Chapter 2 - Tatooine Hunt, Part 1
Cari sat at the bar, waiting for Taris to deliver an assignment. The bar was empty for the most part, save a few traders looking for a drink before they leave. The neon lights that blazed the night before lost their light to the sun.
"Is this our 'spot' now?" Taris said from behind.
Cari turned around and replied with a smile. "I wasn't aware we had the relationship for a 'spot.'"
Taris smiled as well. "You're still as sarcastic as ever." He sat down next to Cari at the bar. "I know we didn't come here to exchange sarcastic remarks, so I'll get to the point.
"The boss has given you an assignment as you know. This time you are to go to Tatooine and find a man named Calen Moonstriker. I'm not sure what he did to get the boss mad, but he's a wanted man now. He is said to be living as a hermit in the Dune Sea, which will make your assignment much harder. He will be hard to locate, but the boss has faith that you will find him. He does want him alive, however, so be careful if you are to get into a duel with him. A docking yard has been reserved for you, and you have the tightest security we could find."
Cari nodded, taking the assignment without a word. "I'll leave for Tatooine tomorrow."
"Good. I'm glad that you're with the boss again. I enjoy talking with you Cari."
"As do I, Taris. You're a good man, caught up in something bad. I hope that one day we will be able to live free of this underworld life," Cari said.
"Are you getting serious on me?" Taris asked as a slight joke.
"I just know that this place isn't meant for us. We just fell into it and can't get out."
"One day we will."
"Well Taris, today isn't that day. Can I buy you a drink?" Cari asked, smiling.
"You do owe me a drink for taking you to the boss," Taris said.
"I do stick to my word."
* * * * *
Fog covered the buildings, making it seem as if Coruscant was but a dream. The air speeders still swam through the air, the fog only slowing them down a bit. The sun tried to pierce the fog, but to no avail it came through as a blurry reminder of the sky above.
Cari stood in a private docking bay, a datapad in her hands. She wore a tan flight suit, her hair still in a ponytail. She checked her ship off on the datapad, got into the cockpit, and finishing her checking.
Her ship, an extensively remodeled Jedi Starfighter model, roared to life. Beside her sat an empty chair, added in case she had company on her journey or had a person to retrieve. The broader back allowed more storage and room for a hyperdrive and speed enhancements. She even had an astromech droid.
"Hey, Jien. Miss me?"
A beep came from the blue droid, matiching the new dark blue paint color, unlike the distinctive deep red color of the Jedi Starfighter model.
"We're going to Tatooine this time."
The wide door in front of Cari's Starfighter, Starchaser, opened to the fog, her ship ready for take off. The ship's engines further ignited, the ship blasting off to the orbit of Coruscant.
"Set a course for Tatooine, Jien."
In minutes, the starfighter was clear of Coruscant's atmosphere, the course for Tatooine appearing on her screen. Then, the ship pulled itself into hyperspace, on its way to Tatooine.
* * * * *
Cari pushed a few buttons, the lines of stars slowing into little dots outside of her viewport. Almost directly in front of her laid the tan- painted planet of Tatooine.
Cari pulled into the planet's atmosphere, the sky turning from black to blue as Cari landed in the Mos Espa docking yards.
"Jien, activate your security procedures. This place is crawling with criminals."
Like me she thought.
Her R4 unit beeped, Cari climbing out.
"I'll see you soon."
Cari walked through the stone arches, providing shade from the two suns of the system. She emerged in a stone room where many species stayed for protection from the blazing heat. She walked past a few that tried to sell her food native to the planet, but she just ignored them and moved on. She came out from the room and walked into a bazaar, the suns bearing down on them. The variety of species that walked the dirt streets was almost as diverse as Coruscant.
Beside her stood a counter with a multicolored cloth acting as an umbrella, protecting all underneath from the blazing heat. Under the shade was a Rodian dressed in rugged robes of beige, the shadows making his green skin even darker.
"Buy a bowl? How about a lucky charm? You'll never want to forget your visit to Tatooine!" the Rodian said in Basic.
Cari walked away, her hand close to her pistol under her dark brown poncho. As she walked, she looking around, trying to find a cantina.
