On the trip over, he had had time to take apart the cell-phone style tracker system, and put it back together in a comlink. He kept the ear piece - it was doubtful anyone would recognise it. Finally, when they got there, he commed his contact and they worked out a meeting place. With a goodbye to Ton Phaanan, and a promise to comm him if and when he was ready to go back to Terra, Dour Watcher was on his way.
He walked along the darkened skywalks, heading for the place he was to meet with his conspirator. He had only a few hours before he would need to be to the military spaceport in time to look after Sylvana once they landed. One of Coruscant's famous storms broke out. Rain fell on his hat, running off the edges to drip upon the cloak he had wrapped around his shoulders to keep the chill out. Booted feet splashed through puddles as he pushed his way through the multi-special crowds.
He saw a small human child shuddering beneath a slight awning against an old-looking building. She had large eyes, hair like wild fire, and couldn't have been more than seven years in age. Huddled in her arms was a toddler boy, sniffling with a cold.
His heart went out to them. Nobody should be left out in such miserable weather. He deviated from his course and went over to the children. "Why are you out in the rain?" he asked, fully knowing the answer.
The girl's dark eyes waffled between arrogant and frightened. "Cause we like it mister, what's it to you?" she challenged.
"Wouldn't you like to be somewhere warm?"
"Is a hutt gross?"
He smiled, "Child, do you have no home?"
She shrugged. "Used 'ta."
"Where are your parents?"
"Why do you care?!"
"Because I want to help."
She looked at him sullenly, but the kind look in his eyes said she could trust him. "We don't got any."
"Would you like to come with me? I could find you someplace nice to live."
She shook her head, "No, mister. The gang wouldn't like that."
"Gang?"
"Yeah, us orphans look out for our own - I ain't gonna vrelt out on them," she stuck her chin out stubbornly. Just then, the little boy sneezed, and whimpered as he shivered against her. "Get outta here, mister. Your kind isn't too liked around here, you'll get mugged or sumpthin."
"Well I won't let either of you go cold." He pulled off the cloak, took the comlink from the pocket and put it in his trouser pocket, then wrapped it around their shoulders. He took his hat, and rested it on the girl's head. "Good luck," he said simply as he turned away.
"Thanks, mister," he heard the girl say. He turned to attempt one last time to convince them to come with, but the two children had already disappeared.
Two figures in the shadows of an old bar by the name of "Smuggler's Rest", located in the lower levels of Coruscant, sat silently for a few minutes, contemplating their drinks.
Finally, quietly, they spoke.
"When did you find her?"
"I found her in Atlanta, but then she disappeared."
"Disappeared? Then how could you-"
"Found her again in California."
"What happened? Start at the begining."
"With what, how she disappeared from Atlanta?"
"That is good a place as any."
"Well, there was this convention, called "Dragon * Con". It's a place where people who enjoy science fiction and fantasy can come and well, convene. They were at a panel for Star Wars, when someone declared with finality that there was no such thing as fuel here."
The other man snorted.
"I know. The first thing that came to the girl's mind, was General Antilles and his loss. She started to cry, and one of the costumed people nearby went to silence her..." his voice trailed off.
"What do you mean, silence her?"
"I mean knock her out. Before I could get there, her brother blocked it. To make a long story short, there was a huge fight, almost everyone involved, including many who ran in panic. When it was over, she and her brother ran out. . . after she declared there WAS fuel," he chuckled. "I quickly exited in their wake, but lost them in the crowd."
The other man chuckled, then nodded. "Then what happened?"
"I remember how you told me she wanted to travel across the country to the ocean, so I took what I thought might be her most likely route. In California, I finally caught up with them - they've dyed their hair in black and blue stripes, by the bye - and followed them to Mendellia."
"I see. Has she seen you?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Once in Mendellia, she enlisted my aid in finding a library."
The other man chuckled. "Any others?"
"Once in New York."
"Did she recognise you?"
"I took care that she would not. Even between then and now, my appearance has changed."
"Could I impose upon you to keep watching over her?"
"I would be glad to."
"Thank you, my friend. Thank you."
After this, their conversation turned to other, less serious matters. Finally, Dour Watcher looked at his chrono, to see that it wouldn't be long before the Terrans' expected arrival. The two bade each other goodbye, and he made his way to the military spaceport.