Things Found

The Spirit soared above the planet of Yavin 4 with Jack at the helm. He and Hiccup looked out the freighter's viewports to take in a lush jungle world. They were impressed by what they saw, already thinking this world would be a suitable planet to use as a ground base for the Alliance.

"I see something up ahead," Hiccup said as he pointed into the distance.

Jack followed glanced in the direction the Jedi indicated before directing his ship toward it. "I see it," he replied as they got closer. He could make out a structure that stood out from its surroundings. A pyramid of some sort nestled in a small valley.

"I'm gonna set her down. Let's take a look," Jack said.

"Yeah," Hiccup said with a nod.

In the next few moments Jack landed the ship, grabbed his blaster and his electrostaff, and then and exited with Hiccup in tow to investigate the pyramid. All the while their moves were being carefully observed from atop the structure. As they got closer Hiccup began to get an unsettling feeling. It grew with every step, his brow furrowed as he scanned the structure up and down. He wasn't sure if the feeling was coming from the structure itself or...something else.

Soon enough they were inside. Jack was taking mental notes. He could see the potential of this place. The pyramid itself would make for an excellent docking bay. He was sure it could also act as a fortification in an emergency situation.

"So what is this place, Hiccup?" Jack asked as he and Hiccup came upon a large open chamber. He took note of his blatant scowl as he examined the building around them. They'd been walking in silence for a while, which was a bit strange for Hiccup.

Hiccup remained silent, walking beside Jack as they entered the chamber. They looked around, taking note of the vines and moss growing along the stone walls and the skylight from above. The roof was supported by massive pillars that had withstood centuries of weathering and stress.

"I think this place would make a good base. Don't you, Hiccup?" Jack asked chipper. He arched a brow when Hiccup didn't respond. The Jedi Knight kept glancing around warily.

"What's up Hiccup?" Jack asked tensely, starting to grow perturbed by Hiccup's demeanor.

"This is a Sith temple," Hiccup revealed.

Jack blinked in surprise. "Oh," was all he could think to say. "Well I get that you don't want to make a base on enemy territory, but this place and the planet have all we-"

"We're surrounded," Hiccup suddenly said. Jack blinked in shock once again. Hiccup's tone and posture indicating that he wasn't joking. His eyes shifted around as he sensed multiple presences that he hadn't until a few mere moments ago.

"How did they get the drop on us?" Jack asked as he looked around the room for any signs of their supposed enemy. Hiccup's Force senses should've alerted him to danger long beforehand.

As Jack kept looking around he finally heard faint footsteps, and caught glimpses of figures darting around the room, moving between pillars and altars quickly. He grabbed his staff from his back as Hiccup's fingers brushed the hilt of his green saber. And then they appeared.

Figures in red stepped out from their hiding spots, brandishing bladed weapons and energy bows.

And they were all women.

"Hello ladies," Jack said with a nervous smile. The women all eyed the two of them dangerously. Jack could tell they were in trouble.

"Witches," Hiccup said lowly.

"Wait, these are the Dathomiri witches you told us about?" Jack asked as he took all the women in. He'd expected more stereotypical witches from stories and legends. But instead of withered old crones with warts and green skin all he saw were many young, curvy, and very attractive women of several species.

"Wow," Jack said as he looked around the room, counting at least 20 of them. "I didn't think witches could be so-"

Hiccup's hand suddenly shot out, catching a knife that had been heading straight for Jack's face. Jack flinched in shock as the tip of the blade was barely a few inches from his nose. He knew right then and there that if Hiccup hadn't intercepted it, he'd be a dead man.

"Dangerous. Very, very, dangerous," Jack said with a gulp.

"They make some of the best assassins," Hiccup said as he dropped the knife to the floor. The witches remained where they were, weapons at the ready. "Jack. Get to the ship," Hiccup whispered quietly.

"What about you?" Jack whispered back.

"I'll keep them busy," Hiccup replied. "On three," he began. Jack tensed, preparing to run like his life depended on it.

And it probably would.

"Three!" Hiccup cried. Jack whirled around and surged toward the way they'd come in. Immediately two witches came to block his path.

"Just keep going Jack!" Hiccup shouted after him. He brought his hands up and waved them to the sides. The witches before Jack were suddenly thrown out of his way with shouts of alarm, allowing him to rush out of the room.

