Star Wars: Rebels: The Promised Day
Disclaimer: Star Wars Rebels and all Star Wars characters and Lore are not my property, as they are all owned by Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Company.
A/N: Welcome back once more! Well, here we are, everyone. Part 1 of the 4 part finale to this story and this trilogy begins, here. The first half of this chapter consists of two flashbacks, both centered around Ezrabine and Kanera respectively, and the second half picks up where the previous chapter left off with the mission to infiltrate the Infinite Reformerand thwart the Grand Inquisitor's plans once and for all. The beginning of the end starts now!
Chapter 9: Full Circle
Two Months Prior:
The journey had been a difficult one, both physically and emotionally. Truly, little of the events that had played out since her return to Mandalore had gone the way Sabine thought they might. But now, looking back on all the twists and close calls she could never have anticipated, she was just grateful things had worked out, more or less. The hold the Empire once held over her people had been crippled, but the fight for their freedom was far from over.
As she listened to her mother and Rau discuss what was to come next for their homeworld with Kanan, Sabine knew wholeheartedly that she wasn't by any means ready for the responsibility acting as a leader for her clan and the house they once served would require. Someone older and of greater experience with balancing battlefield and politics would be a much more ideal fit. Her thoughts were suddenly cut short when she heard Kanan offer the support of the Rebellion, to which her mother readily rebuked, saying that their people looked after their own. She'd been dreading this moment, but Sabine knew what she had to do.
"What? You're not coming with us?" the surprise in Ezra's voice was quite evident, as was the concern in his eyes. Sabine tried explaining with a sympathetic expression, reminding herself that her duty had to come first. She knew parting ways wouldn't be easy for any of them.
"I'm done running, my place is here, with my family. Right now… I can do more good, here."
Kanan looked like he was going to speak, but remained silent as the conversation was interrupted. Everyone present looked over as the older brother of the teenage Mandalorian ran over to them.
"What is it?" his mother pressed immediately, knowing it had to be urgent business.
"I'm sorry for the interruption, but we've just received a transmission from Kadelbe. It's from Mandalore himself!" as the son of Clan Wren finished explaining himself, the mood immediately shifted to startled surprise. Truly word traveled fast even in times of political upheaval. Sabine was the first to reply to the unexpected news, but was cut off quickly.
"Mandalore?! But I thought-"
"What did he say? What does he want?" her mother readily inquired further.
"He wants to see you and Rau inside immediately; he's currently waiting on a live holofeed from the capital. He wouldn't tell me why exactly, but he says the Rebels are not to leave. He says what he has to say concerns them, too."
"Then I think I should go inside as well," Kanan added. Both Sabine and Ezra watched silently as her mother interjected.
"No, if Mandalore wants your presence he will ask for it, Jedi," she eyed Rau as he moved to her side as she spoke.
"She's right, Kanan. We should be back shortly. Fortunately for you and your padawan, Mandalore isn't exactly one for small talk. This should be straightforward, whatever it is," as the veteran fighter pilot finished, Kanan sighed exasperatedly.
"Fine, but don't keep us out of the loop longer than you have to," the blind Jedi Knight was wary in his acceptance, but decided to give these warriors the benefit of the doubt, for the moment.
The four Rebels waited for what was about twenty minutes. Kanan decided to provide Hera an update from the controls inside the Phantom 2 while Chopper ran systems checks. Meanwhile, Sabine and Ezra had gone down to the shore of the frozen lake she had faced Saxon on about an hour ago.
"Is it always this cold on Mandalore?" the young Padawan asked his female companion. She chuckled slightly, and he smiled slightly at hearing her do so good naturedly in better spirits.
"Fortunately, no, it's currently the winter season, here. Most of the year, this is a more temperate world."
"Speaking of Mandalore, I take it that it means a person in addition to this planet, right? Some kind of big leader figure?" Ezra inquired with her further, and she nodded before explaining.
"Not just a big leader, the big leader. The one who holds the title of Mandalore is the singular ruler of all the Mandalorian Clans. To be honest, I was under the impression we were currently without a Mandalore. The last one was a vocal critic of the Empire, and I was under the impression the Imperials had removed him and were looking to replace him with Saxon."
