CHOCOLATE WARS Return Of The Emperor Chapter 1, a star wars fanfic

In a dimension pinned between ours and another

exist worlds and beings which, while totally

foreign, are also oddly familiar.

Those familiar people, places and objects

compose, form and fill that dimension.

Beings and worlds which have

switched from the inanimate to animate.

From our fiction to their reality...

PART II

THE RETURN OF THE EMPEROR

The Empire's strongholds have been defeated.

With the added victory of Choctooine's lost son,

Oh Henry Jr. , being found and rescued

Hagjo is ready to return home and begin his new life with Schan.

Emperor Sakarin however has other plans.

Plans which do not include the end of...

CHOCOLATE WARS

CHAPTER 1

NEW GAME

"It's not over yet!" Sakarin growled from the command chair of the Lysterine, Diet Vanilla and the Empire's newest and most powerful fighting ship.

"Identification-verified Sire." notified the Science officer.

From his station the helmsman added, "Our mask is working perfectly Sire. The Chedi has no idea that we're following him."

After several moments the science officer turned from his controls again, "Diet Vanilla is still on board my Lord. Sensor readings indicate that he remains unconscious."

Sakarin settled back in his seat, his slitted eyes nailed to the forward view screen. "What's the ship's coil status?"

The crewman studied his console for several seconds before turning toward Sakarin again. "Cooling Sire. It'll take several minutes to rewarm them to firing levels."

Sakarin smiled. "Excellent." Looking toward his navigator he ordered, "Mr. Payne, position us five hundred meters above and behind the Chedi's ship. Notify me when we're in position." Resting his elbows on the arm rests of his command chair Sakarin steepled his hands beneath his chin. As the ship was positioned, he allowed his mind to wander through the history of his endangered Empire and the events of the last two weeks.

Over a decade old, Sakarin's Empire had spread steadily since it's inception. The Empire was policed by knights who's mental and physical abilities were mystically enhanced. They and Sakarin were lead by the secret but true Emperor of the Empire, Sweetn Low.

Sweetn Low was a member of an alien race known in this part of the galaxy as Unks. In a large and powerful warship the Unks entered this section of the galaxy over a century ago. Driven out of their own Empire, the Unks arrived with plans for conquest but found the worlds saturated with chocolate. Fatally allergic to this very popular and well distributed confectionary, the Unks quickly realized that they had to focus their might on the worlds central to producing their poison. Within a year of their arrival however, after conquering numerous worlds, they met their match and were defeated. Making hasty repairs they fired their ship's engines and retreated, abandoning Sweetn Low who was accidentally stranded on a then empty planet. Through brute determination Sweetn Low survived. Through brutish action, he left that empty planet and, crushing all opposition, created and, until today, ruled his own Empire. With Sakarin as his puppet Emperor, Sweetn Low oversaw and commanded every aspect of his Empire. Despite his life threatening allergy and through his determination to both enforce his empire and avenge himself on those who defeated and sent his people running, Sweetn Low even developed the bitter, chocolate rich fudge which empowers his knights, although he stole the original and untainted recipe from the Chedi.

The Chedi were members of a fighting force of beings based on the planet Choctooine which was located within the Wonka star system. In association with members of the Wonka Alliance, also sworn enemies of the Empire, the Chedi served as the champions of all those oppressed by the Empire. They were strengthened and their varied abilities were enhanced by their powerful, sweet, chocolate rich fudge. The fudge was empowered by natural properties within the chocolate used to create it. M and M, the Chedi leaders who lead and trained the Chedi were also the creators of the Chedi's fudge. Their preparation of the properties which made up the fudge ensured its sweetness and power. The Chedi's consumption of that sweet fudge enabled them to perform at super human levels both mentally and physically.

The knights of the Empire, led by the Emperor's most powerful and evil knight, Diet Vanilla, were strengthened by Sweetn Low's perverted, powerful and bitter version of that fudge. For years the Chedi and the members of the Wonka Alliance had battled the Empire and its knights.

Two weeks ago Sweetn Low ordered that Diet Vanilla and a squad of knights be sent to Crest, one of the Empire's three powerful space stations, called strongholds. Crest, located at the edge of the Wonka system, was only half a day's hyper flight from Choctooine. This world was the backbone of the Wonka system and the leader in the distribution of chocolate for all worlds outside the Empire. Choctooine had been a target of the Empire for years and the Empire's latest and greatest attempt at conquering her was only months away. Reports however that the Empire's greatest enemies, the Chedi and the Ally movement, were planning some offensive action of their own had Sweetn Low agitated. He was certain that Diet Vanilla would be able to identify his enemies' plans and thwart them from Crest.

Enslaved by the Empire's fudge and Sakarin's psychic trickery, Diet Vanilla was the brainwashed son of General Oh Henry, the leader of all of Choctooine's military forces. Controlled by both Sakarin and Sweetn Low, through the use of the enhanced abilities that the high levels of unsweetened chocolate in the Empire's fudge allowed, Vanilla had been an invincible fighter and completely dedicated to the Emperor. Despite those truths, he and the Crest crew found themselves out matched by the Chedi, Hagjo Dastl, who had secretly boarded Crest. Once discovered, Hagjo fought valiantly both avoiding capture and disrupting the station. Unknown to Diet Vanilla, Hagjo's full mission was the target of his own assignment.

Hagjo was on Crest to prepare for a joint Ally attack on that stronghold. Identical attacks were planned to occur simultaneously on Crest and the two other strongholds bordering the Wonka system, Pepsodent and Colgate. Those strongholds had also been secretly boarded by Chedi. After over a week of Hagjo thwarting Vanilla's efforts and reigning havoc on Crest, Emperor Sakarin left Retsyn, the Empire's capitol city on Cert, and traveled to Crest intent on seeing to the Chedi's capture and interrogation. Unknown to Sakarin, Sweetn Low was also en route. They arrived separately but almost simultaneously on Crest just before the Ally attack they had been intent on identifying and defeating began.