A witch pounced onto Hiccup's back, knife in hand. Hiccup immediately caught her weapon hand by the wrist before throwing her over his shoulder and onto the ground. The witches began rushing him from all sides, Hiccup reached down and drew his green lightsaber before igniting the blade.

The witches stopped, eyeing the plasma blade cautiously.

Hiccup held his saber up, eyes shifting around the room as he awaited an attack.

This wasn't going to be easy.

Jack booked it down the corridor they'd come in only minutes ago. He had to get out and to the ship. He picked up the pace as he spied light up ahead. It seemed as if none of the witches cared about him in particular, not when there was a Jedi drawing their attention.

He was going to make it.

But when he was within a few feet of the exit someone suddenly stepped into his path. Jack skidded to a stop, taking in the sight of yet another witch. This one clad in a black outfit. He immediately took note of a weapon on her back. It looked like some kind of axe with a jagged head.

Jack drew his staff from his back before activating the electric ends. He leveled her with a hard glare, hoping he was giving off an intimidating stare.

"Ok lady, don't make me-"

The woman raised a hand up, and in the next moment his staff flew from his hand and to her. As soon as she secured it in her grip she tossed it out of the temple. Leaving Jack without a weapon.

"Ask you nicely to please step aside," Jack finished nervously.

The witch stood there, staring at him intently. Then she tensed before rushing him. Jack didn't have time to put his guard up before her fist collided with his face. He staggered back from the force of her punch before collecting his wits. He threw a jab at her, only for her to side step his attack, plant a foot against a wall, kick off of it and then kick him squarely across the jaw.

Jack fell back against the opposite wall, head ringing and vision blurring. Before he could push himself from it her foot pressed into his neck, nearly cutting off his air.

"You're boring me, male," the witch said blankly. Jack growled before grabbing her by the ankle and using his superior strength to throw her legs to the side. The witch used the moment to try to land another kick, but Jack ducked before sweeping her legs out from under her.

The witch's reflexes allowed her to catch herself on her hands before she trapped the sides of his head between her feet. In the next moment the world went spinning as the witch threw Jack to the ground. Jack grunted in pain as his back smacked against the stone floor.

Suddenly the witch was atop him, a hand at his throat and squeezing down hard.

He choked and gasped for air, but the witch's grip proved to be unnaturally strong.

Meanwhile, back in the chamber Hiccup slowly inched himself to the exit while keeping the witches surrounding him back. It wasn't easy. For each and every one of them was Force sensitive. It was like fighting a room full of Jedi. He used wide swings to keep them all away, all while avoiding swipes at his body and deflecting the occasional plasma arrow.

Hiccup lashed out with a kick, catching a witch who'd leapt at him from the side in the chest and sending her sprawling into her sisters. One of the witches in front charged him, slashing at his left with a short sword. Hiccup blocked with his lightsaber, taking note how the blade didn't take any damage from his plasma blade. He pushed her back before throwing his hand out to the side, sending several witches rolling away.

He jerked his head to the side and narrowly dodged a plasma arrow. He stopped, holding his blade up as the witches surrounded him from all sides.

All sides except one. He deactivated his saber, catching them off guard as he turned and leapt before rolling out of the room. Before they could pursue he raised a hand up, focusing his power on the stone doorway. It began to crack as he pulled the stones apart, before the entryway collapsed altogether.

He stood up and let out a breath in relief before turning away from the collapsed doorway and taking off after Jack.

Inside the room the witches stared at the collapsed doorway. They all exchanged glances before putting away their weapons.

Heather would take care of them. They just needed the Jedi out of the main chamber. Together they walked to the room's center, staring at large intricate circles carved into the stone floor. Their senses alerted them to something underneath their feet. They all raised their hands up and focused.

The circle gave a creak before it began to turn, making a full circle before it split apart. From the floor rose a small pillar. The witches waited and in a few moments the pillar split apart, the two halves moving away from each other to reveal a small chest sitting atop a pedestal within.

The witches smiled.

They'd gotten what they'd come for.

Jack was, to put it simply, getting his butt kicked.

The witch read his every move before he even made it. Easily blocking before counterattacking, landing blows he was getting way more than he was giving.

He was currently on the ground, attempting to push himself up. He had a black eye. His jaw was sore. He could taste blood in his mouth and the world kept spinning. He spat on the ground, letting out a gob of blood onto the floor. He looked up at the witch, who had the gall to look bored as she inspected her nails.

