Millennium Falcon, hyperspace

Nobody was overly thrilled that they had to move off of Ach-To. Despite the somewhat frequent rain showers, most of them had enjoyed the place. Before they left, Ben showed Anakin the ancient Jedi texts which included a rather dangerous form of Force healing, for use only when necessary. Vestara had used the island's Force nexus to communicate with Master Yoda and they decided to change plans and rendezvous with the master on Dagobah for the next leg of their journey. So here they were on the way to Dagobah, the long way around. Unfortunately, the Unknown Regions' hyperspace lanes were unstable at best, so while it would seem easier to slide straight to galactic south, the hyperspace lanes required going the long way around and they needed supplies. There was no way Ben or Vestara were going to show up around Takadona, no offense to Maz, with Skywalker or Kenobi in tow. Since both had a reputation with the lowlifes that hung around the place, they were certain they would be spotted in an instant. No, for some reason the Force was insistent that they go to Dagobah via Correllia, which made absolutely no sense on any galactic map.

Now contrary to popular opinion, Jedi robes are not all that distinctive. In fact robes were so common around the galaxy they were the favorite clothing of many spies and intelligence services, so no one was bothered by the thought of disguises. Ahsoka was manning the cockpit as she had often done since the start of the journey and was reaching out to the dispatcher for a landing pad when Ben came in.

"Remind me why were on a planet that the empire is no doubt scouring for Jedi as an entire order was here?" she asked.

"No idea, unless we're supposed to help someone escape. I don't plan on being here long. Thankfully, the Empire doesn't know this ship, so we're not on any radar," Ben said. "The plan is simple: the two married couples will go get supplies. Even though the Correlian order is mostly married, most GAR forces don't know that and Corsec won't sell out the green Jedi to Palpatine. Just be ready to get going if things get hot. Rex and Jesse will infiltrate to try to get some info while were here."

The Falcon came out of hyperspace right about then and Ahsoka headed for their landing site in one of Corrrelia's larger towns but not the capital.

City Space docks, Correlia

Correlia: old, boring. The only thing the planet had going for it, if you were a teenager, is the sight of the many vessels going to and from the docks going on adventures to who knows where, seeing impressive sights, finding fabulous treasure, and of course rescuing princesses. The boy watched the ships come in and out with a sigh, knowing he would one day be the captain of one of those ships and go on adventures. He had come down to the docks after seeing a YT freighter fly overhead. An old Correlian design, the ship was beautiful and still ran extremely well, if properly maintained. He sighed after not being able to find it. He decided he better start doing his job or it would be trouble if he returned to Shrike empty handed. He glanced around for an easy mark. His eyes spotted a married couple in the crowd with a slightly uncomfortable look on their faces. He figured they were unused to the crowds of Correlia. Oh well, he would have to give them a lesson at the cost of their pocketbook, of course.

Vestara and Ben were walking through the crowd a couple hundred feet away from Anakin and Padme. The brothers had left to go see about information. Ben was getting a fairly uncomfortable feeling through the Force- like a itch he couldn't scratch.

Ves looked at him."What is it?"

"I don't know. A presence, familiar yet not at the same time, in the crowd and I think it's stalking either us or Anakin," Ben said, slightly befuddled.

Vestara cast her senses out for danger but didn't pick up anything unusual. The few security guards were bored. The few clones in the area were weary and not really paying much attention. She sensed no darksiders, either. She then scanned for the usual thievery. Oh there it was, almost as if the Force was laughing at them. A pickpocket and, yes, familiar yet not familiar at the same time, stalking her and Ben. Too far back to see if she turned, but obviously trying to decide between her and Ben or Anakin and Padme. "Shall we apprehend this person?" Vestara asked.

Ben paused a second. "Yes, let's do it if we can without making a scene."

The teenager was 100 feet behind them walking well, casually, like he didn't have a care in the world. Actually he was trying to decide between two groups of outsiders dressed remarkably the same. Instinct from having done this since he was young made him choose the younger couple as the older couple especially the woman walked like some form of security, they had training and he suspected they had seen him or another person working the crowd based on the side glances at windows. All very clever. They had been taught by a professional pickpocket, he assumed. However, they were not clever enough to realize he had picked up on it. So he chose the younger couple that were walking towards the fruit market and waited until the older couple had entered into a parts store to proceed. He followed them into the fruit market, observed where the woman kept her money while her husband did the haggling with the merchant. The pair turned around right when he stepped in at the perfect moment.

Anakin and Padme had finished bargaining with the fruit dealer when Padme collided with a man- a young man, though still taller than she was. The teenager had managed to catch her before she fell to the ground.

"I am completely sorry, ma'am," the teenager fumbled out, "let me get your stuff", he said as he picked up the fallen fruit off the ground.

"Hey, kid, next time walk a little further back from the stalls where people are going to turn around," Anakin growled at him, hood raised.

"Absolutely, sir, won't happen again, but if you would let me make it up to you, you're getting gypped here by these merchants- better to go to the town marketplace 8 klicks east of here. Much better local produce," the teenager said with a charming grin.

