Opening – Approaching Had Abbadon

Hidden amongst the vast web of Imperial planets sits HAD ABBADON. The capitol of the Galactic Empire, it is covered in cities, spiked skyscrapers, and engulfed in a sticky brown haze. Orbiting the polluted planet is a small, green moon, a striking contrast to the foreboding sphere beyond.

A huge Super Star Destroyer moves toward the planet system, followed by three Star Destroyers, and many Imperial TIE fighters. The Imperial fleet passes the moon and approaches the web-like structures of several semi-completed Death Stars orbiting Had Abbadon; one is barely a skeleton. From the surface of the gray-brown planet an Imperial Shuttle Craft approaches the Star Fleet and docks in the main bay of the Super Star Destroyer.

The docking bay door slides open, revealing the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. From the shuttle emerges a bevy of colourful Imperial guards and Grand Moff Jerjerrod, who bows his head as Vader approaches.

"Lord Vader. The Emperor will be pleased with your return."

Vader sweeps past the Grand Moff and enters the shuttle, his jet-black cloak billowing in his wake. Jerjerrod collects himself and marches in after the Dark Lord, the imperial guards following closely.

The shuttle pilots set a return course and exit smoothly from the hangar. As the metal surface of the Imperial capitol come into focus, they pass the nearby lush moon, ENDOR. Jerjerrod gathers his courage and attempts small talk.

"The Empire plans to focus industrialisation efforts onto Endor, my Lord."

He paused to take in Vader's reaction. There was none. Now he was closer, Jerjerrod could see imperfections in Vader's towering stature. His helmet was slightly dusty, and his leather gloves had began to wear. How nice to find a flaw, he thought.

The Grand Moff continued. "The moon's resources will be stripped, it's energy gathered, and it's surface area utilised by military personnel."

Vader turned his helmeted head to face the Jerjerrod, and remarked in his deep, commanding voice; "The indigenous resistance still hold their defences against the Empire. Do not overextend with Imperial resources, Moff."

Jerjerrod, though frustrated with Vader's insult, held his tongue and turned his gaze towards the approaching city; the only breaks in silence being Vader's steady mechanical breathing.

The shuttle skimmed beneath the polluted clouds and approached a landing pad in the shadow of a towering black palace. Many of its triangular turrets and towers punctured the polluted atmosphere, easily dwarfing the glossy skyscrapers nearby by sheer height. This is the dreaded Imperial Palace, and the seat of the Emperor.

Vader disembarks without a moment's hesitation, sweeping through the steam of the shuttle and up the stone steps towards the wide entrance hallway, Jerjerrod marching behind him. The walkway is lined with hundreds of scarlet Imperial guards, who all snap to attention at the sound of Vader's heavy footsteps. The two Imperials enter a narrow causeway flanked by curtains of steam, billowing up from boiling lava streams running deep below the palace foundations.

They reach the colossal throne room, home of architecture long lost to the galaxy. A curved throne made of cold steel sat at the far end. Behind stretched a seven story triangular window that overlooked the murky sunset. The great chair swiveled slowly to reveal a shrouded figure hidden beneath a thick black hood. The Emperor, Supreme Ruler of the Galactic Empire and Master of the dark-side of the Force, set his amber eyes on his approaching guests.

They kneel before him. He addresses his apprentice in a low raspy tone, with a hint of condescension.

"Lord Vader, you have been away from us far too long. You seem … much weaker."

Vader remained still.

"I'm afraid that prolonged action in the Outer Rim did not agree with you" he finished, with mock sympathy.

There was a slight pause. "Yes, Master."

The Emperor probed further. "We ask such impossible things of you, don't we my old friend? Perhaps it is time for a task less... demanding."

At this Vader stood, his fists clenched tightly beneath his cloak. "No, Master. I have all but turned Skywalker to the dark-side of the Force."

"Have you?" retorted the Emperor sarcastically, showing his yellowing teeth in a wide grin. "Young Skywalker is more powerful now than before your feeble attempts to convert him. He will be destroyed."

"Master, you must give me …"

The Emperor raised a long pale finger, and Vader's mechanical breathing suddenly stopped. The Dark Lord struggled silently at his suit controls, dropping to his knees as he attempted to regain airflow.

"You are weak," hissed the Emperor. "You should be grateful you are not destroyed along with your offspring."

Jerjerrod winced as Vader began to wretch uncontrollably. The Emperor lowered his finger.

"The boy is strong in the Force, stronger than I had foreseen. Only together can we destroy him now."

Vader struggled to catch his breath, returning to a kneeling position. Jerjerrod watched nervously.

"Your place is here Lord Vader. There will be no more discussion of this subject" he finished, with finality in his tone. "The boy is ours."

"Yes" replied Vader, anger bubbling in his voice. "Forgive me, my Master"

The Emperor pursed his lips. "Leave us. We have further matters to discuss."

In one fluid motion the Dark Lord stood and swept furiously from the the throne, his breathing sharp as he marched.

The Emperor watched, cackling dryly, then beckoned the Grand Moff to approach him. Jerjerrod ascended the steps to the Emperor's feet.

"Yes, my Emperor."

"Watch him closely" said the Emperor, his eyes on the spot across the hall where Vader had disappeared.

"I have suspicions of Lord Vader's motives in converting the boy." The amber eyes met Jerjerrod's, and the Moff felt all the warmth disappear from his body.

"But, in time, young Skywalker will embrace the dark side of the Force. His power belongs to me."

"As you wish, my Emperor."

. . .

High above Had Abbadon, the Imperial Fleet grows in size as more Star Destroyers and imperial transports jump from hyperspace. One ship - the shuttle Tydirium - breaks formation and enters the aerial space near the orbiting moon, Endor. The Tydirium's communicator is hailed, and an electronic voice reverberates around the cockpit.

"Shuttle Tydirium, we have you on our screen now. Please transmit your clearance codes, and confirm your cargo and destination."

The pilot of the shuttle initiates the transmission. "Transmission commencing, our cargo is parts and technical personal for the forest moon."

A pause, then the radio responds. "Shuttle Tydirium, you're cleared for landing on pad 103. Follow your present course."

"Understood" responded the pilot, removing her helmet to reveal the face of Leia Organa, General of the Alliance and Princess of Alderaan. She turns to survey the Rebel Commandos filling the shuttle, changing from imperial technician jumpsuits to camouflage gear, arming themselves with blaster pistols, rifles, and explosives.

"Looks like our intel was good Captain, are we armed and ready?"

"Yes General" replied Captain Jode, finishing his distribution of DH-17 blaster pistols and joining Leia at the front of the cockpit. He handed her a blaster, which she holstered securely. "May I speak freely General?"

Leia gave her old friend a confident smile. "You may."

"Is there any news of the rescue of Captain Solo?" He asked, cautiously.

Regret flickered momentarily in Leia's gaze, but she gathered her response assertively. "No updates yet, but Han will be back with the rebellion soon enough."

Jode looked troubled. "Look General I'm sorry to take you away from the search, but I…"

"This mission-" Leia interrupted calmly "-was my choice to lead, Captain. And I will see it through til the end."

She placed a firm hand on the Captain's shoulder and he grinned apologetically. "Out of curiosity General, who will be rescuing Captain Solo?"

"My most trusted friends" said Leia, staring out into the blanket of stars beyond.