The sleek silhouette of a New Republic transport shuttle pierced through the clouds, cutting a path toward Hanna City. The golden sun of Chandrila reflected off its hull, casting long shadows over the pristine architecture below. From a distance, the ship looked like an avian predator swooping in for a landing, its wings slightly tilted to adjust to the atmospheric currents. The people below hardly paid attention, vessels came and went from the capital every day. Yet this ship, today, carried a very particular passenger.
Inside the cockpit, Senator Kaydel Ko Connix sat in the co-pilot's chair, staring out at the rapidly approaching skyline. Hanna City had always struck her as idyllic, a shining example of what the New Republic could achieve when left to grow in peace. The capital's tall, pristine towers, gleaming in the sunlight, contrasted with the lush green parks spread throughout the city, a balance of modern technology and nature. But today, the beauty of the city felt distant, almost tainted, overshadowed by the worries that had followed her across the galaxy.
Kaydel heard a muffled voice in the pilot's headset. "Senator Connix, we're cleared for landing." He made eye contact with her briefly before returning his attention to the ship's controls, expertly guiding the shuttle to the large landing platform that loomed ahead.
She nodded, adjusting the lapels of her formal New Republic senator's garb. She exhaled softly, trying to ease the tension that had been gnawing at her since she left Dulathia. As the ship settled down onto the platform with a gentle hiss, she stood and made her way to the exit.
Waiting near the airlock, her security team was already prepared. The team's leader, Captain Daro Sarthus, gave her a nod. His stern face was marked by a scar that ran from his jawline up to his temple, the remnants of a past battle.
"Everything looks clear, Senator," he said as the ship's ramp descended with a soft hum. "We'll keep a tight formation, just to be safe."
Kaydel forced a smile. "I appreciate the caution, Captain. But it's Hanna City. What could happen?"
The captain didn't respond, but his eyes continued to sweep the perimeter as they began their descent.
As her boots touched the surface of the platform, a warm breeze swept across her face, carrying with it the scent of the nearby ocean. The skyline of the city stretched out before her, vast and shining, though today the sun seemed more muted, as if something darker loomed overhead. Hanna City had always been a place of peace for her. It was where she had spent much of her time as a child, alongside her mother during the turbulent years following the fall of the Empire. But today, even this familiar place couldn't soothe the unease growing in her chest.
Captain Sarthus kept close to her right, scanning the rooftops, his hand resting on the blaster at his hip. The rest of the security team spread out around them in a circular formation, their eyes sharp, their expressions hard. As they neared the edge of the landing platform, Captain Sarthus froze mid-step. His body tensed, and Kaydel noticed his gaze had fixed on something distant, a figure standing atop one of the nearby towers, barely a speck against the bright sky.
"Get down!" he shouted, lunging toward her. The world seemed to slow in an instant.
Kaydel didn't think, she reacted, dropping to the ground as the sound of a blaster shot cracked through the air, the bolt sizzling past her. Her heart raced in her chest as she hit the surface of the platform.
Chaos erupted around her. The security team moved in quickly, forming a protective barrier as the Captain barked orders into his commlink. "Sniper! North tower! Cover the senator, get her inside the Capital Building!"
Kaydel's head spun as they lifted her to her feet, guiding her at a breakneck pace toward the nearby entrance to the capital. The grandeur of the building loomed ahead, its tall columns and gleaming white walls offering a stark contrast to the danger that had just come from above. Another shot rang out, this one ricocheting off a nearby pillar with a spark. The sniper had missed again, but not by much.
"Inside! Go!" Sarthus bellowed as the team rushed her through the doorway. The blast shields activated moments after they passed through, sealing them inside the safety of the Capital Building.
The noise of the city outside instantly disappeared. Inside, the polished halls of the government complex were calm, almost eerily so in contrast to the chaos outside. Kaydel took a deep breath, steadying herself. She had been in dangerous situations before, but this was different.
"Are you alright, Senator?" The Captain asked, still scanning the area for threats.
"I'm fine," she replied, though her pulse was still racing. She straightened her coat and tried to calm herself. "They missed."
He gave a curt nod. "We'll find out who they were. For now, we need to make sure you're safe."
—
The heavy silence of the hallways pressed in around them as the security team led Kaydel through the building. They passed by a group of people heading in the opposite direction, she heard them whispering. At the far end of the corridor, the entrance to a large meeting room stood open. Waiting for her inside was Senator Lieda Mothma, daughter of the legendary Mon Mothma, and now a senator in her own right.
Lieda stood with her back to them, staring out one of the tall windows that overlooked the city. The light framed her in a way that highlighted the sharpness of her features, she had her mother's elegance.
"Senator Connix," she said, turning to face Kaydel. "I heard about the incident. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. They missed."
"What if they don't miss next time."
"Next time?"
Lieda stepped toward her, folding her arms across her chest. "You know who's behind this."
She was referring to the group, the cult, that they were here to discuss, The Path of the Open Hand. They had grown bolder in recent months, their rhetoric against Force users turning more violent.
"I don't want to place blame before we know for sure," she said, forcing herself to remain diplomatic.
