Star Wars Infinities: The Warrior

By Christopher W. Blaine (darth_yoshi@yahoo.com)

DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations contained in this story are ©2002 by George Lucas and are used herein without permission for fan-related, non-profit entertainment purposes only. This original work of fiction is ©2002 by Christopher W. Blaine and may not be reproduced in part or as a whole without the express permission of the author.

CHAPTER 11

"Have you ever been to Alderaan, kid?" Dash asked as the Outrider moved into line behind an ore hauler. Strictly controlled for traffic, Alderaanian space no place to come flying in blind. Though they had no offensive weapons, the peace-loving members of the world did have a number of non-lethal ion cannons placed on the tops of the mountains scattered around the planet. A couple of well-placed shots and the Outrider would be nothing more than floating space junk, waiting to be impounded by the local security forces.

"I'm about your age, Dash," Corran said, giving him an evil eye. It was a true statement, but if one were to look at the two of them, it would not be so readily apparent. Dash was rugged, with a day's worth of beard that hid a strong chin. His biceps flexed whenever he made a slight adjustment to their trajectory and his long blond hair always seemed somehow unkempt, yet stylish.

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Corran, who still had to grow his first full face of hair. Clean-shaven with a short, CorSec regulation haircut, he was smaller than Dash, but his frame hid raw muscle. Dash was starting to develop what would one day be a proud ale-gut, while Corran refrained from anything other than natural juices and water. "You look like my son," Dash said in jest. "You need to get yourself drunk and find a good woman…"

Corran shook his head. "I told you before that I don't go for that kind of thing."

"You're a real straight arrow, you know that, kid?" Dash replied. The cockpit remained silent as they descended and Dash took the time to review what he had learned so far about his new partner.

Hal Horn was probably the best cop that CorSec ever produced, a man dedicated to protecting the citizens of Corellia from all enemies, be they pirate or Imperial. Corellia had not gone into Palpatine's New Order quietly and the protests lodged by politicians such as Garm Bel Iblis had made the Emperor come to loathe the planet. Always filled with rebels and grandstanders, the Emperor had hoped to choke the Corellian economy, forcing the people to rally against Bel Iblis and force him from office. It was not enough to kill him, the Emperor wanted to see the man shamed.

But the stubborn Corellians stuck together even as more and more shipyards were closed, vital and lucrative contracts sent off to worlds like Kuat. The Emperor would not negotiate, nor would Darth Deceptra, not that it would have done any good. A warrior, a pilot even, such as Darth Vader, had he lived, most likely would have been able to win over the Corellian people initially, but the current government simply repulsed the independent-minded peoples.

Hal Horn began to secretly work for the Corellian rebel cells after the closing of Corellia Fighter Works, a small company that he had invested most of his retirement savings into. Because of the Empire's policies, Hal Horn would have to work until the day he died in order to eat. That wasn't right and the cop finally saw that treason was the only way to save his world.

Luckily, Garm Bel Iblis had been watching Horn for some time and was quick to snatch the man up at the first sign of discontent. After that, Hal began to make sure his son was prepared for the coming war. Hal had no doubt that the Empire would starve the people of Corellia until they bowed and begged for mercy. That, of course would never happen.

Soldiers were needed and Corran Horn, newly graduated from the CorSec academy began years of study in everything from advanced small arms tactics to jungle survival. Unfortunately, this made Corran something of an embarrassment to CorSec because he did not become a very good law enforcement officer. Word was passed down that Corran had either shape up or ship out. The Imperials, who were slowly taking control of CorSec away from the local government, could not abide waste. They felt Corran's talents would be better served in the Imperial military.

Dash's sudden defection and mission to Alderaan was a blessing for Hal Horn who had been worried about what would happen to his son. "You ever seen combat, kid?"

Corran gave up trying to correct his new partner. "A little. Nothing major like what you've probably seen," he said and Dash was surprised by how humble the guy had become since their fight. Hal had mentioned that Corran was a top-notch hand-to-hand combatant and Dash had earned his respect by keeping up with him. "I have been in some space combat, flying X-Wings."

"The T-65 from Incom? Wasn't that design stolen by the rebellion?"

Corran nodded. "Yeah, but it wasn't like the Imps were going to buy it anyway. Too expensive for the Emperor's tastes. Local security forces liked them, though."

The continued the small talk while the cut through the stratosphere and within fifteen minutes they had been given clearance to land at the royal palace. Stepping out of the ship and onto the landing pad, Dash noted with some ire the way some of the workers kept pointing at the Outrider and laughing. He considered going over and smacking some manners into them when Corran put a firm grip on his shoulder. Even through the shoulder pads of his body armor Dash could feel the strength of the other man's fingers.

Coming out of what appeared to be flight control was an entourage of several armed security men and many white-robed minister. Bail Organna, taller than all of the others, his once dark, swarthy features paled by time and worry, walked in the middle. Dash began to briefly come up with what would be the proper greeting for a Viceroy when Corran stepped out in front. It had been agreed to let Corran do most of the talking since he had a more pleasant demeanor.

The guards surrounded the ship even as techs moved in to refuel it. Bail stepped up and Corran bowed slightly from the waist. "Greetings Viceroy Bail Organna," he began.

