Star Trek: The Next Gamer

Episode 5.5: Tatooine

Tyson left the Naboo cruiser and trudged into the desert sands along with a small group. He accompanied Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, Padme, and R2-D2. The elder Jedi left Obi-Wan with the guards on the ship instructing his padawan to not allow them outside communications. Panaka convinced Qui-Gon to allow the handmaiden into their party, but the man was reluctant to do so. Leaving his charge under the care of a group of strangers must have rankled the guard, but an order was an order.

They entered the city with Tyson hanging close to Padme. She was looking around in wonder, her eyes wide. She might as well have worn a sign saying 'Naive Out-of-Towner'. They were a group of contrasts. Qui-Gon walked like the world was inconsequential as if The Force gave him such confidence that nothing could affect him. Jar Jar strolled with his wide, loping gait, his arms swinging awkwardly in time with his head-tails and his look as curious as Padme's. Tyson was the only member seemingly concerned by their surroundings. He felt as if they were easy targets with their mannerisms, so the gamer didn't work the hide his vigilance. Gaze Sense was registering constantly, and he did his best to make eye contact with everyone who triggered it and give a 'Don't Mess With Me' look.

"...moisture farms for the most part, but also a few indigenous tribes and scavengers. The few spaceports like this one are havens for those who do not wish to be found…"

"Like us." replied the Queen-in-disguise.

Jar Jar finished being in awe of the surroundings and realized that it wasn't as safe as he initially considered, "Dissen berry berry bad." If he recognized that, he wasn't as stupid as he wanted to come off as. The seriousness Tyson felt was destroyed by Jar Jar stepping into a pile of shit. "Ooooh...icky...icky...goo." He couldn't help but laugh at the Gungan's antics.

They came to a small plaza, the surrounding stores all dealers of junked spaceships.

"We'll try one of the small dealers," decided the Jedi. He picked one seemingly at random and headed inside. Tyson wondered if it was The Force guiding him or dumb luck. Probably The Force. But, Tyson hadn't sensed anything. Was he not attuned? Or was his midi-chlorian count too low to pick up the subtle pull of the Will of The Force?

When they entered the dusty shop chosen by the Jedi, Tyson was struck by the chaos of the place. Piles of junk and droids were strewn about, with no apparent organization. The air was thick with the smells of oil and other industrial chemicals, and the clanking and whirring of machinery filled their ears. Qui-Gon strode forward confidently, his eyes scanning the shop as if searching for something specific. An alien with wings and a short elephant-like snout, presumably Watto, hovered over to them, his eyes sizing up the newcomers.

"What do you want?" Watto squawked, eyeing them suspiciously.

Qui-Gon spoke calmly, using his best bargaining voice, "I need parts for a J-type 327 Nubian."

Watto's eyes narrowed. "Ah yes, ah yes. Nubian. We have lots of that." The pudgy blue-skinned Toydarian then spoke in an indiscernible language. "Peedenkel! Naba dee unko."

Language Skill Acquired!
Huttese: Lvl 1

Tyson tried to repeat Watto's phrase, mumbling to himself.

Language Skill Increased!
Huttese: Lvl 2

Anakin, a young boy with messy blonde hair and a winning smile, scampered to the front desk to cover for Watto as he negotiated. He was the same child that Tyson remembered from the movies. The Jedi and merchant stepped outside to negotiate, leaving Padme and Jar Jar looking around the shop in fascination.

The gamer approached the child and magicked up a cookie from his inventory with a glass of milk. Anakin glanced at the snack warily before taking an experimental bite. Instead of savoring the bite he immediately devoured the treat. "Thanks, mister!" Tyson, not disappointing the boy, summoned a plate with several more before moving to peruse the goods.

Tyson couldn't help but notice Anakin's curious gaze darting between the cookies and Padme as he fiddled with a nearby droid. The boy looked at Padmé in awe, not quite sure how to approach her. Padmé, disguised as a handmaiden, was deep in thought as if lost in her own world.

Anakin, eager to break the silence, spoke up. "Are you an angel?" he asked, using his sleeve to clear some crumbs from the corner of his mouth.

Padmé smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. "What?" she asked, taken aback by the question.

Anakin looked down, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I heard the deep space pilots talk about them," he explained. "They say that they're the most beautiful creatures in the universe."

Padmé chuckled softly, her hand gently brushing the side of Anakin's face. "You're a funny little boy," she said, "how do you know so much?"

