Chapter XVIII – New allies Part I
The armada was gathered
and every Rebel in and outside the Alliance waited
anxiously for their instructions. Ships from all over
the galaxy joined in what they hoped would be the last
battle – the final destruction of the Empire. The
grand armada included Corellian ships of every kind,
Sullustian freighters, Calamarian and Alderaanian
ships, and more. Every fighter ship in the Alliance,
shuttles, and transports were also present and ready
for action – all of their pilots and crew members
willing to sacrifice whatever was needed to achieve
success, even if it meant their very lives. Leading
the fleet was the largest of the Rebel Star Cruisers,
the Headquarters Frigate.
The War Room aboard the immense Star Cruiser was
filled to capacity as all manner of species and
lifeforms awaited orders from the High Command. The
ensuing excitement generated an electric current that
spread throughout the room as everyone waited and
speculated.
In the center of the room stood a spherical table,
projecting a massive holographic image of the
incomplete Death Star and its anchor, the nearby
planet of Dantooine. A resilient deflector shield,
originating from the surface of the planet, surrounded
both locations.
All of the activity, all the exuberant chatter,
suddenly ceased as a woman walked into the War Room.
She walked with grace and dignity in her azure colored
gown, the delicate silver and gold embroidered designs
catching the light and making the wearer appear almost
ethereal. The elegant woman sifted easily through the
throng of people, nodding in greeting to as many as
she could until she reached her senior advisors and
conferred with them briefly. One of her most trusted
advisors, Mon Mothma, couldn’t help but smile as the
time for their inspirational leader to address the
crowd finally came.
The leader of the Rebel Alliance stepped up on the
awaiting platform and raised her arms, causing a hush
to come over the assemblage. In a grave and confident
tone she announced, “Our time has come.”
The room burst into a deafening roar.
Padmé Skywalker, Chief of State and primary leader of
the Rebel Alliance, smiled in satisfaction at the
cheers directed toward her then raised her arms for
silence yet again. “Friends and allies, our
intelligence has been confirmed. We have the exact
location of the Emperor’s battle station, and we also
know the Emperor himself is on board, overseeing the
construction.”
A series of excited glances and energetic talk
immediately began to circulate.
Padmé continued, “The weapons systems on this station
are not yet operational and the Imperial Fleet is
scattered throughout the galaxy, leaving this
destructive force virtually unprotected.” Padmé turned
toward her Calamarian Admiral who stepped closer to
the holographic image.
“The station is protected by an energy field,
generated by the planet of Dantooine. It is impervious
to any attack and must be deactivated on the planet
surface for any attack to occur,” Admiral Ackbar
paused before continuing. “Once the shield is no
longer present our cruisers will create a perimeter
allowing the fighters to enter the unfinished
structure, lock onto the main reactor and destroy it.
General Kenobi will lead the attack.”
Prince Organa took the floor next and began, “We have
secured an Imperial shuttle.” The Prince drew in a
deep breath, remembering those who had perished on
that mission. “Captain Jade will lead a strike team
that will land on Dantooine and deactivate the shield
generator.” The Prince turned toward Sakoya and asked,
“Captain, is your team assembled?”
“Affirmative, however, I need a command crew for the
shuttle.”
“I volunteer!” Xar’ek shouted as he pushed through the
crowd.
Sakoya smiled. “That’s one.”
“I’m with you too,” another, younger voice chimed in
as its source emerged from behind a Calamarian.
“Leia?” Sakoya asked, stunned by the identity of her
newest volunteer.
“Yes, it’s me.” Leia approached and hugged the Jedi.
“I’m proficient with a blaster, and I want to do
this.”
“What about your mother? She won’t approve,” Sakoya
commented skeptically.
“She understands. She doesn’t like it, but she
understands. I’m no longer a child, Sakoya,” Leia
affirmed.
Sakoya nodded approvingly and offered her hand.
“Welcome aboard.”
“Battle stations! May the Force be with us,” Mon
Mothma stated.
************************************
“Moff Tarkin.” The voice hissed into the comm.
“Yes, Your Excellency?” came the reply.
“Have you destroyed the ship Skywalker arrived in?”
“Yes, sir. I assigned a pilot to fly it past our
perimeter, and your command ship, Executor,
destroyed it.”
“Very good…Skywalker won’t be leaving this station,
dead or alive,” Palpatine mocked beneath his dark
hood. “Is the fleet in place and ready?”
“As you commanded. They await your orders.”
A sinister sneer crept up Palpatine’s lips and his
eyes narrowed. “Tell them to stand-by,” he shrewdly
ordered.
