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Chapter 8: Changing of the Guard

Rick Vaster fidgeted quietly behind the massive black Wookie prison guard. The light brown haired, forest green eyed man could sense the tangible hatred radiating off of his escort. The fearsome warriors were still recovering from the attack made by Col. Jacen Solo when he set the planet ablaze thirteen years ago.

It was hard to believe that it was so long ago, but the escort's pain made it seem as if the incident had happened yesterday. Next to Rick, his partner Hex coughed softly into his long fingered hand. The white haired guard was twenty years Rick's senior with wrinkles tugging the man's permanent frown till it appeared to be hanging off his face.

The Wookie growled a question over his shoulder. Hex turned his palms upwards, "I don't know specifically. Look, all I know is that the our Chief of Security wanted to make sure Jacen was still locked up in prison."

Yellow eyes narrowed with a sharp bark. Hex halted mid-step, an offended look flashing across his features. "Listen, I know you guys do an excellent job here. But this is Jacen Solo we're talking about, the criminal who lived amongst those noseless aliens that invaded years ago. From our records, he's a sneaky Telosian with or without the Force."

The Wookie stared at each of the two new Empire guards. Each was dressed in the standard military black uniform with armor littered throughout. Their weapons consisting of guns, a rifle, a couple knives and handcuffs were stashed in the checking station. The close shaven haircut gave each guard a stern appearance completing the aura of lethalness. The tall alien had heard of these new guards and how they had been used to keep an eye on the Jedi. Despite the peace talks, the new Empire's trust towards the Jedi Order mirrored that of the powerful warriors: caution. For both were wary about some new comer causing mayhem in the name of peace either by attacking the Empire or ridding the galaxy of a pest.

"Has Solo been in solitary confinement this entire time?" questioned the younger of the two. From the look of his wide eyes, the Wookie figured the kid must be a rookie.

Two growls and a deep hum answered the question. Green eyes turned to stare at the older man. "He said that after a year, they released Solo into the main prison. He is only allowed to come out twice a week for his daily exercise in the courts." Coughing softly into his hand as they passed through a dusty corridor, Hex continued, "It's the rules, something about being humanitarian towards the prisoners. Don't want to become cruel, even if they deserve a fate worse than death."

Rick nodded, soaking in the old man's explanation. "But wouldn't someone go insane?"

Hex shot a quick approving look at the young guard, "Yeah, but then again the criminals that come into this forsaken prison are not exactly sane."

The Wookie halted, raising his large arm signaling the two behind him to stop. In front of them was a sealed door. Hex's mouth was lost into the sea of wrinkles as his frown deepened. He remembered how this Solo was praised as one of the up and coming new faces of the next generation of Jedi and then the reluctant hero before becoming a full-fledge one during the Vong War. But then something happened, the kid snapped and almost destroyed the entire galaxy. Hex couldn't help but believe that those long ago rumors of Jacen Solo being a traitor were true.

Rick felt a change in the air as the other two shifted their stance into a defensive one. They couldn't take a chance in dealing with Jacen Solo. They had only one shot at this to fulfill their mission.

A beep sounded and the Wookie marched forward. With an easy push, he slid the door open spilling the light into the metal room. The cot was empty. Baring white fangs, the Wookie took a massive step into the room, the other two guards falling to his sides in a protective flank. Yellow eyes scanned the room, pinpointing their target in the farthest corner curled up into a ball. Arms tucked around his chest, legs pressed against them, all that could be seen of the round figure shrouded in flickering shadows were two dull brown eyes staring blankly at them.

"Ain't it a bit early to leave?" croaked out the sentence behind the tattered sleeves of his uniform.

Hex squared off his shoulders, "No. We're actually here to see you." Stepping forward, he made his way to Jacen, Rick following silently behind. Hex wasn't one to mess around. Like the old man said when they landed on this forsaken rock, get in and get out in record time. "Our…new leader wants to send his regards."

