Reflections: A Star Wars Fan Fiction Novella

Chapter 3

May the Force be with you. How many of us tell our loved ones this without actually believing in the power of the Force? Likely so many, that the Force is tired of its name being used for a pointless gesture.

My legs hurt. They were burning. I was being burned alive by Ewoks. Everyone told me these little things were cuties, but I was always nervous around them. They seemed to be under some kind of spell, that if it were to be broken, they would eat you.

Looks like my fear came true. Their demonic red eyes pierced through me and it hurt. The pain hurt so badly. I looked down at my body, everything was hazy. I was wearing white armor. A Stormtrooper? No, I would never join the Empire! I screamed.

Was I dreaming? Everything was bright. There, a shadow in front of me. No, a shadow hovering over me. It grabbed me.

"Shh, it's ok. You're alright."

The voice didn't sound sincere, but the grip on my arms felt lifelike enough. Stupid nightmares, where was I? My gaze began to focus on the man beside me. His skin was dark, his hair was darker, and his clothes were the darkest of them all. Was this death itself, come to take me?

I was on my back, my legs hurt like I had dragged them through the mud. Why would I do that? I couldn't stop myself from blurting out the first three words which came to mind: "Who are you?"

The man's face went grim and he stared at me. I could feel his eyes struggling against mine. Finally, he looked over to his right and then his left. He looked back at me.

"My name is Cryus Reu. My ship crashed here ages ago, and when I saw you come down in a blaze of glory, I thought I was saved." He paused, his face looking like it changed into a different person. He kneeled down beside me, rubbing my hair through his fingers. "Only when I pulled you from your craft, did I realize you were an angel."

This was either a dream, with a drastic change in scenery, or I was dead. I realized I was wearing my jumpsuit, but my life support equipment and helmet were missing. Stupid of me, how else could he touch my hair unless my helmet was gone?

Panicking, I sat up breathlessly. He must have realized the reasons behind my anxiety. "Your equipment is safe, lie down, you need to rest."

Wait. I didn't crash here without a reason. There was a battle going on. The New Republic needed me, my squadron was probably worried sick about me. I had to let them know. I tried sitting up again.

This time there was no resistance from my new friend, except when I tried to stand I toppled over. He must have noticed I was going to fall before I did, as his arms caught me. Not that falling on sand would have hurt me, right?

"I have to let the New Republic know I'm here."

"New Republic? What's that?"

I couldn't believe my ears. It had been over a year since the New Republic was established. How could this man have been stranded here for over a year and not been rescued? Was Jakku that isolated? It was in the Inner Rim, right? That's when I noticed the clouds in the sky and the ocean in front of us. This wasn't Jakku.

I grabbed his arm, which had left my side once I found my footing a moment ago. I probably squeezed it too hard, as he winced in pain as I pleaded my question.

"Is this Jakku? Where are we? Is this Jakku?"

"Ow. You still haven't told me what a New Republic is, how do I know what a Jakku is?"

This wasn't right. I don't remember having engaged the hyperdrive during the battle. How did I get here? I was pursuing someone, my ship was hit by ion fire.