When You Give a Man Power 
Chapter 43

The night went by faster than I had expected, with us enjoying the premier episode of the new season of Starro and Hoop after the last season left off on a massive cliffhanger, only to have the series cancelled.

The nerve of some people. They even aired reruns of the series all night long with many of Selene's family and servants enjoying the show. 

It remained one of the few shows I could watch while engaging with it, as I can easily read people's bodies, which takes away any immersion from shows when I can just see that the actors don’t care.

Currently in my modified Head Hunter with it thankfully still intact with the main ship itself currently being investigated properly after Moria had lost our battle. The local government alongside numerous other noble families cracked down hard on House Atrix with their fall all but guaranteed.

A shiver ran up my spine at the memory of Moria. Shaking my head praying to whatever higher powers hear me to make it so that horrible beast forever stays in that coma-- or even better yet let her die during it with her family never bothering him again. 

I am just glad that this chapter of my life was finally over with the ship leaving the system. 

“Corvo it is good to see you are still alive. We had grown concerned with no contact from you. Good news we presume?” The protocol droid from before said with Jabba's obese form next to him lounging and enjoying himself. Or so it seemed.

I could tell by just looking at him that he was tense. Not too pleased either.

“Yeah. My job is finished. House Atrix, the one responsible for attacking you and the other Hutts has been dealt with. They won’t be a problem again and you won’t suffer any consequences for it.” I told them with relief flooding in thankful I can finally head back to Nar Shaddaa.

Jabba gives a deep booming laugh. Almost rid him of what bothered him so much. 

“The mighty Jabba is most pleased Corvo. You have earned the position of his adjudicator. Jabba would like for you to immediately come to his palace on Tatooine for you to be proclaimed to all his servants.”

So he wants me there for protection and whatever problem has cropped up that he wants me to handle. I know it’s more than just being ceremonial. The issue is I can’t say no.

To take the position or deny going to Tatooine. If he were in a good mood I could get away with saying no and explaining my reason. Far too many stories exist of what Hutts do when in a foul mood and you do something they don’t like.

But after some thinking, I do acknowledge it’s not all bad. With me being a high-ranking representative of Jabba I will have resources and perks that come with it. Resources I could use to further expand my growing power base.

“Very well. On my way.” I nodded to the image with Jabba giving me a pleased look before the call cut off. 

A sigh escaped me. Get done with one job that had enough stress tied to it to age a man for several decades just to get called for something that may be far worse.

Taking the controls and getting the coordinates set up for the jump to hyperspace as the navicomputer does its thing I send out several data packages back to Nar Shaddaa.

Some were to give the go-ahead to several Hutts interested in selling off their old derelict factories and facilities to me. Need to ramp up production with several notifications telling me the Hutts wanted more droids.

A lot more. More than the few factories I had could churn out. The Republic forces managed to not necessarily take out too many droids but more due to how widespread the conflict had grown.

Enough that they needed more forces to hold the lines they set up across the galaxy. Not with just simply pirates or mercenaries but capable forces that could make the Republic pay for every inch of ground they take with blood. 

My droids had made a name for themselves on the various battlefields proving themselves reliable to put it lightly.

The other data was upgrades to existing droids, new droid models, weapon designs, etc. Glad that I had the foresight to patent the design for the droids I had created thus far.

It had helped pad my wallet with criminals or other influential people having some made for themselves. The Republic has not attempted to use any droids to my limited knowledge. Possibly to avoid any public backlash from someone who works for the Hutts and uses their weapons that had killed Republic forces.

It wasn’t a good look that any sane corrupt politician would want.

With the last of the data sent back to Nar Shaddaa with my droids and Death Korp are being given information on the factories and to start cleaning them up while getting them ready to start manufacturing the Hutt's machine army they want so badly.

Leaving behind Eshan with Tatooine now floating before me after some time had gone by. Despite being an important planet in the mythos of Star Wars it wasn’t all visually appealing nor important looking.

But then again isn’t that how most things that are important appear? 

The ship quickly flew down to Mos Eisley’s docking bay with me taking one particular slot. Hopping out of the cockpit a group of thugs walked up with blasters on display but not aimed at me just yet.

