Bestine (city)/Legends

"Did you come in from the south?''" "No... no, we live in the west, near Bestine township." "Bestine? Let me see your identification." "''You don't need to see his identification. These aren't the droids you're looking for."

- Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and a stormtrooper

Bestine was the capital city of Tatooine during the Imperial Period.

History
Bestine was founded by colonists from the water-world Bestine IV in 99 BBY, which may account for the fact that, a century later, skyhoppers were closely associated with both places. Before the arrival of the Empire, Bestine was primarily a farming and mining community. But following the rise of the Empire, Bestine became the seat of Imperial power on Tatooine. As a result, it was considered to be the most cosmopolitan and cultured settlement on Tatooine. It was, in many ways, considered to be a, "gem of Imperial politics." Due largely to the influx of Imperial personnel and their credits, Bestine flourished while other cities on Tatooine struggled. Bestine was once a modest agrarian township, but had since grown to become a thriving economic hub. Bestine attracted a large number of honest merchants, interested in doing legitimate business. Bestine was also considered to be the safest of all cities on Tatooine. Imperial Stormtroopers would patrol the streets, defending citizens from thugs and random Tusken Raider attacks. While the city was considered very safe, it still was not completely devoid of thugs populating the slums of Bestine.

One location of note within the city was the Museum of Tatooine. The popular Barefoot Band would also regularly perform in Bestine's cantina. In addition to this, Bestine was the base of operations for the Imperial Storm Squadron. The Tatooine Visitors Bureau operated out of Bestine as well. Another location of note was a small Imperial garrison, which stood on top of a hill overlooking Bestine. On their way to Mos Eisley in 0 BBY, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker spent a night in Bestine.

Following the destruction of the Death Star in 1 ABY, Bestine became embroiled in a heated political struggle between an ambitious Imperial officer and a powerful merchant. They were Victor Visalis and Sean Trenwell, the Officer of Defense and Director of Commerce respectively. Both campaigned intensively to gain votes, vying for the same position as Mayor of Bestine. Victor Visalis pledged to secure the metropolis with a surge of Stormtrooper patrols, so as to protect the city from the ongoing threat of Tusken Raider attacks. Sean Trenwell pledged to improve Bestine's marketplace, with the support of the long established Bestine merchants. Both were careful to remain in the good graces of Governor Tour Aryon, in order to benefit their election. Because the elections were on-going, both had a chance to lead as mayor, and carry out their policies.

During the same year, creatures dug up power cables which brought energy from the Tosche Station to Bestine. This caused a power outage in the city. As the Galactic Civil War intensified, Bestine became a hub of major conflicts between the Empire and Alliance. Occupation of the city would often switch between both factions, with one side constructing heavy defense barricades, while the other prepared massive invasion forces.

Behind the scenes
Bestine was first mentioned in the novelization for A New Hope, when Luke cited that he lived west of Mos Eisley, near Bestine to some Stormtroopers before Obi-Wan Kenobi managed to use the Force to mentally trick the Stormtroopers into thinking that R2-D2 and C-3PO were something other than the droids they were looking for.

In the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies, players could take part in an on-going political election between Sean Trenwell and Victor Visalis.

In the 2010 Game Update 15 of Star Wars Galaxies, Bestine, as well as Dearic and Keren were turned into major war zones. Occupation of the city switches between the Alliance and the Empire, depending on which faction successfully achieves the highest GCW score.

Appearances

 * Boba Fett: Hunted
 * Star Wars: Kenobi
 * Shadow Games
 * Drawing the Maps of Peace: The Moisture Farmer's Tale
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novelization
 * Swap Meet: The Jawa's Tale
 * Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade
 * A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker
 * Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade
 * A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker
 * Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade
 * A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker