2026 words

Skar couldn't help noticing how different Tatooine was. The buildings of Mos Eisley seemed to be made of little more than sand, a far cry from the huge metal structures he was used to on Coruscant.

The people however were just as unfriendly. He had grew up in the slums of Coruscant, where any man would gladly sever his own arm off if it meant he earned a couple of credits. This entire city seemed very similar. Beggar's lined each side of the road, holding out pans of all shapes and sizes to anyone that walked past. The more forward among them then wandered about the street, stopping people. Skar turned around and watched a man chase a young boy down one of the alley's. The young boy clutched some sort of purse. Skar carried on walking, but reminded himself to keep a close eye on his pockets on this planet.

He turned the corner at the end of the street and paused. He looked to each side, trying to make a guess on which way he was supposed to go. He chose right and carried on walking.

It got darker on this street, and a lot colder. Skar shivered and zipped his jacket up and accelerating his pace, he wanted to spend as little time in this area as possible. There was also no one else around, which bugged him even more. Well, at last he hoped he was the only person around. Every now and again he would see a shadow move, or the glint of an eye.

A man stepped out in front of him, an iron bar clutched tightly in his grip.
"Your money now kid" He grunted.

Skar turned to run, but walked into another man that had appeared from behind him. There must of been about six people circling him, or holding weapons.

"Please, I don't have any money, I'm only passing through" Skar replied.

"Don't lie to me kid" The man in front grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "Those clothes are too fancy for you to not have any money on you"

The man's breath was rancid. His teeth were dark yellow, his face was covered in spots. The man looked like he was well into old age. But that was impossible considering his strength. Skar wasn't exactly small, it would require some strength to lift him off of his feet. The man's dreadful appearance obviously made him look far older than he actually was.

"Are you listening boy?" The man spat, punching Skar in the chest.

"I'm not lying" Skar struggled "I don't have any money. You better let me go, you don't want to be messing with me..."

The man looked slightly taken a back by the somewhat hostile response, but quickly shrugged it off and laughed.
"So we've got a tough guy eh?"

"No, he's not the tough one, I am"

The five people around Skar and the man suddenly spun around, towards the voice. A man stood there, about six feet tall, a long staff balancing over his shoulder.

"Let the kid go" The man called.

"Or what pretty boy?" One of the men jeered.

"Or I'll have to make you let him go" The answer came swift and sharp.

The arrogant man laughed again and began walking towards the figure. He drew what looked like a vibroblade from his waist, and suddenly broke into a run. He lashed out with the blade, but the man had already stepped out of range. The attacker stepped forward again and stabbed out with the blade. This time the figure caught his wrist and bent it over. The mans wrist made a painful snapping sound, and he cried out. The figure followed up with a swift kick to the side of the head, hurtling the man into the wall. His head crashed off of the wall and he collapsed in a heap.

"Now, I'll say it again" The figure stepped forward "Put him down"

The man holding Skar grunted, before drawing a blade and pushing it through Skar's chest. Skar gasped and dropped down to the ground. The ugly man and his four remaining accomplices ran towards the figure, weapons drawn.

Skar just saw the pole on the figure's shoulder light up and lash out at one of the men, before he slipped out of consciousness.

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The smell of flowers hit hit nose immediately. Ever so slowly, Skar opened his eyes. The effort it seemed to take was almost exhausting. He was lying in a bed in what seemed like a hospital. it had all the usual signs, a clipboard hanging from the end of his bed, the flowers in the window, and the nurse stood looking at him. Skar jumped as he noticed the nurse.

"So you're awake" The woman soothed.

Skar nodded shyly and tried to hide himself under the cover of the bed more. All his clothes, with the the exception of his underwear had been removed. It was then Skar noticed the huge skar lying across his chest. It was still fresh, the stictches were still protruding.

"Yeah, its a hell of a skar" The woman said "That knife got real close to your heart, you're lucky that man brought you in when he did"

The man. Skar had completely forgot.

"Nurse?" Skar called, the woman looked up.
"The man who brought me in, was he hurt?"

The nurse shook his head. "Not a scratch on him. He just walked into the hospital few days ago carrying you in his arms, and then just dropped you on a stretcher we pulled out.

Remarkable, the man took on six armed attackers and came out without a single scratch

"I almost forgot" The nurse suddenly piped up again. "He left you a message. He told you to that as soon as you've recovered, that you should go see him. He said he would be staying at the Jal'Doon tavern, down on Empiria Way. Ask for Kanderin Draken"

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A few days later, Skar made his way out of the hospital. He made his way through the streets of Mos Eisley yet again, but this time far more cautiously. He kept to the main streets.

Surprisingly, the Tavern wasn't all that difficult to find. It sat there, an impressive structure considering the buildings around it. Its name was lit up. Well, half lit up, the rest of the bulbs were either fading, dead, or had never even been there. Skar pushed the large double doors open.

The smell hit his nose immediately. The place absolutely reeked of alcohol. The men around, most hugely overweight all turned around to face Skar. He couldn't help feeling just as scared in this place, as he did back in that alley.

"You there, don't just stand there!" An old man behind the bar shouted at him.

