Mistaken Identity || Star Wars Fic

It had been nearly a week since Jaden's training had been suspended, and Aubrie had encouraged him to explore something he genuinely enjoyed. However, this seemingly simple task had proven far more difficult than anticipated. While Jaden possessed considerable skill in a variety of hobbies, he lacked one vital component that transformed skill into passion: purpose.

For instance, Jaden had discovered he was a surprisingly adept painter. His sharp hand-eye coordination and keen sense of visualization translated effortlessly onto the canvas. Yet, his work lacked the emotional depth or creative spark that often defined true artistry. It wasn't that Jaden wasn't creative—far from it. His ingenuity was undeniable, evident in his ability to design complex solutions under pressure. Take, for example, his ingenious reconfiguration of the Hammer's power system: the tri-engine design had been nothing short of brilliant, a desperate solution to a seemingly impossible problem.

But therein lay the issue. Jaden's creativity thrived in moments of urgency or necessity. His inventions, his solutions, his triumphs—they were all born in the crucible of survival. Now, without the looming shadow of danger or a task demanding completion, he struggled to find that same spark. His mind, so accustomed to operating under strain, floundered in this newfound stillness. There was no problem to solve, no crisis to avert, no reason to create. And so, Jaden found himself adrift, uncertain how to translate his skills into something meaningful without the pressure that had always fueled his creativity.

But Jaden was not the type to give up easily, so he persisted, experimenting with different activities and seeking inspiration from those around him. He started by asking others what they did in their spare time, hoping to stumble upon something that might ignite his interest.

Scout, for instance, revealed her love for hologames, frequently played on her datapad. She even invited Jaden to join her for a few matches. The result? She absolutely obliterated him in every game, much to her amusement and his frustration. Still, the friendly competition brought a rare smile to his face, even if it wasn't quite the hobby he was looking for.

Master Leska's hobby was the complete opposite of Scout's fast-paced games: she enjoyed gardening and caring for plants. Like Aubrie, she also loved reading, though she turned an uncharacteristic shade of pink when Jaden inquired about her preferred genres. The Defender's hydroponics bay provided the perfect space for gardening, and Admiral Novak had no objection to Leska and Jaden tending to the vegetables and medicinal plants there. Jaden was surprised by how much he enjoyed the steady, methodical work of gardening. There was something deeply satisfying about nurturing the plants, watching them grow, and knowing his care contributed to their vitality. It soothed him in a way he couldn't quite put into words.

However, gardening alone wasn't enough—or so Leska and Aubrie insisted. As a long-term pursuit, it lacked the immediate engagement Jaden needed to keep his restless mind occupied. So, his search continued.

Next was Zule, who introduced him to something more physically demanding: the art of exercise, strength training, and unarmed combat. Jaden had always been in decent shape—albeit often teetering on the edge of malnutrition—but the concept of building muscle and honing his body in this way was new to him. To his surprise, he took to it with enthusiasm, almost as if his body had been waiting for this challenge. Under Zule's guidance, and in his own solo sessions, Jaden found a renewed sense of purpose. The ache in his muscles after a hard workout wasn't just pain; it was progress. It was tangible proof of his improvement, and it resonated with his need to push himself and grow. Though he was finding pieces of himself in these hobbies—whether through the meditative care of plants or the fiery discipline of physical training—he still felt like something was missing. Perhaps it wasn't just the activity he was searching for but something deeper, something that could give his life meaning survival.

Aubrie had made the difficult decision to give Jaden some space. Though it pained her to pull back, she knew that he needed to find his own path, his own passion. She feared that hovering too close or sharing her interests might unintentionally sway him, and the last thing she wanted was for him to feel burdened by her influence. Jaden had taken the change in stride, though the familiar sense of idleness crept back in as he cycled between tending to the hydroponics bay and working out in the training rooms.

To fill the gaps, Jaden had turned to reading. It didn't particularly matter what he read, but he'd decided to take a page from Aubrie's book and had begun learning a few new languages. It gave him something to do, at least. Apart from that, he delved into information about the galaxy at large. He scoured records about the Republic and the Old Republic, though he noticed that public sources offered little insight into the Sith Empire—a frustrating gap in the historical tapestry he was piecing together.

