Soundtrack - The Journey Begins
Giving the boy to Anakin's step-brother was a decision Obi-Wan never regretted, and he never blamed Owen for not wanting him around Luke; all Owen and Beru wanted to do is protect Luke, and he could understand that Owen hadn't had good experiences with the Jedi to trust him enough around Luke. So he was sure that they were not going to be happy.
Owen was working on a vaporator when Obi-Wan approached and lowered his hood as the farmer stood. He didn't look too happy to see the Jedi, probably preparing to argue against Luke's training, but then noticed Obi-Wan's grave expression and looked worried.
"We need to talk," Obi-Wan said.
"I sensed that Luke was in danger," Obi-Wan explained - he had gone inside the homestead with Owen so he could speak with Beru as well; they stood in the courtyard as he broke the news to them. "He had been taken in by Imperials-" Beru gasped and Owen put an arm around her shoulders to comfort her "-by the time I got to Mos Eisley, the building had collapsed. Luke is still alive, but he left Tatooine, whether he was by himself or had help I'm not sure."
"What would the Empire want with a farmboy?" Beru asked.
Obi-Wan frowned. "I saw an Inquisitor come out from the rubble - they're notorious Jedi hunters. He must've been discovered and taken in for questioning. Being that he's untrained, whatever they were doing freaked him out enough to make the building collapse. I'm afraid that nowhere in the galaxy is safe for him anymore - he's going to have to live on the run now."
"You're going to look for him," Owen said. "Aren't you?"
"Yes."
Owen stood straight and spoke with a tone of finality. "Then I'm coming with you!"
"Me too," Beru said.
Owen turned to his wife, ready to argue with her. "Beru-"
Beru held up her hand. "Save it. Nothing you say will change my mind. I will not stay here and constantly worry whether or not you and Luke are alright. I couldn't handle it."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, the Inquisitors are dangerous, and I have no doubt they'd get Darth Vader involved - he'd kill you without having to lift a finger."
"We can't just stay here while Luke is out there," Owen argued.
"You're not. It's too dangerous; no doubt the Empire managed to find out his name and where he lives - it's against Empire law to harbor a Jedi or Force-sensitive, and the punishment is death. Pack your bags, you're going to have to live somewhere else for a while."
"Where will we go?" Beru asked.
"Alderaan."
Soundtrack - The Inquisitor
Reva stared at her ally as the medical droid tended to Rabé, lost in thought about the boy: Luke Skywalker. She had known of a Jedi named Anakin Skywalker, heard stories about him when she was a youngling and saw him around the temple - he was said to be the most powerful Jedi ever. That boy not only shared his last name, but had his power as well; that couldn't have been a coincidence.
She turned and stormed out of the medical bay, going to her personal chambers to make a call.
"What is it?"
"Grand Inquisitor, I've made an extraordinary discovery on Tatooine," Reva informed.
"Tatooine? Extraordinary?" The Grand Inquisitor sneered. "I believe you've made a joke, Third Sister."
"It's not joke, My Lord. In my hunt for Tano, I stumbled upon a Force-sensitive boy. He was powerful enough to bring the building right down on us during interrogations."
This seemed to perk the Grand Inquisitor's interest. "Interesting... where is he now?"
"Escaped," Reva growled. "With Tano, I presume. But I managed to get his name: Luke Skywalker."
His eyes widened before a smirk spread across his face. "Skywalker? Could he be related to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker?"
"I wondered that myself, but I have yet to find out. I thought I should inform you first."
"Hm, pause your search for Tano; I want you to focus on the boy. Once you've brought me verified information, I will inform Lord Vader."
"Yes, My Lord."
Soundtrack - What's The Force?
Space had no day or night - it was a constant void of blackness with billions of little white sparkling dots; and in hyperspace, those dots became blue streaks. Luke didn't know how long he had been laying in bed, staring at the metal ceiling, or whether it was day or in the middle of the night. He couldn't sleep. There was just too much on his mind.
