> 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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Half an hour passed as the Stellar Envoy navigated the dense debris field, searching for a suitable piece of wreckage large and stable enough to temporarily clamp the ship onto. The tension was still present, but the crew worked seamlessly, their focus unwavering. Tarek piloted with precision, his usual humor dialed back to match the gravity of their situation, though he occasionally made light remarks to ease the atmosphere.
“Still no luck?” Tarek’s voice came through the comms. “Not that I’m doubting the plan, but I think the ship’s starting to miss solid ground—or a good docking port.”
Kado responded calmly, his voice steady. “Keep at it, Tarek. Rina’s working the scans with Shmi and Anakin in the holodeck. We’ll find something.”
In the common area, Rina was intensely focused on a holographic projection of the debris field, her fingers manipulating the controls of the modified holodeck Jake had rigged to sync with the ship’s sensors. Shmi observed quietly, ready to assist if needed, while Anakin sat nearby, watching the display with wide-eyed curiosity.
The holodeck projected an intricate map of the surrounding wreckage, marking hazardous zones and potential paths in real-time. As Rina narrowed down the options, Anakin’s eyes flicked to a specific section of the hologram. His expression shifted from curiosity to certainty, and he raised a small hand to point.
“There,” Anakin said confidently, his voice cutting through the quiet concentration. “That spot feels safe.”
Startled, Rina blinked and looked up from her work. “What?” she asked, a beat passing before she followed his finger to the indicated location. With a frown of focus, she entered the coordinates into the console, initiating a detailed scan.
The ship’s computer hummed as it analyzed the route Anakin had pointed out. Moments later, the display updated, highlighting a path with remarkably low risk—so low that even an inexperienced pilot could navigate it safely.
“Wow,” Rina muttered, glancing at Anakin. “Good eye, kid.” She activated the comms. “Rina here. I think we’ve got something. Anakin spotted a location that the computer confirms as safe. Sending the data to everyone now.”
Jake’s voice came through almost immediately. “Nick-03, confirm the calculations.”
The droid, seated at the co-pilot’s console, replied in its clipped tone, “Acknowledged, Captain Jake. Analyzing…” A brief pause followed, then, “Analysis complete. Probability of catastrophic failure in the designated route is approximately 0.01%. Minimal danger detected.”
“Excellent,” Kado said, his tone lightening with relief. “Tarek, you’re good to follow the path. Let’s get this done.”
“Copy that, Captain Kado,” Tarek replied with a grin in his voice, then quickly added, “Just a placeholder, by the way. Don’t let it go to your head.”
Kado chuckled but didn’t respond to the teasing. Instead, he focused on the task at hand.
Tarek’s hands moved deftly over the controls, guiding the Stellar Envoy along the safe path highlighted on the nav display. The debris seemed to part like a natural corridor, the large chunks of wreckage moving sluggishly enough that the risk of collision was almost nonexistent.
In the holodeck, Rina leaned back slightly, exhaling in relief. “I didn’t expect that kind of intuition from a kid,” she remarked, glancing at Anakin. “You sure you’ve never done this before?”
Anakin grinned. “I just… felt it.”
Shmi placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, smiling softly. “He’s always had a knack for sensing things. It’s one of his gifts.”
The ship glided smoothly toward a massive piece of debris—a twisted remnant of a capital ship that had weathered untold years of drifting. It was large and stable, its surface barely marred by the slow collisions of smaller fragments around it.
Tarek’s voice came through the comms again, cheerful yet professional. “Approaching the target now. Looks solid enough to hold us, unless someone decides to play bumper cars with a moon.”
“Nice work, everyone,” Kado said, his tone calm but carrying the weight of seniority. “Let’s secure the ship and get those scans running. Stay sharp—we’re not out of the woods yet.”
The crew acknowledged in unison, their focus shifting to their respective tasks. As the Stellar Envoy carefully clamped onto the wreckage, the crew moved with practiced efficiency, all too aware that their safety was only temporary in this unpredictable graveyard of ships.
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With the Stellar Envoy securely clamped to the massive piece of debris, the ship was as stable as it could be in the chaotic expanse of the debris field. The crew, though relieved at the reduced risk of immediate danger, maintained their vigilance. Random debris still drifted unpredictably, and the ever-looming threat of pirates—suspected to be Gardulla’s men—kept everyone on edge.
