> 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.
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Davik gave a nod in acknowledgment, his expression remaining unreadable, while Mira just crossed her arms and gave me a once-over before giving a small nod.
“So, Jake,” Kado said, drawing my attention back. “First thing you’ll need to understand about working out here is that we don’t exactly stick to standard schedules. We leave as soon as we catch word of something worth salvaging, sometimes at a moment’s notice. If you’re in, you’re all in.”
“Understood,” I replied, meeting his gaze firmly.
Davik chimed in, “The salvage site Mira mentioned is fresh, but it’s in Tusken territory. It won’t be a simple in-and-out job.”
The thought of dealing with Tuskens gave me pause, but I nodded. “I’ll do what I can. Guess this will be my real initiation into Tatooine life, huh?”
Mira smirked. “Guess so, Core-boy. Just don’t get in the way, or you’ll end up with more than sand in your face.”
Kado looked at Mira and Davik. “Jake’s got skills with machines, so keep him close to the droids if things go south.”
Davik gave me a slight nod, acknowledging the plan. “We leave at dawn. Get some rest; you’ll need it.”
As we wrapped up, Kado gave me a final nod, his expression a blend of approval and curiosity. “Welcome to the team, Jake.”
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I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension wash over me as I turned to leave the shop. I had come to Tatooine without a clue about what I’d find, and now I was about to join a salvage team? My mind raced with the possibilities, but there was no denying the underlying tension that came with the territory.
As I stepped outside, the twin suns were beginning to set, casting long shadows across the dusty ground. The air was still hot, but a slight breeze picked up, offering a brief respite from the heat. I took a moment to breathe it all in, feeling the weight of my situation settle over me like a thick blanket.
What have I gotten myself into?
A part of me was thrilled at the idea of being part of something. I had spent too long cooped up in front of screens, dreaming of adventure. Now, I was living it—even if it was in the most chaotic way imaginable.
I made my way back to the small quarters I had claimed in Kado's shop, my mind racing with thoughts about what the salvage job might entail. Would I be able to prove my worth? Would I even survive the encounter with the Tuskens?
As I prepared for bed, I caught a glimpse of myself in the small mirror. The clothing Kado had helped me pick out was far more suitable for the environment—loose, light fabric that would protect me from the sun and sand. At least I look the part, I thought, even if I felt anything but ready for what lay ahead.
I need a plan, I realized. I couldn’t just go into this job blindly. I needed to think about how to handle any situation that might arise, especially with Tuskens in the mix. They were known for being unpredictable, and I couldn't afford to let my guard down.
With those thoughts swirling in my mind, I finally settled into bed, letting the exhaustion of the day wash over me. As sleep started to creep in, I couldn’t help but wonder what awaited me in the morning. Would I find the answers I was looking for? Or would I end up in deeper trouble than I could imagine?
Dawn broke with a brilliant orange hue, the first rays of sunlight piercing through the small window. I quickly shook off sleep and dressed, the excitement of the upcoming day fueling my energy.
When I made my way back to the shop, Kado was already there, packing supplies into a battered old speeder.
“Good to see you up early, Jake!” he called, looking up with a grin. “Ready for your first salvage job?”
I nodded, trying to keep my nerves in check. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Let’s go then!” Kado said. Before we left, I remembered to ask, “Do you have any tools I can bring?”
Kado raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “You want tools?”
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“Yeah, you know, just in case I need to make repairs or modifications,” I replied.
“Good thinking. I’ll grab some essentials,” he said, moving toward the back of the shop. I felt a little more at ease knowing I’d have some equipment on hand.
Davik and Mira arrived shortly after, both looking serious but prepared. It struck me that I was the only newcomer here, and developing camaraderie would take time. But for now, I focused on the task at hand.
As we sped off into the vast desert, the landscape was a mix of rugged terrain and rolling sand dunes, the occasional rock formation jutting out like forgotten relics of a time long past. The thrill of adventure tingled at the back of my mind. This is it. No turning back now.
“Keep your eyes peeled,” Mira said, breaking the silence. “You never know when Tuskens might decide to show up.”
I nodded, scanning the horizon. This is it, I thought, the beginning of my journey in a galaxy far, far away.
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The speeder ride had been mostly quiet, with Mira scanning the horizon and Davik checking his blaster as we rode. Kado drove with one hand on the wheel, his eyes narrowed as he navigated the rough desert terrain. I’d been trying to shake off my nerves, focusing instead on the dry landscape and the thrill of finally being out in the field. This was the real thing—dust, grit, and the endless sand dunes stretching out as far as the eye could see.
