A Galaxy of Magic (Ch. 16)

( Every character in this story is a legal adult over the age of 18 )

A Galaxy of Magic

Chapter 16

The ship's hull groaned around him as the YT-1300 blazed through hyperspace. The thin lines of warped space outside the cockpit windows rippled in a blue haze. The co-pilot's chair was built for something slighter, so Harry shifted uncomfortably. The seat next to him creaked as Aayla Secura leaned over, her lekku grazing his shoulder, though he couldn't tell if it was on purpose.

"The starboard gauge is fluctuating again," she said. "What does that tell you?"

Harry looked to the cluster of gauges and blinking lights. Three days ago, these controls were as unreadable as ancient runes. Now, with Aayla breathing down his neck, literally, sometimes, he could somewhat understand the warning. "Gravitic compensator's out of alignment?" he ventured.

Aayla’s soft smile was almost a smirk. "Almost. It's reading the subspace turbulence from those hyperlanes on the edge of the sector. The hull isn't in trouble. Not yet, at least." Her hand slipped over his wrist as she nudged the dial. "But it will be if you don't correct it. If it gets too bad, the hull could shake itself apart."

He couldn't help but smile as he watched her, remembering how just a few hours ago, their bodies were tangled and writhing in pleasure. She raised an eyebrow and shot him a tiny smirk, as if she knew what he was thinking about. "Go on," she urged him, and he toggled the stabilizer. The ship settled, the vibration dropping from a nervous hum to something nearly pleasant.

From the corridor behind them, Shaak Ti's voice drifted in. "We may have a problem." She entered the cockpit and stretched. "There's chatter on the holonet. The Empire has started patrolling all Core Worlds."

"Alderann is one of the most important. I don't like our odds," Maris called from the galley, her voice soft and scratchy. Harry had spent enough time around her to know she wasn't sick … just tired. The rough sleep schedule they had been forced to endure was tough on the body.

Harry rolled his neck, fighting to keep the tension from showing. "How much time do we have until we hit the system?"

Aayla's fingers danced over the controls, each movement assured. "Twenty minutes, if we maintain this velocity. Shaak, do you want to do the honors?"

The Togruta leaned over Aayla's shoulder. "I recommend we exit hyperspace before we hit the planet's gravity well. At least a million kilometers out."

Maris's head poked through the cockpit door, her eyes dark and tired. "Are you expecting a not-so-warm welcome, Master Ti?"

Shaak Ti's answer was soft and caring. She had grown to truly care for Maris. "I am expecting the unexpected, as always."

Harry tried not to think about the last time something unexpected happened. The memory of Aayla's lekku wrapped around his waist as she ferociously bobbed her head against his groin, while he tried to rewire a sensor, immediately popped into his head. The sexy thought made him squirm in his seat.

Aayla caught the movement and grinned again. "Harry, focus. Work now … naughty thoughts later."

He chuckled and nodded his head. "All right. I can handle this." He palmed the hyperspace throttle, resisting the urge to grip it too tightly. The digital projection of Alderaan floated above the holographic emitter. It was luminous, blue-green, and spinning slowly on its axis.

He'd never seen Alderaan except on the holonet. It was a world of forests, crystal lakes, and massive mountain ranges. He wondered if it would feel anything like Earth.

"Nice place, isn't it?" Maris stepped up behind him, placing her soft hands on his shoulders. She began to slowly massage his muscles, causing him to expel a soft groan of appreciation. She studied the vortex through the viewport before turning to him and Aayla. "How long do you figure we last before we're flagged?"

"Not long," Shaak Ti said. "Alderaan has some of the best security in the galaxy."

Harry glanced at Aayla, who was concentrating on her task. "You think they'll recognize this ship? If what Shaak said was true, this ship wasn't exactly used to transport toys for needy children."

Aayla shrugged, which caused her lekku to bounce. "The registry is falsified, and the transponder's been wiped, so hopefully, we'll be in the clear."

Shaak Ti's hand hovered over the communications panel, ready to answer any hail from the planet's security force. "It’s best to proceed as planned."

Harry fought a smile. He loved the excitement and the adventure. Aayla flicked the control to disengage the autopilot. The ship was now fully under her command.

"Final checks," Aayla said, checking the instruments and sensors. As she did, she brushed her hand over the top of his. Her skin was warm, and her touch alone made his body tingle.

He worked through the list and checked the shields, power reserves, and sub-light engines. Each was confirmed with a nudge of Aayla's hand when he hesitated.

