Several days later, Aubrie, Master Fay, Anakin Skywalker, and Sabé sat in the guest box of the Galactic Senate chamber, overlooking the arena where senators floated in their pods. The session was in progress, and they had been there for hours, listening to heated debates about Collan Eislo's actions. The discussions had dragged on, with senators arguing over his threats, his attack on the Republic cruisers, and his influence within the Republic's systems. Chancellor Palpatine stood at the central podium, raising his hands for silence.
The Chancellor spoke, his voice carrying across the chamber. "Senators, we face a grave threat from Collan Eislo. His recent attack on Republic cruisers and his threat to disable Aratech technology have been carefully considered. After much deliberation, the Senate has decided to leave Eislo to his own devices for now. His threat, while possibly a bluff, could severely impact our war effort if realized. We cannot risk our fleet's operational capacity."
Anakin leaned forward in his seat, his fists clenching on the armrests. "I can't believe this. Eislo attacked the Jedi Temple, killed senators, and now he's just walking free?"
Aubrie's expression tightened, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the Chancellor's podium. "This is wrong. He's a murderer, and they're letting him slip away because of a threat he might not even be able to carry out."
At this point a well dressed man floated towards the centre in his pod. He introduced himself as the new Aratech Industries spokesman. "On behalf of Aratech's new leadership, I assure you we are addressing Collan Eislo's actions. We are committed to resolving this matter as quickly as possible and ensuring the integrity of our technology." His words were polished and fancy, everything you'd expect from a corporate stooge, but they were nonetheless hollow, and everyone in the box knew it. Stripping Aratech's systems of Eislo's backdoor access would require dismantling and inspecting countless components across the Republic's infrastructure—a process that would take years and cost billions of credits. The spokesman's promise was a corporate platitude, nothing more.
The Chancellor spoke again. "Once Aratech's technology has been fully replaced and secured, we will revisit this matter. Until then, we must prioritize the stability of our defenses. This session is adjourned." He stepped back from the podium, and the repulsor pods began to disperse.
Anakin stood, his hands balled into fists. "This is outrageous. Eislo is just going to getting away with it?" He said loudly, drawing glances from nearby aides.
Sabé placed a hand on his arm. "Anakin, calm down. Getting angry here won't change anything. We'll find another way."
Master Fay frowned, her gaze fixed on the now-empty podium. "Eislo has spent years embedding himself in the Republic's structure. His influence and power won't simply vanish now that he's a fugitive."
Aubrie nodded. "The Republic froze his official assets, but he likely has substantial resources hidden in unofficial accounts. And that's not even considering the blackmail he holds over other politicians. Scout found evidence of it on his personal terminal, but there's no guarantee we uncovered everything."
Anakin paced a few steps, his frustration mounting. "We have to do something. He can't be allowed to get away with this. He's a threat to everyone, not just the Republic."
Sabé met his eyes. "We will, Anakin. But we need to be smart about it. He's not someone we can just chase down without a plan."
Master Fay's expression grew darker. "I find it disturbing that Eislo possesses a Jedi Holocron. Even more disturbing is what he might plan to do with it. If it was worth exposing himself, his intentions cannot be benign."
Anakin turned to Aubrie. "What does Jaden think of all this? Has he said anything?"
Aubrie sighed, her face clouding with concern. She looked at Anakin. "Jaden hasn't been in contact with us for the last few days. He said he needed time to himself."
Sabé smiled sadly. "I wish there was something more I could do for him."
Aubrie shook her head offering a faint smile. "You've done enough, Sabé." During the near-disaster with the reactor meltdown, Sabé had acted quickly, grabbing a large Kyber Crystal and the crown of Naboo's first queen before escaping. When they were rescued, no one had searched her, and both priceless artifacts remained safe in Padmé's apartment. Had she not have done that then everything that had happened would've been for nothing. At least now Jaden had what he'd came for and could use it when he was ready.
Aubrie's voice softened further. "Jaden will be fine. He just needs time to grieve."
