Prologue

A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away….

War has come to the galaxy. The Mandalorian Clans have united under one banner, forming a vast armada the likes of which has never been seen. For years they’ve been ravaging the outer rim worlds and are beginning to press toward the Galactic Core. Though the Republic braces itself for battle, their most trusted ally, the Jedi Order have decided not to participate in the fight. But as more worlds fall to savagery, fractures begin to appear in the Order's resolve.

As the conflict inevitably draws closer, Jedi Padawan Lyra Heartstrings sees a powerful vision. In it, she sees a golden opportunity and her only chance at unraveling the mystery of her species and homeland. However, this lead is merely a stepping stone. As more clues about the whereabouts of her homeland appear, Lyra is forced to take measures of her own…. by traveling across a galaxy torn apart by war.

Khal Dryll stared at the vast empty void of space. He sat in his ship’s cockpit, counting the stars that glimmered in the darkness. It was boring, sure, but it was the only entertainment he had. That, and his blaster pistol, which he used to twirl around with his left index finger.

For the past few days, he’d been alone with a squad of soldiers. They were on a mission, assigned by Mandalore the Ultimate himself. Venture into the Hydian Way hyperspace rout and search for any sign of the Republic fleet.

An exciting mission one would think; but so far, the fleet had found nothing.

Now, Khal wasn’t a person who’d disobey direct orders. Especially, from Mandalore himself. What kind of man would he be if he’d do something like that. But he wanted much more than this. He’s considered one of the best recruits from his clan. How could a great soldier like himself be assigned to this boring mission?

He gritted his teeth. Thinking about it made his head hurt. Perhaps it’d be best if he moved around a bit. But as he stood up, the door to the cockpit burst open.

“Khal? Are you here?” A tall middle-aged man wearing a set of heavy-duty battle armor stepped inside the room. “Boy, if you are in here, get your butt off the captain’s chair and report to the—”

Before the man could finish, Khal stopped twirling his pistol and gripped it with his left hand. He quickly snatched a nearby power-pack, loaded his weapon, pulled the safety off, and pointed the gun at the intruder. He stopped once he realized who the man was. It was his uncle, Korn Dryll. The acting commander of the entire ship.

“Pretty good moves there, boy,” said Commander Korn. “I’m impressed on how quick you were able to draw your gun like that. I can see why so many from our clan hold you in such a high regard.”

“C-commander! So sorry about that. I didn’t know it was you.” Khal quickly took the clip out of his weapon and placed it on top of a nearby chair. “Is there something you need, sir?”

“There’s no need to apologize, Khal. I would’ve done the same thing too if someone sneaked up on me like that.” The commander laughed. “Though to be frank, I’m surprised you’re here in the cockpit all alone. Just what are you doing here, boy?”

“N-nothing. Nothing at all, sir. Just relaxing on my chair, that’s all.”

“Really now?” The commander cocked an eyebrow. “Boy, were you playing around with your weapon again?”

Khal groaned. Now was not the good time for a scolding.

“Khal, you really shouldn’t be playing around with your weapons like that. You could really hurt yourself.”

“The safety was on, uncle!” Khal argued, dropping all formalities. “I know what I’m doing. So, can you please not lecture me right now!”

“Don’t you dare shout back at me, whelp. You’re our best soldier on this mission. Don’t you think it’d be a disgrace if you’d injure yourself by twirling around your weapon like a toy?”

“Well, I can’t help it, uncle. I’m completely bored out of my mind here!” Frustrated, Khal clenched his fist and slammed it into the wall, leaving a dent the size of his knuckle. He sighed. “Look, I’m sorry for the outburst, uncle. It’s that I didn’t expect this mission to be boring. I thought I’d be fighting out in the frontlines, fighting republic soldiers and Jedi alike. But instead, I’m stuck here waiting for a fleet that’s never going to show up.”

His uncle signed. “It’s frustrating, Khal, I know. But orders are orders. This mission is important. We must scour the Hydian Way, so that our forces can advance safely to the Mid-Rim. If we are to run into any resistance, it’d be best if our army knows in advance.” He paused. “Boy, did you say that you wanted to fight Jedi on the frontlines?”

“Yes, sir!” Khal stated, returning to formalities. “Fighting Jedi is what I anticipate the most in this war! What could be more glorifying than to face one in combat?”

“Really, now?” Commander Korn stared curiously at Khal. “I’ve heard from the squad that you seem to be obsessed with the Jedi. Looks like they were right. What makes you think those kinds of people would put up a good fight against us?”

“What?! Sir, I mean no offense, but are you joking?! Have you not seen the holo-records? We fought the Jedi in the last war two decades ago and they beat us! They’re great warriors. Don’t you look forward to facing them in combat?”

“Twenty years is a long time, Khal. Now, these same Jedi refuse to fight us,” countered the commander. “They prefer staying inside their precious temples, even when the Republic asked them for help.”

“That may be true, but at least some had decided to grow a spine! From what I heard, a splinter group had formed amongst them and are fighting alongside the Republic as we speak. Those warriors are willing to fight, unlike the ones who stayed behind.” Khal clenched his fists, showing every bit of excitement to his uncle. “There might be a handful of them fighting right now! Just who knows how much I’m missing!”

The commander chuckled. “Well, if that’s the case, won’t that justify our mission then? If Jedi have decided to fight back, our forces need to know what they and the Republic have in store. Am I wrong?”

Khal blinked. His excitement toned down a bit as his uncle’s words crept inside his head. “Damn, I…. I guess you’re right. Our mission might be boring, but if the Jedi joined the fight, we need to know.”

“That’s the spirit. Now come on. One of your squadmates got something to show us in the main hold. I suggest you follow me and see what it is.”

Khal nodded. Before he left the cockpit, he snatched his pistol off the chair and put the safety back on. He lifted his left leg on top of the chair and placed the weapon on a holder strapped to his heel.

“Boy, is it really necessary for you to put your weapon down there?” asked Commander Korn. “Don’t you think that’s a little too dangerous?”

“The safety is on, uncle. I’ll be fine. Besides, having a surprise weapon on my boot might prove useful someday.”

Commander Korn shrugged. “If you say so.” Together, the two walked down the ship’s main corridor to the main hold. Once they've arrived, they spotted the entire squad of Mandalorian troopers have gathered in one area.

“Hey, Khal,” said one of the soldiers. “What’s with all the shouting back there? We heard you all the way from here. What, did you get into an argument with our commander or something?”

“Wouldn’t be surprised if that happened,” said another soldier. “I mean, just look at his face! I bet the commander caught wind of him looking at some old Jedi holo-records or something. The kid’s obsessed with them I tell you.”

Khal scowled. He wanted to shout back but doing so would only get him in trouble. Instead, he grabbed a nearby chair and sat down in silence. As he got comfortable, his uncle slowly made his way to the far side of the room, garnering everyone’s attention. Commander Korn gazed at everyone present and—after a brief pause—clapped his hand together and began to shout.

“Alright, crusaders, listen up! All eyes on me now, enough chit-chat!” At once, every soldier in the room turned to face their commander. “Crusaders, when we assigned to this mission, I know many of you hoped for glory. You hoped that we’d might be involved in some big fight with the Republic Navy. So far, we’ve found no signs of any fleet. Nothing big has happened yet and you soldiers are starting to get frustrated.”

Khal looked around the room. Many soldiers had their heads down and their faces sullen. It appeared he wasn’t the only person who was upset with the mission.

“However, I have some good news for you all. Recently, our engineers picked up something not too long ago. Something worth looking into.”

Everyone’s heads jolted up. All eyes stared at their commander with curiosity. If anything, this piece of info had gotten everyone’s attention.

Ignoring the stares, Commander Korn looked to his side and eyeballed the nearby engineer.

“Sergeant Prick! Get over here this instant and show your squad what you’ve found!”

“Sir, yes sir! And, uh, not to be rude commander, my name is Price.”

“I don’t care, Prick! Get over here and show us the holo-recording now!”

Khal snickered at the pitiable Sergeant. Get used to the nicknames, Prick. My uncle isn’t one who takes formalities seriously. Just do what he says and move on.

“Y-yes, commander,” replied the Sergeant. He moved over to Commander Korn and pulled out a holoprojector from his pocket. Turning it on, the projector then showed an image of a well-dressed man. He quickly introduced himself and said that he worked for a large organization called, the Exchange.

Hearing this, Khal raised a brow. The Exchange? Aren’t they some criminal organization out here in the Mid-Rim? What’s this announcement got to do with those scumbags?

As the man continued to speak, the image flickered. The projection now showed a bunch of animals that Khal had never seen before. The Exchange lackey, whose voice still played in the background, introduced these creatures as a new alien species discovered by his organization.

Khal took a good look at the creatures. Physically, they all looked the same. Each had four legs and were rather small in terms of height and size. By his estimate, they’d probably reach his knees at best.

What had gotten his attention though is that each creature was unique. Some had a pointy horn on top of their foreheads, while others appeared to have wings on their backs. Some had neither of those features at all.

Pretty soon, the image flickered back to the Exchange lacky. He said again that these creatures were all for sale. If anyone is interested, they are to come to the planet, Ord Mantell. It’d be first come first serve.

As the Exchange lacky began his closing statements, the image flickered again back to the four-legged creatures. Khal stared at them, pondering why this new discovery is so important. But to his surprise, along with everyone else in the room, one of the animals with wings suddenly banged on the cage.

And to make things even more interesting, he understood it. The winged animal screamed in a language that he and all his crew mates could understand.

With the recording over, Commander Korn took the holoprojector from Sergeant Prick and turned to face the squad.

“Command has given us new orders,” he stated. “We are to go to Ord Mantell and learn more about his new species. Since the planet is already one of our big targets, we’ve been approved to go ahead and scout the area.”

The soldiers nodded. To Khal’s surprise, none dared to talk about their new orders or the new animal species. As soon everyone left the main hold, he approached his uncle once more.

“Uncle, why is command giving us these orders?” Khal asked, again dropping formalities. “I mean, I don’t mind this new mission and all, but why do we have to look into this new species?”

His uncle chuckled. “Well to be honest, I asked that same question to command after I showed them this holo-recording. I’d like to know their true intentions, but like I said earlier boy, orders are orders.”

“If you say so, uncle. But at least we’ll be able to do something now.” Khal smirked. “Plus, I’m kinda interested on what this new species is.”

Commander Korn smiled. “Now that’s the enthusiasm I want to see! Now get your arse back in the cockpit! We got a planet to go to!”

Chapter 1

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Dantooine. A lush green planet located at the far reaches of the Outer Rim. It was isolated for the most part. Out of all the Republic worlds, this planet was far away from the more populated core worlds. Some call it a pleasant world, but to most, Dantooine had nothing. Nothing but grasslands, rivers, and lakes. An ideal planet for farming, sure, but nothing special.

Yet, this planet had its share of secrets.

Planetside, Dantooine is a home to a special Jedi training enclave built decades ago by an old Jedi Master. Its location only known to a few people in the galaxy. Many Jedi gathered here. They’d train in seclusion, free from the loud noises that plagued the temple back on Coruscant. And it’s a preferred training area for anyone looking to hone their skills.

Morning had arrived at the enclave. A few Jedi were already awake, performing their duties for the day. But not all of them. Some remained asleep on their beds and refused to get up; though to be fair, those guilty of this were mostly students.

Lyra Heartstrings was one of these said students. She’d been asleep on her bed still, with no plans on waking up anytime soon. Unfortunately for her, the sun had other ideas. Sunlight had crept inside her room; its rays pierced through her eyelids, forcing the Padawan to wake up.

She groaned. Usually, Lyra was an energetic young mare, but she wasn’t always like that. Especially in the mornings.

Stupid sunlight! Why is it that every time I wake up, the sun’s in my eyes? With a yawn, Lyra sat up on her bed and rubbed her eyes. She’d woken up at last but was still slow for the most part. The only thing kept her moving was the piercing sunlight.

Lyra sighed. Now fully awake, she jumped off her bed and landed upright on her four hooves. She turned around and opened the window blinds, exposing her mint-green coat to the sun. As she shielded her eyes, Lyra looked at her bed. Her pillows and blanket were, bumbled together in one giant mess.

Closing her eyes, she focused her energy on her forehead. Magical power gathered around her horn as it glowed a bright yellow aura. It soon spread to her blanket, then her pillows. Jedi rules. All Padawans and Initiates must accommodate their rooms every morning before training. Kinda silly; but hey, not much I can do about it.

Using her magic, Lyra levitated her pillows neatly at the far end of the bed. After that, she tucked her blanket in and allowed her magic to dissipate from her horn. There, all done. She yawned. I’m still a bit tired though. Maybe a bath might help me wake up.

Trotting over to the bathroom, Lyra used her magic again to turn on her shower. She stepped inside, allowing the soothing warm water to rain down on mane and coat. Ah, this is so much better.

After several minutes of bathing time, she turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. She went back to her quarters, but not before taking a nearby towel to dry herself. Once finished, she trotted over to a nearby wooden wardrobe and opened it. Inside laid a tan Padawan tunic made specifically for her, a belt, and—most notably—her lightsaber.

Lyra snatched the tunic with her magic and put it on, followed by her belt, which she strapped over her waist. Once her belt was secure, she then took her saber and hung it on her belt holster. With everything accounted for, she made her way toward the room’s exit.

Here’s to a good day. May the Force be with me.

Opening the door to her room, Lyra trotted out of her apartment complex and entered the dorm hallway. As she locked the door, she was immediately greeted by a nearby protocol droid. It appeared the machine had been waiting for her.

“Good morning, Padawan Heartstrings,” said the droid.

“Hi there, Geethree!” replied Lyra. “How’re you doing today?”

“Oh, just doing the usual. Patrolling the area and giving Initiates and Padawans their roles for the day. Speaking of which, I believe Master Darran is waiting for you down at the Enclave’s lower floor. Apparently, he has a training regimen ready just for you.”

“Really?!” Lyra beamed. “Did he say what we’re doing today?”

“No. He wasn’t entirely specific on what this training regimen would be. The only thing I know is that he’s requesting you now. Your training begins at precisely seven o’clock. As of right now, it is five minutes till seven. I suggest you hurry to his room, Padawan. You don’t want to keep your master waiting.”

“Got it! Thanks, Geethree!”

Lyra waved goodbye to the droid and galloped down the hallway. With her master giving her early lessons in the morning, she couldn’t be more excited. Sure, it was a bit strange that her master offered early lessons, but that didn’t matter. What’s important is that she gets to spend time with him all morning long.

As she bolted down the hallway and into the Enclave’s courtyard, Lyra was promptly greeted by several Jedi. She smiled at each of them and greeted back.

“Good morning, everyone!” greeted Lyra.

“Morning, Lyra!”

“Good morning, Padawan Heartstrings.”

“Hey, watch where you’re going!”

“Padawan, slow down! Be mindful of your surroundings!”

She eventually made it to the other side of the courtyard, where the entrance to the enclave sublevel was located. Inside laid home to most of the enclave’s Jedi masters. Training rooms and the Enclave’s archives were located down there too, making the lower levels a common place for Jedi to train and study.

For Lyra, her master had his own training room located next to his quarters. A place where she’d go often for lessons. It wasn’t far off either. She just had to turn right past the fountain and take a few steps down the hallway. Then, she spotted it. A door that she’d grown familiar with due to the lavish Jedi decor. It was her master’s room.

As she reached the entrance, the door opened by itself. She peeked inside, checking to see if anyone was there waiting. Though the room had little light, Lyra was able to spot her master at the far side of the room, sitting on a cross-legged meditation stance common to most Jedi.

“Ah, there you are, Padawan.” The old Jedi Master said without even lifting his head. “Come, have a seat.”

Lyra nodded, unfazed by the fact that her master had already took notice of her. She trotted toward the old man and sat across from him, doing her best to mimic his cross-legged stance. As she got into position, she noticed that her master had lifted his head, revealing a piece headwear that she’d not notice till now.

“Padawan, your back legs are crooked. Tighten them a bit more and make sure your front ones aren’t too stretched out.”

“Yes, master.” Lyra did as she was told and correctly emulated her master’s stance. Closing her eyes, she focused her mind and reached out to the Force, allowing the soothing light energies to flow through her. This practice went on for several minutes until Master Darran finally spoke up.

“That’s enough, Padawan. I think we’ve done enough meditation for now.”

“Okay.” Lyra lifted her head to see her Jedi Master looking straight at her. At least, that’s what she thought.

Jedi Master Gizar Darran wasn’t like any other Jedi on Dantooine. He was a Miraluka, an alien-humanoid species that looked like humans, but are deprived of any eyes. They can’t see like others do, but what made them unique is that all Miralukas have a special Force ability that allows them see.

It confuses some people, though. Many underestimate Miralukas but are taken by surprise when one easily bests them in combat. Lyra’s seen that too. During her practice sessions with the other students, Master Darran often sparred with eager Padawans and Initiates looking to test their skills, only for them to utterly fail mere minutes after the duel starts.

It’s very common to forget that Master Darran is a Jedi Battle Master when everyone fails to look past his so-called disability.

“Padawan, you arrived late this morning. Is there a reason why you couldn’t come to my room on time?” asked Master Darran.

“Sorry, master, I kinda overslept this morning,” Lyra said, sheepishly. “I couldn’t get myself to wake up. If it wasn’t for the sun, I probably would still be asleep.”

“Try an alarm clock next time, Padawan. The Order can always lend you one if needed.”

“But, isn’t it wrong for a Jedi to have worldly possession, Master?” countered Lyra.

“This is a clock, Padawan, not a personally owned speed bike or droid. Though I do commend you for remembering your lessons.” he smiled. “But enough chit-chat. It’s time we started your morning lessons. Come join me at the center of the room. And ready your saber too. Your first training regimen for the day is lightsaber practice.

“Yay!” Lyra cheered, happily. But upon realizing what she’d done, she flustered red. “Uh, I-I mean….”

Master Darran smiled. “Don’t worry about it, Lyra. It pleases me to see you so enthused about your training. Though it’d be best to tone your excitement down when near the other masters. Lest you hear another lecture from Master Vrook.”

“Y-yes, master.” Without saying another word, Lyra stood up and followed her master to the center of the room. Once there, the two stood at opposite ends of the center ring. Master Darran pulled his saber out from his belt and urged Lyra to do the same. She complied and, using her right hoof, pulled out her own lightsaber.

She then took a moment and reached out to the Force. Channeling the energies around her, Lyra stood upright on her back legs and readied herself for combat.

“I see that you’ve grown accustomed to standing upright, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “Well done, though I have concerns about your well-being.”

“What do you mean?” asked Lyra.

“Are you certain that your fighting technique is the correct choice? From what you’ve told the Council, your species is not accustomed to standing upright. Yes, the Force is aiding you in your endeavor, but I worry consequences. Not to mention there are safer alternative ways that you can fight.”

“Which involve either holding a weapon with my mouth or using my magic,” rebuked Lyra. Though upon realizing her outburst, she immediately apologized. “Master, forgive me, but you should know that I’ve already made my decision. I don’t want to wield my weapon like a pony. I prefer that I’d do it like any other Jedi.”

“Despite the potential drawbacks?” asked Master Darran, to which Lyra nodded in reply. “Then I will no longer bring this up. Though if I had to give you one more critique, your holding your saber too tightly.”

“Oh, whoops. Sorry about that,” Lyra replied as she loosened the grip on her weapon. “There, I think that’s better. So, can we get a move on, please. I’d like to start training now.”

“As eager as always. Alright, let’s begin.”

Master Darran grasped his saber’s hilt with right hand and, with a flick of his thumb, ignited his weapon. From the hilt came a bright blue blade that lit the room partially with its shimmering light. He grasped the weapon with two hands and entered to his usual right-side guard position.

Lyra let out a groan, irritated by her master’s choice of fighting style. “Master aren’t you going to activate the second blade?” she asked, bitterly. “What’s the point of using a double-bladed lightsaber if you only use one blade?”

“One blade is more than enough, Lyra.”

“But Master, I’ve been your Padawan for years. You’ve never used the second blade during our sparring sessions. Can’t you not hold back just this once?”

“If you really want me to use two blades, then show me that you can handle one.”

Lyra, though a bit insulted, nodded her head. “Fine. I’ll show you how much I’ve grown.” With one click of a button, she activated her weapon. From its hilt, her lightsaber ignited a shimmering green blade, causing the other half of the room to bask in its color.

“You aren’t using your lanyard, Padawan?” asked the Battle Master.

Lyra shook her head. “I gotta grow out of this piece of string eventually. I can’t always have the time to wrap it around my hoof.” She then lifted her saber’s hilt close to her chest. The blade now shimmered just inches away from her face.

A salute. The sign of respect Jedi often do before a duel begins.

Seeing this, Master Darran followed Lyra’s salute with one of his own. The two then spun their weapons flourishingly to their perspective stances. “Padawan, do you mind if I take the offensive first?” he asked.

“No,” Lyra said as she pointed her blade toward her master. “I will.”

With a burst of speed, Lyra lunged at her master with her blade aimed right at his chest. But the Battle Master was unfazed. Gripping his own weapon, he swiped at his Padawan’s blade with the bunt of his own. His counter was so swift and powerful that it caused Lyra to lose her grip on her weapon.

As her lightsaber fumbled to the floor, Master Darran shook his head disapproval. “That was sloppy. You held your saber too lightly,” he scolded. “If you want me to start using two blades, then learn to grip your saber properly.”

Lyra groaned as she outstretched her hoof and recalled her lightsaber with the Force. After snatching her weapon, she immediately reactivated it and leapt in, striking her master with a barrage of precise angular attacks.

“Yes, that’s it. Control the blade. Attack with speed and precision,” lectured the Battle Master as he guarded against Lyra’s offense. “Keep those back legs aligned. Maintain your grip.”

Lyra grunted. She struck with the speed and ferocity of a kath hound, yet she was met with an impenetrable wall. Every committed attack came with a well-timed block or parry. No matter how fast she struck, she couldn’t break through her master’s defense.

Eventually, Master Darran decided to turn the tide. As he parried away Lyra’s attack, he raised his saber over his head.

“My turn.”

He struck at his Padawan with a powerful chop, forcing Lyra to go on the defensive. In response, she raised her saber above her head and blocked the first few strikes. But defending against her master’s overpowered offense was difficult. Her hooves shook with each attack blocked. It felt as if she were struck by a hammer.

Had she’d been a normal pony, she would’ve succumbed to his all-out offense. But she had the Force. And much like a river flowing through a dam, it gave her just enough strength to barely defend herself. Barely, but still able.

With each blow getting stronger, Lyra decided to change her defensive approach. Instead of blocking, she redirected her master’s saber with the tip of her own. A difficult defensive maneuver to maintain, but it did provide her enough time to react to the next attack.

Seeing that his attacks provided no results, Master Darran leapt backward to his previous position and looked at his apprentice with a prideful smile. “That was good, Padawan. You defended yourself quite well.” He then lifted his saber again and held it overhead. “But don’t get comfortable. We’re far from done.”

He lunged forward, attacking Lyra again with his blitzkrieg offense. He struck at a faster pace, giving Lyra less time to react and defend. But it didn’t take her long to adapt. With the Force flowing through her, she responded with her own defensive wall, parrying and evading each of her master’s strikes.

Then she went back on the offensive. Her counterattack began with another lunge attack to the chest. Though it was redirected, it did force Master Darran to step back, giving enough time for Lyra to swarm her master with an offensive barrage.

But like before, Master Darran blocked and repelled her entire offense. It appeared that their duel would end in a stalemate.

It was then that Lyra hatched an idea.

As their sabers collided, she pulled her front hooves back, skidding her weapon upward. Now, only the very tip of her blade etched against her master’s own. A smile cracked on Lyra’s lips as she used all her Force reserves to spin the blades in a circular motion.

Her plan was to use the Sun Djem¹ mark of contact. A technique used to disarm opponents of their weapon.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Master Darran saw through this and responded by sliding his saber toward Lyra’s hilt.

Seeing this, Lyra backed off, and the two Jedi found themselves on neutral ground once more. Their weapons still held high, but neither were willing to take the offensive. Lyra waited for her master to strike again, but he instead lowered his guard and tilted his weapon to the side.

“Well done, Padawan. Your swordplay was marvelous,” he stated, proudly. “The way you defended against me was excellent, and your counterattack was nothing short of amazing. You even tried to disarm me of my weapon too! I must say, I am very impressed.”

“So, does that mean you’ll activate your second blade?” asked Lyra.

“No.”

“Aw, come on!”

Darran chuckled. “When the time comes, Padawan, I’ll let you train against my double-bladed saber. But enough talk. Let’s resume our training.” He raised his saber again and twirled it to the side. “Ready yourself.”

He was about to lunge at Lyra again, but stopped abruptly. A loud beeping noise erupted inside the dojo. The two Jedi looked around and found that the sound came from the other end of the room.

“Huh, I believe that’s my com-box,” said Darran. He deactivated his saber and hooked it back on his belt. “Excuse me for a bit, Padawan. I have to answer this.”

“Yes, Master,” replied Lyra with a groan. Deactivating her own saber, she watched patiently as her master went to answer the call. Though she couldn’t see who he was talking with, she didn’t really care. All she wanted was to get back into training.

Sure enough, Darran returned; however, she noticed a frown on his face.

“That was the Jedi Council, Lyra,” he explained. “They want me to report to the Council chambers right now. Said it was important.”

Lyra’s jaw gaped. “What?! But, what about my training?!”

“Calm yourself, Padawan. It’ll just have to be postponed. Just wait here for my return. I’ll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can train with something else.” Walking over to the other side of the room, Darran scoured the area for any training equipment. “Let’s see. What do we have here? Ah ha! There we go!”

With the Force, Darran levitated five remote droids along with a piece of cloth. He walked back to Lyra and placed all five droids down in a circular position around her. As he put down the last droid, he threw the piece of cloth over at his apprentice.

“Put that over your eyes. You’ll be training your reflexes from here on out until I get back.”

“So, that’s it?” asked Lyra. “I’ll be dodging laser beams until you get back?”

“That’s right,” answered Darran. “Don’t worry, Padawan. I’ll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, train your reflexes. It’d be best that you work on your defensive capabilities.”

“Understood, master,” said Lyra with a disappointed sigh.

Master Darran waved goodbye to his apprentice as he left her alone in the dojo. With him gone, Lyra went ahead and put the blindfold on her eyes. Once it felt tight enough, she activated each droid with the Force.

The machines hummed softly. Each began to float in midair, encircling Lyra. For her, she’d done this exercise plenty of times with her master, so she knew what to expect. And though the Force, she could already tell where the droids are. The only thing left to do now was to sense their movement.

Focusing her mind, Lyra reached with the Force. She concentrated on its currents, trying to figure out which droid would shoot first. Then, she sensed it. A droid had activated its blaster at her one o'clock position. She leapt backward, causing the bolt to miss and hit the ground. As she landed, Lyra sensed the rest of the droids had activated their weaponry. Pretty soon, she found herself dodging blaster fire from all sides.

As time went on, the droids increased their rate of fire. Though it didn’t really matter for Lyra at all. Just like during her sparring session, she’d let the Force flow through her, giving her the power that she needed to see and dodge the incoming bolts despite being blindfolded.

But as she dodged the last stray bolt, Lyra felt something strange. She sensed it. The currents of the Force around her began to ripple apart, like a rock impacting the water.

Lyra flinched. Something had disturbed the natural flow of the Force, and it's disrupted her training. She wanted to ignore it, but she couldn’t let this go unnoticed. Quickly, she focused her mind on the ripple itself, trying her best to figure out what caused this sensation.

Then, something strange happened. The Force had circled around her, giving off energies Lyra never felt before. Her face paled. She didn’t know what to expect next. This new sensation felt it was as if she’d been swept up by a raging river rapid.

Suddenly, the Force burst open and spasmed around her.

H-hey! What’s going on?

W-who are those creatures? What do they want with us?

I don’t think they’re friendly!

Lyra blinked. The Force allowed her to hear voices in her head. And based on what she heard, it sounded like somebody was in trouble.

Captain, they’re putting our crewmates in cages! What should we do?!

Captain, help!

You let them go this instant!

Shut up! We’re gonna earn lots of credits selling you and your little freak friends off!

Lyra gasped. What? Selling them off? What’s happening right now?! Who are these voices? W-what’s happening?!

Before she could get her answers, the voices suddenly stopped. No longer did the Force spasm around Lyra, leaving the Padawan completely clueless as to what happened.

No, wait! Too late. The vision was gone. The only thing she felt was a blaster bolt hitting her straight in the back.

Chapter 2

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“Ow!”

Lyra yelped as her body smacked onto the surface floor. She gritted her teeth. It was bad enough that she got hit by a blaster bolt but falling flat on her back made the pain even worse. It’s as if she were stung by a wasp.

Eventually, the pain subsided; and with the worst of it gone, Lyra sat upright and examined her wound. She looked at her back to find that the bolt had hit her loin, leaving a burnt mark on her coat. After examining the wound further, she was pleased to find that there was no blood. The bolt hadn’t pierced through the tissue; however, it’d left her with a minor burn that needed to be treated.

Thankfully for her, she had the Force.

Placing her hoof on the wound, Lyra closed her eyes and began to meditate. Need to relax. Concentrate through the pain. Touch the Force, and renew!

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and looked at her loin. The burnt mark was gone. Whatever pain that was left had all but disappeared. Even her coat had returned to its normal color.

There, that’s better. But, what happened. How’d I let a blaster bolt hit me like that? She glanced over to the five remote droids around her. They appeared to have deactivated and had fallen to the ground. Curious, she walked over to one droid and touched it. But as her hoof touched the metal, Lyra immediately recoiled it back.

Ow! That’s hot! That’s hot! Lyra quickly blew on her hoof to ease the pain. Why is this droid so hot? I thought these things only overheat if you use them for too long. She paused. Wait, if these droids are so hot, how long have I been training?

She closed her eyes, as she tried to recall what had happened. Let’s see, I was practicing my reflexes after master left. During the training, I channeled the Force for power, and then—

She gasped. I…. I had a vision. The Force granted me an actual vision! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it!

Lyra clapped her hooves with joy. The thought of having a Force vision excited her to no end. Wait, should I really call it a vision? I didn’t even see anyone at all. I only heard screaming.

She rubbed her head. Let’s see. From what I heard, those people screaming seemed like they were in danger. Except for that sidious sounding person at the end. He just called them freaks and threatened to sell them off.

Lyra gasped. Wait, sell them off? Was the person in the end a slave trader? A troubling thought. If that person was indeed a slave trader, then those screaming people were in danger.

What do I do? Do I tell my master about this? The Council? Oh, Force, I don’t know!

Lyra quivered. A sliver of fear gushed through her head as she scampered across the room. However, her panic was put on hold when a loud ringing sound casted her fears away.

What was that?

Putting her panic aside, Lyra began searching for the source of whatever caused the noise. Eventually, she pinpointed its location, her master’s commlink.

Someone’s trying to call my master again? But, he’s not here right now. Should I just leave it alone? She shrugged. Well, it’ll be rude if I just ignore it. I’ll just tell whoever’s calling that master is busy and call later.

Lyra trotted over to the commlink and answered the incoming call.

“Good morning. This is Padawan Lyra speaking. How may I help you?”

“Ah, Padawan, there you are. I was hoping you’d answer. You saved me the trouble of walking back to my dojo to come get you.”

Lyra jumped. “M-master? Why are you calling your own commlink? Aren’t you in a meeting with the Council right now?”

“I did. We just got finished talking. Though the meeting itself took a bit longer than I thought. We spoke for at least half an hour.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. It’s been thirty minutes?! But…. my training didn’t feel like thirty minutes at all! And I had that vision too.

“But here’s the thing, Padawan. The Council is now calling for you,” her master continued. “They want you to report here to their chambers immediately.”

“Huh? They’re…. asking for me?” Lyra tilted her head. “Why? What do they want?”

“Forgive me, Padawan, but the Council requested that I not say anything till you arrive. Only they can inform you on what’s going on.”

“O-okay. But what about my training?”

“That’ll have to wait. I’m sorry, Lyra; but if the Council requests your presence, it is always of great importance. Don’t worry about your training for now. We’ll continue when the meeting is done.”

“Yes, Master,” said Lyra with a sigh. Once the commlink disconnected, she immediately left the room.

Needless to say, she wasn’t happy with this outcome. It was bad enough that her master had to leave in the middle of their training, but now the Jedi Council requested her presence, postponing her exercises even further. Still, complaining won’t help. A great Jedi must learn to be patient. If she wanted to be one, she must learn patience.

But as she trotted down the hallway, her thoughts drifted back to her vision. She couldn’t take her mind off it. The sound of voices screaming in her head was very unsettling. Though she tried to decipher what it meant, she didn’t know where to start. The vision was too vague.

I’d hoped my first vision would’ve been something that made sense, but I guess the Force has other ideas. Lyra sighed. Some say that the Force is alive and has a will of its own. If that’s true, maybe I’ll politely ask it to give me a better vision.

As Lyra exited Enclave’s sub-level, she noticed that the courtyard was more populated than the last time she’d been here. A few Jedi were present, though given their attire, they were mostly students like her. Padawans and Initiates who’re ready to start their lessons for the day.

Seeing them made Lyra frown. There were only a handful of them at best. Just weeks ago, this courtyard was filled with so many of Jedi. People she’d befriended over the years gathered here at this one spot. And it wasn’t just Padawan learners either. Many Jedi Knights amassed here too, offering stories and lessons to the students who were willing to learn.

Now, they were all gone. The brothers and sisters that she’d grew to care for, all left to go fight in a galactic scale war. Their desire to fight and protect others had left a gaping hole here at the academy. And Lyra couldn’t help but feel sad.

“Good morning, Padawan Heartstrings.”

Lyra turned to see a young woman in a full-fledged body suit walking toward her. It was another Padawan like her, but this woman had far more recognition than any other student here, including herself.

“Hi, Bastila!” Lyra greeted back.

Her casual demeanor caused Bastila to flinch. “Lyra, please be more formal when addressing your brothers and sisters. You can’t just say hi back in such a casual matter. It’s rude.”

“Aw, there’s no need to be so stingy. We’re both Padawans aren’t we?” replied Lyra with a smile. “So, what are you doing out here? Getting ready for today’s training?”

“So much for being formal. Yes, Lyra, I am about to head down to the sub-levels for some saber practice. How about you? Does Master Darran have something planned this morning?”

“Well, I was having a training session with my master, but the Council interrupted us called him for a meeting ‘bout a half an hour ago. It’s over, but now they’re asking for me.” Lyra sighed. “What’s so important that the Council had to interrupt my training?”

“No complaining, Padawan,” scolded Bastila. “If the Council requests your presence, it is—”

“Always of great importance, yes, I know.” Lyra groaned. “Well, I better get going. The last thing I want is to be scolded for being late for the meeting. I’ll talk to you later, uh, Padawan Bastila. May the Force be with you.”

“And also with you. Take care, Padawan Lyra.”

After the two Padawans said their goodbyes, Lyra trotted toward the enclave’s inner sanctum. Once there, she was immediately greeted by Master Darran, who was waiting for her at the entrance.

“Ah, there you are Padawan,” said Master Darran. “Come, let’s not delay any longer. The Council is waiting for us as we speak.”

“Alright. But if I may, can I ask you a question, Master?” asked Lyra.

Darran shook his head. “Save it for later, Padawan. The meeting is more important.”

“Oh, okay.” Lyra’s ears drooped. She’d hoped that her master would explain everything, but it looked like that’ll have to wait. Quietly, she followed him down the courtyard and into the gathering chambers. Once there, she spotted four Jedi standing at the far side of the room. All of whom are part of the Council here on Dantooine.

“Ah, there you are, Padawan Heartstrings. It’s good to see you doing well,” said one of the Council masters. “Come, have a seat. We have much to discuss.”

“Yes, Master.” Doing what she’d been told, Lyra trotted over to the Jedi Masters and faced them. The first Master who’d greeted her was Master Zhar Lestin, a Twi’lek Jedi¹. He was responsible for taking her into the academy and often trained her during her time as an Initiate. But he gave the reins over to Master Darran by the time she became a Padawan.

Next to him was Master Vrook Lamar², an elderly human Jedi Master who’s been on the Council for as long as Lyra could remember. He has a reputation of not being friendly. Many Padawans and Initiates view him as a strict, stubborn old man who often scolded others. Though he meant well, it didn’t change the fact that many were terrified of him, including Lyra.

To the left of him was Master Dorak³, another human Jedi and the chronicler of the Jedi archives on Dantooine. Unlike Master Vrook, Lyra was comfortable around Dorak. She often met with him during her studies, to which he offered lessons on historical events and important Jedi holocrons.

The last Jedi master in the room was Master Vandar Tokare⁴. A small Jedi who was about the same size as Lyra. He’s the current head of the Jedi Enclave Council on Dantooine, and the most powerful Jedi present. But other than that, nobody knew anything about him. His past remained a mystery to many Jedi here.

“Now, before we begin, I’d first like apologize to you, Padawan,” began Zhar. “We heard from Master Darran that we interrupted your training when we called him. Though our meeting is the utmost important, we had no intention to disrupt your lessons. Do forgive us.”

“Eh, no biggies,” said Lyra, casually.

Her blasé tone caused Master Vrook to scowl. “Padawan Lyra, I’d ask you to please be more formal when addressing a Jedi Master! No Padawan should ever greet their teachers in such an informal matter. Do I make myself clear?”

“Uh, I mean, no biggies Master Zhar?” said Lyra, though her attempts at being more formal only seemed to frustrate the old Jedi Master more.

“Ugh, why is it that one of our most promising Padawans act like she belongs to a Coruscant street gang?” Vrook asked while shaking his head.

Master Darran burst out laughing. “Don’t worry about it, Master Vrook. She does this to me too you know. You’ll get used to this eventually. Trust me.”

“I should be asking why you’re so nonchalant about this, Master Gizar! You’re her Master! You must discipline her better!”

“Enough you two,” interrupted Master Vandar. “We aren’t here to discuss Padawan Lyra’s problematic informal attitude. We’ve gathered because we have something important to share with the young apprentice.”

“Agreed,” said Master Zhar. He then looked at gave Lyra a stern glare. “Padawan, you’ve been here, with us for ten years now. When we took you in, you were lost and afraid; but now here you are, a fully-fledged Padawan. To be honest, I’d never thought you’d make it through this quickly. Your early blunders and difficulties fitting in had us worried.”

“Indeed,” said Master Dorak. “If I recall, you had many problems when you were but a mere Initiate. Difficulties at wielding training sabers, unstable powers, not to mention your chosen fighting style. The list goes on.”

“Yet despite these limitations, you persevered,” said Master Vrook. “You were able to acknowledge your flaws and move forward. Because of your resilience to adapt and do better, you were the first of your clan to rank Padawan. And for that, we congratulate you.”

Lyra tilted her head. “Um, thank you, Masters, but this isn’t the reason why you called me here, right? Didn’t you say that we’re meeting because something important has popped up?

“Correct, Padawan,” said Zhar. “You see, back at the temple on Coruscant, the Jedi have discovered a holo-recording of a particular interest.”

“A holo-recording?” Lyra asked. “A holo-recording of what?”

“Something of great importance,” explained Master Vandar. “Once it was deciphered, the Jedi of Coruscant sent it to us immediately. We wish to show it to you.”

Lyra blinked. “Uh, okay. So, where’s the recording?”

“Patience, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “Before we show you this recording, there is something we discuss first.”

“About what?”

“All we ask is that you keep your emotions in check. We fear that this recording might…. negatively affect you in more ways than one,” Vrook stated. His tone sounded sterner than before. “Keep the Jedi Code in mind while you listen. Remember, there is no emotion, there is peace.”

“Y-yes, Master Vrook.” I don’t get it. What’s so important about this holorecording that’s making them worry for me?

“Master Dorak, if you please.”

“Of course.” Reaching for his belt, Master Dorak pulled out a holo-recorder and gave it to Lyra. “Go ahead. Play it.”

Lyra nodded. As instructed, she went ahead and turned on the recorder. Yet though her mind was at ease, nothing could prepare her for what came next. Once the holo-projection appeared, Lyra could not help but gasp at what she saw.

Oh my gosh.

Standing in holographic form was a being that looked identical to her. It stood on four legs, had a mane, and a cutie mark on both sides of her flank. The only difference between them is the lack of horn on its forehead, and her mane was styled differently.

“No way! A-after all these years. There’s another pony?”

“Be mindful of your feelings, Padawan,” said Master Vandar. “Calm yourself and listen. You’ll find the answers you seek soon.”

Lyra nodded. Shaking her head, she snapped out of her stupor by reciting the Jedi code. Though it did help, she couldn’t shake off the shock. It’s been so long since she saw another pony. For the longest time, she didn’t think she’d ever see one again.

Hello? Hello? Oh, f-for Celestia’s sake, is this thing on?

Lyra gasped. The pony spoke. And judging from its voice, it was a mare like her.

“Padawan, calm yourself,” said Master Darran.

“S-sorry.”

Wait, it’s on? Oh, I see. Uh, anyway, hello to anypony hearing this…. wait, should I use anypony? I don’t think we’ll be talking to ponies so maybe…. A-alright, captain, don’t yell! Okay, to any species listening to this, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Private Sweetie Drops.

Wait, private? Lyra’s tilted her head. This pony belongs to the military?

As you can see, I am what is called a pony. We are a young sentient species that had recently discovered space travel and have entered your domain. Domain? Really? That’s the best word you can come up with?

“P-ponies have made it to Republic space?!” asked a bewildered Lyra. “H-how? Since when?”

“Padawan, for the last time, remain quiet and let the recording play!” berated Master Vrook.

“Y-yes! Sorry!”

We are currently looking for other sentient beings across the galaxy. As of right now, we are on board a single ship, searching for any sign of life. If you find this message, please find us. Including me, there’s a total of ten ponies on board eager to show see what's out there.

Lyra gasped. She couldn’t believe it. The unthinkable has happened. Ponies have achieved space travel and have come to Republic space. But questions popped in her head. How did they get here? Are they looking for her specifically, or do that have another goal in mind?

“Are you alright, Padawan?” asked Master Darran.

“S-sorry, Master, I was thinking about the ponies,” Lyra replied. “Never thought I’d ever get to see one again. After all these years, it just feels so unreal.”

“I understand what you’re going through, but please, remain calm. The recording isn’t over yet. Wait until it’s finished and then we’ll talk.”

Lyra nodded before turning back at Private Sweetie Drops.

The ship we are on is called the Celestial Sun. It’s in stable condition but we need to be found as soon as possible before our supplies run short. Should that happen, we will return home. Time is short, and we do not have the patience nor the supplies to wait out for days.

That got Lyra’s attention. Just how long have those ponies been waiting out in space? Master Vandar said the Jedi over at Coruscant discovered this message a while ago, but when did they discover this? The recording could be a couple days old at least by now.

Please, find us. We’ll be waiting for anyone to show. This is Private Sweetie Drops signing out.

The image flickered as the pony, Sweetie Drops, disappeared. Lyra sat in her seat, bewildered at what she’d just witnessed. Ponies have come to Republic space. After so many years, the possibility of her returning home is now a reality. And she could not help but smile.

“Masters, I…. I don’t know what to say.” She stuttered as tears flooded her eyes. “After so long, I can’t…. it’s so hard to image that ponies are here in Republic space.”

“Your feelings are understandable, Padawan. Having waited so long to hear from your kind is not an easy task. Your patience is very admirable,” said Master Vandar.

“Thank you, master,” Lyra replied as she bowed in front of the elderly Jedi. “So, what are we going to do now?”

“We’ve already decided our course of action, Padawan,” answered Master Vrook. “Due to the current circumstance, we will be patient and wait.”

Lyra froze. For a second, she couldn’t help but gawk at Master Vrook. She then looked around the room, eyeballing the other Jedi Masters for more answers. But they seem to agree with the grumpy old master. “Whoa, wait a second. That doesn’t make any sense,” she said. “Why should we wait? The ponies are already here. Shouldn’t we go search for them?”

Master Vrook frowned. “You best tame that eagerness of yours, Padawan. We understand that finding your kin is the utmost important but searching for them now is too risky.”

“I agree with Master Vrook,” said Master Zhar. “We don’t know where this message originated from, and if we start searching now, we’d be blind. I can assure you our intelligence team back on Coruscant is doing their best to track it, but it will take some time. Many of our Jedi Sentinels have joined the rogue Revan in his cause to fight the Mandalorians. I’m afraid they’re shorthanded these days.”

Lyra’s throat went dry. Hearing Master Zhar’s blunt reply devastated her. “D-don’t I have a say in this?” she asked.

Master Dorak simply shook his head. “No, Padawan. We’re sorry, but as Master Zhar stated, we cannot rush this without any sort of clue. Doing so would lead to unforeseen consequences.”

“Master Dorak is right,” stated Master Vrook. “Acting out of haste is not the Jedi way. If you truly wish to find your kin, then you must trust in the Force. Only it can guide you down the right path.”

Lyra looked at the three masters in shock. She couldn’t believe it. These people were Jedi Masters, people that others looked up to and trusted. Yet, they’re telling her to wait? Why? The mere thought of it was ridiculous.

She looked over to Master Vander. His expression was steadfast. It didn’t appear like he was likely to object the other master’s suggestions.

Her master had the same expression too, much to her disappointment. If she had to guess, he might’ve already agreed with the others even before their meeting started.

She sighed. It looked like none of the masters are willing to take her side. The only thing she could do now is to adhere to their wisdom.

“I…. I understand the decision you’ve made. I’ll do as you ask and wait for further instructions.”

“Thank you, Padawan,” said Master Vandar. “Know that we understand your frustrations but matters like these require patience.”

“I agree,” followed Master Darran. “Padawan, why don’t you go outside and meditate on this newfound knowledge. Perhaps it might help you find some measure of peace.”

“T-that’ll be helpful. Yeah, that’s exactly what I need right now. Thank you, master.”

After giving one last bow, Lyra stood up and trotted toward the chamber exit. Though displeased with the current situation, it’d be pointless to argue with the Council.

As she made her way outdoors, Lyra trotted to a nearby patch of grass. The least she could do is calm herself by meditating. She looked around the area, checking to see if any other Jedi were nearby. Though she preferred meditating in private, the area here was fine. The breezy open area felt great on her coat, and thankfully, no one else was present. At the very least, she can meditate alone in peace.

She sat down and entered to her usual meditation stance and closed her eyes. What she needed was some peace, and what better way to achieve it is through the Force.

As a starting point, Lyra centered herself in attempt to purge the emotions she had built up. Needless to say, it worked. She could feel her anger slipping away into nothingness. Once purged of it, she allowed the Force to flow through her body, allowing its energies to fill her with much relief and serenity.

But as the energy coursed through her body, Lyra felt something off. Suddenly, the Force went wild. Instead of a gentle stream, it felt as if she were riding a raging river rapid.

Something’s disturbing the natural flow of the Force again. Lyra thought. This feeling. It’s akin to what I felt back into the dojo. Maybe if I go deeper like last time, the vision might come back.

Concentrating, Lyra delve deep into the Force in attempt to find her answer. But guiding through those raging rapids wasn’t easy. The sheer amount of power coursing through her was too much at first, and it nearly broke her meditation.

But she pulled through. Eventually, the Force burst open, causing the natural energies to spasm around her. As the current began to wane, the voices from her previous vision had returned; however, something was different.

H-hey! What’s going on?

W-who are those creatures? What do they want with us?

I don’t think they’re friendly!

Captain, they’re pulling our crewmates into cages! What should we do?!

Lyra gasped. The Force had granted her a much bigger vision than before. Instead of just voices, she could actually see what was happening. A feat worthy of praise, but there wasn’t time to celebrate. She had to focus on the vision.

But what she saw horrified her.

Earlier, she assumed that the screaming voices were either humans or aliens. But she was wrong. The source of the screaming didn’t come from either species. Rather, it was ponies.

You let them go this instant!

Shut up! We’re gonna earn lots of credits selling you and your little freak friends off!

Lyra watched in horror as the ponies were dragged helplessly into cages by the thugs. Some tried to fight back, but their resistance was futile and were quickly put down. As the last pony was placed into a cage, the images began to fade. She could no longer sense the Force spasm around her. The vision was over, and natural currents returned to its original state.

“No!” Lyra shouted as the last bits of her vision faded away. Her voice echoed across the inner courtyard, yet no one was present. She was still alone.

T-those ponies. How horrible. Lyra frowned as her eyes slowly began to water. Something bad is going to happen to them, I just know it. There’s got to be a way to save them, but what should I do?

As she wiped the tears away, the door to the Council Chambers suddenly went wide open. Lyra turned to see Master Darran step outside. “Lyra, what’s going on?” he asked. “Me and the other masters heard you scream. Did something happen?”

“Oh, I…. uh—” Lyra froze. She didn’t think her master would hear her, let alone the entire Council. T-they heard me. W-what should I do? Confess and tell him what happened? Her lip quivered. I mean, he is my master. He deserves to know. But what if he won’t listen? What if the Council won’t listen? What if they’ll ignore me?

“Padawan?”

Lyra looked up to see her master looking straight at her; at least, that’s what she thought he was doing. Even though she couldn’t read his facial expression, she knew that he was worried about her.

What am I thinking? Of course, he needs to know. No way should I keep him out of this.

“Padawan, are you alright?” asked Master Darran, who sounded even more worried by the second. “What happened? Why did you scream?”

Lyra sighed, releasing a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. “I’m sorry about the silence, Master. I’m just a little tense right now.”

“Tense? What do you mean by that, Padawan? I thought you were just meditating."

“Something big just happened, Master. I can explain, but this is something that the Council needs to hear too,” Lyra replied as she stood up and galloped back into the Council Chambers, leaving her confused master behind in the courtyard.

Chapter 3

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Lyra exited the council chamber with her head held low. She gritted her teeth as she tried to hold back her anger. She’d just informed the masters about the Force vision she received; unfortunately, it did not end well as she’d hoped. Despite the new knowledge, the masters refused her call to action and told her to wait.

Their decision shocked her. She believed her vision would convince the Council to let her go on a rescue mission, but even the Force isn’t enough to change their minds.

She sighed. Even her master refused to let her go, though it wasn’t surprising. What else could he do when all the entire Council turned her down. It was unlikely that he could change their minds. Still, at least he was kind enough to join her outside this time.

“I’m sorry, Padawan. Force vision or not, the Council is unwilling to risk sending one of their best Padawan on a mission they deem fruitless,” said Master Darran.

“But why?” asked Lyra, still frustrated by the news. “Wasn’t it enough that the Force granted me that vision? I thought the Council would understand. After all, they said earlier to trust in the Force. Why are they still hesitant to send me out now?”

Master Darran scowled at her. “Be aware of your anger, Padawan,” he scolded. “This is no time for you to get emotional. Acting on your feelings isn’t help you.”

“I…. I know Master, I know. But I can’t just sit here and do nothing!” exclaimed Lyra. “Waiting around here on Dantooine isn’t going to help those ponies. We have to act now, or else their lives will be in danger!”

Master Darran shook his head. “Padawan, I share your concern, but we can’t disobey the masters. You heard them. We don’t have the necessary intel we need to send a search party, even with your vision. Until our intelligence team gathers more info, we must wait.”

Lyra sighed. It looked like her master isn’t willing to take any risks. Not that she could blame him. A respected Jedi like him isn’t going to directly disobey the Council. Even for his own Padawan.

“Perhaps you need some time alone?” he asked. “Another meditation session wouldn’t hurt you know. Get all that anger off your chest. Besides, I don’t want to resume our training when you’re emotional like this.”

“I guess I don’t mind meditating again,” said Lyra. “But what’s going to happen to our training session? I don’t think we have time to resume after being with the Council for so long. I’m pretty sure the other students are waiting for you back at your dojo.”

“Don’t worry about that, Lyra. Just leave the scheduling to me and focus on your meditating.” The old battle master then proceeded to walk toward the courtyard exit. Before he left, he turned to his Padawan one last time. “Remember Padawan, haste is not the Jedi way. Be patient and remember the Jedi code. I’m sure that an opportunity will arise in time.”

Lyra nodded, giving her master respectful bow as she watched him leave. As the door to the courtyard slammed shut, she again found herself alone again in the inner courtyard. With nothing else to do, she returned to her previous spot and sat in her usual meditation stance.

But after a couple of minutes, Lyra couldn’t find it in her to concentrate. Her concern for the ponies still lingered deep within her head.

I guess not even the Force can’t give me any serenity right now. The thought of ponies screaming for help isn’t exactly easy to forget. She sighed. There’s gotta be something than just wait. Doing nothing isn’t going to help those ponies. Their lives are in danger.

Stroking her tail, Lyra briefly went over what she learned. Judging from what Sweetie Drops said, the ponies made it to Republic space first and then sent the message thru some type of broadcast program. The Jedi Intelligence team on Coruscant then discovered said message days ago and sent it over here. That means it’s been several days since the ponies sent the message.

Then it hit her. Wait, if that’s the case, wouldn’t the message already have been discovered by other people? If the Jedi over at Coruscant discovered that message, that means that other people would’ve likely discovered it too. Her eyes widened. Of course! That means news about the ponies might’ve already spread, which led to their capture. By the Force, why hasn’t any Jedi on Coruscant thought about this?

Lyra smiled. I got have something I can work with. Now all I gotta do is see if there’s any news regarding the ponies. A quick search from the achieves would help.

Immediately, she rose from her meditation spot and galloped toward the exit. Her next stop would be the Jedi archives located the Enclave’s sublevel. It is a place where the Jedi kept their most important relics. Holocrons belonging to Jedi philosophers of the past remained there, as well as several computers, holo-records, and books that all Jedi can use, aside from a few restricted areas.

As she stepped out into the eastern courtyard, Lyra found that the area was less populated than before. She assumed that the other students have started her lessons by now, which was good for her. One of the things she loved about Dantooine was its serene atmosphere. The warm sun basking on her coat, the gentle breeze flowing through her body.

It was a beautiful representation of the Living Force^[1]. Enough to give Lyra some clarity as she entered the Enclave’s sub-level once more.

Inside, she trotted down the long hallway, passing both the water fountain and her master’s room. Since he archives were located at the other side of the sublevel, trotting from the entrance to destination took some time. When she did arrive, she found the entire room was populated with Jedi; thankfully, a few of the computers were available for use.

Helping herself, Lyra trotted toward a nearby machine and powered it on. As the monitor came on, she grasped the keyboard with her magic and began her search.

Time passed. Despite over an hour of searching, Lyra could not find the info she needed. None of the search engines or news outlets she used provided any results.

Her ears drooped. I can’t believe it. Nothing. Absolutely nothing! I thought for sure that someone might have discovered something by now. How else were those slaver’s able to discover the ponies?

Her lips quivered. The lack of results was starting to infuriate her.

No! I can’t get angry. Not now. There’s got to be something out there, I just know it. She took a deep breath and muttered the code. Once she had calmed down, she continued her search. If I can’t find anything from the core worlds, then I’ll have to broaden my search. The mid and outer rim worlds might have something. But searching every single planet out there is gonna to take too long. I’ll have to narrow it down to the more populated planets.

Lyra typed feverishly on the keyboard, scouring for any possible lead from the worlds beyond Coruscant. Unlike before, she backtracked a bit and started with Dantooine. She then slowly made her way down through the more populated worlds. Her search lead her to planets like Mygeeto and Ithor, but they had nothing to show.

She then moved to the next planet, Ord Mantell. An isolated planet located in the mid rim. As she searched the planet for any news, a small bulletin popped up at the top-left side of her screen. She read it immediately.

Business organization, the Exchange, says they’ve discovered a new species. Lyra beamed as she finished reading the title. This is it! This is what I’ve been searching for.

She immediately opened the bulletin, which directed her to a published article. Reading through it, she learned that the Exchange had recently discovered a new species. They had posted a public holo-recording showcasing their recent discovery and had plans to sell them via an auction at their base in Ord Mantell.

The article had pictures too. Images of captured ponies chained together in cages appeared at the bottom of the page. From what she saw, they appear to be hurt and demoralized. The Exchange haven’t given them proper treatment, preferring to treat them like wild animals instead.

Lyra went pale. Seeing the ponies hurt and in cages horrified her. Still, at least she knew now what happened to the ponies and where they were. If anything, the images of the ponies had motivated her more.

With this evidence, I’m sure the Council will let me go now. How could they say no to me after seeing this? Looking to her right, she spotted an unused thumb drive. Using her magic, she grasped the device and plugged it into the computer.

I can’t believe the intel team on Coruscant hasn’t discovered this yet. Just what the heck are they doing? I mean, this search only took a Padawan like me a couple of hours. Can’t they do any better?

As she looked back at the computer, the document had finished saving. Taking the thumb drive out, Lyra jumped out of her seat and headed for the exit. Her job was finished. Now all she had to do was convince the Council to act now. But first, she’ll have to tell her master.

Trotting down the long hallway again, Lyra returned to her master’s dojo. Once there, she saw that several people were leaving his room. What luck. It appeared that his training session with the other students was finished. She now had the perfect opportunity to talk.

She walked past the students and stepped inside the room. There, she found Master Darran in the same spot as before, meditating at the far end of the dojo.

Lyra called to him. “Master? Master it’s me.”

Her voice quickly got his attention. “Ah, there you are Padawan. You’ve in the nick of time. My class had just ended, and I am now free to continue your saber training. In fact, we can start right now if you wish.”

Lyra shook her head. “Sorry, master, but I’m not here for saber training. I’m here because of something else. She trotted over to him and—using her magic—handed over the thumb drive. “I found something while I was studying in the Jedi archives. Something really important.”

“Important?” A pause. Lyra noticed that her master’s headwear moved slightly upward. “What’s this about, Padawan? What did you find in the archives?”

“Just read it and you’ll see.”

Another pause. Taking the thumb drive, Master Darran pulled out his holopad from his robe and inserted the drive. Lyra waited patiently as her master read the article she’d found.

Finally, after several minutes of silence, he spoke. “Lyra, you found this? All by yourself?”

She nodded. “Yes, I did. It took me a couple of hours, but this article I found confirmed my vision. The space ponies have been captured by those Exchange people and are being sold as slaves. It’s only a matter of time before something bad happens to them.”

“Yes, I see that. But didn’t the Council tell you not to investigate this? Good news or not, they’re not going to be pleased that you ignored them and did this.”

“I know that, but I couldn’t just sit here and do nothing!” argued Lyra. “Those ponies are in danger for crying out loud! The longer we wait, the more we endanger their lives.”

“Be wary of your anger, Padawan!” Darran scolded. His tone increased so sharply that it caused Lyra to flinch. “Your desire to protect your kin is admirable, but anger won’t get you anywhere closer to your goal.”

Lyra’s ears drooped. “I…. I’m sorry, master. It’s just that, thinking about these ponies has put me on edge. And the Council’s decision hasn’t helped.” She sighed. “You’re right, I have been angry. But it’s because I want to save them, master. If I stay here any longer, they’ll be sold as slaves. And who knows what’s going to happen to them then.”

“Which is the reason why we should save them now, am I right?” asked Master Darran, to which Lyra nodded in reply. He sighed. “So, you want to drag this old man out on an adventure, huh? So be it. Padawan, please step outside and wait for me at the door. If we’re going to speak with the Council, then I’ll call first and let them know we’re coming.”

Lyra stared at her master with wide eyes. She’d done it. She’d convinced her master to take her side. Now all that’s left is to convince the Council.

Without saying another word, she bowed and left the dojo, leaving her master alone to make the call.

Lyra stood in the council chambers alongside her Master Darran. The two waited patiently as the Council read through her most recent discovery. Though they were irked that she acted on her own volition, the fact that she managed to find such valuable information so quickly was admirable to them.

“I must say, I’m quite impressed, Padawan Lyra,” complimented Master Zhar. “To think you’d find such a crucial piece information within hours. It is most impressive.”

“Indeed,” said Master Dorak. “Such skill in intelligence gathering is a much welcome trait among Sentinels. I believe you’d make a good candidate for our intelligence team should you become a knight.”

Lyra smiled and bowed respectfully. “Thank you for the complement masters. I did what I had to do.”

However, as she lifted her head, Lyra found that not all the masters were impressed. Master Vrook, on the other hand, wasn’t all that happy about this. It’s as if he was about to scold her. “Do not let these complements get in your head, Padawan,” he said in a cold demeanor. “Although it is good you brought this to us, you still disobeyed your masters.”

“W-what?” Lyra’s jaw dropped in disbelief, stunned by Master Vrook’s cold choice of words. “But, master, I did the right thing, didn’t I? I did find the location of the missing ponies, and I had that Force vision too. That does count as a good thing, right?”

The old master sighed. “Forgive me if I sound harsh, Padawan Lyra. Do not get me wrong, you did the right thing. However, my concern is your eagerness to find your home. You are letting your personal feelings guide you. That is not how a Jedi acts and such recklessness will lead you down the dark side.”

Lyra frowned. As always, Master Vrook remained ever a downer.

“Even as an Initiate, you always thought about your home. Such attachments are not the way of the Jedi,” he continued. “I worry that should you find these missing ponies, you might do something careless.”

“Master Vrook is correct, Padawan,” said Master Vander. “His words are harsh, but his reason is sound. It is crucial that you set your feelings aside when searching for your home.”

Lyra curled her lip. Her master’s constant lecture on emotion was starting to get on her nerves. “I appreciate your concerns, masters. Thank you,” she said while bowing again. “So, what happens next? Are we going to act now that we’ve found the missing ponies?”

Master Zhar nodded. “Yes, that is correct. With your vision and this new piece of info we’ve received, we believe it is time we sent out a rescue team. The question is, who do we send?”

The Twi’lek master paused. So too did everyone else in the room. It was clear to Lyra that they haven’t thought this through yet. After all, this information dump came in so quickly. No one could prepare for something to happen so fast.

“Masters, if I may.” Everybody turned to see Master Darran raising his hand. “If possible, I’d like to volunteer myself and my Padawan for this mission. I think it’d be in our best interest if the two of us go as soon as possible.”

Lyra blinked in surprise. “M-master?”

“You offer to go on a mission with your Padawan, Master Darran?” asked Master Vrook, to which the battle master nodded in reply. “I see. Would you care to enlighten us why should we give you two permission to go?”

Master Darran smiled. “Certainly. Masters, I’ve been training with Lyra for the past five years. Ten if you include me training her when she was but an initiate. I’ve seen her grown from a young fledgling student, to a Padawan brimming with potential. She excelled beyond our expectations and is a great student. I believe she deserves to be part of a rescue mission.”

“Yes, I do agree with you on her growth, Gizar,” replied Master Zhar. “But truth be told, I am worried about sending her off to a galaxy that’s still unknown to her. Not to mention rescue missions like these isn’t going to be easy.”

“I’m fully aware of that, Master Zhar. That’s why I request that we go together as master and pupil. It’ll be a good test of her abilities and I can keep a close eye on her in case something goes wrong. Plus, I think it would be best if she goes and rescues the ponies. Since she is one herself, it’ll be a lot easier to gain their trust once they’re rescued.”

Master Vandar nodded in agreement. “You make a good point, Master Darran. Very well. To those in favor of sending these two out on a mission, raise your hand.”

Lyra watched as the tiny old master raised his arm. Both masters Zhar and Dorak followed too, making the decision three to four in her favor. The only master whose hand wasn’t raised was Master Vrook. Instead, he had his eyes closed and folded his arms.

After a moment of silence, the old master finally spoke. “Let me make myself clear, Master Darran,” he said. “Although it is important that we find these ponies, you must promise me that you’ll keep a close eye on your Padawan. She is a good student, that we agree, but she’s still inexperienced. She’ll be looking to you for guidance. Give it to her when needed.”

Master Darran nodded and bowed respectfully toward his fellow master. After which, Master Vrook turned to face Lyra. “And Padawan, remember my words. Do not let your personal feelings about your home or these other ponies get in the way of your goal. Focus on the task at hand, and remember, there is no passion, there is serenity.”

Lyra nodded. “I understand, Master Vrook. Thank you. But how are we going to go to Ord Mantell? Is there a personal ship me and my master can use?”

“Well, that depends. I believe there’s a passenger shuttle in our hanger right now. Give me a moment. I’ll look into this.”

Excusing himself from the group, Master Vrook walked over to a nearby com-box. Lyra watched as the old master supposedly spoke with some dock worker on the other line. When finished, he rejoined the other masters and gave the Padawan a nod.

“I’ve spoken with the dock workers. There’s a ship out in the hanger bay that’s leaving for Taris. If you hurry now, you and your master can take the ship and leave immediately.”

“Wait, Taris?” Lyra blinked in confusion. “But master, aren’t we supposed to be heading toward Ord Mantell? Why are we taking a ship to Taris?”

“Forgive us, Padawan, but passenger shuttles here on Dantooine is restricted,” explained Master Zhar. “They can only go to populated commercial planets like Taris and Coruscant. Ord Mantell is out of their reach here and the only way to get there is by going to Taris first.”

“And it’s better that way too,” said Master Dorak. “This enclave here on Dantooine is supposed to be kept secret from the rest of the galaxy. It’s the reason why we limit travel here so much. We can’t let anyone come and go here so easily.”

Master Zhar nodded in agreement. “He’s correct. The only other means of travel is by using your own spaceship. Unfortunately, your master does not own a spacecraft of his own. We could lend one ourselves, but—”

“They were all taken by the Jedi who went to war,” said Master Darran with a sigh. “Unfortunate, but it looks like a passenger ship will do.”

Turning around, he walked over to the chamber exit to make his leave, but not before turning his attention back to the Council again. “Masters, I’m sure you all are aware this mission will take days to complete. Please inform the other students that I will be gone for a while.”

The Council nodded in approval. After which, he turned to his Padawan. “Come, Lyra. Let’s not keep your kin waiting.”

Lyra nodded and followed her master toward the chamber exit. But before she left, she gave one last bow to the Jedi Council. “Thanks again, masters,” she said. “I’ll make sure our mission is a success. We will rescue those ponies.”

Master Vandar smiled and nodded back. “I’m confident that you will, Padawan. But know that the galaxy is at a dangerous point in time. The Mandalorian Wars are spreading here in the outer rim. Tread carefully and may the Force be with you.”

Lyra smiled back. “And also, with you. Thank you.” She turned and left the council chamber. Once outside, she spotted her master standing near the entryway to the hanger. But as she regrouped with him, the battle master popped a question.

“Are you satisfied, Lyra?” he asked.

“Huh?”

“I’m asking you if you’re satisfied, Padawan. The Council listened. They heeded to your warnings and now they’re sending you and me on the mission to save the ponies. Isn’t it what you’ve wanted?”

Lyra nodded. “Of course! I mean, why would you ask? I’m glad they’ve finally decided to listen.” She paused. “Master…. are you still upset with me because I disobeyed the Council?”

“Quite the contrary, Padawan. The fact that you pinpointed the location of your lost kin within mere hours is most admirable.”

“Really?” Lyra beamed.

“However,” he continued. “It does not change the fact that you acted out of desperation. Acting out of haste is not the Jedi way. Thank the Force that you actually found a lead we can follow.”

Lyra frowned. Of course, she’d get another boring lecture. Sure, what her master said was true, but at least she did the right thing. That counts for something, does it not?

“Good intentions can lead to unforeseen consequences, Padawan. Remember the words of Master Vrook. Don’t let your personal feelings about your home or kin become a liability.”

“Yes, Master,” said Lyra with a sigh.

Master Darran smiled. “Come, let’s not dwell any further. We have a ship to board,” he said, ignoring the sulking look from his Padawan.

Without saying a word, Lyra followed her master to the Enclave’s hanger bay. It didn’t take them long to get there, as the hanger was a short distance away from the main courtyard. When they arrived, she spotted a small ship at the middle bay area.

The ship wasn’t anything spectacular. It was a small passenger ship. Barely big enough to fit a few dozen people. It didn’t provide much protection either. Only one laser turret could be seen on its room.

We’ll take what we can get. Lyra thought.

As she and her master got closer to the ship, they were greeted by a human wearing a Republic Navy uniform. “Hello. You must be the Jedi Master Vrook spoke of,” he said. “I’m the captain of this ship. It is a great honor to meet you.”

“Thank you, captain,” said Master Darran as he bowed to the Republic office. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Jedi Master Gizar Darran. A trainer here at this academy. First, I must apologize for this sudden inconvenience. From what I heard, you were about to make your leave for Taris until the dock workers said to stop because of us.”

The captain merely shrugged in response. “Ah, it’s nothing,” he replied, casually. “I’m sure you have a good reason for this.” He then turned over to Lyra and stared at her with a raised brow. “Uh, I don’t want to be rude, Master Jedi, but who is this? Is this thing a pet of yours or something?”

Master Darran laughed heartily. “Oh, no captain. This here is my Padawan, Lyra Heartstrings. The second Jedi who’s joining us today.”

The captain’s jaw slacked as he looked at Lyra with wide eyes. “Oh, I see.” He stuttered at bit, trying to play off his initial shock. “Do forgive me, I wasn’t expecting a Jedi that, uh…. looked like a pet or something. Err, I mean—I thought the other Jedi was, um…. you know a—”

Lyra chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. I get similar looks every day, so you’re not the first.” Following her master, she gave the captain a respectful bow. “It’s nice to meet you, captain.”

The captain stared at Lyra, surprised by the young Jedi’s laid back, yet professional attitude. “Oh. Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you too, Ms. Heartstrings. Thank you for your kindness.”

After recovering from his shock, the captain walked over to the ship’s boarding ramp. He then waved his hand at the two Jedi, signaling them to come and board. They followed, with Lyra trotting close behind her master.

Upon boarding, the captain led them into the passenger room. Lyra looked around and saw that, like the ship, it wasn’t anything grand. Just a bunch of passenger seats lined up together in rows. While a few of had already been taken by other passengers, some were still empty, particularly the back row.

Helping himself, Master Darran sat in the back seats. Lyra followed, assuming he chose the spot to avoid other passengers. His precognition didn’t help though. Many of the passengers stared at them curiously. Some whispered amongst each other. If Lyra had to guess, they were probably gossiping about the her and her master.

“Ignore the whispers, Padawan. Let the people gossip,” advised Master Darran as he sat in one of the passenger chairs. “Just relax. Meditate if you have to.”

Lyra nodded. As she sat down, a noise came from inside the ship. Pretty soon, she could hear the captain’s voice speaking via intercom.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to apologize for the delay. Something urgent came up and we had to board two passengers in the last minute. Now I know some of you might question that decision, please note that these two are Jedi. I’d like you to please give them the respect they deserve.”

Noise erupted among the passengers. Their whispers caused more of them to stare at Lyra and her Master.

“Padawan.” Lyra looked up to see her master shaking his head. “Ignore them.”

She nodded.

“We’ll be taking off shortly,” continued the captain. “I would ask that everyone please buckle up and prepare for liftoff.”

Once the captain had finished speaking, Lyra buckled down and laid back on her seat. The ship roared with life as she felt it lift off from the ground. Looking out the window, she saw the ship slowly move away from the enclave. She soon found herself staring at the clouds. Eventually, the ship made it to orbit.

“We are entering lightspeed in t-minus thirty seconds,” said the captain over the intercom. “Our trip will take us to Taris in approximately three hours. Sit back, relax, and thank you for flying with us.”

As the countdown began, Lyra closed her eyes and quietly muttered the Jedi code.

“Nervous, Padawan?” asked Master Darran.

“A little,” Lyra admitted. “But with you by my side, Master, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Then may the Force be with us,” he replied as the ship delve into hyperspace.

Chapter 4

View Online

Taris, an urban planet located in the far reaches of the outer-rim. Known for its sprawling metropolis and tall buildings, the planet itself is an intergalactic hub. It’s promises of money lure people to the outer-rim, whether it’d be for trade or the more popular swoop racing.

Despite its glamor, Taris is far from a perfect society. The planet had issues that the locals weren’t willing to admit. They try to hide it from the galaxy—and usually they’re successful—but the truth will reveal itself. Not by any off-worlder, but by the populace itself.

Inside an upper-city cantina, the bar had erupted with noise. The sound of shouting and rambling echoed across the facility, disrupting many of the local activities.

“Get out of here ya filthy alien! Do you hear me? Get out! Your kind has no place here!”

It wasn’t long before the cantina patrons discovered the culprits. A group of five Tarisian nobles were shouting racial slurs against a lone male Rodian^[1], whom they’ve backed up against the wall.

<Get out of my way! You have no right to tell me what to do!> shouted the Rodian in his native language, Rodese. He wanted to break free from the angry mob, but he lacked the strength to do so. His slim body couldn’t stand against all five humans.

“Hey, this bug ain’t listening to us,” said one of the mobsters. “He probably doesn’t understand basic. Come on, we got better things to do than talk to some stupid alien. Let’s just hurl him outside and be done with it!”

<What?> The Rodian’s jaw dropped. <Y-you can’t do that. I-I have every right to be here!> But his plea didn’t sway. It only made the mob angrier.

A punch was thrown by one of the mobsters, causing the Rodian to fall to the floor. Fearing for his life, he cried for help, but it never came. None of the other patrons bothered to stop the mob. Instead, they went about their routines as if nothing happened.

Then, a tall but skinny mobster stood in front of the Rodian’s face. “Damn, alien. Stay out of the upper city.” He raised his leg backward, ready to kick the Rodian right on the head.

But the attack never came. Instead, a deafening crack echoed inside the cantina, catching the patrons attention again. They looked and saw a blonde haired human man wearing a leather jacket stood before the now unconscious skinny mobster.

“Hey, that was rude you know,” said the blonde haired human. “You can’t just hit people like that. Don’t ya know that’s a crime?”

“What the—oh my gosh!” One of the mobsters, an old human man, bent down to check on his companion. No response. The guy was out cold.

Upon realizing this, the old mobster glared at his companion’s attacker. “What did you do?”

“Simple, I knocked him out,” replied the blonde haired man as he lifted his right arm and showed the crowd a broken bottle. “Shame I wasted a bottle of this delicious Tarisian ale, but the guy gave me no choice.”

“You bastard!” The old man and the rest of the mobsters immediately surrounded the middle-aged human. “You must be one of those alien lovers. Come to save your alien friend from what he rightfully deserves?”

“Rightfully deserves? Come on, old man. You and your cronies were beating up on the guy. If anything, you guys deserve justice from what you’ve done.”

“Shut up!” shouted the old man. He stepped forward and threw a punch, but the blonde haired man saw this and dodged by spinning to his right side. He then tossed aside the broken bottle and reached into his jacket, pulling out a pair of blaster pistols.

Everyone in the cantina gasped as the blonde haired human pointed his weapons toward the old man. “Don’t try me, old geezer. One more step and I’ll blow your head off.”

The old man complied, and so did the other mobsters. Seeing that his way was clear, the blonde haired man made his way toward the down Rodian. “I got your back. Don’t worry about the language barrier, I understand Rodese. You okay?”

<Yes, I’m fine. Thank you so much, human.>

The man smiled, but not before giving one last glare to the mob. “Listen up, Tarisians,” he spoke loudly. “The name’s Hider Louhun. I’m a journalist from the Republic Daily News Organization. I’ve been sent here to do a report on the so called Coruscant of the outer-rim.”

Everyone gasped. Their apparent shock made Hider smirk gleefully. “Just letting you all know that your planet is full of shit. And once I get back, I’ll make sure that every planet in the core and inner worlds know about this.”

He then walked backward toward the exit with the Rodian following close behind him. As he made his way outside, he gave one last insult to the patrons of the cantina. “Later losers. I hope the rest of your day is good, because you’ll be hearing nothing but shit about your planet in the next couple of weeks.”

As the doors closed, Hider flipped off the angry mob of nobles one last time before running off to the city skywalk. The Rodian followed, but he soon collapsed to the floor.

“Whoa, there.” Hider stopped and went back to the alien. “Hey, are you alright?”

<S-sorry, Mr. Louhun,> said the Rodian. <But those humans did a number on me. I can barely stand.>

“Yeah, those bastards hurt you pretty bad.” Hider knelt on his knees and examined the Rodian’s injuries. Looks like his face is completely bruised. And, he’s clutching his stomach too. Probably an abdomen injury. I see nothing life threatening, but he needs help fast.

Putting his pistols away, Hider reached inside his jacket and pulled out a med-kit. “Here, this should help. Apply it to your abdomen and it should relieve your stomach pain.”

<W-what?! You’re giving this to me?>

“Well, yeah. You deserve as much after what those jerks did,” replied Hider. “Besides, if you don’t get treated now, you’ll be sore for the rest of the day.”

<T-thank you!> The Rodian quickly snatched the med kit from Hider’s hand and applied it to his body. <Ah, sweet relief. Thank you, human. Your kindness is appreciated. My name’s Twitch by the way. I’m a native born here on Taris.>

“Pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Twitch.” The two promptly shook hands before Hider reached inside his jacket and pulled out a datapad. “Now if you don’t mind me asking, what’s with those guys from earlier? Do they have it against aliens or something? Or is it just Rodians in general?”

Twitch raised a brow. <So, you really weren’t bluffing when you said you’re a journalist. And here I was thinking you were just a drunkard shouting nonsense.>

“Hey, I’m not drunk. I only took a couple sips of that ale before those bastards started harassing you. Besides, this gives me a chance to speak with Tarisian native. Most either ignore me or threaten me by gun point.”

<Wait, you were threatened?> Twitch’s eyes widened. <Impossible. No Tarisian noble would dare do that up here. Unless…. you’ve been to the lower city, haven’t you?>

“Guilty as charged. My job was to do a report on this planet. Not just the upper city.” Hider sighed. “They say Taris is supposed is the Coruscant of the outer-rim, but after being here for over a week, I seriously doubt that claim. The stuff I’ve seen down there is really bad.”

<Then why interview me? What’s the point if you’ve been on Taris for so many days?>

Hider groaned. “From that response, I take it that you don’t want to be interviewed huh?”

Twitch shook his head. <Mr. Louhun, I’m grateful that you helped me, but the last thing I want is my name plastered on an article smearing Taris.>

Hider sighed. Seeing that he wasn’t going to get anything out of the Rodian, he put his datapad back into his jacket. “Alright, you make a point. So, what’re you going to do next, Mr. Twitch? Planning on going home?”

<I’m going to stay here for a bit. Wait for those humans to leave the cantina. Look, I know it sounds stupid, but I came here to compete in the Taris arena. I planned on signing up today, but those guys stopped me before I could do anything.>

“That would explain why you’re here. Well, if ya plan on staying for a while, it’d probably be best if I bail. There’s no telling what those mobsters might do if they spot me again. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Twitch. Good luck at the arena.”

<Thank you, Mr. Louhun. Take care!>

After saying his final goodbye, Hider continued walking down the crowded city skywalk. His next and final stop would be the planet’s space port where his ship was docked. I’m done with this planet. It’s about time I leave this stupid rock and head back home. Besides, I think I’ve got enough work done to write an article.

As he continued his walk, Hider spotted an alleyway nearby. He stopped and saw the space port within sight. Seeing this shortcut, he eagerly entered the alleyway. But he regretted his decision almost immediately. The place was riddled with nothing but garbage. His shortcut was nothing more than a backdoor the local shops used to toss their trash.

Damn, this place stinks. I think it was a mistake coming through here. Oh well. It won’t be too long before I—

“Hey you!”

Hider froze. The sound of a masculine voice echoed across the alleyway. He looked behind him and, to his shock, found two muscular men standing behind him. One was a human while the other was a green-skinned Twi’lek^[2]. Both had battle armor equipped with blaster rifles strapped to their backs. It’s as if these two were prepared for war.

What the heck? Did those two follow me here? Hider gulped. “Um, may I help you gentlemen?

<Yeah, you can,> spoke the Twi’lek in his native language, Ryl. He pulled out a piece of paper out from his pocket and read it out loud. <You wouldn’t happen to be Hider, would you?>

Hider flinched. Oh no. I don’t like the looks of this. “Y-yes, I’m Hider. Hider Louhun to be exact. Is there something you gentlemen need from me?

The human cocked a brow. “Wait, Louhun? You sure we have the right person here?”

<Yes, we do!> answered the Twi’lek. <He may have a different last name, but there’s no doubt about it. Our target is here right in front of us.>

“Target? What exactly do you two want with me?” Hider asked.

The Twi’lek folded his arms and smirked, giving off a sinister look that made Hider even more nervous. The alien then slowly walked forward and took out his rifle from his back.

<Hider, just how long are you going to play us? Do you think becoming a news reporter would somehow erase your record?> said the Twi’lek. <The Exchange doesn’t take kindly to street rat smugglers like you. There’s a hefty bounty on your head, and we plan on taking it.>

Hider gasped. Realizing he was in danger, he pulled back his jacket and grabbed his two blaster pistols. But the Twi’lek was faster. Immediately, the alien hit Hider with the butt of his rifle, causing him to fall and land awkwardly on his head. Though his vision was blurred, he tried to reach for his pistols again, but the Twi’lek stopped him by stomping on his left hand.

<Give up, Hider,> said the Twi’lek as he twisted Hider’s hand with the heel of his foot. <You’re coming with us.>

Hider coughed. “Like I ever…. give myself up…. to a bunch of stupid—”

The Twi’lek then stomped on Hider’s stomach, causing the reporter to grunt in pain.

<Save the insults,> he said as he repeatedly smacked Hider in the face with his gun. <There isn’t anyone here who can save you, Hider. Now come along quietly, or else. The last thing we want is to drag your unconscious body around the streets of Taris.>

Hider grunted in pain. Blood was dripping from his forehead, and his left hand began to swell. Damn it! Is this the end of me? Am I really going down like this?

“Hey!”

“Huh?” Hider blinked. Despite his head trauma, he could’ve sworn he heard a voice echoing across the alleyway. It wasn’t the thugs, that he was certain. They had heard it too and were now on high alert with their rifles raised. At least the Twi’lek’s boot isn’t on my stomach anymore. But seriously, who was that?

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a loud clanking noise, followed by a scream. He looked up to see the Twi’lek reeling backward, his hands clenching his face. Hider looked down to see that the thug’s weapon laid near his feet, as well as a garbage can.

<Ugh, damn it!> The Twi’lek cursed before looking down at the object that hit him. He then gave his partner a venomous look. <Did you just throw this garbage can at me?>

“What? No! I swear, that wasn’t me.”

<Then how do you explain this thing flying at my face!> shouted the Twi’lek.

“Easy! Look down!”

<What?>

Suddenly, a small creature jumped onto the Twi’lek’s head. Despite its size, it applied enough force to cause the thug to fall head first onto the metal floor, knocking him out. The once threatening Exchange hoodlum now laid unconscious, with its attacker standing boldly on his face.

Hider’s jaw dropped as he stared at his would-be savior with wide eyes. What stood before him wasn’t any alien he’d ever seen before. A creature that stood on four legs, whose height was comparable to that of a common T1 series utility droid. It had a pointy horn on its forehead and, for some reason, wore what appeared to be a brown bathroom robe.

What stood out the most though was its face. It appeared to have green skin, just like the Twi’lek thug, but it didn’t look like skin at all. Rather, it looked like fur.

“Hi!” greeted the four-legged creature.

Hider blinked. Judging by the creature’s voice, it was definitely female.“Uh, hi.”

“Why you little!” Hider turned his head and saw that the other thug had raised his weapon. “You’ll pay for that you little twerp!”

Seeing this, Hider immediately turned back toward his savior and tried to warn her. “Dodge!” he cried. But to his surprise, she remained still.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the creature said to the thug.

“Oh, and why’s that freak?” asked the thug.

“Because behind you.”

“Behind me?” Confused, the thug looked over his shoulder. Hider followed too, believing it to be some sort of stall tactic. However, he wasn’t expecting the thug to get launched in the air.

As the thug landed head first on the floor, Hider’s little savior cracked a wide smile. “Always check your surroundings,” she said mockingly to the thug, who was now out cold. “Good hit, Master.”

Hider blinked. Master? He looked to where his savior was looking and saw a man had come out of the shadows. It was another human male, who strangely wore the same type of clothing his savior wore. He also wore a weird looking headpiece that covered his eyes and hair. How the heck did that guy knock that thug out? He’s nowhere near as muscular compared to those two.

“Were you able to knock out that Twi’lek over there, Lyra?” asked the human.

The alien, Lyra, nodded. “Yup. The guy’s out cold. He won’t be moving anytime soon.”

“Good.” The human then walked over to Hider. “Are you alright, sir?”

Hider flinched as the old man kneeled close him. He couldn’t say anything at first. The pain he received from the Twi’lek thug rendered him speechless. The silence was broken quickly though as soon as he started coughing blood.

“Padawan, this man needs medical help,” said the human. “Get over here and tend to this his injuries.”

“Wait, now? But, what if one of these guys wakes up?” asked Lyra.

“I’ll watch over them and make sure they stay down. Now get moving.” The human then turned to Hider one more time. “Don’t worry. My Padawan and I are members of the Jedi Order. We’ll take good care of you, I promise.”

Hider gasped. “Wait. You’re Jedi?!” His head reeled back, surprised by this new discovery. Unfortunately, he reeled his head so far back that he hit the wall.

“Take it easy, sir. I know this is a lot to take in, but you got to calm down. The last thing your head injury to get worse.”

Hider nodded. “Yeah, good point. Thanks for rescuing me Master Jedi. The name is Hider Louhun by the way. Pleased to meet you.”

“It’s Gizar Darran. Or Master Darran if you want to be formal, Mr. Louhun. And that alien over there is, Lyra Heartstrings. She’s currently a Padawan training under my tutelage.”

“She’s a student?!” Hider looked at the small Jedi with raised brow. Despite her actions, he couldn’t help but feel doubtful of her status among the galaxy’s protectors. How the heck did an alien like her become a Jedi? She looks like a house pet for crying out loud.

“I know that look, Mr. Louhun,” said Master Darran. “Don’t underestimate her. She may not look like it, but she is a full-fledged Padawan trained in the Jedi arts. So, unless you want to be those two thugs over there, I suggest you treat her with respect.”

Hider stuttered. “Uh, point taken. So, how did you guys find me? Were you led by your Jedi powers or something?”

“My Padawan spotted you shortly after we left the planet’s space port. She was persistent in aiding you, so she ran off without me.” Master Darran sighed. “I swear, it’s tough keeping up with an energetic young student like her. Especially one who’s so eager to prove herself.”

Hider raised a brow. A Jedi Master complaining about his job? Really?

“But that’s enough talk for now. If you’ll excuse me, there’s something I must do.” Excusing himself, Master Darran stood up and snatched a wide metal item from his belt with his right hand. Grasping it tight, the old man pushed a button, causing a loud snap-hiss sound.

Hider gaped in awe as he saw a shimmering blue blade pop from one end of the object. It’s light brightened the entire alleyway, and the blade made a loud humming noise. So, that’s a Jedi’s lightsaber. Amazing. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen one up close.

“Master, may I suggest that you destroy these thug’s weapons,” said Lyra. “Since your saber’s out, I think it’d be best if we disarm these guys just in case. We shouldn’t allow them to use such dangerous weapons out in public.”

“Ah, good thinking, Padawan. I’ll go ahead and take your suggestion,” replied Master Darran. “But hurry and patch this man up. Our priority is to get him to a safe area.”

“Yes, Master.” Lyra trotted toward Hider and sat near him. “Don’t worry, I’m going to help,” she said with a smile. She first examined his swollen left hand by touching it with the tip of her hoof. Her action, however, caused him to wince.

“Hey, what’re you doing?!” Hider asked as he recoiled his left arm.

“Sorry about that. I was just trying to examine the injury,” Lyra replied. She glanced over to Hider’s head. “There’s blood pouring from the back of your head. Most likely from the head trauma. We’ll have to close the wound first before we get you moving again.”

“Yeah, I figured. Here, I have some things inside my jacket that can help.” Using his right arm, Hider opened the right side of jacket, revealing a cloth and med-kit. “Apply the med-kit to my hand to stop the swelling. Then, wrap the cloth on my head. It’ll soak the blood.”

He attempted to take the items with his injured hand but was stopped when Lyra nudged him on his belly. “Stop that. There’s no need to further strain yourself,” she said. “Let me take those items.”

“But, how? You don’t have hands.” It was then that Hider noticed Lyra’s horn. It began to glow. The very tip of it shimmered a bright gold color that illuminated the area of where she stood. Bewildered, he stared at the horn with wide eyes, unaware of the fact that his med-kit and cloth now glowed the same color.

“What is this?” he asked.

“Something unique to my species. Don’t worry about it too much. Just focus on relaxing as I apply the medicine.

With the med-kit levitating nearby, the young Jedi quickly applied the medicine to Hider’s left hand. He winced as the needle sunk into his skin but calmed himself as the swollen hand slowly returned to normal. Lyra then used her power to wrap the cloth on Hider’s head, which stopped the bleeding.

“There, all done,” she said. “Do you feel any better?”

Hider nodded. “My hand feels much better. Thank you. But I still feel a bit dizzy.”

“Most likely from the head trauma. But we can fix you up further once we get somewhere safe. Can you stand at least?”

Hider nodded again. Using the wall as leverage, he slowly stood back upright. However, he nearly fell again the moment he tried to move.

“Slow down,” said Lyra. “You can’t just walk around after a head trauma like that.” She then looked back at her Jedi Master. “Master, he needs assistance. Can you please help him walk?”

“Sure thing,” replied Master Darran as he deactivated his weapon. “These thugs shouldn’t be waking up anytime soon. Plus, their weapons are destroyed, so we should be safe.” He took Hiders right arm and wrapped it around his neck. “Where’re you headed?”

“The space port,” answered Hider. “I was on my way there until those two attacked me.”

“Then, that’s our destination. Come, Padawan.”

With the Jedi Master’s help, Hider was able to walk out of the alleyway. Thankfully, the skywalk wasn’t too crowded as before, so it made the walk much easier. He got some looks from the crowd due to his condition, but he ignored them. They were the least of his troubles.

As he and the Jedi entered the space port, they were immediately greeted by a protocol droid standing behind a counter. “Greetings sir. How may I be of assist—oh my!” The droid froze immediately as it spotted the bloodied Hider. “Sir, are you alright? My scanners indicate there’s blood all over you. Shall I request for a doctor?”

“There’s no need for that, droid,” said Master Darran. “I am Master Gizar Daran of the Jedi Order, and this man is under my protection. If you would, just get me a wet towel and some water. My Padawan and I will care for him here.”

“Understood, Master Jedi. I shall do as you asked. Wait over by that sofa over there and I’ll bring you the items.” The droid walked away and entered a nearby room. Meanwhile, Hider sat down at the sofa, relieved that he was now safe from harm.

“Thank you, Jedi. I owe you guys big time,” he said. “I don’t know what might’ve happened to me if you two hadn’t showed up.”

“No problem,” said Lyra with a smile. “It’s a Jedi’s duty to always help those in need.”

“What she said,” replied Master Darran. “Thank the Force that my Padawan saw you. If it weren’t for her keen eyes, we might not have arrived in time.”

Hider chuckled. “Yeah. It’s nice to see a Jedi with good awareness skills. Good job, kid.”

Lyra’s smile grew wider. His approval made her even more happy. More so that she couldn’t help but squee.

Seeing this, Hider’s cheeks flushed red. Damn, that is cute.

“Ah, before I forget, there’s something I want to ask you, Mr. Louhun. In regards to those thugs that attacked you,” continued Master Darran.

Hider groaned. “Please, don’t call me, Mr. Louhun. Hider is fine. Seriously though, what does a Jedi like you want to know about those thugs? Is the Order looking to collect their bounty or something? It wouldn’t surprise me if they had one, but I never thought Jedi would be interested in bounty hunting.”

“This has nothing to do with bounties, Hider. I believe those thugs had some ulterior motive in attacking you. I don’t know why, but perhaps you can fill me in on those details.”

“Wait, what? You think those thugs attacked me for some convoluted reason?” Hider asked. “What makes you say that? They’re thugs. Those types of guys always harass people.”

“A thug isn’t equipped with a high caliber blaster rifle, nor any battle armor fitted for war,” stated Master Darran. “It’s impossible for mere thugs like them to get ahold of such equipment. Perhaps mercenaries, but it doesn’t explain why they’d attack a random citizen.”

Hider nodded. “I see.” Damn. He’s smart. Guess I got no choice but to tell him, but I can’t mention that I’m a former smuggler. “Well, you’re right about those guys being more than just your average thugs. The Twi’lek claimed he and his partner are from the Exchange. A large organization that’s spread across the outer and mid rim worlds.”

“What? The Exchange!”

Hider winced. Apparently, little Lyra decided to yell so loud that it caused him to wince and cover his ears. After realizing what she’d done, the Jedi’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“Padawan, that was very rude. Please, tone your voice down,” said Master Darran.

“Whoopsies,” she muttered softly. “Sorry about that.”

Hider sighed. “It’s fine. But do you mind telling me what’s gotten you so worked up over the Exchange? I thought the Jedi could care less about a rag tag corporation of cutthroat mercenaries?”

Lyra froze. She did not answer Hider’s question at first. Rather, she remained quiet for quite some time. The silence broke, however, when she turned toward her master for advice. “Master, should we tell him?” she asked.

“It’s your call, Padawan,” answered Master Darran. “But be mindful about what you share. Giving away important information to anyone isn’t always helpful.” He then glanced over to Hider. “Plus, we don’t know much about this man. He hasn’t given us reasons why we should trust him yet.”

“Hey, you do realize I’m right here,” rebuked Hider. “You don’t have to be so cautious, Master Jedi. I’m not someone who’ll spill the beans on some Jedi secrets. But if you want to play it safe, we can talk in private.”

Master Darran’s eyes deadpanned. “That remains to be seen. So, where should we go?”

“My ship. It’s docked here at this port. We can board it right now if you’d like.” Master Darran nodded in approval, and so too did his Padawan. “Alright, follow me.”

Hider stood up and walked over to the counter, where the droid from before was waiting with the items the Jedi requested. “Sir, I’ve done what was asked. Here is a wet cloth and a bottle of water,” said the droid. “Do you still need additional help with your wounds?”

“There’s no need. I’m all better now,” answered Hider as he took the towel and water bottle from the droid. “The only thing I’d like to do now is board my ship. You mind giving me clearance, droid?”

“Of course, sir. What is your ship’s name?”

“The Omega.”

“I understand. Just give me a second and I’ll give you clearance.” The droid looked down at his computer and began to type. “My analysis states that your ship is docked over at hangar bay G1. Permission to access the hanger is granted. Just follow the hallway to my right and you’ll reach it.”

“Thanks.” Hider then glanced over at the two Jedi and signaled them to follow him. They obliged, and the three proceeded to walk toward their destination. When they arrived, the doors to the hangar bay flung open, revealing a large black painted ship.

“There she is. The Omega.” Hider beamed with pride as he looked upon his beloved ship. “Don’t let the big size fool you. My baby’s one of the fastest ships in the galaxy. It’s got state of the art engineering the likes no one’s ever seen. It’s even got commodities like a medical bay, a high-grade storage system, and a place where you can store a speed bike.”

“Wow, it’s huge,” said Lyra with wide eyes. “I’ve never seen a ship like this before.”

“Yes, it’s very impressive. Mr. Hider, how did you afford something so luxurious?” asked Master Darran.

“I’ll explain later,” replied Hider with a shrug. “Come on, let’s not stand here any longer. I still have to show you what’s inside too.” He continued walking toward The Omega with the Jedi accompanying him. As they got closer, they noticed several utility droids exiting the ship’s boarding ramp.

“Hey, what’re those droids doing inside your ship?” Lyra asked.

“Oh, them? They’re utility droids that belong to the port company here. I paid them so that their droids can fix my ship while I’m away since I don’t have a utility droid myself.”

“But why? Aren’t you worried something might happen to your ship while your gone?”

“What? No way! I know for a fact that my belongings are safe. Besides, I’ve been here for over a week now. If something happened to my baby, I would’ve noticed.”

Hider then proceeded to walk toward the boarding ramp and enter his ship. Once inside, he looked around the ship’s main corridor and saw something that made his heart skip a beat.

“What the heck?!”

To his dismay, many of the walls surrounding the main corridor had been torn apart. Electrical wires stuck out from inside the damaged walls. Some were torn to shreds, to the point where sparks of electricity could be seen at the damaged ends.

“Whoa, what happened here?” Hider turned around and saw that Lyra had boarded his ship. “Everything looks so…. broken. Your ship isn’t always like this, is it?”

“No!” Hider yelled. Immediately, he dashed down the main corridor, looking around to see if his ship suffered any other damage. Unfortunately, most of the main corridor was a mess. There was nothing but torn down walls and severed wires all over the place.

As he made it to the ship’s cargo hold, his eyes went wide with horror. The cargo hold was torn asunder. All of his containers were forced open, and upon further inspection, none of them had any items inside.

“Uh, excuse me.” Hider turned to see that Lyra and her master had followed him inside. “Mr. Louhun, I saw this big metal box in another room. It was torn apart and I saw sparks flying everywhere. Do you have any idea what that is?”

“That’s called the hyperdrive, Padawan. The ship can’t go anywhere now that it’s damaged,” said Master Darran. “I’m sorry, Hider, but it appears your ship has been looted.”

Hider twitched. He didn’t know what to think or what to do. Seeing the state of his ship shocked him to the point where he wouldn’t move. But then, his mind went back to the utility droids he and Lyra saw earlier. They were the last ones on his ship.

Those little bastards! Immediately, Hider darted back toward the ship’s boarding ramp, ignoring Lyra’s calls to him. As he exited the Omega, he looked around the hanger bag for the droids. Sadly, they were nowhere to be found. In fact, neither droid or man were present in the hanger. He was alone.

Hider gritted his teeth as his cheeks slowly became red. Unable to contain his anger any longer, he closed his eyes and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Damn it! I hate this planet!”

Chapter 5

View Online

To say that this was one of Hider’s worst days would be an understatement. In a span of an hour, he’d been assaulted by two Exchange thugs, his ship was torn apart by utility droids, and most of his belongings were robbed. Even worse, his ship was too badly damage for liftoff. Now he can’t leave the planet until the repairs to his ship have been made.

To add insult to injury, the owners of the space port claimed they had no idea what happened and rebuffed his complaints. Hider gritted his teeth. He remembered the talk he had with them, how they played innocent and instead blamed him for his lack of awareness. He had a gut feeling that those guys were lying but he had no evidence to prove it.

Now here he was, wandering the Tarisian skywalk. He still planned on leaving the planet tonight, but he needed supplies to rebuild his ship, and the only way he could get those supplies were from the shops here. The port owners offered aid, but he turned them down. The last thing he wanted was to trust those dirtbags again.

On the bright side, at least he had some company. The two Jedi that saved him in the alleyway had offered him aid. Despite having just met, they were more than happy to provide help. To his delight, they were quick to act on their promise. The older Jedi convinced the port owners to surrender some funds for his ship.

Their help wouldn’t come without a price though. In return, he’d tell them what he knew about the Exchange. He didn’t mind it though. It was a fair deal. Besides, he wanted to stick close to them for a little while longer. There were questions he wanted answered, especially regarding that young Jedi, Lyra Heartstrings.

Just who is she? Hider thought as he stared at the young Jedi.

“Mr. Louhun?”

“Huh?” Looking to his side, Hider spotted Jedi Master Darran looking right at him. Or at least that’s what he believed. Earlier, he learned that the old man wasn’t human. Instead, belonged called, Miralukas, who—despite their disability—had the ability to see through their unique powers.

“Are you alright?” the old Jedi asked. “You sort of blanked out for a moment there.”

“Oh, sorry about that Master Jedi. I have a lot of things in my mind right now,” Hider replied. “And again, you don’t have to be so formal. Just call me Hider.”

“As you wish. So, you still thinking about your ship?”

Hider nodded. “Yeah, I am. I just can’t believe something like that happened. Seriously, how did no employee or droid witness my ship getting wrecked or robbed? It makes no sense!”

“A question that unfortunately won’t get answered. But that alone isn’t the only thing on your mind, isn’t it?”

“What’re you talking about?”

“Don’t try to hide it. I may look blind to you but know that I can still sense your feelings. You’ve been thinking about my Padawan, aren’t you?”

Hider flinched. “Damn, you got me. Guess the rumors regarding your species were true. You really can see.”

“We’re more capable than you think, Hider, but enough gossip. Tell me why you’re so fixated on my Padawan.”

“Who wouldn’t be, Master Jedi! I mean, just look at her! She’s an alien species that I’ve never even seen or heard before. Who is she? Where did she come from? And how did the Jedi find her in the first place?”

“That is a long story, Hider. A story that began nearly a decade ago.”

“Would you care to explain that story? I don’t mean to pry, but I’d like to know more about the Jedi who saved me.”

Master Darran sighed. “Perhaps at another time. Let’s just focus on getting your ship repaired first.”

Hider shrugged. Well, that’s one way to dodge a question. As he watched the old Jedi walk away, his eyes drifted back to Lyra, who seemed rather cheerful. For all the tall skyscrapers they’d past in the upper city, she would stop and stare at them in amazement.

What’s with her? It’s as if she’s never been to a metropolis before.

“Hey, Mr. Louhun. Look over there,” said Lyra.

Hider groaned. Again, with the surname. How many times do I have to tell these Jedi not to use them? Looking at the Padawan, he noticed that she’d pointed her hoof to a nearby building with a shop logo. “Droids by Janice? Is that a droid shop?”

“I believe so,” replied Lyra. “Why don’t we go ahead and go inside. Maybe they have a utility droid for sale that can help you with your ship.”

“Oh, no. There is no way am I going to buy some rusty droid. Never!”

“And why not?” asked Lyra. “Wouldn’t it be best if you just bought a droid? I mean, after what happened to your ship, I figured now would be a good time to buy one.”

“She’s got a point you know,” said Master Darran. “I don’t know why you dislike droids but purchasing one less risky than placing your trust on a port owned droid. Plus, its cost efficient too.”

Hider sighed. As much as he hated it, these Jedi had a point. “Fine. We’ll go inside.” Swallowing his pride, he walked toward the droid shop and went inside. Once there, he was promptly greeted by a female Twi’lek standing behind a kiosk.

<Hello, customer. And welcome to Droids by Janice.> greeted the Twi’lek in Ryl. <Are you looking to buy a droid, or perhaps droid parts? Well, look no further. I have a fine selection of both.>

Hider raised a brow. A female Twi’lek working at a droid shop in the upper city? That’s surprising, giving that the only female Twi’lek’s I’ve seen around here are the dancers over at the cantina.

<May I help you with something, sir?> asked the Twi’lek.

“Oh, not right now ma’am. I’m just looking around.”

“Wow look at all these droids.” Hider turned and saw that Lyra and her master had followed him inside, with the former gawking at the available merchandise around the shop. “Whoever built these things must’ve done so with good care.”

<Hey, no animals inside my shop. Sir, please take your pet back outside and—wait did that thing just talk?>

“She’s not a pet, ma’am,” replied Hider. “I know it’s hard to believe, but this animal right here is a Jedi Padawan, and the person beside her is a Jedi Master.”

The Twi’lek let out a gasp. <A-are you serious? Oh, my gosh. Jedi, here at my shop?> She turned toward the Jedi and gave them a bow <It…. it’s an honor to meet you both. Please, forgive me for my rude comment earlier. I had no idea.>

Lyra shook her head. “No, it’s alright. I’m used to seeing reactions like yours all the time. Besides, there’s no need for a shop owner get all worked up over two Jedi. Just treat us like you would with any other customer.”

Hider’s eyes went wide. Wait, that’s the owner? That’s Janice? Okay, now I’m very impressed. To think she’s able to make business here. Even with all the alien prejudice.

“That was quite humble of you, Padawan,” said Master Darran.

Lyra shrugged. “Eh, no biggie. I’m just used to all the stares I get all day.”

Hider rolled his eyes. Of course, you’d get nothing but stares. You belong to an alien species no one’s ever seen or heard. Heck, I’m surprised that you understand Ryl!

<So, how can I help you two Jedi?> asked Janice.

“Oh, no ma’am. It’s not us that needs assistance,” replied Master Darran. “This young man right here is the one that needs it. We just tagged along because he needed some extra help.”

“Augh, come on old man. You don’t have to say that out loud,” complained Hider. “Yeah, he’s right. I’m looking for a new utility droid. One that can help me repair my ship.”

<Well, look no further. I have a couple of droids right here.> Janice pointed over to a utility droid lined up near her counter. <Take a good look at this one, sir. It’s a new model that’s got highly advanced technology the likes you’ve never seen.>

Hider moved to take a closer look. Upon further inspection, the droid was plated in silver and dark yellow painting. In terms of height, it was barely taller than Lyra herself.

“Would you care to explain as to why this droid’s so advanced?” asked Master Darran.

<Of course. You see, this isn’t your typical utility droid. It’s a new series of T-3 models made by Duwani Mechanical Products. They’re based it off the old T-1 droids, but these are much better.>

“What do you mean by that?” Lyra asked curiously.

“T-3 units are droids that can accomplish tasks a human can do,” explained Hider. “The programing they have allows them to hack computers, use blasters, and even pilot spaceships. A way bigger upgrade compared to the old T-1 models.”

“You seem fairly knowledgeable about these droids, Hider,” said Master Darran.

“I’ve seen a couple of these models during my travels. It’s not widely used as the older T-1 models though. Mostly because they’re not that wide spread.”

<The older T-1 models are cheap and cost effective. They may not have the capabilities of a T-3 droid, but they’re still capable,> explained Janice. <However, these highly advanced droids can be yours for a low-price of one thousand credits.>

“One-thousand credits?” Hider’s jaw slacked. “That’s…. considerably cheap for a droid of this caliber.”

“That’s sounds pretty good,” said Lyra. “One highly advanced droid for such a low price? I’d say buy the dang thing.”

<The Jedi makes a good point, sir.> said Janice. <So, what’ll it be?>

Hider bit his lip. True, it was a great deal, but he felt suspicious of the offer. T-3 units are highly advanced. Getting a new droid like this usually costs way more credits on other planets. So why is the owner selling it at such a low price?

<Hey! What are you doing!>

“Huh?”

Hider’s suspicions were cut short when he heard Janice shout. At first, he thought she was talking to him, but that changed when he saw her point behind him. A boy dressed in greyish rags had entered the shop. On his hands were a large bundle droid parts.

<Thief!> shouted Janice. <Someone, please stop him!>

With his cover blown, the boy darted out of the shop.

“Hey, come back!” shouted Lyra as she was the first to react. The young Jedi made a beeline for the exit, hoping that she’d catch him right away. Hider and Master Darran followed but found the Padawan sitting still outside.

It was then that Hider realized it. The thief was nowhere to be found. He’d somehow eluded Lyra and blended into the crowd. Sure, there wasn’t a lot of people compared to before, but there was enough for a young boy to use as cover.

<Did you find him?> Hider turned to see that Janice had followed them out of her store.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but he got away,” said Lyra.

<W-what?> Janice’s head tails began to shake uncontrollably. <Oh no, this isn’t good. I’m in big trouble now.>

“How so?” asked Master Darran.

<Those droid parts were from my reserved bin. I’m expecting a customer to pick up those up today. And if I don’t have them, it might jeopardize my business.>

“Wait, seriously?” asked Lyra with a raised brow. “How is losing a bunch of droid parts going to jeopardize your business?”

“Sounds like it’s one of those big-time clients. Most likely large business owners or a corporation,” replied Hider. “Attracting those types of people to your business can benefit any company. And depending on the service you give, your business can either move up or come crashing down.”

<Precisely. These corporations can also recommend my business to their competitors and allies. Which is why I need those parts.> explained Janice. <If I don’t have them, my shop’s reputation will be stained. It may not even recover for what I know.>

Hider sighed. “An unfortunate reality for anyone who owns a business. A theft might seem miniscule, but even the smallest thing can send you crashing down.”

“Where do you think that boy came from?” asked Master Darran.

“Probably from the lower cities. Judging by his so-called cloths, it’s doubtful that the kid lives here. No upper-city citizen would be caught dead in that type of clothing.”

“Upper city? Lower city? What’s the difference between the two?” asked Lyra.

“Trust me, squirt. There are some things in this planet you don’t want to know. It’s best if you just forget about it and move on.”

<Forget that. There’s no way am I letting you three turn a blind eye on this,> said Janice. <Please, I need your help. I can’t let my business fall like this.>

Hider shook her head. “Look lady, I’m sorry that this happened, but I can’t help you. Chasing thieves is way out of my jurisdiction.”

<Then maybe these Jedi can help.> refuted Janice, ignoring Hider as she dropped to her knees before the two Jedi. <Please, Jedi. I need your help. If you’ll aid me, I promise I’ll give you anything in return.>

Hider groaned. Oh, come on lady. I know you’re desperate for help, but there’s no need to bend knee to these guys. Besides, Jedi aren’t the types of people who’ll accept gifts, so you can’t use rewards as—”

“We’ll do it,” said Lyra.

“What?”

“Don’t worry, ma’am,” Lyra continued. “As a Jedi, I promise we’ll find the thief and bring back your parts.”

Hider’s jaw dropped. No way. Is she serious right now?

“Padawan, are you certain about this?” asked Master Darran.

“Why not, master? It wouldn’t hurt to help someone in their time of need,” Lyra replied. “Isn’t a Jedi’s duty to provide aid to the public whenever possible?”

“A Jedi must also not abandon their goals in any given circumstance,” lectured Master Darran. “Public service to the people is good, but you must not forget our mission. Helping Hider out is already taking much of our time. We can’t afford to have any more delays.”

Hider sighed in relief. A voice of reason! Glad to see this Jedi Master knows when to back off.

 pleaded Janice. <You want discounts? I’ll give you discounts. I’ll even go as far as to make sure you and your friends are given discounts at every store in the upper city!>

“Wait, what? How’s that possible?” asked Hider, bewilderedly.

That piqued Hider’s interests. “Oh, really? Do they happen to sell ship parts?”

Janice nodded. <Yes, they do. What kind of parts are you looking for?>

“Something that can be used for a dynamic-class freighter¹.”

The Twi’lek’s jaw dropped. <That kind of ship? How were you able to get a high-quality ship like that?>

“That’s not for you to know, ma’am. All I want to know is that do I have your word on the discounts?”

<O-of course. If you find the thief, I promise I’ll keep my word.>

“Then we’ll do it. Just to be clear though, don’t expect a miracle. The lower city is a big place, not to mention dangerous. If we don’t find your little thief in the next hour, we’ll have to cancel our search.”

Hider nodded. As Janice walked back to her store, he turned his attention toward the two Jedi. “I know an elevator not too far from here. We can use it to get to the lower city. If my hunch is correct, our little thief must’ve used it to get home as well.”

“That’s great, Hider; but I must say, you were rather quick to change your mind. Did the promise of discounts allure you to act?” asked Master Darran.

“Damn, I was that obvious, huh? Yeah, you read me right. Those discounts are what I want the most out of this.”

“You’re helping out because you want to save some money?” asked Lyra in disbelief.

“Why not? This is credits we’re talking about, Jedi. It may not matter to you, but it does for me. Not only will I get to save money, I can use the extra credits to buy more parts for my ship. The only thing I have to worry about is that Twi’lek keeps her word.”

“Putting your greediness aside, I don’t think you have to worry about her, Hider. She will keep her word,” said Master Darran.

“Oh, really?” Hider cocked a brow. “What makes you say that, Master Jedi?”

“Are you forgetting who you’re speaking too?”

Hider facepalmed. “Oh, right. Your power.”

“So, does that mean you are going to join us, Master?” Lyra asked.

Master Darran sighed. “As much as I don’t like being dragged into this, I will join you both nevertheless. Someone has got to keep an eye on you, Padawan. And I don’t think Hider here is the one who can accomplish that.”

“Thanks for the boost in confidence, old man,” said Hider, sarcastically. “Just do me a favor you two and let me lead the way. I’ve been to the lower city before, and believe me, you guys need a guide. That place is rotten to the core, and I’m not just talking about the buildings.”

“Don’t worry about us, Mr. Louhun. A bunch of rotten buildings won’t stop us,” boasted Lyra. “Besides, how bad can the lower city be?”

“Okay, maybe it is pretty bad.”

Lyra staggered back into the elevator as its doors flung open. The group had arrived at the lower city, where the young Padawan got to see the lower city in all its ugliness. That, and its stench too. Upon arrival, the sickening stench of rancid waste filled the air. Though it did not bother Hider—and apparently Master Darran too—the little Jedi could not handle it. The moment she took a whiff, she immediately covered her nose and shuffled backwards.

“Ugh, what is that?” Lyra asked as she coughed repeatedly.

“Welcome to the lower city, Jedi. What you smell is Taris at its worse,” replied Hider. “From the buildings you see, to the people that live here. The whole place is rotten to the core.”

“Indeed,” said Master Darran. “The difference between the two cities is clear as the night sky. One lavishes in riches, while the other is downtrodden and wrecked with decay.”

Lyra frowned. “That’s horrible. How could the Tarisian government let this happen?”

“That is a story for another time, Padawan. We got other things to worry about,” replied Master Darran. “Heads up. We got a little scuttle going on in front of us.”

Hider raised a brow. He didn’t know what the old man was talking about at first, but that changed when he saw what was in front of him. Two aliens and a ragged man were within sight. The latter had his back against the wall, while the aliens were kicking him for reasons unknown.

“An assault occurring in broad daylight. Of course.” he sighed. “Another major difference between here and the upper city. Crime is rampant around these parts. Unless you have the means to protect yourself, there’s no way you’ll get by these streets.

“We have to help him!” cried Lyra.

“Now is not the time to play hero, Jedi,” cautioned Hider. “Ignore them. Let’s just focus on finding that thief.” However, his words did not reach Lyra. The young Padawan already made a beeline toward the alien thugs.

Hider groaned. “Are you freakin’ kidding me? Seriously, does she ever think before she acts, or is that what all Jedi do in the name of good?”

“My Padawan has always been so eager to prove herself. She always wants to do the right thing, even if it distracts her from the true goal,” explained Master Darran with a sigh. “But now is not the time to dwell on this. She needs our help.”

“Yeah…. yeah, I know.” Tossing his frustrations aside, Hider and Master Darran ran over to Lyra and the two thugs. By the time they got there though, the Padawan already had things under control. She had moved in front of the aliens to prevent further harm to the human, and her saber was drawn out.

Hider’s eyes went wide at the sight of Lyra’s weapon. The saber itself was rather small. Its hilt wasn’t big compared to that of her master’s, and it had a green blade rather than a blue one. One distinct feature it had though was that the hilt was slightly curved. An oddity, but the special hilt allowed it to fit perfectly into her hooves.

“Leave this man alone,” said Lyra.

After seeing the weapon, the two aliens panicked and immediately fled the scene. Hider chuckled as he watched the duo ran away with their arms flailing. One thing he knew the Jedi were good at were intimidating thugs. Good to see that Lyra is no exception from this.

Master Darran frowned. “Lyra, there wasn’t any need for you to draw your weapon,” he lectured. “You are more than capable of taking out mere thugs without a saber.

“But master, I had to. They were kicking this poor man right here,” replied Lyra as she put her saber away and landed on her front hooves.

“But you also drew unnecessary attention. Take a good look around you. The local populace is staring at us.”

Lyra did what her master told, and so did Hider. Sure enough, the old man was correct. A small crowd of locals had circled around them with their eyes focused on the Jedi. Some stared in awe, while others gossiped amongst themselves.

Realizing her mistake, Lyra frowned. “Oops. My bad.”

“It’s fine that you want to help, Padawan, but you need to think before you draw out your weapon. Lest we gain some unnecessary attention,” lectured Master Darran as he walked over to the injured man. “Are you alright, sir?”

“I am thanks to her. Thanks for the help, Miss Jedi,” replied the ragged man with a smile.

Lyra beamed. “Glad that I could help, mister. But do you mind telling us why those thugs attacked you?”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I figured those jerks attacked me for credits or whatnot. I’m just glad you drove them off.”

Hider sighed in relief. Oh, thank goodness. For a second there, I thought that Lyra’s good willed nature might send us off on another time-consuming quest.

Lyra shrugged. “If you say so. Just one more question though. Did you happen to see a young boy in weathered rags run past here?”

“A young boy?” The ragged man shrugged. “Well, it’s a common site to see boys in rags down here. The lower city is filled with rascals like them. You mind being a bit more specific?”

“We’re looking for a human boy,” replied Master Darran. “He wore a grey rag and stole a bundle of droid parts that belonged to a merchant. He had no bag with him. Rather, he carried the parts with both his arms.”

“A human boy holding droid parts, eh. Hold on, let me think.” The ragged man paused for a second as he tried to remember something. “Let’s see. I did bump into a boy earlier today. He wore a grey rag like you said, and his arms were clenched together tightly for some reason.”

“That might be our culprit,” said Lyra. “Did you see where he went?”

The ragged man nodded. “Yeah. He went inside an apartment complex not too far from here.” He turned to his right and pointed at a nearby building a few short blocks away from where they stood. “Your thief is in there. I’m sure of it. I saw him enter the building right before I got attacked.”

“Thank you, sir. Your information is most helpful,” said Master Darran as he gave a slight bow before turning to Lyra and Hider. “Come you two. Let’s go capture our little thief.”

“Yes, the sooner we get this done, the better,” said Hider as he breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’m surprised that we were able to locate the thief so quickly,” said Lyra. “I guess we have to thank the Force for this coincidence.

“I call it luck, but who cares. At least we don’t have to search aimlessly across the lower city.”

The group made their way toward the apartment complex, ignoring the stares they’ve received from the local populace. Upon arrival, the door to the complex suddenly flung open, and the group were greeted by a mob of panicked citizens.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone running away?” asked Lyra.

“I’d like to know myself,” said Hider. He reached out with his right arm and pulled over a terrified young woman. “Hey, you mind telling me what’s gotten everyone so scared?”

“T-the Vulkars. The Black Vulkars are inside,” answered the terrified woman. “They came out of nowhere and threatened the locals with blaster weapons. Some even saw a couple of battle droids with them too.”

“Who’re the Black Vulkars?” asked Lyra.

Hider scowled as he let the woman go. “They’re a swoop racing gang that terrorize the populace here in the lower city. Damn it. I’d never thought I’d ever run into those guys. This just made our entire job much more bothersome.”

“How much trouble do you think they pose?”

“Not that much. They’re more of a nuisance than a threat. While it’s true that they’re a large gang, the Vulkars are known for doing reckless and stupid acts. Taking them out shouldn’t be a problem, but we need to be careful. They’re still armed to the teeth.”

“You seem to know a lot about these gangs, Hider,” said Master Darran.

“I’ve been on planet long enough to hear stories about them. People talk about the swoop gangs often. There’re tons of them here that make territories in the lower city due to the lack of law enforcement.”

“So, what are we going to do about them?” asked Lyra.

“I suggest that we peek inside. Slowly though. We can’t let the Vulkars know we’re here. The last thing we want is to start a fight in an apartment complex.”

Master Darran smiled. “Well said, Mr. Louhun. I never thought you were capable of conducting strategy like that.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “I’m just stating the obvious. Now, come on. We still need to find that thief after we deal with these thugs.” He proceeded to enter the complex with the two Jedi following close by. As they made it inside, he stopped abruptly and outstretched his arms, signaling the Jedi to stop.

“Shh. Be quiet,” he said. “Listen. Do you hear all that?”

Both Jedi paused for a moment. Pretty soon, they all heard loud voices not too far away.

“You promised that you’d have that droid built today!”

“I know, but I’m not finished yet. Just give me a couple hours. I swear I’ll get it done!”

“It sounds two people are arguing with each other,” whispered Master Darran, suspiciously. “Lyra, can you check to see what’s happening?”

“Got it.” Lyra leaned toward the wall and scooted forward. She peeked her head into the hallway, doing her best to remain hidden from whoever is out there. She then let out a gasp. “I see him. I see our thief. He’s out there arguing with those Vulkar people right now.”

“What?” Hider immediately followed Lyra and peeked into the hallway. Sure enough, the thief was there in his ragged grey clothes. He also saw the Black Vulkars. Five of them in total had surrounded the boy with blaster pistols in hand. Alongside them were two battle droids equipped with battle rifles.

What’s also notable is that the Vulkars were a mixed-alien species. There were two Twi’leks, a Rodian, a Duro, and a human. From what Hider could tell, it looked like the human was the leader of the group due to his armor being more polished than the others.

“What do make of the situation?” asked Master Darran.

“The Vulkars are well-armed, but they’re lacking in body armor,” replied Hider. “There’s also two droids armed that rifles and are standing guard. My guess is that they’ve brought to further intimidate the locals. They’re poorly maintained too.”

“What do you mean?” asked Lyra.

“Take a closer look at them. Their plating is showing signs of rust. A blaster shot or two can probably disable them both.”

Lyra smirked. “If that’s the case, then we won’t have a problem. Come on, let’s beat those guys and get our thief.”

“Padawan, wait. I don’t think we should reveal ourselves just yet,” cautioned Master Darran. “If we do, it’ll likely put our thief’s life in danger. One wrong move can turn this into a hostage situation.”

Hider nodded. “He’s right. We need to catch these guys by surprise or at least get them away from the thief. Remember, we need him unharmed.”

“How do you suppose we do that?” asked Lyra.

“Hmm.” Hider paused as he rubbed his cheek with the tip of his right index finger. He then looked at Master Darran. “You wouldn’t happen to have a stealth field generator, would you?” The old master shook his head. “Dang. Then I guess the only option we have is to try and separate those guys from the thief.”

“Oh, I have an idea. How about we reveal ourselves and confront those thugs head on?” said Lyra, which earned stares from both Hider and her master. “Hear me out. Master and I will walk up to them while Hider here remains hidden. We’ll get them to walk toward us, destroy their weapons with our sabers, and then we’ll destroy the droids.”

Master Darran smiled. “A good plan you have there, Padawan. If these Vulkars are indeed foolish, then luring them will be easy. Unless you have any objections, Hider?”

“Just one.” Hider reached into his jacket with both hands and pulled his pair of blaster pistols. “Let me deal with the droids. The Vulkars will use them as a safety net once you destroy their weapons. When that happens, I’ll come out of hiding and blast them.”

“Support from afar, I like that. Padawan, do you have anything else to say?” Lyra shook her head. “Then it’s settled. Come, Padawan. Let’s go make our grand entrance.”

In the most casual like manner, Master Darran entered the hallway with Lyra following nearby. Hider remained hidden as he watched the Jedi moved closer to the Vulkar gang. They were immediately spotted when the Duro Vulkar alerted his leader.

“Who goes there?” shouted the human Vulkar as he and his cronies all pointed their weapons toward the Jedi.

“Whoa, calm down there, sir. I’m a resident here just walking by,” fibbed Master Darran. “I heard some loud noises from my room, and I wanted to see what’s going on.”

Confused, the human Vulkar turned to his companions. “Didn’t we tell all the residents to get out? How the heck did you imbeciles miss one?” His companions, however, shrugged in response. “Idiots! Fine, I’ll deal with this old man myself.”

The Vulkar leader made his way toward Master Darran, successfully drawing him away from the ragged thief. The boy was still surrounded, but at least he didn’t have a blaster pointed at his face.

“Tell you what, old man. You forget what you saw here and step outside. This is Vulkar business. I don’t need you or that weird pet of yours getting in our way. So, move it! Unless you want to be shot in the face.” The Vulkar leader raised his arm and pointed his blaster at the Jedi Master’s face. “So, what’s it going to be old man?”

“Alright, sir, I’ll go. The last thing I want is to get shot in the face.”

“Good.” The human Vulkar then turned to the Rodian and Duro Vulkars. “Take this guy outside. And bring that pet thing along with him.”

The two Vulkar lackeys nodded and they walked toward Master Darran and his Padawan with blaster’s raised. The Rodian had his gun on the old man, while the Duro had his on Lyra.

<Come on, move it!> said the Duro in Durese^[2]. <Take your pet and get out of here!>

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, young man,” cautioned Master Darran.

<And why’s that?>

“Because this.” In a split second, Lyra stood on her two back legs and threw a punch at the Duro’s groin. The Vulkar screamed in pain as he helplessly fell to the floor, along with his blaster. Seeing this, Lyra drew out her saber and immediately destroyed the weapon.

The Rodian Vulkar gasped. He tried to shoot at Lyra, but Master Darran was faster. The Jedi Master quickly drew his saber, which he used to destroy the thug’s blaster. With his attacker unarmed, the old man immediately punched the Rodian in the face, knocking him out.

Master Darran then turned his attention toward the Vulkar leader, who looked terrified. The human raised his blaster and shot at the Jedi, but Master Darran blocked the incoming bolt, ran up to the Vulkar, and destroyed his weapon.

“What the…. why are Jedi here?” screeched the Vulkar leader as he backed away from Master Darran. He looked back at the remaining gang members and droids. “Don’t just stand there. Shoot them!”

“And that’s my cue.” Hider leapt out of his hiding spot and barrel rolled into the hallway. Once he was able, he pointed his guns directly at a droid and fired two consecutive shots. Both hit home. The droid—in its poor condition—fell and burst into flames. Hider did the same to the other droid as well before it made a shot. The result was the same. The poorly kept droid collapsed and exploded into pieces.

Panicked, the two Twi’lek Vulkars aimed their weapons at Hider and fired at will. Their shots would’ve landed, but Lyra had leapt in front of the bolts and batted them away. She then outstretched her left arm and yanked it back. Pretty soon, the Twi’leks found themselves disarmed as their blasters flew toward the young Jedi, destroying them once she was able.

“Thanks for the save,” said Hider.

Lyra smiled. “No problem.”

“No!” The Vulkar leader screamed as he fell on the ground. His face scrunched with fear as Master Darran raised his saber on the Vulkar’s face. “P-please don’t hurt me. I-I’ll do anything you want. Just please, don’t hurt me.”

“If you wish not to be hurt, then leave this place immediately,” replied Master Darran.

The Vulkar leader nodded as he signaled his fellow gang members to move out. One by one, the Black Vulkars began to leave until all that’s left are Hider, the Jedi, and the thief they’ve been looking for.

Master Darran was the first to approach the thief. He deactivated his saber and offered his hand to the boy; but the thief—too terrified at the sight of Jedi—backed away. “Young man, there’s no need to be scared anymore. We just want to talk, that’s all.”

“How can I trust you?” asked the thief. “Y-you’re not going to hurt me, are you?”

“Oh, come on, kid!” shouted Hider. “We just saved your butt from those idiot Vulkars. Can’t you at least be thankful for that?”

“Mr. Louhun, shouting at him isn’t necessary. He’s only a kid,” argued Lyra.

Hider groaned. “This kid stole droid parts worth hundreds of credits. We’re not here to play nice. The only reason why we’re here is to take back the parts, that’s it.”

“You’re here for these parts?” asked the thief. He opened his arms and revealed all the stolen parts from Droids by Janice.

“Yeah, we are. So, can you do us all a favor and give us all those parts. We’d really appreciate that.”

“Oh, yeah? But what if I don’t want to give these parts back to you?” rebuked the thief.

“I don’t have time for this back and forth nonsense, kid!” shouted Hider. His patience with the boy began to waver. “Don’t make this difficult. Just give us the parts and we’ll leave!”

“Over my dead body!

“Why you little!”

Tempers flared as Hider and the thief began shouting insults at one another, which made the situation needlessly difficult. Neither one wanted to back down, causing an argument that lasted for several minutes.

Seeing this, Lyra groaned. She covered her ears, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before giving a shout so loud that echoed across the hallway.

“Quiet!”

Her planned worked out in the end as she finally got the attention of both boys. They stared at her with wide eyes, surprised by the fact that a small alien could yell so loud.

“Mr. Louhun, I don’t want to sound rude, but would you kindly shut up,” she demanded. Her blunt words earned a chuckle from her master and a jaw drop from Hider. “Leave the talking to me. I’ll deal with him.”

Lyra deactivated her saber and made her way toward the thief. When she got close, she sat down and offered her hoof to him. “Hello there. My name is Lyra Heartstrings, Jedi Padawan,” she greeted. “On behalf of Mr. Louhun over there, I’m sorry that he yelled at you. He’s just mad because we dragged his butt down here with us.”

“Hey! I heard that,” shouted Hider.

“Nobody cares right now,” rebuked Lyra, earning another chuckle from her master. “So, I’ve told you my name. Can you now tell me yours?”

The boy stuttered. He was reluctant to answer back, but eventually he got the courage to shake Lyra’s hoof. “I-it’s Jun. My name is Jun.”

“Nice to meet Jun. Now, can you please tell us why those Vulkar people were harassing you, and why you stole these droid parts in the first place.”

“I-I worked for them as a mechanic. You see, I busted a couple of their droids on accident a few months back, so promised I’d repair them as payment and they agreed. Things started out okay. I repair their stuff and then they’ll let me go. But as time went on, they realized I had a talent for droids and wanted me stay. I said no, but they refused to leave me alone.”

“And when you kept refusing, they tried to take you in by force.”

Jun nodded. “They’ve been harassing me and my family at my home for weeks now. I tried to compromise with them in hopes I’d get a deal. It worked, but then they demanded that I make battle droids for them.”

“That explains why that Vulkar leader was yelling at you earlier,” said Hider. “From what we heard, it sounded like you were past due on your deadline.”

“Y-yeah, that’s right. Battle droids aren’t my specialty, and I lacked supplies to make them. Eventually, I couldn’t keep up. Their demands were too much.” Jun frowned. “It’s already tough to make ends meet here. The Vulkars are sucking me and my family dry. But if I don’t meet their demands, who knows what’ll happen to us.”

“So, you resulted in theft to finish your work,” said Master Darran, to which Jun nodded in reply. “You have my sympathies, child. I’m sorry that this had to happen to you.”

“Isn’t there any way you can get help?” asked Lyra. “Maybe you can ask your neighbors for help?”

“Sorry, Lyra, but we can’t. There is literally no way anyone down here would help the kid,” said Hider, which earned him a bitter glare from the young Jedi.

“Why? What makes you say that?”

“Because that’s the reality here! People in the lower city only look out for themselves. Living here is bad enough. They can’t afford to waste time helping other people’s problems.”

“What about the law enforcement, or the government? Can’t they help out?”

Hider shook his head. “The local government won’t invest in anything down here. Even law enforcement. Although Taris is an intergalactic trading hub, its government is too corrupt. High tax rates and business regulations prevent people from moving up. Even if the kid’s family could move to the upper city, it won’t last long. The high rates would kick them right back here.”

“W-what?” Lyra looked back at Jun with wide eyes. “Is this true.

Jun nodded slowly in response, causing Lyra’s ears to droop.

“I-I see. So, there’s no way for you to get help, huh?”

“Don’t feel bad about it, Miss Lyra. You did a lot for me already. More than anyone else had done in the past few weeks.”

Lyra smiled. The boy’s complement seemed to have cheered her up a bit. “You’re welcome, Jun. I’m glad we were able to help.”

“Yeah, that’s great and all, but we still need to turn the parts back,” said Hider. “Kid, do you mind handing over those parts? The store owner really needs them for her business.”

“Y-yeah, I’ll do that,” said Jun with a sigh. “I’m sorry for stealing these. I only did it because I was desperate.”

“I’m sure we can compromise something with Janice,” said Master Darran. “Come, child. Let’s go back to the upper city.”

Jun nodded and followed Master Darran out of the apartment complex. Hider was about to do the same but stopped when he noticed Lyra staring at the ground with her ears drooped.

“Something wrong?”

“What? Oh, no, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about something, that’s all.”

“About the kid and the lower city?” Hider asked, to which Lyra nodded in response. “Yeah, it sucks, but worry about it too much. The kid can take care of himself.”

Lyra opened her mouth to object, but Hider raised his hand and stopped her before anything could be said.

“Listen, Jedi. I know your concerned, but the kid’s situation isn’t something that you have no control over. Do yourself a favor and stop thinking about it. If you want to be a hero, don’t put yourself in such a high standard. The galaxy is a rough place. Not everyone can be helped or saved. Some might even outright reject your kindness.”

Hider observed the young Jedi nod hesitantly. His sounded harsh, but she seemed to be taking it in rather smoothly.

“You speak as if you had experience with this before,” said Lyra.

“I’ve seen a lot in my days kid. Trust me on this. Sometimes, walking away is the best thing you can do for a person.”

No response. For a while, Lyra did nothing but stare at the floor. But after a moment of silence, she looked up and gave Hider a smile. “There is some truth in what you say. I’ll.... think carefully on that. Thank you, Mr. Louhun.”

“Would you please drop the surname already!” said Hider with a groan. “Just call by my given name, alright. There’s no need to be so formal.”

Lyra chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Louhun,” she joked, leaving Hider alone to vent his frustrations.

Chapter 6

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After catching their little thief, Hider and the Jedi returned the stolen goods back to Janice in the upper city. Master Darran explained the situation to the Twi’lek, who agreed to forgive Jun for his theft. However, everyone agreed the boy needed to atone. As punishment, Jun had to work at Droids for Janice for the next few weeks.

By no means was it a bad punishment. Jun would get the chance to learn from an Janice herself. Plus, she agreed to give him spare parts at the end of his shift so that he could finish his own droids. A questionable punishment to say the least, but it gave Lyra much relief knowing she’d helped at least one person on Taris.

Still, the reward was worth it. Janice agreed to her end of the bargain by contacting every store she had good ties with. After a lengthy conversation over a commlink, Hider was given discounts to various stores in the upper city. The Twi’lek also offered him another discount to the T3-utility droid she had in stock. A deal which he took, though he was still suspicious as to why she seemed so eager to get rid of the droid.

Evening had arrived. Hider had spent the rest of the afternoon buying the parts he needed. The sun was setting, and the four moons that encircled Taris began to show in the dark orange sky. The group had returned to the Omega with Hider already working on his ship. His first order of business was to repair the hyperdrive, which needed the most attention.

Sitting in the hyperdrive room, Hider began replacing torn wires with the new ones he bought. With him was Padawan Lyra Heartstrings, who remained at his side as he repaired his ship. Her master figured that it’d be a good chance for her to learn more about ship mechanics, so he allowed her to help. It was a decision that annoyed Hider at first, but he allowed it due to the Padawan’s curiosity.

“There, that’s another one replaced,” said Hider as he finished connecting a strip of cables to the hyperdrive. “It still not enough though. Lyra, you mind giving me more cables please?”

“Yeah, sure,” Lyra replied as she used her magic to levitate some nearby cables over to Hider. “I still don’t know why you bought these cables. What’re they even for anyway?”

“Many things actually. But in this case, these cables are needed to accomplish two things. First, it gives power to the hyperdrive before jumping to hyperspace. Then it sends a signal throughout the entire ship, which activates an inertial damper and a field generator to protect the ship and its crew during lightspeed travel.”

“Sounds very complexing. How did you learn all of this stuff?”

“I went to a pilot school when I was younger. It took me years to graduate, but I managed to get my pilot license and earn a degree in engineering.” Hider explained as he installed the new cables into the hyperdrive. “Pliers please.”

Lyra nodded as she levitated a nearby plier to Hider. “Sounds pretty rough learning all that stuff. Still, it’s nothing compared to all the things I had to learn at the Jedi academy.”

“I wouldn’t take it that way if I were you, Padawan. Underestimating the common man is foolhardy,” advised Master Darran, who was observing them both at the back corner of the room.

“Yeah, the last thing you want to do is to underestimate us normal people. Who knows, your butt might need saving from a non-Jedi one day,” chuckled Hider.

Lyra groaned. “Okay I get your point. Still, I wish you could’ve waited until that T3 unit showed up. It would’ve been a lot faster if we had that droid by our side.”

“What? And ruin all my hard work? Never.”

“Hider, I’m serious.”

“And I’m the Senator of Alderaan,” joked Hider, dismissing Lyra’s concerns entirely. “In all seriousness, I don’t want that droid messing around with my ship just yet. I’m still a bit suspicious of that hunk of metal.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because Janice never told us why the droid costed so little. Usually, T3 droids costs thousands of credits on different systems, yet she discounted ours twice! Don’t you all think that’s a little suspicious?”

“That does sound dubious, but I know little about the droid market, so I can’t say,” said Master Darran while rubbing his chin.

“I don’t know anything about droids either. They weren’t part of my studies,” said Lyra with a shrug.

“Studies, huh? Just what exactly did you study at the Jedi Temple? Since you blabbed about it a couple of times, why not tell me more about Jedi training?” asked Hider.

“What, besides how to use a lightsaber or the Force? There’s lots of things a Padawan can learn. It depends on what path they follow.”

“Wait, path?” Hider briefly stopped working as he stared at Lyra with a raised brow. “Okay, you lost me. What’s this path you’re talking about?”

“It’s…. difficult to explain, but I’ll try my best. You see, when a Jedi becomes a Knight, there are three distinct paths, or branches, that they can choose. The first is a Jedi Guardian^[1], who’re basically front-line soldiers who specialize in combat training. You can easily tell a Jedi is a Guardian if he’s equipped with a blue lightsaber.”

“Guardians, huh? Like your Master?”

Master Darran nodded. “Correct. I was once a Jedi Guardian. But the Council gave me the title of Battlemaster once I proved my prowess. They also gave me the title of lightsaber instructor as well, making it my sworn duty to train students in the art of lightsaber combat.”

“Wait, Lyra isn’t your only student, old man?”

“No, that is a misunderstanding. Though I do teach other pupils, Lyra is my only Padawan. Most of my days involve teaching her rather than teaching other students.”

“Okay. But what about the two remaining paths?”

“Oh, well, there’s also the Jedi Consular^[2] and the Jedi Sentinel ^[3],” Lyra continued. “The Consular isn’t a Jedi who focuses on fighting, despite having awesome Force powers. Their purpose is to maintain stability in the galaxy through diplomatic means.”

“So, they’re negotiators, huh? What color are their lightsabers?”

“Green like mine. But before you ask; no, I am not a Jedi Consular. Padawan’s aren’t given the opportunity to choose their path until they become Knight. As for my saber, it’s difficult to describe. Let’s just say I’m attuned to the crystal I have inside the hilt.”

“I…. don’t follow.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s only something a Jedi can understand.”

“If you say so. But what about the last path, these Jedi Sentinels? Who’re they?”

“They’re a class that specialize in civilian expertise. Not only can they use the lightsaber and the Force, Sentinels can accomplish things that many other Jedi can’t do. Intel gathering, computer skills, tech experts, espionage.”

Hider smirked. “Oh, I like the sound of that. So, these Sentinels are professional spies for the Order?”

“From a certain point of view, yes,” answered Master Darran. “As my Padawan said, Sentinels are jack-of-all-trades Jedi that combines both disciplines of the previous two paths plus other skills that don’t require Force sensitivity. They usually carry yellow lightsabers.”

“Yellow? There are yellow lightsabers? I thought they only came with blue and green.”

“There are other saber crystals with different colors, but they’re rarer than the usual colors you see. But enough about the Jedi paths. I believe it’s your turn to talk now.”

“Pardon?”

“Hider, you said you’d tell us more about the Exchange and your history with them. Considering all that we’d done for you today, I’d figured you’d share some important details regarding said organization?”

Hider raised a brow. “It sounds as if you’re trying to threaten me, old man.”

“Ah, forgive me if I seem ominous, but my Padawan and I would like to know more about this organization. If you have anything that can help us, please do tell.”

“And in return, we’ll tell you why were here on Taris in the first place,” said Lyra.

“That is if your explanation is sound,” finished Master Darran.

Hider let out a groan. “Fine, I’ll tell you. Just promise me one thing, okay. If I tell my history, don’t freak out. I’ve already moved on from my past, so I don’t need a bunch of Jedi judging me based on the actions I’ve took.”

“Judge you? Why would we do that? By the Force, what kind of connection do you and the Exchange have?”

“Because I’ve worked with them before. I’m a former Smuggler.”

For a moment, Hider almost regretted blabbing out his old lifestyle. Seeing the Jedi remain quiet made him squeamish. He could feel it; the sense of awkwardness and confusion that filled the air, and it was uncomfortable to him.

Master Darran was the first to respond. Despite the major news bomb, the Jedi Master remained rather poised as he leaned back against the wall. “I figured,” he said, calmly. “It would explain why you were able to purchase this freighter. There’s no other occupation in the galaxy can afford this kind of ship, at least not legally.”

Hider winced. “Hey, not all Smugglers deal in illegal activity you know.”

“I’m not saying that you’ve done those things, Hider, nor will I judge you for your past. But I won’t be surprised that you’ve found other discrete methods to earn credits. Perhaps finding loopholes or bribing officials suits you? After all, you seem rather knowledgeable when it comes to planetary law and finance.”

Hider groaned. The Master’s words pierced through him like a vibrosword, but at least the old man didn’t judge him too bad.

He then turned toward Lyra, who’d remained silent so far. But to Hider’s surprised, the Padawan showed no ill expression. Rather, she stared at him curiously with squinted eyes.

“When was the last time you worked for the Exchange?” Lyra asked in a rather suspicious tone.

“That was years ago. I haven’t worked with those guys since my final smuggling days.”

“Then why did those thugs attack you in the first place?”

Hider stuttered. “I…. did some things that got them mad at me. And I mean, really mad.”

“What did you do?”

“I cheated on them with some of the deals we made. Whenever I finished a job, they take whatever stash I got, and pay they me. But the Exchange doesn’t pay well at all, so I took matters into my own hands.”

“You cheated them by giving away the bare minimum,” said Master Darran. “You take a job and finished it, but you kept most of the goods locked away. When the deal is done, you took whatever stuff you had left and sell them to a higher bidder.”

“Yup, you got it old man.” Hider sighed. “I remember those days where I went on dangerous missions for the sake of money. When I started my smuggling career, I often worked with the Exchange as all newbies do. But like I said, they don’t pay well. And as my paycheck didn’t grow, I began getting frustrated.”

“But they discovered your deeds eventually, right?” asked Lyra.

“Yeah, they did. Somehow, they managed to find my extra stash and the other deals I’ve made with other businesses. The Exchange has a strict no policy when it came to their workers. As soon as they figured everything out, I was dead.”

“But here you are, alive and well,” said Master Darran. “Granted, you had one close call today, but you’re still here.”

“Yup, I managed to evade those losers. Nearly died during my escape, but I eventually fled to the core worlds. I’d figured I’d stay at Coruscant at least, since the Exchange doesn’t have a stronghold there.”

“So, what do you do now?” Lyra asked.

“When I arrived at Coruscant, I promised myself I’d never get into that trade again, so gave my old life up and became a news journalist. My job now is to write articles about the various planets of the Republic. It’s kind of boring, but at least the pay is good.”

“Well, that explains why you know so much about Taris. How long have you been here?”

“For over a week. In that span, I’ve traveled all over the planet, helped a few people, dug up some confidential information about the planet’s government, and even threatened a racist old man at gunpoint.”

“Impressive. Most impressive,” said Master Darran with a smirk.

“Don’t pretend to be impressed, old man. I know sarcasm when I hear it,” Hider rebuked. “Okay, I told you guys about my past. Now it’s your turn. So, do you mind telling me why two Jedi are out here on Taris? And why is Lyra so eager to find the Exchange?”

The room got quiet again. Hider hoped that either Jedi would be ready talk by now, but it looked like they weren’t so eager yet. He glanced over at Lyra for answers, but she paid no attention to him and instead stared at her master. “Uh, is anyone going to talk or what? Come on, don’t leave me out of this. I’ve kept my end of the bargain, so I expect you keep yours.”

“Your tenacity is most admirable, Hider. You’re not afraid that we might turn tail and run?” asked Master Darran.

Hider shook his head. “No, I’m not. Besides, betraying a promise doesn’t sound very Jedi like is it?”

“No, it isn’t. You seem like a trustworthy individual, Hider. And for that, my Padawan and I trust you.” The Jedi master then looked at his Padawan. “Lyra, would you like me to explain, or would you do the honors?”

“No, Master, I’ll do the talking,” said Lyra as her horn began to glimmer. From her tunic came out a small holo-recorder shrouded in a bright golden light. “Take this. It’ll explain why we’re here on Taris.

Hider paid no attention to Lyra’s words. Instead, his eyes were fixated on the levitating holo-recorder in front of him.

“Hider!”

“Oh, right. Sorry about that.” Seriously, what’s with that gold light? Is her horn levitating the recorder or is it the Force? Ugh, I guess just add that to my questions pile.

He took the holo-recorder from mid-air and activated it. As the holographic image appeared, he let out a gasp. In front of him was another alien akin Lyra. The difference being the lack of a horn on the forehead.

Hider listened carefully as the holographic image began to talk. It started out awkward at first, the alien looked like she didn’t know what she was doing. But she eventually gave the very details he needed.

“So, let me get this straight,” he said as he gave the recorder back to Lyra. “You are part of an alien species called, ponies. And you—along with your master—are trying to find this Sweetie Drops who’s currently traveling the galaxy with nine other ponies.”

“Yup, that’s about it,” Lyra replied, nodded.

“Okay, but that just leaves me with more questions. For one, this Sweetie Drops said that they’ve just recently discovered space travel. If that’s true, then how does that explain you?”

“I can answer that,” said Master Darran. “Or would you like to do the honors, Padawan?”

Lyra shook her head. “The floor’s yours, Master.”

“Thank you. You see, Hider, my Padawan’s story is a rather convoluted one. But let me start from the beginning. Do you remember what I told you earlier today, about Lyra’s introduction to the Jedi Order?”

Hider nodded. “Yeah, you said she came into the Order about ten years ago. This happened in Coruscant, right? Were you there when she was inducted?”

“No, I was off-planet at the time training students at a Jedi Temple far away from the core worlds. You see, the Republic Navy was patrolling Coruscant at the time, when suddenly an undocumented ship came out of hyperspace.”

“What kind of ship?”

“Nothing big. From what I read in the reports, it was just a transport ship. Anyways, the battlecruiser patrolling Coruscant took the ship inside its hanger and did a thorough examination. The engineers marked it as a Republic spacecraft built over nine centuries ago.”

Hider’s jaw slacked. “Nine centuries old? But how? If it’s as old as they say, then flight wouldn’t be possible, let alone light-speed travel.”

“That still puzzles me as well. To this day, none of the Republic engineers figured out how that ship remained stable for so long. But that wasn’t the only head scratcher the Navy had that day.” The old master paused for a moment, then he continued: “Take a wild guess, Hider. What else do you think the Navy discovered inside that ship?”

“Aside from old rusted technology? I’m not sure what you’re getting at, old man. It’s not like there was anything alive inside that…. ship.” Hider fumbled mid sentence as the truth popped in his head “It was Lyra, wasn’t it? She was discovered inside that ship.”

“Your insight serves you well. When the Navy did a full scan of the spacecraft, they discovered my Padawan alone in the ship’s cockpit, crying.”

“Alone, huh. Dang, it sounded like she was scared. But how did Lyra get inducted into the Order?”

“Two Jedi Masters by the names of Zez-Kai-El and Kavar were present on that cruiser. They sensed Lyra’s strong connection to the Force and decided to take her to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.”

“The Council had some doubts about me, seeing that I was an undiscovered alien species,” Lyra said. “I remember that day I stood before them, alone and afraid. It took some convincing, but eventually, the masters decided to take me in.”

“That doesn’t explain how you managed to get to Coruscant, Lyra. How were you able to travel to the core worlds when the rest of your species hasn’t shown up till now? And where did you manage to get a nine-century old Republic ship?”

“That story’s even more complicated than the first.” Lyra paused for a second, then continued: “I’ll tell you, but bear with me. There’s a lot I need to cover.” Before she could continue though, a loud beeping sound echoed inside the room.

“What is that?”

“An alert. Someone’s approached my ship.”

“Who do you think it is?”

“My holopad is linked up to a camera on the ship’s boarding ramp. Give me a moment. I’ll see who our visitor is.” Hider reached inside his jacket and turned on his handheld device. On the screen was the T3-utility droid from Droids by Janice. “The T3 unit is finally here. It’s waiting outside the ship right now.”

“That’s great! Let’s go greet him then.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “Don’t call it a ‘him’ Lyra. Droids aren’t humans. Besides, it’ll have to wait out a bit longer. I still want some questions answered first.”

“Okay. What kind of questions?”

“Just one. Why were you so worked up about the Exchange? Back in the port lobby, you got all anxious when I mentioned who those thugs worked for. Why is that?”

Lyra hesitated. She turned to her master for guidance, though much to her relief—and Hider’s—he gave a nod of approval. “We have evidence to suggest that the Exchange had found the missing ponies,” she explained. “They’re currently being held captive on the planet, Ord Mantell.”

Hider raised a brow. “Ord Mantell? That’s out in the mid-rim. Why are you here on Taris if your destination is over there?”

“We couldn’t get a direct flight to Ord Mantell, so we had to make a stop here,” answered Master Darran. “The next flight to our destination wasn’t until later this evening, so my Padawan suggested we go sightseeing. You know fully well what happened next.”

“I see. How about this? Instead of waiting for your next flight, why don’t I take you both over to Ord Mantell now?”

“Excuse me?” asked Lyra.

“You Jedi are on a mission, right? Staying here on Taris isn’t going to do you guys any good. Besides, you’re on an important rescue mission. It’s better that you leave now than wait hours for some slow passenger ship. The Exchange is an organization filled with dirty scumbags. There’s no telling what those guys might do.”

“You’re offering your services to us?” asked Master Darran, suspiciously. “Why? What’s the catch?”

Hider shook his head. “There’s no catch. Think of it as payback for your timely rescue of me, and for your honesty.”

“What about your current job?” asked Lyra.

“I have time for a detour. Plus, Ord Mantell isn’t too far off from Coruscant. I’ll just drop you guys off and we’ll go our separate ways.”

“I don’t know about this. Master, what do you think?”

“I don’t mind at all,” replied Master Darran with a shrug. “I don’t sense any ill intent, and he seems honest with his words.” He paused briefly to look back at Lyra, who seemed rather alright with the proposal now that he approved of it. “Very well, Hider. We’ll take your offer.”

“Thank you, Master Jedi.” Looking back at the hyperdrive, Hider bent down and plugged in the last string of cables to the device, causing it to roar with life. “Alright, the hyperdrive’s repaired. Let’s go greet our little droid so we can get off this planet.”

He and the Jedi left the room and walked down the Omega’s main corridor to the boarding ramp. As they got close to their destination, Hider noticed a strange noise echoing across the corridor. “Do you hear that?” he asked.

“Hear what?” said Lyra.

“That noise. Come on, can’t you all hear that?” Hider kept quiet for a second, allowing the Jedi to take in the noise.

“Yes, I hear it now,” said Master Darran. “It sounds as if someone is drilling something.”

“But no one’s here on the ship except us. You think someone boarded the ship, Master?” asked Lyra.

“Someone came on board?” Hider went quiet. Who else could’ve boarded his ship? He specifically authorized that no one board unless given clearance from him. A request he made clear to the port owners after The Omega was robbed.

“Hey. I think the noise is coming from the boarding ramp,” Lyra continued.

“She’s right. The sound is definitely coming from the ship’s entrance,” replied Master Darran. “And I’m starting to figure out who our little boarder is.”

“What? Who?” Hider asked with wide eyes.

“Think, Hider. Your ship’s boarding ramp was left unattended; and a minute ago, you got a notification that the droid had arrived. Who else could it be?”

Hider gasped. The Jedi Master’s words made sense. Though he authorized that no one board but himself and the Jedi, there was one thing he didn’t account for.

The T3 utility droid boarded on its own.

