For a few moments, neither of us said anything. We simply watched each other, as if time had stopped and was allowing us to record every detail of the other in our memory. There was an intensity in her gaze, a mixture of relief and restrained emotion, that reflected everything words could not express.
The silence was broken by a mechanical voice, unexpected and slightly exasperating.
"Excuse me, master, but why are you exchanging such prolonged glances with that female in stormtrooper uniform?" asked PROXY, in his usual monotone.
The interruption took us by surprise, and we both burst into spontaneous laughter. That's when Sabine and I moved in unison, running toward each other until our hands met.
Without hesitation, I took her in my arms, and our lips met in a deep, emotionally charged kiss.
This was no ordinary kiss. It was a silent expression of all we had been through, a way of saying without words how much we had missed each other, how much we had longed for this moment. In that brief instant, it seemed as if our souls were reconnecting, putting together the pieces that had been incomplete since our separation.
When we finally parted, our foreheads pressed against each other, our smiles lighting up the dark, cold hallway where we stood.
"I missed you." Sabine whispered, her eyes searching mine with an intensity that disarmed me.
"Me too." I answered truthfully, feeling as if a lost part of me had returned at last.
The moment, however, was rudely interrupted by PROXY, who, as always, seemed to lack any notion of tact or sensitivity.
"Well, Master," said the droid, "now that you have concluded your exchange of oral fluids with the female, may we continue with the mission?"
Sabine blushed visibly at the droid's remark, looking away with a slight throat clearing, while I simply couldn't help but chuckle at his comment.
"Yes, you're right, PROXY. It's time to move on," I said, still with a smile on my lips before looking at Sabine. "Are you coming with us?"
"Sure," she replied, regaining her composure. But her curiosity prompted her to ask, "What mission are you referring to exactly?"
"PROXY was helping me escape," I explained as we started walking. "Besides, he's leading me to the station's main terminals. My intention is to destroy this base once and for all."
A flash of excitement crossed her face, and her lips curved into a mischievous grin.
"Why didn't you say so before? Now that's my style." She said with a determined twinkle in her eye.
"I expected nothing less from you." I replied, feeling a renewed energy at having her by my side.
The atmosphere in the corridors of the base was oppressive. The faint hum of generators and the echo of our footsteps echoed as a constant reminder of where we were: in the heart of an Imperial prison on Mustafar. Red emergency lights flashed intermittently, giving the place an even more eerie air.
PROXY walked in front of us, his slender metallic body moving with almost hypnotic precision. Despite the strangeness of his company, I couldn't deny that the droid was proving invaluable. His detailed knowledge of the base structure had allowed us to bypass several security checks and patrols. Sabine, on the other hand, moved with the grace of a trained huntress, her eyes alert for any sign of danger as she held her blaster steady.
"We're close, Master," PROXY announced, without turning to us. "The main terminals are two levels below our current position. However, there are a high number of troops stationed nearby."
"How many?" I asked, feeling the dark side begin to stir inside me, eager to be unleashed.
"There are twenty on the immediate perimeter, with possible reinforcements should an additional alarm be activated." PROXY replied in his clinical tone.
"Twenty bucketheads won't be a problem," Sabine interjected, a confident smile playing on her lips as she adjusted her visor. "Although, if reinforcements show up… that could get messy."
"Then we'll make sure they don't live long enough to call for help." I replied coldly, letting my determination harden my words.
PROXY suddenly paused and turned toward us. "I can project a holographic distraction in the opposite sector to draw some of the soldiers away. This would significantly reduce their numbers in the target area."
"Do it," I nodded. "Sabine and I will handle the rest."
PROXY tilted his head in a gesture almost reverent before moving to a nearby access panel. His arm transformed into a specialized interface, and a faint blue glow illuminated the corridor.
"Distraction activated." The droid announced. On a nearby monitor, I could see a holographic figure resembling an unknown Jedi appear in a distant section of the base, immediately drawing the attention of several stormtroopers who began running toward it.
"Ready?" I asked, glancing at Sabine.
"Always," she replied, determination sparking in her eyes.
We moved with speed and precision. As we turned the corner, we encountered the remaining stormtroopers. They barely had time to react before we unleashed our assault.
