So this is the Scimitar. It really did look exactly as I'd seen in some comics and in The Phantom Menace. An elongated nose, on which hung two missile launchers. According to the schematics my father provided, inside, in that spot, there is a compartment for storing missiles. In total, it carries four missiles for each launcher, plus one missile already loaded initially. That's five on each side. The nose widened toward the stern in a sphere shape, to which panels were attached. The stygium coating — the lion's share of this ship's cost. It's simply built for sabotage and infiltration. But even if it's detected — it can upset someone. With missiles, obviously, and four turbolasers attached to the ship's panels. Actually — there are six turbolasers. Just two more face backward, covering the ship's rear. And four face the direction of travel.
They aren't mounted directly in the panels so much as in a special turret-like analogue, allowing them to change the angle of the gun's slope mid-flight. The ship also has an upgraded reactor, capable of powering all this magnificence, a more powerful engine, and the same hyperdrive. Class two. Hyperdrives are divided into many classes. And it's somewhat non-standard, I'd say. For instance, a class two hyperdrive is better than a class three hyperdrive. And that's the logic for all of them. But the most important thing — starting from class two, hyperdrives are used only for military ships. Well, or for those who had the audacity, connections, and resources to buy them. That's why the military were eyeing my ship...
But I've already decided I'm not giving it to anyone. A modified ship, for that much credit? Plus it has a great design, excellent speed, stealth... As for the armament — any admiral would be displeased. But most importantly for them — to have as much as possible. They'd want a Star Super-Destroyer, and more of them. I have a ship for infiltration. It also had drawbacks. For example, I once saw a schematic of Maul's ship by compartments. In Maul's bow, there was a full cargo hold, according to that diagram. In this modification, it was packed with missiles. And that space is completely lost. Right behind it is the maintenance space; in that compartment, all the ship's important systems converge, as well as in the next room.
Further, a long corridor leads into a spacious, by ship standards, hall. On the right is the combined storage-kitchen. Yes, they combined it all. There's enough space for one person. At a glance, there's enough room here for some training, not for all types, but for some. On the left, directly opposite this storage, are two cabins. The Captain's — large, comfortable. And the "guest" one. With a hard bed, modest amenities, generally furnished in a Spartan style. These cabins are separated not only by a wall. Right between them is an elevator leading to the second deck, which is only present in the sphere. The second deck held a surprise for those first exploring the vessel. That's exactly where the self-destruct system activation was located.
But it was successfully hacked, and my ship was saved for me... The forward section of the second deck is essentially the Captain's Bridge. It contained all the systems for controlling the ship, from its movement to attack and defense. Right in front of the Captain's Bridge, on the outside, was the shield generator. Not too strong — enough for a couple of hits from a frigate or corvette. Inside, as I already said, was everything related to ship control. The helm consisted of two connected levers that resembled a steering wheel. The weapon controls were on them too. Missiles and turbolasers. If desired, the rear turbolasers could be handed over to the computer. It would cover the rear on its own, while the pilot could open fire along the course of travel.
Behind the Captain's Bridge, on the same deck, there was another storage room. A weapons storage, according to my father. Rifles, blasters, grenade launchers... Even a disintegrator! The mercenary was a serious man, and according to intelligence — which, after the King's dressing-down, had scoured every place where Dol Agid had been spotted — he was implicated in the murder of Jedi, numerous acts of sabotage, and two political assassinations ordered by unknown parties. He would have successfully kidnapped me too, if I hadn't resisted. He got into the palace due to the negligence of certain employees, who had already been fired and then delivered to the dungeons of the SBT — the Security Service of Tustra. Alaric is truly an excellent ruler, but sometimes bureaucrats ruin even the systems of rulers like him, as I was told.
It turned out that Kaji had beaten the Head of Personnel of Niroli at cards several times. And his boss couldn't think of anything better than to hire the recommended character without going through the checks. They said Doli — as Agid introduced himself when applying — had been to several hot spots and knew how to fight. Besides, Niroli liked him. Of course, the position was an ordinary one. For non-ordinary positions, there was a queue of aristocrats until the Second Coming on Earth. But Dol made do with this. He was able to find me quickly — I wasn't exactly hiding on Tustra. The world was stable and prosperous, crime was almost non-existent. No one laid a hand on the children of aristocrats. Peace and tranquility... And he tried to kidnap me...
"Light, lunch is ready," my mother called me, after which I went from the hangar to the kitchen.
