It was late afternoon when Varan and Asa arrived at Bits of the Beyond, the odd but enchanting shop owned by Tula Vemm. The dusty streets of Batuu were bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the marketplace. Tula's shop, with its colorful array of rare artifacts, stood as a beacon of curiosity amidst the bustling vendors and travelers.
As they stepped inside, the familiar scent of aged paper, old wood, and spice-laden air greeted them. Tula was busy organizing a shelf filled with an assortment of trinkets, but her sharp gaze fell upon them immediately. The Twi'lek's usually calm expression held a trace of concern when she saw Varan and Asa enter.
"Varan, Asa," she greeted them, her voice smooth but edged with urgency. "I'm glad to see you both."
Varan, ever the professional, nodded at Tula. "What's going on, Tula?"
Tula wiped her hands on the hem of her loose tunic, stepping closer to them with a quiet sigh. "I've had a bit of a problem. You know I had a shipment coming in from Sorenna—a set of rare relics, some that I've been trying to acquire for months." She paused, the weight of the moment settling on her. "The shipment was hijacked by pirates."
Asa blinked, trying to understand. "Pirates? You mean, they just took it?"
Tula's eyes darkened slightly. "Yes, just took it. And I have reason to believe they've stashed it away in a hidden outpost on the far side of Sorenna. I need you to go after it." She paused, looking between them. "I wouldn't ask, but it's more than just valuables to me. Some of those relics carry sentimental value—and I'm afraid they might sell them off before I can retrieve them."
Varan's expression softened as he looked at Asa. He knew how much Tula had invested in her shop and how much these relics meant to her. But this was also about keeping the people of Batuu safe from the kind of threat pirates like these represented. Asa met his gaze, her eyes serious. She was ready for this. This would be her first mission off-world. She could feel the weight of it already, the excitement and the responsibility intertwined.
"We'll do it," Varan said. "Where exactly do we start?"
Tula glanced around, ensuring no one was listening, before she spoke. "I've heard word that the pirates are holed up in a deserted Imperial base near the outskirts of the planet. The place is far from anything—dust storms, barren deserts, the works. But they've made it their stronghold. It won't be easy to get in and out unnoticed."
Asa nodded firmly. "We'll be careful."
Tula gave them both a grateful look. "I knew I could count on you. Just... be cautious. These pirates are dangerous. And there's more going on here than I can explain."
With a final nod, Varan turned to Asa. "Let's prepare."
That evening, as the stars began to twinkle overhead and the twin moons of Batuu began their ascent, Varan and Asa stood inside their;borrowed ship, preparing for the journey. The small ship was an unassuming vessel, sleek but practical, outfitted for long travels and missions like this one. Asa moved around the cargo hold, checking their supplies as Varan set up their course.
Once everything was in place, Varan pulled up a holo-map of Sorenna, the barren desert planet where the pirates were hiding. He pointed to a spot on the map, a desolate stretch of land in the planet's harsh wilderness.
"We'll land here, in the closest settlement. From there, we'll gather intel on the location of the pirate base," he explained, scrolling the map to highlight key locations. "Tula gave us a description of the base—a large Imperial facility that's been abandoned, repurposed by the pirates. There's a good chance they're heavily armed, so we'll need to move fast."
Asa listened intently, mentally cataloging all the details Varan provided. This wasn't going to be an easy mission—no mission ever was—but she felt confident that they could handle it. She'd trained for months under Varan's watchful eye, honing her skills with the Force, learning how to control her lightsaber, how to blend in with a crowd, how to read situations in an instant. This would be her chance to prove herself further, to demonstrate that she could handle the responsibility that came with her powers.
"Stay alert," Varan continued, locking eyes with her. "We'll be in and out. Once we have the shipment, we'll head back to Batuu before they know we were ever there. The key is to remain unnoticed."
Asa gave a quick nod, a surge of determination coursing through her.
Varan guided the borrowed ship to the makeshift landing pad just outside Aurora's Reach, the old transport nestled against the rocky ground. The evening sky was dimming into twilight, the first stars beginning to twinkle above them. The ship looked a little worn, a relic from an era long past, but it still held its grace.
Asa followed him up the boarding ramp, her excitement almost palpable, but Varan's mind was elsewhere. He checked the control panel, adjusting the navigation coordinates. There was something serene about the task, as if each flick of a switch and turn of a dial was a dance he had once known by heart. His fingers moved with precision, almost instinctively, and when he placed his hand on the throttle, his expression softened—almost nostalgic.
