BBY 1
"So this is Cophrigin five?" Mara Jade remarked.
It wasn't much of a planet, no real civilization, just a grassy forest planet with many hills. Mara frowned wondering why she had put this planet on her list for Jedi exiles.
"Guard the ship, I'll be back shortly," Mara said about to leave on her speeder.
"Sir? It is advised that we come with you for support," the storm trooper captain said.
"Don't call me sir, and second whatever's out there I can take care of," Mara said confidently. More bodies would alert the exile to her presence and would allow him or her to escape. After successfully capturing and killing a few exiles she was pretty sure she knew what she was doing.
Kicking the gas she went into the forest. Her Jedi reflexes allowed her to speed through the trees. Mara checked her wrist computer. The empire had developed a midi chlorian tracker, useful for capturing exiles and keeping Jedi in line. However, only a few elite officers and Jedi knights could use such technology. It was said that the Jedi Council were so powerful that they could sense people out simply by landing on the planet.
Mara knew not to rely on the computer too much. All life forms gave off midi chlorians. A large beast could be mistaken for a Jedi and then that would be inconvenient. Enjoying the breeze of the air on her face as she went close to 60 mphs in the thick forest Mara detected something in the distance.
"Got one," she smirked.
Her speeder weapon systems ready she was ready to shoot the exile down if she could. Suddenly her speeder was sliced into. The speeder went into a spin, Mara jumped off it just as it exploded into a tree. She immediately ignited her light saber and looked around for a possible enemy.
"Purple, good color," a voice from everywhere said to her.
"Show yourself exile," Mara demanded.
"You have no authority over me young one," the voice said. Immediately Mara was thrown into a tree. Gasping Mara got back to her feet and tried to stay away from the trees. She touched her wrist indicating her location to the storm troopers and ships above her.
Her wrist computer fell apart into pieces just as she punched in the coordinates. "It seems I'm too late," the voice said.
"The empire will burn this entire forest, you can't hide forever," Mara said angrily.
Mara was thrown violently into another tree in response. "Such disrespect from the youth," An'ya Kuro said disappointed.
"Who are you?" Mara gasped as the woman approached her.
"I am the dark woman," she said.
"What does that mean?" Mara asked annoyed.
"I'll show you," she said igniting her purple light saber.
Mara ignited her own and went into a defensive position. Mara ran at the woman swinging her light saber. An'ya stopped her assault and pushed her away. Mara tried a second time but the old Jedi exile was able to stop her with polished strokes. "You have passion, but not discipline, the dark side I sense in you," An'ya observed.
Mara went for a third time forcing An'ya to back away a few steps. Mara swung as fast as she could but to no avail. An'ya blocked her blade and force pushed her away. "What do they teach you these days?" she laughed as she forced the light saber out of Mara's hand.
Mara took out her pistol but before she could give off a shot An'ya force pulled it towards her. An'ya held the pistol a foot away from her and allowed the force to disassemble it.
"You're out of your league," she told her.
"We are getting a signal from Cophrigin five," an officer reported to Anakin. "It's coming from Jedi Mara Jade, she says it's an exile," the officer continued.
"Put the ship on a new course, I want to deal with this personally," Anakin ordered.
The Devastator changed direction and went into light speed toward Cophrigin five.
"When my master finds you, he will kill you," Mara spat at An'ya.
"And who would your master be?" An'ya asked curious.
"Lord Vader, Anakin Skywalker," Mara answered.
"He was just a boy when I left the order," An'ya reflected. "I am sure that your computer has already alerted him to where I am. I would like to meet him face to face," An'ya considered.
"But I can't have you interfering," An'ya smiled. She force pushed Mara into a small tree. It exploded on impact; a bruised and broken Mara fell to the ground not moving.
Anakin's Imperial Shuttle landed close to Mara's storm trooper squad. "Has Mara returned?" Anakin asked as he landed.
"No sir, she ordered us to remain behind," the storm trooper captain explained.
Anakin sensed the Force through the planet. "Best you did captain, you and your squad would have been dead if you had gone in," Anakin said.
"I won't be long," Anakin said going into the forest.
It was in the afternoon when Anakin had located An'ya. Anakin was dressed in black robes leaving his armor behind. "So this is the great Anakin Skywalker," An'ya spoke through the trees.
Anakin frowned not able to pin point the voice. "I remember that voice," he said to himself. Suddenly the branches from the trees began to snap off. Anakin looked around as branches and anything that could support someone snapped to pieces. Leaves gather around him forming a shield around him.
The leaves were suddenly pushed towards Anakin as if by an invisible hand. Anakin's Force controlled leaves adapted to the Force pushes of An'ya swaying in the wind. Anakin's right hand went forth, the leaves departed from him towards the target. The hundreds of leaves hugged a tree and caused it to explode into wood chips. The tree's remains rained down.
