Journal entry: 12.07.23 – Navi Topaz
All good stories start with the promise of adventure. As my days on board the Mayhem have taught me, sometimes adventures come in different shapes and sizes.
Yesterday, the captain was wounded by an overzealous Weequay pirate who had stowed away in our ship, resulting in severe damages to our hyperdrive. To say things went south from there would be an understatement. A wounded captain, a crippled ship, and an anxious crew, we found ourselves with a multitude of problems.
As morning dawned, we realized that the First Order, a presence we’d so far skillfully evaded, was monitoring the space around Chandrila. Taking the Mayhem in its current state through a First Order patrol was out of the question. We needed a different plan.
The answer came in the form of the Halcyon, the luxurious passenger liner making its journey to Batuu, the very destination we were headed towards. The universe does work in strange ways. But before we could board the Halcyon, we had to somehow leave the Mayhem without arousing suspicion and land on Chandrila undetected.
The task fell to Luap, our best pilot after Kir, and me. We had to fly the ship’s small utility shuttle, which was barely big enough to fit Nyar, Rix, Tam, Tav, Bi, Werdna, Luap and me. Kir and Quebec stayed behind on the Mayhem to supervise the repair work.
As we all crammed into the shuttle, Luap took the pilot’s seat with me by his side, navigating the dense field of space debris. The tension was palpable as the shuttle powered up, engines humming and dashboard lights blinking into life.
“Everyone strapped in?” I asked, turning to the crew. Muted affirmations answered back. With a deep breath, I toggled the comm to the Mayhem. “Mayhem, this is Navi. We’re ready for departure.”
Kir’s voice crackled through the speaker, “Copy that, Navi. Remember, stick to the plan. Keep your throttle open, and your blasters hot!”
Our shuttle coasted away from the Mayhem, almost gliding through the vacuum of space. The stars around us seemed to shimmer in acknowledgement as we embarked on our clandestine journey. The shuttle was small and cramped but the hum of the engine was steady and comforting. Chandrila’s blue and green surface was a welcoming sight after the dreariness of space. The grandeur of the Halcyon loomed in the distance, its sleek lines glittering under the sun.
We landed on Chandrila undetected. From there, the Chandrila Star Line shuttles took us to the Halcyon. Stepping off the shuttle, we were greeted by the majestic sight of the star cruiser.
“We made it,” I breathed out, relief washing over me. I turned to the crew, my eyes locking with each one. “Let’s get onboard.”
Tam was the first to head in, trying to blend in with the crowd of passengers milling around the entry gate. The rest of us followed suit, trying to look inconspicuous. The hours that followed were filled with whispered instructions and discreet nods as we weaved our way through security and onto the cruiser.
“Feels like we’re in a different world,” Tav muttered, peering around the luxurious cabin.
We had done it, somehow. We had boarded the Halcyon without any incident. The crew was safe. The Resistance’s asset was safe.
As we settle in for the journey, I look out the viewing port. The galaxy is alight with a billion stars, each holding a tale of its own. Our story is but one among them, yet it feels larger than life. As I turn to join my crew, my family, I can’t help but feel that this is just another beginning.
Navi Topaz,
‘First Mate of the SMC Mayhem