I was dressed in light, bright clothes. In my room, my packed things were already stacked — they were getting me ready to leave for Coruscant with Yoda. Lately, a kind of melancholy had come over me. I just didn't understand why I felt so sad when I looked at the house where I'd lived for the last few years, when I glanced into my room, when I looked at my mother and father. They were both sad too, most likely, just like me. I entered the dining room, noting to myself that Mayla still hadn't taken off her favorite maid outfit. She preferred to wear it even at home. On the table was my favorite dish, vaguely resembling pizza. It consisted of a flatbread with pieces of meat baked into it.
Dennis was already sitting and eating calmly. I joined the meal, starting with the equivalent of tea. The Sephi brewed green leaves of Lindrum, the most common plant on Tustra, and made a decent tea from it. Invigorating and moderately tasty. Mom sat down across from me with a sad smile, studying me with her eyes. If this used to make me tense up, now I was used to it. True, this time Mayla's eyes were moist — I'd say wet. Yes, my mother's love for me is incredible. My... I had long ago removed the words "that" and "this one" from my vocabulary. My parents are Dennis and Mayla Flyingstar. No one else. Perhaps I underestimated my attachment to both of them. Now, realizing that I would be flying off to distant Coruscant, to the Jedi Temple, this very evening — I felt a vague anxiety and sadness.
Finishing lunch, I moved to the living room, where I just sat on the couch and sank into my thoughts. Not meditating, just thinking. What am I doing? I found a new home, a loving family. And now I'm going to give that up to become a monastic Jedi Knight? Fly away from my beloved mother, who always helped me, from my father, who tried to teach me? From my friends, who aren't just my friends because I showed them my tricks? It's... just hard for me. With a heavy sigh, I activated the holoprojector, on which rested holophotos of our family... Walks in the parks on my birthdays, trips on excursions. The Flyingstars took my upbringing seriously...
"It seems you're deep in thought," a male voice reached me.
I looked up and saw a tall man. Dressed in his classic, favorite suit, which was a size too big, Gadji was watching me with interest. My uncle's hair was loose to his shoulders — like me, he didn't really appreciate or like the signature Sephi hairstyle.
"Uncle..."
"In a man's life, dear nephew," he sat down on the couch, studying the photographs, "there is always room for choice. Sometimes it's insignificant. And sometimes it can affect everything. You and your loved ones. I believe you're facing something like that now. Perhaps you think you can change everything and not follow Yoda to Coruscant."
"Yes," I nodded gloomily, "perhaps."
"You're smarter than your peers, Light," my uncle looked me straight in the eye, "that's your advantage, but it's also your disadvantage. Because intelligence is nothing, as my grandfather used to say — alas, I realized that myself too late. The main thing is wisdom. What's the difference between intelligence and wisdom?"
"I don't know," I shook my head sadly.
"Intelligence," Gadji explained, "is just knowledge. You can know the structure of a blaster down to every screw. But that doesn't make you wise. The wise one is he who also knows how to use his knowledge. But you don't have that — not every intelligent being is simultaneously wise. You are not wise, so you think for a long time and don't know what decision to make. That's why I came to help you."
"How will you help me?" I asked Uncle Gadji. "Will you fly to Coruscant for me?"
"A bad joke," my uncle chuckled, "perhaps your talent for humor hasn't awakened yet. I'll help you make your choice, Light," my uncle explained. "Despite all the elite nature of becoming a Jedi, I know perfectly well that flying with Yoda is only your choice."
"I packed my things..."
"That's not enough," my uncle cut me off harshly. "Packing your things isn't enough to take the first step. Pulling the trigger isn't enough to kill," his face transformed, becoming hard — I'd say cruel. "You're ready, materially and perhaps physically, but not morally. Morally, you're like between land and water, not knowing which way to go. Walk on the ground or give yourself to the water? You haven't yet chosen your path with your heart and mind. And don't look at me like that — it's not just Jedi who can philosophize. Live as long as I have."
I thought, closing my eyes. The Force... It called me forward, like a mother leading a child by the hand across a crosswalk. Where would it lead me? And did I want that?
"I see my words have fallen on fertile ground, like seeds," Gadji smiled. "That's good. Since you have more intelligence than feelings, I'll speak plainly. Stay here, and you'll live an ordinary, unremarkable life. Even if you become a Guard or a soldier. You'll get married, have children, or maybe, like me, remain forever alone. Billions of Sephi live like that... But going with Yoda — you'll enter a wondrous and incredibly dangerous world. A cruel and terrible world. You've already entered it, but only partially. What's closer to you, Light Flyingstar? Do you want to become someone above your current self? Someone who will be above billions of others, or is your goal just as mundane and simple?"
