Ashley stirred from a deep sleep, the cold metal surface beneath her reminding her of her unsettling predicament. She blinked away the lingering fog of slumber and began to comprehend her surroundings—she was confined within a dimly lit cargo container, her wrists bound in heavy cuffs that clinked softly as she moved. The muffled sound of her name echoed in the confined space, pulling her further into wakefulness.
"Ashley? Ashley!" Carly's urgent voice pierced through the gloom, her tone a mix of concern and relief. Ashley turned her head, squinting toward the source of the sound.
"Good morning," Carly said, a faint smile flickering across her face despite the dire circumstances.
"What... where are we?" Ashley mumbled, her voice thick with confusion.
"We've been captured by some bounty hunter," Troy interjected, frustration evident in his furrowed brow. His dark hair fell over his eyes as he shook his head. "After six months of evading capture, we're all in chains on our first try."
"A bounty hunter?" Ashley questioned, her heart racing at the implication. "What would a bounty hunter want with you guys?"
"We defected from the Empire," Andre explained, letting out a weary sigh as he leaned against the cold metal wall. "But what about you? What's your story?"
Ashley sighed deeply, the weight of her troubled past settling heavily on her shoulders. "I guess I was raised in the wrong place."
Suddenly, the cargo doors creaked open, flooding the container with blinding light. A tall figure stepped inside—a wiry man named Shay—accompanied by an elder man with a shaven head, whose presence commanded immediate respect. Behind them trailed a squad of armed troops, their expressions hardened and wary.
"Baron Merillion Tarko," the elder announced, his voice rich and authoritative, as his piercing gaze quickly settled on Ashley. "A Jedi, no less," he stated, his surprise evident. "You are a rare find in these troubled times."
"A Jedi?" Andre gasped, disbelief lacing his voice as he looked from Shay to the Baron.
"Indeed," Shay remarked, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "I expect to be paid handsomely for this one."
"Oh, I assure you, you will be," Baron Merillion Tarko replied smoothly, his eyes glinting with calculation as he surveyed the situation, clearly intrigued by Ashley's potential value.
Shay navigated his way back to the Wheel, stealing glances at the shimmering relic he had brought with him—Ashley's Lightsaber, a poignant memento of their shared battles and memories. As he parked the ship and disembarked, an uneasy anticipation filled the air, propelling him towards the medical wing where he hoped to find his mother. Now that he had the bounty money in his pocket, the promise of surgery lingered in his mind like a fragile thread of hope.
Urgency propelled him down the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridors of the medical bay, but his heart plummeted when he spotted Gai slumped in a chair just outside the ward, the sorrow etched on his features like a dark cloud. "Gai?" Shay's voice trembled, laced with dread. "What is it?"
Gai lifted his head, his eyes shadowed with grief. "It's your mother…"
A cold wave of fear surged through Shay as he sprinted down the corridor, his footsteps echoing ominously. Each step felt like a lifetime, desperation clawing at him as he burst into the room where she had once been. The sight that met him was unbearable—his mother's still form lay beneath crisp white sheets, the warmth of life extinguished from her. A painful realization crashed over him; he was too late. His heart shattered as he let out a choked gasp, the weight of unfulfilled promises crashing down like a tidal wave.
He staggered to the side of her bed, the sterile scent of antiseptic overwhelming his senses. Falling to his knees, he gripped the edge of the mattress, the remnants of her presence a cruel reminder of his failure. Tears streamed down his cheeks, mingling with the fabric beneath him, as he cried out in anguish for the chance to say goodbye, for just one last moment to share. In that stark, impersonal room, Shay's world crumbled, leaving him alone with his grief and the echo of all that could have been.
They were abruptly flung into the confines of a damp, cold cell on an unknown planet. The dimly lit space around them hinted at its sinister purpose, the walls rough against their skin, and the air thick with an oppressive tension. Echoes of distant cheers reverberated through the corridor, mixed with the grunts and clashes of combat that suggested a brutal contest was taking place nearby.
"Great," Troy scoffed, his voice laced with disbelief and fury. "I thought an Imperial prison was the worst we'd have to face."
"What is this place?" Carly's voice trembled as she surveyed their grim surroundings.
