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Galen stared out the barred window, the harsh Florrum sunlight streaming in and illuminating the dark cell. He'd been in the dungeon underneath Hondo Ohnaka's palace for over a month for punching one of the pirate boss's lieutenants. All hope of rescue was gone. All he could think of was how much worse it is for Ahsoka. He wasn't even completely sure what had happened to her. Last he'd heard, she'd been made Hondo's personal slave. If that was true, there was no way he could risk a rescue now without endangering her life.

Suddenly, one of Galen's cellmates bolted upright & coughed, a long fit of it, into the crease of his elbow. He'd ask if the man was okay, but he didn't even know his name. His face was so hidden in darkness, Galen had never been able to tell if it was someone he knew. As the inmate relaxed, a long shadow was cast into the cell as one of the guards stepped up. "Is there a Galen Marek in here?" he barked. Staying stony silent, he nodded slightly & stood up. "You're being given another chance", the pirate said, "You should feel lucky. Hondo's not very forgiving." Keeping his eyes on the ground, he stepped out of the cell as the guard unlocked it & followed him up the stairs to the palace dining hall above.

Following the pirate to the bar, Galen flinched as he shoved a tray covered with drinks into his hands. "Do this job right", he growled, "And you might be forgiven for the last incident." Nodding, he waited until the pirate was gone, then slowly made his way towards the main hall. Seperating from the crowd, Galen whipped a handful of small grey packets out of a pouch on his belt. Ripping them open, he emptied the contents into each drink & rejoined the flow of people.

Entering the dining hall, Galen directed his gaze towards the end of the room, where Hondo sat on a large wooden throne. Ahsoka Tano sat cross-legged nearby, a loop of chain snaking from a collar around her neck to his hand. "Look, everybody!" he shouted, laughing. "It's my Jedi waiter!" As intoxicated laughter filled the air, Galen took a deep breath & put on the widest smile he could, walking around & making sure each pirate took a drink. Handing the last one to Hondo, he said, "Anything else I can get you?" "Yes, yes, get us another round of drinks, my boy", the pirate boss said blearily, "We need to celebrate this day...The day Galen Marek finally learned his lesson." As drunken laughter followed him out of the dining hall, Galen allowed himself a genuine grin. Everything had gone like he planned.

Leaning against a wall next to the entrance, the dull thumping of unconcious bodies hitting the floor rang out as Galen grinned. Striding calmly past the crowds of knocked-out pirates, he looked up to see Hondo sputtering & gagging, a half-empty drink cup beside him. "What...What did you do to those?" he asked fearfully. "Oh, nothing", Galen said boastfully, "Just a temporary sleeping agent. You and all your pirate buddies are going nappy-by for a few hours, and by then we'll be long gone." Stumbling back, Hondo's movements became clumsy & slow as the drug kicked in. Ripping 2 pairs of lightsabers from his belt as he crumpled to the ground, Galen ignited one & slashed the chain binding Ahsoka to the throne. As he grabbed her lightsabers off Hondo's belt, Ahsoka grabbed him & pulled him into a kiss. "Thank you." she said, stepping away. "Don't mention it", he said, tossing the weapons to her, "Now let's get out of here."

Rushing out of the palace with sabers drawn, Galen raised a hand to shield his eyes as a ship hovered over them, picking up sand & whipping it through the air. As the boarding ramp dropped, a brilliant blade of green light cut through the haze of particles. "Come on! Come on!" he heard Kota shout. "Ahsoka, stay behind me!" he shouted, running towards the Rogue Shadow. Galen leaped & sailed through the air, his feet finding purchase on the boarding ramp, Ahsoka following a split second later.

Suddenly, a heavy shuddering shook the Shadow as pirates poured out of the palace & placed their sights on the escaping ship. "We're never going to make it!" he shouted. "Somebody has to go back down there & fight!" Approaching the edge of the ramp, a rough, gloved hand shoved him back into the ship as Kota leaped into the abyss of swirling sand. "Kota! NO!!" Galen shouted, rushing to the cockpit with Ahsoka. Activating his comlink, he shouted, "Kota, what the hell are you doing?" "Saving your skin, boy!" a hoarse voice shouted back. "Get used to it!" "Get back in the ship! We're not leaving without you!" he yelled. "Yes, you are", a reply barely audible over static said, "I'm old & tuckered out. People like you & Ahsoka, you're the future of the Rebellion. I've lived a long life, a good life. Time to let someone else younger take over my duties." Staring out the large double-window, Galen was helpless to do anything but watch as the flickering green blade frantically blocked red bolts as they zipped by. As another shot rang out, Kota wasn't quick enough, the lightsaber tumbling out of his hands as the blaster bolt hit him in the back. "NOO!!!" Galen shouted, pounding on the glass as the Shadow took off, the blaster bolts becoming winks of light as it climbed into Florrum's atmosphere.