Chapter 4, Part 15

The night wore on. That seemed to happen alot to Jaka and AL. Both were tired and eager to leave. And as the sun rose, neither of them heard any marching footsteps or thumping AT-AT's. Both tenderly and quietly stuck their heads out of the caves to see if all was clear. Both left the caves to continue their journeys. Jaka turned down the canyon, AL turned up. Both stared at each other for a minute. Jaka started to laugh at the irony of it all. Both had waited out the night in adjoining caves just a few steps from each other. His laugh subsided when a terrible gurgling sound rushed out of AL's cave along with the worm creature it belonged to. AL knew what it was (he spent the night with it) and rushed towards Jaka, and in the rush to hide from the creature he managed to shove Jaka back into Jaka's cave. Jaka understood what AL was feeling. It's OK, son. The creature won't get us. Neither will those troopers or Vader. AL's circuits stood on end with the mention of Vader and shuddered. He let out a small screech of terror, for he knew Vader all too well. Jaka calmed him down, hugging and petting his dome. It's OK, I've got the speeder here. We'll have to travel light. AL showed him his stuff, burlap bag and all. It wasn't exactly traveling light, but AL was simply not going to depart with any of his stuff.

Jaka quickly loaded the speeder, got AL into it somehow, and off they went back to Mos Espa. It took them two days (mostly at night) of dodging in and out of canyons, hiding from the Imperials, before they got to the edge of the desert. Problem was Mos Espa was overun with troopers. The AT-AT's had taken position at the mouth of the canyons, eager to destroy anything that came out. Fortunately for our two intrepid travelers, they didn't have enough to post at every canyon. So, once again Jaka and AL waited through the night before making their getaway.

Chapter 4, Part 14

As the sun went down, Jaka did what all good jawas do. He headed for the nearest cave to wait out the night. Unfortunately, the nearest cave was too small for him and his landspeeder. He couldn't leave the speeder in plain sight - the Imperials would figure out what was going on since it belonged to that lovey-dovey Hutt, and boy could she talk! If the stormtroopers got hold of this speeder, not only would Jaka be thrown into the nearest detention center, but could possibly be forced into the most depressing marriage in the entire history of the galaxy! He shuddered at the thought. Further into the canyon he went to find a bigger cave, something deep to hide the speeder in. Nothing caught his attention right away, so on he went as fast as he could without disturbing the peace.

After an hour he stopped to get his bearings. That's when he heard marching steps coming up the canyon towards him. I won't find the perfect cave, so this one will have to do. I'm out of time.... And so he went into what seemed like a very tiny hole. Barely able to push the speeder into the cave, he shoved it in as far as he dared, then wrapped his hood over his face, curling up into a ball very quietly. It was so silent except the very loud footsteps of the troopers marching by. The thumping of the AT-AT's were now at the mouth of the canyon where Jaka entered. Troopers and AT-AT's both heading his way. I wonder if they found AL yet.

A grueling two hours later Jaka got his answer. Several troopers were giving a report to an officer, saying they hadn't found the droid yet.

Well, you better! We've got orders to bring him to Vader immediately!
Vader? What does he want with this droid?
Who knows, but if Vader wants it, we'll give it to him!
Yes Sir!

And the troopers marched down the canyon. Good, they haven't found him yet. But I better get him soon or we're both cooked! Jaka knew he wasn't going anywhere soon, so he gathered up his robe and made like a rock. Don't panic, keep calm. Jaka didn't sleep much, nor did he rest.

Chapter 4, Part 13

Chapter 4: Podracer Jaka

Part 13:
AL heard the thumping of the lumbering big machines. He recognized the sound but couldn't quite put his finger on it, yet he knew it wasn't good. So, he hid once again in the pile of junk. The realization that he belonged to that smelly jawa now was even stronger than before. He had no ties to these aweful new machines and wanted desperately to get away, far far away. With the thumping in the distance AL had time to collect as much as he would need to survive. The doll for one, since it was his only companion for the moment. Oil, spare fuses, battery packs (lots of them), a few spare motor belts, rope, welding iron, a couple of scrap metal sheets, and a burlap sack (just in case). During his time alone with the doll he managed to fashion himself a new foot. His old foot had been jolted and broken during the crash. You would think I would be in some sort of pain, but I'm not. Just need to replace this broken foot. OK, now that I've made a new one, how do I get it on? Oh, I see, it goes onto the leg this way. I think I can find a pin or wire or.... Oh, here's something, a bolt! It's on now, but will I be able to roll on it? Will the batteries last? Oops, gotta put in the batteries.

After a couple days of fussing and figiting, AL finally got his foot on. The hard part was getting up. He had rigged a couple wooden poles to push and pull himself around the tent. Now he used them to upright and steady himself. He didn't know how long it took to get up, but he noticed the sun going down. This was a dangerous time to go wandering after Jaka on a new foot, but with the thumping getting louder he had a sense of urgency to find another place to hide. He had dodged a bullet with the first set of storm troopers, but knew he wouldn't be so lucky this time around. Collecting his things and leaving an encrypted note for Jaka, he left the tent, down the canyon, and hid in a cave for the night, ever so silent. Of course, the thing with the gurgly noise at the back of the cave wasn't so quiet. AL knew something was in the cave with him, and cleverly put the sack on (just in case).

Deep thoughts came as AL tried to rest. I promise to go back to the tent as soon as our uninvited guests leave. I promise to do what Jaka tells me to do because I trust him. I promise not to scream when that cave creature tries to swallow me! Don't panic, keep calm, I'll be with Jaka soon... AL didn't rest much, nor did he sleep.

Chapter 3, part 12

Part 12:
Glug klunked faster back in and told Peety that it was OK to put everything back again. Oh great, will I ever get some sleep, Glug? Peety reluctantly put everything back based on his blurry photos. Glug even found and fixed a couple picture frames and had some of the photos hung nicely on the wall. Peety was a little miffed about this, but soon took a little pride in his photo works. It was starting to look like home. Home. Neither of them ever had a home before. And soon Jaka would join them in their new home.

Glug found and fixed some curtains (a pretty shimmery silvery blue fabric with tiny gold Noobian crests all over it), laid out a piece of old stained red carpet at the entrance, and pieced together a couple of chairs with some old boards and more nails. While Glug was nesting in his new house, Peety was busy organizing all the tools. Most of them he had used before during the podraces, but somehow he knew Jaka wasn't a podracer. What was Jaka up to anyway? Why did he need us droids? We're not here just to look after this crumbly shop. So, what's his plan?

Jaka did have a plan, and that was not to tell too much of his plan. If he did the Imperial troops would be ontop of him in no time, probably killing him. His first priority was to rescue AL. It was his droid now, not the Empire's. He pushed the landspeeder as fast as it would go, pretending to be a podracer, hoping he wouldn't crash. Jaka was a very cautious jawa, always planning ahead. Yet even he couldn't foresee the AT-AT's landing, and now making their way toward the crash site. Jaka knew it was only a matter of time before the Empire would get their droid back, and that would be very bad for all.

Chapter 3 part 11

Manny grabbed the green foam bag, Jellica straightened her dress, and the two of them disappeared quickly back up the alley in the opposite direction of the troopers. Glug may have been a slow thinker, but his eye could see and record everything. Dumb I am, but not blind! He saw the two lovers run out of sight with a bag full of green foam that Jaka had planted in the street. Glug klunked his way to Peety reporting that the green foam bag was gone. Peety was elated at the news. Good that should keep them away for a couple days, at least until Jaka gets back. Here, Glug, put this shelf back up.

The two spent the rest of the day and night nailing the shelf boards back up on the wall, arranging the tools on the shelves, and generally tidying up the place. Glug was particularly good at taking out the remainder of the garbage. Peety had a special talent of taking pictures of every little detail and refering to those pictures. Some odd thing in his processor allowed to him to photograph. Sometimes though he would put all his energy into taking the perfect picture he would fall on himself. Blurry pics would not do, so he would pick himself up again and start over, only to fall again, sometimes. Yet, when in a hurry blurry pics can sometimes reveal the whole picture. In this instance, Peety had a lot of blurry pics to work off of. Thus he was able to put the shop in the exact order it was before the troopers came.... sort of.

Satisfied with their work, Peety suggested that the two of them shut down for the evening. Glug didn't want to because it was actually morning. Peety argued that since they had been working all this time with no sleep it was technically evening. Glug argued that since the sun was up..... well, the arguments went on for awhile until Peety told Glug to shut up.

But it's my turn to argue.
Shut up Glug.
But I want to argue, this is fun.
For the last time keep absolutely silent Glug, I hear something.
Yeah, me arguing.