"This whole thing is far more complicated than I ever would've guessed," Ezra replied cheekily, and Sabine couldn't help but laugh. He had a point, truth be told. Her people were seriously complicated.
"Sabine…" his tone shifted to a more serious one, and it caught her off guard. Looking him in the eyes, she knew immediately whatever he was about to tell her, it was sincere and from the heart.
"What is it, Ezra?" her tone was soft as she waited for him to speak.
"If you feel this is where you belong, then by all means, do what you have to do. Don't worry about us… we'll miss you terribly… but we'll understand," his voice wavered, but his expression was nothing if not resolute. He didn't take his eyes off her own even as she moved closer and grabbed hold of his upper left arm, her own expression shifting to a level of seriousness and sincerity that matched his own.
"Ezra… it's not forever. Once things here are sorted out, I and my people may finally be ready to join the fight alongside the Rebellion together. Mandalore permitting, that is," she added with a smirk, to which he chuckled.
"They're back!"
Immediately pulling back from one another, the young Padawan and the teenage Mandalorian looked back up the hill to see Kanan had come over to inform them both Rau and the veteran of Clan Wren had returned. The two younger Rebels quickly made their way back up to rejoin the others. Once the five were assembled again, Kanan wasted no time at all voicing his need for answers.
"What did your supreme ruler say?" he could sense that the woman was irritated at the informal term for the revered warrior at the top of their society, but Rau stepped up to respond.
"We explained what took place here over the last couple days, including the role you Jedi and your Rebels played in helping us topple Saxon, as well as how it was Sabine that defeated him one on one. Mandalore suspected his treachery for some time, and is pleased the situation has been dealt with."
"So, we're actually in his good graces?" Kanan sounded almost bemused at the thought as he asked further. He could sense Rau nod.
"That's pretty much how it is. In fact, he wants to extend a… tentative… agreement with the Rebellion. Now that it is openly apparent that the Empire is interested in toppling his rule and seizing our territory by honorless, underhanded scheming, Mandalore has decided we would be best suited to try and level the playing field. He believes a partnership of sorts may be in order with your leadership, Jedi," as Rau paused, it was apparent that Ezra, Sabine, and Kanan were visibly startled by this unexpected development. The young padawan was the first to reply.
"Wait, are we talking, like, an official alliance, here?" he watched as, this time, it was the mother of the girl he cared so deeply for who answered them.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves; Mandalore isn't ready to commit the entirety of his forces to your little uprising, as resourceful as you may be. We're talking aid in the form of supplies, weapons, and information, and perhaps some droids and vehicles. The details would need to be worked out between him and those you report to."
"Which brings us to this next order of business," Rau continued, looking over to Sabine. It was apparent what he was about to say concerned her, personally, "Mandalore has also decided that a liaison is needed to represent his interests amongst your ranks, and help convey your own word back to him. He's chosen youfor this task, Sabine. Congratulations, you are now a hand-picked representative of Mandalore himself," as the veteran fighter pilot finished, Ezra looked over to Sabine with surprise, but it was quickly replaced with a warm smile of pride. However, her own surprise did not fade as easily. She was taken aback by this news.
"Me?! A personal representative of Mandalore?! I- I'm honored! But… surely someone of greater experience amongst our people would be-"
"Mandalore doesn't want someone who has greater experience amongst our own ranks, Sabine," her mother interrupted, "He wants someone already familiar with the Rebels but someone who can also be relied on to respect his authority. You are the only one who fits that description. He knows the Rebels respect you, and if you help convey his word to them, it will carry more weight."
"It sounds like an acceptable arrangement to me," Kanan interjected, and Sabine briefly looked back over to him as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She then looked over to Ezra, who held his smile as he nodded at her. The two Jedi had no doubt she was up to the task. She lowered her head and closed her eyes for a moment, but upon looking back up at her mother and Rau, the latter two knew what her decision was.
"All right, I accept this charge. But please, see to it that the Darksaber is returned to Mandalore. It is far more fitting to be in his hands than mine," she frowned as she saw Rau shake his head, dismissing the request.
"Mandalore was clear that he wants you to keep it, as a token of his faith in your abilities. Your mother and I talked you up rather well I think," the middle-aged man smirked as he looked over to her mother. Her face remained stoic, but she nodded in agreement. Sabine couldn't help but smile, taking solace in the fact that everyone present was willing to stand by her.
