> Disclaimer: Star Wars and all of it's Intellectual Properties is owned by George Lucas and Walt Disney, This fictional work and all of it's original characters are however mine.
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The hum of diagnostic equipment filled the cockpit of the Stellar Envoy as Kado stood behind Tarek, who was slouched comfortably in the pilot’s seat. Nick-03 sat motionless in the co-pilot chair, its photoreceptors glowing faintly as it ran through systems checks. Despite the relative quiet of Hangar Bay 7-10, Kado’s mind was anything but at ease. His eyes flicked to the navcharts displayed on the console, then back to Tarek.
“Malachor V,” Tarek said, his voice tinged with skepticism as he studied the potential routes Kado had projected onto the console. “Why does it feel like every path there has ‘bad idea’ written all over it?”
Kado smirked faintly but didn’t take his eyes off the charts. “Because it does. Half of these hyperspace lanes are crawling with pirates, and the other half are so old they might not even connect the way we think they do. Plus, there’s the wild space factor—uncharted sectors and anomalies waiting to screw us over.”
Tarek leaned back, his hand brushing against the yoke. “Sounds promising. Are we leaving as soon as Gardulla’s goons cool down?”
“That’s the idea,” Kado replied, crossing his arms. “Once Jake and the others are back and Mira confirms we’ve got enough supplies, we’ll pack up and get out of here. But only if the coast is clear. No sense drawing more heat to ourselves than we already have.”
Tarek’s brow furrowed, his tone turning speculative. “Are we planning any detours? Or is the resupply stop the only interruption before Malachor?”
“Depends,” Kado admitted, tapping a finger against the back of Tarek’s chair. “Ideally, we make one stop for essentials—fuel, food, and whatever repairs we can’t delay—and then it’s straight to Malachor. But if anything goes wrong—like we attract attention or find a more urgent lead—we’ll have to adjust. Maybe a longer route to throw off any tails or another supply stop if our resources get stretched thin.”
“Adjust, huh?” Tarek muttered, staring at the navcharts. “You know I’ve only flown on one real mission, right? The rest has been simulator stuff. I’m not exactly ready to make split-second decisions in a firefight or evasive maneuvers while calculating hyperspace routes.”
“That’s why we’re planning now,” Kado said, his tone firm but reassuring. “We’ve got time to go over contingencies and rehearse scenarios. Nick-03 will assist, and Davik or I can take the co-pilot seat if things get dicey. You’ll manage.”
Before Tarek could respond, the proximity alarm pinged softly, and Kado glanced at the monitor. A group was approaching the hangar entrance, moving cautiously. “Looks like Jake and the others are back,” Kado said, his voice tinged with relief.
Tarek turned in his seat to get a better look as the cameras picked up the group entering the hangar. “Wait... are those extra people with them?”
Kado frowned, his confusion growing as he counted the unfamiliar faces. “Yeah... what the hell?”
The group moved swiftly but methodically, checking the perimeter before securing the hangar’s entrance. Jake, Mira, Rina, and Davik appeared calm but focused, while three others—two adults and a child—hovered behind them, their postures guarded and uncertain.
Kado and Tarek exchanged a look before stepping out of the cockpit to meet them.
“What’s going on?” Kado asked as the group approached, his tone wary but not accusatory.
Tarek tilted his head, his confusion evident. “Did we... pick up refugees or something?”
Jake raised his hands slightly, a placating gesture. “I’ll explain everything, but first, let me get them settled.” His tone was measured, but there was a hint of weariness beneath it.
Kado’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. “Alright. We’ll wait. But you are going to explain.”
Jake gave a small nod of thanks and motioned for the newcomers to follow him. Shmi and Anakin Skywalker, along with the third former slave—a wiry man in his mid-thirties with dark, close-cropped hair named Arlos Kren—were ushered into a makeshift resting area. Jake assured them they were safe before joining the others in the common area for the inevitable discussion.
Once the group was gathered, Jake stood at the center, his shoulders slightly slumped but his gaze resolute. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking. “Alright. Here’s what happened.”
He recounted the events at the underground market—the haggling with the slaver, the decision to purchase the group of slaves, and the chaotic mix of emotions that had driven him. As he spoke, Kado’s expression shifted from suspicion to understanding, though a trace of concern lingered.
“And after all that,” Jake said, his voice quieter now, “I realized something. Seeing those people—the fear in their eyes, the hopelessness—I couldn’t just walk away. Not after everything I’ve been thinking about lately.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
He looked directly at Kado and Tarek, his gaze unwavering. “I’ve been wrestling with the consequences of my actions, the things I’ve done without fully considering what might happen. But now I’ve also started thinking about the causes. Why I made those choices. Why any of us make the choices we do.”
Jake took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. “I’ve decided that my purpose—my goal—is to do more than survive or chase credits. I want to make a difference. I want to help people who can’t help themselves, to stand against those who exploit and destroy for their own gain. That’s why I did what I did today. And that’s why I’m asking for your support as we move forward.”
There was a long silence as Kado and Tarek absorbed his words.
