4 BBY — Chandrila — Arya awakens to the soft sounds of a bustling morning, the gentle hum of life outside her window. Shosmi is already up, preparing for their departure. The light filtering through the curtains casts a warm glow over the room, and for a fleeting moment, Arya allows herself to forget the horrors of the previous days.
“Good morning, Arya! Ready to hit the stars?” Shosmi calls cheerfully as she tidies up some loose items.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Arya replies, stretching and shaking off the remnants of sleep. She glances at BD, who’s already whirring with excitement, eager to begin their journey.
Once dressed, Arya joins Shosmi in the common area. R4-LF1 is busy prepping the ship. The astromech droid whistles and beeps, its circuits buzzing with information as it calculates their route.
“BD and I will handle the preflight checks,” Arya says. She moves towards the ship’s systems while Shosmi settles into the pilot’s seat.
“Sounds good,” Shosmi replies, a hint of pride in her voice. “We’ll be ready to go in no time.”
After completing the checks, Arya and BD make their way to the dorsal turret, taking a moment to admire the stunning view of Chandrila below. The vibrant landscape is dotted with lush greenery, sprawling fields, and the occasional glimpse of urban life.
“Last look at this beautiful planet,” Arya sighs, feeling a pang of longing for the home she has known. Yet, she knows the path ahead is essential for her journey.
4 BBY — Hyperspace — The “Ashla’s Hand” smoothly exits the atmosphere of Chandrila, entering the familiar expanse of hyperspace. As the stars elongate into streaks of light, Arya feels a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
“Taanab, here we come,” Shosmi announces, her voice filled with determination. “It’s going to be an eight-day trip. Plenty of time for us to focus on what lies ahead.”
With the ship’s systems humming around her, Arya settles into her work. She decides to channel her thoughts into crafting a new body armor set to help clear her mind of the horrors she’s left behind. Using her knowledge and skills, Arya begins to construct the armor. It’s a complex endeavor, but she thrives on the challenge. The materials are lightweight yet durable. The dark gray color and ancient fabric weave give it an elegance that resonates with her aesthetic. The process takes days of dedication and precision. She incorporates hidden features—a quick draw pocket for her vibroknuckles, a holster for her blaster, and a tight concealing strap for her lightsaber. Each piece is a testament to her craftsmanship, and by the time she finishes, she feels a sense of pride swelling within her.
As the journey stretches on, Arya continues to practice her newfound abilities. Inspired by her connection to the Force, she decides to experiment with the Seek ability, turning the ship into her own personal playground.
“Let’s play a game, BD,” she says, her excitement bubbling over. “A scavenger hunt!”
She closes her eyes, focusing her energy on the ship’s interior. She reaches out with her mind, letting the Force guide her to hidden objects. To her surprise, she feels a strong pull towards the aft part of the ship, specifically engineering. Following the sensation like a beacon, Arya makes her way to the area. Once there, she begins searching behind panels and machinery. It’s a game of intuition, and as she digs deeper, she finds herself drawn to a hidden compartment. With a gentle nudge, the panel pops open, revealing a stunning purple crystal nestled within. The moment Arya grasps it, the beacon stops, and she feels a rush of energy flooding her senses. It’s unlike anything she has encountered before — powerful and ancient, resonating with a deep connection to the Force.
Over the following days, Arya plays the game with BD and the Dathomir Compass, testing her abilities and honing her connection to the Force. They engage in a friendly game of hide and seek, but Arya soon realizes that the compass feels different. It seems to be reaching out to her, almost as if it is trying to find her just as much as she is trying to find it.
“Let’s triangulate,” she suggests one day, determination fueling her voice. She concentrates on the feelings that arise, letting the compass guide her. The sensation shifts, drawing her away from the mess area and towards her quarters.
As she closes her eyes, she visualizes the path in her mind, focusing on the swirling energy. The compass’s pull becomes diffuse, and Arya senses it growing less intense. “Why is it leading me this way?” she wonders aloud. When she finally opens her eyes, she finds herself standing at her room’s doorstep, the compass feeling almost alive in her hands. It’s as if the object is whispering secrets to her, urging her to uncover them.
Taking a deep breath, Arya places the compass on the floor and sits cross-legged beside it. “Let’s see what you have to tell me,” she murmurs, focusing her energy into the object. At first, nothing happens. Frustrated, she pushes herself to concentrate harder. “Show me the path, please,” she whispers, her mind racing with possibilities. After a few minutes, she feels a surge of energy course through her as if the compass awakens. A vision flashes before her—an image of a crest on a low hill and a winding path that beckons her forward. The blue bits of the compass light up, swirling in a circle before spinning backward, revealing a sense of direction she has long yearned for. Just for a fleeting moment, the vision is vivid before it dissipates, leaving Arya breathless. “What was that?” she breathes, excitement bubbling within her.
A knock at the door disrupts her thoughts, and she opens it to find Shosmi, accompanied by Tuk Tuk, who meows eagerly. “How’s it going? Any luck with the compass?”
“I had a vision,” Arya replies, her voice filled with wonder. “I saw a path—a crest on a hill. I think it’s trying to lead me somewhere important.”
Shosmi’s eyes widen. “That’s incredible! The compass is a powerful tool. You may want to explore what it means further. It could guide you to something significant.”