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Venator Class Star Destroyer
Sheev Palpatine, emperor of the newly formed Galactic Empire, secretly known as Darth Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith, stood within the command bridge of a Venator Class Star Destroyer, staring out the window with Wilhuff Tarkin at his side. Sidious paid mild attention to the man, instead having his focus on the station that had recently begun construction. The two were not alone for much longer when they both heard three sets of footsteps, which was accompanied by the rhythmic, artificial breathing. The heavy thudding of boots, the clicking of heels, and a loud metallic clanking. Tarkin took that as his cue to leave, allowing the three newcomers to join Sidious.
The first, the owner of the loud breathing, was a tall black armored and caped man, wearing a black suit and skull like mask. Darth Vader, formerly known as Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. The apprentice that Sidious had long awaited to have at his side. Anakin's desire to save his now late wife, Padme Amidala, was what made the man so easy to convince in joining the Dark Side of the Force. But unfortunately, he would never reach his potential as a Sith Lord. Vader had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on the volcanic planet of Mustafar. Vader was left for dead, his body horribly scorched, lungs nearly burned, his left hand and left leg severed from his body. His defeat on Mustafar is the reason Vader is now wearing the suit.
The second was a young torguta, wearing a black tunic, black gloves, heels, and a cape. Her Sith yellow eyes gazed out the construction in progress. Darth Zenrid, formerly known as Jedi Padawan Ashoka Tano, former pupil of Anakin Skywalker. Unlike Vader, who had turned to the Dark Side to save Padme, Zenrid pledged herself to the ways of the Sith out of her desire for vengeance. During the Clone Wars, Ashoka had been framed for a bombing at the Jedi Temple. This event led her to being stripped of her rank and prestige. No one, save for Anakin, had believed in her innocence. It deeply hurt Ashoka that the people she fought alongside for years, the same people she looked up to, did not think she was innocent. She was nearly sentenced to death when Anakin caught the true culprit, Barris Offee. Afterwards, Ashoka was given back her position, but she refused. Ashoka left the Jedi Order, and it did not take her long to succumb to her anger and hate, which caused her to seek out the late Count Dooku.
On the same day Ashoka left the Jedi Order, Sidious was hit with a vision of Ashoka pledging herself to him. Sidious had planned to carry on with the Rule of Two, which states that only two Sith, a master and an apprentice, could exist at any given time. But the thought of having two young and powerful apprentices was far too delicious of an offer to pass up.
The third was a tall monstrous looking, cape wearing cyborg sporting a skull like helm. Organs could be seen within his chest. Grievous, the ex-Supreme leader of the Separatist droid army, and the infamous Jedi hunter. Sidious had not planned for the Kaleesh cyborg to survive what should have been his last day on Utapau, but it was of no consequence. Grievous had proven his worth to Sidious and would serve well in the Empire, especially in hunting any remaining Jedi. Despite the effectiveness of Order 66, Sidious knew that there were Jedi that had survived, and he knew that Grievous would be more than willing to hunt them down.
As Sidious, Vader, Zenrid, and Grievous silently stared out the window at the in-construction Death Star, an evil smile slowly tugged Sidious' lips. Everything had fallen into place, just has he had foreseen, and so much more. The Jedi were broken and scattered. The Empire's ultimate weapon was in construction. And he had three disciples that would serve him well for years to come.
Twenty Standard Years Later
Above Tantooine
Alderaan Cruiser
The ship was in utter turmoil as Threepio and Artoo made their way through the corridors. The alarms were blaring loudly as rebel troops hurried along the halls, heading for the main entrance of the ship. Threepio nearly lost his footing when the ship suddenly and violently jolted.
"Did you hear that?" Threepio asked his companion. "They shut down the main reactor. We'll be destroyed for sure. This madness." The protocol droid dramatically threw his arms up. Artoo merely responded with a series of beeps.
Imperial Star Destroyer
Command Bridge
"We have shut down their main reactor. They aren't going anywhere." An officer reported.
"Move the ship into position and prepare the boarding party." A rumbling electronic voice ordered.
"Yes Lord Vader."
"No escape for them this time." A mature female voice said.
"Ha! I can already smell the slaughter." A modulated voice chortled.
Alderaan Crusier
More rebel troops rushed past Threepioo and Artoo, taking up positions and aiming their weapons at the main entrance. "We're doomed." Threepio said dreadfully. Artoo beeped in response. Threepio could be quite dramatic at times. "There'll be no escape for the princess this time." The protocol droid added. The tension only grew when they heard loud metallic clanking and the screams of heavy equipment going to work. "What's that?"
The rebel troops gazed up at the ceiling as the ominous noises continued. But their eyes soon forced back to the door when they heard more metallic clanks coming from behind it. But this noise was different. It sounded almost like… footsteps.
