A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars: Whispers of Infinitude

Chapter 1: Whispers

Space is empty.

Once, it was closed in. Once, everything was so dense that the line between matter and energy was academic. Once, everything…everything…was a galactic soup. Once…that was so. Billions of years ago.

Now space is empty. Between galaxies. And even within them.

The galaxy is typical of the billions that make up the universe. 120,000 light years across. Around 200 globular clusters. Approximately 400 billion stars, around 180 billion of which have life, of which 20 million of which has given rise to life that is considered sapient…by the life itself. What is the universe's measure of consciousness? Of intelligence? Of being? There may not even be one.

Space is empty. Even as life moves between stars (and it's been doing so a lot recently), this galaxy is mostly empty. Even as this life seems intent on ending itself through war and ruin, currently focussed in the Outer Rim, space is empty. Even if the war between the Galactic Republic and Sith Empire might suggest otherwise. Even if the derelict Sith ship floating through the emptiness of space might suggest otherwise. Even if the Republic ship approaching might also suggest otherwise.

Space is empty.

But that doesn't mean that nothing happens.

The Startwister was an unremarkable ship.

The Republic Navy was a powerhouse, even after all the defeats the Sith Empire had inflicted on it over the last decade or so. Even as the Outer Rim fell to the Sith's legions, even as the war seemed set to progress into the Mid Rim, the Republic's space forces were still a force to be reckoned with, even as the war turned against them. But the Startwister had no place in the battles that were raging even less than a hundred light years from its current position. A patrol ship, its occupants amounted to a few dozen swabbies, two squads of troopers and a relatively inexperienced captain. Experienced enough to simply patrol a hyperspace route for any Sith ships that might be trying to slip into Mid Rim space, but not experienced enough to be commanding a ship that would actually be deployed to prevent such a thing from happening.

Which didn't suit Juli Lek at all. And why seeing a derelict Sith ship in the space before her wasn't as exciting as seeing a functional one. Terrifying, perhaps, but exciting nonetheless, and an event that might have seen her take one step closer to commanding a ship that was actually doing something that mattered.

"Class…" she murmured.

No-one answered.

"Ryall, I asked about its class…" the captain repeated, turning to her tactical officer.

"Classss….Terminussss…destroyer…" the wetakk hissed, his six arms cross referencing the visual of the derelict ship with the Startwister's databanks. "Sithhhh…patrol ship…"

"Thank you."

Wetakks were basically giant snakes, so Lek supposed she could forgive Ryall's lethargic nature, even if she didn't like it. She knew the crew had her doubts about her, and deep down, she had doubts about herself.

But a Sith vessel…just floating out here…the galandan reflected. Could have probably taken it on and won…

It would have been a small victory, hardly worthy of being recorded in whatever history would follow this war. But Lek knew that victories were hard to come by these days. Heck, they'd been hard to come by for the last ten or so years. The Sith Empire, once thought to be destroyed in the Great Hyperspace War had returned with a vengeance. The Tingel Arm and Aparo sector had fallen at the start of the conflict, and it was a trait that had continued from the Sluis sector to Balmorra. While the conflict was still contained to the Outer Rim, Lek and those like her knew it would only be a matter of time until the war entered a new front. One front closer to Coruscant at that. So while taking out a destroyer would make little difference in the long run, the galandan supposed that every little counted. And if it got her commanding an actual warship sooner, so much the better.

"You seem troubled captain."

"You need the Force to tell you that?"

"No. But it helps."

Lek kept her gaze focussed on the Sith ship, even as the Jedi walked up beside her. It was meant to be an honour, to have a Jedi on the ship, but part of Lek's mind insisted that the presence of the twi'lek was to keep her under control. It was an irrational thought, and one the Jedi could no doubt sense through her mumbo jumbo magic stuff (or the Force, whatever), but Lek let the thought fester. There were better places Jedi could be in the galaxy, and Kerra Tussound was no exception.

