Three Galaxy Saga
Author Notes
This is set during Revenge of the Sith where it will then go completely AU.
Warning!
When I am writing from the Prior's point of view the truth becomes a relative, subjective thing so when he refers to the Ori or his Gods I capitalise the 'G' – this not meant to offend anyone's religious belief's.
Story
Prologue – Sith Dominance
Back in the Chancellor's room Anakin stood before Palpatine, now known to him as Darth Sidious. "Arise Darth Vader. Go to the temple, exterminate all the Jedi. Kill them all".
Head still bowed, beginning to rise. "Yes, my master".
Watching the newly risen Sith stalk with purpose from the room waited for the door to slide shut, turning to the surviving Sith Warrior's, "Go with him, if he fails in the slighest. Kill him."
He reflected on a grand set of plans from day one, rising into the Senate, manipulating Padme, the Jedi Council, blinding all with Dark Side from seeing what was really going on. Even sending the force vision to Anakin had worked brilliantly. It enabled him to see possible futures, what would occur if events went down a particular path. It was crucial. It ended with Anakin fighting and being beaten by Obi-Wan, badly burnt, lower body gone – he even had the suit of armour prepared. He knew that without a whole body the Chosen One would never be able to challenge Sidious' rule, or power. He smiled internally, sitting back at his desk gave a very species order to all clone troopers. "Initiate Order 66."
A few days later, on Mustafa, Obi-Wan fought for his life as Darth Vader attacked relentlessly. The shielding systems had been disrupted during the course of their dance of death casuing the platformsthey had been battling on had begun to sink into the lava. Blinded and deceived by hate, Anakin wouldn't stop. They were all deceived, in the end by Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord of the Sith.
It felt like the confrontation had been going for hours yet in reality knew it was only ten minutes or so, a frantic time as they leaped from platform to platform, swung from metal support cables. At this minute the melee was currently taking place on robotic platforms moving across the lava. The heat was unbearable, the situation untenable but he sensed they were near the end, either he or the Sith would prove dominant. Taking a chance he gathered the Force around him and leaped, landing ten meters away on solid ground, away from the lava.
Anakin remained on one of the robotic sleds, "Time for you to die my master".
Sighing, General Kenobi pushed the hair way from his eyes, wiping a hand on his tunic, slick with sweat. "Don't try it, I have the high ground".
A voice resonating with anger, replied, "You underestimate my new powers." The leap much to Obi-Wan's surprise cleared well above his head. The descending blade cleaved through his shoulder and chest. Gasping dropped his lightsaber, clattering as it hit the ground barely audible above the surrounding din.
Anakin watched his friend and mentor drop the ground, dying, gasping like a fish out of water, taking his final glimpses of this world. But Padme would live, that was the most important part. Time to collect his prize. He sprinted leaping from platform to platform back to the awaiting spaceship only find to the ramp close with an almost soundless click before the forcefield enveloped the ship. Unfortunately the droid Threepio must have seen the outcome, somehow. All inside were immune to his dark side powers. Screaming in anger that reverberated across the stars watching fornlornly as the ship rose slowly into the sky and was gone – and so was Padme. But he would find her!
It had been a week since the catastrophic fall of the Republic since then Senator Organa had been trying to discreetly contact allies. Both were well aware that should any Jedi be spotted on board then any newly commissioned Imperial forces would soon follow, so he stayed in his quarters, rarely leaving. It was mostly down the injuries he had sustained, the ignominy of it all, that and the pain. So he spent most of his time in deep mediation communing through the force with a Jedi long thought dead.
The few welcome interruptions he got were from Senator Organa. An alarm brought Yoda out of his trance, tired he dismissed it, nothing out of the usual but something niggled at his subconscious. "Senator I feel a…..disturbance in the force."
The voice over the com-link seemed irritated; concerned that it might be a trap. "We've picked up a stray craft, it has a Jedi beacon." Yoda's eyes widened in anticipation but years of caution kicked in as the somewhat pragmatic Master could not decide on a course of action.
"Did you wish," there was a pause, the weight of the decision weighing heavily on the Senator, "to destroy the craft?"
"No, no! Bring the craft on board we will."
"As you wish," the com-link was cut.
