Chapter 4 - Reunion
"Lord Vader. A private class cargo vessel has emerged from hyperspace. They requests to board with your permission." Admiral Saxton waited for the Dark Lord's reply.
"What is the nature of their business Admiral?" Vader asked with mild curiosity.
"They have supplies for Project 77, to be delivered to you personally."
Vader stretched out with the Force, searching the cargo ship for a sign of his former master. Nothing. 'Are you hiding from me Obi-Wan?' Still, he could detect a presence, faint and familiar, but impossible to read.
"Let them board and put the cargo in bay GS20. Take the smuggler into custody and search the ship for any surprises. I'll inspect the cargo personally. Report to me as soon as you've conducted your search."
"Yes my Lord, it will be done," Saxton said with a slight bow.
Sonia Dai'lyn cut the Star Tamer's thrusters as the tractor beam took hold. As the ship drifted into the belly of the Star Destroyer, she walked to the cargo bay and inspected Vader's shipment. The bulky containers varied in sizes and shapes, each carrying specially modified materials needed to build powerful turbo lasers. The individual crates were worth more than the value of her ship. Combined, they totaled more than she could hope to make in a lifetime of smuggling.
The Empire paid quite handsomely for these materials, paying extra for discretion from both supplier and smuggler. No one was fool enough to talk about the contents of these shipments; the Empire was very cautious about who they hired. The smugglers that made these shipments would be employed for quite a long time as the project was predicted to last for the next fifteen years, and she was about throw it all away. And for what exactly? A Jedi she did not know or fully understand? If he were to succeed in overthrowing the Empire, the project would be over. If he were to fail, she would be lucky if Vader himself did not execute her. So why was she doing this? She subtly smiled as she thought, 'why not?'
In truth, she had no love for the Empire. It was because of this new form of government that she had been forced into smuggling in the first place. At the end of the Clone Wars, her native home of Tricompul had protested heavily at Palpatine's unopposed solidifying of power. Tricompian guerrilla forces sabotaged many of the Empire's industrial facilities that mined the precious ores and minerals found on the mountainous planet. Eventually, Vader himself was sent to deal with the rebellion. Many innocent people died her home was made an example to all rebelling systems. The Tricompul massacre was broadcast on the Holonet throughout the Empire. Under total Imperial occupation, the system was placed in a permanent state of martial law. Many were left homeless without a means to support themselves. Sonia's family was no exception. Both her father and her brother had died in the rebellion, leaving her mother to raise her alone. After a time, her mother succumbed to depression and committed suicide. Sonia spent the next few years living on the streets.
She eventually stowed away on an Imperial mining freighter. When pirates hijacked the shipment, she joined up with the motley crew, through which she met Jabba the Hutt. She purchased the Star Tamer from Jabba, who had acquired it from a smuggler that had met with an unfortunate 'accident'. She was still making payments but had received a 'discount' when she agreed to work for him. It was Jabba that had personally recommended her to the Empire, in return she paid him a considerable finders fee. In the end, she calculated that she will have paid Jabba more than five times the value of her ship. Though the price was steep, she figured it was worth it; she enjoyed the work and still managed to make a considerable amount of money.
The ship rocked as it entered the Star Destroyer's gravitational field. She approached a medium sized crate and checked the locking mechanism. If closely inspected, one could see that it had been modified to unlock from the inside. With luck, no one would notice this peculiar modification. Satisfied that the shipment was in good order, she made her way to the exit ramp and waited for the aircraft to settle onto the hanger deck.
An incoming transmission told her it was okay to exit the ship. As the ramp lowered, she was surprised to find four guards and an inspection crew in addition to the normal cargo handlers. A man in an admiral's uniform waited for her to exit.
"What's this all about?" She demanded as she approached the admiral.
Ignoring her, he turned to the guards. "Take her into custody."
"You can't do that!" she protested.
"I can and I will," the admiral smugly replied. "The orders come from Darth Vader himself."
"But I haven't done anything wrong!"
"Then you have nothing to worry about," he said before turning to the inspection crew. "Make sure you scan this ship from top to bottom. The minute you find anything of interest, report to me immediately."
"Yes sir," the lead inspector replied.
"I don't know what you're looking for, but you won't find it on my ship," she defiantly stated.
"Take her away," he commanded.