While the stronghold launched its defense, Sweetn Low and Sakarin prepared to confront Hagjo by locking themselves into a powerful mental link. Their plan failed miserably however. Sweetn Low was killed by exposure to the sweet but powerful fudge of the Chedi. He and Sakarin's fudge induced hold on Diet Vanilla was also broken through the use of that mystic substance. Sakarin avoided contamination but was accidentally hit by a blaster bolt from Sweetn Low's weapon. During a struggle with the Chedi's disgusting companion, a mostly liquid life form called a Phlem, Sakarin was thrown from an elevated walkway and thereby escaped capture and perhaps his own death.

Sakarin realized that he had been incredibly lucky to have not been seriously injured by his fall from the walkway. The armor beneath his robe protected him from the blast of Sweetn Low's weapon. The fall however could have easily broken bones or killed him. His eyes tighten in a mixture of pain and anger as he remembers those last moments with his master...

...

Sakarin lay beneath the walkway merely stunned as Sweetn Low fought for his life above. Peripherally he could hear the battle, through his mental link with his master, but in his stunned state he paid little attention. After a few moments however Sweetn Low's angry thoughts broke through his disorientation and ordered him to his feet. Responding only partially Sakarin rolled onto his back and focused on Sweetn Low's words. Their stronger than usual mental link was intended to allow them to combine their abilities against the Chedi and, as they had done with Vanilla, bring him under their control. Sakarin was both horrified and excited as the link gave him instead a view of the battle through his master's eyes. He saw the disgusting slime creature's unexpected attack easily dealt with as Sweetn Low blasted it off the walkway. He saw Vanilla's attempted rebellion easily put aside as well. He felt Sweetn Low's confidence build and hold until the Chedi's sudden and surprisingly deadly assault. The thud of Sweetn Low hitting the same hard deck he lay upon jolted Sakarin fully back into consciousness. Rising he rushed to Sweetn Low's side. Still linked Sakarin cringed as he heard and almost felt Sweetn Low's struggle. Trying to avoid the Chedi fudge which was smeared across Sweetn Low's face, chest and tentacles, Sakarin tried desperately to determine how to help his suffering master.

Unable to separate Sweetn Low from the section of railing he'd fallen with, Sakarin knelt and stared as Sweetn Low's eyes bulged blindly. Easily as afraid of losing his master as Sweetn Low was of dying, Sakarin tried to make himself heard through their link. At first Sweetn Low seemed oblivious to Sakarin's efforts as he choked and gasped desperately for air. Realizing that he was not getting through Sweetn Low's panic Sakarin's own fear rose further. Grasping one of Sweetn Low's tentacles, Sakarin tensed as the physical contact intensified their mental link and he was submerged in Sweetn Low's struggle.

Sweetn Low's desperate fear and desire to live left him unable to think beyond escaping his painful and rapidly approaching death. Battered almost senseless by Sweetn Low's emotional torment, Sakarin found himself experiencing the same pain as his own ability to breath began to fail. Together the two of them drew nearer to death until SweetnLow's strength waned and Sakarin was partially released. Still holding Sweetn Low's tentacle, Sakarin gasped in a series of long, deep breaths and then tensed again as Sweetn Low sensed his relief and reacted. Sakarin's back snapped straight and his eyes widened as they stared across the dark bay. His hands released Sweetn Low as his mouth opened in a silent scream. Immediately Sakarin's muscles went limp and he collapsed across his master's wide chest. He almost blacked out as Sweetn Low's last exhalation slowly wheezed out.

Sakarin filled his own lungs again with a long, ragged gasp of air. His mouth hanging open, he rolled over to his back and slide down Sweetn Low's broad chest. His mind in a jumble he sat limply on the floor almost unconscious. After several seconds however his eyes focused. He gasped as he swung around to look at Sweetn Low's still form. Grabbing a tentacle Sakarin tried to reestablish their link but could found no trace of Sweetn Low's mind. In shock he knelt momentarily lost at his dead master's side. His eyes teared fearfully as he scanned the dark, chocolate smears on Sweetn Low's face. His master had often stressed the power of the Chedi's over sweet fudge. Sweetn Low had always been cautious around chocolate, due to his race's allergy, but Sakarin had seen his master use their own fudge. Sweetn Low's caution had never hinted at such serious consequences. How could the Chedi's fudge, so similar to their own, overpower him so completely?

Still struggling with the sudden separation from their link, Sakarin held his head while fighting to clear his mind until, during a lull in the explosions from the Ally attack, he heard the Chedi moving on the walkway above. A voice shouted in his head, "Get up! Move into the darkness!" The rumble of explosions returned as he reacted. Climbing clumsily to his feet Sakarin hurried into the surrounding darkness. Lowering himself to the floor beyond the reach of the limited lighting he looked up and saw the Chedi reach the edge of the walkway. Sakarin's gut tightened with anger as the Chedi squinted down at his dead master. The Chedi's brow furrowed with Sakarin's as he stared at the unmoving form. Still frowning he scaned the rest of the area beneath the walkway. The tightness in Sakarin's gut changed to fear as he was certain the Chedi is looking for him. Staying perfectly still he held his breath and glared back with a mixed expression of deep hatred and fear. Eventually the Chedi surrendered his search of the too dark deck. Frowning with doubled confusion the Chedi rubbed his face and turned away. Sakarin breathed a quiet sigh of relief as the Chedi moved to the other side of the raised walkway. Still afraid to move he jumped when the Chedi called to his disgusting companion. Despite his fear Sakarin responded to an inner demand to move. Unsteadily he rose to his feet and hurried toward the nearby crates. En route he gasped smelling sweetened chocolate. Squeezing into a narrow gap between two of the large containers he realized that his collapse onto Sweetn Low had transferred much of the Chedi's fudge onto his robe. Carefully he avoided touching the dark smears as he forced his body further into the opening. Despite his fear, he tried to breath shallowly as he heard the Chedi land on the fallen section of hull. Afraid to do any differently, he waited while the Chedi searched for his creature. Within his hiding spot, Sakarin's anger slowly overcame his fear as his hand ached for the blaster he'd lost.

