Location: Jedi Temple, Chandrila

Date: 5 ABY

The late morning sun bathed the sleek hangar of the Jedi Temple on Chandrila. Cal Kestis stood beside Luke Skywalker, both watching as a shuttle landed. The hum of its engines faded as the vessel settled gently on the platform. Luke folded his arms, waiting as the ramp lowered, revealing a lone figure—a senator from a distant system.

The figure, a woman in her early thirties, gracefully descended the ramp, her deep blue robe fluttering lightly in the breeze. She carried herself with a mix of authority and weariness. The galaxy had its fair share of crises, and it seemed she was here to add another to the list.

Cal stepped forward, extending his hand with a smile. "Hello, I'm Jedi Knight Cal Kestis."

"And I'm Luke Skywalker," Luke added, his tone calm and welcoming. "Who might you be?"

The woman nodded politely, taking a step closer. "I am Lena Barani, Senator of the Ertegas System."

"Welcome, Senator Barani," Luke said, sensing the weight on her shoulders. "What brings you to us?"

Lena clasped her hands in front of her, her expression somber. "I'm seeking assistance," she said, voice edged with urgency. "My world, Ertegas, is mostly agricultural. The land is owned by a few wealthy families, while the majority are peasants—either owning small plots or working as tenants for the landowners."

Cal and Luke exchanged a brief glance, intrigued but patient.

"Recently," Lena continued, "the peasants decided to rise up. Their goal is to redistribute the land owned by the wealthy. To peasant families with multiple children, and to exile the landowners to the Core. It's turning into a full-scale rebellion. Some of the men from the wealthier families have been captured, while the women and children have fled."

"That's serious," Luke said, his brow furrowed. "Why now? Has there been any unrest during the Empire?"

Lena shook her head. "No, Master Jedi. Under the Empire, no one dared rise up. The fear was too great. My father is one of the peasants, but he's chosen to remain neutral. He's old and doesn't want to get involved."

Cal folded his arms thoughtfully. "You mentioned a rebellion. What's driving the unrest now? Surely the New Republic has policies in place?"

"The New Republic hasn't had much influence on Ertegas," Lena replied. "The wealthier families have always held power, and the peasants have been waiting for a moment to demand change. It seems the fall of the Empire has emboldened them."

Luke's gaze softened. "I understand. And now you're asking for the Jedi to intervene?"

"Yes," Lena said, nodding. "Some of the former Imperial army on the planet have even defected to the peasants' cause. It's surprising… but I suppose the transition to the New Republic hasn't satisfied everyone. I'm hoping the Jedi can mediate, find a peaceful resolution before this gets worse."

Cal leaned in, curiosity piqued. "During the Empire, did the peasants show any signs of rebellion at all?"

"No," Lena answered. "The fear of Imperial retaliation was too strong. My father would never have supported anything like this before. But now, with the Empire gone, people are looking for justice—or what they think is justice."

Luke exchanged another glance with Cal, the two of them silently weighing the situation.

"Ertegas is an agricultural world, right?" Luke asked, his tone cautious. "Minimal industry?"

"Yes," Lena confirmed. "It's a breadbasket for the New Republic. We import most of our technology and industrial goods."

Cal rubbed the back of his neck, thinking out loud. "So, it's a world built on old structures—wealthy landowners and working peasants. Not much room for change unless it's forced."

Lena sighed, nodding. "Exactly. And now the peasants believe they've waited long enough. They want justice, and they're taking matters into their own hands."

Luke's gaze turned inward for a moment. "You mentioned your father is among the peasants. Why not work with him to broker a peace? He might be able to calm things down from the inside."

Lena shook her head. "I've thought about it, but I believe the Jedi would carry more weight. You're neutral. The galaxy sees you as peacekeepers. My father's voice might not be enough to convince either side. I need someone who can offer a solution that both the wealthy and the peasants will trust."

Luke and Cal stood silent for a moment, processing the request.

Luke nodded after a moment. "Alright, Senator Barani. I'll discuss this with my fellow Jedi, and we'll find volunteers to help resolve this peacefully."

