Disclaimer
All characters appearing in Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek Deep Space Nine and Star Trek Voyager are copyright Paramount Pictures. All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringement of these copyrights is intended and is not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Star Trek/Star Wars – Galaxy at War: Part Sixty-Two A New Hope Part Four
by
Celgress
Star Wars Galaxy – September 0 ABY (2396 C.E)
Tatooine the Outer Rim, morning
"You lot need to go. You've lingered here too long as is." Owen Lars said matter-of-factly arms crossed over his chest. "I'll drive you to Mos Eisley in my speeder from there you're on your own."
"Owen Lars, Leia has just recovered from a bad case of heat exhaustion. A few more hours won't hurt." Beru Lars urged her surly husband.
"What if a bunch of Sandrtroopers comes poking around, or an ISB agent, or worst of all a Red Blade? What will we do then, tell me that, Beru?" Owen warned.
"A Red Blade?" Luke asked.
"He means an Imperial Inquisitor. They carry red lightsabers. Rumor has it they aren't afraid to use their weapons on civilians like us." Beru said with a shiver. "They hunt Jedi." She gestured at Luke's lightsaber hilt clipped to his belt.
"Interesting," Obi-wan said stroking his greying beard.
"Don't worry. We'll leave soon enough." Leia stated a bitter edge to her voice directed at Uncle Owen.
"Thank you for your assistance. I'd be dead if you hadn't given me your precious water." Leia said clasping Beru's hands in her own. "If there were time to salvage it from the shuttlecraft I'd happily gift you our replicator unit. It would solve ma-."
Beru unexpectedly pulled back. "No, replicators are exclusive Imperial technology. Civilian use is strictly regulated and private ownership is forbidden."
"Along with matter transporters." Owen snorted.
"Your government leaves you impoverished while they have access to replicators?" Leia said appalled by the very notion. Her deep sense of justice was inflamed by this revelation.
"Such, kind leaders."Sabine snarked.
"Unbelievable," Sakal said.
"What if you get sick and can't work?" Ishka asked.
"We remain in pain or starve to death," Owen said bluntly.
"Why do you tolerate such injustice?" Leia asked her blood boiling.
"We don't have a choice," Beru said sadly. "The Empire is more powerful than us. They have ships and large-scale weapons."
"Oh, dear me," C-3PO fretted while R2-D2 beeped his disapproval.
"You can resist. I know I would." Luke offered. The other young people voiced their agreement.
"Children this isn't the Federation or even an Alliance world things operate quite differently here," Obi-wan said.
"That doesn't make it right," Leia said.
"No, it doesn't." Ahsoka agreed. "But we're not here to change what is only to get home."
Leia could not believe what she was hearing from her Jedi mentor. "But master, shouldn't we confront tyranny wherever we find it."
"Yes, however, to effect change we must survive long enough to make a difference. We are a handful of individuals facing a vast military apparatus with near-unlimited resources at its disposal." Ahsoka explained.
"We're still delivering the pla-," Leia began but Ahsoka silenced Leia with a wave of her hand.
'We best not say too much in front of our hosts about the stolen battle station plans, just in case.' Ahsoka thought. A thought she telepathy communicated to her impatient padawan.
A loud knock at the front door ended any further debate. "We've got company." Luke who was nearest said after he peered out the peephole.
"Who?" Obi-wan asked.
"A redheaded girl in a hooded black robe and two troopers in black armor with red visors," Luke replied. "She's kind of cute, the girl."
Ishka and Sabine rolled their eyes while Leia groaned. "Count on my brother to pick out the most important detail." She said.
"Hey, she is cute," Luke protested.
"Is there a back way out here?" Ahsoka said to Beru and Owen.
"Yeah, follow me," Owen said gruffly.
Outside
Mara Jade rapped on the front door of the nondescript homestead then did so again, and again, and finally a fourth time before Beru opened the door. "Can I help you?" Beru said.
