Roots

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]


Trextan might catch the distinct half snort that came from the Rogue. It was one of amusement. He was asking so many questions, it reminded her of a child. Glancing back at the sandcrawler, Choli once again went mulling over the time, the distance, and if they could spare it.

While the brunette wouldn’t be able to see the excitement upon Trextan’s face, she could hear it in the modulated tone of his voice.

[ Might be fifteen minutes… twenty away? ] distance could fool anyone in the desert easily, especially during the daytime. What may seem to be within a few klicks was actually farther than expected. It was a mirage that could cause a distracted individual to find their end here.

[They can hold an entire Jawa Clan…maybe up to fifteen hundred droids?] the Sandcrawlers varied in size, but they generally kept to a height of twenty meters and a length of forty. This particular one was on the larger end of the spectrum, and were they to angle over towards it direction, it’s massive size would become distinctive as they neared.

Catching sight of the bright light that signaled a desire for trade, Choli continued her list of mental pros and cons.

[They want to trade.] she told him, indicating towards the bright light up by the control room. [ That’s how they communicate to indicate to any passersby… they can be few and far between here. ] if Trextan recalled what Choli mentioned about comm systems and how the ore deposits here prevented communication, it would make more sense why an alternative means of signaling trade would become necessary.

[ Think you can keep you arm hidden away? ] even with the metallic drone of her voice, her faint tease went floating over towards the Jedi.

Deciding that they could spare the time, and since Trextan was obviously already excited over the proposition of getting a closer look at the Sandcrawler, the Rogue adjusted her course, the speeder diverting east towards the distant mobile Jawa colony.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

So they'd been seen then. The crawler was actually close to the horizon then or just beyond. That meant it was on the largest end of the range of size he could guess from what he could see. That was big. Very big. Of course with the dust trail behind them and the height of that crawler they would have been seen.

“I can keep it covered,” Trextan said with a touch of excitement. “Not sure we can hide R4 though. We haven't really got anything to trade.” Every was more of a shout to make sure he was heard over the engine. He wondered how they were supposed to regulate their drinking. In the cool - or relatively cool - pre-morning air and after downing a good drink before leaving he wasn't thirsty at all. Having seen the extent of the desert they were crossing it was still on his mind.

Despite her description he still hadn't expected the jawas to be crossing the desert in something the size of a frigate. The comparison brought another question to mind.

“Is that thing armed?” he asked.

[Your silly Jedi has a point for once.] R4 added, the tone of his whistle betrayed how nervous the droid was at the prospect of an entire clan of jawas. A few had been enough trouble at Espa.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt][ We can always toss my scarf over Arr-Four to cover him a bit. ] if anything the Jawas had a tendency to follow a routine when it came to trying to trade off their wares. With so many Jawas living in a sandcrawler, it didn’t exactly have the best aroma after several hours of baking under the hot suns. Which is why when potential customers were seen, they would always line up their droids and wares in a straight line in front of their Sandcrawler to make those deals. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ I’ll park with arr four facing away from them. ] a pause and then she tossed a look back at the droid. [ As long as you stay quiet instead of trying to attract attention!][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]An indignant parp! Flew back at the Rogue, but the Pebbledrone was still a bit anxious. It would be an entire clan of Jawas. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][They can.] Choli finally answered Trextan’s earlier inquiry. The closer they drove over the dunes towards the Sandcrawler, the more the behemoth seemed to turn into a lumbering tower in the middle of the Wastes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Although the durasteel and armor of those Sandcrawlers can withstand a Tusken Raider raid or any of the wild creatures they stumble across. ][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Unless they were faced with advanced technology like that of the Galactic Empire. Armor piercing rounds could shred a Sandcrawler within minutes, the Jawas standing little chance against such a barrage. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]With a knowing expression that was hidden away from under her mask and goggles, Choli added wryly, [ Trust me, there is [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]always[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] something the Jawa Clans are willing to trade for. Last time I managed to get an isotope -5 powercoil in exchange for a First Order stormtrooper chest piece. Apparently, the Jawa had a thing for pretending to be one. ][/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

It was like a jutting knife. As it came towards them from behind a dune it stabbed up towards the sky. The first rays of morning light caught it's outline, bringing it into clarity. It crested the wave like a great ship and started to come down the other side. Trextan could see the windows of the control room, shapes moving inside it. The crawler turned away from them as it came back down, revealing its full shape.

“Huh.”