Then Glug heard it, too. He fell silent as a snowflake, whatever that was. A clanging banging noise, like someone hitting the sides of the buildings with a very large metal stick. Only it seemed to be in the distance. The two didn't know what to do, but their orders were not to let anyone see the stuff in the shop. Jaka was persistant that if something bad should happen the two must run and hide, leaving the shop in disarray. Thank the force Peety knew what disarray meant. So, after a long night of putting everything back in order, he started tossing everything about again. Glug klunked his way out the back door for the garbage he just threw out. His good eye, however, saw that the banging was a couple of AT-AT's making their way across the desert, searching for that droid, no doubt.

Chapter 3 part 10

Jaka was sure Manny would follow, so he put his plan to work. He instructed the hired prostitute (he and Jellica were friends by now) to pay a visit at a certain time to Manny's opulent apartment with the message that she saw something wierd in the shop's alley. She couldn't tell Manny exactly what it was she saw, but it was wierd. Manny's suspicions came forward, and he grabbed Jellica's arm as he ran out the door.

Show me where you saw it. Try to remember what you saw. Was it the jawa?
Let go of me, or I won't tell you anything, you beast. (as she struggled)
You're going to tell me if I have to beat out of you! Was it the jawa?!
Oh, baby, please. I'll take you to where I saw it. Then we can be good again. OK?

He let go of her, she held his hand and led him to the end of the shop alley. They stood looking down the dirt street for a minute or two before he started yelling at her again.

Look, I'm trying to remember! Oh, there. That's what I saw! And she pointed towards a funny looking garbage bag full of green foam stuff.
That's it? That's what you saw? Garbage?
Isn't that insulation used by Imperial ships?
Well, I guess we can grab it for Jojo to look at. She'll know.

Several stormtroopers marched down the alley. They were behind Manny, and Jellica had to act fast. Grabbing his hands, Jellica led him down a dark side alley, just far enough to where they were hidden from view, yet she could still see down the shop alley. She kissed him while the troopers made their way through the alley. He never noticed the troopers. It was all part of Jaka's plan. Keep him occupied near the shop while Jaka retreated back into the desert. And Jellica was doing a good job of it.

Chapter 3 part 9

Several stormtroopers marched down the alley, knocking down doors, inspecting all contents of the dilapitated neighborhood. They came to the shop, tearing it apart inch by inch. Just some old boards and nails, an old hammer, and lots of very large bags full of garbage. TK1492 was dismayed at having to go through all that garbage just to find clues of a lost Imperial droid, but orders were orders. Find that droid, it might have some important information about the rebels. His partner, TK1812, was just as grossed out.

Nothing here, let's move on.
We've only gone through three bags. Shouldn't we go through the rest?
You want to go through them all, go ahead. I tell you, it's just garbage.
Orders. Gotta search everything.
I don't think the orders meant all 200 bags of garbage. Besides, you're starting to really stink.
Yeah, so are you. OK, next shack then.
As I said, let's move on.

And they left, meeting the other four troopers in the middle of the street, contemplating their next move. After some discussion and map reading, all six marched back up the street and disappeared. Glug and Peety removed their bags and stood in the middle of the shack dripping with garbage. A few minutes went by to make sure no other troopers were in the area, then Glug made his rounds spying on Manny, who was still spying on the shop. This time Manny had a friend with him, the long-legged woman who kept him totally preocuppied to where he didn't even notice the troopers. Or Glug for that matter.

Glug went back inside to find Peety taking out all the tools from the remaining 200 garbage bags. It was Peety's idea to hide everything, including themselves, in all that garbage. Glug didn't approve of the plan, but being that he had no ideas of his own, went along with it. Sometimes though Glug could come up with something brilliant to say, like, I'm glad we don't have noses like those troopers!

Chapter 3 part 8

THE SHOPKEEPERS

Manny made arrangements for all kinds of odd tools that Jaka asked for. Everytime he asked Jaka why such-and-such tool was needed, Jaka simply reminded him of the deal: no questions asked. This made Manny a wee bit suspicious, but then again, everything in Mos Espa these days was suspicious. What infuriated him most was Jaka's way of wiggling into Jojo's inner circle, winning favors from her. A jawa is suppose to be subserviant to the Hutts, not the other way around, right? Why does Jojo like him better than me? Haven't I been loyal to her, being her best servant? Yes, I'm her servant, but also her closeset companion, so why this jawa? What's he up to? For two days Manny watched - spied - on the jawa and his shop. The best he could figure was that Jaka was trying to repair a bad motivator on one of Jojo's droids. But that's not why Jaka needed all those tools for, and certainly not why he came here in the first place.

