Chapter Twenty Seven: The Bounty Hunter
Luna sat quietly with Ben for the rest of the journey. It turned out that someone had grabbed the Owner’s cantina goods and was bringing it to the smaller town of Mos Espa. According to Obi-Wan it was less scummy in the ways of villainy but like most other places on Tatooine there was no shortage of criminal activities. Night Wing flew around ahead of them to keep an eye on Spike when the sound of engines caught their attention.
“What is that?” Luna asked as they came over the ridge as vehicles flew beneath them. Ben glanced down saying. “A Podrace, I hear that the Empire is cracking down more and more on them.”
“It seems dangerous.” Luna mused as they moved on towards the city. Ben sighed. “It is indeed, but to some it is their only way to freedom.”
“Freedom?” Luna’s eyes watched the race before they widened at one of the racers on the screen. “Nova?”
“A friend of yours?” the question was filled with curiosity but the smallest amount of worry. Luna nodded her head not sure how to answer that question. “She was supposed to be gathering some supplies with two others. How is she out this far and why is she racing are my two questions.”
Ben eyed the racers taking in the appearance of the one Luna had pointed out. She had multicolored hair, pink, dark blue, and purple, pulled up in a ponytail. She had a large grin on her face as she drove the Podracer. Her fiery eyes were hidden behind the protective goggles. Something wasn’t making sense to Luna. Mos Espa was at least a weeks travel when crossing the Dune Sea on foot from Mos Eisley.
“How long was I out?” Luna asked, Ben was quiet for a moment before answering. “Several days, it took me a bit to figure out how you managed to switch between the forms. I did not think it would be wise to have you wake in your original form. Especially since you seemed to be hiding it.”
“Thank you for that.” Luna bowed her head to show her appreciation. “I’m sure Night Wing had already informed the others that I was in safe hands.”
Night Wing let out a happy hoot as she flew overhead. Ben smiled with a warm "You're welcome" in response.
“I think we should get down there before the race ends and find those supplies. There is a chance that whoever took them is distracted by this.” Spike called back glancing over his shoulder. Luna nodded her head calling back. “I believe you might be right.”
"Did the bartender happen to give a description of who we might be looking for?" Ben asked, keeping up with Luna. Luna thought about it for a moment thinking back to her interaction with the bartender. “He did not, he did say that the tracker would lead us to it.”
"Let's hope that is still the case and they didn't think they could be tracked." Ben responded, though he was looking up at the sky as if lost in thought. Luna closed her eyes sending Night Wing forward as Spike led the way with the tracker. She didn’t have a lot of magic but she could connect to her familiar and see what Night Wing saw. The owl familiar looked around for any crates unattended but also followed Spike’s instructions to Luna and Ben. Night Wing spotted a crate guarded by a few men. One of whom was leaning on the crate not even watching the match, his eyes searching the crowd for someone. Night Wing landed on a nearby overhang to keep an eye on the thieves.
Ben shook his head coming back to reality as he looked at Luna. "You have something?"
“I found the crate, it is guarded by three men. Two watching the race, the third is leaning against the crate. It seems like he is looking for someone in the crowd though.” Luna replied as she exited the telepathic link with Night Wing. Ben placed his hand on his chin as he thought. He glanced around trying to see anyone suspicious in the crowd.
"Perhaps that the one they're waiting for happens to be in the race itself." Ben mentioned, not spotting anything out of the ordinary.
“We will need to lure them away from the crate somehow. Night Wing will be able to deliver it to the bartender as long as we keep them distracted.” Luna mused as they began to approach the location.
"We will need to make it seem as if we are lost, causing any commotion could cause a commotion and put everything at risk." Ben said quietly towards Luna. Luna glanced back at Kenobi raising an eyebrow asking. “How’s your improv?”
"You could say that I have had my fair share of practice." Ben said in return with an almost smug look. Luna grinned saying. “Spike, I’m going to need you to run ahead and move past them.”
