Bring Him Home

Chapter 8

The next morning, Sabine awoke to see Ahsoka wrapped up tightly in her sleeping bag, with Lux snuggled up to her back. The Mandalorian smiled on the outside, but on the inside, she was hit by that acursed pang of jealousy once again. She quickly stood up and walked to the mouth of the cave, sidestepping a conspicuous pile of clothes as she did so. She disarmed all of Lux's animal traps and stood there as a soft rain fell on the Felucian jungle.

How much longer, Ezra? How much longer are you gonna string me along on this wild bantha chase?

She took out a ration bar from her supply bag and munched absentmindedly, eventually hearing sounds of rustling coming from back inside the cave as Lux and Ahsoka woke up. The Mandalorian walked back inside and smirked at them. "Nice to see you two awake."

Ahsoka's orange cheeks flushed a deep reddish shade and Lux chuckled nervously.

"Well, we have a lot of ground to cover. Let's move."

After packing up all of their supplies, the trio set out into the jungle once more, Ahsoka leading the way as she tracked Ezra's residual Force echo. After approximately two hours of walking, they reached a village. Everywhere they looked, they saw the short little Felucians running about, getting their stubby fingers dirty as they toiled with their crops.

"Very peaceful, don't you think?", Lux asked Ahsoka quietly.

"Yes... very peaceful."

An elder Felucian walked up to the group and greeted them. "Welcome, my friends. Are you interested in buying any of our crops?"

"No, sir", Ahsoka answered, "We-"

"We're looking for someone", Sabine jumped in. She reached into her bag and pulled out Ezra's holodisk, turning it on so the old man could see him. "Have you seen him?"

    "Hmm... Indeed, I have. He passed through here many moons ago and helped us defend our village from pirates. He also asked me to remain vigilant and keep watch for someone with an appearance resembling yours."

    Sabine lit up. "He... he did?"

The elder nodded. "Follow me."

He led them to his hut and retrieved another holodisk, handing it to Sabine. She activated it and the room was illuminated by the holographic image of Ezra.

"I hope the villagers were able to keep this message intact for you, Sabine. If they did, then you need your next clue. The twin suns burn bright, replaced by moons three when it turns to night. Good luck, Bine."

Sabine and Ahsoka looked at each other.

"Tatooine", they said in unison.

"Thank you for your help", the Mandalorian said as she bowed courteously to the elder. He returned the bow. "Good luck finding your friend."

The trio left the village and made their way back to the ships. Suddenly, Ahsoka's pupils dilated.

"Get down!!!"

Sabine and Lux dropped to the ground just as Ahsoka's shuttle was blown to pieces. They looked up and saw a squadron of TIE Fighters swooping over the jungle.

"Quick, get to my ship!!!", Lux shouted as he helped the women to their feet. They ran onboard the YT-2400 and Lux pointed them towards the weapon emplacements.

Sabine took the dorsal turret while Ahsoka climbed into the ventral, Lux sitting down in the cockpit and quickly getting the ship started up.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I will do something I have been dreaming of for ages. I will write a scene featuring the TIE Fighter Attack theme.