Balto: A Star Wars Tale
All things in reference to Star Wars are the property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm.
Balto, Jenna, Boris, Muk, and Luk are the property of Amblin entertainment and Universal studios.
A long, long time ago
In a Galaxy far, far away....
I'm never going to get off this worthless hunk of rock Balto said to himself as he walked down the alley. He was a husky/wolf living in the suburbs of Ord Mantell. A not so nice place to be. It rivaled Tatooine in the number of outlaws, gangsters, black market dealers, and other sorts of scum that lived there.
Balto was from the planet Lupis. Three different species shared the planet. There's the Canines, the Geese, and the Bears. The Canines were the most advanced of the species and had begun space travel around 15 years before the Battle of Naboo.
The Geese had begun space travel around the same time but preferred to stay on the planet. The Bears were the most primitive of the three. They had launched their first ship around the time of the Battle of Geonosis.
As the Clone Wars began, the Confederacy of Independent Systems invaded Lupis and quickly conquered the planet. They secretly kidnapped 200 husky's and began genetic testing on them. They were hoping to create an Elite force of enhanced soldiers. They were successful in increasing there strength, endurance, and even physical height.. When completed they were given the name Wolves.
Unfortunately, they rebelled and managed to get off planet and began attacking anyone they came across. As the Clone Wars dragged on, they continued their path of destruction. They got so bad that even General Grievous was reported to have said that they needed to be eliminated. After having run free for over 5 years they decided to return home.
This was a dark day in Canine, as well as Goose and Bear, history. The Wolves took over everything and enslaved the Geese and Bears. They ruled for almost ten years before being defeated by the newly formed Empire. When the Wolves were defeated, the huskys began to imprison all the pups of the Wolves. After they had done that, a new law was made saying that cross-breeding was illegal. But one Wolf managed to escape.
He was found as a pup by a kind family and raised in their house. After he had gotten old enough, he started working for a merchant and saved his credits for as long as he could. He started his own trading company and became very successful. He even managed to buy a Neimoidian Lucrehulk-class cargo freighter. He soon married a husky and within two years had puppies. But some were suspicious of one of the pups because of his looks and size. An investigation by some of the dogs who lived around them revealed that he could be part wolf. The authorities quickly came even though there was no proof of the claim. They forced the whole family to have a blood test. Only the wife checked out negative.
They tried to make a run for it but the guards pulled out their blasters and fired. Three of the fours pups and their mother dropped to the floor with a blaster hole in them. The father took one in the arm but kept running while cradling the fourth pup. He made it to the shipyard and saw a freighter with it's cargo hold open. Knowing he had no choice he threw his pup into the cargo hold just as it was closing. A few minutes later the ship took off. He stood and watched as it shot out into space. His last words before a blaster bolt hit him were Goodbye Balto.
Balto walked into a bar not far from where he lived and decided to try is hand at a game of sabacc.
Sabacc was a game played with electronic cards. When the cards are dealt you add up the total value of your cards. The objective is to get as close to 23 as possible without going over (like blackjack). Each round players have to either bet to stay in or fold. Any player who choses to stay in can draw a new card, discard a card, or place a card into the interference field to lock it's value. At the end of any round a player could come up, revealing his or her hand and forcing all other players to show their cards as well. Best hand at the table wins the pot. Any score over 23, or below -23, is a bomb-out that requires the player to pay a penalty. The hard part about the game is that at random times the cards shift to a new value, meaning that you could have a pure sabacc, 23, or even an Idiots Array (the highest score possible, like a royal flush in spades) and all of a sudden the cards shift to where you have 40 and you bomb-out. It's a game of luck.
And the way my life has been so far... I have poor luck.
Balto sat down at the table anyway. He looked around at the other five players. There was a middle aged human who looked as if this was his first game by the way he was sweating, a large Barabel who Balto hoped quit real soon because he had seen an angry Barabel before and it wasn't pretty, a Rodian who, if you could read Rodian expressions in the first place, looked as if he had played before. And won. There was also a blue skinned Twi'lek female who also looked as if she had played before, and finally, a Kel Dor. The Kel Dor was the one Balto was most worried about.. No matter how hard you tried you could not read his face. Maybe it had to do with the big, black antitox mask he was wearing so he could actually breathe in this atmosphere.
You played sabacc before? asked the Twi'lek.
Once or twice. I'm not very good though.
Never say that out loud said the Kel Dor You lose your advantage.
Here are your cards Gentlemen said the droid dealer pleasantly.
Humph. They should have one that a female made grumbled the Twi'lek.
