Outer Orbit — Approaching TatooineCaptured Separatist Freighter, Cockpit
The freighter burst out of hyperspace, its hull scorched and groaning under stress. Ahead, the harsh beige sphere of Tatooine loomed like a sun-scorched memory.
Anakin Skywalker stared out at the swirling dust storms blanketing the world's surface, the twin suns casting long, blinding rays across the viewport.
His voice was low.
"I was hoping I'd never have to lay eyes on this dust ball again."
Jason Shan, sitting behind him in the co-pilot seat, smirked. "Okay. What happened?"
Anakin's hands tightened slightly on the controls. "I don't want to talk about it."
From the back, Ahsoka called out, adjusting the wrappings around Rotta, still bundled and tucked safely into a crash restraint.
"How's Stinky holding up?"
A glance back confirmed the Huttlet was snoozing soundly.
"He seems to be feeling much better.His fever is gone. Even you have to admit he's cute when he's asleep."
Anakin didn't look back. "I admit I like him better when he's quiet,but only a little."
A warning light flashed on the main panel. R2-D2 warbled from his port.
"No, R2.I want the cannon operational first.Leave the rear deflector shields for later."
Ahsoka frowned. "No rear shields, Master?That's awful risky."
Anakin kept his gaze on the ship's trajectory.
"A strong attack eliminates the need for defense, Snips."
Suddenly—red blaster fire streaked past the cockpit. The entire ship rocked as they dropped into a defensive dive.
"Attack ships closing!" Jason shouted. "Somebody doesn't want Stinky to get home in one piece."
Outside, two MagnaGuard fighter escorts dropped in fast from behind, swooping in low and letting loose another barrage.
Jason ducked as sparks flew from the roof. "Wow! Quite a welcome home party!"
Anakin locked his jaw. "Set the approach vector and make ready to land.Ahsoka, activate the guns!"
She turned to the panel. "All the guns are locked in the forward position.It's too bad you decided not to repair the rear deflector shields."
"Not now, Ahsoka!" Anakin snapped.
"R2, see if you can unlock those guns!"
The droid let out a panicked beep and spun into the panel.
Jason muttered under his breath. "Sometimes a good defense is the best offense."
Anakin snarled, "Why don't you go secure your little Huttlet friend?"
"None of us are secure with you flying!" Jason shot back.
The ship lurched violently again. Ahsoka grabbed the nearest support.
"Hang on, back there!"
"Great! You woke the baby!" Jason groaned.
Rotta let out a shrill wail.
Anakin pulled into a banking roll. "I'm a little busy here!"
A green bolt found its mark—one of the MagnaGuard ships exploded, flames trailing in its wake.
"Got one of them!"
"What about the other one?" Jason asked.
Anakin shouted, "One thing at a time!"
The ship shook with another hit.
"I think we needed those rear shields after all." Jason snapped.
"I told you so!" Ahsoka chimed in.
"R2, turn those guns around! R2!"
The droid bleeped as sparks flew again.
"Why can't you be a tiny little mouse droid?"
A sudden blast, and the second fighter peeled away in smoke.
"Get him, R2! Good shot, buddy! You've been holding out on me."
Anakin's eyes narrowed as Tatooine's atmosphere closed in fast.
"Ahsoka, strap in."
She blinked. "You've got that 'we're in trouble' look."
Jason chuckled. "There's a look?"
"You can't miss it."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Very funny, Snips."
He slammed the comm switch.
"Obi-Wan, come in! Do you copy?"
Static, then—
"Kenobi here. Anakin, have you reached Tatooine yet?"
Anakin jerked the controls. "Almost, but we ran into some old—"
"Anakin, did you get shot down again?" Obi-Wan's voice asked, half-dry, half-genuinely concerned.
"Yes! This ship is too slow. I haven't had time to modify it yet."
"I'm still cleaning up your other mess, but I'll get there."
Anakin winced as another impact rocked the freighter.
"So much for reinforcements."
Ahsoka clung to the bulkhead. "Hang on, this landing could get a little rough."
Jason groaned. "Crashes are rough. Landings are not."
"Then it's a crash landing." Anakin replied flatly, diving them toward the surface.
The freighter's crash had left a deep scar in the desert.
Anakin Skywalker stood at the top of a low dune, his silhouette outlined against a rising twin moon. The wrecked ship still smoked behind them, half-buried in sand, too damaged to repair.
The wind howled. Grit swirled in dry spirals across the empty horizon.
He narrowed his eyes toward the west—toward something hidden beneath shadow, ancient and dangerous.
"Jabba's palace is on the far side of the Dune Sea." Anakin said grimly.
He turned to the others, the wind pulling at his cloak.
"We'd better hurry if we're gonna make it by morning."
Jason Shan adjusted the sling holding Rotta across his shoulder and started trudging forward. Ahsoka sighed and fell in step, brushing sand from her montrals.
"I'm coming."
Behind them, R2-D2 whirred and beeped miserably, his dome caked in dust, his wheels struggling through the fine powder.
Ahsoka looked over her shoulder.
"Oh, Artooie, it's just endless tracts of gritty, abrasive sand.I'll clean your servos later. Come on."
The droid let out a low, sulking chirp, but rolled on.
They marched on in silence, the desert vast and alien, lit only by stars and the distant glow of Jabba's fortress—still several ridges and one wide, dangerous sea of sand away.
Tatooine — Outer Perimeter of Jabba's PalaceMoments Later
The desert winds howled louder here.
Far beyond the reach of the moonlight, Count Dooku stood beneath a rock overhang outside Jabba the Hutt's fortress, his cloak whipping in the rising storm. The massive stone gates loomed in the distance, half-illuminated by torchlight and flickering security lamps.
Before him, a hologram of Ziro the Hutt faded into grainy resolution, the decadent, violet-skinned crime lord reclining amid pillows and luxury from the safety of Coruscant's underworld.
Ziro's voice oozed from the transmission, rich with amusement.
"Thank you, Count Dooku. This has been a most profitable alliance."
"I will contact you when the Huttlet has been disposed of...your high exalted master of the Hutts." replied Dooku.
The holotransmission snapped to black.
Dooku lowered his wrist calmly. The faintest smile touched his lips.
Beneath him, MagnaGuards stood ready, silent in the shadows.
A cloaked commando droid approached from the ridge behind, its voice distorted through layers of audio scramblers.
"Count Dooku, we have picked up three life forms crossing the desert.One is a very young Huttlet."
A pause.
"Skywalker."
Dooku turned slowly, his face composed, almost serene.
His fingers curled slightly as he gazed out across the sands.
"Then everything is unfolding exactly as it should."