Relic
An Eta-class shuttle traveled through hyperspace with the Jedi aboard. Hiccup was in the pilot's seat, Elsa in the copilot, and Rapunzel was seated just behind them. They sat in silence with closed eyes on the way to Punjam Hy Loo. The shuttle was painted a red and white, traditional colors that marked a Jedi vessel during the days of the Republic. It had been designated by the Alliance for the Jedi to use to conduct business pertaining to the Order. They'd been approached at Prime by BT that the queen was requesting the presence of Jedi for an urgent matter. They'd inquired as to what matter was so important that it required all the Jedi to gather before her at once, but the Kinnaran simply replied that she didn't know.
The Jedi complied, informing their comrades that they would all be departing to meet with the queen on her home. The shuttle's hyperspace controls beeped, signaling they'd reached their destination. At once all the Jedi opened their eyes.
Hiccup took up the yoke. "Coming out of hyperspace," he said as he pulled the hyperspace lever and brought the shuttle back into real space. The shuttle exited hyperspace at the edge of the asteroid field that surrounded the planet.
While Hiccup steered Elsa transmitted their ship's beacon to the Kinnaran forces to signal their arrival. "Jedi shuttle, Guardian, requesting permission to land," Elsa said over the shuttle's communications systems.
They waited a few moments before receiving a response. "You are clear for landing, Guardian," came the prompt response from a Kinnaran.
With the permission granted Hiccup cleared the asteroid field before directing the shuttle down to the planet. He steered toward the floating brass city, specifically toward the royal palace. He set the shuttle down onto a landing platform before opening the rear ramp. He exited with the other Jedi in tow.
As they exited they were greeted with a Kinnaran with pink feathers and a bright green sash approaching them. "Greeting Jedi!" she welcomed jovially before bowing in a show of respect.
"We've come at the queen's request," Hiccup replied formally.
The Kinnaran clasped her hands in a gesture of regret. "Yes, I'm well aware," she began. "But I'm afraid the queen is currently in chambers with her council and will be indisposed for some time. She apologizes for the inconvenience," the Kinnaran informed them.
The Jedi exchanged a glance with each other. Elsa and Rapunzel merely shrugged. Hiccup gave a nod before looking at the Kinnaran. "That's fine. We'll go to the temple and see the younglings. If that's ok?" Hiccup offered.
The Kinnaran smiled brightly. "An excellent idea, Master Jedi. I'll be sure someone sends for you when the queen is ready," she said chipperly.
The Jedi confirmed before making their way toward the city. They were able to catch a ride on a sail barge to the Kinnaran temple. They entered the temple, being greeted by the Kinnaran instructors and younger warriors before making their way toward the chamber where the younglings were being trained. The younglings were in the middle of sword drills when they approached. Emma was the first to notice them. She was in the middle of a lightsaber kata when she caught sight of the Jedi from the corner of her eye. She gasped, dropping her stance and breaking into a wide grin.
"Elsa!" she called excitedly. The Jedi met her gaze and smiled back at her in greeting. She deactivated her weapon before rushing to the Knight. She spread her arms and embraced her in a crushing hug.
Elsa laughed before her arms came to encircle the younger woman. "Hello, Emma."
"It's so good to see you, Elsa!" Emma said as she pulled back to gaze up at the Knight.
"It's good to see you as well. I'm sorry it's been so long," Elsa replied sincerely.
"It's ok. I know you and the others are busy," Emma said in understanding. Elsa smiled gratefully before giving her one last hug.
Elsa and Emma had a strong bond. The Jedi was very fond of the girl. Already they had a powerful connection, as if they were Master and Padawan. Elsa looked forward to the coming future where that relationship would be made official.
They broke apart as the other younglings approached them. The Jedi were bombarded with questions about the war and their visit. The Jedi answered their questions before elaborating on why they were there.
"We've all come to speak with the queen," Hiccup began.
"She's indisposed at the moment. So we've decided to come check on you and your progress," Elsa finished.
The kids murmured animatedly, eager to show their masters their skills. The Jedi split the children apart and began to have them go through exercises to observe their form and technique. The Knights keenly watched and smiled with pride, immensely satisfied by the younglings' progress.
Jack was back at Prime and doing some maintenance work on the Spirit. It was business as usual the other rebels in the hangar bay came and went, transporting fuel, supplies, and ammunition to the other ships. Fighters, transports, and freighters also flew in and out as they went on assignment or returned from recon or patrols. Jack was atop his ship, toolbox beside him and tools in hand inside an outer panel as he did a routine check.
As a Captain he could order someone from engineering to do it. But he enjoyed the simple pleasure of maintaining his own vessel. Plus, he just felt safer working on his ship himself, to better gauge its current status and future needs and what problems might occur while in the field. It gave him a certain peace of mind.
"Captain!?" came a voice from below. Jack's head popped up and he got to his feet. He wiped his brow with a sleeve while going to the edge of the ship to take a glimpse down below. He was greeted by the sight of his second in command looking up at him.
"Hey BT! What's up?" Jack called down with an easy-going smile.
"Permission to come up, Captain?" she requested respectfully.
