The sandstorm lasted for two whole days, during which Rumor stayed mostly confined to his room with Shala and Alena.
After the first 6 hours, when the storm really picked up, even the metal shutters on the windows had to be lowered. Rumor stuck his arm out them just for fun, and had to pull back in less than a minute after losing close to 30 HP. His arm looked like it had been put through a meat grinder.
Shala and Alena had been terrified. But Rumor just casually pulled his arm back and closed the shutters, not even bothering to use a healing item.
That had just been a test. He wanted to confirm sandstorms in Tatooine were as dangerous as advertised. Now, he was sure the Krayt Dragon Gang would also stay quiet during those few days. The inn where they were staying was basically an unapproachable island for as long as the storm persisted.
...
On the dawn of Rumor's fifth day in the Star Wars universe, he ate breakfast with the mother-daughter pair like usual.
Alena was a very quiet child due to where and how she had grown up. At the Tusken Raider encampment, any noise she made could be used an excuse to punish her. Usually her mother ended up taking those punishments on her behalf, and, with time, she had learned to simply be as quiet and still as possible.
Rumor also wasn't the most talkative person. He chatted with the former slaves and played games, but most of his time was spent laying on his bed thinking, or in the cantina below, collecting information.
He didn't want to create any attachments in this world. However real The Mind was, it wasn't as real as the real world, and he would have to leave it behind.
After breakfast, Rumor opened the shutters and looked outside. It was still windy, but the sandstorm proper had abetted during the night. He looked at his two charges.
"Remember what I said. Stay here, don't even open the door unless it's me. Just endure it for another couple of days. I'm going to talk to the person who will hopefully give us a ride out of this rock."
"Where will we go?"
Alena stared at hom with big, wide red eyes. His expression softened some.
"Not sure. Somewhere in the Mid Rim at least. There are few places worse than Tatooine anyway."
They could all agree on that. This planet was a god forsaken dumping ground of the galaxy's rejects.
"We will be waiting for you, Rumor."
The tester waved and slipped out of the room. He had been very careful every time he went down to cantina these days to not show his face.
He walked out of the inn just another face in the crowd - metaphorically, that is, because he was still keeping his head covered.
Mos Espa may have looked like a ghost town during the past two days, but it was springing back to life now. Vendors were starting to arm their stalls, pickpockets were out looking for an easy target, and residents were repairing the damage caused by the storm.
Unaffected by all of that, Rumor made his way through the now familiar path to Watto's store.
Anakin was just opening shop when he arrived. The boy looked up at Rumor and tilted his head, his mouth opening slightly in recognition when Rumor lowered the cloth covering his face.
"Yo, mister! Sandstorm's over now."
Rumor smiled.
"I know. But I ran into some trouble the other day. This is so no one recognizes me."
"Trouble? Ah! Are you the human those Krayt Dragon thugs are looking for?"
"So you heard about that?"
Rumor wasn't surprised Anakin managed to deduce his identity from just that, nor was he afraid. This was the Chosen One of the Star Wars universe, after all. Nothing would be a surprise coming from him.
"I did! Did you really lure them into the Dune Sea and feed them to a Sarlac?"
"Wha- Sarlac!?"
Rumor almost choked on his tongue.
"Where the hell did- Is that really what people have been saying?"
"One of the things anyway. Everyone's wondering what you did to piss them off this much. 60.000 wupiupis isn't pocket change."
Anakin shrugged, and Rumor rubbed his temple.
"No, I didn't feed them to a Sarlac. Instead, they chased me through half the Dune Sea before I managed to turn the tables on them. Then I ran into a Tusken Raider tribe and had to get away from those too. It wasn't fun."
"Oh. Tusken are nasty. They are always attacking everyone. Even the pod-races!"
"Tell me about it."
Rumor hadn't meant that literally, but Anakin spent the next 20 minutes describing pod-racing and his dream of winning one so he could use the prize money to buy his mother's and his own freedom.
Curiously enough, despite being clearly so desperate for money, never once did he look at Rumor with greed in his eyes, even though the price on his head was enough for at least one of them.
