DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS OR ANY ASSOCIATED CHARACTERS
Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy. Regardless, here's the latest chapter, enjoy and drop a review if you want more!
Chapter 24
Alpha whirled his head from left to right, watching with horror as his men fell one after the other. "Crossfire!" he yelled.
The clones split off into two groups, facing both directions and firing at the hidden enemy. The death troopers had proved to be smarter than the regular stormtroopers as well. Realizing they were sitting ducks, Alpha gave the order to charge, sending the two groups of clones into the forest, directly towards their adversaries. The butt of a rifle was aimed for Alpha's head, but the veteran clone dropped into a roll. Twisting around, he put a bolt directly through the eye socket of the black armored trooper. The fiberglass fell in pieces, along with drops of blood.
Turning his attention back to the surrounding woods, Alpha began to notice the death troopers. They stepped out into a firing line, facing him and his ragtag group of clones, what few had survived. Alpha took a deep breath as the two sides faced each other, neither making a move.
"To hell with this," Alpha muttered, raising his pistols and firing, dropping two of the enemy instantly. The two sides broke out into fire, troopers falling on both sides. Alpha sprinted to his right, aiming his pistols to his left side as he skirted through. Reaching the end of the line, he rushed the closest Imperial. Cracking him across the face and putting a bolt in his abdomen, Alpha moved on to the next one. Slowly but surely, they whittled the Imperial numbers down, but a great cost to their own.
As it was, Alpha and one other clone were all that was left when they faced the final trooper. The death trooper had a heavy repeater, unleashing a steady stream towards Alpha and his trooper, Runner, who were taking cover behind a large log. The wood splintered around them as they looked to each other.
"I'll draw his fire, you drop him," Runner said, prompting a nod from Alpha. The clone dove out from behind the log, sprinting for the treeline, and Alpha rose to his feet, exhaling slowly. Down the sight of his barrel, he could clearly see his target. At the same moment he squeezed the trigger, a cry of pain could be heard from his left.
Satisfied that the last death trooper had been taken care of, Alpha pulled off his helmet, sliding to his knees next to Runner. He took the clone's hand after removing his helmet. The clone coughed up a dribble of blood, the dark liquid running down his chin. "
"One hell of a fight, sir," he managed weakly.
Alpha nodded. "It was. You fought well."
"Seems I wasn't trained as well as you, sir. It doesn't matter . . . . I'm off to see the rest of my brothers," Runner smiled, his eyes slowly shutting for the last time. Alpha dropped his head in a moment of silence not just for Runner, but for all of his fallen comrades that day, lying around him in the woods of this godforsaken moon. Rising back to his full height, Alpha tugged his helmet back over his face and headed back towards the main battlefield, anger fueling his footsteps. Woe to those who would stand in his way.
With Doom and the Ewoks on their left flank, and Rex pushing through the middle, the Imperial lines were crumbling. Their last AT-AT had gone down under a hail of rockets, and they were carving a path through their lines. The blue laserfire now noticeably outnumbered the red. The two Jedi and their friends emerging from the bunker seemed to be the last straw. The armored imperials, black and white, fled into the trees, headed back for their main compound.
As the men cheered around him, Rex directed some to gather the dead and give them proper burials. Luke and his crew jogged up to him. "Rex, I need to borrow a walker."
"What for?" Rex asked incredulously.
Han rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Well, uh, you see . . . they kind of stole our charges, so we need to put a shell through those doors to blow up the generator."
Rex grinned. "Well why didn't you just say so?"
With a few hand signals, the former captain of the legendary 501st put the AT-TE into position in front of the bunker. Hopping up, he took the gunner's seat. Swiveling the cannon around, grinning all the while, he saluted to Luke and fired.
Looking at the fleet battle taking place around him, Anakin would say it was going rather well so far. The entire fleet of star destroyers had been destroyed, save the Executor. All of their fighters had been wiped out, and the rebels now had almost complete control of the space surrounding the Death Star.
The Pride and Home One were on either side of the Executor, broadsiding away. Half of the support fleet was with each, lending their firepower to the outgunned capital ships. The Executor was still outfiring them gun for gun, but it was the many fighters above it that sealed its doom. The massive dreadnaught's guns were spraying in hopes of hitting anything at this point. Along its port and starboard sides, all cruisers and destroyers of the Alliance were pelting it with red and blue fire. The shields were holding for the Imperial ship, but they would not last much longer under the sheer amount of fire it was taking.
