Back On Yavin 4...
" Okay, so let's look at the facts. Mom and Dad are hiding something they think we shouldn't know about, so it's either something really dangerous or something they think will make us ashamed of them...or you know, something along those lines." Jacen was racing his sister to the landing bay where they both new that three X-Wings were kept for emergency purposes. He and Jaina were neck to neck, both refusing to surrender to fatigue, pressing on towards their goal. The doors were just in sight.
" But they know us better than that...no, it's got to be something more. They aren't just going to visit an 'Old Friend,' " Jaina replied. Simulintaniously they both ran through the sliding doors, but they didn't stop there. Jaina headed for one X-Wing while Jacen ran for another. Jumping into the cockpit, they started going through all the warm-up procedures. Suddenly, from what seemed to be out of nowhere, another head popped up in the third X-Wing.
Luke Skywalker smiled patiently at them both, his blue eyes filled with amusement. " And just WHERE are you two headed in such a hurry?" He, too, started his warm-up procedures. Jacen and Jaina just stared at him.
" Uncle Luke, how did you...wait, don't answer that. Are you really coming with us? What about the Academy?" Jacen asked.
" You BET I am, and Tione's got the place under contol. If your parents are in some kind of trouble, it might not hurt to have some back up." He gave the twins a sly grin. " Plus, It's been bugging me to know what in the universe is bringing them to Tatooine...I've been missing my old home." The X-Wings were ready to fly, so one by one they took off, setting their course for Tatooine.
Jaina spoke through their intercoms. " Uncle Luke, how did you know they were heading for Tatooine? They never mentioned anything about the place..."
Just for fun, Luke did a little spin with his X-Wing. " I have my ways, kids. That's all you need to know."
They flew along for a long time, occasionally stopping to get some food or stretch their legs. Finally, after many hours of traveling and playing mind games with eachother, their destination came in sight. " You know, you guys, it's not a very friendly place down there. Some things may come as a shock, so be prepared," Luke said.
The twins Force-nudged eachother, both knowing that they were ready for anything that lay ahead.
Leia and Han sat at a dirty table sipping Correlian ail in one of the many low-life establishments in Mos Eisley. A big furry creature with horns sharp enough to slice through durasteel walked over to their table and sat down.
" Mr. Blethru, we presume," Leia sad.
The creature's voice could hardly be heard over the cantina music. " You presume correctly. Now who is it that you want to know about?"
Han kept his hand where his blaster was the whole time, in case, as his wife would put it, negotiations went sour. " We want to know anything you can tell us about a Lacie Marie. She live around these parts?"
The creature scratched it's furry chin, as if contemplating whether or not he should tell them anything, when Han laid a credit chip out on the table. "Five hundred should get you talking."
Mr. Blethru's eyes widened as he quickly pocketed the chip. " She's a slave in Mos Espa. Very famous one, actually. She's been winning all the podraces ever since she could walk...or so I hear. Her master refuses to sell her to anybody, so if you're looking to buy her, I'm afraid you're looking at attempting the impossible."
" Wouldn't be the first time," Han muttered under his breath. Then speaking loudly, he added, "So where can we find her?"
" I don't really know...I can't think of her master's name..."
Han pulled out another credit chip. "Would another hundred jog your memory?"
Once again, Mr.Blethru pocketed the chip. "Ah, I remember now! The guy's name is Tolx. Man, that family line really had some good slaves, you know that? First his grandfather, Watto, had that boy, eh, Anikan. He won the Boonta Eve race...although I hear it didn't turn out so well for Watto, you know?" He laughed heartily. " Wouldn't it be something if those two were related somehow?"
Leia and Han looked at eachother. "That would be one crazy coincidence," Leia commented. " Well, Mr. Blethru, thank you for your time...and information." With that Han and Leia left the table, leaving Mr. Blethru to pick up the tab for their drinks.