Luke spent that night in a sleep fraught with dreams of flying sand and cryptic, faceless people taunting him about what they knew of his past.
The twin suns were just rising over the horizon when Luke finally gave up on sleep and crept out of his room. He heard his aunt and uncle moving around in the kitchen. Bypassing them for now Luke silently left the homestead, leaving a quick note and taking the old V35 landspeeder and heading out towards the Dune Sea.
The morning was slightly chilled. The blue sky was so bright it was almost painful to the eye. Both suns had risen and were set low in the sky as Luke pulled his landspeeder up to the domed abode of the mysterious Ben Kenobi.
The air on the edge of the Dune Sea was calm and silent. The sandstorm had apparently passed this high area by with minimal damage. Luke could see only a few small drifts of sand along the base of the small structure.
Slowly climbing out of the speeder, Luke stood in place and turned in a slow circle. There was no movement or sign of life anywhere. Luke turned his sights towards the dingy home of the secretive hermit. The windows were open air and the door was hanging wide open. Luke could hear his breathing loud in his ears as he slowly moved towards the seemingly empty dwelling.
The rising suns were to Luke's side, and as he approached the door, he crossed into the dark shadow of the building. Luke paused, allowing his eyes to adjust to the lack of light. A few more steps and Luke was on the threshold. Raising his hand he rapped his knuckles on the doorjamb, the sound falling empty in the still air. The small residence was dim within, despite the bright sun washing it with its morning rays.
"Hello?" Luke called softly, "Anyone home?"
No answer greeted Luke's calls, just silent, eerie stillness. Luke, feeling like he shouldn't be where he was, backed up from the door into the warming sunlight.
He stood outside staring at the open door and the dark shadows beyond. He wanted to go in and snoop around. But something about this place was uncomfortable, almost painful. As if there was a heavy gloom blanketing him Luke, who had felt angry and frustrated last night, now felt a growing sadness as he replayed the words he'd overheard his aunt and uncle say.
"You know he feels responsible. He feels obligated to look after Luke, to make sure he's safe,"
"He should feel responsible. Luke would have a father if that man hadn't roped him into that…that…life,"
Luke stood in place for a very long time mulling over what this meant. Slowly the twin suns gained height in the sky and the day grew warmer. There was still no sound, no stirring from the small hut of Ben Kenobi.
Luke, still feeling oddly detached from reality, suddenly remembered what the day was. Biggs was leaving for the Imperial Academy. Hazarding one last glance back at the deserted dwelling, Luke hopped into the older model speeder and took off towards Anchorhead and the farewell party that Huff Darklighter was sure to be holding for his beloved son.
Luke arrived at the Darklighters among the masses of moisture farmers and other merchants from Anchorhead. Huff Darklighter knew a lot of people, and many of these people were genuinely sorry to see Biggs leave.
Luke followed the crowd of people and entered the Darklighter's sprawling compound. In the center of the large homestead was an open air court, and this was where the majority of the well-wishers were gathered. Luke circled the area looking for Biggs. He didn't see him the first time around, but he did catch a glimpse of Camie. She ignored him and made a point to hang all over the young man she was talking too. Luke sighed and shook his head. Girls, he thought as he focused on searching out his friend.
Finally, as he entered the middle of the courtyard he caught sight of Biggs hovering near the food table. There were several older women around him, mother-types who were fawning and offering advice on surviving away from home.
"Luke!" Biggs' eyes brightened as he pulled himself away from the women, all of whom watched him go with sad looks and whispers.
"Hey Biggs," Luke said, shaking his friend's outstretched hand in greeting.
"Some party, eh?" Biggs looked around at all the people gathered, and Luke followed example.
"Yeah, who knew so many people cared," he replied.
"Oh, they don't care. They're just afraid of what my father might do if they don't show support for his only son leaving for the Academy," Biggs smiled at Luke.
"Your aunt and uncle come too?" Biggs questioned after a moment.
Luke shook his head.
"Ah, well. Owen Lars never liked me much to begin with," Biggs shrugged.
"He doesn't like the Empire," Luke corrected. Owen equated Huff Darklighter, the Imperial Academy, and everything that didn't fit into his tidy moisture-farm-routine as the enemy, and part of the Empire.
"Well, have you told him that I'm only using the Academy as a way to get off this planet? That I have no intention of fighting for the Empire?" Biggs questioned.
"Yes, I have," Luke paused, than spoke the words he'd been rehearsing the entire trip over. "I hope you'll keep your sense about you while you're there. I imagine that it would be easy to get caught up in the whole mantra and mission of the Empire. Just be sure you're still the same Biggs next year when I arrive," Luke examined his friend closely.
"Luke, don't worry. I have no intention of aligning myself with the Empire," the two young men exchanged nervous smiles.
