> Disclaimer: Star Wars and all of it's Intellectual Properties is owned by George Lucas and Walt Disney, This fictional work and all of it's original characters are however mine.
----------------------------------------
Jake made use of the time Gardulla's spokesperson had granted the crew, focusing intently on the Old Republic relic. Seated at his workbench, he opened the case that housed the module, revealing a complex interface filled with flickering lights and shifting data. As he connected it to his datapad, streams of information began to cascade across the screen, highlighting fragmented schematics and encrypted data that danced just out of reach.
Ideas swirled in Jake's mind like the data flowing before him. Every time a new schematic popped up, he felt a spark of inspiration ignite. He quickly jotted down notes, sketching out potential upgrades not just for the gauntlets he had painstakingly crafted but also for the companion droid he envisioned—a small, agile unit like the one from the game he never quite finished, one that could assist him in a variety of tasks, whether in the field or at the workbench.
"Alright, focus," he muttered to himself, forcing his attention back to the task at hand. This was more than just tinkering; the relic had the potential to unlock invaluable secrets about the Old Republic, possibly leading to a treasure trove of technology or knowledge that could change their fortunes. He couldn't afford to get lost in dreams of upgrades when the stakes were so high.
As the data continued to trickle in, he noticed a reference to a vault—an ancient storage facility rumored to contain remnants of the Old Republic's greatest innovations. His heart raced at the thought. If they could find this vault, they might discover not only priceless artifacts but also technology that could be worth its weight in credits—or, more importantly, power.
He paused, taking a moment to assess the data before him. "I could create a multi-tool interface for my droid, allowing it to unlock ancient locks and interact with old tech," he mused, jotting down another note. "And maybe a cloaking feature… or a compact design that fits in my bag."
As he refined his thoughts, he felt the weight of his gauntlets on his wrists, a reminder of how far he'd come in his skills and confidence. He wanted his companion droid to be an extension of himself, capable of navigating tight situations while supporting his endeavors in a way that felt seamless.
"Okay, let's see if I can get more from this," Jake said to himself, adjusting the scanner's settings. He input several commands, trying to stabilize the data flow. Each successful retrieval sparked further thoughts—better weapon attachments, enhanced scanning capabilities, even the ability to project holographic images to relay information back to him.
Hours passed, and Jake remained engrossed in his work. The air was thick with the smell of metal and the soft hum of machinery filled the space around him, creating a comforting backdrop to his thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was on the cusp of something monumental, that each piece of data he managed to decipher brought him closer to realizing his ambitions.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he caught a glimpse of the vault's location nestled within the fragmented data. "Yes! There it is!" he exclaimed, heart pounding with excitement. He began documenting everything meticulously, ensuring that he would have the information he needed to approach Kado, Davik, and Mira once the time was right.
Before he could lose himself in the details again, the sound of footsteps broke through his concentration. Mira walked into the shop, her expression a mix of curiosity and determination. "How's it going? Have you found anything useful?"
Jake looked up, a grin spreading across his face. "I think I've stumbled upon something big. There's a reference to an Old Republic vault, and I'm getting the coordinates now. If we can access it, we might find tech that can help us leap ahead."
Mira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's impressive. Do you think it's safe? You know how Gardulla operates."
He nodded, the weight of her caution sinking in. "I know. But if we're careful, this could change everything for us. We'll need to plan it out meticulously and keep it under wraps for now."
"Agreed," she said, her demeanor cool but her eyes bright with interest. "The less Gardulla knows, the better."
As they continued discussing the implications of the vault, Jake couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. They needed to make their move before Gardulla's plans shifted, and he was determined to ensure that they were the ones to uncover whatever secrets the Old Republic had left behind.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Kado and Davik walked through the winding alleys of Mos Espa's industrial district, a bustling part of town where vendors peddled spare parts, modified speeders, and old droids to anyone with credits. They were heading toward a potential buyer who had expressed interest in the intact salvage from the wreckage they'd recovered. While Kado led the way, Davik kept a cautious eye on their surroundings, his posture relaxed but alert, always ready to respond to any threat.
As they walked, Davik leaned in close, speaking just loud enough for Kado to hear. "You're really giving all that scrap to Jake? No offense, but that's more generous than usual. You've usually just paid us our cut in credits and kept a portion of the scrap for yourself."
