Rise of the Order: A Star Wars Story

Epilogue: Order 99

Vic stood by Jennica in the main hold of the Falcon. He had laid her in the little padded nook in the wall near the dejarik booth, hoping to provide a soft place for her to rest. But despite his efforts, her face scrunched up in pain, flinching with the fluttering of her eyes. Whatever Monk did to her not seething in her unconsciousness.

He watched her with pursed lips. Thumbing the wrappings that he had put on his wrist to set it--since it was definitely broken. 

Jennica released a whimper. He reached out, a finger prepared to stroke her cheek, when he paused. The memory of her flinching at his touch in the cave flashed before his eyes. He opted to just stand there, too worried to do anything else. 

A beeping resounded through the ship. They were nearing their destination. Vic took a deep breath and went to the cockpit. Surely, she'd be okay for the few minutes he needed to pilot the ship out of hyperspace. 

He took his place in the pilot seat, his hands working of their own accord. The streaking stars around him repositioned themselves once more, the ship lurching at the sudden slow of pace. A planet of blue and green sat peacefully in full view. 

His leg started tapping against the floor. Jennica needed help. And he had no idea where to go. Aloxor was the only thing he could think of, and it was a big risk. There was no promise he would find anyone there. 

He sent a silent prayer up to the stars and started piloting the ship down. The Falcon soared into the atmosphere, following the horizon of the planet till the nearest sun was nowhere to be seen. Soon, they were leaving the shine of the light for the dark night. Vic drove the ship down deeper. 

Gray clouds soon grabbed hold around the ship, claiming their stormy territory with hard pelts of rain. The earth of Aloxor was hard to see, the mountains and trees barely recognizable in the midnight storm. 

Vic bit his lip, continuing forward. If the coordinates he was told were correct, he should be getting close. 

Pinpricks of light dotted the ground. Villages holed up against the squall. He eyed them, checking the computers with each bundle of houses.

He passed over another cluster of lights, this one situated on the side of a hill off the plain. It was the place. At least according to the computers. 

He landed the ship a ways off, not wanting to scare the locals by barging in this time of night. This planet seemed like it didn't get many visitors. Maybe the First Order didn't care for it. At least not yet. 

Once everything was secure, and the Falcon was on the ground, Vic went back towards the hold. Jennica was still comatose, having not moved a muscle since Vic left her. Thinking fast, he unholstered his blasters, letting them slide onto the booth. Then he took a quick second to open the boarding ramp. 

"Okay," he whispered to Jennica. "I'm going to pick you up, again."

She didn't respond. 

He sighed. "Just so you know." He took her back into his arms, her head lulling to the side with a whimper. 

His heart clenched at the sound and he hurried out of the Falcon. The storm greeted them furiously, soaking them in a matter of seconds. 

Vic persevered on, doing his best to block Jennica from the rain. The last thing she needed was to catch some cold. 

The vast plain went on much farther than Vic would've liked. His wrist throbbing from his actions. He grimaced and quickened his pace. 

Eventually, the lights of the village welcomed him. It was quiet. Everyone inside their homes. Some made of earth, some made of metal.