In my experience where there is sand there is trouble.

Find yourself on any planet in the entire Galaxy covered in the stuff and I guarantee it will find you. I spend most of my time on the backside of the law, running from all sorts of folks. Good folks, bad folks, and if I'm honest anyone in between. The worst kinds of people are from Jakku, Socorro, Geonosis or even Florrum, but the very worst of them are from Tatooine. It may seem like a poor desert planet filled with innocent moisture farmers just trying to make a better life for themselves but that's the entire point. It's off the beaten path, its covered in sand, its hot and a terrible place to even just survive. Lots of shit has gone down on this planet, under the noses of those on the right side of the law.

Jabba the Hutt once ran his operation on Tatooine, now Bib Fortuna has taken his place running things just as horrifically as his predecessor. However, it's a good place to hide if you're running from something or someone, everyone knows it and it's only a matter of time before someone catches on.  I'm certainly not the first nor the last to find myself hiding away on this sand filled heap. I suppose sand is good for some things, like keeping away the folk that want me dead. 

Sandstorm.

That's what they call me, it used to be my call sign.

No one looks forward to a sandstorm, except those who use it as a getaway plan. I come without warning leaving sand in your eyes wondering what's gone missing or been destroyed until long after I'm gone.

My days as an Imperial pilot were short and sweet, done before the fall of the Empire. Soon after I figured out what sort of person stood behind the mantle. I knew well enough to see a sinking ship when I saw one and got out with an insurance policy.

That insurance policy was part of the plan to make me enough credits so that I could get off this planet and live out the rest of my days in luxury in some tropical climate, like Spira or Sesid. Where I would while away the hours.

Just like sand is good for a few things so are Jawas, like a home on wheels, it's hard to be tracked when you are never in the same place. The Jawas and I have an unwilling relationship that works out for the both of us. They store my cargo while I supply them with endless parts from my winnings. They might be a cranky bunch but they like credits as much as the next and I was a meal ticket to them, even if admittedly I was more trouble than I was worth.

"Sah bee oh toh shanay!" A voice spoke loudly at the foot of my bedroll. Opening tired eyes, I found a rather perturbed looking Jawa who repeated his words again only louder when I didn't move, "Sah bee oh toh shanay."

It roughly translated to 'wake up' in Jawaese.

I rubbed my eyes my brain trying to catch the next flurry of words that left its mouth, "Yeah, yeah I'm up, I'm up." I cursed under my breath as I stood kicking my bedroll into the corner attempting to stretch the kinks out of my back. The grated floor was not the most comfortable place, and I was immediately daydreaming of my immanent departure from this place.

"Upezzo, upezzo." The irritated Jawa kept repeating shaking his fists at me. It meant that they were going to set up the market and there was those who wanted to browse their wares and that meant they wanted me out of there. I think it was mostly because they already despised the bargain we'd struck. Maker forbid anyone else learn of what they offered me, a roaming home on wheels to keep my secrets, they might want the same thing.

I waved a hand at the creature who practically pushed me through the rusted corridor and down the clunky ramp of the sandcrawler. I'd had barely the chance to pull my helmet over my head before the dry air slapped my skin. I'd customized my helmet; it was a combination of my TIE pilot helmet and a mask that had belonged to an unfortunate Tuscan Raider who thought he could steal from me. The helmet allowed me to see and breath though anything, from the vacuum of space to poisonous gas, even a sandstorm. It was handy if I needed to make a quick escape under any circumstance and it was the same reason the name Sandstorm stuck.

When I first donned the mask, the stares were hard to handle. After being with the empire anonymity was a given, hundreds of thousands of Pilots all dressed the same, nothing to discern one from the next. But here? Here my helmet made me stand out. Now I wouldn't have it any other way.

As I stepped away from the sandcrawler my eyes landed on the speeder the Jawas had readied for me. There was nothing special about it especially since they knew the rapid pace that I went though them. If I wasn't so lucrative to their business, they would have left me out in the sand years ago. I threw my leg over the vehicle and revved the engines, my heart already pounding with anticipation of the oncoming adrenaline.  It was nothing compared to flying a TIE, but it was something at least compared to walking over the endless desert dunes.

Something was in the air today. It was like a buzzing at the back of my mind that had always been there without making itself fully known and from my experience today would go one of two ways. I would either be rolling in credits laughing my way off this nasty planet, or I would wind up dead, my corpse used to bring in a handsome finder's fee.

I didn't need to say which I'd prefer.