"He trusts Rau's word more than my own, given our clan's past affiliations with Death Watch, but yes, I didn't hesitate to vouch for my daughter," her smile widened at the words of her mother, and Sabine bowed to both her and Rau respectfully.
"Thank you, all of you. I'll do my absolute best and nothing else," her words were resolute and dutiful as she stood back up straight.
"We know you will," Ezra told her warmly, and she looked back over to him. His smile had broken into a full-blown grin, and she had to reconstitute herself as to not blush in the presence of her mother. She knew it was selfish, but she was silently glad, somewhere in her mind, that Mandalore practically ordered her to stay with her other family for the time being. Ezra was also silently and just as equally grateful as well.
Two Days Prior:
Word had just come down inside the command station at Sandril Base that the mission to infiltrate the Imperial Fourth Fleet had been finalized and approved. In anticipation of potential naval combat should the mission go awry for one reason or another, all starships present at the base were being prepped, including the Ghost. Inside the cockpit of the modified light stock freighter, Hera was monitoring the diagnostics panel on the starboard wall while one of the ground teams refueled the ship outside. Footsteps, light and all too familiar to her, alerted the Twi'lek pilot that she had company approaching.
"I take it you and the others are about to ship out?" Hera asked Kanan from over her shoulder.
"Indeed, Lieutenant Andor will be flying us into this one. I wonder how he'll fare in comparison to you behind the controls," Kanan replied with a snarky tone and a grin as he folded his arms and leaned against the frame in the doorway. Hera smiled to herself while chuckling, knowing his game. He could always sense when she wasn't feeling alright, and she knew he didn't need to call upon the Force to do so at this point.
"Please, dear, I'm not interested in rivalries with others pilots over performance skills. Watch what you say next, though, unless you want to sleep on the couch for a few nights when you the rest of our crew return," this time as she spoke, she turned back to glance at him. Now it was his turn to chuckle, straightening himself as he walked further into the cockpit.
"Disparage your skills as a pilot? Not a chance," he smirked as he stopped in front of her. It fell as he saw her expression do the same while she looked down and off to the side, "I know we've lost a lot over the last few days, but don't be so eager to mourn, Hera. I don't intend to let myself or the others require any lifesaving," he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. She sighed, looking back up at him with pained eyes he could sense effortlessly.
"Just don't do anything stupid, okay?" she asked half-jokingly with a sad smile. Being apart for missions was never easy.
"Me? Not a chance!" he laughed and feigned insult as he retorted. Hera couldn't let him leave without a kiss, and he readily agreed.
With blasters blazing and the forward guns on the stolen transport shuttle firing away, the Rebel boarding team steadily advanced their way into the hangar bay. Both Zeb and Cassian provided cover fire with their rifles as the commandos fanned out. Ezra and Kanan along with Sabine all used their sabers to cut a swathe through the unfamiliar battle droids, which were quick and agile, but fell like cordwood when up against energy blades as most things mechanized or organic did. Nonetheless, a number of the Rebel commandos did take hits, but fortunately, no casualties. Not just yet, anyway. Kanan called out to those around and behind him as he sliced through the head of a battle droid with his saber.
"Destroy the cranial units of each droid! We don't want them transmitting out to the rest of the ship!"
"Exclamation: Way too late for that, pitiful meatbags!"
Over at the doorway at the end of the hangar bay, and it was apparent that reinforcements had arrived, with HK-47 on point. One look at the ancient assassin droid that had nearly killed both Sabine and himself, and Ezra narrowed his eyes viciously.
"You!" the padawan snarled. HK paid the youth no heed as he silently relayed further commands for the company of battle droids he'd commandeered, immediately directing them to encircle and fire at the Rebels. The firefight resumed.
"We need to fan out and break their line!" Sabine dodged a barrage of blasterfire sent at her head while she shouted to her Jedi companions and the other Rebels.
Ezra and Kanan did their absolute best to shield the Rebel commandos with their lightsabers, but the increasing pincer maneuver being performed by the mechanized soldiers was becoming too great to block, and one by one, the commandos not behind adequate cover were hit and taken down. From where he stood beside the Rebel officer on the boarding ramp, the Lasat warrior had a clear vantage point of the confined space for the ongoing battle.
