Christopher Valentine
Teaser
Ext. Outer space-night
In the vast vacuum of space a single vessel cuts through the void, racing to its destination. A Star destroyer, a ship forged to endure the most brutal battle, hurried towards a calamity that surpassed its creators’ wildest estimates.
Luke Skywalker(V. O)
I still remember the days of my youth on Tatooine. Helping uncle Owen in the fields, or aunt Beru’s loving hugs and kisses.
The ship charges forward undeterred by the immense peril that awaits on the world ahead. The star destroyer goes to a world engulfed in hellish flames, Aargonar.
Luke Skywalker
And what Ben told me about the fall of the republic, and…my dear father. On that fateful day, all those years ago, I made it my mission to right those wrongs. But I can sense it, evil has returned to the galaxy.
Force storms bombard the surface of the vast forest world with colossal pillars of lightning! Hundreds spread across the planet in a wild dance, engendering towering flames in their wake. Flames that grow larger and larger, feasting upon the vegetation!
Luke Skywalker
But I also sense the light! When my time amongst the living neared its end I trusted those after me to carry on. I had hope, and I still do even in the face of this crisis! Be brave my children, for the darkness only has as much power as you give it!
Int. Star destroyer-Training room
Scores of Jedi and their Padawans crowd around the training rings in the room. Around one ring Jedi master Plo zar, a kel dor, watches his student attentively as she prepares for a practice dual.
Two young human women stood against each other in the ring. In one corner, Anna Skywalker(20), Caucasian, slender and curvaceous with long golden hair hopped excitedly, preparing to test her lightsaber skills against her opponent.
Her adversary in the opposing corner was no ordinary opponent, but a longtime rival and friend. Popilia(20), light brown, slender and curvaceous with dark hair in a ponytail stood straight with the utmost calm and poise.
Plo zar
Remember your basics, Anna.
Anna
Yes, master!
The dual begins as the girls ignite their swords, taking their lightsaber forms. Anna swiftly raises her blade above her head, taking an impressive form three. But Popilia raises hers right before her face for a flawless form two.
Popilia throws a flurry of blows at incredible speed, but Anna blocks each one. No matter what direction Anna deflected each of her opponent’s attacks, forming a mighty shield that endured even the most complex attack to plo zar’s delight.
But as popilia’s strikes intensify in number and speed, Anna breaks from defense to attack. As she goes, Popilia lands a hit on her leg, driving her back. And Plo zar utters a deep sigh, seeing Anna’s mistake.
Plo zar
You’ve improved greatly, but your movements are still much too sloppy. You’re wasting valuable energy.
Anna
Understood, master!
Again, Anna raises her lightsaber above her head for form three. But as Popilia goes on the attack something snaps in Anna. Seeing the immense power and skill of her opponent, her anxiety flared, making Anna abandon her patience!
Before their blades meet, Anna breaks from form three for the attack. But as she goes Popilia strikes Anna’s other leg, and kicks her down. Claiming victory as she places her blade inches from Anna’s face.
Popilia
I’m afraid you lose again, old friend!
Anna
I’ll get you next time!
Plo zar
Not if you refuse to learn! Your eagerness is your greatest strength and weakness!
Anna
I-I don’t understand, master!
Plo zar
The key to master form three calm and patience. But you let your anxieties take over and rob you of both. That’s when you failed!
Anna swallows a lump of anxiety.
Anna
Yes, sir! I’ll do better next time!
Plo zar
I hope you do! Now both of you rest before the mission begins.
Corridor
Alarms flare in the busy hallway as Anna and Popilia walk to a door amongst republic soldiers and Jedi, readying for their impending ordeal.
Popilia
Anna, I didn’t feel comfortable talking about this early. But now I’m worried!
Anna
What is it, poppy?
Popilia
It’s this mission! I can feel the dark side’s fingers all over it. Like a terrible chill running down my spine!
Anna
Don’t worry, my friend! The three of us can beat anything it throws!
Popilia cracks a small smile.
Popilia
How are you always so confident?
Anna
I’m a skywalker! Beating the darkness is what we do best!
Popilia
Do names like Anakin and Jacen solo ring any bells?
Anna
Let’s get matsuri!
Anna swiftly opens the door, revealing their beloved friend. Matsuri(20) was a curvaceous young woman of fairly muscular build with a slightly pale complexion.
She was a true Jedi consular; she was unending kind and in love with knowledge. Even as her two closest friends stood by her, her eyes were glued to her holocron. The information in it was like the most gripping adventure novel.
But soon, Popilia grabs her attention, knocking the holocron out of her hand with a force push!
Matsuri
Hey!
Popilia
Mission time!
Matsuri
It is?
Popilia
Didn’t you hear the alarms and the screams?
Matsuri
Honestly, I didn’t! I guess I got wrapped up in my reading again!
Anna
That certainly sounds like you, but it’s time to make our masters proud!
Matsuri nods yes and runs out into the corridor, joining the other hurrying personnel. But as Popilia follows her, Plo zar hastily comes to Anna.
Plo zar
Anna, I wanted to make sure you were well before the mission.
Anna
I’m okay, master!
Plo zar
I fear I may have been too harsh on you during training!
Anna
No, you were right! I still have a lot of work to do before I can live up to my destiny!
Plo zar
Your destiny?
Anna
To fight the dark side! More than a Jedi, I’m a skywalker!
Plo zar takes a deep breath, gently placing his hand on Anna’s shoulder.
Plo zar
Destiny isn’t always kind to its servants!
Anna
But-
Plo zar
Anna, I don’t want you walking someone else’s path. That way of thinking has led many a stray. The time will come when you must make your own decisions!
Anna swallows a lump of anxiety.
Anna
Yes, sir!
End of teaser