Hello everyone, first off my apologies for the lateness. I continue to aim for a one-chapter every two weeks objective however, that may also vary as you can see. Regardless I hope this next chapter is enjoyable as Kyle now gets to find out more about the strange world he finds himself in. Enjoy.
A momentary peace, after a heated confrontation with the reclusive farmer Senth, Kyle Katarn now finds himself in common understanding with the Gotal as the two aim to give aid to Polina who has fallen gravely ill, Kyle for his part may find revelations that this galaxy may not be his own...
The interior of Senth's humble shack lay still and tranquil, untouched by disturbance for most of the day. The reclusive farmer seldom set foot inside his quaint yet tastefully furnished abode until day's end. However, Kyle and Polina's presence had disrupted this customary routine, causing the creaking slide doors of the farmer's dwelling to swing open and reveal the soft, dusky light of the evening as the pair hurriedly entered.
Leading the charge, Senth swiftly strode into the room, placing his scatterblaster meticulously in a cubby beside the doorway. Shedding his goggles, his brisk strides bespoke a being who knew his surroundings intimately. Carrying Polina in his arms, Kyle followed closely behind. The girl remained unconscious, ensnared by some affliction that had befallen her.
"Set heeer up on that table over there," Senth's voice carried across the room, accompanied by clinking and clattering sounds as he prepared. Acting without hesitation, Kyle cleared a nearby table of mysterious objects, making a space to gently lay Polina down.
Surveying the interior, Kyle scanned the dwelling with quick, yet perceptive glances. It was a lightly adorned, albeit slightly cluttered living space. Scattered crates and containers adorned the floor while an assortment of trinkets and oddities of various sizes were strewn about. Curiously, fragments of droid parts adorned the walls, hinting at a peculiar fondness for these discarded relics. A gossamer curtain partitioned off an area where Senth's activities produced muffled sounds. Despite the enigmatic state of this home, Kyle remained unfazed, focusing on more pressing matters than the eccentricities of the hermit's dwelling.
Kyle's gaze settled on Polina, an unspoken dedication to her well-being shining in his eyes. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, allowing the Force to envelop him. Sensations of life surged around him— the ambient sounds of creatures, the subtle vibrations beneath his feet, even the peculiar energies of this dwelling. Placing his hand on Polina's forehead, he attempted to channel the Force, seeking to penetrate the darkness clouding her mind.
"Pressing your hand against her won't help, partner," Senth's words emerged as an unsolicited observation.
Interrupting his concentration, Senth's voice sliced through Kyle's focus, a grizzled tone resonating with a touch of irreverence. The Jedi turned his attention to the Gotal, their gaze meeting. A silent tension hung in the air, marked by Kyle's unwavering determination and Senth's stoic demeanor. The Gotal's stride carried him closer, a peculiar case in one hand and a mysterious visor in the other. This visor, an odd amalgamation of white, angular forms, had another device attached to the back, suggesting some arcane purpose.
With suspicion woven into his voice, Kyle inquired about Polina's condition, expressing his concerns while carefully watching Senth's every move.
"She's cold, I don't know what's wrong with her… What is all that?"
Unfazed by Kyle's caution, Senth approached the table, regarding Polina with a measured gaze. Tapping her forehead lightly, he then activated the visor with a press of a button on its module. Dim light emanated, casting an ethereal glow. Senth's intention to move the device toward Polina was thwarted by Kyle's swift hand, covering her head in an unspoken protective gesture.
Locked in a silent exchange, Kyle and Senth's eyes locked, a muted standoff between caution and conviction. "I'm not gonna ask again…" Kyle's words dripped with a mix of caution and rising tension, his grip on the situation palpable.
Senth, however, maintained an expression of sardonic indifference, his slight tilt of the head questioning Kyle's seriousness. "AD-10, come on in!" he called to the protocol droid, breaking the tense ambiance.
The blue-tinted droid strolled in casually, inquiring about his presence.
"You called, master Senth?"
"Explain to our buddy here what these are, I feel that anything I say will tickle his guts or worse…" The Gotal crossed his arms.
"Of course, master Senth!" AD-10 approached the table, looking at the still unconscious girl, the devices on the table, and then at Kyle.
"The device master Senth is trying to install onto this ailing patient is called a brainwave probe, commonly used by the Kaminoans, it should serve to detect anomalies within the psyche of the user," The droid explained rather plainly, it once more looked to the girl, "I advise you allow master Senth to perform the scanning procedure, otherwise the patient may expire."
The droid's efficiency in elucidating medical terms contrasted starkly with Kyle's cautious reticence.
"And the other stuff?" Kyle asked curiously though still cautiously awaiting any wrong move on the part of Senth or the droid.
