Tales of the Mother

Chapter 2

STS

Artoo-Deetoo had been trundling across the desert in search of the man named Obi-Wan Kenobi, when he was intercepted by some rather large unruly creatures dressed in deep desert fashion. They waved their sticks at him and shouted at him in a rather inhuman manner. Artoo had to admit that he wished he had stayed in the shed with Threepio.

Suddenly, there was a load noise that came from behind them. The desert nomads looked up in fear, and then fled. The thing that descended from the hill was nothing like Artoo had expected. In stead of a massive monster with sharp fangs, there was an old man in a long brown cloak. The old man approached the Droid. "What are you doing here all by yourself, little friend?" The old man asked as he placed a hand on Artoo's dome. Artoo beeped excitedly.

"They'll be coming back soon, and in greater numbers. It would be best if we were to leave this area. Come little friend." The Old man said.

The Astromec Droid followed the old man across the desert until they came to a little dwelling. "Come in little friend", the old man said. "We'll be safe here. The Droid rolled in through the doorway as the man sat himself on one of the benches. The man looked at the Droid. "Do I know you?" He pondered aloud. "You seem familiar." The little Droid beeped excitedly again. "Artoo?" The man asked thoughtfully. "Is that you? It's been fifteen years, hasn't it? What are you doing here, Artoo?"

Artoo beeped and began to play the message that Princess Liea had sent him here to deliver. "The Death Star plans...That is truly amazing, but I would expect such a feat from the daughter of Anakin Skywalker. We must go to Alderaan, Artoo. We must deliver these plans safely to Bail Organa." Then Obi-Wan thought of something he had not thought of before. "How did you get here, Artoo?" Artoo replayed all the footage in his memory banks starting from when the ship was first attacked to this moment. Obi-Wan looked at him. "Luke...Luke might be in danger. We have to go to the Lars Family farm to see if we can protect him.

When Obi-Wan and Artoo arrived at the farm, it was quite clear to them that they had arrived too late to do any good. "Vader took him, Obi-Wan," said Owen. "He almost killed me as well."

"We're very worried," said Beru, "Is there any hope that we might be able to save Luke?"

"I don't know, Beru, but the only thing I can tell you is that it's no longer safe for you to be here. If Anakin finds out that he has taken the wrong Droid, he will come back here looking for it."

"Leave my farm?" Owen said in disbelief. "The farm my father bought, and Luke was raised on? I don't know if we can just up and leave, Obi-Wan. We have all our money invested in this farm. This is our life. Where will we go?"

"You can build a life anywhere Owen, but you can't get one back after it's taken. I have no doubt he will kill you this time. He's not very forgiving. You can both come with me to Alderaan."

"Alderaan," asked Owen. "What's in Alderaan?"

"King Bail Organa is in Alderaan. Perhaps he can help us to save Luke."

"We will go with you, Obi-Wan." Beru Said.

"Beru!"

"We have to do all we can to help Luke, Owen. As his parents, we owe it to him."

"Are you absolutely sure, Beru?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Let's go Jedi..."

"First we need to hire a ship, and I know just where to get one."

The speeder was parked on a ridge overlooking a town.

"Mos Eisley Cantina...You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy." Obi-Wan said.

"That's true enough." Owen said.

"We must be cautious

Luckily Vader had announced that the Droid had been found, so the Empire wasn't looking for them. They didn't even give the travelers a second look when they passed through the check-point. They walked into the Cantina. Owen and Beru had never hired a ship before, and hadn't the slightest clue about how to find a captain. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, was going around to the tables, talking to everybody. The couple chose a booth and sat down.

"Do you think he knows what he's doing, Owen?"

"I hope so, or we're going to be in big trouble."

A few moments later, Obi-Wan came and sat with them. "I've found us a ship. The Captains sort of a boastful fellow named Han Solo. He claims his ship made the Kessel run in less than twelve Parsecs."

"Is that good?" Beru asked.

"Well, if you believe him, yes it is."

"How much?" Owen asked, always the business minded one.

"Five now, twenty when we get to Alderaan."

"That's highway robbery!" Cried Owen.

"It's alright," said Obi-Wan, "We'll sell your speeder, and that'll be enough to get us off."

"When do we leave?" Beru asked.

"Two hours."

"And then we say farewell to Tatooine...Perhaps forever." Said Beru. "I really hate adventures."

Vader stood on the bridge of the Star Destroyer. They were almost to the Death Star. The communications officer turned to him. "Lord Vader," he said. "You are being summoned to the medical unit."

Ah..So the results were in. Vader didn't quite know that he wanted to accept the fact that the boy he had taken on Tatooine was in fact his son, so he had the med unit take a sample of the boy's DNA. He hurried down the Grey corridors until he came at last to the medical unit. The door opened and the doctor greeted him.

"Lord Vader, I have those test results that you wanted. It seems that the boy is indeed your son."

"Vader didn't know exactly how to feel about this. "You are absolutely sure?" He asked.

"Absolutely. DNA doesn't lie, sir."

"And what of a Midi-Clorine count?"

"Numbers are astronomical sir. Not as many as you, sir, but still almost off the chart."

"Really? Where is the boy now?"

"Sedated, sir. He was being rather in-cooperative."

Vader sighed. "keep him that way. I have to travel over to the Death Star when we arrive, and I am going to leave him on board so that we can be on our way straight to Naboo when my business at the Death Star is finished."

"Right sir."

Just then the comm chimed. "Sir, we have arrived at the Death Star."

"Good," said Vader. "Prepare my shuttle to disembark."

"Right away sir."

Vader sighed again. He had a feeling it was going to be a long day...