YOSH! This is Squalo King with a new chapter of Greatest Stars.

Disclaimer: I owe nothing Star Wars-related, even the games.

I would like to thank all the people who followed and favored the first chapter.

Cadet Ahnah(1)

Above Taris

Moments before the escape pod impact

Above Taris's atmosphere, in the starry space was a Republic cruiser, Hammerhead-class cruise, the Endar Spire. A small drop in the Republic navy's seemingly dwindling, attack forced ready to defend against the Sith Empire. This fighting-fit war dog was piloted by some of the Republic's bravest and most talented pilots, maintained and protected by twenty Republic soldiers clad in orange, black, and gold. Many of them were busy with their respective tasks, but one of their more notable officers was finishing making rounds before their inevitable touchdown to Taris.

In the Endar Spire's bridge where Republic navigators and pilots did their best work, where the holograms of maps of the stars would float in the air, and where one of the many stars of our story would begin to take his place.

"How are we on time, Fleet?" asked a Jedi as he looked out the protective glass window into space with his robbed figure holding his hands behind his back in a dignified manner. He wore brown Jedi robes, his head was bald and his eyes were green. The man the Jedi was referring to was standing next to him. Unlike the other soldiers, he had black fitted pants with black combat boots and burgundy knee guards with a light brown jacket.

"I spoke to the pilots before we arrived, we made 3 days ahead of schedule that you pushed onto us," said "Fleet". He looked at his superior from the side of his brown eyes. "And I already made it clear Jedi Knight Xebec, call me Carth, Carth Onasi." he was a bit annoyed

"Very good Fleet, Bastila, and Aselia will be pleased to hear this," said Xebec. "How long before we're able to dock?" Carth looked at one of the members of the crew sitting at his screen for an answer.

"Sir I'm not sure sir," he turned his head to Carth. "I'm having trouble getting into contact with the Taris loading bay,"

"Did you try hailing a Republic Base to move the procedures along?" asked Xebec. Beck nodded.

"Yes, and nothing so far," said Beck. Xebec pondered this for a moment as if he was about to be deep in thought.

"Their communications might need repairs." said Carth, "Though it is strange, we hailed them before we left the base."

"Doesn't matter, I'll be sure to tell Jedi Knight Bastilla and Jedi Knight Aselia of this delay," said Xebec.

"I don't mean to be rude Jedi Knight Xebec, but what is Bastilla doing right now that she can't ask these questions herself?" asked Carth.

"Bastilla is meditating with Aselia, there are many things we have to discuss about the assignment the Jedi counsel has charged us with," said Xebec. "Let us know if there are any changes, Carth Onasi," Xebec then walked away, showing his back to the other soldiers. After Xebec had left, Carth sighed inwardly, feeling relaxed and irritated at the same time.

"Are you okay, Commander?" asked Beck.

"I'm fine soldier, just a little tired I guess," said Carth. He rubbed his brown beard and ran his hand over slicked-back brown hair. "And I'm not leading this mission, we answer to the Jedi,"

"Permission to speak freely?" asked Beck.

"Permission granted," said Carth. Beck looked back to see if Xebec was gone.

"The Jedi that we're transporting, have they told you more details about our mission?" Before Carth could even speak, he noticed that some of the members of the crew were looking over, their attention taken from their duties.

"No, they haven't told me anything either," said Carth. He felt exhausted just by saying that but kept his composure.

"I see, thank you," said Beck.

"Just keep your head down and working, the mission hasn't started yet and we haven't run into any trouble," said Carth, "Keep trying to hail the ground base on Taris, the sooner we can land the sooner we can get this started," Beck nodded.

"Good man, I'm going to check over the ship before we have to land, from the sounds of it," said Carth. He then walked from

Endar Spire's Armory

*Yawn*

*GRIND* *GRIND* *GRIND*

In the Endar Spire's armory, where armor and weapons rested until the battle was upon them, a small number of the crew were maintaining and cleaning the room, the weapons, and even the lights. Many of them were fresh Graduates from the Republic Military Academy, aged from 16 to up, and chosen by the higher-ranking officers to be part of the crew. They were chosen before the mission was even assigned, except for one of them.

"Well done." said one of the cadets. "Last of my share of the ordinance is finished," She stretched for a moment before sitting down while two others nearby were finishing. This particular cadet had red hair, and blue eyes with freckles resting underneath her eyes. She parted her red hair and looked at a green Twi'lek that was cleaning the last of the blasters.

