Chapter Text
SOLDIERS OF THE STARS
CHAPTER 1
THE ACCOLADE
JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT
BRYKA ACRUX
Those beady eyes were fixated on me, gleaming with pride. His stance was wide, one pair of his arms crossed, the other resting on his hips. I refused to acknowledge him, to feed him with the satisfaction that this was his accomplishment. I passed the trials on my own volition.
An eerie stillness befell the Jedi Temple as I followed my master down its vast corridors. Patrons adorned in their tan and cream-colored robes stepped away from our path as recognition dawned on their faces. Murmurs filled the halls only after we passed by. The weight of their gazes burned on my back, but I kept my eyes trained forward and walked with my head held high.
Once we reached the Hall of Knighthood, a giddy rush of energy climbed up my spine. Knighthood meant I was no longer an apprentice, but a Jedi Knight. Most importantly, knighthood meant freedom from Krell.
The Besalisk strode to the window of the waiting hall, folding both pairs of arms behind his back. He puffed out his chest and took a deep breath. “If only Graffias were here to see this day.”
I tensed at the mention of my former master.
I’d never forget the sickening hum of Graffias Shaula’s lightsaber as General Grievous plunged it through his chest, nor the thud of his lifeless body slumping to the ground. I screamed until my voice gave out and tried to fight the troopers who carried me to safety, but I was too weak and too late to make a difference. Shaula was gone, and it was my fault.
The Council assigned Master Pong Krell, who was like a brother to Shaula, to finish my training. Maybe Krell felt he owed it to him to complete his padawan’s training. After today, his debt would be repaid.
I settled into the velvet bench furthest away from Krell. I frowned at the creases on my pants. He would berate me if he noticed them. I placed my hands on my lap, and with a steady inhale, I closed my eyes. I could finally move forward and start over. Unless they assigned me to resume my position as Commander of the 195th, and if so, I’d be stuck under Krell’s command again. I hadn’t thought of that possibility yet. My stomach twisted itself into a knot. My fingernails dug into my palms. I started bouncing my knee. No one else would willingly serve under him. The Council and the Republic would save themselves the trouble and send me back…
“Rid yourself of that childish habit,” Krell chastised. “I trained you better.”
I stilled my leg, but narrowed my eyes at the back of his head.
Voices stirred from beyond the massive doors. My heart leaped as I jumped to my feet.
"Padawan, join me."
I ambled over to the window, the rhythmic clicking of my boots echoing throughout the quiet hall. Below us, a balcony with a vibrant garden full of native flora and ancient statues glistened in the light of the dying day. A group of younglings meditated, equally spaced out behind their instructor. I smiled to myself. While Krell found it a waste of time, Shaula at least tried meditation with me, but it somehow always turned into secretive trips to the kitchen to experiment with ingredients he picked up off-world. We did our best to avoid creating huge messes. However, our early-morning and late-evening snacking usually resulted in half of the kitchen’s pots and pans needing a good scrubbing afterward.
“I miss him, too,” he interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up at Krell, raising my eyebrows. His resigned smile faded into neutrality. I shifted my gaze to the skyline. Bringing attention to his rare slip of emotions would lead to another lengthy lecture on self-discipline and self-preservation—a lecture I heard one too many times.
Ships and speeders darted across the red sunset. Skyscrapers stretched high into the sky, parting the orange and pink clouds as they gently drifted in the light breeze. The lights from the city bloomed to life. I longed to hear the bustling crowds as speeders zipped overhead, cheers pouring out of the bars with clicking glasses, and the shouts from street vendors as a savory aroma rose from their carts. I’d trade the deadness of the temple for the energy of Coruscant’s streets in a heartbeat. I’d take anything over the silence that hung in the air between us.
“The success of the Nalwe Campaign has brought four more systems into the Republic,” I relayed the information from this morning’s SITREP.
He nodded his approval. “The campaign’s success comes down to who acted quicker. The Separatists wanted the systems to be at each other’s throats. Had you not brokered a deal between the Nalwean and Lorryn Systems, our operations for the past two months would’ve been all for naught.”
I held my chin up and pushed my shoulders back.
The doors creaked open.
Krell cleared his throat. “It’s time.”
I nodded. My heart raced as I stepped closer to meeting my freedom, waiting for me across the threshold.
“Bryka.”
I turned back.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice those wrinkles,” he grumbled. “A Jedi should take more pride in their appearance—”
I rolled my eyes and escaped into the chamber before he could finish.
The heavy doors slammed shut. Darkness swallowed me. The Force pulled me to the center of the room. Blades of green, blue, and purple light ignited, illuminating the chamber with their sharp glow and low hums.
“Step forth, Padawan,” Master Yoda ordered. “Kneel.” I obeyed. A smile stretched across my face. His eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth curled upward too.
“Bryka Acrux, by the right of the Council, by the will of the Force, I dub thee, Jedi.” With a single flash of his saber, my padawan braid fell to the floor, followed by the slight scent of singed hair. “Knight of the Republic.”
✮✮✮✮✮
I rushed through the temple halls, sliding around sharp corners, and took two steps at a time up the stairs to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. It was the last place Krell would look for me, and I wanted to spend the next hour of my leave at the place I loved most.
The fresh, musky fragrance of Ithorian roses and the hushed babbling of running water welcomed me as I entered the temple’s hidden oasis. A bird’s whistle rose from high up in the trees. I whistled a simple melody back, and the bird quickly took to the new song.