The cockpit was small, the controls a little cramped, but it felt right. As Varan made his way to the pilot's seat, he settled into it with a familiarity that almost seemed natural, as if he had never truly left the cockpit of a starfighter. He glanced over his shoulder at Asa, her eyes wide, looking at the ship's layout with childlike wonder.
Varan slid into the pilot's seat, his fingers brushing over the controls as he powered up the ship's hyperdrive. He glanced over at Asa, noting her wide-eyed look, still awestruck by the stars.
"Take a seat," Varan said, his voice calm and steady, though his fingers still lingered on the controls a moment longer than necessary. "We're about to leave."
Asa hesitated for a moment but nodded, taking the co-pilot seat just behind him. She was still silent, her eyes scanning the ship, taking in every detail. Varan watched her for a moment, a fleeting smile crossing his face as he focused on the console ahead of him.
He pressed a few more buttons, activating the repulsorlift engines. The hum of the ship's systems filled the cockpit, a sound that sent a familiar thrill down his spine. For a brief moment, his hand lingered on the throttle before pushing it forward smoothly. The ship slowly rose from the ground, the dust around them swirling into the air.
"You've never been off-planet before, have you?" he asked, his voice soft, though the usual edge was absent. Asa shook her head, her smile brightening the small space around them.
"No, never," she replied, her voice tinged with wonder.
Varan nodded, his eyes returning to the control panel. "Well, then, it's about time you saw it the right way."
As Varan expertly guided the ship into the sky, his movements were fluid, as though he were reconnecting with something he hadn't realized he'd missed. The ship responded to him like an old friend, and he maneuvered it with the precision of a seasoned pilot. There was a quiet confidence in the way he handled the ship's controls, adjusting the engines and stabilizing the trajectory as they ascended into the atmosphere. He had done this a thousand times before.
As the ship broke through the atmosphere and the blackness of space opened up before them, Varan's eyes briefly fluttered, a deep exhale escaping him. It wasn't a conscious reaction; it was something instinctual, a part of him that had been dormant for so long. For the briefest moment, the tension in his shoulders relaxed, and the stern, battle-worn man was replaced by someone else—a younger version of himself who had once reveled in the freedom of flying through the stars.
He leaned back in his seat slightly, turning to look at her as she shifted, her eyes wide as she stood up and moved toward the viewport. "Take a good look, Asa. This is one of the few things the Empire can't take from us," he said, his voice carrying a hint of warmth, though he didn't fully acknowledge the emotion behind it. It was almost as though he were giving Asa a gift—a piece of himself, something that reminded him of the days when the stars weren't a symbol of loss, but of possibility.
He heard Asa shift in her seat next to him, the creak of her adjusting her posture as she stared out the front viewport. Without looking away from the controls, Varan reached for the navigation screen and tweaked the route, setting the course for their destination.
He leaned over, setting the ship's trajectory into hyperspace. Then, with a few quick adjustments, he powered up the engines, his gaze flicking to the viewport in front. "Here, sit down. It's going to be something you won't forget."
Varan gestured toward the seat beside him, and Asa eagerly took it, sliding into the chair. She fastened her safety harness, her hands fidgeting with excitement.
As Asa settled into the seat, her eyes trained on the front viewport, she could feel the anticipation building in the pit of her stomach. The stars outside seemed to stretch endlessly, like pinpricks of light scattered across a dark blanket. And then, in an instant, the ship lurched forward as the engines roared to life.
The ship entered hyperspace.
The stars in the viewport melted into long, brilliant streaks of light, stretching out into nothingness. Colors and patterns swirled like some impossible painting, an ever-shifting kaleidoscope that shimmered across the black canvas of space. Asa gasped, leaning forward in her seat, her face alight with awe. The familiar, comforting sound of the ship's engines was replaced by a deep hum of the hyperdrive, vibrating in the floor beneath her feet.
Varan watched from the corner of his eye, allowing himself a rare moment of joy as he saw Asa's reaction. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open as she tried to take in the sheer scale and beauty of what she was seeing. There was no fear in her expression, no hesitation—only pure wonder at the vastness of space.