"Common medical performance compact chest, it carries a variety of medical tools such as stim packs, pathological scanners, bone restructurers, infusion pads, verte-"
"Alright I get it," Kyle interrupted as he eased off, he knew he had no other choice but to allow Senth to continue, though his instincts told him to be cautious he found himself increasingly strained as he felt his chest compress and sweat continued to drip down his neck. Same sensations as back on Jakku, though this time not as severe.
This all didn't go unnoticed as Senth and AD-10 glanced at each other seemingly puzzled.
"I detect you're under duress, I recommend you sit and allow master Senth to give much-needed relief to this young patient, if we are to save her we must act rapidly," AD-10 couldn't emphasize the urgency more so.
Kyle gulped as he then looked down to Polina, and back to Seth. The drawn-out mutual suspicions would have to be set aside now, he knew that much and he had to remember who he was meant to be. Though many questions remained in his mind Kyle simply bowed his head slightly to Senth, a clear indication to proceed.
Senth didn't hesitate as he immediately prepared the probe to be set up on Polina's head. He strapped the device first setting the visors onto the girl's closed eyes, then gently setting the device at the back on her back. As he hurried to set up the probe and activated it Senth only gave a few looks to the Jedi, he couldn't exactly blame him for being cautious, he himself had aimed his scatter-blaster no more than 10 minutes ago. He still had many doubts about his intentions, his origin, and just why had he not put an end to him at that moment but that all would have to wait. Both men's doubts would have to wait.
"Alright, that's all ready…" Senth said lowly as the white light within the back module began to blink rapidly, the visor also lit up to a pattern of green, blue, and red colors. Within the span of only a few seconds the light stopped at blue. Senth's unsure expression now turned back to a more stern one as he opened up the medical chest to reveal a multitude of gadgets.
"What's wrong, what does that mean?" Kyle asked worriedly.
"As I initially suspected, lightspeed psychosis," Senth said plainly.
Kyle's confusion only heightened, "What?"
"Hyper-Space Induced Neuroafflicted State, colloquially known as Lightspeed Psychosis, a subject may contract it from prolonged proximity to hyperspace waves, either due to unsecured access points within a starship, looking directly at its light, or chemical brain imbalance, I suspect that the patient here may have contracted it due to her young age. Additionally, I believe it is important to explore the ori-"
"Save the leeecture for later AD, get the psionic ressecutator ready," Senth ordered the droid off as he himself set up a pair of gloves and took hold of a long tube connected to a wire. The droid meanwhile obeyed as it approached what Kyle could only assume was the ressecutator and pressed a few buttons, it then began to pump and jiggle and emit a low humming sound. Senth immediately inserted the tube within Polina's ear, carefully setting it inside as he then took hold of a small monitor which was also a part of his medical kit.
"Alright then, AD, get ready to begin the extraction procedure on my mark!" Senth said, he could feel part of his fur shed from the stress as he looked within the monitor, Kyle was entirely lost as he himself approached Senth and looked at the small screen. Within he could see a dimly lit needle, it seemed to be traversing within Polina's eardrum following closely towards some kind of cavity.
You may want to sit down partner, I don't think you'll like what happens next…" Senth said bluntly and before any warning Kyle observed as the long needle pressed right against the skin within Polina's eardrum and right into her skull. Kyle was caught completely by surprise as he stepped a few feet back from the image, he felt his teeth grit at the discomfort of knowing what Senth was doing.
It was then that Polina began to convulse once more, shaking violently and causing the table to tremble. AD kept the ressecurator stable but Senth knew he could not work with her shaking like that.
"Partner, you better keep your kid still if you want me to save her, I won't ask again," Senth said almost a snarky remark at Kyle's expense. The Jedi didn't lollygag as he immediately grabbed onto Polina's arm, trying to keep her on the table.
"Hold her head, this next part may wake her up or…"
"Or what!?" Kyle said with worry.
"Well according to Republic data, 60% of patients who go through the neurohype disturber procedure don't awake from their comatose state, however that statistic may not be fully accurate as my databanks date from befo-"
"You mean she may die!?"
"It's a possibility, though one should take into consideration various factors relating to the subject's skull diameter, age c-"
"AD, execute extraction now!" Senth barked.
"Initiating," AD-10 immediately obeyed as it pressed onto a set of buttons and as fast as he had inserted the needle Senth extracted it from within Polina's ears, as Kyle continued to struggle with keeping her still she suddenly stopped. The Jedi looked at the girl, she was still pale, and felt cold as ice, for a moment it seemed the worst had unfolded as Kyle looked at her with continued worry.
"Come on kid, come back…" Kyle said as he took her gently by the head, he tried to once more connect to the force as he closed his eyes, he could still feel that darkness, the solitude, and hidden pain, but within the confines of the darkness of it all he saw it, he saw a light and then a spark.
