Trooper

Shadows of the Past

Yavin 4: 13 BBY
Rebel Base
Jess

"You weren't with us long, were you?"

The voice came out of nowhere. He couldn't even remember who he was, or what the voice was talking about. All he saw was darkness and stars. A shimmering apparition appeared beside him.

"Let me clear your confusion," the kind Cerean said. He took his hand.

Everything flooded back to him in an instant. Jess looked at his general with recognition and horror. "General Mundi, how..."

"The Force brought me to you. I sense great despair within you. What happened?"

"I failed, General. I was stupid and now she's gone. They took her and made her a slave again."

"Someone special to you?" General Mundi rested a hand on his shoulder. Jess nodded, swallowing. "Then you must fight for her. The strongest warrior is one who has something worth fighting for."

"General, how? I'm..." he trailed off, eyes falling to the blaster wounds on his chest and stomach.

"You're not dead yet, Jess. The Force brought her to you for a reason. If you're not ready to let her go, then don't."

"I wouldn't expect a Jedi to say that."

"Death has a way of broadening even the most narrow minds."

Jess met the Jedi's gaze, remorse threatening to spill over. "General, I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. It's time you stop dwelling on it," General Mundi said. "You have work to do. May the Force be with you."

Around them, the darkness began to brighten. General Mundi faded from view. Jess shielded his eyes against the brilliance.

He opened his eyes and immediately started coughing. A terrible pain filled his chest and stomach. Jess fell back on his cot, aware of the silver astromech beside him. Azie chirped and whirred excitedly.

Jess groaned, but let a hand fall on the droid's dome. "Hey, you're not dead." He glanced up, spying a young boy in the doorway. Jess finally took in his surroundings. He wasn't on the ship. He was inside a stone room, with several blinking monitors and cabinets of medical supplies around.

"Who are you?" Jess rasped.

"My name's Cassian. The droid said you're Jess?"

He nodded, still looking around. "Where am I?"

"Yavin 4's Rebel Base. Azie flew your ship here and gave us everything. He told us what happened and showed us to you."

"How long has it been? I don't get how I'm not dead."

"You've been here about a week. Azie said he did what he could to keep you alive until you got here. He saved your life."

Jess glanced down at the droid. Azie whirred sheepishly. "Thanks. I owe you one." He struggled to sit up, but relented as another wave of pain hit him.

"I wouldn't try to do that for a while. Your injuries are still pretty bad."

"I can't lay here forever. I have to go find..."

"Ryn, was that her name? Azie mentioned she was captured and probably sold to slavers. Don't worry. We have people looking for her."

Jess looked to Azie again. "You're really on top of everything."