Chapter 29
Traversing the length of the dunes upon the backs of hearty dewbacks made the trek that much easier. Mission didn't want to imagine how long it would take upon foot or how stupid someone would have to be to try it. And why would you want to?
She didn't know how people could live here. It was too bright. Far too hot and despite the openness there was no air. Oh, there was oxygen, but no air. Not the right kind. This air burned, crushed your lungs, crushed your skull, and it pressed down upon you.
Griff, you better appreciate this. Idiot. Why'd you have to come here? Why'd you leave me? 'Cuz you did didn't you? You left me for her. She drags you here? This is a shitty place Griff. I hate this place. Taris was better, even with all the pollution, the bigotry, swoop wars… all the bantha poodoo. It was better- Rakghouls are better than Sandpeople any day. I hate this dumb planet.
"...Mission!" Skye's voice snapped the girl from her own thoughts.
"Um... yeah?"
"I asked you if you're ready for this. We're only a mile from the Enclave. You need to be ready."
Mission looked around her. She had been ridding double with HK-47 who had remained mounted on their lizard and thus hadn't taken any real notice when they weren't still travelling. The Jedi had all dismounted and were now dressing in their recovered robes and dusty wraps.
"Augh it smells of bantha musk, sweat and dust." Juhani complained wrinkling up her nose. Her olfactory senses were far keener than Human or Nagai and even to them the wraps were very rank.
"I thought of that." Skye reached into one of the satchels on her utility belt. She had three tiny devices. "Olfactory blockers. We can't pass for Sandpeople if we're gagging from the rags. Sorry Mish, but ah... you didn't need one. You need to be as natural as possible. Oh, and show some of that same spirit you had when you faced those sleemos in the cantina, but you also need to be down-trodden like the desert sucked the life out of you."
"That isn't hard to fake…" Mission grumbled. "I feel like oozing melted butter."
The Jedi nodded. "Good. Use that. Use the malevolence you have for this desert- the heat- let it show on your face. It's going to be the only way we're going to sell this charade." Skye looked at her. "Look Mission, you don't have go if you don't want to. Stay here with the dewbacks. We can make sure they don't run off by hobbling them but you can stay here, watch over things. I promise you I won't leave that Enclave without your brother safely in my custody."
Mission looked down to the ground them back to her hero. "I probably should go."
"You don't have to." The Nagai pressed. "Getting in won't be easy. After we do I'll send for you when it's safe."
"Getting in won't be easy. When you do, you can send for me when it's safe." Mission repeated.
"Good idea." Skye said sounding pleased. The other two Jedi remained mute though they knew exactly what Skye had just done.
Mission dismounted and took charge of the beasts watching passively as the Jedi and droid started for the large structure. It wasn't until the Jedi were over the next dune when it occurred to Mission that Skye had done a Jedi mind-trick on her. Now she was stuck out here in the sand, sun and dust.
'Damn it!' Mission plunked down into the sand, folded her legs under her tailor style and rested her elbows on her knees and held her head in her hands. "Damn Jedi! I can't believe she did that! She jumbled my head!" She swiped the sand with her hand. "Bet she had that planned all along," she sighed. "Sure, come along, we'll rescue your brother... PFT! Never said I wouldn't get to go in. Even let me believe I'd be going in all tied up like a fracking slave. Then... oh no, you stay here with the stupid lizards because it's safer." She yanked at the rains of one of the dewbacks in frustration causing it to grunt out in protest. "It isn't fair!" the teenager grumbled. "I'm not some youngling that needs protecting. I'm a woman now! I've started those stupid periods!" she shouted out to the desert. Her anger startled the dewbacks that harrumphed in objection of their peace being disturbed. "Oh, what do you know?" She snapped at the beasts.
Their only answer was to snort.
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
"Mission will be angry at you for quite some time." Bastila said as the three Jedi headed for the Enclave.
"Better angry then dead," the former Dark Lord said dismissively. "If it's safe then I'll have HK go back and get her. But until we know, I'd rather her be out of the line of fire. The kid has no business going into a place like that. And in good conscience can the two of you let her go in there? Besides you know what she's like. She likes to pick pockets, pick locks, cheat at pazzak and look through things that don't belong to her. We can't risk that. Though I am moderately sure Sandpeople don't play pazzak."