For a brief moment, Varan allowed himself to relax, his lips curling into a smile that lingered a bit longer than usual. Seeing Asa experience hyperspace for the first time was like watching a piece of the galaxy open up for her. The look on her face reminded him, if only for a moment, of the simpler joys in life—joys that had felt distant and unreachable for so long.
Varan chuckled softly, adjusting the controls with the practiced ease of someone who had spent far too many years traveling the galaxy. "It's a special thing, seeing hyperspace for the first time. You'll get used to it. But I'll never forget the first time I saw it."
Asa nodded, her gaze still fixed on the swirling lights outside. "It's like nothing I've ever imagined. It's incredible."
Varan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he let her take in the view, watching her reactions. There was something in the way her eyes gleamed, in the way she breathed in the vastness of the galaxy, that stirred something inside him. Something old, something lost. And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to feel the joy of flight—not as an escape or as a necessity, but for the simple wonder of it.
For a brief moment, Varan's expression softened, a rare smile pulling at his lips as he saw Asa's face bathed in the soft glow of hyperspace. The wonder in her eyes was enough to remind him of the stars he used to chase, the ones he used to follow with nothing but the thrill of freedom in his heart. She was young, eager to explore, and for the first time, he felt like he could show her the galaxy in a way that wasn't tainted by the darkness they'd been living through.
Varan's voice softened slightly as he spoke. "It is. And you're about to see more of it than most ever will. This mission is important, but it's also part of a bigger journey. You're not just training to be a Jedi—you're preparing yourself for what lies ahead. You'll need to understand this galaxy, its dangers, and its wonders."
Asa turned back to him, meeting his eyes with a look of quiet determination. "I'll be ready," she said firmly. "I promise."
Varan gave her a small nod, feeling a surge of pride in her confidence. He didn't always show it, but he knew she was growing into someone who could face the challenges ahead with strength. "Good. I'm counting on you."
As the ship hurtled through hyperspace, the swirling lights outside continued to dance, as if the galaxy itself was alive and beckoning Asa to explore it. She couldn't help but feel a deep sense of purpose, her excitement not just from the wonder of space, but from the mission they were about to undertake. This was her first real test, the first step into something far bigger than she had ever known.
Varan's voice broke through her thoughts. "We've got a few hours in hyperspace. Get some rest if you can. We'll need our wits about us when we arrive."
Asa nodded, though she couldn't quite pull her eyes away from the viewport, her gaze still fixed on the stars outside, lost in the beauty of it all. Varan let his hands rest lightly on the controls, the ship flying smoothly now, the faintest hint of a smile on his face as he allowed himself to savor this moment, this rare feeling of peace that came from simply being in the cockpit, in control, flying through the stars.
The journey to Sorenna had been rougher than Asa had anticipated and the ship's shaking descent through Sorenna's stormy atmosphere made her feel like her stomach was in her throat. She gripped the side of her seat, trying to steady her breathing. Varan, flying the borrowed ship, was steady as ever. His hands were sure and confident on the controls, but Asa could feel the subtle tension in his body language as he fought against the turbulence.
When they finally broke through the thick clouds and touched down, the ship jerked roughly, bouncing slightly before coming to a halt. Asa winced, gripping the edge of her seat tighter. The landing was a little bumpier than she had expected, but she stood up quickly, trying to mask the slight dizziness that had overtaken her. Her first flight, her first off-world mission, and the ship had barely held up. She was determined to keep it together.
"I'm fine," she muttered, brushing the loose strands of hair out of her face. She tugged her burnt orange scarf a little tighter around her neck, making sure it folded up into a hood that covered her face and hid her identity. Varan had insisted she keep the hood up, a precaution for when they left the ship. It concealed the lower half of her face, making sure no one could recognize her.
Varan glanced over at her with a hint of amusement in his eyes, though his voice was steady when he spoke. "Stay alert."
Asa pulled the scarf up over her mouth and nose, nodding as she followed him toward the exit. The pirate base lay ahead, nestled against the base of a jagged mountain range. It was a noisy, chaotic place—pirates shouting at each other, crates being hastily loaded onto freighters, and ships rumbling past. Varan led the way with a quiet but urgent pace, his eyes scanning the area as he moved. Despite the wild nature of the pirates, he was calm—used to this kind of mission.