************************************
Merging into the Force, the Jedi stretched out his
senses. After a moment, he found the ebony hole that
was Palpatine and used it as a guide to the Audience
Chamber. He thought of how the cold, far reaches of
space emitted more warmth than Palpatine’s dark
presence in the Force. To feel such an extreme level
of contempt for life… Anakin pitied the man who was no
more than a shell, an empty husk.
Expertly weaving through the numerous corridors,
Anakin took solace in the fact that no alarm echoed in
his ears and no troops scurried through each floor
looking for him and shook his head. “Apparently, the
dear captain isn’t missed very much,” he whispered as
he dove into a vacant lift. “Sidious is up to
something… I have to stay alert,” he sternly told
himself.
************************************
Emperor Palpatine smiled barbarously as he sensed
Anakin reach out to him. “I can feel your heartbeat –
strong you have become in mind and body,” he remarked
aloud, gritting his teeth in satisfaction. He knew
only too well that Anakin would come to him of his own
volition, and for the first time in many years, the
Emperor felt a thrill of ecstasy that caused him to
shiver. “Soon, my young Jedi… Soon…you…will…be…mine!”
Palpatine uttered as a horrific laugh coursed through
his aged body.
Anakin was only too cognizant of the Emperor’s
deceptive mind as he made his way through the massive
space station. He knew the risks he was taking but, in
his mind, they were justifiable – Luke was all that
mattered. He had to free his son from the bonds of
darkness, even at the expense of his own soul.
************************************
As the Jedi rounded another corner, he espied
something rather strange and decided a closer look was
warranted. “I thought so,” he mumbled, half smiling.
Han and Chewie stopped immediately upon seeing the
Jedi Knight smirking at them in the hallway. “What do
you want?” Han bellowed.
“Perhaps we can mutually benefit each other,” Anakin
commented, squaring his shoulders and crossing his
arms as he blocked the hallway.
“Why?” Han asked suspiciously. After all, it wasn’t
every day he ran into a Jedi, rather the type of
individual he always avoided.
“You don’t honestly want me to believe you belong
here, skulking in hallways with a Wookiee?”
“Um, a reconnaissance mission. Something new the
Emperor dreamed up.”
“Fascinating,” Anakin acknowledged, displaying his
lopsided grin.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones skulking, Jedi.”
Han slowly raised his blaster.
Anakin grinned and with a wave of his hand, the
blaster bolted from the Corellian’s hand and into his
own. “So much for your mission,” Anakin replied dryly.
This was the last thing Han needed or wanted and it
only added to his already escalating frustration. “Out
with it, Jedi.”
Using the Force, Anakin returned the weapon he had
taken away by gently floating it back to the man who
had been wielding it. “I am Anakin Skywalker and you
are…”
“Han Solo,” he introduced himself before pointing to
the wooly mammoth behind him, “and this is Chewbacca.
We’re just trying to escape this monstrosity!”
“Do you have a ship here or did you happen to break
out of the prison?”
“I have a ship waiting in the hangar, if they haven’t
dismantled it by now.”
Anakin smiled, satisfied his hunch paid off. “A
smuggler, I presume?”
Han shook his head indignantly, “Yeah, gotta make a
living somehow. What of it?”
“Simply an observation. Is your ship fast enough to
outrun the Imperials?”
“Is it…fast enough?” Han felt insulted by the audacity
of such a ridiculous question. “Ever heard of the
Millennium Falcon?”
“No. Should I have?” Anakin inquired placidly with a
shake of his head.
Han opened his mouth to protest but realized he didn’t
have time to argue the finer points of his precious
ship’s capabilities. “What’re you looking for?”
“Simple.” The Jedi menacingly stared at the duo.
“After I rescue my imprisoned son I need a ship to
take us out of here.”
Han grinned devilishly, “Sounds like you didn’t have a
very good plan when you came here.”
“On the contrary, if I were a betting man, I’d take
the odds that my ship is no longer capable of flight
thanks to the Imperials.” Anakin bitterly thought,
The Emperor is quite aware of my presence on board the
station and leaving peacefully is not something he’s
going to allow me to do. “I had planned on
absconding with a shuttle, but since you are trying to
get out of here as well, why not make it beneficial
for both of us?”
“What’s the ante?”
“30,000 credits for my son, myself and two droids.”
“What droids?”
“The ones who should be accomplishing their mission.”
“When?” Han prompted. “What mission?”
“The one I instructed them to carry out. They should
be done anytime, I would imagine.” Anakin said,
flashing a crooked smile.
“And what instructions did you give?” Han asked, his
exasperation with the Jedi abundantly apparent.
Anakin grinned, “To deactivate the main reactor. This
technological terror will be nothing but a massive
ball in space.”
