Chapter Forty:
(A/N: I need to clarify a mistake I made near the beginning of this book. I mixed up Luke and Leia's ages. The pair turned 18 on their birthday in chapter 5, but I later said Luke was 19. I apologize for the mix-up: 18 was the correct age for the twins then.)
5 months later
Twin suns painted the dull-colored hull of the Pilgrim in brilliant white-yellow as it descended to the sands of Tatooine. A rock formation a healthy distance from Jabba the Hutt's notorious palace allowed for adequate cover for the old Nabooian skiff. Once the vessel set down with the grace of a loth cat, the engines shut down; eliminating the cloud of sand they kicked up.
Silence returned to the desert for a few minutes before the boarding ramp lowered and a solitary figure in a black robe emerged.
Luke Skywalker— or Jirik to everyone but a select few— shut the hatch and came around the immense boulders to gaze upon the vast dunes. The heat hit him intensely in his dark attire, but he paid it no mind, and a small part of him even found the heat to be a little homey. Luke wondered if it had anything to do with his aunt and uncle that still lived here.
He checked his equipment, making sure he had everything he would need. Under his rode Luke wore his best clothing: an outfit he'd have worn on Coruscant that spoke of wealth. To finish the look, a one-of-a kind cape was draped about his shoulders. He felt it was a little ridiculous to wear the latter under his robe, but he felt that if he needed to prove his wealth to the Hutt, the cape would do the job if the clothing choice didn't. Perhaps the Hutt would suggest Luke had stolen the clothing from someone. But not just anyone would have his cape. In fact, his parents had had it made especially for Luke.
Glancing around out of habit, Luke got his bearings and started the trek towards Jabba's palace. As he moved through the sometimes thick sand, Luke reflected on the past months. As promised, Yoda had worked Luke hard, sometimes to the point of exhaustion... and even beyond. Luke was pushed to his limits more often than not so that he could increase his stamina, endurance and abilities overall, while also learning just how much he could take before he absolutely couldn't do any more.
Luke had indeed not been in as good of shape as he'd thought and he recalled how for the first few weeks he'd been sore and tired every day. But Luke was grateful for his master's insistence and training: he was much better off, even only five months into his instruction under Master Yoda.
Currently Yoda was still on Dagobah, as he had yet to leave it with his protégé. Luke, however, had come and gone a few times so he could keep his agreement with Talon Karrde. Of course, that also meant Luke got to spend time with Mara, which was perfectly fine with the young man. Luke was growing more and more attached to her as he spent time with the feisty, but good-hearted redhead.
Luke had even built a new lightsaber, one to symbolize his shift away from his past and into his future. The blade was an emerald green, and the hilt more utilitarian in design than aesthetically pleasing. It was far from ugly: he just preferred something simple, but effective and comfortable when it came to his lightsaber.
The item was strapped to his right forearm under his sleeve in a specialized holster Luke himself had designed. But Luke owed the idea to Han, whom Luke had missed fiercely since parting ways so long ago. To Luke it seemed like it had been an age since he'd seen his friend.
As Luke drew near the large building, he cleared his mind of all distractions and prepared himself for what was to come. Taking a deep breath, Luke kept the hood up over his face, though his natural features were altered so he would not be recognized as the deceased prince he was in the galaxy's mind.
Once at the front door, Luke knocked, waiting several minutes before a round appendage on a metal extending arm popped out of a hatch to view him.
"Who are you and what do you want?" it asked in Huttese.
"I am here to see Jabba," Luke replied, purposely ignoring the first query. "I have something for him."
"What, do you think you can just walk in here and see him?" the thing scoffed.
Luke didn't back down. "Yes, if he wants to get paid for something he's been missing for a long time now."
That gave the little camera droid pause, and Luke knew the operator behind it was contacting his master. Finally the door began to open ponderously, and Luke stayed put until it was wide enough to admit him without having to stoop at all.
Confidently, but cautiously, Luke entered the darkened corridor, knowing that the lighting deficiency was on purpose. Visitors would be coming from brilliant sunlight into a dimly lit corridor, which meant their eyes would take several precious moments to adjust... which gave the guards the upper hand in defending their keep if need be.