...
In a gang hideout on the edge of Coruscant's undercity, chaos erupted as blaster fire rang through the corridors. The base was a critical node in Collan Eislo's black-market network, channeling credits and weapons to his operations. Gang members shouted and scrambled to arm themselves from crates. A man yelled into a comm unit. "Get reinforcements now! He's breached the outer doors!"
An explosion rocked the corridor. The main door exploded inward, sending metal fragments across the floor. The man spun around and raised his blaster rifle. Jaden charged through the doorway, gripping a blaster pistol. The man fired, but Jaden grabbed the rifle's barrel with his left hand and forced it upward. Bolts scorched the ceiling. Jaden slammed his fist into the man's face, breaking his nose, and fired four shots into his chest. The gang member collapsed. Three others fired blaster carbines from the corridor's end. Jaden lifted the dead man's body and used it as a shield. The bolts burned into the corpse. Jaden pushed the body forward with the Force, knocking two shooters down. He fired three shots, hitting one in the head and another in the throat. The third stood and fired. Jaden slid behind a crate, bolts striking the metal. He leaned out, fired twice, and hit the man in the chest and shoulder. The gang member fell.
Jaden advanced while his fists clenched around the blasterr in his hand. A gang member jumped from behind a crate, tackling him from behind. Jaden ducked, letting the attacker sail over him. He raised his blaster pistol to shoot, but the man knocked it from his hand with a vibroblade. The weapon skidded across the floor. The gang member thrust the vibroblade at Jaden's chest. Jaden pivoted, avoiding the blade, and grabbed the man's wrist. He twisted it, forcing the vibroblade to drop, and punched the man's jaw. The gang member swung a fist at Jaden's head. Jaden blocked with his forearm, kicked the man's knee, and wrapped his arm around the man's neck in a chokehold. He retrieved his blaster pistol with his free hand using the force and pressed it to the man's temple, firing once. The body slumped to the floor.
Leaving the man's body behind and heading out the door he moved into a narrow corridor where six gang members blocked his path—three with vibroblades and three with blaster pistols. He surprised them and fired his blaster, hitting one pistol-wielder in the chest. The man fell. The other two fired, forcing Jaden to duck behind a crate. A vibroblade-wielder charged and jumped over the crate , slashing at Jaden's neck. Jaden blocked with his forearm, grabbed the man's arm, and kneed his stomach. He twisted the arm, breaking it, and kicked the man into a crate. Another vibroblade-wielder swung at Jaden's side. Jaden ducked, punched the man's throat, and kicked his shin, dropping him. The third vibroblade-wielder attacked, thrusting at Jaden's chest. Jaden sidestepped, grabbed the man's wrist, and slammed his elbow into the man's face before kicking him back into the other two. The two remaining pistol-wielders fired. Jaden rushed forward in a burst of force enhanced speed and slid across the floor, firing his blaster pistol twice, hitting both in the head. He reached the third vibroblade-wielder, who was recovering, and kicked his legs out. The man fell, landing on the barrel of Jaden's blaster. Jaden fired, the bolt passing through the man's head.
Jaden moved past the bodies feeling nothing for them as he stepped over the corpses. He exited the corridor and entered a storage room with weapon crates and a holotable. Eight gang members surrounded him, all of them seemingly ready for them. Though jaden still managed to surprise them and fired his blaster, hitting a carbine-wielder in the leg. The man fell, screaming. The others fired, and Jaden dove behind a crate as bolts scorcherd the metal. He reached out with the Force, feeling the thermal detonators on their belts. He activated them, panic emanated through the room shortly followed by explosion. Four gang members were caught in the blasts, their bodies torn apart, and chunks of meat scattered across the floor. The remaining carbine-wielder fired wildly, doing as best he could to hit him and managing to graze Jaden's shoulder. Jaden grunted, rushed forward when his weapon overheated, and punched the man's face. He grabbed the carbine, fired into the man's chest, and turned to the electrostaff wielders. One thrust a staff at Jaden's ribs. Jaden blocked with his with the man's carbine, and kicked the man's knee before smashing him in the face with the gun. The second electrostaff-wielder swung at Jaden's head. Jaden ducked, grabbed the staff, and yanked it free. He swung it into the man's stomach, then smashed it across his face. The vibro-axe wielder charged, swinging at Jaden's chest. Jaden dropped the staff, dodged, and punched the man's throat, he then hit him with several punches to his weak points that made the man almost seize in pain. He grabbed the axe, ripped it from the man's hands, and buried it in his chest.
