8 Months Later (14 BBY)

Desert Moon of Jedha, Terrabe Sector; Jarik POV...

Right now I was strolling through the city on the desert moon on Jedha, searching the place for any Jedi-related of Force-related clues as to what was going on here. From a report I uncovered, Imperial's believed that here was a Force user somewhere on the planet, although they couldn't be certain. I was determined to figure out the truth, and if there is a Force sensitive, find a way to keep their presence hidden as much as possible. Ahsoka was busy with another mission, so I was alone on this one.

What was concerning to me at the moment however wasn't related to the Force sensitive, but the other reason as too why the Empire is here right now. Down a nearby street, an Imperial tank was transporting a special cargo: kyber crystals. From my studies at the Temple, I know that kyber crystals are in heavy supply on Jedha, with there also being some sort of Church for the Force as well.

According to Ahsoka, the entire planet of Ilum is constantly being stripmined for kyber crystals in massive quantities. It's already gotten to the point hat a massive chunk of the planet was already completely gone! Whatever Palpatine wanted with all of those kyber crystals, I don't know, but it can't be good.

The streets I was walking through were crowded, and I had my cloak on again, although this time the hood wasn't up, since doing so in such a busy place, where nobody else had one up would only draw attention. Something that I did not need, from Imperial's or other groups, I don't know.

From what I know, Saw Gerrera actually has a small band stationed here, or at least that's a rumor. If they capture me I wouldn't be too worried then because we were allies in the past, but it would still be dangerous. Ever since Steela's death Saw had started to become a little... unpredictable I guess. He believes wholeheartedly about taking the fight to the Empire, to see the Imperial flag fall, but his methods are questionable at times from what I've heard. His raids don't completely bother with protecting innocents, and his methods of extracting information can be at times brutal if he's in a bad mood.

So I find him to be a good friend, and a fellow rebel against the Empire, and I value his cause. It's just that I won't always see eye to eye with him and his strategies.

Feeling around with the Force, I continued my search for the rumored Force sensitive, so far finding nothing as I walked through the bush street. Although perhaps that's the problem. Maybe I should go to somewhere less public, since it's unlikely a Force user would be in plain sight, whether they know of their skills or not. It's just factual considering that Imperial reports of him/her are only rumored, not proven yet.

A distant explosion gets my attention, and in the far distance I can see small wisps of smoke, as well as the sound of blaster fire. People all around me glance over in the direction the sound is coming from before quickly moving away as fast as they could, although not in a run.

Most likely that was Saw's rebel group attacking that transport from earlier, and while I would like to go see what's going on and what I could of to help, that would cause more harm than good. I'm a Jedi, so I can't just go around waving my lightsaber against the Empire. That would send garrisons of Stormtroopers and military might to Jedha, and I would be in the fight for my life just to get out of the city. So no, I can't help in this.

I quickly move down a side street, towards a more open, yet emptied area free of more people when my senses begin to tingle slightly. I probe around carefully, sensing for the disturbance with interest. Could this be the Force user?

Unfortunately while I was distracted with the Force, the small courtyard I walked into happened to be full of Stormtroopers, and I stopped in surprise, about to turn around before they noticed me. Crap.

"Hey, this is a restricted area!" one of them says harshly, stepping forwards with their blaster held intimidatingly.

I slip into my casual, smuggler type of talk to apologize, plastering a placating smile on my face.

"I am terribly sorry I didn't know," I say quickly, slurring my voice to sound like I'm slightly drunk. "If someone else enters here, I shall inform you immediately!"

With that said, I turn around and begin to head back out of the area before the Stormtroopers square leader steps forwards.

"Wait a minute, stop right there," he says sternly. I stop nervously, turning around and offering an innocent expression. What was it this time?

The squad leader steps forward, searching me intently before waving two other troopers forward. "You're that illegal smuggler, Aven Ikorria," he says. "You're under arrest.

I widen my eyes in alarm, but still slightly relieved. Aven Ikorria was a false identity I made for myself in public whenever I was undercover. Basically my undercover character was a smuggler who did work for whoever requested it of me if I was in a spot for some needed information. Sadly, I've been around this sector before and got involved in an illegal smuggling run, being chased by a few Imperial ships.

"Wait wait, no hold on a minute!" I protest, trying to be friendly. "You must have the wrong guy!"

"Oh you're him alright, and we're taking you in now," the squad leader stated harshly as two troopers grabbed my arms, pulling me along, clamping binders around my wrists. While this most definitely was not a prefferable situation, at least they didn't know I was a Jedi yet, although that would change soon if they searched me, finding my hidden lightsabers.

"Come on man we can cut a deal! How about that?" I offer as they continue to pull me along. Absolutely ridiculous that I got into this position.

Before anything more could happen however, a man's voice suddenly rang out across the courtyard from one of the side alley's.