Anakin's eyes lit up, as he eagerly replied, "I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here. I'm a pilot, you know, and someday, I'm going to fly away from this place."

Padmé looked at him with a mixture of admiration and sadness. "You're a slave?" she asked, her voice filled with sympathy.

Anakin nodded, his expression serious. "I'm a person, and my name is Anakin," he said, determination in his voice. "What's yours?"

Padmé hesitated for a moment, before answering, "I'm Padmé."

Instead of sticking around for the slice-of-life, Tyson followed after Qui-Gon. He just missed the Jedi failing to Mind Trick the alien.

"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. No money, no parts! No deal! And no one else has a T-14 hyperdrive, I promise you that."

Qui-Gon displayed frustration for the first time as he turned and headed back to the shop, "We're leaving."

"I'll catch up," Tyson called to the Jedi before returning his attention to the exasperated-looking alien. He waited for Qui-Gon to be out of range before speaking, "I have a starship I'm looking to sell, along with a droid contingent and a few starfighters."

"What are we talking about here? If you have that, why is your friend looking for a hyperdrive generator?"

"His problems aren't my problems. I lifted a carrier from the Trade Federation, fully equipped." Tyson leaned toward the alien, a glint in his eye. "You gotta see these droids," he said. "I'm talking full battalion tanks and all. And I've got four Naboo Starfighters in mint condition, with all the upgrades. They've gotta be worth a fortune, Watto."

Watto leaned back, arms crossed over his chest. "A battalion, eh? That's a pretty penny. I don't have that kinda money,"

Tyson's smile faltered, but he wasn't one to give up easily. "Come on, Watto, you gotta know somebody who'd be interested. These babies practically sell themselves."

Watto snorted. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. But if I do, there's gonna be a cut for me, you hear? I don't do nothin' for free." Watto leaned forward, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Fifty-fifty, my friend," he said. "I'll set up the deal, you make the sale, and we split the profits down the middle. What do you say?"

"I say that's robbery, I'm not some Jedi lost in the Outer Rim. Ninety-Ten. A ten percent finder's fee is good for little work on your part. Besides if things go south, I'll be the one taking the fall, you're just a merchant."

Barter Challenge
Watto: (d20+9)x2 choose better result = 15
Tyson: d20 + 30(Social) = 39 Major Success!

"Fine, fine, might know someone who wants your goods. Are you interested in doing business with the Hutts?"

Tyson hesitated. The Hutts were notorious gangsters, and dealing with them was risky. But he needed to move these droids and starfighters, and this was what he was expecting. "When can you make it happen?" he asked.

Tyson hustled to catch up with the group before they got too far away. Hashing out the details with Watto took a few minutes. He slowed down inside the shop because it was so cluttered, and grabbed the now-empty glass Anakin had left on the counter. "Later kid!"

Perk Activated: Power Eater
Perk Evolution!
Midichlorians - Force Vergence
Force Vergence
You have become a Force Vergence, sometimes described as a nexus, an unusual yet naturally occurring concentration of Force energy. Force users near you will have increased Force abilities, both allies and enemies alike. You give off such a strong presence in The Force that your companions may gain Force Sensitivity. - You have a midichlorian count higher than any Jedi on record (27,000) and can be trained in an unlimited number of Force Powers and your number of Force Points from all sources is doubled. Additionally, you are immune to Force Drain powers.

Force Power Activated: Force Concealment
Use the Force Check (DC: 32) = 5 Major Failure!

Tyson instantly knew that he fucked up. He should have been more patient with licking that glass, but he really wanted to see what kind of perk he'd get. Immediately, he tried to conceal his presence in the Force but failed. He'd been approaching the group; they moved to a small alcove with Qui-Gon while he communicated their next course of action to Obi-Wan. The elder Jedi's head snapped to Tyson once his perk evolved. Interestingly, Jar Jar's action mirrored the Jedi's.

Qui-Gon strode across the dusty Tatooine landscape towards Tyson, his Jedi robe billowing in the hot wind. "I sense a disturbance in the Force," he said, his eyes fixed on the gamer. "Tell me, Tyson, what do you know of this?"

Tyson shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, ready to pull any number of items from his Inventory to defend himself.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Qui-Gon said, his voice low and intense. "You have a newfound presence in the Force, and I want to know how you acquired it."