"Luke, Biggs, come get something to eat," Luke heard the calming, soft voice of Silya Darklighter call.
Luke realized he hadn't eaten a thing since last night, and at the thought of food his stomach rumbled quite loudly. Biggs offered a chuckle then led the two of them to the table where a grand spread was laid out. Luke feasted on foods he'd never see his aunt and uncle serve and laughed and joked with Biggs and the other young people gathered (Luke was glad to find out that no one had lost their life in the sandstorm).
As the suns started their downward journey towards the opposite horizon, Luke said his final goodbye's to his friend. The two young men, disregarding the crowds around them, embraced and promised to keep in touch.
As Luke departed for home he felt the blanket of gloom he'd left at the edge of the Dune Sea descend on him once again. For a moment Luke considered heading back into town and finding True. He felt like he needed to talk to her, to tell her what he'd overheard his aunt and uncle talking about. But respect for his aunt and uncle overpowered his want to see True. He couldn't worry them again.
Luke returned to the Lars Homestead to find his uncle outside working on a vaporator. Owen gave Luke a passing glance, but didn't say anything. Luke paused near his uncle, thousands of questions overtaking his thoughts. But Luke couldn't bring himself to open his mouth and ask any so he made his way inside-taking refuge in the garage where he'd spent so much time imagining a life beyond that which he lived on Tatooine.
What felt like hours later Luke heard his aunt calling him for dinner. Luke joined his aunt and uncle at the table and the trio ate in silence. As dinner neared an end, Luke mustered strength and started a conversation he hoped he wouldn't regret.
"I heard you talking last night. About me and about my father…" Luke let his voice fade as he watched the color drain from his uncle's shocked face. It was a moment before Owen Lars could recover his composure.
"What did you hear?" he asked in a low, growling voice.
"Not much," Luke replied, starting to feel angry himself. It wasn't right that his uncle became so angry every time Luke asked a question about his past. He had a right to know who he was and where he came from.
"But I heard you talking about how that old guy, Ben Kenobi, and my father knew each other, and that the reason my father isn't here is because of him," Luke threw all his cards on the table, hoping for something in return.
Luke watched his uncle exchange a look with Beru. But neither spoke.
"I have a right to know where I come from. Who I am," Luke added, hoping to appeal to his aunt and uncle's sensibilities.
"You father was friends with that old wizard. They left Tatooine together, and when the Clone Wars began your father got a job as a pilot on a spice freighter. He was flying near the core when his ship got caught in the crossfire of an intense battle. All aboard were killed. That old man-," Owen Lars stopped, taking several deep breaths, "-that old man was with your mother. Your father was on his way to you when it happened. A short time later your mother died and Kenobi brought you to us."
Luke stared slack-jawed, hungry for more information. "My mother-who was she?"
Owen didn't answer, instead eating the last bites of Jutt-fruit pie still on his dessert plate.
"We don't know Luke," Beru answered this time. "Ben never told us about her. Just that she had passed and you needed us to care for you."
Luke looked into his aunt's eyes, sensing there was something she wasn't saying, but unable to determine what that might be.
Luke opened his mouth, ready to delve into questions about his father, but was silenced by his uncle.
"No more questions. You birth parents are dead. There's no sense in living in the past. Nothing can be done about it, so focus on the now. Tomorrow we need to head into Anchorhead for new parts for the three vaporators in the far east field. Be ready early," Owen barked as he stood quickly and swiftly walked out of the room.
Luke followed Owen's exit, his eyes finally resting on Beru. She sat with her hands neatly folded before her, a sad sympathetic smile on her gentle face.
"There'll be time for questions later. Small steps, Luke, one question at a time," Beru smiled reassuringly and Luke nodded and returned the smile. He felt a little better, certain that he would get answers even if it took him a year of questions at one a day.
Luke rose as Beru started clearing the table and headed towards the garage pausing at the entryway, the sound of fading repulsor engines drawing him out into the darkening night.
Both suns had set. The large moon, always full in the sky, cast harsh shadows. Luke emerged from the doorway cautiously. But as he took a step out onto the cool, hard floor of the desert he felt his heart leap into his chest in surprise and happiness.
It was his skyhopper, parked perfectly as if nothing had happened. Luke jogged towards it, the ships surfaces shimmering in the pale light of the moon. Luke ran his hands over the exterior feeling for dents or scratches. Satisfied the vehicle was unscathed Luke straightened and looked out into the darkness of the surrounding desert. He knew he wouldn't see who had returned the ship but he had a feeling the person who'd returned it was watching him. Luke raised his hands in thanks, and grinning he jogged back to the entryway, taking another look over his shoulder at the vehicle he'd been certain was lost and buried for good.
Luke disappeared back into the homestead, unaware of the shadowy figure hovering just behind the nearest moisture vaporator.