The Adventures of the Crimson Hawk, Part 20

Rusty found Luke bent over metal parts and khyber crystal liquid in the same place he'd been for the last four days. Benjamin Kenton had maintained a small cottage and workshop on the largest Tatoonie Island. He still went there occasionally when he needed to get away.

The short handyman could understand Kenton's sentiments. He had a very nice little place, a whitewashed, four-room shack just off the beach on the other side of Mos Eisley from Jenkins' Casino. He wouldn't mind retiring to a place like this himself someday.

“Luke? Hey, kid.” Luke was in Ben's workshop in the shed in the back of the small but flourishing garden. “How's the new sword comin'?”

Cedric watched as Luke, most of his body covered by a metal worker's helmet and protective gear, soldiered the green khyber crystal into place in the box in the back. The moment it was attached to the wires, the sword part began glowing. “Stand back, you two.” Luke sliced through two thick metal slabs and an old metal dummy Ben kept in the workshop for practice purposes.

“Splendid, Master Luke!” Cedric clapped. “Bravo! You always were brilliant with machines.”

“Glad you have that thing done, kid.” Rusty's face looked more grave. “Luke, the others are in trouble. Leia got Henry off that pedestal, but Jenkins caught wise and grabbed all of them. Charlie and Henry are probably in the holding pen by now. Don't know what happened to the others. Hopefully, Snips got Jyn and Cass out before Jenkins figured out why they were there.”

Luke sheaved his new weapon. “Then it's my turn. I'm going in. Cedric, please announce me as 'Sir Luke Skywalker, formerly of Anchorhead, now of Naboo.'”

“Are you sure this is a good idea, Master Luke? You are still recovering from your injuries.” Cedric gulped. “Jenkins Huttman is more of a monster than almost anyone we've dealt with before, including Baron Vader. At least Vader makes some attempts at being a gentleman. Mr. Huttman spits on the very idea.”

“Cedric, I grew up here. My aunt and uncle's farm was less than ten miles inland. If anyone knows how to deal with the Huttman family, it's me.” He gave him a familiar lopsided smile. “Trust me. I know what I'm doing.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Jenkins and his entourage were reclining on the dining patio where he'd had dinner with Leia the night before when that fussy translator announced he had a visitor. The young man strode in, easily pushing aside his guards without even touching them. He was a rather good-looking lad, with his sapphire blue eyes and slicked-back golden tresses. Surprising for Tatoonie's hot weather, his elegantly cut suit and hat were all black, except for the perfectly tied white silk cravat as his throat.

“Greetings, Prime Minister Huttman. Allow me to introduce myself.” The youth bowed before him with a dramatic flourish. “I'm Sir Luke Skywalker, member of the Jedi Guards, and the ward of Captain Henry Solo. I've come to bargain for the life of my guardian, his servants, and Duchess Organa.”

Luke's eyes slid to Leia in the corner. Her pale face was coated in so much rouge, powder, and eye shadow, she more closely resembled a porcelain doll than a human woman. Her scarlet and and yellow-striped gown was so tight in the chest, he was surprised she could breathe. A long chain fell from a gold collar trimmed with rubies and diamonds. Jenkins played with the chain, sometimes tugging Leia closer to him so he could fondle her breasts in the low neckline or stroke her velvety brown braid. Luke was surprised Leia didn't try to wallop him with her matching striped parasol. It took all his resolve to not knock Huttman into Shaw Bay.

“So you're the farmer Solo dug up from the badlands.” Jenkins' booming laughter echoed across the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. “Boy, I was killing Jedi Guards when being royalty meant something. Your guardian was late on his payments. He knew what would happen when he signed the contract.” Jenkins was stuffing dates and roast chicken into his mouth, though most of it ended up on the table or the floor. “Why don't you be a good little ward and run along, before you annoy me? I don't like people who annoy me.”

Luke spread guava jam on a pineapple roll. He ate delicately and chewed slowly. “I'm giving you one last chance, Prime Minister. It's your choice, but I warn you not to underestimate my powers.”

Bibbi leaned over Jenkins as he stuffed four slices of coconut-lime tart in his mouth at once. “He'd rather make a bargain than fight?” the tall, bald man in the linen robe whispered. “He's no Jedi. I knew their kind in the Alliance Wars when they helped liberate my home country Ryloth. They were warriors, great warriors, and they never hesitate to show off their skills with a saber. This boy doesn't even have a saber.”

Jenkins smirked at him, then nodded to Boba and his scaly friend in the orange tunic Bossk. “Show the, ahem, 'Jedi' to the water chambers, where he'll see what I think of his negotiations.”

Luke had the bad feeling that they weren't taking him to a room to share tea and mango biscuits. Indeed, as he made his way across the casino showroom on the second floor, the fatter of the two guards yanked him by his arms, pulling him back. Fettson went to a small lever in the wall, near where Henry's pedestal had been.

“Have fun with Huttman's little pet.” The moment he pulled the lever, Luke and the fat guard fell through a trap door. They hit water with a wild splash that sent small waves over the murky glass surrounding them.

Luke swam around first, arms out, trying to get his bearings. He hit a glass wall to his right. Jenkins and all his entourage watched from the lobby. The men laughed, some even throwing things or tapping the glass. The women either egged their men on, or gasped in shock at the sight. Jenkins held Leia's leash and her arm, ignoring her struggles and curses as she tried to rush to the aquarium.