Jack almost rolled his eyes. BT was far too formal in his opinion, but he knew there was nothing necessarily wrong with that. He raised a hand and gave a two finger salute, "Permission granted, Lieutenant!"
With permission granted her wings came up from their downward position and began to swiftly flap. Soon she began to rise from the ground until she was level with the top of the freighter before gently stepping onto it. She gave a salute as a show of deference and stood with her arms behind her back.
"I'm glad you've returned safely from your recon mission, Captain," she expressed.
Jack smiled and gave a nod. "Yeah. It went ok. Had a bit of trouble, but nothing we couldn't handle," he said with a nonchalant shrug. There was only a faint discoloration around his eye that was evidence that he'd been in a fight.
"Did you find a potential ground base?" she inquired.
"We think so," Jack answered. "We reported our findings to High Command, now it's on the higher ups to start setting things in motion. Merida said something about starting a committee to send an advance team to begin establishing fortifications and infrastructure," he added.
"I see. Well, that's good to hear," she replied, feeling optimistic for the Alliance.
"Yeah. Now we just let things progress. I hear Blizzard Squadron participated in an evacuation?" Jack asked.
"Yes sir-" she started before being cut off.
"Jack," he reminded her.
She flinched before coughing into her hand and correcting herself. "Yes, Jack. The squadron provided backup for an evacuation of a small colony being oppressed by the Empire. I'll be sure to give you a debrief later."
"Sounds good."
"I've also taken the liberty of scheduling a training drill in 1800 hours," she informed him.
"Oh yeah? Been meaning to schedule one of those. Thanks BT," Jack answered happily. He liked having a Lieutenant. BT was a very competent second in command, helping ease some of the load he had by taking on the more mundane administrative duties. "Should be done with my maintenance on the Spirit by then. Then we can go."
"About that, Captain," BT began.
He cocked his head, "Yes?"
"I was thinking it may be more effective if you began flying a starfighter of your own." Jack arched a brow curiously at her suggestion. She took his silence as a sign she should continue. "I've seen from your file that you have knowledge and experience flying fighters," she continued.
Jack shrugged. "I mean...yeah, I can fly pretty much anything," he confirmed. "I just like flying in the Spirit, you know?"
"I understand, Captain. But fighters are generally faster, more maneuverable-"
"Less shielded," Jack cut in as a counterpoint.
"A smaller target," BT said in her argument's defense. "And more suitable to strafing runs and getting closer to the target," she finalized.
Jack blinked before sighing. He took a seat on the surface of his ship. He bowed his head, fist to cheek and pondered her points. She wasn't wrong. Starfighters definitely had their advantages over larger ships like freighters. It wasn't like he hadn't thought about using one. He just felt so attached to his own ship.
Jack gave a growl in frustration. He made a face. "I'm just not a fan of Y-wings though. Or B-wings for that matter," he said with a grimace.
BT giggled at her captain's child-like pouting. "I'm sure we can find you something else," she proposed.
Jack ran a hand through his hair with a defeated sigh, "Alright," he said as he relented. "I'll take it into consideration."
Back on the Kinnaran home world Elsa and Emma stood across from each other in a small sparring ring. Their lightsabers were drawn, and the blades were ignited. The Jedi had been practicing with the younglings, walking them through exercises to observe their form and technique, when Emma had asked for a sparring match with Elsa.
Elsa was surprised by the sudden request but accepted with a smile. The other Jedi and younglings stood at the edge, watching in silence. Elsa had one arm behind her back, a small handicap for the younger woman. Emma stood across from her mentor with both hands on the hilt of one of her sabers.
They held each other's gaze; Elsa's was calm and cool while Emma's shined with determination. The younger girl started the match, darting forward and thrusting her saber forward at the Jedi's midsection. Elsa remained on the spot, waiting until the last possible moment before parrying, batting Emma's blade to the side.
Elsa struck back with a slash. Emma jerked her head back and narrowly avoided the blade. Then she had to quickly raise her saber up to block Elsa's follow up attack. Elsa swung downward with a vertical slash; the blade of her weapon clashed against Emma's.
"Make sure to keep your weapon up," Elsa commented.
"Ok," Emma said, nodding in understanding. She was forced back as Elsa pushed forward with her saber. She grit her teeth in effort, trying to plant her feet, but to no avail. Elsa was far stronger than she seemed.
Elsa stopped before giving a strong shove back. Emma staggered back a few steps as Elsa stepped forward and aimed a swing at her legs. Emma saw the attack coming and acted quickly, she blocked the strike. Elsa continued her attack, throwing another at her midsection. Emma intercepted this attack as well. She parried the strike before she struck back.
Elsa blocked this before countering. They exchanged a series of strikes, Emma kept up but she could tell that Elsa was gradually increasing the pace. Emma threw a downward swing, her blade an arc of blue light. Elsa sidestepped her strike before throwing a horizontal slash at Emma's midsection. Emma acted quickly, she flipped her saber in hand, blade pointing downward as she blocked before throwing an upward slash.
Elsa stepped back and out of range. Emma lowered her body, holding her lightsaber in a reverse grip and awaiting the Jedi's next attack. But to her confusion Elsa's eyes began to emanate with disapproval. Elsa dropped her stance and clicked her tongue, "Hold your saber correctly, Emma."
