Thanks for commenting on the last part. Yes, we'll find out more about Jovay, but not for a long time. Vader is arriving in part 15 so you don't have to be patient too much longer. :)
It took only a cursory check to see that troopers were guarding all the docking bays. There was no way he could get back to Spacers Row and past them to his ride. Escape would have to wait until the search cooled down. In the meanwhile, he knew of only one place to hide and that was back with the street kids. But if he gave them his credits in exchange for shelter, he wouldn't be able to buy passage later. He had to find another way.
Luke trudged back to the passage to the kids' hideout and lounged across the street, checking for troopers or spies before making his way into the gloomy entrance. Ten meters in, he found a large boulder that had been nudged aside to reveal a narrow aisle that hadn't been visible before. He could hear the echo of far-away voices and, curious, he squeezed around the rock, slipping through the passage. The dug-out hall was rough against his hands as he felt his way through the darkness toward a faint light in the distance. The voices grew louder though he could not discern the words. Then a short, high-pitched scream pierced the air, and Luke broke into a run.
The aisle opened into a large space, and he caught himself before plunging into it. Crouching behind an outcropping in the wall, he peeked around it, assessing the situation.
Children and teens, some he recognized from earlier, huddled together with their leader standing protectively in front of them. She held a short knife like she knew how to use it and faced a man dressed in the dark garb of a Rillavin hunter, creatures feared throughout the galaxy, rumored to enjoy the taste of human flesh above all others. A tiny girl lay on the sand between him and the teen leader.
"Just one," the hunter wheedled, his voice garbled by the translator he wore, "and I'll leave the rest of you."
"Tessi, get behind me," the leader ordered, but the girl appeared too terrified to move.
The hunter reached for her, and she screamed again as his claws pierced her arms.
Don't get involved in other people's problems, Owen warned, except your neighbor's. You need your neighbors to survive.
The last thing he wanted was to get in a fight that might draw the attention of the Imps, Luke thought glumly as he drew out his blaster. But these were his neighbors, and the son of a Jedi -- or even a Sith -- couldn't let this scum go free. He had less humanity than a Tusken, and Luke had killed a few of those. A Rillavin deserved no mercy.
Stepping out of the shadows, he centered his aim on the bastard's center. You may not be certain where a Tusken's heart is hidden under his cloak, Owen advised as they crouched behind the rocks, watching the Raiders, so always go for a gut shot. "Hey there," he called softly.
The Rillavin turned, then started, dropping the child when he saw the blaster. "No! I -- "
Luke pulled the trigger. The monster made a startled sound that choked off as he died, the blaster burns smoking his ragged clothes. It was not so different from killing a Tusken, Luke noted remotely, though this thing was more human than a Tusken. Would it be any more difficult to kill a human? He supposed that one day he would find out.
Pushing away an unexpected sensation of queasiness, he strode over to the corpse and kicked at its feet. "I want the boots," he announced flatly, knowing he had to generate respect along with a little fear, "you can have the rest."
The youngsters were staring at him and the leader's eyes were narrowed, assessing his intentions.
"I'm staying here. I'm hiding from the Imps." He paused. "If you betray me, I'll kill you. If not, I'll protect you from dangers like this." Giving the body another kick, he smiled tightly. "Are we agreed?"
The girl nodded, resignation clear on her delicate features. "I'm Tia. I'm in charge."
For now, Luke thought, then wondered if this coldness in him came from his father. If so, it was not Jedi. It was Sith... and maybe he was, too.
"What's your name?"
Luke Lars Skywalker Vader Laze Loneozner. Stifling a sigh, he struggled to find an acceptable name out of that excess. Laze...Loner...Ozner... "Oz."
"Oz," she repeated with a clipped nod and a smile that didn't touch her eyes. "You may stay here, but you must follow our rules. We will accept your protection, but none of us will sleep in your bed."
"Like I'd want you to," he retorted sarcastically, flushing. "I'm only staying until I can find a way off this -- Hey, I said I want the boots!"
A young boy jumped back from the Rillavin with a guilty grin. "Sorry, Oz!"
"They wouldn't fit you anyway," Luke added in a mollifying tone. He bent down and picked up the little girl with bleeding arms. She hid her face against his chest. "You have first aid supplies?"
"Yes. Come," Tia directed, and Luke followed her deeper into the cavern, the other youngsters running ahead.
"Quite a set-up you have here," he commented. "More than you let me see earlier."
"We're not stupid enough to trust strangers!" she snapped.
"I didn't say you were."
They emerged into a single cavernous room that held a dozen more young people, and Tia lifted Tessi from his arms. "We'll tend her. You get different clothes," she directed. "Gereeza, get Oz into something more... appropriate. Do something with his hair -- and for Sith's sake, show him where the bath is!"
This was one occasion when he was happy to obey orders.