Bail dipped his head. "You must be Corran Horn," he said extending his hand. "I met your father several years ago when you were a small boy. He spoke very highly of you."

"You honor both me and my family with your kind words," Corran said. He then turned to Dash. "Allow me to present the captain of the Outrider, Dash Rendar."

Bail smiled. "Your reputation proceeds you, Captain; Garm Bel Iblis made you appear to be the hero of Corellia."

"Do all heroes smell so bad?" a female voice asked from behind Bail. "You would think one would have the manners to wash before meeting the leadership of one of the Core Worlds!"

Leia stepped out from behind her father, clad in the same white robes that the ministers wore. Her hair was done up in typical Alderaanian fashion, a bun on either side of her head. There was a fiery spirit in her tone and she eyed Dash with contempt. Corran seemed to feel something else in the air as well once she made her presence known.

Dash bowed. "Pardon me, your worshipfulness, but some of us work for a living."

Several attendants gasped at such rude language. They were used to Leia's tirades, especially of late, but to have a commoner speak so was simply too much for many of them. Some started to protest but Bail raised a hand to quiet them. Leia was too used to getting her way; she was prideful and Bail supposed that was his fault. She had a big heart and he had lavished her with attention, but there was something of a snob in her. Her education in royal etiquette had perhaps been too extensive.

How he wished she would use that training more often with the Emperor. "I do work, Mr. Rendar, I work to ensure that all peoples are treated fairly and decently. How many people could be fed if you filled your cargo holds with food instead of spice?"

"How many people would be fed if you sold some of the royal jewelry, my lady?" he asked, grinning.

Corran said nothing as he was having a hard time understanding the tongue-lashing Dash was receiving. He moved to step in to his friend's defense when Leia turned to him.

It was said in many cultures that there is a moment in time that occurs when your past, present and future all collide. A single second where you realize that your destiny is standing before you. Corran felt that way the moment the young princess looked at him and he "felt" something else as well. It was a light, buzzing sensation, a general feeling of emotional wellness. Leia's features softened. "Mr. Horn…I…I…"

Bail looked to his daughter and all of the worries of any loving parent came over him in a wash. Leia was trembling slightly and not from rage. Her shoulders slumped and she fought to find her tongue. He saw the expression on Corran's face and Bail was reminded of how he once looked when he gazed upon Leia's mother.

Her true mother. Darth Deceptra.

Dash snickered, breaking the moment. "Tell you what, Princess, how about we let the kid here handle all of the negotiations between you and me?"

"There are no negotiations!" she said, her color reddening again. It did not quite reach the crimson it had before, Corran's presence seeming to keep her in check. "I am not some piece of cargo to be hauled around the universe!"

"Leia, you must go," Bail pleaded. "It is not safe for you here anymore. You have heard the rumors. Deceptra herself is coming here to investigate possible rebel sympathies among the royal family. This trip was planned long ago…you have put this off for far…"

"I do not wish to be trained as a…" she looked at the ministers and swallowed. "I do not wish to become a pilot," she lied. There was no way she could reveal that only six months before, her father had revealed to her the awful truth.

In a brief conversation in which Bail had shaken as he held his brandy, he told her that she was adopted, that her mother had been a Jedi Knight killed by Darth Deceptra, and that she possessed Force-ability. It had been agreed to raise her on Alderaan until such time as she was ready and then she would be sent to Dagobah to train under Quinlan Vos, the last Jedi Master.

Though Bail could not bring himself to fully support the rebellion, due to some strange relationship he had with the Emperor, he knew that his adopted daughter was destined to become a Jedi Knight. Leia, however, did not like the idea one bit and had done everything she could to keep from going.

"This isn't a committee meeting, miss prissy-princess," Dash said. "I've got orders to get you the hell out of here. There isn't time for a debate."

Corran shook his head as one of the ministers actually fainted. Several of the guards chuckled, glad to see somebody stand up to the princess. "I am not going!"

"Leia…" Bail started.

"Just who the hell do you think you are?" Dash asked, putting his hands on his hips and standing to his full height. Leia backed up just a step. "This isn't about what you want or what I want…it's about defeating the Empire." He looked around at the assembled people and knew he could not reveal the truth about Leia's heritage.

Corran seemed to catch on and stepped in, his voice steady and sure. "You are a natural leader, princess, and as such you represent a great threat to the Empire. If you remain here, you also pose a threat to the safety of Alderaan. Your people are behind you, but you are bringing a world of trouble upon them with your outspoken views. Pilot training will give everyone a chance to take a deep breath and look at the situation rationally."

Bail was impressed by the young man's argument and was finally relieved that Bel Iblis had seen fit to send him along. He just wished the CorSec officer and his daughter would quit eying each other like two rong-dogs in season.

Leia wanted to argue, but finally relented. Head down, she slowly moved up the gangway and into the ship proper. A golden protocol droid followed her up. Before he could ask, Bail interjected. "See-Threepio belongs to her, an inheritance that cost me many credits to locate. He is an able, if not annoying droid."