They made their way through the base, dodging between containers and machines, until they reached the vault at the heart of the operation. There were two guards standing watch, both heavily armed, but Varan exchanged a few low words with one of them. The pirate guard nodded and stepped aside, allowing them entry.
The vault wasn't a gleaming chamber but a dingy, secured warehouse tucked into the deepest section of the pirate enclave on Sorenna. It was surrounded by the chaos of Karthis Rinn's operation: speeders kicking up dust, pirates shouting in a dozen languages, and the constant hum of machinery. To Asa, it felt alive in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying. Her senses stretched out, picking up threads of emotion and intent from the pirates—greed, boredom, suspicion. She pulled her focus back to Varan, who led the way with calm precision.
Varan and Asa had arrived under the guise of scavengers looking to make a deal. The relic,a small, intricately carved statuette of a Twi'lek dancer, was currently in the possession of Rinn's crew. Tula had told them it was made of precious stone and had once belonged to a royal family. To Tula, it was priceless. To the pirates, it was an opportunity to make a fortune.
Their contact was a Twi'lek named Saiven, who lounged in a shadowed corner of the enclave's bustling market. His sharp eyes flicked over Asa and Varan, lingering on their cloaked forms. Asa adjusted the scarf covering her face and felt the weight of his scrutiny, but Varan seemed unbothered.
"Tula sent new faces," Saiven said, his voice a low drawl that matched the easy grin on his face. "Must be running out of friends."
"She sends who she trusts," Varan replied smoothly. His voice was calm but carried an edge that made Saiven's smile falter slightly.
"Trust doesn't mean much here," Saiven said, leaning forward. "What are you offering for the relic?"
"We're not here to barter," Varan replied, his tone just as sharp. "We're here to take back what's hers."
Saiven chuckled, his lekku twitching in amusement. "Brave. But bravery doesn't count for much against blasters."
"Neither does greed," Varan countered. "We can compensate you for your discretion, or you can explain to Karthis Rinn why her prize went missing."
Saiven leaned back, the grin returning. "I like you. Fine, I'll tell you where it's kept—but you'd better move fast. Karthis is auctioning it off soon. If you're caught…" He mimed slicing his throat and winked. "You're on your own."
The warehouse loomed ahead, its durasteel walls gleaming faintly under the planet's twin moons. Varan crouched behind a stack of rusting machinery, his eyes darting between the guards patrolling the yard and the automated turrets. Asa knelt beside him, her scarf pulled up to conceal her face, her breathing steady but shallow.
"There," Varan whispered, pointing to a side entrance partially hidden by a stack of cargo containers. "That door leads to the storage area. Turrets and cameras will complicate things, but we'll use the jammer to disable them for five minutes. After that, we're on borrowed time."
Asa nodded, pulling her focus inward. The yard was alive with movement: guards pacing their routes, faint murmurings of conversation, and the hum of machinery.
"You're up, Asa," Varan said, his tone quiet but firm.
Asa glanced at him, her brow furrowing. "You sure?"
"You've been practicing," he said. "Now's the time to use it. We can't afford to get spotted."
Closing her eyes, Asa drew on the Force, wrapping herself in its energy until she felt her presence diminish, blending into the background. To Varan, she shimmered faintly, like a heat mirage, before fading entirely.
"Impressive," he murmured, though his voice was edged with tension. "Go. I'll follow once you're in position."
Asa moved carefully, placing each step with precision to avoid making a sound. Her Force cloak held, keeping her invisible as she wove through the gaps between crates and machinery. The nearest guard paused, his flashlight beam slicing through the dark just inches from her. Asa froze, holding her breath, willing herself to remain unseen.
The guard grunted and turned away, muttering something about being underpaid, and Asa exhaled silently. She reached the side door and crouched low, glancing back toward Varan. He raised a hand in a signal: Hold position.
Varan activated the jammer, and the turrets fell silent, their rotating mechanisms locking in place. Cameras blinked off, leaving the yard in shadows. He moved swiftly, staying low and using the momentary confusion to cross the open space.
When he reached Asa, she was already studying the door's locking mechanism.
"Nicely done," he whispered, his tone approving. "You're getting the hang of this."
Asa let the cloak drop, her presence snapping back into focus as she worked on the lock with the slicing tool. It took her three tries, her hands steady but deliberate, before the mechanism disengaged with a soft hiss.
"Got it," she said, a mix of relief and pride in her voice.
