Thanks to Guest, Xertib and V for the feedback!
V: In regards to the timeline, I'm working on constructing a chain of events. I did kind of let it get away from me, and I intend to fix that. At some point. Hopefully.
This chapter is shorter than most, but it sets up an arc I'm really proud of. I guess this is where Avatar: The Last Airbender really bleeds through.
Enjoy!
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"We shouldn't be here." Greez shook his head as they descended onto Mustafar's fiery surface. "This is the home of Darth Vader! We should be running as fast as we can!"
Ezra made his way to the boarding ramp. "You guys can just drop me off then. My team's coming; they can help."
"No way." Cal stopped beside him, lightsaber ready. "Vader needs to be taken out anyway."
Ezra glanced at him, shocked. "There's no way we can take out Vader. We're going in, getting Rex, and leaving. If we encounter Vader at all, we fail."
Cere nodded gravely. "Window opening in five, four, three, two, one! Go!"
Ezra and Cal leapt off the Mantis, free-falling towards Vader's castle. Glad he brought his helmet, Ezra tuned it to the Ghost's frequency. "Spectre Six to Five! Approaching insertion point!"
Sitting at the table on the Ghost, Sabine was carefully monitoring the situation. "Copy that, Six, you're all clear." She turned to Hera and gave a nervous smile. "Here's hoping they stay that way."
Echo, sitting at the other end, nodded. "They'll contact us if they run into trouble." He chuckled. "Although General Skywalker never seemed to." Sobering, he looked at Hera. "General, I think it's best if I remain on your ship during this mission."
Hera reluctantly nodded. "I can understand you not wanting to fight."
"Fight? Echo stood and laughed. "Oh, I intend to fight. But it wouldn't do to rescue the Captain, then have to mount another rescue mission just to save me. Besides, you could use some covering fire, I imagine. I can man the aft turret."
Hera smiled. "Very well, ARC Trooper Echo. We'll be arriving in an hour. Best familiarise yourself with how the turret works."
. . . . . . . . . .
Rex glared at the impassive figure. "This is who you are now, General?"
Vader took a step forward and raised his hand. "You will surrender the names of your Rebel conspirators."
Rex chuckled. "Don't bother, General. I was trained to resist Mind Tricks, you saw to that. Remember Teth?"
Vader was silent for a moment, then raised his fist. "If you do not cooperate, you will die."
"And how would you feel?" Rex sighed. "I remember my General risking his life to save mine. My General, who would punish himself over the casualty list after every mission. Every trooper was his friend, every member of the 501'st counted him as a brother." He leaned forward the best he could in his shackles. "What happened to you, Anakin?"
The lights began to flicker as Vader took another step forward, breathing growing slightly unsteady. "That name no longer holds any meaning for me."
Rex laughed. "No, it's the name of the man you once were, the one who you've buried under Vader." He frowned slightly. "It's not too late. You could come with me, and we could bring back the Republic. Leave behind the Empire and the guilt you face everyday. Fight for something right again!"
Without a word, Vader left the room, and Rex scowled at the two stormtroopers that took his place. "My armour was far better."
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Hybrid blaster at the ready, Ezra led the way, reaching out with all his senses. "So far, nothing." He felt for Cal briefly. "Anything?"
The other Jedi shook his head. "Nothing. I don't like it. The last fortress I stormed was crawling with troopers."
"Yeah." Ezra activated his comm. "Spectre Six to Four, I may need some assistance in a minute."
"Copy that, Six. Be there soon."
Without warning, the doors seemed to seal around them, and Ezra and Cal stood back to back, activating their lightsabers. "I think it's too late."
Heavy breathing was heard, and a crimson lightsaber was ignited, painting the walls red. "You would be wise to run."
Cal swallowed. "Yeah." He glanced at Ezra, who backed up a pace, and nodded. "Probably."
Ezra charged, sliding under Vader's legs. He made to turn, but Cal Force-Pushed him forwards. "Go! Get Rex and leave!"
Vader strode forward. "We have yet to finish our duel, Jedi."
Cal let out a shaky breath and split his lightsaber into two, holding one in each hand. "Can't take a rain check?"
