BEYOND THE CLOUDS
Lilliam Rivera
Clusters of beldons float across the sky. The jellylike creatures drift and tumble into one another as if they’re performing an orchestrated dance. It wasn’t too long ago when the beldons were hunted down. A ridiculously easy sport, since the celestial beings in iridescent colors are not fast. Beldons usually emerge during the very early mornings when the sky breaks from its reddish hues to mark the start of a new day. And every morning I search for them. When they appear I feel reassured, grounded, if only for a second.
“Today is the day. He will definitely show up today,” I say to my reflection in the window. Strands of black hair cover my right eye. I rub the left side where the hair slowly grows out of its buzz cut. I’ll need to shave it.
I stare down at my drab clothes, the color of sand, and curse at how dull my dark-brown complexion appears underneath. There’s nothing astral about me. My clothes are boring and ordinary. If only I could sport an ever-changing uniform like the beldons: translucent and invisible one second and full of an unnatural vibrancy the next. When you’re a bounty hunter you need a signature look. The best ones always do. Dengar has his bandages covering his head. Aurra Sing used to wear orange jumpsuits. I’ve studied them all and their wizard attire. My current style is nonexistent. Seventeen years of never standing out or leaving any kind of mark. It’s probably the reason why I’m not an official bounty hunter.
“Staring at the beldons again, Isabalia?”
Recnelo Cott is a rare Ugnaught who doesn’t reside with her clan. She prefers the more solitary space on Level 121. Even in Cloud City, you can find a home away from the crowds. The room I rent from Recnelo is a square little thing with a bed and table. I don’t know how Recnelo secured the room and I don’t care. She keeps to herself, spending most of her time working at the carbon freezing facility with her people.
“No, I’m not,” I say and pull my hood over my head.
Recnelo snorts. This is our usual script. Every morning I wake up to see the beldons and every morning Recnelo makes fun of me. It’s repetitive but at least I know what to expect.
We head out. At this early hour, only a few Cloud City residents are up to start work at the mines excavating the precious Tibanna gas. Recnelo will head to the facility to clock in. As for me, I need to see Elad Zhalto before the last bet is placed.
As we turn down the long corridor toward the turbolifts, we notice two men deep in conversation. Our course to work is rarely punctuated with newcomers. Sure, Cloud City attracts various emissaries wanting a slice of the tiny good life we have here in the floating city, but my gut tells me these two are something else. Recnelo and I walk at our usual steady clip. My hand slips into my vibroknuckler located in my pocket, an added weight if I need to cut a problem across the face.
The two men stop talking and just stare. Recnelo continues to speak in Ugnaught, a nonsense story about how much she loves to eat. If you live in Cloud City you learn to converse and understand many languages. And if you don’t, expect to get insulted without ever knowing what words were sent your way. I nod at what she says, keeping my eyes glued to the men. We walk past them without incident. I loosen my grip.
“Not morning people I guess,” I say when the distance from the two men is safe enough to speak. Recnelo shakes her head. There’s movement happening in the city. Something is going down.
“How are things at the facility?” I ask.
Recnelo subtly glances down the hall, making sure no one is near.
“Soldiers wearing the tackiest armor ever seen on droid or creature alone recently paid us a visit,” she says. “Imps asking too many questions and getting in everyone’s way.”
Imperial soldiers. I can’t believe it. Things are really shaking up, more than I thought. I can’t help but feel weirdly excited. Action. Real action!
“Probably more are set to arrive,” I say. “Don’t you think?”
“I hope not, for your sake and the sake of everyone on Cloud City,” Recnelo says with a heavy ominous tone.
As we wait for the turbolift to transport us to our respective levels, a giant hologram of the city’s baron administrator, Lando Calrissian, materializes. When I was young I heard all about Lando’s great adventures. I loved how he always wore amazing capes. He was so flashy and charismatic. But Lando turned out to be like every other politician out there, full of empty promises and a seductive smile.
