Setting Course

The sands of Tatooine were unsettled tonight. A ravenous sandstorm has rolled over Mos Eisley in the late evening and now the whole city was stuck in a twister of sand. Most of the residents didn't mind the storm and went on to spend all their time, and credits, at the local watering holes.

In his office Boba Fett polished his modified Westar 34 blaster pistols until they reflected his young appearance. The rest of his team of hunters, Latts Razzi, Bossk and Dengar were with the rest of the townsfolk at the cantinas while his droid hunter, Highsing, was in a standby state and leaning lifelessly against the wall in the corner of the office.

Boba hasn't developed a taste for alcohol yet so he opted out of going to the cantina. Also he never liked how unpredictable an intoxicated Trandoshan can be. He thought about turning Highsing on for some company but decided against it. He didn't mind being alone one bit. After all he's been alone ever since his father's death on Geonosis. He missed him and he knew that he would be proud of him for his accomplishments.

Just barely thirteen standard years old and already he had his own team, his own ship, and his own successes. Granted, there were a few setbacks in his short life. Like when his attempt to kill Mace Windu ended up with him being sent to a Republic prison and when Asajj Ventress humiliated him on the only mission she accompanied them on. The bald harpy left the team eventually to peruse "her own path" or some other mystical Force nonsense. Good riddance.

After finishing with his blasters he moved on to clean his helmet when suddenly his comlink bleeped.

Boba eyed it with suspicion and wondered who could be trying to contact him at this late hour. If it was Latts and Dengar asking for his help to haul a drunken, raging Trandoshan home then he was going to blast them both.

Thumbing the small device on, Bob answered. "Talk,"

A hail of static filled the com-channel, possibly caused by the storm. "Is this Boba Fett, the bounty hunter?" The gender of the speaker was impossible to tell over the interference.

"Who wants to know?" Boba retorted.

"I have a job for you." The speaker said, completely ignoring the question. It meant that whoever this was didn't beat around the bush.

As a habit Boba always gathered as much information about potential clients as possible in the event they decided to stab him in the back. He took his comlink and plugged it into a computer terminal on his desk. Using a tracing program he would be able to find the location of the others comlink if they were anywhere within a couple parsecs of Tatooine.

"Go on," Boba said, now running the program.

"Not over this channel. Mos Eisley Spaceport, Hangar Twenty-Five. Come if you're interested in enough credits to retire on." The speaker closed the channel and left Boba in silence.

He checked the terminal and found that the tracer program got a lock on the speaker's comlink. It appeared to be coming from the local spaceport. Satisfied with the location, Boba clicked off the comlink and terminal.

"Enough credits to retire on." The person had said. Boba planned on never retiring but it still sounded like a lot of credits. His team was also free of work at the moment. They could use a decent job after what Ventress pulled on them, or rather him.

But then again it could be a trap. Boba was barely a teenager and already he had enough enemies to fill a convoy of bulk freighters. Being a bounty hunter was equal parts risk and pay. And this definitely sounded like a huge risk and a huge pay.

Holstering his pistols and downing his helmet, Boba was ready to go. Before leaving though he activated Highsing. The person never said they had to meet alone…

The spaceport was deserted as was most of the town. Hangar 25 was empty except for a small shuttle that Boba had guessed was his clients ride off planet. He sat on top of an empty cargo crate near one of the landing struts of the shuttle. He wanted to make himself as obvious of a target as possible.

Inside the hangar there was no roof so the roaring sand storm blew over head but never spilled into the area due to a light particle shield acting as a roof. The circular room offered no vantage points for snipers and other then a few scattered refueling pumps and crates the hangar was essentially bare.

The longer he waited the more anger he felt. He was Boba Fett and he wouldn't wait forever for some mystery host that wasn't going to show.

Finally, right as he was about to decide to leave, a clocked figure emerged from behind another crate on the opposite side of the shuttle and strode over to where Boba sat.