It was actually dishing out the same as it was taking, simply due to the number of guns bristling along its hull. Several dozen corvettes and frigates had already gone down either from its guns or from the previous star destroyer escort fleet.
Anakin could feel the waves of hatred flowing from the bridge, as well as the ripples of fear from the Executor's crew at the rage of Vader. It gave the Jedi great pleasure to know that they were frustrating the Sith so. Even as Anakin watched the battle unfold after his latest pass, the corvette closest to the bridge imploded, its hull breached by something other than laserfire. It seemed that Vader had decided to involve himself, and he wasn't going to go down without a fight.
"My lord, our shields are almost gone," Admiral Piett reported.
Vader, his head bowed in concentration, one hand raised, pointing out the porthole at the Alliance fleet, crushed another corvette with his power. It was physically draining him, though. The salty sweat was agonizing as it coated his burned flesh underneath his suit. His chest was heaving, attempting to bring in as much oxygen as possible to sustain his massive frame.
When he heard Piett's voice, his armored head swiveled around to face the officer. Though Vader's eyes were obscured, Piett could feel them bore into his very soul, sending dark shivers down his spine as the Dark Lord radiated power.
"This fight is not over, Admiral. I suggest that you return to command before you are relieved of it," Vader boomed, silencing any opposition he might have had.
As he led another bombing run, Anakin's sensors suddenly started beeping at him. "The shield is down! All fighters, follow me! Ackbar, break the fleet off and seal the perimeter!"
Anakin guided his fighter towards the massive Death Star, accelerating to full speed. When he entered the superstructure, he lowered his s-foils to reduce the amount of space his fighter would take up. Spinning and rotating to avoid the superstructure, Anakin led the way. When they reached the center, it opened up into a massive, brightly lit artificial cavern. The power generator, arcing with the lightning from power couplings, sat in the center of it.
Pressing his thumbs down on both triggers, Anakin let the generator have as much of his cannons as he he could give before he flew past, on his way out. He flew even faster this time, his men hot on his tail. A few of them miscalculated and slammed into the walls, their fighters breaking apart and sending them careening through open space, but for the most part, they were staying together. The firestorm was approaching behind them, but Anakin let out a sigh of relief when they emerged safely.
Immediately banking right and back out to open space, the fleet followed. Even the Executor knew what was going to happen, the massive dreadnaught turning away from the flaming ball of steel.
Vader could feel the panic emanating from his master aboard the Death Star, but could only bask in it. He hadn't felt this free since his transformation into Darth Vader from the weak Anakin Skywalker. As he stared at the fiery husk of the Death Star slowly plummeted towards the surface of the forest moon, Vader slowly turned on his heel and proceeded back down the bridge.
"Admiral Piett, set course for Coruscant."
"But, my lord, the battle-"
"The battle is lost, Admiral. Unless you would like to join the rest of the fleet in the vacuum of space, I suggest that you set a course for Coruscant," Vader threatened, his hands clasped behind his back.
Vader turned to look over his shoulder at the rebel fleet out of the viewport. "Very well, Skywalker. But now I don't have to hold back."
A resounding roar of triumph erupted, echoing through the trees and into the sky as the clones watched the flaming scraps of the Death Star plummet towards the ground. Luke embraced Han and Leia, Chewie enveloping the trio in his furry arms as well. Obi-Wan did allow himself a smile, but a sense of foreboding, as well as the dark presence teasing the corners of his mind told him that this war was far from over.
Doom made his way towards Obi-Wan, bearing half of Rex's weight on his right shoulder. The blue and white clad general had sustained a shot to his left thigh, the plastoid armor charred to a crisp around it, as well as the flesh underneath. Despite this, Rex's head was held high, a twinkle in his eyes at the victory they'd secured.
"Well done, General," he nodded.
Obi-Wan shook his head in amusement. "Nothing ever dampens your spirits, does it Rex?"
The former captain glanced back at the battlefield, and the scores, if not hundreds of clone troopers that lay dead. "I wish that were true, sir."
"Yes, it never gets easy, does it?"
Rex shook his head. "No, sir."
Obi-Wan nodded, patting the clone on his back before heading off to join Luke and his friends. Han turned to the Jedi master, shaking one finger at him, a huge grin on his face. "You still annoy me, old man, but I'll be damned if you aren't handy in a good scrap."
"How did you know that tank shot would work?" Luke inquired.
Obi-Wan smirked. "Oh, I took a page out of Anakin's book for that one. The battle had already begun, so my negotiation skills would have been of no use."
