Doctor Aphra (Star Wars)

NARRATOR:

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. . . .

CUE THEME

SCENE 1. INT. THE ARK ANGEL. SOMEWHERE IN THE OUTER RIM.

APHRA:

Begin recording.

APHRA (narration):

The first thing you need to know: This time I m dead. Definitely, definitely dead.

I ve almost died before. So many times. More lives than a tooka-cat, that s how Sava Toob-Nix used to describe me. And this story, the one that ends with me definitely dead . . . it all starts with one of those times I almost died.

So let s begin there.

We hear the blasts and explosions of a truly epic space battle perhaps a bit exaggerated in its epicness because this is the story as Aphra s telling it, and she is nothing if not over the top.

APHRA (narration):

Imagine it: the most epic space battle you ve ever seen. Lasers! Explosions! Things that go pew-pew! And right in the middle of it all, our intrepid heroine that s me! Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra. Rogue archaeologist, weapons expert, droid reactivator extraordinaire . . . and did I mention she is also extraordinarily beautiful? Raven tresses . . . that are usually a tangled mess, because they re stuffed under a very stylish aviator cap, complete with rakish goggles. Brown eyes that spark yes, spark! with a yearning for adventure. Intriguing electro-tattoos running down her right arm foolish, youthful mistake, or sign of an irrepressible daredevil? That s none of your business!

Let s join her as she makes her grand escape from a gang of nefarious pirates trying to gun down her glorious ship, the Ark Angel!

A particularly loud boom! as Aphra s ship is hit.

APHRA:

Dammit . . . hyperdrive down, life support hit. Okay . . . okay . . . that s fine, nothing to worry about. Activate auxiliary systems and get the crew working on it right away!

A beat as she realizes she s talking to herself.

APHRA:

Oh, right. There are no auxiliary systems. And I don t have a crew. Time to get creative . . .

The ship s

Sarah Kuhn is the author of the popular Heroine Complex novels a series starring Asian American superheroines. The first book was a Locus bestseller and an RT Reviewers Choice Award nominee. Her YA debut, the Japan-set romantic comedy I Love You So Mochi, is a Junior Library Guild selection and a nominee for YALSA s Best Fiction for Young Adults. She has also penned a variety of short fiction and comics, including the critically acclaimed graphic novel Shadow of the Batgirl for DC Comics. Additionally, she was a finalist for both the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. A third-generation Japanese American, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and an overflowing closet of vintage treasures.