Jaka was totally aware of Manny's spying. This wasn't the first time he had been followed. Heck, most of the other jawas had spied on him at one time or another, just trying to figure out what was wrong with him. So, he went about his business setting up shop with two other droids, a big green ugly old unit called an R1-G4 (there were only about a dozen of these made before the slicker R2 units were developed) and a pit droid that had a bad habit of falling over itself. Jaka named these two Glug and Peety, with Glug pretending to have a "bad motivator". Jaka sometimes wondered if that was Glug's real problem, though, since he seemed to be a little slow in his movements and speech. Glug was found at the end of the alley behind the shop taking out garbage with apparently no one claiming him. Peety was part of the garbage Glug was taking out. He was the "gift" from Jojo that Manny kept talking about, without her knowing it. All it took was some fancy paperwork by a neighboring counterfitter, a young boy delivering the counterfit paperwork to Manny, and a gorgeous long-legged woman convincing Manny that it was all legit. All of the conspirators were paid for with Jaka's limited supply of Correllian wine.

On the fifth day Jaka had everything in order, including instructions to Glug and Peety. He had procurred a landspeeder from Jojo during his last banquet with her. He even presented her with a fancy necklace (a very big one at that) he had found in Glug's garbage (washed and repaired, of course). She almost fell over with extreme delight. No one, not even Manny had given her such a wonderful treasure. It seemed the way to Jojo's heart was some sparkly bling to make her feel beautiful. Jaka's job here was done. He had charmed his way into Jojo's life, now it was time to go.

Go, you have to go now?
Temporarily. I have a tent full of junk to pack up.
When will you be back?
A couple days. I promise. Do you want me to come over when I get back?
Yes, oh yes, my love. Please do.

Oh brother. Maybe I went overboard on this Prince Charming thing. Now she loves me. Well, that's fine, it'll keep her suspicions at bay. Now, what to do about Manny? He'll follow me for certain. Jaka's plan was all laid out in his mind. He hopped in the landspeeder and sped down the main city exit and off into the wide expanse of sand. AL was his first priority.

Chapter 2, part 7

Jaka spent a couple days getting to Mos Espa, mostly hitching rides on the sandcrawlers to the dismay of the other jawas. It was urgent business, he told them. "And since you're going that way just drop me off". The other jawas were humiliated by this black sheep, but they took him anyway. No jawa has "urgent" business unless he/she means it, and they knew Jaka meant it. Jaka had been to Mos Espa quite a few times and knew his way around the streets and it's inhabitants. He had made dealings, trades you might say, with some of the natives. The Hutts in particular. So, when Jaka arrived at the doorstep of one Maningas Hortas no one paid attention. Manny, as he was called, was one of the female Hutt's favorite undercover agents. He also owned several (in the Hutt system read that as LOTS) machine and repair shops throughout the city. Jaka's mission was to get permission to bring AL to one of the shops for repairs without any suspecting eyes, and no questions asked. After all, AL still showed signs of being an Imperial droid with very special capabilities.

Manny, with his dark spiky hair, in his long purple coat, and the mannerisms of a well-tuned lordship, was more than welcoming. He lavished Jaka with a banquet table stuffed with every edible thing in the outer rim. He provided a warm bath in an ornate blue-tiled sunken tub for Jaka (have you ever seen a jawa take a bath?). He even had a Hutt tailor make Jaka new robes of the finest dust-busting cloth. For two days Jaka was wined and dined, spit and polished, messaged and pampered. This was all well for a Hutt agent, but jawas weren't used to such treatment. Jaka tried to fit in, but enough was enough! He had "urgent" business, and for a jawa that took top priority. Besides, he had a feeling that AL might be in danger and had to get back right away. So, over a royal feast at the head Hutt's fortress, with dancing girls all around, and droids of all shapes and sizes seeing to his every need, Jaka bluntly popped the question to his elaborate and fat hostess, Jojo the Hutt.

"I will trade services for one of your repair shops for me and my friend, no questions asked! I need it in three days".... Silence filled the banquet hall. Jojo didn't know what to say. A jawa making demands? Of me? How belittling! Yet, her villinous heart suggested that this jawa meant business. And a Hutt always makes room for business.