"I'm an Imperial Inquisitor here on official state business citizen. I have reason to believe a group of hostile aliens including several highly dangerous Jedi are active in this area. Have you seen any of these people?" Mara said showing Beru a small hologram of the group.
"I've never seen them before," Beru said.
"In which case as a loyal Imperial citizen, you won't mind if we search the premises? You have nothing to hide, correct?" Mara said smiling sweetly.
"Go right ahead," Beru said flinching slightly.
Mara put away her holo emitter and raised her right hand in a first. At her signal, an entire platoon of Sandtroopers emerged from behind the nearby dunes. They descended on the homestead like locusts. They overturned every crate and broke in every door.
"There is nothing here, ma'am." The Stormtrooper Captain announced after the search was concluded.
"There must be, check again." Mara snapped. She heard a speeder whiz away in the distance. They had escaped! "Arrested this woman for harboring fugitives," Mara ordered. "Take her to your detention block at Mos Eisley."
"Yes, ma'am," The Sandtrooper Captain said grabbing Beru by her arm. "Come along now."
"Take your hands off me! I'll not go anywhere with you!" Beru said.
"Cuff her, Captain. If she resists again, shoot her." Mara ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," The Sandtrooper Captain said roughly forcing Beru's hands behind her back and then placing them in laser handcuffs.
"The suspects have evaded us. They will in all probability seek a means to get off-world. Captain, lockdown every spaceport and docking bay on this dirtball planet then renew your search." Mara ordered. "One last thing, Captain. Raze this homestead to the ground."
"No, you can't!" Beru protested in desperation only to receive a rifle butt to the back of her head from the Sandtrooper Captain which rendered her unconscious.
"Yes, ma'am," The Sandtrooper Captain said. "You heard her troopers torch this womp rat nest!" Within minutes an intense storm of red energy beams reduced the Lars Moister Farm to a burning cinder.
Mara was furious. If she had not been forced to wait hours for the Captain and his troops for reinforcements to secure the area (while they dealt with a string of local disturbances) she would have apprehended the Jedi and their alien comrades. They caused her to fail!
"I'll inform my troops to double their search efforts right away, ma'am," The Sandtrooper Captain said. Resisting a strong urge to force choke the captain for his incompetence, Mara did not reply instead she stomped off away from the pulverized buildings to her waiting shuttle her pair of Inquisitor Troopers in tow.
Mos Eisley Spaceport, later
"Here is where we part ways," Owen said bringing the crowded speeder to a bone-jarring stop.
"Thanks for the lift, Uncle Owen," Luke said. While Leia glared at Owen.
'Tell Beru again how much I appreciate what she did for me." Leia said.
"Farewell," Obi-wan said.
"Where can we find a spaceship to take us out of this system?" Ahsoka asked.
"Try Chalmun's Cantina a lot of spacers hang out there and a lot of criminals too. I'd be careful if I were you lot. Chalmun's is a rough joint. It isn't for the faint of heart." Owen answered pointing somewhere off to their left. "Farewell, and good luck. You folks will need it." Owen said after a brief pause. He pulled away in a cloud of dust before the others could say their goodbyes.
"Nice guy," Sakal said.
The group wandered the dust-chocked streets of Mos Eisley for what seemed like hours. They encountered few beings before they were stopped by a trio of Sandtroopers. "Hey, you there, stop," One of the Sandtroppers commanded.
Luke & Leia made ready to draw their lightsabers while Sabine, Sakal & Ishka did the same with their phasers. "We aren't the ones you are looking for. Let us go on own way." Obi-wan said calmly waving his right hand in front of the Sandtroopers.
"You aren't the ones we are looking for. You may go on your way." The Sandtrooper said in a dreamy voice. The trio then quickly wandered off down an adjacent alleyway.
"Remember padawans combat is not always necessary when faced with opposition. The Force can be a useful tool against the weak-minded." Obi-wan lectured.