At least as a bounty hunter you’re stripped of useless pretensions. A bounty hunter has a job to do and gets it done no matter what. No messy feelings to trip a person. I just need to make the final right connection to fulfill my dream.
I press Level 142. Recnelo shakes her head.
“If I were you I would stay clear of Elad Zhalto.”
“You have to be in it to win it,” I say. “Besides, Elad is just another rung on the ladder.”
Recnelo continues to pass judgment. She believes in hard work with people you trust. But my people no longer live in Cloud City. Both my parents work in the educational centers on Chandrila. They want nothing to do with my “misguided” lifestyle, especially when they raised me to help and not hurt. They were active in the Cloud City community, bought into Lando’s promises until it was obvious that educators only got in the way of business. Who wants to learn when there’s money to be had? So I pivoted and started studying hunters, learned how to fight, worked my way up the ranks, all to the disgrace of my parents. When they left I stayed behind. But I don’t bother reminding Recnelo of this history. We’ve been through this plenty of times. Thankfully we land on Level 142.
“That comlink broadcast you listen to all night is not the way to go. It’s best to keep your nose and footing close to the ground. Or have the beldons scrambled your brain?” she says before the door closes behind me. Recnelo is wrong. Cobbling together clues of galactic stirrings off the broadcast is my only way of finding out what’s happening. I can’t let Recnelo confuse me. My luck is about to change. I can feel it. It’s just a matter of time. I press on.
Elad Zhalto is the owner of the Azure Den, an underground gambling spot. Those invited are longtime players. It’s rare to see a new face in the midst. A Duros, Elad is a power player with fingerprints on every Cloud City surface. More important, he’s friends with all the real bounty hunters.
I nod to the guard at the entrance and head in. The last of the sabacc players are finishing up from the looks of how smoky the room is and the many empty drinks.
“How much longer?” I ask.
“As long as it takes,” the guard says, annoyed, and leaves me to fend for myself.
I locate Elad, who is immersed in how the cards will shake out for his guests. And that’s when I notice him, a shadowy presence in the corner of the room. My heart races. There’s one bounty hunter I’ve been obsessively studying for the past couple of years. He was raised on Kamino and trained by Aurra Sing. He wears customized Mandalorian armor. Now, that’s true style. And here he is.
Boba Fett.
I can’t believe it. The most notorious killer is here and he’s only a few feet away from me. Funny—he’s a lot shorter than I imagined. Never mind that. This is my chance. Boba Fett must be here to take something, or someone, down. If I can be of service to him, prove my skills somehow, my whole life could change. He’ll invite me to be part of his crew. I know it!
Elad speaks to him but Boba Fett doesn’t move. He’s as still as the rocky Agamar terrain. I need an introduction but I can’t interrupt or Elad will shut me out completely. Timing is everything. But when?
“Should I deal you in?”
Joy Iya shuffles the cards at a corner table away from the real sabacc action. It’s been a couple of months since I last saw her. She looks good, but then Joy always looks good. Joy is the only person on Cloud City my age who can cause me to stumble over my words. It must be those piercing dark-brown eyes. Even when she’s smiling at you Joy is somehow sizing you up, checking to see where exactly you land. It’s not to say we’ve had many exchanges. The two conversations consisted of me barely able to ask for a drink while she served at the Yarith. Hadn’t heard about her working for Elad. I guess we’re both trying to climb that ladder.
“I’m not playing,” I say, but I walk over to her anyway. My eyes are still locked on Boba Fett.
“It sure looks like you’re playing a game,” she says, nodding in the bounty hunter’s direction. Always with that smile. “No one is coming to my table but if you play a couple of rounds, people will venture. Then the bossman Elad will stop hovering over me wondering if I should be placed back behind the bar dishing out watered-down drinks.”
She deals me in. Before I can tell her I have nothing of value to gamble she pulls out a couple of credit ingots and places them in front of me.
“Never pegged you for an Azure Den worker,” I say as I pretend to look at my hand.
“Sometimes you go where you’re needed,” Joy says. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
Why would Joy Iya want to talk to me? I just always assumed she considered me a bit of a nobody.
