Fire and Ice: A StarWars Story

Kaira Socoda - Ex-Jedi

I have to think back to that day. Always that one where the galaxy flipped upside down. The one where the clones became enemies. The Jedi became nothing. The Empire arose from nowhere. I left the Jedi that day. Found some, helped some, and even led some to the clones. On purpose.
Clearly the galaxy needs help, but not from me, nor the Jedi, nor the whispers of a Rebellion rising, though I haven't found evidence of those rumors. Not yet, anyways.
"Hey, you still here?" someone waves a hand in front of my face.
"Sorry. Thinking back to the Purge again," I admit boldly. Nobody around here tried to remember days before Order 66, let alone the actual event. "What'd you say?"
Jaya sighed, brushing his hand through his brown hair. Jaya Quior is the only person who helps deal credits and identification cards to me, knowing what I went through. I didn't even have to tell him, he just helped. It's like he could sense the Force, and that I could use it. "I was asking what you  want your new name to be. Stupid Empire's too persistent in finding you. Well, finding Je—"
"Shh!" I snap, eyes wide, one hand instinctively prepared to activate one of my sabers, while the other reaches for Jaya to shut him up. "Don't say that word!" I warn.
"Sorry, sorry. Geez, you need to calm down, or someone will suspect something about you, Kaira. And I don't mean like I did. They won't be so nice about it." Jaya says, a scowl on his face. The scowl isn't one of anger but one of . . . fear? Protection? He cares if something happens to me, a Jedi? Someone associated with so-called traitors of the Empire?
No, it's the credits you can get him. The protection you can give him, he doesn't care about anyone but himself.
"Nice to know you care," I vocalize sarcastically, realizing it's a mistake. "Sorry, I'm on edge today."
"You're on edge every day. Always on the lookout, always on the run. Honestly, haven't you thought of going undercover as a Stormtrooper? Maybe become someone big in the Empire? You could get a lot out of that."
I shake my head, then glance at my surroundings. This place is getting crowded. "No, Vader would know instantly. And besides, that could lead—"
"Lead to you going to the Dark Side. Yeah, yeah, I've heard it a million times. I'm surprised you haven't tried it, just to see if it'll keep you from being hunted."
"I can't. I made a promise."
"A promise to people who not only will betray you, but lead you to further danger? People who told you that you were 'keepers of peace'? Those people? They aren't who you think they are. Or, were. Whatever. You need to learn whose side you're on, because I can't keep this up forever. Others are suspecting that you're the Jedi that's being hunted, and that I'm helping you. You can't keep coming to me for help, you're gonna have to learn on your own how to survive. Here's your cards, some credits to get you off-world. Go to Nyth, there'll be some people there who will get you Imperial outfits and anything else you need. Figure it out from there, I'm leaving Coruscant too, it's too dangerous for me now."
"Where are you going? I can catch up—"
"No. You need to learn to survive by yourself. Don't attach yourself to anyone, especially not now. I'm sorry this is how I have to tell you, but that's the hard truth of life now. Especially if you want to sneak by the Empire. Good-bye, Kaira." Jaya hands me a bag that I stuff into my pouch, and by the time I look up, he's gone.
Great. My only ally, the only person who could get me anything just left me. Fantastic.
As I leave the restaurant, I pull my hood up, with a hand on my saber just in case. It's always my last resort, but I'm always prepared to use it. A bad old habit. As I walk, I notice how many Troopers are on this street. That can't mean anything good. I turn a corner, down into an ally. I have to get to my ship as fast as possible if I'm gonna make it off this planet.
"I know someone's there." I call out after a few minutes of walking, knowing that I'm being followed. I stop, the breeze slight, but still there, and nice.
"I know you know I'm here. There's only one way you could know that, though. And, I'm afraid, it's quite a bit helpful for me, yet unfortunate for you."
"What might that be?" I turn around, seeing a shadow of someone up on a catwalk.
"You're a Jedi. I recognize you from the Temple."
Shoot, my hood fell. I move my hand to my blaster instead.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the shadow warned, jumping down to face me. I see it's a boy, about my age. He has a large scar across his face, and wears an Inquisitor's suit, mask in his hand. I feel that I should recognize him, even his voice, but can't place how. "If you were smart, you'd raise your hands and not resist arrest." Fortunately for you, the Empire needs you alive. We're still searching for the remaining Jedi, which I know you know where they are. You're of use, and who knows? Maybe you could even join us, if you survive and are compliant." He holds his hand out to me, and for a second, I want to just surrender. Hiding is too hard, but it's the only way to stay alive. And the fact that I feel I know him from somewhere eats at me. It screams for me to just listen for once. I start to reach for his hand, but then I pause, withdrawing. I'm never this trusting, what is wrong with me?
"Well good thing I was never considered smart. You didn't tell me your name. I don't recognize you."
The boy chuckles, "You can call me Arsuas Carruss."
I narrow my eyes at him. Yes, I do know him! I thought he was dead! He merely changed his name, but I know who he is now. "We trained together, I know you! You're . . . different now. You changed, broke your oath. You swore to protect everyone in the galaxy, you're the real traitor!" I scream at him, then I whip my blaster out and start firing, but he already has his lightsaber activated and is blasting my shots back. I have to duck and dodge, but with that as a sort of distraction, I climb the catwalk, and I run.