Lop was sitting in a chair at the table across from her. The room where she was was originally used where her father Yasaburô met with his men to talk and discuss, but now it had been converted into an office by the imperials.
Lop could see her lightsaber on the table, but right now her mind was trying to process everything that had happened: She was arrested by the Imperials, her father was captured too, the Yasaburô clan's possessions claimed by the Empire, they almost made her kill her own father… And who knows what they had in mind for her.
At least her sister Ochô was in the same room as her, which might allow her to talk to her again. That was if it weren't for the fact that the man they introduced as Grand Inquisitor was in the same room, keeping his eye on Lop.
At that moment the bedroom door opened. Director Prar entered the room, walking past Lop.
“Sorry for the delay, I was waiting for some important reports," He said, sitting on the chair in front of Lop. “Well, I must admit that you have a very interesting track record, miss.”
Lop was silent looking at the officer.
“There's a lot of stuff here, but I'll just focus on the important stuff. To begin with, you were adopted by the Yasaborû clan’s boss seven years ago, apparently at the insistence of his daughter, who is present right now," Everyone looked at Ochô for a few seconds.
“I also see that in the past you have had some disagreements with the Empire about their treatment of people and the way they exploit the planet's resources," Director Prar continued. “Although things get interesting here if we take into account the report of your fight at the imperial base. More precisely in your battle against your sister to defend your father. It says here that at the end of the match, you took your father's weapon, a sai, to defeat your sister. The fact is that this weapon you took was several meters away from you. And I quote verbatim according to a witness: The weapon of the leader of the Yasaburô clan floated from the ground and flew in the direction of the Lepi who was fighting against officer Ochô.”
Then he looked at Lop. “There are also the security videos that were active during the confrontation. The truth is that being able to use a Force technique right out of awakening that power shows a lot of intuition.”
“And what are you going to do? Give me a prize?” Lop deadpanned, looking away.
“That's more or less the idea," Director Prar replied. “You see, currently the Grand Inquisitor and I have some disagreements about what to do with you at this time, as you have proven to be Force-sensitive. For my part, I would like to give you a job.”
“A job?” Lop asked, simply eye-looking at him.
“Yes. I wish you would join my team of black knights. Currently, you have created a vacancy available," Director Prar said.
Lop through for a moment. “The masked man I fell down?”
“That one," He replied. “You see, for years now I've been building an elite hand-to-hand combat unit that blends in with the stormtrooper corps. It is currently a project in progress, but today's events, despite the loss, have been my unit's baptism of fire," Then he looked at the Grand Inquisitor. “Isn’t that right?”
“There are some things that need tweaking, but at least your unit is competent, although teamwork could be improved," The Grand Inquisitor said calmly.
Director Prar shrugged. “Everything has a margin for improvement," Then faced Lop. “Look if you accept my deal, I can guarantee you that you will be in an elite that very few reach in the Galactic Empire. And I promise you that your treatment will be much better than the one you had in the past... when you were a slave.”
Lop looked at the Imperial officer in surprise. Even Ochô was surprised since she had never revealed that information about Lop.
“Yes, I know of your past as a slave. When I read about your adoption and considering that Tao is not a planet known for having a racial population from other planets, I decided to investigate Imperial operations on the planet. It was then that I came across a report that mentioned how an infant Lepi slave escaped due to a mistake by the soldiers present," He explained. “And when the data and the pieces are taken into account, history writes itself.”
“In other words, our guest was a slave. That could be useful to us," The Grand Inquisitor said.
“Oh, no! We are not going to use that trump card against her! Believe me, I know what’s to be in that situation," Director Prar exclaimed.
“Oh, yeah, I forgot it, Shador," The Grand Inquisitor said.
Lop looked at the man in surprise after learning that he was a slave too.
“Yes it is miss. I was a slave during the Clone Wars at the hands of the Separatists," He replied.
“So why do you support a pro-slavery regime?!” Lop asked him.
