Star Wars: Cross Paths Part 3
Thanks to Anon, Guest, Daisy, LOVEM, Elen, Sue, DirksTalia, RedLigth16, princesselsaamidala22, JediLukeSkywalker and Connors for reviewing. And to everyone who took your time to read it. You guys are great. Love you all.
Chapter 32 – The Meeting
Ines was holding her baby on her arms, making sure his little hat was well put, and won't fall off, making sure it was protecting his little head, before looking back at her husband.
"I will be fine, don't worry babe," he said, giving a small peak on her lips.
"I'm not worried about you, to be honest," she replied glaring as Han and Leia, knowing that her sister in law was giving her husband a lecture about to behave and not starting a fight with Boba Fett.
"I will be there and so is Din. Right?" Luke looked at the Mandalorian, who nod.
"Don't worry Ines. Besides Fennec is there and I trust her."
"Do you really think he will want to helps us, after, well, lets face the reality, it was because of us that he ended inside the Sarlaac Pit," Ines spoke.
"I know, but lets hope he will see we are sorry, after all, all of us are much older and more mature," Luke said and they both look at Han and then back to each other.
"I hope so. Either way, we are walking around Mos Espa. I think Leia wanted to see where her father and grandmother came from."
"I think that is a good idea. We will meet you near the cantina we saw Alena and Ieneh years ago."
"Got it," she said before she gave him a kiss.
"See ya buddy," Luke said to his baby son, who smile at him.
"Dadadadadada!" he repeated over and over again.
"Lets hope that is a good sign," Luke laughed, kissing his son forehead and then hugged his other kids, while Han and Chewie approached them.
"Lets do this. The sooner the better," Han sighed, and Ines and Leia saw them leave towards the Jabba's Palace, hoping Han wouldn't blew the meeting.
Luke, Han, Chewie and Din arrived at the Jabba's Palace big gate, and the moment they entered, two Gamorreans guards.
"We are here to meet Boba Fett. He is waiting for us," Din spoke, but the two guards didn't move and just stood there, looking at them.
"This is starting well," Han said glaring at Chewie and then look at Luke. "Can't you do the same thing you did years ago?"
"No. That was a different time. We don't want to start with our left foot," Luke replied, making Din look at them.
"What are you two talking about? What did you do?"
"Well," Luke started sighing "7 Years ago, when Han here was in carbonite in Jabba's saloon, we all gather a plan, and I entered here and choke the two Gamorreans guards. But they were fine. Once I walked out they were okay."
"Yeah, probably is not a good idea to do that now," Din nod.
"I agree," they heard.
Looking back, they saw a woman approaching. Han and Chewie never met, but Luke knew who she was. She was one of the many people who were in Giedon's ship, the moment he went there to get Grogu.
"Fennec," Din said and both friend shook hands. "Hope we are not late."
"Not it all," She said looking at the 2 men and Wookiee.
"Let me introduce to you: Han Solo, Chewbacca and you know him, right?" Din said looking at Fennec.
"Nice to meet you," she nod and looking at Luke she smile. "Yes I know him. The time he got Grogu. Luke Skywalker. Your name is legendary, not only here but everywhere"
"Yeah, I know that. Not that enjoy it, but there is nothing I can do," Luke nod.
"Nice to see you again," She said shaking his hand. "Fennec."
"Nice to see you again too, Fennec."
She looked back at Din.
"He is waiting. Follow me," and she started to walking towards inside the Palace, being followed by them.
Once they reached the throne room, Chewie growled and Han looked at his furry friend.
"You are right, buddy. I'm having a dejá vú too, and not in a good way."
They stopped in front of the throne, and Luke had to admit that Han and Chewie were right, this moment really felt like a dejá vú.
Looking around, Luke saw that Boba already had some allies: there was another Wookiee that looked at Chewie right away, and Luke knew him. He had saw that Wookiee, right before he blew up the death star, when Boba was after him, sent by his father to found out who he was, and he remembered Boba had a Wookiee with him. He was pretty sure that was the same. But there were also some kids that had some mechanic limps. He always heard, since he was young of some people who like to mix their bodies with robotics, but he never actually saw it until that moment.
Fennec walked towards Boba Fett, and sat next to him.
"When Din told me that Luke Skywalker himself wanted to have a meet with me, I find hard to believe it. And I never saw that I could see some old friends too," he started staring at Han and Chewie. "Long time no see. The last time I saw your face, it was beautiful inside a Carbonite, hanging in that wall," he pointed to his right, making Han look at the wall and then glare back at Boba Fett.
"Funny, cause I also remember the last time I saw you, when your flying ass was getting inside the Sarlaac Pit. How was it, by the way?" He asked making Chewie laughed, getting a glare from Krrsantan. "The difference is that at the time I was not able to see your ugly face Boba. I have to say I prefer you with your helmet on, to be honest. Age didn't serve you well."
Luke sighed and rolled his eyes. This was not starting well.
"If I were you, I would be watching your mouth," Boba replied, at the same time a roar came beneath them, and they look down and saw a claw appearing.
"Is that a rancor?" Han asked looking back at Boba, who was smirking.
"As you can see, I would be careful if I was you, or you will be my rancor next meal," he continue with a smirk on his face, which made Han look at Chewie and surprisingly he started to laugh, making everyone frown at that.
