Star Wars: Doc the Dispirited

As Ian stretched and yawned, he recounted his experience thus far. He had died, a bummer to be sure. Was reborn in a child-like body, something Ian still hadn't fully wrapped his head around. He was then carried through a collapsing ship of sorts by a masked cyborg, a thrilling experience if ever there was one. And then, during the escape, lifted something through sheer will... 'Telekinetically,' before passing out shortly after.

All in all, not a bad day, at least Ian thought so. A rebirth was certainly a step up from what he had imagined his 'afterlife' would be like; an endless void of nothing.

A few seconds after his awakening, Ian was beset upon by two excited Junkers. The Doc, trying to show him the picture book, in an attempt to communicate and Jent also curious about the off-worlder, but mostly just concerned about his well-being.

Ian looked up at the two maskless Junkers. They looked remarkably human, the only notable differences, other than the cybernetics, being that their brows, that stuck out like a neanderthals', and their ears, which were small and perfectly round.

The Junkers made several attempts to communicate. Even if Ian knew galactic basic standard, the most commonly spoken language in the universe, it would have been useless. The Junkers had their own language, unknown to the rest of the galaxy.

Ian was waving his arms and shaking his head, to show his lack of understanding, when Doc's picture book caught his eye.

A small, green, goblin-like man dressed in robes; carrying a lightsaber in a three-fingered grip. It was a figure instantly recognisable to Ian. "Yoda," Ian muttered, and the two Junkers grew quiet, watching as Ian pulled the book from Doc's hands.

It had crossed his mind, in that brief moment before he passed out, that what he had used was the force, or perhaps a similar type of power. Now he had confirmation, more than that he had proof. He had used the force, and by the looks of it, he was in the actual Starwars universe to boot.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, huh," said Ian, remembering the opening crawl from the film. All the people he had ever known probably hadn't even been born yet, and he was in a far off universe, one that had been depicted in a fantasy film...

It was surreal.

The two Junkers continued to stare at Ian, marvelling at his every utterance, carefully watching his every move, as if waiting for him to pull off a magic trick. Ian, having grown aware of the silence, looked up. The Junkers were standing uncomfortably close to him, especially the Doc, who had got so close that his enlarged golden goggled eyes filled up most of Ian's vision.

Ian let out an awkward chuckle, handed back the book he had grabbed from the Doc and scooted back, giving himself some breathing room.

"Doc, he definitely recognised the green one in the book, maybe he really is one of these Jedi," Jent said.

"I hope so... If the boy is indeed a Jedi... Do you know what this could mean? The Jedi are a noble species, in the book, they are said to be powerful and respected peacekeepers; they help govern the entire galaxy, perhaps we Junkers could finally seek passage off this god-forsaken rock with the Jedi-kinds help," Doc said, a glint in his eye and hope in his tone.

"I hope so Doc, I really do, but the off-worlder is only a kid, his pod has already been destroyed, we can't talk to him, and don't forget the fact that he's here in the first place, why the hell would anyone send a child to a place like this," Jent said, his cynical tone chipping away at the Doc's optimistic frame of mind.

"I suppose... I suppose it's just not meant to be... uhh, how utterly disappointing. I believe Werrin will be wanting to see you, that foolish grandson of mine?" Doc said, sighing. "Shit, yeah, I almost forgot... while I'm here you may as well hear it from me, the SSP9 refuge was attacked, I sent Nu'bar ahead to update Werrin on the situation, so he'll be waiting for me," Jent said.

"Attacked, by who, any wounded... Dead?" Doc asked. "Nu'bar is fine, as for the others... I'm not too sure, but more than likely they're dead," Jent answered. "A shame truly a shame..." was all the Doc could reply.

Jent beckoned to Ian, who had been watching the Junkers communicate, "Come on kid."

"I suppose he wants me to follow, well it's not like I've got anywhere better to be." Ian thought, following Jent out of the infirmary.