"I've heard whispers of this hellhole," Andre murmured, his fingers trailing across the stone walls. "Cato Neimoidia. This isn't just a prison; it's a renowned Imperial fighting arena. They force captives to battle for the twisted entertainment of the Imperial forces. The stands? They're packed with Troopers and the planet's inhabitants, eager for bloodshed."
"I don't like the sound of that at all," Carly admitted, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.
"I wasn't thrilled about being dragged here by some bounty hunter, either," Troy retorted, glancing at Ashley, who leaned against the wall, her demeanor eerily calm. "So… you're a Jedi?"
A soft chuckle escaped Ashley's lips, revealing a hint of sadness. "I was wondering how long it would take to come out. I was a Jedi, actually—a Jedi Master, until everything changed with Order 66. My old Master sacrificed himself to ensure my escape. I lost my droid and sold my ship the moment I reached the Wheel, just trying to keep a low profile. But it seems the Empire eventually learned I was alive and put a bounty on my head." She searched her belt, her expression sinking as she realized her Lightsaber was missing. "That hunter must've taken my saber as a trophy."
"Fantastic," Troy groaned. "So now we're stuck with a weaponless Jedi, and our own gear could be scattered, who knows where."
A sudden clang echoed from deeper within the cell, startling them into silence. They all exchanged nervous glances, hearts pounding as shadows shifted ominously. Out from the gloom emerged a Lasat male, his purple beard contrasting sharply against his pale mauve skin, vivid green eyes glimmering with curiosity.
"Well, lookie here," the Lasat taunted another figure lurking in the shadows. "Looks like we've got company, Xatar."
The newcomers stood frozen as a Talz stepped forward, its large frame towering over them.
"Hey, we aren't looking for trouble," Troy spoke up, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
"Then you're in the wrong place," the Lasat replied. "You're standing in the heart of trouble central."
But Ashley was undeterred. She approached the Talz confidently, a warm smile breaking the icy dread surrounding them. "Xatar, was it?"
The Talz turned its gaze toward Ashley, studying her with wide, expressive eyes.
"I mean no harm," she continued, her eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and reverence. "I haven't seen a Talz in some time. The last one I encountered was my Jedi Master."
Xatar grunted softly, attempting to communicate, and Ashley's smile widened. "I learned your language, yes," she explained, "just in case my Master's communicator malfunctioned on a mission."
The Talz's demeanor shifted, a sense of warmth sparking in its eyes as it responded to her.
"What happened to you two to end up in this mess?" Andre asked, shifting his weight nervously.
"Xatar here was enslaved along with his wife and son by the Zygerrians." The Lassat informed them. "He watched his family murdered right in front of him and was then sold to Baron Merrion Tarko in Cato Neimoidia. We've all been forced to fight in this arena since the end of the Clone Wars."
"Survived all this time?" Ashley asked, incredulity etched on her face as Xatar nodded solemnly. "With the six of us together, they're likely plotting to throw us against something bigger, a last-ditch effort to squash any ideas of escaping."
"Do they even plan to give us a fighting chance?" Carly questioned, her voice laced with doubt.
"Ha! The crowd here relishes watching us struggle," the Lasat scoffed. "Name's Zak, by the way."
"Pleasure meeting you, Zak," Ashley said, her determination beginning to resurface. "We've got to assume no one's coming to save us."
"I wish I had that communicator Amber left us," Carly murmured, anxiety dripping from her words. "The Protectors could really help us right now."
"Looks like we're on our own," Troy replied, a sense of grim acceptance settling in. "What's the plan, Ashley?"
Ashley took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze flickering between her companions and the looming uncertainty surrounding them. "Xatar, can you shoot?"
"I've been training him with my bo-rifle whenever they make us fight," Zak interjected.
"Good. So, you can handle a blaster then?" Ashley's voice grew more resolute. "If we get the chance, we might just fight our way out of here."
"Something tells me they'll make sure we don't get that chance," Andre remarked, his skepticism palpable.
"Have a little faith," Ashley urged, her spirit undeterred. "I believe the Force brings us together for a reason, and I have a feeling our presence here isn't a mere coincidence."
"What are they going to do to us?" Andre wonders.
