"𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙧𝙪𝙥𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝."

Two months flew by fast. I cooked, cleaned, and took people's orders. By night, I crushed a pillow over my head to block out the noisy city. It was a lonely life. I stayed wary of people and never talked to anyone without keeping a hand over my wallet.

I made sloppy circles as I cleaned a window in Dex's Diner. My thoughts dwelled on my previous master and my home on Tatooine. I made it out like I always wanted to, but why did I feel so empty?

I moved on to another glass plane and noticed how smudged it was. The city lights behind the dirty glass morphed into the dunes of Tatooine and the permanent haze that rested over it. I sprayed the glass and wiped it, watching the desert turn back into the city of Coruscant. I let out a heavy sigh.

"Why the long face, Sil?" Dex asked from behind me.

"No reason really," I said. "Just thinking about home."

"You made it all the way across the galaxy," he said. "You live in the glittering jewel of the Republic and you're still looking back. Why?"

"I don't know," I let my cleaning hand drop. "I shouldn't feel this way. I know lots of people who would give anything to be where I am right now."

"But you don't feel happy, do you?"

I shook my head.

"What are you going to do about it?" Dex asked.

I stiffened at his question. No one ever asked me what I wanted. It was always me asking what others wanted. I always served others.

"I don't know. To tell you the truth, I don't think I'll ever be free. That's just what my life is."

"And you're okay with that," he wondered.

"I guess," I said feeling weirded out by Dex's questions. "Why are you asking me all this?" I turned the focus on him.

He didn't look startled at all. Dex's eyes looked sympathetic. "I've seen you stare out those windows every day, Sil," he said. "You have a lot of talent with food, I'll admit, but I can tell it's not the same for you. It was different when you were on Tatooine, wasn't it?"

I nodded in response.

"What do you truly want?" he asked once more.

"I want to help my friends," I said. "I left so many people on Mos Eisley. People who didn't have a chance to get away like I did. People who weren't lucky to have a master like mine."

I looked up to see Dex wearing a smile of understanding.

"I have to do something about it, Dex," I said. "I can't just leave them to suffer in slavery while I live here in the upper levels."

I thought back to the dying man outside of a cantina who I refused to help. Never again.

"Well lucky for you," Dex said. "There is a war going on with the Separatists and you're in the heart of the Republic. I know some people who can get you where you want to be. That is, if you are interested."

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "Please, I need to do something useful for once in my life."

Dex put a hand over his chin as he thought. He mumbled some things about the war and clones.

"Sil, what do you know about the Jedi?" he asked.

"They're protectors of the galaxy? They have powers and... stuff," I guessed.

"Would you be interested in working with them?" he inquired.

"Sure. Why?"

Dex explained how the Jedi became generals and helped lead the Republic's effort. The Republic, who didn't tolerate slavery.

"Fortunately, I know a way I can get you into this war," Dex said. "And I happen to know a Jedi personally."

"How? Who?" I asked eagerly.

"There is a paramilitary force called the Antarian Rangers," Dex said. "They're a group who assist the Jedi Order."

"Sounds good to me," I said. "But will they take me in?"

"They're desperate for recruits. Their numbers have gone down and the Jedi need their help with the war," he said. "They have a branch here near the Jedi Temple. Go there, they'll take you in."

"Are you sure you won't need any help here, Dex?" I asked.

"I'll be fine, Sil," he waved me off. "I can get someone else in here. You go out there and be a hero."

I smiled at Dex and he nodded kindly.

"And one more thing," he said. "I know a Jedi you'll want to work with. Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said reminiscing. "He's a good friend of mine actually. He stops by here every once in a while. Last time he was at the diner, he told me about liberating Twi-leks on Ryloth. I think that is something you would be interested in."

"It is," I agreed with Dex. I thought about Jam, my own Twi-lek friend. A lot of species, but his especially, suffered disgusting injustices on a daily basis. "I'll see if I can work with Obi-Wan Kenobi."

At the end of my shift, Dex gave me the location of the Antarian Rangers and my week's pay.

"Good luck, Sil," he said. "I wish you all the best."

I smiled and left the diner for my apartment. I packed the few things I owned and made my way higher up the levels of Coruscant. The Jedi Temple came into view. Its towers stood tall above the other buildings, glowing like a beacon of justice.

Not too far was a significantly smaller building carrying a military aura. Inside it was a clash of weapon displays, paintings of various worlds, and images of Jedis and Rangers fighting side by side. The floors and pillars inside probably imitated the halls of the Jedi Temple, but the building carried its own flavor.