Maybe that's why he was the Chosen One. Although he did turn to the Dark Side later on, so maybe that was just the innocence of youth.
Either way, by the time the conversation had finished, Rumor had gained 3 relationship points with Anakin, for a grand total of 10 out of the 1.000 necessary to go from Neutral to Liked.
Yeah, he wasn't getting there anytime soon. But that wasn't Rumor's objective today anyway.
When Watto arrived and shooed Anakin away to clean the shop, Rumor engaged the Toydarian in a little bit of haggling - just asking if he had some random parts Rumor had researched earlier, to waste time.
His real target arrived about 40 minutes later. 3 people and one droid entered the store, and Watto immediately left Rumor to go pester them.
Rumor lingered a few minutes more, acting like he was interested in something in the shelves, before taking his leave, but not before using [ Observe ] on all four new arrivals.
[ Qui-Gon Jinn ]
[ Titles: Jedi Master, Discoverer of the Chosen One ]
[ Species: Human ]
[ Strength: ?? ]
[ Dexterity: ?? ]
[ Vitality: ?? ]
[ Temperance: ?? ]
[ Spirit: ?? ]
[ Appeal: ?? ]
[ Skills: ???, ???, ???, ???... ]
[ Special Skills: ???, ???, ??? ]
[ Description: Trained by Count Dooku, Qui-Gon Jinn is one of the members of the Jedi Council, and a well respected Jedi Master. He plays a key role in many important events in the Star Wars universe. ]
Rumor's eyes almost bulged out. He had expected that he would be able to see most of Qui-Gon Jinn's stats. But he hadn't thought it would be all question marks.
The Jedi was, without a doubt, the strongest person Runor had ever seen. He probably wouldn't even need to take out his lightsaber to deal with the tester.
Qui-Gon Jinn must have sensed Rumor's eyes on him - or maybe one of his skills let him detect when others were examining him. Rumor wouldn't be surprised if that were the case.
Either way, the Jedi's gaze turned to him, fixing the tester with a placid stare. Rumor froze for a second in sheer instinctual fear. Then he forced his body to move and kept walking.
[ Padmé Amidala ]
[ Titles: Queen of Naboo ]
[ Species: Human ]
[ Strength: 10 ]
[ Dexterity: ?? ]
[ Vitality: 16 ]
[ Temperance: ?? ]
[ Spirit: ?? ]
[ Appeal: ?? ]
[ Skills: Diplomacy lvl 9, Disguise lvl 10, ???, ???... ]
[ Special Skills: Agressive Negotiations, ???, ??? ]
[ Description: The Queen of Naboo, Padmé has a kind soul and cares deeply for her people. She enjoys donning disguises to mingle amongst the populace. ]
Also expected, but at least a little better. The next one, however, Rumor had higher hopes. Jar Jar Binks had always been portrayed as somewhat brainless.
[ Jar Jar Binks ]
[ Titles: None ]
[ Species: Gungan ]
[ Strength: 18 ]
[ Dexterity: 9 ]
[ Vitality: 28 ]
[ Temperance: 4 ]
[ Spirit: 5 ]
[ Appeal: 4 ]
[ Skills: Amphibian Anatomy lvl 7, Gungan Acrobatics lvl 6, Survival Instincts lvl 3, Animal Wrangling lvl 8, Improvised Weaponry lvl 10, Distraction Expert lvl 7, Prehensile Tongue lvl 9 ]
[ Special Skills: Clumsy Luck, Diplomatic Misunderstanding, Unexpected Hero ]
As expected, he could see Jar Jar Binks' complete character sheet because of how low his temperance and spirit were.
And yet... Rumor almost wished he hadn't. It was a real hit to his ego that even Jar Jar Binks, the most clumsy character in all of Star Wars, was this much stronger than him. What was up with this many high-level skills!?
He was almost afraid of observing R2-D2.
