Star Wars: Starkiller

The atmosphere inside The Ghost ship was suffocating, charged with a tension that had settled in like an unwanted visitor for a week already. Galen's sacrifice had been three weeks ago and it had left a deep impression on every member of the crew, but especially on Sabine, who since then had become much more distant, almost inaccessible. Her interactions were brief, curt, and her gaze avoided meeting the others'. Despite this, her posture was the most vocal when it came to expressing her dislike for having escaped without him.

Hera Syndulla, the ship's captain, carried the weight of the decision on her shoulders. Secretly, she had reached out to every contact, every ally and every pending favor that could provide her with information on Galen's whereabouts. So far, however, the efforts had been fruitless. The Imperials had been exceptionally tight-lipped about the attack on the Communications Tower, and even agents infiltrated within their ranks had failed to uncover anything. It was as if Galen had vanished from the galaxy, or worse....

At that precise moment, Hera was in the command room, leaning over the holoprojector as her confidant and informant, Fulcrum, provided her with the latest news. Fulcrum, whose distorted voice added an air of mystery, was her only hope at that moment. If anyone could find a lead on Galen, it was her.

"I consulted with my sources in Imperial Intelligence..." began Fulcrum, her tone leisurely but laden with gravity.

"And?" asked Hera, unable to contain the anxiety seeping into her voice.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No records, no rumors. It's as if he's vanished." Fulcrum paused, his wary gaze revealing that there was more to be said. "However, thanks to the information you provided, I think I know who might have taken it."

Fulcrum's image faded momentarily, replaced by a hologram of a figure encased in ominous black armor. Rhythmic, mechanical breathing filled the room, causing Hera to tense involuntarily.

"The description fits Darth Vader, an enigmatic servant of the Empire," Fulcrum continued. "There's not a lot of information about him, but I was able to confirm some curious details. Despite serving the Empire, he holds no official rank, which is extremely unusual for someone involved in elite missions. Furthermore, most of his operations are assigned directly by the Emperor."

Hera frowned, processing this information. Initial surprise was quickly replaced by insatiable curiosity.

"What else do you have on him? Any names? Planet of origin? Anything that might help us locate Galen?" Hera insisted, her tone firm but charged with urgency.

Fulcrum was silent for a few seconds, clearly organizing his thoughts. Finally, his expression brightened with a new idea.

"His identity is unknown, but he is rumored to have a secret base on the planet Mustafar, in the Outer Rim," she revealed, unfolding a hologram of the fiery planet. "If there's one place he could be, that would be it. Be warned, though: the base is crawling with Imperial troops, and according to the records of his travels, Vader spends a lot of time there. If you go, he'll be waiting for you."

Hera closed her eyes briefly, considering the implications. She knew a direct attack was suicidal, but abandoning Galen was not an option.

"And what can we do? He's a crew member, part of our family. And we don't abandon family." She said with determination.

Fulcrum sighed, her expression subdued. "You will shortly be reassigned," she revealed, causing Hera to look at her in disbelief.

"Does that mean...?"

"Yes. The protocol has changed. Shortly, The Ghost's cell will be under General Sato's command. I will pass along your concerns regarding Galen, and once you are reassigned, you will have the ships and equipment necessary for the mission. But you will have to wait."

Hera clenched her fists, fighting frustration. Waiting was a risk, but to attack immediately was to doom everyone.

Finally, Hera bowed her head in resignation.

"Thank you, Fulcrum. We'll wait for the General's orders, in that case."

"There is something else," Fulcrum added, which immediately caught the twi'lek's attention.

"What do you mean?" asked Hera, frowning.

"I found information about your missing partner as well, Galen... you want to know?"

Hera paused for a moment, evaluating the proposition. While it didn't seem quite right for her to pry into Galen's private life, she couldn't ignore what little he had told them either. Besides, considering what had happened so far, the odds that whatever Galen had said was false were too high to ignore.

"Go ahead." Hera decided at last.

Fulcrum nodded, his tone more serious. "For starters, his full name is Galen Marek, son of Kento Marek and Mallie Marek, two Jedi knights."

Hera's eyes widened like saucers. According to what Kanan had explained to her, romantic relationships were strictly forbidden for Jedi, and marriage between members of the same Order was unheard of.

"Apparently, he was born on Kashyyyk. His parents were probably seeking refuge after the execution of Order 66. Mallie Marek was reportedly killed by Gamorrean slavers while hunting wookies to sell to the Empire. A year later, Kento Marek was also killed during the Imperial invasion of the planet."

Hera had heard rumors of that invasion. It had quickly turned into a bloodbath, due to the fierce resistance of the wookies and their knowledge of the terrain. It was well known that the fighting had lasted longer than the Empire had anticipated.

"Here, however, begins the strange part," Fulcrum continued. "According to the Empire's records, both Kento Marek and his son, Galen Marek, died at Kashyyyk. But what's even stranger: I checked the Imperial records of escaped jedi and there's no Galen Marek listed."

"That's impossible. Are you sure of this information?" asked Hera, incredulous.

"My source is very reliable," Fulcrum assured her. "Still, it also struck me as odd when I heard it. That's why I thought you'd want to know."

Hera nodded slowly, processing the implications. "Thank you, Fulcrum. We'll be in touch."

"Understood. Good luck, Spectre-2." replied Fulcrum before cutting the transmission.

The room fell silent. Hera stood alone, her gaze fixed on the now-dulled hologram, pondering everything she had just heard. The mysteries surrounding Galen were only multiplying, and the debate on how to proceed with him increased.