Lena's shoulders relaxed slightly, gratitude flickering across her face. "Thank you, Master Skywalker. Here's my comm frequency—reach out when you're ready." She handed Luke a small device with her contact information. "I truly appreciate your help."

Luke nodded, slipping the device into his robes. "We'll be in touch soon."

Lena bowed slightly, then turned and boarded her shuttle, the soft hum of its engines rising as she took off, leaving the two Jedi alone in the hangar.

Cal exhaled slowly. "So, what do you think?"

Luke tilted his head, considering. "It's complicated. The New Republic's still finding its footing. People want change, but they're also unsure about how to make it happen."

Cal's lips pressed together in thought. "I'm willing to volunteer if we decide to help."

Luke glanced at him, a small smile forming. "Thanks. I think we'll need one or two others to join you. This won't be easy."

"I know," Cal said with a nod. "But if there's a chance to prevent violence, it's worth it."

Luke's expression turned more serious, the weight of leadership clearly on his mind. "We'll need to choose carefully. This rebellion has potential to get out of hand."

Cal nodded, already thinking of the possibilities. "Yeah. Time's not on our side."

Luke agreed, and together they left the hangar, ready to gather the Jedi and take the next steps toward peace on Ertegas.

XX

Location: Ertegas System

Four rotations later...

As the shuttle touched down on Ertegas, Cal Kestis and Kata Akuna stepped off the ramp, greeted by the scent of damp earth and fresh crops. The horizon stretched wide, filled with the hues of green fields and brown soil. From orbit, the agricultural nature of the planet was obvious, but now, standing on its soil, they felt the life and labor that sustained this world. Rivers and canals wove through the farmland, carrying water to the crops, and the sight of barns, irrigation systems, and distant farming machines filled the landscape.

Kata nudged Cal's arm. "This place smells way better than some of the planets we've been to."

Cal chuckled. "Yeah, I think we got lucky this time."

They began walking along a dirt path that cut through the fields. The farmland seemed peaceful enough, but they both knew the tensions lying beneath the surface. The lush land in front of them belonged to wealthy families, yet only a small fraction of Ertegas' inhabitants truly profited from it. The majority were peasants, working tirelessly and living with far less.

Kata glanced at one of the grand houses in the distance. "So these are the fancy homes Senator Barani was talking about?"

Cal nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "Yeah. Not quite Core-level luxury, but they're living pretty comfortably compared to the peasants."

As they continued, the farms began to thin out, replaced by grassy meadows between gentle hills. Kata darted ahead, her light steps kicking up dust. "Race you to the top of that hill, Cal!"

"Really? We're in the middle of a mission," Cal called after her, but he couldn't help the grin spreading across his face.

Kata shot him a playful look. "Come on. You're not getting that old, are you?"

Cal shook his head with mock defeat, then sprinted after her, laughing. For a few moments, it was just them, father and daughter, running through the fields without a care in the galaxy. By the time they reached the top of the hill, dusk had started to settle, casting a warm glow over the valley below.

Cal slowed down, catching his breath. "Based on the coordinates, we're close."

The moment of lightheartedness faded as they saw what lay ahead—a small fortress in the valley, surrounded by tall walls. Before they could get any closer, voices from the walls shouted at them.

"Who are you?!" a voice demanded, as several armed peasants appeared on top of the wall, aiming their rifles at the Jedi.

Cal raised his hands slowly, motioning for Kata to do the same. "We're here on behalf of the Republic! We've come to help broker a compromise."

There was a pause before someone behind the wall ordered, "Open the gate."

The large wooden gate creaked open, and Cal and Kata walked through, taking in the scene inside. The village was rough—buildings made from worn stone and wood, with signs of recent hardship everywhere. People moved about, tired and wary. Some structures appeared to be makeshift prisons, likely holding the captured wealthy men that Senator Barani had mentioned.

Kata whispered to Cal, "Doesn't look like these folks have had an easy time lately."

Cal nodded grimly, his eyes scanning the area. "No… I imagine life's been harder since the uprising. They're doing their best to survive."

They continued walking through the village, sensing the tension in the air. This was a fragile peace, and it would be up to them to keep it from shattering.