"Hey slow down, don't leave without us." said the Twi'lek. He rubbed the top of his helmet where his lekku poked through and adjusted the goggles that rested on his forehead. He cleaned faster with his brown-haired friend putting a rifle back together, "See Travis is almost finished and I'm about done,"

*Yawn*

*GRIND* *GRIND* *GRIND*

"Shut up, Des," said Travis, He carefully finished his job, putting back together the last remaining parts of the rifle. "I want to be done as fast as possible too," when he finally finished he set the Rifle back with the others. "I heard from one of the older officers that we made it over Taris,"

"Excited?" asked Des with a smile as he fixed the goggles that rested on his forehead.

"Hell yeah, we got the chance to be part of this mission," said Travis as he sat down. Des handed him a canteen filled with water and Travis drank from it.

"Yeah, we're on the first stop of our mission," said the red-haired girl, she scratched one of the freckles on her face in some confusion, "What was that again?"

"They didn't say, Alexandra,". Said another female voice. She was standing against the wall, wearing the same armor as the others were. She looked at Alexandra's blue eyes with her green. She had a brown skin tone with her hair styled in braids and sported a scar across her right cheek. "Our mission, under Bastilla Shan's orders, is just to transport her and the Jedi to any locations at their command; including Taris."

*YAWN*

*GRIND* *GRIND*

"Doesn't that bother anyone?" asked Travis. Alexandra leaned back in her seat for a moment while Des scratched his chin. "Shira, you can't say it doesn't bother you you're smarter than that," Shira shook her head.

"Not particularly," said Shira. "I mean Jedi are secretive in nature, but despite this, the Republic still okayed the mission." she folds her arms, "They only asked for one ship and nothing else, as far as we know it could just be recon"

"Shira is right, I don't see the problem, most Bantha don't question their feed if they know their feeder," said Alexandra.

"You make it sound like the je-"

*SNORE* *SNORE*

*GRIND* *GRIND* *GRIND*

The group stopped talking among themselves, the constant sound of yawning turning into a chorus of snores. They look to the edge of the room, opposite from where they were sitting, and spot a familiar sight: the remaining cadets sharpening one of the vibroblades and sleeping.

"Look who's off to dreamland," said Des as he scratched his head, "Again," Shira then gestured down to their sleeping friend.

"See, Ahnah isn't worried," said Shira with a smirk. "We could be attacked and she'd be sleeping through the entire dog fight,"

"Sleepy-head," teased Alexandra with a giggle and smile, though she couldn't turn her head away from the weapon she sharpened in her sleep."We should probably get that knife away from her," But before Alexandra could stand up,

"I'll wake her,". Said Shira as she quickly stood, with Alexandra awkwardly sitting down. She then walked over to their sleeping friend, Ahnah

"Whatever, she's just bored being on this ship so damn long," said Travis. Des shrugged.

"Yeah, t-that's why she's still going,"

Shira quickly traveled across the room, walking by the metal containers, hung riffles, pistols, armor, and more. The closer she got to her target the colder the room felt and all she could hear was the constant grinding of metal against metal. When she reached Ahnah, Shira stopped a few inches from her while she sat on a metal container. Ahnah herself was slumped over in her seat yet somehow kept from falling over. With raven black hair spilled over as her head hung in an almost horrifying manner, covering her face. Shira extended her hand and stopped Ahnah's hand from moving and in that moment Ahnah's other hand released the blade and grabbed her wrist. Shira didn't panic in the slightest despite feeling Ahnah's harsh grip.

"Ahnah," Shira saw Ahnah's hand continue to move despite having dropped the vibroblade, "Wake up, you're the last one out, again," she gave Ahnah's body a light push.

*SNORE* *SNORT* *SNORT*

Her body began to stir and Ahnah slowly woke up and Shira backed away from her. She lifted her head stretched with a mighty yawn. She parted her somewhat messy black hair revealing her face, the pair of circle glasses that she wore, and sharp heterochromia jeweled eyes behind them; one sapphire blue and the other sunset amber. She rubbed her face as her brown skin laid bare to be seen.

"Ahh my head," Ahnah said. She quickly made sure they weren't broken but noticed Shira looking at her with what looked like a cocky smile. Ahnah quickly looked at the floor and saw the vibroblade on the floor, and saw her other hand grabbing "Oh no," she blushed bright red knowing what this had meant.

"Yes, you fell asleep again," said Shira.

