CHAPTER 9: Moon

The approach to Okha’s home base on Takodana was not easy. The clearance between the mountain’s rockface and the tunneled walls were extremely tight. The Raven shifted and dropped in the darkness as they approached. Okha could do it, and Tac’s advanced programming could do it. Any other ship was mostly destined for failure. Whomever built the base made it such that if ever followed, any ship trying would more than likely fail.

Once the Raven landed, Okha took Moon’s hand and slowly began walking down the ramp. As any other arrival, Tow, the diminutive mouse droid, came running across the landing area straight for them, squeaking and squealing as he typically would. Moon was startled. Okha crouched and gently placed her hand on Moon’s head, “it’s Okay, it’s Okay, Tow here is a friend of ours.” Moon looked at Okha and back at the mouse droid. If Tow had a face, it would look confused. “It’s Okay Tow, we have a visitor.” Backing up a little, the mouse droid did a figure eight, twirled and sqeeked in delight. Looking back at Okha, Moon seemed a little more calm. They proceeded into the living area. Okha was ready to give the little girl a tour of her new home. However, it appeared that was not required. Moon went straight to room that was taken up by items and technological gadgets that had not been used in years. Okha was extremely puzzled, “Do you know your way around?” Moon did not say a word. Her smile said it all. Okha knew that the room would eventually become hers. Moon continued to look around and took to the entrance. Taking a few strides down the hallway, she managed her way to the [kitchen?]. “Hungry?”. With the slightest of smiles that needed no interpretation, Moon took a seat at the table. Okha proceeded to look through her storage areas for tasty morsels and fixed a little something for her little guest to eat. They sat together at the table and began to pick at the feast of goodies. Suddenly, they both watched Tic, Okha’s R5 unit, suddenly stroll in. It bleeped and whirred and bleeped some more. “Yes, she is our guest”, Okha replied with a light smile, and looked over at Moon, who was almost smiling. Okha realized that she had been through alot, and could not expect the little one to be herself. To make matters worst, Okha knew she had to speak with Emaneld Ude. Not only did the plan not go accordingly, but there was now an extra element that needed to be discussed. After spending a few minutes at the table, Okha reached over to Moon’s hand and held it lightly. Looking into her deep, brown eyes, she softly spoke, “I need to go away and talk to someone. Can you spend some time with Tac?” Moon did not seem too happy about the idea. “After you are done, you can go into my secret garden and see my collection, Okay?” Moon’s eyes began to light up. Okha continued, “I have the most rare flowers from each system I have ever been to. You can tell me which one is your favorite when I get back.”

She wasn’t sure how comfortable her new little guest would be if left alone. She had a feeling that somehow the girl already knew her way around, and would not be afraid.

“Tac, can you take our guest to our garden once she’s done? I think she might enjoy my collection.” Tac’s deep, metallic voice adjusted to a softer tone as he looked at the girl, “As you wish.” In an instant, the little girl got up, much to Okha’s surprise. “Oh, I guess you are done”, Okha noted. Tac extended his left hand towards the little girl. She seemed reluctant at first, but eventually took Tac’s hand and looked back at Okha, “It’s alright,” she assured with a smile. Moon looked up at the towering droid. Tac did a small head gesture in the direction of the garden and waited. Moon looked back at Okha one more time. Still smiling, Okha made a nodding gesture as she rose from the table. Moon took a step and looked up again at Tac as it took small, measured steps and waited. His demeanor was not forceful at all in trying to guide the girl toward the garden, but knew what the orders were. Tac’s programming was unlike any the girl had experienced. It almost seemed thoughtful and graceful. Something completely unexpected for a hulking mass of metal that was originally designed for battle. Eventually, Moon kept a pace that followed Tac more closely and kept looking back at Okha. They turned the corner and they were on their way.

Okha was relieved that she could get back to business. However, she was incredibly worried about the fate of the girl. Not to mention her failed mission.

She returned to the room with the communication interface. She punched a few buttons and sat down, relaxing her elbows on the console, she placed her head in her hands and took a deep breath. Within seconds, the holographic projection of Emaneld Ude appeared. Enthusiastically, he began, “Hello, Okha”. Within a second, Emaneld realized something wasn’t right. “Eman...”, Okha replies, followed by a pause.  “I don’t even know where to start.” “What’s wrong?” Okha seemed reluctant to speak. “Okha?...” there was a long pause before Emaneld’s face changed to one of concern and worry. Eventually, he tried again “Okha?...”, after another pause, Okha softly spoke, “I failed. I failed horribly…. OK?” Okha looked sternly at the hologram. Emaneld kept composure. He did not know what to say, as he was never ready to expect those words from her. The silence continued for a few seconds longer.

