The Fallen Star (Star Wars: The High Republic)

by Claudia Gray

He brightened as he saw a familiar droid rolling up to them. “Forfive!” Elzar called. “About time. Where’s Stellan?” JJ-5145, for once, sounded solemn. “Master Stellan remained at the thruster controls to ensure that the station did not hit the coastal city of Barraza.” Elzar’s mind went numb. It was Avar who said, “No. Please, no.” “He ordered me to take the final escape pod from Starlight,” JJ-5145 reported. “He said that I was his gift to you, Master Elzar. And he wished for me to bring you this.” A panel on JJ-5145’s chest slid open, revealing Stellan’s lightsaber. “He knew,” Elzar whispered as he took the lightsaber in hand, holding it reverently. “Stellan would never have given up his lightsaber if he hadn’t known—” “He’s gone,” Avar said, with the searching look that told Elzar she’d been searching the song of the Force for Stellan’s note, and that she hadn’t found it. She never would again. “Stellan Gios is dead.”