From The Ashes

Chapter 6

I tried my best to keep my face straight instead of breaking down. When I looked him straight in the eyes, I saw a flash of recognition in his, and I knew he knew who I was.

The abednedo had apparently forgotten about me, and was inspecting the ship in front of him. "Look at this! A Jedi fighter! We could get big money from this, Cal. It's a real scrapper's payday!"

Cal didn't look away from me. "Yeah, I guess."

"This scrap's been here, what, four years?"

"Five," Cal and I said simultaneously.

"Y'know, Cal, a find like this could be your ticket off this soggy rock!"

That perked his interest. "What makes you think I want outta here?"

"Oh, come one Cal. You're a young guy. You don't wanna end up like me," he said.

Cal gave him a look, like he was about to reassure him, but Prauf cut him off. "Eventually, you gotta move on and live your life. Find your destiny!"

Cal brought back his tolerant look. The one that said Ok sure I'm listening but not really cause I want you to stop talking. "Yeah, whatever you say. Hey, Prauf, I'll catch you later. I'm gonna help..." He pretended not to know my name.

I hesitated. "I'm... Sel."

The abednedo, who's name was apparently Prauf, nodded. "Nice to meet you, Sel. See you later, Cal." He left.

Cal and I stood silently, watching the other, wondering if it was really possible.

"Gianna..." He trailed off.

I took two steps forward and threw myself into his arms. He wrapped them around me tight, and I started to shake with silent sobs. He was alive. He's okay. He's alive. You're together.

"How—?" He started. "How did you find me?"

"I don't know. I don't know anything at this point." I drew a shaky breath. "How did you survive?"

"I almost didn't. Master Tapal... He saved my life." I heard the guilt and grief in his voice. "Master Kenobi?"

I bit my lip. "I don't know. We were separated, and I almost died. I have no idea if he made it out." I paused. "Do you know if anyone else survived?"

"No, I haven't heard from anyone."

I pulled away, though I didn't want to. I'd missed him.

"Why are you here? What is this place?" I asked.

He spread his arms wide open, gesturing to the scrap pile all around us. "Welcome to the junkyard that is Bracca. Home to scrappers and stormtroopers but not much else."

I cracked a smile. "Sounds fun. So it's Imperially occupied?"

"Yeah. Come on, we should go. They might get suspicious if we're out here for so long," he said, looking over his shoulder.

"I gotta go get my stuff from my ship."

He nodded. "Meet me back here."

I turned and jogged back to find the Boundless, wherever it crashed.

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Cal, Prauf, and I were on a train back to Cal's apartment. The two of them spoke in hushed tones, but I stayed silent.

After a few minutes, Cal told me what was going on. The deck of a ship had tipped over, he said. Prauf would've died. Cal had to use the Force to slow his fall. Prauf now knew about our being escaped Jedi. Cal and I were going to leave Bracca with the help of someone called Tabbers, who owed Cal a favor.