Davik remained stationed at the topside turret, his keen eyes scanning the expanse around them. His vantage point gave him a clear view of the surrounding area, and he relayed observations to the others as needed.
“Still nothing moving out there,” Davik reported through the comms, his tone calm but alert. “Doesn’t mean it’s clear, though. I don’t trust this silence.”
Down below, Arlos had dismounted from the bottom turret for now and waited in the common area, ready to spring into action if needed. He sat with his back straight, his posture betraying the habits of someone still adjusting to life as a free man. “Miss Rina,” he said over the comms, his tone polite and deferential, “if there’s anything I can assist with, just let me know.”
In the cockpit, Tarek and Nick-03 were focused on the ship’s systems, ensuring the Envoy stayed secure and operational. Tarek tapped at the console, running diagnostics and keeping an eye on the stabilizers.
“Everything’s holding steady on my end,” Tarek said, his usual humor muted but not gone. “Nick, how’s our clamp integrity looking?”
The droid responded in its precise manner, “Clamp integrity at 98.4%. Minor fluctuations detected but within acceptable parameters. Shall I inform ‘Captain’ Tarek?”
Tarek smirked. “That’s the second time today. Starting to think you’re doing this on purpose, Nick.”
“Observation noted,” Nick-03 replied, its tone betraying nothing.
In the common area, Rina, Mira, Shmi, and Jake were combing through the data they’d managed to gather so far, working in tandem with the holodeck projection to pinpoint the location of the Old Republic-era Vault. Anakin was nearby, quietly observing as the adults worked, though his eyes often flicked to the shifting holograms.
“We’re getting too many false positives,” Rina muttered, frustration creeping into her voice. “The magnetic and gravitational interference from the debris field is throwing off the scans. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is constantly moving.”
Jake frowned as he adjusted a setting on the console. “The interference is consistent with residual energy from old battles. If we don’t account for that, every reading we get could be a phantom.” He leaned closer to inspect the data. “I’ll tweak the filter parameters, but it’s not going to be perfect.”
Mira sighed, crossing her arms as she studied the holographic map. “This is what we signed up for, I guess. But we can’t waste too much time here. The longer we stay in one spot, the higher the chance someone—or something—finds us first.”
Shmi nodded, her expression thoughtful. “If the Vault’s location was easy to find, someone else would have discovered it by now. The interference might actually work in our favor—it could keep others from finding it, too.”
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As the adults debated and recalibrated, Anakin’s gaze lingered on a faint cluster of readings that pulsed irregularly in the hologram. His brow furrowed as he tilted his head, his intuition tugging at him again.
“I think we should check this area,” Anakin said, pointing to the faint cluster.
Rina glanced at the spot and hesitated. “That section’s readings are weaker than the others. It’s probably just noise.”
“But it feels right,” Anakin insisted.
Jake raised an eyebrow but humored the boy. “Can’t hurt to check,” he said, punching the coordinates into the scanner. The system began processing the data, its analysis slow due to the interference.
Nick-03’s voice came through the comms. “Preliminary scan of indicated area shows minimal activity consistent with interference. Further analysis required to determine significance. Captain Mira, shall I prioritize this sector?”
Mira exchanged a look with Jake, who shrugged. “Might as well. We’ve followed less solid leads before.”
Rina nodded reluctantly, setting the system to focus on the new area. As the scans continued, the crew braced themselves, knowing that in this graveyard of forgotten ships and shattered history, danger was always a heartbeat away.
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As the scans continued to roll in, the Stellar Envoy’s scanners pinpointed a remarkable consistency in Anakin’s chosen coordinates. Out of 100 sweeps, nearly 40% indicated a specific area of interest—a concentration of readings that seemed to defy the usual noise of the debris field. Jake, cross-referencing the data with the relic he'd decrypted earlier, nodded slowly, his expression a mix of excitement and apprehension.
“This is it,” Jake said, pointing at the overlay on the holographic map. “It matches the description from the relic, with some minor differences. Given the centuries that have passed, it’s to be expected, but... this has to be the place.”