"You did the right thing, Skye." Bastila said touching her arm and gave it a tender squeeze.
"I think what she means is that you will have an emotional, hormonal teenager on your hands what will more likely throw a tantrum when she recovers from the mind trick. A teenager that looks up to you." Juhani said.
"Ah..." Skye grimaced. "Well... humm..." she cleared her throat. "Well she'll get over it once she sees her brother. Come on we have an Enclave infiltrate."
They passed through the turrets unscathed, even managed to pass through the gates. But their progress was halted almost immediately by an astonished guard. He recognized almost immediately they were not of his people. The disguises were not that effective. And the guard let them know it.
"Interjection: One moment... I believe I understood that Master. It may not been his intention, but he did actually communicate something."
"Quickly tell him we're not a threat." Skye ordered.
HK did as ordered. The grunts and growls of the Raider language was still something the Nagai didn't understand. It would take her a bit longer to comprehend it. The droid turned to his master.
"Result: I believe I have succeeded in confusing him, Master. We have shown an interest not common with outsiders."
Playing the diplomat Skye said. "Apologize for being here and tell him we want peace."
HK did so. The guard looked to HK to the Jedi then back to the droid. He said something which of course HK related.
"Translation: He is expressing disbelief... as am I... but his duty requires he reports to the chief. Extrapolation: It appears we are at least worthy of curiosity, for the moment. I would much rather this get bloody, Master, but it is your call."
"Good." Skye nodded. Then out of respect and more than a little relief, she and the other Jedi shed the desert wraps. The disguises were moot anyway this far in. And if things were to get 'bloody' Skye wanted the freedom of her Jedi garments. And at least now both her sabers were within easy reach at her sides rather than concealed in the multitude of folds of the course weave of the fabric of the sandpeople. To her left HK-47 kept guard and at her right both her companions were much more at ease to be rid of the rank robes. Even the guard seemed to relax a little now that the Jedi weren't wearing the garments of his dead tribe-mates.
They were led through straw and skin huts towards the center of the enclave. Skye seized the opportunity to spot-check for any anomalies that might clue her in to their perspective purposes. Two structures were concededly more sturdy then the others. They were guarded by four Tusken Raiders. Prison quarters. Had to be. She gave a slight tilt to her head causing the others to look as well. They too saw the structures and what they probably were.
It was clear from his tone that the Raider's chieftain despised all outsides. You didn't need to understand the language to understand that.
If there was any doubt HK-47 cleared it up. "Translation: I can translate with some degree of accuracy that he is demanding to know why he should let us survive this encounter, Master."
"Tell him we want a peaceful solution."
The chieftain apparently wasn't buying it. "Translation: He claims he has no reason to believe you Master. Your kind have tainted the land with machines and uncaring ignorant feet. He requires proof of good faith. We must make a contribution to his person that proves we are not a threat. Shall I blast him now, Master?"
Skye smirked. "Tempting. But no. Ask him what he wants."
If the droid could roll its ocular probes it would have. But he did as bid. The chieftain barked out his demands that had HK shaking his head. "Translation: He plans to move his people further away from Anchorhead, but he needs to build up stores of water first. He says you must aid him. He wants moister vaporators from Czerka. If you deliver them he will order his people to reduce the attacks on the miners."
"Tell him he will get the vaporators but the attacks will stop all together."
"Warring: Master such a demand will result in hostilities. Not that I mind. I look forward to it."
Skye continued to look at the chieftain as she spoke. "Bastila, Juhani, I want a small display of power. Use lighting. Nice and slow, just a small globe in the center of your hand. HK, Tell his Grand Sandiness here that he has not met my kind yet. For we are Jedi."
"If he is too blind to see that Jedi and Czerka and the Anchorhead hunters are not the same then why is he Chieftain. Are not chieftains the brightest, strongest, wisest of all warriors? Is he Chieftain or is he not?
"And if we have ignorant feet ask him why this is so. Where have, the miners trespassed with their machines, where have they gone? We wish to know so that we do not trespass. And if he does not believe us, remind him we have no guarantee of his word either. What we do have is the guarantee of violence. Ask him if he has a guarantee that none of the non-combatants will not be killed if this leads to violence. Tell him I have no desire to kill him or any of his people but I will not hesitate to do so. And I have the power to do it! Tell him he can be Chieftain of the living or he can be the leader of the dead. What does he want?"
