Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
⚪⚪⚪
BAZE MALBUS AND CHIRRUT ÎMWE WERE MARTYRS. They were born from the sand, and they died in it, fighting the good fight -- fighting for the Light -- for the Resistance. They were Guardians of the Whills. They were partners. They were protectors of the galaxy. And, since she was little, Jessika wanted to be just like them.
After their deaths, they became more than just heroes -- they were legends.
The Rogue Squadron went down in history as one of the most successful acts of rebellion, they were the original; the spark that ignited the flame that still burnt bright fifty years later. There were more members in that squadron that deserved recognition, but she liked Baze and Chirrut the most because they were like her.
They had the curved eyes that she had, the strange lilting accent that the people in her class called "oriental" and "weird", and when they smiled, their eyes would do that thing that Jessika hated.
"Your smile is wide enough to conquer your face," her mother used to say, "Love that about yourself. Your smile can conquer anything."
Admittedly, telling a bullied five year-old girl that she could conquer nations with her smile didn't stop the bullies for calling her "slant-eyed" and "freak of nature".
Jessika stopped smiling after that.
One day, Jessika tried to make her eyes less slanted with a razor. Their family sued the school, claiming that the teachers were inadequate. It was brought to the High Council. The judge was a Togruta.
Even against a different species, they still lost their plea.
The Pava family upped and moved to a different planet. There, Jessika made a friend in a pretty girl with blue eyes like the galaxy. Under those same skies, she kissed her, with the strength of Baze and Chirrut on her shoulders.
The girl kissed back.
That night, she looked up at her poster on her ceiling. It's an old propaganda poster, of Baze and Chirrut, their arms crossed, their backs to each other. Their eyes look down at her, the words 'We Want You!' in a bold red.
For the first time in years, Jessika smiled. And her eyes did that thing. And frankly, she couldn't care if people thought she was a freak of nature. Because Baze and Chirrut wanted her to join the Resistance.
And that, along with the girl with galaxies in her eyes, were all that mattered.
⚪⚪⚪
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER, JESSIKA WAS SMILING. This time, it's for a photo -- of her rebel squadron. Everyone was carrying Poe, who was lying like a pin-up model, propping his head up with his hand, his legs crossed. Her second home was in these ragtag team of misfits (and complete losers).
It was perfect.
Karé Kun wheezed, dropping Poe like he was the burning fires of Mustafar. She shook her hands out, trying to get the blood flowing again. "Damn, Commander, what in the galaxy do you eat this morning?"
Poe, currently on the ground, opened his mouth to speak, but Snap beat him too it. "Dick?" Oddy began laughing, with clipped thrills and chatters. L'ulo just sighed.
"Temmin Snap Wexley," Poe bellowed, "that was one time --"
"Yeah, you were forced to give the Kamino ambassador such a warm welcome."
Jessika laughed.
This was it. This was being happy. It's been a while since she felt like this.
And then: "Which one of you is Liutenant Pava?"
Jessika and the squadron turned to face a grim-looking agent. The squadron fell silent, and all eyes turned to Jessika.
( He also did not look impressed at the fact that one of the best pilots in the Resistance was splayed out on the floor. )
"That's me," Jessika replied, anxiety wreaking havoc in her ribcage as she took a step forward. "Is everything alright?"
"Come with me." The agent turned on his heels, and made his way back to base. Jessika gulped, taking in a shaky breath.
A hand went to her shoulder. She turned, facing Poe. His eyes were warm. "Do you want me to go with you?"
"We'll all go with you," Snap supplied, L'ulo and Oddy nodding in agreement.
"It's okay," Jessika put on a smile. "I'll be alright."
She made a move to leave, but was stopped by Karé's arms around her. Jessika closed her eyes, hugging her friend back.
"May the Force be with you," she whispered.
They pulled back, and Jessika walked into the belly of the beast, armed with only her wits.
⚪⚪⚪
"JESSIKA PAVA," General Leia addressed as she entered the room.
"General," Jessika said quickly, her words tumbling over each other, "if I've done something wrong I swear--"
"Relax, Liutenant. You've done nothing wrong." Leia smiled, her eyes shining. Jessika almost cried out in relief.
"Sit down," the general gestured at the seat in front of her. Jessika sat down, folding her hands in front of her.
"What do you need, ma'am?"
"Are you aware that I have a brother?"
"Y-yes."
"And what is his name?"
"Luke," Jessika paused, before adding, "Skywalker. Forgive me for asking, but what does this have to do with me, ma'am?"
"Well, Liutenant," Leia leaned forward, her eyes locked on Jessika's. "You're the person who's going to find him."
Jessika found herself smiling. And somewhere in the galaxy, within the Force, so were Baze and Chirrut.
