A/N: Here it is! I proudly introduce to you: the nameless spice-mining slave girl! I'm really loving this story, so I'm pretty sure she'll show up again. A little OC romance, perhaps…

My humble thanks,

TSW

LI. Dawn.

I look out at the fiery orb rising like a crown above the mountains. It will be the last time I see the sun today. I drink in its radiance, but it no longer fills me with hope. I know better, now.

The slave drivers watch us closely, waiting for one false step. Their eyes follow one girl in particular. I recognize the hunger in their faces and shudder. She will not be coming back to the barracks tonight.

The gate to the mines awaits us, mouth gaping, ready to consume. Without a backward glance, I step into the dark.

LII. Morning

It's cold this morning, and even more so underground. Our breath mists the air before us, but we dare not shiver lest we seem weak. The overseer often says that the savage guard beasts like their meat tender. His meaning is clear.

I pick up my chisel with calloused hands and face the vein of precious spice running through the tunnel wall. The woman behind me lifts her basket, ready to carry my harvest. We do not speak. Even if we could, there's nothing to say.

A whistle blows. With a dull crack of metal on stone, the day begins.

LIII. Noon

I see him coming before the overseer. Long hours in the dark have tuned my night-vision, and the faint green light is so unexpected I turn my head. The overseer barks a command and raises his hand.

A flash of green cuts him down. Then the screaming starts.

I fall back against the wall as the air fills with blaster-fire. The figure before me whirls and spins, fighting off the supervisors with a beam of light itself.

A stray shot strikes the rock above me, showering me with fragments of stone and spice. One hits my head, and I fall.

LIV. Dusk

I wake up in someone's arms. They're running, to where, I don't know. The light suggests the sun hasn't set, but I'm not sure. I'm so used to the dark, it's bright as day to me.

I squint against the bright sky and look up into the face of my rescuer. It's the man from the mines, the one with the glowing blade. He smiles reassuringly but doesn't pause.

There's a ship waiting for us. A loud cry sounds out. I clench the man's arm as he leaps up the ramp. It closes behind us, and the ship soars away.

LV. Evening.

I take my time washing tonight, let the water rinse my past away. I've just changed into a new, clean uniform when someone knocks.

It's the man again. He wants to know if I'm comfortable. I haven't spoken in a long time. The words form slowly, but I manage to tell him that my head aches. He places his palm gently on my forehead. The pain eases.

I want to thank him, but don't know his name.

"Call me Luke."

"Thank you, Luke. I'm…" I struggle to remember. Who was I, before this? It doesn't matter anymore. "I am free."