[ R2-D2 ]
[ Titles: Faithful Partner ]
[ Species: Droid ]
[ Strength: 3 ]
[ Dexterity: 7 ]
[ Vitality: 5 ]
[ Temperance: ?? ]
[ Spirit: ?? ]
[ Appeal: ?? ]
[ Skills: Astromech Engineering lvl 10, Jet Boost lvl 4, ???, ???... ]
[ Special Skills: Universal Key, ???, ??? ]
These temperance and spirit stats were off the charts, but R2-D2 was a very smart droid. And the appeal... Rumor could understand. There was a reason why R2-D2 was a favorite character of so many people.
Still shaking slightly from his newly-acquired understanding of where he ranked in the power scale of this world - the bottom, he ranked at the bottom - Rumor found a spot with an unimpeded view to Watto's shop and settled in wait.
About an hour later, Qui-Gon Jinn and his companions finally left the store. Rumor pushed off the wall and was preparing to follow them when the Jedi turned towards him. And started walking in his direction. And...
Oh yeah, Qui-Gon Jinn was definitely staring at him. Rumor shuddered. Even though he knew the Jedi was mostly a calm and gentle person, it didn't stop the feeling that he was an ant about to be stepped on.
"You have been waiting for us."
Qui-Gon Jinn spoke first, while Padmé and Jar Jar Binks looked at Rumor with curiosity. R2-D2 just whistled.
"Not out here!"
It was way too open to have a proper conversation. And directly in line of sight to Watto's shop - he didn't want the Toydarian connecting those dots.
"Follow me."
He ducked into an alleyway, and then into another, looking back over his shoulder to make sure they were following.
"Qui-Gon, are you sure..."
He heard Padmé whispering to the Jedi, but Qui-Gon Jinn just waved her off. He was curious.
Not much later, they finally arrived at a spot Rumor deemed safe enough. It was a narrow space between two buildings, which made sure no one could approach them unnoticed. He turned to the dazzling lineup of storyline characters.
"You are right, I was waiting for you. I have a proposition."
"Thanks, but we are good."
Padmé denied him instantly, and Rumor rolled his eyes.
"Not that. Look-"
"I believe it is good manners to show your face when talking to someone, friend."
Qui-Gon Jinn interrupted him, and Rumor put on a semblance of hesitation before pulling down his headgear.
"Like I was saying, I have a proposition I believe will benefit both of us. I overheard you talking to Watto. You are after a hyperdrive, right? More specifically, a [ T-14 Hyperdrive Engine ]."
"How do you know that?"
Padmé's gaze sharpened, and Rumor felt the words get stuck on his throat. He swallowed and forged on, feeling cold sweat bead on his forehead.
"I was eavesdropping, okay? We all do what we gotta do. Anyway, that's not important. What's important is that you need that hyperdrive engine, and I can get it for you."
"How? Watto said he was the only one who has one in Tatooine. And he lost it."
"He didn't lose it, I stole-"
Damn, her skills! Rumor bit his tongue, but it was too late. Now Padmé was looking even more interested. And a little bit disdainful.
"Stole it?"
"I-"
"I suggest you be truthful, my friend. It will be much faster that way."
Qui-Gon Jinn interjected, and Rumor held back the urge to curse. He was trying to be truthful - selectively so, but still. But their skills had completely dominated the conversation - and him.
"Alright, you want the truth? Here it is: I'm in a bad spot and I need to get out of this rock yesterday. And I think-- I know you can help me."
"How so?"
"You need the part, don't you? And I'm desperate to get away from Tatooine. So we make a deal. I give you the hyperdrive, and you give me a ride. How's that sound?"
For the first time, Qui-Gon Jinn narrowed his eyes at him. He could feel Rumor was being truthful - but he was keeping some things from them.
"It sounds like a conversation we would like to continue. But not before you tell us what kind of trouble you are in."
"The Krayt Dragons - they are a local gang. Long story short, I pissed them off, and now there's a price on my head. So you understand my urgency in putting Tatooine 3 light-years behind me."
Qui-Gon Jinn and Padmé stared at him in silence, discerning the truth in his words, and Jar Jar just looked around, lost. R2... Well, R2 was R2.
