C26 Nova Prime


    <span>Check out early ess chapters on my Patréon, currently 10 chapters ahead!


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    <span>——————


    <span>(A/N: 2 Chapters Today! Also, I''ll be writing 3 chapters today/tonight on Patréon!)


    <span>As the sleek lines of the Jedi starship cut through the bright tunnel of hyperspace, Peter sat nestled against a window, his gaze fixed on the mesmerizing blur of colors streaking past.


    <span>The rhythmic beats and melodies of his mother''s music filled his ears. The Walkman yed a mixtape filled with ssics, each song a tether to the world he yearned to find again.


    <span>Moonage Daydream by David Bowie(A/N: I won''t put all of the lyrics, but you can listen in the background if you want.)


    <span>I''m an alligator


    <span>I''m a mama-papain'' for you


    <span>I''m the space invader


    <span>I''ll be a rock ''n'' rollin'' b*tch for you


    <span>Keep your mouth shut


    <span>You''re squawking like a pink monkey birdAnd I''m bustin'' up my brains for the words


    <span>Keep your ''lectric eye on me, babe


    <span>Put your ray gun to my head


    <span>Press your space face close to mine, love


    <span>Freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah!


    <span>…


    <span>Across the room, Mace Windu sat in a meditative pose, his expression serene yet marked with a touch of concern. Despite his focus, Windu''s attention asionally drifted to his Padawan.


    <span>The sight of Peter, headphones on, lost in his music, sparked a mix of emotions in the Jedi Master. Windu understood the importance of detachment for a Jedi, yet Peter''s unabashed connection to his music highlighted a defiance of those very principles.


    <span>However, Windu couldn''t ignore the bond of trust that this act of defiance also symbolized. Peter feltfortable and safe enough to reveal his attachment to music in Windu''s presence. It was a sign of trust, but also a challenge to the Jedi way of life.


    <span>Windu recognized the need for a discussion about attachments and the path of the Jedi, but he chose to dy it. The mission they were on required focus, and there would be time for such lessonster.


    <span>…


    <span>As the music yed, a connection to his distant home, Peter''s mind was upied with a more immediate concern: the impending mission as a diplomat in the war between the Kree and Nova Empires.


    <span>The thought alone sent a rush of adrenaline through him. This wasn''t just any mission. In this universe, the characters and stories from the Marvel movies he watched were real. And that realization was enough to make his heart race with excitement and anxiety.


    <span>He could potentially meet Ronan the user or even Captain Marvel—if she was still suffering from amnesia and under the Kree''s influence as Vers.


    <span>Peter''s fingers tapped rhythmically against the cold window as he pondered the possibilities. ''This is it. A real-life war between alien races… and I''m headed right in the middle of it,'' he thought to himself, feeling as if it wasn''t real, though he knew it was.


    <span>The thrill of leaving the Jedi Temple for such a crucial mission was undeniable, as he''s been locked up for over three years, only ever leaving once to get his Kyber crystal.


    <span>Yet, the danger that awaited them was real, and the thought of possibly fighting for his life against Ronan or trying to help Vers recover her memories, if he even could, brought a wave of nervousness he couldn''t shake off.


    <span>As these thoughts swirled in his head, Windu opened his eyes from his meditation and regarded Peter with a measured look. "Feeling anxious?" He asked, his voice calm.


    <span>Peter removed his headphones, turning to face his master. "A bit, yeah. After all, It''s not every day you get sent to change the course of a war."


    <span>Windu nodded, understanding the gravity of Peter''s feelings. "Remember, Peter, strength in the Force is not the only way to resolve conflicts. Diplomacy,passion, and understanding are just as powerful. Our goal is to bring peace, not to fight."


    <span>Peter absorbed Windu''s words, findingfort in them. "But what if ites to a fight? Can we handle an entire army by ourselves? Or even worse, what if both sides attack us? Can we survive two armies targeting us?"


    <span>"The odds of even a single side trying to harm us is quite low. After all, doing so would invite the Republic to take their enemies side, which they most certainly don''t want." Windu exined, much more rxed about this whole situation than his Padawan. "Besides, we''re only here as diplomats, they have no reason to attack us…"


    <span>"Trust in the Force, Peter. And trust in your training. You are more capable than you realize. And remember, I will be by your side. Together, we will face whateveres our way."


    <span>Reassured, Peter nodded, a newfound confidence settling within him. The conversation with Windu helped calm his agitated nerves.