Tyson hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't let Qui-Gon know the truth. "I don't know," he said finally. "I was just in the shop when I felt… something. It's hard to describe but it was like a sudden rush. It was like a river of energy that flowed through me, connecting me to everything. I could sense the emotions of those nearby, their thoughts, their desires, and their fears. It was overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. But then the moment passed and things returned to normal. I thought I was drugged or something."

Social Check {Deceit} (DC: 35) = 48 Major Success!
Social skill has increased! 30 - 31

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes, studying Tyson carefully. "We will have to investigate this later," he said. "But for now, we have more pressing matters to attend to. We must find a way off this planet, and quickly. Come, we have much to do."

~~Star Trek: TNG~~

Tyson was in a daze for the next few hours. The group had their run-in with Sebulba leading to having dinner at Anakin's to avoid the sandstorm. Tyson moved mechanically through it all; he was distracted by the mistake he'd made. It was such an avoidable situation, but now it threw things into jeopardy. When he'd been just Force Sensitive, it was easily overlooked by the Jedi, but becoming a Vergence was far beyond unnoticeable.

Qui-Gon had not brought it up after dinner, to Tyson's relief. The next day the group once again found themselves in the plaza with the starship junk dealers. Padme stops Qui-Gon as he is about to enter the shop.

"Are you sure about this? Trusting our fate to a boy we hardly know. The Queen will not approve."

"The Queen does not need to know."

"Well, I don't approve," she mumbled as he entered the shop. Watto and Anakin were in the middle of a discussion in Huttese

Watto started in on the Jedi, switching back to basic, "The boy tells me you want to sponsor him in the race. You can't afford parts. How can you do this? Not on Republic credits, I think."

"My ship will be the entry fee," he stated, pulling out a small hologram of the Naboo spacecraft.

"Not bad...not bad...a Nubian." decided the Toydarian after a moment of inspection.

"It's in good order, except for the parts we need."

"But what would the boy ride? He smashed up my Pod in the last race. It will take some time to fix it."

Tyson sat back and watched as events played out just as they had in the movie. He didn't pay a ton of attention to the exact dialog because it wouldn't be nearly as important as what his mind was currently focused on. The meeting with the Hutts.

The timing worked out perfectly for Tyson. He didn't want to be around when Anakin was working on the pod racer. He needed everything to happen exactly as it did in the course of the movie for the plan he'd concocted to work. His Engineering skill might have some unknown repercussions on tomorrow's race.

After the group left Tyson remained behind with Watto.

~~Star Trek: TNG~~

The blistering sun beat down on his skin was making Tyson think if he wasn't mostly Vulcan, that he'd gain a negative status effect. He followed Watto through the crowded streets of Mos Espa, dodging all manner of aliens and droids along the way. The buildings were made of sandstone and the streets were packed with vendors selling everything from droid parts to exotic creatures. The air was filled with the sound of various languages being spoken, a cacophony of voices that was overwhelming to Tyson's ears.

As they approached the Hutt's palace, the crowds thinned out, and the heat became even more oppressive. The palace was a massive structure, looming up out of the sand like a behemoth. It was surrounded by guards, all heavily armed and looking none too friendly. The decorations displayed all manner of riches, from precious stones to rare artifacts. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting ancient battles and long-lost civilizations. Certainly extravagant for a planet where most struggled for water.

But as they made their way deeper into the palace, Tyson couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, and the guards seemed to be eyeing them with suspicion.

It was then that Watto stopped in front of a set of massive doors. He turned to Tyson with a sly grin on his face.

"Alright, kid," he said. "This is it. You ready to make a deal?"

Tyson nodded. He prepared as best he could with short notice. His Social skill was high enough to carry him through most verbal engagements. Additionally, since Qui-Gon hadn't spoken to him last night, Tyson spent the time speaking with Anakin, working on his Huttese. It couldn't hurt to speak their native language at nearly their level.

Huttese Language Skill Increased! 2-4

The Hutt Cartel was notorious for its dealings with the criminal underworld, and Tyson knew he was about to enter a den of thieves and smugglers. The gates creaked open, revealing a massive throne room filled with a motley crew of thugs, bounty hunters, and aliens. The stench of sweat and spilled drinks hung thick in the air, and Tyson could hear the clanging of metal and the roar of laughter.

