Star Wars: The Expansion

Part 2: Kuat Shipyards

Kuat was a planet unique among planets, for it had a docking ring that encircled the entire planet. The artificial ring could be seen as part of the planet. Space traffic could be seen all around the planet, coming and going. Kuat was a trading hub in Republic space for the wealthy and powerful. Capital ships, fighter crafts, shuttles, transports, all were being built and mass produced at the shipyards of Kuat. 

But these magnificent yards were not where Father’s Yacht was heading. The Apostles of the Nexus were going to the junkyard on the farside of the system. A place that was filled with broken hulls and mislaid parts. The junk dealers planet side did not have the inventory of these outer space junk yards. Each one had a hundred times the inventory of an entire planet. 

Of course the dealers out here had no protection than what they could provide for themselves. So mercenary groups such as The Independents, Crimson Brigade, or Mesh Norm provided protection. They contracted out of cantinas or from the Hutt or other such reputable gangsters. Their weapons and equipment were as top of the line as could be provided, but even still the junkyard had blind spots and ships could hide if they were sneaky enough.

“Kuat probably had the droids new, Raavik. We probably could have obtained them planetside, and not be at such a risk.” Keely said as she maneuvered the ship with some difficulty through the broken hulls and empty shells.

“Yeah, we still might. But Rango seems pretty certain of his findings here. Besides it might be something of balance if we can cleanly steal these droids. The Nexus has moved itself into position on the other side of the system, extraction should be fairly quick.”

Raavik moved the cargo area and asked for Rango’s coordinates for the droids.

“Find the cruiser that is issuing radiation, the droids are near the danger zone in three Onacolona orange shipping containers. Ya know, I look around at your ship and you don’t appear to have much room for the pick up.” 

“We are just going to take each container and leave the area. This vessel was originally meant for hyperspace jumping and finding new routes and planets. Thus the three hyperdrives that you see around you. The Yacht was meant to be stressed. Don’t you worry about it.”

Father’s Yacht was nimbler than it appeared; it jive and juked throughout the yard with little difficulty. The bigger ships were all clustered together, barely a foot apart in some areas.

“Raavik, there is a large cruiser giving off massive amounts of radiation near the outside of the field. I’ll start an active scan for orange colored crates.”

“Be careful with those scans, we can feel life forms in and around the junk.” Raavik said with a twinge of the Nexus in his voice. 

Keely always felt more aware of the Force when Raavik and the Nexus mixed. It was a mix of fear and elation. Dangerous, he was like this, more unpredictable. 

After a few scans, three orange crates were found, huddled together in the shadow of a prowling mercenary corvette. The small ship was a hunter/killer for thieving crews like the Apostles. Their port lights lit up the bow of Father’s Yacht. 

“Foodo!” Rango said from behind Raavik. “Let’s get out of here!”

“Don’t be foolish. We need to grab at least one of the crates before we tuck tail and run.” Raavik Nexus said. Rango took several steps back as Raavik threw open his cloak and in that instant he unleashed the power of the Nexus and grabbed the corvette through the Force. Rango was gasping for air as he had not been prepared for what the Nexus had to offer. Keely had to take a few seconds to regain her bearings as she had also not been prepared; not in the least for half the power of the Nexus flowing through Raavik. “Keely, go pick up one of the containers and let us get out of here.”

Keely had regained her senses. and maneuvered the Yacht to pick up the shadowed containers. She attached to one and pulled out. The corvette was not just going to allow its charge to get away. It powered up it’s two turbo lasers and rotated them around to face the Yacht. 

With a mighty push, Raavik tossed the corvette into a nearby empty hulk. When he did this it seemed that his arm withered ten years in an instant. 

“Get us out of here, quickly.” Raavik said as he clutched his arm in a barely contained pain.

Keely nodded and left the junkyard.