Chapter Twelve:

Dried leaves crunched beneath her boots as Jaina trudged slowly and carefully through the underbrush. She had finished her side of the actual campsite, and now scoured the forest where there had clearly been a scuffle.

There were marks everywhere, and Jaina found herself in a densely wooded section of the forest with a ton of Whiphid foot tracks, and one set of boot tracks the right size for a human man. And every so often, there were the smaller prints of a bare human foot, about Mara's size. She frowned when she inspected the man's boot imprints, noting the unfamiliar design. These clearly did not belong to Luke: not only were they the incorrect size, but they were intermingled with the majority of the Whiphid tracks as though he had been collaborating with them.

Besides which, Jaina knew for a fact that Luke Skywalker would never sell out his own wife and son.

So she took holos of the prints, making sure to give a size comparison. She didn't know what good a holo would do, but her aunt had said to be through, so she would be just that. They could always discard unneeded data later, whereas it would be much more difficult to come here again at a later time to take evidence they didn't before.

Jaina lost all track of time, so focused was she on following the story the mess of prints told until she was led to a small stand of trees from which she could easily return to camp. Here there were both male and female footprints, both bare.

Something tugged at Jaina as she moved her foot, and she froze just before placing it down again when her danger sense flared with brief intensity. Jaina looked down, carefully moved her limb and set it down elsewhere.

She would never have seen it if she wasn't actively looking for something that could set off her danger sense like that. Squinting against the barest hint of a reflection, Jaina carefully bent down and brought her face close to the ground.

Nestled in the grasses and fallen plant matter was the tiny, specifically curved wing of something metallic. Recalling the warning in the Force seconds earlier, Jaina found a twig and carefully uncovered the rest of the object… and sucked in a breath.

00000

Mara was systematically retracing their steps back toward the river, using her keen eyes to look for any traces that they had been followed that afternoon. Now she was on a ridge after discovering a disturbed piece of underbrush earlier.

She'd slipped on a loose river stone imbedded in the path, and her hand had landed in said spot. Only then did she see the trail of the other beings. There had been two of them on this part of the ridge she now stood upon.

And as Mara peered down from the berm, she saw the exact place Luke had taken Ben to play on the riverbank. Thinning her lips in annoyance that she had failed to notice their secret admirer that afternoon, Mara settled down.

She gazed almost without seeing at the deeply embedded boot prints in the soft earthy ground. Pulling out her water skin, Mara took a liberal swig, and then paused as an idle thought occurred to her.

Replacing the water container in her sack, Mara bent low to closely inspect the prints. She remembered from one of her instructors in the Empire that if you wanted to know where a person had been of late— especially often— look at what their shoes could tell you.

And while there wouldn't be any traces of foreign soils this far out, there could very well be some at the landing site of her family's attackers.

With renewed hope, Mara sprang eagerly down the slope, making it halfway to camp before she caught a spike of something from Jaina. Not a moment later, the younger woman's voice rang out loud and clear.

"Aunt Mara!"

She broke into a sprint to close the distance between her and the campsite, and paused when Jaina did not appear in the immediate vicinity. Then she caught the wave of a hand through the trees where she and Luke had been ambushed.

"Over here!" Jaina sounded excited.

Mara joined her niece, who met her at the edge and held up a cautionary hand.

"Careful, I'm not entirely sure if it's safe," Jaina warned; and with that, she led Mara to her discovery.

Both women knelt down, and Jaina used a stick to prod at the device. Mara saw instantly what it was, and could have kissed her niece, she was so happy.

"Jaina, you're a genius!" Mara praised, finding a branch of her own. "And you are right to be careful: this dart could still have traces of the serum they used on us." She shuddered at the memory. "Trust me when I say you do not want to experience it."

Jaina lifted a brow. "I'll take your word for it. Got another nifty baggie?"

Mara nodded and again produced an evidence bag. Next she used a pair of tweezers to gingerly lift the tiny dart up and into the container. Jaina watched with baited breath.

"Aunt Mara, can we use this dart to trace whoever came after you?" the brunette asked.

Mara nodded. "We sure can, though it may take a while, since there are a plethora of beings in this vast galaxy."

Jaina pursed her lips as they stood. "Who would test it for us?"

Mara smiled wistfully. "I know someone."

Jaina's lips curved into a smile of her own. "Uncle Karrde."

Mara nodded. "The one and the same."

Though not related by blood, Jaina had adopted Mara's former employer as an uncle. Talon was not a sentimental man by many standards, but Mara knew he loved Jaina like family in return.

