Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 10- Heart to Heart
(June 28, 2026)
As the fire crackles softly, Jared, Jonathan, and several Hammers and Rangers are sitting around it, talking quietly as they eating hot dogs they've been roasting over the flames.
It's been almost two weeks since Jared learned of the secret Dark Force planet of Bosthirda and the Hammer Squadron destroyed the Imperial forces at Bastion. Since then, they've been working with Terran intelligence services to try and locate Bosthirda, but have had absolutely no luck. They have it narrowed down to a number of sectors in the Outer Rim, but have no idea where to go beyond that.
The groups are now waiting on Naboo while the intelligence services continue to look for Bosthirda. Now, as the sun has set on Naboo, they are enjoying a few campfires together and getting to know each other a little better.
Jonathan has been sharing his version of events of what happened at the Battle of Endor and his involvement in the destruction of the second Death Star. The others sitting at their fire have been listening to Jonathan with rapt attention, greatly enjoying the story.
"By the time I reached the surface and flew out the hole, the flames were literally licking at my heels. When I landed aboard the Freedom after the little, the hangar crews took pictures of my fighter, and you could see some scorch marks on the tail. They told me I was lucky I didn't sustain any serious damage from the flames. Thankfully, it was an easy fix, and she's still flying today," Jonathan shares with a slight smile on his face.
"Damn. You Hammers are crazy," one of the Rangers sitting around the fire says with a bit of a laugh.
"You don't know the half of it. The way Jonathan flies some times, I'm surprised I'm still alive," Alex says with a laugh of his own. This draws some laughs from the others.
"Hey, he's the only one who had a real problem with my flying. Admiral Husband didn't have a problem with me. Said I was one of the best pilots he'd ever seen," Jonathan says, referring to Rick Husband, who at the time of the Battle of Endor was an Admiral who commanded the Starfighter Corps.
"One of the many reasons I love flying. Fighter pilots are some of the craziest people around. And the things you guys do in dogfights…there's no greater thrill," Jared says.
After a moment, Jonathan looks at Jared. "You know, Hansen, I've got to ask you something. The Jedi isn't just a group, it's pretty much a religion. Even in the Jedi, they refer to it as a religion. Most of the Jedi don't belong to or believe in another religion, because the Jedi and the Force is theirs. But you're not lime that. You're a Jedi, but you're a really devout Mormon. Why is that?"
Jared smiles a bit. After his family and history, talking about this subject and his faith in general is one of his favorite things to talk about. "Well, to know that, you kinda need to know my history and some things about my religion. In my church we're baptized at age 8. My parents had taught me about our religion since I was old enough to understand. I wasn't found by the Jedi until I was 9, and even after that, I spent a lot of time with my family. Throughout my training, I still attended church, because I knew in my heart it was right. By the time I finished my training, I didn't just go because it was what I grew up doing. I truly believed in it. And after talking a bit with some of our church's leaders, I realized that being a Jedi and being a Mormon didn't have to be conflicting with each other. I could be both, and my religion brought me happiness I didn't want to give up," he says.
"Hm. I see where you're coming from," Alex says.
"What was it like spending your training somewhat separated from your family?" Lieutenant Franks asks Jared.
"Given I was so close to my family before I was taken in by the Jedi, it was definitely difficult. But video chats every week we were apart made it easier. Plus, Master Plo was pretty easygoing. Before the war started, he'd make sure I got plenty of time with my family," Jared responds.
"But surely your parents had a problem with just essentially giving you over to the Jedi?" one of the other Rangers asks.
"I mean, yeah, my mom especially. But they lived in West Virginia for the first few years of my training before they moved to Arizona for my dad's new job. I was still living with them those first years in West Virginia, and when they moved to Arizona, the weekly video calls helped. Plus, I could travel to Arizona regularly. That is, until I finished my training. After that, I was able to be deployed, and I was busy with the war until after the surrender," Jared explains.
The group is quiet for a moment before Jennifer Lawrence looks at Jared and asks, "Major, I heard that you are one of the few Jedi that's married. Is that true?"
"It is. And there are more members of the Order who are married than you'd expect. The lack of married members isn't so much because of the Code anymore, but just because of the demands on your time, being a Jedi. I wasn't sure if I'd get married or not for that reason, but when I met my wife, I knew I was getting married," Jared says, drawing some chuckles from the group. He pauses, then says, "Trust me, I knew it would be difficult being married and a Jedi. But I knew Jedi who'd made it work, especially Master Tano. And after meeting Lacy, I knew I wanted her in my life."
