A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...
The galaxy is gripped by the final, desperate days of the Clone Wars. The valiant Galactic Republic, led by the wise Jedi Knights and their loyal clone troopers, continues to wage battle against the sinister Separatist Alliance.
Across countless star systems, war rages as the dark influence of the mysterious Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, grows stronger. With every conflict, the shadow of the Dark Side looms larger, threatening to consume the light of hope and peace.
As the galactic conflict reaches its zenith, the fate of the Republic hangs in the balance. Heroes will rise, alliances will be tested, and destinies will be forged in the fires of war, as the galaxy awaits the final, fateful clashes that will determine its future.
Among the battles, debates, and otherwise trying circumstances, a lone freighter zips through the vacuum of space as it continues to be pursued by three Sarisa-class starships.
Book 1: Chapter 1
Destiny Inbound
Gil Tilian, a not-so-notorious smuggler of cunning and resourcefulness, is forever on the run from those who sought to capture him. Gil's HWK-290 light freighter, the "Stellar Star," was his sanctuary and the nerve center of his operations. Alongside him was a diverse and loyal crew, each member bringing unique skills to their shared mission of survival.
Huar, a Twi'lek with a storied past, was Gil's trusted right-hand man. Hailing from Ryloth, Huar's knowledge of the galaxy's underworld was invaluable. His agility and combat prowess had saved the crew on numerous occasions, and his deep loyalty to Gil was unshakable. Despite his tough exterior, Huar had a sense of honor that often guided the crew's actions, even in the face of danger.
Eira, a Chandrilan aide to Mon Mothma in the Senate, was an unexpected but vital crew member. Though a staunch advocate for peace and diplomacy, her involvement with Gil began as an effort to gather intelligence on the galaxy's criminal underbelly. Over time, she found herself embroiled in the crew's adventures, her political savvy and connections proving indispensable. Eira's presence brought a touch of legitimacy to their operations and often provided them with critical information from the Senate's inner workings. Also, is there a romance brewing? Potentially.
Lirreng, an Ewok mechanic from the forest moon of Endor and formerly a member of the Corellian shipyard, was the heart and soul of the Stellar Star's engineering bay. Despite his diminutive size, Lirreng's mechanical genius kept the ship running smoothly, often performing near-miraculous repairs under fire. His cheerful demeanor and boundless optimism were a constant source of morale for the crew, reminding them of the importance of hope even in the darkest times.
The twin DUM-series repair droids, T1-DLE and T0-DLE, were masterpieces of droid engineering, capable of almost any repair the HWK-290 required, with Lirreng's leadership. While their personalities are distinctly different—T1-DLE being more analytical and T0-DLE more adventurous—they share an unbreakable bond and a dedication to the crew's safety.
B0-N0, a protocol droid, was the crew's diplomat and linguist, fluent in over six million forms of communication. B0-N0's primary function was to facilitate negotiations and translate alien languages, but his often comically overcautious nature provided the crew with much-needed levity. Despite his anxieties, B0-N0's skills were indispensable in navigating the complex and often perilous web of galactic politics and underworld dealings.
Rounding out the crew was R5-H3, a former Republic military R2 unit with a flair for astrogation and slicing. R5-H3's navigational data was second to none, allowing the Stellar Star to traverse hyperspace routes that were all but forgotten. His slicing abilities also provided the crew with access to secure networks, a critical advantage in their constant game of cat and mouse with the Pyke Syndicate.
Together, this motley crew faced constant danger as they chased their next adventure. Each member's unique talents were crucial in outwitting their pursuers and navigating the treacherous galaxy. Gil Tilian's leadership and their shared bond forged them into a family, united by their quest for freedom and survival amidst the stars. The Stellar Star soared through the galaxy, a testament to their resilience and ingenuity, forever one step ahead of their enemies.
"You cannot be serious! There is no way this bucket of bolts will get us back to Coruscant in one piece," Eira gripped the sides of her rather uncomfortable seat. Left, right, left again, farther right, and then a speed shift.