At the far end of the room sat Jabba the Hutt himself, surrounded by his minions. The massive slug-like creature was grotesque, with bulbous eyes and a slimy exterior that glistened in the dim light. Tyson tried not to show his unease as he met the Hutt's gaze, knowing that he was in the presence of one of the most powerful crime lords in the galaxy.

Watto approached Jabba, landed, and bowed low, his wings scraping against the floor. "Great Jabba, I bring you a gift," he said, motioning to Tyson. "This is my acquaintance, Tyson. He has something you might be interested in."

Jabba let out a guttural laugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, what do you have for me, young one?"

Tyson glad for his language session, stepped forward, trying to keep his composure in the face of the Hutt's intimidating presence. "I have a battalion of battle droids and four Naboo starfighters," he said, his voice steady. "I believe they would be of interest to someone of your...repute."

Jabba's eyes narrowed, and he let out a low hiss. "And what makes you think I would be interested in such things?"

Tyson took a deep breath, knowing that he needed to convince the Hutt of the value of his wares. "These new, unused droids are equipped with the latest weapons and technology straight from the Trade Federation. And the starfighters are agile and deadly in combat. With these, you could crush your enemies or ensure your security."

Jabba stroked his chin, considering Tyson's words. "Very well," he said finally. "I will consider your offer. But first, let us discuss the price."

Tyson didn't flinch. "Seventy-five percent market value in whatever currency you have liquid."

Jabba let out a low, rumbling laugh. "You drive a hard bargain, Tyson. But I can respect that. Let us negotiate from there, shall we?"

And so the bargaining began. Tyson held his ground, refusing to budge on his price, and Jabba countered with offers of spice and slaves. The tension in the throne room was thick enough to cut with a knife, but Tyson never wavered; He knew the value of what he had.

Barter Challenge
Jabba: (d20+18)x2 choose better result = 33
Tyson: d20 + 31(Social) = 48 Major Success!
Social skill has increased! 31 - 32
Very Rare Item Merchant Unlocked!

Tyson had no interest in most of what the Hutt offered, but Jabba had collections of rare items that he was willing to exchange. The Gamer hinted that he might be coming into conflict with the Jedi order in the near future, and Jabba offered a selection that had Tyson drooling.

Ancient Mandalorian Armor
Very Rare
+ 5 AC
Str Req: 18
Property (Energy Resistance): This armor grants resistance 10 to all types of energy damage.
Property (Immunity): This armor is immune to sunder attempts, and is not damaged by acid or rust.
Description: Made from the legendary Beskar metal, this armor is virtually indestructible and grants exceptional protection to its wearer. Its weight and bulk have been minimized through advanced forging techniques, allowing the wearer to maintain their speed and mobility. The pure Beskar used to craft this armor is of the highest quality, with unparalleled resistance to energy attacks. Only a select few have the skill and resources to create such an item, and fewer still have the honor of wearing it into battle.
Cost: 337,000 EC

Cortosis Alloy Longsword
Very Rare
1d8 Slashing Damage
Property (Energy Disruptor): The Cortosis longsword grants its wielder resistance to energy damage from lightsabers and other energy-based weapons. In addition, if the wielder successfully hits an enemy wielding a lightsaber or similar weapon, that weapon's energy emitter is temporarily disabled, rendering it useless until the start of the next round.
Property (Energy Dispersion): When the wielder of the Cortosis longsword succeeds in a reaction to block or similar, the attacker deals half damage against the wielder with its energy-based attacks.
Cost: 450,000 EC

Tyson played with the numbers a bit. Jabba seemed to be enjoying the challenge and wasn't offended at the reasonable offers Tyson made. In the end, the Hutt accepted 75% value for the non-droid vehicles, but only 50% for the droids since they'd have to be reprogrammed. Tyson didn't even mention the droidekas and ended up not selling the Naboo Starfighters since he didn't want to give up any of his hyperdrives. He also purchased the anti-Jedi items Jabba was willing to part with.

His Inventory would feel lighter and his pockets heavier, if any of them actually had weight. He sold three-quarters of his droid battalion, leaving him with…
3 - Multi-Troop Transports
7 - Platoon Attack Crafts
29 - Armored Assault Tanks
1,287 - B1 Battle Droids
He still had the C-9979 Landing Craft, N-1 Starfighters, and droidekas, minus the one he'd dismantled for his personal shield. He also now had Mandalorian armor and a Cortosis weave sword. Oh, and 6,399,320 more credits than he'd arrived with. The best part was everyone was pleased with the exchange and Tyson had an open invitation to the palace as a preferred supplier.

