Chapter 14
(Tatooine Desert)
On the outskirts of the spaceport, Han drove away at high speeds, heading out towards the opening plains of Tatooine.
As they got some distance away, he heard the sounds of engines approaching, which made him look to see two Swoop Bikes coming towards them.
"We got company!" Han shouted, and before she could reply, Leia ducked down as the first of the blaster bolts were fired at them.
Quickly, Leia pulled out her own blaster and returned fire. Strafe and Kleen moved from side to side as they dodged the bolts, then fired back at Leia.
At the helm, Han scanned the area in search of an escape route. He realized that the entrance of Slauce Canyon was up ahead. This was a well traveled path used by Tatooine's citizens to get to Mos Eisley. Han looked back at Leia and yelled, "Hold on dear, were about get cover."
As they entered the canyon, the Solos found themselves going through a curved passage that went left to right. Behind them the two hunters did the same as they continued the pursuit.
"They think they can lose us in this canyon!" Kleen shouted to Strafe who grunted in reply, then continued to fire.
A few shots hit the left side engine of Han's speeder, causing a small fire. Han prayed that the engines didn't give out. He continued to drive through the corridors while Leia fired back, but some of the shots missed as they hit the rocky walls
Behind them, Kleen accelerated his swoop and he got closer to the speeder. He was with in reach to grab it, but stopped as the hunter looked ahead and saw another speeder coming his way.
Pulling back and swerving to avoid the incoming transport brought the fish-man behind the tail of Han's speeder. It was a safe zone for the time being as more traffic was going past them. Strafe did the same as he was behind his partner.
Like his purser, Han had to avoid the different speeders by going left to right which wasn't easy due to the limited amount of space within the canyon. Luckily they got a break as they came out into a open plain in which no vehicles were in the way. But it also meant that Strafe and Kleen could continue their pursuit as they came on both sides of the speeder.
Han and Leia braced themselves as both Swoops rammed into them. In response. Han tried to do the same thing, but missed, and the Swoops hit them a second time. Before a third hit could happen. Leia pointed her blaster out at the one to her right and fired several shots which hit the front of Kleen's swoop.
One of them was a lucky shot, and the engines erupted in fire. Within seconds it exploded into pieces. The unlucky fish-man flew into the air, then crashed down hard onto the desert floor.
Strafe continued the pursuit and snarled at Leia as he pulled up next to Han's side and grabbed a hold of him. "Give it up Solo, you're mine!" the bounty hunter yelled as he gripped the man's left hand. Once this happened, Leia pushed her blaster directly into the Transdoshan's mouth and fired a stun bolt into it.
The surge of electrical energy through his body made Strafe groan in pain and he went limp. His clawed hand let go of Han's, and he fell off the Swoop. It continued to veer off for a bit, until it crashed into the desert off in the distance.
After a few minutes, Han brought the speeder to a halt. "You okay?" he asked.
Leia breathed heavily for a bit, then calmed herself.
"Never better, How about you?"
"A few scratches, but nothing serious," Han replied.
"Good to know. Now let's check on the engine before we head back."
Getting out, Han cleared away some of the smoke and saw that a few circuits had given out. "We should be okay for now, but I'll need to make some repairs when get back."
After getting back in, Han started up the engine again and was about to drive off, when the com-link from Leia's satchel went off. It was R2-D2, and Leia spoke with him.
"Hello... Artoo...yes I know we left you behind, but we had some trouble to deal with, hmm oh tell Riku to meet us at the Darklighter's home stead and will see you there." Leia ended the communication, then buckled in as she and Han headed back.
Some later, after the stun wore off, Strafe moaned as he came to. The Trandoshan looked around and saw that his swoop was gone. Swearing to himself at first, the hunter checked himself out. Strafe saw that his legs weren't broken which meant he could walk.
As he got up, he felt a pain in his ribs. "Probably broke one or two in the crash," the reptilian said to himself as he looked around.
As he started to walk, a beeping sound went off. It was his com-link inside his jacket pocket.
