EDIT/AN: This is my first story in English, so I apologize for any future inconvenience about grammar and such. First chapter was updated to correct many errors. My Beta unfortunately bailed on me so if you know anyone interested to betaread, let me know! Half the story is written already, so there's quiet a lot of work.
Chapter 2: The Queen of Naboo
"I still can't believe the ship is performing so well. It feels as good as new!"
Harry could only nod from his pilot seat, as his did to the last twenty or so identical comments from Gregar Typho. His magic restored the ship to its former glory. The hyperspace drive was running smoothly, if under-efficient in Harry's beginner opinion. All system were running without hindrance, even though he was sure the power request could be improved. Magic had fixed this ship, and Harry was sure it could improve it so much more.
After their hot escape from Cato Neimoidia and their subsequent jump to hyperspace, it had taken hours for Harry to calm down. In minutes, he had lived his first space flight, his first space battle and his first hyperspace jump. Even with the legendary composure of a British Wizard, it was a bit much. For the next three days, Typho had them regularly changing course to avoid being tracked. Once the rush cooled down, Harry went to check on the ship. He took his time to learn every part of it. Time in hyperspace was long, Harry decided, and he needed to stay busy.
Typho and he kept talking and getting to know each other. Gregar was more relaxed since they were out of the Trade Federation territories. Even more now that he was sure they were not followed and they could head "home" to Naboo.
"Seriously Harry, what you did to this ship is amazing. And I still find it hard to believe this was your first time flying. They are fighter pilots on Naboo that could only dream of the moves you made back there, much less with this ship."
"What's wrong with this ship? She's super manoeuvrable!"
"She?" Gregar asked amused. "And have you found a name for her yet?" Gregar had been insistent that it was Harry's ship and Harry, as captain, should properly name it. Harry actually like to think of himself as Captain Potter. He was sure Ron and Hermione would have a crack at it once he'd be back home.
"I was thinking of 'Firebolt'. It's a… flying device my godfather gifted me a while back. I always loved it".
"The Firebolt it is then. Cool name!"
From Gregar's calculation, Harry understood they would soon arrive to their destination. Meanwhile, he kept learning everything he could on the HoloNet. He was reading on the Galactic Senate when the navi-computer started beeping, indicating their imminent arrival.
The ship automatically decelerated and jump out of Hyperspace. Harry was amazed by the blue and green planet in front of him. It looked like Earth would from space, but more preserved. Cato Neimoidia felt more industrialized, like nature had to give up to Neimoidian's building. Naboo on the contrary bathed in a glorious feeling of peace.
"Unidentified YT-1930, please provide identification and destination" come the command on the radio.
Typho took charge. "Naboo Space Control, this is Captain Gregar Typho, on board YT-1930 Firebolt. We are proceeding to Naboo Security Forces Headquarters. Please patch us through military commlink." From there, Harry was happy to let Gregar do the communication and followed his instructions.
While flying, Harry admired the wide green plains and huge aesthetic cities from Naboo's continent. They soon reached the city of Theed, the capital of Naboo, and Harry was left speechless in front of the beauty and elegancy of the doomed buildings and the harmony of the architecture. A part of him knew that he could never find such beauty on Earth.
They soon arrived at the Naboo Security Forces Headquarters which, Gregar explained, was the military and police forces of Naboo. Harry focused on what would be his first landing. Gregar guided him to the docking place that had been assigned to them, and Harry proceed to land them as softly as he could. Once done, he looked at Gregar to find the man starring widely in front of him.
"Something wrong?"
Gregar shook his head to clear his thoughts. "That was one of the softest landing I ever had. Are you sure you never flew a spacecraft before?"
Harry smiled. "Told you, I'm a natural!"
The two men had gowned attached over their journey. They were fast becoming friends. Of course, life threatening situation always brought people closer. They quickly power down the ship's systems and made way toward the boarding ramp. Harry made sure he had all his belongings with him but he decided not to wear his unspeakable cloak this time. As the ramp was lifted down, they could see a few people waiting on them, leader among them was a fifty-year-old dark-skinned man in uniform that had a strange resemblance to Gregar.
"Captain Typho, it is great to see you alive. We had fear the worst with the chatters from your last destination".
"It's good to be back, General Panaka. May I present to you Harry Potter, whose help was invaluable to the completion of my mission."
General Panaka stared intently at Harry, seizing him in one scarring look.
"Mister Potter, a pleasure to meet you. And my thanks for your assistance. Would you please follow me?"
Harry had worked with a lot of aurors and hit wizards after the war and he understood military men well by now. Needless to say, General Panaka was expecting his order to be followed without hesitation. Harry fell in line behind the two men, closely escorted by two armed guards. He peeked at the vessels in the hangar around him. They seemed slick and fast with their design. They also seemed to pack quick the fire power with them. Harry hoped he could learn more about it.
