Chapter 34
No Such Thing as Luck
"Stop hovering, Anakin." Obi-Wan shook off Anakin's steadying hand with a wary sidewise glance around the shabby docking platform, dim in Nar Shaddaa's late afternoon shadows. "I'm fine. And since it's your piloting that left my legs feeling like jelly, your concern is a little hypocritical, don't you think? If you really care about my health, learn to execute a proper landing."
The querulous tone and irritated expression did not fool Anakin. However, if that was the way he wanted to play this… "Hey, it wasn't my fault the clipped port wing increased the drag. That was a smooth landing given the shape that shuttle is in." With merely a fraction of his attention on their mock argument, Anakin also scanned the area. No threats were visible. Though that wasn't saying much.
"If that's how you define smooth," Obi-Wan griped. His hand moved unconsciously to rest on the lightsaber clipped to his belt. "I would hate to see what you think is a rough landing."
"I'll have you know the last ship I crash-landed was the Invisible Hand," Anakin returned with a narrow-eyed glare toward the lightsaber. They had held a brief debate when Obi-Wan had hooked it to his belt. It was a risk, to carry it so openly, even if the primary risk was that someone would try to obtain it to sell on the black market rather than report the presence of Jedi to the Empire. With a pointed look, Anakin had closed Artoo's central cavity without removing his own weapon and double-checked the way his sidearm sat in its holster. Obi-Wan had sighed in exasperation when Anakin handed him a pistol as well, but had not otherwise protested.
"That really gives me no comfort," Obi-Wan retorted, eyes roving from side to side as they crossed the rickety bridge to the narrow, winding ramp that led out of the spaceport into the surrounding commercial district. "I'll remind you that you spent sixteen years standing on the bridge commanding ships, not piloting them."
Absent clear guidance from the Force, Anakin decided it didn't matter where they started their search for a ship to charter and turned left at the next intersection. The stench of smog, rotting garbage, and the unwashed bodies of many species choked the air. Dark, forbidding alleys led off into a labyrinth the Hutts themselves had never fully mapped. Figures in concealing cloaks crept furtively through the shadows singly or in small groups.
"Not true. I flew my shuttle regularly—"
"I would never guess it from the way you flew this one."
"—and I led my own hand-picked fighter squadron, didn't I, Cody?"
"Why are you dragging me into this?" the commander complained from behind them, picking his way around a malodorous puddle of slime.
"Because you can vouch for my clean flight record."
"Are you two still bickering after all these years?" Rex demanded. "Aren't you ever going to grow up?" An unkempt Twi'lek, stinking of ryl, stumbled into him. With a disgusted grunt, he thrust out the butt of his rifle. The man shouted something indistinguishable and slunk away with muttered imprecations. "Luke is more mature than either of you—than both of you combined, come to think of it."
A rush of the questions about his son he could not ask earlier burst onto Anakin's tongue, only to crash into his teeth and snarl in a hopeless coil of inarticulate emotions. Somehow, he found it impossible to ask Rex, of all people, to tell him more about Luke. Even when he was handed a perfect opportunity.
It was with relief that he spotted a likely-looking cantina. He tugged the hood of his poncho farther forward. He and Obi-Wan had done their best to disguise their uniforms—shedding their officer's tunics, tearing the sleeves off the dark undershirts, and untucking the trousers from their boots—and Anakin had donned the single remaining rain slicker. It wasn't much of a disguise, but anything was better than nothing. If he'd known he would have to seek refuge on a Hutt world, he would not have been so quick to show his face at the Boonta Eve Cup. The clones had a simpler job, simply stripping down to their black bodysuits.
They entered the cantina amid a flood of the heavy musk of many species mixed with cheap alcohol and more than a hint of spice. Inadequate ventilation systems strained with a roar to refresh the air. The establishment resembled every other such enterprise in the galaxy with a long bar in the center, dark booths along the walls, and a band in one corner. A public comm station stood beside the door. Obi-Wan, with a murmured, "I'll be right back," stepped into the far booth before Anakin could ask what he was doing.
He did not reappear for several minutes, and when he did, his expression was inscrutable.
"What was that about?" Anakin asked him.
