Kael Solaris sat cross-legged atop the dusty rooftop of an abandoned outpost on the edge of Mos Espa. The twin suns were dipping low on the horizon, casting long orange shadows across the rust-colored dunes. Below, the city buzzed—speeders zipped overhead, merchants barked, Jawas squabbled over scrap, and bounty hunters slunk through alleyways with eyes hidden behind visors.
But Kael's attention was on something else entirely.
[ MercNet Notification: Cross-Realm Summon Token – Tier 1 Available ]Would you like to use this token now? [Y/N]
Kael didn't hesitate. "Y."
The interface flickered, then shifted to a new window.
[ Cross-Realm Summoning Protocol Active ]Tier: 1Scope: Sci-Fi MultiverseParameters: Loyalty set to MAX | Integration Compatibility: AutoInitiating Summon…
A circle of glowing white light formed in the sand below his rooftop perch. Sparks danced outward like static lightning. A hum filled the air—deep, mechanical, alien.
Kael leaned forward, heart pounding.
[ Summon Complete: Spartan-014 "Ghost" – Halo Universe ]
A tall figure emerged from the light, standing easily over two meters tall. Fully armored in matte-black Mjolnir GEN2 armor, the Spartan stood still for a moment, scanning the environment. His visor glowed a soft blue, sleek and angular like a bird of prey.
Then, with practiced ease, he holstered his MA5B assault rifle across his back and looked directly up at Kael.
"Target acquired," Ghost said, his voice deep, emotionless, and utterly calm. "Designation: Commander Solaris?"
Kael blinked, stood, and dropped down to the ground beside him. "Yeah. That's me."
Ghost gave a crisp nod. "Standing by for deployment."
[ Cross-Realm Summon: Ghost – Loyalty: 100% | Class: Elite Operative ]Equipment: MA5B Assault Rifle, M6D Pistol, Energy Knife, Motion TrackerRole: Tactical support, frontline engagement, solo infiltrationStatus: Awaiting orders
Kael couldn't help but grin.
"Ghost, how much do you remember from where you came?"
"Mission context preserved. Origin timeline irrelevant. Primary directive overridden: serve and protect Commander Kael Solaris. Secondary directive: assist in operations until universe stability achieved."
Kael exhaled slowly. This is real.
He had just pulled a Spartan from the Halo universe and bound him with unwavering loyalty. And this was only Tier 1.
He wasn't just going to play a part in Star Wars history.
He was going to rewrite it with a fireteam.
After retrieving a portable cloak generator from the shop for Ghost—one that rendered him invisible to most organic eyes—Kael returned to the outskirts of Mos Espa and made camp in a half-buried shelter he'd cleared out two nights prior.
He sat beside a makeshift table in the dim light of a lantern, reviewing his MercNet menu.
[ Status – Kael Solaris ]Race: ElarianLevel: 3Credits: 3,750Current Title: Rookie Gun-for-HireKnown Skills:
Revan's Legacy (Passive: Full combat mastery, Force knowledge)
Close Quarters Combat I
Starfighter Piloting I
Multilingual (Galactic Basic, Huttese, Binary, Mandalorian)
[ Active Quests ]
Monitor Timeline: "Boonta Eve Classic" (180 Days Remaining)
Build Mercenary Reputation (Progress: 5%)
Earn 25,000 credits (Progress: 15%)
Acquire Custom Armor (Locked behind Reputation Level 2)
[ Inventory ]
HLAF-500 Starfighter
Basic Blaster
Voro's Guild ID
Portable Cloak Module (Deployed)
Summon Token (Cooldown: 30 days)
Kael tapped his fingers on the table. "We're gonna need a base."
Ghost nodded silently from the far corner of the shelter, keeping watch without comment.
Kael flicked over to the shop.
[ MercNet Shop – Categories: ]
Weapons
Armor
Starships
Real Estate
Skills
Summoning Tokens
Unique Inventory (Refresh: Weekly)
He selected Real Estate.
[ Available Options – Tatooine Region: ]
Abandoned Hangar, Mos Espa (12,000 credits)
Subterranean Bunker, Jundland Wastes (18,500 credits)
Old Separatist Listening Post, Deep Dune Sea (Locked – Reputation Tier 3)
Kael bookmarked the hangar. "We'll save up for it. Somewhere to stash the fighter and prep missions."
He closed the interface and stood, stretching.
"Ghost, we're moving out tomorrow. Another bounty came up—Sullustan smuggler, flagged by Black Sun. We take him in, we're 5K closer to owning that hangar."
"Confirmed. Will prepare gear."
Kael paused, then turned toward him. "You alright with all this? Being here?"
Ghost looked at him, helmet unmoving. "This universe lacks Covenant. Its war is slower, more... personal. But you are my directive now. My war."
Kael smiled faintly. "Good answer."
The next morning, Kael stepped out into the rising suns, cloak drawn around his shoulders, Ghost trailing behind him under cloak cover. They passed through the bustling outskirts of Mos Espa like ghosts, watching guild hunters move in packs, Jawas trade stolen tech, and young Anakin Skywalker race a battered podracer through the back alleys, engines sputtering.
Kael's gaze lingered on the boy for a moment.
So it begins.
But he didn't approach. Not yet.
The future had time. Right now, Kael Solaris had credits to earn, allies to gather, and a legend to build.
As they mounted their speeder and took off into the rising heat haze of the desert, the MercNet interface blinked softly behind Kael's eyes.
[ New Mission Available – Tier 1 Contract ]Target: Valro Gress (Sullustan smuggler, known for cybernetic implants and desert hideouts)Reward: 4,800 Credits + Rare Skill Chip (Random)
Kael tapped "Accept" and throttled forward.
In a galaxy full of stories, he was writing his own.
One mission at a time.