Maybe this won’t be so bad, I thought. Just a quick salvage run and back to the shop.
But just as that hopeful thought crossed my mind, a shout from Mira broke through the silence. “Incoming! We’ve got company!”
Before I could fully process what she said, a hail of blaster fire erupted around us. The sound was deafening, bolts of red and green flashing in the sun-drenched air as a group of rough-looking attackers materialized over the dunes, weapons drawn.
“Behind cover, now!” Kado barked, yanking the speeder to a halt behind a small rise in the sand.
Instinctively, I scrambled out of the speeder, diving behind a nearby rock as blaster bolts whizzed past, the hiss and sizzle of them filling the air. Mira was already down low, her blaster at the ready as she scanned for a good vantage point. She pointed two fingers at her eyes and then toward a ridge just ahead, signaling to Davik.
I barely caught the nod that passed between them before Davik sprang into action. He moved with a practiced grace that left me staring—ducking and weaving as he advanced toward our attackers with fluid precision. His blaster was steady, firing in quick, measured bursts that struck with deadly accuracy. It was like watching a professional in action, each shot hitting true and driving our ambushers back.
I blinked, momentarily stunned by how effectively he was holding them off. Then I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, pulling me down just as a bolt scorched past where my head had been.
“Stay down, Jake!” Kado hissed, his face set in a grim expression as he shoved me back behind cover. “This isn’t the time to get curious!”
“Right, right,” I muttered, trying to keep my head down, but my eyes kept wandering back to the chaos unfolding in front of me.
Mira was a blur of motion, darting from rock to rock with an ease that spoke to her scouting skills. She disappeared behind a boulder, popping out only long enough to fire off a precise shot before melting back into the shadows. Even with the heat, her movements were smooth, calculated, as if she were used to slipping through the desert without being seen.
Despite the danger, I couldn’t help but notice the attackers’ gear. Their blasters looked worn and hastily modified—nothing like the pristine weapons I’d seen back home. And the noise they made was so different from what I’d expected, each shot seeming to crackle and spark, the kind of tech you could only imagine being built in this part of the galaxy.
Focus, Jake! I scolded myself, even as another part of me couldn’t stop analyzing their weapons. Is that a custom mod on that blaster’s cooling unit? How did they rig that with so little tech?
A blaster bolt struck the rock beside me, snapping me back to reality. I ducked, my heart pounding in my chest as I pressed myself flatter against the sand.
“Jake!” Kado shouted, his voice almost lost in the cacophony. “Stay behind cover! Don’t be a hero!”
“Got it!” I yelled back, but I couldn’t help sneaking another glance at Davik, who was still in his element, methodically picking off the attackers with unwavering focus. Mira’s shots rang out with deadly precision, forcing our ambushers to split their attention.
Meanwhile, Kado was beside me, shooting me a look that said he was seriously doubting my survival instincts. He muttered something about “Core worlders not knowing better,” and for once, I couldn’t argue with him.
But the thing was, as terrifying as it was, I couldn’t shake the amazement either. The sights, the sounds—this was all happening right in front of me, blasters and all. This was the kind of adventure I’d dreamed about back home, but it felt like I was missing half of it by staying crouched behind this rock.
When the last blaster bolt fizzled into silence, Davik gave a quick hand signal to Mira, who responded with a nod, her gaze sweeping the ridges one last time to confirm we were clear. She emerged from her cover, her expression still sharp as she kept her blaster close. Kado finally exhaled, turning to me with a raised eyebrow.
“Well,” he said, eyeing me with a mix of exasperation and amusement. “You’re still in one piece.”
“Barely,” I mumbled, getting up and dusting the sand off my clothes. My heart was still racing, but there was a strange exhilaration mixed in with the fear.
Davik walked over, his blaster still held casually at his side, his stance relaxed. “You alright, Jake?” he asked, giving me a once-over.
“Yeah, just… need to work on the whole ‘staying behind cover’ thing,” I replied, a little sheepishly.
He smirked. “Good idea.”
As we regrouped by the speeder, Mira shot me a glance, the ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. “Not bad for your first firefight, Core boy. But maybe listen to Kado next time, hmm?”
I chuckled, my cheeks heating as I nodded. “Got it. Lesson learned.”
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