Mercy

Destruction

                            (Reader's Point of View)

   Beauty lies within the eye of the beholder, or so my mother would tell me, along with other nonsensical life lessons. But beauty was definitely the right word to call my home planet, Naboo. Although unfortunate that a powerful Sith leader was born here and resided here many moons ago, it didn't dampen any of the inhabitant's views on the lovely architecture, nature, and overall energy the planet exudes. Every evening, I strolled through the major city called Theed and admired every aspect of it on my way back to my abode. During the day, I worked as a seamstress, sewing gorgeous gowns to sell to the higher-class women. Because of my impressive clothe-making talents, I recently got elected to work privately for the Monarchy. Which was a step up from working in a shop, to say the least. Today was the last day I worked in the shop alongside my mother. 

"I might even miss it." I glanced behind me to look at my mom as she closed up for the night.

"Don't say that darling, you'll adore your new position! This is what you've been chasing after! It'll earn you an audience with the Queen herself. You might even be lucky enough to meet one of the members from the Council and get married." She chuckled as we walked side by side towards home.

My mother was constantly worried about my future, and her own regarding a grandchild. The ripe age of 22 was a bit old to not yet be betrothed here on our planet, and my mother thought she'd remind me of it daily. "That's not what I'm after mom, you know that! I want to be a handmaiden for the Queen, that's my dream. I'm also very content with being her seamstress, all I know is that men are the least of my concerns." I scoffed back to her. As we exited the kingdom, I looked back at the center of the town square. There stood a tall statue of one of our past rulers, Queen Padmé Amidala. The people of Naboo worshipped her, admired her, and followed her likeness long after her passing. I gave a slight grin as we passed it.

Mother had rolled her eyes at me as we marched up the paved path over a hill. "I know dear, but please, put forth an effort to try and settle down. Your father and I can't take any more stress. You deserve eternal happiness, not worried about our living expenses."

We approached our small yet comfortable home in the lower-class side of town. "And I won't be worried about all that, not much longer. Soon, with the help of my new position, we'll be able to afford a nice place closer to the palace. I won't let you and Dad suffer either."

"We only want what's best for you, we care about you more than anything else in the galaxy." She grinned at me as we walked through the front door. "I am starved, I wonder if he's made us dinner. Honey!" She called out. My father wasn't in the kitchen, nor the living space. My mom walked into the bedroom, moments later walked out. "Where is he?"

"Perhaps he had to stay late for work?" I assumed, shutting the front door.

Unanticipatedly, loud blasts of an engine were heard from outside. It sounded like a spacecraft had infiltrated the planets atmosphere and was rapidly approaching.

"What was that?" My eyes grew wide.

Mother ran back outside, I joined her. I stared up at the dark night sky, hoping that my eyes were deceiving me. I gasped loudly as my heart dropped. To my dismay, it looked like it was a command shuttle from The First Order. Naboo was such a peaceful planet, we strived to stray from violence, and because of that, our people were in favor of The Light Side, The Resistance. We had been demilitarized for many years now, so we didn't partake in any of the wars. With that being said, the now landing of one of the Dark Side's ship in the distance, was not a good sign. What could they want? I thought to myself. The shuttle landed on the edge of one of the cliffsides, the one beside the palace.