Disclaimer: I do not own any of Star Wars, the right of ownership of Star Wars belong to Lucasfilm and I guess Disney too. The only thing I own is the characters you do not notice and the plot.
Year: 7 BBY
Chapter 1: Arriving on Alderaan
3 long and hard years have past since the start of the Triad War. There are 3 major factions that make up the war. You got the Galactic Republic which is allied with the Jedi Order, Darth Vader's Empire, and Darth Sidious group. It turns out that the name of Darth Sidious group is called the True Empire but also the name Dark Empire has been thrown around.
Now since the True Empire or Dark Empire has joined there has been rumors and presence through the Force feel that former Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic Palpatine, who is also now know as Darth Sidious, is back. To some this is hard to believe but for the Jedi Order and those who are close to the Jedi Order they find it easy to believe since they understand the Force better than anything. Through it wouldn't be the first time sensing someone through the Force has proven wrong. A good example of this goes back to Palpatine, none of the Jedi within the Jedi Order was able to find out he was a Sith Lord until the last minute. This was a mistake that cost the universe that Jedi Master Mark Alan Zane came from. There has been no physical evidence that Darth Sidious is back.
There is also the mysterious Darth Asteria who been fighting along side the True Empire. The strange thing is Rachelle Hunter, former Padawan of Jedi Master Mark Alan Zane and first and current lover of him, sense something familiar about her but it is very small. Even Lillian, who have heard her speak think she have heard that voice before but cannot pinpoint it.
Still most of the Jedi suspect that Darth Sidious has return but is waiting for the right moment to make an appearance. They are for sure that there is some type of manipulations going on too. It is due to this that the current Galactic Republic Supreme Chancellor Padme Amidala Skywalker nee Naberrie had start suspecting traitors within the Galactic Senate and is secretly doing her best to find out if there are any. Even through her years of being the leader of the Galactic Republic have been mostly involve with war, she also improved the life of those within the Galactic Republic and manage to change some of the Senate from being greedy to those who are willing to help their people. She has help from only a selected few Senators that she trusted as much as her Jedi friends and Jedi husband. Those are Amelia Zane, Bail Organa, Garm Bel Iblis and Mon Mothma. These were the same people that help her out to help Mark bring down Palpatine during the Clone Wars.
Through some of them have paid for that choice. Garm Bel Ibilis had lost his wife and children because of it. That did not happen until around 10 BBY. Padme have to suffer losing her grandmother Ryoo and her niece of the same name back in 19 BBY shortly before the birth of her twins. Bail Organa nearly lost his family due to the same person but was able to fight him off. Amelia Zane, even if she had no part in it, Maxus Zane will still attack her due to her giving Mark to the Jedi Order when he was younger. Through Mark tried to protect them as much as he can.
The attempt on Bail family happened recently. Maxus Zane arrives on the planet of Alderaan with a few Dark Jedi. Due to Padme visiting there along with Mon and Amelia the Jedi Order not only send Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Galen Marek but also Mark Zane and his Padawan Mara Jade. The Dark Jedi tried to kill Padme while Maxus thought to seek revenge against the only person he haven't manage to seek revenge for betraying Palpatine, Bail Organa. It was even sweeter to know that his ex-wife, Amelia Zane, was talking to them.
What exactly happen is he kidnapped Winter Celchu the adoptive daughter of Bail and Breha Organa. After that he tried to kill Breha Organa. Mark saved Winter Celchu before she could have been killed. Bail almost killed Maxus Zane; he fired Blaster pistols at him like as if they were machine guns. That day Mark learned exactly how protective Bail is over his family. He is normally a peaceful type of person. Maxus would have died if he did not exploded half the hall in the palace where Bail and his family lives. Bail thought he lost his adoptive daughter but was amazed to find out that Mark manages to rescue her.
Later they have found it is not only a revenge mission but also a mission for the Empire attempt to take over Alderaan secretly. Aboard the ship in space that held Winter, Mark notice clones of Bail and Breha, which he have destroyed. He was shocked to find out Darth Vader would uses Clones since he hates the thought of Clones because he is a Clone. Through the Force Mark have found out that the mission was requested by Maxus Zane and when it comes to Maxus Zane, Darth Vader does not mind the usage of Clones.
