The Multiverse Hunter

That same night, in a dimly lit basement beneath the capital city of Tartek, an older Jedi Master sat quietly in a simple chair. Her eyes were closed, her breathing slow and deliberate as she focused on the situation unfolding around the mysterious relic. The room was sparse, with only a table in the centre holding a holographic projector. The faint hum of the device filled the air, the only sound breaking the stillness.

The heavy creak of the basement door broke the silence. A hooded man stepped inside, his boots scuffing softly against the stone floor as he approached her. He stopped a respectful distance away and lowered his head.

"Master," he said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of exhaustion. He removed his hood, revealing the features of a middle-aged human man with brown hair flecked with grey and tired green eyes. Despite his fatigue, there was a sharpness to his expression—a man burdened by responsibility but driven by duty.

The Jedi Master opened her eyes, her calm gaze settling on him. "What did you find out, Kale?" she asked, her tone even, though her presence exuded quiet authority.

Kale stepped forward and handed her a folded piece of paper. "Here is a partial list of confirmed guests attending the auction," he said. "These are very high-ranking individuals, which further validates the significance of this relic. Whoever wins it could land a powerful relic."

The Jedi Master unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the names and titles listed. Her expression remained neutral, though her silence was heavy with thought. Finally, she set the paper on the table beside the projector and stood, her robes flowing gracefully as she moved. "You're right," she said. "These people are important. If the Sith get their hands on this relic, it could have devastating consequences."

She activated the projector with a tap of her fingers, and a holographic image of a planet appeared, spinning slowly in the air. The soft glow of the display illuminated the room, casting faint shadows on the walls.

"Now tell me everything you have on Kaelthar," she said, her tone shifting to one of quiet intensity. She gestured to the planet in the hologram, its surface rendered in intricate detail.

Kale stepped closer to the table, pointing to specific regions on the holographic map. "Kaelthar is a critical supply planet, closely tied to Tartek. Much of its resources come directly from here. Recently, the Empire has been reallocating troops away from Kaelthar, sending them to more contested regions. The number of active soldiers there is dwindling."

He paused, his finger tracing one of the planet's industrial zones. "Despite this, the weapon factories on Kaelthar are still running at maximum capacity. They've replaced most of the human workforce with droids. It's a strategic hub, Master—an easy target for us to take from the Empire's and disrupt their supply lines."

The Jedi Master nodded thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on the hologram. "Good work, Kale. We'll need to act carefully. The Sith will definitely send someone to Tartek with the news of the auction."

In another part of the capital, Veronica stood outside the door of a small apartment in the poorer part of the capital. The building was old and crumbling, its walls stained with years of neglect. She fumbled with her keys, her hands trembling slightly as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. She closed it behind her as quietly as possible, hoping not to wake anyone.

Click.

The living room lights flicked on, and Veronica turned to see a young girl, no older than nine, standing in her pyjamas. Her small hand rested on the light switch, her innocent face lighting up at the sight of her sister.

"Sister!" the girl exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.

Veronica let out a soft laugh, her initial surprise melting into affection. "Why are you awake this early?" she asked, kneeling to embrace her sister. She hugged her tightly, lifting the small girl into her arms.

The little girl giggled as Veronica carried her to her bedroom. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted, resting her head against Veronica's shoulder. "I was waiting for you."

Veronica tucked her sister into bed, sitting beside her until she fell asleep. She brushed the girl's hair gently, her heart heavy with the weight of the double life she was living. After ensuring the child was sound asleep, Veronica returned to her small room.

She stood in front of a tiny, cracked mirror mounted on the wall and began removing her light makeup. Halfway through, she paused, leaning her forehead against the cold surface of the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, weary but determined.

"Fight… Veronica… fight," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. "For her… for a better life…"

Far from the bustling city, in the wilderness of Tartek, the edge of a dense forest rustled with the soft sounds of nocturnal creatures. Among the tall trees, a hooded figure moved quietly, their steps light and deliberate. They approached a massive wall of rock that loomed at the forest's edge, its surface jagged and weathered by time. At its base was a narrow cave entrance, barely visible in the shadows.

The figure entered the cave, their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls. The air inside was damp and cold, carrying the faint scent of decay. The hooded individual continued deeper into the darkness until they reached the end of the cave, where a sight of horror awaited—a decayed corpse slumped against the wall, its clothes torn and riddled with blaster holes.

"Sister…" the figure whispered, their voice breaking. The person reached out a delicate hand, tracing the hollowed cheek of the corpse. "Oh, sister, I will avenge you. I will find who did this to you!"

A pale hand reached out from under the coat, a hand covered with green tattoos, the hand released green energy caused the corpse to dissolve into nothingness, the faint light casting eerie shadows on the cave walls. The figure remained kneeling for a moment longer before rising…

The next day, the capital city of Tartek bustled with life. Crowds filled the streets, vendors hawked their wares, and the hum of machinery echoed from every corner. The citizens moved about their routines, blissfully unaware of the darker undercurrents that ran through their city—the secret dealings, the deadly power plays, and the growing shadow of the Sith.

For them, Tartek was a haven, a prosperous world under the Empire's protection. They chose to ignore the price of that prosperity: the exploitation of other worlds and the endless cycle of war fuelled by the weapons their money paid for.

"We're here," the pilot announced as the ship exited hyperspace, the greyish orb of Tartek filling the viewport. Ali opened his eyes from his meditation, glancing at the planet with a cold, calculating gaze.

"Wow, it's beautiful… Look, Drogath!" Reka's excited voice broke the silence as she peeked through the cockpit door, pointing eagerly at the planet. Her enthusiasm was infectious, though it earned only a quiet huff from Drogath, who leaned back in his seat.

The ship descended toward Tartek, entering its atmosphere with ease. The sprawling capital came into view, its sleek buildings and bustling streets stretching out as far as the eye could see. The pilot contacted local authorities for clearance before guiding the ship toward a massive Imperial hangar.

With a smooth landing, the ship settled into its designated spot. "We've arrived on the capital of Tartek," the pilot said, clearly pleased with his performance.

"Smooth flight…", Ali said to the pilot as he tapped his shoulder and stood, his red mask glinting faintly in the light as he headed for the exit. Behind him, Drogath hefted his massive case while Reka and the nurse followed nervously.

They stepped onto the hangar floor, where a squad of Imperial troopers awaited them. The soldiers snapped to attention.

"Sith Ali!" they shouted in unison, saluting crisply.

Ali raised a hand, dismissing the salute as he scanned the hangar with an emotionless gaze. Behind him, Drogath's towering figure drew wide-eyed stares from the troopers, his size and imposing aura leaving a lasting impression.

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