Distraction: Chapter Eight

As I walked the dark streets of Coruscant the next evening, I couldn't help but to double-check my surroundings. Although Master Sidious had given me his permission to pursue my investigation into the missing Jedi Master, in so doing, he had raised my own suspicions. Never trust a Sith Lord. It was an inside joke Anakin and I often shared, but rang true whenever I dealt with the Emperor. The man was pure evil and hell bent on eliminating everything good in this galaxy.

Up until just recently, my goals had been the same. These days, I felt something inside confirming I wasn't who I used to be, and the path I was on would lead to some answers. I realized it wasn't the Dark Side of the Force responsible for this enlightenment. I'm not sure what it was. The Light Side perhaps, even though that made no sense. What did the Light want with me? Could I be redeemed even after everything I'd done?

My head was filled with questions and doubts. So much so, that I walked right past the barbershop I was headed to.

You see, I may have not have shared the entirety of my plan with Sidious. If I had, he would've insisted Anakin accompany me. Somehow, I had convinced him I needed to do this alone. I shared with him how I would go out into the galaxy disguised. I had lied and mentioned I'd be a gambler, when in truth, I would assume the identity of a disguised Kenobi. He seemed to be well known and whenever it was safe, I would reveal that identity and use it to my advantage.

My appointment lasted longer than I had expected, but the results were stunning. Minus the facial hair, I had become the resurrected Jedi. To keep from getting tagged by a bounty hunter, I pulled the hood of my black vest over my head and strolled quickly down the street. I would need public transportation, and to do that, I had to travel past the industrial sector.

I turned right at the next corner and crossed into CocoTown, keeping one eye ahead of me and one behind. I couldn't take any chances. I was too exposed and at risk from both sides now: light and dark.

I was surprised by how many businesses in this area had been abandoned or destroyed. Being a Jedi sympathizer these days was a guarantee for failure. Sidious himself shut down and imprisoned any business owner who had known ties to the Jedi – either past or present. I wasn't really interested in the types of businesses they were, but I hadn't realized there had been so many. CocoTown was deserted, dark, and boarded up. Not a soul in sight.

By the time I had realized my estimations may be off, a big hand had grabbed my arm and pulled me inside one of the abandoned buildings. The fact that it happened at all was a surprise, but what was even more unexpected was that I hadn't sensed it coming – from either sides of the Force. Which could only mean one thing: I was in far more danger than I realized.

Before I could pull my blaster out, the big hands that pulled me into the building, pulled me once again, only this time in for the biggest and tightest hug I had ever received. But then again, nobody ever hugs a Sith.

The being released me just in time for me to catch my breath before smiling broadly down at me. It was a Besalisk, standing nearly two meters tall, with the biggest hands on any creature I had ever seen.

"Obi-Wan! My friend! It is good to see you!" he told me quietly, before ushering me further into the shadows. "What are you doing walking these streets? Don't you know how dangerous that is?"

"I'm afraid I don't know much of anything these days," I tried explaining while searching through the darkness for some kind of clue of who I was dealing with.

"The last I heard, you had some dealings with the Sith, which didn't turn out so well for you in the end."

"About that," I stalled, focusing on a sign that had been propped up in the corner. At one point it had most likely been displayed on the street, its multicolored lights welcoming guests inside. 'Dex's Diner' was displayed across it in bold letters and I hoped my assumption was correct.

"Dex," I continued carefully. "Apparently I got hit on the head or something because I don't remember much about what happened. In fact, I'm just now starting to remember who I am and who my friends are. I came down this way to make sure you were doing all right."

"I'm doing as well as can be expected," he replied. "Although with that murdering Sith in charge, everything's gone to pot. The smart ones left the system. The others, like me, keep hanging around hoping things will get better."

"You always did look on the positive side of things, Dex," I grinned, hoping again I had guessed correctly. However, when the Besalisk's eyes narrowed, I became concerned.

"It saddens me to tell you, there aren't many of your friends left."

"That much I do know," surprised yet again by the empathetic tone of my voice. "Tell me, Dex. Do you know if any of them made it? Have you heard anything about Master Yoda?"

"Oh yes. That reminds me." The large creature stepped behind the counter and retrieved something. He soon returned and placed the item onto the palm of my outstretched hand.

"He said you'd know what that meant."

I studied the thing but had no idea about its significance. "Who gave this to you?" I asked.

"Master Yoda did," Dex replied. "He told me it belonged to someone close to you and that it would help you find what you needed to."

I sighed and chuckled. "I'm afraid my memory doesn't go that far back. I have no idea what this is!"

A big hand patted my shoulder sympathetically. "Why that's one of those good luck charms," Dex explained. "I believe it's made from jappor ivory. Rare in these parts. Only grows in harsh climates like Tatooine."

I curled my fist around the object and grinned up at Kenobi's large friend. "Tatooine," I echoed. "Thanks Dex."

At least, now I had a destination.