Galaxy Artist II

Chapter 6: They Are Family

Inside the main hall of he white house Cameron paced the floor, obviously making the few workers anxious.

There was one instance where she turned swiftly on her heel and tripped over the cloak which was trailing behind her.

She undid the collar of the cloak and tossed it onto a nearby chair. Cameron paced for another moment and stopped just before walking onto an open balcony. She stared down at all the people.

Cameron grabbed the collar of Korbyn's shirt, which she was wearing, and pulled it to her nose, just taking in the scent of the boy who loved her. She could only imagine that if he were there he would probably make her feel better than she was.

Cameron couldn't deny how powerful the dark side was, which was why she never thought of leaving just yet. It felt great. It felt as though she could do anything. The force was pulling her further towards the dark side each time she felt that surge of power. She simply wanted to dwell in that power; no matter how terrible she knew it was.

Cameron was suddenly pulled from her thoughts as there was the sound of three people walking up behind her. She recognized the breathing immediately, though she didn't bother to turn and face the Dark Lord.

Vader gripped her wrist and forced her to face him. He said with disapproval, "I gave you an order, Bridger."

"And I did what you said." Cameron tried to pull away, but failed regardlessly. "It wasn't my fault. I- I heard my brother..."

He placed a finger before her face and fussed, "These rebels are a weakness to you. If you wish to grow stronger and defeat the Inquisitor, then you must let go of these nuisances." He clutched the collar of Korbyn's shirt which was around her. "This boy, is another problem that you must rid yourself of."

Her eyes grew wide with fear as she shakily admitted, "I- I can't kill them... They're family to me."

The Dark Lord seemed to grow more threatening as he warned, "We made a deal, child. You do as I command, then I will assist you in the death of the Inquisitor. If you do not do as I command then I will not be so merciful with your punishment."

She turned her head away, dreading the mincing Sith before her. There was no one to turn to. No one to save her this time. But then, out of the blue, an idea popped into her head. Of course, it was the craziest idea she'd ever had, but it would be worth it to save Korbyn. "I- I'll do it..." She looked at Vader as he released her.

Vader seemed to ponder her sudden change against her friend, but he supposed he would look into it at a later time. He began to walk down the hall with Cameron trailing him as he said, "We shall hold his execution outside your school. We will show Earth what happens to those who rebel against the Empire."

Cameron's plan seemed to have been bought, but she was a little worried. Only a little! The idea came from a book she read. It worked for Luke Skywalker; she didn't see any reason why it wouldn't work for her.

Once they arrived back to Lord Vader's star destroyer Cameron couldn't help but quietly ask, "Where's my family?"

It was silent for a minute before Vader answered, "They are aboard this star destroyer. You wish to see them?" He thought it would be fine to grant her small privileges such as this because of the fact that she was being obedient as of late.

Cameron didn't want to say yes. She knew it would tear her apart if she saw them as prisoners. At the same time, she also wanted them to know she was okay. She nodded her head and followed the Dark Lord to the detention area.

Once they arrived outside a cell, it opened and inside Cameron saw her Aunt and Uncle. The people who raised her for most of her life.

She walked in the cell and it closed behind her. Being locked in the small room with only her adoptive family caused her to break down in tears. She fell to her knees before them and managed to sob out, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for any of this to happen! It's all my fault! If I hadn't been so-"

Cameron stopped talking when she felt loving arms wrap around her. She heard her aunt say, "Cameron, we knew you would amount to something one day. From the day you arrived on Earth we knew something special had entered our lives. If only we had known just how special our little gift was."

Gentle hands passed through her hair as she whispered, "I'm not special. I just messed up everything. Earth is going to be consumed by darkness and it's all my fault. I've got to get you both out of here."

Her uncle reassured, "Cameron, we don't want you worrying about us right now. You need to worry about your friends and your brother."

Cameron's head shot up as she asked, "You know about Ezra?"

"Star Wars." Her aunt mumbled jokingly, "I always new there was a reason you were attracted to it."

Cameron lightly chuckled and said, "I always saw myself apart of this galaxy. I never thought it would come to this. I will fix this for you. Earth will be fixed. It won't always be this way. I promise you."

Before another tear was able to fall from her face she stood and walked out of the cell with her head bent down. As she tried to leave the detention block Vader stopped her and said, "Before you leave, there is one other prisoner who wished to see you."

Further down the row of cells they stopped outside a door where Vader gave Cameron her orders, "I want you to break any emotional ties you have with this boy. Do not fail me, Bridger."

Cameron bowed her head down slightly as she managed to at least say, "Of course, master."

The cell door opened and she briskly walked in.

"Cameron, your back! Are you okay? What happened?" Korbyn quickly sat up and was taking in every aspect of her. "Wait... You've been crying... What's wrong?"

She gave him a look that told him to be quiet as she told him, "Look Korbyn, I didn't want this to happen, but it has to be done." She pulled off the large sweatshirt and tossed it to him. "After tomorrow, we won't be seeing each other again."

He looked at his shirt and asked, "W- what do you mean? Cameron, we still have to get out of here. Ezra and the others-"

"Ezra and the others don't matter anymore, Korbyn!" She leaned over him to seem threatening, but that was only a show. She whispered, "Tomorrow, Lord Vader scheduled your execution in front of the school. But I have a plan and you just have to trust me. You'll escape and go straight home. Take your family into hiding. I won't be making it out with you."

Panic was etched in his voice as he exclaimed, "Cameron, you can't be serious!"

"I am serious, and there's nothing you can do about it! Tomorrow marks your death!" She shouted back before getting back to a low voice, "There are recorders in here, Korbyn. Keep your voice down. You're either leaving, or you're staying here to die; and I'm not letting that second one happen. For your execution you need to escape. I'll follow you, and that's when I'll tell you the rest of my plan."

He nodded his head and suddenly shouted, "Fine! I see how it is! Why don't you just kill me now and get it over with?"

She smirked as she turned towards the door and answered, "I would love to; but sadly you're needed as an example for all rebels on Earth. It'll be the biggest lesson they learn."

Cameron walked out the cell, only to face her master, who probed her mind for any ties to Korbyn. Once satisfied, he lead her back to her quarters, which also once served as Navi's quarters.

Before the door shut she heard him warn, "Tomorrow, child."