"Not bad," An'ya said to his side.
Anakin sighed letting his right hand fell to his side. "Just a demonstration, you weren't like the others. Join me," Anakin said turning to her.
"I would rather not, I don't care for galactic politics anymore," she told him.
"Yet you carry a light saber," Anakin noticed.
"To protect myself from those," An'ya replied. Anakin glanced at Mara a distance away.
"It wouldn't have come to this if you would submit to the new Jedi Order," Anakin said.
"You're a boy Anakin, still the arrogant reckless child," An'ya insulted. "I will never join you, now let's get this over with," An'ya said Force pushing Anakin into a tree.
Anakin slammed into the tree but raised his left hand. Force lighting blasted An'ya off her feet. An'ya ignited her light saber blocking some of the charges as she hit another tree.
Anakin got back to his feet and ignited his red light saber. "A Sith Lord," she spat.
"There is no Sith, no Jedi, there is only me," Anakin said Force pushing An'ya. Leaves flew as if pushed by the wind past her. The tree behind her was blasted out of the ground. An'ya stood her ground shielding her eyes from the dust.
Anakin leaped from the ground his light saber ready to slash. An'ya blocked, the energy of the block blew the leaves off the trees. The leaves began circling them. Anakin and An'ya clashed with several strikes. "I understand my fate, but I won't let it be easy for you," An'ya told him as their light sabers came close to their faces.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Anakin replied.
Anakin lifted his hand allowing lightning from the sky come down on her. An'ya blocked with effort as the lightning came down on her. Anakin Force pushed logs and uplifted roots at her to distract her. She used the Force to settle them to the ground.
An'ya swung at Anakin one last time sending his light saber out of his hand. An'ya feeling victory swung again but was blocked by Anakin's right hand. "How?" she asked fearfully as the blade seemed to rest upon his gloved right hand. "Never underestimate my power," Anakin said softly. Looking up he summoned trees to fall down on them. Anakin jumped out of the way as the trees fell down.
Anakin Force pushed the dust away revealing An'ya trapped by a large tree. She was bleeding at the mouth as it was evident she had been crushed.
Flashback
"What I have learned is that midi-chlorians don't just work inside you but outside you as well," Kadann told Anakin.
"It allows us to influence things outside ourselves," Anakin said.
"Exactly but your glove is not simply a glove but a sign of true power," Kadann noted.
"This glove, if you make it so could become almost indestructible, only someone with a higher midi chlorian count could destroy it, only a true warrior of the Sith will be allowed to be put on this glove. The wearer of this glove will be a man worthy to be the emperor. Anyone else will be cursed by it," Kadann told Anakin.
"Could my son learn to use this glove?" Anakin asked.
"In time yes," Kadann smiled.
End Flashback
Anakin took his light saber and slashed An'ya's neck as she was pinned under the tree. Anakin then looked for Mara. Finding her he looked for vital signs. Seeing she was still alive he began sending Force energy into her. "Who are you?" she asked grabbing for her light saber.
"Looking for this?" Anakin asked handing her a light saber.
"Lord Vader," Mara stuttered.
There was brilliant flash of light. Anakin turned to see An'ya's ghost image appear to him. "The dark side will only bring only pain and suffering. Choose the light and be one with the Force," she said.
"The true Anakin is inside, just open your heart," she said before disappearing.
"What are you staring at?" Mara asked confused.
"Nothing," Anakin said. "Let's get you back to the ship," he said calling a unit.
Anakin approached Kadann after dropping Mara off at the Jedi temple. "I saw a vision of the Jedi exile I killed," he told him once he knew they were alone.
"What did this vision say?" Kadann asked.
"She said that only those who turn to light side can be one with the Force," he said.
"It's true that those pure of heart of either side of the Force can obtain the ability to become one with the Force. But Anakin, can you honestly say that Padme was pure of heart?" Kadann asked.
"I am certain she was," Anakin said defensively.
"She was like you, a mix of both elements, a healthy mix. There are Jedi who spend decades trying to purify themselves so that they can be one with the Force but do nothing for anyone. Is that right? No, you will see your wife as you saw that image," Kadann assured him.
"How much longer must I wait?" Anakin demanded impatient.
"You will see her in the greatest tragedy. The Death Star will be destroyed within one year from now," Kadann said.
"What? Impossible," Anakin said doubting. "It took two decades to build that station, it won't be destroyed, and it can't." Anakin continued.
"You must trust our predictions, do not send your son to the Death Star," Kadann advised.
"Luke deserves his chance, I won't take that away," Anakin argued. "I have a war to fight, excuse me," Anakin said walking out.
Once he had left the room the prophets gathered around Kadann. "Tarkin will betray the empire, if it doesn't happen, make it happen," Kadann ordered. "It shall be done Supreme Prophet," the others said in unison.