“Why that little piece of junk!” Gritting his teeth in anger, Hider darted for the boarding ramp, praying that the droid didn’t ruin his precious ship even further. As he arrived at his destination, he and Jedi Master’s suspicions were correct. The T3 utility droid had already made its way inside the ship; and apparently, it was drilling the walls on its own.

“Hey, droid!”

The droid honked in confusion.

“Yes, I’m talking to you, droid! Stop working for a second and face me.”

T3-G4 beeped in annoyance as it regrettably followed Hider’s instructions.

“Don’t give me that attitude. You are the one who barged into my ship without me knowing. Why didn’t you wait outside?”

T3-G4 hooted in response, berating Hider with a series of beeps.

“Well, sorry for being late. I didn’t know you droids followed a strict schedule.”

T3-G4 didn’t want to hear it. It let loose a series of chirps and beeps directly at Hider.

“Don’t you dare insult my baby like that. I have you know, I took care of her for years without a droid by my side. So, I don’t need a piece of scrap like you criticizing my work!”

Amused, T3-G4 responded with a sarcastic beep.

“Why you little!” Angered, Hider reached inside his jacket and pulled out his pair of blaster pistols. “Say that again, droid, I dare you. The second I hear one more insult, I’ll blast you into scrap metal!”

T3-G4 responded by pulling out his own blaster pistol with his multifunction arm, pointing it directly at Hider.

“What’s going on here?”

Hider winced as Lyra’s voice rang inside his ears. He turned his head around and saw that both Jedi were standing behind him, with the Padawan staring at him with wide eyes. “Hider, what are you doing?” she asked. “Threatening the droid with your weapons, seriously? I thought you were better than this.”

T3-G4 chimed innocently as it attempted to hide its pistol.

“Don’t you play innocent on me, droid. You pulled out your weapon too,” berated Hider.

“Both of you, calm down. There’s no point in starting an argument when you just met,” cautioned Master Darran. “Hider, please, put your weapons away and leave the droid be.”

“Master Jedi, that thing is the one who started this mess in the first place!”

T3-G4 beeped furiously as it once again aimed its pistol at Hider’s head.

“I’m full of what now? Who taught you that kind of language?”

“Enough bickering!” shouted Master Darran. “Both of you, put away your weapons, now! And T3 unit, stop it with the insults. I will not have you spout such vulgar language.”

Hider groaned as he put his blaster pistols back in his jacket. He stared at the T3 unit and scowled. Damn that piece of scrap metal. And damn that shop owner too. She knew this droid had issues from the start. That’s why she sold it at a low price in the first place!

“Uh…. Hider? What did the droid just call you?” asked Lyra.

“Excuse me?”

“The droid called you something, didn’t it? What did it say?”

T3 beeped curiously at Lyra which caused Hider to snap at it.

“Hey, don’t call her that you tin can. Lyra’s a Jedi, so you better show her some respect.”

Lyra tilted her head. “Wait, what? What did it call me?”

“Padawan, what that droid said is none of your concern,” replied Master Darran.

Hider raised a brow. “Wait a second. Master Darran, your Padawan doesn’t understand droid binary?”

The Jedi Master shook his head. “No, she doesn’t. Aside from her regular Jedi training, Lyra’s studies had other priorities. She knew little of the galaxy, so we drilled her on subjects we deemed important.”

“Important, but boring. Learning about galactic history and the different types of alien species was interesting, but I wouldn’t call it fun,” said Lyra.

“Be fortunate you got something out of it, Padawan. But regarding the droid, why is it acting so childish? Never in my life have I seen a machine act like this. It’s as if it has a personality of its own.”

“You aren’t far from the truth, old man. T3 unit droids can develop their own personality and behavioral traits over time. Only by giving it a periodic memory wipe can owners can avoid such a hassle,” explained Hider.

“If that’s true, then how did this droid avoid it’s wipes?” Lyra asked. “Wasn’t Janice responsible for something like that?”

T3-G4 gave a disturbed enthusiastic chime as it pulled out another weapon from its access port. One which Hider recognized.

“A flamethrower? You threatened to set her on fire!”

Lyra ears drooped. “Oh, Force. Sorry I asked.”

Master Darran sighed. “I can see why Janice was so eager to get rid of it. Well, with its rudeness and sociopathic tendencies aside, we must not delay any further. Ord Mantell is still our top priority.”

“Yeah, I know,” Hider replied with a groan. Guess I’ll deal with the droid’s schizophrenic at another time. “I’ll go ahead and get the ship moving. The sooner we leave this planet, the better.”

“Doesn’t your ship need more repairs before taking off?” asked Lyra.

“It’ll be fine as long as the hyperdrive and the navi-computer are still working. I’ll fix the rest of the ship later when we get to Ord Mantell.”

T3-G4 let loose a series of annoyed beeps.

“No, rust bucket, I haven’t forgotten about you. I’m just used to working alone rather than rely on droid for help. Just do whatever you’re programed to do and not mess up my ship. Believe me, I’ll know if you do.”

T3-G4 replied with a more aggressive beep.

“Look, I don’t care what name you want to go by, alright. But if calling you that prevents you from incinerating me, then so be it.”

“What did it say now?” Lyra asked.

“The little sociopath wants me to call it by its name, Geefour. Not Teethree, because it doesn’t want to be confused with the other T3 utility droids.”

“Sounds simple enough,” said Master Darran with a shrug. “Ah, before I forget, may I ask if there is any room on this ship large enough for my Padawan and I can use for sparring sessions, Hider? I’d like to get some drills done before we rest.”

“The garage might be big enough for you guys. Just head down the corridor and it’ll be on your right. Watch out for the speed bike though. I don’t want you guys to accidentally destroy it with your lightsabers.”

“Noted. Alright, Padawan, meet me in the garage in a few minutes.”

Lyra beamed. “Of course! Oh, but can you wait for me a little bit, Master? I want to join Hider at the cockpit, if that’s alright with him.”

Hider shrugged. “Sure, I don’t mind. But why do you want to go to the cockpit with me?”

“It’s been years since I sat at a ship’s cockpit; and to be honest, I want to see what it’s like for a ship this fancy to take off.”

Hider cracked a smile. “So, you want to witness The Omega in all its glory, eh? Sure, I don’t mind. Not everyone gets to see a dynamic class freighter in action, let alone be in one. What about you, old man? You wanna join us?”

“I’ll pass,” replied Master Darran as he shook his head. “Padawan, come meet me in the garage when you’re done, alright.”

“Will do, Master. So, Hider, where’s the cockpit?” Lyra asked.

“Just follow me. I’ll lead you.”

Together, Hider and Lyra walked along the ship’s corridor to their destination. It didn’t take them too long to get there. The cockpit was a short walk from the hyperdrive room, just past the main hold. As they reached their destination, Hider sat at the captain’s chair. He then punched in several buttons on the navigation board, causing the ship’s engines to roar with life.

He smiled. “Ah, I love that sound. Hearing my baby roar always makes me happy.”

“Are you always this obsessed with your ship?” Lyra asked with a cocked eyebrow.

“You’ll understand when you own your own freighter, Jedi.”

“Attachments are not the Jedi way,” Lyra rebuked.

“Whatever. Just sit down and enjoy the view.”

Hider pulled the steering wheel back, allowing the ship to slowly lift into the air. Once he’d got a notification that the Omega’s landing gear had retracted, he moved the ship out of the hanger garage and into the orange Tarisian sky.

“It’s beautiful,” said Lyra as she admired the view.

“The one benefit of being a space pilot. You get to see scenery like this,” replied Hider.

The Omega zoomed past the planet’s atmosphere and eventually made its way into the emptiness of outer space. The way was clear. All that Hider needed to do now is enter hyperspace. But as he prepared his ship for lightspeed, he couldn’t help but ask Lyra one last question.

“Say Lyra, you said that you’ve been with the Order for ten years, correct?”

Lyra nodded.

“If that’s true, doesn’t that mean you’ve been away from your home for ten years?”

Lyra shook her head. “There’s no home I can go tor The Republic hasn’t found any trace of it in the galaxy. Technically, it may have been discovered centuries ago, but there’s no record of it.”

Hider groaned. “Remind me that you still need to clarify your past a bit more. But seriously, what are your plans after we rescue the ponies? They likely have the coordinates to your home. Do you plan on heading back with them or are you staying with the Jedi?”

Lyra didn’t reply. Instead, she only stared at Hider with wide eyes.

“Based on that look, I’d say you haven’t given it much thought, huh?”

“No, I haven’t,” Lyra replied admittingly as she shook her head.

Hider sighed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to ask such a touchy question. Well, don’t dwell on it. You got the time to think it over. Just focus on the mission for now.”

Lyra nodded. Her head slumped solemnly, avoiding direct eye contact. Seeing that she was no longer in the mood for talking, Hider decided that it was best to leave her alone for now. Without saying another word, he pressed several buttons on the ship’s navi-computer, allowing the Omega to jump to lightspeed.

Chapter 7

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“Padawan, wake up. Padawan, wake up this instant.”

Lyra yawned as she rolled about on her bunk bed. “Master, please. Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep? Just give me five more minutes, okay. I’m having the nicest dream right now.”

“Save your dreams for another time, Lyra. You must get up, now. We’ve arrived at Ord Mantell.”

“What? We’re here.” That got her attention. Immediately, Lyra shot straight up from her bed. “Have we landed yet?”

Master Darran shook his head. “No. The ship just got out of hyperspace. Mr. Louhun is communicating with the planet’s port officials as we speak. One he gets an approval, we’ll be landing shortly.”

“Is he at the cockpit?”

“Yes, he is. You can join him if you want, but make sure you come to me in the garage before we leave the ship. There’s some things I need to discuss with you before we head out.”

“Yes, Master,” said Lyra as she jumped out of the bunk bed. Leaving her master behind, she trotted out of the crew quarters and went down the main corridor toward the cockpit. Along the way, she spotted T3-G4, who was preoccupied with the repairs to the Omega.

“Morning, GeeFour.”

T3-G4 replied with a dismissive beep as it wheeled away into another room.

“What? Aren’t you going to at least talk to me?”

T3-G4 did not reply, leaving Lyra alone in the main corridor.

Lyra frowned. It appeared GeeFour wasn’t in the mood for talking. Not that she could blame it though. She doesn’t even understand droid binary. It was something she wanted to learn back at the academy, but she never had the time. Lightsaber drills and her studies of the Force remained her primary focus. Rarely did she ever study outside the Jedi arts, aside from a few things such as a handful of alien languages and some medical training.

Still, she felt bad that she couldn’t understand GeeFour. It’s almost as if the droid was alienating her. Hider did say GeeFour had a personality of his own. I would love to get to know him, even if he’s a bit violent sometimes.

Continuing down the main corridor, Lyra eventually made it to the cockpit. Once inside, she saw Ord Mantell in all its glory. From inside the cockpit, she could tell the planet had more variety in its landscape. Unlike Dantooine, this planet had large bodies of water. Landmasses were few and far between. Some of which even had blackened areas too. If she had to guess, those were probably volcanic areas.

As she approached the captain’s chair, she spotted Hider holding a comm-link on his right hand. “This is Hider Louhun, captain of the Omega speaking. I hereby request permission to land.”

“Permission granted. You are free land. Welcome to Ord Mantell, Mr. Louhun.” said a masculine voice from the other line.

“Thank you, sir.” Hider replied. After placing the comm-link down, he spun the captain’s chair around to greet his guest. “Ah, looks like someone’s finally awake. You slept well, Jedi?”

Lyra nodded. “Yeah, I did. Those bunkbeds you have were surprisingly comfortable.”

“They better. I paid good money for those quality beds.”

“But didn’t you say you’ve been traveling alone for a while? I mean, it’s pretty convenient that you already had guest beds on your ship.”

“Well, I figured that I’d get guests aboard eventually, so I played it safe. But enough about beds. What do you think of Ord Mantell?” Hider asked as he gripped the ship’s steering wheel.

“Well, it certainly looks pretty from up here. I never thought that a planet could have fifteen moons. That’s definitely a first.”

“Don’t be fooled. The planet only got two moons. The rest may look like them, but up close, they are actually orbiting satellites.”

“What kind of planet needs thirteen satellites?”

Hider shrugged. “Who knows. But enough about that. You best buckle up, Lyra, cause I’m going to land this ship now.”

Lyra nodded. She sat down in the co-captain’s chair and strapped a buckle around her waist. She watched as Hider piloted his ship closer to Ord Mantell.

Eventually, the Omega descended into the planet’s atmosphere. A hint of glee could be seen on Hider’s face as his ship rattled in the atmospheric pressure. His elated attitude stirred Lyra a bit, but she had every confidence in Hider’s piloting abilities. After all, he’s piloted alone for so many years. This probably meant nothing to him.

As the ship dropped out of the atmosphere, Lyra got a better look at the planet’s landscape. Compared to what she saw in space, the landmass turned out to be a bunch of small islands. The planet itself was just one big pile of ocean water.

“Welcome to Ord Mantell, Jedi. Also known as the Heart of the Bright Jewel,” said Hider. “See that coastal city in front of us? It’s called, Worlport. The capital of this planet.”

Lyra stared at the moderately sized city in front of her. It was by no means a grand city. The place was barely bigger than the Jedi Enclave back on Dantooine.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover. The city itself may be small, but it’s still growing fast due to the recently increase in population,” Hider continued.

“Why’s the population increasing?” asked Lyra.

“Trade mostly. The planet’s becoming a hub for Bounty Hunters and Smugglers alike. I myself have been here a few times. But not for long. Aside from a couple of cantinas, this place doesn’t provide much entertainment. Plus, I’ve heard recent reports of a large spike of refugees. The capital’s overloaded with them apparently.”

“Refugees?”

“People fleeing their worlds due to the Mandalorians. Those guys have been conquering the outer-rim planets for years. Because of them, people flee to the mid and core worlds just to avoid the violence.”

Lyra flinched. “It…. It’s that bad out there?”

Hider nodded. “Yeah, it is. Funny thing though, I’ve also heard multiple reports that there’s some schism in the Jedi Order. Something about a lot of Knights and Padawans leaving to join the fight against the Mandalorians. You know anything about that?”

Lyra shook her head. “N-no, I don’t,” she lied.

“Ah, that’s a shame. I was hoping that you’d clarify those claims, but oh well. Say, why don’t you head on back to your master? Let him know that we’re landing soon.”

If what Hider said was true, then the war has caused much more turmoil than she believed. It would also justify the actions of the Jedi who abandoned the Order completely, favoring to fight against the Mandalorian crusaders.

Was their decision right all along? To defy the Council and head to war? Those Jedi…. my friends. I wonder how they’re doing? Are they out there right now, fighting to protect people?

Her thoughts dwelled on the matter for some time. So much so that she failed notice that she’d reached her destination, and that her master sitting next to Hider’s large speed bike.

“Padawan?”

Lyra flinched. “Ah! Master! I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No, you clearly weren’t,” he lectured. “If you did, then you’d realize that you left your lightsaber on your bunk bed.”

“What?” Lyra immediately looked down at her belt, only to realize that her lightsaber was missing from its holster.

Master Darran sighed as he pulled out her saber from his belt buckle. “Padawan, a lightsaber isn’t something that you’d toss aside in a bedroom. This weapon is your life. Please, do take care of it. The last thing that you want is to leave it behind on a space cruiser.”

“Y-yes, Master,” said Lyra as she took her weapon and placed it on her belt holster.

“So, did Mr. Louhun get clearance for his ship?”

Lyra nodded. “Yes, Master. He’s landing the Omega right now. We’ll be arriving at the planet’s capital, Worlport.”

“I see.” Master Darran leaned back on his chair and began to rub his chin.

“Is something troubling you, Master?” Lyra asked.

“I am currently thinking about our next move. Your kin are being held by the Exchange here, that much we know, but the problem is that we don’t know where. For all we know, they could be held at the other side of the planet.”

“You suggest that we do some scouting, Master?”

“A fine suggestion, Padawan, but where to find such information?”

“Oh, um, I’m not sure.” Lyra paused. “Maybe a library might help us?”

Master Darran chuckled. “Lyra, you have to think more broadly than that. Tell me, if someone arrives at a planet they’ve never been to before, what do you think is the fastest way of gathering information?”

“W-well, if books, brochures, and computers are out of the picture, then the next reliable resource would it be the planet’s locals?”

“Precisely. The locals are key to knowing where your kin are located. I’m sure that in time, we might be able to get some answers about the whereabouts of the Exchange.”

“Won’t I draw their attention? I mean, the Exchange made a public announcement about the ponies days ago. Someone in town is bound to recognize me eventually.”

“Then it’d be best that you remain on guard,” cautioned Master Darran. As he stood up, a loud pumping sound echoed inside the entire ship. “Sounds like Hider deployed the landing pads. It appears that we’ve finally made landfall.”

Lyra smiled. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go to the boarding ramp already and meet up with Mr. Louhun. We’ll say our goodbyes once we leave the ship.”

Master Darran nodded in approval. The two Jedi proceeded to leave the bike garage and head toward the ship’s boarding ramp. As they arrived, they spotted T3-G4 standing idle at the exit.

“Hi, GeeFour,” said Lyra. She was ignored though as T3-G4 rolled past her and greeted Master Darran with an impassive chime.

The old master sighed. “GeeFour, I know my Padawan doesn’t understand you, but you can’t just outright ignore her. The least you can do is try to be friendly.”

T3-G4 beeped dismissively.

Lyra tilted her head. “Master, what did it say?”

“Aside from its unpleasant attitude? Well, it said that it’s finished repairing most of the ship, which is impressive given that we’ve been in hyperspace for only several hours. Though I’m unsure why you’re telling us this. Hider is the owner of the Omega, not us.”

T3 gave a series of aggravated beeps.

“I see. Well, that certainly is strange. Does Mr. Louhun know anything about that?”

“Master, what’s he talking about?” asked Lyra.

“Apparently, the ship is more damaged than what Mr. Louhun originally thought. Some of the plated walls are rusted and still damaged, the medical bay needs repairs to its kolto tank, and the left gun turret cannot operate properly.”

“Do you think it was caused by the droids back on Taris?”

“Unlikely. GeeFour said that these damages haven’t been done by a droid, and I’ve also seen several unkempt places around the ship as well. Mostly around the cargo areas. It seems that Mr. Louhun isn’t keeping his ship maintained as well as we thought.”

“But why? Hider loves his ship.”

“Who can say. It’s possible he left many parts of the ship unattended after he quit his smuggling career. Since his job isn’t to carry valuable goods, why bother keeping maintenance to things he has no need for? If the ship can fly and perform lightspeed travel, that should be fine by his standards. But enough gossip. Come, let’s go outside and wait for Hider.”

Lyra nodded. She and her master disembarked the Omega along with T3-G4. Once outside, she noticed that the port’s hanger wasn’t anything spectacular. Compared to Taris, it was much smaller in size, and the building looked incomplete. Iron beams and piles of metal planks could be seen scattered across the room, with droids and construction workers placing them on unfinished walls and towers.

“This place seems rather new. I’m surprised they let Hider land here given all the construction,” said Master Darran.

“Well, they said the buildings already stable. They’re just working on the finishing touches right now.” Both Lyra and Master Darran turned around to see Hider walking down the ship’s boarding ramp. “Why the look of surprise, Jedi. Can’t a guy say goodbye to his rescuers?”

“You came to see us just to say goodbye? That’s it?” Master Darran chuckled. “Surely you have something better than a simple farewell?”

“What? Taking you Jedi here wasn’t enough for you, old man? What else could you possibly want from me?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps some Tarisian ale would be a good start? I’ve heard that drink is quite the delicacy.”

“Master!” complained Lyra.

“Come now, Padawan. I was only joking. But in all seriousness, Hider, you have my thanks. Getting to know you has been a pleasure.”

“Likewise,” Hider replied before turning to face Lyra. “Thanks for saving me back on Taris, kid. You really are one heck of a Jedi. Perhaps after your successful mission, those Jedi on the Council will consider promoting you.”

Lyra stuttered. “B-being a Jedi Knight doesn’t work like that, Hider, but thanks for the compliment. You take care yourself. And your ship too. With GeeFour here, I’m sure you’ll get all the help you need.”

“Yeah, well, that is if it doesn’t threaten to kill me first.”

T3-G4 chimed innocently.

“Shut it, tin can. I know deep down you want burn me to a crisp.”

Lyra sighed. “Would you two quit bickering? For crying out loud, you guys just met a couple hours ago! Can’t you at least try to get along with each other?”

“Well, forgive me for being a bit overcautious. Our first meeting wasn’t exactly the most pleasant one you know. And it doesn’t help that tin can over here is a sociopath.”

T3-G4 beeped aggressively at Hider.

“Don’t play innocent droid. You said it yourself, remember? You wanted to set that store owner on fire!”

“You know, instead of assuming GeeFour is a bad droid, can’t you at least figure out why he’s acting like that?” Lyra argued. “You said that T3 utility droids develop a personality of their own overtime, right? Then perhaps the reason why GeeFour acts this way he does is because he doesn’t want a memory wipe.”

“So, you’re saying the little guy wants to keep its personality?”

Lyra nodded. “I think so. A memory wipe would take away GeeFour’s personality entirely. I think he doesn’t want that, so he threatens anyone who tries to take it away from him, even his owners.”

A pause. For a moment, neither Hider nor T3-G4 replied to Lyra’s words. Master Darran said nothing either, but he did have a prideful smile on his face. Eventually, T3-G4 broke the silence as it began to move circles around Lyra, chiming repeatedly.

“No, GeeFour, you can’t go with them,” said Hider with a sigh. “Alright, you made your point. I’ll give the little tin can a chance.”

“Do you still plan on doing a memory wipe?” Lyra asked.

“If it doesn’t threaten set me on fire, I’ll leave it alone. And I suppose having a utility droid around will help with my ship’s maintenance cost.”

T3-G4 hooted at Hider repeatedly.

“Yes, I know my ship needs work, alright. Being a reporter for a news network doesn’t exactly cover all maintenance costs.”

“Well, that explains why you left parts of your ship abandoned and rusted,” said Master Darran.

Hider sighed. “Whatever. Come on, GeeFour. Head back inside and work on the ship with me. It still needs some tweaks before we leave for Coruscant. And good luck on your mission, Lyra. Do me a solid favor and bash more of those Exchange thugs for me, alright.”

Lyra nodded. She gave one final goodbye as the Omega’s boarding ramp closed.

“We need to get moving, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “Come, let’s go to the city. I’m sure someone here knows something about your missing kin.”

Lyra nodded. The two Jedi left the hanger bay and made their way toward Worlport. But as they reached the main lobby of the spaceport, three Republic officers—one female and two men following behind her—came to greet them.

“Halt,” said the female officer as she and the other Republic officials bowed before Master Darran. “Greetings Master Jedi. I am Lieutenant Dodonna of the Republic Navy. May I, and my soldiers, be the first to welcome you and your Padawan to Ord Mantell.”

“I’m Jedi Battlemaster Gizar Darran. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant,” greeted Master Darran. “Dodonna, eh? By chance, do you happen to be related to Admiral Dodonna?”

“Yes, she is my mother. She and my other higher ups sent me here to keep the peace.” Lieutenant Dodonna then eyeballed Lyra. “I assume this animal is your Padawan, Master Darran?”

Lyra’s cheeks puffed. She may have gotten used to people’s misconceptions, but that doesn’t mean it still annoyed her.

“Padawan, calm yourself. She meant no offense,” lectured Master Darran. “Yes, this here is my Padawan, Lyra Heartstrings. She’s a newly discovered alien species that’s been with the Jedi Order for quite some time. And before you ask, yes, she can speak and understand basic.”

“And other alien languages if I might add,” scoffed Lyra, though her response earned a dissatisfied frown from her master.

“Do forgive me, Padawan Heartstrings. I wasn’t aware of your status,” replied Lieutenant Dodonna. But even with the apology, the two officers behind her couldn’t but gossip about Lyra.

“Wow, who would’ve thought that thing is a Jedi.”

“I know right. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone mistaken her for a pet. But what kind of alien is she? And how come the Jedi Order never said anything about this?”

“Who knows. With the Jedi being so secretive, it’s no wonder so many people are frustrated with them.”

“Enough!” berated the Lieutenant. “You two are being very disrespectful right now. Zip it or I’ll have you both on cleaning duty for the next week!”

“Y-yes, Lieutenant,” said both officers at once.

The Lieutenant sighed. “Forgive them, Master Jedi. It would seem their curiosity made them forget about their own dignity.”

Master Darran chuckled. “It’s alright, Lieutenant. Gossip is a common thing when it comes to my Padawan and I. Believe me, we’re used to it.”

“Unfortunately,” replied Lyra with another scoff.

“If you say so, Master Jedi,” replied the Lieutenant. “So, if I may ask, what brings you both here to Ord Mantell? Forgive me if I assume, but it’s unlikely that two Jedi would come here voluntarily. This planet isn’t exactly a tourist spot, especially now with the rise of refugees.”

Lyra gulped. So, what Hider said was true.

“Well, to be honest with you, Lieutenant, my Padawan and I aren’t here for sightseeing,” said Master Darran. “The Council has sent us here on a mission. A rescue mission to be precise.”

“Care to explain?” asked Lieutenant Dodonna.

Master Darran nodded as he proceeded to tell the lieutenant everything about their current mission. He didn’t tell her everything though. Mentioning Lyra’s past is something he wanted to avoid.

“I see. So, the Exchange is responsible for holding a new alien species captive on their private base somewhere on this planet. And this new species, whom are called ponies, is the same as your Padawan here.”

“Correct,” replied Master Darran. “We have proof that the Exchange had captured them while they were traversing the galaxy. They’ve brought them here and are planning on selling them as slaves or pets.”

The Lieutenant nodded. “Sergeant,” she said, addressing the officer to her right. “Do we have any information on the whereabouts of the Exchange stronghold?”

The Sergeant shook his head. “No, ma’am. Although we are aware of their presence, we have no intel on where their headquarters is.”

“Wait, you said that you guys are aware they’re here, right? Do you happen to have any prisoners here that we can interrogate?” asked Lyra.

“No, we do not. The Exchange does not have a presence here at Worlport. Though we’re aware that a few of their members visit the city, they’re mostly low-ranking members that haven’t broken any law.

“Seriously? So, you just let them go?”

“The Republic can’t just arrest anyone Miss. Heartstrings. We would need a warrant to do so. Otherwise, we’d be breaking our own laws,” replied Lieutenant Dodonna.

Lyra’s ears drooped. “O-oh, I see.”

“Cheer up, Lyra. There are other ways we can obtain the info we need,” said Master Darran as kneeled and patted Lyra on the head. “We just have to search at the right place. And I believe I know exactly where we need to go.”

“Y-you do, Master?”

He nodded. As he stood back up, Master Darran gave the Lieutenant Dodonna and her officers one final bow. “I appreciate your help, Lieutenant, but my Padawan and I can take things from here. Should we need help, we’ll make contact immediately.”

“Very well, Master Jedi. I pray that your rescue mission is a success,” replied the Lieutenant. She and her subordinates made their way for the exit, but she stopped abruptly. “Before we leave, there is one thing that’s bothering me. That ship you came in. Our records indicate that it’s a smuggler ship named, the Omega. How did a pair of Jedi come across a ship like that, let alone board it?”

“Ah, I was wondering how you were alerted by our presence. Did the ship’s captain manage to contact you?”

“I heard from our port workers. That ship’s captain notified them of you two and requested that Republic officials come and greet you. We had doubts, but we’re glad he was telling the truth.”

“You’re correct that the Omega is a smuggler’s ship, Lieutenant, but the owner is no threat. A former Smuggler, yes, but he gave that career up a long time ago.”

“Can you tell me the captain’s name? How did you meet him? And why did he let you board his ship.”

“His name is Hider Louhun,” answered Lyra. “He and a T3 utility droid are the only ones on board. We saved his butt from a group of thugs back on Taris and he took us here as a repayment for saving him.”

“That’s…. very kind of him.” Lieutenant Dodonna rubbed her chin. “Hider, huh? I get the feeling I’ve heard that name before, but where?” She shrugged. “I suppose I’ll look into it at another time. Best of luck on your mission, Jedi. If you need any assistance, let us know. The Republic will be more than happy to help you.”

“Farewell, lieutenant. And may the Force be with you,” said Master Darran as he and Lyra said their goodbyes. Once the officers left the building, he turned and looked at his Padawan. “Ready to go, Lyra?”

She nodded. “Master, if I may, you said back on the ship we’re going to commune with the locals here to get our information. Do you happen to have any ideas where we should go?”

“Of course,” replied Master Darran as the two made their way out of the port. “All we have to do now is find it. Though I admit, our destination may have an age restriction for minors. They might bar you if try to enter.”

“Why’s that?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

As the two Jedi left the space port, Lyra took a good look around the city. Worlport looked very new for the most part. Aside from a few buildings that were currently in construction, its streets were clean and tidy. There was one thing that stood out of place though. On the streets, Lyra could see a few people walking around in ragged clothing. They seemed rather unkempt compared to the other locals, and they carried around their personal belongings with them.

Those people don’t seem to be locals. Are they the refugees Hider and the Lieutenant talked about?

Completely engrossed in her thoughts, Lyra failed to notice her master was speaking to someone. By the time she finally realized this, their conversation was already finished.

“Master, who was that?” she asked.

“Just one of the locals. I was asking him directions for our next stop,” replied the battle master.

“And where would that be?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

Turning to his left, Master Darran proceeded to walk down the city’s concrete walkway. Lyra followed in silence, believing that her master knew what he was doing. They walked for several minutes until the old master stopped at an odd building. It had colorful electrical wires on its roof, shaped into what appeared to be beverage glasses.

It was then that Lyra realized where her master had taken her.

“Seriously, Master? A cantina?” she asked, bewilderedly. “How are we supposed to find any intel here? Cantinas are only for drunkards who socialize and drink all day.”

Master Darran shook his head. “You underestimate these places, Padawan. Though there is truth in what you say, cantinas are great hub of information. Think of it as a center point, where all the planet’s latest news and gossip pass through.

“But I’m only seventeen. I’m not old enough to enter cantinas.”

“That is true. Depending on the planet’s law, cantinas usually don’t allow minors inside.” Master Darran shrugged. “An unfortunate reality, but we’ll have to check and see. Ord Mantell’s drinking laws might differ than Dantooine’s, so there is a chance you might get in.”

Lyra sighed. With no choice, she followed her master to the cantina’s entrance. Once they’ve arrived, a tall muscular human stood in their way.

“Hold it right there, wise guy. This cantina ain’t open yet,” said the human in a threatening tone. If Lyra had to guess, this human was the cantina’s bouncer. “The boss is still fixing the place up, so beat it. And take your pet with you. We can’t have some dirty animal wreak the place we just cleaned.”

Lyra groaned.

“Padawan, calm yourself,” scolded Master Darran. “Forgive us, sir, but could you please kindly let us in. There are some things I’d like to discuss with the owner of this place.

“Did you not hear me, old man?” berated the bouncer. “The cantina’s closed. I’m not allowing anyone inside.”

Master Darran sighed. To sway the bouncer to his side, he lifted his Jedi robe and revealed his lightsaber. “I am Jedi Master Gizar Darran. Forgive me for prodding, but I need enter this cantina now. It is urgent Jedi business.”

The bouncer’s eyes went wide. “O-of course. Sorry about that Master Jedi. I’ll let you in.” He then stared at Lyra. “What about this thing? Is she supposed to be your guide animal or something?”

“That thing is my Padawan, sir. Best if you stop calling her an animal now, or else you be seeing stars.”

The bouncer’s jaw dropped. “Seriously? How is this thing a Padawan? I…. wait a moment. Is she at the legal age?”

“Sir, I am not aware of the planet’s drinking age.”

“It’s eighteen, Jedi.”

Lyra frowned. “Great. I’m a year below the legal age. Master, what do we do?”

“Wait, you talk?” said the already bewildered bouncer. Though his response earned a venomous glare from Lyra. “Eh, sorry about that. Look, I know you’re Jedi and all, but I can’t disobey our planet’s rules. Sorry, Master Jedi, but your Padawan has to stay out here.”

“Understood,” said Master Darren. “Padawan, I might be inside for quite some time. Do you mind if stay out here and keep yourself occupied?”

Lyra nodded. “I can meditate or do some saber katas.”

“Saber katas might garner some unnecessary attention. Why don’t you go ahead and meditate for now? Since our travels have made you skip your meditation practices, perhaps it’d be best for you to relax and clear your mind.”

Lyra nodded. As the bouncer escorted her master inside, she sat in a meditation stance near the cantina entrance. Closing her eyes, she began to concentrate, allowing the soothing light of the Force to flow through her body.

Unlike the enclave on Dantooine, Worlport had a much larger population. As such, the minds of the local populace overflowed the currents of the Force, causing it to flow at a rapid pace. Their hardships, their struggles, their desperation, all tethered together as one. It’s as if she stared at life itself.

Lyra flinched. The immense power coursing through her was frightening at first. Never had she experienced something of this magnitude back at the academy. It almost made her panic, but Lyra knew that wouldn’t do her any good.

To calm herself, Lyra lowered her head and muttered the fourth line from the Jedi code.

“There is no chaos, there is harmony.”

“There it is you guys. You see it? I was telling y’all the truth, but no…. none of you believed me!”

Lyra ears flopped as she heard an unfamiliar voice not too far away from her.

“Okay, we get it. You were right for once. Just go and get that little pony, alright. The boss will be happy to know more of those things are out there.”

What?

Lyra quickly opened her eyes and was greeted by a blaster rifle pointing right at her face. She looked up to see three armed thugs surrounding her meditation spot. One human, one Twi’lek, and one Duro.

“Hey there, little pony,” said the human as he wiggled his weapon in front of Lyra. “What brings you all the way out here?”

A chill ran through Lyra’s spine. These thugs were aware of what she was.

<Seriously? Why bother talking to this thing?> said the Duro thug in Durese. <Come on. Let’s just snag this thing and get back to base already.>

“Jeez, can’t I have a little fun?” joked the human. “Everyone else had their share of entertainment when we held those other ponies.”

Lyra gritted her teeth. The Exchange.

“Hey, what are you three think you’re doing?” At once, Lyra and the three Exchange thugs turned and saw the cantina bouncer looking straight at them.

“Let me deal with this,” said the Twi’lek in basic as he pointed his battle rifle at the bouncer. “Nice show of muscles ya got there. Guess all that body building really paid off, huh? Be a real shame if all of it were for naught.”

The bouncer froze. Panicked, he quickly raised both of his arms and surrendered to the Twi’lek.

“There ya go. Guess ya still got a brain in that big muscular body of yours. Now do us a favor and stay down. This is Exchange business. You better not interfere.”

The bouncer bit his lip as he knelt down. He quickly looked toward Lyra, hoping that she’d come up with something to deal with the thugs. Little did he know, she was one step ahead of them.

Across the street was a pile of rubble of concrete stone. Left to waste possibly due to the construction going around the city. As the Exchange thugs focused on Lyra and the bouncer, neither of them noticed three large stones levitating in the air.

Today, her command of the Force would aid her through this.

“Get up, pony. Now! Or else blood is going to be spilled on this street,” said the human. “Wouldn’t want to have blood on those clean hooves of yours, don’t you?”

Lyra smirked. “His blood isn’t the one you should be worried about.”

In an instant, the levitating stones all smashed into each of the thug’s head. The strong impact caused all three of them to yelp in pain, losing both their balance and their weapon.

Seeing an opportunity, Lyra immediately snatched her lightsaber from her belt and ignited it. She leapt at the human thug first, performing a shiim^[1] sweep at his legs. The thug screeched as the blade pierced through his skin. A non-lethal blow, but at least this thug won’t be standing anytime soon.

As Lyra destroyed the human’s weapon, she turned her attention to the remaining two Exchange thugs, who’re still recovering from the blow. Outstretching her free hoof, she called upon the Force to lift the Twi’lek thug into their air. With just one flick, she sent the thug flying across the street, head first into a concrete wall. He collapsed onto the ground, motionless.

Despite the head trauma, the Duro was able to recover from the blow. But instead of fighting back, he fell on his knees. <No one told me that these ponies can become Jedi!> he panicked. Fear had completely taken over him. <Please, spar me. I-I promise, I’ll leave this town and never come bother you again. Just don’t kill me!>

“Relax, bub. She’s a Jedi. Killing isn’t their style,” said the bouncer as he smacked the Duro on the head, knocking him unconscious. “You really do know your moves, kid. Guess you really are Jedi material after all.”

“Padawan?”

Lyra turned her head to see her master exiting the cantina. Along with who she assumed to be the cantina’s owner, a male Bith.

“Goodness, what happened here?” asked the Bith^[2] in basic. “Who are these people? And why are they armed to the teeth with blasters?”

“They’re a bunch of grunts who’re part of the Exchange,” answered Lyra as she deactivated her lightsaber. “Master, they knew what I was. The guy I cut down admitted it himself. The ponies are here! They’re being held captive by these guys right now!”

“Calm yourself, Padawan. Don’t let your emotions overwhelm you,” advised Master Darran. “Talk about a coincidence. To think that we’d run into Exchange members so quickly. Truly the Force is aiding us this day.”

“Did you get any useful information from the cantina owner?”

Master Darran nodded. “There’s a large Exchange stronghold outside of town. It’s not too far. We can get there by speed bike in about half an hour.”

“I don’t know why a couple of Jedi are seeking out the Exchange, but it's none of my business.” said the Bith. “Don’t worry about these guys. We’ll notify the Republic as soon as possible. Just be careful. Worlport aside, the Exchange has a powerful presence on Ord Mantell. Wouldn’t want some Jedi getting hurt over something they were ill prepared for.”

Showing thanks, the Jedi bowed respectfully at the cantina owner and his bouncer as they dragged the three thugs away. With them gone, Master Darran folded his arms and sighed. “We must think carefully our next move,” he said. “The Exchange stronghold is within our grasp, but we can’t be too risky. If our rescue mission is to succeed, then we need to make a plan first.”

“Can’t the Republic help us?” asked Lyra.

Master Darran shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. I spoke with the Bith about this. The Republic neither has the manpower or the equipment to fight back the Exchange. If they try, they’ll risk losing this city.”

“How can the Republic be so out gunned by a couple of thugs?”

“It’s not just the Exchange, Lyra. Ord Mantell is home to many independent smugglers and mercenaries, and they are armed to the teeth. Because of that, the Republic deemed it too risky to send out soldiers, or else they risk losing the city.”

“Then what do we do? Those ponies need to be rescued!”

“Be aware of your anger, Padawan,” scolded Master Darran. “I know saving your kin is important, be you can’t let your emotions get the better of you.”

Lyra bit her lip. “S-sorry, master.”

“Be patient. We’ll rescue your kin, I promise. But for now, we must plan. Come, let us go back to the space port. There is one person who might help us out.”

“Wait a minute. Are you talking about him? What makes you think he’ll help? He doesn’t want to deal with the Exchange anymore.”

“I am aware of that, Padawan, but we need someone who’s dealt with the Exchange before. Besides, I’m sure Hider would agree to some of compromise.”

Chapter 8

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“You want me to do what?”

Lyra watched Hider’s reaction as her master explained their situation to him. Earlier, they’ve returned to the Omega, hoping that the man they’ve befriended would help them again. Unfortunately, his reaction wasn’t something Lyra had hoped.

“You want me to sneak into an Exchange stronghold with you guys? Seriously?” shouted a bewildered Hider. The former smuggler began to protest as soon as Master Darran mentioned the Exchange, causing an argument to break out between the two. “Did our conversation on Taris slip past your heads or something? They have a bounty on my head! The moment I step close to that base, I’m dead!”

“We are aware of your troublesome past, Hider; but given our situation, you are the only one who we can turn to for help,” replied Master Darran. Despite the high tension between the two, the Jedi Master remained calm. “Surely you have something high tech equipment on board that can help us.”

“Oh, really? And what makes you say that, Jedi?”

“May I remind you of your former occupation, Mr. Louhun. Surely, you’ve thought of some sort of escape plan in case the law or the Exchange caught up with you.”

T3-G4 bleeped instinctively at Hider. “Oh, of course the droid takes your side!” Hider complained as he let out an annoyed groan. “Look, I get why you guys turned to me, but sneaking into an Exchange base is way too risky. There’s no telling what’s inside, not to mention the security they might have. I’d imagine their stronghold would be very secure.”

“Surely, you have something that can help us? Perhaps a fake ID we can use to sneak into the base?”

Hider briefly paused, then replied. “A fake ID would help, but even that wouldn’t last. The Exchange will catch on eventually; and believe me, they will hunt you down.”

“Ah, so you admit you have something that can help us.”

Hider’s eyes went wide as he realized what he just said. “Ah, bantha piss.”

Lyra sighed. She’s just about fed up with all this pointless back and forth arguing. It was time she took matters into her own hoof.

Standing upright, she trotted over to Hider’s position, sat down, and stared at him with wide puppy eyes. “Please, Mr. Louhun. We’re so close to rescuing those ponies, but we can’t complete our mission unless we get help from you. I understand your frustration. If we knew anyone else fit for the job, we’d leave you alone and turn to them instead. But we don’t.”

“I…. um.” Hider faltered at the sight of Lyra’s innocent look.

“Any moment now, those ponies will be sent off to space to who knows where. We got to rescue them, before it’s too late,” Lyra continued. “Please, help us.”

T3-G4 gave Hider a long-winded beep. “Oh, please. You’d give in too if you had a sucker for a cute face,” retorted the former Smuggler.

Master Darran folded his arms and frowned. “Are you comparing my Padawan to a common wench, Hider?”

“Not remotely what I meant, Master Jedi!” Hider let out a groan. “You know what, fine. If it means getting you Jedi off my back, then yes, I’ll help rescue those ponies.”

Lyra beamed. “Really?”

“Yes, really. However, I’m not doing this without some sort of payment. Since I’ll be helping you guys out—again—then I want something back in return.”

Master Darran smirked. “So, you’re willing to bargain now, huh? Very well. I assume you want credits, but by your standards, money isn’t the only thing you want out of this?”

“You catch on quick, Master Jedi. Yes, I want credits, but there are two more favors I want from you guys once the mission is done. First, I want to do a full interview with your Padawan and publish it at the news network I work with.”

“An interview with me?” asked Lyra with a raised brow. “Why do you want that?”

“Come on, Lyra, you gotta think. You are a recently discovered new species that most of the Republic aren’t aware of yet. My interview with you would garner so much publicity. There’s no telling how much attention I’d get once I make my article public.”

“Not only would you draw a crowd, but you’d also make a ton of money off of my Padawan and her kin,” said Master Darran with a frown. “Typical for a Smuggler. Even though you quit the profession, profit is still all you ever think about.”

“You make it sound like I’m a bad guy, Master Jedi,” Hider said, jokingly with a shrug. GeeFour, however, did not appreciate his mellow attitude. He promptly gave the former smuggler a beep of disapproval. “Please, like you’re any better than me, tin can.”

“It’s alright, Master. I’m okay with this,” assured Lyra. “Since we are risking his life, an interview is no big deal. Just promise me, Hider, that you’ll put it off until after we rescue the ponies, alright.”

Hider nodded in agreement.

“If that is what you want, Padawan, then I am alright with it. I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” said Master Darran. “So, Hider, what’s this last favor you wish from us?”

“Simple. Just make sure you keep me alive. When we get inside that base, I expect you Jedi to come to my rescue in case our cover is blown.”

“Sounds easy enough. Alright, then I guess we’re all in agreement. Hider will help us save the ponies in exchange for riches, an interview with me, and his guaranteed safety,” said Lyra. Before she could close the deal, T3-G4 whistled from behind as he slid toward the group. “Oh, right. I completely forgot about GeeFour. Um, should we bring him along too?”

Hider raised a brow. “Why are you still calling GeeFour a ‘he’? It’s a machine, not a living person.” His choice of words did not help as the utility droid immediately pulled out a stun gun and aimed it at him. “Whoa, take it easy, tin can! I meant no offense!”

Master Darran sighed. “Putting GeeFour’s violent tendencies aside, it would be beneficial for us to bring the droid along. We can use its hacking capabilities to steal the layout of the stronghold from their computer systems and locate the ponies quickly. However, we won’t get far unless we figure out how to get inside.”

“Fake ID’s are one way to get in, but there are two problems with that approach,” Hider replied. “Like I said before, even if I make a perfect fake ID, the Exchange will catch on eventually. The last thing we want is for them to box us in in the middle of their base.”

“Leave that to my Master and I,” replied Lyra with a smirk. “A little mind probing can buy us a significant amount time. We just got to get close and so we can get inside their heads.”

“Don’t like your tone, Padawan, but I do agree with you,” said Master Darran. “The Force has a strong influence on the weak-minded. We can convince those thugs to let us through their usual proceedings.”

Hider flinched. “Jeez, I never knew you Jedi could be so…. malicious.”

“We’d like to think that Mind Tricks as a viable non-violent solution, Mr. Louhun.”

“Right…. but this leads to my second point. What are we going to do about Lyra?”

Lyra tilted her head. “What about me?”

“Those Exchange thugs back in town knew who you were, right? So, it’s safe to assume that everyone in the base knows about the ponies. If they get one good look at you, Force powers or not, the entire stronghold will be gunning for us.”

“You raise a good point. Our cover will be blown the moment my Padawan steps near that stronghold. Not to mention, it might alarm many of the mercenaries inside,” said Master Darran.

“Then what do we do?” asked Lyra.

The room went quiet. Neither Jedi or Hider could think of a way to sneak inside the stronghold. But after a moment of silence, Hider was the first to speak. “I got an idea,” he said as he left the storage room. He quickly came back moments later with a white sheet and a small iron cage.

“What’s with the cage?” Lyra asked nervously. Oh, I have a bad feeling about this.

“Hear me out, okay,” Hider answered. “You’re probably not going to like this, but it gives us a chance to get inside that stronghold.”

“What do you propose?” asked Master Darran.

“Master Jedi, I propose you and I pose as slave dealers and approach the base as a sign of goodwill. When they see us, we offer them what they want. Your Padawan.”

Lyra began to twitch.

“We’ll put Lyra inside this cage and use her as leverage to get inside their base,” Hider continued. “If they really are holding her kin captive, then they will recognize her immediately and let us in.”

“No way! There is no way am I getting inside that thing!” Lyra protested. Her tone had raised so sharply that it caught both Hider and Master Darran off guard. “Think of something else, Hider, cause there’s no way am I going to act like I’m some helpless pony.”

From her right side, T3-G4 began to beep repeatedly. “See, even GeeFour thinks the plan is stupid,” said Lyra.

“First of all, you don’t even understand GeeFour. Second, that’s not what he said. Third, this plan isn’t meant to demean you, Lyra,” Hider rebuked. “Look, I know it’s risky, but it might be the only way to get inside that stronghold without causing too much uproar.”

“Did you not hear what I said? I am not getting inside that thing, ever! What kind of hero would I be if I show up in a locked cage of all things? The ponies will never take me seriously if I look like a helpless idiot!”

“Padawan, enough!”

Lyra flinched. She turned around and saw that her master was looking directly at her with a frown on his lips. Even though his headband was blocking his eyes, she could tell he was very upset with her.

“Lyra, are you telling me the reason why we went on this rescue mission—why you begged the Council and I to send you here—is because you want recognition? So, that your kin to see you as a hero? A savior?”

“M-master, that’s not what I meant,” Lyra replied, nervously. The tone of her master’s voice caused her to go pale.

“What is it then?” snapped the Jedi Master.

Lyra gulped. Her throat went dry as she lowered her head in shame. Never did she ever hear her master speak like this. Sure, he berated her on mistakes that she made, but never was he this angry.

“Padawan, what is the third line of the Jedi Code?” Master Darran asked.

Lyra hesitated, then answered. “T-there is no passion, there is serenity.”

Her master nodded. “Our duty as Jedi is to preserve life and defend the weak. We do not do these things for the recognition of others, nor for fame. Those are passions that we push aside for the greater good.”

Lyra nodded, sheepishly.

“Lyra, I know you want to prove yourself, but cast away your drive for glory. Focus, and remember why you are here. You wish to save your kin from a fate they don’t deserve.”

“I understand, Master. Forgive me for my rudeness,” replied Lyra, solemnly.

“Pardon me, Master Jedi. But does this mean you agree with my plan?” asked Hider.

“Since it is our best course of action, you have my support,” answered the Jedi Master. “If our time wasn’t so dire, I’d rather think of another plan. But what my Padawan said earlier is correct. Those ponies are in grave danger if we do not hurry”

T3-G4 chimed repeatedly at the Master Darran. “Ah, an excellent idea, GeeFour. Posing as if I’m a blind man with you as my guide would be a great cover up. Plus, it’ll give us a perfect excuse to bring you inside as well.”

“Then it’s settled,” said Hider. “We are to pose as slave traders and use Lyra as a means to get inside the base.” He turned to Lyra and frowned. “Sorry, kid. But it looks like you’ll have to suck it up and deal with this. It’s may not the kind of rescue mission you want, but it does get us closer to your goal.”

Without saying a word, Lyra replied with a timid nod.

“Are there any clothes I can wear to look the part, Mr. Louhun?” asked Master Darran.

“Y-yeah, I might have something in this room that’ll fit you. Just need to wash it first though. It hasn’t been worn in a while.”

“Understood. I will wait at the crew quarters until it’s ready,” the Jedi Master replied before facing Lyra once again. “In the meantime, Padawan, I suggest you stay here for now and prepare yourself for the upcoming battle. Meditate if you must. And remember, you are here to save you kin, not pursue personal glory.”

“Y-yes, Master,” said Lyra meekly as her master left the room, leaving her alone with both Hider and T3-G4. She sighed. The scolding she received was probably the worst she’d ever gotten from him. It was if she was being scolded by Master Vrook himself!

By the Force, what was I thinking. She thought. I must’ve really let him down.

“Hey, cheer up kid. No one said becoming a Jedi would be easy,” Hider said in attempt to cheer Lyra up. “Look, I don’t personally agree with the old man’s belief on being passionate, but he’s got a point. Saving your kin is what’s important here, not fame or recognition.”

Coming from behind, T3-G4 gave off some friendly beeps. “See, even the droid agrees with me. I know you want to prove that you’re a capable Jedi and all, but you gotta focus on yourself first. Quit worrying about what other people think of you.”

Lyra bit her lip. “Yeah, I know. It’s just that, there’s a reason why I want others to recognize me for who I am. Master always told me to push it aside; but sometimes, I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“This isn’t the first time your master got mad at you for wanting fame?”

Lyra nodded. “Before I came to this galaxy, I was a little filly born into a high-class family. My mom was a high-ranking royal guard. One of the fastest pegasus to ever serve in the military. And my dad, he was a renowned unicorn archeologist. Some considered him to be the brightest to ever teach at my country’s top university.”

“Wait a minute. Pegasus? Unicorn?” Hider raised a brow. “Lyra are you talking about your species?”

The Padawan nodded. “Yes. There’s a total of three pony species found on my home. The two I mentioned before are unicorns and pegasus ponies. The third are earth ponies.” She raised her hoof and pointed at the horn on her forehead. “I’m a unicorn. We have a unique trait that allows us to cast magic with these horns. We can lift objects up and manipulate them, set things on fire, and a lot more.”

“So that explains the golden glow I saw back when you helped me on Taris. Magic, huh? Do the other pony species use it in some way?”

Lyra nodded. “Pegasus ponies use magic on their wings for flight and for the manipulation of weather. Earth ponies neither have a horn or wings, but their magic gives them enhanced strength. They’re also capable of accelerating plant growth, making them the most able farmers.”

“Weather manipulation? Enhanced strength?” Hider’s jaw dropped. “Incredible. Your kind can perform feats usually done by machinery today. Only more natural due to your given traits.”

“I’ll explain more later, but for now, let’s get back to my story. You see, my parent’s stature caused many ponies to believe I had a bright future. That I’ll be just as smart as my dad or be as powerful and strong like my mom.”

T3-G4 did not like where Lyra’s story was going. As such, it began to beep rather uncomfortably. “Looks like the droid knows where this is going,” Hider said. “Let me guess, you weren’t able to fill those expectations.”

Lyra shook her head. “I didn’t. Once ponies got wind my shortcomings, they started to think less of me. Some said I wasn’t the star child they thought I was. I admit, I did make some accomplishments, such as getting into a prestigious magic school. But I underperformed. Badly too. Which only made things even worse.”

Hider facepalmed. “Seriously? Come on, you were just a kid. No one should’ve put that much pressure on you.”

“But they did. Eventually, their delusions of me caused many to look down and pity me. Mom wasn’t happy and tried to push me to the very limit, saying that if I work hard, ponies will respect me. Dad…. he didn’t push me like mom or other ponies. Instead, he just let me be a kid and have fun.”

Lyra frowned. “Their different styles of parenting caused a fracture in their marriage. I remember hiding in my room when they argued, and how it always escalated into a big fight.”

Hider sighed. “Wow. I guess the adults on your world really push their kids, huh?”

“Oh, no, that isn’t true at all! Dad said adult ponies don’t always act like that. I grew up in a high-class urban environment filled with pompous nobles. It’s the reason why so many adults like my mom are so strict on their kids.”

T3-G4 replied with a continuous round of malevolent beeps. “You said it, tin can. What a bunch of uptight pricks,” Hider replied. “Did anything change when you joined the Jedi Order?”

Lyra shook her head. “No. When it came to expectations, it was the exact opposite from what I experienced back home. Many of my brothers and sisters thought of me as a small frail creature. They didn’t think I’d make it very far, and for the longest time, I thought so too.”

“But you’re a Padawan now. You proved a lot of people wrong already, didn’t you? So why obsess over your image?

Lyra gave Hider no response. Instead, she simply looked away in shame.

Hider sighed. “If you’re gonna stay quiet like that, then I guess our conversation is done,” he said as he stood up from his chair. “Looks like you got some thinking to do, huh? Tell you what, why don’t I leave you here alone for a while. Perhaps you can meditate like your master said. Think things over before we head out.”

T3-G4 chimed as it followed Hider out of the room. “The hunk of metal’s got a point,” Hider said. “The last thing your kin needs is a Jedi fantasizing about her image. Just remember, quit worrying about what other people think of you and focus on what’s ahead of you.”

Hider and T3-G4 left the room, leaving Lyra alone with the small iron cage. She stared at her fake cell for some time as the words of both Hider and her master still rang inside her head.

Cast away your drive for glory. Focus and remember why you are here.

Quit worrying about what other people think of you. Focus on the here and now.

She sighed. Trotting away from the cage, Lyra sat down in her usual meditation stance. Closing her eyes, she allowed the currents of the Force to flow through her, giving her a much-needed sense of relief.

Chapter 9

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“Master, you think you can let me out of this stupid cage for a second?” Lyra asked as she looked at her master with pleading eyes. “I want to stretch a bit before we start our mission.”

Master Darran shook his head. “No, Padawan. We cannot risk letting you out now. Not when we’re so close to the Exchange stronghold,” he said.

“But master, I’ve been sitting in this stupid thing for half an hour now! Can’t you let me out for just a little bit? I promise, I won’t take long.” Her complaints went on deaf ears as Master Darran shook his head.

Aggravated, Lyra folded her hooves and sighed. After coming to an agreement with the fake captive plan, she and her master had left Worlport alongside Hider and Geefour on a borrowed landspeeder with the former smuggler taking the wheel.

Thanks to his previous conversation with the cantina owner, the Jedi Master was able to pinpoint the location of the Exchange stronghold several miles away from the city. Not too far, but it did take Hider nearly a half an hour to get to their destination. Now with the stronghold within sight, it was only a matter of time for them to put their plan into action.

It was simple. Hider and Master Darran would give Lyra up to the Exchange so that they can get inside the base without suspicion. Once inside, they’ll use that opportunity to search and rescue the missing ponies.

Lyra had to admit, the plan was pretty good. It was the best way to get inside the stronghold without the need for extensive violence. Plus, it would also guarantee the ponies safety until she arrived. However, she just wished it didn’t have to be so humiliating.

Frustrated, Lyra kicked the iron bar with her back hooves. She’d been stuck inside Hider’s iron cage ever since they left the city, and it was starting to get on her nerves. The cage was cramped and there was barely enough room for her to move around.

“Calm yourself, Padawan,” advised Master Darran. “I know you are uncomfortable in there, but you must bear with it for now. Don’t worry. Once our plan is set into motion, you’ll be out of there in no time.”

Oh Force, I hope so. Lyra thought. She looked up at her master, who had been by her side on the passenger seat of the landspeeder. She greatly appreciated his company, though it was strange to see him not wearing any Jedi clothing.

Back on the Omega, her master and Hider agreed to have a change of clothing to better fit their part. As such, Master Darran now wore a white vest with a brown colored jacket and leather pants. A common choice of clothing worn by civilians. He’d even removed his signature Miralukan headpiece, replacing it with a common blindfold.

Though he likely did this convince the Exchange thugs that he was a helpless blind man, his decision caught Lyra off-guard. With the headpiece removed, Master Darran’s short light brown hair was now visible. Given that she was so used to seeing him with a headpiece on, she completely forgot about him having hair in the first place. It even caught Hider off guard.

As for Lyra herself, she had to remove her tunic so that she can play the part of a helpless captive. Unlike her issue with the cage, she had no problem wearing no tunic. Since a pony’s coat provided the warmth and cover they needed, clothing wasn’t necessary. She only wore the tunic because the Council requested that she follow their customs.

“You’ve been staring at my apparel for some time, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “What do you think? Do these clothes give off the impression of a slave owner?”

“I think Hider’s better suited for that question, Master,” Lyra replied as she nudged her head toward the former Smuggler.

“Ah, good point. Given his past, I’m sure that Hider is aware of all the latest trends common criminals wear today.”

“Oh, that’s a good one, old man,” Hider said jokingly. “Maybe when this mission is over, we can kickstart your stand-up comedy routine back at the cantina in Worlport.”

“I’ll pass. So, Hider, are you certain that everything is ready?”

“It should. But just to be sure, Lyra can you go ahead and test that tracking device I showed you.”

Lyra nodded. Using her magic, she removed a secret compartment at the bottom of the cage, revealing her lightsaber, and a small rectangular object with a red button on the top. She then pressed the button down with her hoof, which caused T3-G4 to beep repeatedly.

“Good, the droid says it’s working fine. Now remember, that tracker is linked to Geefour. When you unite with the ponies inside the stronghold, push that button right away so that we can come get you.”

“And don’t forget, Padawan, we cannot risk anyone seeing your weapon. We must play it safe, so I suggest that you not use your lightsaber until after we come and rescue you,” advised Master Darran.

“Understood, master,” Lyra replied as she covered the secret compartment. “But if I may add, escorting ten ponies out of that stronghold isn’t going to be easy. How do we make sure that all of them manage to escape unharmed?”

“I admire your concerns, Lyra; but don’t worry, I have a plan. We’ll form a square formation. The ponies will gather in-between us while we guard their front and rear. Geefour and I will stay in front, while you and Hider watch our back.”

“We’ll have you keep track of the ponies, Lyra. Make sure we don’t lose any while we’re making our escape,” Hider said before turning his head toward Geefour. “And you better provide good backup, tin can. Master Darran may be a Jedi Master, but we can’t afford to have him take on every single mercenary. Work with him and take down as many enemies as you can.”

T3-G4 bleeped in reply, although his response seemed rather malicious in some degree. “Calm down, tin can. I want you to support Master Darran. Not start a bloodbath,” said Hider with a sigh. “Okay, now that everyone understands their roles, let operation Pony Rescue commence. Hang on tight just a little more, Lyra. We’ll be there soon.”

Lyra nodded. As the landspeeder began to move, she clung onto the iron bars for tightly. Though she did not realize it, her hooves began to shake in anticipation. This is going to be the fight of my life. It’s kind of nerve racking, knowing that I’ll be responsible for the lives of all those ponies. But I’ll do it. I’m going to save them!

She cracked a smile. Just you wait, Sweetie Drops. I’m coming to save you!

Suddenly, the landspeeder came to an abrupt halt, causing Lyra to assume that they’ve arrived at the stronghold. Then, her ears twitched as she heard footsteps approaching the vehicle.

“Halt!” A loud voice called out in Basic. Judging by its sound, it was likely a male. Was it a mercenary perhaps? Possible, but Lyra couldn’t see from inside her cage.” This Exchange territory. State your business or my partner and I will fire upon you.”

“Relax buddy. We mean no harm,” Hider replied to the man. “My friend and I are simply here to do business.”

“For what purpose?”

“A trade. We heard a broadcast made by the Exchange a few days ago and decided to come here.”

“Broadcast? Oh, you must be talking about the new aliens we discovered.”

“Correct. You see, my partner and I came across another sentient being like the one you guys showed. Come look and see. We have the alien locked up in a cage on the back seat.”

Lyra waited patiently as the mercenary and his assumed partner approached the landspeeder with caution. When the doors to the back seat opened, she saw them. Two human males wearing light battle armor with blaster rifles strapped on their backs. One wore a visor on his head and the other wore a pair of goggles.

“Holy crap, you guys weren’t lying!” said the mercenary with the pair of goggles. “How the heck did you guys find this thing? We didn’t think we’d ever see these alien ponies again. At least not so soon.”

“We had our ways,” replied Master Darran. “Now, would you kindly let us inside. My business partner and I would like to speak with your boss.”

“Eager for payment, huh? Fine. Follow me and we’ll take you guys to our garage. You can park your landspeeder there.”

“What happens after that?”

“We’ll likely do a quick background check before we let you speak with the boss. You guys wouldn’t happen to have ID’s with you?”

“Don’t worry, we got them,” answered Hider.

“Good. Then follow us.”

The engines of the landspeeder hummed as Lyra felt the vehicle move once again, albeit slowly. A sense of both fear and joy filled her head. Although she is grateful that the mercenary confirmed the ponies were here, she couldn’t help but wonder what horrible acts these thugs did to her kin. Would she too have to face the same atrocities should their mission fail?

Calm yourself, Padawan.

Lyra’s eyes widened as her master’s words echoed inside her head. Projective telepathy. A skill that allows Jedi to commune with one’s mind though the Force. A trait that she learned through her apprenticeship due to the tight bond she as with her master. It was a neat trick, but it is an ability they’ve rarely used in the past.

Master?

Lyra, I can sense your uneasiness. Is something wrong?

No! N-nothing’s wrong! Lyra paused. Okay, I admit, I’m a bit nervous. It’s just that I’ve been thinking about the ponies.

Don’t! You shouldn’t think on it too hard on it, Padawan. What matters is that we are here, and we will rescue them. Relax. Recite the Code if you must.

Okay.

Doing what her master instructed, Lyra repeatedly recited the Jedi Code in her head. She did it so many times that she almost failed to notice the landspeeder had stopped. Looking up, she saw that the doors to the back seats have opened, with T3-G4 exiting the vehicle via boarding ramp.

“What’s with the droid?” asked the mercenary with the visor.

“It’s meant to be my guide,” said Master Darran. “As you can clearly see, my eyes haven’t given much help nowadays.”

“You’re blind? Then, how did you catch the pony in the first place?”

“I did most of the work,” Hider replied. “All this guy did was sit on his butt and watch.”

“Then why have him as a partner in the first place?”

“Business purposes.”

The mercenary stared at Hider for some time, and then back at his partner, who simply shrugged in response. “Whatever. Let’s just get you guys inside.” With both hands, he grabbed onto Lyra’s cage and lifted it away from the landspeeder. Before he could move, however, Hider stepped in his way.

“Leave the pony to me. I’ll carry her inside,” he said.

“Why is that? Afraid that I might hurt your precious cargo?” The mercenary laughed. “Don’t worry, my hands are delicate. Besides, I’d be risking my paycheck if I harm the pony. The boss would kill me if I try to harm his prize.”

Lyra winced.

“Forgive my partner, sir. He’s just a little anxious when it comes to our cargo,” said Master Darren. He then made a small gesture with his right hand. “You will let my partner carry the cage.”

The mercenary’s head twitched. He then repeated the Jedi Master. “I’ll will let your partner carry the cage.” Placing the Lyra’s cage on the floor, he allowed Hider to pick up in his stead, much to the confusion of both his partner and Hider himself.

Lyra stared at her master in shock. Master, why the mind trick?

I’d figured you prefer to be carried by someone you knew. Besides, I can’t have some mercenary ruffian mistreat you, Padawan.

M-master. Thank you.

“Okay, weirdness aside, where exactly do we go from here?” asked Hider. “You said there’s a lobby we have to go to?”

“Yeah, it’s just past all these bikes. Be careful where you step though. Most of these vehicles belong to high ranking Exchange members. Can’t have any of you denting these,” said the mercenary with the visor as he tended to his dazed partner. “Hey, man, what’s wrong with you? Snap out of it already.”

“S-sorry,” said the dazed mercenary. “I-I’m not really sure what happened. Let’s just get to the lobby already. Think I need some meds.”

Following the two mercenaries, the Omega’s crew made their way past the speeder garage and into the building’s lobby. Once inside, Lyra saw that the lobby room was rather small. A few chairs were set up on one side while the other had a computer desk manned by a GE3-series protocol droid.

“Good afternoon,” greeted the droid.

“Zip it, tin can. Make yourself useful and scan the IDs of these two,” rebuked the mercenary with the visor as he pointed toward Hider and Master Darran. “These two are selling us a product. We want to make sure these guys are clean before we take them to the boss.”

“Understood.” The droid then turned toward Hider. “Sir, may I have your IDs please.”

“Yeah, sure. Come on, old man. Let’s get this over with,” said Hider as he placed Lyra down at a nearby table. He then made his way toward the computer desk, with T3-G4 and Master Darran following close behind him.

“Alright, you two go ahead and get your IDs checked,” said the mercenary with the visor as he made his way to a door behind the computer desk. “In the meantime, I’ll go speak with the boss. If everything is clear, you guys should be meeting with him very shortly.”

“Got it,” replied Hider as he gave his fake ID over to the protocol droid. Master Darran did so as well. Once the two mercenaries left the room, the droid began scanning both IDs at once.

Lyra sat and watched as the droid began to do its job. She thought back to Hider’s words back at the Omega on how blank IDs made it easy to sneak into private buildings. She took his word for it, but she couldn’t help but think. Just how many times he’s done this before? If he’s so sure that it’ll work, does that mean he’s snuck into dozens of buildings in the past?

“Sir, I have finished the last scanning protocol of your ID card,” said the droid. It’s robotic voice quickly got Lyra’s attention as the droid gave back both IDs to their respective owners. “Congratulations, Mr. Jacen. All systems are green. You are now free to meet with the boss of this stronghold.”

“And what of my partner’s and his droid?” asked Hider.

“His is green as well, along with the utility unit. Once my employers return, I will let them know that you two are clear.”

“Thanks.”

Lyra tilted her head. D-did he really have to use a fake name for the ID card?

Mr. Louhun said that it was wise to do so. Master Darran said via the Force. It’s a tactic he’d often used during his smuggling days. He programmed a fake name and profession on these blank IDs to provide extra cover.

Well, it seemed to have worked for the most part. But, wait. Did he do the same thing for you, Master?

Correct. I had a difficult time thinking of a name I could use, so I just chose the name of a Jedi I once knew.

A Jedi you once knew? Is he a friend of yours?

In a manner of speaking, yes. Though it’s been years since I’ve last heard of him. He left the Order decades before I became a battle master.

Really? Who is he? And how come you haven’t mentioned him before.

Don’t worry about it, Padawan. Focus on the task at hand. Listen. We are about to receive some company.

Huh?

Suddenly, the door behind the computer desk swung open, revealing the same mercenaries from before. “Hey, droid. How was the scanning protocol?” asked the mercenary with the visor. “Are these two clean?”

“I can confirm that these two individuals are in fact clean,” answered the protocol droid.

The mercenary smiled. “Perfect. You two, load up that pony on this trolley. The boss wants to meet you, now.”

“So soon? Why?” Hider asked.

“When I mentioned the word pony, he became very ecstatic.”

“Is he always like that?”

“Only when it involves credits. Now, before we head to the boss, there’s something you should know about him. The guy’s not human. He’s a Trandoshan.”

Master Darran’s lips curled. “A Trandoshan you say? You let a dangerous alien like him into become your boss?”

The mercenary with the visor smirked. “What’s wrong old man? You afraid of Trandoshans or something?” he asked as both he and his partner burst out laughing. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite. He’s a little egotistic, but if you show him respect, you’ll be fine.”

Hider nodded. Following the mercenary’s demand, he loaded Lyra’s cage onto the trolley. Once secured, he, Master Darran, and T3-G4 followed the two mercenaries out of the lobby and into a wide hallway. Lyra, meanwhile, remained quiet inside her cage, observing her surroundings as the mercenaries pulled the trolley. This place is a lot bigger on the inside. I wonder where they kept all the ponies?

Suddenly, the trolley stopped in front of a large door. “We’re here,” said the mercenary with the visor. “Give me a moment to contact the boss.”

He walked up to a nearby com-box, lowered his head near the device, and began to talk. “Sir, our guests our here. Permission to bring them inside?”

“Permission granted,” said a deep commanding voice from the com-box. The large door suddenly swung open, allowing the mercenaries and the Omega’s crew inside.

Lyra observed as they entered a large heavily decorated room. Antiques lined up along furnished wooden shelves, and the walls were covered by large masses of colored fur plates. At first, she assumed the décor was fake as an attempt to scare people, but she soon realized the truth upon seeing a familiar set of orange and white fur at the far right of the room.

That’s kath hound fur! This leader, whoever he is, he’s a hunter! Worried, Lyra quickly scanned the rest of the room, praying that she saw no pony coats hanging on the walls. Thankfully, there was no such thing. The lack of cutie marks was a giveaway.

What she did see was another computer desk at the far end of the room, surrounded by plated blaster turrets. Sitting behind it was the Exchange boss himself, a tall yet slim Trandoshan male in sandy brown skin. With him were pair of guards equipped with battle rifles, as well as another Trandoshan male standing behind him.

Lyra examined at the other Trandoshan. Aside from having glossy green skin, the difference between the two lizards was staggering. The green-skinned Trandoshan was very muscular. So much so that it seemed like his arms and legs burst out of the light battle armor that he wore. He was also equipped with a blaster rifle and a vibrosword, causing Lyra to assume he’s some sort of bodyguard for the Exchange boss.

Incredible. That guy is way more intimidating than the other mercenaries! she thought. So, intimidating. If I had to guess, he’s likely our biggest obstacle here!

“Welcome travelers. I am Behssk, the current Exchange boss on this planet,” greeted the slim Trandoshan. Surprisingly, the alien lizard preferred to speak in Basic rather than his native language. “On behalf of my organization, I bid you welcome.”

“The pleasure is ours, Mr. Behssk,” said Master Darran.

Behssk chuckled. “Please. Save the formalities for someone who cares. There’s no point in using them here.” The Trandoshan boss then eyeballed at Lyra and—much to her discomfort—stared at her gleefully. “So, this is the pony you’ve found. May I ask, how did you find this beautiful creature?”

Lyra blinked. D-did he just call me, beautiful?

“We found her on Alderaan during a hunt alone,” Hider answered. Another lie. “We captured her out of curiosity. But after we heard about your announcement, we came here.”

“What were you hunting?” Behssk paused. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.” He stood up and slowly made his way over to Lyra, giving the pony a mischievous grin. When he approached the cage, he stared at the pony for quite some time and said nothing.

Then, out of nowhere, Behssk kicked the cage, causing Lyra to tumble inside.

“W-what the heck? What did you do that for?” Hider fumed. His concerns were also shared by Geefour as well as the droid began to bleep viciously at the Trandoshan.

Behssk laughed. “Relax human. I was just having a little fun. Don’t know why you and your little droid are so upset. The pony is just an animal after all.”

Lyra’s entire body flinched upon hearing the Trandoshan’s cruel, demeaning words. H-he thinks of me as a wild animal? Seriously?

“That still doesn’t justify what you did. For crying out loud, you could’ve hurt her!” Hider rebuked, who seemingly struggled to keep his composure.

“He’s right, Behssk. Hurting a valuable prey like that could decrease its value,” said the other Trandoshan, who—like Behssk—spoke in Basic rather than his native language.

“Spare me, cousin. You are in no position to criticize me,” spat Behssk.

The other Trandoshan snarled. “And you are in no position lecture me, cousin! Your wealth does not excuse you from taking advice from your own family. Especially since I do all the dirty work while you sit here and flaunt about the credits you’ve made.”

Behssk snarled back. “You’d be wise to watch your tongue, cousin. May I remind you that I’m the boss around here. So, unless your advice is needed, Chessk, I suggest you shut up and keep to yourself.”

Chessk opened his mouth to reply but he said nothing. He instead folded his arms and slanted back against the wall.

Lyra blinked. Wait a second, those two are family?

Master Darran faked a cough. “Putting family issues aside, Behssk, there is something that I’ve been meaning to ask. The advertisement we saw showed that you had several of these ponies for sale. May I ask where they are?”

Behssk laughed. “Oh, them? I hope you weren’t planning on buying them with your pay, old man. Because I sold most of them a long time ago.”

What?

Lyra’s eyes went wide. She almost let out a gasp, but she quickly covered her mouth to avoid any suspicion. However, she could stop the fear that boiled inside her as this new revelation slowly sank in.

They were too late. The ponies have been sold. Her worst fear had become a reality.

“Y-you already sold them?” Hider asked, hesitantly.

“Yup, sure did,” Behssk admitted with a prideful smirk. “Earned a lot of credits selling off those little rascals. Sure, they were good playthings for a while; but after a couple of days, the men and I grew tired of them. So, we sold them off to another organization.”

Lyra gritted her teeth. Playthings? Did he just compare ponies to mere toys?

“You should have seen them. Those ponies were crying like crazy when we sold them off. It was so pitiful that I nearly died laughing,” laughed the mercenary with the visor.

His partner joined in on the laughter. “Yeah. I remember them acting that way when we brought them in too. So pathetic. Hey, remember that time when we boarded their ship? Some of them welcomed us with open arms. They literally believed we were there to help them!”

“Jokes on them! The look on their faces when we knocked out one of their shipmates. Hilarious!”

At once, the entire room of Exchange mercenaries, along with their boss, all threw into a fit of laughter. The only one who didn’t join in the laughter was Chessk, who instead gave a venomous glare to all mercs inside the room, including his cousin.

As the mercenaries continued to laugh, Lyra gritted her teeth in anger. It was bad enough to know that she couldn’t save any ponies, but hearing these thugs laugh about her species built up a burning rage powerful enough to send ripples through the Force. Not that she noticed. The sound of those thugs laughing blocked all her senses.

Padawan, control yourself! Master Darran cautioned through the Force. But his words provided no comfort.

Through her rage, the young Padawan lashed out, sending turbulent wave of Force energy across the room. Fur plates hanging on the walls fell, and priceless antiques sitting on the shelves. None were spared from Lyra’s rage, not even the two turrets. They all bent and crumpled to the floor. Pretty soon, the entire room was filled with nothing but scrap.

“What was that?” shouted Behssk as he gawked at his room in shock. His mercenaries did the same too. Soon, their joyous laughter was replaced with confused looks. “M-my precious valuables. My fur plates. My entire room!” he howled in frustration, startling almost everyone inside. “What happened?”

“S-sir, I don’t know,” replied the mercenary with the goggles. “P-perhaps it was an earthquake?”

“An earthquake doesn’t bend blaster turrets you idiot,” shouted Behssk. He snarled. “You two, take those traders back into the lobby and tell our droid to call the janitors. We got a mess to clean up.”

“What about the pony, sir?”

“We’ll deal with her later. For now, just take her to the storage room. And bring my cousin with you too. The least he can do is keep her and our remaining pony company.”

“Pardon me, Behssk, but did you say that you had another pony?” asked Master Darran, who somehow remained calm throughout the entire debacle.

“Yes, I kept one pony from being sold with the rest,” Behssk quickly answered. “And before you ask, no I am not selling it. Now off with you all. I got a room to fix.”

“Behssk, why do I have to go with them?” Chessk asked.

“Do not bother me with such trivial questions, cousin. I am not in the mood right now! Just do as you’re told and be done with it!” Behssk let out a groan. “Damn it! Just when things are starting to look up, now this happens! As if getting our base broken into was bad enough!”

Chessk snarled. Reluctantly, the muscular Trandoshan made his way toward the exit. The two mercenaries and the Omega’s crew followed in silence, leaving the Exchange boss alone in a fit of rage.

Lyra sat quietly in her cage as the trolley moved along the hallway. Feelings of dismay and shame fell over her, a sensation she’d not felt since her early days as a Jedi Initiate. Failing to save the ponies was bad enough, but the fact that she lashed out through the Force made her feel distraught.

Oh, what have I done? I-I could have hurt someone. I could have hurt Hider, or GeeFour, or even my master!

Don’t dwell on it, Padawan.

Lyra flinched. She looked to her right and saw her master standing relatively close to her cage. M-master? Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. S-so many things just happened at once and I couldn’t control myself. Her head sulked. When I realized we arrived too late, I got so mad. And it got worse when they started to laugh and mock my species. I just couldn’t control myself.

I understand your predicament, Padawan. Though a part of me is upset over your actions, it brings me great relief to know that you regret your actions.

Lyra put up a weary smile. So, um, what do we do now, Master?

We stick to the plan. We need to know where the ponies were sold. If we can get GeeFour to hack into their computer terminals, we can figure out who bought the ponies. Plus, their leader did say that they kept one pony somewhere in this base.

Lyra let out a gasp but was quick to close her mouth. I completely forgot about that. Oh my gosh, there’s still one pony here that we can still save.

Which is why we need to continue the mission. Let these Exchange thugs take you to their storage room. From there, find the captured pony and activate the tracking device.

Lyra nodded as the trolley abruptly stopped in front of two dissecting hallways. One going to her right, while the other kept going straight.

“We’re almost back at the lobby now,” said the goggled mercenary. “Chessk, you mind taking our little pony here to the storage room?”

“I’ll see to it that it gets done,” replied Chessk. Taking the trolley, he moved it away from the group and went down the hallway to the right. Lyra looked at her master one last time as he and Hider continued to walk.

May the Force be with you, Padawan. Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.

Lyra smiled. She relaxed inside her cage as Chessk continued down the seemingly long hallway. After several minutes of walking, he finally stopped at a large door, which swung open the moment he got close. Pushing the trolley inside, the large Trandoshan picked up Lyra’s cage and placed it on the ground near several other cages.

“Here you go, little pony. Your new home, at least for now,” Chessk said. “I’d suggest you’d check on your kin. She hasn’t been well these past few days, no thanks to my cousin and his men. See to it that you comfort her.”

Lyra cocked a brow. You know, this Trandoshan seems rather tame compared to the other Exchange thugs I’ve run across. I wonder what caused him to join this organization?

She shrugged. Now was not the time to think about such things. As soon as Chessk left the room, Lyra immediately removed the secret compartment cover, revealing the tracking device Hider installed. She pressed the red button with her hoof, causing it to flicker red.

That should alert Geefour. Now, to find that pony.

She looked around the room, searching adamantly for any traces of life. It didn’t help that the room was completely dark. Aside from a few flickering light bulbs, the room was pitched black, making it difficult for Lyra to see.

“Hello? Is anyone…. err, is anypony here?” she called. Unfortunately, there was no response. Hmm, maybe I should reach out with the Force first. See if I can sense anyone.

“H-hello? Is somepony there?”

Lyra gasped. It was faint, but she did manage to hear someone call to her. And for some reason, the voice she heard sounded eerily familiar.

“Look over here. I’m right in front of you.”

Lyra’s head turned and spotted another cage right across from hers. It was barely visible due to the dimming lights, but she did spot something inside. Suddenly, the flicking light bulb went lucent, revealing the mysterious speaker.

She let out a sharp gasp. An earth pony mare with a bi-colored mane, a greyish yellow coat, and eyes so blue that she compared it to the sea itself, stood inside the other cage. But that wasn’t all. Despite the pony’s disheveled mane and coat, Lyra immediately recognized her. The same pony from the prerecorded message stood mere inches away from her.

“P-private Sweetie Drops?”

Chapter 10

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Master Darran let out a sigh as he leaned his back against the wall. His thoughts shifted to his Padawan, who just a moment ago, was taken away by a large bulky Trandoshan. Since then, he’d been escorted back to lobby by the mercenary duo, along with Hider and T3-G4. When they reached their destination, the pair of mercs were quick to leave the trio alone again, saying that they had to check on their boss one more time before any payment could be made.

It’d been several minutes since their departure. Master Darran was still waiting for Lyra to activate the tracking signal. Though he was confident that his Padawan would be alright, the wait time was longer than he imagined.

“She sure is taking her time,” he whispered.

“I’ll say,” said Hider. “You think she’ll be okay by herself?”

“I’m certain. She may not act like it sometimes, but Lyra is a capable student. She’ll do her part eventually.” Master Darran glanced over to Hider, who was sitting at a nearby chair. “You on the other hand seem rather calm. Given our current situation, I’d figured you be a bit more flustered.”

Hider shrugged. “I just do what I gotta do I suppose. Sure, I might be in enemy territory, but panicking about what might happen isn’t going to help me at all.”

“Is that why you are playing with your pistol?”

Hider cracked a smile as he repeatedly spun his blaster pistol with the tip of his right index finger. “What? Doing this helps me keep my composure, that’s all. Besides, there’s no harm in it. The safety is on, so I don’t have to worry about accidents.”

T3-G4 let out a series of bleeps. “Leave it to the tin can to make a nasty joke like that,” Hider said while rolling his eyes. “Seriously, why do you take so much pleasure in seeing others get hurt so much? Did something happen to you during your previous ownership or something?”

Before the droid could answer, the door behind the lobby’s computer desk flung open, revealing the pair of mercenaries from before. “Sorry about the wait,” said the merc with the visor. “The boss is pissed about his office, but we did manage to get your payment ready.”

“Great!” Hider said. “How much is he willing to give us?”

“Four thousand credits. And before you ask, no, you cannot bargain the price tag.”

“Huh? Why not? Come on, we’re dealing with a new alien species here. Shouldn’t the price be a lot higher than that?”

“Hate to say it, but it’s the boss’s orders. He’s still in a foul mood after what happened in his office, so negotiation is off the table. I’m sorry, but you’re either gonna have to take the deal or leave.”

“Ugh, damn it,” said Hider with a groan. “Fine, I’ll take what I can get. Just give me a moment, I need to pull out my holopad here.”

Master Darran shook his head in disapproval. Even though we’re in enemy territory, Mr. Louhun still thinks about money. Unsurprising, given his former status as a Smuggler, but I wish he wasn’t so eager to negotiate the money he’s making off my Padawan.

T3-G4 began to beep repeatedly at the Jedi Master. “What is it, GeeFour?” asked Master Darran. The droid replied with a soft hum, which was then followed by multiple beeps. I see. So, Lyra has activated the tracking device. Which means they’ve taken her to the captured pony.

He glanced over to Hider, who quickly gave the Jedi Master an assuring nod. Looks like he’s realized it too. Good. It’s time for us to begin the second phase of our plan.

“Hey, what’s with the droid?” asked the mercenary with the goggles.

“Oh, pay no attention to it. It’s just going through a quick maintenance check. A little annoying due to the constant beeping, but don’t worry, it’ll be done in a few minutes,” Hider replied, diverting the attention of both mercenaries away from the Jedi Master and T3-G4.

Seeing this, Master Darran turned his attention toward the utility droid. “Looks like Hider’s got us covered, GeeFour,” he whispered. “Best that we act now while these mercenaries are distracted.

T3-G4 replied with a gratifying, yet oddly insidious beep. Using its mechanical arm, it pulled out an elongated lightsaber from its weapon compartment and offered it to Master Darran; however, he refused to take it. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself without my weapon. Just take out one of those over there mercenaries while I take care of the other.”

The droid complied. Moving into position, T3-G4 aligned itself mere inches away from his first target. “H-hey, what’s that droid doing?” asked the mercenary with the goggles. He didn’t get his answer though as T3-G4 fired a shock arm from its weapon compartment, hitting the unsuspecting merc with a bolt of electricity directly at his chest. His agonizing scream filled the entire room before he collapsed onto the floor, motionless.

The other mercenary’s eyes widened as he stared at his now unconscious partner. “W-what the f—what’d you do that for?” he shrieked. His screams were quick to fan out as Master Darran shoved the mercenary to the wall. He then followed up with a series of rapid-fire punches, before finally landing a crushing blow to the mercenary’s face.

The mercenary with the visor groaned as his body slumped onto the floor, unconscious. He and his partner were no longer a threat. The only thing left to do now was to remove their sole witness.

“Oh, my goodness. What on earth did you do that for, sir?” panicked the protocol droid from behind the computer desk. “This will not do. You and your droid’s actions must not go unpunished. I will notify the higher ups here and tell them of your misdemeanor!”

“Not a chance, bud,” Hider replied. Quick to act, he pulled out his blaster pistol and fired it at the droid, causing the machine to fall on it’s back, disabling it entirely.

“Impressive quick draw,” complimented Master Darran.

“Save the compliments for later, old man. Our fight’s only just begun.”

“Indeed. Geefour, go ahead and hack into that computer terminal. See if you can find any map or building schematics that we can use. It’ll certainly be a lot easier to find my Padawan if we had something to guide us.”

T3-G4 complied as it wheeled its way over to the computer table. “And make sure you give me back my lightsaber when you’re done,” said Master Darran. “Because from here on out, we’re going loud.”

Lyra leaned back in her cage, took a deep breath, and sighed. She had just finished telling Sweetie Drops who she was and how she got here in the first place. Granted, she didn’t tell the private everything, but it was enough to keep the mare satisfied.

“I see,” said Sweetie Drops. “So, these Jedi people discovered my message not too long ago, which prompted them to send you and your teacher on a mission to rescue me and everypony else onboard the Celestia Sun.”

Lyra nodded. “Yep, that’s about it. I know it’s a lot to take in, but it’s the truth. Me and my team were supposed to rescue you and all the ponies here at once.” Her ears drooped. “But we were too late. Excluding you, everyone else had already been sold.”

“Everyone?” Sweetie Drops asked.

Lyra chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’m so used to saying that word for so long that I’ve completely forgotten about the word everypony.”

“Well, to be fair, wording issues are the least of our troubles right now. What we should be doing is figuring out how we escape this Celestia forsaken place.”

“Yeah, I know. We also need to find out who bought your friends and where were they sent. I’m sure the Exchange has some sort of record we can use to track the buyer.” Lyra curled her lip. “To be honest, I’m still mad that I couldn’t save everyone on time. It’s frustrating really, knowing that I arrived too late.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it too much. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.” Sweetie Drops gave Lyra a genuine smile. “You know, after my friends were taken away, I’d just about given up all hope of being rescued. But seeing you here has rekindled my hope. Not just for my rescue, but for the rescue of everypony else too.”

Lyra’s lips puckered. Hearing Sweetie’s words almost brought her to tears, but she quickly regained her composure. “You’re right. This mission isn’t over yet. We still got a shot at saving everyone; though I admit, doing so is going to be tough.”

“Will your friends be here soon?”

“They will be. The tracking device Hider installed here should allow them to find us. It’s possible that they’ll to fight their way through dozens of mercenaries to get here, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. My master won’t be beat by a bunch of low-skilled mercenaries.”

“You seem to be pretty confident in that teacher of yours. Is he really that good of a fighter as you say he is?” Sweetie Drops asked with a cocked brow.

“Of course! Nobody can beat my master. He’s the best lightsaber duelist in the entire Jedi Order! And with Hider and Geefour giving him support, there’s no doubt he’ll be here soon.”

“Well, he’s as good as you say he is, then I believe you. I just hope he’ll give those brutes a beating they’ll never forget!”

Lyra blinked. “Wow…. um, that seemed a little dark, don’t you think?”

“I don’t care,” said Sweetie Drops. “I’ve been stuck in these blasted cages for three days. Three days. During that time, these brutes abused the living Tartarus out of me. Treated me like I’m nothing but a wild beast!” The mare clenched both her hooves as she tried to fight back her tears. “The mistreatment, the horrible food, the fact that they used our kindness against us. I want payback, Lyra. Payback for how horribly they treated me and my friends!”

“W-wow. I guess you must really be mad at these mercenaries, huh?”

“Of course!” Sweetie Drops replied. “Didn’t you hear me? Those brutes did horrible things to me and my friends. It’s only natural that swift justice should be given to them, don’t you agree?”

Lyra hesitated. “Well, I agree that these mercs should be put to justice and all, but I don’t exactly agree with your, um, notion of revenge.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Well, you see—”

“What do you mean my orders are to remain here?”

Both Lyra and Sweetie Drops went stiff as a loud booming voice erupted into the storage room. It was then that the door to the room swung open, revealing a human mercenary and the green-skinned Trandoshan from before.

“I don’t understand. Why does my cousin want me to stay here?”

“Sorry, Chessk, but it’s the boss’s orders. Ever since that break in the other day, he doesn’t want to take risks,” said the mercenary. “Besides, we need someone to watch over our stuff. Especially, those two ponies.”

“But I’m the best fighter he has. I should be out there fighting against whoever’s causing this ruckus in the first place,” Chessk argued.

Lyra’s ears wobbled. Looks like Master and Hider are making their move now. It should be a matter of time before they get here.

“Well, maybe the boss doesn’t believe you’re not as good as you think,” argued back the mercenary. “Don’t forget, he was the one who saved your scaly ass last year.”

“You dare question my skill?” Chessk howled. His roaring voice startled both ponies. “Have you forgotten the jobs I’ve done for Behssk this past year? Jobs that you and most of this pathetic lot of mercenaries refuse to do!”

The mercenary scowled. “At least I’m not the one who bent his knees and cried like a baby after being nearly killed by Rakghouls. Face it, Chessk, you may be good, but you’re too soft. The boss knows this. Maybe if you toughen up a bit more, he’ll start trusting you. That, and maybe drop those stupid traditions you hold in such high regard.”

“My traditions are what keeps me going, human. No matter what my cousin says, I will not drop the teachings of the Scorekeeper!”

“Then prepare to be disappointed, Chessk. If you don’t drop those traditions of yours, the boss won’t take you seriously.” The mercenary gave the Trandoshan a pompous smirk as he exited the room. “Money and power make the galaxy whole, not some fancy tradition or religious deity. Once you realize that, Chessk, the boss might lighten up on ya.”

The door to the storage room slammed shut, leaving Lyra and Sweetie alone with the bulky Trandoshan. At first, the reptilian did nothing but stare at the door in silence, ignoring the two ponies completely.

“What’s he doing?” Sweetie Drops whispered.

“I don’t know,” Lyra answered. “But from what I can tell, it looks like the big guy is boiling mad.”

“But how? The guy’s not even looking at us,” Sweetie said. However, Lyra did not respond. Rather, she glared at the Trandoshan, expecting the reptilian to burst out at any minute.

The truth is, the reptilian was mad. Very mad. The words that were said by the previous mercenary hit him hard. So much so that the Trandoshan’s anger disrupted the natural flow of the Force.

Lyra felt a cold shiver down her spine. Never had she ever sensed anything like this. The Trandoshan’s dominating presence was bad enough, but his anger made things worst. What’s he going to do? Will he direct his anger at me and Sweetie? If so, then I need to go on the defensive, now!

Fearing for her and Sweetie’s safety, Lyra quickly reached inside her cage’s secret compartment for her lightsaber. But by the time she pulled it out, Chessk had already begun his rampage by unleashing a deafening howl. His scream filled the entire room, causing both ponies to wince and tumble inside their cages.

Recovering quickly, Lyra sat straight up and almost ignited her weapon. But she stopped when he saw the Trandoshan walking over to a nearby storage bin. In his fit of anger, Chessk slammed his fists onto the container, leaving behind large dents on the inanimate object.

<Damn mercenary scum!> he wailed as he continued to pound on the storage bin. In his rage, he dropped Galactic Basic in favor of his species’ native language, Dosh. <Those deadbeats know nothing of skill. Whatever those moochers can do, I can do a hundred times better. And Behssk knows it!>

Chessk roared once more, slamming both of his fists onto the container. <Damn the Exchange. Damn my cousin for making me do these insufferable tasks. Damn my weakness for getting me into this mess in the first place!>

Lyra stared at the Trandoshan with wide eyes as he stood alone in the corner. In his rage, he had revealed a shocking revelation, one that made her believe he could be reasoned with. He hated the Exchange. He hated being a mercenary. And most importantly, he hated his cousin for not using him at his full potential.

Lyra curled her lip. Is it truly possible for me to talk to him? He may not like the Exchange but getting his attention might bring Sweetie and I in danger. What if he attacks us out of spite the moment I try to talk to him? She flinched. No, what am I thinking? I am a Jedi. Even if he does attack us, I am perfectly capable of defending myself.

She looked back at Chessk again, who had yet to turn around and face her and Sweetie. Got to do this quick before Master and the others get here. Pushing her fears aside, Lyra called out the distressed Trandoshan. “Um, excuse me. Mr. Chessk?” she called. “I’d like to have a word with you.”

Sweetie Drops mouth fell agape as she stared at the Padawan in disbelief. “What in Celestia’s name are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m trying to reason with him,” Lyra replied. “It sounds crazy, I know, but you gotta trust me on this. There is good inside that person. I can feel it.”

“Have you gone mad? Did you not see what he did to that storage container? The moment you’d get his attention, he’ll turn his anger out on us.”

“You’re wrong. I heard his words, Sweetie Drops. He just cursed out the Exchange entirely. Even his own cousin.”

“Seriously? You understood him? How? All I heard was creaky gibberish.”

“Because I’m a Jedi, Sweetie. I studied four different alien languages during my time as an initiate. And that language he spoke in, that’s Dosh. The native language of his species.”

Sweetie blinked. “I-I don’t know how to respond to that.”

“Don’t bother. Just sit back and let me deal with the big guy, alright. Don’t worry if he tries to attack us. I got something here that will help me.” Again, Lyra attempted to call out the Trandoshan once more. “Hello, Mr. Chessk? I know you can hear me. Please, hear me out. I just want to talk.”

The Trandoshan ignored Lyra’s words and said did nothing.

Looks like he isn’t willing to say anything. Poor thing. Dealing with these mercenaries and his greedy cousin must’ve worn him out. Maybe I can get his attention by speaking in his native language. Oh, I just hope my Dosh doesn’t sound too bad. I wouldn’t want to insult him.

Clearing her throat, Lyra reeled her head back and called out to Chessk once more. <Excuse me. Mr. Chessk. I know you’re a bit upset right now; but If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to have a word with you.>

Chessk jerked his head. <W-what? Who said that? Cousin was that you?>

<Over here!>

Lyra smiled as the Trandoshan finally turned his gaze toward her Unsurprisingly, the Trandoshan looked confused at first as he stared at the pony with wide eyes; but after a moment of silence, he made a mad dash toward the ponies.

<You. Are you’re the one talking to me, little pony?> Chessk asked as he knelt in front of Lyra’s cage.

Lyra nodded. <Yup, that’s right.>

Chessk gasped. <But how? How is it that you speak in the language of my people?>

<Simple, I learned the language.>

“Um, excuse me.” Both Lyra and Chessk turned to see Sweetie Drops staring at them both with hooves crossed. “I hate to break your friendly talk, but do you mind talking in a language I can understand!”

“Oh, right. Sorry about that,” Lyra replied as she spoke in Basic again. “Allow me to introduce ourselves, Chessk. I am Lyra Heartstrings, and that pony over there is Private Sweetie Drops.”

Sweetie Drops did not respond. Instead, she gave Chessk a mere huff.

Lyra sighed. “Forgive her. Being cooped up in that cage has left her very bitter.”

“I do not blame her. Being mistreated by these mercenaries and my cousin would cause anyone to get angry,” said Chessk as he too spoke again in Basic. “But I still don’t understand. How is it that you know my language?”

“I learned it along with two other languages as part of my training. You see, I’m not just a normal pony. I’m a Jedi.”

“What?” Chessk stumbled backward as he stared at Lyra in disbelief. “T-that’s impossible. Jedi are supposed to be strong, capable warriors. You are just a mere animal.”

“If I’m a mere animal, then how am I speaking to you right now?” Lyra rebuked. “I know my claim seems far fetched in your eyes, but I’m telling you the truth.”

“I don’t believe you,” Chessk refuted. “You claim to be a Jedi, yet why are you not wearing your garments? And more importantly, where is your lightsaber?”

Lyra grinned as she reached inside the secret compartment and pulled out her weapon. Pointing her saber outside the cage, she ignited the weapon, illuminating the room in a light-green glow.

Chessk gasped. “Amazing. You really are Jedi.”

Lyra smiled again. She then looked over to Sweetie Drops, who apparently was gawking at the Padawan’s green blade. “Y-you really weren’t kidding about that whole Jedi stuff, were you?” she asked. “Sweet Celestia. I’ve never seen a weapon like this before. It’s so…. shiny.”

“I’m glad you like it. Because this saber is one of a kind,” Lyra explained. “The blade might be a bit short, but the hilt itself is unique.” She turned hoof around and revealed her saber’s unique feature. “See this? The hilt has a slightly angled curve. Uncommon since most lightsaber hilts today usually have straight hand grips.”

“Ah, I see. You chose that unique hilt because it feels better on your hooves,” said Chessk. “Impressive.”

This time, it was Lyra’s turn to be surprised. “Wait, how’d you know that?”

Chessk cracked a smile. “Weapons are my specialty, little Jedi. I myself craft my own vibroblades as a hobby of mine. And let me tell you, even the slightest modification to a weapon can drastically change the way someone approaches combat.” He paused. “But this revelation, it only brings up more questions.”

“You’re wondering how a Jedi like me got captured, aren’t you?” Lyra asked, to which Chessk nodded in reply. “Well, for starters, I didn’t get captured. This whole thing with me being a helpless pony was just an act to sneak inside this stronghold and rescue the captured ponies.”

Chessk blinked. “So, everything up till now was staged. You assume the guise of a helpless victim so that you could save your kin. Impressive.” Another pause. “Wait, then who were those two that carried you around in that cage?”

“One of them is my Jedi Master while the other is a friend of ours. They were the ones who formulated the plan in the first place.”

“I see.” Chessk rubbed his chin. “The man with the blindfold. He is your Jedi Master, is he not?”

“Y-yeah, he is,” Lyra replied, surprised that the Trandoshan was able to guess correctly on who her master was. “How’d you know?”

“The other human seemed too young to be a Jedi Master, so I assumed the other Jedi would be that blind old man.” Chessk puckered his lips. “If a Jedi Master is here, it’s unlikely that my cousin or his cronies would survive the encounter. They’re not prepared to fight against a Jedi, let alone two.”

Lyra nodded. She was about to talk back but stopped when she noticed Sweetie Drops giving her a stern glare. “Lyra, what the hay!” she yelled. “Why are you telling him your plan? Are you trying to jeopardize our escape?

“Relax, Sweetie. I’m just trying to reason with him,” Lyra replied.

“By giving him classified information to an enemy? Have you forgotten that he’s one of the bad guys!”

“The little pony is right,” said Chessk. “Why are you trying to talk to me? Not only am I your enemy, but I am part of the organization that captured and enslaved your kin. You should hate me.”

“No, not at all!” Lyra answered. “I don’t hate you, Chessk. I just think that deep down, you’re a good person who’s been put in a very bad position. You said it yourself, remember? You hate working for the Exchange.”

“That’s right. You understood everything I said.” Chessk frowned. “I…. I suppose you want to hear me out, do you? Why I hate my occupation and why I despise my cousin for treating me like a lapdog?”

Lyra shrugged. “I suppose. If anything, it’d certainly help me understand you better.”

“Then I guess I have no choice, do I?” Chessk sighed. “Well, for starters, I should tell you that I wasn’t always a mercenary. Before I got stuck with this job, my previous occupation was a Big Game Hunter.”

“A hunter? You mean, someone who hunts animals?”

“Something like that. But my job was much bigger than that. You see, Big Game Hunters track down creatures that would kill a man the moment he laid eyes on it.” Chessk smiled. “As a hunter, you are put in a life or death situation. Either you conquer the beast, or you become their meal. Such a lifestyle was dangerous, but it is an exhilarating nonetheless. One that’s even honored by my people.”

“So, your people view the hunting occupation as an honorable deed. Are there others who disapprove of that?”

“Mostly the younger generation. They prefer doing mercenary work or slave trading for credits. My cousin is one of them.” Chessk let out a growl. “He’s been leeching off the Exchange for years, doing their dirty work. There was a time I considered him a warrior, but his skill waned as he spent more time luxuriating in his riches. Eventually, the Exchange promoted him to top boss in the Bright Jewel System. Now he just sits in his ass all day counting the credits he made. The only reason these mercenaries follow him is because of his money.”

“If you hate your cousin so much, why bother working for him?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Because…. it’s because I owe him my life.” Chessk let out a sigh as his head slumped. “Last year, I was nearly killed during a job. Behssk and his band of mercenaries rescued me before my death. Because of that, I pledged my life to protecting him.”

“That sounds like a life debt,” said Lyra.

“A what?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“It’s a social institution used by a few alien cultures around the galaxy. Basically, if a person’s life was saved by another, the saved person pledges their life to protect their savior. Even to the point of death. I knew that an alien species called, the Wookiees practiced this tradition, but I wasn’t aware Trandoshans followed it too.”

“People equate my kind as savage brutes. Though I admit, there is some truth in that, Trandoshans are an honor-bound society,” explained Chessk.

“Yeah right. Honor-bound society my flank!” rebuked Sweetie Drops.

Chessk frowned. “I do not blame you for doubting my words, little pony. You and your kin had to suffer at the hands of my foolhardy cousin. And for that, I am sorry.”

His words did not soothe Sweetie Drops as the mare scoffed in reply. “If you’re so sorry, then tell it to my friends.”

“Enough, private. Don’t take your anger out on a man who hasn’t done you any harm,” said Lyra. “Chessk, you said your cousin saved your life, right? What led to that confrontation?”

“That is a subject I take no pleasure in sharing, little pony. But considering the kindness you’ve shown me, I’ll make an exception.” Chessk sighed as he sat in a cross-legged position. “A year ago, I had just finished a hunt on the planet Felucia. I had recently killed a rancor at the time, and I planned on selling its pelt and horn to a seller on Taris.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you killed a rancor?” she asked in disbelief.

Chessk nodded. “Yes. It was one of my best kills yet. Many of my people would take joy in killing such a beast, yet not many are successful. I was different. I managed to trap one by using the planet’s environment to my advantage. The beast didn’t last long after that.”

He sighed. “That was a good memory. But I am getting off topic here. After I sold my stash, I ran into a doctor on the planet’s upper city. He told me he was working with a medical team that was looking into a cure for the Rakghoul disease.”

“Rakghoul disease? What’s that?” Lyra asked.

“You don’t know of it, do you? Can’t say I’m surprised. It’s a disease only found on Taris, carried by mutant killing monstrosities known as Rakghouls, who’ll try to kill or infect anyone on sight. Being infected by one slowly kill the victim, to the point where they eventually turning them into Rakghouls themselves.”

“That’s horrible,” said Sweetie Drops as she shivered a bit in her cage. “And there’s no cure for it?”

Chessk shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of. I do not know what became of the medical team after I left Taris. As far as I know, no cure has been made.”

“What job did the doctor give you?” asked Lyra.

“He said that his team needed doses Rakghoul blood to further their study. But they didn’t have the manpower to get more samples, so they asked me. I accepted the job and journeyed into the planet’s Undercity to hunt the beasts. It went well at first. I managed to isolate a few of the beasts away from their pack by trapping them in the sewers; but shortly after I killed the beasts, my job took a turn for the worst.”

“What happened?”

“The pack came back for them. Somehow, they’ve been alerted of their missing kin and backtracked to my position. I was not prepared for that encounter. The beasts outnumbered me twelve to one, and I was not geared for a direct engagement. I fought them as hard as I could, but it was too much. Even with my superior strength, I could not fight back a horde of Rakghouls.”

“H-how did you survive?” Lyra asked, hesitantly.

Chessk lowered his head and frowned. “It was perhaps the most shameful moment of my life. Before I was cut down, I pleaded to the Scorekeeper for someone to find and rescue me. My prayers were answered when Behssk and his group of mercenaries killed the remaining Rakghouls.”

“The Scorekeeper?”

“A deity that we Trandoshans worship. A goddess who exists beyond time and space. We appease to the Scorekeeper through our actions. Whether it’d be hunting beasts or gathering bounties, the more successful we are, the more we earn her favor.”

Lyra blinked. “That would certainly explain why Trandoshans are an overtly aggressive species. But how did your cousin find you? More importantly, how did he know you were there in the first place?”

“We met in the Lower City. Apparently, he was stationed on Taris at the time, doing the dirty work of another crime lord. We spoke for a bit, but we went our separate ways shortly after, or at least that’s what I thought.”

“He must’ve followed you while you weren’t looking. Observed you while you were doing your job. When you were struggling for your life, it was then that he decided to finally reveal himself and rescue you.”

Chessk gave a meek nod. “He berated me for being weak. He said that because of my show of weakness, I tarnished the Scorekeeper’s name, making my life forfeit in her eyes.” He frowned. “When you shame the Scorekeeper, it is considered a great sin to our people. Not only are our lives considered meaningless, but all the favors we accumulated over the years for our goddess are now gone, making my hunting career practically worthless.”

“That’s a load of horseapples!” Sweetie Drops shouted as she banged the metal bars in her cage. “You’d rather give up a hobby that you love in favor of following your stupid cousin? All because you shamed your so-called goddess?”

“You better watch your tongue, little pony. Lest you want to face my wrath, I suggest you not test my patience!” Chessk roared.

“I’m surprised you even have patience, given that you had to take orders from that spoiled cousin of yours. Why don’t you do yourself a favor and take a page from his book. Forget tradition. Forget that stupid life debt! Go back to doing what you love most. Not take orders from someone who clearly doesn’t respect you!”

“It’s not that simple! Disregarding a life debt would bring great dishonor to myself and my people. I can’t just leave my cousin behind.”

“Both of you, please! This is not the time for an argument,” Lyra argued. “Chessk, is there any way I can convince you to let go of this life debt you have?”

Chessk shook his head. “No, little one. Though I am grateful for your kindness, I—I cannot break my life debt. For it is a solemn vow. Breaking it would only further my shame as a man.”

“But you hate working for your cousin, don’t you? He and his lackeys don’t appreciate your help, let alone respect you. Don’t you think you deserve something better?”

“Nothing would bring me more joy than to return to my hunting days. But a life debt is greater than any one life. And Behssk is still my family. If I die following his orders, so be it.”

Lyra curled her lips. Her gamble with Chessk did not pay off, and the only thing she could do now is wait for her master and Hider’s timely rescue. But despite her failed negotiation attempt, she still wanted to help him. For Chessk was an honorable man, and he deserved much more than to be a slave to his deplorable cousin.

But perhaps he was beyond help.

Lyra bit her lip as Hider’s words rang inside her head. It was something that she didn’t take seriously at first, but it seemed that his warning would come to fruition. Would it be for the best if she does not help Chessk at all? Especially if he doesn’t want any help in the first place?

Lyra fell flat on her belly as she tried to come up with a solution. But as she pondered on what to do next, the door to the storage room suddenly flung open.

“Who’s there?” Taken by surprise, Chessk stood up and turned his attention toward the door. But as he turned his head, a blue plasma beam hit the Trandoshan right on the chest. He howled in pain as his body jittered until he collapsed to the floor, motionless.

Both Lyra and Sweetie Drops stared wide eyed at the door, as T3-G4 strolled into the storage room, with Master Darran and Hider Louhun following close behind him.

“Master!”

Master Darran smiled. “Sorry to barge in unannounced, Padawan. I hope you didn’t get too bored in here while waiting for us.” His head drifted to the unconscious Chessk, then at Sweetie Drops, who was staring at the Jedi Master with wide eyes. “Ah, this must be the captured pony. I assume you and my Padawan were getting acquainted with one another?”

“She’s Private Sweetie Drops, Master. The one who made that message,” said Lyra.

“That’s great! At least we were able to save the private,” said Hider as he walked toward Lyra’s cage and opened it. “Does she know where the rest of your kin were sold to?”

“No, she doesn’t. I figured you’d knew that by now!”

“Hey, cut us some slack, okay. Rescuing you first was our top priority!”

“Enough you two. Now is not the time to be arguing with each other,” advised Master Darran. “Hider is it possible that Behssk kept financial records of all his business transactions somewhere in this stronghold?”

“Probably,” Hider replied with a shrug. “If I had to guess, he probably has all his records safely stored on a computer.”

“Would the computer terminal at his office be a likely place he stored his records?” Master Darran asked, to which Hider nodded in reply. “Then we know where we must go next. Padawan, free the Private now so we can get out of here.”

“On it,” said Lyra as she grasped her lightsaber with her magic. After stepping outside her cage, she trotted over to Sweetie’s own cage, ignited her weapon, and cut the bars on the cage in half, freeing the mare from her imprisonment.

“Thank you,” said Sweetie Drops as she gave Lyra a quick hug. She then stepped outside her cage and looked at the rest of the Omega’s crew. “You guys must be the ones Lyra mentioned earlier, aren’t you? I admit, it sucks knowing that my friends couldn’t be saved yet, but it’s good to know you came by anyway.”

“Don’t mention it, little pony. Just do us a favor and stick close to us. Me, GeeFour, and these Jedi here will keep you covered until we get out of here,” Hider replied. He then gave quick glances toward both Lyra and Master Darran. “We need to go, now. Before more mercenaries show up.”

“Agreed. Come, Padawan. Let us move,” said Master Darran as he and the rest of the Omega’s crew left the storage room. Lyra followed, but stopped short as she stared at the unconscious body of Chessk.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered. As she followed her master, the door to the storage room closed, leaving an unconscious Chessk alone in the darkness.

Chapter 11

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A mercenary screamed as a green lightsaber blade was plunged into his shoulder. The blow wasn’t lethal, but it was damaging nonetheless. It was likely that the man would remain incapacitated for the rest of his life. A sad turn of fate, but this person, along with many others like him, stood no chance against a well-trained Jedi.

As the man fell to the floor, Padawan Lyra took her weapon, clenched the hilt between her teeth, and rejoined her master and the rest of her companions. Ever since she was freed, she and her entire group ran amok inside the Exchange stronghold, fighting against waves of mercenaries.

The task was daunting at first. Though their top priority was to find any data regarding the missing ponies, but they had to make sure Private Sweetie Drops didn’t get injured in the crossfire. However, the mercenaries didn’t put up much of a challenge. They had the advantage in numbers, but the squadrons that were sent to fight were completely unorganized. Some foolishly charged at the crew, hoping that they’d have their moment of glory; but their overconfidence led to their downfall, which in turn demoralized their remaining allies, causing many to flee in terror.

Lyra found it pitiable. These mercenaries were likely used to pushing others around, but when faced with an obstacle who had greater power, they ran away. True, they were facing two Jedi and a capable marksman, but such cowardice is no excuse, especially when their companion’s lives are on the line.

“Look alive, Lyra! Two bogeys in front of us. Take them down!” shouted Hider.

At the far end of the hallway, two Exchange mercenaries aimed their rifles directly at the group. Reacting quickly, Lyra channeled her Force reserves and outstretched her hoof, creating a powerful telekinetic push. Its impact caused the mercenaries to slam head first into the wall, knocking them out.

Seeing an opportunity, Lyra Force jumped toward the mercenaries. Landing on her two back hooves, she snatched her lightsaber from her mouth and quickly destroyed their rifles.

“Good work, Padawan. Your training has certainly paid off,” praised Master Darran as he and the rest of the group caught up to her.

“Save the complements until after we get the job done, old man,” Hider rebuked as he took aim and fired his blaster pistol at a nearby mercenary. “Come on, let’s keep moving!”

The crew complied. They continued to fight their way through more waves of mercenaries until they eventually reached their destination. Behssk’s office. The only place where they could find any clues about the missing ponies.

“Alright, we’re here,” said Hider. He then turned toward the crew. “Is everyone okay?”

T3-G4 bleeped in reply. “The droid is fine, and so are my Padawan and I,” replied Master Darran. “The Private, however, is a different story.”

The entire crew looked at Sweetie Drops and quickly noticed that the mare looked rather exhausted. She seemed to be out of breath and her legs seem to be twitching.

“H-hey, are you alright?” Lyra asked.

“I’m… fine. Don’t worry about me,” replied a panting Sweetie Drops. Despite being outright exhausted she gave the young Padawan a smile. “You really weren’t kidding about that Jedi stuff back at the storage room, huh? Seriously, I’ve never seen a unicorn move so fast. It’s almost as if I’m watching a pegasus fight.”

“Um, thanks for the compliment, but are you sure you’re okay?”

Sweetie shook her head. “Being cramped in that small cage for days did a number on my legs. I haven’t done this much running in a while. Not since before we left Equestria.”

“Do you need any help?”

“I’ll be alright. Don’t underestimate the stamina of an earth pony. Just focus on what you need to do, and I’ll follow.”

“Well, you better be ready, little pony. Because once we enter this room, I expect a fierce resistance from here on out,” Hider said. “These guys have probably bunkered down inside and will likely fire at us once the door opens. Master Jedi, I hope you and Lyra are good at deflecting blaster bolts, because we’re gonna need a lot of help from you guys the moment we—”

“There’s no one inside,” replied Master Darran.

“Excuse me?”

“I said there is no one inside this room. The main office is devoid of any mercenaries.”

“What? How can you even tell?” asked a confused Sweetie Drops.

Lyra shook her head. “No, he’s right. I can feel it too. Neither Behssk or any of his mercenaries are inside this room right now.”

Master Darran nodded. Deactivating his saber, he promptly opened the door. Sure enough, both him and Lyra were correct. Aside from the room decorations, which were still in shambles, the main office was completely empty.

“Are you freakin’ kidding me?” Hider shouted with wide eyes. “I thought for sure Behssk would keep this place guarded. Why did he leave it so defenseless?”

“Maybe he didn’t think we’d come here,” said Lyra. “It’s possible, but I think once he got word that me and Sweetie were freed, he likely believed our main priority was to escape.”

“That's... likely. Not the best plan, but it would only mean he’s bulking up his forces for later.” Hider shrugged. “Guess we’ll have to deal with him at another time. At the very least, Geefour will be able to hack into his computer with no trouble.”

“Indeed,” said Master Darran before turning over to the utility droid. “Geefour, go ahead and hack into Behssk’s computer. See if you can find anything regarding the missing ponies. Everyone else, use this downtime to regain your strength. When Behssk realizes that we haven’t left the facility, he’ll send more mercenaries at us.”

T3-G4 complied as it eagerly strolled toward the main desk. “I’ll make sure the tin can is doing his job,” Hider said. “Why don’t you go and see to our little pony friend in the meantime, Lyra. I’m sure you two have much to talk about.”

Lyra smiled. If anything, now would be a good time to learn more about her home. She quickly trotted over to the Private and called her out. “Hey, Sweetie Drops!”

“Yeah, what is it?” Sweetie Drops asked in a somewhat lukewarm tone.

“Come on, you don’t have to be so stingy. I just want to talk.”

“Can’t it wait? This isn’t the time for us to be socializing right now.”

“I just want to ask you a couple of questions, that’s all,” Lyra insisted. “A simple yes or no will do.”

Sweetie Drops sighed. “Okay, fine. But you got to make it quick. I’m pretty sure your little robot friend will be done soon.”

“Yes!” cheered Lyra as she clapped her hooves. “Alright, first question. Is Princess Celestia still the ruler of Equestria?”

“Yes, she is. This year marks her nine hundredth and ninety first rule over our kingdom. Trust me, no one is going to replace her anytime soon.”

“Wait, what?” shouted Hider in disbelief.

“We’ll explain later!” Lyra shouted back. “Anyway, has anything changed in Equestria? Did we gain any new lands, start new cities? Did anyone invent new technologies?”

Sweetie Drops shook her head. “No, there hasn’t been any major changes at all. Though there are talks about a small town south of Canterlot that’s been growing in recent years. I can’t remember the name though. As for new technologies, there’s nothing I haven’t really heard of yet. And even if I did, it’s nothing compared to what I’ve seen so far.”

“What about the ship you and the rest of the ponies used?”

“You’re talking about the Celestial Sun?” Sweetie asked, to which Lyra nodded in reply. “Hate to break it to you, but that was the only intergalactic ship we had. Since it was already built for us, all we had to do was fix it and made sure it worked.

“Where is it now?”

“Those brutes took the ship when they captured us. I think it’s somewhere inside this building, but I’m not sure.”

Lyra sighed. So much for Equestria being caught up with modern technology. “Okay, last question. This one’s kind of personal since it involves two ponies who’re very close to me.”

Sweetie tilted her head. “Close to you, huh? Are they friends of yours?”

“More than that actually. You might know these ponies given the position you hold. You see… they’re my parents.”

In the back corner of the room, Master Darran took a glance at his Padawan. He quietly looked away before Lyra could even notice him.

“Wait, your parents?” Sweetie Drops cocked a brow. “What makes you think I know anything about them?”

“I figured you might know them since you are part of the Royal Guard. In fact, you might have met my mom a couple of times. See, she’s the captain of the Royal Guard back in Canterlot, and my dad is a teacher at the University of Canterlot. Their names are Platinum Impact and Wishful Vision.”

“What?” Sweetie Drops fumbled onto the floor as she stared at Lyra with wide eyes. “Those two ponies are your parents!”

“Hey, what’s with all the shouting over there?” asked Hider abruptly.

“I don’t know,” Lyra answered. “All I asked is whether or not she knew my parents.”

“Judging from that response, we can assume she does.” Stepping away from the computer desk, Hider made his way toward the Private and started kicking her with the tip of his shoe. He did it repeatedly until Sweetie pushed his foot away.

“Hey, cut that out!” she rebuked. “What’s the big idea, kicking a defenseless mare like that?”

“For starters, I suggest you keep your voice down. Seriously, do you want those mercenaries to find us here? I’d rather we not attract any more attention while Geefour is doing its job! And second, it’s clearly obvious you know something about Lyra’s parents. So, quit it with the damn shaking and just tell her already.”

“Hider, would you please restrain yourself from using such profanity,” berated Master Darran. “I’d prefer it that my Padawan does not use such language.”

“What are you, old man, her dad? Seriously, what I said is nothing compared to the other bad words out there.” Hider groaned. “Ah, forget it. I won’t waste my time with an ethics debate. Does GeeFour have the files we need now?”

T3-G4 gave a quick chime. “I believe that’s a yes,” said Master Darran. “Padawan, I’d ask that you push your questions aside for now. Geefour’s got something to show you.”

“He found something already? Wow, that was fast,” said Lyra. Before she joined the rest of the crew, she quickly turned to Sweetie Drops and helped her up. “Judging by your expression, you clearly know something about my parents. When we get out of here, promise you’ll tell me more about them, okay?”

Sweetie kept quiet, but she did give the Padawan a meek nod. Nothing much, but at least Lyra got a straight answer from the mare.

“Hey, Lyra, you got to come quick,” Hider yelled. “Geefour’s got something big regarding the other ponies.”

Lyra gasped. She—along with Sweetie Drops—dashed toward the computer desk. Bumping Hider out of the way, she jumped onto a nearby chair and stared at the computer screen. “What did he find?” she asked.

“An excuse me would be nice first!” Hider groaned as he clenched his bicep in pain. “Dang it, that kinda hurt.”

Sweetie Drops rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t be such a baby. Compared to the strength of an earth pony, what you felt was probably nothing,” she said. “So, what did this thing find?”

“Behssk’s financial records,” answered Master Darran. “Apparently, the lizard likes to keep all of his important documents on this computer. It didn’t take Geefour very long to find this.”

“You’re telling me,” Hider said. “For a guy who brags about having money, he sure could sure spend some on cybersecurity. Even his bank account isn’t safe.”

T3-G4 gave another beep. “Wait, you’re saying that this computer was tampered with before?” Hider asked. The droid beeped once more. “Seriously? Who else could’ve used Behssk's computer besides him?”

“Now that you mention it, didn’t Behssk say that someone broke into this stronghold a couple of days ago?” Lyra asked.

Hider shrugged in reply. “Who knows. Knowing whoever broke into this place is the least of our worries,” he said. “Which reminds me, Geefour, see if you can transfer some of Behssk’s funds to my savings account. I can use the extra Credits.”

T3-G4 complied as it spun its mechanical arm inside the computer port. “W-wait. You want to steal his money?” shouted a flabbergasted Sweetie Drops. She then turned to Lyra and stared at the Padawan in disbelief. “Out of all the friends you made, you befriended a thief? Seriously?”

Lyra sighed. “Look, I know Hider acts like a common crook sometimes, but don’t judge a book by its cover. Trust me, he’s a good person.”

“Hey, I take offense to that!” rebuked Hider, though his response only made things worse for him as T3-G4 let out a soft buzzing noise. “Don’t you start droid!”

“No, it’s true. You’re a crook, Hider,” said Master Darran.

Hider groaned. “I swear, the things I have to put up with sometimes. Anyway, from what Geefour gathered here, Behssk bank records state a large sum of credits were deposited to his account just recently. We can assume the came from whoever bought the ponies.”

“Does it show where the money came from?” asked Lyra.

“Maybe. Geefour, you got anything?” T3-G4 gave an assertive beep as it pulled up several more documents on the computer screen. “Nice work. Good to know your computer hacking skills are top notch,” Hider said as he stared at the computer screen. As he quietly red the contents to himself, his head suddenly twitched.

“Okay, that’s definitely not good. It says here that the person who sent Behssk that large sum of credits belonged to another big-name organization. One who’s dealt with plenty of nefarious practices in the past.”

“You mean to tell me we’re dealing with another shady organization?” Lyra asked.

“Trust me, little pony, there are plenty of shady organizations out there in the galaxy. But the one who sent Behssk his money belongs to an organization bigger than the Exchange. They’re known as Czerka Corporation^[1].”

“Oh, no,” said Master Darran. “Of all the shady businesses out there, it just had to be those people.”

“Master, what’s wrong?” asked Lyra. “Who’s Czerka?”

Master Darran let out a sigh. “Padawan, Czerka is a galaxy-wide company who’s known for their unethical business practices. In terms of their principals, I’d say they are more akin to the Exchange.”

“What practices are we talking about here?”

“A lot,” Hider replied. “We’re talking about the extortion of colonists on the outer-rim, sponsoring the creation of battle droids to mercenary groups like the Exchange. They even engaged in illicit slave trade on several remote planets.”

“My friends were sold to a bunch of extortionists?” Sweetie Drops shouted in disbelief.

“Unfortunately, yes. But before you take all your frustrations out on me, hear me out. I do have some good news for you two. According to a file Geefour found, Czerka told Behssk to send your friends on a one-way trip to another planet and left specific instructions on where to send them. We can use said information to track the remaining ponies.”

“So, we’re planet hopping again, huh?” said Lyra in disappointment.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that, Lyra. The planet Behssk sent your missing kin to is actually, Coruscant^[2].”

“Wait, Coruscant? They took them there?” Lyra let out a sharp gasp, which then turned into a wide smile. “No way. If that’s true, then that means their safety is guaranteed!”

Sweetie Drops, however, did not share Lyra’s enthusiasm. She simply stared at Lyra in confusion. “What’s gotten into you? What’s so special about this Coruscant planet?” she asked.

“Coruscant is the capital of the entire Galactic Republic,” explained Master Darran. “Think of it as one big city, but on a planetary scale.”

“You mean like Canterlot?”

“If that is the capital of your home, then yes. But like I said, Coruscant is not just a city, but one big planet. It is the most populated world in the galaxy, home to trillions of people, the Galactic Senate, and most importantly, the entire Jedi Order.”

This time, it was Sweetie’s turn to gasp. “T-trillions of people? Seriously? Not even Equestria is that populated! But wait a second, what’s the Galactic Senate?”

“Government planetary officials from around the galaxy who’re chosen by the people,” explained Lyra, though her answer did not quell Sweetie’s questions as the mare only stared at her with a cocked eyebrow. “Not a very detailed explanation, I know, but if I were to explain everything about the Republic and its government, it could take me hours. The last thing we need to do right now is drag you into a civics lesson.”

“Agreed,” said Hider. “Now that we know where the ponies are, I suggest we leave now. Before that lizard realizes we’re here.”

“Jedi!”

A loud and somewhat croaky voice filled the entire room, earning the attention of both Lyra and her master. Both of whom were quick to react as they immediately leapt in front of the desk and ignited their lightsabers.

“Looks like the big boss is here,” said Master Darran. “Private, you stay behind that desk with Hider and Geefour. I’d prefer that you avoid any unnecessary fire from the enemy.”

“Y-yeah, got it,” replied Sweetie Drops as she quickly obeyed the Jedi Master’s orders.

“Geefour, check to see if you can activate these turrets here. See if these machines can aid us for our upcoming fight,” continued the Jedi Master. However, he was met with a flat buzzing noise from the droid. “Dang it. So, they’re still offline, eh?”

Lyra dropped her head down in shame. “S-sorry about that, master,” she replied.

“Now is not the time to dwell on past mistakes, Padawan. Just relax and put your trust in the Force.”

“That was a pretty good trick you pulled, Jedi,” Behssk roared from outside the room. “Sneaking into my office while my men and I waited in the garage. Taking my property is one thing but stealing my money! Didn’t think Jedi cared so much about credits.”

“How did he know his money got stolen?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“He must’ve gotten some sort of notification from his bank or on a holo-pad of some sort,” Hider replied. His response though earned a confused glare from Sweetie. “Think this big computer here, but you can fit it in the palm of your ha—err, hoof.”

“Oh, okay. Wait… then that means Geefour stole the lizard’s money for you!”

“Can we not have this conversation now, please. Not when this entire room is about to be showered with blaster fire!”

“But your luck runs out now, Jedi,” continued Behssk. “Not only am I going to get my money back, but I’m also going to take my ponies back!” There was a short pause, then the Trandoshan continued: “Heard from my men that the little green one is a Jedi. Great! That means she’s going to sell for a ton of credits.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. To think that he’d prioritized his money at a time like this.

Clenching the hilt with both hooves, she maneuvered the saber to her right, assuming the Ataru stance she’d gotten so used to. Her master did the same as both Jedi readied themselves for whatever came through the main door. But to their surprise, neither Behssk nor any of his mercenaries bothered to open the door.

What’s going on? Lyra thought. She’d figured that the Trandoshan and his mercenaries would come charging in once the Trandoshan was done with his speech. But surprisingly no move was made.

“What’s he doing?” Hider asked, who was also puzzled by Behssk’s lack of orders. “Shouldn’t he be busting down the door right now?”

“Maybe he’s scared? I mean, we did cleave through a lot of his men earlier. Maybe he’s worried he might lose even more,” Lyra answered.

“No, that isn’t the case, Padawan,” replied Master Darran. “I believe he’s actually stalling.”

“Stalling, Master?”

“Use the Force, Lyra. See beyond the doorway. Only then you will understand his hesitation.”

Lyra nodded. She closed her eyes and called upon the Force, using its natural energies to expand her vision beyond the room itself. Though its power, she could sense Behssk and a few of his men just outside the door.

“He’s undermanned. Excluding Behssk himself, there’s only three mercenaries past that door,” she replied, which earned a nod of approval from her master.

“Wait, seriously?” asked Hider in disbelief. “Why bother coming here with such little manpower? Does he not know what you and your Master are capable of?”

“Sounds like a stupid decision if you ask me,” muttered Sweetie Drops. “But, how did Lyra know there’s only four of them outside?”

“We’re talking about the Force here, little pony. It wouldn’t surprise me if any of these two Jedi would make Behssk and his bunch all vomit on the floor.”

Master Darran shook his head. “I suggest you not put such high expectations on my Padawan and I, Hider. Such a technique is not within our limit.”

“Wait, I think I understand why Behssk isn’t opening the door just yet,” Lyra continued. “He's... waiting for something. Something that he thinks might turn the battle in his favor.”

“What would that be?” asked Hider.

“I believe he’s waiting for another mercenary show up. But unlike the other mercenaries we encountered before, the one he’s waiting for is his best fighter. Since this said fighter’s not with him, he’s stalling so that his goons can go fetch him.”

Master Darran nodded in approval. “Your instincts serve you well, Lyra. Behssk wishes to turn the upcoming battle in his favor. And what better way to do that is to stall until his best mercenary arrives with reinforcements.”

Lyra shrugged. Guess the boss lizard isn’t as dumb as I thought. Gotta give him credit for backing off against a fight he can’t win. Still, his plan isn’t exactly fool proof. Who else can possibly stand up against us? The other mercenaries we faced either ran or were pushovers.

“Maybe he’s waiting for that other Trandoshan to show up. You know, that Chessk lizard,” said Sweetie Drops. Her response, however, caused the entirety of the Omega’s crew to stare at her. “What? Don’t you think that makes the most sense? If that other lizard isn’t with him, why else would he bother to stall for so long?”

Lyra gasped. It made sense. Chessk did say that he was the best fighter here, and she didn’t sense him either. He might be still out cold for all she knew. She curled her lip. Earlier, she’d tried to convince the Trandoshan to let her and Sweetie Drops go, but her attempt at a truce did not work as he was bound to a life debt he has with his cousin.

I don’t blame him for following what he believes is right, but Chessk deserves way more than this crummy mercenary life. If only I can convince him to drop that life debt of his. But how? It’s not like I can prove he’s being deceived or something.

“Your thoughts are disturbed, Padawan. Is something troubling you?” asked Master Darran.

“S-sorry, master. I’m just thinking about something,” stammered Lyra.

“About what? Lyra now is not the time for your mind to wander off. Tell me what’s wrong and be quick about it.”

Lyra’s lip quivered. She hesitated to answer at first, but eventually, she gathered the courage to do so. “Okay, master. You see, I’ve been thinking about that other Trandoshan Sweetie mentioned,” she admitted.

“You mean, Chessk? What about him?”

“I think she’s right to assume that Behssk is waiting for his cousin. He doesn’t want to risk losing more of his men, so he is gambling on his cousin to turn the tide of the battle.”

“What makes you say that?” asked Hider.

“Because Chessk’s strength is real. Sweetie and I can confirm this,” Lyra replied as she quickly went on to explain her failed parley she had back at the storage room.

“Seriously, that guy took out a rancor by himself? Dang, if he’s telling the truth, then it’d make sense that Behssk is stalling. But seriously, Lyra, I don’t think there’s a way we can help the guy. Even if he got the bad end of the deal, a Life Debt isn’t something you can wipe away.”

Lyra’s ears drooped. She had a feeling Hider would say something like that.

“Besides, it’s not like we can find proof of any foul play. Even if Behssk tricked him, there’s no way he’d be stupid enough to leave incriminating evidence behind,” Hider continued. He was suddenly interrupted when Geefour gave a series of long-winded beeps. “What’s gotten you all riled up, tin can? What did you find something?”

Geefour flashed his radar eye directly at the computer screen, causing Hider to take a quick look at it. “Not sure why you’re showing me an audio file of all things, droid. But if you want me to listen to it, I’ll listen.” Hider said.

Lyra blinked. Wait, why is Geefour so fixated on an audio file? Does it have something to do with Chessk? For a second, she wanted to jump back behind the desk and see what the droid had found, but she quickly stopped herself. She couldn’t abandon her position, not with Behssk right outside those doors. For all she knew, he might barge in at any moment.

So, she waited. As Hider kept his eyes glued to the computer screen, Lyra kept hers on the door. She wanted to listen to the file Geefour found, but droid had put the volume too low for her to hear anything.

Lyra curled her lip. What did Geefour find? Come on, Hider, say something!

“Holy crap!”

“Huh?”

Turning her head around, Lyra noticed that the former Smuggler had suddenly pulled himself away from the computer. There was a look of shock on his face. His eyes were wide open, and his jaw hung rather low.

Okay, now I’m curious. “What’s gotten into you Hider?” Lyra asked. “What did Geefour find? Come on, tell me!”

“Lyra, focus!” berated her master. “Worry about that at another time. Focus on what’s in front of you now, because reinforcements have arrived. Along with your Trandoshan friend.”

“He has?” Quick to close her eyes, Lyra channeled the Force to broaden her senses past the door. True to her master’s word, three more mercenaries have arrived outside the room. From that said group, she could sense a powerful presence. One that outweighed Behssk and the other mercenaries.

“Cheesk. He’s here.”

“Are you serious?” Hider asked, who apparently recovered from the shock he had earlier. “How? I could’ve sworn Geefour’s stun gun would have knocked him out cold for a while.”

“Hider, please, what did GeeFour find on that audio file? Did it have anything that can help Chessk?”

“That would be an understatement, Lyra. It looks like the boss hid a big secret from his cousin.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “A big secret? Well, what is it?”

“Stay focused, Padawan!” shouted Master Darran. “Ready your lightsaber. The mercenaries are coming in now!”

Sure enough, the door to the room swung open, revealing two Trandoshans and five mercenaries. Two of which Lyra immediately recognized from outside the stronghold. The two humans, one who wore a vizor and his partner who wore a pair of goggles, accompanied their boss inside. And they did not look happy.

“How’s it going, assholes,” said the mercenary with the visor. His frown into a wicked smirk as he immediately pointed his blaster at the Jedi. “You must be really proud of yourselves, huh? Tricking my partner and I into believing you were just merchants. Well, fool me once, shame on me. But fool me twice? Oh, no. Jedi or not, no one bruises me and gets away with it.”

The mercenary began to charge his rifle as he pointed his weapon directly at Master Darran. Before he could fire it though, Behssk stopped him by laying his hand on top of the rifle.

“Calm yourself. There’s no need to start firing yet,” said the Trandoshan.

“What? Boss, why? These people are responsible for cutting down our men! We need to avenge them now!” argued the mercenary. His rebuke, however, was brushed aside by Behssk.

“Come now, there’s no need to act irrationally. I’m sure we can reach an agreement of some sorts.”

“If you are trying to weasel your way out of this fight, you can forget about it. There’s no way am I ever going to negotiate with a dirt-bag like yourself. Not after what you did to those ponies,” Lyra shouted as she glared at the Trandoshan. Her lips then curled into a cocky smirk. “For someone who lauds himself as some hot shot mercenary boss, you’re not that impressive. I figured you’d be leading the charge with your men, but instead, you hid behind a door.”

Her smirk grew wider as she continued to provoke the Trandoshan. “You’re no mercenary boss. You are nothing but a sniffling coward.”

Her taunts worked. Behssk’s calm composure began to falter as Lyra's words slowly seeped into his head. “You talk tough for an animal,” Behssk said as he struggled to hold back his anger. “You know, I always heard that the Jedi Order were nothing but a bunch of softies who’re too scared to get rough. Should’ve known rumors were true. They even allowed this thing to join their stupid cult.”

Hider shook his head and sighed. “Softies, really? That’s the best insult you can come up with? Despite losing so many of your men to these Jedi, you still underestimate them?”

“You shut up!” Behssk yelled. “There is no way am I letting you or my pets get away. Once I kill you, that geezer, and that stupid droid, those ponies are going back in their cages!”

Lyra grimaced. For someone who’d cowered behind a door for the last few minutes, Behssk sure seemed confident. Perhaps this show of self-assurance was to hide the fact that he’s terrified. Granted, she had no proof, but it would explain why the lizard waited until his cousin arrived before he made any move.

She let out a soft gasp. Oh my gosh. Chessk. I completely forgot about him! She quickly glanced at the bulky Trandoshan, who seemed rather uncomfortable for the most part. His head was down, he was frowning, and unlike the other mercenaries, he hadn’t drawn his weapon.

Hider, I hope you and GeeFour play that recording soon. If it really does prove Behssk’s trickery, then you need to play it now!

“The game’s over, Jedi,” said Behssk as he raised his right arm. “Men, ready your rifles. Prepare to shoot on my signal.”

On cue, every single mercenary in the group—aside from Chessk—aimed their rifles directly at Lyra and her master. Behssk was about to give his signal, but he stopped when a loud static sound filled the entire room. “What is that noise?” he asked.

Lyra thought the same thing. Whatever that noise was, it had gotten so loud that she almost wanted to cover her ears. On the bright side, it did stop the mercenaries from firing their weapons, which gave her and her master some much needed time.

As the noise began to settle down, it was then replaced by a masculine voice that Lyra did not recognize. <Are you certain you can handle this line of work? Becoming an Exchange boss isn’t exactly an easy job.>

Lyra blinked in confusion. At first, she didn’t know what was going on, but that changed when she saw Hider giving her a thumbs up from behind the computer desk. It then clicked. Somehow, he had managed to play whatever Geefour found via speakers.

Though she didn’t know who that person was on the speaker, she did recognize the second voice that came up.

<Oh, please. Being a boss will be a cinch compared to all the jobs I’ve done in the past. Besides, I’ve been wanting to take an opportunity like this ever since I joined the Exchange.>

Every mercenary in the room stared and murmured among each other as their boss’s voice suddenly came out from the speakers.

<A man of opportunity. I like that. The Exchange would clearly benefit from having someone like you.>

It was then that Lyra heard Chessk speak up. “What is the meaning of this, cousin?” he asked. “Why am I hearing your voice right now? And who is that other person you are speaking with?”

“Don’t worry about it, Chessk. It’s just an old audio recording from when I got promoted,” replied Behssk. “Damn it. These guys must’ve hacked into my computer. Just how much more stuff are they planning on stealing from me?”

<Very well. Behssk Fess, you are hereby promoted to the planetary boss position,> continued the mysterious voice. <In the next few days, you’ll receive a notice from us detailing your assigned sector.>

<Thank you, sir. I promise, I’ll do my very best.>

<Ah, before you I let you go, there’s one thing I’ve been meaning to ask. You cousin, that Chessk fellow. Are you certain he’ll remain loyal to you? From what I saw, he wasn’t exactly keen on working for the Exchange.>

<Don’t worry about him. There’s no way Chessk would ever abandon me now. Not after the life debt he swore to me.>

There was a brief pause. Then the mysterious voice continued. <A life debt? You made your cousin swear a blood oath to you? How? Such a thing would insist that you saved your cousin’s life.>

<That’s right, I did. I saved his life while I was stationed on Taris a few weeks back. The doofus was about to be killed by a herd of Rakghouls down in the undercity. Me and a couple of my buddies rescued him just before one of the beasts dealt the killing blow.>

“You dare insult your own family, cousin!” yelled Chessk, who was clearly agitated by his cousin’s arrogance. “How dare you! After all the things I’ve done, you still treat me as if I’m a mere trophy!”

Behssk, however, did not reply. For some reason, the Trandoshan suddenly went quiet.

<Impressive. Killing Rakghouls is by no means an easy feat. Your cousin should be grateful that you were there to rescue him. But why were they attacking him in the first place? Is your cousin so foolish enough that he’d pick a fight with a herd Rakghouls?>

<No, he isn’t. He was doing some job for a doctor in the upper city at the time. I didn’t know what it was, but I didn’t care. All that mattered to me is that I forced a life debt on him.>

“No!” Behssk yelled as he pulled a blaster pistol from his waist belt and pointed it directly at Hider and Geefour. He then looked at his mercenaries and began barking orders at them. “Don’t just stand there! Shoot the damn Jedi!”

At once, all the mercenaries in the room raised their weapons directly at the Jedi. Seeing this, Lyra assumed a defensive position. But as she braced herself for the coming battle, she noticed that Chessk hadn’t drawn any of his weapons.

“What’s gotten into you Behssk?” the bulky Trandoshan asked as he glared at his cousin suspiciously. “You’re acting as if you are being chased by a rancor.”

“Now is not the time for talk, cousin!” barked Behssk, who was clearly angry that his cousin was disobeying a direct order. “Do as I say and fire your weapon, now!”

“Not until you tell me why you’re so riled up over an old audio file. By the Scorekeeper, cousin, I can see you shaking.”

Lyra watched in silence as the two Trandoshans bickered with one another. Fortunately for her, the rest of the mercenaries did the same, allowing the audio recording to continue playing without any disruptions.

<You forced a life debt on him? I’m not sure I understand you correctly, Behssk. Could you enlighten me on what you did?>

“No!” Losing his patience, Behssk aimed his pistol at his computer desk and fired the weapon multiple times. His desperate act was quickly caught on by Master Darran, who stepped into the line of fire and redirected all the bolts away. “Damn you, Jedi!”

Howling with rage, Behssk continued to fire his weapon at the Jedi Master. Though his attack failed once more, it did cause his mercenaries to act by firing their own weapons.

The entire room turned into an all-out skirmish, causing Lyra to join her master on the defensive. Though she wasn’t as proficient at blocking or redirecting blaster fire as her master, she was competent enough to keep the bolts away from the computer desk and her friends.

As the two Jedi defended themselves from the barrage of blaster bolts, the audio file continued to play in Behssk’s voice. <Oh, that’s simple. You see, when me and my buddies saw Chessk luring a couple of Rakghouls away from their pact, I came up with a genius idea of luring said pack of beasts back to my cousin!>

“What!”

A loud roar erupted inside the room, causing an immediate ceasefire between the two opposing groups. Everyone immediately stared at the person who caused the noise.

Chessk. The bulky Trandoshan looked furious. So much so that Lyra assumed he’d lash out after hearing the truth. But surprisingly, he did nothing.

<The plan was fool proof.> said the Behssk from the audio file. <Granted, I knew I was risking my cousin’s life with my idea, but it was a risk I was willing to take. For years, I wanted Chessk to join me in the Exchange, but that idiot preferred being some stupid big game hunter. Said it was an ‘honorable’ thing to do for our tribe and the Scorekeeper. Bah, what an idiot!”

As the audio file came to a stop, Lyra took another glance at Chessk. The Trandoshan did nothing. Even though he’d just learned that his life debt was a total lie, he has yet to make a move. “Is this true, cousin?” the bulky Trandoshan asked, placidly. “What you said in that audio file. Was that true?”

“Cousin—I…. well of course not!” Behssk explained as he attempted to play off his deception. “T-these Jedi must’ve tampered with my computer or something. Made you hear a fake audio recording. I would never trick you, honest.”

“Don’t lie! This audio file has been inside your computer for years!” shouted Hider from the computer desk. “For someone who’s supposedly smart enough to deceive your own family, you sure are stupid to not hide any incriminating evidence.”

“Shut up! I don’t need to hear that from you!” Furious, Behssk immediately pointed his pistol at Hider and was about to shoot. Before he could fire a single shot, however, Chessk let out a deafening roar.

<You lied to me!> yelled Chessk in Dosh as he snatched his blaster rifle from the holster on his back. <You took advantage of my weakness, forced me to do despicable acts of cruelty. And for what? Because you believed that I should follow the life of luxury instead of defending the traditions I hold dear to my heart?>

Behssk screamed. Out of fear, the Trandoshan withdrew his weapon and headed straight for the door. Chessk was about to give chase, but he was immediately blocked by the five mercenaries.

<Get out of my way you scumbags! This is between me and Behssk,> Chessk demanded, who still spoke in his native tongue. <If none of you wish to get hurt, stand aside. Otherwise, I’ll break all your bones right here, right now!>

However, the thugs did not yield to his threats and instead aimed their blasters directly at the Trandoshan.

<You wish to defend my cowardly cousin, eh? So be it!> Putting his rifle away, Chessk snatched a pair of melee weapons from his belt. Despite the numbers stacked against him, he charged at the mercenaries in front of him with a deafening roar.

“Master, we have to help him,” said Lyra as she was about to Force Jump to Chessk’s side. Before she could do anything though, her master stepped in her way.

“There is no need to intervene, Padawan. Chessk can handle this fight perfectly on his own,” Master Darran advised.

“But he’s outnumbered, Master! He won’t be able to win without our help!”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” said Hider. “Look! The guy’s winning!”

“Wait, what?” Confused, Lyra trotted past her master to get a glimpse of Chessk’s fight. To her surprise, she saw that the Trandoshan had overpowered the mercenaries, despite the disadvantage in numbers.

Using his two melee weapons—which appeared to be stun batons—Chessk overwhelmed the thugs by taking out two of the most threatening men: the mercenary with the visor, and his partner with the goggles. With them now out cold, panic ensued. The remaining mercenaries immediately backed off and began hammering the Trandoshan with blaster fire. The bolts made their mark, but Chessk brushed them off like it was nothing.

One by one, the mercenaries fell, until one remained. A slim human mercenary. One whom looked as if he were about to faint. As soon as Chessk came close to him, the thug screamed and fled the room, leaving behind all his comrades who were knocked out.

<Coward.> Chessk spat as he put away his two stun batons. With all the mercenaries out cold, he turned his attention toward Lyra. <You there, Jedi pony. Are you the one responsible for exposing my cousin’s lies?>

“Y-yes,” Lyra replied, nervously. Technically, Geefour is the one responsible for that. All I did was ask him whether he could find any evidence of incrimination against Behssk.

 Chessk walked over to the Jedi Padawan and, to the surprise of everyone in the room knelt on his knees <You have my thanks little one. Because of you, I am no longer shackled under Behssk’s will. For the first time in over a year, I am free.>

Lyra smiled. “You deserve much better than to be forced to do your cousin’s dirty work. I’m glad we were able to expose the truth.”

Hider raised his brow. “Hold on, Lyra understands Dosh?”

Master Darran nodded in reply. “Yes, she does. It was one of the three languages she learned during her training at the Jedi academy.”

“Dang, that’s actually impressive. I mean, I know a couple of alien languages myself, but Dosh? That’s on an entirely different level for me.”

“I think we should save the compliments for another time, boys. We still need to get out of here,” said Sweetie Drops as she and GeeFour came out of cover.

“The other little pony is right,” replied Chessk as he spoke in Basic once more. “We must leave, now. Before my cousin can call for reinforcements.”

“You plan on coming with us, big guy?” asked Hider, to which Chessk nodded in reply.

“I owe this little Jedi pony so much. She has freed me from my cousins lies, and for that I must repay the favor.”

“I don’t see why not. Having a powerhouse like you would be a worthy addition to the group,” inquired Master Darran. “Unless, anyone has any objections.”

Hider shook his head while T3-G4 gave an assuring beep. To Chessk’s surprise, even Sweetie Drops seemed okay with the team up. “You have no objections, little pony?” the Trandoshan asked.

Sweetie Drops sighed. “You don’t have to worry about me, alright. I admit, I feel a bit uneasy about your sudden change in alliance given that you were my captor and all. But since you accepted the truth and gave those brutes over there a beating, then I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

“Then it’s settled. I, Chessk Fess, shall aid you in your escape,” Chessk said as he stood up and made his way toward the exit. “Come, let’s beat my cowardly cousin once and for all. The sooner we leave this place, the better.”

Everyone nodded in agreement as they all followed the Trandoshan out of the room.

Chapter 12

View Online

“Hey, um, Chessk. Can I ask you a quick question?”

The bulky Trandoshan looked down and faced the young Padawan. <Now isn’t a good time to be asking questions, little Jedi. But if you wish to talk, speak.> Chessk replied in his native language.

Lyra tilted her head. Why is he preferring to speak in Dosh when he’s speaking only to me? Is it because he’s comfortable around me? She shrugged. If he preferred to speak to her this way, then she'll just have to get used to it. She understood the language after all, so there isn’t any real harm in it.

<Speak, Jedi. We don’t have much time.> Chessk said.

Lyra flinched. “Oh, right. Sorry about that. Well, you see, this has been stuck in my head for quite sometime ever since I got here. Before I got separated from my friends, Behssk mentioned back in the office that someone had broken into this stronghold before. I ignored his comments at first, but Geefour discovered that someone had tampered with your cousin’s computer. Do you happen to know anything about that?”

This caught Chessk by surprise. <Your little droid was able to figure that out? And in such a short time?> he asked in disbelief.

T3-G4 hummed as it strolled past the Trandoshan. “Yeah, Geefour is pretty advanced for a utility droid. Hider says he’s capable of doing a lot of things, but we've yet to see him in action.”

<Impressive. Fortune truly do favor you if you got a highly advanced machinery like that. But to answer your question, little Jedi; yes, someone did in fact break into this stronghold several days ago.>

“R-really?” Lyra asked in surprise. If anything, Chessk’s answer made her very curious. “Were you guys able to catch the intruders and figure out why they came here in the first place?”

Chessk sighed and folded his arms. <Well, to answer your first question, we were able to drive the intruders away, although to be frank, I did most of the work.> He frowned. <However, it came with a cost. Some of the intruders managed to kill some of Behssk’s mercenaries.>

“K-killed? Some of Behssk’s mercenaries were killed? By mere thieves?”

“What do you mean?”

Chessk closed his eyes as a frown formed on his lips. <I… fought a handful of those thieves after the entire stronghold went on lock-down. I emerged victorious by killing two of them; however, during the battle, they wouldn’t go down so easily. They put up a tough fight, which was something that I hadn’t had since my Big Game Hunting days.>

He briefly paused, then continued:

Lyra gasped. “Y-you were almost killed?” she asked, to which Chessk confirmed with a nod.

<Yes. To my shame, I was nearly killed by a bunch of lowly thieves. Or at least that’s what I thought.> He paused again as his frown shifted into a grimace. <After I made my kill, the cloaking devices that the thieves wore deactivated, and I saw for my own eyes who were these highly trained intruders.>

“W-who did you see?” Lyra asked, who had grown very eager to learn more about these mysterious intruders. If they’d almost killed Chessk, it would certainly be something worth knowing, right?

But before Chessk could answer her question, Hider’s voice rang in her ears.

“Hey, you two! Are you guys trying to get shot by a stray blaster bolt or something?” the Former smuggler shouted. “Quit gossiping and get a move on. In case you forgot, we’re still in enemy territory!”

Lyra groaned. It looks like her answers about the mysterious thieves will have to wait. “Relax, Hider. I was just asking Chessk a question, that’s all,” she replied. “Besides, it’s not like we’re going to run into any mercenaries soon. The entire hallway’s deserted.”

The young Padawan let out a disappointing sigh. Ever since she and her friends had left the main office, the group had been pacing themselves in preparation for any ambush left by Behssk. But to their surprise, they’ve yet to meet any resistance.

“I’d be a bit more cautious if I were you, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “If we aren’t facing any mercenaries here, then it’s possible that Behssk is consolidating his forces at the bike garage, likely as a last-minute defense.”

“He’s right,” Hider replied. “Getting out of here won’t be easy. We need to come up with a plan now, or else we’ll be swarmed with blaster fire when we try to make an exit.”

Chessk, however, scoffed at the mere notion of Hider’s concerns. “Bah, we don’t need a plan,” he said in Basic. “Behssk and his grunts are nothing but pushovers. Just watch. I can overpower all of them in one fell swoop.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “Look, buddy, we get that you’re a strong guy, but I don’t think we should be throwing ourselves into a fight where we are badly outgunned.”

“Are you doubting my strength, human?” asked Chessk with a snarl.

“N-no, I’m not. I’m just saying that we shouldn’t be taking any unnecessary risks. It’s possible that Behssk still has the advantage in numbers. Even with your enormous strength and the skill set of two Jedi, we’ll still be at a disadvantage. Not to mention we also have to protect little Sweetie Drops here.”

“Hey, who do you think I am? A helpless princess? I can handle myself in a fight just fine, thank you very much!” argued the Private.

Hider shook his head. “When you’ve learned how to use modern weaponry with those hooves of yours, little pony, then we can talk. Until that time comes, I suggest you stay back and let us do the fighting.”

Sweetie curled her lips. “If it weren’t for those stupid rifles of theirs, I would be fighting in the front lines too you know. For somepony like me who’s studied melee combat for three years in the military academy, sitting back and doing nothing is a load of horseapples.”