Lieda scoffed softly. "Don't be naive, Kaydel. You're too close to Rey Skywalker, too close to the Jedi. They see you as an enemy."
Her friendship with Rey was well-known throughout the Senate. The two had grown close after the fall of the First Order.
"I know they're a threat, but publicly accusing them without evidence will only escalate things."
Lieda raised an eyebrow. "Escalate things? They just tried to kill you. How much more escalated do you think this can get?"
Kaydel didn't answer. Instead, she turned toward the window, looking out at the city below.
"They've become too dangerous to ignore."
Kaydel turned back to face her. "What do we do?"
"We expose them," Lieda said, her voice firm. "We gather the evidence we need, and we make sure everyone in the Senate knows exactly what kind of threat they pose."
"And if they come after us again?" Kaydel asked.
"We'll be ready."
—
Captain Sarthus followed Senator Connix into the guest quarters. The rest of the team remained outside, their boots echoing in the hallway as they set up a perimeter.
She opened her jacket and took a deep breath. She turned toward him. "Daro, I need to contact Rey."
His eyes narrowed slightly, he crossed his arms over his chest. "Jedi involvement will only escalate things further," he replied. "Are you sure that's wise?"
She paused for a moment, looking into his eyes. His words echoed the fears of many in the Senate: that involving the Jedi would only worsen the situation, feeding into the Path's narrative.
But she wasn't just thinking about politics. She was thinking about her friend. Rey Skywalker was more than a Jedi to her; she was someone she trusted implicitly. And she knew that if there was anyone who could navigate this situation, it was Rey.
Without another word, she stepped forward and kissed him gently, her hand resting lightly on his chest. When she pulled away, she held his gaze for a moment. "I trust Rey."
He gave a subtle nod, his hand brushing against hers for a moment before he stepped back, his professional demeanor slipping back into place.
Kaydel's droid, BB-56, was waiting on her ship. The small BB unit had been with her since the days of the Resistance, its white casing adorned with pink markings, giving the droid a distinctive and cheerful appearance.
She tapped the small communicator on her wrist. "Beebee, I need you to contact Rey."
—
The dense canopy of Akiva's jungle stretched out endlessly beneath the Millennium Falcon as it descended toward a clearing just beyond the settlement. The ship, though battered and worn, still carried an air of legend about it, its familiar silhouette cutting through the humid air. Inside the cockpit, Rey Skywalker sat in the pilot's chair, her expression calm but focused, her hands steady on the controls as the Falcon's thrusters slowed their descent.
Beside her, Ben Solo was quiet, his gaze fixed on the jungle below. He had grown accustomed to the stillness that came with these moments, a far cry from the storms of anger and conflict that had once clouded his mind. Now, he found peace in silence, in the shared purpose he and Rey carried together. As the Falcon touched down, the sounds of the jungle filled the cockpit, the calls of strange creatures, the rustle of leaves in the warm breeze. It was a stark contrast to the tension they both felt radiating from the settlement just ahead.
Rey stood first, adjusting the folds of her black robe, its fabric contrasted by a vertical strip of gray cloth running down each side. The robes were utilitarian but symbolic, a reflection of the balance they sought within themselves, light and dark, united in harmony. Ben mirrored her movements, rising behind her.
They didn't need to exchange words. Their connection, strengthened by the Force, hummed silently between them. Together, they made their way to the exit ramp.
The jungle air hit them as the ramp lowered, warm and thick with the scent of damp soil and foliage. Stepping out onto the soft ground, they moved in perfect unison, their boots making no sound as they approached the gate of the settlement. The walls were rudimentary but tall, wooden structures reinforced with metal.
The settlement of Urvak had been a quiet, thriving town before the Crymorah Syndicate had arrived. Now, it was a shadow of its former self, under the control of arms dealers who sought to use this place as their new stronghold. The Mayor had contacted Rey, requesting her assistance. She had come, as she often did, to restore balance and assist those who were fighting to free themselves.
As they approached the gate, two guards stepped forward, their armor dull under the jungle's filtered light. They carried heavy rifles, their postures rigid, trying to project authority. These men did not belong here; Rey could feel it in the way the Force recoiled from them, sensing the malice that had taken root in their hearts.
"Halt," one of the guards barked, stepping forward to block their path. "No one enters without authorization."
Rey held up a hand and said, "You will step aside and let us through."
The guards became still, their eyes glazed over instantly, their minds bending to her will with no resistance.
"We will step aside and let you through," one guard repeated, stepping back and motioning to the gate controls. With a mechanical creak, the gate slid open, revealing the settlement beyond.
They exchanged a brief glance, then stepped through the gate. The guards now forgotten, their minds left clouded and unaware of what had just transpired.
Inside the settlement, the streets were eerily silent. Small, square buildings lined the pathways, their windows dark, their doors closed. The people who lived here were hiding, afraid. But Rey could feel them through the Force, their presence like a quiet murmur beneath the surface of her awareness. They were waiting, hoping.
At the center of the settlement, the heart of Urvak, stood a large circular courtyard, its stone surface cracked and worn by years of use. And waiting for them there, at the center of it all, was Jafan Tane.
