In a time of turmoil for the galaxy. Almost four thousand years before the birth of Luke Skywalker. The Mandalorian Wars have drained the resources of the Old Republic to the breaking point.
With so many Republic forces on the front lines, the systems on the Outer Rim are teetering on the brink of chaos. The world city of Taris. Once a prosperous trading hub, it becomes a battleground for rival criminal gangs.
In Taris, as in other places, the Republic increasingly relies on the Jedi Knights to maintain order. But with many Knights absent due to the wars, the inexperienced students from the satellite academies of the Jedi Order are called upon to fill the void...
The narration begins
In the Outer Rim Territories/Ojoster Sector/Taris System/on the planet Taris, a bustling and noisy city-world filled with tall and beautiful buildings, among them, one could see a red-haired human with glasses, a Klatooinian (Klatooinians are humanoids, they were bald with protrusions on top of their skull, had prominent eyebrows and visible teeth, also possessed a strong build, a face with hard and thick features), and a Snivvian in purple clothes talking about clandestine business.
- Are you..? Are you sure it's not risky? Doing this in broad daylight? The unsure Klatooinian asked about the situation in this not-so-legal business.
- Calm down, okay? They act like they've never done this before. This is Taris. Lary's permission is enough to not disturb a peaceful business like mine. I calmly explain to Marn as he walks slowly with his companions to where he had what he wanted to offer them.
- Any trade! Spice Ryll, Lum Beer... This is your choice. How do you get them? Or are questions not allowed? The curious redhead inquires about the business he was about to conduct.
- Marn Hierogryph has no secrets. Only a keen eye, a remarkable mind, and a big snout for making deals! The Snivvian congratulated himself for believing he was a great merchant.
- I got a team of loader droids and a happy arrangement with the main port stevedores' guild. When there's an overload of work! My team comes in... And their goods are leaving! Right now, there is a beer freighter headed to Coruscant with a thousand barrels of filthy local water on board! The Hierogryph informs his partners about his plans and his deals, nothing moral and nothing legal.
- I'll buy those from you..! Your prices are better than any I've seen before, from the Vulkars or the hidden beks! I praised the human with a slight smile, ready to make a deal, while Marn laughed at the positive attitude of his partners.
- That's why I'm an independent operator. I don't give the gangs any advantages, my friend... I give you facilities. Your only expense, my droids and me. The cheerful Snivvian explained as he used a control to open the metal curtain of the warehouse, but his smile and good mood were interrupted by the sounds of a lightsaber, as well as sparks. When the curtain finished rising, he saw his old acquaintance, who was not friendly toward him. It was the novice Jedi dressed in his typical Jedi robes of white and brown, along with brown boots and pants, metal knee pads, who was near the remains of dismantled droids with his weapon, which was a yellow lightsaber, while wearing a slight smile.
- Too late, Gryph! I decided to come in person and reduce your indirect expenses. I hope you don't mind! The brown-haired man mocked while looking at the smuggler and his associates.
- Hey, there wasn't any order to do this now... Isn't that right, Wayne? I doubt and ask Marn, somewhat surprised by the presence of his enemy in his business.
- It's Zayne. He corrected the brown-haired one, somewhat grumpy about how they forget his name.
The contacts of the purple-clad alien fled while the smuggler spoke.
- And there's no order for that one to do this, either! He's not a Jedi! He's just an intern! Hierogryph explained, providing the context of why the brown-haired one was in that place.
- That's being a padawan! The Jedi corrected again, clarifying the rank he held in the order.
"That's being a fool!" He mocked the one in purple clothes while with his control he made a bunch of barrels fall on his opponent from a compartment above one of the walls.
- Oh, no. He cursed his luck as the containers began to fall, but with his lightsaber drawn, he managed to cut several before they fell on him.
Unfortunately, the padawan was drenched in the waste from the barrels he had cut, and he was disgusted to see how repulsive the waste was, but he still ran to the exit, chasing the smuggler as he climbed an exterior ladder while his partners fled in the direction they had seen.
- Guys, come back! I have a unit at the east door that is full of offline ground slider engines! Marn insisted as he continued climbing the stairs to escape his pursuer.
- There is no emotion, there is peace, there is no emotion, there is peace. Reciting the Jedi Code, Zayne, who was about to lose his temper due to the very unpleasant situation he was in, turned off his lightsaber.