The Gamer considered unloading everything, but reconsidered, given the agreement he was trying to reach with Lore. He'd have to maintain a significant droid presence since he boasted about it to the android. Tyson hadn't given specific numbers so his remaining forces should be sufficient to appease Data's 'evil twin'.

~~Star Trek: TNG~~

"Tyson's Log, Stardate… um, let's just go with 32 BBY. That's Before the Battle of Yavin, because no settings can use normal calendars apparently. It's now the fourth day since arriving in this universe. I think. Day 1 was the Trade Federation and Naboo, and Day 2 was arriving on Tatooine and meeting Anakin. Day 3 was meeting Jabba the Hutt. But I've already talked about that. Last night when I got back to the hovel, Qui-Gon asked to test my blood. Turns out, just like Anakin my midichlorian count is off the charts. Shocker. Qui-Gon attributed this to my being in contact with him and some kind of Force symbiosis occurring. Not a bad guess for having no idea about my abilities. Otherwise, I've stayed in the background. Right now, the group is around the pod probably gambling to have Anakin's freedom if he wins. I'm gambling as well, but a different kind. Turns out the odds of Anakin winning are 60:1. The kid has never successfully finished a race, let alone come close to winning, so he's got the longest odds of winning. So I'm waiting in line now to place my bets. PADD, end log."

Tyson pulled a Biff Tannen and placed most of his money on the racer he knew would win. If he lost, he'd be down 6 million EC, but so far, when he didn't interrupt canon events, they played out as expected. The Gamer was betting that trend continued.

Tyson spent the afternoon in the Hutts' private area getting drunk and hanging out in what equated to the VIP section. Even with the deal he'd made, he was still small-time and wouldn't get much of Jabba's attention. He did manage to pay his respects to the Hutt and clean up some of his used glasses as he departed the gangster's presence. If he licked some of the rims, it might have been a coincidence, or he was developing a bad habit. Before he realized it, the race was over, he was distracted by a Togruta/Twi'lek duo and one too many Tatooine Sunrises, could you blame him? A quick application of some hyposprays had him back in top form and collecting his money from the broker.

Perk Activated: Power Eater

Racial Modifier Added: Hutt
Longevity: Hutts are one of the longest-lived species in the galaxy. Your maximum lifespan has increased to 1,200 years.

Racial Modifier Added: Togruta
Sneaky: A Togruta can choose to reroll any Stealth check to Sneak, but the result of the reroll must be accepted, even if it is worse.

Racial Modifier Added: Twi'lek
Deceptive: Naturally gifted at manipulation, a Twi'lek may choose to reroll any Social check, to Bluff or Deceive, but the result of the reroll must be accepted, even if it is worse.

Energy Credits: 366,526,205

He drew out a droid Single Trooper Arial Platform from his Inventory. He'd overlooked the devices before, since they were cheap, only 2,500 EC, and weren't stocked in large numbers inside the carrier. Most were held inside the Multi-Troop Transports. Tyson wished he had realized earlier, he would've stripped them from the ones that he sold Jabba. As it was, it was his quickest mode of transportation back to the Naboo ship, short of using a starfighter. Before he sped off, he sighted Watto looking dejected.

Watto glowered at him as he approached, the Toydarian's wings flapping angrily. But finally, he let out a resigned sigh. "I lost everything. I have no way to pay my debts now."

Tyson smiled, his eyes glinting with greed. "I'll tell you what. You've been a good business associate to me Watto, I'm going to help you out since you're down. I need some high-quality spaceship parts, and I'm willing to pay top credit for them. But I have three conditions. I want the boy's mother. Don't worry, I'll pay market value for her. I need you to put me in contact with the bounty hunters guild, oh and I also want some of your spit."

Watto narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "What do you want with my spit?"

"I have my reasons," Tyson said simply. "Do we have a deal, or not?"

Perk Activated: Power Eater

Racial Modifier Added: Toydarian
Force Resistance: Toydarians receive a +5 bonus to Will Defense against any use of the Use the Force skill.

The Toydarian actually had a few Racial Traits that were enticing. Tyson settled for the Force Resistance instead of Winged Flight. Partly because if he wanted to fly he could use repulsors or any number of vehicles. It didn't help that adding Toydarian-style wings to his back, combined with his Vulcan ears would make him look like a giant fairy.