Eventually, the Chedi leapt from the section of hull to the deck and coming out of the darkness alone, walked over to Sweetn Low while Sakarin glared from where he was hidden. Despite his anger Sakarin realized that, even with a weapon, he'd be no match for the Chedi and stayed hidden. His energy blade ignited, the Chedi verified that Sweetn Low was dead. He then glanced around again as Sakarin drew further into his hiding place. When the bay's deck vibrations increased with the escalating Ally attack, the Chedi turned and leapt back up to the walkway. A moment later he jumped down to Sakarin's level again, this time with Diet Vanilla on his shoulders. After one more scan of the area he reholstered his blade and hurried away. As the sound of his foot steps faded, Sakarin grabbed his Comm Link and moved into the open.

Happy that he'd ordered his flag ship, the Dentyne, away from the station, Sakarin contacted those members of his personnel staff he'd brought on board with him. He ordered that they see to the preparation of the Lysterine, Diet Vanilla's ship, for immediate departure. The Lysterine with its new weaponry and shields was more powerful than any ship the Allies had and was considered undefeatable. Even a Empire destroyer class ship with its double thick hull, multiple blaster and disruptor cannons and three squads of fighters would have difficulty surviving her full assault. Sakarin also ordered that any of Vanilla's staff, that weren't needed for his escape, make room for his own staff on board the Lysterine. As the crew area on Vanilla's ship was quite small, those loyal but no longer useful members of the Empire would need to find their own way off of Crest.

...

Being extremely cautious, Sakarin followed the Chedi to his ship. As the Chedi boarded and prepared for launch, Sakarin stood within the shadows of the powerless control room and ripped the Chedi fudge covered robe from his back. The loose fitting tunic and pants beneath were unsoiled as he wiped his hands carefully on the clean portions of his robe. He looked back into the bay just as the glow of the Chedi's thrusters fired. He watched in silence as the ship moved quickly toward the bay's hatch. Scowling he drew his Comm Link again. Directing his staff to monitor and track the Chedi's ship as it moved away from the stronghold, Sakarin turned his efforts fully toward his own escape. With the sounds of battle having grown to a rolling roar he ran through the empty corridors of Crest's lower decks. Breathless he boarded the Lysterine and collapsed into the deck's command chair as his staff stared wide eyed in response. They had never seen Sakarin either out of breath or his royal robe. Gasping as he caught his breath, Sakarin gestured for reports and was told that scans confirmed that the Chedi's ship had launched with Vanilla and the Chedi on board.

...

"We're following that ship," he gasped. "Prepare for launch. I want full shields and weapons on stand by. We'll take out as many of the Ally and Chedi ships as we can as we leave."

The communication officer stood to give an additional report but was interrupted. "Sire..." Lieutenant Mars, Sakarin's weapons officer spoke up, "...as the Chedi's ship left he broadcast a coded message. He continued to transmit the signal as he passed, undisturbed, through the battle."

Sakarin turned away from Mars and leaned forward in thought. Looking toward the communications officer, he asked, "Did you record the message?"

The communication officer pulled angry eyes away from Lt. Mars and answered, "Yes sir..." The officer's eyes cut back toward Mars as he interrupted again.

"Sire, we continued our surveillance as the Chedi's ship moved away. "Once clear of the battle..."

"Hold that thought Lieutenant." Sakarin ordered with a wave as he held his attention on the communication officer. "You recorded the entire transmission?"

"Yes my Lord, I..."

This time the Comm officers words are cut off by Sakarin who held up his hand and leaned back into his seat. "Lets hear it." he ordered. The officer turned back to face his control board and seconds later a rapid series of chirps, whistles and beeps flowed from the Command Deck speakers. After listening for several moments Sakarin signaled that the message be shut off. As Sakarin sat in thought Lt. Mars stood and walked quickly across the deck to Sakarin's side.

"Sire, once beyond the battle the Chedi set his course and engaged his ship's mask, leaving his ship invisible to our sensors. We have only his initial course to follow. We must hurry if we hope to catch him. A course change..."

Sakarin's eyes moved to Mar's face as he spoke, "I understand the danger Lieutenant."

Mars eagerly continued, "My emperor, I believe the Chedi's transmission..."

"So do I Lieutenant. So do I."

...

Rising from his seat, Sakarin ordered that the Lysterine launch and that the recorded transmission be broadcast on the same channels employed by the Chedi. As the ship moved toward the bay's open hatch he ordered that the Chedi's progress on his last identified course and speed be plotted. Returning to the command chair he sat and ordered, "Maintain weapons on standby and raise standard shields."

"Majesty..." Mars immediately responded, "...our new shields are operable and available."

"They will also attract attention Lieutenant. This ship is going to draw enough of that already, besides.." Sakarin paused and smiled making the weapons officer's skin crawl, "...we're transmitting the Chedi's signal. We're all one big happy fleet. They won't fire on an Ally!" Sakarin's eyes shifted back to the main view screen as his smile slowly slid into a sneer.

Moments later the Lysterine exited Crest and, as Sakarin predicted, was allowed to pass through the battle safe from Ally attack. Several Ally ships dipped toward them waving their flight fins. Sakarin ordered that the gesture be returned. All members of his crew glared in silence at the Ally ships as they moved by unscathed. The navigator glanced toward Mars who, still recovering from having been rebuffed by Sakarin, ignored him. Turning toward Sakarin himself the navigator urged,

...

"Sire, the Lysterine's weapons can destroy every ship we target. Our shields would protect us completely. We might save Crest..."