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Ezra ran through the corridors, struggling to find Rex's Force Signature. This place was filled with the Dark Side; his senses were almost overwhelmed with pain and suffering.
Finally, he reached the room that held Rex and two Stormtroopers. Using the Force, he flung the two troopers into the ceiling and entered, smiling as he saw the old clone's face. "Rex!"
The captain grinned. "Ezra. You came." As Ezra used the Force to release Rex's manacles, he grabbed the troopers blaster rifles. "We need to get out of here."
Ezra lifted his wrist. "Spectre Six to Mantis Two, how's it going?"
Lightsaber clashes could be heard. "Still alive, talk later Six!"
Ezra began to run to where the sounds were coming from. "Come on! Cal needs us!"
He opened a corridor door, and without warning, the other Jedi was flung backwards, and Ezra ignited his lightsaber, taking a defensive stance as Cal shakily stood with the help of Rex. Together, they watched Vader approach, and Rex walked forward. "General, stop!"
To their amazement, Vader actually stopped, and Rex took another step forward. "Think of the man you were! My brother! I remember, General, how you were in the Clone War. You'd risk your life for even one of us! And now, look at you! You've turned into someone completely different! Is this someone Padmè would be proud of, Anakin?"
There was silence for the span of ten seconds, before stormtroopers ran up behind Vader and began firing at the trio. Using the Force, Ezra pulled Rex back. "Time to go!"
Rex set his jaw as he began returning fire. "He's still in there."
Cal and Ezra deflected, and the later turned his head to face Rex. "I don't think you'll reach him." He glanced at Cal. "Sword and Shield. Go!"
Both Jedi ducked, and Rex threw one of the bombs he had taken off the stormtroopers. "We don't have long; we have to go!"
Nodding, Ezra and Cal followed Rex, and Ezra lifted his comm. "Spectre Six to Spectre Five, we could really use an exfil!"
"Landing Bay Two. Look for all the blaster bolts."
Cal grinned. "Thanks, Sabine." He turned to Ezra. "I felt something."
Without looking, Ezra deflected a bolt that was aimed for his back. "An Echo?"
Cal nodded. "Of Vader. Before the suit. Fighting someone on this planet."
You were my brother, Anakin!
I hate you!
Ezra sighed. "Great. Now that we know what fuels Vader's pain, we'll never have the chance to save him."
Cal nearly chuckled. "You seriously think that can be done?"
Ezra thought back to Hoth. "Luke did. He believed that no one couldn't be redeemed." He glanced at Cal. "I guess that goes for Vader too."
Rex grunted. "Cut the chatter, you two. We're almost there."
Entering the Landing Bay, Ezra could see that Merrin, Sabine and Cere were outside the Mantis, returning fire to the squads of Stormtroopers attacking them. Outside the Bay, the Ghost was providing supporting fire, with Zeb, Echo and Chopper using the turrets. Upon seeing the trio, Cere lifted her comm and spoke, but she was too far away.
As focused in getting Rex to the ship as he was, Cal didn't notice Ezra wasn't with them until they had arrived, then turned to see the other Jedi, unable to move, stormtroopers surrounding him. On impulse, Cal grabbed Sabine, right as she noticed the state of her husband.
"Ezra!" Sabine struggled and broke free of his arm, trying to run to him. "No!
Ezra, using his last remaining strength, threw her his lightsaber. "Get out of here!" He used the Force to lightly push Sabine away. "GO!"
He watched as Cal helped Sabine on the ship, and breathed a soft sigh of relief. Being captured, he could handle. Having both him and Sabine captured?
Just as the Mantis took off, heavy breathing was heard, and Ezra turned to face Darth Vader. When you can't make it, fake it. "So, who talks first? I talk first? You talk first?"
Without a word, Vader turned to enter his castle, and a Death Trooper stopped in front of Ezra and butted him with his rifle, knocking the Jedi out cold.
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Chapter Notes!
I). You ever wonder if Rex discovered what happened to his former General? That'd be tough, maybe even for Vader.
II). Cal's psycometry is really fun to use, as it allows me to further explore planets pasts.
III). You win some, you lose some. Ezra being in the hands of Vader is far worse than Rex, because The Jedi had a connection to Rex. The Jedi and Vader have none to Ezra.
Thanks for reading!
Judge
