Without Them

Chapter 27: Bounty Hunter

When I got there, I looked up a list of known bounty hunters. It took me an hour to sort through them all. I ended up with a few people on my maybe list: Boba Fett, Embo, Dengar, Zuckuss, and someone who had good reviews but I had never heard of before (thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions!). I decided to go with Boba Fett (this was my original idea, but thanks @gracigonno for the suggestion). I had heard his name before somewhere, and he had good reviews. He is still new at doing assignments by himself so I decided to give him a shot. I recognized him from somplace. Aurra comes to mind as well. He must have been mentioned by Aurra.

I sent him a holo-message asking him to come by in the next three rotations if he wanted the job. I didn't know how much to pay, so I called Ventress. She told me a reasonable amount. It sounded somewhat plausible, given that he would only be doing "housekeeping" work. He would also be able to recruit a team to help him if necessary.

I walked from the communication tower to the archieves and did some research on various topics. On the desk, there was a copy of "The Jedi Code", a book I read as a padawan. I flipped through it and the memory of recieving this book came to mind.

~~~~flashback~~~~

I walked into the Council Chamber, face down. I felt nervous and still didn't know what the final verdict was on my rank.

"Ahsoka Tano, a padawan learner, you have become. Assigned to Anakin Skywalker you are. Supervise your Jedi training, he will," Yoda said. I was relieved. We presented me beads for my lekku. I attached it and bowed respectfully.

"I present to you a book that has been passed down to specific padawans. Read it. Annotate in it. Meditate over it. When you reach the title of knight, it shall be passed on to your apprentice to do the same," Master Kenobi said.

I accepted the book and bowed.

"You are dismissed," Master Windu said.

I turned around and walked out. I couldn't believe I actually made it! I passed the trials! Usually one has to be standard 13 years old Standard Age. I was 11. 2 years younger than I should have been. I couldn't wait to go share the news with my friends.

~~~~end flashback~~~~

Happy memories. I took the book with me back to what used to be my quarters, before I was expelled, before the Empire had arisen. It was just the way I had left it. Spare uniform in the closet, travel belt on the table, like nothing had changed. Of course, everything had changed.

I put down the book and picked up my belt. It still had my information retrieval and info card in it. The info card gave me an idea. All Jedi were required to carry and id card with them at all times. We could use these to identify those who have passed into the force during Order 66...

I layed down on my bed and went to sleep. It took me a while, but I must have dozed off because when I woke the sun was shining into my room.

I got up, locked my quarters, and went to the front of the temple to see if the bounty hunter came. I opened the doors, and someone was standing there in Mandolorian Armor.

"I believe I was offered a job from you," he said as he took off his helmet. He looked in his mid-teens, a few years younger than I'd expected. "I accept."