All Stories Have A Beginning

[Xiang Vang]

Stepping off the shuttle, I felt the immediate bite of the cold from the planet's long standing winter. Gripping my satchel's straps tight, adjusting it to a more comfortable position over my left shoulder blade, I fell in line with the other new arrivals. I was born on Jedha, but that is all I know of my earliest days before waking up among the Jedi Order. My return to the planet that bore witness to my birth was nothing of legends or tales of saving the inhabitants that spent their entire lives here; it was simply just another stop on my galactic tour.

I had enough credits to support myself for at least two, maybe three, months from my previous visits to planets where I done work for those that paid for it handsomely; but credits in any sum could dwindle quickly without replacement. I needed to find work.

Detaching myself from the group I arrived with, I began walking about through the outpost in search of nourishment; and hopefully a line to work. While I moved without drawing attention to myself, I caught a scene unfolding before my very eyes. Two humans where bullying an alien with pointed blasters and screaming rude obscenities at the half-pint furry creature. I reached down to my waist, pawing for the hilt that was no longer there; a routine I had done countless times.

I was once a Jedi Knight, sworn to protect the galaxy from any and all threats; but those were days gone by. My lightsaber, a tool I crafted under the watch of my former Master I was Padawaned too, was left behind when I chose by my own accord to leave the Jedi; leaving my trusted blade in the possession of my former Master. I still hear his words telling me that my lightsaber would one day be reunited with him. Maybe there was truth in the words, but currently I failed to see it.

As for the alien, he was on his own. I walked past the scene, struggling with myself to do something; which in the end I did as I continued walking. I wasn't completely defenseless. I had the vibrosword swaying on my hip and I had the Force, but getting drawn into problems not of my own kept me off the radar. I didn't need the Jedi tempting me back nor did I wish those Exiles trying to recruit me; I simply wanted to be left alone.

I began entering a cantina like structure when I saw a posting board off to the left. Quickly I began scanning the postings until I found the one I was seeking. A job opening on some farm out beyond the outpost. Ripping it down and placing it in my satchel, next to my belongings including my former Jedi robes, I entered the cantina for a hot meal before seeking employment.​

 

[Xiang Vang]

Following the coordinates on the map attached to the posting, I arrived at the farm; seeing several droids working about, two farmhands, and one obese aging man barking orders. Stepping off the rented swoop bike I strolled toward the obese man, assuming he was the owner of the farm, waving my hand to get his attention. I spied his belly jiggle as he moved toward my direction.

"Can I help you," he said opening the conversation. "I'm here regarding your posting," I replied showing his posting. He looked me up and down, formulating a conclusion in his mind based off my size and appearance. "Is that so? Forgive me girl, but the job is harsh and unforgiving, what can you possibly offer me?" It is true, I'm a small person but a person well educated with a set skill set. "For one," I began, "I can pull my weight. Don't let my size fool you. Second, I can fix things."

Rubbing the scruff on his chin, he rolled his tongue across his lower lip. "Okay. Can you fix that," he said pointing to a machine off in the shadows. "A test, girl. Fix that and I might consider employing you." I asked only one question, where his tool shed was. He smiled pointing to a shanty, where I dropped my satchel heading toward the machine.

I conducted a once over, seeing the machine was ancient, probably beyond fixing, before heading to the shanty. I could fix a lot of things, and this potential employer would be surprised by my talents. After spending thirty minutes cataloging his array of tools and spare parts, picking the basics to start with, I returned to the machine. Another thirty minutes later, I dissected the metal beast; constructing a list of parts needed to fix it. Unfortunately, the parts required to repair the machine was not in his possession.

With grease and particles of sand painting my face, I returned to the obese man. Handing him my list I said, "It can be fixed, but I require these." Again with chin scratching, he eyed my list; nodding understandably. "You've done more than those lugs," he said gesturing his head in the direction of the two working farmhands. "There's a trading post about three miles to the north of here. Can't miss it, the smells will be a give away. Take this list to Kel, owner of Kel's Shop, and give her the list. She can help you. Us. Tell her to add the payment to Borlt's account."​

 

[Xiang Vang]

By the time I arrived to the trading post, night had fallen and Kel's ship was closed like most of the establishments; minus a cantina and makeshift hotel. Sighing heavily I dropped the credits needed to rent a room in the hotel; feeling more dirty than I did before, hoping the shower system worked to offset the first opinion I tagged to the structure.

With my belly rumbling, keeping me awake, I tossed away the stain ridden blanket; getting dressed and joining the night life of the cantina, in pursuit of food. I sipped, casually, on my drink whilst the waitress rushed to ensure my order was filled to my specifics. I observed the other patrons, learning the way of life, or behavior, on how to act on this planet summing up that my time spent here wouldn't last long. With my drink half full, my food came by the young waitress, who was kind enough to drip back to get me a full drink to compliment my dwindling glass'es contained fluid.

Eating my meal a male human in dusty clothes approached my table, placing his mug upon my table; grinning with a mouth that played host to several missing teeth. I was in no mood to be entertained so I politely said, "Not interested." He took a step back, placing a hand upon his breast. Failing to comprehend my words, he took a seat across from me. "Oh, little one you haven't heard my price." In between bites I stated, "Not for sale. Leave...now."