Jaden took a breath after and checked his equipment before he moved on. Based on the map he'd been able to get of this place he wasn't far from the big bosses office. He slapped his cheek and took a sharp breath. "Let's go." He walked over the corpses again and stepped into another corridor firing almost blindly at someone waiting in hiding. Jaden entered a training area covered with sparring mats and weapon racks. Five gang members stood ready, unarmed but in fighting stances. Two charged at once, one swinging a fist at Jaden's face, the other kicking at his knee. Jaden blocked the punch with his forearm, but the kick hit, forcing him to stumble. The first grabbed Jaden's arm, twisting it. Jaden dropped his blaster pistol, broke the hold with a twist, and punched the man's throat he then jumped up and delivered an elbow strike straight to his head. The second kicked Jaden's side. Jaden absorbed the blow, grabbed the man's leg, and pivoted on his feet throwing him into a rack, which collapsed. The third gang member managed to get behind Jaden and tackled him, knocking him to the mat. Jaden rolled, pinning the man beneath him, and slammed his fist into the man's face three times before he drew out his vibro dagger and went to open up his neck. The fourth punched Jaden's back. Jaden stood, spun, and kicked the man's chest, sending him staggering. The fifth grabbed Jaden's arm, pulling him into a chokehold. Jaden elbowed the man's ribs, broke free, and kneed his stomach Jaden then twisted into a round house, his foot connecting with the man's jaw and sending him to the ground cold.
The first managed to recover and swung at Jaden's head. Jaden ducked, grabbed his arm, and slammed his palm into the elbow, breaking it. He swung the man into the fourth, knocking both down. The third charged, punching Jaden's jaw. Jaden staggered, grabbed the man's shoulders, and headbutted him. He kneed the man's chest, then snapped his neck with a twist. The remaining two stood, one swinging at Jaden's face, the other kicking his leg. Jaden blocked the punch, kicked the second man's knee, and punched his throat. He grabbed the first, slammed him into the mat, and stomped his chest until it killed him.
Jaden kicked open the door to the next room. The gang's boss sat behind a desk with datapads and credit chips. He looked up, his face pale as Jaden entered, covered in blood; some was his most of it was not. Jaden stood over the gang boss, holding his blaster pistol. "Where is Collan Eislo?" He extended his hand, using the Force to lift the desk from the floor. He threw it toward the wall. The desk crashed, breaking into pieces and scattering datapads and credit chips across the room. He raised his hand again, lifting the boss from his chair with the Force. The boss dangled above the ground, his feet kicking.
The boss gasped and waved his hands. He spoke, offering rewards. "I can give you credits. I have weapons. I know people who can get you anything." He reached toward his belt, fumbling for a comm device. "Please, don't kill me. I'll make it worth your time."
Jaden stared at the boss. "Tell me where he is."
The boss shook his head and cried. "I don't know. I swear I don't know where Eislo is. He doesn't tell us anything. I only handle shipments." He sobbed, tears falling down his face. His body shook in the Force hold.
Jaden focused on the boss, trying to use the force to enter his mind; he wasn't very precise bur he was able to get an impression. And he sensed no lies, only fear. He raised his blaster pistol and fired one shot into the boss's head. The boss's body went limp. Jaden released the Force hold, and the body fell to the floor. Jaden stepped over the body and searched the room. He picked up a stack of credit chips from the scattered pile and put them into a pouch on his belt. He grabbed two datapads from the floor and tucked them under his arm. He knelt beside the boss's body and searched his pockets. He found a holokey and a comm device and pocketed them. He walked out of the room, stepping over bodies in the corridor. He activated his wrist terminal and sent a signal to summon twelve droids he had repaired over the past few days.