Varan nodded, his expression serious but faintly encouraging. "Inside. Quietly."
The interior smelled of oil and stale air, the dim light casting long shadows over the towering shelves. Asa followed Varan closely, her senses alert. The Force was a steady presence, guiding her as they moved deeper into the storage area.
The crate they were looking for was near the center of the warehouse, marked with the insignia of Tula Vemm's shop—a swirling spiral etched in faint green. It was sealed with a heavy lock and surrounded by other stolen goods, from blasters to rare artifacts.
"This is it," Varan said, his voice low. He knelt by the crate, examining the lock.
Asa hovered nearby, her hand brushing the surface of the crate as she reached out with the Force. "There's a tripwire system," she said softly. "If we break the seal, it'll trigger an alarm."
Varan's gaze sharpened. "Can you disable it?"
Asa hesitated, then nodded. "I think so. Just... give me a moment."
She placed her hands over the lock, her fingers hovering just above the mechanism. Closing her eyes, she focused, feeling the intricate connections within. The wires and circuits unraveled in her mind, and with a careful push through the Force, she disarmed the trap.
The lock clicked open.
"Good work," Varan said, a note of pride in his voice. He lifted the lid, revealing the relic—a small, intricately carved statuette of a Twi'lek dancer, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
As Varan secured the statuette in his satchel, a sharp, metallic chime rang through the warehouse. Asa's stomach dropped as she realized the alarm hadn't been entirely disabled.
"Run!" Varan snapped, already pulling her toward the exit.
The warehouse erupted into chaos. Doors slammed open, and guards poured in, shouting orders. Asa and Varan skidded to a stop as a group of armed thugs blocked their path.
"Stop right there!" one guard shouted, his voice cracking slightly.
Varan didn't bother responding. Instead, he ignited his amber lightsaber with a resonant snap-hiss. The golden blade illuminated his determined expression, and Asa noticed how the guards faltered, their confidence wavering.
"A Jedi?" one whispered, his face pale with disbelief.
Another guard shook his head, gripping his blaster tightly. "Blast them! They're not leaving here alive!"
The air exploded with blaster fire. Varan moved like a force of nature, his lightsaber spinning in arcs of light that sent the bolts careening off in all directions. Some ricocheted harmlessly into walls; others struck crates and machinery, sending sparks and debris flying.
Asa pressed herself against a stack of crates, pulling up her hood and focusing on the chaos around her. Her heart pounded as she reached out with the Force, feeling for the loose supports of a nearby shelving unit. With a flick of her wrist, the towering structure toppled, spilling its contents and blocking a section of the guards.
"Good thinking!" Varan shouted, stepping back toward her while deflecting another volley of blaster fire.
One of the pirates barked an order, and a larger brute armed with a vibroblade charged at Varan. The Kiffar sidestepped effortlessly, his lightsaber arcing downward to disarm his attacker in a single fluid motion. The vibroblade clattered to the ground, and the pirate stumbled, clutching his injured arm.
Asa stretched out her hand, focusing on a stack of metal debris near the pirates. With a shove of the Force, the pile toppled, creating a temporary barrier between Varan and their attackers.
"Get to the ship!" he shouted, retreating toward her.
Together, they ran up the loading ramp, and Varan slammed his palm against the control panel, sealing the door.
Varan bolted for the cockpit while Asa threw herself into the copilot's seat. Her heart pounded as she stared out the viewport, seeing the pirates scramble toward their own ships parked on a nearby platform.
"They're coming after us," Asa said, her voice tight.
"I figured," Varan replied, his tone grim but steady. He powered up the engines, and the ship rumbled to life. The landing pad beneath them shuddered as the thrusters roared, lifting them into the hazy sky.
Asa's stomach dropped as they gained altitude. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to the sensation of takeoff, and her nerves were already frayed.
"They're launching," she said, pointing to a pair of pirate ships rising into the air.
"Then hold on," Varan muttered. His hands moved fluidly over the controls, adjusting their trajectory as the pirates opened fire.
Blaster bolts streaked past them, one grazing the edge of their hull and sending a shudder through the ship. Asa gripped the armrests tightly, watching as Varan's expression hardened.
He banked hard to the left, skimming low over the rocky wasteland. Jagged spires of stone jutted from the ground, creating a treacherous maze.
