Chapter Thirty-Six:

Luke sat across from his father in the lobby of the ship, their group having returned shortly after their 'informant' had left. Luke had been on edge ever since, and Anakin wanted to know why, though the boy was being eerily silent.

If Anakin didn't know any better, he'd say Luke had been spooked. But by what?

He glanced at Dewlanna, who shrugged, only turning to Luke and speaking to him again. [Why did you leave our booth, Luke?]

Luke shrugged, not meeting her gaze. Dewlanna tilted her head. [I was concerned when I didn't see you; I thought something had happened to you.]

Luke offered an apologetic look her way. "I'm sorry Dewlanna. I didn't mean to worry you," he said softly, though he said nothing more than that.

Anakin studied him, recognizing in his son some of the same things he himself had experienced as a youth. Luke was trying hard not to let something get to him, but Anakin could see that it was.

Anakin motioned to Dewlanna. "May we speak in private? Please."

Dewlanna sighed softy, but acquiesced, for which Anakin thanked her. Once they were alone, Anakin turned his attention back to Luke, who was staring intently at a spot on the table before him.

"Luke, what's bothering you?"

Luke glanced up, though he didn't seem entirely there. "I... I'm not entirely sure."

Anakin frowned gently. "What does that mean?"

Luke focused more, and leaned across the table. "After my crash, did the galaxy learn my true identity?"

Anakin blinked. "Not as far as I know." He paused, recalling some intelligence Adriav had sent to him not long after Anakin and he had parted ways. "Though there have been some comparison videos, so... probably only in image."

Luke seemed even more troubled. "Would people recognize me on sight alone?"

Anakin leaned closer, concerned anew. "Luke, what's going on?"

Luke thinned his lips, looking to his hands. "That man in the cantina... he was watching me almost from the start."

Anakin sat up straighter. "What do you mean?"

Luke looked up, his gaze uncertain. "I mean, as soon as we stepped out of the doorway I felt eyes on me. I singled him out after a time, and then wanted to know if I was right. When Dewlanna went to the refresher, I left the booth to see if he really was interested in me, and I was right. Once the man realized I was gone, he tried to find me."

Anakin took that in, noting that this must have been what spooked Luke. He moved to soothe his son. "Luke, I doubt he recognized you as the racer. He probably just saw a kid in a cantina and wanted to know why such a person was there."

Luke shook his head, his eyes clearing. "Not with the way he reacted when he thought I was gone. He wasn't just watching me, he was studying me."

Anakin didn't quite know what to make of Luke's words. He didn't want to discredit them, but there was also the possibility that Luke was paranoid because of reasons he'd already stated: people would recognize him and want to take advantage of him like Garris had. Anakin tried to tread delicately, wishing Padmé were here to do the talking. She'd know exactly what to say.

"Luke, it is possible yes, that he was studying you, but you need to accept that it could also be nothing."

Luke met his gaze squarely. "You don't believe me."

Anakin sighed. "I want to, but this is your first trip out after the whole Garris fiasco. Are you sure it's not just nerves?"

Luke seemed ready to snap back, but then he paused, wondering if his father was correct. He supposed there was a chance, but Luke had always trusted his gut when he was on the job for Garris, and that had always kept him alive.

Even if he was the only one who listened to those instincts. It hurt Luke, though, that Anakin wasn't with him on this. He tried his best to hide it, aware that the Jedi could probably feel his emotions anyway.

"So when do we leave?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Leave for where?" Han's voice asked as he and his group entered the shuttle.

Luke was grateful for the interruption, and he brought Han up to speed on their informant, though he left out his... personal take.

Anakin stood to stretch, and then he began to converse with Obi Wan. "It's the only lead we have right now."

Obi Wan fingered his beard thoughtfully. "The man offered this up freely?"

Dewlanna nodded as the group of adults formed a semi-circle with Han on one end, Luke at the other still in his seat. [He said he knew the girl that had been taken, though he wouldn't offer much more than general sentiments.]

"I agree it's a bit... dodgy, but I was not able to get anything else, with or without credits." Anakin added.

Han scrutinized Luke discreetly while everyone else chatted, following their words with his ears and trying to read his brother at the same time. Something was bothering Luke, Han could see.

Luke looked up at some point and met Han's gaze. Han offered a lifted brow, questioning silently if Luke needed anything. Luke smiled minutely, gratitude lighting his eyes momentarily. When Anakin spoke again, Luke glanced at the man and there was a flash of pain to replace the gratitude. Luke returned to studying the table, and Han frowned. What had happened?

"Well, my group only turned up possible tips, many of which we followed to dead ends." Obi Wan folded his arms. "I'd say we try this man's tip, but carefully."

"Obviously." Han piped up, tuning back in fully. "Where exactly is this place he wants us to go?"

Anakin gestured. "The residential area to the west."

Han looked to Artoo. "Are there any maps of the area?"

