"Estrella...? We have a problem."

His words echoed in my head as I ran to the cockpit. I soon skidded to a stop and looked out. To my complete horror, three star destroyers blocked the path of the ship and were firing relentlessly at us.

"Are the shields up??" I cried, fumbling with the controls.

"They are but they won't hold long!" Tooka called back frantically, trying to get the hyperdrive online again.

My green eyes glowed brightly in anger, knowing that they found me. Shit.

As quickly as the firing commenced, it stopped. I was both surprised and wary because I know of the Empire's motives. Something's about to happen. A moment later, I was patched into the Empire's communications.

"This is Commander Brisk. You are trespassing on enemy territory and are wanted for crimes against the Empire. Surrender your ship or we will fire upon you again."

I hesitated on what to do next. No other option seemed better at the moment, but I didn't want to give into the Empire just yet.

"What do we do...?" Tooka asked timidly, eyeing the star destroyers with fear.

I continued to consider my options. I didn't realize that the guns had switched into attack position and were ready to fire. Right as they were about to fire, I punched the button and came in contact with the Commander.

"Alright, I'll surrender. Just please don't fire on us," I said, my fingers crossed behind my back.

Almost immediately, the gravity lock grabbed a hold of my ship and it was pulled into the loading bay. "C'mon Tooka," I said and walked to the ramp. Tooka followed obediently but I could sense his wariness and confusion. I placed a hand on his shoulder for support and he looked up at me with a small smile. I returned it and turned my head to face the incoming tidal wave of torture. Tooka had no idea what we were dealing with...

The ramp opened, and two Imperial officers with accompanied stormtroopers came into view. As soon as the lead officer saw me, his eyes widened in recognition.

"Troopers! Seize her!" he cried and they instantly handcuffed me.

I sighed in exasperation and looked the officer in the eyes. My eyes glowed a neon green in anger and the he averted his eyes from the brightness. A 'take her to the Commander' followed and soon I was walking through the corridors of the massive ship. Tooka was long gone from me as he was most likely taken to a holding cell.

The corridors were always crisp and clean with not a thing out of place. Officers and stormtroopers walked past us as I was taken deeper into its massive heart. After what seemed like forever, the command center doors finally slid open and I saw the Commander himself. But he wasn't alone. To his right, his back facing me, was another man not typically dressed in an Imperial uniform. Once my presence was known, the other man turned around and I saw his face. He had neatly combed red hair and sideburns and his piercing blue eyes studied me up and down. I looked down uncomfortably and waited for my punishment.

"Ah yes, the infamous young person we can never seem to catch," the Commander drawled and walked up to me.

His cold, rough hands chilled my skin as he lifted my head up to look at him. "Stunning..." he whispered and his thumb brushed over my scar. I winced at the painful memory. "You, Estrella, are truly something when we see you up close."

My fists clenched as I wanted to slap his hand away. He finally stood up straight again and addressed the other man.

"Estrella, this is Agent Kallus from the ISB. You have taken notice across the galaxy and we are determined to not let that happen," he spoke in a calm tone as if none of this was a big deal.

Agent Kallus stepped forward and faced me. He said nothing but I could see his eyes still observing me. I glared at him and growled. His expression flickered for a moment, but stayed stone cold.

"Commander Brisk, I advise that you leave. I want to have a moment alone with her if you please," he addressed the other man.

Commander Brisk seemed hesitant at first until he finally left at Agent Kallus' warning. He turned back to me and took a seat.

"Take a seat," he said and gestured toward another seat.

I warily stepped toward it and sat down cautiously, watching his manner. He seemed in no hurry and waited patiently. Once I sat down, he spoke.

"As you already know, I am Agent Kallus from the ISB. We monitor unusual activity in the outer rim and you have been quite the attention getter recently. These sparks need to be flushed out before they can catch fire. Do you understand?"

My expression hardened. "These sparks, as you call them, are only here because you put them there. Your oppressiveness across the galaxy is what makes people strong with hate wanting to fight back. I'm just trying to find my way in this massive universe."

Agent Kallus showed a faint admiration for my retort, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "You Estrella, could be a valuable piece in this galaxy if you were alongside us. We could all benefit from you. Especially the Emperor."

At the mention of his name my eyes blazed with fury. "I will never  follow him! You think you're so special to be in his command but in the end you're just disposable. He'll squash you just like he does for the rest of the galaxy. I'm no pawn of the Emperor's."

Agent Kallus seemed unfazed. Apparently he's seen this many times. He calmly stood up and walked to the only window in the office looking out at the stars.

"Then apparently you need some persuasion," he said at last and ordered stormtroopers to escort me to another part of the star destroyer.

More hallways and corridors passed me and in the blink of an eye I came to a larger room and saw a small boy laying unconsciously on the hard floor. My breath hitched. Tooka.

I wheeled around and faced Agent Kallus. "Let him go," I snarled dangerously. "It's me you want so spare yourself the trouble with him."

"Just like the Jedi of old," Agent Kallus remarked. "So selfless so foolish. I needed a reaction from you and proof that you would submit to the Empire even if it meant saving something that matters. And it seems I have succeeded."

"You haven't succeeded," I challenged. "Because little did you know, I've just beaten you."