(ok)
“That's a good name.” Calista smiled with a slight nod of approval, finding it interesting that the newly named Dex seemed to consider Hawkin its new master. Then again, Hawkin had been responsible for repairing Dex… in a way, it made sense that the two would get along. “So, Dex… Hawkin believes that you are from, what we call, the High Republic and I believe that we both have questions for you about that time.” she explained. “Including any information you can share about the Jedi back then… I’m sorry to say that there aren't very many of us left after the Empire tried to wipe us out.”
The droid whirred.
“Indeed. The High Republic is- was. A time of Renaissance. Creativity and peace. But now I can see that the world now is no longer like that. I have questions for you as well, but you asked first. What would you like to know about the Jedi? I have some memories, but not of everything. Most of my memories were erased after the attacks on the starlight beacon, and where I was put into hypersleep. I was only supposed to sleep for 30 orbit parties. But I can see it is not the orbit party 200. But 5 aby. I was asleep for 235 orbit parties. Something must have gone terribly right.”
“Of course.” Calista nodded, understanding why Dex would have questions. Though she raised a brow at the phrase… name?… starlight beacon. “Perhaps I should answer your questions first. I’m mostly curious about the Jedi you remember in general… I want to learn what might have changed between them and the Jedi before the Empire took over.” she admitted. “As for the orbit party… it has been changed at least twice recently. I’m sure the Empire had its own designation for orbit parties but I can't remember what it was… Anything before the High Republic is now called BBY: Before the Battle of Yavin, and presently we use ABY, as in After the Battle of Yavin, for current dates.”
The droid whirred again.
“What was the battle of Yavin? Was it similar to Starlight Beacon? Have the Nihil finally lost? Your Empire sounds horrible. Are we back to a republic? Or better yet, are we a democracy? And as for the Jedi, well, the boy looks more like them than you do. The colors of the high republic were bright. Gold, white, yellow, tan, colors that represent peace and purity. I can see the Jedi are not that way any longer. Am I correct in that assumption?”
Calista smiled patiently and took a seat near both Dex and Hawkin. “The Empire was horrible but the battle of Yavin is considered to be the final battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, because the Emperor and his right-hand man, Darth Vader, were killed in the explosion of the second Death Star. Without either of them to take control, the Empire fell into chaos and the Rebel Alliance became the New Republic.” she explained, answering more than one of the droid’s questions. Though she had no doubt she also opened several more. “Really?” She looked down at her dark brown robes before quickly looking back at what Hawkin was wearing, a little surprised by the fact that Dex didn't consider her outfit to fit with the image of a Jedi. “Well… my Master did wear tan under her outer robe but considering how the Empire was run by a Sith, and the fact that we were trying to survive a war… I guess I can't be too surprised that the clothes changed. Wearing something so colorful would cause us to stand out… and I think I remember an older Jedi teacher saying something about wearing simpler colors was to show a Jedi’s humility. That bright colors like yellow and gold would only show vanity.” she said thoughtfully. “As to your assumption, I’m afraid I don't really have a straight answer to give you. But if you could tell me about Starlight Beacon and the Nihil? Neither of those sound familiar to me.”
The droid emanated a low hum and watched as Calista looked at Hawkin.
“It’s not his outfit you’re looking at. 
no. He’s absolutely filthy.”
Hawkin let out a huff of aggravation. The droid continued.
“It’s the tattooed gold band across his nose. He’s Kiffar. They’ve been doing that tradition for eons. And which Jedi said that the colors were too flashy? If it was that little green friend looking Jedi, he didn’t like the colors because they never matched his skin tone. If I recall correctly, his name was Yoda or something. Never stuck me much as a grand master, he was just another Jedi. As for Starlight Beacon and the Nihil, I guess it can be compared to your empire and the imperials trying to take over the cosmic spiraly-whirly. I only know so much.”
The droid thought for a moment.
“Starlight Beacon, or just Starlight, was a space station constructed in the Outer Rim Territories during the High Republic. It was built on the Galactic Frontier. It was situated in the center of the Outer Rim's unexplored dark zones. The station's large size caused its construction to cost a great effort and expense. When the station was completed, it was noted that the region was difficult to navigate at the time. The station, launched in 232 BBY, acted as a beacon, sending out a signal that guided travelers, and boosted communication networks active in the Outer Rim. That is, until the Nihil attacked it and destroyed it. The Nihil were marauders. They had hyperspace paths that defied all known laws of hyperspace travel. They came in and, hating the Jedi and what they were doing, destroyed Starlight Beacon two orbit parties after it was built. I was then put into hyper sleep, and I’ve finally woken up. Judging by the lack of knowledge on the Nihil, as bad as it may sound, your horrible empire may have saved the cosmic spiraly-whirly in a way. By what you’ve told me, I can assume they wiped the Nihil out. And dare I say, good riddance. They were a pain. That’s all I can remember right now on Starlight Beacon. I’m sorry I couldn’t say more. Tell me more about your Jedi ways, and tell me more about the Star battles between the Empire and the Rebels. It sounds all very exciting.”
