Bounty Hunter's Paradise

Ah, hello.  If you’re listening to this, I am surely dead.  However, I’ve lived a larger life than the crime I’m being punished for, and if only out of vanity, I find myself compelled to share my story.  Who knows where these datatapes will end up.

Aimless, like an asteroid.

I heard that in a song once, soon after my exile.  At first the line had felt freeing: Floating through the galaxy, picking up jobs as I could, beholden to no one but myself.  Little did I know the trail of debts and death I left behind. A trail that’s now caught up to me.

Not to say being a bounty hunter I expected to be popular.  But the freedom was exhilarating.  I remember drunkenly shouting once on Hapes. “Look at Alderaan?  Those people lived good lives!  But what did it get them?”  Oh, to be young.  It made sense to me at the time, but now the inadequacy is obvious.  If we’re going to die anyway, better to die at home, surrounded by loved ones.  But we were all young then, and everyone applauded.

Ahh, Hapes.  Was there ever a better system to spend one’s wasteful youth?  They saw me as a hairy outlander, a curiosity, but that made me more tantalizing.  Satisfaction was always mutual, if fleeting.

Hapes was where I got my start as a hunter, too.  Hurting for credits I saw on the nets a small bounty to capture a smuggling captain operating there.  He was running fruits from the moons to the cities, underselling every merchant around by skipping customs.  Not exactly a glorious catch, but everyone’s got to start somewhere.  Handsome fellow, but I had already known not to mix work with pleasure.  I turned him in for 2000 credits and a guild cred.

I should have expected the backlash.  Blasted youth, thinking I’d be immune to all consequences.  Heh – if that young Wook could see me now.  Well, I burned through a lot of that bounty to take a transport further into the core.  I comforted myself that I’d be getting further from Kashyyyk.

I went to Coruscant because I’d heard the Empire was good for bounty hunters.  Stupid of me, really. Coruscant was a hellhole in those days.  Maybe it’s a hellhole again by now.  Anyway, it’s true the Empire paid good credits for bounty hunters, but only on the outer rim.  At the core all the crime had been cleaned up – or recruited.

Still, I wasn’t the only fool in the galaxy.  There were plenty of hungry hunters looking for a government contract.  Being a Wookie excluded me from such a deal, of course.  Wandering the undercity on my last credits, desperate for a transport off Coruscant, or at least employment, is when I first met Bossk.  He still wore his yellow jumpsuit, even in those days, with a hole in the back for his green scaly tail.  Everyone knows Wookies are strong, so it wasn’t hard for him to find a place for me on his crew.  Said they were heading to the outer rim for more lucrative opportunities.

That guy’s shouting over the comm again.  Funny how easy it’s become to tune him out.  I’ll be long gone soon.  Wonder how long it will take for him to check.

Oh, what a time we had together, Bossk and I.  Intercepting Rebel gunrunners for the Imperials, then blasting Imperial supply convoys for the Rebels.  Since Yavin the Rebels had gotten cocky.  It wasn’t hard to gain their confidence.  “Down with the Empire, Long Live the Republic,” and you were as good as in.  After a few weeks of steady pay (hell, we considered joining the Rebellion for real!) we stole a bacta shipment and delivered it to an Imperial Destroyer.  Got 20 large for that delivery.  Well, and another surprise.

See, Kashyyyk fought the Empire hard at first.  I guess you could say we were the first rebels.  When order 66 came down we protected the Jedi in our midst and destroyed the clones.  But the Jedi abandoned us and a few months later the Empire landed dozens of battalions and returned the favor.  When we surrendered they enslaved us all, though they found it harder to actually subdue us.  So the label stuck around, but not their ships.  That was the reality I was born into.  Only way I got through Coruscant was to edit my papers that I was my own owner.  Oh, sure, lots of people scoffed – but who wants a street fight with a Wookie?

Anyway, there I go walking into an Imperial Star-Destroyer with a shipment of Bacta.  Officer Bootlicker’s lucky day!  They cuffed me in binders on-sight.  When I protested they ionized my ownership tags without even checking, wiping them.  They would have got me then but for Bossk’s forked tongue.  He said he’d bought me off a slave freighter and insisted he be paid triple what he spent on me.  He could have asked for something reasonable – or nothing at all – and let me die in an imperial cell, but he didn’t.  I hope he ends up alright.  A true friend to the end, he was.

I was more careful after that not to interact with Imperials directly.  I settled into the role of the intimidating muscle of Bossk’s crew.  Aimless as an asteroid, but an asteroid loves a belt, for a little while.  Aimless together ain’t as aimless.  Few had ever gone toe-to-toe with a Wookie, and fewer wanted to.  Those that did soon regretted it.  A Bothan got a nail into my eye one time.  I tore him apart, but the eye was gone.  Fortunately, Bossk had some connections in the Kamino system, and for an extra 30% he gave me an implant to make it better than ever.  I with a certain wink I could see heat, scent traces, and even through certain metals if they were old enough.  Made robbing backwater banks a cinch, and that’s what we did for a few months before the recall.  Easy credits.

Soon I got bored of this, and my accounts were overflowing with credits.  Some bounty hunters, like Bossk, got a thrill from the hunt, but I never did.  And with enough credits in those days to buy a Naboo waterfront estate, I decided I could afford to retire.  At the next port I purchased my own ship and settled whatever debt I had to Bossk.

Aimless as an asteroid, but an asteroid loves a belt, for a little while.   Aimless together ain’t as aimless. But even in a belt, they collide.  A hard enough knock makes them wander off again

Without Bosk, Rough Hide became my closest companion.  A belt of two.

(Hm.  Rough Hide will be the last thing that sees me alive, if this works.  She’s a good ship.  I expect she’ll be blasted once he realizes I’ve left.)

Anyway, free of obligation I was beholden to no one but myself.  I whittled the days away in luxury, learning the games of the high rollers, taking on jobs when my luck turned sour.

Yeah, yeah, I hear ya!  My time has come, it’s my due to suffer.  Look, I don’t think he’s wrong.  But that doesn’t mean I’m glad he’s right.

My clan was having dinner in the trees – the sky was one of those wonderful hues I’ve only seen on Kashyyyk,  He tried to take Big-Bog’s meal.  I swatted at him to keep him at bay.  “Don’t bother the elder, little one.”  But my paw missed and I caught him with my claws.

Of course, I was horrified.  Even when Wookie clans battled, claws were never used.  Even in the heat of a duel for control of a river delta, claws were never used.  Even though they were always out – impossible to retract and hide – claws were never used for violence.  Our refusal to use them in battle is a proud sign of our civilization.  Wookie claws are an accident of nature.  We strive to rise above them.  Even in my time as an exile I haven’t been able to bring myself to use them for violence – though I’ve threatened  when necessary.

But there I was, bloody hair and even some flesh hanging off my claw in the middle of dinner.  I apologized but it was no use.  Big-Bog refused to even hear me out and her word was our law.  Only by good luck did I find a logging crew willing to smuggle me off-world.  Otherwise I would have died out there – a lesson to the clan that intentions are only as good as your follow-through.  With the Empire in charge, even mistakes can be costly.

All through my retirement the Empire continued to grow.  During a Sabaac championship on Cloud City they took control of Bespin.  I barely escaped with my life – and none of the winnings.  But I made a good profit in the Anoat slave trade and spent some weeks there catching my breath.  A simple life of swamp mining and toxin filtering.  They said Anoat had once been something like Kashyyyk, until the Empire came.  They tore apart the planet for resources, and had made living on the surface impossible.  But enough years had gone by that the air was livable, if unpleasant.  By mining energy gases from the swamps and cleaning up the air, those locals still around hoped to restore their planet.  Seemed as good as any place to live out my exile, until the unmistakable shape of a Star Destroyer was seen coming into orbit, and several probe droids were seen scanning the land.

The Empire was becoming unavoidable and I knew I wouldn’t evade them forever.  With their recent defeats, the Rebellion was harder to track down than ever.  I sold what land I owned at Anoat – at a huge loss.  As I left the system I put out a call for Bossk, but didn’t receive any answer.  But his signal indicated he was on Coruscant.  With no other connections in the whole galaxy, that’s where I went.  It was either that or Tatooine, and who wants to work for the Hutts?

As ever, my timing was bad.  From the cantina window people pointed to the wreckage of Falleen’s Fist; Xixor’s luxury skyhook was just scrap metal now.  Black Sun was broken, giving the Empire the definite upper hand in the system.  Those with money and brains were leaving the system, while those with just brains were contracting their services to the Empire.  Money, I had.  Brains – debatable.  But it had been a long flight to the core and I needed to refuel before I could leave.  I rented a small room for the night.

I’d been by then 15 years in exile and had nothing to show for it.  Disaster seemed to follow me.  Kashyyyk.  Coruscant.  Bespin.  Anoat.  And now Coruscant again, and I’d only just arrived!  And then came another louder thought: What did you expect?  You abandon Anoat as soon as the Empire arrives.  You sold Arck.  You left Bossk.  You stole from the Rebels.  You betrayed Hapes.  It’s you, Snoova!  No wonder no one wants you around.  You’re a selfish monster.

Monster.  The word bounced around in my head.  I heard every voice I’d never known say it.  Over, and over, and over.  Monster.  I found myself screaming in the hotel room, just to drown them out.  We all have one night that’s longer than any other in our life – this one was mine.

The next morning my comm was blinking when I woke up.  Rough Hide was fueled up and ready to go.  I had to start over.  I didn’t want to self-destruct, full of these resentments, and fearful of them.  I couldn’t undo what I did but I could make a better future.  I could at least try.

