Star Wars: Starkiller

As the Rogue Shadow cruised through hyperspace, the constant hum of the engines served as the backdrop for our session in the training room. PROXY and I were engaged in intensive practice, testing the limits of my ability.

The droid showed no mercy. Its attacks came from all angles: the floor, the walls, even from the ceiling. It moved with a mechanical precision and speed almost impossible to match. His transformations into different fighting styles added a level of challenge that made every confrontation a unique battle.

I, for my part, moved to the rhythm of his assault, as if it were a deadly dance. The connection between my movements and his created a hypnotic spectacle. With each twist, jump or block, my lightsaber traced lines of energy that shimmered in the air before fading away.

I decided to change my approach, adapting to his speed and patterns. PROXY was fast and direct, while I opted for fluidity and grace. Where he used strength and precision, I introduced deliberately exaggerated movements and flourishes, not to impress, but to keep my pace while analyzing his attacks. If PROXY used his whole body to attack, I would reduce my response to a minimum: a slight step to one side, a tilt of the wrist, an almost imperceptible twist.

Finally, the climax came. PROXY's hologram had taken the form of an unknown Jedi, but his strategy remained mechanical. With one neat motion, my green saber plunged into his virtual torso. The projected figure flickered before fading, revealing the droid in its usual form, slumped on the ground.

"Another excellent duel, master," PROXY commented as his projector readjusted.

I reached out my hand and helped him up. "Ataru has his limitations without the Force, but I must admit your imitation was quite convincing."

"Thank you, Master." He replied with an enthusiasm that contrasted with the lethal nature of our confrontation.

Before we could continue, a voice interrupted from the cockpit, "Hey, you two! Stop playing games and get over here," Sabine shouted, her tone laden with impatience.

"Looks like training is over." I commented, turning off my lightsaber.

"I suppose so, master," PROXY replied with disturbing innocence. "Do you think there will be opponents to annihilate on Kashyyyk?"

"I don't doubt it," I replied with a faint smile as we both headed for the cockpit.

Sabine was waiting for us by the controls, dressed in her usual attire, but with an air of concentration she rarely displayed. As she saw us enter, she gestured toward the main screen.

"We are approaching Kashyyyk's atmosphere," she said, her tone firm but serene.

"We will arrive shortly."

Just then, the environment blurred into a more familiar setting, with the Galaxy as a backdrop. Kashyyyk was a green and blue sphere suspended in space, off to starboard. It was a pretty planet, though Juno deduced that it had fallen on hard times. The remnants of an orbital bombardment were still visible, even though many years had passed.

I walked over to the console and looked at the planet in front of us. It was an imposing sight: a world covered with dense forests and giant wroshyrs stretching skyward, illuminated by the light of a distant star. Every detail seemed to scream life, nature and endurance, but there was also a sense of danger.

"There it is." I muttered, more to myself than to the others.

Sabine used the Rogue Shadow's sensors to scan the planet's surroundings. She picked up a lot of signals, though there was hardly any traffic. Most of the movement was coming from the Imperial side. There were several commander ships prowling the upper orbits, guns and patrols at the ready. A few transports were heading for a rendezvous point just out of sight, somewhere on the planet's horizon. Sabine moved the ship closer to get a better perspective.

Sabine, without taking her eyes off the monitor, broke the silence. "I hope you have a plan. This place isn't exactly a safe zone, even without the Imperial presence."

"I always have a plan," I replied, though my tone didn't quite manage to hide my doubts.

"That's debatable." She replied, arching an eyebrow with a half-smile.

PROXY, meanwhile, was examining the data on the auxiliary monitors. "I'm detecting signs of activity on the surface. While there is no significant Imperial presence, there are other indications of armed life. Probably hunters or slavers."

"Perfect," I said, crossing my arms. "We'll take care of that when we land. Now get ready. Kashyyyk won't go easy on anyone."

The Rogue Shadow began its descent, and the planet's atmosphere enveloped the ship with a slight tremor.

When we sighted the specific orbital location, it took us a few moments to realize what we were looking at. It was much more than an ordinary equatorial base station, but at first glance the difference was beyond imagination. My brain could not believe my eyes.

An aerial crane was suspended over Kashyyyk, hoisted by repulsars, out of the planet's upper atmosphere. It was a solid utilitarian structure, connected to a clear area far below. It did not look like the local dictator's mansion or a resting place for jaded Moffs. Besides, it wasn't finished. Several dozen freighters and worker droids surrounded the summit and glistened in the golden sunlight.

"What is that?" I asked Sabine hoping she knew the answer.

"I don't know, but it looks like we'll find out soon."

I didn't answer anything, just waited for her to descend the Rogue Shadow through the planet's atmosphere.

I said nothing more, merely watching as the craft swooped down, flying over green hills that stretched out like an endless blanket.

The planet's surface was a refreshing contrast to the dark void of space. However, my mind was elsewhere.

Then I felt it. A whisper in the Force, faint but persistent, telling me clearly that we should stop. It was not a voice, not an explicit command, but that intuition that slipped through my mind like water through my fingers.

"Sabine, stop." My voice interrupted her concentration as she prepared to bring the ship closer to the ground.

She shot me a puzzled look, but followed my hand movement as I pointed ahead. "Do you see that area?" I asked, pointing to a clearing hidden among the trees.

"Yes, I see it." His fingers remained on the controls as he frowned. "You want us to land there?"

I shook my head. "No. I want you to drop me off at that spot and then find a safe place to land the Rogue Shadow."

Sabine's reaction was immediate, almost visceral. She let out an exasperated sigh, turning slightly to face me. "Wait a minute. First, you drag me to this planet without explaining exactly why. And now you tell me to leave you here, alone, in the middle of nowhere. What are you up to, Galen?"

His tone mixed irritation and concern, but I didn't allow myself to falter. Keeping a serious expression, I made sure he understood that there was no room for debate. "Yes, exactly that. Sabine, I need to do this alone."

She held my gaze for a few seconds, her expression hardened, as if trying to find a crack in my resolve. But finally, she exhaled, reluctantly giving in. "All right. But only because I trust you...a little. I'll land somewhere safe and wait here. But you'd better get back alive, Galen. I don't plan on explaining to Hera why you didn't come back."

I gave him a brief nod in thanks. We didn't need words at that moment; our connection spoke for itself. Sabine, without another word, averted her gaze to the controls and maneuvered the Rogue Shadow with her customary dexterity, guiding the ship toward the clearing I had pointed out to her.

The craft glided smoothly, approaching the planet's surface until it came to a brief stop over the canopy of a dense forest, filled with wide-trunked trees that looked like natural pillars holding up the sky. Rays of light filtered through the leaves, drawing intricate patterns on the earth below.

I stood up and prepared for the leap, making sure the saber was firmly strapped to my belt. Before I could move toward the hatch, however, I heard Sabine's footsteps behind me.

"Wait," she said. Her voice was firm, but there was something else in it, a vulnerability hidden beneath her usual determination.

I turned just in time to see her approaching quickly. Before I could say anything, Sabine took me by surprise, enveloping me in a brief but intensity-laden kiss. The world seemed to stop for an instant.

When she pulled away, her gaze met mine, serious and determined. "Don't die, okay?" her tone was almost a command, but the concern in her eyes betrayed her.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and nodded, unable to find words that matched the moment. She nodded once more and, without further ado, returned to her seat, opening the hatch for me.

The roar of the wind filled the cabin, and without hesitation, I launched myself into the void. The cool air hit my face as I descended, and the branches of the trees were rapidly approaching.

Once I landed I plunged into the vast depths of the jungle, letting the Force guide me.

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