Chirrut exited the craft, taking in the cool morning breeze, the sun hadn't come up yet. Waiting for Qui-Gon Jinn throughout the night tired him, he only managed to find a few hours of sleep. He knew it might take a while to hear back from him, so he decided to talk a relaxing walk through the small village not far from where the vessel landed. It was a simple little place, farmers worked the fields and children gathered fruit from the trees, all working together in support of each other in this humble community. Perhaps the ideal way to live, Chirrut thought.
Suddenly, with Imwe's advanced hearing, rang a familiar voice far off into the fields and into his ears. He initially couldn't parce who he was hearing, but as he carefully walked closer to the noise, he was surprised to bump into a sudden shock. It was then he finally knew who he found.
"Hmm, I'm surprised you're still alive" Chirrut smiled at the young lady in front of him.
Gaiis was surprised to see the man again, and slightly amused he still had that staff with him. X2 was also confused how they knew each other. "You two have met?" He hopped the small wooden fence from the fields.
"We've met... A while ago"
X2 inspected the blind man's clothing, recognizing it as uniform worn by the Guardians of the Whills. "... Are you with the Alliance?" X2 questioned.
"Yes, I am. I came with a Jedi named Qui-Gon Jinn"
"I know the name. Why are you here?"
Chirrut leaned against the fence, holding his staff in front of him. "We're looking for a couple Jedi, Rahm Kota, and Falon Grey. We thought they may be here"
"I don't know about Rahm Kota, but... I know... Falon Grey is dead"
X2, knowing the ensuing confusing, offered Chirrut to come inside to his home so he can explain himself. Chirrut agreed, and once inside rested in a simple chair. X2 sat in a chair as well, Gaiis stood near the entrance, patiently waiting.
"I'm a clone" X2 began. "I was cloned off of the DNA of Falon Grey. After the Clone Wars I came here and found Falon Grey, but he wouldn't survive for long, he was killed by the Empire. That is the short version"
"That's all I need to hear then" Chirrut sighed. "But why is she here?" He tilted his staff in Gaiis' direction.
"A friend of mine directed her here to me, hoping I could get her to the Rebel Alliance before he died"
Chirrut nodded. "Some have been looking for her"
Everyone in the house agreed to wait for Qui-Gon Jinn's return, and from there, they will deliver X2 and Gaiis to the Rebel Alliance.
(HOURS PRIOR)
The late-night attack on the final Imperial base situated in the capital was finally underway. The plan was to approach the walls of the complex from all sides, four men from the north, four from the south, east and west, all armed with heavy weaponry. The Jedi would barge in through the front gates and destroy anything and everything they could. But Qui-Gon Jinn had a better way inside, he would sneak in and act as the enemy just before everyone else arrived, he had the gear for such an approach.
The plan was finally in motion. The troops jumped between the rooftops of the city before jumping down and crossing the bridge over the river under the cover of night. The mother base was easily spotted on the hill just atop the city, where the old capitol building used to stand before being torn down. Jinn would find his own way in once reaching the tall metal walls surrounding the complex. Scaling the wall was more painful than he remembered. He jumped straight up and planted his feet against the wall for an extra boost, he then gripped onto the ledge and pulled himself up. He saw the entirety of the outpost from so high up. Slipping on his helmet, he jumped down behind what appeared to be the barracks, and stepped out into the main open corridor of the complex.
Stormtroopers all had their posts or routes to follow, so Jinn knew he had to find a quiet place to initiate his plan, a small area where he wouldn't be heard or seen immediately. Rahm Kota and his men waited in their positions for the signal, Kota just outside the front entrance around the corner, his men on the corners of the outpost walls. Jinn hurried inside the munitions building, telling the guard waiting at the door to ignore him as he had to collect ammo, the trooper did just that with the waving of Jinn's hand. Jinn explored the building, finding the entire structure filled to the brim with ammunition and explosives; to a careless degree, the Jedi thought. Thermal detonators all assorted in a crate that Jinn opened; that would certainly be the perfect signal anybody could recognize. Qui-Gon held the grenade in his hand ready to activate, tossing it at crates of ammunition, he sprinted out the door and past the trooper soon to be blown away. A tall and powerful explosion destroyed the entire building, EMPing the entire outpost, lowering the shields at the front gate, and disabling all electronics. Kota and his militia roared as they stormed the complex, cutting down the disorganized and panicked Imperials with blaster fire from above, lightsaber slashes from both the Jedi, and rockets obliterating the mounted guns.