"Oh right," Ahnah's eyes nervously darted around the room, and when she saw the others looking at her from the other end of the armory. "Sor-*Yawn* Sorry 'bout that," she quickly cleaned herself up.

"Don't say sorry to me, just be happy that Trask didn't see you like this or he'd make you clean this place twice. said Shira. Ahnah felt every bone in her body groan and creak hearing that name. Ahnah groaned hearing that name. Trask Ulgo was a long-standing member of the Endar Spire's crew, he had volunteered to look after the group of Cadets and give them assignments. He was also very loud, especially when the cadets failed to finish their tasks, talked out of turn, messed around, or anything that could cause trouble.

"Wait, did I finish my half of the ordinance?!" Ahnah thought in a panic. She looked over at the stack of uncleaned Vibroblades that she placed next to her. She found nothing and looking where she would place the finished blades were all the ones she was assigned to clean. Ahnah then picked up the vibroblade that she was sharpening.

"All finished," she said strangely, confused about her progress. Shira looked at Ahnah's finished work.

"Good job with those can openers, Ahn," said Shira as she patted her shoulder making her jump a little. Ahnah put the vibroblade away, "Now we can take our break,"

"Oh good, I-I don't want you to wait up for me," said Ahnah.

"Again," Shira joked.

"A-Again, right"

*Giggle*

She then heard a familiar giggle and saw Alexandra holding a canteen filled with water and a smile on her face. And in normal fashion, Ahnah blushed just being close to her, her eyes unable to look into Alexandra's

"Hey there sleepy-head, thirsty?" asked Alexandra. Ahnah swallowed and quickly fixed her glasses. "Don't worry it's fresh so no backwater germs.

"I-Un thanks, n-not that your germs ar-are bad," said Ahnah awkwardly. She took the canteen and drank from it slowly while taking a peek to see Alexandra looking at her and Shira chucking to herself as she watched the display as if to tease both parties.

"Don't laugh, damn it," Ahnah thought. After she was finished she gave Alexandra her drink back. It was then that Alexandra got a better look at Ahnah.

"Thank you, Alexandra, I needed that," said Ahnah. She quickly wiped her glasses, they had fogged up the moment Alexandra had approached her.

"Sure, but uh you ha-"

Then they heard the door to the armory slide open with a familiar stern-faced man walking in. The girls could see Travis and Des getting on their feet and paying attention to the man who was charged with looking after them, Trask Ulgo.

"Attention, front and center!" Trask's voice rang like a bell struck by a hammer and filled the room. Ahnah, Shira, and Alexandra wasted no more time and ran up front. Now as the cadets stood side by side, they all eyed the veteran soldier of the Republic. Trask himself stood dignified before the young cadets, eyeing each of them to see if they would make a mistake.

"Now is-" he took a quick look at Ahnah, something that made the poor girl jump in terror. He looked at her as if she had something terrible stuck to her face and the others could feel her anxiety oozing out from it. He almost looked disgusted.

"Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no! What's wrong?! He didn't catch me sleeping!" she thought in a panic. But Trask said nothing and got back to talking, causing Ahnah to sigh in relief.

"I see that you've all finished your duty, and this time without any stranglers," said Trask. Ahnah immediately felt everyone's eyes on her. "Now you all can eat and sleep so you are prepared for when duty calls. All of the cadets gave a mental sigh of relief hearing that.

"Finally, we're done with the boring shit," thought Travis.

"I feel like I could pass out," thought Des.

"I need to stretch and get my damn boots off," thought Alexandra.

"Eight hours of work, finally finished," Shira thought.

"FOOD, FOOD, SLEEP AND FOOD!" thought Ahnah.

"Now a few moments ago we are now above Taris," Trask announced.

"Finally!" yelled Travis.

*Laughter*!" Des then begins laughing at Travis's outburst. However, Trask wasn't amused and leered at the two of them. Everyone knew what was coming.

"Push-ups, 50," ordered Trask.

Des and Travis silently groaned as they rapidly did their push-ups. Alexandra suppresses any laughter. Shira mentally faced palms and Ahnah was hoping she wasn't next.

"After the proper preparations have been made, we'll touch down in the city within 2 hours." said Trask, "From there, we'll be given instructions from Commander Bastilla Shan and her Jedi party."

Ahnah felt a chill up her spine just at the mention of the Jedi. It was hard to hide her anxiety when it came to the subject. Though she could see Alexandra's intrigue with them Shira had nothing but confidence. Though most of what was felt was suspicion among the rest of the crew.