Brian sat in his cell, alert and focused. Using the calming techniques he had practiced during his meditation, he managed to keep his heart rate normal. It would do him no good if Vader where to catch wind of his excitement. It was all he could do not to smile. 'He's here,' he thought. He knew, not because he could feel his presence. The light side individual he had detected earlier had dropped off his Force radar hours ago. He knew because he could feel Vader's reaction. For the first time since arriving here, Brian could feel Vader's fear.
Obi-Wan's back hurt. Even with the assistance of meditation, he was unable to completely ignore the pain. With barely enough room to move, his body was crammed against a particularly uncomfortable reactor casing that belonged to an extremely large turbo laser. What do they have planned with such an enormous weapon? He could not fathom the vehicle or station that it belonged too. 'I have a bad feeling about this.' He would have to ponder this mystery another time.
The crate finally ended its journey from the Star Tamer into the cargo bay. Reaching out through the Force he could sense two guards nearby, presumably near the entrance of the storage facility. With his lightsaber in hand he slowly opened the crate. We winced as he stepped out and straightened his back.
"I'm getting to old for this sort of thing," he muttered.
The two guards were standing on the far end at the hanger entrance. Using the crates for cover, he slowly made his way towards them, pausing when he reached the crate nearest the door. Using an old distraction technique, he created an air pocket that thumped against a crate on the opposite end of the bay. The guards turned to investigate, their weapons raised. Obi-Wan waited as they made their way towards the disturbance before exiting the cargo bay.
The Star Destroyer was a newer model than the ships he had used in the Clone Wars, the layout being very different. Stretching out with the Force, he searched the ship. He froze in place, not daring to move. He felt the presence of his old padawan. Vader was coming, no doubt meaning to inspect his new shipment. He also felt something else, something strange. He could feel the Emperor but he seemed hollow. Palpatine's weak aura seemed to be mixed with the stronger aura of a stranger. Understanding came as he realized the reason behind the darkside's weakened influence. No one had died, Anakin had not managed to see the light, and the Emperor was not crazy. Palpatine was not there at all, or at least not completely. But how? That he could not answer, at least not yet. All he knew was that he had to find this stranger.
Obi-Wan was here. There was no longer a doubt in his mind. His old master had come to finish the job he failed to complete on Mustafar. The old fool actually thought he stood a chance. Vader's irritation fueled his anger, which in turn fueled his determination. He would show him who was the master now. Vader had spent the last five years hunting down the last remnants of the Jedi order. In that time he had honed his skills in the dark side, easily defeating the Jedi that had escaped the purge. In each instance, he had cut them down with little to no effort, craving an opponent worthy of his new skills. With each Jedi sighting that he investigated, he hoped to find Yoda, the pathetic head of the fallen order, or even better, Obi-Wan himself. He craved revenge in every pore of his mutilated body. Despite his injuries, he was the most powerful Sith to have ever lived. He knew Sidious purposely withheld teaching him everything for that very reason. The day would come when he would strike his master down and the galaxy would be his. That day may be sooner than he anticipated.
Reaching out through the Force, he found nothing; Obi-Wan still remained hidden. That was of little consequence, Obi-Wan would soon make his presence known. Vader was patient. He had waited five years for this confrontation and he could wait a little longer.
As he approached the cargo bay he sensed a disturbance. The guards were not at their posts. Quickening his pace, he went through the entrance and found the guards inspecting one of the crates.
"Why aren't you at your post?" He demanded.
Startled, the guards straightened to attention.
"Lord Vader. We were inspecting a strange noise and found this crate had been opened. The locking mechanism had been modified to work from the inside."
"So the smuggler thought she was clever. Obi-Wan was in this crate. I can feel it. He must be after the Emperor, but he won't get far. Get back to your post."
"Yes my lord," the guards replied.
Admiral Saxton grew irritated as he studied the progress of the battle below. Holographic images of the fighting played out before him as he studied a computer readout on the progress of his men. Little by little, they were being wiped out. It would only be a matter of time before Lord Vader commanded the retreat. Perhaps Vader was right, there were other systems that would be easier to control. This did not, however, mean that Mon Calamari should be given up on so easily. It would only be a matter of time before other systems would rebel with the same mutinous determination. The number of rebellions would grow and join forces, starting a chain reaction throughout the Empire. Not that a rebellion stood a chance against the greatest Empire in known history. If a system had a problem with Imperial rule they would perish. It only stood to reason that Mon Calamari should be made an example of.
"Admiral Saxton."
Saxton glared up at Captain Vernon. "What is it Captain."
