Chapter 15 - Fixes

As they entered the market, Edric quickly realized it was much larger than he'd anticipated. It stretched on, a maze of narrow alleys filled with stalls offering everything from vibrant textiles and intricate jewelry to droid parts and strange metal trinkets. It was a chaotic blend of colors and sounds, and while there were plenty of essential wares, he spotted very few ship parts—and none large enough to fix their hyperdrive.

He scanned the crowd, which consisted of bipedal races of all sorts. Most were wrapped in colorful, flowing garments, their faces obscured by scarves or hoods, lending an air of mystery. Overhead, shades provided welcome relief from the sun, casting dappled patterns on the ground below. He slowly managed to somewhat put what happened on Daiyu into the back of his mind, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Their first stop was a stall selling drinks in tall, glass pints, the liquid inside as turquoise as the domes they'd seen from the hilltop. Max approached the vendor, an Ithorian with a booming voice and a lazy eye, and pointed at the drinks.

"How much for four?" Max asked, squinting against the light.

The Ithorian rumbled, "Five wupiupi."

"Kriffin' extortion," Max muttered, but he tossed over the coins and grabbed a pint. Edric and the others followed suit, each taking a drink. Edric downed his in a single gulp, the taste surprisingly fruity with a sharp, acidic tang that caught him off guard. He stifled a burp, sensing at Lyra out of the corner of his eye, trying not to look too uncouth.

A collective sigh of relief rose from the group as they emptied their pints, the refreshing liquid cutting through the dryness that had built up during their walk.

"Good stuff," Max remarked, wiping his mouth. Then he turned back to the vendor. "You wouldn't happen to know where we can find someone who deals in ship parts and fix them, would you?"

The Ithorian was already serving two Neimoidians but gave a nod toward the central bazaar. "There's a human tinkerer in the bazaar's main row. Has a shop with all sorts of spare parts. You can't miss it."

"Appreciate it," Edric said with a nod. He looked over at Max, who was already searching the nearby stalls with his eyes.

"Alright," Max said, straightening up. "Time to split up. I saw some stalls with food and supplies down that row." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Lyra and Edwin, you know what to do. We'll find this mechanic and see what he's got."

Edric looked at his brother and Lyra, who nodded before heading off into the crowd. He felt a pang of worry as they disappeared from sight, but Max clapped him on the shoulder, pulling him back to their job.

"Come on, kid," Max said, his tone lighter. "Let's go find ourselves a miracle worker."

With that, they ventured deeper into the bustling market, weaving through a sea of colors and textures, the scents of incense, exotic spices and strange foods filling the air.

The bazaar had vaulted ceilings that arched gracefully overhead, their surfaces adorned with faded mosaics depicting long-forgotten constellations and mythic creatures of the sands. The walls, made of sun-baked clay and stone, bore intricate carvings, delicate geometric patterns and swirling vines, each detail a testament to the artisans who once labored under the sun. Archways and narrow alleys branched off like veins, leading deeper into the maze of shops and stalls. Above, canvas awnings stretched between the walls, their fabric dyed in faded hues of ochre and indigo, filtering the harsh sunlight into a soft, dappled glow that gave the entire marketplace a dreamlike quality. Here and there, hollowed-out alcoves nestled into the walls, displaying everything from polished gems to hand-blown glass, each treasure casting a shimmer across the rugged stone floors.

Edric found himself wandering through the market with his mouth slightly open, his gaze darting from stall to stall, taking in the array of sights. He felt like a kid again, marveling at each strange object and unfamiliar face. A glance at his bounty hunter friend told him the man was similarly impressed, though hiding it well.

"I've never seen anything like this," Edric murmured, pausing at a stall displaying droid heads that had been painted and repurposed into bizarre, almost grotesque sculptures.

"Me neither," Max replied with a shrug, scanning the surroundings. After a moment, he stopped abruptly, putting an arm out to halt Edric. Edric nearly bumped into him, his larger frame almost bowling the bounty hunter over.

"There," Max said, nodding toward a sign that read Sid's Rust & Relics Repair, its letters painted in a shaky, uneven hand.

They walked over to the shop, which looked more like a junkyard than a proper business. Parts were strewn everywhere, with metal scraps and half-built droids piled high in chaotic heaps. Wires dangled from the ceiling, and shelves buckled under the weight of countless discarded components. A strange, warbling tune played from somewhere in the back, accompanied by a voice humming along, occasionally breaking into a nasal, off-key chant in a language Edric didn't recognize. The oddness of it all sent a shiver up his spine.

