The Rise of Starkiller
Chapter 2
Vader's plot
Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter for The Rise of Starkiller! I'd like to thank all those who have reviewed and followed my story.
A/N: This chapter is based upon the first episode of season 2 of Star Wars Rebels; you know the one with Maketh Tua's demise? Except my version will include Starkiller and Leonidas in it and as a result it will be a little different from the episode, for better or worse I guess. So I'll repeat just to clarify, this chapter is basically a book version of Siege of Lothal but with a few tweaks, so don't give me any grief in the reviews.
Anyway please read review and enjoy the chapter, hope you like it.
Disclaimer: Star Wars Rebels is property of Disney, all I own are my OCs. Jacob and Yitzhak are property of the Horned King II who has given me permission to use his OCs in my story just like I did in the last one.
A week after Larmos's capture…..
Vector was a tough nut to crack when it came to interrogation, as a result it took Ahsoka a while to get him to talk through means of truth serums and mind tricks to weaken his mind and make him speak a lot more willingly. Unfortunately for the rebels though, Larmos didn't have the information that they had hoped for and the Dark Assassin still remained a mystery, but the interrogation did bear some fruit, Larmos spoke of an Imperial convoy that was escorting a carrier that had a generous sum of fuel ripe for the taking. The rebel fleet was having a shortage in fuel, so that convoy might be just the break they needed to get back on their feet. The plan was simple, Phoenix Squadron would support the Ghost when they engaged the convoy and keep TIE fighters off their tail, the cargo was being carried via the cruiser's magnetic underbelly so it was left vulnerable; a rather large mistake on the Empire's part. Once they destroyed the magnetic holder then they could intercept the cargo with their own magnetic hull.
Just another day at the office for the Ghost crew, this mission was being carried out by Leonidas, Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, Kanan, Hera, and Chopper, the other members of their crew were helping Yitzhak with fortifying the base and training the cadets. Ever since they joined the Rebel militia they have been stretched much farther than before, thank the force for Maximus's crew and the cadets for contributing to the alliance's expansion.
The Ghost had exited hyperspace with the rebel fleet following shortly thereafter. As expected, it didn't take the Imperial freighters long to react and a firefight ensued quickly with Rebel A – Wings combating Imperial TIE fighters and Rebel cruisers exchanging shots with Imperial freighters that didn't have the cargo they were looking for. Two A – Wings took position on either side of the Ghost and maintained the same flight speed as said ship. Many of the Ghost crew were grateful for Phoenix Squadron's help, they made the jobs a lot easier than when they were solo fighters, but Kanan seemed to be against becoming a part of the larger group of Rebels and that stirred a lot of tension between him and Hera.
"Coming up on the convoy now." Hera's voice rang through the ship, "Phoenix Squad tighten up and provide cover."
"Roger that!" the Phoenix pilots' voices rang in response via comlink.
"Ezra, man the top gun and keep any Imperial TIEs off of us." Hera continued.
"Roger." Ezra gave a quick salute before going to the top turret.
"Kanan you take the bottom." Hera told the Jedi; who complied without speaking a word.
"Zeb get to the cargo bay and be ready to activate the magnetics in the hull." Hera gave the Lasat his instructions.
"Of course." Zeb nodded and went to the requested position.
"Sabine and Leonidas, get to the Phantom to intercept the cargo!" Hera ordered.
"Yes ma'am!" Sabine and Leonidas saluted in unison before getting to the Ghost's shuttle.
As the two Mandos left, Sabine could've sworn she heard a sarcastic comment from Kanan over the ships intercom, the two seemed to have been a little at odds since they joined the alliance militia. She deduced it was because of the rebel troops that assisted them, the responsibility for the lives of others was a heavy burden and the fact that Kanan has managed to handle the additions to the Ghost crew was impressive, but the stress seems to have gotten to him a little.
The Mandalorian couple detached the Phantom. They stood by and waited for the order to take flight. Leonidas couldn't help but notice how much clearer their flight path was then normal.
"I guess this is another thing we can thank Phoenix Squadron for." Leonidas spoke his mind.
"Indeed, their assistance has made these missions a lot smoother." Sabine agreed with a smile.
"This is Phoenix two, scratch two more Imperial TIEs."
"Nice shooting Phoenix two, but would it hurt to save some for us?" Ezra joked as he was firing at any TIEs that Phoenix missed, which were few.