"Can I help you?" a lady walked over to me in confident strides. She wore simple clothes and brown leather jacket on top.

"Hi," I said putting on a friendly face. "My name is Sil and I'd like to become a Ranger."

"Is that so?" she looked me up and down. "Why do you want to become a Ranger?"

"I want to help make a difference in the galaxy and I think there's no better way to do it than by being at the side of a Jedi," I said not exactly believing all of my words, but I wanted the job.

"Well, that is one important aspect of becoming a Ranger, but you have much to learn if you truly want to join our ranks."

"I'm listening."

The woman started walking and I fell in beside her. "Antarian Rangers have fought alongside the Jedi for centuries, but it's not just anyone who can have that honor. One must earn their place. Being a Ranger means knowing how to move in any environment. To blend in. Sailing. Piloting. These are skills you must be proficient in. You must become a master of your surroundings."

I felt overloaded with what she told me, but at the same time, I never felt so ready to take on something.

"I'm ready to join," I said. "What's my first step?"

"You will be evaluated," she explained. "The recruitment process usually takes a while, but time is something we don't have much of these days. The war has been raging and there are thousands of Jedi who need our help, but we barely number five hundred."

"You can count me in," I said. "When do you think I'll be on the battlefield?"

"How old are you?" she asked.

"Seventeen."

"If you show your potential, we can have you fighting in a year," the lady smiled and told me more about the history of the Rangers and Jedi. I was given a place to stay in the building along with other candidates. My room was decent. It had a window overlooking the city that turned into a mix of colors as the day turned into night. The Jedi Temple was visible as well, glowing in the final hours of sunlight.

Over the next few weeks, I was evaluated in a series of tests, both physical and mental. The Rangers quickly learned that I had real life experience with hand to hand combat and flying. I was grateful for the training Wes had given me and all the time I spent chasing womp rats in Beggar's Canyon.

They saw my potential and let me into their ranks where the specialized training took place. The other candidates and I were sent on dangerous missions to all kinds of planets. They gave us the field training we needed to become masters of all terrain. This was also the area I had the most difficulty in. Forests, snow, and oceans remained unfamiliar to me. The only environment I was an expert in was deserts.

Over the months, the difficult missions became fun and my skills grew beyond what I thought I was capable of. I did everything I could to make sure I secured a spot in the Grand Army of the Republic.

I wandered into the rec room with my friends. We had just come back from an evening in the city.

"Sil," a woman called my name.

It was Tyria, the same woman I spoke with the day I came to the Antarian headquarters.

"Yes, ma'm," I replied.

"Come with me," she said. "I have news for you."

I followed her to the council room of the Antarian Rangers. It was filled with commanding officers. I stood before them stiffly, waiting for the announcement.

"We have recognized the efforts you have put into your training, Sil," one of the officers spoke. "You have proven your skill and aptitude over the course of your time here and we are proud to congratulate you on the completion of your training. Silena Rakus, we grant you the rank of Ranger."

My mouth fell as the room filled with applause and cheers.

"Have you thought about which Jedi you would like to serve?" they asked me. "If you know, we can assign you sooner and you will be on your way."

Of course I had already thought about it. All the candidates ever talked about was the Jedis they wanted to work with.

"With your and the Jedi's permission, I would be honored to fight alongside Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," I said.

"Master Kenobi is a very important general and a highly respected Jedi," an officer said. "What makes you think you think you should serve with him?"

"I have been looking up to him ever since I learned about his campaign to liberate the Twi-lek population on Ryloth," I explained. "I know other Jedi have led similar battles and have done much to help those in need, but I believe my place lies with Kenobi. I wouldn't only be helping his cause, but also my desire to help those who can't help themselves."

The Rangers looked to each other and nodded at my request.

"Very well," they said. "We will contact the Jedi Temple tomorrow and inform you if Master Kenobi is willing to take you."

"Thank you," I said and bowed my head.

I left the room feeling elated. I couldn't sleep that night from the sheer excitement of becoming a Ranger. I would be joining the fight soon. I traveled all over the galaxy and mastered survival in all regions. I trained endlessly and now I made it.

A few days passed and anxiety held me in its grip. I paced the halls of the building, not knowing what had become of my request.

Tyria walked over to me and my fear spiked.

"I have great news, Sil," she smiled. "Master Kenobi has agreed to take you as his Ranger."