Chapter Two

Launa and look were now within view of the city glow of Mos Terra. Their trek across the Par-Liss had taken less than half an hour.

"So Luke" Launa said in so hushed a tone that Luke immediately knew that the upcoming question was highly confidential. "How many Jedi are there?"

This question took Luke off guard but he didn't feel it would be dangerous for Launa to know the answer, the rest of the galaxy did, it was only here on this cloistered pile of sand, shut off from the rest of the universe that people did not know that there was only one Jedi in the whole galaxy.

"I'm the only one" Luke said solemnly, he had wanted to train his sister, but Leia declined the offer after the birth of her first child. She had told Luke that she did not feel she could be a good Jedi and a good mother at the same time.

Launa looked very somber for a moment and then smiled widely as if she were trying to keep herself from laughing.

"What is it that far fetched?"

"No, I was having a thought; you don't know the background so you wouldn't understand."

"So Launa" Luke said in quiet voice that denoted his question was one of a personal kind.

"Yes"

"Where did you get your lightsaber?"

"My uh… I made it." She could not answer that question, as much as she wanted to be honest with Luke she just could not tell him things that she had sworn to tell no one.

Launa and Luke had now entered the harsh glow of the city lights of Mos Terra. For the first time Launa and Luke saw each other clearly. Launa had golden hair that hung in trailing ringlets that ran down her back. She was strong, her well toned arms were exposed by the dull dark blue tank top that she wore under the cape that she had recently taken off. He stared into her eyes intently; he had seen eyes like hers before, peering at him from a concerned face many years back, but who? Someone who had meant a lot to him, someone he had lost, had possessed eyes like hers. He could not quite place the person who had been the owner of those keen but thoughtful eyes.

While Luke was mulling over this new enigma he had discovered, Launa was dealing with her own puzzle. She knew so much that no one else did, but she did not know what she wanted to know. She wanted desperately to ask Luke to exchange information; she knew a wealth of things that he had no idea about, and he knew how to train her to be Jedi, something she had wanted ever since she had heard about the Jedi Order. She couldn't do that though, she couldn't let him see through her cool and aloof pretenses, she couldn't humble herself enough to break out and ask him point blank if he would take her as his Padawan. No, her secrets would remain safely locked away in her mind until he asked her.

Luke looked over at Launa, he knew he was leaving her and joining his mission, he desperately wanted to ask her to come along, but it wasn't safe and she'd probably refuse anyways. She seemed like the very independent type. She had a life of her own and he would not be responsible for bringing any danger into Launa's seemingly uneventful life.

"Thanks for all of your help Launa."

"What was I supposed to do refuse to help the hero of the galaxy on his big important mission?" Launa said in a teasing tone. "I could go with you into Mos Terra if you want?"

That was as far as she was going to extend herself outside of her comfort zone, she had offered now it was his responsibility to deny or accept.

"I appreciate the offer Launa, but it is too dangerous, besides I can manage alone."

She had difficulty restraining herself from laughing uncontrollably, 'I appreciate the offer but it is too dangerous' Launa mimicked inside of her head.

"Well then, good-bye Luke" she said casually as she tossed him her cape. "This is to help disguise you a little, and May the Force be with you, always." Launa said as she turned back towards the Par-Liss.

"Thanks, May it be with you as well." Luke said turning to watch Launa depart, but she was already gone, it was as if she had just vanished into the desert night.

Luke stepped forward preparing to enter the unknown that lay before him. Letting go of himself, so that he could allow the Force to guide him to where he needed to go. Since the death of his master, Yoda, Luke had continued to make his sense of the Force more acute.

Luke threw his shoulders back and prepared himself for whatever might await him. Launa had warned him that the streets of Tatooine were precarious, full of gangs whose only aim was to harass and harm the hapless citizens that they happened upon.

He had no clear idea of where he was headed. Cantina Row was the most logical destination, there were over thirty grungy dim bars along that street and any number of them could be the decided meeting spot for the Loyalists. He started towards where he deduced Cantina Row to be and then with a confident air he marched down the street, disregarding the dozens of street urchins that clung to the sandstone walls. He knew that the Imperials would probably choose one of the more clandestine but classy cantinas.

Luke cautiously looked about without moving his head, trying to sense the feelings of the people on the street: many of them were of a species that could not be affected by the Force. He continued down the narrow street eyeing the menagerie of creatures that were gathered together in gangs along the periphery of the byway. He carefully noted their movements, he knew how to sense any sign of a threat and although he would not find it pleasant, he knew that dispatching with them was the only solution should a truculent confrontation arise.

He saw the vagrant street prowlers detach themselves from their seemingly stationary locations against the backs of the houses whose rear faced the alley. Luke retained his confident stride and let his hand casually fall onto the hilt of his lightsaber; the long cape that Launa had given him safely concealed it. He noted several of the thieves form into a small band and proceed to stalk him. He knew that intention of this group was his death and despoilment, neither of which he could allow. With him would die the last of the Jedi, and if he were robbed his possessions were not much but a lightsaber fetched an astronomical sixty-thousand credits; the price of a large house in the suburbs of Merinth.