He made one of his few forays out of his cabin towards the hangar bay. Having had been reliant upon his walking stick more than usual, unable to use the force for anything other than basic meditation in fear the Emperor would somehow track them; was left to heal…slowly. If he was honest it was driving the old Jedi Master mad. The pain was constant, discomfort immense and the whole thing was an incessant annoyance. But there was little choice if they were to stay alive and he would not risk the welfare of others – too much was now at stake.
The tiny craft in many ways was like looking in the mirror; a tired battered old looking thing with dozens of scars left over from old battles. Sensing an occupant inside, yet wary as he approached, still fearing a trap. As the ramp lowered he was greeted by the familiar face of a Jedi Master limping towards him, wheezing, covered in burns, consciously cupping his right hand, which seemed absent.
A tired smile was etched across his green face. "Good to see you it is," there was no concealing the anger on the ebony features though.
It had taken another couple of days while the both Jedi Masters required more medical attention, Yoda to have the stabilising metal removed from his ankle but Mace's needs were somewhat more urgent though. Both lungs had suffered internal blistering, his liver almost totally destroyed, one kidney failed. It had been a minor miracle that there had been no brain damage. He'd only kept going through pure will and the force. His hand was replaced, but the burns would leave huge scars, covering a majority of his body, if he did not have Bacta immersion immediately.
He'd been in the tank for three days while his body healed, then out for several operations to various organs replaced with synthetic versions then back in again for another two days to enhance and speed up recovery. When Master Windu eventually came out he lay in bed, unconscious while his body healed. A couple of times the pain was bad enough forcing the elder Master back to his bed, but against advice he sat in a chair waiting for his friend to wake up, elevating his ankle intermittently. The urge to engage in healing meditation was overwhelming, knowing that to do so may bring the Empire to them faster than sitting above Coruscant itself.
There was little to occupy his time, constantly daydreaming, going through his confrontation with the Emperor, time and again. A croaky voice startled him.
"Yoda," it rasped through damaged lungs that were still not yet healed. Eyes looked around warily seeing only medical staff and one he would call friend.
"Alone we are, Sidious here is not." Ebony features seemed to relax slightly until it saw a hand where none had been previously. "Replace it we did, a one armed Jedi Master have we could not".
Windu smiled slightly, profoundly shaken after losing to Darth Sidious and the betrayal. Not long after he lapsed back into sleep, resting, regaining energy having used the last of his reserves to get here. It had taken another day in a bacta tank for his lungs to heal sufficiently before the medical staff would release him, allowing the Jedi to walk around the ship.
A couple of days later Master Yoda sat in the canteen sipping a clear fluid waiting for the arrival of his friend. Striding purposely into the eating area an attendant had asked if the ebony master would like water to which his reply had been, "I've seen enough water to last me a lifetime." So he had an orange juice.
Yoda was unable to stop a smile and the laughter that followed at overhearing this exchange, catching a glint of humour in his friend's eye, glad that he seemed to be recovering. Both sat in silence wanting to broach the topic but afraid to, not wanting to relive the painful memories.
"We can't avoid it forever."
Little green shoulders slumped, "I agree".
Taking a last sip of orange juice for Corellian courage, Master Windu began…………………..
They had brazenly walked into the Supreme Chancellor's office, confident, sure of victory, none had expected the events that happened. His leap and subsequent movements were a blur of red death as three Jedi Masters lay at his feet. They had been too arrogant, too self assured – something Yoda had said. It was not the death so much but the relative ease with which he has done so, that and the gusto.
Their struggle was brief but intense as sabers clashed, he dodged, ducked and parried. Using every Jedi trick he knew and a few made up on the spot yet still could not prevail. Rolling away to safety raised the lightsaber to cover the incoming strike, the obvious one he'd foreseen briefly. Again they clash and the dance of death continued. His face was a river of sweat, robe sodden, yet he could not afford to let up at any time.
An elbow crashed towards his face which he blocked easily, realising at the last minute it was a feint; Sidious had reversed his saber to stab at his unprotected chest. Pivoting he counterattacked by slashing towards his opponent's spine feeling resistance meant that his blade had been intercepted by the Chancellor's.