Mos Eisley came into view. The endless sea of sand-coloured domes that rose from the desert like a plague of dune worms. Equally as awful as they were dangerous. I drove through the space port city, the array of dubious individuals, scoundrels and thieves seemed ceaseless. From all corners of the galaxy the worst kind of creature found its way here. You would think that this wasteland would be nothing more than that, but that was not the case. One day someone was going to take it upon themselves to rid the galaxy of this planet and every place like it but, it wasn't going to be me and hopefully it wouldn't be today.

I eyed the space port itself, lines of ships had landed this morning, many of which I sadly recognized. I grinned to myself as I turned down a sandy street towards my destination. I finally pulled into the shaded alley sweat dripping down the back of my tunic and parked my speeder. As I slung my leg over the ragged seat, I heard a deep familiar voice call from behind me.

"You're late." it was the raspy voice of a very familiar Trandoshan.

As I looked up and met his orange reptilian eyes, I sighed my voice modulized though my helmet, "It was a late night Ladek."

He didn't look like he cared, "Yeah well, late night or not you're still late and you still owe me."

"Yeah, yeah," I waved him off as I made my way towards the spaceport cantina.

To be fair to him it was well past midday and if I wanted to get my spot at a table for tonight then I should have been here early enough to pay off the right parties to make certain that happened.

"So, who's the lucky individual?" I asked.

Ladek ran a reptilian tongue over the scales around his mouth making him appear all the more lizard-like in the desert shade, "You won't like it."

I raised a brow beneath my helmet and folded my arms ready for the bad news I knew to be prepared for, "Don't say it."

He chortled, "I know you saw it as you drove in, didn't you?"

I had, anyone who knew anything about anything, knew that ship.

"No." I shook my head and started walking. "Don't say it."

He followed behind me his long legs easily kept up with mine. "It's the only way, it's a closed table. Invite only. So, unless you happen to have any better ideas, it is what it is."

"I have lots of ideas, I'm just not sure how many of them will alert the port authorities." I grumbled more to myself than to chuckling Ladek.

We stepped out onto the open street. It gave me the perfect view of the spaceport and the ship that was docked there.

The Fucking Millennium Falcon.

"Hey, you're the one who has this whole Sabacc scheme, Sandstorm. I'm just the guy to do all the dirty work for you." He followed beside me still as I walked towards the most well-known ship in the galaxy.

"Let's just hope this goes the way I need it to, or I will hold you personally responsible." I didn't turn to look at him, "Just make sure Wuher knows I'll be there." I said referring to the bartender of the cantina who set up all of the off books' high roller Sabacc hands.

'He won't be happy." I could hear the smirk in Ladek's tone.

"Is he ever?" I asked as I walked away from the Trandoshan.

"He specifically told you multiple times you weren't welcome." He warned.

"Wuher tells me lots of things sunshine," I said with a grin I knew he could not see, "And I don't listen to any of it."

Ladek looked between me and the ship that was now looming before us like it was the flipping Deathstar. "I'll meet you back at the Cantina."

I didn't reply, nor did I watch him walk away. I just stood at the bottom of the open ramp that led up to the Millennium Falcon. For the first time in a very long time, I pondered what in the void I was doing with my life. My boots echoed thinly against the spaceship metal no matter how hard I tried to soften them. I didn't bother to announce myself because I hoped that I could just sneak in and out without anyone the wiser.

To get into one of Wuher's hands you needed an invite, a special sabacc chip that would get you in the door. Usually, it was easy to muscle a patron out of their chip, but I had a bad feeling about this one. However, Wuher had made them harder to procure, which was most likely my fault. People didn't like to show up to the hands they knew I was playing in.

It's no fun if you don't win.

And I always won.

The Millennium Falcon was thankfully silent. The dirt stained inside of the ship made me turn my nose up beneath my helmet. I'd seen junk freighters cleaner than this, how did this ship turn the tide of the galactic war when it looked like it was being held together by sugar leaf taffy? The lights were dimmed, an amber flood light illuminated the floors which hopefully meant its owners were away or sleeping like I wished I was still doing.  As I walked through the belly of the ship, I brushed against a Dejarik table. The holo game burst to life and I paused cursing myself. The pale blue holo figures battled loudly and my breath caught in my throat.  I mashed the controls to shut it off, cursing myself again for being so stupid and careless.

It was only a matter of seconds from the game being lit, to being confronted with an enormous wall of brown fur. The pair of us stood in deadlock for a moment, just staring at each other. The Wookie unsure if he was actually seeing a trespasser and me who was trying to decide if I could make it to the exit without being caught.