A few meters away, next to a stand selling Tatooine specialty foods was a bustling cantina with many species moving in and out. Cari walked in, heading straight to the bar. She waved her hand, catching the bartender's attention.
"Jawa Juice please," Cari said, laying down five wupiupi.
The bartender laid down a red colored juice, Cari picking it up and taking a sip. Cari scanned the room, finding a familiar face across the bar. She stood up, a bit angry, and walked to the left end of the bar, pushing on a man's shoulder drinking a dark brown drink.
"Taris! Did you follow me?" Cari asked.
Taris turned around, a slight grin on his face. He wore a dirty white poncho over his regular black outfit.
"Maybe."
"Why? I'm doing a job! I can't have you interfere!"
"Maybe I can help. After all, I did provide you with the information for this job. I can help you find this guy."
"I can't. This is my job."
"I didn't come all the way out to Tatooine just to turn back around. I'm going to help you whether you want me to or not. You're as stubborn as a bantha sometimes, Cari," Taris said, taking a drink.
"Fine."
"Now why did you come to a cantina if he's all the way out in the middle of the Dune Sea?" Taris asked, the bartender taking up Taris' empty glass.
"I wanted to see if anyone knew anything."
"Well, no need to talk to them. Now you have me."
"Thank the Force! Now I can be a damsel in distress and wear pretty gowns!" Cari said sarcastically.
Taris smiled and chuckled. "You know what I mean. I can help you gather information."
"Thanks. I would appreciate it. After all, you are focused on helping me anyways." Cari looked around, trying to see where she could start from. "How about we start now?" Cari said, looking over to find her drink gone, stolen by some lowlife with little money.
"Sure."
* * * * *
Taris walked the dirt streets, trying to find an information broker. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a darkly dressed Toydarian, hovering under a brightly striped cloth. Taris walked over, standing under the cloth and getting the Toydarian's attention.
"Hello. Are you an information broker?" Taris asked politely.
"Ah! Indeed, I am. What can I do for you?"
"I need information on a Calen Moonstriker."
"That will be forty wupiupi upfront." Taris handed over the money. "Thank you," the Toydarian said, typing things into a computer on a stone box in his booth. In a few minutes, the Toydarian cried out in success.
"Ah! Here he is. Calen Moonstriker. He is 6 feet 2 inches with brown hair and brown eyes. As you probably know, he is human. A recent outlaw, due to the fact of his rebellion against his last employer, he now lives in the Dune Sea as a hermit, periodically coming to either Mos Eisley or Mos Espa."
"Anything else?"
"For a price."
"Taris handed over forty more wupiupi. "Now?"
The Toydarian typed for another few minutes. "His last employer is unnamed, but he is on Coruscant; a high authority in dealings with the underworld of Coruscant and the Core Worlds. He is a skilled blaster fighter," the Toydarian said, taking in a breath. "There is nothing else."
"Thank you," Taris said, turning and leaving.
"Come again!"
* * * * *
Cari sat in the cantina, this time drinking her Jawa Juice. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a man clad in shadow, almost unseen in the hustle and bustle of the Tatooine cantina. Cari stood up, walking over to the corner, hoping the man in the corner knew something.
"Can I buy you a drink?" Cari asked.
The man turned around, a dark scar covering his right eye. He wore a dark cloak, concealing his white shirt, baggy, faded green pants, and blaster.
"Sure," he said, his voice rugged.
The two walk to the bar, the man's boots knocking on the floor.
"I am Cari."
"Barklin," the man responded. "I'll have a Dewback Trail."
The bartender gives the man a dark green drink, bubbles floating to the top while Cari puts five wupiupi on the bar, the bartender taking the money up quickly.
"Do you know anything about a man named Calen Moonstriker?" Cari said abruptly.
Barklin, still calm, took a drink from his glass then turned his head slowly. "Indeed I do."
"Can you tell me?"
"Only if you do a favor for me."
"What is this favor?"
When I go to the Dune Sea, I want you to accompany me."
"That's it?"
"That's it. You can even talk to this Moonstriker fellow yourself."
Cari looked at him, unsure of his motives. "Why do you want me to accompany you?"