The rest of the crew leaned in to study the projection. Rina’s analytical eyes scanned the data while Mira frowned at the highlighted path leading to their destination.
“The problem isn’t finding it,” Rina said, her voice steady but tense. “It’s getting there. Look at this.” She gestured to the chaotic clusters of small and medium-sized debris between the Stellar Envoy and the target area. Unlike the stable wreck they were clamped to, this debris moved erratically, bouncing off each other in unpredictable trajectories.
Jake added grimly, “The movements are too irregular to chart a safe autopilot route. If we try to plow through without a fast ship or a pilot with lightning reflexes, we’ll get crushed.”
Tarek, who had been following the discussion from the cockpit, gulped audibly. His usual playful demeanor faltered, replaced by a flicker of doubt. “So, let me get this straight,” he said, leaning back in his seat and rubbing the back of his neck. “You want me to thread the needle through that?”
Kado’s voice came through the comms, calm but firm. “It’s not ideal, but we don’t have another option. We’ll take it slow, and everyone will play their part to keep us safe. We trust you, Tarek.”
Tarek let out a nervous laugh. “Trust is great and all, Kado, but maybe I should’ve spent more time in the actual cockpit instead of simulations.”
Nick-03, seated in the co-pilot's chair, tilted its head slightly. “Captain Tarek, simulation records indicate an 89.7% success rate in high-pressure navigational scenarios. Confidence is advised.”
Tarek snorted. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Nick. And stop calling me captain—unless that comes with a pay raise.”
Jake’s voice chimed in with practical advice. “We’ll prep the ship to help you out. We’ll reroute extra power to the thrusters and adjust shield configurations to handle potential impacts. Davik and Arlos will remain on the turrets in case of unexpected... company.”
“I’ll recalibrate the scanners for close-range sweeps,” Rina said. “It’ll give you a better read on what’s coming, but you’ll need to react fast.”
Anakin, who had been quietly observing from the common area, spoke up with surprising conviction. “You can do it, Tarek. It’s like a podrace. You just need to feel the rhythm of the debris and follow it.”
Tarek raised an eyebrow, half-smirking at the boy’s confidence. “Kid, I’m not sure if that’s reassuring or terrifying, but I’ll take what I can get.”
Kado’s voice, steady and authoritative, broke through the chatter. “All right, everyone. You know your roles. Let’s make sure we’re ready before we even think about moving. Check your systems, prepare for the worst, and let’s get this done.”
The crew sprang into action. Jake worked on rerouting power, sweat beading on his brow as he adjusted circuits and reinforced the ship’s shielding. Mira and Rina double-checked their calculations, fine-tuning the scanner’s parameters to reduce false positives. Davik and Arlos manned their turrets, scanning for any signs of incoming threats. Even Shmi joined in, monitoring life support and ensuring the medical supplies were ready in case of an emergency.
Tarek leaned forward in the pilot’s seat, his fingers hovering over the controls. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before glancing at Nick-03.
“Let’s hope that 89.7% success rate is good enough,” he muttered, gripping the controls.
Nick-03 responded dryly, “Shall I factor in your current elevated heart rate, Captain Tarek?”
Tarek laughed despite himself, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s just get through this in one piece.”
As the crew finalized their preparations, the Stellar Envoy hummed with energy, its systems primed for the treacherous path ahead.
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Tarek’s voice echoed through the ship’s comm system, laced with a mix of determination and nerves. “All right, everyone, strap in tight. Things are about to get bumpy.” He glanced at the holographic flight path now displayed on the console in front of him, its glowing lines weaving through the chaotic mess of debris and shipwrecks.
The rest of the crew hastily secured themselves in their seats. Jake gave a final nod to Kado from his position near the engine power relays. “Engines are primed, shields are optimized for kinetic impacts. We’ll hold as long as you keep us from taking too many direct hits.”
“Good to know,” Tarek replied, gripping the controls tightly. “Because I don’t plan on letting anything big hit us. Starting the maneuver... now.”
With a decisive flick of a switch, the clamps disengaged, releasing the Stellar Envoy from its temporary perch. The ship shuddered slightly as it floated free, engines humming to life. Tarek kept the thrusters steady, his eyes glued to the flight path projected in front of him, every sense attuned to the ship’s movements.