The droids entered the hideout, their metal feet clanging on the floor. The group included HL-07 Labour Droids and maintenance units. They spread out, following Jaden's instructions. One droid lifted a crate of blaster rifles and carried it toward the exit. Another droid disconnected a holotable and dragged it across the room. Two Labour Droids opened a locked crate, revealing thermal detonators. They packed the detonators into a carryall. The maintenance droids scanned the walls and found a hidden safe. They opened it, removed a stack of rare alloys, and added them to the haul.
Jaden walked through the hideout, placing explosive charges at key points. He attached a charge to a power conduit in the control room, pressing it firmly against the metal. He placed another charge on a support beam in the storage bay, securing it with a clamp. He set a third charge near the main generator, wiring it to a remote detonator. He linked each charge to his wrist terminal, setting the timers. He moved quickly, checking each charge to ensure it would destroy the base.
The droids finished collecting the loot and carried it to a speeder outside the hideout. Jaden followed them, taking one last look at the bodies and debris. He walked to the speeder, standing a safe distance from the base. He pressed a button on his wrist terminal. The charges detonated in sequence, each explosion shaking the ground. The hideout collapsed, flames erupting as the structure turned to rubble. Smoke rose into the undercity air. Jaden climbed into the speeder with the droids and their stolen goods. He set the controls for his base and started the engine.
...
Jaden stood in his base, surrounded by a transformed space. Crates of blaster rifles, vibroblades, and thermal detonators lined the walls. Ship parts, including ion cannons and shield generators, were stacked in organized rows. Twelve droids moved through the room, performing tasks. Two labour droids carried a crate of power cells to a corner. A maintenance droid welded a panel onto a partially assembled turret. Another droid scanned a pile of circuit boards, sorting them into bins. Ever since Jaden had seen Collan Eislo's transmission, rage had consumed him. He channeled that rage into a single purpose: finding and destroying Eislo. He poured his intelligence, resources, and time into preparing for this mission, gathering weapons and tech from raided gang hideouts and repairing droids to assist him.
The Baudo-class star yacht, once meant for galaxy exploration with Velea, stood in the bay, transformed into a warship. Jaden named it the Vengeance, the vessel he would use to exact his revenge. He had stripped parts from stolen gang ships to arm it. The hull mounted four heavy turbolaser turrets, each capable of punching through cruiser armor. Two ion cannons, salvaged from a wrecked frigate, flanked the cockpit. Two missile launcher, loaded with concussion missiles, sat on the dorsal sides. The ship carried a cloaking device, taken from the Chiss ship, to evade detection. For defense, Jaden installed a dual-layer deflector shield generator, reinforced with components from a pirate corvette. He added a point-defense laser system to intercept incoming missiles and fighters. The Vengeance's hull was coated with ablative armor plating, scavenged from a gang's blockade runner, to absorb blaster and laser fire.
The ship's advanced systems and weapons required immense power, which would have strained a standard reactor. Luckily the warp core he and Velea had developed was as more than up to the challenge. The core used a controlled matter-antimatter reaction to generate energy, channeled through the Kyber crystal to stabilize the output. This provided near-limitless power, enabling faster-than-light travel and fueling the Vengeance's weapons and shields. With the warp core online, the ship could engage a Republic destroyer in combat. Jaden had also designed theoretical weapons, including a directed-energy beam weapon. This device would focus a high-intensity particle stream, accelerated through a magnetic field, to deliver precise, devastating strikes capable of cutting through durasteel. He sketched plans for the weapon, calculating power requirements and cooling systems, but had not yet built it.