"Protection, mostly. Those Tuskens will overrun you if you're alone. At least with the two of us we stand a chance. Plus it's nice to have some company out in the desert," Barklin said with a grin.
Cari nodded. "It's a deal. May I ask another favor?"
"Sure. I don't know if I can say yes though."
"Can my friend come along?"
"Yeah."
"Great! Thanks."
"No problem. The more, the better off we are," Barklin replied, finishing his drink. "Meet me at sunrise at the west end of Mos Espa."
"How will I know who you are?"
"I'll be with a pale green speeder in my cloak," Barklin said, grabbing his cloak then quickly releasing it, referring to it.
"Okay, I'll see you then. Good bye for now," Cari said, waving slightly then heading for the exit.
* * * * *
The twin suns set quickly on the horizon, the desert cooling off from the hot day. The nightlife of Tatooine came out, more seeding dealings underway.
Cari sat outside of the same cantina she left hours ago, the one she met Barklin as well as Taris in. She stood in her poncho almost making her disappear.
Then, Taris walked up, the slight breeze catching his hair and playing with it. "What is it with you and cantinas?" Taris asked smiling.
"It's nice to see you too. I come to bars and cantinas because there is usually no one paying attention to the occupants; only money and drinks," Cari responded, calm and patient.
"That makes sense."
"Did you find out anything Taris?" Cari asked.
"Well, he rebelled against his last employer, explaining his new life as a hermit and your assignment. He's also a skilled marksman, so we need to be careful. This might not matter, but he comes to Mos Espa and Mos Eisley on occasion," Taris said, spilling out all of the newfound information.
"We'll have to be careful then," Cari said.
"Did you find out anything?" Taris asked.
"No, but I did manage to get us a ride out there."
"Really? Can you trust this person?"
"No, but it's worth a shot. This may be our only chance. If he isn't, then we'll have to show him our abilities with a blaster," Cari finished with a smile.
"Taris smiled as well. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning at sunrise," Cari answered.
"We should start preparing and get some sleep," Taris said.
I know I won't sleep very well tonight. I have to be alert and prepared incase anything happens, Cari thought as the two left to go get supplies and a room for the night.
Cari sat at the bar, waiting for Taris to deliver an assignment. The bar was empty for the most part, save a few traders looking for a drink before they leave. The neon lights that blazed the night before lost their light to the sun.
"Is this our 'spot' now?" Taris said from behind.
Cari turned around and replied with a smile. "I wasn't aware we had the relationship for a 'spot.'"
Taris smiled as well. "You're still as sarcastic as ever." He sat down next to Cari at the bar. "I know we didn't come here to exchange sarcastic remarks, so I'll get to the point.
"The boss has given you an assignment as you know. This time you are to go to Tatooine and find a man named Calen Moonstriker. I'm not sure what he did to get the boss mad, but he's a wanted man now. He is said to be living as a hermit in the Dune Sea, which will make your assignment much harder. He will be hard to locate, but the boss has faith that you will find him. He does want him alive, however, so be careful if you are to get into a duel with him. A docking yard has been reserved for you, and you have the tightest security we could find."
Cari nodded, taking the assignment without a word. "I'll leave for Tatooine tomorrow."
"Good. I'm glad that you're with the boss again. I enjoy talking with you Cari."
"As do I, Taris. You're a good man, caught up in something bad. I hope that one day we will be able to live free of this underworld life," Cari said.
"Are you getting serious on me?" Taris asked as a slight joke.
"I just know that this place isn't meant for us. We just fell into it and can't get out."
"One day we will."
"Well Taris, today isn't that day. Can I buy you a drink?" Cari asked, smiling.
"You do owe me a drink for taking you to the boss," Taris said.
"I do stick to my word."
* * * * *
Fog covered the buildings, making it seem as if Coruscant was but a dream. The air speeders still swam through the air, the fog only slowing them down a bit. The sun tried to pierce the fog, but to no avail it came through as a blurry reminder of the sky above.
Cari stood in a private docking bay, a datapad in her hands. She wore a tan flight suit, her hair still in a ponytail. She checked her ship off on the datapad, got into the cockpit, and finishing her checking.