Tarek was the first to speak, his tone cautious but sincere. “That’s... heavy. I mean, I get it—wanting to do something meaningful. But you’re talking about taking on slavers, criminals, and probably half the galaxy’s worst scum. You sure about this?”
Jake nodded firmly. “I am. But I’m not asking you to follow me blindly. I’ll explain everything, plan every step. And I’ll always take your advice into account. I just... need to know if you’re with me.”
Kado crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “You’ve got guts, Jake. And, honestly? I respect that. If this is the direction we’re going, I’m in. But we need to be smart about it—because people like Gardulla don’t forget, and they don’t forgive.”
Jake allowed himself a small smile. “Agreed.”
Tarek shrugged, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “Guess I’m in too. I mean, what else am I gonna do? Fly simulators all day?”
The tension in the room eased as the group’s solidarity became clear. Jake felt a weight lift from his shoulders, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. This was just the beginning, but for the first time, he felt like he was moving in the right direction.
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The group remained huddled in the common area of the Stellar Envoy, the air carrying a mix of quiet determination and lingering uncertainty. Kado leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he regarded Jake with a thoughtful expression.
“This whole plan of yours,” Kado began, his tone measured, “does it change your original goal? Getting to the Core Worlds?”
Jake, who had been expecting the question, showed no outward surprise. He straightened up slightly before answering, his voice calm but resolute. “No. It doesn’t change anything. Getting to the Core is still part of the bigger picture. This... this just adds more meaning to the journey.”
Kado nodded slowly, apparently satisfied with the response.
Before anyone could add more, Rina broke the silence, her tone carrying a hint of excitement. “Well, I’ve got some good news. Gardulla’s men think Kado and the crew died during the attack on his shop.”
A chorus of confused murmurs rippled through the group.
“What?” Tarek asked, leaning forward with a frown.
Rina smirked, enjoying the attention. “Yep. Apparently, the explosions were enough to convince her. None of her men are brave—or stupid—enough to correct her, so most of their hunting frenzy is dying down.”
Jake raised an eyebrow. “What about the relic and the data?”
Rina shrugged. “From what I hear, they’re focusing on the contents of the edited data. That’s what has Gardulla so wound up now.”
Davik crossed his arms, giving Rina a skeptical look. “And where, exactly, did you get this info?”
Rina’s smirk widened. “What, you think Mira’s the only one with contacts? I’ve got my own network, thank you very much.”
Davik let out a grudging grunt of acknowledgment, eliciting chuckles from the others.
Tarek leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the armrest. “So... does that mean we’re clear to leave? Should we head straight for Malachor V?”
Mira chimed in, her voice practical but thoughtful. “Supplies aren’t an issue, even with the new additions. Speaking of which, Jake, what’s the plan for the former slaves? Are they staying aboard long-term?”
Jake paused for a moment, realizing all eyes were on him. “I’ve been thinking about that,” he started, his tone a bit hesitant. “One of them could be the cook, and the other... well, we could train him as a gunner. And he could help out around the ship, maybe run small errands.”
The group collectively exchanged skeptical looks, their expressions practically screaming, You just made that up, didn’t you?
Jake raised his hands defensively. “Hey, it’s a starting point! We’ll work it out as we go.”
Kado, ever pragmatic, chimed in. “Alright. How about this? We stick around for three more days. That gives us time to get them trained on basic ship operations and figure out how they’ll fit in. Speaking of which, what about the kid?”
Jake blinked, caught off guard. “I’m not separating him from his mom.”
“Of course not,” Kado said with a slight roll of his eyes. “I mean, who’s going to watch the kid when his mom’s busy doing her job?”
Jake froze for a moment, then brightened as if a light bulb had just gone off in his head. “Oh! The companion droid! It’s perfect—modeled after BD-1, agile, intuitive, great with kids.”
Rina raised an eyebrow, her skepticism palpable. “That might work for a while, but it’s not a long-term solution, Jake.”
Jake shrugged, trying to sound confident. “We’ll manage. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?”
The group fell silent, giving Jake a series of blank stares.
“Really?” Rina said dryly. “You’re going with that line?”
Jake rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Okay, fine. I’ll put more thought into it. But for now, the droid can handle it.”
Despite their doubts, the group nodded, the beginnings of a plan starting to take shape.
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Meanwhile, later in the makeshift rest area...
Shmi sat quietly on the edge of a cot, her son Anakin curled up beside her, his small hand clutching hers. Across from her, Arlos Kren leaned against the wall, his gaze flicking between the two of them and the ship’s interior. The tension in their postures hadn’t fully dissipated, but there was a glimmer of hope in their eyes—a fragile thing, but present nonetheless.
For the first time in years, they weren’t bound by the cruel whims of slavers. Shmi brushed a hand over her son’s hair, her lips pressing into a thin line. Whatever came next, she was determined to give her son a better future.
Back in the common area, Jake caught a glimpse of her resolve as he passed by the door, and his own resolve solidified. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would see this through—not just for Shmi and Anakin, but for everyone on this ship and those they would encounter in the future.
>
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