Chapter 7 - Expansion & D.A.S.H
(A smaller Chapter for today's as I edit the previous set of Chapters)
Chapter 7 - Expansion & D.A.S.H
- Merek Skywalker -
With Jabba handled I could focus on my efforts in Mos Espa. Gaining full control over it, but coontrolling a city wasn't just about who had the most blasters — it was about who controlled the flow of credits.
Thankfully I already had a few businesses and enterprises up and running. Skywalker Repair & Protect us now the only business in Mos Espa that handles Repairs in the city. With Mos Espa being a Port city we get many outsiders landing and some need repairs, upgrades, new gear that all have to come to me.
But this only secured my position.
So I called a meeting at my hideout — an old warehouse I had converted into my base of operations. Vantoo, Krawwn, and my lieutenants gathered around a crude table covered in holomaps of Mos Espa
I stood at the head. "Our position is stable, but we are not untouchable," I said. "If we want to survive, we need to control the three pillars of power in this city."
I raised one finger. "Trade."
A second. "Security."
A third. "Public favor."
Vantoo nodded. "What's the plan, Sir""
~~~
Step 1: Controlling Trade
Bol Kelro had already pledged his tribute to me, but one merchant wasn't enough. But I needed the entire market.
Mos Espa's economy was built on imports and smuggling — spice, weapons, droids, and slave labor. I refused to deal in slavery, but everything else? That was fair game, even if I disliked the spice trade.
Over the next week, I visited the traders personally—not with threats, but with opportunity.
"You can keep paying Jabba's enforcers for protection," I told them, "or you can work with me, for half the cost and double the security."
Some refused but most agreed, Merchants are easily to convince they follow profit. By the end of the week, half the merchants were paying me for security and soon they will work for me even if they don't know it yet.
~~~~~~~~~~
Step 2: Strengthening Security
A gang was only as strong as its fighters. My men were loyal, but loyalty wasn't enough—they needed training, weapons, and discipline nor did we have enough.
So I on mass bought and freed hundreds of slaves. I gave them al kthe options to work for me, most agreed an were giving jobs suited to them. But a fair few agreed to join my gang bolstering my number form 31 members to a tad over a hundred.
But these new members need to be taught so I brought them and everyone else back to the basics. Military formations, proper blaster handling, tactical positioning. The first few days were brutal—half of them had never fired in formation before.
Krawwn took charge of hand-to-hand combat.
Vantoo handled logistics and patrols.
I personally trained an elite squad — eight of my best men who would act as my inner circle.
Within a month, they weren't just thugs anymore. They were an army.
That months also gave me the crucial opportunity to build an apartment complex for my members. For the first time many of my members had a permanent home that belongs to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step 3: Winning the People
Fear ruled Tatooine. Fear of slavers, raiders, crime lords. If I wanted the people to back me, I had to give them something they never had before.
Hope.
We started small—eliminating street gangs, protecting families from slavers, and offering free repairs to struggling businesses. At first, they thought it was a trick — that I was just another warlord pretending to care.
Then, they saw what happened to those who crossed me. The gambling dens that refused to pay their workers? Burned to the ground. The slavers who tried to sneak children off-world? Executed in the streets.
Within three weeks I had the support of the people of Mos Espa. Especially when I implemented social services like a School and a Hospital.
On a separate note, I increased Jabba's tribute by nearly 50% and I gave him new gifts. This brought me his favour not because for the money but because of the gifts.
Each one was new and unique, making them great bragging material for him and his kin to the other Hutt Clans.
Jabba's favour keeps him out of my business but in his mind that I'm also someone of value where I need to be to have an opportunity to get an invitation to Hutt parties/ celebrations where all sorts of things are sold, betted on and traded.
Things I want and need.
____________________________________
Outside if my gang activities, I finally completed D.A.S.H, Completed being a loser term for kinda done. D.A.S.H will be my personal droid, suited for nearly everything with a focus in combat.
It's programming is completed with room for me to make improvements later. Anakin and I have also made version I of it's framework, with some additional armour and weapons.
"Wakey, Wakey" Anakin says as we active D.A.S.H.
{Powering On, Running diagnostics checks} Comes through D.A.S.H vocal box, the voice monotone but I know will change when it's fully up and running.
[Core Systems Check]
>Central Processing Unit: ONLINE
>Memory Modules: OK
>Power Reserves: 74%
>Cooling Systems: FUNCTIONAL
[Sensor Arryay Initialization]
>Optical Sensors: ONLINE
>Audio Sensors: ONLINE
>Haptic Feedback: CALIBRATING… COMPLETE
{Motor Functions}
>Primary Actuators: ENGAGED
>Limb Servos: RESPONSIVE
>Locomotion Systems: STANDING BY
{Logic Matrix}
>AI Core: INITIALIZING…
>Directives: LOADED
>Error Handling: OPTIMIZED
{Finalizing Activation}
>Identity Protocols: VERIFIED
>Unit Designation: D.A.S.H
(Image of Complete D.A.S.H)
Finished it's start up process, D.A.S.H stands up — nearing 6'5 in height— before looking towards the two of us. It's octical system glowing a faint red, {Good evening little Skywalker and Slightly taller Skywalker}
"Hey I'm not little" Anakin defends himself.
{My scans indicate that you are approximately 102 cm tall, which is below average for a human male of your age. Stands to reason that you are indeed, small} D.A.S.H reasons.
Anakin gapes like a fish, "I didn't know it could do that" he whispers to me, probably surprised by D.A.S.H's reasoning and data.
"What can I say little brother, I do good work" I shrug knowing that D.A.S.H has a multitude of capabilities.
{Slightly taller creater do you need anything of me?}
"Not currently, but call me Merek" I say
{And you smaller than average creater?}
Anakin let's out a huff. "No I don't"
"D.A.S.H why don't you go and become familiar with your body" I suggest.
{Well reasoned Creater Merek, I shall do so}D.A.S.H leaves the room with steps that make little to no sound.
"I hate him" Anakin says
"I like him" I say.
-End