Everyone was quiet as they got their cards. Balto tried his best to keep a sabacc face but he wasn't very good at it. The human looked at him and nervously put his cards down and said Fold.
The Rodian took a glance around the table and said I'll raise 100 credits.
Balto groaned inwardly. 100 credits was all he had left! He had spent everything else trying to fix his ship. I should have known better than to do this he thought to himself. I forgot how high they bid.
He put in the hundred anyway.
The Kel Dor and Twi'lek matched the bet. The pot was now 600 credits.
Balto was waiting to see what everyone else was going to do and noticed suddenly that his cards were vibrating. He looked down and saw that his cards were shifting! Come on, come on... 'Blip' Yes.
His card total was 20. Not bad.
He jumped with surprise when the Barabel slammed his cards on the table angrily. Bombed-out.
The Rodian smiled and laid down his cards. 19.
The Twi'lek snorted and put her cards down. Stupid shifter. 10.
Everyone looked at the Kel Dor. 20 as well.
The droid spoke up and said There is a tie. The game will go into sudden demise. This meant Balto and the Kel Dor would play against each other for the pot.
The droid dealt there cards. Balto looked down at his hand. It equaled 8.
The Kel Dor put one of his cards into the interference field at the center of the table.
The dealer dealt two more cards. Balto now had 22. He couldn't believe it. First a 20, now a 22.
The Kel Dor was looking at his cards when they shifted.
Oh... no Balto said to himself. He closed his eyes for a second. He looked down, at a pure sabacc. It only had shifted one point! How is that possible?
He looked at the Kel Dor who was as always, unreadable. The Kel Dor looked up and said Bombed-out.
Balto reached in and scooped out the credits. Almost 700.
Balto decided to try one more game. It went smoothly enough with Balto winning another pot, this being 1,500 credits. Boy, I should do this more often he thought to himself.
He thought about one more game but after seeing the look the Barabel was giving him he decided he better quit while he was ahead and in one piece.. But the Barabel wasn't happy with that.
It jumped at him from across the table, just as he was getting up to leave.
Balto managed to get out of the way but the Barabel turned around and came at him again. By now the whole cantina had joined the fight. Just when things were about to get real ugly there was a snap-hiss sound. Everyone stopped immediately. Standing in the middle of the room, was the Kel Dor holding a bright yellow.... Lightsaber!
Balto couldn't believe his eye's. A Jedi standing in the room!
Everyone calm down said the Kel Dor in a low voice.
Just then a squad of six stormtroopers walked into the cantina after being called about the fight. They saw the lightsaber and stopped dead in their tracks. The commander recovered quickly and began to open fire on the Kel Dor. Balto had never seen a creature move so fast. The lightsaber was knocking away blaster bolts as if they were nothing!
Then the other troopers opened fire.
The Kel Dor looked over at Balto and yelled RUN!
Balto was only too happy to oblige. He made a quick dash for a side door and quickly found himself out on a alley way behind the cantina. He jumped with surprise when he saw the Kel Dor next to him.
I need to hide . Do you know of a place?
Despite Balto's better judgment he said Follow me. I'll take you to my place. We have to hurry!
They quickly ran down the alley into the night.
Hooo..... Peeer. Hooo..... Peeer.
Darth Vader's breathing quickened a bit when he got the report about an incident on the planet Ord Mantell.
So it appears that a Jedi survived. This will not be tolerated. He walked over to his Hologram transmitter and activated it. He quickly knelt on one knee. Within seconds a large hologram of a hooded figure appeared.
What is it my apprentice? I sense a disturbance in the force.
I have just received word that a Jedi has been discovered on the planet Ord Mantell. Reports say he was of the Kel Dor species.
Emperor Palpatine was silent for a moment. Lord Vader.
Yes, my master?
You will go destroy this Jedi. Be mindful of the Force around this one. Master Plo Koon is strong in the force. Do what must be done.
Yes, my master. I will depart immediately.
You were on the Jedi Council!? At first Balto hadn't believed this Plo Koon, until he gave a demonstration of his ability to use the force. I thought all of them were killed at the end of the Clone Wars!
Plo Koon sighed. Yes, most were killed. I don't know who survived. I was leading my squadron on a scouting mission on Cato Neimenoidia. I was in my starfighter when they opened fire on me. I never saw it coming. I was hit once and started losing control. Then a second blast hit me and my ship caught fire. I was engulfed by the flames and my ship struck a nearby building. I was able to use the force to keep most of the flames at bay. Then I crashed and lost consciousness. I can faintly remember a family of Neimoidians who dragged me out of the flaming wreckage and hid me in their house and took care of me.