Emma's brow furrowed, "But I wanna try this way," she protested.
"It's improper form," Elsa tutted. "It provides little practical use in a duel," she stated. Emma was about to offer a rebuttal when she cut off.
"Master Jedi!" Everyone looked to see the pink Kinnaran that had greeted them upon their arrival making her way toward them. "Sorry to interrupt your lesson with the younglings Master Jedi, but I've come to inform you that the queen is prepared to see you now," she informed them with a bright smile.
"Understood," Elsa said before deactivating her weapon. She looked to the youngling, "And so ends our lesson."
Emma smiled sadly, "I guess so."
Elsa walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your lightsaber skills are impressive, Emma. I'm very proud of you," she told the girl warmly. Emma blushed and smiled brightly at the praise before Elsa excused herself, following the Kinnaran and other Jedi out of the temple to a waiting sailbarge.
The barge transported them back to the royal palace. Once there their Kinnaran guide led them inside. They were brought up to the queen's throne room. They were ushered into a large spacious room with high ceilings and an elevated throne.
On that throne sat Queen Toothiana. The queen sat regally, emanating her royal stature as her blue green feathers gleamed and glinted like precious jewels. Among the feathers on her head was a single gold feather, marking her as a member of the royal line. At either side of her were members of her guard, brandishing swords and blasters. Off to the side of the throne was yet another Kinnaran. This one with pale yellow plumage that was mottle with red and orange feathers throughout her body. In her arms she appeared to be holding something.
As the Jedi approached Toothiana rose to greet them. "Hello my friends," she said warmly, holding their gaze.
The Jedi smiled up at her and all at once bowed as a show of respect. "It is good to see you, Your Majesty," Hiccup said for the group.
"And you as well," Toothiana said back. Her wings opened before they began to flap. They lifted her off the ground before she began to descend toward them. "Thank you for answering my call. It must have been difficult to pull yourself from your duties to the Alliance."
"Not at all, Your Majesty," Elsa said to dismiss any concerns. "You and your people are some of the New Order's closest friends and allies. You only need to call, and we shall come."
She smiled graciously at them, before beckoning them forward. "I have something to show you all," she said as he motioned with her hands toward the yellow Kinnaran in the room. The Jedi came forward as the queen came to the Kinnaran's side.
The woman seemed nervous, eyeing the Jedi with a wary gaze. As the Jedi came closer, they could make out that the thing in her arms was a Kinnaran baby. The child was about the size of a small human infant. Its eyes were closed as it slept, swaddled snugly in a blanket in her mother's arms.
"I would like you to look at this child," Toothiana explained. The Jedi looked toward her in confusion. The queen looked at the woman and gave a nod.
The yellow Kinnaran nodded obediently in response before beginning to gently rouse the child from sleep. She softly bounced the baby while whispering quietly to wake her. The child's eyes began to flutter before they opened fully to gaze at her mother. The baby cooed and gurgled happily at the sight of her mother as the woman smiled back with love.
The Jedi took a look at the child. From what they'd gleaned from the Kinnaran people the child was a little over a year old, at a stage in life where its body outgrew its wings and it would not be able to fly until the wings grew in size to support its bigger body. Like the mother its feathers were a shade of yellow with flecks of purple and blues peppered in.
But the most interesting aspect of the child were her eyes. The eyes appeared to be shifting colors. Changing from browns to blue to purples and reds and every shade in between. The Jedi were amazed at the sight. They'd never seen a Kinnaran with such a unique physical quirk. The longer they gazed at the child the more a feeling grew within each of them. Something within the child resonating with something within them.
"Well Master Jedi?" Toothiana asked to break the silence. "Is there anything...unique...about this child?" she asked.
The Jedi were silent for a moment before they all exchanged a knowing look between them. After a beat of silence Elsa was the one to speak for them.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It appears this child is strong with the Force," Elsa revealed.
Toothiana smiled knowingly. "I thought that may be the case," Toothiana expressed. "My people refer to individuals with this unique mutation as 'god touched'," she explained.
"Such a mutation is exceptionally rare. No one has seen a god touched individual being born for millennia. Not since the time of the first queen, my ancestor, no less," she added.
"I see...curious," Hiccup said as a brought a fist to his chin in thought. "It's actually not uncommon for members of the Kel Dor species to exhibit silver colored eyes in their Force sensitive individuals," Hiccup revealed. "Perhaps, like them, this unique eye mutation is a physical representation of Force sensitivity."
"Interesting," Toothiana said in fascination.
"You know, it's actually quite curious," Rapunzel suddenly began. She looked toward the direction of the Kinnaran city. "Despite our interactions with so many of your people, Your Majesty, we've never encountered someone strong with the Force."
"Indeed," Hiccup concurred. "I just assumed that Force sensitivity was a rarity in your people. Like with the Wookies or Hutts."
"Indeed. That's what I'd come to suspect as well," Elsa agreed.
"How unfortunate," Toothiana said with a sigh. "But perhaps this young one can one day be the first of our people to become a Jedi?" she said optimistically.