Sakarin head spun to glare at the officer, "Save Crest! I think you over estimate the Allie's chances Lieutenant." Glancing toward the deck's rear viewer Sakarin watched the damage occurring to his stronghold. While still watching he saw two Ally fighters receive fire and explode. His eyes narrowed with struggling conviction as he looked back to his officer. "Crest is a stronghold Lieutenant. They will put this misguided offensive aside without our help. We are on a rescue mission, we are not abandoning our base! I want Vanilla back and I don't want a squadron of Chedi piloted ships endangering his life while we're doing it!" Sakarin's lip curled as his gaze returned to the Deck's forward view screen. "Maintain your course..." Looking down at his garments he added, "...and get me a uniform!"

...

Once beyond the battle, Sakarin's crew powered the Lysterine's hyper drive engines and made the jump to hyperspace. Moments later, their course reset, they began their direct pursuit of the Chedi. Almost an hour and a half later, Sakarin, wearing an officer's uniform, minus rank insignia, retook the command chair and stared anxiously at Lysterine's main viewer. Worried that they would not locate the Chedi's ship, he turned to order his Comm officer to contact Cert. Before he could speak however he was interrupted by his science officer.

"Something on long range scanners Lord Emperor."

Turning Sakarin asked, "A ship?"

After several seconds his response came, "Yes my Lord and following our exact course."

With their own mask engaged it took only moments to verify that it was the Chedi's ship. The ship was moving outside of hyperspace and with her mask down.

Sakarin, while still anxious, was elated to find himself following in the Chedi ship's wake and still in the game. Before destroying the ship however he had to retrieve Diet Vanilla. Having already lost Sweetn Low, his master and comforter, Sakarin was unsure that without Vanilla at his side, he would be able to maintain his Empire. The fate of the Chedi ship's pilot had, of course, already been decided. Sweetn Low must be avenged.

"We're in position my Lord" announced his helmsman.

"Weapons are armed and ready Majesty, " Lt. Mars added from the weapons' console.

"Don't fire!" Sakarin ordered.

The navigator pressed " But my Lord, This Chedi's almost certainly meeting an Ally ship or ships. We may find ourselves..."

Sakarin silenced him with a glare. "How have I not made myself clear! Diet Vanilla is on that ship! Our first priority is his rescue!" Reaching into a compartment on the side of his chair, Sakarin withdrew a piece of Empire fudge. "There are no Ally ships that can challenge the Lysterine. Maintain our course and speed. I'll tell you when to take action!" Putting the fudge into his mouth Sakarin's face tightened and his eyes pinched closed. Cupping his hands over his bald head, he reached out with his mind for Vanilla. Breathing deeply, his hands slid down to the back of his neck. Eyes still closed, Sakarin's bent arms hung from his clasped hands as his crew stared at one another perplexed.

Hagjo was sitting calmly before the Reece's, piloting controls. Tiredly he repositioned in his seat letting visions of Schan, family and home drift peacefully through his mind. After leaving Crest, while in hyper space, he'd prepared and transmitted a brief report of his mission. With little detail it notified the Allies of Sakarin's presence on Crest. It related the existence of the Unk whom Sakarin referred to as master and whose body now lay growing cold in Crest's storage bay. It also included the news of his discovery and rescue of Henry Jr. Hagjo smiled as he hit the transmit button knowing the great joy Henry Jr.'s rescue would bring to General Oh and all the people of Choctooine.

Fifteen minutes ago, after dropping the Reece back into normal space, Hagjo had shut down both his hyper drive generators and his mask. He then began to discharge the Reece's drive coils in preparation for storage of his ship in the hold of the Ally freighter with which he would shortly rendevous. The Reece was continuing forward at standard speed while he awaited contact. Yawning, Hagjo rubbed his tired eyes and shifted again in his seat. Every part of his body was screaming for rest. Yawning again he grabbed the back of his neck and massaged the tight, tired muscles while thinking happily, "Just a few more minutes. Once the Reece is stored in the freighter's hold, I'm going to sleep for a week." He tilted his head and smiled, "Well, at least until I get back to Schan."

Slick sat quietly in the co-pilots seat. He was completely healed due to his consumption of such a large amount of fudge. The chocolate powered rush of energy and mental clarity, along with the joy of being healed and away from Crest had him bubbling happily.

Henry Jr. remained unconscious and was strapped into a passenger seat just outside the cockpit. Turning, Hagjo watched Henry Jr.'s slow and steady breaths. Turning forward again, Hagjo was confident that Henry would remain asleep for some time. Glancing down at his control panel, Hagjo's eyes focused on the ship's Comm Link. His eyes tightened as he considered contacting the Ally team at Crest and checking on their status. Maybe even checking in with Schan. Before reaching for the controls however he sighed deciding against it. Both Schan and anyone else he could reach had better things to do than answer his questions right now. He also knew not to attempt contacting his rendevous ship which must be somewhere nearby. The crew was on radio silence with their ship masked and would remain so until their orders allowed otherwise, which would be under half an hour now.

Settling back into his seat Hagjo closed his tired eyes and relaxed. Until he heard from the Ally freighter there was nothing more for him to... His eyes snapped open as he suddenly sensed trouble. Sitting up, he turned and looked at Henry Jr. Seeing no change he scanned the rest of the cockpit. Slick was still bubbling quietly in his seat. Everything else looked normal both in the cockpit and on his control board. Looking again at his view screen he saw nothing but empty space. "Then what's wrong?" he asked himself. Changing the angle on his view screen several times and rechecking his sensor readings he found nothing alarming but remained unable to relax as his inner sense of alarm didn't fade. Turning fully to his sensor controls he began resetting his scanner. The newly discovered setting would leave his sensors blind to most of his surroundings but while set for a light scan on a very high frequency the equipment would enable him to identify the faint energy field which would be the masked freighter. He frowned as the new settings engaged and an energy field registered just above and behind his ship. Sighing with relief he thought, "Good, the freighter." His relief was short lived however as he suddenly asked himself, "Why are they following so close and why are they still masked?" "His eyes drift over to the clock on his control board. "...and why are they so early?" Air hissed through his clenched teeth as he realized, "Nerds!" He pounced on his viewer controls and changed them to match the coordinates of the energy field on his sensor. Squinting he looked at the screen and could barely make out the faint golden glow of a small ship's masking equipment. After several seconds he could make out the faint outline of the barely visible ship. Its running lights were off and its hull was a dark non-reflective grey. "That's not the rendevous ship," Hagjo hissed. Turning forward he called to Slick, "Hold on!"

