The rest of the trip to Tatooine was uneventful, a fact Callera was grateful for. It was a chance to at last compose herself somewhat before the next wave of events could crash down on her. The only sticking point was Jar Jar.
"Jar Jar should come with us, to keep him away from the repairs." Qui-Gon's insistence on Jar Jar joining them on Tatooine was grating a bit on Callera's nerves.
"And if he comes with us, he will bring the wrong attention down on us. Whether he trips over a ganger, makes an innocent statement that angers a Gamorean, or just being a Gungan on a desert planet; he will raise our profile."
"He has formally claimed a life debt to me," the statement causing Callera's eyebrow to raise, "I am now responsible for him until he can discharge the debt. The best place for him will be my side where I can keep an eye on him."
"I reserve the right to tell you 'I told you so' when the Gungan grenade goes off."
"Based on our current situation, I would expect no less."
The landing on Tatooine was smooth, the pilots found a good spot about an hour's walk from Mos Espa. Far enough that the odds of someone stumbling on them in the middle of the day were reduced and enough sand dunes and rocks to avoid casual inspection, but also meant that early morning late afternoon were the only times they could make the journey between the two reasonable and not bake under the twin suns.
The S-5 heavy blaster and holster now secure on her right hip and an off-white shawl wrapped as a mask and head covering complete Callera's outfit as she takes in her travel companions; R2-D2 almost factory new and yet still that spunky attitude she'd seen years down the road evident; Qui-Gon in a pilot's breeches and a burgundy tunic with a vest, Jar Jar in his brown pants and tunic, and Padme dressed in the blue and grey outfit found in the Queen's closet.
Looking across the room to Panaka's disgruntled face, Callera gives him a nod as she reaches for the backpack on the ground with their water and food rations and the Queen's jewelry inside. Swinging the bag over her shoulders, she tilts her head down the ramp at dawn light. "We're losing the fight against the day if we stay any longer. Ready everyone?" Various noises of assent greet her. 'Then let's go."
The air temperature slowly rising as the small group trekked towards the slowly growing outpost of Mos Espa. "What's our first stop in the city?" Padme's soft voice breaking the steady silence.
Qui-Gon's answer beats out Callera's chance to speak, "Find the local scrapyard for parts and see if they have what we need."
"If that doesn't work?"
"We improvise." Callera's voice interjecting. "Check the local cantinas for pilots who might be making coreward trips leaving tonight or tomorrow. If they're heading towards any planet favorable to Naboo, stick the Queen and Jedi on the ship and start them bouncing towards Courscant or world that can get the Queen to Courscant with little fanfare. The rest of us keep a low profile; maybe a little 'threat reduction' action for the moisture farmers to buy parts to jury-rig repairs to catch up or just buying time to get picked up."
"Why use another ship and pilot?"
"Trade Federation won't look for a courier, cargo hauler, or even a smuggler to be carrying the Queen. They'll be looking for reports of a shining silver J type Nubian, not some barely held together YT or other well used craft."
Padme nods as she takes it in. "So we'd be using the Trade Federations expectations against them, to make it easier to get the Queen to Courscant."
"Exactly."
"And how would you keep them from turning around and dropping the Queen off with the Federation?" Qui-Gon's voice curious and evaluating.
"The good captains and crews won't do that to a paying customer. They live and die on reputations for reliability. They get found out for turning a customer in. Business starts drying up. Things get harder. And besides…" Callera's grin turns feral, "you and your apprentice will be there to 'remind' them how bad of an idea that is."
"How do you tell the good from the bad?" Padme's eyes alight with interest.
"It's challenging but doable. Small tells in how they carry themselves; too friendly and eager is usually a troublesome sign, same with angry. We'd be looking for the steady confident ones but a young one with a thirst to build their rep might not be bad either if directed right."
"The Queen is supposed to just trust your judgement if you secure passage for her?"
Callera shakes her head, "I hope that if that becomes the best way to get the Queen to safety, that Captain Panaka and Master Qui-Gon will also support the decision and help convince her."
"How would you explain it to the pilot you're trying to hire?" Qui-Gon asks between sips of water as their walk brings them closer.
"Depends on my impression of the pilot and their crew. I won't outright lie; but keeping to the basics of a simple transport run for a few stranded people who have a deadline to meet and can't wait for their ship to be fixed will suffice. The extra details will depend on what's needed to sell the urgency without giving the game away."
"A well thought out back up plan Callera," Qui-Gon tilts his head in acknowledgement of her thoughts, "but let us hope it doesn't come to that. We are almost to the borders of the settlement, we must be cautious now."
"You're right Master Jedi. May the Force be with us."