"They won't follow us into the canyon," Asa said hopefully.
"They will," Varan replied without hesitation.
Sure enough, the pirate ships dipped low, their engines roaring as they pursued.
The barren landscape gave way to a winding canyon, its narrow walls carved by centuries of wind and erosion. The sunlight barely reached the canyon floor, casting it in cool shadows.
Varan angled the ship into a steep descent, threading them into the tight passage with practiced ease. Asa gasped as the walls seemed to close in around them, the ship's wingtips coming dangerously close to scraping the jagged stone.
The pirates followed, their ships sleeker and more maneuverable. They fired relentlessly, their bolts striking the canyon walls and sending fragments of rock raining down.
"Hang on!" Varan shouted, gripping the controls tightly.
He reached out with the Force, letting it guide his movements. The ship dipped and rolled with precision, weaving through the canyon in a way that defied logic. Asa's breath caught in her throat as he executed a sharp barrel roll, dodging a massive rock formation by mere meters.
Blaster bolts sizzled past them, one grazing the rear thruster. Asa winced at the impact, but Varan didn't falter.
"Are you using the Force?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Varan's lips twitched into a faint smile, his focus unbroken. "Wouldn't be alive if I wasn't."
One of the pursuing ships misjudged a turn, its wing clipping a rocky outcrop. It spiraled out of control and exploded in a fiery burst, illuminating the canyon briefly.
Asa felt a flicker of hope. "One down!"
The remaining ship surged forward, its pilot determined to close the gap. Varan pulled the ship into a steep climb, ascending out of the canyon and into open sky. The pirate ship followed, firing another volley that rattled the hull.
The canyon walls whipped past them in a blur of shadow and stone, the roar of the ship's engines echoing through the narrow passage. Varan was utterly focused, his hands moving fluidly over the controls as he let the Force guide him. Behind them, the remaining pirate ship clung doggedly to their trail, its blaster fire lighting up the dim canyon like errant lightning.
"They're not giving up!" Asa shouted, gripping the edge of her seat tightly as the ship jolted from a near miss.
"They're about to regret that," Varan muttered. His lips pressed into a thin line as he spotted a particularly tight turn ahead.
Without warning, Varan yanked the control yoke to the side, spinning the ship into a corkscrew maneuver. The ship rolled and dipped with gut-wrenching speed, narrowly avoiding a jagged spire of rock.
Asa wasn't ready for the sudden shift. She hadn't strapped in properly, and the centrifugal force yanked her out of her seat. She tumbled sideways, barely catching the edge of the console to stop herself from crashing into the bulkhead.
"Varan!" she yelled, her voice tinged with both panic and indignation.
"Seatbelt, Asa!" Varan barked, his voice sharp as he deftly navigated another hairpin turn.
"I was about to—" she started, but the ship jolted again as another blaster shot clipped their hull.
"About to doesn't cut it!" Varan snapped, his amber-green eyes flashing as he spared her a quick glance. "Sit down and strap in, now!"
Asa scrambled back into her seat, fumbling with the straps as the ship rolled again. The pirate's shots grew more desperate, but Varan's flying was almost impossible to track.
Ahead, a jagged formation of rocks jutted out like a wall, with only the barest hint of a gap at its base. Asa's eyes widened as she realized what Varan was about to do.
"No way," she whispered, her hands clutching the armrests.
"Hold on tight!" Varan warned, pushing the throttle forward.
The ship surged ahead, racing straight for the gap. Asa felt her stomach lurch as the ground rushed up to meet them. The viewport filled with stone, and for a moment, it seemed they'd slam into the wall headfirst.
At the last possible second, Varan pulled back on the controls, angling the ship into an almost vertical climb. The maneuver forced them through the gap, scraping the underbelly of the ship against the rock in a shower of sparks.
Asa was thrown back in her seat as the ship shot upward, her breath stolen by the G-forces. The pirate ship tried to follow, but its larger profile clipped the edge of the gap, sending it spinning wildly.
Varan didn't waste the opportunity. He flipped the ship into a tight loop, bringing them directly behind the pirate. He let out a slow breath, his hands steady as he lined up their cannons.
"Goodbye," he murmured, pressing the trigger.
The blast struck the pirate's engine dead-on. The ship erupted in a fiery explosion, the shockwave rippling through the canyon.
Asa slumped back in her seat, her chest heaving. "That... was insane."