Luke left his room and went to the main hold - Ahsoka must've went to bed because he didn't see her in the cockpit; the door was open, so he would've seen her if she was. He stared out the transparisteel for a while before turning his gaze around the room and spotting an empty can laying in a corner
He walked over to pick it up and set it on a crate. He remembered a time when he was younger, ten maybe; he was getting picked on by a bully in Anchorhead and turned to push him back, except... his hands didn't connect, and the bully was pushed back way further than he should've been. He had panicked and ran away, never telling his aunt and uncle about the experience. He had thought he had developed some kind of supernatural powers and had tried to make his toy Skyhopper fly with his mind, but it hadn't worked. He had chalked it up to his imagination. But now that Ahsoka had confirmed that he really did have powers... he thought he could try it again.
Luke lifted his hand and closed his eyes as he focused on the can. He wasn't exactly sure how to use the Force - he still wasn't exactly sure what the Force was - but, nevertheless, he pictured the can floating into the air. He suddenly felt something... mystical surrounding him and opened his eyes to see the can floating a bit off the crate.
"Not bad for your first try."
Luke jumped and turned, which caused the can to not only fall, but fly into the wall. He cringed as Ahsoka smirked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
Ahsoka moved away from the door frame she was leaning on. "Your emotions are powerful-" she lifted her hand, making the can levitate towards her "-especially your negative ones." She caught the can and moved over to the table.
"I guess that explains the weird things that always happened around me when I was scared or angry." He glanced at her as she set the can down. "You know, you haven't told me exactly what the Force is."
Ahsoka crossed her arms as she turned and leaned back against the table. "The Force is everywhere. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together, and it's strong with you, Luke - very strong. I'm not sure how, or why, none of the Inquisitors managed to find you, but you're on their radar now, which means you're going to be their number one target after they hear what you managed to do." She moved away from the table. "Which is why I'm teaching you how to shield first."
She sat on the floor in a meditative form and motioned for him to sit across from her. Luke frowned before sitting down, imitating her form.
Soundtrack - Ready To Go
Obi-Wan traveled light. He wasn't attached to his hut, nor the possessions in it - only the things he had arrived with. He packed his bag with a change of clothes, his journal, his communicator, the holocron and kyber crystals he had, Anakin's lightsaber, and a few other items he had brought with him to Tatooine - his lightsaber was hooked to his belt. Once he closed his bag, he sensed Owen and Beru approaching his hut.
"I contacted my sister, Dama," Beru said as they set off in Owen's speeder. "She and her husband will be watching over the farm."
"You sure this friend of yours can be trusted?" Owen asked.
Obi-Wan understood why Owen would be cautious at having to trust a complete stranger especially with Luke involved. Obi-Wan himself had become cautious of everyone over the years in order to protect Luke.
"He's the Prince Viceroy and Senator of Alderaan," Obi-Wan replied.
"I wasn't aware you had friends in high places."
"Not as many as you might think. Really, most of them are because of a common friend: Luke's mother."
"You never told us about Luke's mother," Beru said. "I assume she died in childbirth."
Obi-Wan nodded somberly. "She went into labor early, that's why Luke was so small when I brought him to you. Senator Organa was there when Luke was born. He knows who Luke is, and he knows this is where I brought him."
"I remember when Anakin visited, there was a nicely dressed woman with him," Owen said. "She said her name was Padmé."
"Yes, that's Luke's mother. She was a Senator, and a well-loved one too, especially by her own people. Luke inherited a lot of things from his father, but his kind heart comes from his mother."
"What of her family?"
"They're on Naboo; we thought it too dangerous for Luke to be so close to the Empire - ironically, Tatooine was the safest place for him. They think Padmé's child died with her, as does the rest of the galaxy. The only people who know the truth are you, me, Senator Organa and his wife, a loyal droid, and Master Yoda."
"Sounds like you've tried very hard to keep his existence a secret," Beru said.