Zeb was not in as high of spirits since he didn't have a seat and the Ghost was evading plenty of TIE fire, put the two together and what do you get: a dizzy Lasat.
"I prefer to be back at base helping Yitzhak, at least my feat would be on soil." Zeb said as he was struggling to maintain his footing.
"C'mon Zeb, where is your sense of adventure and fun?" Ezra asked; Zeb knew that Rosa's free spirited personality was beginning to rub off on him. The young cadet also didn't notice Zeb slide back and off the Cargo bay balcony.
"Thanks for the assist Phoenix Squad." Hera thanked the fellow pilots before switching to the Mandos' com frequency, "This is Ghost to Phantom, begin your approach."
"Copy that Specter 2." Sabine's voice responded.
Sabine piloted the mini shuttle through the cleared route; courtesy of Phoenix Squadron. Leonidas had an EMS (Electro Magnetic signature) detector in his hands, allowing him to target close by TIEs for the Rebel fighters to take down. It didn't take too long for the spunky female Mandalorian to find the cargo, in fact it stood out like a Wampa in a dessert because the crates were colored brightly and were being held in place by the frigate's magnetic underbelly. Sabine narrowed her eyes and steadied her aim with the Phantom's front cannons.
"Taking the shot." Sabine spoke into her wrist com as she fired the twin blasters at the underbelly of the ship. The minute the plasma made contact with the underbelly it began to ignite with electricity for a few seconds as the fuel containers fell into suspension in the middle of the battle field.
"This is Phantom to Ghost, cargo has been liberated." Sabine said with happiness in her voice; making her boyfriend smile at her, for her enthusiasm was infectious.
As the Ghost approached the jettisoned cargo, the Imperials seemed to have caught on to what they were doing and sent in some more TIE fighters to stop them from securing the fuel. Three of the TIE fighters managed to get on Phoenix One's six and was opening fire on the panicking rebel pilot.
"They're all over me, I can't shake them!" Phoenix One's panicked voice resonated through the rebel com channels.
"Tagging targets, Sabine we need to get those TIEs off of Phoenix One!" Leonidas exclaimed as he marked the TIE fighter's electric signature and synced it to the Phantom's targeting computer.
It didn't take long for Sabine to find the three Imperial fighters chasing the evasive A – Wing, she lined up the shots and took down the TIE pursuers as they whizzed by an Imperial Frigate.
"That was close, thanks for the assist!" Phoenix one thanked the Mandos.
The Mandos had no time to respond, as the Imperial frigate they just passed opened fire on Commander Sato's cruiser codenamed: Liberator. More specifically towards its exposed rear engines.
"This is Commander Sato, we are losing our rear deflector shields, we have to pull back immediately!" Sato's voice ordered over the comlinks.
"Acknowledged Commander Sato, but not before we get what we came for." Hera said confidently, "Zeb get ready to pull those containers aboard."
Zeb complied without saying a words and pulled the magnetic hull controls out of the Ghost's wall and had the containers on radar, but not within range. Since the Ghost had to slow down a bit to stabilize and give Zeb a clear shot with the magnetics they became easy targets for Imperial TIE fighters taking full advantage of Phoenix Squads absence so they could handle Imperial reinforcements that jumped in from hyperspace. The Ghost shook with each plasma bolt that made contact with it, causing some electric pulses to come out of the walls for a few seconds due to compromised circuits.
"Anytime Zeb!" Ezra exclaimed.
"Almost… almost", Zeb murmured as the cargo got closer on the targeting computer; which beeped a few times once the cargo was in range, "Gotcha!"
The Ghost's magnetic hull activated and pulled the fuel crates to the Ghost and sticking them firmly in place.
"Cargo secure, Ghost to Phoenix Squadron, mission accomplished." Hera announced through the multicommunicator.
One by one the Rebel cruisers were loaded with their fighters and jumped into hyperspace to regroup with the fleet in a safe zone.
"Twister, bring it in." Kanan ordered Sabine.
"Copy that, pocketing five by one." Sabine replied; Leonidas standing by her side.
The Phantom came up on the Ghost's six and carefully locked itself to the shuttle latch.
"They are home." Ezra stated with a smile.
Hera punched in the coordinates for hyperspace as the Kanan and Ezra gunned down incoming TIEs. Leonidas and Sabine entered the cockpit as Hera pulled the hyperdrive's activation lever and space became blurs of blue light. Mission: Success.
Meanwhile on Lothal….
