Leia cinched her stolen black mining uniform at the waist, then worked it into her belt. Luke glared at his lightsaber for a moment, considering where to keep it. That sort of thing was sure to draw unwanted, possibly imperial attention. He slipped it into his pack, which he then draped over Threepio's shoulders. "You and R2 go around the wall to that big temple, see if you can find us a ship," Luke said.
"But..." Threepio interjected.
"We'll meet you there tonight," Luke continued. "Don't let anyone see you."
Threepio led Artoo off on their little trek.
"What are you planning?" Leia asked.
"We need to leave this planet as soon as possible."
"By stealing a ship from the empire?"
"Well, if it's between that and having to join the empire to survive..."
Leia nodded brusquely. "Good point. I just hope we don't..."
"You there!" came a strangely familiar, mechanical voice. Luke and Leia turned to the open gate, Luke stealing a sidelong glance to make sure the droids had slipped out of sight. Neither spoke, at a loss for how to respond. The stormtrooper continued, once he had their attention. "Grammel wants the colony locked down. Either come inside or learn how to live on swamp grass..."
Leia stepped forth, hiding a shudder at the increasing proximity of the trooper. Luke's reassuring feet stomped through the grass behind her. She knew his mere presence wouldn't be enough to save her in the belly of yet another imperial beast, but she felt comfort in another soul around to help in crises and provide good company. Luke admired Leia's show of a tired, somewhat drunken walk. With her unkempt hair leaking from her black hood he hardly recognized her.
Another howling shriek tore through the air, causing Luke to flinch. He glanced back at the trooper just in time to watch the gate close. He could only hope on the will of the force to see him through another situation beyond his control. Luke realized that he and the Princess had gone unnoticed through the small town, but he also knew that it wouldn't last, and the longer they risked exposure to the miners, the slimmer their chance for survival. Leia slowed for him to catch up.
"We've got too much time," she said. "We need more darkness than this."
"We just need to find something to do for a couple hours," Luke said.
"How about a meal?" Leia asked, thumbing at the building to the right. Luke stopped and looked at the small tavern, built of wood and dirt, a sign carved from a solid piece of swamp that read `The Drunken Wookiee - best and only tavern in all of Mimban'. A few drunken miners sat on the stoop, chattering incoherently. One muttered at them as they approached.
Luke swallowed his fear and swung open the door, easily playing the part of a tired workingman with two things on his mind: food and drink. He gathered Leia felt the same, after their long journey through the swamps. They strolled through the opiate fog, Luke measuring out his coughs in small doses. He could feel the drugs affecting his mind as he stepped further into the noisy inferno. A thousand conversations at once wavered into his ears. Nobody acknowledged the new presence. They found a table and sat opposite each other. Luke could barely read Leia's countenance through the thick smoke. Neither spoke.
Leia quickly looked down, propped her face up on her hand, and Luke looked up to find a sweaty man in a greasy white tank top and loose black slacks approach, his hair glued to his head. He didn't speak, merely tipped his head in a slight nod to Luke, his expression noncommittal. "Two specials and two waters," Luke said, attempting to match the other man's blas? attitude.
"What sides you want?"
Luke looked at Leia for a moment, then back to the waiter, and said, "Surprise us." The waiter drew in a deep breath, held it in for one dramatic millisecond, then exhaled slowly and walked briskly away.
"After this we'll take a look around town..." Luke pondered aloud.
Leia looked up at him with a fierce smile. "Since when are you in charge?"
Luke wasn't sure whether to laugh or quickly acquiesce apologetically.
Leia's expression softened. "I just hope those droids aren't discovered."
Luke nodded thoughtfully. "I didn't think we'd get away with walking them through the town..."
"Probably not." She rested her face on her hand again, but this time she did so to block out the lights and noise and have a few moments alone with her thoughts. She didn't realize how quickly she'd gotten lost in her contemplative maze until the sound of metal slapping wood startled her free. Before she opened her eyes the smell of the food hit her, sending her stomach into a roiling acetone frenzy. Sweet sight revealed steamed greens and hot meat. Luke had already started eating.