"Seems like you're not the one either," she said quietly. She released a disappointed sigh before looking into Jack's eyes. She reached a hand behind her. It reappeared a moment later, with a knife secured firmly within.

The witch stalked over to Jack, who finally managed to get himself onto his knees. He quickly drew his blaster at his hip before pointing and then firing at her. The witch was quick, leaping left and right as she closed the distance in a few steps. She kicked the blaster out of his hand. Jack finally got to his feet, but he was shaky, throwing a weak punch that the witch easily blocked. She grabbed him by the front of his shirt before slamming him into a wall.

She grabbed him by the neck, exposing his throat as she raised her knife up to finish him off.

But as she threw her hand forward to end it she was stopped. She looked to her wrist to see a strong hand wrapped firmly around it. Then she looked into the eyes of another man. They were narrowed in protectiveness. Before she could react he pulled her away from his comrade, whipping her around and then thrusting his hand at her.

Heather shouted in surprise as she went flying. She hit the ground but rolled with it to minimize her impact. She rolled to her feet, staying in a crouch to assess her new adversary. She could sense the Force within him, and alongside what she recognized as a lightsaber at his belt she quickly guessed what he was.

"Hello...Knight," she said in greeting.

"Witch," Hiccup said back. He took a step back, eyes shifting over to Jack. "Are you ok?"

"Define ok?" Jack asked as he took deep breaths and wiped some blood off his lower lip.

"Can you get to the ship?" Hiccup asked quietly.

"I think I can manage," Jack stated with a weak laugh. He took a step away from the witch and Hiccup. "Careful Hiccup. She's good," Jack warned. With that he hobbled away, pausing to bend down and grab his blaster, before leaving his friend to deal with the witch himself.

The Knight and witch stared at each other. Assessing one another. Each could feel the other's power. Both could tell they were quite strong with the Force.

Hiccup straightened up, keeping his posture calm and relaxed. "So, tell me witch, why are the Nightsisters allied with the Emperor and his forces?" he asked curiously.

Heather chuckled as she stood up, knife still in hand. "I could tell," she conceded. "But since you're about to die, it'd be kind of pointless," she said with a shrug.

"I'm not so easy to kill."

"Really? So if I plunge this knife into your heart, or drag it across your throat? Are you saying you wouldn't die?" she challenged. At his silence she smirked. "Exactly," she said before she threw her knife at him.

Hiccup reacted quickly, snatching the knife out of the air before throwing it back. Heather caught it, eyeing it and Hiccup curiously. Her gaze on him seemed to intensify as her eyes gleamed with interest.

"Oh," she said curiously as she cocked her head to the side, looking at her adversary in a new light.

She suddenly rushed him; Hiccup tensed and raised his arms up in preparation. When she was within striking distance she spun on her heel and lashed out with her leg. Hiccup saw it coming, leaning back to avoid the kick to his head. Quickly Heather planted her feet before throwing her other leg back, catching Hiccup in the stomach with a kick that made him stagger backwards. She back flipped, trying to strike him upon the crown with another kick.

But Hiccup sidestepped, letting her land before she spun and rose up to start attacking him wildly. The two of them exchanged strikes, with Hiccup managing to catch his opponent in the torso with punches and kicks. Heather was surprised, never had an opponent read her so. Hiccup caught her arm as she attempted a hook, she froze before he attempted to flip her onto the ground. But Heather caught herself, landing on her feet before throwing her leg up. Hiccup caught her by the ankle before applying force, sending her to the ground. She caught herself on her hands before glancing back and kicking him with her free leg.

Hiccup blocked with his arm but released his hold and took a step back. Heather sprang to her feet and threw her knife at him. Hiccup raised his arm in defense, letting the knife catch in his arm guard before he ripped it free and tossed it aside. Heather's will to fight and her interest in the knight was steadily growing, prompting her to charge him, throwing a flurry of punches that he jerked left and right to avoid while backing away. As he threw a punch himself she ducked before spinning to his left side and throwing her hand out. Hiccup was thrown against a wall, hitting it with his shoulder before spinning out of the way as Heather drove her knee into the spot where his ribs would have been.

