[OOC: Everyone at –2 on all rolls for lack of sleep/exhaustion, Ian at an extra –2 to his spot checks for being cuckoo. Rick, I’m sure you remember that Jarren doesn’t know about the deal that Ian and Dex made with Cal, but I just wanted to remind you. ]

After leaving the ship, Ian strolls across the landing pad of the spaceport toward the repair bay and more to the point, the exit. The dark and pleasant but rather breezy night is a refreshing, almost drastic change from the day’s infernal heat. As he walks, he breathes deeply to clear his head, focusing on his mission to find Joko and fulfill his promise to Cal. The cool, refreshing air fills his lungs and softens the edge of his fatigue.

Once, the planet’s sky was hazy with the pollutants of heavy industry when the galactic mining concerns ruled the deserts. That, of course, was in the distant past, before the dangerous inferiority of the planet’s ores became apparent and the great exodus began. Now, Tatooine is a backwater den of thieves and exiles hoping not to draw the eye of the Empire or the crime lords who have become the planet’s new masters. As a fortunate side effect of the transfer from it’s industrial past, however, the sky above is clear and clean. In fact, in addition to Tatooine’s two moons, Ian can see all the familiar constellations. Also, Ohana and Adriana (who’s ice rings provide the planet with most of its water), the two gas giants in the Tatoo system, wink happily just above the blurry horizon.

The landing pad upon which the Nerf Chop rests is a large circle of concrete about forty meters across which is surrounded by a sandy brown wall about three meters high. The repair bay, which faces out toward the landing pad, is walled on three sides, leaving the pad side open for easy access to equipment and shelter. The large sliding doors which can enclose the bay completely are slid semi-permanently to each side, closing presumably only for sandstorms or other bad weather. The lone door, other than the security-keyed door in the pad wall, is in the office is off to Ian’s right as he walks into the bay.

Concentrating, the long-haired human moves his right hand in a circle as he calls upon the Force to disable any alarms that guard the spaceport. After a few moments of meditation, he’s satisfied that the Force has done his bidding and decides the time is right to move on.

Coozer’s light snoring continues uninterrupted as Ian walks by his well-worn cot and steps out through the office door to the front of the building. After saying a silent thank you to the Force and closing the door, he weaves his way via moonlight through the tangle of aged and corroded spacecraft parts that litter the front yard, so to speak, before heading down the road toward Mos Taike proper.

Jarren and Dex have left Y-3PO to mind the ship, opting to follow their mentally unstable companion. The unlikely pair of the green mohawked Human and the militaristically dour Omwati trace Ian’s path through the repair bay and past Coozer, who snorts at their footsteps but dreams on in peace. After clearing the door, and making their way through the scrap jungle of a front yard, the two hold up behind an old hyperdrive until Ian is at a distance that would make their pursuit relatively easy but their detection unlikely.

Watching Ian walk down the road toward town, Jarren can’t seem to put the pieces together. He’s seen men walk like Ian before. It’s a walk with a purpose. But, what business could Ian possible have in this sand pit in the middle of the night? The mystery gnaws at him like a hungry womp rat.

Dex knows what drives Ian, but he’s unwilling to tell the blue alien next to him, unsure as to what reaction might be drawn out by the revelation. He shrugs to himself, content to wait and face the issue should it arise.

Up ahead, Ian is passing the outlying homes of the settlement. With a few exceptions, the farming community is dark and silent, bathed in tranquil blue moonlight. The cantina signs are on as well as some lights in a few of the citizen’s home. The rest of the businesses are closed and locked up tight. At the far end of the street, the two Banthas that he saw when coming into town are lying down resting against one another, still tied to the post at the feed store. The light wind swings a chain on a farming contraption next to the mercantile, evoking an airy tinkling sound. Otherwise, all is silent.

Remaining hidden, Dex and Jarren carefully lean out from behind the wall of a house, curious to see what Ian will do next.

[ OOC: Travis, you realize that you actually CAN use the Force to help you find Joko (or do other actions) if you wish? You have 2 Force points right now and can use one to improve your chances. Basically, you get to add a roll from the Force to your d20 roll, which drastically improves your chances of success. You haven’t used any points so far though; the use of the Force is all in Ian’s mind. If any of you guys ever want to use a Force point for anything, just say so explicitly and I’ll add it in for you. If you do, specify whether you wish to call upon the Light or Dark Side of the Force.

Nice roll Mal, by the way. Ian didn’t see you. Man, that was close! ;)]