Panaka led them to the main door of the hangar into a long corridor with many windows showing the rooms on each side of the corridor. In each room, Harry could see pilots, mechanics, and military officers busy at work. The atmosphere reminded him of the Auror department on a weekday, only better organised and cleaner. Some looked at him with questioning eyes. After a few turns, they entered a huge control room with dozen of officer workings on computer consoles, many maps of the galaxy and big screens projecting various information. Harry barely had time to register everything he saw before he was brough to an adjacent room with a receptionist waiting.
Panaka indicated him to seat on the couch in front of the secretary's desk while he and Gregar entered what Harry assumed was the General's office. The two guards remained on duty. Harry realised they trusted him based on Gregar's word, but not so much as to let him run free. But he was not upset about it; caution was only normal form a world recently invaded.
Within a few minutes however, Harry got bored. Looking up to the two guards surveying him, he though it best not to bother them. That let only the receptionist to talk too. That is how Gregar found Harry an hour later, learning about Theed's best sights and nightlife from Malista, Panaka's secretary who seemed a little tipsy with the young wizard.
"Hum hum, if I'm not interrupting you, Harry, the General would like a word with you."
Harry rose from his seat next to the secretary with a big smile, without acknowledging Gregar. "Thank you Malista, it was most enlightening. I shall explore theses wonderful sights you described." Then he turned to Gregar. "After you"
Gregar preceded him in a large office with a hologram projector displaying information in the air. The second he entered the room, the information disappear and Harry could clearly see General Panaka withdrawing some grey orb from the holotable terminal. The same grey orb Typho had negotiated on the market in Cato Neimoidia. Harry understood now.
"You tricked me" he accused his friend. "The data you needed was from the merchant in the street, not the bartender!"
"I had to. I could not trust you with that information at the time"
That was actually fair. "I can accept that, but then why did we had to get shot at the bar?"
"Captain Typho thought it best to push his luck on some wild instincts" explained General Panaka with irritation.
"It paid off, Uncle! We have a lead on Baktoid factories now" defended Gregar.
Panaka smiled. "You're too much like your mother, Gregar!"
The general wordlessly guided them to seat around a large wooden desk in the corner of the room. The lean desk and office were testaments to the General's organised mind.
"Captain Typho described your accomplishments to me. They seemed as amazing as that of the Jedi. I understand you are looking for your home planet?"
"Yes General. However my people never made it past our star system so I'm not really sure where to start."
"If your people were pre-space flight capabilities as you described, how did you found yourself on Cato Neimoidia?"
Harry hesitated. Perhaps it was better to tell the truth? In the end, he explained to Panaka a condensed version of the hidden community of witches and wizards on Earth, and how he was studying an ancient artefact when something went wrong.
"Perhaps we should ask the Jedi for help?" mused Panaka out loud.
"With respect General, I'd rather not for now."
Panaka and Typho were listening with rapt attention. Harry had read on the HoloNet that Naboo trusted the Jedi greatly after two of them helped during the invasion of Naboo, one even gave his life in the conflict. For Harry to distrust the Jedi was not perceived as a good indicator.
"Back on my world, magic users hide themselves from the rest of human kind, for our own safety. I don't know this galaxy very well yet, but while I discovered it, I would rather my abilities to remain a secret for now."
"The Jedi might be the best equipped to help you, Mister Potter" Panaka pointed.
"Perhaps General. But my people most sacred law is the secrecy of our community to non-magical. I only wish to know more about this galaxy, and the Jedi way, before I break the law of my people." He was still an employee of the British Ministry for Magic after all. Best not to broadcast his magic everywhere if he could help it.
General Panaka took a few moment to reflect on it, while Typho only smile at Harry. The young wizard understood it was a big ask, but he hoped he had proved trustworthy enough.
"The Queen will decide on this matter. Relationships with the Jedi fall under her purview, not mine. Please expect to met her at the palace in the evening. A soldier will accompany you to it."
Harry understood they were being dismissed. He expected to be led back to the ship or some waiting room but Gregar surprise him by leading him to the officer's mess. Harry was happy to discover Naboo's local cuisine and eat some fresh food. Both Gregar and him ended up spending a few hours eating then sharing stories while they waited for his interview with the Queen.
Padme Amidala was very upset about the last report she received. The Queen of Naboo had been informed that the Trade Federation had obtained yet another ludicrous postponing for Nute Gunray's trial. The whole affaire smelt of corruption and she hated it.