Choli angled the bike to draw them alongside the crawler as it came to a halt. R4 was kept away from the jawas. A few jawas were a nuisance, an entire clan of them was potentially a genuine threat. Isotope 5 was incredibly rare and expensive. Stormtrooper armour was not. Not these days anyway.

He shook off the wonder at the dune ship, sliding off the back of the bike. Trextan pulled his goggles up onto his forehead, but left his mask on. R4 was covered up and this time he didn't even protest.

For the first time in a little while he had no physical contact with Choli. That felt a little strange and almost as a way of re-establishing that he gave her a nudge with one elbow.

“Guess what's valuable and not isn't the same out here then.” The doors started to come down, the excited language of the jawas coming out to meet them before the door but the sand. “I guess I'll er...stand back here and let you talk then.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt][ Value is dependent on the eye of the beholder ] while quietly said, the phrase carried weight. It was valid for more than material objects. The worth of one may be worthless to another. Leveraging that desire meant that just about everything was up for trade for the right price. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli brought the speeder to a slow halt, cutting back on the throttle and then kicking the small footstand to hold up the speeder’s weight. Up ahead, the massive red tinted ramp at the front of the sandcrawler gave a low creak, the hydraulic systems lowering it for the Jawas to skitter down with their wares. It gave a low thud as it sank into the sand, and almost immediately more than a two dozen, wide, yellow goggles could be seen peering down at them, tiny brown robed bodies moving and skittering around in a chaotic commotion to bring their wares. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Honestly, for anyone unfamiliar with the sight, it could very well be overwhelming. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“M'um m’aloo!” The greeting was directed at the pair by a short, pudgy, Jawa. Likely the one in charge of setting up any trades. Behind them, the chaotic sounds of metal crates shifting and droids being pushed out for display in front of their sandcrawler was nearly defining. Along with their over excited enthusiasm at a potential sale, it was an amazing sight to see just how many Jawas were working in chaotic but organized tune. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Ikee ya Boobi,” he introduced himself as Boobi, shuffling down the ramp over to Choli and Trextan. Behind him, the several Jawa gave little grunts as they set their wares down. First would be the droids. Then the smaller trinkets. All eager to make a good trade. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Utto nye usabia atoonyoba? Keeza? Opakwa?” The first of many inquires, if she wanted to buy a used droid. It was a bit amusing. The rest was the offering of weapons or spare parts. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ M'um m’aloo,] Choli replied, crossing the distance to meet the pudgy Boobi. [ Etee uwanna waa,] a gloved hand gestured to the line up. [Shumeneez et Bom’loo]. Effectively asking them to show their best bargains. She neither clarified what they were looking for, but allowing the Jawas to flutter about to try their best at wowing the potential customer. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It might have sound strange to hear Choli speak in Jawa Trade language. She had earlier in the marketplace but this time it was with the voice modulated. It gave her a presence, one that suggested she, or he, should not be trifled with. Even her posture has changed, her stance a bit more commanding as she spoke to the Jawa Trader. What Trextan didn't know is that the Jawa were constantly vetting to see if they could get away with more credits or the better end of a deal. For some, it was easy to pull the wool over patrons. For others, not so much. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Trextan might not be able to understand, but a quick learner that he was, he might pick up a few things if he focused. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan kept a few metres behind choli and off to one side. When he'd worked with the Justicars on law enforcement at first his main job had just been to use the Force to scan for ill intent. The advice he had been given then was to look as if you were paying attention but to stay quiet. Hard to reveal your inexperience if you're not in a place to talk. The jawas understood basic. He had seen them talking to a market stall owner in Espa and the human had used it. What he didn't know was if he would undermine Choli's bargaining by speaking it now.

He tooled his right thumb into a loop of fabric. Better that way to avoid unconsciously revealing it and ending up with an entire clan trying to hang off it. Fortunately the mask covered the private smile at the mental image.

It was odd how he could sense the excitement coming off the jawas but nothing from Choli. She wasn't an emotionless creature. He knew that first hand. Funny how the excitement of the jawas had a similar feel to the squib before the bartering began. They didn't even know what was on offer in return. Trextan couldn't quite understand it, not yet. He could get excited about a purchase but only because he was buying a certain thing he wanted. The actual act of handing over credits was just a .. thing.