From the barracks walked a heavily armored stormtrooper, wielding a double-bladed purple lightsaber no less. He seemed properly trained, as he performed an impressive flourish. The two Jedi stood their ground as the trooper charged them, blocking the incoming attacks from the left, then the right, then the left again. The trooper was quick, but the experienced Jedi knew they were quicker. Rahm Kota leaped over the trooper's head as Qui-Gon pushed the trooper onto his back with the force, allowing Kota to impale the trooper as they both landed. Soon the rest of the mother base would fall, the Jedi could finally relax, even if it was just a moment.
"Ah no" Kota pointed at the sky. "You see that?"
Jinn turned his head to view the early morning sky, a stormtrooper transport had landed in the streets of the city, slowly unloading soldiers and quickly heading to what remained of the compound. "Can you handle a few more?" Jinn activated his lightsaber once again.
"Age hasn't slowed me down yet!" Kota activated his own green blade. "Take out the transports!" He called to his rocketeers on the walls.
The Jedi, in their combined efforts, pushed the approaching force of troopers over, then rushing them all and cutting them down as they tried to recover from the massive force push. Soon said approaching force would be all but reduced to nothing. The transports would ignite in an incredible explosion from the rockets, and finally would the battle be over. Or so the Jedi thought. More transports arrived, a star destroyer had settled over the planet, and soon the city would be overrun, just in time for the sun to rise.
"We have to leave!" shouted Jinn.
"I'm aware, I suppose you have a quick way out?"
"I have a ship of my own, just outside the city, it can hold what's left of your men!"
"We'll to leave the one we came in… Let's go then!"
The Jedi nodded. Kota and what remained of his soldiers followed Qui-Gon through the streets, deflecting bolts and cutting down any trooper that got in their way. The sun had just come over the horizon. Tie Fighters rained down shots from above in swift strafing runs as the Jedi finally made it outside the city walls. What was left was the small village, Kota had only four men left to fire back at their pursuers, and the Jedi were getting tired.
Chirrut Imwe and X2 stepped outside to see the commotion, only to witness the Jedi rushing down the hill from the capital, Tie Fighters and stormtroopers hot on their heels. Well of course Chirrut couldn't see it, be he easily knew what was happening. Qui-Gon Jinn shouted for Chirrut to hurry to the ship and get it started. Chirrut could hear this, and motioned for X2 and Gaiis to follow. They did.
"Do you have weapons!?" Chirrut asked the two.
"Yes, we do!" Responded X2.
"Keep them from shooting at us then!"
Gaiis and X2 quickly retrieved their weapons and fired back at the approaching Imperials. The Jedi had finally caught up, and deflected whatever bolts they could as the ramp into the ship opened. Kota had unfortunately lost the last of his troops, Jinn staggered into the closing doors of the vessel, quickly returning to his pilot seat to take off. The vessel received blast after blaster as the horde of troopers closed in. Once taking off, they now had to worry about the Fighters, and jumping to hyper speed was the only escape. The vessel rumbled and creaked with every endured strafing run.
"Do any of you know how to shoot the guns?" Kota asked X2 and Gaiis as he inspected the blaster cannon's seat.
"I do" X2 replied.
"Got on with it then!" Barked the frustrated Jedi
X2 sat in the gunner's seat, and attempted to distract the pursuers, occasionally tagging one, but knowing it wasn't enough to stop them. Jinn finally jumped to hyperspace once reaching a high enough altitude. It was all quiet once again, allowing everyone to catch their breath and take a seat.
Qui-Gon left his seat, sitting nearby next to his Jedi ally. "We would have to back for Falon Grey eventually"
"No need" Kota pointed at the man sitting across from him. "That's apparently the best we got"
X2 stared at the old man, saying nothing. Qui-Gon was unsure of what Kota meant, it was Chirrut who began to clear things up. "He's a clone of Falon Grey. The Jedi was his unofficial master"
"I see…" Jinn stroked his beard.
"Hmm… Try not to piss me off with that face of yours" Kota rose from his seat. "Anyway… Who is this?" He tapped his finger against Gaiis' shoulder, immediately regretting the decision after receiving a slight shock.
Qui-Gon Jinn finally met eyes with her for the first time. "Someone very important…" He smiled at Gaiis.