Sabine fired first, taking down two soldiers with precise shots as she dove for nearby cover. I raised a hand, and with a swift gesture, sent three more flying into the wall with the Force. Their bodies hit the metal with a resounding crunch that echoed through the corridor.
"Take cover!" one of the stormtroopers shouted, but it was already too late. Sabine lobbed an impact grenade into the center of the group. It exploded with a deafening roar, neutralizing several more.
The last soldier attempted to flee, but with a flick of my hand, I lifted him off the ground, suspending him midair.
"Where are the terminals?" I demanded, stepping closer.
"I won't tell you…" he began, but his voice choked off as I tightened my grip, increasing the pressure.
"Galen!" Sabine called, her tone cautious.
I released the soldier, letting him drop unconscious to the floor. "We're close," I said flatly, without looking at her.
We advanced until we reached a large metallic door marked with the symbol of the Empire. PROXY moved ahead again, connecting to the control panel beside the entrance.
"Unlocking access," he announced. The door slid aside with a sharp hiss, revealing a spacious room filled with consoles and monitors. This was the heart of the base, the central hub controlling its primary systems.
Sabine was the first to step inside, quickly scanning the area with her visor. "Clear," she said, her stance relaxing slightly.
"Alright," I said, stepping toward the central console. "Sabine, handle the pressure systems in the boiler. I'll disable the shields."
"Got it," she replied, walking toward one of the side terminals.
As I approached the console, PROXY interrupted.
"Allow me, Master. My programming includes advanced protocols for infiltrating Imperial systems. It will be faster if I handle this."
I regarded him for a moment, weighing his words, then nodded. "Make it quick."
The droid connected his arm to the terminal's main port, a series of blue lights flickering across his chassis.
"Disabling shield systems," PROXY announced, projecting holographic data into the air as he worked. "Progress at 50%… 75%… complete. Shields are now offline."
"Well done, PROXY," I said, a faint smile crossing my face.
Sabine glanced over from her console, impressed. "What else can you do, PROXY?"
The droid tilted his head slightly toward her. "My capabilities are extensive, but at this moment, I suggest focusing on evacuation. The safety of the Master and his companion is paramount."
"Understood. Galen, I'm almost done," she replied, her eyes fixed on the parameters she was configuring. "Boiler pressure levels are climbing... This won't be pretty."
"That's exactly what we want." I said, a faint smirk tugging at my lips.
Suddenly, a deafening alarm blared through the base. Red lights flashed more urgently, and an Imperial officer's voice echoed over the intercom:
"Alert. Intruders detected at the main terminals. All available units, respond immediately."
"Guess we weren't getting out without a fight," Sabine remarked dryly, checking her blaster.
"PROXY, lock the doors." I ordered.
The droid nodded, connecting to another panel. "Doors locked. However, I recommend haste; Imperial forces will attempt to breach through alternate routes."
"Sabine, how much longer?"
"Just a few seconds," she replied, fine-tuning the controls. "Done. Pressure is set to reach critical levels in five minutes. When that happens, this entire base will be a crater."
"Perfect. Let's get out of here," I said, turning to PROXY. "Fastest route to the hangar?"
"Route loaded, Master. Follow me." The droid replied, already heading toward the exit.
As we followed him, I heard Sabine mutter, "Five minutes. Why do we always cut it so close?"
"Because it's more fun." I responded, a dark smile on my face.
The passage to the hangar was anything but straightforward. Imperial troops had begun to deploy, and every corner seemed to hide a new squad of soldiers. With PROXY guiding us and Sabine covering our advance with deadly precision, we managed to carve a path through.
Time was our enemy, every second bringing us closer to catastrophe. Explosions from the lower levels sent tremors through the ground beneath our feet. Sabine and I sprinted toward the hangar, with PROXY keeping pace, his form cloaked in a hologram of a stormtrooper to deflect unnecessary blaster fire.
When we finally burst through the massive hangar doors, I froze. There, illuminated by the flickering emergency lights and the flames consuming the base, was a ship I knew all too well.
"The Rogue Shadow!" I exclaimed, unable to contain the mix of relief and awe. Its silhouette was unmistakable: sleek, deadly, and ready for anything. The boarding ramp was extended, as though waiting for us—a last shred of hope in the chaos.