"An abandoned ship…" the twi'lek mused. She turned to Ryall. "Or at least I assume so?"

The wetakk shook its head-confirmation, if Lek remembered correctly. "Yesss…Mistressss Jedi…no heat…cold…"

By your standards at least, reptile.

"And the escape pods?"

"Jetissssoned…abandoned…"

Lek felt another stab of annoyance-she was the one who was meant to be asking these questions, not a Jedi whose military experience prior to the war no doubt boiled down to negotiation and the like. Yet it was annoyance balanced out by the fact that she knew she should have asked such questions before Kerra had the chance to.

As if reading her thoughts, the twi'lek turned to her and gave a reassuring smile. "No hostiles then captain. I suppose we're in the clear."

Lek nodded, but still fumed inside. The crew looked up to Kerra more than her, for reasons stemming from her status as a Jedi, to her being a twi'lek. Galandans were near-humans and average ones at that, whereas twi'leks were pretty much the cream of the crop aesthetically for any humanoid species. Purple skin (in Kerra's case) standing in contrast to drab brown, a pair of tendrils contrasting with plain braids…it was a good thing there were rules about fraternization on ships like this, not to mention that Jedi were apparently forbidden to pursue romantic relationships. Otherwise…well, suffice to say, the Sith might not have been all Lek had to worry about.

"So…" Lek began, turning to face the Jedi while drumming her fingers on a console. "What now?"

"That's your call, Captain," Kerra said calmly, still with that infuriating smile.

"Damn right. And unless anyone has any objections, I say this ship is worth investigating."

Lek glanced around the bridge, daring anyone to object. None came, and she wasn't surprised. Minimal gain, but minimal risk as well.

"Ryall, you have the bridge," Lek said, the serpent shaking his head in confirmation. She turned to the twi'lek. "Let's see if our troops are up for a spacewalk."

"Certainly. I'd be glad to assist them."

I bet you will…Lek reflected, casting one last look at the bridge before heading down to the lower deck. I bet you will…

A safe operation. A logical operation.

But not an operation, the galandan reflected, that would give her much in the way of prestige.

Being a scout/patrol ship, the Startwister wasn't particularly large and as such, room in its interior was sometimes at a premium. Which was why the twenty troopers that made up its complement of soldiers found themselves clustered together in its cargo hold, as opposed to the even more cramped area that constituted their crew quarters. A reprieve in one sense, but also an ominous sign. There were only a few reasons why they would have been told to muster here, and the most logical reason was that, as the old saying went, shit was about to happen.

To some of the troopers, that was just fine, as Sebastian Kaleb reflected. Certainly Corporal Cole Toozo, the leader of Second Squad and the only other human present in the room, was talking up the ante. To other troopers, First Squad's leader reflected, it was bad news through and through-they were meant to be here as part of standard crew makeup, not in the event of actually having to go into action. And for some, himself included, it was just another day. Whatever was going to happen, it would be in the service of the Republic. That was what they were here for and until the Sith Empire was driven back, what they'd always be here for.

And if part of that job included shouting "captain on the deck" when Captain Lek walked into the hold, so be it.

The troopers sprung to attention as Lek walked in, followed by the Jedi that had to be assigned to the ship. Whether it was Lek or Tussound commanding the respect, Kaleb didn't know, but he supposed it didn't matter.

"At ease, men."

But it did matter to the galandan, the sergeant suspected. The two hadn't interacted much, but Kaleb could tell that while she knew what she was doing, her position frustrated her. So far, it hadn't led to any disasters, but there was a first time for everything. And since the Startwister was ill suited for combat, there probably wouldn't be a second opportunity to make an error.

"So, Captain," Cole called out. "We going on a belly-bird shoot? Or-…"

"Stow the shit Tuuzo!" Kaleb barked. He turned to face Lek, who stood there impassively.

"Your briefing captain."

