Small Town, Big Galaxy

By TigerofRobare

Disclaimer: Smallville is the property of the WB/CW, Star Wars is owned by George Lucas. This fanfic is not for commercial purposes.

Chapter One

The legend on the gaily colored sign read: "Welcome to Smallville, Meteor Capital of the World." Luke Skywalker smiled. Ever since he had first read about it, Luke had known that Smallville and its meteors were what he needed to fix his crashed X-wing. There was an Empire to fight and peace and justice to be reestablished.

"We're here, Artoo," Luke said to his backpack out of the corner of his mouth. There was a soft whistle in reply.

But before any meteors could be harvested into fuel, Luke needed a job. He walked along the side of the main road past acres of corn fields and cow pastures into the heart of Smallville. It reminded him of home.

Luke spent his last few dollars on a newspaper and a meal, getting the food at a place called the Talon. A strange name, to be sure, but the place wasn't as rough as Chalmum's Cantina in Mos Eisley and that was a good thing. Luke ate his food slowly, scanning the help wanted ads carefully. There were several opportunities, most revolving around a buisness called LutherCorp. He closed his eyes, emersing himself in the ocean of the Force, letting it guide his hand. When Luke opened his eyes, he found that his hand had come to a rest on the ad looking for an experienced farm hand to live and work at the Kent Farm.

"Back to basics," Luke mused. "Maybe I'll appreciate it now."

The ad had no adress for the farm, only a phone number and Luke didn't have any money left. He stood up and stopped a passerby─a tallish blond girl about the same age as him.

"Excuse me, Miss, but do you know where the Kent Farm is?" Luke asked her.

"It's Lois," she said. "Yeah, I know where it is. Why do you want to know?"

"You can call me Luke, Lois. I just got into town and I need a job. They seem to be offering room and board, which is just what I need."

Lois considered Luke's words and shifted on her feet. Luke was about to use the Force to persuade her, but he didn't have to. "Hey, Smallville!" she cried out.

Luke turned around to see a raven haired youth a little younger than him and wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans stride up to them. Luke felt an odd tremor in the Force around him and with a shock realized that this youth was not only not-human but was stressed from lieing a lot.

"Yeah?" he asked. He had ice-blue eyes.

"Clark, Luke uh─" Lois said, prompting Luke.

"Skywalker."

"─Skywalker here wants the farm hand job. By the way," Lois said, "Luke, meet Clark Kent. Clark, meet Luke Skywalker."

The two shook hands. Clark was very strong, Luke noted. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kent."

"Please don't call me that, you make me feel old and you can't be much older than I am," Clark admonished. "I guess I'd better take you down to the farm. Dad'll interview you there."

"Okay," Luke said.

He stowed his backpack containing R2-D2 and his clothes in the back of Clark's truck. Before they left, Clark introduced him to Martha Kent, Clark's mother. She was fully human, Luke sensed.

Jonathan Kent was also human. Clark was obviously adopted. Mr. Kent was a tall man with a weathered face and gray-streaked blond hair. When Clark introduced them, Mr. Kent was on his back working on the inards of a tractor.

"Well, I guess we can have the interview here," Mr. Kent said. "Hand me that wrentch, please."

"Sure," Luke passed the desired implement. "What do you want to know?"

"Thanks," Jonathan said. "Everything."

"There's not much," Luke said, "I lived on a farm a long way from here with my Aunt and Uncle until I was eighteen. Then I joined the Air Force and finished my tour last year." He was obviously neglecting the highlights.

"You a pilot?"

Luke nodded. "Uh-huh."

Jonathan got out from under the tractor. "You know what, how 'bout you fix the tractor here. If you do a good job, you're our new farm hand."

Luke agreed. Behind Mr. Kent, Luke saw Clark giving him the thumbs-up sign.

Luke got the job.