Luke watched, from a safe distance, as Mara Jade practiced her Lightsaber techniques. The mysterious redhead, he had found half-dead in an Imperial vessel months ago, refused to explain... anything, actually. All Luke knew was that she hated the Rebels, hated the Empire more, and was extremely powerful in the Force.
He still wasn't sure what to think of her. All he knew for sure is that she wanted to lay low, never leaving the Rebel base on Endor. Well, that and she should never, under any circumstances, be approached while training.
But not everyone knew that. For example, the group of rebel soldiers who had just finished patrol duty, who had just entered the room and were making a beeline for Mara to ask questions, whispering among themselves about how cool the Lightsaber styles looked.
Luke jumped to his feet and was about to stop them, but a shaggy haired man with an eye mask seemed to appear out of nowhere and beat him too it.
"Whoa there!", The man named Kanan Jarrus told the soldiers, "Miss Jade doesn't like being interrupted while she's practicing. Believe me, I have the scars to prove it!"
The group was lead by one Aran Kroan, a former Republic Senate Commando, and Storm Trooper turned Rebel once he realized what atrocities The Empire was committing.
"I appreciate your concern, but I've dealt with Force wielders before. Sure I may have that scar from that Nautolan inquisitor, but I believe she was quite humiliated. She did retreat after all."
Another soldier in the group named Grene spoke up.
"I think you let her get away, because you thought she was cute.", He said smirking.
"Laugh it up Grene.", Aran responded sarcastically rolling his eyes.
"Well Kanan is it?", Aran said turning to the Jedi, "The soldiers, and commanders around here are getting uneasy. She is obviously strong in the Force and there are only a few organizations that have people as... Refined as her. And she is certainly no Jedi. She is going to need to answer some questions otherwise we're not going to keep on being so lenient."
Kanan was silent for a moment before responding. The Force was unusually strong with the Rebel Soldier named Aran, and Kanan could sense it. He decided to keep quiet about it for now.
"You know, I can appreciate your concern. I didn't lose my eyes to Stormtroopers, after all. But that doesn't mean we can't be hospitable. The Galaxy's been turned upside down, she may not be a Jedi as we understand it, but she also may be from thousands of years ago. She's shown no signs of wanting anything but too lay low and sort things out. I think about half the Alliance could agree with motives like that."
The Rebel fighter pilot moved to stand next to his fellow Jedi.
"She did almost take my head off that one time...", Skywalker said joining the conversation.
"Surprising anyone with a Lightsaber is a bad idea, Skywalker.", The more experienced Jedi told him, "Have I ever told you how many times my own Apprentice nearly shish kebabed me by accident?"
"Still, even I would feel a little more comfortable having her hang around headquarters if she would tell us something about herself. We aren't just a safe house for any random being running away from something."
The older man chuckled at that.
"Son, I don't know how long you've been with the Rebellion, but that's exactly what we are. As a moisture farmer talking to a blind ex-drunk, you should know that. We should all just give her some time and space, I have a good feeling about this."
Aran sighed.
"Look it's not up to me. She can either deal with us who have our doubts, but are also willing to give her the benefit of it, or she can deal with the General who gave us our orders who believes she is an inquisitor or something."
"And who is this General?", Kanan asked.
"Just got here with my battle group to relieve Admiral Ackbar. I believe you've heard of him. Let's just say you're not the first blind Jedi I'm familiar with.", Aran said smirking.
This was true. Admiral Ackbar had left with Home One to form up with The Resistance and Grand Admiral Thrawn's battle group on another operation against a First Order strong hold which had been found in the arm of the galaxy they operate in, and had been harassing their forces during their fight against The Empire, and stealing their ships in some cases. Kanan just didn't know who had come to replace him.
"Well, if we're talking Generals, there's one I might be able to convince of my point of view...", Kanan said smirking himself.
"My sister's basically second in command of the Alliance.", Luke said thinking of one himself.
"That too.", Kanan said acknowledging Luke.
"Inquisitor, huh? That'd make sense. I hear even Vader has defected from the Empire, she could be a valuable ally.", Luke said pointing out how this could be a good thing.
"Or, she could still be loyal to the Emperor and spying on us.", Kanan said pointing out it could be a bad thing.
"I doubt it.", Luke replied, "Since the merge, we've become about the smallest threat to the Empire there is. The Republic, the Jedi Orders, and even the old Sith are seen as more of a threat to them. I hate to admit it, but we're no longer exactly a major power player. Even the Hutts have more pull than us."
