Star Wars: Galatic System - CH 14

After relocating to the outskirts of Naboo, I began experimenting with my new powers to see how much I could achieve with them.

In this process, I learned a few things.

First, money wouldn’t be a problem anymore.

Why?

I could force most ATMs to give me credits with my powers. All it took was a touch, and I would get some money. Quite simple.

I had stolen over 12,000 credits learning this.

Another discovery was that I could connect my senses to multiple devices. For example, I could connect my hearing to the radio comms around and hear everything.

I could also connect my sight to anything with visual capabilities.

Like I had done with the bounty hunter at the inn. The point was, I could surveil the area around my camp without leaving the safety of my tent, thanks to the few cameras I had set up. I could eavesdrop on conversations in the nearby town by connecting to my radio device or watch for approaching threats from miles away by connecting to cameras and jumping from one to the other, effectively ignoring my range limitations.

Sitting by the campfire, I experimented further. I linked my vision to the security cameras of a nearby trading outpost, using my cameras to connect to their system. Through the grainy black-and-white feed, I could see traders haggling over goods, workers loading and unloading crates, and droids patrolling the perimeter. It felt like I was right there among them, even though I was far, far away.

I reached out with my mind, touching the comm units of passing speeders and starships. Each one was like a new set of ears, feeding me snippets of conversation and the hum of engines.

The range of my abilities was astonishing. And how much I could abuse them was even more awe-striking.

My powers were supposed to be limited, yet with a simple workaround, I could see, feel, and do more than I should be able to.

Of course, this workaround had its consequences. The more I extended my range outside what it should be, the weaker my powers became.

While I could connect my senses to other machines, I couldn’t control them altogether.

“I wonder if I can sync my senses to a worker droid…” Eager to test that, I connected my sense of touch to a construction droid working on a new building. Though I failed to connect the other senses, with just the sense of touch, I could feel the texture of the steel beams it was lifting, the vibration of its hydraulic joints, and the weight of the materials it handled. It was an odd sensation, like having an extra set of limbs.

It was here that I realized something.

I was getting tired, very tired.

It seemed extending my senses too far or to too many devices at once left me feeling disoriented and drained. I needed to build up my stamina, just like with any other physical or mental exercise.

Another downside to ignoring the limits set for my powers.

That being said, the sense of freedom these abilities gave me was intoxicating. With enough practice, I felt like I could go anywhere, see anything, hear everything.

I didn’t need to be the strongest force user in the universe, just the most annoying one.

“But what do I want to do?” I hummed at the thought.

So far, my main objective has been to survive. And I like to think I’ve been doing well in that regard.

However, I couldn’t allow myself to be content with just that. Because it would be like being fulfilled by just breathing, utterly pointless seeing that’s nature itself.

Nobody wants to die.

Nobody wants to stop breathing, at least not normally.

A part of me wanted to go home.

But I had to admit that there was also a part of me that wanted to explore this… opportunity.

A universe I could explore… Compared to that, my old life seemed boring now. Sure, I could do without the people trying to kill me, but who said good things never came with downsides?

I yawned, leaning against my bed. “I wonder who I stole the money from…”

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[Third Person - POV]

Senator Palpatine sat behind his ornate desk in his fancy office on Naboo. The soft light from the twin suns filtered through the grand windows, casting a golden glow over the rich tapestries and elegant furnishings. Palpatine, with his calm, kind and composed demeanor, was meticulously going through reports and communications, ensuring everything was in order. However, the tranquility of his office was suddenly disrupted by the urgent beeping of his private comm link.

"Senator Palpatine, you have an urgent message from the banking sector," his assistant's voice came through the device.

"Very well, patch it through," Palpatine replied, a slight frown forming on his face, as he wondered what the worms of the bank would want.

A hologram flickered to life above his desk, displaying a flustered banking official. The man’s face was pale, his eyes wide with concern.

"Senator Palpatine, we have a serious issue that requires your immediate attention," the official began, his voice trembling slightly.

"What seems to be the problem?" Palpatine asked, his voice smooth and composed, betraying none of the irritation he felt at the interruption.

"We have discovered a significant theft from your personal account. Over 12,000 credits have been withdrawn without authorization."

Palpatine's eyes narrowed, but his expression remained calm. "Explain," he demanded.

The amount of credits was nothing of consequence, nothing but petty cash to him. However, for someone to steal from the bank with such ease, petty cash or not… Well, it was worth consideration.

The official swallowed hard before continuing. "It appears that someone has used an unknown method to force multiple ATMs to dispense credits directly from your account. We have no leads on the identity of the perpetrator as the withdrawals were made in various locations, making it difficult to trace. Not only that, but the method they used… it flawlessly disrupted our systems.”

Palpatine leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I see. And what measures are being taken to rectify this situation?" he asked, his tone icy but controlled.

"We are currently working to trace the source of the breach. Security protocols have been heightened, and we are cooperating with local law enforcement to investigate the matter. Rest assured, Senator, we will do everything in our power to recover the stolen funds and apprehend the culprit."

They wouldn’t find them. Palpatine knew that.

Palpatine nodded slowly, his mind already working on the implications of this theft. It was not the loss of credits that concerned him; it was the audacity of the act and the potential threat it represented. Someone with the capability to manipulate technology in such a manner could be a valuable asset, or a dangerous enemy.

"Keep me informed of any developments," Palpatine instructed, with a smile. "I trust you will resolve this matter swiftly."

"Of course, Senator. We will keep you updated," the official assured before the hologram flickered and disappeared.

Palpatine sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the situation. Whoever was behind this theft had demonstrated a level of skill that intrigued him. It was not often that someone managed to catch his attention in such a manner.

It was easier to steal from the Hutts than to take from the bank of Naboo, their systems were quite difficult to work around.

"Interesting," he murmured to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Very interesting."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Palpatine turned his attention back to his reports, but his thoughts remained on the mysterious thief. He would have to keep a close eye on this situation, for whoever was behind it might prove to be useful, or a threat that needed to be eliminated.