Slick popped up in his seat and watched as Hagjo hurriedly key the cockpit controls. "What's wrong," he asked.

Engaging his shields Hagjo replied, "I don't know yet just hold on." Both he and Slick then shifted forward in their seats as Hagjo applied full reverse thrust.

"Sire! They're running!" Shouted the Lysterine's helmsman as he rapidly punched buttons on his console. "He's reheating his drive coils!"

Sakarin, sweat on his brow, opened his eyes looking confused. "Running? From what? I thought we were masked and undetectable?"

Continuing to work the controls on his console the helmsman answered, "I don't understand it either my Lord."

"Bring us about! Do not let him escape!" Rising from his seat, Sakarin instead held on as the Lysterine spun and accelerated after the Chedi ship.

"Weapons are ready Lord Sakarin," reported the weapons officer.

"Warning shots only Mr. Mars! Rescuing Diet Vanilla is still our highest priority!" Looking back at the view screen Sakarin ordered, "Drop our mask! Let him see what he's up against and then hail him."

As Hagjo watched, the faint golden glow of the Lysterine's mask faded and her running lights brightened. Vanilla's new ship looked exactly as deadly as it is. Sharp, dark angles cut from and around large powerful engines. Her forward proto port, now armed, glowed like an angry red eye. "The Lysterine," Hagjo hissed. "Vanilla's ship! Who's commanding her?"

On the Lysterine a crewman turned and spoke. "Ready Sire."

Sakarin nodded, took a breath and spoke. "This is Emperor Sakarin." Immediately the view on Lysterine's main screen changed to a view of Hagjo at the controls of the Reece. Sakarin smiled, seeing the shock in the Chedi's eyes which narrowed in anger as Sakarin continued. "My ship is armed with a proto laser port. You can't escape and you won't survive if you force me to fire on you." His smile dissolved as he finished. "Surrender your vessel and your prisoner."

Hagjo's voice snarled from Sakarin's Comm Link speakers, "I'm not letting you get your filthy hands on Henry Jr. again Sakarin. I don't know how you got away from Crest, but it's you and your Empire that are on the verge of surrender."

Sakarin's teeth clenched as he remembered the reports he'd received on his strongholds which it turned out weren't as invincible as he believed. Determined not to acknowledge the truth to Hagjo, Sakarin responded with as large a lie as he could manage. "HA! You think to much of both yourself and your Ally friends Chedi. I suspect the battle has already turned back to the Crest's favor. My..."

"No doubt, that's why you abandoned her." Hagjo interrupted.

Sakarin eyes tightened angrily as the similarities between this and his earlier conversation with his navigator ground against his nerves. Swallowing a bellow mixed with anger and fear he responded. "My other strongholds have already defeated your forces. This hopeless revolution has already been quashed. I suggest..."

"I know a lie when I hear it Sakarin. You..."

"Believe what you want, Chedi," Sakarin snarled. "Frankly, the condition of my strongholds or your friends for that matter are the least of your most pressing difficulties."

Stalling to allow his coils time to reheat, Hagjo continued duping Sakarin into prolonging their conversation. "You've got a few pressing difficulties of your own Emperor! You're losing your three most powerful space stations, you've lost the true leader of your empire, that Unk, or your master as you referred to him, you've lost your first knight and soon you'll be on the run from a squad of Ally ships!

Sakarin's eyes shifted toward his science officer who checked his scanner before shaking his head. Turning back to the screen Sakarin scowled, "Diet Vanilla will be rejoining me and there aren't any Ally ships..."

"They're on their way!" Hagjo interrupted. "Why else do you think I've been cooling my coils in this empty sector of space. I'll be docking my ship on one of our battle ships and Henry Jr. and I will be carried home after they've take care of you."

Sakarin's eyes narrowed into slits as he leaned forward, "I've got our proto laser locked onto your ship. Your going nowhere..."

"Those proto lasers are also locked onto Vanilla!" Hagjo spat back. "You destroy this ship and your most powerful knight goes with it! I don't think you can afford to loose any more of your dying Empire Sakarin."

Sakarin stood, his mouth open to respond when a crewman interrupted from his station. "Excuse me Lord Emperor. The Chedi is still charging his drive coils."

Sakarin's eyes tightened angrily as he pointed his finger at the screen. "Shut down your coils Chedi."

"I don't take orders from you Sakarin."

"We'll soon change that," Sakarin snarled while making a cutting gesture across his throat. The Lysterine's screen returned to its original view of Hagjo's retreating ship as Sakarin turned to his weapons officer. "Mr. Mars, use the proto lasers to target his shields. Only his shields! That should slow the charging of his coils." Sakarin then turned to the helmsman. "Don't lose them Mr. Payne!" Settling back in his seat Sakarin put another piece of Empire fudge into his mouth and, shutting his eyes, lunged, with his mind, toward Vanilla again.

Strapped into his seat Henry frowned and stirred. "No," he muttered, and then again a little louder, his frown deepening, "No!"

"Stupid!" Hagjo berated himself.

"What?" Slick asked.

"Sakarin followed us from Crest and I made it as easy as I could for him. I should have set a random course before masking and then set our true course once we were in hyperspace. I was so confident..." Hagjo snarled, "Too confident. I'm sorry Slick, I've really botched our escape."

"You are very tired..." Slick responded "...but you're very smart too! You'll get us out of this."