The padawan ran after the Snivvian and climbed the stairs until he managed to get close to him and with one hand tried to use his mind trick.
- Wait!, you don't want to leave. I order the chestnut to use his powers with the smuggler.
- I don't want to leave. I imitate Gryph being under Zayne's power, or that's what the Jedi believed.
- You want to go down. He kept ordering Zayne while continuing to use his powers on his target.
- I want to go down. He continued imitating the one in purple robes, seeming as if he were under the Jedi's trick.
- You want to turn around. He continued ordering; the padawan thot the smuggler was under his control.
- I want to turn around. He continued imitating the Snivvian while still pretending to be under the Jedi's control.
- And do this. The trafficker mocked as he stomped on the Jedi's hand on the rung of the ladder, causing him to let go and, in addition to being covered in waste, slip and release his feet from the ladder, only holding on with one hand to avoid falling into the void.
- You're supposed to do what I say! The padawan complained while barely holding on with the fingers of one hand.
- Pah! "Your mind tricks" might work on some... "But not with the Gryph!" I asserted with a mischievous smile, as the one in purple clothes playfully interrupted.
- Goodbye, internal! He said goodbye with a wave, the Snivvian.
- Just wait for… He didn't finish speaking when the brown-haired man slipped and fell into the void because of the filth covering his hands.
While in a gliding car driven by a chauffeur, a green Hamadrya with hair, a mustache, and a white boat in purple clothes named Haydel Goravvus (Hamadryas were almost human with green skin and simian snouts) and a blue skrilling in brown clothes named Jervo Thalien (Skrillings were robust humanoids, their height ranged from 1.5 to 1.9 meters, with wrinkled skin, sunken eyes, and eight breathing tubes. They had several rows of sharp teeth, a bony crest on the skull that extended from the forehead to the nape, and very thick and long three-fingered hands) were both chatting.
- And I'm not sure if Lhosan Industries completely withdrew from Taris, Jervo. I can't keep making concessions on taxes! I declare Goravvus, making his limitations clear given the situation.
- Senator, I don't think you understand how expensive it is to do business here! I questioned Thalien, trying to make the diplomat understand.
- It was quite unfortunate when the Vulkars moved their center of operations off our surface. Now the little opportunists in the high city are starting to get bold. Thank the stars they haven't figured out how to place a spaceport yet! The skrilling pointed out the negative or positive aspects of recent events.
- The sheriff has a plan for the gangs, I already told you. And as for your little opportunists, the council has assured me that the Jedi have the situation under control. Haydel assured, clearing his partner's doubts, just after saying that, the padawan was seen falling from a great height.
- How much would those overdue taxes you need amount to? The senator asked his acquaintance with doubt as he and Jervo both looked out the side of their car at Carrick falling onto the other vehicles, bouncing between them.
- There aren't enough credits in the galaxy, senator. Thalien stated confidently as they both watched the Jedi break the window of a building.
"I think I broke a few ribs, it's nothing that kolto can't heal, that could have been much worse." He complained and asserted while multiple lightsabers pointed at the brown-haired one who broke the window and landed on a table.
Zayne saw the masters Lucien Draay, Q'Anilia, Raana Tey, Feln, Xamar with their weapons raised high toward the intruder, but the blond realized it was his apprentice.
- Zayne Carrick. I can assume you forgot about the banquet we had planned... Or is this your idea of making an entrance? Draay stated sarcastically with a slight smile, trying to understand the reason behind the young man's commotion.
- Oh, the banquet. I'm sorry, Master Lucien. But I have been chasing Marn Hierogryph all day, I almost had him this time, the padawan lamented the mess and the commotion while explaining his intentions.
- A little later than the due date. The republic is counting on us to maintain peace. I'll have to do it myself. The blonde reproached his pupil with a somewhat hostile face.
- No, sir, I... But the padawan couldn't finish his words because the table broke under his body and he ended up on the floor.
- Please excuse my tardy padawan, all of you once again. Even for someone who studies serenity, this is an exciting moment. The blond one apologized and tried to rationalize the reckless actions as chaotic behavior of his padawan.
Lucien addressed the padawans in the room
- As you already know, since all of you have completed the Jedi trials, at tonight's ceremony my fellow masters and I will reveal the names of those we will send to Coruscant for the title of Jedi Knight. Knights who will wield the Force. They will continue to protect the worlds of the Outer Rim, such as Taris, for decades to come. I inform the apprentices about those selected for promotion.