As Heather attempted another succession of strikes, he managed to get behind her and trap her in a headlock. She growled and squirmed in his strong grip before throwing one of her legs up. She caught him in the nose, making him release his hold on her as he stumbled back with a pained grunt. She spun around to kick him, only for him to beat her to it, landing a hard kick to her chest that sent her rolling away.

Hiccup wiped at his nose, feeling blood on his hand as he watched the witch pick herself up. He stared at her, feeling excitement and eagerness coming off her. This was only confirmed as she looked him in the eyes, a glint of some kind of dark enjoyment shining in them. He watched as she reached behind her, drawing her axe off her back. Hiccup backed away, drawing his lightsaber and igniting the blade.

Heather felt her heart thrumming in excitement, something she hadn't felt in a long time. Never had she encountered such an opponent. Of course she'd never faced a Jedi before this moment. But she wasn't overly concerned with that. This Knight was strong. He was a challenge.

Hiccup reached the temple exit, staring at the witch for a few moments. Then he gave her a smile. She arched a brow at him in confusion. He gave her a small wave in goodbye before he leapt backwards out of the temple.

Heather rushed to the exit, only to cover her eyes and step back as a ship began to ascend. On it was the knight, staring down at her as the ship rose into the sky. Heather remained staring up at him as he got further and further away. An overwhelming sense of disappointment began to befall her at the inability to continue their battle. She placed her axe onto her back as her sister joined her.

One of them came to her right side, dropping into a kneeling position and bowing her head as she presented her with a small chest.

"Sister. We found what Mother wanted," the witch said, waiting for Heather to respond.

Heather finally took her eyes off the sky to look at the chest. She took it from her sister and opened it. Inside the chest was an amulet. It had a thin silver chain with a deep purple jewel. Heather eyed it, feeling the power of the dark side emanating from it.

"Good," Heather said in satisfaction. She closed the chest before looking at her sisters. "We have what we came for. Move out," she ordered. The other witches all nodded obediently before heading back to the ship.

Heather paused to cast one last glance at the sky. "We'll meet again, Knight," she whispered.

"And then we'll see if you're the one."

Across the galaxy on a planet where a mining colony had been established shortly before the end of the Clone Wars, a battle was being waged. The Empire had come to this planet, intent on plundering the resources of the colonists whilst establishing an Imperial overseer. The colonists resisted, desiring to be free from the thumb of the Empire's influence on their livelihoods. But the Empire pushed back harshly, forcing them into submission with an Imperial garrison as a show of power and a reminder of the consequences of rebelling.

But the people weren't content to live under the rule of the Empire. They wouldn't stand by and idly be watched and observed and commanded by some Imperial who cared nothing for the welfare of the denizens of their colony. So they reached out to the Alliance, beseeching them for aid. The rebels had rallied to help them, dispatching a small company to evacuate the citizens and take them to safety.

In space a Quasar Fire-class cruiser carrier, a contingent of TIE fighters and bombers, and two Gozanti-class cruisers were locked in battle with an MC40a light cruiser and two Sphyrna-class Hammerhead corvettes alongside a collection of rebel starfighters. The Imperial forces were blockading the planet, not intent on letting the colonists leave with the Alliance.

On the ground civilians were being escorted to a CR70 and CR90 corvette stationed just on the outskirts of the colony. They had run the blockade as the Imperial ships focused on the other cruisers. In the town the rebels fought against the soldiers of the stationed garrison whilst trying to get the citizens of the town to safety. Above their heads Imperials fighters and their own allies were engaged in vicious dogfights.

The sounds of blaster fire filled the air, drowned out occasionally by the scream of twin ion engines. Soldiers on both sides shouted orders as they engaged their enemy in the streets. People shouted in panic as they fled for safety, hearts torn as they abandoned their homes and only took the bare essentials and what could carry on their backs.

Elsa was on the ground with her regiment.

A group of three rebels were darting through the streets as they ushered a small family along the main road. They were pursued by stormtroopers who fired at their retreating forms. They ducked their heads and serpentined, weaving and taking cover around abandoned speeders and rubble while occasionally returning fire.

The rebel bringing up the rear was hit in the shoulder. He went down with a shout. His comrades stopped and turned, but he shouted and waved at them to go. They grabbed the family and reluctantly resumed their retreat. He rolled onto his back to face the oncoming wave. He grabbed for his weapon, even as his body and shoulder screamed in protest as he readied himself to try and hold them off.