"They're boxing us in! We're gonna be shot at from all sides unless we break their formation, now!"
"Take them out, now!" Cassian hurriedly relayed to the commando operating the forward guns on the transport shuttle back inside the starship.
Both barrels of the twin laser cannons opened fire, the heavy energy bolts blasting through the center of the Imperial line and destroying every one of the battle droids in the target zone. Once the gunner stopped firing, through the smoke in front of the Rebels, a lone rocket was fired dead center at the shuttle, striking just below the cockpit between the barrels of the laser cannons. Both Zeb and Cassian leaped from the boarding ramp and hit the deck just in time, but the ensuing explosion took out both laser cannons and destroyed the cockpit, killing the commando at the controls and effectively grounding the stolen starship.
Next, through the smoke still beyond the Rebels, twin glowing, yellow photoreceptors came into view, as did the ominous, humanoid-shaped silhouette around and below them. HK-47 was entering the battle, and as always, he was not sparing his foes a destructive entrance.
"Statement: I will be delivering your broken and charred remains to my master, meatbags!"
The Rebels held their ground and raised their weapons once more as even more of the unfamiliar battle droids arrived. Easily outnumbering their organic opponents five to one, the mechanized soldiers advanced and resumed the counterassault on the Rebel boarders. Taking aim with his blaster carbine as he joined his fellow droids in marching forward, HK took aim at Kanan and pulled the trigger. The blind Jedi Knight easily blocked every blaster bolt that came his way, but the heavy rate of fire from the carbine kept him pinned in place. He attempted to use his free hand to try and pull HK to him through the Force, and grumbled to himself upon discovering the droid had magnetized his feet to the floor.
"We can't match their numbers or their firepower; we'll need to take out the lead unit to tip the scales! Ezra, Sabine, take him out!"
Immediately, the young padawan and the teenage Mandalorian rushed the ancient assassin droid, Ezra coming in from the right flank, and Sabine through the left. They had to dodge and block incoming fire from multiple droids, taking a few out as they closed in. With his own free hand, Ezra seized the blaster carbine through the Force and pulled it from HK's grip. Recognizing instantly that Ezra could counter him with the Force, HK took aim with his left wrist and fired another rocket at Ezra's feet as Sabine moved into melee range. Leaping through the air, Ezra was able to avoid the rocket as it detonated on the floor beneath him. Simultaneously, Sabine swung the Darksaber at HK with both hands, but the droid easily ducked to avoid the blade while spinning on one foot, using his free leg to trip her and knock her to the floor on her back. She had to roll out of the way as fast as she could to avoid his flamethrower, which she did just in the nick of time. HK could have easily simply adjusted it's trajectory to still set the Mandalorian on fire, but he now had two Jedi bearing down on him.
Raising his right arm to Kanan who charged him at the middle, HK let loose another jet of flame, forcing the Jedi Knight to jump back to avoid being caught in it. The droid barely had time to lean back to avoid the green lightsaber being brought down on him, be he did so regardless. Ezra gasped as he felt HK's left hand grab hold of his wrists, and choked out a startled yelp when a hard metal fist, courtesy of HK's right hand, slammed into his stomach. The heavy punch to the gut effectively knocked the wind out of the young Padawan, and he quickly fell to his knees and then to the floor as his lightsaber disengaged. Seeing that Kanan was back at the ready, HK proceeded to fire yet another wrist rocket. The blind Jedi Knight didn't need his eyes to sense the danger and caught the explosive projective through the Force with his free hand the instant it was less than two feet from his chest. Slamming his left foot down onto Ezra to keep the boy stunned, HK drew a concealed blaster pistol and took aim at the rocket that Kanan was struggling to keep away from him, holding it still in midair. HK pulled the trigger just as Kanan successfully send the rocket flying back through the Force, causing it to detonate at equal distance between them. The ensuing blast caused neither individual harm, but Ezra was suddenly freed from where he was pinned under HK's foot as the droid stumbled back from the force of the blast.
With no time for pause, HK ducked and dodged two more swings from the Darksaber before he performed a roadhouse kick within the blink of an eye. His right foot slammed into her side, and Sabine choked out a gasp of her own as her own wind was knocked out of her. Stunned and on the floor once again, she didn't notice the droid as he took aim with his blaster.