After the recent attack on Bail's family, the bounty on Maxus Zane head went up way much higher. He is surprise the Hutts are doing nothing about it, but then again Maxus Zane works for the Empire and the Hutts works for them too. Darth Vader scared the living daylights out of it when he killed two Hutts on the Hutt Council with the Force when they try to go against him.
Right now Jedi Master Mark Alan Zane and his Padawan Mara Jade are traveling in a MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser, which is a ship that is slightly large then the Republic Attack Cruisers he is use to commanding. The planet of Dac or also know as Mon Calamari, had openly joined the Galactic Republic and their shipyards build ships. Now alongside the various Star Destroyers such as the Republic Attack Cruisers and the Victory-class Star Destroyers, bunch of Mon Calamari Shipyard company ships been provided to the Galactic Republic.
The MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser could range from the standard size of 3937 feet long ships to ships that can be longer than 4593 feet long. Just as much as the Republic Attack Cruisers, Mark likes how the ship runs. With the standard size ship being longer then that Republic Attack Cruisers, which are 3730 feet long, these ships can hold more personal and Starfighters. Even through the standard size is smaller than the mile long Imperial-class Star Destroyers.
Through the shape of the ships need some getting used to. Most people in the Galactic Republic are used to seeing the smooth diamond or arrowhead designs of the Star Destroyers, but the round and bumpy look of the Mon Calamari ships are different. Though they are basically made stronger and with the advancements at Zane Tech their ships are tough to beat. Basically these ships are stronger and faster then the Republic Attack Cruiser without the advancing advancements from Zane Tech.
In the recent years both the True Empire and the Empire ships have been advancing greater than the Galactic Republic so the advancing of their Star Destroyers and getting new ships was a top priority in the military. The last thing they want to do is be outmatched by the two groups that is lead by the Sith.
Right now Mark is in a fleet with two Republic Attack Cruiser, one smaller Victory 2-class Star Destroyer, and one MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser. The Grand Army of the Republic Navy is full of many different warships and Starfighters.
"We are approaching the planet of Alderaan." say a Clone Trooper. Mark looks up from the controls on his seat that is on the bridge. That is one good thing about the MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser, he actually got a chair to sit and command from, he usually have to either borrow one of the Clones or bring his own when he is up on the bridge of a Republic Attack Cruiser.
"Slow engines down, they most likely have their Planetary Shields up due to the threats made by Darth Asteria of the True Empire." say Mark giving the commands to the Clones. He feels the ships slow down as he tap some buttons on his chair, a Hologram appear of a young female. "This is Jedi Master and 3rd Legion General Mark Alan Zane; I was sent here on a backup mission just in case of a threat from the True Empire is true. Bail Organa had requested me. I was wonder if my fleet and I could possible land on a spaceport within your planet. We had a long trip from the Outer Rims to get here. Our ships need fuel and some repairs." say Mark.
They have gotten back from the planet of Mon Calamari because the Empire tried to attack them since they realized the strong ships they make. That was the battle that truly convinced Mark that the MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser is as great as any of his favorites Republic Attack Cruiser.
The hologram of the girl looks down at information that was available to her. "Ah here it is 3rd Legion General and his fleet requested by Viceroy and Galactic Senator Bail Organa. We will lower a part of the shield, I have seen planetary coordinates to your ship to land at a specific spaceport." say the female before the hologram phase away.
Since the beginning of the Triad War, Mark has been busier than in the Republic Imperial Conflict. The obvious reason for that is the conflict had only one enemy but now in the war they have 2 enemies. Mark notice a part of the Planetary Shields has faded away. Mark's ship leads the way through the planetary shield.
"Slow the speed down, we do not need a repeat of what happen on Bakura last year." say Mark wisely to a Clone near him. There was another battle for Bakura and the main reason was that the True Empire and the Empire were trying to get the advancement information from Zane Tech to make their ships even better. That was a devastating battle that took out the Planetary Shields for about 2 hours. The Victory-class Star Destroyer that he was commanding was trying to speed away from an Imperial-class Star Destroyer and they enter the planet way to fast and lost control of the ship. Through it was not even as quarterly as deadly as his crash on Bakura back in 10 BBY when they got back from the mission to the Hyperspace Disturbance. Talk about a dangerous mission. That mission still haunts Mark's dreams.
Mark hears the blast doors slide open. He spins the chair around and see his 10 years old Padawan. She just became his Padawan back in 9 BBY a year after her friends Leia, Luke and Galen became Padawans. Out of the group she is the youngest to be a Padawan.