Balto snorted. A Neimoidian doing that? Not what I would expect of one of those cowards.
Neither did I. But they did and I'm here and alive because of it. I stayed with them for a while after the Clone Wars ended. But then the Empire took over. They started searching for and slaughtering any Jedi they found. I had to run. I was making my way back to my home planet Dorin, when I ended up here. I need you to help me get home.
You, a Jedi, need me a Wolf hybrid to help you get home. Why me?
Plo Koon shrugged and said You have all my credits from the sabacc game.
Oh yeah. 'Sigh' All right. I'll help you. But I am going to need a little time.
We don't have a little time. By now half the Imperial Navy is coming after us.
Sithspawn.
Darth Vader walked down to the large transparisteel windows on his ship the Super Star Destroyer 'Executer' the largest battleship ever made. And he was looking for one Jedi with it. A Jedi who just happened to be one of the most powerful ones on the Jedi Council.
Captain. Set a course for the planet Ord Mantell. I want to be there as soon as possible.
Of course Lord Vader.
Vader turned back to the viewport. He waited as the hyperdrive engines warmed up. He smiled under his mask as the stars turned into streaks of light. 'At last an opponent worthy of my attention.'
Balto walked up to the docking area to see what transports had arrived and which ones were leaving. He had just sold his Kuat Systems Engineering 'CloakShape' starfighter for around 20,000 credits so he could afford a transport and for any other odd thing that might pop up.
He looked at a large electronic board that listed all of the flights. Dorin, Dorin.... Crap. None of these are going to Dorin!
Balto sighed and walked down a little ways to a transport that was going to be near the system. He took a moment to check out the ship. It was a medium sized transport. A Corellian Engineering Corporation YT-2400 freighter to be exact. He had heard of a smuggler who had one of these. What was that humans name? Dash Rendar? Yeah, that's it, Dash Rendar. Let's see. Where's the captain?
Balto climbed up on the platform that the ship was sitting on. He started walking toward the ship and as he got close shouted Hello? Anyone here?
As he got closer he could hear something bumping and moving around inside the ship.
Hello?
Just then he heard a loud bang and smoke started pouring out of the ship. He walked around to where it was coming from and took a quick look inside. He could barely see inside because of all the smoke. But he could see a shape moving around working on something. He could also hear it crumbling in a different language. Huttsee he figured. And what it was saying would have made Han Solo blush into the deepest shade of red a human could.
Balto tried one more time. Hello?'
Then whatever the creature was working on.... promptly exploded. The creature was hurled back out of the ship and into a pile of crates. Balto hurried over to help the thing up. And saw the most beautiful dog he had ever seen. She had red and white fur and was about a head shorter than Balto. That didn't stop her from taking control immediately.
Okay let go. I can get up myself.
She quickly stood up and looked at her ship.
Sithspawn. I KNEW I shouldn't have bought those power couplings from Jawas! Good for nothing little rodent faced trolls! She let out an explosive sigh and turned to Balto.
Hi. I'm Jenna and this is my ship. What do you want?
Boy, if Han Solo had been a girl, this is what he would be like. Umm, I need to hitch a ride on your ship. You are going out past the Dorin system aren't you?
Yeah. What do you want to go there for? You can't breathe their atmosphere and, all the Kel Dors are really ugly if you ask me.
He's taking me home miss.
Jenna turned around to see who was talking.... and found herself face to face with Plo Koon's chest. She looked up and turned redder than she already was.
Sorry about that.
Plo Koon looked past her at the ship.
So we are planning on taking this useless hunk of space debris hmmm?
Now Jenna turned red from anger. You aren't taking it if you call it that! This is the best ship around!
Balto looked to the left and right and saw that, unfortunately, she was right. This ship looked like a luxury cruiser compared to the other ships.
Soooo, can we ride with you?
Sure. For ten thousand credits.
What!? Ten thousand!?
Jenna smiled and said Yep. I'm going to need to repair those power couplings. I can't leave without them. So, you give me the money for them, and that will be your ticket. Deal?
Balto reached over and shook her paw. Deal. When is the soonest we can leave?
Well, tomorrow morning should work. Meet me here at around, 9.
As Balto and Plo Koon walked away from the docking area, Koon leaned over to Balto and said Why are we taking this flight?
Because it was the only one that was going to be near Dorin.
Oh. I thought it had to do with the pilot being the female of your species.