Having no choice now Mace drew upon the dark side of the force, safely, allowing the use of his much vaunted Vaapad style. Even Yoda had not learnt this style, yet, for as far as the dimuitive Master was concerned it was merely in its trial run stages. Quickly he turned disadvantage around pushing Palpatine away with a nudge of the shoulder followed by a lower leg sweep brought the Sith his knees. A swift left hook knocked him sprawling, the saber spinning across the floor. In his opinion the punch was very un-Jedi like, but winning was as important as staying alive.
He'd actually beaten the Chancellor in a lightsaber duel, surprisingly, but there was no real way to actually put him on trial for his crimes; frantically trying to think of another way around the problem. Laying at his feet battered and bloody attempted to crawl away. Unable to control the feeling on contempt kicked his downed opponent in the head, twice, to disuade any further resistance or to use a police a term 'gain compliance'.
The veil cast by the dark side lifted and as it did all the events made sense now, all the manipulations, pawns moving on a giant gameboard. The Trade Federation, Naboo, all of it. That was why Nute Gunray remained at large, he owned the Courts; thus ensuring his tool remained out of jail.
Where, and how, would they actually imprison such a powerful Sith anyway. It wasn't possible. There was simply no choice. Killing him was the only way, best thing for all concerned. Not giving the Sith any chance whatsoever, conscious not draw the saber back for a really good satisfying swing, his intent to thrust straight into his enemies head.
There was no need to see to know the Chosen One had sudenly arrived against direct instructions, or to dodge Anakin's thrown lightsaber at the right moment. He landed ready, poised for attack or defence. Force lighting greeted his outstretched purple blade, bending it, pushing it back towards his face – such was its ferocity and power.
His face a mask of concentration and exertion once more. "What are you doing here," the words barely a grunt.
"I cannot let you kill him, I need him," there was a slight pause, eyes full of pain, "for Padme."
Now he knew who the father of Senator's child was, it had been the subject of much gossip and conjecture. Neither he nor Yoda had been able to see who it was, the Dark Side clouding everything. Anakin's blade returned to his hand as he charged the Jedi Council Member. A leap took Mace clear of the lightning, using Anakin as a shield against the Dark Lord of the Sith. A flurry of saber strikes and parries saw both Master and Chosen One battling to the death.
Despite his so-called power Anakin was still lacking in certain aspects of Saber work leaving many key areas open. The way in which it was done was clearly accidental. Switching back to Vaapad kept the pressure up.
Striking with the butt of saber, knocking Anakin back, switching his blade to cover his exposed back as a vicious swipe nearly ended his life. His recovery had been flawless, lashing out with force enhanced leaping kick that knocked the Knight sprawling turning quickly as the Palaptine was within reach once more.
Using force enhanced speed the Sith moved inhumanly quick, dodging the blow, a smile alighting his features. The blood running freely down his face and off his chin just made him look more psychotic. "Fool, did you think I had only one apprentice."
They thought that last remark had referred to Count Dooku and the unknown Sith who slew Qui-Gonn Jinn. Both Jedi's, one soon to be fallen, stood mouth's agape and speechless as a door behind the Chancellor opened, totally unprepared for what they saw. Inside stood half a dozen opponents, a mix of men and women all dressed in silver armour covering all but their faces - madness glinting in their eyes, hair blowing in the wind from the smashed window, giving them a somewhat feral preternatural imagery.
Red blades ignited in unison.
Knowing that this was the end Palpatine could not help but gloat, destroy your victim in body and mind – it was the Sith way. "Each has been subverting the Republic for the last three years, in accordance with my wishes", voice deeper more menacing, the Sith Lord's irises now blood red. "Join us Anakin, save the one you love".
Conflict was obvious as a mental war raged within the Chosen One - but only for a second. It was decided by the charging Sith Warrior's converging on Master Windu. Blades swished through the air creating a buzzing that sounded like a thousand angry hornets.