Lek remained impassive for a few moments as did the twi'lek beside her-though that was pretty much a given, as being impassive was meant to be what Jedi were all about. Kaleb hoped he hadn't overstepped his boundaries, given the differences in paygrade, rank and commissions between them, but someone had to shut Cole up. Good man, but his tongue could be as quick as his trigger finger. Still, eventually, Lek drew out a holoprojector and began talking.

"For those of you who have a feel for the movement of a space vessel, you will have realized we've come to a stop," the galandan began. She flicked a switch on the projector, the device showing what Kaleb recognised as a Sith ship of destroyer type. "And here's why."

Kaleb glanced back at the troopers behind him. Cole was opening his mouth, but seeing Kaleb's gaze, he closed it.

"It's a derelict," Lek continued. "Functionally intact, but bereft of lifeforms." She shut down the holoprojector before continuing. "Given these facts, I've seen fit to authorize a mission to investigate this ship and see what we can bring back. Weapons, equipment…whatever could help the Republic.

And help you as well…

The Jedi glanced at Kaleb, but whether it was telepathy or coincidence at work, he couldn't say. Still, if she was reading his mind, he silently reaffirmed his conviction. Lek wanted more. Anyone could see that. That wasn't necessarily a negative trait, but it certainly had potential to be. Heck, Cole was a living example of it-asshole to the enemy in combat, aggravating to his allies outside it.

"Simple entry method," Lek continued, her holoprojector now showing a schematic of the destroyer's class. "With shuttles, you'll enter through one of its hangers. From there, you'll split up and make your way to the bridge. Ultimately, your COA will be dictated in the field, but I want the bridge investigated first."

"And if we encounter hostiles?" asked Ca'pica-a xan and the greenest of the troopers present. "What then?"

"Then you ensure they cease to become hostile," Lek answered with a slight grin visible to boot. "But I don't foresee there being any harm. The Sith would have to know we were coming to set up an ambush, and besides, you'll have our Jedi friend in the field with you."

Tussound stepped forward, and while Kaleb was no Force-user, he could still sense a slight shift in the soldiers' mood. He'd never fought alongside a Jedi in the field before-to his knowledge, none of the troopers present had. But if this was to be a mission where hostile contact was made, he'd certainly appreciate her assistance. From what he understood, Tussound's abilities lay more with deception of the enemy rather than ploughing into combat, but still, he'd appreciate a lightsaber on his side any day.

"I hope that we do not run into hostiles," the twi'lek said calmly. "But if so, my blade is yours. My life too, if need be."

Somewhere in the crowd was a murmur about something else of Tussound's belonging to him. Cole, no doubt. Maybe that was why she went on to say that her plan was to split up the two squads, and she'd be tagging along with First.

"Keep in mind that this will be a long job," Lek continued. "Destroyers are big, and we only have so many hands to spare. However, it's a job I intend to do myself. We'll assess the situation, assess this ship's value, and move on from there. The Republic Navy is engaged all along the Outer Rim, and one ship isn't going to turn the tide. However, it falls within this ship's prerogative to do what we can." She paused for effect. "Report to the armoury and suit up-heavy armour, in case you have to cross vacuum. After that, assemble on the hanger deck. That is all."

And with that, the galandan left. And after giving a nod, Tussound followed.

Kaleb turned back to the room, knowing how things would play out. Silence for a few moments, then murmurs, then regular conversation that would no doubt involve jokes of dubious quality. Still, he supposed it wouldn't be too extreme this time. Deception wasn't past the Sith, but they were hardly going to set up a trap with a bloody destroyer, were they? And if they were…

"Alright boys, lock and load, hit the road-…"

"We're in space Sergeant."

Well, if they were, he supposed he could count on Second Squad to help put out the fire.

"Damn straight. Road, space…all the same, right boys?"

Or add to it.

Kaleb turned to face his own squad. They faced him back. And with a nod, he led the way out of the hold to the ship's armoury. To get armour and weapons usually reserved for Republic Special Forces, but were available to grunts like him as the situation dictated.

They had a job to do.

Edit (25/05/2012): Tightened some of the writing.