Varan reached over and tapped the buckle of her seatbelt. "This stays on, always. Got it?"
She flushed, her brown eyes darting away. "Yeah, yeah. Got it."
Varan smirked faintly, the adrenaline still coursing through him. "Good. Now, let's get out of here before more of their friends show up."
He angled the ship skyward, the barren wasteland shrinking beneath them as they climbed toward the atmosphere. The tension in the cockpit eased slightly, though Asa couldn't shake the awe she felt at what she'd just witnessed.
"You're really good at this," she said quietly, glancing at him.
Varan's smirk widened, though he didn't take his eyes off the controls. "I've had my moments."
As the ship broke through the atmosphere and the rocky canyon finally faded from view, Asa could still feel the exhilaration coursing through her veins. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The adrenaline was wearing off, but the excitement lingered.
"That was incredible!" Asa exclaimed, her wide eyes quickly locking on Varan, still steady at the controls. "Where did you learn to fly like that?"
Varan glanced at her, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "My master taught me," he replied quietly, his voice distant for a moment as his gaze focused on the star-filled void ahead.
"Your master must've been a really good teacher," Asa said, her voice filled with admiration.
Varan gave a slight nod. "He was. He didn't just show me how to fly, Asa. He taught me how to think through it, how to listen to the ship, and to the Force. It wasn't just about speed or maneuvering. It was about feeling the ship, knowing when to push it and when to pull back." He paused, his eyes flicking briefly toward the viewport, as if lost in another memory. "That was a good lesson."
Asa leaned back, staring out the viewport as the stars stretched into streaks, signaling their entry into hyperspace. She smiled, a sense of pride swelling in her chest at how capable Varan had been during their escape. But she couldn't resist asking more questions.
"So, did you ever have to fly through traffic on Coruscant?" she teased with a playful glint in her eye, knowing the capital of the galaxy had one of the most congested skies.
Varan's mouth quirked in amusement, a small laugh escaping him. "Oh, you don't even know what it's like. Navigating through the Imperial blockade is child's play compared to the madness of Coruscant. I spent more time dodging air taxis and cargo freighters than anything else. And the traffic on Coruscant? It's like flying through a swarm of bees. Only the bees are big enough to tear your ship apart if you get too close." He gave her a sideways glance. "Some days, I'd rather face a few blaster bolts than deal with that mess."
Asa burst into laughter, the mental image of Varan weaving through Coruscant's busy skies bringing a wide smile to her face. "I can't even imagine! The traffic sounds terrible!"
Varan chuckled, the sound more natural than it had been since they'd boarded the ship. "It's a skill, that's for sure. I never thought I'd be grateful for such a thing, but flying there teaches you to be quick and adaptable. You can't hesitate. That's how I learned to make those quick turns we just did."
Asa's eyes sparkled with excitement, a hint of determination in her voice. "You know, one day, I want you to teach me how to fly. I think I could do it."
Varan's expression softened, but there was a flicker of caution in his eyes. "Flying's not something to take lightly, Asa. It's more than just moving a ship through space. It's about understanding it, trusting it, and knowing when to make the right call. It takes time."
"I know. But, with everything we've been through, I think I could handle it," Asa replied, her tone full of determination.
Varan's smile grew a little wider, a rare expression of pride. "We'll see. When the time comes, I'll be happy to teach you."
The stars outside the viewport were a blur of lines now, as they sped through hyperspace toward their next destination. Asa sank back into her seat, her thoughts still racing from the chase, but also from the possibilities ahead. Flying in the galaxy with Varan by her side—maybe, just maybe, she would get the chance to learn to fly as well.
Varan glanced at her one last time, his eyes lingering for a moment, and for the first time in a while, he allowed himself to fully enjoy the moment.
As the ship exited hyperspace, the stars stretched into streaks and the vastness of Batuu came into view. Asa pressed her face against the viewport, her eyes wide with awe as she took in the sight. It was nothing like she had imagined—vast and sprawling, yet somehow smaller than she thought. The green and brown landscape of the planet seemed peaceful, almost quiet, from this far up. The jagged lines of the Spirewood were visible in the distance, and the storm that surrounded their home—the Aurora Storm—loomed above, a swirling, crackling mass of energy that marked the planet like an ever-present stormcloud.
