Chapter 16: Destination: Tatooine

After delegating his tasks and ensuring that Clement (handling administration), Qi Jian (overseeing military affairs), and Graham (the mayor of Dawn City) could manage the next steps of the colonization plan, Ventus headed straight to the mothership’s hangar to find Trent.

Trent was still tinkering with the YT-1000 freighter—now officially his pride and joy. Spotting Ventus, he hopped down from a ladder. “Boss, I’ve pretty much got this ship figured out. Galactic Basic’s coming along too. I was just about to say my goodbyes and head out to explore this universe. But if you’ve got something for me, just name it.”

“Take Qwento and his crew, and head to Tatooine,” Ventus said. “It’s a messy place—perfect for stirring up some trouble. But we’re strangers there, so we need a guide. Qwento’s your guy. He’s got a shipment to deliver anyway.”

“Easy enough, boss,” Trent said, flashing a thumbs-up. “Anything else?”

“One more thing,” Ventus added, his tone shifting. “I’m coming with you. I’ve got business on Tatooine.”

Trent’s face fell, and he waved his hands in protest. “No way, Administrator! You’re the leader of thousands of people. You can’t just go gallivanting out there. We barely know this universe—if something happens to you, the whole colony’s left without a head!”

“First off, I’ve got a decent grasp of this galaxy already,” Ventus replied. “Second, I have a reason to go. I need to find someone—someone who’s going to be critical in the war that’s coming. While our operation’s still small, I want to see what I can do. Sitting around waiting for death isn’t my style.”

“If it’s about finding someone, I can handle it,” Trent said, frowning. “And why do you think it’s a death sentence?”

“How do I explain this guy’s appearance, personality, future path, or the things he might run into?” Ventus said, his voice serious. “Besides, the war that’s going to erupt in a decade or so? It’s not something a single star fleet can stop. And this system we’re in? It’s right in the middle of the battlefield.”

“How do you know what’s coming?” Trent asked, skeptical.

Ventus smirked. “That’s why I’m the Administrator.”

Trent, ever the free spirit, just chuckled. “Alright, if you’re set on this, I’ll take you. But keep it low-key. We’re just a ragtag smuggling crew. Planets like Tatooine see thousands of outfits like us come and go every day.”

“Deal,” Ventus said.

He knew his greatest advantage in this galaxy was his knowledge of the Star Wars saga. That’s why he had to go. He couldn’t just spill the entire plot to anyone—it was too vast, and more importantly, it was his biggest secret, the key to his survival. Plus, their destination was Tatooine, one of the most iconic planets in Star Wars. It wasn’t just the scheming and power plays that made it famous, but the person likely living there right now:

Anakin Skywalker—the Chosen One.

The central figure of the Star Wars universe during the Clone Wars, a man who could shape the entire conflict. Ventus wanted to meet him, partly to forge a connection with the Chosen One, but also to confirm whether this Star Wars galaxy would follow the events of the films and shows.

…

*Outer Rim, Arkanis Sector, Tatoo System*

Like the Endor system where Dawn Planet was located, the Tatoo system was a binary star system, with Tatoo I and Tatoo II orbiting each other. Beyond these twin suns, seven planets circled in their orbits.

Only the planet closest to the stars had a stable enough geology to support life. With a diameter of 10,465 kilometers, a 23-standard-hour rotation, and a 302-standard-day orbit, it was scorched by the twin suns’ relentless heat, leaving it almost entirely desert. This planet was Tatooine.

Situated at the crossroads of the Triellus Trade Route and the Corellian Run, the Tatoo system was a key hub despite its remote location in the Outer Rim. But because it lay in Hutt Space, under the Hutts’ control, the Galactic Republic had no authority here. That made Tatooine a lawless haven for criminals, pirates, and anyone looking to operate in the shadows.

After three hyperspace jumps along the Triellus Trade Route, a Corellian Engineering Corporation YT-1000 light freighter dropped out of hyperspace near Tatooine’s orbit.

Trent sat in the pilot’s chair, deftly flipping switches to stabilize the ship after the jump. He glanced back at Dubroak Qwento in the co-pilot’s seat. “Alright, your turn.”

Qwento gave a resigned sigh, eyeing his former pilot’s seat with a hint of resentment before activating the comms. “Mos Eisley spaceport, this is YT-1000, Cheap—”

“Call it the Lancer,” Ventus interrupted from the back.

“Love that name,” Trent said with a grin.

“Fine…” Qwento muttered. “Mos Eisley spaceport, this is YT-1000 Lancer. Need fuel, supplies, and a place to unload cargo. Who’s got an open berth?”

The comm crackled with static, then a flurry of voices responded, transmitting coordinates for seven or eight available berths to the ship’s computer.

Qwento glanced at Ventus. “Tatooine’s a free-for-all. No official government, just private outfits running everything. Remember that—get in trouble here, and no one’s coming to bail you out except yourself.”

He selected a berth on the computer. “Let’s go with Truda’s place. He’s tied to Jabba, and I know him. It’s safe.”

The Lancer entered the atmosphere, soaring over endless dunes and rocky wastes before slowing as it approached a rundown city on the horizon. Most of Mos Eisley’s buildings looked like domed kilns, with few structures taller than three stories aside from a handful of towers. Tattered tents dotted the streets, but the city buzzed with activity, its markets and cantinas teeming with life.

The Lancer touched down on a hastily leveled landing pad. A Nikto stepped forward, his scaly face weathered, his lizard-like bone spurs worn and broken—a sign of age for his species. He banged a wrench against the metal doorframe and barked, “Get moving, boys! Fuel this ship up and top off the water tanks!”

A group of engineering droids, previously slumped on the ground, sprang to life. They grabbed hoses and tools, scurrying around the ship with practiced efficiency.

Qwento strolled over and clapped the Nikto on the shoulder. “Truda, been a while! How’s life treating you?”

“Doesn’t matter how I’m doing,” Truda grunted. “What matters is where you’ve been, kid. Jabba’s people are looking for you. This job of yours is way overdue.”

“Uh…” Qwento shot a subtle glance at Ventus and coughed. “Yeah, had some… ship trouble. But, you know, I’m back now, right?”

Truda peered past him at Ventus, Trent, the T-850, and Spud, the Rodian crewmember, standing nearby. They’d swapped their gear for tattered, dusty clothes, blending in with the rough-and-tumble look of typical spacers—aside from their suspiciously clean faces.

*[Easter Egg Chapter Image 1: Engineering Droids]*

---