Star Forge - Chapter 17

[Time Remaining – Generation 3 – 5 Days]
[Add Research Slot – 500 Forge Points]
[Yes/No]
[BALANCE: 1200 Forge Points]

Five hundred points wasn't cheap, but I was tired of waiting for a basilisk droid. Even normal droids would have been helpful on Alderaan. A basilisk would have made a serious impact.

PURCHASE.

[Research – Generation 3 – 5 days]
[Production – Open]

CREATE 1 BASILISK DROID.

[Basilisk Droid Production – 3 Days]
[BALANCE: 700 Forge Points]

Three days. It wasn't as fast as I would have liked, but it was better than waiting for the Third Generation Research to complete. Crazy to think that everyone with Alderaan had been two days.

"Red," Bo said, her tone made it clear she was repeating herself.

"Bo," I replied.

"When is your ship getting here?" She asked.

I held up a finger then connected to my ship.

"What's the ETA?" I asked.

"We're here," Adyan groaned. "And so are like fifty other ships. We have to be screened before we are allowed any closer."

"Thanks," I replied, then swapped back over to my normal channel. "They're here, just waiting to be cleared for approach."

"Wonderful," Bo muttered.

She paused.

"I've been thinking," Bo said.

"That's dangerous," I countered.

"I could talk to some of my people to get a better read on Tatooine," Bo ignored my comment. "You'll need some backup, and I could use a payday."

"I would appreciate that," I said inclining my head.

"I should get the information by the time we reach Tatooine," Bo said. "There are plenty of other slavers out there."

"Taking down the Hutts will send a message," I said. "I can't just claim to be Mandalore without giving people a reason to follow me. The Darksaber means nothing if it is wielded by dar'manda. Would you follow some moron just because he has a fancy sword?"

Bo went quiet at that. Was I resorting to a thinly veiled insult at Pre Vizsla? Yes, it was.

 "It would be easier with a group of Mandalorians at my side, but I need to earn their loyalty first," I said.

Bo didn't speak.

"My hope, my goal, is to shape our people in protectors, champions, regain our honor, and become the worthy of the legends that give people a reason to remember us," I didn't have to fake the venom in my voice. "Not these thugs that wear armor to pretend. We are better than this." I paused to take a breath. "Your sister, the Duchess, wants peace. It's a noble thing. Not worth sacrificing our people and our history. Foolish, but noble. This galaxy isn't going to let such a thing happen. Calling themselves Mandalorian while preaching Pacifism isn't going to end well. If she wants to forget centuries of culture, then she doesn't deserve the name."

"Big speech for someone without a clan," Bo said with an edge in her voice.

"I won't be alone for long," I said, stating a fact.

~

 It took over an hour before the Zepplin was able to get through the screening process. I found Tali pacing near the airlock when it was time to go.

"Your answer?" I asked.

"I'll do it," she said, nodding. "This is my Pilgrimage. I won't be able to return to the Flotilla with anything worthwhile if I play it safe."

"Who's this?" Bo asked sizing up the Quarian.

"We'll save introductions until we're on the ship," I cut in. "It will save some time." I cocked my head to the side. "No luggage?"

"I've got my tools and my blaster," Tali replied with more confidence than I expected.

I shrugged.

"Zepplin on approach," a droid announced. "Airlock connection in process."

"Last chance," I told the young Quarian.

Tali shook her head. There was a slight hiss as the airlock equalized.

"Three departing," the same droid said.

We stepped through the door into an airlock, then were blasted with a thorough layer of what was basically disinfectant to make sure we were completely clear of pheromones. Honestly, it would be too late if we still had any hanging around. The other door opened once the short car wash was finished. I led the others across the temporary bridge. We stepped inside the airlock for the Zepplin and waited for the pressure to even out and the connection to retract. They could keep the escape pod; it was a piece of junk anyway.

Anakin was right there when the airlock opened with D-0G at his side. It bounced beside him like a puppy. I couldn't help but laugh. Tali gasped, she knelt down to get a closer look at the droid

"Who are they?" Anakin asked coming to a sudden stop. "Another Mandalorian!"

"You didn't think this old man was the only one, did you?" Bo asked with a smile in her voice.

She popped the seal on her helmet and took it off. Anakin watched in shock as she shook out her hair as she hooked it on her belt. I would definitely need one of those in the future. Wearing my armor was like a second skin these days, but there were times I needed to take my helmet off.

"You're a human!" Anakin said.

Bo nodded. It struck me then how young she was. She couldn't be more than twenty-five at the most. That also meant that she was a good ten years older than Anakin. She should have been a lot older in the Mandalorian show. I'll just write it off as an increased lifespan due to advances in healthcare. Fan service could make people forgive a lot of things.

"And you're a Quarian," Anakin turned toward Tali.

"This is amazing work," Tali muttered not really hearing his comment. "I've heard of programming protocol droids to double as security. Making a battle-droid, even a one for nonlethal measures, act like an authentic organic creature is astounding."

"Thanks," Anakin puffed up at the compliment.

"You did this?" Tali asked, suddenly aware of the boy.

"D-0G was a lot easier to program than C-3PO," Anakin replied with a nod. "I didn't have to work in the language database and the stability issues were solved with the four legs."

"Hello," Tali stood and gave a small bow. "I'm Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, I'm on my Pilgrimage."

"Anakin Skywalker," he copied her bow. "Mechanic of the Zepplin."

"Mechanic?" Tali asked. "You're so young."

"He does amazing work," I said without missing a beat. "Let's introduce everyone to the crew."

