Captain's Log Stardate 7430.1:
It has been nearly a week since our encounter with the machine intelligence known as V'ger and our visitors from another galaxy and while progress on finding a way back to their universe has been somewhat slow we are beginning to see results.
Spock ran a tricorder over R2, examining the droid's body in close detail and showed them to Panaka, Padme and Obi-Wan. "Scans show that your R2's body to be nearly perfectly identical to the schematics you have shown me. However I am detecting molecule sized microprocessors and billions of connected mechanisms."
"What does that mean?" Panaka asked.
"It means that these upgrades given to your droid by V'Ger not only allow it retain greater amounts of information it also possibly allows your R2 to modify its own body in any matter, adapting to whatever it needs. I believe an example is in order." Spock suggested and brought over an anti-grav lift. "R2, can you scan and adapt?"
By now R2's binary language had been programmed into the universal translator and thus Spock and the rest of the crew had no trouble understanding him.
"Sure." R2 beeped affirmative, running a scan of the machine and then a second later he was hovering off the ground.
"He simply scanned it and now he can do it?" Padme questioned.
"Correct, Miss Padme. Your droid is able to scan any form of technology down to the very its very molecules. The micro machines inside it store that information and can modify the droid's body to mimic that technology without making it seem like anything had changed." Spock explained.
"Do you understand what this means? This could revolutionize everything we know about droids in our galaxy." Panaka said as R2 hovered back down into the floor.
"That is a matter I prefer to leave in the hands of the diplomats, Captain Panaka. I can only show you what your droid has become." Spock replied.
"If it's all the same to you." The three turned to R2 upon hearing an electronic voice that spoke English and Basic. "Could you keep this a secret?"
"R2?" Padme asked. "Why would you want it kept secret?"
"Because I don't want to be dismantled." R2 answered. "After all when everyone in the galaxy, from the Trade Federation to the Senate hears about me getting upgraded by a machine advanced beyond all imagination what do you think they will do? Droids don't have rights, remember?"
Padme was silent as she considered the possibilities. R2 was right, droids did not have the rights that real people did.
"R2, are you saying you are not seen as a sentient being?" Spock questioned.
"That's right. We're walking computers meant to make life easier." R2 said.
"Then as a guest on a Federation ship you are allowed to apply for asylum if you feel you won't be safe." Spock stated.
"You are offering asylum to a droid?" Panaka questioned. "This droid's property of the Naboo royal palace."
"Machine or not R2 exhibits all the signs of being a fully sentient being. Federation law dictates that any and all beings in its territory, guests or not as to be recognized as equals with equal rights and privalges." Spock stated.
For a moment Padme and Panaka were silent but R2 answered for them. "Yes, I want to apply for asylum. At least I know that you guys won't try to take me apart if I ask you not to…I hope."
The star maps given to R2 by V'ger have been copied and given to Starfleet astronomy who estimate they will be spending decades, even centuries mapping out all of the stars and planets that V'ger encountered. During our late shakedown cruise Mr. Scott took the liberty of repairing our guests' ship as best as possible.
Scotty and Obi-Wan along with a few of the Naboo engineers were crawling through the Royal Naboo ship, repairing any and everything that had been damaged in their escape. However since hyperspace was still new to Starfleet they could not risk simply replicating new parts since some parts of the hyperdrive were extremely sensitive. Instead they focused on what could be repaired now and would worry about anything else later.
In the meantime we have had time to engage in a culture exchange.
Spock was sitting in front of Qui-Gon in a meditative pose, both of them having their eyes closed. Suddenly a candle was lit up in front of Spock who slowly opened his eyes.
"Congratulations, Mr. Spock." Qui-Gon said as the candle floated back down. "You have no midichlorians yet you have demonstrated a basic skill. I surmise it was done through our mind link."
"I do not presume to understand where midichlorians come from, Master Qui-Gon. I can only surmise that they have aided in the evolution of your galaxy." Spock stated. "Such practices are similar to what I learned on Vulcan."
"And yet you never pushed to further understand how deeply connected you might be to the Force." Qui-Gon pointed out.
"I do not dispute the existence of the Force, only that the presence of an energy field created through an amalgamation that interconnects all life cannot be proven logically." Spock stated. "Practices such as magic are considered to be a form of learning to control and channel energy or matter."
"Perhaps this is just another form of what you have seen." Qui-Gon replied. "Had you been born in the Republic I am sure the Jedi Order would have identified you immediately."
