Sparks of Defiance
In the vast expanse of the galaxy, humanity had once been a mere flicker of existence, their technology underdeveloped and their potential untapped. But when the Galactic Empire swept across their home world, Earth, they were instantly conquered. The Emperor's speech echoed through the airwaves, reaching every corner of the planet. "As the ancient creed dictates: Strength is forged in the furnace of suffering. Weakness is an illusion that we, the Empire, shall burn away. Let the galaxy bear witness to the consequences of defiance."
After months of ruthless purging of anyone who resisted, humanity was left subjugated and treated like slaves at the mercy of the Empire. Their status as death worlders, known for their resilience and tenacity, only fueled suspicion and distrust among the other species within the Galactic Empire. From the grandest metropolis to the smallest outpost, humans were viewed as worthless scum.
As the years passed, humanity suffered under the weight of oppression. They were blamed for every mishap and catastrophe, from a simple bottle of liquor getting smashed to the destruction of an entire capital ship. But in the shadows, a resistance was quietly taking shape. But humanity can only endure so much. For years, they bore the weight of injustice, their backs bent under the Empire’s yoke. There was no grand plan, no secret network of resistance waiting in the wings. Just simmering anger, a collective frustration that burned in silence.
It all came to a head one fateful day on a bustling Imperial outpost. A human child, no older than seven, threw a ball to an alien playmate with more force than intended. The alien child stumbled, fell, and scraped their knee. A minor accident, but the Empire would not tolerate even the faintest sign of aggression from humanity.
The child and there family were dragged into the street, accused of fostering violence. A crowd gathered, silent and powerless, as the Empire's enforcers broadcasting their delivered swift and merciless "justice” across galactic news. That was the final straw.
Something broke that day. The horror of it all—the cries of the children, the sneering indifference of the enforcers, the rising stench of injustice now festering like a malignant rot—ignited a spark in the crowd. Someone, no one even remembers who, hurled the first stone. Then another. And another. The enforcers fell beneath a storm of fists, rocks, and fury.
Word of the uprising spread like wildfire. Across the galaxy, humans and even some sympathetic aliens rose up in solidarity, armed with whatever they could find. It wasn’t organized, and it certainly wasn’t coordinated, but it was unstoppable.
They didn’t need a plan—just the shared understanding that enough was enough.
___________________________________________________________________
Hey everyone, first time posting my writing in a specific genre area so I hope you all enjoy it! And to those who have read my previous stories, i'm back and going to try and have a more consistent schedule as I (Admittedly) let writing slip away from me (Hoping my work still entertains at least some of you). But anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday (Be it Christmas, Hanukkah or even just some time away from work/school)! As always, if you have suggestions about this piece or anything (Be it prompts or another piece of media) that you want me to write something about then let me know! I hope you all have a lovely Day/Night