Chapter Thirty Six

The two suns were high in the sky causing me to feel the extreme heat from their rays. I checked my datapad to see how to get to the droid store. The destination was two streets from the cantina. I walked ahead of Carth toward the store. As he began to speak my comlink beeped, indicating someone wished to communicate with me specifically. While walking through a narrow alley I accepted the transmission. First I heard heavy breathing then Bastila's voice.

"Lena, there were three Sith. More specifically, there were three Dark Jedi following Juhani and me."

I came to a sudden stop as I asked.

"Are they still following you? Did you lose them?"

"No, I didn't. I had no choice but to fight them. It wasn't easy –three against one. I had to protect Juhani. I told her not to, but she tried to fight anyway. After making a few sudden motions her back began hurting. She could barely stand, much less fight."

"So let me get this clear, they're all defeated?"

Bastila took a few more heavy breaths before answering.

"I managed to kill all of them, barely. I don't think I'm too injured … I took a couple of medpac injections."

Without hesitation, I said.

"I'll be there right away. Where are you right now?"

"Lena, it's alright. I don't think there are any more of them. I can handle this myself. The reason I contacted you is to warn you. Before attacking me, one of the Sith said he was after you as well."

"Bastila, go back to the ship immediately! Juhani you're a higher ranked Jedi. If she refuses to listen, feel free to pull rank."

I heard a slight chuckle on the other end, which must've been Juhani. Bastila said.

"I'm no idiot. I took more than the recommended number of medpacs and I still feel as if I'm going to fall over any second. As we speak Juhani and I are on our way to the Ebon Hawk. We aren't too far now. I feel useless. Do you have any leads on the Star Map?"

Carth was growing impatient standing around in the scorching heat and listening to me talk. I began walking as I replied.

"Not really. Right now I'm on my way to the droid store. With a droid that speaks the Jawa language we might make actual progress. I'm hoping they have a droid that speaks the Sand People dialect as well –we'll need it if we head out into the desert."

I heard static then a few seconds later Juhani's voice.

"I'm glad you're getting things done. I want to get off this planet as soon as possible. Ah, we're almost at the Ebon Hawk. I will speak with you later."

"You too."

I cut off the transmission. Walking beside me, Carth let out a heavy sigh before saying.

"I've been thinking about all of this and I got to ask. Don't you find it odd that a Padawan is sent to track down these Star Maps? That's not normal!"

Tilting my head toward him, I gave a nod then spoke.

"I've been thinking about that same thing. There are unusual aspects to this situation, but it doesn't really make sense to me. You'd think they'd send someone more qualified than me or even Bastila. Sure she has Battle Meditation, but I wouldn't consider her a good pick for this kind of mission."

Carth furrowed his brows.

"That's right. There are too many unknowns. From what you've said of the mission, I feel like all of this is completely out of my league. Us taking on the Dark Lord of the Sith? Do you think that's even possible?"

"It might be if we find what we're looking for. Getting a translation droid is one of the many steps that will help us reach our mission objective. Look, the store is just ahead."

We arrived at the droid store just as the sky started turning a relaxing orange hue. Inside I observed numerous droids rolling around. There were spare droid parts of every type on the tall shelves. I had no clue what I was looking for. As I passed one of the shelves a gold plated droid suspended in restrictors stopped me in my tracks as it spoke in Galactic Basic.

"Hello master. Suggestion: I recommend you buy me from that vile meatbag. Of course you will benefit greatly from such a wise purchase."

"Droid, are you programmed to advertise to anyone who walks by?"

"I'm hurt, master. I would never do such a thing. My programming is telling me you would be the perfect master for me. I speak the language of the Sand People and can translate to and fro."

"What about the Jawa language?"

"That one too."

The droid certainly sounded like what I was looking for. Carth tapped me on the arm then said.

"I don't trust that thing. It could be lying about speaking those languages."

The droid said.

"I am not programmed to lie. If want to buy me, I'll make things even easier for you, master."

The droid seemed to be looking at me when he said 'Master.' The droid continued.

"When you speak to the meatbag who is in charge of selling me, tell him you would like to purchase the HK-47 unit. That's right, I am HK-47. After you tell the meatbag you're interested, you should bargain. Sound as if I am a droid far inferior to my actual capabilities so he lowers the price. This meatbag caves to pressure easily. So, will you be purchasing me?"

I found it strange HK-47 wasn't interested in the store owner's profit, and even stranger that he referred to me as master, and to the owner as a meatbag. With great curiosity, I asked.

"Why do you call the owner a meatbag?"

"I… I do not know, though I suspect I have been programmed to do so. I would never call you a meatbag, master."

"That's another thing, why do you call me, master?"

"Another question I have no answer to. Perhaps after you purchase me, you can examine my circuitry. My memory core has been partially damaged, but I assure you my translation skills are entirely intact."

