Chapter Five:

Wrath of The Dark Side


Vos-Ralo, Inner Rim

11 BBY, years ago


She would never forget the peace and quiet, those early hours of the evening. The sunlight was fading beyond the mountaintops, and the orange ember of twilight was dissolving into darkness, illuminated by the stars.

Kairinia heard a convor crying in the distance, and she saw one flying over the village. Legend said the convors were omens of death, but no one ever truly believed that. Kairinia turned, and moved as quick as she could, hoping to make it back to the house before dinner was served.

It had been a bright day, and she looked forward to whatever was in store tomorrow.

The village was safe and peaceful, devoid of danger and conflict. Kairinia could smell the steak from by the old rock, and tonight's meal was going to be undoubtedly exquisite.

The hopeful young girl heard her parents chatting in the dining room as she made it to the front door, which was slightly ajar, and she pushed it all the way open to the scene of her mother setting the table.

Her father hugged Kairinia, and they sat down to their evening meal. Kairinia was spoiled for her meal, which consisted of a cooked meat, bantha milk, and well-moisturized carrots. There was so much about dinner that the young girl was looking forward to eating whenever her mother cooked every night, and she was delighted to eat whatever was on her plate.

Midway through their meal, the family heard a rumbling sound, and the table vibrated a little. Both of them assumed it was thunder, and one of those instances of the planet's tectonic plates shifting.

It had been years since the Confederacy's droid army invaded during the war, and the Empire hadn't sent its troops or ships to this planet, so what was there to even worry about?

Right as the family was finishing dinner, everyone heard another rumble, and someone shouting. Something shrieked over the house, and Kairinia looked at her parents. Her parents looked at each other, and they ate the last of their food before clearing the table. Kairinia's family heard more rumbling, and they stepped outside to see what was going on.

A pair of Imperial ships loomed overhead, and TIE Fighters flew by. People screamed and ran, and Stormtroopers marched into view, led by a figure clad in black armor. After many years of peace, Vos-Ralo was now facing subjugation by Imperial forces. Whomever that figure was, he had to be the commander of the incoming regiment.

"LEAVE VOS-RALO!" Someone shouted.

"GO AWAY, YOU FASCISTS!"

"NONE OF YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!"

"No, don't! Let us live in peace! Let us live in peace!"

Stormtroopers grabbed several civilians and forced them on their knees, their blasters aimed directly at their heads. The towering dark figure made his way towards Kairinia's family, and the young Vos-Raloan could hear a raspy sound that came from the dark-clad Imperial, it sounded like he was hissing... or growling.

Kairinia's father, Motiko, put his hand out to assure his daughter it would be alright, then he and his wife, Vyla, stepped forward as Kairinia backed away slowly, watching her parents speak with the black-armored figure.

"How can we help you?" Motiko asked, "I am sure there is no need for the Empire to rule Vos-Ralo, we are already grateful for the food and supplies we received from the Imperial traders..."

"Vos-Ralo is now under Imperial jurisdiction, and will be provided with order and security." The dark figure suddenly said in a deep monotone that sounded robotic, "Imperial intelligence has also identified this planet as a haven for rebel insurgents, with one known terrorist taking refuge in your village, along with a surviving Jedi."

"We know no Jedi or terrorists." Vyla protested, "And we could care less about the Empire. Our planet is safe enough, you are trying to uproot our livelihood. We suggest that you leave, there have been no fugitives in this village."

"You lie to Darth Vader?" Darth Vader mused, he pulled out a cylinder-shaped object hidden by his long cape, and a red blade ignited.

Kairinia kept herself from gasping. She'd heard the many stories about the Jedi, as well as the Sith, both of whom had used lightsabers. The Sith weren't the only ones said to have used red lightsabers, Jedi who'd been corrupted by the Dark Side had wielded such weapons. Darth Vader, this Imperial commander, had to be a Sith.

An explosion shook the village, courtesy of turbo-laser fire from a pair of TIE Fighters, and Stormtroopers fired on a pair of civilians, making others cower in fear. And, as Kairinia watched, Vader brought up the lightsaber, and impaled Vyla through the heart.

Moments later, the Dark Lord advanced on Motiko, and slashed through his torso, cutting him down in seconds.

Horrified, with tears flowing down her cheeks, Kairinia ran from the besieged village, racing towards the mountains, sobbing and whimpering. Her life had just changed forever. By morning, her home-world would be under complete Imperial occupation.

By morning, she would be in someone else's care.

Pain consumed Kairinia as she thought of what Vader and the Empire had done. By morning, she would be off this world, and, one day, she would make the Imperials suffer for what they'd done. The desire for revenge burned in her heart, along with grief for her dead parents.

Right now, all Kairinia could do, was cry and hide.