“Good question. In my opinion, there are two types of exclavism: The one that is done for luxury, and the one that is done out of necessity," He said. “I was used by the Separatists as a slave to boast of their power, to expose myself as a trophy for the pride of my masters. In your case, you were enslaved because the Galactic Empire needed labor to maintain its infrastructure. I am not in favor of enslaving to keep trophies. I am more of giving them practical uses. And if the Empire needs slaves to stay on its feet, then so be it.”
Lop stood silent at his words.
“Listen well, if you accept my offer and work for me, I can have your sister assigned to the same division as you. You will be together serving the Empire. And I seem to remember that we have a good care system for the families of Imperial officers," Director Prar said thoughtfully.
“Lop thought silently for a long time. "After all you've done, do you seriously think I'm going to join an empire that is oppressing my planet?” Lop said seriously.
Director Prar sighed. “Look, lady, I'm trying to be nice. I even try to help you. Also, this is not your planet, to begin with. I can offer you whatever you want in exchange for your collaboration.”
“I would only accept if you agreed to leave the planet right now!” Lop exclaimed energetically.
“I can't believe you're so stubborn just like father," Ochô commented.
“I understand what you really feel, but I think you are not understanding the seriousness of the situation," Director Prar stood up and began to walk slowly, pulling off one of his gloves. “You must understand that I am putting all my effort into helping you," Then he stopped behind Lop, while she kept facing forward. “But if you keep being so stubborn, eventually you'll end up sheared," He said as he placed his nude hand on her shoulder.
Suddenly Lop felt how a powerful electric current began to run through her body, causing her to scream in pain while sparks ran through her entire body. The Grand Inquisitor was impassive at what was happening while Ochô watched in shock at what was happening. The screams of pain from the electrocution could be heard throughout the mansion, even outside it, drawing the attention of the soldiers standing guard outside.
After suffering that infernal pain for a long time, Director Prar raised his hand, at which point the electricity running through her body stopped. Ochô thought she saw how there were sparks in his hand. Lop, whose body was still in shock from the terrible electric shock, managed to direct her gaze to the imperial officer who was showing his sympathetic look. But at that moment, in her eyes that was the smile of a demon.
“Y-you… oni…” These were the only words Lop said before falling unconscious on the ground.
“I think you've gone a bit too far, Director Prar," The Grand Inquisitor said while he placed back his glove.
Ochô was perplexed by what had happened. Had he seriously electrocuted Lop just by putting his hand on her? Who really was this man?
“Officer Ochô," Director Prar said. “As you have seen, in the Empire we have people who it is better not to contradict if you don't want to end badly.”
She looked at him in surprise, until she nodded.
At that moment, in the vicinity of the mansion, the cloaked figure was watching the structure with TD-4 nearby.
“Buddy, if what we've heard is what I think, Prar must have used his nasty trick on your friend," The figure said.
TD-4 made some sounds.
“Don't worry, we'll get her out of there, but we need a plan," He said, getting out a communicator. “Yokai 1 to Yokai 3. Do you hear me?”
“Yokai 3 here," Said somebody through the communicator. “Seriously, where are you? You were supposed to be at the pickup zone an hour ago!”
“Something has happened. Prar is on the planet, along with his black knights," Yokai 1 said.
“Shador’s here?! We must get out of here right now!” Yokai 3 exclaimed.
“Not before rescuing someone.”
“Again? And who is this time?”
“If I'm not mistaken, the daughter of the head of the Yasaburô clan.”
“The daughter? The one who joined the Empire?”
“No, the one that isn’t human, the Lepi one!”
“And why?”
“I have met her. And believe me, she seems special. Maybe even a Jedi if Prar is so into her. Especially if there's an Inquisitor with him.”
“So an Inquisitor, uh? This can't get any worse!”
“Don't worry. Tell Yokai 4 to prepare the ship and come pick me up when he gets the signal.”
“Okay, but I'm not going to take responsibility if you get killed for helping whoever that girl is!”