Now, Jaden sat alone in the mess hall, several datapads spread out on the table before him. Each contained the same information, but in a different language. His brow furrowed in concentration as he cross-referenced words and phrases, occasionally muttering translations under his breath. A sigh escaped him as he poked at the food on his plate, his appetite dulled by the monotony of it all.

Despite consuming vast amounts of information and making notable progress in his language studies, Jaden couldn't shake the feeling of boredom. The work wasn't engaging; it wasn't challenging. It felt more like a chore than an accomplishment. For someone who thrived on overcoming obstacles, the lack of fulfillment left him restless, as if he were waiting for a spark that refused to ignite.

"What's got you looking so glum?" a familiar voice rang out, snapping Jaden out of his thoughts.

Jaden glanced up from his datapads to see Velea standing before him. As usual, she was dressed in a grease-streaked jumpsuit, her hands smudged with oil and other telltale signs of her work. Yet somehow, despite the disarray, she still managed to look effortlessly beautiful. She tilted her head, raising a curious eyebrow when he didn't respond right away, then pulled out the chair across from him and plopped down with casual ease.

"I'm fine," Jaden muttered quickly, realizing he'd been staring at her for too long.

Velea didn't seem convinced, her sharp eyes scanning him for a moment before they flicked to the datapads scattered on the table. Without waiting for permission, she reached for one and began skimming its contents. Her brow furrowed, and then her eyebrows shot up in mild surprise.

"Why is this in Twi'leki?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity. It wasn't often that people bothered to learn the language of her people. The exceptions were rarely noble—slavers, for instance, often made a point of knowing it.

"I've been learning a few new languages," Jaden replied, leaning back in his seat as if to distance himself from her scrutiny.

"Really?" she said, her tone skeptical but intrigued. Her gaze darted back to the pad before returning to him. "I didn't peg you as someone with an interest in the Unknown Regions."

"It's more of a side effect than a goal," Jaden admitted. "I've been trying to find a hobby, but... it's not going well. So, I've been reading to fill the time." He gestured vaguely at the other datapads in front of him. "The Unknown Regions seemed interesting enough to dive into."

Velea's face lit up with sudden excitement. "Right?" she said, her green eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Without warning, she dropped the datapad back onto the table and shot to her feet. "If you're bored and have nothing better to do, come with me! I've got something that'll blow your mind."

Before Jaden could protest or even ask what she had in mind, Velea grabbed his arm and tugged him out of his seat with surprising strength. "Wait, what—"

"Trust me, you'll thank me later," she said, grinning in an almost childlike manner as she led him out of the mess hall.

As they passed by the crew and the Jabiimi, a few onlookers laughed or called out teasing remarks, clearly amused by the sight of the normally reserved Jaden being dragged along. Others, however, glanced at him with a mix of jealousy and envy, though Jaden barely noticed. He was too busy trying to keep up with Velea's relentless pace and wondering what he'd just been roped into.

As usual, Velea's lab was in disarray. Tools, parts, and notes were scattered everywhere, creating an obstacle course that Jaden navigated with care, stepping over items while she plowed through the chaos with ease. Letting go of his arm, she grabbed a spherical device from her cluttered desk.

"You should really tidy up—maybe organize your stuff," Jaden said, rubbing his wrist where she'd yanked him along.

"It is organized," she replied, her tone defensive as her fingers deftly pressed several buttons on the sphere. "Everything in here is exactly where I need it to be." As she finished speaking, the sphere began to glow and then unfolded, projecting a vibrant holographic map of the galaxy. She tossed it into the air, where it floated, spinning slightly before settling into place.

"This is a map of the known galaxy," Velea explained, manipulating the hologram with precise gestures.