Then the blond turned toward his companions and grabbed a glass of liquor just like the other teachers.
- A toast... To an important day in the Jedi Order! Draay proclaimed while watching the other masters.
While with the padawan, he saw others of his same rank like Kamlin, who was a Falleen in blue and purple robes (Falleen are reptilian humanoids who can live for 250 years; their skin was green but could change to red or orange when certain pheromones were released), Oojoh, who was a Ho'din in a brown tunic (Ho'din are tall, multicolored humanoids with long fingers ending in suction cups used for climbing trees, and their heads had medium-sized, fleshy tubes covered in scales that resembled hair, acting as thermal sensors), Shad Jelavan, who was a young blonde human in a blue tunic, and Gharn, who was a Nagai in a white tunic (Nagai are almost human, tall and slender, with pale skin, jet-black hair, gray eyes, and angular features, considered attractive but somewhat emaciated and fragile in appearance).
Jalavan offered his hand to his friend Carrick to help him up.
- Thank you, Shad. The apprentice of Lucien thanked him as he proceeded to stand up.
- You made sure to catch the teachers' attention, my friend. I praised the blonde while he had a smile on his face, then he let go of his comrade's arm when he saw he could walk without any problem.
- Maybe you should try not to do it so often! Suggested the Nagai with a mischievous smile as he crossed his arms.
Shad could smell his comrade's scent with some disgust.
- What, did you start celebrating early? You smell like a tavern! Jelavan joked again as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
- Don't ask me, as if I had any reason to celebrate anyway. But you will surely be knighted. You four. Carrick assuredly, somewhat pessimistic upon seeing that there weren't many chances to rank up.
- There is still hope, Zayne. The war is getting worse. They will send more Jedi against the Mandalorians, as many as they need. The blonde encouraged his companion to see that there was still a chance to be a knight, while handing a towel to his friend.
- "Lower the levels, the usual protector of Zayne Carrick," he joked and thanked the brunette with a slightly more cheerful smile as he received the towel from the blonde.
- In fact, the four of us have concluded that your complete ineptitude is just an excuse for you to fail and stay on Taris where you could still see my sister. I assert with humor and a mocking smile, implying that I knew the accidents caused by my friend were not accidental.
- Shut up. I'm just glad she's not here to see it. He asked and complained, Zayne somewhat annoyed by his friend's words, while wiping the dirt off his face with the towel.
The light brown-haired boy turned around and saw the aforementioned sister, whose name was Shel Jelavan, a human girl with blonde hair in a lavender dress.
- Oh. Hello, Shel. Carrick greeted somewhat nervously upon seeing the beautiful woman with a slight blush on her face.
"Did I mention that, starting tonight, the ceremony is private, and the teachers invited our families for dinner?" The blonde, doubtful, affirmed if he had told his comrade about that detail.
- It's a shame your friends live in other worlds. I feel a bit sorry for Shad because of his friend's loneliness at this party.
Shay, the younger brother dressed in white tunics, ran up to his sister Shel, calling for her attention, but she was talking to Zayne.
- It's fine. They've already seen me make a fool of myself. I could also give your family a chance. The brown-haired man affirmed to his friend before directing his gaze to Shad's sister.
- How have you been, Shel? Carrick asked the girl with a smile while continuing to dry himself with the towel.
- Very well, Zayne. The blonde replied to the light brown-haired person's question with a smile.
- Alright, and as your brother was saying, I brought down the entire order, Jedi three, maybe four times in a single day, and they haven't stopped me yet. At least I don't think it'll happen. I declare with irony Zayne, recalling his failures and mistakes in his missions.
Lucien and his friend, the Miraluka comrade, met; he spoke to her.
- Q'anilia? Did you lose something? The blonde teacher asked his classmate with doubt in his tone of voice, looking at her closely.
- I'm sorry, Lucien. It's just that in a way. I'm glad we did this. It's something like a coming change. A sad day. The purple-robed teacher lamented as a tear slipped from beneath her bandages.
- There is nothing sad about it. We all go where the force takes us. Wherever it may lead us. The order must go. The truly sad day will be when Lucien Draay. More than anyone else having to explain to you about the unifying force, to tell you who and what you are. The blond teacher explained to his classmate, trying to make her feel better.