"Ready?" she said, eyes glinting.

"Ready," he echoed.

Shaak Ti leaned in, her eyes never leaving the distant swirl of starlines. "All right, Harry. Take us out."

He reached for the control, then paused. "Wait. What do we do if our cover is blown?" he asked.

"We have to risk it," Aayla said. "You'll improvise," she teased.

He wanted to point out the difference between bravery and outright suicide, but her confidence was infectious. He let out a slow breath, gripped the lever, and eased it back.

The ship's frame shuddered, and the blue tunnel of hyperspace collapsed to pinpointed stars and the void of space. Ahead, Alderaan hung blue and shimmering in the distance. To starboard, there was a distant light. It was too bright to be natural as it floated on the edge of the system.

"Scan it," Aayla said.

Harry pressed a few buttons, and the computer spat out a disturbing readout. "Imperial patrol, long-range ... but it's not moving. Maybe they haven't seen us?"

"Keep moving," Shaak Ti advised. "Don't transmit. Maris ... be ready if they come after us." Maris nodded, trying to keep her cool.

The YT-1300 glided in silence. He looked sideways at Aayla, who was watching the world ahead with a slight smile.

"Not bad. You're learning," she said softly.

He shrugged, but he couldn't keep the pride from his voice. "I have a good teacher."

She gripped his thigh, just above the knee, and squeezed. "You're not wrong."

The blue planet grew larger in the viewport, and Harry felt, for the first time since crossing through that portal, a deep wave of nostalgia. Alderaan looked so much like Earth that he couldn’t help but miss his home planet. Those thoughts quickly ended when Maris leaned down and kissed the top of his head.

The comm crackled, and Shaak Ti tensed, ready for action. Aayla smiled reassuringly, her hand never leaving his.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Shaak Ti said in a quiet voice.

He nodded. "Earth looked quite similar."

Maris's hands poked at the sensor panel, but she didn't look up. "Enjoy it while it lasts. I'm getting some weird readings at the system's edge."

Aayla, still in the pilot's chair, angled the ship to keep the planet in sight. "Let's see what we're dealing with."

Harry ran the scan again and found over a dozen small signals. “Those are likely interceptors … probably TIEs or another variant. They’re half a million kilometers out,” Shaak told him. However, what made his heart skip a beat was the bigger blip creeping ever closer.

Aayla tapped the display, her fingernail clinking on glass. "That's a Venator-class Star Destroyer Mark II. They're very rare."

Shaak Ti steepled her fingers in thought. "The patrol net is more thorough than I anticipated. I suggest evasive action. Circle behind the planet to hide us from the sensors."

Aayla quickly adjusted course. "That'll extend our approach window by a few minutes.”

The seconds ticked by, and the Star Destroyer's icon loomed larger on the scanner's overlay. Harry's eyes flicked between the scanner and the cockpit window, every nerve set on edge. Then, without warning, the comm system crackled to life.

"Unregistered freighter, this is Imperial vessel Desecrator. You have entered a restricted system. Identify immediately or be fired upon."

Aayla didn't even blink. "Shaak, you're up."

Shaak Ti's voice lost its usual softness, becoming cold and precise. "Imperial Desecrator, this is civilian transport Stellar Temptress. We're on medical delivery for Alderaan General. Transmitting credentials now." She tapped in a false registry.

The reply was instant. "Your credentials are not recognized. Prepare for boarding and inspection. Reduce speed and approach vector two-seven-four. Failure to comply is a capital offense."

Aayla's eyes found Harry's. "This is about to get spicy. Are you ready?"

He licked his dry lips. "What do you want me to do?"

She flicked a switch. "When I say so, you'll divert all power to the forward shields and then reroute to aft when I bank. If we time it right, we can confuse the Desecrator's targeting sensors. Shaak, can you keep them busy on comms?"

Shaak Ti nodded once, then activated the transmitter again. "Imperial Desecrator, our cargo is perishable and vital. Any delay may result in loss of …"

The Desecrator's reply cut her off. "This is your final warning."

Aayla shook her head. "They're not very patient. Harry, get ready."

The Star Destroyer was visible now, and its turrets were already tracking them. The TIE fighters burst out in tight formations, their engines howling menacingly. The comm repeated, louder this time. "Reduce speed, now!"

Aayla slammed the throttle forward, and the YT-1300 bucked. Their artificial gravity briefly wavered as the inertial dampeners strained under the pressure. Harry felt his stomach lurch, but he stayed with her, his hands flying over the controls. "Shields forward, now!"

