Ryloth's spaceport was teeming with activity. Trader ships were busy loading up spices to be exported, along with the more distasteful trade of Twi'lek slaves. At least it made gathering information easier. Slave owners were all over, loading up groups and group of Twi'lek dancers. Anakin and Obi-Wan made their way around to different buyers. Humanoid males on Ryloth were unusual, unless they were involved in the slaver business.
"Interested in a slave, young Master? Dancers? Pleasure slave? One to take care of the wife and kids at home perhaps?"
"I was looking for those who were sent to Vanqor," Anakin said smoothly, "I encountered them on my travels and would be interested in buying them."
"No one 'round here sells there. Vanqor isn't one of our normal trade routes. Not enough interest. If you want somethin' 'round Tatooine, then I can help you."
Anakin gritted his teeth.
Calm yourself, Anakin. We can't do everything.
Yes, Master.
"No thanks. Do you know who does sell to Vanqor?"
"Hmm. That's got to be a special order, some powerful or rich guy there. I would ask Graxol Kelvyyn. Live up in the Bright Lands. Nasty area. He does the major business."
I found who we're looking for. Graxol Kelvyyn.
You know him, I take it?
Watto lost big to him on at one of the Podraces. Kelvyyn bet on me. One of the biggest gamblers and slave traders on Tatooine. He sold mostly to Hutts.
Would you rather I go alone to see him?
Absolutely not. Besides, Kelvyyn was one of the better slave sellers. He didn't care who he sold to, but he was nicer than most. He offered to buy me from Watto several times.
Obi-Wan purchased a small speeder as Anakin got the coordinates of Graxol Kelvyyn's hideout in the Bright Lands. The locals had all warned them against the journey. Kelvyyn was not know for violence, surrounding himself with only one trusted guard. To compensate for that, he made his base in the Bright Lands of Ryloth. The extreme heat storms, high winds, and vicious fauna made sure that not many people ventured out that far.
Bright Lands was a truthful name, if not overly cheerful. The area was much like Tatooine, although only one sun blazed overhead. The sand was more coarse on this planet, the sand granules mixed with pebbles. Hidden amongst the dunes of sand were the numerous caverns. Kelvyyn's dwelling stood out like a lake in the middle of the desert. It was a metal dome, spanning for several meters in all directions.
Obi-Wan rapped sharply on the durasteel door. A small slot opened in the metal door and a green Twi'lek female answered.
"What is your business here?"
"We are Jedi. We wish to talk to Graxol Kelvyyn about a shipment of slaves to Vanqor."
"Master Kelvyyn does not speak to Jedi."
"Tell him Anakin Skywalker from Tatooine would like to speak with him."
"One moment please." She slid the window shut again.
"How long should we give her before we find another way in?" Anakin asked, hand on his lightsaber hilt.
"It will be nearly impossible to cut through this. We have no idea how thick it is."
"Do you have another suggestion?"
"Patience."
"Patience? We can only wait so long before a sandstorm hits."
A door banged open.
"This way please. Master Kelvyyon will see you and your companion, Mr. Skywalker."
Anakin nodded, "Come on then, my companion."
Obi-Wan silently jabbed his elbow into Anakin's side as they entered the dark entrance way. Their guide led them into a side chamber. Kelvyyon has set up a banquet table. He was seated at the end of it, two Twi'lek girls sitting on either end of him. He was taller than Anakin even seated, but he stood up to greet them and towered over Anakin by several more feet.
"Anakin? The little Anakin Skywalker who always defied the odds? Whatever was least expected, you would do. Made you an easy bet, very profitable. You've done very well for yourself. A Jedi now, huh?"
Anakin nodded curtly.
"If you're as good of a Jedi as you were racer, you must be a damn fine fighter. Don't suppose you would still consider going back? Start joining the races? I could arrange for you to get a new pod….I expect you'd still make a fine racer. I make the bets, you race, and we'll split the winnings 20-80."
"No. I'm here only on Jedi business this time."
"A disappointment. But what can I do for you?"
"We're interested in a shipment of slaves you might have sent to Vanqor?"
"I trust the Jedi will keep this confidential?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes."
"Well, Vanqor was a strange one. Not enough interest for the normal traders and this woman came straight to me."
"Woman? Do you know her name? What she looked liked?"
"Mid thirties maybe? Attractive for a human female I suppose. Never gave a name. She wanted blood samples of all the available slaves sent and was willing to pay very well for it. All credits, no questions asked, nothing kept in my records. I sent out the blood sample shipment and a week late, she had a list of six she wanted. Paid very well for them too."
"You never asked why she wanted the blood sample?"
"Maybe she was checking for diseases. I don't know. She paid me double. That's all I needed to know."
"Did she ever contact you again?"
"Interestingly enough, she did. About four months ago. The same system. I sent blood samples, she picked the ones she wanted. Same prices, same confidentiality. A fair bit more this time though – twenty-three. I made a small fortune."
"Do you know where this shipment was sent?"
"Dantooine."
Another long trip. Almost five days.
I can't wait.
Sarcasm will get you nowhere, Obi-Wan. Don't you like spending time with me?
Don't be cheeky, Anakin.
"Thank you for your help."
"Nice to see you again, Master Skywalker. If you change your mind about racing, you know where to find me. Thyla will see you out."
Anakin and Obi-Wan pulled their cloaks back over their heads, blinking hurriedly to adjust to the sudden brightness. Their landspeeder was zooming back across the dunes. The sun was already fading, the faster rotation on Ryloth made the days and nights shorter than average Courscant ones. They were almost a mile from the outskirts of the main city when the speeder died. Anakin got out to inspect it.
"Lousy piece of junk. Look, sand got caught in the thermal exhaust port. There should be flaps to prevent this."
"Can you fix it?"
Anakin shook his head. "It would be impossible to remove all the sand. I'd have to take it apart and completely soak it."
"Well, we aren't far. If we hurry, we should make it back before – "
"Did you sense that?" Anakin asked suddenly.
"No, what – "
"– there's something moving. Nearby. But I can't tell what it is. It's moving under the sand."
"Lylek. They crawl through the sand to stay cool. We need to get out of here."
He and Anakin got no more than two steps before they were thrown back by a burst of sand. The creature was easily twenty feet tall, a thick exoskeleton armed with sharp spears for limbs and tentacles swinging wildly at its prey.
A/N: Thank you to all my faithful readers and reviewers! (squeals) I live on reviews! And thanks always to the beautiful Ayra Sei Ethari, if you didn't cause me so much angst I would have no reason to write.