When a moisture farmer named Ariq Joanson comes on one of his vaporators being assaulted by Sand People, he decides to give them the water he collected there. This act of kindness and the fact that the Sand People didn't kill him starts the germination of the idea that humans, Jawas and Sand People could potentially live in peace. Back at home, he creates a map of the land and decides to approach the Jawas with it, hoping they will help him to make peace between the species. Ariq then convinces his friend Eyvind to go with him to present his idea to the Sand People. When Ariq learns that Eyvind and Ariel are to be married, he convinces them to invite the Jawas to the wedding, who are absolutely thrilled at the idea. Ariq's fellow moisture farmers approach him to convince him to forget about making peace with the Sand People, but he ignores them. On the day of the wedding, everything is going as planned until a group of juvenile Sand People attempt to steal some speeders and Eyvind is killed and Ariel is abducted. Ariq meets with the youth at his vaporator and convinces them that peace is something to be worked for, but the talks are interrupted by Imperials and end in bloodshed. Ariel and Ariq mourn the loss of Eyvind and the chance at peace, and Ariq spends a night in Chalmun's cantina thinking about how he is now a Rebel in spirit, thanks to the actions of the Empire.