When I arrived at the fueling station, the owner said they hadn’t reached out.  The Empire was commandeering all fuel, and I’d need to wait.  I took Rough Hide back.  Fuel’s needed for hyperspace jumps, or maneuvering jets.  For flying around a planet even a small amount will last for weeks.  It at least would save me the cost of lodging.

My comm was still blinking.  I clicked it as I looked for a place to land in the plains.

“Snoova, that really you?” Came a familiar voice, “Well I’ll be.  We heard you got phased in Bespin during the tournament.  I’m sending you my location – swing on by.  Things have really gone dank ferrik since Xixor died.  Could use a big fellah like you.”

Bossk!  I’d nearly forgotten I’d reached out to him.  But why would he want to see a traitorous monster like me?  Then it came back to me.  I’d left Bossk, yes, but on good terms.  Even paid him a pretty sum.  It’s rare one gets second chances like that.  Time to make a home.

Bossk welcomed me with open arms.  With the death of Xixor, loyalty was hard to come by.  But we’d been under plenty of fire together.  His crew was glad to add to their numbers without also adding to their suspicions.

The Imperial fuel seizure led to chaos in the streets.  Storage tanks were siphoned by locals and Imperials alike.  Fuel processing plants were raided, reinforced, then raided again.  Any arriving starship had to hire armed escorts to ensure what extra fuel they had wasn’t stolen – and then hope those escorts proved loyal.  Coruscant was becoming a dangerous island in a big, black sea.

With no way to leave we spent those days offering protection to cantinas and casinos, and attacking those who deemed our protection unnecessary until they saw things our way.  With no outland contacts our goal was to survive.  In some ways our smaller operation made us luckier.  Gambling vaults aren’t as combustible as fueling stations.

Then one fine day we woke up to a clear sky.  You gotta understand – Coruscant’s sky is a mess of starships and orbital stations.  But one day we woke up and there it was – a clear, maroon sky.  Prettier than you’d expect!

The Empire’s brass had left Coruscant.  There were some guards and bureaucrats left behind, of course, but the clear skies had said it all.  The Empire was on the move, and were leaving us behind.

You may have expected such a stroke of luck would have led to celebration, but in fact it only sparked battle between the different gangs to act.  Without the Empire’s overwhelming oppression, or Xixor’s charismatic vision, to unite them, each gang seized the opportunity for control.  The chaos in the streets for fuel was replaced by well-planned attacks, cease-fire summits, and the entire razing of difficult-to-control neighborhoods.  What control we had carved out for ourselves was suddenly subject, we were informed, to the supervision of the Blukes.  A few dozen enforcers with blasters and detonators offered us protection in exchange for loyalty.  Well, we knew too well what refusal could bring.  We paid the protection.

But Blukes proved to be less capable at providing protecting than at ensuring they got paid.  After running out some Kami Society thugs trying to get a hold on our casinos, Blukes insisted we pay them for the weapons we’d been using.  Well, enough was enough!  Bossk shared my resentments, and we determined to act before they could squeeze us for any more.

We sent an emissary to the Kami Society and offered to switch allegiances.  They were suspicious of our eagerness to abandon Blukes, and who could blame them?  Blukes’ falling influence was no secret.  But even when we explained our reason had more to do with personal grievance than abandoning a crashing ship, they were unmoved.  If we were to be trusted, we’d have to sever ties with Blukes completely.

The plan was simple.  We’d have to bring them the head of Blukes.  Ummm, the head of the head of Blukes, that is.  Simple, right?

Luckily, Moury Bluke was an arrogant leader.  You’d have to be to name your gang after yourself – an attribute usually left to the Hutts.  It was surprisingly easy to get a meeting with him.  He relished the opportunity to smack down stupidity.  So we requested several thousand credits worth of weapons.

He demanded an audience with us.  When we arrived, my bionic eye told us where his traps were and when our own guns were in position.  We let him shout himself hoarse and then bang bang our little crew took down one of the major gangs of Couruscant.  I used my vibro-ax to finish the job.  I had heard Nautolan’s necks particularly sturdy.  His, at least, was not.  Maybe weighed down by such a fat head.  Another betrayal, but at least one to feel good about.

The sudden collapse of Blukes had unintended consequences.  It was like a wampa with its head cut off, blindly terrorizing anything unlucky enough to be nearby.  The Kami Society were not interested in their territory outside our casinos, and the chaos spread.  Without the manpower to control the damage the remaining Imperials withdrew further into the capitol building.  The locals gathered outside the palace and demanded support.  Coruscant may be the capital of the galaxy, but it’s denizens are among the simplest.  The Empire’s oppression elsewhere had inspired resistance, but here the people had been ignored by the Republic so long they were at least glad for some attention finally.  But to be forgotten again?

Well, not fully forgotten.  Some stormtroopers and snipers fired into the crowd, scattering it. 

Kami Society saw an opportunity to do what Xixor had failed to achieve.  While much of the city was consumed by desperate Blukes fighting for any chance at power, we were ordered to focus on the Empire.  Bossk and I were put on the front lines – a testament to how we had proven ourselves against Kami, though now that I think about it if we died heroically they wouldn’t have to pay our ever increasing salaries any more.  That sure would have been a more heroic end.

Well, anyway, while we did that, others were sent around the sector to rile up the population.  We promised them food, credits, jobs, and peace.  A New Order for Couruscant.  Rather than be have their interests drowned out in a galactic bureaucracy we would see to it that their voices were heard locally, and their needs met readily.  A porg in every pot and two droids for every household.  That sort of thing.

The battle at the palace is too easy to bother recounting.  The imperials were quickly overwhelmed and surrendered.  We didn’t bother taking any prisoners.  From experience we knew that the Rebels sometimes paid for prisoners to be returned, but the Empire never did.  When I came out and lowered Blukes banner from the top balcony, the gathered crowd pushed over the statue of the Emperor.

The palace was a rich place indeed, and we all grew fat off the plunder, though it was spoiled by…  Well, there was a zoo in the palace.  The beings inside had been denied for quite a time, and most were dead by the time we found them.  In one cage we found two wookies, dead and in an embrace.  I looked away almost as soon as I saw them, but the image was burned in my mind.  Sometimes when I can’t sleep at night I see the two of them.  I guess that’s something I won’t have to deal with any more.

Better aimless than caged, sure.  But better free and alone than captive with company?  I couldn’t say for sure.  It’s been so long since I’d really enjoyed flesh.  That’s a regret I have.  And that I didn’t give them a proper burial.  I still wonder what their names were.

Then came the most unexpected news possible over the net.  The Empire had built another Death Star and it had been destroyed!  You’d think with a name like that they would have realized the irony after the first one.  Well, anyway, it was impossible to separate the defeat of the Death Star with our taking of the palace.  I’ve seen some docuvids claim the riot outside the palace was in response to the Death star’s destruction, instead of days before.

But as before, there was no time for us to celebrate.  Taking control of the Imperial Center had given us unexpected responsibility.  Citizens were now petitioning Kami Society to wipe out whatever gang controlled their sector.  Bossk and I went on a few patrols, making deals with local gangsters – assuming they didn’t make us kill them.  After we cleaned up a neighborhood the residents would pay us for the trouble, and pay us to ensure they didn’t fall to another gang.  Within a year or so the capital was pacified, with Kami Society squarely in charge, with a nice profit margin.

But throughout that year Coruscant never felt like home.  I found I yearned for greenery.  Artificial parks didn’t do it, nor the copious plants I filled my domicile with.  Aimless as an asteroid, but I’d been aimless by choice.  How different was I than those Wookies from the zoo?  Only the only person keeping me away from Kashyyyk was me.  I knew where I would fit in.  Would they take me in?  The Empire was collapsing.  Perhaps they’d be in a generous mood.  I had to try.  I had avoided it for so long, but now it was becoming clear. I’d never feel at peace until I went back to Kashyyyk.

Bossk was the first person I told and he didn’t understand.  Coruscant had everything!  What would I find in the forest I couldn’t have here?  But when that didn’t change my mind, he relented.  We raised a toast to our good times, and I made him swear if he was in the sector he’d drop by, though I didn’t really believe him.  Doesn’t matter now.

When I approached Kami Society about leaving they were not surprised.  Governing Coruscant was no gangster business and they’d seen a lot of people leave for galactic sectors less… lawful.  Hardly any shortage now – seemed every day news came over the nets of another Imperial system in revolt.  The Rebels had their hands full supporting the uprisings.

This actually worked to our advantage, though has proven my doom.  Since the Death Star blew up, the return of the Republic seemed to be inevitable.  Blukes had been in negotiations with the Rebels to establish their capital somewhere besides Coruscant.  To demonstrate their good faith, they had agreed to a trade deal.  And, “Since you’re heading toward the rim anyway,” I was assigned to deliver the goods to the Rebels.  Bossk would come along for the return run.  One final job together.

We met them on the third moon of Lantilles, a remote system that’s about halfway between Coruscant and wherever the Rebellion is now commanded (They refused to say).  We showed our wares, they showed theirs, we swapped, and we were on our way.  One of the Rebels sounded familiar – if only I’d realized why then.  I let slip I was going to Kashyyyk.  Stupid.  Hm, maybe it wasn’t just youth – maybe I’m just stupid.

“Always good to have a drink to grease the farewells.”  Bossk had grumbled afterwards as we loaded up his ship.  “Of course the Rebels are clean as a whistle – not a barstool in sight!”  As his loading crane brought up the last of the supplies, he gave me a nod and raised his hand.  “Well, good luck, Snoova.  And if the forest doesn’t work for you either, you know where to find me.”

Then he boarded Hound’s Tooth with a simple wave.  I got in Rough Hide and watched his ship disappear into the sky as the engine roared to life up.  Time to go home.

