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The Dredan popped out of hyperspace in the Dagoba system, slowing nearly to a stop in the vacuum of space. The matte black ship was normally almost invisible, having no outward decals or lights, but today she hauled a white capsule: A large escape pod attached to the roof.
Shane deftly flipped switches and turned knobs on the antiquated flight deck, bringing the ship to cruising speed, the destination, the planet Dagoba, was a glowing marble beneath the viewfinder. Her shoulders slumped and she turned to look at her companion. “Are you sure about this?” she asked; it was a question he had been asked countless times in the last few days. “The galaxy needs you.”
Jedi Master Yoda sat in the passenger seat with all the calm he always displayed, his staff laid across his knees and his hands clasped on top. He could have been catching a ride across town, not going into indefinite exile.
“The time, it is not.” He nodded thoughtfully. Shane frowned and a moment of silence passed between them before Yoda spoke again, “To Tatooine, Obi-Wan has arrived.”
Shane felt her chest tighten. She was glad he was safe, but it was a bittersweet feeling.
The ship bumped gently into turbulence and then the console dinged, indicating that they were now in Dagoba’s orbit. The flight smoothed instantly, and autopilot engaged. It was time.
Yoda made his way to the hatch that would lead him up to the capsule. Shane followed him, dragging her feet. Before he stepped onto the small lift he turned and looked up at the blonde woman.
“May the Force be with you.”
A lump rose in her throat but she swallowed it determinedly. “And with you, Master Yoda.”
The lift ascended and Yoda disappeared into the pod above. The hatch sealed shut and Shane walked back to her pilot’s chair, slumping down into it heavily. Within a moment a green light lit up on her dashboard, indicating the pod was safe to detach. With a sigh, she hit the disengage switch and there was a jerk and a loud hiss as the pod cut loose from The Dredan.
Yui, her small feline companion, hopped onto her lap as she watched the egg-shaped pod descend to the planet’s surface, feeling her hope fall with it.