"Lord Vader wishes to speak with you immediately," Vernon replied.
"Yes, of course. Thank you Captain."
He frowned as he watched Vernon leave. No doubt Vader was going to command the retreat. He straightened up as he reached for the holo-receiver. The image of Lord Vader appeared before him.
"Admiral Saxton, Obi-Wan Kenobi has boarded our ship. Alert all guards to his presence but they are not to confront him. Pull all guards posted between the cargo bay and the detention block. He is headed in that direction and I want him to have access."
"But my lord, the Emperor..."
"I am quite aware of the Emperor's location Admiral. Obi-Wan is a fool, caught up in Jedi sensibilities. He has no doubt discovered the Emperor's condition and means to abduct him."
"And we're going to allow him?" Saxton was confused. The battle on Mon Calamari was all but forgotten.
"There is only one way into the detention block. I will be waiting for him as he attempts to exit."
"I see. Lord Vader, please forgive me of my ignorance."
"Just do as I've commanded Admiral," the Sith Lord replied.
"Yes my Lord, it will be done."
After a few wrong turns, Obi-Wan began to have a feel for the enormous ship's layout. So far he had been able to escape detection from the crew. In fact, he began to have a bad feeling as things were going too smooth. A warning was growing in the Force, tingling his nerves and commanding his focus. He sensed a trap but saw no alternative than to proceed as planned.
Rounding the corner Kenobi sensed the presence of a storm trooper. Though he was not a descendant of Jango Fett, he was a clone nonetheless; his aura resonated with the genetic tampering he had received as an embryo. He approached the trooper from behind with expert stealth, managing to stay undetected. With a swift motion, he removed the helmet, introducing the clone's exposed head to the butt of his lightsaber. Obi-Wan dragged the unconscious man into a nearby storage closet and proceeded to remove his armored uniform.
Brian had been studying the two men that guarded his cell through the Force. He had been startled at how similar they were with the other guards on this ship. Only through slight vibrations in their personalities could he distinguish them apart. They seemed to have little will of their own. Their lives centered on the duties they performed. They rarely thought for themselves and when they did, they never acted upon these thoughts. Had they been brainwashed? Chills ran through his body as he imagined the boot camp that would produce such results.
In his meditation, he felt a third man approach his cell. This man was different from the guards. In fact, he was having trouble reading this man at all. It was as if something was shielding him, making him hollow, almost invisible. He felt the two guards grow alarmed. An instant later the two men seemed to fall into a deep sleep. Brian opened his eyes a split second before the cell door opened. The third man, wearing a guard's uniform, stepped into view, the other two troopers lay unconscious behind him.
"You're different from the other guards. You are very hard to read," Brian said with a hint of wonder.
The man approached him with cautioun, raising a cylinder in his hand that ignited a bright blue staff of light, similar to the weapon Vader had used when he first arrived in this nightmare. Removing his helmet, the man regarded Brian with cool blue eyes that seemed to look past his physical form. His hair was red with a hint of silver around the temples. His face was tan, bearded and slightly wrinkled from sun exposure and worry.
"Who are you?" The man asked. The question was less a demand and more genuine curiosity.
"My name is Brian and I have no idea how I've come to be here in this," he paused to look at himself, "body." He looked back at the stranger. "You're the one I sensed yesterday, the one who walks in the light."
Obi-Wan's face was an expression of surprised wonder. The blue light disappeared back into the cylinder from which it came.
"The Force is strong with you, though I suspect that has a lot to do with the body you now possess."
"Can you teach me to control this Force?" Brian asked.
"We'll discuss that on a different occasion. You need to come with me if you wish to live. Vader will kill you."
"Tell me what you need me to do," Brian calmly replied.
"Help me drag these guards into your cell, then change into one of their uniforms."
Mark hated Brian and wanted him to leave. Since his arrival a few nights back, he had not been able to spend a single moment with his father without that leech being present. Leech. Mark could think of no better description for the man that had sucked all the life out of his father. On the first day of his arrival, Mark had asked why the stranger they had met at the airport was moving into their home only to be sent away by Brian with an unspoken threat of violence. Mark looked to his father for help, but found with great surprise his dad could not bring himself to look into his son's eyes. As much as Andy tried to hide it, Mark knew that something was wrong. Known for his boisterous laugh and quick wit, he now ceased to smile, his face tense with lines of concentration and worry. His temper, always slow to rise, had become short and explosive. Mark had inquired about this change in mood only to have his father snap at him, raising his fist at the boy and swinging. Andy paused, horrified, his fist a fraction of an inch from his son's head. He tried in vain to apologize, but Mark had fled, terrified. His father's new 'friend' laughed with wicked delight during the encounter.
