#theotherpadawan

       Landing is definitely the most difficult part of flying. My stabilizers kicked up dust as I gently lowered the fighter to the ground, trying to keep it as level as possible. I sighed in relief when I felt the familiar thud that meant I had successfully made it back on the ground. “Thanks for the help R8.”I said, to which R8 beeped back at me with a pleased tone.

       I stepped out of the fighter and slid my boots around in the hot sand a bit before going to stand next to my master. There was a glint in his eye as he pulled his hood down to protect his face again the suns, “Not a bad landing for your second time.”

       I smirked, “Like yours was any better.”

       There was a loud bang and the sounds of gears grinding as the main door of Jabba’s Palace opened to reveal a protocol droid surrounded by decidedly shady characters. I pulled my own hood up as we walked towards them.

       The protocol droid stepped forward, “We should not keep the wise and powerful Jabba waiting.”

       My master’s tone was only slightly sarcastic, “We wouldn’t dream of it.”

       We cautiously followed the droid into the dark entrance of the palace, while the other brigands flanked us on all sides. I could feel the tension tainting the Force. My master leaned down to whisper to me, not quite trusting our bond to carry the message, “Let me take the lead here. We don’t want to accidentally cause offense. I’m sure you can sense how on edge the Force is.”

       “Yes Master.” My response was just as soundless. I straightened my robes anxiously, noting that their usual blue was dulled somewhat by the low light of the palace. After a moment, we arrived in the main chamber of Jabba’s palace, where he was surrounded by drunkards and dancers. We approached the platform on which Jabba sat as the protocol droid moved to stand next to him.

       My master spoke first, “Mighty Jabba, one of our most powerful Jedi is on his way to rescue your son. We will not let you down.”

       Jabba, though he apparently understood basic, could not speak it, and so responded in Huttese. I had done my best to pick up a few languages as a youngling at the temple, and Huttese had happened to be one of them, so I understood what he was saying in any case. Nevertheless, the protocol droid relayed what I already knew he had said, “The most gracious Jabba has one more small condition. He demands you bring back the slime who kidnapped his little Punky-muffin.”

       My master tried to contain a laugh, “Punky?”

       Jabba spoke, which the protocol droid repeated in basic, “Dead or alive,” and then again, “If you do not succeed, Count Dooku and his droid army will.”

       My Master bowed and I followed suit, “Thank you, gracious Jabba.”

       Jabba glared as he spoke again, followed by the droid, “You have one rotation.”

       I felt my master stiffen slightly beside me, but he masked it with a pleasant smile.

       Jabba waved his hand and the protocol droid interpreted, “You are dismissed.”

       My master discretely motioned for me to follow him. I heard him speak through the Force, “Come on, we need to contact Anakin.” We exited the main hall and walked through a short hallway to an empty room. With the door closed safely behind us, he pulled out his holocomm to contact Master Skywalker. A small image of him appeared with his arm up, likely holding onto one of the supports on a gunship.

       “Alright Anakin, here’s the story. Jabba has given us only one planetary rotation to get his son back home to Tatooine safe and sound.”

       Master Skywalker smirked as the ship shook, “Won’t take us that long Master.”

       “Well take extreme care. We have no idea who’s holding Jabba’s son. When we’ve finished negotiations with him, we will join you,” my master ended the transmission and then turned to me.

       “Now we just need to go back in and tell Jabba that Anakin has reached Teth, and that he should be able to retrieve the Young Hutt shortly.”

       We walked back into the room and my master informed Jabba of the intel from Master Skywalker.

       Jabba turned as one of the men next to him spoke quietly, “Perhaps we should speak to the Separatists again my lord. They seem to be much more efficient.”

       The protocol droid didn’t seem inclined to translate, and I knew my master didn’t speak Huttese, so I decided I had to do something.

       I stepped forward and responded, in Huttese, “With all due respect, most gracious Jabba, I fear that the Separatists would only try and take advantage of this situation, as is often their nature. Please rest assured that the Republic is taking every measure to ensure that your son is safely returned to you and that we value the life of your son as much as we do your cooperation. The same cannot be said of Dooku and his droid army.”

        Jabba looked at me, as though trying to gage me. He then waved and voiced our dismissal once again.

       I bowed and spoke in Huttese, “Thank you, mighty Jabba,” and then turned to leave with my master.