"I'll try." Hagjo answered. Preoccupied he didn't notice Henry's strained awakening, Hagjo gritted his teeth as he put the Reece through maneuvers intended to avoid weapon fire from Sakarin's ship. Adjusting his controls, Hagjo changed his sensors back to their default setting. Assisted by the sensor readings, he could better avoid Lysterine's attacks. There were many near misses but the ones that hit the shields threw his ship and dropped his power readings. Hagjo cringed and hung on as a set of multiple proto blasts skimmed across the Reece's shields and pitched her from side to side. A direct hit would pierce them easily. Checking a data screen Hagjo grimaced at the status of his drive coils. Much of the energy needed to warm the coils was already being diverted to maneuvering thrusters. Now even more was going to his shields, further slowing the charging process. His head jerked up as a direct hit with a blaster bolt flared against the port shield. A puzzled expression appeared on his face as he realized, "They're targeting only the shields with their proto lasers. They're purposefully doing so to slow the warming of our coils. Glancing blows off our shields diverts power and will delay the charging of the coils substantially." He sighed, "With proto lasers, it won't take long to collapse our shields but we'll still have engines." His eyes tighten angrily on his view of the pursuing ship. "Their own energy consumption must be huge but not enough to help us." Frowning he thought, "Sakarin accepted that I'm waiting for support ships so he believes his time is limited. What is his plan?"

Quickly enough Hagjo solved his mystery. Eyes widening he turned to look at Henry Jr. who was frowning, struggling against his restraints and murmuring incoherently. "Nerds! He's trying to awaken Vanilla!" Jerking back to his controls, Hagjo engaged full thrust, this time turning the ship in a tight arc. The maneuver caused the Reece's hull to scream as the G forces pull at her seams. "I do that too many more times and they won't have to hit us," Hagjo mumbled to himself. Using the few moments it took Sakarin's ship to match his maneuver, Hagjo brought up data including the star maps for this sector. Frowning he cursed, "Nowhere to hide and we're too far from Crest and help." Reaching into his pouch he found not a crumb left of his fudge supply. He glanced at Slick who looked back and came as close to mimicking a shrug as a limbless bag of mostly water could.

"Who knew?" Slick said apologetically.

Allowing a strained smile, Hagjo turned back toward his rear view screen. Sakarin's ship was rushing toward them again. "He doesn't want to loose Vanilla," Hagjo thought aloud. "After the loss of that Unk Sakarin needs Vanilla to help him hold the Empire together." Turning his ship, Hagjo looked at Slick, and said, "We'll have to hope that his desire to get Vanilla back, keeps him from destroying our ship, and us." Looking back toward Sakarin's ship, Hagjo's eyes tightened as he declared, "They say the best defense..." he again engaged full thrust, sending the Reece lunging toward the Lysterine, her weapons firing, "...is a strong offense!"

Sakarin grabbed hold of the command chair again as the Lysterine received blaster fire. After several hits the Chedi ship moved past and out of range. Straightening himself in the captain's chair Sakarin shouted, "Is he insane! He's got to know he's outgunned in that ship!" His hand balled into a fist on the armrest of his chair, he shouted again, "Sensors show any other ships approaching?"

The entire crew grew still awaiting the response. After several seconds the answer came, "Nothing yet Sire."

Sakarin sat glaring at the view screen for several seconds before the crewman spoke again. "Sire! He's cutting power to weapons, shields and engines. He's giving a boost to his coils!"

"Sakarin's eyes went wide. "Can he leap?"

Not yet Sire, but if we don't do something, he'll be able to shortly.

"Then lets do something! Close distance and resume firing." The Command Deck was quiet as the crew focused on accomplishing their orders. Sakarin glared at the screen, his back arched forward until he suddenly gasped. His eyes tightened anxiously as he jumped to his feet. Clenching his hands into tight fists Sakarin shouted, "I'm trying!" He then staggered forward a step, his eyes wide with surprise and confusion.

Scanning the Command Deck Sakarin saw his crew quickly turn back to their consoles. His mouth twitched as his eyes hardened again. Turning to the weapons officer he ordered in a voice which could break bone, "Alright Mr. Mars. You've got permission to target the Chedi's ship but listen to me. I want survivors. You are to cripple the ship only. Do you understand!"

Mars, uncomfortably looking into his Emperor's angry eyes, answered, "Understood Sire," before turning back to his control board.

Payne announced "We'll be in firing range in six seconds."

Mars turned anxiously back to his console. He didn't know what to make of the changes in his Emperor. Sakarin's behavior had been odd ever since he boarded the Lysterine. Mars had never seen him so decisive and forceful. His order to use the proto lasers against the Chedi's shields to slow the charging of his coils was brilliant but totally unlike any order he'd received from his Emperor in the past. Also Sakarin's moments of even odder behavior, speaking aloud to himself or to someone no one else could see. Finally his Emperor's confusion which followed those episodes only deepened Mars' puzzlement and magnified his concerns. Worried of Sakarin's reaction if his shots missed their mark or worse destroyed the Chedi ship, Mars steeled himself for his attempt. Looking down on his console's controls he saw the Chedi ship's image move within the small red circle of his targeting screen. It held there for just a moment before starting evasive maneuvers again. Mumbling a quiet plea to whichever god might be listening, Mars prepared to fire.

After firing on the Lysterine, Hagjo turned back to Henry who seemed to have fallen back to sleep. Relieved, Hagjo reached across his console and triggered a toggle which transmited an SOS. The coded signal included ship identification and present location. It used a high frequency reserved for this purpose by the Allies and was not likely to be intercepted by Sakarin's ship. As a green lite brightened on his comm board Hagjo spoke, "Mayday! Mayday! This is Chedi Dastl Hagjo to any Chedi or Ally ships. I and Oh Henry Jr. are under attack by an Empire ship, the Lysterine which is under the command of Emperor Sakarin. They are armed with a proto laser port and proto shields. We need immediate assistance. Our coordinates are attached. " Shutting off the recorder Hagjo merged his message with their coordinates and reached for the transmit button.