“Smells like something more than that, Jedi.”
“Very astute. Let’s just say that it would be mutually
beneficial because this station is going to be
obliterated by the Rebel Alliance. As long as I’m a
passenger on your ship, the Alliance won’t fire on you
when we make our escape.”
“When is that?” Han didn’t relish the idea of being
stuck on this floating ball of metal when it decided
to explode.
“Do we have a deal?” Anakin pressed, holding out his
hand.
Han regarded the Jedi for a moment then shook the
extended hand. “Yeah,” he nodded. “What’re the
details?”
Anakin wasn’t one to trust smugglers, as he didn’t
think much of them especially since profit mattered
above all else to them. Whether it was Force guided or
some other reason, the Jedi found he had a penchant
for this person and decided to indulge in it. Force
knows why, he silently sighed. Anakin explained
his plan to the Corellian and his companion. However,
with the recent turn of events regarding Luke, the
Jedi couldn’t even estimate how long it would take to
free him.
“Sounds like you’re gonna need more luck than us! Kill
the Emperor and get your son? Good luck!” Han
looked dubious of Anakin’s ability to succeed.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll do my part. Can you get to
my droids?”
Han tossed his head. “No problem. We’ve been in
tighter jams than this,” he commented haughtily.
Chewbacca’s resulting grunt sounded more like a laugh.
At least he’s interesting and bold, Anakin
mused. “I’ll contact you.”
Han looked confused. “How – by a Jedi Mind Trick or
something? That Force thing you believe in? I think
I’ll keep my blaster handy!”
“Through my protocol droid – he has a comm link.”
Han rolled his eyes, “Blasted droids.” At least I’m
getting paid well enough to get a few debts off my
back!
“Yes, well, they are indispensable from time to time.”
Anakin didn’t wait for any further rebuke as he dashed
away from the pair of smugglers and lithely made his
way down the corridor. For a reason still foreign to
him, he knew this Han Solo would keep his word and
focused instead on freeing his son.
“What?” Han asked, annoyed by his furry companion’s
complaints.
Chewie let out a series of barks and growls and shook
his hairy head.
“Why not make some money? We got ourselves into this
mess and a little profit along the way doesn’t hurt!
Besides, you know how impatient Jabba is – I gotta pay
him off.”
Chewie whined a little further then quieted. He knew
it was pointless to argue and followed after his
captain.
************************************************************************
Chapter XVIII – Dantooine Part II
The Lambda class
shuttle may have once belonged to the Imperials, but
Xar’ek had impressed upon the Alliance Council that
some special modifications needed to be employed to
the craft before it would be sufficient for use on its
intended mission. He presented his suggestions and
once they were approved, he revamped the ship’s
original designation, using another, more viable
designation gained by Alliance intelligence. An
additional alteration involved incorporating Prince
Organa’s cloaking device, which he readily agreed to
provide and install.
************************************
“We have you on our screen now,” the controller
stated. “Please identify.”
“Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of
the deflector shield.” Xar’ek used his baritone voice
to his advantage.
“Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code
for shield passage,” an unknown Imperial answered
back.
Xar’ek tilted his head to the side, a definite smirk
on his face. “Transmission commencing.”
“Now we find out if that code was worth the price we
paid,” Sakoya said with a bit of skepticism.
“It'll work, it'll work,” Xar’ek stated with
confidence.
“It has to,” Leia said just above a whisper.
Controller Jhoff was about to issue clearance when
Admiral Piett approached. “Does that shuttle match the
stolen one?” the admiral inquired.
“No, sir. The scans read a different ship. It is not
the Nezus. Shall I hold?”
“What is their purpose?”
“Shuttle Tydirium, what is your cargo and
destination?” the Imperial demanded.
“Parts and technical crew to the planet surface.”
“Are the codes current?” the admiral inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Jhoff affirmed.
“Carry on.” The admiral nodded and walked away.
Sakoya sat back in her chair and closed her eyes,
using the Force to keep her calm, during the seemingly
endless wait for the Imperials’ response.
“Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield
will commence immediately. Follow your present
course.”
An audible sigh of relief escaped the lips of each of
the shuttle’s occupants as they flew the ship down to
the planet surface.
************************************
Captain Jade descended the ramp, walked a few feet
then turned around to watch the cloaking device
engage. A smile crossed her lips as the Imperial
shuttle disappeared from view. Perfect camouflage,
Sakoya conceded as she chuckled silently.
“All set, Leia?” Sakoya inquired.
“Ready,” Leia avowed, adjusting her uniform that
blended in perfectly with her surroundings.
Sakoya tilted her head to the side and glanced at her
co-pilot. “Xar’ek? Are you ready?”