He had considered calling the police, but knew there was not much they could do. Brian had not committed any crimes other than brainwash his father, something he doubted the police would believe.
His father had suggested he spend a few nights at his friend's house but Mark refused. He was not going to leave his father alone with this monster. He was going to stay by his side no matter how bad things got. He knew this irritated Brian more than anything, but that only fueled his resolve. He loved his father too much to let anyone drive a wedge between them.
He observed the two men as often as he could. Just yesterday he had walked in the living room only to find his father in some sort of meditative state while Brian was busy observing the television, changing channels with an intense look of concentration. He would pause on the occasional news channel, frowning as if he were soaking in as much information as possible before progressing to another station. Once he stopped on a Star Trek program only to snort in disgust a few minutes later. The channel that seemed to interest him the most was the History Channel. With a look of mild amusement Brian had watched a documentary on Adolph Hitler and the rise and fall of Nazi Germany.
"He was a fool," Brian later commented. "His rule was doomed from the very beginning. Instead of using his enemies, he slaughtered them pointlessly in death camps. I learned long ago that it is better to make your enemies work for you, even those that deserve to be pruned from society. These enemies, these 'inferior races' as he saw them, could have supplied endless resources of manpower in the armies he created. Instead, he killed them, not only depleting the number of potential soldiers, but also wasting the manpower and resources required to maintain these death camps. This Hitler deserved his coward's death."
"The hatred he created was used to unite a fallen and impoverished Germany, and to create one of the world's most feared empires," Mark's father had replied.
"Indeed," Brain spat with obvious disgust. "A petty and pointless scapegoat that proved in the end to be a complete and utter waist, bringing his country more shame and troubles than they had previously started with. There were many other sources to which he could have directed this hate to united his people. The hatred that the Sith held towards the Jedi lasted more than a millennia, however I did not hesitate to use them to my advantage. Many of their numbers were decreased while fighting in the name of 'Liberty'. Only after they had served their purpose were they exterminated."
Mark had no idea what the Sith and Jedi were, but he was confident of one thing, he wished for a Jedi now. He made himself a vow that night; he did not know when, nor did he know how, but he would free his father from this mad man or die trying.
Andy felt as if his eyes were open for the first time. In the beginning, his hatred for Brian had hindered his ability to control the Force. Through meditation, he found the more he gained control of his anger and hatred, the easier it became to focus.
"Despite what the Jedi may have believed," Brian, or Lord Sidious, had instructed. "A Sith controls his anger, he does not let his anger control him. He uses it to fuel his power but never lets it consume him unless he wishes to be blinded. Only a fool charges into a situation unable to see."
As he learned to control his anger and hatred, he began to understand and even respect why his new master had chosen him. He no longer wanted to be free of the man, but craved to know more. He could feel his power increasing, which in turn created a hunger for more. He could never have enough.
"You are almost ready. Soon I will help you contact Lord Vader through the Force-bond I sense you share with him. Once we have accomplished this, I foresee your power increasing with great intensity. Once two beings bonded through the Force are aware of each other, the power of the two draws strength from the bond, and even those who have no prior knowledge of the Force will find themselves able to accomplish great things, as the instinct of the one influences with the instinct of other."
Andy had come to accept his new master's origin, as hard as it was to believe, as well as the bond he himself shared with this Darth Vader. Through the power of the Force, he knew Darth Sidious did not lie when he claimed to be from another galaxy. Where that galaxy was, neither could say. He could be from any place, or as Sidious himself noted, any time. Sidious seemed to know much about time, especially the future. Through meditation, he was learning to read the Force's influence on time. Like drops of water in a pool, Sidious explained, the millions of beings in the universe created ripples in the Force. When examined closely, these ripples revealed glimpses into both past and present.
Andy contemplated the role his world would play in his master's Empire. He could not fathom a reason the Earth would not benefit from inclusion in such a powerful union of systems and beings. With the advanced technology and sciences this Empire would bring, Earth could eliminate most known diseases and repair the damage caused by pollutants, war and over population. With the technology of advanced space travel, exploration of planets within the Earth's own galaxy would become a reality.