"Merely smoothing the way." Kenobi began elbowing his way to the bar and was soon chatting up a Weequay.
Somewhat exasperated by the oblique answer, Anakin dutifully leaned against the bar, trying to look inconspicuous while Rex and Cody canvassed the other side of the cantina. Something jostled his shoulder and liquid soaked his sleeve. He turned to his right.
"Sorry, mate," a Togorian female wearing a knife and blaster at her waist slurred, weaving slightly.
Anakin stamped out a flash of irritation. "It's no problem," he replied. He grabbed some napkins to blot the mess.
The Togorian slumped against the counter and lifted her nearly empty glass. "Thish's good…" She lowered the glass to peer at Anakin's face under the hood. "Do I know you?"
"I don't believe so." He presented his shoulder to her, hoping she would get the hint.
"You look fa—fami'ar," she insisted. "I know I…seen you. Some—wheres…"
"I'm afraid you're mistaken." Since she had been impervious to a more subtle hint, Anakin picked up his drink and meandered to another vantage point. The minutes passed slowly until Obi-Wan looked up from his most recent conversation to shake his head minutely. Anakin caught Cody's eye across the room and jerked his head toward the door.
The group reunited on the walkway outside, and Anakin inhaled the clearer air gratefully. It was saying quite a bit that Nar Shaddaa's polluted air was an improvement over the cantina's atmosphere.
It was the beginning of a long and fruitless search. Several pilots refused outright to speak with them. Those who couldn't escape being collared claimed their ships were too small or undergoing emergency maintenance. One who wasn't quick enough to invent a convincing excuse said he never flew to the Core. The Force reeked of desperate deception as he said it, but Obi-Wan did nothing more than lift one disdainful eyebrow.
"I see. Perhaps my bid was too low. I was using the standard scale set by the Hutts, but for an enterprising businessman such as yourself, I could see my way clear to offering—" he slanted an oblique toward Anakin for confirmation "—shall we say double my opening offer? With a bonus once we arrive at our destination."
The Iktotchi's eyes flared wide with panic and flickered to someone beyond Obi-Wan for a fraction of a second. Anakin thought he caught a glimpse of the Togorian from the first cantina. It was the third time he'd seen someone like her that afternoon. The pilot panted out, "No, no. Prior commitment," as he scrambled past Obi-Wan. He was in such a rush, he didn't even apologize when barreled into Anakin, who staggered into the path of an Aqualish.
The Aqualish hauled him closer, the stench of his breath choking Anakin. "Watch where you're going, scarface," he slurred. "Humans got no special privileges in Hutt Space."
"All right. Understood." Anakin stepped away again, trying to remember long-abandoned skills in de-escalation.
The Aqualish pursued him. "Think you're better than me?" he sneered. "Huh? Huh?" He shoved Anakin's shoulder.
Anakin lurched backwards, only to step on someone's foot. He looked down. Oops. Tentacle. The burly owner of the tentacle seized his left arm. So much for de-escalation. A quick punch to the alien's cheek and an open-handed chop to his forearm with his durasteel right hand freed him as the alien howled and clutched its face.
"You messing with my partner?" a Harch growled.
This time Anakin was prepared to dodge. He pushed through the crowd that had cut him off from Obi-Wan.
"No lightsaber," he reminded the other man. "Let's get out of here."
Cody and Rex were at the edge of the crowd of spectators. Anakin pointed toward the door with his chin. The two men used the butts of their blasters to clear their way to the exit.
The Togorian—and Anakin was sure now that it was the same one—lunged at him. He sidestepped and her momentum carried her into a group of Devaronians. They bellowed in return. A punch went wide, smacking a Gotal in the back. He whirled around to join the fray. In moments the cantina was in an uproar.
Anakin and Obi-Wan edged away from the epicenter, widening gaps with the Force. They reached Cody and Rex near the door and the four of them pressed toward the exit. He glanced back as they squeezed outside. The tentacled alien he had stepped on rose up out of the melee to catch sight of their group with a snarl. But at last they were free of the cantina and out into the ill-lit night of Nar Shaddaa.
