Star Wars: A New Age

What To Do Next [8]

CHAPTER 8: WHAT TO DO NEXT

I never understood why the Jedi Masters always told me to stay away from the dark side. They told me it was full of lustful desires and evil ambitions. Of course, I didn't really know what those consisted of. Sure, I had a general idea of the basics: pride, gluttony, greed, and so on, but I never really knew what they meant.

You're probably thinking, "I feel an 'until now' coming on." Well, you're not wrong.

On the very outskirts of the galaxy, there's a colonistic settlement on a large meteor that used to be rich in uranium, iridium, and lightsaber crystals. Long ago, a belief among the Jedi was that the crystals from this meteor where the best in the entire galaxy and apprentices would make their voyage to this small mining colony to search for their lightsaber crystal. However, the lightsaber crystals ran dry and now hardly anybody knows about this place, unless you're looking for large quantities of iridium and uranium. The Republic used to own this meteor because of the crystals. Now that they can't get anymore, they lost their hold on it and now the settlement is neutral, and their merchants will sell iridum and uranium to all who have the money for it.

The colony's original name has long since faded into history after the Jedi released their hold on it. Now, everyone who knows about it calls it Iru. It probably has a larger Sith population than it does Jedi now, because the Sith have become really interested in iridum as of late for God-knows-what.

After my discussion with Dustil, I kept onto the Sith codes and ended up smuggling my way onto a cargo ship, its course bound for the infamous Death Star. I figured once I reached the giant, moon-like space station, I could steal one of their ships and fly out to Iru by "persuading" one their pilots to take me there. I certainly didn't know how to fly.

It seemed like a lifetime that I was in crammed onto that cargo vessel, even though I was in the VIP suite. Really, all I had to do was throw on a black hooded robe that made me look shady and show off the red lightsaber that Kailan so graciously gave to me. The entire crew thought that I was a Sith Lord and tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible. When I was questioned with my motives of being on the ship, I simply answered that Lord Vader demanded that I was to inspect the goods that were being distributed to the troops to make sure they were all top-notch. It was obviously the most blatant lie I've ever told, but none of them questioned me when I showed them my lightsaber.

It was only a couple of hours but it seemed like a lifetime. When we finally arrived, I was given a full and extravagant welcome. Stormtroopers lined a path for me that led to the closest door to exit the aircraft hangar and enter the actual space station. Two red troops with long staffs stood on either side of me as I strode down the aisle. I tried to make myself look as big and important as possible so I actually seemed like a Sith Lord. Hurrying toward me from the opposite end of the aisle was a man who looked like, going by his uniform and medals, Vader's second-in-command. He quickly bowed and stopped in front of me.

"My Lady--"

"I need a ship ready," I interrupted.

"Er, yes, of course, My Lady," he said confusingly. "But, uh, wouldn't you like to stay for a while to rest? I'm sure it was a long journey."

"I'm fine," I stated flately. "A ship. Now."

"Yes, My Lady. Right away."

He scurried off and I continued my walk down the line of soldiers until I came to the door. It slid open for me with a small "shhhhh" that I later found out that all of the doors in the Death Star did this. I dismissed my red escort and entered the Death Star. As soon as I stepped onto its threshold, I was impacted with a wave of dark energy. This place was dripping with it, and since I was not used to it, I found myself getting overwhelmed and dizzy from the sudden change of atmosphere. Using the Force, I guided myself through the seemingly-endless hallways to the cargo hold, where I restocked my supplies and switched out my raggedy, old clothes for the black and dark grey ones. One thing I like about the Sith is they have really nice equipment I traded in my old boots for some sturdy, comfortable ones.

Once I had finished looting the cargo hold, I made my way back to the hangar where, hopefully, another ship would be ready for me. Iru was a long way away--nearly on the other side of the galaxy--so I made sure there was extra fuel and other supplies. I got a first-class spaceship that I had no idea even existed. I had never seen it before in my life, and kind of reminded me of a Kashyyykian reek. It had three long horns: one on each side and one jutting out from the the top. However, the ship's body was narrower in proportion to a reek head.

I boarded with an escort again and made my way to the front of the ship where the pilot would be. I told him the destination was Iru, and retired to the room I was provided, which consisted of a bed and a small container for my things. Lowering myself to the floor, I folded my hands in my lap and fell into a deep, meditative sleep.