It turned out that most of Watto's parts were junk, yet another shocker. None of the parts were things the Gamer was interested in. Tyson got the contact info for a high-end parts dealer on Coruscant from the Toydarian with the agreement an additional 10% would be sent back to the now-broke merchant.

Tyson used the Single Trooper Aerial Platform to reach Shmi and a Platoon Attack Craft to take her with him to the Bounty Hunters Guild before heading to the ship. His trip to the Bounty Hunter's Guild cantina was short. Initially, they rejected his target. Apparently, it was too 'high profile', but this was Tatooine and an extra million credits pushed it through. The cost was astronomical, considering the highest bounties out currently were around a million and Tyson had to pay that much just to get them to accept his. The Gamer used a fake name and registered the posting organization as the Trade Federation, because what was the fun in placing a bounty anonymously?

-30,000 Energy Credits (366,496,205)
-11,000,000 Energy Credits (355,496,205)

~~Star Trek: TNG~~

Tyson was later than he planned thanks to the additional stops, but not late enough to miss his ride off the planet. The rest of the group had walked to pick up Anakin before heading to the ship, so Tyson caught up to them in the desert halfway to the parked Naboo cruiser. He stored the PAC and watched the reunion between mother and son.

The group had almost arrived at the ship when they were suddenly ambushed. A blur of red and black zipped past them, and before they knew it, a crimson-bladed lightsaber ignited. Qui-Gon sprang into action, his own lightsaber engaging with a snap-hiss. The two combatants clashed in a fierce battle, while the others could only watch helplessly. Qui-Gon ordered everyone to the ship, but Tyson held his position. He equipped his droideka shield backpack and Vulcan phasers, and sent HALO out to record.

Darth Maul
[?]

Use the Force Check {Sense Surroundings} (DC: 15) = 17 Success. Empathy Synergy!
-1 FP (13/14)

The sand kicked up by their melee engagement obscured the battle area. Tyson used his Sense Surroundings to keep track of their attacker and Qui-Gon. The hooded figure was fast, his movements fluid and deadly. Tyson tried to dodge out of the way of a strike he knew was coming, but the red lightsaber was too quick. The plasma blade never made contact thanks to the droideka shield engaging to protect the gamer. Jar Jar cried out in terror as the backswing narrowly missed the clumsy Gungan.

Meanwhile, Qui-Gon fought with all his might, their lightsabers a blur of color as they clashed in a deadly dance. Sparks flew as the blades met again and again, but neither combatant could gain the upper hand. It was a battle of equals, two warriors at the peak of their abilities.

But as the fight raged on, Tyson could sense Qui-Gon slowing down. The elder Jedi's fighting technique was elaborate and acrobatic and drained his stamina quickly. The other's fled to the ship and Tyson heard the repulsors activating; he'd been taking potshots at their attacker to buy time for Qui-Gon.

The ship was nearing their position, so Tyson pulled out the STAP again and sped for the ramp while shouting for HALO to return. Just as he reached the ramp, the gamer inventoried his ride using momentum to reach his destination. A rolling landing helped bleed off his speed.

Athletics Check (DC: 25) = 25 Success!

The distraction Tyson provided before retreating gave Qui-Gon just the opening needed to Force Leap up to the ramp just behind him. The Jedi let out a ragged gasp, then fell to the floor in exhaustion as his Force Enhancement faded from his body. Obi-Wan quickly came to ensure his master was alright.

Tyson stood nearby, HALO hovering soundlessly over his shoulder. The gamer should've been aiding the elder Jedi, but all he could think about was the Force presence he'd felt nearby. The boost from Empathy allowed some leakage through enemies' Force Concealment. Initially, Maul had gone unnoticed until he activated the Force Power which clearly highlighted the Zabrak. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were both easily sensed, neither suppressing their Force presence. Then there was Jar Jar, just barely detectable, and only because Tyson was previously aware of him. But, there had been another Force Presence in the desert. This last presence leaked a hint of ill-intent to his Empathy, but it was overshadowed by a greater sense of curiosity and interest…

AN: Thanks for the reviews! In my haste to get the last chapter out on time, I neglected the AN. Glad everyone in the reviews caught the 'hidden Sith'.

Remember a few chapters back when I was super-hyped about writing Episode 5? You'll find out why next week! Since you guys are pretty sharp, you might be able to guess what's going down.