CHAPTER 8

The harsh wind of the Outer Rim planet whipped around Ashara as she and her team descended from the shuttle, the desolate landscape stretching out before them. The air was dry, filled with dust and the faint scent of rusted metal, a reminder of how far they were from the heart of the galaxy. This place, some forgotten moon on the edge of nowhere, was the perfect hideout for pirates like Hondo Ohnaka and his crew.

Ashara pulled her cloak tighter around her as she followed Master Kit Fisto down the ramp, her senses alert, her mind already racing through the details of the mission. The negotiations were supposed to be delicate, if not outright dangerous. They'd received intelligence that Hondo and his gang had captured Senator Yaret's young heir—a girl, no older than twelve—and were holding her for ransom. But Hondo wasn't known for playing things straight, and there was no telling how this would go.

The rest of their team, a small detachment of troopers and a few other Jedi, fanned out around them, their eyes scanning the rocky terrain for any sign of trouble. The mission was simple on the surface: negotiate with Hondo, recover the child, and leave without unnecessary bloodshed. But Ashara could feel the tension in the air. Hondo's unpredictability, combined with the remote location, made things far more precarious than the briefing had implied.

"We'll try diplomacy first," Kit said, his calm voice carrying easily over the wind as they approached the meeting point. "But be ready for anything."

Ashara nodded, her hand hovering near her lightsaber. Negotiation was the ideal route, but she had seen too many situations turn violent in a split second to let her guard down. She glanced at the troopers walking beside her—Commander Stone and his men, all seasoned veterans. Their armor was dusty from the descent, but they moved with the same quiet precision as always. They were focused, steady.

As they moved further into the canyon, the narrow walls began to close in around them, towering rock formations casting long shadows over their path. In the distance, she could see a series of makeshift barricades, pirate ships scattered haphazardly in the clearing beyond. This had to be the place.

"Here we go," Ashara muttered under her breath, her senses sharpening as they neared the camp.

A group of pirates emerged from the barricades, their ragtag appearance immediately familiar. Hondo Ohnaka led them, his usual mix of bravado and charm evident in the way he swaggered forward, arms wide in mock welcome. He was flanked by his Weequay crew, all armed but not overtly threatening—at least, not yet.

"Ah, Master Fisto!" Hondo called, his voice rich with false friendliness. "And a young Jedi Padawan as well! How wonderful! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kit Fisto stepped forward, his calm demeanor never wavering. "Hondo," he greeted with a nod, his voice steady. "We're here to resolve the matter of the child. There's no need for further complications."

Hondo's grin widened, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Ah, yes, the child. Such a lovely little thing, isn't she? Quite valuable, too. You know, I don't often deal in such delicate cargo, but when opportunity knocks…"

Ashara's hand instinctively moved closer to her lightsaber, but she kept her stance relaxed, her eyes fixed on Hondo. The pirates weren't making any aggressive moves yet, but she could feel the tension building. Hondo was playing a game, as always, and it was only a matter of time before his true intentions became clear.

"We're willing to negotiate," Kit said, his voice still calm but firm. "Name your terms."

Hondo stroked his chin theatrically, pacing back and forth as if in deep thought. "Ah, negotiations! My favorite part of any deal. Well, you see, I was thinking… perhaps a modest sum, something fair considering the value of the senator's heir. Nothing too extravagant, just enough to compensate for the trouble we've gone through to keep her safe."

"Safe?" Ashara couldn't help but interject, her voice sharper than she intended. "You're holding her hostage."

Hondo turned to her, his grin widening. "Hostage? My dear Padawan, such harsh words! I prefer to think of it as… temporary guardianship."

Ashara clenched her jaw but said nothing, trusting Kit to handle the negotiations. Still, her hand remained near her lightsaber, her senses prickling with the feeling that things were about to take a turn.

Kit's eyes narrowed slightly. "The child will be returned unharmed, Hondo. No negotiations involving credits."

Hondo's expression shifted slightly, his grin fading just enough to show the calculation happening behind his eyes. "Ah, I see we are playing hardball. Well, well, no matter! I suppose I can be persuaded… for the right incentive."

Ashara's tension grew as she sensed a shift in the air. The pirates were restless, their hands hovering near their blasters. Hondo's game was nearly up, and she knew it wouldn't be long before this went sideways.

Before Kit could respond, a voice echoed from the pirate's side. "Boss, we've got incoming!"

Ashara's heart skipped as a group of pirates appeared from the far side of the canyon, dragging with them a small, struggling figure—the senator's child.

The girl looked terrified, her clothes torn and dusty, but she wasn't hurt. Hondo's expression changed quickly as he realized the leverage he now had.

"Well, well," Hondo said, his grin returning full force. "It seems the situation has… escalated."

Ashara's hand tightened around the hilt of her lightsaber. She could feel the heat rising in her chest, the urge to act, to stop this before it spiraled out of control. But Kit remained calm, even as the situation deteriorated.

"Hondo," Kit said, his voice lowering, more serious now. "This doesn't have to end in violence. Release the child, and we'll ensure you're not pursued."

For a moment, Ashara thought Hondo might actually consider it. His eyes flicked between the child, Kit, and the assembled troopers, as if weighing his options. But then his grin faded completely, replaced by a steely glint in his eyes.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Master Jedi," Hondo said, his tone hardening. "Business is business, after all."

Ashara felt the tension snap like a taut wire.

In an instant, blasters were drawn, the pirates shouting orders as they scrambled for cover. Ashara ignited her lightsaber, the familiar hum of the blue blade filling the air as she rushed forward, positioning herself between the pirates and the child.

The troopers reacted quickly, firing blasters as they took up defensive positions. Kit moved with the grace of a master, deflecting bolts with ease as he advanced toward Hondo's crew. Ashara focused, her mind clear despite the chaos, cutting down the pirates who moved to flank them.

The child was their priority.

Ashara darted toward the girl, her blade slicing through the air as she deflected blaster fire, covering the distance between them in seconds. She reached the senator's heir just as a pirate lunged forward, aiming a blaster at the girl. Ashara's saber flashed, knocking the blaster out of the pirate's hand, before she force-pushed him away.

The girl looked up at her, eyes wide with fear.

"You're safe now," Ashara said quickly, pulling the child close to her. "Stay with me."

The battle raged around them, but Ashara kept her focus on protecting the girl, her lightsaber a blur as she deflected incoming shots. Kit and the troopers were handling the pirates, pushing them back toward their barricades, but Hondo was still in the mix, barking orders as he retreated.

Ashara knew they couldn't let him escape, but the child's safety came first. As she guided the girl behind cover, she caught sight of Kit, his expression calm but determined as he advanced on Hondo's position.

"Go!" Kit called to Ashara over the din of the battle. "Get her to the shuttle!"

Ashara nodded, quickly guiding the child back toward the exit. The pirates were retreating now, overwhelmed by the Jedi and the Republic forces. Hondo's blaster fire was sporadic, more for show than to actually hit them. He was preparing for his exit, but the mission was nearly complete.

As they neared the shuttle, Ashara cast one last glance back at the battlefield. Hondo and his remaining men were pulling away, retreating into the shadows of the canyon. The girl clung to Ashara, shaking but unharmed. The mission had been dangerous, but they had done it.

Still, as Ashara guided the child onto the shuttle, her thoughts drifted back to the Temple, to Coruscant, and to the one person she hadn't gotten to say goodbye to.