From his turret above, Davik’s voice crackled through the comms. “Movement on the starboard side—medium-sized debris incoming. Tarek, you’ve got about twenty seconds before it intersects.”
“Copy that,” Tarek muttered, tilting the yoke to adjust the ship’s trajectory. The Stellar Envoy dipped and rolled with practiced precision, narrowly avoiding a tumbling chunk of a ship’s hull that would have clipped the starboard stabilizer.
“Nice dodge!” Arlos called out from his position in the common area, the excitement in his voice cutting through the tension. “Uh, sir—I mean, Tarek, sir.”
“No need for the ‘sir,’ Arlos,” Tarek replied with a small grin. “Just tell me if I’m about to smash into something.”
Nick-03, seated in the co-pilot’s chair, monitored the ship’s systems with mechanical efficiency. “Trajectory stable. Collision risk with nearest debris reduced to 12.4%. Recommendation: maintain current angle and increase thrust by 8% for optimal clearance.”
“Got it,” Tarek said, nudging the throttle forward. The ship surged ahead, skimming past a field of jagged metal fragments.
In the common area, Rina monitored the holographic projections synced with the cockpit, her fingers dancing over the console to feed Tarek real-time updates. “Adjust 15 degrees to port in three seconds. The larger debris cluster ahead is breaking apart. You’ll need to thread between the fragments.”
“Understood,” Tarek replied, his voice steadier now as he slipped into a rhythm.
The Stellar Envoy twisted and weaved through the chaos, its shields occasionally flaring as smaller pieces of debris glanced off its surface. Mira, strapped into her seat, watched the shimmering energy field around the ship with a tight-lipped expression. “Shields are holding, but let’s not push our luck.”
Jake’s voice came through next. “Keep an eye on the power draw, Tarek. We’re fine for now, but if those shields take a major hit, it’ll drain engine output.”
“Noted,” Tarek said, glancing briefly at the energy distribution readouts before returning his focus to the flight path.
Anakin, seated next to Rina, watched the holographic display with wide-eyed fascination. “He’s doing great! See how he’s following the flow of the debris? It’s like podracing but in space!”
Rina shot him a sideways glance, torn between amusement and exasperation. “This isn’t a game, Anakin. But... yeah, he’s doing better than I expected.”
As the ship drew closer to the suspected vault site, the wreckage around them grew more densely packed, forcing Tarek to execute increasingly precise maneuvers. His grip on the yoke tightened, his knuckles whitening as he guided the Stellar Envoy through an especially tight cluster of spinning debris.
“Davik, any sign of trouble?” Kado asked from his seat, his tone calm but with an edge of tension.
“Nothing yet,” Davik replied. “Just debris... and more debris. But if there are pirates lurking, this would be the perfect spot for an ambush.”
Kado nodded, his gaze fixed on the forward viewport. “Stay sharp. Tarek, you’re doing great. Keep it steady.”
Tarek managed a faint chuckle despite the strain. “If I get us through this, I expect a lifetime supply of compliments.”
“Deal,” Kado replied with a rare smile.
The ship banked hard to avoid a tumbling engine block, the shields flaring brightly as a smaller fragment scraped past. Nick-03’s monotone voice filled the cockpit. “Proximity alert resolved. Next obstruction in 3.6 seconds.”
“Copy that,” Tarek said, his focus unwavering.
The crew held their breath as the Stellar Envoy approached the final stretch, the chaotic debris thinning slightly to reveal a faint glimmer of something ahead—an angular structure partially buried within the drifting wreckage.
Jake leaned closer to the comm panel. “Is that what I think it is?”
“It better be,” Tarek muttered, his eyes narrowing as he prepared for the final maneuver.
Rina’s voice came through the comms, filled with both relief and anticipation. “Confirmed. We’re picking up faint energy readings. That’s definitely it—the vault.”
Tarek exhaled slowly, his heart pounding as he guided the Stellar Envoy toward the clearing near the structure. “Hold on, everyone. Almost there.”
The ship glided into position, the chaotic backdrop of debris momentarily giving way to an eerie stillness as the vault loomed before them.
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