"Hello!" Max called into the shop, causing Edric to raise an eyebrow at his friend.

"What?" Max asked with arms open.

The humming stopped, and the music's volume suddenly lowered. A thin voice called out from the back, "One second!" This was followed by a loud clang and an indignant "Ow!"

A moment later, the shop's proprietor appeared, stumbling out from behind a precarious stack of parts that seemed ready to collapse at any moment.

"Welcome to Sid's RRR—Rust, Relics, and Repair!" he announced with a grin, throwing his arms open wide.

The kid looked to be a few years younger than Edric, maybe fifteen or sixteen, with a round belly and slightly chubby face dusted in soot. His hair was an unruly mop of jet-black curls that framed his face, and his eyes were dark and sharp, full of mischief. He had goggles on a strap hanging from his neck. His skin was several shades darker than Edric's, and his hands were stained with oil and grease, evidence of his work. Despite his small stature, he carried himself with a surprising amount of confidence.

"I'm Sid'dhar Mah'dru, but everyone calls me Sid," the boy said with a grin. His Basic carried an accent Edric couldn't quite place. He raised an eyebrow, surprised to see someone so young running an operation like this. He took in the organized chaos of the shop, wondering if it was really all Sid's work. Is this kid really running this all?

As if he heard Edric's question, Sid tilted his head slightly, a knowing glint in his eye. "Yeah, I get that look a lot," he said, smirking. "I know I'm young, but I promise you won't find a better mechanic in Baytaya. Heck, probably not on all of Zaharis!"

Max chuckled, clearly amused. "Good to hear, because we're in need of someone who knows what they're doing. Our ship's hyperdrive is on the fritz, and we need it patched up quick." Max fished around in his pocket and pulled out a holoprojector. With a flick of his thumb, an image of the Beast hovered between them, rotating slowly.

Sid whistled, eyes wide as he leaned in to get a closer look. "Nice ride," he said, nodding appreciatively. Without missing a beat, he added with a confident grin, "I can fix her up, no problem."

Edric exchanged a look with Max, who winked in approval. "Well, sounds like you're our guy, Sid," Max replied. "The quicker, the better. We've got credits."

Sid began rummaging through a pile of tools, barely looking back as he asked, "Are you docked nearby?"

"Not exactly," Edric replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "We, uh… kind of crash-landed just outside of town. Baytaya, you called it?"

Sid's head popped up from behind a shelf. "Yep, Baytaya. And you might want to stick around for a few more hours. There's a storm on the way."

"A storm?" Max repeated, sounding both curious and wary. Sid appeared from behind the shelf, hauling a heavy bag of tools, which he dropped on the workbench with a satisfying clunk.

"Yeah, take a look," Sid said, holding up his arm to reveal a small screen strapped to his wrist. On it was a radar-like display showing a swirl of clouds advancing toward a crude outline of the town. "I rigged up some sensors in the desert to track weather patterns. Keeps the town prepared when the big dust storms roll in."

Edric leaned in, impressed. "You set this up yourself?"

There was something about the boy that was strange and familiar at the same time. The Force was also somehow out of tune in this place. Edric couldn't really figure it out if it was the planet or Sid's shop or the mechanic himself.

Sid flashed a proud grin. "Sure did. Can't have folks getting caught off guard out here. Dust storms can last for hours, sometimes days. Better to be prepared."

Max nodded, clearly impressed despite himself. "Smart thinking."

Sid shrugged, brushing off the compliment with a flick of his hand. "Around here, you learn quick or you don't last. Now, if you're stuck for a bit, I'd suggest making yourselves comfortable. I can gather what we need in the meantime and prep for the repairs once the weather clears."

"We should let the others know," Edric said to Max, who nodded in agreement.

"Have them come here," Sid suggested, his grin never wavering. "There's plenty of room to wait out the storm, and once it clears, we can head to your ship and get to work."

Max pulled out his comlink, nodding in agreement. He called Edwin, relaying their location and advising him and Lyra to make their way over. As Max spoke, Edric noticed a strange buzzing sound coming from the entrance. He turned just as a small flying object whizzed past his face, narrowly missing him before stopping to hover right in front of Sid.

"Whoa!" Edric exclaimed, instinctively stepping back. The device seemed like a small droid with a rectangular body and four propellers at each corner, buzzing steadily as it hovered.

