Defenders of Starlight: A Star Wars Story (Book 1)

sandy engines

"Actually no, and I need you as my transportation."

I stare at the Jedi, my mind is reeling. I need that lightsaber, but I can't pull the trigger and I blame the very reason I can't on the shock of the small carbonite shadow. My body is drawn towards it, my mind begging for the answer. My finger twitches but I can't fire, not yet. Not until I know.

      "Why?"

       "I need to understand more. This is what my master asked me to do," Kheel looks away, the first sign of conflict I have yet to see. Dark shadows flicker behind his eyes. His face does not suit the look. I raise my chin. Someone has a secret.

      That makes two of us.

      It would appear the hero and the monster are not so different after all.

"What can I even do. I'm no Jedi, I don't have the Force," I state, taking in every aspect of Kheel. The slice on his forehead is still oozing blood, he must be getting weaker, but I can't escape. Not if my knee decides to fail again and not without the box. Especially not if he can use that trick on me again.

     Not to mention, he has a sword that can cut me in half.

     Even as the thought crosses my mind, I doubt Kheel is one to kill. But that passing look in his eyes may tell a different story. A story that I recognize all to well.

"No... I suppose not, but you have a ship and a reason to help me. Not to mention, I sense something about you that was supposed to find me. Get me to a Jedi temple, and I shall pay you more than this lightsaber is worth. In addition to the actual weapon."

"Do you even have access to that kind of money?" I counter, laughing almost at the absurd idea of this orphan having more to his name than even me. BonDar maybe.

"I have access to Skywalker's personal vault," He states simply. "Not credits, per say, but artificats much older than even that of the Galactic Republic."

     I keep my face stone as I stare at the Jedi. However, inside, I'm gaping. That amount of credits would surely be enough to buy The Hollow. In fact, even one of those artificats is more credits than I would probably ever see working these assignments for BonDar. I look down, weighing his words. My blaster drops slightly as I think. What could one more rotation hurt? I take a deep breath. I am not deserting BonDar. I will return. Before he sends his secret army to get me. I'm getting him more of a bounty. That type of credit, surely he would be pleased. Maybe Kheel will even lead me to Skywalker. It's almost too perfect to pass up, no bounty hunter would even dream of passing up this much opportunity.

      "Alright, I will get you to a Jedi temple, but that is all," I say, slowly bringing my blaster down. Striking a deal. A bounty hunter's weakness. Kheel sticks out his hand and I stare at it.

      "We are at an agreement then?" He says, gesturing at his outstretched hand with a tilt of his head. I purse my lips as I take it with my own, tan clashing with pale orange. Warmth against freezing.

      "Agreed."

       It bothers me how Kheel doesn't shudder under my touch and that I become instantly aware of the little shadow watching us, screaming a name. The thought is foggy and chills up my spine, pulling me by a narrow thread. I quickly pull our hands apart. Kheel breaks into a bright grin and marches ahead of me. Any sign of those dark shadows in him are gone.

        "To your ship!" He calls. I turn my gaze back to the last of an era, my imagination firing screams in my mind, before following after Kheel. The storm has subsided slightly. The palace is brighter than before, but only slightly. I step through the metal gate we came through and I watch as Kheel practically skips down the hall, knitting my eyebrows. What a strange Nabooian. Their people tend to be elegant and reserved with deep history built into their own government. However, Kheel's only similar attribute seems to be his accent. Skin that I assume to once be the common pale is now kissed by the suns of the desert, darkening it.