Eventually, she said, “we need to talk.”

“OK… where?... Maz’s?”

“Sure.”

With a very faint smile, Emaneld cut out the transmission and the hologram faded away.

Looking into the emptiness before her, Okha slowly got up and began to remove most of her heavy, metal  armor. Keeping the flight suit, she grabbed her bomber jacket, and readied herself with a few concealed weapons. As she walked by the garden, she noticed Moon was looking at her intently. Instead of going straight to the ship, she decided to go into the garden.

“Hi,” Okha smiled.

Moon looked concerned, it was as if she knew something was amiss. Okha knew she didn’t have time, nor was there any to explain it all.

“Sorry, sweetheart, I need you to stay here with Tac. Okay?”. Although Moon’s face remained the same, she could feel her sorrow. Taking a few steps closer to her, Okha crouched at Moon’s eye-level and softly moved some of the little one’s hairs away from her eyes. Again, she looked deeply into her eyes, “I will be back.” With a slight pause, she showed that she gave it a little thought and corrected herself, “I will be back - soon -.” Okha smiled, “I promise.” She curbed the desire to give her a hug. As she got up, she looked at Tac, and whispered “Take good care of her,” and turned toward the main entrance. As she walked away, Moon softly spoke, “Funnel.” Okha stopped in her tracks, surprised and confused, she turned towards Moon and Tac. Again, Moon softly spoke, “Funnel flower.” Okha nodded,”Okay, that’s your favorite flower?” Moon nodded with a slight smile. “Native to Tatooine. It is not easily found,” explained Okha. “The last time Tac and I were there, we landed the job that took us to you.” Okha paused, looked at Tac and back at the little girl, “great choice. Now, find another two flowers, and when I get back I can explain those as well.” Moon nodded once more and looked at Tac with a tiny smile.

Okha headed into the Raven, started it up and rocketed towards Maz’s castle.

The brief trip to the other side of the planet was a welcome break from the hectic routine of having to travel far and wide for a job. Also, it was the right place to learn about potential contracts and bounties. This time, she was hopeful about obtaining answers as to what that last mission was all about. Failing was never an option for Okha. The failed mission now demanded a level of secrecy. She hoped it would never be heard about by fellow bounty hunters or potential future clients.

The wonderful structure that was Maz’s castle had withstood the test of time. Centuries old, it kept some of the galaxy’s best kept secrets. As Okha approached, she had a sense of optimism despite all the hardships. With the typical hustle and bustle of the location, Okha waited for a group of droid bounty hunters to step out before she continued.  

Just as Okha took her first two steps into Maz’s castle, a rival Duro bounty hunter comes into view, Eeloh Ssaah. With green skin and red, glossy eyes, Duros were a formidable rival, but all the ones she knew could not be trusted. As if waiting for her, he was standing just ahead, staring at rock-face architecture. Okha tried not to make eye-contact, but she was already in his sights. As the space between them shortened, he asked in a taunting manner, “Hey, you don’t look so good, Okah…. are you okay?” Okha knew Eeloh was feigning concern. She just wanted to punch that green faced and red-glossy eyed alien right in the face and say, Of course I am, why? Her thoughts dwelled further into wishing Tac was with her, and let him handle it. Tac could probably crush his head deep between his shoulders, and no one would think anything of it. Blaming it on the re-wiring/re-programming issues crossed her mind as well. Holding back the smile her thoughts provoked, Okha kept composure and continued her walk toward inside the halls of the castle.

Just as she passed by him, Eeloh whispered, “Found her, did you?”

Okha’s heart sank. How did he know? She thought to herself. Keeping calm, she practically ignored him, and continued to walk towards her usual spot where Emaneld would be waiting. Taking a seat, she looks for Eeloh, making sure he didn’t follow. Suddenly, she spotted him. He walked across the hall and took a seat across a Trandoshan. They seemed to exchange a few words and laugh.

Fortunately, it was not long before Emaneld walked in. Always timely. Always dependable, Okha thought to herself.  Attributes that solidified her trust in him. And then, there’s his smile. Sincere, good and relaxing. It demanded one in return. However, Okha managed to always hold it back.

As Emaneld sat across from her, Okha went right to it and spoke softly with a sense of urgency, “they already know.” “About?”