Lifting off from Lantilles III, I gave a wave to the Rebels on the landing platform.  It hadn’t occurred to me to say anything before, but I suddenly realized I owed them a debt of gratitude almost equal to what I owed Bossk.  My homecoming was only possible because of their fight against the Empire.  I’d always struggled only for myself.  These guys had made the galaxy better for everyone.  The viewport gave way to black as I turned from the bare moon, and then the stars stretched out as I entered Hyperspace.

When I exited hyperspace, I was filled with warmth as I saw Kashyyyk’s green sheen even from a distance.  A planet I had rarely seen, but had always known.  The hope that filled me in that moment was overwhelming.  Ashes in my mouth now.

No sooner did I return to realspace than I was hailed by a Lambda-class shuttle.  Imperials, I feared at first until that familiar voice came through the frequency.  Turns out that Rebel at had recognized me and Bossk from our bacta theft.

“Boss says I had to let the lizard go – we need to work with Kami Society for now.  But you’re no longer in their employ, which means you’re mine.”

A blue blast came from the laser cannons and engulfed my viewport, blue energy crackling throughout my ship.  Rough Hide shut down.

“Lotta folks needed that bacta.”  He said as a tractor beam took hold of my ship and pulled me in.

I tried to reason with him.  It was a long time ago!  The war was over!  Maybe he’d take my ship and give me an escape pod to Kashyyyk?  I’d retired from being a Bounty Hunter, not once but twice!  No effect.  His response stirs in my head.

“What’s done is done.  When the Galaxy needed your support, you preferred profit.  And those people are still dead.”

And so we arrive at today.  The final day. I’ve been held up in my own ship like chattel, slowing getting through my supplies, bearing his insults when he deigns to speak to me.  Kashyyyk is long gone from the viewport.  Who knows where I am now?  No one will rescue me.

Every few hours I ask for my accuser to show himself, to give some kind of identification.  Maybe a fair fight?  He always refuses.  My bionic eye shows a good few meters between my ship and his.  No chance to reach him.  Says that bacta was to assist a planet dealing with a fungal plague.  The mushrooms would get into the food and the proteins would distribute into the bloodstream.  Then the mushrooms would grow anew right in the blood stream.  Sounds terrible, right.

“You deserve no better.”

But if I’m going to die, it won’t be for someone else’s satisfaction.  Systems are still locked down, tractor beam firmly holding me in place.  But there is still hope of escape.  I can force open the landing ramp, and then I’ll get sucked into space.  With any luck my tormentor is asleep and will miss my ejection.  He hasn’t haunted me over the comm in quite some time. I assume he expects me to beg for mercy.  Instead I’ll slip out, unnoticed.

For so long I’ve wandered, and never tried to return.  That aim would have served me.   I will never see Kashyyyk again.  Big Bog may be dead, but I could apologize to that little one.  Maybe work out a deal.  Too late now.

Aimless as an asteroid, but an asteroid loves a belt, for a little while.   Aimless together ain’t as aimless. But even in a belt, they collide.  A hard enough knock makes them wander off again.  Tell me sugar, don’t you wanna be aimless as an asteroid?

Asteroids may be aimless, but that doesn’t mean they like it.  All asteroids – all kinds of rock, really – wander until they crash into a planet, and become part of it.  That’s what the songs never tell you.  That’s all I want – to be part of something bigger.  At least they died in each other’s arms.  I wonder where my body will finally end up.  Or will it wander forever?  Forever aimless.

To whoever is hearing this, if you get to Kashyyyk, go see it’s green roofs and brown pillars, hear late-night games around the fires, smell the sap of the trees, taste the meat, or even just feel the rough bark on your palm.  If you can’t do that, give this to someone who will be going there.  And if you can’t, think of me when you pass by.  When you see that beautiful green in the blackness.  Maybe, maybe it will ease my passing.

Alright.  Here we go.  One.  Two.  Thr-

 Copyright ©️ 2020 Maslow Stories.

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I consider this story still a draft. I edit it occasionally. If you have any feedback for me, I'd love to hear it! Email me at armaslow@gmail.com. Please put "Star Wars Stories" in the subject line. Thank you!

Utapaun Graffiti

“I dunno,” Muna demurred.  “What if we just-”
“Don’t think about it so much, if it’s gonna make you so nervous,” Paxti whispered back.
“But I heard the Yard can be dangerous at night.”
“Not on bright nights.  Come on, you prom-.”

A shrill voice suddenly interrupted them “Is that Paxti Bentun talking while I’m talking?”  Muna and Paxti didn’t need to look up to know everyone else in the classroom was looking at them.  Paxti slumped her crinkled body into her seat while Muna turned her eye-stalks downward.
“Perhaps one of you would like to explain to the class how the Kymer constraint demonstrates the upper limits of hyperspeed, hm?  Since I’m apparently doing such a boring job of it.”
“Oh!” Muna perked up, “Well, Dr. Yader, that’s sort of a trick question, isn’t it?  Hyperspeed has a limit but we don’t really know why.  The Kymer constraint is just what we call that obstacle.  The faster your hyperspeed, the stronger it becomes because, well, because it’s just a place holder.”

Dr. Yader’s lifted her goggles off as she eyed Muna carefully.  Her pale orange skin folded neatly on its self, a clear sign of a morning routine, which was more than could be said for Paxti next to her.  The top of her head tapered as it rose backwards.

“She showed you!” Said a boy up front, and the rest of the class erupted into laughter.
Dr. Yader put her brown goggles back onto the end of her eyestocks.  “Settle down, settle down.  Very good, Muna.  Imagine how much you could learn if you actually paid atten-.”
“Dr. Yader,” Paxti interrupted, “I don’t think it’s fair you asked us a trick question.”
“And I don’t think it’s fair you keep interrupting me.  Detention, Miss Bentun.  And just as well, I have a lab this afternoon and could use a hand in cleaning up.”

The boy up front snickered again, though he quickly covered his short snout with his large hand.

“You too, Mister Perguss.”
“But I was trying not to!”
“Trying and failing,” Dr. Yader declared.  “Effort isn’t everything in the galaxy, Udah Perguss.  Without results, it’s just a waste of energy.  Now then, where were-” Suddenly the bell rang and the students hurried out of Dr. Yader’s classroom, who furiously shouted the homework at them.

During lunch, Paxti opened her bag and laid out what her dad had packed her.  Milkbean sandwich, Opee slices, and a bag of processed fruit snacks.  She put the Opee slices back in with a groan.  Muna sat down next to her as she popped a few fruit snacks in her mouth.

“Sorry, Pax.”
“Hm?”
“About the detention.”
“Oh,” Paxti said, then swallowing she added, “Thanks for the reminder, I’d almost forgotten.  That would have been bad.”  It had been another two torturous hours of school since the incident.  Paxti thought it was a wonder she remembered her own name through it all.  Taking finishing off the bag Paxti went on, saying, “It’s alright, Moon. Scrag, I’m just glad you knew the answer.  If I’m gonna have detention, I’d rather it be because she looked stupid than because we did.”
“Want some of my lunch?”  Muna offered quietly, opening her bag for Paxti to look into.
She leaned forward over the green table.  “You sure you need two bags of silseeds?”
“Take them both, I hate those things!”
“Oh yeah?”  Paxti thrust a big hand into the bag, grabbing both bags at once. “This is great!  I can’t believe you don’t like them.  Oh, hi Marq.”
Marquita shook the table as she slammed her tray down.  “You will not believe what happened during math this morning – I am steaming.”

She took a seat next to Muna.  “I sit right by Robund, you know, and I asked him about tonight, and he said he’s going to the Yard, and I said we were too, and so we talked about it a bit, and it was very cool.  He said he usually hangs out by the pit with his W-board, and that I should come by and say hi while we’re there.”
“No!  Way!” Muna and Paxti both yelled.
“Yeah, yeah!”
“So, what did you say?” Paxti said.
“I said I’d try to get by to see him.  No idea where that came from, but that’s what I said and as soon as I said it I thought Whoa, that was good.”
“That was good,” Muna said enviously.
“So now we pretty much have to go,” Paxti said, turning to Muna.
“I mea, I-“ Muna sputtered.
“And anyway, once we go, if you don’t like it – which won’t happen – but if it does chu then Marq can find Robund, chat for a bit, and then we’ll go home.”
“But what if we hit it off?” Marquita whined.
“On the first night?” Paxti retorted opening a bad of Silseeds and pouring them into her hand.  “Come on.  Leave him wanting more.  Plus he’ll know you had nothing better to do if you talk to him all night.”  She popped the seeds into her mouth and sucked on them.  The sour taste made her eye stalks stiffen briefly, and the caps of her eyes dilated briefly.
“Or what if you run out of things to say,” Muna put in.  “Leave before then.  My parents haven’t had a new thing to say to each other in years.  It’s always dinner and laundry and schoolwork and meetings, meetings, meetings.”
“I’d love to talk to Robund about laundry for the rest of my life.” Marquita said, eyecaps glazing over.
“Oh, come on.”  Paxti said, opening up the second packet.  “Want any?”  Marquita opened her hand and took a few.  Muna shook her head vigourously.

A silence came over the group as Paxti and Marquita sucked the sour seeds, “Pax has a date with Udah Perguff.” Siezing the moment, Muna said.  Paxti smacked the table and shook her head in protest, but Muna went on, “It’s the perfect set up!  Two troubled souls, drawn together in detention.”

Paxti swallowed the seeds quickly to respond, too quickly. “Is not!"  She shouted, before suddenly being engulfed in a coughing fit. Muna and Marquita leaned forward towards Paxti, making kissing sounds with their snouts. “Stop it!”  Paxti shouted as she caught her breath.  “Udah’s gross.  If we see him at the Yard, we’re gonna leave right away."