Tane was pale, his skin almost ghostly under the harsh light of the midday sun. His sharp, angular features gave him a menacing appearance, his thin lips twisted into a sneer as he watched the two Jedi approach. Surrounding him were a half-dozen B2-series battle droids, their bulky frames standing at attention, weapons at the ready. The droids shifted their blasters toward the new arrivals as they entered the square.
"I've heard of you," Jafan said with disdain. "The Jedi. Always meddling in matters that don't concern you."
Rey stopped several paces from him, her expression neutral. "The people of this settlement want you and your soldiers to leave."
"Is that so?" Jafan gestured to the droids with a casual flick of his hand. "And what if we don't feel like leaving?"
For a brief moment, time seemed to stretch. The stillness before the inevitable storm. Rey's hand hovered near the hilt of her lightsaber, she could sense Ben beside her, calm, ready.
"Last chance, Jedi. Leave now, or die."
Rey gripped her lightsaber, her fingers tightening, but she remained still. "The people of Urvak have suffered enough under your control. We won't leave until they're free."
Jafan's expression twisted into a snarl. He stepped back behind the line of droids and gave the order. "Open fire."
Suddenly, the air was filled with the sharp crackle of blaster fire, the energy bolts racing toward the Jedi.
In a single fluid motion, Rey's yellow lightsaber snapped to life, its golden blade humming as she deflected the first volley of shots with ease. Beside her, Ben's blue blade ignited a moment later, Leia's lightsaber, now his, glowing brilliantly as he joined Rey in defense.
They moved together, a single unit, their blades a blur of light and energy. The Force connected them, their minds linked in perfect harmony as they deflected the incoming blaster fire. The droids were relentless, but they were faster, their lightsabers weaving through the air in flawless arcs, each deflection sending bolts of energy back toward the attackers.
Then, with a nod from Rey, they lunged forward, their movements perfectly synchronized. Rey vaulted over the nearest droid, her lightsaber slicing cleanly through its armored torso, sending it crashing to the ground in a heap of sparking metal. Ben followed, his blade sweeping through two more droids in a single strike, cutting through their limbs with effortless precision.
Jafan Tane watched, his confidence draining with every droid that fell. He had underestimated them.
Within moments, the battle was over. The last of the droids fell, its circuits sparking and crackling as it hit the ground in a smoldering heap. The Jedi stood together in the center of the courtyard, their lightsabers still ignited, their eyes locked on Jafan.
From the surrounding buildings, the Syndicate soldiers began to emerge, their weapons lowered, their faces pale with fear. They had seen what the Jedi were capable of, and they knew they were no match. One by one, they laid down their rifles, surrendering without a word.
"Cowards!" Jafan yelled.
The doors of the buildings began to open, and the citizens of Urvak poured out into the square. Men, women, and children, their faces filled with a mixture of relief and determination, rushed toward the surrendered soldiers. They picked up the discarded weapons, turning them on their oppressors, arresting the mercenaries who had terrorized them for so long.
Rey extinguished her lightsaber, her chest rising and falling with the quiet rhythm of her breath. Beside her, Ben did the same, his blue blade vanishing with a soft hiss. The battle was over.
The mayor of Urvak, an older man with graying hair and a weathered face, approached them cautiously. His eyes were filled with gratitude. "Thank you… thank you both. We owe you everything."
Rey inclined her head, her expression warm. "The people of Urvak freed themselves. We were only here to help."
The man smiled. "Still, we will never forget what you've done."
Rey glanced at Ben, a silent understanding passing between them. It was time to go. Their task here was done. Together, they turned and made their way back toward the gate. The settlement was alive with the sounds of freedom.
—
Back aboard the Millennium Falcon, Rey and Ben entered the cockpit, their robes still lightly dusted with the remnants of their latest mission. The adrenaline of the battle had faded, replaced by the familiar calm that came after successfully restoring peace to a place that had been on the brink of chaos.
Rey moved with ease through the cramped space, her fingers brushing the worn metal of the control panels as she made her way to the pilot's seat. The Falcon was more than just a ship to her now. It was a symbol of legacy, of battles fought and friendships forged. But as she sank into the chair, she noticed something out of place.
The comm panel was blinking.
She turned it on. "See-Threepio, what is it?"
"Mistress Rey, I have an urgent message from Senator Connix."
Rey glanced at Ben, who had already taken a seat beside her.
"Patch it through," she said.
The comm crackled and the recording began. "Rey, I'm safe for now, but there's been an assassination attempt. The Path of the Open Hand… I think they're escalating things. I don't know for sure who is behind it."
Rey sat up straighter.
"I need your help, Rey. The Senate is divided, I don't know who I can trust."
The recording ended. Rey stood, pacing the length of the cockpit for a moment before turning back to Ben. "They're shooting at Senators now. My friend."
Ben crossed his arms. "They're extremists, violence was inevitable."
"No, she is in danger because of me. Every time the Senate requests our help, the Path threatens them. Now they've actually done it."
"You did the right thing, you always do."
Rey dropped into the pilot's seat and sighed. "We need to get back to the temple."