Sid chuckled, holding out a hand. "Sorry about that! This little guy's got a mind of his own sometimes. Meet DR-1 or as I call him, Drone. Built him myself. He's my scout for trouble—storms, thieves, you name it."

"Not your average droid design, that's some serious tech," Edric eyed the robot.

Sid gave a proud nod. "He's custom-built to handle the sandstorms here and keep an eye on things when I'm busy. Never hurts to have an extra set of eyes. I can also control him with these," he raised his wrist-screen, and pointed at his goggles.

"Alright, Sid, consider me officially impressed," Edric added with a smile tugging at his lips, "looks like we picked the right place to crash-land."

Edric glanced back at Drone, which was still hovering dutifully over Sid's shoulder. The kid definitely seemed to know his stuff, and a spark of hope flared up in Edric's chest. Maybe they had a shot at getting back in the air sooner than he thought.

A few minutes later Edric saw as Lyra and Edwin arrived, their arms full of supplies from the market. Lyra's face was a mix of surprise and slight disgust at the shop's cluttered interior, while Edwin just nodded, seemingly unfazed by the piles of junk. After a brief introduction, Sid motioned for them to follow him to the back of the shop.

The room beyond was a cozy contrast to the chaotic storefront. A worn couch sat against one wall, flanked by a couple of mismatched chairs, all surrounding a low table cluttered with schematics, droid parts, and the remnants of what looked like hastily eaten meals. A small cot was pushed into the corner, and above it hung a handful of tools, neatly arranged in a way that suggested this was more than just a workshop—it was home.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Sid said, dropping into a chair and waving for the others to take a seat. Edric and Max settled onto the couch, while Lyra perched on a nearby stool, and Edwin leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, quietly observing as usual.

"So, Sid, how'd you end up running a shop like this? You seem too young to be on your own." Edric asked, leaning forward a bit. A strange feeling was in the back of his mind and he was curious about this boy. Maybe he saw a bit of himself in him? No, there was something else too.

Sid gave a half-smile, shrugging. "Truth is, I don't remember much about my family or my early years. It's all kind of a blur. I was taken in by an old man, Hazim, who used to be a merchant in the bazaar. He taught me most of what I know and gave me this place when he retired. Said it was time for someone else to carry the torch."

Lyra's face softened. "That was kind of him."

Sid's smile faded a bit, and he hung his head, his fingers fidgeting with a loose bolt. "Yeah, he was a good guy. Got caught up in one of the big sandstorms a couple of years back. He never came back, so… I've been on my own ever since." He shrugged, as if trying to brush off the sadness. "I kept the shop running. Folks here mostly leave me alone. I guess they're grateful for my help, but some don't trust me much. I've had a few, uh, mishaps with my 'experiments'," he added, air-quoting with a grin.

Max chuckled, looking at a shelf full of half-finished projects. "Can't say I'm surprised."

Sid laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, I always figured you can't learn without blowing something up a time or two. Machines… they just make sense to me. I can practically see how they tick, you know? Like, I don't even have to think about it. I just get it."

Edric exchanged a quick glance with Edwin, a look that spoke volumes. He could sense it too—there was something about Sid, something more than just natural talent. It reminded him of the way the Force had always guided him, how it had helped him see things others couldn't. Some Padawans at the Temple were exceptional with machines, few even considering tinkering with them a form of meditation. But was Sid aware of it?

"You're really in tune with your work," Edric said, choosing his words carefully. "It's a rare gift, understanding machines like that."

Sid shrugged again, clearly oblivious to the deeper meaning. "I guess. It's just… it's always been easy for me. Guess I got lucky."

Edric nodded, but his thoughts churned. He and Edwin had enough experience to know the signs of Force sensitivity, though Sid himself seemed blissfully unaware. The last thing the kid probably needed was more complications given the Empire and its crusade against any and all Force sensitives, but the more he spoke, the more Edric felt the Force resonating faintly around him. Whether it was their place to say anything, he wasn't sure. For now, it felt best to keep that knowledge between him and Edwin, who gave a slight, knowing nod in return. Even though Edric didn't really wanted to talk to his brother for the time being, it was something worth having a discussion on. His mind kept asking what if the Empire found the kid.

"So, you've managed all this on your own for the past two years?" Lyra asked, clearly impressed.

"Yep. Learned a lot along the way, made a few mistakes, but that's how it goes," Sid replied with a grin. "Besides, I've got my little helpers," he added, nodding toward a corner where Drone was, quietly recharging.