“Of course, the locals show their hospitality when I get here,” I muttered aloud.

A glance at each one of them told me everything I needed to know. They were no threat even before my training. After what I went through they may as well be insignificant specks of dust.

“Nice ship you have here. We can protect it for you for a small fee--”

“No thanks. I work for Jabba and have an important meeting with him. So move aside.” I told him calmly not in the mood for any games.

They looked at me for a second before laughing. Their laughter slowly died when they saw I was not playing around. A few gave me looks of disbelief that I worked for Jabba.

“Listen, pal, you pay us and no trouble. Don’t and… well accidents happen to personal property all the time.” A devaronian said with his fingers brushing against one another. A universal gesture for money if there ever was one. 

“You boys sure about this? Last chance to walk away.” I warned them as a general courtesy. 

The devaronian’s smile slid right off his face with a frown replacing it along with the others. Just when each of them reached for their blaster it was already over.

One had his skull immediately caved in. Another had his head twisted back before it was slammed into the ground. The others were dispatched with several jabs into their vitals severing veins or arteries that killed them in a matter of seconds.

In the time a man would blink eight thugs were now dead on the ground. A few people watched what happened but none made a move to stop me from sifting through what they had on them. Also discreetly feeding off of one of them with no one noticing. 

Just enough for me to finally drop the illusion I had on all this time. My instincts demanding I feed were only slightly satiated but I ignored the demands for more. Instead of distracting myself with their equipment.

One man’s trash is another's treasure and all that. Not that these guys would have any treasure beyond a code cylinder to a speeder. They were the Star Wars equivalent of car keys.

Hoisting up the blasters that were worth keeping and leaving the rest of the trash to rot. Quickly finding the speeder they had which was a swoop bike. The bike had seen better days but was maintained enough not to kill me from just activating it.

It hummed to life before zooming off with me enjoying the wind whipping around me. That and the complaints of some of the more armed inhabitants of Mos Eisley when I got a little too close to some of them. 

Despite their complaints, they were never in any danger. My reflexes were off the charts now with me perceiving the world in a way I hadn’t noticed until now. 

Since I managed to get away from the manor finally I now see why Echani Matriarchs got so arrogant when dealing with the rest of the galaxy. It was like living in slow motion and having all the time in the world to handle any threats.

One thing I can see is why Anakin didn’t like this world because of the sand. As much as people give him grief for that line I can agree with him. It was annoying and made me remember the days I would go swimming at a lake with sand on the beach. When I got out to leave the cursed silicon grains would stick to my toes and feet.

Then having to drive all the way back home with it stuck to me like a particularly annoying wad of gum until it dried enough to come off. Now made that much worse with sand kicked up in the air from other speeders, animals, and people when I fly by. Having had my fill of some fun I go north of Mos Eisley.

The swoop bike made quick work of leaving the spaceport city behind already entering the Dune Sea heading further north where Jabba's palace was located. I idly note on the trip to the palace to get some better ventilated clothes and armor if I am going to be staying on this rock for any length of time.

The two suns above were hot. It felt hotter than it was back when I made a trip down to Arizona. I could feel them hammering away at me as my vampiric instincts screamed in protest but like with many things that made me feel uncomfortable that came into conflict with my goals, they largely went ignored.

All that pain and suffering on Eshan helped me learn to push on and ignore such things. Not like those cool kung fu masters who would say something like pain is merely an illusion. Instead, it's more like you realize if you don’t push through something bad will happen to you that’s far worse than the pain you feel now.

Just like Miguel had told me years ago when one of his neighbors argued with him over the intelligence of animals. He argued they didn’t become the dominant species like we had developed sprawling cities and that made them less intelligent than us.

Miguel countered with a surprising subject-- death. 

Miguel told him why would they need cities? They do what they do because they know it works. They survive and their offspring will too so long as the balance is maintained ignoring outside factors beyond their control. But when they learn something new that they didn’t show before Miguel would have bet money that death was involved. 

