Asteroid Leap of Faith

Jedi Knight Cal Kestis, one of the last Jedi, embarks on a dangerous mission to infiltrate a Haxion Brood base hidden on an asteroid. With his droid BD-1, he leaps from rock to rock in zero gravity, relying on the Force and his own ingenuity to avoid detection. The mission is a testament to Cal's resilience and the trust he places in his crew—Merrin, Cere, and Greez—who support him from the Stinger Mantis. The asteroid, a remnant of a destroyed world, is a symbol of the galaxy's scars under Imperial rule. Cal's successful infiltration sets the tone for the crew's dynamic: each member brings unique skills, and their bond is forged in adversity. The chapter establishes the Mantis as a found family, united by survival and rebellion.

Mantis Crew Reunited

After Cal disables the base's sensors, the Mantis lands and the crew regroups. Merrin, a Nightsister with mysterious magick, joins Cal, Cere (a former Jedi Master), and Greez (the Latero pilot) for a high-stakes sabotage. Their banter reveals deep trust and affection, but also underlying trauma from years on the run. Each member's strengths are highlighted: Cal's courage, Merrin's magick, Cere's wisdom, and Greez's resourcefulness. The mission's urgency is underscored by the Brood's relentless pursuit and the ever-present threat of the Empire. The crew's unity is both their greatest asset and a source of vulnerability, as personal histories and secrets simmer beneath the surface.

Nightsister's Hidden Fire

Merrin's perspective reveals her struggle with her magick, which is both a source of strength and a reminder of her lost clan. As she infiltrates the Brood base, her abilities are tested, and she confronts the trauma of Dathomir's destruction. Her relationship with Cal is complex—he is both a comrade and a symbol of the Jedi who failed her people. Merrin's magick is unpredictable, tied to her emotional state and sense of belonging. The chapter explores themes of identity, loss, and the search for purpose. Merrin's fire, both literal and metaphorical, becomes a central motif for healing and vengeance.

Prison Break on Murkhana

The crew's next mission takes them to Murkhana, an Imperial prison world. Their goal: steal the plans for the Shroud, a device that can make its user invisible to sensors—potentially a game-changer for the rebellion or a nightmare if the Empire gets it first. Fret, a stormtrooper-turned-ally, uses her Imperial codes to get them inside. Cere orchestrates a mass prison break as a distraction, unleashing chaos. Cal and Merrin split up, each facing their own dangers. The riot is both a literal and figurative eruption of suppressed pain and rage, mirroring the crew's internal conflicts. The mission's success comes at a cost, as trust is tested and secrets come to light.

The Stormtrooper's Secret

Fret, the enigmatic stormtrooper, is exposed as an Imperial analyst who never fully left the Empire. Her relationship with Merrin is complicated by half-truths and hidden motives. Fret's real goal is to rescue Irei, the Shroud's inventor and her former lover, who is imprisoned on Murkhana. The revelation fractures the crew's trust, especially Merrin's, who feels betrayed both as a comrade and as a woman opening her heart. Fret's confession is raw: she is driven by guilt, love, and the hope of redemption. The chapter delves into the gray areas of loyalty, the cost of survival, and the possibility of change.

Inquisitor's Deadly Arrival

The Empire's Inquisitorius, led by the Fifth Brother, arrives on Murkhana to claim the Shroud and eliminate the Jedi. The Inquisitor is a figure of relentless brutality, shaped by his own disillusionment with the Jedi Order. His presence escalates the stakes, forcing the crew into a desperate fight for survival. Cal faces the Inquisitor in a brutal duel, barely escaping with his life thanks to Merrin's intervention and the crew's teamwork. The encounter leaves physical and emotional scars, especially for Greez, who loses an arm protecting Cal. The Inquisitor embodies the darkness the crew must resist—both externally and within themselves.

Shroud of Deception

The Shroud is revealed not as a simple device, but as a living secret: Irei herself, whose mind holds the only working plans. Qeris Lar, a wealthy anti-Imperial benefactor, wants the Shroud for his own purposes, promising safety in exchange. The crew is caught between Qeris's manipulations, the Empire's pursuit, and their own fractured loyalties. Irei's trauma and genius are central—she is both a prize and a person, and her fate becomes a test of the crew's values. The Shroud's potential for good or evil is a metaphor for power itself: who wields it, and for what end?

Betrayals and Broken Trust

The aftermath of Murkhana is a reckoning. Greez's injury, Cere's risky choices, Fret's duplicity, and Merrin's heartbreak all come to a head. The crew's unity is shattered as old wounds are reopened and new ones inflicted. Each member questions their purpose: Cal's obsession with fighting the Empire, Cere's desire to preserve Jedi wisdom, Merrin's need for vengeance and belonging, Greez's longing for peace. The chapter is a crucible, burning away illusions and forcing hard truths. The only way forward is through honesty, forgiveness, and the willingness to rebuild—if they can.

