The last time Anakin went to a cantina was on Coruscant, chasing the Clawdite bounty hunter with Obi-Wan. His master let him in only after he lectured him about "Your weapon is you life" the 101st time. Then Obi-Wan took a little drink, while he had to wander around, tolerate the girls' sticky gazes and search for the suspect.

Anakin had to admit he really missed Obi-Wan. How was his master now? On his way here he attempted to call him again and again but got no response from the other side of their bond. Nothing but silence. He couldn't touch his master's mind, not even the surface. That was unusual, as if an invisible wall standing between them, keeping him away from Obi-Wan.

You have to be fine. You always take care of everything, don't you, master? Anakin murmured. Obi-Wan was an extraordinarily lucky man and was able to survive no matter how impossible it seemed. Nothing wrong would happen to him. Hang on master. I'm coming to save you. He assured himself.

So what to do next? It was morning and there weren't many people in the cantina. Outside on the street every Sith trooper wanted to capture him, every citizen would recognize him. So first of all he must disguise himself, next he should-

Anakin heard the unpleasant noise of his stomach, and realized he hadn't eaten anything since he woke up and neither did he have the credits to eat. He cursed with Huttese, found a dark corner that no one would notice and continued to analyze the current situation.

He had to eat, but he couldn't afford a dinner, maybe he could "borrow" some food from others…NO. This was a sith-occupied planet. He couldn't take the risk to use Force. He must keep a low profile. So he had to get some money fast and easily. Obi-Wan couldn't wait for long. So what should he do? Now he had a lightsaber (but it was evil red and he avoided using it if possible), some medpecs taken from the Sith soldiers and some other weapons.

Then he had an idea.

"Hello. I want to take part in the duel." Anakin said to the Hutt. He "dressed" himself up in the dirty washroom, tore some clothes from his outfit and wrapped his face with them, leaving only his blues eye outside. He hated this look because it reminded him of the Tusken Raiders. However, though quite strange and laughable, no one could tell that he was the "murderer" on the Wanted poster.

Ajuur, who was the Hutt in charge of the dual ring eyed him. "Yes, of course. People are tired of the old faces and need some fresh blood."

"How do I get paid?"

"If you win, you get 10% of wagers. Don't worry that you might get hurt. We have a medic droid. Besides, death matches are forbidden now."

Greedy Hutts, just like Gardulla. But he didn't have the luxury to renegotiate. Time was life.

"Understood. "

"I like reasonable people like you. And you need a nickname like the other duelists do, better easy to remember. Besides, people bet more for a nice name."

Then he paused to eye Anakin. Anakin tensed, for fear that he might notice something.

"Hmm…How about the Mysterious Stranger? You are an off-worlder and no one knows you. And you hide your whole face, so mysterious. That's it! "

Anakin nodded, though it was quite a ridiculous name from his point of view. But, really, who cared?

When Ajuur informed Anakin of the rules, it was time for him to fight. He pulled his vibroblade out from his backpack and stepped into the duel ring. Not too many people bet on him, more mocked at his disguise. "Hey look at him, the new guy named Mysterious Stranger! Dare he show his face? " Sorry I dare not. Anakin rolled his eyes, watching his rival going out of the other door.

Deadeye Duncan, an old man. Anakin took him down easily and got his first income during his Jedi life: 120 credits.

Gerlon Two Fingers was also defeated quickly, too. His next opponent, Ice, was a beautiful but apathy woman. Somehow she reminded Anakin of Padme and his distraction made him cut. He dodged her next attack, focused on the fight at once, and of course, won.

"You're quite a good fighter. Want another dual?" When Anakin received his bonus Ajuur asked him. "No, thank you. I have something else to do." He counted the chips, 516 credits. When was the last time he saw so many chips?

Qui-Gon put the small sack of money into his hands. "I sold the pod-racer and these are yours now."

Then he told him, "You are free now."

He promised his mother, "One day I will come back for you. "

He closed his eyes, held the chips tightly. His breast rose and fell quickly and his body trembled.

"Really? In next round your profit will be really huge. "

"I mean what I say!" Anakin shouted out. Suddenly the room fell in silence. Everyone turned to him, surprised. Anakin realized what he had done and flushed, quickly left the room with a soft "Sorry".

Anakin lost his appetite along with his temper. He sat down before the bar, ordered the cheapest food, put it into his mouth blankly. He was angry at himself. How could he lose control so easily again? In such a dangerous situation?

Stop thinking about it Anakin. What's more important now is to find Obi-Wan and leave here. He repeated to himself. There is no emotion, there is peace.

After finishing his tasteless dinner he sat in the corner of the cantina, listening carefully to the people surrounding him. He didn't get too much information as there were few people, and most of them were talking about the murderer on the poster. What interested him were some Sith troopers, who were celebrating their not being on duty in the base last night, "or we might have been killed by the Jedi."