Agent Kallus; or Agent Sideburns as Ezra and Leonidas call him, was pacing back and forth listening to the ranting of Maketh Tua.
"Agent Kallus, I've exhausted every resource at my disposal to find information on these rebels", Tua stated before slamming her fist into her desk with little result, "There is nothing to be found! What else could Governor Tarkin possibly expect?"
Kallus merely rolled his eyes, "He expects Lothal to be punished, to be made into an example of what happens to Rebel supporters. His very own Destroyer was decimated by those rebel scum; he takes that rather personally."
"I've doubled patrols, set up checkpoints, and established curfews", Tua listed as she looked down at her desk; the impatience in her voice was evident, "I honestly have no idea what else to do."
"Perhaps that is the problem." A deep filtered voice stated.
Tua looked up and saw Darth Vader standing in front of the doorway as if he had been standing there the whole time, she didn't even hear footsteps. The minister's blood went cold at the sight of the Sith Lord, he towered over her, she barely reached his shoulders and his respirator's hissing only made him more intimidating.
"You lack imagination, Minister," Vader continued without even moving, "when it comes to producing results."
Maketh gulped as the Sith approached her; his heavy footsteps getting louder with each breath she took.
"Lord Vader, with all respect due, you and Governor Tarkin are asking for miracles", Tua sighed, "If the Rebels have vacated Lothal then…."
"If the rebels have left, then we must bait them back." Vader cut her off, "And if they are here then we must draw them out. We shall squeeze Lothal until someone reveals the location of these terrorists that call themselves rebels."
"I am sorry milord, but I am merely a public official, I have no experience with such brutal methods." Tua protested.
"You can tell that to Governor Tarkin when you visit him." Vader replied.
Tua's heart stopped for a few seconds, Tarkin was not a merciful individual and she knew just what would happen to her if he were to discover her failures; there was a good chance he already has. When she came back to her senses Vader was walking away.
"Visit him?" Tua asked nervously.
"He expects you tomorrow to account for your failure." Vader simplified without even turning around.
"B-but I, I'm needed here, I, I couldn't possibly get away!" Tua tried to come up with a good enough excuse.
Vader had already left but Kallus was still present; albeit in the midst of leaving.
"Not to worry, Minister. Lord Vader and I will manage your duties in your absence", Kallus chuckled, "Besides, with Vader's apprentice here to assist, I think we shouldn't have too much trouble."
"A-A-Apprentice? V-Vader?" Tua stuttered in shock.
"Oh that's right, you two have never formally met." Kallus stated with a smirk, "Minister Tua, meet Starkiller, the apprentice of Lord Vader."
Tua gulped as another respirator's hissing resonated through the halls, albeit it wasn't as deep of one as Vader's. The Sith Assassin walked into the room, arms crossed behind his back and his eyes that were hidden behind his helmet fixed on the young woman. He wasn't as tall as Vader but he was still pretty tall, Tua was just a few inches shy of his height, he also looked much younger despite only his pale tattooed arms were visible.
"I'll leave you two to it." Kallus said as he left the room.
It took every ounce of Tua's willpower not to beg Kallus to stay.
"Minister Tua, it is a pleasure to meet you." Starkiller stated somewhat sarcastically; he extended his clawed hand out for a handshake, but the minister just backed away a few steps. This seemed to amuse the young Sith as a chuckle escaped him.
"What's the matter, afraid of these?" Starkiller asked as gestured to his razor sharp talons.
"M-my apologies, milord." Maketh recovered from her panic attack.
"What's the matter minister, you seem… worried." Starkiller chortled.
"I-it's nothing, I-I've just had a very long day." Tua lied.
"No, no, not worried." Starkiller ignored her statement, "You are afraid, I sense fear all over you."
Tua seemed to have a frog in her throat as the Assassin continued his deduction.
"I am aware you are going to visit Tarkin in light of your failures, but you shouldn't be afraid of a fellow imperial, not even me." Starkiller continued, "Unless of course you are hiding something."
Tua's heart stopped again; how was the Sith figuring everything out so quickly!?
"But then again it isn't my concern, I have no interest in your personal failures." Starkiller concluded; Tua then released a sigh of relief, until Starkiller slammed his clawed hand right into her desk, cracking the surface slightly.
"But I will say this, Minister Tua." Starkiller growled venomously, "In war things change, and everyone must pick a side."