"Which is why Jedi aren't permitted to take part in Alliance politics." Sakal pointed out.
Sakal's comment earned him a withering glance from Leia which he either did not noticed or chose to ignore. The ban on Jedi running for public office was a sore point for Leia as it barred her from her initial career choice, that of a politician. When she was young Leia had wanted more than anything to follow in her mother's footsteps.
"We should get out of the sun I mean suns before we lose fluids," Ishka said running her medical tricorder over herself and the others.
"Here we are, I think," Luke said spotting a squat dingy building with a worn sign that read - Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina.
"Be mindful of your surroundings, young ones. This place has a bad feeling about it." Obi-wan advised while Ahsoka nodded. "It is a vile hive of scum and villainy, stay alert." The group hurried inside anxious to get out of the blistering heat.
The young people were in awe of the collection of diverse species they saw. There were different types of beings everywhere while on a raised platform in one corner a brand of Bith provided music. One especially rowdy group was crowded around the bar, most of who appeared to be intoxicated.
"Hey, we don't serve their kind here!" The Human male bartender advised pointing at the group as they entered.
"What do you mean 'their kind'?" Leia asked indignantly.
"Your droids, they'll have to wait outside. We don't want them here." The bartender said.
"We don't want any trouble," Obi-wan said holding up his hands.
"You'll have to wait outside Artoo, Threepio," Ahsoka said to the droids apologetically.
"I very much agree with that suggestion, ma'am. Come along Artoo let us leave this dreadful place." 3-CPO said.
"I'm coming with you, "Leia said. "The atmosphere in here stinks." She added looking directly at the bartender who was once more going about his business.
"Me too," Ishka said. Sakal then voiced his desire to leave as well.
"Wait by the door. Don't wander off. We will, hopefully, be finished here soon." Obi-wan said.
Only Obi-wan, Ahsoka, Luke & Sabine reminded inside the cantina. While Obi-wan & Ahsoka chatted up several spacers at a table in the back Sabine & Luke wandered around until they ended up at the bar. They were minding their own business when a large male Aqualish named Ponda Baba seated next to Luke poked him roughly in his left shoulder. Luke tried to ignore him but the Aqualish's partner a disfigured Human named Dr. Cornelius Evazan then come up next to Luke and did the same.
"He doesn't like you." Dr. Evazan said.
"I'm sorry," Luke said.
"I don't like you." Dr. Evazan said.
"Hey we don't want any trouble," Sabine said.
"You two just watch yourselves. We're wanted beings. I have the death sentence in twelve systems." Dr. Evazan boasted tapping his puffed-out chest.
"We'll be careful," Luke said turning away from his tormentors.
Dr, Evazan grabbed his shoulder and spun him back around. "You'll both be dead!" Dr. Evazan shouted.
"These little ones aren't worth the effort. Come, let me buy you a drink." Obi-wan said. He and Ashoka having appeared suddenly at the bar.
Dr. Evazan pushed Luke out of his seat while Sabine ducked away. Ponda Baba pulled his blaster pistol from its holster. Before Ponda Baba could fire Obi-wan drew and ignited his lightsaber. In one fell swoop, Obi-wan cut the blaster in half. He toyed with the idea of amputating the Aqualish's arm but decided against that course of action. He did not want his daughter or padawan to see him dish out undue harm. Instead, he force pushed his foe onto the floor. He then placed the tip of his blue blade just above Ponda Baba's chest.
Dr. Evazan tried to intervene with his own blaster but before he could draw one of Ahsoka's green blades was at his throat. "Don't," Ahsoka warned. "Now get out of her both of you before my friend and I decide to be less merciful."
Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba ran off like the cowards they were. Everyone who had stopped whatever they were doing to take note of the fight lost interest once Ahsoka and Obi-wan put away their lightsabers. Just another day in Mos Eisley.
"We could have handled them." Sabine insisted while Luke got to his feet.