'REVAN!' Bastila shouted in their link.
'Trust me,' she whispered, then aloud said, "When HK is done speaking display the lightning immediately."
The message was passed along. Even as HK was relating the Jedi's words three hands sparked to life with green lightning. The Chieftain's honor guards immediately pointed their gaffi sticks at them. The Jedi drew their lightsabers but did not ignite them. The astonishing show of power froze the Raiders where they stood. They looked to the Chieftain for direction. No outsider had ever shown this sort of power, none of their own had ever displayed such capabilities. They simply did not know what to do.
His eyes could not be seen; his voice could not be understood. His stance however was. It was resolute. Indignant. Hateful. Skye stared at him. Her hand went to the activation switch of her saber, a motion that was not lost on the Raiders. The Chieftain must have spotted something else. Resolve.
He croaked out his words causing his men to back down.
"It is good we have an understanding." Skye said coldly. "Now tell me about ignorant feet. Is this why his people are so hostile towards outsiders? Are Czerka and the hunters trespassing in sacred places? Have any ancient relics been disturbed?"
"Protocol: this is a very sensitive topic, Master. You will want to be careful with your questions or you will risk offending them. Not that it is much of a worry."
"Ask."
HK did.
"Translation: He says the fact you have to ask is just one more example of your ignorance as an outsider, Master. He says, I am blind yet you are the one that is blind. His people believe they are a part of the land, living with it. You and your kind dare raise yourself above the land. You remove yourself. This act of removal makes you an outsider, separate from all that is important. You can never understand how unwelcome you are."
"Jedi are connected to all. The Force is in the land, all life. We feel it in the rocks, the sand, in the stars, the suns. Jedi are bound to it. What does he mean outsiders raise themselves above the land?"
"Translation: He says that outsiders use machines to convey them, and make their lives easier, this severs the connection to the land. Connection to the soil must be made through the flesh. A sacred animal is the only external tool to be used."
"Humph, hypospray. They cover themselves up completely. There is no flesh showing, how can he make claims that only flesh and soil gives them a connection to the land? He has demanded water vaporators. Machines."
HK translated as bidden. Skye kept a watchful eye on the Chief, her dislike for the man rising and rising at each passing moment. She listened carefully to the exchange of unintelligible words, trying to make them understandable.
"Translation: He says the use of the blasphemous things are tolerated- outside influence has forced them it upon them. If your kind had not come here, he would not have to defend their ways or their land. As for the connection, he says the robes are sacred, Master. And you would not understand. Tuskens are never uncovered outside the most private moments."
"HK, you will inform his Grand Sandiness again that Jedi are not the kind from Anchorhead. They are not my people; say that I do not wish them to be slaughtered any more than I wish it upon his. Which is why I want this peace. Which is why I will fetch the blasphemous machines for him. Jedi are not the same as the outsides he despises."
"Cautionary: Master he views all non-Tusken Raiders the same. He will not care you do. Insisting upon the distinction will lead to high probability of hostilities."
"Do it. And remind him about the lightning he saw. Then tell him I can do far far more. And I'm not the only one that can do such things. The Force is the absolute power of the universe. And it is power Jedi draw upon it. For each grain of sand in this desert is grain of the Force. Make him think about it. Tell him he can lump all others in his view. We are not his people; we are not like the outsiders of Anchorhead."
Reliantly the droid repeated the words.
The chieftain paused.
'Why are you so insistent upon this?' Bastila pressed.
'Perception. Can you not feel his hatred? His resentment? His fear? He doesn't know what to make of us. He fears the power we have shown him, and we are not his people but we are different then all other outsiders. I need his mind disorganized, muddled and fixated not on his loathing of outsiders but on what three Jedi might do. I don't want to kill these people Bas. I don't want their slaughter but I will not allow them to kill the assholes in Anchorhead either or the moister farmers. It ends today.'
'He won't fight, will he?'
'Not on this he won't. Other things probably. I just want him distracted.'
"Translation: he admits you and the other Jedi are not like other outsiders."
"Thank him for seeing the distinction. Then ask him about the captives: Jawas and a male Twi'lek."
