Chapter 1: Onwards to Dawn
Kara boarded the ship that arrived only moments after her fateful meeting with Margrave Juro, Ethan, and Homen. The ship methodically hovered near the entrance of the floating palace, getting into place to allow them to board. As the ramp opened, Kara found herself looking down back on the planet that she knew all her life. Four-Nines, the loyal droid she created with her Father, hovered near her face and looked at her. She kept her eyes fixated on the planet, seeing Old Droid's Ship depart towards it. She felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and slowly looked up.
"Are you afraid, Kara?" Juro asked.
Kara thought about it. Her biggest fear was not leaving home, in fact, every time Juro came to visit her and her father Zhima, she always wanted to go with him to see the planets he described. Zhima forbade it, however, and Juro agreed. The dangers of the galaxy would provide no solace for one as innocent as she. She had proven herself decent enough with a lightsaber, against the hunters and the Jedi pretenders. Still, she felt that she wasn't worthy of holding the title of the "Ninth Jedi". However, with the only opportunity to save her father at hand, she had to make a choice.
"No... I'm alright. My father is waiting for me, and I'm willing to do anything to save him. He was always there for me. And now it's my turn to be there for him." Kara replied, resolve glowing in her eyes. Juro gave her a warm smile.
"You have just taken your first steps into becoming a Jedi Kara. Now come, let us hope we aren't too late to save Zhima. It's my fault he was captured, he should not have to pay the price for my folly." Kara nodded, as Homen and Ethan were waiting for them.
The group was greeted by someone in a worn flight suit, sleek helmet covering their face, standing at the edge of the ramp into the ship. The person looked to be the pilot, or someone knowledgeable enough to fly the ship. They extended a hand to Kara.
"Welcome aboard the Sunrider."
The group gathered into the main entrance of the ship, finding themselves in what looked to be a meeting room of sorts. A large galaxy map was in the center, which looked to be multi-purposed. Surrounding the center, in a circular design, was what looked to be individual rooms, meant to hold more than twenty people at maximum, with both upper and lower floors containing rooms. Kara could see stairs that would lead into the lower decks, which contained the mess hall and various other rooms. As they corralled into the meeting room, she could see two people waiting for them.
Across from her, was a man with what seemed to be a bone mask, but that was part of his face, and rather than it being a mask. His mouth shifted a bit as he saw Homen enter. He wore a traditional Kaleesh vestment, which wrapped around his body. From the corner of Kara's eye, she could see another woman, this time with a white linen wrap around her eyes, meditating near the center. She had light brown hair, fair skin, and her hair went down as far as her neck. She wore a brown robe that resembled the robes Juro was wearing, without the cloak. While she didn't physically gesture to them, she acknowledged they had entered, and an aura of warmth emanated from her.
"Hey, you two. Can't even give a proper greeting to our new guests?" The person behind her said. As their helmet came off, she could see that the person behind it was a man. He had a medium haircut, although it was quite messy, a freshly shaved stubble, and a cut on his lip. Instead of wearing a robe like his counterparts, he was instead wearing a flight suit, most notably, it looked as if it was recently cauterized, as parts of the suit had black patches on the chest. The two figures simply stayed quiet.
"It's good to see you all again," Juro said as he entered the room. He looked around, confused as to why two of his fellow Jedi were missing.
"Where are Syrene and Naxtus?" he asked
"Those two? Ah, you just missed them. Right as we arrived into the system, they had noticed the hunter's ship about to leave the system." Juro sighed.
"I gather you all watched the conflict ensue from my mechanical shell?"
"Yes. I still can't believe you went with that plan Margrave. We'd be leaderless had the worst come to pass."
"You would have done fine without me."
"I don't think so. But hey, I'm just glad you all came out okay." Juro went up to the galaxy map.
"Do we have any idea where they took Zhima?"
"We do. Thankfully, one of those Jedi impersonators blabbed on too much. As soon as we heard the hunters got involved, Syrene and Naxtus got the scout ship ready to deploy as soon as we arrived. They fired up their engines and went to shadow the hunter's ship, hoping to attach a tracking device to them. I told them to meet us at our rally point, and for them to take three separate jumps to make sure they weren't followed as well." Juro looked at him, noting how quick they were able to come up with the plan.