Riot and Reunion

The crew stages a daring escape from Murkhana, barely outpacing the Inquisitor and the Empire. Fret and Irei are rescued, but the cost is high—Greez's arm, the crew's trust, and the certainty of their mission. On the run, they must decide what to do with Irei and the Shroud. The reunion is bittersweet: old bonds are tested, new ones formed, and the future is uncertain. The chapter is a meditation on survival, the meaning of family, and the price of hope in a galaxy at war.

The Cost of Hope

The crew takes refuge on Zimara, a remote moon, to recover and regroup. Each member confronts their own pain: Greez's trauma and adaptation to his injury, Cere's guilt over her choices, Cal's fear of losing his family, Merrin's struggle to trust again, Fret and Irei's uncertain future. The chapter explores the slow, difficult process of healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The crew must decide whether to stay together, what they are fighting for, and how to move forward. Hope is fragile, but it is all they have.

Binary Stars Collide

Merrin and Fret, drawn together by shared pain and passion, must redefine their relationship in the aftermath of betrayal and revelation. Fret's love for Irei is acknowledged, but her connection with Merrin is real and transformative. They choose friendship and mutual respect, recognizing that healing sometimes means letting go. The metaphor of binary stars—two bodies orbiting, sometimes colliding, sometimes parting—captures the complexity of love, loss, and growth. Merrin's fire is rekindled, not by vengeance, but by acceptance and the courage to move forward.

Greez's Sacrifice

Greez's loss of an arm is both a literal and symbolic wound. He grapples with feelings of inadequacy, anger, and fear, questioning his place in the crew and his own worth. The others rally around him, offering support and humor, but the adjustment is painful. Greez's journey is one of adaptation and self-forgiveness, a reminder that heroism comes in many forms. His sacrifice is a turning point for the crew, forcing them to confront the real costs of their fight and the need to care for one another.

The Crew Fractures

Cere orders the crew to take forty-eight hours apart on Zimara to reflect and heal. Each member faces their own crossroads: Cal meditates on his purpose and the meaning of leadership; Cere contemplates legacy and the dangers of the dark side; Merrin seeks solace and clarity in solitude; Greez considers leaving but ultimately returns; Fret and Irei plan their next steps. The enforced separation is both a risk and a gift, allowing for honest self-examination and the possibility of reconciliation. The chapter is a study in the necessity of rest, reflection, and the courage to choose one another again.

Forty-Eight Hours Apart

During their time apart, the crew members confront their deepest fears and desires. Cal and Cere debate the true mission of the Mantis—rebellion or preservation. Merrin and Fret share a vulnerable conversation, choosing friendship and mutual support. Greez finds strength in returning to his found family. The chapter is a mosaic of personal growth, forgiveness, and the slow rebuilding of trust. By the end, each member chooses to return, reaffirming their commitment to one another and to the fight ahead.

Healing and Hard Choices

Reunited, the crew must decide what to do with Irei and the Shroud. They reject Qeris's manipulations, choosing to protect Irei as a person, not a weapon. Fret and Irei are given the means to disappear and start anew, with the crew's blessing. The Mantis family is changed but not broken—each member has been scarred, but their bond endures. The chapter is about agency, the right to choose one's destiny, and the power of compassion in a galaxy defined by cruelty.

Qeris's Final Gambit

The crew returns to Hosnian Prime to confront Qeris and deliver a fake Shroud. Qeris betrays them, revealing his true allegiance to the Empire and unleashing the Haxion Brood and the Inquisitor upon them. In a chaotic battle, Fret is gravely wounded, Merrin unleashes her full magick, and Cal faces the Fifth Brother in a final duel. The confrontation is a crucible, burning away the last illusions and forcing each member to act with courage and selflessness. The cost is high, but the crew prevails—together.

Together Against the Dark

In the climactic battle, Cal and Merrin fight side by side, their strengths and vulnerabilities perfectly balanced. Merrin's magick and Cal's connection to the Force combine to defeat the Inquisitor and save their friends. The victory is not without sacrifice—both are wounded, and the scars of the fight will linger. But their partnership, forged in fire and trust, is a beacon of hope. The chapter is a testament to the power of chosen family, the necessity of teamwork, and the belief that even in the darkest times, light can prevail.

Piece by Piece Forward

With the immediate threat ended, the crew says farewell to Fret and Irei, who go into hiding together. The Mantis family, battered but unbroken, recommits to their mission—whatever it may be. Cal, Merrin, Cere, and Greez each carry their scars, but also the lessons of survival, forgiveness, and love. The future is uncertain, but they will face it together, piece by piece. The story ends with the promise of new adventures, new challenges, and the enduring strength of found family.