Furthermore, the men of Earth would be united under one banner; no longer would there be a reason to hate over race or creed. No longer would one nation feel superior to another. All cultures would combine to create a single culture that defined Earth as a whole. The histories and cultures of infinite planets and species would be introduced, forever changing Earth's outlook.
Andy's heart raced as he imagined his role in the Earth's future. As an apprentice to the Emperor, he would become the official ambassador of Earth, representing his people. All the Empire would see this man of Earth and come to respect the planet from which he came.
He would also play a major role in the Empire as one of three powerful Sith Lords. Normally, explained Sidious, the Sith would only allow two to exist. Andy represented a special exception. Because he was intimately connected to Darth Vader, if one were to die, mused Sidious, the other was sure to follow. Andy wondered what meeting Vader in person would be like. He knew Sidious secretly feared bringing him and Vader together. Andy did not blame him. If Andy and Vader were as strong in the Force as Sidious claimed, it would only be natural that they would, in time, turn on their master, claiming the Empire as their own.
Naturally, Mark would be trained to follow in his father's footsteps.
Sidious was pleased with his new apprentice's progress. In only a matter of days he had seen Andy grasp basic skills that take even the most gifted of pupils months to accomplish. The most remarkable feat was his control over his emotions. Even after he had threatened to strike the child, he had managed to restrain himself from repeating the incident, despite the boy's persistent pestering. With the power of the dark side guiding him, he was transforming into a Sith every bit as powerful as Vader. Soon he would be worthy of a Sith moniker of his own.
With Andy's help, Sidious had begun to study the planet in which he lived. Earth continued to intrigue him. Through the current events and historical displays on the television, he had learned much of the men who inhabited this system. Their weaknesses and strengths were no different than the citizens of the Empire. Their science, though primitive and incomplete, was promising. They had managed to penetrate the atmosphere with rockets and satellites. Within another century or two they would be on the verge of hyperspace technology. Robotics and computer technology was experiencing the most rapid growth, followed closely by the genetic and biological advances, such as cloning. This planet would indeed be a worthy addition to his Empire. There was little doubt that the gift of unlimited knowledge, technology and resources would warrant a unanimous and peaceful induction into his Empire.
Having already understood the language that the Earth people in this region spoke, very similar to basic in most respects, it did not take long to figure out their writing system. The alphabet they used was deciphered with Andy's help, as were the principles behind their use. Soon, he found that written text made since to him. He ached to read more historical facts, but found the only books with any knowledge worth reading were the schoolbooks the boy used, as incomplete and biased as they were. He devoured them in manner of hours, then insisted Andy take him to the data archives the Earth people called libraries.
Andy had attempted to introduce him to the internet, but he found the primitive computer information system random and confusing. When he did find some data that seemed promising, it was almost always incomplete or contradictory to information found on other websites, with the authors often interjecting their unwanted opinions, to the point that he felt more confused. After an hour of tampering, he had given up in frustration.
His apprentice also offered to take him on a 'field trip', as he called it, to places of education. The Capital city was filled with historical sights, many surrounding the formation of this nation's government. Sidious was eager to see the monuments and to study their histories. He was also intrigued at the opportunity to see the constitution this nation used up close; the supposed model for all governments in the world seeking democracy, he had laughed at its flaws, though found he was impressed nonetheless that such a primitive people could have written such a powerful document. The most eagerly anticipated trip, however, was to the Smithsonian Institute. Filled with historical items that impacted all factions of society from science to entertainment, he knew this would be his best opportunity to learn about the people he would soon rule.
Only one task remained before he could journey on these 'field trips'. He must contact Lord Vader. Vader would be anxious to know the explanation behind his disappearance. He would also need to prepare the Empire for Earth's invasion. With the assistance of a powerful telescope, Andy promised that Sidious would be able to get a general idea of where they were. If all went well, he would soon have the coordinates that Vader needed to begin his long journey to Earth.
Sonia glared at the two storm troopers as the entered her cell.
"Hey! Are you guys going to let me go or what?" She demanded.
"Well," one began in a muffled voice that was oddly familiar. "That is the plan." The trooper removed his mask to reveal the face of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"Ben!" She jumped up and tackled a surprised Obi-Wan in a fierce hug.
"I see someone's happy to see me," he said, attempting to regain his composure.
"I thought you were dead. Vader had me arrested as soon as we boarded. I think he knew you were coming." She paused and looked at the other trooper. "Who's this?"