"Perhaps," Obi-wan said. "Chewbacca here is the first mate on a ship that might suit our needs." He indicated a male Wookiee who Sabine & Luke had somehow failed to notice.
The four followed Chewbacca to a secluded booth where his partner and fellow smuggler Han Solo greeted them. "Han Solo, I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you are looking for safe passage to the Alderaan system." Han said.
"Yes, indeed," Obi-wan said. "Is it a fast ship?'
"We need to get there as soon as possible," Ahsoka added.
"A fast ship," Han repeated in disgust. "You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?"
"Should we have?" Sabine said.
"It's the ship that made the Kessel run in last than twelve parsecs." Han boasted. By the blank expressions on their faces, he could tell his words were having no impact. "I've outrun Imperial starships, not the small fry either I'm talking about the big boys, Star Destroyers. She's plenty fast enough for your needs, I'm sure. What's the cargo?"
"Only passengers," Obi-wan said. "Myself, my friends here, three more outside, two droids, and no questions asked."
Han grinned then asked. "What is it, some sort of local trouble?"
"Let's just say we'd rather avoid any Imperial entanglements," Obi-wan answered.
"Well, that's the real challenge isn't it?" Han said. "And it'll cost you. I don't run a charity ferry service."
"How much?" Ahsoka asked.
"20,0000 all upfront," Han said.
"We don't have any local currency or any currency at all." Luke blurted out.
"Nice doing business with you," Han said about to get up.
"What we do have is something better. We can give you a fully functional replicator." Ahsoka said. She smirked when Han immediately sat back down.
"Is this a joke?" Han asked suspiciously.
"No joke," Sabine said. "We have one in our crashed shuttlecraft."
"Will one replicator unit cover our fare?" Obi-wan asked already knowing the answer.
"For a working replicator, I'll take you from one end of the galaxy and back again, old man," Han said grinning. Han imagined what he could do with his own replicator. His mind raced with possibilities. He would become rich beyond measure.
"We have a deal?" Ahsoka asked.
"Assuming your replicator is legit, Sith Hell yeah we have a deal," Han said. "Meet me at this docking birth in about an hour." Han scribbled on a piece of flimsy he passed to Ahsoka.
Shortly after Ahsoka, Obi-wan, Sabine & Luke departed Han sent Chewie off to prepare the Millennium Falcon for flight. A few minutes later Han was about to leave when he ran into a blaster toting goon, a male Rodian and small-time bounty hunter named Greedo. Greedo quickly forced Han back into the booth where he took a seat across from him.
"Going somewhere, Solo?" Greedo said in his native language rather than Galactic basic.
"Yes, Greedo, as a matter of fact, I was going to see your boss. Tell Jabba I'll soon have more than enough credits to pay off my debt." Han said.
"It's too late. You should have paid Jabba when you had the chance." Greedo said. "Jabba's put a price on your head. One so large every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you, hee hee hee." Han put his feet up on the table. He did not seem worried about Greedo's words. "I'm lucky I found you first."
"Yeah, but this time I've got the money," Han insisted.
"If you give it to me, I might forget I found you," Greedo said never taking his blaster pistol off Han.
"I don't have it with me," Han said nonchalantly. One hand traced the wall directly behind him while another went underneath the table to unholster his blaster pistol. "Tell Jabba-,"
"He has no time for smugglers who drop their shipments of spice at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser." Greedo scoffed.
"Hey, even I get boarded sometimes. Do you think I would have dumped the spice by choice?" Han said defensively.
"You can tell that to Jabba. He might spare your life and only take your ship as payment." Greedo said.
"Over my dead body," Han said.
"That's the idea, smuggler. I've been looking forward to this for a long time." Greedo said tightening one of his long fingers on the trigger of the blaster. He never did care much for Solo or Solo's Wookiee running buddy. Both were far too arrogant for Greedo's tastes.
