The streets of Mos Eisley were crowded as usual as Luke's speeder crossed them. Obi-Wan noticed immediately that the town was full of Storm Troopers, no doubly searching for Threepio and Artoo. He had just enough time to wonder how much they knew about the droids they were looking for before two soldiers stopped their speeder.

Obi-Wan stood calm as the Storm Troopers approached, while Luke tensed.

"How long have you had these droids?" one of the soldiers asked.

"About three or four seasons," Luke answered, his voice firm despite his anxiety.

"They're for sale if you want them," Obi-Wan interjected.

"Let me see your identification."

As Luke became very nervous and fumbled in his pockets to find his documents, Obi-Wan concentrated on the Storm Troopers. He briefly thought back to the day when his clones had revolted against him on Utapau…a lifetime before. Then he returned to the present and waved his hand in front of the soldiers' face

"You don't need to see his identification," he said, infusing his words with a strong Force suggestion.

"We don't need to see his identification," one of the soldiers repeated dully.

"These are not the droids your looking for."

"These are not the droids we're looking for."

"He can go about his business," Obi-Wan waved his hand again.

"You can go about your business."

"Move along," Obi-Wan said to Luke, as the soldier repeated his words, motioning them to proceed using his blaster.

Obi-Wan directed Luke to a rundown blockhouse cantina in the outskirts of Mos Eisley. He knew from past researches it was the best place to find a ship off the planet.

Luke parked the speeder and turned toward Obi-Wan. "I can't understand how we got by those troopers. I thought we were dead," he commented, his face full of curiosity.

"The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded. You will find it a powerful ally," Obi-Wan explained as he moved toward the cantina's entry.

"Do you really think we're going to find a pilot here that'll take us to Alderaan?"

"Well, most of the best freighter pilots can be found here. Only watch your step. This place can be a little rough."

"I'm ready for anything," Luke replied, but Obi-Wan wondered if it was really so. The Lars had done a very good job with the boy. He was gentle, caring and dutiful. But he was also very naïve and a dreamer, because, in his desire to protect him, Owen and Beru had him lead a very sheltered life. The old Jedi just hoped Luke's first experience outside the safe confines of the farm would not prove too hard for him.

---

The cantina was smoke-filled and crowded with beings of many races. Obi-Wan directed toward the counter, led by the Force toward a tall Wookiee. There was something familiar in the hairy alien, although Obi-Wan needed a little while to realize what it was. But when he did, his lips bent in a sad smile.

He had already met the Wookiee, the day he and Mace Windu had escorted Yoda to the ship that would take him to Kashyyyk. Obi-Wan racked his memory until he found a name: Chewbacca.

The Wookie too seemed to recognize Obi-Wan and the two of them started talking in quiet tones.

Suddenly the Force screamed in alert, just a second before Anakin appeared at Obi-Wan's side.

"Luke is in danger!" he exclaimed, but Obi-Wan was already moving toward the other side of the counter, where the boy was surrounded by two dangerous creatures.

Obi-Wan could perceive Luke's fear and his desire to avoid trouble, but so could his two tormenters. They were professional trouble-makers, always in search of a brawl, and had probably picked up Luke's naïveté from the first moment he had stepped inside the cantina.

Obi-Wan moved in behind Luke, who sighed in relief. "This little one isn't worth the effort. Come let me buy you something-" he began, but was interrupted when a blow from one of the brawlers sent Luke sailing across the room, crashing through tables.

The attackers then drew a blaster from his belt and levelled it at Obi-Wan, as the bartender shouted, "No blasters! No blasters!"

Obi-Wan lost no time. There was a snap, a hiss and a whirling motion. His blue lightsabre sprang to life and disposed of the two creatures, quickly and efficiently. Then he looked around the place, making sure everybody knew he was not a man to mess with, before powering off his 'sabre.

"You have not lost your touch, Master," Anakin commented with a smile. "And I think that from now on Luke will look at you with different eyes."

Obi-Wan turned to see the young man staring at him, wonder and amazement on his face.

The cantina went back to normal, people returned to their drinks and chats and Obi-Wan was given a good amount of room as he moved back to the bar.

"This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate on a ship that might suit our needs," Obi-Wan said to Luke when the youth returned to his side.

Anakin's son gave a strange look to the tall alien, then followed Obi-Wan as the little group moved to a booth were a human male with a roughish look was sitting.

They took places around the table as the man spoke. "Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system."

"Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship," Obi-Wan answered.

"Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?" Solo seemed almost outraged.

"Should I have?"

"It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!" Obi-Wan looked at Solo with a don't-fool-me look, while Anakin, who had appeared again burst in laugh at the pilot's stupid attempt to impress them with obvious misinformation.

"I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local bulk-cruisers, mind you," Solo tried again. "She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?"

"Only passengers. Myself, the boy, two droids, and no questions asked," Obi-Wan filled his voice with a Force command. He liked Solo, he made him think of Anakin when he was a cocky teenager, but the less he knew, the better it was.

"What is it? Some kind of local trouble?" Solo replied with a knowing tone.

"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements."

"Well, that's the trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you something extra. Ten thousand in advance."

"Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that!" Luke sputtered.

"But who's going to fly it, kid! You?" Solo commented with a smirk.

"You bet I could. I'm not such a bad pilot myself! We don't have to sit here and listen..." Luke made to stand up, but Obi-Wan blocked him, as he threw a look to Anakin. The boy was indeed his father's son!

"We haven't that much with us. But we could pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan."

Han pondered the offer for a few moments, then nodded. "All right. You guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave as soon as you're ready. Docking bay Ninety-four."

"Ninety-four," Obi-Wan repeated.

There was a moment of silence before Anakin whispered, "It's best if you leave, Master. Some Storm Troopers have just entered. They are enquiring about those dead men."

Obi-Wan nodded. He whispered a few words to Luke as they stood up and moved toward the rear door.