Out of the Fire

[Coren Starchaser]

Hunting pirates was one of the things Starchaser was good at. That, flying, and nowadays, the Force. The Jedi Master was working on doing everything he could to protect the Light Side, even if it meant taking a step away from the forefront of the war. With the Alliance having fallen, that meant he had to make sure the Jedi were surviving, and it meant going back to the basics. To the Underground and taking these striking missions. He wasn’t sure who had called but he was here, and the pirate base as…

Exploding. He had lured their fighters through the Belt but on his return, he had no idea what happened. Wasn’t there only a squadron and a U-Wing here? Must be some pilot. The man shook his head. “Porter, get a report for us. What’s going on in there?” He looked as he moved the YT-2000 through the rocks. Falling into the Force, the Jedi Master was reaching out across space, feeling the base and the ship coming out.

“Target the U-Wing.” He muttered before he saw it. There was energy there, and the gravity moving around the ship. The man shook his head. When he got the report from the droid, he saw the wireframe claiming damage on the U-Wing. Pushing the throttle, the Corellian sent his ship moving. Using the Force, he reinforced his own shields, knowing he was going to have to pull that fighter in, but first he had to catch up.

“U-Wing, this is Tachyon Rising, report.”

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

Warning lights were flashing across her instrument panel like Life Day. Pibs, her pebbledrone was booping something fierce. Kinsey shook her head. They’d spun off quite a bit and she’d been fighting off the blackness that wanted to expand across her vision.

“I hear yah,” she grumbled and winced, as the crash webbing dug into a bruise that was already forming underneath. “Well I didn’t know they’d...”

Pibs whistled.

“Yeah. We tried to warn them. Pirates dont exactly listen.”

Pibs hooted.

“I KNOW.” Kinsey’s blues rolled, a hand coming up to pinch the bridge of her nose. “Oh. We have a message do we?”

Pibs twatted.

Kinsey flipped the comms and heard her Uncle’s voice come through.

Feth.

The girl opened a channel back. “The pirates had a secret base and it was just destroyed.” Kinsey still wasn’t sure if it had been an accident. A lot had happened in there. She and Pibs were just, well, lucky.

“All good here though,” she quickly reassured over the static-filled channel. She’d been avoiding her Uncle so long and she wanted to keep it that way.

Nose crinkled at the sudden smell of smoke.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The Tachyon Rising was a ship that was tried and true. A Corellian ship flown and maintained by a Corellian pilot. She was hardy, and had shields to rival a Mon Calamari ship of similar size. The pilot was also no slouch himself and was at home behind the controls. More so than if he wasn’t in a ship. His implant helped, but it didn’t matter at this point. He survived, and was surveying where he needed to be. The Squadron had places to report to, but the U-Wing? That was odd to see without support.

Something was up.

“My sensors are showing me more than you’re letting on, pilot. We’re a good space aboard here, can get you where you’re needing to go.” He stated as he pushed the throttle. The freighter was heading for the U-Wing.

“We can grab you with our landing claw. And let you get out of that fighter.” Or whatever the U-Wing was… Landing craft?

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]
Kinsey was out of her seat and down in the u-wing’s cabin. Goggles were on and a hydrospanner in her fingerless-gloved hand. Coren’s voice came through the ships’s speakers in crackling bursts.

Pibs booped, keeping the line open.

“I said we’re fine.”

Pibs whistled. Stubborn arse. Hand waved some smoke away as she pried open a floor panel and began getting to work. Thing was? She knew her uncle. And she doubted he’d let this go. In fact, she could see his ship getting closer through the u-wing’s side door window.

“And I prefer exploration vessel,” the girl quipped. A shower of sparks filled the hold as she twisted the spanner. And she braced for what she knew was coming. A face-to-face with her uncle.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The Tachyon Rising was moving forward and Coren started slowing it down. The YT-2000 was moving in closer to the ship and he was visually scanning for the access point. “Porter, set up the port access tube.” He was going to figure out why this pilot was going to be so stubborn. He could lift the U-Wing out of system and at least save the fighter some fuel.

“Pilot, I’ve been flying for decades.” He started before he shook his head. He was entirely too young to be giving anyone ‘back in my day’ stories. Grabbing the controls, he was slowing the ship down and bringing it alongside the U-Wing.

“Knock, knock, pilot.” The call came across as the boarding ramp was extending but not far enough to create a seal with the U-Wing. “Well, you should probably get yourself in a proper one. Unless you’ve done enough retrofits…”

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

"She does just fine in a pinch," Kinsey quipped and patted the side-panel of her open hold fondly. The restored u-wing was constantly being upgraded. Only one door worked. The other had been sealed for shelving and storage space. Guns were taken out. There'd even been a teeny refresher installed in the starboard back corner.

Everything had its proper place.

Even the smuggler's den retrofitted beneath her boots.