But blaster fire flying above his downed form quickly dropped a few of them while others hid in buildings and alleys. He glanced back to see a group of clones and Elsa approaching. Some of the troopers' armors were marked with black and adorned with images of beasts while some bore blue markings that resembled ice and snow. The former were carrying heavy metal shields and they quickly formed a wall before him. They blocked incoming fire, leaving small gaps for blue regiment to shoot back and keep sight of the enemy.

"Up soldier, this isn't over yet," Elsa said as she extended a hand down toward him. He looked up at her in awe. She and the clones had been fighting for over an hour and she looked hardly worse for wear.

He moved his blaster to his other hand and reached up with his uninjured arm. She easily lifted him up. "Get to the ship," she commanded.

"I can still fight," he said through the pain.

"You're injured. You'll be of better use elsewhere. Now go," she ordered calmly.

He growled in frustration before nodding and retreating. She watched him go before turning her attention back to the battle. Stormtroopers were advancing on them, firing at the wall of shields as black regiment held a stalwart defense.

"Thermal grenade!" a trooper shouted.

Elsa spied a stormtrooper making a dash before throwing a thermal detonator an impressive distance and toward them. Elsa reacted quickly, raising a hand and making a subtle motion. The explosive stopped in midair before flying back toward the enemy. There were panicked shouts before it went off, catching a few of their enemy and sending them flying in all directions.

The scream of an ion engine closing in on them caught her attention and she looked up. She spied an approaching bomber. It was descending, likely preparing to make a bombing run. She and the clones were sitting ducks and had no way to defend themselves. She was about to give orders when a yellow speck streaked by and opened fire on it. It went up in flames before careening toward the outskirts of town in a fiery mess.

Elsa looked toward the familiar yellow and pink Eta-2 that was piloted by her fellow Jedi. Her comm device went off and she pressed down on her wrist. "Thank you for the assist, Rapunzel," she said gratefully.

"Not a problem. But we need to finish this evacuation. Not sure how much longer we can keep these bombers off you," she said back urgently.

"Most of the town is clear. We should be about 90% complete. We're just collecting a few stragglers," she relayed back.

"Copy that. We'll do our best," Rapunzel replied.

Their comrades in the starfighters were protecting them and the evacuation vessels from being destroyed by the bombers. If they went the mission would be all for not. Elsa turned her attention forward and stepped toward the line of troopers.

"Make a gap," she ordered. They parted for her, allowing her a better view. "Prepare to advance," she told them.

"Yes ma'am!" they shouted in response.

Elsa began to slowly walk forward while the clones of black regiment marched forward, shields raised. Meanwhile, members of blue regiment had their blasters at the ready. Elsa kept attention fixed on the surroundings ahead of her. She spied stormtroopers peeking from around corners and whatever debris and local construction that made for partway decent cover. Elsa raised a hand and channeled her power. A stormtrooper peeking around a corner suddenly yelped as he was forcefully yanked out from hiding spot. Before he could do anything he was hit by a barrage of fire.

She repeated her actions, pulling the enemy from their cover and out into the open to be fired upon. The stormtroopers returned fire, but the shield wall held. The stormtroopers began to fall back as they pressed forward. The Alliance forces had the advantage.

Up ahead Elsa could make out an approaching vehicle. As it drew nearer she saw it was a K79-S80 Imperial Troop Transport. She saw at least six troopers riding the exterior and she was certain there were likely ten more inside. The vehicle was heavily armored and its forward laser guns were more than powerful enough to blow apart the shield wall.

The vehicle was barreling toward her forces at startling speed. "Scatter and take cover!" she shouted. The clones heeded her orders, breaking formation to take cover. Elsa narrowed her eyes and charged toward it. She drew her saberstaff and ignited one of the blades.

The forward guns fired at her and she wove her way through it. When she was close enough she leapt up into the air. The stormtroopers raised their weapons to shoot her, but the sun was at her back. They were blinded as they tried to make out her form.

As they tried clearing their vision Elsa landed on top of the transport in the center of them. She reacted quickly, lashing out with a powerful kick that sent a trooper toppling off the transport. Then she began cutting down the others. She blocked their fire, cut through the barrels of their weapons, and one by one each of them fell by her blade.

