The Last of the Space Pirates

PRELUDE: Part 2

Leia is standing amongst a small group of people in Allon's Plaza Square. She's not far from the Millennium Falcon. Her strategy seems to be working. That's until she's confronted by a hovering metal sphere no larger than the size of your palm. The Princess is taken aback. She didn't even stop to think that facial recognition bot (FRB) technology was available, let alone being utilised, in the outer rim regions. Nevertheless, this is of major concern to her. The bot begins scanning the area.

Meanwhile, back at the market bazaar, one of the sand-troopers who had earlier deployed the FRBs is standing, propped up against a wall, while the other sits on an empty upturned crate, waiting. Both have their helmets removed.

"Something's wrong," says the one standing, her long red hair cascading over her shoulder armour, "it shouldn't take 'em that long to search the Den."

"Relax, Janah," says the other, tightening her long brunette hair into a bun, "we have our orders."

"I know, Mindra, but I hate standing around doin' nothing."

At that moment, a small blue light starts flashing inside Mindra's helmet, drawing her attention. "We might not have to for much longer," she informs. "It looks like our little bot friend might be on to something." The light changes to red and stops blinking. She quickly puts her helmet on and taps the small monitor that is strapped to her forearm. Princess Leia's face appears on the display along with the details of her bounty. "Bingo, we've got her! She's in the Plaza. Let's move!"

Leia tries to evade the FRB by rushing into a small crowd of people, but it's to no avail. The bot is now locked on to her, tracking the Princess's every move, continually relaying her co-ordinates to her potential captors.

"There!" Janah indicates to Mindra, noticing the bot hovering through the air. They rush towards it, blasters raised.

"Don't make another move!" orders the brunette, aiming her weapon at the Princess.

Those still standing around Leia scurry away in a panic. The result is inevitable. She surrenders, raising her arms and interlocking her fingers behind her head.

"Try anything funny and we won't hesitate to drop you where you stand," Mindra warns Leia, as Janah moves in to handcuff the Princess.

"I doubt you stupid bitches would've even recognised me if it wasn't for that bot," remarks Leia.

In a fit of rage, Janah smacks the bottom of her blaster's grip against the back of Leia's head. Rattled by the impact, the Princess groans as she falls to the ground.

"Easy now, Janah," calms Mindra. "We don't want to hand her over to Jabba too banged up."

The red-head stands towering over Leia who is now kneeling on all fours. "Get up, Your Royal Bitchness!" she barks at Leia pressing her foot up against the Princess's backside and pushing. "C'mon, hurry up!" the sand-trooper commands impatiently, violently grabbing Leia's arm and forcing her to her feet. "Let's see how much of a smart arse you are when you face Jabba," she taunts Leia while tightly binding the Princess's wrists behind her back with a pair of electronic cuffs.

A large six-wheeled armoured transport truck drives into the Plaza's open forum square, it's oversized tyres, which are perfect for negotiating the desert sands of Tatooine, coming to a stop as the vehicle parks. A legion of rogue sand-troopers bundle out from the truck. Those not in armour are here on leave, some have other missions to carry out, while the rest are there to load the transport with supplies needed for the Palace.

Captain Malek is the last to step out from the vehicle. He removes his helmet. "Excellent work," he congratulates, addressing the two female sand-troopers who are standing on either side of the Princess. He studies Leia up and down. "You don't look like a Princess," he says to her sarcastically, noticing her ragged clothing. He doesn't even give Leia a chance to respond, turning his attention to Mindra. "Where's the rest of your team?" he asks her.

"They went to check up on a lead at the Den," informs Mindra, "but they haven't returned and I'm having trouble getting them on the comms."

"I'll have someone look into it," says Malek.

"Don't bother," interrupts Leia, "I'll assure you...they're both dead!"

The Captain's eyes fix on to Leia's. "Lock her up in the truck," he tells Mindra and Janah, gritting his teeth in anger. "You two can have the honour of delivering her to Jabba...and I'll make sure you both get a nice bonus."

The large rustic metal door to Jabba the Hutt's' palace slowly grinds open. Janah and Mindra escort their cuffed prisoner down the long, dark corridor. A shadowy, robed, figure approaches them.

"Ah, the Princess," says Bib Fortuna, stepping into clearer view as he intercepts them.

"Where do we find Jabba?" asks Janah.

"He sends his sincerest apologies but he is currently predisposed. He has asked me to take the Princess."

"We're not handing anyone over," Mindra says to Bib, "not until we get the bounty."

Bib Fortuna smiles wryly. "You haven't dealt with Jabba before, have you? Don't worry, you have my word that he will pay you. You can always ask your Captain if you have any doubts."

"It's okay, ladies," says the Captain out of no where, startling them from behind. "Why don't you both go and relax. Enjoy yourselves. Have a drink or two...have whatever you want...it's all on the house...compliments of Jabba."

"Yes," agrees Bib hesitantly, unsure if Jabba has actually authorised this. "We won't be needing those," he adds, pointing to the cuffs.

"Fine," says Janah, unlocking the restraints, "but watch this one...she can be a feisty bitch."

"She'll learn to comply with time...they all do," responds Bib. "Now, follow me, Your Highness," he says to Leia, "Jabba insists that you be appropriately dressed before being transported to the Khetanna where you'll be chained captive as his slave."

Princess Leia is fitted out with the traditional metal bikini costume that all of Jabba the Hutt's slave girls were forced to wear. "You look very alluring," compliments Bib, studying her salaciously. " I'm sure Jabba has great plans for you on his sail barge."

"You're all dead," Leia says in a monotone voice. "Chewbacca is on his way to the Council as we speak. Once they hear what's happened, they will instruct the Alliance to send an army of troops to come and get me."

Bib let's out a wicked laugh. "I don't think so, Your Highness. You're not that precious. The Council has no spine. It will merely attempt to resolve this diplomatically...and Jabba is not interested in dealing with the Republic, or any rebel scum for that matter. Now stop fidgeting," he orders Leia while attempting to lock a metal collar that is attached to a long chain around her neck. "Take her to the Khetanna," he says to the Gamorrian Guard. The green beast grips the chain with his oversized hand and yanks it, forcing the Princess to stumble forward and follow him.

Princess Leia is chained to a long stone dais which Jabba uses as his throne when travelling on the sail barge. Adding insult to injury, the crime lord's Kowakian monkey-lizard pet, Salacious Crumb, lets out a shrilled, cackling laugh, mocking the Princess's precarious situation. Her only hope now...may just have to come from an unlikely saviour.

*DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fan-fiction and is not in any way associated with, or been commissioned by, any franchise. All characters not created by me belong to their respective owners. This is all just for fun.