“Ready,” he answered, holstering his blaster.
************************************
The Rebel contingent made its way through the sparse
trees and grasses that awaited them; they went up a
steep hill then down again only to be greeted by more
of the same type of terrain. Xar’ek, followed by
Sakoya and Leia, led the strike team that was composed
of some of the best groundfighters in the Rebel
Alliance. Some had cryptic pasts while others were
trained military infantry, but each possessed the
necessary skills for this mission.
One common interest they happened to share was an
equal loathing of the Empire, and its demise could not
come quickly enough for anyone in this party. Each
person understood just how crucial this raid was to
the armada’s attack. If they failed to destroy the
shield generator here, there would be no second
chances.
With stealth and agility, the team trekked across the
planet of Dantooine toward their main target – the
shield generator.
************************************
As soon as he reached the crest of the hill, Xar’ek
instantly half raised his arm with his fist closed,
signaling an abrupt stop. Crouching down, they fanned
out and peered over the edge.
Sakoya crawled over to Xar’ek and followed his finger
that pointed through some thicket. Down below were a
couple of Imperial scouts resting quite comfortably
against the trees.
“Suggestions?” Sakoya whispered.
“We could go around,” Leia quietly commented.
Xar’ek shook his head. “No, we don’t have that kind of
time.”
“If I had a crossbow, I could pick them off from
here,” Sakoya lamented, suddenly wishing she had
thought to include the weapon in her arsenal when
planning the mission.
“Sorry, dear,” Xar’ek remarked with a smirk.
The Jedi glared at her friend, clearly not amused by
how he chose to address her. “Xar’ek,” she said icily.
Xar’ek threw his hands in front of his chest in mock
surrender. “Okay, okay, Captain.”
His sarcasm only earned him another frosty glare.
“I don’t see any more of them. Do you?” Leia inquired.
Sakoya and Xar’ek both shook their heads. “No, but
that doesn’t mean more aren’t around,” Sakoya stated.
“I think I can pick them off, single shot each,”
Xar’ek boasted.
“Think?” Leia asked, stunned.
Xar’ek simply grinned devilishly and drew his blaster.
Sakoya held out her arm, stopping him. “It’s too far.
We have to get closer,” she ordered, producing a glare
at her old friend’s impetuousness.
“No worries! Watch the expert.” Before Sakoya could
stop him, Xar’ek was carefully maneuvering down the
slope.
“Think a mind trick would work on him?” Leia
sarcastically quipped.
Sakoya sighed and shook her head. “I doubt it. Too
thick-skulled.”
The rest of the squad flattened themselves to the
ground and waited, hoping their mission hadn’t been
for naught because of this daft pirate’s recklessness.
Xar’ek made it down the hill and darted in between the
trees and bushes, attempting to reach his quarry.
“Ahhh, there we go,” he whispered to himself as he
watched the scouts from about fifty meters away.
Unfortunately for the Imperials, they were oblivious
to their new shadow and never knew what hit them.
Xar’ek’s blaster only fired twice.
Sakoya and the rest of her team made their way down to
their companion only to find Xar’ek proudly standing
over his conquests. He had one booted foot atop the
chest of a scout and his arms crossed in front of him,
beaming proudly.
“See, two shots.” He held up two fingers for emphasis.
Leia and Sakoya groaned simultaneously. “C’mon, hot
shot, we have a mission to accomplish and the
grandstanding will have to wait,” Leia chastised.
“Let’s go,” Sakoya ordered and walked off. “We still
have more than a few kilometers to cover,” she
remarked over her shoulder.
Disappointed at his failure to impress everyone,
Xar’ek fell into line with the rest of the squad and
began walking.
They continued their silent trek until Sakoya’s hand
went up, signaling another halt in movement. She
crouched down and sidled up to a tree. The others
followed her lead and quietly concealed themselves.
Peering around the tree, she espied a small squad of
scouts with speeder bikes not very far away.
“We could use those bikes to cut our time down
dramatically,” she whispered. Suddenly, behind her,
she heard the snapping of wood and turned around only
to find herself gazing into the barrel of a blaster
rifle.
************************************
“Well, we got here ahead of schedule just like you
wanted,” Xar’ek mockingly commented as they arrived at
their intended destination – the shield generator. The
only problem was that they never intended to arrive as
prisoners of the Empire.
“Do shut-up, will you?” Sakoya snapped. “What do our
odds look like?”
Xar’ek sized up the enemy quickly. “Mmm, about fifty
of them but we’re surrounded and weaponless.”
“Not for long,” Sakoya declared with a confident grin,
sensing that the perfect opportunity for some mental
manipulation was at hand.