"Strafe, is that you?" a female voice said, which made him flinch as he knew who it was.
"Yes I'm here Ilsa," he repiled looking uneasy.
"About time, I've been trying to get a hold of you and Kleen. Have you found the target yet?"
"No, we got side tracked by another opportunity," he replied, then told Ilsa about finding Leia Organa and how they thought that capturing her would them to Luke Skywalker.
At first there was no reply, just the sound of silence, which made Strafe wonder if she was still there. But after a moment, the silence was broken with a reply.
"YOU LOCATED LEIA ORGANA SOLO AND HER HUSBAND AND YOU DIDN'T INFORM ME? YOU BONEHEAD!" Ilsa shouted in a loud tone which made Strafe drop the com-link. He picked it back up and he wiped away some of the dirt.
"You told me and Kleen not to disturb you since it ruins your hunting method," he said, trying to sound calm.
"I did say that, but when it's about a major bounty, that changes everything. Is the tracker you planted still on their speeder?" Strafe realized that Kleen had the locator with him, so he said nothing.
"I'll take that as a no. Alright then. Stay where you are. I'll come get you first, then once we find Kleen, we're going to have a talk together." Ilsa said then ended the communication. Strafe activated his homing beacon and could do nothing but wait out in the hot, dry desert.
(Guardian)
After their time in the shooting range, Juno and Bo took a break as they ate in the mess hall. Both women had spent almost an hour shooting at the holoscreens, and they kept score of who hit the most targets. In the end, Bo won with a total of 400, while Juno got close with 396.
"I gotta say, for being a skilled pilot, you're a really good shooter as well," Bo said before taking a bite of her meat pie.
"Thank you, but compared to you, it's clear who the master marksman is," Juno replied as she took a sip of water. "So where did you learn to shoot like that?"
"Mandalore. These blasters were given to me during a time in my life I rather forget about," Bo replied with a sour look on her face.
Juno could tell from her tone that it must have been something bad that Bo did.
"I know how you feel. I've done things I'm not proud of," confided Juno.
Hearing this surprised Bo. "Well now I'm intrigued. Do tell."
"Well...before I joined the Rebellion. I served in the Imperial Navy for many years. During this time, I took part in missions that I often questioned. But being the good officer that I was then, I did nothing to object to my superior's orders," Juno answered, as she thought back to those days.
"So what made you leave the Empire then?" asked Bo.
"A couple of things actually. First, my life was in danger when I was declared a traitor, even though I did nothing. Then I was a prisoner for six months. Luckily I was freed and given a new chance at life. This lead to me getting involved with the Rebellion. I saw it as a chance to make up for all the things I did before."
"And do you feel that you have done that?" Bo wondered with a curious look.
"So far yes, but there's still a part of me that still feels guilty for what happened then. Hopefully helping to save the galaxy from the Yuuzhan Vong will allow me to complete my redemption," Juno said.
Bo took in her new companion's words carefully. A part of her also felt this way as she wanted to make up for what happened during her time with Death Watch.
"I'm sure you will succeed one day," she offered, which made Juno look at her in silence.
"I hope so too," Juno added as she resumed eating.
Things then went quiet for a bit, until Rex entered the room.
"Mind if I join ladies?" he asked, to which they gestured yes
"What's new Captain?" Juno asked as she looked at him.
"General Kota's called a meeting. It seems that Padme's grandkids made contact with her son."
"And what did he say?" Bo wondered, as did Juno.
"Well, I wasn't given that information. But the General said it concerns us, and where go from here," Rex replied with a straight face.
"That sounds like something he would say," Juno said as she and Bo finished their meals. When done, they stood up and followed Rex out of the hall.
(Bridge)
Inside the meeting room, Ahsoka, Chewbacca, Anakin, Kota and Starkiller waited for the other members . It didn't take long for Juno, Rex and Bo to arrive, and they took their seats. Afterwords Padme arrived with Jacen and Jania. They whispered to their brother that Padme was told about their father's history, which she found both interesting and surprising.
