Part 3

  The next morning the stranger stirred and attempted to sit up. Lucy sat next to him as she had through the entire night and supported his back as he pulled himself to a sitting position. She put the cup to his lips and he drank again.

  “Thank you,” he said, his voice dry and raspy, barely audible.

  Lucy responded “Don’t try to talk, Master. Have some more water.”

  He drank again, this time a little too quickly, he coughed a bit.

  “Easy,” Lucy suggested.

  VP had returned at Lucy’s request. “VP, will you keep an eye on him while I’m at the mercantile?”

  The droid nodded assent, “Certainly.”

  ******

  The morning was spent with the stranger floating in and out of consciousness with VP attempting to rehydrate him. He slept most of the afternoon.

  When he came around that evening, Lucy had returned from her work. She fed him some thin broth.

  After the scant meal, the stranger asked, “Where am I?”

  Lucy handed him the cup. He was able to hold it and drink on his own now. “This is Utopia City.”

  “Never heard of it,” mostly to himself. He looked up from the floor, “Who are you?”

  Lucy smiled compassionately. “My name is Lucy. This is my home.”

  “Lucy.” He said, as if trying it out.

  “And you, Master?” She encouraged. “Where are you from?”

  “A village north of here. Across the sand. Not sure how far. My name is Carlo.”

  “I see,” Lucy said. “We’ve had very few dealings with the north, Master.”

  Carlo grew confused, “I don’t understand. Why call me ‘Master’?”

  It was Lucy’s turn to be confused. “Your cloak. The lightsaber. You’re a Jedi. Aren’t you?”

  Carlo shook his head. “My name’s Carlo, not Jedi. I found the cloak.”

  Lucy drew a breath. “I see.”

  Carlo cocked his head, “What's a lightsaber?”

  Lucy pointed at the cylinder she’d placed on the small table at the bedside. “The weapon.”

  “The weapon,” Carlo repeated. “Yeah, careful with that. It’s dangerous.”

  Lucy nodded.

  “Who’s Jedi?” Carlo inquired after a moment.

  Lucy chuckled. “Jedi are a religious order. My grandmother was a follower of their faith. They believe in the power of the Force.”

  “The Force?”

  Lucy nodded. “According to my grandmother, the Force was a power that linked all living things. She said it gave the Jedi knowledge and power to defend the helpless.”

  Carlo looked incredulous, “What kind of power?”

  Lucy shrugged, “I don’t really know. My grandmother only told me a few stories. She never met one that I knew of. She did tell me about their lightsabers. A blade made of pure light that can cut through anything.”

  Carlo’s incredulity deepened. “She never met a Jedi and still followed their religion?”

  Lucy laughed. “I’ve been around a long time and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, one person’s faith doesn’t always make sense to the next person.”

  Carlo laughed as well. “That we can agree on!”

  “How long were you in the desert, Carlo?” Lucy asked.

  He shook his head, more comfortable being called by his own name than an honorific. “I don’t know, days? Maybe longer.” He paused for a moment to sip some more water. “You saved my life. I’m forever grateful.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Lucy smiled. “It was my pleasure. You should rest.”

  She stepped over to the tiny kitchen and began wiping up the dishes.

  *****

  The next morning Lucy woke early and prepared more broth for the stranger. She set it on the counter and then woke him by shaking his shoulder. “Master Carlo. Wake up.”

  He stirred from his sleep. “Yes? You know you don’t have to call me ‘master’.”

  “Hard habit to break.” Lucy handed him the bowl. “Here’s some broth. There is water there,” she said motioning toward the kitchen.

  He nodded but his brow furrowed.

  “I have to go to the mercantile to work. I’ll return by evening. I’ll have VP16 look in on you.”

  The stranger looked confused, “VP16?”

  Lucy smiled. “Our droid.”

  “The mechanical man?”

  Lucy nodded. She got up to leave but paused at the door. “Oh, you should know, Utopia is not always welcoming to strangers. It might be best for you to stay here for now.”

  *****

  Lucy unlocked the front door of the mercantile. It was still early and the sun was just rising. The yellow light cast its glare on the storefront making it difficult to make out details.

  She pushed her way through the door and into the shop. As she did, the dim overhead light flickered to life casting its feeble light on the shop’s wares. They had various and sundry items for sale, some clothing, housewares, hardware, even some tools.

  Lucy closed the door behind her and made her way through the clutter to the counter. She went behind the counter and removed a tablet from underneath. She began checking the inventory.

  Her employer stepped into the room through the door from the stockroom startling Lucy, she gave a little gasp.

  The stocky Sullustan responded with a laugh, jiggling the smooth layers of his facial skin folds.

