Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep...
That was the only thing I heard as I began to wake up. Opening my eyes, I was instantly blinded by a white light. I had to blink several times before I adjusted to the brightness. A gray ceiling greeted me.What happened?
Then I started to remember… the robbery, the men, the alley... THE ALLEY !
Panicked, I opened my eyes fully and tried to get up, but as soon as I sat up, a sharp pain shot through me, making me groan in agony.
"I wouldn't move too much if I were you. According to the droid, you had two broken ribs—but they fixed you up."A male voice came from my right. Still scared from the night before, I shrank away from it—until I saw him.
Mace Windu.
' What the hell ?! ' I thought, completely confused as to why he was here—especially with me.
"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you."
He said it calmly, and somehow I could feel that calmness radiating from him. I didn't feel any bad intentions—only confidence, serenity. It was like looking at a peaceful river at sunset.And how I knew that? I had no idea.
Sensing I was starting to calm down, he continued.
"I am Jedi Master Mace Windu. I brought you here. I found you in that alley. I'm sorry you went through that."He said it with a face that looked—somehow—regretful.
"Yeah... me too."I whispered, though it didn't escape the Jedi Master's hearing.
Deep breath.
"Do you know what Jedi are ?" he asked, looking at me.
"I have an idea," I replied, not denying it.
"We're peacekeepers. Diplomats. Protectors. I came to Mandalore today for a meeting with the Duchess—one that was interrupted by a powerful disturbance in the Force. And the cause... was you."He said, pointing at me as he leaned forward.
"The Force ?" I asked, confused. What did the Force have to do with me ? I wasn't Force-sensitive—as far as I knew.
And believe me, I tried during my first three days here… then gave up.
"Yes. When I felt that wave, it was so strong—so desperate—that I had to stop the meeting and search for its source. That's when I found you."He said, staring at me.
"The explosion ?" I asked hesitantly, the memory starting to return. So… that feeling… was the Force trying to break free ?
"Yes. And it was a big one. Many nearby buildings were damaged, and two of the three men were severely injured. They're in custody until we get your statement."
He said calmly.
"And the third ?" I asked, referring to the man who had tried to touch me.
"He died. The shockwave snapped his neck and caused internal bleeding in his brain."
He said while studying me.
I froze. I killed him. It was self-defense… but are they going to arrest me ? Kill me ?The thought made my heart race. Sensing my panic, Master Windu cut off the spiral before it could take over.
"Relax. Nothing's going to happen to you. But we do need to understand what happened last night."
I felt a lump forming in my throat. Talk about last night ?What would a Jedi Master think of me—a thief, who just happened to be Force-sensitive and didn't even know how to use it ?
"I—I stole some credits from them. It wasn't much. They chased me, and when I got to the alley, they beat me."
"That's when…"
"When what ?"He asked, giving me his full attention.
"They tried to rape me… I fought back, but they were too strong. That's when I felt something inside me. A pressure in my chest. Like it wanted out—like it had to get out. And then a second later... the explosion happened. I don't remember anything after that."
I finished with my head down, still shaken from everything.Who wouldn't be ?
I didn't need to look up—I could feel Master Windu.I felt his anger. Then confusion. Then… sadness.
"I understand. I'm sorry for making you relive that. But I had to know. The ones who survived will spend the rest of their lives rotting in the worst cell available. I'll make sure of that."
He said, standing up and placing a hand on my shoulder, prompting me to look at him.
"Thank you for telling me. I know it took a lot of courage."He said with a firm but kind expression.
"Thanks... I guess," I replied, a little awkwardly.
"I need to go speak with the Duchess now. Rest and recover. I'll be back soon."
He said, walking toward the door.
Deep breath.
With a sigh, I lay back in the bed, letting myself finally relax after everything that happened.
'This room isn't so bad…'And it really wasn't—climate controlled, a holo-TV, a comfortable bed. Definitely the best I'd had so far.
Mace Windu's POV
Walking toward the medical droid, I arrived just as it turned to me with the boy's medical file in hand.
"Do you have the results I asked for ?" I inquired.
"Yes, Master Windu. Here you go."The droid said, handing me the tablet.
"Excellent. Thank you for your assistance. You may go." I said, examining the tablet.
"As you wish, Master Windu."
And with that, it turned and walked off, its metallic footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Everything looked normal—except for elevated adrenaline levels.But then I reached the part I was really looking for:
The Midi-Chlorian count.
"Eighteen thousand, five hundred... Just below Skywalker. This kid is something else," I muttered, thinking about the little boy recovering in the medical ward.
"I need to keep a close eye on him."