Kado chuckled, a knowing glint in his eye. "Normally, yes, that's true. But Jake is… different." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "When he made those gauntlets, did you see the speed and precision? Crude compared to Mandalorian craftsmanship, sure, but the kid did it in under an hour—and it worked perfectly. And he didn't stop there. One of them even has a wrist-mounted blaster. Not just anyone can pull that off, especially with the kind of materials we're able to scrounge up."
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Davik nodded, listening carefully. "It's impressive, no doubt," he said, his voice reflective. "I don't think I've seen anyone make gear that fast and have it hold up in a fight."
Kado's gaze shifted to a vendor stall nearby before he continued, his tone thoughtful. "That's why I'm planning to go further than just scrap. I've got a few old droids lying around that I was considering breaking down. I think Jake could fix them up and make them into something useful, maybe even give us an edge out here. And more than that, I want those droids to be his. Let him decide what to do with them, whether it's rebuilding, reprogramming, or whatever else he might have in mind."
Davik was quiet for a long moment, deep in thought as he considered Kado's words. The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the hum of passing speeders and the occasional murmur of passing traders. Finally, he gave a small nod, his voice contemplative. "You might be right about that. Kid's a good mechanic, no question. Seems like a smart investment if he's got the skill to back it up."
Kado's face broke into a smile. "That's the idea. He's young, but he's got potential. If we give him the resources, he could make something out of it—for all of us."
Davik chuckled, nodding as he glanced back at the people in the street, always vigilant. "Well, let's just hope he doesn't blow us all up with one of his experiments."
The two shared a laugh, though Davik's words held a hint of truth. As they neared the shop of one of the more reputable buyers in town, the gravity of their decision settled between them. They were placing their trust—and resources—in a young, talented mechanic who just might become the key to their survival and success in a galaxy that showed no mercy.
Kado straightened his coat, glancing at Davik with a wry smile. "Let's sell this salvage and keep our plans to ourselves for now. Jake's got work to do, and so do we."
With a nod of agreement, Davik stepped forward, his demeanor shifting to that of a protective guard as they entered the buyer's shop, the clinking of credits and the hum of bargaining about to begin.
----------------------------------------
Back at the workbench, Jake leaned over the Old Republic-era relic, his gaze focused and intense as the scanner's soft glow revealed another fragment of data. A new file appeared, partially decrypted, showing schematics for a handheld energy shield. Though most of the data was garbled and corrupted, enough of it remained intact to give Jake a clear idea of what he was looking at. His mind raced as he mentally pieced together the surviving details.
The concept of the shield sparked an instant memory for Jake, taking him back to a game he used to play back on his homeworld—Halo. He recalled the "chicken-looking" alien enemies with wrist-mounted shields, a defense that could block almost any small-arms fire. His eyes widened as he imagined the application: a small, wearable shield that could deflect blaster bolts and, if strong enough, even withstand heavier hits for brief moments.
As more of the schematic became visible, Jake found himself sketching out his own version, his hands moving almost automatically as he jotted down quick notes and design tweaks on a nearby datapad. He realized he could adapt the Old Republic blueprint to create a functional shield. His version would need to be simpler, of course, given the materials on hand, but the basics were there. With some modifications, he could make enough for the whole crew, providing them a much-needed edge in a fight.
Jake's mind spun with excitement as he reviewed the available scrap materials. It wouldn't be elegant, but he could make this work. His mouth twisted into a broad grin as the possibilities came into view. He let out a soft laugh, completely absorbed in his work, only to realize a moment later that his laugh had come out more like a cackle, echoing slightly in the empty room.
He quickly shook it off, casting a self-conscious glance around the shop even though no one was there to hear it. Still, he couldn't help but smile. The thought of his crew—Mira, Davik, and even Kado—each with their own energy shield, struck him with a surge of satisfaction. It wasn't just about creating tech for himself anymore; he was building something to protect his newfound team.
He looked back at the relic, the weight of its history almost palpable. This wasn't just tech; it was something with a legacy, and he was about to make it his own. With newfound determination, he leaned in, hands steady, already reaching for the components he'd need to bring his vision to life.
----------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
57 Chapters are available on my patreon
you can support me and become a patron
P A T R E O N . C O M / TofferPlays
(but only if you want to, okay?)
This fanfic is also on:
SpaceBattles
SufficientVelocity
RoyalRoad
ArchiveOfOurOwn