Rebecca sat alone on the swing set while the rest of her class played ball during their recess session. Using a stick she found on the ground nearby, she began drawing small pictures in the sand by her feet. As she finished one of her sand images, she was about to begin another when she happened to look up. Her teacher, several uniformed officers and a small squad of clone troopers were walking onto the playground.
The teacher clapped her hands loudly to get the childrens' attention. "Children, gather around quickly, please," she paused while Rebecca and her other classmates came over. The woman gestured to the higher ranked officer, "This is Commander Desro from base 658 on the other side of town. He and his squad will be escorting you home. School is closing early today."
Rebecca raised her hand, " What's wrong, Miss Saris?"
Her teacher gave a reassuring smile, "It's just a precaution, dear. Nothing to fear." Rebecca gave a puzzled look in return.
Commander Desro spoke up with a very serious tone, "Go inside and gather your things quickly. We are to take you home as soon as possible." Upon hearing this, the children ran back into the school.
Moving together as a group, one by one the children were delivered home. As the commander went to each door, he talked briefly to the kids' mothers, showing an image to each woman. Rebecca and the other remaining children watched from the street, unable to hear the officer and unsure what was going on. Finally, the squad arrived at Rebecca's home, the last stop. The armed troopers waited at the property's front gate while Commander Desro escorted Rebecca to the front door. He rang the bell and waited.
Inside, Cesera was in the kitchen preparing lunch for herself and for Deroh, who usually returns home from the Republic base to eat. Upon hearing the bell, she walked to the front door. Opening it, she was surprised to see the Commander.
"Lady Okins?" The Commander asked.
Cesera nodded. "That's right...May I help you?"
The commander gestured to Rebecca, standing beside him. "I'm here to return your daughter to you, Milady. Circumstances being as they are, all local schools were ordered an emergency shutdown for today."
Cesera moved aside to let Rebecca inside, then turned back to the Commander. "What's wrong? Has something happened? Is...Is Deroh alright?"
"Commander Okins was called to Coruscant, Milady. He is fine. However..." he paused, pulling an image out of his uniform pocket and handing it to her. "Our forces have just this morning raided a nearby traitor's camp. Of the two men in question, this one has eluded us." Cesera studied the picture. "Have you seen this young man? His name is Korban..."
Cesera shook her head. "I haven't, Commander, I'm sorry to say."
Desro shook his head, frustrated. "Very well. As a precaution, I urge you to keep your windows and doors locked and be wary of any strangers that come to your door until we rectify this situation. Keep that image for reference. If you see him, contact base 658 immediately."
Cesera nodded quickly, "Yes, Sir, of course."
Commander Desro nodded. "That will be all. Good day, Milady." He turned and rejoined his troops.
Cesera closed the door and locked it, rejoining her daughter in the kitchen.
"Mommy? What's goin' on?" Rebecca asked, hoping to get an answer.
Cesera stashed the image out of Rebecca's sight and turned to her, "Just some trooper business, my love. They're looking for someone."
"Is Daddy in trouble?"
"No...Daddy is fine, but I doubt he'll be coming home today. Daddy's on Coruscant."
"The Capital place? Cool!" Rebecca grinned. "Maybe he's getting a promotion!"
Cesera smiled, "Yes....maybe..." She looked out the kitchen window, nervous and unsure.
Later that night once Rebecca was tucked into bed, Cesera walked downstairs and made a cup of herbal tea. Taking her cup into the den, she switched on the holo and noticed a broadcast from Coruscant was interrupting every holo channel. She stood listening, suddenly dropping her tea cup and covering her mouth with her hands, shocked with what she was hearing.
The Jedi, and some within our own Senate, had conspired to create the shadow of separatism using one of their own as the enemy's leader… The Jedi hoped to unleash their destructive power against the Republic by assassinating the head of government and usurping control of the clone army. But the aims of would-be tyrants were valiantly opposed by those without elitist, dangerous powers. Our loyal clone troopers contained the insurrection within the Jedi Temple and quelled uprisings on a thousand worlds… The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated.
She collapsed into a chair, unable to take her eyes from the screen as Palpatine's broadcast continued.
These have been trying times, but we have passed the test. The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger. The war is over. The Separatists have been defeated, and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning.
In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society....
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