All was sound and motion now as reflexes honed through years of practice took over. His elbow smashed the eye socket of one feeling it break as the tissue went all spongy; turning to land a debilitating kick into the abdomen of another, force enhanced, watching as two were down – for now. He felt blood pumping in his veins, barely avoiding a fatal cut from one Sith to block and a decapitating strike from Anakin. It was all too good to be true, he should've listened to Yoda about the propecy being wrong. Slamming his hand on the ground sent a wave of force energy rushing out in 360 degrees, knocking all the Sith back, Chosen One included. A man with dark hair lay at his feet. Pausing briefly thrust the saber through his chest immediately flash boiling any moisture causing blood to explode across the floor.
Resolute determination was upon the Jedi Master's face, trying to hold back the bloodlust that would lead to the dark side. There was no end to opponents - still four left, including the former Jedi. A weary sigh escaped his lips. Only two ways out of this, fight and live, or lose and die. Somehow considering the odds the latter was most likely. But he could sense a Shatterpoint, it was imminent – if only he could find it. He could sense Anakin's anger bubbling over into the dark side.
Ducking he avoided death once more feinted a leg sweep, lashing out with a low level counterattack with his saber severing both legs, a casual backhand left the body headless killing another Sith Warrior. Diving over a slash meant to decapitate, doubtless revenge for the fallen comrade of moments.
A Force Push greeted his acrobatic maneuouver slamming his body, head against a wall, breath left his lungs and stars swam across his vision. Immobile, held firmly in place tried to regain his senses by taking deep calming breaths. The pressure holding him in place was making it hard to breathe.
As some modicum of normalness returned he realized that he held his lightsaber, that is until a face he considered friendly removed weapon and hand in on smooth motion. His world was suddenly full of pain which erupted throughout his whole body, the saber had flash fried the blood and water in his tissues, cauterising the wound all at the same time.
Above all that he could hear that damn Sith Lord, cackling insanely – and the face of his betrayer – Anakin Skywalker. He fell onto his knees staring at his severed hand half a dozen feet away. He would end this day, forever sleep. To make the torment worse force lightning struck him flush in the chest igniting every nerve with a burning fire, flesh burnt and blackened under the onslaught. He was dinly aware that it seemed to propel the Jedi Master towards open space, where the glass used to be.
Aware that there was no longer solid ground but air beneath booted feet his mind screamed poo doo in defiance, at the injustice of it all, of the Sith rising againt to dominance. But for some undefinable reason knew now he would not die, but at the moment did not really understand how he would survive. Falling not into the jaws of death but into the back seat of a fast moving speeder, the impact shook him, broke bones; alive his mind screamed once more. Alive, he almost rejoiced except the movement brought a scream of pain from his mouth. He genuflected that they had gone in far too arrogantly expecting victory only to have things not turn out so well.
Yoda sighed knowing it would take time to heal from this trauma but whether there would be enough opportunity for full rehabilitation before their next confrontation he doubted. Perhaps they could go into hiding? He knew an ideal swamp planet to remain incognito on.
Master Windu turned the rim of his cup mindlessly, lost in deep thought, glancing at his friend expectantly. "I just cannot believe he was so powerful, that he blinded us so."
"Unprecedented this is, most unfortunate."
Despite his mood, he found himself smiling, "That's an understatement. But what do we do about it, if anything?" Both knew that Palpatine would be surrounded by guards by now, getting close impossible considering Jedi were to be shot on sight.
"Pass on what we have learnt we must."
"To who, there is no one left, is there?"
"Her children we must teach."
He knew Yoda referred to Anakin's offspring through Padme who undoubtedly would be strong in the force, and unknown to the Emperor. "You cannot be serious."
They were also aware that her ship had only recently docked piloted in by the Artoo and Threepio droids.
"Find any survivors we must."
Neither had any answers, continuing to sit in silence for some time, both forlorn and taciturn. In truth what could either of the do against a whole Empire that was dedicated to hunting them down.
"I presume you faced Palpatine, so what happened?"
The bluntness of the question threw Yoda for a second expecting his friend to be a bit more tactful, but this was not the time for holding back, they must disclose the full and ugly truth…………..
On Coruscant the battle between Master Yoda and Darth Sidous was a furious exchange of lightsaber blows and force energies. He stood on the platform in the former Senate Conference Stadium, briefly having chance to reflect on recent events. This Sith was immensely powerful, more so than any ever before. He knew of the power it took to project arcane energy from both hands.