The first volley from the Venator was a warning shot, but it shook the ship so hard Harry thought the windows would crack. A second later, the starboard shields flickered, and then the fire came in droves. Dozens of red cannon shots zipped past them.

"Maris, hold on!" Shaak Ti called out, her own hands braced on the back of Aayla's seat.

Aayla rolled the ship hard to port, and the engine's shriek nearly drowned out the whine of the shields. "Harry, now! Switch to aft and give me all you've got!" He did as he was told and diverted the power.

The sensors blared a proximity alert. "TIEs inbound … ten seconds!" Shaak called out, and Aayla gritted her teeth.

The blue planet rotated beneath them, and the line of TIEs arced behind them. Harry watched as Aayla cut the power at the last possible instant, let the ship drift, and then reignited it by slamming the throttle forward. The YT-1300 somersaulted on its axis, neatly dodging the initial swarm of fighters, and then dove toward the planet. The hull rattled loudly as they broke through the trailing wave of laser fire. He heard Aayla's calm and steady breath, even as alarms blared all around them.

"Are they following?" he asked.

Maris looked over at him, and she seemed more than a little nervous. "Half of them. The rest are holding formation near the Star Destroyer."

The ship shuddered again as a glancing blow from a TIE's cannons skimmed the aft shield. Harry felt the surge of adrenaline. If they had to battle, then he wanted to win.

Aayla angled for the planet, using the curve of Alderaan itself as a shield from the Star Destroyer. "Get ready, everyone. When we come around, we'll have to try to get out of here. They'll be waiting."

Shaak Ti's fingers hovered over the comms, then she made a decision. "Maris, arm the turrets."

Maris quickly acted. "Done!" she called out.

Aayla counted down. "Three … two … one …"

Suddenly, they were falling toward Alderaan's bright horizon, leaving the Venator in the dust. Harry couldn't help but smile. There was nothing like a good fight to get the blood flowing.

The first pass of TIE fighters dropped into their path so quickly that it surprised him. One moment, Alderaan was just ahead, and the YT-1300 sliced low under the sensor net. The next moment, a swarm of TIEs screamed all around them, their twin ion engines howling as they passed. There were two dozen at least, flying in a crisp formation.

Aayla's hands expertly fiddled with the controls. She rolled the freighter hard, then snapped it upright, using the planet's curve to slingshot toward space. The YT-1300’s handling wasn’t great, and it was quite sluggish compared to the TIEs, but Aayla knew every trick. She suddenly killed their momentum and juked unpredictably, so the TIEs' carefully trained formation broke into an unorganized, desperate pursuit.

"Harry, let me take over as co-pilot!" Shaak called out. Shaak Ti was already behind him, one hand grabbing his shoulder. "Turrets, now. Maris has port, you take starboard."

He barely had time to get onto the turret's seat before the ship bucked under him. He grabbed the controls and stared at the antiquated targeting screen. He first saw the TIEs as dots. Then they loomed ever closer, growing ever more menacing with each second that passed. They came in pairs, firing shot after shot.

"Harry, you see the lead?" Maris's voice crackled through the comms.

"Got it," Harry called back. He tracked the closest TIE Interceptor heading straight for them. His heart was pounding, but he let his years of experience take over. He squeezed the trigger. The turret's twin laser cannon burst to life. The first shots went wide, but the TIE rolled directly into the second volley.

The ship exploded violently, leaving only a hunk of flaming hull twisting through space. Harry jerked the turret to his right. The next TIE was already on him. He didn't hesitate. He just pulled the trigger. Aayla's voice cut through. "Brace yourselves! Incoming from the Venator!"

In the intensity of the fight, he had completely forgotten about the Star Destroyer itself. Now its shadow swept over them, and a pulse of energy lit up the hull. The YT-1300 heaved, metal shrieking, as a turbolaser grazed the port engine. The ship spun, and the shield generators groaned from the stress.

For a moment, everything was chaotic. Maris's turret went dark, and the viewport filled with a blinding flash of light. Thankfully, the power flickered back to life, and the TIEs swept in to finish what the turbolaser started.

"Engines at sixty percent!" Shaak Ti shouted, her hands flying over the power distribution panel. "Shields are gone aft, minimal forward."

Aayla's lekku slapped against her chest as she whipped the ship end over end, presenting the forward shields to the oncoming TIEs. "Harry, talk to me. How many are left?"