Luke was several steps inside before he was met by a tan-skinned Twilek man with red eyes. Luke said nothing as the being met him and lifted a clawed hand.
"Welcome, I am Bib Fortuna. What is it you have that Jabba has lost?" the man asked.
"That is for Jabba to hear, and I will speak to no one else," Luke said seriously. "If he wants what's his, he will see me in person."
Bib studied Luke the best he could since the human's features were hidden. "I am authorized to deal on Jabba's behalf."
Luke didn't budge. "Not in all things, you aren't. I will not change my mind."
Bib's interest was clear at Luke's wording, but he did sigh, turning with a wave. "Very well, this way."
Luke followed the other, making a mental map of the building as they went, and noting that there weren't many ways out. In fact, as far as he could tell there was only one way out: the door he'd come through. But Luke knew there had to be more than one way in and out: how else would the gangster come and go without others knowing it?
As they drew closer to an underground den, Luke heard music and talking. Smoke wafted up the steps they eventually came to, and Luke had to force himself not to gag at the stench of the room. Clearly there wasn't any fresh air down here. Maybe the Hutts liked it that way, if their homeworld was any indication.
Luke shook his head to clear it and let his keen gaze flick with purpose about the room as he entered. He noted all occupants, especially those who looked like trouble, though he paid special attention to the position of the guards. In his perusal, Luke felt his heart clench with sympathy when his gaze found the small helping of slave girls that wandered the room serving drinks... or the ones dancing. All of them were in skimpy outfits that did nothing to preserve their dignity or privacy, and Luke hated Jabba for that.
But when Luke turned his full attention to the raised dais that housed the plump Hutt, Luke saw a dark-skinned girl about Luke's age that was just finishing a dance for her master. Luke frowned when something stirred in the Force, and he paused a moment to listen.
But his focus had to be split as Jabba's booming voice sounded from the 'throne' he lounged upon.
"I am told you have something that belongs to me," Jabba said leadingly in his native tongue. "And that you would only speak with me. What could be so important you could not talk to Fortuna?"
"Is he trusted to settle old debts or possibly make deals on your behalf?" Luke asked pointedly, though his gaze kept slipping to the dancer, who still hadn't turned so he could see her face. But something about her had the Force whispering to Luke.
Jabba hummed deeply, and Luke eyed the being from under his hood. "You have my attention now, so speak before I decide I'm annoyed with you."
Unperturbed, Luke responded calmly. "I am here to settle Han Solo's debt to you."
Utter silence reigned for the space of three heartbeats before the entire establishment erupted into riotous laughter. Jabba rocked back and forth on his dais as his bass laughter reverberated about the crowded room the loudest.
Luke took the opportunity of the room's occupants being distracted to find the young woman again, and this time he saw her face. Luke felt like he should recognize her... but from where? Her face... he knew that face... he'd seen it before. But for the life of him he couldn't place her.
Jabba's amused words cut into his thoughts, once more bringing Luke's focus to fore. "You are good for a laugh, I will give you that."
Luke lifted a brow under his hood. "Do I sound like I'm joking?"
Jabba stopped at that, studying Luke intently. "A bold one then," he mused. "Why would you want to do this?"
"My reasons are my own," Luke said. "I will pay his debt, and in exchange, you free him from your service and hit-list. He will no longer work for you, or owe you anything at all. The same goes for Chewbacca."
Jabba narrowed his eyes. "You presume to have such authority to make these... terms."
Luke knew he was being tested. "I have the high ground here, Jabba. I have your money, and all I want in return is Solo and Chewbacca's release. I don't think that's unfair."
Jabba huffed indignantly. "Is that all?"
Luke smirked. "For now."
He sensed the shift in the room as Jabba's goons moved closer just in case Jabba ordered a hit on the stranger. Luke deftly shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, ready to spring in a heartbeat if those around him tried anything foolish.
"Are you aware of just how much the man owes me?" Jabba asked.
"I am," Luke answered, though in truth he didn't have the actual total. But Luke had more than enough money to pay the debt. He had been saving funds for years now, and he was not poor by any means.
Jabba sat back, grabbing an amphibian from a nearby water bowl at his side and shoving it sloppily into his mouth. Luke tried not to think about the Hutt's foul breath as he waited for the other to stop stalling.
