Millennium Falcon, Honoghr System, Several Days Later

Leaving Yoda and Ahsoka behind on Ossus to be with Padme and check out the temple, Ben figured Anakin's fear was best nipped in the bud. The best way to do that was to employ the best bodyguards in the Galaxy for his dad and aunt, as well as general bodyguards for the Order, though how they would buy their loyalty he was uncertain. These thoughts were running through his mind when the Falcon dropped out of hyperspace.

"We got trouble," said Han. "An Imperial Corvette is up ahead."

Sure enough, an Imperial Corvette was in orbit over the planet. An early version of the vigil class Corvette, it was designed for patrolling the Outer Rim against pirates and putting on a show of force in the Rim where Star Destroyers would be considered a waste of resources. The later models had a crew of about 200 people with a stormtrooper complement of 100 or so. This Corvette was in the process of firing an orbital bombardment of the planet. Thankfully, unlike a full-blown Star Destroyer, the damage would be a little more limited. The Corvette also did not have a ready supply of TIE fighters. Ben hoped a late Republic era model would be even smaller and quickly changed places with Han in the pilot's chair. Ben turned down the initial dampeners to 95% and opened the throttle to full sub-lights. Han, now in the copilot's chair without questioning, rapidly raised shields.

"Alright, way to commit," Han yelled with excitement as the Falcon raced towards the Corvette.

"Anakin, Ves, get on the quads. Take out their turbo laser batteries and communications array," Ben yelled into the back.

The pair, who had been heading into the cockpit, raced to the quads and strapped in quickly. Ben Kept an eye on the sensors to see whether a tractor beam was being readied, but it didn't appear that this model yet possessed a tractor beam.

"Probably were cutting some corners in the Clone Wars," Ben thought.

Ben brought the Falcon in from the direction of the local sun to minimize the time the crew of the ship would spot them. He figured by this point the crew though should have seen them or they were definitely not the Empire's finest troops. The Falcon closed to within 15 miles before the Corvette seemed aware of them and started firing. By this time the Falcon's quad turrets were within range with their targeting computers while the front cannons had to be much closer. Anakin and Vestara used the turrets to devastating effect, taking out both of the Corvette's two turbo laser positions, with Anakin spinning around and taking out the communications turret on the way past.

Ben spun around for another pass and Ves and Anakin were able to score a hit on the ship's bridge on the way back through.

"This doesn't make sense," Ves thought. "The captain should have raised shields before they spun around; even the smaller imperial warships shields should have prevented the damage the Falcon was currently doing."

With the second pass in and their foe made relatively useless, Ben spun the Falcon planet-side since it would be pointless to continue the bombardment.

"I sense a lot of killing planet-side," Anakin said.

"Yes," Vestara replied, "our job is to stop the Imps from killing the natives, though why are attempting to do so is a mystery."

Honoghr (Authors note better Noghri names will be needed for the final draft)

The creatures from the sky had come down upon them and started killing them for no reason whatsoever. The clan Matriarch was at a loss for a reason for the senseless violence done to her people. There were traders who came to the planet from regularly and many of her people, including herself, were conversant in Basic for this reason. However, the intruders quickly learned with their lives that the Noghri were just as capable of being warriors as these creatures in white armor. They were even beating back the intruders to their ship when fire came spitting out of the sky into their ranks, splitting the Noghri advance into a rout. The Matriarch and her son Khanopher were trying to rally the troops. Thankfully for the last minute or so the firing had stopped. Her people were getting regrouped, but her son's position was in severe danger of being overrun. She watched helpless as her son and his few followers were overwhelmed. She was too far away to come to his aid. That's when she heard another ship approaching. Looking up, she saw a flat ship diving towards the village where they were making a stand. She was about to yell a warning when the ship opened fire into the ranks of the invaders. The ship quickly passed overhead firing, passing to the southwest. It quickly came back over, and the Matriarch watched as a man with a flaming blue sword leaped out of the back next to her son's position. She watched as the warrior deflected the bolts of the enemy and rescued her son from danger. Two more figures with flaming swords jumped from the craft- one with a purple saber, another with blue - landing 10 meters in front of her and deflecting blaster shots. Without thinking, she yelled for her followers to assist the blade wielders in pushing back the foe.

