Star Wars: The Jedi Chronicles:Enter The Shadows (Books 1-4)

Chapter Ten: Returning War... Hero?

Josh and Willie get back up to the ship. Willie goes to the training grounds and Josh goes to the bridge to give his orders. He is standing over the holo-star map when he hears a familiar voice.

Shain: So, I here there’s a new Sheriff in town.

Josh looks up with a grin on his face. He turns around to see Shain standing in the doorway.

Josh S.: You better address me with a “Sir” after this, Private.

Shain: Oh-hoho! In charge for ten minutes and he’s already got a big head.

Josh turns around grinning from ear to ear.

Shain: Remind me never to leave you in charge again.

The two start laughing.

Shain: So, what else have I missed?

Some of the smile disappears from Josh’s face.

Josh S.: I’ll tell ya later, bro.

Shain: Alright. Bring everyone down to the main hanger bay. Don’t tell anyone I‘m here.

Josh S.: Alright. See ya in ten minutes.

Shain whips around and heads for the hanger. Josh goes down to the cafeteria where everyone is getting something to eat.

Josh S.: Everyone is to report to the hanger immediately.

Everyone drops what they are doing and follows Josh. He walks them into the hanger and about fifty feet in he stops and turns around. He watches as Shain drops in behind the group. The group turns around, igniting their lightsabers. Shain has his hood over his face and is standing in the dark.

Shain: You guys wouldn’t kill me, would ya?

The group: (some in excitement and others sound unsure.) Shain?!

They turn off their lightsabers. Willie steps out of the crowed and punches Shain in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Willie: (pointing at Shain and yelling) How dare you show your face here after abandoning us! The Rymerises are gone because of you!

Shain is sitting on the floor in shock. Jacob jumps on Willie’s back and Jordan is punching and kicking him. Ignoring the twins, Willie rolls Jacob off his back into Jordan and walks out. Shain’s left eye is bruised.

Shain: Anybody else want a shot before we get back to work?

Dudley steps forward with his hand raised.

Dudley: Nah, I’m just kiddin’.

The group laughs uneasily. Andrew helps Shain to his feet and they help the twins up. As soon as the twins are up they hug their older brother.

Jordan: I missed you!

Shain: I missed you too, bro. If you two go look in my ship, you might find some cake and cookies from mom.

The twins make a mad dash for his ship.

Eve: Save some of that stuff for for the rest of us!

Andrew: I love your mom’s cooking!

Jacklinea: (with an attitude) Why did you decide to come back?

Shain: Of course, right to the point as always. I came back for many reasons. One of them being I had two kids show up at my house and those two kids showed me that I didn’t trust myself, my friends, my family, and most importantly, my God. I understand that I let you all down by leaving. I kept telling myself I couldn’t do this, when really I didn't believe God could do it. Then I look around, and here sit ten of them. He saved Andrew, Jacob and Jordan without my leadership. God’s gonna do what He wants to do, whether He has got the leadership He wants or not. I may be back, but I don’t want the responsibility of leading you guys restored to me, until I’ve earned it.

Andrew: You’ve been leadin’ this team since you were nine years old. You deserve the spot.

Shain: Nooo way. Besides, Josh is fully capable of leading - look at the kid! He’s a fleet admiral.

Dudley: That should be my position. I know just as much about fighting a war as him, if not more.

Eve: (nudging Josh) Yeah, and Josh doesn't know how to slow down and take a breather.

Josh S.: Hey!

Eve: But Dudley, you don’t know when to run and live another day. Josh will at least run after you talk him into it.

Dudley: (Dudley gives her a annoyed look.) Im alive arn’t I?

Anthony: I’d say that’s true.

Josh S.: Haha! Hey, you’re all just jealous, ‘cause you don’t run on energizer bunny.

Eve: He’s also got a big head.

Shain: And I don’t?

Jordin: Well...

Josh S.: I don’t believe you guys.

Shain: Don’t worry; they don’t hate you. They just want their leader back... which is not going to happen.

Anthony: Oh-kay. We’re just happy to have you back man.

Josh S.: Alright, everyone; Shain and I have to talk about our fallen heroes

Everyone grabs the goodies and leaves.

Shain: Whoa, whoa, whoa! What was Will talkin’ about? Where’s DJ? He was here when I left.

Josh S.: (hesitant) DJ, um... DJ died, trying to save his sister.

Shain stands there for a moment, then sits on the platform of a republic gunship.

Shain: How long?

Josh S.: (frowning) eight weeks.

Shain: (shaking his head) No... Where’s Aria? Is she ok?

Josh S.: She went out in search of the Orb that brought back everyone and us here... and she also hates your guts.

Shain: Shoot... alright, I’ll go talk to her.

Josh S.: You might want to fix things with Willie when you’re done.

Shain: Yeah. How’s my eye look?

Josh S.: Bruised and a little swollen.

Shain: Shoot... Oh, well. I’m goin’ to go find Aria. Maybe she’ll blacken the other one.

Josh S.: She’ll probably break your nose.

Shain: Probably... Let everyone know I’ll be back and to save me some cake.

Josh S.: Haha. Alright, bro, later

Shain jumps in his ship and flies to Yavin IV.