Calista couldn't help but laugh as Dex called Master Yoda a friend but shook her head. “I'm sorry… I don't actually remember which teacher said that but it was not Grandmaster Yoda.” she smiled, trying not to laugh again. “I’d have to look into what's left of the archives to see when that thought became a tradition. And Master Yoda was head of the Jedi Council long before I was taken in.” she informed.
Calista hummed slightly as she listened to Dex's story. “I see… Starlight would have been very helpful if it hadn't been destroyed… but the Empire didn't even last twenty orbit parties and it's only been five since the New Republic was able to establish itself…” she told Dex, leaving the implication open.
“Well, what would you like to know about the Jedi of the Old Republic? Unfortunately, I can only tell you about the major battles between the Empire and the Alliance. I wasn't an active fighter in the war… I was in hiding for most of it, at least, until my Master died.”
Hawkin spoke before the droid did.
“You were in hiding because you were a Jedi? Who was coming after you? Who was your master?”
The droid whirred.
“I too would like to know this information, as well as the ideals you master shared with you. As for mentioning an old republic, I can assume there’s two. One before my time and one after. Both had the fall of Jedi. Except one led to the high republic and one led to an empire. It’s fascinating to see how lastpast yesteryear repeats itself.”
“I agree. It is interesting.” Calista nodded at Dex’s last comment, already wondering what other similarities there were between the two historic events. “To answer your questions; my Master was Lira Voss and the Empire was hunting down and killing anyone with Force Sensitivity unless they agreed to work for the Empire and deal with those who wouldn't.” she sighed. “As I mentioned, the Emperor was a Sith, and a powerful one at that. So the best chance of defeating him was with the Jedi… or it would have been if not for the massacre at the Temple and the betrayal by the entire Army of the Republic.” she explained with a shudder as a memory flashed behind her peepers.
Hawkin reached out to touch Calista’s arm to sympathize with her. He knew what running and hiding from things could do. After all he was once a small ankle-biter trying to live in the underbelly of Coruscant. But as soon as he touched her arm, he was thrown into her memories. There was screaming and running, and hiding, and the smells could have rivaled the inside of a hutt’s ship. Her memories were truly horrifying. He grimaced and pulled his arm back from Calista and cradled it.
Calista smiled softly at the assurance Hawkin was giving with the simple touch… but even during that brief moment, she felt something. She wasn't sure how to describe it at first until she realized, it was him. She jolted away from the touch at the same time he pulled back and looked at him in shock. “Hawkin… what did you just…” she trailed off, unsure how to finish her question.
He rubbed his shoulder.
“This happens sometimes. I blame it on the fact that I’m around hyperfuel all day. I touch something and see memories. It’s not too big of an issue, because it’s mostly things from ships or droids, but I’ve never touched someone and seen something. Mainly because I’m in a shop all day. Around hyperfuel. So I just assume huffing fumes is what causes it.”
The droid whirred and looked at Hawkin and Calista. It spoke to Calista.
“It’s not a hyper fuel induced reaction. It’s something different, isn’t it?”
“No. It's not from hyperfuel.” Calista confirmed, in awe. “It's called a Force Echo or retrocognition. It means that you are gifted in the Force. I don't remember too many Jedi who had this ability especially since it is… was considered passive and not something that could be taught.” she explained to Hawkin.
Hawkin narrowed his peepers.
“So you’re saying the migraines I get afterwards are not from huffing hyper fuel. It’s some sort of wonky-donky force ability? What does that even me for me?”
The droid whirred.
“It means you might need a Jedi master.”
“You have the potential to be.” Calista corrected, not necessarily disputing Dex’s comment. “If you wanted to be, you would have to be trained by a Master and be taught to avoid falling to the Dark Side… but it is possible.”
Hawkin looked at Calista.
“I mean the receptionist did call you a master. So in technicality you are a Jedi master. Maybe you could teach me. Stars, I’d give anything to not work in the ship and mech shop anymore. I can only stand the smell of hyper fuel and do repetitive tasks for so long.”
Calista rubbed her neck, slightly embarrassed, and shook her head. “Lorian was being generous. I’m only considered a Master because there’s so few Jedi left and I happen to live on Coruscant.” she tried to explain but she could almost feel a sense of disappointment from the Force. She sighed and her fingers brushed against a cool thin chain, bringing a particular phrase back to mind. She let out a soft chuckle and smirked. “Then again, Force knows when I’ll find another Force-sensitive who wants me to teach them. If you're serious, I would be honored to have you as my Padawan.”
