Heck yeah! I enter Savi’s shop and purchase parts for my first lightsaber. I go with my favorite color crystal and insert it into my handle. I press the button, and my new lightsaber lights up immediately. Now I need to find a butt to kick.
I check my mission tablet and see there’s a challenger available – just what I’m looking for. And I can win credits for beating them.
I go to the spot indicated on my map and find my challenger, who happens to be a woman. She looks tough and has lines like scars all over her face. Either she’s been made up to resemble an android, or she’s lost a lot of lightsaber fights. Either way, my fitness level is high enough to convince me I can beat her.
I approach her as she’s training.
Wade: Uh, hey there! I’m Dub. I want to challenge you to a lightsaber battle.
She introduces herself as Yumiko Nannae.
Yumiko: Don’t get ahead of yourself. Do you have experience?
Wade: Uh, no. But I work out a lot. I think I can take you.
Yumiko: *smirks* Maybe we should warm up with a sparring match first.
I agree to the sparring match and get started immediately, trying to wipe the amused expression off her face.
She swings one way, and I swing the other. The smile is gone. I guess I’m faster than she thought. My lightsaber turns towards her head, and she drops to one knee to avoid it – but not quick enough to deflect my next attack. I tap her on the shoulder with my lightsaber. If my weapon were real, I could have easily decapitated her. I consider this spar won.
Dray comes running over just as Yumiko and I finish our sparring match.
Drake: Finally, something interesting. Don’t stop now!
Wade: That proves I’m ready for a real battle.
Yumiko: I admit that you’re not bad. But you still need training.
We’ll see.
I pull out my lightsaber and get in my ready position.
Wade: *overconfident* I’m good. Let’s get it on.
Dray stands off to the side, cheering loudly.
Drake: Kick her ass, Dub!
That’s what I plan to do!
Yumiko swings, and I perry it away with my lightsaber. She tries another angle, but I recover quickly, and my saber is there to meet her.
Drake: *claps* That’s what I’m talking about! Get her, Dub.
I glance over Yumiko’s shoulder at Dray and give him a big smile. That was my first mistake.
While I’m distracted by Dray, Yumiko quickly moves to the side. I stumble, trying to match her movement. She shifts again while swinging her saber. I barely get a chance to react, meeting her saber right before it can hit me. I try to regain control by shifting around, forcing her to turn with me. But the girl is strong and has way more experience. Before I even know what’s happening – my lightsaber is smacked off to the side and I’m on my ass.
I hold my hand up before she can hit me.
Wade: I yield!
Hustle culture is strong in Batuu. Yumiko went easy on me for the first round, just like Inata did yesterday during our Sabacc game. At least I didn’t lose any credits this time, but I also didn’t gain any.
Yumiko: See me again once you have some training.
She walks away.
It doesn’t matter to Dray that I just lost. He’s excited, anyway.
Drake: That was awesome! Where can I get a lightsaber?
I show him the location of Savi’s shop.
Wade: We’ll have to win more credits before you can afford one.
Drake: Okay, I’ll try to earn some. Or maybe I’ll find cheaper souvenirs.
Wade: There are a few shops here at the Outpost, but I was thinking about heading to the Resistance Encampment. But it’s in the forest with no shops. Are you coming?
Drake: No, I’ll get Mase and look for ways to win some credits.
Wade: Where is Mase?
Drake: He went to the dwelling to pee.
Wade: Okay, but promise me you’ll stay together. And don’t do anything you’re not supposed to!
Drake: I haven’t so far, have I?
That’s what I’m afraid of. Dray is long overdue.
The forest of the resistance camp is beautiful. It’s a nice change from the Outpost. But it’s isolated and like I suspected – there are no shops. But, there are more items to scan here so I get started on collecting more information.
Suddenly someone is calling out to me.
Inata: Hey there, light eyes!
I turn to see Inata walking towards me.
Wade: Oh, hey. You didn’t come out here to hustle me again, did you?
Inata: Not unless you want me to.
I guess that depends on what type of hustle she’s referring to. But then I remember that she was interested in Mase.
Wade: My brother Mase isn’t here with me, but I can call him for you.
Inata: Now you know Mase is too young for me. What is he, like 15? What am I supposed to do with him?
Wade: Then why were you staring at him at the bar?
Inata: I wasn’t. I was looking at you, dummy.
Only she can make being called a ‘dummy’ sound flirtatious.
Wade: Oh.
Now that makes a lot more sense.
Wade: You know your way around here, right? Can you show me something interesting?
Inata: Sure, follow me.
Inata starts walking, and I follow.
Wade: Do you work here, or are you another frequent visitor?
Inata: I work here – as a Batuu resident.
Wade: How does that work? You don’t live here all the time, do you?
Inata: No, I’m here four days a week – 24 hours a day. Then I go back home for three.
Wade: Where’s home?
Inata: Del Sol Valley
Wade: So you’re like an actress – like on a movie set?
Inata: No. I’m more like a movie extra but with much better pay and benefits.
Wade: It must be hard to maintain a relationship that way.
Inata: It would be. That’s why I’m not in one.
Oh! That’s all I was waiting to hear.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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