Han chuckled at that one, and Chewie sniffled in his laughter. Leia on the other hand, rolled her eyes at the duo, moving to place her left arm around Obi-Wan's waist. "I think staying passive is necessary in some situations. You are very honorable for staying true to that."
Han placed his hands on his hips, raised one eyebrow, and looked around the battlefield, littered with craters and broken machinery. "Oh, yes," he said sarcastically. "Pacifism would have done very nicely here."
Obi-Wan chuckled at the smuggler before freeing himself from Leia. "I suppose I should contact Anakin, we need a way off this planet, don't we?"
The others nodded, and Obi-Wan recused himself. Raising the small communicator on his wrist, he opened a channel to Anakin. "Come in, Anakin. Do you read?"
"Loud and clear, Master! Did you see that explosion?! HAHA! That was even better than my droid control ship!"
Obi-Wan shook his head in amusement. "Yes, I saw it Anakin. But we need an evac, send the gunships back down, we only need one for the tank."
"Must have been rough down there if only one survived. Alright, I'll get them on their way, see you then."
When the doors to the gunship slid open, Luke cried out in victory, leaping forward and enveloping the taller Anakin in a hug. The two broke and Anakin practically tackled Obi-Wan, who looked surprised, yet still returned it. Anakin then shook hands with Han and patted Chewie on the arm before hugging Leia as well.
"Another victory for the Republic, right Rex?" Anakin asked.
Rex chuckled as he hobbled off of the gunship. "That's right, sir."
Anakin glanced down in mock surprise, one eyebrow raised at the wound in the former captain's leg. "What happened to you?"
Rex waved a hand. "I led the charge, and they shot me. I am getting old, you know."
"I know what you mean," Anakin said, running a hand through his mane of hair. All the stress of these two wars with no break and he was beginning to age faster than he'd like to.
As Rex limped away, supported by Doom and Boil, Anakin turned his attention back to his fellow Jedi. "So where are these furry critters you told me so much about over the comm?"
"We decided to leave them on the planet. They are primitive, and should be left to their own devices for a change, none of this galaxy travel for our innocent friends," Obi-Wan explained.
Anakin nodded. "I guess that's the best thanks we can give them."
"Agreed," Luke said.
The trio turned to head towards their quarters as the Pride jumped to hyperspace. On their way to the turbolift, they spotted a familiar group. The crew of the Ghost was laughing with several of the clones, but quickly excused themselves when they caught sight of the approaching Jedi.
"Ah, Ezra, Hera, Zeb, Kallus, I'd like you to meet Obi-Wan Kenobi, my old Master," Anakin introduced.
Obi-Wan shook hands with each of them, but Ezra was rooted in place, staring up at the bearded Jedi. "Is something wrong, my young friend?"
Ezra shook his head. "No, not at all, it's just . . . the last time I saw you, you were old."
Obi-Wan chuckled. "I seem to be getting that more and more. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the same situation as Anakin here. I sense the Force in you, tell me, are you a Jedi?"
Ezra nodded, then shrugged with one shoulder. "I guess I'm somewhere between Padawan and Knight. My Master died before he could complete my training, and we haven't met anyone else in our travels that could help me. Anakin has been very helpful in improving my saber combat, though."
Obi-Wan nodded. "He does have a knack for it, doesn't he? And even though he may not say, he's a rather gifted Jedi in the ways of the Force, he just doesn't like to teach it."
Ezra smirked. "Sounds familiar."
While this was taking place, Anakin was chatting it up with Kallus and Zeb, remarking on the battle. The big Lasat exclaimed, "I've never seen so many bucketheads to shoot at!"
Kallus and Anakin laughed. "We did clear them out pretty quickly."
"I know," Zeb crossed his arms. "I got bored once all their fighters were gone."
"I don't mean to be such a great pilot, but I can't help it sometimes," Anakin held his hands up.
Kallus laughed. "At least the two of you got some action, I was on the tail gun. It's the worst place to be when you're constantly in pursuit."
Zeb punched the former ISB agent in the shoulder lightly. "Quit your whining. I'm the better shot anyway."
Anakin left the two bickering as he strode towards his quarters alone. Usually after a battle like that, he would contact Padme, but her absence was one that could not be filled by anyone, not even Luke or Obi-Wan, though the arrival of his Master did ease his mind. The connection that had begun to fade was once again restored, the two brothers bound in the Force once again.