"Yes, I bet you have," Han said. Before Greedo could fire Han angled the muzzle of his own blaster upwards and shot Greedo dead in a shower of smoke and sparks. "Sorry about the mess," Han said getting up and tossing a few credit chips at the bartender. He walked out of the bar as the denizens once more went on about their business as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired.
Streets of Mos Eisley, earlier
"Boy, how much for these two?" Demanded a male Toydarian in a jewel-encrusted vest, who held an ornate cane in one hand, and wore a stylish top hat. On either side of him stood a large male Gamorrean. Each Gamorrean had a vibro-ax strapped to his back.
"Our droid friends aren't for sale," Said Sakal who had been addressed
"I mean the females. How much for them?" The male Toydarian said. "They would make fine dancing girls for a Hutt, maybe even for Jabba himself. We would be talking a high price due to their beauty and youthful vitality." He pointed at Ishka with his cane. "I'll pay a little extra for this one. I don't think I've ever encountered her species before. Is she a hybrid by any chance?"
"Excuse me?" Leia said.
"They aren't for sale either," Sakal said.
"If you ever change your mind boy contact me, anytime." The male Toydarian gave Sakal his holo-card. "I'm Watto the biggest slave dealer on all of Tatooine, favorite of Jabba." He then flew off his guards lumbering behind him.
"The nerve of that creep." Ishka huffed.
"I don't know Ishka, you might look cute dressed as a dancing girl." Sakal teased eliciting a squeak from Ishka. Sakal tossed Watto's holo-card onto the sand at his feet without a second thought.
"We found a ship," Luke said happily as he and the others emerged from the cantina.
"Thank the Force," Leia exclaimed. "The sooner we get off this planet the better."
"A slave deal tried to buy Leia and Ishka from me," Sakal said. "He wanted dancing girls for the Hutts."
"No way," Sabine said.
"Why am I not surprised," Ahsoka said shaking her head disgusted by the thought. "Life is cheap here on Tatooine and personal dignity is a sellable commodity."
"I felt dirty when he eyed me like a piece of meat," Ishka said with a shiver.
"Enough talk, let's get out of here," Leia said.
After fighting off a patrol of Sandtroopers (told about their location by a local informant/spy nicknamed "Long snoot") our heroes were about to depart in the Millennium Falcon when Owen Lars caught up with them. Out of breath, he told them he had nearly been arrested after returning to his devastated farm. Before he escaped he heard one of the Sandtroopers comment that his wife was being held at the main detention center in Mos Eisley. Although Han was clear he would rather not wait any longer before heading off a rescue mission was quickly mounted. While Obi-wan, Ahsoka, Luke & Leia busted Beru out of prison Han and the others waited for them just outside the spaceport. It did not take long for the four Jedi to free Beru because after they incapacitated a handful of their number the remaining Sandtroopers ran away. Han then insisted they go and retrieve the replicator unit from their down shuttlecraft before departing.
Crashed shuttlecraft, afternoon
"How much longer? We've been here nearly an hour already. I want to get off world become any more Imps show up." Han said. Han stood over Sakal who was doing his best to disconnect the replicator unit's damaged ODN conduits which wired it into the power grid. Since he possessed the most engineering experience by far safely removing the replicator unit was Sakal's responsibility.
"It's a delicate operation. You don't want your merchandise to be damaged by a hasty removal, now do you?" Sakal said.
"Of course not," Han said. "I can make plenty off this thing."
"A true philanthropist, how charming," Leia said.
"Hey girl maybe where you come from people can afford to be generous but not around these parts, survival here isn't guaranteed it's earned," Han said.
"And how is it earned, do tell? By exploiting others for maximum gain?" Leia said.
"By being smart. By grasping every opportunity one finds with both hands and never letting go." Han said.
"By being greedy and ruthless you mean," Leia said.
"The more wealth the more power. The more power the more security." Han said.
