The Shadows Star: Book 2

38: To Find My Mother

Padme expertly guided the ship to the precise coordinates with help from R-2. As the vessel descended, Sombra walked over and gazed out of the cockpit window, taking in the sight of a sandy homestead nestled in the heart of the desert. Embracing herself with one of Plo Koon's old robes, she ventured outside with her two companions. Anakin, taking the lead, inhaled deeply and strode forward. Padmé, reaching out for Sombra's hand, entwined their fingers and followed closely behind.

Their progress towards the homestead's entrance was halted by a rusty silver droid. "Oh, hello. How might I be of service? I am See..."

"Threepio?" Anakin interjected, a faint smile gracing his face as he realized that his droid had not been lost to time.

"Oh, my... Oh, my maker!" The droid's optical sensors lit up with pure joy. "Master Anakin! I knew you would return, I knew you would! And this must be Miss Padmé! Oh, and Miss Sombra! Oh, my circuits! I'm so pleased to see you!"

Sombra warmly acknowledged the kind droid. "Hello, Threepio."

"I've come to see my mother," Anakin stated.

C-3PO took a step back. "I think... I think... Perhaps we'd better go indoors." Without further ado, he turned and led the trio inside, leaving them to follow.

Anakin turned to Sombra, his fear and confusion evident in his gaze. The droid guided them down a flight of stairs into an open-air courtyard. "Master Cliegg, Master Lars! Might I present three important visitors?" the droid announced.

A young man and woman, slightly older than Sombra approached. The man regarded them with apprehension, while the woman greeted them with a warm smile.

A brief silence hung in the air, prompting Sombra to gently nudge Anakin forward. "Oh... I'm Anakin Skywalker."

Recognition flickered between the two, and the man extended his hand and a curt smile. "Owen Lars. This is my girlfriend, Beru."

Sombra stepped forward, bowing her head respectfully. "I'm Sombra, and this is Padmé."

"Hello," Beru greeted.

"I guess I'm your stepbrother," Owen said, appraising Anakin from head to toe. "I had a feeling you might show up someday."

Sombra and Padmé exchanged shocked glances, but Anakin didn't dwell on the revelation. "Is my mother here?" he inquired.

"No, she's not," a new voice spoke up. An older man in a hoverchair emerged from another part of the house. His face bore the marks of weathered years, one leg bandaged and the other missing. Sombra sensed grief and kindness emanating from him. Anakin reached out, hesitantly shaking the man's hand. "I'm Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife. Come on inside. We have a lot to talk about."

He turned his chair to depart, and the group followed suit. Anakin reached behind him, and Sombra intertwined her hand with his, doing her best to comfort him.

They arrived in the kitchen and took seats at the table. Beru served cups of Jawa Juice, and the girls expressed their gratitude.

"Please, Mr. Lars, what happened to my mother? I need to know," Anakin implored.

Cliegg Lars looked down into his cup, a tear escaping and falling onto the table. His breath quivered, and his words were heavy with sorrow.

"Please, son, call me Cliegg. I met your mother a few months before you left. We'd see each other when I came to town to sell. She'd always tell me about you, how much she loved you. She was so happy, beautiful, and kind. After you left, Watto's gambling problems spiraled, and he started selling all his slaves to save his skin. When I found out, I rushed to buy her before anyone else could. I freed her and offered her a home with my son and me. In time, we fell in love and married. We were so happy here..."

His voice faltered, and tears flowed freely. Sombra reached across the table, taking his hand gently. "Please. Continue," she requested.

Cliegg cleared his throat and wiped his face. "Well, it was just before dawn. They came out of nowhere—a hunting party of Tusken Raiders. Your mother had gone out early, as she always did, to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporators. From the tracks, she was about halfway home when they took her," he said, his face contorted with anger and pain.

"Those Tuskens may walk like men, but they're vicious, mindless monsters. Thirty of us went after her. Only four of us returned. I would have been with them, but after I lost my leg, I just couldn't ride anymore... until I heal."

Cliegg reached down and massaged his missing limb, the pain still fresh in his memory. His anger faded, leaving him a shell of his former self, marked by resignation and sorrow. "This isn't how I wanted to meet you, son. This isn't how your mother and I planned it. I don't want to give up on her, but she's been gone for a month. There's little hope she's lasted this long."

A heavy silence hung in the room, and within it, Sombra sensed Anakin's determination. Suddenly, both of them rose from their seats.

Their bewildered companions looked on, and Owen spoke up. "Where are you going?"

Anakin refused to meet anyone's gaze. "To find my mother."

Padmé, caught between fear and disbelief, implored, "What?"

"Your mother's dead, son. Accept it," the old man muttered, his voice betraying his emotions.

"I can feel her pain. She's alive, and I will find her," Anakin declared.

Owen stood beside him. "Take my speeder bike. Come with me."

The three of them departed, leaving Beru, Padmé, and Cliegg to process the unfolding events. Owen led them to a garage and pointed towards the exit. Before he left, he grasped Anakin by the forearm. "I... I hope you can find her. She's been a mother to me for years. I don't want her to suffer."

Anakin turned to him and clasped his arm in return. "I'll find her. I promise."

With a nod, Owen exited, leaving the two friends alone. Anakin retrieved a speeder bike, and Sombra moved to join him.

"No," he said firmly, coming to a halt, "You have to stay here. These are good people, Sombra. You'll be safe."

A torrent of emotions flashed across her face, but shock predominated. "Anakin, I'm not letting you do this alone. We're stronger together."

"No! I won't put the person I love most in danger," his eyes filled with wild fear, and he pleaded with her. "You will stay here, where it's safe. I have to do this alone. Please..." His last words were barely more than a whisper.

She pulled him into a tight embrace, his arms enveloping her. As they parted, he tenderly kissed her cheek. "I won't be long."

He mounted the speeder and sped off into the desert night. Sombra watched his figure recede into the dune sea, disappearing into the shroud of darkness.