Author's Note: First the disclaimer, I own nothing, this is the property of George Lucas and the various publishers and production companies. No money made here, no matter how much I wish differently.
Special thanks to Stargatesg1fan1, whose story 'Inheriting a New Prophecy' inspired this story and made me want to explore Harry being cast in other roles in the Multi-verse. The opening sequence is virtually identical to the one in his story, purposefully, and is used with his agreement. If I happen to use material from other fan fiction without giving due credit please let me know as it is unintentional and I will be happy to give credit where due. I have read so much fan fiction it is sometimes hard to remember what is canon, what is from a fan-fic and what is my own twisted mind. Hope you enjoy, please be gentle when you review.
I will be focusing primarily on the Harry/Luke team, as they are the main protagonists. Leia will pop up from time to time, and is training as well, just not with Harry. I have taken the Ylenic It'kla character from the Corran Horn storyline, and he will be serving as Leia's Jedi Master, training her to be a Consular, a Jedi diplomat and negotiator. I intend for both Luke and Leia to become Jedi Knights, just of different stripes. This chapter will introduce us to a certain Imperial agent, and the man who was destined to command the Executor.
Note: BBY = Before the Battle of Yavin
ABY = After the Battle of Yavin
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Part IV
Stealing the Executor
The small Corellian freighter dropped out of hyperspace at the edge of the Kuat System, and was immediately challenged by the sentries patrolling the outer sector. After the proper clearance codes had been given and approved (thoughtfully obtained by the Bothan Spy Network), the small vessel cruised towards the shipyards, and its intended destination, the number two heavy dock where the Executor could be seen nestled into the massive dock's protective embrace.
Harry stood watching in silence as the pilots brought them in towards the dock and as the ship was skillfully landed and powered down. He stepped back into the main hold where his team stood at the ready, all of them dressed in Imperial duty garments, technicians and low-level officers. They were split into a large team, and a small team. Each of the Rebels wore a skintight combat bodysuit underneath their outer garments that would offer protection from physical attacks and would reduce the effectiveness of blaster attacks. Luke, dressed as an officer stepped up beside Harry and they faced the teams. Team 1 was tasked with dispersing through the ship and ensuring Rebel control of the computer, tactical and defensive systems, drive systems and navigation. Team 2 would seize the bridge and then signal the other teams to initiate a lock down that would secure the Rebel occupied areas and vent the rest of the ship to space eliminating any Imperials till aboard. They would then activate the weapons array and blast their way out of the dock and lay down a short barrage of fire on the Imperial defenses from the inside which would be the signal for the assault group stationed outside the system to micro-jump in and attack the shipyards. In the confusion, the Executor would jump to lightspeed, and begin a series of short jumps and course changes intended to prevent pursuit before finally heading to their rendezvous with the Rebel Fleet. It was a solid plan, and Harry knew they could pull it off.
"We are now aboard the dock, Team 1, you all have your individual assignments, carry them out as quickly and quietly as you can and signal me when finished," he then faced the second smaller team, "Team 2 team will wait for my signal to storm and secure the bridge. We only get one chance at this, so remember your duties, stick to the plan and if a problem occurs, notify me and we will adjust if needed. May the Force be with us all."
The Team all saluted, and hefted their gear, heading for the ramp. Luke and Harry, both dressed as Imperial officers, ostensibly an inspection team from the Imperial Acquisition Bureau to verify that the ship was on schedule, headed out. Just behind them, R2-D2 followed, rolling quietly. The little droid was their ace, carrying their lightsabers in a hidden compartment. If all went to plan, they would not be needed on this trip. They both slipped their tactical earpieces on and activated them. As they cleared the ramp and headed for the airlock and that connected the dock to the massive Super Star Destroyer. Both of them hoped that everything proceeded as planned.
XXX
A few hours later…
In another part of the massive dock, a small unmarked ship landed in a private hangar bay earmarked for the Emperor and his agents. After shutdown, a ramp opened and young woman exited, wearing a black combat bodysuit, and cloak. A lightsaber hung at her left hip and her cloak's hood was raised to obscure her face. She hesitated as she stepped onto the deck. Something was wrong here… she could FEEL it. Checking the hold out blaster in her forearm holster, and the lightsaber at her hip, she moved silently into the station, heading for the nearest airlock to the Executor, she knew that was where her answers lay.
As she walked, she felt a bit of anger at her Master for this situation, no clear objective had been given, merely a command to head for the Kuat Yards and investigate any potential Rebel activity. Only, there had been no reports of such activity, and she could only conclude that he had sensed something and had sent her here to find it. She truly was tiring of the old bastard and his manipulations. And with each atrocity, each assassination order, she grew more disillusioned. But… one did not say no to the Emperor, not if they expected to live long anyway. And, she had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. With a sigh, she continued onwards, the Force telling her that something was amiss, but her lack of proper training making it hard to determine exactly what. One way or another, she would soon find out.
XXX
Harry and Luke were currently touring the ships defenses, making notes on their datapads as they went, a very nervous young officer from the team building the Executor following, answering their questions. Suddenly, Harry stopped as he felt a brief surge in the Force, he looked at Luke.
'Did you feel that Luke?'
'Yes Master, what do you think it was?'
Harry smiled, 'It seems another player has entered the field. An agent of the Emperor, though he by no means commands her willing loyalty. We may gain much more than this ship, we may have gained another potential Jedi!'