"Well, it's a moot point. She disappeared while we were talking anyways.", Kanan said pointing out that Mara was gone.
Everyone looked around and Mara Jade had indeed disappeared.
"Might I just say it's funny the blind guy noticed that first.", Grene said.
"Huh…", Kanan said speaking up after a moment, "I can't feel her anywhere. Whatever she is, she's supremely good at stealth."
"But not perfect. I think I can sense her.", Luke said focusing, "She seems to be... She's headed for the General's quarters!"
Mara had indeed headed for the General's quarters, and started sneaking up behind him.
"That's close enough Dark Sider.", The General told her.
The General turned around and revealed himself to be Rahm Kota. A Jedi that had been a pain in the Empire's side since Order 66. She had read his file, and had to admit to herself that some of the things he did had both impressed her as much as it infuriated her.
"I could sense you from a mile away. So why are you here? Have you come to threaten me? If so trust me, that isn't going to go well for you.", Rahm Kota sternly told her.
"No Jedi, I'm not here to kill you.", Mara said almost with a sneer, "I'm here to pass along information specifically to you."
"To me? You planed on this?", The General asked.
"No.", Mara responded, "To be honest, I didn't know you would be here, but once I figured out you were, I figured I might as well."
Kota kept his saber ready just in case.
"And what is it you think I might find so interesting?"
"You remember Starkiller?", Mara asked Kota.
Kota's head drooped for a moment remembering his late friend.
"Yes I do. What of him?"
"Your friend yet lives.", Mara told him.
Kota was silent for a moment in disbelief.
"Come again?", He asked.
"The Emperor denied him death and turned him into one of his assassins.", Mara informed him, "I only just found out this information recently. Not even Vader himself knows. He will soon take Vader's place."
Kota was silent again processing. He couldn't tell if she was lying and masking her thoughts, or telling him the truth.
"You're one of the Emperor's Hands aren't you?"
Mara remained silent in response.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I want to make sure that doesn't happen.", Mara told him.
Kota scoffed.
"What? To help him?"
"No.", Mara replied bluntly, "To help me."
It was then an armed team of Rebel soldiers burst through the door and surrounded Mara pointing their blasters at her.
She put her hands above her head smirking, and keeping her eyes focused on the General.
"Stand down, men", Rahm told the soldiers.
"Sir?", Aran asked confused.
"Close quarters with a Lightsaber wielder? If she wanted, she could probably kill you all before even I could stop her."
"I am, was, a personal servant of the Emperor. He can send me commands anywhere in the Galaxy, or could, before he decided to have me killed.", Mara told them.
"You'll forgive me if I'm less than sympathetic." Rahm said in response.
"Vader becoming a traitor has made the Emperor paranoid. The handful of Inquisitors who still follow his commands have been assigned to track down and kill the others. I think he might be trying to wipe us all out.", She informed them.
"If he can speak to you anywhere in the Galaxy, he can find you anywhere can't he? You mean to tell me there is a very real possibility of Dark Jedi coming here?", Kota asked.
Kanan and Luke entered the room, finding the troopers still keeping their guns ready just in case).
"If you make me stay, yes." Mara told the general, "But send me, and your poor excuse for Jedi over there to deal with Starkiller, we can bring him and the other Dark Siders to each other's throats."
"Deal with? You realize he's my friend, assassin. Be careful what you suggest!", Kota said angrily
"I was suggesting nothing of the sort.", Mara Jade replied equally angrily, "The only thing I want out of this is too get the Emperor's little pawns off my back. The rest of the mission would be entirely up to you, General."
Kota thought for a moment before responding.
"Alright. I think I've made my decision. We'll go on your little mission, but on two conditions."
"Name them.", Mara told the general.
"I'm going with you as well."
"Well the more the merrier. And the second condition?", Mara asked.
"We bring Starkil- Galen... Back alive."
Mara scoffed a bit at that, "No promises."
Mara then found the tip of a glowing emerald green blade in her face.
"We are bringing him back alive! Understand?"
Mara didn't even flinch.
"Such devotion to the one who blinded you. Heh... Very well General he won't die by my hand."
Kota deactivated his Lightsaber holstering it on his belt.
"Are we really doing this?", Kanan asked.
"We need to save him. He could be a great help to us. He actually ripped a Star Destroyer out of the sky once.", Rahm told them.
Luke was taken aback by this. Although he had improved much since struggling to lift an X-Wing out of a swamp, he still found that hard to believe.