Skar acknowledged him and moved towards the bar. The man stood there casually cleaning glasses with an incredibly dirty cloth. The man eventually looked up and raised an eyebrow towards Skar.

"Im looking for a man called Kanderin Draken?" Skar said, trying to keep his voice low.

"Kanderin?" The man put the glass and cloth down and laughed. "Good luck getting him to see you kiddo. He's in the back with Fraot"

Skar couldn't help shivering at hearing another name he recognised.
"Can you tell him its the man from the alley?"

The old man gave him the strangest look, before shrugging his shoulders and wandering down the corridor behind him. He stopped at the first door, and knocked on it gently.

"I thought I told you not to bother us!" A voice boomed from the other side of the door. The whole tavern suddenly went silent.

"I...know" The man quavered "But, this.."

"But nothing Jal! No bothering us means no bothering us!"

"But there's a man here for you, said he's from the alley or something"

The booming voice didn't answer this time. Skar was close enough to hear mumbling though. The old man had to jump out of the way as the door swung open and the man marched out, t-shirt half hanging over his head.

The man arrived at the bar and pulled the shirt over him fully, before smiling and offering his hand out to Skar.
"Nice to see you still working kid"

"I guess i could say the same.." Skar replied, trying not to let his eyes creep into the room he had just came from, and the figure that appeared every now and again.

Kanderin laughed.
"I guess you could put it that way. But anyway" Kanderin looked up from Skar and over to the rest of the people in the bar, who were still at staring. As soon as they noticed Kanderin staring at them with those burning eyes, they made themselves look busy.

"Thankyou, by the way" Skar said. Kanderin looked back down towards Skar and smiled warmly.

"Dont mention it, I enjoyed the adrenaline rush anyway"

Skar laughed shyly.
"They took my tags though, thats going to be trouble"

"Nah, they didn't. That was me" Kanderin smirked, pulling out various metal tags from his pocket and giving them back to Skar.

"You should be careful parading those around here. This is rebel territory, the hospital was as well. You're lucky i noticed them and snatched them, or one of the doctors would of probably killed you in your sleep"

Skar laughed, but soon stopped when he realised Kanderin wasn't joking. His frown soon turned into a smile though, as he brandished two drinks from under the bar and gave one to Skar.

"You deserve it" he smiled, beofre making his way over to a free table near the bar. Skar took up a place alongside him, but had to move quick to avoid his drink being thrown off the table by Kanderin's boots.

"So you're not rebel alligned I figure?" Skar started conversation, looking around for somewhere safer to put his drink.

"Me? Course not" Kanderin smiled "Im from the same place you are"

Kanderin leaned in closer to Skar to whisper the next part.
"Lance Corporal Kanderin Draken of Wraith Squad, at your service"

Wraith Squad. That threw some light onto the mans exceptional fighting abilities. Kanderin leaned back again and winked, as he stroked his dark black hair away from his eyes. Skar felt himself shiver as he noticed Kanderin's red tinged eyes. He didn't seem much older than Skar, his face was still full of youth, but somehow mature at the same time. He bore the look of someone that had seen far more than any person should ever see, that his head was full of vision's that would guarantee you would never sleep again. But somehow, despite the man's aggressive appearance there glowed a friendly, warm smile. A man you felt safe around, as long as he is on your side.

A woman wandered up and threw her arms around Kanderin. He didn't even jump, he simply turned around casually and kissed her gently on the neck.

"When are you coming back?" She purred, resting herhead against his shoulder.

"Errm, Fraot.." Kanderin pointed towards Skar and Fraot looked up, shocked. Skar just attempted a smile and a wave.

"Oh, right" Fraot said, pulling a seat up next to Kanderin. Kanderin put his arm around her shoulders, and opened his mouth.

"Skar i'd like you to meet Fraot, the most beautiful woman in the galaxy"

Fraot giggled and playfully pushed Kanderin away. Skar laughed as well, although deep down he agreed Kanderin probably wasn't far off.

"And Fraot, this is Skar. The kid I saved in the alley last week"

"You recovered well. You're lucky Kand's as brave as he is" Fraot smiled at him, while adjusting on the chair nad laying her head against Kanderin's shoulder. Skar was beginning to feel rapidly uncomfortable sat across the table from them.

"But anyway Skar, what brings you to Tatooine anyway?" Kanderin asked. he had obivously read Skar's shyness and changed the subject.

"Sure its safe with um, her around?" Skar answered.

"Huh?" Kanderin looked puzzled. He looked down at Fraot and suddenly caught on. "Oh right. Dont worry about her, Private First Class Fraot" He winked.

That technically made Kanderin Fraot's superior. And he only had to glance across the table at them sat in each others arms to realise that wasn't the case. But he still couldn't help thinking Tatooine was a strange choice for a romantic break away. They were there for other reasons, and Skar was keen to find out what they were.

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Skar Darkanto/ Kanderin Draken
Crewman Skar Darkanto, Nazgul Squadron
FM/SCRW Skar Darkanto/Nazgul Squadron 2-6/Phoenix Wing/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE (=*A*=)