Kuat: The Death Star hung in orbit of the planet next to the massive spaceyards, which were currently engaged in constructing the Lusankya, the Super Star Destroyer sister of the Executor currently being built at Fondor.
"Impressive, very impressive," said the Emperor looking at the massive station. "Finally a new weapon to cement my power in the universe."
The Emperor, Tarkin, Vader, and the senior staff of the Death Star were in a room at Kuat Drive Yards overlooking the Yards and the station.
"Yes Emperor," said Tarkin nodding before thinking. "But she's mine!"
"What do you think Vader?" the Emperor asked.
"The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force," said Vader.
"Yes my apprentice," the Emperor agreed. "But you can't threaten people with an invisible object. This will let people know what fear looks like!"
"Unfortunately it's a station with a major flaw," said Tagge.
"That being?" asked the Emperor bemused.
"The plans for it are loose. It's got an Achilles Heel somewhere and it's only a matter of time before whoever has it discovers that," responded the officer.
"What do you believe Tarkin?" asked the Emperor with a smile.
"This weapon has no weaknesses, it will crush the Rebels!" said Tarkin with authority.
"No doubt it will. But you are also correct Tagge, with those plans loose it will complicate matters. What of the Princess, has she revealed anything?" asked Palpatine. Tarkin shook his head.
"The only information we received was that the rebels base was on Dantooine, but the scouts have reported that the only base there was abandoned," said Tarkin with a bad taste in his mouth.
"So send the Princess there and see if she can remember any old memories," said Palpatine.
"Emperor, is that wise? I mean the Death Star would be better allocated elsewhere," said Tarkin.
"Don't worry Tarkin, I wouldn't want to squander the potential of your battle station," said the Emperor mockingly. "We'll put her aboard the Avenger and send it there. Lord Vader will accompany her and if she refuses to cooperate we threaten to exile her there forever."
"Yes Emperor," said Tarkin breathing a collective sigh of relief.
"Now then, I must be returning to Coruscant. Vader, accompany me," said the Emperor leaving with Darth Vader.
"I will not have you disgracing my station for common pitiful chores. It is the ultimate power and when I finally decide that I am better off ruling this universe you will fall by it." thought Tarkin. Out in the hallway, Palpatine was walking with Vader.
"I sense Tarkin is very discontent with his current position in life," said Palpatine.
"I have also sensed it my master," said Vader.
"We'd better keep a closer eye on him," said Palpatine.
"Yes my master. But how?" Vader asked.
"Tagge will report to me if anything occurs out of the ordinary and I'll contact Thrawn to get his read on the Grand Moff," said Palpatine.
"Yes master," said Vader. "But why bother sending the Princess to Dantooine, she won't be any more vocal there than before," said Vader.
"Convince her that the Navy bombarded the planet to pieces and then tell her there's nothing left to loose by revealing any other base," said Palpatine.
"Is that all?" asked Vader unconvinced.
"I also sense a catalyst in the Force occurring over Dantooine. Something is going to happen there and I want you to find out what it is," said Palpatine as they reached his shuttle.
"It will be done my master," said Vader affirmatively.
"See that it does. The son of Anakin Skywalker must not become a Jedi," said Palpatine with a smile as he left the shell shocked Vader. Finally Vader walked off to his Tie Advanced x1 and the Avenger.
Dantooine: The Falcon came roaring out of hyperspace above the planet.
"What brings us here?" asked Han as the ship roared into the atmosphere of the planet.
"According to my sources, there should be a rebel base here," said Zoda.
"The Rebels? How would you know that?" asked Luke.
"Because I own a construction company that built the damn base here!" said Zoda.
"Zoda I didn't know you were so noble," said Obi-Wan teasing him.
"Don't be stupid!" said Zoda shaking his head. "They paid through the roof for my anonymity."
"Way to go Zoda!" said Han as they clapped hands.