Chessk burst out laughing. “I’m impressed, creamy pony. Seems like you got the heart of a fighter in you. I like that. Tell you what, when we get out of here, I promise I will make you a weapon of your choice.”

“Seriously? You can do that?” asked Lyra in amazement.

“I can, little Jedi. Making weapons is a specialty of mine. Just tell me what kind of weapon you use, creamy pony, and I’ll make one for you.”

“Focus everyone,” berated Master Darran before turning his gaze over to the Trandoshan. “Chessk, none of us are doubting your capabilities in battle, but Hider raises a very good point. Situations like these require some planning before any engagement. Especially when there is a strong possibility that we might be outnumbered. When we near the garage, let us prepare our next move first before our final bout with your cousin.”

Chessk let out a disgruntled sigh. “Fine, have it your way. I’ll follow your lead, for now.”

“Thank you!” said a relieved Hider. “For a second there, I thought you were all brawn and no brains, big guy. Good to know that you’re not a complete dunce.”

Chessk growled. “I heard that, human,” he said in a menacing tone. “If you value your life, I suggest you apologize now!”

“Whoa, settle down, big guy. That was just a joke. I meant no offense, I swear,” Hider replied. Unfortunately, his apology was overshadowed when T3-G4 gave enthusiastic beeps at Chessk. “Don’t encourage him you stupid tin can!”

“Quiet, all of you!” berated Master Darran. The Jedi Master had stopped running to address the chaos that erupted within the group. “Now is not the time for us to be fighting with one another. We need to focus. Especially, now that we’ve arrived at the lobby.”

Lyra tilted her head. “We have?” She stopped running just in time to see a familiar door right in front of her. “Hey, we’re here! Gosh that was fast. Guess not having people shoot at you from all corners made our trip back here a lot faster.”

“Indeed,” Chessk replied as he slowly approached the door. “Just behind these doors lay my cousin and whatever minions he has left.” Clenching his fist, the former hunter began to grit his teeth. “Damn coward. He couldn’t face me when his lie was exposed, so he hides behind his mercenaries in hopes that they would stop me.”

“For a guy who’s considered a high ranking official in his company, he really doesn’t seem all that threatening if you think about it,” said Sweetie Drops. “Me and my friends were so terrified of him before; but now that his façade is gone, he doesn’t seem all that scary.”

“It’s because they’re all talk, Sweetie,” Lyra replied boldly, surprising everyone in the group. “Behssk and his mercenaries are so used to pushing others around. Especially, when their parade themselves with their heavy armor and big weapons. But when you remove all of that, they’re nothing but a bunch of weaklings.”

Master Darran frowned.

“Wow, that’s... a little dark coming from you, Lyra,” said Hider, who felt a bit uneasy with Lyra’s change in tone. “So, um, does anyone have any bright ideas on how we should approach this fight?”

“We need to figure out how many people are in the next room first,” said Master Darran. The Jedi Master stood in front of the door, arms folded, and head bent low. He kept quiet for some time, until finally, he spoke. “I… do not sense any presence in the next room. However, there seems to be a large gathering of life signatures in the bike garage.”

“That has to be my cousin,” Chessk replied. “If what you say is true Master Jedi, then he and the rest of his goons are mounting up a defensive position in hopes of stopping us.”

Hider groaned. “Great. Looks like we’re gonna have to fight our way out of here. Say old man, do you know exactly how many mercenaries are inside the garage?”

Master Darran curled his lips, then replied after a few seconds of silence. “I do not know the exact number of mercenaries that are waiting for us beyond this door. But if I had to make a guess, I’d say there is around fifteen mercenaries, including Behssk.”

“Seriously? Fifteen men? Damn it. We’re completely outnumbered.”

Sweetie’s ears flopped as she tilted her head in confusion. She then reached over to Lyra and whispered into the Padawan’s ear. “Hey, Lyra, how come your teacher knows how many people are in the next room?”

“Oh, that? Well, he’s using the same technique I used back at the main office. Basically, we use the Force to expand our senses beyond what we can see. In this case, he and I used the Force to sense any possible life signatures around us,” Lyra answered.

Sweetie blinked. “You can… sense where other people are?” she asked.

“Yup,” replied Lyra with a nod. “Though he’s much better at using that technique than me. Given that he’s a Miraluka, it doesn’t surprise me that he’s able to use Sense abilities at such high skill level.”

“He’s a what?” asked Sweetie Drops.

Lyra’s eyes widened upon realizing what she’d just said. “Oh, right. I… haven’t told you that my Master isn’t considered a human by galactic standards. Oh, gosh. I’m leaving you with only more questions now, aren’t I?”

“More than I can count,” said Sweetie with a sigh. “Just promise me that once we get out of here, you’ll tell me more about the galaxy and what this so-called Force is.”

“Y-yeah, of course.” Not looking forward to the day when I need to explain modern technology to her. I just hope she doesn’t get too astonished when she sees a landspeeder.

“So, does anyone here have any bright ideas they’d like to share?” asked Hider. “Anything would be helpful, as long as we don’t charge head first into a swarm of blaster fire.”

“Are there any alternative routes we can take? I’m sure there’s some other way we can reach the garage without Behssk noticing us,” said Lyra.

“Using another route would only give my cousin more time to prepare,” said Chessk. “Even if we catch him by surprise, it won’t turn the fight in our favor. He and his goons know the layout of this place in the back of their heads. I’m certain they’ll have all the additional exits covered.”

“There’s also the chance we might run into more mercenaries if we take a detour,” Hider stated. “If anyone were to see us, they’ll immediately alert their boss, which would give us an even greater disadvantage.”

Chessk frowned. “Damn it. My cousin may be a cowardly snake, but his plan is effective.”

“I concur,” said Master Darran. “Engaging the enemy here would be quite difficult. And with that many people shooting at us, it’ll be difficult for my Padawan to defend herself.”

“Oh, come on, Master. Do you really have to say that out loud!” complained Lyra.

Sweetie blinked. “Wait, you’re not good at defending against those rifle things? How? You defended yourself well back at the office room, so why is your teacher doubting your skill?”

Lyra winced. Although she was grateful that Sweetie defended her, there was a reason why her master showed caution. Despite having many Jedi Knights and Masters, including Master Darran himself, praise her as a prominent Padawan, there was one glaring weakness in her technique that she hadn’t overcome.

Her weakness against blaster fire.

Facing against a large group of blaster assailants would get her killed. Sure, she could fight against a few people wielding said weaponry, but there was no way she could fifteen of them. Against that many, she’ll have to rely heavily on her reflexes alone just to survive. And even that wouldn’t be enough.

“Um, hello? Is anyone in there? Come on, Lyra, what’s the matter with you?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Huh?”

“Did you not hear me? You got all quiet when your teacher mentioned you can’t fight against… whatever those weapons were.” The Private stared at Lyra suspiciously with a raised brow. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Lyra sighed. “Okay, I admit, what my master said is true. I’m not exactly the best at defending against ranged weapons. In fact, I’m not even good at it!” she admitted, albeit in a rather frustrated tone. “The only reason why I was able to defend myself well so far is because master did most of the work! If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

“Don’t cut yourself short, Padawan. Just because you lack a certain skill doesn’t mean you are a bad duelist,” replied Master Darran. “Your use of the Force during our brief skirmishes with the enemy were well placed.”

“Are you guys done socializing yet? Cause now isn’t the time for us to be having idle conversations.” Both mares and the Jedi Master turned to face Hider, who seemed rather irritated that the group had lost focus. “Come on, we still need to come up with a plan to get out of here!”

“Right, sorry,” said Lyra, sheepishly. “Um, could you go over what we’ve discussed so far? I kind of lost track on where we stand.”

Hider groaned. “You’re really making this difficult for me, aren’t you? Well, it’s just like I said before. A frontal assault will do us no good. Given the lizard’s huge numbers advantage, the odds of us winning is low. And taking another route is out of the picture as well since it’ll only give Behssk more time to prepare. Not to mention there’s the possibility of running into more mercenaries.”

“So, in order for us to escape, we need to somehow take Behssk by surprise and turn the fight in our favor,” said Lyra with a frown. “But how? It’s not like we have a lot of options here.”

Suddenly, from her right side, T3-G4 began to beep repeatedly at the Padawan. “Got something to say, tin can?” Hider asked, to which the droid chimed in response. “Well, spill it. Don’t keep us waiting.”

The utility droid continued to beep as it strolled past the group and stopped at a relatively large ventilation cover on the left side of the hallway.

“Is that… a ventilation shaft?” Lyra asked. The ventilation shaft itself was located mere inches away from the door to the lobby room. Judging from the size of the ventilation cover, she could fit inside the shaft with relative ease; but to do that, she’d have to bent down and crawl on her belly. “I don’t get it. How is that going to help us?”

“Ah, I see,” said Master Darran with a smile. “Geefour, this ventilation shaft leads to the bike garage, doesn’t it?”

The utility droid replied with an assuring beep. “Wait, seriously?” Hider asked in disbelief. “How does the tin can know that? That damn shaft could lead anywhere.”

“Before we went off and saved my Padawan and her friend here, Geefour downloaded the building schematics of the entire stronghold. According to him, this ventilation shaft leads straight to the bike garage.”

“Ah, I see. You plan on using this shaft here to catch my cousin off guard,” said Chessk with a smile. “Clever thinking. Once again, your droid turned out to be very resourceful, little Jedi.”

Hider winced. “Hey, that’s not her—ah forget it. The droid is still technically hers. Still, I don’t think this’ll change our situation. That shaft is way too tiny for all of us to fit.”

“We can use my Padawan. She is small enough to fit inside,” stated Master Darran, which caught Lyra off guard.

“M-master?”

“Hear me out, Lyra. Aside from the Private, you are the only one here that can fit inside that ventilation shaft. Since Sweetie can’t fight, I need you to sneak inside the garage and catch those mercenaries off-guard so that we won’t have a huge disadvantage when we fight them.”

“Master I…. I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t think I can take them all those mercenaries at once. There’s way too many of them. And even if I catch them by surprise, I’ll still be at a big disadvantage.”

“There must be something you can do to turn the tide. Can’t you use your Force abilities?” Hider asked.

Lyra shrugged. “Telekinesis is one thing I could try, but what would I use it for? Their speed bikes? I’m not capable of doing something like that. And even if I was, it would require a lot of concentration.”

“Here, you can use these, Jedi pony,” said Chessk. Lyra turned around and saw that the Trandoshan had pulled out a small pouch from inside his utility belt. “If you want to create a distraction, I suggest we go big. These grenades here will surely help you.”

Lyra’s eyes went wide. “What? Grenades?” Using her magic, she took the pouch from Chessk’s hand and peeked inside. Sure enough, he was telling the truth. The pouch contained a handful of throw-able frag grenades.

A curious Sweetie Drops also peeked inside the pouch, although she had a more confused reaction. “Uh, what exactly are these things? And how exactly are they going to help us?”

“You’ve never dealt throw-able explosives before, little ponies?” Chessk asked. Almost immediately, both Lyra and Sweetie Drops shook their heads at once.

“I’m aware of the destructive capabilities of these things, but I haven’t actually used them,” Lyra admitted. “Are you some sort of demolition expert, Chessk?”

“During my Big Game Hunting career, I learned how to handle and craft a variety of explosives so that I could kill my targets faster. Grenades, mines, detonators. I can make them all.”

“That is certainly helpful. But how do you suggest we use these grenades, Chessk?” asked Master Darran.

“We target their speed bikes. Many of the mercenaries here have purchased some highly expensive bikes, including my foolish cousin. They are attached to those machines. If we destroy them, it’ll provide a meaningful distraction.”

Hider cracked a smile. “Oh, so we’re blowing up their most prized possessions. I like the sound of that. Good thinking, big guy.”

“How would my Padawan use these explosives?” asked Master Darran.

“She can use this,” Chessk answered as he reached into his belt once more and pulled out a small rectangular device. “This right here is a detonator. It’s connected to the grenades, so once they’ve been laid, she can detonate them with a single press.”

“Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, the last thing we want is for Lyra to accidentally blow herself up in those vents,” Hider remarked.

“The detonator button is sealed up tight, so there’s no need to worry about any accidental detonations,” Chessk replied. “Just be careful not to alert any of those mercenaries when you place them. The last thing we want is for them to catch wind of our plan.”

“Got it,” said Lyra. Taking the detonator with her magic, she turned and faced toward the ventilation shaft, only to find it’s cover already opened by Master Darran. “Thanks, Master.”

“Good luck, my Padawan. Now remember, it is essential that you complete this task quickly. Take too long, and Behssk might suspect something. You must make haste, and most importantly, trust in the Force. It will guide you,” lectured the Jedi Master.

Lyra nodded. Securing her lightsaber on her belt, she bent down on her knees and crawled into the ventilation shaft with the pouch of grenades and the detonator close behind her. She squirmed her way through the grimy, dust-filled ventilation shaft, until eventually, the light that emanated from the main hallway dimmed out, forcing the young Padawan to light her horn up just to guide her way.

She curled her lip as the dust began to accumulate on her face. I really should’ve asked Master or the others if they had something that could cover myself. Lyra then let out a loud sneeze that echoed inside the ventilation shaft. Oh, gosh. I hope no one heard that.

She continued to crawl her way inside the ventilation system, hoping that she would see another opening sometime soon. The dust was starting to get to her. At one point, she felt as if the grime had gone up her nose. Luckily for her, she spotted a bright light not too away from her.

Sighing in relief, she dimmed her horn and made her way toward the light. Once there, she peeked out of the ventilation shaft. Though the exit was sealed by another cover, she quickly noticed that she’d indeed arrived at the bike garage. And right in front of her were Behssk and a band of fifteen heavily armed mercenaries.

“Hurry up with those cannons!” ordered Behssk. “My cousin and that Jedi will be here at any moment!”

“Are you sure about this, boss?” asked one of the mercenaries. “I don’t mean to pry, but Chessk is your kin, isn’t he? I may not like the guy, but I don’t exactly like the idea of shooting your own family member.”

“Forget him! That idiot betrayed me when he joined sides with the Jedi and those ponies. He can die for all I care.”

Lyra deadpanned. Betrayed you? You’re the one who betrayed him you jerk! That stupid fake life debt of yours nearly destroyed him!

“What’re we going to do about those two ponies?” asked another mercenary.

“Try not to hurt them,” Behssk answered. “They’re still worth a lot of credits. It wouldn’t do us any good if any of them die today.”

“But isn’t one of those ponies a Jedi too? From what the guys told me, she was giving our men one heck of a beating.”

“That pony ain’t no Jedi!” Behssk said in denial. “She’s a fake! That human Jedi probably gave her a lightsaber just to scare us off, so there is nothing to worry about!”

Lyra twitched. He has the gall to deny the fact that I’m a Jedi? And to his own men too? She clenched her teeth. That’s it! No more playing nice mare. This time, I’m going to end this poser’s career.

Scooting closer to the ventilation exit, Lyra took a minute to observe her surroundings. Fortunately, the Force had favored her this day. Her location was a favorable one as all the speed bikes were within sight. With her telekinetic abilities, she could easily place the grenades in the right locations. What’s more is that she was behind the mercenaries. So, unless any of the them turned around, no one will see her lay the explosives.

The situation was perfect. All she had to do was make sure nobody paid attention to their blind spot.

“Sir, all the heavy turrets have been placed,” said another one of the mercenaries. “We’re ready to engage the Jedi at your command.”

Behssk gave off a wicked smirk. “Good,” he said as the Trandoshan pulled out his blaster pistol and aimed it at the door. “All forces aim your weapons directly at the door. When it opens, fire on my command. We’ll show Chessk and that Jedi who is the boss here by hammering them with blaster fire.”

Oh no you won’t! Levitating the grenade bag close to her, Lyra opened it and carefully took out the explosives with her magic. She then slid the grenades out of the ventilation shaft and lined them up in a straight horizontal line. Before she made her move, Lyra took a quick glance at Behssk and his mercenaries again. Their eyes were completely focused on the lobby doorway, ready to fire upon anyone who dared enter the garage.

Now was the time to strike.

Using this opportunity, Lyra used the Force to conjure a telekinetic wave, pushing the grenades away from her. One by one, each grenade rolled about on the metal floor, generating some noise, but not enough to catch the attention of the mercenaries. As her explosives stopped right underneath the speed bikes, she levitated the detonator to her hooves.

She opened the lid that covered the detonation button and immediately pressed it.

Explosions followed. One by one, each of the grenades she placed exploded, laying waste to the speed bikes that the mercenaries were so fond of. Lyra observed the destruction in front of her, amazed by the sheer power of Chessk’s grenades. Just how much power did he put in those things anyway? It must’ve taken a lot of dedication and skill to make something so powerful.

As the bike garage was set ablaze, the once prepped mercenaries began to panic. Some of them immediately abandoned their posts and went straight for the bikes. This in turn infuriated Behssk, who scolded his men to get them back in line.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he shouted.

“The bikes. We got to save the bikes!” panicked a distressed mercenary as he and many others tried to extinguish the flames. Their response enraged Behssk even further as he stomped his left foot in frustration.

“Forget about those things! Get it line now, or else the Jedi and my cousin are going to kill us all!” he barked. To his dismay, his orders were ignored. His mercenaries simply didn’t care anymore. And as he tried to calm everyone down, the doorway to the lobby swung open.

On cue, Master Darran charged into the fray with his blue hued lightsaber, cutting down the mercenaries who didn’t disobey their orders. Chessk and Hider followed too, providing the old master some support from the distance. Geefour and Private Sweetie Drops were absent from the fighting, but that was probably for the best though as neither of those two were fit for large scale combat.

Seeing that she was needed, Lyra called upon the Force and outstretched both her hooves, causing a massive Force Push that forced opened the ventilation cover. Taking her lightsaber, she crawled out of the shaft and ignited her weapon, which got the attention of a few mercenaries. They quickly pointed their blasters at her, but Lyra was faster as she conjured another Force Push, knocking the mercs over.

With her enemies down, she leapt into the fray and landed right next to her fallen enemies. Before any of them could recover, she cut them down one by one. Though she had no intent on killing them, Lyra delivered powerful strikes that left many mercs wounded on the floor. She even destroyed their weapons too, just to make sure no one could use them again.

Eventually, she rejoined her master at the center of the garage; and together, they pummeled the mercenaries into submission. What was once a large force of fifteen trained sharpshooters now laid decimated. Those that did survive the onslaught quickly gave up and fled, leaving behind their weapons and wounded companions.

As the fighting settled, Sweetie Drops and T3-G4 came out of hiding from the lobby room. “I-Is it over? Did they win?” she asked.

Geefour gave a reassuring beep in response. “Sure, looks like it,” said Hider confidently as he put away his two blaster pistols. “Mission accomplished guys. We’re free to go.”

Lyra looked around the room to make sure that the garage was truly mercenary free. Sure enough, it was, and a wide smile formed on her lips. She deactivated her saber and galloped to her master’s location. “Master, we won! We won!” she yelled happily.

“Indeed, we have,” replied Master Darran. “Excellent work, my Padawan. You’ve fought well.

“Well, I couldn’t have done it without your help, Master. You took down way more mercs than me. And it wasn’t for both Geefour and Chessk, we wouldn’t even be in this situation in the first place.” She paused. “Wait, where is Chessk?”

She scanned the room for any sign of her new friend, only to spot him near some bike debris with his rifle raised. At first, she was confused. Why hadn’t he put his weapon away yet? There were no more mercenaries left to fight.

The answer came to her quickly as Lyra spotted an injured Behssk lying in the debris.

“Chessk, wait!” Lyra cried as darted toward the Trandoshan for fear that he intended to kill his cousin for the lies he’s done. However, she stopped when Chessk lowered his rifle and hoisted it on his back. “C-Chessk?”

<Forgive me, I was just having a few final words with my cousin.> the Trandoshan admitted in Dosh. <Don’t worry. I have no intention to hurt him any further. Especially, since his wounds are already great.>

“H-he’s not dying, is he?” Lyra asked, showing a bit of sympathy for the Trandoshan.

Chessk shook his head. <He’ll be fine. Despite his frail body, he’ll heal in time. But it is unlikely that he’ll keep his position here. The Exchange doesn’t tolerate failure. Once word gets out about what happened here, he’ll likely lose his position.>

“I see.”

<C-Chessk.> Lyra’s ears wobbled as she heard a weak voice coming from the bike rubble. It was Behssk. Despite his wounds, the Trandoshan had miraculously willed himself to speak. And in his native language surprisingly. <Chessk. y-you’re leaving me for her? After all that I’ve done for you?>

Chessk sighed. <Cousin, you forced me to live a life that I didn’t want. Led me down a false life debt that you orchestrated simply because you disagreed with what I did for a living.>

<But, you’re my family! Are you seriously going to abandon your own cousin in favor of some animal!>

<She’s not an animal!> Chessk barked as he turned around and shot a vicious glare at the wounded Trandoshan. <She is a Jedi! And a damn worthy one at that!>

No response came. Instead, Behssk laid still on the floor, lamenting.

With nothing else to say, Chessk turned away from his cousin and began walking in the direction toward Master Darran and the rest of the Omega’s crew. <Come, little Jedi. We mustn’t keep the others waiting.>

“R-right,” said Lyra as she stared at the broken Behssk one last time. She sighed. Despite the crimes he did against her Sweetie and the other ponies, she couldn’t help but pity him. All the harm he’s done, the lies he fashioned. His sins coming back to him in the worst possible way.

<Hey, Jedi! Are you coming or not?>

“Huh? Oh, right. I’m coming,” Lyra replied. She left Behssk behind and rejoined Chessk, where they made their way toward Master Darran and the others at Hider’s borrowed land speeder. All of them have already boarded, expect for Sweetie Drops.

“Are you sure this is safe?” the Private asked, who hesitated on boarding the vehicle.

Hider facepalmed. “Oh, for crying out loud. Look, pony. I know you probably haven’t seen land speeders before, but you gotta trust me on this. The vehicle is safe,” he replied. His words didn’t reach the Private, however, as the mare began to backpedal away.

“But ... isn't there any other way we can get out of here? A train perhaps?”

Lyra could not help but chuckle at Sweetie’s reluctance. Her previous assumption proved to be correct. The mare is refusing to use, let alone trust technology. Seeing that mare act like that made her wonder how exactly the rest of the ponies will react when they see just how advanced the rest of the galaxy is. Perhaps it is something she can look forward to when her mission is complete, especially if their reaction is akin to Sweetie’s.

“Hey, what’s so funny?” asked Sweetie Drops

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about something, that’s all,” Lyra replied. Okay, that was a lie. But seriously, I can’t help myself. Her reaction is just too funny.

“Just board the damn land speeder, little pony. There’s no harm in doing so,” Behssk ordered in Basic. “Unless of course that human drives recklessly and crashes into a tree or something.”

“Screw you!” Hider yelled.

“What about you, Chessk? Are you coming along with us too?” asked Lyra as she and Sweetie Drops boarded the speeder.

The Trandoshan nodded. He then walked over to an undamaged speed bike that had miraculously survived the pervious skirmish. “This bike is mine. Behssk bought it for me shortly after he rose to his position. Though I am ashamed to admit it, this vehicle is the sole benefit of being his lapdog.”

“Don’t worry about it. We all got our guilty pleasures,” said Hider as he and Chessk started their vehicles. As the landspeeder began rumble and levitate in mid-air, Sweetie Drops yelped out of fear. “Oh, for the love of... would you please just calm down? We haven’t even left the building yet for crying out loud!”

Lyra chuckled. “Go easy on her, Hider. It’s her first time seeing a vehicle like this in action. Trust me, she’ll get over it in time.”

Hider rolled his eyes. Ignoring the jitters of Sweetie Drops, he pushed his foot on the gas pedal, causing the land speeder to move forward. Chessk followed on his bike as the two drivers made their way out of the garage and into the mountains of Ord Mantell.

Chapter 13

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Inside the hanger bay of Worlport’s spaceport, Lyra Heartstrings waited patiently on the boarding ramp of the Omega. She and everyone else had returned to the city mere moments ago. After Hider returned his borrowed landspeeder, they quickly returned to the spaceport hoping that they would take off for Coruscant as soon as possible. However, the group was stopped by Lieutenant Dodonna and a handful of troops.

With the appearance of the Exchange’s most prominent mercenary in the city, the Lieutenant requested that they’d take Chessk into custody for the crimes he committed. Lyra objected, but was stopped abruptly by her master, who warned her to not cause a scene.

However, the group was taken by surprise again when the Lieutenant asked to take Sweetie Drops in as well. When asked why, the Lieutenant explained it was for a medical checkup. Given that Sweetie had just recently arrived in the galaxy, it would be best if she received proper medical treatment before leaving the planet.

That had been over an hour ago. Chessk, and Sweetie Drops were still nowhere to be seen. Master Darran went with them, but Lyra hadn’t seen him either.

What was taking them so long?

“Hey, kid!” Lyra turned her head over to Hider, who’d accompanied her back to the Omega along with T3-G4. Ever since they got back, he and the droid had been making some repairs to the Omega’s exterior. “Still worried about the others?” he asked.

Lyra nodded. “Well, don’t be,” Hider replied. “I’m sure the Republic is treating them just fine. And don’t forget, your master is with them.”

T3-G4 beeped soundly as it strolled past Lyra with a handful of tools on its head. “See, even the droid said not to worry too much,” Hider continued. “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. The Republic will take care of them.”

“I know that, but they’ve been gone for way too long,” Lyra replied. “Why is the Republic so dead set on keeping them back?”

“It’s hard to say. I wouldn’t put it past the Republic to give our little pony friend a full medical examination. This is the first time she’ll be travelling between Republic worlds, so I assume they’re likely giving her some vaccination shots just to be safe.” Hider paused. “Then, there’s the issue with Chessk.”

“What about him?”

“I wouldn’t put it past the Republic to be somewhat hostile to the big guy,” Hider replied. Though his response earned him a stern glare from Lyra. “Don’t get me wrong, kiddo. I know Chessk isn’t a bad person, but you gotta remember, he’s been an Exchange lackey for almost a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a criminal record saved by Republic officials.”

“But it was Behssk who forced him to do those things, remember? I’m sure once the Republic would understand once Chessk explains his situation.”

Hider sighed as he climbed up on the boarding ramp and sat next to the Padawan. “Best tone down that optimism of yours, Lyra. While it’s true that the big guy was forced to do nasty things, it doesn’t change the fact that he still did them. False life debt or not, the Republic isn’t going to forgive Chessk so easily.”

Lyra groaned. She hated to admit it, but Hider did have a point.

“Have some patience, kid. Come on, you are a Jedi for crying out loud. Besides, I wouldn’t worry too much when your master is by their side. I’m sure he’ll be able to come up with a compromise.”

“I hope so,” said Lyra with a sigh. She stood up from her spot and began to climb up the boarding ramp. “If you need me, I’ll be inside the ship taking a nap.”

“You’re not meditating this time?”

Lyra shook her head. “Not this time. Fighting all those mercenaries has left me a bit tired. And being trapped in that cage didn’t help either. Besides, I’m going to need all the rest I can get; cause once we land on Coruscant, we’ll likely need to scour the entire planet for the missing ponies.”

“Yeah, that is not something I look forward too,” said Hider with a groan. However, his response caused Lyra to look at him with wide eyes.

“Something you’re not looking forward to? Does that mean you plan on staying with us?”

“Well, of course. I mean, we only saved Sweetie, not the entire crew. I’ll stay with you guys until the job is done, but when the time comes, I expect big payment.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. She wanted to lash out at Hider for his greediness, but she decided against it and to instead board the ship. But before she could get inside, she heard the clanking of a metal door opening behind her. Turning around, she looked to the far end of the hanger bay and saw that her master together with both Sweetie Drops and Chessk.

“Well what do you know. They’re here,” Hider said. He stood up and began to walk away from his ship. “Come on, don’t just stand there. Let’s go greet them.”

Leaving his tools behind, Hider turned and walked away from his ship so that he could rejoin the others. Lyra and T3-G4 followed suit, and they were soon reunited with the entire crew.

However, when Lyra and Sweetie were reunited, the former was caught off guard when the private suddenly bounced on her, giving the Padawan a hug. “By Celestia, am I glad to see you,” said Sweetie. “It felt like an eternity being stuck in that stupid infirmary. With all those doctors crowding around me, I almost preferred being stuck in that stupid cage!”

“What’d they do to you?” Lyra asked.

“Mostly vaccination shots,” Master Darran answered for his Padawan. “Plus, they added an x-ray and some blood work tests to make sure she’s really okay for long distance travel.”

“I kept telling them I was perfectly fine! I didn't need all those vaccination shots! Iwas cleared by Equestrian royal doctors way before I came here!” rebuked Sweetie Drops.

“That may be so, but it doesn’t change the fact you still needed some vaccinations. Galactic standards are completely different than what you had at home. And besides, you had no proof that you were vaccinated in the first place.”

“I would’ve if those mercenary brutes hadn’t stolen our ship!”

Lyra frowned. “Wait, so the Exchange still has the Celestial Sun?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, they do. When a group of mercenaries captured the ponies, they brought their ship along with them.” Chessk explained. “I believe it’s still docked at the Exchange stronghold right now.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “I convinced Lieutenant Dodonna to launch an attack on the Exchange. I’m certain the Republic will be able to commandeer the ship soon.”

“The Republic should have no trouble with their assault,” Chessk continued. “My cousin and his band of mercenaries should still be licking their wounds. Putting up a defense against the local military would be difficult for them.”

“Hey, that reminds me. Did the Republic decide to let the big guy go free?” asked Hider.

“They did,” Chessk replied. “But if it wasn’t for your master’s help, little Jedi, they would’ve locked me in a cell.”

Lyra frowned. “So, they really wanted to arrest you?” she asked.

“Yes. I have committed grievous crimes while I was working for my cousin. Even if it was under a false life debt, it doesn’t change the fact that I still did those deeds.” Chessk frowned. “I… pleaded with them to let me go. I fell on my knees, bowed by head, and begged them to let me go! I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life behind bars, not when my savior still needs my help.”

“W-what? Chessk, what are you saying?”

The large Trandoshan gave a wide smile at Lyra. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he bent down on his knees and bowed his head to the young Padawan. <What I’m trying to say, little Jedi, is that I wish to form a life debt with you.> he explained in Dosh.

Lyra blinked. She stared at Chessk for some time, unsure if the Trandoshan was speaking the truth or not. But by staring at his facial expression, she soon realized that he was serious.

“Uh, guys. I don’t understand Dosh. Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Hider asked. “What is the big guy saying? And why is he kneeling down in front of Lyra?”

“Chessk wants to form a life debt with my Padawan,” explained Master Darran, which nearly caused Hider to fall on his back.

“Whoa, seriously?” said the former smuggler. “He wants to tag along?”

“Apparently, so,” replied Master Darran, letting out a chuckle. “Since my Padawan had freed him from the clutches of his greedy cousin, he wants to help her in return.”

“And you’re okay with this?”

“I don’t see anything wrong with it. Chessk simply wants to redeem himself for the misdeeds the he’s done. If pledging a life debt to my Padawan will give him a peace of mind, I’ll allow it. Besides, we could use the extra help.”

“Did the Lieutenant agreed to let him go? Just like that?”

“She didn’t at first. Despite Chessk’s pleas, Lieutenant Dodonna was ready to apprehend him. However, I was able to change her mind once Chessk gave away some important information.”

Lyra tilted her head. “Important information? What important information?”

<Do you remember our conversation back at the stronghold, regarding the two thieves?> Chessk said as he stood on his two feet again.

“I do. In fact, you never told me who exactly those thieves were.”

“The thieves that Chessk fought back at the Exchange stronghold were actually Mandalorian scouts,” explained Master Darran.

“M-mandalorians?” Lyra asked. “T-they were here?” A sudden chill went down the Padawan’s back as her entire body went stiff. Then, she began to quiver.

“Hey, Lyra? Are you alright?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Forgive her. She acts like that if you mention anything regarding the Mandalorians or the war,” said Master Darran. Acting quickly, the Jedi Master bent down and smacked his Padawan across the face, snapping Lyra out of her stupor.

“Ow! Master that hurt! What’d you do that for!”

“It was the only way for me to get your attention, Padawan. I know the war is a touchy subject for you but enough with the awkward silence already! You can’t just go all quiet on me every time someone talks about the war.”

“So, you guys do know something about the Mandalorian wars, after all?” asked Hider.

“We’ll talk more about the war at another time. For now, I suggest that we leave Ord Mantell immediately and head for Coruscant. I need to get in touch with Jedi Council as soon as I can. I’m sure they’ll help us once they learn of our current situation. Unless, you have any objections, Hider?”

Hider shrugged. “Have it your way. I already told Lyra that I plan on sticking around a bit longer anyway. Just promise me that you’ll pay me once all this is over. And tell me what’s actually going on with the Jedi and the war.”

Master Darran frowned. “We agreed to no such thing, Hider.”

“Well, too bad, old man. Cause I’m adding it to the list of things I want in return!” Hider exclaimed. “No more secrets. I demand you guys tell me the truth and nothing but the truth once we get this mission over and done with.”

Master Darran sighed. “Secrets, huh? The same thing could be said about you, Mr. Louhun.”

“What did you say?”

“Oh, nothing. Ignore the ramblings of an old man,” said Master Darran as he walked past the entire group and went straight for the ship. Hider opened his mouth to speak up, but he didn’t say a word. He just folded his arms, sighed, and walked over to his ship in silence.

T3-G4 beeped as it focused his radar eye on both Master Darran and Hider. <Indeed, droid. That felt like a very awkward conversation.> said Chessk. <Are those two always at each other’s throats, little Jedi?>

Lyra shook her head. “No, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen them argue like that. I think Hider just got a bit angry that my Master and I are hiding information about the erm… war.”

<Your master did mention that Mr. Louhun was hiding something as well. What’d you think that might be.>

“I don’t know. And frankly, Chessk, I’m not sure if I want to know.”

“Hey! Can you guys quit leaving me behind in your conversations, already!” yelled Sweetie Drops. “Seriously, stop talking in a language I can’t understand! It’s bad enough that I can’t understand two of you guys already!”

“Sorry about that, little pony. I tend to get a bit carried away when I start speaking in my native tongue,” said Chessk in Basic.

“Well, could you stop? I understand if you want to talk to Lyra like that, but keep it in private, please! We’re going to be working together from now on, so we can’t have any language barriers in our team.”

“Wait, so you’re okay with Chessk helping us now?” Lyra asked as a smile formed on her lips.

Sweetie sighed. “I don’t know anything about this life debt thing, but if he’s so dead set on atoning for his crimes, I’m okay with it.” She then shot a fierce glare at Chessk. “That doesn’t mean I trust you entirely… yet. I admit, I still have my doubts, but if you’re willing to protect Lyra and do the right thing, then there might be a chance we could be friends.”

“I’d welcome that chance, little pony. Anything to atone for my past deeds,” said Chessk.

“Then you better start proving yourself soon,” replied Sweetie Drops. “So, Lyra, where’s this ship we’re using?”

Lyra smiled. She pointed her hoof over to the large ship in the distance before galloping toward it. The others followed. Soon they stopped just shy of the Omega’s boarding ramp, where Hider Louhun was walking in and out of the ship.

Sweetie Drops gawked at the ship with wide eyes. “T-this is the ship we’re using?” she asked. “Sweet Celestia, it’s so… big.”

“Indeed, it is quite impressive. I’m surprised the human was able to afford such a high caliber ship,” said Chessk. “Judging by design, I believe it’s a dynamic-class freighter, correct?”

“Yup, that’s right,” Hider replied with a prideful smirk as he came up from behind the group with tools cluttered on his arms. “I got this beauty during my smuggling days and it’s never let me down.”

Chessk glared at the former smuggler. “You are not ashamed of your past actions, human?” he asked as he gave Hider a look of distrust.

“No, I’m not,” Hider replied with a shrug. “Hate to break it to you, big guy, but I’m not ashamed of what I did in the past. Unlike you, I wasn’t forced to become a smuggler. I became one willingly.”

“Did you steal this ship?”

“What, no! I bought this ship with the credits I’ve earned.” Hider paused. “Okay, I admit. Some of the credits I used were stolen off from the Exchange and other organizations; but I assure you, my baby is fully paid off.”

Lyra let out a sigh. She almost wanted to kick Hider in the knees, but she resisted the urge to do so and instead climbed onboard the Omega with Sweetie Drops. But before they could enter the ship, Hider called out to her again.

“Hey, Lyra. Your Master wants you to meet him back at the garage. Says that he wants to do some saber training before you go rest.”

“Now?” Lyra asked. “But I still have to give Sweetie a tour of the ship.”

“Sorry, kid, but this isn’t up for debate. The old man still wants you to train with him. As much as I appreciate you giving our little pony friend a tour of my baby, it’ll have to wait. Just take her to the crew quarters so she’ll get some rest.”

“Crew quarters? You mean, you have beds on this ship?” Sweetie asked. Hider gave the Private a nod, but as soon as he did that, Sweetie surprised everyone by darting toward the former smuggler and hugged him by the legs. “Oh, thank Celestia! Do you know how long it has been since I’ve slept on a bed? Five days. Five days! During my trip on the Celestial Sun, I had to sleep uncomfortably on the floor for Faust’s sake!”

Hider gawked at Sweetie with wide eyes, completely stunned by the mare’s sudden affection. He looked over to Lyra for some help, but all she did was laugh at him. “Um, okay. Well then… I’m glad to be of service, Sweetie. Make yourself at home and don’t mess around with my baby too much,” he said as he nudged Sweetie off his legs. “Seriously, just how small was their ship?”

“Human, does your ship have a workbench I can use?” asked Chessk.

“It’s in the garage. Just take a left at the entrance once you’re inside. And Chessk, I took the liberty of getting your speed bike parked inside my ship. It’s in the garage, so feel free to use whatever tools I have there.”

“I appreciate it, human. That bike means a lot to me, even though I received it as a gift for doing dastardly deeds as an Exchange lackey.”

T3-G4 beeped directly at Chessk. “Lay off the insults, tin can. We all have our guilty pleasures in life. There’s no need for Chessk to be ashamed of himself for liking his bike,” Hider replied. The droid beeped again, but this time at Hider. “Oh, that’s rich coming from a droid who took great pleasure in electrocuting someone to near death!”

“Excuse me?” asked Sweetie Drops.

Lyra facehoofed as an argument erupted between Hider and T3-G4, turning a once mellow conversation into a shouting and beeping match between a human and a droid. Chessk watched as the argument between the two intensified but did nothing to defuse the situation.

“Sweet, Celestia, they are really at each other’s throats,” said Sweetie Drops.

“Yeah… it looks like this is going to take a while,” Lyra replied. “Tell you what, why don’t I just take you inside and take you to the ship’s crew quarters. It’s way better than staying here and watching this unfold. Plus, I can give you a brief tour of the ship along the way.”

Sweetie immediately complied as both ponies boarded the Omega. Once inside, Lyra gave the Private a tour of ship, explaining every room they passed and what purpose they filled. “The more I see this ship, the more I question why Mr. Louhun needs a ship this big in the first place. Not to insult him or anything, but all rooms he has on this thing seem kind of pointless.”

“You can say that again. If I had to guess, he must’ve used more of his ship during his smuggling career. Probably to store or hide some of the goods he kept. But since he dropped his career in favor of journalism, he doesn’t really need the extra room.”

“Oh, yeah! You guys mentioned that before. So, your friend gave up the life of a thief in favor of writing news articles?”

“Yup. He became one after a bounty was put on his head. Remember what he said earlier, about stealing money from organizations? That’s why he quit his smuggling career in the first place.”

Sweetie groaned. “Oh, great. The more I learn about this group, the more I have doubts. Though I am a bit glad that Jedi Master of yours keeps them in check. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what exactly is your relationship with him anyway? You seem quite fond of him.”

“Master Darran? Well, to put it bluntly, he’s like a second dad to me.” A smile formed on Lyra’s lips as she thought about her master. “He was one of the few masters that actually thought I had the potential to become a great Jedi. When I struggled with my lessons as an Initiate, he was the one who helped me out. He offered extra lessons on lightsaber combat, taught me how to expand my senses by using the Force. Honestly, if it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be a Padawan.”

“I see. But why is he wearing a blindfold?”

“Master Darran isn’t human. He may look like one, but he’s part of an alien species known as a Miraluka. Miralukas cannot see like we can. They are born blind. Some are even born without eyes. However, what’s unique about them is the fact that they’re all Force sensitives, and they use the Force to see the world around them.”

Sweetie’s jaw dropped. “A-are you serious?”

“Yup. And not only that, he’s also a great lightsaber duelist. A Battlemaster to be specific. When he’s not training me, he’s training other students in lightsaber combat.”

“So, he’s responsible for teaching Jedi trainees how to fight?” Sweetie asked. Lyra smiled and nodded in response. “Wow. I guess you’re really lucky to have someone like him.”

“I know, right!” Lyra replied as she stopped in front of a large door. It opened automatically, revealing a handful of twin-sized beds lined up against the wall.

Sweetie beamed. She hastily galloped past Lyra and jumped onto one of the beds. She then breathed a sigh of relief as she laid her head on top of the pillow.

“Enjoying yourself?” Lyra asked, chuckling at the Private’s childlike antics as the earth pony mare tossed and turned on the bed.

“You bet! By Celestia, this bed is so comfortable!”

“That’s great! I’m sure Hider will be happy to know you like his accommodations. When he’s done arguing with Geefour that is.”

“Eh, they'll blow off steam, eventually. Besides, don’t you think you should be more worried about yourself? You’ve still got a training regimen ahead of you.”

“You’re right. I can’t leave my master waiting. He’ll berate me if I turn out late, even if it’s only one minute.”

“Sounds like my drill instructor,” Sweetie replied as the two ponies share a laugh together. “Say, when you’re done, you think you can head on back here and tell me more about yourself and… what’s happening in the galaxy right now?”

Lyra stuttered. “A-are you talking about the current war?” she asked.

Sweetie nodded. “I have to, Lyra. If there really is a war going on right now, then I must know. My friends are still out there, Lyra. The longer they stay captive, the more likely they’ll get dragged into this conflict.”

Lyra bit her lip. As much as she disliked talking about the war, Sweetie made a valid point. At the very least, she deserved to know what was happening in the galaxy.

With no other option, Lyra agreed to the private’s demand and would explain the galaxy’s current state in more detail. In return, Sweetie would tell her more about Equestria and what has happened to the nation since her disappearance. With a deal struck, Lyra left the crew quarters behind and left Sweetie behind to rest.

Chapter 14

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Inside the Omega’s crew quarters, Padawan Lyra Heartstrings laid on her bunk bed. She was exhausted. Fighting waves of Exchange mercenaries had taken a toll on her, so she decided to get some much-needed rest after her training session and brief talk with Sweetie Drops.

Hours had passed since Hider set a course for Coruscant. Though Lyra didn’t know that. She’d been sound asleep the entire time while the ship traversed through Hyperspace. And as she slept blissfully on her bed, Lyra dreamt of her home.

She found herself in a wide living room, laying on top of a warm rug. The room was dim, but a flickering fireplace kept the room lit. She was a filly again and she wasn’t alone either. Behind her were two adult ponies. One was a pegasus mare, whose coat matched Celestia’s golden sun. The other was a stallion, who wore glasses and had a dark reddish coat.

The room wasn’t bright enough for her to see their faces, but Lyra knew who these ponies were. She tried to call out to them, but she was interrupted when a familiar voice cried out to her.

“Lyra wake up!”

The Padawan groaned. Someone had the audacity to try and wake her up from her beautiful dream. She couldn’t didn’t know who, but whoever it was, she felt like kicking that person in the shins. “Ugh, please don’t wake me up now,” Lyra mumbled. “I’m having the best dream ever.”

“Padawan, now is not the time to be dreaming! Wake up! We’ve arrived at Coruscant.”

“Huh?” Lyra’s eyes shot open. Despite being half-asleep, she quickly saw her master was standing right in front of her. “Oh, master, you’re awake,” she said with a yawn. “Why are you here? Are we doing early morning training or something?”

Master Darran sighed. “You didn’t hear me, did you?” he asked. Much to his annoyance, Lyra shook her head in response. “I suppose it can’t be helped. When a Padawan such as yourself is a heavy sleeper, it’s not surprising that my voice won’t be heard.”

“Master, please. I’m not in the mood for jokes. Just get to the point.”

“Very well. As I said earlier, Padawan, we’ve just arrived at Coruscant. The ship itself has dropped out of hyperspace and is currently orbiting the planet as we speak.”

“Really?” Lyra bolted up from her bed. If anything, hearing this bit of news had fully woken her up.

As her eyes met her master’s she quickly noticed that he was wearing his usual Jedi attire, including his headpiece. “Master, you’re already dressed?” she asked.

“Yes, I am. I had awoken a few moments before the Omega had left hyperspace,” explained Master Darran. “Hider’s awake too. He and I had convened at the cockpit so that we could secure a landing spot for his ship, though we’re still in orbit.”

“Oh, you guys are already done talking with Republic officials?”

Master Darran shook his head. “No, that won’t be necessary. I contacted the Jedi Temple instead, so he should be able to use the temple’s hangar bay instead.”

Lyra smiled. “That’s great! But why is the ship still in orbit?”

“Well, about that. You see, Hider wanted Sweetie Drops to join him at the cockpit so that she could see Coruscant for herself. And, well, let’s just say the mare is taking in the scenery.”

Lyra chuckled. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Her reaction to Coruscant should be the same as mine.”

“The same as yours, you say? If I recall, your reaction to Coruscant’s infrastructure was somewhat childlike, flailing about and asking questions for everything that caught your interest. You think the Private will be similar?” asked Master Darran.

“I don’t know, maybe? I just hope she doesn’t get freaked out by the sight of skyscrapers and speeding land speeders.”

The two Jedi shared a laugh together.

“Let’s just hope that won’t be the case,” said Master Darran. As his laughter began to die down, he turned around and went straight for the exit. “Okay, I think we shouldn’t be poking fun at the poor mare anymore. Padawan, I suggest you get dressed immediately. Once you’re done, head down to the cockpit and join the rest of our friends there.”

“Yes, Master,” Lyra replied. Once her master had left the room, she quickly jumped out of her bed, landing perfectly upright on all four of her hooves. She then trotted over to a nearby storage container and opened it. Inside was her lightsaber and the same Jedi attire she wore on the day she left Dantooine. It was left behind on the ship during the mission on Ord Mantell, but with that mission over, she was free to wear it again.

Once she’d finished dressing herself, Lyra quickly took her lightsaber and hooked it onto her belt. With her weapon secure, she trotted out of the crew quarters and made her way down the ship’s corridor.

As she headed for the cockpit, Lyra pondered about her next move. After Hider makes landfall, she and the rest of the group would likely have to scour the planet to find Czerka Corporation. She bit her lip. As eager as she was into find those missing ponies, scouring the entire planet in search of their captors wasn’t something she was looking forward to. Coruscant is a big place. Figuring out where they need to go would take time and patience.

The Jedi preach patience, but in all honesty, she hoped that the Jedi Temple might have something that could help her.

Eventually, she reached the doorway to the ship’s cockpit. Once it flung open, she spotted Hider sitting in the captain’s chair and Sweetie Drops sitting right beside him. In front of her was Coruscant in all its glory.

It’s just how I remember it. Lyra thought. Even though I’ve seen this planet so many times, I never get tired of the scenery.

“Enjoying the view, are you?” Hider asked from the captain’s chair.

Lyra blinked. “Um, okay. How’d you know it was me?"

“Your footsteps—err, I mean—hoofsteps gave it away. There are only two passengers on board my ship that have hooves. Since your little pony friend is already here, I figured it was you. By the way, your friend has been gawking at Coruscant ever since she got here.”

“Can you blame me? I haven’t seen something like this in my entire life!” said Sweetie Drops. Her eyes remained focused on the planet itself. “So beautiful. If only I had brought a camera with me.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m sure there are plenty of ‘see you again soon’ cards you can buy once we touchdown. The pictures they have on those covers are of really good quality.

“That’s not what I had in mind, you jerk!” replied a now irritated mare.

“Relax, it was just a joke. I’m sure we can find you a nice quality photo once we hit planet-side,” Hider calmly replied as he flicked some switches on the ship’s navigation panel. “I suggest you sit down and buckle up, ladies. Cause I’m about to pilot this baby down now.”

Lyra compiled by immediately jumping onto a nearby empty chair. After fastening her seat-belt, she watched as Hider piloted the Omega toward Coruscant. Suddenly, the ship jolted in speed in a manner of seconds as Hider maneuvered the Omega to the planet’s atmosphere. The cockpit rattled due to the high amount of turbulence on the atmospheric pressure, but Hider was able to pilot his ship with relative ease. Eventually, it made it deep into the planet’s atmosphere, revealing the sprawling city planet of Coruscant. The skyscrapers, the air traffic, and all the spaceships and land speeders the eye could see.

“Wow. What a beautiful city,” said Sweetie Drops.

Lyra smiled. “Pretty cool, huh? Those structures you are seeing right now are the cause of the orange light you saw back in orbit. They’re called, skyscrapers, and Coruscant has got plenty of them, and believe me. But those aren’t the most impressive buildings here. Just wait until you see the Senate Hall and the Jedi Temple.”

“Wait, the galaxy is so advanced, they can literally make buildings that touch the sky?” Sweetie Drops asked.

“Yup! I’m telling you, Sweetie, you’re going to like it here. This place is so cool!”

“Don’t hype up your little pony friend too much, Lyra. Coruscant may be a great city, but it still has lots of problems,” Hider cautioned.

“What kind of problems?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“A lot,” Hider continued as he piloted his ship toward the air traffic. “Being that this is a city planet, there are a lot of places where the local government can’t reach. Many of the poorer districts here are riddled with crime and gang warfare. If you aren’t living in a decent neighborhood or district, there’s a good chance you might get hurt or killed.”

“R-really?” Lyra asked, to which Hider replied with a nod. Immediately, her ears drooped. “Oh, Force. I-I didn’t even know that.”

“Wait, you didn’t? How come? I pretty much assumed everyone knew about Coruscant’s problems. Even the Jedi.”

Lyra shook her head. “No, I had no idea. No one’s ever told me about the planet’s issues before. All I kept hearing was how great this place is.” She shrugged. “I guess being off-world during most of my Jedi training kinda skewed up my viewpoint of this place.”

“Wait, for real? You didn’t train here?” Hider asked with a cocked eyebrow. “But I thought all Jedi trainees did their training on Coruscant.”

“No, the Jedi have training facilities all over the Galactic Republic. My master and I came here every so often, but most of my training was done on a different planet.” She paused. “And before you ask, no I can’t tell you what planet I was trained. It’s classified.”

“I wasn’t planning on asking you, Lyra,” Hider replied as he piloted his ship further into the city. Once he got closer to the skyscrapers, he was greeted by heavy air traffic. Land speeders and other spaceships clustered together like a herd of wild animals. “Dang, looks like traffic is heavy today. Best stay in your seats, little ponies. This is going to be a bumpy ride.”

“Why are there so many vehicles here?” Lyra asked as she clung onto her chair.

“These guys? Oh, well, air traffic is a common sight here on Coruscant. And since it’s morning, traffic is at its heaviest right now.”

“If that’s true, then please be careful where you fly. The last thing I want is for us to be in an accident. Wait a minute, do you even know where the Jedi Temple is?”

“Don’t worry about that. Your master gave me directions a while back before you two woke up. We should reach the temple in a manner of minutes,” Hider replied before he jerked the control stick to his left, causing the ship itself to dangerously tilt sideways. “Damn it! Watch where you’re going you idiot!”

Lyra’s jaw slacked as she held onto her chair’s armrest for dear life. “Hider, what was that for?”

“The bastard in front of me cut me off, that’s what! Damn it! And just when I was about to make a turn for a shortcut to the temple!” Hider groaned in frustration. “Guess I got no choice but to—oh, come on! Another asshole just cut me off!”

“Watch your language!” yelled Sweetie Drops.

“Just who are you supposed to be? My parents? Please, I’m a grown man. The last thing I want is to be lectured about what words should I use!”

“Hider, please. Watch your temper,” berated Lyra.

Hider let out a groan. “Look, I’m sorry for the outburst, okay. Flying through this city gets the better me of sometimes. I promise, we’ll get to the temple unharmed. Though we’ll have to take a longer route now since that guy from before cut me off my shortcut.”

“Just get us there in one piece please,” Lyra said with a sigh. Thankfully, Hider complied with her request and piloted his ship without succumbing to his anger.

When the Jedi Temple ^[1] finally came into view, Lyra looked at the marvelous structure with a smile. The temple itself stood out compared to the other buildings that surrounded it. With its pyramid like structure and the five spires that stood tall in the middle, the temple was considered a major landmark.

But for her, it was like a second home.

“Huh, it’s a lot bigger than I thought,” said Sweetie Drops. “Say, Lyra, what are those towers in the middle for?”

“Those are temple spires,” Lyra answered. “Each one of them house special rooms where Jedi meet and greet each other. They’re also used for special activities like meditation and Council meetings.”

“Yeah, those things kinda stand out, don’t they?” Hider replied. “Were you taken to one of those towers before?”

“I’ve only been to the Temple Spire. The tallest one in the middle. The Council took me and other initiates there for our first introduction to Jedi Knowledge.”

“Okay, but what are the rest of the towers for?”

“Sorry, I-I can’t remember. It’s been a while since I’ve been here, and I admit, I haven’t been on all the towers yet. Maybe after the mission, I can pay a visit to one of them, but since I’m only a Padawan, some of the areas in the temple are off-limits.”

Hider shrugged. “Huh. I guess the populace is right to assume that the Jedi Masters hold a bunch of secrets. But who am I to judge? I ain’t no Jedi. For all I know, those places must be off-limits for a reason.”

“There is no ignorance, there is knowledge,” Lyra replied. “The Jedi Masters have their reason for sealing off those rooms. Maybe when I become a Jedi Knight, they’ll let me access those sealed off areas.”

“Well, with your skill, I’m sure you’ll become a Knight in no time,” Hider replied. “By the way, can you guys go check up on Chessk and T3-G4 down in the garage? Tell them we’re about to land soon and we need to meet Master Darran outside the ship when we do.”

“Of course,” said Lyra. Unbuckling herself, she quickly jumped out of the passenger chair and went straight for the exit. Before she left the cockpit though, she quickly looked back to Sweetie Drops. “Hey, do you want to come with me?”

“Sure, why not. I might as well see the rest of the ship,” Sweetie replied as she too jumped off her chair. However, when she and Lyra faced one another, the mare could not help but gawk at the Padawan’s attire.

“Um, why are you staring at me, Sweetie?” Lyra asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I was just wondering about those strange clothes you’re wearing.”

“Oh, right! You’ve never seen me in Jedi clothing before! Well, what I’m wearing is the standard attire of all Jedi Padawans. Just a tunic and a belt to keep hold of our lightsabers. Jedi also wear robes to indicate their status, but those are only reserved for Knights and Masters.”

“I see. Ponies don’t usually wear any clothing, so I was a bit surprised to see you wearing something.”

“Wait, ponies don’t usually wear clothes?” Hider asked.

Sweetie shook her head. “No, we don’t. Since our coats give us the warmth we need, wearing any clothing isn’t necessary for us. Such a thing is mostly reserved for parties and upper-class ponies.”

“Ah, I get it. But wait, if your coats are already providing you guys warmth, doesn’t that technically imply that you girls are—”

“Don’t you dare say it!” shouted both ponies at once.

Hider flinched. “Whoa, that's a touchy subject right there!” he said nervously as he pulled on the collar of his shirt. “I didn’t mean to sound perverted, okay. It was just a curious question.”

Both ponies rolled their eyes. “We’ll… give you a pass,” said Lyra as the door to the cockpit slid open. “Come on, Sweetie, let’s go.”

Sweetie complied and immediately followed Lyra out of the cockpit. The two ponies would trot alongside one another in the ship’s main corridor.

As they made their way toward the garage, Sweetie popped a question. “Say, Lyra. How long do you think it’s going to take for us to find my crew mates? If this Coruscant place is as big as you say, wouldn’t it take a while?”

“You know, I asked myself that question before I met up with you and Hider,” Lyra admitted. “If I had to guess, finding Czerka Corps main headquarters is likely our next stop after we land. Once we pinpoint their location, we’ll probably have to talk to some of their employees. See if they know anything.”

“What if they won’t say anything?”

Lyra shrugged. “Then I guess we’ll just have to pry them for answers. Not by violence though. The Jedi Order forbids using any interrogation tool they deem too intense.” At worst, we’ll probably have to use mind tricks to get what we want, but that won’t matter. So long as they give me what I want, the better.

“Well, I do agree with you on that. I know these Czerka people are holding my crewmates hostage but hurting employees without proof of any wrongdoing isn’t exactly the most moral thing to do.

“I know, right!” Lyra exclaimed. “I know it’s important that we need to find the missing ponies, but that doesn’t mean we should hurt innocents to get to our goals.”

Sweetie nodded in agreement. The two ponies would continue their conversation until they finally arrived at their destination. Once there, however, Lyra suddenly heard a strange buzzing sound coming from the garage.

“Hey, do you hear that?” she asked Sweetie.

The private nodded in reply. “I do. What is that noise?” Both mares quickly peeked inside the garage and spotted Chessk and T3-G4 working together at a nearby workbench.

The Trandoshan was quick to notice them both. “Ah, it’s good to see you, little Jedi,” Chessk said in Basic. “And you as well, creamy pony.”

“What’re you and Geefour doing here, Chessk?” asked Lyra.

“I’ve been working, little Jedi. The workbench that Hider had installed here has allowed me to temper my weapons. Since we’re about to head out soon, I figured that I’d experiment with a few weapon attachments that I’ve been meaning to try.”

Sweetie tilted her head. “Weapon attachments? What are those?”

“They’re items that you can change the effect of certain weapons. People across the galaxy use them on blaster and melee weapons as an enhancement of some kind. Some effects may vary. For example, equipping an energy cell on a vibro-sword allows the weapon to deliver a powerful energy-based attack. One that would even rival lightsabers.”

“So, they’re like magic enhancements?”

Lyra shrugged. “Sort of. Weapon attachment effects can vary depending on what attachments you use. Even Jedi use some form of weapon attachments on our lightsabers too, though it comes in the form of crystals, not parts.”

“Interesting,” said Chessk. “The crystals and magic you speak of. What are they?”

“Maybe another time, Chessk. I’m only here because Hider said that we’re about to land.” Lyra then turned her gaze over to T3-G4. “Say, what’s Geefour doing here anyway?”

“The droid? Oh, he’s helping me make some security spikes.”

Lyra tilted her head. “Uh, security spikes? What’re those?”

“They’re electronic devices that bypass security measures. To put it simply, we use these to unlock doors or containers that have electronic locks on them.”

T3-G4 beeped as it pulled a security spike from out of its compartment. “I was not aware that droids were capable of crafting something like this,” Chessk said. “It’s fortunate that you were able to obtain such a high-quality machine.

“Y-yeah, I guess I am,” said Lyra. I didn’t even know Geefour could make those kinds of things. Just what exactly is that droid capable of?

Suddenly, the group overhead a loud, clacking noise. T3-G4 bleeped, strolling past the two ponies, and eventually, out of bike garage. “The droid says that the ship has made landfall,” said Chessk. “Come, let us meet your Master at the boarding ramp. I’m certain he’s waiting for us there right now.”

Both Lyra and Sweetie nodded as they followed Chessk and T3-G4 out of the garage. They made their way down the ship’s corridor once more, until they eventually made it to the boarding ramp. Although the ramp had been lowered, Master Darran was nowhere to be seen.

“Odd. I figured the Jedi Master would be here waiting for us. Where he could be?” asked Chessk.

“He must’ve left the ship already. If I had to guess, he’s probably waiting for us outside right now,” Lyra replied. Deciding that it would be best not to keep her master waiting, the young Padawan went ahead and disembarked the Omega with the rest of her friends following shortly after.

Once they had gotten off the ship, they were greeted by a very large, well-decorated hangar bay. The area itself was twice the size of the ports found in Taris and Ord Mantell. And unlike those ports, the Jedi Temple housed multiple, unique airships that varied in size.

“Hey, isn’t that your teacher over there, Lyra?” asked Sweetie Drops as she pointed her hoof. Lyra followed it and quickly spotted her master. But he wasn’t alone. In front of him were three other people wearing clothing identical to her masters, and they seem to be in the middle of a conversation.

It didn’t take long for Lyra to figure out that those people were Jedi. Master Darran must’ve set up a meeting with them shortly before Hider landed the ship.

“Hey, who’s the old man talking too?”

The entire crew looked back and saw Hider standing on top of his ship’s boarding ramp. “Those Jedi, do you happen to know any of them, Lyra?” the former Smuggler asked.

“No, I don’t think so,” Lyra answered with a shake of her head. “From what I can see, one of them is clearly a Jedi Master. The robe gave that away. And behind him are probably Padawans since they’re wearing only tunics like mine.”

“Well, if one of ‘em is a high-ranking Jedi, then I guess we shouldn’t keep them waiting.” Immediately, Hider jumped off the ship's boarding ramp, walked past Lyra and the others, and went to greet the Jedi Masters. The rest of the group soon followed.

As they got closer to the other Jedi, Master Darran immediately spotted them. He gave his Padawan a warm smile as he stepped away from the Jedi Master who was in front of him, revealing an alien Jedi Master with crimson red skin, silver eyes, and wore a black mask that covered his mouth.

Upon seeing this, Sweetie Drops suddenly stopped moving and gawked at the alien with wide eyes. “W-what is that thing?” the Private asked, showing a small hint of fear in her voice.

Hider rolled his eyes. “That thing my dear pony is a Kel Dor ^[2]. An alien species from the planet, Dorin ^[3],” he explained. “I know you’re not used to seeing other aliens, but that guy is a Jedi Master. Show some respect when you greet him, alright.”

T3-G4 bleeped as it focused its radar eye on the Kel-Dor master. “You better be on your best behavior, tin can,” berated Hider. “No psychotic tendencies, or else you the Jedi here might lock you away and wipe your memory.”

“Err, psychotic tendencies?” asked Chessk.

“I’ll explain later, big guy. For now, let’s just go introduce ourselves. I’m sure Lyra and her master will explain everything first before we—hey where’s Lyra going?” Hider asked.

Lyra ignored his question. Instead, much to the surprise of her friends, she’d immediately bolted for the Kel Dor master, giving the alien a hug as soon as she got close. The Kel Dor in turn, patted her gently on her mane. “Ah, Padawan Heartstrings. Still showing this much affection I see. Good to know that you still haven’t changed after all these years.” The alien then looked at Master Darran. “Does she always do this to you, my friend?”

Master Darran chuckled. “Only if I’ve been gone for a couple of days. But don’t tell Master Vrook that. He’ll go crazy if he sees her acting like this.”

“Uh, I hate to break your reunion, Master Jedi, but do you mind telling us who this guy is? And why is Lyra fawning over him?” asked Hider.

“Oh, yes. I do believe some proper introductions are in order. Alright then, I’ll make this short. Everyone, this is Jedi Master Bo’kal So. He is a longtime friend of mine and one of Lyra’s teachers during her initiate days. He’s also one of the many Jedi Healers here.”

Master So bowed respectfully toward the Omega’s crew members. “Koh-too-yah, friends of Master Darran and Padawan Heartstrings. It’s an honor to meet you all.”

“Healers?” asked Sweetie Drops. “Are you saying he’s a doctor?”

“In a way, yes,” Master So quickly replied. “Our role as a Jedi Healer is to tend to the sick and wounded. However, our method of healing differs than the doctors and nurses you see in hospitals. Instead of methods of machinery, med-kits, and science, we treat our wounded through the Force.”

“Hey, I heard about you guys. You are part of the Jedi Medical Corps, aren’t ya?” Hider asked.

“Impressive. I see you’ve done your research, Mr. Louhun,” the Kel Dor replied. “Yes, I am a member of the Jedi Medical Corps; but unlike most of their members, I am a fully-fledged Jedi Master.”

Hider’s eyes widened. “W-wait a second, you know who I am?”

“I do. As well as everyone in this crew. Master Darran has informed me of this rag tag team that he and Padawan Heartstrings seemed to have picked up during their journey. I must say, this has got to be the strangest team I’ve ever seen assembled.”

Hider shrugged. “Well, I don’t blame you for thinking like that. You got the big guy who was forced to be a mercenary for a year, but now swore a life debt with Lyra. Then you got our little psychopathic droid here who enjoys hurting and threatening people. And then you have yours truly. Pilot of the fastest ship in the galaxy and Coruscant’s most successful journalist.”

“You forgot to mention former crook,” Sweetie replied, giving Hider a deadpan stare.

“And former client of the Exchange,” Chessk continued.

T3-G4 beeped as it rolled its radar eye.

“Geez, cut me some slack here, okay! I get it. I’ve done my fair share of crime in the past,” Hider said. “But that shouldn’t matter, right? I’m clean now.”

“Perhaps. But it doesn’t change the fact that you still did those things, Mr. Louhun. Nor does it change the fact that you wish to make a living off Padawan Heartstrings’ mission,” said Master So. “Master Darran mentioned the deal you made with him. The Council has abided by your terms but know there will be consequences should you break your promise, boy.”

“Y-yes, sir!” Hider exclaimed as the former smuggler began to shake uncontrollably.

“Master So, don’t scare him,” Lyra pleaded. “He may have had a rotten past, but he’s a good person nonetheless.”

Master So burst out laughing. “Oh, there is no need to be worried, Padawan Heartstrings. I was merely teasing the man.” As the Kel-Dor settled down, his eyes then wandered over to Sweetie Drops, who in turn flinched. “Ah, you must be the pony Master Darran mentioned in his report. Private Sweetie Drops, was it?”

Sweetie, without saying a word, gave a meek nod.

“Hmm, I sense a glint of fear in you. Understandable. This is the first time you’ve seen my kind before. And your introduction to the galaxy wasn’t the most pleasant one.” The Kel Dor master walked up to the earth pony and, much to Sweetie’s surprise, bowed to her. The other two Jedi behind him did the same as well.

“W-what’re you doing?” Sweetie asked. Her glimmer of fear was replaced with confusion.

“On behalf of the Jedi Order, we apologize for not saving you and your kin in time,” said Master So. “Currently, our Order has been thrown into chaos due to rising tension in the galaxy. We’re scattered and are short in numbers, but that does not mean we should’ve abandoned you in your time of need. Should we have mustered our remaining forces sooner, we could’ve saved you all.”

“Um, okay. Apology accepted.” Sweetie darted her eyes over to Lyra and began to whisper in the mare’s ear. “Is it customary for you guys to act like this?”

Lyra nodded in reply. “Jedi consider bowing as a sign of respect, not just for formal use. Sure, some consider it to be jarring due to their cultural background, but it’s really no big deal.”

“Hate to break your conversation, creamy pony, but we are getting off-topic here,” said Chessk. “Master So, did the Council manage to locate the whereabouts of the little Jedi’s missing kin?”

“Eager to atone for your sins, aren’t you, young hunter?” Master So replied bluntly, causing Chessk to twitch his head a bit. “Very well. Then I shall get straight to the point. Czerka Corporation does indeed have a foothold here on Coruscant. As for their location, our intelligence team was able to pinpoint where they are.”

“That fast?” asked Lyra. “Where are they? Can we get to them now?”

“Tone that eagerness down, young Padawan. Acting in haste is not the Jedi way. As I was saying, we pinpointed Czerka’s headquarters down at the Works District ^[4]. They… use that location primarily to hire new recruits and to stockpile any new goods before shipping them out to the rest of the galaxy.”

“The Works District you say?” said Hider. “That’s just south of here. If we take a landspeeder or a shuttle, we can probably get there in half an hour or so.”

“Can’t we take your ship?” asked Lyra.

Hider shook his head. “No, there’s just not enough room for my ship to land anywhere. Even if we get clearance to land at a nearby dock, it’ll only put the Omega in danger. The Works District isn’t exactly the safest place on Coruscant.”

“There’s no need to worry about transportation, Mr. Louhun. The Council has offered you all a personal shuttle that can take to your destination,” said Master So. He then turned and faced the two Jedi who were behind him. “Padawans, would you please be so kind as to guide our guests to their designated vehicle?”

“Yes, master!” replied both Padawans. Following their master’s orders, the Padawan duo signaled Lyra and her companions to come and follow them. But before anyone could leave, Master So called out to the group once again.

“Wait, there is one last thing I should mention.” He pointed his finger directly at Sweetie. “Private Drops, I’m afraid I cannot let you go. The Council and Master Darran have requested that you shall remain here at the temple.”

Sweetie’s jaw dropped. “W-what? Why?”

“You know, that’s not a bad idea,” said Hider. “Bringing Sweetie along will only be a liability. And since there is no guarantee that our meeting with Czerka might end well, it’s probably for the best that she remains here.”

“B-but I can’t just stay here and do nothing! I want to come too!”

Master Darran shook his head. “I know you are desperate to save your kin, but you’ll only be putting yourself in danger if you come with us. It is best that you remain here, safe from further harm.”

“N-no! I want to go save my friends!” Out of desperation, a desperate Sweetie Drops turned toward Lyra. “Hey, say something will you? Try to convince them to let me stay with you guys. Please!”

Lyra sighed. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I just heard about this news too, you know. And... to be frank, Sweetie. I agree with the masters’ decision.”

“What?” shouted Sweetie Drops.

“Calm down, please!” pleaded Lyra as she attempted to soothe Sweetie Drops as much as she could. “We know you are desperate to save your friends. All of us are. But we can’t put you in any more danger. Not after what happened with the Exchange. It’s best that you remain here where you’ll be safe with the Jedi.”

Lyra watched as Sweetie struggled to maintain her composure. Tears were welling up, and her cheeks were turning bright red. The mare was furious. Not just to her, but also everyone here.

Yet despite all the anger, there was no outburst. Somehow, the mare managed to take a deep breath and calm herself down. After a minute of silence, she looked back at Lyra and, in a calm demeanor, replied. “Alright, I’ll agree with you on this one. But only if you promise you’ll save all my friends. You got that?”

Lyra gave her an assuring smile. “It’s a promise. By the time we’re done there, all of those ponies will be here safe and sound.”

Sweetie didn’t reply. Instead, she smiled and gave Lyra a hug before trotting over to Master So, who’d sighed in relief under his breath mask. “Thank you for coming to an understanding, Private Sweetie Drops,” said the Kel Dor master. “I know that this is not an easy decision for you but know that we only did this in regard to your safety.”

“Save the speech,” replied Sweetie Drops in a disrespectful manner. “I might be incapable of fighting now, but that will change. Mark my words, this’ll be the last time this mare is gonna sit on the sidelines.”

Unbeknownst to everyone, Chessk’s lips curled into a wide, beaming smile.

As the crew continued to make their way down the hanger bay, Master So called them out again. “Ah, lest I forget. Master Darran, may I have a word with you for a moment. Alone please. This is a private matter.”

Master Darran complied and followed Master So into a more secluded part of the hangar bay. Sweetie Drops was about to follow, but the Kel Dor told her to stay put for now.

Lyra looked back as both Jedi masters went to a more secluded area of the hanger bay. She pondered on what those two could possibly be talking about, but she shoved her thoughts aside. There was no point in thinking about conversation she wasn’t meant to hear.

“Well, Master So, we’re alone. What is it that you wish to talk about?” asked Master Darran. “Be quick about it. I can’t dwadle here much longer.”

Master So sighed. “Eager for answers, aren’t you? Alright, I’ll get to the point. It’s about the report you wrote, regarding your time spent on Ord Mantell.”

“Is this about the Mandalorians that Chessk ran into?”

“Indeed. News of the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders sneaking into Republic space has greatly worried the Council. Some are even debating that the planet may in fact be a prime target.”

Master Darran sighed. “The flames of war will soon spread over to Republic space. It’ll only be a matter of time before the Mandalorians will quit their conquest in the outer rim and shift to a bigger goal.”

“The Republic,” whispered Master So. Master Darran watched as his longtime friend clenched both of his fists, holding every ounce of anger that slipped by his breath mask. Once he’d managed to calm down, the Kel-Dor promptly continued speaking. “War draws ever closer to us. No doubt will it spark the renegade Jedi to act.”

“Are you talking about the Revanites?” asked Master Darran, to which his friend nodded in reply. “Yes, having the Mandalorians this close to Republic space could force them to act. And should word got out that the Neo-Crusaders are scouting a Republic world, it’ll only encourage more Jedi to follow the Revanchists lead.”

“They are called the Revanchists, Master Darran, not Revanites. Confusing, I know, but that's what these Jedi call themselves. If I remember correctly, three of Padawan Lyra’s clanmates left to join Revan and Malak, correct?”

“That’s right. Three Padawans who’ve known and trained with Lyra since her initiate days. They… left her behind to go fight in the war, and we haven’t heard from them since.” Master Darran paused, then continued: “It hurt her, you know. Seeing her long-time friends just walk up and leave like that. She couldn’t concentrate on her training for days when it happened.”

“Padawan Lyra is an emotional individual. Though years of Jedi training have settled her down, I’m afraid she might always be that way.”

“Her species are emotional by nature. Nothing is going to change that. Anyway, is that all you wish to talk about, Master So?”

“I just want to tell you to be careful, my friend. You and your Padawan. This mission you have, I… there is a shift in the Force, Master Darran. I fear that this recent news about the Mandalorians may have changed the course of it.”

“Perhaps. I too have sensed a shift in the Force. Something may have changed, but you of all people know that I am always ready to take on new challenges.” Master Darran smiled. “Don’t you worry, Master So. My Padawan and I will be ready for whatever comes our way.”

“As you always have,” replied Master So with a smile of his own. “Take care, my friend. May the Force be with you, and your Padawan.

Chapter 15

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Soaring through Coruscant’s skies was a lone air shuttle. Originally belonging to the Jedi Temple, it was lent over to Lyra and her companions so that they could get to the Works District. Although taking the Omega might’ve a better option, Hider refused. Lyra didn’t understand why, but when her master agreed to her companion’s wishes, she decided not to bring it up.

After a short drive, the crew had finally made it to the Works. Hider volunteered to drive, saying that he was familiar with the area. Everyone believed him. Given that Coruscant was his home for the past few years, there was little reason to doubt him.

As for Lyra herself, she sat quietly in the back seat of the shuttle with her eyes glued to the window. It was her first time visiting the Works, so she was curious to learn more about it.

But something wasn’t right. Compared to the other places on Coruscant, the Works looked unwelcoming. The tall structures that stood over the horizon looked as if they were about to collapse. She could also see black fumes spewing out from several of the buildings.

“What happened here?” asked Lyra as she stared at the district with disgust.

“Welcome to the Works, kid. The most run down… well, second most run down place on Coruscant today,” Hider explained. “What used to be a thriving place for the working class, is now considered a dump to politicians and business owners.”

“What? But… why? Why abandon such an important district?”

Master Darran sighed. “It’s a complicated story, Padawan. But for your sake, I’ll try to keep things simple. Like Hider said, this district was considered one of Coruscant’s most prized areas. People and businesses from all over the galaxy would come here, work hard, and make a living. Sadly, that was centuries ago. The Works has all but been abandoned.”

“Supposedly, Coruscant’s high taxes and regulations made it difficult to maintain a business,” Hider continued. “So, to avoid the headache that is the government, the business owners left for other worlds in the mid and outer rims.”

“He is correct,” said Master Darran. “Those who couldn’t afford to leave closed their shops up for good, decreasing the value of the district overtime. Sure, there are still some active factories here, but the Works is just not what it used to be.”

“That’s… unfortunate,” said Chessk. “Has anything been done to restore the area?”

Master Darran shook his head. “Most of the politicians are too stubborn to lower the tax rate. But even if anything changed, the district has become increasingly violent. Gang wars are a commonplace here; and for some unknown reason, the droids that were left behind in the abandoned factories have gone active, killing anyone who’ll trespass in their domain.”

“Seriously? Not even I knew that! So, the Works has been overrun by psychopathic droids like Geefour?” Hider asked. From the back end of the air shuttle, behind Lyra’s seat, an irked T3-G4 began beeping loudly. “Relax, tin can. Don’t go crazy on us just because you couldn’t take a joke.”

“You’re the one who shouldn’t be antagonizing him, Hider!” said Lyra before looking back to her master. “Master, I don’t mean to pry, but it sounds as if you don’t like politicians. Why is that?”

Master Darran sighed. “I consider those types of people to be the worst I’ve ever worked with. Most of them are nothing but stubborn, incompetent fools who do not care for the Republic’s laws, and instead use them get whatever they want. Granted, not all of them are bad, but most do not care for Coruscant’s troubles, nor any other planet that is not their own.”

“They are the lowliest of scum. Arguably even worse that my idiot cousin.” Chessk replied. “Be wary of them when you become a Knight, little Jedi. Those kinds of people lie and cheat just so that they remain in power.”

“If you say so,” replied Lyra with a shrug. “By the way, Hider, we’ve been flying around for quite a while now. Do you even know where Czerka is located?”

“I know a good landing spot we can use that’ll put us in walking distance from Czerka’s headquarters. It’s not too far away from here, so just sit back and relax,” Hider answered.

“You seem to know the area quite well, Hider. Have you been down to the Works before?” asked Master Darran as the former Smuggler piloted the air shuttle down.

“Several times. The company I worked for wanted me to write a couple of articles on the state of the district. Though to be honest, I’ve only visited safe parts of the Works, not the more dangerous areas. And certainly not the abandoned factories.”

T3-G4 whistled from the back of the air shuttle. “Like I know why those droids went rogue in the first place, tin can,” Hider replied to the droid. “Remember, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of such a thing, so I’m just as clueless as you.”

“Um, what did Geefour say?” asked Lyra.

“It was asking how the abandoned droids went renegade in the first place,” Chessk answered.

“But, why? It’s not like Geefour is going to turn into one of those things.”

“Maybe. No one really knows what might happen if droids don’t get periodic memory wipes. I think Geefour here is worried he might end up like them one day,” Hider explained, but his response only made T3 angrier. Its beeps becoming more aggressive. “Hey, I’m being honest here, tin can. You’re only putting yourself and others in danger if you don’t have a memory wipe.”

“Enough, both of you!” shouted an irritated Master Darran. “Hider cease your pointless bickering with the droid and focus on driving. Geefour, stop worrying about the future. If you really don’t want to have your memory wiped, then we won’t do it.”

Lyra gave a sigh of relief. No matter how blunt her master’s words were, she could always rely on him to settle things down.

Shortly after the bickering stopped, a small landing bay came into view. Hider immediately slowed the vehicle down and parked it onto an open spot. “Okay, we’re here,” he said as the air shuttle’s roof swung open. “Now, before we make our way to Czerka, you guys need to know that this place is still dangerous. Be on your guard. We’ll never know what might happen.”

Lyra nodded in approval as she leapt out of the air shuttle and landed onto the metal platform. After the others exited the shuttle through more practical means, they left it behind and entered the Works.

Trotting alongside her companions, Lyra carefully observed her surroundings. Despite hearing that the district had been abandoned, the area was still relatively populated. Dozens of people walked the streets of the Works, carrying along as if it were a regular workday.

Hider was quick to notice her curiosity. “Don’t be fooled, Lyra,” he cautioned. “You may be seeing a lot people, but everybody here knows that the Works is on its last leg. It’s only a matter of time before more factories close and people here become jobless.”

“Gee, thanks for the tip, Hider,” replied Lyra with a sigh. Like I needed to know something that depressing.

<Little pony, may I have a quick word with you?> asked Chessk in Dosh as he walked closely next to the young Padawan.

“Sure, Chessk. What is it?”

“Yeah, well, she wasn’t exactly happy with the decision though.”

<Don’t worry about it. She may be upset with you now, but she’ll eventually realize you did what was best for her.>

Lyra curled her lips. “Sweetie said that she was trained in melee combat back in Equestria. While there’s nothing wrong with that, but I’m worried that she won’t transition well. As far as I remember, ponies still fight with swords and bows, not vibro-weapons and blasters.”

<Yes, she did mention that she had proficiency in close quarters combat. Hmm, perhaps when this rescue mission is over, I can give the mare a few pointers.>

“Y-you’d do that for her?”

<I’d be more than happy to help her learn how to fight. However, that would depend on whether her claim is true or not.> Chessk paused for a minute, then continued. <Hmm, blaster weaponry is out of the picture, so I’ll likely have to train her on what she already knows.>

“So, she’ll have to learn how to use vibro-weapons?”

<Possible, but there are other weapons she can use. Stun batons, daggers, and power gauntlets. Her choice of weapon would depend on how she fights. Which reminds me, do ponies have a certain style on how they fight?>

“Well, it depends. Ponies are a docile species, so we don’t fight much. But when we do, we usually wield weapons with our jaws or hold them between our elbows if it’s a long-range melee weapon like a spear. Unicorns like me are the exception to this, since we can use our horns to cast magic or lift weapons. The same can be said with Pegasus ponies, since they can fly and manipulate the weather on their own.”

<They… wield their weapons with their mouths?> To Chessk’s dismay, Lyra nodded her head. <That’s no good. If what you’re saying is true, then I’d assume the creamy pony fights in a similar way.>

“You think you can help her adapt?”

<Perhaps, but it’s going to take me awhile to do so. I can teach her a few new tricks, but I need to see what she’s capable of first.>

“Hate to break your little chat, you two, but now’s not the time for talking,” Hider said as he butted his way into the conversation. “Look, we’re here.”

“We are?” asked Lyra. She looked up and saw a large building standing in front of her. By comparison, its size was akin to that of the Exchange stronghold back on Ord Mantell. And above the doorway, plastered into the wall, was a big company sign. Czerka Corporation.

“That is one big factory they have there.” Chessk said in Basic. “It makes me wonder what those thugs use it for. Well, besides storage for their shipments.”

“I don’t know. Ponies maybe?” Hider asked. T3-G4 responded with a beep. “Yeah, I guess we won’t know until we head inside. The question is, how do we get in?”

“We’ll talk,” advised Master Darran. “Despite my dislike for Czerka, there’s no point in charging in head first and cause chaos. Diplomacy must come first. We’ll enter the building as guests and ask about their recent shipments.”

Chessk raised a brow “And if they won’t comply, Master Jedi?”

“They will. I’m certain the sight of a Jedi Master will be enough to get them to confess.” However, Master Darran’s response did not please the Trandoshan.

“If you weren’t a Jedi, I would tell you that you’re too full of yourself.” His response caused Lyra to gasp. <Don’t worry, little Jedi, I meant no disrespect. I’ll follow your master’s plan, but should things get bad, I’ll be ready to fight by your side.>

Hider sighed. “Care to explain what the big guy just said, kid?”

“Don’t worry. Chessk’s not going to attack anyone,” said Lyra.

“Good. Cause the last thing I want is to get stuck in a crossfire because the big guy was stupid enough to pick a fight.”

Lyra facehoofed as Chessk let out a deafening roar, causing many of the nearby civilians to cover their ears and cower away. “Watch your tongue, human!” the Trandoshan hollered.

“Whoa, calm down, big guy. I didn’t mean to offend you,” Hider replied as he attempted to calm the Trandoshan down. But it was futile. Chessk was fuming mad, and from his right, T3-G4 made several buzzing sounds. “Oh, don’t you start too, droid!”

Lyra rolled her eyes. Rather that participate in the squabble between her friends, she decided to leave them be and go join her master at the entrance of Czerka Headquarters. When the two arrived at their destination, they were greeted by two armed guards. One of whom immediately raised his rifle at Master Darran.

“Hold it right there!” shouted the guard. “Who are you and what business do you have with Czerka?”

“Huh. Déjà vu,” said Lyra with a raised brow.

“Indeed,” replied Master Darran before addressing the guard himself. “Lower your weapon, guardsmen. We are not here to fight. Simply, negotiate.”

“Negotiate, huh?” asked the guard. “Judging from your clothes, old man, you seem to be a Jedi.” He then looked down at Lyra and stared at her with a raised brow. “And what the heck is that supposed to be? Some animal of some sort?”

“She’s my Padawan,” answered Master Darran.

The guard’s jaw dropped. “Wait, seriously?” He lowered his weapon and gawked at Lyra with wide eyes. “No way. For real? That… thing is a Jedi?”

“I’d be more careful with your words, guardsmen. My Padawan may not look the part, but I guarantee you, she is a Jedi in training. That, and she can fully understand and speak Galactic Basic.”

“I-I see. F-forgive me, master Jedi. I didn’t mean to offend you or your Padawan.”

“Apology accepted,” Lyra replied. “Alright, let’s make this straight to the point. The reason why where here is because we have evidence to support that Czerka is currently holding an alien species here as captives.”

“W-what? Surely, you must be mistaken. We don’t imprison sentient creatures here.”

“Does Czerka happen to sell any animals here on Coruscant that people can purchase?” asked Master Darran.

The guard nodded. “Many upper-class citizens come to Czerka in hopes that they’d find an exotic space creature they can keep as a pet. Though it’s not the only thing we sell here, it is a major selling product we have on Coruscant.”

“Then it’s possible that your company is seeing my species as mere house pets!” Lyra exclaimed. She then explained her predicament to the guards, hoping she could convince them to let her inside. She left out a few details, but it was enough to get one of the guards to consent.

“That’s quite a tall tale you have their, Miss. Padawan,” said the guard. “But if what you’re saying is true, then I guess we got no choice but to let you in.”

“Hey, our orders specifically stats we can’t let anyone in right now,” berated the other guard. “If we let anyone in right now, our boss is gonna kick our butts.”

“But this is a decree from the Jedi Order! We can’t ignore them.”

“I don’t care if it’s the Jedi or the Supreme Chancellor! If we got orders saying to let no one inside the factory, then we’re not allowing anyone inside!”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Ugh, we don’t have time for this!” She trotted up the brash guardsman and gave him a fierce glare. “Hey, you!”

“Look, if you’re trying to talk me out of my decision, you can forget about it, Jedi. I am not letting anyone inside,” replied the guardsman as he returned a glare of his own. Lyra, however, simply smiled back at the man before waving her hoof in front of his face.

“You will let us inside,” she said.

The brash guardsman’s eyes went wide as his face suddenly went pale. “I… I will let you inside.” He turned around and pressed a nearby button, which caused the entrance door to suddenly fling open. “Follow me,” the guardsman continued. “I’ll lead you to the lobby.”

As the brash guardsman entered the building, his now confused partner stared at him. “W-what just happened? A moment ago, he refused to let you guys in. But now he suddenly wants to?”

“Don’t think about it too much. Just be grateful he was willing to change his mind,” said Master Darran. “But if you’re worried about your partner, why don’t you go inside and see if he’s okay. Don’t worry about us, we’ll catch up once our remaining comrades get here.”

The guardsman was hesitant at first, but he eventually gave Master Darran a nod before heading inside the factory himself, leaving Lyra and her master alone at the entrance. Using this opportunity, the Jedi Master turned his attention toward his Padawan. “Was that truly necessary, Lyra?” he asked.

“Oh, come on, master, it’s not like I hurt him or anything!” Lyra rebuked. “He didn’t want to let us in, so I played around with his mind a bit.”

Master Darran sighed. “Although I am grateful that we avoided unnecessary conflict, do warn me next time if you plan on using the Force like that.” He then paused for a moment, then continued: “By the way, have our friends finished arguing with each other back there?”

Lyra looked behind her and saw her friends were heading toward her; but unfortunately, they were still arguing among one another. A sign of ineptitude. “Look, I get I say stupid crap every once in a while, but you don’t have to take my words seriously,” Hider argued. “Come on, they’re just jokes.”

“Jokes aren’t funny if the jokester is the only one laughing,” said Chessk.

T3-G4 gave a loud hoot. “Like you know any good jokes, tin can!” Hider shouted.

“Guys, please! Enough with the bickering!” berated an agitated Lyra. “We already got our ticket in, so can please calm down and focus on the mission?”

Hider blinked. “Wait, you already got us permission to get inside? And without any use of violence whatsoever?” Lyra nodded in reply. “Dang, that was fast. I thought for sure those guards would get in our way. How’d did you manage to convince them to let us through?”

“One of the guards was more than willing to let us in after hearing our predicament. The other one, not so much,” answered Master Darran. “My Padawan ended up using a Mind Trick on the latter to get us inside.”

“Nice! Did they say anything about the ponies at all?”

Lyra shook her head. “No, they didn’t. But we should be able to find out more once we head… inside.” She paused mid-sentence. Turning around, she stared at the factory entrance, squinting her eyes as ears began to flop.

Hider was quick to notice this. “Hey, Lyra, what’s wrong?” he asked.

She didn’t answer him. Her eyes were instead glued to the entrance of the Czerka factory. Something big just happened inside. She didn’t know what it was, nor she had no physical proof of it happening, but a disturbance Force was all the proof she needed.

Then, she heard a scream.

“Did you all hear that?” said Chessk.

“Hear what?” Hider asked.

“A scream. It came from inside the factory!”

“What? But I didn’t hear anything.”

“No, Chessk’s right. Something is happening inside the building!” Lyra shouted as she immediately bolted inside. Hider tried to call out to her, but she didn’t hear him. She’d already bolted into the facility. Without looking back and checking to see if anyone had followed her, she galloped, until she eventually reached a large lobby looking room.

For a building that was meant to be a factory, the lobby was decorated well. Furnishes lined up on both sides of the room with lavish decorations on the walls and ceiling. There was also a desk and a computer on the other side of the room, and behind it was another large doorway.

However, in the center of the room were the two guardsmen from before. Both were on the floor, moaning in pain, coughing up blood. Seeing this, Lyra rushed to the guardsman who’d showed her kindness earlier. “Oh my gosh. Are you alright?” she asked.

The guardsman shook his head in reply as he began to cough up more blood. Seeing this, Lyra went white. She wanted to panic, but her instincts told her not to. What kind of Jedi would she be if she left an injured person dying on the floor?

“Hang on. I’ll heal you!” She quickly called upon the Force and concentrated its energies to her front hooves. “Tell me, where does it hurt?”

Despite being in agonizing pain, the guardsman was able lift his left arm up and point directly at his abdomen and right shoulder. Seeing this, Lyra gently placed her hooves on the man’s injuries, allowing the soothing light of the Force to heal the wounded man. As she did this, some loud footsteps and a buzzing noise came from behind her position. She looked back and saw her master, as well as her friends, all enter the lobby at once.

“What the heck happened here?” Hider yelled as he stared at the two wounded guardsmen with wide eyes.

“I-I don’t know! I just found them like this!” shouted Lyra. “Hider, please, go check on the other person. See if he’s okay!”

“G-got it!” Without any objections, Hider immediately ran up and checked on the other guard on the floor. He bent down on his knees, skimming the body for any signs of injury. He kept quiet for a moment. Then, his jaw dropped. “H-he’s dead. Kriff, this guy is dead!”

Lyra went pale. “W-what? Why? How?”

“I… I f-found him like… that,” said the injured guardsman who was struggling to even speak. “When I came here, I-I saw his body… laying on the floor. I… went to go help him, but w-when I did, I felt a punch to my gut. T-then, I think I got hit by blaster fire. I-I would’ve passed out if it wasn’t for you miss Jedi, I think I’m going to be okay.”

Lyra bit her lip. D-did I just lead a man to his death? Questions began popping in her head. How did the other guardsman die? There was nobody here. Perhaps the culprit left after shooting his two victims? If that was the case, could there be a murderer somewhere in this building? “We have to find the killer, now!” she shouted. “Master, where should we start looking?”

Master Darran didn’t reply.

“Master, didn’t you hear me?”

Again, no reply. Confused, Lyra called out to him again, but he ignored her and instead walked silently past both her and Hider. “Um, master? Is something wrong?” she asked.

Once more, she blinked.

In a split second, the Jedi Master snatched his saber from his belt and ignited it, deflecting two stray blaster bolts that came from seemingly nowhere. Seeing this, Lyra immediately grabbed her saber as well, ready to stand side by side with her master. She stopped when she realized that the bolts that were deflected had managed to hit something.

She gasped. Two tall human-like beings suddenly appeared in front of Master Darran. They were armed with blaster rifles and wore heavy armor the likes of which she had never seen before.

Then it came to her. Could these people be the murderers? And more importantly, how did she not sense these guys when she came into the room? Sure, they wore stealth field generators, but that shouldn’t be an excuse.

“Mandalorians!” shouted Chessk as he quickly grabbed his rifle from his back holster. He took aim and fired a bolt directly at one of the intruders, killing him instantly. The second tried to retaliate, but he was stopped by T3-G4, who’d fired his stun ray.

With the perpetrator disabled, Master Darran quickly disarmed the intruder by destroying his weapon with his saber. He then aimed the tip of his blade to the intruder’s neck, ready to end the Mandalorian’s life in case he tried to retaliate.

“Damn you, Jedi!” cursed the Mandalorian. He stepped back and tried to pull out a sidearm from his hip; however, Master Darran was too fast for him. The Jedi Master quickly destroyed the sidearm, then struck the attacker’s waist with his saber, killing him.

“What the heck? What’re Mandalorians doing here?” Hider yelled. “More importantly, how the heck were they able to get to Coruscant in the first place?”

Master Darran sighed as he deactivated his lightsaber. “I do not know. Perhaps our friend here can tell us what’s really going on.”

“A-are you serious?” rebuked the injured guardsman. “What makes you think I know what’s going on?”

“Czerka is known throughout the galaxy for being a shady company. I’d assume that the higher-ups of your organization took something that belonged to the Mandalorians? It would certainly explain their presence here.”

“N-no. Seriously, I don’t know anything! All I know is that a new shipment arrived from Ord Mantell a day ago. Something about new pets for sale I think, but I’m not sure! I never got to see the new shipments.”

Hider raised a brow. “Wait, new pets for sale? And they came from Ord Mantell? No. It can’t be a coincidence, could it?”

“No, it shouldn’t,” said Chessk. “I know it sounds farfetched, but I believe these Mandalorians that we encountered are the same ones who infiltrated the Exchange base.”

The room fell into an awkward silence. Eventually, Lyra was the one to speak up first. “So, what you’re saying is, these Mandalorians are after the ponies too?”

“That is a bold statement you have there, Chessk, but I admit, it is possible,” said Master Darran. He then looked at the two Mandalorian corpses. “We must get to the ponies as soon as possible. Geefour, go to that computer terminal and see if you can download a map of the building. Hider, Chessk, I want you two to ready your weapons. If more Mandalorians are here, then a fight maybe coming.”

“Hey, what about me?” asked the guardsman.

“Can you walk?” Master Darran asked.

“I-I think so. But I might need some help.”

“Then my Padawan and I will assist you. The least we can do is get you out of here safely.” Master Darran then looked directly at Lyra. “Padawan, would you please be so kind as to help this poor man.”

Lyra didn’t reply.

“Padawan, are you listening to me?”

Again, no response.

“Padawan, enough with the silent treatment. We need to move, now!”

She gave no answer. Instead, Lyra dashed past him and Hider, leaping over the computer desk and galloped into the open doorway at the far end of the room. Her companions cried out to her, but it was no use. Their voices fell on deaf ears as she alone delved deeper into factory.

Chapter 16

View Online

Lyra had never galloped so fast before in her entire life. At least, not without the Force. She couldn’t bring herself to concentrate and command its power due to being completely distressed. When it was hinted that the ponies were here by the guardsman, all she wanted to do was to find them immediately.

But she’d been wandering around the factory for what seemed to be hours. The entire place was nothing but long hallways and splitting corridors. She had no idea where she was going; and yet, she kept running, relying only on instinct to guide her way.

She just had to save to save those ponies. She had to. But even she had her limits.

Eventually, Lyra gave into fatigue, collapsing between two branching corridors. She looked around and frowned. She was lost. She had no idea where the ponies were and had no way to go back to her master.

She was on her own.

Her lips curled into a frown as she tried to fight back the tears. She blew it. She’d failed the Jedi Council and had broken her promise to Sweetie Drops. At this rate, the Mandalorians were sure to escape with the ponies to who knows where. And given that they currently occupied several outer rim worlds, it might take her months just to find one pony, possibly years. Who knows what kind of treatment they’d receive? By the time she saved them all, they could be scarred for life.

Lyra slumped onto her belly as the tears gushed out from her eye. The only thing comforted her was a cool breeze blowing across her mane.

Wait, there’s wind blowing on my mane?

Drying her tears, Lyra shot straight back up and attempted to figure out where the breeze came from. One thing’s for sure, what she felt wasn’t something that came from indoors. No, she was certain the wind it came from outside. But that could only mean she was near an exit.

She looked at the splitting corridors, one to her left and the other to the right. She trotted forward, attempting to get a better feel of the wind. Then, she felt it, coming from the left. A tiny gush of outdoor air blew on her face.

Lyra darted for the left corridor, hoping that this newfound opportunity may lead her somewhere. Fortunately for her, it did. Not soon after her run, she found a large exit in front of her that led outside.

She smiled. Though it may be a long shot, this maybe her final chance. If this exit didn’t lead to the missing ponies, then all her hope of ever returning home would be lost.

When she finally made it out, Lyra stopped in her place and took a minute to get a good look of her surroundings. As expected, she had made it back outside. She could see the Works in its lowliness. The rundown buildings, the dirty black smoke. Despite her recklessness, she’d somehow found the factory hangar bay.

Well, at least I was able to find a place that might help me. Now all I need to do is look for clues.

Moving quietly, Lyra trotted to a nearby cargo box and hid behind it, hoping that nobody would see her. As she slowly peeked her head out, she eventually realized she was standing on top of a big platform.

The hangar itself was two stories tall. It was filled to the brim with cargo containers, accompanied by vehicles and pulleys that she assumed Czerka employees used to help move the cargo. And below her was the ship docking bay that ships used to land and unload cargo.

Lyra looked around. There was no sign of any workers or Mandalorians. She assumed the place was deserted, but she was proven wrong when she spotted the corpses of dead Czerka workers lined up.

Seeing this, Lyra went pale. There were so many bodies. It was as if she were at a graveyard. She almost lost her composure; however, her sickness vanished when she saw the guilty party, Mandalorian soldiers. It didn’t take long for her to conclude that these workers were killed because they simply got in the way.

Those poor people. Lyra closed her eyes and muttered a quick prayer. “May they find peace in the Force.”

As she reopened her eyes, Lyra looked around for any clue of the whereabouts of the missing ponies. Then, she spotted it. At the bottom platform near a parked Mandalorian spacecraft was a group of ponies. Ten of them, she counted. The Mandalorians had captured them. They’d separated the group in pairs of two and were stuffed in cages that had little room to move. From what she could tell, they looked tired, defeated. It was as if they’ve given up hope.

Lyra couldn’t blame them. First, they were tricked and captured by the Exchange, who treated them horribly before they sold them to Czerka, and now this. Though she had no idea what the Mandalorians planned to do with the ponies, she wouldn’t let them get away. She was going to save them and put an end their nightmare.

But how was she going to do it? No way could she fight all those Mandalorians at once. She’d be outnumbered ten to one. Plus, it was very likely that these soldiers were equipped with blasters. If she were to charge in recklessly, she’d be gunned down almost immediately.

Lyra curled her lip. There had to be something that could turn the tide of battle. Something that would give her an advantage, or perhaps even the odds.

No. She had no time to think. If she were to delay any further, the Mandalorians would take the ponies away. She had to make a move now, or else all her efforts would be for nothing. But Lyra still knew that attacking recklessly will only put her in danger. At the very least, she needed to make a move that wasn’t too risky.

But then, Lyra realized something. No Mandalorian had noticed her yet. In fact, none of them even bothered to guard the hangar bay entrance. What’s more is that their forces were scattered. Not a single soldier was paired with another. And to top it all off, they all had their backs turned away from her. Every soldier in this port was susceptible to a sneak attack. All she had to do was find a target.

She eventually did. A lone, light-armored Mandalorian soldier that was within striking distance. A golden opportunity.

Seeing this, Lyra stood up straight, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She called upon the Force, gathering as much of its energies as she possibly could. This battle would be the fight of her life. So much was on the line now, and she was determined to see this through.

As she let go of her breath, Lyra’s eyes shot open. With the Force, she bent her knees and leapt with all her might. She soared through the skies, pinpointing her target as she descended onto the platform. She quickly snatched her saber from her belt and activated it. Despite the loud snap-hiss sound, it didn’t alert any of the soldiers. She was too high up in the air for them to hear her weapon’s activation.

Slowly, she grew closer to her target. He came closer and closer, until eventually, she swung her blade at the soldier as hard as she could.

Lyra never did realize what limb she struck. She was so focused on getting that Mandalorian, the thought of where she might strike her blade eclipsed her mind. She didn’t want to kill him though, that was something she wanted to avoid. But once she landed safely onto the platform, she finally got a good look at the soldier she attacked.

She’d cut his arm off. His left arm to be precise. She’d been so driven by emotion that she had unintentionally struck the soldier with a Cho Mok mark of contact. Only when she heard the scream of the Mandalorian soldier did she realize her mistake.

The Mandalorian lumped to the floor, his voice screeching in pain as he grabbed his shoulder. His screams get the attention of his fellow soldiers and all the ponies who were trapped inside their cages. Lyra was in the spotlight now, and they were all gawking at her.

Seeing this, she raised her lightsaber and went into a defensive stance, ready to take on any Mandalorian who dared to attack her. But there was no retaliation. Not a single soldier had started shooting. None of the Mandalorians even had their rifles raised. They just stared at her and did nothing.

What’s going on? Why aren’t they fighting back? Lyra thought. Is this their first time seeing a Jedi? Or maybe they’re surprised to see another pony?

Her eyes then drifted to the captured ponies and quickly noticed something astounding. The captives were a mix of all pony species: Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies. For the first time in ten years, she saw her own kind.

Lyra felt a sliver of hope. There they were, the missing ponies. Mere inches away from her. She was about to make a beeline for them, but stopped when she heard a loud, masculine voice screech across the room.

“Don’t just stand there, you idiots! Shoot the Jedi!”

That snapped the Mandalorians out of their stupor. Upon hearing that commanding voice, all the remaining Mandalorian forces grabbed their rifles and took aim at Lyra. It was then that the young Padawan realized that the odds were stacked against her. Despite taking out one soldier, she was still outnumbered nine to one.

There was no way she could defend against that many troops. Their blaster fire would overwhelm her in a manner of seconds. If she didn’t act fast, this hangar bay would be her grave.

Luckily for her, there was a nearby cargo box she could use for safety. As the Mandalorians charged their shots, she darted for cover. Fortunately, she was fast enough to get where she needed to be. The Mandalorians had fired their rifles the moment she jumped, their bolts grazing the spot where she once stood.

“Surround the Jedi! Don’t let that thing escape!” Lyra heard from behind cover. She then heard loud, clanking footsteps. Mandalorians, she assumed. The heavy armor that those people wore gave her the impression that they were trying to corner her.

Upon realizing her dire situation, it had finally dawned on Lyra that she had made a huge mistake. The Mandalorians were coming for her. Most likely, their goal would be to incapacitate and capture her. Or in the worst-case scenario, kill her.

What do I do? What do I do?

Clunk. The sound of heavy armored footsteps rang in her ears.

Why? Why did I have to leave my master and my friends behind? I can’t fight all these people by myself!

Clunk. The footsteps were getting closer. The loud thumping noise the soldier's metal footsteps made Lyra’s heart to skip a beat.

Her breathing intensified. Her luck had run out. The only thing she could do was to surrender and hope for her best. Perhaps her master or her companions, or maybe even the Jedi Order, would come to her rescue. If not today, then maybe another perhaps another time.

Don’t ever give up my Padawan.

Lyra blinked. For a second there, she had thought she heard her master’s voice. She looked around to see if he or her companions had arrived but found no one. Besides the Mandalorians who were waiting behind her cover, she was the only one here.

Did her master try to contact her through telepathy, or was it all in her head? Either way, it didn’t matter. Just hearing his voice relieved some of her stress. She quickly steadied her breathing and quickly recited the first line of the Jedi code: “There is no emotion, there is peace,” she whispered.

She took a deep breath and sighed. She’d overcame one obstacle, thanks to her master’s guidance, but there was still a brick wall she had to climb. The Mandalorians were getting close. She needed to find a way to fight back, or at least stall them until her master and companions get here.

But how was she going to fight them all?

“We have you surrounded, Jedi! Come out with those hooves out!” shouted a Mandalorian. “If you surrender peacefully, we’ll spare your life.”

Lyra grimaced. Looks like I got no choice but to fight them head on.

Taking her lightsaber’s hilt, she was about to leap out of her cover and fight them all at once. But she stopped when she saw multiple container bins laying in front of her. They were everywhere. Bins ranging from small to large metal boxes. In fact, the entire place was filled to the brim with these things.

Then it hit her. This entire platform was ammunition for her. She can use the Force to simply throw these containers at the Mandalorians. Sure, it won’t hurt them that much or kill them, but it would turn the battle in her favor.

All she had to do was put her trust in the Force and her telekinetic abilities.

“Jedi! Show yourself!” shouted another Mandalorian.

Lyra sighed. It was time to face her enemies.

Hooking her saber to her belt, she turned around and leapt onto the storage container she used for cover. She gazed at her enemies with a fierce glare, spotting a total of nine Mandalorian soldiers who’re all pointing their weapons at her.

“Put your arms up where we can see them!” barked a Mandalorian soldier. Lyra obeyed the command and slowly lifted her front hooves up. Fortunately, these Mandalorians weren’t Force sensitive. If any of them were, they would’ve noticed that several container bins had begun to rattle behind her.

“Somebody cuff that thing!” ordered another soldier. “And while you’re at it, take her lightsaber too. We can’t let her keep that weapon.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” said Lyra. She immediately dropped both of her hooves, causing a handful of storage containers to fly and crash into multiple Mandalorian soldiers. It may not have done a lot of damage, but her action caused all the soldiers to point their weapons away from her.

They must think someone’s here to rescue me. Lyra thought. Well, given that this is the only opportunity I have, I might as well use it!

Calling upon the Force, she pulled her front hooves back and began lifting as many containers as she possibly could. Mentally, it was stressful. Never had she used the Force to this capacity before. She may not be lifting them physically, but she still felt the strain on her body.

Still, it was bearable. As more containers floated in the air, she swung her hooves forward, unleashing a barrage of bins directly at her enemies. The Mandalorian soldiers tried to retaliate, but it was too late. For every bin that was thrown at them, Lyra kept chugging more.

Eventually, a few soldiers managed to regain their footing. They aimed their rifles and fired at the young Padawan. However, Lyra saw it coming and immediately hid behind the large bin again. She then reeled back her right hoof a conjured a powerful telekinetic wave, throwing her only cover directly at the Mandalorians who fired at her.

A direct hit. The large bin hit the perpetrators right on the head, causing them to slump to the floor, motionless.

Seeing that she had the advantage, Lyra unhooked her saber and ignited the blade. She leapt at a soldier who was still recovering from her attack and quickly destroyed his weapon. She then performed a shiim strike at the soldier’s hands, wounding him. The blow wasn’t lethal, but at least he wouldn’t be able to fire anymore weapons.

With one soldier down, she looked up and saw that a few more Mandalorians had recovered and were ready to fire their weapons. They did, but given that it was only a few soldiers, Lyra was able to redirect all the shots. One bolt had even managed to hit one of the Mandalorians. A very fortunate moment. Now she was free to use her telekinesis again.

Lyra quickly unleashed a wave of telekinesis, hurling heavy container bins and powerful Force Pushes. One after another, they fell. The once intimidating Mandalorian squad was torn apart by the power of the Force.

As she struck down another Mandalorian, the young Padawan stood up straight on her back legs, ready to take on the next soldier who dared get in her way. But to her amazement, she found that all her enemies were down for the count.

She had done it. The day had been won.

Lyra shot a quick glance at the caged ponies and noticed that they were all staring at her. Their expressions mixed between, shock, awe, and joy. A few even cheered.

Seeing their reactions made her chuckle. At the very least, she made a good first impression. Now all she had to do was free them from their cages.

But as she made it to their location, one last Mandalorian stood in her way. Seeing this, Lyra gripped her saber with her front hooves and raised it vertically to her dominant side, bracing herself for whatever attack that may come her way. However, she quickly noticed that there was something different about him.

Unlike the other Mandalorians, he didn’t have a blaster rifle. Instead, he approached her with a double-bladed vibrosword, a weapon akin to her master's. And he wore no helmet either. His entire head was exposed, revealing dark black hair, blue eyes, and a big scar on his cheek.

To make things even weirder, he gave a cold, devilish smile. It’s as if he wanted to fight her. But why? Didn’t he see how badly his allies were beaten? At the very least, he should be a little bit scared.

Lyra curled her lip. I got a bad feeling about this.

Moments Earlier

Watching from afar, Khal Dryll could not help but scowl as his squadmates struggled to fight against the tiny Jedi. It was an embarrassment. They had no idea what they were doing. Yes, the Jedi may have caught them off-guard when it faked it’s surrender, but they gave up an opportunity to capture her or perhaps even kill her.

Now their advantage in numbers was all but lost. The Jedi was tearing them apart.

Khal gritted his teeth. Seeing these trained soldiers struggle against a single Jedi made his blood boil. Many high-ranking Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders had high hopes from him and his squad, but what would they say if they witnessed what he was seeing? What would Mandalore the Ultimate think?

“Disgraceful,” Khal spat as he pulled out a double-bladed vibrosword from his back. There was no hope for his squad. He needed to intervene now, or else this battle—perhaps even their mission—would be all but over.

But before he could join his comrades in battle, a voice called out to him from behind. “Where do you think you’re going, Khal?” He looked back and saw his uncle, the commanding officer of the entire squad, tending the wound of an injured soldier. The same soldier whose arm had been cut off mere moments ago, who’d been brought back to the ship by his uncle and the squad’s medic while the Jedi had been cornered.

“Where do you think I’m going, uncle?” Khal answered with a smirk. “I’m going to fight the Jedi.”

“Leave that to your squad mates, son. Help me with this soldier, now! His wound is severe. If we don’t do anything, he’ll die!”

“Then let him die, commander. It’s his fault that he lost his arm that way. If he paid more attention to his surroundings, he wouldn’t be in that situation.”

“Khal!”

“Save it, uncle. I do not need to hear a lecture from you!” He pointed his finger at the battle scene, where the Jedi had finally taken control of the fight. “Can you not see what’s happening over there? They’re struggling, uncle. They cannot hope to win against that Jedi. If I stay here and do nothing, it’ll only jeopardize our mission!”

“Then what do you suppose we do, Khal?”

“Call off our troops! Let me fight! I am the only one here who’s done any research on our enemy. If you let me take on that thing one-on-one, not only will I guarantee you all victory, I’ll bring you that Jedi’s head!”

There was some hesitation from the Mandalorian commander. Then, he finally replied: “Very well. Bring glory to Mandalore, my nephew.”

Khal grinned devilishly. The grip on his vibrosword tightened as he made his way to the battle zone. For the first time in his life, his blood began to boil. Finally, his dream was realized. He would have the chance to fight against an actual Jedi. And a competent one at that.

Khal stood in front of the captured aliens, believing that they were the reason why the Jedi was here. Sure enough, he was correct. Once it realized that she’d taken out the last of his squad, she made a beeline for the captives.

Good. The sooner we start this fight, the better.

Chapter 17

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Lyra wasn’t sure on what to do next. There was one last Mandalorian soldier that stood in her way, but she wouldn’t dare to make a move. Not when there is a tall, intimidating man wearing heavy plated armor standing in front of the cages with a double-bladed vibrosword.

She grimaced. There was something off about that man. For a person who had just witnessed his allies get crushed, he seemed rather calm and confident. Realizing that she needed answers, she reached out with the Force and peered into the soldier's mind. An unethical thing to do, at least by pony standards, but necessary. It was the only way she could get a clue of who this person was. But as she scoured through his mind, it only left her with more questions. She had sensed his anger, but it wasn’t directed at her. Rather, it was toward the other soldiers.

An odd sensation, yet that wasn’t the only emotion Lyra could sense. Aside from the Mandalorian’s unbridled rage, there was a feeling of joy and excitement. It’s almost as if the man was happy that he was standing face to face with a Jedi.

“I see that you prefer peering into other people’s thoughts rather than fight,” said the Mandalorian with a cold, devilish smirk. “Is this commonality with Jedi, or is it just you?”

Lyra let out a sharp gasp. Her eyes widened as the man’s cold glare fell upon her. “Surprised?” he asked. “Considering that you’ve yet to attack me, I can only assume you’re either peering into my mind or you’re trying to influence me with your powers.”

“Khal!”

Lyra flinched as a loud, gruff voice echoed into her ears. She quickly spun around and saw an injured Mandalorian soldier standing behind her, panting. At first, she thought he was a threat, but upon further inspection, she realized this wasn’t the case. The man was incapable of putting up a fight. Blood was dripping from his head, and she could tell that he had issues standing upright. He was also holding his right shoulder rather tightly for some reason, though Lyra was quick to realize that his arm was broken.

Wait, broken? How? All I did was conjure telekinetic waves and throw cargo bins at them. Sure, it would explain the blood, but not the broken arm.

“You are too injured to fight, soldier,” said the Mandalorian in front of Lyra. “Retreat, now! That is an order from our commander!”

“Surely, you don’t mean to take on this Jedi by yourself?” asked the injured soldier.

The Mandalorian known as Khal, gave another devilish smirk. “Oh, I plan on fighting this Jedi alright. And unlike you or the rest of this so-called squad, I don’t need help! So, do yourself a favor and don’t get in my way!”

The injured soldier opened his mouth to reply, but Khal interrupted him before he could say anything. “Follow your orders, soldier. Fall back and tend to your wounds. Or else the Jedi won’t be the only thing you’ll have to worry about.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. Did that guy seriously threaten his own companion? She glanced back at the wounded soldier again and saw that he wasn’t particularly happy about the order he’d been given. Nevertheless, he followed it, and so did the other Mandalorians she fought.

“Useless fodder,” Khal spat before turning back to Lyra. “Quite a spectacle you had back there, Jedi. Not only were you able to turn a bad situation to your favor, but you defeated an entire squad of Mandalorian Neo-crusaders all on your own! I must admit, that is impressive.”

Lyra cocked a brow. D-did he just compliment me?

“I kept warning them that this day would come. That soon we’d be encountering the Jedi on the battlefield,” he continued. “But they didn’t listen. They just brushed me aside, saying that I was obsessed, crazy.”

Shifting to his right side, Khal walked over to a nearby cargo bin. He raised his double-bladed vibrosword, and slammed the right blade onto the bin, creating a loud bang that echoed across the hanger bay.

“They didn’t listen to me! No matter how many times I warned them, they just wouldn’t listen!” Khal shouted as he continued to bash the bin with his sword. “My squad! My team! We were supposed to be the best among all the new recruits in the Neo-crusaders. But now look at us! Our entire team lost to a single Jedi!”

Lyra winced. The rage that she sensed earlier was beginning to pour out. All for everyone to see. Although his anger wasn’t directly at her, it was still frightening nonetheless. It reminded her of the lessons back at the academy, where the masters spoke about the Dark Side of the Force and its users. The more she thought back to those lessons, the more grateful she was that this Khal person was not Force sensitive.

As Khal’s rage began to dwindle, he glanced back at Lyra again, giving her the same cold stare as before. Then, in a move that made Lyra’s heart skip a beat, he took his blade and slid it into one of the pony cages, targeting a helpless unicorn mare. “Tell me, Jedi, are these creatures the reason why you’re here?” he asked.

Lyra did not answer.

“Staying quiet will do you no good, Jedi. All it does is confirm my suspicions.” With a smirk, Khal slid his weapon further into the cage. The very tip of the blade now touched the pony’s neck, causing the unicorn mare to cry. Seeing this, Lyra took her lightsaber out and immediately ignited the blade.

“Looks like I finally got your attention,” said Khal. “Now, answer me now, Jedi. Or else I will jam my blade into this creature’s throat!”

Realizing she had no choice, Lyra relented and gave Khal a slight nod. She didn’t answer him verbally, but it was enough for the soldier to slowly retract his weapon. Though to her disappointment, he still hadn’t retracted the entire blade from the cage.

“Ah, I assumed as much. Given that you resemble these creatures, it’d make sense that you’d risk coming here alone,” said Khal. “Next question. Who are you, exactly? Since you already know my name, I’d figured that you’d at least introduced yourself. So, tell me, Jedi. What is your name?”

Lyra stayed silent. In her mind, she pondered on the methods she could use to remove Khal away from the captives. At first, she thought a simple Force Push would do the job, but she quickly brushed that option aside. Conjuring a telekinetic wave would only endanger the ponies behind him.

She then thought about using the Force to lift the Mandalorian into the air. But that required time and concentration. Something that she didn’t have. Especially now that she is in a hostage situation.

Growing impatient, Khal began to shout at Lyra. “Speak, Jedi! You know what will happen to this creature if you don’t! And no head gestures this time! I demand to hear the name of my opponent!”

Lyra curled her lip. With no other choice, she finally spoke up.“It’s… it’s Lyra,” she admitted. “My name is Lyra Heartstrings.”

“Lyra, you say? Hmm, a rather nice name, I admit. Now tell me, Jedi, what is your rank among the Order. Are you a Jedi Knight, or dare I say, a Jedi Master?”

Lyra shook her head. “I am neither a Knight nor a Master. I’m just a Padawan in training. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Y-you are only a Padawan?” Khal asked in disbelief. “But that’s impossible. The amount of skill and poise you had. No mere Padawan could ever accomplish such a feat.”

“Believe it or not, it’s true,” Lyra replied. “I am not a Jedi by title. Only a student.” She kept a close eye on her enemy as he slowly took in the news, all while keeping her guard up in case he threw another tantrum. Her precaution proved to be correct. The anger that she sensed within Khal was boiling up again. The only bright side to this is that he finally withdrew his blade from the cage.

“Damn it! Then it’s worse than I thought!” shouted a frustrated Khal. “It was bad enough that my squad lost to you, but to hear that they lost to a being that isn’t officially a Jedi at all! It’s foolishness I tell you. Complete foolishness.”

Seething in anger, Khal stepped away from the cages and approached the Padawan with his weapon held above his waist. His action caused Lyra to take a defensive stance, believing that he would make the first strike. But to her surprise, he stopped.

“I’ll be honest with you, Jedi, when I first encountered your species, I thought they were weak. An intriguing new species, but weak nonetheless.” Khal paused for a moment as his lips curled into a smile. “But after seeing you in action, I believe your species has the potential to be strong. That if trained properly, you could bend the galaxy to their will if they wish to.”

He raised his left arm and pointed his index finger at Lyra. Then, he provoked her with a hand gesture. “Come, Padawan Lyra. Let’s see how well you fight with that lightsaber.”

Accepting Khal’s challenge, Lyra immediately leapt in. She lunged straight at her opponent with Force imbued jump and attacked him with an overhead strike. She’d had hoped to end the battle soon with her speed, but to her misfortune, Khal had blocked the attack. His reaction was just as fast as her jump.

For a moment, their blades clashed. The green-hued lightsaber blade etched on the durasteel blade. It soon came to an end, however, when Khal pushed Lyra back, forcing the young Padawan into a backflip. A minor inconvenience. Once she landed on her hooves, Lyra charged at him again.

Once within striking distance, Lyra attacked her opponent with a furious saber swarm. Her attacks fast. So fast that the bystanders could barely see the blade’s trajectory. The only time they could keep up is when Khal somehow managed to block each of her strikes.

And that was the problem. Despite striking with the speed of a hawk-bat, Lyra could not land a finishing blow. Somehow, her opponent had managed to keep up with her offensive. For every attack she threw at him, he either blocked it or parried it away.

Seeing that her offensive was rendered useless, Lyra quickly withdrew with another backflip. After landing safely several inches away from her opponent, she thought back to the brief exchange.

There was something strange about Khal’s defense. Although it was simple and straightforward, she couldn’t help but feel that something was off. It wasn’t just the double-bladed vibrosword. She’d already realized that her unfamiliarity with the weapon would put her at a slight disadvantage. But even so, Khal’s defense was extraordinary. Perhaps too good for a non-Force sensitive.

“Incredible!” said Khal. “I’ve heard tales of Jedi being able to use their powers to amplify their speed. To see it in person is nothing short of amazing.”

Lyra grimaced. The realization that she had underestimated her opponent frustrated her. If she was going to take him down, she’ll just have to move faster.

Calling upon the Force, Lyra charged at Khal again with another saber swarm. If anyone had any trouble keeping up with her pace before, they’d have even more trouble now. She was just too fast. Her speed was akin to that of a speeding hover bike.

However, this speed didn’t come without a cost. Lyra knew that she could not keep this up for long. The Force had its limits. Relying one its power alone could only take her so far, and it’s not like she could forcibly take power. That in of itself is not the Jedi way. If she were to beat her opponent, she needed to go beyond her limits.

Fortune would smile upon her though, as Lyra soon spotted an opening in her opponent’s defense. Reeling her saber back, she put her hoof down and thrusted forward with the tip of her blade. Her target, Khal’s breastplate. More specifically, his waist. If she could make this one mark of contact, the fight would be over.

Khal saw the attack coming though. He had maneuvered slightly to his right just in time to avoid her thrust. Not that it mattered. At the very least, she could take a swipe at his armor with the tip of her lightsaber.

But when her blade struck her opponent’s armor Lyra was quick to notice that something wasn’t right. The tip of the blade made contact, but there was no sign of any damage.

“That was a good hit,” Khal said, grinning widely. “But it’s going to take more than that to stop me.”

Lyra gasped as Khal’s vibrosword came straight for her neck. She acted quickly and raised her saber to defend herself. She was successful, but blocking the blade made her arms quiver. There was so much power in the attack that it nearly caused her to fall backward. She remained balanced thanks to the Force, but she had to make a hasty retreat.

She mustered enough power to push Khal’s blade away, which gave her enough time to retreat backward. Once again, she found herself standing several feet away from her opponent. Only this time, her confidence had dipped slightly. She hoped the fight would be over by now, but once again, her opponent was still standing.

“Surprised, Jedi? Judging by that look, I would assume so,” Khal said with a shrug. “Well, I don’t know if your masters taught you this, but there are certain metals in the galaxy that can resist your lightsabers.”

He patted his right hand on top of his breastplate. “Cortosis is an example of such. It is a highly valuable metal ore that is difficult to find. Should one craft it correctly, it can resist even the most powerful energy weapons, including that little lightsaber of yours.”

Lyra bit her lip, cursing herself for not realizing her opponent might’ve had something up his sleeve. Though she didn’t expect it to be his armor of all things.

Cortosis. It was the first time she heard of it. Although she was impressed that a hunk of rock could resist a lightsaber blade, she couldn’t help but wonder why the masters haven’t mentioned anything about it. If there was something that could resist lightsaber strikes, shouldn’t that be enough to warrant a lesson?

She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about such things. Especially in the middle of a duel.

Her shoulders stiffened. If she couldn’t defeat Khal in close range, then she’ll have to find another way. She glanced around the hanger bay. Dozens of container bins still laid scattered from her previous battle. Perhaps she could use them again to her advantage?

“What are you waiting for, Jedi?” asked Khal. “Quit standing around and attack me!”

Lyra frowned. As irritating as her opponent’s impatient attitude was, she had to move quickly. Accepting his challenge, she lifted several bins off the ground using telekinesis. The bins themselves weren’t heavy, so at least she didn’t have to worry about overstraining herself.

She fired the bins one by one, hoping that she could at land a blow to her opponent. If not, perhaps it’d at least wear him down a bit. But to her surprise, she noticed that Khal wasn’t too phased by her new approach. Everything she threw at him, he dodged with relative ease.

“Ugh, this is annoying!” shouted Khal. With a grunt of frustration, he raised his blade and somehow slammed down the latest bin that flew at him. “Resulting to petty tricks, I see. Fine. If you refuse to fight me head on, I’ll just have to come to you, Jedi!”

His words didn’t faze Lyra all that much as she continued to haul projectiles directly at Khal. However, it soon became clear to her that there was meaning behind his words. He soon stopped dodging entirely, and instead swatted the bins away with his sword.

Then Khal began to move. The bins may have kept him back but he was able to adapt quickly. And to make things worse, he was moving forward at a steady pace.

Lyra bit lip. If this continued, she’d be forced to fight Khal in melee combat again. Given his enormous strength and cortosis armor, she could not afford to let that happen. Desperate, she levitated the heaviest cargo bin she could possibly find. She threw it with whatever power she had left in reserve, hoping that this would be enough to stop him.

Thankfully, her opponent could not defend himself against an object this large. The bin had hit him right on his chest, which knocked him back several feet.

As her opponent fell to the floor, Lyra observed him carefully, waiting for any sign of movement. Seconds passed. Khal had yet to recover from the hit he received. It appeared the duel was finally over.

Lyra sighed in relief as she deactivated her lightsaber. It had taken her some time, but at long last, she won her duel. It would’ve ended a lot sooner if it weren’t for the armor, but she had to admit, her opponent was good. Given that he was able to defend against her for so long proved that he was a skilled fighter. And unlike the other Mandalorians, he put up a decent fight.

But there was no point in thinking about it anymore. She had won. The only thing left to do now was to rescue the captives.

“Damn it, I’m not finished yet!”

Lyra let out a sharp gasp as Khal stood back up again, completely unfazed by the hit he received. “Nice try, Jedi, but you aren’t going to beat me with petty tricks like that.” Putting his sword away, Khal walked over to a nearby container bin and grabbed it with both hands. “If you aren’t going to face me, then I might as well use your own tactic against you.”

Using his enormous strength, he threw the bin directly toward her. And although his throw wasn’t as fast as hers, it did force the young Padawan to jump away in retreat. However, once she had regained her balance, Khal had thrown more bins at her.

She soon found herself jumping around the platform, dodging whatever came her way. She tried to grab a few of the objects with the Force, but she couldn’t concentrate with all these bins flying at her. All she could do was to rely on her reflexes.

But as she dodged another cargo bin, she had almost failed to notice that her opponent had suddenly closed the gap. When she landed on the floor, Khal’s sword was again right above her head.

Reacting quickly, she reignited her saber and blocked the attack. Just as before, the amount of power in Khal’s strike made her body shiver. She wanted to fall back, but her opponent wouldn’t let her. The relentless assault from his double-bladed sword prevented her from making any meaningful retreat.

Their positions have been reversed. Whatever advantage Lyra had during their duel was now gone. Khal’s tactic of mindlessly throwing container bins was nothing but a ruse. For every object he’d thrown, he inched his way closer to her, forcing their duel to continue in blade-to-blade combat. But this time, it was she who was on the defensive.

Lyra cursed herself again for letting the duel get so out of hoof. If she had only acted while her opponent was down, she wouldn’t be in this position in the first place.

Instead, the fight continued. Lyra raised her blade to block an incoming attack from her left side. She successfully blocked the attack, but her guard had been broken. Khal’s strike was so powerful that it caused her to stagger backward. And though she tried her best to recover from a bad situation, she was not quick enough to defend against her opponent’s next strike.

Lyra watched helplessly as Khal’s double-bladed sword struck through her chest. She cried out in pain as the blade tore through her flesh. Her body spasmed as blood poured from the wound. She tried to heal it, but it was no use. The wound had left her in shock, preventing her from channeling the Force.

Unable to bear the pain any longer, Lyra collapsed. Her lightsaber fell out of her hoof, deactivating once it hit the ground. She helplessly looked up at her opponent, who seemed to be relishing in his victory. His allies were also celebrating as well as she could hear them celebrating from a distance.

“I win, Jedi,” said Khal, triumphantly as he looked down at her with the same devilish smile as before. “You may not have been a Master, but you have fought well. And for that, I thank you for making my dream a reality.”

He raised his weapon above his head, ready to deal the final blow that would end her life. “But my praise will end there, Jedi. Now, I will take your head.”

Lyra fell to tears as she closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable. Mom. Dad. Master. Everyone. I’m sorry.

“You will not have her today, Mandalorian!”

Lyra’s ears wobbled as she heard a familiar voice. She meekly opened her eyes and looked up. Though her vision was blurry, she quickly noticed that Khal wasn’t standing above her anymore. But rather, someone else.

“Padawan, stay with me!” shouted the familiar voice.

“M-master?”

“Shh, don’t talk. Just try to relax. We’ll get you and your kin out of here.” Standing boldly in front of her, Master Darran approached Khal with weapon in hand. Though one blade was already ignited, he twisted his hilt to the side and activated the second blade. “Hider, Geefour, get to the ponies now! Don’t worry about cover, the guardsman’s got your back! Chessk, you take my Padawan and run! If you value your life debt, get her to safety, now!”

“Understood,” said another familiar voice as Lyra soon found herself being lifted off the ground. “You fought valiantly, little Jedi. Now, leave the rest to us. We’ll finish the job for you.”

Lyra gave a weary smile. “T-thank you, Chessk.” she said before blacking out on the Trandoshan’s arms.

Chapter 18

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Alone in a firelit room was a sleeping unicorn filly. She’d been playing with her toys all day, exhausting herself until she fell asleep on top of a big rug next to the fireplace. It may not have been the best place for a nap, but the rug was very comfortable, especially when the searing fire kept the thing warm.

Eventually, the filly woke up. She lifted her head and saw her toys were scattered all over the place. No one had bothered to clean it up, and now that she was full of energy, she was free to play with them again.

But as soon as she picked up a toy with her magic, the filly spotted two big ponies at the far side of the room. A unicorn stallion, and a pegasus mare. She couldn’t see their faces though. The light from the fireplace didn’t extend that far into the room. But deep down, she already knew who they were.

She immediately galloped to the two ponies, ready to embrace them both with open hooves. However, the two big ponies turned away from her, and instead opened a door that was behind them. The filly called out to them, but it was to no avail. The ponies trotted out of the room and slammed the door shut.

Not wanting to be alone, the little filly quickly turned the door knob with her magic and swung the door open. She’d hoped to call out the two big ponies again, but to her surprise, she was instead greeted by a strange watery like liquid that flooded the entire room. Desperate, the filly called out for help, but it was futile. Pretty soon, she was swept away by the water, unable to call for help. Unable to help herself.

Lyra screamed at the top of her lungs as her eyes shot wide open. Gasping for air, she frantically spun her head around, trying desperately to figure out where she was. She soon came to realize that her entire body submerged in some sort of water. At first, she thought she was drowning, but she quickly realized there was a breathing mask strapped to her mouth, allowing her to safely breath underwater.

“Ah, you’re awake I see,” said a strange, yet oddly familiar muzzled voice. “Excellent. Master Darran will be most pleased.” Lyra let out another gasp under her mask as Jedi Master Bo’kal So appeared in front of her. “Do not be alarmed, Padawan. You’re inside a kolto tank. Just give me a moment. I’ll let you out soon.”

She blinked in confusion. Looking at her surroundings, she quickly noticed that the master’s words were true. She was submerged inside a kolto tank. But as she realized this, the question of how she got here in the first place popped up in her head. She pondered hard on her question, but nothing came into mind. It’ll just have to be answered by the Jedi Master.

Once the lid to the kolto tank had opened, Lyra immediately swam to the surface. With the help of Master So, she took off her breathing mask, leapt out of the water and safely landed on the surface. “Thank you, master,” she said as she took a nearby towel with her magic and wiped herself clean.

“The pleasure’s all mine, Padawan Heartstrings,” replied Master So. “But let us not waste any time on formalities. I need to ask you a few questions.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Do you remember what happened to you earlier today? About how and why you’re here at my medical facility?”

“Why I’m here?” Lyra tilted her head, unable to answer the master’s question. “Well, if we’re in the temple’s medical bay now, I assume the only reason why I’m here is because I got injured.”

“Indeed. You had quite a severe injury to your chest. I admit, I was worried when you were first taken in her by your companions, but I must thank them for keeping you in such a good condition. If it weren’t for them, you’d probably still be unconscious in that kolto tank, or perhaps dead.”

“C-chest injury?” Hearing the master’s words caused Lyra to panic as she immediately examined her chest for any injuries. Though she found no such wound, her memory finally kicked in. “Now I remember! Me and my friends went to Czerka’s factory to go and rescue the missing ponies. We arrived, but we ended up encountering some Mandalorian soldiers.”

She curled her lip. “I ended up going on my own at one point and fought the Mandalorians on my own. I did well at first, but there was one soldier who got in my way and challenged me to a duel. I fought him and… and—”

Lyra paused mid-sentence. Her eyes widened in shock as she finally remembered what had happened to her. And upon realizing her defeat, she lowered her head in shame. “I-I lost,” she admitted as tears fell down her cheeks “I fought against that lone soldier, but he beat me.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Padawan,” said Master So. “You did everything you could.”

“No, master, you don’t understand! I willingly separated myself from Master Darran and my friends! I let my fear for the pony’s safety get in my head! If I hadn’t given into my fears, I wouldn’t have been in that situation in the first… place.” Lyra gasped. “My master! My friends! Oh Force, I completely forgot about them! Is everyone alright? Did they complete the mission?”

A frantic Lyra looked up at Master So with pleading eyes, hoping that he would give her the answers she needed, but instead, he simply stared at her wearily. “I’m sorry, Padawan Heartstrings, but I regret to inform you that the rescue mission was a failure.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “The mission was a failure!” she shouted. “How? Why?”

“Calm down, Padawan. I know this news is unsettling, but you must hear me out.” Bending to his knees, the Kel Dor Master gently stroked Lyra’s mane. Strangely enough, it did calm her down, but it left the young Padawan very embarrassed. “A lot had happened after you fell unconscious. I can tell you the gist of what happened, but you are better off hearing the rest from Darran and your companions.”

“O-of course,” said Lyra, solemnly. “Please, tell me what you know.”

“I’ll start from the beginning,” continued Master So as he pulled out a datapad from his belt buckle. “According to a report done by your master, he and your friends—with the exception of that Trandoshan—fought against the Mandalorians.”

“Wait, Chessk didn’t fight? How come?”

“He had to take care of you, Lyra. After you had fallen in battle, it was Chessk’s job to get you to safety. And before you ask, it was your master’s order. He couldn’t risk having the Trandoshan fight, not after the injury you received. So instead, he sent you and your friend away, knowing full well it would worsen his chances.”

“I see. It’s good to hear that master still cares for me. Even though I’m the one who messed everything up.”

“Do not doubt your master’s kindness, Padawan. You may have acted foolhardy, but Master Darran still cares for you,” assured Master So.

Lyra put up a weary smile. “That means a lot to me, master. Thank you. But what happened after I was taken out of the battle? Why couldn’t my master or the rest of my friends save the ponies?”

Master So let out another sigh. “They tried, Padawan, but things just didn’t work out as well as they intended. They gave the Mandalorian’s a good fight. Master Darran said he fought back against the soldier who injured you, while the rest of your friends managed to rescue two of the captives. But according to Darran’s report, the Mandalorian’s never gave up. They just kept fighting. All the way down to the last man.”

“Two ponies were saved?” Lyra asked. Her mood had brightened up exponentially. At the very least, she didn’t come out of the mission empty hooved. “Master, you said that the Mandalorians kept on fighting. If so, how did they manage to fight back? Did any reinforcements show up?”

Master So shook his head. “Nothing of the sort happened. Like I said, the Mandalorian’s never gave up. Somehow, they managed to gather enough strength to hold back Gizar and prevent any more rescue attempts by your friends.”

“But how? Most of the soldiers on that squad were crippled or incapacitated when I last saw them. I know that because I was the one who did that to them!”

“You managed to fight off an entire Mandalorian squad all on your own?” asked Master So in apparent disbelief, to which Lyra nodded in reply. “Incredible. I must say, Lyra, that is quite impressive feat.”

“Yeah, well, it turns out all of it was for nothing,” said Lyra, bitterly as she bit her lip. “Not only did I lose the most important duel of my life, but I ended up failing the mission.”

“An unfortunate event, but do not give up hope, Padawan. There is still hope for you kin, yet. I would explain more, but I believe you should hear it first from your master first.” Master So stood up and made his way toward the exit.

“Please wait here, Padawan,” he instructed as the automatic doors opened in front of him. “I’ll inform Gizar and your friends you’re awake.”

Lyra nodded as the Kel Dor master left the room. Now alone in the temple’s medical facility, the young Padawan sighed as she fell on her belly. It was devastating to hear that her mission had been a failure. Sure, a few ponies were saved, but the rest were still missing. Somewhere out in the galaxy, the Mandalorians were holding her kin captive, doing who knows what to them.

She thought back to when she left everybody behind at the lobby in Czerka’s factory. She questioned whether the outcome of the mission would’ve been different if she went alongside her master and the others instead. No doubt was it in the realm of possibility. Sure, they may have been forced to fight the entire Mandalorian squad, but with two Jedi present along with a pair of sharpshooters, the mission could’ve been completed.

Lyra curled her lip. There was no point in thinking about what-if scenarios. What’s done is done. The only thing she could hope for is her companion’s success.

Master So did say that they had something to tell her regarding the mission. I just hope it’s something that can help us.

Suddenly, the door to the medical facility opened. Lyra, expecting that it was Master Darran or her friends, stood back up to greet them. However, she soon realized that it wasn’t either of them. Instead, she was greeted by Private Sweetie Drops and two other ponies.

Her jaw dropped. Though she didn’t recognize the two ponies, she could only assume that they were the ones that Hider and Geefour saved back at Czerka’s factory. On her left was a unicorn mare. She had a bright yellow coat and a pink colored mane with a white streak in the middle. The other was a tall pegasus stallion, who had a white coat and a dark blue mane.

Seeing those two ponies made Lyra squee. She wanted to go up and greet them, but she hesitated after noticing Sweetie glaring at her.

“Um… Sweetie? Is something wrong?” Lyra hesitantly asked, but Sweetie didn’t respond. Instead, the mare let out a loud groan as she turned away from the young Padawan. Lyra tried calling out to her again, but it was no use. The private was ignoring her completely.

“Come on, Private, say something,” said the pegasus stallion in a very gruff voice that sounded identical to that of a drill instructor. “I know your upset, but that doesn’t mean you should give her the silent treatment.”

“Yeah! I mean, sure, things didn’t turn out the way you wanted, but at least give her some credit!” said the unicorn mare, cheerfully. “You should’ve seen her! It was the most amazing thing ever! There she was, all alone against those big, scary aliens. The odds were against her, but somehow, she fought back!”

“And yet she lost,” muttered Sweetie, bluntly. Her bitter words stung Lyra as if she were pierced by a lightsaber blade.

“Aw, don’t be so stingy, Bonnie! For Celestia’s sake, this mare almost died for us!”

Lyra tilted her head. “Bonnie?”

“Cotton, what did I tell you about using that nickname in public!” yelled Sweetie Drops. Her voice was so loud that it made the unicorn cower behind the stallion.

“Private, enough! Do not take your anger out on a civilian!” berated the stallion. He trotted next to the disgruntled mare and gave a glare of his own. Though unintimidated by the stallion’s posture, Sweetie did eventually concede, but not before giving Lyra one last angry glare. And as she turned away from the group, Stalwart let out a sigh. “I’m sorry about that, Miss. Heartstrings. But I’m afraid the Private isn’t in the mood for talking.”

“Yeah, I can understand that,” said Lyra as she stared worryingly at Sweetie Drops. “After all, I did break a promise.”

“Don’t discredit yourself. You did everything you could,” Stalwart said with a smile. “Despite your loss, you should feel proud that you held your own against that many soldiers. Seeing you fight was remarkable. I doubt anypony else would be able to pull off a feat like that.”

Lyra’s cheeks flushed red as she rubbed the back of her mane feverishly. “Wow, um, thanks the compliment, sir. To be honest, I figured you and your friend might be mad at me for not rescuing the rest of your crew.”

“Hey, Stalwart, aren’t you forgetting something important?” asked the unicorn mare as she cut herself in-between the stallion and Lyra.

“Forgot something? Oh, right. I believe some proper introductions are in order.” The stallion quickly assumed a military-like posture and saluted in front of Lyra. “My name is Stalwart Shield, a Drill Sergeant of her highnesses Royal Guard. And with me is Cotton Swirl. Don’t let her hyper attitude fool you. She’s a very smart mare.”

“Smart enough to become a scholar at Canterlot University!” Cotton Swirl boastfully exclaimed. After which, she trotted up to Lyra and shook the Padawan’s hoof. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss. Heartstrings. I must say, you are a rather fascinating pony. May I request that you can give me a tour of this futuristic world and tell me more about these Jedi?”

“Uh, maybe another time?” Lyra replied. She then looked back at Stalwart with a confused look. “You guys seriously brought a civilian with you on this trip?”

Stalwart sighed. “Yes, we did, but not by choice. Our expedition was supposed to be military only, but Cotton was persistent that she come with us. Even though many forbade her to go, she managed to sneak her way onboard our ship.”

“How?”

“Illusion magic, honey!” Cotton cheerfully answered. “I’m one of the best illusionists in all of Equestria. All it took was one simple disguise, a couple false papers, and boom! I’m onboard the trip of a lifetime!”

“Seriously, Cotton? After being treated like dirt for the past few days, you still think this is some grand adventure?” shouted a very irritated Sweetie Drops. “Sweet, Celestia, how are you this hyper?”

“Can you blame me, Bonnie? Here I am standing in a medical room in a futuristic society that we’ve never heard of till now. A society that’s existed for thousands, if not millions, of years, who’re are being protected by sword wielding space wizards!” With a wide smile on her face, Cotton then pointed her hoof over to Lyra. “And the best part is that one of our own is being trained by these wizards! Isn’t that awesome!”

Sweetie rolled her eyes as she, once again, turned away from the group. Seeing this made Cotton scoff. “Jeez, what a total killjoy,” she said. “Hey, Sally, are all military personnel a bunch of stuck up jerks like Bonnie, or is it just her?”

“Leave her be, Miss. Swirl. She has every right to be upset with me,” Lyra replied.

“Nonsense! Sure, the outcome could’ve been better, but the doesn’t excuse Bonnie here from being a total spoilsport.”

“I agree,” said Stalwart. “Although Cotton’s cheerful attitude is rather questionable, it doesn’t change the fact that you did a great job.”

Lyra’s lips quivered a little bit, then she replied. “E-even if I messed up by leaving my friends behind?”

“Ah, yes. I heard about what you did from that Jedi who claimed to be your teacher. I can’t say for certain if your mission would’ve been successful if you hadn’t abandoned your team. Don’t get me wrong, what you did was bad, but dwelling on your past mistakes isn’t going to help you or anyone else.”

“Wow, Sally. That was a very mature thing to say,” said a giggling Cotton Swirl.

“Yeah. It’s something that a Jedi might say, Mr. Shield. I bet the masters here would love to have a conversation with you,” said Lyra as she too started giggling. “Still, it doesn’t explain why you and Cotton here are so optimistic. I hate to be a killjoy but finding the rest of your crew is going to be tough now that the Mandalorians have them.”

Stalwart opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, the door to the medical facility opened again. Lyra looked past the two ponies to see who it was and assumed that it’d either be Master So again or her own master. But instead, a large, bulky Trandoshan darted into the room and immediately ran up to her. He bent down and hugged the Padawan by the neck, tears flowing from his eyes.

<Little Jedi, you’re okay!> shouted Chessk in Dosh as he lifted the Padawan up in mid-air with his arms strapped around her in a headlock. Lyra pleaded with him to let her go, but it largely went unnoticed.

“Easy there, big guy. Cut the kid some slack. She just got out the kolto tank for crying out loud.” From behind Chessk came in another familiar face. This time, it was the journalist and former smuggler, Hider Louhun, who was accompanied by T3-G4. “Hey, kid. Good to see you’re still alive and kickin’.”

“N-nice to see y-you too, H-Hider,” Lyra replied as she struggled under her friend’s joyful stranglehold. “C-Chessk, can you please l-let go of me? I c-can’t breathe.”

<Oh, sorry.> Immediately, Chessk dropped Lyra to the floor, allowing the young Padawan to finally catch her breath. “Little Jedi,” he said in Basic. “It pleases me to see you alive and well. I can’t tell you how worried I was when you passed out on my arms. At that moment, I thought I lost you.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” Hider replied. “The big guy was outright panicking during our trip back to the Jedi Temple. I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised given that Chessk has a life debt with you. But to see a Trandoshan actually caring for something other than credits or his own property was eye opening.”

T3-G4 beeped aggressively at Hider. “Hey, cut me some slack, tin can. It’s not my fault that all the Transdoshans I’ve met before Chessk have been greedy snobs.” The droid beeped again, showing more hostility toward the former smuggler. “I meant no offense, alright. I’m just saying that I haven’t had any good experience with Trandoshans until I met the big guy here. Seriously, the ones who I’ve encountered during my old job were not the friendliest bunch.”

Chessk let out a loud groan. “If it were any other situation, human, I would’ve punched you in the face for making such a terrible comment. But given that you’ve already met my cousin, I don’t blame you for thinking like that.”

“Um, I hate to be a bother you guys, but I think some introductions are in order?” The entire crew turned to face Stalwart Shield, who was staring at them rather curiously. Cotton Swirl was doing the same as well, but she was hiding behind the stallion, again. Her hyper attitude had all but disappeared the moment Lyra’s friends walked into the room.

Lyra tilted her head. “Wait, you guys haven’t introduced yourselves yet?” she asked.

Hider shrugged. “Sorry, kid, but we didn’t have the time. After the mission was over, our priority was to make sure we get you back at the temple in stable condition. The only person who talked to these ponies here was Master Darran.”

“Then I guess some proper introductions are needed.” For a brief period, Lyra introduced her companions to the two ponies. It was shaky at first given that Chessk was their captor back at Ord Mantell, but other than that, it went rather well. Though Hider was a bit perplexed by their name choices.

“Seriously? Stalwart Shield? Cotton Swirl? What kind of names are these? I mean, having a name like Lyra Heartstrings makes sense, but this is ridiculous.” The former smuggler’s words irked both ponies, but Lyra managed to hold them back. Their frustrations with him were understandable, but in the meantime, her friend had a point. Pony names did sound a bit weird to the average outsider.

“And here I thought the Sweetie Drops was odd,” Hider continued. “Seriously, what’s up with these pony names? Next thing I’ll hear is that there’s a pony who goes by the name of Clear Skies. Or Sunny Day. Or whatever random nouns and verbs that sound well together.”

“And what’s so weird about them? They’re perfectly fine names!” argued Cotton Swirl. “At least they’re a lot better than the names you guys have.”

Lyra groaned. “Can we not have a debate on this, please! The last thing we need is to divide ourselves over a pointless argument about names!”

“I agree.” Lyra’s ears wobbled as she heard yet another familiar voice. Looking past her friends, she spotted her master entering the room alongside Master Bokal So.

Upon seeing her beloved teacher, the young Padawan smiled. She wanted to gallop and hug him, but she quickly held herself back. Considering that her actions had cost them the mission, she feared that he would berate her the moment she would approach him.

Master Darran, however, saw through her hesitation, and immediately demanded that she step forward. “There’s no use in hiding, Padawan,” he said in a commanding tone. “Step forward, now. I wish to speak with you.”

Seeing that she had no choice, Lyra followed her master’s request and promptly approached him. “G-good evening, master,” she said nervously, all while avoiding direct eye contact with her master. This action, however, displeased Master Darran.

“You know, Lyra, it’s considered rude to not look at someone in the eye when they’re trying to talk to you.”

“But master, you don’t even have eyes,” Lyra replied. Her response made their entire conversation feel awkward. Hider couldn’t help but chuckle at her response, while T3-G4 let out a frustrated bleep. Chessk and Master So facepalmed while the two ponies just stared at each other in confusion.

“H-he doesn’t have any eyes?” asked Cotton Swirl.

“We’ll explain later,” answered Hider. “For now, just stay quiet let these two have their little talk, okay.”

Realizing that Lyra was unwilling to strike a conversation, Master Darran bent down on his knees and placed his hand on top of her head. “Padawan, listen to me,” he pleaded. “I am not mad at you for your reckless behavior back at the factory.”

“Y-you’re not?” asked Lyra, to which Master Darran shook his head.

“No, I’m not. Though I am disappointed that you acted so carelessly, I’m not here to berate you for what you did. I just want to know what happened before your friends and I rescued you.”

“Wait, that’s all? But didn’t Master So or the other ponies tell you what happened already?”

“They did, but I want to hear it from your perspective. I promise you, I won’t get mad.”

Lyra felt a swell of relief. Though he was still disappointed with her actions, at the very least, he was being reasonable. And so, she told Master Darran everything. From her route of the Mandalorian soldiers, to her defeat at the hands of Khal.

“I see. So, despite the overwhelming odds, you managed to hold your own against an entire squad of Mandalorian Neo-crusaders. Unfortunately, you were defeated by a well-prepared soldier who managed to catch you off-guard with his rather unique fighting method.”

T3-G4 let loose a series of beeps. “Wow, tin can. You haven’t even met the guy and yet you’re already throwing insults at him,” Hider said as he rolled his eyes. “I do agree with you though. If it weren’t for that guy’s armor, Lyra would’ve won that duel.”

“That may be true, human; but from what I heard, the Mandalorian seemed well prepared,” Chessk stated. “That cortosis armor, and his familiarity with Jedi techniques. It’s almost as if he knew that he’d be fighting a Jedi one day.”

“I agree,” replied Master Darran. “He was the only soldier out of that entire squadron who knew what he was doing. And hearing Lyra’s tale makes me wonder if the Neo-Crusaders are prepared to fight Jedi.”

“We cannot assume, my friend,” said Master So. “Even if the Mandalorians were unprepared to face your Padawan, it’s unlikely they’ll let this happen again. Such a defeat will not go unheard of in their ranks. If anything, Mandalore the Ultimate will probably start taking the Jedi more seriously now.”

I hope not. Lyra thought as she frowned. “By the way, how did you guys manage to only save two ponies? I know you were down a man, but you still had the advantage, didn’t you?”

Her question made Hider grit his teeth. “You got it right that we had the advantage,” he said. “Master Darran held his own against the guy you fought, and most of the soldiers were too injured to use their weapons. So, they ended up using dirty tactics to win.”

“Dirty tactics?” asked Lyra. T3-G4 let loose a series of aggravated buzzing sounds, though she personally couldn’t understand the droid.

“They targeted the ponies,” answered Master Darran. “They must’ve realized that they couldn’t win, so they turned their fire on the captives.”

“Don't worry. None of the ponies died. Their tactic was a trick to keep us away from the captives,” Hider explained. “We tried to mount a counter offensive, but we couldn’t regain our momentum. Not with the ponies being held at gunpoint like that."

“What about the guard who helped you?” asked Lyra.

Master Darran shook his head. “I’m sorry, Padawan, but he died in the crossfire. A stray bolt hit him while we were making our retreat.”

“Oh… I see.” Lyra frowned at this. The man that she had saved ended up dying for her sake. “M-may he find peace in the Force.”

“Can we please drop this subject already! There’s no point in talking about a fight that Lyra lost!” The room went quiet as all eyes fell on an angry Sweetie Drops. “Please. We can’t abandon my friends to a bunch of warmongering lunatics!” she shouted. “Just tell us what you have planned so that we can get started on saving the others!”

“Yeesh, looks like someone got up the wrong side of the bed today,” Hider joked. “You think you can tone that temper of yours down a bit little lady? Yelling and complaining about the mission isn’t going to help any of us.”

“And neither are your jokes, Hider,” said Lyra, bluntly. “Sweetie is right, guys. Isn’t there anything that can help us? Master So said you guys found something after the skirmish with the Mandalorians. You mind telling us what that something is?”