Jaden knelt beside a droid, tightening a bolt on its chassis with a hydrospanner. The Vengeance was nearly ready, and soon he could hunt Collan Eislo. The challenge was finding him. No one in the underworld knew Eislo's location or plans. Jaden's thoughts turned to Vaylin. She had never confirmed working for Eislo, but her actions and hatred for him suggested she did. If anyone knew where Eislo was, it was her. She was held in a Republic prison center, and breaking her out would not be simple. Jaden looked at the crates of weapons and droids around him, acquired from his raids over the past few days. With this equipment, infiltrating the prison seemed possible. He needed only a few more components to complete the Vengeance's upgrades.
Jaden stood and walked to the Vengeance. He climbed the boarding ramp and entered the cargo bay. Droids loaded crates of power cells, spare blaster parts, and a portable shield generator into the bay. One droid secured a stack of concussion missiles, while another checked a crate of thermal detonators. Jaden moved to the cockpit and sat in the pilot's chair. He activated the controls, and the Vengeance's engines hummed to life. He guided the ship out of the base, the docking bay doors sliding open. The Vengeance ascended, rising through the undercity's dark, narrow passages. The ship broke through to Coruscant's surface, where skyscrapers towered under a bright sky.
A voice crackled through the comm. "Unidentified vessel, this is Coruscant Security. Transmit your ID and clearance."
Jaden pressed a button on the console. "This is Jaden, clearance code 7-4-9-Alpha. Requesting permission to land at Senator Amidala's private platform."
The voice responded after a pause. "Clearance verified. Proceed to the designated coordinates."
Jaden adjusted the controls, guiding the Vengeance toward Padmé's apartment. The ship descended, weaving between towering buildings. He aligned the vessel with the landing platform attached to the senator's high-rise residence. The Vengeance touched down, its landing gear settling onto the platform with a soft thud. Jaden powered down the engines and stood. He checked his blaster pistol, holstered it, and walked to the boarding ramp. He stepped off the ship, his boots hitting the platform, and approached the entrance to Padmé's apartment.
Jaden stepped toward the entrance to Padmé's apartment, his boots echoing on the landing platform. The door slid open, and Aubrie, Scout, and Zule stepped out together, their faces showing concern. Aubrie approached first and placed a hand on Jaden's shoulder. "Are you okay, Jaden?" Scout moved closer, her brow furrowing as she spoke. "Where have you been? We've been worried about you." Zule leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms, she didn't ask Jaden anything. More than most she knew how pained he felt and asking how he was just seemed redundant.
Jaden looked at them, his face expressionless. "Where's the Kyber Crystal?"
Scout tilted her head and started to speak. "Why do you need it?" Aubrie raised a hand to stop her, meeting Jaden's gaze. She nodded and turned toward the apartment. "It's down here. Follow me." She walked inside, and Jaden followed. Scout and Zule trailed behind, exchanging glances. Scout leaned toward Zule and whispered. "What's he doing? He doesn't seem like himself." Zule shook her head and whispered back. "Shh, just let him be."
Aubrie led Jaden through the apartment's main living area to a small room in the back. She knelt beside a metal box secured to the floor and opened its lid. "This is where the Kyber Crystal is." Jaden stepped forward and looked inside, reaching for the large Kyber Crystal. Its surface glinted faintly in the room's light. As he lifted it, he noticed a crown inside the box, embedded with multiple smaller Kyber Crystals that shimmered with various colors.
Jaden held the large crystal and pointed at the crown. "What's this?"
Aubrie stood and glanced at the crown. "It's the crown of the first queen of Naboo. Sabé took it along with the Kyber Crystal before we were rescued from the Eternal Horizon."
Jaden nodded and stared at the crown briefly. He reached into the box and picked it up, realizing the additional Kyber Crystals could aid his mission. He hadn't anticipated this, but it would simplify his plans. He turned and walked toward the apartment's exit, the crystal and crown in his hands. Aubrie followed, grabbing his arm gently. "Where are you going, Jaden? Do you need help?"
