Chapter 3

Ben was amazing. There was no other way to describe it. Not only had he saved her from burning to death in the pod, he made her feel completely at ease in the middle of a terrible situation. Waking up in a strangers house with serious injuries and no memory of how she'd gotten there should have scared her but it didn't. Luna had always been an excellent judge of character and she knew Ben was a truly good person. He was also incredibly handsome. Currently he was facing the the stove making her a cup of tea, and she secretly took the opportunity to gaze appreciatively at his strong shoulders and alluring backside. There was something about him that seemed very familiar for some reason.

"Here we are" said Ben with a smile as he handed her a cup. She took a sip. Perfect. Just the right strength and sweetness.

"So how did you end up all the way out here on Tatooine?"

Luna froze. What should she say? She was certain she could trust him, but the predicament she found herself in was very serious. There was no point in lying. She was never any good at it. Besides, honesty is always the best policy. At least, that's what she told her students. I wonder what they told them happened to me, she thought sadly.

She quickly decided to tell him the truth, but to leave out the part about moving the book. Even though it had happened, she knew it sounded crazy. People didn't just start using the Force at her age! That was preposterous. They were identified early and sent to live at the temple. At least, that's what used to happen. Momentarily she wondered what would become of Force sensitives with all the Jedi gone. Any use of the Force was now against the law. She had heard two other passengers talking about the news on the shuttle yesterday. No, there was definitely no need to bring that book up.

Luna began telling Ben about her school and her class. She couldn't help but brag a little about the students she was so proud of. He nodded silently while she explained that the new Imperial Ministry of Education was taking charge of all schools throughout the galaxy. A look of disgust crossed his face when he heard all the changes that had been made to the curriculum. Then she took in a shaky breath and continued about the inspectors, the banned book, and the shouting match about her Rodian students finally culminating with her being accused of being a Republic sympathizer. She described her panicked decision to run, the flight to the outer rim, and finally the storm troopers boarding the shuttle. He took in a sharp breath at that.

"The last thing I remember is jumping in the pod and then spinning out of control. I don't know what I was thinking. I can't even fly a speeder. I always take the tram back home. It was a really stupid thing to do."

Ben took her hand. "I believe you did the right thing. These are troubled times and there's no telling what might have happened had you been caught."

Luna looked at his hand. A tingling sensation almost like a shock flowed through her whole body at the contact and she felt warm and safe and somehow…connected. It was wonderful! Ben quickly pulled away and stood up.

"I think I should go look at the pod and see if there is anything left that can be salvaged." He said. "Why don't you rest while I'm gone. I won't be long."

Luna smiled and waved slightly as Ben walked out the door. She was glad for the opportunity to close her eyes. Her head was pounding.

…

Obi-Wan walked quickly along the sandy path back to the crash site. He could still feel Luna's hand in his. Her touch had felt almost electric and had warmed a place inside him he hadn't felt in a very long time. Intriguing as this development was, it was something he'd have to set aside for later. There were far more pressing issues to think about right now. Best to keep a clear head he thought.

Something didn't quite add up. Her story had the ring of truth to it and he was certain she wasn't lying. It made sense that the Empire would take over the schools. Palpatine was no fool and certainly didn't want anyone questioning his reign in the years to come. The easiest way to ensure that was ignorance. If people grew up on a steady diet of propaganda glorifying the Empire they would believe it and soon there would be no one left who remembered the way things used to be. Quietly taking over the schools was a devious yet brilliant plan.

Still, it seemed unlikely that someone like Luna would be chased halfway across the galaxy over a children's book and an argument with a low level worker from the Ministry of Education. Surely the Empire had more important things to do. There had to be something else going on and he was determined to find out what.

Sure enough, as Obi-Wan was closing in on the crash site he felt a disturbance in the Force. Someone else was out here. He ducked behind some rocks and crept closer. As soon as the wreck was in sight, he noticed two storm troopers searching the burned remains of the pod and the surrounding area.

"There's nothing here." The first trooper said. "We should report back to the ship. They'll need to send down a search party."

"Come on…there's no way anybody could have survived that crash. Just tell 'em we found her and she was dead. This heat is miserable and my armor is chaffing." The other griped, pulling uncomfortably at the plastic codpiece of his uniform.

"No way. If we let a Force user get away and they find out about it, we'll have to answer to Lord Vader himself. I'm not risking my life because you've got a bad case of jock itch."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened. So that was it! She was Force sensitive. It was so clear now. He thought he'd sensed something when they touched, but he was so focused on making sure no one was looking for her that he had dismissed it. This was bad. If they thought she was still alive, they'd search the entire area which would lead them straight to him and if they found him…Luke would be next. He had to do something and fast!

He snuck back to the path and walked directly into the clearing making as much noise as he could. He approached the storm troopers who were still arguing and cleared his throat.

"Excuse me…"

Both troopers whirled around and aimed their blasters at his chest.

"HALT!" They shouted. "Put you hands up!"

He smiled to himself. Up went his hands.

"You can put down your blasters. I mean you no harm."

The storm troopers looked at each other. "Let's put down these blasters. He means us no harm."

Obi-Wan put every bit of the force he could summon into the next words. "You did your jobs well. The woman you are looking for is dead. Her remains were in the pod. You can go back to your ship now and report that there is no need to continue the search."

"The woman is dead. There is no need to continue the search. We can go back to the ship." They dreamily replied in unison. Obi-Wan watched as they picked up their blasters and walked back to their Tie Fighter sitting a few hundred yards away. He prayed that would be enough to stop to any more searches.

Back at the hut he found Luna limping out of the refresher. She appeared to be feeling a little better and gave him a beautiful smile. Another force user. How extraordinary! What was her story? She was close to his own age and lived on a well populated world in the Core. Was it possible she hadn't been identified? He had to know. Reaching out with the Force he gently touched her mind. Luna Her head jerked up as if she'd been stung. It was not the reaction of someone who was used to the sensation. Why didn't you tell me? To his surprise, her pretty face crumpled and she burst into tears. "What's happening to me?" she sobbed.