Sprocket A Star Wars Story

Chapter 1: An Adventure Begins

Sprocket's eyes opened, and he could see the rising twin suns from his bedroom window. This was part of the reason why he insisted on this room. He yawned and filled his cup with a warm, soothing tea (Balada wanted every Hunter to have an energetic start to the day—that's why she installed the Ardee beverage system next to every Hunter's bed). The sun's light cast onto the blueprints sitting on Sprocket's desk, which were still unfinished.

The young Mon Calamari climbed out of bed and placed his cup into a sink. He walked past a picture of his 5-year-old self holding the hands of his mother and father. Sprocket recalled that he had not spoken to his parents for a long time, and he began to feel a pang of sadness. He shook this feeling away quickly and hopped back onto his bed, staring at a poster of the infamous bounty hunter, Imara Vex. He allowed himself to bask in a small moment of peace and silence until he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Mr. Hale would like to see you," a voice called.

Sprocket panicked as soon as he heard that name, immediately scrambling to grab all his supplies as he rolled up his Arena map designs. He ran out of the room, only stopping briefly to wave to J-3DI. He hurried along to the head architect's office, and he silently wondered why he had been called upon.

Mr. Hale was waiting for him when he entered the room. He was sitting on his chair with a blank expression etched across his face. It seemed as though he was expecting something, or at the very least, pondering something. That's when it dawned on Sprocket:

He hadn't finished his blueprints.

Last night he stayed up late watching the new Wookie Warriors Holodrama (it was awesome). He stood on the white marble floor of the arena architect's office and decided to try and make the most out of the materials he had brought with him.

Sprocket turned on the holograms of the design and projected a rough blueprint of the map. "I added some changes that will prove more challenging to the Hunters and more entertaining to the viewers," he started. "I put some traps around this area and a small gate about yay-high here," he explained while gesturing at the holographic display.

"More extreme and dangerous, like you said," Sprocket kept on going, trying to mask his nervousness. "So, what do you think?" he asked, holding his Holopad tightly as he watched the architect tap his finger on the desk.

"Like it? I love it!" Hale the Quarren exclaimed as he walked towards Sprocket. "The Hutts are gonna love it—and it will bring more audiences in to watch the show!"

Sprocket felt relief wash over him. He had made Hale happy once again. Yet, there was still one thought lingering in his mind that he had to get out. "Mr. Hale... I'm thinking of joining the competition. I would have talked to Daq... but he's on vacation. I've got loads of exciting weapons to show off! And I'd love to meet all of the cool Hunters!" Sprocket beamed, looking at him with a hopeful smile and wide eyes.

Hale appeared shocked at first, but he quickly discarded the look. "Alright. Daq did tell me this over the hologram message. I suppose J-3DI and old Amos would've wanted you to join," he admitted. "But I have to warn you, this game might be rough for a kid like you," Hale warned, a dark look in his eyes.

Sprocket met his unwavering gaze, feeling a surge of confidence bolt through him. "I can handle it. I promise," he told Hale.

"Alright, would you like to join the next round of Huttball with your map design?" Hale questioned momentarily.

Sprocket nodded with excitement, beginning to feel eager about joining the tournament—until a thought popped into his head: Oh Calamari... I'm competing on my map with all those dangerous traps I designed, he recalled uneasily, but it's no biggie; I can win this.

The Quarren pulled up the screen with Sprocket's premade team listed on it. "Here's your team lineup for next week, kid."