The Dragon in the Dying Star

𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝

Chapter II: Caves of Eleuabad

An afterglow that was misty and seemed perpetual lay in silvery grey layers over the green lushness of Naboo as the Federation landing ships descended out of the black infinity of space to settle slowly planetward. One set of three moved away from the others, dropping silently through clouds that hung still and endless across the world's emerald surface. Ghostlike as they passed through the haze, they materialized one by one near a vast, murky swamp.

Gentle as they landed next to the dark waters and clumps of trees and grasses, their metal bodies parted to allow the bulbous-nosed transports to offload onto the surface and begin forming up. Deep hums vibrated the tall trees as flocks of feathered creatures rushed to vacate the area. Dozens of transports filled with battle droids and tanks were moving into place in front of the landing craft. Some hovered above the swamp's waters. Some had found purchase on dry ground.

Some distance away from the closest of the landing craft, blaster fire rained down upon a cloaked figure. Dejah Thoris weaved nimbly through the trees of the woodland. Her Jedi's robe rippled like dark brown waves behind her retreating figure as she was pursued by four battle droids atop single trooper aerial platforms.

Once the Jedi was deep into the cover of the trees, she turned to a halting stop. The soaring sounds of the aerial platforms sang louder as she reached for one of her saber hilts. And then, the first of the four zipped into the small thicket. Dejah's free hand shot up to grab hold of the platform through the Force before she turned to cast it into the base of a tree behind her. An explosion erupted at the contact before another rushed forward from between two trees.

Her weapon ignited in a humming blaze as the rare silver blade deflected a blast back to the platform. The machine, along with the droid atop it, went crashing to the forest floor before the last two came barreling into the clearing. Dejah raised her free hand as the platforms raced into view. As her palm closed into a fist, the two slammed together midair, only to crash to the ground in a blaze of flames and sparks.

The crackling of fire was the only sound within the small clearing as the Jedi extinguished her blade. She turned, placing the hilt of her weapon back upon her belt before setting off in a direction. She allowed the Force to guide her through the viridian underbrush before once more did the sound of blaster fire cleave the tranquil silence.

She took off in a run, leaping over downed trees before rushing into another clearing. She was quick to spot her comrades. The younger of the two was running from two aerial platforms, while the elder stood fast in front of a tall creature. Its eyes, which sat upon short stalks, widened in fright at the skirmish. "Oh, no! Weesa ganna-"

Qui-Gon pushed the creature into the mud. "Stay down!" The Jedi was quick to ignite his lightsaber as the green blade deflected a blast back into the attack craft. The machine exploded midair before Dejah threw a hand forward, sending the other crashing back into a tree. The trooper platforms exploded in shards of hot metal, tumbling into the swamp.

An exhausted Obi-Wan wiped his muddied brow, gasping for breath. "Sorry, Master. The swamp fried my lightsaber." He pulled out his weapon. The business end was blackened and burned. Qui-Gon took it from him and gave it a cursory inspection. Behind him, the creature pulled itself out of the muddy swamp water and blinked curiously at the two newly arrived Jedi.

"You forgot to turn off your power again, didn't you, Obi-Wan?" his friend asked pointedly.

Obi-Wan nodded sheepishly. "It appears so, Master."

"It won't take long to recharge, but it will take some time to clean it up. I trust you have finally learned your lesson, my young Padawan."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan accepted the proffered lightsaber with a chagrined look.