As Polina's body settled, her complexion gradually shifted, revealing signs of life and restoration as her breathing returned to normal and her skin began to warm up. The tension in the room eased, replaced by a sense of relief. Kyle's concern for Polina manifested as he held her close, his gaze reflecting a complex mix of emotions—gratitude, weariness, and determination.
The room transitioned into a brief respite, allowing Kyle to reflect on the unexpected alliance formed within these walls. Senth's initial hostility and Kyle's guarded caution had evolved into a shared purpose to save a life.
Senth looked at the scene with some slight satisfaction, knowing the girl was okay, he knew it would work but AD-10's constant need to lecture and tell odds was part of the reason he preferred for it to stay outside. He looked at the needle, its tip embellished with a blue gush at the very tip and he seemed completely unimpressed by it, as if this had been something he had seen many times before. Regardless, it was not all over, there were still some steps to take to make sure the girl would recuperate, and the sooner that happened the better.
Looking one last time at his medical case the aging Gotal pulled out a syringe which had a squared device attached to its side and a flat end. Without giving any kind of forewarn he injected it right at Polina's exposed arm, causing the child's body to flinch for a second.
"That should help with relieving the fatigueee and aftereffects… she should be okay by morning…" he began to set the medical equipment back onto the case while throwing the now-used syringe aside onto an empty crate.
"The A.9a adrenal stimulator is a marvel of galactic medicine, stimulates the body's production of epinephrine, blood cell recovery rates, and a multitude of other enzymes and vital bodily functions!" AD-10 added with a near-exciting voice.
Cradling Polina in his arms, Kyle stood up and looked to Senth, "Thank you, I… I don't have much but I can try and pay you wi-"
"Pay me by leeeaving tomorrow in the morning, you both already created enough issues for me so the faster I could get you going the beeetter. You can set her up on the divan there," Senth said dryly as he took hold of the probe and began to make his way back towards the room he had emerged from, leaving Kyle to his own.
"Oh guests, how exciting, I shall prepare dinner for more than one tonight!" AD-10 said as it began to make way towards what seemed to be the kitchen, located only a few feet onto the wall on the other side of the cabin. It was then that the droid suddenly made a turn directed to Kyle.
"Shall I offer you some blankets for your daughter, visitor?"
"It's Kyle… and yeah, please," he replied while setting Polina onto the couch right in front of a circular fireplace made with piled-up stone, an ornate design to say the least.
As he sat beside Polina who was deep in sleep, Kyle observed around the place, the first chance he had now that the dust had settled. He noticed various things about Senth's, how the foundations and beams had been refurbished with charubag steel by the looks of it, the roofing had plastoid alloy in several sections, and yet the walls were made mostly with wood and several of the aded containers and blast door at the entrance were clearly not originally a part of how this place had been designed. This all spoke to Kyle that either Senth had lived in this place for a long time, or judging by his gear and his behavior thus far, he had turned his back on every aspect of populated areas and decided to live as a hermit in a run-down yet partially remodeled home.
"This should be sufficient to keep the young one warm for the night, Ord Mantell does have nights that reach minus twenty-five degrees," the droid handed a neatly folded blanket set to Kyle who merely nodded.
"I shall commence preparations for dinner, I do so hope master Senth likes talifenian broth with glaze sauce, I'm attempting a new recipe just for this occasion " AD-10 walked back towards the kitchen, leaving Kyle to his thoughts.
As minutes turned into hours, Kyle continually thought back to what he had seen, how he had delved into Polina's mind and had seen those very same eyes from that strange temple and it continued to haunt him. He had been to the dark side many a time, but this time he felt that this darkness was different from years ago, this one seemed to be following him and torturing him as he remembered the words of that wretched voice.
"The way to walk in the vergence…" He tried to make sense of the words, each and everyone but his memories kept betraying him, every time he tried to meditate back to that moment it was all a blur, all he could remember was Jan, talking with her and suddenly being here, he couldn't make sense of any of it.
Kyle rubbed his eyes and rested his head back onto the soft cushion of their resting place, looking over once more to Polina, she was deep in sleep. He also struggled to make much out of her, who she truly was, how she had even managed to get the U-Wing to semi-working conditions, and why she had decided so casually to tag along, this entire ordeal had been draining to him and he barely had the time to notice it.
"Visitor Kyle," the soft yet annoyingly embellished voice of AD-10 drew Kyle's attention from his attempts at pondering, he knew that was Luke's thing, not his.
"Yes?"
"Dinner is ready, I shall inquire to master Senth if he shall join you!"
