Chapter 3

The sun was beaming it's last breath of the brightest light signifying the mid hour of the afternoon. If I hurry now I can reach the village before sunset as long as there are no distractions. At least that's what I had hoped for.

A robed figure, snooping around my speeder far away from the city. A common thief I presume. I aimed my blaster silently stepping closer and closer until I can get a better view of the figure.

"What do you think your doing." I said frightening the thief. "Step away with your hands up." The thief turned around with their arms raised. The thief had a very womanly figure despite being drenched in long black robes. And even though her hood covered her face, I could see her slim jawline, black lips, and pale white skin. I imagine that underneath that large garment was beautiful woman, like the ones highly valued at the brothels. Yet, there was something bizarre about this woman. Like a mystical aura surrounding her. I didn't like it. It left me unease with the same tension I'd feel from crossing paths with some dangerous thugs, yet she's just a single woman. I held the grip to my blaster firmly and stepped even closer.

"What are you doing out here? And why are digging through my things?"

She twisted her head looking around to her left and right, as if she was trying to see if it was only me and her in this remote area. She lowered both of her arms to her side while stepping further away from the speeder.

"I thought the vehicle was abandoned," she said calmly. Her voice was soft and fragile, suspiciously innocent even for a thief. "My apologies. I'm just desperate for some supplies."

"Are you armed?" I said walking slowly to my speeder. She opened her black robe revealing a strange black attire to show me the absence of weapons. Her clothes were familiar. Unlike the clothes of the people at the trading town, her black clothes reminded me of my grey clothes underneath my thick coat. The fabrics woven to a tribe. Traditional and practical.

"Are you from a village?" I asked lowering my blaster.

"No," She answered. "I'm not of this planet. I came here looking for parts from shops and merchants."

I see no hostility from this woman, yet I sense it. But is it fair for me to be holding up an unarmed woman? I holstered my blaster and opened my bag to her. "I'm a merchant," I said. "I might have what you're looking for."

"Oh my. It seems we were destined to meet,' She said smiling walking closer to me. I squatted down laying out the parts that I wasn't able to sell to Gulubi. The blacked robed woman came to her knees and looked upon them like a child watching mindlessly at pebbles. She looked up at me, and even though I still couldn't see the rest of her face, I knew that there existed disappointment.

"You… wouldn't happen to have anything more… impressive? Do you?"

We both stood up leaving the pieces on the snow floor. There was an awkward silence between us, as if I was lying to her.

"It's very expensive. I don't think you can afford it," I said.

"I have money," she replied. "Plenty of it at that. Can I see it? The item you hold."

Again, I sense no hostility within this woman. Her demeanor is not like the thugs nor is her speech mimic that of a con-artist either. She spoke the truth and nothing but that. So why was I afraid? Why do I feel like I stand to lose something?

"Please," she begged. What harm was there to be had? I pulled the crystal from my pocket and held it in front of her hoping to get a reaction. But her expression remained the same.

What's you're price?" She asked.

"How much do you got on you?" I said. She hesitated for moment, I already knew the answer and what the outcome was going to be.

"I can give you twenty imperial credits," she said.

"Forget about it," I said picking up my scraps off the ground.

"Wait!" She cried out. "How about we reconsider the deal?"

"Reconsider? About what! You don't have any money! How can you afford what I'm asking for!"

I seemed to have silenced the robed woman, she seemed rather desperate to get her hands on the crystal. It'd probably be best if I try to distance myself.

"…what do you want?" she asked. If she can't afford the impossible, then it's best that I demand something of equal value.

"Enough to get off this forsaken planet," I said bluntly. "Can you give me that?"

"No. But I can do this," she said waving two fingers in front of my head. "You will sell me the crystal for a price of twenty credits."

I had been saving credits for the past five years now, building stacks of those chips underneath my bed at home. The crystal was supposed to grant me that wish at a much faster pace. But in the end, it was just a stone. A stone that the value depends on each person. To me, it's meaningless. It's purpose is to bring me one step closer to my dream. And twenty credits doesn't sound like a bad offer. In the end, it still contributes to my dream none the less. To live my days away from Shisu.

"I will sell you the crystal for a price of twenty credits," I said. The exchange was made and soon she was off into the southern horizon. Where was she going? It doesn't matter now, I have what I wanted. So why does my head feel empty? I can't think of anything but only darkness and silence. Maybe the sky will clear thin void in my head. I lifted my head skyward at the single sun that blankets it's warm light all across Shisu. And next to the sun, was a single star that shined brightly than ever.

That's funny. Has there always been a star in broad daylight?

Without even realizing it the sky had changed almost instantly to orange. And the sun was beginning to barely touch the horizon.

How long was I standing here? What I'm doing here? I should be….. at home.

I jumped onto my speeder and made due west to my village. Hopefully I can return by nightfall with the last bit of remaining sun on my side.