“Rebels! Good work. Alpha Squad, report back to your
positions.” The Imperial commander turned and began to
prowl around his prisoners, exuberant over his catch.
“We’ve been expecting you, you pathetic rabble.”
Curious, Leia inquired, “You have? How?”
The officer laughed heartily. “The Emperor forewarned
us. He knows of your plans to attack. Your fleet will
arrive and be decimated by our fleet that’s
lying in wait.”
“And what if we escape?” questioned a Rebel
infantryman.
Again, the officer laughed at the audacity of the
question. “And what possibility would there be of
that? Can’t you see you’re surrounded and hopelessly
outnumbered?”
“I’ll show you,” Sakoya chirped, drawing the
Imperial’s attention.
The commander approached and looked straight at the
red-haired Jedi. It was all she needed.
Gazing intently at the man, Sakoya leisurely waved her
hand in front of the Imperial. “You don’t need these
troops here. Send them away.”
“I…don’t need…them here.” In a brisk voice the
commander said, “To your posts.”
Trained to follow orders, the stormtroopers did as
they had been commanded and cleared the area.
“Remove our bonds. You don’t want us imprisoned,” she
said sweetly.
The officer nodded absently. “I don’t want you
imprisoned,” he repeated and began removing the metal
binders.
Sakoya casually walked up to the man and lifted his
blaster from its holster, telling him, “You would like
me to have this.”
“I…would like you…to have it.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile and proceeded to
knock him over the head, rendering him unconscious.
“You,” Sakoya pointed to one of her men, “bind him and
hide him so he won’t be found easily.”
Xar’ek came up from behind and said, “Hmm, nice work.
Teach me that sometime.”
Sakoya rolled her eyes and stomped off. “C’mon!” she
shouted, “We have a job to do!”
Leia smirked and with the rest of the strike team,
followed after the irritated Jedi.
************************************
While nearly everyone fanned out to guard the
perimeter of the bunker, Leia punched in the code to
open the heavy doors. Sakoya covered her from behind
and Xar’ek stationed himself on the far side of the
sliding doors.
The doors remained closed.
Leia entered the code again, more slowly this time.
The doors didn’t move.
“Xar’ek,” Sakoya called, “the code changed.”
Leia changed places with Xar’ek who immediately set to
work. When the keypad refused to respond to any more
input, he pulled at the wires beneath the front panel
and began tying wires of certain colors together.
“Almost got it!” Xar’ek excitedly shouted. “There!” he
burst out.
Sakoya glanced at the immobile doors then back at her
friend. “Losing your touch?”
Xar’ek’s jaw dropped in amazement. “That should have
opened them!” he exclaimed and turned back to the
wires. It only took a moment for him to notice his
error – one vital blue wire was dangling. “Opps,” he
said barely above a whisper as his cheeks flushed a
fiery red. Correcting his negligence, his smile
returned as the doors slid open.
“Quickly, the charges! The fleet will be here soon!”
Leia shouted to her hidden comrades.
The Rebels who carried the explosives ran into the
bunker, leaving the remainder of the squad to scout
the perimeter. Leia, Sakoya and Xar’ek quickly
followed and with the help of a stolen map, began to
traverse the labyrinth of corridors toward the area of
the shield generator chamber. Yellow lights
illuminated the passageways they traveled and so far,
there was no sign of any more troops.
However, that soon changed as they rounded the next
corner and ran into a squad of Imperial troops
combined with stormtroopers standing watch.
Ducking back behind the corner, they dodged the
blaster fire that ripped through the corridor. There
was no way around and time was of the essence.
“Here’s your chance for honor and glory.” Sakoya
grinned devilishly at Xar’ek.
“I like our chances,” Xar’ek boasted. “It’s now or
never, Red, and I’m ready.”
Sakoya smiled in spite of herself at the mention of
her nickname of old. When she glanced at Leia, her
smile became a grin of satisfaction. Leia held her
blaster, one finger lightly poised on the trigger and
her determination set upon her face. Sakoya then
turned her gaze to Xar’ek’s serious countenance, and
she took notice that, like Leia, he too reminded her
of a lion ready to pounce. The rest of her squad was
no different – each of them was ready to delve into
the fray.
“May the Force be with us,” she resolutely offered.
With weapons drawn the Rebels barged into the
corridor. Anticipating the attack, the troops crouched
and began firing their own weapons. Laser fire lit up
the area and before long smoke hung like a sheet,
making accurate shots difficult. Debris amassed upon
the floor, leaving a treacherous trail for anyone who
attempted to venture through it.