"Thank you, though I doubt he has much desire to sit alongside the man who crashed a starship onto his krill fields or whatever those were…"
"Master Senth is very much a reasonable being, I believe him and you can come to mutual understanding, at least until your departure in the morning."
Kyle scoffed and smiled, "I really doubt that, but I guess the force can work in mysterious ways." Suddenly the being of the hour, Senth himself made his presence as he exited his room and walked at a swift pace towards the table. Silently the Gotal sat onto one of the crude wood chairs, silverware and bowls had already been assembled by AD-10.
"Splendid, master Senth has decided to accompany you. Shall I make a serving for your daughter as well visitor Kyle?"
"She's beeetter off not eating right this moment," the cranky voice of Senth spoke up, "She eats anything she gon gag. Just let her rest…"
"I think it's best we follow the doctor's order here AD, but I'll take one."
"Wonderful then, two servings coming along!" AD-10 once more waltzs towards the kitchen, assembling all items with an exhilarated humming.
Kyle meanwhile approached the table, walking at a calmer pace he took hold of one of the chairs, the one he had picked was riddled with cobwebs and dust.
"You don't get many visitors do ya?" As Kyle spoke AD-10 approached the table, setting up two bowls containing a green-colored soup on each side of the table.
"What do you think?" Senth replied coldly, AD-10 had gone back and returned with a plate full of yellow bread rolls.
"Well judging that your first response to seeing two strangers in need was pointing a blaster at them, I'd say it isn't too usual of an occurrence, I also can't say you keep this place very tidy though I guess what's the point of keeping appearances if nobody comes around to see you, other than the blue servant over there," Kyle said with a bit of a sarcastic tone as he took hold of a spoon, observing the broth with curiosity before finally sipping the spoonful and finding the taste slightly acidic yet with a smooth passing and a nice flavor by the end of it.
"I'd love to say that it's my first time finding myself in that kind of situation, but unfortunately it happens more often than you may think…" he took another spoonful. Senth for his part remained with an unamused face and a clear scowl telling of a man who had
"Can't imagine why, maybe it's carrying that kriffing lightsaber around and crashing starships on one's home that causes that!?" Senth replied with disdain.
As he continued to savor the broth, Kyle remained unbothered at Senth's words, though he was curious at what he had first said.
"Listen, 'Old Goat' Senth," he took yet another spoonful before setting the silverware down, "I don't know what kind of problems you may have encountered with Jedi in the past, I know we're not exactly perfect but we've been trying to set the galaxy right as best as we can. Once I get back to the Praxeum I'll make sure you're compensated for what happened," Kyle's words made Senth become visibly confused.
"This is Ord Mantell right, I haven't been here in a while but if you take me to the closest city like Worlport I'm sure I can get in contact with a New Republic contact I know there," Kyle's way of saying those words, he sounded so sure of himself that Senth couldn't think at that moment, he was purely baffled.
"Have you been living under a rock or did you really hit your head in the crash that bad?" Senth said with an uncharacteristically sincere voice of concern, which caused Kyle to be taken aback.
"Fella, there's no New Republic, there hasn't been for a while now, and you don't want to even mention the words 'New Republic' anywhere here, they'll rip you apart faster than you can say Reek on a creek…" Senth said with a mocking scoff as he pulled out his pipe and set some tabac in it igniting it with his auto lighter he chuckled an looked back to Kyle.
"What else did you forget, 'cause if I have to refresh your memory as far back as Empire Day then I think you may be suffering some major brain damage…"
Though mired with a lot of questions now Kyle knew he had to be careful in what to say, "I guess you could say I haven't been in the loop for a while. Spent some time in the unknown regions, so enlighten me…"
Senth puffed the pipe, letting out a smokescreen so thick it obscured his face for a moment.
"Well, Hosnian Prime got turned into ash, as did some other planets. The First Order just waltzed in and took it all pretty shortly after that..."
"The First Order?"
"The remnants of the Empire which reorganized and attempted to regain control of the galaxy, during the so-called Hosnian Cataclysm approximately one hundred and fifty-five billion inhabitants of the galaxy expired as a result of the First Order's use of a superweapon known as the Starkiller Base," AD-10, the ever so ecstatic walking library explained before Senth could even speak.
Kyle was at a loss for words, visibly perplexed at what AD-10 had just said as he scrambled to make words, seemingly staring off into nothingness. He had fought many Imperials in the aftermath of Endor, but now one that he had never heard about suddenly had decimated the Republic, on a planet he had never heard of using a weapon that by all explanations could be a new Death Star.
"Dank farrik, you really don't know anything do you…" Senth chuckled, "Well I ain't taking the mindwave probe out again," Senth laughed, "Anyways, as AD said, they were in charge for a while but that didn't last… some kind of resistance group led an uprising. After that, there was an attempt to remake the Republic, but last I heard that fell apart…"
"And what of the Jedi?" Kyle asked as he bent forward on his seat, listening to everything with a mix of determined attention but also slight disbelief.
