Chapter Thirty Five

When Bastila stood a few feet from her mother, she stopped in her tracks. By this time, Helena noticed us. Clearing her throat, Bastila said.

"Hello, mother. I heard you were looking for me."

For the shortest of moments the older woman had a look of disbelief on her face though she quickly recovered. I heard an accent similar to Bastila's in Helena's voice as she spoke to her daughter.

"Bastila! So you received the messages I've sent out and finally came here."

Helena's daughter shook her head.

"No, mother. I'm simply here to do Jedi business. The fact that I ran into you is purely coincidental. More importantly, I was told you are ill. Is that true, or just another thing you made up to get my attention? And where is father?"

"You are as brash as ever. Did those Jedi teach you nothing? Anyway, why must you question everything I say? Of course I'm ill, but we can talk about that later. There's actually a reason I sent out all those messages that you never received –your father is dead."

Bastila's expression was blank for more than ten seconds before she questioned.

"Dead? What happened? What did you do to him?"

"Isn't this just a lovely reunion? Yes he's dead, and, no I didn't do anything to him. Like usual he went on a treasure hunting expedition. With a team he went into the Dune Sea. He was part of an expedition searching for Krayt Dragon Pearls. One of the members of his expedition managed to survive, and he told me your father didn't make it."

Bastila violently shook her head.

"No! I refuse to believe that! He could still be alive out there! If he is dead, it's your fault –you were always the one pushing him to keep on treasure hunting even though he risked his life each time!"

Bastila's breathing was ragged. She had no control over her anger, but she clearly loved her father. I couldn't blame her. Helena had a momentary look of sadness that she immediately replaced with a neutral expression as she spoke.

"He is most certainly dead. I have no illusions that he might still be alive! The reason I need to speak with you … need your help is to acquire your father's personal holocron. I don't know the exact location, but it's somewhere in the Dune Sea. Please find it and bring it back to me –I want to have at least something to remember him by."

Bastila was seething as she yelled.

"And why should I give it to you if I find it? I cared more about father than you ever did! This holocron, if I do happen to find it, I don't think I'll let you keep it. You'd probably sell it anyway!"

"Bastila, this is the only thing I'm asking of you. As my daughter please do this for me. Then you can be on your way and never have to speak with me again, if you so wish. And I did care about your father, a lot more than you can imagine. You truly are hurting my feelings."

"Well, mother, you've been hurting mine my entire life so it's about time!"

Bastila turned around quickly brushing past Juhani and me on her way out. Placing a hand on Juhani's shoulder, I said.

"Go with her and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."

"What about you? Are you not better suited to deal with this?"

I shook my head.

"No, I'm not. We already split off into groups and if I go, I'll make things worse. You might not know me well enough to know this, but I am horrible at dealing with these sorts of situations. I'd rather be fighting a legion of Sith. Please go with her, hurry."

She gave a firm nod. Before she could turn around to leave, I grabbed her by the arm, bringing her closer as landed a soft kiss on her lips. With her exotic golden eyes, Juhani gazed at me for an extra moment before turning to follow Bastila. I was left alone inwardly debating whether or not to speak with Bastila's mother. Right now Bastila was the emotional one while her mother seemed completely calm. I wanted to know more about the woman I cared so much for, and I didn't know anyone who would know Bastila better than her mother. Perhaps her father did, but he was dead. Sighing, I approached Helena. She spoke first.

"I see that you are also a Jedi along with that woman who followed my daughter just now. I've asked my daughter, and damn the shame, I'll ask you. Please find my husband's holocron. It stores his memories, thoughts, and musings. It's the closest thing to the actual man that I will ever have."

I had no doubt I'd have to go into the Dune Sea, but it would be in search of the Star Map, not a holocron. Though I felt compelled to search for it because I knew I would be forever hunted with regret. More than anything I wanted to make things right between Bastila and her mother. Looking into Helena's grey eyes, I said.

"I promise I'll try finding it, but that's not a guarantee. A Twi'lek woman mentioned that you were ill. What are you ill with?"

Helena looked down as she replied.

