Scout bounced along the corridor of the Sun Station, her eyes darting to every detail; the bulkheads etched with Republic insignia, the hovering maintenance droids zipping past with tool arms extended, even the simple access panels glowing with holographic interfaces. "Look at that!" she exclaimed, pointing at a standard airlock seal. "That's a Mark VII pressure lock—triple-redundant failsafes, can hold against vacuum breaches up to 5000 kPa. And over there, that's a holoprojector node. This place is a treasure trove of tech! I bet they use it for simulating hyperspace jumps without leaving the dock."
Zule walked beside her, arms crossed, her expression a mask of boredom as she scanned the passing technicians in Republic uniforms. "It's a door, Scout. And that's just a light. Calm down before you hyperventilate."
Master Fay glided along with them, and while she wasn't as enthused about the station as Scout was she still found it all rather interesting, as a Long lived species she liked seeing different advances in technology. Vaylin trailed at the rear, her pale features twisted in mild curiosity, her eyes flicking to the armed security clones stationed at intersections.
Scout spun to face Zule, her face flushing with indignation. "Calm down? How can you say that? We're on the Sun Station! This is where they developed the Delta-7 Aethersprite interceptor. And those conduits up there? Probably feeding power from the solar harvesters straight to experimental labs, this is the only station in the galaxy capable of siphoning energy from a star. I mean, come on, Zule, even your cybernetic arm could get an upgrade here if you asked!"
Zule stopped short, her cybernetic hand clenching with a faint whir. "My arm's fine as it is. And you're acting like a youngling now. It's a station, not some mythical Jedi Temple. Get a grip before you embarrass us all."
"Embarrass? You're the one who's a total buzzkill!" Scout shot back, stepping closer, her voice rising. "This is the heart of Republic R&D! If you can't see how cool that is, you're blind as a mynock in sunlight."
Zule's eyes narrowed, her orange-red skin darkening with irritation. "Cool? It's a floating scrap heap full of overpaid engineers patting themselves on the back. How much of this stuff is even used in the war?! How much of it even helps the people on the front line, I don't see any kind of innovation?!"
"Take that back!" Scout demanded, her fists balling at her sides. "You wouldn't know innovation if it bit you on your—"
"Enough," Master Fay interjected, stopping both mid-sentence. She placed a hand on each of their shoulders, forcing them to step apart. "Compose yourselves. We are guests here, representatives of the Jedi and allies of the Republic. Such discord dishonors us and draws unnecessary attention."
Scout deflated, mumbling an apology as she scuffed her boot against the deck. Zule nodded curtly, her stern facade cracking just enough to show reluctant compliance. Fay released them and glanced around the corridor, where passing crew members had paused to stare before hurrying on. "Perhaps it would be best if we split up," Fay suggested. "Zule, join me we can go to one of the observation lounges. Vaylin, if you don't mind keeping an eye on Scout?"
Vaylin nodded, a small smile curling her lips, her head tilting slightly. "I can do that."
Fay inclined her head in thanks. "Very well. Scout, behave and learn what you can without causing trouble." She turned and glided away, Zule falling into step beside her, the pair disappearing around a bend toward the station's quieter sections.
Scout watched them go, then turned to Vaylin with a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, Zule's such a buzzkill. Always acting like everything's no big deal. This place is incredible I'd kill to get a job here, tinkering with prototype engines or shield generators. Can you imagine? Working on the next Venator-class upgrade or something even crazier, like experimental cloaking tech."
Vaylin walked alongside her. "Why not ask Senator Amidala? She could arrange an internship or an apprenticeship under one of the engineers. She has the connections."
Scout's eyes widened, her excitement reigniting like a hyperdrive flare. "You think? Padmé would do that for me?"
Vaylin shrugged, her yellow-flecked eyes glinting. "Why not? You're skilled, and she owes Jaden a favor or two after him saving her. It couldn't hurt to ask."
Scout laughed manically, the sound echoing down the corridor as she grabbed Vaylin's arm and dragged her forward. "You're a genius! Come on, let's check out the viewports I saw signs for the outer bays. They overlook the prototype yards!"
They hurried to a series of wide transparisteel windows lining the station's outer hull, the viewports offering glimpses into adjacent dry docks. Scout pressed her face close, her breath fogging the glass as she pointed. "Look! That's a modified ARC-170 starfighter, see the extended S-foils? Probably testing variable geometry for atmospheric dogfights. And over there, that's a LAAT/i gunship with what looks like upgraded turbolaser mounts."
