Star Crossed

The Force

I stood, mesmerised, before our new acquisition. A set of little Kyber crystals, all of them faceted the same way, but with very different colours. Purple, blues, yellows, reds ... an arrangement fit for the "All species week" on Coruscant.

I knew to never mention that gathering to Director Krennic; Galen's escape, four years ago during the event, had left him sour. As for myself, I had wonderful memories of the festival. People of all horizons gathered, drank, sung and played music in streets laden with colourful clothes and streamers. The mood, joyful and unbridled, had always gotten to me. One of the only times where I had stumbled about, tipsy, with friends from the academy to dance the night away. One night during the year when I could wear my own clothes instead of a uniform, and unleash my inner self. Euphoria. The moments I allowed myself to loosen were scarce enough to be counted on one hand. Even with guys, when having sex, I remained the one in control.

So it was with a giddy eye that I considered the deep colours of our new acquisition.

Do you know where those Kyber crystals come from?

My notebook slid by my side, pushed by a set of long fingers. It caught my attention and I shook my head. No. I had no idea where this neat little collection came from, but I couldn't take my eyes away from them.

Jedi light sabers.

I frowned as Galen left to barricade himself in his office, probably to make a plan about the testing of our new toys. Or maybe, thinking about his wife once more; she used to believe in the Force after all. By then, I was used to Erso's eclectic communication skills; his sudden take offs and appearance didn't faze me. Such was the way of the scientist.

My attention returned to the memory foam that held our little crystals. The size matched; they could fit in a palm. I ran my finger over their facets longingly, wondering whose Jedi knights those Kybers has served. Friends, or merely tools?

The downfall of the Jedi order was hazy to me, at best. I had been nineteen at the time, working on the inertial dampeners of the nuclear reactor that had now been installed inside the Empire's battle station. A newbie, fresh out of school, trying her best to impress her hierarchy. Things were simple then; there had been no Krennic, only work for the republic and my mother's constant pushing to thrive. The news that the Jedi order had attacked the chancellor, and turned against the republic, were easily swallowed. The clone army had exterminated them, pure and simple, because of their deflection.

At the time, the whispers of conspirationnist had fallen on deaf ears. Seeing the Chancellors' disfigured face had convinced me that the Jedi were misled, period. I believed in science, not in the Force or anything else, and the enemy was the enemy. Now, try as I might, I couldn't recall what those adverse theories were; that the self-declared emperor was a Sith, or something like that. That he had Darth Vader in his thrall, and sent him to kill every remaining Jedi in retaliation. Where was the truth? Did I even want to know? If Krennic was a manipulator and a liar, how far did the masquerade go?

We scientists weren't privy of the Force. We didn't feel it, and it left us alone with our research. Had the Jedi lost their way? Really? To me, Jedi meant light, and safety. I never feared them, was I wrong?

I needed information, and I knew where to find it. Galen's wife knew the way of the Force after all, so I popped into his office once more. He was probably expecting me, for he pulled a chair. A mild wave of annoyance greeted his actions; was he manipulating me as well? He seemed to know exactly what I wanted, and the things that roamed my mind. It was unsettling, at best, and for a moment, I felt the urge to yell. Whatever for?

This situation, stuck between him and the friend of his young years, was uncomfortable at best. At worst... I didn't know where it would lead. Their relationship was so murky that it plagued my nights. Ugh!