A squishing noise behind Luke was accompanied by a scream of terror. He swam around...just in time to see a gigantic crimson squid wrap his tentacles entirely around the fat guard's body and squeeze the life out of him. The poor man was already suffocated when the squid shoved him into its massive mouth and razor-sharp teeth whole.

He was already making for the aquarium's surface, but it was too late. The squid saw him out of the corner of one of it's glowing yellow eyes. It squished along, reaching out for its next meal. Luke swam to the bottom, just managing to reach for a piece of driftwood that had been used for decoration on the floor as the squid wrapped its tentacles around him. He gasped as it began to choke him. When it attempted to shove him in its mouth, he wedged the long piece of board between his jaws. It let him go as it attempted to remove this latest frustration.

Luke swam to the surface, clamoring onto the edges as soon as he emerged...but Jenkins' guards were up there as well, slamming on his fingers with their heels. He dove back in, trying to find some way to get rid of the creature. He grabbed a shell and threw it at the massive rock castle at the end of the aquarium. As the squid swam down after it's meal, the castle fell apart, burying both. Luke just barely managed to escape the rubble, but the squid wasn't as lucky. It was crushed by the rocks, suffocating in much the same way it had suffocated its victims.

As Jenkins' men yanked him out of the tank and down the hall, he looked back towards the aquarium at the pile of rock. He regretted having to do that to the unfortunate creature. He read some of its mind. Although it loved its caretaker, Jenkins and the rest of his entourage mistreated it, feeding it just enough to survive. He actually hadn't meant to kill it, only distract it.

Out in the lobby, Jenkins' flabby face was turning several unique shades of purple. He slammed his round fist on the arm of his lounge. “Bring me Solo and the Wookie native! They're all gonna pay for what they did to my pet!” He pointed to a sobbing man in a corner. “Look at that guy! He loved his squid! He raised it from a baby!”

“Henry!” Luke looked up as two men tugged him along down the steps to the main lobby, ignoring his dripping hair and ruined suit.

“Junior!” Henry sought out his friend, listening for his voice, as he and Charles were yanked down the hall. “How's everything?”

Luke gave him a wan smile. “Same as always.”

His guardian grinned. “That bad, huh?”

Charles was happy he'd thought to bring a red Crimson Hawk shirt for Henry so he looked half-way decent, though most of the buttons ripped off as he flailed in his captors' arms. A couple of ladies sitting on a lounge by a window seemed to enjoy the show. “Are you all right, little mate?” He wished he could at least straighten Luke's limp ascot. He was dripping all over Jenkins' Persian rugs. “They told us you killed that giant bait Huttman uses for entertainment...”

“I'm all right, Charles.” He frowned. “Henry...you're not all right.” He saw his guardian stumble, saw the clouds in his eyes. “You're barely standing upright.”

“I'm ok, Junior. ” His cloudy eyes sought the one person he most wished he could see at that moment. “Where's Leia?”

“I'm here!” Leia was in a smaller chair alongside Jenkins' rolling throne. He held onto her leash, while two of his men grabbed her shoulders, keeping her next to him.

“Hey Goldie!” Jenkins bellowed. “Where's that translator? Never any help around when I need it.”

Cedric hurried to his employer's side. “I'm here, Prime Minister. I'm sorry I'm so late, but I was instructing one of the waiters on how to serve your whiskey and water.”

“Never mind that.” Jenkins jutted a thumb at the crowd. “Translate this. It's important, and half these idiots don't speak English or Tatoonese.”

As Jenkins spoke, Cedric turned nervously to the crowd. “Oh dear. The Prime Minister of the Tatoonie Islands have placed Mr. Luke Skywalker, Mr. Henry Solo, and Mr. Charles Bacca under arrest for crimes against the government. He has decreed that you are to be terminated immediately.”

“Good,” Henry cracked. “I hate long waits.” Charles rolled his eyes and nudged him.

“You will be fed to the sharks in Shaw Bay, as part of this afternoon's entertainment on the Prime Minster's state-of-the-art steam yacht, the Paradise.”

Henry winced. “I can think of a lot of things more entertaining than sharks gnawing on three skinny guys like us. Like how about letting us go? I can pay you, Jenkins. Just give me a chance.”

Luke's gaze was steady. “You should have bargained, Jenkins. You're going to regret this.” He eyed Leia. “I ask only one thing. Release Duchess Organa. She has nothing to do with this.”

Jenkins yanked her into her lap. “Duchess Organa and the Prime Minister have an agreement,” the tall gold-clad man whimpered. “She's to remain with him, and he won't attack her uncle in Alderaan...or do worse things to the rest of you. She's no longer your concern.” The fat official smirked. Cedric repeated his words, gulping. “He's sure he will. Guards, please take those men to the hold in his private yacht.”

Leia did not like the look on Luke's face as he called out “This is the last mistake you'll ever make!” He had a plan. She was sure he didn't know what it was, but he probably had one. She hoped.

“You'll be coming with me on that yacht.” Jenkins stroked her chest, his lips slobbering hungrily over her white neck. “I want you to see what happens to people who defy me, my pet. When they're gone, you'll be my private plaything. You'll never see another soul besides me and my court again.”

She groaned as he reached over for another drool-covered kiss. “I can't wait.”