Hawking smiled.
“Oh stars yes I’m serious. And I’m sure Lorain was being honest. If it means I won’t have to fix another hutt ship making minimum credits, and get off this mess of a world, then yes. A hundred times yes. Maybe we can find and solve some mystery the cosmic spiraly-whirly has been trying to solve for centuries or something. We have Dex here. There’s gotta be something in those memory banks.”
(First of all, I want to apologize for my sporadic response times today. Work was hectic. And secondly, this is a fair warning that I am in the theater so…)
Calist laughed a little but nodded. “With your gift, and Dex with us, it's very possible.” she agreed, before turning to the droid in question. “What do you say, Dex? Would you like to stick around with us and help us answer some old questions?”
Dex whirred happily.
"I would love too. I have missed out on two hundred orbit parties of lastpast yesteryear. I have a lot to learn."
Hawkin stood up.
"Well that settles it! Where do we go Calista? Or how should I even address you now?"
(You're good homie! I've been so sporadic the last two days 😂)
“Calista is fine.” she smiled, as she stood with him. “I… don't think I'm ready to be called a Master in any context. As for where we should go… well, we have options. We can go to your place, or my place… Or the Temple here.” she suggested, though she was a little worried about what Hawkin could accidentally see there.
Hawkin shrugged.
"Alright Calista. We can go anywhere. My place is quite literally one human containment unit and a sink in the underbelly of Coruscant. I have all of my belongings with me. So wherever you think is best is where we'll go."
Dex whirred.
"I'm fine with anywhere."
Hawkin rolled his peepers at the droid.
"Yeah I know you're fine, you're a droid. You find a spot, shut down for a little while, and you're perfect again."
"Then… Let's go to my place. I can teach you something that should help you with your… visions." Calista offered. "Though I don't live in the upper levels either. It's more a simple apartment in the midlevels." she explained with a slight shrug. "I'm not used to all the… grandeur of living up here. It feels to exposed."
Hawking picked up his belongings.
"noice. At least it isn't hyperfuel that's making me see stuff. It's like ghost in my human syrup or something, right? And Tell me about it. Living in the undercity and then coming up above the clouds every day to work is a little nerve-wracking. It going from an eternal moonlit hours to an eternal day above the clouds can really mess with a schedule. I've never really been to the midlevels. They sound far better than the unsightly sights and smells of the undercity though."
“No, it's not a ghost in your human syrup.” Calista pointed out, caught between wanting to laugh and roll her peepers but managed not to do either. “The Force is… bigger than that. It's been described as an energy that flows through everything. Living, sentient, and not.” she tried to explain. Before answering his second question. “Well, it's not an eternal daytime up here, I’ve seen sunsets from some pretty giraffy building before but I understand what you mean. But the midlevels are probably the closest to a city on an average world, like Aldeeran or Naboo or Dantooine. The sunlight still filters down during the day but it's not as busy or open as it is on the upper levels and not quite as dark as the lower levels.”
Hawkin was still bumfuzzled.
“So it’s like sentient water in my human syrup? That’s kinda bonkers.”
He then picked up Dex and looked back at Calista.
“I’m going to be really honest. I haven’t seen a skylight twilight in over five orbit parties. I’ve kinda forgotten what it looks like. Maybe I’ll see one soon. Things are kind of starting to look up ya know? Maybe I’ll even visit Kiffu again.”
Calista adjusted the collar of her robe and shook her head. “Not exactly. But I do remember hearing a more scientific explanation… a symbiotic relationship with a microscopic organism that lives in the cells of everything thing.” she offered, hoping that would give Hawkin a better understanding.
“Well, hopefully, we can see one together. And I don't see a reason why you shouldn't visit your planet of origin.” she shrugged even though she hadn't seen Corellia since before the war.
Hawkin laughed.
"I'm going to just learn more about this Force business and see where it leads me. Because that sounds a lot like parasites in my cells. And a skylight twilight on Kiffu, if I remember correctly, is a sight to behold. Maybe we could even visit some of your favorite planets. I haven't seen much of the cosmic spiraly-whirly besides a giant cityscape and what my world used to look like. I'm jazzed."
“It's not a parasite.” Caslitsa assured, sharing in his humorous interpretation. “If anything the Dark Side is more parasitic than the Force itself. Of course, I could just be explaining it poorly. I was only ten when the Temple was attacked and the subsequent massacre and during the orbit parties in between, the Temple and its Archives have been ravaged by so many.” she admitted sadly. She cleared her throat, as if to shake away the somber tone, and smiled softly. “But I’m sure we can still find something.”
“Sure. We can travel, revisit places, and actually enjoy our time there this time.” she nodded before leading the way out of the Senate building.
