We're marching into the last bit of this story...:) Thank you The Giant Daifuku and Riku Uzumaki for reviewing chapter ten! I included a bit more humor in this chapter. :D Well...kinda. A short bit.
Vader contacted Starkiller again when Corellia was in sight. This time Juno was in the room, standing back with Balthier as they watched the apprentice receive orders. Well, almost. Starkiller looked fairly reluctant to speak with his master again, after what had happened the last time.
"The Emperor's enemies are still scared," Starkiller murmured, head bowed. "I am just now earning their trust. If I am ever discovered talking to you, if they even suspect my past...all that will be destroyed."
"Do not wait too long to contact me."
And that was the end of it. Vader's image retreated, and PROXY walked off the slightest bit shaken up, heading into the cargo hold. Juno, biting her lip, approached Starkiller while Balthier stood still, watching the floor with intense concentration.
"Can you trust him?" she asked.
"Vader won't risk my mission, even if he has doubts about me. Have we arrived?"
"We've reached Corellia. They're all here, Bail and his allies." She paused, crossing her arms. "You have your Rebel Alliance, now what are you going to do with it?"
Starkiller touched her shoulder, and Balthier grimaced. "Just trust me, okay? I'm doing the right thing, for the both of us."
She left to go prepare for the meeting, and as Starkiller made for the door he was startled, only realizing then that Balthier was there. The sky pirate's face was hidden by the shadows, but his glare was evidently focused on the floor. Waving his hand, Starkiller tried to get Balthier's attention, all the while hoping not to upset him anymore.
"Balthier, you've been acting...different for a while now," the apprentice said quietly. "Even before Vader captured us, you weren't acting like your usual self. But ever since we escaped the Empirical, it's almost like you're..."
"Mad?" Balthier smirked, walking forward. "No, I'm completely sane right now. At least, that's...what I hope. But never you mind; go to your girl, if you must. I'll just stay here and wallow in my self hatred."
"Juno's worried about you."
"Is she? Huh. Didn't think she cared about anyone but you..."
Starkiller frowned. "What's going on with you?"
At first he was afraid to answer. Balthier faced the wall, resting his arm against it and lowering his head, thoughts running rampant in his mind. There was only one focus, one person he ever thought of. Yet he would never return to her, for Ivalice was a long ways away now. After all, this was a completely different galaxy. Ashe must have won back her kingdom by now, right? Vaan and Penelo were probably sky pirates, too, and Basch was more than likely a knight of the Order again. And Fran—she must have been worried sick about him. Six months was far too long to be away...
"This darkness," Balthier whispered solemnly, "it's something I should be afraid of...But here I am, welcoming it with open arms."
"Darkness?"
"The dark side. Don't you understand, Starkiller? I know now that I'm not meant to return to Ivalice."
Balthier wandered into the bridge, where Juno looked at him expectantly. She was standing with PROXY by the exit ramp, pulling on her jacket and tying her hair into a short ponytail. He wanted to say something to her, to apologize for how cruel he'd been, but then he remembered: she wouldn't understand. No one would. Balthier grabbed his dual pistols and then turned toward an out cold Kota at the table.
"Some Jedi you are," Balthier murmured, departing the ship. Just as he stepped outside in the snowy land of Corellia, he was nearly swept away with a harsh, icy cold wind. "Oh, for the love of—! Why didn't anyone warn me it would be this damn cold?"
Huddled up to a fire in the corner of the temple, Balthier was constantly rubbing his hands together to keep warm. It was strange and troubling: no matter how hard he tried, his hands would stay cold. Juno cast him a concerned glance, but he ignored her and continued muttering curses at himself. Starkiller was pacing back and forth, waiting for the senators to come to an agreement. There were a number of lower class soldiers guarding the doors, their rifles held in an upright position. Around the table, of course, were the senators muttering to one another. Bail Organa was there, along with Garm Bel Iblis (a gruff looking older man), Mon Mothma (a woman with a stubborn persona) and Princess Leia, though she was merely a hologram projected by PROXY.
"We agree that the time for diplomacy and politics has passed," Bail spoke up, firmly resting his hands atop the table. "It is time for action. If you're willing to lead us, then we'll join your alliance."
"I will join his rebellion, too, if I'm welcome," came a noble voice from the door. Kota, clean shaven and no longer hiding his cloudy eyes, stood there. He approached the table, earning a smug look from Starkiller.
"I thought you were passed out in the cargo hold."
"I finally came to."
Bail smiled proudly. "It is settled, then. My wealth will fund the Rebellion, while Garm provides our fleet and Mon Mothma our soldiers." He turned toward Starkiller. "And with you leading us, we have the power of the Force on our side. Therefore let this be an official declaration of rebellion! Today, we all vow to change this galaxy, and one day the galaxy will be free."
A sudden explosion outside violently shook the temple, clouds of snow falling from the roof onto the table and the heads of the senators. Starkiller whirled around just as Balthier stood up, both staring outside the tall window.
"No..."
A massive fleet of Imperial starships flew above, looming on the insignificant temple like a fearsome shadow. The door burst open, unleashing a horde of stormtroopers into the room that immediately broke out into a blaster fight with the Rebel guards. Bail spun, wide eyes frantically looking toward Leia's projection.
"PROXY!" he yelled. "Cut transmission!"
The droid shed Leia's appearance just before the tall, horrific figure of Darth Vader marched into the temple. He paid no attention to the fight playing before him and only gazed upon the frightened and angry faces around the table.
"Take them alive," he ordered. "The Emperor wants to execute them personally."
Kota ignited his green lightsaber and charged Vader, only to be stopped with Force-choke. He was hanging in the air like a puppet on strings, and writhing like a fish gasping for breath. Vader tossed the general aside into the wall, and he was instantly rendered unconscious. The stormtroopers surrounded the Rebel senators, guns at the ready. Balthier swallowed hard, fingers inching closer to his blaster pistols. He looked at Juno, who, like him, wasn't sure what to do.
"You have done well, my apprentice," Vader said. Starkiller froze.
"You agreed to stay away!" he exclaimed, anger taking over.
"I lied, as I have from the very beginning."
He used the Force and threw the stone table at Starkiller, propelling his body into the snow outside. As he went to battle his apprentice, the stormtroopers gathered up the senators and took down the last of the Rebel soldiers. Balthier grabbed Juno and shoved her through the window, drawing his pistols in the same swift motion.
"Balthier—!"
"Get out of here, Juno!" Balthier spat. "To the ship—go!"
He dashed into the fray, tackling the stormtrooper that was cuffing Bail's hands. Balthier straddled the man, his arm firmly pressed against the stormtrooper's neck, the other holding the blaster pistol to his head. Smirking ear-to-ear, he pulled at the trigger, only to feel nothing but air shooting out. No bullets! A blow to the chest was his reward, and Balthier was soon sprawled out on the glazed floor, head spinning like mad.
"Damn insurgence," one of the stormtroopers cursed over him. Another chained Balthier's hands together, dragging him to his feet.
"Resistance," Balthier murmured tiredly; he could barely keep himself awake. As soon as he was forced into the transport carrier ship, he gave in and slept.