Balto choked when he heard that. Yeah right! Like I make ALL my decisions based on that! Sheesh!
Plo Koon smiled under his mask. He reached out with the force and found he could actually hear what Balto was thinking. 'Although, I guess I could start making my decisions based on that.....'
Darth Vader was in his special meditation room when he received word that the 'Executer' was in orbit over Ord Mantell.
Very good Captain. Prepare my shuttle.
Sir? You are going to be traveling to the surface?
Yes Captain. Is something wrong with that?
Of course not sir the officer said quickly It was just, unexpected. Shall I prepare a squad of stormtroopers to accompany you?
That will acceptable. But only one squad.
Very good my Lord.
Vader switched off the comm link and submerged into the force. He began searching for the famed Jedi Master thru the force. He caught a faint trace of a familiar presence.
I have you now.
He began to concentrate more but before he could he could pinpoint the exact location, the comm link chimed, interfering with his search. He lost the trace. He seriously considered killing the incompetent officer right then and there.
Maybe I'll throw him in a Sarlacc instead.
Vader pushed the thought from his head and climbed out of his meditation sphere. He began making his way thru the massive ship toward the docking bays where his shuttle would be waiting.
Time to end this.
Plo Koon woke from his sleep drenched in sweat. He had felt a presence thru the force searching for him. He recognized it as Anakin Skywalker. Now Darth Vader.
Oh, no.
He rushed out of his bed and shook Balto awake.
Hmmm..... uhhhh... what? What do you want?
Wake up! Now! Come on, come on!
Plo it's 6 in the morning! I'm supposed to get another two or three hours of sleep!
Plo Koon took on the most threatening voice he could (which was a pretty good one considering the mask distorted his voice) Vader is here. He is here, on the planet, at this very moment.
THAT woke Balto up.
What!? He's here? Now!? How could he figure out where we are so fast?
The force is very powerful, both for the light and the dark. Now, we must move quickly if we want to escape.
Why don't you just stay here and wup his armored behind? You were on the Jedi Council. You could take Vader in a fight.
I do not wish to fight him. I would also lose in a contest like that. He is very powerful. Plus, I want to live to see the Jedi Order rebuilt. So, come on let's go!
Humph. I always heard Jedi were supposed to be selfless and patient. Boy did that theory get shot down Balto grumbled to himself.
They arrived at the spaceport two hours early. Balto could hardly walk straight because of how tired he was.
So what are we (YAWN!!) doing here?
Koon, who was wide awake, said We are going to leave this planet. Koon stopped walking for a moment and stood still. Vader is getting closer. He now knows where I am. We must move faster. Balto, go wake up the pilot.
You must be crazy. If I tried to wake her up right now she would probably put a blaster bolt between my eyes.
Plo Koon turned and stared at him.
Either you go in there and have her kill you for trying to wake her up, or I will kill you if you don't. So get your furry little tush up there.
Sheesh, what a crab.
Balto walked up to the ship and started banging on it.
Hey! Are you there!? We're ready to leave now!
Balto waited for a few seconds and walked back over to Koon.
Well no answer. Bummer. Looks like we'll have to walk back to our warm comfy beds and go back to sleep.
Plo Koon glared at him.
You are starting to sound like C-3PO.
Balto blanched at the horrid insult.
Plo Koon reached out his hand toward the ship and used the force to unlock the doors.
Now get in there and wake her up.
Balto walked to the ship and as he went inside mumbled I really hate the force right now.
He finally found Jenna. Who was laying, very unceremoniously, on a couch with her mouth open and tongue out, with a steady stream of spit running down her face.
Hey! Wake up! We're ready to leave right about now!
Jenna popped open one eye and said something that Balto was glad was in another language.
You're ready to leave? Well sorry but I'm NOT!
With that she rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.
Okay fine. You go ahead and fall asleep and we'll just wait for Vader to show up.
Jenna rolled back over and this time opened both eyes.
What did you say?
Oh I must have forgot to tell you. It's just that the Dark Lord of the Sith is here and coming this way!
She looked at him for a second and then said Ha! If you expect me to believe that Darth Vader himself is on this worthless hunk of rock, you're dumber than I thought.
Balto's ears picked up something. He groaned.
You want proof? Here's your proof!
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the boarding ramp.
There see?
No less that 10 meters away was a squad of stormtroopers led by a 2 meter tall, black garbed, armor suited, lightsaber wielding monstrosity. Affectionately known as Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith.
The stormtroopers started raising there blasters when Vader said Arrest those dogs. But leave the Kel Dor to me.
