The Stormtroopers
The three Wookiees made their way through the forest, alternating between Wookiee-built walkways, transportation by Kshyy vine, and crossing-branch transfers to move from tree to tree.
The two boys, each with a small bundle of bowcasters strapped on their backs, followed the elder Wookiee without a care. They bantered insults back and forth, occassionally pausing to toss sticks at each other.
"Moya', you are such a leaf-chewer."
"Am not."
"Are, too."
"Boys, if I am going to have to listen to this all the way home I know two Wookiees who are going to be grounded for a week."
Koshakka threw his cousin a carefully timed "let it drop" look and the conversation subsided.
"We are going to stop in a small settlement on our way home. A friend of mine lives there and I want to stop and say 'hello' since it is on the way. You two be on your best behavior, OK?"
"OK, Uncle Chyorny. I will be good."
With that one, Moya' was treated to Koshakka's "what a suck up" look. He returned a mocking smile and continued following along behind his uncle. As the small group of Wookiee homes came into view the group immediately knew that something was wrong. Several of the dwellings were burning and there was unusual activity on the platforms below.
Chorny drew his bowcaster and dropped down on the branch. The boys instinctively followed his lead.
The three Wookiees deftly moved to where they could see the activity below without revealing themselves. Moya' recognized the two tall bipedal lizards as Trandoshans, or Dosh, even though he had never actually seen one. All Wookiee children were taught to be wary of Dosh. The shorter bipeds were different. Humans, perhaps? It was difficult to tell as they were enclosed in some sort of hard, white shell. No fur showed on their heads which were encased in the shell.
Eight of the white beings held weapons at ready while the others worked with the Dosh to load a few unconscious, shackled Wookiees into a shuttle parked on the platform.
Fear, anger and hate welled up inside of Moya'. Here was his greatest fear realized. Aliens. Slavers. Like the ones who had taken his family from him. Tears of fear wet the fur of his face as he realized that his moment had come. His first battle. While not even initiated yet, he would be able to prove to himself and to Koshakka that he could be could be a great Wookiee warrior.
Moya' and Koshakka looked to the elder Wookiee awaiting the signal to attack. A signal that never came. Confusion crossed their faces as they watched the strange creatures board the shuttle and depart.
"But, why didn't we help them? How could you just hide there like that?" Moya' knew immediately that he had chosen his words poorly. The look on his uncle's face was one he had never seen before. A look that he never wanted to see again.
"Moya', Koshakka. We must get home quickly. Keep quiet, move quickly, stay behind me, and take cover if you hear any unusual movement. If something happens, don't even think about fighting. Run home as quickly as possible and warn the elders."
"But, shouldn't we go look for survivors? Someone might be hurt down there."
"They do not leave living Wookiees behind. The only ones left will be the dead. I will bring some Wookiees from the village back with me to take care of them after I know you boys are safe."
Koshakka stood and prepared to follow his father. Moya', however, did not respond. He lay on the branch with all claws dug in, tears streaming from his eyes. Anger and sorrow filled him as he stared at the burning buildings of the now-empty village.
"Moya', son, it is time for us to go. Moya' ..."
***
"Moya', I don't think you have even listened to a word I said."
"What? Oh, I'm sorry, Sirii."
"I was saying that the Empire does not condone slave raids. The only slaves out there are hardened criminals who are serving their sentences for their crimes. You know, Wookiee brawlers and those nasty Meatlump gang members. You can hardly say they are innocent victims. Anything else you have heard is just Rebel Propaganda or lies spread by Pan-Wookieeist Separatists."
"Sirii, I lost my parents and my sister to the slavers."
"That was years ago. And I know it wasn't the Empire because our Emperor just wants his people to be happy. It was just criminals, I am sure."
Moya' started to respond, but paused when he say Xie's "don't waste your breath look."
The awkward silence was broken by a familiar voice. Shayde bustled into the green room to collect her clients.
"Madam Sirii, they are all set for you in the VIP Lounge. Def Stars, you are scheduled for the Main Stage. Have a good show everyone!"
As Sirii departed Xie quietly reassured her friend.
"Moya', there are many people who know the truth about imperial slavery. Sirii is just the product of the loyalist education system. She loves the Empire, and you will never change her mind. Don't worry, the Wookiees will be free some day. Just keep that in mind. It will help you get through each day."
*****
Afterword:
Sirii and I actually had a conversation similar to this at GF3. It was long before she joined DEF. I really only knew her from our encounters in cantinas and at gigs. Even after we had become friends and guildmates, I knew that she did not really understand why Wookiee rights are so important to me. I think this is why I never looked on her as a fur sister.
She always gave me the impression that she thought I chose to be a radical Wookiee, that somehow I had been given a choice. "Pan-Wookieeism," as she used to call it, is not some sort of a political movement. It is not a political party that I joined to get the free commemorative hood. It is a natural reaction of an oppressed people. We cannot stand by and watch our friends, family, clansmen, and neighbors be hauled away one by one.
Wookiees in the Empire are treated as second-class citizens. We are often verbally abused by stormtroopers and citizens alike. We live with the constant worry that each day might be our last as a free Wookiee. The fact that the Empire wishes to keep their role in the slave trade secret is the only thing that I believe allows Wookiees like me to walk freely among the other species.
Those of us who grew up on Kashyyyk know the realities of the blockades and the slave raids. We have heard the accounts of those who escaped. We have seen the burning and abandoned villages. And, rural areas such as my home have been the hardest hit. Small villages and settlements are the favorite targets for free-lance slavers and imperial slavers alike.
These are the areas that do not have the most up-to-date technology. These are the places where the Wookiees tend to only have traditional weapons -- weapons that are no match for stormtrooper armor and weaponry. And the effect on the rural culture has been devastating. Many villages and settlements have been abandoned because Wookiees no longer feel safe living there. Countless refugees have flocked to the big cities where the slavers dare not go. I fear that much of the damage can never be repaired.
It is also interesting when I remember this incident to realize that this is the first time I ever saw a Dosh or a human. I was too young to remember when my own village was raided. I only know what I later heard from the elders who rescued me.
And, it was the first time I had seen a stormtrooper, or "white shell" as we call them on Kashyyyk. My cousin and I, if we would have been alone, would not have had the self restraint to remain hidden. We did not understand the danger that we faced. We were young and prone to acting on impulse. Where at the time I thought my uncle acted in a shameful fashion, I now know that he acted in our best interest. It is better to pass up sure death or slavery to fight another day when the odds are more in our favor. It is a lesson that I have taken to heart and one that has made me a more effective warrior.
And, I would like to add that I am no longer afraid of either humans or Dosh because of their species. I have met enough friendly souls of both species to have moved beyond that. But, I still feel no remorse when I shoot a stormtrooper. To me, they are the instruments of oppression. And each time I take one down I think of my home and the damage they are doing there. I will not give up the fight until every last Wookiee is free.