The young hunter didn't move a muscle, only glared through his visor. The cloaked person stood before him just a few meters away, well out of arms reach but never at of blaster range.

"You've got some nerve of making me wait." Boba's voice sounded different when he had his helmet on. He liked it that way, it made his enemies believe he was older and more intimidating.

"Had to make sure you didn't have another man ready to blast me as soon as I showed myself." The person, who Boba believed sounded female, said.

Boba cocked his helmet with a question. "Why would I want to kill you? I don't even know you."

"You sure about that kid?" The person pulled back the hood to reveal a white skinned woman with a mostly bald head with a long lock of hair tied up high. Her eyes were an emerald green and her sneer was something Boba would never forget.

"Aurra Sing!" Boba spitted the name out with disgust and jumped off his crate to put his hands down onto his blasters. Aurra made a move for her dual blasters underneath the cloak and the two were locked in a standoff.

"Now Boba, I know I've taught you better." Aurra said mockingly. "Never try to draw on someone you know you can't beat."

"I know that and I know I can beat you." His quick draw has gotten better since the time Aurra had taken him under her wing and then betrayed him. He knew he was faster than her but he always had a backup plan.

"And why do you think that junior?" Aurra's hands floated just above her weapons as did Boba's. At this close range they would both get hit in a shootout. But at least Boba had some armor on while Aurra wore just a black skintight jumpsuit underneath the cloak.

Boba grinned as he saw an invisible shadow stealthily approach from behind. "Because I just won,"

Behind Aurra the shadow flashed a bright blue and then materialized into a bulky custom battle droid with his blaster rifle pressing squarely against the back of her head.

Seeing Aurra's eyes flash in surprise only widened Boba's grin. "This is Highsing, my teammate. He spent his share of our last bounty on a cloaking device. Works pretty well don't you think?" He drew his blasters and pointed them at her chest. "And as you taught me, always think smarter than your target."

Aurra nodded in agreement. "So I've taught you well." She let her hands drop down her sides knowing that trying to out blast the kid and his battle droid was impossible. "Let's put down the guns and discuss what I have to offer in a more civil fashion."

Boba scoffed. "Civil? Aurra Sing you are an animal! Your idea of civil is a putting a hole into anyone who so much as disagrees with you." He tightened his grip around the duel blasters with anger. "I should kill you for abandoning me to the Jedi and crashing my ship!"

Remaining calm, Aurra said, "I had no choice Boba, they had you and I saw no way of getting you back." It was partially true as she did want him back but she wasn't going to risk her neck for it. "And the Slave I crashed because some Jedi brat sliced an entire wing off. You're lucky I managed to land it in mostly one piece."

The Slave I was his father's ship most prized possession. It took Boba nearly a year of work and pay to get it back into working condition. The ship was now his and sat in a secure hangar bay just a few doors down.

"Maybe I'll kill you because I want to." Boba said in a deathly tone, tickling the triggers with his fingers.

"No hunter would throw away what I have to offer." Aurra shook her head. "Besides, killing me like this would make you no better than I am."

She had a point. He didn't kill like this. He didn't kill anyone unless it was for a hunt. His father, the legendary Jango Fett, had taught him the honor of being a bounty hunter. And also, he wouldn't admit it but, Aurra Sing was the closest thing he ever had to a mother which is pretty sad when he thought about it. A cold blooded murdering psychopath had cared for him after his father's death, continuing his training as a hunter. Yes, Aurra was like a mother to him, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't blast her if she ever gave him a reason.

Boba lowered his weapons. "Start talking,"

Aurra shook her head again. "Not until bolt bucket behind me takes his blaster out of my skull."

The remark only made Highsing push his weapon harder against Aurra's head until Boba gave him a hand signal to stand done. The droid obeyed reluctantly and moved around to stand at Boba's side.

"See, this is civil isn't it?" Aurra said with a mock cheer.

"As civil as it will ever get between us." Boba said more to himself than to her. "Now for last time, what's the kriffing job?"