A green bladed lightsaber burst through the door and curved around the door. The rebels tightened their hold on their weapons, feeling their anxiety grow. Then, the lightsaber completed its loop and vanished, leaving an orange glow in the door. The rebels expected a horde of Imperial troops to burst through immediately. But none did. A deathly silence fell upon the rebels, leaving them in a thick cloud of anticipation. One could literally hear a pin drop…
Then without warning, the door flung open and flew down the corridor, hitting a few rebels as it went. The rebels suddenly became petrified in fear when they saw who stepped out of the darkness and into their ship…
Grievous, one of three Supreme Commanders of the Imperial military and one of Emperor Palpatine's deadliest disciples.
The Kaleesh cyborg chuckled as he took in the fear of his enemies, the modulator in his voice making the sound all the more eerie. Then faster than the rebels could react, Grievous reached for two of his lightsabers that rested on his waist and ignited them, one blue, the other green. Snapping out of their fear, the rebels opened fire just as Grievous' metallic hands twirled, forming a swirling barrier of blue and green. Grievous began to advance, his lightsabers leaving scorch marks on the floor as he pressed on. The blaster bolts that collided with the spinning lightsabers were wildly deflected, striking the walls, floor, ceiling, and even some of the rebels. The rest of the rebels then retreated, disappearing around the corner. Grievous extinguished his sabers, placing them away before dropping to a crawl, scurrying along the floor like a metallic nightmare.
"Ahahaha! Please! Try to run!" Grievous laughed as he crawled after the rebels. They were only prolonging their inevitable deaths.
Just as Grievous disappeared, Stormtroopers appeared through the entrance the Kaleesh cyborg created. The troopers stepped over the lifeless rebel bodies and advanced further into the ship. Two of the troopers straightened their posture when two dark figures stepped into the ship. Darth Vader and Darth Zenrid, now an adult, eyed the dead rebels with disdain before they wordlessly walked ahead, their troops trailing behind them.
The entire ship soon became a battlefield. Rebels and Stormtroopers exchanged blaster fire as the skirmish tore apart the corridors. Screams and the hums of lightsabers also filled the halls as Grievous showed no mercy to those who stood in his way. Meanwhile, Threepio was on the search for his smaller companion, who managed to stray away to who knows where.
"Artoo Detoo, where are you?" Threepio called out irritably. Remaining in place, the protocol droid frantically scanned the area, wincing and jumping as the sounds of blaster fire were getting closer and closer. A familiar clanking sound drew his attention to the left. He spotted Artoo and someone else, but he couldn't identify who it was. "At last! Where have you been?" Threepio demanded. Artoo beeped. "They're heading in this direction. What are we going to do?" The protocol droid ranted on in dismay. "We'll be sent to the spice mines of Kessel or smashed into who knows what." Artoo, having no time or the desire to listen to his friend's antics, began to advance up the hall. "Wait a minute. Where are you going?" Threepio followed after his friend.
Leia watched the two droids until they were out of sight before disappearing around a corner. She hoped she had made the right decision in entrusting the astromech droid with the Death Star plans and her message.
Meanwhile, a squadron of Stormtroopers entered a circular room within the ship, where Vader was currently interrogating a rebel officer. Zenrid stood by, watching with keen interest. "The Death Star plans are not in the main computer." A stormtrooper informed Vader.
The Sith Lord glowered at the trooper before redirecting it back at his captive. "Where are those transmissions you intercepted? What have you done with those plans?" He rumbled dangerously, his grip on the rebel's throat tightening.
"We intercepted no transmissions." The man wheezed out as Vader lifted him off his feet, feeling his windpipe being crushed. "This is a consular ship. We're on a diplomatic mission."
"If this is a consular ship, where is the ambassador?" Vader questioned rhetorically before tossing the man aside.
The rebel was granted no further reprieve when a barrage of Sith lightning slammed into him, curtesy of Zenrid. The man let out a horrible scream of pain as he squirmed violently. Zendrid threw her head back and cackled, relishing in the man's agony. Vader watched dispassionately, allowing the younger Sith to have her fun. The Stormtroopers subtly winced at the display of power. Silently, they were thanking whatever divine force that they weren't the ones under the onslaught of Zenrid.
When Zenrid finally relinquished, the rebel was reduced to a blackened, sizzling corpse. Vader turned to the highest ranking Stormtrooper in the room. "Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans! And bring us the passengers! Alive!" He boomed. With their orders received, the Stormtroopers hurried out of the room.
Elsewhere
Leia, armed with only a blaster pistol, watched from a small alcove as Stormtroopers searched every crook and nanny of the ship. She knew she had no chance of escaping, but her mind was already going to work. The rebellion could use this attack to gain sympathy from the Imperial Senate. Also, they had failed their main objective of retrieving the Death Star plans. That's what was most important.
