A Star Wars Story: The Adventures of Lera Neacon

Lower Coruscant

Several months had passed since Lera had left her family. Her visit to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant turned out to be useless.

She has been traveling from system to system looking for answers. Most of her days had been a blur as she was still trying to process the grief. She spent many nights crying herself to sleep on uninhabited moons, looking for a sign from Salix, but she only found silence. She had also grown numb to the pain of her tears falling on her fresh scars that her mother had carved.

After a while, Lera kept having thoughts about Lower Coruscant.

Visions? Why do you want me to go there Salix? She asked, but no answer came.

She made her way back to Coruscant where she had been after she had left the farm, the place where she found no answers to her questions.

The Blazing Star was too large to descend into the tight spots of the lower levels. Besides, it was an unusual ship that might garner her unwanted attention. She left the colossal galleon on standby mode near the system's star and took the small Republic shuttle onboard, which her parents had purchased many years ago but never used. This shuttle was called White Dwarf, and with it, Lera descended into the city below the city.

She parked the shuttle on an empty landing pad and went exploring on foot. She did not know where she was going, but somehow her feet were guiding her in a specific direction.

So much poverty here, she thought, looking at the decrepit buildings and overpopulated areas. I certainly miss the farm.

She continued walking down the strange alleys. People were asking to buy their products. Others were looking at her with unfriendly glares. Lera felt like a target. She put on the hood of her cloak and kept a stern hand on her lightsaber, though she would prefer it if she did not have to use it. She has not used it yet ever since she left the farm because she felt inexperienced and undeserving.

After wandering for a bit, Lera sensed that someone was following her. When she looked back, she saw a tall shadow person quickly dissapear out of sight. A Force sensitive person following me? Lera was new to the whole Force thing, so she couldn't be sure exactly if she sensed another force sensitive person. 

She picked up the pace and that overbearing figure was now closer when she looked back. They were there each time she looked back, looking like a horned devil in the shadows of the streets.

It was then that Lera began running for her life, bumping into people and stumbling over merch stands. She heard people yell after her in anger as the footsteps of the shadow figure were getting closer. She did not look back.

I am too unskiled with the lightsaber, I can't risk it, she thought as she was running. Maybe I should have taken Yoda's advice to train at the academy. Too late now...

As she ran through the dark alleys, she arrived at a fork. Left or right?  With no time to think, she took the right street. When she reached the end of the street she saw someone get off their bike and go into a store. The engine was still running. She heard the footsteps approaching fast behind her. Who is this person and why are they after me? Do I confront them? Too dangerous. She started making for the bike.  When she reached it, she got on and sped away.

⊚⊚⊚

When Lera was sure the tail was gone, she parked the bike in front of a random bar. She put on her hood and stepped inside. Clones?  So many clones. I've heard so much about them but never met any. She walked to the counter and ordered herself a drink. She sat there drinking and eavesdropping, shifting her attention from conversation to conversation. It was mostly war talk. That made Lera's skin crawl. Salix died fighting their stupid war. 

She was about to leave when she heard two clones talking about something that caught her attention.

"Have you ever been to Bracca?" One clone asked.

"No, what's out there?" The other replied.

"It's a junkyard planet. I heard that Separatist ships and droids are being destroyed there, among other things."

"So?"

"I think they might contain some information that could help us win the war, but the generals don't think it's worth it."

"You think they're wrong?"

"Yeah. I'm tired of this whole war. I've seen too many brothers die. I don't think I can do it anymore. If we pay the Scrapper Guild a good fee we might find out some things."

"I think you're looking for stuff that isn't there. Bracca is a no go. Let it go, will ya?" The clone said as he got up and left. The other clone followed after him.

Bracca? I've been looking for decomissioned droids for months! This might be what I need. I have enough credits to pay the Scrapper Guild. Unless...