Fiction Gallery

Once there was a slovenly Hutt and a lethargic Bear, neighbors within the same woodland. To consider them friends would be an overestimation of how much they cared for each other, but they were at least on good terms. One day, the Hutt arrived at the Bear's door with a proposal.

"Bear, there is a magical fruit that grows on a tree nearby, which grants one immortality. I aim to obtain it."

The Bear, who had just roused from a long slumber, rubbed at his eyes. "I have no need for immortality," he said. "I'm just a Bear."

"The fruit is next to a hive of honey," said Hutt.

"I'm in," said Bear.

The two ventured into the woods where the Hutt had mentioned this special tree. Now, this tree grew tall, taller than either creature could easily climb. Bear, hoping for a quick snack, felt bitterness at being tricked into actual work.

"So what are we supposed to do now?" asked Bear.

Hutt contemplated for a moment, then was struck with a thought. "Stand beside the tree, Bear, and I will climb on your back!"

Hutts are not typically known to be good climbers, and this one was not a difference to this rule. As the Hutt attempted to clamber on to the Bear's back, his mucus caused him to slide back down. The Bear groaned in disgust, and stopped the Hutt from making another attempt.

"Wait, let me try," said Bear.

Bears are more typically estimated to be good climbers, however this one was not. As the Bear tried to scramble up onto the Hutt's back, his claws scratched up the Hutt's shoulders. The Hutt roared in pain, and stopped the Bear from making another attempt.

"Stop! Stop!" shouted a voice unfamiliar to the two creatures. A slender Grey Jedi had appeared. "You must work together to solve this," they said. "Use your intellect!"

Both creatures looked to the other, then to the Jedi.

"I think we need a hint," said Hutt.

"I think we're out of ideas," said Bear.

The Jedi put their face into his hands, then went to work instructing the two to create a rudimentary pulley system. Bear collected rocks from the stream while Hutt collected vines from the nearby trees. It took them all day to do, and they finished by torchlight. Once the device was made, the Hutt was the first to test it. Bear considered it out of character for the Hutt to show such bravery, but he wasn't going to.

"Hoist me up!" ordered the Hutt.

"Take a torch," said Bear, offering one. "To smoke out the bees."

Bear and the Jedi pulled on the ropes, sending the Hutt into the tree. However, the slimy Hutt decided to grab for the fruit. Tugging the fruit from the vine caused the bees to wake, and they soon surrounded the greedy Hutt. Hutt howled and fell from the tree, tearing the pulley system down with him and squashing the fruit under his bulk. He jumped back up with surprising speed and ran into the woods with bees trailing behind him.

Though Bear considered following his acquaintance, he noticed the hive had fallen from the tree as well. Thus the Bear gorged on honey, forgetting all about the Hutt. The Jedi looked on with a wearied sigh.

To my Mistress Telona,

It has been forever since we have spoken. The years have been long since you left. As I sit here on the edge of oblivion my thoughts turn to you and all of our time together. It seems like a lifetime ago, sitting in the Sword's Sheath among faces that have blurred from my memory long ago. The familiar smell of the asteroid that we called home can still be easily recalled in my mind but so many other things have become foggy with time, and age.

I have found a new home among the Sons and Daughters of Sadow. I am one of them, but then I also am not. I still feel like an outsider even though they have all but embraced me as kin. The station I find myself in life is one I believe you would be proud of. I have amassed glory and riches as well as honor. I command a Harrower-class Dreadnought among a fleet of other starships. I have the ear of the Summit, including Grand Master Muz Keibatsu. I now possess a Raider Corvette for my own musings to do with as I wish. I have all these things but deep down I still feel like a beggar. As if I am pretending. Like these robes hold secrets and lies that I desperately wish to hold in darkness, scared that the light of day will hold both my skin and sins to bare for all to see.

I do not see how to resolve this doubt that has crept up and taken root deep inside me. It is at times like this that I would see your council and wisdom. I would wait for you outside your quarters, or your office, for hours and hours until your duties brought you back. You would look at me and see my conflict within almost instantaneously. You also knew what to say just as quickly. As you taught me the ways of the Krath I began to understand you more bit by bit. We grew was Master and Apprentice for years until I was Knighted and then, well, you know what happened then.

I sit here, in my office off the bridge. It is filled with accolades and trinkets. I have the command of thousands and thousands of people. Yet I sit alone with not one soul for whom I can share any of this with. For I would give it all away to bring you back into this realm. This is why, while I hold the moniker of Sith, I am not sure if I ever could be able to truly claim that title. You taught me to fight with all of my soul and, like you, hold a piece of myself back from the edge of that particular abyss. To have a purpose in what I do and why I do it. Never blindly following others out of fear but fighting with them for glory and honor.

So here I leave you. I am once again moving out to face the enemy. What lays beyond I have no clue but also no fear. If I do fall, please take me to you and promise never to let me go. I still guard these feelings I have, as did you when you drew breath. They, like you, shall never die.

Yours in eternity,

Hades