Disclaimer: "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek", "Star Wars" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: To all my readers-
To "Yami n", no, I don't THINK so…at least, not at the moment!
To "Wonderbee31", things will get even more intense, as times go on. Stay tuned!
Part 10: "Frozen"
Last time: Thanks to the intervention of Sailor Pluto, Mari ("Sailor Io") Furuhata was able to acquire the famed "Jedi Holicron", the virtual encyclopedia of the Jedi Order. Also, thanks to obtaining the Lunarian "disguise pen", Mari was able to join the Rebel Alliance, as a co-pilot of her friend Luke Skywalker of Tattooine, to take out the Galactic Imperium's "Death Star".
Needless to say, Empress Serenity was NOT pleased with this development.
After punishing Darth Vader for his failure to take out the Rebel base on Yavin 4, as well as the lost of a key asset, Serenity has instituted a "pogrom", cementing the notion that the lost of the "Death Star" will not soften her iron fist.
And now, our story continues…
Hoth.
For the past 18 months, the Rebel Alliance's HQ has been in a state of hiding from the roving eye the Empress' forces. The frozen wasteland that was Hoth would serve in that purpose, since the planet was the furthest away from Imperium traffic.
On the surface, pair of taun-tauns (i.e. bipedal snow lizards) is being used to patrol the region, since their "snow speeders" have yet to get acclimated to the weather.
"Can't we get back inside, Luke?" Mari said, as she took off her arctic goggles. She would have preferred to back on Yavin 4, but with Empress Serenity and her forces looking for the Rebel Alliance…
And speaking of the Empress, it was still hard to believe that there was an evil version of Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo running around. She was tempted to go see her, but Zeus, her animal companion advised against it. At this point, there was no real way to determine her state of mind. Mari did hope that THIS Serenity was mind-controlled or something, though.
"We will, we will," Luke said, as he took out his communicator. "This is Commanders Luke Skywalker and Furuhata. We're almost done, over."
"This is HQ," said the response over the link. "Conclude your business quickly. We have an incoming storm approaching your position. Over."
"Understood. Over and out."
"Let's just hurry," Mari says. Then, her taun-taun was whining. "What's up, boy?"
Then, Mari's senses alarmed.
"Wha-?"
Suddenly, a clawed hand comes to her face-
BAM!
"Mari!" Luke called out.
Unfortunately, Mari fell into a state of unconsciousness.
Coruscant.
Empress Serenity sat on her throne, as she listened to the latest briefing from her newest minions. She was dressed in her usual dark robes and dress, half listening.
"-And we feel that we can force the Hutts into abiding Imperium directives within the next few weeks," says Supreme Grand Moff Hoshi Sato, as she accepted her report from her subordinate Admiral John Archer. It was no secret that he hated being in the position that he was in, especially as a minion to the very person who was once his plaything.
"Admiral Archer will be coordinated the appropriate number of ship and personnel to choke off the black market throughout the Hutt territory."
"Thank you, Moff Sato," Serenity says, as she peers into the eyes of Admiral Archer. "Moff Sato, you are dismissed. Admiral Archer, please remain. I have a word with you…in private."
Sato nods her head, and turns to leave. Then, Serenity turns her attention to Archer.
"Admiral Archer, I need your…opinion on your status in my kingdom."
Archer looked at Serenity.
"Permission to be candid…Your Highness."
Serenity smirks.
"You may."
"I think it is a crime that someone like YOU is where you're at, while I am your…servant."
"Humph," Serenity says, as she steps down from her throne. She glides over to Archer. She moves close to Archer's ear.
"You had no problem using a helpless girl for your own ends, right John-kun?"
She then goes over to Archer's other ear.
"And if I recall, you were more than ready to conduct a mutiny to further your ambition in your so-called 'Earth Empire', right John-kun?"
Serenity then glides away from her minion.
"If you feel that way about me, why let me live?" Archer asked.
"Simply put," Serenity says, as she sits back into her seat. "Letting you live is my way of thank you for making me the 'woman' that I am today. That night, when you beat me into submission, before you took my 'maidenhood', was the turning point in my life. Before you, I was a naïve little girl who wanted to please everyone. My friends…my advisors…my Mother…my…Prince…they all wanted what's best for me. And I believed in their faith so much that I became a willing cipher. After all, I was destined to be their future Queen. How can I not do anything but to please them?
"And after I met you…I learned that life was neither fair nor balanced. Sure, I fought against evil as a soldier of Love and Justice. Ha! There's no such THING. In this universe, no matter where and when, there's only Lust and Injustice. And only the strong, not the meek, will reign supreme. And I refuse to be 'meek'."
Serenity pauses for a moment.
"And I have YOU to thank for, since it was YOU that allowed me to 'grow up'. You're dismiss, Admiral Archer."
Archer nods, and turns to leave.
"Oh, and Admiral?"
Archer returns his gaze back to Serenity.
"I know what you are planning on to do with those supply ships that have not been registered with Moff Sato. DO NOT CROSS ME. I can just as easily put you back in carbonite. Are we clear on this matter?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Hoth.
Mari woke up, and found herself in some liquid tube. She was about to panic, when she heard Luke's soothing thoughts.
It's okay, Mari. I'm here.
Luke?
Yes, it's me. A Wampa attacked you.
Oh…
But the medical droid said that you'd be fine. Rest easy, partner.
Oh, okay.
Some how, even in the frozen wasteland, Mari could feel the love from her friends. It was a comfortable thought, being so far from home.
Meanwhile, near the Hoth system, a Super Imperium Star Destroyer passes by, where a certain Sith Lord is examining his newly acquired cybernetic arm, thanks to his "administrative punishment". Furthermore, Vader was prohibited from removing his black armor in public until Serenity says otherwise, as part of his punishment.
"Lord Vader?" said a voice.
Darth Vader turns to his immediate subordinate Admiral T'Pol. Her cold demeanor rivaled Vader's. Many people around her were wondering if the Admiral was a Sith Acolyte.
"Yes, Admiral?"
"I believe that the probes may have picked up the location of the HQ of the Rebel Alliance," T'Pol says, as she handed Vader her report. While T'Pol hated being away from her home on Vulcan, and hated being forced to serve Empress Serenity, her curiosity about wielding so much authority over humans piqued her self-interests. And besides, there was always a way to use her present circumstance to her advantage later on. After all, her race was long-lived.
"I recommend a more thorough investigation of the Hoth system," T'pol says. "Logically, such a place would make an excellent hiding place for the Rebels."
Vader looks out into space, and then tosses T'Pol's data pad to a nearby aide.
"Admiral, prepare an assault team on the surface of Hoth itself," Vader says, as he turns to leave, with T'Pol at his side. "The rebels are there, and so are the last vestiges of the Jedi Order!"
"Yes, Lord Vader," T'Pol replies.
Tbc.
Author's note: I will be using Obi-Wan Kenobi in a much later chapter, during the post- "Return of the Jedi" years. Both he and Palpatine/Darth Sidious will return in a big way, which will complicate matters for Empress Serenity (and don't worry, I didn't spoil anything; one way or another, Serenity will survive ROTJ, but in what state is for me to know and you to find out!). Also, should there be a romance for Mari? If so, then who should she be with? Luke? Han? Lando? Anakin/Vader? Obi-Wan? How about Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, Yoda, Leia or Serenity? Just kidding…or am I? It could be anyone from both the movies, comics or book series, so let me know. After all, things have to develop naturally, right? C&C are welcomed.
Next time: Scattered.