"It's not something I want to talk about with a complete stranger. After you have the holocron you can ask me again. This is an old woman's musing, but are you close to my daughter?"

I hesitated for a moment then finally answered.

"Yes"

"I see. That is all I wanted to know. If there is nothing else, I would like to be left alone."

I gave Helena a nod before turning toward the bar. Jolee hadn't moved from where I last saw him. I joined the old man. He gave me a sideways glance.

"So Lena Rouen, would you like a drink right about now?"

"I want to say yes, but it's best I stay sober. Plus I'm not really a drinker at all. Water is my favorite drink."

"That is … surprising. Really, kids these days! Back in my day kids were too eager for their first drink, yet here you are."

"Jolee, I'm not a kid."

Looking at the contents of his glass, the old man said.

"Sure you are. You don't have to wear a diaper to be what I call a kid. The only qualifier is that you're younger than me. That old Mandalorian, Canderous –he's the only one of you who isn't a kid. You, Mission, Juhani, Shaleena, Carth, and especially Bastila are all kids."

Getting up, I rubbed my temples as I said.

"I'll go see what Mission and Shaleena are doing then find Carth."

"You go do that. While you're at it, I might just get to know this Helena a bit better. Personally I think it's hard being parent to a Jedi. Think about it. You raise a child and get attached only to be put in a position where your only option is to send that child away. Worse, you have to sever all contact. There are good reasons Jedi are forbidden from marriage and relationships in general, and that's one of them."

His words gave me pause. I asked.

"And what are the other reasons?"

"As shocking as it is, you really are someone with only a month of Jedi training. Worse, your training was under Bastila, who is hardly ready to be a Master. If you are this eager to know, I'll tell you. Attachments are forbidden because they lead to emotion, passion, and of course, the Dark side. You saw it yourself. Bastila, a Jedi trained to control her emotions for most of her life failed to do so when confronted wither her mother. Why? Because though she was separated from her mother at a very young age she managed to form an attachment."

Jolee motioned for me to lean closer. In a quiet voice, he said.

"That anger Bastila feels toward her mother, I suspect part of it is because of that early childhood separation. If instead she felt love for her mother, think about how much more the separation would hurt. Of course this is all just an old man's speculation. Think about what I said."

He turned away from me. I had a barrage of thoughts circling through my mind. Walking to where I last saw Mission and Shaleena, noticed a large crowd gathered around one of the booths. There were over a dozen aliens and humans in my way as I tried to see over them. Managing to shove past a few, I saw the occupants of the booth. A blue Twi'lek girl sat with a human girl beside her. The Twi'lek concentrated as she guessed another Pazaak card in her opponent's hand. The opponent was a man in his thirties. By the looks of it, he was losing to her by a landslide. Noticing me in the crowd, the Twi'lek said.

"Lena, I'm glad you're here! This schutta I'm playing against won't accept defeat. I was thinking you might teach him a lesson."

"What you got in mind, Mission?"

The man she played against wore an eye patch over his left eye and had messy black hair reach to his shoulders. With furrowed eyebrows, he glanced at me as he said.

"Whoever you are, don't interfere with this. The girl clearly cheated so I demanded a rematch … I still think she's cheating."

"Why is that?"

"It's impossible to play so perfectly each time. I'm a man of luck. Some even call me, Lucky. I escaped from a Krayt Dragon unharmed, well mostly. I got lucky enough to avoid most of its fiery breath, but the smallest spark flew straight into my left eye. It was a bull's-eye! Lucky huh? My eye got fried but I escaped. There aren't many that can say that!"

His mention of a Krayt Dragon made feel a bit of dread. I didn't know for sure, but from putting two and two together I suspected Bastila's father was killed by no other than a Krayt Dragon. Just thinking about a volley of scorching flames made me shiver.

Mission waved a hand in front of me. As my eyes focused on her, she said.

"This is my final rematch with Lucky. With you, a Jedi, as our key witness if I win this time –I'm the winner. Got that, Lucky? No more rematches!"