Jacen lifted his head, long bangs slipping free from their confines behind his ears. Covering his eyes, the prisoner tilted his head slightly to the side. "Oh."

Rick stepped forward and knelt in front of Jacen. In the deep recesses of his chest, he felt fear and awe collide in his stomach. Here was a man he heard as a young teenager with wild tales of adventure and suffering, the ultimate story of what not to become. But Rick never saw Jacen in that light, no, he was intrigued about the why behind the corruption of one of the galaxy's greatest heroic failure. Sure Anakin Solo had reached the now mythic proportions like that of Mara Jade, Luke Skywalker, Leia and Han Solo to the point where they seemed unrealistic. And then Jaina Solo was the perfect role model despite her flaws but she too had become a figure to bow before.

But Jacen Solo, oh, his name was cursed and wept upon at the same time. No one talked about him in public, for they wanted to forget about those troublesome times. It was much like a certain other Sith Lord named Palpatine. But at night, around the soft glow of a neon light, they whispered tales of the acts that Jacen committed. That in itself took on the form of another Lord named Vader. Yet, while Vader had become a somewhat distant memory and was an example of redemption, Jacen was not.

And with this mindset branded upon his young mind, Rick couldn't help but lock eyes with this insane demon. Broken dark brown eyes peered out from behind the curtain staring back as if they could see into his very soul. And they probably could for Rick felt a shiver run down his spine as if Death was whispering over his shoulder. Clearing his throat, Rick curled and pressed his fingers into the palm of his right hand. Stretching out, he laid the hand on a patch of skin on Jacen's arm.

"He says it is time." The mouthed words spilling from Rick's lips went unnoticed by the Wookie or Hex. Green eyes scanned Jacen's shrouded face for any inclination that the man got the message. A blank stare was all that replied. Fear began to tickle the back of Rick's mind. Had Jacen Solo truly gone insane? Was he broken beyond repair? Were they too late?

A gagging sound emitted from Jacen's throat. Eyes snapped wider, surprise lighting them. Sagging forward, Jacen began chocking, his body breaking out into a cold sweat as shivers coursed through him. Breaking his hold, Rick took a step back as the Wookie appeared suddenly at his side.

"Leave him be," ordered Hex, "The Emperor wants Jacen Solo dead, not rotting in a prison where he can escape or plan another conquest. He's outlived his purpose and the Jedi or his family don't want anything to do with him."

The Wookie stared hard at Hex while Jacen slumped forward, his body in full-blown convulsions. White foam began to trickle out of his mouth as brown eyes rolled upwards. Blinking, the Wookie focused down as the body slowly began to cease any action and as eyes closed for the finally time.

Snarling, he bent downwards and checked the prisoner's pulse. Nothing. Rising back onto his feet, the prison guard couldn't help but feel satisfying justice at the dead body of Jacen Solo, the man who had burned his planet into a pile of ash. He could never understand why the man had not received the death penalty and because of his station, the Wookie could never initiate or allow an assassination attempt. But…glancing at the two Emperor guards, his mind quickly came up with an explanation. They caught him by surprise and…

"His death will appear like a stroke, no trace of the poison will be present," stated Hex as if he was reading the Wookie's mind. "And we'll take the body as well. The Emperor wants to broadcast it to the whole galaxy that this evil threat has received its' due punishment."

The Wookie hummed in agreement. Reaching down, he picked up the cooling body of Jacen Solo. Slinging it over his shoulder, he gestured the others to walk ahead of him. Hex nodded thanks, understanding the gesture as being a one of utter gratefulness. "Just remember, this new Empire is not like the old. The Emperor will keep this galaxy unified in a justly manner and no new enemies are going to catch us off guard."

With a precise turn, Hex marched forward, Rick stepping right behind him. The Wookie joined them but not before closing the door one last time cutting the light from ever entering into it, much like the corpse he was now carrying would never see the light of day again.

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A/N: R&R please! Till next time, take care.