The Jedi smiled at the queen, a spark of happiness and hope at the prospect of adding another to their budding New Order.
"It would be an honor," the Kinnaran mother said, finally speaking up. The Jedi looked at her and she immediately shrunk under their gaze. "I mean...maybe not now...she still so young and-"
"It's alright ma'am," Hiccup said as he sensed her nerves growing. "Perhaps we can revisit the possibility when the child is a bit older?" he suggested.
She seemed to relax and nodded in agreement. With a gentle pat the queen dismissed the woman. She excused herself before she flew out of the room. With her gone the Jedi turned their attention back to the queen.
"Now for the real reason I called you here," she began. She rose up off the ground before quickly flying up to her throne. She circled around behind it before grabbing something out of sight. Then she flew back to the front of her throne before descending the steps on foot with some kind of black box in her hands.
"As I've shared with you all before, our people have encountered Jedi in the past. In fact it was a Jedi who first instilled in us our warrior spirit, and showed us we could be our own defenders," she recounted. "Well, with the first queen, my ancestor, he left us a set of instructions to follow. These instructions have been passed down to every queen by their predecessor." she explained as she descended the final step to stand before them.
The Jedi eyed the box in her hands curiously as they let her continue. "The instructions were that when a god touched child was born the queen at that time was to seek out a Jedi and give them this," she said as she held out the box for them.
"How fortunate that I don't have to search far to find one," Toothiana quipped.
The Jedi all arched their brows as they looked at the box. It was a small square box just a little bigger than a human palm. Hiccup was the one who finally reached out and took it from the queen. He inspected it, turning it over. He could see no hinges, seems, or cracks. There didn't seem to be any way to open it.
"Would you happen to know what's inside, Your Majesty?" Elsa asked.
The queen shook her head. "I don't," Toothiana answered honestly. "I suppose I could have gotten my people to open it. There were no instructions for any of the queens not to. But it always felt as if it violated the spirit of the rules, if not the letter."
"I see," Hiccup said as he continued his inspection. He was momentarily perplexed on what he was to do with the box. He could see no way to get inside.
He gave it some thought, and it occurred to him that the box was given to the queen's line by a Jedi. He gave a hum in thought before holding the box in the palm of his left hand and raising his right. He closed his eyes and reached out with his power. He let the Force flow from within and into the box, penetrating its outer surface.
There was a quiet click from within. Hiccup opened his eyes. A line had formed surrounding the box. Hiccup reached his free hand out, thumbing at the upper half of the box and applying a little force. The upper portion rose to reveal a lid. He opened the box fully to reveal a small object inside. The other Jedi and even the queen stepped closer to get a look.
Resting inside the box was a small circular object. It was composed of a silvery metal and had lines etched into its surface. It was riddled with small holes and at its center was a larger hole with a blue stone. The four gazed at it in wonder.
"What is it?" Toothiana asked curiously.
"It's a-" Hiccup began before stopping. He blinked, realizing he actually had no idea what he was looking at. It was unmistakably Jedi, but that was the extent of what he could tell.
"Its-um-its a-" he stammered, at a complete loss.
"Its a Jedi star compass," Elsa answered.
The others looked to her as she reached a hand out and gingerly picked up the compass. She recalled the artifact from her years of study at the temple in her youth. She opened it to reveal the inside that was marked with lines and numbers.
"It was used by the Jedi of old for navigation. They're able to attune to points in hyperspace," Elsa explained. "Never thought I'd see one in person," she said in wonder.
"Wizard," Rapunzel whispered in awe.
"Amazing," Hiccup agreed.
"Truly," Toothiana concurred. "But that wasn't the only thing that I was instructed to pass onto you." The Jedi looked at her curiously. "If you all wouldn't mind indulging me a little longer?" she requested with a smile.
They nodded and the queen smiled gratefully. "Excellent. Follow me please," she said as she turned and began to hover away. The Jedi followed, leaving the throne from a door behind the throne. They followed the queen through the inner halls of the palace, a place few outsiders had been. They passed by servants that greeted the queen and Jedi with bows of respect. The Jedi and queen greeted them with nods of acknowledgement but continued on their way.
Finally after one final turn they were in a hall with a dead end. At the end of the hall was a control panel and the doors to a lift. The queen reached the control panel and typed in a unique combination. It opened with a hiss and she landed on the ground before stepping aside and looking to her companions.
"Enter, please," she said as she gestured to the open lift. The Jedi did so and the queen followed in behind them. The interior of the lift was large enough to comfortably accommodate all of them. The queen hit a button on the inner control panel that shut the door and sent them the lift going downward.
They waited for the lift to reach its destination in silence. The lift finally came to a stop after a few moments before opening. Greeting them outside of the lift was a hangar bay that housed the queen's private shuttle and large durasteel doors. The Jedi assumed that this was likely the secret path the queen used to evacuate the palace in case of emergencies.
Several Kinnarans wearing jumpsuits and tool belts stopped their work on the queen's shuttle to come pay their respects to their monarch. They greeted her with bows, before bowing again to greet the Jedi. The queen spoke to them quietly. Their eyes widened in surprise at whatever the queen had told them. Their eyes flicked between her and the Jedi before they nodded in understanding and obedience.