Come on Jenna! We have to do something!
Both Balto and Jenna jumped back into the ship as a stream of blaster bolts flew at them. Jenna reached up and started closing the boarding ramp.
Hey what are you doing!? Plo is still out there!
We have to leave! We can't do anything for him!
Balto looked back in time to see Plo Koon attacking Vader. Then the ramp closed.
Plo Koon abandoned himself to the force as he charged at Darth Vader. He knew that he would not survive this encounter. But yet, he wasn't afraid. He thought to himself,
'There is no emotion; there is peace..
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.'
His last thought was he hoped the Jedi would rise again. Then there was a loud roaring noise, a flash of light, and then.... nothing.
The 'Anchorage', Jenna's freighter, was traveling thru hyperspace away from Ord Mantell.
Balto walked in the cockpit and sat down next to Jenna with a sigh.
Whew. That was a close one.
No kidding. How is he?
He's okay. The blast had knocked him unconscious and bruised him up but, he's alive.
Jenna turned in her seat and looked at Balto. What's so special about this guy if you are willing to risk your life, AND Darth Vader is after him?
Balto was silent for a second.
Can you keep a secret?
Sure.
No, I mean can you REALLY keep a secret? One that now involves my life, Your life, and his life?
Yes I can.
His name is Plo Koon. During the Old Republic, he was a Jedi Master who was on the Jedi Council. During the final year of the clone wars his own troops attacked him and was believed to have been killed. Now, Darth Vader is after him so he can finish the job.
Jenna stared at him for a moment. Hate to bust your bubble but I don't believe in the Jedi or this 'force' that they were supposed to use.
Do you think lightsabers are real?
Not really. Do you have any idea it would be to make one of those even if they were real? You get the tiniest thing wrong, and it blows up in your face.
Hold on. I'll be right back.
Where are you going?
To go get a lightsaber.
Balto could almost swear he heard her giggling as he walked away.
He walked into the ships little medical bay and jumped when he saw Koon up and about.
Plo looked at him and said What happened? I remember fighting Vader, then there was a loud roaring noise and a flash of light. Then that was it.
We took off and started running away. I managed to convince Jenna to turn the ship around and come back for you. We pulled up over you guys and Jenna fired a quick burst from the thrusters, which created a little shock wave that bowled everyone down there over. We ran out as quickly as we could and dragged you aboard. Vader recovered from the blast the quickest and jumped at us just as the boarding ramp closed. You can still see the gash his lightsaber left.
Say, speaking of lightsabers, could you meet me and Jenna in the room with the Dejarrick table in it? Jenna doesn't believe in the Jedi. I was hoping you could give her a little demonstration.
I suppose so.
Great! I'll see you there.
As Balto started walking back toward the cockpit, Plo spoke up and said, I noticed that you are calling our captain by the first name. Is something going on?
Oh come on! Give it a rest already! Sheesh!
As Balto walked into the cockpit Jenna looked up said Where's your lightsaber?
Follow me and I'll show you.
All right. This going to be a long trip so we have to have some form of entertainment.
Balto and Jenna walked into the room together. Plo looked up and Balto quickly said (quietly of course)
Don't even think about it.
I wasn't going to say anything.
Jenna spoke up and said
Okay. I'm here. Entertain me.
As you wish. You have no doubt, Heard of Jedi? What they were supposed to be able to do?
Yeah, but I don't believe any of it.
Which, POWER, I guess you could say, would you like to see?
How about the being able to move things with there mind?
You mean the force Koon grumbled under his breathe. Very well.
There was a stack of crates in the room, each weighing around 100 pounds. All five lifted into the air without anyone touching them.
Jenna couldn't believe her eyes. Then something dawned on her.
You guys are just using some sort of trick. No one could do that.
How about this?
Koon reached down to his belt and grabbed a metal cylinder with buttons on it. We walked over and put it in front of Jenna's face.
What do you think this is?
It appears to be what you think is a lightsaber.
It IS a lightsaber.
He activated it.
Jenna jumped with surprise and fright. There was a four or five foot shaft of strobing yellow light five inches from her face.
What do you think now?
Once again she didn't believe it.
You... you... probably just put a fancy light bulb in that.
Balto had never heard Plo laugh before.
A fancy light bulb? Ha Ha! I have never heard such a lame explanation for something. Can a fancy light bulb do this?
Still laughing, he walked over to the crates and put the blade on one. It immediately started to melt.
Now, Jenna was starting to feel a little nervous. And, to be perfectly honest, so was Balto. He had never seen something like this before.