The Wookie rubbed his eyes to make sure I was not just a fever dream and I genuinely feared for my life when he roared and made for me, my stomach dropping to my knees.

"What's with all the noise Chewy?" A gruff voice came from the corridor to my right.

I looked up to meet with the ice blue eyes of none other than Han Solo. Immediately his hand went to his blaster and his eyes narrowed, "Who the hell are you, and why the hell are you on my ship?"

I turned to bolt for the door but before I could even make it two steps, two harry paws wrapped around my upper arms spinning me back towards the notorious pilot. His eyes drank in my helmet unsure of what to make of the abysmal design.

"Do I know you?" he asked.

"Doubtful." I sighed.

"Then answer my question before my friend here throws you out or rips your arms off. His discretion of course." Han said his eyes distrustful.

My mind was a flurry. Do I tell him why I was here hoping he might just give me the chip, or do I lie and find a way to come back and take it?  I was sure after this however there wouldn't be another chance to get the chip.

"I need in to Wuher's game tonight." I said, and the Wookie trilled out some words to his friend.

"And you were here to steal mine?" his eyes were not on me but the talking Wookie, "Chewy thinks we should just throw you out of here."

There was a heavy pause, and Solo nodded towards his companion who let me go and I straightened my shoulders, "What is it that you think?"

"I think you wouldn't sneak in here of all places to steal from me unless you really needed it." He spoke.

I folded my arms.

"Tell me I'm wrong." He raised a brow a cheeky grin on his face.

"I think you're full of yourself."

The Wookie chuffed a laugh behind me.

Solo sighed giving me an irritated look, "You remind me of someone."

"I'm hoping that person is someone you would gladly give your chip to." I countered boldly.

He gave me a bland look.

"What do I get out if this?" he asked.

"The knowledge you helped a stranger?" I replied.

"Kindness doesn't pay the bills sweetheart." He deadpanned nodding to the Wookie who began to push me towards the exit.

I dug in my heels, "Wait, wait, wait!" I called out desperately. I needed in tonight, it was only a matter of time before I was found, "I'll share the pot!"

He held up his hand and the Wookie paused an annoyed huff leaving his furry lips. "If I keep the chip I won't need to share."

"You won't win either." I said quickly, I think he could sense the truth behind my words.

"Why is that?"

I frowned and tried to pull away from the Wookie's strong grasp on my arm fruitlessly, "because no one is going to make it to the final hand.

He raised his brows waiting for me to elaborate.

I sighed, "I have it on good authority that anyone who has a drink at the cantina tonight will wake up fully refreshed in the morning with much lighter pockets."

And I will be long gone before they even realize it. I added silently.

"I see."

I blinked trying to decipher the stern look on his face, "I should turn you in."

I tilted my head to the side. "There are a lot of things I'm sure you should be doing Han Solo," I hissed out, "Starting off with handing over your chip."

He tilted his head back and laughed, looking over my head at his friend. "Let her go Chewy." His friend complied, "I gotta see how this plays out."

Then much to my surprise a shining piece of golden metal began to spin in my direction. I extended my hand looking down at the chip, a wide grin spreading across my lips, "You won't regret this."

He laughed, "Yeah, yeah," he turned and sauntered away, "just don't screw it up."

I didn't bother to reply, he seemed like the type of man who needed the last word, and I didn't have the time to stand here for the rest of the afternoon. I also didn't need to be told twice, holding the chip tightly in my fist I quickly exited the Millennium Falcon and made my way towards the cantina where I knew Ladek would be waiting for me.

The wind was picking up and I smiled to myself realizing that the weather equipment I had installed on the Sandcrawler nav systems seemed to be working. A Sandstorm was indeed likely to appear before the day was over.  Glad for my mask as always, a strong gust of wind threw sand in my direction. Immediately I began to feel the fine granules grate at the exposed bits of my flesh. I stuck to the shadows knowing that if I was seen in the back alley behind the cantina that this could be all over before it even started.

"What took you so long?" Ladek growled in my direction. He was leaning against the back entrance to the kitchens of the cantina, his arms folded over his broad chest.

"Don't worry about it," I shrugged in his direction, he would only worry about it and there was nothing worse than a Trandoshan with cold feet, especially this one. It had taken weeks to convince him that this plan was going to work.

"I hate it when you say that." he turned and walked through the archway to the back rooms of the Cantina, "Makes me worry more."

I rolled my eyes, "Well don't. I have the chip, as long as you've done your part, we will be fine."

