Content up ‘til now to sit back and allow the Jedi Council and the delegates from the rebel alliance try to diplomatically secure the future of the galaxy, Froome Skyrider has quickly become frustrated by the lack of positive action being taken. This, compounded by the fact that his love, Princess Michelle, has been kidnapped and her personal safety may be at risk, leaves the young Jedi irritated and unhappy, keen to replace diplomacy with action.
JaBrailsford the Hutt and Princess Michelle (illustration by Oliver King)
Talking his concerns through with his Padawan Porte, the two decide to gather a small team and set off for JaBrailsford the Hutt’s compound at Ax3 to secure the Princess’ freedom. Unbeknown to them, JaBrailsford has been expecting them. Trapping them in a tractor beam, the Hutt drags the Skyriders up the mountain to his compound at a breakneck pace. Porte is concerned that someone needs to shut down the tractor beam from within the compound in order to facilitate their escape, and volunteers to take on the duty while Froome finds the Princess.
While Froome had been certain of his plan before they set out, the Hutt’s defences have unsettled him. The spirit of his Jedi mentor, Mace Wiggo, appears to him. ‘You know how we do this. We cannot be beaten in the mountains. Get to the front, and stay there. Use the Force. Feel your way.’ His resolve strengthened, Skyrider grits his teeth and pushes forward into the tractor beam even harder.
Whilst trapped in the Hutt’s tractor beam and being dragged towards the compound, the small party notice another being travelling the direction of Ax3 at an unthinkable pace. The young Jedis realise they have encountered a mysterious Quintana, a being of pure energy. This is a worrying development, as the Quintanae have thus far remained neutral in the struggle between the Empire and the rebels. If the Quintanae have now decided to ally with the Empire and the Sith, it will pose a major threat to the rebel campaign.
The Padawan Porte is as good as his word. Calm and controlled, as Froome dashes off to locate Michelle he makes his way within the walls of the compound and has quickly discovered the generator of the tractor beam. Disabling it with a blow from his lightsabre, he hurries to the rendezvous point.
Meanwhile, Froome bursts into JaBrailsford’s compound. Discovering Princess Michelle in slave-girl garb, and secured with a chain around her neck, he feels his fury rise. However, he is able to contain his emotional response, like the true Jedi he is, and attempts to bargain with JaBrailsford for her release. The Hutt refuses his offers, and Froome is forced into a battle with his guards. As JaBrailsford is distracted by the fight, Princess Michelle is able to slip her chain around his neck and strangle him. Freeing her with a swipe of his lightsabre, the two are able to flee the compound and reunite with Porte, leaving all others astonished at his comprehensive mastery of the Force.
To be continued…
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