When he stepped inside, the door hissed closed behind him, and Anakin dropped to his knees, taking in a deep breath. Since Padme was unreachable, he instead chose to focus on their memories together. As the memory of her warm, soothing presence filled his mind, a broad smile spread across Anakin's face, his eyes still closed. His mind took him back to the lake country on Naboo. He saw her glowing in the field, wind blowing through her hair.
Even as the happy memories continued, Anakin's mood began to sour. Anger began to fester in his mind. Anger towards Yoda for bringing him here, and anger towards Luke for needing his help in the first place. Then anger turned to sadness, then anguish as he was reminded he would never see his love again. He wondered if she thought about him as much as he thought about her.
He leaned forward as the tears flowed down his face in his moment of weakness, thankful for the shields he'd put up beforehand, to protect those around him from his mind. The droplets of water from his eyes splattered onto the floor as he wept for his losses. He was constantly reminded of his failure to maintain the Jedi Code, but his own personal losses outweighed it.
Even as his mind returned to Padme, he heard the door hiss open behind him. A light-hearted voice alerted him to their presence. "You'll need stronger shields than that to hide your emotions from me, Anakin. It seems you're out of practice."
Anakin sat up, his back still turned to the door. "Not now, Obi-Wan," he said as he wiped his nose with his sleeve. "I don't need a lecture, I need to be alone."
"Why? So you can wallow in your own self-pity? No, Anakin. I know what troubles you, and I know that I can't give her to you, but I can help you deal with your loss."
"And how are you gonna do that Obi-Wan? Huh?" Anakin shot, turning his head to look over his right shoulder at the older Jedi.
Obi-Wan closed the door, stepping into the room. He walked around to sit on the edge of Anakin's bed, his eyes meeting the kneeling Skywalker's. "I know exactly what you are feeling, Anakin."
"How?! You never loved anyone like I do!" Anakin protested.
Obi-Wan dropped his eyes. "You forget Satine."
Anakin shook his head. "That's different, the two of you were never together."
"Had she said the word, I would have left the Jedi Order," Obi-Wan explained, clasping his hands together and bringing them up to cover his mouth. "I loved her, Anakin. I did. And she died right here, in my arms."
"What?" Anakin whispered, looking up to meet the eyes of his Master.
Obi-Wan nodded. "Maul took her prisoner to lure me to Mandalore so he could kill me. But he got other ideas, deciding to leave me imprisoned forever with the knowledge that I had caused her death."
Anakin gathered his feet underneath him and moved to sit next to Obi-Wan. "I had no idea."
"And do you know the worst part of it, Anakin? You weren't there. I had no one to comfort me, no one that knew what I was feeling. No one who cared enough to ask," Obi-Wan said softly. "You have Luke, Rex, and an entire fleet here for you. All I had was Ahsoka, but she was in too much grief over your disappearance."
Anakin nodded, finally realizing the state Obi-Wan had been left in. He placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "I just miss her."
"As do I, Anakin, as do I."
Vader's robotic legs and heavy boots signaled his entrance into the Emperor's lower chamber on Coruscant. Though the Senate had been dissolved, a meeting was called so that Vader could announce the events that had taken place. The massive room was in an uproar from the confusion surrounding the Emperor's sudden absence.
As Vader rose into the center of the room, flanked by Admiral Piett and Grand Admiral Thrawn, he raised his hands to silence the room. "As many of you are aware, the Emperor is now dead."
The room once again roared in response, delegates shouting at eachother and arguing. Some sat back in noticable relief, which brought the slight twinge of a smile onto Vader's lips, knowing what he was about to do. He raised his hands again to silence the room.
"There will be no election, for I will be taking his place as your Emperor. I will crush the Rebellion and return our galaxy to peace and justice," Vader boomed. Those that showed relief previously now had looks of despair on their faces as they sat forward and bowed their heads.
Gradually, applause went up around him, followed by cheers from some of the wiser delegates. Vader crossed his arms and allowed the room to partake in the act, Admiral Piett even joining in. While the newly appointed Emperor and Dark Lord of the Sith basked in his glory, Thrawn eyed him with discontempt. Vader had humiliated him too many times for him to sit idly by and watch him seize all of the power. But he didn't dare challenge the Dark Lord without support. He would be slaughtered and made an example of. No, Thrawn would bide his time.
As if vader could sense Thrawn's very thoughts, the helmeted head turned towards the Chiss, sending chills down his spine. Vader simply stared at Thrawn before saying, "Come, Grand Admiral, we have a rebellion to put down."
