Prologue

Sometime after the Sphere’s disappearance.

Talyc stood staring out into space from the Crypt’s landing platform, looking out and up at the stars. He felt a gentle brush on his arm. He turned to see Shadie, who gave him a wan smile.
            ‘It’s been a long time. Months,’ said Talyc. ‘It feels like longer.’
            ‘We’ll find him,’ Shadie soothed. ‘I promise.’
            ‘Still no sign of the Sphere?’
            Shadie shook her head. ‘It’s hiding itself, protecting itself the way it knows how.’
            ‘Yeah, well, Awgro could just as easily find it before we do,’ said Talyc.
            ‘We’ll find them!’ Shadie insisted.
            Talyc looked down. ‘You know, when Master Juun Kloh came to us,’ he said in a low voice, ‘Kelbourn had us all sit around a table and discuss the pros and cons of helping you.’ He chuckled.
            ‘More pros than cons, I hope.’ Shadie smiled gingerly.
            ‘More pros than cons,’ Talyc reassured her. ‘I thought we must be barvy getting ourselves involved, but I was all for it. “What’s the worst that can happen, having all these Jedi on our side?” I had said. I was thinking in terms of scoring some points for allies.’
            Shadie giggled. ‘I could say something about you scoring points.’
            ‘Please, Shadie, unlike you and Knarf, I keep my intimate relationship with Fane a tad more private when it comes to our…steamier moments.’ He grinned playfully.
            ‘Oh, I wasn’t talking about those!’ Shadie laughed.
            Talyc scowled. ‘What were you talking about?’
            ‘Your ego!’
            Talyc nudged Shadie with his elbow as they both laughed.
            ‘I sometimes have to remind myself that technically you’re my cousin, Shadie.’ He became serious again. ‘I have no regrets, not about helping you and knowing you, or Knarf, or Fane.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Mandalore wants me to go back, at least for a little bit. He says my clan needs its leader.’
            ‘You should go.’
            ‘How can I? My husband is M.I.A.’
            ‘It’ll do you some good,’ said Shadie.
            ‘I don’t want to go alone,’ Talyc admitted.
            ‘Look, Knarf and I need to stay here for now, but…Void could accompany you.’
            ‘Void? Really?’ Talyc was more curious than anything else.
            ‘Oh, he needs this trip as much as you do. Coach him, he could use some of that Kandera essence of yours.’
            ‘I suppose,’ said Talyc. ‘I’m not sure he’s going to want to though.’
            ‘Leave that to me.’
            Talyc’s datapad chimed as a message came in. He checked it eagerly.
            ‘Message from Alegna,’ he announced all business-like. ‘Says she believes she’s spotted Maranna. A human woman in a Chiss-designed freighter arrived on Nar Shaddaa accompanied by a small boy, a Chiss boy.’
            Shadie took out her comlink. ‘Brenum, time to fire up the Krayt Dragon. We’re going to Nar Shaddaa.’

“Connections in the Force” is written by Celinka Serre (2023).

Disclaimer: The Characters in this Fan-Fiction are new and have original names. The story is an original written work. The story is derivative and consistent of Fan-Fiction since it borrows the franchise world of Star Wars. Certain jargon and places, or concepts mentioned, along with the SW Old Republic universe belong to Lucasfilm Ltd. and Disney. No characters or story lines from the films are used. No story lines or characters from the games or books are used. A handful of characters from the games may be referenced, but are not the main focus in this fanfic story.  This fan-fiction story falls under Fair Use.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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