“Don't worry, you guys get ready," Yokai 1 said, ending the communication and returning his glare to the mansion. “Okay, how the hell am I going to get into that mansion without attracting the attention of the guards? It is clear that it is not through the main door.”
Then TD-4 made some noises getting his attention.
“A secret entrance?” He asked the droid. “Take me there.”
Lop began to regain consciousness after some time unknown to her. The last thing she remembered was feeling a powerful electric shock run through her body.
As her vision cleared, she could see that she was in a room in the mansion.
“Are you alright, Lop?” She heard her father’s voice close to her, who was kneeling at her side.
“Father, what happened? Where are we?” She asked him.
“I think we are in my room, where we are prisoners now," Yasaburô replied. She looked around, seeing that effectively they were in her father’s room. “Ochô has brought you here, and she has explained to me what happened. He has also told me that the Imperial has offered you to work for him in exchange for my safety and being able to be with your sister. I'm surprised you turned down that offer.”
Lop gave a loud sigh. “Accepting that offer would have made me accept that I am a servant of the Empire. I told him I would accept only after he freed Tao from the Empire.”
“That's my girl," Her father commented.
They were both silent for a long time.
“I'm sorry," Lop suddenly said.
“Why's that?” He asked her.
“If I hadn't used the Force then, if I hadn't defeated my sister, we wouldn't be in this situation now," Lop said, remembering the events of days ago in the imperial base.
“Lop, if you hadn't done all that, I would have died at the hands of your sister, and then there would be no way to bring her back to the family. By doing so you have given our family a chance to recover," Yasaburô said, placing a hand on her forehead.
“Well, what a chance we have. Our home is our prison, and we are prisoners of the Empire," Lop said with a sad tone.
“Don't worry, you'll see how we find a solution," He said with a smile. “We'll find a way out of this.”
Lop smiled hearing his father being so optimistic in a situation like this. At that moment, she moved her head towards the door as she felt something in that direction.
“Is something wrong?” He asked her.
Suddenly, noises began to be heard on the other side of the door, as if there were a fight going on. When he finished, the door opened, revealing a cloaked person.
Lop sat on the ground to watch, recognizing the person. “It's you!”
“Are you alright, miss?” The figure asked.
“What happens? Who is he?” Yasaburô asked, looking to the side.
“It's someone I helped out in town today with the Imperials," Lop said, facing her father, before looking at the figure. “But why are you here?”
“Well, let's just say I wanted to return the favor. Besides, a friend of yours has convinced me to do it," When he said it TD-4 appeared floating, getting close to Lop.
“TD!” Lop exclaimed, hugging the droid happily.
“We'll have an emotional reunion later when we get out of here," The cloaked man said.
“Wait, we must retrieve the sword’s family!” Yasaburô exclaimed. “We can't leave her in the hands of that bastard.”
“Oh, you mean this?” He said, revealing he had Lop’s lightsaber in his hand as he showed it.
“The sword! But how?” Lop asked in surprise, grabbing it when he threw it to her.
“I ran into her while looking for you. Come on, let's go," He said.
“Wait, we can’t leave father here," Lop said.
“Lop, as you said, I can't do anything in my state. You'd better leave me here," Her father said.
“I can't leave you here, Father! I will not allow you to be punished for my escape, so you will come with us!” She exclaimed, standing up and helping him to stand up too.
“It seems that the lady is not going to change her mind," The cloaked man said.
“Yes, it seems so. I think I have raised her too well," Said Yasaburô before laughing for a moment.
Lop followed the cloaked figure as he carried his father and TD-4 on the latter's shoulder, making sure everyone avoided running into any soldiers in the hallways.
“Your friend showed me the secret entrance. We'll go out there," He said as he kept walking.
“Hey you! What are you doing here?!” A stormtrooper shouted at them after spotting them.
Suddenly the cloaked figure took a blaster and fired at the soldier killing it.
“That noise must have been heard by everybody!” Yasaburô exclaimed.
“Do you think I don't know?” He asked him. “Come on, let’s hurry!”
