Prologue

Giles Branton 

     Giles had just arrived at his grandparents for the beginning of their vacation. The Branton family did not vacation often, for they were busy running Branton C Industries. After the family gathered together at the patriarch’s home, they were to stay there for a day and travel to see some of Alderaan’s historic sites. They would be staying in various luxury hotels along the way.

     “Where’s your sister Giles?”, Giles father Tarrik inquired. “Laice told me that she wanted to finish up some shopping before she came over.” “Well tell her she needs to hurry so we can get ready to eat.” “Will do!” Giles proclaimed. After contacting her on his holo disk, he told his parents that she was almost done and would be on her way.

     The Patriarch Irek Branton was reclining in his recliner next to his wife Roganda, who was sitting in her chair. Although, Giles just generally referred to them as Grandpa and Grandma. Irek seemed disappointed about something, and his daughter in law, Giles’ mother, Shelly took notice. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Oh, I’m just upset that Raymond and his family won’t be joining us this year.” Giles chimed in. “Yea I wish Zane, Celia, Gavin, and Uncle Raymond and Aunt Mira could make it.” Tarrik jokingly proclaimed, “If you made me head of the company instead of Raymond, we wouldn’t have this problem.” “Oh, hush up”, the matriarch Roganda responded with a mocking tone. This response got a laugh from Terrik and Giles. Irek sighed, “It can’t be helped that their going to vacation off world due to last minute business on Bakura.

     Later Giles asked what they thought of the empire having a giant space station outside the planets orbit. Roganda answered, “The empire is just trying to scare our esteemed Queen Breha and our majestic Princess Leia into surrendering our planets sovereignty.” “Speaking of Leia, isn’t she on a diplomatic mission right now?”, Shelly chimed in. “That’s what I last heard.” Terrik responded. “By the way, I think fighting against the empire is silly. They seem to be keeping the peace wherever they are. Crime statistics are down in the sectors they control. Plus, they seem like they maybe good for business. Perhaps, Alderaan should just join the empire.” His mother glared at him as she shouted, “You take that back right now!” Irek chuckled to himself and said, “No, I think I made the right choice making Raymond the head of the family business.”

     The doorbell rang, “That must be Laice, I’ll get it!” Giles shouted. Instead his girlfriend Maya ran into his arms as he opened the door. “Whoa, what are you doing here?” As they embraced, she looked up at him and answered playfully, “I just wanted to be spontaneous and surprise you before you left.” They then kissed, and Giles shouted “Look who’s here everybody!” After Maya received warm greetings from everyone, the room began to shake. “What’s happening, an earthquake?”, Giles shouted. Suddenly not only was everything shaking but craters were opening up outside and blinding light encompassed the horizon. Then there was nothing; nothing at all.