Visions of the Force (A ROYAL Series Story)

i. a new presence

"We'll get in and then out," Kes said, looking back to Adhara. "Grab what you can find and then we can head back home."

"Good," she said, stretching up on her toes to look at the shelves of goods. "I am nearly sick of these towns. All they have are thieves, smugglers, and-" She saw the shopowner at the counter scratch at his hair. "And fleas."

Kes snorted. "Yeah? Well I am completely done with these places. But we got a week long trip ahead and need meals, so find what you can. If it's cheap."

"Got it," she said. He held up his hand and she smacked hers against it, feeling his fingers wrap around hers briefly before he pulled away and walked down an aisle.

She took a turn to the right and looked at the bottles on the rusty shelves that had a thick layer of silver dust on top. She ran her finger along one, catching the color. A stench rose out of whatever particles were settling in the air. She sneered her nose and wiped it off on her pants.

She found a jar of spread for their bread, barely expired. She took it. Bottles of soaps followed, but they were so old that a thin layer of silver grime had formed on the surfaces. Plus, she was sure everything smelled of the dust.

A couple of minutes went on, and she found useful items, like bandages and jars of unknown vegetables. She balanced them all in the crook of her arm.

"Kes?" she called out.

"Over here," he called back.

"I found some, uh, spread and-"

Beep! Beep!

She turned her head, stopping in the doorway of the old store. Outside, in the dusk, she saw the shapes of two large women chasing after a small droid.

A tiny droid. It looked barely bigger than her boot, small and purple and silver, rolling ahead, beeping wildly.

It was rolling straight to her.

She dropped her items, swooped down, and picked it up. At first, it released a high pitched scream that sounded like a siren, but she gripped it tight.

"Shhh! Do you want those women to come after you?" she asked. The droid beeped. "I didn't think so. Hang on, I'll keep you safe." She opened her backpack and slipped it in. It beeped once and then quieted as she out her backpack - now much heavier - back on.

The two women came inside. They looked at Adhara. "A droid," one said, voice low. "Have you seen a droid?"

"No," she said. "Sorry, ma'am."

"I got a lot of bounty on that one," one said.

"Shame," said the other. "Such a shame."

"Let's keep a-looking," the other said, and they left.

Adhara watched them go out of the corner of her eyes, pretending to read a label of jam with the other. She breathed out and turned her lips to the backpack on her back.

"Beep once if you want me to sneak you out of here," she said, "and twice if you want to leave this planet with me."

After a second long hesitation, it beeped twice.

Adhara couldn't help but smile, feeling a little excited that the droid had chosen her.

"Hey, princess," Kes said, walking over. He had a jug of green milk in his hand.

"Kes," Adhara said, shaking her head. "What is that?"

"Green milk," he said. "It's been a long time since we have scored this." He grinned.

"Have you seen this place? You really want to buy milk here? It's hot! Plus, there aren't coolers anywhere near here."

He looked around. "Okay, yeah." He pouted.

"I promise I'll get you some cold green milk soon," she said.

He uncapped it and sniffed. "Aw, I - yuck - I think that might have actually once been blue milk."

"Oh my Maker," she replied, grimacing. "Come on, you big dummy. I want to get out of here."

While Kes paid for the things, Adhara sat in the corner of the store, backpack opened. She peered down at the tiny droid inside.

"What do they call you?" she asked.

It beeped enthusiastically.

"I don't... I can't speak droid," she said. She frowned. "Maybe Kes can."

It tilted its head.

"Kes? Oh, he is awesome. You are gonna love him. We travel together." She smiled. "Maybe he can speak droid!"

"Thanks, sir," Kes said, walking towards Adhara. She zipped up her bag and put it on. "That man is so greedy. Charged me two extra credits for that spread, so you're welcome." He shook his head and pocketed his leftover money. "Oh, did I hear you talking to yourself?"

"No," she said, smiling.

"Then who was it?" he asked.

"Um... don't freak out," she said.

Kes stopped. "What?" His face paled. "Oh Maker, what did you do?"

She took his hand. "Nothing!" she exclaimed. "Come on, I will show you on the ship!"

...

The moment Kes walked onto the ship and shut the doors, he turned around and crossed his arms.

"Spill it," he said. "You are so up to no good."

She bit her lip and knelt on the floor. She tipped her backpack onto its side and unzipped it. A moment later, the tiny droid rolled out.

"What the-"

"Isn't it so cute?" she asked, hands on her heart. "Kes, it was getting chased by these two monstrous women and looked so scared so I saved it and now it wants to come home with us." She grinned. "Isn't that awesome?"

Kes watched the droid beep up at her and them him. "How do you know it wants to be with us?" he asked.

"I told it to beep twice if so and it did," she said. The droid beeped. "See? There. Proof."

"We can't keep a droid," he said, shaking his head.

"Well I am," she said. "It chose me and I need it. Look how cute!" It beeped. "Aw..."

"You are-" He stopped himself and laughed. "Princess, you are such a dork."

Adhara grinned. "Kes, it's a cute droid!"

He stared at it. It beeped and spun in a circle around her. "Okay," he admitted, "it is a cute droid." He sat down in front of her and the droid stopped in front of him. "Maybe even cuter than you, princess."

"I can agree with that," Adhara said.

Kes smiled at the droid. "What do they call you, buddy?" The droid beeped. He smiled wider. "CE-4. Welcome aboard, Rebel."