Through The Galaxy | A Cal Kestis Story

Chapter 9

Ilum had taken its toll on both my physical and mental state.

I had nearly froze to death, not to mention the fact that my young, Padawan self is the one that helped me get out of that wretched lake.

"Cal, the storm is letting up," Cere said as I finally made my way back outside.

"The Empire sent two Walkers. They're firing down on our position."

"On my way," I responded through gritted teeth.

I had promised Kylin I would come back. I promised. And if I didn't get back soon, I wasn't sure I could keep that promise.

I slashed away at the AT-ST's legs, rolling out of the way when they dropped small bombs. Occasionally, I was able to use the Force to push them back at the Walkers.

One Walker fell, though the pilot crawled out with his own blaster.

All I wanted to do was sleep. I was so tired. I slashed down the man with ease, turning back to the other Walker.

It stared down at me before firing.

Using my lightsaber, I held it up and deflected the blaster bolts.

The Walker couldn't take anymore. It's integrity collapsed.

Heck, the entire Walker collapsed.

The pilot crawled out and I cut him down.

With a quick check of my surroundings, I ran back onto the Mantis.

"Cal-" Cere started.

"Not right now, Cere." I cut her off and began to walk to my small room.

Upon arrival, I layed down in my bed, staring at the ceiling.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep.

There was a knock at my door.

I groaned and put my hands on my face.

"Cere, I said not now!" I called, not moving from my bed.

"Uh, it isn't Cere, but uh, okay?"

Shiz. It was Kylin. She must have been doing something else when I got back to the Mantis.

Removing my hands from my face, I yelled at her. "Ky, you can come in!"

She obviously hadn't moved away from my door, because it opened almost instantly.

"Are you okay?" Kylin asked, looking quite worried.

I nodded. "Yeah. I'm just really tired after that."

Kylin walked closer to me and sighed. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you."

"Ky, don't be sorry. It wasn't something that you would enjoy helping me on anyway. I'm frozen." I shivered, though it wasn't intended to emphasize my point.

"Well, I uh, I should probably go. You look tired." She turned to leave.

I raised an eyebrow. "But I guarantee you haven't slept either, Kylin."

She huffed. "Yeah, well maybe I haven't. So what?" Ky turned towards me.

I grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the bed with me. She let out a yelp.

"Cal!"

"Ky, you need to get some sleep," I murmured.

She was laying next to me. "It's not important that I sleep, you're the Jedi that kicks butt out there all the time.'