"Until further notice I want all of you ready for when you're needed; eat, stretch," he glances at Ahnah, "Get some shut-eye," Ahnah groaned embarrassed, "And remember, on this mission, you swore an oath to protect Bastilla and the other Jedi on this ship," said Trashk in a calm manner.

As if on cue, Des and Travis finished their push-ups and stood up straight with the others.

"You all understand your charge?" he asked.

"Sir Yes Sir!" all the cadets answered with vigor.

"Dismissed!" Trask shouted. The others then began to leave the room, but as Ahnah was about to walk out, "Not you, you stay," they all stopped and slowly turned around to see Trask gesturing to Ahnah.

"Uh Oh," uttered Des.

"Oh crap," thought Ahnah, she stood still in fear like prey before a beast. The others looked at her, wondering what Trask was going to do, before realizing they would have to leave. "Oh, I'm so dead,"

She walked back into the room before Trask who looked at her with sharp eyes. She quickly fixed her glasses and stood still as she felt her superior's gaze on her.

"Are you feeling okay, cadet?" asked Trask.

"Y-Yes sir," Ahnah answered nervously.

"You fell asleep again, during duty," Trask stated as fact. Ahnah didn't have the energy to fear Trask and wonder how he knew. "With weaponry in your hands, and moving I imagine,"

"Yes sir," said Ahnah, she didn't even try and lie, "N-Nightmares are keeping me up," it sounded like she was making excuses, which made her more worried.

"How long?" asked Trask. Ahnah turned her eyes away from Trask, the nightmares were one thing she didn't want to speak about.

"A month or so," she answered.

"You have been to the ship's doctor?" asked Trask.

"Yes sir, but he can't find anything wrong with me," said Ahnah. She felt sick just saying that. Trask just looked at her, somberly.

"Soldier, I can't have half awake or fully asleep in the line of duty," said Trask. "When we land on Taris you will remain on the ship and help with the maintenance crew." Ahnah sighed inwardly, but she understood where Trask was coming from. It's strange for the other crew members to her sleeping on the job so much. "Am I clear?"

"Sir yes sir," said Ahnah.

"When we get grounded go around and see if you can help out any of the crew, and ask for help if something troubles you," said Trask, "Now get some grub, wipe the drool from your face," Ahnah felt nothing but pure embarrassment, "and some rest. Dismissed,"

Ahnah then walked out of the room leaving Trask alone. Trask looked over at the vibroblades that Ahnah had finished sharpening. It wasn't just the sleeping that was bothering him, it was the fact she could work as well as she could. He saw it once before, it was like she was possessed.

Mess Hall

"Wait, you're grounded on the ship?" asked Shira. Ahnah nodded curtly while her head was lying down on the table while her blue rectangular frame glasses rested beside her.

The group of cadets looked at Ahnah as they sat at their table. The food was nothing special; meat, fruit, salad, wheat squares, milk, water, etc. Many of the soldiers in the room were either on break or on a different shift from the others, save for the cafeteria staff. The newcomers had always shared a table where they would eat.

When Ahnah went to join them they were already finished eating. Ahnah rushed to eat her food but before she could leave Alexandra had asked what Trask wanted. After some well-meaning teasing, Ahnah had told them what happened.

"Sorry Ahnie, I tried to tell you," said Alexandra.

"I-Its okay Alexandra," said Ahnah though her despair was prevalent in her voice,

"It's okay Ahnah, Trask was just worried about you and I can't blame him," said Shira. "You've always had trouble like this before you joined up with us." Shira patted her back.

"Well the good news is that if you're on the Spire then there's less of a chance of you getting shot," said Des. Travis shook his head.

"Des what are you even saying, can you imagine being stuck on this ship during a mission with the Jedi?" asked Travis.

"It can't be helped, 'sides we hopefully won't be around the Jedi much anyway, Ahnah there is just guaranteed grounded," said Des.

"It feels insulting, imagine being stuck on the ship while the jed-"

"Keep it down dummy," said Shira interrupting him. She looked around causing the others to do the same. They saw the crew around; eating, talking, etc. But something felt wrong, especially to Ahnah whose nerves felt like they were burning. There was a bit of tension in the air, and no one liked it. "Stop trying to create more trouble than there already is, we'll find out when we find out."

Alexandra turned her attention back to Ahnah,

"Hey Ahnnie, you sure you're okay?" she asked gently. Ahnah nods.

