Starkiller is now a prisoner. But maybe he can cut a few deals...
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Your instincts will never do you wrong.
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Starkiller sat outside the Chancellor's office, six clone troopers standing near him. Sitting across from him was Luminara Unduli and her padawan, who she had introduced as Barriss Offee.
There was silence for the most part, except for the breathing from Starkiller's helmet.
"So here we are again," Starkiller asked lightly. Luminara gave a small smile. "It appears so," she said. Starkiller glanced at Barriss Offee, who looked like she was about to have a heart attack.
"Your padawan looks nervous," Starkiller noted. "What do you expect? Stories about you have struck fear in padawans, younglings, and even full Jedi," Luminara told him. Starkiller felt a twinge of guilt.
"I guess I should've expected that," Starkiller said quietly. It took a few moments before Luminara understood what she had said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" she began, but the door to the Chancellor's office opened, and out stepped Ahsoka. "He wants to see you now," she said to Starkiller.
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Starkiller walked into the large office, all eyes on him. He didn't expect so many people to be there. Behind the desk sat the Chancellor, who looked deep in thought.
Around the room were multiple guards, their weapons at the ready. Luminara walked behind Starkiller while Barriss stayed in the hallway, closing the door.
Around the room were multiple figures Starkiller knew all-too-well. Jedi Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Shaak Ti, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aayla Secura, and Kit Fisto were spread out around the room. Anakin Skywalker was there too, of course. In seats nearby were Senators Padme Amidala, Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and Garm Bel Iblis. Also there was that gold protocol droid Starkiller had shocked on the Malevolence and the two clone troopers from Maridun. Rex and Bly.
All heads turned to the Sith Lord in the room. He could tell from their thoughts that most of them were unsure of what to do with him. Starkiller approached the center of the room and stopped.
"General Starkiller. We meet at last," the Chancellor said pleasantly. "To be honest, I expected our first meeting to be under different circumstances," Starkiller said. A few eyebrows raised, but the Chancellor chuckled lightly.
"Please, have a seat," he offered, gesturing to a chair. Starkiller cautiously sat down, throwing a few glances to the assembled Jedi around him. All of them were nervous, but some threw him small smiles.
"So why am I here?" Starkiller asked. "You surrendered to us, general. You tell us why you are here," The Chancellor told him.
Great, he's using riddles, Starkiller thought sarcastically. So Starkiller leaned forward and spoke. "Truthfully, I don't know why I'm here. Never once during this whole war did I consider surrendering to the Republic. But I did, and I wound up here. So now, my fate is in your hands, Chancellor."
There was a silence that followed, and the Chancellor gave a small smile. "Something must have changed your mind. After all, you did surrender," he said. Starkiller shrugged and said "I just got tired of the same old routine. Do missions for Dooku, kill clones and Jedi, take a lightsaber or two, repeat. Not to mention Dooku attacking innocent colonies. Bottom line: I'm not with the Separatists anymore."
Then Yoda stepped forward. Starkiller looked at him, as did the Chancellor. "This boy... Gifted with the Force he is. Made your decision, have you?" the small Master asked the Chancellor.
Starkiller had no idea what they were talking about until the Chancellor nodded and turned to him. "General Starkiller. As you may have noticed, most of the people in this room are people you have fought against. They've all been summoned here to discuss your future, and we've come to a decision," the Chancellor said.
Mace Windu walked forward this time and spoke. "We believe in the promise of redemption. You have shown us many times that the Dark Side has not completely taken you over," he told the handicapped Sith Lord.
"Okay. Where is this going?" Starkiller asked. The Chancellor finished with "If you are willing, the Jedi would like to take you in and make you a member of the Jedi Order."
Starkiller's ears were ringing. Did he really mean that? Did the Jedi really want him in their Order? The Chancellor was allowing this? Starkiller's mind was spinning with questions and scenarios. But before he could give a response, the Chancellor spoke up. "Also, we have noticed that you have to wear that helmet to survive. Senator Amidala is willing to donate a large sum of credits for an operation to have the damage done to your lungs repaired," he said, gesturing to the Senator. Out of all the people there... She was the one helping Starkiller?
Starkiller was amazed he didn't faint. But he pulled his thoughts together to say something. "Those are two generous offers, Chancellor. Only a mad man would back down from it. But I have to make one last small request," he said. The Chancellor raised an eyebrow and asked "What might that be?"
"I wish to take a ship to Raxus Prime," Starkiller said simply. He could easily sense the confusion throughout the room. "Why would you want to go to Raxus Prime?" Palpatine asked.
"Call it a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Something's telling me I have to go there. I might find something important," Starkiller told him. The Chancellor was silent for a few moments. Then he sighed and said "Very well. But you will be escorted by a Jedi. As a precaution."
Starkiller nodded and stood, as did everyone else in the room. "Thank you, Chancellor," Starkiller said, bowing. The Chancellor smiled and said "Welcome to the Republic, Starkiller."
Starkiller shook his head, saying "No. I'm not Starkiller anymore. My name is Galen." The confusion from earlier was now turned into shock. "Very well, Galen. How soon do you wish to leave for Raxus Prime?" the Chancellor asked.