"My mother was once queen of an entire planet. It brought her nothing but trouble. She has been far happier since she devoted her life to helping others." Leia said giving a less than accurate but well-intentioned biography of Padme. "My father is a Jedi master. He also has devoted his life to helping the less fortunate and protecting peace."
"Your dad is a Jedi and your mother was a queen, huh. What does that make you darling, a Jedi princess?" Han said with his trademarked grin. "I like that. I think I'll call you Jedi Princess from now on."
"I'm not a princess!" Leia said stamping her foot.
"If you say so, Jedi Princess," Han said his grin growing wider.
"Uh, Sakal are you going to be much longer?" Sabine asked sticking her head in the shuttle.
"I'll be as long as I need to be." Sakal snapped annoyed by the constant pressure to speed up his work. "Why do you ask, Sabine?"
"I think we're in big trouble," Sabine said
An Imperial shuttle landed not far away from where the Millennium Falcon hovered. Mara and her two Inquisitor Troopers soon emerged red lightsaber and cortosis coated electro staffs with sizzling purple tips at the ready. Mara seized up her opponents two well-known Jedi and a probable padawan.
Mara had familiarized herself with Obi-wan's and Ahsoka's files since being given the assignment of capturing or neutralizing them by Lord Vader. The padawan was a wildcard. His green hued lightsaber indicated he was more likely than naught a Jedi consular. Mara knew that consulars relied on their Force powers more than their combat skills, she would treat him accordingly.
"Obi-wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano I am Imperial Hand Mara Jade, welcome home. The Emperor and Lord Vader have missed you during your extended absence. It is my honor to mete out the justice you so richly deserve upon their behalf, traitors." Mara said tossing aside her hooded robe. "Engage the padawan I'll deal with Tano and Kenobi," she instructed her Inquisitor Troopers.
Mara was a good duelist a really good duelist, Obi-wan gave her that much. Her chosen form seemed to be a combination of Ataru and Djem So. Elements of Makashi were evident in her nimble blade work when she used probing strikes to ferret out weak spots in her enemy's defense. Although he and Ashoka pressed her hard Mara more than held her own. She whirled around like a dancer on the burning sands. In all honesty, he had a hard time keeping pace with her seemingly boundless energy. While Ashoka fared better Mara almost broke through the older woman's guard more than once during their duel.
Luke meanwhile was struggling with the Inquisitor Troopers. He was about to falter when a yellow blade intervened blocking an electro staff blow to his head. Luke and Leia exchanged glances they then fell into a routine they had practiced many times while sparring with other padawans. Leia used her Soresu to created a wall of defense while circling her brother who while likewise circling her unleashed the full fury of his Djem So. Thrown off-balance, the Inquisitor Troopers were made quick work of when the twins then switched to each other's style adding in a minor Force earthquake in their immediate vicinity.
"Got it," Sakal announced emerging from the shuttlecraft with the replicator unit.
Han followed behind him. When Han saw the downed Inquisitor Troopers he fired two expertly placed blaster bolts into their chests puncturing their protective armor.
"You didn't have to kill them," Leia said angrily.
"And what were you going to do Jedi Princess? Talk down the homicidal Purge Troopers whose only goal in life is to kill as many Jedi as they can? We're much safer with them toasted." Han said. "Here's our ride."
Chewie having spotted Han began firing the turbo lasers of the Millennium Falcon at Mara. With no other options Mara fell back towards her shuttle which Chewie then targeted. Without its shields being active, significant damage was done to it before everyone boarded the Falcon and flew away.
Mara gritted her teeth as she watched them escape. How could she have failed so completely? What would her masters say? How would they punish her?
Kicking sand from underneath her feet Mara vowed she would find those Jedi and their friend, make them pay for this dishonor. The image of that blonde boy blowing her a farewell kiss when they briefly locked eyes was seared into her mind. She promised herself she would find him, whoever he was, even if it took her the rest of her life! No one made a fool of her, no one!