"Likely toss us into the arena," Zak took a guess. "We won't last long with so many of us, they are likely to put us against something stronger than normal."
Ashley smiled when she heard that. "Then maybe that will give us a chance."
Shay sat alone in his dimly lit room, his gaze fixed on the cold, metallic weapon that lay across his lap—a lightsaber, a grim trophy from a life he never wanted. The hum of its blade seemed to echo memories of the six lives he had sacrificed to the Empire, all in a desperate bid to save his mother. Now, in the suffocating silence of his solitude, he remembered the last moments they shared, etched into his mind like a haunting melody.
In his mind's eye, he was back in the sterile, white-washed corridors of the medical center, a place where hope flickered like the dying light of a distant star. There, he found his mother ensconced in a web of machines, blinking monitors keeping vigil over her frail form as she lay on life support, so fragile yet so powerful in his heart. Desperation clawed at him; he needed the bounty money from those six souls to ensure she had the surgery that could restore her to him.
"I will be right back, Mom," Shay promised, his voice barely above a whisper, laden with emotion.
Her eyes, clouded yet filled with an unwavering love, sought his out. He could see her struggle as she fought to form her thoughts into words, the machine's soft beeping underscoring the weight of their parting. "No matter what happens... don't put any more darkness into the galaxy, Shay. You have a good heart. Embrace it."
His heart ached at the sound of her weary voice, each word a fragile thread binding him to the light in a galaxy cloaked in shadows. Shay nodded earnestly, a promise forged in the crucible of their love, even as he steeled himself to walk away, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with moral peril.
As Shay cast his gaze around the dimly lit cargo bay, he felt the weight of his promise settle heavily on his shoulders. The flickering overhead lights reflected off the steel walls, casting uneasy shadows that mirrored the conflict within him. He thought of the people he had surrendered to the Empire, realizing with a pang of guilt that they were likely not the heinous criminals they had been painted to be. The coin he had received for their betrayal now felt worthless, a hollow reward paired with regret. A sense of urgency bubbled up within him; he knew he couldn't let this stand. He had to make amends.
With newfound resolve, Shay sprang to his feet, his pulse quickening as he strode purposefully toward the corner where his blaster lay, gleaming ominously. He grabbed his worn leather bag and tilted his hat brim down low, a shield against the world outside. Striding into the bustling docking bay, he sensed the familiar hum of ships preparing for launch, but his focus remained steadfast, locked on his vessel at the end of the corridor.
"Shay!" a voice pierced through the ambient noise, pulling him from his thoughts. Gai, his mentor and friend, appeared, concern etched across his features. "Where are you going?"
"To right a wrong," Shay replied, determination lacing his tone. "I'm heading to Cato Neimoidia to free those people I turned in."
Gai's brow furrowed in disbelief. "You're going to risk your life to rescue a bunch of criminals you helped arrest?" He struggled to grasp Shay's reckless plan.
"Criminals?" Shay scoffed, bitterness infecting his words. "If they're enemies of the Empire, it's only because they oppose its tyranny." Memories of his mother rushed back—a desperate time when his actions were borne of heartache and fear. "What I did was a choice made in desperation. Now I must correct it."
Before Shay could step away, Gai grasped his arm tightly, the urgency palpable. "You will die doing this!"
"Then I'll die knowing I am atoning for my past mistakes," Shay declared, his voice resolute yet tinged with sorrow.
"The Empire will hunt you down, Shay! They won't stop until they find you!" Gai pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Let them come!" Shay snapped, breaking free from Gai's grip, the fire in his heart roaring to life. "I'm tired of being a pawn. This is my chance to do something truly right in this galaxy."
Gai's heart sank as he watched Shay march toward the ship. He knew the man's mind was made up, but the thought of losing his friend propelled him into action. With determination fueling his steps, he dashed after him, bursting through the ship just as the metal doors were sliding shut.
"I'm not going to let you do this alone, I promised your mother I would keep you safe, and I will keep it," Gai said, his voice firm, a hint of urgency underscoring his words as he made his way to the controls.