Hider gave a slight nod as he reached inside his leather jacket and took out a small datapad. “I looted this thing from a dead Mandalorian soldier back at the factory,” he said, turning the device on. “The device was locked, but Geefour broke into it during our trip back to the temple.”

“What does it say?” Lyra asked eagerly, anticipating that Hider had somehow managed to save their mission from becoming a complete failure. But before her friend could respond, Master Darran put his left hand over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, you two, but that will have to wait for now,” he said. “Now that Lyra is awake, the Jedi High Council has requested that she and I report to them this very instant.”

His statement made Lyra shiver. “T-the Council requests my presence?” she asked nervously. To her dismay, her master nodded his head.

“Uh, can somepony explain to us what’s going on here?” asked Cotton Swirl. “What is the Jedi High Council? And why is Lyra over there so afraid of them?”

“The Jedi High Council are the highest-ranking members of the Jedi Order,” explained Master So. “Not only do they overlook the Jedi, but they also have close ties with both the Supreme Chancellor and the Republic Senate, the leading bodies of our government.”

“Basically, they’re the big guys you don’t want to mess with,” said Hider. “If the Council is requesting your presence, you have no choice but to heed their calling. And that goes for any Jedi here at the temple.”

“It’s not just my Padawan and I, Hider. The Council wishes to see everyone who was involved in our mission,” continued Master Darran. He then gave Sweetie a quick look. “That includes you, Private Drops.”

Chessk gasped. “T-the Jedi High Council wishes to see us?” he asked. The announcement made by Master Darran left him stunned. “T-this is incredible. To meet the highest-ranking members of the Jedi Order is an honor that I am most grateful for. When do we meet them?”

“As soon we’re ready,” replied Master Darran before turning his attention over to Lyra. “Padawan, I need you to get dressed in your new Jedi attire now. Master So should have them ready for you in a dressing room. If you’re healed up and ready to go, get dressed now.”

“I’ll do as you ask, master, but can you explain why the Council wishes to see, Sweetie Drops?” Lyra asked. “I don’t mean to question their authority, but I’d like to know what they have planned for her.”

“From what I heard, they wish to hear her tale on how she and rest of your kin arrived in Republic space,” Darran continued. “They also want to hear how they were captured, as well as ask several questions regarding her time spent with the Exchange and with us.”

“Considering that our little lady’s encounter with the Republic and its inhabitants was a bad one, they probably wish to ease any leftover tensions,” Hider explained. “First impressions matter. If this little band of ponies is part of something big, the Council wants to make sure that this interaction between the Republic and this brand-new species go well.

“If that’s true, how come only Bonnie is allowed to see this High Council?” asked Cotton Swirl. “Me and Stalwart were a part of the Celestial Sun’s crew too, you know.”

“Bonnie?” asked everyone in the room, excluding Lyra, Sweetie, and Stalwart Shield.

“I agree with, Cotton,” followed up Stalwart Shield. “I’d like to see this Jedi High Council myself. Is there any way we can talk to them?”

“They’ll see you, but not until the both of you get a proper medical examination through me,” explained Master So. He walked over to a nearby table and took out few needles from its drawer. Upon seeing this, Cotton let out a shriek.

“N-needles? Sweet Celestia, I can’t handle those things!” She immediately jumped on a nearby medical bed and hid behind its covers.

Stalwart rolled his eyes. “Don’t mind her. She acts a bit foalish when it comes to vaccinations. I’m sure I can pin her down for you if need be.” He paused for a moment, then continued. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is this medical examination for? Besides the vaccination shots, I don’t see the point in having one. Me and Cotton are perfectly fine.”

“Given that you two were treated horribly at the hands of the Exchange, Czerka, and the Mandalorians, we wish to make sure the both of you are physically and mentally well,” replied Master So. “We have already examined Private Drops, so she is free to join the others at the High Council Chambers.”

Stalwart sighed. It appeared he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the Kel Dor’s response. “Fine, I’ll do as you ask. But if you’re going for vaccination shots, please be quick about it. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to pin Cotton down.”

“I have my own ways of dealing with… troublesome patients, Stalwart. Your help will not be necessary. But thank you for the offer.” From behind the bedsheets, a terrified Cotton Swirl squeaked in fear. “There’s nothing to fear, Ms. Swirl. These shots are the same ones that Lyra and Private Drops received. Trust me, they’re safe.”

“I think she’s more afraid of the needle itself rather than what’s inside the vaccine, Master Jedi,” said Hider with the shrug. “Anyway, I think we wasted enough time here. Best not to keep the high and mighty Council waiting.”

“Sarcasm aside, I agree with you there, Hider,” said Master Darran. “Padawan, why don’t you go get dressed now, and I’ll take our friends down to the elevator that leads to the council chambers. Don’t worry, we’ll wait for you. Just make sure dress yourself properly. The last thing you want is be scolded by the masters over a dress code violation.”

“Of course, master,” Lyra replied with a bow of her head. She then looked up at the Kel Dor master. “Master So, where’s this dressing room my master mentioned?”

“It’s right across this room, Padawan,” replied the Jedi Master as he placed the needles inside his belt pouch. “Follow me, and I’ll show you.”

As Master So left the medical room, the rest of Lyra’s friends followed. Soon, all that was left remaining in the room were her and the rest of the ponies. But as she nearly trotted out of the room, she quickly noticed that Private Sweetie Drops hadn’t yet moved. “Uh, Sweetie, aren’t you going to follow my master?” she asked.

“Give me a minute, okay. I want to talk to my crewmates before I go,” Sweetie Drops replied, who still refused to give eye contact. “Just go and change already. I’ll follow you when I’m done here.”

“Oh, okay.” With Sweetie unwilling to talk, let alone look at her, Lyra followed Master So out of the medical room. No doubt their relationship has been strained due to her failure to save the rest of the ponies. The only she could do now was pray that their friendship could be restored. And that Hider’s clue will lead them somewhere.

As the door to the medical facility slammed shut, Private Sweetie Drops let out a disgruntled sigh. “Finally, they’re gone.” She trotted over to the bed where Cotton Drops was hiding, clenched her teeth onto the blanket, and pulled it out. “For Celestia’s sake, Cotton, get a hold of yourself!”

“S-sorry, Bonnie,” Cotton replied. “I just really hate needles.”

“Oh, come on, Cotton, you’re a grown mare! You should be over this little fear of yours already! And stop using my nickname! Nopony is supposed to know it, let alone my real one.”

“This little fear isn’t something that I can overcome so easily, Bonnie!” Cotton spat. “And may I remind you that we’re not in Equestria anymore. Sorry, but I just don’t see the point in using military aliases when we’re not even on our home planet!”

“Enough, you two. Now is not the time for arguing,” berated Stalwart Soul. “Private Drops, it pleases me to see you’re alright. When we were forced to leave you behind at that hideous lizard alien, I feared the worse.”

“Yeah, no kidding. Seriously, the captain wouldn’t just stop thinking about you. During our trip to this planet, she kept rambling that all of this was her fault.”

Stalwart frowned. “Our capture had decimated the crew. Nearly everypony turned on the captain when we got captured by those brutes. To be honest, I too had almost given up hope of rescue. But if it weren’t for Miss. Heartstrings and her friends, I wouldn’t be standing here today, meeting all these wonderful… aliens.”

“It’s ‘people’ Sergeant. And yes, I am grateful for what Lyra did for us. Even though she failed to save the others.” Sweetie bit her lip as she tried her best to hold back her resentments toward her newfound friend. “Don’t get me wrong, you two, I will be forever grateful for what Lyra did for me. But I can’t help but feel mad at her for failing the entire rescue mission.”

“Come on, Bonnie, you’re being too hard on her!” berated Cotton.

“Maybe, but I can’t help but wonder what might’ve happened if I came along with them. If I could’ve joined them on their mission, I would’ve helped save the captain and the rest of our crew. Perhaps even prevent Lyra from going off on her own.” Sweetie sighed. “But I can’t keep lamenting on the issue. If there’s still a chance that we can save our crew, then I’ll take it.”

“Yeah, that Hider person seemed pretty confident that we still got a shot. I’ll believe him, but only because Lyra believes in him,” said Cotton. “By the way, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask regarding Miss. Heartstrings.”

“What about her?”

Cotton smiled. “Is it true, Bonnie. That this Lyra Heartstrings pony is actually the Captain’s missing daughter?”

Sweetie went pale. She immediately rushed over to Cotton and covered the mare’s mouth with her right hoof. “Shh, don’t say that out loud. Lyra might hear you.” she whispered.

“I knew it! I knew it the first moment I laid eyes on that mare!” Cotton’s smile grew even wider. “Lyra Heartstrings. The long-lost daughter of Captain Platinum Impact of the Royal Guard… and my colleague Wishful Vision. What are the odds of us meeting her here?”

Sweetie sighed. “Yes, it’s true. The moment I first met her back at the Exchange base on Ord Mantell, I realized it had to be her.”

“What luck,” said Stalwart Shield. “To think that we’d find her so soon. The captain will be overjoyed to hear that her daughter is okay. Not to mention the amount of pride she’ll have when she hears that Lyra is part of a galaxy-wide space guard.”

“Platinum’s cage was right next to ours, Stalwart. I think she already knows it’s her,” Cotton explained. “So, Bonnie. When are you planning to tell Miss. Heartstrings about her mother?”

“I’m not!” assured Sweetie Drops. “If Lyra hears that her own mother is one of the captives, no doubt will she make the same mistake as before.”

“So, you wish to keep her mother’s captivity a secret?” asked Stalwart, to which Sweetie Drops nodded her head.

“For now, I won’t mention anything about the captain. Not to Lyra, not to her friends, and not even to her master or this so-called Jedi Council. We’re going to keep it a secret until the mission is complete and everypony is safe.”

“And what happens if they don’t rescue everypony in time?” asked Cotton.

“Then may Faust help us all.”

Chapter 19

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The turbolift ride to the Jedi High Council was a rather awkward experience for Jedi Master Gizar Darran. Ever since he, his Padawan, and their rag tag team of misfits has boarded, no one has said a word. Which was odd given that this team is usually a loud bunch.

Hider and T3-G4 usually argued with each other. Just before they boarded the turbolift, the two of them arguing on how the droid should behave in front of the Council. They’ve been dead silent after that though, almost as if they’ve reached an agreement of some sort.

Chessk Fess on the other hand, kept to himself. Calm and poised, the Trandoshan was more of an introvert compared to the others, preferring to speak only to Lyra or when Hider and T3-G4 say something stupid.

Then came his Padawan and Private Drops. The two have been relatively quiet, but Darran could feel the animosity brewing. The Private was angry at Lyra for failing to keep her promise. As a result, she gave her the silent treatment. And for his Padawan, she didn’t have the courage to say anything at all. The gloom look she gave told him everything he needed to know.

She was angry at herself. Angry for failing her mission entirely. Though she tried to hide it, Darran could still sense her true feelings through the Force. Her sorrow, her despair. It radiated from her like a sun would shine sunlight on a planet. No doubt would the High Council sense this once they arrive at the chambers.

Master Darran frowned. He had a feeling this meeting with the masters won’t end well. Although he knew them personally, there was one Jedi Master who he worried about greatly.

It wasn’t Master Vrook though. Despite his tough attitude toward Lyra and other Padawans, the old man still cared about them.

No, there was another Jedi on the High Council that he was worried about. One that had been a thorn on his side for years. And to make matters worse, this Jedi had openly refused to let Lyra into the Jedi Order when she was a filly. Granted, the Council would hold this master back if she went too far, but this Jedi still harbored an unbridled resentment that was unfathomable for a Jedi Master.

Atris.

Suddenly, the turbolift made an abrupt halt. Its doors opened wide, revealing a narrow hallway with a metal door on the other side. “Alright, we’re here,” Darran said to everyone as he stepped out of the turbolift. “Come, let’s not keep the Council waiting any longer.”

“Yeah, about that,” Hider replied as he and the others followed the Jedi Master out of the turbolift. “You think you can give us a heads up on who we’re meeting today?”

Darran gawked at the former smuggler. “Don’t you think it’s little too late for introductions, Hider? If you wished to learn more about the Council, you could’ve asked while we were riding the turbolift.”

“Guess it must’ve slipped my mind. Come on, old man, at least give us their names.”

Darran sighed. “So be it. But I’m only going to go over this once, so pay attention. The Jedi High Council is comprised of six Jedi Masters who guide and maintain the entire order itself. Their names are Masters Vandar Tokare, Vrook Lamar, Zez-Kai-Ell, Lonna Zash, Kavar, and… Master Atris.”

He briefly checked on his Padawan and saw that her mood had slightly worsened after hearing Atris’s name. Not that it surprised him. Out of all the masters on the Council, Atris was the only one whom Lyra never bonded with.

T3-G4 gave a soft beep. “The droid is right. It sounds like you hold a bit of a grudge against this Atris person, master Jedi,” Chessk said, pointing out Darran’s distain for his colleague. “Why is that?”

“Ah, very insightful of you, Geefour. But regarding Atris, yes, you are correct to assume I harbor some resentment toward that woman. I am ashamed to admit it, but I can’t help but feel irritated whenever I meet her.”

“Care to explain why?” asked Hider, to which Darran shook his head.

“Now is not a good time. Just promise me… that when you meet Master Atris, do not overreact to her ramblings. She may act rude and disrespectful at times, but she is still a member of the Jedi High Council.”

Hider cocked a brow. “Uh, rude and disrespectful?”

“Don’t worry about it, Hider. If anything happens, the other masters will intervene if need be. Now, let’s go. We’ve let the Council wait for far too long.”

He stepped forward and allowed the metal door to fling open, revealing the Council Chambers in all its glory. And as Darran and the others stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by small Jedi Master.”

“Greetings Master Darran, Padawan Lyra. We’ve been expecting you,” said the small old Jedi. “And I bid greetings to our visitors as well. Welcome to the Jedi Temple. I am Jedi Master Vandar Tokare, the Grand Master of the Jedi Order.”

Darran quickly glanced back at the rest of the crew and noticed that their jaws were hanging low. He expected that though. Everyone’s first reactions to Master Vandar was always that of shock and awe.

Vandar smiled at the crew before turning his attention toward Private Drops. “Ah, so you are the one who Darran and Padawan Lyra saved back on Ord Mantell. On behalf of the Jedi, I welcome you to the Galactic Republic.”

“Um, thanks,” replied Private Drops, nervously.

“There’s no need to be scared, young one. We may be Jedi Masters, but know that within these walls, you are safe.”

“With all due respect, Master Vandar, I’m afraid introductions will have to be cut short,” said Master Vrook. He immediately shot a glare Lyra, who in response, shied away in fear. “Padawan Lyra, we need you to tell us everything that happened during your mission. And quit sulking. I want you to look at me when I’m talking to you!”

“Y-yes, master.” Reluctantly, Lyra Heartstrings trotted forward before the Council and told them everything that happened. And while she did this, Darran carefully observed the reactions of every Jedi Master. As expected, Vandar was the more reasonable one of the six. He sat patiently in his chair, listening to every bit of Lyra’s story. Kavar, Zash, and Zez-Kai-El, also mimicked the elderly Jedi’s action. The only Jedi who weren’t pleased were Vrook and Atris.

Master Kavar was the first to speak. “So, you managed to fight off an entire Mandalorian squad all on your own?” he asked. Lyra immediately gave the master a nod. “I see. I must admit, young one, that is one impressive feat you accomplished there.”

“And yet she still lost,” said Atris, abruptly.

“Only because her opponent caught her off-guard,” replied Master Zez-Kai-El. “If it weren’t for that armor of his, she would’ve likely won.”

Master Zash nodded in approval. “Indeed. Padawan Lyra performed exceptionally well in her first mission. I’d say she’s more than capable of handling a fight on her own.”

“With all due respect Master Zash, I think there’s something you’re all missing here,” said Master Vrook as he gave Lyra a stern glare. “Padawan Lyra, do you remember our conversation on Dantooine? How my concerns over your emotional attachments to your home might get in the way of the mission?”

“Y-yes, I remember, master,” Lyra replied nervously.

“And yet I was proven right! Your emotions got in way, and it cost you and your crew the entire mission!”

Darran sighed. It wasn’t surprising that Vrook would scold Lyra. He did warn her after all. And although the Jedi Master took no pleasure in being right, he went ahead and continued with his rambling.

“Padawan Lyra, you show amazing promise as a young pupil. However, the one thing that’s holding you back is your inability to control your emotions!” continued Master Vrook. “You have a strong emotional attachment to your home planet, and you cling onto your hope that you’ll return home one day. It’s because of that, Padawan, you failed!”

Vandar nodded in agreement. “I agree with Master Vrook,” he replied. “Your recklessness and desire to see your home are of great concern. Should you have stayed with your master and your friends, I truly believe the mission would’ve been a success.”

“Which is why she shouldn’t be in the Order in the first place!” argued Atris. “It’s just as Master Vrook said. This thing is simply too attached to her home. And that alone should disqualify her from ever becoming a Jedi.”

“I hardly think that’s fair, Master Atris,” replied Zash, who seemed unimpressed with her colleague’s rant. “I agree that Padawan Lyra needs to do a better job at controlling her emotions but denying her a chance to become a Jedi over her attachments doesn’t disqualify her.”

“I second this,” said Zez-Kai-Ell. “Lyra has already taken in much of our teachings, and she’s already proven many of her doubters wrong. Lest I remind you, Atris, that she was the first out of her clan to become a Padawan.”

Atris frowned as she glared at her fellow council master. Though it seemed as if she were about to raise an objection, she remained silent. It became clear that she could not counter Master Ell’s argument, and it seemed like the rest of the council—even Master Vrook—had agreed with him. So, instead of continuing a pointless argument, she laid back on her chair and said nothing.

Darran sighed in relief. For now, the council has put a leash around Atris’s overtly subjective attitude. Which was good for him. Especially, since he could sense the growing malice coming from the others.

He looked over his shoulder and—to no surprise—his Padawan’s friends were not pleased with Atris’s attitude. Chessk looked as if he was ready to pounce on Jedi Master, while Hider and Private Drops were outright glaring at her. T3-G4 had almost pulled out a side arm, but thankfully, Hider quickly noticed the droid’s action and decided to hold it back.

As for Lyra, she had remained silent during Atris’s rant. There was some animosity coming from her, but she had successfully held back her emotions, preventing herself from lashing out against the Jedi Master in retaliation.

Master Vrook broke the silence. “Personal issues aside, I do agree with Master Atris’s concerns,” he continued. “As it stands, Padawan Lyra is simply too emotional to become a Jedi. If she were to be assigned another mission in the future, what’s to stop her from acting so reckless? Should we really put the lives of innocents at risk over someone who can’t control their own ambitions?”

Master Vandar nodded in agreement. “It is concerning issue that the young Padawan must face, but we cannot dwell on this subject any longer. Let us discuss what we need to do about the remaining captives.” He turned his gaze over to Hider. “Captain Louhun, do you mind sharing us your most recent discovery?”

“Sure, of course,” said Hider as he bowed respectfully to Vandar. He walked forward and pulled out a holopad. “Jedi Masters, after our battle with the Mandalorians, I took this device from a corpse of a soldier. Now, some of you might find that looting off dead bodies is unethical; but considering the mission’s failure, I had to look for any clues.”

“Clues, captain?”

“That’s right. Clues that might tell us the whereabouts of the soldiers we fought.” Hider unlocked the holopad and gave it over to the old master. “Our droid, T3-G4, managed to crack into this device. I think you should give it a read.”

Vandar nodded as he took the device from Hider’s hand. He stared at the screen, silently reading the contents of the holopad to himself. Then, after a brief period of silence, the old master sighed to himself. “The Mandalorians are on Alderaan,” he said, grimly.

His statement shook every council master in the room, though Darran wasn’t fazed by the news. Hider had already given him the holopad earlier before. And although it was shocking to hear that the enemy was so close to the core worlds, a golden opportunity appeared before them.

“According to this holopad, the Mandalorians have built a base within the planet’s mountains. Away from civilization,” continued Master Vandar. “Apparently, the squad that was sent to Czerka’s factory was supposed to report there before making their trip back to the main Mandalorian fleet.”

“Did it say anything about the equines?” asked Master Kavar, to which the old master nodded in reply.

“Yes. It says here that the squad had taken an interest in the ponies after seeing a live commercial from the Exchange. They went to Ord Mantell to locate and capture the equines, but they arrived too late.”

“And that’s when I faced them,” said Chessk. “During the time where I was a slave to the Exchange, I managed to fight off a handful of Mandalorian troopers. I fought them off, but they must’ve already hacked into my cousin’s computer and stole his sales records.”

“Which in turn, lead them here,” said Kavar as gave a quick glance over to Chessk and smiled. “I heard about you from Darran’s report, young hunter. I must say, it’s quite interesting that a Trandoshan like you would form a life debt with Padawan Lyra.”

“I owe her my life, Master Jedi,” Chessk replied as he bowed before the Kavar and the other masters. “If it weren’t for her, I would still be a lapdog to my cousin. A slave to a lie.”

“Indeed,” replied Master Vandar. “There is much pride in you, young hunter. But I have faith you will honor your life debt.”

Hider sighed. “Sorry to budge in on your little conversation, but don’t we have more important things to discuss? Come on, we still got ourselves a hostage situation here.”

Master Vrook glared at the captain. “And what do you suggest we do?” he asked in a malicious tone.

Hearing this made Darran sigh. He could tell that his friend didn’t trust Hider at all given his criminal history. It wasn’t much of a surprise though. Hider did, after all, only agreed to join because of the promise of credits.

“We go after them of course,” Hider continued, who seemed unfazed by Vrook’s demeanor. “That datapad contains the whereabouts of the Mandalorians, right? So, why don’t you guys just send us to Alderaan?”

Atris frowned. “Be silent, boy! We Jedi do not take orders from a common criminal!”

“No, he is right,” inquired Master Zash. “If what that report says is true, then it would make sense for us to send out Master Darran and his Padawan to go rescue them.”

“Preposterous! After the failure of that Padawan, you expect to send her out again!”

“I agree with Master Zash,” said Zez-Kai-Ell. “I think it should be best that we continue to put our faith into Darran and this team. As dubious as it sounds, and despite Padawan Lyra’s emotional tendencies, I think sending them out again is the best option.”

Kavar nodded in agreement. “Perhaps it is our only option. With conflict brewing in the outer rim and with most of our younger Jedi following the Revanites to war, our options are limited. I would’ve preferred sending in a more experienced team of Jedi myself, but we can’t dwindle much longer. Lives are on the line here. We can’t risk abandoning a newly discovered species to the Mandalorians.”

Vandar nodded in approval. “Then it is settled. All those in favor of sending Master Darran and his Padawan out to save the remaining captives, please raise your hand.”

Immediately, four of the six Jedi Masters shot their hands up. The only ones that didn’t follow the others were Masters Vrook and Atris. But even with the disapproval of two masters, the majority still stood.

“Master Vrook, Master Atris, do you wish to say anything to Padawan Lyra?” asked Master Vandar.

Atris didn’t say a word. She just silently sat in her chair, giving each of her fellow masters a look of disappointment. As for Master Vrook, he let out a sigh before addressing the entire room.

“As much as I am opposed to this notion, I admit there isn’t much choice. Kavar is right. Our Order is going through a perilous time right now and we don’t have the Knights to spare,” He turned his gaze over to Master Darran. “My friend, please, watch over your apprentice. Make sure she doesn’t do anything reckless.”

Darran smiled. “Don’t worry, Master Vrook. Rest assured, I won’t let my Padawan make the same mistake twice.

“We shall see,” Vrook replied before shifting his look over to Lyra. Seeing his cold stare made the young Padawan flinch, but she remained firm nonetheless. “Padawan Lyra, can I trust that you’ll see this mission till the end? That your desire to see your home will not affect the outcome?”

“O-of course, master!” Lyra replied, as she bowed respectfully before Vrook and all the Jedi Masters in the room. “I am most grateful that you all have given me this second chance. I won’t let it go to waste this time, I promise!”

“Actions speak louder than words, Padawan. If you have truly learned from your mistake, then make sure you succeed this time.” Vrook paused for a moment, then continued. “Know this, young one. Should you complete this mission and locate your home, you will have an important decision to make. Will you stay with the Order, or follow you kin home?”

Darran’s lips curled into a frown as he looked at his friend in disapproval. Was it necessary for him to bring up a question like that? There are so many lingering emotions boiling up in Lyra’s head. Couldn’t he see his question will only make things worse?

He looked back at his Padawan. Vrook’s question certainly surprised her. It seemed as if she hadn’t really thought about it till now. Is this perhaps his friend’s intention? Is he trying to test her loyalty to the Jedi Order?

“So, does this mean you’re in favor of sending Lyra out?” asked Hider.

“I am,” Vrook replied. “But you must promise me, captain, that you’ll keep your end of the bargain. Should you do that, we’ll see to it that you’ll be rewarded.”

“Great. So, when do we leave?”

“Immediately,” said Master Vandar. “Time is short. If you are to rescue the remaining captives, you must leave for Alderaan as soon as possible.”

“Okay, but my ship is gonna have to refuel first before we leave. And I need to restock on supplies too. If I’m going to temporarily house a dozen people on my ship, I need the supplies to take care of them all.”

“We’ll gather the supplies you need, captain. Though it might take some to get the supplies you need. Since we are dealing with herbivores like Padawan Lyra, you need supplies that would suit the needs of an equine.”

Hider lifted his arm and raised his index finger to the elderly master. “I’ll give you guys one hour,” he said. “Don’t mean to pry but considering that we have little time on our hands, we can’t afford any further delays.”

“Persistent, aren’t you?” said Master Vrook, who was unimpressed with Hider’s willingness to follow the mission. “Tell me, captain, are credits really worth all this trouble? If I recall, you gave up your smuggling career so that you can live a peaceful life.”

“Just be glad I chose to stick around, alright. My current career doesn’t pay well, and I’m looking to earn some extra credits. Plus, I can use a little adventure. It’s been a while since I had some… actual fun.”

Vrook rolled his eyes. “As long as you stay true to your promise, I won’t have a problem with you, captain. And as for the rest of you, you’re all free to go. Padawan Lyra, would you kindly escort your companions back to the hangar bay?”

“Wait just a second!”

Everyone’s eyes shifted over to Private Sweetie Drops. The mare had gotten their attention by letting out a loud shout. “I’m not leaving until I have my talk with this council,” she said. “Remember, I was promised to have a chat with these people back at the medical bay.”

“Ah, it seems that we’ve forgotten,” replied Master Vandar. “Padawan Lyra, why don’t you go ahead and take your friends back down while we and Master Darran talk with Private Drops? I understand it’s an odd request, but we wish to speak to her in private.”

Lyra blinked. She didn’t know why the Council would request something like that, but given their position, it would be best not to question it too much. “I guess it can’t be helped. Come on, guys. Let’s go.”

“Padawan wait,” Darran called out as the doors to the Council Chambers opened. “Before you leave, there’s a dojo located just before the hangar bay. Meet me there in ten minutes. I wish to have a mock duel with you.”

“A mock duel? But master, do we really have time for something like that?”

“You heard Hider, Padawan. We have an hour before takeoff, and I say that’s plenty of time.”

His Padawan nodded as she turned and left the Council Chambers with the rest of her companions. Once the door to the chambers slammed shut, Private Drops popped a question.

“Was it really necessary for them to leave?” she asked.

“Please understand that this a matter we wish to discuss with you alone, Private Drops,” explained Master Vandar.

“But why? Shouldn’t Lyra at least hear what I have to say?”

“She will. But given her emotional instability with regards to her home planet, we’ve decided that it’d be best that we have a discussion with you first.”

Private Drops tilted her head. “A discussion about what?”

“It’s about the ship in which you and your crew arrived in,” said Master Kavar. “Recently, we received reports from the Republic Navy about a ship that was confiscated from the Exchange on Ord Mantell. The Lieutenant stationed there proclaimed the ship belonged to you and is currently in the progress of sending it here on Coruscant.”

Private Drops gasped. “They recaptured the Celestial Sun!”

“Is that the name of the ship you arrived in?” asked Master Zash, to which the Private nodded in response. “I see. Can you tell us what’s so special about it?”

“That ship contains coordinates to my home planet!” the Private shouted, getting the attention of every Jedi Master in the room.

“What? Is this true, Private?” asked Master Vrook. Again, Sweetie Drops gave a nod. “I see. So, the coordinates to Padawan Lyra’s home planet is in the Navy’s hands. The question is, do we tell her of this recent discovery?”

“Absolutely not!” argued Master Atris. “We cannot let Padawan Lyra know that the location of her home planet has been found. It’ll only provide another distraction, and she can’t afford that on her current mission.”

“Finally, something that we agree on, Master Atris!” replied Master Darran. His response earned a scoff from the Jedi Master, but he ignored her and instead addressed the Council. “Fellow masters, might I suggest that we hold this information from my Padawan for the time being. As much as I don’t like keeping secrets from her, I think it would be best to keep this undercover until the mission has been successful.”

“I second this,” said Master Vrook. “The last thing we need is for your Padawan to become reckless again. I’m certain if she hears this recent discovery, she’s bound to make the same mistake.”

Master Vandar gave a slight nod. “Very well. To all those in favor of hiding this discovery from Padawan Lyra, please raise your hand.”

All members of the Jedi High Council raised their hands at once, including Vandar himself. It was the one thing that the Council unilaterally agreed on during the whole meeting. And although Darran also agreed to this, he couldn’t help but feel bad. Keeping an important secret from his Padawan wasn’t exactly a moral thing to do, even it was for good intentions.
It was one the reasons why so many of the public distrust Jedi these days.

“Anything else you wish to share, Private Drops?” asked Master Vandar.

The Private shook her head. “Nope. Nothing at all.”

“If that’s the case, then I suggest you head back down to the medical facility. I’m certain Master So has finished performing his medical checkup on your crewmates.”

Darran quickly cut-off the old Jedi Master. “Wait, Master Vandar, there is one last thing I’d like to request before we go.”

“Oh? And what is that Master Darran.”

Darran cleared his throat. Well, here goes nothing. “Masters, I’d like to make a request. On our mission to Alderaan, I’d like to bring the Private with us.” And with that, all eyes fell upon Master Darran, including a shocked Sweetie Drops.

Chapter 20

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Lyra let out a big sigh. Her second turbolift ride was much calmer than her previous one. For one, she felt at ease. The meeting with the Jedi Council went better than expected. Sure, she was berated by Masters Vrook and Atris, but at least the other masters agreed to let her continue the mission.

A golden opportunity, one would think, to be given another chance after making a complete blunder. But as much as a relief this was, Lyra knew this was just mere luck. With war brewing in the outer rim, and her fellow Jedi leaving the Order entirely to go fight, the Council had little to no choice but to send her out again.

Lyra curled her lip. If this were any other mission, she’d be more than happy to take this. However, there were still doubts lingering in her head. She questioned on whether she truly deserved this second chance. If she had failed before, what makes the Council believe she can succeed this time?

“Hey, Lyra!” The Padawan blinked. Turning her head around, she spotted Hider standing relatively close to her. “Got something on your mind? You’ve been very quiet lately.”

“W-what? Oh… no, I was just thinking about my mission, that’s all,” Lyra replied. “You don’t have to worry about me, Hider. I’m fine.”

From behind her pilot, T3-G4 let out a beep. “Hate to say it, kid, but Geefour’s got a point. Enough with the sulking. We haven’t even left Coruscant yet.”

“Easy for you to say! You’re not the one who blew it and possibly endangered the lives of so many ponies!”

“Yeah, we get it, kid. You screwed up bad. But lighten up for crying out loud! You’re a Jedi! And Jedi like you shouldn’t be acting all distressed like you are.”

“The human has a point, little Jedi,” said Chessk. “I know you are anxious after your most recent blunder, but I do not think you should put yourself down like that. The last thing you want is for your mistakes to drag you down.”

Lyra grimaced. As much as she cherished the friendships she made during her journey, she couldn’t possibly believe they would understand her predicament. Her mistake was all she could think about. All those remaining ponies that were in those cages. They could’ve been saved if she hadn’t gone off on her own. Heck, if she had just won that duel against that Mandalorian soldier, she might have not been in this predicament at all.

She winced as she recalled her encounter with that Khal person. He bested her, but only because he had caught her off guard with his double-bladed vibrosword.

Her body went stiff as she recalled that man used the same type of weapon her master used. For years, Master Darran had refused to use his lightsaber to its fullest. But now she had recently faced off against someone who used the same weapon.

A chilling thought. Would it have made a difference if her master taught her on how to fight against a double-bladed weapon? Could she have won that duel if she was properly trained?

A question that had to be put to the side as the turbolift made an abrupt halt. “Looks like we’re here,” said Hider as the lift’s door swung open. “Better head back to my ship. Need to finetune my baby before we make way for Alderaan.”

“Why do you insist on treating your ship as if it were a living being, human?” asked Chessk.

“Believe me, big guy. If you ever dreamed of ever having a spaceship of your own ever since you were a kid, then you’d probably act the same way I do.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Your dream? Really?” she asked sarcastically as she and the crew stepped out of the turbolift. “Was it also your dream to become a Smuggler too?”

“Don’t get all sarcastic on me, kid. There’s a valid reason why I chose to become a smuggler.”

“Oh, really? You mind telling us why?”

“I… well, t-that’s none of your business, alright! My past is not for you guys to know.”

T3-G4 let out a beep as it strolled past the former criminal. “Zip it, tin can! I am not going to tell you guys about my past, and that’s final!”

“Calm down, human. If you wish to keep your past a secret, then we shall respect your decision,” Chessk calmly replied. “Though I admit, I am rather curious.”

“Seriously, big guy? What part of privacy do you guys not understand?”

“Not every day to people wake up and decide that they want to become a smuggler, human. Surely, there must’ve been a reason as to why you choose to go down that path?”

“Like I said, Chessk, it’s personal. My past is none of your business.” Hider hesitated for a little bit, then continued. “But given that we’ve traveled together for some time, I suppose I can let you in on it. Just not right now, though. Please.”

“Wait, really?” asked Lyra in disbelief. “I don’t understand, Hider. Why the change of heart?”

“Perhaps he’s gotten used to our company, little one,” Chessk replied, chuckling.

Hider curled his lip. “Well… that’s technically true. For the most part.”

Lyra and Chessk winced, while T3-G4 let out a confused beep.

“Wait, seriously, human? But I was being sarcastic!” shouted a surprised Chessk.

Hider sighed. “Look, I’ll be honest with you kid. I’ve grown to appreciate your company. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve had meaningful people on my ship. The ones that I’ve worked with—both in my smuggling and journalism careers—only looked after themselves. They didn’t give a damn about each other, let alone their colleagues.”

“Is that so? I can understand other smugglers not working together, but journalists too? Seems a bit farfetched if you asked me.”

“Believe me, everyone I know back at the station is so obsessed with getting the next juicy story. They’ll do anything to get money and reputation, even if they lie to the public sometimes.”

T3-G4 let out beep. “Yeah, I appreciate your company too, tin can. Despite the arguments we have every so often. Just promise you won’t shoot or taser me. Do that, and I’ll make sure you won’t get a memory wipe.”

The droid gave loud whoop as it happily circled around Hider, which made Lyra smile. At the very least, this mission has given her some new friends.

“By the way, do you even know where that dojo your master mentioned is? He said that it was near the hangar bay, but I haven’t seen any doorway yet.”

Suddenly, T3-G4 hummed as it showed a holographic map with its robotic eye. “What the heck is this? A map of the Jedi Temple?” Hider asked. The droid merely beeped in response. “What? The temple’s blueprint? I don’t get it. How’d you get this thing in the first place?”

T3-G4 answered with another beep. “You… downloaded it from a nearby computer terminal while no one was looking?” The droid responded with a chime. “W-what? But isn’t that illegal? I know the both of us haven’t been here, but I don’t think the Jedi would appreciate a droid illegally downloading confidential information.”

“They wouldn’t,” replied Lyra. She sighed as she shifted her gaze over to her droid companion. “Look, Geefour, I know you’re trying to help, but do me a favor and delete the blueprint of the Jedi Temple. If any of the Jedi Sentinels learn of what you did, they’ll likely hunt you down. If you are lucky, you’ll only get away with a memory wipe. And we all know you don’t want that to happen.”

The droid complied as it quickly turned off its robotic eye. After a series of buzzing noises, it gave the young Padawan an assured beep. “It says it has deleted the temple blueprints, little one. Though I think you terrified it a little bit when you mentioned the Jedi Sentinels,” said Chessk.

Lyra chuckled. “Don’t worry, Geefour, I was only exaggerating a little bit,” she said. “Thank you though for showing me where to dojo is. At least now I know where to go.”

The droid responded with a seemingly distressed bleep. “Wow, the droid really doesn’t want it’s memory wiped, doesn’t it?” Chessk replied.

“He doesn’t want to be a mindless machine like the other droids, so he retaliates against anyone who tries to wipe his memory.”

“Is that why he acts so violent?”

“For the most part, yes,” Hider answered. “Geefour’s model is so advanced that it can develop its own personality if it doesn’t receive regular memory wipes.”

“T-that’s… actually quite fascinating. To think that technology has evolved so far.”

Lyra nodded in agreement as she trotted down the temple hallways. “Yeah, it’s really neat to see all this advanced technology being developed. Definitely light years ahead of what the ponies have back in Equestria.”

“Your species isn’t technologically advanced, little Jedi?”

“No, we aren’t. We’re still rather primitive when it comes to technology. We have some commodities like trains and electricity, but it’s nowhere near galactic standards. The only way for Equestria to catch up in terms of technology is for it to be integrated into the Galactic Republic. And even that might take a while.”

Chessk cracked a smile. “That would be interesting, having your kin to adapt to the new technologies. Though having to adapt new and powerful tech might take some time. Not to mention the possible economic damage it might do.”

“You got that right! Force, when I got here, I was so terrified of seeing all this technology. It was so alien to me. I got over my fears, but it took me a while to adapt to my new surroundings. There was even a point where I was afraid of droids.”

T3-G4 beeped curiously. “Yeah, I’m with the tin can here. I find that a little hard to believe,” said Hider. “Why were you so afraid of droids?”

“I just didn’t trust them, okay. Seeing how they move and talk made me feel so… uneasy.”

“Seriously, Lyra? You got scared of a droid doing its job?”

“When you are introduced to a society with technology that’s light years ahead from your home, you’d probably have the same reaction as mine!” Lyra argued. However, her pouting didn’t help her case all that much as Chessk and Hider had begun laughing. T3-G4 cracked a few beeps too. No doubt the droid found her past trauma rather humorous.

Figures.

As she and her companions continued their conversation, they eventually stumbled upon a door. “I think this is the room,” said Lyra. Opening it with her magic, she peeked her head into the room. Lights immediately flickered on, revealing a small dojo.

Stepping inside, she examined the room and noticed it was more compact in comparison to the one her master has back at Dantooine. She also spotted an observatory station at the roof on the other side of the room.

Why is that thing even here in the first place?

“The hangar bay isn’t too far from here,” Hider said. “Me and the others will head back to the ship. Good luck on your training, Lyra.”

“Thank you, Hider. I’ll see you guys soon, okay.” Lyra waved goodbye to her friends as the door slammed shut.

Looking around the room once more, Lyra quickly noticed the dojo was rather empty. It wasn’t like her master’s dojo back on Dantooine, where the entire room was filled with training equipment she can use. This room was completely void of any of those luxuries.

Seeing that there was nothing to do, Lyra decided that meditation would be the thing that she needed. She trotted to the center of the room and dropped into her usual meditation stance. Lowering her head, she closed her eyes and began to recite the Jedi Code.

There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

She did this for several minutes, concentrating all her efforts to expunge all doubt from her mind. Yet it didn’t work. No matter how many times she recited the Code, she couldn’t stop thinking about the other ponies. Their fates at the hands of the Mandalorians were just too much to ignore.

“So much for enlightenment,” Lyra muttered as she slumped onto her belly. Her eyes were glued onto the dojo's exit door, hoping that her master would arrive anytime soon.

If she couldn’t clear thoughts with the Code, then maybe her master would provide the wisdom she needed.

Suddenly, the door to the dojo swung open, causing Lyra to immediately pop right back up. Master Darran had finally arrived. “Master, you’re here!” she said, gleefully.

She stood up and almost galloped over to him but was quick to noticed that he was alone. “Um, master, where is Sweetie Drops?”

“Private Drops went to check on her crewmates at Master So’s medical facility,” replied Master Darran. “Do not worry about her, Padawan. Let’s focus on getting as much training done before we leave.”

“Um, okay. So, what’re we going to do first?”

“Saber training,” answered the Jedi Master as he took out his lightsaber from his belt. “We’ll be doing a mock duel for our entire of our training session until Hider’s ship is ready.”

Lyra blinked. “W-wait, a mock duel? We’re doing one right now?”

“Yes, we are. Given your recent loss, it’s clear that you need more training.” With a click of a button, Master Darran ignited his double-bladed lightsaber, illuminating the dojo with fluorescent blue lights. “For our mock duel, I’ll be using my weapon to its fullest.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “N-no way. Y-you’re not just going to use one blade this time?”

She frowned. As much as she was delighted that her master was finally doing what she wanted him to do, it irritated her that he’d waited for so long.

“Padawan, what’s wrong?” Darran asked. You seem a bit tense.”

“Tense, master? Is that all you can say?” she shouted. “After all the times I ask you to train me with your saber staff, you are only doing it now? Right after I almost lost my life?”

A now livid Lyra began shouting at Darran. All the anger and frustration that had been building up inside her, was now there for her master to see.

“Was there really any point in you holding me back? I thought that a Jedi Master would at least prepare his student for any type of battle, but no! You never taught me how to fight against a double-bladed weapon, even though you use one!”

She gritted her teeth. “Now look at me! Not only did I fail the mission, I almost got killed by a ruthless barbarian who’s obsessed with Jedi! And it’s your fault!”

Lyra took several deep breaths as the last bit of her anger began to fade away. After one last sigh, she looked at her master with weary eyes. Although all the anger that had been building up inside her was now gone, she had taken every ounce of her hatred out the man who treated her as a daughter for years.

Realizing this, she immediately bowed her head and began to apologize. “M-master forgive me. I-I’m just so frustrated at what happened back at the factory that I—”

“No need to apologize, Lyra” he replied. “I understand your frustration.”

His response surprised Lyra as she stared at him with wide eyes. “Y-you’re not mad?” she asked.

Her master shook his head. “No, I am not. I admit, I share the blame for not fully preparing you for battle.” He bent down to his knees and gave Lyra a warm smile. “All those times you requested that I used my blade to the fullest, I should’ve listened. It was my hesitation that nearly cost you your life.”

Lyra shook her head. “But that’s not true, master. I’m the one who left you and everyone else behind. If I would’ve stayed with you all, then maybe we could have succeeded.”

“That may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that I left you unprepared. Your inexperience with a weapon like mine would catch up with you eventually. If not this mission, then perhaps in the future, it may.”

“Then what should I do?”

“Ready your lightsaber. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

Darran walked to the center of the room with his lightsaber ready in hand. Lyra followed as she too drew out her weapon in hoof. And with a click of a button, a green blade ignited from the hilt, illuminating half the room. Though it paled in comparison to her master’s own weapon.

Assuming her usual Form II posture, Lyra readied herself for battle. However, she was caught off guard when she spotted her master drop into an unfamiliar stance. At first, she wanted to ask him what he was doing, but she held it off, for now at least.

“Shall I be the first to strike, master?”

“No, Padawan. I will.”

Without any warning, Master Darran leapt into the air with an empowered Force Jump. He pulled the right-sided blade of the saber staff back over his shoulder and swung it directly at his Padawan’s neck. Lyra saw the attack coming, blocking the blade before it made contact. But doing so made her body spasm.

There was so much power in her master’s strike. If not for her quick reflexes and the Force, she would’ve been sent flying.

N-not good. I got to retreat now!

But her master wouldn’t let her. The moment she tried to disengage from the deadlock, her master immediately attacked her with the other blade of his saber staff.

With no other choice, Lyra quickly blocked the second blade. Again, the amount of force within her master’s strike caused her body to shake. She tried to retreat away from the saber staff, but again, it was no use. Her master was kept up his offensive and continued to attack her with a powerful offensive barrage.

Lyra curled her lip. Her master’s attacks weren’t exactly fast. In fact, he was moving in a linear direction with no acrobatic movement at all. His entire offense was just power, plain and simple. And as the mock duel continued, she found herself exhausted.

It was odd. Usually, her stamina would be proficient enough to last long practice sessions with her master, but something was wrong. She could feel it in her hooves as she once again blocked another incoming attack.

As she did this though, she suddenly found herself propelled into the air. She fell to the ground with a thud and lost her grip on her lightsaber in the process.

“Ow!” Lyra cried as she writhed on the floor in pain. “Master, that hurt!”

“Complaining about pain will do you no good, Padawan. Instead, let it be a lesson,” lectured Master Darran as he deactivated his saber staff. “The amount of power I showcased is an example of Djem So’s capacity, as well as a lesson in strength itself.”

“Wait, Djem So? That’s the form you used?”

“It was. I’m surprised that you didn’t realize it during the duel, given that one of your clanmates practiced the form.”

“Only because I haven’t seen it being used by a saber-staff before!” Lyra argued as she snatched her lightsaber with the Force. “But master, I don’t get it. What’s the lesson you’re trying to teach me?”

“That you cannot handle opponents who are physically stronger than you. It’s the reason why that Mandalorian soldier broke your defense. While it’s true you were exhausted from fighting the other soldiers, as well as your extensive use of the Force, clashing blades with Khal only hastened your defeat.”

“But master, he only got the better of me because I let my guard down! I seriously thought he wouldn’t get up after being pummeled by heavy metal containers.”

“True, but there will be times when you won’t be able to use the Force in such a capacity. When faced with an unfamiliar situation, you must learn how to adapt.”

“How?”

“By taking advantage of what you know.” Raising the saber-staff’s left blade, Darran pointed its tip directly at his Padawan. “The first thing you should do is to keep your distance. Don’t let you opponent get in too close and make sure you stay within the blade’s tip.”

“Why the tip?”

“Any sword, whether it be a lightsaber or vibro-weapon, is weakest at the tip when swung,” explained the Jedi Master. “It’s much easier to redirect blows this way, especially for opponents who rely heavily on strength, or against sword techniques that don’t involve any thrust attacks. Which brings me to my second lesson. Your fighting technique.”

“What about it?”

“Padawan, you specialize in a technique that requires quick reflexes. Don’t just stand there and take the blow head on. Dodge the attack instead. Use your speed and fast reaction time to avoid any attack that you believe you cannot parry.”

Darran raised his weapon once more, the right sided blade of the saber-staff now cocked behind him. He then swung at his Padawan again with astonishing speed; however, Lyra saw the attack coming. But instead of blocking it head on, she merely cartwheeled out of the way.

“Very good, Padawan,” said Darran as he continued to assault his Padawan with multiple cleaves from his lightsaber. “Remember, it’s important to know that you take advantage of your speed and size. And when you couple that with your defense, you can become a small fast-moving target.”

“But master, won’t I exhaust myself if I keep dodging like this?” Lyra asked as she avoided yet another strike. “Doing all this jumps and cartwheels is kind of exhausting is it not?”

“Indeed, it is. But you don’t have to rely on just acrobatics. Sometimes a deflection or a simple sidestep could be all that you need. However, it’ll depend on whether or not you’ve adapted to your opponent’s technique.”

“But I can’t be on the defensive all the time, right?”

“No, you shouldn’t. Remember, Padawan, when you go on the offensive, do not be afraid to pull back. Sometimes, a saber swarm will not be enough to finish the job. Use your counters to get a better understanding of their technique. Patience is required, but once you find an opening, the better the chance of victory.”

“Got it,” Lyra replied as she reignited her lightsaber one more time. But before she resumed the mock duel, she spotted the lanyard that was attached to the bottom end of her lightsaber hilt.

She lifted the strap with her free hoof, remembering that it was once used to help with her grip. She’d grown out of using it for some time, but perhaps now would be a good time.

“Oh? You’re using the strap this time, Padawan?” her master asked as Lyra wrapped the lanyard around her right hoof.

“Might as well,” she replied as she wrapped the lanyard around her hoof with her magic. “Since I’m not used to fighting like this, I might as well use this thing. Besides, if it’ll help me improve my grip after doing all these stunts, then it would’ve served its purpose, right?”

Darran smiled. Once Lyra was finished wrapping the lanyard around her hoof, the two of them resumed their mock duel.

Time went on, but the two sparring Jedi would be unaware of this fact. Their focus was completely on each other. Although Lyra tried her best to adapt to her master’s advice, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. Sure, she had used plenty of acrobatics before, but never in a one on one duel. The pacing felt much faster, especially with a lightsaber blade coming straight at her.

There would be times when her defensives would slip due to being disarmed or landing awkwardly due to a bad cartwheel. But nonetheless, she persevered. And as their training went on, Lyra felt more determined than ever.

However, the duo stopped when they heard a noise. Lyra spun her head and noticed the door to the dojo was wide open. Someone had entered the room. At first, she was irritated that her training session was interrupted, but she mellowed once she saw both Hider and Master Bokal So standing just outside the door.

“Master So! Hider! What are you two doing here?” she asked.

“I’m here to get you,” Hider replied. “The Jedi had just finished supplying my ship. We’re ready to leave for Alderaan.”

“Wait, now? But I thought we weren’t ready to leave for another hour?”

“It’s been over an hour already, Lyra! Me and the others were waiting for you and Darran back at my ship, but you guys never came.” Hider raised an eyebrow. “Judging from what I’m seeing, it looks like you had a little too much fun with your training session.”

“At ease, captain. Master Darran was merely giving an important lesson to his Padawan here,” said Master So.

“I just pointing out the obvious, Master Jedi,” replied Hider with a shrug. He then shifted his gaze at the Kel Dor master. “Wait, why does it sound like you know what happened here? Were you watching these two train or something?”

Master So nodded. “I was watching the whole thing from that station over there,” he explained, pointing his figure at the observatory room Lyra saw earlier. “After I had finished my medical checkup with the two equines, I ran into Private Drops after her meeting with the Council. The Private was curious on how Jedi trained, so I agreed to let her watch.”

“Wait, what?” Deactivating her lightsaber, Lyra trotted to dojo’s doorway only to find that Master So was telling the truth. Behind him were Sweetie Drops and the two ponies that have been rescued. “H-have you guys been watching me?”

“Heck yes we’ve been watching!” shouted a rather hyper Cotton Swirl. “Oh, my Celestia! That was the most exciting thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life! Those space laser swords are just fabulous!”

She galloped close to Lyra and began to shake the poor mare. “You must let me examine your weapon! Please, Ms. Heartstrings, I beg of you!”

“Calm down, Professor Swirl. There’s no need to act so childish in front of the mare,” said Stalwart Shield as he and Sweetie Drops pulled the eccentric mare off Lyra. “But I have to agree that was quite the spectacle you showcased, Ms. Heartstrings.”

“But that was only a mock duel,” Lyra replied.

“Maybe so, but watching you spar has me intrigued. If possible, I’d like to learn more about the Jedi Order and how they fight.”

Lyra cocked a brow. “Learning to fight with a lightsaber doesn’t make you a Jedi. It’s way more than that.”

“Truly? But I thought you Jedi are supposed to be the guardians of the galaxy?”

Lyra wanted to reply, but she was abruptly stopped when Darran stepped in front of her. “Now is not the time, my Padawan. If they wish to learn more about the Jedi, then I’m sure the masters here can provide them the answers they need.”

“But what about my training, Master?”

“Don’t worry, Padawan. There’s still some distance between here and Alderaan, so I’m certain we can go over a few more drills on the ship.”

“T-that’s not what I’m worried about, master. This new lesson you’ve taught me, I don’t think it’s something I can get used to right away. It’s difficult to perform and, to be honest, having one or two mock duels isn’t going to help me that much.”

Darran smiled. “Difficult it may be, but as a Jedi, you must learn how to overcome adversity. And most importantly, trust in the Force. It will guide you.”

“I… I understand. I’ll do the best I can.”

“Yeah, that’s cute and all, but can you two please save your lectures for another time. We need to move,” said an annoyed Sweetie Drops.

Hider gave the military mare a stern glare. “Hey, who said anything about you coming? As far as I know, you’re going to be staying here with the rest of your friends.”

Darran shook his head. “No, Hider. I’ve gotten permission from the Jedi High Council. Private Drops is coming with us.”

“What?” said both Lyra and Hider in disbelief.

“Believe it or not, it’s true. As questionable my decision might be, I have my reasons for bringing her along.”

“And what reason is that?” asked Hider.

“You’ll find out when we get back to your ship, captain.”

Lyra’s jaw slacked. At first, she didn’t believe her master’s words. The mere thought of bringing Sweetie along was insane. Especially, since it’ll only endanger the mare. Not to mention her incapability of using modern weaponry.

But her fear was all confirmed when she saw the look on her friend’s face. Sweetie was glaring daggers at her, and with a smug like grin to boot.

Her master’s words were nothing but the truth.

Lyra frowned. “Oh… oh Force.”

Chapter 21

View Online

From inside the Omega’s cockpit, Lyra Heartstrings stared at Coruscant from orbit, admiring the planet’s beauty. Beside her was Hider on the captain’s chair, who unlike her, did not take a moment to cherish the beautiful sight in front of him. Instead, he was fiddling around with the nav-computer.

Moments ago, they and their companions had left the Jedi Temple and Coruscant altogether. As of now, they were above the planet’s orbit with Hider preping the Omega for light speed. Lyra joined him in the cockpit as soon as she came on board, telling her friend that she wanted to watch him work.

But that was a lie. In truth, something was bugging her, and she wanted to talk about it. Ideally, she would’ve gone to her master first; but given that Hider stood from a neutral standpoint, she decided to go to him instead.

Though it didn’t help that Lyra hadn’t said a word since she boarded the ship.

“So, are you just going to sit there and do nothing, kid?” Hider asked. “Come on, spill it. You got something on your mind, don’t you?”

Lyra meekly shook her head. “No, I don’t,” she answered. It was a lie, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell Hider the truth.

However, her friend didn’t believe her. “Well, you’ve been all but quiet lately ever since we left Coruscant. And for some reason you decided to follow me here. While I appreciate the company, I doubt you’re here for sightseeing.”

Lyra frowned. “I’m that easy to read, aren’t I?”

“You are. So, tell me, Lyra. What’s on your mind?”

“What, besides going on another mission to save my fellow ponies?” Lyra said with a huff. “Or maybe it has something to do with my master and the Jedi Council allowing Sweetie to come with us!”

Hider suddenly stopped working. He spun his chair around and gaped at Lyra with a raised brow. “You’re still upset about that decision?” he asked, to which the Padawan nodded in reply. “Come on, kid, let it go. I don’t like the idea of bringing her along either, but if it’s the will of the Jedi Council, we have to obey.”

“But it’s too dangerous for her to come along!” Lyra complained. “Worst case scenario is that she’ll become a liability and slow us down!”

Hider frowned. “Wow, Lyra. Since when does a Jedi talk down their own friends? I’m sure Master Darran will be disappointed to see you acting the way you are right now.”

“I… I,” Lyra’s ears drooped. “I’m sorry. It’s just that, I’m a bit worried. It’s one thing to get anxious about the mission, but now I need to worry about my friend too!”

Hider sighed. “Lyra, do yourself a favor and lighten up. Seriously, having all that built up stressed ain’t a good thing. Do one of those meditation exercises you Jedi always do. Maybe that might help you out.”

“Yeah… well, the last time I did that, I couldn’t concentrate,” Lyra said as her cheeks puffed in embarrassment.

“Can’t hurt to try again. Remember, you’re only a Padawan. At the very least, you should be following your Order’s tenants instead of pouting over one failed attempt. And don’t worry about our little Private. I have plans for her.”

“Plans? What plans?”

“I’ll talk about it more later,” Hider answered as he resumed working. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you something, regarding the two ponies we rescued.”

“Yeah, what about them?”

“Why is the order sending them to Dantooine?” Hider asked. “I mean, I know the planet might be a better place for your friends to fit in, by why there?”

“Dantooine is a safe-haven for the Jedi,” Lyra explained. “There’s an academy there where we can train, and it’s been my home for a decade. In fact, Dantooine where I began my training as an Initiate.”

“Really? I always figured that far out planet was just meant for farms. I never knew there was a Jedi Academy there.”

“Its location is kept secret from the public. Not many know of its location, aside from a few Republic officials, Jedi, and the citizens living there. The only reason I’m telling you this now is because our destination is already set. No point in keeping it a secret any longer.”

“So, that was the planet you and your master were on before you guys met me in Taris,” said Hider as he steered his ship away from Coruscant. After pressing several more buttons, the Omega began to rumble. Soon, streaks of white light formed outside the window. And with a single jolt, it slipped into hyperspace.

“I’ll always love that little push,” Hider said, cracking a wide grin. “Going into hyperspace never gets old.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “I don’t see why you make a big deal out of it. It gets old pretty fast.”

“Trust me, kid. When you start piloting your own ship, you’ll never get tired of it,” Hider replied, gleefully. “Say, why don’t you go on back and fetch our companions for me? Now that we’ve entered light speed, I’d like to have a word with you all before we reach Alderaan.”

“Is this about Sweetie’s role in the mission?” Lyra asked as she jumped out of the co-captain’s chair.

“Something like that. Oh, and be quick about it, alright. I’d like to get this debriefing over and done with so we can all get some rest.”

“Sure, of course.”

As the cockpit door closed on her, Lyra trotted down the ship’s corridor in search for the rest of the crew. It wouldn’t take her long to find them though. She already knew where everyone was.

Shortly before they left the Jedi Temple, Chessk had asked Sweetie to join him at the garage for combat practice. It was an odd thing to do, but the Trandoshan wanted to fulfill the promise he made back at the Works District.

Lyra lowered her head and sighed. When Chessk first mentioned this, she was skeptical at first. Having Sweetie adapt to modern standards won’t be easy. It’ll take months, if not years for the mare to learn. Not to mention the inability to use galactic weaponry. And that goes double for blaster weapons considering there’s not a single model in the galaxy that can work with ponies.

Just what was Chessk going to do?

“Hi-yah!”

Lyra’s ears shot straight up. The sound of someone yelling nearby had snapped her out of her thoughts. Then, it happened again. More yelling could be heard from where she stood, and it was echoing across the entire corridor.

Curious, she scoured for the source of the noise, only to realize it came from the garage. When she peeked inside, she witnessed something rather unusual. Chessk was on the ground with a cushion on hand, seemingly groaning in pain. And right beside him was Sweetie Drops.

“That… that was a good kick, creamy pony,” said Chessk as he slowly got up from the floor. “Incredible. I haven’t been rag-dolled like that since I was out hunting wild beasts on Felucia.”

“Indeed. That was quite an impressive display of strength, Private,” inquired Master Darran, who Lyra spotted standing at the far end of the room. “I never realized your species has such physical prowess.”

“It isn’t all that special,” replied Sweetie Drops. “Physical prowess is something all Earth ponies have. I’m just stronger than most because I had military training.”

“What’s going on here?” Lyra asked as she stepped inside the garage.

“Ah, hello there, Padawan,” greeted her master. “What brings you here?”

“We just entered light speed and Hider wants to talk with everyone down at the lounge,” Lyra answered. “Didn’t tell me what it was about though. He just said it was important.”

“A talk, eh? Wouldn’t it be best if he waited until we reach our destination? Alderaan is only a few hours away.”

“Maybe, but he says it’s important and he wants to get it over and done with so that we can all get some rest.” Scouring the room, Lyra noticed that a certain droid was missing from the group. “Hey, where’s Geefour? I thought it was with you guys?”

“It just left a couple minutes ago. Said it was going to do some maintenance on the ship,” answered Chessk. “By the way, little Jedi, your kin’s fighting technique is quite impressive. The sheer amount of power in her attacks is something to behold.”

Lyra shot an eyebrow. Never would she have thought Chessk would complement Sweetie in such short notice.

“It’s not that big of a deal. There are plenty of Earth ponies who are just as strong—if not stronger—than me,” said Sweetie Drops.

“It’s not just your strength, creamy pony. It’s also that fighting technique you used,” said Chessk. “What did you call it again? Sa-saverte?”

“It’s called, Savate, big guy. A fighting technique that originated in Prance, and a commonly taught by the Royal Guard. Lots of ponies use it.”

“A pony fighting technique?” Lyra asked. Her curiosity is clearly now showing. “That’s amazing! Do you think I can learn it?”

Sweetie curled her lip. “Well… you could. But I doubt that you’d be able to use it at its full potential. Unicorns just aren’t strong enough to learn such a physically demanding fighting style.”

“I find that hard to believe,” said Master Darran. “Care to elaborate as to why my Padawan can’t learn this technique of yours?”

“I told you already! It’s because she is a… wait a minute. Did Lyra never tell you about the differences between the three pony tribes?”

“Are you forgetting that I haven’t been home for at least a decade?” Lyra replied. “I may remember a few basics, but when it comes to the major differences between the pony species, I’m completely clueless.”

Sweetie facehoofed. “Oh, that’s right. I completely forgot about that.”

“Pony tribes? Are you saying that there are different types of pony species?” asked a confused Chessk.

“I can only assume so,” said Master Darran. “You must remember, Chessk, out of the two equines you rescued alongside Hider, one of them did have a pair of wings.”

“Stalwart is a pegasus pony. The wings make it obvious—but in case you haven’t realized it yet—yes, the pony can fly,” Sweetie explained.

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Sweetie, we’re not that oblivious. Of course, we know the guy can fly.”

Sweetie raised an eyebrow. “Then what is it that you guys want to know?”

“From what I understand—at least from my Padawan’s perspective—the three pony tribes have unique abilities,” answered Master Darran. “If I recall, Earth Ponies have superior strength, Pegasi can fly, and Unicorns can cast magic from the horns on their forehead.”

“Magic?” asked Chessk. “Are you referring to the Force?”

Darran shook his head. “No, not the Force. What I’m referring to is the golden glow that appears occasionally on Lyra’s forehead. That is what those two refer to as magic.”

Chessk scratched his forehead. “I’m… confused. If what the little Jedi uses isn’t the Force, then what is it?”

“I do not know. The Council and I have been looking into Lyra’s natural ability for years, but we’ve never found an answer.”

“It also doesn’t help that I don’t know any type of magic aside from telekinesis and shooting magic bolts,” Lyra replied. “And trust me, the bolts aren’t exactly worth doing at all. Last time I tried using the spell, someone compared the shots as being hit by a flyswatter.”

Sweetie frowned. “It’s that bad, huh?”

“Yup. With no reference on how to improve my magical abilities, I focus on what the Order taught me. Mainly learning the Jedi tenants, how to use a lightsaber, and get a grasp understanding of the Force.”

“Sweet Celestia, it’s worse than I thought,” Sweetie said, sighing in frustration. “Okay, sure, having all those Jedi powers are nice; but what’s the point in having them if you can’t use your magic effectively?”

“I do not understand, creamy pony. The little Jedi has been doing fine without magic so far. What makes you think she is better off learning her species natural ability?” asked Chessk.

“Magic is much more versatile than whatever power Lyra’s been taught!” Sweetie replied. “I mean no offense to the Jedi Order, but you’ll have to forgive me. This so-called Force isn’t exactly all that impressive.”

“Is that so?” asked Master Darran. “What makes you think the Force is weak, Private?”

Sweetie rolled her eyes. “Well, what else can you do besides lift objects in the air? Lyra can already do it with her magic, so what’s so special about using the Force for the same trick.”

“Um, I think you are really underestimating the Force, Sweetie,” said Lyra meekly. “I don’t blame you for saying those things, but the Force is way more powerful than what you think it is.”

“What makes you say that?” Sweetie asked as she stared at the Padawan, demanding some sort of answer. However, before Lyra could say anything, Master Darran interrupted their discussion by stepping in between the two mares.

“Save your discussion for later,” he said. “I’d rather that we wrap things up here and meet with Hider at the lounge.”

Lyra nodded in agreement. In her mind, she thanked her master for getting in the way. Having a lengthy discussion about the Force or magic is not something she’d like to talk about.

Chessk frowned. “What? We’re done here already?”

“I’m sorry, Chessk, but you’ll have to put the Private’s training aside for now. As much as I’d like to see more of this fighting technique, I personally would like to hear what Hider has in store for us.”

“He did say it was important,” Lyra said, which made Chessk groan in frustration.

“Fine, I’ll hear him out,” he said as he tossed the cushion aside. “Such a shame. And just when I was having a little fun too.”

Lyra blinked. “Wait, you call being rag-dolled by Sweetie fun?”

Chessk shook his head. “You misunderstand, little Jedi. I was enjoying myself because creamy pony showed plenty of potential,” he explained as he followed everyone out of the garage. “If she were to be trained, then perhaps she could adapt to our modern standards. I’d just need to find a weapon to compliment your style first.”

“I wear steel leggings when I’m out fighting in the front lines,” Sweetie explained. “Sure, they’re a bit heavy, but they do add a bit more ‘oomph’ to my kicks.”

“Leggings, eh? Well, considering your species’ primitive technology, that piece of metal isn’t as strong nor durable compared to what we use today. I can probably fashion you a similar weapon that’s more powerful than what you currently use.”

“What about blasters?” asked Lyra.

“There aren’t any blasters that can work with your species. No offense, but your hooves are just so big. I’d imagine it would be difficult for her to hold and fire one, not to mention the creamy one has no experience with such weaponry.”

Lyra frowned. “So, not only would she have to be trained, but Sweetie would also need a rifle that is built for ponies.”

“Correct. I can probably make one for her, but it would take some time.”

“I could care less about those weapons. Just focus on getting me ready for the front lines,” said Sweetie.

Chessk frowned. “You seem persistent in fighting on the front lines, creamy one. Why is that?”

“Getting close n’ personal is my kind of thing. Just think of me as a mare who’d like to charge in and kick a Griffon in the face if need be.”

“I don’t know what this Griffon is, but you won’t last long in the front lines if your only weapon is leggings. If you wish to charge into battle with your allies, it’d be best if you fight alongside a Jedi. At least with them by your side, they’ll deflect any blaster bolts coming your way.”

As the trio continued to discuss battle strategy, they eventually made it to the ship’s lounge. Hider and T3-G4 were already there, sitting nearby a rather large computer. “Hey, where the heck were you guys?” complained the captain. “I sent Lyra to fetch you all ages ago.

Lyra shrugged. “Sorry about that. I was watching Sweetie spar with Chessk and we kind of let time slip by.”

Hider blinked. “Wait, the little lady was sparring with the big guy? How does that work?” T3-G4 let out a few beeps in reply. “No way. How the heck is she even capable of rag-dolling him? She’s way too small!”

“You’d better believe it, human,” Chessk replied. “I admit, I was holding back a little, but the creamy pony’s strength is for real.”

Hider’s jaw dropped as he gaped at Sweetie for a second and then back at Chessk. “You do realize will change nothing, right? I’m not going to drag her along this mission just because she managed to impress you.”

“Hey!” shouted an offended Sweetie Drops. “I’m standing right here, you know!”

“Yes, I’m aware,” said Hider with a roll of his eyes. “Look, I know Master Darran and the Jedi High Council have agreed to let you come with us; but I’ll be frank, it’ll be too dangerous for you to come with us in the Mandalorian base. You are too much of a liability. At worst, you’ll only slow us down.”

“So, you’re suggesting that I stay here and do nothing?” asked an irritated Sweetie Drops. Hider nodded in reply, which only made the young mare even more angry. “But I can’t do that! My friends’ lives are on the line!”

“I know that, but my position still stands. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t contribute to the mission. In fact, while we are infiltrating the Mandalorian base, you’ll be providing us support.”

His statement confuses everyone onboard. Even Master Darran seemed a bit bewildered by Hider’s comment. “What do you have in mind?” asked the Jedi Master.

“Here’s my suggestion,” Hider replied as he pressed a button on the computer’s keyboard, revealing a holographic image above the machine. From everyone’s standpoint, it looked like a blueprint of sorts. “This thing has a comm-link software installed and a few headsets we can use. What our little Private here is going to do is commune with us while we scour the base.”

Lyra opened her mouth to reply, but Hider was quick to interrupt her. “I’m not finished, kid. Let me continue first and then we can discuss the plan,” he said. “The second thing I wanted to say is that this computer is capable of showing holographic images. As you can see, you are seeing the blueprint of my baby right now.”

“Impressive,” replied Master Darran. “But as impressive as that may be, how does this computer serve any purpose for Private Drops?”

“I was getting to that, old man. You see, Geefour is connected to this computer now. Whatever he downloads on his hard drive, we can see right here. Provided the ship is within distance, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

“What exactly are you planning, human?” asked Chessk.

“Simple. Once we infiltrate the base, we get Geefour to download a map from a terminal, so it will show up in holographic form here on the ship. When that happens, the Private will use said map to guide us on where we need to go via comm-link.”

Lyra tilted her head. “So, Sweetie’s more of a support role?”

“Basically, yes,” Hider replied. “It’s a hostile environment, so I don’t exactly have the time to check my datapad and see where we’ll be going. But with her on this ship, she can do what I can’t.”

Master Darran smirked. “Interesting. So, she’ll be playing the role of an operator then.”

Hider nodded in reply. “You got it, old man. Since our Private here isn’t coming with us, I might as well have her do something that will help us.”

Sweetie huffed. “I’d rather be fighting on the front lines,” she spat, which caused Lyra to groan at her immaturity. Hider did so too.

“Look, little pony, I know you prefer to fight the good fight, but this is something that’s not up for debate.”

“He’s right, Sweetie,” said Lyra. “I know it’s frustrating, but it’s just as Hider said. You can’t come with us.”

The Padawan watched as her friend curled her lip in frustration. At first, she thought Sweetie would burst out in anger, but after a moment of silence, the mare gave out a big sigh. “Fine, I’ll do it. I'll be your operator or whatever the heck that is,” said the Private as she finally relented. “Just promise me one thing, okay.”

“And what’ll that be?” asked Hider.

“Get everypony out of there,” she pleaded. “This whole trip has been nothing but a nightmare for us, and I want it to end.” She then turned and glared at Lyra. “And don’t you dare go and abandon your team again. If you really are a protector of the galaxy, then prove it to me. Save my friends.”

“I know, Sweetie,” Lyra replied. “Mark my words, by the end of the day, everypony will be here on this ship safe and sound.”

“I’d hate to break up your little moment, girls, but can you please save the chit chat for later? There’s still one last thing I need to talk about,” Hider said.

Lyra sighed. “Well, excuse us for ruining your moment,” she replied sarcastically.

“I’m not in the mood for jokes, Lyra. So, cut the crap and listen up. Regarding the base itself, I don’t think we can just go in and fly unnoticed. My guess is that those guys will probably shoot us down the moment we get close.”

Master Darran nodded in approval. “You raise a good point. A direct approach to the base would be suicide on our end.”

“If that’s the case, how are we supposed to get close?” asked Lyra.

“I already have a solution for that, kid,” Hider answered. “You see, back in the heyday of my smuggling career, I installed a signal jammer on my ship. Since there were times where I had to flee from the local authorities—or from people who I pissed off—I’d use it so that I can avoid detection.”

Sweetie sighed. “Wow, you really are forthcoming about your past life, aren’t you?”

Hider gave the mare a wide smirk. “I am. And just to be clear, Private, I’m not ashamed of it,” he said with enthusiasm. “Anyway, the jammer still works. I can activate it when we get close to the base. Though I’ll have to land my ship some distance away from our destination.”

“What of any escape plan?” asked Lyra. “How are we supposed to escape once we free everypony?”

“Glad you pointed that out. When we reach Alderaan, I’ll contact the local military and let them know what’s up. Once they realize that a Mandalorian base is on their planet, no doubt they will deploy troops.”

“Which in turn will provide a distraction, giving us time to flee,” said Chessk. He smiled. “A bold plan. I like that.”

“Won’t it take time for them to deploy their forces?” asked Sweetie.

“True, but with the galaxy at war, I’m certain the military will be ready for quick deployment. Especially if a Jedi Master convinces them.”

“So, you plan on using me as part of your plan, eh?” Master Darran asked with a sigh. “Not that I mind. The plan is perfectly fine by me. Just make sure that I do the talking when we speak to the leaders of Alderaan.”

“Sure, whatever,” Hider replied as he let out a loud yawn. “Dang… I’m really tired.”

Nobody said a word. “So, we’re all in agreement then? Good. We still got a few hours till we reach Alderaan, so I suggest we get some sleep.

“We all are, Hider. Since we still have a few more hours till we reach Alderaan, I suggest that everyone should get some rest. Tomorrow is gonna be a big day.”

Chapter 22

View Online

Lyra groaned as she tossed and turned on her bed. She’d been trying to get some sleep for a while now. But her efforts were fruitless. Her thoughts too disturbed.

After the meeting that took place at the lounge, Hider recommended everyone to get some rest. Lyra had agreed, and so did everyone else. Even with light speed, reaching Alderaan will take hours to complete. But how long had it been exactly? Given her apparent restlessness, it didn’t seem all that long ago when she, Sweetie, and Master Darran retired to the crew quarters.

The Padawan flinched. Was she keeping the others awake because of her restlessness? If so, then why hasn’t anyone woken her up or try to calm her down? Have they left the room entirely?

As she asked herself these questions in her head, the Force was reacting to her distress. It surrounded and penetrated her, like a vacuum sucking up dust. However, she did not come to this realization right away. Her restlessness prevented her from recognizing such power around her.

That is until the large amount of Force energies began to take shape. Eventually, this high-concentrated amount of life energy was enough to finally get Lyra’s attention. Before she could react or try to control its power, she was granted a vision.

Though murky at best, Lyra saw herself standing in the middle of a forest. She was wearing her usual Jedi attire with lightsaber firmly grasped in her hooves, ignited and ready for battle. But that wasn’t all. Hundreds of blaster fire surrounded her position, as if she were in the middle of a warzone.

Soon, the vision became clear and Lyra found herself jumping toward soldiers equipped for war. Strange. The armor they wore looked familiar, but she barely paid any attention to it as she saw herself plunge her lightsaber into the belly of one of said soldiers. She eventually finished them all off, but soon spotted another approaching her, albeit slowly.

This one was intriguing to say the least. Unlike the others, he wasn’t approaching her with a pistol or rifle in hand. Rather, it was a sword. A double-bladed sword to be exact. Lyra found it strange. She didn’t know why, but it’s almost as if she had personally seen that weapon before. But where?

Before she could answer her own question, she saw herself charge directly toward her opponent. The two would clash blades, but then the vision would come to an abrupt halt.

“No, wait!” Lyra yelled at the top of her lungs. She desperately cried out to the Force, hoping that it would show her more. But in her struggles, she ended up falling off her bed.

“Ow!” she cried as she fell on the metal floor with a thud. Ears ringing, she got up on all fours and looked around, checking to see if her fall had woken up Sweetie or anyone else. But to her surprise, the room was empty. Okay, that’s weird. Where is everybody?

Curious, Lyra trotted over to the exit and left the crew quarters behind. A part of her still pondered if she was still having a Force vision, but she quickly brushed that notion aside. The sound of her hooves pressing onto the metal floor made her realize this was no delusion.

Are we still in hyperspace? she thought as she continued to explore the ship in search of anyone onboard.

“Lyra? You’re awake?”

“Huh?” Lyra’s ears wobbled. Someone was calling out to her. But who?

“It’s me, Padawan,” said the voice again. “Look to your right.”

“What?” Doing what she’d been told, Lyra turned around and spotted her Jedi Master looking right at her.

“Good morning, Lyra,” greeted Master Darran. “I see you are already up and about. Though you appear to be undressed for some reason.” He frowned. “Padawan, I’m aware that wearing clothes is not a custom for your people, but don’t you think it’s best if you get dressed. I don’t think Hider would appreciate you streaking inside his ship.”

Lyra’s cheeks flushed red. “Oh, come on, Master! You’ve seen me without my attire plenty of times already! And Sweetie doesn’t wear any clothing either!”

Darran sighed. “That was a joke, Padawan. I know we Jedi must act poised and professional in front of the public, but do not take things too seriously. As much as I respect my fellow masters, the last thing I need for you is to become as stern and stubborn as them.”

“Are you referring to Master Vrook, master?”

Darran cracked a smile. “Perhaps. But don’t tell him that. Anyways, what seems to be the problem, my Padawan? You seem a bit rattled.”

Lyra blinked. “Wait, you can tell?”

“Your thoughts are disturbed. I may not have the ability to see, but I can still sense your feelings. Tell me, what’s wrong.”

The young Padawan sighed. There wasn’t any point in keeping secrets. Especially now that her master had grown concern for her. So, she told him everything. About the Force and the vision that it gave her.”

“I see. So, this vision had you in the middle of a warzone, fighting against a squadron of soldiers.” The Jedi Master frowned. “I mean no offense, Lyra, but I cannot picture you fighting in the front lines. You’re not exactly trained for that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, I agree with you there, but that’s not the point, Master. Those soldiers I was fighting. I get this strange feeling that I’ve fought them before, but I can’t remember where.”

“And it’s the same for the sword wielding, soldier, correct?”

Lyra nodded. “The weapon he used. I swear, I’ve seen it before. Yes, I know there are lots of weapons that look different, but that isn’t the case.”

She looked to her master for guidance but was surprised to see him frowning and shaking his head. It’s as if he were upset with her. “Tell me, Padawan, do you remember your lesson about the Force and its two aspects?”

Lyra blinked. That question certainly came from nowhere. What it had to do with her vision, she had no idea. But at the very least, she owes her master an answer. “Yeah, of course I do. There’s the Living Force, which is the raw life energy that all living beings possess; and the Unifying Force, which… um.” She stuttered. For a moment, she had completely forgotten her lesson on the second aspect of the Force.

“Err, forgive me, master. But can’t you remind me on what the Unifying Force is again, please?” she asked, smiling sheepishly.

“The Unifying Force binds the stars and planets together, rippling the surface of space and time,” replied Master Darran. He shook his head. “Lyra, it’s important that you remember your lessons. Becoming a Padawan does not mean you forget the teachings that were taught to you as an Initiate.”

“Y-yeah. Sorry about that.”

“All is forgiven, my student. But to continue where I left off, the Unifying Force is not just the galaxy itself. It has a voice. Make no mistake, Lyra, the Force does have a will of its own. And communing with it allows Jedi like us to see into the past and the future.”

Lyra gasped. “So, the Unifying Force was responsible for showing me my vision back on Dantooine? And it gave me the vision I had just now?”

“Correct. Back on Dantooine, the Force had shown you a vision of the past. This time, however, I assume it showed you your future. A possible future, at least.”

Lyra’s jaw slacked. Though shocking, this revelation was welcoming to say the least; yet at the same time, she felt like it wasn’t enough. The Unifying Force didn’t give her all the answers. If it did, then maybe it could’ve told her who those soldiers were.

There is one thing I must warn you, my Padawan,” continued Master Darran. “Although the Unifying Force is an essential aspect of the Force, you must be wary of its power.”

“What do you mean?” Lyra asked with a tilt of her head. “Aren’t visions of the future supposed to be a good thing?”

“Perhaps, but the Unifying Force can be clouded at times. As powerful as it is, it won’t give you all the answers you seek.”

You can say that again. “But if that’s the case, what should I do? Should I carry on and ignore my vision completely?

Darran shook his head. “No, you shouldn’t. The future may be important, but you must not forget about the present,” he lectured. “To be honest, Lyra, I’d rather that you’d be more mindful of the Living Force rather than rely on vague visions. Should you heed the calling of the life energy around you, your questions will be answered eventually.”

“Yes, master,” Lyra replied. “By the way, have we made it to Alderaan yet, or are we still in hyperspace?”

“We just arrived a half an hour ago, Lyra,” Darran answered. “I had just finished my talk with the local officials, and they’ve agreed to provide our team support. Though it might take some time for them to deploy.”

Lyra’s eyes widened. “Oh, Force. We’re here already? But I thought Hider said it’ll take us several hours before we get here.”

“That was hours ago, Padawan. Six hours to be precise,” Darran replied. “Hider’s busy preparing to descend at any moment. And Chessk is getting our equipment ready for the upcoming battle.”

“What about Sweetie?” asked Lyra. “I didn’t see her on her bed, so I can assume she’s already up. Where is she right now?”

“She’s at the lounge with Hider. Apparently, our captain gave her a lecture on how to use the communication equipment he showed in our meeting earlier. Since your friend doesn’t know anything about electronics, he decided it was necessary to show her the basics.”

Lyra shrugged. “That makes sense. Wouldn’t want to leave Sweetie completely clueless when it comes to computers. Especially if she’s going to help us.”

“Indeed,” Darran replied as he stood back up. “And I suggest that you get ready yourself.”

“Yes, Master,” Lyra replied as she turned and galloped back to her quarters. When she arrived, she was surprised to see the door to the room was wide open. Someone was inside, probably looking for her. Curious, the Padawan peeked inside, but much to her shock, she spotted Sweetie going through her belongings.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Lyra shouted as she used her magic to quickly snatch her tunic away from her friend.

“Hey, take it easy. I just wanted a little peek at your equipment,” Sweetie replied. “Considering that you’ve worn only a tunic for the entire time we’ve met, I was curious to see what material it used.”

“Uh… material?”

“You know, like if there’s any futuristic metal you wear under that bath robe of yours.” The mare frowned and shook her head in disappointment. “Though imagine my shock when I saw no such armor.”

“Bath robe!” Lyra shouted, feeling slightly insulted by her friend’s remarks on her tunic. “Sweetie, this is an authentic Jedi tunic. The color may vary, but all Padawans must wear this sort of thing. It’s tradition!”

Sweetie cocked an eyebrow. “Is it also tradition for them to not wear armor?”

“Jedi don’t normally wear armor! Tunics and robes are the only thing we have,” Lyra explained. “And truth be told, wearing armor only slows me down. How else am I supposed to use my acrobatics if I wear something so clunky?”

“Hey, I’m not saying that you should be wearing anything heavy. Maybe a chainmail or some futuristic light armor that doesn’t hamper your movement so much.”

“Don’t worry about me. With the Force on my side, I have nothing to worry about,” Lyra replied. Though her response did little to convince her friend.

“It certainly wasn’t on your side when you acted recklessly on Coruscant,” Sweetie shot back, causing Lyra to instantly flush red.

“Y-your still mad about that… huh?” Lyra asked sheepishly. To her shame, Sweetie nodded in reply.

“I am. But I told you already, I’m giving you another chance. Just remember, do not do anything reckless this time. This is a team mission! If we are going to save everypony, then you need to work with your team, not abandon them outright!”

Lyra winced. Although she’d been lectured on this several times already, it seemed like Sweetie was keen on making sure she doesn’t mess up again. Truth be told, it annoyed her a bit. Being lectured by a mare who was the same age didn’t suit well at all. But it’s not the Jedi way to complain about such miniscule things. Especially, when the person who’s lecturing you is your friend. “I promise, Sweetie, I won’t abandon my friends again. We’re going to complete the mission together.”

“Now, that’s what I want to hear!” said Sweetie as she gave Lyra a hug. “I have faith in you, Lyra. Be sure to get everypony out, okay?”

“Of course. By the way, weren’t you supposed to be with Hider right now? I thought he was teaching you on how to use his computer and the comm-link?”

“We just finished a while ago. Since I woke up so early, he gave me a quick rundown on how everything works.”

“That fast?” Lyra asked with wide eyes.

“Sure, why not? I mean, it’s not that hard. You just push a few buttons here and there, and boom, it’s easy.” Sweetie raised an eyebrow. “What, did you think because I don’t know anything about technology, I’d have trouble learning the dang thing?”

“Um, yes.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes. “Ugh, forget it. Let’s just go to the cockpit already.”

Lyra, grateful that her friend didn’t take her insult seriously, sighed in relief as she put on her Jedi robes. After hoisting her lightsaber onto her belt, she joined her friend outside the living quarters and the two began walking down the corridor together. “Hey, do you know if Chessk and Geefour and ready yet?” she asked Sweetie.

The mare shook her head. “No, I haven’t. But considering that we’ve just arrived at this Alderaan place, I’m pretty sure they’re getting ready as we speak. Which reminds me, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, Lyra. About this planet.”

“What of it?”

“What do you know about it?” Sweetie asked. “I mean, I’ve been on two planets already. One was a rocky terrain surrounded with nothing but ocean water, and the other was a futuristic planet sized city.”

“Hmm,” Lyra rubbed her snout as she pondered on her friend’s question. After a moment of silence, she finally answered. “To be honest with you, Sweetie, I haven’t been on Alderaan myself. However, I have read a few holo-records of the planet, so I know some of its history.”

“Is Alderaan part of the Republic too?”

Lyra nodded. “Alderaan’s government was one of the core founders of the Republic, along with Coruscant, Corellia, and—some other planets I can’t recall at the top of my head.”

“They’re one of the founders!” replied a surprised Sweetie.

“Yup. Alderaan, along with other core worlds, founded the Republic over twenty-thousand years ago,” Lyra explained. “The planet itself is not known for its futuristic cities, but its lush grasslands and mountain ranges make it a popular tourist spot.”

“Twenty-thousand years ago!” Sweetie yelled as her jaw fell agape. “You’re saying this galactic government is super old?”

Lyra chuckled. “You know, I should’ve figured your reaction would be like that. It’s almost akin to mine when I first researched Galactic History. But as farfetched as it sounds, what I’m saying is the truth. The Galactic Republic has a long history. Longer than even Equestria itself.”

She observed her friend carefully as Sweetie took in this latest piece of news. Her reaction wasn’t very good. The mare’s eyes completely wide, and her head twitching like crazy. It’s almost as if she were to collapse out of sheer shock.

Fortunately, she managed to snap out of her stupor by hoof-slapping herself in the face. “Sweet, Celestia. This is a lot to take in,” Sweetie said. “The discovery of space travel was huge everypony in my crew. But this? This is overwhelming!”

“I know, right?” Lyra replied with a wide smile. “But as much as I like to talk about history, we’ve got bigger things to tackle.” She trotted for a nearby door, which automatically opened, revealing the ship’s cockpit. Outside the window was Alderaan in its purest form.

“Wow. So beautiful,” said Sweetie.

“You like it, huh?” replied a familiar, friendly voice. From the captain’s chair sat Hider Louhun, who seemed preoccupied with the ship’s navigation system. “Welcome to Alderaan, you two. The most culturally artistic planet of the Republic. Mind your manners cause this place is known for its rich elitists. They’re good natured at heart, but if you go on their bad side, be prepared for the worst.”

Sweetie blinked. “Culturally artistic, eh?” She looked at Lyra. “So, this place is just like Canterlot, but on a planetary scale?”

Lyra shrugged. “I guess so. Then again, I haven’t really been here till now, so I can’t say.”

“Canterlot? What is that, your planet’s capital or something?” Hider asked.

“Nation’s capital to be exact,” answered Sweetie. “Equestria is just one nation. There are others that border us.”

“Multiple nations, eh? Oh man, that planet must be one big cluster—”

“Language!” Lyra shouted.

“For the last time, kid, quit lecturing me about what I say!” Hider rebuked. “No point in getting so angry over words!”

Sweetie sighed. “Language aside, it sounds like you're saying that having multiple nations in one planet a bad thing,” she said as she climbed up on top of one of the passenger chairs. “What makes you say that?”

“Most planets I’ve been on don’t follow your planet’s example. It’s one planet, one nation. Sure, there might be some clans or tribes that rely on local communities or governments, but they in turn answer to the Republic Senate and the Supreme Chancellor.”

“All of whom are elected officials,” Lyra stated as she too climbed up on one of the passenger chairs. “When it comes to the Senate, they are chosen to be represented by the people from their perspective planet. In turn, they—along with other Senators—debate on political issues. And when the time comes, these Senators elect a Supreme Chancellor. Someone who would serve as the head of all Republic affairs.”

Sweetie’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you’re telling me that your government is led by elected officials?” she asked, to which both Lyra and Hider nodded in reply. “So, there’s no monarchy at all in the galaxy? It’s all Democratic?”

“There are monarchies that still exist on some planets,” Lyra explained. “Sometimes, the monarchs themselves select their Senators, while others allow their people to elect the Senators for them. Either way, the galaxy itself is led by a Democratic-Republic. We do not have everlasting monarchies here.”

“Well said, my Padawan. I’m pleased to know that your studies on Galactic Civics have paid off.” The group turned their chairs around as the door to the cockpit suddenly swung open, revealing Jedi Master Darran. Alongside him was Chessk, who appears to be holding a pouch in his hand. “Good morning, everyone,” he greeted as he sat in the co-captain’s chair.

“Good morning, master,” Lyra greeted back. She then gave a quick look to her Trandoshan friend. “And good morning to you, Chessk.”

Trandoshan smirked. “Greetings to you as well, little Jedi,” he replied. “I hope you are ready for battle, because these next few hours are going to be the most exciting moments you’ve ever faced in your life.”

“Wow sounds like somebody’s excited,” said Hider. “What’s the deal, big guy? It’s almost as if you’re eager to get this mission started.”

“I am,” Chessk replied, still smiling. “It’s the thrill of battle that excites me the most. Especially, since I’m going face to face against some of the best warriors in the galaxy.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot you Trandoshans are a warrior race. Guess the thought of fighting legit soldiers would excite you, huh? But do us all a favor, big guy. Don’t let your excitement get the way. We’re here on a rescue mission, not fight an entire army.”

“I know what my priorities are, human,” said Chessk as he sat down on a passenger’s chair. “Now, are you going to take us down or not?”

“Hold your scales, big guy. We’ll head down as soon as I’m done preparing here,” Hider replied as he turned his attention back toward the navigation computer.

“Wait a minute, where’s Geefour?” asked Lyra. “Shouldn’t it be here with us?”

“Don’t worry about the tin can. It’s at the lounge as we speak. Once we get past the planet’s atmosphere, it’ll activate the jammer from the computer over there.”

“How do you know that thing will work?”

“It will,” Hider assured while grasping the steering wheel. “I may have not used it in a while, but I do know the thing works.”

Force, I hope so. Lyra thought as the ship finally began to move. Fastening her seatbelt, she watched as Hider piloted the Omega into Alderaan. When they reached the planet’s atmosphere, the ship began to tremble.

“I can never get used to this,” Sweetie said as she squeezed her hooves on to her chair’s armrest.

“It’s not exactly a pleasant experience; but you’ll get used to it eventually,” replied Lyra.

“Not to be rude, but having you say that doesn’t make this experience any more pleasant!” Sweetie argued. Yet despite her complaints, the trip down the planet’s atmosphere ended as soon as it began. The Omega now hovered just below the clouds, revealing mountain terrain and lots of snowfall.

“That’s odd,” Lyra said as she observed the bad weather conditions outside the window. “I expected to see more greenery on Alderaan, not snow. Where are we right now?”

Hider shook his head. “Sorry to disappoint you kid, but sightseeing isn’t on our agenda today. Our main priority should be to find that Mandalorian base, and it’s located somewhere in this mountain.” While piloting the ship through the snow barren mountains, the captain reached for a nearby comm-link, raised it close to his face, and spoke on the mic. “Geefour, is the ship’s signal jammer up and running?”

A series of beeping noises came directly from the comm-link. “Yes, I get that the software is a little outdated. But can you please quit fussing for a second and do your job! We can’t waste any more time here!”

Another series of beeps came from comm-link, though it sounded a bit more aggressive. “You already updated the software? Then why didn’t you just say so? Damn it, we’re wasting time. Just activate the dang jammer so we can get moving!”

“Uh, was that Geefour on the other line?” Lyra asked, worryingly.

Hider sighed. “Yes, it was. Don’t know how or when that droid updated the ship’s signal jammer software, but at least it’s something we don’t have to worry about now.”

Lyra breathed a sigh of relief, feeling grateful that her droid managed to ease her worries a bit. Though as she leaned back on her chair, she felt a strange humming sound echoing across the cockpit. “What was that?” she asked.

“Just the signal jammer turning on,” Hider explained as he put the comm-link away and grasped the steering wheel. Pretty soon, the ship began to move again. It flew forward, making headway for the mountains. “The Mandalorian base is located here somewhere.”

“It shouldn’t be too hard to find,” said Sweetie Drops. “If it’s anything like those buildings from Coruscant and Ord Mantell, then we’ll have no problems.”

“I wouldn’t think so,” replied Darran with a shake of his head. “It’s unlikely that they’d risk building such a large fortress. Doing so would only alert the local military.”

“What do you mean?” asked Lyra.

“I’m saying that the Mandalorian base isn’t fit to station a large army. If you think about it, the main force is still fighting in the outskirts of the outer rim. And with the Republic Navy joining the fight, they can’t risk sending out platoons to the mid and core worlds. Only small contingents at best.”

“So, you’re saying the enemies we’ve faced were only scouts?”

Darran nodded. “Correct. The ones we fought on Coruscant were merely scouts whose job is to report on Republic Naval movement, not true soldiers. The true strength of the Mandalorian Crusaders is something that we’ve yet to face.”

“But why would they bring me and my crew into this?” asked Sweetie.

“They must’ve saw the advertisement my foolish cousin put out,” replied Chessk. “Considering that you and your kin are a newly discovered species, they wished to take advantage of that.”

Darran frowned. “If that is the case, then I fear that the Mandalorians are planning something with the equines,” he said grimly. “We must hurry. The sooner we find the equines, the better.”

“On it,” Hider replied as he continued to steer the ship through the mountains.

“Um, master, when you said our enemies are planning something, what do you mean by that?” Lyra asked as she gave Darran a worried look.

“I mean what I said, Padawan,” replied the Jedi Master. “The Mandalorians have their reasons for capturing your kin. And I fear it’s something sinister.”

Lyra frowned as she found herself quivering in her seat. “Y-you don’t think they are going to hurt them, are they?”

“Perhaps, but I don’t believe that is their true goal,” her master replied. “I believe they are after something much bigger.”

“Bigger?” asked a now worried Sweetie Drops. “Just what in Celestia’s name are you implying?”

“Save that question for later, creamy one,” said Chessk. He pointed his finger directly at the window. “We’ve found the base.”

Lyra gasped as she quickly looked out the window and—sure enough—her friend was correct. Just below the ship, surrounded by dense trees and thick mountain snow, was a fully operational Mandalorian base.

The facility wasn’t anything spectacular. Just like her master had said, the stronghold was small. It didn’t look like it could fit an army, nor could it hold any ground war machines.

“Damn, it looks like you called it, old man,” said Hider. “Looks like the Alderanian military won’t have to worry about an invasion force. Though I can’t seem to spot any ships.”

“It’d be foolish to park ships outside in this current weather,” said Master Darran. “I can only assume they must’ve docked them in a garage somewhere.”

“At least we know that the signal jammer works,” said Lyra. “I don’t think they’ve spotted us at all. If they had, we would’ve been shot at by now.”

“But where are we going to land?” asked Sweetie.

“It’d have to be someplace far enough where our enemies won’t see it,” said Chessk.

“No problem,” Hider replied. “There’s an entire forest surrounding the base, and we can use the mountains as cover too. I’m sure we can find someplace to land.”

The captain spun the steering wheel around and flew the ship the mountains. The crew looked for anyplace to land, but it proved to be more difficult than they’d realized. The heavy snowfall limited their view, and the large mountain hills made Hider unable to land the ship.

“I can’t see anything!” Lyra complained.

“That makes two of us,” Hider replied, grunting in frustration. “Damn it! There’s no good spot to land.”

“I’m certain there’s someplace we can use,” said Chessk. “Why not go deeper into the mountains?”

“That’ll be too far away!” argued Sweetie. “You’ll never make it to the base if you land too far. Especially with all this snow!”

“She’s right,” Lyra replied. “All this snow will only slow us down. And it’ll be even harder to get back to the ship with all the ponies we’ve rescued. Having them trot through this weather will only put us all at risk.”

“So, what do you suggest I do? Land the ship in front of the base?” shouted Hider who was starting to lose his patience. “I’m sorry, but we can’t land too close. Even with the jammer, it’ll only be a matter of time before some soldier discovers the ship. And trust me, putting my baby and Private Drops at risk is something I won’t do!”

“No need to worry, everyone,” Master Darran said calmly. Despite the crew’s little panic, he had somehow remained calm. “Steer your ship to the northwest of the base. There is a clearing we can use to land your ship.”

“Wait, what?” Hider turned his seat around and gawked at the Jedi Master. Lyra too was puzzled by this as well. How could her master possibly know what he’s talking about?

“Heed my words, Hider. Pilot your ship to the northwest!”

“Alright, I’m on it!” said Hider as he quickly followed the Darran’s directions and steered the ship away from their destination. Sure enough, the Jedi Master’s words came true. Just a few miles away from the base was a clearing. It wasn’t very large, but it was big enough for landfall and the forest surrounding it provided great cover. “The heck? How did you know about this spot, old man?”

Darran smirked. “Really, Mr. Louhun? After everything we’ve been through, you still question the Force?” he asked in a rather sarcastic tone.

“Well, excuse me, Master Jedi! I didn’t think the Force would be capable of finding good landing spots!” Hider let out a big groan as he piloted his ship over to their destination. Soon, the Omega began to stir as it descended onto the snowy mountain. Then, a loud crunch was heard, and the ship had stopped moving. “Okay, we’re not sinking underneath the snow. I guess that means the landing went well.”

Lyra sighed in relief. “At least that’s one obstacle out of the way. Now what do we do?”

“We got to make sure everything is ready before we leave,” replied Master Darran. He stood up and began to address the entire crew. “Chessk, what’s the status of your equipment?”

“I had left my rifle and the human’s blaster pistols back at the garage, but I’m done with my modifications,” Chessk answered.

“You better not have messed up my pistols, big guy. I paid a lot of good money for those pistols, and I don’t want it to be put to waste!” said Hider.

Chessk gave the captain a wide smirk. “Trust me, human. You’ll find your weapons to be much more powerful than what you had before.”

“What about grenades? Did you manage to make a few more for the mission?”

“I have two full pouches of explosives. One with me and another back at the garage.”

Darran nodded in approval. “Good work, Chessk. We might be needing those for the rescue. And Hider, what about the comm-system? Is it ready for use?”

“I already told the Private on how it works,” Hider answered. “All I gotta do is set up the headpieces and we’re good to go.”

“You have anything to wear in the snow?” asked Darran.

“Don’t worry. I got some clothes in my supply cabinet that we can use. Can’t wear too much on us though. Might slow us down if we do.”

“Then it’s settled,” said Master Darran. He stood up and began to address the entire crew. “Everyone, our destination is to the southeast. I’ll give you all five minutes to check your equipment one last time before we head out. After that, meet me at the landing pad. As soon as everyone’s ready, we’ll leave immediately.”

Chapter 23

View Online

Lyra grimaced as pellets of snow fell on her face. An unpleasant experience, but she didn’t hate it. The last time she experienced a snowstorm was when the Jedi Masters had sent her and other Padawans on a mission to the planet, Ilum¹. This snow storm was nothing compared to trekking through icy cold caves and open fields.

She sneezed. The weather here was nowhere near as bad as it was back on that tundra planet, but it was still bad. After Illum, she never experienced such harsh weather again. Dantooine never had snow, at least not where the Jedi Academy was located.

Still, she at least her coat and mane gave her enough warm to endure such weather. Her friends, however, weren’t so fortunate.

Excluding Geefour, the others were very uncomfortable in this weather, and it showed. Hider and Chessk were outright shivering, despite the warm clothing the former had provided to them all. Her master was shaking too, but he tried to mask his weakness as a means to encourage the others.

“I can’t stand this cold much longer!” complained Hider. “Come on, old man. How much farther is the base?”

“I’d watch your tone if I were you, human,” scolded Chessk. “As much as I share your displeasure of the cold, whining about it won’t help.”

“Hey, I’m not whining. I’m just stating the facts, that’s all!” Hider gazed at the Trandoshan and frowned. “To be honest, big guy, I’m surprised you’re still standing. If I recall, your species aren’t known for having thick skin.”

“My hunts have led me to all sorts of planets. Some harsher than what we’re experiencing now. I may not have the fur of a Wookie, but that does not mean I can’t take the cold.”

T3-G4 let out a whirl as it easily strolled alongside both Hider and Chessk. “Oh, please. Try saying that again after your inner circuits freeze over, tin can,” rebuked the captain. “The cold isn’t exactly good for droids either.”

Will you guys please just shut up for a second and focus! Now isn’t the time to be arguing amongst each other! Lyra sighed in relief as Sweetie’s voice rang from her headpiece, sounding unamused by the squabble that had been going down. Just be patient. I’m sure you’ll reach the base in no time.

“Agreed,” spoke Master Darran in a commanding tone. “It’d be wise for you all to heed the words of that mare. For your own good.”

Lyra saw her friends’ wince and—without saying another word—immediately followed the Jedi Master without saying another word.

“Leave it to a Jedi Master to set everyone straight,” Lyra said, smiling as she spoke into her headpiece. “Seeing him makes me wonder, will other people treat me the same if I become a master?”

I’d slow down if I were you. Sweetie bluntly replied over the comm-link. I suggest you start focusing on getting our kin freed first rather than ponder about the future.

The Padawan sighed. Sweetie was by no means a Jedi nor an authoritative figure, but she sure sounded like one. It was understandable of course. The livelihood of everypony in her crew was on the line. It just didn’t feel good being pushed around by somepony the same age as her.

“Eyes up, little Jedi,” said Chessk. “We’ve arrived.”

Lyra looked up and gasped as she saw a brightly lit building ahead of her. Though she couldn’t see it completely due to the snowstorm, she was certain that they’ve made it to the Mandalorian base. “It sure looks a lot bigger up close,” she said.

“Took the words right out of my mouth, kid,” said Hider as he peered at the base. “I never imagined the Mandalorians would’ve built something this big. And in a Republic world no less!”

“It shouldn’t be all that bad right?” asked Lyra. “It’s just like my master said back on the ship. All we are facing is just a bunch of scouts.”

“That is true, but that does not mean we should underestimate them. Do not take these scouts lightly, my Padawan. Mandalorians are naturally gifted warriors, no matter what rank they are,” advised Master Darran.

“Speaking of Mandalorians, you don’t think they saw the ship, do you?” asked Hider. “I’m seeing a lot of search lights right now.”

Lyra looked back at the base and realized that her friend was right. Multiple lights have surrounded the entire facility. “Oh, no, you’re right. You think they might have some troops deployed?” she asked.

“Here, use these,” said Chessk as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out what appeared to be binoculars. “I used this thing back in my hunting days. It’s built for weather conditions such as these, in case I ran into elusive prey.”

“Uh, elusive prey?” Lyra asked curiously as she took the binoculars with her magic.

“Prey that could blend into the environment or would have a camouflage of some sort. If anyone is outside the base, their heat signature would appear in red.”

Lyra oohed. Leave it to her hunting companion to have equipment made specifically for situations such as these. Lifting the binoculars to her eyes, she peered toward the base in search for any Mandalorian soldiers. Unfortunately, red figurines appeared into the lenses, solidifying her worries. “Looks like they must’ve seen our ship,” she said to her companions. “They got a couple of men patrolling the perimeter.”

“Mind if I have a look?” asked Hider.

“Of course,” Lyra said as she levitated the binoculars over to her captain. In return, Hider quickly snatched the item out of her magic’s grasp and planted it onto his face.

As her captain surveyed the area, a frown formed on his lips. “Damn, the kid is right. There are several soldiers scouting the area right now.”

“How many can you spot?” asked Master Darran. “Have they formed a group? Are they using any defensive barriers or towers?”

“I don’t see any barriers or towers. As for the men, I can spot at least four of ‘em, but they’ve split up. There’s a pair of soldiers checking our left, while the other is at our right.”

“That decision will lead to their downfall,” said Chessk. He quickly reached for his rifle and pulled it out from his back holster.

“What’re you doing?” asked Lyra. Her friend, however, did not respond. Instead, he loaded a full clip into his rifle, raised his weapon up to his shoulders, and peeked into the scope with his right eye. Shifting his body to the left, Chessk fired two consecutive shots toward the base. He paused, briefly, then he moved to his right and fired two more shots.

Hider whistled. “That’s some damn good shooting, big guy. You got all four soldiers in a manner of seconds.”

Lyra’s jaw fell agape as she stared at her friend with wide eyes. “Really! That fast!” she shouted, clearly surprised by her friend’s precision. “But how did you find them so easily?”

Chessk smirked. “My rifle uses the same lenses as the binoculars I gave you. All I had to do was find the targets and shoot.”

T3-G4 turned toward the Trandoshan and gave him a beep. “I appreciate the compliments, you two, but now isn’t the time for such things,” said Chessk as he holstered his rifle. “We must hurry. With those soldiers down, their allies inside might suspect something.”

“I agree. We should move now before more reinforcements show up,” said Master Darran. Ignoring the snow that fell on his headwear, the Jedi Master began to move, with everyone following him closely.

As they tread through the snowy field, Lyra couldn’t help but notice something was off. Before, Hider had mentioned that the Mandalorians hadn’t set up any barricades, nor defensive towers. At first, she thought these fortifications might be closer to the base; however, they were nowhere to be seen. An odd sight to see, and convenient, but at least she didn’t have to worry about any counter attacks for now.

Hey, what’s going on out there? Sweetie Drops’ voice again rang from Lyra’s headset again, which nearly startled the young Padawan as she almost forgot her friend was still with them. Have you guys made it yet?

“Yeah, we’re here,” Lyra said into her earpiece. “We had to stop for a bit due to some patrolling guards, but we’re good.”

Guards? Did they know you were coming?

“It’s possible, yes, but I still think we have the element of surprise.”

Looking ahead, Lyra noticed that she and friends had gotten relatively close to the base. With the lack of soldiers wandering the perimeter, the group managed to get by just fine. However, gaining entrance proved to be another obstacle, as a large metal door blocked their path inside. “Uh, is this supposed to be the entrance or something?” she asked. “It’s kind of big for a door, don’t you think?”

“Eh, maybe,” Hider replied as he examined the metal doorway. “My guess is that this big door probably leads right to their garage. All their spaceships and speed bikes are likely parked here.”

“Is there any way we can open it?”

“Well, forcing it open is a big no-go, so I’m guessing the only way we can get in is by opening it with a computer terminal. There should be one nearby that I can use. If not, then we might have to find another entrance.”

T3-G4 let out a loud beep, which immediately got everyone’s attention. “Hey, keep it down, tin can!” berated Hider. “Do you want the Mandalorians to find us!”

Thankfully, the captain didn’t stay angry for long, as he and everyone else spotted the droid working on a computer terminal. “Looks like you acted prematurely, human. The droid is already working its way in,” said Chessk.”

Hider shrugged. “I guess it’s good for something,” he said. Despite the droid’s accomplishment, the captain seemed somewhat unenthused. “At the very least we’ll be able to get out of this weather soon. Damn sick of this snow.”

“How long will it take for you to get us inside?” asked Darran. The droid replied with an enthusiastic beep. “Not long, huh? Then we best get ready for battle.”

“I suggest we hide first,” suggested Chessk. “There might be Mandalorians inside. The last thing we need is for them to spot us while the door is opening.”

“But where would we hide though? asked Hider. “There’s literally nothing here we can use!”

T3-G4 sputtered more beeps as it retracted its mechanical arm away from the computer terminal. “The door’s opening. Quick, take cover!” ordered Master Darran.

“Yikes!” Lyra shouted as the garage door began to open. In response, she quickly followed everyone behind the computer terminal. Not a very good hiding spot, but it was the only cover they had, aside from the heavy snowfall.

As the door creaked open, Hider was the first to peek his head out of their hiding spot. “Do you see anyone?” asked Lyra.

Hider shook his head. “No one is here. Aside from a couple of bikes and spaceships, the garage is empty.”

“Don’t let your guard down. There may not be any guards now, but I’m certain they’ll come soon. The amount of noise this door made will probably attract anyone,” advised Master Darran.

“You got that right. If we’re going to get inside, we’ll have to move at a slow pace. So, keep your head low and use the bikes as cover. If you happen to hear or see any soldiers, don’t move till they’re taken out.”

Lyra watched as her captain bent his knees and began to move. Her master, Chessk, and Geefour all followed. So did she but sneaking with hooves proved difficult. If she were trotting through an open grassland or a snow-covered field, then it wouldn’t be a problem, but hard surfaces always gave her away as every step she’d take would make clip-clopping her way through.

“Wow, you’re really not good at this aren’t you, kid?” said Hider as he hid behind one of the speed-bikes. “Geez, even Geefour—a freakin’ droid—is better at sneaking than you are.”

Lyra was about to rebuke her friend but stopped short when she heard a door opening from a distance.

“Hey, who opened the damn door!”

She quickly covered her mouth upon hearing the loud, gruff voice. Her master was right. Someone did hear the garage door opening. Acting quickly, she—along with Geefour—hid behind a nearby speedbike. As she scuttled on the floor, the booming voice could be heard again.

“Why the kriff¹ is this damn thing open? Have the scouts made it back yet?”

That caught Lyra’s attention. It seemed like whoever this person was did not expect the four scouts to be back yet.

Curious, she tried to climb on top of the speed-bike to see where her enemy was. However, she was stopped when Geefour poked at her with its mechanical arm.

“H-hey, what’s wrong?” she said to the droid. Unfortunately, Geefour only responded with low tone beeps as it continued to poke her. “Hey, cut it out, will you! Can’t you see I’m trying to scout here?”

“Wait, did you hear that?”

Lyra gasped. Another voice. It appeared the Mandalorian from before wasn’t alone.

She immediately shot back down as fear struck at her like a vicious kath hound. Did the Mandalorians hear her and Geefour? If so, how long will it take for them to find her hiding behind one of their bikes?

She scanned the area for any sign of her master, hoping that his wisdom would help in her time of need. But she couldn’t find him. He, along with the others, must’ve followed her example and had taken refuge too. Oh, Force! Talk about bad timing!

“Hey, I think the noise came from here.”

Lyra gasped. Did the Mandalorians pinpoint her and Geefour’s location? She may not be able to see her foe, but the sound of metal footsteps getting closer made her assume that it was a possibility. Guess I have no choice. Biting her lip, she quickly snatched her lightsaber from her best and was ready to activate it. However, before she could make her move, Geefour started poking her again with its mechanical arm.

“W-what’re you doing, Geefour?” she whispered as she tried to swat Geefour’s mechanical arm away. But as wouldn’t stop poking at her. “Hey, quit it! The Mandalorians are coming and I need to defend myself!”

“Hey, did you hear that?”

“Yeah, I did. You go ahead and check on whatever that sound is while I close the door. Something tells me we aren’t alone here.”

Lyra’s face went pale. The Mandalorians have heard her. It’d only be a matter of time before one of the soldiers would find her and Geefour hiding behind one of their bikes. Fighting was the only thing that can get her out of this situation; however, her droid prevented her from taking any action.

T3-G4 let out a whirl as it poked Lyra again with its mechanical arm. “Geefour, stop! You’re gonna get us killed!” cried the Padawan.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed across the room, causing Lyra to stop resisting Geefour’s constant poking. What was that?

“Oh, kriff! Man down! Man down! I repeat we got a man down at the—hey who are you? Shoot, we got intruders here! Sound the alarm—”

The voice suddenly fell silent as Lyra heard another bang, which was then followed by a loud thud. She blinked. Something had happened to the soldier nearby. Though it seemed risky to peek outside her hiding spot, she couldn’t keep her curiosity in check for long as she completely abandoned her position.

To her surprise, the Mandalorian who was closest to her position was dead. “Oh… oh, Force.”

She covered her mouth, holding back the bile that went up her throat. She’d seen corpses before, but never this close. Sure, she had amputated limbs and gravely injured others with her lightsaber, but dead bodies were a completely different thing.

“Hey, Lyra! Over here!”

Turning her head around, Lyra spotted Hider and the others at the other side of the room. Everyone was okay, much to her relief; however, she did notice a second corpse mere inches away from Hider’s foot.

T3-G4 strolled to her side, beeping loudly as poked Lyra again. “Was this the reason why you couldn’t stop poking me? Because you knew what was going to happen?” Lyra asked. But all she got from the droid was another beep she couldn’t understand.

Times like these made Lyra wish she understood droid binary, but now wasn’t the time for such wishful thinking. She had to rejoin her friends. Trotting alongside T3-G4, she quickly reunited with everyone else at far end of the room, all while trying to hide her disgust of the dead body. It didn’t help her much though as she spotted Chessk carrying the corpse over his shoulder.

She froze. “W-what’re you doing with that body?”

“Hiding it so that no one can see it,” Chessk answered as it forced open the trunk of a nearby bike. He then dumped the body inside, much to Lyra’s discomfort.

“Would that even help us at all? I mean, it’s only gonna be a matter of time before our enemies know we’re here.”

Chessk shrugged. “Perhaps not but caring for the dead of your enemies is the least of your concerns. Though I must admit, I am concerned about you, little Jedi.”

“What about me?”

“You don’t seem comfortable with corpses, are you?”

Lyra blinked. She didn’t know how, but her friend had managed to read her discomfort. “W-what gave me away?” she asked, admitting the truth almost immediately.

“It’s the way you fight,” Chessk answered. “Even against an enemy, you constantly try and prevent yourself from delivering the killing blow. I noticed it back on Ord Mantell where you fought against my cousin’s mercenaries. None of them had died, not even the Mandalorians you fought back on Coruscant had any lethal wounds.”

“I-it’s not the Jedi way to kill, Chessk.” Lyra replied sheepishly.

“Perhaps, but sooner or later, you will have to make the killing blow, little Jedi. These Mandalorians will not show you any mercy, and neither should you.”

“I-I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Hey, can you two quit gossiping over there!” Hider shouted. “T3-G4 found another terminal!”

“You guys found another one?” Lyra asked, who was more than happy to change subjects.

Hider nodded back and pointed toward a terminal at the other end of the room. “We spotted that thing just moments before me and the big guy ambushed these guys. If we’re lucky it might contain everything that we need.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Lyra asked with a cocked brow.

“Then we’ll have to make do,” Hider replied while placing his right index finger on his ear. “Hey, Private, are you there? Please respond if you can hear me. We’ve managed to breach the base.”

Yes, I can hear you. Lyra sighed in relief as she heard the voice of her friend on her headset. Sweet Celestia, I was so worried. You guys hadn’t said anything at all for the past couple of minutes. I feared something might have happened.

“Yeah, well, we ran into a few more scouts on our way in, but we managed,” Hider replied. “Geefour is hacking into one of their computer terminals right now. He’ll be able to get you a map soon.”

T3-G4 let out a whirl as it strolled to a nearby computer terminal. Taking its mechanical arm, it dug inside the machine and began to beep profusely. “Yes, I am aware of our current predicament, tin can. Just do your damn job already so that we can start moving.”

“Chessk and I will keep an eye on the exit,” said Master Darran.

“Good thinking. If any more soldiers show up, you guys know what to do.”

“We’ll have to kill any Mandalorian that gets in our way,” exclaimed Chessk as he pointed his rifle directly toward the exit door. He then gave Lyra a stern look, as if to remind her of the brief conversation they just had.

“Don’t worry about me, Chessk. I’ll be fine,” Lyra sputtered. “If push comes to shove, I’ll play my part.”

That was a lie though. Deep down, Lyra disliked the fact that she was forced to kill others, even if they were her enemies. She’d rather cripple her opponents into submission rather than take a life. But given the gravy of the situation, it seems that she’ll have no other choice.

“Your thoughts are disturbed, Padawan,” said Master Darran. “Is taking the life of another really that disturbing for you?”

“M-master.” Lyra frowned. “Jedi aren’t supposed to kill. Our job is to preserve life, not take it.”

“That is true. But it is also the job for a Jedi to protect the weak and helpless,” replied the Jedi Master. “It is good that you remember your lessons. But know this, my Padawan. There will be times when you must lay down judgement upon evil doers.”

He lowered his chin and sighed. “As Jedi, it is our duty to respect all life. Even for our enemies. But should it be deemed necessary; do not be afraid to deal the final blow. Kill if you must, but never relish in it. Always show others dignity and always trust in the Force.”

Lyra curled her lip. “I understand, master. Thank you for your wisdom.”

As she and Master Darran finished their conversation, T3-G4 suddenly let out a loud whirl. The droid had pulled out its mechanical arm out of the computer and had joined the others near the garage exit. “You’re all done, tin can?” asked Hider.

The droid replied with a resounding beep. “Alright, then what about our little Private back at the ship. Can you see the schematics on the nav-computer?”

I do. Sweetie replied from the comm-link. It’s just like you said. I can see a—what’s it called—a hologram or something? Anyway, it says here that there is a cell block not too far from where you are.

“A cell block, eh? Guess that’s our destination then.”

“Are you certain the captives are there?” asked Chessk. “As ridiculous as this may sound, it may be possible that our enemies might have located the equines somewhere else.”

“Even if that were the case, the prisoner block should be the first place to look,” advised Master Darran. “Should there be any clues that the captives are located somewhere else, we’ll find them. But for now, let’s take one step at a time and search in the most obvious spot.”

Suddenly, the garage door exit flung wide open, revealing three Mandalorian soldiers fully armored and armed with weapons. The trio let out sharp gasps as they spotted Lyra and her crew and immediately drew their weapons. However, Chessk and Hider were quicker. They drew their respected weapons and fired upon the soldiers, killing them instantly.

“So much for sneaking,” Hider said with a sigh. “Guess now we’ll just have to fight our way through.”

Chessk smiled at this realization. “Good. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

The two immediately made way for the exit with T3-G4 following close behind them. Master Darran followed suit, and so did Lyra. But just as the crew had left the garage, they were faced with another predicament.

In front of them were splitting hallways. One that went to the right, and the other went north.

“Sweetie, we’re seeing two hallways,” Lyra said to her headpiece. “Which way leads to the prison cells?”

Take the one to the right. Sweetie answered. The hallway is big, but it’ll lead you to where you need to go.

“Thanks, Private!” Hider replied as he dashed toward the right hallway. The rest of the crew quickly followed him, but oddly enough, Master Darran stayed put.

“You all go on ahead,” said the Jedi Master. “I’ll take the north hallway.”

Lyra skidded to a full stop as she stared at her master with wide eyes. “But master, why? What are you planning to do?” she asked.

Darran looked back at Lyra and smiled. “I plan on being the distraction, my Padawan. As you four go and rescue the captives, I will fight the bulk of the Mandalorian forces head on.”

“But that’s too dangerous! There’s no way you can fight that many!”

Darran chuckled. “Padawan, I am a Jedi Battlemaster. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and I have the Force on my side. Trust me, I’ll be alright.” Taking his lightsaber, the Jedi Master began to crack the back of his neck. Despite the immediate danger of going alone, Lyra could feel his anticipation.

“Remember, my Padawan, have faith in your companions, for they will help you in your time of need. And most importantly, trust in the Force. It will guide you.” He then ignited his saber and—with Force amplified speed—ran deeper into the base. Lyra tried to call out to him one last time, but it was too late. He was already gone.

“Don’t worry about him, little Jedi,” said Chessk. “He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself.”

Hider nodded in agreement. “The big guy is right. Stop worrying about the old man. He’ll be fine on his own. We’ll just have to play our part and get your kin out of here.”

Lyra curled her lip. Although she could not stop worrying about her master, she nevertheless agreed with Hider’s proposition. After taking one last look at where Master Darran ran off to, she followed her companions down the hallway.

Chapter 24

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Lyra never conceived that she would be fighting out in the front lines. She always pictured herself being more of a Healer¹ or Lore Keeper² who’d stay behind at the Jedi Temple. Even the role of a Diplomat³ was also something she considered before. At least with that position, she’d be able to visit all sorts of planets across the galaxy.

Guess she should’ve known those dreams would never come to fruition.

Taking her lightsaber, Lyra lunged the tip of the blade into the belly of a Mandalorian soldier. The Neo-Crusader screamed as he fell to the ground, crying in pain. But the blow wasn’t lethal. Killing the man was not her intention. She just wanted him out of the way.

“Eyes up, kid!” shouted Hider. “Down the hallway. You got three Crusaders gunning for you!”

Turning her head, Lyra immediately spotted three soldiers pointing their rifles directly at her. They all fired at once, causing the Padawan to leap into the air. The bolts missed, but the injured Mandalorian that laid behind her got caught in the crossover.

“No!” Lyra cried. Landing upright, she quickly checked the injured Mandalorian for any sign of life. However, it was fruitless. The soldier was already dead.

“Pay attention, little one!” Chessk barked as he raised his rifle and fired three shots back at the Neo-Crusaders. A direct hit. The soldiers who fired at Lyra now laid dead on the ground. “You need to focus on what’s in front of you, little Jedi! Worry not of your enemies, for they will kill you the moment they set eyes on you!”

Lyra, albeit hesitantly, complied with her friend and began to follow him. Deep down, however, she felt sick to her stomach. Seeing a helpless incapacitated man die wasn’t a pleasant feeling. There was no need for him to die like that, even if he was an enemy.

But regardless of her true feelings, there was no time to mourn. She had a promise to fulfill. “How much further is it to the cell block, Sweetie?” she said into her headset.

Take a left when you reach the end of the hallway, you’re in. Sweetie answered over the comm-link. After that, make a beeline for the end of the next one. There will be a door to your right that should lead to the prison block.

“Anything else we should know?” asked Hider.

Um, according to the map, it looks like the room is pretty big. So, there’s bound to be guards posted there, so be on guard.

Lyra frowned. “Do you think they know we’re here?”

“Possible,” Chessk answered. “If Master Darran has engaged with the enemy, they must be on high alert by now.”

“Plus, with all the ruckus we’re making and the dead bodies we left behind, I’m certain we’re bound to get someone’s attention,” said Hider. T3-G4 hollered as it strolled alongside the ship captain. “Yeah, the tin can has got a point. There might be some combat droids roaming around here and the cell block too.”

“Combat droids?” asked Lyra.

“Droids built specifically for combat. Depending on how well they are programmed, they can be just as deadly as any other soldier on the battlefield.”

As the crew took a sharp left turn, another Mandalorian soldier immediately spotted them. He wasn’t alone. Standing beside him were a pair of armed combat droids. “Damn, right on cue,” Hider said as the two droids quickly fired their rifles. However, Lyra reacted faster. She quickly leapt into the air, landed in front of her companions, and redirected both bolts.

Chessk grinned as he and Hider fired their weapons at the Mandalorian and the two droids. “Good one, little Jedi,” he said. Unfortunately, their attack wasn’t enough to put the pair of combat droids down. Both were still operational and were about to fire their rifles again. But Lyra and T3-G4 reacted first. The former leapt in to cut one of the machines in half and the latter using its stun gun to paralyze the other.

With the last droid disabled, Lyra impaled her lightsaber through the machine, destroying it for good. “Okay. Since when could Geefour do that?” she asked.

“Since forever,” Hider replied. “You do remember the flamethrower side-arm it showed back on Taris, right?”

T3-G4 hollered as it pulled out a pair of side-arms from its compartment bin. “Oh, yeah, I remember now. Geefour showed it to us when we first met on Taris,” said Lyra. Immediately, she frowned. “And if I remember correctly, Geefour threatened to burn the shop owner if she tried to perform a memory wipe.”

Chessk raised a brow. “Excuse me, but did I hear that right? The droid threatened to burn someone alive?”

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much, big guy. Just leave the tin can alone and it won’t hurt you,” said Hider as he continued to run down the hallway

“Yeah, what he said,” Lyra replied casually. Her response wasn’t enough to put her friend at ease, but it did get him to follow her and their captain. Eventually, they reached the hallway’s end, but unlike before, the way was split. To the right was a rather large door, and to the left was another hallway.

“This must be the door the creamy one mentioned,” said Chessk.

“Yeah, I think the really big door kind of gives it away,” Hider replied in a snarky tone. He put his hand on the door to open it, but sadly, it wouldn’t budge. “Damn, it’s locked. The Mandalorians must’ve known we were coming, or they’ve commenced some sort of lockdown.”

T3-G4 let out a few beeps as it pulled out its mechanical arm and pointed it toward the lock on the door. “Yeah, I agree. See if you can unlock it Geefour,” Hider said to the droid. “In the meantime, we need to think of a strategy first before we charge in.”

“Our enemies have probably barricaded themselves inside, and it’s likely possible that they have combat droids with them as well,” advised Chessk. “As much as I like fighting my foes head on, a frontal assault might be too risky.”

“We also don’t know how many guards are inside,” said Lyra. “Chessk, do you have anything that might help turn the tides?”

Her friend nodded in reply as it took out a small pouch from his belt. “I have several hand grenades here we can use. Some ion which we can use against the droids and a few thermal detonators in case we need more firepower.”

Hider whistled. “Dang, you got thermal detonators too? Wow, big guy. You really do know a thing or two about explosives.”

“Your compliment is appreciated, human,” Chessk said. He took out a couple grenades from his pouch and showed them to Hider and Lyra. “I also made some smoke bombs too. We can use them for cover for when we enter the room.”

“Good thinking,” said Lyra. “The smoke can definitely give you guys time to look for cover and start shooting.”

“What about you, kid?” asked Hider “Got any bright ideas on how to get up close and personal?”

“Speed and acrobatics are all I have. I’m pretty sure I can outmaneuver them all before they can shoot. All it takes is good awareness and great reaction time.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “I’d rather take a blaster any day than rely on jumps and cartwheels. Just watching you move like that all the time tires me out. How in the world can you do that so consistently?”

“Training of course!” Lyra replied, putting up a wide smile. “Master wanted me to use my size as an advantage. So, I did acrobatic training with him when I became his Padawan.”

“As long as it works, it’ll be fine. But do not overdo it with those jumps of yours. Freeing the captives is only half the mission, so the last thing we need is for you to tire yourself out,” said Chessk, to which Lyra complied with a nod.

As soon as they were done talking to themselves, T3-G4 let out a bleep. They all turned to see that the droid managed to get the door open but refrained itself from opening it entirely.

“Let me take a look,” Hider said as he peeked into the room. While he did that, Lyra reached out with the Force to check if there were any signs of life. Sure enough, there was. She could feel over a dozen Force signatures on the other side of the room; however, she couldn’t tell who she was sensing. Was it the captives or the Mandalorians?

“Is something wrong, little Jedi?” asked Chessk.

Lyra frowned. “I’m trying to use the Force to check for any signs of life in the other room. There are people inside, but I can’t tell who’s who.”

“How many people can you sense right now?” asked Hider.

“About thirteen in total.”

“Well, I can safely say there’s about four Mandalorians standing guard right now. And they’re accompanied by combat droids too, but I’m not sure how many of those things are there.”

“Do you see the captives?”

Hider shook his head. “I definitely spotted the holding cells, but I can’t get a good look at the captives. They’re too far away for me to see. Still, we can’t just sit around here all day and ponder whether the ponies are here or not. Let’s just charge in there and take them out.”

“Agreed,” said Chessk as he pulled out a pair of grenades from his pouch. Judging from its black color and small size, it appeared to be the smoke grenade that he’d mentioned earlier.

Seeing this, Hider gladly stepped aside as the Trandoshan approached the door grenades in hand. He then took out his blaster pistols and aimed both weapons toward the door. “Better get your lightsaber ready, kid. We’re gonna go in guns blazing when the smoke pops.”

Lyra nodded as she unhooked her lightsaber. “You guys take care of the soldiers who are furthest away from us,” she said before clenching the hilt with her teeth. “Leave the closest ones to me.”

“Whatever you say, kid,” said Hider. He smiled. “You show’em what you’re made of, okay.”

Suddenly, a faint bang could be heard from the other side of the door. “Smoke is out!” shouted Chessk. “Open it now, Geefour!”

The droid let loose a whirl as it spun its mechanical arm around the lock. Soon, the door to the holding cells flung open. Lyra immediately darted inside, using the smoke as cover as she leapt into the air with a Force empowered jump.

While airborne, she looked down at the enemies below her and noticed that Hider had correctly counted the number of prison guards. Four Mandalorian soldiers were present, looking at her with rifles raised. They also seemed to be accompanied by a pair of combat droids too, but unlike the soldiers, the machines haven’t noticed her yet.

Lyra smiled. It was a golden opportunity.

As she felt the force of gravity affecting her, she eyed two Mandalorians looking right at her. Perfect targets. She opened her jaw and allowed her lightsaber to fall from her mouth. But instead of the weapon dropping down completely, she used the Force to levitate in mid-air.

Upon making landfall, she caught her weapon with her right hoof and ignited the blade. Her opponents—though caught off guard—tried to shoot her with their rifles. One managed to make a shot, but Lyra had dodged it in time. She attacked the nearby guard to her left, landing Cho Mai⁴and Sai Tok⁵ marks of contacts on the soldier’s wrist and waist with the tip of her blade. Her attack was non-lethal, but it was enough to put her enemy down.

“Look out! Jedi!” shouted the Mandalorian soldier right behind her. His cries, however, were cut short when Lyra leapt in and performed the same marks of contact against him.

She scanned the room. All the remaining Mandalorian guards and combat droids all had their sights on her. She braced herself for incoming fire but stopped when several blaster bolts came from behind. Each one made their mark, taking out two guards and one of their battle droids.

“Go, kid!” shouted Hider. He, Chessk, and T3-G4 had all entered the room at once, scrambling for cover as they shot their weapons at the remaining guards.

Their sudden appearance caught the Mandalorians off-guard again, giving Lyra ample time to make another Force jump. Her target this time was one of the battle droids. Though the machine was able to react to her presence this time, it wasn’t fast enough to fire its weapon. Upon reaching her target, Lyra attacked the machine with an overhead strike, cutting the droid vertically in half.

After the droid crumpled onto the floor, Lyra turned her sights to another Mandalorian guard. This time, the Neo-Crusader had all the time in the world to shoot. But the young Padawan was ever so nimble. Upon feeling the trigger being pulled through the Force, she cartwheeled out the way.

In response, the Mandalorian tried to fire his weapon again, but was interrupted when a blaster bolt hit him at the back of his head. He collapsed to the floor, motionless. If Lyra had to assume, the soldier seemed to be dead. She looked to where the shot had been fired, only to see Chessk giving her an okay sign.

“Thanks!” Lyra yelled as she moved on to her next target.

The battle for the prison block was an easy victory. Though the remaining guards had tried to maintain a suitable defense, it was fruitless effort as T3-G4 rendered the remaining battle droid obsolete by disabling it with its stun gun. With no suitable defense, the Mandalorians crumbled to blaster fire.

Lyra beamed. “We did it! We won!”

“Of course we won. What else did you expect?” Hider replied, smirking. “No way would we lose to these guys. Not when we had the element of surprise.”

“Now is not the time to be acting cocky, human. Our battle isn’t finished yet,” said Chessk. He pointed his finger toward the large prison cells. “Look, over there. All the captives are here.”

“Wait, what did you say?” Lyra quickly followed the direction at where her companion was pointing to. Upon seeing the prison cells herself, she gasped. All the remaining crew members of the Celestia Sun were all there. Trapped behind electromagnetic fields.

“Well would you look at that. The gang’s all here,” said Hider while hoisting his blaster pistols. He then pointed his finger at the ponies, counting each one. “That’s seven in total. Looks like all the missing ponies are accounted for.”

“We better notify the creamy one,” said Chessk as he placed a finger on his earpiece.

While he and Hider communicated with Sweetie over the comm-link, Lyra and Geefour went ahead and met with the captives. Upon approaching the cells, the first thing she noticed is that all three pony species were present. Out of the seven ponies: two were Pegasai, three were Earth ponies, and the remaining two were unicorns.

“Oh, my Celestia, the Captain was right!” shouted a unicorn mare. “She really did come to save us!”

“We’re saved!” yelled an earth pony stallion who had tears in his eyes. “We’re finally gonna be free!”

Everypony’s reaction was just about what Lyra expected it to be. Though the bags in their eyes and the wrinkles in their foreheads made it clear that they’ve been through rough times, she could feel their hope and joy. They could feel it. The nightmare was almost over. Freedom was within their grasp.

Seeing this, T3-G4 let loose a couple of beeps as it observed everypony; however, it’s constant beeping only startled the captives. “Sweet Celestia, what is that thing?” shrieked an earth pony mare.

“Is that supposed to be a robot? Like the one those soldiers had?” asked a pegasus stallion.

Lyra chuckled. “Okay, settle down everypony,” she said to the ponies with her head held high. “I take it you all are the missing crew members of the Celestial Sun. The one that Private Sweetie Drops was a part of?”

“Private Drops is okay?” asked one of the earth pony stallions. He quickly looked around for any sign of the mare but frowned when she was nowhere to be seen. “Where is she?”

“Don’t worry, she’s here. She’s just not with us right now.”

“Excuse me?” asked the unicorn mare from before. “If she’s here, why didn’t she come with you?”

“Me and my companions decided that bringing Sweetie with us would only prove to be a liability,” Lyra answered. “We couldn’t risk her getting captured too. Not when she has no means of defending herself.”

“You mean those aliens back there are with you?” asked a pegasus pony. The same one who was intrigued by Geefour earlier. Lyra observed the stallion, as he examined her friends. “Hey, wait a minute! That big lizard thing over there was part of the group who abducted us!”

“What!” Everypony shouted, excluding a pegasus mare and a unicorn stallion.

“Why is he here?” panicked an earth pony mare. “Isn’t he supposed to be a bad guy?”

“Everypony calm down!” shouted a unicorn stallion. “I’m sure this mare has a good reason as to why one of our previous captors is with her.”

“But Sergeant, we can’t trust that thing! Not after what the other alien lizard did to us!”

“I know that. But do recall he, that other alien, and the robot not only accompanied this mare today, but also saved her life mere hours ago.”

“The Sergeant is right!” shouted the remaining pegasus pony. Her voice had just as much authority as the stallion. “This mare has come back from the brink of death to save us! If she can trust these aliens, then so can we!”

“C-captain Impact.” Everypony gawked at the pegasus mare. Their expressions shifted from worry to concern. However, Lyra did not notice this change, as she was more interested in the mare rather than the other ponies.

“A-are you the Captain of this crew? The one that Sweetie mentioned?” she asked.

The pegasus mare nodded in reply. “Yes, I am,” she said as she gave Lyra a weary, yet joyous, smile. “Did… did Private Drops ever told you about me?”

Lyra shook her head. “Only that you were really important and that saving you along with everypony else was top priority.”

“I-I see.” The mare suddenly frowned. “Oh, Sweetie. Why didn’t you tell her?”

“Captain are you sure this is the best time?” asked the unicorn sergeant. “I know she’s the reason why you came with us on this trip but telling her now might now be a good idea.”

“Tell me what?” asked Lyra. Curious, she gaped at the pegasus mare, hoping that she would get some answers from her. But the mare said nothing, preferring only to stare at the Padawan with jaded eyes.

Lyra raised a brow. She looked around and noticed that things have gotten strangely quiet. Ever since Captain Impact hushed everypony, no one had said a word. To make things weirder, they were all either staring at her, or their captain.

Realizing that she needed answers, Lyra gaped back at the pegasus mare and began to examine her. In terms of height, they were identical; however, the military mare was way too thin. She was devoid of any muscle or fat, likely due to the mistreatment she endured by the Exchange and the Mandalorians.

But the mare’s physicality wasn’t the only thing noteworthy. It was how she looked.

Despite the disheveled appearance, the mare’s coat stood out amongst the other ponies. Its color had a bright yellow look, nearly identical to that of a sun. And her mane. It had same white streak as hers, though the second color was orange instead of cyan.

Lyra frowned. She didn’t know why, but this mare looked rather familiar, as if she had somehow seen this pegasus before. But she didn’t recall where or how she met this pony in the first place. She needed answers now. And the way to get them is by asking the big pony in charge. Sadly, she wouldn’t get the chance.

Before she could say anything, her headset began to vibrate in her ear. Someone was calling her. Letting out a groan, Lyra pressed her right hoof onto the headset and answered the call. Unfortunately, a loud, frantic Sweetie Drops was on the other line. Lyra, I just spoke with the others! They said you found all the missing ponies!

Lyra winced. “Yes, we did,” she replied, rubbing her ears. The mare had screeched louder than a howling Kath Hound. “All the remaining seven ponies have been accounted for, Sweetie. They’re a bit malnourished, but everypony seems to be okay.”

What about the captain? Is she with you too?

“If you are talking about Captain Impact, then yes, she’s fine. But I want to ask you a quick question, Sweetie. Regarding that captain of yours.”

Oh, come on, Lyra. Is this really a good time for questions?

“Just one question, Sweetie! That’s all I want!” rebuked Lyra. Her voice was so loud that it got the attention of Geefour and everypony else.

“Hey, what’s with her?” One pony asked. “She’s yelling for no reason.”

“I think I heard her mention Private Sweetie Drops,” said another pony. “Do you think she’s talking to her right now?”

“How is that possible, she’s not even here!”

“I dunno. Maybe she is using some kind of alien technology or something?”

“Well, that would explain why she was talking to herself earlier. And it is in the realm of possibility after all the stuff we’ve seen. Who knows, maybe there’s even a way to speak to somepony who’s on a different planet.”

The Padawan rolled her eyes. Rather than answer the questions of the curious ponies, she instead adjusted her headset and was about to continue her talk with Sweetie, hoping that she could pressure the mare into telling her secrets. But before she could say anything, however, her headset began to vibrate again.

Lyra groaned. Oh, come on! Another caller? Who else could it be besides Sweetie Drops? She glanced back at Hider and Chessk, checking to see if they were trying to reach her via comm-link despite being a few feet away. However, this wasn’t the case. The two were busy talking amongst themselves, and they weren’t even using their headsets at all.

She blinked. If they weren’t trying to reach her, then who was? Geefour crossed her mind but there was no way the droid would do such a thing, not when it was this close to her. Besides, she doesn’t understand droid binary, so why would it even try and contact her in the first place.

Sweetie’s already on the line too. So, if none of my friends are using the comm-link, then that only leaves… oh, Force!

The Padawan frantically pressed her hoof onto the headset again, which caused a clicking sound to echo in her ears. If her hunch was right, the only other person who would be contacting her is the one sole being she trusted the most. After another click from the headset, she yelled into the mic. “Master? Master is that you?”

Yes, it’s me, my Padawan. It’s good to hear from you again.

Lyra breathed a sigh of relief. Her master was okay, for now at least. “Guys check your headsets! My master is on the line!” she shouted.

Hider’s eyes went wide. “Wait, seriously?” Curious, he placed his right hand onto his headset and spoke into the mic. “Hey, old man, is that you?”

Yes, Hider, it’s me. said Master Darran. As you can clearly hear, I am alright. I managed to fight off a contingent of Mandalorian soldiers after we separated. They weren’t expecting to see a Jedi Master here, so I had the upper hand.

“You fought off an entire squad of Mandalorian soldiers all by yourself?” Hider’s jaw dropped. “Damn. I guess I shouldn’t expect any less of a Jedi of all people. But where are you right now?”

By chance, I managed to fight my way into the security room. As of right now, I have access to all the cameras in the base.

“Wait, the security room?” Lyra asked. She looked around the prison block for any cameras nearby. But she couldn’t find any. Either they were too small to see, or they were located somewhere she couldn’t find. Can you see us right now, Master?”

I do. I see you, our crew, and all the captive ponies that are with you right now.

Hider cocked a brow. “So, you contacted us just so you could say hi?”

No I did not. I’ve contacted you because I wanted to warn you about the upcoming threat.

“Threat? What threat?”

We have been fighting for quite some time, Hider. I figured that it’d be only a matter of time before the Mandalorians discovered our whereabouts. There was a brief pause on the other line, then the Jedi Master could be heard again: It seemed my suspicions proved to be correct. Twenty-four Mandalorians are gathering in a room right now. I can only assume they plan on launching a counterattack.

“W-what? Master are you sure about this?” asked Lyra.

I’m looking through their security cameras right now, Padawan. I can see them right now. The good news is that they haven’t fully mobilized yet. One of the higher ups is apparently giving some kind of speech to his soldiers.

Lyra winced as a cold chill crept down her spine. She looked back at her companions, then back at the ponies. She bit her lip. No! There’s assembling at the worst possible time! We can’t fight that many all at once. Not with everypony escaping.

“A… a whole squad of Mandalorian soldiers are coming here? A-and there’s twenty-four of them?” Hider asked.

“Huh?” Lyra looked at her captain and noticed something odd. It seemed like he didn’t seem to take this bit of news very well. Sure, she couldn’t blame him, but something was wrong. He was stuttering in his words, as if fear had overtaken him completely.

“Human, what’s wrong? Chessk asked. It looked like he too had also noticed a change in Hider’s attitude. “You look a bit shaken. Are you alright?”

To the surprise of both Lyra and Chessk, their captain began to lash out at the former. “No… no, I am not alright!” he shouted. “We have a serious problem here! A whole squadron of Mandalorian soldiers are on their way here, and we have no way of fighting them back!”

Although he was surprised by Hider’s unexpected outburst, Chessk did his best to calm his captain down. “Settle down, human. This isn’t you. Yes, the news of Mandalorian reinforcements is alarming, but panicking about it won’t help.”

Lyra nodded in agreement. “Chessk’s right. We can’t panic now, not when we’re so close to our goal. W-we’ll just have to think of something that’s all.”

The Padawan curled her lip. She attempted to show bravado so that she could try and clam her captain down; the truth is, she was just as nervous as he was. There was no way that she or her friends could handle that many soldiers at once. They’d be routed in an instant, or worse.

Suddenly, Master Darran spoke up again on the other line. The situation may look bleak, but you must persevere my Padawan. The same goes for the rest of you as well. I can at least attempt to get their attention and split up their main force, but you all must play your part too.

“What do you suggest we do, Master Jedi?” asked Chessk.

You need to stay put. Leaving the prison block with the captives now would only put them at risk. Even if you make it back to the garage, I have no doubt you’ll eventually run into some Mandalorian soldiers.

“You want us to stay here!” shouted a bewildered Hider.

Don’t fret, Hider. You are better than this. Remember, all of you have the capabilities to turn even the bleakest of battles around. You just have to think. Make the most out of your strengths and all of you will triumph.

Lyra smiled. Hearing her master’s praises calmed her down at bit, which gave her enough confidence to come up with a plan. “We can set up an ambush here. Try to catch our enemies off guard. It may be a bit too simplistic, but at least we’ll still have an advantage.”

“I agree. An ambush would be an ideal situation here,” said Chessk. He then grabbed a pouch from his belt and took out a handful of grenades. “Might as well put these things to good use too. At least we’ll be able to catch a few off-guard with all these explosives.”

Suddenly, the trio hear a loud bleeping sound coming from the right side of the prison block. They turned and saw T3-G4 flashing its robotic eye toward a trio of deactivated combat droids.

“No way. Is that for real?” Hider quickly ran toward the deactivated droids and began to examine them one by one. When Lyra and Chessk caught up to him, they quickly noticed he’d changed. The brash, cocky Smuggler they’ve always known was back, and he was smirking at the idle droids. “They’re fully operational. Deactivated, yes, but they can still be used.”

“What kind of weapons do these droids have?” asked Chessk

“Blaster rifles. It’s not high-quality stuff compared to yours, big guy, but it’ll do.”

T3-G4 let out another beep as it pulled out its mechanical arm. “You go and do that, tin can. But I’m only giving you five minutes,” Hider said. “If we’re going to survive this encounter, we need these droids activated as soon as possible.”

“Um, excuse me. But can somepony please explain to us what’s going on?”

The crew turn to see that all the ponies were staring at them from their prison blocks. “Oh, Force, I forgot about them. We… we need to tell them what’s happening,” suggested Lyra.

“You sure they won’t freak out over the news?” asked Hider. T3-G4 replied back with a long-winded whirl. “Okay, you got me there, tin can. I guess I shouldn’t be making excuses for others after my little panic attack back there.”

“Yes, that was kind of uncharacteristic of you, human,” said Chessk. “Do you mind explaining why?”

Hider sighed. “Look, can we save that for later, please. I admit I panic a bit when things don’t go my way, but let’s leave that there for now and focus on getting ready for what’s to come.”

Lyra blinked in surprise. To think, her captain had a weakness behind all that bravado. Unexpected, yet enlightening at the same time. It almost made her wonder what other weaknesses Hider might have hidden away in that false bravado of his.

Immediately, she shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking such things. She had to get ready now.

Leaving her friends behind, she galloped back to the captive ponies. However, when she got there, she was bombarded with questions.

“Hey, what’s going on? What were you and the aliens talking about?”

“That alien over there was freaking out earlier. Did something bad happen?”

“Are we getting out of here or not?”

Lyra sighed. “Everypony, settle down. I know you all want to be free, but things have taken a turn for the worst. As of right now, a squadron of Mandalorian reinforcements are on their way here with the intent of recapturing the prison block.”

“W-what?”

The ponies began to talk amongst themselves. Some showed signs of panic, while the others seemed almost skeptical of Lyra’s statement. The only ones who remained steadfast were the Pegasus Captain and her Unicorn Sergeant.

“Enemy reinforcements are on their way here. What… what should we do?”

“How does she even know that in the first place?”

“That’s enough, everypony!” shouted the Captain, showing commanding authority over the others. “Quit arguing amongst yourselves and listen to what this mare has to say!”

Lyra smiled. “I really appreciate that, captain. Thank you.”

“Save it for later, dear. Just tell us what your plan is.”

“R-right. Because reinforcements are on their way, we can’t free everypony just yet. Wandering around those hallways with that many soldiers searching for us would put us all at risk. So, we’ve decided the best thing to do is to hunker down here and prepare an ambush for our enemies.”

The ponies gossiped amongst themselves again, but much to Lyra’s relief, they were quickly silenced by their captain once more. “How many are on their way?” the captain asked.

“Twenty-four,” Lyra answered.

“That many!” shouted one of the ponies.

“Yes, that many. But don’t worry. We have the element of surprise on our side. Plus, my Jedi ma—err, teacher, will provide a distraction to separate the main force.”

The Unicorn Sergeant raised a brow. “Jedi teacher? Are you referring to that tall blindfolded alien with the long blue sword weapon?”

“Yes, that’s him. You all probably saw him back on Coruscant before the Mandalorians took you here. His name is Gizar Darran, a Jedi Battlemaster. He’s been my teacher for over a decade.”

“Wait, then what are you supposed to be?” asked one mare.

“I’m a Padawan, a Jedi currently in training. In short, think of me as a Royal Guard, but my job is to protect and serve the citizens of the entire galaxy. There’s more to the Jedi Order than that, but now isn’t exactly the best time for a history lesson.”

Suddenly, Lyra caught eye of the Pegasus Captain’s face. The mare was staring right at her with wide eyes. Then she began to cry.

“Um… hey, are you alright there, captain?” the Padawan asked.

Wiping the tears off her face, the pegasus mare smiled. “Yes, dear, I’m fine. You go ahead and do what you have to do. We’ll stay put here.”

Lyra raised a brow. “So, you don’t have any objections staying behind this prison cell.”

“Not all of us are guard ponies, Lyra. Even if we all were, we are not in any condition to fight. The best thing we can do is to just stay back and let you handle the rest.”

Lyra smiled, sheepishly. She didn’t know why but hearing the voice of that mare was rather soothing. How odd. It’s almost as if she heard that voice before, but where?

She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking such things.

After giving one last good look at everypony, Lyra realized that—although some of them were still scared—they had all put their faith in her. Seeing this, she grabbed her lightsaber from her belt and ignited the weapon. A rather pointless thing to do but given that the sight of a lightsaber can sometimes give hope to others, it was perhaps the best thing to do.

Luckily for her, it worked. For just one moment, everypony’s fears and doubts had all vanished. The sight of an ignited lightsaber blade gave hope to all, and curiosity to others.

With their spirits raised, Lyra deactivated her lightsaber and hoisted it back on her belt. “I got to go back to my friends. Please, all of you, stay strong. You will all be out of here in no time, I promise.”

The ponies cheered.

“Do your best, Lyra!”

“Give ‘em Tartarus, kid!”

“Kick their flank for me!”

Lyra beamed as she galloped back to her friends. Unbeknownst to her, however, the pegasus mare began to mutter something. Nopony heard her due to the loud cheering, but even so, she wanted to say it anyway.

“Stay safe, Lyra. When this is over, you and I are going to be a family again.”

Chapter 25

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“So, how much firepower are we talking about, Chessk?” asked Lyra.

“These thermal detonators are the best grenades I have in my arsenal, little Jedi,” Chessk boasted as he took his pouch from his belt buckle and slowly laid out the explosives onto the floor. “They have enough firepower to destroy a barricaded durasteel door!”

“Is it enough to take out an entire squad of Mandalorian soldiers?”

Chessk gave off a wide smirk, which—if Lyra were to be honest—made her feel a bit uneasy. “It wouldn’t surprise me if these things left them to dust,” he said, sounding awfully prideful. “They are that powerful.”

Lyra frowned at this revelation. At any normal circumstance, she would be upset with her companion’s boastful remarks about these dangerous weapons. But truth be told, she had to appreciate Chessk’s great confidence. Despite their current situation, he had remained steadfast and—with the help of Master Darran—had gotten her and the others to remain calm and work fast. Force, he’d even gotten Hider to calm down a bit after his brief panic attack.

She sighed. Their captain had admitted earlier he was prone to having small panic attacks when things don’t go his way. But if that were true, then how did he make it as a smuggler after all this time?

“Is something wrong, little Jedi?” asked Chessk.

Lyra flinched. “Oh, no. Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking about Hider a little bit.” She paused for a bit as her ears drooped. Then, she continued: “You think he’s going to be okay?”

“He’ll be fine,” Chessk replied, bluntly. “Sure, he is not the calm and collected man we all thought he was, but he will pull through. I’m certain of it.”

“Perhaps, but it just felt so unreal, seeing him all panicky like that.”

“He is just like every other being in the galaxy, little Jedi. Each have their own secrets they wish not to share with others. Perhaps deep down, he is a bit ashamed of his cowardice and tries his best to hide it.”

“Do you think he’s like that because of his smuggling career?”

“Maybe. But I suggest you save your questions for later. Now isn’t exactly the time to be asking for such things.”

Lyra sighed. “You’re right, of course. Chessk, why don’t you go ahead and help the others? Don’t worry about the grenades. Just leave them here and I’ll do my part, okay?”

“Understood. May the Force be with You, little Jedi,” her friend replied as he stood up and walked away with the grenade pouch tucked in hand. Lyra watched as he rejoined Hider and Geefour, who have been busy preparing for the oncoming assault.

She had to admit, these last few minutes have been the most heart racing moments of her entire life. Any second now, the Mandalorian squad that her master had warned earlier would come barging in. Though she didn’t know when they will come, the absence of her enemies gave Lyra and her friends time. Time to prepare for the oncoming assault.

Geefour was the first to respond. While she was busy calming Hider down from his panic attack, the droid had discovered three deactivated battle droids. All of which were still operable. In a manner of minutes, the T3 unit activated the droids. And according to Hider, Geefour made them all bound to him, meaning that once he gives the signal, the droids will fire.

Hider had also gotten over his previous panic episode and began to help the group as best he could. He quickly surveyed the area, checking to see if there was anything that might turn the tide of battle. He eventually found it. Several large metal containers located at one end of the prison block. It wasn’t much, but at least he and Chessk could use them for cover.

Chessk on the other hoof, was the most active out of the two. After helping Hider create their makeshift cover, he and Lyra brainstormed ideas on how to best turn the tide of battle. After a few minutes, they agreed to a plan. He would lay out his grenades onto the floor and have Lyra levitate them mid-air using the Force.

