> 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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The town’s dust-blown silhouette came into view over the horizon, its familiar jumble of domed roofs and tents a stark contrast to the endless dunes. We’d managed to make it back without any more interruptions, and everyone was visibly relieved to return in one piece with what we’d salvaged. As we rolled to a stop near Kado’s shop, Davik and Mira jumped off first, immediately securing the area and unloading the more valuable scraps. I took a moment to detach my gauntlets, which I’d been using to stabilize a few fragile components on the drive back.
Kado was already calculating the day’s earnings in his head as he surveyed the haul. He looked over at me and nodded approvingly at the pile of tech I’d managed to reassemble from the wreck. "Not bad for a day’s work," he grunted. “Could’ve been worse with those other scavengers out there. Guess it’s good you’re not like the usual ‘extra hands’ we hire.”
I returned the nod, grateful for the implicit compliment. “Glad I could help,” I replied. And glad I didn’t have to renegotiate out in the middle of the dunes, I thought.
As the others settled into the familiar rhythms of unloading and storing the day’s finds, I watched the bustle and made mental notes for myself. The Core Worlds felt like a distant dream, but this was the first real foothold I’d had. If I wanted to eventually get back—or at least understand what happened to bring me here—every step had to count. Resources, allies, and a reputation I could rely on all mattered.
Then Kado, wiping his hands, ambled over to me and crossed his arms. "Since you’re already thinkin’ about the Core, let me tell you: if you’re serious, you’re gonna need more than scraps to get there. You’ll need to get noticed, maybe by someone who can offer a favor or a ship.”
I mulled it over. "Guess I’ll need more steady work," I said, glancing at the shop. "If we keep doing jobs like today’s, it should add up."
He looked at me thoughtfully, then tilted his head toward the back of the shop. "Tell you what. You’re welcome to stick around, help out, and learn the trade. But if you want to get noticed? That means takin’ on jobs outside the safe spots.”
“Outside?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “As in... the parts of Tatooine where getting mugged or caught by slavers is a given?”
He chuckled darkly. “Exactly. But, hey, you've got those fancy gauntlets and a decent head on your shoulders. Besides, Davik and Mira wouldn’t mind having someone else watch their backs.” He paused, his eyes narrowing with amusement. “Think about it. Could be worth the risk.”
I gave him a small nod, my fingers brushing the scanner on my left gauntlet. "I’ll think on it, Kado." I knew he was right; safe jobs wouldn’t get me where I needed to go. To stand out on this world, I’d need to be both capable and willing to venture into places most avoided.
As the sun dipped lower, painting the shop in long shadows, I clenched my fists, feeling the reassuring weight of the gauntlets. This was just the beginning.
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As the sun set and shadows stretched across Kado's shop, I leaned against a wall, weighing my next steps. Tatooine’s dusty towns and treacherous outskirts weren’t exactly prime territory for anyone hoping to keep a low profile, but blending in was no longer an option. To find a way to the Core, I'd need to build enough credibility that someone with influence would take notice. And that meant stepping up the game.
Kado, reading the pensive look on my face, cracked a small grin. "You’re mulling it over, aren’t ya?" He crossed his arms, leaning beside me. “Davik mentioned that you were eyeing the weapons back there. Looked more curious than cautious, and that’s the right mindset if you’re gonna survive out here."
"Old habits die hard," I replied with a shrug. "When you’ve been around tech long enough, it’s hard to resist poking around.”
"Good," he said, approvingly. "You’re going to need that curiosity if you want to do more than get by.” He tilted his head toward the storage room, where Mira and Davik were still unpacking. “Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll set you up with a few more salvage runs, but some of them are bound to take us into rougher territory. If you make it through those… well, there’s a chance we’ll hit the big-time salvage sites.”
I considered his offer. Sure, it was risky, but at least it meant moving forward. "I’m in," I said firmly, tapping one of the gauntlets. "I’ll keep these up to the task."
"Good to hear,” Kado nodded, satisfaction clear in his expression. "And as far as those gauntlets go—scanners, blasters, and tools are handy, but you might want to make ‘em tougher if we’re heading out beyond the town’s reach.”
His words gave me an idea. I’d noticed a few extra parts on today’s haul that might improve the gauntlets, maybe even add a bit of reinforcement to handle the rougher environments. If I was going to be reliable in the field, I couldn’t afford to have these makeshift tools breaking down at a critical moment.
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Kado clapped me on the shoulder. "Get some rest tonight. We head out first thing tomorrow. And keep those ears open around the town; sometimes, the best intel comes from the people passing through here. Not every visitor is a scrapper.”
With that, he wandered off to join Mira and Davik, leaving me to my thoughts and a quiet determination. This job might just be another step, but it felt like the first one that could actually lead somewhere.
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As I leaned against the wall, the gears in my mind began to turn, and I remembered the conversation we’d just had about the Hutt. Curiosity tugged at me. “Hey, Kado,” I called out, catching him before he rejoined Davik and Mira. “Who’s the Hutt currently in charge around here?”