Thoughts swarmed in my head like bees in a hive. The question I was asked... Or rather, the answer to it — would affect not only my fate. But also the fate of many beings, even the Galaxy potentially! Who had I been all this time? Leonid Ivanov... "Lenya." He wanted an ordinary, unremarkable life... Perhaps it would have bored me. But... A long, long time ago, like all men, all boys, Lenya dreamed of great deeds. He had neither the character nor the strength. But, like all boys, he imagined himself strong, both on the outside and inside... He had no talents, or he had let them go. But now I'm not him. I'm no longer Leonid Ivanov, I'm Light Flyingstar... Light of the Flying Star. I have the mind of an adult, who has his own views on many things, I have talents that I didn't ignore this time. I have opportunities that Lenya never even dreamed of! So is it worth living another ordinary, unremarkable life? Is it worth staying that same "Lenya"? I don't want to... No! I'm not Lenya Ivanov. I'm Light Flyingstar! I have a lot, and I must achieve more!
The Force, like a pleased kitten, purred with approval. I felt as if a weight had been lifted from me several times over. As if glass had shattered with a crack in my mind... Yes... There's no point in dreaming about what I've already achieved and experienced! I have many ideas, many questions. Desires! I will change and become better, better than Leonid...
"It seems," my uncle smiled, "you've decided something for yourself. You're more mature than you appear, which is why I posed that question to you."
"Yes!" I smiled back. "I understood a lot. Or, I think I understood."
"That's good," Gadji nodded.
The day slowly turned into evening. My mother spent all her time in my room, constantly thinking of what could and should be put in my bag. Already this morning, she had run around all the elite stores in the Palace Quarter and bought all the best clothes, not only for my current age but also for when I'd grow. She also wanted to buy me a protocol droid, distinctly reminiscent of C-3PO — and what, besides the color, made him different from other droids? At my innocent joke that the only protocol droid I needed was HK-47, Yoda seemed to freeze, as did my father, who muttered something and said something like "request received, please wait for a competent specialist to respond." That was in the morning; the next time I saw my father was only at lunch, and even then he was silent. It seems I said something I shouldn't have.
* * *
The star of Tustra would soon disappear over the horizon. The last rays only slightly illuminated the Palace Hangar. The crew and passengers of the CR70 corvette were preparing to depart from the planet. The composition of those leaving, besides the crew, was as follows. Three diplomats from the Senate Commission, who had concluded some contracts with the sector government. The new senator of Tustra and our sector — Navi Sefitres, the nephew of King Alaric. Oh, Navi was glowing like a bright star. And why wouldn't he be — he was a new Senator, flying to Coruscant, where the Senate was. And he would be one of the leaders of the Republic. Unlike him, the diplomats of the Senate Commission radiated their usual cold calm, characteristic of all diplomats and Jedi. Statistically characteristic. The only thing that caught the eye was the beautiful Twi'lek woman, Vaila, who was drilling me with a studying gaze.
Next to me stood Yoda, and not far away, conversing with Yoda himself — Alaric Sefitres.
"The new specimens are truly wonderful, my friend," said Alaric. "I promise you that on our next visit, I will obtain some specimens from the Expansion Region that were promised to me."
King Alaric was a true botanist, who loved growing plants. His garden was enormous, and he loved tending to it.
"I will be glad to see the new specimens, my friend," said Yoda, leaning on his cane.
You wouldn't think he was particularly agile. But... Master of Ataru! How did it go? "Judge me by my size, hmm?" Look, Dol Agid also judged by size... Or not. He rather understood — he couldn't escape from Yoda, so he decided to go all-in, although later the Master told Gadji that Dol didn't so much want to kill Yoda himself as to make sure I ended up in the blast zone of the explosives. Thank you, Grand Master Yoda... It was he and his Tutaminis that protected me — that technique had just moved into the category: learn first.
"Pre-flight preparations are complete," the Captain in his flight suit interrupted us. "Please board."
"Good... Very good," Yoda was the first to head toward the ship's ramp. "Say goodbye you must," he said to me without turning around. "A long path you begin."
