Star Wars - Kenobi

parameters. Yet each of his ten-thousand-credit machines was turning out pedestrian water, half a glass at a time.
    Some farmers simply lost the knack. He couldn’t believe that was the answer. Everything happened for a reason. But it was almost as if the Tuskens’ damaging of Old Number One a couple of weeks earlier had killed the recipe everywhere. There was no connection, of course; the machines were discrete entities, each adjusted by hand. Yet the vaporators acted as if the magic was gone.
    Veeka scaled the tower again, preparing to close the maintenance doors, set high above the reach of Sand People or wildlife. Clinging to the side, she called out, “Someone’s coming.”
    Wyle Ulbreck’s old repulsortruck puttered across the horizon from the direction of the oasis. Orrin recognized it instantly—as did his son, working nearby. Mullen saw his father straightening his shirt. “Don’t tell me you’re gonna try again!”
    “A farmer lives on hope,” Orrin said, waving his hat at the traveler.
    Ulbreck’s vehicle slowed to a stop near the crew. The old man squinted out the window. “Oh,” he said, recognizing Orrin. “It’s you.”
    Orrin smiled. Who else would it be on my own land, you imbecile?
    “You’re leaving early, Wyle.” Orrin stepped to the door. “Finally tell everyone how you saved the Claim from the raging horde?”
    “That’s not it,” Ulbreck said. “Got a call. Some blasted Sandies stole one of my new towers before we even put it up!”
    Ulbreck launched into a rant about Tuskens, Jawas, and incompetents everywhere. Orrin didn’t try to hide his own amusement as he waited for a pause. “Sorry to hear that,” he finally interjected. “Anyone hurt?”
    “Just my pocket!” Ulbreck pounded his fist against the dashboard. “What in the suns would Tuskens want with a vaporator, anyway?”
    Orrin had no idea. He’d never heard of such a theft before. Some vaporators were not much taller than a human, but his Pretormins and Ulbreck’s new industrial machines were gargantuan. For the Tuskens to have stolen one, Ulbreck’s vaunted security personnel must’ve fled their hauler and left the motor running.
    The crisis was ready-made. “Maybe time to sack some people—and go with proven professionals,” Orrin said.
    “Don’t start that again!” Ulbreck glared down at Orrin. “You can’t even protect the Claim. How are you gonna protect my place?” He turned and spat into a cup he kept handy. “Pests, these Sandies. Wasting time, costing money—”
    Orrin was undeterred. “Well, let’s see, Wyle. Since the Tuskens attacked the oasis and we answered, nobody’s seen Plug-eye or any other Sand People. But you just got attacked. And yours is the biggest patch that isn’t protected by the Settlers’ Call.”
    “What are you sayin’?” Angered, Ulbreck stopped his engine, causing the repulsortruck to settle on the sand with a thump.
    “I’m saying maybe the few Tuskens we let live have figured out where the weak spots are. And you’re it.”
    Ulbreck swore. “You’re crazy. Tusken’s got a head like a boulder. They’re incapable of thought.” He looked back out at Orrin’s vaporator tower, looming above. “Besides, say it’s true. I can put up my own sirens, same as you.”
    “Yeah, but will anyone respond to them?” Orrin fished in his pocket and found the remote activator. After the oasis raid, he carried it everywhere now. “It’s not just the sound, Wyle. With this, I can get an army here. An army I can send to get your vaporator back—and crack some skulls in the process.”
    “Those bums aren’t an army. They just want the free drinks you—”
    “Whatever it takes.” Orrin looked at him cannily. “Now, I can’t get you in at the old rates. Prices have gone up. And bringing in all your territory is going to incur costs you’re gonna have to bear. Last in, you know.”
    “Make that never in!” Ulbreck restarted his engine. “I don’t care if Jabba the Hutt signs up. Wyle Ulbreck takes care of his own business!”
    Orrin threw up his hands. With a metallic groan, the repulsortruck continued on its way.
    Mullen looked at his father. “Told you it was a waste of time.”
    “Figured it was worth one more shot,” Orrin said. “This close to the harvest, nobody but Wyle has any money.” He thought for a second and chuckled. “And maybe that Kenobi.”
    Mullen raised an eyebrow. “Kenobi?”
    “Ben. Guy that made a fool out of you,