As more goods were brought out he took a step forwards and looked to Choli. He wasn't sure if he should stay passive through this or not. Nor was he certain he could inspect goods properly with just his left hand.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

A glance over at Trextan’s direction revealed that while he was interested, he wasn’t sure exactly how to go about a trade. Had he really never been exposed to a trading booth before? Skor surely? Or somewhere else where he’d been deployed. It seemed rather curious that he just wasn’t prepared to interact. What the Rogue didin’t know is that Trextan has about as much experience with dealing with Jawa peddlers as he did with what lay under Choli’s robes. It was more of a see what you want and simply paid a flat price.


Thankfully, it wasn’t too complicated. The lead Jawa quickly ushered them both to follow along to the neat little row of gear that the other Jawas had already set up. There were various droids of every imaginable size; even a moderately sized droidiska, painstakingly refurbished. A few astromechs, some Imperial and Confederate paraphernalia. There were also small trinkets of bone and organic material. Some ‘acquired’ water moisture farming equipment, and what appeared to be a few robes and other desert gear.

“ Docha bom’loo,” the Jawa insisted on his great bargains, “Nyeta ko loopo.” nothing was broken, everything repaired well. A nod and jut of Choli’s head indicated for Trextan to go on and have a gander. Might as well play the part while he took a closer look.

[ Para ratapas? ] Choli was curious if they had any knives. Would be placed to good use out here.

“Ibana!” the Jawa said with glee, waddling over towards a shorter, squat brown robed jawa who appeared to be wearing a secondary robe.. As the pair neared, it became clear why. The Jawa flashed his robe open, revealing the many knives, weapons, and small armory he seemed to have hanging off the inside of his robe.

“Utinni ratapa! Nyeta ysas! ” he cried, claiming that there were no other equals.

Well that’s what they always would say.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“Oh look. He’s actually got a coat full of knives,” Trextan observed. He had been a moment from asking if any of them had a robe full of fake gold watches. That probably wouldn’t have been a good idea. There were an awful lot of jawas and he had no real idea on how they would react to sarcasm.

Trextan didn’t have a knife. He wondered if he should. Out here at night the lightsaber would make enough light that it would be visible for kilometers so it didn’t make the most practical cutting tool. The droideka unnerved him slightly. One the the jawas noticed his interest and pointed a small device at its restraining bolt. The spherical shield snapped into place and the jawa made a noise that Trextan approximated to someone saying “ta-da.”

“Wasn’t actually planning on laying siege to any cities, but that is impressive,” Trextan said. He could almost feel Choli being amused by him interacting with the little desert traders. The jawas weren’t in the least bit deterred by this. They had some kind of droid on wheels with multiple arms. Perhaps it was a repair droid or moisture gatherer.

Trextan was going to make for the table of smaller items when something caught his eye. It was small, around the size of a large dinner plate. It was a few inches thick in the middle, but tapered toward the edges. At the front was a multispectral sensor and at the back were a pair of tailfins. It must have been a security drone or scout. Trextan had used similar in urban combat with the Scarred but those had been much smaller. It looked as if it had seen better days with several dings in its outer casing but the sensor looked fine. Someone had given it a new sky blue to grey coat of paint.

“Does this work?” he asked.

[Quite well. Thank you.] it replied. [V3-2C, 4th imperial stormtrooper battalion and previously 8th Clone Commando Regiment]

The little droid rose up from the floor. Tail flaps twisted to align it to Trextan. That seemed a little old fashioned. The modern ones just had micro-repulsors along the chassis.

“Which empire was that?” Trextan asked.

[The Empire boy.]

Trextan thought on that. Clone commandos? This droid was an antique from the galactic civil war. “You’re a thousand years old?” Trextan asked.

[Eight hundred and fifty. Rounding down. Thank you.] it snapped.

“Can you transmit over tactical waveforms?”

[Software defined. I can broadcast wide or direct my signal for covert operations. That’s how we took the bridge of…]

One of the jawas waved emphatically at V3-2C as if to suggest it was time for selling, not stories. What was going through Trextan’s mind was that scout could put Choli at less risk when she decided to head off without him. Or at least give Trextan eyes on the terrain.

“Choli?” he asked, pointing towards the droid with his left hand. The right stayed firmly out of sight. He still had local credit chits in his bag, but didn’t want to go negotiation without someone who spoke the language.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

Coming alongside Trextan, the Rogue gave a slow dip of her head. It is hard to discern just what exactly was going through the woman’s mind; which is exactly how Choli wanted it. Cold indifference was the best method of being able to haggle a good bargain. Show too much interest, and the Jawa peddler wouldn’t be quick to whittle down to a lower price. An object’s worth was in the eye of the beholder.