Artoo twittered a reply, and Anakin translated. "Not an updated one, since the towns keep changing. But any map would give us a general idea of what we're looking at."

Han didn't like going in unawares and let it be known. "This doesn't seem fishy to anyone?"

Anakin pinched his nose. "If you'd rather stay here, be my guest. I never said this would be easy."

Han glared. "Hey now, I'm not backing out, just stating the obvious."

Chewbacca stepped forward. [We should go soon if we plan to check this out today. Nightfall is in about two hours here.]

Anakin nodded his agreement. "Let's head out then. Obi Wan and I will take point."

Everyone filed out of the ship again and once it was again sealed, the group followed the Jedi as instructed. Dewlanna and Chewbacca— who'd become fast friends— walked behind the men, conversing in their native tongue.

That freed Han to shift back to come even with Luke, who followed at a pace just fast enough to not be left behind. "Hey, Kid, what's bothering you?"

Luke threw him a look. "Are you going to tell me I'm imagining things too?"

Han offered a befuddled look. "Come again?"

Luke sighed, elaborating. "I don't trust the guy that gave us this information. Something isn't right."

Han looked at Luke side-on. "Why don't you trust him? You've not met him... right?"

"No, but he was creeping me out in the tavern." Luke shivered involuntarily. "I tried to tell my Dad, but he thinks I'm letting my fears get to me."

Han placed a hand on Luke's shoulder. "I'm sure he means well. And he hasn't had a lot of experience in being a parent, remember?"

Luke seemed mildly chastened, and he looked to the ground. "I know. It just... stings that he won't accept my claim."

"Which is what, exactly?"

"The man studied me the entire time we were in the cantina," Luke said seriously. "To make certain, I slipped from the booth when he wasn't paying attention: I wanted to see his reaction. Sure enough, he got upset when he couldn't find me."

Han frowned. "Why would he be scrutinizing you?"

Luke lifted his hands. "I don't know. But there's something off about the man. And that's my gut talking, not my fear."

Han had learned long ago not to question Luke's gut when he spoke like that, so he nodded. "Alright, I believe you. But we're already committed, so try to make the best of things, alright?"

Luke offered a half-smile. "Thanks Han." An idea hit Luke then, and he trotted to catch up with Anakin. "Dad, can I talk to you?"

Anakin looked to his son. "Sure."

"Going back to the man watching me, what if he's the one we're looking for?" Luke saw the other's expression and hastened to add. "Think about it: no one else was willing to talk, but he's so amiable?"

Anakin did take that into consideration. "You do have a point there." Anakin placed a hand to Luke's shoulder, trying to smooth things over with his son. "We will be careful, I promise."

Luke smiled softly at his father and returned to his place with Han.

00000

Saez patted the alpha pair of Corellian hounds on their heads. "Time for you two to earn your keep." He produced a slice of cloth he'd taken from the boy.

After leaving the tapcaf, Saez had hidden in wait for the group to come out, putting his years as a con-artist to good use. He was exceptionally adept with his hands, and he was even better with a blade. As the kid's group passed him— none of their party truly paying attention— Saez had used a sharp knife to slice off some of the kid's clothing where he'd not notice: the hem of his pants.

Now he used that cloth to give his lead hounds the boy's scent, so they could single him out as Saez had trained them to. He had acquired this pack of Corellian hounds through a particularly fruitful heist he'd performed years ago.

Since then Saez had used the animals to help him get what he wanted... or to get rid of competitors. His hounds were trained highly, and knew what they were doing. Theirs was the task to create confusion in the group and try to split them up, making it easier to single out the true target.

Once the kid was where Saez wanted him, he would snatch the boy and take him away. Some of the hounds lifted their heads, their powerful noses sniffing the air. When they began to rustle around eagerly, Saez knew it was showtime.

"Make me proud, and you'll be rewarded." Saez promised, earning a whimper from the alpha pair.

00000

Anakin felt bad that he'd upset Luke earlier. He hadn't wanted to hurt his son, but he'd been trying to be realistic also. Luke had gone through a harrowing ordeal, and as such there would be psychological scars. The medic had warned Anakin about this very thing.

Anakin was trying to balance that with Luke's need to be heard. It wasn't easy, especially now that he was also trying to find his daughter. Anakin was beginning to get a headache from it all, but he pushed it aside.

Or tried to.

Despite his best efforts, now that he was on the Force-forsaken planet, and able to see the habitat outside the domes... he was terrified that Leia would be gone before he could save her. How sick was she already? Would she even be alive anymore?

The thought hurt him deeply, and Anakin struggled to relieve himself of that grief. He needed to focus, not dwell on what might be. He would know for certain only when he found Leia.

Anakin's focus had lessened with his whirling thoughts, and thus it was that he missed the warning in the Force.

But Obi Wan hadn't. "Look out!"

Anakin was brought back to harsh reality by the arrival of a pack of white hounds with orange eyes. Each wore some sort of leather halter about their middles, indicating that they belonged to someone.