Such obstacles didn’t stop the Rebels as they
continued to fight. A shout followed by a thud
signaled one of their enemies had gone down. Laser
blasts ricocheted from ceiling to floor and pierced
two more of the Imperial troops, leaving them in a
crumpled heap on the floor. As the undaunted Rebels
continued their barrage, Xar’ek made a daring move. He
dove into the hallway with a blaster in each hand,
firing non-stop, as his body rolled over and over
before stopping on his stomach. He scurried toward the
opposite wall and used the corner of it as a shield,
and would have continued to fire his blasters had they
not jammed. Disgruntled, he threw the useless weapon
at the remaining Imperials.
Sakoya and Leia watched Xar’ek’s daring move without
skipping a beat in their exchange of laser fire. Both
were utterly stupefied but acknowledged his maneuver
had had its desired effect – fewer blasts were coming
from the enemy’s side.
From her crouched position, Leia fired several shots
that hit their marks. She smiled broadly. Soon,
Daddy…soon. I can feel you and Luke. We’ll all be
together again soon. she mused as she heard
another stormtrooper fall noisily to the floor. Above
her, Sakoya aimed and blasted away at the remaining
troops.
Then it was over. The weaponry exchange ceased and
silence came.
Sakoya glanced back at her men who carried the
charges. One lay motionless on the floor, but the
others appeared unhurt and they had already gathered
the explosives from their dead comrade.
Sakoya looked at Leia below her then over to Xar’ek on
the other side of the corridor – she was relieved to
see that both of them appeared uninjured.
“Move out!” she ordered. “We’re close to the power
center!”
************************************
Throughout the bunker, alarms blared and red lights
whirled in the corridors – all signaling the presence
of intruders. Utilizing their map, the Rebels raced
for the main center of the bunker.
At last the small party came to an abrupt halt. Before
them lay the difference between victory and defeat.
One of the remaining infantryman, Goran, placed an
explosive upon the reinforced metal door to the main
control room and sought refuge out of harms way. No
sooner had the door blew that the Rebels rushed
through the cavernous entrance.
Inside, the Imperial troops were surprised by the
invasion. They assumed capturing the Rebels running
rampant through their bunker would be an easy feat –
an error in judgment they now regretted. Many of them
had been injured by the exploding door and were unable
to fight the onslaught threatening them now. The rest
were in shock as the Rebels descended upon them.
With the others standing guard, Leia relieved the
Imperials of their weapons. Soon after she and Sakoya
ushered them into a corner and made sure they didn’t
move. Before reinforcements could arrive, Goran, Zach,
and Xar’ek quickly set all the charges in and around
the power generator.
“If you want to live, I’d suggest evacuating now! A
big explosion is going to be happening here realllll
soon,” Xar’ek warned and scowled at the Imperials as
he grabbed a couple of spare blasters.
“Let’s go!” shouted Sakoya as she and Leia pushed the
troops from the room.
The Imperials knew they didn’t have time to deactivate
all of the explosives and dying in such a horrible
manner made each of them a bit queasy. Hence, they
didn’t require further prodding as they ran from the
control room.
“Cowards! The lot of them!” Leia snarled.
************************************
The quintet, accompanied by the remaining bunker
personnel, tore out of the structure and to the safety
of the distant trees seconds before the first
explosion detonated, which was swiftly followed by
several more in succession. A wall of fire erupted
hundreds of feet into the air, creating a shock wave
that knocked every living being off its feet and
leaving a trail of charred remains in its wake.
The shield generator was destroyed.
************************************************************************
Chapter XVIII – Reunion
Part III
“Anakin Skywalker!” The
voice seemed to cackle the name. “I’m disappointed
that you’ve kept me waiting!”
Slabs of metal, as cold as the room he just entered,
slid together with a hiss behind Anakin as he stepped
forward into the chamber. The Jedi felt neither fear
nor hate – only pity that a man who was once so grand
had become consumed by the lust for power, irrevocably
devouring his soul. He could have done so much for
the ailing Republic, the Jedi sadly thought and
emitted such feelings for the Emperor to see.
“Spare your pity for someone who deserves it. You fail
to see the glory of my station!” the Emperor boasted
from his throne. “My power is absolute and you will
fall in line beside me as you should have done long
ago.”
Palpatine’s voice sounded so hideous, it made Anakin
shiver. Nevertheless, he continued to walk forward,
his jaw set in quiet determination and his lightsaber
swinging easily from his belt. Looming before Anakin
was the stairwell that would lead him to the hooded
monarch, who sat nonchalantly in his elegant chair
nestled on the platform at the top of the stairs. The
chamber exemplified the dark side of the Force with
its shadowy hues, and Anakin felt the evil clawing at
him, seeking to shred the light he dared cast outward.
Above it all, Sidious projected an air of
imperviousness, hoping to further intimidate the
approaching Jedi.