She was still venting about it to Sio Bibble, governor of Naboo, trusted advisor and dear friend, when General Panaka came to inform her that the Intelligence division, the last addition to Naboo security forces, had a decisive breakthrough. Captain Typho, Panaka's own nephew and current head of the newly formed spy networking of Naboo Security Forces, went to great length to recover some key reports from the Trade Federation headquarters. Some reports were signed by Viceroy Gunray himself and were explicitly mentioning the preparation for invasion. Padme could not hide her smile in front of such a success, from non other that a division most of her council advise against creating. Spying on fellow republic members was illegal under the Senate law, but spying was not a legal business anyway. Never have been. Panaka himself was radiating from pride, from being right in his idea to create the division, from naming Gregar as its director and from his nephew's incredible success.
In addition to completing his missions to recover evidence, Typho obtained an interesting lead on the droid factories. Panaka was convinced that they needed to watch out for the droid manufacturer. The Baktoid company had conveniently established itself out of the Republic to avoid its laws. The Naboo general suspected foul play and Padme agreed with him. She readily agreed to commit the few resources their intelligence division had to investigate the promising lead.
Padme started to worry however when Panaka happy smile turned very serious.
"Your Majesty, to complete his mission, captain Typho received invaluable help from a… peculiar person".
"Peculiar how, General?"
"The man was able to perform outstanding actions through what he called Magic, but he recognised it has similarities with the Force"
"Some sort of Jedi?" asked Sio Bibble.
"No, Governor. Not a Jedi. He defined himself as a wizard. His story is quiet extraordinary as well." And so Panaka went on to explain a man coming from a presumably pre-space flight people with a large hidden community of Force users. The man, Harry Potter, was involved in a experiment that went wrong and found himself on Cato Neimoidia where he saved Gregar Typho and helped him complete his mission without knowing what it really was. He apparently used his art to fix a ship beyond repair and then outflew a squad of deadly chasers with it. If the tale were to be believed, he could be stronger in the Force than some Jedi Masters and a better pilot than most of her Navy pilots. He could be a valuable ally or a terrible foe. She readily agreed Panaka's idea to meet him as soon as could be arrange.
She kept discussing of other pressing matters after that but her heart was not in it anymore. The actions Panaka described, if true, seemed fantastical. Yet the fact he wished to hide from the Jedi was troublesome. She had to trade with caution with him.
Moments later, General Panaka and Captain Typho escorted a young handsome man with rugged good look to her throne room. She could not help but stare in disbelief at the man's youth. Given his supposed actions, she expected someone with the experience of Master Yoda or the late Qui-Gon Jinn. This Harry Potter was around her age, a few years older perhaps. As he walk between two of her best soldiers, she could not help but notice the similarities in their steps: he was accustomed to danger situations. Something about him radiated power yet he did not hesitate to bow awkwardly in front of her. Padme realised from the look between Captain Typho and Harry Potter that the later just learnt the proper decorum in front of the Queen. He was trying to abide by their customs but was obviously in discomfort with the formalities. She found it cute and reinsuring.
"Your Majesty, this is Harry Potter."
Padme took her most solemn voice "Mister Potter, I heard you are to be thanked for helping Captain Typho during his latest mission?"
"I would say we were helping each other Ma'am… I mean Your Majesty."
Despite her best efforts, she could not help but smile at his slip up. "I was also told you wielded the Force like the Jedi do, perhaps even more powerfully". Padme also loved the direct approach in Diplomacy.
"I wouldn't know if it is the same thing that the Jedi call the Force. In my world, we call it Magic, and everyone who can wield it is called a Witch or a Wizard."
"You told General Panaka that you did not wished to seek Jedi's council even though they are best equipped to help you. Jedi are friends of Naboo, as they have shown in recent years. You must understand that your wish to hide from them raises suspicion."
The young man endearingly run his hand in his dark messy hair while he was clearly thinking of how to properly formulate his answer.
"I do, Your Majesty. But please realise that four days ago I was a simple government employee working in a research facility and my people and I had no idea if Life existed outside our planet. Now I found myself in a universe with thousands of worlds and species, galaxy-sized states, robot armies that invade planets, and what appears to be a very tense political climate. I do not wish to make enemies because I don't know how things work."
He paused a second, seeming to gather his strength.
"My people and I have the gift of magic, it is true" he continued "We are born with it, and with age we learn to develop and nurture it. I graduated from one of Earth greatest school of Magic. But to protect ourselves from the aversion and greed our gift generated toward us, our ancestor decided to hide ourselves from non-magical people. To this day, the secrecy of my community is our most important law. I don't want to be hidden from the Jedi per say. I only asked to uphold my people's way of living, long enough for me to figure out what is the best course of action from my position."
