Mystis, 2BBY
The grey skies above Mystis were a constant, the chilled wind carrying softly through the tall, black trees. A dry planet, Mystis was defined as a ball of grey and black. A land of shadows, even eerier than Umbara despite its relative light, and home to the misty Psydow. A race of oily black beings, fluid with the world in which they lived, and largely indifferent to the galaxy at large.
Mystis, like many remote worlds, saw conflict during the Clone Wars, though ultimately, neither side won its control. It remained a neutral world, a quiet world, one that could even silence itself from the Force. Yet strangely, Vader felt pulled in its direction. Another stop in his quest to destroy the Jedi for good. It had been years since he had sensed the Force so strongly on a distant world. So long had it been, that he believed his quest to be over.
Except, even prior to this, Vader had entangled with Jedi remnants quite recently, in the forms of Ezra Bridger, Kanan Jarrus, and even his old apprentice, Ahsoka Tano. Still, the recent surge in Jedi activity disturbed Vader, and he sensed the patience of his master Sidious growing ever shorter by the day. He quickly gathered a strike team and headed for Mystis.
Upon arriving, their Lambda-class shuttle Saxxon landed in a patch of clear land, surrounded by forest on the edge of a stream. Vader looked at his team. They weren't Inferno Squad, but they would suffice. Ivane Diggory, a newly promoted sergeant, who believed the Empire could do much good for the galaxy. Vader both admired and despised his naivety. At his side was Corporal Mer'efel'e Pox, dedicated to keeping the troops in line. Ark Rayne, Idian Jonz, and Seeven Corrn rounded off the ground troops, with newly graduated scout Rina Rilde finishing off the team.
Everyone on board the shuttle felt tense by the dark, foreboding presence in their midst. Vader had remained silent the entire trip, never once uttering a word as to the nature of their mission. At this point in the Empire's struggle against the Rebellion, everyone knew that Vader was the Emperor's secret hand, executing his most classified assignments. Yet only few knew the nature of Vader's assignments. Only a handful of individuals knew that Vader was a Jedi killer, and the best there was.
Once they had landed, everyone began gearing up. Mer'efel'e approached Ivane at the gunrack.
"Digger, what're we doing here?"
"How should I know? He hasn't really been sharing a whole lot."
"Well, I mean, we can't just go in blind. Think about it, we're not special forces. Even if we don't need to know everything, we need to know enough to be effective."
"Corporal."
The two froze. Ivane met the icy red lenses as Mer'efel'e turned around.
"Yes'sir?"
"Your mission is to accompany me, and provide escort. Nothing else. We leave in ten."
Vader departed. Ivane shared a look with his Corporal.
"You're right, Fel. We might not be special forces. But we better act like it."
The troops slowly descended from the Saxxon, holding a steady aim into the distance. Vader stared into the trees ahead, reaching out through the Force, attempting to connect his presence with that of his prey. He turned to his squad and did a headcount.
"Where's our scout?" he inquired.
"Coming sir!" Private Rilde hurriedly stumbled down the ramp, adjusting her helmet. "Sorry, I was just, um, calibrating my targeting sensors."
"You will be our pathfinder. Take point."
Rina nodded, clutching her rifle and stepping carefully ahead through the silver stream. Vader strode behind her, followed by Diggory, Pox, Jonz, and Corrn, with Rayne securing the shuttle ramp before trailing the group.
The forests of Mystis were surreal. Unlike planets such as Kashyyyk, or Endor, these trees did not possess the greenery of their counterparts. They were still freakishly tall, but were black and oily in appearance. The "leaves" hung and gathered like shadows. Long vines snaked down the trunks of many, with silent creatures slithering and crawling through the cracks of woodland.
"This is giving me the creeps," Ark commented.
"It's like everything's watching us," Mer'efel'e remarked.
"I kinda like it," Seeven said, tapping the barrel of his E-11.
"Sure, dark and creepy. Your kind of place," Idian replied.
"Cut the chatter, squad," Ivane quipped. "Lord Vader, where are we headed? Some sort of settlement, maybe?"
"What's your hurry, Sergeant?"
"It's just that, well, it's getting dark. We should set up camp soon. But of course, that's up to you, sir."
"I spot a clearing up ahead," Rina chimed in.
"Then we will settle for the night. Lead the way," Vader ordered.
The air was silent. The sky was black as shadow, starless. The only color on this bleak world was the roaring mix of red, yellow, and orange making up the campfire. Vader stood at the edge of the camp, searching for his quarry through the Force. Though the air around him now still, the Force still screamed to him. A cry of unparalleled dread. A strong, steady whine rippling through the Force, originating from the heart of the planet itself. As if this world, this black rock, were afraid somehow of Vader. Mulling over this, Vader had to recall knowledge of the planet from the Jedi archives.
Mystis was a unique world, a singularity in all it possessed. The Psydow, the trees, and even the skies were all united, extensions of what some would almost consider a sentient body. Should a fate befall one Psydow, the whole planet would react. Vader wondered if he was walking into a trap. It would suit the trickery of the Jedi, to lead an enemy into a checkmate. Yet Vader was determined not only to survive, but to save the lives of his tagalongs.
"What do you think he's thinking about?" Idian asked.
"Who'll be the first to get choked," Ark snidely remarked.
"Tempting fate, Ark?" Mer'efel'e replied cheekily.
