Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
THE SMALL Republic shuttle cruised through the cloud cover, descending toward the planet's surface. Aruna peered out the viewport, her brow furrowing as a barren landscape came into view. Desolation stretched as far as the eye could see—rocky outcrops and dusty plains marked the terrain, dotted with crumbling structures that hinted at a once-thriving civilization.
"What exactly are we doing here?" Aruna asked, crossing her arms as she turned to Anakin, who sat next to her in the cramped cockpit. "This doesn't exactly scream 'successful mission territory.'"
Anakin adjusted the ship's controls, his expression unfazed. "This is the best lead we have on the Separatists' next move. Besides, you should know by now that the most unexpected places often hold the biggest surprises."
"I'm all for surprises, but this place looks like it's been abandoned for a decade," she replied, still studying the landscape as they descended further. "What if it's a trap? Or worse, what if we're the only ones here?"
Ahsoka, sitting behind them, piped up, her tone light. "You're just being dramatic, Aruna. It's probably just a quiet spot for the mission. No big deal."
"Yeah, easy for you to say," Aruna retorted, shooting her a sideways glance. "You're not the one who gets to lead a mission in a ghost town."
Obi-Wan, seated at the back of the cockpit, chimed in, his calm demeanor a contrast to Aruna's growing tension. "There's always a risk, Aruna. But it's also an opportunity. Remember, we're Jedi. We're trained to face the unexpected."
As the shuttle touched down with a slight jolt, Aruna felt her stomach drop. She unclipped her seatbelt and stood, stretching her legs as they powered down the engines. "Alright, let's get this over with. I just hope there's more here than dusty rocks and echoes."
Anakin opened the hatch, stepping out onto the cracked ground. "Welcome to our playground, Aruna. If you look closely, you might find it's more interesting than it seems."
Aruna followed him, stepping down onto the gritty surface. The air was dry and filled with the faint scent of ash. She glanced around, noting the scattered debris and the skeletal remains of what used to be buildings. "Interesting isn't exactly the word I'd use. Creepy might be more appropriate."
Ahsoka stepped out next, her eyes wide with curiosity. "I think it's cool! It feels like an adventure."
"A horror adventure," Aruna muttered under her breath, scanning the horizon for any signs of life—or trouble.
As they gathered their gear, Obi-Wan approached, glancing around thoughtfully. "Stay vigilant. We need to investigate the area and gather intel. Let's not forget why we're here."
"Right, intel," Aruna said, rolling her eyes. "As long as it doesn't involve us becoming ghost stories, I'm in."
Anakin smirked, the glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Just think of it as an opportunity to be heroic. The stories we'll tell later could be epic."