Anakin twitched his lips and pushed his empty dishes aside.

"You know, Gradon and some others' uniforms were stolen last night."

"Really? They do have some luck. Now the base is in total chaos. Our officers are in no mood to care about the stolen uniforms or something like that."

"You are right. But Gradon kept complaining like 'I did find him interesting and it was pleasure to speak with him. So I invited him to the party. How could I know he was a thief!' "

"Good mimick. Jake and Nrissh's packs were empty too. It's said the thief took all their valuable things"

"So unfortunate. Also Gradon emphasized that the thief had a quite honest looking."

"Oh come on, does every thief has an 'I'm a thief I want to steal your things' on their faces? But did he ever tell you how the guy looks? I'll beat the thief to death if I have the chance."

"Six feet tall, brown hair."

"Nothing more?"

"Nothing more. He said the guy had just an ordinary look."

"So helpful. No camera in the room?"

"The thief might have done something to them. They all went out. I don't believe it was just a coincidence."

"He did his homework well. It seems yesterday is we Sith's bad luck day. Toast!"

Anakin frowned. So this thief stole the uniforms for sale? Or maybe he wanted to go to Lower City? Somehow Anakin felt the theft was not just a coincidence too. Would a thief make such efforts to get along with the Sith, according to their words, just to steal from them? No, that was stupid, and would do nothing other than revealing the thief's face.

A possible answer was that this man also wanted something from the Sith. Anakin wanted to know a little more, but the Sith had finished drinking, stood up and staggered away. He sighed, inspecting the cantina again. After making sure there were nothing more to learn, Anakin also left the Cantina.

The moment Enosh and Carth entered the Lower City they were caught in a the gang fighting. They wanted to avoid the conflict but the uniforms were just so attractive, and after a minute they had to defend themselves from the blaster fire.

"I understand why pass files are needed now." Carth took off the helmet and wept his sweat. The fight was fiercer than he had imagined. He had to admit the gangs here were somehow quite ferocious.

Enosh shrugged and put back his vibroblade. "The Sith are attentive sometimes. I must say these guys fought well." He looked up to Carth. "Why don't you take it off?"

Carth looked at him, confused.

"In case no one consider us as their enemies again, take off the hateful sith uniforms. Don't tell me you are unwilling to do it now." Enosh made a face.

Carth gave him a glare, took off the uniform and put it into his pack.

"So they talked about Beks and Vulkar, I assume these are names of gangs here? It seems they are in quite good relationship." Enosh asked.

"I agree, if you define 'good relationship' as despising each other and fighting with each other."

"That's exactly what I mean. You know me so well Carth."

They talked as they explored the Lower City. During the exploration they fought with a few gangsters again. They didn't want to do so but these hooligans were too aggressive. Then they saw another gang conflict. The so-called crime lord Davik Kang wanted to get his protection fees, and a big man who was about in his fifties intimidated the poor Vulkars successfully. No intention to interfere, they stepped back and quitted quietly. But when the big man who was called Canderous appeared, Enosh froze.

When Canderous started to leave, Enosh quickly approached him. "Sorry to interrupt, but can I ask you a few questions?"

Canderous turned to him. "I don't have time for small talk. Davik gives me a special assignment." With the words he went away.

Carth was trying to open the entrance but failed. He asked for help but found his companion gave no response. He looked back. Enosh was standing there like a statue. His mind was apparently somewhere else.

"What?" Carth asked.

Enosh stared at the door for a long time before he replied. "He is a Mandalorian."

It was not so surprising, as both the man's figure and strength matched with the Mandalorian's traits. But Carth found there was something unusual. "You remember the Mandalorians?"

Enosh blinked and spoke slowly. "I'm not sure… I mean, I never thought about the Mandalorian before we saw the mercenary."

Carth frowned and pressed. "Have you ever fight in the Mandalorian Wars?"

Enosh held his breath. "I never…no, let me think, no…yes."

Carth took a step closer. His temporary companion gazed at the ceiling, struggling to seize the fulcrum driftwood in his chaotic sea of memory. He held his fists tightly, his brows frowning deep, but a few minutes later he gave up.

"I still can't remember. Why did you call me then?"

"Oh, this door sucks. Help to open it?"

Enosh took out his vibroblade and stabbed at the door, just to get another failure. Finally he spoke up. " I can't open it either. Let's just go. We can deal with it later. Dia has said Zax is the one to talk to if we want to drop her bounty. He is in Javyar's cantina, the other way around."

Carth patted on Enosh's shoulder. "Don't be too depressed. One day everything will come back. Come on, I'll buy you a drink when we get there. But you have to promise me no pazaak this time."

Enosh grinned at him. "But Carth, your drink money comes from my pazaak earnings."

Carth wanted to counter back, but at last he gave up and laughed. "Maybe the next time I should try pazaak too."

"Seriously? Then we must have a game. I swear I'll take all your money…"