Immediately the animals pounced, engaging everyone from all angles at once. Chewbacca howled and punched one in the jaw when it tried to bite him, which bought him time to duck behind a trash receptacle for some amount of cover. From there he proceeded to lay down any fire he could.

These animals were smart, though, and seemed to know how to dodge attacks. They leapt agilely— something that belied their cumbersome appearance— to the side when Chewie shot at them.

Dewlanna and Han had ended up taking cover together behind a closed street vendor stand, with Han laying in wait while Dewlanna tried to lure an animal closer so she could pin it to the ground. Then Han would shoot it in the head, which the animal would not be able to escape.

Sure enough an animal took their bait and came at Dewlanna, mouth snapping almost hungrily. Han wondered if the animals' meals were withheld before a job to encourage their success.

Dewlanna got out of the way of the animal's mouth, but its sharp claws grazed her leg as the animal's forepaws swiped next. Dewlanna roared, but tackled the animal. [Han, now!]

Han jumped from his spot, placing the nozzle of his blaster to the animal's head. One shot and the creature lay still, never to move again.

Elsewhere, Obi Wan fended off three hounds, which seemed to be working in concert to attack. Han frowned as he studied the animal's antics, thinking there was something familiar about it.

On the other end of the street, and several paces away from the others, Anakin and Luke stood back-to-back, one holding a lightsaber, the other a blaster. Anakin kept the hounds at a distance while Luke shot at them, trying to take any of them out.

Han saw two animals that were larger than any others in the pack, and realized they were the alphas. If they were taken out, the rest would be easier pickings.

Han tried to get Anakin's attention by waving, and the Jedi looked to him... but that cost him. The animals took instant advantage of the inattention and leapt for the humans. Anakin leapt high above them, but Luke had no choice but to dive away, unable to duplicate the Jedi's moves.

Anakin finally killed one of the omegas, and that drew him more attention from the others. The hounds seemed to take the killings seriously, because they increased their attacks on both Han and Anakin now.

00000

Luke only had seconds to recover from his roll before two of the hounds came for him. Luke's heart picked up speed and he shot at them, but they evaded him pretty well. Luke bit his lip, seeing that they were rapidly gaining ground. Without looking where he was going— Luke didn't dare take his eyes off the animals— he began backing up. Taking a gamble, Luke aimed in front of one creature and was rewarded with a shot to a paw. The animal yelped in pain and stumbled, but just as quickly got to its feet.

Angry now, the pair charged Luke, their jaws snapping fiercely. Luke didn't realize how far apart from his group he was; his only thought was that he had to evade the certainty of death that was on his heels. Luke turned and ran, not knowing what else to do. There was nothing he could climb, since all the lights were attached to buildings and the trash cans were too short to offer protection. There were no trees, either...

Luke spotted a small staircase with an open underside, and he dove for it, hoping the creatures would not be able to follow. They tried, but their bodies were too wide, and one got stuck when it tried to climb in after him.

It still clawed at Luke, and he cried out when the talon-like claws on its front paws came ever closer. Luke inched as far to the other side as he could, and was about to make a break for it when the second animal appeared from nowhere. It snapped at Luke, earning itself a scream.

Luke scrambled to stay clear of them, but fire raked across his back as he dodged one animal just to be met by the claws of the second. Luke shrieked, seeing stars... and without warning a flashback hit him like a speeder to the chest. Suddenly he wasn't in a dark corner of the town; he was in his crashing pod...

A splitting of wood brought Luke back to the present with a snap, and he jerked, realizing that the animals were now tearing the staircase apart to get to him. Luke saw their focus on the front of the structure, so he slipped out the side and raced away as fast as he could. But his body wasn't ready for a high-speed chase, as it was reminding him right now.

Take it easy... his medic had warned sternly. Too much too soon... back in the med ward.

Luke grimaced, feeling his legs trembling beneath him in a way he had no control over. His back was on fire too, but he didn't have time to think on it.

The hounds saw him and followed, splitting up to come at Luke from two sides. Luke didn't know what they were doing, as his experience with animals was limited. He only wanted to escape, and he didn't know how, since there was no place to hide and nothing to climb.

Luke had no idea if the others were aware of his absence, guessing that they were probably trying to fight off or evade their own attacking hounds.

Luke found himself entering an alley, followed closely by the two hounds. Luke was several paces in before he realized that there was no way out. Luke saw a wall ahead and fear gripped his heart. Luke had to stop at the wall, panting from the physical exertion and trying not to collapse as his body fought to stabilize. Luke hadn't been ready at all for such a sprint... and he didn't know if he could run anymore.

"Dad!" Luke cried out in terror as the hounds closed in on him.

Luke heard rather than saw something behind him, but before he could react a cloth was placed over his airways, forcing him to breathe a chemical in, and Luke lost consciousness.