Within minutes the troops had retreated back to the shuttle and lifted off. The Falcon pursued them into low orbit to make sure they were departing. The smoking command ship left orbit as soon as the transport was on board.

Imperial Corvette, Hyperspace

The smoking bridge had the remaining staff crew coughing when the ground commander reached the bridge.

"Captain Konstatine, what do we tell our superiors?" The ground commander asked.

The ship was from one of Admiral Tarkin's fleets that had already begun removing Clones as the primary troops of the new empire.

Still coughing, Captain Konstatine said, "We inform them the mission was a success and we were attacked by Separatist holdouts. If you even think about saying otherwise, remember you were beaten by a bunch of savage natives. I doubt you would live too long if you told that to Admiral Tarkin."

"I guess the question is how do we get our crew to go along with that story," the commander said doubtfully.

"Promotions and a week's furlough for a job well done ought to keep them happy, as for any others, well, training accidents do happen," Konstatine said as he walked away from the commander.

Honoghr

That evening the Noghri clans were celebrating around the campfire. The clan Matriarch had already promised a life debt to the Skywalkers and Obi-Wan, especially Anakin since he had saved her son. Anakin was being honored by being named the leader of the Noghri people and the clans were busy trying to find a suitable title for their new distinguished leader. Ben had heard vestiges of how they were choosing their new leader's title. The title would be two names for simplicity for the outsiders. An Old Noghri word would be the second word and the new name for Anakin among the Noghri, but the preceding title would be from Basic. Ben thought back to his aunt's Noghri bodyguards.

"What has you going with the 500-yard stare?" Ves asked.

"Just thinking Aunt Leia would likely have preferred the daughter of whatever there about to give Anakin in this timeline," Ben answered, "as opposed to being Lady Vader or Daughter of Vader."

Ves was about to respond when she was interrupted by the Clan leaders signaling for attention. The Noghri announcer got everyone's attention and Ves and Ben watched as the villagers watched with rapt attention. They could tell Anakin, on the other side, was uncomfortable with the attention he was getting. Obi-Wan, however, was getting an enormous amount of pleasure from watching his protégé be embarrassed by the awards and the from knowledge he had discovered that apparently Anakin would be essentially dictator for life on this small Outer Rim planet.

"As you all know we owe our lives to our heroes this day, especially to this young man who jumped into the deepest part of the enemy's fire and saved the son of our village's clan Matriarch." The crowd erupted into applause. The speaker held out his hands to quite the crowd after a few moments. "After consulting with the companions and teacher of this young man, we have ascertained we are not insulting any of our heroes by presenting the most treasured prize of the Noghri to Anakin Skywalker. We have already heard from the clan Matriarch and her son on his bravery. Is there anyone here that does not deem this young man fit to be honored with our allegiance?"

Anakin's eyes got big and round this point and Obi-Wan was openly chuckling.

"Therefore, in honor of the Noghri tradition, we have chosen a name for our leader and since he is from outside we have also given a known title from Basic as a new tradition, so outsiders will better understand the title." The crown murmured in acknowledgement of the idea. The speaker continued, "As such, when asking about our new leader, we discovered he was a father, so we have chosen a name to reflect that fact." The speaker paused for emphasis and pulled out a ceremonial dagger. "It is then with great pleasure that I award this token of our duty to Lord Vader."

The crowd erupted in cheering, except for Ben and Ves, whose mouths were wide open. Ben could have heard sworn he could hear the Imperial March* in the crowd's cheering as they carried Anakin over to the speaker.

"You were saying?" Ves sent Ben.

"Never mind, " Ben sent back.

That night Obi-Wan was able to use Anakin's new high appointment to secure Noghri bodyguards not just for Padme, but for the Jedi Order's new establishment on Ossus.

(*In Rebels we learn the Imperial March is the actual theme song of the Empire. I head canon it as the ancient theme song for the entire Sith order that way I can play it in my head even when reading about ancient Sith Lords.)

Outer Rim, Master Asharad Hett's Safe House

Master Hett had just finished meditating and was disturbed by what he saw. He looked up at Depa, who was watching worried.

"The children are in danger," Master Hett said. "I must go to them."

"How will you find them?" Depa asked.