The four advanced through the corridors as fast as they could, but the imperial forces began to close in on where they were, forcing the hooded man to shoot at the soldiers and take alternate routes.
“I think we can't escape like this. Any suggestions?” He asked.
“Let's try to take refuge in the chamber on the other side. There we can resist," Yasaburô suggested.
Accepting the suggestion, and facing much imperial gunfire, the four of them made their way through the mansion reaching the chamber on the other side of the mansion's bridge, at which point the cloak activated something before walking through the doors.
Lop let his father sit on the ground as he looked at the mysterious man.
“By the way, which is your name?” Lop asked him.
“You can call me Brad," He replied, keeping an eye out the room. “And no more questions, here they are.”
As he said, on the other side of the bridge a large number of imperial soldiers were gathering. Several black knights were also meeting there together with their boss, the director Prar, and the Grand Inquisitor.
“Okay, let's cut the jokes, okay? I recognize that you have been very brave, pal. Look, you can do whatever you want with the old man, but you'd better get the girl to come to us," Said Prar trying to negotiate.
“Why don't you come and get me!” Lop exclaimed as she approached the door.
Suddenly both ducked inside avoiding the fire of the soldiers.
“Hold the fire, hold the fire!” Prar ordered.
“Maybe I have to go take care of this matter," The Grand Inquisitor said.
“Not! No, I know you! I still want her alive!” He said to the Grand Inquisitor.
Brad leaned out, looking around as if he expected something.
“It is clear that they are late," He said. “It seems I have to do something until they come.”
“What are you thinking to do?” Lop asked him.
“What I'm going to do is distract him by making him focus on me. I'll need the lightsaber," He said while he took the lightsaber as he got out.
Prar held up his hand to keep the Imperial soldiers from firing, wondering what he was going to do. At that moment the man took off his cloak, revealing himself to be a middle-aged man with brown hair and green eyes, wearing faded clothing, but similar to that worn by the black knights. Prar's eyes widened at the sight of him as Brad readied himself with the lightsaber.
“Who is he?” The Grand Inquisitor asked.
“My greatest achievement, and my greatest failure," Director Prar said, narrowing his eyes in anger, while Brad taunted him with his eyes. Then he signaled at him. “Black knights, concentrate your efforts on... on the traitor!”
At his command, several black knights attacked Brad, but he began to defend himself against their weapons with the lightsaber, keeping them at bay, but at the same time being able to finish them off with just several movements with the lightsaber.
“Your group needs more training, Director," Brad taunted him.
“None could reach your level, BK-0013," Prar said angered.
Lop was surprised that the person who was rescuing her, as he could, was in the past a member of the same ones who had captured her earlier. And now he was guarding the bridge so they wouldn't pass.
“Do I take care of him?” The Grand Inquisitor asked.
Prar shook his head. “All yours," Was his reply.
The Grand Inquisitor smiled as began to walk slowly to Brad, but then stopped mid-path.
Without warning a VCX-100 light freighter appeared floating close to the bridge and began to fire its frontal cannons against it, destroying the bridge in the process while Brad and the Grand Inquisitor rushed to opposite sides. The imperial forces began opening fire against the freighter, but this one countered their fire with its, forcing them to move inside the hill to avoid their fire.
At that moment the ship began to face and fly to the side where Brad and Lop were.
“Get your father, hurry!” He said to the Lepi.
Lop quickly got inside and helped her father to get out, just when the ship’s door opened, revealing a red-skinned muscular Togruta with yellow eyes and snake-like eyelids wearing a short sleeveless jacket and long pants.
“Quick! Over here!” Exclaimed the Togruta.
With the help of Lop, Yasaburô managed to jump onto the gangway of the ship, and helped by the Togruta he managed to enter the ship, followed by Lop who jumped later. Brad turned his gaze to the other entrance on the other side of the broken bridge, where he could see Prar peering out with an angry face. Brad simply gave her a mocking farewell before jumping into the ship, at which point it closed the door and began to walk away from the mansion.