"Eira, if you're gonna complain, at least do it from the gunner's seat! It might help our situation a little bit more. You're the one who wanted to come all the way out here anyway. Remember when I said the Pykes were nothing to play with? I meant it. I still can't believe I let you twist my arm about it because of one incident a year ago that wasn't even my fault." Though clearly in a dire situation, Gil's voice was calm but stern, the disposition of a captain. Blonde curls shifted to reveal excited green eyes as the vessel again rolled to the left and the right once more.
"Yeah, I could use a little help! I can't seem to land the shots! Whoever is driving this ship," Huar gave a side-eye, "has no idea how to fly!" He groaned as his attempts to knock out at least one of the sources of fire all failed miserably. "Aiming at starfighters ain't my thing. I'm more of a fisticuffs kinda guy, ya know what I mean?" A collective sigh followed the remark. After a few grunts that nobody could make out beyond the clear annoyance they carried, a protocol droid nervously cut the tension.
"He says to focus more and talk less. Supplies are limited, and we need to finish this job so we can afford to upgrade the starfighter we've acquired." An Ewok, Lirreng Walek, grunted and clanged a wrench and a drill together to further express frustration. As the ship's backup pilot and head repairman, the laundry list of items regarding function fell on his plate. His form shifted slightly as the holo transmission began to cut in and out. The trailing enemies were closing in, and the command ship's overwhelming resources began to take their toll; the Pykes proving they were no joke. The contents in the lower deck made an audible shifting noise as the ship made a slight dip to the right again. He prayed Lirreng and B0-N0 wouldn't be too upset at the bumpy ride.
Eira's petite form gracefully moved from the passenger seat into the second gunner's seat, her dress nearly obscuring Huar's vision. Immediately, Eira's brows narrowed, and a flurry of shots began to dispatch toward the trailing fighters. One down, two down, and then three. Huar had no words, at least in Basic. Using his native tongue, he uttered, "Vrei," meaning 'lucky'. "The path is clear, Gil, get us out of here! It'll take them a little bit to recoup after tha-..." A single digit removed a loose curl to again reveal vibrant green eyes. He nodded, and an astromech droid plugged into the ship's system.
"Alright, let's hit it! Next stop, Coruscant!" The stars stretched like comets while the ship geared up for a jump. Two additional Sarisa-class starships emerged from hyperspace only to find they were too late. In a last-ditch effort to stop their targets from escaping, turret fire began to rain down once more. Unfortunately, it was all for naught as the crew aboard the HWK-290 vanished into the endless void.
In the clutches of hyperspace, a calmness fell across the crew; free to move about the cabin for the time being. "God, that was way too close. Are your jobs always like this? Maybe you would do better as a personal pilot or even among the ranks of the Republic as an officer or something. Still dangerous but a lot less dangerous than whatever these little smuggling endeavors are. The pay is better, there are benefits, and you'd get to spend more time with me. I see no downsides…" Eira's voice trailed off as Gil lost focus and leaned back in the pilot's chair to grasp at the straws of relaxation.
"Eira, they do not always go like this. Back me up, Huar! The last one was not that bad. I firmly believe that you are the reason this job went south. I told you talking to the Pykes would get us nowhere, but you insisted on it, and they took it as a show of bad faith that a Republic Senate member wanted to 'ask a few questions' about their operations." He blew out a puff of air to keep the few low-hanging curls out of his face.
"Sorry, Eira, but I've gotta agree with Gil-boy here. Ya might know better when it comes to politics, but that ain't the way out here. Talkin' too much could get you locked up forever, killed, or worse.." Huar stretched and turned his seat around to face the center of the cockpit. Objectively, he did the least amount of work but somehow felt the most deserving of the reprieve. "But that's just my two cents. If we went to every crime organization in the galaxy and tried to appeal to their better nature, we'd be in a worse spot than we are now."
"Anyway, I wouldn't take anything that just happened personally. Not that you would, but I'd be a little upset if people came at me and my comrades like that too. It's just nature." Gil's tone had mellowed. He tried to keep it light, hoping to ease the tension in the room. Eira crossed her legs and sat back, looking at the ceiling for a moment.
