If I'm in a black empty dreamspace I usually just run forward in a straight line as fast as I can then I end up in a new scene. The other technique is to imagine a scene behind you then turn around. Gab what your describing sounds more like the OBE technique but this is still debatable anyway whether its an OBE or a dream.

With the dream characters appearing you are somewhat fearful and expecting them to be there. I used to be like this with aliens. I was fearful of them and expecting an alien trying to abduct me. But after having an experience of an alien appearing and me kicking its butt I no longer fear or expect it. This is because I now know what I would do in that situation and how I would handle it. It sounds to me like you were able to handle the storm troopers easily enough so you just need to transfer this to other DC's. Get creative and have fun with it, I've had DC's attack me before and its always fun kicking them through a wall or stopping their heart from beating just by thinking about it, go out there and snap some necks!