Prar picked up his comlink as he watched the fleeing ship. “Send fighters to capture a VCX-100 type light freighter that is moving away from the mansion! I want the crew alive!” He said with an angry tone before disconnecting it. “I will give them their lesson myself!”
Inside the ship, Lop led his father to the only ladders leading up from the access area as the Togruta led them there.
“Let me! Even though I'm blind, I can climb some ladders," Said Yasaburô raspingly as he began to climb the ladder.
“Father," Lop commented as she saw him climbing slowly.
When he got to the top the man was caught by a man with black hair and brown eyes with a leather jacket, white shirt, black pants, and leather boots with a leather belt that was there.
“Okay, mister, allow me to get you," Said the man, helping the old man to stand on the floor.
Soon Brad followed in the climb with Lop and the Togruta behind him.
“Yavis, take them to the lounge and keep an eye on them, okay?” Brad said to the other man.
“Fine, boss," He said, staring at the newcomers. “Come on, follow me both of you.”
Lop was hesitant, but taking Yasaborû’s hand she followed the man through the corridor.
“Uhm, you better take the turret’s control, boss. We'll have several Imperial TIEs visiting soon, and I'll need time to schedule a jump," Said… what seemed like a BX droid commando in the pilot seat.
“Okay, Byte. I will get you that time. You take the co-pilot, Drasha," Said Brad to the Togruta, as she nodded and sat in the co-pilot seat, as he leaned to the ladder’s hole. “Frall! Fire to any TIE that gets in front of us!”
A Zabrak with an old military uniform with added touches was sitting at the hands of the front turret. “Don't worry Brad, if one of those things gets in the way, I'll take care of it.”
Brad then began to run through the corridor to another ladder, passing alongside Lop and Yasaburô as they were taken to the lounge.
“Excuse me but, the pilot is a battle droid?” Yasaburô asked, after hearing the droid’s voice.
“Long to explain, mister. Questions later," The Yavis replied as they eventually reached the lounge, sitting the old man on one of the room’s seating.
Seating his father, Lop headed for the cabin.
“Hey, you! Where are you going?!” Yavis asked Lop, but didn't get an answer from her. “Why don't people usually do what they're told?”
“Sometimes it's better not to be picky about it," Suddenly said Yasaburô, making the man roll his eyes in annoyance.
Lop entered the cockpit where she saw the battle droid and the Togruta working with the ship’s controls.
“If you're going to stay here, and not stay with your father, you'd better sit down and not bother us," Said Drasha as she felt the Lop in the room.
Hearing her warning Lop sat on one of the chairs, looking through the window. At that moment she was amazed because she was now in space, seeing the stars in the black void of space.
“We're in space?” Lop asked, amazed.
“That's it. Have you never been in space before?” Byte asked after hearing Lop’s question.
“Hush, I'm detecting several TIE approaching from behind," Said Drasha.
“Just what I feared," The droid said.
Just at that moment, several TIE fighters began to approach the ship at high speed, starting to fire when they passed over it.
“Boss, if you can get any TIE off my back, I'd appreciate it," Byte said as he piloted the ship.
“I’m on it, Byte!” Brad said on the top turret controls as he began to fire at the incoming TIE circling the ship.
At the same time, the Zabrak was firing at the enemy fighters that were making passes ahead.
During the space battle, this ship's turrets were able to shoot down several of the TIE fighters, but there was still more shooting at them from all sides, especially from behind.
TD-4 on Lop’s shoulder began to make sounds as it was getting nervous at that moment.
“Do you think I don't know? I'd do better if it wasn't for those fighters!” Byte exclaimed as he piloted the freighter.
“You understand him?” Lop asked.
“I am a droid! It's obvious that among droids we understand each other!” Byte exclaimed again just as more TIE passed close to them. “Boys?” Byte asked as he now tried to program a hyperspace jump.
“Yavis, get on the Suzaku and use the cannons against those who come behind!” Called Brad.
“Don't move, I'll be right back," He said to Yasaburô as he climbed the ladder in the room.