"Here are the coordinates for the base. Set down and we'll give them the droid and bug out," said Zoda. "Obi-Wan, Luke, do what you like because I don't care."
The ship roared through the atmosphere and in moments was over the abandoned base.
"What happened?" asked Luke confused.
"All I know is that if Obi-Wan says it was destroyed by the Empire, I will kill him," said Zoda. Obi-Wan chuckled at that. He was about to suggest it when he felt a lightsaber blade pressed next to his throat.
"Don't tempt me old man,"
"We'll let's set down for now," said Han trying to diffuse the situation. The ship roared into the bay and landed among the various bits of technology lying around. The group exited the ship and walked into the bay.
"I guess they abandoned it then," said Han.
"Yeah, looks that way," agreed Luke.
"C'mon let's find the command center," said Zoda. The team moved out as in orbit the Avenger roared out of hyperspace into orbit.
"Why have we come here?" demanded the Princess angrily from the bridge of the Star Destroyer.
"To thank you for your information regarding the base on Dantooine," responded Vader. "As you can see we managed to blast the base to pieces right before they left."
"Right; I'll bet you did," said Leia unconvinced. She'd given up trying any charades after Alderaan had been destroyed.
"Perhaps you are unconvinced. We'll need to set down for you to truly be convinced," said Vader. He headed for the doors and the Imperial guards escorted Leia to the hanger bay as well. Down on the surface, the team had finally reached the command center.
"Lousy tenants," said Zoda noting the disarray left behind. "They're on the verge of loosing their security deposit."
"And that would be a shame wouldn't it?" Han laughed.
"It's for the best. I kind of took the money and invested in a new fishing boat," said Zoda.
"Where were you planning on going fishing? Tatooine is kind of lacking in the water area," said Luke.
"I didn't say I was fishing for fish," said Zoda.
"What then?" Luke asked.
"Oh the usual, Krayt Dragons and Sand Worms," said Zoda as he began pushing buttons on the console.
"Are you serious?" asked Luke.
"The rule with Zoda is that the crazier the story the more likely that it's true," said Han sitting down and twirling his blaster around.
"He's right," conceded Obi-Wan.
"Of course I am! Who do you think hooked The Legend and dragged him into Mos Entei for the reward money?" said Zoda.
"That was you? I wanted to see that but my uncle put it off as utter nonsense," said Luke. "The Legend cannot be caught. I believe he said."
"Yeah well I found it. The only downside was he destroyed my boat," said Zoda peeved. "That was a good boat. So then I wound up blasting 1/3 of his body mass off until he died."
"Unbelievable," said Luke shaking his head. "But isn't that the dark side then?"
"Maybe," said Zoda shrugging. "Whatever. My boat deserved justice that's all I have to say."
He began pushing more buttons and suddenly an alarm began blaring.
"Shut if off!" shouted Han covering his ears. A moment later the alarm stopped.
"What was that for?" asked Luke.
"The computer sensed my sexy presence and went crazy," said Zoda with a smirk.
"That's just gross," said Han shaking his head.
"I heartily agree with you," said Obi-Wan. "Be serious Zoda."
"Fine!" Zoda shouted. "I don't know why it went off. But it's not important, only finding out where the Rebels went is."
"And how do you plan on doing that? I seriously doubt they left a goodbye note specifying where they went," said Han. Chewbacca rumbled in agreement.
"Of course they didn't. They didn't leave a letter but we sure as hell can find it," said Zoda. The others looked at him bewildered.
"Again, how?" asked Obi-Wan.
"Via my own secret surveillance system that I put into everything built by ZOD Industries," said Zoda.
"Way to go Z!" shouted Han.
"Zod?" asked Luke confused.
"Zoda on Demand," said the short figure with a smile.
"You vain idiot," said Obi-Wan shaking his head.
"Hey!" said Zoda spinning around. "Don't forget who is paying Han for this trip. I could leave both of you behind right now!"
"My apologies," said Obi-Wan rolling his eyes. Zoda spun back around and accessed the surveillance system.