BBY 0: During the year of the Battle of Yavin 4.
"What is your response to the battle of Ylesia," a state reporter asked Anakin as he walked down the halls of the Senate.
"It wasn't a battle, it was a robbery," Anakin responded annoyed.
Anakin entered the Imperial Senate Dome. Only a thousands seats were still open. Separatist, Rebel Alliance, Non-human, and various other worlds had been denied representation due to their lack of cooperation with the empire. Presumably all the senators were favorable to Anakin's policies.
Leia entered the Senate as the senator of Alderaan. Her term would not end until a few more months. She knew what had happened at Ylesia. Like Organa she believed the best way to moderate the dictatorship was to be as close to the source as possible, that being her father. In some ways her closeness to her father was paying off for the Rebel Alliance.
"A criminal act has taken place on Ylesia. Those responsible will be punished, and security shall be restored to the system for its further protection. This is proof that the Rebel Alliance would stoop so low as rob planets for credits, to be dishonest, to kill for its own interests. It has no plan for the future; it thrives on chaos and disorder. It wishes for the times of Old Republic, but many of them especially the young recruits do not remember the corruptness, the ineffectiveness that lead directly to the Clone Wars. As your Emperor I will end this conflict soon and decisively," Anakin said much to the applause of the Senate.
Soon there after an Imperial fleet stopped at Kalaan. "Send in the walkers," the commander ordered. Sentinel class shuttles and AT-AT barges departed from the Star Destroyer's hangers and descended toward the planet. Dropping then storm trooper quickly created lines while the walkers set up. Elite storm troopers took speeders and began circling the perimeter.
All Terrain Attack Transport walkers began to move toward the city at a slow pace. Their huge size made the Imperial force visible, an Imperial tactic to give fear to a city before it was captured. All Terrain Scout Transports were able to adjust to the ground, on two legs they could go at faster speeds. The All Terrain Personal Transports similar in design gathered next to the infantry. All Terrain Anti-Aircrafts were four legged machines that had missiles attached to their backs.
Tie fighters suddenly screamed through the air toward the city. They circled around the city and then back towards the Imperial force. "Enemy aerial signals detected," they warned.
Y-wing fighters went through the air and attacked the Imperial force. Storm troopers jumped out of the way as the ground suddenly exploded. The AT-AT walkers shot in vain at the fighters as they passed.
"The armor is too thick," one of the rebels reported.
Rebel tanks went into position climbing over hills to face off against the Imperials. The AT-AA shot off missiles at the Y wing fighters. "I have a missile locked on me," a Y wing fighter complained trying to avoid the barrage.
One Y-wing fighter exploded as it hit the trees; another was hit front on with a missile and fell to the ground in a heap. AT-AT walkers fired on the tanks causing them to explode. Those remaining fired away blasting AT-ST and AT-PT to scrap.
Tie bombers arrived finding the trail of rebel tanks they began bombing the tanks causing them to stop in their tracks. "Head for the city," the leader told the unit. Charges hit the ground, rebel soldiers exploded in fire balls as the Tie bombs headed toward the city. The AT-AT walkers finished off the last tanks and proceeded toward the city.
The Tie fighters overwhelmed the rebel Y-wing fighters and began to blast away at the city. Rebel forces scrambled to get away as the Imperials began to bomb the city. AT-ST and AT-PT walkers cut down the rebel infantry. The storm troopers held their positions outside the city. Tie bombers blasted the city until it turned to rubble.
"Have the storm troopers clean up the mess," the commander ordered. "Inform Lord Vader Kalaan is now in Imperial hands."
"The rebels have defeated our defenses at Ord Biniir," Sate reported unhappily to Anakin.
"So they're heading toward the Outer Rim. I want that system back," Anakin demanded.
Ord Biniir had been known for its pod racing, a sport Anakin and Luke were well fond of.
X-wings and Y-wings blasted the Imperial facility at Danuta disabling its defenses and shields. Rebel forces flooded into the facility. Storm troopers and Imperial officers fought in vain as Kyle Katarn expertly lead his troopers. The Imperials defeated, Kyle went through the computers and found the plans. A battle station the size of a moon, capable of destroying an entire planet. Kyle began sending transmissions to the Tantive IV, and then destroyed the computers.
"I want those plans found, I don't care what it cost," Anakin said angrily.
Leia was on the Tantive IV. "We have the plans for the Death Star, give them to Bail Organa, he will know what to do," the rebel commander said sending a transmission to the ship. Leia collected all the information on a disk. "There's no turning back," she said wearily to Captain Colton Antilles.
"We have them, move to intercept," the Devastator's captain smiled. A hooded figure watched as the Star Destroyer went into light speed. "At this rate we'll collect them at Tatooine," the commander reported.