He counted as quickly as he could. "There’s still seventeen … maybe eighteen." His hands trembled the slightest amount, but his breathing was steady as two more TIEs looped for a pass. He waited until exactly the right time, then let loose a volley of red lasers that ripped straight through their wings. One disintegrated instantly, and the other twisted uncontrollably before vanishing behind them.

"Maris?" he called.

Her voice came through the comms, choked with static. It seemed that the communication system had taken a beating. "There are three on my tail. Give me a hand."

He swiveled and saw them. There were three TIEs in a wedge formation, bracketing Maris's turret with green fire. Harry pivoted and fired, taking out the top one with a lucky snap shot. The remaining pair peeled off, but not before scoring a glancing hit. He saw Maris's canopy light up for a brief second.

"I'm good!" she yelled, even as sparks danced across her console.

The next wave closed in with their cannons blazing. Aayla's voice was still calm, despite the chaos. "They're herding us. They’re trying to keep us in range of the Venator's main guns."

"Double back, Aayla," Harry told her over the coms.

Aayla's mind whirled. "Wait. You want us to charge the Star Destroyer?"

"I've got an idea," Harry called back.

"It had better be a damn good one!" Aayla said before turning the ship.

Aayla shifted the ship's orientation so fast Harry's stomach lurched. They dove headfirst, straight at the Venator's armored hull. The TIEs followed, but their discipline broke. They scattered to avoid a collision.

Harry jumped out of his seat and ran straight for the loading ramp. Once there, he found the emergency lights flickering. Harry braced against the wall and pulled the manual override lever. The ramp slid down with a deep groan, and the seal hissed open. Harry knew enough about the ship to know that the shields would keep him safe enough, even with the ramp down.

"Harry! What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Aayla called out over the coms, but Harry ignored her.

He stood at the threshold, staring down at the Venator. The destroyer filled his entire view. It was a gray wall of guns, hangar doors, and flaring running lights. It looked more like a floating mountain of metal than a ship. The YT-1300 skimmed above its surface, close enough that the flare of its powerful shields stung his eyes.

He reached deeper than he ever had, searching for the limits of his own power. Magic wasn't meant to be harnessed this way, but he had no other choice. Raw power sluiced through his veins as he remembered the forbidden spells he had learned during his travels.

The energy built in his chest before rolling down his arms. It was almost agonizing as it screamed, begging to be let loose. He thought he might tear apart, but he held up his palm. Golden light ignited between his fingers, and at first, it was little more than a spark. The ball of magic swirled and pulsed to the rhythm of his heartbeat. It grew with every thump of his heart, going from the size of a marble to the size of a basketball. The ball of pure magic wobbled, threatening to break apart if he pushed any harder.

He looked up and saw the Venator's guns tracking him. The turrets swiveled, and the barrels pointed directly at him. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he clenched his teeth. Finally, Harry let go.

The spell tore from his hand like a blazing, golden comet. It struck the Venator's hull just below the main gun decks. For a split second, nothing happened. Then the armor buckled, and heat lines raced out in fractal patterns across the metal. Sections of the hull bent, cracked, and ripped as they were flayed away by the violence of the spell.

The chain reaction was almost beautiful. The Venator’s internal power cores ignited, and the hangar bays went up, blowing out squadrons of destroyed TIEs, personnel, and blazing oxygen. Whole decks peeled away in slabs and tumbled into the void. The golden firestorm chewed through the Venator's midsection, sending plumes of twisted metal floating away from the wreckage.

Harry staggered and nearly fell, drained from overexertion. His nerves were stinging with leftover power. He barely registered Maris's shout through the comms. "Harry! Get back inside!"

He collapsed onto the deck as the YT-1300 bucked again. Aayla's piloting was reckless and incredible. Every vector chosen was to dodge debris and catch the least possible heat from the Star Destroyer's death throes. The sounds of laser cannon fire told him that Maris was still peppering away at the last few TIE fighters. Shaak Ti's voice was frantic as she rerouted power and kept the ship alive with her skill and knowledge.

Harry groaned as he pushed himself back to his feet. He hit the button, and the loading ramp hissed closed. He slowly made his way back to the cockpit, barely able to see through his blurry vision. That amount of magic really took it out of him. The viewport was filled with the aftershock of the Venator's explosion. It was a maelstrom of fire and spinning wreckage. Tumbling TIE fighters were incinerated before they could even maneuver away.

Aayla looked at him as though he was nuts, and he supposed he kind of was. "What was that?" she asked, her voice sounding frantic and disbelieving.

"Just a bit of magic," Harry chuckled, running his fingers through his sweat-dampened hair.