Think tiny house meets tiny ship/low-budget exploration company. Kinsey limited. Heh.

Sandy-dark brows knit over the brim of her goggles as she sealed off the coolant leak just in time to hear the seal line up with her door. Pibs booped, stunner gadget out and ready. Kinsey shook her head at the droid.

"Think we'll be okay." The girl stood, clipping the tool to her belt as the u-wing door swished open. There was a moment of standing still and watching the familiar figure on the other end of the lock. He wouldn't see that a pair of blue eyes marching his own stared right back at him from beneath the tinted goggles.

Couldn't stand like this forever.

With a small sigh, she let her goggles fall down around her neck.

"Uncle."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The Starchaser Patriarch was not going to fault the U-Wing pilot. Had he known that it was a Starchaser behind the controls, he’d have been able to say he was proud. As it was though, he was just happy people were enjoying the ships they had, and making them work. That was from the guy who was gifting others ships to upgrade people and put them in something that wasn’t going to explode.

Corellian ships, mostly, but sometimes modified and upgraded whatevers by Starchaser Enterprises. “Sure she does. Seems like she’s well taken care of, but that explosion, and the ‘roids? Gonna ruin damned near everything.” He shrugged, to himself at this point. The scans were being done on the U-Wing, but he wasn’t looking too deeply into them yet. Just more things to have for his record. The rainy-day reads.

Getting up from the seat, and putting the ship in a typical holding pattern, the pilot made his way to the towards the force cylinder, and dropped grabbed his side arm, just in case. He wasn’t one to always search a ship with the Force but the response was… different here. He shook his head. Better to be prepared. His had wasn’t really close to his sidearm, even when he saw the goggled figure.

It took him a beat or two to realize the tone, the voice, and then the eyes. “…Kinsey?” He shook his head, reaching out in the Force. “We thought you were dead.”

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

He could reach out all he wanted to in the force but her signature was locked up and buried down deep. Hidden away. Like it always was. Since she'd been cured from that darkside poison. Since she'd fled Sage Bane. Since she'd met Uncle Coren that first time when she'd been with [member="Darius Sedaire"].

Stars, that felt like forever ago.

"If only everyone else thought that," hand waved through the slightly smoky air. She'd have to change the filters and flush out the cabin. "I've got enough gangs and bounty hunters up my arse to fill a star destroyer." Lopsided grin briefly flashed in his direction. Had to try and keep things light. It was a good deflecting mechanism.

Her pebble drone rolled it's green painted head in the commander's direction.

"Pibs. Meet Uncle Coren. And visa versa."

The girl shrugged, no longer a teenager.

Sure. There was a lot they could talk about. And maybe they would.

"What're you doing out here? Figured you'd be clinging to the Alliance remnants and beating back the sith and First Order." Chin tipped over the man's shoulder. "You gonna invite me in or what?"

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Maybe it was that he was Coren, and a Jedi Master, leading the charge as one of the big light siders, that hiding the gift that was the Starchaser’s unique concept with the Force. Not quite a consular, ever, but definitely some people who could work the powers they did master with much of the same finesse and ability as anyone else. If not more so. He knew Kaia was able to modify the way gravity worked, and Jared, well, he was a Force pilot and could barrier nearly anything.

He shook his head as she greeted him. “That’s a Starchaser if I’ve ever heard one.” A wide grin on his face. He wasn’t really wanting his family name to be chased by hunters, but he didn’t want someone with the name ‘Starchaser’ kicking around and taking up space on some planet or in a station. That was why anyone from the Warbirds, all the families, had a berth on the Dawn Treader. Just Kinsey was… being Kinsey.

He looked at the droid. “Pibs. Welcome.” And with that she hit the nerve. Clinging to the Alliance Remnant. Looking Kinsey over again he nodded.

“Come on, get yourself something to eat. I’m out here doing patrols with the Coalition. Whats got you out here? In the fight?” The man stepped to the side to allow her to pass. Porter was deeper in the ship and helping control it. And he knew there was a Corellian sand cat or two kicking around.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

"Pibs as soon as the door is sealed, clear the vents in here and change the filters." Her droid warbled and booped at her. "Yes. Of course you can come in after that."

Kinsey shrugged at her Uncle before stepping past him. Spacers always seemed to find droids with personalities. She knew he of all people, would understand the quips between owner and machine. Though it was more like friend to friend.

She crossed over the seal and into the freighter, climbing down the corridor with the ladder. She'd never been in this ship before but she intrinsically knew where to go. Probably a Starchaser trait.

"Not really in the fight," voice carried over her shoulder and back to Coren. "Been loosely tied with ORC for awhile now." Post Vagrant fleet. Post a short stint in Alliance prison. "Saw the job call go out and needed some extra credits."