The Reece suddenly pitched toward its starboard side as proto pulses again flared against her screens. Struggling with his controls Hagjo turned his head from additional flares from his Comm board. The flashes were of short duration but decisive as the board went completely dark. "Nerds!" Hagjo spat. "Of all the luck."

"What now?" Slick asks.

Hagjo sighs before answering. "More of what we're already doing and prayers that at least some of that message was transmitted before the board burned out." Turning to Slick he continues, "Make sure Henry's strapped in tight. We're going to have a rough ride." Looking at his control board he added, "Sakarin's attacks are slowing the reheating of our hyper drive coils. I'm also having to divert power to thrusters, shields and weapons." His eyes shifted back to his view screens where he saw the Lysterine closing in again. "We'll leap to hyperspace as soon as we're able. Once we've leapt we'll also have power to mask. If we can get the mask up we're home free." Rechecking the coils status, he saw that their last boost had nearly readied them to leap. Leaning his head forward he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. His fatigue was dulling both his senses and his reflexes. "I wish I had some more fudge," he whispered through his teeth as he attempted to mentally contact either of his Chedi leaders, M or M, and request help. After several seconds he stopped when a wave of dizziness broke his concentration. Reopening his eyes he took several breaths before reaching for the Reece's controls and frowned as he stabilized their shields. Eyes on Sakarin's approaching ship he rechanneled power to the engines in preparation of resuming battle. Beginning evasive maneuvers again he looked back at Slick securing Henry. "Hurry and get back here so you can secure yourself too."

Rushing back to the co-pilots seat Slick hopped in and announced, "I'm ready." The harness was already buckled. Slick simply engulfed the buckle with his body and held on.

Hagjo turned back to his screen just as the Lysterine opened fire.

As they closed again Sakarin directed from the command chair. "Remember Lieutenant, do not target the shields again. I want that ship disabled!"

Mars nodded and felt his nerves calm as a plan formed in his mind. His breathed easy and slow as he waited for the Chedi ship to enter his range. When it did, a series of blaster shots, aimed at forcing the Reece into a turn to starboard, work perfectly. As the Chedi ship made the expected turn, Mars targeted and fired two proto laser bolts just forward of the Chedi's engine section.

The Lysterine's Command Deck was immediately silent as the proto bolts erupted from the proto cannon and rushed toward the Chedi's ship. Sakarin's eyes bulged as though they might leave their sockets when the proto bolts hit and passed through both the Chedi's shields and his ship. Mars was quiet too as the realization occured to him that the destructive bolts could be off their mark by mere centimeters and destroy the ship rather than disable it. His fists were clenched on his board as he wondered, "What was I thinking!"

A second ago, as he'd fired the laser, he was fearless and certain of his plan. As the proto port launched its beams however, his certainty disappeared. He realized instantly that he had selected impossible targets. He and Sakarin both flinched as the two proto beams flashed away on the other side of the small Chedi ship. The proto lasers had no more difficulty with the collapsed shields or hull than a sweet tooth through warm chocolate. Lysterine's Command Deck was stone silent as the Chedi ship flared and began to tumble. Mars looked back at his board. His eyes widened with disbelief at what he saw.

Without the benefit of Mars' view of his data board, Sakarin believed that he had just seen Diet Vanilla's destruction. "What have you done!" He shouted staggering forward from his chair. "Scan the ship! Are they alive? Is it going to explode?"

"Lord Emperor!" Mars called out, his eyes now wide in relief and amazement. He flinched as he saw Sakarin's expression.

"Shaddup!" Sakarin screamed, unable to tear his eyes from the forward screen. As the Chedi ship's tumble increased he growled, "Mr. Payne. Give me your weapon."

Payne looks up wild-eyed from his console, "Sire, the..."

"Your weapon!" Sakarin repeated, his hand extended.

Hagjo saw the Lysterine's first attack coming and had time for only the most basic defensive maneuver. The impact of the second attack's direct hits threw him hard against his harness. Slick barely managed to hold on through the assault, however, when the Reece's hull opened, the powerful draw of the air being sucked out of the ship pulled him away from his seat. Hagjo, struggling too, could only watch as Slick disappeared into the rear of the ship. Not able to help his small friend, Hagjo reached for his controls. Punching a button on his life support panel, a constant jet of air was directed at his chest. Gasping at the thin air he attempted everything he could think of to save Henry Jr. and the ship.

With Payne's blaster pointed at Mars's head, Sakarin shouted, "Tell me!"

His confidence returned, as Sakarin held his fire, Mars scaned his console again and verified that his attacks had struck the Chedi's ship precisely and had done the exact damage he intended. Pulling his eyes away from the readings he looked past the site of the Sakarin's blaster and into his Emperor's angry eyes. Mars's pulse slowed a bit more when he saw Sakarin's eyes widen in response to the expression on his officer's face. After swallowing Mars took a quick breath and gave his report in as steady a voice as he could manage. "The Chedi ship's power and control connections have been severed Sire. It is without power and helpless. Both Diet Vanilla and the Chedi are alive." Sakarin lowered the weapon and turned back to the view screen, his eyes bulging in disbelief. "The hull has been breeched however..." Mars continued, "...the ship is losing oxygen. We must get them off as soon as possible." Revived with new hope and a desperate sense of urgency, Sakarin looked toward Payne who nodded, confirming Mars' report.

"Get Vanilla off that ship!" Sakarin shouted at the crew. Pointing to Payne he ordered, "Move us to docking position! Fire tow lines and stabilize the ship." Pointing at two other crew members he ordered, "Get into vacuum suits and prepare rescue equipment. I want both of them alive." Sakarin faced forward again and closed his eyes. Trying to calm down he took several deep breaths and reached again for Vanilla's mind.

