Frontier Jedi

Chapter 4: Enter the Sith

Centax-1 Frontier Militia HQ

A month and a half had passed since the Militia's arrival in the galaxy. During this time, they had teamed up with Anakin Skywalker and his team regarding the blue shadow virus outbreak. However, it became clear to Shatterpoint that going home wasn't possible within a year. The experimental long-range jump drive they had stolen was only on paper, and what they actually took was a plastic mock-up model of the device. This meant they had to create the final designs themselves, which would require years of research and development.

For now, all repairs on the ships were completed, and they were now moving to acquire more Republic war machines. However, striking a deal with a shipwright to produce their advanced designs was proving challenging. Incom Corporation, known for producing airspeeders and civilian starships, had shown interest in building Crows and Hornets with their own designs incorporated into them. Currently, a representative of Incom was with Jo in the hangar, examining all four Militia aircraft and transports: the Crow, Hornet, Widow, and one Resolution-class freighter.

"I must admit, I thought without repulsorlifts nobody could get around, but it seems that these fighter and dropship designs are detached from the rest of the galaxy. Yet all of them have FTL capabilities and shields that rival light freighters," the representative stated before moving onto his suggestions.

"I can tell that you Militia have your own designs, but according to my predictions... I believe that our engineers back at Incom can incorporate our designs along with yours," he proposed.

"Surely we can settle on an agreement, but that's for the Crows and Hornets. Anything to say about the Widow and the Resolution?" Jo inquired.

"Well... I'm not entirely sure what function the Widow serves, but the Resolution, I believe you have a ship that outright rivals Corellian Engineering," he added. "It's a good thing that our chairman made the right decision to approach you guys. But any considerations regarding those jump drives?"

"Eh, well, my boss says we can't disclose any details about those, other than in a private meeting with your bosses and top engineers. These jump drives rely on heavily refined fuel, which we have been slowly producing with our tankers," Jo replied.

"Of course, but in time I'm sure that we can reach an agreement, since we all know that you Militia use slugthrowers. But I will take these designs and send them to the company, and we will make those considerations for those jump drives and those slugthrower weapons. I'll see you then," the representative told Jo as he boarded a shuttle, leaving the base.

"Well, that's 12,000 credits gone," Bailey commented as she walked into the scene.

"We have already raised around 37 million credits from assisting local planetary defense forces and assisting the Republic. This little 12,000 credit investment is nothing," Jo reassured her.

"The logistics? The repairs? Jo, I have been spending 12 million buying materials for the goddamn ships, we need more money!" Bailey yelled as she shook Jo rapidly.

"Already on it," Shatterpoint walked in with a datapad, accompanied by more carts of credits being rolled in.

In fact, Shatterpoint had already found ways to make millions by manipulating the Interstellar stock exchange. He had found ways to access politicians' insider trading information, which allowed him to know what companies to invest in to make millions. With this, he had managed to amass 89 million credits in secret and had even taken control of a corporation. Using the assets of the acquired company, named Omega system droidworks, he continued to amass more wealth during the past month.

"Money is no longer a problem." Shatter announced.

"I thought you said you're never going to venture out of the ship," Jo said as Shatter activated his human camouflage, posing as the new CEO of Omega System droidworks complete with an uncanny human voice.