"Well I hope we have a plan.", Kanan said.
"We will.", Kota told him, "Luke, Kanan. Come with me and Mara. Aran, I'm leaving you in charge."
"Are you sure sir?", Aran asked unsure about this himself.
"I believe in you Aran. You have more experience than most other soldiers here."
"I'm flattered sir, but what if the other Generals or Admirals say something?"
"Then they'll be upset with me.", Kota told him, "Don't worry about that."
"Very well sir. Good luck, and may the Force be with you all."
-
"Alright everyone hold on!"
Is what Han said as The Millennium Falcon rocketed into the hanger bay of the Sith capital ship being controlled by Darth Nihilus taking a few hits and more like crashing rather than landing.
Chewbacca was putting out a fire and Boba was rubbing his head, while Rey got back on her feet.
"I better be getting paid extra for this.", Boba grumbled.
"Are you crazy!?", Rey yelled at Han.
"Hey you wanted on to the big dark scary ship of death, so here we are!"
Rey groaned in response.
"Well now that we're here what do we do?", Han asked Rey.
"Oh well... I um..."
Han sighed.
"You didn't think that far ahead did you?"
"No..."
Boba stepped out to get an idea of their surroundings.
"Solo!", Boba called out, "I found what stopped us! We're not alone on this ship!"
Han and Rey stepped out much to Chewbacca's frustration as no one was helping him with the fires which weren't out of hand, but certainly not easy alone to contain.
Han kicked the ship in front of the Falcon after getting out.
"This thing looks expensive.", Han said upon inspecting it.
"It belongs to Count Dooku.", Boba said recognizing the ship.
"Wait?", Rey said surprised, "You're saying Dooku is here? The leader of the C.I.S.?"
Boba nodded.
"I've read about him. Richest man in the Galaxy during the Clone Wars. Also one of the worst war criminals.", Han said.
"You can read?", Boba said demeaning Solo.
While Han shot the bounty hunter a dirty look, Rey stepped forwards and closed her eyes, searching out with the Force. All she could feel was the big, black gaping darkness of something unbelievably evil.
"If he's on this ship, I can't find him.", Rey said.
"I can", Boba told her before turning back to Solo.
"Solo, help the Wookie fix the ship. This is no place for a smuggler. Besides this piece of junk is our only ride out here."
Han grumbled, but turned to go back inside the Falcon. As much as he hated to admit it the bounty hunter was right, or at least about the Falcon being their ride out of here. Boba drew his blaster and Rey placed her hand on her Lightsaber as they moved deeper into the ship.
"I hope the Count doesn't cut my pay for Solo making a mess of his ship.", Boba said almost in a growl.
"How much are you getting paid to fight for our alliance?", Rey asked.
"A lot.", The bounty hunter replied bluntly before continuing.
"If I keep getting paid at this rate, I might be richer than the Count himself in a few years."
Going through the corridors of the ship, they met no resistance, save for a half dead trooper on the ground which Boba put of his misery.
"Well it seems Dooku left quite a trail.", Rey said.
"The Count isn't alone.", Boba told her.
"What do you mean?", Rey asked.
"There are others with him. Jedi and Clone Troopers most likely. The way a lot of these troopers and Sith Warriors were taken down don't fit the way Count Dooku fights."
"How can you tell?", She asked.
"Well for starters that trooper over there was shot with a blaster, so unless Dooku started using one, or there was friendly fire I find it unlikely it was Dooku. And that trooper over there has slashes on his consistent with those who wield two sabers at a time. Aren't you Jedi supposed to be perceptive or something? How did you not notice that?"
"This place is clouding my senses.", Rey explained.
"You Jedi are too reliant on the Force, it's what makes hunting your kind so easy."
"From what I've heard, what makes hunting 'my kind' so easy to hunt is taking credit for Vader's kills.", Rey retorted.
"Be quiet!", Boba said coming to a stop, "There are people coming."
The two ducked into an alcove, as the sound of running feet reach their ears. Both prepared for an ambush, only to be taken aback by the unexpected sight of the Count of Serano and two clone pilots sprinting past.
"What in the-"
Rey was about to say something when Boba tapped her on the shoulder and pointed down the hall in the opposite direction, before taking to his heels as well and following the others. Rey turned to look and found herself face to face with a black robed... thing.
Staring face to face, well, face to mask with it was the most terrifying thing she had ever experienced. Instinctively she summoned her considerable well of untapped Force power and threw up a wall between herself and the lord Nihilus, though she had no idea that was what she was doing.