"Your pals, the Jedi Order, or New Jedi Order as I hear they call themselves now, were nowhere to be found during the war, and after the First Order fell the Mandalorians killed a whole lot of them, least that's what they say," Senth said casually, in a manner of clear derision towards the Jedi as far as Kyle could deduce, "they scattered and I've only seen a couple of them in Ord Mantell City, acting as hired muscle for whoever pays the most," Senth inhaled his pipe and puffed it once more through his flat nose, salivating in what he found was the relieving senses of tabac.
Kyle meanwhile was not sure what to think, or even if he could believe anything he had just heard.
"How recently did you see them?" He asked.
"Why, keen on reconnecting?" Senth said with slight scorn followed by an eye roll, "I haven't been to the city in quite some time, but I bet that tomorrow you can find out if they're still around…'' With that being said the Gotal stood up from his chair, taking with him a pair of bread rolls and his bowl all the while pipe still in his mouth.
"I ain't no inn, so you two better be gone before mid-day, have a nice night…" Slowly turning around Senth began to head towards his secluded room, leaving the Jedi to his own as AD-10 began cleaning up the spot his master had previously sat on.
"How long have you served him?" Kyle asked curiously.
"Oh, master Senth and I have quite the history, he acquired me long before the fall of the New Republic, and even before that of the Empire, I know he has his temper but he is quite a fair master," AD-10's words almost sounded like adulation, but Kyle didn't expect anything else from a protocol droid.
"You're not like any run-of-the-mill protocol droid I've seen, what custom programming did he install on you?"
"Well, while I am not at liberty to disclose much without master Senth present however I can say that I have fluency in over eighteen thousand languages and dialects, access to a databank detailing known inhabited starports and systems within the inner, mid, and outer rims, and also have a meals preparation application which has proven quite useful as of late," AD-10 replied, all the while Kyle fiddled with his spoon.
"You couldn't tell me which system has any kind of New Republic presence, if there even is one, I mean if this 'Resistance' defeated whatever the First Order was then there must be some kind of new government out there…"
"I, unfortunately, do not know much about the current state of galactic affairs, the last time my databanks were updated was three standard years ago, one thousand two hundred and four rotations ago to be precise, however, I could run a data scan on my memory bank to find any relevant information that may be of use in your search visitor Kyle," AD-10 then approached Kyle's side of the table as he had just finished his bowl, "May I take that?"
"Sure, thank you," Kyle said as he handed the bowl to the droid.
"I must say, it is quite a change of pace to have guests, master Senth usually isn't much for conversation!" AD-10 strolled back to the kitchen.
Kyle chuckled as he looked back to Polina, he stood up from his seat and approached her, she was still deep in sleep as her breathing was a smooth tranquil one and she was lost in dreaming. Kyle didn't bother trying to delve into the force, he wanted her to rest, that much she deserved and so did him.
"I think I'm going to try and catch some rest, thanks for the food AD…"
"You're very welcome visitor Kyle, I shall activate the fireplace to keep you and the young visitor warm, have a good rest." The words were immediately followed by a circle of blue flames lighting up around the fireplace, emanating a nice warmth for both Kyle and Polina.
Kyle sat on the spare space on the couch, resting his head back and closing his eyes.
A voice of terror echoed down the corridor of Kyle's consciousness. His surroundings morphed into a long hallway hewn from unforgiving stone, stretching into an otherworldly infinity. Ahead, an intense, almost blinding light pulsed, casting stark shadows that seemed to dance with malevolent intent. The disconcerting glow did little to dispel the growing sense of dread that coiled around his heart.
"Kyle!" The cry reverberated, sharp and insistent as if etched into the very stone itself. Its echo bounced off the walls, distorted and haunting. The urgency behind the voice was palpable, but its source remained elusive in the surreal illumination.
"Kyle, come back, Kyle!" The repetition was relentless, clawing at his senses like a desperate plea from the void.
"J-Jan?" The words escaped his lips, a mixture of surprise and confusion. The familiarity of the voice, tinged with worry and emotion, gripped him in its unrelenting grip.
Yet, the surreal scene was far from monolithic. Another voice emerged, layered with sorrow, clinging to the fringes of his perception. "Don't leave me, please… don't leave!" It quivered through the cold air, a mournful lament that seemed to rise from the very stones beneath his feet.
Kyle's head turned instinctively, drawn by the haunting call. The corridor behind him was awash with a sinister crimson aura that stretched out like a maleficent shroud. Along its eerie glow, a figure emerged, its form flickering in the dim distance. A figure in distress, as if battered by the weight of their own despair.