Boobi’s wide goggles swung from Trextan to Choli and back again. Perhaps this was a guide? It made sense.

[ Ita dooka? ] a nonchalant gesture was directed towards the droid, her brown glove almost dismissing it. Boobi took offense, jabbering five parsecs a second countering, “ Da nyeta dooka!” he gave a small shake of his fist, exclaiming that it was not junk.

“Thia et tando! Uban Umpee! “ he gave a shove to the Jawa nearest Trextan so that he could show off the droid some more.

“Lo’ eflit. Abi skot hunya et bok!” Booki would emphasize that it is quality made. That it isn’t broken, but that it was found in excellent shape.

“Yukuso kenza kenna!--” Let’s make a deal, with all the posh of a speeder salesman, aware of the interest Trextan was showing at the droid. However, Booki was cut off by V3-2C’s uneven angry tone.

[ I am not junk! I am V3-2C of the 4th imperial stormtrooper battalion and previously 8th Clone Commando Regiment.]

What surprise Choli expressed was thankfully hidden behind her breathing mask and the goggles. So it understood the Jawa Trade language? Interesting.

[ Dat kebee’oto. Ut ko lopo hat nyeta okka?] a counter to suggest that it was old. Who was to say if it wouldn’t break after purchase. What guarantee did they have?

With a dip of his head, Booki considered this, “ Go mob un loo?” alright, the first offer was made. How much would they pay for it?

This was the tricky part, discovering if there was anything that the Jawa would see fit to trade. Choli’s head turned towards Trextan. For his sake, she spoke in Basic.

[ Are you sure you want this scrap? ] her tone was rather flat, but she could only hope that Trextan was able to understand that nothing was ever what it seemed when bartering with a Jawa.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan could feel the droid bristling at her comment again. It was an old war dog. Bowed, but not broken. Proud. It didn’t deserve to be piled up with the scrap, but the that could be said of almost any aging droid. Or human for that matter. Everything reached the end of the line at some point and it was rarely dignified. Trextan decided that he should focus on the matter at hand instead of thinking macabre thoughts. This seemed to be a game of showing disinterest to see if the jawas would provide a lower price.

He reached into his robes and scratched an itch that hand been forming under the layers. He leaned back and looked away from the droid. “I don’t know…” he trailed off nonchalantly. “...can you prove its radios work?”

There was some rapid gesticulating between the jawas. One of them hustled over towards a box. The lid was thrown over and several items tossed over the shoulder unceremoniously. The jawa returned with a hefty looking datapad. It was plastic and tough around the edges. Milspec, Trextan had seen a similar model used. The jawa pulled an aerial out of the tablet and shouted to the other jawa. That one then did something to V3’s restraining bolt and waved it away.

V3 rose up high over the sandcrawler until it was difficult to pick out. The jawa slapped the side of the datapad a couple of times and a picture appeared showing the sandcrawler from above. It switched between several different modes of display.

“I dunno. He seems quite slow,” Trextan said to Choli. He was more open about being rude without the droid in hearing range. “Throw in the datapad too?” Trextan asked. “We’ll need that if the price is alright.” He looked to Choli again for guidance. Had he played his part suitably or shown too much interest?

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]There was a brief mental grimace at how Trextan swung from being indifferent and asking for more. The Jedi was out of his element, and if Choli could speak she’d have told him he went there way too early. A mental sigh. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Booki caught that, naming his price before Choli could say a word, “Kyo Gakisewa!” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Immediately, Choli gave a scoff, her posture changing at the ridiculousness of the price. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Nyeta. M’gasha!] she declined, her head swinging from side to say to say no. A hand beckoned for Trextan to follow her back up to the speeder. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Booki came waddling up, waving his hands. Weapon coat Jawa shut his robe shut and there was a massive chittering of all the Jawas involved. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Mambay! Mambay!” he cried, going, “Go mob un la?” Just how much were they willing to part for the droid. With travelers few and far between, there wasn’t much choice in the matter of who else might buy Vee Three.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Nyetak et bom’lo. ] Choli added, reminding Booki that it wasn’t much of a bargain at all for the hyperlane robbery he was asking for. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Ko gasisewa!”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] two hundred credits! He held out two fingers. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli just spun on the heel of her boot. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Po Gasisewa!”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] one hundred! [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Turning back at the Jawa, she said curtly, [ Dyo kisewa. ] Fifty.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“ Nyeta! Toe kisewa! “[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ Lyo kisewa.][/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Booki gave a frustrated squirm, moving over to talk to the rest of the Jawas in a little circle. They chattered for a few seconds before Booki turned around to say, “ Ho Kisewa et kyokisewa et pata.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Choli gave a small cock of her hip, right hand now perched at her waist. Those dark tinted goggles swung over back to Trextan.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ You got a hundred credits?][/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan opened his mouth to reply that he did. Was she expecting him to deny it and push for less. The problem was that the animated conversation that had come before had been gibberish to him. Trextan knew a few languages. Most people did and he had come from a very cosmopolitan district, but this wasn't a common language. Some of the structure sounded familiar but that was all.