Jaden stepped closer, studying the map. "I always wondered," Velea began, her voice tinged with the wonder of long-held curiosity, "why the western part of the galaxy seems so unexplored. We've reached planets as far out as Kessel and beyond in the Outer Rim, yet this whole region remains untouched." She gestured to the swirling void labeled the Unknown Regions.

Jaden nodded thoughtfully. "The Unknown Regions are unstable. The hyperlanes constantly shift, and with the abundance of black holes and gravitational anomalies, hyperspace travel is risky at best," he explained.

"True," Velea agreed, her tone turning speculative. "But why are they unstable in the first place?" Her eyes lit up as she spoke, the excitement in her voice infectious. "What's hiding out there? What secrets, what species? Take the Chiss, for example. Their homeworld is deep in the Unknown Regions, yet despite having technology more advanced than ours and being incredibly intelligent, they don't expand outward. Few Chiss ever come into our part of the galaxy. Why? What keeps them there?"

She fired off the questions like blaster bolts, and Jaden found himself unable to answer. Despite himself, he felt the spark of curiosity igniting within him. There was something magnetic about the mysteries of the Unknown Regions.

"The Infinite Empire, lost Jedi expeditions, the ancient Sith Empire," Velea continued, her voice rising with enthusiasm. "So much history is tied to the Unknown Regions. I've spent years compiling every scrap of information I could find, piecing together records, navigating obscure archives. And yet," she gestured at the holographic map, now displaying her findings alongside the public records, "I've barely managed to map an additional 1%. Just 1%! But it's something," she said, her voice swelling with pride despite the seemingly small accomplishment.

Jaden couldn't help but smile at her excitement. The map was a patchwork of fragmented routes and faint star systems, but even so, her dedication shone through.

"I've wanted to explore the Unknown Regions since I was a child," Velea confessed, her tone softening as she stared at the map. With a sigh, she shut it off, and the glowing hologram disappeared, plunging the room into the dim, ambient light of her lab. "But like you said, they're too unstable. The deeper in you go, the more dangerous it gets."

Her shoulders slumped slightly as the weight of that reality settled over her. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she turned toward a nearby holographic board filled with scribbled notes, diagrams, and equations.

"That's why I'm working on this," she said, gesturing at the board. "I've been trying to invent a new kind of engine."

Jaden stepped closer, studying the swirling formulas and technical jargon displayed. It was complex, yet much of it made sense to him—though as he read further, he realized the concepts weren't fully formed.

"What kind of engine?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Velea sighed, running a hand through her hair. "That's the problem. I don't know. I've been stuck trying to figure out how to move beyond hyperspace entirely. All our travel relies on it, but if we're going to navigate the Unknown Regions safely, we need something different, something better."

She slumped into her chair, her earlier enthusiasm dimmed by frustration. "I've hit so many dead ends I've lost count."

Jaden studied the board for a moment, his mind turning over her words. He didn't know the answer, but her determination was contagious. "Well," he said finally, glancing at her, "if anyone's going to figure it out, it's you."

Velea looked up at him, a small smile forming on her face. "You think so?"

"Yeah," Jaden replied, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips. "I've seen how stubborn you are."

She laughed at that, the sound filling the messy lab and cutting through her earlier frustration. "Then I guess I'd better not give up," she said.

Jaden couldn't quite explain it, but he found himself captivated by the mysteries Velea had laid out before him—not just the enigmatic allure of the Unknown Regions, but the sheer audacity of her challenge. Creating an entirely new type of engine, one that didn't rely on hyperspace, was nothing short of revolutionary. Hyperspace travel had been the backbone of galactic civilization for millennia. To propose not just an alternative but something superior was madness.

And yet, he felt something ignite within him. A fire he hadn't felt before. Was this the passion Aubrie had spoken about? It wasn't just the idea of venturing into uncharted space that excited him—it was the prospect of creating something new, something no one in the galaxy had ever seen. The thought sent a wave of energy through him, and for the first time in weeks, he felt truly alive.

"I don't know what's going to happen to me when we reach Coruscant," Jaden said abruptly, breaking the momentary silence.

Velea looked at him, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone.