At last Jabba belched and then squinted at the human. "Solo has been nothing but a thorn in my side for too long. He was once a great smuggler, but now he's nothing but bantha poodoo. I will agree to your terms so I can be rid of that pest. But if I ever see him at my door again, I will kill him."
Luke dipped his head. "Understood. I will need to transfer the funds into your account."
Jabba gestured to Bib, who produced a datapad and approached Luke, showing him the hefty sum Han owed the gangster. Luke was indeed surprised, but he still paid the Hutt, using a ghost account he had set up so his real cache couldn't be traced. Once the Hutt had seen the money in his own account, Luke began to back away.
But the Force stirred again, more forcefully this time, and Luke was reminded of the mystery girl. Amid the mixed feelings of the crowd, Luke felt the suffering of the slave girls, and wished he could help them be free. But there was no way he could free each of them.
But perhaps he could free just one...
"One more item of business if you please," Luke said as Bib came to take him back to the exit.
Jabba eyed him suspiciously. "What is it now?"
Luke gestured to the dark-skinned girl, and watched her eyes widen as attention was directed to her. "How much for this girl?"
"She is not for sale," Jabba snapped, irritated now and lifting a hand. "I have spent a long time breaking this girl, and I will not let her go so easily! Get him out of my sight!"
As the gangster's henchmen drew ever closer, Luke thought fast, raking his brain to recall something he'd read about Jabba before. The guards reached him and grabbed his arms roughly. Luke struggled against them, his hood slipping in the process.
The men dragged Luke toward the stairs, but just as they reached them, Luke called out. "You are a collector of rare objects, are you not?"
Jabba narrowed his eyes at Luke, but the Hutt lifted a hand, halting the guards' movements. "That I am. Why do you care?"
Luke jerked free of the guards, straightening his robe. "I happen to know where something like that is."
"And what would this mysterious object be?" Jabba scoffed.
"How about a silken cape from Iego?" Luke persuaded.
Jabba straightened his bulk in surprise. Everyone knew that Iego silk was the most prized fabric in the entire galaxy because of the bountiful tales surrounding it. Many a space-goer believed that angels lived on that planet's moons, and every so often they would spin silk and let it fall to the planet's surface.
Luke thought it was all just tall tales, but if it got him what he needed, Luke could part with the cape. He had never truly liked silk, but he'd worn the thing and actually cared for it because the gift had been a rare show of the love his parents had then still held for their son.
"And how would you know of this item?" Jabba challenged.
Luke squared his shoulders, removing the robe he wore to reveal the shimmery cape in question. "I am in possession of it."
Jabba gestured Luke forward and the young man moved close enough for the Hutt to touch the fabric. The way the gangster's eyes lit up told Luke he was winning Jabba over.
"I will exchange this cape for the girl, and her slave remote. I will not be cheated out of this transaction." Luke warned. "I am not to be toyed with."
Jabba was all but drooling over the cape by now, and he nodded eagerly. "Done. Give him the girl's remote."
One guard grabbed the chain about the girl's neck and harshly jerked her forward. She stumbled, trying to keep up, and then the guard deposited her chain into Luke's hand. A slave master then appeared and handed a device over to Luke while the young lady in question looked frightened.
Luke eyed the remote, and then looked to the guy who'd handed it to him. "How do I know this is hers?"
"I will deactivate it. She will feel a jolt once it's been done." The girl jerked when the other depressed a button, and then gave a small cry when the man re-activated her chip.
Luke hadn't meant to cause her pain, and he winced inwardly when he felt her get hurt. Pocketing the remote, he straightened and turned to Jabba. "Escort me to the exit of your choice. Once she and I are safely outside, you will get the cape."
Jabba growled lowly but barked out orders, and soon everyone important was on the move, ushering Luke and the slave girl to the front entrance via a different path than the stairs. The large door opened and Luke stepped outside, turning once he had and unclasping the cape.
Bib took it carefully and handed it to Jabba, who ordered that it be placed around his own shoulders. Luke thought the cape looked hideously out of place on the Hutt, but he kept his opinion to himself.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Jabba," Luke said as he replaced his robe and backed away, not about to turn his back to these people.
