Star Wars: Immortal Devotion - Short Stories (Character Intros/One Shots)

Niles Merrick - "Born to be Free" (Full)

"I see you're still wearing that stupid coat."

Niles Merrick tossed the case of drinks down on the table and tried to ignore his friend Tarrah's stupid remark.

"It still looks better than that uniform you're going to have to wear here soon," he retorted.

The young woman playfully sneered at him, and he wondered if her hair bun was wrenched a smidge too tight.

"Hey, we ain't here to think about that tonight," Philipe called out grabbing a drink and falling back into the massive cushioned couch.

"I, for one, think the officer uniforms look very clean and professional."

Tarrah punched Jun-Woo on the arm, "of course you would, nerd. I'd much rather wear what I want when I want."

Niles watched Tarrah flash her Quarzite earrings at the group before taking a long chug of her drink. He looked down at his old overcoat and realized it didn't quite stack up to the rest of his friends' designer outfits they were currently sporting.

"What about you, Emilito," Tarrah said motioning to the girl sitting quietly on the far end of the oval seating alcove.

The girl shyly looked up from the drink sitting in her lap, "I don't really know about the uniforms, but I'm very proud of the both of you. You've worked hard to get here, and while I hate to see you go, you've got a bright future ahead of you!"

She flashed the group a soft smile as she crinkled her freckled nose and Niles felt his heart skip a beat.

Emi was the newest member of the friend group, but she fit right in, even if she was quieter than the rest. And Niles had instantly taken a liking to her, as had Philipe. Fortunately, with Philipe shipping out with the Imperial Navy tomorrow, Niles would have her all to himself.

The wild Tarrah finally slumped down on the couch and laughed mockingly at Emilito, "you are too sweet, little miss princess. I still don't know why you hang out with us."

Emilito just grinned and held up her drink, "because you guys are my friends."

"To friends?" Niles said quickly sticking his drink up in the air as a toast.

The others started to laugh and all raised their bottles, "to friends!"

Philipe grabbed the remote and pointed it towards the massive monitor mounted on his wall. The fireplace display disappeared and was replaced by a news feed.

"If we're heading off to war tomorrow, I'd at least like to know what's going on in the galaxy," the young homeowner said, flipping through the channels.

Philipe stopped on the Imperial Operations Broadcasting Network and Niles saw a sparkle in his eye as a young officer stepped onscreen alongside and Imperial reporter.

"This is field agent Synzia Mackalay reporting to you live from Orto where the long fought planetary uprising has finally been put to rest. I'm here with Captain Fitzgerald, the young man who was behind the strategic takeover of Orto's capital city of Runmandu."

She turned to the officer who smiled at the camera, "Captain Fitzgerald, let us know what it was like to be fighting against these insurgents, and how did you finally put an end to the struggle and bloodshed?"

"Ten credits to whoever can guess where I'm being station," Tarrah spoke up, standing up in front of the screen, and Niles could tell the alcohol was already starting to get to her.

"Out of the way Tarrah, I'm trying to listen," Philipe said motioning for her to move to the side, but she didn't budge.

"Tal Pi!" Niles said, but she shook her head dissent.