Nothing wants to die. But it comes for us all the same. Like these oversized rats off to my side near a dune whose size was like that of a large hill. When faced with death they would learn quickly any means to survive what is killing them. They couldn’t of course do what we do when something like a disease comes around and develop a vaccine. 

But that didn’t mean they couldn't come to conclusions about things that seem to affect it, making it stop or slow down. Like the deer that would come near Miguel's and others’ houses in the neighborhood. Miguel pointed out that the reason they do so was because they knew they couldn’t be shot while in city limits.

Miguel’s point was that intelligence isn’t necessarily building tools and cities. It was when one learned quickly how to survive and maybe even thrive. Animals do so when death gets involved. It was a matter of motivation.

Just like me when I knew what was coming for me if I didn’t lock it in. Like the rabbit fleeing in terror of the wolf hunting it down. 

Drawn from my thoughts by the looming structure of Jabba's palace. Following the winding path leading up to his palace's massive metal gate. A port beside it opened up revealing a gatekeeper droid. The robotic eye stalk loomed over me, noting the various weapons on my person through its sensors.

“I’m here to see Jabba. Corvo Attano, his new adjudicator.” The droid constantly tried to pester me. It was like one of those people who got a managerial position and started to lord it over everyone. It froze in place when I mentioned my name before it quickly went back into its port. 

I waited there for about a minute, getting a little annoyed at waiting out in this heat. Taking my sleeve and wiping sweat off my forehead before the gate began to open. 

A male Twi'lek stood before me. His smile gave me the creeps with his sharp teeth and pale white skin and red eyes not doing him any favors. He wore gaudy clothes that looked like a waste of good money.

“Apologies for the wait Corvo. We just had to verify you were who you said you were.” He said like a well practiced brown noser. “We were not expecting you to be here so soon. I am Bib Fortuna Majordomo of our lord.”

Merely tilting my head at the man. We both knew he could have had the doors opened far sooner than that. Especially when not many sentients had my species' particular characteristics when he already knew of my name. This was already a wonderful way to start this. 

The slime had several gangsters behind him along the walls enjoying themselves but I didn't fail to notice them checking me out. Even some droids here and there. Some were even heavily modified assassin droids sticking to areas where they could use cover if a firefight broke out. 

“Corvo Attano, Jabba’s new adjudicator,” I said back to him emphasizing how little the title means to me. The gathered people could audibly tell I didn’t emphasize a capital letter for the title like Bib did.

My best guess Bib is testing the waters seeing if he could get a rise out of me. Sure I could rough him up a little but I don’t think Jabba would be pleased. Much like with my task to handle on Eshan, this could be yet another test that I can’t just solve with a blaster or magic.

This wasn’t the kind of place I could afford to be complacent either. I moved through the dark yet cool interior of the palace seeing all manner of droids and sentients. Many of which I didn’t even know existed.

The inside of the palace, despite its dingy appearance, was surprisingly cool. The shade and shadows offered much relief from the twin suns outside. The smell wasn’t too bad either. 

A few bad smells here and there from some of the people inside not taking personal hygiene seriously but otherwise it wasn’t half bad. Perfumes, drugs, and even some food with various spices could faintly be smelled in the air.

It wasn’t much longer before I came into the iconic room Jabba lounged in from Return of The Jedi. Numerous people were gathered in the room enjoying the alright music being played by a band with scantily clad dancers moving to the tempo and beats of the song.

Jabba glanced over in my direction when I stepped into view. With a casual gesture from him, I walked around the room standing just off to the side of him. A whimper made me look over to see a green-skinned Twi’lek woman huddled near a corner close by to Jabba. 

She covered her face and did her best to keep it from being seen. Unlike the other women who wore revealing clothes, she wore rags fit for a servant. 

I tried my best to ignore the poor woman while watching the show but it was rather hard when I was closer than anyone else besides Jabba. Several of the women I didn’t fail to notice glanced at me in between twirls and dance moves when they took notice of me standing by Jabba's side.

Bib himself came into the room with a smile that made me feel like I was just covered in fresh grease. He stood on the other side of Jabba looking longingly at the women.

I on the other hand just wanted to get this over with so I could start focusing on some of my own plans. Maybe even use whatever resources are given to me to make the goals easier to achieve.