"So that's it? 'It's just nature'? I'm not saying we should go back, but there has to be something we can do. I'm almost certain that the Pykes would be willing to talk to us if we just came up with a different approach." Another collective sigh came from the room.
A gentle, ever-cautious voice from the protocol droid chimed in. "Miss, the chances of them responding favorably to any new attempts at dialogue are rather slim, I'm afraid. They are known for their unforgiving nature and strict adherence to their code. It might be best to focus on other avenues for the time being." B0-N0's programming urged him to promote peaceful solutions, but his logical circuits were keenly aware of the Pyke Syndicate's reputation.
"See? B0-N0 gets it Thanks, pal!" We just need to regroup and come up with a new plan. I'm sure the Senate would like to know what just happened. We might even be able to use this information to our advantage and good favor once we get you back safe and sound." Gil's mind was already racing with potential strategies and alliances they could leverage.
The crew settled into a period of quiet reflection, each member contemplating their next move. The stars streaked by outside the cockpit windows, a reminder of the vast galaxy and the endless possibilities that lay ahead. As they hurtled through hyperspace towards Coruscant, the Stellar Star and her crew prepared for the challenges that awaited them, united by their shared purpose and unyielding resolve.
The rest of the crew left for their quarters. Now semi-alone in the cockpit, Gil turned to his trusty astromech droid R5-H3, Baloo to friends, and let out a sigh. "I hate to admit it buddy, but she does have a point. As much fun as this is, what's the end goal? I wanted to see the galaxy on my terms but with my debt to the cartel, I'm on someone else's time and dime." His mind wanders a bit but a few chirps from Rush quickly reel him back. "Oh... I didn't know you felt that strongly. For a former 'pub droid you sure do have a potty mouth! But.. when you're right, you're right. I like this little family we've got. As long as I've got you guys, there's nothing else I need." Gil lightly rubs Rush's dome and turns back to the controls. "We should be arriving soon. When we land, let's drop off Eira and eat a big meal. We should have some downtime between jobs. Maybe Lirreng could even get some of those new mods added." He feigned interest in the idea briefly before dozing off into a light slumber.
Frantic beeps jolted Gil out of a light slumber. "Buddy, you've got to calm down. I literally cannot understand what you're saying." Baloo, the droid, used one of his many devices to point at the red glowing light on the dashboard.
"Dammit. Pull us out of hyperspace now! We've got action on the scanners!" The tunnel of blue faded as the dark black void of space returned to view. The cause of the commotion quickly became apparent—a warzone. Republic forces were battling against the Separatist Alliance on yet another front. Gil yanked the steering mechanism to the left to avoid oncoming fire from droid ships and a few tailing Republic Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighters. "If they weren't awake before, they sure will be now. Crap, this is gonna be tough."
Eira, Huar, and Lirreng rushed to the cockpit for a view of their own. "I didn't think we'd run into an active warzone on the way home! We've got to get out of here!" Eira pondered for a moment, drawing on any knowledge of Republic troop placements.
"Shouldn't you know about this? I mean, you're in the freakin' Senate." Huar huffed and scrambled to his seat.
"Well, I didn't think we'd run into any warships in the Felucia system. If memory serves, there should only be a ground assault at the moment."
"Well, clearly your memory isn't serving! Strap in, everyone. We've got to get clear, and it's gonna take some fancy flying! Lirreng, man the other gun. Eira, contact that Republic ship so they won't fire on us!" Orders received. Lirreng began his assault alongside Huar to take out any stray Separatist forces, while Eira used the comms system to contact the command ship.
"This is a restricted frequency. Who is this?" A commanding voice boomed through the comms.
"I'm Eira Jerrgar, an aide to Senator Mon Mothma. I'm aboard the HWK-290 that just came out of hyperspace. I was running an errand and hired this… delivery crew. Please be advised, we just want safe passage to jump."