“I have nowhere to go," He said sarcastically.
Getting inside the ship’s attack shuttle Yavis sat on the ship’s controls and began to fire at the approaching TIE that were just at the ship’s back. With the cannon added to the shots, the number of TIE fighters chasing them was already beginning to drop rapidly, giving the ship more room to maneuver.
“All ready! Prepare to jump into hyperspace!” Byte said.
At that moment, Lop saw how everything outside changed, just as the ship entered hyperspace leaving the system behind.
In Tao, in the mansion that had become the imperial embassy, the director Prar was observing the city from one of the windows, while Ochô was present in the room.
“I must admit that everything has turned out well, if we don't count the latest inconveniences, of course," Prar said as he looked at the window.
“I'm surprised you're uplifted after losing Lop and my father to those people," Ochô commented.
“Yes, I was furious about it. But we cannot let ourselves be carried away by anger. Letting it do the thinking for us often leads to unwanted outcomes. Besides, I know who has helped them," He said. “An old acquaintance who used to be under my orders, but now it seems that he has become a rebel. And I thought that he had hidden like a coward.”
“I see," Ochô commented.
At that moment the Grand Inquisitor entered the room.
“Director Prar, I'm sorry to tell you that the ship in which the Jedi and her father have jumped into hyperspace," He said.
“I'm not worried about it, sincerely," Prar said, surprising the Grand Inquisitor. “Those two want to release Tao from our control so they will most likely come back sooner or later. And I bet they will do it with those who helped them," He then turned to the Grand Inquisitor. “Leave the matter of the Lepi in my hands. I'll capture her and make sure she joins us. And in case she resists, I might send her with a pretty bow to Mustafar.”
“It's fine. But let me tell you something. This incident has put your project of black knights in doubt. If you can't take care of this matter, I'm afraid the Emperor won't finance your project any longer," The Grand Inquisitor said, leaving the room.
“I don't care. I will capture her, and demonstrate the true power of the black knights," He said, looking to Ochô. “I hope to receive your collaboration, officer Ochô.”
She simply nodded to him.
Meanwhile, the fleeing ship came out of hyperspace in the middle of space.
“All right, we're out of hyperspace now," Byte said.
“What? What has happened?” Lop asked looking at them.
“Shouldn't you be with your father instead of asking questions?” Drasha asked her.
Lop realized this and got up quickly running down the hall, and returning to the lounge with her father.
“Father, are you alright?” Lop asked him, placing her hand on his.
“Yes Lop, I'm fine. Where are we?” He asked.
“In space, Father. Out of Tao," Lop answered.
“Out of Tao?! What stupidity! I want to go back to Tao right away!” Yasaburô exclaimed, standing up.
“Easy, old man, that's what we're going to do," Said Brad as he entered the lounge with Drasha.
“Really? With those TIE waiting for us?” Lop asked, remembering how close they were to being caught before.
“That's how it is. The Tengu can camouflage the signal from him. They won't know we're back," Said Yavis as he was going down the ladder.
“The Tengu you said?” Yasaburô asked in shock. “For all the spirits, is this the Tengu?!”
“Do you know us, sir?" Brad asked.
“That's how it is! I tried to contact you a few weeks ago to attack the Empire!” Yasaburô exclaimed.
“Calm down, Father. Please, sit down," Lop said as she sit him on the seat.
At that moment the Zabrak entered the room after hearing them.
“We receive several messages from people who want to rebel against the Empire, but we have our own agenda against them. And who are you if we can know?” Frall asked.
“Guys, I present to you the head of the Yasaburô clan and his adoptive daughter Lop," Brad said presenting them to the group.
“The head of the Yasaburô clan?! Wow, it's an honor, sir!” Yavis said in surprise.
“Okay, we rescued a big shot, but weren't you supposed to rescue just the girl?” Drasha asked.
“Let's just say she was very clear on her priorities," Brad replied.
“Okay, and why did we rescue her?” Yavis asked.
