“If you set aside your assumptions, you will see this is not how the Trade Federation operates.
If they actually wanted to mine here, it would not look anything like this.” Qui-Gon Jinn studied the readings.
“Let us fly over.
See who is on that platform.”
“Wait.
There is another massive signal.” The co-pilot cut in.
“In Endor’s synchronous orbit.
It just moved to the dark side of the planet.
The radar shows this thing is over a kilometer in height.”
“A mega-station?” Qui-Gon paused at the scale, then his expression turned serious.
“A station this large beyond the Core Worlds.
Whoever built it has ambitions that reach far beyond simple mining.
Let us head toward it.
Obi-Wan, try to raise them.”
“Right.” Obi-Wan Kenobi picked up the comm unit and switched to the public channel.
“Hello, this is a traveler passing through.
We hit a gravity disturbance along the Moddell route and our ship sustained damage.
We were hoping to stop for supplies.
Please respond.”
A moment later, a woman’s voice came through.
“Hello, traveler.
We are the Fourth Group’s colonial expedition.
We hope you come in peace.”
“The Fourth Group?” Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same confusion in the other’s eyes.
Outer Rim, Albario Sector, Mackitt System.
The *FFreelancer* dropped out of hyperspace and emerged into the dark void.
Almost instantly, Daemon received a hyperlight transmission from the mothership.
The ship’s hyperdrive core was still inoperable for jumps, but it could support hyperlight communication just fine.
“So the infrared laser weapons do not have enough power.
Is there a way to increase the output?” Thomas sat in the passenger seat, speaking with Dr.
Walter Vance, a specialist in mechanics.
“Not yet.
The Interceptor-class fighters run on small fission reactors, which provide very limited energy.
To boost the infrared laser turrets, we would need to install small fusion reactors instead,” Dr.
Walter Vance explained.
“That is going to be my next research direction.”
“Then I will leave it to you.
Before the Ghost fighter analysis is complete, focus on improving the Interceptor-class’s combat capability however you can.
All right, put Chief Jenson on.”
“Administrator, the production plan for the first fifty Interceptor-class fighters is complete.
We are rolling them through the initial refit in batches, swapping the weapon systems for infrared laser turrets,” Vance’s voice reported.
“Results?”
“Weapons testing is done.
But the effective range is only three thousand kilometers.
That is certainly inferior to kinetic weapons, which are basically unlimited in range in space.
However, it frees up the space we used for ammunition storage, reduces the hull weight, and improves maneuverability.”
Thomas nodded.
“Have the pilots train extensively with energy weapons.
From now on, energy weapons are our primary research direction.
This galaxy has highly developed energy weapon technology as well.”
And most importantly, as a *Stellaris* energy-weapon devotee, he had to climb that tech tree straight to arc emitters and lances.
He pulled up the personnel list again.
With the colony’s expansion, two more elite-level scientists had met the conditions for awakening.
A computer specialist and an engine specialist.
Exactly what he needed.
He approved the awakenings immediately and assigned them to Dr.
Arthur Sterling’s team to accelerate the Ghost fighter research.
Then Thomas found a master-level aerospace engineer on the list and checked the requirements.
They were steep.
A ground-based wind tunnel laboratory, a small orbital shipyard, and a full research and development team.
But there was no shortcut.
He forwarded the requirements to Daphne Clement and told her to do whatever was necessary to meet them, then awaken the engineer.
Thomas was working remotely when the Mainframe’s voice cut in.
[Administrator, forgive the interruption.
A ship claiming to be travelers has just contacted us on the public channel, requesting permission to dock.
I need your decision as soon as possible.]
“Travelers?
Requesting to dock?
What is going on?
No one ever comes to the Endor system.
Quinto and his crew never got any messages out.
Where did travelers come from?” Thomas’s guard went up immediately.
[Unknown cause.
Analysis of the Endor system’s surrounding environment confirms that regular traffic is not a realistic possibility.]
“Fine.
Patch the transmission through.” Thomas frowned.
[Yes, Administrator.
Routing hyperlight transmission now.
The transmission includes visual data.]
A holographic projection materialized in front of Thomas.
A middle-aged man in a hooded robe appeared, his manner polite.
“Hello.
I assume you are the administrator of the station in the Endor system.
My name is Qui-Gon Jinn.
I am a traveler.
Our ship experienced some malfunctions during hyperspace travel, and we were hoping you could assist with repairs and supplies.”
Thomas barely registered the obvious excuse.
His eyes stayed fixed on the man.
The man hesitated, then gave a faint smile.
“I do not believe I have the word ‘Jedi’ written on my face.”
Thomas’s expression hardened.
“Then can you tell me why a Jedi would suddenly appear here?”
He had already recognized him.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn.
The face matched the films perfectly.
The moment Qui-Gon gave his name, Thomas had placed him, but he did not say so.
On the other end of the line, Qui-Gon continued.
“The sudden appearance of a station in a remote system like Endor is something the Galactic Republic has to take notice of.”
“Master, it is confirmed.
That massive object is a ship, not a station,” another voice cut in.
Qui-Gon’s face turned fully serious.
He fixed his gaze on Thomas and spoke slowly, deliberately.
“And that is why I am here.”
Thomas barely suppressed a grimace.
He had only been in this galaxy a few days.
How had the Jedi already found him?
Something was deeply wrong.
Thomas let out a quiet breath.
“This ship does not have hyperspace capability.
It is a civilian vessel, intended purely for colonization of Endor.
The paperwork with the Republic is being processed.”
“We will not interfere with legitimate business,” Qui-Gon said.
“As long as you can prove it is legal.”
“If you are willing, you are welcome to stop aboard my mothership.
I will be returning shortly,” Thomas said.
“I would be grateful for your hospitality.” Qui-Gon gave a slight nod.
The transmission ended.
Thomas drew a long breath and shook his head.
This was more complicated than he had anticipated.
He had wanted to go to Tatooine and find Anakin Skywalker.
Hego Damask’s commission had already derailed that.
And now Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi had shown up at his doorstep.
How had they found this place?
The question burned in his mind.
But one thing he knew for certain.
He could not avoid the storm sweeping across this galaxy.
Even if he stayed home, they would find him.
And by then, staying hidden would leave him even more vulnerable.
He had to move forward.
Had to find that thread of hope in the darkness.
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