He nodded then shuffled his cards back into the deck. I knew barely anything about Pazaak so I just watched as the two played against each other. Mission jabbed.

"Lucky, I'm not cheating and you are losing … again."

He looked desperate as he responded.

"I've been thinking about this, and I'm starting to suspect my luck is reversed. Damn, I'm going to lose all the money I made in the last few months!"

"Too bad, Lucky. A game is a game."

Before long the game was over and Lucky held his face in his hands at the utter defeat. The crowd had scattered and now it was just Mission, Shaleena, Lucky, and I. Hanging his head, Lucky stood. Before leaving, he said to Mission.

"I apologize for calling you a cheater. I guess I'll have to use the few credits I still have to book passage from this deathtrap of a planet."

Tilting my head, I asked.

"Where are you going next?"

"Somewhere the costs of necessities aren't astronomical… somewhere I can find work."

I felt somewhat bad for the poor fellow, so I offered.

"After we're done here, we're heading to Manaan. We can give you a ride on our ship if you like."

Smiling, he shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer, but I don't need charity. I'll fix my own problems and get off Tatooine. It shouldn't be too hard –they do call me Lucky!"

He walked away from the table toward the exit. I took the seat Lucky had previously occupied across from Shaleena and Mission. Shaleena had a plate of greasy meat in front of her. Eying it, I asked.

"Is that any good?"

With her fork she tore off a piece, placing it in her mouth then chewing it. She swallowed the food.

"Mmm… it's very good. It's much better than anything I had when living in the undercity."

"Wow! If you think the stuff they serve in a cantina is good, you have many pleasant surprises ahead of you!"

Shifting in my seat, I added.

"Speaking of food, I need you to stock any ingredients you think we need. Go crazy and buy whatever you like … within a budget. I want to have an awesome meal onboard the Ebon Hawk!"

Shaleena gave a small nod. My attention shifted to Mission who looked eager as she exclaimed.

"We should have a banquet! Shaleena and I will make the food but everyone else has to chip in!"

Mission looked to Shaleena.

"What do you think? My idea sounds great, right?"

Shaleena brushed her long brown bags out of her face as she answered.

"I do think your idea is great, Mission. But if I'm going to make a meal everyone enjoys, I need to know what you guys like. Lena, what do you like?"

I rubbed my chin.

"Anything fresh, like fruits and vegetables is good. Ah, greasy stuff like that thing you're now eating is the kind of food I try to avoid."

"Do you know what the others like?"

"You'll have to ask them yourself."

Mission looked at me as she said.

"Don't you worry, we'll figure this out. Before we leave Tatooine, Shaleena and I will try to have gathered everything we need for the banquet."

Mission turned her head toward Shaleena.

"I guess we have a lot of asking around to do, then shopping, and bartering … and cooking. Just a lot of stuff!"

Shaleena replied.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Plus it'll keep our minds off…"

I finished for her.

"It'll keep you busy. And later, all of us can take a break for a bit."

I heard footsteps from behind. Turning around I saw Carth. He stopped once he stood in front of my seat. Clearing his throat, he said.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys, but I need to speak with Lena."

Looking at me, he continued.

"I've been wondering around asking everyone if they've seen a Jawa. Well when I was about to ask some guy, I felt something tug at my leg. When I turned around I saw a short creature wearing a hood. The only thing I could see were its glowing eyes. It keeps saying something but I don't understand. I found us a Jawa but I can't communicate with it, so I need your help, Lena."

"Where's the Jawa?"

"This guy is still tugging at my leg. Look down."

As I did, I saw a tiny hooded alien. It gave me an odd look before speaking at an alarming speed. I could barely understand a single word it said. I never spoke to a Jawa before and it felt strange being unable to understand an alien dialect when I knew so many. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I said to Carth.

"I don't understand him either. He said something about helping his people but that's the only part I understood. Like the guy from Czerka said, we'll need a translation droid. Let's go to the droid store right now."

I got up, saying goodbye to Shaleena and Mission then leading Carth out of the cantina. The Jawa reluctantly let go of Carth's leg when we were at the exit.