The Junk Giant

A theft is thwarted by the Jedi.

At Hap's Sap Tap, Hap provides Nash Durango with a Fizzroot Shake, two Alphaberry Sap-Shakes for both Kai Brightstar and Lys Solay, and a cup of ice cream for Nubs. Nubs quickly consumes his dessert. Brightstar expresses his gratitude to Hap for the beverage, while Solay inquires with Durango about a statue in the vicinity. Durango clarifies that it represents Kaliah Kublop, the explorer credited with discovering Tenoo and establishing Kublop Springs. Solay comments on the inviting atmosphere of Kublop Springs.

A Chadra-Fan called Marlaa Jinara stumbles, dropping her lunch. Durango then introduces the Jedi Initiates to Jinara, her friend. Durango and the Jedi assist her in recovering the scattered fruit. Durango mentions that Jinara is the owner of a junkyard. Jinara then reveals that she must leave because a thief has been pilfering items from her junkyard. Solay volunteers the assistance of her companions, an offer that Jinara accepts due to their established reputation for aiding the residents of Kublop Springs.

At the junkyard, Durango shares with her Jedi friends her affection for the location, noting that both of her mothers frequently visit to find various items. Jinara expresses her appreciation for the junk, viewing it as beautiful due to its potential for recycling or artistic transformation. Jinara then presents her repurposed artworks to Durango and the Jedi, describing the junkyard as her home and emphasizing her distress over the thief's activities, which are negatively impacting her business.

Brightstar pledges to apprehend the thief, while Solay requests details about the thief's actions. Jinara explains that the thief had previously only stolen small items, but today, the gears from her servo-lifter were taken, rendering it unusable for lifting heavy objects. As Brightstar contemplates their next move, Solay discovers a trail of oil, which Brightstar identifies as originating from the stolen servo-lifter parts. Solay suggests following the trail, while Jinara prefers to remain behind and safeguard her junkyard.

Nubs utilizes his considerable strength and Force powers to raise a section of the servo-lifter. While Nubs aids Jinara in lifting objects, the others proceed to follow the oil trail. The trail comes to an end in the middle of a nearby street, but Durango's droid, RJ-83, detects voices emanating from behind a door. Upon entering the warehouse, they discover Taborr Val Dorn and his associates, Pord and EB-3, in possession of the stolen goods. Val Dorn and EB-3 are engaged in a project intended to impress other pirates at Yarrum Tower and facilitate the theft of larger items.

The Jedi younglings and Durango confront Val Dorn's group for stealing from Marlaa. Brightstar demands the return of the stolen junk, but Val Dorn reveals that he and his crew have constructed a Junk Giant using the stolen materials. Val Dorn activates the Junk Giant, boasting about its intended use for stealing larger objects, including the founder's statue.

Val Dorn commands the Junk Giant to attack the Jedi and Durango. The Giant seizes Brightstar with one hand and attempts to crush him with its pincer arm, but Brightstar evades the attack. The Junk Giant then uses a piracy of metal to block the entrance with a rectangular crate. Outside, Val Dorn directs the Giant to steal Kaliah Kublop's statue. After an unsuccessful attempt to move the crate, Brightstar and Solay attempt to use their combined Force abilities, but the object is too heavy.

While Solay feels discouraged, Brightstar devises a plan to connect a crane to remove the crate. Collaboratively, the three younglings construct a drain, which they employ to remove the crate.

The four decide to thwart Val Dorn and his gang's scheme to steal the founder's statue. Val Dorn is overjoyed that his plan seems to be succeeding. However, Brightstar and his friends arrive and order Val Dorn to return the statue of Kaliah Kublop.

Val Dorn sends the Junk Giant to attack Brightstar, Solay, and Durango. Solay tries to locate the power switch but is grabbed by the large bipedal droid. Brightstar manages to divert the droid's attention and trick it into releasing Solay. While chasing Brightstar, the droid destroys a fountain. However, it loses its left hand during the process. With his plan falling apart and facing an angry crowd of locals and Jedi, Val Dorn orders his gang to retreat. Deeming the Junk Giant useless, Val Dorn instructs the droid to remain behind and attack the Jedi.

Before the droid can strike them with its remaining fist, Brightstar addresses the Junk Giant and persuades him not to attack. Despite Val Dorn's willingness to discard him, Brightstar assures him that every piece of junk has value and can be transformed into art, a crane, or a giant droid that doesn't need to fight or steal. Although the Junk Giant is damaged, Brightstar reassures him that he remains special. Solay and Durango offer their support.

The Junk Giant returns the statue of Kaliah Kublop. Meanwhile, Marlaa oversees Nubs as he organizes and moves items in her junkyard. The Jedi and Durango arrive with the Junk Giant, with Solay explaining that Val adorn transformed her junk into a giant droid. Jinara examines the droid and describes the Junk Giant as beautiful. Jinara then offers to repair the droid's left arm and provide the Junk Giant with a place and a job at her junkyard. The Junk Giant responds with a murmur of agreement. Jinara decides to name the droid JG-1. The droid murmurs in agreement, and Jinara touches the droid gently.

Jinara expresses her gratitude to the Jedi younglings for their assistance as JG-1 helps Nubs move a heavy crate. Brightstar concludes that junk is not broken but is simply waiting to be transformed into something new and amazing. Jinara, Brightstar, and Solay observe as the Junk Giant allows Nubs and Durango to sit on its shoulders.