At that moment, Harry received a double click over the earpiece, the signal that Team 1 was in place and were ready to seize the ship. Harry glanced at the nervous young officer, "This is all very impressive Lieutenant Piett. The ship is marvel of engineering. Please, if you would be so kind, we would like to see the bridge area next."
The young man smiled and indicated them towards the nearest lift, "Of course General, if you would please follow me?" As they turned to follow, Harry discretely sent a three tap signal, indicating all Team 2 members to move into place.
XXX
When they arrived on the bridge, they noticed that several stations were manned. Harry turned towards their escort who immediately guessed his question, "These technicians and officers are running systems checks General, the ship as you know is nearly completed and we are planning a brief shakedown cruise next week to field test her systems."
"Excellent Lieutenant Piett," turning slightly, Harry gave just the slightest nod and his team stood, brandishing weapons. "And now, I must ask all of you to please step over here."
All of the non-rebels raised their hands and moved to gather where Harry had indicated. He studied them for a moment. Then glanced at the rebel comm. specialist who gave Harry a thumbs up, and when Harry next spoke, his words echoed throughout the giant vessel. "I can sense that most of you feel no real love for the Empire, you are merely here because you have nowhere else to go, and fear for your lives and families if you refuse to serve. There is an alternative, the Rebel Alliance seeks to restore the freedoms that have been lost, to end the oppression of the Empire. But, we need help, and all of you could be of great help as you are familiar with this ship and its systems. What I offer is the chance to join us. If you accept, and believe me, I will know if it is genuine. Everyone aboard will have 10 minutes to reach the bridge, or the nearest airlock and leave before I vent all non-secured areas to space. Make no mistake, we have full control of this vessel, and we will be leaving in exactly 12 minutes." He swept his hand across his throat and the intercom cut off. Studying the Imperials, he merely raised an eyebrow. The technicians and officers all looked at each other, and then back at Harry. Two immediately turned and left, racing to get off the ship. The rest, including Firmus Piett remained and looked at Harry curiously, all of them feeling somewhat optimistic, and all hoping they were making the right choice. Harry nodded.
"Thank you all, we could use your help, please take your stations and commence start-up procedures, bring all systems on-line. Prepare for departure."
XXX
The young Imperial agent stood immobile, her mind reeling, Rebels had seized the ship and were most likely preparing to leave. What could she do to stop it? A small voice in her mind asked if she really WANTED to stop it. At this she shook her head. She had been trying unsuccessfully to find a way out…perhaps this was it? Her mind warred with itself, the Emperor's will battling her own. Finally, after what seemed like hours, she fell to her knees as her bond to the Emperor snapped as she made her final choice. She felt free, for the first time in living memory, her life was now her own. Live or die, she had now cast her lot, there could be no turning back, no forgiveness from her old Master. She stood and pushed her hood back, her red-gold hair coming into view, pulled back into a neat pony-tail. It was time to find her own path, she raced back to the airlock, headed for her ship. She need to escape quickly, she could use the Rebels for cover. She might eventually seek them out, but first, she need to figure out who she was.
XXX
Harry turned as Piett moved to stand near him, "Yes Lieutenant?"
"General, the ship is ready."
Harry nodded, time to go, "Vent all non-secure areas of the ship to space. Disengage all moorings and docking clamps, power the turbolasers and fire on designated targets when ready." Harry strode forward to the main viewport as acknowledgements rang out.
XXX
In the dockmasters tower, a young Imperial officer sat with his feet up, bored out of his mind. He took a sip of his kaf and spit it out as alarms started blaring. He looked out of the viewport to see the Executor release another barrage of turbolaser fire and surge forward, her sublights glowing and angry orange. He struggled to reach the comm. controls and just as his hand hit the panel, it went dead. The communications array had been destroyed. The young man watched in horror as the massive ship began lacing the Imperial defenses with turbolaser fire from behind causing massive explosions and failures in the defense network as she continued on away from the shipyards. As the ship cleared the outer perimeter, a number of vessels appeared from hyperspace and began discharging fighters. The officer sighed in relief, until he noted that none of the vessels had Imperial transponders.
Dozens of Rebel starfighters swept into the now defenseless shipyards and unleashed waves of bombs and torpedoes. As they completed their runs, and returned to their ships, they left behind the shattered wreckage of the Kuat Drive Yards shipyard facilties, and the remains of what had once been the SSD Intimidator.
XXX
Harry smiled as he sensed the young female break her connection to the Emperor and felt her bask in her new freedom. Then her signature shifted as she masked it. But, he could still feel her presence. She moved quickly, heading back towards the dock, though he sensed she was making her own escape, and was not yet ready. As the Executor made its escape, he could sense her vessel dogging them, using the SSD for cover. As they cleared the yards, he felt her signature vanish into hyperspace and smiled. Someday soon, she would seek the Rebels out, and Harry would be waiting.
AN: Hope you enjoyed, I know it's a bit short. To all who added this story to your alerts and favorites, thank you! As we move into the original trilogy, I am going to be going further and further AU. I am taking a poll for the pairing. Drop a review and let me know what you think. I already have a number of people in favor of Harry/Mara. Here are the options and current standings:
Harry/Leia – 6 votes
Harry/Mara – 13 votes
Harry/Celeste Morne – 13 votes
To everyone who reviewed thanks very much, so far it has been overwhelmingly positive and I am hugely thankful for the tremendous acceptance. Thanks for reading!