The stench of blood and scorched flesh still clung to the air as the Krayt Dragon's massive form lay lifeless in the sand. The sheer size of the creature made its death feel almost surreal—after all the stories, the legends, it was difficult to believe they had actually slain it.

Ice wiped sweat from her brow, exhaling sharply as she kicked a loose stone into the dirt. "I cannot believe we just did that."

"Correction," HK-47 said, his photoreceptors flickering. "You almost did not do that. In fact, the probability of your survival was disturbingly low. Disappointment: It appears my calculations of your incompetence were slightly exaggerated."

Ice scowled. "I'm gonna reprogram you into a housekeeper if you don't stop talking."

HK-47's head tilted. "Statement: That would be highly inadvisable, meatbag."

"Shut it rust bucket."

Before HK could respond, movement below caught their attention.

The Sand People warriors, who had initially scattered during the battle, were slowly emerging from the shadows of the canyon. They moved cautiously, weapons still drawn, their tattered robes whipping in the desert wind. Their chieftain, distinguishable by the elaborate wrappings and bone ornaments decorating his armor, stepped forward and raised his hand.

Talan straightened, gripping his saber but not igniting it. "Looks like we have company."

Bastila nodded. "Put away your weapons. If they see us as a threat, we will not last long."

Reluctantly, Ice holstered her blasters, though she kept her hand near them. Canderous, ever the warrior, slung his rifle over his back but didn't bother hiding his smirk.

The chieftain stopped a few feet away, staring at them with an unreadable expression. Though his face was obscured beneath layers of fabric, there was no mistaking the shift in posture—they were being evaluated.

One of the warriors let out a series of guttural, hissing sounds.

"Translation: These primitive meatbags acknowledge your strength, master," HK-47 reported. "They are impressed that you were able to slay the dragon and wish to know why you have come to their land."

Talan exchanged a glance with Bastila. "Tell them we're looking for information. About the attacks, and about anything unusual happening in the region."

HK turned and relayed the message in the same growling, harsh dialect.

A long pause followed. The chieftain made a low, rumbling noise before responding.

HK's photoreceptors flickered. "Translation: The dragon's behavior was unnatural. It has never attacked their kind so aggressively before. Something has disturbed the balance of the desert."

Bastila frowned. "Disturbed how?"

Another exchange.

"Statement: They do not know. But they have heard whispers of something stirring deep within the sands—something ancient. There is an unease among the beasts of the desert, and the spirits of the land are restless."

Ice crossed her arms. "That's not ominous at all."

Talan took a step forward, keeping his posture open and non-threatening. "We need to know if they've seen anything related to the Star Maps."

The chieftain tilted his head at the mention of the word "Star Map." A ripple of murmurs passed through the gathered warriors.

"Translation: They have seen something," HK said, his voice tinged with intrigue. "A cave deep within the dunes. A place even they fear to tread. The land there is…wrong."

Bastila exhaled. "That sounds promising."

Ice shot her a dry look. "If by promising you mean 'suicidal,' then yes. Very promising."

The chieftain made another guttural noise, his posture shifting slightly.

HK turned. "Translation: He will allow you passage. As a token of respect for your victory against the dragon."

Canderous smirked. "Good to know we didn't almost die for nothing."

The chieftain took a step back, gesturing toward the far end of the canyon. Two of the warriors came forward, dropping a bundle of supplies at their feet—water, food rations, and small pouches of medicinal herbs.

"Generous," Ice muttered. "Guess they're trying to make sure we don't keel over before we even find this cave."

Talan gave the chieftain a small nod of thanks. "Tell them we appreciate their help."

HK relayed the message, and the chieftain let out a final, low rumble before turning on his heel and disappearing into the canyon. One by one, the Sand People followed until they were once again alone.

For a long moment, the only sound was the desert wind howling around them.

Then Ice sighed. "I really need a drink."

Bastila rubbed her temples. "That is not even remotely our most pressing concern."

Ice raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it? Because the way I see it, we're about to march into yet another death trap with zero idea what we're actually walking into. If that doesn't call for a drink, I don't know what does."

Bastila wiped the sweat from her brow as she pressed the comlink to her lips, her voice firm but weary. "Carth, the Krayt Dragon is dead. Meet us at the cave—there's something here we need to check."

Static crackled before Carth's voice came through. "On our way. We'll be there soon."

With that settled, she sighed and lowered the device, tucking it back into her belt. The sun blazed mercilessly above, making every breath feel like it was being pulled through hot sand. She turned to Ice, who had already rummaged through her satchel and pulled out a canteen, drinking deeply.

"You're only drinking water now?" Bastila arched a brow. "After spending the entire day battling a Krayt Dragon in the middle of a desert?"

Ice wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Better late than never." She took another swig before holding the canteen out to Bastila. "Want some? Or do Jedi survive on stubbornness alone?"

Rolling her eyes, Bastila took the canteen, drinking deeply. The water was warm, but it was still refreshing against her dry throat. As she passed it back, her gaze flickered toward the entrance of the cave, a gaping void of black in the rock face. Something about it felt ominous.

"You're thinking about the holopad," Ice muttered, staring at the canteen in her hands.

Bastila nodded. "If it's here, then this might be the only piece of Father we have left."

Ice was quiet for a long moment, her fingers idly tapping against the canteen. When she spoke, her voice was quieter than usual. "I always thought I hated him," she admitted. "Thought that when he died, I wouldn't care. But when she told us—when Mother told us—" She trailed off, inhaling sharply.

Bastila studied her carefully. "It wasn't the news you expected."

"No," Ice admitted. "I thought I could be indifferent, like I am with Mother. But Father… he tried, even when he failed." She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her tangled hair. "I don't know why it's hitting me like this."

Bastila hesitated before placing a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe because deep down, you knew he loved you. And despite everything, you loved him too."

Ice didn't move or respond right away, but she also didn't pull away. After a moment, she sighed and stood up, her posture shifting back into something unreadable. "Anyway," she muttered. "I should check on Juhani before she keels over."

She dusted the sand from her clothes and walked towards Juhani.

"You good?" Ice asked, holding out the canteen.

Juhani blinked, as if pulled from deep thought, before glancing at the offered water. After a brief hesitation, she took it with a small nod. "I had not realized how dry my throat had become."

Ice crossed her arms, watching as Juhani drank. "Not really used to this heat, huh?"

Juhani exhaled, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth. "My homeworld was a place of forests and rivers, shaded beneath golden leaves. The air here is harsh… lifeless." She looked back toward the dunes. "Even the wind feels empty."

Ice followed her gaze before shrugging. "I don't know. I've seen worse."

Juhani glanced at her, curiosity flickering in her yellow eyes. "You seem unaffected by this place."

Ice scoffed. "Oh, I'm affected, alright. I just don't let it show." She nodded toward the canteen still in Juhani's hands. "You should drink more. No point in dropping dead before we even make it inside."

Juhani studied her for a moment before nodding and taking another drink. "You have been watching out for me since we landed," she observed.

Ice shrugged.

Juhani tilted her head slightly, as if she wanted to say something more, but instead, she simply returned the canteen. "Thank you."

Ice took it back and smirked. "Sometimes I can be nice."

Juhani exhaled a quiet chuckle, her posture relaxing slightly. "I will not argue with that."

Before Ice could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention. The rest of the crew had arrived, and the time for conversation was over.

It was time to go inside.