Her ship, an extensively remodeled Jedi Starfighter model, roared to life. Beside her sat an empty chair, added in case she had company on her journey or had a person to retrieve. The broader back allowed more storage and room for a hyperdrive and speed enhancements. She even had an astromech droid.
"Hey, Jien. Miss me?"
A beep came from the blue droid, matiching the new dark blue paint color, unlike the distinctive deep red color of the Jedi Starfighter model.
"We're going to Tatooine this time."
The wide door in front of Cari's Starfighter, Starchaser, opened to the fog, her ship ready for take off. The ship's engines further ignited, the ship blasting off to the orbit of Coruscant.
"Set a course for Tatooine, Jien."
In minutes, the starfighter was clear of Coruscant's atmosphere, the course for Tatooine appearing on her screen. Then, the ship pulled itself into hyperspace, on its way to Tatooine.
* * * * *
Cari pushed a few buttons, the lines of stars slowing into little dots outside of her viewport. Almost directly in front of her laid the tan- painted planet of Tatooine.
Cari pulled into the planet's atmosphere, the sky turning from black to blue as Cari landed in the Mos Espa docking yards.
"Jien, activate your security procedures. This place is crawling with criminals."
Like me she thought.
Her R4 unit beeped, Cari climbing out.
"I'll see you soon."
Cari walked through the stone arches, providing shade from the two suns of the system. She emerged in a stone room where many species stayed for protection from the blazing heat. She walked past a few that tried to sell her food native to the planet, but she just ignored them and moved on. She came out from the room and walked into a bazaar, the suns bearing down on them. The variety of species that walked the dirt streets was almost as diverse as Coruscant.
Beside her stood a counter with a multicolored cloth acting as an umbrella, protecting all underneath from the blazing heat. Under the shade was a Rodian dressed in rugged robes of beige, the shadows making his green skin even darker.
"Buy a bowl? How about a lucky charm? You'll never want to forget your visit to Tatooine!" the Rodian said in Basic.
Cari walked away, her hand close to her pistol under her dark brown poncho. As she walked, she looking around, trying to find a cantina.
A few meters away, next to a stand selling Tatooine specialty foods was a bustling cantina with many species moving in and out. Cari walked in, heading straight to the bar. She waved her hand, catching the bartender's attention.
"Jawa Juice please," Cari said, laying down five wupiupi.
The bartender laid down a red colored juice, Cari picking it up and taking a sip. Cari scanned the room, finding a familiar face across the bar. She stood up, a bit angry, and walked to the left end of the bar, pushing on a man's shoulder drinking a dark brown drink.
"Taris! Did you follow me?" Cari asked.
Taris turned around, a slight grin on his face. He wore a dirty white poncho over his regular black outfit.
"Maybe."
"Why? I'm doing a job! I can't have you interfere!"
"Maybe I can help. After all, I did provide you with the information for this job. I can help you find this guy."
"I can't. This is my job."
"I didn't come all the way out to Tatooine just to turn back around. I'm going to help you whether you want me to or not. You're as stubborn as a bantha sometimes, Cari," Taris said, taking a drink.
"Fine."
"Now why did you come to a cantina if he's all the way out in the middle of the Dune Sea?" Taris asked, the bartender taking up Taris' empty glass.
"I wanted to see if anyone knew anything."
"Well, no need to talk to them. Now you have me."
"Thank the Force! Now I can be a damsel in distress and wear pretty gowns!" Cari said sarcastically.
Taris smiled and chuckled. "You know what I mean. I can help you gather information."
"Thanks. I would appreciate it. After all, you are focused on helping me anyways." Cari looked around, trying to see where she could start from. "How about we start now?" Cari said, looking over to find her drink gone, stolen by some lowlife with little money.
"Sure."
* * * * *
Taris walked the dirt streets, trying to find an information broker. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a darkly dressed Toydarian, hovering under a brightly striped cloth. Taris walked over, standing under the cloth and getting the Toydarian's attention.
"Hello. Are you an information broker?" Taris asked politely.
"Ah! Indeed, I am. What can I do for you?"
"I need information on a Calen Moonstriker."
"That will be forty wupiupi upfront." Taris handed over the money. "Thank you," the Toydarian said, typing things into a computer on a stone box in his booth. In a few minutes, the Toydarian cried out in success.