Okha inhaled and spoke quietly, “not only did the mission fail, I have a guest.” Emaneld’s eyes widened. “A guest?!” “Shhhh… yes, a little guest.” Emaneld looked confused and startled. “Look,” explained Okha, “I don’t know who she is, but she knew my name. She was calling my name.” “And…?” “I couldn’t just leave her there. She was surrounded by three Gamorreans and two Trandoshans. There were two bodies on the ground near her.” Emaneld prompted, “And…?”

“And somehow Eeloh knows. About everything.”

“How?... were there others around?...” “I don’t know…” Okha paused. Emaneld frowned in confusion, “What?... What did he say?” “He asked if I was Okay, and… ”. She paused. In that moment Okha drew a connection. The other Trandoshan, on Tatooine. The two on Coruscant. Now, the one sitting across from Eeloh. They are pack hunters after all, she thought to herself.

Emaneld looked concerned. As he was about to say something, Okha turned her head looked straight at Emaneld, “Is he still here?” Confused, yet prepared, he replied in a very soft-spoken tone “Eeloh ?” Okha nodded slightly as she shifted her sights through the room. In a few seconds,  Emaneld spotted him, caught Okha’s eyes, and nodded his head toward the entrance, “looks like he’s on his way out.” Okha’s eyes widened, “we can’t let him leave…”.... “He knows.” “So?”... “No.” Okha paused and looked sternly, “HE KNOWS”. With an unspoken understanding, they both got up and began to take two different paths toward the same goal. Okha took a more direct approach toward Eeloh , while Emaneld lost himself in the crowd.

Outside the castle, she followed him through a crowd and followed around the perimeter of the castle. Eventually, Okha caught up in an uncrowded area and approached in a very nonchalant manner. “Hey, Eeloh Ssaah, I need to run something by you.”

As a Duro, Eeloh did not have many facial expressions, however, it was obvious that he was pleasantly surprised to have been approached by her. To get his opinion on anything was not something to be taken lightly. “How can I possibly be of any service to you?” he asked with a snarl. “We need to talk.” “What’s the matter, your man did not have the answers for you?” Okha snapped, “He is not my man, but you may be the one individual that has the answer. You know.. About what happened. And there is a reason for that.” Okha proceeded to expose her hidden flame projector under her left arm and take aim at Eeloh’s head.

“You were there.”

Eeloh proceeded to smile.

Okha knew something was amiss.

Suddenly, the sound of a blaster charging and the loud barking voice came from behind her, “NO, BUT I WAS!”

The Trandoshan, oh no, Okha thought to herself.

“Turn slowly with your hands up!”

Okha raised her hands and began to turn slowly. “Do I know you?”

The Trandoshan smiled.

All of a sudden, the sound of a blaster discharge filled the air.

Okha’s eyes widened as the Duro behind her flinched.

Within seconds, the Trandoshan fell to the ground with a thud.

Assuming it was Emaneld’s blast that took him down, Okha quickly proceeded to turn back at Eeloh and draw the flame projector once more, “Don’t. Move.”

Emaneld approached and spoke to himself, “Oh no, I thought I had it set to stun!…”

Okha could not believe what she just heard. “Are you telling me…” “Yes, I think I…” Emaneld looked for vitals on the fallen Trandoshan as Okha grabbed Eeloh, turned him around, pushed him against the caste wall and proceeded to tie his arms in fibercord behind his back. Okha looked at Emaneld for an answer.

“I think he’s gone.” Okha rolled her eyes and closed them in disbelief. As happy as she would be that there was one less Trandoshan in the galaxy, she needed answers. Holding back from expressing her disgust in front of their new prisoner, Okha proceeded in a calm voice, “Okay, you take him. I have Eeloh”. As she tightened her grip on the fibercord, she pointed in the direction of her ship, “let’s go!”

They arrive at the Raven. Okha immediately drops their prisoner into a cargo hold area and points sternly at him, “Stay there and don’t cause any problems.” Eeloh smiles in a taunting fashion, “Or else, what?”. Okha reaches over to her armory, and places her right gauntlet. “Alright, alright..” before he could finish, Okha proceeds to fire a stun blast. Dropping like a ragdoll, Eeloh remained motionless. Okha closes the door and proceeds to point to the other cargo area, “Emaneld, put him here.” Emaneld proceeded to drop the motionless Trandoshan into the cargo area like a sack of Tatooine potatoes, stepped out and closed the door. Okha was not happy with Emaneld, and she could tell that he knew. “How am I supposed to get any information now? I doubt Eeloh knows enough.” Emaneld remained silent. “ I have some information extraction techniques for Trandoshans, but not for Duros. Do you?!” Emaneld did not know what to say. After a moment with no words, Okha took to the cockpit. “Let’s head back to my place, I might be able to figure something out.” Emaneld almost smiled, but she did not want to see it as she focused on powering up the ship and heading for home base.

