Location: Chandrila, New Jedi Temple Courtyard
Date: 5 ABY
The soft hum of Chandrila's cool evening breeze whispered through the air, The sprawling courtyard of the New Jedi Temple was alive with controlled chaos. Packing had turned into a frenzied operation as Jedi, officers, and droids rushed around, ensuring everything was ready for their two-month departure. Bags of supplies, clothing, and weapons lay scattered around the area as people double-checked their gear.
Off to the side, Huyang, the ancient droid who had assisted Jedi for generations, stood like a sentinel, meticulously listing items people had forgotten. His voice buzzed through the bustle like a persistent alarm.
"Lightsaber maintenance kit? Food rations? Extra fuel cells?" Huuyang's words were met with hurried nods or sudden pauses from those realizing they'd forgotten something.
In the corner, Mill and Vivert, newcomers to the New Force Order, were standing awkwardly near the others' bags. Vivert looked around, eyes wide, as if unsure of what to do, while Mill adjusted Kata's pack. Though both had quickly adapted to the new lifestyle, the pandemonium still seemed overwhelming.
Sabine Wren, in her familiar Mandalorian armor, finished packing Ezra and Spectre Seven's bags as she stood with the others in her group, ready for their responsibility. "Babysitting the younglings for two months. Not exactly the action I signed up for," she muttered to herself with a smirk.
Standing nearby, Barriss Offee observed the scene with her usual calm demeanor. She caught Sabine's eye and gave a slight nod. Barriss had taken quickly to her role. In a week, she had found a unique connection with Grogu—perhaps due to their shared potential for Force healing, a bond that transcended words.
In another corner, Jacen Syndulla gleefully entertained baby Ben Solo, Ygnacio Bridger, and Grogu, the three toddlers giggling as they watched Jacen use the Force to float small objects for them to grab. Jacen loved every moment of helping the female caretakers care for the younglings, and his laugh echoed across the courtyard.
"Alright, let's make sure everything is secure..." Sabine called out, her voice commanding but playful as she shifted her attention back to the task at hand. She joined Mill, Vivert, and the rest of their caretaking group, which also included Lyn Rakish (once known as the Fourth Sister) and Bariss Offee. Despite their formidable presence, the sight of all these women assigned to caretaking duty felt somewhat humorous to her.
They had a unique dynamic: Sabine's warrior instincts clashed with Barriss's patient demeanor, while Lyn's sharpness added a layer of unpredictability to the group. Vivert and Mill, observed everything silently, taking it all in.
Ezra Bridger and Spectre Seven approached the group, offering their final farewells before heading off on their separate journey. As Sabine watched Ezra prepare to leave, she couldn't help but offer a teasing smile.
"So, it ain't just babysitting, huh?" she quipped, nudging him with her elbow.
Ezra chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, there's always a formal title for everything. Like 'Sanitation Technician' for 'Janitor'..."
Sabine rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "Oh please, tell me we've got droids for that," she shot back.
Ezra grinned, patting her shoulder. "Of course. How else do you think those bathrooms stay spotless?"
Sabine let out a laugh, her tension breaking just slightly. "Well, you stay safe out there."
"You too, thanks for helping us pack," Ezra replied softly. The two hugged briefly, followed by Spectre Seven giving Sabine a tight embrace as well.
Luke Skywalker and Kata Akuna stood nearby, watching the exchange with warm smiles. Luke shifted slightly, adjusting the weight of his lightsaber at his hip, and glanced down as he felt Kata's hands gently land on his shoulders from behind. She stepped up close, resting her head on his neck in an embrace from behind.
"We've been standing for a long time," Kata murmured, her voice soft as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. "Ready to go?"
Luke smiled, turning slightly to plant a kiss on her forehead before pulling away. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "We'll be laying down in no time." His voice was calm but carried a hint of excitement for the journey ahead.
In the distance, Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati waved farewell to Grogu as they boarded their personal ship. Baylan's gruff voice carried over the bustle. "Luke! We're heading to Sloane's Aegis now. Farewell for now."
Luke lifted his hand in farewell, calling back, "Safe travels."
Meanwhile, Cal Kestis, Merrin, and Gungi had already prepared for their departure much earlier. Merrin had waved goodbye to Kata before leaving, promising they'd keep in touch through messages. Cal had been quiet but focused, his determination clear. Gungi, ever curious, had watched the whole scene with wide, expressive eyes before following the others.
XX
Above the surface, the skies of Chandrila sparkled with the flickering lights of ships preparing to depart. The massive fleet hung in orbit, with the three Admirals—Piett, Rae Sloane, and Thrawn—waiting within their respective vessels. Surrounding each of the ships, the large hyperspace rings gleamed, ready to propel the fleet across the stars.
Sloane's fingers tapped rhythmically against the console as she observed the data screens. "Status report on the hyperspace rings?"
"All systems are green," replied one of her officers, quickly turning back to their station. "The fleet is ready to move at your command."
Sloane leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful as she surveyed the final preparations. Her eyes flickered with a mixture of apprehension and determination. Thrawn's voice crackled over the comm system. "Grand Admiral Sloane, Admiral Piett, all ships are aligned and awaiting final confirmation."
Sloane exchanged a glance with her officers before activating her own comm system. "Confirmed. Preparing for departure."
Back in the New Jedi Temple courtyard, Sabine gathered her group for one last headcount before they were officially left in charge of the younglings. She exchanged a final glance with Barriss, both of them knowing full well the significance of this temporary responsibility.
"Take care of Ygnacio and Jacen" Ezra whispered to Sabine, his voice full of sincerity as he prepared to depart.
Sabine gave him a half-smile. "Always."
XX
The temple was quiet now. The fleet had already jumped to hyperspace, leaving only a calm serenity in the air. The stars above shone brightly, casting soft light through the large temple windows. Inside, the echo of the younglings had begun to fade as they were finally tucked into bed.
Sabine Wren stood by the central hall, her arms crossed as she surveyed the temple grounds. It was still, peaceful. The kind of quiet that one seldom experienced anymore. But amid the stillness, there was one small voice that lingered.
"Alright, Jacen," Sabine clapped her hands together softly, a playful grin tugging at her lips as she spotted the boy still wide awake.
"Hmm?"
"It's late," Sabine said, walking over to him. "You should be in bed, yet you're still up."
"I'm not tired..."
Sabine sighed, her hands resting on her hips. She knew the battle of getting a child to sleep was often a losing one. But there was a part of her that admired his energy—he reminded her of herself when she was younger, always ready for adventure.
She relented, a smile breaking through her pretend frustration. "Alright, you up for a game of hide and seek?"
Jacen's eyes lit up immediately, his smile growing into a full grin at the prospect of adventure within the sprawling halls of the temple. "Really?" he asked, already bubbling with excitement.
Sabine nodded, her grin widening. "Why not? We've got the whole place to ourselves. Might as well make the most of it."
As Jacen darted off to find a hiding spot, Sabine lingered for a moment, watching him with a fond expression. She thought of Hera, Jacen's mother, and how much the boy had grown. Sabine was secretly looking forward to Hera's surprise visit to the temple—she knew Hera wanted to spend more time with Jacen, and it would be good for him to have his mother around, even just for a little while.
Shaking off the thought, Sabine took a breath, letting the calm wash over her before she started her search.