A wave of gratitude washed over Shay, mixing with a flicker of hope as he prepared for takeoff. With Gai by his side, perhaps they had a chance to make a stand against the oppressive shadow of the Empire. Together, they would dare to challenge fate as they set their course for Cato Neimoidia.
Back on Cato Neimoidia, the prisoners were transported to the arena as they looked around in fear. Ashley used her Jedi training to search the area for any means of escape while the others were waiting to see what they were facing. Without her lightsaber, Ashley knew that her only allies in this were the people around her and the Force itself. As they waited, they saw a gate open up and were preparing for whatever beast lurked within to challenge them. That was when they watched as, out of all things, a Rancor marched its way out and roared at them.
"A Rancor?!" Andre asks.
"Oh, I was worried they were gonna send out the big guy," Zak said, almost relieved to see the monstrous creature.
"This isn't the big guy!?" Carly asks. "Dont we get weapons?!"
"This is their idea of fun!" Xatar said, now equipped with a translator, as that was their way of making this 'fair'. "The weapons are scattered around the arena, we've got to find them!"
"Everyone scatter, keep this thing off Ashley and let her find an escape!" Troy told them, and they did just that.
Carly leaped out of the way as the Rancor took a swing with its massive claws to try and reach them, letting out a roar when it missed. Zak rushed over to one of the stalls in the middle of the arena and punched a small fragment and found his bo-rifle. He chuckled as he pulled it out and prepared to use it. "Oh, yeah. They really gotta think of better hiding spaces." He then turned around, charging up a blast when he saw Xatar was in the Rancor's arms. "Take this!"
An electrical charge shot from his weapon, hitting the Rancor, saving Xatar as he fell and hit the sand, crawling back up as he ran off to escape. The Rancor let out a roar of anger as there was another electrical charge that hit it again, but it worked through the charge this time and rushed towards Zak.
"Ah, Karabast!" Zak cried, jumping out of the way as the Rancor hit the pillars, spilling a few more of their weapons.
Andre ran in and grabbed his and Troy's personal blasters as they then ran around, seeing that the blasters had been tampered with. They wouldn't allow them to kill the Rancor, just to make the job harder on them.
Ashley was running around as she found another caged-off area without anything living within it. She looked back and saw that the others were having trouble holding back the Rancor. She groaned and saw that there was no chance they were going to escape. It was going to take a miracle.
Then there was a whirring of an engine, and they looked up in shock as the very ship that delivered them here was coming down from the sky. The weapons on board shot at the guns the Empire had set up around the area, causing the troops to jump and begin to shoot at the ship.
But as they were going, the troops entered the arena to try and stop them from escaping, allowing Ashley to use the Force on the broken fragments of the pillar and began to toss them towards the troopers. Getting a bright idea, she then slammed her hand to the ground, using the dust and dirt in the arena to her advantage as she sent a blast of dust off the ground and began to cover their escape.
The troopers randomly opened fire while the others opened fire in return as they rushed towards the ship. The doorway opened as Gai exited the ship and began to gesture for them to reach the ship while he was opening fire on the approaching troops.
Shay was in the pilot seat as he kept the turrets aimed at the ships that started to fly over. Running through the dust, Zak found that Talz was injured from the Rancor and helped walk him towards the ship.
"You are not going to die like this, friend!" Zak stated, helping him get to the ship.
But as they were going, one of the troops spotted them in the cloud of dust and then opened fire, shooting Zak in the back. He screamed in pain as he fell over, his Talz friend picked up the bo-rifle from his Lasat friend, and shot the trooper down. He then looked down and saw that Zak was shot in the back, and he could barely stand due to the injuries.
"Zak!"
"Go." Zak groaned to his friend, pushing the bo-rifle towards Xatar. "Take this... and live."
Xatar was sorry to see his friend go, but he didn't have the time to mourn. He needed to hurry. He rushed off with the bo-rifle, using it to shoot at the troops as revenge as he reached the ship.
"Come on, let's go!" Gai told them, seeing them run into the ship.
As he had his back turned, Gai was shot in the shoulder, falling over and groaning at the pain. As he crawled to the ship, he was shot again, this time between the eyes and causing him to scream.
Andre burst through the ship's hatch, gunfire erupting around him as he fought off the encroaching troops. With urgency coursing through his veins, he hoisted Gai into his arms, his heart pounding as he shouted, "I've got ya!"
