For readers that enjoy reading the first and last chapters of a story in order to evaluate if it's worth the effort: Know that my epilogues are akin to "extra-credit scenes" and without reading the novella, the epilogues will not make much sense, as they set up sequels.

Another comment about First and Last chapter reading: That will work very well in fanfiction stories that wander without purpose. This is not that kind of story. It is a methodical narrative with a definite three act format. I try to avoid wasted narratives and hence I strive to eliminate fluff chapters.


The clouds on Anthan Prime had passed, and the star-filled sky finally appeared. The Keeper's hangar bay was empty; and, apart from small, smoldering fires left over from the burning debris, the stygian expanse was devoid of any life. The heated metal from the fires had cooled, and the warping moans of the walls and floors had long since ceased. The Keeper's old residence was dead.

A gleam reflected off a small, approaching starfighter just before it passed into the shadow of the hangar. The silent ship hovered eerily over inert bodies and carnage, a bright spotlight beaming to life from the forward hull. It drew close to the blast doors at the rear and descended softly to set down; its stabilizers folding up to facilitate the landing.

Once settled, the ramp lowered, and a masked intruder stepped swiftly down. Her steps were light and soundless, but quick. Over her head, she wore a helmet with large visual lenses, a horizontal toxin filter, and an antenna that rose from the back. In her hand was a small pistol, raised and ready. She wore lean, plated armor that was lightweight and nimble. The intruder pressed the temple of her helmet with her gauntleted finger and two flood lights glared from both sides above her lenses. She stepped forward to the burned hole in the blast door and darted her head around making sure no one was there to see. When satisfied that she was unobserved, she stepped through and into the hallway.

Then with agile strides, as if she knew the layout well, she headed directly for the Keeper's study. The door was shut, but the intruder holstered her pistol, and within seconds had dismantled the control panel. After twisting and splicing a few wires the door opened a few inches with a gasp. She pried the door open the rest of the way and slipped through.

As she entered, the lights did not turn on as they had done before. The electrical systems were evidently down after the previous battle. The intruder made her way to the carbonite casts that hung on the wall and studied each one until she found the cast she was looking for and promptly removed her gloves. The olive-colored skin of her left hand was decorated with a tattoo of a red starburst that shown bright in the beams of her flood lights. She punched a few commands into the control screen of the carbonite cast, stepped back, and then raised her hand to deactivate her head lamps. For a moment she stood alone in the cimmerian pitch darkness.

Then the light began to pierce out of the carbonite as it evaporated from the body of its hibernating captive. The silver glow grew brighter and brighter until the whole room was illuminated with blinding light. The intruder covered her visual lenses and looked away as the captive released from the cast and fell to the ground. The light then died out, leaving the now two individuals blanketed in the thick darkness.

The woman intruder's voice broke the silence. "After twenty years, I don't envy the hibernation sickness you're going to have."


As always thanks for reading. Your Favorites/Follows/Reviews are really appreciated.

If you have questions about my incarnation of Boba Fett, please visit riseofthedarkjedi on facebook. There is a link to the novella with author notes at the end where I answer questions like: Did I neuter Boba Fett? I think you might like the answer.