Chapter Thirty-five:
Luke stared out the viewport, trying not to gag at the sight before him. In all his time travelling with Garris and crew among the less-desirable planets and such, he had never seen something so... appalling.
"Is the entire planet like this?" Luke asked in disgust.
Obi Wan nodded, glancing to the youth. "It is, unfortunately. This planet has become a galactic dumping ground."
Luke wrinkled his nose. "And people live here?"
Anakin snickered. "Some of them don't have much choice, but yes. And for those that do, they stay to salvage what they can so they can sell their finds. It's actually a profitable business in many ways."
Luke twisted his lips. "I guess."
"Someone's gotta do it." Han quipped. "Like it or not, we need garbage men. They do the galaxy a great service."
Luke grimaced, feeling a little chastened. Han was right: having such a vast galaxy created enormous amounts of trash... which had to be taken care of or it would overrun the universe. "Sorry, I'll try to be more... understanding next time."
Han snorted, clapping Luke on the back. "It's not the end of things Luke. You're allowed to express yourself."
Luke shrugged. "Still, I try not to be rude."
Han smiled softly. "You do a good job of that, trust me. A lot better than me anyway."
Chewie snickered from the doorway, and Han shot the Wookie a glance. Luke was glad that Han and Chewie had formed a deep friendship, though he knew it would never replace his brotherhood with Han.
Luke watched as his father piloted their craft expertly through the mountains— literal mountains in some areas— of junk to their destination. Luke was gratified to see that at least the area within the biosphere was cleaner and livable.
Anakin set the ship down and began to run through the cool-down sequence. Obi Wan left the copilot's seat and Luke promptly took it, looking over the complicated controls eagerly.
"Can you teach me to pilot a ship?" he asked his father. "I've only flown ground craft."
Anakin looked to Luke, smiling lovingly. "I can, though before you fly, you need to understand the controls and procedures."
Luke nodded emphatically, running a critical eye over the instruments. "I know this is the yolk, those pedals are gas and brakes, and this is the navigation computer..." Luke pursed his lips. "I'm not sure where the shields are."
Anakin pointed to an overhead console. "There. But let me walk you through the cool-down since I'm already doing it."
Luke nodded, sitting up so he could pay close attention as Anakin began the lesson.
Obi Wan looked in on them at some point, wondering why it was taking the normally prompt Anakin so long to finish in the cockpit, and he smiled warmly at the scene within. Han approached to also inquire as to the wait, but Obi Wan motioned for patience. Han lifted a brow, peeked inside the door and made an 'ah-ha' gesture before he retreated.
Obi Wan did likewise, and everyone in the hold— Chewie, Dewlanna, Han and Obi Wan— prepared for their jaunt out to town. They all looked up when Luke and Anakin arrived; the two Skywalkers looking happier than Obi Wan had seen them in quite some time.
Anakin turned serious when he saw the readiness of the other members of their party. "Alright. We'll divide into our designated groups and search for the man from the article, or any information we can."
Obi Wan glanced at the chrono. "We should rendezvous at the ship at 2100 hours, that way we can share what we have learned and regroup if necessary."
Anakin nodded, as did the others. "Agreed. Let's go."
After Anakin secured the ship, Han, Obi Wan and Chewbacca turned in one direction, leaving Anakin, Luke and Dewlanna to go another. Artoo would stay with the ship to keep things under guard there, and also to keep tabs on everyone's finds from a central location.
Luke scanned the area out of habit, his instincts kicking in even after months away from what he'd done for Garris before piloting. He noted that most of the beings here were not very wealthy looking, as though they were grunts.
"Where are all the wealthy?" Luke asked, still looking around.
Anakin pursed his lips. "More likely they're in a different part of town accessible only by those rich enough to live there."
Luke snorted. "Typical society."
"Not all systems are like that." Anakin reprimanded gently. "Naboo for example is particularly kind to its people, as is Alderaan. The royalty still treat their citizens as equal in rights and privileges."
Luke twisted his mouth. "Well, from what I've seen, more often than not there are classes of people, with their wealth usually dictating where they fall in that hierarchy."