Finally, after what felt like a decade, Rumor felt the invisible pressure disperse. Padmé had a slightly happier expression, while Qui-Gon Jinn had gone back to placid.
"Why us? Surely there are other ships leaving Tatooine every day."
Rumor gave the sheltered young lady a deadpan stare.
"Because you are rich. The part you are looking for is an expensive model. Your clothes are about a gazillion times better than any material you can find on this star system. And you walk and talk like high society."
Rumor gestured to Padmé's clothes, and the woman blushed. At the same time a notification flashed across his vision saying he had earned a couple relationship points with her, which he filed away to investigate later.
"No offense, but I would bet every last wupiupi I have that the only reason you haven't been robbed blind yet is because he keeps flashing that lightsaber for everyone to see."
Rumor gave Qui-Gon Jinn a pointed look, and the man smiled.
"I don't know if you are a real Jedi or not, but I figured you probably won't sell me to pirates or traffickers. Which is more than I can say about 99% of all the ship captains in this dump. Plus, rich like you are, you are probably going to the Mid Rim, or maybe even closer to the Core, and that's the direction I need to go."
Qui-Gon Jinn's smile widened, and this time Rumor saw the notification very clearly.
[ Main storyline character Qui-Gon Jinn is interested in you. Your relationship has grown to Neutral (1/1.000). ]
Another relationship he wasn't going to grind. But at least it showed the Jedi felt some measure of goodwill towards him.
"Well reasoned. Your deductive powers are very strong."
Not so much that as just knowing the plot, but Rumor would take it.
"Thanks. So... Do we have a deal? I promise once you drop me off, you won't see me again."
Qui-Gon Jinn glanced at Padmé, deferring to her. She was the queen's assistant, as far as he knew.
"We have a deal."
At Padmé's nod of assent, Qui-Gon Jinn stuck out his hand. Rumor gripped it firmly and they shook.
"Great! When do we leave?"
"Three days, after the race. There's something we need to do before that."
Rumor made a show of thinking hard about it, then nodded.
"Okay, three days. I can lay low for rest long."
"R2-D2, take him back to the ship. Obi-Wan will install the hyperdrive."
If Rumor didn't know Qui-Gon Jinn was a Jedi and a man of his word, he might complain. But since he did know, he just nodded.
"I just need to gather my companions first. If you want to come with me, it will be quick."
"Companions? The deal was passage just for you."
Padmé raised a manicured eyebrow, and Rumor thought back to the conversation. He hadn't mentioned Shala and Alena? No, it looked like he really hadn't. They had thrown him off his game.
"Sorry about that. But it's just two people, and one of them is a child. I promise they will behave."
Padmé stared at him for a tense couple of seconds, and eventually nodded. The truth was, they needed that hyperdrive, and Rumor was the only one who had it. They depended on him as much as he depended on them.
"Lead the way."
Rumor did so, wrapping his headgear back up as they walked. As expected, everyone stopped to watch the strange group as they passed by. To most spectators, Rumor looked like a guide taking some rich and lost tourists around the town.
Soon enough, they were in the inn, and Rumor led the group upstairs. No need to worry so much about attracting attention now.
Swiping his keycard, Rumor entered the room, followed by Qui-Gon Jinn and the others.
"Welcome back-"
Shala and Alena had gotten up when they saw Rumor, but they retreated when they discovered he wasn't alone. Shala protectively positioned herself in front of Alena, thinking that maybe Rumor had been captured by the Krayt Dragon Gang and forces to lead them here.
But it was Padmé who was the most shocked when she entered the tiny room and saw a mother and her daughter, both having their grey skin marred by identical scars on their cheeks.
The disguised queen turned a glare onto Rumor, who didn't realize what was wrong until she hissed.
"You are a slaver?"
Rumor blinked. Then he tried to imagine how this looked like from Padmé's point of view. She was approached by a shady guy who wanted a ride on her ship because he had pissed off a criminal group, and now he had two former slaves - but she didn't know that - sleeping in the same room as him.
"Oh fuck."