Obi-Wan frowned. "If the Emperor ever got his hands on Luke, the galaxy would be doomed forever. He wants a powerful apprentice, someone people will fear. His current apprentice, Darth Vader, was weakened in a fight - he's not as powerful as he once was. Luke is untrained and young. At this age, when he's prone to be emotional as teenagers usually are, he would be an easy target for manipulation."
"He's just a boy," Owen argued.
"He's the most powerful person in the galaxy."
Owen fell silent as he mulled over Obi-Wan's words, and the rest of the ride to Mos Eisley was like that.
Soundtrack - A Hive of Villainy
Tatooine had more than a fair share of scum and villainy, and it all seemed to collect in Mos Eisley, a hive so to speak - this was the only sentiment Obi-Wan had for the space port. Unfortunately, it seemed the Inquisitor already had Stormtroopers on the ground to look for Luke's family, but that wouldn't be a problem.
Owen slowed the landspeeder to a stop as they approached a group of Stormtroopers, the leader of which was motioning for them to stop.
The lead Stormtrooper approached Owen. "What is your business here?"
"We work on a farm down by Anchorhead," Owen replied. "We're here to meet a potential business partner."
Obi-Wan had had no doubts that the Larses could handle themselves in any situation. He knew of their adventures in their youth, heard stories around Anchorhead about how they used to free slaves. Owen was skilled in speaking in half-truths which helped him not get caught in lies, Beru could read anyone by their body language or facial expression, and they both had level-heads and were skilled with a blaster as well as slug guns - these were skills they passed on to Luke. Obi-Wan believed they would've made rather fine Jedi had they been born Force-sensitive.
"Let me see your identification," the Stormtrooper ordered.
Obi-Wan casually brought his hand up and rested his arm on the side of the speeder. "You don't need to see his identification."
"I don't need to see your identification."
"These are not the people you are looking for."
"These are not the people we are looking for."
"He can go about his business."
"You can go about your business."
"Move along."
"Move along."
The Stormtrooper stepped back and waved his hand in a motion telling them to go. Owen was confused but drove on ahead. They stopped again, but this time in front of a cantina.
Owen got out of the speeder and helped Beru out as Obi-Wan got out on the other side.
Beru turned to Obi-Wan once her feet touched the ground. "How did you do that back there?"
"The Force can have a strong influence on the weak minded," Obi-Wan replied.
"Glad Luke doesn't know how to do that," Owen said. "He'd be using it on us to get out of chores."
"The Force has an influence on a weak mind." Obi-Wan smiled. "I don't think he'd be getting out of those chores if he tried it."
With that compliment, he turned to face the cantina, as did Beru and Owen.
"You really think we'll find a trustworthy pilot here to take us to Alderaan?" Owen asked.
"There won't be a pilot that's one hundred percent trustworthy, but pay them well and safe passage is guaranteed."
Owen nodded and turned to his wife. "Beru, perhaps you should stay out here."
Beru raised an eyebrow at her husband. "Owen, I have faced slave traders, Tusken Raiders, bounty hunters, and Luke's toddler temper tantrums. I think I can handle a few scoundrels."
Owen sighed but the edge of his mouth quirked up a bit. "I knew you would say that, but it was worth a try."
He turned and the three of them walked into the cantina.
Soundtrack - Cantina Band
The cantina was filled with various aliens drinking, laughing, and chatting amongst. There seemed to be no bar fights, or no signs of any fights about to start, but Owen wasn't going to let his guard down. He knew things could get out of hand quickly in any type of bar - he had been involved in a few himself but he was never going to tell Luke or Beru that.
He made sure has blaster was secure as he followed Kenobi further in with Beru walking beside him. He'd been to Mos Eisley plenty of times, so he knew what to expect. Luke had begged Owen to take him everytime he had to go, but he wasn't willing to take that risk. Mos Eisley was crawling with slavers, and if Owen turned his back on Luke for one second, they would snatch him up in a heartbeat. He promised himself he would never let Luke become a slave. For Shmi. Someone from her bloodline deserved to live free.
Kenobi went to talk to a Wookie as Owen and Beru stood at the bar and waited.
