Upgraded

"Upgraded" is the second part of the eighteenth episode of the second season the animated series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. It was released on Disney+ on March 19, 2025.

Official description

Kai must stop a thief.

Plot summary

Investigating a crime

The Jedi Initiates Kai Brightstar, Lys Solay and Nubs travel with Padawan Wes Vinik and his astromech droid R0-M1 (Romi) to the planet Deppani in a Jedi shuttle. Upon landing at the village, they are greeted by a Twi'lek woman and a human man who lead them inside their starship factory. The man explains that they have been robbed three nights in a row. The Twi'lek woman explains that the thieves are very good at eluding capture while the old man fears that they will go out of business.

The Twi'lek woman gives the Jedi visitors a tour of the Deppani starship factory, which uses automation to build starship parts and assemble them into vehicles. The guides explains that the thieves stole metal plating, wings, cannons and several other parts. Solay believes that the ships are trying to build a starship or modify one. The male worker believes that the thieves are going to steal a thrust accelerator, which is capable of boosting engines. Vinik takes an interest in the precision of the flow conduits while the Twi'lek explains that the thrust accelerators give them an advantage in selling the starships. Vinik and Brightstar promise the Jedi will watch over the factory all night.

A former friend

Later that night, Brightstar is patrolling the grounds of the factory when he is startled by movement on the roof. Using The Force, he Force jumps to the top of the roof and corners the thief at a terminal. The thief reveals himself as his perennial foe Cyrus Vuundir (Taborr Val-Dorn). Brightstar expresses surprise. Taborr explains that he is stealing parts to upgrade his starship Iron Talon and asks Taborr why he should not steal. Brightstar tells Taborr that he is a good person and a prince. Taborr counters that they are not friends as long as he is pirate. Brightstar pleads for Taborr to choose good but this angers Taborr, who attacks him with his electrostaff.

Brightstar fights back with his second lightsaber but is reluctant to hurt his former friend. Taborr taunts him and maneuvers him towards the edge of the building. Brightstar fights back and manages to cut Taborr's electrostaff into half. However, Taborr regains the advantage and knocks Brightstar to the ground. Taborr tells Brightstar that unlike him, he will do what needs to be done. Before he can strike Brightstar with his weapon, Vinik uses the Force to snatch Taborr's electrostaff out of his hand, telling him that it is enough. Nubs restrains the young pirate while Solay handcuffs him with magnetic binders. Vinik thanks Brightstar for his good work but Brightstar is sad about arresting his former friend.

Taborr's escape

At the factory office, Vinik sends Solay and Nubs to continue their patrol around the factory and keep a look out for Taborr's associates Pord and EB-3. Vinik says that he will talk to the villagers and tell them what happened. He orders Brightstar to keep an eye on Taborr since he knows him best, reiterating that they cannot let him get away. Before leaving, Solay gives Brightstar a comforting hug.

While they are alone, Brightstar asks Cyrus why he is stealing from the factory but the prince is silent. Brightstar tells Cyrus that he wants to help him but he has to change his ways. Taborr removes his helmet and apologizes for stealing the starship parts, explaining that he wanted to take on the Ganguls gang and keep his homeworld of Vuundalla safe. Brightstar asks if he is doing this for his people. Taborr says that he wants to protect his people but expresses frustration with his parents' rule. Unknown to Brightstar, Taborr is stalling while he uses a pocket knife to unpick his handcuffs.

The prince says that he is powerful as Taborr and tells Brightstar that they both share a goal of keeping the Bri'ahl sector safe from the Ganguls. He claims they are on the same side and always have been. Through a reflection in the glass window, Brightstar realizes that Taborr is unlocking his binders. Taborr pins Brightstar under a chair, knocking away his lightsaber. After donning his helmet and reclaiming his electrostaff, Taborr locks Brightstar inside the office. Through the window, Brightstar sees Taborr fetching the thrust accelerator from a shelf.

Round two

Taborr uses a grappling line to flee through an exhaust vent. Brightstar blames himself for letting Taborr manipulate him into believing that he was still a good person. With the control panel busted, Vinik cuts his way into the office and asks what is happening. Brightstar races after Taborr, intent on stopping him once and for all. Taborr flees on a speeder bike and Brightstar borrows one from the villagers. On the outskirts of the village, Taborr meets up with EB-3 and Pord outside their starship Iron Talon. Taborr believes that the upgrades will allow them to take on the Ganguls.