"Pirates are a pain in the arse anyway."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Droids were part and parcel to the whole life of a fringer. Spacers, pilots, and others who lived on the outskirts of society. They were the types who needed the companion, but having a companion that was not going to fight you about where you went, or why you lived the life you did? Droids were good because they didn’t think much, or they craved adventure as much as their bio-counterpart. The elder Jedi smirked as Kinsey gave Pibs an order.

Watching Kinsey pass by, Coren nodded and shook his head. She had the personality of a spacer, that was for sure. She wasn’t acting toomuch like a Starchaser though. His father, he, even Kaia and Jared, ended up in the thick of it. Someone had to be the space arm of the Jedi and Light Side. But not everyone was going to be the template that their ancestors were.

Watching his niece, he followed her inside after securing the hold, and letting the droid do its work. “Coalition is good, galaxy needs the free space. And the assistance you can give them must be very helpful. Stretched a bit thin, from what I’ve been gathering.” Making his way into the main cabin, along side Kinsey, he laughed.

“They always are.” He looked at her. “Where did you run off to? Why?”

Subtly was not his strong suit.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

A big part of her wanted to blame her uncle for everything that happened. But deep down, she knew it wasn't his fault. Atleast, not entirely. Besides. She was a big girl now. She could take care of herself as she'd proved time and time again.

Without turning around to look at her uncle, she began rummaging in the cantina. Thank the stars, he had sandwich food. She'd been living off rations or the occasional splurge at a Bobo's Noodle Shack.

"Do you remember the last time I saw you? After I got away from Sage Bane?" It had been so long ago. Well. About two years ago. Maybe three. Time got lost traveling in the stars. Taking out a plate, she began layering the bread with meat, cheese, lettuce, and some pickles.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The Jedi and Sith were at war for millennia. It was the way that particular coin went, pushing the Force to their own ends, and the Jedi being able to adapt some other aspects of the Force to protect against the twisted Sith magicks and the dark side of the Force. He wasn’t the type to just sit by idly. And it did harm others, he knew he wasn’t getting away scot free on any of it. But he was doing his best to help the most people he could. Sometimes it wasn’t everyone.

She didn’t turn, and he was starting to wonder what she was thinking, but she was wound up tight and he couldn’t break into that with the Force, nor did he want to even attempt.

“I remember the fight. I remember you were gone and Kaia went after you. She spent time following you, but you weren’t anywhere to be found. I’m sorry that happened.” He didn’t need to get on his pedestal of duty and purpose. He watched his niece for a second.

“How is it you’ve been staying off the radar?”

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

Blues finally drifted up to meet her Uncle's gaze as she took a lick of the elderberry jam off her thumb. The fight? She assumed he meant their discussion, when Darius had been there. Just when she managed to walk away from the sith. Away from Sage Bane.

"I was sick. Just hadn't surfaced yet. Darkside poison. [member="Avalore Eden"] healed me. Served the Alliance for a short time to lessen my prison sentence. Seems like they don't forgive so easily being involved with the One Sith, even if you were mind-fracked by a Sith Lord because of a stupid last name."

There it was. The bitterness.

Attention turned back to her sandwich and she took a bite, munching thoughtfully.

Again. It wasn't blame. Atleast. She didn't mean it to be all blame.

"Couldn't stand being with the alliance for so much longer so I started over. Just kinda went from job-to-job. Different names. Stayed off the radar as best I could."

No Starchaser could stay off the radar completely.

"Spent some time with the Vagrant fleet. [member="Jorus Merrill"] offered me that old u-wing. Got enough creds to fix it up." Shoulders shrugged and she leaned against the counter. "Sage still has hunters after me. Can't exactly be around family or in the open, can I?"

Another bite of the sandwich.

She didn't need help nor was she asking for it. Was stubborn a trait of the starchasers?

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Starchaser eyes were one of those traits. He wasn’t sure how far back they went, but it did seem to help, or at least every member of the family felt, they helped see better while in space. Not necessarily dark situations, but definitely in space. Maybe it wasn’t true but he wasn’t going to argue with anyone about it. Anytime it had Sith involved, the world was a fight. Starchaser was the one who would hit the darkness with as bright a light as he could muster.

Poison, that was what was happening around Romi as well. He remembered her being sick off it, but dark side? That was something else. “Can’t be too cautious with anyone coming in from the One Sith. And you saw what happened with Raaf.” And That whole situation. “I tried to get to you.” He shook his head. He wasn’t willing to cross back into the realm of excessive Force created force. Military tactics and appropriate strikes were what was required. He knew that he had the power in him to hit the darkness hard.

But then? He wasn’t able to access the extremes of Force Light. And he knew it was only a matter of time before even that would cause him more harm than good. But it was what he could do to slow the Sith. And with more popping up all the time? He was going to need more Jedi.

