5 Making Our Way Through Town

It takes a bit of time, but we make it to town without too much trouble. Before we enter it though, we decide to split up. A large group entering town is suspicious. A large group entering town then splitting up more so. But two small groups entering at different points? Nothing of note.

"Remember, the town is called Mos Espa. We aren't here to cause trouble, but I know how everyone gets when we encounter it. So I won't say to avoid it, just make sure to follow through. You never know who might become a valuable ally."

Getting nods from Canderous' team, we split up. As we do, i can't help but consider their team as they leave.

Canderous, a mandalorian who's always on the lookout for a good fight.

Juhani, a Jedi who, despite turning away from the dark side, is quick to anger.

HK-47, an assassin droid who takes pleasure in killing 'meatbags', as he would say.

...

Maybe I should have thought through their team a bit more.

Shaking my head, Mission, Bastilla, and I wander the town, taking in the sights, listening in on the conversations we pass.

While Bastilla and I use the Force to accomplish this, Mission uses the skills she developed as a street rat on Taris. I see her pick a few pockets as we walk, but I don't say anything. If our credits are worthless, we'll need money for what we need.

I can see Bastilla frown when she notices Mission though. While she's not as indoctrinated with the order as when we met, she still has her own morals. Consequently, they disapprove of stealing. Like me though, she understands our need.

Luckily Mission isn't robbing them of everything, just a few chips here and there. I doubt it will amount to much though. Afterall, who carries all of their money with them while strolling down the street?

I let the conversation wash over me as we walk, letting the Force guide my feet to where I can find a hyperdrive.

"Did you hear about..."

"I heard it was slavers..."

"Poor woman..."

"How are we going to get that kind of money?"

This last conversation seems to stand out to me, so I take a quick look.

There I see a small group, the same size as my own. Two of them are human, though I don't recognize the third one.

It has giant floppy ears, leathery skin, and an elongated face. They turn their protruding eyes to me as I look and wave at me. I give a small smile and wave back before continuing on my way.

Judging by what I heard, they're in need of money. Usually I would offer some help, but given I don't know my own financial situation I shouldn't get involved. At least not yet. Maybe if they don't figure something out I can help later.

We eventually come across a store called 'Watto's Junkshop' and enter. There we find a disheveled looking woman polishing some parts.

She looks up as we enter and gives us a tired smile. "Welcome to Watto's Junkshop, what might you be looking for?"

I give her a smile while surreptitiously sending a force heal through her. She looks like she needs any help she can get.

"I'm looking for a hyperdrive. Do you have any in stock?"

She nods her head. "We do, but if you don't mind I'll need to get my master. This sale is too expensive for me to conduct."

I nod, and while she walks away I consider her wording. Master?

Mission whispers next to me, "She's a slave. You can tell by the look in her eyes."

Next to me, Bastilla's lips tighten in a thin line.

Nobody says anything as the woman brings back a toydarian.

"So you wanna buy a hyperdrive, eh? Just so you know, Republic credits are no good here." He seems kind of irritated with his words.

But what does he mean by Republic credits? Did the currency split or something? I pull out a handful of credits to show him.

"What about these?" I have no idea what he would classify these as.

He takes them from me and looks them over. His eyes narrow and he examines them closer. Starting to grumble to himself, he takes them to the counter and pulls out some credits of his own.

He places them down side by side to do a comparison. After a few minutes of fidgeting over them, he brings mine back.

"Well, they aren't Republic credits, but I've no idea what kind they are! I won't take them!" He crosses his arms and glares at me.

I sigh but show him a smile. "That's fine, but judging by your phrasing, you know someone who will?" It's faint, but I see him twitch at my words.

"Ehhhh, maybe." He turns around and flies back a few feet before facing me again.

"But if I tell you, you owe me a cut of the profits!" He smiles. "Or, I suppose, I could accept them myself so you don't have to go through all the hassle of selling them yourself..."

Hah! Judging by the look in his eyes, they seem to be more valuable instead of less. Most likely it's similar to how ancient weapons are considered valuable even if they are no longer considered powerful, or even usable.

"I suppose I allow that. So how much would you give me for, oh say, one hundred of these?"

He hems and haws over the stated amount before giving me a number. "For one hundred of these odd credits, I suppose that I could do half the value. But no higher!" He has a crafty gleam in his eye that I choose to ignore.

Behind him, I see the woman looking on with downcast eyes.

"That's fine, but how much would the hyperdrive I need be?" This is the crux of the matter, though given the price he's offering for my credits it shouldn't be a problem.

"For the T-14 hyperdrive generator, it will cost four thousand credits. Not that you can afford it will only what you have, hahaha!" He chuckles at what he thinks is a joke, but I simply smirk at him.

Sensing that something's off, he stops laughing and looks at me.

"That shouldn't be a problem." I approach the counter, the only clear place I can see in the store. Watto moves to the side, curious as to what I'm about to do.

I pull out a pile of credits that in my time were worth fifty thousand. Which means, according to him, I will be getting twenty-one thousand after I pay for the hyperdrive.

Huh.

It's rare to see a toydarian pale.