"No!"
Spinning around with his blaster raised, HK was unprepared as a whirling green blade sliced through his right arm, literally disarming him of his blaster and flamethrower at the same time. A strong hand on his chassis, amplified through the Force, held him in place. Before the ancient assassin droid could react any further, another swing of the blade removed his head. Ezra couldn't resist an ominous smirk of satisfaction as he saw the head clatter to the floor with a bang and roll several feet away as the body fell back from his grip and hit the floor with a loud thud. The yellow photoreceptors faded out as HK-47 shut down.
"Systems failing, masteeeerrrrrr…" the final word was stretched out as his voice faded as well.
Kanan moved to assist Zeb and the others with finishing off the remaining battle droids while Ezra walked over to Sabine, offering her his free hand to help her up, which she accepted while recollecting the disengaged Darksaber.
"Not bad, Jedi," Sabine appraised with a grin.
"You weren't so off yourself, Mando'ad," Ezra returned the gesture, referring to her in her native language. He knew a few of the words from his time with her thus far.
"How touching…"
"Ezra, Sabine, watch out!"
The ominous, condescending voice of the Grand Inquisitor, and the frantic warning from Kanan alerted the young padawan and the teenage Mandalorian to the arrival of Dunkel Nachtgeist, flanked by Inquisitor Jerec and Special Operative Kavir Oslan. Both practitioners of the Dark Side had their sabers drawn and ignited, though only one blade each, while Kavir held his blaster pistol up in his right hand and had a vibroknife drawn in his left. His eyes were wide, his expression one of surprise. He was visibly startled at the unexpected revelation that his former allies in the Rebellion were in the boarding party that had attacked the hangar. However, for the moment, it seemed the primary focus of the Rebels remained on the two Inquisitors off to his side. Nachtgeist, meanwhile, took a moment to eye his fallen droid, his own expression hardening at the sight as he shifted his gaze back to Ezra and Sabine.
"It's no small feat that you were able to take down that droid. He's killed countless of both your kind over the millennia. It's a testament to your abilities, but make no mistake, your interference with this operation is at an end."
"They only took his head and arm off; shouldn't be that difficult of a patch job for a droid," Jerec grinned sadistically as he spoke, his mind anticipating the slaughter. He didn't need his eyes to sense every heart beating in the hangar before them.
"Wait, Jerec?" Kanan immediately walked over at a brisk pace, recognizing the voice of the older Inquisitor instantly. The Human in question didn't need more than five seconds to ascertain the identity of the blind Jedi Knight, and his twisted grin merely widened as he chuckled.
"Caleb Dume… it's been some time, hasn't it? How fares your noble master?" his tone was dark and sarcastic, mocking the former padawan of the deceased Jedi Master Depa Bilaba. Kanan narrowed his sightless eyes beneath his mask as he grimaced at the remark, but quickly reconstituted himself. He wouldn't play into the hands of this psychopath who betrayed the Order. He replied while raising his blue blade at the Inquisitor.
"I'd heard that you went and joined the Empire, but it looks like now I have confirmation of that fact. Spineless coward, you turned your back on all of us!" Kanan's expression hardened further as Jerec merely laughed at him.
"Ha! What good is loyalty if it just gets you killed? There's nothing but pure logic in joining the winning side."
"Just how many survivors did you murder, huh? Friends, brothers, sisters, how many?!"
"More than you'd like to know, that much I'm certain of," now his grin was ear to ear as Jerec chuckled sinisterly.
As much as Ezra and Sabine were surprised to hear Kanan referred to in another name, one the man apparently recognized, the sight of their former teammate standing alongside the Inquisitors demanded immediate retort.
"Kavir?! What the kriff are you doing with these guys?!" Sabine practically shrieked in confusion and in outrage. Ezra's wide eyes and dropped jaw, all in disbelief, narrowed and closed respectively as he saw their former partner eye them with an impassive expression.
"If you have something to say, I suggest you say it now!" the Padawan growled as all three Rebels raised their weapons, holding them aloft in both hands. Kavir said nothing, however, and simply took aim with his blaster. At this point, Nachtgeist decided the delay had gone on too long for his liking.