"Aunt Mara?"

Jaina was waving a hand before her eyes, and the Jedi Master blinked.

"Sorry." Mara grimaced at her lapse in concentration. "I want to look at the site they had their ship parked: I need to take earth samples of the human's shoe prints."

Jaina frowned as they began to walk away. "Why?"

"There should be traces of dirt and such that are not native to Endor," Mara explained patiently. "We can use these to get a location on where the man has been lately. And if he frequents one particular planet, then those samples will be more abundant."

"Oh." Jaina looked impressed. She paused at the edge of camp, looking back. "Do you want to take anything with you?"

Mara followed her gaze. "I already picked through everything, and set what I want back over there." She indicated a pile of luggage. "We will have to backtrack to return to the ship anyway, so we can grab it then."

"Efficient as ever." Jaina smiled.

They trudged along, Mara leading the way again since she knew where they were going. Jaina was only mildly surprised to find that the landing site was several long miles away from the Skywalker camp.

They would have had to already been there, Jaina mused, in order to sneak upon the Skywalkers. How they had gotten their hands on that information was beyond Jaina. But then again, she hadn't counted on anyone taking down the Skywalkers period, so she supposed this mysterious bounty hunter deserved credit where it was due.

Mara motioned for Jaina to stay put, and the younger woman watched as her aunt meticulously studied every human print in the area.

Mara wanted those that were closest to where the ship had been, because they would have the strongest traces of foreign material in them. As the man walked along, those traces would gradually be rubbed away by the motion of placing one's foot on the ground.

At last she found what she was looking for, and took the sack off her back again. Using a collection spoon, Mara took careful samples until she was satisfied that she hadn't missed anything.

On a whim, she also took traces of dirt from where the landing struts had been from the enemy ship, just in case.

Standing back up and stretching achy muscles, Mara took a final look about, and then nodded in satisfaction.

"I believe we're done here." Mara turned back to Jaina, who straightened form where she'd been leaning against a tree. "Let's go."

00000

Luke followed a freshly clothed Skye down the tunnels, glad she was there to navigate. He was once again all turned around, which made him grimace inwardly. He was a Jedi Master; he should be able to navigate even without the Force, but the harder he tried, the more confusing everything became.

As he shifted his gaze from the scenery to his guide, he noted that this woman was built like a fighter: lithe, powerful, but with a natural grace that gave her a slight edge. She looked much more comfortable in her simple utilitarian pants and tunic, complete with boots, than she had on that fancy gown. Her hair was pulled up into a pony tail at the crown of her head, and she walked with a confident air.

Luke smiled to himself. This woman definitely reminded him of both Mara and Jaina. He believed they would get long quite well.

"You look befuddled," she commented as they walked, bringing Luke back to the task at hand: finding a way to get his bearings.

"I just can't seem to figure out this tunnel system," Luke admitted. "Is there a pattern to it all?"

She shook her head. "Not exactly; but this is why everything is color-coded. Once you know what all of the different shades represent, the task of getting around becomes much simpler."

"So what do the colors mean?" Luke asked.

Skye threw him a look. "Well, there's green, which is open to anyone. These tunnels are basic corridors that lead to housing and such. White indicates medical, orange for business-type locations such as the kitchen, lounge and meeting halls." She indicated they go down an orange tunnel. "Those three colors are corridors that are available to anyone, since they have to do with basic necessities and such."

Luke nodded. "And the rest?"

"Those are more guarded, and at various levels. Basically, if you do not have clearance for a tunnel other than the first three, stay away unless you are told otherwise by an authority figure," Skye informed him. "Black tunnels are absolutely off limits to the gladiators, yellow leads to the livestock pens, and then there are the rare purple halls. Those are the most heavily secured, as they are Lady Resmi's private areas. You only gain access with an escort. Period."

"Okay." Luke noticed a crimson marker pointing down a shorter hall that dead-ended in a door. "What's red?"

Skye followed his gaze. "Security-specific needs."

"Got it." Luke then remembered that there were supposed to be unmarked halls, but so far he had not seen any. "My guard mentioned unmarked tunnels?"

Skye grimaced. "Yeah, those are simply reserved for the natives. Geonosians like specific areas of the complex, and as part of the contract Lady Resmi allows them their luxuries."

Luke didn't hide his surprise, both at finally knowing where he was, and the words she had last used. "She made a contract with them?"