Plo turned back to Jenna and said Shoot at me.
Um. Excuse me?
Plo sighed. Don't you know anything? Pick up a blaster, and shoot me with it.
Uh.... okay.
She did pull out the blaster. Something Balto hadn't been expecting. She also shot it. THAT surprised him even more.
Now, blasters travel extremely fast. Most species would not know what hit them. This is over a distance of around 30 meters. Jenna was shooting at Plo Koon at a distance of around 15 FEET.
Balto had never seen anyone, of any species, move as fast as Plo Koon did. He was simply a blur. He spun and hit the bolt with the lightsaber re-directing it to hit the stack of crates. No sooner had he done that than deactivate the lightsaber and put it back in his belt.
Balto and Jenna looked at him with their mouths wide open.
I wish to do one last demonstration of what I can do. This may bestirred you. But if anything else, this will prove that I am not using any illusions.
Plo stuck out one of his hands. And it started to glow blue. Then, one of the most disturbing things Balto would ever see, happened. Lightning shot off of Plo Koon's hands.
It wasn't real lightning. It was more of a 'force lightning'.
Koon closed his hand the lightning went away.
What I just did would have gotten me in a lot of trouble back when the Jedi were around. It is something that the Sith did, a corruption of the force. I am one of the few Jedi who learned how to use this power.
Wh... why did you learn it?
You never know when something unexpected could pop up.
Just then the ship dropped out of hyperspace.
Case in point.
I have to get to the bridge!
Jenna basically hurled herself in the chair with Balto running up behind her.
Sithspawn!
What is it?
Interdictor Cruiser! They activated their gravity-well projectors and dragged us out of hyperspace!
Um, that's not the only problem.
What now!? Jenna looked up from the control panel and froze.
Crap.
There, waiting patiently for them, was the 'Executer', along with six Imperial Star Destroyers.
Sorry Balto. But I think we just lost.
Darth Vader looked thru the viewport at the little ship that was hovering way out in the distance. He smiled under his mask. Ever since they had blasted him with that ships engines he had been looking forward to his revenge.
Bring them in.
At once my lord.
The tractor beam shot out and started reeling the ship in. It was about half-way to the docking port when a lieutenant spoke up and said Lord Vader.
Yes?
Our sensors are picking up a group of ships that just emerged from hyperspace. We believe the Interdictor's gravity wells made them drop out.
What type of vessels are they? How many?
The officer looked at his screen and started getting excited.
There are two Mon Calamari Star Cruisers, an assortment of Nebulan-B frigates, Blockade Runners, and transports. It's a small Rebel fleet. They are launching fighters. Shall we open fire?
Vader grumbled under his mask. He was pleased that a Rebel group plopped in his lap, but he would have to let the Jedi and his two companions go.
Open fire.
Balto simply could not believe the way his life was turning out. First, I'm a Wolf hybrid which no one likes (crap. I'm going to have to tell Jenna this sometime) I get stuck on the that little hutt-slime covered planet, I find a Jedi Master and end up saving his life, get attacked by Darth Vader, I'm getting attacked by him AGAIN, and now a Rebel fleet shows up and saves my butt. (in an indirect way)
When the 'Executer' opened fire on the Rebel ships they raised their shields and lost their tractor beam hold on the freighter. Jenna wasted no time in putting the pedal to the metal so to speak. A few of the Imperial ships fired at them but all of them missed. Once they were out of the range of the Interdictor she launched into hyperspace.
All three of them blew a long sigh of relief.
Okay said Jenna. How did they know where we were going?
I have no idea. I just hope they don't catch us again.
Later that 'night' Balto was taking a little stroll around the ship. He couldn't sleep. He was anxious about getting Plo back to his home planet so he wouldn't have to drag him around everywhere. He liked Plo, but he was starting to get wore out. He sat down on the couch and put his head in his hands.
Can't sleep either huh?
Balto looked up in surprise to see Jenna standing in the doorway.
I'm just worried about what is going to happen next. We are on the run from a Galactic Empire with almost unlimited resources and who really want to get rid of us. That's all.
She sat down beside him and said I know how you feel. I have a sister who ran off and joined the Rebels. From then on the Empire has always looked at me as if I'm an informer for them. I can't help wondering if she was among those involved in the fighting earlier.
I know how it feels. Having someone always suspicious about you.
Oh? How is that?
'Great. Good going Balto. You just backed yourself in a corner.'
Well, I'm um.... um... (sigh) I'm part wolf.