“Awwww, look how shy she’s being!”  Marquita chuckled.
“Stop it!”  Paxti demanded.  “I don't like him at all!”
“Sure, sure,” Marquita teased, then turned to Muna.  “And who do you hope to see at the Yard?  Or not see?”

At the end of the school day, when Paxti went to Dr. Yader’s classroom, she found her standing at the doorway.  “Aah, welcome Miss Bentun.  You’re first, so you get choice of chores.  These test tubes and pans need a good washdown, but so does the floor and the board.  Which would you like?”
“Test tubes and pans,” she said quickly, then adding, “please.”
“Aah, finally some manners.  Sponge and soap is in the back, too.  Be careful not to drop anything – unless you want to pay for some new supplies.”

Paxti hung her yellow bag on the hook near the door and walked to the other end of the room, picking up a few test tubes on her way that were lying on the lab tables.  Humming a tune to herself, she got to work.  Fill the test tube with water, add a pinch of soap, shake the test tube, pour out the water, hang it on the electro-rack for it to dry.  A simple and mindless task.  Certainly easier than doing homework, though she would still need to do that.  No excuses for her – it was now written clearly on the board.

Paxti hated school.  What a waste of time!  Her parents didn’t use school learning at their jobs as far as she could tell.  She was only really interested in drawing, but as the rest of her grades were so bad, she hadn’t been given the opportunity to sign up this year.  Something about limited space and needing to earn the privilege and blah blah blah – whatever the head master had said.  It didn’t matter any more.  Despite her efforts, her grades had not improved much during the first part of the year, so she had just given up.  But her dad had insisted she graduate.

You bring me up / to knock me down / you go all out / I only frown.

You think it’s just you here, yeah yeah yeah you think it’s only you, but we all got bills to pay, you won’t get your way.

She didn’t realize she’d started singing until a voice behind her startled her. “Hey P!”  Turning around, she saw Udah holding a wet mop.  A blue mouse droid squeaked behind him.  “Hey,” She said, turning quickly back to the sink, hoping he hadn’t heard her.

“How’s it going?”
“Fine, what about you?”
“Just acing this mopping class.”
She felt a smile contort her snout. “Yeah, washing these test tubes is exactly what I signed up for, too.  Think Dr. Yader will give me a reference for the central cantina’s kitchen?”
“Central cantina!”  Udah let out a scoff.  “High hopes, you have there.  Though maybe eventually you could front the band!”
Her smile vanished and she felt her face turn orange in embarrassment.  He’d heard after all.  She said “Yeah, well, whatever,” and went back to scrubbing the test tubes; silently this time.
“Sorry, I,”
Paxti cut him off. “Just leave me alone, ok Udah?  Let’s just do our shablin’ jobs and maybe we can get out of here early.  Scrag!”

If Udah said anything in return, she didn’t hear him.  But eventually she heard the droid clank back towards the front of the room and knew he had gone.

When she finished the test tubes, careful so they’d all fit on the rack, she went to the other tables and collected the pans.  These would take more time, but that’s because they took more work.  Paxti didn’t mind that.  Staying after school stunk, but actually cleaning wasn't so bad.  She liked working with her hands.  It was working with her head she didn’t like, which was most of school.  She had heard that core worlds had droids do this kind of work – kitchens or even whole houses that were completely automated.  She couldn’t imagine that and didn’t want to.  

Gonna go, gonna get out, gonna find where I belong.

She caught herself and looked over her shoulder.  Udah was gone, and Dr. Yader was sitting at her desk, hunched over a pile of datapads.  Paxti went back to singing quietly.  If there had been a class for singing, maybe she would have liked that school better.  But if there had been a class for singing, she probably would have lost that privilege, too.

Out of this world, out of this galaxy, I hate Alderaan answers that you're givin' me!

When she was finished with the pans, she picked up her bag and said.  “All set.  Have a good weekend, Dr. Yader.”
“Wait, one moment, Miss Bentun.  Come here.  Your test…”
They’d taken a test earlier in the week.  She was certain she’d passed – if barely.
But Paxti saw Dr. Yader had zoomed in on the corner of the datasheet.  “Is this your drawing?”
“Yes,” Paxti said, seeing no gain in lying.
“You got so many answers wrong, surely your grade could have improved if you’d spent more time on the questions.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Paxti said diligently.
“What is this?”
Despite a familiar tide of resentment building in her she knew it was easier just to comply.  Teachers and imperials were all alike.  Comply and get it over with.  “Just, just a mistake.  I’m sorry.  I won’t do it again.”
“No, no, I want to know.  What did you draw?  It’s an Amani, right?”
“Uhh, yes.”
“Yes, yes, I knew it.  You know, I remember when they first started moving into the sector.  Anyway, this is a good drawing.”
“Oh?”  Paxti didn’t know what else to say.
“Usually people say “thank you” when they receive a compliment, Miss Bentun” Dr. Yader smiled slightly.
“Thank you, Dr. Yader.”  When she didn’t get an immediate response she said, “May I go now?  My parents will be getting worried.”
“Yes, yes.  But, and this is just for you to think about, there are lots of good jobs that use drawing.  You think the same geniuses who write the textbooks also draw the pictures?  There’s more to science than just knowing.  Drawing is an important part of the discipline.”
“Ok.”
“Ok.  Think about it.  Thank you, Miss Bentun.  You are dismissed.”

Paxti tromped out of the classroom, uncertain of what to make of what Dr. Yader said.  That she was speaking kindly to her was a surprise in itself.  But her thoughts were quickly interrupted.  Udah was standing in the hallway.

“I’m sorry I laughed,” Udah said.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Kind of.  What are you doing tonight?”
“Weird.  I have plans with my friends.  I have to get home.”
“Did you know it’s a bright night?  Are you going to the Yard?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah to which?”

She didn’t answer, the dam of her resentment breaking quietly inside of her. The two of them stared at each other for a while.

“Quit being so thick,” she snapped.  “I gotta go, don’t follow me, slimo, it’s creepy!”

She stepped forward, prepared to push by him if needed, but he stepped out of the way and said, “If you are going, maybe I’ll see you there!  I’m sorry I laughed, it’s just.  I’m not a mean guy, I promise.”
“Yeah, whatever.” She quickly walked down the hallway and out into the rocky wilderness, nodding to the stormtroopers in their speeder exactly 100 yards outside school grounds.

 “Paxti, school’s been out for almost an hour!  We were beginning to worry thought you had a run-in!” Her dad said when she walked in the door.
“You know me – big time rebel leader here.  Exactly who they’re looking for.”  She chuckled, though her father did not.  She went on, “Dr. Yader had me wash lab stuff for her.”
“Because…?”
“Because she’s hard on everyone.  I swear, it’s good she never had any kids of her own.  She’d be a real Mamatine.”
“Pax!”  That got them laughing.  She even heard her mom from another room.  “Pax, that’s terrible.  Where’d you hear that?”
 “I dunno,” she said, putting her bag down in the corner.  “What’s for dinner?  And when?”
“I just put it in the oven,” Her dad said, “so should be soon.  It’s stonewolf hide and some Caruceflower.”
“Ok,” Paxti said.  She patted her dad’s big arms as she walked by, and waved to her mom as she went into her room and closed the door behind her.  When she heard it click, her mom got up and went into the kitchen.
“Mamatine.  Kids these days, hm?”
“At least we know where she stands on the issue, Uluk.”
“I was just reading the rags.  Seems the parade will have a tank, too.”
“Sounds like Zarx knew what he was talking about.”
She leaned back to make sure Paxti's door was still closed.  It was.  Nevertheless, her voice fell to a whisper. "So the Rebels are really coming?"
"Yup," Codie said simply.
“And us?”
"I don’t know.  Truth is we don’t know how valuable our mines are to the Empire any more.  They may decide Utapau isn’t worth it.  Or they might decide this is their next big stand against the Rebels.  Hard to know what they’ll do without their Emperor."
She sighed, “We almost got out of this war unscathed.  If the Rebels turn us into a warzone,” her voice choked, “I just don’t know.”
“Hey,” he said firmly, “The Rebels didn’t occupy our planet, or dissolve the Senate, or,”
“I know, I know.” Uluk insisted.  “It’s not like I like the Empire, I hate it!  You know that.  I just miss when the war was further away.”
Codie stopped himself from responding.  She’d heard his tirades all before.  She was willing enough when he told her the Rebels had reached out to him, but that didn’t mean she’d ever truly see things his way.  After steadying his breathing, he turned and took her big hands in his own. “Together,” He said.
“Together,” She said, deftly moving her fingers through his.

After a moment she kissed him on the cheek, then let go and crouched to look into the oven, taking in the scent through her snout.  Standing, she said loudly, “I want the right side tonight.  Looks plump.”

 

The Bentun family dinner table was a steel-blue metal sheet, which Codie had recovered from a junk heap years before.  “This kind of blue is expensive – you believe some people just throw it out?!  Whenever we have company over, no matter what we serve, it will look ten times better on this blue table!”  Paxti didn’t think so.  Who would be fooled by a table?  Not that stonewolf was bad fare, but dinner was dinner.

