It's What Goes On In Here That's Hard (Star Wars AU Fanfiction)

Chapter 14. Searching

The streets of Mos Eisley buzzed with more life than X-1 had ever seen, it was almost intimidating to walk among the vast crowds of people, seeing many species he could not name, getting distracted by shouts and bumping into many people who passed by.

However X-1 was able to keep his wits together as his keen mind worked out a strategy. He needed a ship. Of course he'd find one in a ship yard or docking bay.

And so after an hour of wondering about X-1 finally came upon the main docking bay, here he could get a ship.

The assassin strolled along before coming upon a ship much to his liking. It was a small Corellian G9 Rigger freighter. It was an easily looked over ship, simple in design but also a trustworthy spacecraft.

The captain, a blonde, bearded man was descending the ramp as X-1 waited in the shadows.

The man noticed X-1 however and crossed his arms. "Eyes to yourself." He called to X-1, yet the hooded figure did not budge.

The blonde pilot walked up to X-1. "Hey, beat it kid." He said harshly, taking notice of X-1's small stature and a young face hiding under the black hood.

X-1's eyes hardened as he focused his attention on the pilot. "You will give your ship to me." He said darkly.

The pilot's face became emotionless, his voice flat as he repeated X-1. "I will give my ship to you."

X-1 nodded, a slight grin coming over his face as he spoke again. "You will go drink until you're broke."

"I will go drink until I'm broke." With that the former pilot turned and walked off to the nearest cantina, intent upon spending all his money on alcohol.

X-1 raised his chin slightly, smirking before turning to his new ship. Easy enough, now came the hard part, finding what he was looking for.

***

Darth Vader awaited the transport's arrival, anger brewing inside him. It had been reported that X-1 was missing, all the troopers said they had no idea that X-1 was never on the transport.

Vader believed them, which only made him the more angry as the transport landed and the troopers filed out, their fear was like a strong scent in the air to Vader.

"You have lost the Emperor's most prized asset." Vader finally spoke, looking at the commander before his eyes observed the others. "I am most displeased at your apparent lack of focus. If it were my choice all of you would be dead."

The commander began to choke, gasping for air as he was slowly lifted off the ground, Vader's hand raised towards the commander. "But perhaps all you need is, motivation." Vader seemed to muse as his grip tightened on the commander's throat, killing him slowly as the other troopers stood perfectly still except for the occasional shiver or waver of a hand, the slight shift of a weight from one foot to the other.

There was a snap as the commander cried out softly, before his body stilled and was dropped to the ground, unmoving. Vader's hand falling to his side as he spoke. "Go, see to your duties."

The troopers scrambled away like frightened rodents as a trooper in a black pilot suit came forward.

"Lord Vader, Inferno Squad is ready." The trooper reported.

"Very good, go and find the asset. Do not use lethal force unless necessary." Vader commanded, shaking a finger at the trooper to emphasize his point.

"Yes sir!" The trooper complied dutifully. Vader nodded, allowing the trooper to be on his way before sighing.

Luke was coming back very slowly in X-1, and though this was a somewhat welcomed change in X-1's mental state, it was definitely not welcomed so quickly, what if Sidious found out? X-1, Luke, whoever he was, he had put himself into the line of fire, what if he did not make it?