(CORUSCANT)
Meanwhile, Darth Vader had finally arrived on Coruscant. He and his master had arranged a meeting in private, to discuss the state of current events. It was the throne room, with red carpet that covered the entirety of the floor, and large windows that allow an overlook the dazzling midnight cityscape. It was dark in that room as Vader entered. The Emperor was sitting quietly in his chair as he intently watched the passing vehicles within the airborne traffic.
"Do you feel it, Lord Vader?" The dilapidated man echoed out through the room.
The Dark Lord had kneeled at bottom of the three steps that led up to Palpatine's desk. "Yes, my Master"
"Hmmm… I feel your anger from here, Lord Vader, it's quite unnaturally fierce"
"I am offended over the continued survival of Qui-Gon Jinn. I cannot wait to end him"
"In time… But first, something is coming for us all…" Palpatine stood, walking down the small flight of steps. "The presence of this something is distracting, so much as to blind me to what has happened in this galaxy"
"It is most annoying indeed" Vader stood to face the Emperor as he walked past. "What do you suggest, my master?"
Palpatine had stopped at the other window across the room, a haunting place where he almost lost his life. "I suggest you find what remains of the Jedi, and slaughter them. Then… We will join hands in defeating this unknown threat…Hmm" The vile Emperor began to form a wicked smile. "Once we destroy this threat, we will take its enormous power, and conquer the universe… Together"
Anakin stood behind his former master, watching the millions of lights across the city skyline flicker on and off in erratic timings. Palpatine was too late to recognize what was about to happen, this otherworldly power, and his own thoughts distracted him. He quickly turned his head in shock to face Vader, but the screech of Skywalker's red blade pierced his chest.
"No… You only think of yourself… My master" The deep robotic voice rang deep in Palpatine's ears as he was suddenly flung out the window, shattering it with a crash and a scream of defeat as he plummeted to his death.
What was once the Dark Lord stood over the shattered window, the incoming wind holding up his cape. He felt neither Anakin Skywalker, nor Darth Vader at that moment, but perhaps something in between. He walked away from the window, not sparing a thought for his former master. Returning to his personal craft, his next destination was the speculated Rebel Alliance origin on Alderaan. The journey over was long and contemplative, as he did not know what to expect once he arrived, but he did hope to amend for his actions, in some way he regretted everything he's done. Since his turning to the dark side, nothing has felt right, and he didn't feel as if he returned to the light, but was somehow caught in the middle of the two extremes.
His craft landed quietly within the capital of Alderaan, Aldera. And within seconds was surrounded by the Royal Guard. As Vader stepped out and onto platform, weapons were immediately trained on him, but he did nothing. The two Jedi who had just arrived were quickly informed of the event and rushed to see what was happening, Bail Organa was there as well. Skywalker tossed his lightsaber to the feet of the incoming Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn and Rahm Kota watched in awe as the Dark Lord simply stood there, doing nothing, his cape bellowing in the wind and his calm breathing clearly audible.
"What are you playing at?" Rahm Kota barked. "Where is your gaggle of drones?"
Vader said nothing. Qui-Gon then asked him another question, arms crossed in contemplation. "Why are you here alone?"
"I am led to believe there is a powerful threat emerging somewhere in the universe. The Emperor has sought to harness this threat's power, but he is now dead. I have killed him"
"You what?" Bail Organa stepped forward to face the Dark Lord. "The Empire has no ruler?"
"None. But this threat I speak of is very real. And I believe the combined forces of this galaxy are necessary to defeat it"
"An alliance? With you?" Scoffed Kota. "You betrayed your own Emperor. You can't expect us to trust you"
"We require only cooperation, otherwise we all shall die" Vader lowered himself on one knee. "And… Whether you choose to believe me or not, I desire to atone for what I have done. So I submit myself to the Rebel Alliance"
The Jedi glanced at each other, thoroughly surprised by the unexpected turn of events. Qui-Gon decided to kneel down and face Anakin Skywalker. Vader looked up at the old, withering Jedi Master. "How do you wish to atone, Anakin?"
Vader paused to look into his old friend's eyes through his red visor. "… You may decide my fate after we have survived… In the meantime… I believe mobilizing the Empire's forces against the threat is what I must do"
Jinn stood over the deplorable Dark Lord, unable to not feel sympathy for the undoubtably shattered man. He turned to his allies behind him. "Find something to hold him" He said, then returned his gaze to Vader's defeated position. "We'll see if he's up to the task"