She remembers fireworks on Liberation Day. They lit up the night and blotted out the stars. And ever since that day, she grew up free.
But it was too much to hope for that their distant little world would escape the Empire’s notice. It took their fleet years to get here, but they came with enough firepower to obliterate the colony as an example for the other protectorates.
She straps into the cockpit of her straighter knowing their little fleet doesn’t have a chance. But if she can’t strike a blow for Freedom, she’ll at least make a beautiful firework.

“Fireworks Composite” by jeff_golden is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

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Everyday Drabbles © 2025 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0