His speech was passionate. And she could feel he was truthful. She could hear in his voice that he was still lost about his situation. She exchange a look with Sio to confirm he was on the same mind as her.
"So be it. As a reward to your help, you should be granted discretion for now."
Gregar Typho stepped in. "If I may your Majesty?" Padme nodded to him. "Harry Potter's planet was not registered on any common charts. Perhaps the Royal Library could be of assistance to him."
"Very well. You may access the Royal Library to help find your way home. Governor Bibble shall help you with it. Naboo is glad to welcome you as a friend!"
Harry smiled at her, a bright refreshing smile she could not help but return to him.
The hope to find Earth in the Royal Library was only as high as the disappointment of failing to do so. After days of research with the librarians Governor Sio Bibble had enlisted, they could not came up with a single lead on where Earth could be in this galaxy. Harry read the list of habited worlds that were not yet advanced enough for space flight capabilities, planet by planet. Under Republic law, those worlds must be left alone until they could be developed enough to take their place in the galaxy. If Earth was in any list, It should have been this one. But there were nothing resembling neither Earth nor the Solar System, nor any constellation he learn in astronomy class.
Five days after his meeting with the Queen, Sio told him they had no other lead to investigate so far. Harry knew he had run out of option to find his way back for now. He would have to find another way.
Thankfully, when he told Gregar that they could not find Earth, the Naboo captain took upon himself to cheer Harry up. Harry discovered the nightlife in Naboo and enjoyed it very much. He would soon become a regular customer of bars, taverns, and restaurants with off duty military personnel.
Typho and Panaka had granted Harry the official ownership of the YT-1930, hastily renamed Firebolt, and an "official" ID as a citizen from Naboo for which Harry was really grateful. They did asked him however to dock his ship out of the Security Forces Headquarters as it was a military compound.
Harry was offered a two-month rent-free docking space at the newly built spaceport of Theed where he could park the Firebolt for now. It worked just fine with Harry as it let him a few weeks to figure out his next moves.
After the depressing results of his search for Earth, Harry decided to take his mind off his threatening depression by focusing on his ship. He had been itching to tinker it for a while. Thanks to a few more neural interfaces, courtesy of General Panaka, Harry now perfectly understood his way around the ship. He felt confident enough to improve it to suit his needs and to fly it wherever he wanted.
For the first few days, he only made simple improvements with spells and some runes. He was amazed at his early success. His magics felt like it wanted to integrate with the ship, whereas in the past it had always tried to blow-up any electricity-based device. Harry was so excited about his combining of space engineering and magics he forgot to sleep a couple of times.
He quickly realised however that some components would need to be replaced entirely. That meant he had to find money, or credit as they called it in the Republic. From his discussion with other pilots and mechanics, he understood that his ship was worth around a hundred thousands credit, which could sustain a family in Naboo for about three to four years. But Harry had no intention to sell his new baby, not ever. It did however made him look into the repair business.
That is how he stubbled upon a junkyard not far from the spaceport. The Naboo were very respectful of nature and they were not accustomed to let their waste material laying around. They always sent their decommissioned ships and vehicles to nearby junkyard planets such as Bracca. However, the invasion by the Trade Federation had resulted in an impressive backlog of cargo to be shipped off world.
Flaring a good business, Harry went for a stroll in the junk alleys and found four broken speederbikes and two burnt landspeeders. Negotiating with the landfill managers with no credit in his pocket had been tricky. Harry focused first on the speederbikes. He got all four with the promise to give one back if he could repair them.
Of course, Harry never mentioned he could repair them with magic. He waited until the managers left for his business and shrink all bikes and went back to work in the cargo bay of the Firebolt. The hovering technology of the bike had been tricky to master, but Magic was too damn efficient, especially Magic he learned or created with the Unspeakables. It took him two days and two nights in row but, by morning of the third day, he had four speederbikes in pristine condition. He sent one back to the junkyard, kept one for himself, and sold the two other. He now had enough money to buy food, basic supplies and some other junks to repair. The sell of the first landspeeder had been enough to buy a state of the art navi-computer and a new up to date communication system.
He did not plan however for the power supply to be too low for the two systems put together. Which actually did not surprise him. That is why he was currently in a mechanic jumpsuit, tinkering through the power conduit of his ship, trying to fix his problem when he heard some beeping noises.
"Hello, somebody here?" Asked a feminine voice.
Harry tried to stand up to look who had come in when his head hit the conduit shaft, causing his tools to fall on him.
"Ouch! In here"
When stars stopped flying around his head, he could now see a white and blue astromech droid looking at him. His beeping noises felt like a bloody mockery.
"And who are you little guy?"
"That is R2-D2, my astrodroid, and I'm Padme Naberrie".