I looked at the droid as I said.

"I'll follow your advice and try bargaining. If it doesn't work or the price is unreasonable…"

I left without finishing. Carth followed as I neared the counter behind which stood an Ithorean. Instantly noticing me as a potential customer, the Ithorean began speaking in his language.

"Hello, I am Yuka Laka. Is there a particular type of droid you need?"

Carth was about to speak but I beat him to it.

"We're looking for a droid that can translate the Sand People dialect. Have one?"

He glanced over at the HK-47 then back at me as he spoke.

"Yes, yes I do! The price is high but you won't find another droid that speaks the Sand People language."

"What do you mean I won't find another one? Don't you have these droids custom ordered?"

"Yes, most of these droids were personally ordered by me, but the unit you're interested in is different. A friend of mine who manages an off-world Czerka warehouse found the droid when it wasn't operational. I've managed to get it running again."

"What's the price?"

"5,000 credits."

I gave a nod then motioned Carth to a corner and whispered.

"We're pretending to be debating the price. I'm about to walk back over to Yuka Laka and say his price is outrages. If he disagrees, say the droid isn't fit to be scrapped, much less purchased for the outrages sum of 5,000 credits."

Carth whispered back.

"Let's not get too carried away with this. We have twice the amount this guy is charging so if the bargaining doesn't work we can still get the droid."

"The bargaining will work … if you keep your mouth shut, Carth. He doesn't need to know how heavy our metaphorical coin purses are."

With a look of resolve I walked back to the counter. I didn't have much experience bartering but I knew confidence played no small part. The Ithorean faced me.

"I see you conferred with your friend. Does this mean you will be purchasing the HK-47?"

Critically I glanced at the droid as I coolly said.

"You know? I think you're trying to swindle me. That piece of scrap metal is hardly new. You told me so yourself. IF you were to halve the price…"

I made a bold move, turning around as if to leave. Yuka Laka walked around the counter. As he followed me, he pleaded.

"Fine, fine! 2,500 credits it is!"

I stopped, waiting a few seconds before turning to face him. Pulling out my datapad, I handed it to Yuka Laka. He made the transaction.

"The droid is now yours. I didn't want to say anything before the transaction, but I'm happy to be rid of it. It called me and my customers 'meatbag.' Having potential buyers insulted is bad for business."

The Ithorean merchant walked over to the HK-47, unshackling his bonds. The droid commented to the Ithorean.

"Statement: I assure you I am very satisfied to be out of your squashy hands, meatbag."

Now freed, HK-47 turned his head to face me as he suggested.

"Suggestion: Master, you should order me to dispose of this annoying meatbag."

I never met such a homicidal droid until now. I never imagined droids could even be homicidal. Strangely though, HK acted obediently toward me, even calling me his master. I theorized HK might be programmed to obey a Jedi. The only way to test it was to bring him in contact with Bastila, Jolee, or Juhani. I ordered.

"HK, you are not to dispose of organics unless I order you to."

"Understood, master."

"Let's go."

Carth and HK followed me out the store. Synchronously, the twin suns had almost set as we made our way to the cantina. I heard beeping from my pocket. Reaching in, I pulled out the miniature comlink, pressing a button to establish a connection.

"Can you hear me? It's Canderous. I need you at the ship now!"

He sounded agitated as he continued.

"There is a bit of a problem. That Czerka scum delivered crates to our hangar without permission. I want to rip their heads off! Whatever was inside those creates has gotten loose. There are little pests running around the ship." He paused. In the background I heard him speak to Mission. A moment later Canderous spoke through the comlink.

"Apparently these pests are called gizka. I can't kill them with blasters unless I want to damage the ship. That pretty girl of yours and the Cathar are unavailable. I've been trying to catch the gizka with the Twi'lek kid's help…"

In the background I heard Mission yell at him about not being a kid. I asked.

"Why are Juhani and Bastila unavailable?"

"You can ask them yourself. That Bastila of yours was a bitch to me when she got back. I don't blame the Cathar for not liking me."

He gave a short pause before saying.

"I think they're resting right now. Anyway, hurry up and get back here!"

HK-47 overheard the conversation.

"Suggestion: Master, you can purchase gizka poison from many of the vendors in this city. It is a most effective way of dealing with the problem."

His optical units or in other words, eyes lit up red. HK sounded happy when he gave the suggestion. The droid worried me but at the same time I had a certain fascination with the unusual droid. Turning off the comlink, I said to HK.

"The poison is a possibility, though it feels wrong poisoning them if there's an alternative."

Carth said.

"I don't particularly like this droid but poisoning the gizka sounds reasonable. They'll eat all our food if we keep them around."

"Then see if you can buy gizka poison."