"But until then," he continued, his voice filled with resolve, "I want to help. I want to work on this with you. Let's build that engine together."

Velea blinked, taken aback by his enthusiasm. She studied him for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. She didn't doubt Jaden's intelligence—he was resourceful and quick to learn—but designing a revolutionary engine required a level of expertise and years of experience in engineering that she wasn't sure he had.

"That's... a kind offer," she said carefully, choosing her words. "But why don't we hold off on that idea for now? Let's wait until after your trial. Something like this could take years to develop, and I'd hate to start working on it only to..." She hesitated, unwilling to voice the worst-case scenario. "Well, you know."

Jaden paused, her reasoning sinking in. He nodded slowly, understanding what she meant, even if he wasn't thrilled about it. "Alright," he said with a small smile. "I get it. I'll head back to my room, see if I can't brainstorm some ideas in the meantime."

He left her lab with a spring in his step, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. For as long as he could remember, he'd been good at fixing things, tinkering with tech, and making do with what he had. How had he not realized sooner that building, creating, and innovating might be his passion?

As he made his way back to his room, his mind raced with possibilities. Theories, designs, and wild ideas flew through his head faster than he could process them. Each one felt more exciting than the last. For the first time in weeks, Jaden felt like he wasn't just passing the time—he was chasing something bigger.

————————————————————-

Aubrie sighed as she returned to the most monotonous part of her day: sitting at her terminal, combing through the replies from Coruscant. Once again, the messages were polite rejections, full of flowery, encouraging language that did little to hide their hollow substance. Each dismissal felt like another wall erected in her path, and with every passing day, her steadfast determination to get Jaden the help he needed began to falter.

When she had started this fight, her resolve burned brightly, but now doubt clawed at the edges of her mind. The thought of Jaden standing trial, accused of crimes he hadn't committed, was unbearable. The idea of him being convicted and stripped of his freedom hurt her in ways she struggled to articulate. Yet, despite her pleas and the support of those closest to him, Jaden remained adamant: he would not run.

Aubrie's chest tightened as grim reality settled in. If things continued on their current course, she would have no choice but to take drastic measures. She would have to plan for the day Jaden was taken into custody, finding a way to break him out—risking everything in the process. Her reputation, her freedom, and perhaps even her life would hang in the balance.

Jaden wouldn't refuse to escape with her, would he? But the thought lingered, unwelcome and insistent. If he chose to stay and face his sentence, he would be condemning her as well—to imprisonment, or worse.

The thought churned inside her, a heavy, bitter weight she couldn't shake. It felt underhanded, manipulative, and went against everything she wanted to be. Using such a tactic against Jaden would betray the bond they shared. But what choice did she have? She valued his life far more than any anger or resentment he might feel toward her. If forcing his hand was the only way to save him, she would bear the weight of his judgment.

Even as she resolved herself to this course of action, her heart ached. Aubrie stared at the screen before her, its cold glow illuminating her tired features. With a whisper, she voiced her deepest hope: "There has to be another way."

Closing her eyes, she slipped into a light meditation. She needed guidance now more than ever and hoped the Force might show her the path forward. Hours passed as she sat in quiet stillness, trying to listen for the wisdom Jaden had often said he heard through the Force. But no answers came. No guidance whispered to her. Only silence.

Defeated, she opened her eyes and let out a soft sigh. Just as she reached for another message, a new notification appeared on her screen. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened it.

****

Greetings Padawan Wyn,

My name is Senator Padmé Amidala. I was not one of the individuals you contacted for representation, but I have it on good authority that your endeavor will only end in disappointment.

That said, I cannot stand by and let the injustice being carried out against Jaden go unchallenged. If it is acceptable to you, I offer my services to represent Jaden at both his pre-trial and his trial before the Galactic Supreme Court.

You are not alone in this. There are still those of us on Coruscant who believe in the values the Republic stands for.

*****

Aubrie read the letter once, then again, and again. Her eyes widened as the words sank in. Someone was willing to help them. And not just anyone—a senator. Not just a senator, but Padmé Amidala, the renowned senator of Naboo.