Max raised his canteen in a mock toast. "Here's to making it work with whatever you've got."

Sid clinked his own drink to Max's with a smile, and for a moment, the group shared a quiet camaraderie, surrounded by the remnants of Sid's inventions and their quiet beeps.

The storm had lasted longer than expected, so they spent the night in Sid's shop, bundled up in whatever spare blankets and cushions they could find. By morning, the air was sharp and cold, and Edric shivered as they trekked back to the Beast. The ship hadn't been swallowed by the desert sands, but they still had to clear some of the fine, powdery grains that had piled up around the entrance. Sid wasted no time, diving straight into diagnostics to identify the issue. It didn't take long for him to start listing fried motivators and other parts with price tags that made Edric wince.

While Sid tinkered with the engines outside, with Lyra handing him tools from the kit, Edric and Max sat in the cockpit, running system checks as the mechanic instructed over comlink. Edwin appeared silently behind them, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"We need to talk, Edric," he said, tilting his head towards the common area.

Edric exhaled, shooting a helpless look at Max. Save me, he thought. But Max just shrugged, clearly amused. Edric reluctantly rose from the co-pilot seat and followed Edwin, who led him to the dining area, stopping only when they were far enough from Max to speak privately. They sat down across from each other, and Edric could feel his pulse quickening. He avoided his brother's gaze, wiping his palms on his trousers.

Edwin scratched his beard thoughtfully before speaking, his voice low.

"You know the kid's Force-sensitive, right?"

Edric nodded, feeling a surge of relief that the topic was Sid, and not their father... or Master Asher. Even brief thought of them made his fists tighten involuntarily.

Edwin's face was serious. "If he's untrained, there's a good chance the Empire will come knocking eventually."

"Where are you going with this?" Edric asked, trying to gauge Edwin's intent. He sensed there was more to this conversation than simple concern.

"I've seen you, little brother. You always try to save everyone," Edwin said, his gaze hardening. "But we don't have time for that."

The words hit Edric like a slap. He could feel his lip curl as frustration swelled inside him. "Are you serious?"

Edwin didn't flinch. "I'm not here to play the hero, Edric. I'm here to get the holocron and make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. That's our priority. We have a duty."

"You really are worse than the Jedi," Edric muttered, his voice thick with disdain.

"No," Edwin replied, his tone steady, almost clinical. "I'm just realistic. You think I like this? I grew up in it. Duty over everything else. It's not easy, ever. We need to get out of here as soon as possible, before your old master catches up to us."

The words made Edric take a deep breath and close his eyes. He reached out to the Force, to find his sanctuary again. The familiar scenery flashed in his mind's eye and for just a brief moment he could find balance. It strangely felt easier than usual. Was it because of this planet maybe? He opened his eyes again, seeing Edwin motioning toward him with a hand.

"Don't," Edric said sharply, leaning back and pulling himself away from his brother's reach. "These are my emotions, Edwin. You don't get to override them just because you can."

Edwin gave a slow nod, dropping his hand. He stared at the bulkhead behind Edric, as if contemplating something. Then he looked back, a slight smile forming on his lips. "How about a little sparring?"

Edric blinked, caught off guard. "Sparring?"

"Yeah," Edwin replied, his tone lighter now, almost playful. "You're worked up, and I could use a workout. Let's settle this the old-fashioned way. Let those frustrations out."

"Alright."

The Beast's common area was spacious enough to allow them some room to maneuver, though the ceiling was low and the walls were cluttered with equipment and supplies. Edwin ignited his green lightsaber, the hum filling the room with an almost soothing sound. Edric followed, his own yellow blade springing to life, casting sharp shadows over the bulkheads.

Edric didn't hesitate. He launched himself forward, his lightsaber swinging in a quick arc, aiming to catch his brother off guard. Edwin parried easily, their sabers crackling as they met. Edric swung again, and again, pouring all his frustrations into each strike, trying to force Edwin back. His ribs were burning with oxygen, feeling his anger rising again, but somehow still able to keep it in check. Edwin absorbed each blow, moving smoothly, like he was dancing to a rhythm only he could hear.

After a particularly forceful clash, Edric felt himself lose balance. He stumbled, and as Edwin's saber came down, he had to throw himself back a bit assisted by the Force, barely avoiding the green blade. He caught his footing and quickly adjusted to a defensive stance, breathing heavily. Edwin's calm composure was unnerving compared to the storm he had inside himself. His brother attacked, with strong slashes of a form unknown to Edric. Clearly, he was not trained by a Jedi Master.