Kado paused, glancing back at me with a raised eyebrow. “You’re not familiar with Gardulla, are you?”
I shook my head. “Nope, just arrived here, remember?”
Kado let out a low chuckle. “Well, Gardulla’s a small-time player compared to Jabba, but she’s got a reputation for being ruthless. She’s not to be underestimated. You’ve got to watch your back when you’re dealing with her—she’s been known to flip a switch on her associates if they don’t bring in what she wants.”
I absorbed that information, my heart racing a bit at the thought of having to navigate dealings with someone like Gardulla. “Thanks for the heads-up,” I replied, the implications of this job settling deeper into my mind. Working for a Hutt like her could mean finding myself tangled in a web of danger I wasn’t prepared for.
As Kado returned to his tasks, I let my mind wander to the gauntlets I had on. I was proud of my initial work, but if I was heading into rough territory, I needed to be better prepared. I’d already seen how useful the tools and gadgets could be; I could enhance the gauntlets to withstand more stress and potentially add features to help me out in the field.
What if I could incorporate a few other gadgets? Maybe a retractable grappling hook for climbing, or a small deployable shield for quick protection. The possibilities were tantalizing, and the more I thought about it, the more eager I became.
With Gardulla in the picture and the stakes climbing higher, I had to stay ahead of the game. If I could develop new tools and technologies that were more suited for a scavenger’s life on Tatooine, I’d be more than just another “extra hand.” I’d become an asset, someone people would remember.
“I’ll make those upgrades,” I muttered to myself, determination fueling my thoughts. “This is just the start.”
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That night, as the familiar sounds of the shop faded into the background, I found myself in my makeshift quarters, surrounded by my crude tools and the parts I had salvaged. The glow from a small lamp illuminated the gauntlets resting on my desk, reminding me of the tasks I had ahead. I sat down and started sketching out ideas for upgrades, my mind racing with possibilities.
As I worked, random blueprints began to surface in my mind, reminding me of the high-tech gadgets I had seen in the Avengers movies. Images of sleek suits with advanced capabilities and intricate technology flickered in my thoughts. I couldn't help but envision my gauntlets evolving into something more than just makeshift tools. Maybe I could incorporate elements inspired by Iron Man's suit—something that enhanced not just my combat abilities but also my utility.
I’d need a stronger frame for the gauntlets, something that could withstand the rough handling expected in the field. I envisioned reinforced plating—light but durable. Perhaps even integrating some circuitry for additional functions, like sensors that could detect heat signatures or environmental hazards. Just like Tony Stark had done, I wanted to create something that would make me feel more powerful in this unforgiving world.
“Maybe a stealth feature?” I murmured aloud, considering how beneficial it could be to approach salvage sites without drawing attention. A mode that dampened sound or emitted a cloaking field would be invaluable. It was ambitious, sure, but ambition had its place in the galaxy.
I leaned back in my chair, a mixture of excitement and anxiety swirling within me. With each sketch, I felt a growing sense of purpose. If I wanted to make my mark in this unforgiving world, I needed to take calculated risks—and that included making sure I was equipped for whatever Gardulla threw my way.
Before I knew it, the sun was rising outside, casting long shadows across the shop. I had spent the entire night brainstorming and drafting plans, and exhaustion tugged at my eyelids. I stood, stretching out my arms and looking at the gauntlets one last time.
“Time to get to work,” I said, feeling the weight of the gauntlets on my arms. I couldn’t just be reactive—I had to be proactive. The day ahead held potential, especially with the Hutt job looming. If I could impress Kado and prove my worth, maybe I’d even earn the respect of those around me.
As I made my way back to the main part of the shop, the familiar sounds of Davik and Mira filled the air. They were already preparing for the day, sorting through equipment and discussing strategies for our next job. I joined them, ready to share my ideas and find out what today would bring.
“Morning, Jake!” Mira called out cheerfully as she wiped her hands on a cloth. “You look like you’ve been up all night. Got a new plan or just enjoying the sights of Tatooine?”
I smirked, rubbing the back of my neck. “A bit of both. Let’s just say I’ve been thinking about some upgrades.”
Davik looked intrigued, leaning against the workbench. “Upgrades, huh? What are you thinking?”
I hesitated for a moment, then decided to share my vision. “I’m working on making my gauntlets more versatile—maybe add some tools for climbing or stealth. If we’re going to take on Gardulla, I want to be prepared.”
Mira nodded, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. “That sounds smart. With Gardulla in play, you can’t be too careful. We should all be ready for anything.”
“Exactly,” I replied. “And if I can pull this off, it could be a game-changer for us.”
“Just remember,” Davik chimed in, “we can’t afford to underestimate anyone out here. Hutts can be unpredictable, and Gardulla is no exception. You get too confident, and it could backfire.”
I took his words to heart. “Understood. I’ll be careful. But I’d like to be more than just careful—I want to make an impact.”
With that, I turned back to my workstation, feeling a renewed sense of determination. The gauntlets were just the beginning of my plans. Whatever lay ahead, I was ready to face it head-on.
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