Upon arriving at the main landing area, Okha went straight to the cargo hold area with Eeloh. Squirming and drooling all over himself, he eventually got to his feet and uttered, “where am I?” “The disorientation will pass shortly.” “What do you want?” Okha smiled, “I thought it was you who wanted to know if I was Okay…”. “I see you are.” Just then, Emaneld stepped into the cargo hold. He was holding a baton with an electropole extension. “So, torture? You know that won’t make me talk.”

“What will it take to get you to talk?” “Even if I wanted to, I know nothing…”

Emaneld was ready start up the baton, when suddenly Moon entered the ship.

Both Emaneld and Okha were shocked to see her. How did she get in? Okha thought to herself in disbelief. Eeloh did not appear surprised at all. “So,” he laughed in a taunting manner, “ going to have a little girl do your job?...” His laughter ensued and seemed incessant. Moon remained calm, but her stern look at Eeloh appeared to have some anger behind it. Suddenly a low-level hum and low-tone rumbling began to pierce the laughing. Suddenly, Eeloh’s laughing stopped and turned into a partial choke. Okha’s eyes widened and was almost going to approach Moon, but remained still. Emaneld looked stunned but kept still. A few more seconds of rumbling and sounds of Eeloh choking,  and suddenly it all stops with his head collapsing onto his chest, gurgling and collapsing to the ground. Okha slowly began to approach Eeloh as she kept her gaze at Moon. Checking on his vitals, Okha confirmed that Eeloh was still alive and potentially in a mild coma.

Okha attempted to hide her confusion and awe. The girl was force sensitive. It explained a lot of what happened in the battle with the axe, and the crate that did not fall on them. However, one question remained in Okha’s head, What did she just do?

Okha took a deep breath, crouched to Moon’s eye-level, and softly asked, “what just happened, Moon?”

With a certain look of guilt and sadness, Moon looked at Okha.

Silence ensued.

Okha looked at Emaneld. From the look on his face, Okha could tell that he was in disbelief.

As seconds melted into minutes. Okha stood up and began to walk toward the cargo area door. Suddenly, Moon spoke softly, “Kami…”

Okha kept calm and slowly approached Moon. Again, she crouched at her eye-level, “Kami… ?”

Moon softly repeated and completed the word, “Kamino…”

Okha looked at Emaneld who had a blank stare.

“Kamino?... what’s there, sweetie?”

Moon also looked a puzzled, as if she needed answers from the word she just spoke.

Okha did not understand it either, but did not want to pry any more information from the girl.

They left the cargo hold area, leaving the comatose Duro behind, as Okha closed it up.

“Okay, let’s go back inside and see what you did to Tac”

Okha waited to get Moon’s approval. Moon nodded and Okha led the way back into the living area. Everything was just as she left it, with Tac standing in the courtyard motionless. Okha turned to Moon, “Is he Okay?”. Moon nodded, and Tac began to talk and explain about the origins of the flowers and plants - continuing a conversation as if nothing had happened. Okha looked back at Emaneld. He had yet to say anything since they landed. “Are you Okay?”, she casually asked, to which he simply nodded, widened his mouth and said “yea… sure…” with a simple nod. Okha knew he was taking it all in. His apparent blunder. The girl. But she had to break the silence.

As they approached the courtyard, Tac turned and appeared to be confused, despite that there was no way he could possibly show it. “Did I miss something?... was I shut down?...” Okha did not know how to respond to the questions.

“Moon told us that your explanation of the flowers and plants was so stunning, we got here as quickly as we could.” Okha said with a slight smile as she turned to Emaneld.

“At excessive speeds apparently” Tac replied, “plus, my internal chronometer is not in sync with the rest of the planet. Nor is it..” Okha interrupted, “It’s Okay Tac, we’ll discuss it more later” Okha turned to Moon, “Stay with Tac. I know you can probably take care of yourself better than he can, but it would make me feel better.” Moon had the most subtle of smiles as she proceeded to skip and hop toward the courtyard, held Tac’s hand and looked back at Okha and smiled. Okha noticed that Tacs confusion reached an all time high. Giving Emaneld a slight nod, Okha walked in his direction and whispered, “we have a lot to talk about.”