"You're insane. You know that?" Shaak said, turning to him.

"I've been called worse things, I suppose," he joked.

They limped toward Alderaan, the ship battered but in one piece. The comm lit up with the cold voice of Alderaan ground control. "Unidentified vessel, you have entered restricted orbit. State your intent."

Aayla keyed the comm, her voice smooth as silk. "Humanitarian aid run from Chandrila, transmitting codes now."

There was a long, aching pause. "Stellar Temptress, you are cleared for priority landing in Aldera City. Please proceed at once."

Harry slumped as the adrenaline finally drained out of him. Maris clapped him on the shoulder. "The next time you want to blow up a Star Destroyer, warn me first. I fell out of my seat!" He chuckled and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Aayla set course and immediately aimed for the planet. The battered ship shuddered into Alderaan's atmosphere. Harry watched from the cockpit as the planet's surface drew closer. He stared at the massive mountain ranges, the vivid green grasslands, and blue, shimmering lakes that reflected the morning light. Harry could see hundreds of ships coming and going, crisscrossing over the endless landscape. The world felt much more alive than Felucia or Tatooine.

They passed through a layer of clouds, and the turbulence was gentle compared to what they'd just survived. Aldera was a city of silver domes and slender towers, and its geometry somehow complemented the natural terrain. Aldera's city center sat on an island, and the rest of the lake was scattered with smaller settlements and patches of wetland bursting with flowers.

"Approach vector locked in," Aayla announced. "Prepare for landing."

Harry looked again, unable to stop himself. The city was ringed by parks and manicured groves, and paths curled through forests of fruit trees. Beyond the city, the mountains rose. One of them, Appenza Peak, thrust so high that it pierced the clouds above it. The River Wuitho glittered around the city's edges.

The battered freighter set down on a gleaming pad at the edge of the spaceport, its engines whining in protest. Everyone took a moment to catch their breath. Suddenly, the comm chirped. "Stellar Temptress, welcome to Aldera. Port Authority will send a technician to assist with repairs."

Aayla keyed the mic. "Thank you, Control."

She powered down the ship, then turned to the others. "Is everyone okay?"

Maris stretched, and her bones popped. "I am. What about you?"

Harry chuckled and took a deep breath. His vision was just starting to clear. "Never better."

Shaak Ti checked the exterior sensors, then nodded. "No one’s pursuing us … for now, at least."

"Put on your necklaces," Harry reminded them. Each one slipped the gold chain around their necks. Aayla's skin instantly turned lime green. Shaak Ti's skin went from red to white, and her stripes turned light pink. Maris's skin turned a healthy peach color, and her black hair changed to blonde.

They gathered at the exit. Harry half expected the wind to be cold, but as the ramp lowered, the air was crisp and sweet. He could smell fresh-cut grass and a hint of flowers he couldn't name. Sunlight streamed in, brightening the ship's gloomy interior.

Aayla stepped down first and stretched. Shaak Ti followed and tilted her face up to the sun. Her pink facial markings were striking in the sunlight. Maris bounced in place, already scanning the port for signs of trouble.

Harry paused at the foot of the ramp, letting the light warm his face. "It's almost perfect," he said, awed by the sight of the looming, snow-capped mountains. Aayla turned and smiled.

They walked through the port, and it was cleaner and more orderly than any station Harry had ever seen. Technicians in pale blue jumpsuits moved efficiently from ship to ship, never glancing twice at the battered Stellar Temptress or its mismatched crew. A few vendors peddled breakfast from hovercarts. They sold pastries shaped like swans, fruit sliced with geometric precision, and tiny pies that steamed in the chilly air.

They crossed a bridge and went deeper into the city center. The architecture blended with the landscape, and buildings rose and fell like extensions of the hills. In the plazas, kinetic sculptures whirled in the wind. Along the lakeshore, artists painted, sculpted, or simply sat and stared at the world around them. Even Aayla, who'd seen most of the galaxy's ugliest corners, was briefly speechless.

"So, what now?" Harry asked.

Aayla looked at Shaak Ti, and then at Harry. "Now we lie low and try to contact the Queen. Then we decide if we're running again or if this is somewhere we want to stay."

Harry nodded as he stared at the city before him. There was so much he wanted to see. Aayla seemed to read his mind. She bumped his arm, and her lekku trailed warmly along his shoulder. "There’s plenty of time, Harry. We're not in a hurry."

He looked at her and smiled with a nod. He followed them into the city, ready for whatever came next.