"My part is the easy part," he began leading me though the bustling kitchen, where a many armed Besalisk worked over a large pot. "Hey Gurd," he nodded.

The Besalisk nodded back, "All set for later," his deep voice rumbled as he stirred his large pot, "I took care of it myself."

I was silent behind Ladek, trying to blend into the shadows as much as I could in case Wuher came around the corner.

Ladek spoke quietly to Gurd, "Once everything is all set, get out of here the payment will be delivered once you arrive home."

We had been working on this plan for months, and I hated relying on so many people, but there was a lot at stake. Gurd's yellow eyes flashed in my direction, "You sure I can't be tied to this?"

I turned towards his direction, "you sure the key to the safe is in Wuher's office?" I say, but without any more words I followed Ladek through the kitchens as he grumbled beneath his breath. Wuher was still thankfully nowhere in sight as Ladek opened the door for me.

"Listen Ladek," I began, "I really do appreciate everything you've done for me. I couldn't have done it without you."

He kept his eyes on the corridor as he spoke, "Don't thank me yet, we aren't done."

I nodded, "When we are on a beach sipping drinks then?"

He grinned his mouth turning up at the corners, "Sure thing."

I looked over Wuher's desk to find the key and smiled when I found it affixed to the underside of the desk laughing, "I swear Wuher has read to many spy serials."

Pocketing the key I moved from the room, patting Ladek on the chest as I walked by.

"Hey Sandstorm," he called as I moved back towards the kitchens.

"Yeah?" I called a smile on my voice.

"Be careful ok, Wuher's tired of your shit." The worry in his voice made my heart pang wistfully. "I wouldn't put anything past him, he was none to impressed when I told him you had a buy in chip."

"I bet he wasn't." I replied and I placed my hand on Ladek's shoulder letting it linger for a moment as I stepped from the office, "Wuher won't do anything, this game is not exactly on the books, if Bib Fortuna hears about this he is shit out of luck."

Ladek shook his head and didn't bother to reply as he took his post as security at the entrance to the back rooms. "I'll see you later."

I lost sight of him as I walked through the door, the besalisk did his best to completely ignore my presence as I slipped out of the back door. I made my way into the space port to find myself some food, possibly my last meal on this hellhole.

The twin suns set in all of their glory, and I watched them from my perch on a domed structure with only a small sliver of appreciation for their beauty. There were so many other beautiful things that I would rather be looking at than this, and much to my dismay my bluster from earlier was ebbing away to worry.  I stood from my sandstone perch dropping to the hardpacked sand and moved towards the cantina, the sweat still clinging to my flesh from the sweltering desert heat.

I was eager to let my plan unfold, even if there were some mild changes hopefully once this night was over, I could forget about all of this for the rest of my life. My eyes scanned from the room falling first to Ladek who nodded stoically in my direction still at his place by the entrance to the back rooms. Then they fell on a pair at a corner table at the side of the room with a perfect view of the sabacc tables. Their drinks suspiciously untouched. Han Solo met my eyes and I reached up and pulled off my helmet right before I sat down.

It was as all at once that the room fell silent, never had I let any of them see my face, this was all part of the ruse. I knew they had all pondered what lay beneath my mask, if I was scarred or hideous, what planet might I originate from. What they didn't expect was the woman before them with long dark hair and amber eyes. A woman who looked like they might be more at home on the planet of Naboo rather than this place.  They'd never once underestimated me before because of my appearance but I knew after my time at the academy that, because of my looks, I would be underestimated.

My eyes flashed over the Ladek, who was offering me a strangled sort of expression, just as surprised as everyone else by my appearance. A softness in his eyes I only ever saw when we were alone.

I moved towards the sabacc tables and sat down, a stern looking human set his mud brown eyes in my direction, "This game is by invite only," he sipped his drink haughtily, "perhaps you should find yourself a seat at the bar."

I ground my teeth and I offered him a brilliant smile even though I wanted to slam his face against the dirty table. "Oh no honey," I leaned forward placing my helmet on the table beside me, "I'm right where I need to be." I slammed the golden chip down on the table amused at his strangled expression.

There was silence after than from the rest of the patrons at the table, a pale blue Twi'lek male and Zabrek female. Her pointed teeth glistened in the low light as she watched how the other males in the room couldn't move their eyes from me.

Slowly the volume of the room started to build again, and a voice hissed in my ear only loud enough for me to hear, "What are you up to?" It was Wuher.