Skye nodded, lowering her voice as she glanced about. "Yes. They get a percentage of the proceeds from the games in exchange for the use of their home planet. Something about the natives wanting to rebuild their home-planet to its former glory from before the Clone Wars."

Luke thinned his lips. "So they are active participants on this sick fascination of Resmi's?"

"Absolutely," Skye announced. "They used to run arena executions here, so they have no qualms about rebirthing that practice. And if they can make a little money on the side, all the better for them."

"Right." Luke could see her logic.

His stomach rumbled loudly, and he winced in embarrassment. Skye merely chuckled at him.

"Here we are," she opened one of a set of doors, exposing the dining area within.

Luke was surprised at the simple elegance of the cafeteria, having not seen much else in the complex thus far that came remotely close to this. The tables all bore simple green tablecloths and a set-up one might find at a café. Soft music wafted over a stereo system, and the lighting was adequate for casual dining.

"Maxx takes great pride in his establishment." Skye informed him with an fond smile. "And he's the best chef I have ever met."

"Little Skye, is that you I hear?" a husky male voice asked from behind the kitchen window.

"Yes Maxx it's me, and I brought company," Skye answered.

Luke turned to see a hulking form take up the entire windowsill. Doing a slight double-take, the Jedi saw that it was a Besalisk.

The large alien smiled happily, showing his teeth. His dark eyes glittered with affection and he moved with surprising speed and grace for a person of his size. Skye met him just outside his kitchen's door, and accepted his four-armed embrace.

"Ah, Little Skye, it has been too long," Maxx greeted her.

She snickered lightly. "Maxx, it's only been a few days."

"I wish I could see you every day." He returned, gently socking her nose in a fatherly manner.

Suddenly, Luke felt as though he was intruding on a private moment, and he averted his gaze to give them space. To his surprise, Skye chuckled again, and returned to Luke's side.

"Maxx, this is the new guy everyone's been going on about," Skye introduced. "Luke Skywalker."

The alien gasped, bringing two large hands to his mouth. "Master Skywalker himself?"

Skye nodded, sobering. "The one and the same."

Maxx looked about the empty space, and motioned for them to join him at a booth in the corner. Once they were settled, Maxx looked Luke in the eye.

"Master Skywalker, it is indeed a great pleasure to meet you in the flesh," he began offering a hand which Luke shook. "But you should be careful who else here knows your identity."

Luke frowned. "Why?"

"He's right, Luke." Skye leaned forward. "If the other gladiators learn who you are, it could get ugly really fast. Is there another name you could go by?"

Luke looked from Skye to Maxx, observing their deadly serious expressions. Taking their cautionary words to heart, Luke racked his brain. In the end he settled for honoring his guardians.

"Lars," he answered after a long while. "Luke Lars."

Skye mulled that over, and then nodded. "That should work. Oh, and one more thing, at least for the man-to-man battles… well, to be fair to your neighbors, try not to go all Jedi on them. You know, make it a fair fight?"

Luke blew out a breath. "I would never use my abilities to overpower them like that, but I will not hesitate to protect myself."

"We understand that Luke, really we do." Maxx placed a hand on his forearm. "We are not asking you to forsake your instincts, just be fair to those you fight. They are protecting their families too."

Luke opened his mouth before he could stop himself. "And you? Do you sanction these battles?"

Skye flushed with sudden anger while Maxx cringed. Instantly Luke kicked himself for his insensitivity.

"Who do you think you are?" Skye snapped. "You know nothing about Maxx!"

"I'm sorry, Maxx," Luke apologized, placing a hand over the one still on his forearm. "I did not mean to be callous."

Maxx sighed, using a free hand to gesture to Skye, who settled down.

"I was taken from my home, and then forced to watch as my family was burned in my own restaurant." Maxx's voice was deep with sorrow. "All of this because she wanted my services as a chef: it is clear to me, however, that Lady Resmi detests families."

"In answer to your query; no, I do not like the battles— animal or otherwise." The Besalisk replied softly. "I am as much a slave to Lady Resmi as the gladiators, and yet, I have no reason to leave." He smiled warmly at Skye. "Though I could leave if I wanted to, I stay mostly for Skye."

She blushed at that and looked away. Luke's own face burned, but out of shame.

Maxx squeezed where his hand still grasped the Jedi's arm. "Do not feel badly, Luke. I understand you are stressed, and you miss your loved ones dearly."

Luke nodded gratefully.

Maxx abruptly lifted his head, smiling broadly.

"But enough heavy talk," he announced, rising. "Let's get you a meal."

Luke found himself smiling with the chef, grateful for his kind heart.