“Okay?” Spike was confused for a brief moment before realization dawned on him. “Gotcha.”
Spike moved ahead as fast as he could, Luna connecting with Night Wing one more time as Spike almost barreled into one of the thieves. He apologized before continuing forward. Luna looked at Ben as they got off the Dewback making sure that it was secure before moving towards the crowd. Luna turned on the theatrics calling loudly as they grew closer. “Son? Son? Where are you?!”
The frantic look on Luna’s face was almost genuine, Ben getting the gist of the plan put on a worried face as well. They both called out for their ‘son’, Spike keeping ahead. Luna ran up to the alien male on the crate asking. “Have you seen my son? We lost him and I think I saw him come this way.”
“Does it look like I care?” the alien replied, moving to push Luna’s hand off as Ben went to distract the other two who turned to intervene with Luna’s acting. Luna looked at the alien feeling a hardened heart within him. This was going to be more difficult so she began to raise her voice causing his two partners to say. “Just help her out will ya? You’re probably the only one to have seen anyone pass through here. Plus…”
One of them waved a blaster pressing it against Ben’s back as he continued. “We’ve got her husband right here. So if she tries anything she loses him.”
Luna cast a silent apology towards Ben as the alien let out a snarl saying. “Fine.”
He grabbed Luna by the arm pulling her away from the crate in the direction he had seen Spike. One of the other thieves turned to watch the crate as Ben waved his hand slightly speaking so only the two could hear him “You want to watch the race.”
“Come, I kind of want to watch the race. Not like that bartender is going to come out of nowhere and steal the goods.” the thief said turning back around, his partner shrugged his shoulders. Ben heard the flapping of wings but did not dare to turn around to witness Night Wing snagging the crate and vanishing into a swirling portal of stars and space. Not moving from his spot as he watched the race come to an end he heard Luna coming back saying. “Thank you so much!”
“I expect payment.” grumbled the alien before pausing at the missing crate. “Where is it?”
One of the men turned around to see the crate gone, his eyes widening. “It was right there, you had her and the kid. We had the husband… we also lost the bet meaning that your target is going to be coming anyways. So you still get paid in the end.”
The two looked at Ben as the alien snarled a bit, he grabbed Luna’s bicep as he turned his head towards her. His red eyes flaring dangerously. Luna tried to pull away just as a voice was heard drawing closer. “I am so glad you convinced me to bet on your friend. Now that is a talent, I always bet on the very best. Now I can collect my money and my prize.”
“What can I say, I have an eye for tale…” Luna’s eyes widened at the sound of Rarity’s voice as she rounded the corner. Next to her was a small blue alien with wings as well as Ivy Jewel. The alien looked at the other alien before aiming his blaster. Ivy Jewel tackled the two out of the way just as the blaster bolt flew right where they could have been. It hit one of the onlookers in the crowd causing people to rush away. The two thieves looked at each other before moving away from Ben only for him to slam their heads together.
“Stop right there.” growled the alien aiming the blaster at Rarity and the other alien. “Watto.”
“You must be Cad Bane, eh? Someone hired you to kill me I think.” Watto replied as his wings flapped as he floated up from the ground holding up his hands. Cad Bane took aim, Luna yanking her arm only for his grip to tighten. “I take it, some old rival of mine has paid you a hefty sum for my head, eh? After all your services do not come cheap.”
Luna heard a familiar screech seeing Night Wing, she looked around seeing Ben keeping his back turned. She felt his struggle, wanting to turn around but something kept him from doing so. It dawned on her that he knew Cad Bane and that he was trying to keep as low of a profile as possible. She sent a message to Night Wing watching as her familiar swooped down and landed on Ben’s shoulder, her wings wrapping around him as they vanished. Luna closed her eyes using up her reserved magic to cast an illusion of them running off through the crowd. Her body sank in exhaustion only being held up by her arm and Cad Bane’s grip.