As Cal and Kata stood before Hammer, the leader of the peasant rebellion, they could see the weight of responsibility etched on his face. The man had clearly endured years of hardship, fighting for what he believed was right for his people. Hammer greeted them with a respectful nod, though his eyes held a guarded skepticism.

"Ah, Master Jedi, welcome," Hammer said, his voice gravelly from what seemed like years of shouting orders and negotiating with men who probably didn't want to listen.

Cal and Kata returned the nod. Cal wasted no time in getting to the point. "We've come to help broker a compromise. The Senator, as you know, comes from the working class and wants to avoid further bloodshed. She's proposing a redistribution of land, with the wealthy families exiled to the Core. In return, the land will be valued by home inspectors, and they would receive compensation for what they leave behind."

Hammer crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "How much compensation are we talking about?"

Cal shifted uncomfortably. "Well, that depends on the land's value according to the inspectors."

A wry smile tugged at Hammer's lips. "Master Jedi, I don't think we can afford that. We're farmers, not bankers."

Kata glanced at her adoptive father, sensing the awkwardness. Cal sighed. "Right. Well, the Senator understands the situation. She's suggesting that the wealth from their other assets could cover their exile."

Hammer's gaze hardened. "Look, we've been paying our dues long before the Empire fell, and now even with the New Republic, it's the same thing. The wealthy keep their profits, while the rest of us toil away. If there's no money from us, can we at least get them to agree to leave the land peacefully?"

Cal raised his hands in a placating gesture. "That's what we're here to work out. If we can ensure that no payment is required from the working class, would you agree to let the wealthy families' men go free?"

Hammer was silent for a moment, weighing the offer. The tension in the air was palpable. Finally, he nodded. "Very well, Master Jedi. But I want this agreement in writing—two paper copies, and two digital copies. We need assurances."

Kata, who had been observing quietly, spoke up. "Hammer, may I ask… was the working class able to vote for the Senator, or were the elections controlled by the wealthy families?"

Hammer tilted his head, surprised by the question. His rough features softened a bit as he considered the young Jedi. "Smart question for someone so young. The Senator's rise to power was… complicated. She played both sides, you could say. Last I heard, she was a commander in the Imperial Army before she took an honorable discharge to join politics. That's when the New Republic came into power. Her father's a working-class man, like most of us here. She grew up seeing the inequality firsthand. She had support from both sides—wealthy and poor alike."

Kata nodded thoughtfully. "So, both groups trusted her."

Hammer nodded. "At first, yeah. The wealthy respected her because she was loyal to the Empire. We respected her because she hadn't forgotten where she came from. It was even rumored that she sent part of her military salary back to her father to help him stay afloat. But things changed when she became Senator. We felt like nothing was being done to fix the problems, so we took matters into our own hands."

"The wealthy families only make up less than five percent of the population," Hammer continued, his voice gaining an edge. "They've controlled most of the land for generations. The rest of us? We're just scraping by. Some of the former Imperial Army soldiers are on our side now because they come from working-class families, too. That's why this hasn't blown up into a full-scale war."

Kata glanced at Cal, her expression thoughtful. "So it's a balance of loyalty… and survival."

"Exactly," Hammer said, meeting her gaze.

Cal cleared his throat, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand. "We'll draw up the terms and get everything in writing. But we'll need both sides to agree—no violence, no hostages."

Hammer nodded, though his eyes were still wary. "If you can get the wealthy to agree, you'll have our word."

Kata gave Hammer a small smile. "We'll make sure everyone gets a fair deal. That's why we're here."

The leader of the peasants gave a grim nod, his expression softening just slightly as he looked at the young Jedi. "I hope so, Jedi. For all our sakes."

XX

Two Rotations Later...

Cal and Kata found themselves once again walking through the gates of the peasant stronghold. The past few days had been exhausting, with meetings, negotiations, and plenty of back-and-forth between the wealthiest families and the peasants. This wasn't exactly the type of adventure Kata had imagined when she became a Jedi, but it was an important one.

As they reached the center of the settlement, they spotted Hammer waiting for them, arms crossed, his face as unreadable as ever. Behind him, the group of farmers-turned-soldiers who had greeted them so harshly on their first arrival milled about, repairing equipment or preparing for whatever came next. Life went on, despite the tension in the air.