"Oh, I intend to take one for the team."
"Serious up, troops," Ivane interrupted, "Whatever we're doing here, this planet's been giving me the creeps. So, the sooner we're finished here, the better. The only way we'll keep our schedule is if we're early to bed, early to rise. I'll take the first watch, the rest of you get some shuteye."
"Alright boys, you heard the man. Get some rest," Mer'efel'e said.
"Can I volunteer Idian for second watch," Ark asked.
Ivane approached his superior.
"I'll take the first watch, sir. You should rest."
Ivane broke into a cold sweat as he saw Vader reach for his hilt.
"I must depart for a bit. Stay here in case anything happens."
With that, Vader ignited his crimson blade, venturing into the forest.
Vader did not know how long he had been travelling, but despite all his protests, he was tired. Though as his body, or what remained, grew weaker, the voice in the Force grew stronger. And it changed song, from one of woe to one of victory. Eventually Vader stepped into a clearing, yet darkness surrounded from every angle. He gripped the hilt of his lightsaber tighter. His breathing cut through the tense, still air. His stance was every bit that of a warrior's, ready to face the enemy that taunted him, the challenge that awaited him, the catch that yet alluded him.
In the darkness, the pitch black that got blacker still, a figure stepped toward Vader. Though invisible to the naked eye, Vader could clearly sense them through the Force. He remained silent; the hum of his blade and the sharp intakes of his mask cutting through the night. Then came the sound of another lightsaber snapping to life. A blade of white emerged. Vader had seen that color of saber once before. But was it possible for Ahsoka to have returned? Vader certainly knew of no Jedi who carried a white blade, even among those who wielded reclaimed lightsabers. Then he wondered, was it a metaphor? A symbol of the Light to die?
He waited for his opponent to make their move. Suddenly, a whisper floated through the air, with the distinct rasp of a Psydow.
I heard the rumors of a Jedi killer, yet I remained unimpressed. However, you have created quite the disturbance in the Force. Can you hear it? The planet cries out in terror. It fears pain. You bring it pain.
"Do you hope to stop me?"
Stop you? A raspy chuckle, I have drawn you here, to destroy you. Mystis is a perfect example of the Force. All of its lifeforms are connected. They all feel its joy, and its pain. And they must rise to protect it from harm.
"They needn't worry. I only intend to inflict a small wound."
Your overconfidence will be your undoing.
Powerful seconds go by, before the battle ignites. The clashing of red and white against the darkness of Mystis lights the sky. Parried blow after parried blow proves to test Vader's skill and prowess. After his recent failures, he needed to prove himself to his master once again. He needed to prove that he was worthy of being Sidious' apprentice. A slip of his wrist, and Vader's right arm was promptly slashed open, revealing the hidden circuitry. Still operational, Vader switched dueling hands, Swinging back hard with his left. The Psydow caught the blow perfectly, swinging up on the clash, and bringing her saber down over Vader's head. His knees buckled, his boots sunk into the ground. He struggled to keep the parry above his head.
You are tired and weak, Jedi killer. The Dark side's reign of terror is over.
Blaster shots rang out. The Psydow shrieked in pain, dropping its attack on Vader. Ivane, Mer'efel'e and Idian pelted the alien with shots, hits ultimately absorbed by the Psydow. A gust of force went out, sending the three Imperials tumbling. Seeven and Ark ran in to assist Vader, but were grabbed and pelted away. Rina ran to help Vader up, as the Psydow swung its saber towards them, cutting open Rina's armor, and dislocating a few of the plates. The scout rolled away, unconscious and smoking.
Your minions cannot save you, Jedi killer. Your end has come.
Vader looked around at his fallen troops. Ivane crawled over to inspect Rina. Vader looked back at the Psydow in front of him. She raised her weapon for a finishing blow. Vader grabbed his lightsaber, replying,
"Never!"
Her downward swing offset by his upward one, Vader regained his stance, balancing himself before striking repeatedly. Psydow were not often undone by conventional means, but Vader's mincing applied a raw strength, backed up by his connection to the Force. The Psydow screeched its last breaths, and the world once again fell silent to Vader. Mystis' solidarity from the Force was established once more.
"Rina? Ri! Wake up, Ri. Stay with me!" Ivane shook the lifeless body of his teammate. His helmet was tossed aside, and in the lightening darkness, Vader could see the fearful eyes cast his way. Vader stood to full height, ascertaining the condition of his other troops before deciding that Rina required the most help. Vader slowly approached, and knelt before Ivane and Rina. He placed his left glove on one of her slash wounds, tilting his head to look at Ivane.
"Thank you for your assistance, Sergeant."
"Yes'sir," Ivane stuttered.
"She will be fine. All she needs is some Bacta. I will also…aid…her recovery."
"Understood, sir."
"You share a deep concern for her."
"She's the youngest of us, sir. Recently graduated."
"I see," Vader could almost feel the wound closing, "I appreciate her tenacity, then. She aided me at great peril, as did you all."
"It's our duty, sir."
"Perhaps," Vader concluded.
Having rejoined the fleet, Vader sat in his chamber aboard the Devastator. Sidious had demanded a full report on his whereabouts, seeing as Vader had hidden this escapade from his master. After learning of the defeat of a Psydow Jedi, Sidious smiled wickedly. Vader breathed in relief, he had regained the favor of his master. Now the question remained, for how long?