Art by Jocik
Start dreaming and create with AI
Get 10 weekly prompts free!
Badge Awards
Description
What happened so far: Hunted by the Empire the former Imperial stormtrooper Syna Dilonis, the former Senate's envoy Xan Leeray managed to steal a shuttle and escape some TIE fighters before entering hyperspace to the Erebus system. Fleeing from an Imperial corvette they fly to the planet Erebus II which is uninhabited by Imperial astromaps. Still, they find a former colony of the High Republic which is deserted except for the maintenance droid T2-R5, who gives them a city tour.
Recurring characters: Syna Dilonis, Xan Leeray, T2-R5
T2-R5 was pleased to have found a topic that captivated his visitors. “The High Republic values culture. Knowledge. Cooperation. It is not perfect, but it is… noble,” he recited with a lightly crackling voice module.
“Was noble,” Syna corrected softly.
“Excuse me?”
They continued through the park, where delicate-leafed plants still grew under domed light canopies. Birds chirped. Water trickled. Everything functioned.
Suddently, barely audible, a rumble vibrated through the ground.
“Have you heard this as well?” Xan asked. Or was this just another sensations send through the Force? But Syna nodded.
T2-R5 continued as if nothing had happened. “I’ve cleaned the central water management system every thirty-six months. The UV-light systems are autonomous. The two power generators are now in their 64th maintenance cycle and are still running at over 70% of their initial capacity.“ The droid pointed to two tower-like structures located at the edge of the colony. “It allows for the continued operation of the colony's most critical systems. I wanted the colony to be ready in case… someone came back.”
Syna stopped. “You really are more than just a maintenance droid.”
“I… thank you.”
The tour moved onto the parade avenue, broad, golden-edged walkways lined with statues of former senators, Jedi Masters, and diplomats. Each figure bore an inscription with a guiding principle:
“In unity, we find truth.”
“The light of the Republic knows no boundary.”
Syna paused before a statue of a Jedi, her hands folded, her face peaceful.
“Master Helo Etris. Peacemaker of the Dalvan Conflicts.”
“Monuments to peacemakers instead of war heroes,” Syna murmured. This Republic had no star fleet ruling a thousand systems with an iron fist. No Emperor. No Ultimate Weapon. And yet: peace. Across generations.
I am having such a hard time formulating my thoughts about this.
“The High Republic values culture. Knowledge. Cooperation. It is not perfect, but it is… noble,” I know it is often held that a Utopian ideal is the goal to strive for, but it sounds like sugary rhetoric. There are clearly those for whom these things have no value. Their culture is vulgarity, their knowledge is bigoted supremacy, and they are much more inclined to self-aggrandizement than cooperation. It only takes a small minority to destroy the good in the world.
I'll stop now.