The hum of the Eta-class shuttle filled the air with a low, constant vibration as Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati navigated through the hyperspace lanes on their way to Jekara. The cockpit was dimly lit, the starlines outside streaking past in the silence of space, but inside, the tension was palpable.
They were on a mission, as always. This time, it was no ordinary one— the target was rare, and dangerous if left unchecked. Information had reached them from Morgan Elsbeth, a name that carried weight in the dark corners of the galaxy. A member of Yoda's species had been captured by smugglers. If the stories were true, and if this one had even a fraction of the power Yoda held, he could become a key asset—or a major threat.
Shin, in the seat next to Baylan, was quiet, as usual, her eyes focused on the console, but her thoughts were elsewhere. The anticipation of the hunt was there, but so was something more mundane. She glanced down at the standard-issue ration pack she had been eating from and grimaced.
She pushed the half-eaten ration aside.
"Master," she started, her voice low but curious.
Baylan's piercing gaze remained fixed on the controls in front of him, but he acknowledged her with a small tilt of his head. "Hm? Yes, Shin?"
She shifted in her seat, hesitant but determined. "I was wondering if we could... diversify our diet. More eggs, fruits, meats."
Baylan's mouth twitched slightly, a shadow of amusement crossing his stern face. "I see you're growing tired of the ready-to-eat rations."
"They're bland," Shin replied bluntly, looking at the unappetizing remains of her meal. "I was thinking we could... invest in a better kitchen setup... Pans, spatulas, something to cook with."
"Ah," Baylan rumbled, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "And will you learn to cook from scratch, then?"
Shin straightened up, a bit of pride creeping into her tone. "Yes. If we're going to eat in our ship."
Baylan nodded, pleased with her initiative. "Very well. On your tablet, you can look up recipes and see what we can create with what we find."
Shin grinned. "Thank you, Master."
For a brief moment, the heavy weight of their mission felt lighter. Baylan glanced at his young apprentice, a rare warmth filling him. She had come a long way since their first meeting, eager to learn not only the ways of the Force, but practical skills as well. These small things, like cooking, were often what shaped a person's resolve over time. He was proud of her, though he rarely said it aloud.
As Shin opened her tablet and began searching for cooking ideas, Baylan leaned back, his thoughts shifting toward the mission ahead.
XX
In the living quarters of the shuttle, Shin sat cross-legged on the floor, sipping a fruit sauce pouch. The quiet hum of the ship was a comforting background as she scrolled through the tablet in front of her. Data from the former Imperial Inquisitor archives flickered across the screen. Morgan Elsbeth had given them access to a treasure trove of information, and Shin was using it to dig into the past.
Baylan's presence entered the room silently, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. He glanced at her tablet. "You're searching through the past again?" he observed, his tone neutral but curious. "What are you looking at?"
Shin looked up, her brow furrowed in thought. "Information on Master Yoda."
Baylan's eyebrow arched, his interest piqued. "Yoda?"
Shin nodded, biting her lip slightly. "When I was younger, you told me a lot of negative things about him. How his complacency and blindness led to the Jedi's destruction. But… do you remember anything good about him?"
Baylan exhaled slowly, sitting down across from her. "Shin," he began, his voice deep and steady, "you must not remember all of my stories. Do you recall how acrobatic of a fighter I said he was? How he fought on Atollon, his sparring against Count Dooku when he was still a Jedi, the battle over Coruscant? He also helped the Wookies in their fight against the Separatists."
Shin's eyes widened slightly. She didn't remember those details. "He was still a warrior, then?"
"In his own way," Baylan said, nodding. "But more than that, he was peaceful. Reflective. He did what he could to protect others, but his blindness to the larger picture — to the Sith's rise from within — was his ultimate downfall."
Shin processed this, her expression serious. "So even if we do the right thing for others, if we let the system rot from within, it won't matter?"
Baylan gave her a slow, approving nod. "Exactly. The galaxy is full of those who seek to do what they think is right, but they are often too small in their thinking, too focused on the immediate. We must see the larger game."