They turned and led them to a door at the side of the hangar. They opened it before motioning the queen and Jedi to go first. They entered a darkened room that began to light as soon as they entered. Lights along the ceiling, walls, and floor lit up the room to reveal a larger hangar that housed a ship.
The Jedi stopped to gaze at the ship before them. The ship was larger than the queen's shuttle. From its size they surmised it was a military ship, likely in the corvette class. It had a curved frontal hull and on either side of the bow were a pair of laser cannons. Most curiously, it was colored red and white.
The colors commonly used to mark a Jedi vessel.
"I've never seen a ship quite like this," Elsa commented as she continued her inspection.
"Is it some kind of modified Hammerhead?" Rapunzel asked aloud. The shape of the bow seemed to resemble the hammerhead shaped bows that the corvettes were known for.
"No," Hiccup said in recognition. The other Jedi looked to him for an explanation. "It's a Defender-class light corvette," Hiccup finally said. He took a step closer to it and reached a hand out to touch one of the landing gear. He rubbed the metal with exhalation as he gazed up at the ship.
"This was used by the Jedi during the days of the Old Republic," he said softly.
The other Jedi blinked in surprise as they took a second glance at the ship. This ship was a relic. It was a piece of Jedi history, sitting before them. They too stepped forward to also place a hand on the ship.
"I apologize for not sharing this with you before, my friends," the queen said behind them. The Jedi looked to her to see her looking down in embarrassment. "But the instructions were quite clear. The queens have had only the best engineers and shipwrights looking after it all this time. Waiting for the time it would be given back to the Jedi."
"We understand, Your Majesty," Rapunzel said with a nod and a grateful smile.
"Thank you for keeping it safe all this time," Hiccup said sincerely.
"You are most welcome, my friends," she replied with equal sincerity. She drew closer with her hand out. Hiccup turned and raised a hand as the queen placed a small device with a single button in his palm.
Hiccup accepted it and immediately recognized it for what it was. He gave her a grateful smile before turning back toward the ship. He took a step back. The other Jedi did in turn. Then he proceeded to press the button. There was a click and then a whir of machine noise before a ramp began to descend from the underside of the ship. They waited in anticipation as it slowly descended before finally stopped when it reached the hangar floor.
Then Hiccup stepped forward onto the ramp and began to ascend. Elsa and then Rapunzel followed behind him. They found that the ship had two decks. The lower deck consisted of a medical bay, cargo hold, and the engine room. The upper deck was the flight deck. It consisted of two conference rooms, living quarters, and the bridge.
The interior was neat and well maintained. It was also very Jediesque in design, being rather minimalist and lacking vibrant and bright colors. Instead opting for more neutral tones and shades. They made their way to the bridge. Hiccup took a seat in the pilot's chair with Elsa sliding into the seat beside him. Rapunzel took one of the seats behind them and watched as Hiccup began powering up the ship's systems.
Hiccup's fingers were at work on the controls as he ran a diagnostic check. The monitors displayed the status of the engines, life support, weapons, shielding, and finally the status of the hyperdrive systems. The check showed no issues, everything seemed to be operating at peak conditions.
"Well, I'm pretty sure she'll be able to fly," Hiccup said in satisfaction.
"It seems the Kinnarans have done an excellent job maintaining the ship," Elsa commended.
"It's just so amazing!" Rapunzel said, brimming with excitement. "This ship is wonderful. It just feels so...so...wizard to be in a ship that the Jedi of old once piloted," she said with a beaming smile.
The Knights looked back at her and nodded in agreement. Suddenly a flashing button on the control panel caught Hiccup's attention. He hummed curiously before pressing it without thinking. Immediately a hologram of a galactic map filled the bridge. They all gasped in surprise before taking it in. Elsa felt something on her person beginning to tremble. She looked down at herself and patted her person before her hand fell over the compass.
She pulled it out from her robe pockets and when she did the holomap began to zoom in, focusing on a particular area of space. Then a singular red dot appeared and began blinking. The Jedi stared, wondering what was happening.
"It's the compass," Elsa said in realization.
"What do you mean, Elsa?" Hiccup inquired.
"The star compasses are said to have the ability to connect to flight systems," she revealed. "The compass has connected to the ship's navicomputer, and it's showing us this spot," she explained.
Hiccup's eyed widened in surprise. He was amazed that there was such a Jedi artifact capable of such things. He looked toward the map again and took a closer look at the blinking dot. He hummed, brows furrowing. "Well there's nothing there," he said, confused.
"That spot is at the very edge of the furthest reaches of the outer rim. That's the border to the Unknown Regions," he added.
"Why would it show us that?" Rapunzel asked aloud.
Elsa looked at the map once more before looking at the compass in her hand. She stared at it before enclosing it in her palm and squeezing. "Something is there," she said quietly, but assuredly. She could feel it.
"We haven't been given a compass and a means to travel for nothing," she said as she stood up. The others looked at her. "We need to go there and investigate," she said, determined.
"I don't know Elsa," Hiccup countered. "This could mean venturing into Wild Space."