Anakin couldn't denounce Luke's observation, for he was correct. "Yes, many civilizations have that, but in many cases the people allow it. The majority middle and lower classes could easily overpower their superiors in sheer numbers."
Luke nodded. "I suppose you're right."
Dewlanna gestured to a free-standing cart. [That man is selling newspapers. We could try him.]
Anakin dipped his head in acknowledgement and led the way. "Excuse me," he said, catching the vendor's attention.
"Afternoon fella," the Klatooinian replied. "What can I help you with? Would you like today's edition of the news?"
Anakin glanced at the flimsiplast piles, noting the neatly sectioned articles and holos. "Actually, I wanted to ask about an article from a while back."
The vendor grimaced. "I'm not sure I'll be much help. A lot of papers come and go from my stand."
Anakin smiled slightly. "Do you remember the one about the man's girl going missing?"
The Klatooinian pursed his lips. "Ah... not really, sorry. To tell the truth, a lot of people can go missing, due to the nature of the business here." His eyes dropped to Luke. "Mostly those who aren't careful."
Anakin instinctively stepped closer to Luke, as did Dewlanna.
The vendor held up his hands. "I meant no offense: only to warn you that there are a lot of unsavory types around here. So be careful."
Anakin dipped his head. "I'll remember that, thanks."
They moved onward, with Dewlanna staying a step closer to Luke now, though the youth didn't seem afraid. Anakin scanned the buildings as they traversed the street and eventually spotted what he was looking for. One of the best places to gather information was at the local cantinas.
"Let's try in there." He pointed. "Someone in there is likely to know more."
Luke and Dewlanna followed, though when they entered they had to allow time for their eyes to adjust. Thus Luke missed how a certain set of brown eyes focused on him long before he grew aware of being watched.
When he felt that tingle at the nape of his neck, Luke frowned, scanning the room openly until Dewlanna ushered him to a booth. On edge, Luke kept one the on the crowd while Anakin moved to the bar to mingle and seek information.
00000
Saez Tabb saw the runt of a boy as soon as he entered, since he stood out from his Wookiee and adult human companions like an Ewok in a crowd of Barabels. The lad looked healthy and fit, and judging by the way he held himself he was used to unscrupulous settings.
At some point the kid seemed to realize he was under scrutiny, so Saez averted his eyes when the boy's gaze came too near. He continued to observe the boy as he and the Wookiee split apart from the adult human male.
Since he'd lost his female slave, he'd been trying to find someone to keep his living quarters in shape. Slavery wasn't exactly illegal here, but many of those he associated with in the higher classes would disown him if they knew. And that would lose him valuable resources... like favors from those in their ranks who asked for specific things from the junkyards.
He hated housework, and enjoyed having someone to rule and control that wasn't a droid. He hated droids.
But there was something about this boy that caused a stir in him: there was a certain familiarity about him, though Saez couldn't say why. So lost in his thoughts was he that Saez missed it when the boy slipped from his table.
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Luke continued to scan the room, using his scavenging and pick-pocketing skills to read the crowd. Most of the patrons could have cared less that a boy was in their midst. Some eyed him with more curiosity than others, but it was merely that: curiosity.
However, there was one man that was making a greater effort to remain casual. Luke could read the man's body language, and how his eyes looked intently at Luke when the man thought the boy wasn't paying attention.
Luke focused on Dewlanna when she shifted. [I must visit the refresher. Don't wander too far.]
Luke nodded, watching her go, and promptly returning his attention to the man in question. He was deep in thought, Luke could see by the way his mouth was set and his eyes had a distant look to them.
Luke checked on his father, finding him deep in conversation with a man at the bar. Pursing his lips, Luke followed his long-ingrained instincts and slipped from his booth to change positions in the room.
He wanted to see what the man would do when Luke wasn't where he had been. Luke spotted a chair with a jacket on it and he swiped it, throwing it on to change his appearance a little.
Then he settled into a table with a view of the man's booth from behind.
It took some time, but sure enough the man who'd been watching Luke leaned out of his booth, seeming frustrated. Luke kept the collar of his borrowed coat up to hide his face as the man's gaze passed over his new position.