Luke noted that the nefarious outlaws gathered into a tight group and looked as if they were preparing to attack, his hand gripped the hilt of his lightsaber ready for their attack. Suddenly their attention was diverted by a shadowy figure whose face was discreetly hidden in the cowl of their cloak. The vagrants seemed to freeze in terror for a few brief moments and then with a wave of the caped figure's hand they dispersed in a frightened frenzy.

Luke was mystified by the strange disappearance of his would be attackers. At first he dismissed it as a mere whim on the part of the bandits, maybe they had caught sight of a wealthier and weaker target. But soon he began to sense a presence following him, whether the creature was friendly or not he couldn't tell. He listened intently as he walked and heard the faint scraping of boots on the hard packed sand. He stopped once to turn and look behind him, but saw nothing. He tried to ascertain if his stalker was still following by looking out of the corner of his eyes for any shadows that the creature following him might cast. Gradually the street he was walking became better lit, he could now see the hem of the cape that the individual was wearing. Luke knew he could not risk having a tail so he paused for a moment pondering his decision and then carried on down the street waiting for the right moment.

Then suddenly Luke spun around and in three long strides he had the mysterious prowler in his grasp and pinned against the wall. It struggled to regain its freedom but Luke held it in place, he felt human hands come up and grab at his arm trying to remove it from its own neck.

"Who are you?" Luke asked.

The human tightened its grip around his arm and in a surge of strength displaced it from its location on their throat.

"How in the galaxy am I supposed to answer you when you're crushing my vocal cords?" the human rasped in a female tone of voice. Luke withdrew as if he had been stung, the woman emerged into the glow of the street lamp: it was Launa. "I suppose you blast and ask questions later too, come on." Launa said as she signaled for him to follow.

"Where?"

"To where the Imperials are of course." Launa said as she started down the street.

"Wait! Why were you following me?" Luke questioned. "On whose side are you? And where does you allegiance truly lie?"

Launa turned and glared straight up into Luke's piercing eyes.

"My allegiance belongs to myself, the side I am on is mine own and my enemy is Grand Moff Connosten, who just happens to be your enemy too!" Launa said these words in a slow even tone that belied the raw anger she felt towards Connosten and his henchmen. "If you don't trust me that's your own foolishness, I just saved you from causing a scene with one of the roughest gangs this side of Mos Easley and in return you choke me and question my motives, well I'm still talking to you isn't that proof enough!"

"I'm so sorry Launa I…"

"I know you didn't know. Now come on!"

"Where are we going?

"To 3310 Cantina Row, where the Imperials are having their meeting; if my sources are correct. I promise this isn't some sort of trap." Launa assured when she noticed Luke was not following her. "Listen Mr. Suspicious, I'm not out to get you, I'm trying to help you and if you cant see that you're more of a fool than I thought. After all its just as much of a risk for me to be around Imperials as it is for you! Besides even if your ego wont let you admit it you need my help while you're on my planet, 'cause you're pretty naïve. You nearly got yourself killed by picking this street to walk down, you nearly got yourself into a fight with the most blood thirsty and greedy gang on Tatooine. Then you attack me thinking I am some sort of spy when I'm just trying to watch your back, so just calm down and trust me!" Launa said this last phrase with extra force; trying to hammer it into Luke's brain that she was worthy of his trust. "Are you sure you used to live here?" Launa said with a jesting smile. Luke still stood immobile. "Do you have some sort of complex about trusting people? What do I have to do sign it in blood that I am not trying to betray you and that I am actually on your side, as much as I can let myself be on anyone's side."

Launa started down the street, her left leg was moving more slowly than her right. She had pulled a muscle in her thigh when she had tried to run away from Luke, and it was excruciating to walk on it but Launa would be dammed before she would let anyone see how much pain she was truly in.

Luke watched Launa take a couple steps, then his feelings told him what his mind had not had time to analyze yet: that Launa genuinely was trying to help him and he had been quite obtuse in not accepting her offer to assist him from the very start.

He came loping up to her side and offered her his arm to lean on. Her face was still flushed from his rough handling, a pang of bitter regret ran through him as he put his arm under Launa's to help support her as she walked. She turned and stared at him as if there was something fundamentally wrong with him. Launa felt extremely awkward being helped and as soon as was politely possible she withdrew her arm and hobbled along on her own willpower. Which left Luke feeling slighted, knowing that his help had been so unwanted. Launa didn't notice the effects of her inconsiderate behavior though, partly because she didn't know it was inconsiderate and also because she was far too busy trying to sort out all the confusion in her mind, and determine how much information she could entrust Luke with.