Characters

Cal Kestis

Cal is a Jedi Knight marked by trauma, loss, and a fierce sense of responsibility. Orphaned by the fall of the Jedi Order, he is driven by a need to protect others and atone for past failures. Cal's leadership is both his strength and his burden—he often puts himself in harm's way to shield his crew, sometimes to the point of self-destruction. His connection to the Force is deep but complicated by fear of the dark side and the weight of attachment. Cal's journey is one of learning to trust, to accept help, and to find hope in the face of overwhelming odds. His relationships with Merrin, Cere, and Greez are central to his growth, challenging his beliefs and forcing him to confront his own limitations.

Merrin

Merrin is a Nightsister of Dathomir, the last of her kind, whose magick is both a gift and a curse. Scarred by the genocide of her clan, she is driven by anger, grief, and a longing for connection. Merrin's relationship with Cal is complex—he is both a reminder of the Jedi's failures and a source of healing. Her romance with Fret awakens new possibilities but also new pain, as trust is broken and rebuilt. Merrin's journey is about reclaiming her power, accepting her scars, and choosing to live for herself and her found family. Her magick is a metaphor for trauma: unpredictable, dangerous, but also a source of renewal.

Cere Junda

Cere is a former Jedi Master who has survived by making impossible choices. Haunted by her failure to save her Padawan, Trilla, from the dark side, she is determined to preserve Jedi wisdom and protect her crew. Cere's struggle is with the temptation of the dark side—her empathy and desire to save others sometimes lead her to dangerous extremes. She is both a guide and a cautionary tale for Cal, embodying the tension between action and restraint, hope and despair. Cere's arc is about legacy, forgiveness, and the courage to keep fighting even when the path is unclear.

Greez Dritus

Greez is the Mantis's Latero pilot, a gambler with a checkered past and a deep love for his found family. His humor masks vulnerability and a fear of loss. Greez's injury—losing an arm to protect Cal—forces him to confront his own limitations and the reality of sacrifice. He is the crew's anchor, providing stability and perspective, but also a reminder that heroism comes in many forms. Greez's journey is about adaptation, self-worth, and the importance of home.

Fret (Chellwinark Frethylrin)

Fret is a Keshiri Imperial analyst who defects to the Mantis crew, driven by guilt over her role in the Empire and love for Irei. Her relationship with Merrin is passionate but fraught with secrets and betrayal. Fret's arc is about the possibility of change, the cost of survival, and the courage to face one's past. She is both a catalyst for the crew's crisis and a symbol of hope—that even those complicit in evil can choose a different path.

Irei

Irei is a Nikto engineer and the true creator of the Shroud. Her mind holds the key to a device that could change the balance of power in the galaxy. Irei is both a victim and a survivor, shaped by trauma and the need to hide. Her relationship with Fret is central—love, loss, and the hope of reunion. Irei's arc is about agency, the right to choose one's destiny, and the danger of being reduced to a tool or weapon.

The Fifth Brother

The Fifth Brother is an Inquisitor, a former Jedi turned Imperial enforcer. He is driven by bitterness, a sense of betrayal, and a hunger for power. The Fifth Brother is a mirror for Cal and Cere, showing what can happen when pain curdles into cruelty. He is both a physical and psychological threat, forcing the crew to confront their own darkness and the cost of resistance.

Qeris Lar

Qeris is an Omwati entrepreneur who plays all sides for profit. He offers the crew a chance to strike at the Empire but ultimately betrays them for personal gain. Qeris is a symbol of the galaxy's moral ambiguity—survival often means compromise, and even good intentions can be corrupted. His actions force the crew to define their own values and the limits of trust.

BD-1

BD-1 is Cal's companion droid, a small explorer with a big heart. BD provides comic relief, technical support, and emotional comfort. His unwavering loyalty and courage are a reminder of the simple, enduring bonds that sustain the crew. BD is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of friendship.

The Mantis

The Stinger Mantis is more than a ship—it is the crew's sanctuary, a place of healing, conflict, and love. The Mantis represents the idea of found family: imperfect, scarred, but fiercely loyal. Its journey mirrors the crew's own—always on the run, always searching for a place to belong.

Plot Devices

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The narrative is structured around the theme of found family: individuals from disparate backgrounds, united by trauma and purpose, who choose each other again and again. The Mantis crew's relationships are tested by secrets, betrayal, and loss, but their bond endures. This device allows for deep exploration of trust, forgiveness, and the meaning of home in a hostile galaxy.

Dualities and Mirrors

The story is rich in dualities: Jedi and Nightsister, hope and despair, action and restraint, past and future. Characters serve as mirrors for one another—Cal and the Fifth Brother, Merrin and Fret, Cere and Trilla—highlighting the choices that define identity. The motif of binary stars, colliding and par

Last updated: May 17, 2025