"Perhaps but I see no reason to need or to want to be trained to use this power." Spock stated.
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued now. "Why would you say that? Almost anyone would say yes, even if they are too old to be trained."
"I am a science officer, stationed on this ship. To leave now to learn your ways would be unfair to my captain and crew, not to mention it may be construed as a personal betrayal by some." Spock reasoned. "Though the chance to study your universe is an opportunity I might not wish to pass up, we still have much to explore here. To rather simplify my explanation, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
"And in our case we would be the few, Mr. Spock. You have a very unique perception." Qui-Gon stated with a small smile on his face now. "If I were to have the opportunity again I would like to journey here with other Jedi to see what might be learned."
"Begging your pardon, Master Qui-Gon, but from what you have shared with me of the Jedi Order, would not the introduction of outside knowledge be contrary to the conservative and heavily traditional sub culture of that Order?" Spock inquired.
"Sometimes change is needed and tradition can become a greater threat to the many." Qui-Gon responded.
"If you do intend to seek change within your Order, as you've implied, would not one advantageous step be to reconsider the methods by which they expand their ranks? Or the means by which they enforce the peace?" Spock pressed. "You have told me that the Jedi are not intended as warriors, yet you wield weapons which grant you an advantage over most potential enemies and train yourselves in the art of combat. I find myself questioning the logic behind this as well as the tradition of recruiting only children below a certain age and conditioning them to reject emotional ties."
"And yet as a Vulcan, do you not also repress emotion?" Qui-Gon countered, not aggressively but with the enthusiasm of one who had found a like mind to share his thoughts with.
"Granted, however Vulcans in their natural state exhibit intense emotions by the standards of most species, Master Qui-Gon." Spock explained. "It was only through logic that we learned to control them, lest we destroy ourselves. But logic is merely the beginning of knowledge, not the end goal. If I were to take a Human, an Andorian or a Tellarite among many other species and have them raised in the ways of my father's people, many of them would suffer for it in the long term. It has been said that humans are social creatures by their very nature, and this saying holds true to many others in a way that makes the idea of rejecting all emotion difficult if not impossible for most of them. As it stands, it may seem at first glance that Vulcans are naturally emotionless, and we do attempt to purge ourselves of illogical impulses, but this is the result of centuries of habit formed to counter a part of ourselves which proved self destructive."
At the end of his speech, Spock motioned to Qui-Gon. "You and any other Jedi who master their emotions would almost certainly be among the few who would have flourished on Vulcan. The same cannot be said for most, especially those who never know what emotion is because they have been discouraged from experiencing it at their earliest stages of memory recollection."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Mr. Spock…I do believe that you've perfectly described several of the Order's greater failings." He said, smiling lightly. "Among my peers in the Order, I might be considered somewhat of a maverick. Others have gone as far as to, behind closed doors; name me…a grey Jedi, one who is not in tune with the Order's teachings. They would not be wrong."
"Then you and I have that in common." Spock nodded. "My decision to enlist in Starfleet was…opposed by my fellow Vulcans, my father included. This coincided with my acceptance to the Vulcan Science Academy, to which no Vulcan had ever turned down a position. My decision was viewed as rebellious, illogical, but I simply pointed out the logic that as I am only half Vulcan, that record would remain untarnished."
Qui-Gon tilted his head slightly. "There was still something illogical in it though, wasn't there? Someone on Vulcan said or did something which made you decline."
"…they granted it to me on illogical grounds." Spock confessed. "I cannot speak further on that matter, as I'm afraid it ties closely to events which I am bound to never speak of by the highest authority…and due to the personal nature of these events. All that I may disclose without violating that edict is that there was another equally worthy of the position, matching my qualifications for entry into the academy…and yet they would allow one of us entry. There was no overt claim of prejudice, yet it was obvious by the nature of this decision that their reasons were illogically motivated."
"I see…" Qui-Gon nodded slowly. "What if I were to tell you, Mr. Spock, that the Jedi Order today is not the first incarnation of what my galaxy knows as the Jedi? In fact it is not even the first organization of its kind. Others predated it, containing less constrictive rules which permitted anyone of any age to seek entry, encouraged exploration and innovation rather than dogmatic adherence to tradition. These groups suffered calamities which led to either their end or complete reorganization that eventually resulted in the modern Jedi Order, one built upon fear…of fear itself. There have been some who question or outright oppose this, I find myself caught between the two groups."
"You speculate and question that which you understand to be wrong or impractical." Spock surmised. "And wish to bring about change that would benefit the Jedi."