"Do you think Luke is safe?" Beru wondered. "I can't stop thinking about him being all alone out there in the galaxy, fearing for his life."
"Luke's resourceful; we taught him to survive," Owen reassured, though he was sure the frown on his face wasn't helping.
Truth be told, he was worried about Luke too. From what Kenobi was telling them, it sounded like his nephew would have the entire Empire going after him. Luke had never had to deal with that before.
"We taught him to survive on Tatooine," Beru said. "The galaxy is a much different place."
"I suppose you're right. All we can do is hope Luke will hang on a little while longer until Kenobi finds him."
Kenobi suddenly turned to the couple and motioned to the Wookie standing behind him. "This is Chewbacca, he's first mate on a ship that might suit us."
The three followed Chewbacca to a booth in the corner where a scruffy-looking man in his early-twenties was sitting. Chewbacca spoke to the man in the manner of growls as they took their seats.
The man moved from the booth to the table as he introduced himself. "Han Solo; I'm Captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system."
"Yes, indeed," Kenobi replied. "If it's a fast ship."
"Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?"
Solo looked a little shocked that they hadn't heard of this supposedly legendary ship. Luke might've heard of it - he was interested in ships.
"Should I have?"
"It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs."
Kenobi looked as if he didn't believe the pilot.
"I've outrun Imperial starships," Solo went on. "Not the local bulk cruisers, mind you, I'm talking about the big Corellian ships. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?"
"Only passengers," Kenobi replied. "Myself, my friends here, and no questions asked."
Solo chuckled. "What? Is it some kind of local trouble?"
"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements."
Solo leaned back a little and Owen knew this was the part where he asked for more money - he's dealt with plenty of kinds of people during his time as a moisture farmer.
"Well, that's the real trick, isn't it?" Solo replied. "And it's going to cost you something extra. Ten thousand. All in advanced."
Ten thousand? They didn't even make ten thousand in a year of harvest. How was Kenobi expecting them to pay for this passage.
"We can pay you two thousand now," Kenobi said. "Plus, fifteen when we reach Alderaan."
Owen raised his eyebrows as he glanced at the old Jedi Master. Where was Kenobi hiding all these credits?
Solo looked to be interested in Kenobi's proposal. "Seventeen?"
Kenobi nodded.
"Okay, you guys got yourself a ship, we'll leave as soon as you're ready. Docking bay ninety-four."
"Ninety-four," Kenobi repeated.
The three of them stood from the table and left the cantina.
"You handled yourself pretty well in there, Kenobi," Owen said once they were outside. "I'm impressed."
"They didn't call me the Negotiator for nothing," Kenobi replied. They stopped at the speeder and he turned to them. "How attached are you to your speeder?"
"We can find a speeder to fix up in the Anchorhead junkyard," Beru replied. "People are always throwing them out. That's where we found Luke's."
Kenobi nodded. "Good. You'll need to sell this one."
"How long will it take you to find Luke?" Owen asked.
"It depends on how far away he is from me," Kenobi replied. "I can't feel where he is right now, which means he's made it far away from Tatooine. But I have some allies who would help finding him, however, that means the truth of his existence will be revealed to more people, thus, making it harder to keep it a secret from the Emperor."
Well, that reply didn't make him feel any better. He could tell Beru didn't like the thought of Luke being in that much danger either, so he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and did his best to comfort her - something he was never good at doing.
Kenobi seemed to notice they didn't take his reply well since he frowned. "I assure you I will let no harm come to Luke, and neither would these people. All of us would lay down our lives for him in an instant."
"Are these allies more Jedi?" Owen asked.
"No. Some were handmaidens to Luke's mother, others are clones who I fought beside. Cody, the clone commander that served under me, reached out to me a while ago, and has kept me posted on how many of his brothers he manages to find. They don't have extraordinary abilities like the Jedi, but that doesn't make them any less capable. Luke has an entire army backing him. He's in good hands."
Owen frowned. "We can only hope."