“Anything happen at school you want to share?” Dad asked.
“No.”  Paxti answered automatically, putting another bite of Caruceflower in her snout.  But, as usually happened, something came to her afterwards. “Well, Dr. Yader complimented one of my drawings.”
Dad’s surprise was evident, “You showed her one of your drawings?!”
“No, uhh," She looked at the ceiling and said quietly, "I kinda drew it on a test.”
“Why’d you do that?”  He asked.
“Dunno.”
“I remember tests.”  Her mom said.  “Boring, almost hateful things.”
“Did you at least pass the test?”  Her dad said.
“I think so.  She didn’t really mention it – just the picture.”
“What was it?” Her mom asked.
“I dunno.” She desperately wished she hadn't said anything at all.
“You don’t remember your own drawing?” Her dad pressed.
“Ummm, I think it was an Amani, or something.”
“So you do remember,” he said, winking and chuckling.
That really ticked her off.  “Or maybe it was something else.  Scrag, what does it matter?!”

Her parents looked at her for a bit and let the silence hang a few moments.

“We were just curious.” Her mom eventually said.
“It doesn’t matter.  It’s your drawing,” Her dad said sullenly.”  But we were curious.”
“What do you care – you couldn’t get me back into drawing class.” She huffed.
“We care quite a bit!”  Her mom said, voice rising, “And you know we argued a good deal for you.  That school was unfair.”
“So why do I have to go.”
“Cause life isn’t fair, Pax” her dad went on.  “Never has been.  I’m sorry, but you’ve got to finish school.  You know how often I gotta show a new client my cert?  People care about that, even when they shouldn’t.”
Paxti smirked and said sourly, “So why do you let them?”

Dad’s face skipped orange and went straight to bright yellow, but her mom raised her hand, still holding a fork, and said.
“Codie, please.  Pax, what we’re trying to say is the gal isn’t what it ought to be, but we can’t wave our hand and make it better.  Even when the Jedi and the Republic were around, there were problems.  There will always be problems.  You gotta find a way to live your life in the gal as it is, not how you wish it were.”
“Why can’t we fix the gal?”
“Fix the whole gal?” Mom let out a hoot, “Where would we begin?  And anyway, what do you care what happens in Ord Mantell, or Dantooine, or even Couruscant?  Those places don’t affect you.  Utapaun’s your home.  Make it work for you.  Fix everything here, then you can try your hand everywhere else.”
“Maybe I will,” Paxti huffed.

An uneasy silence settled over the table, broken by the sounds of ferro-ware scratching the plate and chewing.  After a bit, Paxti said, “Dr. Yader liked my drawing.  That was all.  Why’d you have to make it about you two.”
“We’re your parents,” her father said soothingly, “And we want to see what you drew.  We like your drawings.”
“But you’re supposed to like what I draw.  Dr. Yader hates everything,” Paxti chuckled, and her mom and dad smiled a bit.
“Sounds like a good drawing, then,” her dad said.

After dinner, Paxti stood and began collecting the dishes. “What do you want?”  Her mom asked, suspiciously.
“Moon and Marq and I are going out tonight.  They should be here soon.”
“Where you going?”
“The Yard,” Paxti said
“When will you be back?”
“We’ll be back late.”
“How late?”
“It’s the weekend, and I don’t have any plans tomorrow.  So pretty late.”
“How late?”  She asked again, her eye stalks moving to focus on Paxti.
“I – I  really don’t know.”  Paxti replied.  “I’ll call you around midnight to check in.”
“I’ll call you at midnight to check in.”  Mom said.  “Call me before, if you don’t want an intrusion.”
“All right,” She said, failing to hide her annoyance as she turned on the water.  Comply, comply, she told herself.
“Who’s driving?”
“Muna.  She’s never had an accident!”
“And Muna will be driving you home?”
“Yes, mom.”
“And you’ll stay with her all night?”
“Or Marquita, yes.”
“You girls should all stick together.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Will you?”
“Yes, mom!”
“You know I’m only telling you what you need to know to be safe – not to be a party pooper.  I went to the Yard at your age too, you know.  Just want you to be safe.”
“Yes, mom!” Paxti raised her voice again, despite her attempts to keep it level.  It was amazing how difficult it was.  School was worse than home, but there was something about her parents’ voice that dug into her.  She knew when she became a parent she’d be nothing like them.  Dishes done, she blew past her mom to go to he room, hardly making eye contact.
“And make sure you bring your papers,” Her dad said, “With their big parade in a few days the imps will be on high alert.”
“Yes, dad!” Paxti said, slamming the door to her room.

Uluk sat next to Codie on the couch.  He gave her a peck with his snout and said, “You know, the Grit’s speeder is always tracked.  If anything goes wrong, Conprise can help.  You remember how we were at her age.”
“Yeah, and that’s what I’m afraid of.  We got lucky, Code.  Lots could have gone wrong."
Codie rolled his eyes, “You should be afraid of becoming a mamatine,” he chuckled, turning on a hologram program.
“Stop that!”  She whispered harshly, hitting his arm.
“Come on, we turned out alright. They’re good kids.”
“That’s not the point,” she said.  “Bad things can happen to good kids.”
“I guess,” he shrugged.  “But we have to live in the world as it is, right?”
“No.  We have to prepare for the world as it is.  And if that means we have to be a bit of a nerf sometimes, so be it.  A tracker’s no good if all it does is help us find her body.”
Cody recoiled and made a distasteful grunt. “Ok, ok, you’ve made your point.”

 

The wind whipped by their faces as the faded blue speeder bounced along the rocky road.  The streetlights barely gave off enough light to reach the ground – if they were working at all.  But on bright nights the moon more than compensated.  It’s greensilver light reflected on the bent guard rail ahead, and Muna turned smoothly.  The radio was on and the girls were singing loudly.

And I’d follow you through all these rocks / and the sto – oh – oh – oh – ones !  To a pile we could call our oh – oh – oh – oh – oh – oh – own.

But tell me, baby, tell me tell me won’t you, what would you give up for me.

Finally they pulled to a stop in an open field, the sound of horns and drums in the distance.  There were speeders spread out everywhere, parked disorderedly.

“So what’s the plan?” Muna asked, opening the door.
“Well I need to go to the pit to find Robund.  You two cannot come with me.  I want that boy to myself.”
“But you’re not gonna do that right away,” Paxti said, leading the group through the winding path between the speeders.”
“Plus, we need to stick together,” Muna reminded them.
Marquita waved her eyestalks in the air in annoyance before turning them to Paxti. “Well, of course not!  Need him to wonder where I am first.”
“Whatever we do first, keep an eye out for Udah.  He really gives me the creeps.  If we see him, let’s go another way.”
“And deny you a life of happiness?” Maquita said, “Imagine how magical it would be to be with someone who makes you laugh all the time.”
“Don’t be gross.” Paxti said.
“We’ll keep an eye out,” Muna said, reassuringly.  “Let’s just find a spot to enjoy some music."
"And a drink," Marquita said.
"A few drinks," Paxti clarified.

On the edge of the field were a dozen stormtroopers, spread out in pairs along the parking area.  At each pair there was a line of people waiting to be let in.  As they went to the back of the shortest line, the girls took out their identification.

“Think we should tell them it’s my birthday?” Muna asked, suppressing a smile.
“Yeah,” Marquita groaned, “And maybe they’ll let you drive a TIE around.  I don’t think so.”
“I was just kidding,” Muna said.
“Well sorry if I don’t think,” she hissed the next word, “stormies are very funny.”
“Oh right,” Muna said, remembering.  “Sorry, Marq.” A thick silence quickly grew between them.  When the discomfort was too much to bear she added, "We don't even know that's what happened to him!  Maybe he just left without saying-"
“Just drop it," Marq whispered intently.
“Next!”  Shouted a monotone voice. The girls each held up their IDs to be scanned.  The stormtroopers clicked the scanner over the holoimage and waved each one by, dully saying “Move along.”  After scanning Muna’s he added, “And have a happy birthday!”
“Oh uhhh, thanks.” She said, skin turning orange as she looked down and hurried by.

Walking onward, they soon came to the edge of the Yard - which was actually a giant crater.  The crest of the crater had been covered with durasteel plates for an industrial purpose long now forgotten.  But the plates remained, reflecting the moon around the crater.  Though parties were held at the yard regularly, the monthly full moon parties were really the ones to attend.  Deeper into the crater there were bonfires and grills.

Gingerly the girls began walking down the crater.  Rarely was there a party where someone didn’t fall on their way down.  An embarrassing way to enter.  But in recent years the plates had been given grip bumps making it much easier to go down – if you knew where to walk.

“Hey, ladies!”  Came a voice from below.  “Come join us!”  Looking down they saw a group of kids standing around an open flame.
Muna grabbed Marquita’s hand and put her snout directly in her earhole.  “Is that safe?”

Marquita blew out the air in her snout in a chuckle.  “Oh come on – it’s more fun this way!  But yes, it’s safe enough for ya.”  Marquita waved conspicuously.  Paxti carefully followed behind them.

When they made it down a boy called Amalk tossed each of them a can.  “Cheers!”  Everyone shouted as they downed their drink.  Marquita had to help Muna open hers.

The conversation went from galactic celebrities to the hardest graders (Paxti was relieved Dr. Yader was at the tip of everyone else’s snout, too).  Paxti sipped from her can throughout.  No stranger to alcohol, she had never been overly fond of the taste.  She preferred mixtures, but those weren’t thrown around as liberally as simple brews.  This one tasted like cooked rock.

“You all going to the parade?”  One asked.  Everyone laughed bitterly.  Empire Day parades had been mandatory for as long as they all remembered.  Rumor had it stormtroopers went into everyone’s home during the parade to make sure everyone attended, though Robund had insisted once he stayed home and no one came to bother him, or if they did he paid them off.
“I heard they’re gonna fix Empty Square.”
“We already fixed it!”  Amalk shouted.  After the Emperor’s defeat at Endor, protests had erupted in Utapaun, and most of the Emperor’s statues had been defaced or taken down.  In the capital they had proclaimed it Empty Square and occupied it for a week or two before the sight of a TIE bomber chased them all out.  Paxti and her parents had visited a few times during the occupation, but they never spent the night.  The Empire would outlive the Emperor, turns out.  “We were naïve to think it would all end so easily,” Her dad had sighed.