What do you need it for?
No questions, remember?
You know my friend, Manny?
Yes.
Manny, make it happen.

And the deal was done.
The deal was he could have a shop to live and work in, in exchange for janitorial duties in some of the other shops in the immediate area. That was fine by Jaka. Nine hours a day he would sweep, dust, and straighten up the shops. The rest of the time was his, no questions asked. The next day, Manny showed Jaka some of the finest shops in town. But Jaka was determined to have a tiny inconspicuous shop that not even the Imperial forces would enter. Manny gave him the smallest shop in the crummiest part of town, just what Jaka asked for. All jawas know that those who live in slums don't care what happens in the neighborhood. The inhabitants are too busy just trying to survive. No prying eyes and no questions asked!

Chapter 2, part 6

Part 6:
AL still had a hard time walking (he couldn't) so he made up some tunes to play in his head. This was new, he never sang before. It was kinda fun! He still couldn't remember b.c. (before crash), and soon he didn't care anymore. He had a nice shady home full of stuff to play with, an abundant supply of oil to keep him going, his eye could see much more now that Jaka fixed it (somewhat). Yeah, he was a little bored but was able to amuse himself with all the junk Jaka left behind. He found a great port panel that he used to excercise his CPU arm. I can still aim my arm into the port and twist! He found a raider doll that he practised sewing with after finding a needle and some old thread. Hand-eye coordination is still good! He found a piece of an old life form scanner.... Something jogged his memory. He had something similar in his dome, but couldn't make it work. Oh well, time to try out this old whatisit. He had so much fun playing with all the old junk while Jaka was gone, that he decided to make something for his new best friend (Dad?). Let me see, if I take a few of these cables and this port panel, maybe this voice chip (can I make that work again? sure I can!), put it all in this doll with new jawa robes I made for it.... I know, I'll make Dad (why am I calling him Dad?) a talking moving jawa doll. He'll like that, I know he will. Please hurry home, Dad....

It was while making the talking doll that AL noticed a flash of light landing in an area that Jaka had described to him as the valley near where he was found. Dad promised to take me there sometime, can't wait. But what's that in our valley? AL wished he could walk so he could greet the newcomers. He was eager to have visitors. But something deep inside told him to hide. These strangers were not welcome. AL pulled all the tent sides down, pulled himself with a couple long sticks to the junk pile and hid. Two prestine white uniformed men with black blasters came into the tent. In a voice very familiar he heard one of them say "No one here. Wherever he went he took the droid with him." Then the two stormtroopers marched out and disappeared.

AL's mixed feelings were overwhelming. Who were those guys? But I know what they are, I think. They're Imperial something-or-other. I've been around them before.... served them before.... The memories trickled in while the realization that the two armed men were looking for him was even scarier. He didn't want to leave his good life, didn't want his feelings to disappear. OH MY! THAT'S WHY I'M CONFUSED! I HAVE A NEW PERSONALITY CHIP!!! Please hurry, Dad! I'm scared!

Chapter 2: NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
Part 5:
Days and weeks went by. Jaka had managed to scrape most of Exate's paint off while trying to clean him. Poor creature! He tries so hard, but doesn't he know that a droid's paint job is a symbol of pride? I feel so naked....

However, there wasn't much else Exate could do. A new paint job might be what he needed to remember. Although he had this feeling that this jawa (as Jaka kept explaining) never held a paint can ever in his life. On the other hand, he saw this jawa go from a grumpy cursing creature to something that was nurturing and kind. Exate never felt those feelings before. Come to think of it, he never felt any feelings before. Imperial droids have personality chips that trigger feelings removed to make them clone-like. Yet, Exate started having some... well, kind of.... sort of... feelings? For the odd jawa creature? Exate never knew love before. Neither did Jaka.

Jaka noticed how much aluminum was used in building the droid and decided to call him R2-AL. At first Exate was highly confused, but soon learned that his new name (at least according to Jaka) was AL. Somehow he liked the name. From now on I'm AL!! Cool! Why does this jawa like (love?) me so much? Why do I like (love?) him so much? What am I feeling? Why can't I remember anything before the crash?