The agony of choice weighed heavily on Kyle's shoulders, a decision rooted in the unknown. The voice of Jan, a beacon of light, echoed once more. "Kyle, come back, come back to me!" Her words carried a plea for salvation, the safety of familiar shores in a sea of darkness.
"Please, save me…" The other voice, a whispered plea that tugged at his very soul, held a note of vulnerability that stirred empathy.
In the shadows of indecision, Kyle's mind spun, torn between these ethereal voices. As their cries intensified, a maddening crescendo of overlapping appeals, the walls of the corridor seemed to close in, pressing against his psyche.
The discordant voices, like warring sirens, wove a chilling tapestry of conflict that reverberated in his core. The intensity of their collision grew, their collective weight hanging in the air, threatening to shatter his resolve.
Amidst this symphony of psychological torment, those eyes returned—those bright, searing eyes that seemed to pierce the very fabric of his being. The sheer horror of their presence seized him, an icy grip that tightened around his heart.
With an abruptness that sent tremors through his very essence, the nightmare shifted. He was no longer a passive observer; he was the focal point of this maelstrom. In a blinding flash, a crimson beam of searing light lanced through his chest, an embodiment of death's cruel embrace. His eyes widened, reflecting the terror that now gripped him. The pain, both real and imagined, surged, a visceral reminder of his vulnerability.
Gazing upwards with a final effort, he sought the origin of this merciless assault. Darkness met his gaze, an abyss that seemed to absorb all light and hope. The assailant's identity remained shrouded, but the consuming void emanated malevolence that seemed to swallow him whole.
In that moment of piercing agony and suffocating despair, Kyle's reality buckled, folding in on itself, consuming him in a vortex of sheer terror. The voices, the eyes, the pain—they all converged into an overwhelming sense of doom, a symphony of horror that drowned out all else.
His eyes opened wide as he let out a sudden exalted breath followed by an instinctual need to go for his saber, Kyle had awoke to the same as he had fallen asleep on, the couch within the cabin of Senth, the fireplace at the front of the couch still had some dim fire within it, clear indication it had been running most of the night.
"I… It was just… how… who…" Kyle babbled incoherently for a moment as he looked around at the place in a frantic motion, he could hardly remember where he was for a brief second. It was then that he looked to his side and found Polina was no longer there, all that remained was the jumbled-up blankets AD-10 had brought for her the night before.
Standing up quickly he struggled to keep his pace, looking at his being he found nothing missing much to his relief. The shack seemed different, darkened as the light of the morning shined through the crevices and small windows around the walls. Looking around the shack Kyle found it empty, the small kitchenette devoid of any presence and so was the aging Gotal's room as the Jedi entered the quarters with caution, finding it a messy if cozy space. A flatbed laid at the corner of the room, covered by a green quilt, a few rundown terminals collecting dust at the far end, some piled up crates, and a small tabletop desk with various trinkets and other random pieces of technology scattered around, no particular method to this chaos. But Kyle did notice something, a small holoprojector laid right at the center of the desk and out of the odds and ends found on the table it was all Kyle recognized, he picked up curiously and pressed on the activator
A sputter was followed by the weak yet visible projection of an image, a peculiar one. It was that of two Gotals, one of them clearly a male the other one Kyle could only assume was s female. The two held each other side by side, the shorter female holding something in her arms Kyle could faintly make out the curled mushy face of a Gotal newborn.
Upon looking at such an image Kyle dwelled into realizations, remembering how people often hid more to their outward appearance and actions than they ever let out. At times it was easy to get lost in goals to realize how every being in the galaxy had their own story to tell, their own struggles, their own losses. Many did not have the benefits of Jedi training, a larger view of life, many would lose themselves in the dark and dwell on it. It was in that spirit that he knew the dark side could never truly be extinguished, it would always be a part of life. He himself had lost much throughout his life; parents, friends, allies, and so much more, and yet he had remained in the light even though in reality every day was a struggle for him as he had already been to the dark and back, something he would never be able to forget and thus he knew for many others it was a battle they more often lost.
Deactivating the projector with a deft touch, Kyle set it down on the table, his gaze momentarily shifting to the main door that led out of Senth's shack. Faint noises wafted through the air, originating from across the way. As if carried on a whisper, muffled screams reached his ears, their high-pitched cadence piercing the calm. A moment of tension gripped him, his instincts honing in on the source.
"Polina!" The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. Reacting almost on pure instinct, Kyle summoned his lightsaber into his hand with a swift Force pull. Moving with a cautious stride, he approached the sliding door, uncertainty coiling within him. Pressing the control panel, the door slid open, revealing the vibrant morning sunlight that spilled in, flooding the room.