    <span>Soon enough, the music from his Walkman resumed, and Peter allowed himself a moment to feel the excitement of the adventure thaty ahead.


    <span>…


    <span>..


    <span>.


    <span>The journey to the Outer Rim was long, and as the ship emerged from hyperspace, the vastness of space greeted them with its usual indifference.


    <span>Peter, sensing the shift in the ship''s motion as they exited hyperspace, removed his headphones and turned to Windu. "Are we close?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. It was his first mission, and the gravity of it wasn''t lost on him.


    <span>Windu nodded, "Yes, we are approaching the first meeting point. Remember, this mission is about diplomacy. We are here to listen, mediate, and guide them towards peace." He instructs, his demeanor turning serious. "Since this is your first mission, and a rather important one as well, try to stay silent for the most part and follow my lead…"


    <span>Peter nodded, absorbing Windu''s words. He felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The prospect of peace between the Kree and Nova Empires was daunting and unlikely, yet he couldn''t help but feel a surge of optimism.


    <span>''Maybe we can do it?''


    <span>————


    <span>The Jedi starship glided seamlessly towards the imposing fleet blockade of the Nova Empire. As it was granted ess and docked within the main warship, Peter felt his anticipation rising, though he knew it wasn''t the Nova Empire that would give them trouble.


    <span>No, the real problems would no doubt begin as soon as they head over to the Kree Armies blockade…


    <span>But until that time came, this was it, their first real step into war, a war they were charged with ending.


    <span>As Peter and Windu stepped off their ship, they were greeted by the sharp lines of Nova Prime''s delegation. The air was charged with tension, the Nova soldiers standing at attention, their gazes flickering between curiosity and skepticism.


    <span>"Wee, Jedi," Nova Prime began, a blonde-haired woman in a blue military uniform, her voice carrying authority. "I trust your journey was peaceful?"


    <span>"Yes." Master Windu nodded, his expression rxed. "Thank you, Nova Prime. The force was kind to us..."


    <span>Peter, catching the odd nces of the soldiers, couldn''t help but ask, "Is there a reason why they keep looking at us like that?"


    <span>A murmur ran through the ranks of soldiers, some exchanging brief, amused nces before catching themselves. Nova Prime, however, maintained herposure, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.


    <span>"Rumors have a way of painting pictures far from reality," she responded. "But rest assured, we understand the significance of your mission and the Jedi''smitment to peace."


    <span>One of the soldiers, unable to contain his doubt, stepped forward. "With all due respect, Nova Prime, are we sure they can handle the Kree? They don''t even carry sters."


    <span>Another followed after him, "Yeah, I thought Jedi were supposed to be unstoppable warriors or something, but all I see is a couple of monks…" He scoffed as he turned to Peter, "And one of them is just a kid. This is a war zone, you know… What are the Jedi thinking sending a child here?"


    <span>Feeling the weight of their doubts, Peter decided on a demonstration. With a sly grin, he extended his hand, focusing with a mix of concentration and a ir for the dramatic.


    <span>In an instant, the surrounding soldiers—save for the respectfully poised Nova Prime—found themselves suspended three feet in the air. Their expressions morphed from skepticism to outright shock, legs kicking as they tried to regain some semnce of control.


    <span>The scene was chaotic, a stark contrast to the disciplined ranks moments before. Wide-eyed soldiers iled, their exmations filling the air, a mix of disbelief and rm punctuating the silence that followed Peter''s unexpected show of force.


    <span>Windu turned towards Peter, his voicemanding as it cut through themotion. "Let them down, Peter," he said, the displeasure clear in his tone.


    <span>With an awkward chuckle, realizing perhaps the extent of his impulsive demonstration, Peterplied. The soldiers, once suspended in disbelief, came crashing down in a less-than-graceful heap.


    <span>The impact was met with a mix of groans and the rustling of armor, a physical and ego-bruising fall from their brief flight.


    <span>Windu, surveying the scene with a measured gaze, turned back to Peter, his question rhetorical yet pointed. "Really? You couldn''t have been gentler?"


    <span>Peter, shoulders shrugging with a mix of defiance and sheepishness, responded, "It was just a couple of feet off the ground..."


    <span>In the aftermath, as soldiers picked themselves up, their previous skepticism reced with a newfound respect—if not a touch of wariness—towards the Jedi.


