Disclaimer – everything belongs to George

Star Wars Episode II: Insert Pretentious Title Here

by Jedi-Jae

Disclaimer – everything belongs to George. I'm just playing with it here. No makin' any money on it.

If anyone can think of a better title for this, I am very open to suggestion.

Chapter 1

The stars snapped back into focus as the large dark cruiser dropped out of hyperspace. A nondescript bluegreen planet hung peacefully beneath it. On the bridge, the cruiser's captain slowly exhaled, unaware until then that he had been holding his breath. Although no resistance was expected, one could never be too careful. Especially when mission failure meant certain death.

Glancing quickly over his shoulder at the dark cloaked figure standing before the viewport, the captain addressed the communication officer. "Have the fighters check in."

"Yes, sir." The communications officer moved his hand across his board, only to have it slammed down against the panel by an unseen force.

"There is no need to break communications silence, Captain." The dark figure spoke without turning around. "Our escorts have already arrived. Besides, there is little out here but the Sessone colony itself. You will less protection from what is out there," the voice went on ominously "than you will need from me if you give us away."

The invisible grip on the communication officer's arm suddenly lifted. He jerked it back close to his body, and then looked at it as if it were an alien thing. He looked up at his captain, who swallowed hard. The fear on the bridge was palpable. Summoning his courage, the captain began, "But how do you know-" He was interrupted by several fighters streaking across the bridge viewport and descending toward the planet.

The dark figure whirled around. The hood of the dark cloak fell back, revealing a young man with spiky white hair and feral golden eyes. "Do not question me, Captain," Darth Nemesis said in an icy voice. "Everything is on schedule, as you can see." He strode toward the bridge door. "Send the transports to the surface at once."

"Immediately, My Lord!" The captain bowed stiffly, and sighed in relief as the bridge doors closed behind the departing Sith.

On the underside of the cruiser, the hanger bay doors opened to disgorge ten smaller transport vessels. As the transports cleared the hangar, they fired their engines and scattered, descending toward the small planet below.

The boy clutched his hunting blaster to his chest and peered out across the small meadow. Shifting slightly, he tried to get a better view between the branches of the brush he was using to conceal himself. There was a small creek on the other side of the meadow, and he knew the delks would have to cross the open area to get to it. He grinned as he pictured himself bringing yet another kill into the village, enabling his family to eat fresh meat while everyone else waited on the next supply ship from Alderaan.

Numen Brulo was a skilled hunter, despite his tender age. The older boys and young men of his village called it luck, but Numen knew better. Most of them were not willing to walk five to ten kilometers away from the settlement to reach the more abundant game areas, especially at night. He had been out here in the woods since dusk, finally settling on his present position because of its proximity to the creek and the open field of fire it offered.

A roaring sound and a sudden gust of hot wind jerked the boy from his reverie. Looking up, he saw a dark, boxy transport craft settling into the meadow. Furrowing his brow in puzzlement, Numen squinted through the wind at the unfamiliar ship. Other than the Alderaani resupply ships, visitors to Sessone were rare. And they usually landed in the fields right outside the settlement, not out here in the forest in the middle of the night. Curiosity overcoming his apprehension, Numen stood to get a better look.

And immediately ducked back under cover as the transport's ramp lowered, throwing light across the meadow. Wide-eyed, Numen peered through the brush as at least fifty soldiers made their way out of the ship. The light from Sessone's moons reflected off their vicious-looking blaster rifles. The soldiers were completely covered in gray armor that seemed to bristle with weaponry. Their helmets had black T-shaped slit visors hiding their eyes. The soldiers moved swiftly into the woods towards the village.

Numen tried to make himself as small as possible. He remained crouched behind the brush for a long time, almost paralyzed with fear. His thoughts turned to his family, at home in their beds. If he stayed out here, he would be abandoning them. He knew the woods. He could get to the settlement quickly, maybe sound a warning before the soldiers got there. Gathering up his courage and his hunting blaster, he left his hiding place. Two startled delks raced off into the trees. Lost in thought, he had failed to see them come into the meadow. Damn, he thought. What a wasted night.

Reaching the edge of the village, the soldiers discarded their silence. With blood-curdling war cries, they charged through the streets, ransacking houses and killing the occupants. Flames crackled as the buildings were set afire. Screaming villagers were shot down as they abandoned their burning homes. One young woman was beaten to death with rifle butts as she attempted to escape to the forest.

In the village square, Darth Nemesis and one of the armored officers watched the carnage and waited expectantly. In short order, a squad approached, dragging a group of villagers. When they reached the officers, the soldiers threw the people to the ground. The Sith Lord paced the line, inspecting each prisoner carefully.

"Have you taken the samples yet, Sergeant?" he asked.

"No, My Lord!" was the immediate reply.

"Then do so," ordered Nemesis. He turned to the officer. "Colonel Fett, do you have the analyzers?"

"Yes, sir," said Fett. He took two devices out of his belt and handed one to Nemesis. They watched as the sergeant took a wicked-looking knife from his belt and advanced on the prisoners. One young man leaped on the sergeant, cursing as he tried to pry the knife away. He received a rifle butt to the back of his head for his trouble. When the man was subdued, the sergeant cut a gash in his arm and dabbed blood onto an analysis chip. He repeated the process with the other villagers, four young men and a teen-aged girl.

Fett and Nemesis slipped each chip into the analyzers. When the results were complete, Nemesis eyed the prisoners. "You," he said, pointing at one of the young men, "you may leave." Relief flashed across the man's face as he got up and ran for the forest.

"Sergeant," said Fett, jerking his head toward the fleeing man. The sergeant quickly raised his rifle and shot the man in the back. He dropped in the middle of the square. The remaining prisoners screamed.

"Shut up!" ordered Fett. "Take them to the ship, Sergeant."

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers yanked the captives to their feet and herded them toward the woods. They joined the other soldiers that were making their way back to the transport.

Colonel Fett turned to the Sith. "I think we're done here, My Lord," he said.

"Very well. Finish it." Nemesis turned on his heel and headed for his shuttle, which had just landed. Fett barked orders into his comlink, then followed. As the shuttle lifted off, fighters screamed in over the trees, bombarding the village and laying waste to what little remained.

Standing in the trees at the edge of town, Numen Brulo looked on in horror at the destruction of his home. An eerie silence lay over the smoking ruins. He ran through the rubble, screaming for someone, anyone, but knowing there would be no answer.