C26 Nova Prime

C26 Nova Prime

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

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.

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

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.)

I'm an alligator

I'm a mama-papa comin' for you

I'm the space invader

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

Keep your mouth shutCHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

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

Keep your 'lectric eye on me, babe

Put your ray gun to my head

Press your space face close to mine, love

Freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah!

...

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 occasionally drifted to his Padawan.

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.

However, Windu couldn't ignore the bond of trust that this act of defiance also symbolized. Peter felt comfortable 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.

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

...

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Windu turned towards Peter, his voice commanding as it cut through the commotion. "Let them down, Peter," he said, the displeasure clear in his tone.

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

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

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

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

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

————

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 galaxy.

"The Kree, emboldened by their last 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."

As she spoke, her disdain for the Kree's tactics, especially those employed by the Accusers, became increasingly evident. Her fists clenched slightly as she continued, "Under the command of Ronan and his Accusers, the Kree army has committed unspeakable atrocities—genocide, the deliberate targeting of civilians, the annihilation of entire planets. Their actions are not just acts of war but crimes against the very essence of life."

Peter exchanged a glance with Windu, both sensing the gravity of Nova Prime's words.

Nova Prime paused, allowing the weight of her words to sink in before she added, "Should the Kree succeed 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 galaxy."

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

Peter, whose demeanor had remained composed 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?"

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 occasions, only to be met with silence or outright refusal."

Windu nodded, his face a mask of understanding. "The willingness to seek peace, even when faced with such obstinance, is commendable. 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."

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 outcome of your efforts."

...

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

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

The room stilled, the unexpected question drawing curious glances. 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.

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

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

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.

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," she commanded.

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

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

Peter's shoulders slumped, a sigh escaping him. Though he had braced for this outcome, it still stung ever so slightly. "Thank you for checking, I appreciate the help nonetheless..."

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

A/N: 2367 words :)