It was a risky plan, sure, but it was necessary. Not only because they would be in close proximity of the oncoming explosion; however, if their plan were to succeed, then she’d had to become the distraction. She had to be the bait.

Upon hearing her plan, Chessk insisted that she also hide behind cover, but Lyra declined. She believed that if the Mandalorians were intent on keeping her kin captive, their eyes would be focused on her. She was, after all, a pony. And a Jedi no less.

“A Jedi’s life is sacrifice,” she whispered to herself as her thoughts drifted to her Jedi Master. If Darran was here, then it’d be very likely that he would approve of such sacrifice. The others though wouldn’t. In fact, Lyra was certain that once Chessk told the others of her plan, they’d likely oppose it as well.

Realizing this, Lyra She quickly glanced back at her crew. It seemed that Chessk was already explaining her plan to the others. Judging Hider’s facial expression, it appeared she was correct on her assumption.

She frowned. Seeing her friends argue for her well-being wasn’t something she wanted. But nonetheless, she ignored the ramblings behind her. Turning her focus onto the grenades, she dropped into her meditation stance. Calling upon the Force and lifted the explosives up into the air. Normally, a unicorn would simply use their magic to lift such light objects, but knowing the Mandalorians, they’d probably suspect something the moment they would step into the room.

After all, who wouldn’t be cautious after seeing a unicorn’s horn glow.

Suddenly, Lyra’s headset began to vibrate again. Someone was trying to contact her again, but who? Maintaining her composure, she quickly answered the incoming call. “This is Lyra speaking.”

Lyra are you there? It’s me, Sweetie.

The young Padawan’s eyes shot wide. Amidst the panic, she had completely forgotten about her friend. “Yes, Sweetie, I can hear you just fine. What’s the matter?”

I… I overheard the conversation you had with your master a while earlier. Is it true you and the others are staying put at the prison cells?

Lyra raised an eyebrow. It appeared the mare had been listening in on their conversation from earlier, but had kept quiet about it until now. “Given our current situation, we thought it best that we make a defensive stand first before moving out,” the Padawan explained. “Don’t worry about the ponies. We’ll make sure they stay out of the crossfire.”

It’s not just them I’m worried about, Lyra. It’s about you! And the others! Are you sure you can handle an entire squad of Mandalorian soldiers?

“I have faith that my master will divert some of them away from the prison block. And besides, we still have the element of surprise.”

And if it fails?

“Then I’ll gladly sacrifice my life so that everyone else can escape.”

There was a moments pause on the other line. Sweetie didn’t respond right away, making the young Padawan believe that her words have taken the mare off guard. Then, the Private finally replied. You’re planning on sacrificing your life?

“A Jedi’s life is sacrifice, Sweetie. If push comes to shove, I’ll put my life on the line.”

But you can’t do that! Not after we’ve been through!

Lyra blinked. “You really value our friendship that much, Sweetie?”

It’s not just that! Lyra, someone in my crew has been anxious to meet you again. If she realizes you are putting your life on the line for her, she’ll be devastated.

Now Lyra was very confused. A crewmember of the Celestial Sun was anxious to meet her? Why? Then it dawned on her. Of course, it was the Pegasus Captain from earlier. Sweetie was probably referring to her. But who is she? And why was she so intent on seeing her?

Lyra curled her lip and she recalled the brief conversation she had with the mare. Everything about it felt strange. The ponies around them muttered amongst themselves as if they were expecting something to happen. And then there’s that Unicorn Sergeant. The one who stepped in before the Pegasus Captain could explain who she was.

The young Padawan frowned. She needed more answers. And the only way of getting to know the truth was through Sweetie herself.

However, before she could reply back to the Private, she felt a shift in the Force. Expanding her senses, Lyra attempted to pinpoint where the disturbance came from. After a moment of silence, she gasped. “Hider, Chessk, get behind cover. Geefour prep those droids ready! The Mandalorians are here!” she yelled.

She then addressed her concerned friend on the comm-link: “Sorry, Sweetie. Our conversation will have to wait. But promise me that once we get out of here, you’ll tell me everything you know. Got it!”

Y-yes, of course. Sweetie replied. Just make sure you get out of there alive, okay.

“I will. I promise.”

As the connection to Sweetie cut off, Lyra took one last look at her friends. Chessk and Hider were already hiding behind cover with their weapons already drawn. T3-G4 gathered its battle droids in a straight line, seemingly ordering them through its bleeps. They were ready. Now all she had to do was play her part.

Looking up, Lyra spotted the thermal detonators still floating mid-air through the Force. If they happen to fall at any given time, they’d likely explode upon making landfall. “I’m ready,” Lyra said to herself as assumed her Jedi meditation stance.

Suddenly, the prison doors swung open, catching the attention of everyone in the room. Lyra glared at the now open door. She nearly snatched her lightsaber on reaction, but quickly stopped herself. “Now isn’t the time,” she muttered as several Mandalorian soldiers barged into the room.

“Freeze!” barked one of the soldiers. But the young Padawan didn’t move an inch. Instead, she quietly observed her enemies as they began to line up in front of her.

“You are surrounded Jedi!” barked the same soldier from before. “Surrender now! Or else the last thing you’ll see is a blaster bolt to the face!”

“Oh, is that a threat?” asked Lyra in a weirdly playful manner that caught everyone, including her friends, off-guard. “Cause I for one do not plan on surrendering any time soon.”

“Q-quit the showboating, Jedi! There’s no way you can win against us all on your own.”

“Is that so? Well, I don’t know if you are either blind or stupid; but as you can see, I got some company behind me that might even the odds,” replied Lyra as she gestured to her friends behind her.

The Mandalorians were quick to notice. “Sir, that droid of hers reactivated some of our battle droids,” said another soldier who Lyra assumed to be a subordinate.

“Damn it, you’re right! Kriff, she’s evened the odds now,” cursed the superior officer. “I’m impressed, Jedi. To think you came up with ambush on such short notice too. I guess taking you down won’t be that easy.”

“Sir, there’s more.”

“What is it, Corporal?”

“I recognize the Jedi!”

“What?”

“Yes, sir! I know this Jedi. She’s the one who beat us up back at the Czerka Corp factory on Coruscant. The one the Khal fought against and won.”

Lyra went stiff as a cold chill went down her spine. She’d almost lost her concentration and nearly dropped the grenades; but thankfully, she quickly recomposed herself.

Still, hearing that the man who nearly killed her was on this planet was troubling to say the least. Would they meet again? Would they have to fight? It was something that Lyra dreaded. The last thing she needed was to have another duel with that man again.

“Wait, that’s the Jedi that Dryll was talking about? This thing?” shouted a soldier as discourse befell the entire squad.

“How in Mandalore’s name is an animal doing in the Jedi Order?” shouted another soldier. “Seriously! When did the Jedi start taking in such weaklings?”

“Underestimate her at your own peril, brother. This Jedi managed to fight off my squad all by herself at one point. Kriff, we were so unprepared. If it weren’t for Khal, she might’ve wiped us out.”

“But didn’t Khal say that she was only a… what did he say? A Padawan Learner?” asked another curious soldier. “If she’s just a rookie like you, brother, then who’s the other one that’s fighting out there?”

“Enough, all of you!” barked the commanding officer. “You have your orders! Quit blabbering amongst yourselves and focus on the Jedi!”

Lyra chuckled. “Oh, come on. You don’t have to be so hard on your men. They’re just curious about me, that’s all,” she said, jokingly.

The commanding officer sneered. “You’re too cocky, Jedi. Just because you beat a couple of promising rookies doesn’t mean it will happen again.” He raised his right arm. “Men! Get ready to fire on my mark!”

Lyra grimaced. She nearly let the grenades fall on her enemies, but quickly noticed something wrong. The Mandalorians were way too few in number. From what she could see, there were only eight soldiers lined up in front of her. Much less than what she anticipated.

Was her master able to divert most of their enemy’s attention? Possible, but it seemed unlikely that a majority of their forces would go and fight a Jedi Master. Especially when they’re valuable prisoners were at risk.

Lyra curled her lip. Were the Mandalorian’s planning something? If so, then she had to act fast. Closing her eyes, Lyra called upon the Force, using its powers to expand her line of vision. If her enemies were up to no good, then perhaps she might be able to sense something in the shadows.

“Ready men?” barked the commanding officer as he and his men began lining up in front of the young Padawan. But Lyra paid no attention to them. Not even the panicking screams coming from her crew and the ponies could break her focus. If her enemies were indeed planning something, then she must trust her feelings just this once.

“I am one with the Force and the Force is with me,” Lyra muttered to herself.

Suddenly, the Force began to sputter around her, causing the young Padawan to let out a sharp gasp. It was there. The Force had given her an answer. She spun around and gaped at her crewmates, or rather, the three cloaked figures behind them. “Hmm, how clever,” she whispered. Calling upon the Force, Lyra threw a telekinetic wave directly toward her droid. Her intended target, the cloaked figure behind Geefour.

A direct hit.

Whatever was causing the cloaked field around that figure dissipated immediately as soon as the telekinetic wave made contact. It was followed up by a scream, and then a loud thump. At first nobody knew what was going on. That is until Lyra began shouting at her friends. “Chessk, Hider, watch out! There’s a pair of cloaked soldiers behind you!”

“Wait, what?” Hider asked. He looked behind him and gasped as he saw the formerly cloaked Mandalorian laying on the floor. “The Kriff? Where the heck did that guy come from?”

“Pay attention!” Lyra shouted as she conjured up another telekinetic wave. This time, her targets were the two solders behind Chessk and her captain. Needless to say, her telekinetic push made contact, causing the remaining two solders to be sent flying.

“S-she knew about the ambush?” questioned a now baffled Mandalorian officer. “But, how? It’s just not possible.”

“Underestimating the power of the Force was your biggest mistake,” Lyra replied with a wide, cocky smile. “Welp, it looks like I got the advantage, again. Would you care to surrender now, or would you prefer to be pummeled instead?”

The officer gritted his teeth. “I’d rather die than surrender to a Jedi!” he barked. “Men, open fire! Kill the Jedi and her friends, now!”

Lyra frowned. “Oh, I don’t think so.” Closing her eyes, she quickly released the grenades that were being held up mid-air by her telekinesis. They dropped to the floor, landing right in front of the Mandalorian squadron.

“I’m sorry,” muttered the young Padawan as she leapt away from her enemies. Panic ensued. The once poised Mandalorian squadron fell into chao as they tried desperately to get away from the grenades. But it was too late. Before they could do anything, the explosives set off, engulfing them in a heat of fire.

Lyra’s frown grew wider as she watched her enemies met their end. Being a Jedi, she could sense the life in others through the Living Force. A trait she adored at times, but it had a downside. When witnessing someone or something die in front of her, she could feel their tether to life snap in an instant as if someone had pulled the trigger on a blaster pistol right in her face.

She hated it, seeing all those men die at once. In truth, she wanted to mourn for them; however, she knew there was nothing she could do. A promise had to be fulfilled after all, and now wasn’t the time to be mourning for her enemies. I better tell, Sweetie. Lyra thought as she immediately reached for her headset. “Hey, Sweetie can you hear me?”

Yes, I can. Is something wrong, Lyra?

“No, nothing is wrong. I just called to tell you the ambush worked out as planned. The entire Mandalorian squad has been wiped out.”

A-already? But that happened way too fast! How’d you manage to pull it off so quickly?

“There’s no time for an explanation, Sweetie. What matters is that we can safely escort all the ponies back to the ship. Provided that we don’t run into anymore large squadrons or ambushes, we should be fine.”

“Hey, kid! Can you do us all a solid favor and hang up that comm-link! We could use a little help over here!”

Lyra’s ears shot up as she heard Hider’s plea for help. Immediately, she glanced back at her companions and, to her surprise, found them fighting off against a trio of Mandalorian soldiers. “As much as I appreciate you catching these guys, can you please finish the damn job!” berated her captain as he attempted to fight off the enemy in front of him.

“Hang on, guys. I’m coming!” Lyra shouted back. “Sweetie, I got to go. Some stragglers are attacking our friends and I need to deal with them now.”

I understand. Should I tell Master Darran about your current situation?

“Yes, please. And tell him to meet us back at the hangar bay as soon as possible.”

Got it! Good luck out there, Lyra.

“Roger that,” Lyra said before disconnecting the call from her comm-link. With nothing else distracting her, she quickly conjured a Force enhanced jump, closing the distance between herself and her friends in an instant.

“Enough!” the Padawan ordered as she landed right in between her captain and his supposed assassin. Now that her enemy was within distance, she quickly ignited her blade, ready to strike at any given time. But before she could make her move, Lyra took her time to observe her other companions.

Chessk had the situation already under control. His would-be assassin was on his knees, with blood dripping down from his supposedly broken left shoulder. As for Geefour, its assassin was already dead. To Lyra’s disgust, her droid had ordered the other machines to fire at its assassin, killing him instantly. And to add insult to injury, the T3 unit had set the corpse on fire with its flamethrower.

The Padawan winced at the sight of Geefour’s brutality. She’d like to give the droid a proper lecture, but that would have to wait. There’s still one more assassin to take care of. “You are defeated, Mandalorian,” she yelled to the last standing assassin. “Surrender now and I will let you and your friend leave.”

Chessk let out a scowl.

“I will not surrender to a Jedi!” shouted back the assassin in an aggressive manner that made the Padawan’s eyes widened in surprise. This assassin was female. Sure the helmet had muffled her tone of voice a little bit, but Lyra was certain this person was a girl.

“I will avenge my comrades!” the female assassin shouted again as she immediately threw her blaster pistol away and drew out a dagger from her hip. She then began to charge at Lyra, with her hands held tightly on the weapons hilt.

Lyra closed her eyes and sighed. Looking back at the assassin, she raised her hoof and conjured up another Force Push, sending the attacker flying back again. “You can’t win,” stated Lyra. “Even if you manage to beat me; and trust me, that’s a big if, you’ll still have to fight my comrades. So, I’m going to tell you again. Surrender now and we will let you go.”

“Never!” screamed the assassin as she stood back up and raised her dagger again. She was about to charge at Lyra once more, but to her and the Padawan’s surprise, she was pulled back down to the floor.

“Seriously, kid? Is all this seriously necessary?” asked Hider “Do you plan on rag dolling her all day, or are you finding her struggles to be funny?”

Lyra shook her head. “No, Hider, that wasn’t me! I didn’t use the Force at all!”

“The kriff? Then who pushed her down?”

“That would be me.”

Lyra and her captain jumped. “What the heck? Who said that?” asked Hider.

“I did.” To the surprise of Lyra and all her friends, another cloaked Mandalorian appeared out of the shadows. Fully armored with blaster rifle in hand, the solder stepped in front of Hider’s would-be assassin. “Stand down, soldier. This is not a fight you can win.”

“Khal Dryll you bastard. Why reveal yourself now?”

Lyra’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, Khal? You’re Khal?”

“In the flesh, Jedi.”

Hoisting his rifle to his back, the Mandalorian grasped his helmet with both hands and removed it from his head. “Greetings, Padawan Heartstrings. We meet again once more,” he said in a menacing tone. “I see that your wounds have healed up quite nicely.”

Lyra let out a sharp gasp as she felt a hint of fear swell up inside her. The man who had nearly killed her on Coruscant was standing in front of her. B-but how? How did I not sense him earlier? she thought. This is absurd! I saw his allies through the Force Sense¹! Why couldn’t I see him too?

Khal frowned. “Hmm, that look in your eye. I can see you’re probably wondering how I got through your Jedi senses,” he said, surprising Lyra yet again. “Don’t think about it too much. It was merely luck that allowed me to escape your sight, nothing more.”

Lyra curled her lip in frustration. He’s right. I stopped concentrating after I spotted the assassins behind my friends. But if he was further back than the others, wouldn’t that mean he was after the ponies?

“What do you suggest we do, Khal?” asked the female assassin. “Do we stand our ground and fight?”

“At ease soldier. We cannot win against these odds,” Khal quickly replied. He then looked back at Lyra. “We’ll take the Jedi’s offer and retreat back to the barracks.”

“What?” shouted everyone in the room except for Lyra, and Khal.

“You don’t wish to fight me?” asked the young Padawan.

Her nemesis smirked. “Oh, don’t misunderstand me, Jedi. I do want to fight you. In fact, every fiber of my being is telling me to forget about my weak companions and strike you down right now!” Khal viciously stated. “But I am no fool. Such an act would only be a death sentence.”

“Y-you can’t be serious, Khal!” sputtered the assassin. “Why? Why are we retreating against this Jedi?”

“As you can clearly see, soldier, the numbers are not on our side. Not only are we facing off against a skilled Jedi, but her friends are by her side,” stated Khal, bluntly. “And they appear to be moderately skilled as well. Especially that Trandoshan over there.”

The female assassin gave a cold glare Chessk, but then gasped. “Wait a second, didn’t you fight that thing back at the Exchange base on Ord Mantell a few days ago?” she asked.

“Indeed, it is. If I recall, it managed to take out two of our men before we escaped with the Exchange sales records. To think, that a Jedi would allow a Trandoshan to be within its ranks. Such a strange turn of events.”

“Enough!” roared Chessk. “Little Jedi, you can’t possibly suggest that we let these people go. It’s too risky!”

“I know that, Chessk, but we didn’t come here to start another fight,” replied Lyra. “Our mission is to get the ponies out of here, that’s all. Sure, it may be dangerous to let them go, but it is not the Jedi way to hurt or kill defenseless opponents.”

Khal smirked. “Spoken like a true member of the Order,” he said, coldly. “I see that the Jedi tenants are already imbued into your very being.”

Lyra raised a brow. Was… was he complementing me just now?

“You, soldier. Can you stand?” said Khal as he looked at the wounded Mandalorian kneeling before Chessk. The assassin merely nodded at his superior. “Then I order you to retreat, brother. Live and fight another day so that we can avenge this humiliating loss we suffered.”

“Yes, brother,” replied the assassin. Clenching his shoulder, the injured Mandalorian stood up and limped his way over to Khal. Chessk, who still had his weapon drawn, attempted to go after him, but Lyra quickly stopped him.

“Chessk, no! For the last time, let them go!” she yelled.

Hider folded his arms and sighed. “Are you sure about this, kid? I mean, this is the same guy who nearly killed you just a couple days ago. Is it really the right thing to do to just let him go like this?” T3-G4 let out a series of beeps. “See even the tin can is having doubts. Don’t you think we should just end this now and be done with it?”

Lyra, again, shook her head. “No, we’re letting them go. Sure, I might come to regret this decision later, but now isn’t the time to be picking any more fights. Our top priority now is to free the ponies and get out of here.”

Khal’s smirk grew wider as he gave Lyra a fiendish look. “Make no mistake, Padawan Heartstrings. I maybe retreating today, but we will have our rematch one day. And it will be a lot sooner than you think.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?” Before Lyra could get any answer, Khal threw something into the ground, causing the area where he stood to be covered in smoke. “What the… he had a smoke grenade?”

She immediately galloped in the direction where her nemesis once stood; however, as the smoke cleared, Khal and his fellow Neo-crusaders were nowhere to be found.

“Where the kriff did they go?” asked Hider. His question was quickly answered though as the crew heard the exit door open behind them. They spun around to see who it was, but there was no one there. “No way. Did they just flat out leave?”

“It seems that way,” said Lyra. “I guess now would be a good time to release everypony from their holding cells.”

T3-G4 replied with another beep, albeit more mellow than before. “I don’t know what you said, Geefour. But if you can shut down the holding cell’s electromagnetic fields, then that would be great.”

The droid complied as it strolled its way toward the holding cells. Lyra planned to follow it, but she was abruptly stopped by Chessk. <Letting that man go was a mistake, little Jedi.> he said in Dosh. <I know rescuing your kin is important, but I don’t think it was wise to let a man who nearly killed you leave like that.”

Lyra sighed. “I knew the risk, Chessk. However, I don’t plan on staying here much longer. The sooner we leave, the better.”

Chessk frowned. <He’ll be after you, little one. You know that, right?>

“I do, yes. But don’t worry. I’ll be ready for him.”

Chapter 26

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Lyra felt tense. Even more so than when she was back at the prison block Despite freeing the captive ponies from their imprisonment, the mission wasn’t over yet. Shortly after the captives were fried, she had contacted Sweetie about their success. Though the mare was relieved to hear that everyone was okay, she insisted they waste no time. They needed to head back to the hangar bay immediately as Master Darran was already on his way there. She and the Jedi Master have kept tabs on each other during the whole ordeal. And although he fared well against the Mandalorians, he wanted to get the crew back together again as soon as possible.

It was a simple task, at least that’s what Lyra thought before leaving the prison block behind. After freeing the ponies, she assumed that escaping would be an easy thing to do. But nothing was ever that simple.

With the ponies now freed and the squadron that was sent to capture them defeated, the Mandalorians adopted a more aggressive approach. Dozens of soldiers came to fight Lyra and her friends while they escort the captives out of the base. They weren’t that difficult to deal with. Thanks to her Jedi training and the skillset of her friends, they managed to fight off the oncoming force. However, the problem laid on the ponies themselves. They needed to be protected, but that proved to be a problem.

“Lyra, eyes up front!” Hider shouted, pointing his finger at three Mandalorian soldiers. Immediately, they fired their rifles on sight. One missed, but the other two dead set on their aim and had targeted two of the captive ponies.

However, Lyra was faster. She quickly drew her lightsaber and redirected the bolts away. She then conjured a Force Push. It wasn’t very powerful, but it did cause the Mandalorians to stagger, giving Chessk enough time to shoot them down.

“Enemies down!” shouted the Trandoshan. “Everyone, keep moving!”

“Ugh, I really wish I could use those weapons of yours. Not being able to fight at all is excruciating!” cried Captain Impact.

Hider groaned. “You are in no condition to fight, Captain,” he said, bluntly. “Besides, those hooves of yours aren’t exactly compatible with blaster weapons.”

“I know that, but still. I hate the fact that I’m completely useless here.”

Lyra frowned. The Captain’s situation was akin to that of Sweetie Drops. She, and everypony else, were incapable of defending themselves. Most were too tired to fight back, but even if they had the energy to do so, they wouldn’t provide much help, particularly against blaster fire.

It was so alien to them, seeing soldiers using mostly ranged weaponry to fight. Lyra was certain that Captain Impact and her guards mostly preferred close quarters combat, something that just wouldn’t work in today’s galactic standards. Unless, of course, you are a Jedi.

Captain Impact shifted her gaze at Lyra. “Don’t you have any more of those lightsabers, dear?” she asked.

Lyra blinked. “Huh? Are you talking to me?”

“Of course I am, dear! Who else would I be talking to?” berated the Captain. “You are the only one here who is using a sword. A futuristic laser sword, but a sword, nonetheless!”

Lyra sighed. “Okay, first of all, I don’t have a spare lightsaber with me. And even if I did, I can’t just give it to you! Lightsabers don’t just work well with non-Force users, and only a Jedi can use it to its full potential.”

“Is that so?” asked the Captain, who immediately shot an eyebrow at the young mare. “Pray tell, how long have you been using that weapon anyways?”

T3-G4 gave a loud, disgruntled beep, confusing all the ponies around it. “Uh, what did that thing just say?” asked one pony.

“It said, save your questions for later and start running!” berated an irritated Hider. “We’re in a life or death situation right now! Save your kriffing questions for when we escape!”

Captain Impact frowned. “Is it really necessary for you to shout, boy?”

“If shouting is the only way I can get your attention, then yes!”

Lyra sighed. Well that conversation could’ve gone better. Refusing to let things escalate even further, she placed her hoof onto the captain’s back. “Ma’am, I know you have a lot of questions about me, but can you please save it for later? Right now, our top priority is to get out of here quickly. The more time we waste, the more likely our enemies will surround us.”

“She’s right, Captain. We mustn’t waste any more time here. Not when we were just freed,” said a Unicorn stallion. Lyra quickly recognized him as the sergeant from earlier. It seemed that he was on her and Hider’s side.

The Captain sighed. “You’re right. We better keep moving,” she said, frowning. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

“Hold it right there!”

Nearly everypony present jumped in surprise as the group soon found themselves surrounded by all flanks. There were three Mandalorians in total. Two in the back, one in the front. All equipped with battle armor. Though the latter was accompanied by a battle droid.

Hider snarled. “Damn it! Of all the worst possible times. Geefour! Stun gun! Now!”

On cue, T3-G4 fired its weapon directly at the two soldiers behind them. A direct hit. Before the Mandalorians could react, they were quickly subdued by Geefour’s stun gun. It didn’t kill them outright, but it did give Lyra’s friends enough time to shoot both soldiers down.

Seeing his companions helplessly die, the remaining Mandalorian roared with anger. Unlike the other two, he and his droid were able to fire their weapons. Lyra managed to deflect one bolt away, but to her dismay, the other one grazed right past her. Panicked, the young Padawan swung her head around to see if anypony had gotten injured. Thankfully, she didn’t have to worry too long as the bolt had instead hit one of Geefour’s droids.

“Focus, kid!” Hider shouted again as he fired his blaster pistols at their enemies. Another direct hit, but it wasn’t enough to kill the Mandalorian or destroy his droid. “Tangos are down! Quick, Lyra, finish ‘em off!”

Lyra complied as she leapt directly toward her enemies with a Force imbued jump, landing right in-between the Mandalorian and his droid. Focusing on the soldier first, she quickly employed several Shiim^[1] strikes directly at his armor’s weak points. The Mandalorian fell to the ground, groaning in pain, which gave Lyra the opportunity to focus her sights on the droid.

With a single swing, Lyra cut the droid in half with a Sai Tok^[2] maneuver. And as the machine lay helplessly before her, Lyra impaled the machine’s head with the tip of her saber. “Done and done,” she said before turning back to the group. “Is everyone okay?”

“For the most part, yes. But our borrowed droid says otherwise,” said Hider, who was looking at the now broken droid. He then turned his gaze toward T3-G4, who immediately attempted to repair the machine. “Well, what do you think, tin can? Can the droid be salvaged?”

Geefour hummed in response as it retracted its mechanical arm away from the broken machine. “Are you serious? The bolt managed to burn the droid’s circuitry!” Hider shouted out loud. “No way! How the heck did one bolt manage disable a droid like that?”

“I’m not entirely sure what you are talking about, but given your current expression, it doesn’t sound good,” replied Captain Impact as she gazed at the now broken machine. “I must apologize. It was my actions that caused this to happen. If I wasn’t so adamant on my questions, we would’ve have gotten ourselves surrounded like that.”

“Indeed,” said Chessk as he shot an angry glare at the guardspony. “I’m disappointed, little pony. I thought that escaping from this hellish place would be your top priority. Instead, you seem more fixated on our little Jedi here.”

“I will not be judged by the likes of you, alien! Especially from creature who willfully enslaves other beings!” yelled back the Captain, returning the Trandoshan’s glare with one of her own. However, this didn’t deter Chessk at all. Instead of looking away, he returned Platinum’s glare with an even fiercer one.

“I am well aware of my sins, little pony,” he said coldly. “They are great, but little by little, I plan for atoning for what I’ve done.”

“Chessk, please. There’s no need to antagonize her,” said Lyra. Her words, however, were ignored as her friend continued to talk down the guardspony.

“Listen here, little pony. I owe my life to this Jedi. If it weren’t for her, I’d still be following a path of dishonesty and lies. She saved me, so in return I swear on my life that I will protect her and all those she cares for.”

His response caused all the ponies to gasp and gossip amongst each other. Even Captain impact was left awestruck by Chessk’s crude, yet straightforward response.

Seeing that his point has been made, Chessk turned away from the ponies and went straight for Lyra. “Come, little Jedi. We must keep moving,” he said.

“I agree, but the ponies, Chessk.”

“They have their right to suspect me, little one. After all, I did put them in cages.”

“So, what are we going to do about it?”

“Nothing,” replied Chessk, bluntly. “If I am to gain your kin’s trust, then I must do so with my actions rather than my words.”

Lyra sighed. Her friend had made a good point. It wasn’t common thing for people to trust strangers, and the ponies were no different. And why would they? He did, after all, followed his greedy cousin’s orders and put them in cages. Realizing this, Lyra began to ponder; would she also distrust Chessk too if she were a part of that group? If it weren’t for her compassion, or her rank as a Jedi, would she have not given him a second chance?

“Hey, did you just forget the past few minutes or something, kid? Come on, this ain’t the time for chit-chat,” Hider said as he, Geefour, and the ponies all ran past Lyra. “Less talking, more moving!”

“Oh, right,” Lyra replied. With a shake of her head, she refocused her thoughts back to reality and quickly joined her captain in the front lines. Chessk followed too but he preferred to stay behind the ponies rather than join the others down in front.

“I’ll keep an eye on our flank,” said the Trandoshan. “Human, little Jedi. Keep your eyes peeled for any reinforcements on our front. We are not out of this yet until we’ve reached the hangar.”

“How far away is our destination anyway?” asked Hider. “It feels like we’ve been running forever.”

“Let me ask, Sweetie,” replied Lyra as she quickly tapped her headset with her hoof. After a few seconds of waiting, a link was established. “Hey, Sweetie, can you hear me?”

Yes, I do. replied Private Drops. Are you all near the hangar bay now?

“I was actually going to ask you that. Can you tell us where we are?”

The rendezvous point isn’t very far. It’s just a short running distance away from where you guys are right now.

“Is my master waiting for us there?”

He should be. Last I checked, he was off fighting a bunch of soldiers at once. But that was ten minutes ago. I haven’t heard from him since.

Suddenly, Lyra’s ears wobbled as she overheard a familiar whirling sound. Curious, she closed her eyes and focused on the Force, expanding her senses further down the hallway. Then, she heard it again. The same whirling sound from before paired with several cries of pain.

“What’s the matter, kid?” asked Hider.

“I sense a couple of life forms ahead of us,” Lyra answered. “Mandalorians, most likely, but they appear to be preoccupied with something.”

“Preoccupied? What are they getting ready to fight us?”

Lyra shook her head. “No. I think they’re already fighting someone right now. But it’s weird. Judging from all this emotion I’m sensing; it doesn’t sound like they’re winning. It’s as if they are fighting… Master!”

Empowering herself with the Force, the young Padawan dashed ahead of the group, breaking away from their carefully planned formation. The ponies questioned what she was doing, but Lyra didn’t care. Her master was close. And he was fighting several Mandalorians at once. If she didn’t hurry to his side, they might overwhelm him.

But she soon discovered that her fears were misplaced.

Lyra skidded to a halt as she spotted a duo of Mandalorian soldiers. They were heavily armed, and it appeared as if they were about to shoot at her. Seeing this, she quickly snatched her lightsaber from her belt, ready to deflect the oncoming bolts. But as quick as she was to draw her weapon, she immediately stopped herself from igniting the blade.

The two Mandalorians from a distance weren’t aiming at her. Rather, they appear to be firing at something else.

“Shoot the Jedi!” barked on of the soldiers. “Don’t let him esca—augh!”

The Mandalorian’s orders were cut short when a stray blaster bolt hit him right on the head, presumably ending his life. “Man down! I repeat, man down! Request for reinforcements at the hangar—gahh!”

The second soldier was also interrupted when—to Lyra’s surprise—a blue-hued weapon came flying toward him, cutting the soldier’s chest armor. He died instantly. “Reinforcements! We need reinforcements, now!” shouted another unfamiliar voice. But like the others, the voice was cut short.

Lyra remained still, eyes wide and jaw slacked. That weapon she saw just now; it was a lightsaber. And not just any lightsaber. It was a double-bladed one. “M-master? A-are you there?” she muttered.

“Looks like I made it just in time,” replied a calm, yet soothing voice that made Lyra beam brightly.

Stepping out from the other hallway was a tall middle-aged man. His attire was battered and torn, and his weapon still active in his hand. But Lyra knew who this person was. And upon seeing him, she immediately ran up and gave him a hug. “Master it’s you!” she shouted with glee. “You’re okay!”

Jedi Battlemaster Gizar Darran returned a smile as he patted his apprentice on her head. “Yes, it is good to see you are alright, my Padawan. Considering that you are here, I assume the mission was a success?”

Lyra nodded feverishly as the ponies and the rest of the Omega’s crew caught up with her. “Well, if it ain’t the Jedi Master himself,” Hider greeted with hearty laugh. “Nice to see you’re still up and kicking, old man.”

“Yes, it’s good to see you too, Captain Louhun. And you two as well, Chess and Geefour,” replied the Jedi Master.

T3-G4 replied with an elated bleep as Chessk respectfully bowed before the Jedi Master. “We have successfully completed our mission, Master Darran,” said the Trandoshan. “All of Lyra’s kin have been freed.”

“How are they in terms of health?”

“They appear to be physically exhausted and have shown some signs of hunger, but they should be alright.”

“I see.” With a rub of his chin, the Jedi Master shifted his gaze toward the group of ponies. Deactivating his lightsaber, he approached them in a formal manner. “Well met citizens of Equestria. I am Master Gizar Darran of the Jedi Order.”

At once, the ponies began to mumble amongst themselves. “Who’s this guy supposed to be? Another one of those friendly aliens?” asked one pony.

“I think so. I mean, if Lyra trusts this guy, then that means we can trust him too, right?”

“But why’s he wearing a blindfold on his head? Doesn’t he realize he can’t see with that thing on?”

Ignoring the gossip around him, Master Darran continued to address the ponies: “I know all of you have plenty of questions, but I request that you save them for later. Time is of the essence and we cannot linger here much longer.”

“We know, but before we leave, there is something I wish to know. Regarding Miss. Heartstrings over here,” said Captain Impact who quickly gained the Jedi’s attention.

“Oh? And who might you be?” asked Master Darran.

“I am Captain Platinum Impact, the one who leads these ragtag group of ponies. Plus, I am Private Sweetie Drops’ superior.”

“Ah, you must be the one that Private Drops was talking about. Excellent! It’s good to see you are in one piece, Captain.”

“I don’t need to hear a speech, alien! Just answer my question!” shouted the Pegasus.

“Captain, please, calm down,” said another mare within the group. “I’m sure he can tell you everything you need to know later.”

“Your companion is right, Captain,” advised Master Darran. “I know that you have many questions regarding my Padawan, but I request that you wait until we get to our ship.”

Lyra’s ears perked up. “Wait, what did you say?” Confused, she looked at her Master and Captain Impact, observing their reactions. Though her master appeared calm, as always, the Pegasus mare was outright staring at him with fiery eyes. “Master, I don’t get it. Why is this mare so intent on learning more about me? And how do you even know that in the first place?”

Her master looked at her and smiled. “Padawan! I am disappointed! As someone who is proficient in Force Sense, I find it difficult to believe that you have not figured out this mare’s identity,” he replied.

The Captain’s jaw slacked. “Wait a second, you know who I am?” she asked.

“Indeed, I do. Though I think it’s fairly obvious who you are given that you have the same exact features as my student.”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” Hider yelled, abruptly interrupting Master Darran. “That damn Private! She knew! She freakin’ knew!”

“Language!” shouted everypony at once, causing Master Darran to burst out laughing.

“I take it you’ve figured it out, Hider.”

“Yeah… I did.” He breathed inward and let out a frustrated sigh. “Kriff, I can’t believe this. Why didn’t that mare say anything?”

“Need I remind you, Hider, that the Private’s first experience with galactic affairs wasn’t a pleasant one,” replied the Jedi Master. “Her decision not to tell anyone isn’t all that surprising from a certain point of view. After all, how are you supposed to trust someone—let alone anyone—when your first contact with an intergalactic species goes horrible.”

“But she didn’t even tell Lyra!” argued back the former Smuggler. “I understand if she didn’t to tell us, but Lyra? For cryin’ out, they’re freakin’ kin!”

“Tell me what?” asked Lyra.

“Oh, come on, kid. You’re a kriffin’ Jedi and you can’t figure out who this mare is? What the heck is wrong with you?”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Can you please not lecture me about my powers and just tell me who this mare is!” she shouted, showing a hint of anger in front of her master. “For crying out loud, I don’t want to be left in the dark anymore! Just tell me who she is!”

“Freeze!”

Lyra was immediately interrupted when a loud voice could be heard from the other end of the hallway. Turning her head, she groaned in frustration as she spotted more Mandalorian soldiers. “Oh, come on! Not again!” she wailed.

“Quit your whining, kid and get these ponies moving, pronto!” shouted Hider. “Chessk, come with me! We need to make sure the hangar is secure of any Mandalorians!”

“Loud and clear, human!” replied Chessk as he readied his rifle.

“I will provide cover,” said Master Darran as he reignited his lightsaber. “Geefour, you can go with the others, but I’d ask that you leave your battle droids with me. The more cover we can provide, the better.”

T3-G4 complied with a beep as it ordered its droids to stand alongside the Jedi Master.

“What about me, master?” Lyra asked as she looked to her teacher for advice.

“Go with your companions and make sure the way is clear,” he instructed. “It is the utmost important that we have our route back to the ship secure.”

Suddenly, Lyra noticed an incoming bolt was heading straight for her master’s head. She cried out to him, telling him to look out; but the Jedi Master casually avoided the attack with relative ease. “Worry not about me, my Padawan. Just go!” he barked.

Lyra nodded her head and immediately followed the others into the hangar bay. Though they were heavily under fire, Master Darran managed to deflect all incoming bolts, providing a circle of shelter between himself and the others. “Oh, come now. Is this really the best you Mandalorians have to offer?” the Jedi Master said, clearly goading the shooters. “Even the Jawas on Tatooine have better aim than the rest of you.”

His remark earned a chuckle from Lyra. She should have figured he’d end up using Dun Moch^[3] against their enemies. The simple use of words can deter an enemy’s morale and Darran knew this. As skilled as these Mandalorians were, they were too prideful. Any insult that came their way was considered personal to them. And it showed too. As soon as her master made that comment, he became their enemy’s prime target.

Lyra smiled. With eyes all focused on the Jedi Master, everyone was able to enter the hangar bay safely.

“Did everybody make it inside?” asked Hider.

“It appears so,” Chessk replied after taking one quick glance at the ponies. He then shifted his gaze around the hangar bay. “How odd. I figured that our enemies would have soldiers stationed here to prevent our escape, yet no one is here.”

“Do you think they’re using Stealth Field Generators like last time?”

“I can try to sense if there’s any presence nearby,” Lyra volunteered. But before she could make any move, she quickly spotted a Mandalorian Neo-Crusader deactivating his cloaking device.

The soldier fired his weapon in bursts. But Lyra reacted quickly. After swatting away another blaster bolt, she leapt away from the group, redirecting all blaster fire to her rather than the ponies. This strategy of course bought her allies enough time to fire their weapons at once, killing their enemy in an instant.

“Wilhelm is down! I repeat, Wilhelm is down!” shouted another voice as a dozen Mandalorians appeared in front of Lyra and her friends. “Fire! Fire! Take them down with one shot!”

“Well, there’s your answer, Chessk,” said Hider as he began shooting at the enemies in front of him. “Ah, kriff. How the heck are we going to pull this one off?”

“Buy me some time!” Lyra shouted as she landed right in front of the group, lightsaber ignited. “Everypony, get behind cover until the coast is clear!”

The ponies quickly followed the Padawan’s orders by scurrying to a nearby speeder for cover. As they did this, Lyra continued to bark orders at her friends. “Chessk, do you have any more smoke grenades?” she asked.

“I do,” Chessk answered as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of grenades. Without asking why, he slammed the explosives onto the ground, causing a puff of smoke to appear. “You have something planned, little Jedi?”

Lyra nodded. “The Force will guide us here,” she said as she deactivated her lightsaber and entered into a Jedi Meditation stance. Calling upon the Force, she used her senses to scour the room, counting twelve soldiers in total. All spread apart. Though they had ceased fire due to the smoke, she could sense that they were pointing their weapons directly at her and her friends.

The situation was bleak, but like a candle in the darkness, the Force showed her the way.

Hider cocked an eyebrow. “Okay, at least they stopped firing at us. But what the heck are we supposed to do now? We’re just as blind as they are.”

“Follow my lead,” Lyra said with bold confidence. She opened her eyes and immediately looked to her left. “Hider, there is a soldier standing behind a Speedster at the eleven o’clock position. He should be just within range of your pistols.”

“Wait, what? How do you even know that?”

“Just do it!” yelled back the Padawan. Her brief outburst was so unexpected that it caused Hider to flinch.

“Okay, I’ll do it. Geez.” After collecting himself, he followed Lyra’s instructions and fired his pistols in the direction of where she had instructed. Almost immediately, the crew heard a loud scream. “Did… did I hit ‘em?”

“Yes, you did,” Lyra answered as she sensed a soldier’s life essence become one with the Force. It was a terrible thing to sense, but she had to press forward. “All of you, follow my lead. I’ll direct you all on where you need to shoot.”

Calling upon the Force once more, Lyra continued directing her friends on where they needed to shoot. For a brief moment, the entire room was in complete chaos. Blaster fire was everywhere, though she nor her friends paid any attention to it. While she gave orders, they listened without hesitation until the smoke from Chessk grenade began to clear.

“Guys stop shooting!” ordered Lyra as she stood up on all fours.

“Wait, we’re done?” asked Hider. “We won?”

Chessk frowned as he tightened his grip on his blaster rifle. “I believe so? There hasn’t been any retaliation from the enemy for some time now, but I’m not certain. I guess we’ll see when the smoke clears out.”

Soon, the last puff of smoke began to dissipate into the air, revealing not just the hangar bay, but the Mandalorians that stood in their way. It was done. Lyra’s strategy had worked. All the soldiers who had tried to stop them were either dead or limping on the floor.

“No way,” Hider said. His jaw dropped at the sight of the now decimated Mandalorian force. We… we did this?”

“I-I believe so,” Chessk replied. His jaw also agape. T3-G4 let out a loud, yet somewhat cheerful, bleep. “It’s rare to hear you compliment us like that, droid. But don’t misunderstand. The real credit goes to the little Jedi here.”

Hider nodded in agreement. “Ya got that right. Didn’t think the Force could be used that way, but it worked.” He gave Lyra a smile and a thumbs up. “Gotta hang it to you, kid, that was a good call right there. Your Master is gonna be mighty proud of you once he hears about this.”

“Speaking of you Jedi Master, has he made it out here yet?” asked Chessk. “And what of your kin, little Jedi? Are they alright?”

T3-G4 bleeped as it pulled out it’s mechanical arm and pointed it in the direction of a nearby landspeeder. The ponies were there, hiding low amidst the crossfire. “Hey, over here!” shouted one pony. “Somepony got hurt! We need help!”

Lyra gasped. “W-what? Hold on, I’m coming!” Acting quickly, the young Padawan galloped toward her kin, praying to the Force that the injury wasn’t severe or life threatening. When she reached their destination, she spotted two ponies, a Pegasus stallion and a Unicorn mare, moaning in pain. “H-hey, what happened? How did they get hurt?” she asked.

“They got hit by those things when we were trying to take cover,” explained Captain Impact. “It doesn’t appear to be life threatening, but this stallion says he can’t feel left wing.”

“And the mare?”

“It’s her hind legs. She says it hurts every time she tries to move it.”

“Let me see their injuries,” demanded Chessk as he joined Lyra and the ponies. “If it’s recent, we might be able to tend to their wounds.”

The Captain, as well as several other ponies, shifted into what seemed to be a defensive position. “And how will you be able to do that?” asked the Captain cautiously.

“Kolto is the key. The human and I have some spar med-kits we can use.” Chessk paused for a moment, then he glanced at Lyra. “And if I recall, little one, you once said that you were capable of healing techniques. You think now would be a good time to use such skill?”

Lyra’s eyes widened at the realization. “Oh, right. I forgot!” she said as the small taint of fear began to slip away. “Just give me a moment to concentrate. I’ll have them back up on their hooves, I promise.”

Before she could perform any aid, however, the door to the hangar bay suddenly swung open. Turning her head, Lyra witnessed her master barging into the room. His lightsaber still swinging. “Perhaps it’d be best if you go to your master instead,” Chessk suggested. “It seems he requires some assistance.”

“But what about the ponies?”

“Don’t worry about them. We got this,” replied Hider as he pulled out two med-kits from underneath his jacket. “Go and give the old man some support.”

T3-G4 bleeped in response to Hider’s suggestion. “Wait, what do you mean he doesn’t need any help?” The former smuggler asked the droid. His question was quickly answered though as the group witnessed something astonishing.

Master Darran had deactivated his lightsaber as soon as the door closed. Hoisting his weapon onto his belt, he squatted down and slowly raised both of his arms into the air. At first, nobody knew what the Miraluka was doing, but Lyra quickly noticed that her master was radiating with Force energies.

“I… I can feel it. The Force. He’s channeling its power right now,” Lyra said out loud.

“Really? What’s he using it for?” asked Hider. T3-G4 let out a loud buzzing noise as it frantically pointed its mechanical arm at the Jedi Master. “Speeders? What the heck does the old man need speeders for?”

“I think the floating vehicles will answer your question, human,” replied Chessk.

“Floating vehicles? What the heck are you talking about—holy kriff!”

The jaws of both Hider and the ponies dropped as they witnessed a spectacular feat. Two speed bikes were floating in mid-air, all held together by the Jedi Master’s strength in the Force.

“How is he doing that?” asked one pony. “You don’t think it’s magic, do you?”

“That’s not possible!” shouted another. “He doesn’t even have a horn on his head!”

“But we saw Lyra do it when we saw her fight. And it didn’t look like she was using her horn either. What’s to say he can’t do the same thing?”

“He’s wearing a blindfold on his head! How the heck can he lift those things up when he can’t even see!”

“That’s enough!” Chessk shouted in anger. His voice echoing across the entire hangar bay, startling everypony present. “You ponies need to stop now! Two of your kin have been injured and need medical attention. So, quit it with your pointless chatter so I can help them!”

Captain Impact frowned. “You still haven’t answer my question from earlier, lizard,” she said with a discerning tone. “You mentioned something called, Kolto, right? Is that supposed to be a medicine of some kind?”

“It is,” replied Lyra as she pointed out the med-kit on Chessk’s hand. “Kolto is a medical substance that’s used in the galaxy. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies store it into those small kits that can be applied to any wound.”

The Captain raised her brow. “That little thing can heal wounds?”

“Correct. But if you’re uncomfortable with the applying of such medicine, perhaps I can heal them instead.”

“Now isn’t the time for that, little Jedi. We must get these equines back into shape,” replied Chessk as he injected the med-kit’s needle into the injured mare’s leg. The pony yelped in pain as a result, which angered the Captain; but once Chessk had pulled out the med-kit, the mare found herself standing on all fours again.

Surprised by her quick recovery, the mare began to place more pressure on her hind legs, checking to see if her injury had fully healed. Much to the shock of her and the ponies, she had no further trouble walking. “Hey, I’m okay now!” she said.

“It’s the miracle of Kolto, equine,” said a smiling Chessk as he injected his second med-kit into the injured Pegasus’s wing. Pretty soon, the stallion found himself in mid-air once more.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” said the Pegasus as he began to fly around the room. “It doesn’t hurt anymore! I’m completely healed!”

“Unbelievable. To think that they’d heal so quickly,” said Captain Impact as she witnessed the formerly injured ponies move about. “You… you wouldn’t happen to have more of this Kolto, do you?”

“We have a few spare ones, yes, but we can only use them in case of an emergency,” explained Chessk. “Medical kits are in high demand these days due to the war. As such, the public doesn’t have access to these kits as much due to the low supply. I’m afraid there’s not much we can spare.”

The Royal Guardspony frowned. “I see. Well, that’s a shame. Princess Celestia would’ve loved to have something like this in Equestria.”

Chessk grinned. “Oh, I’m sure there are plenty of technological wonders that you equines would absolutely love. Blasters, landspeeders, personal computers. The list goes on.”

“Indeed. I’d imagine they’d have the same reaction as my Padawan here.” The entire group turned around to see Master Darran standing before them. His lightsaber in hand but was deactivated. “I see that we ran into a bit of a problem here. Is everyone alright?”

Chessk nodded. “Everything is okay now, Master Jedi. Despite our enemies ambushing us, we managed to fight them off.”

T3-G4 let loose a couple of beeps, causing the Jedi Master to smile. “Did she now?” Darran asked as he gave Lyra a wide smile. “Well, as much as I’d like to hear that story, we’d best save it for later. By now, I think we’ve overstayed our welcome in this wretched place.”

“Is there a reason why you boarded up the hangar bay entrance with those speeders, Master?” asked Lyra.

“To by us some time, my Padawan. Since there is only one way into the hanger bay, I’d figured that I’d at least seal up the entrance.”

“What about the droids, Geefour reactivated?” asked Hider.

“Stayed behind to further stall our enemies. Considering that we ‘borrowed’ those machines, I figured we’d at least returned them to their rightful owners.”

“Oh, wow. That’s hardcore!” said one pony from the group.

“Indeed it is,” replied the now smirking Jedi Battlemaster. “Anyway, let’s head back to the Omega and reconvene with Private Drops. The sooner we board the ship, the sooner we make leave for Dantooine.”

“The Omega?” asked Captain Impact.

“He is talking about my baby,” boasted Hider, though his response earned several confused stares from everypony in the group, causing Lyra and Chessk to facepalm. T3-G4 was beeping repeatedly, though many assumed the droid was mocking the ship captain for his comments. “I meant my ship. My ship is my baby.”

“Ohhh!” said everypony at once, causing Master Darran to burst out laughing.

“Stop laughing old man! You know what I was talking about!” Hider rebuked as his cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.

“Perhaps, but it doesn’t make it any less funny, Hider," chuckled the Jedi Master as he left the former smuggler to his thoughts.

Chapter 27

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Patience. A virtue that the Jedi strongly advocated amongst their peers. Lyra could remember the days when Masters Vrook and Zhar constantly preached it in her classes and that the Force would reward those who value it. They were right of course; though at the time, she never would’ve guessed how the Force would award her.

But now, everything was coming together. After all the traveling she’s done, the soldiers she fought, and her near death experience, she had been granted that award.

Standing beside Lyra were her master, her companions, and all the captive ponies that had been missing. Her mission was almost complete. Now all they had to do was to escape the Mandalorian stronghold.

After their last skirmish, the group had made their way back to the garage exit. Though the door was closed shut, T3-G4 made quick work of it by using a nearby computer terminal. The door itself was slow to open, but no one was in a hurry. Freedom was so close within their grasp. A little more waiting wouldn’t hurt anyone.

“Just a few more minutes and we will be out of this Force forsaken place,” Hider said out loud before turning toward Master Darran. “You think it’s still snowing outside?”

“Perhaps. If the weather conditions are poor, then we must take caution. We’ll never know what other tricks the Mandalorians have up their sleeves,” advised the Jedi Master.

“You literally just blocked the entrance with two speeder bikes, old man. Unless our enemies have another way of getting out of this base, I can’t imagine that they’d be chasing us anytime soon.

“Even so, we’re still in enemy territory, human. The best thing we can do is keep our guard up,” Chessk advised.

“What about the ponies?” asked Lyra. “Regardless if it’s snowing or not, trekking through a snowy field isn’t going to be easy.”

“The Pegasi and the Earth ponies should be fine given their high endurance. Despite all that we’ve been through these past few days, trotting through a snowstorm should be easy for us,” replied Captain Impact.

“And the Unicorns?”

“My Sergeant is a member of the Royal Guard. He should be fine. Though I can’t say for certain about the remaining Unicorn in our group.”

Lyra tilted her head in confusion. “Huh, why’s that?”

“She’s a scholar, not a guard. Unicorns may have the ability to cast magic, but unless trained, they don’t have the endurance capable of keeping up with the other pony species. If push comes to shove, somepony might have to carry her.”

Her remark caused the remaining Unicorn to protest, proclaiming that she was fine for travel. However, her cries were ignored by the Captain who instead kept her focus on Lyra. “I suggest you focus more on yourself rather than the others, dear. Given our current situation, we cannot afford to lose you now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Honey, can’t you tell? All this fighting that you’ve done is starting to wear you out. Sure, you may be athletic compared to most unicorns, but all that running and jumping has taken a toll on you! Look at yourself! You’re out of breath for Celestia’s sake!”

Lyra let out a breath she didn’t even know she had, finally noticing her shortness of breath and the numbness on her legs. The Captain was correct. She was tired. Perhaps more tired than the entire group.

As a Jedi, her masters had taught her techniques that would help sustain her physicality, with or without the Force. Though not a master of such techniques, she did take her teachings to heart. As a result, she was able to sustain long periods of physical activity without tiring. But it appeared she was reaching her limits.

Protecting these ponies had cost her a lot of energy, both in the Force and her physical capabilities. If she were a Jedi Knight, or perhaps a Master, then maybe she’d gone on longer without falter. Alas, this wasn’t the case.

“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine,” Lyra assured the Captain. “It’s only a little ways toward the ship, so any more fighting wouldn’t be a complete toll on me.”

“I want to believe you, Lyra. But as impressive as your fighting capabilities are, seeing you exhaust yourself hasn’t been an easy thing to watch.”

Lyra stared at the Captain profusely. Her comment confused the young Padawan greatly, as this was the second time the mare had shown concerns over her safety. Why was this?

“Still having trouble figuring out our little Captain here, kid?” asked Hider, who interrupted Lyra’s thoughts.

“Excuse me? What makes you say that?” Lyra replied, showing a bit of agitation.

“Don’t worry. You’ll figure it out when we get out of here. For now, I suggest you stay focused. The door is opening.”

On cue, the large hangar door had finally finished opening; revealing not only their way out, but also the weather conditions. Much to the relief of Lyra and the others, the blizzard had all but ceased. It may have left piles of snow in its wake, but at the very least they wouldn’t have to worry about a snowstorm clouding their vision.

“Ah, kriff. I guess it’s too much to ask for good weather. Oh well. At least it’ll be easier to get to the ship this way,” said Hider. T3-G4 beeped in response as it reconvened with the group. “I know, I really shouldn’t be complaining when I’ve been through worse.”

“Worse how?” Lyra asked, showing a bit of curiosity. “I mean, I saw you almost break down back at the prison block. How can you proclaim you’ve faced worse situations when even the slightest mistake overwhelms you?”

“Leave Hider alone, Padawan,” replied Master Darran as he and the others stepped outside. “Our top priority is to get back to the Omega. Not ask needless questions.”

Lyra opened her mouth to respond, but before she could apologize, Hider stepped in to defend her. “Hey, give the kid a break, will you? She has every right to question me after the stunt I pulled earlier,” he said. However, his response only earned a sigh from the Jedi Master.

“I’m fully aware that you owe my Padawan an explanation, Hider. But please, spare us the details until we get back to the ship. I don’t want to be here any longer, especially when the Alderaanian military starts attacking the area.”

Hider’s gasped, and so too did Lyra. “That’s right, I completely forgot about those guys!” shouted the captain. “Kriff, you think they’ll be here at any minute now?”

“I’m not one to wait and find out,” said Lyra as she quickly ventured into the snowy field along with the others. Hider followed suit, with him and T3-G4 taking point.

Their formation was akin to when the group was evacuating the base. The ponies themselves would group up, allowing room for Lyra and her companions to guard them. It was briefly discussed by Chessk while Geefour was busy opening the hangar door. Their formation would be similar like last time, but with a Jedi Master by their side, it had to be slightly adjusted.

Given their command in the Force and the ability to deflect blaster bolts, Lyra and Master Darran were the key in defending against any Mandalorians attack. If any were to attack the front or rear, the Jedi would leap in and deflect any blaster bolt that came in harm’s way or conjure a Force Push that would at least disrupt the enemy’s focus. A flawed plan to say the least, given Lyra’s incapability of deflecting blaster fire as well as her master. However, the young Padawan had faith in her teacher that he’d cover her weakness well.

As for the others, Hider remained on point alongside Geefour, who had taken Lyra’s previous position. Chessk positioned himself on the rear given his keen eye and skill with a blaster rifle.

“How much further are we from your ship, alien?” asked Captain Impact. “Can we make it in time before our enemies catch up to us?”

“I have a name you know!” Hider shouted. The fact that the pony captain hadn’t addressed him by his name had irked him somewhat. But after calming down, he answered the mare’s question. “If you’re wondering where my ship is, don’t worry about it. I hid it in those woods over there.”

“You mean that forest over there?” the captain asked, pointing her hoof at the large trees in front of her.

“Yes. I had to hide my baby away from the Mandalorians so they wouldn’t find it. Though to be honest, it was a bit difficult to land due to the mountain terrain.”

“Is Private Drops on board that ship?”

“She is. Which reminds me, I better go ahead and contact her. Let her know we’re almost back at the ship.”

However, before Hider could reach his headset, he was interrupted by a loud crunching noise. The group didn’t know what it was at first, that is until Chessk blurted something out. “These are footsteps. Everyone be careful! Someone is approaching us!”

The ponies were the first to react. Panicking, they immediately delve into the snow, hoping that the white fields would protect them from any danger. The two Jedi were next. Upon hearing Chessk’s warning, they quickly activated their lightsabers.

Lyra curled her lip, showing a brief hint of anger that no one hadn’t noticed. She was so close to the finish line, and yet these Mandalorians have already caught up with her. Sighing in frustration, she assumed her brace ready Ataru stance, ready to perform her duties as a Jedi. As she did this, a dozen armored soldiers could be spotted right behind Chessk.

“There they are!” shouted the Mandalorian. “Blast them!”

“Oh no you don’t!” yelled back the Padawan as she quickly conjured a telekinetic push. She’d hoped that the wave would at least knock her enemies down, but to her surprise, it didn’t.

“Ugh, damn Jedi and their stupid powers! Get a hold of yourselves, everyone! Aim first and shoot to kill! I repeat, shoot to kill!”

Lyra went pale. With that many soldiers all firing at once, there was no way that she or her friends would be able to defend themselves. Sure, they may have faced off against uneven odds back at the prison cells, but they won that fight because of their ambush. This, however, was entirely different.

But a Jedi’s life is sacrifice. If she had to die defending her own kin, then so be it. Readying her lightsaber, the young Padawan called upon the Force and was about to jump head toward her enemies. Before she could do so, however, a streak of blue light flew above her head, hitting the commanding Mandalorian soldier.

Seeing this, Lyra stopped in place. That light, which appeared to be a blaster bolt at first glance, came from seemingly nowhere. At first, she thought that Hider or perhaps Geefour may have made the shot, but she brushed that notion off. Their blasters fired red bolts, not blue.

Suddenly, a loud battle cry could be heard coming from inside the forest. At once, Lyra turned to see who it was and—to her surprise—spotted a man wearing Republic military armor. And he wasn’t alone. Soon, others joined him at his side. All of whom were wearing the same armor that he had.

“Everyone, attack!” shouted the man as the Republic military charged toward the opposing Mandalorian force. “For Alderaan! For the Republic!”

It happened in an instant. Soon, Mandalorian and Republic soldiers squared off against each other. Lyra immediately hid for cover as blaster bolts rained down on her position. “Everypony, keep your heads down!” the Padawan barked while she buried herself beneath the thick snow.

Thankfully, the skirmish between the two opposing forces didn’t last long. The Republic had the numbers advantage and made quick work of the Mandalorian squad.

“Master Jedi! ” shouted a Twi’lek Republic soldier who had immediately ran to Master Darran’s side and saluted him out of respect. “Sergeant Dabrato reporting for duty, sir!”

“At ease, soldier. Now isn’t the time to be acting so formal,” replied Master Darran. “I must say, you Republic soldiers came in at the right time. For a second there, I thought I’d have to unleash my full power.”

T3-G4 let out a loud whirring noise that garnered everyone's attention. “You can say that again, tin can! Seriously, is the old man bluffing? Just how much power can one person have?” shouted a confused Hider.

“We’re talking about the Force here, human. At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if a member of the Jedi Council would land on top of us right now,” replied Chessk.

“Eh, good point.”

“With all due respect, sirs, this isn’t exactly the time for idle conversation,” advised Sergeant Dabrato before turning toward the group of ponies. “Are these the captives that you rescued, Master Jedi?”

Darran nodded. “Yes. These ponies came to Republic space several days ago but were captured and held as prisoners upon making first contact. I’ll spare you the details on who they are. Just know that these travelers were held hostage by Mandalorian soldiers.”

“I see. Well, on behalf of the Republic, we apologize for not discovering your whereabouts sooner,” said the Sergeant as he saluted in front of the ponies. In response, Captain Impact saluted him back, surprising the Twi’lek soldier. “Ah, you’re military, aren’t you?”

“That’s correct,” said the Pegasus Captain. “I am Platinum Impact, Captain of the Equestrian Royal Guard. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant.”

“Likewise,” replied the Twi’lik. Before he and the Captain could say anything else, a loud explosion could be heard from the Mandalorian base, causing several ponies to shriek in fear. “I apologize, Captain. But it looks like our talk will have to be cut short.”

“I understand. Best of luck to you, Sergeant,” Platinum said as she gave one final salute to the Twi'lek before he joined the rest of his squad.

“That alien looked really weird. Especially with those two tentacles on his head. Yuck,” said an Earth pony mare. Her comment, however, caused Captain Impact to slap her on the head. “Ow! Captain, what was that for?”

“Watch that tongue of yours, missy! That alien may look weird, but he’s still military! So show some respect!” berated the Captain.

“Yeah, I’m with the pony on this one. You really shouldn’t be disrespecting Republic soldiers like that. Especially when they’re giving us time to escape,” replied Hider whose comment caused the Earth pony mare to frown. “Hey, don’t take it too personally. You’re still new to this galaxy, so I can excuse what you said earlier. Just don’t make it a habit, okay. There are plenty of other aliens that look weirder than Twi’leks and the last thing you want to do is to insult them.”

The Earth pony mare blinked. “Wait, are you serious? There are even weirder looking aliens than that thing?”

“Oh, please! Across the galaxy, there are hundreds of aliens that look weird! Sure, Twi’leks have those tentacles drooping from their heads; but for the most part, they’re completely human! Kriff, out in the outer-rim worlds, you’ll find an alien species who’re basically giant talking slugs!”

“Ew!” shouted a now grossed out mare. And she wasn’t alone. At once, all the ponies—even Captain Impact—all gaped at Hider, hoping that the man was only joking. But he wasn’t. And upon realizing that, the ponies were left feeling queasy.

Lyra rolled her eyes. “And just like that, you turn a wise comment and turn it into something off-putting. Was it really necessary for you to tell them that?”

“What? They were going to learn more about the Hutts eventually. So, why not tell them about it now?” Hider said playfully as a smile formed on his lips. His comment caused T3-G4 to beep at him profusely. “See, the tin can is with me! At least this way they’ll view Twi’leks on a brighter note.”

“Comparing Twi’leks to another alien species is not how you deal with negative stereotypes!” berated Lyra. Before she could begin her tirade on her captain, Chessk quickly smacked the young Padawan on the back of her head.

“As much as I disagree with the human’s… teachings, I’d prefer that we head back to the ship pronto. The last thing we need for us to get stuck in this crossfire,” he warned.

“Chessk is right my Padawan,” advised Master Darran. “This area is about to become a battlefield. The more we delay our retreat, the bigger chance we might endanger your kin.”

Lyra sighed. Despite her frustrations toward Hider’s nonchalant attitude, she cast her anger aside and galloped into the forest. At the very least, the trek through these woods was much more pleasant than before. No blizzard hampered her sight and the Mandalorian forces were held back by the combined Republic and Alderaanian forces.

Things were finally going well; however, a loud explosion came from out of seemingly nowhere, halting their advance.

“W-what was that?” asked one stallion, clearly startled by the eruption. And he wasn’t alone either. Fear had swept through the entire group of ponies again. Some had even buried themselves in the snow.

“That was the sound of war, little equine,” said Chessk bluntly. “Given the militaristic presence here, I can assume that the Republic is trying to completely repel the Mandalorian forces here. Though how they are doing it eludes me.”

“What do you mean?” asked Lyra.

“That explosion could be anything, little Jedi. Artillery fire, bombers, rocket launchers. A drastic step in repelling the invaders one would think; but given how close Alderaan is to the Coruscant, it doesn’t surprise me the Republic chose this method of brutality.”

“B-brutality?” asked a now startled Captain Impact. “Your military is willing to use such dangerous weapons just to repel a small invasion force?”

Before the Captain could get any answer, she was interrupted by another explosion. “Save the chit chat for later, Captain. We must reach the Omega, pronto! Before we get caught up in this mess!” shouted Master Darran.

The Captain gritted her teeth, but nonetheless, she obeyed the Jedi Master and followed the group further into the forest. Eventually, after a long run, they arrived at their destination.

Lyra stopped dead in her tracks as she examined the Omega. Against all odds, the Mandalorians had never discovered its whereabouts. Aside from the snow, it appeared the ship was in the same condition as before: unscathed and untouched.

“We’ve made it,” Hider said while taking a moment to catch his breath. Lyra saw this. It appeared that fatigue was starting to kick in. “Quick everyone, get onboard the ship, now!”

To the pilot’s dismay, the ponies weren’t so quick to follow his command. Instead of boarding the ship right away, they froze and gawked at the inter-galactic vehicle. “That’s your ship? That’s the ship we’re riding on?” asked one curious Earth pony.

Hider blinked in confusion. The ponies sudden question caught him off-guard. However, Lyra knew the real reason why this pony and everypony else stopped. “I know Hider’s ship looks amazing, but can you please save your curiosities for later,” pleaded the young Padawan. “Come on, we got to leave this place before this place becomes a battlefield.”

Thankfully, her words reached the ponies ears. At once, they climbed aboard the Omega, following Master Darran, T3-G4, and Chessk inside. And as the last pony boarded the ship, Hider gave Lyra a smile, assumingly thanking the young Padawan for getting the ponies back to their senses.

As he and the young Padawan were the last to board, they were immediately greeted with cheers. It appeared that Sweetie Drops had been waiting for them at the entrance to greet them, but she’d been hounded by Captain Impact and all the others, who were more than happy to see the young Private.

“Private Drops, you’re okay!” shouted Captain Impact as she hugged Sweetie tightly around her hooves. “Oh, thank Celestia! I was so worried! When you were forced to stay behind with that wretched alien, I feared the worst!”

“It’s good to see you’re okay too, Captain,” Sweetie said as she struggled to get out of her superior’s grasp. When she eventually did, she and Lyra exchanged looks. “Lyra, thank you. Because of you, this nightmare is finally over.”

Lyra smiled. The knowledge that she had finished her quest very much elated the young Padawan. Sure it wasn’t the Jedi way to bask in your emotions like that, but she didn’t care. She had done what she had promised. Now, everypony can go home safely.

“Yes, you performed very admirably Lyra Heartstrings,” stated Captain Impact. “On behalf of all of us and Equestria, we thank you and your friends for your timely rescue.”

T3-G4 let loose a loud bleep, getting the attention of everypony on the ship. “Uh, I don’t understand beep talk. Does anypony know what that thing is saying?” asked one pony.

“He’s saying that you can drop the charade now, Captain. There’s no need to hide it anymore,” replied Chessk bluntly.

Lyra tilted her head. “Hide? Hide what? Chessk, what are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on, kid! You still haven’t figured it out yet? Jeez, how can you be so dense?” shouted a now irritated Hider, whose comment only angered the young Padawan. But before Lyra could give into her feelings, the ship captain brushed her off. “No, I don’t want to hear it. I’m heading to the cockpit. You go ahead and have your one on one time with your family.”

“Family? Hider what are you talking about?”

“Search your feelings, my Padawan. You know who this mare is,” replied Master Darran as he bent his knees and patted Lyra on her head. “Focus. Reach out with the Force. And the truth will reveal itself.”

Hearing her master’s words made Lyra groan in frustration. She was about to argue back at the Jedi Master and convince him to just tell her the truth, but Darran simply booped her on the noise, stood back up, and walked away. Seeing this, the ponies—even Sweetie Drops—chucked at the young Padawan’s embarrassing moment. But rather than letting her emotions get the better of her, Lyra followed her master’s instructions and reached out with the Force.

Using the cosmic energies around her, Lyra delved into the Captain’s mind. It was a dangerous thing to do, using her powers to reach out into one’s psyche. Such a crude method of the Force could easily hurt the mare. If she wanted answers, then she had to do this quickly and carefully.

Her curiosities, however, were answered the moment she peered into the mare’s thoughts. And what the Force showed shocked her.

Lyra soon found herself in a familiar lit room. It had a sofa, a fireplace, and a seemingly comfortable rug in between the two objects. To her right was a unicorn stallion, and on the rug was an eerily familiar looking filly. The small pony was preoccupied with her toys and the stallion looked happy.

Suddenly, the young filly turned to face the two ponies, revealing a familiar face that shocked the young Padawan.

It was herself.

Stunned, the young Padawan immediately left Platinum's mind. But as her vision panned out, her eyes widened as she saw herself hugging what appeared to be another pony. And not just anypony. It was the Captain herself.

Lyra screamed. The sheer amount of Force power coupled with her emotional instability caused the mare to tumble onto the floor. Gasping for air, she quickly tried to pull herself back on all fours but was unable to do so until Sweetie Drops came to her side and helped her.

“Hey! Are you alright?” asked the Private.

Lyra nodded her head. “Yeah… yeah, I’m fine. Just had a little Force vision, that’s all.” She looked directly at her friend and frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me, Sweetie? Why didn’t you tell me my own mom was a part of your crew?”

To her disappointment, Sweetie did not answer her question, preferring to look away and stay silent. Seeing this, Lyra was about to prod her friend for more answers but was abruptly interrupted when Captain Impact rushed in and grabbed her.

“M-mom?”

The mare answered only with a smile as she tightened her grip on her daughter. Tears followed, though Platinum wasn’t the only one who was gave into her feelings. In a moment of weakness that was uncharacteristic for a Jedi, Lyra surrendered to her emotions and cried. Wrapping her hooves around her mother, she buried her face onto the Captain’s soft warm coat.

Chapter 28

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Orbiting above the planet of Alderaan was a lone Mandalorian space shuttle. The ship itself was neither big nor small. At best, it could probably hold up to twenty-five passengers given that the ship wasn’t holding any cargo. But cargo wasn’t the issue here.

Moments ago, this ship had barely escaped the clutches of the combined forces of the Republic and Alderaanian military. Their stronghold, which had been built solely for the Mandalorian military, was quickly overwhelmed. Possibly destroyed. Though many fought valiantly to protect the base, they weren’t a match against such large numbers.

With no other choice, the commanding officers stationed there ordered a full retreat.

One such officer was Commander Korn Dryll, who led a strike team to fight back against the Republic armies so that others might get away. Though he had some success, some didn’t survive, and the others who were lucky enough to escape received grievous wounds. As for the commander himself, he too was fortunate to escape, along with his protégée nephew, Khal Dryll, who had miraculously survived the conflict with minor injuries.

Khal, who was alone in the ship’s cockpit, frowned as he prepped the ship’s navi-computer for hyperspace. The ship he piloted above Alderaan was the last to remain as many had already left for the outer rim. As for the Mandalorians onboard, many of them were hurt. However, the Republic forces were not to blame for these soldiers’ injuries.

Moments before their stronghold was invaded, a Jedi strike team had infiltrated the base. Based on key witnesses, the Jedi intended to free the equines they’ve captured back on Coruscant. Though the Jedi’s forces were small in number, they managed to outwit and overpower the Mandalorians stationed at the stronghold. In the end, the Jedi won. The captives were rescued and very likely taken back to Republic space.

The young man bit his lip. This defeat was the worst he’d ever experienced. Hundreds of his brothers and sisters died today in the battlefield. It was an honorable way to go by Mandalorian standards, as most prefer to perish fighting rather than to die by doing nothing. Though the same could not be said about the ones who’ve died at the hands of a Jedi

Khal gritted his teeth. In a fit of anger, he slammed his fists onto his kneecaps. It hurt like crazy, but the pain was enough to soothe him down. Still, he was angry. Angry at his nemesis for the actions she had done.

He was there at the prison cells when Jedi Heartstrings and her friends were held up. Upon learning about their whereabouts, the squad captain he was with had planned on pulling an ambush on the Jedi. They would use a large force to distract the equine while Khal and three others sneak up behind their companions using stealth field generators and kill them.

Many agreed with the plan. Even Khal himself had taken a liking to it. However, what he and the others didn’t expect is that the Jedi had also planned an ambush. Upon entering the prison cells, Jedi Heartstrings had dropped a dozen or so grenades on top of the main force. Though the squad had tried to get out of the way, it was too late. The fiery explosion caught all of his allies, killing them instantly.

“Damn, Jedi,” Khal spat as he recalled the horrific screams he heard today. Among the men that were killed, he knew quite a few of them. Some he even considered as companions.

The Jedi had killed them. Humiliated them. And to make matters worse, it was a Padawan who had beaten them. Not some Jedi Knight or Master, but a Jedi Padawan. A rookie just like him.

It infuriated him, knowing that a little Jedi Padawan was able to beat his squad not once, but twice! First on Coruscant, and now on their own base in Alderaan! Something needed to be done about this and fast! If the Mandalorian forces can’t stand up to one Jedi, then their armies would falter and die the moment the entire Jedi Order joined in on the fight.

Something needed to be done, but what could he do? Despite his warnings, his squad didn’t take the threat of the Jedi seriously. Do the rest of the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders think like his squad too? If so, how was he—a lone soldier—going to reform an entire army?

“Khal?”

Khal Dryll spun his chair around and saw a Mandalorian soldier standing at the cockpit’s entrance. He knew this soldier. It was the female assassin he rescued from Jedi Heartstrings. Unlike many, she survived both encounters with both the Jedi and the Republic. “Yeah, what do you want?” he asked the assassin.

“It’s your uncle, Khal. He says he wants to talk to you,” she answered.

“Can’t he wait? I’m just about to take this shuttle to hyperspace!”

The female assassin scowled. “Don’t you dare act high and mighty, Khal. Just because you were right about the Jedi, doesn’t mean you are our superior here!” she barked.

Khal winced. “Y-you’re right. I’m sorry about that. I’ll go and see what my uncle wants.” He stood up from the captain’s chair and walked past the female assassin. “Since you are here, do you mind taking this ship to hyperspace for me? I don’t want to risk staying here any longer. Not when the Republic is on guard.”

“I know how to pilot a ship, Khal,” said the assassin bluntly as she sat down in the captain’s chair. “The Commander is waiting for you at main hold. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Khal nodded his head as he left the cockpit and wandered into the main corridor. The main hold was just a short walk away from where he was. However, getting there was a problem.

From the main corridor, he could hear the moaning and groaning of his squad. Though many of them were alive, many still had an array of grievous injuries ranging from slash wounds from a lightsaber strike to the amputation of their arm or leg. The shuttle itself had a medical bay, but it wasn’t big enough to hold this many wounded. As a result, the main corridor and ship’s bunk beds were used as a substitute.

“This is disgraceful,” Khal said to himself as he walked past several injured Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders. He clenched his fists even tighter as the moaning grew louder, but carried through regardless.

Upon reaching his destination, Khal quickly composed himself just before entering the main hold. As angry as he was, he didn’t want to look unprofessional. Especially in front of his commanding officer. Taking a step forward, the doors to the main hold opened, revealing his uncle and a few non-injured Mandalorians standing in front of a large computer.

“Ah, Khal. I’m glad you are here,” greeted Commander Korn, who strangely didn’t even bother to look at his nephew. “Come, we have much to talk about.”

“About what, Commander?” Khal asked. His uncle didn’t respond. Rather, he simply walked away from the computer, revealing a holographic image of a person.

Looking at the hologram, the protégé let out a loud gasp. This wasn’t just some random superior he was looking at. It was the leader of the Mandalorians himself: Mandalore the Ultimate¹.

Despite the initial shock, Khal immediately fell to his knees and bowed before his great leader. “My lord! Forgive me, I didn’t know you had contacted us!” he said as he found himself struggling to maintain his composure. “Truly it is an honor to be in your presence.”

“At ease, young one. I am not here for pleasantries,” replied Mandalore. His cold demeanor made Khal shiver a bit. “I’m here for answers, boy. Tell me, what happened on Alderaan?”

Khal went stiff. At first, he was hesitant to answer Mandalore due to fears that his supreme leader might lash out at him. But he knew he couldn’t show fear. Not in front of the man he admired. And especially not in front of his own uncle.

Standing upright, Khal went on to explain what happened on Alderaan. From the Jedi strike team, to the combined Republic and Alderaanian assault on their base. While he did this, Mandalore the Ultimate said nothing and only replied after Khal had finished talking.

“I see. So, this Jedi Heartstrings and her master were the reasons why our base fell,” said Mandalore.

“Yes, sir. My guess is that it was those two who notified the Republic of our stronghold,” Khal replied. “As for how they found out, I suppose they must’ve looted a datapad from a fallen Mandalorian when we snuck into Coruscant.”

“Looting corpses? I didn’t know Jedi stooped to that level.”

“They don’t. It was probably Jedi Heartstring’s companions who did the act.”

“I see. Well, it matters not. If a mere animal is able to defeat those soldiers, then they are not worthy to serve under me. Their deaths only proved their weakness.”

Khal bit his lip. Hearing Mandalore insult his own squad like that felt somewhat insulting to say the least. Sure, he had a point, but it still wounded him to hear the leader he admired disregard his own soldiers. What’s more is that he considered Jedi Heartstrings to be a mere animal, not an actual Jedi. Was he underestimating her like underestimating her like the others?

“With all due respect, my lord, I think it best that we all move on from the deaths of my men and focus on what’s ahead,” said Commander Korn. “Now, what do you say about my nephew’s suggestion? Do you approve of it?”

Khal blinked. “Uncle? What are you talking about?”

“Ah, yes, the plan to invade this little planet on the Unknown Regions,” replied Mandalore the Ultimate. “I admit, it’s a bold plan. Having to go to an undiscovered planet and use it as a shortcut to reach Coruscant.”

“It was my nephew’s idea in the first place, my lord,” Korn explained. “When we stole these coordinates from the Exchange, he suggested that we invade shortly after we returned from Alderaan.”

Khal’s jaw slacked. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Mandalore the Ultimate himself was considering his plans? Kriff, what kind of galaxy was he living in?

“Yes, it was good that you informed me right away, Commander Korn. With this, we can surely acclaim victory against the Republic quickly.” Mandalore clenched his right hand and raised it high. “I approve of the invasion of this planet.”

Khal was rendered speechless. Finally, after years of wanting recognition from his superiors, he had finally achieved it today. “S-sir!” he blurted out, finally overcoming his stupor. “I request that Clan Dryll lead this assault on this planet!”

Commander Korn facepalmed.

“Ah, so eager to prove yourself aren’t you, Khal,” replied Mandalore in a somewhat menacing tone. “Very well. I agree to this plan. But I must warn you, young man. Do not let your vendetta over this Jedi Heartstrings get in the way of the mission. I expect you to remain focused, understand.”

Khal’s jaw slacked once again as his valiant leader burst into a fit of laughter. “What’s with that reaction, soldier? Surprised that I gave you and your clan permission to lead the strike? Or perhaps it's because you’ve taken a great interest in this Jedi.”

Khal gritted his teeth. “Sir, with all due respect, underestimating this Jedi is a foolish idea. She managed to defeat and outsmart most of my squad for kriff sake!” he shouted back, causing the Mandalorians in the room—including his uncle—to stare at him in shock. “Her meddling, along with my squad’s incompetence, is the reason we lost today! Not the Republic’s armies!”

Anger flared around the young protégé as he lowered his head in shame. He had spoken up against his superior in retaliation. A disrespectful thing to do, but it had to be said. After what had happened, nobody should be underestimating the Jedi anymore. If he wanted to make a point, then he’d better do it now.

Raising his head, Khal expected to be lashed out by Mandalore. To his surprise, however, he was greeted with laughter. “Defending your enemy, Khal? Hah! I never would’ve expected that from you,” Mandalore said, tauntingly. “But as humorous as this is, you do have a point. This defeat was only made possible because we underestimated the enemy.”

Khal grinned. Finally, someone had listened to him. And it wasn’t just Mandalore himself. Scanning the room, he could see the other soldiers nodding in approval. Even his uncle seemed like he agreed with him.

“What do you suppose, sir?” asked Commander Korn.

“We can only do what we must, Commander. For now, I order your squad to regroup to our main naval force. From there, we’ll see what we can do about this uncharted planet.”

“How long will it take for us to prepare, Mandalore?”

“I would assume five days at least. That is if you can make it back our main force in time. Any further delays would prolong our plans.”

“Then we shall return to your side as soon as we can, my lord.”

“Excellent. Then I shall muster up as many ships as I can. By the time you come back, your forces shall be ready.”

“Thank you, Mandalore,” said Commander Korn as he and all the other soldiers present bowed before their leader. As they looked up, the holographic image of their leader vanished. Turning to his soldiers, the commander began to bark orders at them. “You heard our leader, everyone. Use this time wisely to get some rest. If you can help our medics mend some of our wounded, then that’s great too. As for you Khal, I want you to… Khal?”

Despite his uncle calling out to him, Khal ignored his commanding officer and left the main hold. And as the hold doors slammed shut, his lips formed into a smile. He had gotten what he had long desired, and soon, he would lead his own invasion force.

He smirked. The planet they planned on invading; there was no denying it. It is Jedi Heartstrings home planet. If he were to invade, it would only be a matter of time before she came to her people’s rescue. Upon realizing this, his smile grew wider. Soon, he and his nemesis will face off again. And when that day comes, he’ll prove to everyone that he is the superior warrior.

Chapter 29

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The Omega shuddered as it dropped out of hyperspace. And inside it’s cockpit, Captain Hider Louhun quickly assumed control. Taking the steering wheel, he steadied his ship until it stopped shaking. When things finally settled down, he looked at the planet in front of him.

Dantooine, one of the many Republic planet territories in the outer rim. A farm planet, but this place held a secret. Somewhere on the planet was a secret Jedi Enclave where inspiring young Jedi go and train. He didn’t know about this place at first. Like many, he figured Dantooine was just some boring outer rim world. He never would’ve guessed a Jedi Academy was located here.

“Wow, so green.”

Hider looked to the side. Sitting on the co-captain’s chair was Private Sweetie Drops, and behind her in the passenger’s chair was the former Exchange thug Chessk Fess. According to the Trandoshan, the mare came to him for another training session. It had already been several hours since they left Alderaan. Sweetie couldn’t sleep, so she asked Chessk for additional training exercise. By the time they were done, they wandered into the cockpit mere moments before the Omega dropped out of hyperspace.

“This place. It looks so empty,” said Sweetie as she gawked at the green planet.

Hider shrugged. “Yeah, well, what’d you expect. Not every planet in the galaxy is like Coruscant. This place here? It only has one purpose. And that is farming.”

“Two purposes, human. Lest you forget the Jedi Enclave being located on the planet’s surface,” replied Chessk.

“Of course I didn’t forget that, big guy,” said Hider as he slumped into the captain’s chair. He then started staring at the planet and thought back to Lyra.

The mare said she spent most of her life here, training under the supervision of Master Darran and many other Jedi Masters. After much thinking, it made perfect sense for the Jedi to train her here. Despite her status, she is still an animal after all. A rare sentient one nonetheless, but Hider couldn’t possibly imagine seeing Lyra live on a city planet. It’d just be too much for the mare to handle.

He chuckled. Never in his lifetime that he’d befriend a Jedi, much less a talking animal. If someone were to tell him months ago that he’d be helping out a newly discovered alien species, he would’ve laughed and called them crazy. But here he is now, soaring above the planet of Dantooine with a bunch of ponies sleeping on his bunk beds.

What a lifetime turn of events.

Sitting back upright, Hider grabbed the captain’s wheel and began to pilot his ship toward the planet. Before he could reach the planet’s atmosphere, the cockpit door swung open. Looking back, he found Master Darran standing at the entrance.

“Oh, it’s you,” Hider said casually. “Did you sleep well, old man?”

“Well enough,” replied the Jedi Master who, after greeting both Sweetie and Chessk, took a seat at the passenger’s chair behind Hider. “Despite all the equines taking up most of the bunk beds, I had a blissful sleep.”

Hider burst out laughing. “Yeah, tell me about it! I can still remember the look on their faces when they saw all those beds! Kriff, some of them were even crying!”

“Can you blame them? They were stuck in cages for days!” shouted Sweetie Drops.

“Well, it’s a good thing the bunk beds I own are top quality then,” Hider boasted. “Some ship captains may neglect parts of their ship in favor of armaments or other things, but not me! I make sure my baby is taken care of!”

Darran folded his arms and sighed. “I sense great pride in you, Hider. Despite earning this ship through dastardly deeds, you treasure it with all your being.”

“Hey, are you trying to lecture me or something, old man. I already told you, I don’t regret the things I’ve done! So quit trying to spoon-feed me some Jedi teachings that I could care less about!”

“Oh? So you dislike our teachings, Hider?” asked the Jedi Master. His question caused the former smuggler to let out a groan as he began to pilot the ship into Dantooine’s atmosphere.

“That isn’t what I meant, old man!” Hider shot back, annoyed over the Jedi Master’s goading. “Look, I’m grateful for what the Jedi have done in keeping the peace even if there are things I dislike about the Order. And trust me, there are a lot of things that I do not like about you guys.”

“Is that so? Well, color me impressed, Mr. Louhun. For you to have a negative outlook on the Order means that you have some knowledge about our teachings and way of life. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, nor is it surprising. You are a reporter after all.”

“Wait, what do you have against the Jedi Order?” asked Sweetie Drops. “They seem like dependable people to me. And why haven’t you said anything about it till now?”

Hider shook his head. “Trust me, Private. Some of the criticism that I have for the Order is legit and reasonable,” he explained. “And to answer your other question, I didn’t want to bring it up because we were traveling with Jedi! The last thing I want is a grand lecture on how the Jedi do no wrong and how noble they are.”

He sighed. “But if you really want to know what my biggest problems with the Jedi are, there is one big bantha fodder that needs to be addressed.”

“Are you referring to Lyra’s relationship with her mother, right?” asked Master Darran, to which Hider nodded his head.

“From what I researched, the Jedi don’t take too kindly when it comes to family or attachments. They’d rather discourage their students from having families or make friends.”

Hider looked at the Jedi Master and noticed he was nodding his head, which was odd. It appeared the old man had no intention to deny the truth. “You are correct on that one, Hider,” Darran replied. “The Jedi separate their younglings from their parents. It is because families exert strong bonds through the Force. Bonds that might negatively affect them.”

“What?”

Hider turned his attention toward Sweetie. She had rudely interrupted him, but he let it slide. The look she gave to Master Darran was worth it. “That’s ridiculous. Why would your Order separate children from their families? Moreover, why would they discourage friendships?” she asked.

“I’m with the little Private here, old man. How is making friends or having family a problem for Jedi? It’s pretty much the social standard in the galaxy,” Hider stated as the ship exited the planet’s atmosphere.

Darran shook his head. “The Force binds all things. The smallest push, the smallest touch can send echoes throughout life. Any Jedi can use the Force to help or aid others, but therein lies the problem.”

“You’re afraid they might abuse their powers in the end?” Chessk asked.

“Correct. The Force isn’t a power that Jedi are capable of using. It is an actual living thing. One that binds all life together in this galaxy. And just like the machines and warships you see today; the it can be abused. Tainted through a Jedi’s selfish desires.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “Call me whatever you like, but I find it hard to believe that the universe is bound to a natural superpower,” he said with a scoff. “You got me interested in those powers of yours though. Seriously, what else can you guys do besides lifting stuff with your mind?”

“Many things actually. But what I’m specifically talking about are the sinister powers of the Force. The Dark Jedi and Sith of old used powers to conjure lightning from their fingertips or strangle the necks of others. Dare I say one might even use the Force to drain the life energies of an individual.”

“Whoa! Take it easy, old man! Now you’re just creeping me out! Dark Jedi? Sith? What are they? And how do you even know about these powers in the first place?”

“A Sith¹ or Dark Jedi² is a Force Sensitive that uses their powers for selfish desires. As for how I know this. Well, it’s because I’ve seen them before. In the Great Sith War three decades ago.” The Jedi Master frowned. “During that time, I saw many of my fellow Jedi fall to the Dark Side. They turned on their own masters and killed them, all while slaughtering any Republic soldier or fellow Jedi that stood in their way.”

“A war where Jedi turned on each other?” said Chessk, sounding surprised. “Why haven’t I heard about this?”

“It is a subject that not many are willing to talk about today. Even the Jedi themselves do not wish to teach the lessons of the Great Sith War³.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it was a fallen Jedi who started the war in the first place,” replied Master Darran. His frown grew even wider to which Hider immediately took notice. “I was only a Padawan at the time, but I remember the carnage that occurred. Many innocent lives were lost. All because of one man’s lust for power.”

Hider curled his lip. “Uh, as much as I’d like to hear more, you still haven’t explained why attachments are so dangerous,” he said, quickly changing the topic. “Do you really think Lyra might turn evil if she remains close with her mom?”

“There is a possibility, yes,” Master Darran answered bluntly. “While it is not necessarily a bad thing, attachments influence others to do action. It promotes fear, which leads to anger and hate. Sure, it is arguable that a saving you care about is a good thing, but what worries many Jedi is how Force sensitive react and how they might save their loved ones.”

“So they are afraid that a Jedi might abuse the powers they have and accidentally cause a calamity of some sort?”

“Precisely.”

Immediately, Hider rolled his eyes. “Wow. Who knew the Jedi were so paranoid nowadays.”

“From a certain point of new, you are correct. The Great Sith War has left a scar on the Jedi Order. It left wounds that still bleed today and has made many respectable masters very dogmatic. Adhering to the Jedi Code and the High Council is their top priority.”

“Which puts our little Jedi in a bad situation,” said Chessk. “When she meets the Council, she’ll have to decide whether she wants to stay with the Order or return home.”

Darran nodded. “Finding her home was always a personal goal of hers. It has always been on her mind ever since she came into the Order. As a matter of fact, this mission of ours is simply her following her passions.”

Frustrated, the old Jedi Master rubbed his forehead and let out a disgruntled sigh. He then placed his hands onto his knees and began muttering something Hider had never heard before.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.

There is no passion, there is harmony.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

There is no death, there is the Force.

“This tenet, this philosophy, describes the Jedi Order at its core. Excitement. Attachments. A Jedi does not crave for these things. We harmonize ourselves to the Force. Surrender ourselves to its will.”

“But at the cost of your livelihood,” Hider replied.

“From a certain point of view, perhaps.”

“A certain point of view. You mentioned that several times already, but I have no clue what it really means.”

Darran sighed. “Hider listen to me. The perspectives that we form over time all depend from our point of view. The Jedi Order believes that emotions and attachments can lead to the Dark Side. In many ways they are correct. However, there have been some Jedi in the past who've quelled their inner darkness and had successful relationships. Even to the point where they had their own children. But those Jedi are long gone. Forever forgotten in history.”

“Hold on. There were Jedi in the Order that had relationships? And the Council allowed it?” Hider asked, clearly surprised.

“Indeed, they did. Naomi Sunrider⁴ is one that immediately comes to mind. But I think I shall save that story for another time,” said Master Darran as he pointed his right index finger at the cockpit window. “We have arrived.”

Hider followed the Jedi Master’s hand and gasped as he saw a relatively medium-sized building in front of him. It was the Jedi Enclave. The place where Lyra Heartstrings had grown up and trained. “Wow, nice place,” he said out loud. His comment earned a chuckle from Master Darran.

“Impressed, Hider?” he asked. “This Enclave was built by an ancient Jedi Master several centuries ago. It is a place where many Initiates and Padawans come, should they dislike the temple on Coruscant.”

“Well, not everyone enjoys the life of a city-planet, that’s for sure. I’d imagine the Order had no objections in sending Lyra here. The place suits her.”

“Indeed, it does,” replied the Jedi Master as he grabbed a nearby comm-link. “Do not land just yet. I’m going to try to get a hold of the Jedi Council first. Give me a moment while I try and talk to them.”

Hider gave Master Darran a nod. Letting go of the steering wheel, he waited patiently as the Jedi communicated with the Enclave below them. The talk was long. Perhaps a little bit longer than he’d figured it would be. But eventually, Darran returned the comm-link to its original place and addressed the former Smuggler.

“I just spoke to Master Zhar,” he said. “He told me that the two equines that we saved have arrived on Dantooine not too long ago, and they’ve been waiting patiently for us to arrive.”

“Hey, that’s great! We’re finally gonna put our little pony crew back together!” Hider replied, showing genuine happiness for the ponies.

“I’m not finished, Hider,” Master Darran stated abruptly. “He also told me that the Council wants to immediately speak with us. They… well, they know about Lyra’s mother.”

Hider winced as his jaw fell agape in shock. “What? How?”

“One of the two ponies confessed,” explained the Jedi Master. “The mare, Cotton Swirl, accidentally admitted it when she was still on Coruscant. Apparently, she became a bit too talkative to the Council when she was given a history lesson about the city planet.”

Hider facepalmed “Ah, kriff. I should’ve known that chatty mare would give us trouble. Jeez, I hope she didn’t spill the beans on any more secrets.”

“It matters not,” replied Master Darran as he stood up and went for the exit. Before he left the cockpit though, he addressed the group one last time. “When we have made landfall, meet me outside the ship immediately. In the meantime, I shall wake the others.”

“Sir, yes sir,” Hider replied as the door to the cockpit slammed shut. With Master Darran gone, the ship captain turned his attention back to the steering wheel. Slowly pressing the gas pedal with his right foot, he maneuvered the Omega into the Jedi Enclave’s only landing zone.

While he did this, he noticed that Private Sweetie Drops was oddly quiet. He shot one look at the mare and quickly noticed that her mood had soured greatly. The curiosity and excitement she had earlier was all but gone. “You okay, kid?” Hider asked.

The mare nodded her head slowly. “Yeah… yeah, I’m okay.”

“You do not sound okay at all, creamy one,” inquired Chessk. “Did the Jedi Masters words disturb you that much?”

“I guess,” answered Sweetie Drops who let out a frustrated sigh. “Sweet Celestia, what is wrong with these Jedi? Everything about their philosophy sounds so wrong!”

Hider shrugged. “You may have a point kid, but don’t worry too much about it. As messed up as the Jedi philosophy may sound, they are the protectors of the galaxy for a reason.”

“But Lyra is a Jedi is she not? How is she going to explain to everypony that her Order forbids their followers from making friends and prevents children from seeing their own families! By Faust, the Captain will be devastated when she hears this.”

“I concur,” said Chessk. “It is an unfortunate predicament that our little Jedi has put herself in. But regardless of her status, she is a full-grown adult. She’ll have to come to a decision on her own.”

“Agreed,” replied Hider. “Remember, it’s Lyra’s choice, not yours. Whatever she chooses, you have to respect it. Even if you disagree with her.”

Sweetie frowned. “Wow, Hider. You sound as if you are certain Lyra’s gonna choose to stay with the Jedi.

“Call it a hunch,” Hider said as the Omega made landfall. “Alright, we’re here. Come on, Private. Look sharp and keep your head up. Don’t let Lyra or the Jedi Council see you all gloomy looking.”

Sweetie solemnly nodded her head. She hoped out of the co-captain’s chair and trotted out of the cockpit. Chessk followed and so too did Hider after turning off the ship’s main engine. As he walked out of the cockpit, he curled his lip. Today was the day he finally got paid; but for some reason, his gut was telling him that something big was about to happen.

He sighed. Perhaps he’d spent too much time with the Jedi. Their cognitive way of thinking has perhaps grown on him. But still, it didn’t hurt to prepare. Especially when there are Jedi around. The only thing he can do is hope that his adventure would end with his pockets full of credits.

Chapter 30

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It had been some time since Lyra had taken in the crisp, clean air on Dantooine. After traveling to city-planets like Taris and Coruscant, as well as planets with different climates such as Alderaan and Ord Mantell, she missed the cool breezy atmosphere of a farm planet.

And it wasn’t just the weather she missed. The teeming life energies that inhabited the planet flowed around her through the Force. From the inhabitants that populated the Enclave, to the animals that populated the wildlife. The Living Force was such a wonderful thing to feel. And it made Lyra beam like a shimmering star.

“Ah, home sweet home,” she muttered.

“Wow, so cool!”

Lyra’s ears perked up. Spinning around, she spotted several ponies wandering around the Enclave’s hangar bay, admiring the view. “Hey, what’s this orb thing over here?” asked one Pegasus stallion as he snatched a nearby floating remote droid. His action, however, caused one of the human dock workers to run up and yell at him.

“Hey, what the heck do you think you’re doing!” berated the worker. “That droid isn’t a damn toy! Put it down this instant!”

Upon realizing he had upset the human, the Pegasus stallion few to the dock worker and gave back the remote droid. Despite apologizing profusely, the human continued to scold the Pegasus for interrupting the droid’s work to the point where his yelling caught the attention of other workers and citizens.

Seeing this, Captain Platinum Impact—who was at her daughter’s side—groaned. “Oh, great. I was afraid something like this would happen,” she said with a grumble.

Lyra chuckled. “Oh, don’t mind them. It’s not every day you get to see a group of newly discovered alien species.”

“But didn’t you live here for ten years? Why would the locals be surprised at the sight of another pony?”

“Simple. For years, these locals have only seen one pony, me. But now, a whole group of colorful ponies show up out of nowhere? Who wouldn’t be excited to see us!” Lyra said with a wide grin.

Captain Impact sighed. “Oh, this is just great! I was hoping that we’d avoid something like this, but it looks like we’re the talk of the town.”

“Don’t worry, mom. Not everyone in the Enclave is like this. Most just keep to themselves. Though that’s partially because this place is only meant for Jedi, not the locals.”

“Yes, you mentioned earlier that this planet was used to train others like you. But I heard from your lizard friend that there was more to this place than just this Enclave. Can you elaborate on that?”

“Sure! You see, this planet is special in the Republic’s eyes. Unlike most worlds in galaxy, aside from the Jedi Enclave, nothing particularly interesting happens here. There are no secret laboratories, or any government buildings here. Its only purpose is for farming.”

“What? A planet that’s only used for farming. How in Celestia’s name does that work?” asked Platinum.

“As well as you expect it to be. Some planets in the galaxy aren’t suited for agriculture, so the Republic inhabits planets that are. Dantooine is just one of them though. Across the galaxy, there are hundreds more worlds out there that are used just to grow food.”

“Sounds mundane.”

“Maybe. But somepony has got to grow the food somewhere. I mean, it’s not like you can actually grow anything on a city-planet like Coruscant.”

“That’s a load of horse-apples!” barked Platinum. “With this type of technology, I’m certain somepony figured out how to grow food anywhere in the galaxy!”

“I don’t think it is as simple as you believe, mom,” Lyra replied as she looked around the hangar bay. “Huh, that’s odd. Master said that the two ponies we rescued on Coruscant should be here somewhere. But I don’t see them at all. I wonder where they are?”

Suddenly, Lyra was interrupted by a loud scream. At first, she thought that one of the ponies had gotten into trouble again; however, her assumption was far-fetched. Near the entrance to the Jedi Enclave, she spotted her master talking to a familiar face.

It was the Jedi Lore Keeper, Master Dorak. And he wasn’t alone. Alongside him were the two ponies Lyra and her friends had rescued: Cotton Swirl and Stalwart Shield.

“Captain, over here!” shouted Cotton who was waving her hoof at both Lyra and Captain Impact. Although her shouting earned a scolding from Stalwart and Master Dorak, it did get the attention of everypony present. Pretty soon, every single pony galloped to join Cotton’s side.

“Looks like those two are doing well,” said Lyra.

“Indeed. Your team did an excellent job in rescuing those two. Though I admit, if you hadn’t went down during that fight, you could have rescued all of us at once.”

Lyra ears drooped. “Oh, come on, Mom. Do you really have to bring that up? It’s already bad enough that I nearly lost my life! And besides, I rescued everyone eventually!”

“Don’t let your master hear you say that dear. From what he told me, you got one heck of a scolding from your superiors after you botched everything up,” scolded Platinum. “When you fail a mission, excuses don’t mean jack. Sure, you may have gotten a second chance, but that was only because of pure luck.”

Lyra groaned. As much as her mother was correct, she really didn’t want to be lectured right now. Especially with the meeting between the Jedi Council coming up soon. And so like a child, her eyes drifted away from her parent, searching desperately for anything that could take her mind off her troubles.

Then, she found it.

“Honey are you listening to me?” berated Platinum.

“Sorry, mom, but I gotta go! I think my Master is calling for me,” Lyra replied as she trotted away from her shouting mother. Now free for the most part, the young Padawan shifted her attention to the only pony who hadn’t joined the others.

“Hey, Sweetie!”

Turning her gaze toward the Omega’s boarding ramp, the Padawan waved at Sweetie Drops who—unlike the others—chose to stay near the ship. She wasn’t alone though. Chessk was sitting beside her. T3-G4 had also joined them as well, though it more preoccupied in repairing the ship.

“Ah, so nice of you to join us, little Jedi,” greeted Chessk. “I figured you’d be together with your kin, celebrating their reunion with the two equines over there. Yet you came here instead.”

“The same thing can be said about her,” Lyra replied as she looked at the mare in question. “Hey, Sweetie. Why are you here all alone? The others are seeing Cotton and Stalwart right now. Don’t you want to say hi to them too?”

Sweetie did not answer. Rather, she ignored the Padawan and looked away. “You’re being rude, creamy one,” said Chessk who grew annoyed by the mare’s rude attitude. “I know you aren’t happy right now, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ignore your rescuer.”

“Sweetie’s isn’t happy?” Lyra asked with a tilt her head. “Why is that?”

Chessk sighed. “The creamy one and I were at the cockpit with the human before we made landfall. Your Jedi Master was with us at the time, and he… well, he taught us about the Jedi Order and the teachings that you follow.”

Lyra flinched. “How… how much did he tell you?”

“Enough to make your friend upset,” replied Chessk. Looking at Lyra straight in the eye, the Trandoshan let out another sigh before his lips curled into a frown. “She spoke to me, little Jedi. Her words honest and true. She does not approve of the Jedi teachings, nor does she believe that the Order should separate children from their families.”

T3-G4, who abruptly stopped working, turned toward the Trandoshan and let out a loud beep. “It’s the truth, droid. To develop a child’s power in the Force, the Jedi take children away from their families,” said Chessk. “They believe that forming attachments with others can lead toward the Dark Side.”

“Which is a load of horse-apples!” Sweetie blurted out loud. “It doesn’t make sense. Why would a peacekeeping order think that having family or friends can turn you evil?”

“Take it easy, creamy one,” Chessk said calmly. Even though Sweetie had lashed out in anger, he remained calm and was able to soothe the angry mare. “I understand your frustration, but there is no need for you to start yelling.”

“He’s right, Sweetie. I know the Jedi Order is strange, but we have a good explanation for our teachings,” said Lyra.

“Oh, come on, Lyra! I understand that you’re indebted to them, but even you should realize how ridiculous your Order’s teachings are! What is the Captain going to think when she hears about this, huh? Do you really think she’ll be willing to let you go again after she spent so many years looking for you?”

Lyra’s eyes widened in surprise. Although Sweetie made a good point, she was shocked that the mare would bring up her mom as an argument against the Jedi Order. And though it was enough to make the young Padawan scowl at her friend, she kept her anger in check by reciting the first line of the Jedi Code in her head.

“You speak highly of family, creamy one. I take it that your culture values such a virtue,” said Chessk.”

“Equestrian society values friendship, Chessk! It’s what built our nation for over a millennia!” Sweetie replied.

“Friendship? Your society was built around friendship?”

T3-G4 let loose a couple of static sounds at Sweetie. “Looks like I’m not the only one here who is confused,” Chessk said. “I am not sure what you are getting at, creamy one. How does a species, let alone a nation, build a society around such a ludicrous concept?”

“Ludicrous? There's nothing ludicrous about it!” rebuked Sweetie Drops. It’s as if she took Chessk’s comment as an insult. “As ponies, we put our faith in our friends and family. Not some goddess or some stupid order that things having friends is a bad thing.”

Chessk scowled. “Again, watch your tongue, creamy one. Though your anger is justifiable, the Jedi have been around for thousands of years. You should be honored that one of your own is a part of the Order.”

Sweetie’s frown grew wider as she stared back at Chessk with a scowl of her own. Eventually, she scoffed and trotted away from the group to join the other ponies without saying another word. “She’s… she’s really mad, isn’t she?” asked Lyra.

“You can say that again. Kriff, it looked like she was about to blow a casket.”

“Huh?” Turning around, Lyra spotted her captain descending from the ship’s boarding ramp. “H-Hider? Why, how… you were onboard the entire time?”

“Yes, I was. Well, to be honest, I did follow the old man out, but I came back onboard after realizing I left something important behind,” Hider explained. His eyes then drifted to Private Sweetie Drops, who had gone ahead and rejoined the other ponies. “Didn’t think I’d hear the Private go on a tirade though. But in her defense, I’d probably get mad too if someone questioned the ethics of my home planet."

T3-G4 replied with a couple of snarky beeps. “Yeah, I heard that too, tin can. And before you say anything, yes, I believe the concept of a society built around friendship is a stupid thing,” Hider replied. He then turned back to Lyra. “Seriously, kid, your species must be a bunch of idiots if they think a nation would last with that kind of ideology. Especially, in a galaxy that can be so unforgiving at times.”

“Yet they survived, human,” said Chessk. “The equines you see in front of you are proof that their society exists despite their questionable ideology.”

“Only because no one has discovered their planet yet,” Hider rebuked. “If the Exchange or the Mandalorians knew about their whereabouts, they probably wouldn’t last long. No offense, kid.”

Lyra sighed. “There is some truth in what you say. But I wouldn’t count out my species right away. We still have one pony who can defend the populace.”

“Are you talking about that Princess of yours?” asked Hider, to which Lyra nodded in response. “Man, I don’t know what’s weirder. The fact that this Princess has lived for over a millennia, or the fact that she can move a kriffing sun!”

“I’m telling the truth, Hider! Princess Celestia has been Equestria’s ruler and peacekeeper for centuries! There’s no way she would let my home fall to any invaders,” Lyra argued back.

“But isn’t that a bad thing?” asked Chessk. “If it is true that she has been your home world’s peacekeeper for a thousand years, that would make your kin over reliant on her.”

Hider nodded his head, agreeing with the Trandoshan. “Yeah, the big guy has a good point. I mean, what’s the nation going to do when their Princess isn’t going to be there for them or if another species doesn’t take kindly to their beliefs? Heck, we saw that happen when your mom and the other ponies got captured. They literally trusted and even tried to befriend the Exchange on first contact. And without questioning their motives either!”

T3-G4 let loose a loud whirl at Hider. “Yeah, I know. If our little Private heard me just now, she’d probably cripple me. But broken legs or not, it doesn’t change the fact I’m right.”

Lyra sighed. “I guess the Jedi Code and the Order’s ethics aren’t the only ones that has its share of criticism. But as good of a point you all may have, please don’t bring this up to the other ponies. The last thing want is to dissolve our trust between them.”

Padawan.

Lyra blinked. For a second, she could’ve sworn that someone had tried to use the Force on her. However, she soon realized that her master appeared to be looking right at her. “Oh, it looks like the Council is ready for us. Come on, guys. We can’t keep them waiting.”

“Wait, how do you even know they’re ready for us. No one has even talked to us yet!” said Hider. In response, T3-G4 gave the captain a bleep. “Oh, right. Force powers. Guess I shouldn’t be questioning the obvious by now.”

For the first time in a while, Lyra let out a chuckle. It was good to hear a joke from her captain, even if it wasn’t intentional. Still, between Sweetie berating her over the Jedi Code and the upcoming meeting with the Council, she needed something to cheer her up.

As her giggle died down, she and the entire crew left the Omega behind to rejoin the ponies at the Enclave entrance. Once they’ve arrived, Lyra was greeted by her mother, Master Dorak, and Cotton Swirl, who immediately snuggled the Padawan into her hooves.

“Here’s the hero of the hour!” the mare shouted as she galloped close to Lyra and squeezed her in a tight hug. “Oh, aren’t you the most adorable little Jedi ever! Yes you are! Yes you are!”

“Cotton, behave yourself. And for Celestia’s sake, leave my daughter alone!” yelled Platinum who shoved and slapped the mare away from her daughter.

Master Dorak blinked. “I apologize, Captain Impact, but was hitting that mare really necessary?” he asked.

“Don’t worry about her. Cotton may be a fool of a mare, but she’s surprisingly tougher than most.”

“Excuse me? Don’t you dare think I’ll let you get away with this, Platinum!” Cotton shouted as she applied magic on her cheek to soothe the pain.

Master Darran sighed. “Getting back on topic, the Council wishes to speak with you all immediately. And before you say anything, that includes you my Padawan.”

“Figures,” Lyra muttered.

“Padawan, I heard that! I know your last experience with the Council was an unpleasant one. But when the Council requests your appearance, it is always of great importance.”

“Yes, I know, master. I’m sorry if I sounded rude. But if I may ask, who is attending this meeting?”

“Masters Vrook, Zhar, and Vandar will be in attendance, as well as Master Kavar from the High Council on Coruscant. He escorted both Cotton and Stalwart here by ship, so he too will be a part of this meeting.”

“Question,” said Cotton Swirl. “Why are alien names so weird?”

Lyra and Platinum facehoofed.

“Seriously? Out of all the things you want to ask, that’s the only question you can come up with?” shouted one pony from the group.

“What, I was being serious!” Cotton whined. “Come on, I’m not the only pony here who’s thinking about this, aren’t I?”

“If you don’t shut up for the next five minutes, weird alien names will be the least of your worries,” threatened Platinum. With her point made clear, the Guard Captain apologized before the Jedi Masters. “Please forgive my friend’s rude behavior. She tends to get carried away when something interests her.”

“You sound as if you are familiar with your companion’s antics,” said Master Dorak.

“I’ve known her since I was a filly. She’s a headache at times, but a good mare deep down. And if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have met my husband.”

“Wait, really?” asked Lyra, showing some curiosity.

“A story for another time, honey. For now, we shouldn’t keep your masters waiting. Where are we supposed to meet them anyway?”

“The Council Chambers are not too far from here. If you would be so kind as to follow me, I shall lead you all on where you need to go,” said Master Dorak as he turned around and entered the Enclave alongside Master Darran. Lyra was about to follow them but stopped when she spotted Sweetie Drops among the ponies. For a second, the two made eye contact; however, any chance of conversation was thrown away when the Private looked away and proceeded to leave alongside their kin.

“Looks like the little Private is still mad,” said Hider with a playful smile. “Any bets that she might lash out at the Jedi Masters?”

T3-G4 beeped in reply. “Oh, really? Well, considering her military background, I’d wager the little Private’s gonna keep her mouth shut for the entire meeting.”

“Are you two serious?” asked Chessk in disgust.

“What? There’s nothing wrong with a friendly wager,” replied Hider with a shrug. “Besides, someone’s got to lighten the mood.”

“What are you talking about, human?”

“Forget about them, Chessk,” said Lyra without even looking at her two friends. “If Hider and Geefour want to do something stupid, then leave them alone. We got a meeting to attend and I don’t want to be scolded by the masters for being late.”

“Spewing out insults now, huh? Wow, I didn’t think Jedi were capable of taunting others. Let alone you,” replied Hider as the entire crew entered the Jedi Enclave.

“Believe it or not, slandering and ridiculing your opponent is a Jedi technique,” explained Lyra while trotting through the Enclave’s metal hallway. “Master says to never underestimate the power of words. Even the simplest words in our vocabulary can agitate others. Almost to the point where they lose focus in combat.”

“That’s… actually a good strategy,” said Chessk. “Prodding your opponent with words can be an effective way to wear them down. Especially those who do not have the mental fortitude.”

“That’s ridiculous. Who in the right mind would start throwing insults at someone in the middle of a battlefield?” asked Hider. In response, T3-G4 beeped thrice at the ship captain. “Well, if you put it that way, I guess ridiculing your opponent would provide a good distraction. But if it’s a Jedi technique, why don’t you use it, Lyra?”

The Padawan shrugged. “Dun Moch¹ is a difficult strategy to implement. Before you start throwing words at your foe, you have to prod them first. Feel their technique and judge them based on the current situation. Once you understand who you are fighting, then you can shift the battle to a psychological one.”

“Fascinating,” said Chessk. “I never realized that Jedi combat was this… deep.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “Sounds needlessly complicated if you ask me. I prefer being in a shootout rather than a contest of words.”

As the crew continued to discuss battle techniques, they eventually made it out of the hallway and into the Enclave’s meditation garden. Although it was nice to see that nothing has changed for the most part, Lyra ignored the scenery and scanned for the group of ponies. “I don’t see anypony here,” she said. “I think they’ve already went inside with the Masters.”

“Then let’s not keep the Council waiting,” replied Chessk. “Which way do we need to go, little Jedi?”

“Not far. The Chambers are in the rooms to the left. Just follow me.”

Trotting around the garden’s roundabout walkway, Lyra and her companions entered into another hallway. After taking quick left turn, they found themselves in a highly decorated room. In the center, they spotted the crew of the Celestial Sun, six Jedi Masters, and—to the shock of the crew—a female Republic officer.

“Hey, nobody told me a Republic officer was going to be here!” Hider yelled out in anger. “Seriously, what gives?”

“At ease, Hider Louhun. And please, be more respectful. There’s a reason why Lieutenant Dodonna is here,” said Master Darran.

“Dodonna? You mean the one from Ord Mantell?” Lyra examined the female officer and quickly discovered that her master was speaking the truth. The same Lieutenant that she met back on that mid-rim planet was here.

“Hello, Padawan Heartstrings. It is good to see you again,” greeted the Lieutenant as she bowed before the Padawan.

“And you as well, Lieutenant,” Lyra said as she followed up with a bow of her own. Then she—along with her companions—turned toward the Jedi and bowed before them, showing respect toward the masters.

“Greetings, Padawan Heartstrings. I am glad to see you are well,” said Master Zhar. “We had just finished our introductions and are about to discuss something important with Lieutenant Dodonna and your mother.”

“And what would that be, master?”

“The ship that your kin had arrived in is safely stationed at the military base on Coruscant. Fully optional and ready to go,” answered the Lieutenant.

“Wait a kriffing minute!” Hider shouted, interrupting the Lieutenant’s speech. However, he immediately regretted his decision when all six Jedi Masters, the Lieutenant, and Lyra were all staring at him. “Uh… forgive me for my outburst, but if the ship is on Coruscant, why meet here on Dantooine? Wouldn’t it have been better if it was taken here instead?”

“You raise a valid point, Captain Louhun. Unfortunately, things have gotten complicated since you left Coruscant,” replied Master Kavar

“Complicated, master?” asked Lyra.

“That is correct, young Padawan,” answered the small Jedi Master Vandar Tokare. “Shortly after your kin’s capture by the Exchange, they released a promotional holo-recording in an effort to sell them as slaves and make money. You should know this. After all, if it weren’t for that timely holo-recording, we wouldn’t have sent you and your master out on your mission.”

“As for the holo-recording itself, it has spread like wildfire. Many of the mid and inner rim worlds have caught wind of this holo-recording and have reported it to the Republic military and the Galactic Senate,” explained Master Dorak. “What’s more is that local officials on Coruscant have become… aware of your exploits in the Works.”

“Are you saying the Republic is aware of ponies now?” asked Lyra again.

“Correct,” answered Master Vrook. He then turned to Lyra’s mother. “Captain Platinum Impact, the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic wishes to speak with you. We are aware that you and your crew are tired from the unpleasant journey you experienced, but the Chancellor and the Senate demand answers. Especially when it became known that the Mandalorians were on Alderaan.”

“I don’t mind meeting public officials, but my daughter hasn’t mentioned who this Supreme Chancellor is yet. Care to fill me in on who this alien is?” asked Platinum. Vrook replied with a nod as he gave a brief explanation on Galactic politics. His explanation caused many ponies to gasp and gossip with one another.

“We’re meeting with the highest public official in the galaxy?” shouted one mare. “Oh, Celestia. I’m not prepared for this!”

“Will the entire galaxy be watching?” asked another. “What’re we supposed to do if they are? We don’t have any formal wear!”

“That’s what you’re worried about?” yelled out a stallion.

“Enough, all of you!” Platinum shouted back. Though a bit uncalled for, she did manage to calm everypony present, earning praises from even the Jedi Masters themselves.

“Impressive. Most impressive,” complemented Master Zhar. “To be able to calm the situation down so quickly. If she were in the Republic military, one would likely mistaken her for a Drill Sergeant.”

“Yes, it appears that there is some truth to her claims,” said Master Vrook. “If only her daughter would show the same amount of discipline as her. Then her childish antics wouldn’t be as much of a problem.”

Master Darran sighed. “Master Vrook, was that comment really necessary? My Padawan is standing right there,” replied a clearly irritated Miralukan Jedi.

“I meant no disrespect, my friend. I am merely stating the facts.”

“I’d prefer it that you don’t insult my daughter like that,” said Platinum. “She may have inherited my husband’s… bad habits but give her credit when it is due. She went through Tartarus to save all of us.”

“I am not sure what this Tartarus is, but make no mistake, Captain. Master Vrook only wishes what is best for your daughter,” assured Master Zhar. “On that note, there is something that I must ask. Has Padawan Lyra told you anything about our Order?”

Both Lyra and Sweetie Drops wince.

“No, she hasn’t. Though I assumed that your Order is just a military faction within your government.” The Captain briefly paused and looked at each Jedi Master in the eye. “Am I wrong, or is there more to this Jedi Order that I should know?”

The room went silent. Lyra carefully observed the Jedi Masters as she waited for one of them to answer her mother. But none appeared to be willing though. Not even her own master.

After a whole minute of uneasy silence, Master Vandar was the first to speak out. “Padawan Lyra, would you please step out of the Council room for a moment. We must speak with your mother in regard to you and who we Jedi are.”

“And that’s my cue to leave,” said Hider who quickly darted for the exit. “No way am I sticking around for this. When you Jedi are ready to discuss my payment, let me know.”

“Now isn’t the time to act all snarky, Hider,” Lyra rebuked.

“Whatever, kid. You’re on your own on this one.”

Lyra rolled her eyes and groaned as she watched Hider leave the Council Chambers. To her annoyance, her captain’s abrupt exit caused many of the ponies to gossip amongst themselves.

<Do not faulter, little Jedi. Something like this was bound to happen the moment you and your kin stepped into these chambers.> said Chessk in Dosh.

Lyra curled her lip and silently cursed herself for not realizing earlier that a situation like this was bound to happen. Regardless, there was no point in delaying the inevitable. The ponies were going to learn the ways of the Jedi sooner or later. Best let the masters explain it now. She thought. I can clear any misunderstandings later.

Looking at Master Vandar and the other Jedi, Lyra bowed before them again. “As you wish Master Vandar,” she said in a formal manner. “I will return when you are finished.”

She then turned and faced her mother. “Mom, I’ll be waiting outside when you are done. Just promise me that—no matter what the masters say—you’ll hear me out, okay.”

Platinum did not reply. She could only stare in confusion as an uproar of whispers erupted amongst the ponies. Nevertheless, Lyra ignored them all and left the vicinity alongside the rest of her companions.

Chapter 31

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“So, how long do you think they are going to be in there?” asked Hider with his back against the wall.

“I do not know,” Lyra answered. “If I had to guess, they are probably telling my mom everything she needs to know about me and what I’ve been doing the past decade. Well, that and a full lecture on Jedi philosophy.”

“You think she’ll take the news well?”

Lyra shook her head. “I don’t think so. Back on the ship, she told me that it has been her personal goal to find me for the past ten years. It’s very unlikely that she’ll agree to leave me behind.” The Padawan paused for a moment and looked at her captain, who had been standing on the courtyard grass for some time. “Hider can you please get out of the grass. That plot of grass is used for meditation.”

“Wait, seriously? Jedi meditate on this grass?” Eyes widened; Hider immediately jumped out of the patch of grass. In response, T3-G4 gave the human a snarky bleep. “Jeez, cut me some slack, tin can! I didn’t know this plot of grass was considered sacred.”

“It’s not sacred… aw, forget it.” Lyra let out a sigh. It had been some time since she had left the Council Chambers. Her companions joined her, with the exception of Private Sweetie Drops. However, they weren’t alone.

“Honestly, Louhun. Can you at least show some dignity while you are here? This is a sacred Jedi temple,” said Lieutenant Dodonna. “And while you’re at it, do something about that potty mouth droid of yours. Hearing such foul language from a machine is shameful.”

T3-G4 bleeped right back at the Lieutenant, who immediately scowled at the droid. “You better watch that tone of yours, droid. Or else I will personally wipe your memory myself.”

“Settle down, you two. The last thing we need is to cause a ruckus in the Temple courtyard,” said Chessk as he quickly got in-between Geefour and the Lieutenant. He then shot a glare at the droid. “Put that weapon away now, droid. She is not going to wipe your memory nor are you going to set her on fire!”

Lyra groaned as her companions and the Lieutenant began to create a scene, catching a few onlookers. Even a few passing Jedi grew curious at the sight of a rather unusual group arguing with each other.

“Guys, seriously! Stop arguing or else the Council Masters are going to hear us!” said Hider as he separated the Lieutenant away from Geefour. “Jeez, what’s the point in having a military title if you aren’t acting professionally in public?”

“You do not have the right to lecture me, Louhun!” rebuked Lieutenant Dodonna.

“And why not? You still haven’t told us why you’ve followed us out in the first place!”

“I came here to see you, Captain Hider Louhun. Your crimes against the Republic have to be answered!”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “Lieutenant, can you please put your grudges against Hider aside for now? I know he’s done a lot of bad things during his smuggling career, but can’t you just let it go? He’s not a bad person.”

“I’m not here because of his smuggling career, Padawan Heartstrings. I’m here because he needs to answer for what he did as a Recruit of the Republic!”

“Excuse me?” asked Lyra.

“Whoa, settle down there, Lieutenant. There’s no need for you to tell them that part of my past, okay,” said Hider as he put on a weary smile, to which Lyra immediately took notice. “C-Come on, take the advice of the kid Jedi here and just leave the past behind, will you? There’s no need for you to tell them what I was.”

“What you were?” asked Chessk, who quickly grew suspicious of the ship captain’s sudden change in attitude. “Human, what is the Lieutenant referring to?”

“Hider Louhun is a former Recruit of the Navy,” answered Dodonna. “Before his career in smuggling, he briefly served the Republic on the planet, Corellia. He served for a year, but he abandoned his post and left the planet by stealing a Republic star-fighter.”

For the first time in a while, Lyra did not know what to say. Sure, her journey had a chalk full of surprises, but this one was just topping on the cake. Hider Louhun a former member of the Republic Navy? The mere thought of it was unthinkable.

Hider groaned. “Ugh, when did you figure it out?” he asked.

“I had my suspicions when we first met on Ord Mantell. Your name threw me off, but I was able to figure out who you were after some digging,” answered the Lieutenant.

T3-G4 spun toward Hider and gave a soft whirl at him. “Yes, tin can, I know. A person like me can’t possibly be military,” Hider said while rubbing his forehead in frustration. “As if I needed to be reminded of that fact.”

“You were part of the Republic Navy?” asked Chessk.

“I was, yes. But I hated the military lifestyle, so I bolted away from Corellia as soon as I got my hands on a ship.”

“Which you stole,” said Lyra.

“Yes, I did. But to be completely honest with you, stealing that ship was the most exhilarating thing I’ve done in the Navy.”

“Then why join the Navy in the first place? Becoming an officer of the navy would require a strong commitment from the individual. If you never intended on becoming part of the Republic’s military, shouldn’t you have at least put more thought into it before you enrolled?”

Hider breathed in and out through his nose as he placed both hands on his hip. “Believe me, kid. There were many things that I wanted to do with my life besides join the Republic Navy. But you gotta understand, it was never my choice to make.”

“What do you mean?”

“It all goes back to the family, kid. You can’t really make your own decisions in life when your entire family tree is filled with nobody but Republic officials. Whether it be representatives in the Galactic Senate or officials in the Navy itself. My lineage is nothing but servitude to the Republic.”

“And what’s wrong with that?” asked Lieutenant Dodonna. “Serving the Republic is the greatest honor that anyone in this galaxy can hope to achieve. You should be proud that your family has such a rich history.”

“Maybe for you, Dodonna, but pride and honor never meant anything special. To me, it was all a ruse.” Hider stopped talking for a moment as he let out another sigh. “All my life, I was surrounded by hypocritical politicians and sleazy military generals. Some may take their work seriously, but most either take their positions for granted or use it to earn extra credits.”

“Louhun! Are you accusing your own parents of exploitation in their line of work?” rebuked the Lieutenant in disbelief.

“No, I’m not. I’m just saying that I didn’t enjoy my upbringing. Although I am grateful for my parents, I never liked how they always made decisions for me. From the moment I could walk, the only damn thing they had on their mind was to make sure I followed in their footsteps. Sure, I may sound like some whiny brat, but I never was given the opportunity to make my own decisions. The Republic was the only thing that was on the table.”

“Judging by the tone of your voice, one can clearly assume that you dislike your family and their chosen lifestyle. Not that I can blame you of course. That kind of lifestyle is not the path for everyone,” said Chessk.

“But is a smuggling career that much better? You literally put your life in danger several times in your career as a galactic thief. Why chose that reckless lifestyle over order?” Lyra asked.

“What can I say?” Hider said with a shrug. “The solidarity, the thrill of living on your own, earning credits through deeds of ill conduct or persuasion, and the rush of standing in the middle of a shootout, not knowing whether or not you are going to survive. It’s the exhilaration that made me want to throw everything away and not care about heritage or standings. Sure I could’ve died a couple times and I did eventually give up that lifestyle, but I do not regret it. Those were the good days for me.”

Lieutenant Dodonna frowned. “You bring shame to your family name, Louhun. If Admiral Karath would see you now, he’d be disappointed in you.”

“Wait, Karath? As in Admiral Karath of the Republic Navy?” Lyra asked.

“Yup, that’s him. He’s my uncle from my dad’s side,” Hider acknowledged. In response, T3-G4 bleeped at him. “Hey, I’m nobody important, tin can. I’m just a guy who’s a former smuggler trying to make a living off a deadbeat industry. Nothing special about that.”

“You could’ve had more than that, Louhun. Even though you gave up the criminal lifestyle, your past will come back to haunt you eventually,” said Dodonna.

“Maybe you’re right. But I’d rather just live in the moment rather than worry about what’s gonna happen in the future.”

“Keeping your concentration here and now where it belongs,” replied Lyra. “Master always told me to be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the moment. As worrying as the future maybe, it’s equally important to keep your head straight and focus on the things that are already happening around you.”

“Huh, wise words. Guess they don’t call the old man a Jedi Master for nothing.”

“It’s a lesson that he’d always instilled upon me during my training. Even before I became his official Padawan, he took the time to berate and lecture me for every second I thought about Equestria. I admit, I didn’t take his lesson to heart at first, but I understood what he meant eventually. And I became a better pony for it.”

“He is a man worthy of the title of Jedi Master. I’d assume a lot of people in the galaxy would appreciate his lessons. Including a few of us right now,” said Chessk as his head shifted toward Geefour.

In response, the droid bleeped in confusion. “Of course he’s talking about you, tin can. What, given your fear of getting memory wiped. Aside from the kid, you’re the only one here who’s constantly concerned about the future,” said Hider.

Lyra gasped. “Oh my gosh, you’re right!” she said as her eyes widened in shock.

Immediately, T3-G4 whirled back at the ship captain. Though Lyra did not know what it said, she could tell right away the droid seemed upset. To her disappointment, the conversation between Hider and Geefour ended up in an argument as the droid’s beeps became more aggressive, causing the ship captain to shout back.

“Oh no. What did Geefour say this time?” asked Lyra while facehoofing.

In response, Chessk looked at the mare and shook his head. “Be grateful that you do not know droid binary, little Jedi. For it is best that you do not know.”

“Such strange behavior for a droid. It’s almost like the machine is capable of emotion,” said Lieutenant Dodonna. “Do all T3-Utility Droids act like this?”

“From what I’ve learned, these machines are so advanced that if no periodic memory wipe is performed, they begin to form their own emotions. Disturbing if you really ponder about it, but intriguing nonetheless.”

“And you are comfortable with this?”

Chessk nodded. “I have sworn a life debt to the little Jedi. If she does not want to have the droid’s memory wiped, then I will respect her decision. Though I have to admit, seeing the human argue with the machine occasionally is quite humorous.”

“Excuse me?” asked Lyra. “Chessk, you actually find their arguments funny?”

<And you don’t, little Jedi?> Chessk replied in Dosh. <For me, it’s classic humor. Seeing a man and a machine argue with one another is like watching a comedy sketch on the holo-network.>

“Really? I didn’t think you were into comedy.”

<There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, little Jedi. But perhaps I should tell you at another time. We have some company.>

“What’re you talking about?” Lyra asked. Her answer was quickly answered though as she noticed her companion was looking directly at the Council Chamber entrance. Then she could hear it. The sound of hoofsteps.

Emerging from the Council Chambers were the group of ponies. Their expressions were… grim for the most part. Earlier, everypony showed a mix of enthusiasm, happiness, and curiosity. Now it seemed like all that enthusiasm was sapped.

“Hey, kid. I don’t mean to be the bringer of bad news but is that your mother over there?” said Hider as he pointed his finger at the group of ponies. Immediately, Lyra followed her captain’s direction and spotted her mother.

Captain Platinum Impact, as well as a few other ponies by her side, were the last to leave the Council Chambers. Despite giving no eye contact, Lyra could see the sour expression on her mother’s face. And the Force gave her clear indication on how the mare felt right now.

She wasn’t happy. And Lyra knew right away the reason for her unhappiness.

Led by Cotton Swirl, the ponies trotted toward the Enclave’s guest rooms. They didn’t even bother to look at Lyra, much to the surprise of her companions. When they disappeared from view, T3-G4 let out a series of beeps.

“You said it, tin can,” said Hider. “Jeez, talk about a mood swing.”

Chessk nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Their attitude has completely changed. And the little Captain was the most distraught out of all of them. Strange, it’s almost as if their emotions were all tied to the little Jedi’s mother.”

“You are correct, Chessk.”

Lyra’s head jerked up as a familiar voice rang into her ears. She looked back at the Chamber entrance and found her Master standing beside Master Kavar. “Hello, Padawan,” greeted Master Darran. “I hope we didn’t keep you waiting.”

“Waiting is the last thing we should be worrying about, old man,” Hider replied. His rebuke earned the scowls of both Lieutenant Dodonna and Master Kavar. “Tell us already! What the heck happened in there with the kid’s mom?”

“We told her everything she needed to know. And in turn, she told us what we needed to know,” answered Master Kavar. He then turned to Lyra. “Padawan, forgive us. We didn’t mean to upset your mother.”

“No need to apologize, master. I knew this was bound to happen,” replied Lyra.

“Oh? Are you not concerned about your own family?”

“Of course I do, Master. She’s my mom! No matter what dangers the Code tells us about having attachments, that doesn’t mean I can’t sympathize with her. Just as I was obsessed in finding my home planet, she was obsessed in finding me. It’s completely relatable.”

Kavar folded his arms. “Hmm, there is honesty in your words. Commendable, yet you violate the Jedi Code itself. If Masters Vrook or Atris heard you say that, they’d throw a fit at you, young Padawan.”

“For kriff’s sake, Master Kavar. Do not bring them into this” snapped Darran, whose rebuke caused his fellow Jedi Master—as well as everyone else—to stare at him with wide eyes.

“I’m… surprised, Gizar. It’s very unlike you to lash out like that, let alone encourage your own student to defy our teachings.”

“You of all people should know that I hold Jedi Code in high regard, Kavar. And I would never let my student stray from it. However, our meeting with the equines did not show our teachings or our way of life in a positive manner. And the stubbornness of Masters Vrook and Zhar did not benefit us.”

“Then what do you suppose we do, my friend?”

Master Darran sighed. “It is a problem that no Jedi Master or Council members can solve. The only way we can clear any misconceptions out guests have about the Jedi is to have one of their own speak to them. Or better yet, allow a daughter to spend time with her mother.”

“Wait, so you want to use Lyra to get the ponies back to your side? Wouldn’t that mean you’re only using her to your end?” asked Hider.

“You have every right to doubt me, Hider. In fact, there is some truth in what you say. But the reason why I want my Padawan to see her mother is not to shed light on the Order. I want Lyra to speak with her because we owe it to them.”

“What do you mean?”

Darran sighed. “I’ve known Lyra for years, Hider. Not only as my Padawan, but as an Initiate as well. Aside from Kavar and Zez-Kai-El, I was one of the first masters she opened up to. And in that time, she told me more about her people. Her culture. And although I may disagree with their concept of a society; at the very least, my Padawan and Captain Impact deserve a moment together.”

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “Wait, Master. Are you admitting that there’s a possibility that I might leave the Jedi Order?”

“A possibility, yes. However, the decision is up to you, my Padawan. Not me, not the Masters, nor anyone else. Until that time comes, I will continue with my duties as your Jedi Master and train you as best I can. But I think we’ve spoke long enough. Go to your mother, Lyra. She needs you.”

Lyra smiled. “Thank you so much. I’ll go talk to her right now.”

“Wait!” said Master Darran just as Lyra was about to make her way to the guest rooms. “After you are done speaking with your mother, come see me at my dojo. Master Kavar and I must discuss something important to you.”

“Important, master?”

“We will tell you when the time comes, my Padawan. And before I forget, please bring your kin along as well. I’m certain that, after our little meeting, some of them might be curious to see how a Jedi approaches combat.”

“Uh, sure, I guess. I’ll check with them to see if anyone is interested.”

As her master nodded his head, Lyra immediately galloped to the Enclave’s guest rooms. She knew that part of the building well, as it was a common place where the planet’s locals go to meet with the Jedi and offer work. Though most of their requests involved driving away Kath Hounds or Kinereth on their farms.

Still, a job was a job. And at the beginning of her apprenticeship under Master Darran, she’d occasionally asked him to see if there were farmers who needed help. However, he often rebuked her over eagerness and preferred to train or study instead. On the occasions he’d agreed to a job, however, he insisted that he would go with her.

She smiled. The time she spent with her master were some of the greatest moments of her time in the Order, despite the harsh lessons he had for her. She wouldn’t dare forget the father who raised her through her most troubled times.

So would going home really be worth it all?

Lyra didn’t know. And perhaps it was for the best. It was too early for her to come up with a decision. Right now, she just wanted to focus on her mom.

When she finally arrived at the guest rooms, she saw the group of ponies standing outside several rooms, talking. Enough though she was on the other side of the hallway, Lyra could hear them gossip. And it wasn’t anything good. Most are flat out criticizing the Jedi while a few others pondered about her own wellbeing.

Deciding to ignore the gossip, Lyra scanned the hallway for the one mare she could talk to. And she wasn’t difficult to find. Despite the overwhelming amount of color, she spotted Sweetie’s creamy colored mane and coat from a distance.

Immediately, she galloped toward the mare. “Sweetie!” Lyra called out.

“Lyra?”

Upon hearing her voice, Sweetie—along with every single pony present—turned to look at the young Padawan. Seeing this, Lyra skidded to a halt. It was sort of creepy, having all these ponies stare at her. Nevertheless, she did her best to keep her poker face.

“Sweetie, there you are! Where is my mom? Is she okay?”

The mare frowned. “The Captain in that last room over there with Cotton, Stalwart, and her Sergeant. She’s really not in a good mood, Lyra. The meeting with the Council really hit her hard.”

“Yeah, I heard. But I don’t want to talk about that right now. Just let me through so that I can have a talk with my mom.”

“Why? So that you can tell the captain that you’re gonna abandon her over some wacko religion?” shouted one nearby stallion.

Lyra grimaced as she began to grit her teeth. Whoever that pony was, she wanted to strangle him for not only insulting the Jedi Order, but for getting in the way of a family matter. If it weren’t for her remembering the Code, she’d be at that pony’s throat right now. Nevertheless, she stood strong, glared at everypony present, and lashed out.

“I don’t know who said that right now, but my relationship with the Order is none of your business!” rebuked the young mare. Though her tone was louder than usual, she remained calm and poised. “This is between me and my mom So do me a favor and get out of my way!”

The ponies, including Sweetie Drops, gasped at Lyra sudden change in tone. Upon hearing her, some immediately did what she had ordered them to.

“Thank you!” Lyra politely replied as she trotted past the group of ponies. When she reached the room where her mother was, she was again stopped. This time, it was by the three ponies who Sweetie had mentioned earlier: Cotton Swirl, Stalwart Shield, and her mother’s trusty Unicorn Sergeant.

“Here to see your mom, kid?” asked Stalwart. The tone of his voice almost appeared as if he were threatening the young Padawan.

But without falter, Lyra nodded her head. “Yes, I am. This is between me and my mom, so please, stay out of the way.”

“Hey, you can’t talk to the Major like that!” replied the Unicorn.

“Stand your ground, Sergeant! You have no right in indicating what this mare can do!” barked Stalwart.

“But Major!”

Stalwart frowned. “Halberd, no! As your Major, I order you to wait outside along with the others!”

The pony known as Halberd wanted to object, but after getting a fierce glare from his superior, he relented and trotted out of the room. “I must apologize,” said Stalwart. “He’s been a bit tense ever since the meeting with your masters had ended.”

“That’s okay. Everypony is tense at the moment. But please, can I see my mom now?”

“Of course. Cotton, if you please?”

“Yeah, I know, Stalwart. You don’t have to tell me twice.” Without any arguing, the Unicorn mare trotted out of the room, but not before giving Lyra a smile. “Take care of your mom would you, dearie.”

Lyra nodded as the two ponies leave the bedroom. Once the automatic doors slam shut, the young Padawan gaped at her sulking mother. For a moment, she hesitated. And with it, came doubt and insecurity. How on earth was she supposed to comfort the mare at a time like this?

“Lyra?”

The Padawan let out a sharp gasp as her mother called out to her. But again, she hesitated, fearing that she may be yelled at or rebuked. However, her fears were all but erased when she saw her mother’s face, who apparently wasn’t crying anymore.

“Sit with me, dear,” Platinum said as she patted her hoof onto the cushion next to her. Immediately, Lyra complied and sat next to the distraught mare. “I’m sorry for troubling you like this, honey. I must’ve worried you for a bit there.”

Lyra shook her head. “No, mom. It’s no trouble at all!” she cried out. “It’s just that… when I saw you leaving the Council Chambers, you looked really sad and… well, I wanted to see how you were doing!”

Platinum gave her frantic daughter a heartwarming smile. “I appreciate it, dear. Thank you,” she said as she dried the last of her tears away. “At the very least, you still remember to be respectful to your parents.”

Hearing this, Lyra lowered her head and frowned. “Mom, do you… hate the Jedi?” she asked, albeit hesitantly. Much to her surprise, however, her mother did not show any signs of malice, nor could she sense any negative emotions thru the Force.

“No, honey, I do not hate them. In fact, I’m actually grateful that they had raised you into a fine mare. However, that does not mean that I’m disappointed or upset with them. It’s a bit complicated to explain, but I guess I should start from the beginning.”

“Beginning of what, mom?” asked Lyra.

“Your disappearance,” answered Platinum. Closing her eyes, the mare lowered her head, and breathed in and out through her snout. “Ten years ago, shortly after you went missing, your father and I weren’t in the best of terms. We fought for days and nights, arguing about who was to blame for your disappearance. It was a grim moment of our marriage, and each day felt more dreadful than the last.”

“That sounds horrible.”

“It was. At one point, the fighting to so bad that our neighbors had to call the guards and arrest us.” The mare’s ears drooped as Platinum became visibly weary. “I remember reaching my lowest point when I was being taken to my cell. My anger was still at its boiling point. So, when my guard was distracted, I stole a nearby weapon and charged at your father.”

Lyra gasped. “You tried to kill dad!” she asked, horrified that her own mother would commit such an atrocity.

“I did,” Platinum answered, shamefully nodding her head. “I would’ve done so too if it weren’t for Princess Celestia’s well timed stun spell.”

Lyra was appalled. To think that her own mother would admit to nearly killing her husband in cold blood. And all because of her untimely disappearance. It was at that time she remembered the lesson her master had taught her years ago. “Fear is the path to the Dark Side,” she said unwittingly. “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

Her comment made her mother smile. “Oh? Did your master teach you that phrase?” Platinum asked, to which Lyra nodded her head. “Well, he’s not wrong. If I would’ve hurt your father that day, I probably would’ve been suffering alone in a cell.”

“So, what happened after the Princess cast that spell on you?”

“Well, after Princess Celestia subdued me, she berated your father and I with the most verbal scolding I’ve ever received in my entire life. Not even the revile remarks I received back at the Royal Guard Academy could compare to what happened that night. She even used the Royal Canterlot Voice on us too.”

“But was it enough to stop you and dad from arguing with each other?”

Platinum shook her head. “No, not at first. We still had to be separated; but overnight, all of my anger had been extinguished. So, in the morning, Princess Celestia reunited your father and I before taking us to the second spacecraft that was left behind at your father’s dig site.”

“The Celestial Sun,” Lyra replied. Closing her eyes, she recalled that fateful day, when she went along with her father’s excavation site. “As soon as dad found those two Old Republic ships, my curiosity got the better of me. So, when nopony was paying attention, I boarded one of the vessels and started to play around inside. Little did I know, I ended up activating the ship’s main engines; and eventually, I ended up in outer space.”

“Did you ever try to pilot the vehicle back down?” asked Platinum. Immediately, Lyra shook her head.

“No, I couldn’t. Even if I knew how to control the ship, I was so scared that I couldn’t think. Next thing I knew; I activated the ship’s hyperspace controls and made a one-way trip to Coruscant.”

“Who ended up rescuing you, dear?”

“The Republic Navy did. One of their vessels was orbiting the city-planet when my ship finally dropped out of light speed. When they saw my ship, they used a tracking beam of some sort to haul the craft in.” Lyra frowned as memories from that fateful day began to resurface. “I was so scared when I saw humans for the first time. If Masters Kavar and Zez-Kai-El, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.”

“Kavar? You mean that person who was in that room with the other Masters?”

Lyra nodded. “They were on board that ship at the time. Upon learning that the Force was strong in me, they took me to the Jedi High Council, where I was eventually inducted as a Jedi Apprentice after some… convincing.”

“What? They didn’t want to take you in?” Platinum asked, sounding very bewildered.

“More like they were reluctant,” Lyra explained. “The Masters knew the Force flowed through me, but a lot of them didn’t know what to do with a scared little filly. There was even one master who was completely against me becoming an Apprentice because she believed I was untrainable.”

Platinum scowled. “Ridiculous! Who was this Jedi?”

“Her name is Atris. And trust me, you do not want to meet her. Out of all the Jedi Council Masters, she is my most outspoken critic. But enough about the masters or my past. Mom, we need to talk about what happened in the Council Chambers.”

“I suppose we should get to the point,” Platinum said, letting out a sigh as she lowered her head. “The Council told me everything what I needed to hear. The Jedi religion, their practices, and the tenants that they preach.”

The mare opened her eyes and stared directly at her daughter. “Lyra, do you really believe in the lessons that they teach? That emotions are terrible and that children should be separated from their families?”

Lyra frowned. “The Jedi philosophy is a very complicated thing. There are a lot of tenants in the Code itself that I don’t agree with, nor am I particularly fond with. And I am not going to make excuses over the fact that the Jedi separate kids from their parents. I don’t like it and I never will.”

“If that is the case, then why follow them? Why stay true to a philosophy that you don’t even agree with?”

“Because as controversial as some of their teachings may be, there is wisdom in it. The Jedi Code, to me, provides a sense of clarity.”

“Oh, really?” Platinum asked. The tone of her voice made it seem that she was skeptic of her daughter’s claims. “Is that something your Master taught you, or is that something you came up with on your own?”

Lyra shook her head. “Master taught me many things. I owe him a lot for being there for me these past ten years. But when it comes to the Jedi Code, he told me that it was important that I form my own perspectives.” She paused for a moment, allowing the memories of her master’s lessons to come about. “The Code itself may not provide all the answers, but it is the very backbone of Jedi philosophy. Always seek wisdom from it, but don’t be afraid to learn from others as the galaxy is a vast place.”

“He sounds like a wise sage. Much wiser than those stubborn old masters. Especially that old geezer wearing those red robes,” Platinum said as a scowl to form on her lips. Her reaction, however, caused Lyra to frown.

“Please don’t take Master Vrook’s stubbornness personally. I know he’s a bit of a pain to deal with, but he means well. It’s just that he doesn’t exactly show it most of the time.”

“Is that because of the Code he follows?”

Lyra nodded. “Out of all the masters in that room, Master Vrook follows the Code very dogmatically. He believes that any action that goes against the Jedi way is a path toward destruction and leads to the Dark Side. I… may have gotten into some disagreements with him over the years; but despite his rigid beliefs, my Master says to always heed the words of the Jedi Masters as there is always wisdom in them.”

Looking at her mother, Lyra noticed that the look on her mother’s facial expression did not change. It appeared her words about Master Vrook did not sway the mare at all. “I still don’t like him,” Platinum said. “And it’s not just that geezer either. Aside from your Jedi Master, I just can’t seem to trust the others.”

“I understand. Really, I do. Jedi philosophy is really confusing and completely different than the ideals that ponies follow today. If anypony back home would’ve learned about the Jedi, they’d likely deem them mad. Heck, you should’ve seen Sweetie before the meeting. When my master informed her about the Jedi teachings, she got pretty upset and sort of took her anger out on me and my friends.”

Platinum sighed. “Darn it, Private Drops. I’m going to have a word with you when I’m done here.”

“Don’t take it personally, mom. She’s just a little confused, that’s all. Like I said, the galaxy is vast, filled with all sorts of different cultures and beliefs. And to be perfectly honest with you, learning about it is fascinating.”

“Oh, great. Now you’re starting to sound like your father,” said Platinum with an irritated groan. “Well, it can’t be all too bad. You have your father’s intellect and my desire to protect others, so I can’t exactly complain.”

“Oh, yeah. You never finished explaining what happened between you and dad. What happened? Did you two make up?”

“We did, actually. After Princess Celestia showed us the Celestial Sun, we made it our life’s goal to find you. It took us a decade to do it, but we did it. We accomplished our mission.”

“What about dad? Why didn’t he come along with you?” asked Lyra.

“Well… um, your father volunteered to stay behind,” answered her mother, albeit somewhat hesitantly. “You see, he had something important he had to deal with back home, so he told me he wanted to stay behind. I insisted that he’d come with me, but he told me that there were some things he needed to take care of.”

Lyra frowned. “Mom, I appreciate it that you didn’t lie to me.”

“Ugh, you read me like a book, didn’t you? Well, to answer your question, I didn’t want your father to come. Mainly because I believed he’d only put himself in danger if he came here. And two, there is this really mandatory… event that I needed him to take part in.”

“Event? What’re you talking about?”

“I’ll tell you more about it later, dear. But first, there is one final thing that we must address. Regarding your status as a Jedi.”

“Are you asking me if I’m choosing to stay with the Jedi or go home with you?” Lyra interrupted. Her abrupt response caused her mother to frown.

“Lyra, I know how much the Jedi mean to you. And don’t get me wrong, I am grateful that they took good care of you these past ten years. But I do not want my mission to go to waste. It took me ten years to find you, and I am not going to just let you go.”

Lyra said nothing.

“However, you are a grown mare. And as much as I want to see you come home with me, that decision is yours to make, not mine.”

Lyra’s jaw slacked. She couldn’t believe it. What she heard was something that she’d never expected to hear. The very same words her master said to her just moments ago. “You’re letting me decide?” she asked, albeit hesitantly.

“Honey, you are seventeen years old. Just a year ago you had reached adulthood in terms of pony standards. And may I remind you of your Cutie Mark?” Platinum pointed her hoof at her daughter’s flank as she let out a hearty chuckle. “Granted, your Cutie Mark has nothing to do with your current occupation; but nevertheless, you are an adult mare. And though it may be a difficult decision to make, it is up to you to decide what your future will be.”

“Mom I… I don’t know what to say!” Lyra replied, who was struggling to contain her emotions. However, before she could say anything else, Platinum embraced her again. Lyra did the same in return and the two shared their bittersweet moment together.

Chapter 32

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Lyra felt a slight hint of joy as she trotted inside her master’s dojo. Even though she wasn’t gone for too long, she had missed place. It was special in her heart as she had spent a lot of time here training privately with Master Darran and many other Jedi Masters. It was brutal work, but despite it all, those days were probably the best moments of her childhood.

However, there would be no privacy today. The entire dojo was packed. Not just with other Jedi, but her companions and the rescued ponies were all present.

Shortly, after having her private sit-down with her mother, Lyra and Platinum agreed to meet with Master Darran at his dojo on the Enclave’s sub-floor. However, the other ponies were unwilling to go at first. Most of them wanted to know what Platinum was going to do with the Jedi and Lyra herself. But Platinum quickly shut them up and reminded them all that it was a family matter.

She even took the time to berate Sweetie Drops for lashing out at her daughter earlier. Though Lyra insisted there was no need for her to scold the mare, her mother continued to do so anyway. As a result, Sweetie kept her head low and remained relatively quiet since.

As for the companions that Lyra made during her journey, they had waited for her outside the guest rooms. To her surprise, the Jedi Masters and Lieutenant Dodonna weren’t with them, yet Hider quickly explained that they have left already. The former left for Master Darran’s dojo and the Lieutenant excused herself to a nearby Republic Naval office.

So, for the first time in a rather long time period, everyone agreed to meet with the Jedi at Darran’s training dojo. To everyone's surprise, however, there would be an extra Jedi Master present. A master that she and her friends were familiar with as they had seen the alien back on their arrival on Coruscant.

“Greetings, Padawan Heartstrings. It is good to see you again on such short notice,” greeted the Kel Dor Jedi Bokal So.

Immediately, the ponies freaked out at the sight of seeing a new alien species. Even Platinum Impact was guilty of this, as the mare quickly dropped into a fighting stance. Thankfully, those who have met Kel Dor already—particularly Stalwart, and Cotton Swirl—managed to calm everypony down, informing their kin who he was.

“I am aware that my appearance may frighten some of you ponies, but fear not. I am one of the Jedi’s most esteemed healers back on Coruscant,” informed Master So. He then pointed to the three ponies who had calmed everypony else. “I have given medical examinations and vaccination shots to those three. Right now, my duty is to serve everyone else here.”

“Wait, seriously? You made the trip to Dantooine just to give these ponies their shots?” asked Hider. “Wouldn’t it just be easier to have a doctor assigned here do it instead?”

“We figured that by bringing him here, it’d make the medical examinations go by quicker,” answered Master Kavar. “Master Bokal has had experience dealing with Padawan Heartstrings, and he has already treated three other equines here. Best to let someone who has a history dealing with this new species assist the new arrivals.”

“Eh, fair point,” replied Hider with a shrug. “I still don’t get why we’re here. If all you Jedi are going to do is train the kid, wouldn’t me, Chessk, and the tin can be better off staying on the ship?”

“We’re not here for idle chat, Hider. I specifically asked you all to come here because Kavar and I have something we’d like to discuss,” explained Master Darran. He then turned to his Padawan. “Lyra. What I’m about to tell you is extremely important. Granted, I was supposed to tell you after the Council meeting, but given the circumstance at the time, I figured we’d wait till now.”

“Um, okay,” Lyra replied, sounding confused as her head tilted slightly. Though she was thankful to her master for giving her some much needed privacy with her mom, she pondered on what important news he was saving. “So, what’s this thing you want to tell me?”