Aurra cocked her head back and looked down at the all-grown-up Boba Fett. "Have you ever heard of the Great Hunt?"

"Oh mistress Padme. Mistress Padme, some one seems to be trying to contact you." Threepio said as he handed her a comlink.

Senator Padme Amidala was still in bed and was sleeping peacefully just a few second earlier until her protocol droid decided to wake her. "I'm sure it can wait Threepio." Her voice was muffled as she buried her head into the pillow.

Threepio cocked his gleaming golden head. "But mistress, it's urgent."

It was too early in the morning to argue with Threepio. "Tell them to make an appointment please. I am quite tired."

"But mistress Padme, it's from Padawan Tano."

"Ahsoka?" Padme asked. Now fully awake and sitting up. She wore white nightwear and her hair was tired tightly up in a braid. "I'll answer then," She took the comlink and thumbed the speaker on. "This is Senator Amidala."

"Sorry if I woke you Padme." It was Ahsoka alright. She would know that voice from anywhere. "Is this a bad time?"

"Not at all, I was just getting up anyways." She gave Threepio an annoyed look and then turned back to the comlink. "Do you need something?"

"Actually, it's someone." Ahsoka replied. "I can't find my master anywhere in the Temple and I was wondering if you might know where he is. You know, since you two are close friends and all."

Padme's back immediately went rigid and a bead of sweat trickled down her cheek. "Oh Anakin, he's…" She looked over her shoulder at the other side of the bed which was occupied by a very sleepy Anakin Skywalker. "He's probably at the Senate Building meeting with Chancellor Palpatine." She would never admit it but being a politician also made her a pretty good liar. She hated lying to a friend. "I'm sure he's busy at the moment."

Threepio piped up. "But mistress Padme, Master Skywalker is…"

"Very busy and shouldn't be disturbed at the moment!" Padme cut in very loudly at the last possible moment.

The protocol droid cocked his head again. "But…"

Padme muted the comlink. "Don't you have a breakfast to prepare or something?" She said with a growl.

"Why breakfast is already served. I've recently upgraded my culinary protocols so now I can prepare cuisine from over a thousand different cultures. This morning's meal consists of Alderaanian flatbread with Sullustan jam, Kebroot stew with bits of roasted gornt and…"

Padme flipped the droids main power circuit located on the back of its neck. Threepio's eyes stopped glowing and his upper body slouched forward. She went on to unmute the comlink.

"Sorry about that, Threepio was having a fit over how breakfast was getting cold." Yet another clever lie.

"Okay…" Ahsoka sounded unconvinced. "Are you sure this isn't a bad time for me to call?"

"No not at all," Padme got up and tugged a robe on before leaving the room. "It's perfectly fine." She said with a forced smile even though the comlink didn't show images. "As for Anakin I'm sure if you give him an hour or so he'll turn up eventually."

"Are you sure?" Ahsoka asked. "I've been trying to contact him for hours and he still hasn't answered. He might have his comlink switched off or something. I could have Artoo run a tracer program. He can pick up comlink locator signals even when they're turned off."

Another bead of sweat went down her cheek. "That won't be necessary." She said a little too quickly. "I'm heading down to the Senate Building for a meeting anyways. I'll look for him there and send him to you when I find him."

In her mind Padme was panicking. Please, please, oh please take my offer Ahsoka.

"Hmm, I guess that can work. Would you mind doing it quickly though? He and I are needed in the war room right now."

Padme breathed a sigh of relief but was sure to mute the comlink momentarily so Ahsoka wouldn't hear it. "I'll be sure to find him as quick as possible. Take care Ahsoka." Without waiting for a reply she closed the channel.

She then bolted into the bedroom with her mind racing. Blast, blast, blast, blast, blast!

Anakin was an incredibly heavy sleeper. Waking him up and sending him on his way to the Temple would be a challenge.

The comlink clicked off and Ahsoka sighed.

"Still no word from him yet?" Obi-won asked.

