AN: Hello everyone! Now it's common knowledge that the sequel trilogy more than left a bitter taste in many audiences' mouths, but I still feel that there is more than one way to enjoy Star Wars, and if fanfiction is the only way to do it, then why not?
Disclaimer: Star Wars is the property of LucasFilm.
Chapter 1: Escape
It has been 500 years since the Battle of Exegol and the Galaxy has undergone massive changes. Though the Galactic Empire is a distant memory, so too are the dreams of a Republic. There is no centralized government, only decentralized ones with a simple peace treaty. Unfortunately that treaty is a fragile one, and as such merciless criminal syndicates are looking to expand their own territories as well as other factions looking to make sure that whatever semblance of power there is, stays as such...on their terms.
During this time, research by scholars into past galactic history commenced, which ultimately lead to many revelations and ramifications. Chief among them the isolation of those born with Force abilities. Because of past conflicts between Jedi and Sith many had begun to form an unspoken prejudice towards Force-users, especially if people born with such powers were to form an Order once more.
As a result the Force in general is not discussed much, with many diplomats believing it best if the common people be the ones to decide their fates by simply working together and helping each other as a means of truly improving themselves and their way of life, not placing sole trust in individuals with otherworldly abilities.
But the Force is more than the whims of misguided people, and it will have balance regardless of what some may want. And in this time of need it will call on those who are meant to restore said balance to the Galaxy once more...
One constant in any part of the Galaxy is that while stars may come and go, there will always be more to replace them.
And in the case of one simple starship, another constant is that no matter the size and type of said ship, those vehicles are always on the go - something said ship's pilot more than preferred at this point if he could get the hyperdrive to work properly.
Should have had the engineers do the overhaul on the motivator like they suggested. But no, I had to be stubborn and wait to do this job first... Thought the pilot as he checked his coordinates before entering in new ones to make the jump to hyperspace.
But no sooner did he get the coordinates did his sensors go off, indicating two ships had showed up in his location. And from what the readings showed, they weren't just passing by.
Karabast. The pilot thought.
"We have locked on to the ship." Spoke one of the space pirates to the lead captain.
"Excellent." Spoke the leader. "Ready the tractor beam. Whatever this pilot is doing here, their cargo will be worth something."
"Come on, come on." Insisted the pilot as he desperately tried to ready the ship for hyperspace before the space pirates could get to him. But then again such was the way of things when one can only afford a cheap rundown freighter.
Then finally the navcomputer showed that everything was ready.
But no sooner could the pilot go to activate the sublight engines did the ship then rumble a bit before giving out another alert.
No! Not now! Thought the pilot as he realized what type of beam was fired at him.
Feeling ever more desperation the pilot then felt for his blaster before making his way to where the pirates would ready their boarding chute. One thing about getting inexpensive ships is that one could easily feign surprise to distract suspicion. In regards to dealing with pirates looking to get ahead though...those encounters usually required a different approach.
It didn't take long, but then the pilot felt the tremor that could only come from when a ship releases a boarding chute and connects. Eventually the main door opened.
"So, who do we have here?" Spoke one of the two pirates in Huttese that came on board. "Looks like a lone freighter with one pilot. And not just any pilot, but a Mando at that!"
The Mandalorian pilot looked at the two pirates and clenched his teeth as he recognized their insignia.
"I see you recognize our emblem." Spoke the second pirate. "And consider yourself honored. It is not everyday you meet a representative of The Exchange."
"No, I guess it wouldn't be an everyday occurrence." Said the Mando. "But I'm afraid it's going to be a short one."
"And why is that?"
"Because I really do have somewhere I need to be. And now that I think about it-so do you."
Instantly the rangefinder on the Mando's helmet flashed, blinding the two pirates which then allowed the armored warrior to shoulder charge them, knocking both into the chute. Immediately the Mando activated something on his left gauntlet and fired a volley of whistling birds to distract the pirates while he went to seal the door. But no sooner did he get to the controls did one of the pirates make his way through the chute and back on to the ship for reinforcements.
Not wanting to waste any time the Mando quickly activated the controls on his gauntlet to seal the door as well as activate a protocol to disengage the pirate's boarding chute. Once his ship was free the Mando quickly headed for the cockpit and took the controls to steer the ship away, only for one of the pirate ships to give chase.
Gotta lose 'em. Thought the Mando as he switched on his ship's countermeasures.
"So this mud-scuffer's a Mandalorian?" Asked an Exchange pirate.
"Hard not to tell given what he was wearing." Replied another pirate on the comlink.
"Then all the more reason to get him." Said the pirate as he already imagined the price the Mando's armor and helmet would fetch.
The lone Mandalorian grunted as he put his ship through a series of maneuvers to try and evade, as well as get the pirate ships within range of his cannons. Unfortunately that was easier said than done. Fortunately at one point the Mando was able to get a ship on his crosshairs and managed to take one out, which made the other pirate ship take evasive action and in turn allow him to search for his destination. After a few moments the navcomputer blinked, indicating where the Mando needed to go.
Yes! Thought the armored pilot as he then entered in the coordinates to jump. But no sooner did he activate the sublight engines did the last pirate ship manage to make an indirect shot near the ship's engine just as the craft jumped.
Sithspit, can this day get any worse? Thought the Mando as he saw the alarm on his console and quickly pulled his ship out of hyperspace. While his destination wasn't as far as he originally had been, he knew he could't get there with his ship as damaged as it was.
But then sparks from said engine began to spread and as such the Mando knew he was going to have to make an emergency landing someplace. And soon.
Corellia, huh? He thought as he quickly looked at the navcomputer's readings of the nearest planet.
Wasting no time the Mando guided the ship as best he could to the planet though he certainly wished for the umpteenth time he had a better ship.
Easy does it, easy does it....
A crash landing and some damaged landing gear later, the Mando stepped out of his ship with what he could salvage, took one last look at what was left of his ship and sighed in resignation before using some modified binocs to get a fix on the nearest settlement. Once he found one the Mando headed off in the direction of where he guessed the nearest town was.
At this point, he thought to himself. If they have a podracer that can fly and jump through hyperspace, I'll take it.