“Me?” I ask foolishly, and I regret it as soon as I say it. A bounty hunter would be more self-assured. I bet Boba Fett never ends a statement with a question mark.
“I see you around. Scrambling for gigs here and there,” Joy says. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
She’s been watching me? Joy Iya? I try to hold her intense stare for as long as I can. One or two or hundreds of heartbeats pass, and I forget what I’m meant to be doing.
“Do you hold the key to salvation or something?” I don’t know why I said it but there it is, my words floating in front of me like a confused solitary beldon.
“I’ve got a proposition for you,” she says. But before Joy can go on, Elad’s guard nudges me.
“Sorry,” I say.
I follow the guard as he escorts me back to Elad’s office. I take a deep breath and steady myself for what I hope is my first concrete interaction with Boba Fett. I’ve been working on Elad to introduce me to the top hunters out there. There is no one above Boba Fett.
Elad sits behind his large desk with his favorite droid, 3-76, by his side, but Boba Fett is nowhere to be found. Kriffing idiot. I messed up. I should have just headed straight to Boba Fett when I first saw him. A real opportunity squashed because of Joy’s beautiful eyes. I need to get back on track.
“Good work on the little job,” Elad says. The “little job” was roughing up a Gamorrean who owed Elad money. A simple enough task that still left me with two new scars above my eye.
“Up for another task? Tonight, a quick visit to Na’Tala. She decided she no longer works at Azure,” he says. “Heard she’s been complaining about me and how I conduct my business. I can’t have that.”
A quick visit means convincing Na’Tala to return to Azure, and if she doesn’t, then I need to show her why.
“What about what I want?” I ask.
“Right! Too bad. You just missed him. He’ll be back,” Elad says. “So, about Na’Tala…”
“You promised me an introduction to Boba Fett,” I say. “Our deal had nothing to do with Na’Tala.”
“Now, how will I look if I allow you to meet Boba Fett wearing that?” He points to my weak attire. “You want to be taken seriously, don’t you?”
I get up. He’s not going to help me. Forget Elad. I don’t need him. I’ll figure it out myself.
“You have every right to leave!” Elad calls out as I near the exit. “No worries. I’ll just send 3-76 to take care of Na’Tala.”
I stop. A visit from 3-76 is a death note. Na’Tala is only trying to look out for herself, like we all are. I turn back.
“Smart, Isabalia, smart! To make sure there’s no hard feelings, how about I give you access to Cloud Regalia?” Elad says. “New clothes, hmmm? Before your big meetup with Boba Fett?”
His droid punches in a code that will allow me entrance to the exclusive clothing store.
“Take care of Na’Tala and I’ll set up the meet-and-greet.”
I nod, accept his terms, and push down the guilt growing inside of me. I’m closer to my goal and this is what matters.
Before I head out, Joy rushes up to me and hands me a metallic card.
“I think you need a change as much as I do,” she says. “Tonight.”
She quickly walks back to her still-empty table. I pocket her card before anyone notices and exit the club. Outside, the suns shine bright as ever. Cloud City is fully awake. I find a quiet corner to read Joy’s card.
A Change
Sector Four
I knew today was going to be different. I felt it! I’ll hit up Cloud Regalia first before searching for Na’Tala. I will finally dress the part. I hurry to the wing where anyone who has any clout shops. Extravagant stores for only a privileged few, and today I’m one of them.
“Isabalia,” I tell the droid staffing the entrance. It punches my name and the doors open. The store is exactly what I imagined: completely pristine in white and silver with racks of clothes that can appear with just a press of a button. Because it’s on the early side, the store is somewhat empty with only a handful of customers.
“How would you like to be dressed today? Is it for a private event or a day spent in the casinos? You’re petite but shapely. Perhaps a formfitting gown that changes with every step you take?”
I try to shoo the store droid away but it’s not possible. It is relentless.
“I need clothes I can move around in,” I say. “For fighting. With hidden pockets and such.”