"Nothing Wuher," I said, "I just plan on walking away with tonight's winnings."

He narrowed his eyes and straightened, "No funny business, we have a lot of important guests tonight."

"I'll be on my best behavior." I winked at him.

"That's honestly what I'm afraid of." He said wearily as he walked away.

A round of drinks were brought to the table the waitress spoke, her voice gentile, "Drinks on the house," she eyed the males as she placed them down bending so she gave them an unobscured view of her ample cleavage, blocking me from view of the Zabrak in the process. She made it easy for me to feign knocking my drink on the floor, just like we'd planned.

"I am so sorry!" she flashed her gaze to me.

I smiled at her, "It's alright, Laina." I stealthily passed her a sack of credits under her tray as she bent to pick up the broken glass.

"See you around Sandstorm," she grinned back to me.

Just then Wuher's voice spoke from behind the bar, his eyes on the sabacc tables, "Ladies and gentlemen let the fun begin and may the best player win the spoils!"

There was a chorus of cheers as the dealers all stepped from the back rooms. I couldn't help that my eyes slide to Ladek, and I was not surprised to find that his gaze was still firmly upon me.

The dealer took our chips and then it was time for payment, my throat suddenly dry. Precious metals and jewels were placed on the tables, so were papers for spaceships and deeds for properties. All of which would be collected and put in the safe to be given to the winner at the end of the night.

My throat bobbed, here was the moment of truth. The stern looking human turned his heavy gaze upon me his mouth a slash upon his face, "let's go girl," he spat, "I don't have all night." Before him he'd placed a large satchel of credits, a bag the same size sat before the Twi'lek, and two holo chips, with the images of ships before the Zabrek.

I removed my own holo-chip and placed it on the table an A-wing fighter appeared in pale blue above the metallic disk.

"That's it?" the man frowned, "Worthless! Don't waste my time."

I smirked at him the second disk landed with a clank against the table and illuminated. The Zabrak woman stood from her chair as she saw the holo image that rose from the disk.

"Darth Vader's modified TIE?" The woman hissed though her teeth, "it cannot be true."

I rose a brow, "It is true, and it is in pristine condition. Worth twice as much as anything else on this table."

War collectors went crazy for this kind of shit. Even if the owner didn't want the honour of flying it the ship could sell for easily three times what it was worth at auction. The tension at the table rose as they all eagerly stared at the disk, mouths watering. Whispers from other tables rose too as word of what I had put up as collateral made its way through the room.

From my peripheral, I watched as Solo stood from his seat moving closer to see if what he had heard it was true.  He stood behind me and bent down, his mouth at my ear, my table mates watching with rapt attention as they realized who he was.

His voice filled with silent promise, "When this is done, you own me that story."

I grinned as I met his eyes for a moment before I turned back to the table, "Take a seat Solo and watch," I said. I tossed the disk into a basket with the other valuables, a preverbal army of droids sent to collect the payments.

"Wuher," Solo spoke up as he moved back to his seat, "What kind of cut are you taking out of this?"

Wuher didn't reply he just frowned offering me a distrustful gaze.

I watched the droids disappear into the back room. Ladek eyed the baskets as they passed him, his gaze lifted once again seeking out my own. I tore my eyes away and towards the dealer, another droid of course. After Wuher realized how easy a dealer was to pay off, thanks to me of course he'd enlisted in droids to do the work instead.

The sliver protocol droid placed a hearty stack of chips in front of each of us before he delt two cards to each player. I lifted my cards. An eight and a one after which we drew one more after paying our blind and a mistress appeared in my hand, giving me twenty-two a pretty good opening hand. I was willing to stay hoping the others would bomb out of the needed twenty-three for a perfect hand.

"Another card mistress?" the droid asked.

I shook my head causing the Twi'lek to shift uncomfortably in his seat. The other players all took another card trading one from their hand, only the Twi'lek took yet another before we made our final bets.

I bet modestly, knowing I didn't need to win every hand, I just couldn't flop out for another hour or so. I won the first hand my table mates groaning at my sheer luck. We played a few more rounds before I saw the Zabrek woman's eyes widen marginally. She had some pretty obvious tells when she had a decent hand, and I could tell by the way she fidgeted though the card trade-offs that she was eager to start betting. I could also tell that the Twi'lek had nothing by the way he was stroking his lekku absently. I had two aces and a star card giving me twenty and by the number of cards traded in I was unlikely to get anything better. If I hoped to stay in this game, I had to work my charms.