"Are you serious?" Han asked him. "Did age also affected your memory too? Or you just forgot what happened to the last rancor it was down there and who killed it. And he is way more powerful now than he was back then, so are you sure you want to risk that, Boba?" Han said giving a step forward, while his hand was grabbing his holster, which made one of the kids grabbed something behind her back.
Sighing Luke just rose his right arm and all of the sudden, the girl froze.
"That's enough," he spoke and looked at the girl. "Please don't. We are here to talk, not to fight. Are we clear?" he looked from the girl, to Boba Fett and last to Han. "Han?"
Sighing, Han gave a step back and nod.
"Boba?" Luke asked looking at him, who nod too. "Good." he said and lowing his arm, the girl started to move, looking at her friends.
"What do you want after all?" Fennec asked them.
"Din didn't explain what we wanted to talk to you?" Luke asked looking at the Mandalorian.
"He only told us that you wanted to meet with us, and it serious," Boba replied.
"I thought that it was better if they could hear from you," Din explained, which Luke agreed.
"So, what this is all about?" Boba asked again. Clearly he was starting to be impatient.
"Okay. There is a new threat in the horizon," Luke started.
"A threat? What kind of threat?" Fennec asked right away.
"Old Empire kind of threat," Luke replied staring at her.
"I thought you had killed the Emperor and with that the Empire was gone," Boba said. "At least that is the story that everyone, everywhere tells."
"I helped, but that is not the big issue at the moment. Right now, there is a big threat, that the Empire can return, and the person behind it, can be as nasty as Palpatine."
"Who?" Boba asked.
"His name is Thrawn. He was the Emperor's right hand, so to speak. Apart from Vader. So he knows and saw how Palpatine's acted and we know he will not do the same mistakes the Emperor did. And he is showing that right now," Luke started to informed them.
"What do you mean?" One of the kids spoke this time.
"He is gathering allies across the galaxy," Din answered them, and looked back at Boba. "And we know there are still Empire followers out there. Gideon is a good evidence of that."
"But you have Gideon. He is arrested," Fennec said making Luke share a glare to Han and Din.
"Well, not anymore," Han said, making her frown.
"What do you mean?"
"Somehow his allies were able to cause a distraction in Coruscant and someone free him from prison," Luke said sighing. "As you can see there are already allies and spies everywhere."
"Why he didn't attack yet?" Boba asked.
"Because Thrawn is not that dumb. He was after a rare kyber crystal that only manifest to the future ruler of the galaxy. But let's say his plans got ruined."
"What do you mean?"
Luke and Han looked at each. They needed Boba's on their side, but deep inside they didn't know if they could give such an important information like that.
"If you want us to help you, need to be honest with us," Boba said.
Luke looked back at him.
"We know for a fact that he was not be able to get that crystal, but he will try to find it and the owner of that crystal."
"Which means that can't happen," Din said.
"The Empire never cared about Tatooine, why do you think this Thrawn guy will care?" Boba asked, and in fact was a good question. Somehow Tatooine was always able to get away from the Empire, even if they occasional appeared on the planet.
"Cause like I said, this time he will make sure to no do the same mistakes that Palpatine did."
"But who said he will see us as enemies? Maybe he can see good allies in Mos Espa," One the kids replied, making Han looked at him and try very hard not to shot his ass.
"Do you think that Tatooine has something that is important for him, kid?" Han replied. "Like it or not, your planet is not that important, that is why many Jedi hide here before. And Thrawn knows this. So I'm sure this time, you will suffer, or do you think when he sees you he will find any interest in a bunch of emo kids that find mixing their body with robotics cool. For him, you are not nobody, especially after what happened recently here with the pikes. He will see all of you as a threat."
"He's right," Din nod in agreement.
Boba look at Fennec. He knew that they were right, even if he hated to admit that, but he also knew that they were hiding something from him and that was something he would not accept.
"Thanks for the information but I think we are good. We have a good allies here, so if that Thrawn guy wants to attack Mos Espa, we are ready."
"You can't win alone," Luke said.
"It is ironic that you need my help. I listen what you had to say. Now you can leave."
"You are making a mistake, Boba," Han said.
"I think I will take my risk."
Luke looked at Fennec. He knew he couldn't force him to help them. He was free to make his won decision, even if it was the wrong one.
"I will take them to the exit," Fennec said and shaking their heads, they knew there was nothing they could do, and with that they followed her towards the gate of the Palace.
"Fennec, he is making a big mistake, He can't face these people alone. You remember his tone when the kid was taken. When he said the Empire was back. His tone was someone who was scared," Din said to her.
Fennec nod, she remembered it.
"I will try to convince him otherwise, but I can't promise. Sorry."
"At least we tried, even if I knew he was stubborn bastard," Han replied getting a look from Fennec. "Sorry but you know I'm right."
"Well if he change his mind, you can contact Din. We will leave towards Coruscant tomorrow, but Din know how to contact us," Luke said to her. "May the Force be with you."
Nodding, they left towards Mos Espa, hoping that Boba could change his mind cause if he didn't, they knew they could not anything to protect the town this time.
So Boba didn't want to help. What do you think of that? And what did you think of the meeting between Han and Boba, and do you think Boba Fett will change his mind?