"That makes sense. I met my husband just before I started Ranger school, and it didn't take long to know I wanted him in my life for good," Jennifer says.
"You two had a son recently, right?" Jared asks.
"Yes, two years ago," Jennifer responds with a smile, "That was interesting to explain to my superiors when I got pregnant, but thankfully I got back in shape pretty quick after Cy was born."
"Having kids is definitely hard, but a very joyful experience," Jonathan adds to the conversation.
"Yeah, when did you and your wife realize you guys liked each other?" Jared asks.
Jonathan laughs, as does Alex. Alex says, "Well, I think he didn't really realize until she kissed him on the flightline right before we took off for the Battle of Coruscant." Everyone around the fire begins to laugh.
After everyone stops laughing at Jonathan, Jonathan finally answers the question. "Yeah, Abigail has told me that she had had feelings for me for a while, but started really falling for me in 2018. I don't think I realized I liked her until she kissed me." This again draws a round of laughs.
Jonathan smiles before he says, "It took us a while to really fall in love. And even though her father respected me, me not being Jewish was a bit of a point of contention with her family at first. But, they warmed up to the idea." He chuckles a bit to himself, remembering the discussions with the Peretz family over that topic.
"We have some interesting love stories in this group, that's for sure," Franks says.
"For sure," Jonathan says with a smile.
(Hours later)
In the barracks where the Squadron and the Rangers are temporarily bivouacked, almost everyone is asleep, tired from a long day. However, not everyone is asleep.
In another room in the building, Jared is still awake, deep in meditating into the Force. He is hoping that this will help clear his mind and possibly allow him to sense anything out of the ordinary. He's been meditating for almost 15 minutes now. As he's meditated, he's tried to keep his mind filled with positive thoughts of his family, keeping himself focused within the light and the reason he's fighting.
Suddenly, as he's meditating, Jared feels something. A presence. One he can't quite place, but has an overwhelming feeling of light. Then, he hears a voice in his head, "Jared. Jared Hansen."
Jared opens his eyes, looking around the room. "Yes. Who is this?" he asks.
"In life, I was known as Qui-Gon Jinn," the voice responds.
Jared feels a sense of shock. He knows from the stories he heard from Plo and Ahsoka that Qui Gon was the master of the famous Obi Wan Kenobi, who died in the Naboo Crisis at the hands of Maul.
"How is this possible? You're dead," Jared responds.
"No. I am part of the Living Force. I learned how to maintain my consciousness after death," Qui Gon answers.
Jared is quiet. Then, he asks, "Why are you speaking to me, Master?"
"You search for the Dark Force. They have plagued the galaxy for a millenia, and it is time they are removed," Qui Gon answers.
"How are we supposed to find them? Their location of their base on Bosthirda was unknown even to the Emperor. How are we supposed to find it?" Jared asks.
"Trust in the Force, Jared. Tomorrow, you will take a single partner and depart Naboo. The Force will guide you to a world where the final clue to Bosthirda's location will be found. It will then be up to you remove the heritage of Darth Millenial from the galaxy," Qui Gon responds.
Jared is quiet for a moment before he says, "But their leader. Kadann. He's extremely powerful. One of the most powerful Force users I've ever faced. How am I supposed to beat him?"
"A Terran has faced him before. Long ago. But he had turned to the dark side, and fought with darkness. Find your strength in the light, and you will find the strength to defeat Kadann," Qui Gon answers. After a brief pause, Qui Gon adds, "I do not expect I will speak to you again. Your path ahead is one of greatness, Jared Hansen. You will accomplish many great things in life, and your bloodline will produce great heroes of light. Stay true to what you believe, and you will never falter."
And then, silence. Jared waits to see if Qui Gon will say anything more to him, but he hears nothing. He realizes now that Qui Gon has stopped speaking. Not sure if Qui Gon can hear him, Jared says in a whisper, "Thank you, Master Qui Gon." Then, finally, Jared leaves the room and his meditation, ready for bed.
And, I'll end the chapter there.
I hope you liked the more laid back feel of this chapter. I wanted to introduce a bit more depth to both Jonathan and Jared in this chapter. That's why I had them talking so much about their families and Jared's religion. I also thought it was kind of an interesting way to begin to explore how Earth religions interact with the Force and the Jedi.
So, once more, Qui Gon has reached out to guide a hero to their destiny. Next chapter will show Jared following Qui Gon's counsel and finding the way to Bosthirda. It should be up soon. Until it is up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!