"Why thank you, kind sir," Padme said. "You wouldn't happen to know where to pick up some decent camp equipment, would you?"

"Of course, ma'am. Old man Farlo has the best equipment in this parsec, but his prices are a good 50% to high," the teenager said.

"Thank you for help," Padme said.

"Yeah, thanks, kid," Anakin said threateningly. "Now get lost."

"I would, sir, but I'm very good with directions, sir," the teenager said.

"Not what I mean, smart mouth. Make like a banana and split." Anakin shoved the kid by the back towards an exit.

"Understood, sir. I wont bother you no more," the kid said, taking his cue to leave and hurrying towards the proffered exit.

Padme watched him go. "Think he bought it?"

"Oh yeah." Anakin said with a grin. "I can feel the smugness radiating from here." He raised his com. "Traffic control on your way."

"Acknowledged."

Behind the Marketplace by the exit was an alleyway that connected the market with the industrial section. This was the exit the teenager made for since it was conveniently located next to the fruit market and he been pushed towards it. There were several convenient trash bins he could lose the incriminating part of his loot. As he caught the ditzy woman he conveniently pocketed her pocketbook. The usual routine: husband annoyed his ditzy trophy wife could have been hurt and he acted the innocent teenager. Both oblivious he pocketed their cash. He didn't enjoy the work, but there was a bit of a thrill in the execution and escape and no true blooded Correlian wasn't a daredevil. He grinned as he slipped around the corner to freedom. Right as he sighed in relief, he felt himself pushed face forward against a wall.

"Well, well let's see what we got here, hopefully for you not just a thief against the wall," a female voice said menacingly.

The teenager looked around and surprisingly to him the woman wasn't that tall. One look into her eyes however and the boy knew better than to attempt escape.

"Smart boy," the woman said, apparently sensing his thoughts. She relaxed her grip on him a bit and spun him around.

"Well, well, if it isn't Han Solo," the woman said in surprise.

The boy started at the name. "Never heard of him."

"Don't get cute with me, kid. I was taught by the best and I know all the tricks from pickpocketing to assassination. You've got yourself in a pickle and I'm not sure whether you're stuck in it or not yet," the woman said with a smile Han was sure he didn't liked the looks of.

"Listen, lady, I'm pretty sure I haven't ever pickpocketed you before, so how about I let you have the loot and I'll get out of your hair. I'll even throw in an extra 10% from what I picked up this morning," Han said trying his best smile.

"You need to try that on the Hutts if you think that line is going to work," the woman retorted. "Besides I'm not interested in the paltry sum the esteemed senator let you take from her at the fruit market a moment ago, and, yes, you have pickpocketed me before."

Oh, he was dead very, very dead. Some senator had an assassin as a bodyguard who was going to dispose of his dead body here and now in the industrial district if he didn't come up with something fast.

"Listen, lady, how about you don't kill me and I'll do anything you ask," Han counter-offered.

"Hmm, what do you think, guys?" the woman said as three others came around the corner including the ditzy woman and her husband.

"I say let the kid go," Anakin said.

The kid gasped at the voice. He hadn't been paying much attention earlier. Now, potentially facing death, his senses were heightened and he recognized that voice from all his childhood dreams the last few years: the Hero with No Fear. The one he hoped and dreamed would come save him from Shrike. He daydreamed of being a starfighter pilot just like him- General Anakin Skywalker.

"General Skywalker," Han blurted out before he could stop himself. "I thought you were dead. Not that I wanted you to be. I figured there had to be a mistake with you being declared traitor and all."

"No, I don't think so," the other man said grimly, ignoring Han. "He's coming with us and will be a lot better off because of it."

"How are we going to keep up with a pickpocket?"

"Because this pickpocket's name is Han Solo. He has a natural aptitude for flying with training he could be an excellent pilot. His parents are dead and he is currently in a form of indentured servitude to a criminal named Shrike and he dreams of getting away and having adventures. Well, his dumb luck just blundered him into one," the red-haired man said.

Han's eyes narrowed. "How do you know all that?"

"Because Republic Intelligence has a very thick file on you," Vestara said she pulled a blaster out of Han's pocket and squeezed off a stun round at Ben's very young uncle. "Just so you don't pull any tricks between us and the Falcon."

"Ves," Ben sighed. "Was that really necessary? I wanted him to see the ship."

"We can give him a stim shot on the way to the ship," Ves replied. "And, yes, it was necessary."

Ben did a facepalm. "You mean you were having fun. What did we say about revenge is not the way of the Jedi?"

"Unless it's harmless pranks, besides he might have run," Ves said with a rather smug grin on her face.

"Like he would have gotten far," Ben sighed.

Author's Note

Han Solo's age is a bit quirky in both the EU and New Canon. Harrison ford was 35 in 1977 when A New Hope was released. Ford's age would put him 15ish years older than Star Wars had the twins, so were going to assume he's 14-15 here. Yoda fans rejoice the old troll gets an extended adventure next week that will answer questions long debated by fans and derided by critics why would he not want to train anakin? Did he have alternate places to put the young boy.? All these questions and more next week.

Thanks for the reviews likes and favorites

Ben