"None," Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "He's late again."

"Then we'll have to start the mission briefing without him." Obi-won entered the Jedi Temple's war room with Ahsoka right behind him. The doors slid closed behind them and sealed with a magnetic clang. Masters Yoda and Windu were waiting for them and other then the four Jedi there was no one else in the chamber. That is except for Artoo who was working on the holo projector.

"Late again I presume." Windu's steely expression betrayed no sign of annoyance.

Obi-won nodded. "I'll inform him of the mission's details when he turns up." The four Jedi stood evenly spaced around the holo projector table. Master Yoda, being a mere meter tall, sat back in his hover pod which brought him up to normal eye level.

The three masters before Ahsoka were the wisest in the Jedi Order. For all of them be present for her and Anakin's next mission briefing must mean it has a high degree of importance.

Yoda was the first to speak. "Young Ahsoka, what do you know of bounty hunters."

The questioned confused her. Everyone who didn't live in a hole knew something about bounty hunters. She on the other hand has gone toe to toe with some of the galaxy's most notorious hunters and even beat most of them. "I would say I know more than the average person."

Yoda chuckled. "No need to be modest, share what you know please."

"Well, I know the names and faces of every top bounty hunter from the Core Worlds to the Outer Rim and I know how they operate, what their tactics are, and how to stop them." It wasn't bragging. She really did know that much about bounty hunters. If she wasn't fighting Separatist battle droids on the front lines then she was fighting just about everything else, ranging from the typical mercenary to elite bounty hunters.

"Good, useful that knowledge will be on your next assignment." Yoda said.

Master Windu then spoke. "Have you ever heard of an event known as the Great Hunt?"

Ahsoka searched her memory and couldn't find anything. "Doesn't sound familiar,"

"I thought so," Windu nodded at the little astromech droid who activated the holo projector. The image of a Hutt came to life. It wasn't just any slimy gangster, it was Jabba the Hutt. "Jabba the Hutt has sent a message throughout the galactic underworld. In short, he explained that he is calling for, and I quote, 'The hunt of all hunts, the greatest competition to ever be invited, the ultimate test to see who is worthy of being crowned the Grand Champion of the Hunt'."

"Sounds like a contest to see who the greatest bounty hunter is." Ahsoka chimed in.

Windu nodded. "That's exactly what it is. Every top bounty hunter in the galaxy is lining up to enter Jabba's so called 'Great Hunt'."

"I see, so what's the problem then? It doesn't sound like a threat to the Republic." Ahsoka said.

"That's what we thought too." Obi-won said. "That is until we discovered something else." Artoo changed the holo image to a new one. One that Ahsoka instantly recognized. "We have reason to believe that Jabba is just the puppet and that the master of it all is none other than Count Dooku."

Ahsoka starred at the image of the old man before her. She has never faced him in person but from what her master told her of him she hoped she would never have to. "Why would the leader of the Separatist want to secretly host a bounty hunter competition?"

"We don't know." Obi-won said. "And that is why we're sending you in as a competitor."

Shock rolled up her spine. "I beg your pardon masters?" He voice reflected her surprise. "You want me to disguise myself as a bounty hunter and enter the Great Hunt?"

All three nodded once in unison. "It is the only way to get close enough to the competition to gather reliable intelligence." Obi-won looked apologetic about the whole thing. At least he saw how dangerous a mission like this was.

Ahsoka shook her head. "But masters, just about everyone in the hunt will know me and my master's faces. Even a clever disguise won't keep us undercover for long."

"We have a solution to that problem." Windu said. "Firstly, Skywalker will not be joining you in infiltrating the Great Hunt. He will be assigned elsewhere for the time being." Before Ahsoka could respond Master Windu continued. "And secondly, to successfully disguise yourself, you will need to undergo physical changes."

That made Ahsoka gulp, "What do you mean by physical changes?"

Obi-won cut in. "He means altering your skin pigmentation, eye color and vocal patterns."