"Ah, Master Jedi," Hammer called out, his tone a mix of curiosity and impatience. "What update do you bring to us?"

Cal stepped forward, holding out a datapad. "The families have responded. They're requesting partial payments for their properties in exchange for their male family members to be peacefully returned. If these terms are met, you'll be free to redistribute the land and gain more control over government policies. Plus, you'll avoid any future lobbying from the wealthy."

Hammer took the datapad, his eyes scanning the terms. He grunted, shaking his head slightly. "I believe they've overvalued their properties. If you halve the amount, then we can make a deal. We'll take their lands, and they can go live in whatever opulent Core world mansion they desire."

Cal gave a slight nod, glancing at Kata. "I understand. We'll bring this information back and do our best to make it happen."

Hammer handed the datapad back to Cal and nodded curtly. "Good. And thank you, Jedi. I've seen a lot of peacekeepers come and go, but I get the feeling you actually want to help us. If this deal works, we'll owe you more than we can say."

Cal and Kata bowed slightly in respect, and without further delay, they made their way back out through the gates, walking the same dirt paths that had led them here two rotations before.

XX

Later That Evening...

The camp was quiet, except for the soft rustle of tents and the distant hum of generators. Hammer was standing by one of the watchtowers, his mind filled with thoughts about the negotiations and the future of his people. As much as he wanted to believe the Jedi could help, doubt gnawed at him.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of the shadows. Ochi, General Pryde's notorious assassin, emerged alongside two agents of the Vong. Hammer recognized Ochi immediately—the man had a reputation, one that preceded him, even here on Ertegas.

"Ochi," Hammer greeted him warily, watching as the assassin stepped closer, his companions keeping a measured distance. "What brings you here tonight?"

Ochi's smile was thin and dangerous. "Hammer, my allies and I have a request. If a deal isn't met between your people and the wealthy families, we'll need you to capture those Jedi. They'll become prisoners under our jurisdiction."

Hammer raised an eyebrow. "Capture Jedi? Do you realize who we're talking about? They have powers we can't even begin to understand. How do you propose we defend against that?"

Ochi's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with something close to excitement. "Ah, that's where my allies come in. You see, we've obtained something special—lizards from a planet in the Inner Rim. These creatures have a unique ability: when a Jedi is near them, it's like their powers are turned off. No sensing danger, no Force-pushing anything. Nothing."

Hammer blinked, looking both skeptical and confused. His soldiers exchanged puzzled glances as well, as if they had just heard an old legend or a tall tale.

"Lizards that stop Jedi powers?" Hammer asked, his tone incredulous. "You're telling me we're going to trust in some strange animals to capture these Jedi?"

Ochi's grin remained steady. "It's not trust, it's certainty. We've already tested it. These creatures work. And if the Jedi can't use the Force, well… they're just like anyone else, aren't they?"

Hammer took a deep breath, considering the assassin's words. He wasn't sure if he believed it, but then again, Ochi and his allies had supplied the peasants with weapons and resources when they needed it most. They had helped sway some of the former Imperial Army to the peasant's side. Hammer couldn't afford to turn his back on them, not now.

"Very well, Mister Ochi," Hammer said finally. "If no deal is reached, then we'll hand over the Jedi. But I hope it doesn't come to that."

Ochi's smile never faltered. "Of course, Hammer. We all want the same thing—a peaceful resolution. But my General admires your loyalty. And loyalty, as you know, is a rare thing these days."

Hammer nodded slowly, though a pit of unease formed in his stomach. "Let's hope this doesn't have to come to that. I'd rather not make enemies of the Jedi."

Ochi gave a small bow, his grin still in place. "We'll be in touch."

With that, the assassin and his Vong companions disappeared into the night, leaving Hammer to stand alone by the watchtower, his mind now swirling with doubt and worry.

The situation was growing more complicated by the hour, and Cal and Kata were caught in the middle. They had come to broker peace, but now the stakes were higher than ever. With Ochi and the Vong lurking in the background, the next steps could make or break the fragile balance on Ertegas.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape as the Jedi prepared to deliver the revised terms to the wealthy families. Little did they know, they were walking straight into a much darker web than they had anticipated.