SOMEWHERE IN SPACE

Cal's hand trembled, as he gripped the hilt of his lightsaber. He was unaware that it wasn't just his hand, but his entire body that was shaking.

"Okay, shut that thing off and grab some seat."

He turned to look at the Latero sitting in the pilot's seat and realized he was talking to him. He didn't realize that his lightsaber was still on until he mentioned it. With a heavy heart, he turned it off and came back to reality.

"Thanks for the help," he said, gesturing to the weird girl and the two strangers. "Who are you, people?"

Just because they had helped him out, didn't mean Cal trusted them. In fact, Cal trusted no one and the one person he did was dead.

"My name is Cere Junda," the dark-skinned woman said. "And this is my captain, Greez Dritus."

"The Mantis is my ship but you better pay attention to this lady here."

Cal brushed the introductions and looked around, trying to see if there was anyone else other than the three people he saw on the ship.

"Who are you?" Cere asked.

"Cal. Kestis. Who was that back there?"

"An Imperial Inquisitor," Cere replied. "She's a Force user hunting Jedi survivors. And now that she knows who you are, she will not stop until she destroys you."

"How do you know so much?" Cal asked, suspicious. "And why'd you help me?"

"We track Imperial communications. We heard the Inquisitors were heading to Bracca. So we made our move."

"Oh yeah? What's the bounty on Jedi these days anyway?"

"That's gratitude for ya!" Greez exclaimed.

"Look, I get it. You've been surviving on your own for so long that it's impossible to trust anyone. And it's what's kept you alive. But this is about something bigger than just surviving."

"Like what?"

"Like rebuilding the Jedi Order."

Cal felt something stir deep within him, something he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Hope.

"You three? Anyone else?"

Cere looked at him confused.

"Three?"

Cal turned and gestured to Diane.

"Isn't she with you?"

Cere shook her head.

"I told you Cal Kestis," Diane said. "I'm an Angel."

"Is that supposed to be a codename for some secret organization?" Greez sassed.

Diane tilted her head.

"I don't understand, why would I use a code for my name when I've already told you it?"

Cal ignored them and continued his conversation with Cere.

"What about the Jedi Council?"

"Gone."

"Oh."

A small piece of his hope cracked.

"So I'm all you've got."

At first, there was silence, until Cere spoke asking Greez to fly them to a planet called Bogano. Cal looked over at Diane who was messing with the utility strap on her.

"So if you're an angel," he said. "Is this your 'mortal body'?"

Diane looked up at him, amused at his choice of words but nodded.

"Does she know?"

Diane gave him a saddened look.

"She does not. I cannot possess a vessel without permission."

"So then how...?"

"She passed away."

Cal faltered. "Oh."

"I possessed her body after her soul reached Heaven."

Diane looked at Cal, noticing the dark rings under his eyes.

"Cal Kestis, I think it would be beneficial if you closed your eyes and laid down."

"What?"

"What she means to say is to try to relax. Rest. You're safe, for now," Cere said.

With that, Cal clipped his lightsaber to his utility belt before moving past them. He went to the back where he saw a workbench and a cot. As soon as his head hit the pillow, darkness engulfed him.

⤠⤟

Diane watched as he walked away before turning her attention to the mortal woman in front of her. It was obvious she was cautious of Diane, given the way her stance had looked defensive. It was the same one she'd seen earlier with Cal.

This woman, her soul Diane noticed was different than Cal's. It didn't shine as bright as the boys. Instead, she saw a mixture of darkness intertwined with hers. From Diane's perspective, it was almost as if the light and darkness were fighting against each other.

"What's an angel?"

Diane furrowed her eyebrows.

"We're many things. We're warriors and messengers of God."

"So you're, what, a "higher being"?" Greez sassed.

Diane was confused. She had only been in the mortal world for such a short time and it was nothing like she imagined. From above, she did not witness the violence nor tragedy that she saw within the last few mortal hours. She wondered if it was because it wasn't her duty to do so. Maybe that was for the angels on floor four or two. But if so...why hadn't they done anything?

A small gasp left her lips. Diane shook her head. Who was she to question? Pushing aside all those thoughts, she looked at the two mortals in front of her.

"I am not a mortal if that's what you mean."

"That bright light earlier, was that you?" Greez asked. This time around, he sounded more sincere. Almost like he was concerned.

"Yes."

Greez nor Cere said anything.

"Make yourself comfortable," Cere told her. "Get some rest."

Diane smiled.

"Thank you. But I don't sleep."

"Ever?!" Greez yelled.

"Angels. We don't sleep, ever." Diane said, saying the last word with emphasis.

⸻╳⸻

Diane waited in a small corner as she sat in the front. Cal had been sleeping the entire time and as they were about to land on the new planet, he went back to wake him up. Diane was still sitting when Greez came back.

"Is this your first time on a yacht?" he asked.

"Everything is my first time," she told him. "It's my first time being amongst mortals."

"Oh yeah?" Greez said, suddenly intrigued. "How's it so far?"

Diane paused.

"I'm not sure yet."

"Well that's comforting," he muttered.

Cal and Cere took their seats before Greez punched a lever.

BOGANO

The door opened and the same flat ladder (as Diane called it) extended on the ground. The angel peeked her head out and the most beautiful sight came into view.

Bogano was everything that Diane had imagined the mortal world to be like.

Cere noticed her face and smiled.

"You can go out if you'd like. Just be careful."

Diane turned to look at her in acknowledgment and carefully walked down until her boots sank into the mud. She was unaware that Cal and Cere watched her carefully as she looked around.

The angel bent down and picked up what she'd known to be grass. Grass felt weird. But it was a good weird. She smiled and walked some more until she encountered a pool of water.

"That's a puddle," Cere exclaimed from the ship.

Diane didn't look at her. Instead, she jumped causing the small particles of water to jump from underneath her.

The angel laughed. Above her was a clear blue sky. On the horizon was a tall building that she had no doubt Cal would explore at some point. But the thing that took her attention was the massive creature that laid alone on its own in the distance. Diane took note of the small creatures that stayed hidden in their holes in the ground.

When she turned she noticed Cere was gone and it was just Cal. He was staring at the building in front of her.

"Are you going there?" she asked, curious.

He nodded.

"I'm looking for a Jedi."

Diane pondered on what to say next.

"Good luck?"

Cal glanced at her and Diane could tell he wanted to say something.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Earlier," Cal started, "why'd you...you know...kiss my hand?"

Diane frowned.

"Is that not what you're supposed to do?" she asked.

Cal gave her a bewildered look and shook his head, laughing.

"No. I-I was trying to help you up. That's why I stuck my hand out."

"Oh." Diane suddenly felt another unfamiliar feeling. One she hadn't felt in a long time.

Embarrassment.

"My apologies."

He shrugged and waved a hand at her.

"Don't worry 'bout it. Just...surprised me is all."

She nodded before turning her attention to the bright sunlight. Diane noticed that Cal had begun walking away from her, no doubt starting his journey. Meanwhile, she was trying to figure out how to take off the poncho that her vessel was wearing.