The bright colors of the aurora storm, glowing in blues, purples, and swirling greens, stood out against the blackness of space. Asa stared at it, mesmerized by how the storm seemed to pulse with life, its tendrils of light wrapping around the planet like a protective barrier. From space, the storm looked smaller than she had imagined—more contained. She could see the edges of it swirling over the Spirewood and the edges of Aurora's Reach. It was beautiful in a way, but it still made her uneasy, the way it distorted everything around it.
Varan noticed Asa's awe and allowed himself a moment to enjoy her wonder. She had never seen Batuu from this perspective before, and he couldn't help but smile as she leaned forward in her seat, her eyes drinking in the view. It was easy to forget just how beautiful and remote this world was, how small it could seem from a distance.
"Pretty amazing, huh?" Varan said quietly, his voice a little distant, though there was a hint of pride in it.
Asa nodded slowly, her hand resting lightly on the armrest. "It's... so much bigger up close. I always thought Batuu was just the Spirewood and the Reach, but it's... it's vast. It feels like everything here has a purpose. Even the storm."
"The storm's been here a long time," Varan replied. "It's a part of the planet now. Always has been. And while it can be dangerous, it also keeps things away. The Empire stays on the outskirts, and the rebels keep a low profile."
As the ship descended toward the atmosphere, the turbulence of their approach reminded Asa just how unpredictable this world could be. The ship bucked slightly, and she felt the familiar lurch in her stomach. Varan adjusted the controls, guiding the ship carefully as they made their way through the turbulent air, close enough to the aurora storm that the fluctuations in the atmosphere caused the ship to shake again.
The descent was bumpy, not nearly as wild as the last landing, but still enough to make Asa grip the armrest. She glanced over at Varan, his calm demeanor in the cockpit unshaken, his hands moving smoothly over the controls despite the occasional jolts. He had done this so many times before that it had become second nature to him.
As the ship finally neared the landing pad, the turbulence died down, and the familiar sight of Batuu's dusty surface and rocky outcroppings became clearer. The landing gear touched down with a gentle thud, and Asa let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Welcome back to Batuu," Varan said, his tone even, but there was a touch of pride in the way he said it.
Asa smiled, a little disoriented but grateful for the smooth landing. She unbuckled her seatbelt and stood, stretching her legs. "That was amazing," she said breathlessly. "I didn't think Batuu could look so... beautiful from space."
Varan offered her a brief glance, his expression softening slightly. "It's home."
The cargo bay door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the dusty, familiar landscape of Aurora's Reach. The wind carried the smells of earth and moisture, mixing with the occasional crackle of static from the aurora storm still swirling high above them. Asa stepped down onto the landing pad, feeling the weight of the mission lift as she set foot on familiar ground again.
They made their way to the nearby speeder, carefully stowing the relic they had retrieved in the secure container. Asa's mind was still spinning from the view of Batuu from space, but she focused on the task ahead. They had to get the relic back to Tula Vemm, the Twi'lek who had sent them on the mission in the first place.
The trip to Bits of the Beyond was quiet, and Asa couldn't help but glance over at Varan as they sped through the dusty streets of Aurora's Reach. His gaze was distant, lost in thought, but there was an unmistakable sense of satisfaction about him. He had done the job, and now it was time to hand it over. She was still processing the intensity of the mission and the beauty of space—so much had happened, and everything felt like it was rushing past her.
When they arrived at Bits of the Beyond, Tula was waiting by the door, a smile on her face as she saw them approach. "I wasn't sure if you were going to make it back in one piece," she said with a light chuckle.
Varan handed over the relic without saying much, his face serious. "You'll have it delivered safely. No issues."
Tula nodded, a faint look of appreciation in her eyes. "You've done well. I'll make sure you're compensated. You always do good work."
Asa stood quietly off to the side, her hands clasped in front of her. The relief of completing the mission was settling in, but she couldn't stop thinking about how small Batuu had looked from space. It was her home, but it felt like it was part of something larger than she had ever realized. A small speck in a galaxy full of adventure and uncertainty. Yet, for all that, it was the only place she had ever truly known.
Tula looked at her, her head tilted slightly, as if seeing Asa for the first time. "I hope you didn't get too comfortable in that cockpit, young one. There's still work to be done."
Asa grinned, a new sense of confidence beginning to settle in. "I think I'm starting to like the idea of flying."