Vaylin peered out, her interest piqued by the sleek vessels suspended in zero-g cradles, droids swarming like insects over hulls. "Impressive. What's that one—with the angular nacelles?"
Scout squinted. "Hmm... could be a prototype for the Eta-2 Actis interceptor, but those engines look bulkier. Maybe a hybrid with Nubian ion drives? Or wait, no—that's got Mandalorian influences, like from the Kom'rk-class. I can't tell for sure, but it's definitely experimental. Jaden would love it here he's always tweaking our ship with stuff like that. He could probably work here too, designing custom drives or something."
Vaylin giggled. "Jaden would like it here. He'd spend days in those bays, ignoring everything else."
They wandered on, Scout chattering nonstop about every detail, the efficiency of the mag-lev cargo haulers gliding past, the holographic schematics projected on bulkheads for engineer briefings, even the station's artificial gravity generators humming beneath the deck. "Feel that? That's top-tier inertial compensation—probably tuned to handle solar flares from the star below and gravitational distortions. No wonder they built it here; the energy harvesting must power half the station!"
Vaylin nodded along pretending to listen as Scout kept chattering. They paused at another viewport, Scout mesmerised by a massive cruiser frame under construction, its skeleton glowing with welding spqrks. Vaylin glanced back, then slipped away quietly, melting into the crowd of technicians and droids streaming through the corridor. Scout didn't notice at first, too entranced by the sight of a sleek corvette being fitted with what looked like experimental cloaking emitters. Her mind raced with possibilities, oblivious to Vaylin's departure.
Vaylin moved quickly in her attempt to slip away from Scout, her lithe form weaving through the crowd, yellow eyes scanning for access points. The station's security was tight, there were clones at every junction, but she sensed opportunities, hidden panels and maintenance shafts that could lead to restricted levels. She didn't know what was on this station, but one thing she did know is that she wanted it.
...
Master Fay and Zule walked in silence through the station's corridors, the activity fading as they approached the observation deck. The vast chamber opened before them, its curved transparisteel walls framing the star's surface below. Plasma storms swirled in endless patterns, casting a warm, golden light that bathed Fay's face in awe. She paused at the railing, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the view. Zule followed, her gaze lifting to the spectacle, though her expression remained guarded.
Fay leaned forward, her hands resting lightly on the rail. "In my centuries of life, very few things have come close to the beauty of a star."
Zule nodded slowly, her cybernetic arm whirring faintly as she crossed her arms. "They are indeed very impressive."
Fay smiled at the simplification, her lips curving with gentle amusement. She turned back to the star. "Billions of years ago, stars were the genesis of all we know. They forged the elements in their hearts, scattering them across the void to birth planets, life, and light itself. If the universe were a living body, the star would be its cells, giving birth to new forms, sustaining the whole through their sacrifice. Beauty and life intertwined, eternal yet fleeting."
Zule listened, her stern facade cracking as the words sank in. She uncrossed her arms and stepped closer to the viewport, her eyes tracing the swirling plasma. The star's glow reflected in her pupils, drawing her in, a rare sense of wonder stirring within her chest. For a moment, the station felt distant, the star's majesty pulling at somethinh deep inside of her.
The silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint vibrations of the station. Fay turned to Zule. "It has been a while since we have spoken Zule... how are you feeling?" She asked.
Zule didn't answer at first. She kept her gaze on the star, her fingers tightening around the rail. "I still have doubts."
Fay hummed thoughtfully. "That is perfectly natural."
Zule hesitated, her voice emerging quieter than usual. "I feel as if nothing has changed. I'm still weak. Unworthy. I don't belong with the others."
Fay placed a hand on her arm. "This feeling of otherness is normal. It stems from regret, from the shadows we carry within."
"You feel a lot of regret and shame, don't you?" Fay asked gently.
Zule nodded after a long pause. She looked down at her cybernetic hand, flexing the metallic fingers.
"It's Jaden, isn't it?" Fay probed softly.
Zule's body tensed, a slight twitch betraying her, waves of pain radiating from her like ripples in the Force. She didn't speak, but Fay read the truth in her silence.
"Does he treat you differently from Aubrie?" Fay continued.
Zule shook her head. "He's never treated me different. He looks at me with the same eyes he looks at Aubrie."