"Yes." Qui-Gon seemed pleased at the Vulcan's immediate understanding. "I have no desire to upheave the entirety of the Jedi Order, but as it stands the galaxy no longer looks to us as its protectors like it used to. To many we are considered mystics locked away in ivory towers, exiting only at the whim of the Galactic Senate or to steal away any children who show potential in the Force. You must already know that this is not a sustainable practice."
"Indeed." Spock concurred. "I have heard of similar practices on Earth and other worlds. Many of them end in conflict, destruction…genocide. The role that the Jedi Order plays is dependent on two things as best as I can determine: the cooperation of the ruling government and the good graces of the people that embody that government. Without both, your order would be cast out as a cult of fanatics. On Earth there were periods known as witch hunts where natural or coincidental happenings were attributed to occult practice, leading to the wrongful execution of many who were provided no means to prove their innocence. If the Jedi remain as isolated from the greater galaxy as you have described, Master Qui-Gon, then it is only a matter of time before it completely loses one of those two essential components."
Qui-Gon crossed his arms slowly. "On that, Mr. Spock, we are both in agreement. The one obstacle that I have been unable to succeed against is finding a vehicle with which I can introduce these changes. It is not so simple to introduce change, needless to say, and previous attempts have historically led to the present situation. Divergence in belief leading to conflict which has spanned millennia. There is only one thing which I believe would make these changes possible."
He appeared hesitant to continue for a moment. "There was…a prophecy made long ago, one which spoke of a chosen one destined to bring balance to the Force, said to be born of the Force itself. The exact interpretations remain vague beyond those hints of information, and many Jedi do not put great stock in it. But I believe that there is evidence that this prophecy is not only true…but necessary."
"A prophecy centering around a messiah figure…I have heard of such tales and Surak himself was considered to be this on Vulcan." Spock said. "But he of course, is a real historic figure."
"I understand if you have reservations about this, Mr. Spock." Qui-Gon granted.
"But the question that I have for you, Master Qui-Gon, is what would constitute balance within the Force in your eyes?" Spock asked. "One common error in concerns to prophecy is how one may interpret it favorably, discounting potential alternatives which they find to be less pleasing."
"I have considered that there may be consequences to the Chosen One's existence." Qui-Gon agreed. "But I am of the belief that any short term suffering would inevitably lead to a long term, hopefully lasting balance being achieved. I am guilty of initially fantasizing that this person would eradicate the last vestiges of the dark side, but…more recently I have been concerned that in order to achieve balance the Jedi Order itself may also have to be removed."
"A clean slate, as humans say." Spock stated. "Dangerous thinking, especially concerning lives."
"I don't ponder this lightly. The reason that I adhere to this prophecy is because…there was an event where the Jedi realized that our old enemy had not been destroyed as we had hoped." Qui-Gon explained. "It was only ten years ago that every Jedi, perhaps every Force sensitive being in the galaxy was struck by a sudden, intense disruption within the Force itself. It was like a great tide of darkness had momentarily washed over everything only to vanish as quickly as it had emerged. I believe, as do others, that this was a deliberate act intended as a warning."
"Or a taunt." Spock added. "You believe that the enemies of the Jedi survived and induced this phenomenon as a means of inciting fear and doubt by revealing their continued existence."
"And that is exactly what it did, though none would admit it." Qui-Gon frowned. "They are called the Sith, and they have taken on many forms across known history. Once they led great Empires, invaded and destroyed worlds with fleets so vast they darkened the sky, experimented in the creation of creatures more terrible than the last to serve their goals. A thousand years ago we had thought the last of them to have been destroyed in a great conflict which had almost shattered the galaxy beyond hope of recovery. If they have endured all of this time then they would have had generations to plan and prepare, free of any suspicion by the Jedi. That they sent this call out means that their plans are nearing fruition and will soon be put into play."
"What would the goal of these Sith be?" Spock asked.
"Power for power's sake, dominion for dominion's sake and the elimination of any who would threaten both." Qui-Gon answered. "They have warred with one another as often as with the Jedi and Republic in the past, with countless Sith Lords seeking to crown themselves ruler of all before them. This is why the Jedi must change, for our enemies have changed and evaded our sight completely, letting our own successes be our undoing. I have read of days when the Order was not merely influential and revered, but also had the respect of the people who would look to us and feel safe in our presence. Today…many look to us and see only enigmatic and otherworldly sorcerers who serve the whims of the powerful."