One day, Jaka bid farewell to the droid named AL. He was heading off to Mos Espa to get some help. This was Jaka's first droid, and he wanted to do it right. AL was a little nervous about being alone in the desert, especially with raiders about. He was a fast learner, though, knowing to pull the tent sides down when a band of sandpeople came around so they wouldn't see him (Jaka taught him this trick). With extra oil and a power plug, AL would be fine for a few days. (Five at the most, I promise. I'll be back very soon, my lovely child.) So, off Jaka went, down the canyon, across the desert, and into the hot-bed of villiany and scum, Mos Espa...

Jaka and AL: chapter 1, part 4

Part 4:
Daybreak, and Jaka woke up startled! He didn't mean to fall asleep. How was our patient doing? Still shut down. Oh well, Jaka didn't want a droid anyway. He got up, gathered his stuff, and decided this whole droid-rescue thing was stupid. It was time to go home. But something kept stirring in his heart. He never had anyone or anything to take care of, no family, no kids, no pets. Well, if this droid doesn't work out then no big loss. After all, there were too many droids for Jaka's taste running around on Tatooine. Then the droid squeaked and wiggled.

Jaka never felt overjoy before, but this new feeling was so overwhelming he cried. You're alive! You're alright! It's going to be OK! OK, Ok, now to get the canvas.... Jaka took his inner tunic off and loveling wrapped it around the droid as if to protect a child. Yeah, a child, that's it, this will be my child. Funny, I don't have any children, but this seems right. This is my child that I'll nurture and teach somehow. I'll be back my lovely child...

Jaka went to the camp. The patrollers were still there, munching on what looked like rotten flesh. He had woken up hungry but seeing this made him less wanting for breakfast. The sounds of bantha footsteps were clear now. Jaka could barely make out the two banthas in line with eacth other. The raider on top of the first bantha raised a long gaffy stick glinting in the extreme sunlight of the desert. The patrollers answered by raising theirs, then gathered their belongings, walked toward the two banthas and hopped on. At last they were gone. Jaka waited patiently for the banthas to go out of sight, then quickly he took the canvas and disappeared into the morning shadows of the ravine.

It was about mid-morning when Jaka finished the stretcher. He gently put the droid on it, tied it down so it wouldn't roll over, put the tunic cover back on it to protect it from the sun, and started for home. It took a few hours of heavy lugging through the extreme heat, but Jaka finally made it back to his tent where he left the rest of the junk. After pushing everything to one side of the tent, he made a little bed for the droid. This was Jaka's first droid and didn't know that droids slept on their feet with a power coupler on. Making the droid as comfortable as possible he began to clean it up with what little precious water he had in the little bottle. The droid was painted all black, a symbol of Imperialism, with beige panels and utility arms. It had been dented and had several broken parts. This droid had obviously been through a bad crash indeed. On the bottom was the small letter-stamp that identified it. R2-X8.

Exate sat quietly while Jaka attempted to clean him up. This poor little creature is sure trying, but I don't think he's been around a droid before, it thought. I need oil, not water. Exate slowly gained his conscience again, trying to remember the crash. Something about his ship blowing up and he fell, fell, fell to the drab sandy planet. But which planet? Not knowing where he was bothered Exate. He didn't know why, but it did. So, since he couldn't remember much, and this creature was trying to help, and there wasn't much else to do, Exate laid back quietly on the lumpy bed and tried to relax. He needed to remember, that was important. And to do that, he needed to heal.

Jaka and AL: chapter 1, part 3

Part 3:
The Tuskan raiders sat quietly on a rock in the middle of the broken camp. It was a nightly ritual for them to patrol the camp area until the hunting party sent for them. This was to guarantee no one followed the hunting party. If someone stumbled on the camp, the patrollers would rush at them creating an illusion of more than two, scaring off anyone who came near. Simple and effective, no one could follow the hunting party's footsteps from the camp. Jaka knew this. So, how does a lonely little jawa get past the raiders? He knew his best chance was to wait it out until the patrollers were summoned. Jaka headed back towards the droid.

Back at the water puddle, the droid stirred slowly, trying to get his bearings. He tried to extract his sattelite dish, but that had been bent out of shape during the crash. The crash, the crash, the crash.... the droid barely remembered it. He would eventually remember everything, but at this time he was preocuppied with trying to find out where he was. He saw a strange little creature in a brown hooded robe with large orangy-gold eyes coming at him. He was too tired to shriek in horror. In fact the droid seemed paralyzed, unable to move or think. He could see, he could sense a strong breeze, he could feel the sand about him. Other than that, he could be dead for all he knew. The little creature bent down and whispered that they would spend the night here for now, at least until the something and something left some... camp? What the heck is the creature trying to say? Odd, I understand his language. I think he's trying to dig me out. What's going on? Am I dead? OK, I'm on a sandy planet with a small brown-robed creature trying to dig me out. I can't move. Should I run a diagnostic test? I'm too tired..... The droid decided it was best to shut down some of his systems to save energy.