“Prar was very interested in her. And it benefits us to annoy Prar when we get the chance," Brad explained with a smile. “Furthermore, the Lepi is Force-sensitive.”
“Force-sensitive?!” Frall asked in shock. “That explains why there was an Inquisitor there!”
“And not just anyone. The Grand Inquisitor himself," Drasha said.
“Even worse! Soon we'll have the whole Empire on our trail!” Frall exclaimed.
“If I know Prar well, that won't happen," Brad countered him.
“And how do you know that?” Yavis asked.
“Prar is interested in her. And if something interests him, he won't let anything get in his way. Thus he managed to create the black knights. He'll want to capture her, and if he knows she's on the planet, he won't let any other Imperial body handle the matter," Brad explained.
“But still, the black knights are a pretty serious problem," Drasha said.
“Don't worry. We'll take care of it," Brad said.
“In that case let's go back to Tao to continue the fight!” Exclaimed Yasaburô, standing again.
“Father!” Lop exclaimed.
“Not so fast, sir. Even if you have guts, you have to admit the fact that you are blind. You can't see anything. You probably don't even know what I'm doing right now," Said Yavis as he placed in front of the man.
“Surely doing something stupid like a temple," Yasaburô said.
“Nope, I'm not doing anything," He said, as he was simply crossing his arms.
“What I said, something stupid as a temple," Yasaburô said again.
“Hey!” the man exclaimed at his words.
“Just standing here doing nothing while the Empire continues to plunder my planet is stupidity in itself!” Yasaburô argued. “If the other clans on the planet find out that I've fled and I don't return to lead the battle, none of them will dare challenge the Empire! We need all the help we need against them!”
Yavis is right," Brad said. “You can't do anything in your current state. I'm sorry, but your part in this story is over, Mr. Yasaburô.”
“In that case leave me on my planet. If I'm going to have to hide, I prefer to do it at home and not on another planet," Yasaburô said, sitting on the seat and crossing his arms.
“But Father, have you forgotten that they are looking for us?” Lop asked.
“It's my decision, Lop, and I'm not going to change my mind!” He said.
“What a stubborn man," Said Frall crossing his arms.
“True, but if that's what you want, then so be it. We just have to find somewhere the Empire isn't interested in exploiting or looting," Brad said.
“Which is nowhere. The entire planet will be exploited by it at any moment," Drasha said.
“We'll probably find somewhere safe. We just have to look for it," Brad said.
“Whatever you say, I'm going to give Byte a hand with the hyperjump coordinates," Yavis said going to the cockpit area.
Lop looked at her father when he left.
“Father, do you know these people?” Lop asked.
“I have heard about them for a long time. They are people who have stood up to the Empire for quite some time," Yasaburô explained. “I sincerely hoped that they would help us in our fight against the Empire.”
Lop remained silent. She didn't know if it was correct at that moment to say if Brad, the leader, was a black knight if what she heard from Prar was true.
“By the way, who are you?” Lop asked as she figured she only heard the names of them.
“True, I have not introduced them to you," Said Brad with a chuckle, first signaling Shandra. “She’s Shandra, my second in command," The Togruta nodded to her. “And the Zabrak is Frall, our heavyweight.”
“I thought I was the heavyweight of the group," Shandra countered.
“That's still up for discussion, miss," Said Frall with a smirk.
“Guys, please," Said Brad as he interrupted them before looking at Lop. “The Corellian is Yavis, and he's both our engineer and our explosives expert. And the droid is our pilot Byte.”
“I'm surprised you have a battle droid as your pilot, considering how scarce they are," Yasaburô said.
“Yeah, let’s say I had a lot of luck to salvage one in good condition," Brad said. “But he's the best pilot I could count on.”
“Yeah," Lop said as she faced them making a bow. “In any case, thanks for helping us.”
“As I said, I just wanted to return the favor," Brad said. “Now stay here until we get back to Tao, okay?”
With those words, the three of them left Lop and his father alone in the lounge.
