[5 years ago, Coruscant]

"This is absolutely ridiculous!" Soni protested.

She was in her family's capital condo. She could tell her parents were livid with her as her mother Seraphine sat by the fire and her father Corwin Noya paced back and forth in his senator robes. Even after his disgraceful resignation he'd refused to stop dressing the part. He never admitted to funneling information to special interest groups that had Imperial ties, but resigned in order to salvage what professional integrity he had left.

"Ridiculous?" Corwin scoffed. "What is ridiculous is you going on this privatized excursion by a radical war hungry royal with no homeworld! Does your family's honor mean nothing to you Sonibelle?"

Soni clenched her fists. She hated it when her father used her full name.

"You're one to talk. You're not a senator anymore. Take off those robes!"

"I've made mistakes and sacrifices for this family. You need to realize every choice you make pulls this family further into disgrace. Is that what you want—to erase the Noya name from the Core?"

"Like it would be the worst thing to happen," Soni muttered, crossing her arms.

"Soni," Seraphine interjected, calming as she could, her husband and only child were getting nowhere. "Your father just wants what is best for you. For all of us. Your involvement in this mission, even though successful, is wildly inappropriate."

"I helped save children taken from the empire…"

"Forces sensitivities," Corwin reminded her with disdain. "Did you forget what those religious zealots did to the Republic? Jedi….How do you think the rise of the Empire came to be?"

"Not all jedi are like that," Soni replied thinking of Sashee Vox. She realized perhaps the New Republic knew nothing of the new jedi that were emerging and any mention of Wyn's sister may cause panic throughout the capital. She didn't want to take the chance, especially since Sashee had saved her from the star weird. "It doesn't matter what you both think. I'm joining the Rangers of Adelphi.""Impossible girl," Corwin turned toward the fire. "All my work to elevate the Noya name in the Core—wasted! Go ahead! Run off! But do your mother and me a favor and change your name. I will not have any more shame brought on this family!"

"Fine by me!" Soni shouted as her father stormed out of the room. Soni turned away fuming. Her mother finally stood and approached her daughter, placing her hands on her arms gently. "I don't understand how you accept everything he does or says. He's a social climber. He only married you to get ahead."

"Sonibelle," Sephrine tightened her grip on her, making Soni flinch. She had never known her mother to lose her composure. "There is so much you don't know, girl. I understand your frustration. A life of privilege comes with many responsibilities. It does not provide the most adventurous one. One day you'll understand that your father and I just want to stir you toward the opportunities we never had."

Soni averted her eyes and pulled away from her mother. She didn't want to hear what was coming next. She could argue with her father any day of the week, but her mother was something else. In all actuality it should have been her who ran for the senate with all her influence and tactics.

"But I promised Wyb–"

"Enough Soni," Sephrine cut her off. "You have chased this boy long enough. There will be others."

"Wyb is my friend!" Soni flushed and protested her mother's accusation. How dare she suggest she was in the Naval Academy for a boy. She had joined out of deficiency. She refused to be funneled into the senate by her parents. But she had not enjoyed the academy. Not until Wyb arrived. Was there some way her mother knew something she didn't? She had nearly kissed him in the middle of their mission.

Why didn't I just kiss him? The question echoed as she shook the question from her mind. She didn't need to answer that now.

"I'm going to leave the core. I'm going to see the galaxy. Do some good for the New Republic instead of sitting around debating nonsense as a committee."

"Soni, I've seen your test score," Sephrine sighed. "You did not pass."

"Organa said she'd take care of it," Soni muttered embarrassed.

"Isn't that the Quacta calling the Stifling Slimy," Sephrine spoke the phrase her husband had taught her without fully knowing its meaning. "You are not a pilot, my child. And that is alright. Your marks in strategy are off the charts. That you get from your grandfather."

"Who doesn't even recognize us," Soni retorted, folding her arms and sitting on the sofa.

"He will, when there is something to recognize," Sephrine said. "I've called in a favor with Captain Denz Loncak. He has many old colleagues in the NRI from his rebellion days."

"Loncak?!"

"He's arranged for you to be inducted immediately as a special agent." her mother sat next to her. Soni shuttered. Her whole life was being arranged and she had no say in it. All she could think about was how now in the midst of losing everything she had worked for in the academy, why hadn't she just kissed Wyb Tersu. "Sonibelle, this is a wonderful opportunity for you."

"Mother!"

"Listen to me. I know it may seem like the end of the world. Parting from your first love always does," she acknowledged. "But if this boy is truly your friend he will understand. Besides…even if you choose to follow him, can you for one moment think about the consequences?"

"Consequences?"

"The Outer Rim is a dangerous place. Your friend can not keep you safe against everything that is out there. Has your last mission taught you nothing? If you truly care about Wayne, then you will not put him in that position of being unfocused and possibly see you die."