Leia watched as a squadron of troops took a right turn. The princess waited for a few moments before slowly emerging from her hiding spot. She had just began her stride when a metallic hand shot down from above and grasped her by the throat, tearing a shocked gasp from her mouth. Leia soon found herself looking into the golden, feral eyes of Grievous. Growling, the Kaleesh cyborg used his free hand and wrenched Leia's weapon out of her hand, tossing it aside. Grievous proceeded to climb down from the ceiling, never breaking eye contact with his new captive.
Rushed footsteps sounded from nearby. The Stormtroopers from earlier returned, having heard the commotion. Grievous turned to them and said, "Inform Lord Vader and Lady Zenrid that we have a prisoner." He received a chorus of 'yes sir' in response. Grievous turned back to Leia, his reptilian like eyes boring into the princess' brown ones. "No escape for you this time, princess." He sneered.
A few moments later
With Grievous in the lead, his Stormtroopers led a now bound Leia down through the hall. They soon came to a stop when Vader and Zenrid, accompanied by an Imperial officer, emerged from an adjoining hallway, the two Dark Siders settling their gazes upon Leia. "Lord Vader and Lady Zenrid. I should have known. Only the two of you and Grievous would be so daring. The Imperial Senate will not sit idly for this. When they learn you've attacked a diplomatic-"
"Drop the act, Your Highness." Zenrid interrupted harshly, practically spitting the words 'your highness'. "You weren't on some mercy mission this time. Several transmission were beamed to this ship by rebel spies. It would be best for you to tell us what happened to the plans they sent you."
Leia held Zenrid's gaze without fear, which caused the Sith Lady to scowl. Leia was one of the few people in the galaxy who never showed any fear toward the Dark Siders. "I don't know what you're talking about." Leia lied skillfully. "I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan." Zenrid's scowl deepened. The princess thought herself so clever and smug. It was infuriating to the Sith Lady.
Vader pointed an accusing finger at Leia. "You are part of the rebel alliance and a traitor. Get her out of my sight!" At his order, Leia was escorted away by the troops.
Vader, Zenrid, and Grievous began to walk ahead, Officer Cane going with them. "Holding her is dangerous." Cane carefully warned his superiors. "If word of this gets out, it could generate sympathy for the rebellion in the senate." Zenrid scoffed quietly. The senate had always been irrelevant since the Clone Wars. They not have to worry about the senate for much longer, since Lord Sidious plans to dissolve the senate completely.
"I have traced the rebel spies to her. Now she is our only link to finding her secret base." Vader said.
"She'll die before she'll tell you anything." Cane retorted.
"Leave that to us." Vader countered as they rounded a corner. "Send a distress signal, and then inform the senate that all aboard were killed."
The group came to a stop when Commander Ken stepped out into the hall. "Lord Vader, General Grievous, Lady Zenrid, the battle station plans are not aboard this ship and no transmissions were made." He reported. Grievous growled lowly in frustration. "An escape pod was jettisoned during the fighting, but no life forms were aboard."
Vader, Zenrid, and Grievous exchanged glances. "Do you think…?" Zenrid started.
Vader nodded in agreement. "She must've hidden the plans in the escape pod." The Sith turned his attention to Grievous. "Grevious, take a team down to the planet and retrieve those plans."
"It would be my pleasure, Lord Vader." Grievous said.
"Happy hunting, Grievous." Zenrid smirked. The Kaleesh cyborg gave a quick bow of respect before walking off.
"You and I will return to the Death Star with the princess." Vader said to Zenrid as they walked down the hall.
Zenrid nodded, but she was not looking forward to being near Grand Moff Tarkin. She had first met the man during the Clone Wars, when she was Ashoka Tano. She, Anakin, and Obi-Wan Kenobi had broken Tarkin and a now dead Jedi Master out of an impenetrable Separatist prison, the Citadel. She took an instant dislike to the man, and that dislike grew into hatred when Tarkin pressed for the death penalty for Ashoka when she was framed for the Jedi Temple bombing.
Vader sensed the younger Sith's thoughts and could mentally sigh. He too did not harbor a high opinion of Tarkin. The man thought himself above Vader, Zenrid, and Grievous. Vader wanted nothing more than to end Tarkin, but the man was currently under the Emperor's protection, and the two Dark Siders knew better than to go against the will of their master.
Imperial Star Destroyer
Hangar
The loud clanking of Grievous' feet signaled his arrival long before he entered the hangar, where an officer was standing at attention. "General Grievous." The man said with a salute.
"Assemble a squadron of our best troops and prepare a shuttle. We're going down to the planet to search for the battle station plans." Grievous commanded firmly.
"Yes sir." The man saluted again before going off to make the preparations.
Grievous paced back and forth, impatiently awaiting for his squadron to arrive. "At least they aren't battle droids." He mused.
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