"Master, why are doing here while there are other missions to be done?" ask Mara trying not sound to disrespectful to her mentor. Mark looks at her. "The Senate and the Jedi Order told me to head here. Yes there are bunch of conflicts going on right now because of this war, but we must remain organized. They might have seen my talents will do good here then others. It is our duty as Jedi to protect the peace. The True Empire threatens this planet the last time they threaten a planet they nearly took control over it." say Mark.
Mara shakes her head at remember that mission it was where she first came face to face with Darth Asteria, through Mark step into the fight. Mara is not ready to face a Sith. Yes, like her friends she is learning quickly since she became his Padawan 2 years ago, but Mark does not want her to take on a Sith just yet. Maybe when she is older.
"I sense Master Rachelle down on the planet." say Mara. Mark nods, Rachelle is still part of the 3rd Legion she never left the 3rd Legion. Since it was so big, it can be split up few times. There were times when Rachelle worked with other troops. Mark did so, but the 3rd Legion is his main troops. So basically the 3rd Legion has two Generals and two Commanders, even through the commanders are quite young.
"Have you been practicing your Lightsaber training, young one?" ask Mark look at Mara as he leans back in his chair. "Yes, but I was hoping you can train me, I starting to think that those droids are not improving my abilities since they are not challenging." say Mara. Mark tries to keep her out of most of the fights until he feels like she can hold herself in a life and death situation. Through there were times she was involved in fights.
"Have you been studying the Force and practicing meditation?" ask Mark spinning the chair around to face the viewports. A spaceport is coming near them. He did not need to give the order to prep for landing, because the landing gears are already coming out. He feels the ship drops speed to near zero as it came down on the ground.
"Yes studying, but you know that I cannot meditate well." say Mara. Mark pinches his nose while shaking his head. She seems to do well in everything but the meditation. "You have to believe you can do it. Believing in doing something will make that something much easier to do. Well you do not believe in something it make things much harder. What you lack is focus." say Mark wisely from the chair he is sitting.
"I try to focus on meditation but it does not work. Maybe I cannot do meditation!" say Mara as she crosses her arms in frustration. "Anyone could meditate; you need the patient for it. Basically meditating is you clear your mind of all thoughts and focus. It brings you closer to the Force. Meditation is good, because it helps clear your mind. There are some things you can only do in meditation. Sometimes when meditating, you can find answers that you would not normally found out. Sometimes you can use Meditation to heal yourself. You did it before when you created your Lightsaber." say Mark pointing at the sliver hilted Lightsaber that is on Mara's belt.
"That was only one time." mumble Mara looking down. "If you could do it once, you can do it again. Focus on the task at hand. To make a Lightsaber you have to be meditating and focusing on make a Lightsaber. Do whatever you did then and focus. It might help if you stare at your Lightsaber." say Mark remember Kento Marek had a hard time meditating but Mark often caught him staring at an activated Lightsaber in his hand while meditating.
"Can you tell me how you meditate?" ask Mara. "I will tell you, but it might not work. Basically all I do is clear my mind and stare off into space or close my eyes. It came natural to me. Everyone is different. Plus you used to do it a lot with Master Yoda's guidance in his classes. Remember what he taught you." say Mark as he points at her. Mara nods at this.
"Do not worry, Mara. You are not the only one who had trouble with meditating. Kento Marek and Jenna Farlay both had trouble with meditating, like everything it take practice to get good at something." say Mark hoping to settle the uneasiness within Mara that he have sensed through the Force.
"Okay we are coming in for the landing." say a Clone. Mark knuckles turns white at he tighten his grip on the arms of the chair. Memories of the crash landing on Bakura flashes through his mind. The vision of Rachelle Hunter been thrown out of the command tower and into another part of the doomed ship also appeared. With that was the crash that happened in 14 BBY that put him in a coma. It was the crash on Bakura that drives that fear into him sometimes. It only happens when they are coming in for landing. Even through he knows everything is perfectly fine, the fear strikes at him.
Mara sensed Mark's uneasiness through the Force. She looks at him and right away knew he was gripping the arms of the chair to hard. Something she learned from Mark was to be observant to everything around her.
He feels the slight touch on the ground as the ship landed. As soon as the ship was on the ground, Mara senses her mentor worries fade away. He got up from the chair as Clones activate the computers to open the doors and ramps.