"His name is Wyb," Soni said as she let her mother's words wash over her. Wyb had been her anchor, her constant in the chaos, and the one person who made her believe she could be more than her family's pawn. Even so, deep down, she knew her mother was right. After their mission in the Unknown Regions she knew she would not have made it out alive if it weren't for Sashee Vox and Chewbacca. There was no way Wyb could have rescued the children and her without their help."What should I tell him?"

"Say you've changed your mind," Sephrine said, wrapping her arm around Soni comfortingly relieved she had convinced her daughter to follow the path she and Corwin had laid out for her.

"But that's a lie…I haven't changed my mind," Soni said slowly, laying her head on her mother's shoulder in defeat.

"No, dear," her mother murmured, her voice honeyed with victory. "That's just your heart. A very different matter."

[Present Day, Tatooine]

Why didn't I go with him?

The thought pierced her mind like the force pike the Nihil pirate had used. During questioning she refused to answer anything about the information the NRI agents had managed to collect. But worried the pirates would eventually break one of the agents and get what they wanted and end all of their lives.

As she slowly drew in a deep breath she felt the hollow ache beneath her ribs. She was in bad shape. But what hurt more was the murmur of her mother's voice echoing—"That's just your heart. A very different matter."

"Agent Noya! Wake up!" A voice called, sharp and urgent.

A hand placed on her shoulder, gently shaking her. Soni gasped, her head lolling to the side as she fought to open her eyes.

"Wyb…" Soni squeezed her eyes shut, her body shivering against the cold floor beneath her. As she slowly moved she felt the regret of following her partner's plans and not her heart. She believed her mother that the NRI was the right choice, but this was not what she had anticipated.

"Soni!" the agent cried out which caused her to finally open her eyes.

"Kael," she croaked, her throat raw. She saw the relief in her partner's face. The cell reeked of sweat and despair with nearly all team was missing

Kael brow furrowed in concern. "Stars, I thought—"

"I'm fine," she whispered, the words a reflex she didn't believe.

Kael's frown deepened, his own hands trembling from his session of interrogation. "You're not fine… none of us are. They…" He trailed off, his voice breaking.

"How many of us left?" Soni let out a shaky breath, her chest tightening again.

"I…" Kael muttered hopelessly knowing the answer was two but wasn't ready to admit it.

"I was able to send the SOS,"Soni's voice barely above a whisper.

Kael's expression darkened. "If it didn't go through…"

"Then it didn't," she cut him off, her tone sharp. "We're NRI. We're not meant to survive if taken. Too much collateral."

"Who is Wyb?" Kael asked.

"A ranger," she said as her mind flickered to the last message she'd sent before the capture, a personal one—something she hadn't done in years. For Wyb's birthday, she had sent him a short, awkward transmission, unsure if it would even reach him. It had been nothing special: a quick "happy birthday" and hoping all was well.

The memory made her chest tighten with shame. How stupid she'd felt, staring at the blinking "message sent" notification. A meaningless scrap of words as if that could make up for all the ignored calls and invitations to meet up.

She bit her lip, tears stinging her eyes. He probably laughed at it—or worse, ignored it entirely. He's definitely not coming to help us.

Kael's voice pulled her back. "Soni?"

"I'm fine," she said again, forcing herself upright. Every movement felt like fire against her skin, but she welcomed the distraction.

She wasn't ready to admit it aloud, not yet. That she had chosen poorly. That she had let the weight of her family's expectations steer her away from the one thing that had ever felt real.

But deep down, she knew.

I'm sorry, Wyb, she thought, staring at the lifeless wall of their cell. I was wrong…I hope you come.

The chilly night air carried a small wave of sand that wrapped around the sprawling Imperial stronghold looming in the dune below. Shadows of stormtroopers patrolling along the walls, their movements precise, mixed with a few Nihil pirates passed through the doors into the base. The jagged peaks of surrounding cliffs framed a moonless sky, leaving the trio perched on the outcrop in near-total darkness.

Fennec Shand adjusted her macrobinoculars, her sharp gaze cutting through the gloom. "Security's tighter than I expected. Imperials as well as Nihil."

"Quite the affiliation," Boba Fett grumbled, his helmet hiding the disdain in his voice.

"Three against a small battalion, odds don't look good," Wyb kept his voice calm, but the faint tremor in his hand betrayed the storm brewing inside as he held his blaster. He knew Soni was in there, trapped, hurt—maybe worse. His focus had to stay razor-sharp, or none of them would make it out alive.

Fennec handed the binoculars to Wyb. "What's the likelihood of any of them being alive?"

"Tough to say. If they are, they're running out of time," Wyb said, his jaw tightening as he scanned the base.

"Alive or not we have a score to settle," Boba interjected with a certainty that left no room for doubt.

Fennec shot Boba a sidelong glance. "Vengeance doesn't bust through defenses like these."

"No," Boba said, tapping the side of his helmet. "But preparation does. And I've been inside a base like this before."

"You've been inside every type of base," Fennec said dryly. "Doesn't make this one easier."

