Chapter 6-Dark Lessons
(Imperial Palace-5 days since the Executor went off world)
Luke parried another attack by the Emperor whose Lightsaber fighting was completely different from what his father's was as Luke learned first hand in their first duel. Had Luke...or rather Darth Vicious not been so strong the Emperor would and could have taken his head off before he could react. "Never let your enemies know you are a deadly weapon till their guard is down my young apprentice. It is how I came to power during the time of the Old Republic and after I crushed our Jedi enemies during the rise of my Empire. An Empire that you will one day rule my young apprentice long after I'm dead," said the Emperor as he pushed Luke back with a power you wouldn't expect from the decay looking body of the Emperor.
"You're much more powerful then you let others believe master. I can tell that you are a true master of deception when it comes to these things," said Luke he basically leaped back to his feet ready for another spar.
The Emperor raised his hand as a sign that the duel was over, but Luke held his guard high knowing that if he did let his guard down the Emperor may strike when his guard was down. "You know the art of Lightsaber fencing Lord Vicious, but now you know the ways of the Dark Side that only I can teach you," said the Emperor who smiled as he saw his apprentice still keeping his guard up and was pleased the boy was learning so fast.
"You won't mind I keep by guard up as to protect myself from the use of these powers my master since I would like to learn as well as have the strength to use them," said Luke who then heard the Emperor laugh his demonic laugh that made Luke shiver slightly from hearing it.
"You are wise beyond your years my young apprentice and it seems your time with Lord Vader has served you well. You need not worry my apprentice what I can teach you will not require too much physical harm on your part," said the Emperor as he instantly used Force Lightning from his free hand and sent it at DarthVicious who was ready for it.
"Sorry master, but you won't get me off guard anytime soon," said Luke as he held his blade steady against the Force Lightning.
"I know my young apprentice I just merely showed what I did and you should be able to do the same thing. Lord Vader could have once, but after he was given cybernetic arms to replace his real ones it became impossible for him to learn it. Such a shame really, seeing that I had other techniques that he could have learned from me. If only his arms and legs had still remained that of flesh. Oh well at least you will succeed where your esteemed father failed," said the Emperor who stopped his attack and gestured for Luke to try the same.
"I will try my master. Whatever you know I will do with just as refined grace as you," said Luke as he called the Dark Side of the Force to his hand to try and imitate the Force Lightning his master used.
At first a few sparks came out of his hand, then nothing even as Luke tried with his one hand made of flesh he found it was not obeying him as he thought it would. "Perhaps you're not as strong in such Force techniques as I thought you were? Maybe your limited in such ways like your father?" said Palpatine trying to make his apprentice angry enough to command the Force to create Force Lightning.
He succeed in such making Darth Vicious send Force Lighting out in waves equal to the Emperor's who was somewhat surprised at the boy's strength. Palpatine found that he was forced to activate his own Lightsaber to block the attack from a now orangey yellow eyes of a Sith that he had seen in both Maul and Vader. "I AM NOT LIMITED ON ANY WAY!" said Darth Vicious who unknowingly pushed his master back to a degree that even the Emperor became worried.
"That's enough Darth Vicious! Stop!" said Palpatine in a commanding voice that almost seemed to have little effect on the young Sith Lord in training for a few seconds before he released his hold on the technique and nearly collapsed to the ground from exhaustion.
"I...I apologize...my master. I didn't...know my own...limits. Forgive me master," said a tired Darth Vicious as he was now breathing heavily from the use of so much power.
"It is all right my apprentice you did what few have ever done even in terms of a Sith Lord and that was using your power with a passion that equals your power. You were more focused then even your father was when I trained him with what techniques I could. I have taught you how to master your father's own Force Choke ability, the slow and the very painful technique of Force Drainage that allows a Sith to heal, and now the very painful and the nearly unstoppable Force Lightning that you need more time with. But for now we will stop for now and resume at another time for you are tired and I have things to attend to," said the Emperor who turned off his Lightsaber as did Luke who got up from the ground, bowed, and left to mediate and regain his strength.
(Hoth)
It had been 5 grueling days for the Jedi Master, but he had finally completed his newly created Lightsaber from what parts the Rebel Alliance could spare him. Fortunately, for Yoda he had his own crystal he took from that of an old cave within Dagobah knowing that he may one day need it should he need to rebuild a new Lightsaber again. It felt strange for the old Jedi Master to create another Lightsaber since his old one had been with him for early 900 years. He hated parting with it to create a new one, but it was the way things were and was forced to do so under the circumstances. "Master Yoda?" said Leia who popped into the old master's quarter and knocked on the wall slightly to make it so it wasn't so rude.