The droid directs me to another room. I can’t help myself. I instantly gravitate to the capes.
An older couple enters the room. The man has white hair while his partner wears hers in the elaborate Bespin braids. The man grabs a flashy outfit, stares at it with confusion, and brusquely places it back on the rack.
“This isn’t really my style.”
“Stop being so silly,” she says. “It’s not every day you mark a union as long and as fruitful as ours. Tonight, we celebrate.” She laughs, gently nudging at him.
They haven’t noticed me yet. I dig deeper into a rack as if I’m looking for something in particular. I can’t stop sneaking glances over to them. How the man caresses her cheek. How she presses into his hand. I remember when my parents looked at each other like that. They were never afraid to show tenderness, to laugh loudly at their inside jokes, to hold each other. I never had a bad childhood. I was always shown affection, just like this couple freely exhibits. But poverty makes a person hungry. Love can only get you so far.
The couple look up and see me. They give me a nod, a warm smile, and I do the same. Then they walk out with new clothes.
The droid returns with a pile of garments for me to try on. Soon I’m dressed in an extravagant blue jumpsuit with a matching cape.
“A dash of the baron administrator’s taste is always a good thing,” the droid says. I walk out of the store wearing my new threads, throwing the old ones away.
Breaking in to Na’Tala’s place is pretty easy. Her room is as small as mine, but unlike my empty space devoid of any personality, Na’Tala’s unit is an explosion of color and items. Clothes are thrown everywhere and every centimeter of her wall is a piece of art or a declaration. “BE FREE!” “NO FEAR!”
I rummage through her stuff, trying to find a clue, anything to point me in the right direction. Unfortunately, I find nothing but more affirmations.
Annoyed, I head out. Before I close the door my boot crunches down on something. I bend and pick up the two cracked pieces of a card. “A Change Sector Four.”
Sector Four is where it’s at, apparently. My destination is set.
As I draw nearer to the sector, I hear the sound of voices, hushed but still there. A gathering. Did Joy invite me and Na’Tala to a secret party?
“If we stop work then they will have to meet our demands for better pay. We run Cloud City. Without us, the city simply won’t function.”
Joy is at the center of this gathering, but this isn’t a social get-together. This is bad news. They’re trying to overthrow Cloud City rules. It’s not possible. Lando will never allow it. There’s a reason why we are not part of the Mining Guild. We are able to thrive under secrecy. Protesting against how things run in Cloud City is a fruitless endeavor.
“They’re wasting their time,” I mutter to myself.
“Are we?” Na’Tala suddenly appears beside me. “Heard you’ve been looking for me. Still playing the role of Elad’s messenger? Don’t worry. I got my own message for Elad.”
Na’Tala walks away and joins the others.
“Full city stoppage. It’s the only way to get their attention,” Joy says. She looks radiant, more beautiful than ever. “Who is with us?”
The crowd nods in agreement. After a few more fiery speeches, I’m left wondering why Joy thinks I would be a part of this.
“What did you think?” she asks as the crowd lingers, excited and ready for action.
“I think you guys are in for a losing battle,” I say. “Cloud City is built for business and pleasure, or have you forgotten Lando’s mandate?”
“I’ve seen you take these little jobs,” she says. “Apprehend this two-bit player. Rough up another. You’re more than that. We all are.”
How can she be so sure? This time I can’t hold her stare. Instead I look down at my shiny new boots.
“I believe in you even now when you can’t meet my eyes,” she says.
My face burns up.
“This is a pivotal time. Don’t you want to be a part of this?” Joy asks. “A real movement.”
She rests her hand on my arm, gently squeezes it. The crowd around us has all but disappeared. It’s just Joy and this hope she’s offering me.
“Why me?” I ask.
“Because it’s time to come out from the shadows and be with your people,” she says. “We’re right on the edge. It’s time to take a leap.”
I’m not used to this. She’s laying it out plain for me, this chance. But I’m destined to walk another path. Maybe if I explain this to Joy, she would understand.