"That's your ship?" Sabine asked, firing at a group of stormtroopers emerging from the corridor behind us.
"It's more than a ship," I replied with a determined smile. "It's our ticket out."
"Then move it!" Sabine shouted, dodging a blaster bolt and returning fire with lethal accuracy.
We dashed toward the ramp as blaster shots whizzed around us. I covered Sabine as she sprinted up, firing quick bursts to keep the stormtroopers at bay. PROXY, meanwhile, used his holographic projections to confuse the soldiers, making them second-guess whether they were aiming at him or a trick of light.
"Get aboard, now!" I shouted, ushering Sabine up the ramp.
Once inside, I wasted no time. I ran to the cockpit, my hands instinctively moving over the familiar controls. The engines roared to life with a power that shook the hangar, the Rogue Shadow coming alive like a predator ready to strike.
"Sabine, make sure the ramp is sealed! PROXY, hold off anyone who tries to get close!" I ordered, my focus locked on the console as I initiated the ship's systems.
"Uh… oh." Sabine muttered from the entrance, her voice laced with worry.
I glanced back at her, puzzled.
"I left the Phantom parked outside the base." She admitted, shrugging as she fired a few more rounds at the advancing stormtroopers.
"Leave it, it doesn't matter now!" I shouted from the cockpit, turning my attention back to the controls. The Phantom was important, but our survival mattered more.
"Ramp closed, systems ready for takeoff." PROXY reported from his position, his mechanical tone calm as he sealed the entrance with precision.
"Sabine, check the secondary controls." I added quickly.
"Already on it!" she shouted from the access panel, adjusting configurations as the engines roared to full power.
"Thrusters at maximum capacity," PROXY announced. "Master, I recommend immediate departure. Hostile forces are increasing exponentially."
"That was obvious, but thanks for the tip, PROXY!" I replied with sarcasm as I steered the controls toward the hangar exit.
"Hold on!" I warned as I maneuvered the ship toward the hangar's opening.
The Rogue Shadow lifted off the ground with a hum of energy, and I fired the side cannons at the remaining stormtroopers. Explosions lit up the hangar as the ship twisted toward the exit.
Behind us, the base began to collapse. Chain explosions spread like a destructive wave, consuming everything in their path. The dark skies of Mustafar were illuminated by flames and debris—a sight as terrifying as it was mesmerizing.
Sabine approached the cockpit, gripping the frame to steady herself. "That was way too close."
"Yeah, but we made it out." I replied, unable to suppress a smile.
"PROXY, access the navigation database and plot the fastest route to Kashyyyk," I ordered, my voice steady as my eyes stayed on the Rogue Shadow's control indicators.
"Kashyyyk, Master," the droid echoed, tilting his metallic head slightly. "A planet with a high likelihood of Imperial patrols due to their exploitation of Wookiees. Are you certain about this destination?"
"Yes, I'm certain." I replied without hesitation, my hands moving over the controls to prepare the ship for the jump to hyperspace.
Sabine, who had been inspecting the ship's weapon systems, froze and looked up sharply. "Kashyyyk? Why there? It's practically a magnet for the Empire. Wouldn't it make more sense to regroup with the team first? Hera will be worried, and Kanan—"
I cut her off, turning slightly toward her. "Sabine, I'm not going back. At least not yet." My tone was serious, almost severe. "I have things to do, and Kashyyyk is part of that. There's something… I need to find there."
She stared at me in silence, her eyes searching mine for an explanation. Finally, she exhaled with a resigned gesture, crossing her arms. "Fine, but I hope you know what you're doing. It won't be easy."
"I don't expect it to be," I replied, turning my attention back to the navigation panel.
PROXY, true to his nature, continued his analysis. "I have updated the route to Kashyyyk, prioritizing secondary paths to minimize contact with Imperial forces. I will monitor for any hostile activity along the way."
"Perfect," I said, appreciating his efficiency.
Sabine was quiet for a few moments before speaking in a softer tone. "Just promise me, if things get bad, you'll at least consider asking for help."
"Setting course for Kashyyyk." PROXY announced.