"Are we all in, Gai?" Shay called out, his voice tinged with a mix of hope and anxiety, glancing back to check on their escape.
"Go!" Carly shouted, panic lacing her words as she slammed the doors shut, sealing them away from the chaos.
The starship throbbed to life, lifting off from the battlefield and breaking free from the planet's grip. The enemy fleet, hindered by their dwindling resources, could only watch as the vessel soared into the depths of space, leaving them behind in the swirling dust of the arena.
Shay stepped down from the cockpit, his breath catching in his throat as he rushed to Gai's side, the emergency lights casting a dim glow over the scene. "Gai!" he cried, kneeling beside him. The sight that met his eyes shattered his heart; Gai lay there, pale and fading, clinging to life by mere threads. "Stay with me. We'll get you to the Wheel. They can fix you up," Shay insisted, his voice trembling with desperation.
"No," Gai whispered, his voice barely audible, each word a struggle. "It's too late for that... live. Survive." The flicker of determination in Gai's eyes waned as he exhaled softly for the last time. "I kept my promise..." His spirit had fought valiantly, protecting Shay until the very end. "Survive."
A deep, echoed silence enveloped the ship as Shay's world crumbled around him. Tears streamed down his cheeks, blurring his vision as he grappled with the overwhelming wave of loss. In that moment, he mourned not only the loss of his mother but also the profound void left by his mentor, the one who had guided him through the darkest times. The others stood nearby, their hearts heavy, giving Shay the space to grieve, united in the shared weight of their sorrow.
Shay sighed as he stood up, seeing his fallen mentor, and teared up. "Is everyone-"
Troy punched him in the face, grabbed him, and shoved him against the wall. "What's the big idea, huh?!" He gave the rescuer a chance to mourn, but now it was time for some answers. "First, you and your Ithorian friend kidnapped us, took us to the Empire for some bounty, made us to force to fight in that arena, and all of a sudden, now you saved us! What's your game?!"
Shay pushed him away as get started crying again for the loss of his father-figure. "Get off me!" He demanded, straightening himself out. "Look, I'm sorry, okay! I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't have done that, but.. I had no choice!"
Carly scoffed. "That's your defense?!"
Andre cracked his knuckles. "You need to come up with a better one before I'm gonna-"
"My Mother! She was dying, and we didn't had enough credits to help her." Shay answered, getting silence from the people. "So, once I saw bounty about you guys and how many credits I could get to save her, I figured 'Hey, why not?' Gai helped me capture you guys, and I didn't think about the consequences of trading you guys in for the Empire because all I ever cared about is saving her.
I was desperate! I got all the credits I needed, but when I came back... she was gone. I was too late to save her. Lori Aster, the most amazing mother the galaxy that a guy could ask for. Gone. She was kind, gentle, and always looking out for others whom she didn't know, and I never understood why. Her last words were, 'Never put more evil in the Galaxy, and try to put more good in it' and that's what I did when I traded you guys to the Empire... putting more evil in it. So I figured to honor her memory, Gai and I went back to free you guys, but things went sideways, and... I lost Gai. I never knew my father, so he was the closest thing I had. Had. I lost two people I loved in my life. Now... I... I had no one. I'm all alone." Shay sniffed and wiped his tears. "I'll bring you guys back to the Wheel. We'll go our separate ways, and you'll never see me again."
And with that, Shay went back to the cockpit. The others were silent about what Shay said.
"Okay, that is a pretty good reason," Carly muttered to herself.
Troy sighed as he leaned against the wall. "Now I feel like a jerk."
Ashley went to follow Shay into the cockpit. Shay was working on his ship alone to pilot them home until Ashley walked in.
"What do you want?" Shay asked her.
Ashley took a minute to respond. "Shay, is it?"
"That's my name," Shay said.
"I came here to thank you for saving me and the others back on Cato Neimoidia." Ashley sighed. "Even though it was your fault in the first place, you did the right thing coming back."
Shay didn't look back. "Don't mention it."
"Also, I'm here to say I'm sorry for your losses," Ashley said. "Both your mother and Gai must've been great people to have in your life. I know what it's like."