“I heard they’re gonna announce a new Emperor.” Said another boy named Cheep
“That’s what you said last year,” Marquita said, nudging him.
“And now I’m saying it this year.” He said.
“The Rebels are coming.  My uncle's been-” A girl named Supyura said.
“Quiet, Supy.  They’ll hear you.”  Muna snapped, gesturing towards the parking lot.
“Oh please,” Supyura laughed, dropping her can in the pile at her feet.  Then she let out a ferocious yell:  “WHAT THE SCRAG ARE THE IMP’S GONNA DO TO ME!  THEY GOTTA BE 100 FEET AWAY!”

Everyone froze, and a few looked towards the crest of the crater.  When no one came a few let out some nervous laughter.  The local council had passed a law years earlier that, to protect the freedom of Utapaun’s inhabitants, Stormtroopers had to remain 100 feet away from most publicly owned spaces.  Given it’s long history of docility, the governor allowed the ruling to stand.  However, in recent months government officials had been purchasing public spaces, allowing them to station Stormtroopers on "their" property.

“Yeah, Supy’s right!”  Amalk said, raising his drink.  “To hell with them all.”
“To hell with them all!”  Everyone echoed, taking a drink.

Then the conversation died down and the group started singing to the tunes being played by the band at the center.  Paxti reached over to Muna and lifted her can – it still felt quite full.  She leaned over to her and said, “If you don’t like it, we can find something else.”
“Yes, please,” Muna choked back, letting the can go so Paxti could finish it herself.  She remembered her first time, last year at one of Nimind’s parties.  She’d pushed through it because Nimind didn’t have anything else, but the Yard had all sorts of options.  No reason to tortore poor Muna.  She wasn’t the tough type.

“Come on, let’s go,” Paxti shouted, tapping Marquita’s shoulder.  When Paxti finished Muna’s can, she saw a cleaning droid standing a short ways off.  She tossed the can towards the droid, and the others followed suit.  The grey block of a droid moved it’s one arm to pick up each can and drop it into a hole in its chest.

As they neared the stage the band came into view.  Two Utai were on horns with one on drums.   Up front was an older boy singing.  It had become too loud to talk, so Paxti just pointed towards one of several booths set up.  She bobbed her head as she sang along with the well-known refrain.

Take me down to Bespin system.  We can lose ourselves in the clouds.

At the booth Marquita pointed to the menu above their heads.  Her snout was right to Muna’s earhole as she described the different drinks.  Muna shrugged at every suggestion.

“I got this!”  Paxti shouted.  She went to the dark yellow amani at the booth and ordered Tall Sunshines for all of them.

The bartender held up his hand, with two fingers slightly apart.  Paxti took out her ID and handed it over.  He pointed to Muna and Marquita.  Paxti rolled her eyesstalks and went back to the others.  She held her own ID up and pointed to them both.  When she returned the amani looked at the IDs, then rubbed a long fingers on the back of each.  Satisfied, he handed them back, turning to prepare the drinks.  Paxti pocketed the IDs while she watched him mix the drinks, remembering what her mother had taught her not-too-long ago.

He came back and handed her three drinks. Carrying them all to her friends at once, she laughed and shouted “He took more time with these than the Stormie!”  She laughed as she handed the IDs back.  Then she held her drink up, and the others followed.  “To Muna,” she practically screamed to be heard over the music.  “Finally, an adult!!”  They touched glasses and drank.  She finished hers in three gulps.  “I was getting sick of hanging out with a kid anyway,” Paxti chuckled as she finished hers.

As Marquita finished hers, Paxti turned to Muna, expecting it to still be half full.  Instead, it was already empty.  “I love it!”  She was shouting, holding the glass out for someone to refill.  "My turn!" Marquita laughed as she took the glasses and went back to the booth.  Too loud for a conversation, they sang with the band.

And it isn’t what they wanted, and it isn’t what I asked for, but damn this life is fun!  What good is school if it leaves you bored.  What good is family if they drag you down.  Just me and you and this thing called love.  And it isn’t what they wanted, and it isn’t what I asked for, but damn this life is fun!

Marquita returned with the drinks, and Paxti pointed to an open space they could sit.  They hurried over before anyone else took the spot.

“Oh, I got this!” Muna yelled, reaching into her red purse.  She pulled out a credit and before anyone could stop her she slipped it into the slot.  A blue light suddenly encircled them from below, and the music became much quieter.  Paxti laughed while Marquita groaned.

“Muna!”  Paxti yelled, and then adjusted her voice “Come on, only wet wookies use these domes.  We’re gonna look like a bunch of scrag.”
“What?”  Muna said, hurt clear in her voice.  “But whenever my parents took me here for concerts this is what everyone did there.  We can make the volume louder, if you want.”  She pointed to a knob near the creditslot.
“That's because these things are for families and their kids!"  Paxti exclaimed.  "Come on, turn it off before somebody sees us.”
“Turn it off!”  Marquita echoed urgently.
“Ok, ok.”  Muna said, hitting a red button.  “Sorry.”

Paxti was going to respond, but when the dome vanished the force of the music hit her like an asteroid.  It took all her focus not to fall over and spill her drink.  By the time she recovered, Muna looked downright downtrodden.

She scooted to sit closer to Muna.  “Hey, you didn’t know.  Don’t worry about it.”
“I didn’t even want to come!”  Muna yelled, taking a swig from her cup. “Why did you make me come to the Yard!  It’s such a stupid place!”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Paxti said, taking the cup from Muna’s hand.  “Take a break from that stuff for the moment.  Look, we’re here under the full moon in the coolest place there is to be.  And you belong here, Muna.”
“No, I don’t,” She pouted.
“Everyone belongs here,” Marquita shouted.  “It’s the Yard!  Don’t over think it, we all make mistakes.”
“But everyone saw us!”
“Really?”  Paxti stood up and made a show of looking around.  “No one’s staring.”  She sat back down.  “You’re not the only one who’s done this, I bet.”
“Did you?”
“Listen, I don’t remember a thing about my first time here without my parents.  So I mean, maybe.”
“Ok.”  Muna said slowly.  She reached out for her drink.  “Sorry.”  She said again.

After a few more songs (and drinks), the band cleared up and left the stage.  Pre-recorded music played through the speakers as the next band set up.

“Generic scruff,” Marquita said derisively.  “I’m going to find Robund.”
“Marq,” Muna said, “We gotta stick together.”
“Then come with me – but stay back.”
“But I’m comfortable.”
“Well I’m bored.  But if you’re so comfortable then don’t leave until I come back.”
“You won’t come back,” Paxti said, “You’ll talk to Robund for hours.”
“About laundry!” Muna teased.
“Shut up!”  Marquita snapped back.  “Call me on my comm if I take too long.  Oh, that’s a good idea.  It will make me seem popular!”  Then she turned around and left.
“Shouldn’t we really stick together?” Muna said.
“We should be home studying,” Paxti said, smiling.  Muna let out a laugh.  Paxti’s hand reached out and rested on her friend’s hand.
“This really is generic scruff,” Muna said laughing.
“Yeah.  Want another drink?”  Paxti said, standing up.
“Should I come with you?” Muna asked.
“Someone’s gotta stay to keep our spot.”
“Oh.”
“I’ll be right back.”

By now there was a line to get a drink.  While she waited she called her mom on the comm.  Her mom made her promise to call again in an hour.  When they hung up, a familiar voice said, “Who was that?”

“What?”  Paxti said as she turned around.  Udah was right there, right behind her.
“How’s this for luck!”  He yelled.
“Yeah, bad luck.”  She said coldly.
“Aww, come on.  I wasn’t waiting for you this time, promise!”
The silence began to stretch.  He said, “So, how about this generic music?  Can’t wait for the next band.”
“Yeah, me too,” she agreed plainly.
“Know who it is?”
“No.”
“I do,” He said, his voice suddenly gleeful.  “It’s my band!  Well, technically it’s my brother’s!”
“Oh” She felt her interest pique despite herself, “Are you any good?”
“Yeah!  Well, you’ll see for yourself.  Well, hear for yourself.  You know.  Whatever.  I play the horn.  I’m just getting drinks for everyone.  But we don’t have a singer right now.  Our last singer got, well, we don’t really know.”  He lowered his voice and quickly added, “Run-in gone wrong, maybe.”  Then he went on, “So we need a new singer.  Maybe you’d be interested?  You’re a good singer!”
“Oh,” Paxti didn’t quite know what to say.
Behind Udah someone shouted, “Hey move it, sister!”  She turned around and saw the path to the booth was wide open.  Glad for the excuse, she hurried away and ordered her drinks.
“Whatcha getting?”  Udah said, suddenly beside her.
“None of your business, Udah.”
“Udah, my booki!”  The amani shouted, “Preshow regular?”
“Yeah, Retfret.  And whatever my friend here wants, I’ll get that, too.”
“No!”  Paxti yelled.  “I can get my own drinks, thank you very much.  And you’re behind me.”
“Listen, what’re you so mad at me about?” Udah said, taking a few steps back.
“You spied on me while I was singing, then you waited for me out in the hall when no one else was around, now you’re asking me to join your little band.  Pretty creepy.”
Udah cocked his head, and his eyestalks floated a little before recentering on her. “That what you think happened?  No!” A sternness entered his voice she had never heard before.  “I was cleaning the floors like Dr. Yader asked, and I heard you sing.  We’ve been really worried about tonight without a singer, and that’s been on my mind.  Waiting around was a bit awkward, but it was worse for me, needing to hear you chit-chat with Dr. Yader like old friends.  I was about to leave when you came out.”
The amani came back with the drinks.  “Sure,” she said dismissively, slamming the credits on the counter.
“I have my own life, you know.  It isn’t all about you, P.  If you don’t want to sing you don’t need to sing, but you don’t have to make such a big deal out of it.  We’ll find someone else.”