"I can take us to the rally point now Margrave."
"Please do. I must meditate on the day's events. Once Syrene and Naxtus return to us, I'll grant you all a lightsaber. But for right now, Kara and Ethan, please make yourselves at home. Homen, if you'd be so kind." Juro nodded to Homen, taking the sabers with him to his chambers. Homen walked alongside the two newcomers and led them to their rooms. The pilot quickly nodded and moved to the cockpit, plotting their next destination.
"There will be time for introductions soon. For now, you two must be exhausted. Get some rest." Homen said as he unlocked their chambers. Kara and Ethan entered their respective rooms. Before the rooms closed, Homen quickly snuck in a few words.
"I apologize if I had seriously hurt any of you during our brief skirmish." The two just looked at him and gave a small nod. Their doors quickly shut.
The room Kara entered wasn't as spacious as her room back home, but it was more than enough for her to be comfortable in. It had a single bed, a nightstand, and a small compartment for whatever she found fit. She quickly flopped upon her new bed, surprised that it was oddly comfortable. Kara's mind was recounting the day's events. And her last interaction with her father. Just this morning, she thought it would just be another day of mining Kyber Crystals. Instead, her life had taken a completely different path. While she thought she would feel ecstatic about being able to see the galaxy, she can't help but feel anxious. Her father was out there, and she wanted him back as soon as possible. Four-Nines hovered near Kara, anxious to recharge after the day's events. She looked at her companion and smiled.
"Tired too huh buddy? Okay, let me plug you in."
Ethan sat down on his new bed, still holding the saber Juro had given him. He inspected the saber, noting how elegant and ornate it was. He felt as if there were hours upon hours of work spent on it. Yet, he felt unworthy of wielding such a weapon. He put it back in the case Margrave Juro had given him, and onto the nightstand.
"I couldn't even hold my own against one of them. Margrave Juro said I survived the fight… But I felt so helpless. If I want to be a Jedi, I need to be able to stand up for myself." Ethan looked up at the metallic ceiling, letting his heavy eyes take him away.
Homen began making his way back to the center of the room when the Kaleesh man looked at him and asked,
"How was the mission? Didn't get too caught up in being a Sith spy?"
"No. I knew my mission and any doubts I had would've been spotted immediately."
"That's true. Did you learn anything about their plans?"
"Nothing. I was not allowed to communicate with those in power. Information was on a need-to-know basis. If I had tried to extract any information into their plans, I would've been under suspicion. I couldn't risk not being on the mission to ambush the Margrave."
"I see… Speaking of which, Is Margrave Juro sure about this? The pair you brought along look far too young to be Jedi."
"With recent events in mind, our numbers are thinning even further. We need to take all the help we can get."
"And I agree. I just hope we aren't throwing them to the wolves. You saw what these people did to Darak. They'd do anything to further eradicate us."
"I know that all too well. As long as they are under my protection, those two will be safe."
"Will they? Homen, you burden yourself with promises and tasks. I can understand wanting to protect them, but they need to develop on their own. You won't be able to be there for everyone. " The two looked at each other for some time. Homen solemnly nodded and began to walk away. However, unease began to bathe the Kaleesh's body. Something was wrong.
"Homen… Forgive me, but I feel as if something is different about you. I can't figure out what it is… Are you sure the mission didn't change you? Because something tells me you are taking the first steps towards..." He couldn't finish his sentence. He quickly looked to their Miralukan ally and said "Calia, can you-"
"No. She does not need to peer into my heart for you to understand. I am committed to this cause, and I will make sure we fulfill Margrave Juro's dream of restoring the Jedi Order." Homen ended the conversation and went to his own chambers. The Kaleesh crossed his arms, watching Homen descend to the second floor.
"You really should put more faith into him Reval. Homen has been with Margrave Juro far longer than we have." Calia said, her face still looking down to the floor.
"I know… But I don't know what I was feeling. It felt foreign, yet so familiar at the same time… I need to clear my mind. Would you mind if I meditated with you for a while?"
"Not at all. Come. Take a seat next to me."