The Scavenger

[chiaro_oscuro]

 Ironically, life in the Nexus has made Ben Solo a scavenger. He's not an uncommon sight in salvage piles and scrap heaps, picking through them for materials he wants before someone else gets them. Ben is well aware he's not the only scrap collector lurking around the industrial area, and though he's not particularly afraid of competition he's watchful, saber at his side in the low chance of trouble. Anything he can trade or keep for his own use is slipped into a heavy bag he's carrying. 

There are good pickings today, to his satisfaction. He found a large salvage heap and is digging through it.

Machine parts are a currency in their own right here. He wouldn't say the Jawas are his friends, but they're easy to bargain with, and Ben would rather avoid a fight if he can help it. He'd rather have a mutual agreement with them than constantly deal with them stealing his scrap. They helped him with the materials for his new lightsaber, so he feels he owes them one. He gives them a share of what he finds in exchange for things he needs, a relationship useful for both sides.

I'm not a bad scavenger, he thinks as he stuffs a metal plate into his bag. He looks up when he feels somebody watching him, and is wary but curious as he turns around. "Are you looking for something?"


***

Later, back at his shop, Ben's rummaging through the parts he scavenged, trying to run an inventory check of his wares and making a survey of what he'll need for the future.  Some of his salvage will be traded for materials he needed with the Jawas, some will be used to start repair work on the ship Misfire gave him, and some was piled up in front of his shop, on offer in exchange for goods or any more important parts he might need. It's a mess of computer parts, bits and pieces from old spaceships, tools from a variety of worlds, and whole machines alien even to him.

With this load, it'll take a few days, and Ben would rather not have it cluttering his workplace. A cleanup's overdue, and there are more important things to fill that space.

"Sorry about the mess. Is anyone interested in some spare tools and parts? I've got to clean my warehouse out before winter, and everything's on a discount." Every cent will be spent on food and medicine to keep Ben fed and in good shape over the winter. A worthy cause.

Comments

[chiaro_oscuro]

"The Nexus is a good place to live, but you also have to be careful. Not everyone here's friendly - most people are, but there's no shortage of con artists and thieves and worse. It's safer in the inhabited areas, where the anti-violence field will protect you." Ben's had his share of scrapes, though none of them made him feel especially threatened so far. "Wouldn't go into the Wilds or the Underbelly unless you have protection or backup."

He offers her a hand."And if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"

[lesandra]

"I'd be even more surprised if there weren't con artists, thieves or worse," Les mused. Her life had become relatively stable over the last few years without any unnecessary drama but even still, she knew how things operated on the shadier side of life. "Thank you for the advice. I never leave home without a bit of added protection," she agreed. "Especially in a new environment or new place like this. Although, I doubt a knife will help me much."

She reaches out and shakes his hand. "I'm Les Morgan, I work in a garage back home - working on and painting cars and street race on the weekends."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"People here are very welcoming, for the most part. Naive, even. I'm not complaining - I benefit from it as much as anyone else does, maybe more - but it's something that can be exploited." Ben's got a cynical streak. It's a combination of his own nature and the early warnings he received from several people here not to let his guard down too much. Being a former villain gives him a different, somewhat darker perspective. He figures that point of view might be useful here one day. "It's always a good idea to be careful."

He accepts the handshake. "You're welcome to visit me any time you need something fixed up, Les. I'm used to different kinds of technology, but I'm sure a car would be a simple matter. We've had access to space travel for a long time now."

[lesandra]

The way he spoke reminded her of years gone by and the very thoughts that went through her friends and her minds as they grew up. Especially during the tougher years when they didn't have their other friends around just yet. It was something she'd definitely be aware of as she spent more time in the Nexus. "It never hurts to be extra careful," she agreed, nodding. "Nearly everything can be exploited, especially a person's kindness."

"Thank you, Ben. I would say if you're used to space travel then a car is a much simpler beast. Either way, they're fun to work on and decorate," Les admitted with a laugh. As a racer, she had to wonder if there were a version of street races but with some sort of space craft instead of cars. It wasn't a question she would exactly bring up at this point but it did raise some interesting questions.