“Alliance life wasn’t for everyone. The Coalition is different, but… they’re not taking the fight forward. It’s a place to rest for now.” For those who were ready to get back out there to the fight. He was going to be the first one on the warpath.

“I’ve got ships you can land on, Shadowports and Alliance command vessels. My personal battlegroup.” That was definitely not going to have Sith getting inside. The Sentinel ranks were heavy in that battlegroup. “Can at least keep you fed and fueled when you’re on hard times.” And who knew, maybe she'd fall in to help the Jedi Underground.

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

"I'm not blaming you." Exactly. She munched quietly on her sandwich. "It's just. You make a big name for yourself and create a lot of enemies and sometimes the only way they can hurt you is by hurting others in the family."

She munched some more.

"Actions have consequences and again, I know you're trying to do good. Just remember that."

Truly her uncke's niece. She could be just as honest and blunt too.

"But I'll keep your offer in mind." Kinsey was fiercely independent, sometimes to a fault. Plus. There was always a catch and she wondered what it was here. Th girl waved her sandwich in his direction again.

"Do you really think all this fighting is doing the galaxy any good? And what happened to you? I heard rumors you were using the darkside."

She half shrugged. She was no Jedi, so she wasn't exactly judging. Just curious.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

For all that he was capable of keeping himself in the direction he was hoping, there were so many issues between the way Coren handled things, and the amount of issues it could create, was going to be his downfall. “I’m used to most Starchasers keeping to bouncing around. Just seems to be our place in the galaxy, you know?” The trick was keeping tabs on everyone. The man looked at the girl who he had seen raised.

She was a lot different than she was when she left. That meant it was going well, her life. He looked at her. “And here I thought I was the one who had to watch out for all of you. Are you making it a point to keep away from the Force? Or… would you be interested in learning? Between that and a place to rest and refuel. Can do a bit to help you.”

Was the fighting helping? He would believe it, and if anyone was asked? He’d stand behind his choices. “The dark side? Me? Who did you hear that from?” No way was he using that aspect of the Force. Not any more. “It’s a more… aggressive defense.”

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

Taking another bite of her sandwich, she set it down on a plate and turned to rummage through the icebox again. She brought out a fizzy-lemonade and popped it open on the edge of the counter. "It's just space gossip Uncle, no one in particular." Leaning against the counter, she took a swig of the drink.

Kinsey thought quietly about his question and offer.

"I am trying to stay away from the force. Got me in a lot of trouble, before. I just want to be careful and not have to rely on it. Make sense?"

She wondered if he'd be able to get it at all.

"Others with malevolent intentions can track my signature, too. Sometimes it's just easier to keep it hidden."

It was a reference to Sage and any others out there.

Arms crossed and she took another swig and swallowed. "So, if I needed a place to crash, is there some kind of catch? I'm also not sure if you really know what kind of trouble can follow me especially when you seem to have your hands full with enough trouble of your own."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

As a Warden of the Sky, albeit a crummy one lately, Coren had to keep his ship stocked with all manner of creature comforts. For Kinsey to just lay claim to the stores here, that was one thing, as long as she wasn’t diving into the captain’s suite. Granted that would have some of [member="Romi Jade"] ‘s personal effects as well, so definitely best that Kinsey didn’t pop in there. “Right, the gossip rings do travel. But no, no dark side. I am a soldier and fighting as a Jedi, but I doubt at this point I could even throw lightning around.” Beams of light, sure.

“I get you. Its not something everyone can readily… I don’t know. Approach? It becomes a blessing and a curse to even the most stalwart users. Must mean you’re working off of just gut feelings on navigation? Or Pibs there is one hell of a QC on your nav charts.” He grinned. The Master was not going to try to understand what she was doing, but he knew where she was coming from. What he was interested in was how easy it made her life.

If any at all. She still wore the badge of his name, for better or worse, he supposed. It depended on the circles.

Running a hand through his hair, Coren looked at the blue-eyed girl. Catch for safe harbor? He shook his head. “No catch. Don’t bring any tail to the meeting location, and don’t bring any guests you are not completely sure about. It’s the Dawn Treader.” And as she was raised a Starchaser, she’d know that ship. The home base of many Starchasers throughout the past years. And a place of rest for the families linked to the Starchasers. An old military ship, modified for civilian use.

“And what kind of trouble is after you?”

[member="Kinsey Starchaser"]

 

[Kinsey Starchaser]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

She guffawed at her Uncle.

"Did you just say...tail?" Head shook. Relationships were the last thing she was interested in right now. She smirked, though. Her uncle sounded like he was trying to use hip language. Ol' man.

Trouble though?

"Welll." She took a breath. "Sage Bane and his bounty hunters are still after me. The Keenjay clan, the Banchoo Syndicate." Shoulders shrugged. "I can take care of myself, though."

She took another sip of the drink.

"Anyway, should probably get started on my ship's repairs."