Unfortunately, they had brought the fight with them. In moments every being within a hundred meters had been drawn into the confused mass. It would be impossible to return to the shuttle by the way they had come. In fact, it was impossible to travel down the street at all. To make matters worse, the Togorian, who appeared far less inebriated now, had reached the street. Whatever her interest in them might be, it was best not to stick around to find out.
A dark patch between two buildings promised the nearest possibility of an escape route. Or a trap, but as the Corellians would have it, fortune favors the bold. Of course, the Jedi said the Force favored the prudent, but there wasn't much prudence to be had at the moment.
"There they are!" The call rose above the clamor just as Anakin signaled his group to follow him into the shadows. "Stop them!"
Three beings sprang at them. Cody swung the butt of his rifle to knock the burly Togruta back. Rex shouldered past the Ishi Tib, but couldn't quite avoid the knife the Gank thrust at him. Cody deflected it so it struck only a glancing blow. The two men backed up, shoulder to shoulder, until they reached the narrow aperture which Anakin and Obi-Wan were guarding. The four of them descended into the gloom.
Quite a literal descent, as it turned out. The aperture did in fact lead to a narrow ramp that cut gradually downward between the flanking buildings. The brawl behind them had only further muddied the already agitated Force, rendering it nearly useless as a threat detector. Even so, the dank, fetid alley sent apprehension crawling along Anakin's skin.
Fortunately, the attackers weren't cooperating with one another, and as they shoved and clubbed among themselves, each determined to be the first in pursuit, Anakin's group hurried deeper into the warren, single file. Anakin hazarded a quick check over his shoulder. Their pursuers were silhouetted against the city's glow above them, still arguing over precedence. He risked crossing the first intersection, then turned at the second to set off in the direction of their docking platform. With any luck, they could parallel the main road back at least into its general vicinity.
In the occasional dim illumination that spilled out of windows, Rex and Obi-Wan both looked a little unsteady on their feet. Scouting their surroundings, Anakin led them into the momentary shelter provided by a small gap between two buildings.
"Rex, let Cody check your back." To Obi-Wan he said, "Did you take another injury?"
"Don't fuss," Kenobi said a little shortly. "The wound got jostled in the fight. It's fine—just a little more tender than it was. I'm older than I used to be, is all."
By the sliver of light from a small, high window, Anakin looked him over critically and decided it was better not to disturb the bacta patch. Obi-Wan was experienced enough to manage his own injuries. He moved to join Cody, who was examining the wound on Rex's back.
"It's superficial. Skidded off his shoulder blade. Painful, but not serious unless it gets infected."
"Is it still bleeding?" They had a dearth of clean material for bandages and no first aid supplies.
"I don't think so. Can you keep up, vod?"
Rex grunted. "I'll live. There's no choice, anyway. Every minute we stay here lets those thugs gain on us."
"What are they after?" Cody asked.
"I have no idea," Obi-Wan said.
"Me either." Rex pulled his shirt back down, scowling at Anakin. "And why is it, no matter where the two of you go, all mayhem breaks loose?"
"I didn't have anything to do with it," Obi-Wan said defensively.
They all looked at Anakin.
"It wasn't my fault."
Rex looked unimpressed. "You seemed to be at the epicenter, from what I could see."
"Someone objected to my face."
"Your face," Rex said flatly.
"I may also have stepped on someone's tentacle."
Cody and Rex blinked and exchanged bemused glances. "A tentacle?"
The corner of Obi-Wan's mouth quirked. "I leave you alone for five minutes…"
"I did just fine all afternoon," Anakin said a little testily. "This is wasting time we really don't have. We need to regroup." He waved a hand at their general dishevelment. "Let's get back to the shuttle."
They reconnoitered the alley. They seemed to have lost their pursuers, at least for the moment, so they set out, but their hopes to double back on a route parallel to the main street were frustrated almost immediately as the alley cut a circuitous up and down route through ever meaner and ranker neighborhoods. The inhabitants were a uniformly scurrilous lot—shifty-eyed, furtive, and suspicious. Several reached for commlinks.
"Heads up for pickpockets or other trouble," Rex muttered. "We've been marked."
But, eerily, no one attempted to approach them.