It took a moment for the droid to pass along the question. "Translation: He has slaves but he refuses to talk about them. He does not trust you. He doesn't trust the power he saw. He says if you return with the vaporators he will speak of the captives. We are to be escorted out."
"No. Tell him my Jedi will leave, I am staying until they return with the vaporators. And they will." She crossed her arms, glaring at the Chieftain daring him defy her proclamation.
He did not.
"Skye what are you doing?" Juhani protested grabbing the Nagai's arm.
"Getting the information, we need. You and Bas will go back to the Czerka office. Go to the requisitions officer- not that twit running the office- to get vaporators. Then get your tails back here," she grinned disarmingly.
"Skye... don't do this... There is no guarantee the chieftain won't order his men to attack as soon as we're gone." Bastila added her voice to the younger Jedi's objection.
"It's already done. Go. Get it done. HK you will stay here."
"Skye..." Bastila interrupted.
"Trust me," the Nagi said looking deeply into gray-blue eyes of her bondmate.
The Chief barked something which of course HK passed along. "Translation: He does not understand why you are doing this. Why do Jedi wish to be captive?"
"I don't. You do not trust us. Fair enough. I don't trust you. I do not know who the slaves are, but to Jedi slaves are as abhorrent as showing flesh is to the Tusken. It is offensive. I said I do not wish to kill you or your people. But I will not allow the slaves to remain any more than I will allow the ignorant feet people of Anchorhead to be slighted by your warriors. This too is offensive as equally offensive as it would be to have to slaughter the Tuskens.
"I and my companions can leave true enough. You said you did not expect us back or to keep our word about the vaporators. Now my companions have an incentive to do so. I am no slave. I will not be kept as one. I am Jedi."
After HK trades the words he said. "Result: I do believe you succeeded in confusing them once again. Master, I do believe the Chieftain has no idea what to make of you at this moment. Confession: nor do I."
Skye's lips curled into a fox-like grin. "Excellent. Now we can truly talk." She sat down then gestured to the fire pit. "Sit."
To their own astonishment, the Raiders did so. And only when they had done so did they realize they had done as this strange alien Jedi asked them. Now it was too late to stand. So they sat, their distain rising and mixing with equal parts to confused bewildered minds.
"You wanted this." Juhani observed.
"Yes. If they are sitting and talking they're not fighting."
Juhani shook her head. "You are quite possibly the most brilliant Jedi I have ever met or the most insane."
"Isn't strange how often those two aspects are connected?" Skye commented still with a slight smirk. "Please go now while things are quiet. And come back swiftly will you. I don't know how long I can keep them befuddled."
Slowly she took out her canteen and took a sip of water. The look on her face was of complete indifference. She reached into her pouch and withdrew a protien bar and a second one. She held it up. "Not certain about the protocols here. Is a guest supposed to offer their host food at their own fire or is it the other way around? I always get it confused."
She waited for the translation. And waited, and waited. Then she put the bar back into her pouch. "No matter. You don't mind, do you?"
Silence.
"Explanation: I don't think they knew how to answer that either, Master."
"Didn't think so. I'm little tetchy after the track in the desert, the heat... you know having to deal with the uncooperative."
Silence.
As she was eating she cocked her head to the side. "I'd like to know about the ancient soil. The stories of the land. Things the ignorant feet people don't listen to. The ancient areas, the territory of the dragons. The Tuskens are Tatooine's children; her sand is in your blood. What is the legacy of Tatooine?"
Silence...
...Then the chieftain barked an order. One of his honour guard rose and left his tent.
"HK what's going on?"
"Translation: He has sent for the Storyteller. I believe Master you have impressed him. Observation: I believe he is still very confused."
"Are you?"
"No longer, Master. I believe this tactic is what is called a diversion in order to buy time for your companions."
In a matter of moments the Storyteller came to the fire. His demeanour was not the same as the warriors, though he still held cold distain for the Jedi and her abominable machine. Apparently, he kept the Sandpeople's history, which upon further questioning was an oral history. It was an active part of their lives; it is only permitted to relay the tales face to face. A book or a data pad can be taken away, cheapening the value of what it contains. To commit it to paper or to transfer it to paper or a storage device is to remove it from the people.
It was going to be a long day.
"Translation: It begins in ancient times. They were not the sand people for there was no sand. The land was green with life and they walked without their wrappings. Though the land was beautiful, they lived apart from the land. They built their walls high and they saw beyond the horizon. They dared to reach the stars.