"Ah! Here he is. Calen Moonstriker. He is 6 feet 2 inches with brown hair and brown eyes. As you probably know, he is human. A recent outlaw, due to the fact of his rebellion against his last employer, he now lives in the Dune Sea as a hermit, periodically coming to either Mos Eisley or Mos Espa."
"Anything else?"
"For a price."
"Taris handed over forty more wupiupi. "Now?"
The Toydarian typed for another few minutes. "His last employer is unnamed, but he is on Coruscant; a high authority in dealings with the underworld of Coruscant and the Core Worlds. He is a skilled blaster fighter," the Toydarian said, taking in a breath. "There is nothing else."
"Thank you," Taris said, turning and leaving.
"Come again!"
* * * * *
Cari sat in the cantina, this time drinking her Jawa Juice. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a man clad in shadow, almost unseen in the hustle and bustle of the Tatooine cantina. Cari stood up, walking over to the corner, hoping the man in the corner knew something.
"Can I buy you a drink?" Cari asked.
The man turned around, a dark scar covering his right eye. He wore a dark cloak, concealing his white shirt, baggy, faded green pants, and blaster.
"Sure," he said, his voice rugged.
The two walk to the bar, the man's boots knocking on the floor.
"I am Cari."
"Barklin," the man responded. "I'll have a Dewback Trail."
The bartender gives the man a dark green drink, bubbles floating to the top while Cari puts five wupiupi on the bar, the bartender taking the money up quickly.
"Do you know anything about a man named Calen Moonstriker?" Cari said abruptly.
Barklin, still calm, took a drink from his glass then turned his head slowly. "Indeed I do."
"Can you tell me?"
"Only if you do a favor for me."
"What is this favor?"
When I go to the Dune Sea, I want you to accompany me."
"That's it?"
"That's it. You can even talk to this Moonstriker fellow yourself."
Cari looked at him, unsure of his motives. "Why do you want me to accompany you?"
"Protection, mostly. Those Tuskens will overrun you if you're alone. At least with the two of us we stand a chance. Plus it's nice to have some company out in the desert," Barklin said with a grin.
Cari nodded. "It's a deal. May I ask another favor?"
"Sure. I don't know if I can say yes though."
"Can my friend come along?"
"Yeah."
"Great! Thanks."
"No problem. The more, the better off we are," Barklin replied, finishing his drink. "Meet me at sunrise at the west end of Mos Espa."
"How will I know who you are?"
"I'll be with a pale green speeder in my cloak," Barklin said, grabbing his cloak then quickly releasing it, referring to it.
"Okay, I'll see you then. Good bye for now," Cari said, waving slightly then heading for the exit.
* * * * *
The twin suns set quickly on the horizon, the desert cooling off from the hot day. The nightlife of Tatooine came out, more seeding dealings underway.
Cari sat outside of the same cantina she left hours ago, the one she met Barklin as well as Taris in. She stood in her poncho almost making her disappear.
Then, Taris walked up, the slight breeze catching his hair and playing with it. "What is it with you and cantinas?" Taris asked smiling.
"It's nice to see you too. I come to bars and cantinas because there is usually no one paying attention to the occupants; only money and drinks," Cari responded, calm and patient.
"That makes sense."
"Did you find out anything Taris?" Cari asked.
"Well, he rebelled against his last employer, explaining his new life as a hermit and your assignment. He's also a skilled marksman, so we need to be careful. This might not matter, but he comes to Mos Espa and Mos Eisley on occasion," Taris said, spilling out all of the newfound information.
"We'll have to be careful then," Cari said.
"Did you find out anything?" Taris asked.
"No, but I did manage to get us a ride out there."
"Really? Can you trust this person?"
"No, but it's worth a shot. This may be our only chance. If he isn't, then we'll have to show him our abilities with a blaster," Cari finished with a smile.
"Taris smiled as well. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning at sunrise," Cari answered.
"We should start preparing and get some sleep," Taris said.
I know I won't sleep very well tonight. I have to be alert and prepared incase anything happens, Cari thought as the two left to go get supplies and a room for the night.