Coalescence, Chapter 1

8 years ATC.

Ky-an completed the docking maneuvers with the orbital station above the planet Tallista III and, after thumbing a switch that opened a channel to his master, announced their arrival at the station. His master acknowledged this with a word and closed the channel, leaving the Padawan to ruminate on his own. He tried to sort through his thoughts, but to no avail.

He simply had no information. His Master had been vague about the details of this mission, and had spent most of the trip alone in his quarters. The Tallista system was a relatively unimportant one, as far as galactic affairs went, with only minor pirate incursions, funded by the Empire of course, meant to distract and tax the Republic forces. So why had his master come here?

Slowing his breathing, the young Zabrak steeled himself against imagined reproach, carefully selecting the words he would use to inquire about their mission. He left the cockpit and headed for the exit ramp of the ship, which wasn’t far in a Defender class starship, walking with measured steps. Occasionally, he liked to jump over the railing down to the hatch, but not today.

Today, it was taking every ounce of his strength to keep the fear off his face.