"Computer initiate search. Voice print search for 'New Rebel Base'," said Zoda.
"Compiling," said the computer. Instantly music came on as the group covered their ears.
"Oh way to go Zoda! You just had to have holding music," said Han covering his ears.
"Sorry," said Zoda also covering his ears. A moment later the music stopped.
"Three different matches," said the computer.
"Let's hear 'em," said Zoda. Instantly the speakers came to life.
"We're heading for the new rebel base on Yavin IV," said clip one.
"So I hear we're heading for Yavin IV," said the second clip.
"Hey baby, prepare for my invasion into your new rebel base," said a male voice to the giggles of a female one on the third clip.
"Okay enough of that," said Zoda smacking the 'suspend audio button'. He shuddered at that last remark
"Wait I want to hear that one," said Han lightly.
"Yeah me too," agree Luke with a grin.
"Oy," said Yoda and Obi-Wan with Chewbacca nodding in agreement. "Well now we know where they went so let's go."
"Yeah sure," said Han heading for the exit.
"Wait! What's that triangle on the sensors?" asked Luke. On the scanner it showed a triangle hovering ominously above the base.
"Beats me, must be a glitch," said Zoda.
"That's no triangle, it's a star destroyer," said Obi-Wan ominously. Zoda groaned and clunked his head on the table as Han and Chewbacca groaned.
"Dammit Obi-Wan! I told you to quit it with that sithspit!" shouted Zoda.
"For the last time that's what it is!" shouted the Jedi.
"He's right," said Han enhancing the image. "So now what? It looks like a shuttle is inbound."
"I have an idea. It's stupid, but would certainly make our lives more interesting," said Zoda.
"Not a chance! Not without seeing some cash," said Han holding up his hands in protest. Zoda grumbled something and held up a chit.
"100,000 credits. Yours if you let me do what I want for the next week. If that week expires and I'm not done I'll give you another thousand," said Zoda. Han groaned but ultimately took the money.
"Good let's move," said the short Jedi heading towards the Falcon.
Fifteen minutes later: The Sentinel Class Landing Shuttle landed in the hanger next to the Falcon.
"Weird. Talk about your coincidences," said TK-421.
"True dat, true dat," said TK-427. The two troopers had just exited the craft and were looking at the vessel.
"So this is what the Emperor meant by a convergence in the Force," thought Darth Vader.
"I declare salvage," said TK-427.
"No fair! I wanted to do that!" said TK-421.
"Too bad," said TK-427 starting to let loose with a belly laugh.
"Unfortunately this ship is now being placed under Imperial custody," said Darth Vader.
"Damn," said TK-421 and TK-427. Darth Vader cocked his head to the side.
"I sense something. A presence I've not felt since," he started before walking off. The two stormtroopers watched him walk off.
"Where is he going?" asked TK-427.
"Yeah. This ship is back that way," said TK-421 pointing in the opposite direction. "Hey Lord Vader, the ship is back that way!"
Darth Vader spun around and his eyes began to glare red.
"Dude, run," said TK-427. TK-421 took off in the opposite direction as his neck was quickly snapped. TK-427 took out a little book and made a tally mark.
"Yes! Now I'm one clone up on him," said TK-427 happily as his neck was quickly snapped as well. An instant later TK-421 and TK-427 walked down the ramp and looked at their dead clone bodies.
"Whoops, heh, heh, heh," the two clones laughed.
"Hey nice ship! I declare salvage on it," said TK-427.
"No fair I wanted to," began TK-421.
"Quiet both of you!" shouted Vader. "Our trip here is cancelled! Get onboard that ship and take it to the Death Star. I will meet you there momentarily," said Darth Vader. The two stormtroopers shrugged and boarded the vessel. The ship took off and roared into hyperspace upon clearing the planet.
"Nice ship," said TK-421 walking around it with TK-427.
"That it is, that it is," said TK-427 nodding. They walked around a corner and found themselves in front of Zoda.
