4 Geonosis: The Dump.

The garbage collector brought the company to the droid junkyard not far from the arena. They easily jumped off it when the large robot turned back to bring more droid parts from the arena. Of course, Boba immediately began to dig out his father's body from the pile of freshly delivered garbage, while Gabriel stood next to him, carrying the captive on his shoulder.

Gabriel had mixed feelings. He felt sorry for the boy. Losing a beloved father like this was something he wouldn't wish even upon his enemies, and most likely, Jango was killed right before his son's eyes. War was brutal, but Hassan couldn't do anything about it. However, there was something he could do.

Hassan extended his hand in front of him, and the garbage around the dirty boy started to rise into the air. Boba froze at the unexpected sight. When all the pieces of droids, metallic parts, and wires were floating above the boy's head, Gabriel clenched his fist, and all the trash formed into a single round steel ball that flew away into the distance. Now, there was only his father's body in front of Fett.

Boba ran his hand over his father's breastplate, trying to hold back trembling lips with his other hand. Gabriel saw that he wanted to cry again, just like when he found the body in the arena, but he was trying to hold it in. Fett removed his hand from his face, bit his lower lip, and began to undo the straps on the armor. Hassan was impressed by the boy's willpower; if he were in the same situation at that age, he would probably lie down next to his parent's corpse and wait for his own death. Even in his early years, the future bounty hunter showed his strength. Someone like Boba Fett would undoubtedly come in handy for Darth in the future.

"Let me help you," Hassan said.

"No, I have to do it all myself," the surprisingly strong boy replied stoically.

"Whatever you say."

Darth moved away from Boba to give him space. He found a comfortable pile of metal, sat the captive on it, and then lay down beside her. Both of them silently watched as Boba searched through the piles of garbage.

"Did you help clear his father's body?" the girl broke the silence.

"Yes."

"He's a strong boy, I believe he'll cope with the loss," a sad smile appeared on her face, "but how do you know Boba?"

"I've seen the future."

"And his future too?" the Togruta clarified.

"Yes, his too."

"And what did you see?"

"He will grow into a strong man with many challenges on his path, but he'll be able to overcome them," Darth vaguely replied. She probably wouldn't like the fact that he would become a bounty hunter.

"With your help?" she glanced at him.

Gabriel also looked at her. It seemed like he had an idea of where she was going, but he wasn't entirely sure. They didn't take their eyes off each other. Darth couldn't understand what she was thinking, so he gave in first, turning away. After all, understanding female logic was impossible for a man.

"If he ever needs her and turns to me, then of course, I'll help him," Gabriel replied a few seconds later.

"What do you need me for then?"

"You're my insurance," Gabriel turned to her again. "If I'm surrounded, I'll just put a lightsaber to your throat and escape with you."

"And what are you going to do with me when you leave the planet?"

"Can a prisoner ask so many questions?"

Once again, they stared at each other, but this time, victory belonged to Gabriel. Shaak Ti turned her gaze back to the boy who was diligently digging the ground with his severed droid arm.

Boba stood by a mound of earth into which iron parts of droids were stuck in the shape of the letters "J" and "F." The boy's work was done, so Gabriel stood up and hoisted the captive onto his shoulder, who seemed to have gotten used to it. He approached the boy and stood next to him, hoping to find the right words of encouragement. Yes, Hassan wasn't a saint, but you couldn't call him a monster either.

"Your father is in a better place now, Boba," Darth looked at the armor nearby, "he was an outstanding warrior, someone I respected. Become just like him, Boba. Just as great. I think he would want that."

"He'll be proud of me," the boy said confidently but quietly.

"Good," Gabriel nodded, "we shouldn't waste any more time. Where is the ship?"

"In the hangar."

"Let's..."

"Wait," Shaak Ti intervened in the conversation, "leaving today is a bad idea. The battle is not only taking place on the ground but also in space."

"And what do you suggest?" Hassan asked.

"Wait until tomorrow."

"And where, in your opinion, are we going to stay overnight?" Gabriel asked irritably.

"We can stay here, at the dump," the boy, instead of the captive, replied, "hardly anyone will come here except the garbage collectors."

"At the dump?"

Gabriel looked around at the piles of garbage that were getting bigger and bigger with each passing minute. How many broken droids would these garbage collectors bring?! Given all that has been said, Hassan was forced to agree with the arguments of his temporary comrades. In space, it must be hot right now, so the droids, clones, and Jedi are unlikely to be concerned with the dump.

"Fine," the guy sighed heavily, "we'll stay at the dump."

Gabriel returned to his previous seat, placed Shaak Ti next to him, and sat down next to her. Boba sat next to the guy, wrapping his arms around his legs. Although he spoke confidently, the boy didn't know how to hide his exhaustion, so from his dirty face, Hassan easily guessed that he was running on his last legs. It wasn't surprising; this day would probably be the worst of his life. Gabriel took off his long hooded cloak and wrapped it around the boy. Since Darth hadn't immediately realized that Boba was tired, he should at least show some care now.

"Thank you..." Boba murmured.

"Rest, little one," Shaak Ti warmly smiled at the boy.

"Why are you tied up?" the boy looked at the ropes on the girl's wrists and ankles.

"She's my captive."

"Is she your target?" Boba clarified.

"No, insurance. She's a Jedi, so she's a valuable captive."

"Jedi," Boba said with poorly concealed hatred, "a black-skinned Jedi killed my father. Do you know him?"

"Child, the path of hatred..." Shaak Ti began, but she didn't finish her sentence.

"I asked, do you know him?" the boy didn't let her finish.

Tense silence hung in the air. Boba clenched Gabriel's cloak in his hands in anger, while Shaak Ti struggled to come up with an answer in her confusion. Hassan didn't want the girl to answer. In any case, no matter what she said, the Togruta would feel guilty. In the first case, she would lie to the boy, and in the second, she would reveal her comrade. Darth couldn't remember how Jedi felt about lying for a greater good, and he didn't have time to reminisce.

"His name is Mace Windu," Hassan answered instead of her.

"Mace Windu," Boba enunciated each letter in the name and then lay down on the ground, turning away from them.

Gabriel glanced at Shaak Ti to gauge her reaction, but she was just staring at the nearby wreckage with an unreadable expression. Boba was having a hard day today, wasn't he?

{Dear Readers,

We appreciate your support and efforts. Your activity and feedback are very important to us. If you would like to see more chapters and quality content, we invite you to share your feedback and give "Power Stone".

Your support in the form of "Power Stone" will also be an incentive for us to work harder and produce new chapters.}