The Lost Ones-part 5

Kessel.

As his father gently set the Angel down at docking bay 51, Luke went to the lounge and rummaged through a supply closet until he found the breath masks he had packed when preparing for the journey back on Coruscant. They had not known then that they would be coming to Kessel, had not known any specific location they would visit other than Roon, but there were many inhospitable planets in the galaxy. Luke had tried to think of every possible item they would need.

Meanwhile Anakin looked through the window at the soldiers waiting for them on the docking bay. They no longer wore stormtrooper armor though they had once served the Empire. Now they were dressed in dark gray and carried powerful assualt rifles. But there were only about a dozen of them, and they had never been among the Empire's best and brightest. Controlling overworked, underfed slaves who couldn't survive long outside the mines in Kessel's thin atmosphere didn't require much skill, and as Kessel was considered a hardship post, it was usually staffed by the more incompetent troops. Anakin did not want to be overconfident, but he didn't think they would pose a real threat to two trained Jedi.

That thought reminded him of his son's earlier comment and he shook his head in bewilderment. It was so out of character for Luke to be moody and defensive. Of course, Luke himself had admitted he hadn't slept well. Possibly the boy was just tired, but Anakin had seen Luke tired before and still, his son did not normally snap at people like that. Anakin couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on under the surface with Luke, but he couldn't figure out what it could be. As soon as they left Kessel, he decided he would have a talk with Luke and see if he could get the boy to open up to him. Luke had been there for him so many times these past months, offering him comfort and encouragement whenever he felt overpowered by the weight of his crimes. Anakin was determined to share his son's burdens as well. As Luke had said when they were leaving Naboo, they were a team. His relationship with Luke was the most precious thing in his life now, and while he could never make up for the years they had lost, he now wanted desperately to be the father Luke had deserved to have.

At that moment Luke re-entered the cockpit with his breath mask already in place. He handed the other to his father, who fastened it on without allowing himself a moment's hesitation. Luke still seemed to understand how difficult it was for Anakin to wear a mask of any kind again. He was always quick to pick up on other people's feelings. Giving his father a sympathetic smile, he asked softly, "Ready, Father?"

"As I'll ever be," Anakin replied.

They headed for the hatchway. As they descended the ramp, one of the soldiers stepped forward and bowed curtly before them. "Masters, I have been authorized to escort you to President Doole's palace. If you'll come this way, we have speeders waiting." He led them to several parked landspeeders and climbed into one with the two Jedi while the rest of the group took the others.

/I haven't sensed any treachery from them, or excitement or fear or anything that might signal an attack. How about you?/ Luke sent to his father as the speeders drove quickly through the streets of Kessel.

/I haven't sensed anything, either, although I think that you're more empathetic than I am./ Anakin answered through the Force. /Still./

/I know, I know. Be careful./ Luke gave him a smile.

/Smart alec. You've been around Han too long./ Despite his retort, Anakin couldn't hide his own grin.

The town-Luke didn't know its name-seemed deserted. As they drove past nearly identical buildings Luke could see no sign of any other beings except for themselves and their accompanying soldiers. The buildings were all squat, boxy structures, light gray in color, with only small signs above the doors to tell if they were barracks, shops, factories, or whatever.

/They were white when I was last here./ Anakin sent.

/How many times have you been to Kessel, Father?/ Luke looked at him curiously.

Anakin considered. /Three or four. Soon after I joined Palpatine, he sent me here a few times when pirates were making off with too much glitterstim. My tasks were to shore up Imperial defenses and scare off the smugglers. But that was many years ago. I soon graduated to bigger things./ He gave his son a wry look.

Luke wasn't sure how to respond to that so instead he looked back at the empty streets. /It seems quiet enough now./

/I'm sure Doole and his guards let everyone know we were here, and most people are laying low./ Anakin replied.

The speeders came to a halt and when they climbed out Luke caught his first glimpse of the palace. It was nothing like Theed Palace on Naboo, which radiated serene beauty, and also unlike the utilitarian structures they had passed on the way. Unlike the other buildings, it was a conglomeration of domes, turrets, and rotundas and was a gleaming ebony with silver trim. It seemed very out of place on desolate Kessel.