It took a little guidance to get Tali to the lounge area. The few reprogramed battle droids around the ship kept distracting her. It only got worse when Anakin slipped his hand in hers and led her along introducing her to each one.

"Shmi, Adyan, Mette. Shmi is our steward. She makes sure everything and everyone has what they need. Adyan is our pilot. Mette is a mechanic in training. Anakin is our mechanic," I motioned to each one as I introduced them. "This is Tali'Zorah and Bo-Katan Kryze. They will be joining us for a while."

"We don't have room for two new passengers," Shmi scrunched her brow in thought.

"I was going to convert one of the cargo areas to work as quarters for Tali," I answered.

"I'll direct the droids," Shmi nodded. "And her?"

Bo bumped my shoulder with her own.

"We'll be sharing a bunk," she winked at Shmi.

Mette's cheeks flushed purple.

"I'm going to arrange the brig to work as a temporary bunk," I sighed as I shook my head.

"That's not what you said last night," Bo teased.

"I was in an escape pod last night," I shook my head. "May I have your help setting things up, Shmi?"

"Of course," she nodded. "I'll have the droids gather the supplies."

[The Gang is All Here]
+100
[Or Is it?]
+100
[We're Going to Need a Bigger Boat]
+100
[Roll – Bank – Shop]

ROLL.

[COST: 400 FP]
[TECHNIQUE: Drain Knowledge]
[A dark side Force Power that allows you to both subtly read people’s minds and painfully rip information from someone’s skull. Only dark sided individuals can use this power to their full potential.]

I wasn't a Jedi, but I didn't think I had enough Dark Side in me to use the power. Damn, that technique sounded useful and I wasn't about to go kicking puppies to get some points.

DISMISS.
[Balance: 900 Forge Points]

"Adyan," I said before I could get too distracted by the Forge. "Set a course for Tatooine."

"Um, ok," the Twi'lek said after a moment. "Why?"

"I've got some slugs to squash," I replied.

"We're going to kill the Hutts?" Anakin beamed.

"You're not ready for that yet," I turned to face him. "We'll get you trained up and have a couple of smaller jobs before you're able to help take on planet-spanning crime syndicates."

"Fine," Anakin muttered.

There was a spark of inspiration behind his eyes. He turned and rushed off to the cargo bay with the workbench. I guess that was better than pouting.

"Foundling, eh?" Bo asked as the crew dispersed.

"Him and his mother," I replied. "I would be honored to have them both in my clan. Regardless, I'm going to make sure he has the best chance at survival."

"The galaxy is dangerous," Bo said. "But that isn't what you're talking about."

"No," I shook my head. "We're heading toward a war. The Republic isn't taking care of the Outer Rim, some of the Mid Rim too, and people are wearing thin. They don't have a standing army, but the various organizations around already do. Give it a few years, ten at most, and things are going to get messy." I paused. "That's one of the reasons I plan to take over Tatooine."

"Red," Bo raised her eyebrows. "I hate to tell you, but Mandalore and Tatooine aren't exactly neighbors."

"True," I nodded. "But it will be our starting point. We show them that a planet run by True Mandalorians is able to not only keep people safe but make their lives better."

"And then what? Make it New Mandalore?" Bo crossed her arms as she studied me.

"I'm not going to abandon our homeworld," I shook my head. Tatooine has been ruled by the Hutts for too long. They deserve some control over their own lives. It might start with me being in charge, but I'd rather get some sort of government in order so they can run things themselves."

"Too late to back out now," she muttered.

"No," I said. "You can walk away at any time."

"You aren't getting rid of me that easily, Red," she punched me on my shoulder. "I've got some people I need to contact. Where is the comm unit?"

"It's in the cockpit," I motioned to where it was.

"Kiskin!" Adyan called from the cockpit. "There's a comm coming through."

"That was fast," I muttered.

Bo sat in one of the seats waiting to use the comms. I cocked my head to the side in an unasked question. She shrugged.

"Right here," Adyan motioned to the comm unit.

The familiar form of Queen Amidala appeared in front of me. I narrowed my eyes. Not the queen, she was a little taller than she should have been.

"Sabe," I greeted her. "It's nice to see you again."

"Kiskin," she smiled brightly at me. "I heard you were lost on Alderaan."

"How did you hear that?" I asked.

"Prince Bail of Alderaan and the Queen are friends," she replied. "She mentioned your assistance with the Trade Federation and Prince Bail recognized the name."

"Hm," I mumbled.

My name shouldn't be all that noticeable all things considered. Maybe it was due to me being a Mandalorian? I had been added to the list of mercenaries, so it was in a database. Sabe shifted under my gaze. The helmet made it appear like I was staring at her rather than lost in thought.

"I looked up your name in the database," she admitted. "I was worried about you."

"Thank you for your concern," I replied, doing my best to put a smile in my voice. "How are things going on Naboo?"

"It's busy," she smiled. "The Trade Federation is stumbling over itself to save face. They are lucky the Queen doesn't blame the new administration for the previous actions."

"She's a better person than I am," I chuckled. "Have you been spending a lot of time in headdresses?"

"We all have sore necks," Sabe grumbled.

She looked off to the side and nodded.

"I'm glad you're alive," Sabe said. "I have to go."

"Thank you, Sabe," I said with a small bow.

The connection ended. I turned to see Bo watching me with a bemused look on her face.

"You're quite the charmer," she teased.

"I'm giving you a dirty look under my helmet," I sighed.

I wasn't. I may have been blushing.