Lone Wolf - A Star Wars Story

The Decision

Nova lay on her bed, her indecision growing with each passing minute. All of her things were neatly packed and waiting at the foot of her bed.

"Should I stay or should I go now?" She sang softly. "I don't know what to do."

In front of her, she had set the bracket and a music box. The music box had been a gift from Fotarah when she was four, about a year ago, and it was a particularly close memory of hers. She could remember it now, even though she had been so young.

~

"I have a special gift for you, today." Fotarah smiled, pulling something out from behind her. Nova leaned forward inquisitively.

"What is it, mommy?" Nova gasped as Fotarah set the music box onto her lap. "I've never seen anything like this!"

Fotarah picked the music box up in her hands. "It's called a music box. It is very old, maybe even the last of its kind." She turned it over. "And when you turn this crank, here, it plays you a beautiful song."

Nova took the music box from her mother and turned the crank a half turn. She closed her eyes and listened to the song. It was a haunting melody, one that she was sure having heard before. It sounded like...Fotarah. Like home.

She ran her fingers over the wood. It was engraved with sketches. A lone wolf, separated from the pack. A ship lost a sea. A world changed in a single moment.

"I love you, mommy!" Nova hugged her mother, the sweet melody filling her ears.

~

It was a choice between her mother and her father. But when had Fotarah ever truly cared? And what if her father was still alive? What if he was waiting for her at the Jedi Temple?

It was that last thought that finally made up her mind. If her father was still alive, she would find him. But she knew that she would never get the chance if she stayed with her mother.

I have to go.

Nova took a deep breath, then backed away from her bed, taking her things with her. The only thing that she left was an old music box. A memory of the past. She wouldn't need it where she was going.

~

Nova slipped out of the house, not carrying much other than a small backpack with a few necessities; food, a change of clothes, and some credits. All she had to do was reach the Jedi Temple. Then they would have to let her in.

She pulled out the papers from which she had treated with care. They would allow her access into the temple, if all worked right. She was ready. Somehow, she was going to get to the temple, and nothing was going to stop her.

Nova could imagine her life there already. Maybe she would learn more about Haydi, and maybe even Torni would be her mentor. No one would know about her parents, so she would have friends, and would not be the outcast of the school, the lone wolf. It would be her home.

~

Her mother's signature; forged. That hadn't been too hard, since her mother had left out a formal document. It wasn't great, but it would have to work.

Route to the Jedi Temple; secured. That had been surprisingly easy as well. Nova had traveled to the dock, and while there she had overheard a conversation between Mae Florey and Flint Leyzrac, the owners of a small ship. They were taking a shipment of blasters to the Jedi Temple.

While they weren't looking, Nova snuck onboard. She quietly headed to the back, but saw no obvious hiding places. She ran back to the front of the ship, quickly scanning for anywhere to hide.

"That's so sad." Mae's voice carried over to Nova from directly outside the ship. "A child, gone missing?"

A gruff voice joined the conversation, it was one of the clones in charge of the dock. "I know. And only five years old, as well. Her mother is very distraught." 

Nova froze and looked down slightly, her eyes brimming with tears. She didn't want to make her mother upset. Maybe this was the wrong choice, but she had run out of time. If she was caught here, she would be put onto charges for trespassing. Fotarah would not like that. Maybe in the flight she could reevaluate her mistakes.

"We'll look for her." Flint promised, starting to open the door. Nova sprang into action, diving inside one of the crates of blasters. She had just pulled the cover back over the crate when Mae and Flint stepped into the cabin of the ship.

Nova tried to control her breathing, hoping that the blasters were unloaded. The crate was pitch black, and she couldn't even see her hand when she moved it around. She tried to stay calm and gather as much information as she could.

Flint started up the engine, and started to fly the ship away from the dock. "Doomsday, here we come." Mae muttered quietly, her gaze traveling over the crate that Nova was hidden in.

Nova shivered, but she was smiling. She was going to the Jedi Temple. She was fulfilling her dream, finally. But all was not as it seemed...

Cast of Characters

Nova Donar: Five year old girl with pale skin, long and straight black hair and blue green eyes. Wears black leggings with a dark purple shirt, and a bracelet with a black band swirled with teal, and a silver paw shaped gem.

Fotarah Donar: Tall and slim woman with black hair, pale skin, and dark eyes. (Character of SwiftWind725)

Haydi: Tall seven year old boy with black hair and hazel eyes. (Character of ReflectedFire)

Torni: Older woman with tan skin, brown hair, and inquisitive dark brown eyes. Wears traditional Jedi clothing. Experienced Jedi Knight and Master.

Flint Leyzrac: Undaunted man with light brown hair, lightly tanned skin, brown eyes, and a thin scar across his arm. Wears mostly black clothing.

Mae Florey: Risk taking woman with curly dark brown hair, pale skin, freckles, and hazel eyes. Wears mostly grey and black clothing with black combat boots.