At an isolated collection farm in the dune sea, a young girl and a Treadwell droid were repairing a moisture collection unit. While examining the circuits, she found that she needed a welding tool. "Treadwell, can you get me the welder from the box"
The droid immediately complied. He extended a robotic arm to grab the tool, but before it could give it to her, its arm flailed, and dropped the tool. At this, the young girl bit her lip in frustration. Because this was an old droid, and because that despite repairs, it still managed to fall apart, this came as no surprise.
Unfortunately, it was still frustrating.
She was about to reach it herself, when she had a wild thought. She looked around carefully, and, determining that no one would watch her, slowly extended her arm, and concentrated.
After a few tense moments, the tool lifted itself from the ground, and flew into the young girl's hands. At this, she smiled, and continued with her work.
Later, when she was examining the droid for repairs, a voice called over a comlink.
"Leia, time for lunch"
"coming aunt Beru." Replied the girl.
Minutes later, Leia arrived at the homestead. When she entered the dining area, she found that uncle Owen already started on lunch.
"Did you fix the unit?" he asked.
"Yeah. It was just a loose connector. I would have fixed it sooner, but the Treadwell fell apart again"
At this, Owen sighed. "What was it this time"
"It looks like the grappling sensor fell apart again. It's the fifth time this season that happened"
The old man pondered this development for a second. "After we eat, I want you to go into Anchorhead to pick up some new parts"
"Really Owen!" interjected Beru, who had joined them. "It would be better if we got a new one. It's a miracle it had lasted as long as it did"
"But I can't afford a new one. With taxes the way they are, it would be a miracle if we could get one used"
"If you want, I could check with Fixer. He's bound to give me a great deal on something." Said Leia, desperately grappling on to a legitimate excuse to join her friends.
Owen sighed with resignation. "Okay, Leia, see if you can find something that could tide us for two days. I'll advertise to any local clans for any new droids"
"Do you think you could get one that speaks Bocce?" inquired Beru.
"I'll see whatever they have." He then turned towards Leia. "Don't forget young lady, be back before dark"
"Thank you Uncle Owen!" said Leia as she kissed him on the forehead.
An hour later, Leia sped through Anchorhead in her landspeeder, on her way to Tashe station, where Fixer hung out. As she turned a certain corner, an old woman rose from a shaded area and shook her fist.
"Darn kids! You drive too fast!" she screamed.
Eventually, she parked near a dilapidated building on the edge of town. After securing her vehicle, she walked into the shop, where she found Fixer repairing an object. Behind him, she saw Windy and Cammy playing a game of cyberpool on an old arcade consule.
"Hey Leia, what's up?" asked Fixer looking up.
"I need some parts. The Treadwell fell apart again." She said as she handed him a list.
"Again? I'll see what I can find out back, but I dunno. Heck, this model was outdated even before I was born" He said as he headed out back.
As he left, Leia joined her friends, who immediately allowed her to join in.
A few moments later, a fine dressed young man entered the shop, looking around.
"Hey Cammie, is Leia around? I saw her speeder outside"
At the mention of her name, Leia looked up and saw a familiar face.
"Biggs!" she said as she ran to him and hugged him. "Your back"
"Leia!" he said embracing her.
Moments later, the pair were sitting outside sipping a refreshment, a keeping up to date with each other. Biggs talked about his experiences training at the academy, while Leia told him about her home, and their old childhood haunts. After a few moments a they reflected on each other's experiences, Leia broke the silence.
"I missed you." She said.
"So did I. I thought about you every day"
"It must be great going to the academy. Traveling to other worlds, having great responsibility"
At this, Biggs looked away, as if disturbed about something. After a few moments, he spoke.
"I haven't told my parents this, but at our next landfall, I'm thinking of joining the rebellion"
Leia's eyes widened. "What? You can't be serious"
"I've given this much thought. There's been some buzz at the academy. Something about a new project the empire's working on. Most of the cadet's seem exited about it, but a few of us…" he paused.
"When I joined, I wanted to make a difference. I just wanted to be a credit to the empire. You remember those stories we grew up on about the Clone Wars"
Leia smiled, remembering.
"Now, I'm not too sure. Just recently, I learned of an imperial invasion at Ralltiir. Officially, we were told that the planet was harboring a rebel base. But I heard from a navigator friend of mine, that it was a cover up for something else. Some of the cadet's actually supported that massacre! That's not why I joined up"
With a somber expression, Leia responded. "But the rebellion? How can you find them"
"I have a friend, who know's a friend who's planning to join up with a cell on Bestine"
"On Bestine? Are you… sure about this"
Biggs became somber. "I just don't know. I see what's going on… and I just want to make a difference. After a few seconds, Leia responded.
"I wish I could join you"
"Why don't you apply to the academy? You're old enough"
"My Uncle won't let me." she said somberly. "He's having enough problems managing the farm as it is"
After a few seconds, Biggs responded. "You don't belong here Leia. People like Fixer an Cammie, they belong here. But you, you deserve something better"
"I know. But"
At that moment, Fixer came up to them. "I found that part. Wasn't easy, but I think it'll work"
"Thanks Fixer. Just charge it to my uncle's account"
"Sure thing"
After a few seconds, Leia continued. "I gotta go back. I'll probably be up all night fixing that stupid droid"
"Think about what I said." Said Biggs holding her hand. After a brief pause, they embraced each other, and parted, looking gingerly at each other, as if it would be the last time.