Disclaimer: Star Wars and the accompanying universe belongs to that bearded wonder, George Lucas. I'm just playing with them for a while. Jenna, however, is my idea. Please ask permission before using her.
Author's Notes: Words cannot express my gratitude towards my reviewers. It is nice to know someone reads this besides my pet hamster. As always, praise is adored, constructive criticism is fervently welcomed, and evil flames will be ignored. For reference, this chapter is set during the time of the Old Republic, shortly before the fall of the Jedi Order.
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Master Jenna Trilkana quickly ran pre-flight checks on her designated freighter, trying not to stare out the front veiwport at the Jedi Temple. As an initiate, she had daydreamed about leaving the temple far behind as she single-handedly saved the galaxy. As a padawan, she had rarely seen the temple, as her master preferred less populous planets. They had only returned when directly ordered to by the council. Her visits had become even less frequent after she was knighted. Only during her time as a master had she learned to appreciate the temple's calm serenity and seeming eternal endurance.
Now she faced the prospect of leaving this home behind forever. There is no emotion, there is peace. Taking a moment to center herself, she leaned back into her captain's chair and closed her eyes, focusing on the Living Force around her. Distantly she could sense the teeming life that animated the city world of Coruscant. Closer, and part of her direct concern, were the Force-signatures that occupied her freighter's hold. A voice crackled over the ship's communication array, interrupting her thoughts.
"Coruscant Central to Corellian Freighter Starhawk, what is your status, over?" Jenna reached across the control board and flicked open her end of the channel. Firmly affixing her headset, she finished the last of the pre-flight checks. Everything came up green.
"Starhawk to Coruscant Central, my board is green and I'm good to go, over." She reported calmly, her hands dancing over the controls, starting up the repulsorlifts and checking the internal dampeners one more time.
"Coruscant Central to Starhawk, you are cleared for liftoff. Please follow pre-designated flight path until clear of the planet's atmosphere, over."
"Starhawk to Coruscant Central, roger, willco, and out." Jenna shut down the channel and concentrated on bringing her ship into a smooth ascent out of the planet's atmosphere. She could hear excited cries behind her as the ship leapt gracefully into the night sky, screaming towards open space. She left the busy planet behind without any problems, and set a course into hyperspace. This would be the first of many jumps, all designed to throw off any pursuers. She was not sure if she imagined it, but she believed she could hear a familiar rasping mind-voice whispering as she engaged the hyperspace engines.
"With you the Force shall be, young Trilkana."
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With the ship set on auto-pilot, Jenna untied her flight harness and made her way aft. She paused before opening the hatch to the main hold. When she walked through that portal, her mission would truly begin. With a deep steadying breath and a mental prayer, she palmed open the hatch. A group of fifteen jedi initiates looked up from their various entertainments.
"Greetings. I am Master Jenna Trilkana. I am to be your guardian, and in time, your master. Welcome our new home, the Starhawk."