Jabba barely glanced his way, however, too engrossed in his new toy was he. Luke eventually deemed it safe to walk properly, and did so, gently leading the girl along. Once he could, he would free her from the collar she was forced to wear.
"Come on," he murmured to his new companion.
As they walked, the girl put her hands up to her face and shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight. Luke wondered how long it had been since she'd last seen the sun. On a whim, and seeing how exposed the young woman was, Luke took off his robe and draped it around her shoulders.
"There you go," he said as he adjusted it, but the girl shied away from his touch, a clear current of fear coursing through her sense in the Force... and her gaze. "I'm not going to hurt you."
She didn't say anything, but nor did she fight him, probably knowing that in the desert she stood no chance of surviving even if she did break away. But she did draw the robe closer to her thin frame.
Luke sighed softly and led her to his ship, calling on the way for Nella to begin the warm-up. Once they were at the Pilgrim, he entered the code and let her go first. She did so warily and Luke followed, sealing the ship behind himself.
He motioned to an acceleration couch. "Strap in while we take off."
The young man made his way to the pilot's seat, smiling softly at Nella, who tilted her head curiously. "Who is the passenger Master Luke?"
"Jirik in front of company, you know that, Nella," he corrected firmly.
"Right, my apologies Master," Nella said penitently.
"I don't know her name, but I freed her from Jabba's clutches." Luke lifted the Pilgrim from the sands, pulling away to make his ascent into the sky. It wasn't long before they were in space, and Luke pulled out his datapad, finding a file he'd been keeping as he had sought out Han. It had not been easy to find the smuggler, but at last Luke had done so.
Apparently Han was lying low at Bespin, in a place called Cloud City. Luke input the coordinates and sent the ship into hyperspace. Once flight-checks had been performed, Luke stood.
"Keep an eye on things please; I need to see our guest."
Nella nodded and Luke strode back into the lobby. The girl was sitting rigidly in her seat, and as soon as her eyes caught sight of him, she stared. Still he felt her fear, and Luke tried again to soothe her.
"I promise I'm not going to hurt you. I want to free you." He felt her disbelief, her thoughts that this was all some ruse. But Luke lifted the remote and deactivated her chip once more, causing her to flinch, and Luke to apologize quietly. Finally he took the remote, placed it on the floor and crushed it to pieces to make his point to her. "There. You're officially free."
She couldn't take her eyes off of the remains of her remote, and Luke felt the warring emotions within her. He let the girl have her space, eyeing her in the robe and pursing his lips. He went into the cabin and shuffled through his clothing to try finding something she could wear until they found clothing fit for a young woman.
At last he pulled out a plain grey shirt and a black set of trousers. He returned to the girl and handed the clothing over. "Here you go: something decent to wear. Once we land, we can get you a real outfit, but for now this should do."
She took the items slowly and Luke sat near her, once more trying to place where he knew her from. His eyes fell upon her collar and he studied it to figure out the best way to remove it. After a time, Luke retrieved a tool kit and began to work on freeing the young woman from the thing around her neck.
At one point he glanced at her face, trying to make conversation to help ease her nerves. "What is your name?"
Her dull eyes met his. "321..."
Luke placed a hand over hers to stop her. "No, I mean your name. Who are you?"
"I am no one," she stated by rote, looking away with moist eyes, and Luke's sorrow for her returned. "Only a slave."
He paused in his work to lift a hand to turn her head, and as soon as he made contact with her cheek, her fear morphed into terror and Luke frowned when she shifted away from him. He could practically hear her heart pounding form where he sat. He leaned back, a little confused, until he caught a snippet of thought from the young woman. It was an image of him forcing her down and... and Luke having his way with her like so many others she'd been forced to lie with.
He jerked away as if she'd slapped him, horrified that she thought he was trying to seduce or rape her. His antics caused some confusion in her in turn, though he barely noticed. He had to take several deep breaths to calm himself down, remembering where he'd just taken her from. Slowly he began to comprehend that this girl hadn't just been a dancer for Jabba. She had been a slave meant to give pleasure to those who wanted it for the right price.
Luke's anger flared up and he cursed Jabba up and down his known vocabulary. Once he'd calmed down, Luke took a breath. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I am not playing you, and I want nothing from you that you don't want to give me."
