Ben Kenobi

The Tusken Camp

The landspeeder pulls to a stop by an abandoned Tusken camp. There are some burnt out fires and a torn up tent, but otherwise little sign of the Tuskens.

Cam gets out to investigate. Ben soon joins her. Cam finds a broken wooden post. "What is this?"

"Tuskens often keep prisoners tied to posts so they won't cause trouble."

Cam kicks the post in anger. "We need to find them now!"

"Calm yourself. Look for clues to where they could have gone next."

Cam searches the ground. She finds something in the sand. It is a child's drawing on animal hide. Cam looks emotional.

"Cylie drew this. She's alive!"

"Yes. But what does the picture tell you?"

Cam studies it. It shows a bantha heading towards a mountain range. "She drew where they're going next!"

"So, we just need to find that mountain range." He looks around. "Let's get out of this valley, so we can see what's around us."

The landspeeder is parked at the top of the valley. Cam scans the surroundings with binoculars. She stops on one of several mountain ranges. She points. "There."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, that's what she drew."

"Then let's go get your sister back."

They jump back in the speeder.

After a short journey, the speeder skids to a halt at the foot of the rock formation, its engines humming with relief. Ben steps out and takes in his surroundings, the ground beneath his feet rocky and uneven. He looks up at the jagged peaks above him, their faces standing tall and against the bright blue sky. Then he studies the ground.

"What is it?" Cam asks.

"Bantha tracks. We're going the right way."

He gets back in and Cam drives off.

The landspeeder soon approaches the Tusken camp in the distance.

Ben signals for Cam to stop. "We'll walk the rest of the way."

"But it's so far!"

"We don't want to come up on them suddenly. Startled Tusken Raiders are even more violent."

Cam nods. They gather their supplies and then leave the landspeeder to walk to the camp.

As dark falls, they reach the outskirts of the camp, Cam's heart pounding with fear. The sight of the Tusken Raiders sends shivers down her spine, but she stays close to Ben and shows no fear.

The two continue to walk, their footsteps crunching on the rocky ground. As they get closer to the center of the camp, more and more Tuskens appear from the shadows, watching them through their goggles.

Cam breaths quickly, gripping her blaster tightly in her hand, ready for any sudden movements from the Tuskens.

"Just keep walking slowly," Ben says in a soothing tone.

They stop at the largest hut in the center. A BURLY TUSKEN GUARD grunts at them and waves his gaffi stick.

Ben holds up his hands to show he means no harm. "We wish to meet with your leader."

The Guard steps into the hut.

"What are we doing?" Cam asks.

"We're negotiating. Don't worry, it's something I excel at."

In a matter of seconds, the guard strides out of the hut with a second figure in tow. SHARAD HETT, the infamous Tusken Leader. Though not as physically imposing as the guard, his pristine robes and regal posture command respect and declare him as the true ruler of this desolate land.