"As soon as possible," Starkiller/Galen responded. The Chancellor nodded and said "I'll send for a ship. Good luck."
Thank the Force that didn't last long, Galen thought. At least he had avoided the long hellish road of politics.
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The Chancellor's office was cleared out. Most of the Jedi nodded to Galen, then left. Guess that's the warmest welcome I'll get from them," he thought. Then out walked Skywalker, Secura, Ahsoka, Shaak Ti, and Luminara.
"Look's like that day has come," Shaak Ti said to him, smiling. "Looks like it," he said. The two bowed to each other, and Shaak Ti walked away. Galen turned to the four remaining Jedi. Well, three Jedi and padawan.
"So... What happens now?" he asked. "That's for the Council to decide. They are your Masters now," Secura told him. "I guess that makes the three of you my superiors," Galen said, referring to Skywalker, Secura, and Luminara.
"I guess it does," Skywalker said, smirking. Galen sighed in annoyance, but straightened when he saw Masters Windu and Yoda walking out of the Chancellor's office.
"You are to go with Skywalker and Tano to Raxus Prime. When you get back, we will discuss your future in the Order," Windu told Galen, who nodded and said "Yes... Master."
Windu nodded and walked away, but Yoda stayed behind. "A powerful Jedi you will be, young Galen. But control your dark urges, you must. Have faith in you, I do," the diminutive Master said before walking away.
The other Jedi were stunned. Yoda had just met the guy, and already he was believing Galen could be turned to the Light.
"Before we go, I have something I need to do," Galen said to Skywalker, who responded with "What might that be?"
Galen gestured to the lightsabers on his belt. "I've got to give these to the Temple. They aren't mine anymore. They're just horrible trophies," he said bitterly.
"I'll take them with me. You go to Raxus Prime," Secura said, holding out her hand. Galen pulled his belt off, removed his Sith lightsaber, and gave the belt to Secura.
"And as for this..." he said, looking at his Sith lightsaber. In a quick movement, the Sith lightsaber let out a loud crack as it was crushed into a ball shape.
"What will you use on Raxus Prime?" Skywalker asked. Galen shrugged and said "I don't know. But I'm never using this again."
"You should get going," Luminara said. Galen nodded and bowed to the two Jedi Masters before walking away, Skywalker and Ahsoka behind him.
Skywalker sensed something was wrong and looked at his new ally. "What's wrong, Galen?" he asked. The ex-Sith Lord looked up and said "It's just... I never told anyone that my lungs were the problem. How did Palpatine know?"
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On the bridge of the Resolute, Yularen eyed Galen with suspicion, as did most of the clones there. Yularen had heard that they were getting a visitor. He didn't expect the dark form of General Starkiller to show up.
"Admiral, plot a course for Raxus Prime," Skywalker ordered. Yularen nodded and sent a few troopers on the job, still keeping his eyes on the dark figure.
"You got a problem?" Galen asked him. Yularen blinked and turned away. Skywalker rolled his eyes. He knew something like this was gonna happen. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the crew followed.
Galen walked up to Skywalker and asked "So what do you think of all this? The idea of me being a Jedi?"
Skywalker shrugged. "You never know. If there's anything I've learned, it's that life is full of surprises. But I think it's a wise choice. We could use your help in this war," he said. Galen thought about that for a few moments.
Then the helmeted man began to walk away, not saying a word. On his way out, Admiral Yularen shot him a look. Galen threw him a glare from under the helmet before walking through the doors, which closed behind him.
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Ahsoka sat in the Twilight with R2, checking all systems in preparation for the landing on Raxus Prime. R2 gave a few beeps to say that all the systems were clear. "Thanks Artooie," Ahsoka said, a little halfheartedly. Starkiller was going by his real name, ready to become a Jedi, and get his lungs repaired. Why did she feel so uneasy? Shouldn't she feel happy?
Behind her, a familiar noise popped up. She turned in her chair to see Galen standing in the doorway, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. "Came to check up on you. You've been quiet since the meeting with the Chancellor," he explained.
Ahsoka just shrugged and said "I know you're with us now, but I can't help but feel something is wrong. Like something's going to happen."
Galen walked forward and saw down in the seat next to the young Togruta girl. "I've had that feeling before. Trust your instincts, Ahsoka. They're usually right," Galen told her. "How do you know?" she asked. Galen chuckled under the helmet and said "I'm on your side now, aren't I?"
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After a while of Galen talking with Ahsoka, Skywalker called on Ahsoka's wrist comm. "Ahsoka, have you seen Galen anywhere?" he asked. The padawan nodded and said "He's right here. We're in the Twilight."
"Good thinking. We're getting close to Raxus Prime, so I'll head your way and we'll land on arrival," Skywalker said before cutting the transmission. "So what's the plan when we get there?" Ahsoka asked him.
Galen was quiet for a moment, then said "I have no idea."
"Please tell me you're joking," Ahsoka said. Galen didn't respond. "So we're just going to Raxus Prime, the junkyard world filled with thieves and psychos, and we don't have a plan or any idea why we're going there?" Ahsoka asked, annoyed.