Master Fay hummed before a look of understanding came over her. "But you feel unworthy of it."
"Yes," Zule admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why do you feel that way?" Fay asked, her tone inviting rather than demanding.
Zule stuttered, words catching in her throat. "The... the women who have loved Jaden... they're incredible. Aubrie is amazing in almost all regards. As a friend, as a Jedi, as a healer. She was one of the best Padawans in our generation, had she not chosen to go with Jaden she would've been a master in the next decade. She's prepared to sacrifice herself countless times for others."
Zule paused, her breath hitching. "Velea..." She choked up on the name, her eyes glistening. "She was a genius. Kind. The one who showed me the truth of my feelings. She gave her life to save everyone on the Eternal Horizon."
Zule gestured vaguely toward the star. "They are very much like the stars you love. Beautiful and bright. Drawing people into their orbit with nothing but their presence."
She looked down, her voice breaking. "Then there's me. Nothing... I sometimes wonder why am I here... what makes me worthy to stand with such heroes..."
Fay placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, her touch warm and steady. "Perhaps that's how you see yourself, but I remember a different Zule Xiss."
Zule looked up.
Fay continued. "One who fought alongside Aubrie and Jaden on Jabiim. One who stood on the Eternal Horizon. One who faced the Lord of Hunger on Teth."
Zule opened her mouth to interrupt, but Fay raised a hand gently.
"We all fall short of those who give their lives for the sake of others," Fay said. "They didn't give their lives so that we could compare ourselves to them. You think you fall short of those around you, but in truth, very few people are as dedicated to their friends as you are."
"But what about the time—" Zule began, her voice trembling.
"Everyone makes mistakes, Zule," Fay interjected softly. "We all fail at times. But what matters is our actions after that. I've seen you charge into certain death for the sake of others. So I know in my heart that while you may not see yourself as such, you shine just as brightly as those you compare yourself to."
Fay turned her gaze back to the star. Zule fell quiet, her eyes returning to the swirling plasma. The star's light played across her face, softening the hard lines of her features. After a long moment, a small smile made its way onto her lips, tentative but genuine. "Thank you," she said.
Fay nodded, a warm smile on her face. They sat in companionable silence, the star's glow enveloping them. Zule felt a subtle shift within herself, the doubts not gone but diminished, like shadows retreating from dawn. For the first time in a while, Zule allowed herself to simply be, watching the plasma dance, her cybernetic hand relaxing at her side.
The observation deck's tranquility wrapped around them, Fay closed her eyes briefly, drawing peace from the view, while Zule pondered her path forward. Zule glanced at Fay, gratitude swelling in her chest. As minutes stretched, Zule spoke again, her tone reflective. "I've always felt like an outsider. Even before I lost my arm... and my master. The Jedi path never fit me perfectly."
Fay opened her eyes. "The Force does not demand perfection. It flows through our imperfections, shaping us. Your strength lies in your loyalty, Zule. To Jaden, to Aubrie, to the crew. Perhaps that is your path."
Zule absorbed the words, her smile growing a fraction. "Maybe. It's hard to see sometimes."
"That is why we have friends," Fay replied. "To remind us when we are blinded by our own doubts."
They lapsed into silence once more, the star's majesty holding them captive. Zule's mind wandered to Jaden, the pain of unworthiness easing but still very much there. She would prove her place, not just to herself, but through actions.
Fay looked to the young woman. "When we return, speak with Jaden. Openness heals more than silence."
Zule nodded. "I will."
_____________________________________
In the security room of the Sun Station, five clone troopers sat around a table full of drinks and snacks. The room was large and full of monitors flickering with feeds from docking bays and sensor arrays, as well as every single security terminal on the station, only Clones had access to this room as anyone else was susceptible to being bribed and possibly betraying the republic. CT-4823, known as "Jax" among his brothers, dealt the next hand of sabacc. Across from him, CT-5179, "Spike," leaned back in his chair, helmet off, revealing a scarred jawline from a previous skirmish. CT-6391, "Bolt," fidgeted with his blaster pistol on the table, while CT-2048, "Rook", nursed a mug of watered-down caf. CT-7754, "Echo," rounded out the group, and kept an eye on the monitors.
"Shift's quiet tonight," Jax said, sliding cards to each player. "Might as well make it interesting. Standard rules, no shifting unless you declare."