A wave of relief and disbelief washed over her. Could this truly be happening? After weeks of rejection and disappointment, here was a glimmer of hope, shining through the gloom. Aubrie felt her hands tremble as she quickly typed out a response:

******

Senator Amidala,

Thank you for your message. It warms my heart to know there are still people who will stand for what is right. After weeks of receiving nothing but disappointment, I was beginning to lose faith.

I am deeply grateful for your offer and happily accept your assistance on Jaden's behalf. I will endeavor to set up a meeting between you as soon as possible.

I look forward to speaking with you face-to-face.

With hope,

Aubrie Wyn

*****

The moment she sent the message, Aubrie bolted from her seat. Her feet carried her swiftly out of the room and through the corridors of the Defender. She had to find Jaden and tell him the news. Her heart raced with excitement, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to believe that everything might just work out.

————————————————————-

(Coruscant)

It was strange. Everything felt strange—the cold metal walls, the ever-present hum of droids, and the distorted voice that echoed through the holoscreen. None of it felt familiar, yet there was an ache deep inside her, a sense that this wasn't where she was meant to be. It was as though she had been taken from somewhere else, a place she could no longer remember.

Her memories were hazy, fragmented. Even her name eluded her. All she had were fleeting impressions, fleeting feelings—except for one thing. A woman. A kind woman. She used to play with her, laugh with her. Where was she now? Was she trapped in this strange place too? Did she leave her behind? Why?

The questions swirled endlessly in her mind, but the voice on the holoscreen offered no answers.

"Destroy them," the voice commanded.

Her gaze lifted as the doors slid open with a metallic hiss. Men clad in dark armor strode in, their shock staffs crackling with energy. She recognized them; they came often. They always came to hurt her. She didn't understand why. She didn't want to hurt them. Why did the voice insist she do so?

The men bellowed as they charged forward.

"Stop," she whispered.

An invisible force rippled outward, halting them mid-step. Their bodies strained and trembled as if caught in the grip of an unseen giant. The shock staffs fell from their hands, clattering uselessly to the ground. Slowly, inexorably, they were lifted into the air. Their armor groaned and buckled under the pressure, and their screams filled the chamber before she flung them against the walls. They collapsed in unconscious heaps, the sound of their bodies hitting the floor echoing in the sterile room.

She hadn't killed them. She never did. She knew the voice wanted her to, but she couldn't. Something inside her refused.

The doors hissed open again, and the unconscious men were swiftly carried away by droids. Moments later, three more figures entered. This time, they carried blasters.

"Destroy them," the voice repeated, its distorted tone grating in her ears.

Her head throbbed. That voice... it stirred something buried deep in her memories, something she couldn't quite grasp. It was maddening.

The men raised their weapons, and before she could react, the first shot grazed her. She stumbled, narrowly avoiding the second, but the third struck her shoulder. Pain exploded through her as she crumpled to the ground.

They didn't stop.

Shot after shot rained down on her, each one more agonizing than the last. The blasters weren't set to kill, but the searing pain made her wish they were. Her screams filled the chamber, raw and desperate.

"NO!" she shrieked, thrusting her arms forward with all the strength she had left.

A massive wave of power erupted from her, invisible but overwhelming. The men didn't even have time to cry out. When the wave reached them, they were disintegrated instantly, their forms reduced to nothing but ashes scattered across the cold floor.

She gasped for breath, her entire body trembling. Exhaustion washed over her like a tidal wave. She could barely keep herself upright, her vision dimming as darkness encroached on the edges.

The last thing she heard was the voice on the holoscreen, its distorted tone dripping with satisfaction.

"Good. Very good."

And then, the world went black.

(AN: So next chapter will have Jaden back on Coruscant, I've been taking a little time to develop his character as well as develop future arcs. Like come on guys are you not interested in what could be in the unknown regions. It's pretty cool, and I also like the idea of Jace developing new technology that he'll equip onto his ship. Anyway I hope you enjoyed the chapter.)

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