My anger was starting to elevate, whilst the fingers of the Darkside began to caress my mind; slipping thoughts of punishing this man, violently. "Every girl is for sale," he replied. Instead of reacting through the Force, I grabbed my drink tossing it's contents into his face. Angered, and wet, he stood up drawing his right hand into a ball, cocking his elbow back. His little display attracted the other men in the cantina, spurring them to rise drawing their blasters. Looking about, my uninvited suitor said, "This isn't over!" Watching him walk away, I knew he was right.

After a couple of hours, I left the cantina. Walking back to my room, I was rudely stopped by the man from the cantina and two of his cronies. He drew a small dagger from his belt, making me react by grabbing his weapon held wrist and flipping him head over heels. Spying his two cronies moving toward me, I spat a little of the Force bringing a wooden rod falling into the steps of one no-good-doer, tripping him up; whose crashing body collided with the other, sending both parties to the sand.

I sensed my failed suitor trying to get up. Placing my left foot on his throat whilst turning my head slowly down to make eye contact I said,"Your life is mine...and you are in my debt." I could have killed him right there, but that would cause problems I wished to avoid. Letting him up, he rubbed his wrist, nodding in agreement of me sparing his life; kicking his two friends in their butts, all three disappearing into the night.

Now, maybe, I could get some sleep myself.​

 

[Xiang Vang]

The next day I was waiting outside the shop when it opened; stepping inside brushing past the droid straight to the counter. I handed the list to Kel, telling her to add total purchase to my employer's account; then left it while I went to browse the wares while the order was being filled. While I made my rounds through the shop, a man walked in darting his eyes about while he approached the counter. Kel appeared from the back and the man quickly produced a blaster; pointing the barrel at the woman.

I told myself not to get involved, but I was only lying to myself. Sensing the fear radiating off the shop owner, I soaked it up like a sponge and reacted. Using my Force talents, I pulled the man back with enough Force energy to pull him to the ground, closing the distance between us whilst grabbing a tool from the shelf in the process; which turned out to be a hydrospanner. Switching it on, I pointed the end at the man, showing him the electrical charge dancing back and forth.

He laid there, surprised and angry, while his right hand tried to reach for his falling blaster. "Don't," I said, "I will use this....thing." Snarling, the man either thought I was bluffing or he was quicker than me; and reached for his blaster. I drove the tool into his chest, watching with some manner of glee as the jolts of electricity shot through his body. His pain and misery called to my Darkside nature, and if it wasn't for Kel yelling for the droid to kick the man out; I would have electrocuted the man on the spot.

The droid grabbed the man by his twin shoulder blades and dragged him from the store. I picked up his blaster and tossed it on the counter. Kel, surprised herself, gave a faint smile before ducking to the back. I returned the tool, and for a moment thought of going outside to kill the man; after all, he put my life in danger, or so I thought.​

 

[Xiang Vang]

With the parts packed tightly on my landspeeder, I bid a farewell to the outpost; heading back to the farm. A few moments later, a collection of droids began unloading them; my boss staring at me with fury. "Took you long enough," he said smiling. "I've spent a lot of money on that machine and I took a leap of faith in you. You can fix it?" I patted him on the shoulder whilst passing by him. "Trust....is hard to follow. Yes, I can fix it," I said.

Two hours later, the machine was humming and ready to work. My boss, with hands on hips, stared at it whilst it moved out to do it's job. "Satisfied," I said hearing my own pride in my voice. "Okay, you have a job. Come have dinner with me and my wife after your duties. She is excited to meet you."

By the time the light of day was eclipsed by it's sister, night, I had fixed the majority of the machines; while maintaining on alert for the machines that sputtered and threatened to break. I was late to dinner, enjoying the shower I took, removing the sand, dirt, oil, and grim from my skin. When I did finally arrive, my boss was already seated, along with his wife Kel whom took a special interest in me.

"My wife tells me you are quite the hero." With a flight of food whose only destination was my mouth paused in mid flight, I looked over at Kel before looking back at my boss saying, "I'm not a hero." I took the bite, lowering my head to avoid another eye contact with Kel. But she said, "Not a hero! You saved me from a thief and did it with..." I placed my fork on my plate with authority, standing up saying, "I have a lot of work in the morning. Goodnight boss. 'Night Kel."​

 

[Xiang Vang]

The next morning, both my boss and his wife Kel were standing outside of my hut; both with their arms folded across their chests. By the look on the face of my boss, Kel must have dropped heavy details about what transpired in her shop the other day. Kel, on the other hand, seemed to be beaming with joy and a hard, wily smile on her face.

"Ok....let's go somewhere to talk," I said whilst making preparations to move to a different planet. They led me out past the farm, where my boss said, "Ok. Talk." I explained to them who I was once, and why I decided to no longer be that person anymore in great detail. "That is why I left the Jedi....but I am in no way a threat to anyone here," I concluded after my life's history lesson.

"You are absolutely not with that fanatical group," my boss said, looking over at Kel. "One hundred percent not aligned with them...I'm just...well....struggling internally."

"Fair enough. Now get to work," he said slapping my shoulder in a friendly gesture.​