Spock had remained silent as Qui-Gon explained the Sith, waiting for him to finish before speaking. "What you seek may not be easy to find even if you were to convince others that change is needed. As a Vulcan I seek to avoid conflict and only resort to such measure when all other logical options have been exhausted. I can offer no advice to you on how to change your people and prepare them for a war that may or may not being in our lifetimes, only that beginning of change must not begin with looking outward for help but looking inward and choosing how and when you make your choice."
"Bridge to Mr. Spock." The intercom in Spock's quarters signaled.
Spock walked over to his desk and answered. "Yes, Lieutenant?"
"The final simulations on the wormhole drive are complete and waiting for your inspection."
"I am on my way." Spock said, ending the call and turning to Qui-Gon. "I believe this is when our faiths are truly tested, Master Qui-Gon."
"Indeed they are, Mr. Spock. In that case may the Force be with us in this matter." Qui-Gon agreed as he stood up.
"Then before we begin our journey to the other side I offer you one final greeting on our side." Spock said, holding up the traditional Vulcan salute to the Jedi Master. "Live long and prosper, Master Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon bowed humbly. "Our hopes and prayers be with you and your crew, Mr. Spock."
For the last week we have used the information provided by Master Qui-Gon through his temporary connection with V'ger to create our very first wormhole drive.
End Log
Kirk stepped onto the bridge of the Enterprise, satisfied to see everyone at their posts with their guests: Master Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Jar-Jar, R2-D2 and Padme standing near the science station. "Status."
"All decks report they are ready, Captain." Uhura answered.
"Drive ready, Captain." Sulu said.
Kirk turned to Spock. "Are we?"
"The wormhole drive works in a manner similar to the anti-matter imbalance that created the wormhole that brought the our guests here. It opened a way deep into subspace enough that created a hole into another quantum reality. We've taken detailed quantum scans of our guests and their ship and have inputted their quantum signature into the navigation computer, as well as accounting for the exact time and place of when our guests left their universe." Spock explained. "Theoretically it should work."
"Theoretically?" Kirk asked with a small smile.
"The simulations were programmed for each and every possible outcome of this attempt, Captain." Spock remarked.
"So you have a good idea of what might happen to us whether or not this actually works." Kirk mused.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "I believe that was what I attempting to say."
Smiling Kirk turned away and walked over to his chair.
"They seem quite casual for something as potentially dangerous as this." Obi-Wan whispered to his master.
"Comes from years of friendship and trust against the unknown." Qui-Gon replied with a small smile.
Kirk tapped the switch on his armrest. "Status engineering."
"Ready down here, sir."
"Then we're ready." Kirk looked to Sulu. "Mr. Sulu, ahead warp one."
"Warp One sir."
The wormhole drive worked by first by going to warp and then generating the wormhole through more balance version of the incident that created the first wormhole.
"Engage wormhole drive." Kirk ordered.
"Engaging." Sulu replied.
A second later the Enterprise directly entered a wormhole like before. However unlike before the information provided by Qui-Gon and V'ger allowed for the ship to be protected by the wormhole distortion. It was nothing but smooth sailing and as quickly as it began the Enterprise emerged through the other side.
"All stations report." Kirk ordered as the ship came to a slow halt.
"All stations reporting no causalities and no damage, Captain." Uhura replied.
"Sensors scanning our position now, Captain." Spock spoke up. "I am detecting nothing that matches our star charts. I am comparing them to the navigation records from the Naboo ship…They are a match, Captain. We have arrived in their home galaxy."
Padme's eyes lit up with relief and a small smile appeared on her face while Jar-Jar happily shouted. "WESA BACK!"
"Can you determine our exact position?" Kirk asked.
Obi-Wan leaned over to look at the data coming in on Spock's instruments. "We're not too far away from where we were before. Can we make it to Coruscant?"
"Computing data for the coordinates." Spock replied. "It would take potentially over seventy years to reach the planet Coruscant at maximum warp."
"What about Tatooine?" Qui-Gon spoke before anyone else could reply.
Spock ran the calculations. "It is about twenty light years from our position. We can reach it in a matter of hours at Warp Six or faster."
"Then that is our best opportunity. Defalco, set course for the planet Tatooine. Mr. Sulu, warp eight."
"Aye sir. Warp eight."
"We control all the cities in the North and are searching for any other settlements..."
"Destroy all high-ranking officials, Viceroy...slowly...quietly." Darth Sidious ordered and paused before changing the subject. "And Queen Amidala, has she signed the treaty?"