Yet even he, the most powerful Jedi was actually losing. Using the force he tried to reflect the lightning back, then to absorb it, but it was just too much – overpowering. Another sudden burst of power overflowed the diminuitive alien's defences, as electrical energy acred up his arm. Grunting in pain, grimacing, his equanaminity evaporated to be replaced by anger. He had had enough! Upstart Sith!
Turning back the Dark Lord of the Sith, he gathered the force around him drawing on it, but not just the Light side, but there was a wisp of the Dark side about it too, calling and whispering, goading the small alien to use its power. And he did.
Darth Sidious registered shock as Yoda stood there implacable, absorbing the energies without fear, no longer overcome, or losing ground as he had minutes earlier. And yet despite this, the alien kept coming, relentless, a warrior at heart, despite apparent frailness. Constantly getting stronger; now worst of all he was using the dark side. He poured more power at the alien, fuelled by his rage. There was enough to bring down a star fighter, yet the alien stood there unmoving.
Clone troopers ran into the room raising their blasters pouring bolts of energy at the small Jedi. Unable to fight both force and blaster fire took an instinctive step back losing whatever precarious footing he already had. As one foot flailed over open space it was enough of a distraction as one blaster bolt impacted high on his shoulder knocking the little alien off the platform. He fell a thousand feet to the floor below.
If he used the Force too soon he'd fall too slowly and would be an easy target for the troopers but leaving it too late……. instead he had to rely on a sudden burst of power a hundred feet from the floor. The impact made his bones shake from top to toe. It was made worse as his ankle gave way under the impact with a crack like thunder. Dozens of energy bolts followed the alien upon landing, despite it being a barely controlled fall.
A lightsaber flew into his hands, deflecting a few blaster bolts, grimacing at the pain in his shoulder and ankle. It was clearly broken. Unable to limp in light of the current situation used the force to hop away while swatting unwelcome attacks back towards their source. Each hop made the little alien grimace in pain but thankfully adrenaline and the instinct to survive prevented it from becoming overwhelming; that would come later.
He had failed there would never be another chance at the Emperor Palpatine without fighting hundreds of troopers, a battle even he would struggle to win. Yoda had felt hundreds of Jedi die; Masters, Knights, Padawans, and younglings. In all likelihood he was now the only survivor. Dropping into Bail Organa's speeder, the Senator drove at break neck velocities towards his waiting ship.
The face of Master Windu was far from happy after the tale of woe, in fact the seething hatred which he struggled to keep under control threatened to bubble to the surface at any moment. Using Vaapad techniques did always require that his lightsaber be ignited, so he managed to control the dark side bringing it under control. In all honesty he was having a little trouble with cybernetic hand, it seemed to flex and open spasmodically.
"What about Obi-Wan?" Master Yoda shook his head sadly.
As though the omen was coming true alarms went off all over the bridge as Bail briefly choked in horror at a Star Destroyer having suddenly appeared from hyperspace. It dropped into normal space approximately 10,000 miles off their position closing the distance rapidly. There was no way they could even hope to outrun such a beast. Before their navi-computer could get coordinates its turbolasers were blasting at the shields of their Nebulon-B Escort Frigate.
Both hurried to the bridge to find out what happening, able to sense the presence of Anakin onboard, tainted and corrupted by the dark side's subtle influences. Gone the boy is. As the door opens Organa shouts orders to an officer just as various consoles explode, their ship heaves once not designed to repel the kind of firepower being thrown at it for long.
Master Windu looked at Yoda in alarm, "How did they find us so quick?"
A shake of the green head said everything, "Split up we must, follow us all they cannot".
Bail nods his head, "A good idea, but where shall we go?"
It takes barely a moment for Yoda to answer, "Dagobah". Questioning glances are shared but there is no time for explanations.
Boarding a docked fighter Master Windu sets his course into the navi-computer while disengaging the docking clamps. In a moment is speeding away into the dark beyond before disappearing into hyperspace, gone from all prying eyes.
Master Yoda's intent to use another hyper lane, a somewhat longer route, but it would get there eventually. Just as his ship goes superluminal, he notices that Bail Organa's does the same. He is safe at least. Almost subliminally his green hand touches the Holocron of the Gray Jedi, entrusted to him by another.