Tua was beginning to believe that Starkiller was far more intimidating then his master, despite his young age. The said Sith removed his helmet revealing a scarred young man with orange eyes, buzz cut black hair, and pale skin, not a trace of emotion was present in his features.
"Make sure you know yours." Starkiller said in a rather dark tone before putting his helmet back on and vacating the room.
Tua was now all alone in her office and was lucky to have avoided a heart attack.
"Everything I believed in, everything I stood for, turned against me." Tua murmured to herself while resting her face into her palms.
Aboard the Liberator…
The Ghost crew that was present during the convoy attack all stood at attention on the Liberator's bridge and were happy that their efforts bore a generous amount of fruit.
"You and your crew have proven to be an invaluable asset in our fleet, Captain Syndulla." Commander Sato complimented the Ghost crew pilot, "The supplies and fuel you have acquired in your convoy attacks has helped us stay one step ahead of the Imperial fleet."
"Thank you Commander Sato", Hera accepted the praise humbly, "My only regret is that our Intel about there being shield generators aboard those freighters was off."
"Perhaps in your next attack, Hera." Ahsoka suggested; not one to let sorrow linger.
Before the discussion could proceed any further, Chopper came into the room with his plier-like hands out on both sides like a cactus, a series of beeps and grunts coming from him. HK-51 wasn't there with him since he remained behind to help on the base. To the Ghost crew, this was nothing unusual, but to Commander Sato it was both disrespectful and rude to burst in the middle of a briefing.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Commander Sato demanded; clearly not happy to see Chopper.
"An incoming transmission, who from Chop?" Kanan said almost childishly; which irritated Hera, "Ah, why don't you just play it?"
The rest of the crew remained silent as Hera gave Kanan one of her famous death glares and a sound of clearing her throat. Not even Leonidas could keep a straight face when given one of those glares, it was just like a mother would when she pressured her child to tell the truth. Kanan returned it with a lazy look that said "I don't care". Their relationship seems to have been a little tense since joining the alliances fleet.
"Chop, cloak us with a one-way transmission." Hera corrected Kanan's statement.
Chopper complied with Hera's order and patched the transmission through to reveal an Ithorian bartender they meet with occasionally for any tips or word that may have found its way into his bar. He wore a special translator that went into the flabs on his neck that Ithorians called a mouth. Leonidas believed he was called Old Jho.
"Hey it's Old Jho!" Ezra inadvertently confirmed Leonidas's recollection.
"I can't see you, but I can hear you, my friends." Jho stated, "Time is short, and there is someone here who is desperate to speak with you, she looked traumatized. I told her I couldn't find you but she refused to take no for an answer."
"She?" Leonidas whispered to Sabine.
"Can't say I recall any female clients who looked desperate for help." Sabine whispered back.
"She says she needs your help." Jho continued.
"We are always ready to help someone in need." Kanan said what Maximus called the rebel slogan.
"Yeah, well, this one's different." Jho finished uncomfortably as he stepped aside to reveal Minister Maketh Tua, who seemed nervous and afraid.
Leonidas didn't know much about the minister, only that she fell for Sabine's 'Teacher's pet' façade and was tricked into going to the empty wrong bay.
"Minister Tua!" Hera exclaimed in surprise.
"We can't trust her, she's an Imperial." Zeb was immediately against even entertaining the idea of helping the Lothal Minister.
"Please, I beg of you, listen to my request!" Tua stated desperately.
"Cut transmission." Kanan ordered Chopper only to be cut off by Hera.
"Wait! Minister, what is it that you want?" Hera asked; much to Tua relief.
"My life is in great jeopardy, I need you to provide me safe passage off of Lothal." Tua pleaded.
"You ain't really considering this?" Zeb argued.
"Quiet!" Hera shushed the Lasat; allowing Tua to continue.
"I assure you that my intentions are sincere." Tua proceeded, "To prove it, I will trade secret Imperial information."
Sabine took a step forward from Leonidas's side, "You're defecting from the Empire?"
Leonidas also took a step forward and backed Sabine up, "How do we know this isn't a trap?"
"I am defecting, and I can assure you that this isn't a trap, no one else knows of my plans." Tua answered the Mandalorian duo's questions.
After a few seconds of silence Ezra spoke up, "She's telling the truth, I can sense her fear."
"It's what she is afraid of that concerns me." Leonidas stated.
"What is it that you are offering to trade?" Hera asked the minister.
"A list", Tua replied, "Of rebel sympathizers on Lothal, and other local systems."