Nute Gunray had been dreading this conversation for hours. "She has disappeared, My Lord. One Naboo cruiser got past the blockade."
"Viceroy, find her!" Darth Sidious snarled. "I want that treaty signed."
Nute Gunray hoped he was visibly cringing. "My Lord, it's impossible to locate the ship. It's out of our range."
"...not for a Sith..." Sidious purred.
A second figure appeared behind Sidious, garbed in a black cloak but Gunray could see yellow eyes along with a red and black tattooed face and…Were those horns?
"...Viceroy, this is my apprentice. Darth Maul. He will find your lost ship."
"Yes, My Lord." Nute said and once the hologram faded off he shook his head as he faced his aide. "This is getting out of hand...now there are two of them."
"We should not have made this bargain." Rune Haako said glumly. "What will happen when the Jedi become aware of these Sith Lords?"
A few hours passed before the Enterprise came upon the planet known as Tatooine and the first thing everyone noticed were the three moons orbiting the planet and twin suns that the planet orbited.
"What can you tell us about that planet, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked.
"Mostly barren, Captain. The planet is essentially one giant desert under the heat two scorching suns. I am reading over a dozen settlements with a few larger than most of the others." Spock answered.
"Any sign of advanced technology?"
"Affirmative, Captain. I am reading numerous fusion reactors down there." Spock answered.
"We'll need to find one of the larger settlements." Qui-Gon stated. "There are no doubt spaceports for the most part. They would be havens for traders, smugglers and merchants who might have what we need."
"Mr. Sulu, place us in standard orbit." Kirk said, standing up from the chair. "Uhura, have signal Sickbay and have Dr. McCoy report to the transporter room."
"Aye sir." Both officers said immediately.
"Mr. Spock, fancy a chance to be the first Vulcan to set foot on a planet in a new galaxy?" Kirk asked with a small smile.
"While it would be a fascinating endeavor Captain that Vulcans do not 'fancy' opportunities." Spock calmly answered, standing up from his station. "I would never presume to leave my post to set foot a new planet unless ordered so by my captain."
Kirk's smile grew a bit from Spock's answer as he addressed Qui-Gon and the others. "And you, Master Qui-Gon. Care to be the tour guide of your galaxy during our stay?"
"It is a rare opportunity but I suggest caution, Captain. I am certain places like the one we are going to can be a little rough." Qui-Gon replied with a small smile but then cautioned the captain.
"Well, then I think we'll fit right in. Mr. Sulu, you have the con. I'll show our guest the Transporter Room."
"You are saying that this device will actually teleport down to the planet?"
Padme didn't know why she bothered to be surprised by anything on the Enterprise anymore. After arriving in their universe and facing the massive machine known as V'ger she was sure she had seen it all.
Evidently the universe perhaps both her own and the one her new friends had come from love proving her wrong.
"In all our travels, almost every civilization we have met has invented or knows about transporter technology."
Kirk along with Spock and McCoy had taken the opportunity to change out of their uniforms and into less suspicious looking attire. They wore light jackets without any Starfleet insignia on them.
"Any suggestions, Master Qui-Gon?" Kirk asked.
"I suggest we 'transport' down outside the larger settlement, on the outskirts." Qui-Gon answered. "Best not to attract attention."
"Very well." Kirk turned to the transport operator who inputted the coordinates. "If you please."
Qui-Gon turned to Obi-Wan. "Stay onboard and look after the Queen. Don't let them send any transmission."
"Yes Master." Obi-Wan nodded.
Qui-Gon stepped onto the transporter pad but looked over at Padme. "And what are you doing?"
"I am coming with you." Padme answered.
"No you are not." Qui-Gon refused. "The spaceport is not going to be pleasant."
Kirk and McCoy shared a quiet look but remained silent.
"I've been trained in self-defense." Padme argued. "I can take care of myself."
Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes. While the queen might have asked her to explore the Enterprise while in the other universe he sensed that coming along was her idea. He didn't have time to look after some spoiled handmaiden while traveling through a place he knew would be dangerous.
"I do not have time to argue." The Jedi Master said sternly. "But this is not a good idea. Stay close to me."
Padme nodded, standing on the transport pad while Kirk faced the operator. "Energize."
Tatooine
Outskirts of Mos Espa
The instant they beamed down to the planet the landing party was greeted with scorching heat, almost unbearable. Even to explorers like the Starfleeters the heat was quite unpleasant. Of course Spock refrained from speaking any discomfort he might have had while McCoy had no trouble grumbling about it while Jar-Jar complained nonstop. The group walked down the main street of settlement, passing dangerous looking citizens of all types.