As she pulled her blade from the chest of the last trooper she heard a noise behind her. She glanced back to see a trooper coming out of the transport's hatch.

"Halt Jedi!" the trooper called.

Elsa turned to face him, but before she could do anything the man was hit by a blaster bolt from above. He released a pained cry as he tumbled off the transport. Elsa glanced up with a smile to see her sister hovering above her. Anna gave a two finger salute before pulling out a thermal explosive. Elsa nodded before Anna tossed it to her.

Elsa snatched it out of the air and activated it before throwing it down into the still open hatch. Then she leapt from the transport. She heard a shout of alarm behind her before the explosive went off, taking the transport out with it. It went up in a smoldering mess as Elsa hit the ground and rolled to her feet.

Anna landed beside her. "Good work sis," Anna said with a laugh.

"It's not over yet," Elsa said.

"You're right about that," Anna said as she saw another Imperial vehicle approaching.

Coming upon them was an AT-DP. The bipedal walker stomped toward them with its heavy laser cannon taking aim. It fired, but Elsa reacted quickly as she ignited her weapon and batted the bolt away. The blast was heavier than she normally had to defend against, but she managed as it continued to fire at them.

Anna lowered the range finger of her helmet and took aim at the cockpit. With a press of a button the missile on her jetpack fired. It flew upward before making a dive and striking the outside of the cockpit. It blew a hole in its armor and the walker went toppling over.

The stormtroopers began to regroup and press the attack. The women exchanged a glance and nodded. Anna drew her blasters and together they rushed to meet them. Elsa cut down the troopers and sent waves of them flying with her power while Anna hit them with her arsenal of blasters, explosives, and flames.

They stood back-to-back as she deflected their fire. Anna had both blasters in hands as she gunned them down. She was hit by a few stray bolts, but her beskar armor took the hits for her, causing spark to fly with every impact as she continued to fight with her sister at her side. The clones troopers eventually surged forward to back them up with rallying cries.

In the midst of the skirmish Elsa received an alert viz her comm. "General, the evacuation is complete," the message said.

"Understood," she said in response. "All forces, pull out!" she ordered. The clones heeded her command, providing cover fire as they retreated.

All rebels on the ground boarded the evacuation ships. The ships rumbled to life before taking to the air. The evacuees huddled and prayed for their safe escape while mourning the loss of the planet they'd made a home. Elsa and Anna were on the bridge of the CR70. They watched in silence as the ship climbed while fighters raced through the air like a swarm of insects. The ship rumbled and shook from the force of midair explosions caused by starfighters being destroyed outside.

The corvettes cleared the atmosphere in time to see the Imperial being ripped apart by explosions. They smiled as they watched the squadron of Y-wings flying away from the wreckage with a B-wing leading the way. The corvettes blew through the debris field as the starfighters began making their way to the MC40a light cruiser and started filing in right as an Imperial light cruiser came out of hyperspace.

The cruiser had come to reinforce its Imperial comrades, but it had arrived just a little too late. With the bombers back inside the Hammerhead the order to go to light speed was given. All rebel ships shot into hyperspace and to safety.

Only once they were in hyperspace did they all relax. Elsa had her eyes closed, meditating and calming her mind. In the midst of her calming exercise she was alerted to a transmission from High Command. She ordered it to be let through and a holographic image of Merida was displayed.

"Merida," the Jedi greeted.

"Elsa, I'm told your mission was successful?"

"Indeed. We managed to evacuate all the colonists," Elsa relayed.

"Good to hear. Losses?"

Elsa closed her eyes and took a breath. "Minimal," she said tersely.

She saw Merida take a breath as well. "Alright. See you when you get back."

"Understood," Elsa said with a nod. After that she closed her eyes again as she let the nerves from the battle leave her body.

Truth be told this mission had little strategic benefit against the Empire. It was simply to help people who needed it. As a Jedi Elsa couldn't deny a feeling of pride and satisfaction at helping people in need.

And as an old Jedi saying went: A gesture of kindness can fill a galaxy with hope.

"You know...this world is actually not that bad," Jack said as he looked out over the horizon from atop the Spirit.

After their encounter with the Nightsisters they'd continued on. They were currently on their final scouted planet. A little remote world by the name of Wetyin's Colony. It was a dry world full of plains as far as the eyes could see. Hiccup was at his side, sweeping the horizon with a pair of binoculars on the lookout for anything of note.