She inwardly cringed.

"Go on this mission, you will not have to if you choice." Yoda said, sensing the younger's anxiety. "Find another we can but none are as informed of bounty hunters as you are young Ahsoka."

"No, I can complete this mission." She said with confidence and also trying not to think about what changes they had in mind. "But I can't do it alone. All professional bounty hunters have a team to support them."

"Very well, who will your teammates be?" Windu asked. "And remember they all must be trustworthy. You won't be able to choice any clones for the mission because they are too easy to spot. Also we don't have any other Jedi to spare at the moment. The war has spread our numbers thin."

"I know master and I already know who to pick." She smiled at Artoo. "First off I'll need a droid who's good at slicing into computers, making repairs and navigation." The little astromech droid beeped an excited affirmative with a swivel of its domed head.

Obi-won chuckled. "Excellent choice Ahsoka, there's no finer droid in the entire Republic. So that makes one, who else will there be?"

"Two more master," Ahsoka confirmed. "We need to have some muscle on our team, someone who is good with a blaster and can break bones with one hand. I'd like to call in my friend Chewbacca. He's a wookie who I met when I was kidnapped by Trandosans. He's incredibly strong and loves to knock bounty hunter skulls together."

Yoda grinned. "Hmm, know Chewbacca I do as well. A loyal companion he is with no fear of anything. A wise decision young one."

She felt a small sense of pride from all the praise she was receiving. "Last we'll need someone who is well informed on the Separatist and knows all there is to know about them." It was a long shot but she couldn't think of anyone else suited for the job. "I believe a former Separatist like Lux Bonteri would be a perfect addition to the team."

Master Windu gave her a questioning look. "Correct me if I am wrong padawan but are you talking about the same boy who had sabotaged the peace negotiations on Mandalore and then kidnapped you and nearly got you killed with his involvement in Death Watch's plan to assassinate Dooku?"

"Umm, yes," She had to speak up for Lux. "He was once a Separatist Senator which means he'll know much about the enemy and will prove useful in discerning what Count Dooku's plans are. His diplomatic skills will be beneficial to have when talking our way out of any needless bloodshed. His allegiance may not exactly be for the Republic but when it comes to Dooku he'll do everything he can to stop him."

The three before her all thought in silence for several long moments. Of course they wouldn't be sure about her decision. She knew there was good in him and that he only was just lost after his mother's death. She could only hope that the masters agreed.

"Agree we do," Yoda said.

"But we trust that you will keep a close eye on him and exclude him from the team if he causes any complications." Windu said.

"Of course masters," Ahsoka said with a bow. "I will handle this mission with the upmost care."

"Good," Obi-won nodded. "Now we can move on to the fun part of the mission. I hope you're ready for the changes."

Obi-won's smile did little to comfort her. "Is it going to hurt a lot master?"

"Oh no Ahsoka, not at all," He smiled with the illusion of sarcasm all around him. "It will only be the single most painful experience of your life."

"Uh… master… you're not serious are you?" She already had a bad feeling about this.

Artoo snickered at Ahsoka.

"Hey if I have to go through this then you're getting a new paint job." Ahsoka said back at the droid.

Artoo beeped a question.

"Why? Because everyone knows that General Skywalker always has a blue and white astromech following him around. You'll stick out like a sore rancor claw."

The tension was high in the room. Aurra sipped liquor from a small shot glass as she sat in a booth in one of Tatooine's many cantinas.

"So," She said, putting the glass down on the table. "What do you say? You want in on the greatest bounty in history or what?"

Boba and his team sat at the same both. He and Highsing were the only once not drinking anything while the others drank but with caution as they all knew Aurra Sing was not a hunter to be underestimated.

"Of course we want in." Boba said, he still wore his helmet and refused to take it off in front of Aurra. "But why do we have to take you on as an addition to our team?"