A insanely beautiful women entered his sight. She vas wearing the red suit of Queen Amidala's Handmaidens. She felt familiar. Her face was young, about his age, but her eyes told him about the hardships she faced and her resolve to move forward. It took him a few seconds before he could regain his composure. "I am Harry Potter. Have we met before?"
"I was in the throne room when you met Her Majesty"
"Right, I didn't noticed you sorry. Not used to meeting royalty." She flashed a beautiful smile at him. "What can I do for you, my lady?"
"You have been on Naboo for more than three weeks now, and the Queen wanted to know how you adjusted to your life here. Hence my presence."
"Three weeks already? Time flies! That is very thoughtful of Her Majesty."
They were interrupted by some beeping sounds from R2-D2 who appeared to have plug himself to the socket of his ship computer.
"R2 says the power converter from power unit 2 is leaking."
"What? How do you know that?"
More beeps. "He says it's his job to know".
"Right. I might need one of these astrodroids myself. Power Unit 2 you said? Thanks little guy".
The droid turned his scomp-link a few time and his navi-computer miraculously started himself.
"Wow, you're good. I really need one of those."
The beep response sounded sarcastic.
"R2 says there's no one like him".
"I bet!"
"We never wiped his memory. That tends to develop quiet the personality." Harry thought she was cute when she acted all shy.
Harry introduced Padme to a tea from his motherland while they talks about many things as they sat in the common area. Padme was most curious about Harry's homeworld and his plans for the future. He could not ascertain if she was asking on her Queen's behalf or if she was truly interested. Padme also explained about the politics that had intrigued Harry, and he love how passionate she was about it.
"So your Queen is actually elected? That's weird!"
"What do you mean?"
"On my world, King and Queen are hereditary title! It has nothing to do with merit or the People's choice"
"Not all royalty in the galaxy are elected. But those who don't tend to drift from people's wills and needs."
"I hear you. So your Queen is not going to go for another mandate?"
"No, she wish to go back to a normal life, where she could enjoy the simpler things"
"Yeah, celebrity is the bane of a happy life."
She seem taken off guard by his sarcastic comment. "You know about being famous?"
Harry winced. He took a few seconds to answer. "My mother… She stopped an evil wizard when I was one but did not survive it to explain how. So I was celebrated instead of her for stopping him. And then, when the Dark Lord returned fourteen years later, I was the one to vanquish him once and for all. So yeah, I am sort of famous on my world. It has mostly brought me pain though."
Padme took his hand in hers. "I am very sorry to hear that. Is that why you don't want the Jedi's involvement? You don't want to draw attention on you?"
He felt a sad smile coming to his lips "In part yes. What I said to your Queen is true. But ever since I left home, I feel this… freedom of sort. Like I can finally do whatever I want. I don't know if it makes sense, but I want to enjoy anonymity while I can."
They stood here for a while, holding hands. It felt nice. R2 made them jump as he drew their attention to him. They realised their position and both blushed heavily.
"R2 says your ship doesn't make sense, that it should not run that smoothly."
"R2, are you jealous I'm a better mechanic than you?" Harry teased. R2's answer beep sounded like fart noises this time.
"He says you are hardly in his league. He seems pretty fond of your the ship though."
"Well, he's right to be. Want to go for a spin? I need to test the new navi-computer.
Harry could see conflict in the handmaiden's eyes. She wanted to, but some duty told her she could not.
"I am not to leave the planet unfortunately. Another time perhaps?"
Harry tried to hide his disappointment. "Any time. What about you R2, are you allowed to travel?"
R2 turned to look at Padme properly, emitting a few beeps while doing so.
"You may go R2, but don't forget to check in with the palace."
Although he wished she would stay, he accompanied her to the boarding ramp. That's only once they reach it he noticed the heavy guard squad standing watch outside his ship.
"Isn't it a bit overkill for a handmaiden safety?"
"The palace takes my security very seriously." It seemed off to Harry. He was missing something. He decided that pointing it would be rude and did not press the issue further. Something Padme was thankful of. Taking a play out of British aristocracy, Harry took her hand and kissed her knuckles as a good bye.
He watched her leave with her escort and was very glad to see her briefly turn around to look at him one last time. He did not notice the stupid smile on his face until R2-D2 "talked" to him again.
"Yes buddy let's go! But first, I think there is a droid translator in here somewhere."
Minutes later, the Firebolt flashed in the air and could be seen spinning, barrelling, and doing many high speed acrobatic figures in Naboo upper atmosphere. Harry and R2 were having a blast although it took a few minutes for the little astrodroid to stop yelling. Once R2-D2 got used to Harry's antics, he was a great co-pilot. Harry decided he needed to find one astromech droid to travel with.