The Zabrak raised her bet, triumph in her eyes when the Twi'lek folded immediately, the human male called her bet and with a grin I pushed my chips in and raised another thousand. She faltered, unsure now if her hand was good enough. The Zabrak moved her hand slowly towards her stack of chips and reluctantly pushed in the other thousand. The Human male then caught my eye and grinned catching on as he too met the raise and he pushed in another thousand chips raising the bet yet again.

With a growl she threw her cards on the table folding, "The pair of you are thieves." Her measly pile of chips would just barely cover the next blind.

I could only shrug in response.

"Do you see my bet sweet girl," the male said, "Or do you not have the stomach for a man's game either."

The Zabrak snarled at him standing from her seat, "You do not know what a true male is, my mate would tear you limb from scrawny limb!"

"Charming." The human said dryly.

Ladek stepped towards the table pushing her back in her seat, he nodded for us to carry on.

I hid my smile behind my hand as I narrowed my eyes at the human and pushed the remainder of my chips in the centre of the table.

"Mistress Sandstorm has gone all in." the droid announced loudly.

The human sipped his drink and pushed his chips in as well then flipped his cards over.

A perfect hand.

But the grin didn't fall from my lips when I flipped over my cards.

"What a shame," he said seeing my bluff as he pulled in the chips, "you were the only interesting opponent at the table."

"It is a shame," I replied, "because I still won."

He narrowed his eyes as I went for one of his chips. He reached for it trying to pull it from my grasp, but as he stood, he waivered on his feet for a moment before he fell face first on the table.

Out cold.

I turned, and all at once the entire room fell silent, not because of what happened to my table mate but because they too had succumbed to the herbs Gurd had added to the water tanks. Now in each and every drink, the water that washed every cup and made every piece of ice in the cantina.

I turned to Ladek. He took a step back just before the Zabrak tipped over backwards onto the ground with a loud thunk. We didn't pause, we just moved towards the back entrance and towards the safe. There were already transport crates lined outside of Wuher's office for the victor to carry their spoils. I turned the key in the lock and the pair of us moved the winnings hastily into the casks, and faster than we'd planned we were moving towards the kitchens and the back exit. 

A blaster bolt burned passed my ear as the plasma fire hit the wall just beside my head as I was about to pass through the exit. Ladek pulled me abruptly against him as we moved back into the kitchens dragging the crates behind us and into the cantina lounge.

I met the surprised gaze of Han Solo as I burst back into the room. He had stood from the body he was examining, "Just inspecting your handy work." He brushed his hands off on his pants.

"As much as I thrive on admiration, we don't have time." I knocked a table over chips flying everywhere so there was room for the crates to get through.

A familiar voice spoke from the directions of the kitchens, Wuher. "You are going to have lots of time the think Sandstorm, in a jail cell. Turns out what's left of the Empire will pay handsomely for deserters and traitors."

My mouth went dry, my eyes moved between Ladek and the two war heroes whose eyes were not on me, not on Ladek but trained on the platoon of white clad stormtroopers that pushed through back entrance. Sure, they looked like they had seen better days, but I knew if the squad was still around, they were not to be trifled with.

"You gotta help us," I said to Solo, "I'm as good as dead if they get their hands on me."

He raised his blaster, "I should have known better then to come back here." He fired a shot just above the door frame collapsing the sandstone mortar onto the platoon. Shots started firing everywhere. The Wookie fired his bowcaster at the roof, a large chunk of it falling away and we were instantly blasted with raging winds and sand.

I found my helmet still on the table where I'd left it and pulled it hastily over my head. I flicked a few buttons and my vision cleared. We were barricaded behind a table, blaster fire all around us, Ladek and Chewbacca firing back at the Stormtroopers.

"Hey Solo," I yelled over the noise, "If I can get us out of this cantina and to your ship, do you think you could get us off planet?"

"You get us out of here alive I will gladly take you wherever you wanna go." He yelled back.

I grinned and reached over to Ladek palm open wide motioning for him to hand me what I needed. He offered me a strangled sort of look, "No way!"

"Just give it to me and get ready," I yelled.

He tossed me the small silver object from his weapons belt, "You're crazy, get ready she's gonna blow this place to smithereens."

"Wait!" Solo yelled looking to the sleeping bodies then running through blaster fire towards the exit, "Chewie, hurry!"

I pulled my arm back arming the thermal detonator holding the button down on the side.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

I counted then tossed the grenade. It blew up just as it reached the Stormtroopers sending limbs and debris everywhere.