“Maybe they are right. This may be the end of our clan after all," Yasaburô said in a low voice.
After her words, Lop went back to the cockpit, but before crossing the door to the living room, she could hear the conversation behind the door.
“Are you sure of this?” Asked Yavis. “You said by yourself that the girl is Prar's target. Don't you want to use her as bait to lure him in?”
Lop narrowed her eyes after hearing that.
“It’s tempting, but this is not her battle. The best they can do is hide," Brad said on one chair with his arms crossed.
“It's true, none of them will be safe if they stay with us," Shandra said.
“Come on, think about it. Imagine the things we can do if we have a Jedi on our team," Byte said.
“A Jedi who was not able to defeat even a black knight," Frall said.
“Well, at least she defeated one," Brad countered.
“A single black knight is nothing compared to the hundreds, or thousands of them that are at his command,” Frall said. “The boss’ right, they can’t stay here.”
“If she was able to beat one, with enough training she would be able to beat the others," Byte said.
“Training with who? Do you know a Jedi Master by chance?” Brad asked.
“It doesn't have to be with the Force. Just being able to hold her own against the black knights and stormtroopers is enough, and who better to train her against them than a former black knight?” Yavis said.
“I say we vote," Byte said.
“I'm glad to know you're on my side for a change," Yavis said with a smile.
“What do you mean by that?” Bye asked.
Brad thought for a moment. “It really doesn't matter what we decide. The only thing that matters is what she's going to do with her life. We can't force it. We will just leave her to her father and continue on our way.”
Lop was thoughtful after hearing the conversation, before turning around to go back to her father.
Sometime later after returning to the planet, the Tengu crew managed to locate an isolated population with nothing that could interest the Empire, but where at least there was someone who was still loyal to the Yasaburô clan, deciding to leave both the head and Lop there.
Yasaburô was sitting in a chair in the house where they allowed him to stay, while Lop was watching as he tried to keep the guy as someone important despite having lost everything. Although it was clear that he was trying to keep up with his daughter and not give in to despair.
Lop was also thinking about everything that had happened. In the end, he had made a decision, but he needed to talk it over with his father.
“Father," Lop asked him.
“Yes, Lop?” Yasaburô asked.
Lop approached him, taking his hand.
“I've been thinking about it. This planet is my home no matter where you look at it, and both you and Ochô are my family. I know things aren't going the way we wanted, but I want to fix things. And not only that, I want to free my planet from the Empire’s oppression, and hiding here I won't be able to do anything. That's why, Father, I have to do it," Lop explained to her father while her hair and ears were blown by an invisible wind.
After a while in silence, Yasaburô lowered his head for a moment before placing his other hand on Lop's.
“Go. Come back when you get Ochô back and free our planet," Was Yasaburô’s only words.
Lop sobbed as she looked at him, tears running down her cheeks. After that Lop stepped back, activating his lightsaber with both hands. “I swear on this sword, Father. I will free our planet and I will bring Ochô back!” She said, as her eyes shone in a light blue tone.
After those words, Lop deactivated the lightsaber and ran out of the house while Yasaburô remained silent, listening to his daughter's footsteps walking away.
“May the Force be with you," He said when she was now far away from him.
On the Tengu, the crew was preparing to take off, while Brad was in his cabin sitting on his bunk with his arms crossed, his gaze on a chest in the cabin. At that moment he heard the door open and looking at it he saw Lop standing with her little droid on her shoulder.
She entered the room as he got up.
“I want to free my planet and get my sister back. And if I have to join your group to accomplish it, then I will.”
Brad sighed with his mouth and eyes closed. He opened his eyes and put his hand on her shoulder.
“You're walking into a dangerous life, you know that?” Brad asked. “That's why I'm going to test you. We have a job to do on the planet. If you help us, you'll be part of the team, okay?”
“I understand," Lop nodded, while TD-4 made some noisy beeps.
“Okay, let's get the team together. We have a lot of work to do," Brad said as he got out of the cabin followed by Lop and TD-4.