Padme looked around in awe at this exotic environment. The streets were unpaved but busy with constant traffic.
"Fascinating. The construction of this city is basic but there are signs of advanced technology all around." Spock mused, watching a hovering vehicle as it drove down the street. "The materials in each structure, despite being simple and crude in comparison to what would be considered acceptable, make each structure resilient against damage from the common weaponry of this universe."
"How so?" Kirk asked.
"The melting point of sand is far above that of most metals, and these structures are constructed from local elements." Spock pointed out the sand all around them. "These structures are intended to minimize damage and facilitate easier reconstruction in the event of conflict. Unusually pragmatic for a world considered to be a criminal controlled backwater by the standards of this universe."
"You don't see places this busy or with so many different races even on Risa." McCoy commented.
"Moisture farms for the most part, but also a few indigenous tribes and scavengers. As I said before the few spaceports like this one are havens for those who do not wish to be found..." Qui-Gon said.
"...like us." Padme finished.
Jar-Jar was in a constant state of panic while R2 whistled along, with perfect confidence. "Dissen berry berry bad." He stopped and looked down, seeing his foot in ooze. "Ooooh...icky...icky...goo."
Qui Gon led them to a little plaza surrounded by several junk spaceship dealers, surrounded by piles of worn looking equipment. "We'll try one of the smaller dealers."
They headed for a little junk shop that had a huge pile of broken spaceships stacked up behind it. Inside was a pudgy blue alien who flew up to them on short little wings like a hummingbird.
"Hi chuba da naga?" It asked.
"I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian." Qui-Gon said in English or Basic.
"Ah yes, ah yes. Nubian. We have lots of that." The pudgy owner said, stopping for a moment to shout at the rear entrance of the ship before continuing the conversation. "What kinda junk?
"My droid here has a readout of what I need." Qui-Gon answered.
A disheveled boy ran in from the junk yard. He was about nine years old, very dirty, and dressed in rags. The junk owner raised a hand, and the boy flinched. That action did not go unnoticed by the Starfleeters who opted to remain silent for the moment.
"Soooo, let me take- a thee out back. You'll find what you need." The junk owner said after he was done barking at the boy.
"Jim, let me have a look at the kid. You can tell that he's not getting the best treatment from that guy." McCoy whispered to Kirk.
Kirk looked at the boy and nodded. "All right but be discreet about it, Bones. We don't want to ruin a deal for our friends. Spock, while we are here I'd like you to take a chance to do some scanning. We might learn how to create our own hyperdrive."
"Yes, Captain." Spock nodded.
R2 and Qui-Gon followed the owner toward the junk yard, leaving Jar-Jar with Padme and the young boy. Jar-Jar picked up a gizmo, trying to figure out its purpose before Qui-Gon took the part out of his hand and put it back.
"Don't touch anything." He said before following the owner with Kirk and R2.
Jar-Jar made a rude face to Qui-Gon's back and stuck out his long tongue. The boy sat on the counter, pretending to clean a part while staring at Padme who was little embarrassed by his stare, but she mustered up an amused smile. McCoy took notice of the boy's look and Padme's uncomfortable reaction, smiling a bit.
Some things never changed, no matter the universe.
He looked at his tricorder, seeing the boy's physical state. While he was healthy for a boy his age McCoy noticed signs of micro fractions to the boy's bones and healing wounds that was consistent with physical abuse. He also noticed something else that was disturbing. A foreign object with metallic compounds placed inside the boy's cranium with a signal being emitted.
The boy has a transmitter in his body!
"Are you an angel?"
McCoy looked up, watching as Padme reacted to the surprising question. "What?"
"An angel." The boy answered seriously. "I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They live on the Moons of Iego I think. They are the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They are good and kind, and so pretty they make even the most hardened spice pirate cry."
Spock had been scanning some of the equipment in the store when he heard the boy's tale, merely raising an eyebrow. McCoy on the other hand was amused by the surprised look on Padme's face.
"I've never heard of angels." She finally said.
"You must be one...maybe you just don't know it." The boy reasoned.
"You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?" Padme asked.
"Since I was very little, three, I think. My Mom and I were sold to Gardulla the Hutt, but she lost us, betting on the Podraces, to Watto, who's a lot better master than Gardulla, I think." The boy said.
Padme's smile fell. "You're...a slave?"