"Enough! One chance, insurgents, lay down your weapons and surrender, or face the consequences for your defiance."
"Never!" Ezra shouted, completely irate that the apparent revelation that Kavir was alive and a traitor all along.
"Then you will suffer as you must," was all Nachtgeist said in reply. With a silent nod to his cohorts, the three Imperials launched their attack, surging forward all at once.
Ezra wasted no time going straight for Kavir, easily blocking and deflecting every blaster bolt shot at him. Those that were redirected back at the agent, the latter avoided effortlessly. Kanan and Sabine attempted to block the path of Nachtgeist and Jerec, but the former of the two Inquisitors sped past them, leaping through the air in the blink of an eye directly at the Rebel commandos, whose numbers had already been reduced by half courtesy of the battle droids. Jerec wouldn't let the Jedi Knight or the Mandalorian try to intervene, activating the second blade on his doublesaber.
Firing blasts of Force lightning from his free hand while bringing his custom-built lightsaber down with his right, Grand Inquisitor Dunkel Nachtgeist proceeded to cut a swathe through the Rebel line, killing one commando after the next with no strain on his part. Both Zeb and Cassian attempted to gun him down, but deflected blaster bolts brought them to the floor rather quickly. Wounded and stunned, the two were helpless as the last of the other commandos, save one, were finished off. The final was shocked into unconsciousness.
"How could you?! What the hell are you?!" Ezra roared, oblivious to everything else going on but his fight with Kavir, who blocked the Padawan's lightsaber with his cortosis-weaved, alloy vibroknife. Holstering his blaster in his right hand, Kavir drew another vibroknife.
"I am a man with too much to lose by staying with the losing side. I'm sorry, Ezra," his expression remained neutral, but through his silver eyes, Kavir allowed but a glimmer of pain and regret to escape them. For his own part, Ezra felt his glare slacken a bit. It didn't last.
The young Padawan blocked and parried every swipe of the twin knives while retaliating at every opportunity. Thrusting his left hand out, Ezra used the Force to throw Kavir back, but the startled turncoat quickly recovered his footing in time to block the green blade coming down on him. Ezra swerved to the side to avoid the second knife which was aimed at his stomach.
"Two Jedi and a Mandalorian fighting side by side. My, how things change," Jerec mused aloud, his ever-present and malignant grin beneath the strip of black fabric covering his sightless eyes. He didn't stop his demented chuckling, a combination of condescension and malice. It slightly unnerved both Kanan and Sabine, but they wouldn't relent. The latter retorted first.
"It's a testament to how many are willing to band together against the Empire!" Sabine spat defiantly, attempting to cleave her blade through his flank, but he blocked it after knocking Kanan back.
"It's a testament to how many are going to die for their foolishness," Jerec laughed. He moved to seize her throat through the Force, but opted to push her back instead once he sensed Kanan resuming his own offensive. The older Human twirled his doublesaber around in an acrobatic display as he countered Kanan's Soresu Form, "Your skills have improved since your days as a student, that much is clear, but it won't be enough, Jedi."
"We'll see about that!" Kanan fired back, to which Jerec laughed again.
"Pun intended? Is that your strategy, make my sides hurt?" the grin on the blind Inquisitor returned, to which the blind Jedi Knight retorted.
"Hey, whatever gets the job done!" as he finished, Kanan could sense Sabine had gotten back up on her feet, this time raising the Darksaber in her right hand, and one of her blasters in her left. At that moment, however, the battle came to an abrupt, painful end. Ezra and Kanan both sensed the impending danger, but only for a split second and not nearly enough time to act.
Multiple bolts of Force lightning surged into the backs of the two Jedi and the Mandalorian, and the trio could only scream in agony as they were hoisted telekinetically off the ground with the electricity freely flowing into them. The Grand Inquisitor stood behind them, his arms outstretched and hands splayed open and facing down, lightning shooting from his fingertips. The white and blue streaks and flashes were reflected in his eyes as he watched their torment without a word. Finally, he ceased his attack and dropped his arms, allowing the three to plummet back to the floor, completely knocked out cold with their weapons disengaged, dropping from their hands in the process. Both Jerec and Kavir regarded Nachtgeist with simultaneous and silent nods, knowing he intended to take the survivors alive. He addressed them readily and clearly.