"Do it," I said, my voice steady as I kept my gaze fixed on the starry void beyond the cockpit. The stars began to stretch, their forms distorting until hyperspace enveloped us in its blue and white dance. For a brief moment, I let myself be absorbed by the fleeting tranquility offered by the jump—a stark contrast to the chaos we had just escaped.
"Galen."
Sabine's voice broke the silence, and when I turned, I saw her standing in the cockpit doorway. In her hands, she held something that immediately captured my full attention—my old lightsaber.
The air seemed to still for a second. It was an object I had never expected to see again, a relic of a past filled with contradictions. My heart pounded as I stepped closer, reaching out carefully, almost fearing it would vanish before my eyes.
"I brought this for you," she said, offering it to me.
I took it, and the familiar weight of the saber settled into my hand as if it had never left. I briefly ignited the blade, its distinctive hum filling the space while its crimson glow illuminated the cockpit. A surge of memories washed over me: training with Vader, shadowy missions, and countless moments when that saber had been both a weapon and a symbol of who I was.
"Thank you, Sabine," I said at last, extinguishing the blade and meeting her gaze with genuine gratitude. "I thought I'd never see it again."
"You're welcome," she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I found it one day while I was in your room on the Ghost."
Her casual tone made me raise an eyebrow. "What were you doing there?"
"Uh... cleaning," she said, though her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.
I tilted my head, a mix of skepticism and amusement in my expression. "Cleaning? You?"
Sabine crossed her arms, her defensive posture giving her away even more. "Well, someone had to do it. Your room was a disaster."
I chuckled softly, something I hadn't done in days. "That doesn't sound like you, Sabine. What were you really looking for?"
For a moment, she seemed to weigh whether or not to answer. Finally, she sighed. "I was looking for something that could help me find you."
Her words hit me like a bolt of lightning. The sincerity in her tone, the intensity in her eyes.
I hadn't expected to hear something like that.
"Find me?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"Yes, Galen." She lowered her gaze briefly, as if what she was about to say was more difficult than it seemed. "When you disappeared, the whole team felt your absence. Hera tried to keep us together, but... I couldn't stop thinking about what might have happened to you. I couldn't just sit there and do nothing."
I stayed silent, letting her continue.
"At first, I thought I could look for you without involving the others. So, I went into your room, searching for clues—something that could give me an idea of where you might be or what you planned to do." She paused, fidgeting with a buckle on her belt, a nervous gesture that contrasted with her usual confidence.
"And you found this." I said, lifting the lightsaber between us.
"Yes," she nodded. "When I saw it, I thought it was more than just a weapon. It was... a connection to you. Something that could bring you back to us if I ever got the chance."
My fingers traced the cold metal of the saber, my thoughts entangled with the symbolism of her words. I had believed leaving that saber behind would sever my ties to the past, but for Sabine, it had meant something entirely different.
"Sabine..." I began, but the words caught in my throat. I wasn't sure how to thank her or even how to process what she had just confessed.
She looked at me, and in her eyes, I saw more than just camaraderie. There was concern, loyalty, and something deeper—something I wasn't sure I wanted to decipher at that moment.
"You don't have to say anything," she interrupted, a faint smile on her lips. "Just... promise me you won't let yourself be captured like that again."
I held her gaze for a moment before nodding slowly. "I'll try."
"That's not a promise." She countered, raising an eyebrow.
I smiled faintly, the first genuine smile I had managed in a long time. "Alright. I promise."
She seemed to relax a little, though the tension in her shoulders didn't completely fade. "Good. Because if you do, I'll be the first to come looking for you. And next time, I won't be so kind."
"I'll keep that in mind." I replied, the small curve of a smile still on my lips.
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Hello, dear readers! I hope you've enjoyed these chapters. I have a couple of announcements to share:
First, there will be no chapters next week because I'll be traveling, so you'll have to wait a little longer for more updates. And I will have to slow the chapters per week from 5 to 3 because the creative process is taking more time that I though.
Second, I'm creating a Patreon for those who'd like to support me. It will go live once I return, and through it, you'll be able to access chapters before they're published here and participate in polls related to my stories or the pairings in them.
That's all for today! Take care, and don't forget to leave me some feedback. Thank you for your comments—they're what motivate me to keep doing this. 😊