The Sith was halted by the unexpected attack, just long enough for Rey to dash off and catch up with the others.
"What WAS that? What's going on?", Rey asked confused.
"Jedi are being stupid and I'm causing a distraction. Imbeciles! Fools! Ninny's!", Dooku told them infurated.
"Doesn't explain what the freak is, or why we're not standing and killing it like any other Sithspawn.", Boba said.
"That's Nihilus," Popper said, "according to the Count. It can drain you dead just by being within a hundred miles of it."
"Though it doesn't seem interested in none-Jedi," Snapshot told them "which is good, because there's no way to defend yourself without the Force"
"But he can also sense Force Sensitives a lot better than none, which is why I'm leading him away from the Jedi while they sabotage the engines.", Dooku explained.
"What did I tell you? Force magics are overrated tricks and traps.", Boba said smugly.
"They're also the only thing keeping you alive.", Dooku pointed out, "Nihilus almost had us when your young friend there stunned him. I doubt even I could have done as well, my congratulations. And you hunter, recognize superior skill when you see it!"
Despite the helmet, Rey was sure Boba was shooting her a dirty look as she smirked. She didn't get the chance to make any remarks, however, as that's when she collapsed unconscious from the effort of stalling Nihilus.
Nihilus was nearly over Rey when he was caught off guard and hit by a wrist rocket from Boba Fett which was then followed up by Force lightning from Count Dooku, and then Fett's flame thrower.
They knew this wouldn't work for long, so Popper grabbed Rey throwing her over his shoulder before running off again with the others.
"How do you kill that thing!?", Snapshot said starting to worry.
"Worry about that later!", Popper shouted carrying Rey "Just shoot anything in front of us and run!"
Dooku had grabbed Rey's lightsaber that had fallen before taking off. He recognized that it was Skywalker's, and although intrigued by this, he thought it best to leave this as a question for later if he survived.
-
(Meanwhile in the engine room...)
"Master are you sure this is enough Tibanna gas?", Ahsoka asked.
"Should be enough. We took enough from the cargo hold to blow this room ten times over.", Kenobi reassured her.
Kenobi then hit a button on his comm notifying the clones after setting an explosive charge.
-
"I don't think I've ever run this much in my life!" Popper yelled, "Doesn't this thing get tired!?"
"No it only hungers!", Dooku yelled back.
Snapshot's own wrist comm began to beep, and told the others.
"I got the signal from the general! Head to the hanger!"
"I'll be a bit cramped, but my ship has enough room.", Dooku said.
"Yeah... About that...", Boba said unsure how to tell the Count about his ship.
-
(Meanwhile in the hanger...)
"Well at least were able to salvage the stealth emitter off of the Count's ship. Maybe we could sell it back to him?"
Han said nudging Chewie with his elbow.
Chewie rolled his eyes, before noticing his commlink beeping with a message from Fett. He relayed it to his co-pilot with a growl.
"On the way, with Sithspawn right on their tale, huh? Hmm... I think we might be able to cook something up to help with that."
Dooku came to a halt when he ran into the hanger, causing Snapshot to collide with him.
"I'm down! They've got me!", Snapshot yelled.
"You dolt, you got me! And they got my ship! Those... Those... Nerf-herders!", Dooku said infuriated.
He didn't have time to sit there however. Boba and Popper leaped over their fallen comrades, making straight for the Falcon. The air in the hangar grew cold as Nihilus calmly walked in, barely singed from the efforts to stop him. He focused on the Count as the ex-Jedi pushed Snapshot off and leaped to his feet, staring the Force-wound down with a coldness of his own.
Nihilus raised his hands, then burst into a explosion of fiery plasma. Snapshot knocked Dooku out of the way at the last moment as almost half the hanger was destroyed.
"Wah-hoo! Great shot Chewie!", Han cheered over the comm.
"General Solo, are you firing Proton Torpedoes? Indoors?! Are you all mad?", Dooku said getting to his feet.
"Sheesh, would it kill any of you to ever say thanks? Now get on board and we'll get off this deathtrap!"
Popper was already to the Falcon's on-ramp, but halted and set Rey down.
"We are not leaving without the General and Commander!", Popper yelled to Solo.
Nihilus slowly raised from the ashes and rubble. He had only been after the old pretender and Jedi woman, but the others had succeeded in drawing his attention. They would all be consumed, to feed his anger.