A planet somewhere in the Outer Rim, morning
Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker surveyed his severely damaged Volci Fighter with dismay. He knew coming back to his native galaxy would be risky, but things went disastrously wrong from the very start. While he had no problem gaining access to the Alliance held side of the Barzan Wormhole due to classified orders from the Jedi Order once he emerged into the Outer Rim he was immediately attacked. A battle group of twenty-odd Star Destroyers supported by who knows how many TIE Fighters fired upon him. It took all his piloting skills and mastery of the Force to evade them. While he managed to destroy over a dozen TIEs and disable two Star Destroyers (by pulling them into each other) he would not have escaped but for Lal. Against his wishes, Lal had plugged herself directly into the navigation computer. When she attempted a hyperspace jump to safety an Interdictor-class Star Destroyer engaged its gravity well to pull them back into real space, a tactic that would have also disrupted their backup warp drive if they engaged it. Somehow Lal fought off the gravity warping effect and executed not one but two short erratic jumps but at a terrible cost. Lal's positronic brain was subject to a massive power surge as was the Volci fighter which crashed into an unknown world.
"Hang in there Lal, I'll find help, I promise," Anakin said. Anakin was no expert in positronic networks but he knew the few sluggishly blinking LEDs he saw on the unconscious Lal's exposed skull was a bad sign. He needed proper tools if he was to have any hope of repairing her damaged components and more than a little luck.
Anakin emerged into a red gloom. This world felt strangely familiar yet he did not know why. The Force was broken here for lack of a better term. The entire place gave him a sense of dread.
Anakin looked around the clearing where the fighter had crashed landed that was otherwise deserted. He wandered around for the next while allowing the muddled Force to guide him through thick forests that surrounded him. Quite a while later he emerged into another clearing. He noted this one was much larger than the one where his ship crashed. He sensed he was not alone and draw forth his purple lightsaber. The light cast eerie red-tinged shadows around him.
"Come out whoever you are! I know you are watching me!" Anakin said holding his lightsaber in a two-handed grip.
An instant Anakin found himself encircled by a group of bow and arrow wielding Night Sisters! No wonder this place seemed familiar, he must be on Dathomir! A male figure stepped out from behind the Night Sisters directly in front of Anakin, a figure Anakin recognized immediately from old holovids he watched as a youngling.
"Darth Maul," Anakin said.
"Welcome to Dathomir, Jedi," Darth Maul said a sinister smile on his face.
Grand Admiral Thrawn's flagship near the Barzan Wormhole
"Grand Admiral there is an incoming priority transmission from Lord Vader." One of the communication officers announced.
"On screen," "Grand Admiral Thrawn ordered hands clasped behind his back.
"Grand Admiral Thrawn," Vader's image said from the main view screen.
"Lord Vader," Thrawn said simply.
"I have sensed a great disturbance in the Force. This disturbance surrounds the alien fighter that recently broke through our blockade of the anomaly and eluded capture by you. Have you located the whereabouts of the alien fighter yet?" Vader said.
"A probe droid located its probable wreckage in the Dathomir system a short while ago," Thrawn said. "I will soon be on my way there to personally deal with these unknown hostiles."
"Remain at your current position. The effectiveness of our blockade must not be compromised. Regardless of your recent setback the Emperor and I are in agreement you are the best choice for this task. I have dispatched Starkiller, with a squadron of Star Destroyers under his command, to deal with these unknown hostiles on my behalf in addition to another task, he shall perform for the Empire. Too long have the Dathomirians resisted Imperial authority. They must be brought to heel." Vader said.
"As you will, my Lord," Thrawn said with a slight bow of his head.
To Be Continued
Next up – the Destruction of Alderaan!
Author's Note - I hope you all have enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Imperial period of the Original Trilogy and its associated tales in related media (both Canon and Legends) is my favorite Star Wars period. Now we are into the good stuff! *rubs hands together gleefully*