Paxti let out a harumph, took her drinks, and stomped back to where she’d left Muna.
Muna sipped her drink and said, “Singing in front of all those people – no thank you.”
“I know right,” Paxti agreed.  “I mean, not with him.  Maybe one day.  I don’t know, think I’m good enough?”
“Absolutely!”  Muna exclaimed, “Paxti, you’ve got an amazing voice, and any band would be absolutely whizzed to have you.  I say you’re better than Marquita, though don’t tell her I said that.  Hey, where is she, should we go find her?”
Paxti took out the comm.  It rang and rang and rang.  “Must be a good conversation,” Paxti shrugged, putting it back in her pocket.  “We’ll try again later.”
“I think Udah’s cute,” Muna said suddenly.  “In a scruffy kinda way,” she said, defensively.
“You think everyone’s cute,” Paxti laughed.  “And believe me that stuff won’t help.  How do you feel, anyway?”
“Loose, I think.  My snout feels longer, if that means anything.  I don’t know.  I feel good.  Thanks for bringing me here.  Sorry for complaining earlier.”
“No problem,” Paxti said, reaching her hand out.  Muna took it.
“This place definitely looks better in the moonlight than during the day.”
They sat there pleasantly, quiet, sipping their drinks.  Suddenly a voice came over the speaker.  “We’d like to introduce our next band, Reckless Encores.”
“Uh, yes hello.” Came a squealy voice.  Unfortunately our singer couldn’t, uhh, couldn’t make it tonight.  So we’re gonna play some familiar crowd pleasers tonight, and we hope you’ll sing along.”

The horn rang out loudly as a recognizable but uninspired version of Loyal to the End played.  Paxti and Muna sang along softly with each other, but when it became clear the others weren’t joining in, they stopped.  “This sucks,” Paxti said, finishing off her drink in one gulp.  “Let’s go find Marquita.”
“What about our spot?” Muna said, finishing hers more slowly.
Paxti pointed to the stage, “For this?  No, no.  Let’s go!”  Paxti tossed her cup towards a nearby droid before grabbing Muna’s hand to drag her along.
“They really need a singer,” Muna said blithely.
“Well it won’t be me.  I’d need a lot more drink in me than this before then!”
“Alright,” Muna said, by then catching up to Paxti so she wouldn’t have to be dragged. “Where are the pits, anyway?”
“I think they’re that way.” Paxti said, though she didn’t point in any direction.  Muna raised her eye stalks to see above everyone.  They passed throngs of people as they wandered through the Yard.

“I think we’re lost,” Muna said, as the edges of the crater came into view.
“Then maybe they’re this way.” Paxti said, pulling them to the left.
“Why don’t we ask someone?”  Muna said, motioning towards a group standing by a fire.
“Oh come on, Muna.  They’ll think it’s our first time, and that we don’t know our way around.”
“Well,” Muna said, “It is my first time, and I don’t know my way around.”
“Fine, but I’ll wait here.  You go embarrass yourself.”
“Chill out.”  Muna said, walking away.

Paxti paced back and forth while she watched Muna.  She saw a group of older kids huddled by a small fire, and curiosity drew her near.  She heard a monotone voice, cracking as if through a transmitter: “Wedge, you seeing this?"
"Yeah.  Looks like we've got company.  Corran!"
"Yeah, boss."
"Divert those TIEs to point oh-five-three."
"Roger that."

“They say it’s that way,” Muna said, bringing Paxti back to the moment.  She was pointing to the right.
“I knew that.”  Paxti said, “Let’s go.”  With a bump she walked right into Muna’s outstretched hand, which was holding a drink.  Some of it spilled onto her and she gasped.
“Come on Muna!”  She wiped the liquid off her shirt before it soaked in.
“Sorry,” Muna said.  “But you should watch where you’re going.”

Paxti felt like exploding, but instead grabbed the drink out of Muna’s hand.  A bit more of it spilled.  She poured some into her snout before she said something she’d regret.

“Gah!”  She exclaimed, her eyesockets tightening up. “What in the Gal is this?” It was then she realized the drink wasn’t yellow at all.
“I don’t know,” Muna said, taking a sip.  Ack, is that silseed?”
“Yeah,” Paxti said, shaking her snout.  “Real strong, too.”  She took another sip of the blue drink.  “Ugh,” she said.  She threw the cup towards a nearby droid, blue liquid spilling as it spun.  “That was gross,” she said.
Muna tried another sip. “Scrag!”  She said, spitting it out and throwing her cup.  Paxti started to laugh.  Muna’s face turned embarrassed.  “I’m sorry, OK!”  Muna shouted defensively.  She threw up her hands.  “I screw up again.”
“No, no,” Paxti chuckled.  “Moon.  You just said Scrag.”
Muna waved her snout around a little, and her eyesockets drifted aimlessly as she processed that. “Oh,” she started to giggle.  “Well I did, didn’t I.”
Paxti laughed louder, “Marq will be so upset she missed this.”
“Scrag, Scrag, Scrag!”  Muna shouted through her giggles.  “Oh, that’s fun!”
“We gotta tell Marq!”
“This way,” Muna grabbed Paxti’s hand and dragged her towards the pits, still laughing.

They found Marquita was standing with a group of other kids they recognized.  Several of them had W boards, holding them up by the middle joint.  Behind them, in the distance, W shapes popped up and down like a speeder’s carbeen firing.  The music was louder here.

“Marq!”  Paxti shouted over the music.  “Come on, we have to go!”
“You’ll never guess what I said!”  Muna yelled.  She didn't respond.  Muna got next to her and smacked her shoulder, “Hey, Marquita.”

She waved vaguely in their direction and kept talking.  The boy she was talking to turned to the new arrivals.  He was tall and handsome, with a narrowing snout and eyes the color of ground milkseeds.  His voice had a certain melody, and it said: “Sorry, ladies, I’m busy.”
“What?!”  They yelled over the music.
“Alright, alright, if you insist.”  Robund shouted louder than before.  He turned back to Marquita, “Hold my drink, will ya Princess?”  Marquita giggled and took the brown drink in her hand.  “Watch this,” he said, facing the other two.

He put his W-board on the ground and placed his feet at either end of the shape.  With a firm stomp the board levitated slightly, and with a bend of his body he dropped out of view as he went into the half-pipe.

“Let’s go!  Remember, you want to leave him wanting more.”  Paxti said.
“Come on, you’re missing some solid bonding,” Muna added.
“We were bonding here, too.”
“Marq, come on!”  Muna yelled.  “We didn’t come here for this.”
“Well maybe not you.”
“Come on, Marq, you know what we mean," Paxti said.
“Check me oooouuuuutttt!” They distantly heard Robund shouting from a distance.  He had gone up the halfpipe and was rotating in the air as he went up, until he stopped, then went back down.  He grabbed his board as he went down.

“That’s so´cool!”  Marquita announced, and she was right.  The others only nodded, feet rooted to the ground as Robund did a series of other tricks, including some flips and even a jump-kick.
“You know, I taught him that.”  Someone leaned over to Paxti.  “Yeah, Robund’s a fast learner, I’ll give him that.”  Paxti took a few steps back.
“Nuh-uh!”  Another boy said.  “I taught him!  You couldn’t do a double frupple if the Galaxy depended on it!”
“Can, too!”  Said the first.
“Let’s go!”  Said the second.
“You’re on, Rawn.” Then he turned around to Paxti and said, “Wait for me."

The girls were left on the edge of the pit.  The boys bounced up and down at the far edge of the halfpike, shouting at each other.  “See?"  Muna said, pleadingly, "They already forgot we’re here,”  Muna reached her hands to her friends, “Come on.  I want to go back to the music.”
“But he’s expecting me to wait for him,” Marquita replied
“And I’m expecting you to spend time with me for my birthday!” Muna said, raising her voice.

Paxti didn’t dare to breathe as she waited for Marquita.  On the horizon the boys rotated and flipped, jeering each other all the while.  After a few excruciating seconds, Marquita turned around.  “You’re right,” she said.  “I’ll leave him wanting more.”  She finished off his drink and put the cup down on the ground.

As they headed back to the stage, Muna told Marquita all about her first curse.

“Oh, oh, I’m sorry I missed it.” She giggled.  “Do it again.  No, wait!  I want it to be authentic.  OK, we’re not leaving until Muna does it again.  I’ll get the next round to get her going.  There’s a spot!  Go grab it, I’ll be back.  Tall Sunshine?”

Muna looked at Paxti, who said “Yes, that’s the one.  Or something like it.  No silseed, though.”
"Never silseed," Muna said, laughing.

The crowd had thinned out by the stage, so Muna and Paxti took a spot much closer than last time.  The music was actually quieter here since the speakers were farther out in order to catch the crater’s edges.  Marquita came back with the drinks, and the three girls sat and talked.

“Hey, you!”  A voice suddenly called.  They looked around, and saw Udah shouting from the stage.  “We’re onto our last song.  Honestly, thank the Whils, we’re not doing too well.  But if you want a debut,” his voice rose inquisitively at the end.
“Oh, no, uhh, no.” Paxti stumbled out.
“What’s this?”  Marquita said dumbly.
“Oh come on!”  Muna pleaded.  “Come on, Pax, it’s my birthday.  Sing one for me?”
Paxti found it hard to deny that whine.
“Here,” Muna said, struggling to stand up.  “You said you’d need more first.  Finish mine.  Marquita, get us another round.  Pax is gonna sing the Yard!”
“Oh wow,” Marquita said, floored.

