LEILANI SERENNO bridged the past and the present, born into a family of cruelty and then groomed to fulfil a role in the grand scheme of things. She was a puppet manipulated by her brother, ensnared in a larger narrative orchestrated by the Force. Y...
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There had never been any question of Anakin's involvement in the mission. He had agreed without hesitation, without pause—without even waiting for all the details. That was who he was, after all. Reckless, relentless, driven by an instinct that often overshadowed logic, but beneath it all, there was something deeper. Something unwavering. If there was even a sliver of a chance that he could help, that he could do something, then nothing would stand in his way.
And Nia—Nia had been reluctant. Not because she feared the battle ahead, nor because she doubted her own ability, but because for the first time in a long time, she had found herself bound to something more than just war. Tython had given her stability. Purpose beyond the front lines. Leaving it behind, even temporarily, felt like severing something she had only just begun to rebuild.
The conversation had been brief but weighted, the kind that lingered even after words had been spoken. Blaze had been the first to step forward, his voice steady through the comms. "You and General Serenno trained us well. We can hold things down until you return."
Raze, standing at his side, had nodded firmly. "You know, we wouldn't say it if we weren't certain."
And that had been enough.
Nia had studied them both for a long moment, searching their expressions, their resolve, before finally exhaling, shoulders shifting as she made her decision. "Alright."
Nia arrived at the station with her decision made, her mind clear, but there was still a weight that settled in her chest as the ship docked with a quiet hum. Tython was behind her now—left in the capable hands of Blaze and Raze—but even knowing that, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was leaving something unfinished.
The moment she stepped off the ramp, she was met with the familiar sight of Leilani, Obi-Wan, and Anakin waiting for her. The station itself was nothing remarkable—just another waystation on the edge of the D'Astan system, with dim lighting and the stale scent of fuel clinging to the air. It was the kind of place meant for quiet arrivals and unremarkable departures, the kind of place where no one asked questions.
"Good timing," Anakin remarked, arms crossed as he took in her appearance, his usual sharp grin subdued by the tension of the mission ahead. "We were starting to think you'd changed your mind."
Nia rolled her eyes. "Not a chance."
Leilani inclined her head slightly, her gaze steady, assessing. There was no need for words between them—she had known Nia would come. Still, there was something in her expression, something quiet and understanding.
Obi-Wan, standing just behind them, let out a slow breath, his arms folded neatly beneath his robes. "Then we should move quickly. The longer we wait here, the more likely we are to draw unwanted attention."
Leilani nodded once, already focused on the task ahead. "I've chosen a landing site far from the capital," she said, her voice measured, confident. "We'll enter from the opposite side of the planet, where their surveillance is weakest."
