Starlight - The Third Book in the Starchild Series

Chapter 1

Hey Y'all! this is the third book in the Starchild series. The next one after this, Awakening, will take longer to complete, so don't expect that one to be posted right after this one, OK? Just hang in there. See you on the plus side! Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! -CMW

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***Elska's POV***

I walk through the fog of - somewhere. Nothing but silvery mist as far as I could see. Where am I? What is this place? Familiar faces fade in and out of the fog - Mom, Dad, Luke, Han, Leia - but they are gone as fast as they appear. Somehow, I know I'm not dreaming, but I'm definitely not awake either. I'm in a place between wakefulness and sleep.

When Vader took me from Cloud City, there was a period of time when I caught flashes of the world around me. I remember hearing his breathing. And voices. I remember the feeling of cold metal. And then I was here. But where was here?

I have no control over my limbs - I just keep walking forward, on and on, through this misty terrain, with no end in sight. How did I end up here? Does this relate to my Force - sensitivity? Is it something else entirely?

Maybe.

*** ???'s POV***

So many questions. Don't worry, little one, they will all be answered in due time.

***Darth Vader's POV***

I stride down the halls of the Death Star. Well, the under - construction and almost completed Death Star. Only one part has yet to be completed. Then it will be completely operational and functioning. Only then will we be able to crush the Rebellion. Only then will peace reign across the galaxy. My Master was wise to build another Death Star - but with almost a tenth of the recharge time needed, and it was bigger and more well - defended.

In fact, it is my master that walks alongside me as I traverse the shining hallways. There is silence between us as we walk to the completed and functional cellblocks. Cellblock 1-A, the cellblock reserved for Force - Sensitive prisoners. Minutes later, both of us stand in front of cell A-08. My master nods to me, and I enter a passcode. The doors slide open to reveal our newest prisoner. 

She is strapped down to a metal chair, limp and comatose. Restraints lock her arms and legs down. The only movement I can see is the rising and falling of her chest. There is a faint blue aura around her restraints - this aura dampens her connection to the Force to the point where she can't use it at all. There is silence, pierced only by the distant humming of various power generators. Then, finally, my Master speaks. "Are you sure this will work, apprentice?" "Yes, my Master. When Skywalker comes running to save her, he will fall right into our trap."

My Master is silent for a moment, then says, "If this fails, or if she wakes up, she would be a dangerous threat. When her role is over in this, kill her. And make sure that Skywalker sees her die." I nod in response.

"She has great power, yet she only knows a fraction of it." my Master muses. "Probably for the best." Then we turn and leave the cell, the door sliding shut behind us. And just before it closes, I take one last look at her, and one thought crosses my mind -

Elska Caranikel is finally defeated.

**Luke's POV***

I snap the last lid on the last box and push it up the loading ramp of the ship. I was readying for a trip to Tattoine to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt. And when I rescued Han, all of us would go rescue...

I push the crate into the cargo hold. Then I lean against it and sigh. When I rescued Han, all of us would go together to rescue her. Elska Caranikel. She was who knows where, going through who knows what. I wasn't sure if I would ever see her again. Palpatine was powerful, but Elska had only begun to discover her power. He could easily overpower her in a fight. Even Vader had proven he could take her down. Her budding Force powers were ill - prepared for such an attack on her conscious mind.

Deep in thought, I didn't notice Leia until she tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hey. You thinking about them?" I sigh again and say, "Yes. Leia, I'm scared for both of them. Han is somewhere with that stupid slug, and Elska is in Imperial hands. But I know where Han is, and I know his condition. Elska, I have no idea where she is. Her Force - signature has gone completely dormant - I can't sense her. I have no idea what she's going through. She could be suffering. She could be - " 

Leia held up a hand to stop me. "Luke, when you focus on the bad things, sometimes that's all you see. If you look for the good, you will find it. The trick is to part the dark curtains of despair, so that the great things around you - like family and friends - can shine through and light your world with joy." I smiled at this. She was right. If I focused on the bad that might happen instead of the good that might happen, I would lose focus and probably lose Elska in the process. But if I focused on the good - that we would rescue her - I could actually achieve it.

"Thanks, Leia. That really helped. Also, we're about ready to take off." She smiled back and said, "I'll alert everyone else." And then she walked out to alert the crew.

I look out the viewport to see the shimmering stars. "Don't worry, my friends," I call out softly, "I'm coming for you."

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WOO! Chapter 1 done! So updated might not come as fast now - I go to Walnut Hills (amazing school, but y'know, homework - comes with every school!... :/),  So I might not be able to update every day. And, if anyone sees my Gameknight999 (Mark Chevereton) quote, tell me! ;) Merry Christmas, and Happy Thanksgiving to all!!! See you on the plus side!!!

                                                                                                                                                  - CMW