Sorry, these might be a bit dark, maybe not. I don't really know... maybe you can read and find out? *hint, hint*
It had been a long day. So long, in fact, that Cecily wasn't even thinking about parading off to some cantina to let off steam. Corso seemed to be feeling the same. Though he was normally quite talkative, the farm boy was rather silent. He had even failed to make some sort of remark on the moral depravity of the Smuggler's Moon, as was his usual modus operandi.
The pair entered the elevator, and for a moment, the only sound was the gentle whirs of the mechanical pulley system.
Corso broke the silence. "You know, it doesn't sit right with me. On the Promenade the Empire and the Republic are rubbing elbows and playing nice. If you ask me, we should be kicking the Empire out." and there it was. Not quite about the moral depravity, but close.
Cecily retorted dryly. "Oh really? That's what bothers you? It isn't the colossal solid gold statue of Karagga the Unyielding? Or the dozens of sad, homeless, patrons looking for a credit or digging through garbage to scrounge up their next meal?"
Corso shifted somewhat uncomfortably. "Well, yeah I guess that's a big deal."
"Not trying to start anything, Riggs. I'm just saying that a little bit of peace isn't a bad thing," Cecily sighed. "Plus, the Republic isn't that much grander than the Empire."
Corso gaped at her. "How can you say that?"
Cecily shrugged. She didn't want to get into this. She didn't want to tell the story of a scared teenager recruited by the SIS, and how a dozen of the most elite operatives in the Republic were dealt with in assorted ways to make a whole project not exist. Some were executed or arrested and thrown into a deep, dark, hole. Some were relocated within the SIS, and some, like her, were handed an entirely different life. Shiny ship or small shop included. "Everyone's got a shadow Riggs. Maybe the unwavering light of the Republic leads to some sort of huge, dark, scary shadow." And when you see that shadow, it's pretty easy to get disillusioned. She added silently.
"I don't think I can believe that. Of course it isn't perfect, but I don't believe that the Republic could stoop to the level of the Empire." Corso stood so sure of himself, and in that moment, Cecily wasn't sure if she pitied his naivety or envied it.
Yup... this one was pretty short... the next one is slightly less so. Thank you for reading, though. I appreciate your support, even if you just read and are like 'oh wow she should just stop trying with this writing stuff' ;-)