I didn't stop to watch as we hightailed it out of there. Stormtroopers platoons always came in pairs. Once outside the sand whirled around us blinding my companions.

"Stay close," I yelled so they would hear me over the wind, "Cover your faces keep your heads down."

Ladek reached for my extended hand pulling his scarf over his face and extending a hand behind him for one of the others to grasp. Solo took it holding his face to his shoulder and the Wookie placed a large hand on his friend's shoulder covering his eyes with his furry arm. 

The wind was so strong it was hard to find footing, but I wasn't as worried about the sandstorm as I was about being found. Once we arrived at the spaceport it wasn't hard to find the Millennium Falcon and as Han opened the ramp and we moved inside we were accosted by more rounds of blaster fire.

"Hold them off!" Solo yelled, "And let me get her off the ground."

He didn't wait for a reply he just took off towards the cockpit and again we began shooting towards our foes however I was certain that I was the only one of us who could see our enemies. The Wookie's shots hit more often than they missed and if Ladek hit a target I would have been impressed, I cared for the lug, but he had always been a lousy shot.

Maybe I had spent too much time watching the others, but the burning sear of blaster fire hit me right in the shoulder knocking me off of my feet and rolling down the ramp just as the flacon took flight, the internal combustors whining with the amount of sand processing though the vents.

I dropped my blaster in order to hold fast onto the ramp. Ladek shot forward laying on his belly his arm extended towards me, "take my hand!" he yelled, "hurry Kaara!" he said using my real name, something he rarely did.

I reached up as best as I could, but the jerking motion of the ship made it difficult, so did the endless blaster fire. I caught the Wookie's worried glance.  I could tell he wanted to help but he also knew that if he stopped firing either Ladek or I or perhaps even both of us would be hit.

The Flacon jerked to the right. I lost my grip falling to my death but just as I began to free fall towards the sand Ladek's bruising grip took hold of my forearm. I cried out in pain because it felt as though my arm were being wrenched from my body, but I was safe.

"I've got you." He called, his vermillion-coloured brow furrowed in concentration, his orange eyes never leaving mine for a moment, "I've got you Kaara."

"I know Ladek," I said though my pain, "You always do."

The ramp started to rise and with it so did my fear but just before I thought I might be crushed in the mechanism the Falcon veered suddenly to the left and we were tossed inside the ship. We skidded to a halt on the dirty grated floors sand falling all around us like one would imagine rivulets of water during a storm.

The Wookie leaned his bowcaster against the wall and shook himself, sand falling around him, he shot us a look before he disappeared towards his friend in the cockpit.

Just as the Wookie disappeared from view Ladek reached towards me pulling my helmet from my head tossing it aside, his scaled palms smooth against my face. "Never wear that thing again, never hang from a ship and never do any of that dumb shit ever again." His forehead came to rest against mine.

I closed my eyes and leaned in for a moment, I had not realized how much we had meant to one another in all our time scheming, "I won't." I met his eyes, "As soon as ... Shit!" I yelled jumping up and away from Ladek and towards the cockpit. "Stop! Don't leave yet!"

I burst into the cockpit sand flying everywhere.

"What now!?" The irritated gaze of the Falcon's pilot cursed me.

"There is one more thing we need to get." I spoke.

"No," Solo shook his head, "I know what you are going to say, and the answer is no I don't want to have anything to do with that thing."

"That TIE is worth more than everything we just won," I held on as the ship rocked, Ladek stood behind me. "I share no winnings with you if I don't get that ship back in my possession."

"Listen Sweetheart," he began, "we have minutes before there is a whole fleet of imperial assholes hot on our tail."

"Don't you dare Sweetheart me Han Solo," I said raising my voice surprised how his shoulders tensed at my volume, "Take me to where I need to go, or you haven't seen anything."

Chewbacca looked at me for a moment then he turned to his friend and spoke a few guttural noises before the pilot sighed in defeat. "Fine but don't make me regret it."

A wide smile spread across my features, "I won't."

"For some reason, I don't find that reassuring." He said before adding, "Take a seat and give me the coordinates."

I sat in the chair behind his, Ladek taking the one next to me. I pulled a beacon from my pocket, pressing the button on the end illuminating the flashing red light. I passed the beacon to Solo, and he plugged it into the ships onboard nav system. Soon I could see the green blip on the radar flashing, indicating our target.  The Falcon shuttered as it drove through the sandstorm, the ships components being ceaselessly blasted by the sand outside.

"We aren't going to last long in this, there is a reason why ships are grounded during sandstorms you know." Solo ground out, sweat forming on his brow.