This place reminded me of Takodana. Or, at least, my memory of my homeworld. My rescuer brought me to Coruscant, and my training started shortly after. It took a while to call this place home. But this room? It healed the ache deep in my heart. And even now, after five years away, it was preserved; frozen in time.
I neared the back of the room. A mountain of moss-covered rocks towered in the corner with vines and trees filling the space between the stones. At the top, several ribbons of silver cascaded into a small pool, which opened up into a single downpour that thundered down into the green pool below. I followed the river to the base of the waterfall. Behind the rush of the roaring water, a small opening hid between the rocks—my favorite secret of the temple.
I whipped my head around. Once the lingering Jedi disappeared further down the trail, I pushed past the trees and tropical leaves to the waterfall’s base. My hand brushed along the rocks, searching for a hold. A memory of a giggling youngling with matted blonde hair scaling the wall danced to life, revealing the path she took. I began to climb.
Artificial noonday light glowed at the far end of the narrow tunnel. Sharp stones poked at my back and scraped against my hips. I wiggled free of the rock’s hold, but bumped my head against the low ceiling. I cursed. This is the last time I’m doing this, I thought, humbled and partly saddened by the realization.
The tunnel opened up into a chamber with a crescent-shaped, turquoise pool, lined by various species of ferns and trees. I leaped across scattered stones to the other side where shallow water met a bank of soft, ankle-high grass. I shucked my boots off, tossed my sweaty socks to the side, rolled up my wrinkled pants past my knees, then dipped my legs into the pool. The cool water washed away the prolonged aching in my feet. A sigh escaped my lips as I laid back and stretched my arms out to my sides. My eyelids grew heavy. My muscles relaxed against the warm, lush grass. The gurgling pond and the distant rush of the waterfall lulled me as I drifted into a light sleep.
“Ahem!”
I gasped and bolted up.
The green intruder sitting beside me laughed. “When mastering peace, block out any distractions we must. But by blocking these distractions, found vulnerable in peace we are.”
“Master Yoda! My apologies,” I blurted. “I–I didn’t know–”
He held up a hand to stop me. He craned his head, taking a visual sweep of the chamber. “Know this spot, few Jedi do. An excellent place for one to disappear. Come here often to hide, I do.” He frowned. “Master Krell is looking for you. Come here to hide from him, did you?”
Reality slammed into me at the mere mention of his name, dissolving every ounce of serenity this place offered. “Whatever gave you that idea?” I asked dryly.
He let out a sigh. “Heavy thoughts, I sense. Troubled, are you?”
I met his kind eyes. “I’m worried,” I admitted. I braced for an interruption or scolding on how improper it is for a Jedi to worry. He only waited for me to continue. “I hoped my assignment would change, but I’m afraid I’ll be sent back to the 195th. I know I’ll do whatever is asked of me.” I trailed off.
“But?”
“Am I even worthy to call myself a Jedi? I’ve become more of a soldier.” My heart sank. “And my reputation as Krell’s commander has made the other Jedi resent me. You’ve seen the reports. You know the calls I’ve had to make for the Republic. To secure victories. I…I don’t deserve this honor as a knight.”
“Nonsense!” He exclaimed. “Guided you down this path, the Force has. You've faced much adversity, pain, and loss, and still, you persevered. You decided not to leave the Order after Shaula died and decided to fight for a cause you believe in.” He pointed his cane at me. “Noble things these are. Deserve? No. Earned? Yes. Hmm. Difficult one is Pong Krell. Incredible strength, the Council saw in you. Granted you much patience, your trials have. Even training with Krell as your Master, a fine Jedi you've become. If you know yourself, know your heart, it matters not how others perceive you.”
I tore my attention away from the water. “Thank you, Master.”
“Time to head back, we must. Destiny awaits.” Yoda picked up his cane and stood. “Fear not, child. A new beginning, I see in front of you.”
My eyes widened. Hope bloomed in my chest. I snatched up my boots. When I looked back up, Master Yoda was already gone.
✮✮✮✮✮
The T-6 shuttle’s auto system faintly beeped from the cockpit. Krell held me captive in the center fuselage. “Your time as my commander has paid off. Against my better judgment, both the Council and the Republic feel you are ready to lead your own legion.” Krell stood back from the holotable, his wide sets of arms crossed.
I pressed against the holotable to read the updated screen.
239TH LEGION – FIRST ASSIGNED JEDI GENERAL. REPORT TO – SACRED MERCY. LOCATION – ALBARRIO SECTOR – MYGEETO SYSTEM – GRID K-5
"They’ve gone the entire war without the guidance of a Jedi?"
Krell scoffed. “The Republic was foolish to trust the assets to command themselves under the supervision of a GAR political officer. General Yensi has been reassigned to Coruscant, where politicians belong. You will clean up his sorry excuse of a legion.”
Sorry excuse? My brows knitted together as I scanned through their mission reports. “But the 239th has proven themselves effective without a Jedi’s leadership. Why the change of command?”
“The Chancellor made it clear that he wanted a Jedi assigned to each legion. He understands and respects the power we wield. Clones were not designed to think, Bryka. They were designed to take orders and serve the Republic, nothing else.”
I glared at him. Arguing with him wouldn’t change anything, so I saved myself the heartache and bit my tongue, like I had always done.