He braced himself for the shout of disbelief. It didn't come.
She just nodded and said I had been wondering about that. You're bigger than most other Canines I've seen. Your fur coloring is different as well. It doesn't make a difference to me though. I've seen just about everything there is to see in this Galaxy.
I can not tell you how much it is a relief for me to hear you say that.
Hey. What's going on?
They both looked up to see Plo Koon standing there.
Nothing. Just talking.
Ahh.
Balto stood up and said Excuse me for a minute. I have to go use the refresher.
As he walked past, Plo leaned over and said A quiet, private little talk in the middle of the night?
Balto felt like punching that mask off.
Will... you... quit... it...?
Why? It's fun!
Very funny mister 3PO.
With that, he continued his now very important journey.
When he came back Jenna and Plo were playing a game of Dejarrick. (Basically an electronic chess game with different pieces.)
Plo looked at him and said Want to play?
Sure.
The trip went smoothly for another day or so. The 'Anchorage' was running low on fuel so Jenna had to take it to a nearby docking base to refuel and so they could get out of the ship for a little bit. Of course, they had to be careful because the Empire had posted 'WANTED' signs on almost every planet.
I guess we should be flattered. He has made us famous.
Balto managed to convince Jenna to buy a R2 unit to help with in-flight maintenance and for calculating hyperspace jumps.
By the end of the day they were ready to take off again. Jenna took the ship out of orbit and punched in the co-ordinates.
When they were safely in hyperspace, Plo walked up to Jenna and asked How much further is it to Dorin?
Well, to be honest, it's still quite a ways. We're going to have to travel another five days. The galaxy is a big place.
Five days. Great.
Two days later, they had stopped again for various items. Before the 'Anchorage' went into hyperspace though, they picked up a distress call.
We have to go help said Plo.
It might be a trap.
WE ARE GOING TO HELP. So step on it.
Jenna turned to Balto and said You weren't kidding. He isn't very patient.
They soon found the ship that was the source of the distress call. It was an old, small yacht that looked as if it had been attacked. Jenna pulled the 'Anchorage' up alongside the yacht that they could see was dubbed the 'Stella'. They quickly got the three passengers on board the 'Anchorage'. One goose and two polar bears.
The goose was trying to say something but because of all the smoke he had inhaled, he could barely speak.
Balto leaned closer and asked what the goose was trying to say.
R...r...run.
Balto quickly turned to Jenna and said,
Get the ship moving! We're in trouble if we stay!
Jenna didn't need to be asked twice.
Plo, take this guy to the medical bay. I'll see if I can help Jenna out any. And don't you DARE say anything about her right now.
Balto ran up to the cockpit.
What's going on? Balto asked.
It's a trap!
WHAT!?
Look out the window!
Oh... CRAP!!
There out in space with blazing ion and laser cannons, was the most identifiable fighter in the galaxy.
The Slave 1.
What's Boba Fett doing here!?
What do you think? He's a bounty hunter and we're bounty! Do the math!
Anything I can do to help?
Yeah, get in the top gun turret. Blast him out of the sky!
ME!? I have never fired a cannon. Let alone KILL someone!
GET MOVING!!!
Sheesh. What a crab he mumbled as he walked away Just because someone is trying to kill us doesn't mean you have to be rude.
Balto ran a little way and then shouted in dismay as he realized something.
I AM starting to sound like C-3PO!
He climbed in the turret anyway and figured out how to use it. He got Slave 1 in his sights and pulled the trigger.
The bolts shot thru space and hit dead on. Fett backed off. He had military grade shields so the attack didn't damage him much. But he now had to rethink his strategy. With Boba Fett though, that doesn't take long.
Balto shouted back into the ship,
Hey Plo! I need your help here!
Plo poked is head up and asked,
What do you need?
I need you to get in that bottom turret! We can each move in a different direction giving us a larger field of fire than Fett. That gives us the advantage. Get going!
Plo quickly strapped himself into the chair and started shooting. He also used something called 'battle meditation' where he uses the force to help coordinate attacks between the three of them and it can also help improve morale. They slowly but surely beat Fett back. After he had retreated back far enough, Jenna used the best defense a ship could have. Going into hyperspace.
Balto breathed a sigh of relief and walked back into the cockpit. To be greeted by a very sweaty Jenna.
Man that was close! It was worse than fighting that Super Star Destroyer. The only problem is, Fett will follow us all the way. We might as well give up now.
Give up? Now? I don't think so. We'll just have to find a way to outsmart him.
Jenna snorted.
