Author's Notes: One-shot story written weeks ago, done for the "Force? What Force?" Challenge on the KFM boards. Story had to be about non-Force users, but Force users could be referenced.
Republic soldier Nikk Gorrin sighed, sitting in the mess hall of the Endar Spire. He chewed on his ration bar, staring blankly ahead. His best friend, Jarrit Zoph sat down across from him. Jarrit was the exact opposite of Nikk, tall and sturdy as a Mandalorian while Nikk was short and wiry with dark hair and eyes.
"What's eating you, Nikk?" he asked, breaking open his own pack of rations.
"I was due for a trip home when I got drafted to be on the crew of the Endar Spire. I really don't want to be here," Nikk muttered. "But those damned Jedi came in and took over everything and said I just had to be here."
Jarrit nodded in sympathy and couldn't really find anything to say. He opted for lightening the mood.
"It's like those Jedi say," he told Nikk with a conspiratorial wink. "It's the will of the Force."
Jarrit was rewarded for his efforts with a sardonic smile. "I don't need that from you, I get enough of it from our holier-than-thou Jedi Princess," Nikk said. "What is this all powerful Force anyway?"
"Maybe its like karma?" Jarrit suggested.
Nikk shook his head. "That ancient religion? I really doubt it."
The larger man thought for a moment, and then asked, "Do you think it's like a god or something?"
"Naaaah, seems bigger than one deity."
Jarrit snapped his fingers. "I got it! It's like cosmic duct tape!"
Nikk looked at his friend like he had lost it. "Light side, dark side, binds the universe together?"
"Yes!" Jarrit nodded eagerly. "I think that's it!"
Nikk shook his head slowly and deliberately, standing up. His eyes gleamed with a mischievious light. "Nah, I don't think so," he said, stringing his friend along.
The other man blinked, confused. "Are you sure? It seems right to me, since they constantly go on about light-side this, and don't-do-that-or-you'll-fall-to-the-dark-side that."
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"Alright then, oh all-knowing Nikk, what is the Force?"
Nikk held up one of his small hands. "This."
Jarrit blinked at it and then received a thwack up the backside of his head. He yelped in surprise and covered his head with his arms, laughing.
"That's some Force you got there, Nikk!" Jarrit looked up and said derisively. "You'll be Jedi strong enough to impress the Commander!"
Nikk snorted. "Like I'd want to impress Miss Jedi Stoneheart. Anyway, it's time I bunked in. My shift starts in a few hours."
"Later, Nikk."
A few hours later, Nikk was jarred from his sleep when the ship shook violently. He looked around the room, confused, having just woken up from a very strange dream. A tall blonde man burst into the room.
"Get up soldier, the ship is under attack!"
"Who are you?" Nikk asked, groggily.
"Trask Ulgo, your bunkmate," came the reply. "Now, c'mon, we have to find Bastila!"
Oh, goody…