He kept flying for over an hour. Unknowingly to him, Naboo Space Control's officers started to watch his acrobatic flight as they would a pod race, and thus started his reputation as a the best pilot in the quadrant.
About three months after he arrived on Naboo, Harry decided he should not waste his time to repair speeders, on-world vehicles, and other junks. Star ships were much more fun and much more lucrative. So he made his first intergalactic trip alone to the junkyard planet of Bracca. On the poor rocky world, he bought two light-freighter wreckages from the Scrapper Guild, shrunk them into the cargo bay of the Firebolt and brought them back on Naboo.
He rented a small hangar on the outskirts of Theed where he completely restored the freighter, some YT-class light freighters like his own Firebolt. Two weeks later, he sold them both and had enough cash to pay his travels for a few weeks straight.
From the Royal Library of Naboo, he compelled a list of around thirty systems that could match Earth star system, mostly on the Outer Rim or Mid Rim. Of course that was only among the know parts of the galaxy. There were still wide uncharted regions were Earth could be. But Harry had to start his searches somewhere.
He tried to cross two or three planets of his list once every two weeks. Then he'd go back to Bracca, buy another wreckage, repair it on Naboo and sell it to fund his next trip. While in Naboo, he would catch up with Gregar, Padme and some friends he had made on Naboo, mostly from the Naboo Security Forces. The human contact kept him sane after days alone in hyperspace, brooding about his continuing failure to find Earth for the last six months now. Somehow, Naboo was the only planet that seemed to cure his loneliness and homesickness. So much so that he tended to linger each time a bit longer in Naboo, dreading time alone in space.
He was currently making some enhancements to his ship when he heard someone entered his pay-by-week hangar.
"Ready for another trip?"
"Gregar! Are you here for another travel advice before I head off planet?" Gregar Typho had taken upon himself to check on Harry's progress. Harry suspected that he informed his superiors about his progress but he always had very good advises for him. Beside keeping tabs on him, Gregar had become a true friend and had been a decisive factor for his adaptation to this world.
"Actually, I'm here to propose to you something a bit different this time. Can we go inside?"
Harry knew that meant business. The two men settled on the lounge area of the Firebolt while Harry opened two local beers, or at least what tasted like beers.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"You know we are investigating the Baktoid Corporation, the one that manufactured the battle droids that were used against Naboo.
"Yes, and last time we talked about it you were telling me that they were well hidden beyond the Republics territories."
"Yes, I was able however to ascertain that Baktoid is owned by the Techno-Union which also owns Republic Sienar Systems, a ship manufacturer."
"Let me guess, they build the ships the droid army used?"
"They did, but that was unfortunately not illegal"
"So what's your plan?"
"We infiltrate their Orbital Shipyard on the planet Castell and find where they send the ship they manufactured for the Trade Federation."
"Basic spy work I imagine. What do you need me for then?"
"You are starting to be recognised for your repair work. I need you to get me on the Shipyard"
"You know I only deal with busted wreckages, not brand new ships, right?"
"They may have had a few industrial accidents lately that caused a few of their luxury yachts to be decommissioned right after the assembly line. Something a profile like you would be very interested."
Harry eyes widened. "You caused an assembly line malfunction for me to get you in their shipyard? That's really sneaky, I'm impressed!"
"I don't know what you are talking about" denied the captain with a smile that told the opposite.
"All right. Buying yachts wreckage would probably allow me to make a 15 to 20 times profits: they sell pretty high. But I will never have enough credits to buy this type of wreckage."
"I already discussed it with the Queen and the Governor: we are ready to fund the purchase of the wreckage for your cover to hold for this mission, in exchange for half the profit you make."
"A very generous offer" Harry pondered.
"Might I had that the profit we expect to earn would be serve exclusively to finance Naboo Intelligence Division."
Ever since he knew him, Gregar had complained about the lack of resource he need to do his job properly. Half the profit they could make from the sales of a star yacht would be enough to fund a cutting edge intelligence network. Something Harry definitely agreed Naboo needed. Damn it, Gregar knew it and was using it as sentimental leverage. Still it was a good deal given his current finances and he owned it to Naboo for welcoming him the last months.
"Alright, we have a deal. When do you want to leave?"
"Tonight. Can you be ready to leave in four hours?"
"I can be ready in twenty minutes…"
"See you tonight then." Typho left to debrief his superiors and prepare for the mission.
The same evening, the young wizard was very happy to notice Gregar's companion.
"R2! You got conscripted as well!" The droid whistled an answer. "You volunteered? What an adrenaline junkie!"
"It was the Queen's idea actually. She thought we could use back-up." Harry smiled. It was very thoughtful.
The three companions boarded the Firebolt and left the planet minutes later.