"Zoda!" they both shouted. They then spun around and witnessed the rest of the party standing behind them.
"Oh no," they both said holding their heads. "Is this where we die? I don't think I can handle dying twice in one day."
"Unfortunately no. If you die then your cloning tubes will pump you out again and then they'll know something's wrong. We'll just stun you for now," said Obi-Wan.
"Damn! No what're we gonna tell the guys during lunch?" asked TK-421.
"The same thing we always do. Lies," responded TK-427 before both were stunned. But before they could get comfortable, an alarm began blaring.
"We've got to exit hyperspace!" shouted Han running up to the cockpit. He jumped into his seat and pulled the lever and the Falcon roared out of hyperspace…right in front of the Death Star.
"Oh no," said Han as a tractor beam latched onto the ship and began hauling it inside.
"Whoops," said Zoda. "Maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all. I should've known TK-421 and TK-427 would pull something like this."
"You knew this was going to happen!" Han accused.
"Yeah it's called Murphy's Law," said the small Jedi.
"What?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Forget it," said Zoda shaking his head as the ship was pulled inside the space station. "Simply put this can only end badly."
"Yeah, but they're not going to get me without a fight," said Han pulling out his blaster.
"You can't win, but there are alternatives to fighting," said Obi-Wan.
"Lies! That's pure and utter sithspit!" said Zoda. "There are no alternatives to fighting!"
A few moments later: "It's completely and utterly empty, even including those two boneheads you put in charge of the ship," said Chief Bast.
"What about any droids?" Vader asked.
"According to the logs, once they realized what the droids were carrying and witnessed the Death Star itself, they slagged them and promptly took off in another ship," said Bast.
"So I guess our problems are over," said Motti confidently. "All that's left is the rebels and we're in business."
"Don't be too overconfident. We do not know whether or not the logs tell of the truth. Did the stormtroopers onboard report anything unusual?" asked Lord Vader.
"Considering they are unusual, no," responded Bast.
"Send a scanning crew aboard. Something is not right with that ship and I want to know what it is," said Vader leaving. "Find something!"
"Yes sir," Bast said watching him leave.
"Don't sweat it. Soon his reign will be coming to an end," said Motti.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," said Motti walking off. Bast sighed and signaled for a scanning crew to show up before he too walked off. The crew arrived with their scanners and hauled it aboard. A shrum was heard and then silence.
Five minutes later: "TK-421 why aren't you at your post? TK-421 copy," said the chief. He went over to the balcony overlooking the bay and saw TK-421 wandering around aimlessly. The chief sighed and just shook his head.
"I'm going to knock some sense into that idiot. Be right back," said the chief. He opened the door and found himself facing a wookie and a small diminutive creature.
"C'mon buddy," said the small one. "Let's dance!"
Two lightsabers extended from the creature before the Wookie threw the chief across the room and a stormtrooper ran in blasting everything in sight. A moment later Obi-Wan and Luke entered into the room and the door closed.
"What're you trying to do, get a parade in our honor? It's a wonder the whole station doesn't know we're here with Chewie's howling, you blasting everything in sight, and Zoda threatening everyone we meet," said Luke annoyed.
"Welcome to life kid," said Han with Zoda nodding in agreement.
"Yeah bring 'em on. We deserve a straight fight," said Zoda.
Obi-Wan held up his hands. "We don't have time for this! Where are the tractor beam generators?"
"R2 will try and pull them up on the monitor," said 3PO. A moment later they appeared. Obi-Wan memorized their location and prepared to head out.
"Don't worry I'll take care of this," said Zoda cutting him off and heading for the door. An instant later he was flung backwards by an invisible force.
"No! I will deal with this," said Obi-Wan.
"What? Why?" Zoda protested.
"Because if you head for the generators, you will attack any and everyone who gets in your way. They Imperials will know where you're headed almost immediately. Secondly, if you do reach your destination, rather than shutting it down you're liable to chop the generator in half thus potentially causing a situation where the whole station blows up!" said Obi-Wan.
