Entry #2 - Mos Eisley
As a Jedi I have learned to concentrate, through focus and meditation, blocking out all outside distractions. This has helped me out of many 'sticky' situations, especially when Anakin would rush head long into trouble without first pausing to assess the situation at hand. My training has not, however, made it any easier to bare the fowl stench caused when my eopie has gas. The journey to Anchorhead was one of the longest I'd ever experienced.
Anchorhead is a small farming community where farmers get together to exchange tales of heroism against Tuskin Raiders and gossip on the latest goings on. I find that this particular day I am the topic of discussion. It seems that, like Owen, many of them are suspicious of my motives in moving here. I can't say that I blame them. After all, I am not a farmer and I did appear quite suddenly, with a baby in my arms no less. A few of them recognize me as a Jedi, which I suppose should be a cause of alarm. I doubt, however, that they will go out of their way to spread word to other parts of Tatooine. Even if they do, they don't know my real name. I've decided to go by the name Ben. Owen agrees this would be wise. He, like the other farmers in the community, doesn't want to draw attention. Everyone seems quite content in staying as far away from the space ports and other inhabited areas as possible. All they seem to really want is a peaceful life, quiet and rewarding; a life that I can respect quite easily.
In my quest for supplies, I decided to get a transport to Mos Eisley. I could just as easily get my supplies from the farmers, as they are always willing to trade goods and services with each other, but I am a wanted man after all, and any news on the Empire would be useful. While a crowded spaceport is not the best place to go when trying to avoid detection, I sense that many of the other inhabitants would also like to avoid any unnecessary attention.
A young farmer named Huff Darklighter, one of the wealthier and more influential residents in Anchorhead, made me a proposition. If I would agree to meet an associate of his in port and purchase some rare fruit from him, he would let me use his speeder.
Rarely have I despised being in a place as much as I do being in Mos Eisley. Every scum in the universe seems to be drawn there. A haven for all manner of criminals, one can find a very colorful array of villainy; from pirates to smugglers, bounty hunters, slave traders, local scavengers and all manner of criminals. Not only does the local Hutt-run government not bother arresting or exporting them, they actually welcome them. The local economy thrives on illegal activities that would never have been accepted in the republic. It's no wonder Anakin hated his home some much.
After bartering for my supplies I proceeded to meet with Darklighter's associate. He was to be in a local cantina that was inhabited by some of the vilest beings that I have ever seen. They make the bars on Coruscant's lower levels seem tame in comparison. Eyes watched me from dark corners of the cantina as I entered. Even the bartender seemed as if he had something to hide. Since I was a little early for the meeting I figured I would get a drink and keep my ears open for any information on the Empire's activities. It seems that my instincts have served me well. The bar was a buzz with chatter concerning the new change in government. It seems that Palpatine was quite interested in enforcing heavy taxes on trade, now that the Empire was in charge after the demise of the Trade Federation. This, of course, meant that smuggling was an even more profitable business than it had been. This also meant that more smugglers were popping up. The Hutts were jumping on the opportunity to expand business beyond the outer rim. The only catch is that the Empire had swift and brutal punishment to anyone caught illegally smuggling. It seems the Emperor has found a new enforcer that is a force to be reckoned with. No one seems to know who this enforcer is yet, but my instinct tells me that I should find out. Who ever he is, he probably has the force. Palpatine would be eager to find a new apprentice after Anakin. Something feels off though. If he is another sith apprentice, Palpatine didn't waste anytime in finding him.
Darklighter's associate, a rodian named Birtou, finally arrived. He was suspicious at first, but eased up considerably at the sight of the money Darklighter have given me. I left soon after the exchange. It was getting late and even a Jedi doesn't want travel the sands of Tatooine after dark. As much as I wanted to stick around and get more information, I knew there would be another time. After all, that is all I really have; time.