Elsa looked him straight in the eyes as she stood, resolve growing ever resolute. "We have to go. These were left to us by our predecessors. We must see what is there," she pressed.
The others were silent. They thought about it, but were unsure. Elsa could see their hesitance, but knew she had to press the issue.
"You feel it too, don't you Hiccup?" she asked him. She held his gaze, a silent exchange before he sighed, looking down in defeat and nodding in confirmation.
"And you do as well, don't you Rapunzel?" she asked, looking to the Padawan.
Rapunzel was silent for a moment before looking back to the map once more. She reached within, searching her feelings for the answer. One she already knew.
"Yes," she finally admitted.
Elsa smiled knowingly. Hiccup let out a breath before rising. Rapunzel followed suit. They looked to each other, their thoughts as one.
"I don't know what it is we're going to find. But we'll do it as one. All of us," Hiccup said as he looked to them both.
"Agreed," Elsa said.
"No question," Rapunzel said with a grin.
"Let's head back to base. We should tell the others our plans," Hiccup proposed.
The others nodded in agreement. They knew they had to let the Alliance and their friends know about this undertaking. The Alliance probably wouldn't like the idea of all the Jedi being gone at once, but they felt they had to be together for this. They were sure Merida could convince High Command to let them go.
Their partners always had their back.
"NO! UH UH! NOPE! NO! N-O! NOT HAPPENING! NO WAY! NO!" Jack declared vehemently. He then crossed his arms over his chest, body language signaling he wasn't open to debating any further.
His friends all stared at him in shock. The Jedi had returned to Prime in the Regenesis, the light corvette, much to the surprise of the Alliance. The corvette was quite a sight to behold, capturing the stares of all who gazed upon it. Many rebels had rushed to the hangar bay that the Jedi had landed it in, including their closest friends and partners.
They'd ushered their friends aboard before recounting their discoveries on Punjam Hy Loo and how they'd acquired their new vessel. They were in the central conference room that had a holotable. They pulled up the image of the map and Elsa pulled out the star compass. They explained their finding and belief that the Jedi of old wanted them to travel to the coordinates on the map and discover whatever was waiting for them.
Upon the end of their explanation Jack had immediately cut in with his adamant rejection of their plan. Everyone in the room was stunned by his outburst. Jack of all people was hardly ever so steadfastly against even the most dangerous and riskiest of plans. To hear him so quickly and harshly protest against it seemed against his very nature.
Jack, aware of the silence and the stunned look adorning all his comrades' faces spoke up, "Yeah yeah I know. Big shock coming from me. I'm usually all for stupid ideas. But the Unknown Regions are a no go."
"But there could be something there Jack. Something the Jedi of old wanted us to find," Hiccup countered, looking his friend straight in the eyes. He had to convey the importance of this endeavor, no matter how foolhardy it may be.
"Do you know what's in the Unknown Regions?" Jack asked, sweeping his gaze over all his friends. They exchanged a glance, not sure how to answer. "Exactly!" Jack declared when no one did.
"But if you could only hear the stories, I've heard spacers tell," Jack said grimly. In his time as a smuggler Jack had heard tales of people who'd dared venture into Wild Space. Few of them came back alive. Those that did…
"First of all, it is uncharted. So that means no hyperspace jumps and who knows how many light years are between planets there. Second, there's no telling what kind of stellar phenomena you might run into. Black holes, quasars, and who knows what else. Not to mention the...other things," he finished with a shudder as he recalled more tales.
Strange things were said to be found in Wild Space. Phantoms that would set upon ships that had stopped to make repairs. Space whales that could rip ships apart. Strange cultists who could erase you from existence with a thought. The tales were many, and few were pleasant.
"We won't be flying blind, Jack. We have this," Elsa reminded him as she held out the star compass.
Jack frowned down at it before looking back up to his partner. "You really think we should put all our faith in a thousand year old compass? Do we even know if it still works?"
"It does," Elsa answered quickly. "And I feel-no-I know we can trust in it," he said firmly
Jack held her gaze. He could see she was determined. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. It pained him to be against Elsa in this matter. He almost always found wisdom in her words and opinion. But he just couldn't see any part of this that seemed like a good idea.
"I just don't know about this Elsa. Everything I've ever learned has told me to never go into the Unknown Regions. I trust in you and all that...but-" he trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
Merida took that moment to chime in. "We also don't know how long this will take. High Command won't like all the Jedi being gone for who know how long. Ah don't know if they'll approve of this mission," she pointed out.
Merida looked to her partner. He met his eyes; she saw a flash of something in them. Betrayal perhaps? He'd probably been expecting her support. But as a leader in the Alliance she had to consider the well-being of the Alliance as a whole. Venturing into the Unknown Regions to find who really knew what for who knew how long just didn't make sense strategically.
But the Jedi were undeterred. Their comrades could see the fire in their eyes. Their minds were already made up.
"We're going," Rapunzel said firmly.
"With or without the approval of High Command," Elsa added.
"We were just telling you all this out of courtesy," Hiccup finished.