“I’ll go and check,” he said. He marched over to the bike and rifled through his bag out of sight of the jawas. Trextan struggled with the straps with one hand so cheated and used the Force. His back covered what he was doing as he telekinetically held the buckles whilst his left hand freed the straps. One of the jawas made a condescending noise at Choli for extending things even further. All part of the game.

Woo?

“Shush,” went Trextan at the quiet question from R4. He returned to Choli with a small pouch. V3 was back in the line now with the jawas readjusting his restraining bolt to prevent a second distant flight.

“Did you settle on a number?” he asked Choli.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[ Depends. Not sure. He wants one hundred credits for both the scrapheap and the datapad.] a small gesture was directed over towards Vee Three, prompting the droid to bristle. As if a courtesy inspection of the droid was warranted, she gave the Jawa holding the droid a half beckon with her fingers. He immediately brought it over, allowing her to inspect it.

The goggles and her mask allowed her to keep her thoughts and expressions to herself. The restraining bolt kept him in place, but he more than made up for this in personality. Gruff, no nonsense attitude that told her enough just what Trextan would have to deal with if he did indeed purchase it.

It’s sensor was still in place, from what it appeared liked functional. But just what was under the fresh skyblue and grey paint? With the skill of previous trades under her belt, the young woman let that keen insight enhanced by the Force allow her to get a better picture. The only thing being that Vee Three wasn’t too happy about a sudden check under the proverbial hood to so speak.

First she had to deactivate the vocabulator. Ah, there you are. The design was rather archaic but well made. A mental push and she managed to shut any audible alarm on her actions. A little scour gave her a better idea.

Huh. Not bad.

[ Sure you want to spend that much?] again, if they were able to drop the price more, all the better. Ultimately, it all depended on just how much Trextan wanted to keep the droid. Choli herself was curious about it.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan grimaced. “Not really, no,” he said quietly. In truth he had never really cared that much about credits. The Jedi Order did not so much pay him a salary as provide the things he needed for his role. His parents had always had spare credits and it had hardly mattered in the labyrinth where Sith Acolytes were trained.

Was this selfish? He wondered. There were two main reasons for the droid. Firstly he could be more involved in scouting when they became necessary. And secondly the droid reminded him slightly of the Scarred. Old things broken in war who needed his help to get back to where they wanted to be. The parallel with his father was well outside of Trextan’s perception.

What he did know what that the toughened military datapads cost the GADF a thousand credits a pop in the field. They were custom builds and expensive. The jawas were offering one up at scrap cost to seal the deal. One of the new scout drones set the military back four hundred each and that was only because they purchased them in thousands. Funny, the Jawas just wanted a bit more than it would cost to have them scrapped. An astromech or repair droid was probably far more valuable to the people of Espa.

Trextan narrowed his eyes. “Does that translate binary?” he asked of the datapad. The general ones the GADF did that as well as translate a handful of languages on the fly into text.

He didn't follow what the jawa said but understood the answer to be positive. He tried to hold back the smile. He wondered if R4 could hear them.

“No more haggling. Ninety and we buy.”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

“Keena!” Booki replied, giving a small arm pump. The brown robed figure quickly went rushing towards Trextan to shake his hand, while he gestured frantically for the other Jawas to present the pair with their new droid and the datapad. Choli handed Vee Three over to Trextan, giving a small adjustment to ensure that the droid didn’t start panicking at her earlier inspection. This was also so that Trextan would give them proper payment first.

There would be no trade until funds were dispensed.

In the meantime, Choli gave a small shake of her head, her amusement hidden behind her breathing mask and goggles. A brief glance up and she spotted the squat Jawa who had a robe of melee weapons on him.

