The Fallen Star (Star Wars: The High Republic)

by Claudia Gray

Elzar realized that he was drawing some of his power from these people, something a Jedi would normally never do. In this moment, however, he knew the rightness of it. Each one of these individuals would have given every shred of strength, would have fought with ultimate will, if it meant the chance between life and death. Their strength and their will flowed into Elzar, and— —he felt the doors, but not their heaviness, they were mere objects, and their size mattered not— —Open, he thought. OPEN. A slash of light split the bay in two. Powerful suction clutched him, yanking him forward until the straps of Elzar’s harness seemed as though they would cut through his chest. His feet left the floor. He barely noticed. More important were the ships in the bay, all of which were struggling against the suction’s power at full engine strength. Elzar’s eyes widened as he saw the doors slowly, slowly sliding apart to reveal Eiram below. The planet was bathed in sunlight that streamed in, filling the bay. Just a little more, just a little more— He glimpsed dark shapes overhead, being sucked through the gap at such speed they were unidentifiable. Were they smaller ships? Rathtars? The thought that one might be Burryaga pierced Elzar’s heart, but he remained focused. Finally, when the gap was wide enough, the first ships began to dart through. One by one by one, they took off, bursting into outer space and to safety. I did this for you, Orla, he thought. And for you, Burryaga, Nib, Rega...