Fett to see.

"Sithspawn," Boba Fett swore. "He's back."

-! #$%^&*()

From the Private Journal of Jedi Master Jacen Solo

=With comments by B. Wrarm, Jedi Librarian=

=Approximately 30 years after the Battle of Yavin, Within Two Months of the End of the Yuuzhan Vong War.=

I fought Boba Fett and kicked his butt.

Then we spoke and came to a truce.

Then Womprat stole an ancient lightsaber from him that belonged to the guy who killed his dad.

If he ever sees me again, I'm so dead.

=End=

-! #$%^&*()

"We don't serve their kind here!"

Jacen heard the familiar call of Wuher's voice and smiled slightly as he entered the noisy cantina.

"The Vornskr, or the droid?" Jacen responded, lowering his hood and looking at Wuher. Astro leapt over the bar upon seeing the familiar face of Wuher and rolled over to get his belly scratched, pining for attention.

Wuher grunted and smiled, rubbing the Vornskr's belly with his foot. "C'mon in, Solo. The usual?"

"Please," Jacen responded, tossing a credit chip at Wuher. The chip easily disappeared when it reached its destination, and a fruity energy beverage appeared on the bar. Jacen took the drink and moved to a booth, waiting for Boba Fett to appear. He knew Fett had seen him enter and was on his way. Fett rarely let anything slip past him, especially when it concerned Jedi. Mace Windu had taught him that, but Jacen had reminded him several years ago.

"I want my lightsaber back."

Jacen unconcernedly looked up at the business end of Fett's EE-11 blaster rifle which was pointed at Jacen's nose. "Sorry, I returned it to the maker, and it was shortly thereafter destroyed."

Fett's grip on his blaster wavered slightly from the shock of the news. "W-Windu's alive?"

"Not anymore. And he took his lightsaber with him," Jacen said reasonably. "It was a big explosion, too. Took out half a mountain. He's definitely dead now, of that I'm sure."

"That man was a mountain to himself," Fett said in bitter admiration. He sat down across the table from Jacen. "Hello, HK-47. Long time no see."

"Salutation: Greetings, Tin-packaged meatbag. Have we met? It is hard to tell one meatcan from another."

"Like you don't remember," Fett shook his head. "Okay, Solo. Why are you hunting me?"

"Hunting?" Jacen asked, "I'm not hunting you. You're the hunter. All I want is information."

"Information, eh?" Fett leaned back and examined Jacen. "Sometimes that is more dangerous. What kind of information does a Jedi need that he can't get from Karrde?"

"Mandalorian information. I want to know what the clans are up to."

"And you assume I would know this information?" Fett asked incredulously.

"You are Mandalore," Jacen responded.

"Who told you that?"

"You did, just now," Jacen smiled the famous Solo grin. "I was guessing, and you just confirmed it."

"Damn you, Jedi. Keep out of my head," Fett sighed and leaned heavily on the table. "I can't help you, Solo. I lost the Mandalorians."

"Query: Lost? Have you tried looking for them? They generally walk around in brightly coloured tin cans with compensatory armaments and make primitive comments like 'Am I being paid for this?' "

"Shut up, droid," Fett kicked Womprat with a loud thud. "They're not listening to me anymore. Well, a few of them are, but the rest split off. They think they can seek greatness by…"

"Following the Sith," Jacen finished before Fett could, surprising the bounty hunter. "Yes, I already knew they've aligned with the Sith. And I'd like to stop this from continuing."

"Good luck!" Fett said sarcastically. "The clans left me because I wouldn't ally with the Sith. Some stayed with me, but the majority left. They attacked me but…well; I got farther than they did. It doesn't matter. You may have dented my armour, but there's no way you could take on even a dozen Mandalorians. Much less…" Fett stopped himself.

"How many?" Jacen asked.

"Why should I tell you information that will get my brothers killed?" Fett asked reasonably.

Jacen looked into his drink, rolling the bottom edge of the glass on the table, and then looked back at Fett as he let the glass set back on the table.

"I could've killed you when you attacked me, but I didn't. What makes you think I want to kill anyone?"

"Jedi have a habit of wiping out Mandalorians."

"Confirmation: Master, this is true. While in the service of…"

"I know, Womprat," Jacen cut the droid off without taking his eyes off Fett's visor. "We all know that. And there is no denying it. But I also know that the lives of your brother Mandalorians have a much better chance of being preserved if I can help them, rather than waiting for them to get slaughtered by the Jedi and the GA when they attack us. I want to get this message to the Mandalorians…"

"That's a wonderful sentiment, Solo, but like I said, I lost them. They don't listen to me anymore."

"But you know who they do listen to."

"I told you to stay out of my head, Jedi."

"I wasn't in your head," Jacen said, "It's just blatantly obvious to me that in a community as small as the Mandalorians the former leader would know who all the major players are and where to find them. Not to mention that same former leader, that peaceful leader, would have a lot to gain if the others are removed from the picture…if you catch my drift."