A small gesture of her gloved hand caught his attention. Without further ado, he flashed Choli again, holding the robe wide for her to survey at her leisure, commenting on the rare gems they had to offer for a guide such as he.

Unable to discern her sex, Choli made no correction. The rising sun rays would glint across the collection of makeshift vibroknives, bone shivs, and other odd trinkets.

As she made her appraisal, a particular shiv caught her attention. Was as long as her forearm from tip to hilt. The latter appeared to be crafted of some sort of bone, the former, polished to a sharp edge.

[ Maka? ] Choli inquired, asking to see it. The Jawa carefully plucked it from it’s loop, handing it over to Choli to inspect. Behind him, the Jawas lined on top of the ramp of the Sandcrawler watched carefully. They were there to be security. A few fools had attempted to rob or pull a fast one on the Clan before. They didn’t survive it.

Taking the shiv, Choli studied the balance. Were Trextan to come over to her, he’d also be privy to the Jawa’s goods. Being one with more familiarity with lightsabers, he would see that the goods also contained a few old lightsaber parts. A couple of focusing crystals, a diatam power cell, even a few salvaged lenses, likely sucked up from what remained of recent or ancient battles before.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

Trextan had actually come to observe Choli appraising the knives. He knew the sand people used martial weapons but it was a side of Choli he hadn't seen before. She was checking where its centre of balance lay, moving it on at open palm and seeing how it moved.

Released Vee-Three bobbed just behind his shoulder. [Are we going somewhere dangerous?] He asked.

“Have you not had enough action recently?” Trextan asked, thinking he sounded hopeful.

[I lay dormant in the sand for eight hundred years. Solar panel broken and only able to maintain enough charge to come online for a few moments every week to check for a change in my circumstances.]

“Oh.” Went Trextan, with nothing else to say. “We'll talk about it later.”

[Understood. I cannot keep pace with that classification of speeder so I will need to be stowed.] The droid was certainly the kind to stay on point. Trextan kept an eye on him for now. He didn't want him returning to the speeder and starting a conversation with R4. The pebbledrone was in better condition than the astromechs on display and might have attracted some attention.

Trextan had been trained with short blades by the sith, but it wasn't something he'd practised recently. He drew the attention of the jawa and was passed a military blade. It had one curved and sharp edge, the other was serrated. It had a plastic grip that was well worn in a few places. His eyes fell upon the components that he recognised from his training. This time he had to savvy to keep it to himself for now.

His flicked the blade around with one hand and held it in a reverse grip. His right hand stayed hidden from view, thumb tucked into belt. It occurred to him that it was going to be awkward to check the edge with just one hand. He stuck the handle into the sand and tested it with his thumb. The jawa made a noise that suggested he was almost insulted at the prospect of selling a blunt knife.

“Got a sheath?” Trextan asked. “Oh and...can I have a look at these?” The components were tucked away in several small bags of netting. The jawa passed it over and went to a small lockbox to look for the matching sheath for the blade. He took a look at the focussing crystals, pretending he was studying them with his eyes. It was the internal quality that mattered. The first was cracked inside. Finding the defect through the Force was something every student was trained in. The second and the lens were perfectly clear. Trextan had gone as far as getting a hilt manufactured for his new lightsaber but hadn't thought to bring any internal components with him. Leaving Choli with the shiv he went back to the table of electronics and found he had almost everything on hand here to construct a full saber. Assuming they found the crystal he was after. Again, he felt a wash of calm. Faith was an interesting topic that he rarely grappled with. Right now he felt as if he was on a path and perhaps even the Force itself was guiding him down it.

“Like the blade?” He asked Choli went he returned with a handful of wires and components.

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[ It might have it’s uses. ] the bundled up Bedouin replied through the filter of her breathing mask. She gave it a few twirls in her gloved hand, reaching out to extend it over for Trextan to review at his leisure.

From underneath her mask, Choli couldn’t help the smal smile at the sight of Trextan gathering up and plucking up a few doodads and gear. A few she recognized. Others, she did not. Choli had never built her own lightsaber. The one she had at Skor had been a gift from Jan, but neither really were very good at it. Unlike Trextan, she had never built her own. As it was, she rarely ever had to use it, preferring blaster rifles and small blades for what she needed to do.

The Jawa preened at the fact that Trextan was collecting more items to potentially buy. That bit of haggling was quicker, and after a few back and forth quips, the total amount was settled at around twenty credits.