Obi-Wan looked at Brian and nodded. Slowly, he removed his helmet, revealing the face of the Emperor.
"What the hell is he doing here?" She fiercely demanded, stepping back in horror.
"It's a really long story that I don't quite understand myself. Somehow, this person has possessed the body of Palpatine."
"Say huh?" Sonia's face was total confusion.
"My name is Brian and I don't know how I came to be in this body, but I can assure you that I am not Palpatine." Brian tried explaining.
"You're possessing him? Are you a spirit?"
"No, it's more like we've switched bodies."
"Oh." She paused and turned to Kenobi. "Kill him."
"I can't do that. It wouldn't be right. This man has done nothing wrong..."
"Nothing wrong?" She interrupted. "This man is a tyrant! He's cause more death than any one living or dead! That includes Vader!"
"Trust me when I say that I see your point, and as valid as it may, be from a certain perspective, it is not the Jedi way."
"Screw the Jedi way! If you won't do it than I'll kill him myself!"
"You're not going to kill him," Obi-Wan ordered. "It is very important that you get this man off this ship and as far away from Vader as you can."
"What do you mean me? Aren't you coming with us?" She asked, her frown deepening.
"Vader will never let that happen. You're only chance of escape is while I have Vader distracted." He began removing his armor. "Put this on, it's the only way you'll sneak past the crew."
"Where do I take him?"
"Are you familiar with the Dagobah system?"
"Vaguely. I know it's not inhabited. There's a story going around that some pirates tried to hide there once, but were never heard from again."
"A Jedi master lives there. He is extremely wise and will know what to do."
"How do you know I won't just kill him once we've gone?"
"Because I know that deep down you're a good person. I also know that you'd never betray my memory like that."
"Don't talk like that, you're not going to die."
"I may be strong in the Force, but I'm not that strong. There is a great chance that Vader will succeed in killing me."
"I don't suppose there's any way I can talk you out of this?" She asked.
"No, it's the only way. It's also the reason I came here, if you recall."
"In that case," she paused and leaned into him, planting a kiss firmly on his lips. "For good luck, even if you don't believe in it," she whispered into his ear before pulling away. She stifled a laugh as Kenobi's face flushed three shades of red.
"Yes, well," pausing to clear his throat. "I suppose there are certain luck charms I can live with."
Darth Vader approached the detention cell with extreme caution. Though Kenobi was still hidden from him, 'Brian' was not. He knew of Kenobi's plan to distract him, allowing the smuggler to escape with the imposter possessing his master's body. Admiral Saxton had been alerted to block all exit points leading to the smuggler's ship. They could attempt to run, but their fates had already been sealed. Kenobi's failure would be complete, as his sacrifice would be in vain.
Like a breath of fresh air, Kenobi's presence flowed into Vader. He removed his lightsaber as he sensed his old master approaching. At last, the moment he had been waiting for all these long years was at hand.
Obi-Wan made his way towards the detention block's exit, preparing for his confrontation with Vader. After five years in the harsh environment of Tatooine, his body was beginning show premature signs of aging. His joints flared with the beginning stages of arthritis, slowing him down a great deal. Though he rigorously trained daily, and worked hard on the moister farms, his muscles were not as strong as they had once been. The only advantage he had was the training he had received from Qui-Gon Jinn. Through his master's teachings on the intricacies of the Force, he had prepared for his own death where he would retain his identity in the living Force.
Pausing at the door, he closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. The Force flowed through him, basking him in its powerful light. The pain in his joints left and his head cleared. He felt the dark presence of his old padawan approach. Removing his lightsaber, he exited through the door.
Nothing could prepare him for the dark visage he encountered. Though he had heard of the monstrous transformation, even having seen brief glimpses of it on the holonet, he still found himself unable to grasp the scale of what he was seeing. The sound of mechanical breathing was almost unbearable.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance Jedi," the visage spoke.
"Anakin?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"That name no longer has any meaning for me! Your failure is now complete. You compassion will be your undoing."
With a speed Obi-Wan had not expected, Vader covered the distance between them, his lightsaber slicing at Kenobi's head. Activating his lightsaber, Obi-Wan barely managed to block the swing. Their sabers met briefly before Vader's blade was again in motion. Obi-Wan was forced to retreat as the strength of Vader's attack overwhelmed him.
"You have grown weak old man. This will be disappointingly too easy."
"I don't think so Darth," Obi-Wan spat through clenched teeth as he blocked another blow.