A protocol droid ushered them into a side room where Doole himself was waiting. "Greetings, friends," he boomed in a deep voice that didn't match his appearance. Luke had never seen a Rybet. They were a rare species and not usually spotted off their homeworld of Rygaber. He knew it would be rude to stare, but couldn't resist stealing glances at Doole's mottled green skin, corpulent build, and enormous beady eyes that swiveled in their sockets almost constantly. Luke wondered if that were a native trait of Rybets or simply a sign of Doole's uneasiness. Because he was very uneasy about their visit. Nervousness radiated from him so strongly that Luke had to make a conscious effort to remain calm himself.

Both Jedi bowed politely in return. Anakin tried to keep his distaste from showing. Doole might be scum, but he was the recognized ruler of Kessel and Anakin's only job now was to convince him to let them view the slave records. He had to let the New Republic handle Doole. He explained their request, but rather than giving the Jedi access to the records, Doole offered to check the list himself. Anakin would have used the Force to convince him, but the Rybet was already leaving the room, practically at a run.

Father and son exchanged looks. /Well, at least he's cooperating./ Anakin remarked.

/He just wanted out of here before we could insist on checking the records ourselves. He doesn't want us to see how much glitterstim is being siphoned away through illegal channels./ Luke answered.

/Most likely./ Anakin agreed. /Might as well sit down and get comfortable./ He motioned to some chairs. /As many slaves have been on Kessel in the past seventeen years, this will probably take a while./

Doole, however, surprised them by returning a very short time later. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there is no mention of a Betta or Keren Colzin in the record books. I'm afraid you will have to continue your search elsewhere."

"President Doole, you must have a very efficient search system to check all those records so quickly. We expected it to take quite a while," Luke gave him an innocently impressed look.

"Why, yes, yes, our computerized systems are among the most advanced in the galaxy," Doole stammered, his eyes swiveling in their sockets faster than ever. "Now, you really must excuse me. I have some important scheduled meetings this afternoon. Always a pleasure to assist New Republic representatives. I do hope you will be able to visit again, some day."

"I'm sure we will," Anakin said in a smoothly pleasant voice as Doole escorted them to the door. "By the way, President Doole, you have released all of Kessel's slave workers, haven't you? I know my daughter Leia, the Vice-Chancellor, informed you that the New Republic does not allow any world to continue slavery."

Luke wondered how the Rybet could even see with his eyes spinning so quickly. Doole almost shoved them out the door as he said, "Well, yes, we are in the process of releasing slaves. Reintegrating them and transporting them off Kessel does take time, you know, a great deal of time. But we are making excellent progress in that direction. Now, my troops will be happy to see you back to your ship. Good luck in your search."

Anakin and Luke exchanged another look, but didn't speak until they were back on board the Naboo Angel. When Anakin started the ignition sequence, Luke said in surprise, "That's it? We're leaving? You know he didn't really check the records."

"No, we're not leaving. We just want everyone to think we're leaving," Anakin took off and headed the Angel towards space. "We'll get out of range of any sensors, and then we'll head for a more isolated spot. We can land, hide the Angel, and do some searching of our own."

Everything went according to plan. This time Anakin and Luke landed several kilometers from town and the Angel was almost indistinguishable hidden among a cluster of rocky cliffs. The two Jedi were making their way across the salt flats towards the square outlines of the town in the distance when Luke spied a tunnel entrance. "Father, is that an entrance to the spice mines?"

When Anakin nodded, Luke suggested, "Why don't we go inside and see if any of the slaves themselves can help us? And we could let them know that the New Republic is coming to free them. It might give them some hope. You know Doole and his guards certainly haven't told them anything." "Good idea," his father agreed. "We just might have more luck speaking directly with the slaves, and we do need to let them know that help is on the way. Hope can be a great morale booster."

They slipped inside. For a minute, they were reminded of the mine on Roon, but almost immediately, the differences became obvious. This tunnel was much wider and lit by torches, and before they had walked far, they came across a group of humans, Wookies, Sullustans, and other aliens silently drilling holes in the walls. When Anakin and Luke explained who they were and what they wanted, the slaves stopped working for a moment to gaze at them in surprise, but quickly resumed their drilling when a guard wandered over and barked, "No talking allowed. Keep working!" To emphasive the order, he cracked an energy whip at several slaves, who winced, but dared not give any other sign of pain. Satisfied that he had intimidated that particular group, the guard stalked away to inspect another area. Luke hurried over to heal the lashes inflicted on the unfortunate slaves while Anakin ground his teeth and struggled to overcome his fury.