- Alright, alright. But that's exactly why I'll miss all of them, even Zayne. I affirmed somewhat more cheerfully, Q'anilia, as she watched the young people talk among themselves.
- He doesn't reflect in you, and you know it. "I assure you with a smile," said the Miraluka while continuing to watch the boys.
- Who, Zayne? I must admit, he is entertaining, but there are more important things to think about before tonight. Admitted and claimed the human master as his comrade Xamar approached from behind and spoke to him.
- Yessss, did you communicate with Corussssant tonight? The Khil consulted with his attentive, strange way of speaking with the tendrils he had for jaws.
"I heard what I needed to hear." Lucien concluded to his alien comrade while continuing to watch the padawans.
- Yeeeeeees, but what did she saaaaaay? He asked again, Xamar, doubtful, while continuing to look at his companion.
"Everything is prepared, be at peace." The blond master replied, confident about what they were going to do tonight.
Then Lucien called Zayne's attention.
- Zayne! You will ensure that the administrator is compensated. The human master ordered his apprentice while watching him.
"I will take care of the damages, Master Lucien!" Light brown hair responded, taking responsibility for his mistake.
- And for the food, it will be in cash, please. Master Draay ordered again with a touch of kindness.
"But those are all the expenses, I." Carrick lamented without knowing if he could pay for everything, but in the end, he nodded his head.
- Yes, Master Lucien. I accept the chestnut, somewhat pessimistic, not knowing if he had enough to pay for everything they ordered him.
- We'll see you tonight and don't be late this time. Lucien asked as he left with his companions.
Zayne's teammates approached him to say something.
- Here. Maybe this will help. Shad offered by giving money to his indebted comrade.
Oojoh, Kamlin, and Gharn also gave money to their comrade in distress.
"Wait, you can pay for this, keep it for your family." Zayne complained, embarrassed, about the generosity of his comrades.
- Silence, we are about to start living without possessions, remember? Everything will turn out just fine. I can feel it. We'll see you tonight. The blonde assured his friend while smiling.
Later, after they celebrated together as nite was falling. The boy managed to clean up his mess and stayed behind, giving his money to the lounge manager, who was a Besalisk in a green formal suit (Male Besalisk heads sported prominent crests and four thick arms, while females could have up to eight arms. Both genders had a buccal pouch under their lips similar to frogs, sensory whiskers below their noses, just above the robust beard that adult Besalisks possessed) while the manager continued calculating the expenses and the padawan spoke to him.
- Don't you have it calculated yet? The ceremony is less than an hour! Can't you just make an estimate? The light chestnut-haired man asked doubtfully, watching as the administrator continued to extract the expenses, making numerous calculations on his calculator.
- No, I can't just make an estimate! This table was made of noble wood from Taboon. Do you know how difficult it is to get one in this city? The very serious salon owner claimed while calculating the expenses.
- Look, just take everything in the bag, I have to. The padawan offered because he could see thru the broken window, noticing how on a very wide and crowded walkway, he spotted a being of the same race and same clothes he wanted to catch, walking around illuminated by the surrounding streetlights.
- Gryph? The apprentice spoke, noticing more the appearance of the almost probable smuggler he had been wanting to catch.
- And by the way, I already told you, I'm not going to organize anything for the Jedi, not again without adding insurance and a. The administrator demanded, but he couldn't finish speaking because he saw the padawan approach the window and jump thru it to descend to the crowded walkway, taking his bag of money with him.
- Hey.. What's up with my credits? Wait! Come back here! MY MONEY! The administrator demanded and shouted at the padawan who fled down the walkway toward his target.
Meanwhile, with the purple-clad smuggler, he was talking to a human with an Asian hat, golden clothes, and orange sunglasses.
- I don't know why I'm buying from you after what you brought last month. Gryph. The human complained while looking at a small device that showed what the place contained and that was the key to enter the place of the merchandise offered by the Snivvian.
- What are you now, an ancient historian? You are a droid collector... And this is a warehouse full of the main bulk chargers from the T1 series... Among all of them, any dings? The smuggler specified his merchandise with a slight smile to his partner.
- Well, I wouldn't be interested, but it's hard to resist with you pouring the lubricant into all the machines. Did you say a thousand drums? He admitted and consulted the human while continuing to look at the device's list and what was inside the container.