"That pretty much sums it up," Galen said, his helmet hiding his smile. Ahsoka sighed and leaned back in her seat. A few minutes passed in silence.
"I do believe that's my chair," a familiar voice said behind them. Ahsoka and Galen turned to see Skywalker standing there, his arms crossed over his chest.
"I don't see your name on it," Ahsoka said irritably. "Good point. Remind me to do that when I get the chance," Skywalker said thoughtfully. Galen chuckled and asked "We there?"
Skywalker nodded, heading for the seat that he had just kicked Ahsoka out of. Ahsoka stood next to Galen now, giving him a piercing glare. "Can I help you?" he asked.
"That's my chair," she said, smirking. "I don't see your name on it," Galen shot back, his deeply amplified voice almost drowning out the humor.
Ahsoka sighed and walked toward the seats on the side of the ship. Skywalker chuckled as he activated the Twilight's systems.
In a few seconds, the ship flew from the Resolute, heading for the junkyard planet below.
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Ahsoka was getting frustrated as she climbed over another pile of trash, her boots moving bits of scrap as she walked. Galen was ahead of her, the trash not even hindering him.
Skywalker was searching through more of the junk, looking for... Something.
"Okay, so what are we doing here?" Ahsoka asked, annoyed. Galen sighed and said "I don't know. I feel like I should be here, but I don't know why. Or where to even go."
So the trio looked around, jumping over trash heaps while searching through them at the same time. The group was getting more and more frustrated.
But Skywalker sensed Galen's frustration turning into anger. After a couple of hours, Galen was becoming furious. "Galen..." Skywalker said cautiously. But it was too late.
The young warrior let out a cry of rage and threw his hands forward. The Force flew into that direction, and the nearby junk was tossed away in what looked like some kind of tidal wave. In seconds, the area had become a clearing.
Galen walked to the left and pulled both his hands back to his right side. He stood still, then pushed both hands forward. Once again, the junk was cleared.
Skywalker and Ahsoka remained silent as Galen continued the process multiple times, creating a large clearing, bit by bit. He was turning away from the Dark Side. He needed a way to release his anger.
Finally, he seemed to be tiring out. Galen walked slowly to one last junk pile. Father... If you can hear me... Please, give me some help, he thought as he held up one hand.
He gave a somewhat weaker Push, and about half of the trash flew away. Skywalker and Ahsoka walked forward as Galen fell to his knees, panting in exhaustion.
Ahsoka put a hand on Galen's shoulder as Skywalker called in on the comm. "Resolute, this is Skywalker, we're on our way," he said. Skywalker then turned to Galen and said "We need to head back."
Galen sighed and stood up, turning to walk away. As he began to take a step, he heard a bit of the junk behind him fall with a loud clattering noise. Galen threw a quick glance behind him. And froze.
Ahsoka and Skywalker were a few meters away before they noticed that Galen wasn't with them. They turned to see their new ally staring at the pile of trash he had just moved.
But when they looked, they saw what he was staring at.
In the junk pile, sticking out ever so slightly, was the back engine of a ship.
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After about two minutes of moving junk, the trio stood back and stared at the ship. At first, it looked like another piece of junk. But Galen knew it wasn't.
It was seemingly misshapen. It had a kind of rectangular shape. On the back right side was the engine that Galen had seen. The panels on the sides were differently shaped, with two panels on the right side, and only one on the left. They were currently facing up, in their landing positions. The landing gear was down.
A familiar feeling came over him, and his head began throbbing painfully. He groaned, and a wave of dizzyness greeted him. He stumbled on his feet, then regained his footing.
"Galen?" Ahsoka asked, concerned. Galen looked at the ship, and suddenly... He remembered.
"It's my ship," he said, walking forward. "Your ship?" Skywalker asked. Galen nodded as he rubbed a hand against the cool texture of the ship.
"Yes. The Rogue Shadow," Galen said. The name had just left his lips without him fully consenting it. Like he said it on instinct. "So this is what we came here for? This piece of junk?" Ahsoka asked.
Galen chuckled and looked at the two Jedi. "Piece of junk? This ship is equipped with some of the most advanced systems in the galaxy. It's got an advanced hyperdrive, some specially-modified sensor arrays, and some of the fastest sublight engines you'll ever see. Not to mention the hidden weapons systems and top-notch cloaking," Galen said, the list of upgrades flowing from his mouth instantly.
Skywalker blinked and thought I wonder if he'll let me take it for a run? But he didn't get to think long. Galen jumped in surprise as the ramp into the ship lowered all by itself.
The three looked at each other and looked inside. It was dark and quiet.
"What just happened?" Ahsoka asked.
Galen's eyes widened as he felt a tugging at the back of his mind. Then he heard a hiss as a figure walked down the ramp.
It was Count Dooku, his red blade in his hand and his face emotionless.
I just had to toss all my lightsabers, didn't I? Galen thought as he began backing away. Dooku lifted his saber and charged.
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Okay, that's chapter 14. Not much action, I know, but next ch. 15 makes up for it. So Galen's discovered the Rogue Shadow. But why is Dooku there? And what will happen when he gets back to Coruscant?