    <span>————


    <span>Seated in an opulent conference room that reflected the might and prestige of the Nova Corps, Peter and Windu listened with rapt attention. Nova Prime stood at the head of the table, her expression somber as she delved into the heart of the conflict that threatened the very fabric of peace in the gxy.


    <span>"The Kree, emboldened by theirst victory over the Skrulls, have now set their sights on us," Nova Prime began, her voice carrying the weight of the situation. "Their expansionist ambitions know no bounds, and it has brought them to our doorstep. This isn''t merely a war; it''s a fight for our very survival against an adversary that recognizes no limits in its quest for domination."


    <span>As she spoke, her disdain for the Kree''s tactics, especially those employed by the users, became increasingly evident. Her fists clenched slightly as she continued, "Under themand of Ronan and his users, the Kree army hasmitted unspeakable atrocities—genocide, the deliberate targeting of civilians, the annihtion of entires. Their actions are not just acts of war but crimes against the very essence of life."


    <span>Peter exchanged a nce with Windu, both sensing the gravity of Nova Prime''s words.


    <span>Nova Prime paused, allowing the weight of her words to sink in before she added, "Should the Kree seed in their campaign against us, I fear the Republic might very well be their next target. We are not just fighting for the Nova Empire; we are fighting to prevent a dominion of tyranny from spreading across the gxy."


    <span>After absorbing the gravity of Nova Prime''s briefing, the tension in the room felt as thick as the walls of the starship itself.


    <span>Peter, whose demeanor had remainedposed and thoughtful throughout, finally broke the silence, his voice carrying both concern and a hint of resolve. "Nova Prime, you know why we''re here, right? Is the Nova Empire willing to negotiate an end to this conflict or not?"


    <span>Nova Prime, her expression mirroring the seriousness of the conversation, sighed lightly before responding. "We are," she admitted, a note of fatigue in her voice. "But I must confess, my skepticism towards the Kree''s willingness to engage in peace talks is high. We have extended offers on numerous asions, only to be met with silence or outright refusal."


    <span>Windu nodded, his face a mask of understanding. "The willingness to seek peace, even when faced with such obstinance, ismendable. But please, leave the matter of the Kree to us. As long as the Nova Empire stands ready to embrace peace, that''s what truly matters. We will do everything in our power to bring them to the negotiating table."


    <span>Nova Prime looked at Windu, then at Peter, and a slight, appreciative smile crept upon her lips. "Your confidence gives me hope. We will prepare for peace and await the oue of your efforts."


    <span>…


    <span>The meeting with Nova Prime, though heavy with the dire circumstances of war, had slowly shifted towards a conclusion. Strategies wereid, hopes kindled anew, and yet, as the participants rose to say their goodbyes, Peter remained seated, a contemtive look painting his features.


    <span>"Nova Prime," Peter started, his voice piercing the settling silence with an unexpected question, "do you happen to know the location of a called Earth? It could also be called C-53, Terra, or Midgard?"


    <span>The room stilled, the unexpected question drawing curious nces. Mace Windu''s brow arched in surprise, a silent question in his gaze directed at Peter. After all, this seemed far from their mission''s objectives.


    <span>Nova Prime, momentarily taken aback, recovered smoothly. "May I ask why you inquire about this, uh, Earth?"


    <span>"It''s my home world," Peter exined, a mix of hopefulness and resignation in his tone. "I''ve been trying to track down its location for a while now."


    <span>Windu''s expression subtly shifted to a frown, the Jedi Master pondering over Peter''s evident attachment to his past, a concern given the Jedi''s teachings on detachment and letting go.


    <span>Nova Prime observed Peter for a lingering moment, perhaps weighing the relevance of his request. With a slight shrug, she signaled to her aides. "Check our star charts for any of these designations," shemanded.


    <span>The room waited in a suspended state as the aides hurried toply. Minutes ticked by, stretching Peter''s anticipation thin until the aides returned, their expressions apologetic.


    <span>"We couldn''t find any record of a matching those names or designations," one reported, his voice bearing the weight of disappointment.


    <span>Peter''s shoulders slumped, a sigh escaping him. Though he had braced for this oue, it still stung ever so slightly. "Thank you for checking, I appreciate the help nheless…"


    <span>Windu noticed the depressed air his padawan was giving off, and sighed alongside him. Nothing was ever easy with this student of his…


    <span>A/N: 2367 words :)<span><span>