"Why haven't these sympathizers been arrested?" Commander Sato inquired suspiciously; it wasn't like the Empire to leave loose ends.
"Some have powerful friends in the Senate, Imperial command watches them but can do nothing", Tua explained, "I know you need Allies, get me off Lothal and I will give you the list."
The crew remained silent for a solid minute, all contemplated the offer. Leonidas broke the ice.
"And how do we know that this list is even real, or if it's fake?" Leonidas asked; this caused a lot of the crew to see the truth in his words. Tua could tell she was losing trust and decided to make a daring decision.
"I'll throw in information about the Dark Assassin!" Tua exclaimed; causing the bridge to fall silent again, eye's wide with surprise.
"You know about Starkiller?" Kanan asked after he recovered.
"Very little but I think that it may help, too my knowledge you know nothing about him, help me off Lothal and that will be remedied." Tua finished.
The crew thought for a moment before huddling together and each gave their two cents on the matter.
"We have to help her." Ezra stated.
"I agree." Ahsoka said with a nod.
"As do I." Kanan chimed in.
"I'm in." Leonidas stated.
"As am I." Sabine didn't want to leave Leonidas's side in a mission; which is why they are never seen without each other on missions.
"All right, if Commander Sato approves the mission." Hera replied.
"I believe it could be worth the risk", Commander Sato gave his decision, "Besides, if this Starkiller is as deadly as he is rumored to be, we'll need the information on him."
"Minister, we'll get you out of there, just send us your coordinates." Ezra spoke for the team.
"Thank you!" Tua beamed before cutting the transmission.
Kanan left before another word was said, Hera followed him without hesitation.
Leonidas and Sabine walked down the hallway adjacent to the one Kanan went down and decided to talk about the new mission.
"This might be just the break we needed." Sabine stated with her enthusiastic smile that was rarely shown on the battlefield.
"Indeed, if we can get that intel on this Dark Apprentice, we'll be able to disarm the element of surprise he has over us." Leonidas agreed.
"Leo, I'm worried about you, so far you have become a little obsessed with hunting that Sith", Sabine's face began to show worry, "You already killed the Inquisitor and got revenge for your clan, you even have his lightsaber as a trophy, isn't that enough for you?"
"This isn't about revenge, Sabine." Leonidas stated.
"Then what is it about?" Sabine pressed.
"It's about the safety of my family and the one I love." Leonidas answered, "I'm not going to lose another family, and I'll be darned if I let Starkiller harm you or anyone!"
"Your concern is appreciated Leo, but please", Sabine stepped in front of Leonidas and gave him a caring look, "Don't put your life in danger, if I lost you, it would be just as devastating as it would be for you, this affects all of us."
Leonidas paused for a full minute and digested what she just said, seeing the truth in her words he sighed and smiled softly, "Okay, I'll promise to avoid doing anything stupid, if you promise the same."
"Deal." Sabine agreed.
The two shared a kiss in the middle of the hallway, their relationship was no mystery to the rebel soldiers, the one thing that varied was that some passing soldiers smiled contently, and others were on the verge of losing their lunch.
"Sorry if I'm interrupting anything." Ahsoka spoke from behind them.
The Mandos quickly broke the kiss and stood at attention; this induced some laughter from the Jedi.
"Apologies ma'am!" the two exclaimed in unison.
"Nothing to apologize for, but please don't do it in the hall." Ahsoka giggled, "You remind me much of myself when I was your age."
"I thought Jedi..." Leonidas began to speak but decided to drop it.
"The Jedi order fell almost 16 years ago, we need to have someone to fight for, someone to live for. If you've seen Kanan and Hera then I think you will understand what I mean." Ahsoka stated, "And I think you do."
The Jedi rebel began to walk away but was stopped when Sabine spoke up.
"Master Tano, may I ask a question?" Sabine requested respectfully.
"Of course." Ahsoka nodded.
"If we do succeed in defeating the Empire and restoring the Jedi order, will you also restore the part of the code that forbids attachments?" Sabine asked.
Ahsoka took a few moments to properly answer the young Mandalorian's question.
"I don't know, I guess that is a question that can only be answered when and if that day comes." Ahsoka said before walking away.
Annnnnnd that's a wrap!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter! It is basically a slightly altered version of the Siege of Lothal. This is part one of it anyway, remember that the more reviews I get the faster the next chapter will come!
Stay tuned for the next chapter!
Read, Review, and Enjoy!