The song and dance went on for a moment longer with several of the women dancing with more energy compared to before. Many of those gathered in the room stared at them with eyes barely concealing the lust and desire in them. 

Then it ended with the dancers and musicians looking towards Jabba. Jabba looked content before gesturing for them to leave. The instruments are carried away with the dancers batting their eyelashes or species equivalent to me walking away with a sway in their hips.

Jabba laughed boisterously. “The mighty Jabba was most pleased with that performance. He looks forward to the next one.” The protocol droid spoke for him to the performers who nodded and bowed thanking Jabba.

Jabba then turned to me before looking at the gathered crowd. 

“This day is a momentous occasion. One I never believed I would do myself. Some traditions to people are the law. To others such as myself, they can be chains tying one down to ensure they never reach beyond those who fear their potential.”

The room was utterly silent, all gathered paying rapt attention. 

“The one standing before you all is Corvo Attano, my adjudicator. If any problems arise outside of my domain that need to be handled he will be my left hand. For problems here in my home Bib Fortuna my right hand.”

Many of the gathered criminals and various scum of the galaxy applauded my promotion. Mixed feelings welled up inside of me. Pride in managing to accomplish what I did earning the promotion.

Another part of me questioned whether I should be accepting this simply because of who Jabba is and what he does to others. Like the Twi’lek woman who covered her face but also hid a young blue-skinned Twi’lek girl behind her.

The girl couldn’t have been no older than fourteen. The girl was dressed provocatively compared to the green one yet she looked unsure of herself. Like she didn’t know if she should be worried or brave.

But a simple glance told me she was hiding things. What those things were I didn’t know since she was hiding them well enough and I didn’t have long to look at her. But I didn’t fail to notice how she looked familiar to me. Jabba’s loud voice beside me made me look away from the girl who looked at me warily.

“Corvo you may rest and enjoy yourself in my palace to your heart's content. You will be granted three days to yourself to do as you please on Tatooine. When you are fully rested I have much for you to do.” Jabba said nodding to me in a surprising show of respect.

Bib's smile was fake with his face frozen. He merely watched but despite how well he hid it I could see he was seething. Jealousy wafted off of him like the horrid smell of decades-old trash.

The face of a man who crawled and climbed his way to the top toppling any unfortunate souls who just happened to be in his way. He hated me for taking a position that in his eyes should be beneath him.

Yet I am equal to him. We both were like a rook and a bishop in chess. Both were powerful pieces that were equal in my eyes but they served different but similar purposes. 

Bib is the type of guy who would smile and shake your hand before stabbing you in the back when it served his best interests. Someone best kept at arm's length. And that is when you are on good terms with him. When you're someone he doesn’t like… well it never tends to end well.

Ignoring him and nodding back to Jabba. “I appreciate it, Jabba. That last job was a difficult one. I have some business in Mos Eisley. Is it alright for me to go there?”

I ask not necessarily because I feared Jabba but more because I would rather not do something that may cause problems between us when it could be avoided. 

Like how I am supposed to be his bodyguard and enforcer. But I am expected to do things the smooth gentle way and find alternatives to fixing problems beyond just punching and shooting people. 

It showed how much being on Nar Shaddaa had affected me. But maybe this job won’t be so bad. I mean if it gets me to stop going for the kill immediately and finding alternatives to situations then is it really so bad?

I ignored the part of me that said yes. Internally sighing at what I got myself into. 

“By all means Corvo. So long as you stay on Tatooine and within reach should something occur and Lord Jabba needs you.” 

I nodded at that. “Alright, that works for me. Any rules or laws I need to know as your adjudicator?”

Jabba merely chuckled, seemingly taking a shine to me already. “Merely act within Lord Jabba’s best interest and do not cross him. No unnecessary trouble unless he deemed it worthwhile. That is all.” 

With an exaggerated bow, I swiftly left the palace. There was somewhere else he wanted to go and visit.

…

Mos Espa was far more preferable at night than during the day like the rest of Tatooine. Of course, for most other sentients the cold was just as unbearable as the day. But I think most sentients out and about enjoying themselves from various cantinas preferred it over the extreme heat.