“There was a time, once, when you could have
accomplished that goal, but that was a lifetime ago
and you are not a part of my present nor my future,”
Anakin stated resolutely, his eyes focused on his
enemy.
The Emperor laughed cruelly beneath his obsidian robe
and it made the Jedi’s skin crawl that so much evil
could be contained in one body. “I am still your
Master…I always will be.”
“No, that is where you are wrong, Your Highness. I am
a Jedi, the Chosen One of prophecy. I obey only the
will of the Force,” Anakin countered as he stood
proudly and confidently.
“No, Jedi, you are mistaken,” the Emperor hissed,
“about a great many things.”
Unsure what to make of the cryptic remark, Anakin
simply held his ground and waited for the Emperor’s
next move.
Palpatine stood up from his throne and slowly walked
down the stairs. Maintaining a short distance between
the two adversaries, he stared venomously into the
Jedi’s eyes. It was then that Anakin saw what the
Emperor had become. A withered face with sunken eyes,
decaying flesh beneath weathered and wrinkled skin and
breath so putrefying he almost recoiled from the
stench.
“Soon you will die and your reign will end,” Anakin
uttered with a rumble in his throat while he glared
into the Emperor’s abominable eyes.
Emperor Palpatine seethed at the confidence Anakin
exuded. He expected that the Jedi would grow more into
his powers over the years, but he also hoped that his
reckless nature would still be prevalent. Admitting
such a miscalculation, even silently to himself,
created that much more acerbity. He had wanted to turn
Anakin to the dark side, sacrificing Luke in the
process if necessary. Both would have been the
ultimate revenge against the pitiful Jedi… he
mused, Still…each of them harnesses incredible
power. Dooku was nothing compared to what I hold in my
grasp now. “Ah yes, the Jedi… Pitiful band of
mercenaries,” he snarled with derision. “Perhaps you
refer to the imminent attack by the Rebel Fleet? I
assure you, we are quite safe from your friends here.
An entire legion of my troops await them,” he seethed.
Then as if to display his power, Darth Sidious floated
back up to his throne and sat down again, his yellowed
teeth emerging from behind craggy lips that curled
upward into a hideous grin.
Anakin refused to show his shock at Sidious’
revelation. Inwardly, he felt horrified as his wife
and daughter came to mind. Both of them were involved
in the attack, and their involvement was something
Anakin couldn’t prevent had he wanted to. No, the
women in his family were strong and independent – no
amount of coercion would have turned them from their
course. He could not thwart their participation just
as he could not stop the forthcoming attack. It was
now or never because such an opportunity would never
arise again. No, we can’t turn back now. Forget the
negative and accentuate the positive! he silently
groused. The Force protect you both. I love you.
Anakin’s silent musings gave him an unexpected renewal
in strength and purpose. “There are no words that you
can say that will harm me, Sidious.”
Again the Emperor laughed with a snarl beneath his
hood. “So sure are you?”
The Jedi sunk into the Force, feeling his way through
the vast chamber. Where is my son? he suddenly
demanded, blazing into the Emperor’s mind.
Momentarily startled by the abrupt invasion, Darth
Sidious quickly recovered. Never before had anyone
been able to penetrate his defenses yet Anakin had
just accomplished the unbelievable feat seemingly
without effort. All the more reason to turn him,
he relished in his private thoughts. The power, I
feel his power and it nourishes me. I drink it in to
slack my thirst – and I want more! I will take more!
“You have no son here,” the Emperor chided.
Anakin’s eyes narrowed and the look upon his face
became one of anger, even hate.
Yes, I feel your anger – strike me down with it!
Through the Force, Anakin’s lightsaber leapt into his
hand and immediately ignited. Then he began to ascend
the stairs.
I am unarmed. Journey with me to the dark side, my
apprentice.
Finding himself within striking distance, Anakin
raised his lightsaber, poised to deliver the deadly
blow when a voice called to him, one he hadn’t heard
in a long time…
My son…I’m so proud of you… Shmi Skywalker
whispered to her only child before falling silent.
Anakin slowly lowered his lightsaber and disengaged
it, regaining his sense of calm. “No, I will not
become your slave. I will not turn toward the dark
side. You failed, Your Highness!” Jumping into the
air, Anakin somersaulted backwards and landed cleanly
on the floor below. Thank you, Mom, I needed that
reminder, he sent his thoughts into the Force.
The Emperor was suddenly on his feet as blue lightning
sprang from his fingers directly at Anakin.
Reacting immediately, Anakin raised his hand, his palm
capturing the deadly lightning and harmlessly
dispelling it. Undaunted, he drilled again into the
Emperor’s mind, I ask again, where is my son?