"There are no words for how long ago this was. It was before the outsiders, before the abduction, before the cities fell. Before the Builders."
Suddenly Skye sat up a little straighter. Abduction. Fallen cites. The Builders. It was the same name the ancient droid on Dantooine had spoken of. They knew the Builders had been here: the Star Map was here. To have evidence at hand, to know more about these elusive Builders, Skye... clung to it desperately hoping it will jar something in Revan's memory.
"HK I want to ask something about what I've heard."
"Cautionary: I should warn you Master that any questioning of their interpretation may be trying to change the meaning of what was said. Clarification: They may consider this to be 'speaking the words in error.' A blasphemy they may attempt to kill you for."
"Understood. I want to ask about the ancient times."
"Clarification: It would appear that they once had a thriving technological advanced society, but they were wiped out by a much more sophisticated alien species."
"The Builders." Skye said. "Ask him if this was so."
HK did so. "Translation: He only understands the Builders as an iconic force meant to test the resolve of his people. He is not making sense, Master. They claim their stories are repeated unchanged but they may have demonized the Builders. In their mind the Builders have wreaked such havoc they could not possibly be flesh and blood."
"Yeah well ask the moister farmers and miners and they'd say the same about these people- don't repeat that," she sighed. "I imagine there is nothing in the Galactic Records that verifies this."
"Negative: I am no library, but since there is no Republic record of this planet having sentient life before Czerka colonization. I doubt you will find such evidence."
"Yeah no kidding. And if there were, Atris isn't coughing it up. Ask him if he can tell me how long ago Tatooine was 'green with life'."
"Doubtful: I don't believe he can, Master. Even if their stories are exact and unchanged. It is likely they were first told thousands of years after these events occurred. This has become much like a creation myth for his people. There is no date: it simply was."
"Tell him to continue where he left off. Oh, and you no longer have to translate his words now. I understand their langue well enough now. If I need clarification, I'll look to you and you'll tell me."
"Statement: I am as obedient as ever, Master."
And so the story continued. The arrogant people touched the stars and this sin drew the attention of the Builders. The Builders did not touch the stars, they lashed them to millstones. Great demons of metal stripped the world of riches, until all that was left was the green of the ground. The great cities were lifted away. Those that used the wealth were taken away with it: transgressors abducted to serve past the sky, seeding the stars with penitent adaptable slaves.
Skye stopped the storyteller once again to ask her questions. Again, she was cautioned by HK and he again was ignored.
"I want to ask about the time of enslavement."
"Clarification: I believe they were occupied by this technological superior species for a substantial period. Stripping an entire planet of usable resources would have taken generations."
"Yeah. And HK, for time's sake call these technological superior species the Builders."
"Statement: as you order, Master." HK repeated the question.
"There is no number. Those that were taken were the worst examples of the Tuskens, arrogant, and uncaring of the hand."
"Doubtful: Master this is just another denomination of the Builders. It's like claiming an aspect of his people were taken, not actual individuals. Clearly history has colored his view. Of course, only the inferior meat-bags were taken. The remaining were his ancestors after all and must have been special." There was a very definite condescending tone to the droid's voice.
"Yeah I got that, thanks. So why did the invaders do this?"
"Obvious: The same reason why Czerka Corporation is attempting it now. Expanding empires need tremendous amounts of resources."
And the story continued.
"There came a time when the Builders were also judged for their crimes. After generations, a plague weakened them and the time of the Great War begin."
Hello. That's what you need a Star Forge for...
"The Builders faltered and his people realized why they had been punished: so they understood the crime and would now strike down the greater offender. They worked chaos in the machines so they destroyed themselves. The Builders fought back, laying waste to the green that had been misused with fire from above. Soil became glass, grinding to sand but the fight was long-planned and my people were safe. Deep in cave-homes carved from valley wall, we were free."
The story was paused for questions. This time it centred around the Great War. The words the storyteller used needed to be translated.
"Clarification: the occupying forces suffered from some sort of species-wide plague that lowered their numbers over time. His people used this extended weakness to sabotage the larger ships. The response of the Builders appears to have been to lay waste to the entire surface of Tatooine."
"How was such a superior force repelled. How in the hell did they do it?"