Vader's blade feigned for Obi-Wan's knees, forcing him back, before thrusting upwards towards his gut. Mustering all his speed, Obi-Wan blocked the thrust. Vader swung up, towards his head. As Kenobi swung his saber up to block, Vader adjusted his swing, twisting the blade in an attempt to sever Obi-Wan's hands from his wrist. Twisting his body, he blocked Vader's attempt at the last possible moment.
Kicking, Obi-Wan's boot connected with Vader's chest plate. The Sith Lord began to cough and gag as his breathing became erratic. He attempted to regulate his breather when Obi-Wan kicked again, his foot landing a blow in Vader's mask. He was thrown back, crashing into a security desk. Sparks flew as his lightsaber cut into the desk's electronic components. As he attempted to regain his footing, Obi-Wan was again in action, his saber angled down towards Vader's chest. He attempted to side step Obi-Wan's blow, but Kenobi anticipated the action and adjusted his trajectory. Their sabers met as Obi-Wan's saber came within inches of Vader's heart.
Sonia's instructions were clear. Wait until Vader was distracted and then slip out of the detention area. Her first task would be to manually deactivate the tractor beam. The ship would be under heavy guard so she needed to get as close to the ship as she could before making her presence known. From there on out, it would be a fight, something she was itching for.
With Brian in tow, she made her way out of the detention area. The smell of crisp ozone filled the air, accompanied by the thunderous sound of lightsaber's clashing. Obi-Wan and Vader were engaged in a combat she could never understand. She preferred the cool grip of a blaster. Lightsabers and vibroblades were just too personal. You had to be extremely close to the person you were fighting, and unless the mysterious Force accompanied you, you were in real trouble if you encountered several heavily armed opponents. In her opinion, any weapon that severed limbs was too messy and uncivilized. A blaster may be impersonal but at least it produces a clean death.
She waited until Vader's back was towards them before she ran for the turbo-lift. Kenobi was too engaged in the fight to give them a formal acknowledgment, but as the doors slid closed, Brian removed his mask and smiled.
"What?" she asked, removing her own mask.
"Obi-Wan sent you a message through the Force. He said to tell you 'good luck'."
Sonia smiled and shook her head before replacing the mask. The lift stopped and its doors opened. Weapons raised, Sonia stepped out, cursing to herself as she struggled to see with the mask's limited view. No wonder Storm Troopers have lousy aim.
"Halt! Why aren't you at your post?"
They turned to see two troopers with their weapons raised. Sonia froze, knowing her voice would give them away.
"I asked why aren't you at your post!" The trooper demanded.
Sonia turned to Brian "Remove your mask."
"Why? What good will that do us?"
"Because you're the freaking Emperor of the galaxy!" She hissed.
Brian hesitantly removed his mask and the troopers immediately straightened to attention.
"Sir! Forgive us, we didn't know!" One said.
"Vader has betrayed the Empire. I need your help," Brian said in his most authoritative voice.
"Yes sir! What do you need us to do?"
Sonia removed her mask. "The first thing you need to do is to keep quiet. I have been sent here on a special mission by Admiral Tarkin to free the Emperor from Vader's grasp. My ship has been impounded. I need you to manually deactivate the tractor beam. As soon as we leave this ship I will report the extent of Vader's treason. I can assure you that as payment for your assistance promotions will be in store. I think you both will look really good in red."
The troopers exchanged what could be easily interpreted as excited glances before saluting.
"Yes sir! We will not let you down sir!"
"Good. Now get moving soldiers!" Brian commanded.
Obi-Wan's blade was a blur of blue lighting as he twisted it towards Vader's neck. Blocking the blow with little effort, Vader pushed as their sabers connected, forcing Obi-Wan to stumble backwards.
Obi-Wan's body lifted off the ground and his windpipe began to constrict as he felt Vader's grip through the Force.
"You have failed Obi-Wan. Now you will die, along with the last remnants of the Jedi order."
Using a calming technique, he forced his heart rate to slow down, preserving the precious oxygen in his body. His eyes scanned the room, stopping on a set of chairs. The bolts that fastened them into place snapped as they were ripped into the Force's powerful grip. Vader released his hold on Kenobi as he turned to Force push the chairs, throwing them into the wall beyond. Turning again towards Obi-Wan, he found an empty room in his stead. He let out a scream as he turned towards the turbo-lift.