The tall woman grinned and took another sip of her drink. "Because you know you need me. Every hunter is ready to enter and only those with the best teams supporting them will win." She refilled her glass with a small jug. "I could've signed on with anyone else. You know, Cad Bane even offered me a possession on his team. I turned him down."

"Why?" Boba was sharp and to the point. Cad Bane was the best in terms of bounties collected. It wasn't like her to not pick sides with the strongest players.

"Because Boba, Cad Bane is old news. If you're not teamed up with him then you have to compete with him for all the highest paying jobs. And I'm sick of that blue faced Duro being on top. It's time for some new blood."

He didn't believe her for a second. "Right, we beat Bane and when I'm about to become the Grand Champion you'll put a knife in my back and take all the glory for yourself."

"Well, that would be an option. But I'd rather be the ally of the best bounty hunter than be the one on top. Whoever is the best will always be contested for their spot at the top of the food chain." She tipped her glass back and drained it once more. "Your father was the best and now it's time you retook that possession."

How dare she bring him into this! Boba had to use every ounce of restraint in him to not blaster her in-between the eyes. "Take a walk. We need time to think about it."

She didn't complain and left the booth to go over to the bar in the center of the cantina.

Everyone on his team turned to him.

"Well boss," Latts said with obvious excitement. "We're going to enter right?"

"No doubt about that," Boba replied. "But the real question is if we can trust Aurra or not."

"She seems like the straight up sort of person if you ask me." Dengar threw in.

"No one asked you Dengar," Bossk said sharply with his slithering tongue. "I'm with you boss. I don't trust Aurra that much either, not after our last job together."

Latts sighed. "Am I the only one who sees the picture here? Aurra Sing is the best sniper in the galaxy and coupled with her killer instinct makes her especially deadly. We could use her."

"We don't need her. We're the best team to ever come together." That was Boba being stubborn again.

Latts rolled her eyes. "So we're split evenly on this, looks like we'll need a tiebreaker then." She turned to the battle droid amongst them. "What do you think Highsing?"

The droid let off a series of hums and beeps in a deep toned voice. The translator in Boba's helmet computer instantly translated the gibberish for him.

"He said he'd rather drop her into a black hole than to work with her." Boba shrugged. "I guess he's still hung over about what Aurra had called him earlier."

Latts threw her hands up and sat back into her seat. "Well stang!" She cursed. "Guess me and Dengar are the only ones with sense on this team."

Dengar chuckled. "Cheer up darling; it's not the end of the universe."

"It might as well be." She grumbled. "There's less of a chance of us winning if we don't include Aurra."

Boba sighed and addressed them all. "As much as I'd hate to admit it, Latts is right. We have a better chance of winning if Aurra joins the team. If she wants to kill Bane and make me a walking target then fine, I don't care. But if she so much as thinks of backstabbing us, I'm killing her. The rest of you keep an eye on her. Understood?"

Half the team smiled and the other frowned or at least their equivalent of.

Boba gave them orders to be ready to move out then went walked over to where Aurra stood at the bar.

"So," Aurra kept her eyes on the drink in her hands. "Am I in?"

"You're in," Boba starred dagger at her. "But you can guess that if you betray me again I will make sure it will be the last mistake you'll ever make."

"Don't worry. I'm not interested in anything like that." She downed the drink and gave him a sidelong smirk. "And you should know that your threats don't intimidate me. It's hard to be scared of someone you've helped raise."

The difference was stunning. After an excruciatingly painful series of procedures Ahsoka was a new person. Several injections of a chemical compound had altered all of her skin and changed it from its normal orange color to a deep purple hue and the blue stripes on her lekku were now a light red. They changed her eye color to a light green by scanning her eyes with a precision laser. And finally they had sent small jolts of electricity into her throat which hardened her vocal cords and now gave her a voice that was slightly deeper than her normal one.