"Yeah," Zoda agreed. "But what a ride it would be."
"Then let me go with you," said Luke. Obi-Wan shook his head.
"I wish I could let you Luke. But your destiny lies on a different path than mine," said Obi-Wan. "Listen, the Force will be with you always. Unlike that joker over there."
"Hey!"
And with that Obi-Wan was gone.
Chewbacca said something.
"Yeah I agree. How did you meet up that nut?" asked Han.
"He's a great man," said Luke defending him.
"Yeah great at," began Han.
"Listen Han drop it. Obi-Wan may seem eccentric, but ultimately he's the best hope we have for getting out of this situation alive," said Zoda cutting him off.
"Alright, alright. Cool," said Han. "I just don't like sitting around waiting for the enemy to finally close in on us."
R2 beeped something.
"What up?" asked Zoda.
"I don't know. He keeps repeating that he's found her," said 3PO.
"What?" Luke asked confused.
"Either he's caught in a repeating loop or he's fallen in love with the Death Star computer core," said Zoda.
"No! He's found Princess Leia," said 3PO.
"Who?" asked Zoda and Han.
"The Princess she's here?" asked Luke excited.
"Great now he's gone nuts," said Zoda holding up his hands helplessly.
"What's going on?" Han demanded.
"She's the one in the message! We've got to help her!" said Luke.
"What message? How do you know her name?" asked Zoda. Luke's mind went blank to the second question.
"The message telling Ben to bring the droids to Alderaan," said Luke answering the first question.
"If she's the one who started us on this course of disaster I say we don't rescue her," said Zoda. Han nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. The old guy said to wait right here," said Han.
"But he didn't know she was here," said Luke.
"Maybe he did. 'Your destiny lies on a different path than mine' Kenobi said. Go rescue her kid we'll be right here waiting for you to return," said Zoda.
"I can't do this alone," Luke protested.
"You're a Jedi in training, this is just the kind of mission to get you noticed before the council," said Zoda. "Oh wait they're all dead too bad. Ha, ha, ha."
Luke looked at him bewildered. "Listen she's rich."
"Rich?" asked Zoda and Han.
"Yes. Rich, powerful, if you were to rescue her the reward would be,"
"What?" asked Han and Zoda as the latter started foaming at the mouth.
"Well more wealth then you can imagine," Luke responded.
"I don't know, we can imagine quite a lot," said Han.
"Money, money, money," said Zoda rubbing his hands together. "Let's go!"
"Do you even know where she is?" Han asked. Zoda immediately stopped in his tracks.
"Curses," he said.
"She's on Level 5 detention block AA-23," said 3PO.
"Good let's,"
"Wait Zoda! We still need a plan," said Luke.
"Plans are for losers. Better to think on your feet I always say," said Zoda.
"I've noticed you get the sithspit beat out of you a lot," said Han. "Coincidence?"
Zoda grumbled something but stopped moving. As he turned around he knocked a pair of binders off the desk next to him.
"That's it!" said Luke. He took the binders and moved towards Chewbacca.
"Kid I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Zoda anticipating what Luke was going to do.
"Now I'm going to put these on you," said Luke. Chewbacca snarled at him as Zoda began laughing.
"Tear him apart!" the Jedi goaded.
"Okay, Han you, you put them on," said Luke handing them to Han. Han sighed and went to put them on Chewbacca.
"Alright let's go," said Zoda.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" asked Luke holding another pair of cuffs.
"You're joking right?" asked Zoda.
"You're an alien among an alien hating Empire. Believe me when I say that you are not among friends and that if you are seen walking free, you will be thrown in jail," said Luke.
"As opposed to now?" asked Zoda pointing to the binders.
"If you wind up jail we won't bust you out and you won't get the reward money," said Luke.
"Dammit!"
A few moments later they were on their way.