Entry # 8 - An Offer I Couldn't Refuse
I have found yet another reason to remember that I am on a world that dislikes change and distrusts strangers. It's been bad enough that most of the farming community distrusts me. Indeed, although Owen and Beru have been quiet about their reasons for banishing me from their homestead, it has still managed to affect the rest of the community in a negative way. Now a new development has risen that complicates my situation even further. I am no longer welcome in Mos Eisely.
This new development began, oddly enough, during my morning Jedi workout. In my time here I have explored some of the local canyons and rock formations, discovering a natural obstacle course that is very similar to a training course found in the Jedi Temple. It is complicated enough to keep me fit, yet close enough to my home to be discreet. This morning, while in the middle of a particularly hard stretch of terrain, I force jumped to the top of a rock wall where I found myself face to face with an abyssin.
"Very impressive Jedi," he said with what I interpreted as a smirk.
"Jedi? I think you've mistaken me for someone else," I said.
"Ah, that's right. You prefer 'Ben', do you not?" He asked, his smirk growing into a toothy grin.
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know who I am, but I have no idea who you are," I said.
"I'm a friend, that's all you need to know for now," he said, amusement showing in his eye. He was clearly enjoying this.
"Okay, 'friend'. What is it that you want?" I asked.
"It's not what I want, it's what my employer wants."
"Your employer?" I fished.
"Yes. I was instructed to bring you to him," he paused, raising a blaster. "By force if necessary."
"Okay," I said. "You have my attention. What does your employer want with me?"
"Just to speak with you concerning a private matter. He is someone of great importance and it would be to your benefit to listen to his request."
"His request?"
"If you wish to know more than you'll need to come with me," he said. The abyssin waved his blaster. "I won't need this will I?"
I supposed I didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Someone knew who I was and where I was living. My life now depended on finding out as much about them as necessary. I had a bad feeling about this.
"No, I'll be civilized," I said with a slight bow.
"Good," he said, replacing his blaster in its holster. "My employer assured me that the Negotiator, hero of the Clone Wars, would be very civil."
"The Negotiator?" I asked.
The abyssin rolled his eye. "Come now Master Kenobi, the time for playing games has passed, has it not? We knew that when you agreed to meet my employer, despite that fact that you could have easily unarmed me."
"Yes, well, I didn't want to hurt your feelings," I said with a grin.
He bellowed out a hardy laugh. "I like you 'Ben'. You and I will become good friends I think."
"Only time will tell," I replied, hoping this wasn't a big mistake.
He nodded and led me to a speeder parked nearby. We headed into the Dune Sea and an hour later we came upon a fortress built near a natural rock formation. A large reinforced metal gate marked the entrance. The abyssin had a brief conversation with the gates perimeter droid and the gate opened. We walked into a dark corridor that was guarded by a couple gamorreans. A twi'lek approached us.
"This is the Jedi?" the twi'lek asked in Huttese, looking me over.
"Yes. He has been most civil," my escort said with a grin.
"Good. You're lightsaber, Jedi. I will need to hold it during your meeting. It is only a formality I assure you," he said, holding out a clawed hand.
"I'm sure it is," I replied. Reluctantly I handed it to him.
"Thank you Jedi. Your cooperation is most appreciated."
We were led further down the corridor into a dark den. I could see many unsavory characters hovering around a throne in which a large hutt sat. A band played nearby while a dancer entertained the crowd. As I approached the Hutt, the room grew silent. The Twi'lek whispered into the ear of the Hutt and showed him my lightsaber.
"Everyone out!" The hutt ordered in his native Huttese.
After the room cleared, my escort led me to the Hutt's throne. I noticed the floor was metal, my footsteps sounding hollow. The abyssin seemed amused at my observation.
"There are many secrets in this palace. It was once a monastery for B'omarr monks," he said. "Do you understand the Huttese language?"
"Yes, though I can't speak it." I said
"That's okay, the mighty Jabba understands basic," he replied.
"The mighty Jabba the Hutt will speak with you now," the Twi'lek said.
I looked at the hutt and bowed.
"You are a Jedi, are you not?" Jabba asked. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, 'The Negotiator'?"
"Actually," I said, "As I've explained to my escort here, my name is Ben."
Jabba dismissed this with a wave of his hand. "I've seen you on the Holonet many times during the Clone Wars. That was a very trying time for my smuggling operations. You see, the Trade Federation was undercutting many of my clients, taking away business in order to attract more systems to its cause."
"The Trade Federation was a thorn in many sides," I said.
"Indeed. I am just now beginning to recover from my many losses during that period. I cannot afford any more blows to my operations. That is why we need to speak. Your presence on Tatooine puts me in an awkward situation. If you stay, and the Empire finds you, the ramifications to my business could be disastrous. Likewise, if I turn you in, that could unnecessarily draw the eye of the Empire here. I owe the Jedi greatly for their roll in the eventual elimination of my competition. I choose, therefore, to be generous. I will let you leave Tatooine by your own free will. Now understand, this means that you may never return. If you choose to stay, however, then I will have no other alternative than to have you killed."
I waved my hand in attempt to resolve the situation. "You do not want to send me away. My presence here will not attract the Empire."
Jabba's eyes widened as if he'd been slapped. "Do you think this is all a joke Jedi? I am being more than generous and you have the audacity to attempt your Jedi Mind Tricks? You are trying my patience boy."
"I am sorry. It is just that I cannot accept your offer. There is nowhere else that I can go. I can assure you that if you allow me to stay you will not regret it. The Empire will never learn of my location," I said.
"That is a risk I am not willing to make. You have been spotted repeatedly in Mos Eisely spaceport, jeopardizing my operations, not to mention your own security. If you will not leave Tatooine then I am left with no other alternative," he said.
I felt a sudden impulse and jumped off the metal floor. The same instance Jabba hit a lever and a trap door opened. He looked at me in surprise.
"Your Jedi instincts have served you well. I am therefore willing to give you a second chance," he said, shutting the trap door.
"If I may appeal to your humanity, mighty Jabba. If allowed to stay, I will avoid all spaceports, staying only in my rural community."
The twi'lek said something into Jabba's ear. After a moment he spoke.
"I will agree to those conditions," Jabba said. "There is something else I will need from you, however. The moister farmers of Anchorhead have been experiencing problems with the sand people. Water is an expensive luxury, as you know, and I cannot afford to have my supplies disrupted. If you will agree to watch over them, keep them clear of all disturbances, than I will allow you to stay."
"I will need transportation if I am to patrol these farms," I said.
"That is not my problem Jedi. I am sure you will think of something. Do you agree to these terms?" He asked.
"I don't see that I have much of a choice," I said.
"Good. You may leave," he said.
I was escorted back into the corridor where the twi'lek returned my lightsaber.
"The mighty Jabba has asked me to remind you that it is very important that the sand people be dealt with. It is by his grace that you are allowed to remain here on Tatooine."
"I understand," I said with a bow. "I will not neglect my end of the bargain."
"Come now Jedi. I am sure you wish to get home," my escort said.
After returning home I headed into Anchorhead where I purchased a new eopie. I have decided to name her Nella. She should be useful when I patrol the farms. I don't like the idea that I am now working for a Hutt. I suppose it could be worse. He hasn't asked me to do anything that goes against my principles as a Jedi - at least not yet. Life will be, to say the least, interesting now. But really, is that anything new?