"You might be right. We'll probably need to find a source of water though," Hiccup commented.

"Probably," Jack agreed.

The planet was a relatively unknown little rock at the end of Wetyin's Way in the Gordian reach. Supposedly an abandoned colony world that never got its start due to lack of funds and no resources or other planets of interest nearby. It wasn't necessarily the most strategically placed, but it was safe.

"Might have us a winner then," Hiccup said with a smile. He lowered his binoculars and looked toward his comrade, "Let's tell the Alliance to start sending an advance team to get it ready."

"Definitely," Jack said in agreement. He walked to the top hatch with Hiccup in tow. He activated the long-range transmitter to start relaying their finding to the Alliance.

Hiccup sat back as he watched Jack speak with Alliance High Command. His mind drifted, recounting the course of their scouting mission. Things had gone about par the course for an adventure involving Jack and himself. As he watched Jack he looked at the faint yellowing around his eyes from his fight with the witch. Inevitably his thoughts came to focus on the Nightsisters they'd encountered on Yavin 4.

That had been quite the harrowing encounter. Especially with that last witch he'd fought. She was quite powerful, and he'd sensed she'd been holding back. He couldn't fully gauge her strength, though he felt she was in no way inferior to Elsa.

He'd hoped to never encounter her again.

His feelings however told him they were going to meet again.

Almost like it was fated to happen.

Heather bowed her head in respect to her matriarch and leader as she spoke to her hologram. She waited for Gothel to address her, as she usually did. Even from here, light years away, Heather could feel her presence, her power through the spirits that connected them.

"Heather," Gothel finally greeted.

"Mother," Heather said as she finally lifted her head.

"Tell me Heather, did you mean to skip your check in with me?" Gothel asked.

"No Mother, apologies for my late report," Heather said as she dropped her head.

Gothel responded with laughter, giggling as Heather kept her head down. "Oh I'm just kidding Heather, raise your head." Heather did as told, looking into Gothel's face to find hers serious.

"Now then, give me your report."

"We did as you asked Mother. We found the artifact at the temple," Heather relayed to her.

"Excellent. Was there any trouble?"

Heather paused, thinking back to the Jedi Knight she'd faced. "We encountered two men of the alliance. One of them was a Jedi."

Gothel hummed, lips pursed in thought. "Did you eliminate them?"

"The Knight was more powerful than I'd anticipated. They managed to escape me," Heather replied.

"That's disappointing Heather. You must be slipping with age," Gothel said in disapproval. Heather apologized for her failure.

"Does Drago know about your mission?"

"No Mother."

"Does Dread?"

"I can't be certain. But I know he won't go to Drago," Heather said assuredly. "Dread hides something himself. We have an understanding."

"Good," Gothel said with a nod.

"Mother?"

"Speak Heather."

"Why do we ally ourselves with Drago? The Sith seek to conquer everything. In the end they will not share with anyone."

"Indeed. But for now, we each have something the other wants," Gothel began. "Make no mistake Heather, we use Drago as much as he uses us. He provides us with Force sensitive males to grow our numbers and power. Soon enough we will be stronger than any other clan of Dathomir."

Gothel smiled deviously to herself, pressing the tips of her fingers together as she thought of her future plans. Plans that would eventually allow her to destroy Drago. "Tell me Heather, have you heard the old saying about powerful men?"

"Mother?"

"It's said that behind every powerful man," she paused to smile wider. "There stands a woman." Heather only arched a brow in question.

"And being behind him is the perfect place to be. Because that's where we'll stab him in the back," Gothel said darkly. "So for now we bow our heads. We help him secure his power. We pretend that we are no threat to him. And when the time is right...we will destroy him and take all he has."

"And what of the Mandalore?" Heather pointed out.

"The Mandalore has no true allegiance to Drago," Gothel said dismissively.

"And the Jedi?" Heather asked.

"They are few in number. An extinct order barely hanging on by a few threads. They are a light that will eventually be snuffed out," Gothel said casually. "Speaking of which-" she suddenly added.

Heather looked up in question.

"The Spirits have alerted me to a disturbance," Gothel revealed.

"What do they say, Mother?"

"They whisper of a long-lost daughter. One I'd thought long dead."

Heather blinked in disbelief and astonishment.

"A sister?"

new chap.