Shay turns around with an angry face. "You don't get to mention them! Got it?"
Ashley saw it was a sour subject right now and nodded. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"Good," Shay said as he got back to work on his ship.
"You said you never knew your father, correct?" Ashley asks.
"Yeah," Shay said, flicking some switches. "He died before I was even born. My mom barely talked about him. Sometimes I try to imagine what he was like."
Ashley smiles at the concept. "I know that feeling."
Shay rolled his eyes at her sentiment. "Do you? Did your dad die too?"
"I'm not quite sure. I never knew my parents actually." Ashkey said as she looked out the window at the stars. "As Jedi, we're taken from our families when we are very young. I don't really even remember what they look like. Not even their names. I grew up at the Jedi Temple in Coruscant with other Force-sensitive kids who were my age. We were trained in the ways of the Force and would hopefully become Jedi. That's where Master Foul Moudama chose me as his Padawan. He took me under his wing, practically raised me, and taught me everything I know. He was the closest thing I had to a father. Until the Clones turned against us. He died in my arms, giving me the chance to escape."
There was silence at the moment as Ashley started to walk off.
"Hey," Shay called out, getting Ashley to turn to face him as he tossed his Saber back at her. "I'm... I'm sorry for your loss, Ashley. Guess we're not so different after all."
Ashley smiled and nodded as she placed her lightsaber on her belt and walked off.
Returning to the Wheel, they went back to their lives like nothing had happened. The Empire didn't know where they came from, so there was no way that they were going to track their way back to the Wheel.
Shay was working on fixing the ship from the blaster marks that scratched the paint. Everyone else was just going around the Wheel like everything was normal once again. Andre and Carly were going off to relax, and Troy went home to rest.
Ashley was meditating and reaching out with the Force. As she was doing so, she felt something dark. She sensed something bad, causing her to gasp as she saw that a dark shadow was consuming the Wheel in a vision. That meant that something dark was coming, and she jumped up to her feet and looked over to Xatar, who was sharing with her for now, when she rushed out of the apartment.
Xatar was confused about what was going on. "What just happened?"
Troy woke up to what sounded like scorch marks in the distance being made. Jumping from his bed, he saw that Carly and Andre were still missing and sneaked out to start looking for them. Fearing the worst, he grabbed the blaster and rushed into the hallways, seeing scorch marks on the walls. He rushed down the hall where he heard someone talking and a light hum in the distance. When he reached it, he saw that there was someone wielding a blade, similar to Ashley's, but this one was red. He gasped when he saw that Carly and Andre were already captured, two Cone Commando Troopers. The man wielding the lightsaber was a teal-skinned humanoid male Force-sensitive with a strange mustache.
"You escaped with a Jedi," Golak said as he circled the two of them. He then raised his blade to Carly's neck, causing her to whimper. "Tell me where she is... and you will live."
Carly was afraid for what would happen, but stood her ground what little she had. "No."
"Let them go," Ashley said, approaching them from behind, getting the Clone Commando Troops to aim their weapons at her. "Now."
"There you are," Golak said, spinning his blade to strike when his saber was shot out of his hands, causing him to groan. He looked and saw it was Xatar who stopped him from striking, aiming his friend's bo-rifle at them to defend the team.
The blaster fire was heard by Shay, who was wandering the halls, wondering what was going on. He rushed over to see what it was and didn't know what he was about to walk into. Troy kept himself hidden, prepared to step in as he drew his blaster and waited for an opening.
"Let them go," Ashley told Golak. "They have nothing to do with this."
Golak only turned towards his troopers, who opened fire on Xatar, who ducked below some crates for cover. Ashley drew her blade and rushed in to attack Golak. But Golak blocked the strike while using the Force to draw his Saber back and activating it.
Troy then came in as he opened fire at the troopers, getting them to back away from Carly and Andre as he rushed over to try and get them out of the restraints they were in.
"Come on, we gotta get out of here!" Troy tried to free them while blaster fire went off around him.
"Where?!" Carly asks.
That was when they saw a blast hit one of the troops, and it revealed Shay behind it. "Follow me!"