       Once we were safely outside of the palace Master Kenobi turned to me, “What did you say?” I explained what the attendant had said and that I simply pointed out that the republic was far more likely not to take advantage of his son to work for their own gain when compared to the Separatists. His tone was serious though his eyes were light, “And jumping into negotiations, speaking a language which I do not, to the person we’re supposed to be negotiating with, still falls under the category of ‘let me take the lead’?”

       “My apologies Master.”

      “You are quite the little Spitfire, aren’t you?” he smiled.

       “It would seem so,” I said, grinning.

       As soon as we reached our fighters R4 and R8 began a very dramatic retelling of their encounter with some Jawas with a cacophony of beeps. Master and I exchanged a glance before laughing at their antics.  

       We both climbed into our fighters as R4 continued his assault on our ears.

       “I know R4, I want to get out of here too.” My master placated the droid, which finally stopped talking. I began prepping for take-off as R8 programmed the navicomputer. I followed my master as we left the planet, connected to our hyperspace rings and made the jump.

~~~

        We dropped out just in front of the flagship cruiser and pulled into the hangar where Captain Cody was waiting for us. I noticed that the landing was significantly easier this time and smiled to myself. Stepping out of my ship, I walked over to where Cody was standing. As my master unbuckled his seatbelt he called, “Captain, tell Admiral Yularen to get under way. We need to reinforce Anakin.”

        Cody stood at attention, “Right away, sir,” and walked off to go and find the Admiral.

        “Well,” my master jumped down from his ship, “This is certain to be a mess. I think some tea is in order. Would you care for some Amara?”

        “Don’t know. Got milk and sugar?”

        “As it happens, I do. Why don’t you head down to our apartments and put the kettle on? Milk and one spoon of honey for me. I need to contact Anakin and then I’ll be right behind you.”

        I nodded and headed off to go get myself some tea. As it happened, I ended up being very glad that I had taken the time to study the layout of these cruisers beforehand. I got a bit lost as it was, and had to ask a trooper for directions on my way there. Once I eventually found the Jedi apartments, I walked through the common room to the small kitchenette. I grabbed the kettle and crossed to the sink, filled it and set it to boil. I set out cups as I waited, my hands subconsciously finding my braid and fiddling with the woven golden strands. This is going to be the best cup of tea I’ve ever had. That was when the alarm tried to shatter my eardrums. Cringing, I rushed to the door and jabbed the button to open it. I stuck my head out to find troopers running down the hall. I waved as I called one over, “Trooper! What’s the situation?

  “We’ve been ordered to prepare to reinforce General Skywalker Sir!”

       “Thank you!” He ran off as I turned back to the kettle and sighed. Tea will just have to wait I suppose. I jumped out to join the stream of clones already on their way and started running down the hall.

       When I got to the hangar Master Kenobi was already waiting by our prepped fighters, “Truthfully I was hoping you would bring to-go cups.”

       I raised my brow incredulously, “You want to bring a cup of tea to a fight?” he shrugged, and I rolled my eyes, “Alright then. So, what’s going on exactly?”

       “Anakin has retrieved the Hutt, but he’s also found that it’s the Separatists that are behind the abduction. He’s under heavy fire, so we’re on our way to reinforce him.”

       “Sir!” Cody jogged over, “We’re nearly there. Time to get in those fighters.”

       “Alright Captain, we’ll meet you down there. Wait for my signal to scramble the gunships,” Master Kenobi gestured to the line of gunships to our left as he turned to jump into his fighter.

       “Will do General,” Cody turned to me, “Good luck Commander.”

       “Don’t worry Captain, I’ll soften ‘em up for you,” I gave a half-salute before swinging into my own cockpit.

       “Heyya R8,” I greeted as I started up the engines and prepped the guns. R8 beeped back a friendly hello.

       “Do me a favour and get the stabilizers online?”

       R8 whistled and got to work.

       “Thanks mate.”

       I heard my comm crackle to life, “Alright Spitfire, before you get too far ahead of yourself, just remember to stay close to me.”

       “Don’t worry Master, I’ll be right behind you.”

       I heard the siren that signalled the cruiser was coming out of hyperspace. As soon as we dropped, my master called out, “Alright here we go. Form up around me and call in, Amara-“

       “I know, I know, I’m right here.”

       The doors opened, and everything was chaos.