'Given Dad's colorful past, it would surprise anyone,' the youngest Solo thought, as he stood behind his grandmother as the meeting began.
"Earlier today, Jaina and Jacen told me that they spoke with their uncle, Luke Skywalker. And the news he shared with them has importance for us all," General Kota said first as the others looked at him.
"What exactly did he say?" Starkiller wondered.
"It seems that the New Republic has fallen," the blind Jedi responded in a grim way.
Looks of shock fell upon the time-travelers as Kota told them about what transpired.
"According to Master Skywalker, the Yuuzhan Vong have captured Courscant. They led a massive battle against the planetary forces which resulted in great losses."
"That seems hard to believe. Courscant is one of the most well defended planets in the galaxy and has been for centuries," Bo stated while trying to grasp this news.
"And so it has been, til now," Jacen said as he then took over.
"Uncle Luke said the once the shields fell, the Vong swarmed down like bugs looking for their next meal. He and those under his command had crashed into the city. Luckily though, they escaped with help from our parents."
"They arrived after leaving the Imperial Palace which had been the capital building for the New Republic. It seems the palace was destroyed when Chief of State Borsk Fey'lya, who stayed behind, gave his life by setting off a bomb which killed many Vong warriors," Jaina said next.
Aside from Chewbacca, no one at the table knew who that was, which Jaina could tell. She then said that he was a Bothan Male who served in the New Republic for many years. But he was very unpopular due to his views on certain maters.
Anakin also added that when the Yuuzhan Vong first arrived, Fey'lya refused to believe or accept that the galaxy was being invaded by these aliens. This resulted in the losses of many planets and systems to the invaders.
Jacen went next saying that his parents, Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara had escaped Courscant and made it to Tatooine to repair their ship. He guessed that once their ship was fixed, the four would head to the Jedi base at the planet Eclipse to evacuate the students there.
"I take it that you three know the coordinates to this base?" Ahsoka asked, to which she the Solos nodded yes.
"That's good to know. Also, I was wondering if one of you could tell us about the enemy's forces?" Rex asked to which Jaina and Anakin said they could tell him. Accepting this, Rex and the two Solos excused themselves as they left the room.
"It would seem the meeting is concluded," Kota stated as he stood up, as did the others, expect Jacen, Padme, Ahsoka and Chewbacca. They stayed behind so they could talk with each other.
"Jacen, earlier when you spoke with Luke. You talked with someone that you called Aunt Mara. Does that mean?" She was saying while looking at him and Chewbacca.
The Wookiee answered by speaking in a few grunts which she guessed was him saying yes to her question.
"He says yes. Luke is married. To a wonderful woman that he loves greatly. Her name is Mara Jade, a skilled warrior, strong with the Force," Ahsoka translated for Padme who was in shock to learn that she also had a Daughter in Law.
"Jacen, Chewbacca. As we have some time, I would like you both to tell me about Mara," Padme asked as she composed herself then sat down as the two looked nervous on how to reply.
"Well it's a long story, but I'll do my best to tell you," Jacen answered as he began.
(Tatooine Desert)
Out in the middle of the desert, a lone figure walked to their ship, which was a old Y-Wing model. Most people would be surprised by it's appearance out here, expect that it was covered by a sand colored tarp.
The figure removed the tarp, folded it neatly, then stowed it in a compartment space. After this, they entered the cockpit and turned on the engines. While the engines warmed up, they activated the comm-link and spoke.
"I've encountered Leia Organa Solo in town. If she's here, there's a chance that her brother is here as well," the being said cautiously.
"Most likely. Skywalker used to live on Tatooine. According to what I was told, he lived at a moisture farm with his Uncle and Aunt. You might find them there," the voice on the other end said in a deep tone.
"It's a good thing I was able to learn its location in town. I'm heading there now," the being replied as they ended the call.
After this, the Y-Wing rose up and headed towards the Moisture Farm.