“It’s about the Mandalorians, young Padawan. They know the location of your home world.”

An eerie silence filled the entire room as Lyra and her companions stared at the Jedi Master with wide eyes. It remained that way for several seconds until Hider finally spoke up. “How!” he blurted out loud. “How the kriff do the Mandalorians even know about Lyra’s home planet! And how do you even know that in the first place?”

“Captain Impact confirmed it,” replied Master Darran. “During our meeting, she told us that—during their imprisonment—a Mandalorian commander had confronted and showed her a navigation map of their home world.”

Platinum nodded her head. “It’s true. Though I admit, I did not believe them at first. But they refuted my doubts when they showed me the same navigational coordinates we have on the Celestial Sun,” she explained.

T3-G4 let loose a loud whirring noise. “Yeah, I agree with the tin can on this one,” Hider said. “How’d they manage to get a hold of something so important?”

“On Ord Mantell,” Chessk said out loud. “Do you remember what I said on the day we met? That I fought and killed of a few Mandalorians while I was still working for my cousin? After our encounter with the enemy on Coruscant, I figured they hacked into Behssk’s computer just to look at his sales history. But it appears that wasn’t the only thing they got.”

Hider’s eyes widened. “Of course! The Celestial Sun! The Exchange still had the ship at the time. Those Mandalorians must’ve found it while they were sneaking around the place!”

“Correct. And now they plan on using that information to invade the home of the little equines. I can only assume that they plan on using the planet to aid in their conquest.”

As Chessk and Hider continued to discuss what happened, Lyra remained silent. Her eyes still opened wide after the initial shock. “Honey are you alright?” asked Platinum, who immediately took notice of her daughter’s sudden disquiet.

Lyra did not answer. Her mind was too distracted with the thought of ponies screaming and crying as their homes were being burnt to the ground. She winced. “I… I,” she said as she suddenly found it difficult to stand upright.

“Snap out of it, dear!” Platinum shouted out loud. Her voice was so loud that it snapped the young Padawan out of her thoughts. “Lyra, please. I understand this news is unsettling, but you have to calm down.”

It didn’t work, however. Lyra merely stared at her mother with pale white eyes and began to yell at her. “Calm down? How can I remain calm, mom!” she cried. Her sudden outburst caused many in the room, including her mother, to reel backward.

“Padawan, calm yourself! Remember the Jedi Code!” berated Master Darran. “There is no emotion...”

“T-there is peace,” Lyra stuttered as she struggled to regain her composure. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell like that. It’s just that everything’s happening so fast. I thought I’d be done when I saved everypony here, but now you’re telling me I have to save my home too?

“I know all of this is overwhelming for you, Padawan. But as shocking as this may be, it’s moments like these that we Jedi often find ourselves in,” explained Master Kavar.

“Kavar is correct, little one,” said Master So. “As a Jedi, you must learn to overcome all obstacles that come in your way. Even those that come in the most unexpected of times.”

But this is way too much! Lyra thought to herself. Initially, she almost blurted those words out, but refrained herself from doing so. Scanning the room, she noticed the grim looks that everypony had. Even her mother didn’t look all that well.

It was understandable, of course. This was their home that Master Darran was talking about. And now it was being dragged into a galactic scale war. “How much time do we have, master?” Lyra asked.

Darran shook his head. “I am not certain, my Padawan,” he answered, much to Lyra’s disappointment. “But what I do know is that it will take time before the Mandalorians make a move. The bulk of their forces is located in the outer rim worlds and sending just a chunk of their naval fleet for just one world is too risky, even for them. My guess is perhaps three to four days. Five at the most if I’m being generous.”

“That may be my old friend, but I wouldn’t underestimate our foe. As brutish as our foes may be, the Mandalorians are risk takers. They’ll do whatever it takes to conquer a planet,” said Master Kavar.

“You still haven’t even told us where Lyra’s home planet even is,” replied Hider

“We have confirmed its location borders between the Inner Rim¹ and the Colonies². Though the planet itself nears the edge of the Unknown Regions³.”

“Is that so?” Chessk asked with a single eyebrow raised. “An uncharted planet located there would certainly prove to be an advantage point. If taken, the Mandalorians can use it to stage an assault on the Republic Core worlds.”

“You’re not helping in the slightest, big guy,” Hider argued.

“Settle down, human. I’m just stating the facts. Though given how crucial this information is, I’m assuming that this meeting with the Galactic Senate will be more than just formal introductions.”

“Precisely,” answered Master Darran. Using his right hand, he reached into his Jedi robes and pulled out a datapad. He then walked over to Platinum Impact and handed the device over to her. “This thing right here contains important bits about the Republic Government and the Supreme Chancellor himself. I know time is short, but you and your colleagues must study this.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly, Master Jedi,” said Platinum as she took the datapad from Darran. “Does this include any politicians that I need to watch out for?”

“Indeed. I’ve marked down every politician who might pose a problem in the meeting with the Galactic Senate. I suggest that you get to know them well and read up on their history.”

“That’s a good idea. If you guys are going to convince the Republic Senate to send help, then you’ll need to know who you can and can’t trust,” said Hider. His response, however, earned the attention of Master Kavar.

“I’m surprised, Captain Louhun,” he said with a raised eyebrow. “I didn’t think you’d have a knack for politics.”

“When you’ve been around politicians for most of your life, you’ll pick up a few things,” Hider replied.

“Whatever do you mean by… never mind. Master So. Would you be so kindly as to provide medical checkups for these equines. If they are to meet with the Galactic Senate, Republic protocols must be followed.”

“Of course, Master Kavar. Though given how small the medical facility is here, I can only take one patient at a time,” answered Master So. Unfortunately, the ponies weren’t so willing to volunteer as the ponies began to whisper amongst themselves.

Upon seeing this, the pony Stalwart Shield sighed. “If anypony is uncomfortable with the Jedi, then Cotton and I can volunteer to go with you.”

“What?” Cotton Swirl shouted. “Who said I’d agree to anything like that?”

“Cotton, please. Just take a good look at everypony here! No offense to the Jedi Master, by nopony is willing to trust Master So yet. And you know that, aside from Sweetie and the two of us, we’re the only ones here who are comfortable with him.”

“Ugh, fine. But I swear, Stalwart. If I miss anything cool, I’ll blame you!”

“Of course you will,” Stalwart said, sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. Once he had joined Master So, he looked around the dojo again for any volunteers. Thankfully, his willingness to go with the Kel Dor master made a few ponies volunteer, much to his and Lyra’s delight.

“Okay, that settles that. But what are we going to do now, Master?” asked Lyra.

“We prepare, my Padawan,” Darran answered. “These next few days are very important, so we must spend our time wisely.”

“Darran is correct. For the time being, we shall meditate, study, and train until your inevitable confrontation with the Mandalorians arrives,” said Master Kavar as he walked toward the center of the dojo. Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a lightsaber with his right hand and revealed it to Lyra. “It has been some time since we last sparred, Padawan Heartstrings. I’d like to see what training Master Darran has been giving you.”

From the hallway outside the dojo, the mare known as Cotton Swirl screamed out loud.

“Yeah, I’m going to sit this one out,” said Hider. “No offense to you, kid, but I wouldn’t want to be a burden on your training. Plus, I haven’t even gotten paid yet. So, until I get my credits, I’ll be staying on my ship.”

“Seriously?” asked Sweetie Drops, whose voice caught everypony by surprise as it had been quite some time since she last spoke. “Despite how dire our situation is, money is still the only thing in your mind?”

“Yup,” Hider bluntly replied as he stepped out of the dojo. T3-G4 followed suite, but not before letting out a bleep toward its owner.

“It’s wishing you good luck, little Jedi,” Chessk said before taking a seat at one of the four corners of the dojo.

“You plan on staying with us, Chessk?” asked Master Darran.

“If you don’t mind, Master Jedi, then the answer is yes. I’ve been wanting to learn more about Jedi fighting techniques and now is as good a time as any.”

“I do not mind at all, young warrior. If you wish to learn, then I am more than happy to provide a suitable demonstration,” said Master Kavar. He then pressed his right thumb on the saber, causing a blue colored blade to appear. “Padawan, if you please.”

Lyra blinked. “Wait, we’re doing this right now? In front of everypony?”

“And why not? We are already in a dojo, Padawan. Why delay things even further?”

“Well, it’s just that all of my sparring sessions have been private. I never exactly trained in front of a whole crowd before.”

“It’ll be a good exercise for you then. This way, you’ll learn how to ignore distractions and focus on the battle in front of you.”

Lyra’s ears drooped. It appeared she had little choice in the matter. Reluctant as she may be, however, going against the orders of a Jedi Master wasn’t a good idea. Especially with everypony watching her.

Joining Master Kavar at the sparring ring, she pulled out her own lightsaber and ignited it, revealing a greenish-white blade. Ignoring the awestruck oohs from her kin, she assumed her usual Ataru opening stance; and in return, the Jedi Master did the same, albeit with a different form.”

“Remember, our lesson from Coruscant, my Padawan,” said Master Darran as he assumed a Jedi meditation stance. “Do not engage in a foe directly. Use your speed and technique as an advantage.

“Yes, master,” Lyra replied as she tightened the grip on her lightsaber. Glaring at the Jedi Master in front of her, she lunged straight at Kavar and began her assault.

Chapter 33

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Sweetie Drops was not having the best of mornings. She felt terrible. Her head was spinning and there was a strange rumble going on in her stomach. It’s as if she drank an entire galleon of apple cider last night and is now facing the consequences. But this nauseating sensation was the last thing on the Private’s mind.

Today was the day when she and the rest of the ponies return to Coruscant. Their time on Dantooine was short, having spent only one night at the Jedi Enclave. Although a few ponies wanted to stay and explore the planet, their request was ignored. There simply wasn’t any time for field trips. Especially, when their home world is in immediate danger.

Sweetie groaned. Despite resting on a nice, comfortable bed, she couldn’t sleep last night. Thoughts of her home and the future of Lyra and her Captain plagued her night, costing the Private hours of sleep. The trip to Coruscant was at least a day away, so hopefully, she can get some extra rest onboard the Omega. Even so, waking up with so little hours of rest didn’t help.

Letting out a big yawn, the Private began trotting toward the spacecraft she’d grown accustom to these few days. Upon approaching the ship, however, she spotted two ponies talking among one another: Lyra and Captain Platinum Impact.

Sweetie frowned. Seeing Lyra reminded her of the talk she had with Master Darran, as well as the horrible meeting with the Jedi Council. How did that mare put up with those old geezers anyway? Aside from Darran and that weird small Jedi, they were completely insufferable.

And their philosophy. It was still stuck in her head. Just thinking about it made her feel worse. The Jedi philosophy was against Equestrian lifestyle. Outright bans on having friends, preventing children from seeing their own families. There were too many to count.

Yet for some reason, her Captain wasn’t mad. Despite crying her heart out yesterday, the mare and Lyra were still close. It’s as if their time spent together in that bedroom alleviated all of the Captain’s worries.

Sweetie sighed. She and the other guardsponies have tried asking the Captain what had happened, the mare rebuked them saying that it was none of their concern. And to add insult to injury, the Captain berated her for judging her daughter too harshly; though Lyra quickly came to her defense.

It surprised her, really, having the mare she openly criticized rush to her side. She figured that Lyra would just let the Captain berate her. But she didn’t want that, and that’s what confused Sweetie the most. Perhaps she did it out of obligation. After all, Lyra’s beliefs did state to not let their emotions get the better of them.

“Maybe I judged her unfairly,” Sweetie muttered as she continued trotting toward the spacecraft.

Regardless of her friend’s actions, she still couldn’t bring it in her heart to trust the Jedi. At least not yet. If they’re truly the great peacekeepers Lyra says they are, then they’ll have to earn her trust. Starting with the defense of her home.

“Greetings, creamy one. I pray that you’ve had a good night’s rest.”

Looking to her right, Sweetie spotted her former captive turned friend walking right beside her. He appeared to be in a good mood as the Trandoshan was holding two relatively large bags in his hands and another one strapped to his back. “What’re you holding, Chessk?” Sweetie asked.

“Oh, this? It’s supplies that I’ve bought at the local weapons shop here,” answered the Trandoshan. “Upon hearing my expertise of weapon crafting, the Jedi Masters have requested discounts on the local weapon store here. Granted, the store owner wasn’t at all happy with the decision, but the number of items I ordered brightened his mood somewhat.”

“You’re bringing all of that?” asked Sweetie, who pointed her hoof at the bags.

“Of course. If I am to participate in the upcoming battle, then I must contribute as much as I can. And that means modifying and creating new weapons and armor.”

Sweetie frowned. “You really love to fight, don’t you?”

“Indeed. Fighting is in the nature of all Trandoshans. Though given the time we spent, you should know this by now.” Looking down, Chessk gaped at the sullen mare. “You do not look well, creamy one. Is everything alright?”

“No, I’m fine. I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, that’s all.”

“Really? That is strange. I’d assume that the Jedi Council would give you equines a suitable living quarters, but it seems like that wasn’t the case. Or, perhaps it’s something else that kept you awake last night.”

“Wow, you sound like Lyra’s Master.” Sweetie said, sarcastically.

“It doesn’t take a Jedi Master to know something’s wrong with you, creamy one,” Chessk shot back. “Now for the good of your well-being, I suggest that you come clean and talk. Better to admit your true feelings rather than hold all of it back.”

“I’m not hiding anything!”

“Don’t snap at me like that, equine. The look in your eyes is all the proof I need!”

Rolling her eyes, Sweetie ignored Chessk’s comment and proceeded to board the Omega alongside the other ponies. Once inside, she overheard the Captain barking orders, demanding that everypony onboard meet her at the ship’s garage. She didn’t know what this was all about; but regardless, she followed Platinum’s orders and went along with the group.

When she had arrived at her destination, Sweetie quickly noticed that everypony formed a circle around her captain “Gather up, everypony. I have an announcement to make,” ordered Platinum, who was still raising her voice. “Tomorrow we will be meeting with the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Our goal is to petition support from him and his government for aid against the oncoming Mandalorian invasion.”

Sweetie’s ears flopped as whispers escalated among her kin. Despite their best attempts to hide it, several ponies were worried for the future. They simply did not trust this alien government to come to their aid. And although the Jedi have volunteered to send their own, many did like them either. Especially after the meeting that occurred yesterday.

The Private sighed. She knew it in her heart, and so did everypony else. The situation was grim. Though the Captain’s words seem promising, but nopony was willing to admit, they had their doubts.

“Everypony be quiet!” Platinum barked out just before the crowd noise became worse. “So, as I was saying, we are going to meet with the Supreme Chancellor tomorrow. However, because of the sheer urgency of our situation, we can’t wait for the Republic to send aid. So, my daughter and I came up with a plan.”

“What sort of plan?” asked one pony from the group.

“A simple one, really. When we have reached Coruscant, a few of us will not stay during the meeting with the Senate. Instead, Jedi Master Kavar will take some of you to the Celestial Sun, where you will go straight home.”

Sweetie blinked. Only a few ponies will stay behind at Coruscant? And the rest will go home? That is… actually a good idea! This way, they can warn Princess Celestia in time before the invasion. Perhaps garner some meaningful defense.

She looked around the room. The suggestion by Captain Impact immediately caused stirs amongst the group of ponies, but it seemed a majority of them approving of the plan overall.

“You said a Jedi Master is coming with us. Is he the only one coming or is there going to be more them?” asked another pony in the crowd.

“My daughter spoke of her idea to the Council, and they agreed to send in a team of six Jedi. One Jedi Master, and the other are Knights,” answered the Captain. “It’s not much but it will be enough to get you all safely home. Not to mention it’ll be a failsafe in case the Mandalorians have already sent scouts of their own.”

“I like that idea!” shouted another pony. Sweetie nodded in agreement, who was joined by nearly everypony else in the garage. It appeared the Captain’s plan was highly favored, despite their skepticism of the Jedi. However, some ponies weren’t convinced.

“Captain, can I ask you a question?” said one stallion.

“Yes, Sergeant Halberd,” replied Platinum.

“When you said that some of us are going home, who’re you planning on sending back?”

“Ah, good question, Sergeant. It’s good to know that my squadron is still capable of thinking ahead. But anyways, our meeting with the Senate is a crucial one. I am aware that some of you want to go home; but aside from me and my daughter, I need at least a couple of you to volunteer and stay with us. Provided that you are good at public speaking.”

“But what’re we even supposed to say?” asked a mare from the crowd. “Convincing an entire civilization to help some backwater planet like ours isn’t going to be easy.”

“Especially when there’s a major war going on too,” replied another pony whose comments earned the nods of everypony in the room, including Sweetie Drops.

“It’s not going to be easy I know. But Lyra and I have come up with some ideas that can help us. Plus, I have something up my hooves that will really turn the debate in our favor.”

“And what would that be, Captain?” asked Stalwart.

“You will know when we’ve reached Coruscant. For now, I want you all to relax and get some more rest. You’ll have until tomorrow to decide on whether you want to go home or stay with me and Lyra on Coruscant. Until then, you’re all dismissed.”

One by one, the group of ponies began to scatter. Most left the garage altogether, but some stayed behind. Their curiosity got the better of them when they saw a large, futuristic vehicle parked in the middle of the room.

“I guess a speed bike is enough warrant everypony’s attention,” said Sweetie Drops.

“Well, it’s not every day you get to see futuristic technology, Private. Best to just leave them be.”

Sweetie’s ears wobbled. Looking to her left, she spotted Platinum Impact looking right at her. “C-Captain Impact!” Immediately, the mare straightened her posture and saluted her superior. To her surprise, however, her captain merely chuckled at her expense.

“Sweetie, please. Now isn’t the time for such formalities,” said the mare.

“Oh, really? Well, forgive me, ma’am. I just didn’t want to be rude.”

“I understand, Private. But I’m not here just for idle chat. There’s some things that I’d like to discuss with you.”

“About what?” Sweetie asked.

“About you, Private. I saw you back at the hangar bay before we boarded. You don’t look so good. It’s as if you slept on solid bedrock for the night.”

Sweetie flinched. “How… how did you know?”

“Private, I’ve been with the Royal Guard for so many years. And one of the key things that we Captains do is to pay close attention to our subordinate’s emotional state. It helps when spotting demoralized troops or for catching disguised Changelings.”

Sweetie groaned. Realizing that she couldn’t hide her true feelings any longer, she confessed before her Captain. “I’m just not sure if I’m ready to trust these aliens yet,” she admitted while showing a hint of scorn. “And I’m not only talking about their Government or Navy. It’s the Jedi I’m worried about.”

“You really do have an issue with them, don’t you?” asked Platinum. She had listened closely with her subordinate, but Sweetie’s confession only seemed to upset the mare. “I surprised. This is a complete one eighty, Private. You trusted the Jedi before. What made you change your mind?”

“Well, the meeting with the Jedi Council didn’t help. Not to mention their beliefs are so stupid! How can anyone trust an Order that separates children from their parents or prevent ponies from making friends!”

Sweetie waited for her Captain to reply, thinking that she would rush to the Jedi’s defense. But to her surprise, Platinum didn’t say a word. Seeing this, the Private continued to ramble. “Hearing their philosophy. It makes me wonder what’s going to happen to Lyra. Captain, please. Aren’t you at the very least worried about her?”

“That is her decision to make, Private, not yours or mine!” rebuked Platinum. “Look, I know it’s difficult to put our faith in the Jedi Order. And it doesn’t make it easier when their beliefs are the complete opposite of what our society believes in. But if it weren’t for them, we still would’ve been stuck in cages and my daughter would be lost in space.”

“Is that why you trust them, Captain? Because of Lyra?”

“In a way, yes. My doubts aside, I am truly grateful that they rescued my little filly and raised her to be an excellent mare.”

“But aren’t you worried that she’ll leave you behind? The Jedi do not allow their members to be a part of their families.”

“I am aware of that, Private. But like I said earlier that decision is for her to make. She is a grown mare. And as her mother, I don’t want to get in the way of her decision. If she wants to stay with the Jedi, I’ll be okay with it. At the very least, I’ll know she’s out there doing good in the galaxy,” she said with puckered lips. “I’m proud of her, and I’m sure her father would be too when he hears about all this.”

“Do you really think they’ll let her see her father at the end of all this?”

“I’ll make sure of it. Besides, Lyra wants to see him too. So, I’m sure Darran will have at least one family moment together.”

“Leave it to the most rational Jedi Master to come to an agreement.” Sweetie sighed. “Fine. You win, ma’am. I won’t bring this up anymore.”

“Thank you, Private Drops. I understand where you are coming from, but the future of my daughter is in her hooves only. Not yours or mine.” Smiling, Captain Platinum saluted in front of her Private; and in return, Sweetie did the same.

Lyra skipped merrily as she trotted out the bike garage. By the Force, she felt great. It felt as if she can take a whole squadron of Mandalorians. An exaggeration perhaps but the young Padawan felt more alive than ever before.

She smiled. In truth, she felt so energetic because of the huge amount of support she was getting. From her master, her mother, and all the friendships she made. The future was still uncertain, but the Force was with her. And Lyra believed she can tackle whatever came to her.

<Little Jedi.>

“Huh?” Lyra stopped moving as she heard a familiar voice ringing in her ears. Looking around, she spotted Chessk to her left, standing alone in the corridor. “Oh, good morning, Chessk,” she greeted. “What’re you doing here all by yourself? Are Hider and Geefour arguing with each other again?”

<No, little Jedi. I’m here to talk about our other compatriot.> Chessk replied in Dosh. <The creamy one is not in the best of mood this morning. I ran into her before we came on board, and it seems the truth of the Jedi Order still looms over her head.>

“Aw, you don’t have to worry about her, Chessk. I’m sure Sweetie will get over the shock in time. If anything, I bet she’s just worried about our home.”

<That is exactly the problem, little Jedi.> berated the Trandoshan. His response caused Lyra’s ears to droop.

“What do you mean?”

Lyra didn’t reply. How could she when her friend brought up a very good point. And it made her wonder, are other ponies having doubts like Sweetie? What if they are hiding their true emotions and, in truth, still distrust the Jedi? “What do you think I should do?” she asked.

 Turning his head, Chessk looked into the bike garage. <Hmm. I take it back. It appears your mother is already a step ahead of you.>

Confused, Lyra followed her friend’s eyes and saw Sweetie and her mother having lone conversation with each other.  Chessk continued. <It appears she has already found a weak link.>

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Lyra asked.

“What about everypony else? Do you think that some of them might share the same feelings as she has?”

<It’s possible, little one. You and your mother may be able to settle your kin down with charismatic words, but in truth, it is not enough. If you are to erase all their doubts, then your actions must speak louder.>

Chapter 34

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“Padawan, wake up!”

Lyra groaned. She rolled about on her backside, plucking her lips. Her master was calling to her, but she paid no attention to him. Despite the urgency in his voice, or at least that’s what she thought he sounded like, she didn’t want to wake up. Right now, she was having the nicest dream she had in years. And that’s a good enough reason for her to stay in bed.

“Padawan, you’ve slept long enough. Wake up! We need to get off the ship now!”

“Ugh, master, how are the others waiting outside? We’re still in hyperspace and got a long ways to go until we reach Coruscant,” replied a weary Lyra.

“Lyra, we’re not in hyperspace anymore. We just reached Coruscant and Hider already made landfall.”

“W-what?” Opening her eyes, Lyra slowly rose from her bunk bed to find Master Darran looking directly at her. Letting out a yawn, she looked around the crew quarters to see if anypony else was still sleeping. To her surprise, however, only her master and herself were present. “Huh? Where is everypony?”

“Gone,” answered the Jedi Master. “They all woke up a while ago, your mother included. Last I saw, your kin were gathering at the bike garage.”

“Wait, so you were serious earlier? We’ve already made it to Coruscant?”

Darran nodded her head. “Indeed, we have. And Hider has already made landfall at a public spaceport. Granted, I suggested that we dock at the Jedi Temple, but Hider received last minute instructions from Master Vandar to dock at the port next to the Senate building.”

“We’re already here?” Lyra shouted as her eyes shot open wide. “I don’t get it. How did time go by so fast? And why did no one wake me up?”

“The effects of hyperspace I suppose. And yes, Padawan, your kin did attempt to wake you up. However, their effort was fruitless. You are a heavy sleeper, Lyra. Without an alarm or Dantooine’s sun, I’m afraid you just drift away.”

Lyra groaned as she leapt out of her bed. “Mom could’ve at least tried to wake me up,” she pouted while trotting over to a nearby metal bin.

“Believe me, she did. But after failing to wake you up several times, she came to me for assistance.” Suddenly, a smile cracked on the Jedi Master’s lips. “In all my years as a Jedi, I’ve never been scolded so verbally before. At least, not since my Padawan days.”

“W-wait, mom scolded you. For what?”

“For allowing you to become such a heavy sleeper.”

Lyra facehoofed. “Oh, Force. I’m so sorry about that, Master. Mom can be a little… demanding at times when it comes to planning ahead and making schedules,” she said while putting on her tunic.

“You don’t have to apologize for her, Lyra. What she did was very understandable for military personnel. I’m certain that any officer in the Republic Navy would agree to her.”

Lyra rolled her eyes as she strapped her belt around her waist. Reaching inside the metal bin, she grabbed her lightsaber and hooked it on her belt. “So, anyone important meeting with us at the port today?” she asked.

“I believe a personal aid to the Supreme Chancellor will be waiting for us at the exit,” explained the Jedi Master as he and Lyra stepped out of the crew’s quarters. “As for the Chancellor himself, we will meet with him inside the Senate building.”

“Oh, okay,” Lyra replied. Her lips curled as she looked down on the metal floor. “Gosh, I never would’ve imagined that I’d be meeting with the highest political figure in the galaxy. It’s nerve racking to be honest.”

“Don’t take it too personally. Supreme Chancellor Ulgo is a fine man. He’ll be more than happy to help you and your kin out, especially after your actions on Alderaan.”

“Really? What makes you say that?”

“The Chancellor hails Alderaan himself, Lyra. And he is from one of its Great Houses. House Ulgo to be specific. They are patriots who served the Republic both politically and in the military. So, don’t be surprised if he takes your side in the Senate debate. You did, after all, drive the Mandalorians out of his home world.”

“Yeah, but with the war going on, I doubt that’s the last time we see the Mandalorians attempt to invade for the Core Worlds.”

“We shall see,” said Master Darran as the two Jedi finally made it to the bike garage. However, to their surprise, the room wasn’t as crowded with ponies as they’d thought. Rather, only one mare and a Trandoshan. “Ah, Private Drops. Good to see you wide awake. And a good morning to you as well, Chessk.”

“Good morning to you, Master Darran. And to you as well, little Jedi,” Chessk said as he greeted both Jedi with a bow.

“Yeah, glad to see you’re finally awake,” said Sweetie Drops. “Seriously, how much of a heavy sleeper are you, Lyra? The Captain and I tried to wake you up so many times, but you just wouldn’t move!”

“Hey, I’m awake now, aren’t I?” Lyra argued. “Besides, it’s not like I had much sleep these days. With all the fighting and the research I’m doing. It tires a mare out.”

“May I remind you my Padawan that on the night before we left Dantooine, you slept for nine hours straight. If it weren’t for the alarm clock I gave to your mother, we would’ve have left the planet so early,” replied Master Darran.

Lyra groaned. “Okay, fine. I admit I have a problem, geez. But can we please stop talking about me for just a moment! Where is everypony? And why are you two the only ones here?”

“Orders from Captain Impact, little Jedi. She told us to wait here for you,” explained Chessk. “She estimated that Master Darran might have some trouble waking you up, so she ordered the two of us to standby until you came here.”

“Okay. But what about Hider and T3-G4? Where are they right now?”

“Outside with everypony,” answered Sweetie Drops. “Apparently, he got some kind of call saying that someone else is out there waiting for us. Though from what I heard from Hider that guy is the personal assistant to the Chancellor himself. I think he was called the Vice Chair or something?”

“Vice Chair¹? You mean the Supreme Chancellor’s right-hand man?” asked Chessk.

“Indeed,” said Master Darran. “It appears that the Chancellor preferred to send his most trusted assistant out to meet with us instead of greeting us here. Not that I have any issue with that as we will meet the man eventually. What worries me is how we’re going to get to the Senate building.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was on the comm-link with Hider before we made landfall. By orders of the Supreme Chancellor, as well as a few members of the Senate and Republic Navy, we were given orders to dock at a hangar bay closest to the Senate building.”

“Are they planning on making us walk there?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“I pray that we don’t. Reaching the Senatorial Chambers on foot will only draw unnecessary attention. Hopefully, the Chancellor has provided us a means of transportation in place of walking several blocks.”

“Your concern is justifiable,” said Chessk. “A new species walking down a busy skywalk would definitely draw attention, including unwanted ones.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “I’m sure we’ll be fine, master. Besides, taking a stroll through the Senate plaza is an opportunity, don’t you think? I mean, it’ll be the first-time ponies ever stepped hoof onto the streets of Coruscant! Well, besides me of course, but you get the picture.”

“We get it, okay. No need to rub it in,” said Sweetie Drops with a groan. “Still, I can’t help but worry. Aside from maybe the Pegasai, some of our kin won’t take too kindly walking on skyscrapers or high towers. Me included.”

“Don’t worry, Sweetie, you’ll be fine. I’m sure you and everypony else will get used to the skyscrapers and sky platforms in time,” said Lyra with a slight confidence in her voice. “Well… eventually that is.”

“Eventually? Lyra, your blind optimism does not make me feel better about non-Pegasi here. In fact, that carefree attitude of yours is making me anxious.”

“Oh, don’t be so stingy, Sweetie. I’m sure our kin can handle it. Besides, isn’t there anything else you’d like to talk about?”

Sweetie tilted her head. Lyra’s question only confused the mare only further, but what she didn’t know was that the question was an attempt to get her to open up. Lyra still remembered the conversation she had with Chessk the other day, so any attempt to get her friend to talk was good in her eyes.

Too bad Sweetie wasn’t in the mood for talking. The moment Lyra had asked her a question, she turned tail and left the bike garage.

“Well, that was rather rude of her,” said Master Darran. “Any reason why she turned her back on you like that, Padawan?”

“Don’t worry about it, master. She just has a lot to think about,” answered Lyra.

“Indeed. Just give her time, little Jedi. I’m sure she’ll talk eventually,” replied Chessk, to which Lyra nodded in approval. She and her companions would leave the bike garage behind to join Sweetie and the others at the boarding ramp. When they got there, no one was present.

“No one is here,” said Master Darran. “Perhaps they are already outside?”

Wanting to see what’s outside, Lyra quickly exited the ship, where she soon found herself staring at a large port. Upon first glance, it was much larger than the other ports she’s seen. Taris and Ord Mantell were nothing compared to this one. And it looked fairly clean for the most part.

“Huh, fancy.”

“So, you’re finally awake!”

Ears flopping, Lyra spun her head around and saw both her mother trotting toward her. “Took you long enough, dear,” said Platinum. A scowl grew on her face. “Ugh, I can’t believe my own daughter grew up to be such a heavy sleeper. So shameful.”

“But I’m awake, aren’t I? Come on, mom. You don’t have to be all stingy,” said Lyra, casually. However, her words didn’t seem to sway or calm Platinum at all. “Mom, please. Don’t stress yourself over something like this.”

“She is correct, Captain,” replied Master Darran who had just recently stepped out of the Omega. “There is no need to cling onto an issue so miniscule, as I have already taken full responsibility for Lyra’s issues. Just let it go. I’ll handle it personally when we’re finished here.”

Platinum sighed. “As you wish. But don’t let me catch you sleeping off like that again, dear. Because if I do, nopony in the galaxy will stop me from beating some sense into you.”

“Ha! You’ll have to get in line, ma’am.”

Lyra winced. “E-excuse me?”

“I was joking, my Padawan. So, where exactly are Hider and the others? I was informed that they were already out here with the Chancellor’s Vice Chair.”

“They are,” replied Platinum, who pointed in the direction of the port’s exit. “That important human you mentioned is meeting with the others right now. Says his name is Larson Husbro, I think? I’m not certain. Human names are tongue twisting in my opinion.”

“I’ll go check him out,” said Lyra as she quickly darted in the direction to where her mother had pinpointed. When she got there, she saw Hider sitting on top of a metal canister. And Geefour was with him as well.

“Hey, kid. Nice to see you’re finally awake,” her captain greeted. T3-G4 gave Lyra a bleep as well. “The tin can said hello too, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Good morning to you too, Hider. Sorry I couldn’t join you all earlier. My heavy sleeping got the better of… me?” Lyra went stiff as she saw her captain approach her while wearing an unusual set of clothes.

“Eh, don’t mention it. Stuff like that happens to the best of us sometimes. By the way, our little errand boy over there wants to meet with you. Says he wants a little talk before our little trip to the Senate building.”

“Y-yes, of course! I’ll meet with him right away. But I gotta ask, what’s with those clothes you’re wearing? Did something happen to your jacket?”

“Oh this? Since we’re meeting with the Supreme Chancellor and all, I figured I’d dress for the occasion,” Hider replied while pointing to his outfit. “Well that, and I heard from Lieutenant Dodonna via comm-link that my family will be present during the Senate meeting.”

T3-G4 gave the ship captain a rather euphoric beep. “Shut it, tin can. It’s not like I had a choice! The freakin’ Lieutenant she’d let my pass transactions go if I present myself well.”

“What? They’re letting you go just like that?”

“That’s what I’ve been told, but I’m gonna take it with a grain of salt. Last thing I want to do is to put my faith into military personnel. Even if it’s my own folks, I can’t shake the feeling that they got something planned up their sleeves.”

“Hey, overstress yourself like that. I’m sure they’ll understand. Besides, you may have been in on this mission for the credits, but you stuck with us till the very end. Even if it led you to imminent danger. And that, Hider, is admirable. Regardless of what your true intentions were.”

Hider smiled. “Thanks, kid. I really needed that,” he said before looking at the crowd of ponies behind him. “You should probably go now, Lyra. Can’t keep that Larson guy waiting.”

Returning a smile of her own, Lyra trotted past her captain to join the other ponies who had circled around the Chancellor’s Vice Chair. When she spotted the man, she quickly examined him. He was a human male. Tall, but somewhat skinny compared to Hider. And lacked in any muscular structure. Though to be fair, most of his body were covered by the clothes he wore.

Immediately, the man spots Lyra out of the crowd. “Ah, so you must be Padawan Heartstrings,” he greeted.

“Yes, I am,” Lyra replied as all eyes fell on her. “You’re the Vice Chair, right? The person who’s going to escort us?”

The man nodded. “Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Larson Husbro, personal aid to the Supreme Chancellor Ulgo himself. He has given me orders to lead your group over to the Senate building, where he will meet with you in person at the lobby.”

“And why couldn’t he just meet us here?”

“He wanted to; however, the duties of the Supreme Chancellor kept him preoccupied.”

“Ugh, fair enough. But isn’t it a little risky to send only you to this vicinity? Not to be rude, but I don’t think a group this large should be escorted by only a few individuals, despite two of us being Jedi and all.”

“Do not fret, Padawan Heartstrings. This port is used by high ranking members of the Republic Senate and its Navy. In fact, we are being monitored as we speak, by high security officers of the Republic.”

“Okay, but how are we getting to the Senate building? Is there a shuttle we can take or are we walking?”

The Vice Chair answered by pointing his finger toward a moderately sized spaceship at the far end of the port. It wasn’t as big if compared to the Omega. In fact, it didn’t even look like the ship was built for space travel at all. It looked more like a large shuttle rather than a ship to be completely honest.

“That shuttle over there was provided by the Chancellor. We’ll be using it to get to the Senate Building,” Larson explained.

“Ah, so that means we’ll be flying our way there!” replied Lyra with a beaming smile. “That’s great! I was hoping we’d take a brief tour of Coruscant’s skies.”

“What? Flying?” shrieked a pony from the group. This immediately caught the attention of Lyra as she quickly spun around to see a dark orange earth pony mare shivering in her place.

“Hey, what’s wrong with her?”

“Oh, don’t mind, Tangerine. She has a mild case of acrophobia,” replied a stallion from the group. Lyra took a look at the pony. It was Stalwart Shield.

“Acrophobia? You mean the fear of heights?”

“Yup. The poor mare experienced an accident back at home. Fell off a hot air balloon during mid-flight. Before you ask, no, she suffered no serious injuries. She merely fell into a pond that the balloon was hovering over. But that incident occurred when she was a filly, and she’s been traumatized ever since.”

Lyra winced at this information. She recalled the warning that Sweetie made earlier, regarding the possibility that her kin may not adapt to Coruscant’s city-planet environment so quickly. However, there was one thing that bothered her about that mare. “How did she overcome her fear?” the Padawan asked. “I mean, she did fly on several spaceships already. I’m guessing she got over it in some capacity?”

“She did, but not entirely,” replied Stalwart. “The only reason she managed this far was because her colleagues, Cotton Swirl and Wishful Vision. Because of them, she somewhat got over her fears; but if you seat her next to a window in any flying vehicle, she’ll have a hard time coping.”

“Not a problem. There are some seats on the ship that aren’t close to any windows. With some assistance from your kin, I’m sure she’ll be fine,” said Vice Chair Larson who appeared to be listening in on their conversation. “Is there anyone else in your group that has similar phobias?”

“Not that I’m aware of, no. It’s only Tangerine,” answered Stalwart.

“Then I will make sure that her trip will be safe and secure. By the way, where are the rest of your group? I was told a Jedi Master would be here.”

“We’re right here.” Right on cue, Jedi Master Gizar Darran approached the Vice Chair. Alongside with him were the remaining crewmembers of the Omega and Platinum Impact, to which Master Darran hastily introduced.

Seeing that everyone was accounted for, Vice Chair Larson instructed the crowd to follow him, which everyone did. When they made it to the shuttle, they were greeted by two alien Republic guards. Both were male; however, one was a Twi’lek and the other a Zabrak.

“Is the ship ready for takeoff?” asked Larson

“Sir, yes sir!” shouted the Zabrak as he and his fellow guardsman saluted before the Vice Chair.

“Good. Then let us make haste. We can’t keep the Chancellor waiting. Oh, and just a heads up, we got one passenger here that has a fear of flying. Keep a close eye on her, please. And make sure she’s not sitting anywhere near any windows.”

“Sir, yes sir!”

“Wow. I guess military protocol is the same no matter where you are in the galaxy. Guess you and the captain would feel right at home. Don’t you think so, Stalwart,” said one mare from the group. Lyra looked back. It appeared to be Cotton Swirl; and apparently, she was talking to Stalwart Shield.

“I suppose so, Cotton,” the Stallion replied. “I have to admit. Seeing these soldiers up close makes me wonder if I could make a career here too.”

“I wouldn’t get ahead of yourself, Stalwart. We still have a home to protect first.”

“I know that, Cotton, but I just can’t help myself. Aside from Lyra herself, we’re the first ponies who’ve stepped hoof onto another world. I’m sure that everypony here wishes to learn more about this world and the galaxy as a whole.”

“Oh, so now you know how I feel then?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes.”

“Save the chit chat you two. You’re holding up the line,” said Platinum bluntly from behind as she batted Cotton Swirl at the back of the mare’s head.

“Why you little… well excuse me, Captain! I guess waiting patiently in line is out of the question for a highly important mare such as you!” Cotton rebuked. “Tell me, is it really necessary for you to act so uptight all the time that you’re willing to prevent your own subordinate from putting a ring on this horn?”

“E-excuse me?” shouted a now twitching Stalwart Shield.

“Quiet, Stalwart! Let me deal with this love disrupting pony first and then we’ll go back to hitting on each other!” shouted back Cotton Swirl.

“W-what?”

“Wow. I never thought I’d wake up and see the day where talking animals are literally hitting on each other,” said the Twi’lek guard.

“You’re telling me,” said the Zabrak. “I know these equines are intelligent and all, but this feels weird. One of them is a Jedi though, so it’s not all that bad.”

Lyra facehoofed. Did those guards really have to make a comment like that? It was bad enough that her mom and Cotton were causing a scene, but now the perspective has shifted to the aliens thanks to their stupid comment. Even the Vice Chair and her Master couldn’t help but sigh at this moment of idiocy.

“Hey, you take that back!” shouted one stallion. “We’re not weird at all!”

“Tell it to the ones who are currently flirting out loud in public,” shot back Zabrak.

“Enough, all of you!” shouted Lyra. Much to her delight, her voice was loud enough to gain everyone’s attention again. “Cotton Swirl, can you please save your little chat with Stalwart for another time? I know you like him but now is not the time for that sort of thing. As for everypony else, don’t take these guards’ comments too seriously. This is a new experience for them too, so take it easy.”

“Well said, Padawan Heartstrings,” replied Larson. “Come on. Let’s not keep the Chancellor waiting. Everyone on board!”

Lyra observed as her mother and Cotton stared at one another for a minute, only to breathe a sigh of relief as the two mares followed the Vice Chair in silence. But not before the latter let out a disgruntled huff at the former.

With a roll of her eyes, the young Padawan followed the ponies into the ship; however, she didn’t notice Hider coming from behind. “Nice work, kid,” her captain said as he playfully patted and rubbed his hand on Lyra’s mane. “You avoided a disaster in the making there.”

Annoyed, Lyra quickly used her magic to brush Hider’s hand aside. “Yeah, well, it’s not that big of a deal. I only did what I thought was right,” she replied.

“Maybe. But man, that Cotton pony really looked like she was ready to pounce. Though now that I think about it, I heard from the little Private that there’s some bad blood between her and your mom. Mind telling me why?”

Lyra shrugged as she and everyone else boarded the shuttle together. “I think it has something to do with my dad. You see, mom says that he and Cotton are professors at a university back in Equestria. They compete over prestige among their peers, or something like that. I’m not entirely sure.”

“Prestige? You mean they fight one another for recognition?”

“I guess. I don’t really know the details, but apparently, my dad got a lot of recognition from his colleagues after he discovered the abandoned Republic ships from a decade ago.”

“Ah, I get it. The mare must’ve gotten jealous of your old man for his discovery.”

“That jealousy will be her undoing if she doesn’t let it go.” Both Hider and Lyra turned around to see Master Darran approaching them slowly. He was alone, however. Chessk and the others weren’t with him. “If you are wondering where the others were, there’s no need to ask. They’ve already boarded the shuttle.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “No one asked, old man.”

“And I never asked for your opinion, Hider,” Darran replied with a snarky comment of his own. “I apologize. That came out of nowhere. I suppose your derisive attitude has been rubbing off on me a little bit.”

“Hey, there’s no need for any apologies, Master Jedi. It’s good to know my sense of humor is rubbing off on you.”

Lyra tilted her head. “Uh, is that supposed to be a good thing?”

“To me, yes. But let’s not get into that. I for one am more interested in our little pony friends.” Suddenly, a mischievous looking smirk crept onto Hider’s lips. Something that Lyra found strange. “You think they’ll take it in well? We already got one mare who has a phobia of flying. Maybe the others might have some hidden fears lurking at the back of their heads.”

“You shouldn’t mock someone’s fears, Hider,” replied Master Darran.

“I never said I was, old man. I’m just making a bet, that’s all.”

“A bet?” asked Lyra.

“Yeah, a bet. I made one with the tin can earlier. If a certain amount of ponies’ faints or overreacts at the sight of the city’s skyscrapers, Geefour will have weapon cleaning duty for three days.”

“Wait, what? Why would you do such a thing?”

“Because I can, that’s why. Besides, me and the tin can have been wanting to see what these ponies’ reactions might be at the sight of a futuristic city planet. So, we made a little game out of it to ease our boredom.”

“And what if you lose this silly little game of yours?”

“Well, if nothing happens, then I give away one of my customized blasters to the tin can.”

Lyra’s ears drooped. “Hider, are you sure you want to do this? Gambling your blaster over a pony’s phobia isn’t really a smart thing to do. In fact, I think this is one of the stupidest things you’ve ever done.”

“Wow. Harsh much, kid?”

“She’s not wrong, Hider,” cautioned Master Darran.

“Ah, don’t worry about it. It’s just harmless fun, that’s all. And besides, even if a couple of ponies’ faint at all the sightseeing, like that mare with the phobia, I’m sure you Jedi can take care of it.” In that moment, Hider’s mischievous smirk grew even wider. “Oh, I can’t wait. Just thinking about the tin can doing all the chores gets me pumped.”

Lyra sighed. As much as she wanted to convince her friend not to go with his gamble, she decided against it. No amount of words will prevent her friend from doing something stupid. The only way he’ll learn such a harsh lesson is by letting this play out.

And she was correct. The flight to the Senate building went about as smooth as she liked. There weren’t any fainting nor overreactions. Even the mare with the phobia did okay, though she was forced to sit away from the windows.

As for the rest of her kin, they seemed to take in the environment fairly well. Most had gathered at the windows to stare at the buildings passing by. They were completely enamored at the sights. So much so that even her mother couldn’t hold back her curiosity. And by the time they made landfall, everypony was excited to see what the outside might bring.

Lyra followed suit; but on the way out, she spotted Chessk comforting a crying Hider in the corner, while T3-G4 gave off piratic beeps. Her master was with them as well, though he didn’t seem to care for Hider’s weeping.

“Guess I should have seen that one coming,” she muttered.

Upon leaving the shuttle, Lyra was immediately taken by surprise. Eyes widened, she stared straight at the large dome-like building in front of her.

“Behold, equines. The Senatorial Chambers²! The epicenter of Coruscant itself!” shouted the Vice Chair Larson who was boldly standing in front of the entire group.

Lyra’s jaw slacked. She had read and seen holo-records of the Senatorial Chambers before, but she never imagined that she’d be able to see it first hoof. Boasting a shield-shaped dome as its room, the Senate building stood tall, eclipsing the many tall buildings surrounding it.

“Wow, this place looks big,” said Sweetie Drops from within the group of ponies. “It’s nearly as big as the Royal Castle on Canterlot. Maybe even bigger.”

“I don’t know, Sweetie. There are plenty of buildings here that are just as big or even taller than what we’re staring at now,” replied Cotton Swirl. “And they actually look normal.”

“What do you mean by that, Cotton?”

“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with that big dome thing at the top!” Cotton shouted at the top of her lungs. “Seriously! I’m no architect, but the design of that thing leaves a lot of questions.”

Lyra opened her mouth to object but was stopped as a creamy hoof covered her mouth. “There’s no need to drag this out,” said Sweetie Drops. “Just let it go, okay?”

“But Sweetie, they got it all wrong!”

“And you arguing about it doesn’t make our situation any better!”

“Settle down! Both of you!” shouted Platinum. Her piercing glare caused both mares to shut up.

Lyra curled her lip. Her throat suddenly became parched as she found herself losing the will to argue back. Giving a quick glance at her friend, she had realized that Sweetie was in the same position as her. Frozen and stiff. Without saying another word, Platinum shook her head before leaving the two ponies alone.

With the coast clear, Lyra let out a sigh of relief. “You know, I keep forgetting that my mom is a military personnel. Does she always do this to you or other recruits too?” she asked Sweetie Drops.

The mare in question rolled her eyes. “You don’t know the half of it,” Sweetie replied. “According to Sergeant Shield, the Captain is always one to take things seriously. Especially during duty.”

“Well, she could’ve at least taken it a little easy.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes. “Lyra, we’re about to meet the highest political figures in the entire galaxy. Taking it easy is the last thing the Captain wants to do. And besides, why are you complaining? Didn’t Master Darran and the other Jedi Masters do the same thing to you?”

“They did, yes, but I doubt it’s nothing compared to what the military does. In fact, the worst scolding I’ve ever gotten was when a clanmate and I decided to—ack!” Lyra flinched as her head suddenly throbbed in pain so bad that she had almost lost her balance. If not for Sweetie, she would’ve collapsed right there on the metal platform.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” asked a now worried Sweetie Drops.

“There’s something wrong. A disturbance in the Force,” Lyra answered slowly. The pain in her head prevented her from communicating properly. “We’re… not the only ones here.”

“Well, duh! There’s probably like thousands, if not, hundreds of thousands of people within the vicinity. So what’s the big deal?”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, Sweetie! For some reason, I’m sensing more Jedi within the vicinity. And before you ask, no, I’m not referring to just my master.”

Looking back at the shuttle she took; Lyra reached out with the Force to check with her master. He hadn’t left the ship yet. Most likely due to whatever antics Hider and T3-G4 were doing after their silly little bet. She then looked at the Senatorial Chambers. There, she could feel it. A dozen or so Force Sensitives made themselves known through the Force.

“Other Jedi, huh? You think it could be any of those High Council members?” asked Sweetie.

Lyra shook her head. “No, it’s not. If it were, then I may be able to recognize their Force signature. But I’m certain it’s not any one from the High Council. Although, I am sensing a rather powerful Force user coming from inside the Senate building.”

“Should we be worried?”

“I don’t think so. I’ll alert my master once he gets off the ship with the others; however, I’m not sensing any danger coming from the building. Just keep your guard up. I know you’re not Force sensitive but stay alert and look for signs of any trouble. I get the feeling our meeting with the Supreme Chancellor will attract some unwanted attention.”

Chapter 35

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When Lyra was told she was getting the chance to go to the Supreme Chancellor’s Senate office, she thought that his workplace would be lavish and well decorated. Reality, however, was a letdown. The Chancellor’s office was neat and tidy; but aside from the red painted walls, the entire room lacked décor. No fancy vases. No furniture to match the painting on the walls. Simply put, the Chancellor’s office was a complete bore.

Yet despite this disappointment, Lyra quickly brushed her thoughts aside. There were bigger things to worry about right now. And as she and everypony else got comfortable in their seats, all eyes turned to the well-dressed Chancellor Ulgo, sitting behind a lavish table. And he wasn’t alone either. Beside him was the Vice Chair Larson Husbro, as well as two guardsmen.

“Good morning to you all,” the Chancellor said with a smile on his face. “On behalf of the Galactic Republic and its people, I welcome you ponies to Coruscant.”

Platinum Impact, who was sitting on the closest chair just opposite of the Chancellor, bowed respectfully toward the man. “Thank you for your hospitality, Chancellor Ulgo,” she replied. “It is an honor to be one of the first few of my kind to step hoof on this planet. Although, my daughter is already ahead of us by a couple of years.”

“Yes, so I’ve heard,” Ulgo replied as he turned his attention toward the young Jedi. “You have my thanks, Padawan Heartstrings. Not only were you able to save your kin from enslavement, but you also saved my home and alerted the Republic on the Mandalorian threat.”

“Wow! Who would’ve thought the kid would get an actual compliment from the Supreme Chancellor himself!” Hider shouted from the back of the office room.

Despite the rude interruption, the Chancellor remained stoic and called to the former smuggler. “Sarcasm aside, I have also heard about your deeds as well, Captain Louhun. Though you may have abandoned your duties as a Republic officer, you and your crew’s actions on aiding these ponies and the Jedi are commendable.”

Hider chuckled. “While I appreciate the comment, Chancellor, we shouldn’t be wasting our time exchanging pleasantries,” he argued.

“I agree. Let’s cut to the chase,” said Master Darran. “The ponies here are in dire need of assistance, Chancellor Ulgo. The Mandalorians have discovered the whereabouts of their home planet and will likely launch an invasion.”

Captain Impact nodded her head. “As much as this pains me to admit, we as a species stand no chance against these barbarians,” she explained. “Despite our natural born magics, we lack the technological advancement your military has. Should our planet be invaded; any form of resistance will cripple and die.”

“Which is why you are petitioning for aid. To drive off the Mandalorian threat,” replied Chancellor Ulgo.

“That is correct.”

The Chancellor sighed as he clasped his hands together. “You are aware, Captain Impact, the gravity of your request, correct?”

“I am, yes. I know your Republic is in the middle of a war right now, but I won’t surrender my home. Especially, not to some blood-thirsty barbarians whose only thought are war and conflict.” The guardspony bowed her head once more. And to the shock of Lyra and her companions, so too did every pony else. “Please. Help us.”

“There is no need for you to bow, Captain. For you already have my support.”

Lyra blinked. Did she really hear that right? She looked at her mother, who apparently was just as confused as she was. “You’re willing to help us? Already?” the Padawan asked after an awkward silence.

The Chancellor nodded his head. “Yes, I am. You had already done me and Alderaan a great service by driving out the Mandalorian force. And for that, you have my support as well as the Senators of Alderaan.”

“Then what are we waiting for!” shouted an overly eager pony from behind Platinum and Lyra. When the two ponies looked to see who it was, it turned out to be the mare with the acrophobia, Tangerine. “Call your naval officers! Tell them we should leave now!”

The mare’s bravado didn’t last very long as she quickly realized her sudden outburst made her the center of attention. Upon realizing this, she sheepishly slumped into her chair and apologized. “S-sorry about that. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“I’d settle down if I were you, little equine,” cautioned Chessk, who was standing next to Hider at the back of the room. “The Chancellor doesn’t have the ability to send out his soldiers like that. A process must be done first.”

“Process? What process?” asked another pony from the group.

“The approval of the Galactic Senate,” answered Master Darran. “ In order for you and your kin to receive Republic military support, you need the approval of the Galactic Senate. A majority approval to be precise.”

“Correct, Master Jedi,” replied Chancellor Ulgo. “Our government is split into three separate branches. There is the Chancellorship, the Galactic Senate, and the Judicial department. It is the Senate that you must pay close attention to, as their votes decide whether or not we should send our Navy to aid you.”

“If that is the case, then how many Senators do we need to sway?” asked Stalwart Shield, who was sitting on a chair right next to his captain. “I’d imagine we have a couple of sympathizers, but part of me believes that isn’t enough.”

“There isn’t,” replied the Chancellor, bluntly. “For me to send out the Navy by legal means would require the support of at least sixty senators. If a vote were held now, you’d be well short of the required number.”

“How many Senators are willing to side with us?” asked Platinum.

“According to my advisors, there are about forty-five of them. You would need at least fifteen more to get the Naval support that you need.”

Lyra winced. It seemed the upcoming Senate meeting was going to be much more stressful than she thought. “How many Senators are on the fence?” she asked.

The Chancellor smiled. “You’ll be happy to know that there are many Senators who are willing to side with you, Padawan Heartstrings. But it is like you said. They are on the fence. In the upcoming meeting, you must use that time to persuade fence sitters to help you.”

“Err, fence sitters?” asked Stalwart Shield. “Forgive me for asking, but I don’t really understand what you all are talking about. What does it mean when someone is one the fence?”

“It means that they’re unsure on what to do, Sergeant,” replied Master Darran. “These Senators can sympathize with your kind, but they do not want to act irrationally. You need to provide a plea that would sway them to join your side.”

“Which, I admit, will be easier said than done, “said Chancellor Ulgo. “These past few days have been unsettling in the eyes of our citizens, including the Senators. It was bad enough that rioting had escalated on Taris, but news about the Mandalorians here on Coruscant and Alderaan really dampened everyone’s mood.”

Lyra blinked in confusion. Did the Chancellor just say there was rioting on Taris? That was certainly something she did not expect to hear. A few days ago she had just visited that planet. What happened to it after she left?

“Will… will this be a problem?” asked a now anxious Tangerine. Lyra stared at the once enthusiastic earth pony, whose short burst of confidence from before has all but dwindled away, replaced with meekness and doubt. She wasn’t alone on this either. Almost everypony else in the room shared the same feelings as her.

All except for her mother, Platinum.

“I’m not too worried about it,” the guardspony said, who was beaming with confidence. Aside from a few individuals, her attitude surprised everyone in the room. “I still got a trump card, and I plan on using it on those snotty Senators.”

The Chancellor, who remained steadfast despite Platinum’s determination, stared at the mare with a raised brow. “I don’t mean to pry, but may I ask what this plan of yours is, Captain Impact?” he finally asked.

Lyra’s eyes widened. That certainly took her by surprise, though her mother’s level headed attitude was enough of a surprise already. Still, a part of her was worried. She knew what her mother was talking about, of course. But should they really reveal their ace in the hole now? The Chancellor was on their side, so what was the point?

Before she could make any objections, her mother quickly turned to Master Darran. “Do you have a copy of that map I gave you?” she asked the Jedi Master.

Darran nodded. “I do, yes. But are you certain you want to reveal this information now?”

“I don’t want to drag this out any longer. Just show him what needs to be shown.”

The Jedi Master nodded his head solemnly as he reached inside his Jedi robes. Using his right hand, he pulled out a datapad and immediately handed it over to a nearby aid, who would examine the item first before handing it over to the Chancellor.

Without saying a word, Chancellor Ulgo began to read. His facial expression remained neutral at first; but the longer his eyes remained glued to the screen, his mood soured. “Your home planet is a lot closer than I would’ve thought,” he said. “I would’ve guessed it’d be located someplace in the outer-rim, but for it to border between the Inner and Mid-rim worlds? That’s… very troublesome indeed.”

Slumping into his chair, the Chancellor sighed. “I am assuming that this is the trump card that you were referring to?” he asked Platinum, to which the mare replied with a nod. “I see. Then I have no doubt in my mind. This information that you gave me will definitely turn many Senators to your side.”

“Are you sure?” asked Lyra.

“I’m sure. The Republic has a lot of industry and farm planets located in the inner and mid-rim worlds. And that includes key manufacturing planets for our Navy. Letting the Mandalorians conquer a world so close to these key planets would be very detrimental to us.”

“It would also allow them to ransack and cut off the Republic from vital supplies. Supplies that may determine the outcome of the war itself,” replied Master Darran before addressing the ponies. “Senators can be very paranoid. Anything that threatens their home, their wealth, or their position of power, they’ll do anything to preserve it. Regardless of peace or wartime. Present this information to them, and it’s pretty certain that they’ll side with you.”

“But at what cost?” asked Chessk from the back of the room.

“I beg your pardon, Trandoshan?” asked the Chancellor. His condescending tone caused Chessk to scowl at the man.

“I have a name Supreme Chancellor Ulgo. Address me by that, and perhaps I shall answer your question.”

“Whoa, take it easy, big guy. The Chancellor meant no offense,” said Hider as he tried to settle the hunter down. It was a good thing he did too. Chessk’s comments were so callous that the guards who protected the Chancellor seemed all but ready to strike at the Trandoshan for his disrespect. However, the Chancellor was quick to stop them.

“My apologies, young hunter. I did not mean to offend you,” Ulgo replied. “It’s your skepticism about our Senators is what worries me. Pray tell, why is that?”

“I am not skeptical on if the Senators will join our side, Chancellor. What worries me are their desires,” Chessk explained. “Master Darran said it himself. There are Senators who are paranoid about their positions of power. Not all, but enough to warrant concern.”

“So? What’s your point?” asked Hider. From his left, T3-G4 gave off a mix of whirls and beeps at the former smuggler, whose eyes widened once the droid was done speaking “Oh… so that’s why. I guess the big guy has legit reasons to be concerned.”

“A point about what?” Lyra asked.

“Think, kid. If these Senators care much so about their power and wealth, what’s going to happen if they allow the Navy to rescue a once undiscovered planet? A planet that, mind you, that has been left untouched for possibly centuries.”

“I don’t follow.”

Hider sighed. “Would the word, extortion, set any alarms off in your head, kid?”

Lyra still did not get it. She understood the possibility that some Senators were bad people, but she didn’t know why Chessk was so concerned. Perhaps it was because of his time spent as an Exchange agent? It would answer her question somewhat as he did spend a year under the boot of his greedy cousin.

But that’s when it became clear to her.

The reason why her companion was concerned is because he was looking out for her. Equestria, and quite possibly the entire planet, was left untouched by any galactic figurehead for centuries. Sure, the Republic may have come to her planet at some point, but ponies were completely isolated from the rest of the galaxy.

Realizing this, Lyra flinched. Having her home planet be exposed can be both a good and bad thing. Well, mostly bad the more she thought about it. For every good thing the Republic and the Jedi might bring, something equally bad is brought as well. And it wasn’t just the Mandalorians she was thinking about.

“Is something wrong, Padawan Heartstrings?” asked Chancellor Ulgo, to which Lyra answered with a shake of her head. She went on to explain her concerns about the Senate and how exposing her home to a big galaxy may have unintended consequences. “I see. That is concerning to say the least.”

“Should we be worried?” asked Lyra. “The Republic is at war right now and the last thing I want to do is expose my home to a conflict that they don’t understand.”

“Let’s not forget about the shady organizations too. Lest I remind you about your kind’s poor experience with Czerka and the Exchange,” said Chessk. “Do I even have to mention the infamous Hutt Cartels?”

“Hutt Cartels¹?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Don’t ask, creamy one.”

“Settle down, please. The meeting with the Galactic Senate hasn’t started yet and we are already talking about an uncertain future,” cautioned the Chancellor. “Let’s focus on one goal at a time, alright?”

Lyra frowned. Although the Chancellor meant well, his words didn’t sway the drastic change in mood for the ponies. She could see it in their eyes. The optimism they had at the start of the meeting were nearly flushed, replaced with feelings of doubt. If it weren’t for her mother being so bold, their mood would’ve completely tanked causing mass anxiety.

Speaking of her mother, Lyra had noticed that she hadn’t said anything for quite some time. Despite Chessk’s warning about exposing Equestria to the rest of the galaxy, she had remained strangely stoic once more.

So why is it that she remained so calm? Was it all an act to keep everypony calm and collected? Lyra never got her answer, however, as her mother finally spoke up. “Settle down, everypony. We shouldn’t be thinking about the future just yet,” she instructed.

“How can we not, Platinum?” replied Cotton Swirl. “Equestria’s future is seriously on the line here!”

“It’s bad, I know. Believe me, I’m just as afraid of the future as all of you are. But we need to focus on one thing at a time. And we’ll start with the upcoming Senate meeting.”

Master Darran nodded in approval. “I agree. As daunting as these tasks are, we should start with the meeting ahead of us and get some of you ponies home.”

The Jedi Master would quickly explain their intended plan on allowing several ponies return home on the ship they’ve arrived in, and the handful of Jedi who are willing to go with them. As expected, Chancellor Ulgo approved of his plan; but surprisingly, he went bit further by the ponies and a handful of his personal guards. With the war against the Mandalorians drawing ever so close, the Senate allowed the assembly of a new military branch. It was small, but its main purpose was to protect the Supreme Chancellor. And being the man in charge himself, Ulgo issued a quick executive order. Assign his new guards to the ponies and protect them against any danger.

“Wow. That is very kind of you, Chancellor Ulgo,” said Lyra.

“I’d rather not risk any more of your lives, young Padawan. If sending a few of my personal guards helps at the slightest, then I am more than happy to contribute,” the Chancellor replied as he scribbled on a piece of paper.

“You have our thanks, Chancellor; but if I may ask, where is the Celestial Sun?” asked Platinum.

“Docked at a nearby military port. It’s not far, but walking won’t do you any good. You’d have to take a shuttle to get there.”

“A shuttle, eh?” said a smiling Cotton Swirl. “Does that mean we’ll get another tour of the planet?”

“Please, no!” shrieked Tangerine. “One flight was bad enough! I don’t want to take another one!”

The Chancellor sighed. “I must apologize to the both of you. The military port is within walking distance; however, it’ll only draw the lot of you out in public and I don’t want to cause a stir. Air shuttle will be the only method of transport,” Ulgo explained. “And before you ask; no, you are not taking a tour of the city. You’ll be going straight toward the base. No distractions.”

“Oh, sweet Celestia.”

“Suck it up, Tangerine. You’ll be fine,” said Platinum, bluntly. “As for the rest of you, have you made your decisions yet? If you all want to go home, that’s fine by me. But if Lyra and I are going to testify before the Senate, then we need at least a few ponies to stay with us.”

Lyra curled her lip. Before they had left Dantooine, her mother made an announcement. She promised that if ponies wanted to go home upon their arrival on Coruscant, then they were free to do so. With their brief meeting with the Supreme Chancellor nearly over, ponies can leave if they wish. However, what she needed were volunteers. Ponies that would help them with their second goal, convince the Republic to leave them alone.

Both mother and daughter knew that the two of them alone may not be enough to sway the Senate. Sure, knowledge of their home world would get enough votes they need for military assistance, but after Chessk’s warning, they might a few more to testify on behalf of Equestria and their entire planet.

“Captain, permission to speak,” said Sweetie Drops.

“Permission granted. What is it, Private?”

“I thought about what you said back on the ship and I’ve decided that it’d be best if I stay by your side. I may not have been with you all during your capture by the Mandalorians, but I can still provide a decent testimony. My experience with the Exchange and the Jedi should be all that I need to help in our cause.”

“I can stay as well,” said Stalwart Shield. “I may not be great with words, but I’ll do everything in my power to protect our home.”

Sweetie and Stalwart weren’t alone. There were a few other ponies who volunteered to stay behind. Guard ponies mostly though given how Platinum addressed them. However, it didn’t change the fact that a small majority of the ponies wanted to go home.

“Cotton, what about you?” asked Platinum. “Are you planning on going with everypony else, or are you staying.

The mare smiled. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about me, Platinum. Because I am not going anywhere. I’m staying here, where you like it or not.”

That certainly was surprising. At least to most ponies’ anyway. Lyra already had a feeling that Cotton Swirl would choose to stay, for she was far too enamoured by the Republic’s futuristic society.

“Are you sure about this, Cotton?” asked Stalwart Shield, who appeared to have shown concern for the mare due to her sudden announcement.

“Oh, don’t you get all overprotective on me, Stalwart. I’m staying. There is still a lot of stuff I want to see and research while we’re here. Even if it’s only for a short time. Besides, somepony has to rub it in the face of that idiot coworker of mine. Oh, I cannot wait until I tell him about all the neat little gadgets I saw. The look on his face will be priceless.

Platinum scowled. “That idiot coworker is my husband, Cotton.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. You have my sincerest condolences.”

“Now, ladies, let’s not get into any fights. Remember, you’re all on the same side,” said Chancellor Ulgo in an attempt to disquiet the now tense moment between Platinum and Cotton.

Lyra facehoofed. Though was glad the Chancellor stepped in, it was irritating to hear Cotton insult her family like that. Just what did her father do to make Cotton dislike him so much? Though any curiosity on that matter vanished when she heard Hider chuckling at the back of the room.

“You find this amusing, human?” asked Chessk.

“Yes. Yes, I do,” Hider admitted. From his left, T3-G4 replied with a couple of bleeps. Though it seemed to be directed at Chessk this time. “See, I’m not alone on this. The tin can thinks it’s funny too.”

“And how is that supposed to make things better?”

“Enough! All of you!” ordered Master Darran. His commanding voice was enough to earn everyone’s attention in the room and, much to Lyra’s delight, prevented a possible fight between Platinum and Cotton. “Chancellor Ulgo, you said that a team of tailors have made some clothes for the ponies, correct?”

“Uh… yes, I have,” replied the Chancellor. “Since you are attending an important meeting with the Senate, I figured that I’d get some formal clothing tailored for you all.”

“You did?” asked everypony at once.

“Indeed. All Senatorial meetings require formal wear. Because of that, I requested the Jedi to take measurements during your stay on Dantooine. Granted, my tailors were a little upset about the sudden request I made, but they managed. Taking a look at Padawan Heartstring’s Jedi tunic designs really speed up the design process.”

“Wow, that’s very nice of you, Chancellor,” said Lyra.

“Huh. So that’s why the Jedi took our measurements while we were at that farm planet,” said Cotton Swirl. “How kind of them to lend us some clothes. Might even be a decent souvenir for the trip home.”

“But what about the ponies who are leaving?” asked Cotton Swirl. “Are we getting any clothes too?”

“Of course, that’s what you’d be concerned about the most, Tangerine,” joked one stallion from the group.

“Hey, you can’t fault a mare for liking their clothes, okay. Especially when they’re from Canterlot, the grandest city of all of Equestria!”

“Grandest city of Equestria, eh? Perhaps I can pay the city a visit one day, Miss. Tangerine,” joked the Chancellor. “But to answer your question, we didn’t know how many of you were planning on staying, so my tailors made enough clothes for all of you. “If you want to check them out before you leave, Larson here will guide you all to my personal fitting rooms.”

The Vice Chair bowed. “I’ll be happy to guide you ponies,” he said. With permission from the Chancellor, Larson made his way toward the exit. “Follow me, please.”

The ponies did what they were told and followed the man out of the Chancellor’s office. Lyra did so too, but she did not leave right away. She just had to make sure that her mother nor anypony else had any lingering questions for the Chancellor. By the time everypony had left, she and her crew were the last to leave.

But upon leaving office, however, she had noticed that her master did not follow them out. Seeing this, she immediately turned back. To her surprise, a pair of guards blocked her from entering. “Hey, what are you doing?” asked the young Padawan. “Let me in!”

The guards shook their heads. One of them explained that, before the meeting occurred, Master Darran requested that he speak to the Chancellor in private. This confused Lyra, but she understood why he made that decision.

The mysterious Force Sensitives wandering around the Senate building. She had informed her master about it before the meeting, which he immediately took the time to warn the High Council. No doubt, the guards stationed will be on alert from now until the Senate briefing will be over. Still, Lyra could not help but feel uneasy about these rogue Jedi. She could only hope that the Council’s aid would reveal the truth.

Before she could rejoin the others, the Force pierced into her skull as the supernatural power began to radiate around her. The sensation wasn’t painful, but it was enough to get her attention. Immediately, she scoured the hallway for any sign that might have caused that disturbance.

That’s when she spotted it. A hooded figure standing several feet away was looking directly at her. Immediately, she bolted away from the Chancellor’s office, hoping that she could catch whoever this person was. And she wasn’t alone either. The two guards had also seen the strange person and decided to follow Lyra.

But as soon as they turned the corner, the hooded person was gone. This sparked confusion and outrage from the two guards, who immediately bickered amongst themselves. However, Lyra just stood there and did nothing. That person she saw, she was certain it was a Jedi. Or at the very least a Force Sensitive. Granted, there was a possibility that this person was using a Stealth Field Generator, but she shook her head. Even if that person was using technology to hide themselves, she could at least sense them through the Force.

Was it possible that the person she saw was a rogue Jedi? She didn’t know for sure, but one thing’s for certain. She cannot let her guard down.

Chapter 36

View Online

Since her arrival to Republic space, there had been quite a few times where Lyra had been wowed at the sight of modern technology and architecture. Today was another one of those days, for she had the privilege of seeing the Grand Convocation Chambers¹. It was the very place where Senators from all over the galaxy would come and discuss politics. And by the Force, it was a sight to behold.

For starters, the entire chamber was massive. It easily eclipsed the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine by far. Even more impressive was the design. Whoever built this place made sure that there were seating platforms for all Senators for the Galactic Republic. And try as she might, Lyra could not count them all. There were dozens, perhaps even hundreds of seating platforms all around her. Just how many people were here?

Lyra quickly brushed her question aside. She wasn’t here to count platforms of all things. She was there to get support. To help her kin.

The meeting with the Galactic Senate had just begun. In the center of the Grand Convocation Chamber was Supreme Chancellor Ulgo standing on top of an elevated seating platform. He was conducting his opening speech before the Senate. A rather mundane speech if Lyra had to be honest. All he did was talk about the threat of the Mandalorians and how the Republic needed unity in times of war.

She sighed. Was there really any point to this opening speech? Listening to the Chancellor go on and on about unity made her twitch. He could’ve just saved everyone’s time by introducing the ponies instead, so why their time with a pointless speech?

“Perhaps I’ll never understand politics,” muttered the young Padawan as she patiently waited for the Chancellor to finish talking. Seeing that she has some free time, she looked at her companions and the ponies who chose to stay with her today.

The Senate Chambers housed metal seating platforms that could fit a total of six occupants, plus a droid. Lyra and her companions had taken one while the ponies, excluding her mother who was sitting right next to her, took the other. Shortly before the meeting started, a mechanical function caused the group to be separated; however, it didn’t last long as upon entering the Grand Convocation Chambers, both parties’ platforms reappeared right next to each other. Though a narrow gap prevented the group from boarding the others’ seating platform, they could still see one other at the very least.

Staring at her kin with a bemused smile, Lyra chuckled for a split moment, only to quickly look away when her mother caught her in the act. “Is something funny, dear?” Platinum asked, to which the Padawan shook her head in response.

“No, mom. It’s nothing.”

That was a lie. In truth, Lyra could not help but laugh. Before the meeting was held, the ponies were taken to a fitting room where they could try on modern clothing that was tailored specifically to them. At first, everypony was elated to hear this; but after seeing the clothes themselves, their excitement waned. The clothes that were offered looked strange to them. Or in Cotton Swirl’s case, outright ugly.

Lyra chuckled again as she recalled the moment Cotton blurted out her true feelings. Although it was outright rude of her to feel, it was still funny to witness. And it made her appreciative of her Jedi attire as she was allowed to wear it instead. Even Hider and Chessk shared a laugh together upon witnessing the mare’s hysterical outburst. They were, however, quickly put in order by both her mother and Master Darran.

As both of her parental figures offered their sincerest apologies, the ponies who planned on staying for the meeting got dressed. Despite their distaste for outfits themselves, the ponies had to admit, the tailors did a great job. Nopony had reported any fitting issues. The tailors made sure that their work was done correctly even though none of them had ever seen a pony before.

If she had to be honest, Lyra was amazed that these tailors were able to make such clothing in so little time. When she first started as a Jedi Initiate, she had to wait several days before receiving a tunic that’d fit her. Granted these tailors were given measurements in advance, but wouldn’t it have been more helpful if these guys designed a replica or something similar to her tunic instead?

But a privilege like that was for the rich and powerful. At least, that’s what her master had explained. It is not the Jedi way to seek such pleasures in life after all.

“Sweet Celestia, these things are ugly. Is this really what’s trending in the galaxy?” asked Sweetie who had taken a seat behind Lyra’s. When offered her own garb by the tailors, the Private didn’t react as badly compared to some of her kin; however, her opinion on the outfit was pretty much the same as everypony else.

“You better believe it, Private,” answered Hider Louhun. The man had taken a seat next to Sweetie, and alongside with him was T3-G4. “Red, yellow, and black are the latest colors that are trending right now. No due in part thanks to the war going on.”

“It makes sense. In times of conflict or war, everyone would like to show just how patriotic they are. Though I find these… trends to be unnecessary for the most part,” replied Chessk who had taken the seat left of Sweetie Drops. “If people truly wish to support the Republic, then they should show their support by joining the military or volunteer at local shelters in case refugees start piling up.”

Hider blinked. “Wow. You never cease to amaze me do you, big guy? First you go on about following your religious deeds and then you go on about volunteering at local shelters.”

“I’m stating a fact, human. This war with the Mandalorians is bound to cause a refugee crisis. As a matter of fact, it’s already happened. Do you not recall the large number of refugees on Ord Mantell?”

“Yeah, don’t remind me. For years, the Mandalorians have been invading world after world in the outer rim. And the Republic didn’t do a damn thing about it.”

“Why not?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Those worlds aren’t part of the Galactic Republic. Some are even independent and had flat out refused support or caused serious trouble for our government in the past. Because of that, neither the Chancellor nor the Naval Admirals could lift a finger help.”

“And before you ask, no, the Jedi couldn’t provide help much either,” said Lyra. “Our numbers are still low since the Great Sith War many decades ago. Even if we managed to gather as much Jedi as we can, it wouldn’t be enough to mount a decent defense. So, the Jedi High Council ordered all Jedi to standby and wait.”

“That still didn’t stop a few Jedi to join the fight, kid,” Hider muttered.

“Did you say something, Hider?”

“Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

“So, all the Republic and Jedi could do was sit back and watch as their enemies gained power,” said Platinum. She then rolled her eyes. “If that isn’t a recipe for disaster, then I don’t know what is.”

“Which is all the more reason you guys need to convince the Senate to aid you,” Hider replied before looking back at the Chancellor with a frown. “That is if our high and mighty Supreme Chancellor ever gets to finish his speech.”

To everyone’s disappointment, the Chancellor was still speaking on top of his high platform. Seeing this made Lyra groan. The man had been talking for way too long now. Just when will he stop?

“And now, I’d like to introduce our guest to the Senate,” said the Chancellor. “Not only has she seen the Mandalorian threat up close but had also fought against our enemies and won.”

Lyra’s ears wobbled. It seemed the Chancellor was now ready to properly introduce her to the galaxy. Acting with haste, she looked at her Jedi tunic to see if anything was wrong with it. But as she did this, the platform where she stood on began to move. It was slow, but Lyra, Sweetie, Drops, Hider, and her Master found themselves at the center of chambers.

“Senators, today I present to you all a new alien species,” the Chancellor continued while pointing toward Lyra. “This brightly colored young woman you see here arrived on Coruscant a decade ago on a battered Republic ship. Since that time, the Jedi took her under their wing and trained her. Now, she stands before you as Jedi Padawan. And not only that, she was the one who fought against our enemy both here and on Alderaan.”

Immediately, the Senate Chambers broke into mindless chatter with Lyra at the center of attention. Seeing this made the young Padawan feel uneasy. The thought about standing before hundreds of people was nerve racking enough, but actually experiencing it was another story altogether, especially when there is a literal spotlight shining down on her.

“Calm yourself, Padawan. Do not overthink on the crowd itself,” cautioned Master Darran, who had taken the remaining seat on the platform.

“But master, I’ve never done something like this before,” replied Lyra. “Standing before the Jedi High Council is one thing but speaking to dozens if not hundreds of people is something else entirely!”

“You need to stay calm, my student. If doubt clouds your mind, then remember to trust your instincts. And most importantly, trust in the Force. It will guide you.”

“Y-yes, master.”

“Order! Order! We shall have order this instant!” shouted the Vice Chair Larson, who was sitting right next to the Supreme Chancellor.

“Wow, not a single minute into your introduction and already things are flaring up,” joked Hider. “Hope you got what it takes to talk to these nutcases, kid. Because you are going to need all the luck you can get.”

“Gee, thanks for the words of encouragement, Hider. Glad to know you care so much about me,” said Lyra sarcastically as the noise erupting across the Senate Chambers was starting to die down.

“If you are all done talking amongst yourselves, I’d like the Senate to turn their attention to this young woman,” shouted the Chancellor before turning to Lyra herself. “Padawan Lyra Heartstrings, can you please give the Senate a brief summary on how you came to Republic space and how you became a part of the Jedi Order?”

Lyra nodded. Despite her feelings, she stood stall on the elevated platform and began to tell the Senate her story. She was careful not to tell them everything though. Particularly her home planet, as her master and her mother warned that revealing its whereabouts too early might be a mistake. For now, the only thing the Senate needed to know was who she was, how she came to Republic space, and how she became a Jedi in training.

As expected, her explanation caused a stir.

“That thing is a Jedi?”

“Why didn’t the Jedi tell us about this new species?”

“How in the world did a primitive species get their hands… er, hooves on Republic spacecraft? Let alone get it to work?”

“Forget that! Her testimony means that the Republic discovered her world centuries ago, but never marked it on any map! This could be a groundbreaking!”

“Order! Order in the court!” screamed Vice Chair Larson.

Lyra sighed. These Senators are supposed to be adults, right? So why are they rambling on like a bunch of kids? Is this what politics is supposed to be, a shouting contest?

Seeing this, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Vice Chair. Getting these adults in order must be a painful, unappreciative job. Did he seriously have to deal with this every single day? Just what kind of life decisions did that guy make that led him to this career? Perhaps the Force has a sense of humor in some way?

Looking at the Supreme Chancellor, Lyra noticed that his expression had remained stoic. It seemed like he was in an uncomfortable condition too, though he masked his true feelings well. Impressive one might think, but she can’t help but wonder how he managed to pull that off.

Suddenly, a loud beep could be heard from where Lyra stood. She looked around to see where the noise came from, only to find a green light had emerged from a small datapad which was attached in front of Lyra’s seat.

“Be silent!” shouted the Vice Chair again. “Senator Dane from Dantooine, speak up! You have the floor!”

Lyra’s ears perked up as an old man’s face appeared on the datapad. “Fellow Senators, I am Senator Dane Matcol from Dantooine. Many of you might not know me. In fact, I can say for certain that quite a few of you may think less of me because I’m from some backwater planet in the Outer Rim. But I can share with you all that I have seen this pony’s growth firsthand since the day she first came to my home.”

Noise erupted in the Senate Chambers again, but it was quickly fiddled out by the Vice Chair, allowing Senator Dane to continue speaking.

“I admit, there have only been a few times where I met Padawan Heartstrings Though I am unsure if she recalls our meetings. The last time I met her face to face, she was but a mere fledgling child. But regardless, I have seen her growth. It may not look like it, but she worked her damn hardest to become what she is now. And I for one have no doubt she’ll become a great Jedi Knight one day.”

“Wow. Nice to know someone’s got your back,” chuckled Hider from his seat.

“I suppose,” replied Lyra with a shrug. “But I don’t remember meeting this person.”

“Senator Dane was one of several people outside the Order who knew of your existence,” explained Master Darran. “He came to see you a few times during your training as an Initiate, though I doubt you remember. You were quite young at the time.”

“Do you think he’ll side with us, Master?”

“I do, yes. He’s always been appreciative of the Jedi’s presence on Dantooine. He’ll likely side with you no matter what evidence you present to the Senate.”

“Good to know.”

Suddenly, the platform’s datapad began flashing green once again. Another Senator was requesting to speak. But who? “Senator Grimm from Corellia, you have the floor!” shouted the Vice Chair again.

“Ah, kriff,” muttered Hider as a middle-aged man appeared on the datapad.

“Thank you, Vice Chair,” replied the Senator. “Gentleman and ladies, on behalf of the people of Corellia, I bid you and our guests hello. With the Mandalorian threat becoming ever so imminent, it’s times like these we must come together.”

Hider groaned. “Come on. Get on with it, old geezer. Hearing the Chancellor’s speech was enough. We don’t need another one.”

“Why do you sound so upset, human? Do you know that Senator?” asked Chessk.

“Somewhat. We never really talked, but I’ve seen the guy a couple of times when I was still a recruit in the Navy. Plus, my family has ties to him too.” The former smuggler sighed. “I get the feeling he’ll likely bring us into the spotlight. So get ready, big guy. Senator Grimm isn’t someone who jokes around.”

“Do you think he’ll side with the little Jedi?”

“I can’t say. The guys a patriot, no doubt, but he’s shown hesitance in supporting planets outside of the Corellian sector.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Lyra as Senator Grimm finished his opening speech.

“As you may know, my fellow Senators, this arrival of a new species has puzzled the lot of you. Worse yet, the Jedi High Council knew of these ponies for a decade and had even inducted one into their ranks,” said the Senator. “While I pity their enslavement at the hands of the Exchange and our enemies, I’d like to hear more about them and why they’re here.”

All eyes fell on Lyra again as the Senate awaited her response. Seeing this, the young Padawan looked to her master for guidance, only to see a simple nod of his head. “We… uh, like to request aid from the Republic Navy,” Lyra answered. “For we have evidence to assume that the Mandalorians are going to invade our home.”

Her answer caused another stir amongst the Senate, as expected, though a part of her wondered if confessing to her and her kin’s intentions was the best idea. However, seeing an affirming nod from her mother alleviated some of her doubt.

“You demand that the Senate send aid to your planet?” asked Senator Grimm. “A planet that, mind you, has been undiscovered by any of our navigators?”

“Y-yes, Senator,” replied Lyra. In response, the Senator’s face contorted into a frown.

“That’s… a hefty demand you are making, Padawan Heartstrings. Might I ask that you tell the Senate of your tale so that we can better understand why you’re making such a request?”

Lyra nodded. She went on to explain her tale of how she knew of her kin’s arrival in Republic space and her journey to find them. Though her explanation forced her crewmates into the spotlight, much to Hider’s displeasure.

The Senate’s reaction to her crewmates was mixed for the most part. Most did not like the fact that a Jedi had to ally with a former Smuggler, no lest a deserter of the Republic Navy. Others felt pity for Chessk after hearing that he was lied to and forced into doing dirty work for the Exchange, though most of the angry rabble came from the Wookie and Trandoshan Senators. However, when she got to the point where she fought the Mandalorians, the room felt tense.

“The Mandalorians were on Coruscant?” shouted one Senator.

“How on earth did this go unnoticed by the Navy?”

“We’ve been breached! The Chancellor has failed us!”

“Order! Order in the court! Padawan Heartstrings has not finished speaking yet!” shouted Vice Chair Larson. Unfortunately, his pleas were all but ignored. The Galactic Senate was too much in an uproar.

“Wow. Are these guys always this rambunctious?” asked Sweetie Drops. “I swear, the politics back in Equestria wasn’t as crazy as what I’m seeing now.”

“Believe me, kid. The Senate is always like this. No matter who’s in change,” explained Hider. “Factor in the possibility of a galactic scale war and you have a recipe for disaster. Plus, it wouldn’t be fair to judge a government like this with a small monarchy like yours. But if it helps, try to think of these Senators as kings or queens on a planetary scale.”

“Wow. That actually makes sense if you put it like that,” replied Lyra as the platform’s datapad blinked again. Suddenly, the screen revealed a new female senator on the screen. The Padawan gasped. This woman was beautiful. Her slender figure and firm posture were nothing she’d ever seen before.

“Senator Organa, you have the floor!” shouted the Vice Chair.

“Thank you, Vice Chair,” replied the woman. “Senators, I am Felica Bal Organa representing Alderaan, and I urge you all to calm down this instant! Now isn’t the time to be pointing fingers at each other!”

Platinum sighed in relief. “Finally, someone with some common sense for once. I take it this human is someone very important.”

“Felicia Bal Organa. One of the most influential political figures both here in the Senate and her home planet. No in part due to being born into one of the Great Houses of Alderaan²,” explained Master Darran.

“You don’t suppose she’s a potential ally, would you?”

“There isn’t any doubt in my mind that she’ll sympathize with you; however, it’s not a guarantee. You’ll still need to provide a good reason why the Republic needs to send aid to a planet that’s fairly desolated. No offense.”

“Some taken.”

“Senators,” continued Felicia Bal Organa. “I know that the appearance of the Mandalorians in the Core Worlds is very alarming, but that isn’t our main discussion here. May I remind you that a new species has revealed itself to us. And said new species already has a Jedi amongst its rank and is partly responsible for driving back the Mandalorians.”

Lyra’s ears drooped. “Partly responsible? I’m not sure if I agree with her there.”

“Oh? Is that humility I hear, Padawan?” asked Master Darran as a smile formed on the old Jedi’s lips.

“What? I’m just stating the obvious.”

“Even so, my student, humility is a core tenant of Jedi philosophy. I am proud that you remember such a lesson.”

“You can thank pony culture for that,” exclaimed Platinum Impact. “Ponies in general are kind, compassionate, and very humble. Though I’d be lying to myself if I said each and every one of us are saints.”

“Get a few bad apples and it’ll spoil the whole batch,” replied Hider. “Yeah, I kinda get what you’re getting at, Captain mom. Heck, the big guy himself understands what you are saying better than the rest of us.”

Chessk eyed Hider with a raised brow. “Human, did you just give the little Jedi’s mother a nickname?”

“Yeah, so? I give everyone nicknames.”

“I really question your sense of humor at times. Makes me wonder how a person like you was able to build a successful smuggling career.”

“Hey! I take offense to that!”

Lyra sighed. “Guys, please. This isn’t the time for jokes. Please, stay quiet. I think Senator Organa is about to ask me something,” she warned.

“Padawan Heartstrings,” addressed Senator Organa, returning the spotlight on Lyra again. “I want to express my deepest gratitude from driving the Mandalorians away from Alderaan. Though you only played a small part and your desire to attack our enemy was to save your kin, you did the Alderanians a great favor. Which is why I will support any measure that will help your endeavors.”

“Wow. It looks like the old man called it,” commented Hider just as the Senate was starting to get rowdy again.

Platinum nodded agreement. “Indeed. But why is she putting the spotlight on herself? It seems rather unnecessary don’t you think?”

“Let’s not make any assumptions. We’ll hear what she has to say first.”

“Before any of my fellow Senators criticize me for my rash decision making, please be aware that I do understand the potential risks of sending our Navy to who knows where,” continued the female Senator. “But I for one cannot let a transgression like this go unnoticed. A new species has witnessed and experienced the worst our galaxy has to offer. So I propose that we do in fact help these equines in their time of need.”

The Senator frowned. “However, I am no fool. I know that my words alone will not sway the lot of you. Which is why I propose we listen to Padawan Lyra’s own kin. Let us hear about their experience.”

“Oh, boy. Here it comes,” said Hider as the Senate talked amongst themselves again. “Who do you think they’ll talk to first? The kid’s mom or Private Candy over here?”

Sweetie frowned. “Really? You’re giving me a nickname now?”

“Hey, what’s wrong with that? I mean, one of you is going to testify in front of the entire Senate, so what’s the harm in lightening the mood?”

T3-G4 responded to him with a rambunctious beep. Though neither Lyra nor Sweetie could understand it, they could immediately tell it was an insult from the look of Hider’s angry face. “Enough. Both of you,” rebuked Master Darran. “The Chancellor is about to speak.”

Taking the floor once again, the Vice Chair began to address the Senate once more. “It seems that some of us have taken some interest in Senator Organa’s proposal,” Larson exclaimed. “Because of this, the Supreme Chancellor has suggested that Captain Platinum Impact should be the one who will speak.”

“Right on cue,” said Platinum. “Move aside, dear. I got some politicians to speak to.”

Lyra nodded as all eyes shifted to the military mare who took her place. She too couldn’t keep herself from staring. It was worrying to see her mother address a massively large crowd of people. But it didn’t seem like the mare was intimidated at all. If she was, Platinum hid it behind a well-done poker face.

T3-G4 let out a loud beep. “Indeed, droid. That pony has nerves of steel,” muttered Chessk who had taken notice of Platinum’s calm composure. “I pray that her confidence holds well. It’d be a shame if she were to break in the middle of her testimony.”

Sweetie frowned in irritation. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” she shouted back. Before she could say anything else however, Master Darran swifty swatted her on the back of the head. The act only irritated the Private even more, but she immediately held her breath when the Jedi Master shook his head.

She obliged and sat back down as the Supreme Chancellor continued to speak.

“Captain Impact,” said Larson out loud. “You and your crew came to this galaxy a few days ago but were captured shortly after your arrival. I know this may prove to be difficult given your traumatizing experience, but can you tell the Senate why you came to our galaxy in the first place.”

Platinum complied with the Vice Chair and proceeded to tell the Senate her story. It proved to be a successful speech as her tale of the search for her missing daughter earned sympathetic murmurs from quite a few Senators. However, it was her horrible treatment at the hands of both the Exchange and the Mandalorians that really got them hooked. It would seem that her story would sway a few more Senators to her side.

The only question that remains is, will it be enough though?

“Senator Grimm, you have the floor!” shouted Larson again.

“Thank you, Vice Chair,” replied the Corellian Senator as his face appeared on the datapad once more again. “Captain Impact, your story is quite the tale. And a noble one too I might add. You have my deepest sympathies. Finding your missing daughter must’ve been a herculean task.”

“I appreciate it, Senator,” said Platinum.

“Regardless of my feelings, however, I am still reluctant to send a bulk of our troops to defend your home. Do not take it the wrong way. I for one do not like the feeling of leaving a defenseless species alone at the hands of our enemies. But you’re gonna need more than just stories to sway the rest of us.”

“I’m aware of that, yes. Which is why I have something to share with the Senate.”

“Here it comes,” Lyra whispered as her mother pulled out a datapad from out of her clothes. She handed it to the Vice Chair, who in turn inserted the item onto what seemed to be an empty hard disk slot.

“Senators, what I’m about to show you is the location of my home planet,” continued Platinum. Her words immediately earned gasps from everyone present.

“Captain, what…are you sure you want to show us this?” asked Senator Grimm

“I am, yes.”

The Senator didn’t respond and neither did anyone else as the entire chamber fell silent. At first, Lyra did not know why this happened, but a sudden beep on the platform’s data pad quickly gave her the answer. On the screen were the navigational coordinates to her home world, all for every Senator in the chambers to see.

“I-inconceivable!” shouted a man’s voice from within the chambers. Lyra didn’t know who that man was or what planet this Senator represented; but judging from the sound of that man’s voice, he wasn’t very happy. “Their planet borders the mid and inner rim worlds!”

“It’s a lot closer than I’d thought,” said another Senator. Given the tone of the voice, it was a female one this time. “Despite its location near the unknown regions, their planet is surprisingly close to our civilized worlds. I can only dread what would happen if we left it defenseless.”

“If we leave this planet alone, it will only endanger the Republic’s income!” yelled out another Senator. “The Mandalorians would use it as a base of operations! We can’t afford that!”

The senate chambers erupted into mindless bickering as every Senator in the chamber argued for the best course of action. Sitting quietly in her chair, Lyra couldn’t help but stare at the spectacle she witnessed, which only made her wince. Revealing the location of their home planet was part of their plan, but was it really worth the risk?

Eventually, the bickering came to an abrupt halt. Vice Chair Larson shouted at the top of his lungs, demanding order.

“Dang. That’s some nice lungs he got there,” said Hider sarcastically as he chuckled at the Vice Chair. “If this were a theater, one could assume he was an opera singer.”

“This entire Senate is a complete theater if you ask me,” followed up Sweetie Drops.

“Eh, point taken.”

“Captain Impact!” shouted the Vice Chair. “You have the floor once more!”

Platinum nodded. “Thank you, Vice Chair,” she said before addressing the Senate once more. “Senators, I know that the information I presented is very startling for many of you. From what I have heard, several of your key manufacturing and agricultural worlds are located near my home planet.”

“Are you threatening us, Captain Impact!” Senator Grimm shouted.

“I assure you, no. May I remind you, my goal is to convince you all to vote in favor of sending military help to my home. And judging by your reactions, I can safely assume that I have successfully convinced enough Senators here to vote in my favor. However, I am not so blind as you might think. Revealing the location of my home may attract unwanted attention from outsiders. And I’m not just referring to the Republic nor the Mandalorians.”

“What are you saying, Captain?” asked Senator Organa.

“Simple. After the Mandalorians have been driven out, I want the Republic to stay away from my home. No business dealings, no criminal organizations, no nothing. I want our planet to continue to live in peace, isolated from the rest of the galaxy.”

The entire Senate Chambers fell silent as many Senators did not know how to respond to Platinum’s hefty demand. Some debated amongst themselves in whispers, but there weren’t any clues on what the Senate might do. This would continue on until the datapad on Lyra’s platform started beeping again.

“Chancellor Ulgo, you have the floor,” said the Vice Chair.

“Thank you, Larson,” replied Chancellor Ulgo. “Senators! I’m aware that Captain Impact’s demands are quite hefty. Sending the Navy is one thing, but to ask the Republic to allow their planet to remain neutral in these times is rather astonishing to be blunt. Regardless, I can understand her demands. This planet the Mandalorians are invading, it’s primitive and isolated from the rest of the galaxy. However, like all planets in the galaxy, it’s filled with life. I don’t know about the lot of you, but I for one refuse to let the Mandalorians conquer another innocent planet!”

The Chancellor proceeded to slam his fists onto the metal surface of the platform. “Hear me Senators of the Galactic Republic! We must act now while we still can! Do not let another planet fall victim to the Mandalorians!”

To the surprise of Lyra and her companions, the Chancellor was greeted with cheers. It appeared that his speech drew inspiration from several Senators and were willing to side with him and the ponies. However, the cheers paled in comparison to the bickering that occurred before. It seemed as if some Senators weren’t too keen to support the ponies just yet.

“Senator Grimm, you have the floor once more!” shouted Larson.

“Yes, thanks again, Vice Chair,” replied the Corellian Senator. “Chancellor Ulgo. Believe me when I say that I want to help these equines out. What worries me though is Captain Impact’s demand. Even if we manage to drive the Mandalorians away, is it really wise to leave a primitive planet like that alone?”

“I understand the risks, Senator. But do understand the situation for these equines. They are a primitive species that has little understanding of anything that’s outside their world,” replied the Chancellor. “Perhaps it’s for the best that we leave them alone, but that in of itself is up for debate.”

“Should we call a recess, Chancellor Ulgo? Give a chance for everyone to clear their minds?” asked the Vice Chair, to which the Chancellor nodded in agreement.

“Yes, I believe one might be necessary.”

“What? Why?” shouted Lyra. “Why take a break when they can vote now!”

“Settle down, my Padawan,” said Master Darran as he pulled his student back.

“Understood. By the power granted in me by the Supreme Chancellor, a twenty-minute recess will take place,” ordered the Vice Chair. “Session will resume later to discuss what to do with the equine home planet. Until then, everyone is dismissed.”

Chapter 37

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The meeting with the Senate took a lot of energy out of Lyra. Surprising really; but given that she had to speak in front of over a hundred people, the outcome was inevitable. Still, the worst part was over at least, and now she was certain that the Senate would side with her and her kin. But that decision did not come to pass. The Vice Chair ordered the Senate to go through a recess, delaying the vote for fifteen minutes.

At first, the decision for a recess annoyed her. Why would Vice Chair Larson do such a thing, especially when she was so close to getting her people a victory? However, an explanation by her master would answer her question.

Her mother was the reason for the recess. Her demand to the Senate is what made Vice Chair Larson do what he needed to do. According to Master Darran, the request made by her mother sent ripples through the Force. Naturally, Lyra didn’t know what he was talking about; but after a brief scolding, he explained that—through the Force—he could feel the emotions of the Senators. And they were not pleased.

Concerned, Lyra asked her master if it would affect the decision of the Senate. To her dismay, he told her that he didn’t know. They’ll just simply have to wait and see.

“Wow, that was a lot easier than I’d thought,” Hider said out loud. The chirpy tone in his voice snapped Lyra out of her thoughts. “Guess the Senate is siding with us one way or another.”

Pulling his arms back, the former smuggler yawned as he began to stretch his upper body. “It’s a good thing too, because it saves me the trouble of testifying before that damn Senate. After hearing them blabber for half an hour, I’ve just had enough of those losers.”

Master Darran frowned. “We’re not done yet, Hider. There’s still one last thing we got to do before the deciding vote today.”

“And that would be?”

“What else!” shouted Sweetie Drops who was sitting on a nearby bench alongside Lyra. “We need to convince the Senate to leave Equestria alone.”

Hider rolled his eyes. “Yeah, good luck with that fruitless endeavor. Last thing the Senate wants to do is waste a good opportunity to get rich,” he said apathetically, causing many of the ponies in the room to stare at him.

“You seem certain of their decision, criminal. What makes you think the Senate will vote against us?” asked Platinum as she glared at Hider.

“Whoa, take it easy, Captain. I didn’t mean to make any of you mad. All I’m saying is that it’s highly possible that the Senate ain’t gonna side with you on that request. Pretty sure you got them to agree to send in the Navy, but I doubt they’ll agree to leave your kind alone.”

“I concur,” said Chessk, who was resting besides Lyra at the moment. “It’s possible to convince them otherwise, but the fight will be difficult. The Republic simply wouldn’t leave a vulnerable planet alone like that. Especially when you consider its location.”

Hider nodded in agreement. “The big guy has a point. The way I see, there’s no way some of these Senators will just pack up and leave after the Mandalorians have been driven off. Think about it. A newly undiscovered planet located near the Republic’s major agricultural and manufacturing planets. To many, that’s a gold mine just waiting to happen.”

T3-G4, who was standing idly by next to Hider, let out a loud beep. “You said it, tin can. Doesn’t matter if it’s for the safety of the ponies or their pockets. I doubt the Senate is gonna leave pony planet alone.”

Lyra sighed. “Come on, Hider. Don’t be a killjoy. I’m sure the Senate will see reason.”

“I agree,” replied Master Darran. “But as condescending as Hider’s words may be, there is truth to them. Many in the Senate will not abide by Captain Impact’s request.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I’m sure we can convince them, otherwise,” said Lyra optimistically.”

“We shall see. In the meantime, I suggest that all of you should use your time wisely. This recess won’t last long, and I have a gut feeling that the Senate will prolong the meeting. Captain Impact’s demand will certainly cause more debate with the Senators.”

Hider groaned. “Great. Now I’m certain that I’ll have to speak before the Senate. Ugh, this day just keeps on getting worse.”

“Oh, come on. Speaking to the Senate is not that bad,” replied Lyra. “You’ll be fine, believe me. I mean, if I was able to do it, there’s no reason why you can too.”

T3-G4 replied with a beep; however, due to her inability to understand droid binary, she looked to her captain for a translation. “The tin can is saying that I’m not worried about speaking before the Senate, kid. It’s something else entirely,” Hider replied with a sigh.

“You worried that Senator Grimm might call you out?” asked Chessk.

“Interrogate is the word I’m looking for, but yes, I know he’s gonna call on me.”

“Well, if there’s any bad blood between you or that human, that’s your fault. You did, after all, abandon your duties,” said Platinum coldly.

Hider groaned again as he spun around and began walking to a nearby hallway. “I don’t care about your damn criticism of me, Captain pony. Now if you don’t mind, I’m gonna go find the bathroom. Need a little refresher before the damn Senate will call on me.”

“Language!” scolded both Platinum and Master Darran.

“I don’t care!”

Master Darran sighed. “Captain Louhun’s attitude aside, does anyone else need to relieve themselves before the Senate reconvenes? Now would be a good time by the way.”

“I’ll go,” said Sweetie Drops as she jumped out of her seat to follow Hider. “If I’m going to talk in front of a hundred people, I might as well be presentable. Besides, I got to do something about these clothes. The longer I wear these, the itchier I get.”

“Be careful, Private Drops. I know these clothes look stupid, but they were given to us as gifts. The last thing we want is for you to be covered in water,” cautioned Platinum.

“Ma’am, yes, ma’am” shouted Sweetie in a respectful manner.

“Oh, let me come with you!” Lyra replied as she followed her friend into the hallway. “I’ve been meaning to go after the meeting is over. But since the meeting is probably going to continue, I might as well wash up a bit.”

“It’d be best that you hurry, Padawan. We only have fifteen minutes before the Senate reconvenes,” advised Master Darran. “We can’t afford to be late.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon!”

Following her companions through a neatly looking hallway, she looked around for any sign of the restroom. Thankfully, her search didn’t last long. To her right was a sign hanging overhead pointing toward the very thing she was looking for. Though to her surprise, her companions weren’t anywhere in sight. Perhaps they have already gone inside? No matter. As long as she found what she was looking for then she didn’t really care.

Before she could head inside, however, she felt a strange sensation pierce through her skull. Lyra winced. Her head was throbbing like crazy. It was as if she were hit in the head by a blaster bolt.

She frowned. It was the Force. It was calling out to her. For what reason she did not know. Panicked, she looked around the room for any sign of danger. It may have been a fruitless effort; however, it was the only thing she could do. The pain was so much. She couldn’t get herself to concentrate or muster any sort of strength.

But to her shock, a robed figure appeared before her. This person, or whoever this was, looked down at her and did nothing. It confused Lyra at first, but her eyes soon opened wide as she quickly realized something. This person is Force Sensitive!

Believing that she could very well be in danger, Lyra tried to call her lightsaber through the Force, but she couldn’t. Her head was still throbbing. But regardless of how terrible as the situation was, it quickly came to pass. To her shock, the robed person spun around and walked away. And as the figure took his leave, so too did her headache.

“Wait!” Lyra called out as the robbed person disappeared. Standing on all fours, she quickly chased the mysterious figure deeper into the hallway. A bad idea, perhaps, but she needed to know who this person was. Especially when the Force is involved.

After taking a sharp turn, the young Padawan quickly spotted the robbed figure again. It saw Lyra too, but made no further attempts to run away. This lack of response confused Lyra at first; however, she suddenly realized that the hallway was empty, and the restroom was nowhere in sight.

She was alone. Whoever this person was, wanted to isolate her away from her companions. And upon realizing this, Lyra immediately drew her weapon and activated it. “Who are you!” she shouted at the person in front of her.

“Whoa, take it easy! I’m not here to fight!” replied the hooded person, who threw its arms up in a fit of panic.

Seeing his reaction, Lyra tilted her head. Judging from what she heard, the robed figure was definitely a man. She couldn’t tell if he was human or alien though due to his hood covering his face. However, his reaction to her lightsaber made her realize that this man wasn’t looking for a fight. And the Force wasn’t giving her any warnings either.

“I’ll say it again,” Lyra said sternly with her lightsaber still ignited. “Who are you and what do you want to do with me?”

The robed figure sighed. “Wow, you really don’t know who I am. I’d figured my voice would be a giveaway but given that we haven’t seen each other for almost a year, I should’ve known something like this would happen.”

Lyra’s ears twitched. “Do I know you?” she asked.

“Of course you do! We trained together at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine! Partners in crime! But if you don’t recognize my voice, maybe it's best if I just remove this hood.”

Grabbing his hood by both hands, the robbed figure swiped the cloth back, slowly revealing himself to the young mare. Lyra stood firm as she watched the mysterious figure take his hood off, only to gasp at the sight of the man’s face. There, a man stood before her. Tall. Muscular. His face was somewhat driveled, and a wide scar ran through his nose. But his features and long, lustrous blonde hair made up for it. Some might even call the man handsome.

“Who are you?” Lyra asked again. Despite the man’s claims, her skepticism remained.

“Showing my face wasn’t enough, huh? Guess that’s what happens when you’ve been at war for so long. The scar certainly doesn’t help either,” said the robbed man with a sigh. “It’s me, Lyra. Jordan Pritcher. We’ve known each other ever since you first stepped foot… err, hoof, on Dantooine.”

Lyra gasped. “J-Jordan? Is that really you?” Squinting, she stared at the young man in disbelief, uncertain if what he said was the truth. Physically, the man matched the appearance of her long-time friend. But that scar and the long hair only made her doubt the man’s claims. With no other choice, she reached out with the Force in search for answers. But as she did this, she let out a surprised gasp. That Force signature. There wasn’t any doubt! The man in front of her was indeed telling the truth.

“Jordan, it’s you! It’s really you! Oh sweet Celestia, I thought I’d never see you again!” Beaming, Lyra galloped to her best friend and gave him a big hug.

“Yeah, it’s good to see you too, Lyra,” Jordan replied as he embraced Lyra in his arms. “Force, it’s been so long. How have you been? Is Master Darran training you well?”

“I’ve been fine, actually. Master has taught me a lot since you and the others left. His training was really hard, but it was all worth it! Because of him, I was able to find my kin!”

“Yeah, I’m aware. Apparently, you and Master Darran went planet hopping for the past few days. And you even fought against Mandalorians too. Force, I wish I could’ve seen you in action. Bet you kicked some Mando butt out there.”

“Well, that’s not entirely true. I did have the help of some new friends I’ve made,” replied Lyra honestly. “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have made it so far nor would I even be alive right now.”

“Excuse me?”

“Never mind, I’ll tell you about it later. So, Jordan, why are you here? I thought you went out to deep space to… well, fight off the Mandalorians.”

Jordan frowned as he let go over Lyra. “Yeah, I did. After leaving Dantooine, we were sent out by our leaders to small outer rim worlds. At first, it was to protect the refugees escaping from the Mandalorian threat, but it soon blew up to full scale skirmishes.”

He then pointed to the large scar on top of his nose. “I got this damn thing while dueling a crazed sword wielding Mandalorian neo-crusader. My fault, really. I got careless and allowed that fucker to get in close. If it weren’t for the Force, I probably wouldn’t be standing her today.”

“Jordan, language!”

“I don’t want to hear it, Lyra! After avoiding a near death situation, the last thing I want to be lectured for is my choice in language.”

Lyra frowned. “Jordan, please, don’t yell like that. Being angry doesn’t suit you.”

“Right… sorry about that. Guess I forgot about the Jedi Code. But to answer your question, Lyra, I’m here because me and the Revanchists heard about what happened between you and your kin. Our leader, Revan, sent us here in hopes of helping you with your endeavor.”

“Wait a second. Revanchists?” Lyra asked. However, she quickly recalled the sensation she had earlier outside the Senate building. It all made sense. Those Force signatures she sensed. It was Jordan and these Revanchist Jedi he mentioned.

“Luka and I’daka are here too,” Jordan explained, which made Lyra gasp out loud. “I wanted them to meet you here, but I’daka felt like it’d only be a distraction and Luka was too stubborn to come. And before you ask; yes, Luka’s still mad that you became a Padawan first.”

“I can care less what Luka thinks of me, Jordan. I’m more concerned about the Jedi here! Master Darran is aware of your presence, but I’m uncertain if he’s alerted any of the High Council members yet.”

“What!” shouted Jordan angrily. His once charming and benevolent smile from before turned into an angry scowl. “Damn it, Lyra! Did you tell Master Darran about us? He and the Jedi High Council weren’t supposed to know we are here!”

“How can I not tell him, Jordan? The Force was literally screaming in my head about all these Force sensitives all over the Senate building. If you really wanted to conceal your presence, you weren’t doing a good job.”

Jordan’s jaw slacked. “You… you were able to sense our presence? All of us?”

“Yeah, I did,” Lyra said boldly. “You and the others may have gone to war, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been slacking. Because of my Master, I was able to heighten my Sense and Alter abilities.”

“W-what?” Jordan stuttered as he found himself at a loss of words. After keeping quiet for several minutes, he finally brought himself to speak. “Holy kriff, you’re serious. I mean, I knew you excel when it comes to the Force, but to think you are that attuned with it already.”

“Being a Jedi isn’t only about swinging a lightsaber, Jordan. You have to put your faith and trust in the Force,” replied Lyra, recalling the words her master drilled into her years ago. “You do that, and you’ll begin to see the galaxy in a different light.”

“Just like how the High Council refuses to do nothing while innocents suffer?” Hider shot back. “The Force may connect us all, Lyra, but it’s a tool. And tools are meant for helping the Republic win wars, not pointless visions that do nothing.”

Lyra frowned. “Jordan, what you said wasn’t very Jedi like at all. I know the Mandalorians are a threat to the galaxy, but that doesn’t mean you should be so aggressive.”

“Lyra, you don’t get it!” Jordan snapped, causing the young mare to flinch backward. “I’ve seen what the Mandalorians can do. They are the most horrible beings in the galaxy that I’ve ever met! Nothing will stop them from completing their conquest unless we strike back!”

His fists clenched as he bit his lip in frustration. Despite his temper, the Jedi teachings buried within him prevented the man from unleashing his anger any further. “I’m sorry, Lyra. I didn’t mean to yell at you. It’s just that…being out there in the galaxy has been stressful. Not only did I get this scar on my face, I’ve also seen the cruelty of the Mandalorians first-hand. I…I don’t want that to happen anywhere else. Not to Dantooine, not to Coruscant, and especially not to the home of my friend.”

“Jordan.”

“I know you are skeptical of us Revanites, Lyra, and I don’t blame you for it. But know this. We are willing to do whatever it takes to help you out. I don’t care what Master Darran or the High Council thinks of us. We left Dantooine for a reason, and no way are we going back.”

Strapping on his hood once again, Jordan spun around and began to walk away from Lyra. “This may be uncalled for, but me and the others are willing to let you join us as Revanites. With your Force abilities, we can really use a pony like you, Lyra. You don’t have to decide right now. Just think about it, okay? Me, Luka, and I’daka will be waiting.”

Giving Lyra one last smile, Jordan left the young mare alone in the neat golden hallway. And as her friend disappeared from view, Lyra couldn’t help but frown. This whole situation with her home had suddenly taken an unexpected turn. Who were these Revanites, and why were Jordan and her clanmates so committed to them?

Those answers had to wait, however. Too much time had passed. The meeting with the Senate was bound to start again soon. With no other choice, Lyra spun around and galloped back to where she came.

“Order! Order! We will have Order!” shouted Vice Chair Larson. The man was screaming at the top of his lungs, slamming his gavel as hard as he could to calm the unsettled crowd. It had been almost an hour since the Senate had readjourned and the vote for the aid of Lyra’s home had been cast. Though not before the Senate demanded more testimonies from Lyra’s companions.

Senators, particularly the ones from Corellia, Ord Mantell, and Alderaan, wanted to know more about the people she met and how they affected her journey. Needless to say, this irked Hider the most. From the start, the man never wanted to be put in the spotlight over fears of being called out or chastised by the public. And he was right. Many berated him for abandoning his position in the Navy for a life of crime, especially Senator Grimm. It would’ve continued too if it weren't for the Supreme Chancellor demanding order. Still, the Senate acknowledged Hider’s commitment to Lyra and made an agreement to let him go and continue his job as a journalist.

Lyra’s other companions received a fairer treatment compared to her captain. Chessk earned the sympathy of his people and the Wookies as his tale about how he became indebted to Lyra for freeing him from his greedy cousin. Sweetie was surprisingly well liked due to her mannerisms, and any Senators felt pity for her capture and separation from her kin.

As for T3-G4, nobody trusted the droid at all. Upon hearing it’s violent tendencies, some Senators immediately called for the droid’s memory to be wiped. However, their calls were quickly brushed aside as Master Darran stated that the decision laid upon the owner of the machine, not the Senate.

And lastly were the ponies. Aside from Platinum, the Senate really didn’t need to hear everypony’s story as they had heard all that they needed to hear from the leader of the pack.

With everyone done speaking, the Senate finally casted their vote laid out by Lyra and her mother. The proposition to send out the Republic Navy to the pony’s home planet passed with an overwhelming majority, much to the delight of every pony present. As for the second proposition, that was a different story. The Senate was split down the line when it came to allowing the ponies to live independently from the Republic; but thankfully, there were enough fence sitting Senators who were willing to side with the ponies.

In a small majority, the ponies were to be left in peace after the Mandalorians were driven away. It was a decision that made Platinum Impact and the other ponies very happy, and surprised Hider for the most part. But Lyra knew that, through the Force, many in the Senate shared their displeasure over this decision.

“The votes have been cast!” shouted the Vice Chair again. He slammed his gavel once more, gaining immediate success this time as the crowd noise began to settle down. “By the order of the Senate and the Supreme Chancellor, a contingent of the Navy will be sent in defense of the home of Padawan Lyra Heartstrings and her kin. Once the Mandalorian threat has been cast aside, the Navy will retreat and allow the equines to live their lives independently from the Republic, but not before establishing close connections with Equestria’s ruler.”

Lyra sighed in relief. One of the reasons why the second proposition passed was because her mother agreed to allow the Supreme Chancellor to have close relations with Equestria’s Princess. A minor detail that was added, but nopony disagreed with the proposal.

With the vote cast and done, the meeting was about to be adjourned. However, a sudden beep was heard on the platform where Lyra sat. “Senator Grimm, you have the floor!” shouted Larson.

“Oh, no. What does he want now?” Hider asked in disgust.

“Easy now, Hider. The vote has been cast, so there isn’t much he can do now, cautioned Master Darran.

“I know that, but you still can’t trust the guy. He’s planning something, I just know it!”

“Perhaps it’s just your paranoia,” remarked Chessk.

“Hey, you don’t know politicians like I do, big guy. The last thing you want to do is to put your faith into these people.”

“Please, Hider, be quiet! I want to hear what he has to say,” replied Lyra as the Corellian Senator appeared on the platform control panel again.

“Thank you, Vice Chair Larson,” said Senator Grimm. “Senators today is a marking point in the history of our Republic. With our vote, we will launch a counter assault at the blood-thirsty barbarians skulking in the outer rim. Today, we strike back! The Mandalorians will pay for all the atrocities they’ve committed!”

Cheers erupted in the Senate room as the Corellian Senator received a standing ovation. However, Hider didn’t share such enthusiasm. “Oh come on. Get on with it, old man! We don’t need hear another arousing speech!” he shouted.

“Settle down. If you shout like that, he might hear you,” cautioned Master Darran.

“Like I give a crap. He’s seriously wasting everyone’s time!”

Darran sighed. “Just be patient, Hider. He’ll be done eventually.”

“Although I am happy to assist these equines on the defense of their home, it pains me to know that my Senators have made a dangerous decision. Granted, I would have least negotiated with the equine’s ruler to see if we can agree to a compromise, but a deal is a deal. The equine world will not become part of Republic space.”

“At least he’s willing to accept defeat,” said Platinum.

“However, before we adjourn this meeting, Corellia would like to make a request,” continued the Senator. “In defense of the equine’s home planet, I’d like to send one of our own Republic officers into the fight. He is a renowned Fleet Admiral who’s remained loyal to us for years, Admiral Saul Karath.”

“Oh, no. Not him,” Hider muttered in complete horror. “Please, for the love of all things good, not him.”

“Wait, Saul Karath? Did you say on Dantooine that he is your uncle?” asked Lyra.

“Yes, Fleet Admiral Saul Karath. One of the most well-known military officers in the Republic Navy,” explained Master Darran. “He’s also a vocal advocate of the Revanchists as well. Rumor says that there are already several Jedi amongst his ranks.”

Lyra curled her lip. Could Jordan and the rest of her clanmates be part of Admiral Karath’s crew? A possibility perhaps, but despite her and her kin’s win in the Senate, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The only thing she could truly hope for is to protect her home and pray that these Revanchists won’t cause any trouble.

Chapter 38

View Online

It has been sometime since Lyra was inside a Republic Naval Cruiser. Well, Praetorian Class frigate¹ to be precise. The last time she was onboard a spacecraft so large was when she first arrived on Republic space. However, she barely recalled what the ship looked like as she was only a filly at the time.

Still, the experience was still amazing. All around her were dozens of Republic starships. When compared to the Omega, these were much more compact, appearing to fit only one pilot at most. No doubt these ships were made for war, but not all the ships looked the same. A few of the ships were modeled differently for reasons she didn’t know. Alas, she wasn’t a specialist on warships. As strange as some of these ship models were, it wasn’t in her place to question it.

“Remarkable. Simply, remarkable.”

Turning her head, Lyra stood by and watched as her mother stared at the Republic’s military might. She and the others had come on board via the Omega and had just got off Hider’s ship. Almost immediately, she and the royal guards that stayed behind fawned over the military vessels inside. Though Pegasi such as Platinum were more ecstatic than the others.

It had been hours since the meeting with the Senate had ended. Her kin were up and about, ready for the trip home. They didn’t leave Coruscant right away, however, as the Navy needed some time to prepare their fleet. A bit too long if Lyra had to be honest. Although it did give everypony some much needed rest, a six-hour wait may have been too much.

“Honey, do you happen to know how fast these ships can go?” Platinum asked her daughter, to which Lyra shook her head in response.

“They are about as fast as my baby when I put it in full-throttle, if not faster. Not surprising given that these are military grade ships and all. How else would the Republic compete with the Mandalorians if they didn’t have quality ships like these.”

From behind Platinum Impact approached Hider Louhun, who had joined the two ponies in their little journey through the hangar bay. He had forgone the formal attire he wore back at the Senate meeting and returned to his usual Smuggler apparel. Though his decision to wear such clothing caused many Republic personnel to gape at him.

“Why am I not surprised? You of all people should know too well about the capabilities of these machines,” said Platinum as she stared at Hider with narrow eyes. “I suppose all of these ships are made for aerial combat?”

“Most of them are, yes, but not all of them. If you take a look at a pair of ships on the right over there, you’ll notice that their designs stand out among the rest. That’s because those ships are a bomber-class unit. They are specifically built to destroy enemy cruisers.”

“You mean ships that are as big as the one we’re on now?” asked Lyra in surprise. When Hider nodded in response, her jaw slacked. “Just how much firepower do those things have?”

“A lot of firepower, kid. And if used right, they can even destroy entire city planets like Taris or Coruscant. Though that’s unlikely given their planetary defenses.”

Platinum frowned. “And the Mandalorians have fighters capable of such destruction as well?” she asked, albeit somewhat hesitantly. Her reaction became even worse as Hider answered with a nod. “Sweet Celestia. I dread what would happen to our cities if the invasion of those barbarians went uncontested.”

“Well, try not to think about it, alright? With the Republic Navy at your side, I’m sure things will turn out okay. And besides, there’s no way that millennia old Princess of yours won’t go down without a fight. Still confused how she’s that old, but still, I doubt she’ll just sit back and let the Mandalorians take her cities,” Hider replied.

Platinum shook her head. “As much as I appreciate your compliment on our monarch, I highly doubt she can stand up against an army that size alone,” she said, solemnly. “Speaking of which, I believe the other ponies should have reached Equestria by now.”

“Well, they did leave several hours ahead of us. So, it is possible, mom,” replied Lyra. “I hope they didn’t run into any trouble. Last thing we want is to create a nationwide panic.”

“Panic is never a good thing, but I’m sure the public will be happy to hear that their space expedition team is okay,” remarked Hider.

“The public does not know about this expedition,” Platinum bluntly replied, surprising both Hider and Lyra. Realizing that they needed answers fast, the guardsmare went on to explain that only the Princess and a few high-ranking members of the Royal Guard were aware of the discovery of the old Republic ships. There were a few exceptions to that rule, such as Lyra’s father and Cotton Swirl; but Princess Celestia believed that Equestria, nor their entire world, was not ready for such powerful technology yet.

When asked by Lyra on how they kept everything a secret, Platinum told of an underground hangar bay underneath a large mountain. It was an ideal location given that the nation’s capital is sitting at the peak of said mountain and it was where the Princess resides. “We left Equestria at the dead of night, as it is unlikely that any pony would be up at that time. Though to play it safe, Princess Celestia did cast an invisibility spell on the ship.”

“That worked?” asked Lyra.

“Correct. And before you ask, no I wasn’t expecting her spell to work out either. I was just as surprised as you were when the ship went invisible before my naked eye.”

Hider burst out laughing. “Wow. You ponies are chalk full of surprises. With those magical abilities of yours, I’d bet you’d fit right in with the rest of the galaxy.”

“Integration is the least of our concerns, Louhun.”

“Whatever. In my opinion, it probably would’ve been best that you and the Princess told the public about your discovery. But who am I to judge?”

“It’s not just ponies who populate our planet, Louhun. There are other creatures as well. Griffons, Yaks, Hippogriffs. And don’t get me started on our Changeling nemesis.”

Hider blinked. “Wait a second… you have those too?²”

“Excuse me?”

Lyra sighed. “Mom, Hider, please! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. My master says we are supposed to meet someone here in the hanger.” Turning her head, the young mare skimmed across the room for any sign of said important person. But given that nearly everyone around her was wearing Naval uniforms, she couldn’t tell who this person was.

It wasn’t until she heard the sound of an unfamiliar voice calling her name. Ears flopping, she looked into the direction of said voice and saw a blue-skinned Twi’lek running toward her. She tilted her head. That alien appeared familiar.

“Ah, there you are, Padawan Heartstrings,” said the Twi’lek who appeared to be out of breath. “I’ve been running around the entire hangar looking for you. But this place is so big. To my embarrassment, I got lost in my search.”

“We don’t care about your excuses, solder,” said Platinum sternly. “Speak! Who are you and why do you need my daughter?”

The Twi’lek flinched. “Oh, right. I nearly forgot that there are military personnel among you ponies. Uh, my apologies ma’am... err, Captain. I am Sergeant Dabrato. I was ordered by Admiral Karath to retrieve you and Padawan Heartstrings. There is an important meeting on the bridge, and he’d like you both to attend.”

“What does he want to talk about?” asked Hider.

“Just a sitrep on what is going to happen when we reach the pony planet. And before you ask, Captain Louhun, the Admiral wants you and your crew to attend the meeting.”

“Ugh, seriously? Son of a kriffin’… why does he need me to attend? He’s just going to use that opportunity to chastise me for being a deserter!”

“He said that you are needed for the battle plan, sir,” the Twi’lek answered. “The Admiral wasn’t specific as to why he needed you but given that you currently have one of the fastest ships in the sector and a very skilled pilot, he figures you’d play a critical role in our fight against the Mandalorians.”

Hider bit his lip. “Great. I should’ve figured that old geezer would drag me into his wild schemes. But he at least recognizes me as the great pilot that I am.”

“Uh, I guess?” replied the Twi’lek as he scratched his left tendril in confusion. “Sheesh, what’s with this guy? Sounds like he and the Admiral are on bad terms.”

“Whatever issues Hider has with his family is a personal matter. It’d be best that you stay clear away from it,” said Lyra while attempting to copy her mother’s stern militaristic voice. She wasn’t anywhere close, but it did earn a prideful smile from her mother. “By the way, sir, you look familiar to me. Have we met before?”

“Oh, yes, I am Sergeant Dabrato, ma’am. We met briefly on the snowy mountain plains of Alderaan during our brief skirmish with the Mandalorians. After the battle, I was quickly transferred to Coruscant to be a part of Admiral Karath’s Naval team.”

“Oh, I see! You were that Twi’lek we met while we were fleeing the stronghold!”

“Correct! I’m glad that you finally recognize me. Anyways, you should probably gather your companions. I still need to show you all your living quarters before we head to the bridge.”

“On it,” replied Platinum. Placing the tip of her right hoof into her mouth, the mare let loose a loud whistle that echoed across the hangar bay. Although it did cause quite the stir amongst the Republic officers, it did get the job done as the ponies within the vicinity fell in line almost immediately.

“Wow, that is some whistle,” said Hider as he rubbed the inside of his right ear.

“Y-yes, it was,” followed up Dabrato who was staring at the guard captain with wide eyes. “I can see why she earned such prestige amongst her kind.”

“Hold on a second. Where are Chessk, Sweetie, and T3-G4?” asked Lyra. “I haven’t seen them since we left the Omega. Did they run off somewhere?”

Hider quickly tapped the young mare on the shoulder and pointed to his left. Immediately, Lyra saw her two companions moving toward them. As they got closer, however, she heard the loud, tacky beeping of T3-G4. She didn’t understand what the droid was saying, but it sounded as if it were upset with something.

“Hey, what’s with the tin can?” asked Hider as Geefour continued to rave with its loud beeping.

“It’s complaining about the noise we heard a short while ago,” answered Chessk. “To the droid, it sounded like a screeching mynock.”

“That’s awfully specific,” replied Sweetie Drops. “And what’s a mynock³ anyway?”

“Nasty little bat creatures that feed on electrical energies. Particularly those that power starships like these. And not only that, they are also known for their loud screeching and their innate ability to survive the vacuum of space.”

Platinum flinched. “The machine is comparing me to a bat!” she shouted, earning the chuckles of several ponies in the group. They quickly shut themselves up as the guardspony gave each and every pony a stern glare. However, that did not stop Cotton Swirl. The rambunctious mare just couldn’t stop laughing.

“I’m so sorry!” replied the crackling mare who tried, yet failed, to hide her laughter. “I don’t mean to be rude… but hearing the robot comparing Platinum’s whistling to a screeching bat is probably the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long while.”

Platinum’s eye twitched as she scowled at the laughing mare. “Cotton, you better apologize right now! Or else I’ll smack you upside the head so hard that horn of yours will come clean off!”

“Ladies, please! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves now,” said Sergeant Dabrato as he tried to calm the situation down. Eventually, with the help of Lyra, he was able to calm the two mares and give a brief introduction on who he was. “Okay, let’s not waste any more of the Admiral’s time. If you would all please follow me, I’ll show you all to your living quarters and then we’ll head for the bridge.”

“Can all of us attend the meeting or does Admiral Karath only want the Captain and her daughter to join?” asked a pony from the group just as they began to follow the Twi’lek.

“I am certain he’ll welcome you lot as some of you ponies have military experience. Although his opinion may not be the same when it comes to the civilians in your group.”

“What? Why not?” shouted Cotton Swirl. “Equestria is my home too! Surely I can also take part of this meeting of this so-called meeting of yours.”

“Military personnel only, Cotton. We’ll fill you in when everything is over,” replied Platinum bluntly, which only irritated the unicorn mare. But before they two ponies could squabble again, Chessk stepped in between the two and put an end to their petty argument.

“Thanks, Chessk,” said Lyra. Without saying a word, the Trandoshan simply nodded back at the mare.

And tensions began to de-escalate, the entire group followed the Sergeant to a large metal door. It opened almost immediately, revealing an elongated hallway that was covered in crisp white paint. Impressive, at least to the ponies. Hider and Chessk on the other hand weren’t too amazed by the ship’s interior, and T3-G4 cared little about it. Rather, the droid gave off rebuking buzzes and whirls to every utility droid that passed by them.

“Can you please do something about that droid of yours?” asked Sergeant Dabrato as he grew irritated Geefour’s callous behavior toward every passing droid.

Lyra stared at the Twi’lek in shock. “Wait, you understand droid binary?” she asked.

“I do, yes. Soldiers like me are required to learn droidspeak before we get sent out into the field as we work with droids almost every day.”

“Yep. That’s how I learned binary, kid. From being a cadet at the Republic Navy,” exclaimed Hider, to which Dabrato glared at him in return.

“My admiral spoke about you, Hider Louhun. He said that you abandoned your duties as a cadet and became a smuggler.” The Twi’lek scowled. “I am not sure why anyone would throw away their lives in favor of becoming a criminal, but it is not my place to judge. From what I’ve heard, you didn’t choose to become a Navy cadet.”

“Oh, really? And what else did my uncle say about me?”

“Nothing that concerns you, Captain,” replied Dabrato as the group came across a large door to their left. “This door right here leads to the ship’s crew quarters. It’s pretty big and we have a lot of bunk beds available for use.”

“Are they twin sized beds?” asked Hider. The Twi’lek answered with a nod. “Appreciate the offer, but no thanks. I’ll just sleep on my ship till we get to the pony planet.”

Chessk glared at Hider. “Are you seriously being this picky over a twin sized bed?”

“Hey, my ship is docked right here on this freight cruiser. There’s no point in sleeping on a puny bed when my baby literally has a much larger queen-sized one!”

Dabrato rolled his eyes. “Ugh, fair enough. You can stay on your ship. But you’ll need to stay alert when we get to our destination,” he warned. “I suggest that you connect your comm-link with ours so that our crew can notify you when we’ve arrived.”

“Deal. I’ll get it connected after the meeting with my uncle.”

“Speaking of that meeting, is everypony planning on attending with me and my daughter? Or do some of you prefer to stay here instead?” shouted. Platinum. “If any of you plan on backing out, raise your hooves now. Because once the meeting starts, I’m not letting any pony leave the facility.”

Not a single pony raised their hooves. Everypony was keen on attending this crucial meeting. Of course Cotton Swirl wanted to attend, but Platinum and Sergeant Stalwart Shield said no. The latter escorted her into the crew quarters, telling his Captain that he’ll stay behind to keep her company. Platinum objected, but her Sergeant insisted that he’d do this.

Respecting Sergeant Stalwart’s decision, the group continued along the ship’s long white hallway until they eventually reached another large door. When it flung open, a dimly lit room was revealed and a vast array of computers that lined up together in rows. At the far end of the room was a large window, showing the black void of space. Standing next to it was Lyra’s master and the Fleet Admiral Saul Karath.

Both men turned to face the newly arrived group. “Admiral Karath! I have brought over our guests just like you asked,” shouted Sergeant Dabrato as he saluted before his superior.

“Thank you, Sergeant. You are dismissed,” ordered the Admiral as he and Master Darran approached the group of ponies. He then eyed at both Padawan Heartstrings and her mother. “Greetings, equines. I am Fleet Admiral Saul Karath⁴. I will be your commanding officer during our fight against the Mandalorians.”

Platinum, as well as all of the guard ponies saluted before the Fleet Admiral. “Good day, Admiral. It is an honor to finally meet you.

Saul smirked. “Likewise. It is good to see that our military traditions are one in the same despite our differences.” He then glanced toward Hider, giving the former criminal a stern look in the eye. “Perhaps you might learn a thing or two from these equines, nephew.”

“If you are trying to guilt trip me after abandoning the Republic Navy, it’s not going to work, uncle. You of all people should know by now that I don’t regret my actions,” rebuked Hider as he met his uncle’s glare with one of his own.

“I am not accusing you of ill will, nephew. I’m just disappointed that you had to go through such methods to become your own man. If you would’ve told your parents outright that you didn’t want to join the Navy, then perhaps your path down the criminal underworld might not have happened. Nevertheless, it pleases me that you are here. And that you kept your oath to Padawan Heartstrings here despite your desire for payment.”

Hider sighed. “Yeah, well, abandoning my smuggling career did have its perks; but kriff, the credits I earned are nothing compared to what I earned before. I’ve maintained my baby for years, but she’s gonna need more than just a simple monthly tweaking.”

“If it's upgrades you want, then I can provide you with the funds and handymen you need. Just promise me you’ll use those excellent flying skills to fight on behalf of the Republic today. And if not for the Republic, then for your companion and her kin.”

“Way ahead of you, uncle,” said Hider with a roll of his eyes. T3-G4 let loose a bleep, but the former criminal scolded the droid and told it to shut up.

“Wow. And here I thought we were going to have a shouting contest between those two,” said Sweetie Drops.

“Indeed, creamy one,” replied Chessk. “It may not look like it at first, but Admiral Karath does seem to care deeply for his nephew.”

“It’s rude to talk about others behind their back, you know. Wouldn’t want to leave this ship on bad terms with a Republic Fleet Admiral, do you?” scolded Master Darran. Both Chessk and Sweetie shook their heads. “Then I’d advise that you leave family matters to Hider and the Admiral. Their relationship is none of your concern.”

“Yes, Master Jedi!” said the now flustered Trandoshan. “I will leave our ship captain alone.”

“Same,” replied Sweetie Drops.

“Good. Because we need to discuss our plan against the Mandalorian threat,” said Master Darran. He then tilted his head toward the Fleet Admiral. “Admiral Karath, you mentioned you have something in mind regarding the upcoming fight?”

“I do, yes. But I won’t discuss it until our other guests arrive,” replied the Admiral.

“Other guests?” asked Lyra.

Suddenly, the bridge exit door flung open, revealing yet another Republic Naval officer. Lyra immediately recognized this person. It was Lieutenant Dodonna. The woman she met back on Ord Mantell and again on Dantooine. She wasn’t alone either. To the Padawan’s shock, two people dressed in Jedi attire were flanking the woman at both sides. “Sir, I brought the Jedi task force you requested,” said the Lieutenant.

“Good,” replied Admiral Karath. “Now we can get this meeting started.”

Master Darran frowned. “What is the meaning of this, Saul?” he asked with disdain.

“I do not know what you mean, Master Jedi. Surely, given the gravity of the situation, you’d accept the help of your fellow Jedi.”

“That is not what I meant, Admiral.”

“Be at ease, Master Darran. We’re not here looking for a fight,” said the Jedi flanking Lieutenant Dodonna’s right. Stepping forward, the Jedi removed the hood of his robes, revealing not only a man’s face, but a person that Lyra knew.

“Jordan!” the mare cried out.

“Who?” asked Hider.

“The man that my Padawan told you about back on Coruscant,” Darran explained while still expressing a bit of disdain in his voice. “So, you and your companion here were the ones that I sensed when we first boarded this ship.”

Lyra frowned “Wait, you knew these Jedi were here, Master?” she asked with a puzzled expression. “I don’t understand. If two Jedi were here, how come I didn’t sense anything at all?”

“Hah! You see, Jordan. I told you she wouldn’t be able to sense us!” shouted the other robbed Jedi, causing Lyra to tilt her head. How strange. She could tell this Jedi was male given the tone of his voice, but that wasn’t what bothered her. It was the fact that he personally took pleasure in her failure.

Master Darran shook his head, seemingly unimpressed with the still robbed Jedi’s attitude. “I’m not going to make excuses for Lyra for the mistakes she made, but you of all people should know why I chose her,” he replied, sternly. “Your snarky attitude hasn’t changed one bit, Luka. Nor has military experience changed your desire to do better than my Padawan.”

Lyra gasped as the second Jedi removed his hood, revealing his face to everyone. The man, who was just as young as Jordan, stared at Lyra and gave off a boastful smirk, causing her to wince. Standing six feet tall with a face that attracted many girls, both human and alien alike, was Luka Emira. Another clanmate of hers during her Initiate days.

“And you of all people should know, Master, is that I was supposed to be your Padawan! Not her!” exclaimed Luka.

Master Darran said nothing. He merely shook his head in displeasure as the Serennian Jedi glared at him in anger. In response to his silence, Luka shouted at the Jedi Master again as a means to get his attention, but Darran didn’t take the bait. Rather, he allowed the arrogant Jedi’s anger to fester, forcing Admiral Karath to kick the young man out of the bridge.

“Until he calms down, I do not want that brat on board my bridge! Understood!” berated the Admiral. Jordan and Lieutenant Dodonna nodded their heads solemnly and escorted Luka out of the room.

Lyra frowned. It saddened her to see her fellow clanmate like this. Luka was a skilled Jedi, no doubt. However, his desire to be better always got in the way. While there is nothing wrong with self-improvement, the passion burning in his heart only drew concerns of many. Because of this, Luka was the last Initiate in their clan to be chosen as a Padawan.

“Jeez, talk about temper issues,” said Hider as he watched a duo of Republic officers escort Luka out of the bridge. “What’s that guy's deal anyway? He sounded like he had a grudge against Lyra.”

T3-G4 let loose a loud blur, which heard a nod of approval from Chessk. “I concur. And he seemed rather pleased to hear that our little Jedi failed to sense him and this Jordan fellow,” said the Trandoshan.

“Hey, I didn’t think there’d be any more Jedi besides me and my Master, alright!” countered Lyra, which was followed up with a frown. “As for who that Jedi was, that’s Luka Emira. He, Jordan, and I were all part of the same Jedi Initiate clan several years ago. Out of all of us, Luka was the most skilled with the lightsaber. So skilled, that many Jedi Masters believed that he’d be chosen to be my Master’s Padawan learner.”

“But I refused and chose Lyra instead,” Darran explained. “Luka is skilled, that much is true. In fact, he outclasses my Padawan in terms of lightsaber combat. But he’s quick to anger, and his passion to become the best there ever was clouds his judgement.”

“So, he’s jealous because you chose my daughter instead of him?” asked Platinum as an angry scowl form on her lips.

“Correct. Lyra may not be the best when it comes to saber combat, but I saw the potential in her. Despite her lack of combat skills, I saw a young lady who was not only attuned to the Force, but also bright and disciplined. It’s because of these traits that I chose her to be my student. The first in her clan to become a Padawan learner.”

Suddenly, a round of applause erupted among the group of ponies. Whether they were applauding Master Darran for his speech or Lyra for her accomplishments, it didn’t really matter that much to the two Jedi. “If you are all done clapping, I suggest that you allow the Admiral to take the floor,” said Master Darran. “He and the other admirals had composed a battle plan and would like to share it with you all.”

“Thank you, Master Jedi,” replied Admiral Saul Karath. Walking over to a nearby computer table, he pressed a button that caused a holographic image of a planet to appear.

“Is that… our home?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Correct, Private. In the coming battle against the Mandalorians, we will be engaging our enemies in an environment none of you have experienced,” the Admiral explained. “The battle for your home planet will not be won by armies marching on land. Rather, we shall face our foe in the depths of space.”

“Wow. A space battle, huh?” A smile cracked on Sweetie’s lips as a small chuckle escaped her breath. “Jeez. The sci-fi nuts I know back home would be hyperventilating right now if they heard this.”

“Who cares about a bunch of nerds fawning over a dogfight in space. What I want to know is how you intend to get us to rendezvous with our Princess,” said Platinum.

“You’ll have to rely on my nephew for that,” answered the Admiral. “His ship is large enough to fit all of you and it is fast. Faster than some of the starfighters on this fleet. His main priority will be to take you home first then rejoin the battle when he’s done.”

Hider sighed. “Giving me orders already? Sheesh. You really don’t waste time, do you uncle? Fine, I’ll do it. Just make sure you tell your soldiers to keep those Mandalorians off my back, alright?”

“Of course, nephew. You have my thanks.”

“I just hope it’ll be nighttime in Equestria when we arrive,” said one pony from the group. “If the public were to witness a flying ship coming out of nowhere, it might cause a panic. I doubt that even Princess would be capable of calming the masses in a short amount of time.”

“If it happens, so be it,” replied Chessk. “It was a mistake for you ponies to keep space travel a secret. Better to let the public know rather than keep your people in the dark.”

“Are you just saying that because of what happened between you and your cousin?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Perhaps.”

“I could care less about the Princesses decision. The sooner we get you equines home, the better,” replied the Admiral. He frowned. “You primitive equines are simply not ready for this fight. It’ll be best that you stay out of the way and let the Republic handle it.”

Platinum winced. “Are you saying we’re nothing but a distraction to you, Admiral?”

“I am, yes!” Saul rebuked. “Frankly, I don’t understand the Senate’s decision to allow you equines to come on my ship and be a part of this fight. It’s too dangerous. You may be part of your nation’s military, Captain, but by no means does that make you ready for what’s to come. To be honest, I would’ve preferred that we left ponies behind on Coruscant first. But orders are orders. If I have to deal with you lot myself, then so be it.”

The ponies stared at the Admiral in shock, appalled by his choice of words. “Did he just curse out loud, twice?” asked a random mare from the group.

“Really, Corporal Woolie? That’s what you are worried about?” replied Platinum Impact.

“Well, yes, but… the cursing, it’s…” The mare fumbled her words as all eyes fell upon her. Seeing this, the mare’s cheeks turned bright red. “Please excuse my rambling, Admiral. I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

Admiral Karath rolled his eyes. “I will never understand why you equines are so stingy with your choice of vocabulary.”

“It is what it is, Admiral. Distractions cast aside; do you have anything else you’d like to say?” asked Master Darran.

“Nothing more, really. Unless the equines have anything else to say, our meeting is just about finished,” replied the Admiral. Saul waited patiently for the ponies to speak up; however, when nopony said nothing for a whole minute, he pushed the same button on the computer again, causing the holographic image of Lyra’s home to dissipate. “Well, if no one else has anything left to say, then I guess this meeting is adjourned.”

“Wait a second!” shouted a stallion from the group. His outburst caused everyone to look at him directly in the eye, including Lyra. “Forgive me, Admiral. I did not mean to shout like that but hear me out! I am Sergeant Halberd from the Captain’s platoon. And before you adjourn this meeting, there is one last thing you should know about our home.”

The Admiral raised a brow. “Oh, really? Do go on, Sergeant. I’m all ears.”

“The Mare on the Moon,” replied Halberd.

“The what?” Lyra asked. She really didn’t understand what this stallion was trying to say, but the pale looks on everypony’s face made her realize that something was up. “Um… was there something wrong with my question? I’m sorry if I don’t recall any fairy tales from back home, but can somepony please explain who this Mare on the Moon is?”

“Are you serious, Lyra? You don’t know the tale of the Mare on the Moon?” Sweetie asked, bewildered by her friend’s lack of knowledge.

“No, I don’t! Who is she? And why are all of you looking so pale when the Sergeant mentioned her?”

“I’d like to ask the same thing,” said Admiral Karath. “Keeping secrets is something I very much dislike, especially when a mission is on the line. So, spill it out equines. Who is this Mare on the Moon, and explain why you didn’t tell anyone about this until now?”

Platinum sighed. “It’s not like we didn’t want to tell you, Admiral. It’s because we don’t know if you’ll believe us or if she’ll play a part in the battle.”

“Oh, really? Then please, do go on, Captain. Explain why this Mare in the Moon is causing you so much worry.”

The Captain nodded as she proceeded to tell everyone about Equestrian history and the rise of the two Royal sisters, Princesses Celestia and Luna. A millennia ago, there were two rulers of Equestira. One ruled during the day while the other ruled the night. These two ponies, or alicorns as Platinum described it, brought peace and harmony to their land.

But as time went on, the populace grew to adore only the solar Princess while her sister was cast aside. In Luna’s perspective, nopony appreciated her night. She did everything she could to gain the adoration of her suspects: throw festivals, create meteor showers, anything that she could do to get ponies to pay attention to her. But despite all her efforts, she was ignored. And to make matters worse, when she brought her concerns to her sister, the Solar Princess made the same mistake as her subjects by casting her young demoralized sister aside.

Filled to brim with jealousy, the enraged Lunar Princess staged a rebellion against her eldest sister. By enlisting the help of Bat ponies, Luna dubbed herself as Nightmare Moon and waged a rebellion against her sister and the entire pony populace. The result was a civil war that Equestria had never seen. Thousands died. And to make matters worse, Nightmare Moon endangered the entire land by threatening to cast everlasting night on Equestria.

Upon hearing this tale, Lyra tilted her head. This fable, it’s as if she heard of it before. A long time ago in fact when she was a mere filly. Closing her eyes, she slowly began to recall her father telling a similar tale as a bedtime story. Though he didn’t mention anything about a civil war, the mention of ponies fighting each other for dominance seemed like a ridiculous notion.

Regardless, she continued to listen to her mother’s tale. Eventually, the story finished with Princess Celestia reigning in on her sister’s rebellion. Using the artifacts known as the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon was soundly defeated. But she wasn’t killed. The Solar Princess couldn’t bear to kill her own sister, so she did what she thought was right, by banishing her to the moon.

“So, let me get this straight. There is a millennia old Princess who is currently residing on the moon who happens to be a tyrant that caused a bloody civil war in an effort to usurp her sister from the throne,” said Hider as Platinum concluded her tale. The former smuggler twitched. “I don’t mean to be rude, but that sounds like complete bantha fodder.”

“I know it’s hard to believe but what I’m telling you is the absolute truth,” exclaimed Platinum. “Our Princess confirmed it herself. Her sister, the same one that tried to overthrow her a millennia ago, still resides on the moon to this very day!”

No response came from the Fleet Admiral. He didn’t even bother to look at the ponies directly, preferring to stare at the empty void of space in front of him. Master Darran was strangely silent as well. The only reaction the ponies got from him was a rub of his chin.

Lyra curled her lip. She wanted to say something but given the situation, she didn’t know what to say or believe. The Mare in the Moon is a fairy tale told to colts and fillies. There was no way that this legend was real, right?

The awkward silence was eventually broken when Master Darran finally spoke up. “This Mare in the Moon. Do you think she might pose a threat to both sides?” he asked, shocking almost everyone in the room.

“You… you believe us?” asked Platinum Impact.

“You believe them!” shouted Hider.

The Jedi Master shook his head. “Not necessarily. I do think that the idea of an individual surviving on the moon is ludicrous. However, the Force says otherwise. You are not lying, Captain Impact. And neither of your compatriots.”

“So, the Force is saying that they are telling the truth?” asked Chessk.

“It’s not just the Force, my friend. The truth can also be found just by listening to the Captain’s words. Not once did she ever stutter during her tale. The way she spoke, it was genuine and honest. However, words alone cannot sway an entire group of people. Just like how some Jedi use the Force to prove its existence to the masses, the only way to determine that the Mare in the Moon story is real is by seeing the mare herself.”

Admiral Karath sighed. “So, the only way of knowing whether or not this mare exists is to visit the planet ourselves?” he asked. Master Darran replied with a nod, which only irked the Admiral even further. “Would you Jedi be able to use your powers to sense anything in the depths of space?”

Lyra tilted her head. “Well, a skilled Jedi in the Sense abilities might be able to pinpoint any life forms. Though it may be difficult to do out in the middle of space.”

“Yeah, I guess floating through the empty void of space would make it difficult for any Jedi to sense anything out there,” replied Hider.

“Not to mention we don’t understand the full capabilities of equine magic,” Darran followed up. “For all we know, it could be similar to the Force or something greater in power. If this Princess Celestia is powerful enough to move an entire star, then it is possible that she has enough power to exile her sibling to the moon.”

Rubbing his forehead in frustration, the Admiral let out another sigh. “Then I suppose we’ll just have to take these equine words for granted,” he said, earning the sigh of relief of everypony. “I still think the whole tale is a load of bull, but I’ll take the word of a Jedi Master over a pack of talking animals.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” shouted Private Drops but was immediately scolded by Platinum for shouting back at a superior officer. When she was finished, they were dismissed by Admiral Karath. There wasn’t much to talk about anymore so almost everypony left the bridge to tour the rest of the ship.

Lyra joined them too, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Nightmare Moon. Is she real? Was she more than just a story? Frankly, she didn’t know. It’s just like Hider said, it sounds ridiculous. But the Force provides many mysteries that even the Jedi Masters don’t know.

Perhaps this Nightmare Moon does exist. If she does, Lyra could only pray that this mare won’t become a problem.

Chapter 39

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Rolling about on her bunk bed, Padawan Lyra Heartstrings sighed in sweet relief. She was having a sweet dream, and the surprisingly comfortable bed made the experience even better. It was shocking, really, sleeping on a bed so small yet its softness outclassed the beds on the Omega. Granted, such words would irritate Hider if she’d said out loud, but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was a blissful sleep and her soft warm bed.

Her blissful sleep wouldn’t last much longer, however. An irritating loud beeping noise erupted into her ears, waking her up. At first, she tried to block out the sound by using her pillow to cover her ears, but that had little success. The alarm was simply too loud for her to get any more sleep.

Disgruntled, Lyra sat straight up while holding her pillow around her ears. To her surprise, a rush of Republic military officials darted past her without saying a word. She wanted to ask someone what was going on, but she was ignored as the officers made a beeline for the exit.

“Finally, you’re awake!”

Lyra turned around to see Sweetie Drops running toward her. She looked to be half awake, but she was in a rush just as the Republic officers were.

“Sweetie, what’s going on Why is everyone in such a rush?” Lyra asked.

“Because we’re home, Lyra! We’re finally home!” exclaimed Sweetie Drops. “We just dropped out of hyperspace a few minutes ago, and from what I heard, there aren’t any signs of Mandalorian ships. But the Admiral alerted the entire fleet just in case of any attack.”

“What? Where is my mom? Did she already leave? And what about my Master?”

“They’re already gone, Lyra! The Captain is already at the hangar bay while your teacher is at the bridge with the Admiral. We’re in a hurry, so I think it’d be best if we just head down to the hangar right now and board the… hey! Where are you going?”

Ignoring Sweetie’s cries, Lyra dashed out of the crews’ living quarters and into the hallway. She had forgotten to put on her Jedi tunic, but it never came into her mind. The only thing she wanted to see right now was her home, and the bridge is the only place where she could see it.

Upon arriving at her destination, she immediately galloped inside as soon as the automatic doors flung open. Skidding to a halt, Lyra let out a sharp gasp. Just outside the ship was a planet lavished in blue and green. She had seen many other planets like this before; however, this one was different. She couldn’t explain why but staring at the planet brought her a measure of peace. A feeling of warmth. Then it came to her.

This was it. This was what she longed for. After a decade in waiting, she had finally achieved it. She had returned home at long last.

“Padawan, is that you?”

Turning her head, Lyra spotted her master walking alongside Admiral Karath. The latter was staring at her with wide eyes. “What are you doing here, Padawan Heartstrings? You should be at the hangar bay with your kin! And… why aren’t you wearing your Jedi tunic?” shouted a surprised, yet still angry Fleet Admiral.

“Oh, um… when I heard that we’ve arrived, I ran all the way here. I didn’t really think about putting on my tunic,” Lyra answered sheepishly.

“Wait, let me guess,” said Master Darran. Since this is the first time you’ve seen your home in a decade, you wanted to see the planet yourself. So, you made a mad dash for the bridge without bothering to dress yourself properly. Is that correct, my student?”

“Uh… yes?”

Darran sighed. “I should’ve known you’d pull off something like this. But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. Anyone who’s been away from their home after a long period would have the same reaction such as yours.”

“It doesn’t matter! She should be at the hangar bay boarding my nephew’s ship!” exclaimed a still angry Admiral Karath. “The Mandalorians aren’t here yet! Now is the perfect time to take the equines down planet-side without them getting caught in the middle of battle!”

Lyra frowned. “You’re right. Forgive me, I’ll head straight for the hangar bay and meet up with the others.”