"No," Fett said adamantly. "If the others find out I betrayed any of our own, I would be excommunicated."

"Understandable," Jacen said, leaning back on the bench. "Besides, I got what I wanted. Urik Ragash, who is currently operating out of Nar Kreeta. He claims to be Mandalore even though you beat him senseless the last time you saw him. Sorry, I was in this guy's head."

Jacen reached over and tapped the armour of the cloaked Mandalorian standing beside him with a blaster pointing at his head. "See? He didn't betray you guys." He waved his hand and fifteen Mandalorians appeared out of thin air around the bar, startling several of the patrons. "I should be going. Thank you, Boba."

Jacen looked up at the warrior blocking his way out of his seat. "I suggest you move."

"Why should I let you leave with stolen information?" The Mandalorian's grip on his blaster tightened.

"Possibly because there's a Vornskr behind you who is incredibly loyal to me, and is just waiting for an excuse to chew your leg off," Jacen said reasonably. Astro growled on cue from behind the Mandalorian. "Or because there are four other Jedi and an assassin droid around this bar who are all quite fond of me."

"Or if you don't back off I'll shoot you myself," Fett said, startling the other Mandalorian. "Solo's honourable. If he says he'll use the information to help us, he will."

"But, Mandalore…"

"You dare to question me, Roshi?" Fett roared, standing up and bringing his blaster with him. A cold silence filled the bar, and all heads were staring at Fett. The only movement Jacen could detect in the Force was the swift eye flickering of the other fourteen Mandalorians, likely looking for the four Jedi and the assassin droid, and the overflowing glass of knarr being filled, and ignored, by Wuher.

"No, Mandalore," Roshi said, lowering his head and blaster in shame.

"Excellent!" Jacen said, springing up and taking a few steps towards the door. The entire bar resumed their normal activities with the tension subsiding. "I'll be in touch, Boba."

"As will I, Solo," Fett returned. "By the way."

Jacen looked back at Fett over his shoulder. "Yes?"

"Someone put another bounty on your head. A huge one. Your old man will be jealous, even after inflation."

Jacen nodded his thanks and quickly left the bar, droid, and Vornskr on his heels.

-! #$%^&*()

Luke walked up to Booster's converted troop transport that was being loaded with various components of the Jedi data core, glad to finally be outside his office. He waved to Ben as his son went about his duties of loading equipment into the transport under Lowbacca's careful watch and walked directly up to Booster Terrik. An imposing man almost a hand span taller than Luke, Booster perhaps weighed twice what Luke did thanks to a sizeable belly. While a bushy beard, artificial holographic eye, and cigara complemented his gruff exterior, the near-giggling smile on his face betrayed his softer family side as he watched a holo from one of his grandchildren.

"You have every right to be proud of them," Luke said with a smile. "They're among our best students."

The holocube and smile vanished faster than Han Solo could draw his blaster.

"That Horn character sure doesn't help them out," Booster grumbled. "Bad genes in that one. Poor kids can't lift a leaf with the Force."

"No, but they can sure make you think they did," Luke said, pulling a slight smile out of the older man. "I'm told this is the last transport for equipment?"

"Yeah," Booster whacked the side of the ship with his knuckles. "After this data core you've got a few stragglers. I'm sure you can get them with the few other ships around here."

Luke nodded. "The last three squads of X-wings and pilots I want to keep around until we actually depart. I'll have Twin Suns escort the data core to the Venture, but I don't want to leave us too unprotected here before we make the final move. I've cleared transfer for two squadrons and half the defence fleet to go with you, so you should be plenty safe."

"I'd feel safer if half those pilots' voices broke," Booster growled. "Never seen so many twelve-year-olds flying X-wings."

"Only half of Twin Suns are students of Jaina's advanced starfighter class," Luke said. "Takes a heck of a pilot to get into her class. The rest are all graduates of it in their twenties. Academy's best."

"Yeah, I recognized half of them from when you dumped them on my ship in the war," Booster growled. "Eight years ago they were crying like babies, now those runts are flying X-wings."

"And look how your investment is being paid off – you have an excellent escort," Luke grinned.

"Do you even know how to be a pessimist?" Booster asked with false interest.

"No," Luke said with equally false seriousness. "Obi-Wan wouldn't allow that in my training."

[The ship is loaded, Master Skywalker,] Lowbacca chose that moment to interrupt. [It is ready to depart.]

"Time to ship out then, Skywalker," Booster shook Luke's hand solidly. "I'll see you on Coruscant in a few days."

"Thanks again, Booster. We do appreciate it," Luke said. "May the Force be with you."

Booster walked up the boarding ramp and punched the close button with a grin. "With this many Jedi following me around, I couldn't get rid of the Force if I wanted to!"