Turning to Booki, Choli inquired on what was the state of the Wastes. Being on that sandcrawler allowed the Jawas to investigate and observe from the safety of their perch. Not to mention, their trade route would provide much needed information on what to look out for.

“ Boka cha ita uta.” A small hand gestured, pointing out towards the dunes. “Chaka Tootee. Boom ba Rai boom.”

None would see it, but a slight furrowing of Choli’s brows set at hearing that there were more Tusken Raiding parties about. They had come across the remains of a small campsite, bodies everywhere with the Taloong swiping in to gather what meat they could from bleaching bones.

[ Taa Baa ] Choli replied in gratitude, glancing over at Trextan to see if he was done trading. They would need to be careful and keep a better look out. Who knew which Tusken Raider clans were in the area. This close to Ispa, could very well turn violent.

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

The Justicar couldn't help but give the blade a quick flourish before finishing his business.

[Fighters. Good.] Vee remarked.

Trextan didn't need to speak the language to understand that the news wasn't ideal. He doubted many creatures or raiders would try and assault one of these crawlers. They were also probably quite resistant to the elements, particularly when compared to their tent. The crawler could have come through conditions that it would be very difficult for them to cross.

“I'm done,” Trextan told her as he headed back to the bike. The datapad was small enough to slide into a small compartment under the seat. The droid however needed to be strapped in opposite R4.

[Oh I see…”]

“Shh,” went Trextan.

[Understood] Vee replied. The military drone was used to following orders. [Do you not have a rifle?]

Trextan thought the question a little strange, bit realised he had been appraising the weapon situation.”No, we don't.”

[Shame,] Vee said with none of the complaints R4 had made about being strapped down. [[Some of my best days were spotting for a sniper. If we have raiders ahead it's the best way to deal with them. I was out here with a scout platoon doing just that when I got sloppy and took a hit. They never found me in the sandstorm.]

Trextan looked to Choli. “Is that what they said? More raiders ahead?”

 

[Choli Vyn]

[member="Trextan Voidstalker"]

[SIZE=9pt]At the mention of a rifle, Choli while mildly amused, gave a small gesture to a folded over piece that had been packed just under her own satchel. It was the sort of long range rifle that could fold over in thirds, allowing for ease of travel and packaging. WIth a quick snap, it could form into a standard long range rifle. Trextan wouldn't have been familiar with it, so understandably, the Jedi would have said no.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][We have a long range weapon. Not that we want to end up using it.]. She informed the droid, her voice still coated with a bit of steel as she contemplated their route. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ What’s the charge on your power cell? ] the Jawas behind them gave them little waves goodbye, already starting to pack up and well pleased with the trade. It might be a few days before they managed to stumble across another traveler. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]‘Three days with constant use.’ Well, that was something. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][We’ll need to get him charged or a new power cell after that. ]. There was the slightest of [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]boops[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] from R4, which resulted in a small smack of the fabric that hid him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ You know better.] her voice would chide quietly. The Astromech droid remained silent, the pilot moving to the side to swing a leg over the speeder while Trextan secured the rest of his belongings. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt][ All you expected? ] this time, even the metallic androgynous drone of the breathing mask couldn’t hide Choli’s mild amusement. He had been like a child at the fair. [/SIZE]

 

[Trextan Voidstalker]

“It’s funny,” he said as he swung a leg over the bike and held on. “Seeing what’s valuable and what isn’t. But yes, that crawler is amazing. I’m glad we stopped.” He refitted his breathing mask and gave Choli a thumbs up so they could set off. Then he realised he had to quickly snap his arm back down and out of sight.

“You’re not from around here?” Vee asked over the engine noise. R4 beeped something that sounded like a derisive snort. Trextan regretted stowing the datapad.

“No. I should probably be clear now given you’re a military droid,” Trextan called down. “She’s in charge. And if you were being rude R4, you’re hardly better suited to the desert than I am.”

“Understood.”

“I have another comm unit and screen that can take military feeds,” Trextan called. “Didn’t want the jawas to see it, but when we stop we'll try and connect you.”

“Most of my signals re probably redundant now,” Vee replied. “As long as you’re not too worried about the video feed getting sliced we can pair them up. Unless you happen to have installed eight hundred year old imperial protocols. Then you can get me a software update at a convenient time.”

Choli would feel a low vibration of a chuckle through his chest against her back.

[[Actually I could do with some upgrades as well…] R4 chimed in.