"Let him pass in peace!" he called out, standing up from where he was sitting and approaching our group, a walking stick held in front of him. I realized he was blind, and then the Force shifted slightly again, and with a start I realized this to be the Force sensitive. Probing him slightly, I could tell that he wasn't very strong with it, his power only enough to see around him and predict things, not enough for actually lifting objects or using a Jedi mind trick. And while he senses something odd about me, I don't think he realizes I'm a Jedi yet, because I constantly have shields up to hide my presence, even while asleep to keep hidden from Vader or Inquisitors.

So that means someone like him definitely won't be able to sense me for what I am, although he is very acute in his assessment.

"Let him pass in peace," the man continued calmly, his presence serene and peaceful. "The Force, is wth me, and I am with the Force. For all is, as the Force wills it."

The Stormtroopers all star at him, baffled and annoyed while I smile to myself. I liked this guy already.

"Hey, stop right there!" one trooper orders sternly.

"Is he... blind?" one asks in bewilderment.

"Probably a lunatic," another comments. Now that was mean.

The man is however unaffected by their comments, continuing forwards to the center of the group of Stormtroopers.

"I said, stop right there!" the trooper orders again, and they all raise their blasters at him, preparing to fire in warning.

Immediately, the man's demeanor changes, and he begins to focus with his senses all around him, taking in the scene with the Force. He waits and listens, while I smile to myself.

"You boys are about to get your butts kicked," I comment in amusement.

"Quiet scum," the trooper holding me says.

The Stormtroopers all prepare to fire warningly, and that's when the man springs into action. He dashes forwards, leaning his head to the side and dodging out of the way as red blaster fire shoots by him at high speeds. As he begins a quick and devastating assault on the Stormtroopers, I lift my right leg and kick the Stormtrooper holding my right arm before wrenching my left arm from the other trooper. I quickly turn around and swing my cuffed arms, bashing one trooper on the head, knocking him to the ground. The other attempts to raise his blaster, but I kick it out of his hands before grabbing his head and kneeing him in the face, cracking his helmet with my armored boots.

The blind man continues to impress, clearly knowing what he's doing. He swings his walking stick around, striking Stormtroopers in the helmet, in the legs, even using his black cloak to briefly stun them before swiping them off their feet. A few Stormtroopers charge towards me, raising their blasters and I roll to the side out of the way of their shots. Coming out of my roll, I sense an incoming laser and raise my arms. The blaster bolt strikes my cuffs, breaking them apart and giving me free range of motion again.

I dash forward and the Stormtrooper only has a moment to react in shock before I slam him down with my left arm, turning around and kicking another trooper in the helmet. I pick up a blaster and whip around, throwing it as hard as I can at the last stormtrooper, hitting him in the helmet. He falls to the ground, and before he can get back up, I rush forwards and swing my left arm, slamming my fist into his head and knocking him unconscious.

All of the troopers are now all unconscious, and I survey our work when four more troopers rush out of the side alley towards the blind man. He prepares to attack, when a hail of laser fire suddenly pelts the group, killing them all within seconds. I look over to see another man with long hair lowering a heavy blaster.

"Well that was interesting, thanks," I told the duo, easily noticing that they're friends or allies.

"Who are you?" the blaster man asks warily.

"He's alright," the blind man says, waving his arm. The man with the blaster relaxes, although eyeing me with a raised eyebrow before shrugging.

"You fight really good to be honest," I comment casually. "How'd you learn all of that?"

"The Force is my ally, and it did protect me," he says proudly with a smile. The man with the blaster rolls his eyes while I grin in amusement.

"It sure did," I say in agreement. "So what drove you to help little old me?"

"You seem interesting," he comments. "Although I'm not sure why. It's... strange," he admits.

"He gets like that sometimes," the man with the blaster comments.

"Oh I'm sure he's fine," I reply. "So who are you guys?"

"Chirrut Îmwe, a pleasure to meet you," the blind man greets.

"Baze," the blaster man says gruffly.

"A pleasure to meet the two of you as well," I greet politely.

"So your name is Aven?" Chirrut asks for confirmation.

"No it is not," I reply.

Baze eyes me in confusion. "No? I thought that's what these guys were arresting you for. A smuggler?"

I glance around at the unconscious or dead troopers laying on the ground. "That's a false identity. My true name I'd rather not utter outside, if it's alright with you," I advise them.

Baze and Chirrut consider before nodding in agreement. "Our place is over this way," Baze says.


Once the duo led me back to their place, which looked rather humble in my opinion, I took notice of all the curious artifacts in their position, which most likely belonged to Chirrut. Baze doesn't really seem like the type of guy to keep things like that.

"So, what's your story?" Baze asks as we sit down in the main room.

"I came here looking for someone, or to confirm that person is actually real," I tell them before glancing at Chirrut knowingly. "Guess he is real."

