Private Hitchhiking on the Hyperlanes

[Iona Starchaser]

Running from love? Ha. Kaia had to put her caf down for that one. “Maybe more the running from family, and being a lone wolf. Dad being a publicly known Warden is bad enough, if they found out more Starchasers…” she definitely meant Jared and possibly Kinsey “...were Wardens I doubt the company could get anything done besides rescues.”

Iona thought about that for a moment. She could see all those things. Lone wolf. Wanting to make a name for one's self. Getting away from the family. Lucky for her, she hadn't ran into many people who knew the name Starchaser, or at least cared that her last name was Starchaser. Or even recongized it. Yet it was different for Kaia Starchaser , it was clear she ran in different circles.

No way her cousin was working for Ithorians for passage and food.

"Private rescue service? Sounds like a niche market the rich would pay for, like that Arceneau family. Might have a great idea on your hands, who knows? If you start it let me know, I can use a few credits now and then to fund my dreams."

Shoulders shrugged.

"Are you willing to pass off a little knowledge to your annoying little cousin?"

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

Having more family in the pretty quite literally family business of a Warden life, or aimless travelver, was the namesake. She knew her father had their ancestor’s holocron, and it was a very simple one. Instinctive Astrogation, and finding paths, really… Not the best Jedi, but that was why the family had been part of the ExplorCorps and Green Jedi of Corellia for generations. And with the Jedi marrying other Jedi, the current Starchasers were almost up to snuff with other Jedi.

Though their powers did lag and each seemed to have one special wild talent. Her dad had Force light, her brother barriers, for Kaia? Translated into an art of movement and fortifying her body. Good news when she had to punch someone who was hijacking a ship.

Iona and Kaia were lucky, they both ended up out in the Tingel Arm, children of the Sanctum, and the Starchaser name, at least her father’s as the war hero/war horse/warmonger, didn’t make it out here. Protected by distance from the events of the Core, and those infamous tales.

“Well, part of being a Warden with one’s own ship means being there to help a wayward traveler. Seen plenty of time a long haul freighter pushing their ship past fuel reserves because they lacked credits to resupply. I know that there are other routes to get from A to B than the established hyperlanes, and a bit of trailblazing mixed in with rescue may be what this galaxy needs.”

Sipping her caf, she looked up at her cousin.

“I’m always willing. As long as you’re willing to learn.”

Iona Starchaser

 

[Iona Starchaser]

“I’m always willing. As long as you’re willing to learn.”

As much as Iona wanted to leap across the table and shake some sense into Kaia Starchaser she refrained. Of course she wanted to learn. Was willing. What was the entire point of traveling the hyperlanes in hopes of finding a Warden if she wasn't going to pay attention and learn? Iona was always a good student, eager. Would it translate into Warden teachings? She wasn't sure.

Her best foot would be forward.

"I will be the best student you've ever had. If not, you can disown me."

Eyebrow furrowed.

"So I call you Master Starchaser now?"

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

Kaia was trying to be the mature, older cousin. It wasn’t a role that always suited her. She didn’t have that many years on Iona, after all. Granted mature and older were two very different things when you looked at a Starchaser. Sure, Kaia guided the company’s day to day operations, but she was also still a wanderer at heart. She had a shuttle that was based strictly for exploration. And a little bit of rescue help. If she was reading Iona’s mind, Kaia would have laughed.

“I doubt I’ll disown you. I hate to be a cliche, but part of it is in our blood. I’ll show you my dad’s datacron about one of the older Starchasers. We’ve always been between-the-stars.” As it were.

“No need to be that formal. If you feel the need to make a formal title, uhh… I mean you can go as far to call me Warden, and we’ll put you at… Initiate, hows that sound?” She didn’t want to be Captain, or Executive, from her other roles. Chief may work.

Iona Starchaser

 

[Iona Starchaser]

"Aye, Aye Warden Starchaser!"

Iona couldn't see calling Kaia Starchaser by a formal title often, but she did realize they may run into a few situations that required it. She wanted to be prepared for that day, plus, it would help in the future when Iona had her own student to boss around...er...teach. She was ready to hit the hyperlanes immediately, see what Kaia knew, see how a real Warden managed to jump along in the hyperlanes.

First they had to finish breakfast though. Iona would hold her hundreds of questions for Kaia later.

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

She’d had students before. Well, sort of students. Not anything in a formal official Teacher-Padawan format, but the Wardens didn’t tend to do that. Kaia was just able to help teach people to be a better spacer. The older cousin didn’t have much in the way of a lesson plan, not anything beyond ‘follow and listen.’ But to be a Warden was to be a spacer and someone who helped others. The Force merely amplified that calling.

“First things first, you’ll need to bow out of whatever agreement you have here. And then we take my shuttle and hit day one running.” She smiled.

This would actually be fun.

Iona Starchaser

 

[Iona Starchaser]

“First things first, you’ll need to bow out of whatever agreement you have here. And then we take my shuttle and hit day one running.”

Downing the rest of her caf, Iona took that as a challenge to see how quickly she could get things done. Mug rattled on the saucer as she set it down and all but jumped up. The teenager was eager to get started. She was worried Kaia Starchaser was going to change her mind before she had a chance to get back. Stranger things had happened, like finally getting someone to train her.

"Bebackinaflashdon'tleavewithoutme."

Words came out in one big jumble as she zoomed out of the cafe, off to settle her employment with the Ithorians and join her cousin to finally become a Warden of the Sky.