She frowned, and Luke went on. "I did not mean to cross any lines by touching you, and I will refrain from touching you in any way that's inappropriate or makes you uncomfortable. I'm sorry for scaring you."
He sighed, dropping his hand to finish his task and then letting the item clang to the floor. He promptly placed his hands firmly in his lap. "What I was trying to do was get your attention. You are a person, and you need to start seeing yourself as one. You are not a slave, not anymore." He offered what he hoped was a friendly smile. "I'm Jirik, by the way."
He stood, hearing her stomach growl and wondering when she'd last eaten. Luke moved to the galley and got to work preparing a meal for his guest. He felt her eyes on him the entire time, but he didn't mind: let her work things out for herself. When she was ready to talk, she would: he'd not pressure her.
She didn't speak until he handed her a plate. "Nakari."
He cocked his head, intrigued. "Nakari?"
"My... name. You asked."
Luke lifted his head in an 'ah-ha' manner, relinquishing the plate and watching as she at first picked at the items, then tasted... and finally began shoving food into her mouth as swiftly as possible. Luke was only a little shocked, though he now had his answer: she hadn't eaten for some time.
He brought her a drink at one point and she downed it swiftly, returning to her food with the same desperation as before.
Luke turned his gaze away politely, instead shifting to a more comfortable position to read from his datapad. Nakari... he had heard that name, just as he'd seen this girl's face before... Luke typed in her name and waited for the results.
What came up froze Luke's heart momentarily. Nakari Kelen. Her image matched the girl before him too much to be a coincidence. With a sinking feeling in his gut, Luke looked to Nakari with new eyes, swallowing with sudden difficulty.
Now he remembered why she was familiar to him. Nakari Kelen was daughter of Fayet Kelen, owner of Kelen Biolabs... and her mother had been a singer who had stepped on the Emperor's toes by writing a song that poked fun at him.
Vader had been furious, and he had gone after the woman's family: combing through Fayet's business and doing everything he could to ruin the man, which had only worked out a little bit. But their daughter... Vader had ripped the then-eleven-year-old-girl from her parents' grasp and shipped her off to who-knew where. And while the singer had suffered from all the flak from her mistake, the Emperor had finally called for her death. Vader had done the deed himself while Fayet and the galaxy watched to make a point no one would ever forget.
And no one had.
No one had ever tried a stunt like that again. A young Luke, who'd been witness to everything since he had been in his intense training with Vader, had been horrified on the family's behalf. He had even searched discreetly for Nakari, hoping to help the innocent girl from whatever fate she'd been sentenced to.
Rumors had spread that Nakari had been sent to the spice mines of Kessel, and thought to be dead as a result. But Now Luke knew that wasn't the case. Nakari had been practically gifted to Jabba the Hutt by Vader.
And Jabba had terrorized the poor girl, breaking her down and forcing her into things no female should ever have to face.
He looked up to find her gaze on him. Resolutely he forced a smile onto his face, trying his best not to look guilty. Seeing her empty plate, Luke stood, pocketing his datapad. "I'll get those cleaned up for you. Why don't you get dressed, and if you'd like you can take a nap. I'm afraid there is only one cabin. But if you'd feel more comfortable, I can sleep in the lobby: you can have a bed."
Nakari's gaze slid to the cabin and she nodded, rising to do just that. "Thanks."
At the doorway, Nakari paused, turning around. "And... thank you for freeing me."
Luke smiled genuinely this time. "You're welcome."
"But why did you do it?" she wondered aloud.
Luke hesitated, wondering how much to give away, especially in light if his new knowledge. "I wanted to help... and you... were important to the Force for some reason."
She started, eyes widening. "Did you say the Force?"
Luke nodded once, waiting for her to lash out at him. To his great surprise, she did the opposite. She approached cautiously. "Are you... a Jedi?"
Thrown off by her mannerisms, Luke stumbled over his response. "Ah... no... well, not yet."
She tilted her head. "But you are Force-sensitive?"
"Yes." Luke frowned. "Why do you ask?"
Nakari smiled wistfully, almost secretively. "No reason."
She turned and entered the cabin before he could reply, leaving him to ponder the strange conversation.