A few women of various species called out to me and other individuals with their bodies on display. Much like the dancers I just don’t have it in me right now to enjoy their company. When it was before me nearly dying in a trial by combat I would have been down for some fun under the sheets.

Now I am a man on a mission. One such mission was to pay a little visit to a shop. Asking for directions from some of the locals who pointed me where I needed to go.

The little shop on the outskirts wasn’t anything special. The shop I would pay a visit to simply because of one person. Well more like two but the one is what had my attention.

Despite it being night the shop had some customers going in and out of it. Rather surprised by this since I had expected the owner not to have many if any customers. 

But then again the Phantom Menace only showed the shop for a small amount of time and that isn’t exactly a way to gauge how well a business is doing.

I stepped inside a little annoyed by the heat inside the shop, a stark contrast to the cold I was enjoying outside. Something my vampiric nature thoroughly enjoyed and now annoyed at the sudden temperature change.

This planet would take some getting used to. That’s if I ever truly could. The heat made me doubt that I could ever grow accustomed to it. But the nights here would make it worth it letting me last a little longer on this desert rock. 

Checking around the inside at the various parts and equipment placed around the shop I saw it was in a mass organized yet chaotic mess. The kind that a stranger would only see as a pile of random junk with no idea how to find what they needed.

Yet the one who created the ‘mess’ could immediately tell you where something is and would notice if something was missing. Something Miguel and I practiced regularly especially when guests were over.

Watching a flying Toydarian who looked like he hadn’t properly bathed in some time haggled with a customer.

Having long since become accustomed to seeing alien species so something like Watto didn’t make me bat an eye. What got my attention was the kid behind the counter working on some equipment in the back. The chosen one himself. 

Blonde hair on a small frame with him working away fully locked in on the piece of droid he was working on.

“Ani! You almost done?” Watto barked.

Anakin winced as the customer was still trying to haggle with Watto. Watto for his part didn’t budge an inch.

I listened in while inspecting a few pieces of ships and droids. The pieces on display to the untrained eye would look like trash. But my knowing eyes could see how well the hands were that fixed them.

And I think I know just who it was that fixed these pieces. “Done Watto,” Anakin said with a wheeled cart squeaking from a rusted wheel as he struggled to get the part to the counter.

Give the kid this despite his small frame he was stronger than I was when I was his age. Pushing something that big and heavy would have left me spent for an hour or two.

Watto must be as much of a penny pincher as Mr. Krabs since a hover cart with repulsor technology wouldn’t cost too much to invest in. With the number of customers he has coming into this shop at night he could afford to make things more efficient and easier on the boy.

I walked around checking out each piece noting what I could without a more in-depth examination. Each piece was well-maintained and restored. Some were better than others but that was more due to age and simply how far gone the parts were.

Yet they were restored better than most engineers and mechanics I had seen back on Nar Shaddaa could do. I know full well it wasn’t Watto that did this.

Watto had noticed me and occasionally glanced at me when he thought I wouldn’t notice. He was greedy. Sized me up like a predator would a nice juicy stake. But he was wary.

He saw the weapons on my form. How I held myself. Word may not have gotten around who I am and who I work for just yet.

If it did he would be more wary of pulling a stunt like that with me. Not that I would have minded. With the amount I got paid from that job on Eshan, it would take some time to spend it all.

Unless I decided to be stupid and just use it like it was water then it would dry up in a hurry over the course of several years. 

“Can’t say I have ever seen you around here before. Welcome to Watto's shop. Anything in particular you are after?” He said flapping through the air closer to me once the last customer took his part grumbling while paying Watto.

“This is a nice shop you have.” I gestured at the building with Watto snorting.

“Already paid my protection fees. You don’t want to cause trouble here.” Watto said, arms folded across his pot belly. He looked unimpressed.

I merely chuckled. “You misunderstand. Merely impressed with your business since most others that work in a similar business don’t have nearly enough skill to refurbish old parts like these.”

Watto's eyes narrowed. To be fair he has possibly lived on Tatooine for long enough to not trust anything at face value.

“How much for the shop and the kid?”