Struggling uselessly with the controls, Hagjo finally lost consciousness when the pilot's emergency air tank empties. He slumped forward over his cockpit controls as the air thined to almost nothing. Seconds later the Reece's undamaged automated backup systems activated. Vacuum doors shut, and the life support system increased output, replacing the lost air. Hagjo hung limp and unconscious in his chair as Henry Jr. again tensed in his restraints.

As the Lysterine drew closer to the damaged Chedi ship Mars turned to Sakarin again. "My Emperor, the ship's main crew sections are no longer losing oxygen."

Sakarin, surprised and confused opened his eyes as he sat forward in his seat. "What, how? Are they repairing the ship?"

"No Sire..." Mars answered, "...it's the ship's emergency life support systems working off their own batteries. Both Diet Vanilla and the Chedi remain unconscious but there is no longer a concern of suffocation."

"Excellent!" Sakarin said smiling as he watched the Chedi ship on their main view screen. The crippled ship had been grappled with tow lines and was no longer tumbling. Sobering he turned to the weapons officer. "Well, Lieutenant Mars..." Sakarin's eyes locked on the crewman's face. "...that was very impressive." Lifting the blaster which he still held in his hand Sakarin raised an eyebrow. "It almost cost you your life." Engaging the weapon's safety, he tossed it back to Payne. "I'll see that you're rewarded for that splendid piece of shooting." Standing and looking at the forward view screen Sakarin saw the rescue pod drawing near and preparing to dock with the Chedi's dead ship. His eyes narrowed as he directed his crew. "When Diet Vanilla and the Chedi are on board, destroy that ship." Turning and walking toward the rear of the Lysterine, he spoke over his shoulder. "We will immediately rendevous with my flagship. I, Diet Vanilla and our Chedi prisoner will transfer on board the Dentyne and the Lysterine will escort us on the journey home. Do it!" He turned and looked toward the main screen one more time. His mouth pulled into a crooked grin before he turned again and walked toward the back of the ship. His crew watched in silence as he moved down the corridor. As Sakarin turned and entered one of the rear cabins, they all jumped to their duties.

Mars breathed a shuddering sigh of relief as he looked back at his console. The miracle of his targeting still had him numb. "How did I manage that!" He mumbled to himself. Glancing up from his console, he saw many of the Command Deck crew looking at him. Several still have looks of incredulity on their faces and stare back at him blankly before turning toward their consoles. Payne's expression was one of disgust before he too turned back to his station. Others smiled and nodded in congratulations. After returning several nods, Mars looked back down at his controls. Life support had been restored in much of the Chedi ship. Relaxing further, he smiled as he wondered, "What "reward" will the Emperor give me?" His smile grew wider as he allowed his imagination to wander through the possibilities.

Slick shivered behind a small access panel in the damaged mid-section of the Reece. He'd barely managed to grab hold to a power conduit as he flew toward the punctures in the hull. He quickly worked his way into a small corner of the Reece's machinery before the cold of space could do him harm. Fortunately he caught himself in a section of the ship in which life support had been restored. Safe but at a loss as to what to do he began to panic. With his panic growing, he was surprised to hear a voice urging him to relax. Now, doubly frightened by the disembodied voice, he clutched tighter to the inner surface of the Reece's hull. Although partially drawn to the comforting tone of the mysterious voice, he continued to compress himself into an ever tightening ball. Despite himself, his fear turned toward curiosity when he noticed light appear and then increase in intensity around him. He began to relax as the restored life support warmed him and made breathing easier. His body too slowly relaxed as the voice continued to encourage and the light continued to brighten. Looking around he found himself in a much larger space. He appeared to be huddled on a cloud and surrounded by its fluffy whiteness. The mysterious voice increased in volume as a short distance away Slick saw a green, roly-poly being wearing a plain, brown robe. His breathing increased again as the figure continued forward and through the surrounding blankness. "Relax," the green figure called to Slick again as he continued his approach. Seeing the figure's smile, Slick felt his calm deepen further.

Sakarin didn't try the entrance to Vanilla's quarters when he left the Command Deck. He was aware of the security protocol used to secure the small room. It would take several minutes to breech and he had no intention of standing within view of his staff while he struggled with it. Also, he was aware how tiny the cubicle was. He and Sweetn Low's conditioning of Vanilla left him indifferent to any form of luxury. That trait fit well with his role as Empire enforcer. It also negated any need for Sakarin to provide Vanilla with a share of the Empire's ever increasing bounty. Sakarin was content to ignore Vanilla's private quarters for the moment. Instead he entered a compartment on the opposite side of the short corridor. This compartment served as sleeping quarters for those members of the crew on rest shift. All the crew were now on duty so the compartment was empty. Until he was able to transfer back on board his flag ship he would settle for this cramped space. Sitting on a low cot, he put his hands over his eyes and breathed deeply.

Confused, Sakarin could make no sense of the memories of people and places which were flashing through his mind. Memories which did not feel at all familiar. Neither could he understand his handling of the crew during their pursuit of the Chedi ship. He had never taken command of any of his ships and to do so while in battle would never have occurred to him before. His mind had swung from crystal clarity to numbing confusion as they pursued the Chedi's ship. At times he was almost choking with fear and then suddenly it was as though someone took control of his emotions and directed him into calm, focused, action. He jumped as he suddenly heard Sweetn Low's voice, "Calm down Sakarin. We're fine."

Eyes wide, Sakarin scanned the small room. "Master?" his voice squeaked. Seeing no one, Sakarin's eyes rolled up and he collapsed onto the cot behind him. Immediately his eyes reopened and he calmly sat back up. His eyes narrowed into tight slits and an evil grin stretched across his face as he extended and flexed his hands and arms

Within moments the Lysterine's crew broke through the hull of the Reece and boarded the ship. They found Vanilla strapped to a bunk. Leaving two guards watching the unconscious Hagjo, Vanilla was quickly unstrapped and carried on board the Lysterine. Moments later they returned, loaded Hagjo onto a stretcher and carried him off as well. They then disengaged their docking equipment, moved a short distance away from the Reece and destroyed the ship with proto laser fire.