Emerging from the shack, lightsaber at the ready, Kyle surveyed the surroundings with an innate alertness. His gaze swept across the expanse, encompassing water fields that stretched into the distance and the looming mountain plateaus miles away. Yet, what he encountered was not the threat he had prepared for; instead, he beheld a scene of pure joy.
Polina, the very source of his concern, frolicked at the edges of the water fields. Her figure danced with abandon, arms outstretched as if she could take flight. A radiant smile graced her lips as she darted across the small beach, her exuberance mirroring the energy of the Ord Mantell morning. And then, as if compelled by the sheer ecstasy of the moment, she tumbled onto the soft, damp sands, laughter escaping her lips.
Kyle's wariness began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of wonder as he observed her playful display. With measured steps, he approached the scene, his lightsaber still in hand but no longer poised for immediate action. Polina, consumed by her amusement, remained oblivious to his presence. The Jedi's boots sank slightly into the moist sand as he drew nearer, his watchful gaze a mixture of caution and affection.
"Well, you seem much better," he remarked, his voice laced with a touch of relief. Polina's response was a jubilant exclamation, her joy echoing in the air as she splashed water playfully, a gesture of connection and vitality. In an impulsive move, she sent a cascade of water toward him. Kyle deftly evaded, amusement tugging at the corners of his lips, even as his blue pants bore the evidence of her playful assault.
Undeterred, he retaliated with a splash of his own, sending a small wave in her direction. The innocent water fight escalated, and soon both were engaged in a spirited exchange. Polina's hands scooped water, launching droplets in his direction, while Kyle's boots maneuvered deftly to create miniature tsunamis in response. In this ephemeral moment, they cast off the weight of their worries, relishing the simple joy of the present.
Memories of his own childhood flooded Kyle's thoughts as he joined in the merriment. He recalled days on Sollus, venturing to the lakes and beaches of his home planet, surrounded by friends and the boundless possibilities of youth. Amidst the exhilarating splashes and laughter, the shackles of the past and the burden of the present seemed to loosen, if only momentarily.
As their laughter mingled with the lapping of waves, an unexpected arrival made its presence known. AD-10, the protocol droid, emerged from the waterways, its mechanical form navigating the bushes with surprising grace. Its two legs united, the droid's feet created ripples as they submerged into the water. Its voice, a blend of formality and familiarity, greeted Kyle.
"Ah, greetings, visitor Kyle. Did you have a productive rest?" the droid inquired. Kyle's gaze shifted to the droid, his smile faltering slightly as he recalled his unsettling dream. He replied with a nod, "Yeah, I guess I slept well enough."
AD-10 proceeded to arrive on shore from the waters, its rotor mechanism disassembling back into simple feet.
"Splendid, I have taken the liberty to assemble your belongings into a bag, you shall find it back at the porch near master Senth's chair, according to my calculations the rations should last you well enough until you get to Ord Mantell City which lays approximately thirty-seven kilometers, however, I strongly advise you seek transport out of the city and to Worlport as the city is not very safe according to master Senth, a 'den of scum and villainry' he's referred to it."
Kyle's focus, however, shifted to the holstered Bryar pistol, a reminder of the challenges that could lay ahead.
"I'll keep that in mind AD," though he had only been to Ord Mantell a few times in the past, he had not heard of Ord Mantell City and he now felt even more unsure about finding any kind of New Republic backup after last night.
"By the way, where is that curmudgeon?" he asked. "Oh I believe he is at the storage shed over there," AD-10 pointed in the direction where a wooden shed could be seen not too far away, "We got done offloading some of the wreckage from your starship, unfortunately, most of its contents seem to have perished during the crash."
Kyle's gaze followed the droid's indication, spotting Senth near his hover-raft, preoccupied with the disarray of wreckage from the starship.
"Well I don't think anyone will miss that heap of junk anyway," Kyle answered back with a disregarding tone, Polina meanwhile looking at him with shock as that heap of junk had been her home.
"No offense kid," the Jedi added as he then stepped away from the scene and towards Senth, Polina following behind as AD-10 remained behind.
Leaving the waters behind, Kyle approached Senth, Polina trailing closely behind. Their steps were accompanied by the rustling of grass and the distant hum of machinery as the farmer tinkered with his hover-raft's engine.
"We're not staying?" Polina asked suddenly.
"I'm afraid not kid, we… well more like I, already made too much haze here and I rather not give this guy any more reason to want us out, we should be fine, don't worry…" Kyle answered as he looked at Polina with a faint smile.
The two promptly arrived at the shed as Senth seemed to be looking into the engine of his hover-raft, cranking and pulling onto the machinery with a wrench.
"Hey, Old Goat," Kyle said with a witty voice as he approached the Gotal who straightened up and away from the engine, raising his dark goggles and glancing back to Kyle.
