With the signal jammer gone, Amir immediately sent Obi-Wan a call.
The connection went through quickly. It was morning in Mos Eisley—its twin suns had just climbed above the golden horizon.
"Amir? I didn't expect you'd be able to contact me," Obi-Wan said. "So your problem's solved?"
"It is, Master. I'm on Tatooine now."
"Good. I'm in Mos Eisley. I'll meet you at the port."
"Who's that?" Millisyn asked curiously.
"He's my master—Obi-Wan."
"Oh—Amir's master! Then he must be a really good person!"
"He is," Amir said with a smile.
He set the ship down at the port like it was second nature. When the ramp lowered, Amir spotted Obi-Wan waiting in the shade, leaning against a wall.
"I'm glad to see you made it back safely," Obi-Wan said. "And these two are…?"
"I'm Millisyn!" Millisyn answered.
Draped in a black robe, No. 32 started working up the courage to say his own name.
"That's 32," Amir explained. "He was in the same lab where I was held."
"They…" Obi-Wan hesitated—clearly he'd sensed the taint of the dark side.
"It's a long story. Let's find somewhere to eat. I'm exhausted—after that I need sleep."
"Come with me. I know where Kain is."
The three of them—plus BD-4—went to a more out-of-the-way cantina. It was much quieter. The place was still dusty and rough around the edges, but noticeably cleaner.
Kain was at the bar talking with someone. The moment he saw Amir's group, his face lit up and he stood.
"Long time," Amir greeted, fatigue dragging at his voice.
They took a corner table, and Amir told them what had happened.
"This… that's insane," Kain said, stunned. He'd met Amir back when he joined the academy. He'd always thought Amir might be a prodigy, but he never could've imagined this.
"Seems the Empire is even darker than I thought," Obi-Wan said quietly, grief in his tone. "That kind of operation… and on that scale…"
"There are still a lot of Force-sensitive kids being held," Amir said. "Next I'm going with Ahsoka and the others to hit the main facility and get them out."
"I'll go with you," Obi-Wan said.
"Really?" Amir asked, genuinely happy. With Obi-Wan, the whole operation would be far safer. As Obi-Wan was now, he was basically a ceiling-tier combatant in the galaxy—unless the Sith Emperor showed up personally, Obi-Wan could win almost any one-on-one.
"Of course," Obi-Wan said with a smile. "I want to do something for those children too. But we still need to learn to stay hidden. The Empire is far stronger than you think."
Amir nodded. He'd never underestimated the Empire. Until he could crush a Star Destroyer with his bare hands, he wasn't arrogant enough to believe he could stand against Imperial forces head-on.
Kain finally shook himself out of the information overload. "Oh—right. Hondo Ohnaka. I still couldn't find him. Lately it sounds like he's gone missing. Even some bounty hunters who knew him well can't reach him."
"I know him," Obi-Wan said. "Back when the Jedi Order still existed, I dealt with him a few times. He used to be a pirate boss—had a reputation. Hah. A slippery old fox."
"After the Empire was founded and started cracking down on pirates, he couldn't keep it up," Kain added. "Then he turned to smuggling… and did some bounty work."
"Fine," Amir said with a yawn. "But the day I settle accounts with him is coming."
Millisyn was getting sleepy too.
"Go rest," Obi-Wan said. "Tonight I'll tell you more about the ruins."
Obi-Wan's earlier message had been about ruins. Amir already had a direction, but his master might have more.
They returned to the Traveler. Amir left 32 in the main area to study, while he and Millisyn each went to their own cabins.
Back in his familiar bed—no threats hanging over his head—Amir's body finally let go. He fell asleep hard.
He slept until evening.
After a long, satisfying stretch, Amir stepped out and found Millisyn and 32 studying dejarik. BD-4 hovered nearby as referee, the tabletop monsters clashing in jerky little skirmishes.
Unable to watch their clumsy play, Amir went to the galley and grabbed something to eat.
"Amiir~" Millisyn looked at him with wounded accusation.
"Huh? Oh—the arcade machine. Sorry, I forgot. Next time, I swear," Amir said, remembering.
He lifted a hand. The cup on the table floated smoothly into his palm. After a drink of water, he headed to the cockpit.
He powered up the ship—destination: Obi-Wan's hut.
It was already dusk; Obi-Wan and Kain should be back.
Soon the Traveler touched down at the familiar spot. As expected, Kain's TIE fighter was parked there too.
"Whoa—sand everywhere! So fun!" Millisyn jumped down excitedly—then sand got into her shoes and her enthusiasm died instantly.
He led the two of them across gravel and sand toward the hut. Before they reached it, they saw Obi-Wan seated in meditation on the platform outside, with Kain beside him, trying to imitate the posture.
Sensing Amir's approach, both opened their eyes. Obi-Wan rose and picked up a small cube-like device.
"This is a Jedi holorecorder," Obi-Wan said, activating it with the Force. "I have a memory crystal, and the holorecorder can project it. The contents are historical—there may be knowledge about ruins in there that you're looking for."
Amir took it. It looked identical to the one he'd previously given Ahsoka.
"This is a Jedi holorecorder. Unlike ordinary holorecorders, it's made by Jedi Masters using a special method. Only a Force-sensitive can use it. It's rare—and valuable. Not just what's stored in my memory crystal: through it, you can also sense other knowledge tied to the light side. Don't lose it."
"I won't," Amir said, studying the gift. He quickly activated it.
The cube separated into eight smaller pieces, floating around a central core. A crystal was slotted into the side—Obi-Wan's memory crystal.
The projector flared to life, and a small green creature appeared in hologram form.
Master Yoda.
Without any preamble, Yoda began lecturing on thousands of years of galactic history.
-
-
-
🌌 Star Wars: Relics of the Past
📢 The Force Calls! 📢
This series has 100+ chapters ahead on Patreon! 🌠
Uncover ancient Jedi relics before the galaxy does.
🛑 Also on Patreon:
Star Wars: The Rise of MandaloreCyberpunk: The RelentlessCyberpunk: Lucy Adopted Me and I Got a SystemMy Cyberpunk 2077 SimulatorMy Girlfriend's a Cyberpsycho—Who Knew?Game of Thrones: Secrets Beneath the DreadfortDragon King of Ice and FireThe Rebirth of Harry PotterR18: Reincarnated in Her World
🔗 www.patreon.com/c/MrMagnus👤 SrMagnus🐦 https://x.com/SrMagnusBook
⚠️ Let the Power Stones guide future updates!