I glanced toward my parents, who were standing at a respectful distance from us. Alaric caught my gaze, and then, turning around, stepped aside, nodding to my parents to come closer. Although they could have been near me earlier, they were still waiting for the King's permission. Mom threw herself on my neck...
"Light," she whispered in my ear. Her hot breath was burning. "Always eat well and plenty, don't quarrel with anyone."
"Come visit whenever you can," my father managed.
"Remember, we will always love you, no matter who you become, no matter what happens to you," Mom had already squeezed me until my ribs creaked as usual.
"Mom," I hugged the woman, the only one who had become my mother. My eyes moistened on their own... That was it. Soon I would be done with them for a long time. Jedi must be able to restrain themselves. So I must learn and devote time only to that. I must learn to control myself. After all, so much had happened due to a lack of self-control.
"When you come next time, I'll feed you your favorite dishes," she promised. "You can always get anything you ask from us, Light. And..."
"Next time I'll meet my little sister," I continued for her. At the level of my stomach, I felt a strange structure, another living being. Force Sense couldn't have developed that well — I could simply, by concentrating, feel the auras of beings. And I knew Mom's aura too well not to feel the changes.
Mom just smiled warmly.
"Mom... Your smile... It's so beautiful," I said shyly, which made Mayla smile even more, and then she kissed me on the forehead. I watched slightly distantly, rubbing my forehead, as Mom stepped aside. Eyes... Stop crying immediately!
"Time," Dennis reminded, glancing toward the ship, and then he looked at me. "Learn, son," was all he said. "I hope you'll come for your ship."
"Dad," I hugged my father. "Star Trek," I said in his ear. "Its name isn't 'Blood Blade'" that's what Dol Agid had tastelessly named this ship — "it's 'Star Trek'."
"That's a beautiful name," said my father. "I'll make sure it's changed. And I'll prepare that astromech droid you talked about."
No matter how much everyone loved the famous R2-D2, I didn't want an R2. The design of BB-8 seemed more successful to me. The only character in the New Canon of Star Wars that you don't want to kill off as unnecessary. He's faster than a regular R2. Plus, BB-8 hadn't even been designed yet. I drew this droid as best I could in the local equivalent of Paint. My father, using his engineering talent, was already thinking about the BB layout. Though I didn't want to change the canon too much. There was no need for others to use my BB droid. Let everyone use R2 and similar models — I wanted BB only for myself.
"Thank you, Dad. I'll become better... or die."
"Yes... And about HK-47," my father said with a stone-faced expression. "I'll think about that too."
"Uhh..." I froze. "Dad... Maybe not? HK-47. I just... Well, it's..."
"Yes," my father nodded. "I don't know where you learned about the HK series droids. But he might come in handy in your life. What kind of father would I be if I couldn't help my son as much as I can? Maybe I can't hit a credit from fifty meters with a blaster shot, or swing a lightsaber. But I'll create an assistant for you who can help you in the future. I promise."
It seems I not only underestimated Mayla Flyingstar's love. Dennis, with the caveat that he's a man, also loves me. Loves me as a son. He even promises to make an HK-47 for me. I hope he's not serious... I'm not sure, despite the future, that I need such a companion, one that mows down "meatbags" left and right.
"Alright," my father hugged me, getting up from one knee. "Time to say goodbye. Gadji told me about your conversation. You're acting — not to say correctly — but like a man. I didn't have the courage in my time for something similar," according to Mom, my father once wanted to become a mercenary in his youth. And he would have, but in the end he chose an ordinary life. "Goodbye, my son," he kissed me on the forehead, right where Mom had.
I walked toward the ship and climbed up the ramp. While it hadn't closed yet, I watched my parents hugging each other.
"Careful you must be," said Yoda. "Onto a dangerous road you step, much you will have to understand, boy."
"Yes, Master Yoda, I feel that this is the beginning of something new..."
"The same I feel, as if something in the Force has shifted," the old Master nodded. "Glad I will be if these changes are for good. Not only for you, but for the Order and the Galaxy."
"I will be very glad too, Master," I said, turning away from the ramp and walking deeper into the ship.
The inside of the ship was ornate white, polished almost to a shine.
"Master Yoda, now for you I am, I teach all younglings and you I will teach too. Until a worthy master for your training we find. A great Jedi you can become," said Yoda, walking in step with me. "Just do not stray from the path..."
The corvette's deck shuddered. The engines lifted the vessel into the air quite smoothly and carried it upward, toward the stars.