Pax slowly stood up.   She looked at Udah’s outstretched hand, and back at Muna’s eager face.  “Come on come on come on!”  She suddenly said.  Paxti grabbed her drink and finished it in one swill. Then she took Muna’s and finished that, too.  She walked to the stage and where Udah pulled her up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, guests of the Yard,” Udah’s brother said into the microphone, “For our final song, I am pleased to announce we have found a singer,” A polite applause came up from the crowd.  “What would you like?”  Udah said as his brother went on with the introduction.
“What?” Paxti asked
“The song, what song?”
“Oh, uhh,” Her mind had gone quite suddenly blank.
“How about I belong?”  Udah suggested.
“Yeahhhhh” Paxti said, dragging the word out.
“Just do your best, big shot,” Udah’s brother said as he picked his horn back up.
“Ok, ready?  On three.”

As they counted off Paxti she forgot the words.  She didn’t know any words at all.  Had she ever sung in her life?  Were the stars always this blurry?
The band kicked up and immediately Paxti regretted her decision.  But then she remembered the song had an intro.  She quickly thought through the song in her head, and all at once it came back to her.  She remembered everything with such clarity.  She felt a buzzing in her side, but ignored the nerves.  The bass dropped, and there were two chords before the words began.  And then one.
And then Paxti Bentun fell over, and threw up onto the ground below.
Marquita and Muna ran over to her, and badgered her with questions, but she felt fine now.  Yes, even the buzzing in her side had stopped.  And the band kept playing – it was a huge crowd, after all, and most of the audience wasn’t even near the stage, and they needed to meet their contract, even if the gig was falling apart, even if this was probably the last gig they’d ever get.
“Come on!”  The drummer shouted.
Paxti stood up.  She felt much better now.  Her head was bobbing with the song.  It song was only half over, and she knew the words for sure.
Muna and Marquita were amazed to hear their friend sing so well.  They knew she could sing, they’d spent miles listening to her in Muna’s Father’s X40 Sorosuub.  She could hit notes they had to pretend to.  But not only that.  Even the beat itself seemed to get inside her.  They both envied her timing, and the natural way her hand tapped the side of the speeder in rhythm, whether they were driving 150 down an open road or taking tight, wild turns, or sitting on the hood at Jung’s Heights after a round of frozen sweet cream.  But they’d never heard her sing like this before. 

You think it’s just you here, yeah yeah yeah you think it’s only you, but we all got bills to pay, you won’t get your way.
You think of only you, uh uh uh, you think of only you, uh uh uh, but isn’t it lonely, in an orbit of your oh – oh -oh -oh – own!
Not you, no no, no no, not you and not here.  I’m gonna go, gonna go, gonna get out, gonna find where I bellloooooonnnnngggg!

Paxti held this final note for a long time – Udah’s brother had a hard time holding the horn’s note as long.  When it ended, the commotion of the Yard returned, but quickly replaced by a great applause.  Some people even stood up and raised their hands above their heads.  Paxti bowed, her skin now flush bright green with pride.  She bowed once, twice, three times, turning each time she bowed.
She heard yelling behind her and turned around.  Udah, his brother, and their third band member were clapping and cheering, too.  Udah ran up to her and wrapped his wide arms around her.  “You were great, P!”  Paxti was so ecsatic she didn’t mind being so close to him and even hugged him back.  He released and stepped back.

“Ood wasn’t kidding.  That was quite good!” The drummer said.
“Once you got around to it” Udah’s brother said.
“Hey!”  Udah yelled.  “Come on.”
“What?”  His brother said, “It was a compliment!”
A tall adult stepped onto the stage, “Where was she for the first dozen songs?!  Well done, young lady.  Now, everyone, please clear off.  Oh, young lady, what’s your name?”
“Paxti.”
“Everyone give it up for Paxti and the Reckless Encores.”  He said into his mic, thundering it across the yard.  The applause rose up again as they all shuffled off the stage down the back stairs.  They were greeted by a small group of fans.  Muna and Marquita were at the back.  As the band came down the stairs the crowd gave way to make some room, but one walked forward.

“Who’s the new girl?”  She asked dismissively.  Udah’s brother put his arm around her shoulders.
“Aww, baby, tell me you’re not jealous.  She’s just the new singer, you know you’re the only one I want.  Hey everyone, let’s go hang in our spot.  Hey P,” He said, turning to Paxti.  He put two fingers to his snout.  “You spark?”
Paxti, still riding high from the applause, refused among a whirl of giggles.  “Me?  Oh, no.  No, no, no, no, no.”

Without another word, Udah’s brother turned around and walked away, and the group followed him.  Udah and the drummer turned back to Paxti as Muna and Marquita pushed through to be at her side.

“Sorry,” Udah said, embarrassed by his brother’s lack of manners, “He can be a bit of an ugnaught.”
“Left us with the equipment again, too” the drummer groaned.  “But seriously, if you want to join, let us know.  You were really good for just getting up there.”
“Yeah, yeah!”  Paxti said.  “I will!  I want to, yes!
“My client will have to check her schedule,” Marquita said, waving her hands in a grand gesture.  “But I assure you that you’ll hear from our people soon.”
“Uhh, OK.”  The drummer said, looking at Marquita.  He turned to Paxti, “Really, though, that would be great!”  He turned to Udah, “Let’s put this stuff away and get to your brother.  Make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid.”
“Ok.  I’ll reach out.  Your comm’s in the school directory, right?”
“Our people will reach out, right?  Right!” Muna said, speeding up her voice to sound like the agents in the news.
Udah looked at the three girls and seemed confused.  The drummer tapped him with his foot and jerked his head toward their equipment trailer.  “Yeah, OK.  Well, you were great.  See you!  But next time you’re helping us,” he laughed, turning around.

“Wow, that was so good!”  Muna exclaimed as they walked away.  They were arm in arm, Paxti in the middle.  She described every moment of being on stage in prattling detail, but they kept asking for more.
Suddenly she said.  “Oh, am I thirsty!”
“I’m about out of money,” Muna said.  “And sort of want to go home now.  It’s late.”
“No, no, just some water is all I need.  I’m done, too.  I don’t feel so good - my leg keeps buzzing.”

Paxti reached down to touch it, and was surprised to find a bump.  Then she remembered. “Scrag!”  She shouted, and she yanked the comm out of her pocket.  No sooner did she activate it that a voice boomed out of the speaker,

“DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS!”  Paxti’s mother’s voice boomed out of the speaker.
“Uh oh,” Muna said.
“Uh oh is right, missy.  I was about to head out there myself.”
“No, no,” Paxti said.  “I’m fine.  We’re fine.”
“Why didn’t you pick up?”
“She was singing!”  Muna and Marquita shouted.
“Who’s that?”  Her mother said.
“It’s Muna,” Muna said.  “She was on stage singing”
“At the YARD?!”  Mister Bentun exclaimed.  “My Force, what got into her?”
Muna let her eyestalks wander upward to see Paxti.  “She was really, really great.”
“The band invited me up!”  Paxti said.
“Yeah, it was really whiz.” Marquita said
There was silence on the other side for a moment.
“And who is that?”
“Marquita.  Come on mom, I told you.”
“Oh, oh right, right." She laughed nervously, "You kids are good?”
“Better than good!”  Paxti laughed.  “I’ll tell you about it later, OK?”
“Ok.  Stay with Muna.  She’s got a good head on her shoulder.  I mean, so do you.  And Marquita.  You know what I’m saying, you’re all good kids.  I love you.  How much longer will you be out?”
“We were just talking about coming home.”
“Ok.”
“See you when we see you,” Marquita said.
“Thanks,” Paxti said, and hung up.

They got some water from a booth as they headed back to the parking lot.  While they stopped to drink it, Paxti found herself looking wistfully at the stage, now far in the distance.  Would she ever sing that good again?  Maybe tonight was just a fluke.  A new band was just getting started.  They'll be so good, everyone will forget about me.  Just then the ground rumbled as a forceful explosion rolled through the Yard.  Above, they saw green and red lights flash through the sky.

“These guys are crap,” Muna leaned in, speeding up her voice again.  “You hear me, crap!  You don’t use fancy intros like that if your music’s got soul.  That’s what you got,” She threw her arm around Paxti and poked her sternum.  “You got heart, kid.  You’re going places.”  Paxti laughed and felt herself relax.

When they finished their water they continued walking back.  Once over the crest of the Yard their elation was replaced with exhaustion, and Paxti had to be literally dragged into the speeder.  They put her in the back seat, and Muna took off her sweater and balled it up for her to use as a pillow.  Through the ordeal they didn’t even realize the stormtroopers were gone.

“Are you alright to drive?”  Marquita asked as they got into the front of the speeder.  Already they could hear Paxti snoring in the back.  “We can find a place to pull over and sleep if-”

“Hey!” Muna demanded loudly, “Which of us has never had an accident, even during driver’s training?”

“Alright, alright” Marquita said, buckling into her seat.

A tired but determined Muna drove them all home.  She still didn’t see the burning, wrecked TIE on the road until it was mere meters away.  She had to swerve to avoid it, cursing as she did.  “Hah!” Marquita mumbled, eyes still closed, “Nice one.”

Copyright ©️ 2020 Maslow Stories

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I consider this story still a draft. I edit it occasionally. If you have any feedback for me, I'd love to hear it! Email me at armaslow@gmail.com. Please put "Star Wars Stories" in the subject line. Thank you!