"Doubting: They didn't Master. They struck a blow but the storyteller believes they won because the Builders were gone when they emerged from their caves. That does not mean the defeated anyone. It seems clear that the Builders simply sterilized their problem and left. The enemy judged them not worthy to fight."
"The Star Forge did this? Glassed a planet?"
"Clarification: I may not have properly conveyed how long they fought with the Builders. Given time any number of armaments could destroy a planet. Did not Darth Malak do so with Telos and Taris. Darth Reven did so as well, though with far more strategy and finesse. General Jedi Knight, Metra Surrik ordered the destruction of Malacor V by using the Mass Shadow Generator.
"Hypnotises: perhaps this is another distortion. Their climate may have begun to fail due to their unrestrained development even before the Builders arrived. Looking back thousands of years later, such a shift could easily be attributed to the much-hated conquers."
"How could they survive such an attack?" Skye said thinking of how to repel Malak's use of the Star Forge.
"Hypothesis: if his people were moving away from technology for a long time under the Builders, they may even have been extensive cave systems that could grant shelter."
"Extensive enough to hide a Star Map?"
"Statement: Quite possibly, Master. I would also suggest that given the evidence of the massive shift in the nature of their society, most of them did not survive."
And the story continued.
"Interjection: Master if I may this section of his story details several millennia of "The Long Walk" their nomadic wanderings as they accept their identity in a desert world. Rather than strain my circuits or your mind on his dialect, might we assume there was much fighting over who has the biggest bantha and move to more recent things?"
"Do you see Bastila and Juhani back yet with the vaporators?"
"Negative."
"You think I care about this crap? No I don't but we need to keep them talking. Like you said, I need to buy time."
"Resignation: Very well Master. Wonderful, more tales of inane wandering."
"Just keep them talking. And HK, we'll be taking about this impertinence of yours."
"Statement: Yes Master. Of course, Master. I'm looking forward to it."
"I just bet you are."
KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR~ KOTOR
At the same time the storyteller was summoned Bastila and Juhani returned to the dewbacks. When Mission saw them she rushed the Jedi then slid to a halt in the sand when she didn't see the woman she was angry with.
"Wait, where's Skye?"
Bastila and Juhani looked at one another.
"Where's Skye!?"
"She opted to remain behind." Bastila said. "She and HK. She's buying time for us to return to Anchorhead."
The girl frowned. "Why? For what? What happened? Bastila... what about my brother?"
"We confirmed your brother is there. That's why Skye is buying us time to get moister vaporators. The Sandpeople only agreed to stop the attacks on the miners and negotiate about the slaves once they have the vaporators. She's completely confused the Chieftain. He doesn't know what to make of her. That's a plus on our side. Now we must do our part."
Mission looked over her shoulder to the gates of the Enclave. "Yeah. Ok." The girl got onto the back of her mount and as they were riding away she spoke up again. "Is Skye going to be okay?"
"I hope so Mission. I truly hope so." Bastila softly responded. The worry dancing behind her eyes clear to read. So much so Juhani road up beside her.
"She will be fine, Bastila. Skye is Skye. She has a remarkable ability to wield people to her point of view. The Sandpeople will not kill her."
Bastila nodded. The concern never left her eyes. Skye isn't Skye. Skye is Revan. Revan needs to be Revan. She cannot be fettered by the lies and torpor the Council indoctrinated her with. It isn't Skye that will win this day, it will be Revan. She must... she has to. Blast it Revan why did you have to play this card? I will be seriously vexed with you if you go and get yourself killed.
'Because I had to. And thanks Princess for caring.'
'I do care Revan.'
'I know babe. Don't worry. I got them talking now. If I keep asking questions I think I can stall them long enough until you guys get back. They still don't know what to make of me. I intend to keep it that way."
'The same way you did with a few of the Jedi Masters,' there was a smile behind Bastila's words.
"Yeah well that was fun. This is a little more harrier. These guys have serious anger issues. It's like the whole damn place is filled with Master Vrooks. Anyway, I learned a few things about the Star Forge, I'll tell you later. And I think I've got a pretty good grasp of their language now. HK is truncating a lot of what is being said; still it is kinda interesting and not just from an anthropological point of view. Like I said I'll tell you later. Just hurry back. Interesting or not this place is a cess pit and I want out of here as soon as possible."