Jaden stopped and shook his head. "No. I'll be gone for a while. Don't look for me."
Aubrie released his arm and stepped back. "What are you going to do?" Dhe said her voice breaking slightly.
Jaden turned and faced Aubrie, Scout, and Zule, who stood together, their expressions filled with worry. The sight made him pause, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. He thought of Velea. He had lost her, and he refused to lose anyone else. He hardened his expression and spoke firmly. "I'm fine. Stay here." He walked out of the apartment, crossed the landing platform, and climbed the boarding ramp of the Vengeance. The ship's engines hummed as he entered the cockpit and activated the controls. He guided the Vengeance into the sky, leaving Padmé's apartment behind as he ascended through Coruscant's towering skyline.
In the cockpit, Jaden set the Vengeance on autopilot, programming it to head toward the Republic prison center's coordinates and activating the cloaking device. He stood and walked through the ship's corridors to the engine room, where the experimental warp core stood at the center. The core was a sleek cylinder of durasteel and transparisteel, designed to house the Kyber Crystal. He opened a panel on the core and placed the large Kyber Crystal inside, aligning it carefully with the matrix. He pressed a sequence of buttons on the control panel, and the core activated, emitting a bright blue-white glow. He connected the core to the ship's main systems, routing power to the four heavy turbolaser turrets, two ion cannons, missile launcher, cloaking device, dual-layer deflector shield generator, and point-defense laser system. The console screens displayed green indicators, confirming all systems were stable and fully powered.
Jaden left the engine room and walked to his workshop, a converted storage bay near the ship's rear. The room contained workbenches covered with tools, circuit boards, and weapon components, all gathered from his raids on gang hideouts. He hadn't planned to acquire this, but its Kyber Crystals offered a new opportunity. He set the crown on a workbench and picked up a small precision tool. He examined the crown and selected a purple Kyber Crystal embedded in its frame. He used the tool to loosen the prongs holding the crystal, prying it free with careful twists. He held the crystal up, its surface reflecting the workshop's lights. He placed it on the workbench and activated a datapad, displaying schematics for a lightsaber he had designed a while back when he'd had Aubrie walk him through the process of creating a lightsaber.
Jaden sat at the workbench and began constructing the lightsaber. He picked up a durasteel hilt frame and secured it in a clamp. He inserted the purple Kyber Crystal into the hilt's chamber and fastened it with a mounting bracket. He closed his eyes and reached out with the Force, sensing the crystal's energy. He guided the Force to align the crystal's internal structure, attuning it to his will. The crystal emitted a soft hum, resonating with his presence. He opened his eyes and attached a power cell to the hilt, connecting it to the crystal with micro-wires. He used a soldering tool to secure the wires, ensuring a stable connection. He added an emitter matrix to the hilt's top, screwing it into place. He adjusted the emitter's alignment with the Force, fine-tuning its focus to form a stable blade. He attached a focusing lens above the crystal, twisting it into position with a tool. He wrapped the hilt's grip with a leather strip for better handling. He pressed the activation button, and the lightsaber ignited, casting a purple glow across the workshop. He swung the blade, testing it, and felt the Force flow through it, amplifying his connection to the weapon.
Jaden deactivated the lightsaber and clipped it to his belt. He checked the datapad, reviewing his plan to infiltrate the Republic prison center and interrogate Vaylin. The Vengeance's upgraded systems and the new lightsaber would make things easier, but the prison's security would be formidable. He walked back to the cockpit, he would break in and he would force Vaylin to tell him where Collan was.
Then he would kill her...
(AN: So our boy Jaden has his own lightsaber now. It's a bit simple for now, no special hilt or anything just yet but don't be fooled into thinking the Kyber Crystal he used is just a common one. You'll find it has a unique ability that even Jaden isn't aware of yet. But yeah next chapter we are going to have Vaylins interrogation and hopefully get Jaden on the hunt for Collan Eislo. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter)
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