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By Root 688 0

decaying garbage and animal droppings to Reegesk from farther down the alley. He had started the morning with little more than a handful of polished rocks and a few tidbits of information and had made a series of successful trades to collect the much more valuable items that he now spread out in the dust beside him. A small antenna, some fine cloth with very few holes in it, a bundle of wires for the tiny ’vaporator his tribe was secretly building. These he would keep.

But he had more bargaining to do yet. He still needed many things: a power source to complete the bootleg ’vaporator unit that could make his tribe less dependent on local moisture farmers, a length or two of rope, scraps of metal for making tools or weapons.

From his perspective, he always managed to trade up. Fortunately, he still had a few items left to trade from his most recent bargain: a cracked stormtrooper helmet, a packet of field rations, and a Tusken battle talisman carved from bantha horn. All this for only some day-old information and a discarded restraining bolt. He supposed the heat and dust could dull anyone’s judgment. Perhaps the Imperial officer—a Lieutenant Alima, who was definitely not a local—should have paid more attention to the deal. Well, the officer had gotten what he wanted. Reegesk shrugged.

Of course, the old warning to buyers was valid: Always pay close attention during a trade. Less scrupulous traders tricked customers or tried to convince them to make useless purchases, but not Reegesk. This, despite the “semisentient” status the Empire had conferred on the Ranat race, had gained him a reputation on the streets of Mos Eisley for being shrewd but fair. In fact, aside from the bothersome local stormtroopers, there were few potential customers in the port who would refuse a trade with Reegesk if he had just what they “needed.”

Reegesk’s furry snout quirked into a dry, incisor-baring smile. Well, he knew what he needed, and he knew where to conduct his next trade.

The interior of the cantina was relatively cool, and the dimness was a relief from the moisture-stealing intensity of Tatooine’s twin suns. The air smelled of musky damp fur and baked scales, of nic-i-tain smoke, of space suits that had not been decontaminated in months, and of intoxicants from dozens of different worlds.

Reegesk stepped to the bar, ordered a cup of Rydan brew from Wuher the bartender, and scanned the room for a likely customer. A Devaronian? No, Reegesk had nothing to interest him. One of the Bith musicians who was just taking a break? Perhaps. Ah. Reegesk’s glance fell on the familiar figure of a Jawa.

Perfect.

Reegesk pulled the hood of his cloak loosely over his head as he started toward the Jawa’s small table. Jawas were private folk who believed in being fully covered, even indoors, and in Reegesk’s experience, finding common ground with the customer always helped a trade. He was relieved to note by the scent as he approached the table that he knew the Jawa, Het Nkik, and had traded with him before.

When Reegesk saw the bandleader Figrin Da’n signaling an end to the musicians’ break, he hurried to get Het Nkik’s attention before the next song could begin. “Reegesk salutes Het Nkik and offers an exchange of tales or wares,” he said, giving his most formal trader greeting to the Jawa, who seemed preoccupied and had not yet noticed Reegesk’s presence.

Het Nkik did not react immediately, but when he did look up, Reegesk thought he saw a look of relief, as if the Jawa were happy to be distracted from his thoughts. “The opportunity for exchange is always welcome, and the time for opportunity is always now,” Het Nkik replied with equal formality, but the pitch of his voice was higher than usual and his eyes darted furtively about the room.

“May both traders receive the better bargain.” Reegesk finished the ritual greeting with irony, knowing full well that Jawas were seldom concerned with whether their customers were satisfied. Well, that was not his way. Cunning as he was, Reegesk traded only with customers who needed (or believed they needed)