Spike picked up his hand, a grin splitting his face. "Quiet? That's the dream. Last rotation had us chasing that faulty mechanical droid through the vents. Nearly lost an arm."
Bolt snorted, glancing at his cards. "Yeah, well, quiet means time for this. I'm in for ten credits."
They anted up, chips clinking into the pot. Rook played conservatively, folding early with a mutter about bad luck. Echo matched the bet, his expression unreadable. The round progressed, cards revealed in tense increments, until Spike laid down his hand and had a pure sabacc, twenty-three exactly.
"Again?" Bolt slammed his cards down, his voice rising. "That's the third time this shift! You're cheating, Spike. No way you pull that off clean."
Spike leaned forward, his grin fading into a scowl. "Cheating? You calling me a liar, brother? I won fair, not my fault your luck's just Bantha fodder."
Jax chuckled, trying to defuse the situation. "Easy, Bolt. It's just a game."
But Bolt stood his chair scraping back. "No, he's got something up his sleeve. I could swear I saw him palm a card last round!"
Spike shot to his feet with his fists clenched. "You take that back, or I'll make you."
Rook tried to intervene, standing between them. "Sit down, both of you. We're on duty—"
Bolt shoved Rook aside, lunging at Spike. "I'll prove it!"
The fight erupted in a blur of motion. Bolt tackled Spike over the table, cards scattering like confetti. They rolled across the floor, punches landing with meaty thuds; Bolt's fist connecting with Spike's jaw, Spike retaliating with a knee to the gut. Jax jumped in, grabbing Bolt's arm. "Break it up!" But Bolt elbowed him back, sending Jax stumbling into Echo, who tried to pull Spike free. Rook shouted for order, but a wild swing from Spike clipped him on the shoulder, drawing him into the fray. Fists flew, grunts and curses filling the room as they grappled, chairs toppling, a mug shattering against the console.
A sudden alarm blared from the main sensor panel, red lights flashing. "Unidentified vessel approaching, vector unknown."
The fight froze. Spike released Bolt's collar, both panting as they scrambled to their feet. Jax wiped a split lip, rushing to the console. "What the—?"
Bolt leaned over the screen, his anger forgotten. "No transponder signal. It's coming in fast, straight for the station."
Rook checked the schedule log, fingers flying over keys. "No ships due for another cycle. This one's unscheduled."
Echo activated the comms. "Unidentified vessel, this is Sun Station Security. Transmit clearance codes immediately or we will open fire. Repeat: identify or be engaged."
They all moved to positions—Jax and Spike manning the turret controls, Bolt and Rook readying the lockdown protocols, Echo monitoring shields. Tension thickened the air, breaths held as they stared at the incoming blip on the radar, growing larger by the second.
A moment passed.
The screen lit up with an incoming transmission. A cloaked figure appeared, wearing a hood that concealed his face, only the faint gleam of yellowed eyes visible beneath the cowl, his robes swallowing the light like a void.
Before anyone could speak, the figure spoke. "Execute Contingency Protocol Zeta-Nine-Omega. Authorization: Sidious Prime."
The clones jolted as one, bodies rigid for a split second. Their eyes glazed over, for a moment before they shook it off and stood straight. "How may we serve you, my lord?" Jax asked in a flat, almost robotic tone.
The cloaked man leaned closer. "Shut down and destroy all communications on the station, destroy power grids in sector 8-21. Activate the jamming field. Disable any ships capable of leaving. Do it now."
"It will be done, my lord," they chorused.
They moved as a unit, no hesitation. Bolt overloaded the main comm array, circuits frying with pops and sparks. Rook initiated the jamming field. Jax and Spike activated the experimental docking failsafes. Echo sabotaged the hypercomm relays, by overloading them. Multiple explosions rocked the station, fireballs blooming in the void from overloaded power nodes, debris scattering like shrapnel.
"It is done, my lord," Jax reported, the transmission crackling as interference built.
"Good," the man said. "You know what to do."
"Yes, my lord," they replied in unison.
They stood, drawing DC-17 pistols from holsters. Without a word, each pressed the barrel to his temple. Five shots rang out almost simultaneously.
The cloaked man ended the transmission, the screen going dark. The security room fell silent, save for the distant klaxons of the station.
(AN: I guess big daddy is here to collect a wandering Vaylin. I'm sure 5 Jedi can handle one Sith Lord, right?)
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