Chapter 3
Mos Eisley, Tatooine
Carth and Leia had continued to ask around the cantina for a racer to sponsor. The only thing the two had were Imperial credits. They had come up empty on their search before they reached a young man in about his twenties. He wore a white tunic and had bushy brown hair.
Carth came up to him and asked, "Can you pilot a podracer? We can sponsor you in the upcoming race if you want."
"Really? That would be great; I came in here looking for a sponsor. My names Luke Skywalker, what's yours?"
Leia and Carth had already came up with fake names for this instance, "I'm Pash Minn and this is my business partner, Kara Lankost."
When Luke saw the woman Carth was pointing to, he recognized her right away. She didn't have her hair in buns but he'd remember a woman that beautiful anywhere, it was the princess from the hologram Artoo played.
Luke didn't know they were using fake names so he blurted out, "You're the princess from the hologram!"
The whole cantina got quiet and everyone look at Leia. Leia gave a nervous smile. Luckily their attention was caught by another event. A man in a brown robe had just cut off a patron's arm with a blue lightsaber. It was Ben.
He turned off his lightsaber and walked towards Luke. The cantina went back to normal.
"What was that all about?" Luke asked as Ben came over. "Mos Eisley is a haven for criminals. Events like that take place quiet often. Nothing to worry about," Ben then changed the subject, "I see you've found a sponsor. What are their names?"
"Ben this is the princess I was talking to you about. She's the one who wanted help from Obi-Wan-I mean you," Luke tried to whisper.
Leia heard the name Obi-Wan and said, "Are you General Kenobi? My father served with you in the Clone Wars. He said if I ever needed help to try and find you. Please, I and my Lieutenant Carth Onasi are trying to win our lost astromech droid. It contains valuable information that could help the Rebellion win the war."
"Milady, I and Luke are already trying to help you. That is why we are looking for a sponsor in the race. Luke is a great pilot but we need a sponsor and a podracer."
"Well, we can sponsor you but we don't have a podracer," Carth said.
"We can buy a podracer from a local merchant. I'm sure one of them is selling a podracer," Ben replied.
The four left the cantina and met up with repaired C-3PO who had had to wait outside. They then searched the streets for a merchant selling a podracer. Finally, they came upon a junk shop owned by a Toydarian named Watto.
"Hello and welcome to my shop. I am Watto the junk dealer," the bulbous Toydarian said as he flew over to the group and bowed, "How may I be of service to you?"
"We are looking for a podracer. We can pay you a great sum of credits," Ben told the junk dealer, "And make sure it is in good condition. I would be most unpleased if something malfunctioned and hurt my friend here."
Ben motioned to Luke. Upon seeing the farm boy, the Toydarian was intrigued. "You know, this boy seems vaguely familar... Did you say he will be piloting the podracer?" Watto started flying around his shop, looking for where a good podracer would be.
"Yes, he will be racing in Jabba the Hutt's Annual Podrace" Ben replied wearily.
"Hmm.. you know, I quiet enjoy podracing. I often bet on the racers- mostly Sebulba- and have even sponsored a few racers..." he hinted toward Ben, "I even have a pit crew and a very good podracer. Maybe I could... sponsor this boy of yours?"
Luke, Leia, and Carth were not fond of the idea but Ben surprisingly was interested. "I think that might be arrangeable. What would your stipulations be?"
"I will let the boy use my podracer and pit crew free of charge as long as he wins and I receive 75% of his winnings. However, if he does not succeed in winning, you will pay for the services of my equipment."
"I accept under one more condition; that we receive the droid along with our 25% of the earnings," Ben bargained.
The Toydarian hesitated but, fearing a loss of business, reluctantly agreed. "Good, then we have ourselves a deal," Ben said, holding out his hand. Watto shook it, a mischievous smile on his face.
Ben and the others then turned to leave. Everyone but Ben had left when Watto gasped, "Annie! That's who the boy reminded me of!"
A bit of fear washed over Ben. He know remembered how his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had rescued Anakin Skywalker from his enslavement to Watt years and years before Luke was born. Ben didn't need Watto to exploit any of this to Luke. He re-approached the junk dealer.
"You will not mention this to the boy," Ben said, waving his hand across Watto's face. Watto let out a laugh, "What are you doing? Do you think yourself a Jedi waving your hand around like that? Even if you were a Jedi, Toydarians are immune to Jedi mind tricks!"
Ben ignited his lightsaber in a fit of anger and held it to Watto's neck, just above his fat belly. "If you tell the boy anything, you'll wish my mind trick had worked."
Without waiting for a reply, Ben turned off his weapon and exited the shop. Outside he met back up with Luke, Leia, Carth, and C-3PO. "Why did you agree to a deal with that trickster!?" Carth asked the wise old man.
"I agreed to it because Luke will be entered under his name. There will be less suspicion. We also have better equipment than what the Toydarian would have sold us," Ben explained.
"But what if he scams us?" Leia asked worriedly. "Trust me, I have a feeling that the Toydarian will not try to cross us." Ben then gave the group a smile.
