The Fugitives {A Star Wars Short Story}

Captured

Weaving through the trees of the Alderaan forest, a Jedi propelled herself through the rocky terrain. "Captain captain," her communication device screeched, "do you read?" "Yes, Fives I read," the woman panted, grabbing a large branch from above to swing herself forward. "We just received word from Master Koon that the target is approaching the village of Hentia," the clone buzzed. Groaning at the news, the Jedi ran faster, knowing time was of the essence. I must beat him there, she thought to herself while devising a plan, or else it is going to get much more bloodier.
    Within the peaceful village situated at the base of the planet's great mountain range, the masked figure approached the city courts. "Excellent," he murmured, "and quicker than that Jedi scum." Sauntering forward, the man was suddenly brought to his knees by a tranquilizer dart perfectly thrown between his armor. Through the brightness of the suns, a person, adorned entirely by a tattered sand cloak, jumped down from one of the rooftops and onto the cobblestone street. Approaching the man with a snicker, the smuggler uncovered the cloth from her face and bent down to look directly at her fading target. "It... It can't be," he coughed, squinting upward. "Hello old friend," she smiled maliciously, "remember me?" Just then, people from around the village began slowing themselves to view the peculiar scene. With an echoing whistle, the smuggler's loth wolf trotted forward, pulling a hovering board from behind. "Nothing to see here," she assured the crowd, "just a friendly game of hide and seek. As you can all tell, I have won." "Is he dead?" A crowd member cried. "Of course not!" She smiled, leading the unconscious creature away. "Or else I wouldn't get my payment," the woman murmured to herself as she left.
    Coming quickly upon a large cliff, the Jedi neared the trunk of a tree. She knelt and took out her binoculars to survey the area. "Now where Fives?" The Jedi whispered into her wrist device. "It appears, Captain Nittet, he's moving away from the village's center... at... a very slow rate," he responded. "Away?" She clarified. Still searching below, the woman observed a peculiar scene: a cloaked figure and her pet dragging along an unconscious creature. Dropping her wrist, she repositioned herself to watch more intently.
    "By suns down, we will finally be freed of this dreadful mission," Ree explained to her animal as they moved alongside a trickling stream. Walking through the quiet ravine, she suddenly heard a faint noise. Motioning them to stop, she listened intently. "Whoever you are," she screamed, "he's mine now! I'm not afraid to kill anyone who tries to take him fr-" Before she could finish her declaration, the once-unconscious man took the rope she had used to tie him down and choked her with it. Struggling to breathe, the woman grabbed hold of her blaster from its holster while the man whispered sinisterly, "not again, Ree Herand." "I... agree," she struggled, pointing her weapon upward from between them to seer off a piece of his ear. The man bellowed in anguish, letting her go of her constraints. "For being so renowned within the banking clan you sure are weak," Ree laughed, retying him to the board. "Since when," the man breathed heavily in pain, "did you become so political?" Continuing forward, the woman explained, "oh I'm not, I just know the price of my rewards."
    The Jedi followed quietly by foot from above, keeping a close eye on the travelers. They soon came upon the outskirts of Aldera, the planet's main nation and political power. Though the city was marvelous in both architecture and government, its surrounding less-popular towns were not up to its luxurious caliber. Instead, those impoverished of all kinds resided in these areas, trying desperately to get by. The woman, noticing the shift in scenery, stealthily slid down the cliff of the forest above, placing her cloak's hood over her head while keeping her lightsaber's hilt in hand. She, most discreetly, weaved through the bustling city life, watching the smuggler from ahead.
    The man would not cease groaning through the rope within his mouth. The civilians and travelers began to whisper, watching the man pass by. Herand, recognizing the stirring within the crowd, sighed, shaking her head. Just then, a blinking sign from above caught her attention. "A cantina," she murmured, "perfect."