Outsmart Fett? It would probably be easier to tame a Rancor than do that.
We'll just have to try. Come on, we have to meet your new passengers.
When they walked in the main room of the ship, the three new passengers were in there already. The goose was basically having a heart attack from fright while the two bears seemed to be having a grand time.
Balto and Jenna introduced themselves.
Is very nice to meet you. I am Boris Gooseinoff and these are my 'nephews' Muk and Luk. All they want to do is play.
They're cute said Jenna.
So where are you boychiks heading?
We are on our way to the Dorin system. We're dropping off Plo Koon here.
Boris coughed. Did you say Plo Koon?
Balto started feeling uneasy. Yes. Do you know him?
Not personally but I know he was on the Jedi Council. I have wanted to meet a Jedi my whole life!
Well, nows your chance said Balto pointing behind Boris.
Boris turned around and saw Plo standing there.
This is the most glorious day of my life!
He then fainted.
Two days later they arrived in the Dorin system. Plo Koon was very relived. Not only was he home, he was going to be able to get away from that annoying Mr. Gooseinoff. All that, that, Duck, could do was talk. About amazingly boring topics. The two bears weren't any better. All they did was run around and make noise. Yesterday they ran around in circles for seven hours straight with no stopping. Seven whole hours! 'I can't wait to get on the surface. They can't come with me. If they tried, they would die. The atmosphere on Dorin was breathable by Kel Dor's only.
As they came closer to Dorin, Plo walked up to Jenna and said Let me take over flying.
What? Why?
Dorin is located between two black holes. You could navigate between them. But this is my home. I can do this better than you can. No offense.
None taken Jenna said with a smile. She's all yours.
Little did they know, Boba Fett was right behind them. But, he wasn't thinking about them at the moment. There was a new bounty out. A more, Expensive one. Han Solo was the name, catch-and-put-in-carbonite-then-take-to-Jabba-the-Hutt was the game. Fett turned around, and took off in the opposite direction.
Before Plo went down to the surface, he wanted to talk to Balto.
Well my friend, it seems this journey has come to a close. I wish to thank you for all the help you gave me. I would have been lost without you.
Don't worry. I might come and see you sometime. But, I'll miss you. You're one of the few people I know that likes me despite me being part wolf.
I can think of at least one other one.
Yeah. I really think she.... wait a minute! I mean who could that be?
I gotcha that time. See you around C-3PO. May the Force be with you.
At long last, after 10 or more years, Plo Koon, Jedi Master, surviver of the Clone War's and the Jedi purge, returned home.
As the 'Anchorage' shot off into space, Balto sat down beside Jenna in the cockpit.
Jenna looked at him and said So where are you going now?
Actually, I was wondering if I could stay here and join the crew.
Crew? What crew?
Muk, Luk, and Boris just became your mechanics, cooks, and supervisor. Unofficially of course.
Sure. I could always use another set of paws around here.
Oh and um... um... never mind.
Oh come on. What is it?
Balto sighed and said I want to ask you a question.....
THE END
(Here is a preview of the next story. Note: These are not going to be the exact words used in the story. This is just to give you an idea. Also notice, this is going to be an alternate Star Wars future. Fans, disregard the books for this fanfic. Thank you.)
A long, long time ago
In a Galaxy far, far away....
years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star and formed the New Republic)
Mon Mothma and the chief executives of the New Republic were having a conference around a table with a hologram projector in the middle.
Are you out of your human mind!? yelled Borsk Fey'lya the Bothan. You want to send an expedition out of the Galaxy?
You see Senator, this would be an excellent way to see if there is life outside of the Galaxy said Senator Leia Organa Solo.
I'm for it said Admiral Ackbar, the Supreme Commander of the New Republic armed forces. All we have to do is get a group of volunteers to do it.
And how many people do you think would? asked Borsk dryly.
You never know who has a sense of Adventure said Leia.
All in favor of this proposal please raise your hand or appendage.
Out of the 20 different species around the table, 19 raised there hand or appendage or whatever they had.
Borsk looked at everyone with daggers in his eyes.
Fine.
With that, the call went out.
BBRRIINNGGG!!
Grrrr.
Balto grumbled to himself as he climbed out of bed. Stupid transmitter. (Telephone)
He walked over to it yawning the whole way. He reached over and hit the 'Talk' button. By time the message was done, he was wide awake. He walked back into the bedroom and woke up Jenna his wife.
Who was that? she asked half-asleep.
Do you want to take a really long trip?
Where?
Say, outside the Galaxy?
Let's go.