"These six will be delivered to our lords for questioning, a fitting tribute. For now, they will be modestly treated and placed in stasis cells. I will leave the two of you to lock down the hangar and see to their transfer. I also want HK taken over to the workshops. I expect this to be completed within the next twenty minutes, as we have a schedule to keep to."
"Of course, sir," Jerec nodded once again.
"It will be done," Kavir bowed.
Three standard days had passed. The Imperial Fourth Fleet, led by the Infinite Reformer and the Furious Vengeance, barreled through the beautiful chaos of hyperspace en route to Hutta. It was atop the dome-shaped complex that featured the bridge on the superstructure of the Infinite Reformer, the large cylindrical structure that protruded dead center served as the observation tower. It was at the very top of the ancient capital ship. A single strip of interconnected planes of glass along the barrel of the cylinder at the top formed a single, long viewport similar to the bridge further below at two hundred and forty degrees.
The very back of the chamber was a drop off into a chasm that led down to the lowest levels of the superstructure thousands of feet below. Only a single handrail separated it from the rest of the chamber. Twin doors on both sides at the back just before the railings led in and out of the chamber. In the millennia before the rise of the Old Republic, generals, admirals, scientists, and nobility of the Rakata and their Infinite Empire would watch the power of the vessel as it was unleashed on unsuspecting worlds below.
Now, however, it held but one occupant, the Grand Inquisitor. Approaching a lone, polished, gold-painted pedestal near the front several steps behind the forward glass, the menacing Dark Side master delicately placed the Holocron of Darth Revan on it. It would be from this very spot that his plans would soon come to fruition, one way or another. He was pulled from his musings by the sound of footsteps coming up behind him were not lost on him. He could sense who it was without even turning around.
"If you have something to say, agent, speak freely but make it quick. I have final preparations to make; we'll be arriving at our destination shortly."
"You seriously intend to hand this ship over to the Emperor once the battle is over?" the former freedom fighter already knew the answer, but he needed to hear it from the man in front of him, personally.
"I do, and it shall be done. His Exalted Excellency requires the handoff of this vessel for his own ends, and as his faithful servants, it is our duty to follow through," not even a single shred of doubt or uncertainty was in the tone of the Grand Inquisitor, only cold resolution and stoic commitment. It unnerved Kavir to no end, every time he was in the presence of this master of the Dark Side. Swallowing down the lump that formed in his throat, he steeled his nerves. The time was now, there was no turning back.
"As you say, sir…" slowly, as delicately as he could, the young man from Ord Mantell found his grip on his blaster with his right hand, while reaching into a pouch on his utility belt with his left.
In the next instant, as quickly as he could, Kavir lobbed a primed thermal detonator directly at the head of the Grand Inquisitor. The moment it was about a foot away from his hooded cranium, a blaster bolt collided with the heavy grenade and the ensuing explosion easily engulfed the spot where Nachtgeist was standing. Three more thermal detonators with precisely-timed blaster bolts were added over the next few seconds. The blasts rattled the entire chamber, the fire and smoke consuming the space in front of the resistance defector, who held his blaster up, barrel firmly aimed at the spot where his target had been standing. Sweat rolled down his face, leftover adrenaline coursing through him as he panted, finally lowering his weapon a few moments later.
"Did… did that… do it…?" he slowly muttered aloud despite himself. The sound of two boot soles setting foot on the metal floor behind him, the swish of cloak, and a menacing pair of two crimson eyes he could feel peering into him without even turning around answered his question before the sinister and serious voice of Dunkel Nachtgeist did so for him. It was enough to cause his face to break out in a cold sweat, a chill running down his spine at the instant the single word met his ears.
"No."
A/N: And so it begins, ladies and gentlemen. Part 1 of the 4 part finale is done, and more yet remains. The next chapter is when the final showdown truly begins, and rest assured, no detail or effort will be spared like always.
Another most sincere thank you to my beta reader Wikked Grin for his continued and valued assistance. The same also goes to the rest of you as always for taking the time to read and support my work. Chapters 10 and 11 will be pinnacle of this trilogy, and both are already in progress. Chapter 10 should be out sometime next week as per usual. Until then, once more, may the Force be with you all! :)