"I don't like droids," Dash lied. He shrugged and went inside to make sure the princess was strapped in. Corran made the obligatory good-byes. Bail held him back for a moment longer. "I see the way you look at my daughter."

"Sir, I…"

Bail smiled. "Promise me you will watch over her. She is a princess in need of a knight."

"I'm no knight, just a man…"

"And keep Rendar away from her. He's got a good heart but he'll try to seduce her. I know his type." He laughed. "You are too well-mannered to be from Corellia, son; please accept my invitation to return any time you wish. You calmed the savage beast that is my beloved daughter." He gave Corran a final squeeze on the arm and then turned to exit the pad.

Two days later, Bail was marched into his own throne room by a squad of stormtroopers. They had been provided for his protection he was told and he had argued that there were no weapons on Alderaan outside the security forces. Who could harm him?

"Ah, Viceroy, it has been too long," Deceptra said from her seated position. She sat in Bail's chair on a raised dais. Her leg, crossed over the other one, bounced as she adjusted some controls on her wrist gauntlet. Bail briefly wondered how much machine she was now.

"Lady Deceptra, it always a pleasure to be in your company," he replied with a bow. The stormtroopers moved off to stand next to all of the exits and windows.

"Still lamenting over the frail little senator you could not bed, Viceroy?" she laughed. She was wearing her hair down and it shimmered. Bail supposed it was her real hair. As she stood up, he refused to remove his gaze from her.

A stormtrooper approached and jabbed him between the shoulder blades. "Avert your eyes!" he cried.

Bail fell to his knees and kept his head down. "My apologies, my lady; your beauty enthralls me as ever," he offered as an excuse.

Deceptra waved the trooper away and stopped in front Bail. She gave him permission to look upon her and he slowly started to raise his head. It was then he started to notice something important. Several years before, Deceptra had both legs replaced with mechanicals. The legs he saw not, visible below the skirt and above the knee-high boots was real. "Ah, you notice the changes. Our master Palpatine has his scientists working on even greater cloning techniques. These legs were taken from a clone of myself. Think of it Bail, you could have had a hundred of me to take to your chambers, all of them genetically predisposed to please you."

Bail slowly stood up. "You mock my feelings for you and you forget who you are. You forget about the politics you once believed in…"

"Politics that led to the death of the man I loved; a death I will avenge today," she promised as she started to slowly walk around Bail. "You were a dirty, perverted old man who fell in love with a child."

"I fell in love with the woman trapped in the child's body," he answered. "Killing me will not bring back Anakin! No amount of killing will do that."

A snap-hiss and Deceptra's crimson lightsaber flashed out and she took out Bail's leg just below the knee. The nerves were instantly cauterized and there was no pain, still Bail cried out in fright as he fell to the ground. "You will not mention his name, you rebel scum! Where is your whore daughter?"

Bail grasped his smoking knee and shook his head. He then felt the stab into his mind and he took the horror and rage he was feeling and used it as a defense. "Why prolong this, dear sweet Bail? You wasted your whole life pursuing a woman who would not have you."

Tears were rolling down Bail's face as he listened to the words coming from the mouth he so often wanted to kiss. It was true that their age difference had been great, but so had been his respect and admiration for her. Decades ago she had been so wise, so beautiful and so delicate. All of that changed when the brash Dark Lord of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker, had swept her off of her feet with his dark charm and good looks.

He remembered Bel Iblis told him once that good girls were often drawn to bad boys. He inadvertently thought of his daughter and feared for her if she were attracted to someone like Dash Rendar.

"She is with the Corellian rebel, is she?" Deceptra asked, waving the lightsaber in the air. Its hum unnerved Bail and he cursed himself for having been weak. If Deceptra found out the truth…

A black-gloved hand reached down and lifted Bail up. Though he stood several centimeters taller than her, Deceptra had him bodily over her head in a second. "You bastard! You filthy bastard! Why didn't you tell me?"

Bail shook his head again. "You are a filthy witch, a dark shadow of the woman you used to be. I could not stand by and watch you corrupt that child."

"A daughter! I have a daughter and you stole her from me! Your mind tells everything!" She heaved him across the room and used the Force to pin him against the wall, a meter off of the floor. "You had no right!"

"I had a duty! To hell with you, Deceptra!" Bail spit at her. "Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if that is what you want your daughter to be. Are you still the same woman that Anakin Skywalker fell in love with?"

Deceptra used the Force to close off Bail's windpipe, but he still croaked out as much as he could. "He would be…horrified…I was the only…one who…who…loved you for who…you were…"

With a final cough he died and Deceptra released him. His body fell to the floor with a resounding thud and she turned to the stormtrooper captain. "Round up everyone in the palace and execute them. Get your men out of here immediately afterwards because I'm having the palace razed from orbit."

The troopers moved off to carry out her orders and Deceptra deactivated her lightsaber. Her heart was racing as she considered the possibilities. She had a daughter, something she had dreamed about as a little girl when she would play with her dollies outside of her parent's home.

That meant Luke had a sister and Deceptra was reminded of her own sister on Naboo, back when she was someone else.

Wiping away a tear born of rage and casting a final glance at Bail Organna, Deceptra left the throne room to meet her shuttle.