With a gesture of exasperation, the man threw up a hand and sat back. Luke narrowed his eyes, certain now that he was a target. But why?
00000
Saez toyed with the idea of leaving the cantina after another ten minutes or so, taking note that the Wookiee had returned and then began to look around almost frantically. That raised Saez's interests, and he watched intently as the Wookiee scanned the crowd and then moved to the third member of their party.
Saez also scanned the room, suspecting that the boy he'd thought was gone was in fact still here. He looked around more intently, and eventually settled for waiting to see if the lad popped back up.
The human male turned when the Wookiee nudged him for attention. Shortly thereafter, the man's eyes scanned the room with intense precision, and Saez followed... blinking when the boy was suddenly at his original table again.
The man threw a look at the Wookiee, who grumbled something Saez didn't understand, and the two parted ways.
The Wookiee seemed to chasten the boy, who shook his head and leaned forward to speak with her. But Saez focused on a conversation closer to him when he heard what they were saying.
"That man is asking around about the lost girl," one man said.
"Why would he care? She's likely dead anyway." Another commented.
"Maybe she was more important than anyone knew?" A third offered.
Saez narrowed his eyes at the man by the bar, then looked to the youth and the Wookiee. So these three were here for his slave, were they?
Former slave, Saez reminded himself.
Suddenly a plan formed in Saez' mind. He could lure the kid away from his group... he was certain of it. But he didn't know how to get the kid away from his apparent guardians.
Saez considered his options and then rose from his seat, walking toward the table. Instantly the boy's gaze was fixed on Saez, suspicion clear as day in their blue depths. Saez kept his expression neutral.
"Afternoon folks. Rumor is that you are looking for someone?" he asked.
The Wookiee nodded, speaking to him in her native tongue, which Saez didn't know. He lifted a brow to the boy. "Care to translate?"
"She said we're looking for the girl that went missing," the boy said.
Saez nodded. "I saw that article, I remember it well actually. The girl lived near me. It's a pity what happened to her."
The Wookie straightened, and with the boy translating again, spoke. "Did she have a family here?"
Saez sighed softly. "I don't think so. She lived with some folks, but I don't think they were family. I think she may have been boarding with them, I'm not sure."
He could see that the boy didn't seem entirely convinced, so Saez increased his efforts. "I could of course show you where she lived, if you wish."
"Yeah?" the boy asked mildly. "And what do you want in return?"
Saez acted affronted. "Not everyone has an angle young man. I was fond of the girl, so if I can help find her, I will do so."
At that moment the adult arrived, looking equal parts annoyed and thoughtful. "The people in this place are so helpful," he said sarcastically as he took a seat next to the youth. Saez didn't miss how the boy scooted closer to the adult.
Neither did the man, apparently. He frowned and looked to the boy, speaking so only the kid could hear. The boy shook his head and whispered something back, and the man looked to Saez.
It struck Saez how similar the two sets of eyes were between the man and the child. Clearly they were father and son, which wasn't a fact in Saez's favor.
The Wookiee said something to the man, and he spoke to Saez. "You knew the girl we are here for?"
Saez nodded. "I did, though not personally. She was a neighbor."
"He offered to help show us where she lived," Luke told his father, thought there was something in his tone that indicated he didn't trust the stranger. Saez noted to himself that this kid was smarter than he looked.
"What's in it for you?" the man asked.
"Just the knowledge I could help the girl. She was always kind to me, which is a rare to find around here."
The man lifted a brow, but considered. "Where did you live?"
Saez straightened. "I can take you there myself."
"That won't be necessary, thank you," the man said seriously. "Just give us an address and we'll be on our way."
Saez sighed, glancing down and catching sight of something on the man's belt that he hadn't seen previously. A lightsaber.
So this man was a Jedi. How convenient. Saez decided to give a half-truth, still seeking to lure the boy into his clutches.
"I live in the western part of the town." Saez pointed in that direction. "It's not the best neighborhood, but it's home. Go until you get to the eighth block past the last business on the main street. She was in the sixth house down, left side." he saluted, beginning to move off. "Best of luck to you."
He left before they could respond, a satisfied smirk on his face. He'd just sent them to the perfect place for them to become separated... and he would be waiting.