The initial tension between the two seemed to linger, despite the attempt at banter.
"About time you woke up, now haul ass and get out of my farm…" he said with noticeable derision. Kyle meanwhile seemed composed as he simply tilted his head with a bit of coyness.
"We were just about, but I wanted to give you thanks for allowing us to shelter for the night, and for helping Polina," Kyle said with a calm and almost unemotional voice. Polina meanwhile seemed shy as she gave Senth a quick wave, her eyes shifting away from him.
Senth remained silent for a moment as his eyes shifted from Polina back to Kyle.
"You should get going now, AD-10 will show you the way out, don't come back," Senth's stance remained firm, his focus returning to the engine.
Pursing his lips Kyle patted Polina on the back, softly guiding her away from the scene and towards AD-10.
"Go, I'll be right behind you," he told her.
As Polina walked over back to AD-10 yet another moment of silence rose between Kyle and Senth, the latter of which broke it.
"If you want to keeep that girl safe I recommend you avoid Ord Mantell City all together and go towards Worlport, It's a longer distance but I'm sure your Jedi talents can get ya'll there…" Senth said as he continued to work on his engine.
Nodding in understanding Kyle tried to think of what to say, "I don't have much to repay you with, but I want to thank you for saving her, you didn't have to and you did and despite everything, Senth, I think you're one of the good beings in the galaxy, that much I can see in you."
Kyle's words of gratitude lingered in the air, an acknowledgment of the farmer's hidden virtues. Senth stopped working on his engine in that moment, glancing back to the Jedi with a scowl that turned into a softer expression.
"I wasn't gonna leeet her die, I would've let you die in the blink of an eye, but not her," Senth's response, delivered with a mix of bluntness and vulnerability, highlighted his underlying principles. While not a display of warmth, it revealed a reluctant connection forged through shared trials.
"Noted," Kyle answered with a bit of an awkward expression, "We'll try and stay safe, and I'll make sure we don't have to come back."
"Good," Senth then turned back to the engine once more.
Kyle remained silent once more, unsure of what else to say.
"May the force, be with you…" he finally spoke, Senth ignoring it completely leaving Kyle once more to his own thoughts, the Jedi then began making his way back to Polina who it turned out hadn't walked away too far from the scene.
Kyle merely looked at the girl with a momentarily annoyed grimace as the two were once more side to side and walked away towards AD-10. Passing by the Gotal's shack Kyle made sure to take a hold of his bag and set the strap on one side of his shoulder all the while Polina approached AD-10.
"I hope to see you again young visitor," AD-10 said with a polite tone.
"I doubt you will AD, but it's been an honor," Kyle interjected, Polina meanwhile smiled at the droid.
"It's Polina, my name is Polina," she giggled.
"My apologies, visitor Polina," AD-10 corrected itself, the droid then approached its hand to Polina and a small compartment at the middle of its metallic palm opening a small compartment which unveiled a small blue-colored twist-shaped candy by the looks of it.
"Tepasi taffy, I hope your journey is a safe and prosperous one," AD-10 added as Polina gleefully took the candy, she then suddenly hugged the droid which almost seemed to stumble for a second before it straightened back and it looked down at Polina with a curious wobble of its head.
Kyle meanwhile smiled at the scene as he looked back towards Senth once more, he wondered if the old Gotal would be alright but he could only trust in the force. He was more worried about Polina, her condition, and how they would get out of this one now. At least they were not in the desert anymore.
"If you follow the trail line leading, it will guide you out through a tunnel, there you must head north and you shall arrive to the road momentarily," the droid then offered Kyle yet another item, a compass by the looks of it, he took it without much hesitation, inspecting it.
"Once on the road you must head east and should arrive at the outskirts of Ord Mantell City within the evening."
"Thank you, take care of the old goat alright AD," Kyle said as he looked to Polina, and with not much else to say the two began to make their way out of the farm.
AD-10 observed as the visitors followed the trail leading out of the water valley and into the set of mountains and hills, it did not take long for them to disappear from his sights. The droid then approached its master, Senth was just about done with the hover-raft's engine.
"Did they leave?" Senth asked.
"They have, master Senth!"
"Good, we got a lot of work ahead of us… We still need to sort out the wreck and make sure nobody saw the crash."
"According to my calculations, there's only a ten point seventeen percent chance that Kord's men should have seen it. It came out of hyperspace pretty close to the atmosphere, I do not believe scanners would've detected it. Even so, there are slim possibilities that Kord would take interest in a strayed starship master Senth."
Senth pondered for a second, scratching the end of his bearded chin.
"Make sure the turrets are on anyway, once they leave I don't want to take chances…"
"Of course master Senth," the droid replied in obedience.