> 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 next morning aboard the Stellar Envoy began with a sense of tentative hope. Jake gathered everyone in the ship's common area to formally kick off the three-day training plan for their newest additions. Shmi, Anakin, and Arlos stood together, with Shmi’s protective hand resting on her son’s shoulder. Anakin’s wide-eyed curiosity darted around the room, taking in the ship's bustling activity and its crew.
Jake clapped his hands to draw everyone’s attention. “Alright, everyone, let’s get started. First, let’s introduce our new shipmates properly. You’ve all met them in passing, but I’d like to go over their roles and how we’ll train them.”
He gestured toward Shmi. “This is Shmi Skywalker. She’s already skilled in cooking, which is a big help for us, and she’ll be learning some basics of ship gunnery and maintenance over the next few days. She’s meticulous and resourceful, which will make her a great asset to the crew.”
Shmi offered a polite nod, her calm demeanor masking her underlying nerves.
Jake then motioned to Arlos. “This is Arlos Kren. He’s been doing manual labor most of his life, but we’ll teach him how to assist with shipboard tasks, and he’ll eventually take on the role of a gunner and general helper.”
Arlos shifted uncomfortably but managed a small nod.
“And lastly, this little guy is Anakin Skywalker,” Jake said with a warm smile, crouching slightly to meet the boy’s gaze. Anakin smiled back shyly, his curiosity momentarily overtaking his apprehension. “Anakin will mostly be hanging out with one of the ship’s best companions during training sessions. Speaking of which...”
Jake tapped a control panel on the wall, and a sleek, compact droid rolled into view. The droid had a small, rounded head with glowing photoreceptors and a slim, agile frame built for navigating tight spaces. Jake grinned.
“Everyone, meet BD-0, or ‘Zero’ for short. Zero is a companion droid I designed to assist with exploration, minor repairs, and—most importantly—keeping Anakin company.”
The droid beeped enthusiastically and tilted its head toward Anakin, emitting a friendly chirp. Anakin’s eyes lit up with excitement as he stepped closer to the droid.
“Can I... touch it?” Anakin asked tentatively.
“Of course,” Jake said with a chuckle. “Zero’s tougher than he looks.”
Anakin placed a small hand on Zero’s head, and the droid whirred in response, playfully nudging Anakin’s hand.
Shmi, however, looked hesitant. “He’ll be with Anakin during all of the training?”
Jake nodded reassuringly. “Yes, and Anakin will stay in the same area for the non-sensitive training sessions. When we cover topics like electronics or weapon handling, he’ll stay in your room with Zero. We’re taking no chances.”
Shmi’s posture relaxed slightly, her concern still visible but tempered by Jake’s careful explanation.
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Jake turned to the rest of the crew. “Alright, let’s introduce the rest of us. This is Tarek.” He pointed to the younger pilot, who waved awkwardly from the side. “He’s our pilot-in-training—mostly simulator experience but eager to learn.”
Tarek nodded, a slight flush rising to his cheeks.
“Next, we have Kado,” Jake continued, pointing to the grizzled man with a steady presence. “Our resident expert on salvaging and logistics. He’s also one of the most level-headed here.”
Kado gave a small wave. “Welcome aboard.”
“Davik,” Jake gestured toward the middle-aged man leaning casually against the wall, “is our weapons specialist and combat planner.”
Davik smirked. “You’ll get used to the chaos soon enough.”
“Mira here is our resource manager and negotiator,” Jake said, pointing to the petite but sharp-eyed woman.
Mira nodded politely. “If you’re willing to learn, I’m willing to teach.”
“And finally, Rina,” Jake concluded, gesturing to the blonde woman with a confident stance. “She’s our intel specialist and scout.”
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Rina gave a sly smile. “You’re in good hands—assuming you pay attention.”
With introductions complete, Jake led the group on a tour of the ship. He pointed out critical areas such as the cockpit, medbay, engine room, gunnery stations, and the common area, taking care to emphasize safety protocols and emergency procedures.
The group lingered in the cockpit, where Tarek and Kado were already seated. Nick-03 was stationed at the co-pilot’s console, performing diagnostics.
“This is where most of the action happens,” Jake explained, gesturing to the controls. “You’ll get a chance to learn more as we go, but for now, just familiarize yourselves with the layout.”
Arlos looked overwhelmed but nodded earnestly, while Shmi absorbed every detail with quiet determination.
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As the tour ended, Shmi hesitated before speaking. “Who... who’s the captain of this ship?”
The crew exchanged glances. It was a question they’d been avoiding for some time.
Kado cleared his throat. “We haven’t decided yet. It’s been more of a team effort so far, but eventually, we’ll need to make it official.”