All in all she looked and sounded like a completely different girl. She also had to pick out a new outfit to wear. She went with something light and easy to move around in: a black tank top with a green Togrutan sash running from shoulder to waist across her torso, long skin tight pants that matched the sash in color and with identical patterns running down the sides, a pair of red combat boots with durasteel on the tips and heels which would deal extra damage when she kicked someone, and finally a belt strapped around her waist at a slight angle with a holster for a blaster and a clip for her new lightsaber to hang from.

Her Jedi lightsabers were a dead give to who she really was so the masters supplied her with a lightsaber that had a black hilt and a red blade. It was identical to the built of her first lightsaber with a reverse grip and the activation stud was on the end instead of the front. Anyone who saw the red blade wouldn't thick for a second that she was a Jedi but rather someone who hates them.

After one more look in the mirror, Ahsoka left the refresher and went to the war room for the final details of the mission.

She entered the room to find all the masters present, along with her own. The instant Anakin saw her, his eyes widened and jaw dropped a few noticeable centimeters.

"Ahsoka? You look…" Anakin didn't want to say it.

"Like a bounty hunter?" Ahsoka finished. She knew of his master's dislike of bounty hunters, criminals, slavers and just about everyone else who profited off other people's suffering and it is hard for him to picture his padawan as one of them.

"And a very convincing one too." Obi-won remarked. "How do you feel?"

Ahsoka scratched her throat. "The new voice cracks a little and my skin still feels like its crawling. It'll take some getting used to."

"Trust me it gets better in time. When the mission is over we can turn you back to your normal self."

"The sooner the better than," Ahsoka commented.

Anakin finally spoke up. "Ahsoka are you sure about this? You'll be rubbing shoulders with a lot of enemies on this assignment. I want you to know how dangerous this is for you."

"I'll be fine master, my team and I will keep each other safe."

"Yes, your team." Anakin said grimly. "The wookie and Artoo I can understand but you want Lux Bontari to join you?"

The padawan sighed. Overprotective as usual. "I've already explained to the masters that his skills will be valuable to the mission. And he's still my friend who wouldn't do anything to jeopardize my life."

Her master crossed his arms. "I still don't like this." He shot a glance at the three masters. "I wish we had more time to discuss this."

"Time is a luxury most Jedi don't have these days." Windu said. "Your padawan is confident she can complete the mission. You should have more faith in her."

It sounded more like a warning than advice. Windu and Anakin often did disagree with each other over mission details. Ahsoka wondered if they would ever get into a lightsaber duel over it.

"Master Windu speaks the truth," Yoda said. "Little time we have to act. Padawan Ahsoka must collect her two other teammates before she goes to Tattoine for the Great Hunt. Go now she must."

"As you wish masters," Anakin said with a hint of anger. He half bowed to them with Ahsoka taking a full formal bow.

"May the Force be with you Ahsoka," Obi-won said.

"And with you, masters."

The padawan and her master left the room.

The three masters looked at each other. "I sense great displeasure in Skywalker." Windu said. "His trust in our judgment seems to be fading."

"More like clouded." Obi-won put in, "He has not yet learned to let his student go. It is an obstacle that he has yet to master."

"Hmm, feeling concern for a padawan's wellbeing is normal for the master but never should it cloud his judgment." Yoda said. "An eye we must keep on Skywalker to insure that he does not interfere with the mission. Critical it is that we find out what Dooku has planned."

"I'll stay close to him, more than I usually do." Obi-won offered. "But I don't like spying on my former padawan. He already has trust issues with the Jedi Council."

"A necessary evil it is, until Skywalker can overcome his feelings a danger to those around him he is."

Anakin insisted on seeing Ahsoka off. They walked in silence on their way to the Temple's hangar where the Twilight had been rusting in for the past several months. It was a seedy looking ship and would fit a bounty hunters persona perfectly.

When they arrived Ahsoka noticed a team of clone engineers were working on the ship. They scurried around it like ants on a mound making quick repairs and performing other tasks.

Ahsoka looked up at her master. "Did you order them to completely overhaul the whole ship in just a few hours?"