"So, any luck on finding Earth yet? Your searching trips seem shorter and shorter."
"You're keeping tabs on me." It was more a statement than anything else. Gregar smiled but did not deny. "No. I'm almost through the list of known systems that could match the solar systems. Most were devoid of life. A few turned out with interesting cultures though." Padme had loved to hear about those.
"Well the good side is that you get to travel the galaxy as much as a spice smuggler, and without all the outlaw bantha-shit."
"I suppose, but travelling alone is not really fun you know. You should join me sometimes!"
"Sorry Harry, my job keeps me busy"
"So I noticed. And from what I hears, it's not going to change any time soon." Gregar raised an eyebrow for Harry to explain. "I read the news and I've visited dozen of inhabited planets in the last months! Lots of people are unhappy with the Republic and I can't blame them. The only thing the Senate creates more than new taxes these days seems to be new corruption scandals where the culprit goes free. Meanwhile, piracy and slave trades goes unchallenged. That means a nice pacifist planet like Naboo could not even rely on republic help when it got invaded by another system of the Republic."
Gregar looked at him critically now. "You really do care about our planet, don't you?"
"Of course I do. You, Padme, governor Bibble, and the Queen, welcome me and helped me when I had nowhere to go. Even Panaka helped in his own way. That's more than my old community ever did for me." Harry though back to all the time he had been cast aside, threatened or vilified by the media. He was pretty sure the pureblood racist political agenda kept moving forward with yet no consideration for those joining their community. Truth be told, before he got pulled into the Veil, he had become hopeless about the future of the wizarding world and was considering living in the muggle world indefinitely. Magic and his few remaining friends had been his only reason to stay.
Gregar seemed to think it was time to trade more pleasant waters "So, are you dating the handmaiden yet?"
"Who? Padme? We are just friends!"
"Oh come on, I see the look on your face when you talked to her"
"You mean my happy-to-talk-to-my-friend look?"
"More like lovesick puppy look."
Harry scolded. "Your eyepatch is impairing your sight."
"You should asked her out. I mean the Queen can't date anyone without eyebrows frowning left and right. But a handmaiden should be tolerated enough, I suppose" he mused out loud, to the wizard utter annoyance.
That sentence felt weird on so many levels. "I can't… I mean I'm not in…"
Thankfully, he was saved from his blushing and lack of coherent thoughts by a beeping from his instrument panel. Harry turned to look at the droid translator feature on his watch.
"R2, did you reroot power to the hyperdrive?"
The droid beeped affirmatively; he seemed to be as happy to "tinker" the Firebolt as Harry was. On his part, Harry was really glad to have R2 onboard. He had tried other astromech droids since meeting the little guy, but their comprehension were always limited to hyperspace calculations and simple repairs. This R2-Unit however had something more, he was just way more efficient in power distribution and complex repairs. He would have to talk to Padme about it.
Soon, they felt the ship decelerate and jump out of Hyperspace. The were facing the reddish world of Castell. It only took a few minutes until they were able to see the Orbital Shipyard. At the same moment, they were being ailed by the Shipyard and given instruction to dock in the visitor section. Harry's beginner reputation in the spaceship industry was apparently enough not to raise any suspicion at his presence.
"Alright we are docked. I go have the grand tour and negotiate the wreckages while you go do your spy thing. And don't make me bail you out" Harry threatened mockingly.
"Don't worry. I have a good feeling about this!"
R2 and him descended the boarding ramp and were met by a white protocol droid inquiring about the purpose of his visit. A droid suited fine to Harry; there were easier to fool than sentient species. With the exception of R2 of course. So Harry easily tricked the droid to treat them as normal customers, which meant a general presentation of the factories. Harry asked a lot of question during the tour, in part because it provided Gregar more time to do his spying job, but mainly because he was interested about their organisation. Orbital Shipyard CC-24 was state of the art and Harry understood why. It was a long way from his burgeoning renovation business. So Harry learned a lot.
Of course, when Harry informed the droid that he actually wanted to buy any wreckage they got, he knew they would led him to a higher operative on the station. The shipyard was operated by Gossmans, some little long-necked aliens with blue wrinkled skin. The one assigned to Harry looked startled when he mentioned wanting to buy wreckages.
After some heavy argumentation on both side, the little Gossman accepted to show him three wreckages they had from a recent little factory malfunction.
Harry expected the ship to have minor defects what would make them not good enough for the Yatch typical wealthy customers. He certainly had not expected three ships with massive wholes from top to bottom. Whatever Gregar's team had done, they had been very clever in their sabotage: all three ships were unflyable and only good enough for the junkyard.
Which make them perfect targets for Harry's line of work.