"Eira Jerrgar, this is highly irregular." The voice went quiet for a moment. "We will allow you safe passage, but it will have to wait until we can clear out some of the Separatist forces ourselves." He murmured to one of his fellow officers before turning his attention back to Eira. "Can your team assist our fighters? We're low on manpower between this and the ground assault."
Eira paused. She knew how Gil and the crew felt about meddling in Republic affairs, but time was of the essence. "You can count on us, Admiral. We've got your back. Let all fighters know the Stellar Star is here to help." The communications went silent briefly as the crew was then patched into the frequency of the wider fleet.
"This is the Stellar Star crew here to help. We've got your backs!" Eira chimed in loud and clear, hoping her cheerful disposition could perhaps keep Gil and the rest of the crew from being too upset.
"All fighters return to the command ship and prepare for retreat. We are outnumbered and need to regroup outside this system. Ground reinforcements have landed, so we've done our job. Come on home." Admiral Maynard's voice was stern but warm. A plethora of 'understood' and 'aye-aye' replies followed as the fighters began to clear a path to the command ship.
"This is Gil Tilian, captain of the Stellar Star. We've got your retreat covered. Might even take out a Munificent-class frigate or two. As a treat!" The steering mechanism shifted as blaster fire rained down upon the incoming vulture droids. Two, three, four, six—this was light work. No droid brain could compete with his crew, or so he thought. High on confidence, Gil ordered missile fire at the nearest Munificent-class ship. Bullseye. One of the three was taken out lickety-split.
"Nice shot, Lirreng! I didn't know we had that kinda firepower!" Huar nodded and returned his gaze to the incoming vulture droids. Just a few more until a clear path.
"This is Jedi Knight Nur Wokhal. I've been hit! I'm going to need some serious cover to make it back to the ship." His voice was barely audible, nearly drowned out by warning sirens.
"No worries, Master Jedi, we've got you covered. Huar, Lirreng, hold on! I'm gonna try something. Make sure to keep blasting!" The ship began to slow as the thrusters shut off briefly. The few remaining vulture droids zoomed by as they raced toward Nur Wokhal. "Alright Baloo, full power to the rear thrusters!" The ship launched forward, and blaster fire from behind managed to take out all but one of the droids in pursuit. The final droid landed a devastating blow to Nur Wokhal's starfighter, leaving him unresponsive. The rest of the ships had loaded into the command ship and were ready for the jump.
"Shit! He's hit. We're gonna have to bring him in and make the jump with his ship attached!" This is why dealing with the Republic was troublesome. In wartime, recklessness could be catastrophic.
Eira looked on in horror. "Gil, we need to save him! Hurry!"
Huar turned to Eira and reassured her with a small smile. "Eira, we got this. We've seen people come back from worse than this. We'll get him to safety, no sweat. Just keep your eyes peeled for any incoming hostiles."
"Commander Wokhal, do you read me? We're about to make the jump. More flagships incoming—we have to go." No response.
"This is Gil Tilian. He's unresponsive, and his ship is halted. We'll pick him up and follow you out of here, no problem."
"Noted, Captain Tilian. Sending you the coordinates of the rendezvous point." Baloo beeped, signaling the coordinates had arrived. The Republic ships vanished, leaving nothing but debris and space for incoming enemy forces.
"Lirreng, we're approaching the Jedi starfighter. Go ahead and establish a connection." With a press of a button, a network of sturdy cables attached to the backside of the nearby Delta-7B Aethersprite-class light interceptor. "Alright, let's get to the nearest system for a regroup, get the Jedi aboard, and then meet the 'pub boys at the rendezvous point. Huar, what's the nearest non-Separatist controlled system? Preferably no gangster activity, but if there's nothing else, I'll take whatever."
Huar pressed a few buttons and quickly input the coordinates. Baloo activated the hyperdrive, and the two ships vanished as well.
Amid the hyperspace lane, Huar let out a relieved sigh and slumped in his chair. "We're heading to Galidraan. Not Separatist-controlled, but I don't think it's aligned with the Republic either. Could be a tossup on how the welcome will go, but that's if we're spotted by any locals who want to deal with us. We should be okay." Silence fell over the crew for the remainder of the flight.