Star Wars: The Perished Flame

by Joseph McClintock

Shisu, a world of ice and misery. It is this haven of evil where Jason Hal lives, a young man with a dream to leave his barren homeworld. However, his life will forever change when he crosses paths with a mysterious hooded woman and into the southern forest. Just what kindnof evil awaits him deep inside?

1. Chapter 1

Authors Note:

This story was originally typed in a word document. a lot of the things such as indentations and italics didn't really transfer well here, so I had to make some changes. I apologize if it looks like a mess. other than that please enjoy what you read.

A long time ago in galaxy far, far away….

STAR WARS

THE PERISHED FLAME

The JEDI, protectors of peace and advocates of the former Republic, have been completely wiped out by the sinister GALACTIC EMPIRE. SURVIVORS of the GREAT JEDI PURGE are all scattered throughout the far corners of the galaxy, hiding from the reign of the Emperor and his terrifying Supreme Commander, DARTH VADER.

ONE SURVIVOR, has hidden on the thinly populated snow planet SHISU outside of IMPERIAL CONTROL. She is on her own quest to becoming a Warrior, a quest that is guided by THE FORCE

Meanwhile, Jason Hal, a young native of SHISU, struggles with his family's poor lifestyle. One day, Jason's Father discovers a valuable RARE CRYSTAL while on his hunt. Jason hopes to sell such a Rare Artifact at any expense.

Prologue

It had been too long since I let go of my hands from the cold handles of my small speeder, as I can finally see the small trading town off in the horizon. The blankets of the Shisu snow are harsh and fierce as ever, but I was told that Hoth was even worse. I do not know of Hoth, because Shisu was all that my life knew. And if this stone was as valuable as my father said, then maybe, just maybe I might get to know what life outside of Shisu may be. But I know that'll never happen. Because the people of Shisu are too terrified of the so called evil Galactic Empire and renegade Rebel Alliance with their bloodshed and fighting. And I can't blame them either. I once saw the storm troopers and their brutal tactics against a family that was harboring rebels. I was only a small boy then, to see women and children gunned down without a second thought. This is what I fear. To die meaningless on this forsaken arctic.

It was then that I knew, that hiding on one remote planet does not guarantee freedom nor comfort in my mortality. For as long as we share this galaxy, there was no safe place to run away to. So then why am I betting everything on one single stone? Because of wealth, or rather the possibility of wealth as father might suggest. But wealth regardless. Wealth that grants one power and privilege. The true keys to the galaxy. These are the things I yearned for as I gaze upon the small trading town off in the horizon covered in the this hell frozen rain.

Chapter 1

It never ceases to amaze me. But I forget how crowded this town can be despite being only a few kilometers in diameter. Just how many people come to Shisu of their own free will? It's not like me, my family, nor any of the other locals like it here. So why? It's because of the Imperial's lack of reign of this territory. Not that the empire can't claim it, they could if they wanted to. It's just… what's there to value of Shisu? This planet has no value. It has everything from unprofitable resources, dangerous indigenous creatures, and strong weather. The only people who truly value this world are the criminals, gangsters, and smugglers who hide from the empire. And to add to this mess they brought their way of life as well.

It agonizes me every time I come to sell merchandise that I have to keep one hand on my holster, the other on my bag of wares, and my eyes behind the back if my head. The Shisu trading port has become nothing more than a haven for thieves. So much that I had to leave behind my speeder in the outskirts so that it wouldn't get stolen. Yet despite all this precaution, I still feel unprepared of what's to come.

I stopped at a small intersection, where a large number of humanoids gathered stopping the flow of traffic. All I could see was a large swarm of people pushing, shoving and yelling at each other. I kept my distance as I tried to deduce what was happening. Yet all I could infer was a riot. One of them emerged from the swarm walking away so casually. It was a Rodian, a scaled alien species with large black eyes and a shoot-first attitude. I stood in front of him hoping to get an explanation to this event.

"Excuse me," I called out, gaining his attention. "What's going on? What is all this?"

"Turn back," He said in his native language. "The gangs are battling. The blood of three men have already been soaked on that road." And with that he walked away vanishing from the violence. Despite my ramblings and cynicism, I still find it pretty difficult to accept something like this as normal. Especially when I'm face to face with it. Mindless brawling and bloodshed. Over what above all else?

It doesn't seem the crowd has any intention of simmering down. A detour would be the more appropriate alternative. So that's what I did. A left turn into a dark abandoned ally way to divert my path from the threat of danger, despite being so prepared.