Brightstar catches up with Taborr and parks his speeder bike. Taborr tells his gang he will deal with the Jedi. Taborr asks if Brightstar is here to persuade him to be good. Brightstar responds that he has realized that Cyrus has decisively chosen not to do good. Pord gasps while EB-3 watches. Brightstar says that he has accepted that Taborr has chosen to be a pirate and vows not to let him leave with the accelerator. Unable to reason with Brightstar to see his way, he engages the Jedi in a duel.

Taborr tells his associates to fire up the engines. EB-3 evacuates Taborr's speeder. As they parry, Brightstar uses the Force to snatch the thrust accelerator. Pord rushes for it but Taborr tells her to focus on getting them in the air. Vuundir retrieves the accelerator and flees aboard the Iron Talon. Brightstar follows him into the cargo section and tries to block him from entering the cockpit. Vuundir is frustrated with Brightstar for not accepting defeat twice and stuns him, causing his lightsaber to roll on the floor.

As Brightstar breathes deeply and meditates, Taborr charges at him with his electrostaff. Brightstar uses the Force to levitate him in mid-air, causing him to drop his weapons and fall. Taborr's cape is pinned under a crate. As Brightstar retrieves the stolen thruster, he leaves Taborr behind in the cargo hold. The defiant pirate tells him that he is not sorry but allows Brightstar to leave his ship. Brightstar watches as the Iron Talon flies away.

Choosing to hope

The other Jedi catch up with Brightstar. Vinik is pleased that Brightstar retrieved the thrust accelerator. A sad Brightstar says that they won't have to worry about Taborr returning. Solay leads the way back to the village. Back at the village, the male villager thanks the Jedi for protecting the factory while the younglings help move the speeders back. Vinik reassures the male villager that the Galactic Republic will dispatch security droids to protect the factory.

Brightstar watches the sea sadly. Vinik sits with him and asks Brightstar if he wants to speak about his tough night. Brightstar says that he had stubbornly believed that Taborr could still choose to do good. Brightstar asks if that is weird. The older youth reassures him that it is not weird to believe that people can choose to do good and calls it hope. He says he is proud of Brightstar for hoping for Taborr to be good. Brightstar thanks the Padawan for his advice.

Appearances

Notes and references

External links

• "Upgraded" on the Aurebesh Wiki

Season One Shorts: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 1 (1/2) · 2 (1/2) · 3 (1/2) · 4 (1/2) · 5 (1/2) · 6 (1/2) · 7 (1/2) 8 (1/2) · 9 (1/2) · 10 (1/2) · 11 (1/2) · 12 (1/2) · 13 (1/2) 14(1/2) · 15 (1/2) · 16 (1/2) · 17 (1/2) · 18 (1/2) · 19 (1/2) 20 (1/2) · 21 (1/2) · 22 (1/2) · 23 (1/2) · 24 (1/2) · 25 Season Two Shorts: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 1 (1/2) · 2 (1/2) · 3 (1/2) · 4 (1/2) · 5 (1/2) · 6 (1/2) · 7 (1/2) 8 (1/2) · 9 (1/2) · 10 (1/2) · 11 (1/2) · 12 · 13 (1/2) · 14 (1/2) 15 (1/2) · 16 (1/2) · 17 (1/2) · 18 (1/2) · 19 (1/2) · 20 (1/2) 21 (1/2) · 22 (1/2) · 23 Season Three 1 (1/2) · 2 (1/2) · 3 (1/2) · 4 (1/2) · 5 (1/2) · 6 (1/2) · 7 Adaptations The Young Jedi · Yoda’s Mission · Get Well, Nubs! Snowy Mountain Rescue · The Jellyfruit Pursuit The Charhound Chase · The Harvest Feast Fun with Nubs 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 Comics "Sky Parade Rescue" · "Scavenger Hunt" "The Trees of Kashyyyk" Collections: Young Jedi Adventures—The Training Sessions Related media Galactic Training · Jedi Training Pop-Up Peekaboo! "Tenoo Treasures" My First Comic Reader: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 German audio dramas: 1 · 2
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