Shin thought for a moment, her voice quiet. "Should we still help where we can, Master? I feel like we've only been sticking to each other, not helping out anyone else."
Baylan's gaze softened, and he leaned forward, his voice quiet but firm. "Shin, I intend for you to become greater than any Jedi or Sith. To do that, it is important to explore different parts of the galaxy, to seek powers beyond our comprehension."
Shin tilted her head, curiosity glimmering in her eyes. "That is why we work with the witch?"
Baylan gave a short, amused hum. "Yes, her. It's a mutual understanding. She seeks power for her people's legacy, to carry on the Nightsisters' lineage. And I... I do this for you."
Shin's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushing slightly. She wasn't sure how to respond to that.
Baylan reached out and gently ruffled her hair, a rare moment of affection from the otherwise stoic warrior. "Don't worry, Shin. I'll ensure you're prepared for what's to come."
As the shuttle drifted through space, nearing their destination, Baylan and Shin both remained in their thoughts. The coordinates they had received from Elsbeth pointed to a small village on Jekara, a remote planet in the Mid Rim, known more for its lawlessness and isolation.
Baylan's gaze remained fixed on the star map in front of him. "If the smugglers who captured him were smart, they've kept him hidden. But I suspect they're not as clever as they think."
Shin's focus sharpened. She had learned much under Baylan's tutelage, but this mission felt different. There was something larger at play here, something she couldn't quite grasp yet. She trusted her Master, though. He had always been two steps ahead.
XX
The cold bit at their faces as the Eta-class shuttle cut through the snow-laden atmosphere of Jekara. Below, the planet's landscape stretched in rolling hills of ice and snow. Gray skies loomed heavy above them, casting a gloomy shadow over the frozen terrain. Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati prepared themselves in the ship's dimly lit cargo bay, donning layers of heavy clothing to stave off the bitter cold.
Baylan's outfit was a black and gray set of insulated robes, thick and layered with armor padding over his shoulders and chest. His cape, lined with fur, billowed behind him as he moved with a stoic determination. Shin, standing beside him, wore a lighter variation, but still bundled in winter-friendly gear. Her hood was up, a thin layer of frost already beginning to gather along the edges of her cloak. Her breath was visible in the cold air, curling out in short puffs as she adjusted the straps of her boots.
The shuttle touched down, sinking slightly into the snow. The ramp lowered, and the howling wind blasted them as they stepped out into the bitter cold.
"It's colder than I expected," Shin muttered, pulling her cloak tighter.
Baylan glanced down at her, his expression as unflinching as ever. "It's only temporary. We won't be here long."
They trudged through the snow, the crunch of their boots muffled by the wind. After what felt like an eternity of walking through the desolate, icy plains, they reached the coordinates that had been provided. They crested a hill, and the village came into view. A small collection of huts and houses clustered together in the valley below, smoke rising from chimneys, the only sign of life.
Baylan stopped, his hand raised. Shin halted immediately beside him, her eyes scanning the village for any signs of danger.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the wind.
Baylan closed his eyes for a moment, reaching out with the Force. His brow furrowed slightly as he focused on the presence he felt within the village. There was something strong here, something that resonated deeply with the Force.
"He's here," Baylan said, his voice firm.
"The target?" Shin asked, her breath catching in the cold air.
Baylan nodded. "Yes. Follow my lead."
They crouched low, Baylan's mind already calculating the best approach. His tactical mind, akin to the strategies of Thrawn, kicked into high gear. They couldn't risk a direct assault. Stealth would be their ally.
"We'll move along the perimeter," Baylan instructed. "Stay in the shadows. We don't know how many are watching."
Shin gave a quick nod, her face serious as she fell in behind him. They moved swiftly, skirting around the village, using the natural landscape for cover. Their steps were careful, measured, avoiding the patches of deep snow that would leave tracks.
The village was quiet, save for the occasional sound of a door creaking open or the distant bark of a dog. No one seemed to notice their presence as they slipped from building to building, keeping to the blind spots.
Baylan's eyes narrowed as they approached a small house on the outskirts of the village. It was unassuming, but the sense of the Force was stronger here. This was the place.