Mark and Mara went down the nearest one. Mara looks around amazed at the other ships in the fleet. She was expecting to ride on a Victory-class Star Destroyer or Republic Attack Cruiser. She knows her mentor is well known to the use of a Republic Attack Cruiser.
While his young Padawan was focusing on the other ships in the fleet, Mark sees Queen Breha Organa and her husband Senator Bail Organa. Mark is close friends with a few Senators and Bail Organa is one of those few. "Senator Organa and Queen Organa it is a pleasure to meet you, I wish it was not under the pretense that I was invited for, but still it is a pleasure." say Mark shaking his hand with Bail and bow his head to Breha.
"So who is this youngster?" ask Breha staring at Mara Jade. "My current Padawan Mara Jade." say Mark. Breha have never meet Mara, but Bail has done countless times on Coruscant.
"Not use to seeing you in something different than a Star Destroyer." say Bail staring at the MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser. "Ah, you know us Jedi; we cannot have an attachment to a lot of things. A ship is a ship, even through I favor the Attack Cruisers, these ships are pretty good too." say Mark jabbing his thumb over his shoulder at the Cruiser.
"Okay we can talk on our way to the palace and at the palace. Your girlfriend is suggesting the idea of having ground troops on the planet." say Breha. Through Mark and Rachelle have announce their feelings for each other in 14 BBY, they have never used the terms boyfriend and girlfriend. Through the term does make sense for their relationship.
"Why you think having ground army is a bad idea?" ask Mark. "My wife is under the impression that we need no ground forces due to having the planetary shields up." say Bail as they got in a Speeder. "Well, I agree with Rachelle, because you never know what could happen. If the planetary shields are like all the other ones, it not a single unit, it a bunch of different units layer across the planet to conserve power will make the shield powerful. It is possible for a ship to sneak in when one is weak or when one is down to let someone else in. As we speak their might be Stormtroopers on the planet." say Mark.
Even through he knows the Stormtroopers are Clones, it just does not feel right addressing them as such. It makes him feel like he is insulting Captain Kia and the rest of the Clones in the Grand Army of the Republic. There are not as skillful or smart as the Clones that Mark serves. He also notices a distaste that the Clones have for the Stormtroopers.
"The question is what the True Empire and the Empire would want with us. We are a peaceful planet." say Breha. "You are part of the Republic, they want to uses the resources that your planet have to us for there own. They want to extend their territory. Plus with the closeness of Alderaan to Coruscant, it will be a good place for a base to go against the capital of the Republic. Also add to the reasoning that Alderaan heavily supports the Galactic Republic. There could be many reasons why and those reasons we might not know. All I am here is to protect this planet and its people. I am a Jedi a protector of peace." say Mark as they begin to head to the capital of the planet.
As with all beginning chapters, the chapter gives a bit of information what had happen from the last story in the series and leads up to what this story will be.
Yes, I am trying out different ships, I have found that I like the designs of a MC80 Home One type Star Cruiser, which is longer then a Republic Attack Cruiser. This type of ship is the same class ship that Admiral Gial Ackbar (The person who yells it is a trap!) commands during the battle over Endor in the Return of the Jedi Movie. Like always you can go to Wookieepedia to find information out.
Basically with Palpatine/Darth Sidious being back, besides what the Jedi feel and some rumors going around, there have been no proof that he is back.
The name of Palpatine's group is the True Empire or which is also known as the Dark Empire idea came from two thoughts. See according to Wookeepedia, when the Palpatine return in his Clone Body he called his group the Dark Empire which unlike the Galactic Empire, they were more openly about the Dark Side of the Force and ruled by it. I was originally call it the Dark Empire, to fit the original Saga, but I figure with Darth Vader's Empire, Palpatine/Darth Sidious would think that it it is nothing compare to the Empire he will created so therefore calling his own Empire the True Empire. Also the name True Empire goes to relate back to the original Saga to him ruling the Galactic Empire, so therefore making him the true Emperor while Darth Vader (mine) is a false Emperor.
As you have notice when I introduce the True Empire (not by name) in my last story, the color scheme of the ships are the same as they appear in the movies, that is what I wanted. While Darth Vader's Empire has a darker color scheme, I wanted to keep the original Imperial color scheme to the True Empire to relate back to the movies.
I do enjoy relating my story to the original series. Different yet at the same time similar.
The reason for the title, it will be known by the end of the story.
Until next time, enjoy!