“When I take care of this one thing, then I’ll be able to do whatever I want,” I say. “Boba Fett can show me the ropes and—”
Her face falls.
“You’re looking at a man hired to track others as your ticket out.” She says this with such disappointment. “I guess you better run off then. I’m sure the person you hurt won’t mind. At least you’ll be dressed in nice clothes while you do it.”
Joy storms off, and I’m left there feeling foolish in this jumpsuit that suddenly feels too tight.
There’s so much unrest. Whispers of the work stoppage due to start any minute. Strange new faces about. And through it all, I just can’t stop thinking of Joy and her words. I stare at the beldons but they hold no answers for me today.
Nothing has felt right. When I finally caught up with Na’Tala she didn’t put up a fight; instead she simply shook her head. “You are on the wrong side,” she said before I deposited her back to the Azure Den and Elad. I completed my task, and Elad promised the introduction I’ve been waiting for. The carbon freezing facility is where I’m to meet Boba Fett this morning. Everything I’ve worked on for so long is about to come true. Yet, why do I feel like bantha crap?
I double check that my Relby-K23 blaster is secure underneath my cape with the vibroknuckler in my pocket. I try to ignore the disapproving voices in my head but it’s not working. A bounty hunter must be single-minded and focused. I’m none of those things. I’m just torn.
Recnelo scurries past me without uttering a word.
“No insult for me, Recnelo? It’s not like you,” I say, matching her quick stride.
“I need to be somewhere, but you already know that.”
“I’m heading to the carbon freezing facility, too,” I say. “We can go together.”
“You’re joining the work stoppage then. Correct?”
She stops when I don’t respond.
“Open your eyes, Isabalia. You think the beldons are floating out there for your viewing pleasure. They once were fierce creatures,” she says with frustration. “Did you know Cloud City sedates them to keep them docile?”
“There’s more to life than what Cloud City can offer. Don’t you think I deserve it?” I ask. “Please tell Joy I’m sorry.”
“No, Isabalia, you’re wrong. You are Cloud City.”
Recnelo walks away and I’m left to contend with this truth. She meets Joy at the end of the passageway, and they head toward the carbon freeze. Along the way they collect a couple more people and eventually stop at the entrance of the facility. Like a fool, I follow a few steps behind and watch as things unfurl.
If the work stoppage begins here, I can easily slip into the facility through a side entrance. Boba Fett is surely waiting inside. Joy briefly looks my way, as does Recnelo. Everything is converging at once and I must make a choice. Follow Boba Fett to a future I’ve been planning for months or join the others. Joy, Recnelo, even my parents, see something in me I’m failing to see. A person I’m meant to be. Which future do I embrace when both are so uncertain?
“Stop right there!”
A stormtrooper appears out of nowhere, blaster at the ready. Recnelo and Joy argue with the trooper but he refuses to listen. He aims a blaster at them.
Before I can think I run toward the stormtrooper, brandishing the Relby-K23. I shoot toward the stormtrooper’s knees right as he turns to me. He buckles, but still shoots, barely missing me. I don’t stop. I head straight toward him, kicking his blaster out of his hands. I straddle the trooper. Punching with all I’ve got. Finding ways past his armor to inflict pain with fear and adrenaline propelling me. Only a few more blows cement who is truly in control of this situation.
“Listen up, Imperial trash,” I say. “Your ugly white uniforms are not welcome in Cloud City.”
The last punch is more than enough to knock the stormtrooper out cold. I get up, wiping beads of sweat from my forehead. My new outfit is ruined by a large tear down the side of the jumpsuit.
“I heard there’s a work stoppage happening,” I say after a couple of beats. “Not sure if I’m dressed for it but…”
Joy chuckles, flashing that smile.
“There’s hope for you yet, Isabalia,” she says.
This time I hold her stare. Maybe I can even hold it for a lifetime.
“Enough of that, you two.” Recnelo says. “The work is before us.”
“C’mon!” Joy says. “Our people are waiting.”
She grabs my hand, and I don’t let go.