Wyb taking the macrobinoculars and scanning the base. "What's the plan, then? "

Boba's voice was steady, measured. "There's drainage access on the north side. I'll take point, clear the way. Fennec handles the outer perimeter. You extract, Tersu. Hopefully your mother's taught you enough to do so."

Wyb bristled but held his tongue at the sly remark about Lenore,"I've done my share of rescues."

The weight of his words settled over them like a heavy fog. For a moment, no one spoke. Fennec smirked faintly, though her tone was sharp. "I know your name is Tersu, but don't act like one today. Don't be a hero."

Boba rose slightly, giving a curt nod and glanced at Wyb. "We go in, quiet, extract, and get out."

Wyb exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves before moving in.

The dimly lit room was heavy with the sound of boots echoing on the metallic floor. One Nihil moved toward Kael sitting at the far end of the room. The pirate sneered in frustration, still unable to extract information from their prisoner.

"Keeping your trap shut isn't going to save you," the pirate threatened, his voice rough but tinged with impatience.

Kael shook his head, barely conscious.

The pirate's eyes narrowed. "You think I'm bad.. Wait until the troopers have a go at you, and your friend," he pressed the handle of his shock pike into Kael's chest, glancing over at Soni, who was curled up in the corner recovering from the last interrogation setting.

"Enough they're not talking," the trooper said. "Leave them."

The pirate flicked the shock pick switch on. The trooper turned and walked toward the pirate and said in a low commanding voice. "That's an order."

–"Captain, possible activity on the north side. Permission to send a pair of troopers to check it out."–

"Affirmative, I'm on my way" the trooper replied over his commlink. He glared at the pirate. "They best be alive when I get back."

"Or what?" The pirate mocked.

"There'll be hell to pay," the trooper said before leaving.

The pirate's jaw tightened as he muttered, "I'm getting tired of this Imperial arrangement."

Kael looked over to Soni. Neither of them ever thought they'd be grateful to an imperial trooper. Just as the two of them felt there was no hope left, the sound of blaster fire echoed through the building, shaking the walls. The pirate turned sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon.

Wyb quickly entered the base through the drainage passage, moving quickly through the corridors. His heart raced as he thought of only one thing: Soni.

As he turned the corner toward the interrogation room, the hallway lit up with blaster fire. Wyb, dropped behind a pillar, just barely missing enemy fire. He steadying his breathing, and rose quickly to take out the Nihil. The sharp, satisfying sound of their blasters discharging was immediately followed by the sound of agents.

"Ranger! We're in here!" yelled Kael with the strength he had left. Wyb barked as they sprinted forward, weaving between the narrow gaps in the walls.

"Soni, get up. Your friend is here," Kael managed to crawl over to her and tried to steady her to her feet.

"You got them?" Fennec asked over her comm.

"Almost there," Wyb replied, finally hitting the Nihil in the chest and then leg.

"Hurry up," Fennec commanded.

Wyb's pulse quickened. He approached the room cautiously, hoping there were no other pirates or troopers to confront. He wasn't sure if it was her voice he'd heard in his mind or his own wishful thinking, but the thought of losing her was a wound he couldn't bear to open. As the door slid open with a hiss, the sight of Soni weak and bruised hit him like a punch to the gut.

"Wyb…" Soni's eyes met his, tired but filled with recognition. Wyb caught his breath and rushed to her side. "You came…"

Wyb didn't say anything for a moment. The sight of her—hurt, but alive—made the danger he'd fought through all worth it.

"I got you," Wyb said. He turned to Kael. "How many more?"

"Just us," Kael said sadly.

Soni's lips quivered, a weak smile pulling at the corner of her mouth, though pain still clouded her expression.

"Let's go," Wyb said with one arm around her, Wyb helped Soni to her feet. Her body trembled.

"Wyb, I-"

"Shh," he hushed. There was no time for words. "Fennec, got them."

As they neared the exit, the sound of more troopers came from behind them, but Wyb didn't look back.

Soni's hand grasped his fingers weakly but clinging to the reassurance that Wyb was there, not leaving her behind. Kael followed with Wyb's blaster in hand hoping he wouldn't have to use it.

They reached the exit to find Fett and Fennec waiting impatiently with the speeders.

"Took you long enough," Fennec said as blaster fire began to rain down on them. She began to return fire.

"Don't bother," Fett said as he gave them the signal to pull away from the base. "I took care of it."

BOOM!

Barely out of range, the group looked behind them to find the entire base engulfed by an explosion clearly setup by Boba Fett.

Wyb looked at the veteran bounty hunter. Fett was the only one not admiring his handy work. He knew he had held up his end of the bargain. And though his face was hidden by his helmet, Wyb knew Fett was smiling with enjoyment from the destruction.

Wyb should have felt relieved knowing the man was on his side, but all he felt was a sense of dread knowing what Fett was fully capable of. He worried that Kyla would pay the price if she didn't hold up her end of the bargain.