Edric narrowed his eyes, taking a moment to study him, realizing that while Edwin was powerful, he was slower than a trained Jedi might be. He was using raw strength, relying on calculated strikes rather than agility.

Edric adjusted his grip and went on the defense, blocking Edwin's heavy blows as they came. The room echoed with the clash of sabers, the smell of singed metal filling the air. Edric tried to anticipate Edwin's moves, stepping back when he needed, dodging when the swings were wide. He noted how Edwin always seemed to keep his balance, never overcommitting, as though he were holding something back.

Then Edwin struck again, a powerful overhand blow. Edric deflected, spinning to the side and using the momentum to drive his own saber toward Edwin's midsection. Edwin blocked, but Edric pressed on, throwing in a rapid series of strikes that forced Edwin to take a step back. Edric felt a surge of energy, his frustrations fueling his movements as he finally began to push Edwin off balance. Was it the Dark Side guiding him? Maybe. He couldn't care less.

With a quick feint to the left, Edric brought his saber down in a sweeping motion, catching Edwin's hilt and knocking his saber from his grip. It clattered to the floor, deactivating as it hit. Edric's own blade was at his brother's chest, and for a heartbeat, they locked eyes. Edwin's face was calm, even as he raised his hands in a mock surrender.

Edric stepped back, breathing hard. He deactivated his saber and helped Edwin retrieve his.

"You're better than I expected," Edwin said, nodding with a hint of approval. But Edric could see something in his brother's expression, a slight twitch of a smile that made him doubt his victory. It was as if Edwin had let him win, holding back just enough to make it seem real.

"Thanks," Edric replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. Just as he was handing over his brother's saber, they heard Sid's voice coming from behind. His face lit up with a mix of awe and excitement.

"Wait... you're Jedi?!" he whispered, barely containing himself.

Edric and Edwin met each other's eyes, both trying to gauge how much to tell him. Edric felt a brief flash of unease. They should have been more careful, and Edwin's stare was almost burning him in his place.

Sid stepped closer, his gaze never leaving the lightsaber hilts. "I knew there was something different about you two. You're not just some travelers looking to get off-world." His expression shifted, and he glanced back at the cockpit as if checking to make sure no one else was listening. "I won't tell anyone, I promise." He hesitated for a moment and looked at the floor before speaking up again. "Would you mind if I come with you too?"

Edwin raised an eyebrow. "And why would you want to leave?"

Sid let out a small, bitter laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "There's nothing left for me here. The old man who raised me is gone. Everyone else here treats me like I'm either crazy or a nuisance, even if I help them. The only thing I've got are my droids and my gadgets. I want to see more than just this backwater town."

Edric felt a twinge of sympathy. He knew that feeling of wanting to escape for something with more… meaningful. Edwin was clearly studying Sid carefully, as though weighing the risks.

Sid, sensing their hesitation, pressed on. "Look, I know my way around tech. If you're on the run from the Empire, I can help. I'm good with machines, sensors—whatever you need."

At that moment, Lyra and Max entered the room, both glancing between Sid and the brothers with curious expressions.

"What's going on? Is the hyperdrive ready?" Max asked, his eyes darting between them. Edric watched as understanding dawned on the bounty hunter's face.

"Oh… I see," Max muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"He wants to come with us," Edric explained.

Max just shrugged, looking more amused than surprised. "Fine by me. The kid's a genius. We could use someone with his skills."

Edwin merely grunted in response, his face unreadable as he turned and headed for the cockpit without a word. Lyra, watching him go, raised an eyebrow and leaned toward Edric.

"What's his problem?" she asked, nodding in Edwin's direction.

Edric exhaled, crossing his arms. "The usual."

Sid on the other hand beamed, clearly relieved. "Thanks. I'll do my best not to slow you down. And the hyperdrive is ready. Just give me an hour to go back and get some things."

Two hours later, they were all huddled in the cockpit as the Beast roared to life. The engines hummed with new vigor, and Edric could feel the ship's familiar vibrations under his feet as they lifted off. They ascended smoothly, breaking through Zaharis's atmosphere and leaving the desert world behind. The city and its turquoise domes faded into the horizon as they climbed higher, until the vast expanse of stars surrounded them.

Edric checked on Sid, who was strapped into a seat nearby, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the view. He looked like someone seeing the galaxy for the first time, and in a way, he was.