"Obi-Wan! You coward!" Vader spat as he removed a comlink from his belt, cursing his lack of insight.
"Admiral Saxton!"
"Yes my lord." Saxton replied.
"Obi-Wan has escaped. Shut down all turbo-lifts. All guards are to be at their posts. Send every other available man to the hanger. I don't want them leaving this ship alive!"
"It will be done my lord."
Obi-Wan had no choice but to accept that Vader was too powerful. All hope now rested with the children of Skywalker. If Obi-Wan were to fall, than young Luke would never be trained, and would likely fall into the hands of his father. The risk was too great and Obi-Wan would never let that happen.
The lift came to a sudden stop premature of its destination. Inspired by Anakin's actions on the Invisible Hand five years earlier, he activated his lightsaber and proceeded to cut a hole in the ceiling. Jumping, he landed on the turbo-lift's roof, scanning the area for the nearest exit. Five meters above he spotted a door. Jumping to its ledge, he opened it through the Force.
Eight storm troopers greeted him with a wave of blaster fire. Deflecting the shots with little effort, he soon found himself alone with eight corpses.
The hanger bay was heavily guarded at every exit. Sonia and Brian approached the nearest cluster of troops with stealth.
"It's do or die time," she said in a hushed voice. "Remember everything I taught you and you'll do just fine. As soon as we clear this group, run as fast as you can to the ship. You won't last very long if you stay out in the open."
Brian nodded, steadying his blaster rifle. He followed Sonia as they approached the troopers.
"We have all the help we need. Go back to your post," ordered the commanding officer.
Sonia removed her mask with a smile. "I don't think so."
With surprising skill, she engaged the troopers, dropping three of the ten before they ever got a shot off.
Brian's head raced with all the advice Sonia had given him. 'Keep two hands on your blaster, placing the hilt firmly against the shoulder. Shoot in short, steady bursts, taking the time to pick your target. Keep moving; a moving target is harder to hit than a stationary target. Keep your mind calm and clear, focused on the task at hand. A man who dwells on his fears is a dead man.'
They had managed to drop six more, Brian killing three himself, before the other troopers in the hanger noticed the commotion. Dropping the last trooper in their way, Sonia turned to Brian.
"Run!" she commanded.
Brian had a hard time keeping up. Blaster shots rained around him as he approached the ship. He began climbing the ramp when it started to close, the engines firing up.
"Move it Palpy! Get your wrinkled butt in gear!"
Running into the cockpit, he settled into the copilot's chair.
"What took you so long?" She asked, her voice thick with sarcasm.
"I'm not as young as I used to be," he returned with the same sarcastic tone.
The ship rose off the hanger deck and turned, racing for the exit.
"I hope those two morons managed to deactivate the tractor beam."
"Have I missed much?" A voice inquired from behind.
They both turned in surprise.
"Ben! How the hell did you..."
"I think we should find a more appropriate time to catch up," he said, pointing at the view screen.
Six Interceptors, modified versions of the ships Obi-Wan had flown during the Clone Wars, raced towards them.
"Blast! Ties! Hold on, this is going to get rough!" Sonia spat.
"I'll man the guns," Obi-Wan said.
"Hold them off as long as you can. I'll start the calculations for lightspeed."
Obi-Wan ran to the gun station, climbing into the cramped compartment. Retreiving the communication headgear, he swiveled the gun in search of a target. A tie raced by the ship. Obi-Wan let the Force guide his movements and fired. The tie exploded in a ball of flame.
"That was too easy. It's almost as if they have no shields," he noted.
"They removed all shields and armor from the ships to make them faster and cheaper. I guess clones are expendable," Sonia explained.
Another Tie streaked by, firing on the Star Tamer. The ship lurched as the blast impacted the shields. Obi-Wan was reminded why he hated flying.
"Why haven't we made the jump?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Hold on! I thought you Jedi were supposed to be patient!" Sonia spat.
Obi-Wan smiled to himself as he locked onto another tie, blasting it into flames. In the distance he could see two Star Destroyers moving in to block their escape.
"I don't suppose you've noticed those Star Destroyers?" He asked.
"Don't get your robe twisted in a bunch! Hold on, it's show time!"
The Star Tamer accelerated into hyperspace, leaving Mon Calamari far behind.
"Yes lord Vader, what is your bidding?" The hologram of Admiral Saxton asked.
Saxton's eyes began to bulge as he clawed at his collar, gagging. His body went limp as the bones in his neck shattered.