As she turned to leave the bridge, the exit’s automatic door swung open before she could make a move. There, standing outside the bridge, was another Twi’lek. It wasn’t Sergeant Dabrato, however; but rather, a tan skinned female Twi’lek whose choice of attire didn’t resemble that of a Republic Naval officer. In fact, it only made Lyra question why she was here in the first place.

By the Force, this woman was showing a lot of skin. Granted, she wasn’t revealing too much. Her t-shirt and pants covered her privates, but her midsection was showing, and her shirt looked more like a lavish sports bra.

“Sir! I’ve come to report that our ships are ready for launch!” shouted the Twi’lek. “I’m aware that the Mandalorians haven’t arrived yet, but given this moment of peace, I’d recommend that we send out our fighters now so that we… have the… upper hand?”

Twi'lek stammered a bit as she slowly made eye contact with Lyra. Eventually, she paused mid-speech, preferring to stare at the garmentless pony standing in front of her. “Oh my gosh,” she gasped, finally breaking her silence. “Is it… is it really you, Lyra?”

Lyra blinked. Her doubts about this Twi’lek had all but vanished the moment she mentioned her name. In response, her eyes drifted onto the woman’s waist, only to be surprised to see the symbol of the Jedi Order dangling on the woman’s belt.

She sighed. Of course she of all people would be here. Given that Luka and Jordan were already on board, it shouldn’t come to any surprise that her last clanmate was also with them. “Uh, hey there, I’daka. It’s good to… see you again,” she greeted, albeit hesitantly. “Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but can you please let me pass… whoa!”

Lyra was never given the chance to finish talking. As soon as she spoke up, the Twi’lek ran straight for her and gave her a big hug. “Lyra, it’s you!” I’daka shouted gleefully. Her hug grew ever so tighter.

“Y-yeah, it’s good to see you too, I’daka. But as happy as our reunion is, can you please let go of me! Your… putting me in a really uncomfortable position right now.”

Realizing her mistake, I’daka immediately broke her hug allowing Lyra to catch her breath. “Oh, sorry about that. It’s just that, haven’t seen you in such a long time and seeing you without your tunic on is… oh, Force. You’re just so cute!”

Lyra groaned. Out of all of her clanmates, I’daka was probably the clingiest and the most obsessed with her. She wasn’t like Luka where he constantly competed with her in every way during their training; rather, she flat out adored Lyra. Since the first time they met, the Twi’lek would try to get every opportunity to hug the poor mare. So much so that several Jedi Masters, including Master Darran himself, had to pull her away and scold her for invading a person’s privacy. Granted, she eventually toned her emotions down a bit; but despite becoming a Padawan herself, I’daka never grew out of her clingy attitude.

Ugh, did she seriously have to smother her breasts all over my face? Lyra thought as she brushed her coat with her hooves. Just what is the point of that outfit anyway? Is she trying to arouse all the men here on purpose?

“I’daka, what did I tell you about invading the personal space of others?” said Master Darran. He sighed and shook his head in disappointment. “Honestly, I figured that you’d learn your lesson by the time you became a Padawan. Yet here you are.”

I’daka frowned. The happiness she expressed from earlier had all but died down the moment she received a scolding. “I’m sorry, Master Darran. I didn’t mean to put Lyra in an uncomfortable position. It’s just that… well, she’s so cute!”

“I’daka, you are a Jedi. You should know how to control your emotions by now. What, are you going to act this way every time you meet Lyra? Her kin are on board on this ship right now! Are you suggesting that you can’t even control your own impulses around even one pony?”

“Master Jedi, enough! You keep this up and you’ll make the girl cry. Though I admit, such childish impulses have no place on this ship,” said Admiral Karath with a sigh. “Report, Jedi I’daka. You said something about wanting to send out our ships?”

“F-forgive me for my actions, Admiral. But like I said earlier, there aren’t any signs that the Mandalorians are here yet. Shouldn’t we send out our ships now?” I’daka asked.

“Negative, Padawan. All ships are on standby until we know for sure that the enemy is here or not. The only ship that has any clearance to leave is my nephew’s.”

“You mean that stupid looking big ship that’s docked in the hangar right now?”

Lyra grimaced. Did her friend really insult Hider’s ship just because of how it looked? Ridiculous! For a second, she wanted to berate I’daka for her careless taunt; but after catching a glimpse of her master’s face looking right at her, she withheld her comments and allowed Admiral Karath to continue talking.

“That ship is a dynamic-class freighter! It may not look like it, but its speed is comparable to that of our starfighters, perhaps even faster! So, don’t judge a ship by its size, Jedi. The galaxy is much more to offer than you can possibly know,” argued the Admiral. “And don’t insult my nephew. I may not agree with the decisions he’s made, but he’s still family.”

“S-sir, yes sir!” replied I’daka. After saluting before the Admiral, the Twi’lek Jedi turned to leave the bridge. However, she stopped to give Lyra one last goodbye. “I’m not sure if you are going with us or not, but be safe out there, okay Lyra? Cause when we’re done winning this thing, you’re going to introduce me to those new ponies on deck!”

Lyra and her master sighed. Despite receiving a scolding a few moments ago, the girl refuses to learn her lesson.

“Before you go, Padawan I’daka, there is one thing I’d like to ask,” spoke Master Darran. “Your master. Where is he?”

“Oh, my master isn’t here on board the ship, Master Darran. He’s still with the main Republic fleet back on Coruscant,” replied I’daka. “Yes, I know it’s pretty weird that he decided not to come with us, but Master Bryant is fully confident that we’ll succeed. So, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“What? But according to Admiral Karath, most of the Jedi present within the fleet are only Padawans!”

I’daka frowned. “Master are you saying that you don’t have confidence in our abilities?” she asked, annoyed that the Miralukan Jedi did not share the same confidence as her. She expected a rebuke from the Jedi Master, but the old man did not give in. Instead, he merely shook his head in disapproval.

Realizing that her conversation was going nowhere, I’daka stormed out of the bridge, leaving behind a confused Lyra. “Master is this true? The Jedi on this fleet are only Padawans?” she asked. Darran answered with a nod, surprising the young Jedi. If there were only Padawans present on the fleet, that means that there were no Jedi Masters present besides her own. Master Kavar was also here, but he’s somewhere down in Equestria.

Lyra curled her lip. I’daka’s master wasn’t actually a Jedi Master, but a Jedi Knight. A prestigious Knight, yes, who the High Council allowed to choose a Padawan. But not a Master.

He’s also the one who convinced her and the rest of Lyra’s clanmates to join the Revanchists in the first place. If he really cared for I’daka, then why didn’t he come with her in the first place?

“As much as I share your concerns, Master Darran, I suggest that you and your student not dwell on these Jedi,” advised Admiral Karath. “They may be Padawans, but they are capable. Have some faith in them, and our Navy.”

Darran sighed. “I suppose I don’t have much of a choice now, do I? Very well. I’ll leave the command up to you,” he said. As the Admiral left the two Jedi alone, Master Darran turned his head toward the direction of Lyra. “What are you standing there for, my student? Unless there is something you’d like to ask, I suggest you hurry to the hangar.”

“Yes, master.” Lyra quickly galloped out of the bridge and back into the hallway. Her first objective in mind was to go back to her quarters to retrieve her belongings. Though the ship’s halls were filled with Naval officers scrambling all over the place, that didn’t stop her. And after doing her best to avoid any incidents, she eventually made it to her first destination.

To her surprise, she spotted Sweetie Drops standing outside the room waving at her. It appeared that the mare was waiting for her. A good thing too as she had all of Lyra’s equipment with her. “Finally, you’re here!” said Sweetie. Sitting down, she allowed all of Lyra’s belongings to fall off her back. “After you left, I took the liberty of gathering all of your stuff. Everything should be accounted for.”

Lyra nodded as she quickly made sure Sweetie gathered everything. Her tunic. Her belt. And lastly, her lightsaber. It was all here. Not wanting to waste any more time, she clenched her lightsaber between her teeth; and together with her friend, she galloped toward her hangar bay.

As the two ponies reached their destination, they were greeted by a large number of naval personnel. The entire place was packed with personnel and pilots scrambling to get their starfighters ready for the oncoming fight. The large crowd made it difficult to navigate the area at first; but eventually, the two made it to the Omega.

Standing outside the ship’s boarding ramp was Captain Platinum Impact. For reasons unknown, she didn’t look very happy.

“Mom, we’re here!” shouted Lyra, calling out her mother in an attempt to get her attention. It worked, though Platinum didn’t seem all too pleased to see her daughter.

“Honey, you’re late!” the Captain yelled. “Where in Celestia were you? You should’ve been here the moment the ship’s alarm went off!”

“Forgive me, ma’am,” Sweetie replied as she saluted before her captain. “When I woke your daughter up, she immediately ran for the bridge after I told her that we are home.”

Platinum’s eye twitched. “What? Lyra, why would you do such a thing! Time is the utmost essence right now! We don’t have time for sightseeing!”

Lyra curled her lip. At first, she wanted to tell her mother that her lateness was caused by a colleague of hers; however, there wasn’t any point. And besides, the decision to go directly to the bridge was something she chose on her own. “Sorry about that, mom,” she replied solemnly.

Her mother sighed in response. “It’s alright. Just get on board the ship already, okay. Your friend’s already given clearance to leave the frigate and we already established contact with the Princess in Equestria. She’s waiting for us in the secret port at Macintosh Hills. The others are with her too, and so is that Jedi Master.”

“Oh, you mean Master Kavar?”

“Yes, that person. Princess Celestia welcomed him and the Jedi Knights who accompanied him. They are currently standing by in case any battle occurs in our lands.”

“They didn’t run into any trouble, did they?” asked Sweetie Drops.

Platinum shook her head. “If you’re wondering how the meeting went between the Princess and Equestria’s first alien visitors, Private, you don’t have to worry. It went well. Granted, a few ponies were concerned that I was missing from the group. My husband included. But when Master Kavar mentioned Lyra’s name, diplomacy went well after that.”

“Wait, dad is down there too?” Lyra asked. Her ears wobbled in excitement.

“Yes, honey. Your father is waiting for us down there too.”

“Really? That’s great! I can’t wait to finally see him again after all these years!”

Platinum smiled at her response; but it quickly curled into a frown, catching Lyra’s attention. “Honey, there is something I should let you know first before you reunite with your father,” she said as her ears drooped. “It's something that I should’ve told you sooner, but nonetheless, you deserve to know.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Platinum opened her mouth to speak; however, she was interrupted by a booming alarm that echoed across the entire hangar bay. “Oh for Celestia’s sake! What is it now?” she shouted, clearly annoyed. “The first alarm was loud enough!”

“Ugh, they’re here!” replied Lyra, shakenly. Mere seconds ago, a sharp, painful sting pierced through her head. It is as if she felt her face burning as a grenade exploded in her face. “Mom, save whatever you were going to tell me later. We need to leave, now!”

“Why, what’s going on? Can you sense something?” asked Sweetie who had grown accustomed to Lyra’s Force abilities. Her question was quickly answered when Admiral Karath’s voice could be heard from an intercom.

“Attention all units! Prep your ships and prepare for battle immediately!” shouted the Admiral’s voice. “The Mandalorians have arrived!”

Deep within the confines of Hyperspace, the Mandalorian flagship known as the Annihilator flew through the stars. The ship itself was large enough to house dozens of Neo-crusader soldiers, their starships, and a handful of basilisk droids. However, it was still fast enough to keep up with many of the other frigates within the Mandalorian fleet.

Among those within the flagship was Khal Dryll. Dressed in his people’s battle armor, he had been waiting in the Annihilator’s bridge, eagerly waiting the fight ahead. Should the coordinates that his squad discovered were be correct, the flagship would drop out of hyperspace at an unmarked planet.

The home of the equines. The home of his rival.

“Ugh, how long must we wait? We should’ve arrived at the equines’ home planet ages ago,” said Khal.

“Be patient, my nephew. We’ll be there soon enough,” replied his uncle, who had accompanied him on the bridge. “I know you are eager for a fight. We all are. But take this moment to relax. An overeager soldier is usually the first to die in battle.”

Khal nodded. Although he didn’t really like being lectured by his uncle most of the time, there was truth in his words.

Suddenly, the flagship gave off a loud whirl for all on the bridge to hear, causing Khal to smile devilishly. He knew what that noise was. It was the sound of a ship dropping out of a hyperspace tunnel. At long last, they had arrived.

The ship vibrated once more before leaving hyperspace. As the white streaks of light faded, a planet came into view.

“Commander! We have finally reached our destination!” shouted a Mandalorian computer operator. “The equine home planet is within sights. Shall we begin our preparations for an orbital invasion or wait until the rest of our fleet arrives?”

Commander Dryll frowned. “Hold off the orbital invasion for now, Staff Sergeant. It appears we’ve been beat. The Republic has gotten here first.”

Khal shared his uncle’s displeasure as he stared at the Republic fleet in front of him. Yet his smile did not fade. The opposing fleet’s forces were fairly large, yes, but by no means were a match for theirs.

“Sir!” shouted the same operator from before. “I’m receiving a transmission. The rest of our fleet is about to drop out of hyperspace!”

The Commander’s frown reverted to a smile as several dozen Mandalorian ships appeared out of hyperspace. Two of which were flagships similar to the Annihilator size. It became apparent that they outnumbered the Republic fleet three to one.

“Uncle, is it possible for the Republic fleet to have Jedi amongst their ranks?” Khal asked.

His uncle bawled out in laughter. “I hope so! That puny armada of theirs won’t last a half an hour against ours! If the Republic has any guts, they’d send out their best against us!” He looked back at his nephew and gave him a smirk. “Khal, you wouldn’t happen to be thinking about that little equine Jedi, are you?”

“There is no shame in wanting to fight such a worthy opponent. Whether it be out here in the vacuum of space or on the fields of her home planet, I’d be more than happy to trade blows against her again.” Khal smirked. “Although the thought of fighting more Jedi excites me as well. I can only hope that they provide a good fight just as Padawan Heartstrings.”

“Let us hope that is the case,” said Commander Dryll. “Operators! Send a signal to the other flagships. Tell them to get their men ready for the oncoming assault! And alert the rest of our men to get ready! I want them ready for takeoff in no less than ten minutes!”

“Sir, yes sir!” shouted all the Mandalorians in the room, excluding Khal, who was preoccupied at the moment. He stared at the Republic fleet in front of him and scoffed. Such a tiny fleet. Is that truly the best that the Republic can do? Or perhaps there is a hidden secret among their ranks that will give them the edge? Jedi are among their ranks, that much is certain to him. But will it be enough to make it an even fight?

As he stared at the opposing fleet in front of him, a single ship popped out from one of the Republic’s frigates. Khal squinted. It was difficult to see, but he could tell that the ship was not part of the Republic’s Navy. And strange enough, it wasn’t flying in their direction. Rather, it was heading for the planet.

It looks like that ship isn’t planning on participating in the fight. Why is that? Khal pondered in his mind as he followed the opposing ship’s course. He then looked at his commander. Should I bring this up to my uncle?

However, the eager Mandalorian didn’t say a thing as he eventually caught something of interest. Out in the void of space was the planet’s moon. The size of it was nothing spectacular. There were many other moons in the galaxy that matched those of the one Khal was seeing now. But there was something off about this moon. Something foreboding that he couldn’t really explain. And the longer he stared at it, the more uneasy he felt.

Then, he found it. On the moon, there was a strange carving of some sort. Or at least that’s what he thought. Several streaks of blackish blue lines scared the moon’s surface. He didn’t know what it was or why this moon was like that in the first place. Nevertheless, his eyes were completely glued to the moon now as he followed the streaks.

As he did this, he eventually realized something odd. The streaks that covered the moon’s surface, came together to form a shape. A shape which resembled that of an equine. Khal paled. Why the heck didn’t he see this till now! And why did this elaborate shape on the moon bring him such uneasiness that he couldn’t explain. He desperately wanted to say something to his commander, but will he believe him? If anything, his uncle would probably brush his concerns aside and tell him to focus on the upcoming battle.

But as he turned to his uncle, Khal gasped as a strange bluish substance floated around the entire bridge. He’d nearly screamed in panic; but to his shock, a strange black behemoth of an equine stood tall right behind his uncle. He didn’t know what to do or what to think. All he could do was stand there as the rest of the crew eventually caught eye of this unknown intruder.

“That is one big fleet.” Hider said out loud as he steered his ship closer to the pony planet. It had been a short while since the Omega left Admiral Karath’s frigate. Upon hearing that the Mandalorians had arrived, Lyra and the remaining ponies quickly boarded the aircraft. Without having to explain anything, the former smuggler gunned his ship toward Equestria.

But just as they were about to enter the planet’s atmosphere, Hider announced a lone Mandalorian frigate floating near the planet’s moon. Wanting to see this for herself, Lyra quickly ran to the cockpit to join her crewmates. What she saw, however, made her heart sink. Shortly after the arrival of the enemy, more ships began to drop out of hyperspace. Pretty soon, an entire armada appeared.

“Sweet Celestia,” said Sweetie Drops. The mare had also joined Lyra at the cockpit as well, only to be dismayed by the sight of the enemy fleet. “We’re… we’re supposed to fight against that?”

“It appears so,” replied Hider. His eyes never drifted away from the dangerous Mandalorian fleet. “Damn. It looks like the Republic will have its hands full.”

“Indeed. From the looks of things, it appears that the enemy forces outnumber our allies,” remarked Chessk.

Sweetie’s face went pale. “W-what? How are they supposed to stand up against that?”

“I’m sure they will be fine. The Republic Navy has some very experienced pilots. Plus, they got the old man and my uncle on their side too. I’m certain they’ll think of something,” Hider said. He then glanced over to Lyra. “What about you, kid? You think your old man’s got something up his sleeve?”

Lyra opened her mouth to reply, but an intense amount of pain coursed through her head. She had experienced a similar sort of pain earlier on the frigate; however, that one paled in comparison to what she felt now.

“Hey, what’s the matter kid?” Hider shouted as the Padawan lumped into the floor. Weak, but still conscious, Lyra tried to answer her friend. Before she could say anything, however, everyone averted their eyes toward the large Mandalorian flagship as a large blue beam erupted from the ship’s interior.

Chapter 40

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Anger. Dread. Loneliness. Despair. That is what Jedi Master Gizar Darran felt right now. These weren’t his emotions, however. Rather, this sensation came through the Force. Just moments ago, he stood side by side with Admiral Karath, ready to assist him and his crew in the upcoming battle. Then suddenly, a big disruption in the Force caused him to not only lose his balance, but also his eyesight.

Miralukans are blind at birth. Some were born with no eyes at all, only retaining vestigial eye sockets. But with this disability came a natural affinity for the Force. Nearly all Miralukans were Force Sensitive and were trained to use it the moment of birth. It is this reason why so many of his people were raised to be inspiring Jedi. The raw power of the Force allows the Miralukans to see like normal people.

But this connection wasn’t all glamorous. Large disruptions in the Force can tether their ability of sight, leaving them hampered, vulnerable, and helpless. Through training, a Miralukan can overcome these obstacles. However, the sensation Darran felt now was nothing he had sensed before.

Well, not since his days of fighting during the Great Sith War many decades ago.

“Master Darran, what’s wrong?”

The Jedi Master looked up. He hadn’t fully recovered from this distortion in the Force yet, but he had slowly regained his sight to the point where he could see Admiral Karath just barely. “You collapsed on us all of a sudden, Master Jedi. What happened?” asked the Admiral.

Darran shook his head. “Forgive me. It seems that I’ve been slacking somewhat on my training recently,” he replied. With the Admiral’s help, he managed to stand up again. However, his sight was still impaired slightly due to the unnatural currents of the Force. “What is happening right now, Admiral? Have our forces engaged the enemy?”

“No, they haven’t. The entire fleet is on standby ever since that Mandalorian flagship was torn apart by that blue beam,” answered Admiral Karath.

“Blue… beam?”

“Yes. A blue beam pierced through that Mandalorian flagship a moment ago. Judging from what I saw, it came from within the ship.”

“Within the ship?” Darran paused momentarily to regain his balance. Through his skill of rising meditation, he eventually accomplished his goal as well as his ability to see. However, what he saw out in the void of space was concerning. “Their ship. It’s falling apart.”

“Indeed it is,” replied Admiral Karath. “Ever since that strange blue beam pierced through that flagship, the Mandalorian fleet had made attempts to scatter away from it, leaving our enemies in a vulnerable position. Normally, I’d rush in and put an end to our enemies in one fell swoop; however, I ordered all of our forces on standby.”

“You’re hesitant because you want to know more about that beam, correct?”

“You are right. Though many of our starships have been deployed, we won’t be going on the offensive unless we know how exactly that beam showed up. For all we know, the destruction of their flagship could be a weapon malfunction.”

Darran curled his lip. Although he agreed with the Admiral’s order, he disagreed with his conclusion. Whatever caused the destruction of that enemy flagship was by no means a weapon malfunction. Something else caused it. Using the Force, he broadened his senses beyond that of a normal Jedi. Reaching into the void of space, he searched for anything that seemed suspicious.

“Master Jedi? What’s wrong?” asked the Fleet Admiral.

“Admiral, do you recall what Captain Impact said to us earlier? About the tale of the Mare in the Moon?” Darran replied with a grimace on his face. “I do not believe what she said was a mere fairy tale. Take a look at the moon and see for yourself.”

Admiral Saul Karath raised a brow but nonetheless followed Master Darran’s instructions. When he finally saw the planet’s moon, his eyes widened in shock. “What the heck? Why is there a detailed image of an equine plastered on the moon’s surface?” he asked. The moment he said this, the entire crew onboard the bridge stared at the moon as well.

Everyone jumped, however, when another blue beam suddenly appeared from within the Mandalorian flagship again. “Sir, there it goes again!” shouted a panicked Republic officer. “What is that!”

“Nightmare Moon I suppose,” replied Master Darran. “I’d take it that she didn’t appreciate the Mandalorians and their plans for Invasion.”

“What? You can’t be serious, Master Jedi! What makes you believe that this… pony exists?” argued the Admiral. “You heard the Captain! She said it’s supposed to be a fairy tale!”

“If you’ve been listening, Admiral, that fairy tale was later confirmed by their Princess. Not to mention the evidence sitting right in front of you!” Darran rebuked. “The strange image on the moon’s surface. The large beam that is piercing through the Mandalorian forces. We have enough evidence to suggest that this Nightmare Moon exists!”

What the Jedi Master didn’t tell the crew at the time was the amount of evil emanating from the moon itself. Whoever this Nightmare Moon is reeked of the Dark Side.

“What should we do?” asked Admiral Karath.

“Order your men to take the offensive,” advised Master Darran. “Since the enemy is in disarray, we can use this opportunity to strike now and finish the battle quickly. However, the moon plays a critical role. Our starfighters can’t just charge into enemy ships. If they do, they’ll likely be shot down by Nightmare Moon herself.”

“I see. So we allow that cursed pony to light our enemy’s fleet ablaze while our forces can maneuver around the moon and take out whatever stragglers are left.”

“Precisely. The opportune moment to strike is now, but we have to be careful. Any error on our part will cost us our chance of victory.” Though I doubt that cursed pony will allow our enemies to regroup.

“Sirs!” shouted a Naval officer who was working on the bridge’s computers. “I spotted several escape pods and a few basilisk droids leaving that flagship! They’re headed for the planet’s atmosphere right now!”

“What?” shouted the Admiral, angrily. “Oh, kriff it all! Tell all ships to engage at once!”

“But sir, what about those escape pods?” asked the same officer.

“Our main priority is the fleet, but we can’t ignore those fleeing Mandalorians. Order a small squadron to intercept those pods and destroy as many of them as they can. And alert our reserve forces as well. Should a number of pods avoid their destruction, I want to send them down there in case a land battle ensues.”

“Shall we contact the Omega as well?”

“Yes, contact my nephew immediately. We’ll need him for the upcoming battle. And send a message to all allied frigates as well. Tell them to get as many reserved troopers ready just in case.”

As the Fleet Admiral continued barking orders at his crew, Master Darran turned his back and began to leave the bridge. Before he could, however, Saul caught him in the act and demanded that he tell him where he was going. “I’m simply going to support our troops,” answered Darran.

“You’re going to join the battle?” Saul asked, confused by this statement.

“No, I won’t. I have another way of helping them. One that would allow me to stay on this ship and provide the support they need.”

His response confused the Fleet Admiral even more. But after taking a moment to think, Saul allowed the Jedi Master to leave and continued to order his crew.

Now all by himself, Darran came to a room that wasn’t too far away from the bridge. When the automatic door opened, he saw a room devoid of anything except for one meditation mat. He approached it and sat down in a meditation stance. He may not be a pilot like Hider or any of these Republic officers, but there was still something he could do. Through the Force, he’ll be able to help his allies and guide them to victory. He’ll need only hope that he can hold out for so long. The technique he’s about to use takes an enormous amount of energy to use.

Regardless, he’ll have to fight on. For the Jedi. For the Republic. And for his Padawan and her people.

“What in the kriff was that!” Hider yelled out loud. A while ago, everyone on board the Omega’s cockpit had witnessed the destruction of the large Mandalorian flagship. It was breathtaking to put it simply. A single beam pierced through the ship like butter, and the Republic Navy didn’t do a thing.

The effects of such destruction were immediate as well. Seeing their number one flagship destroyed, the Mandalorian flagships scattered. Their morale likely crumbled.

As Hider and the others speculated what was going on, Lyra was still recovering from the headache she experienced a while back. Though her pain may have been brief, it was the most painful experience she had in her entire life. The Force was literally ripping her head apart and she didn’t know why.

“Hey, are you alright?” asked Sweetie Drops, who had come to Lyra’s aid the moment she had collapsed on the floor.

“I-I’m fine. Don’t worry about it,” Lyra replied. With the help of her friend, she got back up on her four hooves and attempted to get one quick glance at the destroyed ship, but she was too late. The Omega was already entering the planet’s atmosphere.

“What kind of power was that?” asked Chessk. “It destroyed that ship so easily.”

“Whatever it is, it ain’t the Republic’s doing,” replied Hider. “You all saw that, didn’t you? The beam came from within the enemy ship, not our frigates.”

“Then what was it then?”

“Nightmare Moon,” answered Lyra. “She was the one who destroyed the ship.”

Hider flinched. “What! You can’t be serious!” he shouted. “Wasn’t she supposed to be a fairy tale of some sort? How can a pony like that possibly exist?”

“I know it’s crazy, but there is no other explanation!” Lyra argued. “We can only assume that she saw both fleets and wondered what was going on. The Mandalorian fleet was the closest to her so she checked them out first. I guess she disliked that they were planning on invading Equestria and possibly the entire planet.”

“Truly?” replied Chessk, who seemed very eager to learn more about the Mare in the Moon. “Given her history, one could assume that she’d side with the Mandalorians and assist them. But she blasted their ship apart instead. What a strange turn of events.”

“But how would she get onboard the flagship?” asked Hider. “Even if this… pony exists, we still don’t have an answer as to how she boarded that big ship in the first place.”

“I don’t know everything, Hider. All I know is that the actions of Nightmare Moon effectively turned the battle in space upside down,” answered Lyra. “Who knows. Maybe the Republic will capitalize on this sudden attack and use this opportunity to strike at the Mandalorians. But right now, I think we should focus on getting our task done first.”

“Our priority is to get these ponies home and rejoin the Republic as quickly as we can,” replied Chessk. He then looked at Sweetie Drops. “Creamy one. You said that there is a secret hangar bay that your Princess built, correct?”

Sweetie nodded. “Yes, there is one located at the Macintosh Hills south of our capital. I gave you coordinates for that location a while ago. Did you happen to install it on your ship?”

“The tin can did that a while back,” Hider answered as he steered his ship out of the planet’s atmosphere. He then pushed a button on the navigation computer, revealing a small yellow dot on the screen in front of him. “Looks like our destination isn’t that far off from where we are at right now. Shouldn’t take us long to get there.”

“Good. We need to inform the Princess on what’s happening and tell her about the situation with Nightmare Moon. Hopefully, she can provide us some answers and explain why she sided with us in the first place.”

“Don’t be so sure, creamy one,” replied Chessk. “Given what she did to the Mandalorians, I worry that this mare may also target our allies as well.”

“What? You think our magical moony mare will start firing magical beams from her magical prison on the moon?” Hider asked sarcastically. Chessk did not say a word. Rather than take the Captain’s bait, he just stared at him silently with a frown forming on his face. “Holy crap, you’re serious”

Chessk nodded his head. “Given our experience with the little Jedi’s kin and the Jedi Order itself, nothing would surprise me anymore,” he answered bluntly.

“Kriff, this is bad. If that pony has enough firepower to destroy a frigate size starship, then I don’t know if our guys will be able to handle it.”

“There’s no need to worry. As long as the fleet kept it’s distance away from the moon, they’ll be fine,” replied Lyra. “Besides, my master stayed behind with the rest of the fleet, so I’m sure he’ll be able to help them out.”

“How exactly can the guy help out? No offense, but he’s literally blind! And I don’t think the guy can pilot a starship either.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. “That is not what I’m referring to, Hider.”

“Then what is he going to do? Use the Force? I don’t see how powers like his are going to help anyone!” Hider shot back. “Oh, here you go pilots! You now have the ability to see through solid metal now! That’ll definitely help you in a dogfight out in space!”

Sweetie grimaced. “Hey, I know you are being sarcastic and all, but what you just said made me want to buck you so hard that you won’t be walking for weeks!” she rebuked as she and the captain began to argue amongst each other.

Seeing this, Lyra sighed in annoyance. But rather than ending her companions’ scuffle, she ignored it and allowed them to release some steam, believing it to be necessary.

She didn’t blame Hider or anyone else for having doubts. A single Jedi Master usually does not turn the tide of battle, but she knew something about her master that even other Jedi have no knowledge of. A technique her master knew that can bolster the fighting spirit of allies while weakening their enemies at the same time.

Battle Meditation. A rare Force ability that most would assume a Jedi Consular would master, not someone who dedicated themselves to fighting. But Master Darran was naturally gifted in the art. His influence alone could turn the tide of any battle. And it's for that reason the Jedi High Council kept it a secret among their ranks. Only they, a select handful of Jedi, and Lyra herself knew of Darran’s ability.

Granted, she just blurted out the secret to her companions just now. But given that they’ve been traveling with the Jedi Master for so long, she figured they’ve deserved to know.

“Little Jedi, you seem confident in your master,” noted Chessk. “Perhaps you know something that we do not?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. But I’ll explain everything later,” Lyra replied. She then turned to her two—still bickering—friends. “Guys, enough. We don’t have time for pointless squabbling. Sweetie, are we close to the Macintosh Hills?”

“I don’t know, ask this bozo!” rebuked Sweetie Drops. Her blasé, yet cold tone in her voice only made Lyra groan.

“To answer Private Candy’s question, yes, we are here,” Hider replied as he flipped a switch on his nav computer, causing the headlights of the ship to brighten up. In front of the crew was a large rocky mountain range that seemingly stretched for miles on end. “The kriff? There’s nothing but rocks here. Hey, Private Candy! Where the heck is that port?”

“Use your comm-link, Hider! Now that we’re near the port, I’m sure sompony will answer your call. And stop calling me that nickname. It’s annoying.”

“Nicknames are amusing, Private Candy. Get used to it!” Hider rebuffed as he picked up his comm-link from the nav computer. “This is Captain Hider Louhun hailing from the ship, Omega. Can anyone hear me? I repeat, can anyone hear me?”

Silence.

“Huh. No one is responding. That’s… odd. We literally spoke to a pony a while ago.”

“Give them time. I’m sure they know you’re here,” Sweetie replied. “If I had to guess, they’re probably removing the invisibility spell that hides the port.”

“Wait, invisibility spell?” asked Lyra. Her question would soon be answered when, to her surprise, the solid rock in front of them suddenly vanished into thin air. In its place was a small docking bay that paled in comparison to that of the other space stations she’d seen, but still large enough to hold at least three spaceships.

“What the heck was that?” shouted Hider with eyes open wide. The sight of the mountain disappearing into thin air left bewildered the Captain. The shock nearly caused the captain to fall off his chair.

Chessk also shared Hider’s expression as well, though he was far more composed compared to the ship captain. “I see. So that is the power of magic. Impressive,” he said. “I’ve seen the capabilities of such powers with little Cotton, but I’ve never seen anything of this magnitude.”

Hider, who had recovered from his initial shock, stared at Chessk in disbelief. “Wait a minute, big guy. You’ve seen something like this before?” he asked.

The Trandoshan nodded his head. “After our rescue of the equines, I decided that I’d spend some time with them as a means of making amends. I wasn’t successful at first; but with the creamy one’s help, I was successful in amending the wounds that I created and learned more about pony culture.”

“Cotton showed him a couple of magic spells and he got hooked,” explained Sweetie Drops. “He pestered her and the other unicorns if they knew more, but Cotton isn’t well versed in magic compared to licensed mages. Plus, the unicorn guards here use magic as a means of attack or defense. Spells such as invisibility are beyond them.”

Hider’s jaw dropped. “The Kriff? Just what kind of power the pony’s possess? Seriously, levitating objects or making things invisible ain’t small feat. Some might even compare you guys to Jedi!” He then turned to Lyra. “Are you sure your species aren’t Force sensitive?”

Lyra shook her head. “I asked that question plenty of times myself. The Force binds all things and is the center of all life in the galaxy. But I still don’t know whether it and pony magic are different or one in the same.”

“Well, you’re home now, aren’t you? Maybe if you ask your so-called Sun Princess, she may let you study more on the topic of magic. Who knows, maybe she’ll even let you take a few spell books with you when you get back to Dantooine.”

“When we win the war against the Mandalorians, I’ll consider it. Right now, we need to warn the Princess on what’s going on,” replied Lyra. “You haven’t moved the ship in a while, Hider. Are we going to make landfall or not?”

“Be patient, will you! It’s not every day you get to see weird crap like this,” replied Hider. Grasping the steering wheel, he slowly maneuvered the ship inside the now revealed spaceport. And as the ship descended, the sight of multiple pastel colored ponies could be seen just outside the cockpit’s window. “Quite the crowd we attracted, eh? Hey, kid! Do you happen to see any of your Jedi buddies down there?”

Lyra shook her head. “I don’t, but I can sense a couple Force Sensitives among the crowd. Master Kavar and his knights must be waiting for us down there. And… oh my gosh. What is this?”

“Is something wrong, little Jedi?” asked Chessk.

“N-no, nothing’s wrong. It’s just that… I sense a powerful Force entity radiating among the crowd. Before you ask, no, it’s not malevolent by any means. It’s… actually the opposite of that apparently.”

After sensing the dark powers of Nightmare moon earlier, this newfound sensation that Lyra had sensed was like a breath of fresh air. It was as if the sun itself was gleaming down on her; but instead of the heat of the star coming down on her coat, she felt kindness, generosity, and compassion. She tried to explain this to her companions at the best of her abilities; but aside from Sweetie Drops, they had no clue what she was talking about.

“That’s got to be Princess Celestia. She must be waiting for us along with the others” Sweetie said with a smile. It’s almost as if the mare was proud that her Princess was radiating with such benevolent Force energies.

“Oh, so we get to meet royalty, huh? Perfect!” exclaimed Hider sarcastically. “This day just keeps getting better and better!”

“Your witty attitude aside, I pray that you and the droid will be on your best behavior. The last thing we need is for the two of you to make a scene,” replied Chessk as he glared at the ship captain. “And no nicknames either. I’d imagine that her highness and her subjects wouldn’t be too keen on letting your lofty attitude slide.”

“Hey, the tin can is the one who you should be worried about the most, big guy. Not me!”

“I disagree. Although the droid can have a fowl mouth at times, the ponies cannot understand it. So, unless they have a spell that allows them to quickly understand droid binary, I suggest you act professional at all times.”

“Agreed,” said both Lyra and Sweetie Drops at once. And as if the insults couldn’t get any worse, the cockpit door swung open, revealing a raging T3-G4 that was beeping uncontrollably. The two ponies couldn’t understand it, but they were pretty sure its anger was directed at Hider.

Hider groaned. “You know, it’s one thing being lectured by a former mercenary, a military private, and a Jedi Padawan. But being lectured by a psychopathic droid of all things isn’t good for my self-esteem.” He sighed. “What do you want, tin can?”

T3-G4 bleeped repeatedly as if it were trying to explain something. Whatever its remark was, it made Hider’s eyes go wide. “You calibrated the ship’s gun turrets?” he asked. The droid bleeped again in response as the ship landed with a thud. “Guess I got something to keep me occupied. Hey, kid. How about you and Private Candy head on out? Since you guys don’t really want me to make a fool out of myself, I’ll stay here on my baby.”

“Did the droid do something to the weapons system?” asked Chessk.

“He provided some… upgrades to say the least. Not sure what he did, but I’ll check them out myself if it's any good. Plus, Someone has got to keep in tabs with the Republic Navy. Especially after what happened to that enemy flagship. Be best if I stay here and get in contact with my uncle.”

“Thanks, Hider,” said Lyra. Together with Sweetie Drops, she bolted out of the cockpit and went straight for the ship’s exit. When the two ponies eventually reached the boarding ramp, however, they couldn’t leave. The remaining ponies were already there waiting in line to ready to get out.

Within the crowd, Lyra spotted her mother. Figuring that she needed to update her regarding the situation, she approached the guardsmare first. “Mom!” she shouted, gaining the mare’s attention. From there, she quickly explained everything that occurred while in the cockpit. From the arrival of the Mandalorian flagship to its destruction.

The news upset Platinum as well as everypony else. “This is very troubling indeed,” the guardsmare said. “To think Nightmare Moon would actually take part in the battle.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Platinum!” Cotton Swirl argued. “For all we know, Nightmare is doing us all a favor! She’s making it even harder for those Mando brutes to invade our country!”

“That may be, but her actions endanger our allies too, Cotton. If the Republic isn’t careful, then it won’t be long before their fleet will be decimated,” countered Stalwart Shield.

“We shall inform Princess Celestia at once,” said Platinum just as the ship’s boarding ramp had opened. At once, the ponies dashed out of the ship, with Lyra and Sweetie trailing close behind. Upon leaving however, the duo was left stunned as the crowd of ponies cheered them on.

Lyra froze. She stared at the crowd with wide eyes as large amounts of confetti and party banners flew about. It was… confusing for the most part. She hadn’t seen such decorations before; or if she did, she had forgotten about them a long time ago.

“Hey, are you okay?” asked Sweetie Drops.

“Huh?” Lyra winced. She had forgotten that Sweetie was right behind her. “Oh, Sweetie. I’m sorry… I, what is it that you want?”

“You sort of blanked out for a second there. Is everything alright?”

“What? No! Everything is fine, really! It’s just that… well, I wasn’t expecting festivities when we made it home. So lively. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Wait, what? Are you saying that you’ve never seen party decorations before?” Sweetie said. Such a bizarre statement made by Lyra caused the Private shout, catching the attention of a few prying ponies with good ears. Seeing this made the young Padawan sigh before briefly explaining her point of view.

Needless to say, this didn’t calm her friend down. “The Jedi don’t allow any parties at all? Not even on your own birthday!” Sweetie yelled out loud.

Lyra rolled her eyes. Wasn’t it agreed upon by the crew that by the time they’d leave the ship, everyone would be on their best behavior? Clearly this wasn’t the case now as Sweetie was trying to wrap her head around Jedi customs again. And to make things worse, the Private’s sudden outburst caused a scene, gaining the attention of a few ponies amongst the crowd.

I really shouldn’t have blabbed on about Jedi customs here. Doing so will only bring some unwanted attention.

As she tried to calm her best friend down, the sound of cheering suddenly began to grow quieter and quieter. Confused, Lyra looked back at the group only to see a rather tall looking pony taking center stage amongst the entire crowd. And to her surprise, everypony in the room was bowing before this seemingly mighty pony.

“Oh, Tartarus! It’s Princess Celestia!” shouted Sweetie Drops. Panicked, the Private fell mimicked the actions of the other ponies and fell to her belly. “What the heck are you doing, Lyra? Show some respect already!”

Despite the desperation in her voice, Lyra paid no attention to Sweetie. Her eyes remained focused squarely on the Princess in front of her. Tall. Regal. And the only pony present that has both a pair of wings and a horn. If she were to judge based on appearances only, then Lyra can understand why this pony is considered royalty.

But the Force showed a different meaning behind this pony’s regal presence. With its power, Lyra could feel the sheer amount of energy radiating off of this pony. It was as if she were sensing Nightmare moon again. But instead of the cold malicious energies of anger and hate, the Light radiated off Princess Celestia like a white star.

“Just who is this pony?” Lyra muttered to herself.

“My little ponies,” Princess Celestia exclaimed out loud. “It truly pleases me to see that you are alright. When I did not hear from any of you for days, I feared the worst.”

“Princess Celestia. We bring dire news,” said Sergeant Stalwart Shield. His head still lowered out of respect for his Princess. “Our desires for space travel have brought war to our nation. Invaders from a galaxy far away are planning to attack us at any moment!”

“Thank you for alerting me, Sergeant. But the ponies that came home before you have already alerted me of this potential invasion,” replied the Princess. “I assume that this so-called Galactic Republic is engaging the enemy in space, correct?”

“Yes, they are your highness. The situation seemed dire at first. The enemy spaceships have all but outnumbered our allies four to one. However, luck was on our side today. The tale of the mare in the moon was indeed true as you said. The Moon Princess had struck down an enemy flagship just as we were about to enter our planet’s atmosphere.”

“Luna is fighting!” shouted the Princess in disbelief. Her face immediately went pale. “What else can you tell me about the battle?”

“There isn’t much that I can tell, your highness. All we know is that the human known as Saul Karath is commanding our allies and that a Jedi Master is accompanying him.”

“Ah, so Master Darran stayed behind. Excellent! I’m certain that our naval forces will remain in good condition.”

Immediately, Lyra’s ears perked up. That voice. She had recognized it. Looking at the direction on where the voice came from, she spotted a familiar face. Trailing behind the Princess was Jedi Master Kavar. Alongside him were a pair of Jedi Knights and a handful of odd-looking human-like guards with. Lyra could only assume these were the men the Chancellor had sent alongside Master Kavar.

As the Jedi Master drew closer, the entire hangar bay went quiet. The eyes of curious ponies fell upon the Jedi in front of them, for he—along with other aliens—had taken the spotlight away from Princess Celestia. “Padawan Heartstrings. It is good to see you,” greeted Kavar who was undeterred by the stares around him. “I take it the fighting has begun.”

“Yes, Master Kavar,” answered Lyra as she politely bowed before the Jedi Master. Though her action caused a stir amongst some of the ponies, she ignored them and gave a brief explanation as to what had happened so far.

“I see. What an odd turn of events. To think that the Mandalorian fleet would be in disarray in such a short amount of time. A part of me wishes to complement this Nightmare Moon for accomplishing such a task; however, that begs a question. Is she doing this to protect her homeland or is she doing it out of selfish desires?”

“As much as my sister wishes to overthrow me, she does not want to see Equestria invaded or destroyed,” said Princess Celestia. “When she had learned of the invader’s intent, she did what she thought was best.”

“By destroying the invaders as quickly as possible,” continued Kavar. His lips curled into a frown. “Although she did turn the course of the battle, it was a drastic turn. Now a third party is involved in the fighting. One that can decimate flagships in the blink of an eye.”

“Although it pains me to say this, my sister will likely target your allies as well, Master Jedi. Given her actions, she may believe the Republic faction shares the same goals as our enemies.”

“That’s what I fear the most. However, I do believe that the fleet will be fine. Master Darran is still with the fleet, and he can lead the Republic to victory.”

The Princess sighed. “One pon… err, person cannot change a battle, Master Jedi. I know you people have special powers. Powers that I have yet to understand. So, you’ll have to forgive me that I have… doubts about this Jedi.”

“Hey! Don’t talk bad about my master like that!” cried out Lyra. Her eyes fixated on the Princess who dared insulted her master. Yet in her brief fit of rage, she had garnered the attention of everypony in the hangar. They were staring at her with wide eyes, stunned and shocked over the fact that a pony had yelled at their Princess.

Sweetie was staring at her too, but Lyra didn’t care. No one should ever talk bad about her foster father like that. Not even the Princess of Equestria.

But to Lyra’s surprise, as well as everyone else, the Princess Celestia laughed. There was no demand for an apology, nor did she use any magic to silence the Padawan. She simply laughed over Lyra’s sudden outburst.

Yet even with Celestia’s lighthearted behavior, Sweetie rushed in and apologized on behalf of her friend. “You’ll have to forgive her, your highness,” stammered the Private. “See, she’s hasn’t seen Equestrian royalty in nearly a decade and she’s young and naïve and—”

“There is no need to apologize on her behalf, young one. I do not mind her comment at all,” replied Princess Celestia. A smile formed on her lips as she trotted directly toward Lyra. “So, this is the missing pony that Captain Impact and Professor Vision have been searching for, correct? Lyra Heartstrings I presume?”

Lyra nodded.

“Well, on behalf of Equestria, I bid you a warm welcome home Padawan Heartstrings. It pleases me to see that one of my ponies—who has been missing for so long—is doing well. From what Master Kavar told me, you’ve grown into a nice young mare.”

Lyra was about to reply but stopped when she heard the names of two ponies: Captain Impact and Professor Vision. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen her mother ever since she left the Omega. Where was she? She hasn’t spotted her among the crowd of ponies.

“Ah, it seems my words may have gotten your attention. If you are looking for your mother and father, then you have no need to look any further. The couple is having a joyous reunion right over there.”

The Princess directed Lyra’s attention to two ponies embracing one another. The duo had appeared to have ignored the events unfolding in front of them and instead focused their attention on each other. One pony Lyra immediately recognized as her mother. The second pony was unfamiliar to her. An average sized unicorn stallion that had a maroon coat and an image of a feather quill and ink bottle for a Cutie Mark. Strangely enough, the color of his mane and eyes matched those of Lyra’s own eyes, a brilliant gold like color.

Lyra questioned who this stallion was, but it didn’t take her long to figure out his identity. Upon realizing this truth, she gasped. “Oh, Force. Is that who I think it is?” she asked the Princess, albeit hesitantly.

Celestia replied with but a mere nod as she gestured to the young Padawan to go and reunite with her family. Shocked, Lyra hesitated to make a move. Standing just a few feet away was her father. Her actual father. For years, the Jedi Masters have instructed her to move past her family, saying that—given her circumstance—she may not be able to see them again and that family was something that a Jedi did not need.

It was taught to her the moment she became an Initiate. Heck, even her own Master had to remind her of this several times. Yet here she was, home after a long decade. A standing right in front of her was her own mother and father.

Lyra did not know what to do. Everyone was watching her. The ponies. Princess Celestia. Her companions. Even Master Kavar was keeping a close eye on her. They waited for the Padawan to move; and truth be told, it only made her anxious. So much stress put was on her in such a short notice that she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs.

But it never came. The amount of pressure put on her was suddenly lifted when a familiar voice rang into her ears.

“Heads up, kid! I got news for ya!” The sound of Hider’s ridged voice confused everypony present. But all eyes fell upon the Omega’s boarding ramp as the former smuggler popped out of the ship. “I got a message from the fleet. They say that several escape pods are… holy kriff!”

Hider froze mid-sentence as his entire body went stiff. He stared at the crowd of ponies in front of him, eyes wide. He had unknowingly become the center of attention. And now, he didn’t know what to do.

Master Kavar, who had been silent this whole spectacle, merely sighed. “Snap out of it, Captain Louhun!” he shouted. “Unless you find the spectacle of colorful equines to be enjoyable, I suggest you savor your pleasures for another time! Out with it! What did the fleet say about the battle happening in orbit?”

Lyra cracked a smile. Despite the Jedi Master’s harsh words, it was humorous to her, nonetheless. So much so that it alleviated much of the tension around the room as several pones began to laugh. Even Sweetie Drops couldn’t help herself either.

Realizing that he was only embarrassing himself, Hider finally snapped out of his stupor and let out a fake cough. “Uh… right. So, as I was saying,” he said while attempting to play off the mistake he had made earlier. “The Republic fleet is putting up one heck of a fight. The Mandalorian fleet may have been decimated, but they managed to regain their composure and are beginning to fight back.”

Wait, seriously? Despite all that happened, the Mandalorians are still putting up a fight? Lyra could hardly believe it. After losing their big flagship to Nightmare Moon, she was certain that her enemy’s morale would be in shambles.

But Master Kavar seemed unfazed by this news. “I expected something like this. Flagship or no, the Mandalorians are highly disciplined. It’ll take more than just the anger of a banished Princess to take them down.”

“What about my sister?” asked Princess Celestia. “Is she alright? Has the planet’s moon been affected by the battle at all?”

Hider, who had just noticed the Princess for the first time, was left speechless. It’s almost as if he were captivated by the royal equine. “Wow. I never knew ponies could get this tall. Hey, Lyra! You think you might grow as big as that pony over there?”

“Show some respect, Hider!” shouted an irritated Sweetie Drops. “That’s our ruler Princess Celestia!”

“Hey, I’m not trying to be disrespectful, okay! I’m just commenting on how tall she is!”

“Now isn’t the time for your witty comments, human!” shouted Chessk, who was watching the spectacle from the ship’s boarding ramp. For reasons unknown to Lyra, he hadn’t revealed himself to the crowd ponies just yet. “Just tell the Princess what you know about her sister!”

“Alright, geez. Anyways, that moon mare—or whatever she’s called—is being a real nuisance. My uncle… I mean, Admiral Karath, says that large blue beams are coming from the moon itself, targeting both Mandalorian and Republic ships.

Master Kavar sighed. “It appears your concerns about your sister were correct, your highness.”

Celestia did not respond. Rather, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before muttering a few words that only Lyra could hear due to being in close proximity to the Princess. “Luna, please stay safe.”

“Well, the night pony isn’t the only thing we should be worrying about,” continued Hider. “Uncle says that a number of escape pods were launched from the destroyed Mandalorian flagship. They are making their way toward the planet right now, along with a few basilisk droids too.”

“That… isn’t good,” said Master Kavar as a slight grimace appeared on the Jedi’s face. “Those pods could land anywhere on the planet. It would be difficult to locate them given that it is so dark outside.”

“I will go look for them,” replied the Princess as she unfolded her majestic wings.

“Princess, no!” argued one pony from the crowd. “You don’t know what these barbarians are capable of!”

“He’s right!” another pony argued. “Whoever these Mandalorians are must have technology the likes of Equestria has never seen. It’s be suicide to go into battle without truly knowing what they are capable of.”

At once, the voices of concerned ponies rang across the entire hangar bay. The safety and wellbeing of their Princess made the area sound as if Lyra and her companions were back in Senatorial Chambers again. However, the Princess did not seem fazed by the worries of her subjects.

“Your concern for me is well appreciated, my little ponies, but I can’t just sit here and do nothing. Not while Equestria is in danger,” said Princess Celestia. “I will see these invaders myself. Though their technological advancement is a concern, at the very least, I can alert our allies above the location of the enemy.”

“Then I suggest we make haste. Captain Louhun, you and your crew board your ship and take off. Follow the Princess and find whatever landing zone the Mandalorians might be using,” ordered Master Kavar before looking back at Lyra. “And Padawan. I ask that you accompany me. Since you have fought our enemies before, it’d be best that you aid us here and leave the Republic fleet to Master Darran and your companions.”

“Yes, Master.”

Acting quickly, Lyra galloped back toward the Omega with the rest of her companions. But before she boarded the ship, she needed to see them one last time. Looking back at her mother, she could see the guardspony hold back the unicorn stallion from before. There wasn’t any doubt. That stallion was indeed her father. And it appeared he wanted to see her.

Lyra couldn’t blame him. After all, it had been a decade since they’d last seen each other. If she had not hesitated earlier, then perhaps she would have spoken to him. But what’s done is done. Her father can wait, for she has work to do.

Before she could climb onboard the ship, however, something caught Lyra’s eye. It was a pony. A female pegasus to be precise. She had flown toward her parents and, to Lyra’s shock, immediately hugged Platinum. And to add even more confusion, she hugged her father next.

Who was this Pegasus? Did she know her parents somehow?

As much as she needed answers, however, all of it would have to wait. With Hider calling out to her from inside his ship, she boarded the Omega once again.

Chapter 41

View Online

South of the capital of Equestria laid the small country town of Ponyville. Its streets were dark and barren of any ponies with only the streetlamps lighting the seemingly empty town.

But looks were deceiving.

Ponies may not be wandering the streets this late at night; however, tonight was a night worth celebrating. A birthday celebration to be precise. In the center of the town laid a popular sweet shop. Sugarcube Corner, the locals called it. A place where many ponies went not just for the sweets and snacks but for the parties that are occasionally held there.

Inside, the place was packed. Ponies bustled about as loud music played all around them. They laughed, sang, and danged over the birthday celebration of the town’s newest weather captain, Rainbow Dash.

“Let’s get this party started!” shouted a bright pink mare as she screamed into a microphone. Her voice boomed off of the loudspeakers the party’s DJ used. Despite her crude methods of communications, the party goers didn’t mind and proceeded to follow the party pony commands by partying harder than ever before.

However, not every pony appreciated the energy that radiated from this party. For some, all this noise and celebration was a bit too much to handle.

One such party goer was the town’s local farmer, Applejack, who decided that she needed a little break from all this partying. Making her way toward the sweet shop’s exit, she quietly opened the door to get some fresh air. As she exited the building, however, she was surprised to see another pony outdoors. A pegasus pony to be exact. One who had a pink mane, a yellow coat, and a trio of pink butterflies as her Cutie Mark.

“Well hey there, little missy,” greeted Applejack with a polite tip of her hat. “What’re ya all alone out here all alone? Don’t ya want to go back in an’ celebrate with everypony else?”

Instead of answering her question immediately, the pegasus pony gave a high-pitched squeal as she turned to face the farm pony. “Oh, um… I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there,” replied the meek pegasus pony.

Applejack tilted her head. This pony was sure acting strange. All she did was greet the pegasus pony, yet here she was, acting all scared. And by Celestia, this mare needs to speak up. The poor girl was as quiet as a skittering house mouse. “There ain’t no point in actin’ all scared, little lady. Ah ain’t here to hurt ya,” replied Applejack. “Ah’m just wonderin’ why yer out here all alone. Especially where there’s a big party goin’ on inside.”

“Oh… I’m sorry,” said the pegasus mare again, which earned a facehoof from Applejack.

“There ain’t no need ta apologize, okay. Ya already did it a second ago!” The farm mare sighed. “Anyways, Ah’m Applejack. Ponyville’s one of a kind apple farmer. Though I bet ya probably that much already.”

“Oh, I know who you are already, Applejack. It was your family that found this town after all. And Dr. Fauna always talks about you whenever you or your brother bring Winnoa in for checkups.”

Applejack blinked. “Wait, yer that animal caretaker that lives at the edge of town? The same one that Dr. Fauna always talks about?” she asked. The meek pegasus nodded in reply. “Aw, shucks. Ah’m really sorry about that. From what Ah heard from the doctor, ya always take good care of our family pet. And it sure ain’t kind of me not to recognize somepony who does good honest work.”

“There’s no need to compliment me, Applejack. Compared to you, my line of work isn’t all that special.”

“Nonsense. If a pony goes out of her way to take care of animals for a livin’, then that’s a good pony in my book,'' replied Applejack. “So… uh, ya mind explain’ why’re ya out here all alone in the dark? Everypony else is enjoyin’ themselves inside, so why stay out here?”

“I can ask you the same thing,” replied Fluttershy bluntly, surprising the farm pony. “I am a very shy pony, Applejack. I always have been. Rainbow knows this. She understands this. After all, she’s been my friend ever since we were fillies. So she won’t mind if I want to be alone for a bit. Even if it’s her own birthday party.”

Applejack raised a brow. This mare. She has got to be one of the shyest ponies she’s ever met in her entire life. Dr. Fauna said that this Fluttershy lives near the edge of the Everfree Forest with her adopted animals. Which was absurd, but the proof was standing right in front of her. How in Equestria did this shy mare ever manage to live on her own? Do those animals of hers take care of her or something?

She shrugged. “Yer right about one thing, Fluttershy. All that noise happening inside is causin’ me one mighty headache. A country pony like me can’t really handle that much of it. So yeah, a little break from the festivities ain’t gonna hurt.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Rainbow wouldn’t mind one bit. With so many ponies attending her party, I’m certain she wouldn’t notice the two of us leaving the vicinity. Besides, it’s a beautiful night. If you look up, you can see all sorts of stars glimmering in… the… distance?”

Applejack blinked. The shy animal caretaker had paused mid-sentence as she gazed at the sky with wide eyes. Confused, she tilted her hat up and also looked to the skies. “What in tarnation?” she asked as her eyes became as fixated on the once dark blue skies. “What in the hay is goin’ on? Is that some kind of meteor shower or something?”

Fluttershy said nothing. Her eyes were completely glued to the spectacle above her. So much so that Applejack decided to leave her alone and enjoy whatever it is they were seeing right now. And as eyes became focused on the fires above, they failed to notice another pony leaving Sugarcube Corner.

“Ugh, all that noise is absolutely dreadful. I don’t mind a good party every now and then, but this lady’s ears are sensitive! I swear. If I heard one more beat from that horrific stereo of theirs, I am going to… oh!” The mare stiffened the moment she saw both Applejack and Fluttershy sitting a few feet away. Not wanting to show her bad side, the mare attempted to recompose herself by giving off a fake cough. “Oh… um, a good evening to you two ladies.”

“Oh, hey there, Rarity,” greeted Applejack with a tip of her hat. “Guess yer out here because the festivities inside were too much fer ya, huh?”

“What… whatever do you mean? I simply wanted to get some fresh air, that’s all!” Rarity argued. But Applejack wasn’t buying any of it. She had known this mare since her childhood, and by Celestia, was she known for having unbridled rants for anything she disliked. Granted, the one she had now was tame in comparison to all the previous rants the farm pony heard.

“Give it up, Rarity. Ah know fer a fact that if ya don’t like something, ya tend ta overreact a bit. Though ta be fair, yer not the only one out here that doesn't like all that noise,” replied Applejack with a wink.

Realizing her false bravado wasn’t working, Rarity threw her hooves up in the air and groaned. “Fine! You win. As much as I’d like to join the festivities and greet our new weather captain, their choice of music is just so unbearable! To be fair, the food and decorations were quite nice, but how can anypony celebrate with all that noise!”

“Ah hear ya. It’s fer that same reason me and Fluttershy are outside. And ya came at a good time too. There’s some kind of meteor showing goin’ on.”

“Meteor shower?” Rarity asked. Applejack raised her left hoof and pointed directly at the sky above them. Upon witnessing the spectacle in the sky, the rambunctious mare gasped. “Sweet mother of Celestia. What is going on up there?”

“I ain’t got a clue. But it’s mighty pretty I tell you what.”

“I see. Well, it certainly looks incredible if you ask me. All those streaks of red and orange explosions really blend well into the night sky. It’s almost as if it’s…. it’s.” Rarity gasped. “An idea! I have an idea!”

“Whoa, Rarity, settle down will ya! Continue ta shout like that an’ yer gonna be as loud as those loudspeaker thingamabobs inside!” cautioned Applejack.

Rarity frowned. “Normally, I’d smack you in the head for that crude comparison, Applejack. But now isn’t the time. This meteor shower has given me an idea. An idea that may very well propel me into the fashion world!”

“So, yer gonna go make a new dress or something?”

“Not just any dress, darling. But a dress that will wow ponies all across Equestria. Perhaps the entire world!” The fashionista’s eyes glimmered with inspiration as she continued to stare at the spectacle above them. “This idea of mine must not go to waste! I must return to my Boutique and begin my work!”

“But… what about the party? You can’t just leave without telling anypony where you are going!” Fluttershy argued. Her words fell on deaf ears, however, as the unicorn mare dashed away with sparkles in her eyes. “Oh, dear. Should we… should we try to stop her.”

“Nah, Ah don’t see the point. When Rarity gets this excited, there ain’t no stoppin’ her. Especially when it comes ta her career,” replied Applejack. “And besides, it’s only one pony. Ah’m sure Pinkie and yer friend wouldn’t mind if a single pony turned up and leave.”

“Um… Pinkie who?”

“Ya don’t know Pinkie Pie? She’s the one who threw this party fer the birthday pony.” Unfortunately, Applejack’s words fell on deaf ears. The shy pegasus didn’t seem to know who she was talking about. Perhaps it was because it was her introverted nature that made her this way. Regardless, she shouldn’t question it any further. “Trust me, Fluttershy. Pinkie wouldn’t mind. If Rarity or anypony else needed to leave for something important, she’d understand.”

“I suppose.” Fluttershy looked to the skies again as the red and orange colors began to grow more spectacular by the minute. Applejack joined in as well as the brightly lit night sky was something to behold. “Oh, I have an idea!” exclaimed the pegasus. “Maybe we should tell everypony inside about the meteor shower. I’m sure they’d all love to see this.”

Applejack smiled. She didn’t know why, but the farm pony got the strangest feeling that this would be the start of a great friendship. “Sure, why not? Come on, let’s go tell ‘em.”

It’s been quite a while since Celestia has flown this high into Equestria’s skies. The last time she had flown this high was during a Summer Sun Celebration in Cloudsdale with the Wonderbolts. And that was over ten years ago.

She bit her lip. Flying at this high altitude puts a large strain on her wings. She can handle it, of course. However, she was not a Wonderbolt by any means. By the time she’d be done her duty, her wings would probably ache for a day or two.

Despite that, she had a job to accomplish. Equestria was in danger from a force that nopony, not even her, could not possibly hope to defend. If what she heard from Jedi Master Kavar were true, then the Mandalorians would conquer Equestria, and perhaps the entire world, within days. And while it is true, she was the most powerful pony in Equestria, she is just one pony. And one pony cannot fight an entire army.

Celestia sighed. She despised the fact that she was helpless in this situation. As much as she put her faith in the Jedi and her Republic allies, there was a part of her that didn’t trust them. The safety of one’s nation at the hooves… well, hands of unknown power—alien or not—was preposterous. But regardless, she had no choice.

At the very least, she trusts the Jedi enough that they will do the right thing. It really does help that one of her ponies is within their ranks.

Looking up, Celestia could see the colors of red and orange blistering above her. No doubt those came from the fighting in orbit. The colors of war raged while she and the rest of her ponies sat idly by. She cursed herself for allowing such clear skies to occur tonight. If she had to guess, a majority of the Equestrian populace would be looking at the spectacle above them. If anything, they’d probably believe the explosions were but a meteor shower.

Could her ponies’ misconception be for the best? Perhaps. But now wasn’t the time to think about that. She had to locate wherever these escape pods were landing. Should the enemy land anywhere near an Equestrian city, she’d have to use all of her magic to defend her citizens until help arrives. Should that come to pass, the secret of aliens and space travel would be revealed to the public.

“Oh, Great Teacher. How I would love to hear your wisdom right now,” Celestia muttered to herself. “If you were in my place, what would you do?”

Her thoughts were cut off when the roaring sound of two spaceships came from the clouds below and flanked her. She recognized them. One belongs to the Jedi Master Kavar and the other is a ship had just seen moments ago. From what she heard; the pilot of the much larger spacecraft is a former criminal.

It was confusing to hear that the Jedi would put so much faith in such an unlawful being. However, Captain Impact assured her that he was trustworthy, despite his troubled past. Plus, he tends to get his act together when in the presence of a Jedi, particularly the Captain’s daughter.

Celestia smiled. The space project that started ten years ago had a purpose. Not just to launch ponies into space for the first time in Equestrian history, but also as a rescue mission. To search and save a filly who had been unlucky enough to board an abandoned spaceship and leave the planet on accident.

There were still questions as to how that old ship was still active after a millennia. But regardless, the Equestrian space project was a success. Ponies finally had the ability to reach to the stars without magic and the missing filly of Captain Impact and Professor Wishful Vision had been found. And to make things even more exciting, that missing pony turned out to be a Jedi. The first of all ponykind.

To some, it could very well be a miracle. The survivability of Captain Impact’s daughter was low, even as the space project commenced. There were many within the project that doubted the filly’s survival, including Celestia herself. But the Captain and her husband never gave up.

Their will and persistency eventually won in the end. But this joyous reunion won’t last if the invaders aren’t driven out. Celestia thought. Her eyes drifted again toward the explosions above her. That human from earlier said that those escape pods are making landfall. If that’s the case, I’ve got to find out where they are landing. If I find it, other ships are bound to follow.

It was then her eyes spotted something rather unusual. Streaks of orange and red could be seen suspiciously entering the planet’s atmosphere. Never before had she ever seen anything pierce through the skies. Regardless, this finally gave the lead she needed.

Flapping her wings, Celestia charged forth with speed akin to that of a Wonderbolt Captain. Her speed wasn’t comparable to one of those spaceships; but at the very least, she was fast enough to follow the trail of the burning object in front of her.

Following close behind her were the spaceships of the Jedi and the criminal. Their advanced technology allowed them to easily match her speed. Good. At the very least, she wouldn’t have to worry about them falling behind.

Minutes later, Celestia finally caught up with the burning object from before. She huffed and puffed, trying ever so hard to catch her breath. By the gods, she was tired. Her wings ached like crazy, which shouldn’t come to a surprise given the distance she covered. Not to mention it had been a while since she’d flown that fast.

“Where am I?” she muttered to herself. She had been so focused on keeping up with that airship that she had lost track of where she was. Not to mention it was too dark to see.

Igniting her horn, the Princess cast a quick magic spell. A spell that ignited tiny magical focal points across various locations in her nation that were used to determine her exact location. Something that she prepared in advance in case something happened to her or, heaven forbid, Equestrian cities.

After a quick flare of her horn, she was able to determine her exact whereabouts. To her left was the village of Applewood. And to her right was the town of Trottingham.

Celestia’s eyes widened upon the realization that she had flown so far. Mere seconds ago she was at Equestria’s southern border, and now she was at northeast Equestria? Just how far did she underestimate her ability to fly?

If Captains Impact and Spitfire saw me just now, they’d probably throw a fit. Not that it would matter anyway. Those two mares are much faster than I can ever be.

Brushing her thoughts aside, Celestia looked in the direction of where the pod’s trail had stopped. Once again, she ignited her horn to get a look on where she was, only for her eyes to widen again upon realizing the direction of the ship’s landfall. Just northeast of Trottingham was a mountain range larger than Macintosh Hills but had no name. Many of her ponies considered the area to be very dangerous due to the species that live there.

Bugbears. A strange creature that had the body of a bear, but also that of hornets or bees. To many, they were basically large bugs whose nature consists of a passive aggressive lifestyle. They do not mettle with Equestria at all, but if anypony dares to invade their nests they attack on sight. Even to the point where they kill their invaders.

With the Mandalorian ships falling here, surely their presence would disturb the bugbear nests. If anything, the bugbears would wipe out the invaders in a manner of hours, right?

The Princess shook her head. As dangerous as the bugbears may be, the Mandalorians still had the overwhelming advantage when it comes to technology. For all she knew, those blasters of theirs could just burn away bugbear hide. In the best-case scenario, the presence of the bugbears would simply stall the invaders.

She had to act now.

Igniting her horn once more, Princess Celestia cast a mega spell that brightly lit a moderately sized area just outside the bug bear territory. The magic emanated from that specific area was there for all to see. If one were a pegasus, or perhaps a pilot of a spaceship, they could easily see this spell from the skies. Celestia knew this of course. With her spell igniting this much light, nobody should be able to ignore it.

The spell also had another function as well. With her horn flaring, Celestia closed her eyes and began to concentrate. In a span of a few seconds, she expanded the range of the mega spell, broadening its reach further into Bug Bear territory.

The purpose? Prevent beings from ever leaving the area. Individuals can still enter the mountains, but nobody can leave.

The spell isn’t permanent by any means; however, it will at least buy the Jedi and the Republic some time. Should everything go according to plan, the Mandalorians will never step foot into Equestrian territory or anywhere else on the planet.

A flawed plan. But it’s the only thing she could think of at the moment.

Turning around, Celestia spotted the same two ships from before. Good. The pilots managed to keep up with her. And with both ships here, she can inform both parties of her plan.

Igniting her horn once more, she readied herself for a teleportation spell. Master Kavar had given her a brief tour of her ship before Captain Impact and her crew returned home. Since teleportation magic was limited to areas a pony has seen or visited before, teleporting to the Jedi Master’s ship was the only place she can teleport to. Of course she’d still have to inform Padawan Heartstrings and her crew about her plans. However, she was certain the Jedi would fill them in somehow.

As her horn ignited in a bright gold color, Celestia let loose a single spark of magic, causing her to blink out of the night sky.

Chapter 42

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“Are you sure about this, Chessk?” asked Lyra.

“Of course I am, little Jedi. The life debt that I owe you demands that I keep you safe,” Chessk replied boldly.

“But there are more than a handful of Jedi here who are capable of taking care of themselves and each other. And Master Kavar is with us too, remember?” Lyra argued. However, her words did little to convince her companion not to join her.

“No, little one. My duty is here, to the Jedi I swore a life debt with,” Chessk countered. “The Scorekeeper will never forgive me if I forsake the one who saved my life. Nor would I forgive myself for letting this opportunity to redeem myself slip by.”

Hider observed the duo’s conversation from a distance, along with T3-G4. A moment ago, he received direct orders from Jedi Master Kavar. Apparently, the Mandalorians have made landfall in another mountain range that was a distance away from Equestria. How fortunate it was for the ponies; however, this mountain range is home to one of the most dangerous animals on the planet. Bugbears, the Princess called them. Creatures that had the body of a full-grown bear but also had insectoid-like features like a stinger and a pair of wings.

The thought of such creatures existing sounded weird at first, but the galaxy had its fair share of odd-looking creatures. Creatures that Hider had seen a lot during his smuggling years. Still, the thought of a large animal having both bear and insectoid-like features sounded creepy.

“What next? Talking Kyrat Dragons?” Hider mumbled to himself.

Overhearing this, T3-G4 let out a confused whirring sound. “No, don’t worry about it, tin can. I was just talking to myself,” Hider assured. He leaned back onto the cool metal plating on his ship as he continued to observe Lyra and Chessk’s conversation. The former was still pleading with the latter not to accompany her.

“Chessk, please! You don’t need to worry about me so much. Hider’s the one that you will need to help out,” said Lyra.

“Forget about it, kid. If the big guy is dead set in helping you, then let him do it. Asking him to go away or help someone else will go against that life debt of his,” argued Hider. “It’s probably for the best anyway. As much as you Jedi might prefer fighting with your lightsabers, but it's good to have someone with a battle rifle watch your back.”

“But Hider, don’t you need someone to manage the Omega’s gun turrets? If I recall correctly, both turrets can be manually operated by two people.”

“The turrets can be operated by the navigation terminal in the cockpit. Though I admit, controlling the turrets from there won’t be as effective as a person operating it. But it ain’t a big deal. As long as those things work, I’ll be good to go.”

T3-G4 gave a snarky bleep in response. “No need to rub it in, tin can. We all know about your work in fixing the second turret. Uh… thank you for that by the way,” Hider said.

“I’m surprised, Louhun. To think you and the droid are capable of showing companionship,” Chessk replied with a smug grin. “Have you gotten soft on us or is it because you’re actually grateful for all the good work Geefour has done for you?”

Hider rolled his eyes. “I’m not mincing words, big guy. Droid or not, if someone is deserving of praise, I’ll complement the guy.” Reaching into his jacket, Hider pulled out a small brown pouch. “Thermal Detonators courtesy of the Republic Navy. Uncle Saul offered me some when I mentioned we had a demolition expert. Ya want ‘em, big guy?”

“It’ll be my pleasure,” said Chessk as Hider threw the pouch of explosives in the air. After snagging the bag, the hunter stuffed it into one of the many pockets on his utility belt. “My thanks, Louhun. May the Scorekeeper watch over you in the battle ahead.”

“I don’t need some divine being to watch over me. The only thing that’s going to get me through this day is pure skill. Nothing more, nothing less.” Hider smirked as he and Geefour went back to the Omega. Before he climbed on top the boarding ramp, he gave Lyra one last look. “Hey, kid. Promise me you’ll give those Mandalorians one heck of a fight, okay? This will be the biggest fight of your life, so do everyone here a favor. Don’t hold back. Give it your all.”

Lyra replied with a silent nod of her head.

“Good. And if you happen to run into that Khal guy from earlier, make sure you kick his ass this time. I know you Jedi aren’t particularly fond of revenge, but the guy nearly killed you. Best if you return the favor if you know what I’m saying.”

“Hider, we don’t even know if Khal is here. For all we know, he could possibly be participating in the battle out in space,” berated Lyra.

“Perhaps. But given the circumstances and all the crap we’ve experienced; I wouldn’t put it past the realm of possibility. And besides, you Jedi always say that the Force is always set in motion. So maybe, just maybe, the two of you meeting on the battlefield here is predestined.”

Lyra frowned. “Don’t lecture me on the Force, Hider. No offense, but a carefree person like you could never come to understand its power.”

“Is that so? Well, I’d make sure to keep your words in mind if the Force ever flows within me. Who knows, maybe having powers like yours will bring me good fortune.”

T3-G4 buzzed irritably in response. “I… guess you got a point there. If I had a shred of the kind of power the kid and her master had, I’d probably abuse the heck out of it,” Hider said as the Omega’s boarding ramp began to close. The droid buzzed again, causing the former criminal to gape at it with raised brow. “Wait, you think the Jedi actually hunt renegade Force users? That’s ridiculous! If there were Jedi Inquisitors in the Order, then we’d know… right?”

Hider blinked. If there were rogue Jedi or Force Sensitives in the galaxy, what would the Order do? Would they hunt them down till the ends of the galaxy, or is there a special unit in the order that deals with matters like that? It was a question that deserves an answer. One that Hider would most certainly want to know due to his journalistic nature.

But the beeping of an irritated T3-G4 snapped him out of his thoughts. “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about a couple of things, that’s all,” Hider replied. The droid wasn’t buying his excuse, however, as it continued to berate the man. “Settle down, will you? I’ll get the ship moving already, just hold on.”

Heeding the droid’s words, Hider immediately bolted for the ship’s cockpit. Following the Sun Princess took a decent amount of time. He hadn’t heard from his uncle for a while now, and that concerned him if he had to be honest. Granted, there is a possibility that he might be overthinking things. This is his uncle after all. A Fleet Admiral in the Republic Navy no less.

Still, it’d be wrong for him to not expect the worst-case scenario. Especially after what he had heard from the Navy a while ago. With a Mandalorian flagship destroyed, and a crazy thousand-year-old magical equine taking part of the fight above, who knows what kind of dogfight he’d get into.

One thing’s for sure, it’d definitely be worth writing an article about the fight in the future. The amount of credits he’d make over desperate readers would be tenfold. He just had to make sure he’ll survive long enough for the Republic to win.

“Here’s to hoping,” Hider muttered.

Upon reaching the cockpit, the former smuggler dove straight for the captain’s chair. Now seated, he immediately pressed two buttons on the navigation computer, causing the ship’s engines to roar with life. With the Omega ready for takeoff, Hider took the steering wheel and tilted it backward, allowing the ship to slowly float in midair. And with one final push of a button, the ship soared into the air.

As he flew closer to the planet’s empty black skies, Hider could see the explosions going off. The colors of red and orange lit the night sky like a firework display on Coruscant. Seeing this spectacle made him wonder if the ponies living here can actually see what’s happening. It may have been nighttime, but the skies were completely clear.

“Princess Sunny is going to have a field day with this cover up,” Hider said to himself just as his ship flew directly into the planet’s atmosphere.

The initial acceleration was slow at first; however, Hider could feel the speed of the Omega intensify as his body began to pull back into the leather seating. As this happened, he felt the heat of the planet’s atmosphere pierce tears through his skin. Normally, flying through an atmosphere was harmless; but given the ship’s current rate of speed, there was an increase of temperature. For the most part, it only affects the ship’s cockpit. However, the Omega had a built-in cooling system that prevented the worst from happening.

As the atmospheric pressure settled, Hider once again found himself in orbit. But he wasn’t alone. The booming sounds of laser cannons and the violet streaks of red and orange signaled that he was in a warzone.

Despite the danger he was in, Hider took his time to observe his surroundings. It was a bit risky leaving his ship out in the open like this; however, he wanted to get a glimpse of the situation. And since he’s nowhere near the fighting, now would be a good time to observe his surroundings.

From a distance, he could see the once menacing Mandalorian flagship burning and alone. Explosions were going off one after the other, tearing the mighty ship apart. At this rate, it looks like nobody will be able to salvage that ship for scraps regardless of who wins this fight.

But that wasn’t the only flagship the Mandalorians possessed. From a distance, Hider could see two more behemoth sized starships that matched the one that was destroyed moments ago. They were still putting up a fight, and in terms of numbers, the Mandalorians had dozens of more starships than the Republic Navy.

However, the opposing fleet appeared to be somewhat disorganized. A common naval tactic is to group starfighters into squadrons and work together as a team. But the Mandalorian fleet barely held itself together. To Hider’s shock, he could see enemy starships fly away from their squadrons, allowing a few easy picks for the Republic Navy.

Separating yourself from your naval squadron was a horrible mistake. A mistake that could get you berated or even kicked out of the navy. By not working together as a team, a pilot can run the risk of getting themselves killed along with their entire team. And to see this much disorganization from the Mandalorian Navy was surprising to say the least.

Can the loss of a single flagship drain the morale of an entire naval force so quickly? Hider pondered on that question, but quickly snapped back to reality as he saw a large blue beam that came straight from the moon itself, destroying a few starfighters on both sides.

Oh yeah, he forgot about her.

Hider took a glimpse at the planet’s only moon. Although its size wasn’t anything noteworthy, the image of a unicorn equine implanted on the moon’s surface surprised the pilot. If anything, that image had all but confirmed that the Mare on the Moon fairy tale existed.

“Give credit where credit is due, I guess. Looks like the ponies were right on this one. I just hope Princess Moony over there hasn’t done too much damage to the Republic Navy yet,” Hider said to himself as he picked up a headset on top of the navigation computer. “Better call uncle and ask how the fleet is doing.”

Just when he put the headset on, however, Hider spotted something in the distance. Squinting, he saw a starfighter flying about on its own, with three more fighters on its tail. The latter were firing upon the helpless starship as its pilot flew for his very life. But who was the aggressor: the Republic or the Mandalorians? It was something that Hider needed to find out as he pressed his foot on the gas pedal.

When he eventually got closer to the action, the color of the flailing starship’s metal plating gave off who was being attacked. A Republic starfighter, one that had survived the blast from Princess Moony earlier, attempted to retreat. However, he was quickly chased down by three Mandalorian ships who had also survived the blast.

Acting quickly, Hider jerked his ship’s steering wheel up, meeting the aggressors head on. With a click of a button, he fired the Omega’s dual turbo lasers directly at the three starships. One fled after the laser grazed his ship. The other two were immediately destroyed.

Welp, that’s one good deed done for the day. Hopefully, that pilot will be okay. “If I ever get the name of that guy, he’s going to owe me a drink,” Hider said just as his comm-link established a connection with the Praetorian-Class frigate his uncle was on. Before he could say anything on his headset, a gruff, militaristic voice could be heard on the other line.

“This is the Republic Navy Praetorian class frigate, the Sunrider. Identify yourself this instant, over!” commanded the voice on the other line.

Hider rolled his eyes. It wasn’t surprising that his uncle would act so professional, but did he really not recognize the Omega’s comm signature? They literally had a conversation a while ago. Oh well. Might as well play the part.

“This is Captain Hider Louhun of the ship, Omega. Permission to speak to Fleet Admiral Saul Karath,” Hider replied in his comm-link.

Almost immediately, his uncle replied back. “Ah, Hider. Good to see you’re finally joining us. I take it that the escort mission was a success?” Saul asked.

“Yes, uncle. The ponies are all safe.”

“And the enemy escape pods? What became of them?”

“We managed to locate them. Apparently, they fell in some sort of mountain range that is northeast of the pony nation.”

“Are the citizens in danger of any attack from the enemy?”

“No, not yet. According to the Sun Princess, the mountain range is home to one of the most dangerous beasts on the planet. Bugbears she calls them. They apparently have the physicality of both a bear and an insect.”

There was a moment's pause on the other line before Uncle Saul finally said his piece. “An animal with the physicality of both a bear and an insect?” the Admiral asked. The stuttering in his words made it seem as if he didn’t believe Hider’s words. “First we hear about this Nightmare Moon and now this? I swear, this planet is getting weirder and weirder.”

“Oh, come on, uncle. There are other planets in the galaxy that have creatures weirder than this one. Remember Felucia? Now that is one messed up planet!”

“Focus, Hider. We’re in the middle of a galactic war here.”

“Hey, don’t lecture me! You’re the one who brought up how this planet is weird,” Hider replied as a smug-like smile grew on his face. “Anyways, what’s the current situation? Last I heard, Princess Moony over there was busy blowing up Mandalorians.”

“Technically, you’re right. But that’s only half the story, Hider. While it is true that our little moon princess has scattered the Mandalorian fleet, she has fired back on our ships too. Including this frigate.”

“Wait, seriously? I saw her destroy some of our starfighters, but I didn’t know she fired at your ship. Was anyone hurt?”

“Relax, Hider. Her beams only grazed our shields. From what our engineers can guess, the beam slowly loses power the farther it travels. With that knowledge, we determined that the best course of action is to pull our fleet away from the moon and allow the moon princess to do her thing. Our starships will clean up on whatever is left of our enemies after.”

“No offense, but you guys aren’t doing that good of a job. The fleet allowed a few escape pods to land onto the planet.”

“I’m aware of that failure, yes. The moment we sent out a few starfighters to intercept, our little moon princess got in the way. We lost Yellow squad because of her. That pilot you saved earlier is the only one who survived.”

“Damn it. So what do we do?”

“Now that our forces have been stabilized, we are in position to attack. Hider, I want you to group up with Red Squadron. Assist them in any way you can in destroying the two remaining Mandalorian flagships.”

Hider grinned mischievously. “Oh, I get to destroy a flagship, huh? Well you can count me in, old timer. So, where is Red Squadron anyway?”

“They are flying in front of my frigate. Hold on, Hider. We will link you up with their comm-link shortly,” replied Admiral Karath. But as Hider waited on his uncle, he heard a slight ping sound on his comm-link. Usually, that sound means that someone is trying to contact him. Nothing too strange, but who on earth would do such a thing in the middle of a warzone?

Needing answers, he pressed a button on the ship’s navigation computer to answer the call. “This is Captain Louhun of the Omega speaking. Who is this?” Hider demanded. To his surprise, however, he was greeted by the sound of beeping noises. From what he could hear, the beeping was droid binary.

Immediately, he recognized the caller. “Unless it’s some emergency of some sort, now really isn’t a good time to be contacting me, tin can. Spit it. What’re you calling me for?”

Shockingly, T3-G4 began to spaz out several bleeps and whirls that made it difficult for the former smuggler to understand. This only annoyed Hider, however, as Geefour’s continuous beeping made him believe that the droid was wasting his time. So rather than start a pointless with the tin can, he decided that it'd be better that he’d just hang up on the thing and let it be.

Before he could do that though, one final beep from Geefour made Hider stop in his place. He blinked. “I’m sorry, could you repeat what you just said again, tin can? Your stupid rambling from earlier made me hang up on you, so I wasn’t paying attention.”

Hider heard Geefour beep angrily at him from the other line but paid no attention to it. If the droid wanted to tell him something important, then it should’ve gone straight to the point instead of flooding his comm-link with pointless chatter. As the droid slowly settled down, it began to explain the situation it found itself in. When it finished speaking, Hider’s jaw slacked.

“What the kriff? Why would she… how did she… why that stupid little pony!” Hider shouted in anger as he slammed his right hand onto the navigation computer. He would come to regret his decision though as he immediately recoiled as soon as his hand made impact on the computer’s metal surface. Kriff, his hand is going to be sore after all this.

Just as he blew on his right hand, his comm-link began to beep once again. Another call was coming in; however, Hider knew for certain that it was his uncle, so he immediately picked up the call.

“Hider, what’s wrong?” his uncle shouted on the other line. “We lost connection with you for a second there. You mind telling me what happened?”

“Sorry, uncle. I had to disconnect because my droid contacted me. Said it was an emergency,” Hider replied with a sour taste in his mouth. “I’ll get straight to the point, uncle. I got a straggler aboard my ship. I’m not sure how she did it or how she went unnoticed, but one of the ponies that was part of Captain Impact’s crew is on my ship at this very moment.”

“What? How is that possible?”

“Believe me, uncle. I’d like to know myself,” Hider said as his lips curled into a frown. With his extra passenger onboard, what exactly is he going to do? The most logical choice would be to board his uncle’s frigate and boot that pony off the ship. At least she can be safe there and wait out until the Republic wins.

“While I understand your frustration, Hider, I must also inform you on some intel I had just received,” continued Uncle Saul on the other line. “Apparently, our hypercomms have detected some ripples in hyperspace. I’d assume that our reinforcements are on the way. However, Republic ships aren’t the only ones that we managed to detect. Hypercomms caught a handful of ships coming from the direction where our enemies appeared.”

“Oh, great. So, enemy reinforcements are coming too, huh?” Hider replied with a groan. “Looks like I have no choice. Uncle. Link me up with Red Squadron now.”

“What about your straggler? Is it wise to keep her on board?”

“I was planning on docking inside your frigate so I can kick her out, but there’s been a change of plans. If Mandalorian reinforcements are coming, then we don’t have much time. Better for me to link up with Red Squadron now and take out the remaining flagships before more trouble arrives.”

“That would mean the pony is under your protection, nephew. If you are to perish, she would as well.”

“Aw, I’m hurt, uncle. Out of everyone in our family, you alone should know that I’m not some random shmuck of a pilot,” said Hider as his lips curled into a while smile. “I assure you, Uncle Saul. I’m getting out of this battle alive. And I will keep that pony safe.”

There was a brief pause on the other line before Admiral Karath spoke up again. “Very well, my nephew. My crew will link you up with Red Squadron as fast as they can,” said the Admiral. “Go and bring glory to the Republic.”

“Will do, Uncle Saul. May the Force be with you.”

Hider smirked. I always wanted to say that out loud. Guess I gotta thank the kid for her little preaching about the Force.

As the former smuggler pressed his foot onto the gas pedal, the cockpit door behind him suddenly popped open. Looking back, he saw T3-G4 standing alongside the pony straggler. How this mare came on board, he did not know. Heck, he didn’t even bother to even look at her. At the very least, she now has front row seats to the greatest show she’s ever going to experience.

As the mare stepped forward, Hider’s mischievous grin grew ever so wider. “Hey there, Private Candy. You mind explaining what you’re doing on my ship?”

Chapter 43

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Lyra huffed and puffed as she vigorously followed Master Kavar and the other Jedi through the mountain terrain. By the Force she was exhausted. It had only been a couple of minutes since she and Chessk left the Omega, and yet it felt as if her stamina was already spent. Perhaps this was because she was mountain climbing of all things.

The mare grimaced. She hated mountain climbing. It was bad enough that she had to traverse a mountain in Alderaan, but here in Equestria too? By the Order, it was too much!

Still, the situation could’ve been worse. At least she didn’t have to deal with a snowstorm this time. And unlike Alderaan, she can actually see where she is going.

Looking up to the sky, Lyra stared at the bright golden light that Princess Celestia had placed. According to Master Kavar, it is supposed to be a beacon of some sort. A way to alert both allies and enemies that the fighting is happening here. And nobody can leave the area either as long as the barrier is up.

At first, Lyra questioned the Princess’s decision. Having a magic spell that screamed “all the fighting is down here” seemed like a bad idea. She voiced her concerns with Master Kavar and Chessk, but both agreed with the Princess’s decision. Should the spell work as intended, then the Mandalorians would be trapped. Encased in a dome of light with nowhere to run.

The spell wasn’t permanent though. According to Master Kavar, Princess Celestia can maintain her spell for two hours at most, giving the allied forces a time limit.

Lyra sighed. As if protecting Equestria from bloodthirsty alien conquerors wasn’t pressuring enough. Now they have to worry about finishing the fight in a matter of hours. It’s not like the task was impossible though. Two hours is plenty of time. The question was, how many Mandalorian troops have made landfall here?

As the Jedi and the handful of Republic troops gathered in a circle, Lyra took the opportunity to do a quick count of the allied forces. There were forty in total. The Republic soldiers outnumbered the Jedi who were few in number, though the lavish robes they wore symbolized their positions as Knights. Way more than what Lyra had expected, but they will still need reinforcements.

It was then that she saw Master Kavar standing amongst the crowd, looking as if he was going to speak. “Listen up, everyone!” he shouted out loud. “Somewhere in these mountains, our enemies prowl about. They may be wounded, but that doesn’t mean we should underestimate them. The Mandalorians are fearsome warriors who will do anything to achieve their goal.”

Raising his lightsaber, the Jedi Master pointed the tip of his weapon directly at the dome above them. “The Princess of this nation has given us an opportunity. One that we cannot waste. This dome you see above us will entrap our enemies here, in these mountains. As long as that light holds, nobody can leave! We can finish off the Mandalorians without risking the lives of any civilians.”

Cheering erupted from the allied forces. In comradery, Republic soldiers hoisted their rifles in the air while the Jedi Knights all ignited their lightsabers at once. The only ones not participating were Lyra and Chessk.

The latter was not impressed. “That… that was not a good speech,” said Chessk. He shook his head in disappointment. “For a Jedi Master, I figured he’d have a bit more… charisma.”

“Don’t worry about it, Chessk. Master Kavar may not be the greatest motivational speaker, but his fighting capabilities will make up for it,” replied Lyra. “And besides, his speech wasn’t that bad. It did motivate everyone here.”

“Perhaps. But I can name several people who can make a better speech than that,” Chessk said back as he and Lyra continued to listen to the Jedi Master’s talk.

Kavar explained his plan. Their forces would split into two groups. One led by him and another led by a Jedi Knight. Once the groups have been formed, they’d split off and search for any sign of the Mandalorians forces. Should any group come across the enemy, they’ll contact the other group via comm-link for reinforcements.

“Um, Master Kavar? I have a couple of questions,” said Lyra. Her voice earned the attention of everyone in the group. “Are you sure splitting up is a good idea? This is a mountain range we’re exploring; you know. And a dangerous one at that.”

“Your concerns are well placed, Padawan Heartstrings, but you need not to worry. I’ve personally asked the pilot of my ship to scout out the mounts for enemy troops. With our group splitting into two and our ally in the skies patrolling enemy units from above, I’m sure we can make do,” explained the Jedi Master.

“I assume this pilot has a comm-link as well?” asked Chessk.

“He does, yes. If he manages to spot our enemies, he’ll radio in on us. If we’re lucky, we might manage to ambush the Mandalorians and take them out swiftly.”

“But what of the basilisk droids?” asked a random Jedi from the group. “According to reports, a handful of them have made landfall here on these mountains.”

Kavar frowned. “Those droids are too dangerous to engage alone. Avoid them if you can, but if confrontation is unavoidable, try not to fight them directly. Dodge its blaster fire and cut the pilot down from its weak side. As for the non-Jedi present, the same rules apply. However, I recommend that you keep your distance. Find cover and support the Jedi as best you can.”

“Sir, yes sir!” shouted all the Republic soldiers at once.

“Good. I trust that you men will do your jobs well. Now, does anyone else have anything to say before we leave?”

“Will we be receiving any reinforcements from the Navy soon?” asked Lyra.

“I contacted the Republic Fleet before we made landfall. We should be expecting reinforcements in about fifteen or twenty minutes depending on the situation in orbit,” answered Master Kavar, much to Lyra’s relief. “Any other questions?”

“I have one,” said Chessk as he made his presence known. “It’s about those beasts the Sun Princess warned us about earlier. The bugbears she called them.”

“What of them?”

“According to the Princess, those beasts have made this mountain range their home. If anything, the mere presence of our enemies and the illuminating light above us will surely alert them. I can only imagine that we’d run into them the further we trek into their territory.”

“Ah, an excellent point you’ve made, young hunter. I can see why Padawan Heartstrings here speaks so highly of you. Tell us, what concerns you the most about these bugbears?”

“I truly believe that these creatures will see us as a threat. Although we mean them no harm, we are technically invading their territory just as the Mandalorians are. If anything, they will likely attack us on sight just as our enemies will.”

“So it will be a three-way battle then. Hmm, I can actually see that happening.”

“Why would that matter though?” asked a male human Jedi from the group. “We have lightsabers, blasters, and the Force on our side. I’m sure we can quickly take care of those things.”

Chessk scowled at the Jedi who spoke up. “Underestimate your prey at your own peril, Jedi. The hunting grounds spare no one. Just one slip up can turn you into the hunted.”

“Oh, yeah? And what do you know about these animals?” the Jedi rebuked, showing a hint of anger that made Master Kavar frown.

“Enough to know that there are beasts in this galaxy that can tank a grenade explosion!” Chessk shouted back. The sheer amount of anger in his voice caused many Jedi to reel back. “May I remind you that we do not know anything about these animals! Sure our technological advantage may be enough to kill them, but that’s the problem. We don’t know that! Worst case scenario, their bodies could easily brush off blaster bolts or a cut from a lightsaber.”

Everyone’s eyes were glued at Chessk. Their reactions were somewhat mixed. Some were conflicted, particularly the Jedi who were upset that he yelled at a Knight. However, the looks on their faces made Lyra guess that they were contemplating her friend’s words.

So to relieve tensions, she spoke up. “Everyone, please. Listen to what he has to say,” Lyra said. “I know his people aren’t exactly trustworthy, but Chessk is a good person. And he knows what he’s talking about too. No way would an experienced hunter like him would be lying to you all.”

“Padawan Heartstrings is correct. And so too is her companion,” advised Master Kavar. “When it comes to wild beasts, Chessk is the most experienced person here. It’s only right for him to voice his concerns. Especially when we are dealing with dangerous creatures.”

“So what do we do, Master Jedi?” asked a Republic soldier.

Kavar looked at Chessk directly in the eye, expecting him to answer in response. Seeing that his advice was needed, the hunter answered the soldier's question. “All we know is that these bugbears have the physicality of both a bear and an insect. There are a variety of insects in the galaxy, but the more dangerous ones use some form of toxin.”

“Toxin? You think this bug bear creature is capable of using poison?” a Jedi asked.

“Possible. Again, we don’t know until we actually run into them. But if the Princess pony says they are dangerous, they are dangerous. We must keep our wits about them.”

Master Kavar smiled. “Well said, Chessk. Your knowledge about galactic beasts is most impressive. Given your experience, I’m sure even the Jedi Councilors would learn a thing or two from you.”

“Master Jedi I don’t mean to be rude, but don’t you think we should get moving?” said one Republic soldier. “As much as Trandoshan's words have been helpful, I don’t think we should linger here any longer.”

Kavar nodded in agreement before looking at Chessk again. “Young man. May I ask that you lead one of the squadron’s I proposed? It would be really good to have an experienced survivalist lead us into the fray.”

Chessk’s eyes opened wide as he and the others stared at the Jedi Master in disbelief. “You really want me to lead a squadron, Master Jedi?”

“I do, yes. And of course, Padawan Heartstrings will accompany you as well.”

Chessk beamed. “Thank you, Master Jedi. I shall do my very best,” he said as he politely bowed before the old master.

Following orders, Chessk and Lyra formed a squad of their own. A few Jedi Knights had joined them, as well as a handful of Republic soldiers. By the time they were finished, the squad had a total of eighteen people.

“Good. That should be more than enough,” said Master Kavar as his squadron formed up behind him. “All we have to do now is wait until I get a word from my ship and then we’ll… hold on. I think I’m getting a transmission now.”

Placing his right hand above his ear, the Jedi Master listened in on whoever was trying to call him. Overtime, his face slowly began to distort into a frown. “A swarm of bug bears have been evacuating the area you say. Hmm, it looks like our foe has been busy disturbing the wildlife. Can you give me a description on what they look like?”

“Please don’t let it be a mix between bear and laigrek¹,” said Lyra with a shutter.

“So a hybrid between a bear and a hornet, and their size is akin to that of a horned Kath hound. And they’re evacuating from a location just north of where we are?” Kavar continued, earning a bunch of groans from all the Jedi present. “Ah, I see. Well then, I keep up the good work my Padawanl. Make sure you keep an eye out for any Mandalorians present. And stay clear of any of those bug bears. The last thing we need is for them to fly directly into the ship.”

“Master Kavar didn’t say anything about his Padawan being here,” said Chessk. “Why is the apprentice not with us? Surely having another Jedi will bolster our numbers.”

“It’s because he ordered him to,” answered a Jedi Knight from the group. “The boy Master Kavar is training has an affinity toward Sense abilities, so he wanted him to stay put on the ship and aid the pilots on their scouting mission.”

“So, he wants his Padawan to try to detect our enemies through the Force?” asked Lyra. The Jedi Knight nodded his head. “Oh. Do you happen to know his name? Maybe there’s a chance I’ve met him at the Enclave on Dantooine.”

“I apologize, Padawan, but the name of the apprentice eludes me. If you want to ask, then it would be better if you ask Master Kavar himself.”

“Oh, that’s alright. I’ll go and meet the guy when all of this fighting is over,” Lyra replied just as soon as Master Kavar had finished talking into his comm-link.

“It appears our enemy is quick to begin their rampage. The local wildlife is starting to flee from a certain area. One that I assume is the Mandalorian’s landing spot,” said the Jedi Master with a sigh. “We need to move fast. Chessk, take your squad and head north. You should be able to find the Mandalorians there.”

“Um, okay. But which direction is north, Master?” asked Lyra.

“You can leave that to me,” Chessk replied as he pulled an item out of his utility belt. Curious, Lyra stared at the object in her friend’s hand. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a compass. Two to be exact. One of which he immediately gave to the Jedi Master.

“This is sure to come in handy. Thank you, young hunter,” said Master Kavar.

“Chessk, I thought you only carried grenades in that belt. What else do you have in there?” asked Lyra.

“I always carry items that I deem useful for a hunt, little one. Whether it be a spare blaster pistol, grenades, or a compass, it never hurts to be prepared,” Chessk advised. “I suggest you heed my words should you ever go out on a mission of your own.”

“I’ll take it into consideration,” Lyra replied as Master Kavar’s squadron left Lyra’s team behind. With them gone, Chessk looked at the compass in his hand and ordered his squad to follow him deeper into the mountains.

Lyra sighed. Again, she would have to trek through this stupid mountain path with all the dirt and grime getting stuck in her hooves. What’s worse is that there was no mountain path. No clear pathway to indicate if they were going in the right direction. All there was were dirt, rocks, shrubs, and a whole lot of trees.

If it weren’t for Chessk and his compass, the squad would be lost. And after several minutes of doing nothing but walking, a few in Chessk’s team began to grow irate.

“Do we have any idea where we are?” asked one Republic soldier.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask that Trandoshan over there? He’s the one with the compass,” replied another soldier.

“Quit your bickering. I’m sure Padawan Heartstrings and her companion know where they are going,” said a Jedi Knight from within the group. He then turned toward the group leader. “Chessk, was it? Do you have any idea when we will meet any hostiles?”

Chessk shook his head. “I do not know, Master Jedi. Although we are heading in the right direction, it is difficult to see where we are, despite the light illuminating above us.”

“This mountain has been left untouched by civilization. And I can only assume it’s because of the dangerous animals that live here,” said Lyra. “If I had to guess, we are probably one of the first few in a while who have ever stepped hooves… err, foot these mountains.”

“But shouldn’t we have run into those bugbear things by now?” asked one of the Republic soldiers from before. “Master Kavar said that the Mandalorians are driving them away from their nests. If that’s true, then, where are they?”

“A good question,” replied a frowning Chessk. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks, much to the confusion of his squadron. He surveyed the area in silence as if he were searching for something.

“What’s wrong, Chessk?” asked Lyra.

“Something is coming, little one. Something… big. Can you not feel it?”

“No, I don’t. Hold on, give me a second.”

Calling upon the Force, Lyra reached out to the life energies around her to get a feel of her surroundings. But her concentration was cut short when a massive spike of energy pulsed through her body, causing her to collapse onto the ground. This caught the attention of a Republic soldier, who immediately came to her aid.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” asked the soldier. With his help, Lyra was able to stand upright again, but her head was still aching like crazy. The sheer amount of Force energy that pulsed through her left her dazed. Her fall was immediately noticed by the Jedi though, causing some to rush to her aid.

“Is something wrong, Padawan Heartstrings?” asked a male Rodian Jedi with blue skin. Lyra did not answer him though. Rather, she stared at the skies above her as if she were expecting something to happen. Seeing this, the Rodian also looked up too but was puzzled when he saw nothing.

“Padawan, is something coming this way?” the Rodian asked again. This time, Lyra answered with a nod.

Suddenly, a faint buzzing noise came out of seemingly nowhere, catching the attention of the entire squadron. Immediately, everyone drew their weapons out. The Republic soldiers readied their blaster rifles while the Jedi—including Lyra—ignited their lightsabers.

The only one who hadn’t reacted the same way was Chessk. Upon seeing everyone reading their weapons, the hunter frantically waved both of his arms. “Everyone, please settle down. Now is not the time to be drawing your weapons yet,” he cautioned as the buzzing noise grew louder every second. Then, out of nowhere, the light that illuminated Princess Celestia’s spell was suddenly blocked off.

Looking up again, Lyra could not help but gasp at the sight of large beasts flying over their heads. It was difficult to see due to the trees blocking their view, but she could make out the features of the animals soaring through the skies. A body of a horned Kath Hound, wings akin to that of an insect, and a seemingly dangerous stinger.

It was the first time that Lyra had ever seen a bugbear. She’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t intimidated by them.

“By the living Force. Those things are bugbears?” said a female human Jedi. “They’re so huge!”

“Should we shoot them?” asked a Republic soldier as he aimed his rifle toward the sky. However, his gun was immediately brought down by a Rodian Jedi. The same one who assisted Lyra seconds earlier.

“No, don’t shoot! Doing so will only bring us unwanted attention,” cautioned the Rodian Jedi.

“Then what the heck do we do?” argued the soldier.

“We must be patient. If the bugbears are here, then that means the Mandalorians are also nearby as well. As intimidating as those creatures are, we must continue forward and find the enemy. Once we do, we can contact Master Kavar for reinforcements.”

“But what if he’s already engaged with the enemy?” asked another Jedi.

“I don’t think that’s the case. If it were, then we would’ve heard a transmission from him by now. So for the time being, we must push forward. At the very least, the bugbears do not see us. It seems that whatever the Mandalorians did, their primary focus was to evacuate their nests. And since these trees cover our advance, we can trek through the mountains without being seen.”

“Agreed,” replied Chessk. “Let us not stir the pot any further. Leave the creatures be and continue our advance. The trees will provide us cover.”

As he said this however, the sudden sound of quavering bushes caught the entire squadron off guard. Upon instinct, the Jedi quickly grabbed their lightsabers and ignited them. The soldiers readied their weapons too, including Chessk, as they tried to pinpoint the location of the noise.

Suddenly, the shaking noise happened again. Unlike before, Chessk and a handful of Knights were able to discover the location of the sound. A large bush located just to the right of their location. At once, the Republic soldiers aimed at the area responsible for the sound but faltered when the Rodian Jedi from before stepped in front of the squadron.

“Wait, don’t shoot!” he cautioned. “It’s not the Mandalorians.”

“Huh?” Lyra asked. To her shock, a small animal suddenly popped out of the bushes and fell on its belly, taking the entire squad by surprise. Acting on instinct, the soldiers all pointed their rifles at the small beast; however, the Rodian Jedi again expressed caution.

Realizing that it wasn’t a threat, Lyra deactivated her lightsaber and curiously examined the creature. By comparison, this animal was no bigger than her. If it stood upright, then perhaps the two could be similar in terms of height.

What really took her off-guard, however, was when Chessk came to examine the creature. The little thing cried as it rolled over onto its back, revealing itself to be a bugbear. Or at least, a baby version of it.

“By the Scorekeeper. This thing is only a cub,” said Chessk. He reached out with his hand to get a better feel of it, but the small bug bear saw this and flew backwards. Or at least it tried too. The moment the animal tried to take off, it flinched and fell face first onto the ground.

“Be careful, it's injured,” warned the Rodian Jedi. “Look. You can see blaster burns all over its hide. And its wings are damaged too.”

“You’re right. It’s a wonder that this thing managed to survive. If anything, it’ll probably collapse from exhaustion if it continues down the mountain path.”

“Do you think these blaster burns are from Mandalorian weapons?”

“Most definitely. With all those bug bears flying above us and this little one covered in blaster burns, I’m certain our enemies are close.”

“What should we do?” asked Lyra. “We can’t just leave this thing all alone here. If we do it will die!”

Chessk frowned. “While your kindness is appreciative, little one, I’m afraid we don’t have much of a choice. Our mission is to defeat the Mandalorians and prevent them from reaching your home. I’m afraid that the protection of this small animal isn’t part of our job.”

“Are you serious? This thing is an innocent creature! We can’t just leave it to die alone,” argued a female Jedi Knight.

“The Trandoshan is right,” replied a Republic soldier. “Let’s just leave the thing alone for now. If we finish the fight quickly, we can provide aid to it later. Besides, I don’t want to stay here any longer. If one of those bugbears sees us with an injured cub, they might think we’re responsible and attack us.”

Lyra couldn’t believe what she was hearing. As dangerous as this animal may be, are they seriously planning on leaving this injured cub all by itself? The mere thought of it was preposterous. She wanted to object once more; but before she could say anything, she was interrupted by the Jedi Rodian who activated his lightsaber.

“Someone comes,” he warned as he and all the Jedi Knights besides Lyra activated their lightsabers. Wanting to follow her brothers and sisters, Lyra ignited her weapon too. But in truth she didn’t really know what was happening. The injured bugbear cub was the only thing that preoccupied her mind.

So much so that she failed to sense the incoming danger.

Suddenly, the Rodian leapt in front of the injured bug bear cub and deflected a blaster bolt that had seemingly come out of nowhere. Seeing this made Lyra gasp. She quickly looked in the direction of where the bolt had come from and was caught off guard when more bolts appeared. All of which aimed directly at the Rodian Jedi.

“The Mandalorians have found us!” shouted the Rodian as he deflected all incoming blaster bolts. He quickly shuffled into a defensive stance, protecting himself and the injured bug bear cub behind him. “Can anyone see them?”

“I can!” Chessk yelled out. “They are using the trees as cover, but I can count over a dozen Mandalorians just north of us!”

“What?” Lyra shouted. She immediately looked in the direction of where her friend had pointed to. However, due to the large trees and her small height, the only thing she could see was incoming blaster fire. “Ugh, I can’t see a thing.”

“You must think, little one. Observe your surroundings and use your Force powers as you see fit! Don’t worry, I’ll cover your advance.”

Lyra nodded her head as her friend ran to assist the other Jedi. In truth, she had no real idea what to do. It had only taken a split second for the entire area to become a battlefield. Blaster bolts had surrounded her position, while the sound of lightsabers whirled all around her. Just witnessing the spectacle around her made Lyra fear for her life. But she was a Jedi. And despite her fears, she did what she needed to do her job.

Then, she spotted it. A tree with a relatively large branch. One that she can easily leap onto. Using a Force empowered jump, Lyra leapt into the air. A risky maneuver due to the increasing number of blaster fire; but fortunately, the Force was kind enough to allow her to dodge the incoming bolts.

After tumbling onto the tree branch, the Padawan took a glimpse of the enemy forces in front of them. Sure enough, there were Mandalorians marching in the distance..

“Chessk!” Lyra shouted from the tree branch. “More reinforcements are coming!”

“Then we need to clear out the squadron in front of us! Get down here and help us clear out these enemies here!” shouted the Trandoshan as a blaster bolt soared above his head. Lyra complied as she ignited her lightsaber blade and leapt down from the tree branch with another Force imbued jump.

Though she really didn’t think hard about where she was going to land, Lyra did manage to catch one Mandalorian off-guard upon landfall. When the Neo-crusader finally caught sight of her, it was already too late. He was quickly cut down with two lightsaber swipes to the torso.

One down and many more to go.

As the neo-crusader fell to the ground, Lyra readied herself for another Force-imbued jump. However, she was taken off-guard when she heard the sound of several rifles clicking at once. She flinched. That did not sound good. Turning around, the Padawan gasped as five Mandalorian Neo-crusaders surrounded her position. Their rifles all pointed directly at her.

“Oh, give me a break,” she muttered just as all five Neo-crusaders fired at once. Thankfully, she managed to jump out of the way before any of the bolts had hit her. But just when she thought she was safe, she soon found herself surrounded again as the same five crusaders from before caught up with her.

One crusader fired his weapon, but Lyra managed to deflect the blaster bolt back. Although blaster fire wasn’t her specialty, the bolt she deflected had managed to hit one of the Neo-crusaders that was about to fire upon her. Talk about a stroke of luck.

As their ally limped to the ground, the remaining Neo-crusaders shouted in anger as they pointed their rifles at Lyra again. The Padawan was about to make another leap, but she stopped when four blue blaster bolts soared through the air, hitting all four Neo-crusaders in the head.

Lyra flinched as the bodies of her enemies slumped to the ground. She looked in the direction the bolts came from and Chessk carrying a rifle in his arms. “Are you alright, little one?” he asked as he quickly replaced the clip of his weapon.

“Yeah, I’m fine. How about the others?” asked Lyra.

“We have three casualties. Two are Republic soldiers while the other is a Jedi,” answered Chessk, which left Lyra in a state of shock.

“They managed to kill one Jedi!” The pony shouted in disbelief.

“I am sorry, little one. But it happened. The Mandalorians apparently caught a female Jedi off guard and shot her before she could defend herself.”

“Unbelievable. What about the injured? Did anyone get seriously hurt in the fight?”

“A few, yes. They are all being tended to by a Republic field medic and the blue Rodian from earlier. Although, the latter is still pleading to the rest of the squadron to tend the injured bugbear cub from earlier.”

“H-he is?” Lyra asked.

“Indeed, he is. However, his decision to give medical attention to the injured cub isn’t well received. A handful of your fellow Jedi have criticized him for this, including some Republic soldiers too.”

“But it’s a Jedi’s duty to protect all life, isn’t it? Why are they mad?”

“Because it is a waste of time, little one,” answered Chessk. His response earned an angry scowl from Lyra, but he rolled his eyes and ignored it. “Listen, if you want to help him out, then you are free to do so. You are proficient in healing others, correct? Then go ahead and help your brother out. I’m sure he’ll appreciate your assistance.”

“What about you? What’re you going to do?”

“Fight, little one. It’s as you said, Mandalorian reinforcements are on their way. The rest of the squadron will meet them head on, and Master Kavar’s squadron will reinforce us soon.”

“Will you be okay out there on your own?”

“Do not worry, little one. I will be alright. Now go and tend to the injured… look out!”

“Huh?”

Lyra did not understand why Chessk looked so worried all of a sudden nor did she have the time to react as the Trandoshan dove straight toward her. She winced as her head skidded onto the rocky mountain terrain, but she quickly brushed it off. Yes, it did hurt; however, the pain was nothing compared to a vibroblade piercing your skin.

Needing answers, she wanted to ask Chessk about his reckless behavior; but before she could ask anything, she quickly noticed his breathing pattern was rather unusual. What’s more, he seemed to be clenching his left abdomen as if he were in pain.

“Chessk, what’s wrong?” Lyra asked.

Suddenly, she heard it. A roar so loud that it shook the very trees that surrounded her. Despite her ears throbbing, she scanned the area for any sign of where the noise came from. Then it happened again. The loud roar from before. It was scary, but Lyra did manage to pinpoint where the loud noise came from.

Her face went pale immediately though as a large adult bugbear descended onto her position.

Chapter 44

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It was the duty of the Equestrian Royal Guard to protect their homeland no matter the cost. Sweetie Drops knew this. It had been ingrained in her since the day she swore an oath to Princess Celestia, to her superiors, and to all of Equestria as a whole. So, when the time came to uphold the promise she had made, she immediately sprang into action. No matter how big an obstacle may be, Private Drops would take it head on with no regrets.

Or at least that’s how she pictured it in her head.

After the Princess had left Macintosh Hills in search of the enemy, the Jedi and Lyra’s crew boarded their ships to follow her. They, including the Princess, did not wish for anypony to get involved in the war whatsoever. But Sweetie did not like that. She did not want to put her faith in a bunch of aliens, despite their goodwill.

So, she snuck aboard the Omega, hoping that she could aid in the defense of Equestria. However, her plan was sullied by a certain machine who happened to discover her hiding spot.

At first, Sweetie believed that T3-G4 would turn her in the moment the ship made landfall. But that did not happen. Instead, the droid had used some sort of device to stun her. As a result, she was knocked unconscious for a few minutes. By the time she woke up, Lyra and Chessk had already left the ship.

Geefour revealed her location to Hider eventually and was brought before the human. To Sweetie’s surprise, she found herself in space once more. And not only that, she was in the middle of a battlefield. One that no pony had ever seen before.

Sweetie Drops was scared. No, terrified if she were honest with herself. The explosions going off in space. The insane number of spaceships flying about and destroying each other without a single thought. It was a spectacular view, yet terrifying at the same time.

“Enjoying the view?” said a voice from her left. Turning her head, she saw Hider fiddling around with his ship’s navigation computer.

“Are… are you seriously asking me that?” Sweetie replied in disbelief. “There is a literal war happening right in front of us and out of everything you could’ve said, you asked me that stupid question!”

“Hey, you aren’t even supposed to be here right now, Private. You ponies aren’t ready for this sort of battle.”

“I wanted to go with Lyra, not stay here. If that stupid droid hadn’t knocked me out cold, I would’ve been on the frontlines fighting alongside her!”

“That would’ve been even worse!” countered Hider. “The kid and Chessk will be swarmed by blaster fire and whatever the Mandalorians have in store for them. You on the other hand would only be a liability to them and the rest of our forces. If anything, they’d probably hand you over to your Princess the moment they saw you.”

“But I wanted to protect my country!”

“That’s fine and all, but this fight is bigger than you, Private. Way bigger than any of you ponies have ever seen.” Hider paused for a brief moment as he pointed his finger directly at the battle in front of them. “See those starfighters there. Those ships have one purpose, and it’s to destroy. Whether it be towns, cities, or other spaceships, that is their only purpose. Heck, two clean shots from a starship’s turbo cannon can easily destroy my baby if I’m not careful.”

Sweetie flinched. Sweet Celestia, he was joking, right? That had to be a joke.

“Judging by your reaction, you’re probably not sure if I’m being serious or not.” Hider sighed. He extended his right arm below the navigation computer and opened a container of some sort. Reaching inside, he pulled out a strange device that looked familiar to the one he wore on his head. He then threw it over to Sweetie who immediately caught it with her hooves. “Hear, wear this.”

“What is it?” Sweetie asked.

“A headset. With it, you can listen in to the conversations I’m having with Red Squadron during the skirmish. Just wear it on your head and place the earbuds over your ears. Don’t worry, they ain’t gonna hear you. The mic is muted.”

Sweetie nodded and did what she was told. In truth, she wasn’t sure why a “headset” is needed at all or how listening to his conversation with this “Red Squadron” will prove his point. When she placed the device over her head, however, she nearly fell off her seat as she heard multiple voices from the earmuffs.

“Red Squadron, this is Fleet Admiral Saul Karath. Are you all ready to engage, over?”

“Fleet Admiral, this is Red Leader Burke, speaking! Red Squadron, report in!”

“Staff Sergeant Dabrato here. I’m ready!”

“Senior Airman Zeck Ne, reporting for duty!”

“Airman First Class Heidi here. All systems are good to go!”

“Airman First Class Ersha speaking. I’m ready to kick some Mando but!”

“This is Captain Hider Louhun speaking. The Omega is green and ready for action!” Hider exclaimed.

“Good,” said the Fleet Admiral on the other line. “Red Squadron, your mission is to destroy the gun turrets that are mounted on those remaining flagships. Once they are gone, our bombers will clean up and destroy the enemy flagship.”

“Sir, Staff Sergeant Dabrato speaking. Are you sure it is wise to put Captain Hider Louhun on our squad? No offense, but the man isn’t even part of the Republic Navy anymore. Not to mention he has not received any military training for some time.

“Captain Louhun will be fine, Staff Sergeant. He may not look like it, but he is an excellent pilot. With his help, you should be able to complete your mission quickly.”

“Sir I hope you are right. Red leader, shall we begin the assault?”

“Of course. Red Squadron form up and follow me. We will begin our attack against the Mandalorian fleet! Captain Louhun, fly your ship behind our formation. We’ll need you to watch our back and take down any ship that tries to attack us directly.”

“Oh, you want me to blast away the guys who get in our way, eh? Great! I’ll do it! Just try not to break your formation, alright. The last thing any of us want is to save some imbecile who decided to fly off on their own,” said Hider.

“That’s rich coming from a guy who went AWOL on their military training and became a common criminal instead,” rebuked Sweetie Drops.

“Shut up, Private Candy.”

“Captain Louhun, who are you talking to?” asked Red Leader.

“No one, sir. Let’s begin the assault.”

Sweetie sat back and watched as the five ships in front of the Omega began to move. They disappeared from view in a matter of seconds, but Hider matched their speed rather quickly and was able to keep up with them.

Private Drops was in awe. Not just with Hider’s flying abilities, but also how Red Squadron managed to pilot their ships. Their flight formation was akin to the V-formation that the Wonderbolts used. One flier was out in front, leading the team into dangerous territory while the others covered their leader’s left and right flank.

Hider did not follow their formation, however. Instead, he trailed the Red Squadron from the rear and kept a safe distance between himself and the squad leader.

Suddenly, a loud static noise erupted into Sweetie’s ears. She winced as she heard the voice of Red Leader on the headset’s earmuffs. “Heads up, Red Squadron. We are entering into the warzone now,” he warned. “Remember, our mission. Destroy the gun turrets on the enemy flagships so our bombers can clean up the mess after.”

“You really don’t have to repeat the order, Red Leader. We got them a couple of minutes ago,” said Hider bluntly.

“It is the duty of a squad leader to make sure that their entire team is ready for action, Louhun. My words may be a bit redundant, yes, but I say this to keep my squad in check.”

Hider shrugged. “If you say so, Red Leader. Just make sure you don’t die on us.”

“I’d say the same thing can be said about you, Captain. What, you think that hunk of junk will be able to keep up with our ships?”

“Oh, is that a challenge I hear, Red Leader? Well then, I accept! Whoever shoots down the most starfighters by the end of our mission will be treated to a drink. Loser pays the tab.”

“Challenge accepted.”

Sweetie’s jaw slacked. “Are… are you two serious right now? Why in Equestria are the two of you competing with one another? We’re in the middle of a war right now!” she shouted.

“I heard yelling on the other line. Captain Louhun, was that you?”

“No, Red Leader, it was nothing. Nothing but my conscious speaking out loud,” Hider replied. His apathetic response only irritated Sweetie even further. With her anger reaching a boiling point, she was about to explode and lash out at the human; however, she was stopped when a large explosion caused the ship to tumble.

Sweetie yelped. It all happened so fast. Almost as if she were riding a roller coaster in Las Pegasus. If not for the seatbelt she was wearing, she would’ve fallen off of her chair. Yet despite the fear growing inside her, the Private asked her pilot what was happening. She got her answer, however, the moment she looked out the cockpit window.

Her jaw slacked once more as she witnessed the absolute chaos happening outside. So many explosions. So many warships. The sheer amount of destruction going on was phenomenal, yet eye opening.

As terrified as she was, Sweetie could not help but feel amazed at the spectacle in front of her. In Equestrian history, and perhaps all written history in her world, all warfare was done on the ground with soldiers duking it out on both sides. Aside from the Pegasi and the Griffons, nopony really understood aerial warfare back home. Ponies had airships, yes, but those things paled in comparison to the warships she’d seen. Even the fastest Pegasi and Griffons in Equestria can’t hope to match those things.

No wonder that Lyra was so worried. Despite her ties to the Jedi and their philosophy, the mare truly cared for her home. If it weren’t for her and the Republic, Equestria would’ve been destroyed by now.

Suddenly, a streak of red lasers could be seen just outside the cockpit window. Sweetie jumped. Those lasers came out of nowhere. They had missed their mark, but the sight of those things left the Private more terrified than before.

It was at that moment she heard Red Leader Burke over her headset again. “Heads up. We got some fighters on our tail!” he warned. “I… can’t tell how many are there. Can anybody see who is tailing us?”

“I can,” Hider answered as he pointed his finger on a device directly on his navigation computer in an attempt to show Sweetie how his ship worked. “It’s a squad made up of five starships. They’re right above us.”

“Ugh, seriously? But we’re so close to the starship,” said another voice on the headset. “Red Leader, what do we do?”

“We need to shake them off! Split up, but don’t fly too far away from our position. Hider, I trust that you can watch our backs?”

“Way ahead of you, Red Leader,” Hider replied as a smirk grew on his lips. He quickly pulled his steering wheel back, causing his ship to suddenly jerk upward.

“Sweet Celestia!” Sweetie shrieked. For a split second, she found herself upside down before the ship slowly reverted back to its normal position. “D-don’t you dare do that again, you hear! Good gracious, you nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with what I did, okay. Lots of pilots use somersaults as an evasive maneuver. You’re probably not used to it because you never experienced anything like this before,” Hider countered. “Besides, how else am I going to get around those starships?”

“I don’t know! Fly like a normal person!”

Sweetie groaned. She really wanted to berate the human for his uncaring attitude, but before she could continue her shouting, the sound of lasers firing again made her believe that the ship was being attacked again. Terrified, she held onto her seat for dear life, but to her surprise, nothing happened. “What… what’s going on?” she asked.

“Take a good look in front of you, Private Candy.” Hider replied.

Sweetie did what she was told and looked outside. She then saw it. A single starship being chased down. It didn’t look like an allied ship. The coloring of its metal plating was different to the ones Red Squadron flew.

“Come on. Hold still ya stupid Mandalorian,” Hider said out loud.

It was at that exact moment that a single-clicking sound could be heard from the navigation computer. When that happened, the Captain grinned as he pressed two buttons on his steering wheel. Suddenly, Sweetie spotted two laser beams appearing in front of the ship again. Only this time, she quickly determined that the lasers came directly from the Omega.

The Private watched as the lasers from Hider’s ship tore through the enemy starship, destroying it completely. A spectacular sight that left the mare awestruck. “Just two shots,” she muttered in fear. “Just two shots and that ship exploded.”

“Yup. My baby here packs quite the punch, doesn’t she?” Hider replied. “Though I have to admit, some of that is in large part of the tin can. Not sure how the droid did it or when it happened, but it managed to fix and improve my baby’s laser cannons.”

“The pilot… the pilot is dead, isn’t he?”

“Yup.”

“I… thought as much.”

“Hey, what’s with the change in attitude all of a sudden? Are you okay?”

“No, Hider, I… I’m not. It’s just that, everything is happening so fast. This war wasn’t anything like I’d imagined it to be. I can barely keep up with it all.”

“Well, I told you so, Private Candy. Fights like these happen all around the galaxy. Granted, they aren’t as large as the one we are fighting in right now, but they do happen. And believe me, the casualties of these wars are pretty costly.”

“I can only imagine,” Sweetie replied, solemnly as she stared at the now destroyed starfighter one last time. She closed her eyes and offered a small prayer for the pilot of the ship, hoping that they could find some peace in the afterlife. But just as she finished her prayer, a loud bang can be heard from within the cockpit. Then the ship itself began to sway violently. “What in Equestria was that?”

“Damn. That was definitely a turbo laser we felt just now,” said Hider rather calmly. “Looks like someone is trying to shoot us down.”

“What?” Sweetie shouted just as another bang could be heard. Panicked, she clung onto her seat for dear life. “Do something you idiot!”

“Way ahead of you, Private Candy,” Hider replied. He jerked the steering wheel to his right, causing the ship to make a sharp turn rightward. This made Sweetie yelp as she felt the ship violently shake back and forth. “Hang on. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

“Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

“Trust me. We’ll get these guys off our backs soon enough,” Hider shouted just as another bang could be heard from within the cockpit.

“Unless your plan involves getting the ship hit by lasers multiple times, it’s not a very good one!” Sweetie yelled out. “Come on, Hider. You’re a skilled pilot. Don’t you have any more tricks up your sleeve?”

“No, I don’t. You see, I’m just stalling.”

“Stalling?”

Suddenly, an explosion was heard by both passengers. It happened so fast. The noise was so loud that Sweetie clung to her seat’s armchairs out of fear. “Oh sweet Celestia. Did they manage to damage the ship?” she asked.

Her answer, however, came directly from her headset as a familiar voice echoed from within the earbuds. “Red Leader to Captain Louhun, come in! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Red Leader. Aside from a few scratches, there ain’t nothing my baby can handle,” Hider replied into his microphone. “Though you did take your sweet time to save me.”

“Sorry, Captain Louhun. I got a bit tangled up with one of my own. Mandalorian bastards somehow managed to get behind her. She’s safe by the way if you are wondering.”

“And your kill count? How many ships were you able to take down while we were separated? I got one by the way.”

“Three for me, actually. There were two enemy flagships on your tail, and I managed to destroy them both.”

Sweetie blinked in surprise as Hider let out a loud groan. She had not expected reinforcements to come one such short notice. Was that why Hider acted so calm during that enemy encounter?

“Dang. Not bad, Red Leader. But don’t think our little contest is done yet. By the time we’re done here, you are going to owe me that drink!” Hider said to Red Leader into his microphone. “Speaking of spaceships, it looks like the way to the enemy flagship is clear. Are we starting our assault now?”

“Yes, of course. Form up, Red Squadron. We’ve got some gun turrets to destroy.”

“Wow. You too seem to be getting along well, despite the silly competition you’re doing,” said Sweetie Drops.

“The guy knows when to have fun. I can respect that,” replied Hider.

“But this is war, Hider. You can’t just fiddle around with your allies like that.”

“If it means taking our minds away from the possibility that we’ll get shot down at any moment, I’ll gladly fiddle around with my allies. By the way, we’re close to the enemy starship now. You can see it right there out of the window.”

Sweetie did what she was told and, to her surprise, saw that the Mandalorian flagship was close. Way closer than she expected. Hider and the rest of Red Squadron had flown so fast that they reached their target in a matter of minutes.

And as they drew closer to their target, she could see a barrage of lasers flying straight toward them. Seeing this terrified the Private, but Hider’s quick thinking made it a smooth flight, aside from the occasional barrel rolls.

He wasn’t the only one having a relatively smooth flight either. Red Squadron was dodging the lasers with relative ease. So much so that it appeared that the Mandalorians seem to be missing their mark on purpose.

“Something isn’t right,” Hider said. “This… this is all too easy. There’s no way that the Mandalorians would be this careless with their aim nor could I dodge their laser fire at such a short notice.”

“Maybe the Mandalorians are just bad at their jobs,” Sweetie suggested.

“No, it can’t be as simple as that. The Mandalorians are bloodthirsty warriors, always training for the next fight.”

“Then what is it?”

It was at that moment when Red Leader spoke up. “You can thank the Jedi Master onboard the Sunrider for everything, Louhun. According to the Fleet Admiral, he’s using a Jedi technique that is boasting the capabilities of our forces. I don’t know the exact details myself, but since you know that Jedi, you probably ask him once we are done here.”

“Hey, wait a second. Didn’t Lyra say her teacher would play a part in this war somehow?” Sweetie asked. Her curiosity peaked when the Jedi was briefly mentioned. She looked to Hider for answers, but he was just as clueless as her.

“Don’t look at me. I have no idea what’s going on. Would’ve been helpful if she actually explained everything instead of leaving us in the dark, but I guess the Jedi have their secrets.” Hider shook his head and groaned which immediately caught Sweetie’s attention.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just don’t like it when people keep secrets from me,” Hider replied earnestly which only piqued Sweetie’s curiosity even more. There was so much animosity in his voice that it caught the mare off guard. By why did he act like this? Sure, Lyra kept valuable information hidden from the both of them, this did not seem like a big deal. The mare did tell them that her Jedi trainer was gonna help the fleet somehow.

Sweetie wondered if it had anything to do with his past. After all, he did work for a criminal organization at one point. His dealings with petty criminals surely must’ve irked him at some point in his career. She wanted to press him a bit for more answers, but Red Leader interrupted her.

“Heads up, Red Squadron. We’re just a few kilometers away from the Mandalorian flagship. Stay alert and watch out for laser fire.”

“Sir, yes sir,” Hider said into his microphone. The venom that he had in his voice earlier had all but vanished. “Do you have any idea where we should strike?”

“The Admiral determined that the best course of action is to target the flagship’s upper exterior. My guess is that their hyperdrive is located somewhere there. Should our bombers hit that portion of the ship, it’ll likely cause a chain reaction that will either destroy or disable the entire ship. The problem is those laser turrets though. We’ll have to clear ‘em out for our bombers first.”

“Sounds easy enough. I already have a visual on their laser turrets. Just say the word and I’ll go and swoop in and play my part.”

“I see ‘em as well, Captain. Red Squadron, are you all ready to begin our assault?”

“I’m ready as I’ll ever be, Red Leader.”

“As am I. Let’s take the fight to them.”

“Finally! I’m sick of all this do-nothing flying. At least now I can actually shoot something.”

“Wanting payback already, Heidi? Well, you can count me in! Those Mandalorian bastards are going to pay in blood for nearly shooting you down earlier!”

“Wow, they seem way too eager to get this mission done,” said Sweetie Drops.

“Well, you can’t blame them. It’s not every day where you are assigned a mission to blow stuff up. Heck, It wouldn’t surprise me if the bomber unit acted this way too. The only difference is, they constantly blow stuff up on a regular basis,” Hider replied.

“That's disturbing.”

“Now you’re beginning to see why I left the Navy all those years ago. Anyways, you better hold on tight, Private Candy. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.”

Not bothering to ask what he meant, Sweetie did what she was told and clung onto her chair as she felt the Omega slowly began to pick up the pace. She saw the ships of Red Squadron picked up in speed as well as they dove headfirst into enemy fire. The Omega followed suit, matching the speed of the other ships with relative ease. Pretty soon, all of Red Squadron were flying right above the enemy flagship.

It had all happened so fast. So much so that Sweetie could not even tell what was happening. Even so, she felt the adrenaline of it all. The high-paced flying. The big laser beams that came right at them. It felt exhilarating, even though she wasn't taking part in the fight.

Suddenly, she saw them. The big gun turrets on the flagship that needed to be destroyed. Sweetie tried to ask Hider what he was going to do, but her answer quickly came in the form of laser fire. Dozens of them to be exact. Red Squadron didn’t exactly hold back as they bombarded the flagship with their own lasers.

Soon, all of the gun turrets that Sweetie saw were destroyed; and to her surprise, Hider and the rest of Red Squadron immediately flew away from the vicinity.

“Hey, where are we going?” Sweetie asked.

“Where else but to fly away from it all,” replied Hider. “Private Candy, the gun turrets are destroyed. Our job is finished. All we have to do now is wait for our bombers to do their thing. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is to stay within the radius of a destroyed spaceship. Especially one that’s as big as that one.”

“But isn’t there anything more that you can do?”

“Of course. Just sit back and watch the enemy flagship go boom.”

“Excuse me?”

It was at this point the Omega, and the rest of the ships from Red Squadron, took a sharp turn to the left. Sweetie looked out the window again and, to her surprise, saw no other ships within their vicinity. They had flown so fast in such a short amount of time that they had completely left the battlefield. The only thing Sweetie could see was a now burning spaceship in the distance.

“Hey, Red Leader. Did the bombers manage to attack the enemy ship yet?” Hider asked into his microphone.

“I believe so, yes. I mean, why else would we fly away from all the fighting?”

“If that’s the case, why haven’t we seen any explosions yet?”

Sweetie blinked. “Wait, explosions?” she muttered in confusion. She wanted to ask Hider what he meant, but her answer quickly came when a large explosion had suddenly appeared. Though she couldn’t hear the explosion herself, seeing it occur startled the Private as the seemingly mighty Mandalorian flagship was torn apart by fire.

The Private gulped. Space combat was terrifying, sure, but witnessing the utter annihilation of a spacecraft was a completely different thing of itself. Before she was seeing fireworks, now she was seeing what was equivalent to a magical bomb.

“There’s.... there are still people inside that ship,” Sweetie stuttered.

“That’s the price of war, Private Candy. You destroy a ship like that, all of its crewmates are likely dead,” Hider replied. “Try not to overthink it, alright? Those people inside that ship had intended to invade your planet.”

Sweetie silently nodded her head. Though Hider’s words were harsh, he spoke the truth. These Mandalorians had planned on invading Equestria. If the destruction of their flagship and the death of its crewmates meant that her home will be safe, then that is for the best.

At the very least she can offer the crewmates a silent prayer.

Just as the Private finished her prayers, a loud beeping noise came directly from the navigation computer. She didn’t know what it was, but her answer came in the form of two large Mandalorian flagships dropping out of hyperspace. “Uh oh. Reinforcements,” said Sweetie.

“I see that, Private Candy,” replied Hider as he pressed a button on his headset. “Are you seeing this, Red Leader?”

“Yeah, I do. Looks like we got our work cut out for us.”

“Should we wait for orders from my uncle before moving out?”

“There’s no need. We’ll just follow the same plan as before. Clear out the gun turrets on the enemy flagship and let out bombers do their thing. Come on, Red Squadron. Let’s move o—”

The man on the other line never completed his sentence. He simply couldn’t when a large blue beam struck the left wing of his ship. Though Hider and the rest of Red Squadron survived, Red Leader perished as a fiery explosion engulfed his starfighter. And as the fire settled down, the only thing Red Squadron could see was a big bright blue moon.

Chapter 45

View Online

The snarling bugbear descended from the skies, as it directly charged at the young Padawan. And it looked angry. So angry that Lyra could feel its anger tear through the Force. Like a sharp sword piercing through one’s flesh and bone.

Lyra was nervous. The bugbear’s body size was akin to that of adult kath hounds back on Dantooine, but this beast looked way more intimidating. Kath hounds usually travel in packs, making them deadly and dangerous should anyone come across them. Yet this single bugbear managed to pull the intimidation factor all on its own.

An impressive feat, but now is not a good time to be giving out compliments. Especially to an animal that literally wants to kill her.

She looked down at her companion, who was still reeling from his injury. She winced as she saw Chessk’s would. A deep cut to the abdomen with blood spewing out from it. Her eyes were completely glued to the cut, but the bugbear’s loud roar snapped her out of her trance.

Immediately, she ignited her lightsaber upon instinct, hoping that it’s snap-hiss noise would terrify the beast. Reality, however, was not kind to her. The bugbear appeared to be unfazed by the glowing weapon. In truth, seeing it only provoked the bugbear as it charged directly at Lyra. The Padawan shrieked, but her panic was cut short when a blaster bolt hit the large bugbear directly right in the face.

“L-little one. You must focus!”

Lyra looked down to see her injured companion holding a blaster pistol with his left hand. His right hand still covered his bleeding abdomen and it appeared as if he were struggling to grip his weapon in the first place. “Lyra, go! Cut off the beast’s stinger!” Chessk shouted

“But Chessk, you’re wounded!”

“Don’t worry about me!” he shouted again as he struggled to pull out a med kit of some sort from his utility belt. “Cut off the beast’s stinger so that it won’t be a threat.”

“G-got it.”

Recomposing herself, Lyra steadied her hooves. Tightening the grip on her weapon, she leapt directly at the still dazed bugbear. In an instant, Lyra sliced off the creature’s stinger in half, rendering it useless. This caused the bugbear to roar in pain and immediately fly off in the distance.

“Chessk, are you alright?” Lyra asked as she galloped directly to her friend’s side. “You’re bleeding. Here let me use the Force to help you.”

“Wait, don’t! I’m still applying my antidote,” Chessk replied, who was applying a green med kit directly onto his still bleeding wound.

Lyra winced. She hadn’t seen that much blood in a while. Not since she had been injured by Khal back on Coruscant. Sure it wasn’t her blood this time, but the sight of such a grievous injury made her feel queasy.

“Yes. I can feel the antidote working,” said Chessk with a sigh of relief. He then reached into his utility belt to pull out two red med kits this time. “Now to mend the wound.”

“Chessk, did that bugbear really poison you?” asked Lyra.

“Indeed, it did. But if I had to be honest, little Jedi, you really don’t have to worry about me too much. I have the gear and the mentality to survive this war. That bugbear really did surprise me though. The beast came out of nowhere.”

“The fighting must’ve drawn their attention to us. Oh, if only I had seen that bugbear first. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so hurt or poisoned.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, little Jedi. What matters is that you are okay,” said Chessk just as he had finished applying his last med-kit onto his wound. “My wound isn’t that deep, and the bleeding has all but stopped. I’m pretty sure most of the beast’s toxin had been eradicated from my body. I should be okay now, but I’m uncertain if I’m fit for battle.”

“I’m sure the medics and the Jedi Healers here would be able to help you out,” replied Lyra. “Speaking of Jedi, there’s one over there right now. Hey! We need some help!”

Her shouting quickly gained the attention of a hooded Jedi Knight passing by. The figure took its hood off, revealing itself to be a human male. He wasn’t alone either. Alongside the Jedi was a Republic soldier who appeared to be wearing a helmet that covered the wearer’s face.

The Jedi was the first to approach the duo. And upon seeing Chessk’s injury, he demanded that Lyra explain what had happened. She did so, though her explanation surprised both the human Jedi and the Republic soldier.

“You were poisoned?” the Jedi asked Chessk, to which the latter nodded in reply. “By the Force, it’s a miracle that you managed to survive! And with that wound too. Do you need any medical attention?”

“I’ve already applied an antidote kit and a med-kit to the wound. I should be okay, but I need a moment before I can do any fighting,” Chessk replied.

“How serious is the poison, anyway?” asked the Republic soldier. “Do you believe it to be deadly?”

“I don’t think so. Then again, I applied the antidote kit shortly after that creature attacked me. Perhaps the poison was dealt with because I acted so quickly, but I could be wrong. Were some of our men poisoned by those creatures?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” replied the Jedi, to the shock of both Chessk and Lyra. “Do not worry too much. The ones who were poisoned aren’t dead and are being tended to by our healers and combat medics. Though I loathe to admit it, I fear for their safety.”

“I can help out!” exclaimed Lyra. “Jedi healing arts is one of my specialties. Just tell me where the injured are being treated and I’ll get the injured back on their feet.”

“I can take you over to them right now, Padawan Heartstrings. But first, do you happen to have any more antidotes with you, Chessk?” asked the combat medic.

Chessk reached for his utility belt, detached one of its pouches, and threw it toward the combat medic. “That pouch contains a few antidotes kits I’ve saved up during my journeys around the galaxy,” the Trandoshan explained as the Republic soldier counted the pouch with his hands. “It’s not a lot, but it should be enough to treat our men. Just don’t use it all at once.”

“Thank you, sir. Hmm, judging by your wound, it looks like the Kolto did it’s thing. You should be able to continue fighting,” said the medic, much to Chessk’s relief. He then looked at Lyra. “Padawan Heartstrings, please come with me.”

“Okay. Chessk, you be careful out there, alright. Make sure you keep an eye on your wound,” said Lyra. Her companion nodded in reply as he and the Jedi Knight left Lyra behind to rejoin the fighting.

With them gone, the combat medic asked her to hurry as he ran in the opposite direction. Lyra quickly followed with Force Speed and caught up with the Republic soldier in a matter of seconds. Eventually, the two arrived at a small encampment. There weren’t a lot of people, but a few Jedi and Republic soldiers had surrounded the perimeter like a bunch of guards.

It was then that Lyra saw them. The injured and the dead. Seeing the latter made Lyra feel sick again. She had seen dead bodies before, but she never got used to the sight of them. What’s more is that there was a Jedi amongst the dead, which was a surprise. All of the Jedi that accompanied her were Knights at best. To see one perish so early in the fighting was demoralizing to say the least.

As Lyra and the combat medic approached the encampment, they were greeted by a female soldier. “Padawan Heartstrings, it is good to see you are alright,” said the soldier. “I assume you are here to tend to the wounded?”

Lyra nodded.

“Good. We need all the help we can get. Say, you wouldn’t happen to have any antidote kits, do you? Some of our men got poisoned by those bugbear things and are struggling to move.”

“They’re paralyzed?”

“Maybe. We’re still not sure what the poison actually did to them. That’s why we need some antidote kits.”

“Don’t worry. Her Trandoshan buddy gave me some kits we can use,” said the combat medic as he showed Chessk’s pouch in front of the soldier. The guy poisoned himself, but he managed to cure the affliction with one kit.”

“Did he have a lot?”

“There’s only a handful of antidote kits in here. We should have more than enough for the infected, but we’ll have to apply the doses sparingly.”

“Understood. Padawan Heartstrings, I suggest you go join your brethren and tend to the injured. Leave the soldiers who were poisoned to us. I’m sure the antidote kits your… companion gave us will be enough to treat our men.”

Lyra blinked. That soldier sounded a bit venomous when she mentioned Chessk. Perhaps she had a grudge against Trandoshans or something? She shrugged. Oh, well. It was none of her business anyway. If that woman had a problem with Chessk, then it is something that Lyra will have to deal with later. There are injured soldiers that need mending.

Looking around the campgrounds, Lyra spotted two Jedi tending an injured soldier. They appeared to be doing nothing at first glance, but their use of Force gave the duo away. Force Healing is a technique focused on controlling oneself to mend the wounds of another. Lyra knew of the ability and is a practitioner herself. Master Bokal So offered to train her many times back on Coruscant or during the days he came to visit the Enclave on Dantooine.

She wasn’t a master by any means. Those who have practiced and mastered the art of Force Healing can mend even the most severe injuries like a damaged organ or broken bones.

Lyra could not do such a thing though. Sure she can mend a few bruises and minor flesh wounds, but everything else was beyond her. Unless she was accompanied by another Jedi, the mending of broken bones or damaged organs was impossible. Still, there was room for growth. Now that she is in an actual battlefield, she can apply her knowledge to good use.

She trotted over to the two Jedi Healers and asked them if there was anything she could do. They responded by telling her to mend three wounded soldiers behind them. Apparently, they were grazed by blaster bolts during the skirmish. Though their injuries weren’t life threatening, they are likely to be incapacitated for the entire fight.

With her role now set, Lyra trotted over to one of the injured soldiers she had to heal. It was a male Zarbrak; and from the look of things, he was shot several times. The burn marks left by blaster bolts were seeable on his right soldier, left elbow, and his abdomen.

This guy won’t be wielding any rifles anytime soon. At the very least, she can get him back on his feet.

Dropping into a meditation stance, Lyra began to concentrate. She quickly gave into the Force, allowing its energies to build up within her. Empowered by the Light, she centered all her power into her hooves, placed them gently on top of the injured soldier, and quickly let all of her power go. The raw Force energies showered the Zarbrak’s body. Within minutes, his burns were healed and the soldier sighed in relief.

It was possible that these burn marks weren’t the only injuries he suffered, Lyra’s healing abilities made it so that he’ll no longer be in pain. Any internal injuries he endured will have to be treated by a more experienced Healer or a Republic medic.

“Thank you,” the Republic soldier said quietly as his breathing steadied.

Lyra smiled back. Even if her assistance was miniscule, it always felt good using her abilities to help others. With this soldier’s injuries tended, she moved on to the other two. Their wounds were roughly the same as the first soldier, which were mostly burn marks.

Internal injuries aside, Lyra did her best to tend the remaining wounded and was able to pull through. With these soldiers healed, she examined the encampment again. Everything seemed to be under control. The Healers and combat medics present should be enough to maintain the livelihood of these men.

With the injured taken care of, perhaps she could rejoin the front lines? Maybe, but with her skills, wouldn’t it be best if she were to stay here? She couldn’t decide.

Her thoughts were interrupted, however, when Lyra overheard someone shouting in camp. “Master Kavar has arrived! I repeat, Master Kavar has arrived with reinforcements” yelled out a soldier from within the encampment.

Cheering erupted from within the camp as reinforcements led by Master Kavar came out of the woods. Immediately, the Jedi Master asked for a brief summary of their current situation, which was quickly answered by a Republic soldier. After hearing what he needed to hear, he ordered a few of his men to stay and help tend to the wounded while the reset joined their allies in the front lines.

Kavar also said allied reinforcements are on their way, much to the delight of everyone in the camp. After giving a brief speech, he ignited his lightsaber and ordered his remaining men to charge with him. Both Jedi and soldiers rallied to the Jedi Master as they charged headfirst into the battlefield.

Lyra observed the entire scene from afar. She had remained quiet despite wanting to run toward Master Kavar and ask him if she could join him. Yet she did nothing and allowed the Jedi Master and his squadron to leave her behind.

She sighed. Perhaps this was for the best. Fighting out there in the front lines wasn’t her strong suit. And truth be told, her Jedi training hadn’t prepared her for the battlefield. It was through sheer luck that she managed to survive the previous skirmish with the Mandalorians. Oh well. At the very least, she can help tend to the wounded and help them get back on their feet.

The mare stood up and looked around if anyone else needed assistance. Suddenly, she saw something from afar. A lone Jedi Knight sitting all by himself outside the camp. Curious, she trotted over to the Jedi and was about to ask him what he was doing. To her surprise, she found out that the Jedi wasn’t alone.

There, laying down on its back was an injured bugbear cub. The same one who popped out of the bushes earlier before the fighting had all started.

The Jedi, who appeared to be tending the cub’s injuries, noticed the young Padawan. He stood up and put down the hood from his robes, revealing himself to be a male Rodian with blue skin, “Hello there, Padawan Heartstrings,” greeted the Rodian. “I assume you are here to assist me with this child.”

“Oh… um, my apologies, Master Jedi. I only came here because I was curious,” Lyra replied sheepishly.

The Rodian sighed. “Yes, I suppose it can’t be helped. Sitting out here alone would definitely draw the attention of anyone passing through. I am Knogg Shad by the way. A Jedi Guardian of the Order.”

“Hello, Master Shad. I’m Padawan Heartstrings, though you probably know that already.”

“I already know who you are, Padawan. Your equine appearance gave it all away,” the Jedi replied, jokingly. “In all seriousness though, I for one am glad you decided to defend this little one here. The thing may grow up to be a dangerous beast, but that does not mean we should leave it here to die.”

“What do you propose we do?”

“Heal it, of course. You have trained under Master Bokal So, correct?” Lyra nodded in reply. “Good. Then help me heal this cub back to full health.”

Lyra smiled. “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do, Master Shad,” she replied as she trotted over to the injured cub. Staring at the creature, she noticed that it seemed worse off than before. The cub appeared to be short of breath, its face looked somewhat pale, and she noticed that one of its front legs was completely distorted. “Oh Force, this is worse than I thought. What happened to this poor creature?”

“A lot, apparently. The cub’s front leg is broken, and it appears to have a shortness of breath. Using the Force, I can tell that the latter’s injury is due to a punctured lung.”

“A punctured lung? How? I don’t see any blaster burns on its chest at all”

“If you closely examine its chest, Padawan, you’ll notice that the injury was caused by a blunt instrument. This object in turn broke the cub’s ribs and punctured the lung. Now, I am not aware of what the Mandalorians did to this creature, nor do I care. What’s important is that we treat its wounds now.”

The Rodian sighed. “Before you came, I made a small incision through its chest to let all the blood out. Though we no longer have to worry about the cub choking on its own blood, the organ and the bones must still be healed.”

“But Master Shad, I’m not that great of a healer yet. Flesh wounds I can handle. Burns from a blaster bolt, I can heal fine. But broken bones and a punctured lung? That might be a bit too much for me.”

“Believe in yourself, Padawan Heartstrings. And most importantly, trust in the Force. It will guide you.”

Lyra nodded in reply as she watched Knogg Shad gently place his hand on top of the injured cub’s chest. “Padawan, place your hoof over my hand so that we can begin the proceedings. Do it gently now. We don’t want to hurt the poor creature even more.”

“Yes, Master,” Lyra replied as she quickly did what she was instructed to do.

“Good. Now, reach out. Call upon the Light and bask in its energy.”

Taking a deep breath, Lyra exhaled and opened herself to the Force. The immense power flowed through her like a stream of water. Over time, her body accumulated so much power until the Force itself cried and begged her to be released.

“Excellent, Padawan. I can feel the Force flowing within you. Now, let it all go.”

“Are you sure, Master Shad?”

“Yes. With all that energy you accumulated, we can use it to amplify the healing effects tenfold. Now, do as I say. Release all that power. Let it flow into the cub.”

Lyra nodded as she did what she was told. In an instant, she can feel all the power that she accumulated in her body pour out. She didn’t know why, but something felt strange when she let go of all that energy. It was as if the Force itself was pleased with her decision.

“Very good, Padawan. I can feel the Force flowing into the child. Now, I can begin the operation.”

Lyra watched quietly as a large amount of Force energies flowed through Master Shad. She felt all the power radiating within him, until it all disappeared in a matter of seconds. The power that the Jedi Knight had held in his hand poured out onto the injured cub.

Lyra wished there was a Force ability that granted x-ray vision. If there was, she’d have a better clue on the cub’s condition. But Master Shad’s healing abilities appeared to have worked in some way. The cub’s breathing pattern began to steady, and its face regained a bit of color.

“That should do it,” said Knogg Shad. “It’s lungs and ribcage are healed. Though I still think we should take a closer look at its body with the proper medical equipment just to be sure of its safety. But it’s safe to say that this cub’s life is no longer in danger.

“Wow, that’s amazing, Master Shad,” replied. “To think you did this in a matter of minutes. I bet the doctors all over the galaxy would be jealous if they saw you operate today.”

“You have this capability as well, Padawan Heartstrings. When you grow and have better trust in the Force, you’ll be able to perform feats that no ordinary person… err, equine can do. But that is another lesson for another day. There is still a broken leg we need to fix.”

“You want me to do the same thing as before?”

Shad nodded as he placed his hand on top of the cub’s broken front leg. Lyra immediately followed suit and began to call upon the Force once more. When she gathered enough Light energy into her body, she poured it all out and allowed the Jedi Knight to do his job. Within minutes, she could see the bugbears leg slowly being put back in place.

“Good. The bones have been reattached. Now to make sure they stay that way.”

Lyra was amazed by Master Shad. In a matter of minutes, this Jedi was able to single handedly save the life of a broken cub. If it weren’t for him, this bugbear would have died alone out in these mountains.

Realizing this made Lyra very excited for her future as a Jedi. If things go right and she successfully completes her tutelage under her Master, then the possibilities are endless. With her power, she could save hundreds if not thousands of lives just like what Master Shad did with this cub.

Her emotional trip didn’t go unnoticed, however. Master Shad quickly caught wind of Lyra’s surge of emotions through the Force and proceeded to scold her for it. “Settle down, Padawan Heartstrings. Celebrating over an achievement like this is fine, but do not get caught up in your emotions.”

“Oh… um, sorry about that, Master Shad,” Lyra replied sheepishly. Her face flustered red in embarrassment. It was at that same moment the bugbear cub woke up with a cry. It sat straight up and ruffled its insectoid wings. But the moment it tried to float away, it fell on its back, hissing and crying in pain.

“Easy now, little one. You are too injured to be flying right now,” cautioned Knogg Shad. “We’ll get those wings and all your other injuries healed up for you in no time. Just be patient.”

