Jedi Zara - A Star Wars Story

Brought Before Vader - Zara's POV

"Look, I made a sandman," I tell Tom. "A real snowman is made of snow," Tom says. "I didn't know it snowed here." I joke.
"How come we are stuck in this desert?" Tom asks. "Because we're orphans. But maybe someday I can get us out of here and travel the galaxy." I say. At nightfall, I stare into the starry night sky. I look over to Tom who is sleeping soundly.

I stare into the stars again, the only things that are keeping me company. In the morning we'll be back to trying to survive.

✦✦✦

I awake in a chamber pod. Stormtroopers march down the hallway. I attempt to climb into a vault to escape when the cell door abruptly opens, revealing Commander Dodonna and two stormtroopers patrolling him.

"Did they catch a dust mite on this ship?" Commander Dodonna jokes. "Um sir, this is the kid from Korriban, remember?" One stormtrooper says. " I was joking. Anyway, get her out of this cell and show her to the command station. Darth Vader gave me strict orders." Commander Dodonna says. I will never serve the Galactic Empire, after all, they never did anything good for us. I have decided that I will avenge Tom by slaining Dodonna, the same way he had slain Tom.

I'm taken to the headquarters room of the Galactic spaceship, where Darth Vader and other commanders test a Death Star.

"This Death Star might be smaller than a dwarf star, but it has twice the power of our other Death Stars." A commander states proudly. "Let's test your claim, commander." Darth Vader tells him.

"Of course." The commander replies, signaling for the control room to activate the Death Star. "Which planet shall we demonstrate the Death Star's power on?" The commander asks.

"That planet over there, Ralltiir." Darth Vader says, pointing to Ralltiir. Ralltiir, a few miles away, is a cloudy blue planet.

"But my lord, Ralltiir is under Imperial forces. Our forces." Commander Dodonna interjects. "Ralltiir is of no more use to us, Commander." Darth Vader responds.

I watch with aghast eyes as the Death Star destroys Ralltiir, its beams obliterating Ralltiir's core

Ralltiir is in pieces as the Imperial officers and commanders collectively applaud the Death Star. The Galactic Empire is as vicious as they say.

"We've been expecting you," Darth Vader says as I'm taken into the command station. The other commanders turn their attention to me. "I didn't know that I had an audience awaiting me," I say. Commander Dodonna scoffs.

"You were selected to serve the Galactic Empire, Zara. You will be of great use to the Empire yet." Vader tells me. "Selected? I'm only a farmer," I object.

"I sensed the dark side of the force in you. You will become a powerful Sith." Vader says.

Powerful. If these legendary Siths are powerful, then I will consider the Empire's offer.

"If I become a Sith, will I become as powerful as you say?" "Yes." "And then I will possess the power to destroy any enemy?" "Yes." "Then I'll consider your offer," I say.

The room is silent upon my words, only Darth Vader's mechanical breathing is audible. Darth Vader walks across the room to the door, the black cape on his suit flowing behind him ominously. Stormtroopers accompany him.

"I have heard of a legendary blade that Force-wielders have. Will I also be equipped with one?" I ask. Nothing.

Darth Vader has left for more pressing matters while I stand there like a fool. I leave the command station and explore the Imperial ship. That legendary weapon must be here somewhere. As I near a chamber, I hear whispers. They lead me in, where a mysterious weapon floats in the middle of the room.

I have heard tales of the Jedi, that they are masters of the Force. But I sense that this pull is different. The whispers become more fierce as I walk towards the saber. As I hold onto it, the whispers vanish. A red beam suddenly swishes on. Stunned, I wave the saber around. Vroom, vroom. I hold the saber up close and can feel the intense red light emitting off its beam. The red saber seems to tell me to assassinate Dodonna. Hypnotized by its red glow, I follow its guide to Dodonna's chamber.

The chamber door slides open as I walk in. Upon seeing the saber in my hand, Dodonna has a ghastly look on his wrinkled face. "Don't harm me! I did not intend to shoot that blaster at the orphan, it was a mistake, really!" Dodonna cowers. Both the saber and I thirst for vengeance, and so I swing it at the commander. As I'm about to impale Dodonna with the saber, Darth Vader and Stormtroopers enter the chamber. Darth Vader uses the Force to stop my movements. The Force keeps me from moving, and I stand there as the Stormtroopers aim their blasters at me.

"Lord Vader, You saved me!" Commander Dodonna straightens up. "What about the prisoner?" A Stormtrooper asks. "She tried to assassinate me! She is a traitor to the Empire, and therefore should be executed." Dodonna tells Darth Vader. Vader releases me upon seeing the saber. "Where did you get this?" Vader inquires.

"I was led to it, it must have chosen me," I reply. "There are no lightsabers on this ship," Vader says. "Forgive me, my lord, but I do not think that a traitor should be allowed in our ranks," Dodonna says, collected. "The dark side of the Force led Zara to this lightsaber, it would be a hindrance executing her as a traitor," Vader says. "Take the prisoner to her chamber. Your Sith training will begin shortly," Vader instructs the stormtroopers.

I'm taken back to my cell, heavily patrolled by Stormtroopers. My thirst for vengeance seems to have been put out as the lightsaber is taken from my hands. Now, all I think about next is an escape from this Imperial nightmare.