Star Wars Trials (Unfinished)

Chapter 1: False Promises1

Steve massaged the apart of his nose between his eyes in frustration. This was getting old. It wasn’t that hard. "Look Matt, just log in and hit the multiplayer button. Search for ‘Steve’, and join. We’re waiting for you." He hung up.2

It had been just a few days since they had all gotten the connection, and they were finally going to play together. Star Wars: Battlefront was definitely a good way to pass the time. And it was time that they had a lot of.3

Steve had set up Historical Campaign for the game. They would go through all the levels that led through the wars in the Star Wars movies of IV, V, and VI. These were his favorite, and playing with his friends made it even more enjoyable.4

He looked up. Matt had just joined. This was it. Game time. Steve started the battle.5

And just at that moment, something STRANGE happened. A heavy thunderstorm passed through the town, and just as luck would have it, each power line that the gamers were connected to was struck by lightning just as they were loading the game.6

For Steve and his friends, everything went black.7

Chapter 2: A Gamer’s Dream Come True8

Steve woke up in a very hot climate. He could feel an uneven surface beneath his body, and wind was whistling by his ears. It was a strange feeling though, because every inch of his body was covered in what appeared to be white armor. He slowly stood up, shaking out his aching muscles.9

It was then that he got a close look at his surroundings. The uneven surface he stood on was a hill of sand, and all around him he could only see more of it. Sand. Sand everywhere. Rocks and boulders, small as a man, to as giant as a skyscraper littered the endless desert.10

He turned around to noticed that he was encased in many of the man-sized boulders, and noticed others were standing around him, with the looks of preparing for battle. Each carried a heavy artillery weapon, some rifles, some explosives, some snipers. They were all dressed in the same armor as he, completely white from head to toe. He heard over the intercom in his helmet a voice, "What the hell am I wearing?" It sounded like Matt. Steve spoke back over the main channel. "I’m not sure, but I THINK you’re wearing a storm trooper’s outfit."11

It took him awhile to realize what he had just said. Stormtrooper. Storm. Trooper. Sandy. Rocks. Rifles. Oh shit.12

He was IN the game. With his friends, they were somehow in the game.13

He let out a frantic scream. What the hell happened? "We’re in the fuckin’ game!" At that moment, he could hear his fellow gamers let out cries of unbelief. Steve felt torn between a feeling of extreme disbelief and utter joy. This was everyone’s DREAM. To be part of a game that you enjoyed, that you practically worshipped was not something that happened everyday.14

He was shaken from his thoughts by a loud explosion. He looked to his left to see humans dressed in camouflaged clothing running directly at him, firing their rifles. Red bolts of light streamed past his face, and came into contacts with rocks behind him. He heard a scream, and looking back, saw one of the storm troopers hit the ground, his helmet meted with blood seeping out. Quickly, Steve looked around for HIS blaster. If he had come into the game, he was certain he should’ve had one for himself. He saw it lying on the ground, where he had awakened. Diving into a roll, he reached for his blaster and slid behind a rock. He quickly peered around and fired off five rapid shots in the direction of the attackers. Two of them connected with what he thought were the Rebels of the galaxy, and he watched them shoot back three feet in the air, to land on their back, unmoving. Bolts came whizzing towards his rock, and he shot back behind it. How many were left? Two? Five? Twenty? He was sure. He called for backup. He watched as two storm troopers came running over to his rock. They both had signia’s on their chests, which had their names. Ben and Zane.15

They had just reached the rock when more blaster fire hit it. "What is going on," Zane questioned. Steve was about to respond when he saw a shadow loom over their three crouched bodies. A rebel stood there, with his gun aimed right at Steve’s face. He knew he was about to die.16

Just then, the rebel flew directly toward them, and blood tainted their white metal. Matt stood behind them with his blaster raised. He walked calmly over to his comrades and said, "That’s the last of them. For now. We have to get out of here, and soon. Look, I see an archway off in the distance. It looks like we can climb it. Let’s go there and see if we can see a safe place from there."17

The other only nodded in agreement. They didn’t have much choice. This was war. No matter where they went, they faced enemies that wanted them dead. They didn’t have any inkling as to how many there were, or what battles they would face. They imagined that this would be a quick, almost instant battle. In all reality, their journey had just begun.18

Chapter 3: Endless Seas of Sand19

After the mutual agreement, they began their track across the desert toward the archway. It seemed strangely calm; they only saw a few rebels as they darted their way between the boulders across the sea.20

Once they reached the arch, they noticed it would not be an easy climb. The sharp edges that jutted out could be fatal if fallen on improperly, and there were plenty of places to fall. Steve decided it best if he ventured up first, ahead of his squad.21

Slowly, carefully, he pitched himself upward, one crag at a time. He manuevered his body in the way that you would see a squirrel do, quickly, agiley, yet carefully, full of planning. He knew it was only a matter of time before something bad happened. How he knew, he wasn't quite sure, but he didn't want to be in a spot where he could use no defense.22

After roughly ten minutes from the beginning of his trek, he made it to the top. "It's all right. Climb on up here with me."23

He watched them carefully, not taking his eyes off them. He was afraid that if he looked away to spot for some safe territory, he would lose his men. He couldn't afford that. Not when he was so uncertain of what might happen if he was alone.24

When they had all reached the top, they all turned around in unison. They could see only endless sand, stretching as far as the eyes could believe, except for one thing in the distance.25

A household.26

It looked very ominous, but so far as they could tell, it looked abandoned. "I say we go there. Hell, we could use it as a safeground meeting place if we have to," Ben responded.27

"Agreed," Steve said. "There's nothing more for us to do except go there, and turn it into our base. If we have trouble, we can always call for backup. Let's go for it."28

The four storm troopers slowly climbed back down the arch, taking more time down than up. They walked along the sea, noting every once in awhile strange guttural outcries. Steve had no idea what they might be, and decided it best to put them out of his mind.29

When they were only a few hundred feet from the house, Zane suddenly stopped. "Look, I have a strange feeling about this. It's been to quiet for us, I say we head back."30

"There's no way we can now," Steve responded. "It's too long of a journey, and we can make this a positive gain for our side. Maybe it will help us get outta here sooner."31

"Guys, you have to trust me. This is dangerous."32

Steve waved him off. He decided that though it was most probably a very dangerous situation, given the lack of resistance, he figured it best to go to the household. If, for some reason, it was a trap, then he was certain they could live through it. He walked up to the household, and entered it.33

Trekking down the stairs, he noticed a glowing center on the floor. Standing next to it, it slowly turned green, and he heard over his intercom, "We have taken the Homestead." The homestead. That's what it was called. They had made a base, and were ready for anything.34

He turned around as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He saw his fellow comrades enter, but not in the way he thought they would: calm and happy. There was a feeling of utter horror as they rushed down the stairs.35

"What did I tell you?" Zane gasped. "This was dangerous. It was a trap!"36

"What are you talking about?"37

"Rebels. An army of them. Their coming right at us. And there's no other storm troopers in sight! We're fucked, man!"38

Steve ran outside, and took a quick glance. Zane was right. A multitude of rebels were coming, armed with explosives. They knew what had hold of their homestead, and they knew that it wouldn't take long to exterminate the enemy.39

Steve had a feeling that it was not going to be a quick and easy battle after all.40