Jake nodded, his expression thoughtful. “For now, let’s focus on getting everyone up to speed. We’ll figure out leadership when the time’s right.”
The group dispersed, each member diving into their respective tasks. As the ship hummed with activity, Jake couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of purpose. Their crew was an odd mix, but it was coming together—slowly but surely.
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On the first morning of training, as the crew gathered in the common area to review the schedule, Jake couldn't help but smirk to himself. This is starting to feel like assembling the Straw Hat Pirates, salvager edition, he thought, referencing the “One Piece” manga from his old world. The crew was eclectic, each with distinct personalities and talents, but somehow, they worked together.
Jake shook the thought from his mind and focused on the task at hand. The next three days were dedicated to integrating Shmi and Arlos into their routines, training them in shipboard roles, and ensuring they felt like part of the team.
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The training started slowly, with basic introductions to equipment and ship operations. Arlos initially appeared overwhelmed, but as the sessions progressed, his natural talent for marksmanship became apparent. Davik, who oversaw gunnery training, was impressed by how quickly Arlos adapted to the ship’s turret systems.
“Not bad,” Davik said with a grin, watching Arlos hit target after target in the simulated combat drills. “You’ve got steady hands. Could’ve fooled me with that nervous look of yours.”
Arlos blushed under the praise but kept his focus.
Shmi, on the other hand, surprised everyone with her aptitude for electronics. While Jake had assumed her skills would revolve primarily around cooking and general maintenance, she showed an intuitive understanding of circuits and systems, quickly picking up on tasks like repairing consoles and diagnosing minor system errors.
“This wiring reminds me of the droid I worked on years ago,” Shmi mentioned to Jake during one repair session. “I guess some things stick with you.”
Jake chuckled. “Seems like you’ve got a knack for it. We’ll make sure to put those skills to good use.”
By the third day, the training had built a sense of camaraderie. The crew took turns mentoring the new additions, often interjecting their own humor or anecdotes.
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On the evening of the third day, Jake called everyone together in the common area. With the training winding down, it felt like the right moment to share his vision with Shmi and Arlos—the same one he’d told the crew before.
He stood before them, his tone steady but passionate. “I know this started as a salvage run, but things have changed for me. I’ve seen what happens when people like us have the power to make a difference but don’t. That’s why I’ve decided to do more than just chase scrap or credits. I want to save people who can’t save themselves and hunt down the predators who take advantage of the weak.”
Arlos and Shmi listened intently, their expressions thoughtful.
Jake continued, “This crew has already agreed to this shift in direction. We’ll still salvage, but now, we’ll do it with a purpose—one that makes a real difference. If you’re with us, you’ll be part of something bigger than just surviving.”
Arlos nodded slowly, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. Shmi, too, looked contemplative but smiled softly. “That’s a noble goal, Jake. And I think you’re the kind of person who can see it through.”
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Later that day, during a rest period, Shmi decided to get to know the crew better. She wandered around the hangar bay and inside the ship, finding the crew at their various tasks. Quietly and politely, she asked each of them a simple question: “Do you share Jake’s goal?”
The answers varied but were overwhelmingly positive.
Tarek, seated in the cockpit adjusting navigation charts, gave a lopsided grin. “Saving slaves and taking down pirates? Sounds good to me. Who knows—maybe we’ll end up saving royalty too. We’d really have stories to tell then.”
Mira, organizing supplies in the storage bay, nodded thoughtfully. “It’s not so different from what we’ve been doing, just... with a bit more heroism sprinkled in. I think it suits us.”
Rina, perched on a maintenance ladder while inspecting a sensor array, smirked. “Heroic salvagers? Sure, why not. As long as we get to mess with scumbags, I’m in.”
Kado, in the engine room, gave a more grounded response. “Jake’s goals don’t contradict what we’ve always done. They just give it more meaning. I’m fine with that.”
Shmi even overheard Davik mutter to Jake during a break, “Guess your crazy ideas are rubbing off on us. Don’t make me regret it.”
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Jake stayed nearby as Shmi made her rounds, listening in on some of the responses. Though he tried to keep his expression neutral, a deep sense of gratitude welled up inside him.
They’re really on board with this, he thought. No matter how outlandish it sounds, they’re willing to try. I won’t let them down. I’ll help us survive whatever dangers come our way.
That night, as the ship settled into the quiet hum of its systems, Jake stood alone in the cockpit, gazing out at the stars. The crew’s words echoed in his mind, solidifying his resolve. Whatever lay ahead—Malachor V, salvaging runs, or the dream of the Nova—he knew they’d face it together.
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