They had traveled for perhaps ten minutes when they rounded a greater than ninety-degree corner to spot a group blocking the next intersection. A bar of red light falling across the path illuminated Old Tentacles and caught on the eyes of the Togorian. It also gleamed on armor and blaster barrels. As one, the group turned back the way they had come.
"Was that Boba Fett?" Rex puffed.
"It doesn't matter," Cody answered tersely. "We're karked if we don't lose them."
There wasn't time to navigate carefully. At each intersection, they turned at random and quickly lost all sense of direction. The Force was jangling with irritatingly diffuse warnings. Anakin could only hope that sooner or later they would run into either the edge of this district or the spaceport itself.
And all at once, his hopes were vindicated. Open sky lay directly ahead of them—barricaded by a rough bulwark constructed of rusting drainpipes, severed I-beams, and a miscellany of other odds and ends. The thing would be a deathtrap for anyone attempting to go over or through it. Not, of course, that the barrier was any sort of obstacle for someone wielding a lightsaber and the Force.
Anakin darted a glance around the area. It was deserted—suspiciously so. But there might be sufficient time. "This is obviously a trap."
"Yes, well, we have a policy as I recall," Obi-Wan murmured.
"Would you object terribly to escaping it rather than springing it?" Anakin asked drily.
Rex and Cody chuckled.
Obi-Wan gave a rueful smile and spread his hands. "I believe we can break tradition just this once."
"You have the lightsaber." Anakin gestured to the clones to stand watch at the corner. "Just—shut it down if anybody shows up."
Obi-Wan set to work, while Anakin steadied the pile in case he hit something structurally essential, maneuvering debris out of the way with the Force.
"Company's coming," called Rex softly.
"Last one." Obi-Wan made the final stroke and extinguished his lightsaber as the clones fell back to the barricade, covering the approach with their rifles. Anakin removed the final section of beam. The structure seemed to be holding, but he maintained his grip on it just in case. Obi-Wan didn't wait for an invitation to flee, Rex and Cody hot on his heels.
As Anakin backed through their impromptu escape hatch, their pursuers, the Togorian in the lead, rounded the bend in the alley. The group seemed smaller than it had earlier, but it was hard to be sure in the patchwork of light and shadow. And where was Old Tentacles? A few stun shots—futile but bothersome—cut short further ruminations in favor of rapid escape.
Safely clear of the barricade, Anakin released his grip. Metal groaned but seemed to hold. They found themselves on a wide street lined by guard rails on one side and commercial buildings on the other. At the briskest pace they could manage, the group set out toward a soaring skybridge a third of a kilometer distant.
A metallic screech rang out just as the Force blared a warning.
"Down!" Anakin cried at the same time the distinctive fizz of another stun bolt hissed past them. Rex squeezed off a pair of shots and the first of the bandits to pass through the gap clapped a hand to his leg with a cry of pain. The Togorian dodged Cody's following shot but had to dive and roll to avoid tripping over her wounded compatriot. The barricade shrieked, groaned, and seemed to waver. The third pursuer dived through the gap barely ahead of the collapse. Dust and metal shards billowed.
Anakin and the others had recovered their feet and were rushing toward the skybridge before the thunder of the disintegration had even reached its peak. It was only as they approached the bridge that a second rough barricade at its foot became visible. The whine of the crimson bolt was their first warning that the barrier was already manned. Cody and Rex ducked low, and the shot splattered on the warehouse wall behind them.
Anakin spied another group ahead of them, Old Tentacles at its head. A quick glance around showed no escape. The street was clear of cover or aircars. The facades of the warehouses were blank, punctuated at uneven intervals by windowless cargo doors.
Anakin was beginning to weigh the merits of a leap over the guard rail down to the next level, when a jetpack ignited. An armored figure soared over the rubble behind them, firing the moment the muzzle of his blaster had fully cleared the top of the pile. Rex and Cody returned fire, but the shots bounced off the armor. Now there were shots coming from three angles, one above their heads.
"No light—" Anakin called, squeezing off a few rounds.
"I know," Obi-Wan shot back.
"That is Boba," Rex yelled in outrage. "What's he doing here?"
"No idea," Cody called over his shoulder and dove into the nearest cover—the dark mouth of yet another alleyway.
The rest were only steps behind him.