But then suddenly Nihilus's head left his body in a flash of blue light as Kenobi decided to decapitate the Wound in the Force as he ran past. Ahsoka removed his torso from his legs, before almost crashing into Dooku.
"Does no one in the Republic know how to watch where they're going?", Dooku said getting more infuriated.
"Come on Count you can yell at us later, engines are rigged to blow and we need to get out of here!", Snapshot told him.
Kenobi made it to the Falcon and helped Popper carry Rey inside, followed by Ahsoka and Snapshot, then Dooku. Boba took up the rear, which was lucky, as his helmet's sensors picked up the rising form of Nihilus. His mask had been knocked off, but that only revealed his true face, which horrified even the steeled veteran Bounty Hunter.
"Jedi, blow the engines, BLOW THE ENGINES NOW!"
"We're in the air! Close the hatch and punch it!", Han told Chewbacca.
The doors closed and everyone was inside. Nihilus used the Force and was slowly dragging the ship towards him when a massive explosion rocked the ship causing him to lose his grip. The Falcon's hyperdrive then activated blasting Nilhilus and igniting the whole hanger.
Nilhilus growled as he felt his ship falling apart around and was unable to maintain it. It was then that a familiar dark figure appeared in front of him. It was The Son, the one who had brought him back.
"You.", The Son growled, "You ruined everything!"
He picked Nihilus up in a Force grip.
"I didn't bring you back so you could compromise the Dark side's standing in the galaxy! I brought you back, and I can just as easily destroy you!"
The Son clawed his hand onto Nihilus' head as Nihilus let out an inhuman scream in pain greater than any hunger he had felt. After a few moments Nilhilus went silent and his robes dropped to the floor, and were consumed by the fire. The Son then turned his nose up, turned around and disappeared, as fire consumed the hanger and the rest of the ship.
-
On the ground Nihilus' forces dropped dead. The Dark side being the only thing really keeping the going.
"Is it over?", Waxer asked.
"Waxer look.", Boil said hitting Waxer's shoulder.
Boil pointed to the Sith ship coming down, and they both began to cheer along with the rest of the 212th battalion stationed there.
-
(Meanwhile on The Millennium Falcon...)
"So is this the same "Rey" that Anakin has been mentioning?", Obi-Wan asked.
"Yes it is. I've been acting as a messenger between the two.", Boba told Kenobi.
"How have you been getting past security?", Kenobi asked surprised the Jedi temple's security hadn't found him. He had assumed it was by more normal means, but Anakin must have had his reasons.
"I have my methods." Boba told him.
"You do realize what you are doing is illegal right?"
"I've done much worse.", Boba replied bluntly.
Obi-Wan was silent. He knew the bounty hunter was right.
"Are you threatening or hurting anyone by doing this."
"Relax Jedi. My "courier" job is not hurting anyone physically or otherwise.", He reassured Kenobi.
"Very well bounty hunter. So long as that is true, I'll leave you be."
Kenobi turned to Dooku who was inspecting Rey's saber. There was no doubt that it belonged to Skywalker, he had seen it many times. The Count put it away clipping it to his belt behind his cape when he saw Kenobi approaching.
"Alright Count. You said you got a message from Qui-Gon? Where did he tell you to go?", Kenobi asked him.
Dooku smirked, "You're not going to believe this, but Korriban."
-
(Meanwhile on Tatooine...).
Ben Solo... Or was it Kylo Ren? He was confused still torn between Dark and Light. He came here to stay low. Even removed the tracking device from his star fighter and sold it to a pirate who paid a surprisingly considerable amount for it.
Now he spent his days in either his hut gathering junk to sell, or moisture farming. This was temporary however. He would stay here long enough to clear his head, then he intended to leave. He knew no one would come here for him in Hutt controlled space... Or so he though).
He was about to call it a day when he headed into to his shack, to find a red robed figure standing in the middle of it.
"So... You want to know the path to true power?"
It was Palpatine. The one ousted from the Republic.
Kylo drew the saber he had stolen from a temple guard awhile ago. And the red robed figure smiled at him with a mad wicked grin.
"I can help you with that. To path better than this."
"Who are you!? How did you find me!?", Kylo demanded to know.
"I'm someone far more powerful than you. And finding you was too easy. You're not very good at concealing yourself. I've been watching you for awhile, masking your presence."
Kylo lowered his blade only slightly.
"Why? Why are you doing this? Why would you help me? What do you want from me?"
The red robed figure smiled with a wicked grin again.
"Why... A new apprentice of course. You want power and control, I can tell. Well I can teach you how to get it."