Jaka kept whispering that everything was going to be OK. They just had to wait it out a little while longer, and everything was going to alright. Just hang in there. I'll take care of you. We've got to wait for the Tuskan patrollers to leave. I can't carry you by myself, so I have to make a carrier out of the leftover canvas. Don't fade out on me....
Jaka was dismayed to see the droid shut down. Was it dead?

It was going to be a long night.

Jaka and AL: chapter 1, part 2

Part 2:
Looking into the little puddle of water once more, Jaka determined where the shiny bit was coming from. Using his bright keen eyes and his great since of direction he found a piece of metal sticking out of the sand bog about 5 meters to the left of the puddle. Some of the water had seaped towards the metal , but it had not corroded yet. This was a good sign, meaning this was fairly new and not rusted yet. Was this from the Imperial spy ship? There was only one way to find out. Jaka took out his digging stick and began to shovel the sand away. He finally looked up and noticed how dark the sky was becoming. He had to dig this up fast! Being out here alone in the dark with Tusken Raiders banding into large hunting groups was a frightful thought. Jaka dug feverishly, not really looking at what he was digging up. Then, suddenly he jumped back, realizing what the object was. A big black radar eye stared back at Jaka, then a very dim Logic Display flashed ever so briefly. Jaka threw his digging stick on the ground with disgust. You see, droids were a dime a dozen in the jawa world. Everybody had droids, droids flooded the market, droids were a hassle to repair, droids were senseless machinery that followed everyone like cute little desert rat dogs. Cute! That's how one off-worlder described droids. And Jaka despised cute! This was Tatooine, a very non-cute world, full of violent storms and shady characters. Who needs cute!!!

Jaka picked up the stick and bottle of water, turned his back on the buried droid, and started to head back up the ravine. He got as far as the other side of the puddle when he heard a faint cry from the droid. Something strange stirred in Jaka's heart. Jaka was not one to have sympathy or feelings for anyone or anything. Why should he? No one ever loved or cared for him. His life was spent hardening his heart, being tough in a tough world. He didn't need or want anyone or anything, except his junk. So why did his heart flutter when the droid pleaded faintly for help? Why did Jaka feel compelled to continue digging this droid up and take him home? Why was it getting dark fast?

Jaka had the urge to turn around and run, avoiding the sandpeople. Instead he walked back to the droid and spent the twilight hours, dangerous hours, helping the droid that still had some life left in him. It was going to be challenge carrying a heavy fully equipped droid that couldn't walk. After all these things weighed about 250 pounds. Jaka was a very svelt 120 pounds. He expected to find small bits of metal, not a whole working droid! So, in the dark, cursing himself to death for his stupidity of trying to rescue a droid in the dark, Jaka went to find some sticks and canvas to make a carrier for the droid. Sandpeople always left behind bits of tent canvas when they broke camp. It didn't take long for Jaka to find some. Problem was there were still a couple raiders still standing in the broken camp! UH OH! This is not what Jaka wanted to face! But he knew getting the canvas was the droid's only hope....

Backstory 1

The Adventures of Jawa Jaka and R2-AL
(A love story between a jawa and his droid)

Chapter 1: AT THE PUDDLE OF WATER

Part 1:
Jawa Jaka was on his daily roaming of the canyons on Tatooine, his home world. Jaka enjoyed his lonely walks, picking up stuff here and there left on the ground by wayward space travelers or the abundant farmers scattered throughout the planet. Sometimes he would come across items left behind by those city folks just looking for a good party, junk like lost jewelry or small vats of Correllian wine (a rare find but his most prized possessions since he loved the taste of it). Jaka spent most of his life gathering up the flotsam and jetsom most would consider trash. To him they were treasures, ready to be made into fantastic sculptures or refurbished and sold to other lost city folk (except the wine of course). He collected and stored all this junk in a very large tent he made from a ship's parasail found at a crash site somewhere in the middle of the desert. Lightweight and easy to fold, Jaka could break down his tent and travel anywhere he wanted. That was the appeal to him, freedom to go anywhere and do anything. Who cared if none of the other jawas called him friend or came to visit? Yes, it was a lonely existence, but he was happiest amongst all his junk.