"He must be here," Baylan whispered, his voice barely a breath on the wind.
Shin nodded, her hand moving instinctively to the hilt of her lightsaber, though she didn't draw it.
Baylan gestured toward the door. With a silent nod, they moved in, the door sliding open with the faintest creak. Inside, the house was small, sparsely furnished, and dimly lit. There was no sign of any inhabitants. But Baylan could feel it—something was here.
And then, in the far corner, they saw it: a floating pod, hovering silently just above the floor, its door slightly ajar.
Baylan stepped forward cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he examined the pod. "Careful," he muttered.
Shin, however, couldn't help but let curiosity get the better of her. She moved closer, peering inside the pod. Her eyes widened as she saw the small figure nestled within.
A baby. A baby of Yoda's species.
Shin hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out, her hand gently brushing against the child's face. The baby's eyes blinked up at her, and a soft, contented purr escaped his lips. He raised a tiny hand and placed it on hers.
Shin grinned, her heart warming despite the freezing cold around them. "He doesn't seem like he would harm us."
Baylan observed quietly, his expression unreadable. "Very well," he said after a moment. "We must be cautious. Let's get ready."
Shin gently lifted the pod's controls, and the floating cradle followed them as they made their way back out of the house.
"Come, little one," Shin whispered softly, her voice laced with unexpected tenderness.
The pod hovered behind them obediently as they made their way through the village, unseen, and back to the shuttle.
XX
They broke through Jekara's atmosphere, the icy planet disappearing into the void of space as they left it behind. Inside the shuttle, the warmth returned, the cold receding like a distant memory.
Shin sat in the corner of the living space, the baby nestled in her arms. She cradled him gently, as though he were an ordinary infant. The baby looked up at her with curious eyes, watching her every move.
She smiled softly and pulled out one of her leftover ration packs, breaking off a small piece. "Let's see if you like this," she said, offering it to the child.
The baby sniffed at it, took a small bite, and then promptly spat it out, making a face of disgust.
Shin sighed, shaking her head. "Ok... that's a no."
Baylan, standing nearby, watched with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Shin rummaged through her pack, pulling out one of her last fruit pouches. She opened it and offered it to the baby. To her surprise, he grabbed it eagerly with both hands and chugged the contents in seconds.
Shin blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "Well, I guess you like what I do, hm?"
Baylan approached, his arms crossed. "Does he seem friendly to you, Shin?"
Shin nodded, a soft smile on her face. "Yes, Master. Hopefully, the connection will deepen."
Baylan's expression remained neutral, though there was a flicker of approval in his eyes. "In time, we will train him. But, we must be patient."
Shin looked down at the baby, her voice thoughtful. "… the more time we naturally spend with him, the more he can pick up from us."
Baylan's gaze sharpened slightly. "You seem to know how to nurture. But be aware—if he becomes emotional, it could be dangerous."
Shin frowned, not fully understanding. "Hm? What do you mean?"
Baylan's eyes softened, though his voice remained firm. "Just… stay at peace... be patient, especially when his emotions rise. There may be more power in him than either of us can imagine."
Shin looked down at the baby, her fingers gently brushing through the soft fuzz on his head. "Yes, Master."
XX
Later, as the shuttle continued its journey through the stars, both Baylan and Shin found themselves lost in thought.
Baylan stood near the cockpit, gazing out at the endless expanse of space. He had always been a man with a purpose, a path laid out before him with precision and clarity. But now, with this child in their possession, the future felt… uncertain. Could this small being be the key to unlocking something greater? Something that transcended the endless conflict between Jedi and Sith? He had to believe so. For Shin. For the future.
Shin sat quietly, the baby now dozing off in her arms. She couldn't help but feel a strange connection to him. A softness she didn't quite understand. She had spent most of her life training to be a warrior, to be strong, but now, holding this tiny creature, she felt something different. Something protective. Was this what it meant to nurture? To care for someone beyond yourself? She didn't know, but she was willing to find out.
As the stars drifted past them, both Master and apprentice knew that their journey had only just begun.