"I did," Anakin smirked. "You're not going to be a proper bounty hunter is your ships falling apart. We've added more armor, added shielding, boosted power to the cannons and fully stocked it with supplies."

Ahsoka went up to the ship and ran a hand over the cold surface. "I like the new paint job." She commented as she studied the dark crimson color that replaced the former gray color. "Not too many ship out there looking like this. It'll stick out a bit don't you think?"

"Not a problem sir," The voice Ahsoka instantly recognized even though it belonged to a clone. Clone captain Rex stepped down the boarding ramp with his helmet tucked under his arm. "We've added a proton torpedo launcher to the underside of the hull. It'll be able to knock crater sized holes into anything."

"Good to see you Rex," Ahsoka smiled. "I guess overkill really isn't overrated."

"You bet it's not," He reached around his belt and pulled out a small, sleek looking blaster pistol with a snub noise and ivory handle. "Here, had this made just for you. It's small but it'll stop a charging Gamorrean in a heartbeat. There's a stun setting that'll knock most people out for half an hour and it holds twelve shots before it needs a clip change."

"Wow, Rex, this is amazing." She hardly ever used a blaster but what kind of hunter would she be if she didn't carry one? The feel of the grip felt right, the size was perfect and it fit into her holster without any problems. "I owe you one,"

"You can repay me by coming back from this thing alive, sir."

"You can count on that." Ahsoka saluted the soldier with respect and received a salute back.

Rex went on to order the clone engineers to finish up what they were doing and get clear of the area. They clones looked absolutely exhausted after working nonstop like crazy for several hours because of Anakin's rather insistent orders.

The two stood before the boarding ramp and faced each other. "Promise me you won't do anything crazy." Anakin said and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I would but I was taught by someone who isn't the most subtle Jedi in the Order." Her joke put a small grin on her master's face. "Don't worry about me master. I've been through a lot worse than dealing with bounty hunters. Besides, Artoo will keep me safe, won't you buddy?" She said to the little droid as he rolled up to them, warbling a confident reply. "See?"

"Well I can't argue with that." He admitted and sighed. "Just be careful alright? I don't want to have to go half way across the galaxy to save you again."

Ahsoka smirked. "Hey, I saved your skin just as many times as you saved mine."

"That's debatable."

"Says you,"

"Will you get going already?" Anakin said with a laugh.

Ahsoka nodded. "Goodbye master, may the force be with you." She said and strode up the boarding ramp to start up the engines.

"That's my line snips." He said solemnly to himself. "Artoo, come here for a second."

The astromech turned around and went back to him. He twittered a question.

Anakin kneeled down to him and whispered. "I want you to keep an extra sensor out for Lux Bontari. If he tries anything, make sure he never does it again."

Artoo gave him a cautious affirmative and went up the ramp to join Ahsoka in the cockpit of the Twilight.

Within a few minutes the Twilight's engines were fully charged and it took off with a thunderous roar. Anakin watched as the crimson ship sailed off over Coruscants horizon with the sun set blaring in his eyes.

"She'll be alright sir," Rex said, walking up to join Anakin at the edge of the hangar. "You've trained her well."

"I know Rex, I know," He turned his back to the horizon and began walking away. But I wish I could do more for her than just teach.

So there you have it, the first chapter of a series I hope I am able to finish. I wrote this because I like the idea of a Jedi (in this case Ahsoka) going undercover in a mission with her enemies all around her. No doubt this should get exciting if it hasn't already for you.

And I know you are wondering if this is going to turn into a "Luxsoka" story. Well I won't say anything but for now just think of there relationship as platonic or that they are just good friends. To find out just how close there friendship is you'll have to find out by reading the next chapters.

Oh and just for simplicity sake lets imagine this all occurs between seasons four and five. So that means you have Maul and Savage running around the galaxy, Death Watch is on the rise, Onderon is about to be invaded. Stuff like that.

Thanks for reading and I hope you would share your opinion of this story in the reviews section,

Xander867