Star Wars - Kenobi

credits pay for them to do it.”
    Ben finished tightening the load and looked at him. “I … don’t know, yet. I’m still getting settled in.”
    “Understood. But that’s more reason to join. One less thing to worry about.”
    “You’ll have to let me get back to you. I’m still not sure—” Ben paused, seeming to hear something far away. Orrin followed Ben’s gaze to the hills, but couldn’t hear anything for several seconds. Then, he heard and saw the familiar whir of his daughter’s Selanikio Sportster landspeeder, heading toward them from the oasis.
    “Good ear,” Orrin said. “That’d be Mullen and Veeka. I guess they’re dried out and ready to get back to work.”
    Ben looked warily in that direction and turned to take the eopie by the bit. “I’d better go—our first meeting didn’t end well.”
    The eopie started to trot, and Ben jogged along with it. He passed Orrin, who leaned against his landspeeder, frustrated. Now his kids decided to get back to work. Terrific .
    “Listen, remember the offer,” Orrin said. “The price I cited during our ride is good only while the subscription drive is on. It goes up next week.”
    “I’ll consider it,” Ben said, waving behind him. “And thanks for the drink.”
    “Sure you won’t—”
    “No, no, I must be on my way. Far to go and all.”
    “All right, then. But come back around when you decide.”
    “I will.”
    Orrin’s shoulders slumped. Zero-for-two today. And two more troubles had arrived and were walking up to him. Veeka looked her usual self, for this afternoon hour. But Mullen had a frazzled appearance that gave him pause. What had his son gotten into at the Claim?
    “Where’s Zedd?” Orrin asked.
    “Hurt again,” Mullen said, glaring at the figures departing to the southwest. “Was that him ?”
    “Who?” Orrin looked in the same direction. “You mean the guy with no job and no past, heading into the middle of nowhere like someone with no sense? That’s Ben, all right.” He glared at his daughter. “You marry a man like that, and I’ll feed you to a sarlacc. Now get to work. I’m behind schedule already.”
    Meditation
    Today was … interesting.
    I took a chance and went to the Pika Oasis. Dannar’s Claim, the big compound up there. They have just about everything I need—except, maybe, an army to free the Republic.
    But I didn’t stay. That’s part of the problem. There are too many people there—but not quite enough, either. The bigger places like Mos Eisley, I can lose myself in. So many travelers come in and out. This place is busy, too, but the oasis also has a lot of regulars, who do nothing but watch the comings and goings all day. My arrival was, I’m ashamed to say, something of a spectacle. And, uh, my departure, too.
    I can’t let that happen again.
    I also met one of the big landowners on the way out—Orrin Gault, something of a local institution. I was reluctant to talk to him too long, and I tried to say nothing of substance. But he’s nice enough, and I sense that he feels better if he knows everyone who’s around. Trying to hide from a man like him might not be wise. He seems to mean well.
    And this Settlers’ Call system of his could be the answer to my problems keeping an eye on the Lars family, if their service could be extended that far to the east. I know—it would be better not to involve them. But if Anakin’s mother was taken, it could happen again.
    I’m here to protect the child. When it comes to the Tuskens, the locals’ help might come in handy. It’s a threat they’re familiar with. I had a brush with the Sand People years earlier, when you and I brought Padmé here; they’re formidable warriors. If something happens such that I can’t continue my watch—
    —well, let’s not think about that. But it’s nice to have options.
    Orrin—again, he’s very much a hail-fellow-well-met. I like him. Quite the salesman, to be sure. And while he’s obviously very proud of what he’s built out here, he also seems a little self-conscious about it—enough so that he tries to put on an air of humility. Even if it’s just a sales ploy, I think it’s a little endearing.
    Anakin could have used a bit of that. We were all impressed with what he could do. But he was impressed, too—and not in the least thankful for it. No, not near the end.
    I have his lightsaber, you know. It’s right here, sitting in my hands. Some nights, like this, I just sit and stare at it,