With that the Jedi had made their stance clear, leaving no room for debate. Merida frowned and sighed as she brought a hand to her face in frustration. She figured the Jedi would do what they felt best. High Command wouldn't be happy, but this was important to Hiccup and the other Jedi. Which meant this was important to her.
She could at least say she tried to dissuade them.
With a final breath she looked to Hiccup and smiled. "Ok. Ah'll smooth things over with High Command," she assured him.
"Thank you, Merida," he said, smiling back in thanks.
"But I'm coming along too," Merida added. The Jedi all flinched in surprise. "No way I'm missing this adventure," she said with a grin.
"I'll tag along," Eugene chimed in. He looked to his partner and gave her a loving smile. "I'll brave even the darkest regions of the unknown for you, Sunshine," he told her sweetly. Rapunzel giggled and smiled back lovingly.
"I want it on record that I said this was a bad idea!" Jack declared. Everyone looked to him as he threw his hands up in defeat. "But I guess I'm going too!"
"Thank you, Jack," Elsa told him with adoration shining in her eyes. He grumbled in response, murmuring his pessimistic thoughts to himself whilst his cheeks were tinged a shade of pink.
They formulated a plan. Jack suggested they take two ships. He proposed following in the Spirit, in case the Regenisis became damaged by whatever lay in wait for them at their destination. In a worst case scenario, he said they could evacuate to Jack's freighter to make an escape. The others contemplated before agreeing.
Merida left first to speak with High Command and relay their plans. Jack went to prepare the Spirit and make sure it was fully refueled and restocked. Eugene went to assist him, but not before giving his partner a quick kiss. They embraced and hugged before he left.
The others left as well, save for Anna. She hung back, approaching her sister and asking to speak with her alone. Elsa agreed before looking to her fellow Jedi. They understood, leaving the ship to refuel it and give the two of them some privacy.
The sisters watched them leave before Anna looked to her sister imploringly. "I want to come with you."
Elsa shook her head. "I know, Anna. But with all the Jedi going on this excursion the Alliance may need you. You're one of the few who can act as a substitute for a Jedi," Elsa told her as gently as she could.
Anna sighed and muttered a curse in Mando'a. "I know...I'm just worried about this. Like Jack said, the Unknown Regions are so dangerous."
"It is," Elsa conceded. She smiled at her sister and held her gaze. She placed her hands on her shoulders and gently squeezed them. "But just trust that we'll be ok."
"Just promise you'll come back?" Anna pleaded.
Elsa nodded. "I will, Anna. I promise you that. Nothing will ever separate us again," she promised. Anna managed a weak smile before they embraced.
Anna was reluctant to let her sister go off into the unknown with her, but she knew she had to trust her. After a moment they pulled apart. They looked into each other's eyes, Elsa trying to convey reassurance to her sister as she finally turned away and made to exit the ship.
As she reached the exit ramp, Anna looked back. "May the Force be with you, Elsa," she said to her, praying those wouldn't be the last words they spoke.
Elsa smiled one last time and nodded. With that, Anna turned and exited the ship. Elsa watched her disappear from view before looking down at the star compass. She contemplated on how such a small device could have so much weight on their fate.
She closed her eyes as she squeezed it tightly. She took a steadying breath to steel her nerves. There was no point in worrying about it. All she could do was trust in the Force.
Within the hour the Regenisis and the Spirit were ready to fly. The Jedi were all in the cockpit of the corvette while their partners occupied the freighter.
The Regenisis took the lead, flying from the hangar while transmitting the hyperspace coordinates to the Spirit. The ships set their heading as they flew away from their headquarters before one after the other, they disappeared into hyperspace.
Somewhere else in the galaxy another ship was traveling through hyperspace, carrying its single passenger. The Sith apprentice, Darth Dread, sat in his TIE Avenger as he waited to reach his destination. His starfighter was unique, far more advanced than the standard TIE fighters flown by most Imperial pilots. Possessing both shields and a hyperdrive while boasting better performance and armaments than nearly all other variants.
It was generally only used by the most elite Imperial pilots, but being the Emperor's hand had its advantages. He sat in his cockpit as the galaxy stretched by. His arms were crossed and his eyes were closed as he contemplated on his life. He was apprenticed to the most powerful being in the galaxy. He held a position of power that few could rival. He was practically royalty.
Of course, that wasn't exactly new to him.
His memories couldn't help but drift back to a time before his life now. A time before the Empire. A time when he was called by a different name.
Hans.
The thirteenth born prince of a backwater star system few had ever heard of. Though royalty, his status as the thirteenth in line meant he could never ascend his kingdom's throne. It meant he was doomed to inherit what meager holdings his brothers deigned to leave him after claiming their share of their parents' inheritance.
Perhaps some moon at the edge of their system with a mining facility that barely produced enough to turn a profit. How he spurned such a future. Maybe that life wouldn't be so bad if it were someone else.
But Hans knew he deserved more. He was better than that. Better still than his brothers. He was royalty. He was destined for more. But there was little he could do, given his station. So he bid his time. Played the role of dutiful son, loving brother, and humble prince who was gracious enough to accept whatever possessions his parents opted to pass onto him.
He played the role well. Showing people the side of him he wanted them to see. Never allowing anyone to see how much he despised his lot in life and his brothers who treated him like he was lesser, like he was a commoner.