They both notice the stare, and Baze becomes suspicious as he gazes at me with narrowed eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"I recently read a report about a Force sensitive living here in Jedha, although the Empire doesn't have any confirmation. Probably a good thing," I inform them.

"What makes you so sure there's a Force sensitive here in this place?" Chirrut asks, a little intrigued while Baze continues to eye me suspiciously.

I glance between the two, sensing them to get a sense of their intent. Determining that neither of them would even consider ever running to the Empire for anything I take a deep breathe, closing my eyes before opening my Force shields.

Chirrut barely gasps in surprise, looking at me with a new sense of awe while Baze stares at the two of us in confusion. "What?" he demands.

I close my shields again and open my eyes, reaching into the folds of my cloak. Revealing my hand again, I set my lightsaber gently down on the table in front of me, and Baze's eyes go wide with shock in realization of who I was.

"My real name is Jarik Shan," I tell them calmly, gauging their reactions.

"You're a Jedi... from the Clone War," Baze breathes out in surprise.

Chirrut stares at me unseeingly, although his eyes are wide with awe and respect. He stands up to offer me a respectful bow, while I take notice of a small symbol on his cloak.

"It is an honor to meet you Master Shan," he says respectfully.

"Thank you Chirrut, and it's good to meet you as well," I say in kind while he sits back down. "Are you... a Guardian of the Whills?" I ask, seeking confirmation about the small symbol.

"Was," Baze corrects grimly. "There are no more Guardians here, not after the Empire took over our Temple."

"It is unfortunate, but the memory will continue to live on." Chirrut says. "So, I guess you were searching for me then?"

"It would seem so. I'm just glad the Empire doesn't know about your Force sensitivity either," I say in relief.

"Do they kill anyone whose uses the Force?" Baze questions cautiously.

"That or worse," I state gravely. "All across the galaxy, there have been a few instances where children confirmed to be Force sensitive disappear without a trace. Most likely taken by Inquisitors."

Chirrut looks saddened by this while Baze scowls angrily, muttering a few curses about the Empire. "So these Inquisitors... hunt down those with the Force?" Chirrut asks.

"That or other Jedi," I tell him. "They use the Force themselves as well, and carry a lightsaber in order to combat other Jedi. They aren't very skilled, except for the higher class members of the group."

"So is there a possiblility of taking these guys out?" Baze asks hopefully, thinking about the possibility of him or Chirrut encountering one.

"They aren't skilled, and cannot hope to ever match a trained Jedi in battle, those are usually left for Vader to hunt down. However make no mistake; I don't doubt the two of you to be skilled fighters, I just saw your perfomance today. But they can and they will kill you if they uncover your connection with the Force," I want them seriously.

"Thank you for the warning Master Jedi," Chirrut says, inclining his head.

"At least now I know how much I need to keep your 'Force' stuff a secret Chirrut," Baze grumbles.

"My fate will play out as the Force sees fit my friend," he replies with a small smile. Baze rolls his eyes.

"Well, it was good to meet the two of you," I say, standing up. Now that I knew there was someone Force sensitive, and that hey could most definitely take care of themselves, I wasn't very concerned anymore. Even better is the fact that Chirrut is a believer in the Force and follows the Jedi, so there's not too much to worry about for him. And they both understand the severity of keeping it a secret.

"Uh huh. Good meeting you as well," Baze replies.

"It was a pleasure Master Shan," Chirrut says with another small bow.

"Keep knocking up those bucket heads will ya?" Baze asks.

"Oh you bet," I say with a small grin, heading for the door. I suddenly stop in surprise as the Force converges on me, pulling me into a vision.

A small village on another planet, with a small girl's screams ringing through the street. I look over to see a young girl with red hair being dragged against her will by another Inquisitor. The Inquisitor bangs her lightsaber against the girl's head to silence her cries.

The scene then shifts to show a large, blue ocean. An island in the distance draws closer, the sunset behind it gleaming a brilliant orange. Flying creatures occasionally dot the air.

I'm pulled out of my vision, staring forwards with wide eyes while Baze and Chirrut are next to me in concern.

"Hey snap out of it!" Baze exclaims.

"Are you alright?" Chirrut asks in concern.

I blink my eyes and shake my head, coming back to the present. "Yeah it's just..." I say, rubbing my forehead with a grimace. "I need to go. Something's going on, and I need to go," I say quickly.

"I understand. It is as the Force wills." Chirrut says.

With another quick goodbye, I rush out the door and head in the direction of my ship, opening my comlink channel.

"R5 you there? Power up the ship, there's something we need to do," I say determinedly.


What a chapter! We got the introduction of Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus in this chapter! :O They won't be constantly reoccurring characters, and I probably won't touch up on them again until the events of Rogue One, but that was fun to write! :D

Also, I'm sure you know what comes next now from that vision huh? Mara Jade here we come.