"Well, there is a reason they call me Sandstrom, Solo." I hissed back my nails digging into the arm of the chair to keep seated.

The instruments shuttered and spluttered, screens flickered and power to the entire ship fluttered, all of its passengers fearful of more than just the remnants of the empire. Finally, the Sandcrawler came into sight, it was parked between two narrow cliffs as to shield it from the storm, the Falcon landed roughly at the entrance of the mouth of the narrow gap.

"I hope you don't expect to load that thing on the Falcon, cause it's not going to happen." Solo hissed at me.

"I only need to set the auto pilot and it will go exactly where I need it." I said, "I just need you and your friend to distract the Jawa's, they might not be too keen on my hasty exit, I might owe them a few credits."

"I can't believe you've been staying with these things," Solo's lip curled.

"No one comes looking for anything other than parts and droids around these parts, it's the perfect cover." I said pulling my mask up over my face, "Ladek stay with the crates, we'll be right back."

Ladek nodded begrudgingly and passed me my helmet, Solo and Chewbacca followed me out into the storm. Once we had entered the gap between the cliffs the sand eased up and we made it up to the sandcrawler. I crawled up over the enormous treads and pounded my fists against the rusted hatch on the side. A slot slid open and red glowing eyes met me from the darkness. I heard a string of curses and the door whined open.  As I made my way through the door, my companions followed behind me, there was all at once a ruckus of angry Jawaese upon my ears.

Before anyone could ask me any questions, I slipped into the shadows leaving the other two to fend for themselves against the angry Jawa's. I moved through the crawler to the topmost portion of the vehicle, where Vader's Tie was hidden away. Before anyone realized I was gone, I started working at the chains that held it safely in place. It wouldn't be long before they figured out what I was up to, I had to hurry.

Just as more angry voices started ebbing closer to where I was hidden away, I mashed on the upper bay door controls and the whip of sand strewn wind hit my face.

The compartment quickly filled with sand.

I hoisted myself up towards the controls the ship, it came to life, lights flashing red illuminating the sandy darkness.

I could hear the bellow of the Wookie below as blaster fire started.

I quickly set the controls then grasped the blaster under the seat and the TIE began to move. It slowly rose off the ground as the hatch began to close. I dropped down to the ground, my boots landed with a crunching thud, my heart pounding in my chest. Quickly I stacked engine parts and droid bodies as a makeshift ladder, and as I pulled myself up onto the roof of the Sandcrawler through the open bay doors I heard a noise from below. 

"Hey!" A voice called, "Wait for us."

I grinned as I stood at the top of the crawler, "I'm surprised you made it this far fly boy, angry Jawa's are pretty scrappy."

"A warning would have been nice," he said as he started climbing the debris.

I knelt down and met his eyes, "Well then, consider this the warning I didn't give you."

He offered me a puzzled look.

I pulled out my baster his eyes widened, and he dove off the junkpile as my shot fired at the base of the unstable stack. I sent the pile of junk flying about the room, Han Solo was caught by his friend, an angry scowl on his face.

"Thanks for your help, Solo," I turned to the Millennium Falcon that was now in the air behind me. The ramp open for my escape, Ladek clearly at the helm, "Oh! And thanks for another notorious ship to add to my collection. It really was like shooting Rancor in a cage!"

"You kriffing thief!" he yelled as I stepped onto the ramp.

I shrugged nonchalantly, "It was nice meeting you too Han Solo, thanks for all your help!"

I could hear their curses and their shouts until the ramp hissed closed and I walked calmly towards the cockpit. I slid my helmet off my head one final time placing it on the Dejarik table, amused when it came to life. This time I just let it play out, the small holo creatures moving around my helmet as if it were an obstacle to get to their opponents.

When I entered the cockpit, I found Ladek already sitting in the co-pilot seat a grin on his scaled mouth, "Next time I doubt you, just remind me of this."

I tilted my head back and laughed as I slid into the chair, my fingers already on the controls, she might be an ugly piece of junk, but she was supposed to be the fastest ship in the galaxy.

"Well, the TIE has been set to follow the Falcon, where should we head to first Ladek?" I asked, my hand reached towards his.

He gladly took it squeezing it in his own larger hand, his orange eyes met mine lovingly. "I'd like to make it to Sesid like we always talked about, but first we should make a stop on Jakku, I heard they have wild games of Sabacc."

"A man after my own heart." I smiled up at him moving the ship into the white noise of hyperspace. Eager for our next adventure.