"I will follow Kit's trail we were good friends. I have some ideas where he might have gone to cover," Hett answered.

"I will get Caleb ready to leave," Depa said, standing.

"No, the Empire wants the children. Taking Caleb would place him in danger greater than necessary. I must go alone. Kit should have enough help with him to hold out for a time," Hett replied. "There are enough credits and supplies here to live comfortably. Stay off the radar and this place should be safe for years to come. I will return when I am finished.

"May the Force be with you. my friend." Depa said as he picked up his luggage and ran for his ship.

Takadona, Two Days Later

A'sharad Hett had his hood up as he entered Maz's cantina. He was still uncertain after all these years how the light sider put up with the low-lives that hung around the place daily without giving into the darkside. But then again perspective was everything. He grew up with Tusken raiders and was hardly a "kill on first sight" person. Maybe Maz liked the thought of adventure, but was a homebody -type that read fiction holo novels, but never went past the borders of their small towns. Either way, he sat down in the corner booth and waited for Maz to come to him. It didn't take long for her to sense the Jedi master and scoot him into the same backroom that she had taken Kit.

"Master Hett, it good to see you," the diminutive alien said.

"You as well, Maz, forgive me for rushing, but has Kit Fisto been through here recently?" Hett asked.

Maz nodded. "He was in here 6 weeks ago or so. I was able to find him a safe spot for him and those with him."

"I don't think they will be safe for much longer," Hett said. "I had a vision of them in danger."

Maz sighed. "I don't know exactly where they are. With a little bit of time, I could figure it out. How the empire could discover them, I don't know unless he betrayed them, but he knows better than to do that."

"Who?" Hett asked.

"Hondo Ohnaka," Maz replied.

"Perhaps its best to find Ohnaka," Hett answered.

Maz and Hett exited the room when they heard a voice yell, "Everyone drinks on me."

Cheers went up through the room at the proclamation. Master Hett turned his head and saw Graballa the Hutt slide into the room accompanied by his company of second, well third-rate, thugs. A feeling of dread went through Hett and the Force seemed to justify the suspicion. Hett knew Graballa was farily harmless, as Hutts go- a little slimy, but usually too incompetent to pull off anything major. He had himself often used Graballa as a source for information. But he also knew Graballa was also usually rather broke as far as Hutts go. Where did he get the money to pay for everyone's drinks?

Graballa had gone to his corner celebrating his apparently new-found wealth. Hett used a mind trick to convince his posse to go to the counter and drink their drinks. Graballa had just sent his Toydarian associate to the counter for his order when Hett slipped into the booth in front of the Hutt.

Hett used the Force to put up a sound shield around them.

"Graballa," Hett said

Realizing who was in front of him, Graballa jumped back "Uhh, Master Hett it's a good to see you. You wouldn't be looking for a job, would you? I could use a man of your talents better than the dingbats I got working for me now."

"No, but I see Lady Luck's been looking your way," Hett said.

"Oh yeah, the new boys on the block don't like pirates. Smugglers they will turn a blind eye to, if you're not carrying anything too elicit," Graballa said.

Hett was a bit perplexed by that statement. Graballa, for his faults, was a horrible liar and wasn't generally known to be one. While he always looked out for himself, he always kept his bargains. What he said rang completely true, so he pressed further.

"Anybody in particular they're looking for?" Hett inquired.

"Hondo Ohnaka," Graballa said.

Hett felt the chill he had sensed earlier grow. "I thought Hondo was a friend of yours."

"Oh, that's not an issue," Graballa said, waving his hand. "All they needed was accurate information on possible whereabouts. See, Hondo's mother gave him this palace on a planet in a sector near Bothawui. Its artful and tasteful, so he absolutely hates the place and never goes there. So, I gave them completely accurate but totally useless information and got paid well for it. Not well enough to buy a resort, mind you, but a generous amount none the less."

Hett, on the other hand, sensed that was exactly where Hondo would have taken Kit. "Where is this planet?"

Graballa gave him the information and after a quick solicitation to fund his resort, Hett managed to escape. He gave the info to Maz and headed for his ship.

Authors note

it's shocking to me how fast time is flying and we are already on chapter 23.

See everyone next week thanks as always for the likes favorites and reviews.

Thanks Ben