Ashley spun her saber to try and go for Golak's legs, but he blocked her attack and activated the opposite end of his saber and then began spinning his blade. Ashley wasn't surprised by this and was more annoyed. He went in to strike her again, but all she did was raise and managed to block it, even when she felt the pushback of the force he put into the swing. She then raised her hand to use the Force to push him back. She lifted a few of the boxes and tossed them at Golak, causing him to either evade or block the strikes.
Golak then ran in, swinging his blade enough that he managed to cut her cheek, causing Ashley to squeal as she fell backwards. She dropped her saber in the process, sending it flying across the way as Golak stood over her. He chuckled and kept his blade on her when suddenly he saw a large blast that hit the ceiling, causing a cave-in. Golak jumped backwards while Xatar ran over and grabbed Ashley, while Golak tried to fight his way through.
"Come on!" Xatar shouted, urgency lacing his voice as he sprinted toward the docking bay, the metal floor echoing beneath his hurried footsteps.
As he burst into the open space, he was greeted by the sight of their ship, gleaming under the stark lights, fully fueled and primed for launch. Behind the control panel, Shay sat resolutely at the helm, her fingers dancing over the controls with practiced ease. The engines roared to life, vibrating through the air as the ship began to ascend, a majestic beast breaking free from its terrestrial bonds.
Golak, breathless and wide-eyed, sprinted forward, arriving just in time to witness the sleek, polished vessel ascend from the barren ground, its angular silhouette shrinking against the sprawling canvas of a starlit sky. He stood frozen in place, his heart pounding and rage simmering within him as he watched the ship erupt into a blaze of energy, the last glimpses of his teammates swallowed by the inky blackness of space. A tidal wave of anger surged through him, bitter and relentless, knowing the elusive Jedi had evaded capture yet again.
"You two alright?" Troy inquired, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"We're better off than some of the others who were with us," Carly replied, exhaling a weary sigh, her eyes clouded with worry.
"Who was that guy?" Xatar asked, glancing toward Ashley, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Ashley's expression darkened as the grim reality settled in. "He was an Inquisitor. Trained to hunt down Jedi," she explained, a heavy note of resignation coloring her tone.
"Like you?" Andre interjected, skepticism lacing his voice.
"Yeah," Ashley admitted, her breath catching slightly. "Now that the Empire knows about us, they won't relent in their pursuit."
"What's our next move then?" Andre pondered aloud, the weight of their situation pressing down on him.
"We've got to run," Shay declared, determination flaring in his eyes as he strode purposefully down the metal pathway toward the cockpit. "We don't have any other choice."
"We can't hide forever; they'll find us eventually," Xatar lamented, the shadows of frustration crossing his features. "If we split up, they'll hunt us down one by one."
"So, we stick together," Ashley asserted, her resolve hardening. "But who says we have to cower just because the Empire is after us?"
"Perhaps the instinct to stay alive?" Carly suggested, her voice steady despite the fear pooling in her gut.
"She's got a point," Shay nodded thoughtfully, aligning with her perspective. "We could do good across the galaxy, just like the Protectors did."
"So we go around aiding people while dodging the Empire?" Andre questioned, skepticism still threading through his words. "I'm not sure that's a sound plan."
"It's better than merely fading into the shadows," Troy countered, his gaze steely and resolved. "We could help those who've lost everything, just as we have."
It became clear that the group was leaning toward a path of action rather than hiding from the shadows of their pursuers.
"Looks like I've been outvoted," Carly shrugged with a reluctant smile.
Andre let out a resigned sigh, realizing they all shared a common purpose. "Alright then, where do we start?"
"First things first, we need a name," Xatar interjected eagerly. "How about Star Force?"
"We are not calling ourselves that," Ashley protested vehemently, distaste etched on her features.
"I kinda like it," Carly shot back, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"No," Troy said firmly.
"We can brainstorm later." Shay sighed, trying to moderate the escalating debate.
The Watcher observed in silence as their ship streaked through the cosmos, its lights dimming into the vastness. "The Force has its designs for individuals," he mused softly. "But sometimes you must nudge the universe and rely on both chance and a little bit of luck. The galaxy is teeming with heroes willing to rise up and defend its sanctity. But for now, lets head back to our Protectors, shall we?"