The boy looked at Padme defiantly. "I am a person! My name is Anakin."
"I'm sorry. I don't fully understand." She looked around. "This is a strange world to me."
The boy named studied her intently. "You are a strange girl to me."
As they spoke Jar-Jar pushes the nose on what appears to be a little droid, and it instantly comes to life, grows legs and arms, and starts marching around, knocking over everything.
"Hey knock it off!" McCoy barked at the Gungan's wanton need for causing trouble.
Jar-Jar tried to hold on but couldn't stop it.
"Hey!" Anakin called out, earning Jar-Jar and the droid's attention. "Hit the nose!"
"Oh." Jar-Jar hit the nose, and the droid collapsed back into its original state.
"If you can't be respectful enough to keep your hands off of other people's things then go wait outside." McCoy said sternly. "The last thing the boy needs is to clean up your mess."
Anakin and Padme laugh with Anakin watching Padme straighten her hair.
McCoy walked over to Spock, taking a chance to speak with him while they were distracted. "Spock, that boy has a transmitter placed in his body and I read signs of physical trauma consistent with abuse."
"The boy did take offense to being labelled as slave." Spock reasoned.
"This is insane. A supposed advanced culture still relying on the horrible and decadent use of treating people as personal property." McCoy said, his voice quiet but loud enough to convey the moral outrage he was feeling. "It's like we're back in the god damned Dark Ages."
"This is another galaxy. We cannot expect everyone develop along the same moral compass as us." Spock replied, scanning the equipment and the droids used by the junk owner named Watto.
"That's not a damn excuse." McCoy whispered harshly.
"I never said it was." Spock calmly replied.
Xxx
Watto read a small portable monitor he was holding, stopping before hyperdrive. "...Here it is...a T-14 hyperdrive generator! Thee in luck, I'm the only one hereabouts who has one...but thee might as well buy a new ship. It would be cheaper, I think...Saying of which, how's thee going to pay for all this?"
"I have 20,000 Republic dataries." Qui-Gon answered.
"Republic credits?!" Watto exclaimed. "Republic credits are no good out here. I need something more real..."
"I don't have anything else." Qui-Gon said, raising his hand. "But credits will do fine."
"No they won't."
Qui-Gon, using his mind power, waved his hand again. "Credits will do fine."
"No, they won't." Watto said louder. "What you think you're some kinda Jedi, waving your hand around like that? I'm a Toydarian. Mind tricks don't work on me-only money." He clicked two fingers together. "No money, no parts! No deal! And no one else has a T-14 hyperdrive, I promise you that."
Sharing a look with Kirk, Qui-Gon decided it was best to leave and come up with another idea.
Xxx
"All right, that's enough!" McCoy barked, pulling Jar-Jar away from a stack of parts just he tried to pull on it. "Go outside and wait! I'll not tolerate you wrecking everything you get your little hands on."
"But mese doing nothing." Jar-Jar complained as McCoy shoved him outside.
"You're a walking disaster. Now stay here and don't move or it's my boot up your clumsy rear." McCoy retorted before walking back into the shop.
"...wouldn't have lasted long if I weren't so good at fixing things. I'm making my own droid..." Anakin said, still conversing with Padme.
The conversation ended as Qui-Gon hurried into the shop, followed by R2 and Kirk. "We're leaving."
"I'm glad I met you." Padme said, following after the Jedi Master.
"I'm glad I met you too." Anakin called out after her.
Xxx
"This is like a damn backward third world country." McCoy complained as they left the shop. "All this advanced technology and they practice slavery, even on children. That boy has a micro explosive transmitter in his body."
"That's awful." Padme said, shocked and horrified by the mere thought of it.
"Damn right it is. Why the hell did we have come to here of all places?" McCoy remarked.
"It was the only logical option." Spock replied.
"To hell with logic I thought slavery was banned by your Republic, Mr. Qui-Gon." McCoy threw a dark look at Qui-Gon as they found a quite spot. "Signs of malnourishment that says the boy has been starved along with physical trauma that you only see in physical abuse, the kind that picks back up as soon as he's done healing. I have half a mind to go back in there and tell that junk dealer to take his parts and-"
"Bones, believe me when I say that I agree, but we don't have time for that." Kirk replied, trying to calm his friend before turning to Spock. "Anything you learn?"
"I scanned the majority of the owner's equipment. They all come in a variety that will take time to sort through." Spock answered. "Though given the various states of disrepair of his stock, I would assume that much of it comes from salvaged starships, some with carbon dating placing their assembly at decades or centuries ago by our measure of time. Much of what we can gleam from them may be inconsistent at best or horribly outdated at worst."