He bid his time. Waiting for an opportunity. Perhaps to orchestrate a terrible accident to befall one of his brothers. Then it was more likely he'd receive a larger share of inheritance. Or perhaps he'd marry a noblewoman of a neighboring system and work his way up to the throne.
All those plans and possibilities were swept away when the Empire came. They came, brandishing their massive starships and armed with forces their kingdom's meager defense fleet could never hope to defeat. They demanded fealty and his parents gave it with no resistance, bowing their heads to welcome their new masters.
As a show of loyalty they even offered up one of their own children, and Hans was given the honor of being the first of their system to be enlisted into the Empire's service. A sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. He saw it was futile to protest, so he put on a smile to everyone around him. He pretended he was honored to serve the Empire and its mission to bring order to the galaxy.
Inside he was outraged. How could he, a prince, be condemned to serve in the Empire like some common foot soldier. It was clear from his interactions with the Empire's representative that he was viewed as little more than a bumpkin from some star system in the boonies. His title amounting to nothing.
Then by some fortuitous quirk of fate his path diverged. After a physical examination and some type of blood exam he was taken aside and told he was meant for something greater. He was told he had the potential to use the same power the Jedi were famous for. Even his people had heard the legends of the Jedi and the mystical powers they wielded at their fingertips.
It was suddenly as if all his belief about him being destined for greatness. He could finally show everyone that he was so much...more.
Then he met Dagur.
How he'd loathed that man. He and other had been brought before the Sith apprentice to be trained. Hans was no stranger to swordsmanship. He knew the principles from his lesson as a prince. It took a little more time to learn how to touch the Force. But his years of jealousy and hatred made for an excellent spark to fuel the fire within him.
Dagur however seemed to make it his mission to show the difference in power they wielded. To show him that he would always be beneath him. He'd been eager to learn more. To grow his power so that he may one day surpass him.
Only to one day be told his training had ended. The Emperor himself visited he and his fellow trainees. He was told that he was ready to go out and begin hunting Jedi. He bestowed upon them the title of Inquisitors, and granted them considerable power within the Imperial hierarchy. Still, that wasn't enough for Hans.
However, he could do nothing but obey. So he was sent out to scour the galaxy in search of any remnants of the Jedi Order. He found some, usually younglings and Padawans. Most he killed. Some he captured and turned over to the Empire for whatever purposes they had in store. But mostly he chased whispers and rumors. Many of which turned out to be fruitless.
Then on one particular chase he found a lot more than he expected. He found a Force-sensitive individual, but he wasn't a Jedi. He wielded the dark side, as his fellow Inquisitors and his masters did. No matter, he'd been instructed to kill or capture any individual that showed Force-sensitivity.
He ordered the strange gray skinned man to surrender. He remembered how the man stared at him with golden eyes. Then he smirked, amused by the threat.
"Come then, boy," the man had said, eyes shining with mirth.
He remembered how much that look in the man's eyes burned him. He charged at the man with ire, putting the power of his anger into every attack. But the man easily warded him off. Within moments of the struggle Hans realized the man was toying with him. He hadn't even drawn a weapon.
After a few more minutes of playing the man's game he finally deemed it time to counterattack. Hans was overwhelmed in an instant, buffeted by the power of the dark side. Within moments he'd been defeated. He was on the ground, body battered as the man stalked toward him with the lightsaber pike he'd stolen.
Hans was expecting his death as the man held the plasma blade inches from his face. Instead, he was met with questions. The strange man asked him who he served. He asked about the Emperor and his forces. He was primarily interested in the Empire's Force wielding adepts.
Then, the most unexpected development of all came. The man made him an offer. He offered him his life if he would only swear allegiance to him. The man offered him more. Power. A position not as a mere servant, but as his right-hand man.
His apprentice.
"Who are you?" Hans asked the man.
"I am Darth Kozmos. Lord of the Sith," the man answered.
With few options and seeing an opportunity to fulfill his own ambitions, Hans accepted the man's offer. Since then he'd worked as a double agent. He fed his master information on the Empire's activities. He'd helped him systematically capture members of the Inquisitorious for some unknown purpose.
In exchange his master had furthered his training. Helping him grow quickly in a short time.
His TIE's hyperdrive alerted him that he'd reached his destination. He opened his eyes and resumed the controls, directing the ship back into real space. He came out to the sight of a massive capital ship. It was like a huge black monster, barely visible in the void of space.
He directed his TIE toward its hangar. He'd been sent by the Emperor to investigate the disappearance of yet another Inquisitor. He'd used that as an opportunity to rendezvous with his true master.
Dread banished his thoughts of the past away. Though he couldn't help but note the patterns in his life. Always he seemed to be playing a part. Showing everyone else a superficial outside view of himself. What he wanted them to see.
Kind of like a mirror.
Now was no different. For if his master believed he was content to play the role of the obedient little apprentice forever, he was sorely mistaken. He would use him as well, to destroy the Emperor.
And perhaps, if he played his cards right, and if fate smiled upon him...he would destroy his master too.
Then he, Dread, would be the one true Lord of the Sith.