- Maybe there are a few less. We've had Mynocks. And ignore the mess! My cleaning droid is at the store! He clarified, the one in purple clothes, giving details of what he was selling to his acquaintance.
As he walked away from his partner, Marn saw someone drop a bag of money. He kept watching the bag from which coins were peeking out, so he decided to pick it up, and suddenly Zayne Carrick lunged at the trafficker from behind.
- I caught you. Exclaimed the brown-haired boy victoriously as he caught his old adversary from behind.
- Do you think so, huh? The smuggler joked, having a very reliable trick as a classic for this situation, or so he thought.
- Help!, help!, this criminal is trying to steal my money! Thief! Murderer! I screamed at the top of my lungs, pretending to be a robbery victim, but no one supported me, and people just walked by without paying much attention.
- You're going to have to choose a planet with a more cooperative audience for that to work. Zayne stated with irony while continuing to hold his adversary.
Suddenly, the Snivvian threw the bag of coins, scattering them across the area.
- Payday! Marn announced while seeing coins everyplace and the people around went to pick them up and fight over them, causing the padawan to get distracted.
At one moment during his escape, the smuggler felt his body lift into the air.
- It seems like I've lost weight. I joke, feeling like I was suspended in the air, unable to keep walking.
- And apparently, I've lost all my money. He responded to his opponent's joke with some anger.
"I must admit, I was surprised to see you throw it away." He stated in astonishment, the young Jedi continued using his powers, not knowing the reason why his adversary threw the money away without caring.
- Ahhh, that's a small amount for a guy like me. Hierogryph scoffed with a tone of indifference at the brown-haired man's small pile of credits.
- That didn't seem to stop you from taking it in the first place. Carrick stated as he brought the smuggler toward him and put handcuffs on him so he couldn't escape and took him to his speeder bike.
Already in the vehicle, the padawan drove toward the temple with the fugitive he had captured.
- Listen, padawan. You don't want to do this. I joke and plead with the trafficker while he mimics the gestures of mental tricks with his hands.
- Any amount they are paying you. I will give it to you! The captive offered desperately, trying to convince his captor.
- They don't pay a Jedi, at least I don't think they do. By the time I manage to become one, all the rules might have changed. I doubt the brown-haired one, thinking about what the Jedi would be like in a possible future.
I bet you still haven't managed to lose the braid, huh? How much do you want for it? I know collectors who are looking for that kind of thing. The smuggler offered with a mischievous smile, seeing if his captor was interested in that offer.
- I am currently going to a ceremony where I will find out which students have been named knights. If they choose me, I will give you my braid. Carrick made it clear to his captive that he would give him what he so dearly wanted from him.
- Is that likely? I asked the Snivvian doubtfully, expecting to get what I wanted.
- Only if they lose their heads, if you haven't noticed, I'm a kind of plague. The padawan stated pessimistically while bowing his head slightly, somewhat embarrassed.
Finally, they arrived and landed the speeder in the hangar of the Jedi academy.
- Snivvians are all noses, buddy, they all smell the same to me. The delinquent jokes with a smile.
- So, what's next? Are you taking me to make a big leap with your saber? I ask the one in purple clothes sarcastically, not knowing what was going to happen now.
- No, they don't allow it on the temple floor. I'm not even supposed to bring a prisoner here, but I'm in a hurry. Zayne clarified as he loosened the handcuffs of his prisoner.
- Thank you, these were starting to irritate my forearms. The Snivvian thanked him with a smile, feeling more comfortable.
- If I'm lucky, I can still catch the end of the ceremony. Carrick affirmed hopefully as he tied the smuggler to the motorcycle so he couldn't escape, while he ran to where he needed to go.
- Come back here! I demand to see the sector sheriff! She can arrest me, but she will surely treat me more gently! INTERNAL! I demanded, shouting angrily and indignantly, as Hierogryph watched his captor head toward the tower.
"Wish me luck!" The padawan asked kindly as he opened the tower door and stepped inside.
"Masters, please forgive me for the delay." Carrick apologized, but what he saw paralyzed him, and that was that he envisioned the masters with their lightsabers raised, serious expressions on their faces, with the bodies of their fellow padawans lying inert at their feet, marked by lightsaber wounds along their bodies.
- You're late, kid. I scolded Lucien with a serious and cold face while looking at his student.
Zayne turned around and fled back the way he came upon seeing the grim scene.
- The end -