A/N: Hello everyone, my name is Jaime Horn. I'm an amateur author currently working on my own novel, and have become interested in writing fan fiction. I am also a massive Star Wars nerd, and while I did enjoy TFA, I found myself somewhat disappointed by the unoriginality of the plot. So, this is my attempt at creating something a little more unique. Just so you know, this story exists in its own continuity (along with the OT), and cherry-picks certain elements from the EU. Please leave feedback, and enjoy! :D - J.H
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….
STAR WARS
EPISODE VII
ECHOES OF THE DARK SIDE
It is a time of galactic peace, the final remnants of the Empire have signed a treaty with the New Republic, and now control only a small number of star-systems, under the banner of the First Order.
Luke Skywalker has established a Jedi Temple on the moon of Yavin IV. The Temple has expanded greatly over the past several years, now numbering close to three-hundred Jedi.
In the midst of the calm, agents of the Republic have reported strange activity from the outer-rim world of Esteril. Concerned by this development, Supreme Chancellor Leia Solo has dispatched a brave reconnaissance squad to the planet in hopes of uncovering the truth behind the anomaly…
The bright, rose-colored world of Esteril shined like a gem against the surrounding darkness, its vividness a deceitful illusion of the landscape that lay below the planet's atmosphere. Suddenly, a small Republic shuttle broke the continual silence of space, and sped towards Esteril.
As the shuttle entered the atmosphere, the occupants were greeted to a view of Aniqui City. Despite having learned of the planet's devastation, the pilot's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the destroyed metropolis. A perpetually blushing skyline hung over dilapidated buildings and ravaged speeders; there was no life to be found amongst the cracking streets of the former capital.
The shuttle landed in the midst of the rubble. Landing gear and a ramp extended from the craft's underbelly, as a commander led his troops out into the city's ruins. The commander stood stoically, as he looked over the devastation. He wore the traditional Republic blast helmet, and standard-issue beige uniform. A scarf covered his mouth, leaving only his chocolate-brown eyes visible.
A soldier eventually shouted to the commander, "awaiting your orders, Captain Solo."
Captain Bail Solo pulled the scarf away from his mouth, "we need to find a vantage point to scope out the city," he turned and pointed to the top of a nearby building, "secure that rooftop."
The soldier nodded, "yes sir," he turned to the rest of the squad, "you heard him, men, let's move!"
Bail stood on a corner of the rooftop, as his squad surveyed the city. The young captain removed his helmet and sighed, before running a hand through his short, sandy brown-hair. He had to beg his mother to let him lead the reconnaissance team; despite his rank in the army and Jedi training, she treated him like such a child. Bail's Uncle Luke, one of the greatest Jedi in history, had granted him the rank of Knight before he had chosen to end his training in order to follow his father's lead in a military career, and still, his mother tried to protect him.
A young private nervously approached Bail, "Captain Solo," he began as Bail turned to face him, "I had some questions, if you don't mind."
Bail gave the young soldier a weak smile and folded his arms, "sure thing, private, fire away."
The private seemed taken aback by Bail's warmness, as if he was anticipating rejection from his superior, "uh, alright," the private began, "what exactly happened here?"
Bail soberly lowered his eyes to the ground, "I'm guessing you were born after the battle," he cleared his throat awkwardly, "around eighteen years ago, a large deposit of stygium crystals was discovered on Esteril."
The private furrowed his brow, "stygium crystals?"
"Stygium crystals are used in cloaking technology," Bail explained before continuing, "the Republic and First Order fought a major battle over the crystals on Esteril. The combat ended with one of the sides launching an orbital bombardment of the planet, killing almost every living being on the surface, and driving the Esterilians into extinction."
The private's mouth fell agape. After regaining his composure, he asked Bail another question, "which side launched the bombardment?"
Bail shook his head, "neither government has claimed responsibility; it's not exactly the galaxy's proudest moment."
Before the private could make any further inquiry, another soldier shouted to Bail, "Captain, I've got something."
As Bail approached the soldier, he was handed a pair of macrobinoculars, "take a look".
Scanning above him, Bail spotted a strange starfighter flying across the sky, before seemingly vanishing into thin air.
"What do you see, sir?" One of the soldiers asked Bail.
Bail lowered the macrobinoculars with a look of concern on his face, "there must be some sort of space-station in orbit using a cloaking device, we need to get back to Coruscant."
As the squad packed their equipment, Bail paused on the spot, and his eyes appeared to glaze over, "I sense..."
Bail turned on his heel, and looked to the skies; a trio of fighters were quickly descending towards the rooftop.
Igniting his emerald-green lightsaber, and taking a fighting stance, Bail turned to his men, "go, get back to the shuttle and take off!"
One of the soldiers began to object, "but sir-"
Bail snapped a hard glare at the soldier, "go, now!"
The squad quickly dashed for the stairway, as Bail prepared to face the fighters, alone.
As the fighters became closer, Bail extended his arm and used the force to grab the ship farthest to the right, and jerked it to the side, flinging it into a fiery crash on the streets below.
Bail then turned his attention to the fighter farthest to the left. Winding his arm back, Bail hurled his saber at the ship. The blade cut through the air, before embedding itself in the cockpit, and sending the fighter into a nosedive.
Staring down the remaining fighter, Bail extended a hand and grabbed the ship with the force. Before he could pull the fighter out of the sky, he felt a presence push back against his attempts, as if the pilot was engaging him in a force battle.
"What the kark?" Bail mouthed, before shrugging it off, and extending his other hand towards the fighter, telekinetically grappling for control of the craft.
Right as Bail was beginning to gain a slight advantage, the fighter opened fire on the building. The entire structure rocked and shook, cracks formed in the roof below Bail's feet. Nevertheless, Bail continued to focus on keeping the fighter at bay rather than attempting to hold the building together.
Finally, the structure collapsed, and the roof crumbled. Bail screamed before plummeting five stories in free-fall.
The troops boarded the shuttle. One of the soldiers dashed into the cockpit, "get us out of here!"
"Where's Captain Solo!?" The pilot demanded in surprise.
A solemn expression crossed over the soldier's face, "he told us to leave, we have to-," the soldier glanced out of the cockpit window, and gasped in horror, "no!" A fighter flew towards the shuttle, and began to fire. The shuttle exploded in a blazing inferno, before the fighter pulled up sharply, and ascended into the sky above.