It seemed the Gossman was only reluctant to talk about the wreckage because he was afraid the malfunction would reflected poorly on the shipyard reputation. For supposedly business-orientated people, the little guy in front of him did not knew how to drive a negotiation. Harry were able to negotiate the wreckages price for a fraction of what he had expected. It was a good deal: the shipyard did not have to pay for sending unflyable wreckage to a shipyard, and they got paid for useless ships.
"Gregar" he called on their commlink while the little Gossman was away "I'm about all done here. I can drag this a bit more, but not much. How are things on your hand?"
"I was able to access the shipment manifest. I'm downloading everything but it's long. Do you think you can hold an hour?".
"I guess I will be a real pain in the ass to the little seller then. Excuse sir, I'm afraid my droid need to verify the ship's navi-computer before we move forward…"
It turned out that R2-D2 was quiet the actor. He requested to make additional scans of the ship and to plug himself to the main system function. The Goosman seller, all to happy to sell what would normally be lost profit, played along unsuspectingly.
A little over an hour latter, Gregar informed him he was almost back to the Firebolt. So Harry settled the deal quickly. Now the proud owner of three wrecks of luxurious star yachts, he requested to be left alone in the Hangar while he used a "secret proprietary technology" to prepare the ship for transport. Just in case, Harry sent a little confusion charm even though he was not sure if it would work as effectively on Gossmans as on humans.
"R2, can you cut any camera or recording device".
Once R2 confirmed it was done, Harry waved his phoenix wand and a few minutes later, the three 80-meters longs ships were fitting in 10 meters wide cubes with hovering technology sustaining them mid air. Once R2 was confident their visit would remain anonymous, they went back to the ships with their boxes, like the happy customers they were.
As soon as their shipment was secured in the cargo bay, they left the station. They did not dare to talk until the jump to hyperspace.
"That was easy" Harry said.
"Of course, you had the easy part…" Typho grouched. Harry guessed his part of the mission had been stressful.
"Did you find what you wanted?"
"Yes. And much more."
They jump in and out of hyperspace a couple of times in the next hours to cover their tracks. Once Gregar was confident they were safe enough for a while, he sent a crypted transmission to Naboo. Seconds later, General Panaka, Governor Sio Bible and Queen Amidala appeared on the hologram.
"How fared your mission, Captain?" came the immediate question from the Queen, ever so direct.
"Very well Your Majesty. We were able to infiltrate them and escape undetected. Harry's cover was the perfect decoy."
"Is it really a cover since it was a real business deal?" The queen smiled at Harry's comment. It strangely reminded him of Padme. An absurd idea occurred to him.
"Did you find where the droid factory is?" asked Panaka, interrupting his line of thought.
"It's on Hypori, a small planet on the Outer Rim. Out of the Republic jurisdiction, as we suspected."
"Good job Captain. We'll start look into it. Safe travel back to Naboo!"
Typho cut the transmission and Harry got ready to make another jump to hyperspace when he caught sight of a familiar constellation directly in front of him.
"R2, launch a complete celestial chart!" he ordered.
"What for?" Gregar asked surprised "We are not exactly in Republic control space here, we should leave before someone pick our trail"
"R2, get me those charts, I need them. It should only take ten minutes or so"
Harry was thankful that his friend did not press the issue further. They could afford the time for now.
When finally, R2 completed his charts, Harry punch the lightspeed lever, and they were in hyperspace again, safely on road to Naboo.
"What was that all about?" Typho asked him
Harry did not pay him any mind as he went to the common area and fired up the holotable, displaying the chart R2-D2 had created moments before.
The little droid beeped questionably next to him.
"Maybe my first clue about Earth, R2". That shut Typho's next question on his lips. "Can you zoom on this constellation over here?"
A stinking feeling started to grow inside his stomach. His mind was already bracing itself for what he was about to discover. As if on autopilot, Harry drew the Great Bear constellation like he had done so many time in his Astronomy classes and gave it to R2 for him to display over the charts.
"Can you pinpoint the origin from my drawings based on the map?"
"You found it?" Harry was in no state to answer to Gregar. Soon R2 informed him that the drawings and stars were to different to reconciliate and pinpoint a location.
"Can you try with future positions of the stars based on their current movements?"
R2 beeped his agreement. Harry barely registered Typho's odd look during the tense silent minutes that followed. Suddenly, charts and drawing aligned themselves, indicating an origin position far in the unknow regions. He found Earth. But deep down, Harry realised he could never go back.
"How many years did you project R2?"
Harry's mind read R2's answer but could not process it. He froze.
Gregar put a comforting hand on the wizard's shoulder while looking at the number displayed by the droid translator.
10.000 years.
Harry had been sent 10.000 years in the past.