“Impressive. I see you have grown more proficient with
your power. Indeed you are as powerful as I have
foreseen,” Emperor Palpatine professed, realizing for
the first time just how perilous a position he had
placed himself in.
“Yes…I am. Now…my son.”
“Ohhh,” the maniacal voice began, taunting at every
inflection, “I’m afraid he’s not what you remember. I
was forced to heal him…and make him relearn many
things…”
Anakin glared at his nemesis and advanced once more up
the stairwell.
“Let me present my new apprentice. I must say he has
been looking forward to meeting you. Of course, I
couldn’t possibly deny him such a pleasurable
experience.” Darth Sidious sat down and pushed a
button on his elaborate chair. Anakin was halfway up
the stairs when he felt – rather than saw – Luke enter
the chamber below him.
“Stop, you coward! Face me!” Luke shouted angrily.
Anakin slowly turned around and faced his son – or
rather the remnants of his son. Luke’s appearance was
the same but his face – his face wore a mask of anger
and hatred and his lip curled upward into a sneer. The
darkness pulsated within his son and Anakin could
vividly feel it. Such a vile defilement of his son
made him want to weep, but he refused to give any
outward indication of his sorrow in the Sith’s
presence. Calmly, he greeted Luke. “Hello, my son.”
“Son? How dare you call me that after all
you’ve done to me! You’ve not been a father but a
tyrant!” Luke growled through tightly clenched teeth.
“Ah, the hatred swells within you, my apprentice. I
feel your anger...” Palpatine’s eyes closed as he
absorbed the raw emotions coming from Luke. “Good –
now strike down your father and you will remain at my
side! I will continue your training.” The Emperor
cackled with glee at the confrontation between the two
Jedi. Savoring the immense energy in the chamber,
Sidious’ lips curled upward. Who the victor of this
duel turned out to be was no longer of any consequence
as far as he was concerned. Now it was a matter of
pitting one Jedi against the other, father against son
and the spoils he would reap from the outcome – either
Luke’s continued fealty or the re-emergence of
Anakin’s restless anger. Either way, he would exact
his revenge on the ‘Chosen One’ of prophecy for
his insolence and abandonment.
“Luke, what are you talking about?” Anakin asked,
confused.
Luke continued to sneer and his eyes were ablaze with
venom. “Don’t play games, Father. I intend to
end your pitiful existence and my suffering.”
Luke watched Anakin walk down a step and instantly the
young Jedi’s lightsaber was in his hand. Luke grinned
wolfishly from the instant hiss that generated from
his weapon as it activated, the blood-red blade
radiant in the dim chamber. He was delighted at how it
rang in the elder Skywalker’s ears.
Luke, he tenderly reached out to his son’s
mind, this is not you! You’ve always been very
loving and compassionate. This dark side is not your
true self! Have you forgotten?
“Get out of my mind you misbegotten son of a rancor! I
have forgotten nothing!” Luke Force leapt and landed
halfway up the stairs not more than a few steps from
his father.
Anakin gazed at his son whose eyes were almost
feverish and filled with pain beyond words. “How can I
fight my own son?” he asked.
“Defend yourself or I will cut you down where you
stand!” Luke’s lightsaber wavered back and forth.
Anakin Force leapt into a backward somersault and
landed cleanly at the top of the stairs. “I will
not fight my own son. I love you, Luke! I would
never harm you!” Reach into the Force, Luke. See
the truth! Fight the darkness, don’t let it consume
you! Anakin reached further into his beloved Force
and let it wrap his body in its light and sent forth
the sensation to Luke.
Overpowered by the unexpected surge of love and
admiration, Luke struggled to stand and hastened down
a few steps of the staircase. “No, you tortured me.
You said I was inferior to you!” he fought back.
Anakin again reached out to his son through their
mental bond and again sent the light of the Force his
way. No, Luke, you are my son! I have never treated
you that way; the Emperor has deceived you into
thinking this! He wants us to destroy each other for
his own revenge! Don’t let him do this to you – fight
it!
Luke grabbed his head with his hands, his lightsaber
wavering. “Nooo! Get out of my head!” Using the Force,
he pushed his father away.
Emperor Palpatine felt his hold on young Skywalker
slipping and counteracted to strengthen it again. He
grinned malevolently at his success as Luke used the
Force to jump to the landing at the top of the stairs.
His lightsaber was still drawn as it flashed past
Anakin’s face. The blade arced back to strike a blow
but was deftly deflected off by a cerulean lightsaber
that joined the fray. Anakin could hear the Emperor’s
hissing laughter behind him as father and son locked
together in combat.
************************************************************************