Lyra watched as Master Shad forcibly laid the bugbear back down. At first, she thought that the cub would resist the Rodian Jedi; but surprisingly, the cub didn’t fight back and instead followed the Jedi’s instructions.

“You seem surprised, Padawan,” said Knogg Shad, who quickly noticed Lyra’s apparent shock. “I don’t blame you. The Beast Trick ability is something that many Jedi have difficulty grasping. Then again, most Jedi tend to deal with people rather than animals.”

“Beast Trick? So you’re tricking this bugbear into trusting you? Like the Jedi Mind Trick?” asked Lyra.

“In a way, yes. Though I’m using the technique to gain the beast’s trust rather than bend it to my will,” replied the Jedi Knight as he laid the cub on its back. The bugbear snarled back and tried to resist, but Shad remained calm. “Easy, little one. Your burns still need to be healed. Just relax. I’ll have you healed in no time.”

The bugbear growled as it tried to squirm away from the Jedi Knight. But try as it might, the cub couldn’t break away. Thankfully, it stopped resisting just when Knogg Shad began to heal the rest of its wounds. “The burns I can heal, but I am not so certain about the wings,” the Jedi said. “I do not know of your species’ capabilities, little one, but I suggest that you refrain from flying for some time. Any attempt to fly will further damage your wings.”

The cub did not reply. Instead, it sat back and allowed the Jedi Knight to finish healing it’s wound. Pretty soon, all the burns on its hide were gone and the cub was able to stand on all four legs by itself.

“There, that should do it. The cub should be able to move about again. However, any overt physical activity is out of the picture.”

“Do you think we can reunite it with its herd? I’m sure it’s family is worried about the poor thing,” said Lyra.

“That would be a difficult task, Padawan. The cub’s herd could be anywhere. Not to mention we wouldn’t know what its parent’s look like. No offense to the poor creature, but all those bugbears that we saw flying about earlier look all the same.”

“I don’t think the bugbear really cares at all, Master Shad.”

Suddenly, Lyra and Knight Shad heard a loud roar that came out of nowhere. It was so loud that it alerted the entire encampment, causing both able Jedi and Republic soldiers to ready their weapons in defense.

“Oh dear. I think we’re in quite the bit of trouble here, Padawan,” said Master Shad, who seemed strangely calm despite the noise.

“What is it, Master?” Lyra asked. The Jedi Knight answered by pointing his finger to the skies. The mare followed and was shocked to see two adult bugbears descended into their position. And they looked angry.

The two bugbears snarled at Lyra and the Rodian. Their snarls and gnashing teeth made the former act on her instincts and activate her lightsaber. No way was she going to let these things get the better of her this time. She’ll strike first and cut off their stingers just like before.

A few able Republic soldiers rushed to her side, ready to help her out at any moment’s notice. The bugbears roared and were about to make their move, but they suddenly stopped dead in their tracks.

“Lay down your weapons, soldiers,” ordered Knogg Shad. “Padawan, you do the same. There is no need to fight.”

“What? Why is that master?”

“Observe, Padawan. The answer is right there in front of you.”

Lyra looked at the bugbears again and, to her shock, saw that the cub was crawling over to the two adult bears. The bugbear to the mare’s right looked shocked as it approached the little one. In return, the cub gleefully jumped into the adult’s belly and roared happily as the bigger bugbear cradled the child on its arms

“What the heck is going on?” asked a Republic soldier.

“I think the answer is self-explanatory, soldier. But if you can’t see it for yourself, then I’ll explain it. The bugbears that you see here are the cub’s family,” replied Master Shad.

“Are you serious?” shouted Lyra.

“I think it’s fairly obvious by now, Padawan. Just look at them. A moment ago, those things were getting ready to attack us, but now? Now they are celebrating the reunion of their cub.”

Lyra stared at the now happy bugbear family. Whatever hostile emotions they had was all washed away the moment they laid eyes on their cub. The bugbear in the middle, one that she assumed was the mother, embraced its child as the two roared gleefully together. The other two adults soon joined them.

“So, uh, I guess we don’t have to worry about these things anymore?” asked a Republic soldier. Jedi Knight Shad smiled back, but his face suddenly distorted into a frown. Then out of nowhere, he ignited his lightsaber.

“Soldiers, ready your weapons,” he ordered. “We are not alone.”

“Huh?”

Without giving an explanation, the Knogg Shad leaped forward with a Force enhanced jump. He flew right past the bugbears, catching them off-guard; however, he paid no attention to them as he landed right behind the mother bugbear. Then it happened. A stray blue blaster bolt appeared out of nowhere, which was deflected immediately by the Jedi Knight.

The soldiers present could not see it, but Lyra did. Upon seeing the blaster bolt, she reignited her lightsaber and began barking orders. “The Mandalorians are here!” she barked. “Everyone, take up a defensive position.”

“What? But I don’t see anyone!” shouted a confused Republic soldier.

Suddenly, a blaster bolt soared through the air with lightning speed. The bolt’s target was Knight Shad, but he effortlessly deflected the bolt with little difficulty, protecting the bugbear’s cub and its family. “They are using the trees as cover!” Shad warned as he deflected another blaster bolt, followed by another, and then another. Eventually, the Jedi Knight was hammered by dozens upon dozens of blaster bolts. The sight of so many paralyzed Lyra with fear.

“Master, let me help you!” Lyra shouted, afraid that the Jedi Knight might not be able to handle it all. But the Rodian shook his head.

“Do not come any closer, Padawan! You are not trained to defend against this many blasters!” he rebuked. “Help me and you are sure to perish.”

Lyra frowned. A part of her wanted to ignore the Jedi’s orders, but he was right. She’d be dead the moment she would try to help him. The only thing she could do was watch.

Looking behind her, she could see all the able Jedi Knights running toward Master Shad. Some literally Force Jumped into the line of fire and joined the Rodian in deflecting blaster bolts. Surprisingly, this went on for quite a while until the bolts just stopped coming.

Lyra sighed in relief. Finally, it had all stopped. The spectacle she had witnessed lasted for only about a minute or two, but the stress she accumulated made the fight feel much longer. “Are you alright, Master Shad?” she asked.

“I am fine, Padawan Heartstrings,” replied the Jedi Knight who was somewhat out of breath. He then turned to a nearby Republic soldier. “Did you happen to see any Mandalorians during the battle?”

“No, sir. The bastards are using the trees for cover,” the soldier replied.

“Oh, come on! We literally have a dome of light hovering in the sky! How can you not see them?” Lyra said. Her frustration getting the better of her.

“Be aware of your anger, Padawan. It will get you nowhere,” replied Knogg Shad bluntly. The raspy tone in his voice sapped away all the anger out of Lyra as she quickly bowed her head in apology. “Was anyone hurt during the skirmish?”

The soldier flinched. “Uh, about that, sir. You may need to look at the cub you just healed.”

“What?”

Both Lyra and Knight Shad looked back at the bugbear they healed. The former gasped as she saw one of the adult bugbears was on the ground unmoving. The cub that the duo had healed earlier, and the remaining adult bugbear were bawling their eyes out as they lay next to a fresh corpse. “What? But… how? How did that bugbear die?” asked a now frantic Padawan.

“Ma’am, I regret to inform you that the larger bears have died in the crossfire,” said the Republic soldier, solemnly. “What we assume to be the mother of the group hit the cub in its belly while it acted as a shield. Needless to say, it’s hide couldn’t withstand that many blaster bolts at once.

“And you did nothing to help them?” shouted Lyra. Her anger was getting the better of her again.

“Ma’am, what could we do? We’re trained soldiers, not Jedi. None of us were willing to throw our lives away over some animals!”

“What? Why you!”

“Padawan, your anger! Get it under control!” shouted Knogg Shad as he tended to the grieving bugbear cub.

Realizing her mistake, Lyra quickly smacked herself hard in the face. Though her cheek hurt like crazy after the hit, she apologized to the Republic soldier for her outburst. Thankfully, all was forgiven, and the soldier left her be.

With the soldier gone, she turned over to the grieving bugbear cub. “Come, little one. You mustn’t stay here,” said Knogg Shad as he tried his best to comfort the creature. But his words meant little to the cub. It simply would not leave its dead mother.

“This place is about to become a battlefield, child. Force forbid that I leave you here and allow you to suffer the same fate as your family. We must leave, now!”

“Sir, we got hostiles approaching us!” warned a soldier.

That got Lyra’s attention. “What? How many of them can you see?” she asked.

“Not much, I’m afraid. If I had some night vision goggles with me, I could see a lot better. But all I see is, huh?” The soldier blinked as a brow raised on his forehead. “There’s only one person approaching us.”

“Huh, just one?”

“See for yourself, Master Jedi,” replied the soldier as he pointed in the direction opposite of Lyra’s.

Wanting answers for herself, Lyra turned around and saw that the soldier was indeed telling the truth. A lone Mandalorian Neo-Crusader, whose face she could not see due to it being covered by a helmet, had come out of the mountain forest, and was approaching the allied forces. Strangely enough, the man wasn’t armed with a blaster rifle. Instead, he armed himself with a strangely familiar double-bladed vibrosword.

“Wait a second. That sword,” Lyra muttered.

Suddenly, the remaining adult bugbear let out a deafening roar as it flew straight toward the lone Mandalorian soldier. Panicked, Lyra tried to call out to the creature to get him to stop, but her words proved meaningless as the bugbear raised its claws. The creature, however, never got its chance to attack as the creature was showered by blaster fire the moment it got too close to the Mandalorian.

“No!” Lyra shrieked as the bugbear perished in the crossfire. Its corpse fell to the ground where the lone Mandalorian soldier finished it by stabbing it though it’s chest.

Lyra wanted to scream. She didn’t care if it meant that her emotions went haywire, she just wanted to let all her frustrations out. An innocent cub had witnessed the death of its parents, and there was nothing she could do to help the poor thing. But she couldn’t do it. She cannot do it. Acting on raw emotions was not the Jedi way. And so she remained still, frustrated with her incompetence and inability to do anything.

Looking back, she can see the bugbear cub crying its eyes out over the loss of its remaining parent. The only thing that held it back was Master Shad and the Republic soldier from before.

“Hmm, it would seem that the beast had a connection to the larger one. Interesting,” said the lone Mandalorian soldier in an all too familiar voice. Sheathing his weapon, the soldier grasped his helmet and lifted it off his head. Lyra gasped as Khal Dryll revealed himself to the allied forces. “It’s been quite a while, Padawan Heartstrings. I hope you are ready for our duel.”

Chapter 46

View Online

Seeing Khal Dryll really shouldn’t have come as a surprise for Lyra. After all, that man was dead set on facing her again. He said as much after their brief encounter on Alderaan a few days ago. But if he was here, then that meant he was onboard the flagship that Nightmare Moon had boarded and destroyed in orbit, which raised a question.

How on earth was he able to survive that encounter?

“What’s the matter, Padawan Heartstrings? Do you have nothing to say?” Khal asked jokingly. “Are you so surprised to see me that you are at a loss of words?”

Lyra said nothing. The thought of her enemy surviving the encounter with Nightmare Moon still plagued her mind.

“So you are to remain silent, eh? Hah! Like a true Jedi. It’d be wrong of me to assume that you would simply attack me on sight.”

Khal’s eyes suddenly drifted to the dead bugbear on the ground. With a smirk, he plunged his vibrosword into the creature’s chest once more as a means to agitate and provoke the young Padawan into attacking. And it almost worked too. His blatant disregard for the dead animal angered Lyra to the point where she ignited her lightsaber. But Jedi Knight Knogg Shad stepped in just in time and stopped the Padawan before she could make any move.

“Get a hold of yourself, Padawan!” cautioned the Jedi as he pulled the pony back with the Force. Thankfully, his voice was able to reach Lyra as she finally realized her mistake and she immediately deactivated her lightsaber.

Khal chuckled at this. “And here I was thinking that our spectacular duel would begin now. How sad. Then again, your species is known for their cowardice, so I shouldn’t be surprised you would get in my way.”

“Enough, Mandalorian. Why are you out here all alone? Are your allies not with you?”

“The answer is quite simply my Rodian friend. I am simply stalling.”

“Stalling?”

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard from within the camp. Lyra tried to figure out where the noise came from, but she could not pinpoint its location due to the large trees that surrounded her location. Even more worrisome is that the noise seemed to be getting louder.

“What… what is that noise?” asked Knogg Shad.

“Oh, you’ll soon find out, Master Jedi,” replied Khal in a rather menacing tone.

“Quit it you damn Mandalorian!” barked a Republic soldier who was standing next to Knogg Shad. He grabbed the rifle from his back and pointed it directly at Khal, causing a domino effect. Soon a handful of allied soldiers all had their weapons pointed directly at the Mandalorian. “You have some explaining to do, you bloodthirsty savage! Talk! What is that noise and why are you out here all alone?”

Khal laughed. “I am a savage you say. Well, I suppose there is truth in what you say. The thrill of battle and the enjoyment of fighting a worthy opponent excites me to no end. But I am not here to talk about my passions. I am here to fight.”

“So, what? You plan on fighting us all alone?”

Khal smirked. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare to. As much as I would like to test my capabilities against these Jedi, you Republic fodder would only get in my way. But let me ask you this, dog of the Republic. Have you ever experienced a basilisk droid up close?” he asked just as the ground began to shake. The tremors were quick to stop, however, but that only worried the allied forces even more.

Suddenly, Lyra felt it. A disturbance in the Force, and a very big one at that. It’s as if someone threw a humongous boulder into a river. In response, the young mare tried to warn the allied forces about the incoming danger, but her cries proved meaningless as a basilisk droid had leapt out of the forest and into the allied encampment.

The allied forces gasped as they saw the droid behemoth. As the machine readied its weapons, the men ran. Knogg Shad was one of those men, though his intentions were good as Lyra spotted him picking up the still crying bugbear cub with his bare hands and carried it over his shoulder, fleeing to a large boulder that lay nearby.

Lyra wanted to follow them, but she found herself somewhat perplexed by the droid in front of her. The galaxy had shown her some really strange and amazing things, and the machine of war was mesmerizing to look at. For one, she had never seen a droid this large before. The books and datapads she read back on the Enclave never mentioned any droids like this. Even stranger was that the Force seemed to be flowing through the machine itself.

What, what? Was this machine a sentient being?

Her curiosity piqued; however, the realization that she was in the middle of a battlefield pushed aside whatever interests she had on the machine. Just as the basilisk droid aimed its blaster cannons at her, the Padawan leapt away with a Force-imbued jump, narrowly dodging the incoming fire. After landing on her fours, she ran to the same large boulder that Master Shad hid behind.

When she made it to her destination, she saw Master Shad soothing the crying bug bear in his arms. Poor thing. To survive a near death experience only to witness its parents die right in front of it.

“Master Shad, the situation has gotten really bad,” exclaimed Lyra. “What the heck are we supposed to do?”

“It is pretty obvious, isn’t it, Padawan?” replied the Rodian. “Taking out that basilisk droid is our top priority. As long as it is here, it endangers everyone.”

“But how are we supposed to take on something that big? With that many weapons and Mandalorians on its side, it’ll be impossible to get close. And I’m not sure if this info matters or not, but I think the droid is sentient.

The Jedi Knight stared at Lyra. “Hold on, Padawan. Did you say that machine is alive?”

“I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m telling you the truth. It’s faint, but the Force is flowing through that machine just like any other person.”

“Interesting,” replied Knogg Shad as he placed his right hand on his chin. “I have heard rumors that the Mandalorian war machines were formerly living beings. I suppose there is some truth in those rumors, though I cannot recall what sort of creatures those things were before.”

Lyra groaned. “Master, as interesting as that sounds, that is the least of our concerns. We need to do something about that basilisk droid now or else we’re dead!”

“I’m aware, Padawan. Just give me a second or two. I’m coming up with a plan.”

“Well, I hope you are a quick thinker, Master!” Lyra shouted as the sound of blaster fire rang into her ears. Explosions soon followed, causing a massive shock boom that shook the very ground she sat in.

By the Force this was terrifying. If it weren’t for her Jedi training, she would’ve succumbed to the pressure and fled the battlefield. And the crying bugbear cub also didn’t help her situation either.

But as chaos ensued the encampment, it all came to an abrupt halt.

“That’s odd,” Lyra whispered to herself. Curious, she carefully peaked her head out of her hiding spot and saw the destruction that the Mandalorians had caused. Trees were literally on fire, and the once lush mountain greenery were all scorched away, revealing the rocky mountain terrain. In the midst of it all were the Mandalorians who had strangely ceased fire.

“What the… they stopped. They stopped firing, Master,” Lyra said to Jedi Knight Shad.

“Indeed, they have,” replied Knogg Shad. He frowned. “Now why in the world would they do something like that? Are they taking pity on us or is this an attempt to goad us into attacking?”

Lyra asked herself the same question. But as she pondered on the possibilities, she heard Khal’s shouting. “Padawan Heartstrings, I challenge you to a duel! Come out and face me, Jedi!” he yelled. His booming voice immediately made Lyra flinch.

To think that he’d order his own men to stop fighting just so that he can have his duel with her. So ridiculous. So foolish. But if that is what he wants, then she will do what she must. No way was she going to let him get the better of her this time.

“Padawan, wait!” shouted Knight Shad just as Lyra unhooked her lightsaber from her belt. “Restrain yourself. Now is not the time to do anything reckless.”

“But master, I have to do this. If Khal is ordering his men to stop firing just so he can have the opportunity to fight me, then I have no choice. It’s the only way I can get him and those soldiers off our backs,” said Lyra.

“Don’t be foolish, Padawan. Fighting him isn’t necessary. Just look up and you’ll see why.”

“Up?” Following the Jedi Knight’s words, Lyra looked up into the night skies. The light from Princess Celestia’s spell irritated her somewhat, but she could finally understand what the Jedi Knight had meant.

It was a stroke of luck. At long last, Republic reinforcements have arrived. A total of three dropships were visible in the skies, hovering above the tattered allied encampment. Seeing the ships made Lyra sigh in relief. These reinforcements would help turn this fight in their favor.

But in her excitement, Lyra had forgotten one thing. Her eyes shifted to the still present Mandalorians, who were all staring at the three ships above them. Unsurprisingly, Khal ordered his men to fire at will. As a result, the Republic dropships began to fly away in hopes of avoiding the incoming fire.

“Master, we have to stop them!” shouted Lyra.

“I’m aware, Padawan,” said Knogg Shad as he let go of the bugbear cub. Though the child clung onto the Jedi Knight’s leg, the Rodian shook his head and slowly laid the beast down. With a push of the Force, the cub fell into a blissful sleep.

“Will it be okay, Master?” asked Lyra.

“I do not know, Padawan. The loss of one’s parents can be a huge strain on a person’s psyche. The same can be said about beasts, like this one. Though the naked eye cannot see such emotions right away, the Force gives us the privilege to feel what they feel,” explained the Jedi Knight. “This cub had strong attachments to its parents. Losing them hit it pretty hard.”

“Then what can we do, Master?”

“The only thing we can do, Padawan. Drive the Mandalorians out of this mountain,” replied the Jedi Knight as he took a peek out of their hiding spot. “Our main focus is to get rid of that pesky basilisk droid. Now that our enemies are preoccupied with our allies in the sky, we can use it to our advantage. Tell me, Padawan. How is your mastery in Force Speed?”

“Well, my technique is nowhere near the level of a Jedi Master, but I’ve been training very hard. Master Darran always kept me on my hooves when it came to Force enhancement abilities. Force Speed being one of them.”

“How quick are you?”

“Quick enough to get compliments from Master Vrook of all people,” Lyra replied. Her witty response earned a chuckle from Knight Shad.

“Then that is sufficient enough. I will go in and use Force Speed to gain the attention of the Mandalorians. While they are distracted, you run in and take out the pilot of that basilisk droid. We may not be able to disable the machine but taking out the pilot will buy our allies precious time.”

The Jedi Knight unhooked the lightsaber from his belt. “I will charge in first, provide a distraction. If your speed is as good as Master Darran claims, you will use my distraction to charge and cut down that droid pilot.”

“But master… I’m not good at deflecting blaster fire.”

“But are you good at running and dodging?” asked Knogg Shad. Lyra answered with a nod. “Then that is sufficient. We do not have that many options left, Padawan. All we can do is trust our instincts and push forward.”

Lyra curled her lip. That was not the response she had expected from him. Hearing this made her hesitant to reply at first, but the respect she had for this Jedi eventually made her speak up. “Y-yes, master,” she said with her head down.

The Jedi Knight smiled. “Be confident in yourself, Lyra. Any doubts that you have in your mind will only lead to fear. And a Jedi who is afraid of their own demise will never be at peace with themselves. Remember, there is no death, there is the Force.”

Lyra meekly nodded her head. Being lectured on the Jedi Code in the middle of a battlefield wasn’t something she liked, but Knight Shad had a point. A Jedi’s life is sacrifice. If she were to fall here, at least it would be for the betterment of her home.

Deep down, however, she did not want to die. Her personal feelings were against the Jedi Code itself, but she did not care. She had people, aliens, and ponies that she wanted to be with. No way was she going to die here. No way was she going to let Khal get the better of her. She would protect her home and come back to her family alive.

“Stay here, Padawan. I will draw out the Mandalorians first,” said Knight Shad. “Once I have gained their attention, you jump in and take out the droid pilot, understood?”

“Yes, master,” Lyra replied.

The Padawan watched as the Jedi Knight somersaulted out of their hiding spot. Why he simply couldn’t do a normal jump was beyond her, but as pointless as that was, she needed to keep a close eye on him. Peeking out of the huge boulder, she witnessed the Rodian charge headfirst into the enemy line.

By the Force, his speed was amazing. It took him only seconds to reach the enemy; and given how quick he was, he wasted no time cutting down the distracted Mandalorian forces. And as expected, the Mandalorians were just as quick to turn their weapons on him.

Now was her chance.

Leaping out of her hiding spot, Lyra ran directly toward the Mandalorian basilisk droid. Time was of the essence, so she had to use every ounce of her Force reserves to reach her target. When she finally got close, she harnessed whatever power she had left to her legs. Bending her knees, she jumped and soared through the air like a bird. Her presence was ignored by the Mandalorians as they had their sights on Knogg Shad and the Republic dropships. The only one who spotted her was Khal Dryll.

“Fools! The Jedi is after the basilisk droid!” he shouted. But his warning came too late. Lyra landed right on the droid’s empty passenger seat. The pilot did manage to spot the pony and tried to pull out his sidearm, but his reflexes were no match for a Jedi.

After catching the pilot off guard, Lyra quickly summoned her lightsaber to her hooves. Grasping it, she quickly slashed through the pilot’s chest just before he could fire his weapon. Just as the Mandalorian’s body lay dead, she Force Pushed the body out of the pilot seat.

The droid’s main computer was now within reach. She had to act fast before any more of the Mandalorians would spot her.

Taking her lightsaber, Lyra plunged the green blade into the droid’s main computer. Sparks of electricity flew on her face, causing some minor burns on her face and front legs, but she did not care for it. The basilisk droid was disabled. She had done her job.

Channeling the Force once more, she focused her energies on her legs and performed another Force jump. This jump was much more powerful than before as she needed to put some space between herself and the Mandalorians. However, her actions had finally garnered the attention of the entire enemy force. Many had fired their weapons at all, hoping to graze the young Padawan with a stray blaster bolt. But their efforts were meaningless. Should they have fired their weapons earlier, they might’ve had the chance to graze the young Padawan.

As she landed on her fours, Lyra overheard the shouting of an enraged Mandalorian trooper. “What the kriff? Don’t you imbeciles know how to shoot? Come on, the Jedi is standing right there! Shoot her, now!” the trooper ordered.

Seeing the imminent danger in front of her, Lyra readied herself for another run. Before she could make a move, though, she spotted Khal stepped in front of her would-be attackers. “Stand down, men,” he ordered, surprising his allies and the young Padawan. “Shooting at that Jedi would be a waste of time.”

“What? Why?” shouted one of the soldiers. “Khal, we can’t let that… thing get away! She killed our brother!”

“Usually, I’d agree with you. But need I remind you of the Republic dropships hovering above us,” Khal said as he pointed his finger toward the sky. “The equine disabled our greatest weapon. Once the Republic realizes this, they immediately send down their soldiers. So unless you imbeciles want to foolishly throw your life away, I suggest that we retreat.”

“But Khal, I thought you said that you wanted to fight that Jedi,” argued the angry soldier from before.

“The fight between the two of us will be done on my own terms. And I for one will not waste my life over a meaningless fight. Let the allied forces savor their victory here. In time, we shall strike back with an even larger force.”

“What about the basilisk droid?”

“Destroy it!” Khal replied bluntly. “Toss a thermal detonator into the pilot’s chair. The machine may be disabled, but we cannot leave it in the hands of the enemy!”

Lyra’s eyes widened as she observed the Mandalorians make a hasty retreat back into the forest. Before they left, however, she spotted a lone soldier throwing what appeared to be a grenade into the basilisk droid’s pilot chair. It seems their intent on destroying their own droid was not a bluff. Given how far she had jumped, Lyra assumed that she was safe from the incoming blast. However, the Force said otherwise and warned the mare to get away from the machine as far away as she could.

Using whatever Force reserves she had left, Lyra leapt as far away as she could. Though she was nowhere near the droid, what worried her most was the aftershock. In all likelihood, she’d be sent flying dangerously head course into a tree or rock.

As she finally put herself within safe distance, the thermal detonator that was lodged onto the droid went off. An explosion set off, engulfing the droid into a fiery blaze. The noise that came from the explosion was nothing to be scoffed at either. It echoed throughout the entire mountain range, causing the young Padawan to cover her ears for protection

The explosion had also caused a mass shockwave just as the Force predicted. Lyra was sent flying, her back skidding across the rough mountain terrain. If it weren’t for her coat and mane, she would’ve suffered a grievous injury. Even so, her back arched like crazy. It’d probably be best if she were to go see a Healer before moving out again.

Getting back up on her four hooves, Lyra shakily trotted over to the boulder where she hid earlier. When she arrived, she noticed that the bugbear cub was still there. Though it was fast asleep, tears could still be seen dripping on the cub’s eyes.

“By the Force. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Lyra whispered. “Poor thing. To endure such grievous injuries is one thing, but to witness the death of your parents in front of your very eyes. I’m not sure anyone would be able to handle what you’re going through now.”

“Indeed. What happened to this child was a tragedy.”

Turning around, Lyra spotted Jedi Knight Knogg Shad slowly approaching her. His robes were tattered, though that was likely due to the brief skirmish with the Mandalorians. “Are you alright, Padawan?” he asked.

“Don’t worry, Master, I’m fine. Thanks to you, I destroyed that droid before any Mandalorian could touch me,” the Padawan replied, showing a hint of pride in her voice. She did, however, notice that the Rodian was clutching his abdomen with his right hand. “Master, what happened? Were you hurt?”

“Don’t worry about me, Padawan, it is only a scratch,” replied the Jedi Knight. He then followed up with a sigh. “I thought my Soresu was impenetrable, but a single blaster bolt managed to slip by my defense. It’s not lethal by any means. Just burnt flesh that can easily be mended with the Force. Though my pride in my Soresu technique may be unmendable.”

“That’s okay, Master. Even the best of Jedi can mess up sometimes. That just means you gotta work on your technique more.”

“Well, I can at least be thankful that I managed to survive. Perhaps when this is over, I can return to the dojos on Coruscant and practice my technique. But enough joking around. We need to figure out why the Mandalorians retreated back into the woods. Padawan, did you happen to hear anything before they made their move?”

Lyra nodded her head and went on to explain everything that she overheard. Needless to say, this worried the Jedi Knight.

“So this attack was a ruse as well? It’s hard to believe given the amount of damage and casualties they caused, but I’m inclined to believe it,” said Knogg Shad. “Khal Dryll. Even though we met only once, I can tell he is a serious threat. And a crafty one at that.”

“He’s also obsessed with me too,” Lyra replied solemnly.

“I noticed that, yes. What is your history with that man, Padawan? He seemed quite interested in you.”

Lyra sighed as she gave the Jedi Knight a brief explanation regarding her encounter with Khal Dryll back on Coruscant. She was pretty clear on the details too. Even going so far as to mention her mistake and near-death experience.

“So we have a man that is clearly obsessed with fighting Jedi, huh?” Shad replied. He frowned. “I knew the Mandalorians have been wanting to pick a fight with us ever since they started this damn crusade of theirs, but this is absurd. Are you certain you want to face him, Padawan?”

“I am, Master. I admit, it’s scary going up against a person who had nearly killed me. But avoiding him won’t do me any good. I have to confront my fear and face him. Even if a part of me doesn’t want to.”

“Well said, Padawan. You might make an excellent Jedi in the future,” said Knogg Shad with a smile. “Though I am curious. What sort of plan does Khal have in mind right now? Does he intend to face you alone or with an army?”

“At this point, I’m not sure. The man is clearly has the physical capabilities to fight a Jedi, and he’s not stupid or reckless enough to pick pointless fights either. You saw how he ordered his men to fall back when their basilisk droid was destroyed. And when I saw him again on Alderaan, he chose to fall back and protect his squad mates.”

“I see. Clearly this Mandalorian knows a thing or two about tactics.”

“Not to mention he’s compassionate enough to care for his own squadron,” Lyra followed up.

“Yes, that too. This is very valuable information you have given me, Padawan. I’m sure our allies would be appreciative of this information. Speaking of which, one of the dropships should’ve landed right about now. We should check with our allies and come up with a plan.”

Lyra nodded her head in approval; however, she immediately looked back at the bugbear cub. “Master, what do we do with this creature? We can’t just leave it here alone.”

The Rodian sighed. “Do not worry, Padawan. I will tend to the creature. Now, go back to the encampment and tell the others what you told me. I will join you shortly.”

“Yes, master.” Looking back at the bugbear cub, Lyra gently patted the creature’s head. She knew it wouldn’t really help the poor thing; but at the very least, it’ll know it won’t be alone. The Jedi will certainly take care of it after the battle is over.

She just hopes this cub will be the only tragedy she’ll see tonight.

As she trotted over to the allied encampment, Lyra observed her surroundings. The Mandalorians wasted no time in showing their dominance. The trees and lush mountain greenery were completely charred. The fire from earlier may have been put out, but it left a big black scar rendering the area uninhabitable.

The allied encampment was also destroyed too. Bodies of Republic soldiers lined up together by those still standing. The sight of the corpses made the Padawan sick, so she quickly hurried to her designation.

Suddenly, she overheard someone yelling from a distance. Curious, she galloped over to where the remaining Republic soldiers were stationed; and after a while, she spotted a handful of soldiers talking amongst each other. A few Jedi were there too, though one in particular stood out among the rest.

“Where is it? What happened to the basilisk droid!” the Jedi asked.

Lyra winced. Oh no. Is that who I think it is?

“Master Jedi, I’ve already told you everything,” replied a Republic soldier who seemed to be having issues keeping the Jedi calm. “The basilisk droid is already destroyed. The Mandalorians blew it up themselves.”

The pouting Jedi known as Luka Emira grimaced at the soldier. “But that can’t be! Why would the Mandalorians blow up their own weapon?” he asked. In a fit of anger, he stomped his right foot into the ground. “Sithspit, I jumped out of the shuttle for nothing.”

“Padawan, calm down. That attitude of yours is not how a Jedi is supposed to act!” warned one Jedi.

“Oh, come on. Does that really matter at a time like this, Master?” Luka fired back. “We’re in the middle of a war! So what if our emotions are running a bit high!”

“Because throwing a little temper tantrum doesn’t help anyone, Luka!” shouted Lyra. It was somewhat unnecessary for her to yell like that now that she had gotten everyone’s attention. But someone had to snap Luka back into reality. Granted, he hated her, but she was already used to his antics.

“Where are Jordan and I’daka, Luka?” she continued. “If you are here, then I assume the others are here too?”

Luka grimaced. “If you really want to know, our clanmates were on board the other two dropships. But answer me, Lyra. What the kriff happened while you were down here? Did you see who destroyed the basilisk droid?”

“If you really want to know, the Mandalorians destroyed it themselves,” Lyra answered, much to the despair of Luka. “Me and another Jedi Knight managed to take out the pilot and disable the droid. The enemy then tossed a thermal detonator into the pilot’s chair once they realized their machine was useless.”

The mare silently watched as Luka seethed. His face turned bright red as he, in a fit of rage, gritted his teeth. By the Force, Lyra hadn’t seen anyone this angry before, let alone a Jedi. So unprofessional. It’s a wonder how he became a Padawan in the first place.

After a few seconds of silence, Luka was just about to release all of his anger. However, the deathly stares of every Jedi and Republic soldier around him caused the young noble to hesitate. Realizing he was garnering unwanted attention, he turned around and walked away.

Lyra sighed. This little rivalry that Luka was clinging onto was getting absurd. Yes, they frequently competed with one another during their Initiate days, but when did things get this bad? It’s like the man wanted to one up her ever since she became a Padawan before him.

Oh well. It’s not like she can do anything about it. There are far more pressing matters at hand. If Luka really wants to become a Jedi, then he’ll have to let go of this silly rivalry sooner or later. She can only hope that her former friend won’t get himself killed.

Chapter 47

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Hider dribbled his fingers on the throttle lever as he waited for direct orders from the Sunrider. His patience was running thin, however. Ever since the death of Red Leader, he hadn’t heard anything from both the admiral nor the other pilots from Red Squadron. The death of their leader had left them completely mute.

A sigh escaped his breath as he recalled Red Leader’s demise. A large blue beam came without warning, fired by the rampaging moon princess. Based on its trajectory, he can assume the princess had intended to target the Republic warships. Red Leader just happened to be in the way unfortunately.

With their leader down, the demoralized Red Squadron retreated back to the Sunrider to regroup. Hider followed them given that he was technically apart of the team; but unlike the other pilots, he shed no tears nor felt any grief for the fallen Captain. He barely knew the man, and their only interaction they had was on a silly bet they had made.

Letting out a sigh, Hider pulled his right arm back and began to tap his headset. “How is the status on our shields, tin can?” he asked onto the microphone. Although he wasn’t doing anything at the moment, he knew that Red Squadron would be ordered to move out sooner or later, so he might as well check the status with his ship with Geefour.

After hearing several beeping noises from his headset, the former criminal got his answer. The droid had performed a quick scan of the Omega shortly after their last encounter with the enemy. Its shields were grazed, no doubt caused by the Mandalorian starfighters he encountered in the skirmish; but for the most part, his baby was still in good condition.

“Thanks, tin can. Keep me posted if you notice anything wrong, okay,” Hider said as he proceeded to press a couple of buttons on the navigation computer. While he did this, he spotted Sweetie Drops sulking on the co-captain’s chair. “What’s with the long face, Private Candy?”

Sweetie grimaced. “Oh, come on, Hider. You of all people should know why I am upset!” she shouted as tears began to fall on her cheeks. “How in Equestria are you not upset about this? Does the death of an ally really mean nothing to you?”

“I just met the guy! You can’t expect me to grieve for someone who I just met! Heck, I didn’t even see the guy’s face!” Hider countered. “I mean, he seemed like someone I’d like to have a drink with, but this is war, Private Candy. Stuff like this happens all the time. Though I admit, being killed by a vengeful pony princess on the moon isn’t the way I’d like to go.”

Hider watched as the mare groaned in frustration. Clearly, she wasn’t happy with his response, though he cared little about her feelings. “So, what are we going to do now?” the mare asked.

“I don’t know. Red Squadron takes direct orders from the admiral. So until I hear from him, we’re not going to be doing anything anytime soon,” Hider replied. Suddenly, both he and Sweetie Drops heard a loud beeping noise from the nav-computer. “Looks like the old man is ready to give out orders. Let’s hear what he has to say.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes. “The admiral would berate you if he heard you talking like that.”

“Well, it’s good that your mic is muted, isn’t it?” Hider jokingly replied as he pressed a button on the nav-computer. Within seconds, he heard Admiral Karath on the other line.

“Captain Louhun are you there? I need a status report.”

“I’m here, Admiral, don’t worry. I was just checking the status on my ship. And before you ask, she’s in good condition. My baby may have taken a few hits, but she’s more durable than any piece of scrap metal that the Republic sends out nowadays.”

“Don’t waste my time with pointless banter, Captain. If your ship is good to go, then you and the rest of Red Squadron will be rejoining the fight.”

Hider smirked. “Well it’s about dang time! Sitting still for so long was starting to get annoying! So, we’re going to be targeting the other flagships I assume?”

“Correct. Despite the loss of Red Leader, our plan has not changed. Taking out the flagships is our top priority.”

“Are you sure Red Squadron is up for the task? Losing Red Leader dealt a big blow to our morale here. Not to mention we’re fighting two fronts. We got the Mandalorians on our front and Princess Moony firing death beams on our backs. To be frank, this whole operation just got a lot more complicated.”

“I agree. Despite my confidence in Red Squadron, I don’t think any one of us could prepare for a situation as dangerous as this one. We’ll have to be careful with our offensives from now on and watch our backs closely.

“Who will be leading Red Squadron now?

“Sergeant Dabrato will be leading the charge. The Twi’lek is an excellent pilot that rivals the late Red Leader; however, his leadership skills—while not bad—are not great in comparison. He’ll be needing some assistance as he transitions into his new role. That is why I need you, Captain. You will be assisting the Sergeant in co-leading Red Squadron.”

“Oh, you can’t be serious! Admiral, do you even understand what you are trying to do here? You are asking me, a former criminal, to co-lead a rag tag group of ace pilots?”

“But you are the best among them, Captain,” the Admiral replied, which caught the former smuggler off guard. “I do not mean to discount my own men, but I’ll be blunt. You are a very skilled pilot, Hider. As skilled as, if not better, than Red Leader himself. Which is why I need your help. Red Squadron is a great team of young pilots, but they are inexperienced. Losing any more of them would be detrimental to the future of the Republic.”

Hider sighed. The Admiral sure was persistent. Even so, this still did not convince him to become a co-leader of a squadron.

“I think you should accept your uncle’s officer,” said Sweetie out of nowhere, causing Hider to jump. The conversation between him and his uncle had caused him to forget that this mare was still here. And judging by the determined look in her eyes, she was keen on getting him to accept his uncle’s offer.

“Who do you think you are, Private Candy? My mom?” Hider rebuked. His response irked the mare, but he didn’t care. There was no way that this little pony was going to boss him around.

But Sweetie did not back down.

“I know you don’t like being bossed around by other people, Hider, but now isn’t the time to be pouting like a filly. These peoples’ lives are on the line, and so is my home! So, swallow that darn pride of yours and just follow your orders just this once!”

Hider sighed. She really wasn’t going to let this go, was she? He opened his mouth to reply but was soon interrupted by his uncle.

“Are you and that pony done talking, Captain?” the Admiral asked, surprising both passengers. “If you are done blabbering, then I need you and Red Squadron to rejoin the battlefield immediately. Our fighters need help out there and I need Red Squadron to go out until reinforcements arrive.”

“Admiral… what? I never said that I agreed to become a co-leader?” Hider replied. And how the kriff did he know I was talking to Private Candy?

“And I never said that you had a choice in the matter, nephew,” the Admiral rebuked as he suddenly dropped standard military formality. “Do what needs to be done. Once this battle is over, you can go off and do whatever you want to do, provided that you don’t break any Republic laws.”

Hider groaned. “Fine, I’ll do it. But I expect my pay to be doubled by the time this is over.”

“Wait, you can’t be serious? You’re asking for a bigger paycheck in the middle of a Celestia-forsaken battlefield!” shouted a flabbergasted Sweetie Drops.

“Very well. I will double your pay should you and Red Squadron get out of this battle alive,” replied the Admiral over the comm-link, surprising Private Drops. “Another thing before I let you go, Captain. I’m receiving reports that two of the three remaining Mandalorian flagships are moving into a defensive position. The other flagship is on the move, but we are uncertain of what the enemy is trying to do.

“Just observe for now and give me an update on it whenever the Mandalorians decide to make a move. For now, just hook me up with Red Squadron so that we can get started already,” Hider replied.

The sound of static could be heard on the headset briefly as Hider waited to be redirected to Red Squadron. He didn’t have to wait long; however, as he quickly heard Sergeant Dabrato’s voice on the other line. “Captain Louhun are you there?” asked the Twi’lek.

“Yes, I am here, Sergeant. Are you ready to take on the Mandalorian’s again?”

“Y-yes, I am. But if it’s okay with you, I’d like to run a quick sitrep to make sure everyone is ready,” the Sergeant replied.

“He sounds anxious,” commented Sweetie Drops.

“Anyone would be nervous if they were thrust into battle like this. I mean, nobody expected Red Leader to go out like that. And now he’s replacing the now dead leader at a moment’s notice. Yeah, I get what he’s going through,” Hider replied.

“You’re going through the same thing, you know.”

“Touché, little pony.”

“Red Squadron, this is Staff Sergeant Dabrato speaking,” said the Twi’lek over the comm-link. “Is everyone ready to engage the enemy?”

“Senior Airman Zeck Ne, reporting. All systems are green.”

“Airman First Class Heidi ready for action!”

“Airman First Class Ersha here. Can we kick some Mando and moon pony butt already?”

“Ooh looks like someone’s eager to get to fighting again,” Hider said jokingly onto the microphone. “Best you sit tight and relax, lady, or else that over eagerness will get you killed. Either by the Mandalorians or Princess Moony over there on the moon.”

“Zip it you, petty smuggler! You have no idea what I’m going through right now!” shouted a very riled up woman. “Maybe when we’re finished with the Mandalorians we can go over that moon princess and blast her with some auto cannons or something!”

Sweetie winced. “Unbelievable. Does that lady really want to pick a fight with the Princess of the Moon?”

“You can’t really blame her, Private Candy. Red Leader was someone that these people knew well. And given her current tone of her voice, I’d take it she knew the man personally,” Hider explained.

“But if the fleet starts firing on Nightmare Moon, she’s going to use her powers against us!” Sweetie warned.

“The last thing our fleet needs is to have a third-party start firing big chunky laser beams in every direction. More than likely, the Admirals onboard our ships are likely going to dissuade anybody from taking any action against your banished Princess, so we should be good there.”

“Okay, Red Squadron. Let’s move out,” ordered Staff Sergeant Dabrato over the comm-link.

Hider frowned at the tone of the Sergeant’s voice. It really did sound as if he wasn’t ready to lead a squadron out into a warzone. Regardless, there was no point in debating on something he could not change. Red Squadron was on the move, and he had a job to do.

Their formation was the same formation as before; only this time, Staff Sergeant Dabrato led the charge while Hider tailed them closely in case any enemies got too close. As they approached the warzone, Red Squadron immediately ignited their boosters. The blue fire that burned out of their ships’ exhaust pipes were a sight to behold as they flew off in the distance.

“Hang on tight, Private,” Hider warned as he pulled a larger lever to the right of his chair, causing the ship to accelerate at a very high pace.

Flying at such a fast rate was not something that Sweetie was used to. Panicked, she immediately grasped her seat’s armchairs and hung on for dear life. “Horseapples that was so fast!” shouted a very weary mare. Her odd slur made Hider gawk at her. “Sweet Celestia, I can never get used to this type of speed. Thank you for the warning, Hider.”

“Yeah… don’t mention it.” Deciding to ignore the strange slur, Hider returned his focus to Red Squadron. Aside from the explosions going off everywhere, everything was playing out fine. With his squadron within sight the massive Mandalorian flagship floating in the distance, Hider tapped his headset. “Staff Sergeant Dabrato, can you hear me?” he said onto the microphone. “We’re getting close to the enemy flagship. Have you notified our bombers about our approach?”

“Admiral Saul Karath has already informed the bomber unit. They’re hanging back until we destroy the flagship’s auto turrets,” explained the Sergeant. “Looks like the way to the enemy ship is clear. Red Squadron, form up and begin the… oh kriff!”

Hider and Sweetie watched as a rain of turbo lasers descended upon their position, causing Red Squadron to break their formation in half.

Hider scowled at the sight of his squad scattering. He knew he should’ve seen this coming! With a quick swipe of the throttle lever, he immediately followed the two pilots closest to him. As he got close, he cursed under his breath as he saw three enemy starfighters tailing his allies. If he didn’t do something soon, they’d be shot down almost immediately.

As the former criminal flew his way toward his intended targets, he could hear a plea for help over the comm-link. “This is Airman First Class Heidi. Me and First Class Ersha are in deep trouble. Staff Sergeant, anyone, we need your help!”

“Don’t you worry, lady, I’m coming,” Hider said as he reached for his ship’s flight controls. Immediately, he slammed his fist onto one big button, causing his ship to accelerate at an even greater speed than before. If it weren’t for their chairs, he and Private Drops would’ve flown backward, and the back of their heads would’ve slammed against the wall. The mare berated the former criminal for not being careful, but she was ignored as Hider set his eyes on the three enemy starships in front of him.

Steady now. I only got one shot at this. Hider thought. With his ship now directly behind the enemy starships, he steadied his grip on the nav-computer’s weapons panel. Pressing two buttons, he fired the Omega’s turbo cannons directly onto the enemy starships. While he could only manage to destroy one, it was enough for the remaining ships to flee.

Two members of Red Squadron were now safe.

Immediately, Hider radioed the two squad members. “Airman First Class Heidi, can you hear me? Are you and First Class Ersha okay?” he asked.

“We’re fine now, Captain. Thank you for the quick save,” Hedi replied over the comm-link. “If it weren’t for you, Ersha and I would’ve been goners.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you break formation like that. Seriously, you guys should know better. You’re freakin’ ace pilots of the Republic Navy!”

“It’s hard to be composed when you just watched your leader die in front of your eyes!” countered the distressed pilot. “At least thanks to you, we live to fight another day. Where’s Sergeant Dabrato? Did you manage to save him yet?”

Hider winced. “No, I didn’t. My focus was completely on you two, not the Sergeant,” he said just as he lined his ship up behind the two pilots. “Last I saw, he and the other pilot flew off in the other direction the moment we came under fire.”

“He’s in danger then! Hold on, let me try to get in contact with him!”

Hider bit his lip as his eyes drifted to the warzone. Finding the Staff Sergeant was a priority but locating him was going to be difficult. Especially with this large-scale space battle going on. The only way they could really locate the Twi’lek is by comm-link, but even that could prove difficult. What should they do?

“I’ll check to see if the Sergeant activated his homing beacon!” exclaimed the First-Class Airman on the other line. “He and Zack Ne should have activated them by now. Let me send them over to you, Captain.”

“Homing beacons?” Hider asked.

“Something that was built into our ships in case a pilot gets separated from their squad. The Navy’s been building these into our ships ever since the Mandalorians began conquering worlds in the outer rim.”

“Oh, so it’s for scouting purposes then. Well, I suppose it will help, but you better be quick about it. Finding the Sergeant in this hectic warzone ain’t gonna be easy.”

“You underestimate Republic technicians, Captain,” Heidi exclaimed. After a few moments of silence, a beeping noise was heard from Hider’s nav-computer. I got a read on the Sergeant’s location. He and Zack are still alive!”

“Good. Now all we have to do is save their butts,” said Hider as he fiddled with the ship’s flight controls. “Alright. It’s time to play the hero again.”

Pulling the throttle lever back, Hider followed both pilots of Red Squadron as they hurried to their leader. Again, he flew fast. So fast that Sweetie clung onto her seat for dear life again. A part of him felt a bit sorry for the mare, but he had little choice. If he didn’t hurry, the Staff Sergeant and the other pilot might perish. Still, he couldn’t ignore the mare’s plight

“You alright Private Candy?” he asked.

“I’m… okay,” Sweetie replied, though her response didn’t seem all that convincing. “Honestly, I think I’m starting to get used to this type of flying.”

“I find it hard to believe when you are holding onto your seat like that,” Hider replied as he glanced back and forth between the nav-computer and space. Despite all that was given to him, there appeared to be no sign of the Sergeant and his co-pilot. “These homing beacons aren’t as useful as I’d thought they’d be. Kriff, I can’t see a dang thing out here!”

“I don’t see anything either. How the heck are we going to find the Staff Sergeant and the other pilot with all this mess going on?”

Watch your left!

“Huh? Did you say something, Private?”

Sweetie shook her head. “No, I didn’t.”

“Then what the heck did I hear?” Hider questioned as he tried to make sense of what had happened. At first, he thought someone may have tried to contact him via comm-link, but the ship’s nav-computer recorded no such log. Strange. The voice he heard sounded oddly familiar.

Suddenly, a new transmission came from the comm-link. And with it, a familiar voice. “This is Staff Sergeant Dabrato speaking. Can anyone hear me! I need immediate assistance, pronto!”

“Got you,” Hider said with a smirk. Wanting to make immediate contact, he quickly pressed a button on the nav-computer. “Sergeant Dabrato, can you hear me? This is Captain Louhun speaking.”

“Louhun! Oh, thank the Force it’s you. I feared the worst after I lost contact with you and the others after we got separated. I assume First Airmen Heidi and Ersha are with you?”

“Yes, they are. I saved their sorry butts a short while ago.”

“Then can you please save mine? I’m currently being tailed right now!”

“Is the other pilot with you by any chance?”

“He’s been with me ever since we got separated, Louhun. Now, hurry up and get moving. We don’t have much time!”

“You don’t have to tell me, twice,” Hider said as he steered his ship toward the Sergeant’s location. Hider could not see the Twi’lek’s ship though, nor could he locate the other pilot given all the chaos happening around him. The saving grace he had was the map on his nav-computer, but even that didn’t help him much. Regardless, he pushed forward.

Pull up!

Hider blinked. There it was again! That voice!

Hider Louhun you need to pull up now!

Acting on instinct, Hider swiftly pulled the throttle lever back, causing his ship to immediately pull up. It was a dangerous maneuver, pulling up his baby like that. Not only is it bad for his ship, but it was also bad for the passengers as well. The sudden movement caused the back of his head to slam right into the hard metal headrest on his seat.

And boy did that hurt. He seriously needed new cushions on these seats. But he had to count himself lucky that he and Private Drops were wearing seatbelts; otherwise, they’d be flying off their seats.

T3-G4 may not be so fortunate though. The droid may have fallen down or rolled backward and hit the wall. He’ll probably have to apologize to the tin can later.

“Hider, what was that for?” Sweetie asked as she rubbed the back of her head. She too was also affected by his actions.

“Sorry, Private Candy, but instinct told me that I needed to pull up,” Hider replied, though what he said was a bit of a lie. How the heck was he supposed to explain to her that a voice in his head told him to do what he did? The look on Sweetie’s face, however, told him that she wasn’t buying it.

Before she could say something though, something immediately caught her attention as she stared out the cockpit window. “Hey, was the moon always that close?” she asked.

Confused, Hider looked out at the cockpit window as well, but was immediately greeted by a large blue beam firing in his direction. The beam had missed its mark, but seeing the dang thing made the former criminal panic and pull his ship up even higher.

“Holy kriff!” he shouted just as the blue beam began to slowly fade away. He looked in the general direction on where the beam came from and gasped as the moon was relatively close.

Seeing this, he quickly contacted Red Squadron. “This is Captain Hider Louhun speaking. Can anyone from Red Squadron hear me?”

“This is Staff Sergeant Dabrato, speaking. I’m fine.”

“Senior Airman Zeck Ne, reporting in. Everything is a-okay.”

“Airman First Class Heidi is here. My ship is unharmed.”

“Airman First Class Ersha reporting. I'm fine but can somebody tell me why the moon is somehow closer to us than before?”

“That’s what I’d like to know!” Hider exclaimed. “But that’s not important right now. Staff Sergeant Dabrato, Senior Airman Zeck Ne, what happened to the starfighters who have been tailing you?”

“Destroyed, Captain. From what I can tell, they got caught in the blue beam’s crossfire. I’d count myself lucky, but it looks like that last attack from the moon princess affected both sides,” the Sergeant explained. “I just got a sit-rep from Admiral Karath too. It looks like the beam managed to hit one of our frigates.

“What? How badly was it damaged?”

“From what we know, the blast has caused the frigate’s shields to drop considerably. If it was hit with another one of those beams again or if the Mandalorians decide to attack it, it’ll be destroyed.”

Hider groaned. “Jeez, between the Mandalorians and the moon princess, I can’t tell which is worse. It doesn’t help that the moon is somehow closer than before.”

“Hey, uh… guys,” said First Airman Heidi on the other line. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but have you all noticed that one of the Mandalorian flagships is flying relatively close to the moon?”

“Excuse me?” replied the Staff Sergeant. “Heidi what in the Force are you talking about?”

“Just look at the moon, Sergeant and you will see! I don’t know how they managed, but the Mandalorians have gotten one of their flagships close to that deathtrap!”

Hider raised an eyebrow. Just what on earth is this woman blabbering about? Wanting to know the truth for himself, he glanced over to the moon and, to his shock, saw that one of the Mandalorian flagships had somehow managed to get close to it despite all the fighting going on.

Sweetie Drops saw this as well. “What in Equestria are they doing?” she asked.

“Nothing good from what I can tell,” Hider replied. His response drew a curious stare from the Private, forcing the former criminal to elaborate. “Given the way that they’re positioning their ship, it looks like they’re planning something big.”

“And what’s this big thing they are planning?”

“Well, I’m not an expert on Praetorian-class frigates, but I think that the Mandalorians have had just about enough of Princess Moony. Given who they are positioning their ship, it looks like they are going to bombard the moon.”

Sweetie’s jaw slacked. “They’re going to do what!” she shouted out loud, which caused Hider to cover his ears. Yeah, he should’ve expected her to react like that. But did she really have to shout though? He’s literally sitting right next to her. “Bombard the moon? What in Equestria do you mean when you say they’re bombarding the moon!”

“Keep your dang voice down, Private Candy. My cockpit isn’t exactly soundproof you know!” Hider rebuked. “And I meant what I said. The Mandalorians are planning to bombard the moon in hopes they can get rid of Princess Moony.”

“W-what? But… but they can’t do that!”

“It’s war, Private Candy! They can do whatever the heck they want!” Hider argued back. “Also, you’re getting too worked up over nothing. I mean, sure, I can get upset if the Mandalorians were blowing up my home planet’s moon, but what I don’t get is why are you so concerned about Princess Moony.”

“She is Princess Celestia’s sister! She can’t just die like this!”

“Um, okay. But why are you defending a pony that tried to violently take over your own nation several centuries ago? Unless your Princess is willing to let bygones be bygones, I don’t think it’s wise to throw a welcome home party to a dangerous pony. Especially one who has the ability to destroy a Praetorian-class frigate no less!”

Sweetie opened her mouth to reply, but no answer came as her mouth began to stutter. It looked like the mare wanted to say something, but she couldn’t. Either because she could not find a counter argument or there is something that she knows but isn’t sure she is permitted to say it. “It’s complicated, Hider,” she said, finally.

Hider raised an eyebrow. “Complicated how?”

“It’s just… you wouldn’t understand.”

“Understand what?” Hider questioned. Before he could get an answer, however, something had caught his attention out in space. A glint of light coming from the Mandalorian flagship. First there was one, then two, then three. And then suddenly, the enemy flagship began to glow a bright red and orange color. It was almost as if the ship was on fire, but Hider knew otherwise.

Then it happened. A volley of turbo lasers rained down on the moon’s surface, leaving Hider shocked. As an ace pilot, he had never seen so much firepower before, even when he was a cadet in the Republic Navy. This was different. The amount of firepower coming from that flagship would lay waste to a city planet. And the barrage seemed endless. It’s as if the Mandalorians were dead set on eliminating the thorn on their side.

Though to be fair, they’d be doing the Republic a favor as well.

“Princess Luna,” muttered Sweetie Drops as she stared at the spectacle front of her. Hider took a quick glimpse at her and noticed the look of horror on her face. Her expression turning even more grim as their enemies continued their assault.

Seeing her devastated expression made Hider frown. “I’m sorry, Private Candy. I don’t know what you or that Sun Princess were planning but I’m sorry for your loss. Danger to our Navy or not, nobody deserves to have that happen to them. All we can do now is hope that Princess Moony will have some peace in the afterlife, if there is one.”

“That’s… a surprisingly mature thing to say,” said Sweetie Drops as she wiped a tear from her eye.

Hider didn’t bother to reply, believing that there wasn’t anything else that needed to be said. Best not to linger about Princess Moony’s death for too long as they were still in a warzone.

As he reached for the ship’s control panel, something immediately caught the former criminal’s eye. It was small and difficult to see, but a glint of blue light stood out in the empty void of space.

“Hey, you saw that, right?” Sweetie asked him. It appeared that she too saw the faint glimmer of light. “That light. It looked like it came from the moon.”

“The moon?” Hider replied.

Suddenly, it appeared. A blue beam, almost as big as the warship itself, collided with the enemy flagship. The impact caused the ship to violently tilt backward. It’s saving grace being that of the ship’s energy shields. But even that didn’t last long as the beam eventually pierced through and damaged the ship’s exterior.

Hider’s jaw dropped. While the beam didn’t pierce the ship completely, the fact that Nightmare Moon somehow survived the bombardment was bewildering to say the least. No that was an understatement. More like impossible to begin with! Just who the heck is this Moon Princess? Aside from the Sun Princess, are there more ponies like her? Can Lyra become just as powerful too?

His thoughts, however, were interrupted as he overheard a panicked member of Red Squadron shouting over the comm-link. “Hey, uh, you all saw that right? You all saw that right? What the kriff happened just now!”

Immediately, Sergeant Dabrato could be heard over the line. He attempted to calm his squad member down, but judging by his voice, Hider could tell that he was also surprised by this sudden turn of events. “S-settle down, Ersha. N-now isn’t the time to be panicking right now!”

“But Sergeant, what are we going to do? How the heck are we supposed to fight against that raging moon princess? She’ll obliterate us in seconds!”

Hider sighed. Just a short while ago, this woman was eager to take the fight against the moon princess, but after seeing how powerful this Nightmare Moon was, it gave her second thoughts. How typical. Deciding that now would be a good time to talk, Hider spoke directly into his comm-link.

“Let’s forget about Princess Moony and just move on with our objective. We can’t do anything about her, but we can deal with the Mandalorians,” he said. “Escape pods are going to be flying out of that doomed flagship soon. If any of them reach the planet, we’ll risk endangering the local populace.”

“The Captain’s right. Focus on what we can now, and we’ll deal with Nightmare Moon later,” said Sergeant Dabrato on the other line. “Red Squadron, focus your attention on that doomed enemy flagship. Do not let any escape pod slip by us! I repeat, do not let them go through!”

Hider cracked a smile. His words seemed to have settled the Sergeant down. For just a moment, the former criminal actually did not mind being a leader. It felt good. “Alright, Red Squadron. Our target is that doomed flagship and any escape pod that flies out of it,” he barked. The smile never left his lips as he gave his team their orders. “Let’s move out!”

Chapter 48

View Online

As the naval battle continued in space, the fighting between the Republic and Mandalorian forces on the ground was a different story. The battle of the Bugbear Mountains caused a lot of problems with both sides. The rough, rocky terrain made it difficult to maneuver and the large trees provided great cover positions for soldiers causing the battle to stall out due to nobody being able to blast anyone with their rifles. There was also the matter of the local bugbear populace. Beasts that neither side had ever seen before.

Bearing the qualities of both a bear and a large hornet, the beasts swarmed both forces with vicious snarls. Their intent to kill was obvious to many as the battle raging between the two forces disturbed them. Even worse, the bugbear’s hornets contained a poison. While not lethal, it incapacitated a few dozen soldiers from both sides. Normally, antidote kits would help here, but both sides were unprepared for an unpredicted situation like this as most medics had little to no antidote kits with them.

Regardless, both sides knew they had to keep fighting.

With Republic reinforcements arriving with Jedi Master Kavar, the allied forces swiftly moved on the offensive. Using the large trees and mountain terrain as cover, the allied forces quickly descended onto the Mandalorian camp. Some expected a swift victory, but the use of basilisk droids as well as the bugbears swarming at them from above caused the Republic offensive to falter.

The Mandalorians fared no better either. Although their encampment was well defended, they could not mount any offensive of their own. Though the terrain and large trees benefited them, their warriors had issues landing critical shots with their blasters. The terrain also rendered their basilisk droids completely immobile.

With neither side gaining ground, Jedi Master Kavar ordered his Jedi Knights to advance. With the Force on their side, the allied forces at last went on the offensive as Jedi lightsabers provided an extra layer of defense for Republic troopers. Slowly they began to eat away the Mandalorian defense; but to the shock of many, a few Mandalorians abandoned their rifles in favor of vibroswords. Suddenly, a swarm of angry, overzealous neo-crusaders charge at the Jedi with sword in hand.

At first, the Jedi thought nothing of this as they did not believe a Mandalorian could stand toe to toe with a Jedi. Their arrogance,however, became their downfall as the charging Mandalorians were somehow able to match some Knights blow to blow. While it didn’t turn the tide of the battle, it did stall the Republic troopers as their extra layer of defense was lost due to the fighting between the Jedi and the Mandalorians.

The fighting would be at a stalemate again, but that changed with the arrival of Mandalorian reinforcements.

Khal Dryll was an acting sub-commander in the Mandalorian ground army. While his forces were separated from the main force due to the destruction of their flagship, he did manage to rally his men. And after a brief skirmish with the Republic reserve forces, they finally rejoined their allies. With his timely arrival, the Mandalorians finally began their offensive.

Khal led his warriors to the front line. With his double-bladed vibrosword in hand, he charged at the Jedi with glee. The sight of so many worthy opponents delighted him to no end, and his excitement only grew the moment he crossed blades with a Jedi Knight that stood in his way. The Knight, surprised by the man’s sudden burst of emotion, attempted to throw back the Mandalorian warrior with a quick Form IV barrage. But Khal didn’t flinch.

Using the Jedi’s momentum, Khal countered the Jedi’s overextension with a punch to the jaw that staggered his opponent. Seeing his chance, he impaled the Jedi with his vibrosword, killing the Knight instantly.

It was a death that was seen across the entire battlefield. Khal let out a mighty roar as he raised his fist in victory. The Mandalorians who witnessed their sub-commander’s victory, also let off several war cries of their own. Soon, Khal’s triumph over a single Jedi invigorated the Mandalorian army. With their morale ever so high, the neo-crusaders began their counterattack.

The Republic was unprepared for this. Seeing a Jedi of all people fall at the hands of a Mandalorian caused some of the troopers to panic. While many high-ranking officials and Jedi ordered their panicked troops to calm down, their words fell on deaf ears. With their morale dwindling, the Republic made their retreat.

Seeing their allies in such a poor state, Jedi Master Kavar ordered his men to fall back as well, but not before taking a handful of Knights and Republic soldiers with him. He began to bark orders at his men, telling them to provide as much cover for their retreating allies as much as they can. He and his men charged at the Mandalorian forces, hoping that they could buy some time for their allies as well as the allied reinforcements that were coming their way.

One of the men that accompanied Master Kavar was Chessk Fess. Earlier, he had joined the Jedi Master in hopes that he could help bring an end to this conflict. If he were to assist the Jedi, it would help fulfill the life debt that he owed to Lyra Heartstrings. This was her home planet after all. And what better way of honoring her, the Scorekeeper, and his life debt than to protect the home she had been long searching for.

With his battle rifle on hand, Chessk used his time to take down a handful of unsuspecting enemy forces. The Mandalorians, surprised by the fact that a Trandoshan was present among the allied ranks, tried to fend off against the hulking behemoth, but it proved futile as Chessk’s strength and skill with the rifle overwhelmed the men who dared face him in combat. Satisfied, he decided that it was best to quickly rejoin the Jedi Master and help with the main forces’ retreat. But before he could go anywhere, he was ambushed by two sword wielding Mandalorian soldiers.

The attack caught the Trandoshan off-guard, forcing him to use his battle rifle as a shield against the swords. While his instincts saved his life, the attack rendered his rifle worthless. Furious, Chessk threw his useless battle rifle away. He quickly drew his two vibroswords that were strapped on his back and was ready to take out the two Mandalorians who dared to attack him. Both of his opponents came at him with their swords held high. They struck the Trandoshan, hoping that their combined strength would be enough to subdue him. But Chessk was strong. His days hunting out in the wilds of his home world and his time as a Big Game Hunter shaped him into a powerful warrior. And though he hated his enslavement at the hands of his greedy cousin, there was one thing he did appreciate during his time with the Exchange.

Dual weapon fencing. The ability to use two weapons on each hand.

Chessk let out a loud roar as he pushed aside both neo-crusaders with all his might. The Mandalorian duo, who were taken aback by his sheer strength, stumbled backward but were ready to strike again. One quickly attacked the Trandoshan’s left side but was immediately rebuffed with a hard kick to the stomach. With his ally down, the second Mandalorian swung at the Trandoshan with a powerful two-handed cleaving strike, but Chessk met the neo-crusader’s attack with a cleaving strike of his own. His blade and the Mandalorian’s were at a deadlock; but unlike the latter, the former’s left arm was still free.

Seizing the moment, Chessk used his free arm to strike at his opponent’s neck. The Mandalorian tried to fall back, but it was too late. The tip of the Trandoshan’s blade had already touched the neo-crusader’s neck. Blood spattered about as the fallen soldier began choking on his own blood.

With his first opponent neutralized, Chessk turned to face his other opponent, who was screaming furiously over the defeat of his companion. His facial expression couldn’t be seen as the man was wearing a helmet over his head, but it really didn’t matter to the Trandoshan anyway as his opponent charged at him with his sword held high. Chessk quickly tackled the man into the ground and—not wasting any time—took his two swords and plunged them into the neo-crusader’s chest, killing him instantly.

Sighing in relief, Chessk took his blood-stained blades and strapped them onto his back. Wiping the blood off his armor, he scanned the area for any signs of the allied forces but found nobody, not even a bugbear, nearby. Was the retreat successful perhaps? Possible, but the sight of another figure from a distance had caught his eye.

Another Mandalorian.

Luckily for Chessk, the neo-crusader didn’t look to be equipped with a rifle in hand, so he was safe from any blaster fire. He froze, however, when he saw a familiar double-bladed vibrosword clenched tightly on the Mandalorian’s hands. Granted, he had only seen this Mandalorian twice, but given this person’s history to the pony he’s sworn his life to, he immediately knew who he was dealing with. If his blaster rifle was working, he’d have a clear shot at the man right now; but alas, fate deemed that a duel between two swordsmen would take place instead.

Chessk sighed.

Drawing his two vibroswords once more, he charged headlong into his opponent. He’d hoped the sound of the battlefield would distract the Mandalorian enough for him to get a sneak attack in, but he was dead wrong. As soon as him leapt in for the kill, the Mandalorian quickly stepped back and raised the right half of his double-bladed vibrosword, shocking the hunter.

“Well this is certainly a surprise. To think, I’d be facing off against the Jedi’s lizard pet! Not that it matters. Your past actions deem you to be a worthy opponent,” said Khal Dryll as he and Chessk stood at a standstill. “You know, when I met your little Jedi earlier, I began to wonder where you were. Considering the connection between you two, I figured that you’d be at her side. But here you are fighting out in the front lines. I must say, the Jedi are indeed wise to ally with a being such as yourself.

Chessk grit his teeth. This man had already fought against Lyra! When? How?

“You need not worry about your companion, lizard. She is alright. In fact, the little Jedi ended up foiling one of my plans to sabotage the Republic’s reserve forces,” Khal explained, albeit with a hint of frustration on his lips. “All the more reason why I desire a rematch with her. For now, you will do.”

Pushing his left foot forward, Khal tilted his body to the right, which allowed the second half of his double-bladed weapon to strike at his foe. While Chessk was able to block the attack with ease, the amount of power his opponent showed was astonishing.

“You’re slow, lizard!” taunted Khal as he quickly resumed his offensive with quick but powerful horizontal strikes. Chessk snarled upon hearing the insult, but his defense did not falter. After blocking an incoming strike at his left side, he immediately raised his right arm and swung an overhead blow directly at Khal’s left shoulder. To his disappointment, his opponent dodged the attack, but not before the blade grazed his armor.

Khal, snarling furiously, lunged at his prey once more. Chessk calmly readied himself as he blocked the incoming blow to his right shoulder. He then countered with another overhead strike, but his opponent blocked it and countered with a swipe at the Trandoshan’s neck. Chessk ducked and countered once more, but the end result was the same. No matter what attack he threw, the Mandalorian would simply block and counter.

This awkward pattern would continue for some time, which nearly led Chessk to believe this man was nothing more than a protocol droid built for combat. But it soon dawned on him. This man is entirely reactionary. Despite being an intimidating, hulking Mandalorian, this man was as patient as a rock, relying on his opponent to take the offensive and then counter with powerful cleaves of his double-bladed sword.

A remarkable feat really. When younglings from his tribe got into sword fighting, they’d often rely on reckless offense to end the fight as quickly as possible. However, a skilled swordsman can weather that recklessness with a stalwart defensive mindset, turning their foe’s offense against them. This passive aggressive mindset is one of the reasons why Chessk became known as a Big Game Hunter.

In all likelihood, Khal must’ve used this mindset to get above his peers. But has he ever fought against someone who had the same mentality as him? Chessk was about to find out as he swung his right arm. The sword that he gripped on his hand struck the Mandalorian’s shoulder pads. It appeared to have done no damage, but the slight flinch on his opponent’s face told the Trandoshan everything he needed to know.

Khal angrily shouted at his opponent as he suddenly went on the offensive. Chessk raised a brow as he blocked an incoming strike. Was this man really going to abandon his defensive strategy over a few small mistakes? If so, it was his loss.

Deflecting a strike from his left, Chessk countered with a powerful chop to his opponent’s head. Khal dodged it, but not before the sword grazed his armor once more. A straight vertical line could be seen on the chest plate.

Khal cursed out loud as he saw the state of his armor. The calm, malevolent façade he wore on his face earlier had all but disappeared. “What the kriff is going on!” the man shouted. His age and inexperience were now starting to show. “I spent years preparing myself to fight Jedi, and yet this lizard is beating me? How is this possible?”

The answer was a lot simpler than Khal would’ve thought, but there wasn’t any point in telling him that. Going on the offensive, Chessk raised his swords up high as he charged directly at his disgruntled foe. He would’ve ended the fight right then and there, but something caught his attention. From a distance, he could see a gleaming red light shimmering behind his opponent. He didn’t know what it was at first, but he sure wished he reacted a lot quicker as two pairs of blaster bolts pierced through his right shoulder.

Chessk howled as he felt a rush of agonizing pain coursing in his body. He was still standing thanks to the durability of his armor; but in his moment of weakness, he lost his grip of the sword he wielded on his right hand, making him vulnerable to a counterattack. Sensing danger, he quickly ran to a nearby tree for cover, hoping to avoid any more incoming blaster fire.

“Someone dares to interrupt my duel! Show yourself, now!” demanded Khal Dryll as he shouted in the direction at which the blaster bolts came from. Immediately two, Mandalorian soldiers appeared from out of the forest. Much to Chessk’s distain, both were equipped with blaster rifles.

“Sub-commander, sir!” greeted one of the Mandalorians. “My squadmate and I saw that you were having difficulties with that Trandoshan, so we decided to intervene. Are you alright, sir? Do you need any medical assistance?”

Khal grit his teeth as he gave his ally a vicious glare. Eventually, he angrily shouted back at his own men. “You idiots! I didn’t need your help, nor did I ask for it!” he shouted back. “Nobody, and I mean nobody, should be interrupting such an honorable duel! If we weren’t at war, I’d petition you both to be killed on the spot!”

Chessk couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Was this man actually berating his soldiers for coming to his rescue? Why? If it weren’t for them, he'd be at his death bed right about now.

The Trandoshan shook his head. These Mandalorians were as stubborn as one could be. At least show a little appreciation to your allies.

Still, with these new enemies here, he couldn’t continue the fight as he wanted. If he had his blaster rifle, then perhaps he could continue to fight after applying a med kit to his injury, but sword fighting was his only option given his rifle’s destruction earlier.

Chessk sighed.

Opening the grenade pouch on his utility belt, he pulled out three smoke grenades. These should at least be enough to cover his tracks. If not, then he can toss some hand grenades in the mix. Bracing himself, Chessk was about to lob the grenades directly at the Mandalorians but stopped when he heard footsteps quickly approaching him. Acting on instinct, he looked around to see who it was; however, the large trees around him made it difficult for him to see.

Great, more enemy reinforcements. Guess he’ll need to use more grenades this time. Perhaps a thermal detonator would do the trick.

But to Chessk’s surprise, the sound of a lightsaber activating was heard along with the incoming footsteps.

“Jedi!” shouted one of the Mandalorians. He, along with the other Mandalorian from earlier, began to shoot their rifles in the opposite direction of where Chessk was. Peeking out from the tree where he was hiding, the Trandoshan saw a man blocking the bolts that came its way. The man suddenly flew across the air and landed behind the two neo-crusaders.

Wearing the signature brown tunic of a Jedi Knight, the man was a slim but tall humanoid and wielded a blue hued lightsaber blade. Chessk attempted to get a look at his savior’s face, but the hood on Jedi’s tunic had covered it. “Mandalorians. Scum of the galaxy. Your lives will end here!” the Jedi said with a scowl.

Khal chuckled. “Scum of the galaxy, eh. While the insult isn’t particularly new, it’s strange to hear such venom come from a Jedi. Are you certain your masters would appreciate you talking like that?”

“Shut up!” shouted the Jedi as he charged at the Mandalorian squad in front of him. The two neo-crusaders that had battle rifles tried to shoot at him, but the Jedi simply swatted the bolts aside like it was nothing. He eventually closed the gap and quickly cut down the two Mandalorians, leaving him and Khal at a standoff.

This was it! A moment that Chessk cannot afford to lose. Taking a med-kit from his utility belt, he immediately applied it to the wound on his right shoulder. Though he still couldn’t move his shoulder properly, the pain had all but subsided.

Leaping out of cover, he immediately charged at the Mandalorian, ready to assist the Jedi at any moment’s notice. Shortly after he made his presence known, however, the Jedi had raised his free hand to stop the Trandoshan in his place. This gesture confused Chessk at first, but the moment he saw the Jedi’s hand raised, he soon found himself unable to move his body.

“Don’t even think about interrupting my fight, lizard. Fall back and leave this Mandalorian to me,” ordered the Jedi.

Chessk stared at the Jedi in disbelief as he struggled but failed to regain control of his body. By the Scorekeeper, what kind of power did this man use on him? Aside from his eyes, he’s completely paralyzed from head to toe!

Sensing the defiance in Chessk’s eyes, the Jedi let loose a Force Push that sent the Trandoshan flying backward into a large tree, causing the former hunter to roar out in pain and lose his grip on the remaining weapon he had. To make matters worse, the impact had only worsened the damage on Chessk’s right shoulder. Oh boy, he’s definitely going to need a lot more Kolto at this rate. If he’s lucky, a quick bath in the healing liquid would prevent him from having any kind of surgery.

Khal stared at the Jedi with some hint of curiosity. “If you were to have teamed up with that Trandoshan, the both of you would’ve taken me down. And yet you tossed him aside. Why? Are you so confident in your abilities that you can take me out on your own, Jedi?”

The Jedi scoffed. “The name is Luka Emira, Mandalorian, and I don’t need some overgrown lizard to help me in a fight. Especially against a barbarian such as yourself!” he said.

Wait, Luka Emira? The man who started yelling insults at Lyra back on the Sunrider yesterday? Chessk cursed himself for being rescued by someone who showed so much disrespect against his savior and her master. However, he kept his thoughts to himself as Khal scoffed at the Jedi’s overconfidence.

“Oh, please. You are no Jedi. The Jedi of old would not accept an emotional brat such as yourself!” Khal rebuked as he resumed his fighting stance. His insult seemed to have irked Luka as he immediately struck the Mandalorian in retaliation.

Chessk winced in pain as he observed the fight from a distance. He still did not understand why the Jedi did this to him nor does he understand why the man was so willing to fight on his own. Regardless, he was in no condition to fight. His shoulder injury was just too much to bear. With no other choice, he fled the area to rendezvous with the rest of the allied forces.

Chapter 49

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Deep in the outskirts of the Bug Bear mountains, the reserve forces of the Republic military made their march across the mountain terrain. With the injured taken care of and the timely arrival of allied reinforcements, a handful of Jedi and high-ranking Naval officials decided that it was time to reinforce the main unit. However, trekking through this type of terrain proved difficult for the newly arrived Republic forces. Even with the assistance of the Jedi and a handful of men that arrived earlier with Master Kavar, many were not accustomed to the rocky, high-altitude area. Yet that wasn’t the only thing that worried the new arrivals.

As they trekked deeper into the mountain, many began to hear loud buzzing noises coming from the sky. When they looked up, they saw the bugbears. Swarms of them. Increasing in number the longer they tread down the mountain. Some of the more inexperienced Republic soldiers grew fearful of the creatures and wanted to shoot them down with their rifles. Even a few Jedi among their rank, particularly a handful of young Knights and Padawans, considered the creatures to be a threat. Before anyone could do anything, however, a pair of Jedi grabbed the army’s attention.

These Jedi Knight Knogg Shad and Padawan Lyra Heartstrings.

The latter warned the soldiers not to fire at the creatures, explaining that the fighting had forced the bugbears to flee their home in fear. For that reason, nobody should be provoking or attacking said creatures at all with the exception of self-defense as doing so would be a distraction, which is something they couldn’t afford. Thankfully, the Jedi Knight’s words reached the ears of the allied forces. The superiors of said army barked orders at their subordinates, telling them to leave the bugbears alone and continue with their march, which made Lyra very happy. At the very least, they owe it to these creatures to drive the Mandalorians out of their home and avoid situations that led to more orphaned cubs.

But as the army continued with their march, Lyra suddenly felt uneasy. At first, she believed it may be related to her trek along the rocky mountain terrain as walking up and down these elevated slopes can make anyone sick, but she had her doubts about that.

This was no normal headache. Rather, it felt as if someone had smacked her on the head with a large tree branch.

Jedi Knight Knogg Shad, who was walking alongside her, quickly noticed her condition. “Are you alright, Padawan?” he asked as he knelt down and checked on the mare.

“No, master. I don’t feel well,” Lyra said with a shake of her head. Granted, she could still walk, but the pain made it difficult to stay upright. “I’m not sure why but I somehow got this aching headache.”

“I see. Then I assume that this isn’t some normal headache you are experiencing?”

“I don’t think so, Master. When I look at some of the other Jedi here, they are perfectly fine. Some of the soldiers look a bit queasy but their conditions are understandable given our location. But me? I’m can’t say for certain, but this headache feels unnatural.”

The Jedi Rodian sighed. “Padawan, what are probably experiencing is a large influx of raw emotion. Something that is very common in scenarios such as these.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the mountain we are standing on, Padawan. This place has become a battlefield between two intergalactic armies,” Knogg explained as he pointed in the direction of their Republic allies. “You see those soldiers there? Aside from mountain sickness, most of them are delving headfirst into battle against the Mandalorians. They may not show it, but a lot of raw emotion is swelling inside them right now.”

“How so?”

“Simple, Padawan. It’s their fear. The fear of the unknown. Much like the bugbears you see in the sky, these soldiers have no idea what’s going to happen to them. Some will survive. Others will not. And this uneasiness—this fear—leads into a swell of emotions that we Jedi can sense.”

“So, that is what’s causing my headache,” muttered Lyra. “But why am I feeling this now? My sense abilities have never given me this much pain before.”

“Have you ever been this close to a warzone before?” the Jedi asked, to which Lyra shook her head. “Padawan, you must understand that when it comes to war, everyone experiences these emotions. To the bravest of soldiers, to the wisest of Jedi, and even to the bloodthirsty Mandalorians that we’re facing now.”

“So what should I do?”

“Remember the first line of the Jedi code, Padawan. You must clear yourself of these emotions and focus on the task ahead. Your knowledge of the healing arts will be needed once we meet up with the main forces and believe me when I say you’d be doing them a great disservice if you cannot maintain your composure.”

Lyra nodded her head just as she and Knight Shad overheard a Republic Official barking orders at the reserved forces. “We have rendezvoused with the main forces! To any soldier or Jedi who can fight, Master Kavar is requesting your assistance! To our medics and Jedi Healers, please follow me! There are many wounded and several of them have been poisoned by the flying beasts above us!”

“I guess that’s our cue. Come, Padawan. Let us tend to the injured.”

“Yes, master,” replied Lyra as she obediently followed the Jedi Knight.

With their arrival at the main camp, the reserve forces began to move. From a distance, Lyra could spot Master Kavar working with a pair of Republic Officers. Though he was difficult to see amongst the crowd, she did notice that the Jedi Master’s robes were torn and battered down, which shocked the young mare.

She had just seen this man a moment ago, yet now he looked as if he had been trekking through these mountains for days. Does war do this to people?

Immediately, she shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about something so miniscule. There were people who needed her help.

Recalling the words of Master Shad and the Jedi Code, Lyra hurried over to the hospice area of the main camp where all the wounded were being tended to by field medics. To say that there were many was an understatement. Dozens of injured soldiers and Jedi lined up together in rows of leather bed rolls. All moaning in pain.

She approached a field medic and asked what happened. It was explained to her that the Republic looked as if they were about to win, but everything fell apart when enemy reinforcements arrived. Amidst the battle, a Jedi fell at the hands of an ambitious Mandalorian leading the reinforcements, turning the tide of the fight, and forcing the army to fall back.

Lyra immediately knew that the Mandalorian the medic was referring to was Khal. And while it wasn’t a surprise that the man had defeated a Jedi, what did surprise her was that his victory rallied the neo-crusaders. How was the death of one Jedi enough to rally the enemy?

A question for later. Right now, there were other things she had to prioritize.

Before tending to the wounded, the field medic informed Lyra that many of the injured laying here were not harmed by blaster bolts or swords, but rather poisoned. When Lyra asked the medic on how poison played a role in this, he mentioned that the creatures from the sky prevented both sides from taking an early offensive. Many retaliated at the presence of these bugbears, believing that their weaponry would scare them off, but the creatures kept coming.

Eventually, the Republic regained control, but not before a platoon of their troops were injured by bugbear stingers. What’s more, the creature’s stingers contained a poison that they were unprepared for. If it weren’t for the aid of the Jedi and a Trandoshan of all people, they would’ve been in a much worse situation.

Lyra’s eyes widened. Oh, Force! She had completely forgotten about Chessk! Immediately, she demanded the field medic to tell her where her friend was; and after some clarification, the medic told her that he hadn’t seen him for some time. Last time he saw him was during the battle when he was giving out antidote kits to all the field medics. The mare nodded and thanked the soldier for telling her this.

As the field medic left, Lyra let out a breath she had realized she was holding in. The news about Chessk had left her tense. She hadn’t seen him in a while, not since he left her behind to join Master Kavar in the front line. Was he okay? Probably given his fighting prowess, but she can’t seem to get her worries out of her mind.

No, focus! Now was not the time to be worrying over a friend who is more than capable of taking care of himself. Reciting the first line of the Jedi code in her head, Lyra shifted her attention to the injured laying on the ground. At the very least, her work will keep her mind preoccupied.

Working alongside the field medics, Lyra quickly tended to the wounded. Her skill in the healing arts wasn’t as powerful as Master Shad; but with the aid of the Force and the field medics that worked alongside her, she did her duty well. She couldn’t help everyone though. Those that had major injuries and were poisoned by bugbears were not within her capabilities. As such, she had to leave some injured in more capable hands.

Time would pass. To Lyra, her work made it feel like she’d been out here for hours on end when in reality only a quarter of an hour had passed since she arrived at the main camp. Eventually, her work would be interrupted by a Republic soldier shouting at the top of his lungs. His message made the mare’s eyes open wide. The Navy is winning their fight out in orbit.

Cheers erupted within the camp. The celebration was so large that even the wounded couldn’t help but raise their fists up and cheer; however, their carelessness and lack of awareness of their injuries left them scolded by many of the field medics and Jedi Healers, including Lyra.

As the area began to settle down, the soldier who had barged into the medical hospice began to elaborate on what’s happening out in space. He explained that the reason why the Navy was winning is because of Nightmare Moon. The dark princess had been playing as a third party throughout the entire battle, taking out starships belonging to both Republic and Mandalorian forces. She eventually destroyed two Mandalorian flagships that matched the size of a Republic Praetorian class frigate, which in turn, shifted the fight into their favor.

Several gasps and whispers were heard among the soldiers in camp. Some worried that Nightmare Moon would target the Republic frigates next while others wondered how a single being was able to destroy a flagship the size of a city. Some even began to look and question Lyra for answers, to which the mare simply claimed that she didn’t know anything about. Her answer didn’t stop the questions from pouring out though. Eventually, the sheer bluntness of raw emotion became too much for her to bear and forced Lyra to storm out of the campsite before any Jedi Master could step in and calm everyone down.

On the outskirts of the camp, Lyra attempted to recompose herself by citing the Jedi Code. It worked, to an extent, but she couldn’t find the strength in herself to go back. Despite being outside the camp’s premise, she could still sense the raw emotions emanating from it.

Word of Nightmare Moon’s actions had only spread. Being the only pony here, it’d only make sense that many, both soldier and Jedi alike, would come to her for questions to settle their curiosity. Biting her lip in frustration, Lyra slumped to the ground as she waited for the entire camp to settle down.

“Little Jedi? Little Jedi, is that you?”

Lyra’s eyes widened as she heard a familiar raspy voice. She spun around and saw her companion, Chessk Fess, approaching her. “Little Jedi, what are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be in camp helping out the field medics?” he asked.

Before she could reply, Lyra noticed that her companion looked different than the last time she saw him. His previously polished body armor was torn apart and covered in black soot. Given its current state, she could assume that he’d been shot. Multiple times as a matter of fact.

“It’s not wise to be out here by yourself, little Jedi. If you were to be attacked by a swarm of bugbears or a squadron of Mandalorian troops, you’d be rendered helpless,” Chessk warned. But as he approached the mare, he immediately fell to his knees.

Panicked, Lyra quickly galloped over to her weary companion and asked him to quietly lay down on his back so that she could check on his injuries, to which Chessk obliged. But as he laid down, the mare quickly spotted something odd in the condition of her friend’s armor. The black soot she saw earlier had covered several slash marks that were found on the armor piece. The cuts weren’t deep, but it did tell Lyra that her friend must’ve gotten into a sword fight.

That wasn’t all. Upon further examination, she noticed that Chessk was being somewhat careful with his right shoulder. Believing it to be an injury of some sort, Lyra gently touched it to see what was wrong. Her curiosity, however, caused the Trandoshan to howl in pain.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” Lyra wailed as she attempted to settle her companion down with the Force.

“It’s… alright, little one. I’m fine,” Chessk replied. He let out a sigh as the pain eventually withered down. “I know you are trying to help, but please, don’t do that again.”

“What happened to you, Chessk?”

“I got into a sword fight with the Mandalorian sub-commander, Khal Dryll,” Chessk explained, much to Lyra’s shock. He then went on to explain what happened while he was fighting in the front lines and how his fight against the Jedi crazed sub-commander turned out. “I had the advantage, but two of his subordinates saved him in the nick of time. He was angry with them, but I don’t think he realized that if we continued our due, I could’ve won eventually.”

“Wait. You were winning against him? How?”

“Two factors played a part, little one. In terms of experience, I say that I had the most significant advantage. The man may be a good fighter and seemed more familiar with the battlefield more than me, but he’s nowhere near my level of expertise. Fighting may have been drilled into his head, but I’ve fought beasts that are on par or stronger than many battle-hardened soldiers,” Chessk explained. “The second reason is our fighting styles. They’re very similar.”

“Can you explain?”

“Khal is a defensive fighter. When we fought, I noticed that he did not make any offensive push and instead relied on my own offense to make a move. In my opinion, he likely developed this style in order to counter whatever Jedi he ran into. And given his desire to fight Jedi, I can assume my opinion may be fact.”

“Then how were you able to best him? And more importantly, if you could’ve beaten him, why are you so injured?”

“I never said that I was victorious, little one. I said that I could’ve beaten him. For all of his bravado, he had no counter against someone who shared a similar fighting technique. Our encounter could’ve been a disaster for him; but sadly, I never got the chance to make the finishing blow.”

“You said his allies came in to save him. Is that why your armor is covered in all this black soot?” Lyra asked, to which Chessk answered with a nod of his head.

“The bastards shot me in the shoulder multiple times, which left me in a helpless state,” he replied, with Lyra wincing at the curse word he spouted. “A previous encounter rendered my battle rifle dysfunctional, so I had to fight with my vibroswords to take care of Khal. But because the enemy reinforcements were equipped with rifles of their own, I had the disadvantage. I might’ve perished as well, but two things went in my favor and allowed me to escape.”

Lyra winced again after hearing her friend’s blunt response. For him to narrowly escape death and then casually talk about said near death experience was haunting to say the least.

“Khal didn’t appreciate his allies coming to rescue him,” Chess continued. “Though he was losing, he wanted to fight me one on one with no interference from anyone else. Sounds foolish to me, but I suppose his Mandalorian pride made him forget about common gratitude.”

“That doesn’t sound surprising Chessk, but what was the other factor that led you to escape?”

Chessk scowled as a small hint of anger slowly emerged from his Force signature. “A Jedi appeared, little one. He came out of nowhere and challenged Khal to a duel after eliminating the enemy reinforcements.”

“A Jedi saved you!” shouted Lyra in surprise. Though she was grateful to her brother in the Force, the scowl on her friend’s face tempered her excitement. “You seem angry, Chessk? Why is that?”

“Because I could’ve helped him, little one! I could’ve helped him rein in Khal and end the fight right there. But the Jedi didn’t want any help whatsoever! Even though I tended to my injured shoulder with all the med-kits I had.”

“Wait, the Jedi who saved you thought he was better off without your help? Why?”

“He showed confidence, little one. Confident that his power alone would be enough to best the Mandalorian. But to be honest, little one, his confidence seemed… unbefitting for a Jedi.” Chessk said as the scowl on his face grew. “While I can understand the man’s prideful and stoic nature, but he didn’t have to reinjure my right shoulder.”

“He did what?” shouted Lyra in disbelief.

“I am speaking the truth, little one. And please, do not shout. Doing so doesn’t make my injuries any better.”

“S-sorry! Anyways, you said that this Jedi is responsible for your injury?” Lyra asked as her uneasiness grew.

“Indeed, he is. When I tried to reason with him, he used his powers on me to thrust me onto a nearby tree and dislocated my shoulder once more,” Chessk described. “With no med-kits and my weapons lost, I had no choice but to flee from the area. Thank the Scorekeeper I didn’t run into any enemy forces on my way back to camp. If I did, I would’ve been done for.”

Lyra bit her lip. “About this Jedi, Chessk. Did he say his name?” she asked, albeit hesitantly. A part of her didn’t want to know the answer as she had a gut feeling who this mysterious Jedi might be. But for all she knew, this Jedi could be in danger.

“Yes, little one. He revealed himself shortly after he took down the Mandalorian reinforcements,” Chessk answered. “He revealed himself to Khal as Luka Emira.”

Immediately, Lyra’s face went pale. She recalled the short encounter she had with her clanmate moments before and how he was all too eager to get into action. A bit too eager to be frank. The man had literally jumped off a Republic transport ship in order to fight the Mandalorians, only to find himself disappointed and angry—at her specifically—that the enemy was driven off.

There’s no way Luka can take down someone like Khal on his own. And if he’s still as angry as before, then his chance of victory is even slimmer! Lyra thought to herself. I… I have to find him quickly. Search through this Force forsaken moutain if I have too!

“Little one, what are you thinking just now?” asked Chessk. His question, however, was ignored as Lyra began to stare at the forest in front of her. Realizing that something was amiss, he immediately grabbed the mare’s tail, causing the Padawan to shriek.

“Yikes! Chessk, what the heck was that for!”

“In order to get your attention!” Chessk spat with a stern look on his face. “I can tell by the look in your eyes, little one. Your concern for that Luka person is showing. May I ask why? If I recall, your history with him isn’t exactly good and he didn’t particularly treat you well on the Sunrider, yesterday.”

Lyra frowned. “I admit, my history with Luka isn’t all that great. As Initiates, we got into a bit of a scuffle every now and then. But as a Jedi, I can’t just leave him out there. Sure, he may be able to handle himself just fine, but I got this aching feeling that he might be in trouble.”

“You don’t believe his skills would be enough to best the enemy sub-commander?”

Lyra shook her head. “Maybe. Maybe not. But it wouldn’t be right for me to leave him out there fighting an enemy in a world that’s unfamiliar to him. We do not get along, but as his fellow Jedi, I must see to it that he is okay.”

“Then I will not stop you,” Chessk replied as he slowly got up from his position. Lyra cried out that he shouldn’t be moving with such a grievous shoulder injury, but he ignored her warnings and instead pointed his non-injured arm in the direction of where he came from. “Head north, little one, and you should eventually run into Khal and Luka. Be quick about it and try not to get distracted by the battlefield either. If your intention is to save your clanmate, then your focus should be on him and him alone. Do not engage with any enemies or bugbears unless they attack you first.”

“Got it. Thank you, Chessk.”

“And don’t forget what I told you about Khal’s fighting technique! Use that knowledge to your advantage and end his campaign against your people.”

Lyra waved one last goodbye as she watched her friend walk slowly into the allied main camp. Once he was out of sight, she immediately dashed into the direction where he pointed to. Using the Force, she tried to pinpoint the location of her former clanmate, but to no avail. Her ability to sense others proved difficult as she drew closer to the battlefield.

So much raw emotion. It’s a wonder how the Jedi Masters kept their heads together in such difficult situations such as this. Have Jordan and the other Jedi who left the Order have experienced this sensation too?

The mare had no time to think as an explosion set off not too far from away from where she ran. This was getting dangerous. She needed to find Luka and get out of here fast!

As she continued to run, Lyra suddenly felt a painful sensation through the Force. Goodness, it’s as if her head had been pierced through a broken shard of glass. Taking a moment to center herself, she sat down and began to breathe inward in an attempt to relieve herself of pain. But as she settled down, she spotted two figures out in the distance.

Despite Princess Celestia’s light shining above her, she couldn’t tell who these people were. All she could see is that one was standing and the other was laid flat on his back.

Needing answers, Lyra galloped toward the direction of the two silhouettes. But as she drew closer, she heard dreary moans of pain from one of the two individuals. Oh, Force. That did not sound good.

When she finally reached her destination, the two individuals looked directly at her. The mare gasped and skidded to a halt as she came in contact with them both. One of the individuals was a bleeding and beaten Jedi while the other stood tall with a double-bladed vibro-sword on his hand and his armored right foot firmly pressing down on the other’s neck.

Chapter 50

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Cold sweat fell on Lyra’s face as she stared wide eyed at the situation in front of her. She wouldn’t dare to act lest a Jedi die at the hands of this Mandalorian. But that itself was just an excuse. In truth, she was afraid. Afraid that someone she once knew her whole life would die in front of her. While it’s true that she and Luka are not on the best of terms, she bore no grudges against the man as it was against the Jedi way to bear ill will toward others.

Regardless, seeing the once prideful, yet determined, Jedi beaten up to a bloodied pulp made Lyra freeze. The Force itself became stiff as a swell of raw emotions began to overtake the young Jedi. Feelings of fear, sorrow, pain, and… satisfaction?

“Ah, Lyra Heartstrings. Once more, we meet again on the battlefield,” said Khal Dryll who seemed very delighted that the mare had finally arrived. “Your timing is impeccable. While this Jedi put up a decent fight, he fell pretty quickly.”

The Mandalorian leaned forward as he applied more pressure onto Luka’s neck, causing the latter to scream and cough up blood. “It’s disappointing really. For all that bravado and self-righteousness he spat during our duel, he didn’t last as long as you did during our fight in Coruscant. One good punch to the face was all it took to daze this man.”

Why was she not surprised? Of course Luka of all people would allow his emotions to get the better of him. As skilled as he was with a lightsaber, the moment something didn’t go his way, he’d abandoned all sense of technique and relied on reckless brute force.

He got what he deserved. After all, Luka was the reason why Chessk was so hurt. If he had only worked with Chessk instead of blindly rushing in. And for what? To prove that he was the better Jedi. Imbecile. He got what he deserved! He got what was coming to him….!

Lyra gasped. No, what was she thinking? A true Jedi wouldn’t be glad that their rival would be in this condition. Though she detested Luka’s boastful attitude, there were times in their Initiate days where they have gotten along just fine.

She didn’t want to see him like this, all bloodied, beaten, and full of despair. Their history may be turbulent, but there was one thing that drew these two together since their days as initiates. The destruction of all manner of injustice throughout the galaxy.

The fear that Lyra had felt had suddenly grown in power. Her fears of Khal or the possibility of Luka’s life ending had all but evaporated from her. In its place was the feeling of anger. Of rage. And with all that power in her hooves, she called upon the Force to unleash a powerful telekinetic push that sent the Mandalorian screaming as he flew right into a large rotting tree.

When one is hit by a Force Push, it’s as if they were being struck by an invisible punch. Because of this, rumors spread throughout the galaxy as some believed that a soldier trained in heavy armor could mitigate the blow. All of it was nonsense of course. No matter how well-crafted one’s armor is, it stood little chance against a true practitioner of the Force.

Lyra was very fortunate though. The only reason why she was able to pull off such a feat was because of her rage. Rage has the ability to strengthen one’s connection to the Force, albeit temporarily. Granted, it wasn’t the way of the Jedi to succumb to rage as it violated the Jedi Code. No doubt that Master Darran would’ve berated her for making such a reckless move.

On the receiving end of that Force Push, Khal winced in pain as he struggled to get back up on his feet. He was fortunate. The large tree had saved him from being flung deeper into the mountain range. He didn’t come away unscathed though. The plating on his armor had softened the blow but being flung back first into a large tree at high speeds still hurt.

Lyra frowned as she watched her enemy struggle to recover. She had put everything she had into that Force Push, and yet Khal was still able to get up? How absurd. If she wanted to end things now, then she would simply have to finish this fight with her lightsaber.

Wasting little time, the mare leapt straight at her opponent, using the raw power of the Force to enhance the power and speed of her jump. However, the way she used her power was unnatural in the eyes of a true Jedi.

As the mare landed mere inches away from where her enemy stood, her rage slowly intensified as she swung her lightsaber directly at Khal’s waist. A panicked Mandalorian swiftly blocked the incoming strike and redirected the blade right toward the same tree that he crashed into mere moments ago. Seeing his chance, he swiftly backed away from an angry Lyra that seemed upset that she couldn’t finish him.

“That… was impressive, Jedi. Clearly you are more determined than ever to fight me,” said Khal as he took a moment to catch his breath. Lyra, however, cared little for his comments. Immediately, she went back on the offensive and attacked her enemy with flickering strikes and stabs swifter than the tongue of a garollian ghost viper.

Alone, she wouldn’t be able to perform a feat such as this. But with the power of her rage at her disposal, it’s as if she could fight for hours on end.

This feeling wouldn’t last long though as Khal would eventually keep up with her offense. Lyra was fast, but her reliance on her newfound power made her predictable in some way. Gone were the precise strikes and elaborate acrobatic maneuvers she practiced for years on end. It was all discarded and replaced by something akin to a rampaging kath hound.

Fearsome indeed, but predictable as Khal proceeded to kick the pony right in the face. Lyra shrieked as she flew headfirst into the rocky terrain. Such power. It’s as if someone had thrown a dumbbell at her face.

“Good. Good!” said Khal rather enthusiastically as he regained his posture. Though their skirmish had only been a short couple of minutes, dodging and blocking so many strikes all at once was exhausting even for a trained soldier like him. “That was invigorating! Never in my life, not even during my training sessions with my uncle, have I experienced such vigor! Oh, I was right to call you a worthy opponent!”

Lyra grunted in frustration as she wiped the blood away from her nose. She was about to attack her enemy again but noticed something was off. Khal’s kick had done more than just damage to her face. The rage she built up during their brief confrontation was all gone. It’s as if her body was a lake and the sheer rage that she felt earlier was like a burning sun that dried up all the water within it

Without that power, Lyra was nothing more than a normal pony. And she hated it. She hated the fact that she allowed her anger to dictate her actions. It wasn’t the Jedi way to act based on emotions, yet she did it anyway because of Luka’s condition.

No, that wasn’t the only reason. Seeing Luka’s injuries was enough to anger the mare, but something else welling inside her heart caused her to act so ballistic. Of course. She remembered now. It was all bottled-up inside her this whole time, from Dantooine to Coruscant. But she never really noticed it until now. As a Jedi, one mustn’t allow their emotions to dictate their actions and Lyra did a good job of being the upstanding Jedi her masters desired her to be.

At least, until now.

Lyra let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. By the Force, was she always this tired? Perhaps it was a combination of fatigue and all the pent-up frustration she’d built up had finally gotten the better of her. With all her energy spent and her companions fighting their own battles at the moment, there isn’t much she could do. She was alone.

Wait, what?

What was she saying? Of course she wasn’t alone! No matter what mistakes she made or how far away her friends are, there was one thing she could always rely on.

The Force. And a powerful ally it was.

Centering herself, Lyra breathed through her bloody nostrils, allowing the soothing waters of the Light to flow through her body. Her eyes widened in shock. Did the Force always feel this… good? Sweet Celestia it’s as if she were bathing in a streaming warm river.

“You’ve been standing there doing nothing for quite some time, Jedi. Are you contemplating a strategy of some sort or are you buying time for reinforcements?” Khal said out loud that he broke Lyra’s concentration. “If you are trying to find a way out of our duel now, then I would consider this fight pointless!”

“I’m not trying to do anything, Khal,” replied Lyra who was rather annoyed that he interrupted her meditation. She couldn’t blame him though. From a certain point of view, it really did appear she was stalling for time.

Twirling her lightsaber in a Makashi like flourish, she readied herself for another confrontation between Khal. “Prepare yourself,” she said, calmly. Khal’s lips twitched into a devilish smile as Lyra jumped straight at him with her weapon held high. Twisting his double-bladed vibrosword, he blocked the Jedi’s falling leaf strike and allowed the mare to make landfall shortly afterward.

The two were mere inches away from each other, ready to act whenever the other made a move. Lyra was the first to act. She leapt in and proceeded to bombard her opponent with a quick saber swarm. Khal, grinning mischievously, blocked her attacks with relative ease. Though Lyra’s offensive barrage was much more precise than their previous encounter, it was nothing that the neo-crusader had seen before.

During his studies of the Jedi and their ways, he understood that the Force can grant an individual strength and speed to that of a superhuman. But what was the point in having such amazing feats when you are so predictable? The Jedi that Khal had faced so far were predictable in their offense. It’s the sole reason why he was so successful in winning all of his encounters with them. Lyra was no exception.

As the mare swung her lightsaber at Khal’s torso, he swatted away the incoming strike and countered with his weapon. He expected the mare to block his attack like before in their duel on Coruscant, but to his shock, she stepped back and dodged his blade. A surprise to be sure; however, he didn’t think much of it as he immediately continued with his counterattack.

But once again, the Jedi dodged the incoming strike instead of blocking it. This left him in a vulnerable position as he realized that, due to his attack missing, his overextended arms were prone to a counterattack. Seeing this, he reeled his body back and blocked an incoming counter.

The mare frowned at her missed opportunity, but she remained headstrong as Khal attacked her once more. Lyra dodged the incoming blow and countered with a strike at her opponent’s torso; but once again, Khal blocked her attack.

Despite the back and forth between her and Khal, a sense of confidence began to ignite within the mare. No longer was she distracted by blind rage. Instead, her mind was clear, and the Force naturally flowed through her body like a gentle river. Though she lost some degree of power and speed within her attacks, the return of her precise bladework more than made up for it.

She also recalled the lessons that her master had given her back on Coruscant as well as Chessk’s warnings about Khal’s fighting technique. Given her small size and stature, her master had warned her not to take on opponents who were physically stronger than her head on. Instead, he instructed her to instead rely on her small body to evade and counter incoming attacks.

It’s an exhaustive practice, yes, but it was a technique that best suited her in this fight. And with Chessk’s warning regarding her opponent’s fighting technique, her knowledge and training would prove to be beneficial as she countered yet another overextension from Khal. The neo-crusader blocked the incoming attack and struck at Lyra’s hind legs, hoping to throw the mare off balance. Showing grace, the mare dodged the attack and, to her opponent’s confusion, spun around in mid-air.

Not deterred by the Jedi’s sudden show of elegance, Khal immediately swung the other half of his sword. Unbeknownst to him, this was the opportunity that his opponent had been waiting for. Using the momentum of her spin, Lyra gracefully swatted the incoming blade away, causing her dumbfounded opponent to stumble backward.

At last, an opening!

Upon making landfall, Lyra swiftly leapt at her opponent and attacked him with a lunging thrust attack. Khal, who was still trying to recover from the odd counter, tried to put up a decent defense. But it was too late. The tip of the green-hued lightsaber blade had pierced through his beskar iron armor.

Lyra suddenly felt a rush of adrenaline. Seeing the tip of her blade pierce through her opponent’s armor made her believe that she was close to achieving victory. Buther brief moment of excitement quickly wore down as she watched Khal bat her lightsaber away before the blade could do any further damage.

Disappointed, but not undeterred, Lyra continued with her assault. Tucking the hilt of her lightsaber, she prepared for yet another lunging assault. Khal anticipated this and braced himself. If the mare were to lunge at him again, he would swat the lightsaber away with one side of this double-bladed weapon and then counter with the other half.

His plan was foolproof; however, he didn’t expect the Jedi’s assault to be a feint as Lyra suddenly abandoned her lunging attack. With a twist of her body, the mare retracted her lightsaber, bent down, and pulled off a Force Jump that sent her somersaulting in mid-air.

Seeing this, Khal Dryll raised his double-bladed sword to defend against the attack, believing his strength alone would be enough to block and counter the incoming blow. But as the two blades clashed, the Mandalorian grit his teeth as he suddenly felt a heavy burden on his shoulders. It’s almost as if someone had dropped a large boulder on top of him

Lyra didn’t fare that much better. The sheer amount of power she dealt with her strike was something she had difficulties controlling in the past. The su ma rotations of Form IV allows practitioners to use elaborate spins, twirls, and somersaults in their attack patterns, which in turns adds power to their strikes. Lyra wasn’t used to this as she relied more on precision and agility to get the job done. If she weren’t allied to the Force, she would’ve faulted and lost balance as soon as her and Khal’s blades connected. At the very least, her latest attack had taken her opponent off guard.

Well, off guard would be a bit of an understatement. Her attack was so powerful that it caused the left side of Khal’s double-bladed sword to ricochet into the muddy mountain dirt. Realizing her opportunity, Lyra somersaulted into the air and landed right behind her opponent. She spun around and swung directly at her opponent’s back, intending to incapacitate the man.

Seeing this, Khal let loose a terrifying roar as he desperately tried to yank his weapon out of the mud. His persistence eventually paid off, but it was too late. Just as he finally got his weapon free, the neo-crusader howled in pain. A lightsaber blade had just cut through his armor and pierced his backside.

Panicked, Khal desperately tried to gain some distance away from the Jedi. He was successful in his endeavor, but not before Lyra pierced his left leg with the tip of her lightsaber blade. While the blade did not pierce through the armor, a mistake on Lyra’s part, it did graze it enough to send the neo-crusader tumbling backward.

Lyra’s eyes widened as she saw her golden opportunity. Her opponent was down. She can go in and finish him off right there and now! Yet despite her clear advantage, she stopped in her place and gave Khal a brief moment of respite. A foolish move on her part perhaps, but given her history with this man, she didn’t want to take any chances.

“Ugh, damn it!” Khal cursed out loud as he slowly stood back up. The double-bladed weapon he had was used as a means to assist him. “Very impressive, Jedi. Your skills have improved tremendously since our encounter back on Coruscant. And in such a short time as well!”

A confused Lyra blinked at the unexpected compliment “Yeah, well… I couldn’t have done it alone. The people around me helped me as best as they could. Without them, I wouldn’t have learned from our previous encounter,” she exclaimed.

“Of course! That Jedi Master of yours must’ve trained you rigorously after our duel. And I can only assume that your Trandoshan pet gave you advice before our encounter,” Khal said as a wide grin suddenly grew on his face. “It’s a remarkable thing, really. Having such close companions. It’s a gift that many do not appreciate.”

Lyra raised a brow. “What do you know about having friends, Khal?”

“It’s a gift that we share, little one. While you have your master and that strange crew of yours to keep you company, I have my uncle. He is the one that trained me from youth. To become the soldier that I am today. Granted, he didn’t take my appreciation of the Jedi well, but he respected my choice as it meant that I would become as great a man as he is.”

A surprised Lyra went stiff as she slowly took in Khal’s speech. The realization of the bond that he shared with his uncle seemed strong. Almost akin to that of a bond shared between a Jedi Master and his student. And it made Lyra smile. The modesty and affection Khal shared with his uncle was respectable in a way.

But regardless of any personal feelings she might have, justice still had to be served. This man and his people had plans on invading her home world. It’s her responsibility to see her duty fulfilled till the end. Assuming an Ataru opening stance, Lyra took a deep breath and allowed Force to flow through and rejuvenate her body.

Seeing this, Khal assumed his own fighting stance, bracing himself for whatever trick his opponent had up their sleeve. If he were to fall here, then at the very least, he would die a warrior’s death fighting the very thing he always wanted to fight.

He grinned.

“Stop it!”

A loud scream caused both Lyra and Khal to fumble out of their prospective stances.

“Who dares interrupted our honorable duel?” shouted a now angry neo-crusader. Despite the fact that he was on his last toes, the man really didn’t appreciate someone interrupting his fight. “Show yourself, now! Or else you’ll face the wrath of a son of Dryll!”

Lyra too also wondered who in the right mind would interrupt her fight. She had everything in her control this time, so the last thing she needed was for anyone—whether it be ally or foe—to disrupt her duel. As she scoured the area for any clues, she eventually spotted a lone bloodied man standing several feet away from her. The sight of this man made her gasp.

“Luka?”

Standing some distance away from where the duelists stood was a bloody, ragged Luka Emira. The Jedi, who didn’t even look like one in the first place due to his torn robes, hobbled his way toward the duelists like a kath hound stalking his prey.

“Stop it… right there!” he shouted once more. Though the Jedi feigned confidence, his raspy voice made it apparent to both Lyra and Khal that the man was in no condition to fight, let alone stand. “That man… that Mandalorian, is my enemy. Not yours. So stand aside… Lyra and let me finish that scum for myself!”

“Luka no! You are in no condition to fight!” pleaded Lyra as she abandoned her Ataru stance and leapt toward her former clansmate. “If you move around like that, you’ll continue to lose more blood! Please, stay back and let me handle Khal.”

But Luka didn’t care for Lyra’s pleas as he shoved the mare aside and immediately activated his lightsaber. “This fight is mine and mine alone! I won’t let you take it away from me!” he shouted.

Khal shook his head as he witnessed the wounded Luka struggle to maintain his footing. “You shouldn’t be walking around with those injuries, Jedi. Regardless of your power, no man can ever hope to fight with those wounds. Do yourself a favor and listen to your companion and stay back. Once I win my duel, I will deal with you later.”

“Shut up, Mandalorian scum! I will not let a savage like yourself look down on me!” shouted Luka. His anger had very much reached its boiling point. Lyra tried to calm her former clanmate down, but her pleas did nothing as Luka suddenly burst forward with blinding speed, which caught both her and Khal off-guard.

It was confusing at first, seeing a badly injured man move so quickly. But soon it dawned on Lyra. It’s his rage. By the Force, Luka is using his rage as a means of his power.

A cold chill ran through Lyra’s spine as she felt the currents of the Force explode around her. She had experienced this sensation moments ago, but it was her that caused this unnatural flow instead. To be fair, her failure to notice this pain was her own fault as well. The rage that she had built up throughout her journey had finally leaked out after seeing Luka so badly injured.

“Die, scum!” cried out a rage induced Luka as he ran toward Khal with blinding speed. Lyra tried to call out to him again, but it was to no avail. An enraged Luka leapt into the air with a Force enhanced jump, ready to cut down his enemy with all of his might.

Khal scoffed at the Jedi’s pathetic show of strength. Assuming his fighting stance, he swung his damaged sword the moment Luka’s lightsaber blade got close. To the surprise of both Jedi, the neo-crusader was able to perfectly parry the blow and send Luka flying, despite the injuries he sustained during his bout with Lyra.

Padawan Luka cried out in pain as he fell to the rocky ground on his back. The hard impact caused the young man to not only lose his weapon, but he also coughed out some blood which made Lyra worry about any internal damage he might’ve suffered in his body.

Shaking his head, Khal walked up to the injured Padawan and gave him a cold unemotional stare. “While your tenacity is admirable, it does not change the fact that you should not be fighting with those injuries. Such recklessness would get you in trouble in the military. And I don’t think your Jedi Master would appreciate this either.”

Luka screamed in frustration, but he quickly shut up when Khal lowered his blade down to the Jedi’s neck. “Such a waste, really. You could’ve become something so much more, but instead, your recklessness and desire to prove yourself hold you back. While there is nothing wrong in seeking glory, that attitude of yours does not belong in the ranks of the Jedi Order. And you, Luka Emira, are no Jedi.”

Taking the hilt of his weapon, Khal maneuvered the blade just above Luka’s heart. “May you find peace in the Force,” he said. His intent to kill is clearly showing now. But before he could pierce Luka’s heart, he was interrupted by an ear-piercing scream.

Lyra, who had been watching from afar, shouted at Khal and demanded that he stay away from Luka. It was then followed up by a rage induced Force Push that sent the Mandalorian flying. Where he was, she didn’t know. The telekinetic blast she unleashed was so powerful that it sent him deeper into the forest and out of her sight.

Again, she had used the power of her emotions to drive Khal back. Not something that her master or the Jedi Order would approve of, but everything worked out in the end, right? Luka was safe for now. And with Khal taken out of the picture for now, she could at least tend to his wounds. But she had to act quickly. Even though the enemy wasn’t here anymore, she knew Khal would return.

Immediately, Lyra rushed over to the injured Jedi. Upon seeing him up close, she gasped. His tattered and bloodied robes were covering a large cut that went from his left shoulder to his abdomen. And though the cut wasn’t deep enough to pierce through his heart, the mare quickly noticed a large bruise on Luka’s right hand.

Was it broken? Probably. But the large cut on his torso was more of a priority.

After cursing herself for not seeing these wounds earlier, Lyra positioned her hooves just above Luka’s torso and reached out to the Force. Using the lessons provided by Masters’ Shad and Bokal So, she quickly applied Force energies to mend the injured Jedi.

Luka moaned in pain. “I… I don’t need your h-help,” he muttered. The wounds he endured made it difficult for him to speak.

An annoyed Lyra rolled her eyes, finding it ludicrous that Luka wouldn’t accept help even at death’s door. “Just shut up and let me heal you, idiot!” she said just as the bleeding on Luka’s wound began to stop.

The mare sighed in relief. A skilled Jedi Healer may have done a better job than her, but at the very least, she didn’t have to worry about any more blood loss. As long as Luka refrained from running, fighting, or acrobatics of any sort, he’d be fine. Then again, this is Luka she was referring to here. The man was stubborn to the core. Even if he was given orders to sit back and wait, he’d run off the moment he saw an opportunity.

Foolish, perhaps, but Luka was never the person to sit back and wait. Back on Dantooine, he and Jordan would take up their lightsabers whenever they saw acts of injustice or when someone on the planet was in danger. Of course, their actions were reckless in the eyes of the Jedi Masters, but their altruism is why both men took arms and left Dantooine to fight in the Mandalorian Wars.

“Are you feeling any better?” Lyra asked, hoping that Luka wouldn’t say anything demeaning. Thankfully, the man said nothing as his breathing steadied. “You stay here and wait for help. I’ll deal with Khal.”

Luka grit his teeth in frustration as he struggled to say anything, but Lyra had none of it. She ignored his incoherent rambling and instead focused her efforts on locating Khal. Unfortunately, locating her enemy proved to be more difficult than she realized. Despite Celesita’s light shining in the sky, it wasn’t enough for her to determine the location of her opponent.

Lyra cursed herself for her reckless use of the Force. Granted, such use would’ve been the right decision based on Luka’s need for medical attention; but given the current situation, she is at a disadvantage. Khal could be anywhere right now. And with his expertise in combat, tactics are probably his expertise. No matter what situation he’s in, he can probably think of something.

Igniting her lightsaber once more, Lyra waited patiently for her opponent to make a move. While her skill with blaster deflection isn’t the best, she could at least defend herself and Luka from any incoming blaster bolt should her opponent decide to use blasters. But as she scoured the area for any signs of Khal, something in the sky caught the Padawan’s eye. At first, it was difficult to make out what it was even with Celestia’s bright spell shining above her, but she could eventually make out a pair of wings.

A bugbear perhaps? No. The shape of… whatever was floating in the sky did not match the body and physicality of a bugbear. It was something else. Something strangely familiar. Eventually, she’d receive her answer as the unknown entity lowered its head and fired a large golden beam directly below its position.

The mountain began to shake violently. So much so that Lyra lost her balance and dropped to the ground. When she regained her composure, she could finally make out what was floating in the brightly lit sky.

Princess Celestia, matron of the Sun, had arrived on the battlefield. And from what Lyra could tell through the Force, she wasn’t happy.

Chapter 51

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What was Princess Celestia doing here? It was a question that rang through Lyra’s mind as she stared at the royal pony soaring across in the night skies. Didn’t she say that she wasn’t going to participate in the fight? Or perhaps she changed her mind? It’s certainly possible given the swarms of bugbears fleeing the mountain. If that were the case, then perhaps she must’ve believed the Republic troops had taken too much time. Regardless of her reasoning, she made herself a prime target for the Mandalorian forces.

Lyra pondered if the Princess was ready to take on a futuristic military the likes Equestria had never seen. However, her worries were all for not when she saw the Princess cast a large golden beam with her magic horn. Oh, right. She and that Nightmare Moon were siblings. If the latter could take down large flagships, then it’s likely that the Princess of the Sun could too.

A shivering thought if Lyra had to be honest with herself. It made her question what kind of power both Princesses held at the tip of their horns. Is it more powerful than the Force itself? Not likely? It was hard to say since she didn’t know any advanced Force techniques. Still, seeing such magical power did make her wonder if a unicorn like her was capable of such a feat.

“W-what the kriff?” stammered a flabbergasted Luka. It appeared that he too saw Princess Celestia’s raw magical power.

“Luka, I told you not to move from your position,” said Lyra as she berated her former clanmate for ignoring her wishes. Before she could hold him in place, a disturbance in the Force caused the mare to ignite her lightsaber out of pure instinct. Assuming her Ataru brace ready stance, she scanned the area for any sign of Khal, but the neo-crusader was nowhere to be found. Confused, she lowered her guard and wondered why the Force would warn her over nothing.

Suddenly, a pair of red streaking blaster bolts suddenly came out of nowhere. Thanks to her training and strength in the Force, Lyra deflected the bolts just at the nick of time, saving herself from either a gruesome injury or perhaps even death. Realizing the bolts came from Khal, she scanned the area for any signs of the neo-crusader. But she still didn’t see him.

Lyra frowned. She didn’t expect Khal to use trickery like this. The man seemed intent on facing her and other Jedi head on rather than using ranged weaponry. And the sheer thought of that made her wonder. Where on earth did Khal obtain a blaster? She didn’t see one of him when she dueled the man. Did his armor have some sort of hidden component that she didn’t notice? Impossible. No armor to her knowledge had any built-in contraptions that would allow you to hide large weapons. In all likelihood, the man must’ve looted the weapons off the corpses of the two neo-crusaders that Luka killed earlier.

As she tried to think of how Khal obtained his new weapon, two pairs of blaster bolts came streaking at her. Lyra effortlessly deflected the attack but noticed something rather alarming as she redirected the last bolt. Every one of those bolts were aimed directly at Luka.

Lyra’s face went pale as she realized that Khal was trying to use Luka as leverage. By aiming his bolts at him, it would put her on a constant defensive. Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal as she would either rely on her Force powers or her companions to assist her. But she was alone in this fight, and her Force powers wouldn’t be of much use if she can’t even see her opponent.

Granted, if she were given time, she can probably pinpoint Khal’s location with her Sense abilities and take him out. It was a risk that Lyra didn’t want to take though as it requires some concentration to locate a specific person. And even if she determined her opponent’s location, a direct charge would only endanger Luka’s life. For all she knew, Khal would simply gun him down the moment she leapt away.

Lyra frowned as she clumsily redirected yet another pair of blaster bolts. Her current situation felt as if she were entangled in an elaborate trap. One that she unfortunately put herself into. In a moment of weakness, she couldn’t help but wonder if Chessk would come back with reinforcements. Unlikely, given his current condition, but she just wished that her companion would have alerted the Jedi Masters about her and Luka’s predicament and sent Jedi to their location. At the very least, they could take the latter away while she dealt with Khal.

Unbeknownst to her, the light emitted from her lightsaber and Khal’s blaster bolts would catch the attention of a certain regal Princess. While Lyra was preoccupied, Princess Celestia had noticed the mare’s little skirmish from above. She had taken to the skies once again after rescuing a Republic squadron from certain death. Her original intent was to locate the enemy camp, but the sight of a lone unicorn defending herself made her stop.

With her little pony in danger, the Princess swooped in and landed gracefully right beside the two Jedi Padawans. Her hard landing caused Lyra to nearly tumble to the ground, but she quickly recomposed herself just as the Princess erected a magical barrier of some sort that shielded the two Jedi from a pair of incoming blaster bolts.

“Are you alright, my little pony?” the Princess asked as her and Lyra’s eyes met. The latter didn’t answer at first as she was too stunned by the mare’s regal form and the magical barrier that she had cast.

Seeing that her question was being ignored, Princess Celestia raised her voice. “Now isn’t the time to be fixated on my magic, little one! Answer me! Are you alright?”

“Huh? Oh, no worries, Princess! You don’t have to worry about me! I’m perfectly okay,” replied Lyra. She spun around to look at Luka, who was also staring at the Princess. His very expression mirrored hers just a moment ago. “Luka on the other hand needs medical attention right away. While I managed to heal up from his most gruesome injury, he’s in no shape to fight. A field medic will have to take a look at him.”

“For the last time, Lyra, I don’t need your help!” shouted a still angry Luka. Despite his condition, he still didn’t want or ask for the mare’s help. Princess Celestia, however, thought otherwise.

“Young man, it’s clear as day that you are in no condition to fight. If you don’t receive treatment now, who knows what might happen to you,” she warned. “I will teleport you both back to the main camp where you can get treatment and rest.”

“N-no! I’m not finished here! T-the sub-commander, he… he is still nearby. I have to finish him now before he gets away!”

“Oh for crying out loud, Luka! Can you please swallow that gosh darn pride of yours for a second and let us help you! Walking around while injured and calling Mandalorians bloody savages isn’t exactly something an ideal Jedi would do!” spat Lyra, who had just about had enough of her clanmate's brashful attitude. Taking a moment to calm herself down, she looked at the Princess again. “He is right about one thing, your highness. We can’t allow Khal to escape. He is the sub-commander of the entire Mandalorian invasion force and is one of the reasons why they’re here in the first place. I suggest you leave me behind while you take Luka away from here.”

“Are you certain about this, my little pony?” asked the Princess. “Certainly a retreat would be a good solution. You can rendezvous with the main force and join us in a joint attack.”

“So you do intend to fight alongside the Republic forces,” said Lyra. “Tell me, Princess. Why do you wish to participate in this fight? From what I heard; you weren’t keen on joining the battle earlier. So what changed your mind?”

The Princess stared at Lyra with wide eyes, causing the latter to realize she wasn’t expecting a question like that from her. Eventually, she gives in and tells the truth. “Correct, Miss Heartstrings. In truth, I had planned on staying out of this battle, but current circumstances proved that wasn’t the best idea.”

“Is this about the bugbears, Princess?”

“Yes, to some extent. The bug bear populace is dangerous and can harm just about anyone who dares trespass their home. And it’s for that reason why my ponies avoid these mountains; although, if they had the technology and equipment the invaders currently own, their fears would all but vanish into thin air.”

“Did a few bugbears manage to evacuate the mountains?”

“While I did communicate with a few pack leaders to settle down and wait until the fighting was done, I can only guess that a few of those animals retreated into Equestria.” The Princess sighed. “Sweet Sun, my S.M.I.L.E agents are going to have their hooves full after this.”

“What are the other reasons why you are joining the fight?”

“Well, my little pony, the battle is simply taking too long. Granted, it isn’t my place to criticize the tactics of an allied force that’s trying to help me, but this battle needs to be taken care of now or else bugbears won’t be the only thing my ponies will need to worry about.”

“So you believe that your magic and combat abilities will be enough to turn the tide,” muttered Lyra. “While a joint attack is a sound plan, I’d rather stay behind and face Khal here and now. That man is the sub-commander of the invading forces, so taking him out here would be beneficial for us.”

“You aren’t worried that he might call for reinforcements?” asked the Princess, to which Lyra shook her head.

“It is possible that he might request for aid, but his pride and honor demand that he’d fight me head on with no help. And even if any reinforcements from his side do arrive, he’d likely deny them for the very same reason.”

The Princess shook her head. “It sounds as if this Khal person is a very stubborn man.”

“Maybe you are right but being stubborn doesn’t discount him from being a great warrior. Brash and antagonistic he may be, giving him the opportunity to retreat and regroup with his army isn’t exactly ideal. Besides, it’s me he’s after. If that man is preoccupied with me, then it’ll give our allies one less thing to worry about.”

The Princess smiled. “You truly are the Captain’s daughter. Very well, Miss. Heartstrings. I leave you to handle the enemy sub-commander. But please, do be careful. I do not want to report back to your parents and tell them that the daughter they’ve been searching for the last decade has been killed in action.”

“Y-yes, ma’am. I will do my very best,” said Lyra who found Celestia’s words to be very discomforting.

As the Princess’s horn began to flare up in a brilliant gold, she looked down at the injured Luka. “Young man, we will be teleporting back to the main camp where you can receive treatment. And don’t even think about resisting. You are in no condition to fight.”

“W-wait, teleportation?” Luka asked. Not bothering to answer the young Jedi’s curiosity, the Princess activated her magic and disappeared from sight. Luka was gone too, and with nopony left to sustain the golden barrier, the powerful shield that Celestia conjured had faded away into nothing.

Lyra was alone. The only other individual left here besides her was the man who started this invasion. Good. Now she can finish what she started, but Khal needed to be found first.

Smacking herself on the forehead, Lyra cursed herself for wasting such a golden opportunity. Being safe inside the Princess’s barrier would’ve given her ample opportunity to use her sense abilities. Now she will have to deal with Khal’s blaster weapons again. But to her surprise, nothing happened.

That’s odd. With the barrier down, Khal was free to use his blaster again; yet for some reason, no bolt came.

This didn’t bode well. If Khal had taken the opportunity to retreat back to his squad, then she should’ve just joined the Princess and Luka back to the main camp. Calling upon the Force, Lyra used her power to scan the area for any sign of her opponent. While it is likely that Khal had retreated into the forest, she had to be sure. Her concentration was broken, however, when she felt a sharp pinch of the Force.

Lyra cried out in agony as she felt such raw power flowing through her. It was as if she were stabbed in the head with a piece of glass. The pain eventually subsided, so she called upon the Force’s power yet again in order to understand why this happened.

She immediately noticed something wrong, however, when she felt a single life entity approaching her from behind her back. When she turned around to look, she saw nothing but trees. Was the Force lying to her? Impossible. The Force can be manipulated to some extent, but it never lies.

Then she saw it. A slight flicker of electromagnetic waves that took the shape of a humanoid figure. Realizing the danger at last, Lyra ignited her lightsaber and raised it above her head. Her insight did her well as the green-hued bladed blocked what appeared to be an invisible vibrosword of some sort.

Soon, the electromagnetic waves that she saw earlier had appeared again. It evaporated and took the form of her wartime nemesis. “Excellent work, Padawan Heartstrings. Your Jedi powers are truly remarkable,” Khal said.

Tightening the grip on his vibrosword, the neo-crusader applied even more strength to his weapon, forcing a very surprised Lyra in an uncomfortable position. “Y-you have a stealth field generator?” she cried out.

“Indeed, I do. When I saw you talking to that large equine, I decided it was best to sneak up and attack when you least expect it. Shame I didn’t kill you. Your power in the Force saved you at the last moment,” Khal explained, which drew a look of disdain from the young Padawan. “Don’t look at me like that, Heartstrings. In combat, Mandalorians use every trick in the book to win our battles, including trickery. Which goes to show that you, Jedi, are worthy of fighting me at my very best.”

“Wait, are you serious? You mean to tell me you’ve been holding back during our entire fight this entire time!”

“A miscalculation on my end if I am to be honest with you. I believed my skill with my chosen weapon would be sufficient enough, but I was wrong. You, Heartstrings, have bested me in combat once. And for that, I congratulate you. But now, I must take this fight seriously. For the glory of my clan and Mandalore!”

Khal ends their deadlock and quickly puts some distance between themselves, much to the Jedi’s surprise. Putting his sword away, he knelt down and grabbed a pair of items that were attached to his heel. His hidden items turned out to be blaster pistols, which he used immediately to fire at Lyra.

How on earth was he able to hide those pistols in the first place? A question that Lyra didn’t have time to think about as she redirected the first bolt and dodged the next with an acrobatic spin. When she landed on her hooves, Khal was nowhere to be seen again. The neo-crusader must’ve activated his stealth field generator once more, hoping to catch the mare off-guard. Lyra tried to locate him with the Force, but a blaster bolt interrupted her meditation and forced her into a defensive stance.

As another pair of blaster bolts came her way, Lyra knew she had to do something about that stealth field generator. She came up with an idea. Something that she wanted to try herself after seeing her master’s own technique over the years. Granted, she wasn’t trained in Form III or Form V, but it was a gamble she had to try.

Twisting the hilt of her lightsaber, Lyra took the incoming blaster bolt and smacked it away. Her posture mimicked that of a traditional Form V specialist. While clumsy in her technique, her gambit did pay off as the redirected blaster bolt seemed to have struck an invisible target.

Immediately, Lyra leapt into the air with a Force enhanced jump. Landing just within reach of a barely invisible Khal, she takes her lightsaber and destroys the stealth field generator.

Khal snarled as the last bit of his invisibility faded away. He quickly aimed his two blaster pistols downward, hoping to fire weapons at point blank range against the Jedi. But Lyra was faster. She immediately destroys the two pistols, rendering the neo-crusader defenseless.

“Well played, Jedi,” said Khal as he tossed his now useless pistols aside. With a smile on his face, he reached for his waist and pulled a small canister of some sort that was hidden under his armor. “But what do you think about this?”

With a flick of his thumb, the neo-crusader drops the small canister into the ground. Lyra didn’t know what the item was at first; but as soon as smoke came out of it, it became clear. Khal had tossed a smoke grenade.

Lyra cursed at herself as smoke slowly clouded her vision. Khal seemingly disappeared in the smoke as well, which meant she’ll have to look for him again. Thankfully, clearing out the smoke is a lot easier than blocking blaster bolts. With her command of the Force, Lyra conjured a telekinetic wave that swept away all the smoke in the area.

As the last bit of smoke cleared out, Khal was nowhere to be found. Knowing that he couldn’t have gotten far; she scoured the area, hoping for any signs of the neo-crusader. She eventually got her answer when the Force warned her of an incoming threat from behind. Acting swiftly, she spun around and blocked an incoming overhead strike from Khal. Though her instincts served her well, she was surprised to see her lightsaber clashing against two vibroswords.

The Jedi’s eyes widened? Since when did Khal obtain an extra sword? Sure, their fight was briefly interrupted thanks to the Princess, but there shouldn’t have been enough time for him to actually obtain another weapon.

Soon, it dawned on her. The man never obtained another weapon. Rather, he’s using the same sword as before! But rather than using the whole blade as a staff, he split the sword in two!

As Khal raised his blades for another overhead strike, Lyra leapt away with a Force infused jump. Landing safely next to a rotting tree, she stared at her opponent’s weapon. The mere sight of it made her hesitate. Rarely did the initiates back on Dantooine practiced with dual weapon fencing as it was greatly discouraged by the Jedi Masters. They believed that such a complex fighting technique was ill-suited for those still new to the Force. Yet masters such as Kavar and even her own Jedi Master sometimes used two lightsabers in their mock duels. Even Chessk preferred using two blades when his blaster rifle isn’t needed.

Despite this knowledge, Lyra never came face to face against someone who wielded two swords at once. And seeing Khal wield his now broken hand made her very nervous.

The battle was rejoined; however, Lyra was forced on the defensive yet again. The unfamiliarity with Khal’s technique prevented her from using her dynamic and precise moves. For every strike she dodged, another would stop her from using her elaborate spins. For every attack she parried, another would come her way and force her to block.

Grunting in frustration, a flailing Lyra leapt into the air and landed some distance away from her opponent. As she assumed her Ataru brace ready stance, her back legs suddenly twitched, and she immediately noticed her shortness of breath. She cursed herself yet again for failing to realize that her duel had been going on for far too long. If things continue the way they are now, her fatigue would be the death of her.

“You aren’t getting away that easy!” shouted a very angry Khal as he threw yet another item onto the ground. Believing it to be a grenade of some sort like last time Lyra braced herself for the impending blast. Her instincts proved her well as the tossed item suddenly blew up.

While she was nowhere near the explosion, Lyra still had to use a modicum amount of her power to shield herself from the incoming debris. Once everything died down, she scoured the area for any signs of her opponent, but Khal was nowhere to be seen. The crater that was left behind by the grenade was the only thing she saw.

No, that can’t be right. There was no way that Khal would just go off and disappear like that. As crude and destructive his methods may be, he must’ve used the frag grenade as cover of some sort. Calling upon the Force, she used its power to determine the location of her opponent.

She sighed.

Spinning around, she raised her lightsaber and blocked an incoming attack from behind. She grunted in frustration as she found herself blocking two swords at once. “Seriously! Using a frag grenade as a means to close the distance?” Lyra asked as she struggled to hold her ground against the hulking neo-crusader. “Surely there were other methods you could’ve used?”

“Any tactic is worth using as long as it brings me victory, Heartstrings,” said Khal. His answer, however, made Lyra roll her eyes. There was truth to what he said, but why didn’t he allow his companions to help him before Luka came in and cut them down?

Hypocrisy aside, his tactic proved successful as Lyra was forced onto the defensive once again. Her front hooves ached as she felt the sheer power of Khal’s swords. No, it wasn’t just the swords alone. Rather, it was Khal using them as an extension of his body.

The mare bit her lip. The situation was dire. Her opponent simply outclassed her in terms of raw power and fighting technique. Even if she were to break their deadlock and retreat, she wouldn’t find much success as Khal would use every trick in the book to close the gap. Granted, she didn’t know what other items or weapons the man had; but if he was willing to use frag grenades of all things, the risk wasn’t worth knowing.

As she struggled to contend with Khal’s overwhelming strength, Lyra would eventually get a glimpse of a nearby rotting tree. She had seen it during the fight before, though she thought little of it as she was more focused on her opponent. Upon seeing it again, she noticed that the tree was not only rotting, but it was also relatively large in size.

Suddenly, the mare’s ears perked as an idea formed in her head. The move was risky; but if successful, it would temporarily break up the fight and allow a moment of reprieve. Taking the gambit, Lyra called upon the Force, allowing its power to flow through her body. Once enough power was accumulated, she took her left hoof and pointed it to the tree.

The move itself was a gambit. Due to the overwhelming strength of her opponent, Lyra had been forced to grip her lightsaber hilt with two hooves instead of holding it with just her dominant one. But with her left hoof preoccupied with the tree, her right hoof was now taking the sheer blunt of Khal’s power. One wrong move and it’s over for her.

As she concentrated all her remaining energy on the Force, Khal took wind of her actions. He was confused at first until he followed her hoof and spotted the nearby tree. Soon, loud snapping cracks can be heard from a distance, indicating that the tree is slowly being destroyed from the inside. Realizing her strategy, Khal raised his swords and attempted to strike Lyra down with an overhead slash, but it was too late. One final snap later, the large rotting tree soon fell on the heads of both combatants.

Chapter 52

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What caused more noise: having a large tree fall right next to you or being in close proximity of a frag grenade? Honestly, Lyra couldn’t tell the difference. Both were equally loud and caused much pain in her ears. The awkward landing after her Force Jump didn’t help either as she landed right on her back. She winced as she got up on all fours, but swiftly numbed her pain with the Force.

As the dust began to settle, Lyra scanned the area for any sign of Khal. But aside from the ruined tree she forcibly ripped down, the neo-crusader was nowhere to be seen. That was okay though as any moment away from that man was practically worth it at this point.

With the pain all but numbed, Lyra thought about what to do once she continued her duel with Khal. It’s clear as day by now that he was the better fighter. At least in terms of close quarters combat. Why he didn’t just use his preferred method of fighting from the start is something she’ll never know but taking him head on is ill-advised. If she were to win, she would need to use the Force.

But using simple telekinetic abilities won’t be enough to bring the neo-crusader down. If she were to use the Force to bring an end to the fight, she’d have to be creative with her use of it. Just like how Khal had used blaster pistols and grenades to throw her off balance.

“Jedi!”

Lyra’s ears twitched as she instinctively ignited her lightsaber. So much for a moment of reprise. She scanned the area for any sign of Khal and eventually caught sight of him several feet away from where she stood. He had one sword in his left hand and a canister of some sort in the other.

Wait, canister? Could that be another one of his grenades? She didn’t have much time to think; however, as Khal suddenly threw the canister up in the air and directly at her. Not wanting to take any risks, Lyra conjured the Force and telekinetically grabbed the object and slammed it back onto the ground next to the tree. Upon seeing this, Khal immediately bolted from his position.

Seeing the man flee sent alarms running through Lyra’s head. She didn’t have time to think, however, as the canister she slammed down suddenly exploded, causing the mare to tumble headfirst into the ground. She cursed out loud but quickly subdued the pain with the Force as she stood back up on all fours.

Once again, she scanned the area looking for Khal. Her focus remained so heavily on her opponent that she almost missed the torn down tree. Doing a double take, she noticed that the grenade had split the tree in half. While most of it is still intact, the area of which the grenade set off left a smoldering crater with tree barks and splinters scattered all over the place.

“Jedi!”

The sound of Khal yelling was enough to snap the young Jedi out of her stupor. Igniting her lightsaber again, she scanned and quickly caught the neo-crusader running at her with a blaster pistol held high. Lyra’s instincts flared as she immediately raised her weapon in defense just in time as the pistol went off. The bolt that was aimed at her was deflected and Lyra immediately countered with a Force Push.

Her conjured telekinetic wave threw the neo-crusader off-balance, but it wasn’t powerful enough to knock him down. Lyra grimaced. Her telekinesis was able to send that man flying a short while ago, but not anymore. Fatigue played a small part, but she knew that her previous use of telekinesis was a fluke as she was enhanced by her rage at the time.

She thought about leaping in and cutting down Khal right then and there, but she held herself back. A single Force push wasn’t enough. By the time she got in close, he’d probably recover and pull out his swords.

No. She’ll have to improvise.

After taking a deep breath, Lyra conjured the Force into her back hooves and jumped with all her might. However, Khal wasn’t her target. Instead, she landed just outside the edge of the crater where the grenade was set off. It wasn’t a perfect landing as she felt splinters penetrate her horseshoes, causing her to wince, but she withstood the pain regardless.

As Khal recovered, he was surprised to see Lyra not making a move against him after she briefly rendered him defenseless. He quickly aimed his pistol and was about to pull the trigger. However, he never got the chance as his face was suddenly pelted with what felt like dirt.

Wait, dirt?

As the neo-crusader wiped the dirt from his face, he suddenly felt something pelt his armor. He didn’t think much of it at first as he tried to fire his pistol again, but he stopped when he spotted a tree branch flying directly at his face. He ducked just in time to avoid the branch, but he wasn’t able to escape what came soon after.

Lyra had used the Force to telekinetically lift up and throw any debris that was left behind from the grenade explosion. These include splinters, tree branches, stones, and even pelts of dirt. A rather odd strategy to use, but the Jedi had no choice but to improvise. If Khal was willing to use tactics that seem out of the ordinary, then she must do the same. And her tactic proved to be effective as she stunned her opponent in his place. The neo-crusader tried to retaliate; but with no cover, all Khal could do was brace himself as Lyra pelted him with debris.

This wouldn’t last for much longer as Lyra eventually ran out of things to throw. This realization shocked the young Padawan, prompting her to look around for any more branches, rocks, or splinters that she can toss with the Force. But there was nothing left. Aside from the tree that was torn in half.

In front of her, Khal slowly regained his composure. The constant pelting of random objects seemed to have affected him slightly as he struggled to stand upright. Nevertheless, he mustered enough strength to raise his blaster pistol and fire it. Unfortunately for him, the bolt was deflected by Lyra’s lightsaber.

Thinking swiftly, Lyra conjured yet another Force Push to buy herself some time. To her delight and surprise, her latest attempt caused the man to fall flat on his back. Odd. Her last telekinetic wave didn’t faze him all that much last time. Perhaps fatigue was starting to get the better of him too? Possibly, but she’d rather not think too hard on the details right now.

The mare’s eyes drifted toward the destroyed tree once more. She had thought about using said tree at first glance. Ultimately, she decided to not use it in the end as the tree was very large. Even if it was torn in half due to the grenade, she estimated the broken tree to be really heavy. But now that she’s run out of things to pelt with, she had little to no choice.

“Trust in the Force,” Lyra said to herself as she closed her eyes. Allowing the Force to flow through her body, she attempted to lift one half of the ruined tree. Lifting both halves was too risky, so she had to focus on one for now and use the other in her next attack. Still, the task was daunting.

Her estimation was correct. This tree, despite being blown in half, was heavy. Really, really heavy. Probably the heaviest object she’d lifted in her entire life. She was thankful, really, that she didn’t have to lift this thing physically or with her inept magic. But using the Force was still as painful and daunting as one would believe. Just lifting this thing caused the muscles on her upper body to spasm uncontrollably. Regardless, Lyra fought through the pain until eventually, she threw it. And while her throw wasn’t the best use of her telekinesis by any means, she did manage to toss it right on top of Khal.

The neo-crusader screamed as the ruined tree landed with a thud. With her opponent out of commission again, Lyra took the opportunity to lift the second half of the ruined tree with the Force, but her body spasmed again the moment she tried to lift said object. The sheer amount of heavy lifting she’d done on such short notice had taken a toll on her; and frankly, it was too much to bear. Unable to bear with the strain, the mare collapsed, but not before performing one last telekinetic throw.

Lyra groaned as she tried to catch her breath. The amount of telekinesis she used was exhausting. So much so that she felt her own body spasm uncontrollably. She tried to ease the pain with the Force but was unsuccessful for the most part as her excessive use of her powers left her scrambling on the ground, which splattered muddy dirt onto her Jedi tunic. Not even her emerald coat could be saved from all that mud either.

No big deal. All of this was just a minor nuisance. A warm shower and a trip to the laundromat would fix this later.

After finally catching her breath, Lyra stood on all fours and immediately began to survey the area. Khal was nowhere to be seen, again, but she could see the damage that she left behind after her excessive use of the Force. Tree branches, rocks, and splinters were scattered about. The two halves of the ruined tree could also be seen from a distance with one broken half on top of the other.

“Wow. I never knew I had it in me,” Lyra said to herself who found it rather awe-inspiring that her Force abilities can be used in such devastation. Guess there was a reason why her Master always preached restraint.

But where was Khal Dryll? Did he happen to disappear again after she threw the tree at him? Unlikely given that her previous Force Push managed to knock the wind out of him a little bit. Was she able to trap him under the ruined tree she threw? She hoped so because the Force forbid that man manage to perform yet another disappearing act after all of this!

“Ugh.”

Lyra’s ears twitched as she heard an unusual noise nearby. She didn’t see who or what caused it, but it didn’t sound pleasant by any means. In fact, it’s as if the thing that made that noise was in serious pain.

Wait a second. Throughout her entire fight with Khal, neither of them had encountered any other person or wildlife in the surrounding area. If someone was groaning in pain, it could only mean one thing. Quickly, the mare dashed over to the place where she threw the ruined tree. If her hunch was correct, the groaning sound she heard must’ve come from one person and one person only.

Upon arriving at her location, the mare jumped on top of one of the broken tree halves she threw. After surveying the area for a little bit, her eyes widened as she saw a man laying still on the ground with blood and dirt all over his mouth. The sheer sight of her now vulnerable opponent made her gasp in surprise.

Khal was stuck. The two halves of the broken tree that she threw had landed right on top of his chest and lower body. Given the size and weight of both halves, there was no way that he could get out from that position. At least, not without help.

Upon realizing the current situation, Lyra slumped to the ground. It’s finished. The duel is over. The fight between her and the Jedi obsessed Mandalorian had reached its end. It was almost hard to believe, but she’d done it. She won.

“Congratulations… Jedi. You… win.”

Lyra stared wide eyed at the defeated Mandalorian. Despite having a big tree pressing on top of his chest, he somehow managed to mutter a few complimentary words to her.

“Do not… be surprised… Jedi. I know… when I’m beaten,” muttered Khal who struggled to form a single sentence. Lyra watched silently as the man tried to wiggle free, but his feeble attempt was cut short when he suddenly coughed up some blood.

“That won’t help, you know. With a tree this large, I don’t think you’ll be able to free yourself without any help from others,” said Lyra.

Her comment made Khal chuckle. “I don’t… suppose you… would help me out… then?” he joked, to which Lyra shook her head. “Of course not. I am your enemy after all. Jedi or no, it wouldn’t do you any good to show mercy to someone who instigated an invasion of your home world.”

“Your navy is losing the space battle, Khal,” Lyra bluntly replied. Her words came as a shock to the defeated Mandalorian, but she paid no mind to it. “According to Republic Command, Nightmare Moon managed to take down another flagship of yours during the conflict. I’m not sure how she did it, but it gave the Republic an opportunity. My guess is that the tide is turning in the Republic’s favor.”

“I see. Was that monstrosity on your side then?”

“No, she wasn’t. That crazy mare also managed to destroy a few Republic ships too, which reminds me. How on earth did you manage to survive for so long? I saw your flagship on, you know. When my friends and I were entering the atmosphere. It was blown up by Nightmare Moon.”

Khal chuckled as more blood escaped his lips. “I… got lucky. Nightmare Moon, or whatever that thing was… came out of nowhere. I remember it clearly. She appeared on the bridge, right behind my uncle and me. After boldly introducing herself, she asked who we were and what was our purpose here. When we informed her about the invasion, she snapped and immediately fired beams from her horn. We tried to stop her… but it was a futile effort.”

“So you had no choice but to abandon ship.”

Khal let out a soft chuckle as he tried to squirm his way out beneath the tree; but like before, his attempt proved fruitless. In fact, his squirming only made him cough up more blood. Lyra sighed. Just what was he trying to accomplish here? He should know by now he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

“You know,” Khal continued. “Our armada is supposed to be larger than the one the Republic is facing right now. Much larger. But that Nightmare Moon destroyed most of it. By the time we made landfall, only half of our forces remained.”

Lyra blinked in surprise. Only half he says. That would mean that Nightmare Moon had indirectly helped Equestria and their world from impending invasion. Though given her history, she couldn’t tell whether or not she did it for noble purposes or selfish reasons.

“Is that all you wanted to ask me, Jedi?” asked Khal as he tried to wiggle his way out again, only to fail once more.

“Pretty much,” Lyra said with a shrug. “You’re stuck and you can’t move out of that tree without any help. Technically, it’d be a Jedi’s best interest to help the wounded and needy, but this is war. And you are the one who instigated it.”

Khal burst into a fit of laughter. “You… don’t have to be so modest, Jedi. What you are doing… is practically what anyone would do in times of war!” he said as he spat out more blood. “To be fair, I’d rather that someone stab me or shoot me in the head. Dying while stuck underneath a tree isn’t the way a warrior should die.”

“What? N-no! There’s no way I’m going to do something like that!”

“And why not?” Khal asked. His response only surprised Lyra even more. “I am the reason why your home is being invaded. And I have also kidnapped your kin back on Coruscant. Given my crimes against you and your kind, it’d make sense for you to finish me now.”

“No, I won’t!” rebuked the Padawan. “Even if you are the reason for all my troubles these past few days, I’m not going to just outright murder a defenseless person!”

Khal chuckled at her reply. “So are dead set in following the Jedi Path despite all that I’ve done. Very well. I will accept your decision. But know this, Padawan Heartstrings. I will not allow you to treat me this way.”

Squirming his shoulders about, Khal miraculously pulled his right arm from underneath the tree. This came as a surprise as Lyra didn’t think he’d be able to pull off a feat like that while under such heavy rubble. What’s more, it appeared his right hand was clenching on something. The neo-crusader smirked as he laid down his right arm and unfolded his hand, revealing a grenade.

Lyra’s eyes widened. Was Khal planning on blowing himself up? Why? There was no need! For a second, she wanted to plead with him and try to put a stop to this recklessness, but a searing pinch of the Force caused her to stop. A good thing too, because if it weren’t for that warning, she would’ve almost missed the red blinking light on Khal’s grenade.

The grin on Khal’s lips widened as he saw the panic on Lyra’s face. Using the last ounce of his strength, he tossed the live grenade into the air. “Farewell, Jedi,” he muttered as Lyra frantically called upon the Force to leap away from the impending explosion.

Soon, the grenade went off causing the surrounding area to be engulfed in flames. Lyra had to count herself fortunate. Her Force empowered jump was enough to get her away from the worst of it, but she was still in the explosion’s perimeter range. Her coat wasn’t singed from the fire, but the explosion did cause a rather awkward landing as the mare fell flat on her back.

Lyra groaned in pain as she felt something crack on her back. She paid no heed to it though as a medkit or use of the Force will ease whatever pain she felt later. When the pain subsided, she finally stood on all fours and stared back at the area where Khal once lay.

The tree that she threw did not survive the explosion this time. Everything had been blown apart or set ablaze by the grenade’s raging fires. No way did Khal survive that. Even if he did, the explosion would’ve probably left serious burns on his body. The man would die a slow and painful death.

Lyra winced at the thought. It wasn’t the Jedi way to allow for such gruesome death. Khal was her enemy, yes, but a death like that wasn’t something that she would want or allow.

Bile began to creep on her throat. Was dying a warrior’s death something that all Mandalorian’s shared? She didn’t want to think much about it since she was victorious in her duel, but she couldn’t help herself as she spewed out all the vomit she held back.

After wiping the bile from her lips, Lyra slowly trotted away from the area and toward the direction of the Republic main camp. It’s unlikely that she’d be able to participate in the rest of the fighting, but there was no need to worry. With the sub-commander gone and the arrival of Princess Celestia, it was only a matter of time before the allied forces claimed victory.

Lyra couldn’t help but smile. If Hider were here, he and Geefour would insist on celebrating while Chessk and Sweetie would berate the two for not tending their wounds. Her mother would… wait a second. She had forgotten about her mother. No, just her mother. But the entire reason why she started her journey in the first place. She recalled the words that her mother had said to her back on Dantooine, that she had a decision to make. She also remembered Sweetie saying something similar shortly after her rescue.

Lyra sighed. It’s just one thing after another. In all honesty, she’d prefer dueling with Khal again over deciding on her biggest decision of her life. But none of that mattered at this moment. Right now, she needed some medical attention, and a hot bath.