Rain pressed herself against a tower of crates, gazing intently across the abandoned cargo dock. It was the dead of night, yet she could hear the clinking of chains as the line of slaves were herded onto a ship. She counted five Zygerrians, all armed with shock whips and blasters. Of course the night guards were nowhere to be seen, having been bribed. Except for the bright yellow light of the shock whips, visibility was very low; Rain could only see the silhouettes of the slaves. Clearing her mind and reaching out with the force, she brushed against the minds of the prisoners, searching for her little sister. She found Mira fifth from the back, and a smile spread slowly over her face.

Mira.

Taking a deep breath, Rain stepped out from hiding and ignited her lightsaber. All eyes turned on her, and in an instant, all hell broke loose. The Zygerrians whipped out their blasters and started firing. Many of the slaves tried to break rank and run for it. Two slavers stopped firing immediately and cracked their whips at the prisoners in an attempt to discourage escape. Several screams rang out, but Rain recognized one voice above them all. She turned her head to see Mira hit the ground and go limp, followed by several others in the line. At the sight of her little sister lying there unmoving, something inside Rain snapped. She returned her full attention to the slavers, her grip on her weapon tightening.

"Stop. Hurting. Mira!"

She ran straight at the closest target, dodging his shots and cutting right through him in a single slice. The Zygerrian's body crumpled to the ground with a sickening thump. Rain looked down at the corpse, the eyes staring lifelessly back at her. She felt nothing, nothing, just numbing anger. She raised her head, seeking out her next target. She charged him and he swung his whip at her as a warning to keep her distance. Rain tapped into the force, slamming him backward and ramming her lightsaber through his chest while he was down. The other three Zygerrians were dragging the prisoners on board. Rain flung her lightsaber, and it spun in a wide arc, cutting through three unfortunate prisoners and burying itself in one Zygerrian's heart. A tug through the force brought it back to Rain's grip. The remaining slavers panicked and raced on board their ship, heading for the cockpit. The slaves scattered, trying to race past Rain only to be cut down if they came too close. Rain pursued the Zygerrians to the cockpit as they frantically tried to start up the ship. In defense, one Zygerrian cracked his whip at Rain. She responded by cutting off his hand and delivering the fatal blow. The last surviving slaver stared in horror at his fallen comrade and quickly flung down his weapons, raising his hands above his head.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"I surrender!" he insisted, a look of fear in his eyes.

Rain met his gaze with a cold, empty look. There was no sign of pity in her face, no sign of the Jedi she was supposed to be. She said nothing, raising her lightsaber.

"Wait!" the Zygerrian protested, "Please, I surrender! I swear I won't—"

Rain brought her lightsaber down, and there was silence. A deep, heavy silence that seemed to ring in her ears. She deactivated her weapon and tucked it away inside her cloak, turning without so much as a final glance behind her and exiting the cockpit. On her way out, she stopped next to the unconscious forms still lying undisturbed on the ramp. Mira was there, breathing easily. Rain picked her up, and left.