Tatooine — Dune Sea, TwilightHours Before Dawn
The twin suns of Tatooine sank lower behind the rocky horizon, casting long golden rays over the endless dunes. Each step forward kicked up sand that clung to skin, fur, and durasteel. The air had cooled, but the heat of the day still shimmered off the surface, warping the distant horizon into mirages.
Anakin Skywalker, cloak pulled tight, led the way through a narrow valley of shifting dunes. Behind him, Ahsoka carried Rotta, who whimpered softly in his blanket, and Jason kept pace with one hand on his saber and the other shielding his eyes.
Ahead, the ridge twisted upward toward Jabba's palace—still unseen but close now.
Then Anakin stopped.
His hand went instinctively to his lightsaber.
"We're not alone."
Jason reached out through the Force and immediately felt it—like static crawling across his bones.
Ahsoka's brow furrowed.
"I sense it, too. It's the dark side of the Force."
They all turned in unison toward the dunes behind them.
Anakin's voice dropped low.
"Whatever it is, it's coming for the Hutt."
He looked to the others, eyes narrowing.
"Time to split up."
Ahsoka stepped forward. "We'll face it together, Master."
Anakin looked her in the eye, calm and resolute.
"Not this time, Snips. I have a far more important mission for you two."
She frowned. "More important than keeping you alive?"
He gave the faintest smile, then handed her a small comm beacon.
"Ahsoka, I need you to trust me on this one."
She hesitated, then nodded slowly, tightening her grip on Rotta.
Moments Later — Crest of a Nearby Dune
Anakin stood at the ridge with Jason, the two cloaked figures silhouetted against the glowing dusk.
Jason held a bundled blanket in his arms, positioned just so. To any observer—or any pursuing Sith—it would appear to be Rotta.
Jason glanced sideways.
"So just to be clear… if this doesn't work…"
"I fight Dooku, and you try not to die," Anakin said dryly.
"Perfect plan."
Tatooine — Distant Ridge Overlooking the Dune Sea
Count Dooku, atop a black speeder platform, watched through a long-range electrobinoculars unit. Beside him, two MagnaGuards stood silently.
In the distance, he saw it:
Skywalker, standing defiantly in the open, a bundled shape at his side.
Dooku's eyes gleamed.
"So predictable."
He turned back to his droid unit. "Prepare to intercept."
Tatooine — Outer Walls of Jabba's Palace
Ahsoka Tano, cloaked and determined, approached the great gates of Jabba's fortress, her hands raised in peace, Rotta in a sling across her chest. Jason walked beside her, hood drawn.
They stepped onto the sunbaked stone path leading to the main entry—massive durasteel doors that towered into the cliff wall.
A scout droid floated toward them, scanned their faces, then retreated behind the gate.
A moment later, the gates rumbled open, the sound shaking the desert air.
They walked inside.
Before them stood Jabba the Hutt's guards—Nikto enforcers and gamorrean brutes, all armed and grim-faced. At the center of the chamber, Jabba's majordomo waited.
"Present the Huttlet," he demanded in Basic.
Ahsoka hesitated.
Jason leaned toward her. "Showtime."
She stepped forward and unwrapped the infant, revealing Rotta, weak but alive.
The room stirred in surprise—and confusion.
The majordomo's expression twisted, and he gestured sharply.
"Seize them."
Before they could react, blasters raised. Dozens of weapons locked on the Jedi as guards swarmed from every corner.
Jason raised his hands slowly. "Well, that escalated."
Ahsoka kept calm, but her grip on Rotta tightened.
Tatooine — Jabba's Palace, Throne Room
Ahsoka Tano and Jason Shan stood surrounded, blaster rifles trained on them from every direction. Rotta whimpered softly in Ahsoka's arms, squirming against her hold.
The tension inside the throne room was electric. Jabba's eyes narrowed, his massive tail coiling with fury. His guards stepped forward, weapons raised.
The majordomo turned to Jabba and snarled in Huttese, preparing to give the final order.
And then—
The great doors to the palace blasted open with a thunderous clang.
Dust swirled through the chamber as Anakin Skywalker strode in, cloak tattered, sand coating his boots, lightsaber hilt gleaming at his belt. His gaze was locked on Jabba's throne.
"Stand down," he said. Voice firm. "They brought your son home."
The guards froze.
Rotta, hearing Anakin's voice, gave a weak but joyful squeal.
A moment passed.
Then the majordomo's communicator chirped.
He paused, pressed it—a holo-image flickered to life, projecting from his wrist.
The image formed into a sharp, regal figure: Senator Padmé Amidala, her expression calm but unyielding. Behind her, the halls of the Galactic Senate loomed.
Her voice rang across the chamber.
"I am Senator Amidala of the Galactic Congress.I have discovered a plot against you by one of your own.Your uncle will admit he conspired with Count Dooku to kidnap your son...and frame the Jedi for the crime."
Gasps echoed throughout the palace.
The projection cut to Ziro the Hutt, appearing live on Coruscant, shackled and surrounded by Senate guards. His voice slithered through the chamber, lips curling in bitterness.
"Yes… I made a deal with Dooku…But it was all him! The Jedi had nothing to do with it!"
Jabba's booming growl shook the walls, eyes blazing in disbelief—then rage. The truth had been forced into light.
He turned to his majordomo and muttered in slow, deliberate Huttese.
The guards lowered their weapons.
Anakin exhaled and moved to Ahsoka's side.
"You all right?" he asked.
She nodded, handing Rotta gently to a Nikto guard who stepped forward reverently.
"Still cute when he's quiet," she whispered.
Coruscant — Jedi Temple, Council Chamber
Later, beneath the soft golden light of the Temple's central tower, the Jedi who had weathered this long mission finally stood together again.
Anakin, Ahsoka, Jason, and Obi-Wan Kenobi stood before Yoda, Mace Windu, and the Council.
No words of praise were spoken—but their survival, and the victory for truth, was enough.
Ahsoka stepped forward, hands behind her back.
Jason whispered from beside her, "Not bad for a first day, huh?"
Anakin crossed his arms, trying to look annoyed, but unable to hide the smirk in his eyes.
Yoda's ears lifted slightly.
"Learned much, the young Padawans has."
"And so did the Master," Obi-Wan said with a glance at Anakin.
The war was far from over. Dooku still plotted. The Outer Rim still burned.
But for now, the Jedi had done what they always swore to do.
They had brought peace.
They had brought the truth.
And they had brought the child home.