Chapter Sixteen: Destination—Tatooine

16. Destination: Tatooine

After arranging the tasks at hand and ensuring that Clement was in charge of administration, Qi Jian oversaw the military, and Graham, the village chief of Dawn City, was ready to proceed with the next phase of the colonization plan, Tang Xiao headed straight to the mothership’s hangar to find Vunt.

At that moment, Vunt was still in the hangar tending to his newly acquired YT-1000 starship. Seeing Tang Xiao approach, he jumped down from the ladder. “Boss, I think I’ve pretty much figured out this ship, and I’ve nearly mastered Galactic Basic. I was just about to say goodbye and set off on my space adventure. If there’s anything you need me to do, just say the word.”

“Take Kunto and the others with you, then head to Tatooine. The situation there is complicated—perfect for stirring up trouble—but we’re unfamiliar with the terrain, so you’ll need a guide. Kunto will be yours; he has a shipment to deliver there anyway,” Tang Xiao said.

“No problem, boss,” Vunt gave a thumbs-up. “Anything else?”

“Just one condition,” Tang Xiao suddenly said. “I’m going with you this time. I have some business on Tatooine.”

Vunt’s expression changed immediately, and he quickly objected, “That’s not possible, Administrator! You’re the leader of thousands of people. How can you go out there? We don’t even fully understand this universe yet, and if anything happens to you, the entire colony will be leaderless!”

“I have a compelling reason to go. Besides, I don’t want to be just a desk-bound leader who barks orders. I need to get out there, experience things firsthand, so I can truly lead everyone further,” Tang Xiao replied.

Vunt, who was quite straightforward, smiled and said, “Alright then, since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll take you along. But just this once.”

“No problem.”

However, Tang Xiao’s decision to join Vunt on this outer space expedition met unanimous opposition. Both Daphne Clement from the administrative department and Qi Jian from the staff office strongly objected. Even the central command warned that it was dangerous for Tang Xiao to venture out.

But Tang Xiao was resolute; no one could change his mind.

He understood clearly that his greatest advantage in this world was his knowledge of the Star Wars storyline. To grasp it precisely, sitting in the office would not suffice.

Some things he had to do personally. He couldn’t simply narrate the entire Star Wars saga to anyone—partly because it was too vast, and partly because it was his greatest secret and the foundation of his survival.

Moreover, this time their destination was Tatooine, a very famous planet in the Star Wars universe—not only because of the many open and covert struggles that took place there but also because of one very likely resident:

Anakin Skywalker—the Chosen One!!

The absolute protagonist during the Clone Wars! Arguably the person who influenced the entire conflict!

…

Outer Rim of the Galaxy, Arkanis Sector, Tatoo System.

Like the Endor system where Dawn Star resides, the Tatoo system is also a binary star system. Two stars, Tatoo I and Tatoo II, orbit each other. Beyond these two suns, seven planets revolve around them.

Among these seven, only the one closest to the stars has a relatively stable geological environment. This planet measures 10,465 kilometers in diameter, has a rotation period of 23 standard hours, and an orbital period of 302 standard days. Because it’s so close to the stars, the twin suns’ intense heat has nearly turned it into a complete desert.

This planet is Tatooine.

Situated at the crossroads of the Trillous Trade Route and the Corellian Run, it’s a vital transit hub even in the remote Outer Rim. Yet, Tatooine lies within Hutt Space, the territory of the Hutts, beyond the Galactic Republic’s jurisdiction.

For this reason, Tatooine has become a lawless world, teeming with criminals and pirates.

After three hyperspace jumps along the Trillous Trade Route, a YT-1000 light freighter manufactured by the Corellian Engineering Corporation appeared on the outskirts of Tatooine.

Vunt, seated at the pilot’s chair, skillfully pressed various buttons to stabilize the ship after exiting hyperspace. He turned to Dubrak Kunto in the co-pilot seat and said, “Alright, it’s your turn now.”

Kunto glanced somewhat resentfully at his usual pilot’s seat but sighed resignedly and activated the comm system, calling out, “Mos Eisley Port, this is the YT-1000, cheap—”

“Rename it the Gunner Cavalry,” Tang Xiao interjected from behind.

“I like that name,” Vunt chuckled.

“Alright then... Mos Eisley Port, this is the YT-1000 Gunner Cavalry. I need supplies and to offload cargo. Anyone with a berth, please respond,” Kunto called.

Static crackled through the comm before multiple voices replied, uploading coordinates for seven or eight berths into the ship’s computer.

Kunto glanced at Tang Xiao and said, “Tatooine is a completely free planet—no official government, everything’s private. Remember this when you’re here, because if trouble comes, no one will have your back—except yourself.”

He selected a berth on the computer. “Alright, let’s head to Truda’s place. He’s connected with Jabba, knows me well, so it’s safe.”

The ship entered the atmosphere, skimming over endless yellow sands and rocky deserts before lowering altitude just outside a rundown city.

Most buildings inside looked like domed brick kilns; besides a few towers, there were scarcely any structures taller than three stories, and many ragged tents dotted the landscape.

Yet the city bustled with people and was surprisingly lively.

The freighter, now renamed Gunner Cavalry, landed on a roughly leveled patch of ground. A Nikto emerged. The scales on his face were roughened with age, and some lizard-like bone spurs were worn or broken—a clear sign of aging for a Nikto.

Holding a wrench, he banged on the metal doorframe, calling out loudly, “We’re moving! Boys! Fill this ship’s fuel tanks and top off the drinking water.”

Several engineering droids that had been crouching motionless sprang to action, grabbing pipes and wrenches, busily tending to the ship with practiced efficiency.

Kunto approached and patted the Nikto on the shoulder. “Long time no see, Truda. How have you been?”

“Does it matter how I’ve been? More importantly, where’ve you been these past few days?” Truda asked. “Jabba’s people have been looking for you. You’ve been gone long enough.”

“Ah...” Kunto glanced subtly at Tang Xiao and cleared his throat. “Well, my ship had a… um, malfunction. See, I’m back now.”

Truda glanced behind him. Tang Xiao, Vunt, T-850, and the Rodian crew member Spard stood there. They had long since changed into ragged civilian clothes and, aside from their relatively pale faces, looked no different from other adventurers.

[Bonus illustration 1: Engineering Droids.]