There had been a time when he had worried that if he became angry enough, he might re-open the door to the dark side, but he didn't fear that as much as he used to. He felt he had conquered that crisis on Naboo when he had confronted Zel Miret as Luke lay dying of the bysa virus. In any case, he was certain his anger now was justified. Still, he couldn't allow it to control him. Acting out of anger was wrong, not to mention foolish. On the other hand, allowing innocent beings to suffer was even more immoral.

When Luke came back to his side, he motioned his son to follow him back towards the entrance. /Were you able to heal them?/ he asked when they once again stood just inside the mouth of the cave.

Luke nodded. /Yes, and I told them about the New Republic coming to free them soon. I think they were almost afraid to believe me, but they were a little hopeful, too. And they told me that most of this group has been in the mines for ten years and they had never heard of Betta or Keren./

For once Anakin barely registered the news about the Colzins. He went on. /Luke, I don't think we should wait any longer. The slaves need to be freed now. We could help them overthrow the guards./

Luke gaped at him in astonishment. /Father, are you out of your mind? Just the two of us against all the guards on Kessel? We wouldn't stand a chance./

/It wouldn't be just the two of us. I'm sure at least some of the slaves would join in./ Anakin argued. /The slaves vastly outnumber the guards. Even if only a quarter of them helped, it would be enough. And it's likely the slaves know these tunnels better than the guards. I think we could do it./

/At what price/? Luke demanded. /Father, did you get a good look at those slaves? They're half-starved, sickly, and worst of all, they've been conditioned not to fight back. And even if we found some who were willing to fight the guards, what would they use for weapons? Those little drills wouldn't be much use against rifles. I think we would be leading them to slaughter./

/These conditions they're in are intolerable./ Anakin was still too upset to be reasonable. /I have to do something to help them./

/We are. We're giving them hope. Father, I just don't see the point in risking so many lives when the task force from the New Republic is going to show up soon. If you want, we can wait and help them liberate the slaves. But it's just too dangerous to do it on our own./

Father and son stood gazing at one another for a long moment, both of them aware that this was their first real disagreement since the confrontation on Endor, both of them acutely unhappy about it. After a while, Luke played his trump card. He hated to take advantage of Anakin's love and overprotectiveness, but if it would help his father see reason, he felt he had to. /And it's not only dangerous for the slaves. One of us could get hurt or killed as well. Please, Father, let's wait./

Anakin slowly took a deep breath and let it out. Luke was right. It was simply too dangerous, both for the slaves and for themselves. And with the New Republic task force on the way, it would be a foolish waste of life. He knew that if Luke were injured, or worse, because of his stubborness he would never be able to forgive himself. He had caused his son so much pain already. He also knew that there was a good chance some of the slaves would be killed or harmed, too, and that would also be unbearable. He was letting his past affect his judgment. Like it or not, the smart decision was to wait for the New Republic.

/All right, son. We'll wait./ he finally sent.

But now Luke looked at him a little worriedly. /Are you angry?/

/With you? Never./ Anakin reached over to run his fingers through his son's hair. /With the guards? Yes. With myself for allowing this to continue all these years? Yes. But you don't have to worry. I've got it under control, and I know that you're right. Leading the slaves in an uprising now would be incredibly foolish. Let's go back and see if we can find out anything about Betta and Keren. Then we'll go to the Angel and contact the New Republic. We'll find out how soon they can be here and plan what to do next. How does that sound?/

Luke smiled. /It sounds good to me./

They went back further into the tunnel, joining in with the groups of slaves whenever they sensed a guard approaching. For an hour, they whispered to slaves, telling them of their upcoming liberation and seeking in vain for some information on the missing Colzin family. For a time, Luke stayed close by his father's side, keeping an eye on him, but Anakin did seem to have himself under control. After a while, they began to venture farther apart from one another.

Luke had gone a short distance away and was speaking in a quiet voice to an elderly woman who barely had the strength to hold her drill when a guard came near. "No talking!" he roared. "When are you stupid slaves going to learn to follow the rules?" He raised his energy whip and, as Luke watched in horror, began beating the poor woman fiercely with it. Luke couldn't bear her anguished cries. The way she feebly lifted her arms attempting to defend herself tore at his heart. All his reasonable arguments against leading a slave uprising flew right out of head, and he drew his lightsaber and rushed to her defense. Around him the other slaves stared in amazement. A few of them threw down their drills and jumped on the guard, who called out for reinforcements. The slave rebellion of Kessel had begun.