On this cloudy day, without looking up at the sky, Jaka made his way down a small canyon that led into a larger opening. He had been to this valley many times, but today was going to be different. Instead of sitting quietly in the valley he decided to forage for junk along a path he rarely went on. He had heard several days ago about an Imperial spy ship being blown to bits by a rebel cruiser in the skies just above the planet. Jaka figured there might be some junk he could sell from bits and pieces that might have fallen from the battle. Pieces of Imperial ships brought large sums these days since everybody was suspect of everything Imperial. The Battle of Yavin was big news on all outer rim planets, and Tatooine was no exception.

Jaka reached the valley, rested his tired feet, took some drink (who knows what jawas drink to quench their thirst), and took out a small map showing possible crash sites in the area. He picked a route and headed up a small ravine that had a trickling brook burbling just underneath. Jawas are very self-sufficient in the desert and can find small amounts of water under the crust rather quickly. Jaka filled a small bottle with the lovely liquid. This would fetch a great price in the city. He took another bottle out when he noticed something odd reflecting in the water. He turned around and in the sand was something shining, even on a cloudy day. AHA!! KACHING! Jaka knew it had to be something from the battle. It was time to get to work.....

The Story of R2-AL

or How an Imperial Droid Became a Rebel Hero

R2-AL, aka AL, started as R2-X8, an Imperial droid serving on a spy ship stationed in the Outer Rim. He was modified to oversee the ship's onboard computers and make quick repairs. He was also retrofitted with long-range scanners as part of an advance detection radar system. It was also up to Exate to boost the rockets for quick getaways.

During the Battle of Yavin, Exate's ship hid on the opposite side of Tatooine to avoid detection. Unfortunately, a rebel cruiser was also stationed there to protect that side of the planet. The cruiser immediately recognized the spy ship and, before Exate could activate the booster rockets, obliterated it. Exate was the only one to survive, crashing into the sands of Tatooine.

Tatooine is full of scavenging creatures called Jawas. Misunderstood and underated, they collect and repair the junk that falls into their territory. Jawas are family-oriented social creatures that live in Sandcrawlers, giant mobile collection/repair stations with living quarters. Several families can live in a single Sandcrawler. But even Jawas have "black sheep" in their families. Jawa Jaka is a loner who prefers to live in tents and small shelters. Unsocial, unhappy, and unjustifiably lonely, he wonders the sands eeking out a living selling any junk he finds. So, when Jaka happened upon Exate half-buried and barely alive, all Jaka could think of was no one would buy this piece of junk. About to leave Exate buried in the sand, Jaka had a change of heart when he heard a faint cry from Exate.

Taking pity on the little droid, Jaka unburied him and took him to Mos Espa, where he rented a small shop with tools in exchange for janitorial duties for the owner's other shop rentals. Scraping off the black Imperial paint, he noticed that Exate was really make of shiny aluminum. Jaka renamed him R2-AL.

During the two years it took to rebuild AL, Jaka began to transform himself, becoming more social and taking pride in his work. Jaka had never refurbished a droid before, so he got a lot of local help. He became fond of AL, referring to him as "son". Jaka also became somewhat sympathetic to the rebel cause, as did AL. Jaka fitted AL with a chip to give AL a personality, although no one could figure out what exactly that personality was. That is, until Jaka and AL overheard a conversation between two stormtroopers about another Death Star in the works.

While Jaka preferred to stay out of the whole Imperial/Rebel affair, and staying out of politics altogether, AL insisted he had to join the fight. The two came to an agreement; Jaka would stay behind as a rebel spy and AL would go to Hoth to help with the tracking system. It took a lot of convincing the rebel army, but with AL's highly sophisticated computer systems array and tracking devices, knowledge of Imperial systems, and his strong determination, AL was finally allowed to serve at Hoth. It was AL that alerted the rebel army of the arrival of Imperial troops, thus setting off a chain of events that led to the evacuation of Echo Base on Hoth, saving countless of rebel lives.

AL and Jawa Jaka have both been decorated for their bravery during the Battle of Hoth. A new paint job has given AL a hammered-iron and bronze look, giving him the nickname Hammerin' AL. He is still devoted to Jawa Jaka, whom he calls Dad, and to the rebel cause. What started as an impersonal Imperial droid has now become a loyal rebel hero.