"I'll be fine, I'm new here anyway so maybe it'll be best for me to know more about the ship," said Ahnah.

"It could be worse, you could be stuck on Manaan and nearly drown from boredom," said Des.

"Yeah, there you're shoulder to shoulder with the empire and you can't do anything," said Travis. "I'd rather eat Gamorrean ass," everyone expressed open disgust toward what Travis had said. Aside from that Ahnah wasn't completely against the idea of staying on the ship.

"Plus I'm fine being far away from those Jedi anyway, they scare me," she thought frightened. Ahnah then stood up and put on her glasses.

"I better go to bed now or I'll pass out working again," said Ahnah. Des shrugged.

"Good," said Travis curtly. "As lo Des nearly bursts out laughing. Alexandra waives at Mu.

"Sleep tight," said Alexandra. Shira looked at Ahnah concerned, she had a good idea of why Ahnah wasn't getting any sleep.

"Please get some sleep," said Shira.

"I-I will, thanks," said Ahnah, she then walked out of the mess hall. However, she only felt more uneasy as time went by.

*YAWN* *Lipsmack*

Ahnah trudges her way back to the barracks, almost absentmindedly, back to her barracks to sleep. Everyone else was either in the mess hall or doing their duties, so the path there felt empty. So empty she could hear her footsteps over the ship's engine. There wasn't even a Droid. Just her muddled in her inadequacy.

"Come on, just a few more feet," she muttered to herself.

However, as she walked back Ahnah suddenly felt a strange feeling. It was like a chill that was coming over her, enveloping her body. It was so strong that she stopped walking. She turned her head to the right and saw a door.

"W-Whose room is that?" she asked herself. Some part of her was tempted to knock, but her better judgment won over. However, as she was about the walk away the door slid open and a woman's head popped out.

"AHH!" startled, Ahnah fell back on the floor, landing on her ass. She looked up and saw the taller woman looking down at her with her blue eyes. She also wasn't dressed like the other soldiers, wearing white and orange robes with brown bracers. Her black hair was styled into a ponytail that rested on her shoulder. Then there was the telltale sign, the light-saber at her hip. One of the three Jedi who joined Bastilla.

"Oh no," she thought fearfully.

"Excuse me, young cadet, can you stand up please," she asked kindly. Ahnah then quickly got to her feet, stood up straight, and saluted her.

"Y-YES MA'AM!" Ahnah answered back, though she was shaking in her boots.

The Jedi then got a better look at Ahnah, scanning her body up and down, she even got closer to her which made Ahnah blush and sweat all as she shook. She watched as Ahnah's eyes shook like marbles, her goosebumps got goosebumps. It felt like Krayt Dragon was staring down a big fat bantha to eat.

"PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!" she thought.

However, the Jedi only smiled. She backed away and stood politely.

"My name is Aselia," she introduced herself. "May I have your name?" Ahnah swallowed whatever fear she had and spoke.

"A-Ah-Ahnah, MA'AM!" Ahnah answered loudly. Aselia giggled at her reaction and put her hand on Ahnah's shoulder.

"Don't worry, it's grating at first and can be painful, but it is all part of the paths we must take," said Aselia. "Never let the fear deter you, never let it distort your wisdom or lead you down a lonely road." Aselia then pulled Ahnah in for a hug, which nearly caused Ahnah to pass out in a panic. Luckily for Ahnah, Aselia let go and quickly walked into her room.

"Good night," Aselia said as the door closed. Ahnah could only swallow as she walked back to her room, nerves and all.

"What just happened to me?"

Barracks

The Endar Spire had enough rooms for at least of pair of soldiers to share; the cadets all shared a room. The beds were hard as hell at first but after a while, you'd sleep like a baby after hours of work. Personal effects were usually in their metal chests as well as their equipment and uniforms. Ahnah walks over to his bunk and gets undressed into her undergarments. She slowly crawls into his bed, under her covers, and places them over her as she lays his head on his pillow. However, before anything else, she took a photo out of her pillowcase. It was of a smaller, younger Ahnah; his hair was short and messy with a small outfit, and a man in his 40s who was wearing a suit for the picture. They stood together with the Ahnah acting nervous and the older man smiling.

"Goodnight," she said. She then put the picture away. She turned on her back and did her best to drift off to sleep "Please no nightmares." she begged.

As she tried to fall asleep she felt a cold chill through her body, but eventually, she fell asleep. But it didn't last and the nightmares provided would not be worth it.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

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This is Squalo King Signing off :)