  Lucy glared at him, staring at his good eye, the other side covered, as always, with a patch. Gary was immaculately dressed but he almost always wore the same light colored suit, topped with a paisley waistcoat. He kept his head bare, even though it was mottled, likely from spending too much time out in the sun.

  Gary's laugh subsided but Lucy was still smarting from the shock. “Did you spend the night here? Why didn’t you finish the inventory?” She waved the tablet in his chubby face.

  He swiped the device from Lucy’s grasp. “I got here an hour ago to finish the restocking you didn’t do yesterday.”

  “I left it for you cause I know you’ll just redo it anyway. You’re obsessive,” she shot back.

  Gary handed the tablet back, his grin widened. “Good morning to you too!”

  Lucy could no longer keep up the pretense of anger and they both laughed out loud.

  Just before midday the front door opened. Doc Mason was there and held it for Ms. Holly who entered the mercantile with the two younger of her three children. Lucy knew the eldest was in school. Holly’s husband was the night shift superintendent with the mine and she would often take the children out during the day so he could get his rest. She was dressed simply in a jumpsuit, and did her best to keep the precocious toddlers at her feet under control. She went immediately to the kitchen supplies.

  Doc Mason approached the front counter. He tipped his hat to Lucy. “Good morning, Ms. Lucy” he said with a smile.

  She nodded, returning the salutation with a forced smile of her own. She hoped to keep this interaction short. “What can we do for ya, Doc?”

  Mason leaned on the counter, a little too close for Lucy’s comfort. She could smell his cheap cologne. The gaudy ring on his right hand fit in perfectly with his smarmy appearance. She wondered what he’d had for breakfast that had soured his breath. Probably booze.

  He winked. “Did my supplies come in?”

  Lucy retreated from the counter, “Let me check.” She rolled her eyes involuntarily as soon as her back was turned and pulled the curtain to the stockroom. “Gary! Anything come in for the Doc?”

  Her employer, who had an absolute encyclopedic knowledge of his store’s inventory, called back, “Not yet. Tell the Doc it’ll be at least another week. Patience!”

  Lucy turned to Mason and shrugged her shoulders.

  Doc Mason waved his hand, “Not to worry. I still got to see you, pretty lady, so it’s not a total loss.”

  Lucy swallowed an acerbic retort, after all, it was never wise to offend a paying customer. Besides, it suddenly occurred to her that the Doc may be of some use.

  Lucy pasted on a grin and leaned on the counter, unfortunately back in range of the Doc’s breath. “Doc?”

  Mason leaned toward Lucy, “Yes, ma’am?”

  Lucy willed her eyes not to water. “Do you happen to have any spare rehydration solution?” It wasn’t as good as bacta but perhaps it would help speed her guest’s recovery.

  Doc Mason rubbed his chin in apparent consideration. “I think I might. Is someone sick?”

  Lucy cursed inwardly. She’d been afraid of this, the Doc was about to offer to help. She was sure she’d rather invite an ill tempered rancor to her home. She forced her grin to deepen. “No one’s sick. I just thought it’d be nice to have some around for emergencies.”

  “Ah!” Doc Mason agreed. “It would indeed. Come by the clinic when you get off work. I’m sure we can come to some kind of arrangement.”

  Oh karabast, Lucy thought. This was taking a bad turn.

  “Actually,” the Doc amended. “It'll be better if we meet up at the saloon. You get off kinda late.”

  Yeah, a really bad turn. “Oh, that’s ok, Doc. I don’t want to put you out. Thanks anyway.” Lucy turned away toward a shelf behind the counter, hoping Doc would take a hint that their conversation was over.

  Doc Mason straightened up. He smiled broadly. “It wouldn’t be a bother. If you change your mind, come on by.” The Doc tipped his hat, “Ma’am.” And with that he turned and left the mercantile.

  Lucy breathed a sigh of relief and leaned heavily on the counter.

  “Do you really need the RS?” It was Ms. Holly. Lucy hadn’t noticed her approach. The two children were across the shop playing hide-and-seek in a clothing rack.

  “Rehydration solution? Yeah. A friend spent a little too much time in the sun.”

  Holly nodded, “And doesn’t have the coin to appease the Doc?”

  Lucy returned the nod, “Exactly.”

  Holly patted her on the hand. “We have a few liters left over from when Charles was sick last winter. Come on by the house when you get done here. You can have it.”

  Lucy grasped the younger woman’s hand, “Thank you! That would be so helpful.”

  Holly smiled back. “Think nothing of it. You put up with the young ones terrorizing this shop every time I come in. It’s the least I can do.”

  The two shared a laugh.

  “Besides,” Holly added, “Your neighbors were the ones who built this town. Really, we owe them.”