"Slavery and scavengers." Bones growled. "Welcome to a whole new galaxy."
"I suppose in the meantime we check if we have anything to barter with." Qui-Gon said, pulling out his comlink and looked at it. "Captain if I may, my comlink cannot reach Obi-Wan in orbit."
Kirk pulled out his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise. Master Qui-Gon wants to speak with his ship. Tie the frequency for his comlink to ship's and connect him with Obi-Wan."
"Aye, sir." Uhura replied and a few seconds it was done. "Done, Captain."
Qui-Gon held up his comlink and spoke with Obi-Wan.
Xxx
Tatooine Orbit
USS Enterprise
Landing Bay
Naboo Ship
Obi-Wan was in the main hold of the Naboo craft as his master explained the situation.
"Obi-Wan, you're sure there isn't anything of value left on board?"
"A few containers of supplies, the Queen's wardrobe, maybe. Not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about."
"All right. Another solution will present itself. I'll check back." Qui-Gon ended the call and puts his comlink away.
"Noah gain..." Jar-Jar grabbed the Jedi's arm. "Da beings hereabouts cawazy. Wesa be robbed un crunched."
"Not likely. We have nothing of value, that's our problem." Qui-Gon told him before leading the group away.
"I'd offer to help, Master Qui-Gon but I am not sure anything we have can be of value. We don't exactly put much stock into things like gold or money. Our form of currency is very basic and probably as valuable as your Republic credits." Kirk stated. "Mr. Spock, is there anything you can think of that would be of valuable?"
"Unlikely, Captain. Without revealing the nature of our visit and showing of our technology there is nothing of value in a society like this. At best any antiques or personal items can be offered with a minimal chance of them being sold and even then the chances of them raising the required amount borders are not ideal." Spock answered.
"And I suppose that you have no interest in opening your own clinic here, Bones." Kirk said to the doctor.
"A clinic? It'd be more like a morgue." McCoy replied. "I don't even want to know what they have for a doctor around here."
In the meantime Jar-Jar stopped for a moment in front of a stall selling dead frogs hanging on a wire. He looked around to see if anyone was looking, then stuck out his tongue, and gets hold of one, pulling it into his mouth.
Unfortunately, the frog was tied tightly to the wire and the vendor suddenly appears. "Hey, that will be seven truguts!"
Jar-Jar opened his mouth in surprise, and the frog snapped away, ricocheting around the market, and lands in someone's soup, splashing him. The person was a spider like creature and he was not happy. As Jar-Jar moved away from the vendor the creature jumped onto the table and grabbed the Gungan.
"Ni chuba na?" The creature snarled, holding the dead frog.
"Who, mesa?" Jar-Jar asked before the creature throttled him.
Just as the creature was about to hurt him a familiar voice stopped him. "Chess ko, Sebulba...Coo wolpa tooney rana."
The creature named Sebulba stopped his assault on Jar-Jar and turned to source of the voice who turned out to be the boy named Anakin. "Tooney rana nu pratta dunko, shag."
"Oh da Hutt...cha porko ootman geesa...me teesa rodda co pana pee choppa chawa." Anakin replied.
"Neek me chowa, wermo, mo killee ma klounkee! Una noto wo shag, me wompity du pom pom." Sebulba snarled and turned away.
"Eh, chee bana do mullee ra." Anakin muttered bitterly.
As the crowd started to break up the rest of the group arrived.
"Hi! Your buddy here was about to be turned into orange goo. He picked a fight with a Dug. An especially dangerous Dug called Sebulba." Anakin said, speaking mostly to Padme.
"Why am I not surprised?" McCoy rolled his eyes.
"Mesa hate crunchen. Dat's da last ting mesa wanten." Jar-Jar denied.
"Nevertheless, the boy is right...you were heading for trouble." Qui-Gon said. "Thank you, my young friend."
Padme looked at Anakin and smiled; he smiled back and they started walking down the crowded street.
"Mesa doen nutten!" Jar-Jar insisted.
"Except trying to steal food for yourself. If you're hungry so bad you can just ask. I got some provisions." McCoy said and then whispered. "Of the mild anesthetic variety."
"Ooh, yousa bringin the munchins?" Jar-Jar asked, smiling.
It took all the self-control he had not to either grin wickedly or toss the Hippocratic Oath to the winds there and then.