"Yes Princess Organa what business do you have with me?" said Yoda as he ignited the Lightsaber making it a swamp green blade before turning it off.
"I wanted to talk to you about Luke and his father. Well...more about his father before he became Darth Vader and was Anakin Skywalker. What was Darth Vader like as a Jedi Knight?" said Leia who felt she could get some form of an idea what she was up against when confronting Vader on the battlefield.
"When Vader was Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Knight called the 'Hero with No Fear' he was. Rightly named he had been. The Holo Net Press praised him continuously more then any other Jedi they did. He went into countless battles nearly unscathed and with fearless blazing blue eyes his son has acquired I remember. However, the end result was the same it was. Whether he is Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader he is one thing that is summed up in one word it can," said Yoda whose voice was depressed sounding once more.
"What word is that Master Yoda?" said Leia curiously.
"Deadly the word is. Deadly," said Yoda in all seriousness making Leia shiver and not from the coldness of Hoth.
(Space-Executor-two standard weeks)
Lord Vader sat in his mediation pod searching through the Force for the old dwarf of a Jedi Master knowing he was with the Rebels. While he searched through the Force his probe droids would go on a more...direct approach to the situation. Since training with his son Vader felt more alive and wake feeling as if his son had in truth rejuvenated him. It was if he had a new power cell for a heart and it was on full power and wasn't going to run on empty for a long time. 'Where are you Yoda? You can't hide yourself anymore so reveal yourself you old Jedi coward,' thought Vader through the Force as he stretching out even further then he had done before in his previous mediations.
Just then, R2D2 came rolling along and stopped as he waited outside his master's black meditation pod to report his findings to the Sith Lord. At first R2 was anything if not considered nervous when the mighty Sith Lord that was Darth Vader approached him a little over a month ago. However, they had come to an understanding as well as trust between him, Vader, and his son Luke. The understanding of the two was simple seeing as both would never betray the other till the time came for Luke to rule the Empire. R2 was told by Vader that he would never destroy the small astromech droid because he was a good friend as well as a valuable asset to him and his son. As long as R2 severed them both faithfully like he had done with both in the past, he wouldn't be destroyed before being shipped to Ord Mantel. Needless to say it made R2's loyalty to both of them raise itself to over 200 as 100 per Sith. 'I wish C3PO were here without that memory wipe. He would probably blow an eye circuit if he knew he was built by Darth Vader,' thought R2 who would have smiled if he had such a face.
It was then that Darth Vader sensed R2D2 outside and smiled behind his mask knowing it was obviously something important since the droid had come itself. With his son's help he had created a translator program into his helmet so he would know what the droid as saying or any other species for that matter. Not only that, but with his son's help he had also upgraded his limbs in his arms and legs so he would have more maneuverability then before making him more deadlier then before. They made a silent promise not to tell the Emperor so when the time came for him to kill the Emperor with Luke's help he would have an unknown edge in the battle. The meditation pod opened and the mighty form of Darth Vader appeared and if it were anyone else besides R2 the form of the Sith Lord would be close to that of a God. "Well R2 what do you have to report?" said Vader in all seriousness knowing there was no time for anything else.
R2 spoke with his usual beeps and whistle knowing that he could be understood with what he was saying due to the translator program in the Sith Lords helmet. 'I hope he's please with the information I gathered on the Holo Net by using some of the Bothan's own tricks against them,' thought R2 as he always paid attention to the Bothan spying methods used to slice through the Holo Net.
"I see so the Rebel's have gathered almost 60 of their fleet have they? What of the Rebel base where Master Yoda is now hiding in? What have the probe droids found?" said Vader hoping he would hear some good news.
R2 whistled and beeped some more with the information from the probe droids that reported in...and the one that was destroyed on Hoth. 'Please don't destroy me,' thought R2 knowing that one thing would send him to the scrape yard.
"Hoth you say? Hmmmmm. Hoth is cold, icy, and a backwater planet like the one that master said I should look for in search of the Rebels. R2, contact the Dominion, Iron Fist,and the Iron Hand and tell them to meet the Executor at a safe distance from Hoth to avoid detection. Then send a transmission to the Emperor saying that we may have found the Rebel's and Yoda on Hoth," said Vader as he rose from his seat and walked out of the room with the little droid right behind him before heading to the COM station the droid was given access to.
(Hoth)
After Yoda went to investigate the falling of a meteorite only to learn that it was a lousy Imperial probe droid and destroyed it they knew Vader would come soon. At the request of Master Yoda several officers were to assist the dwarf in some good old fashioned blaster deflection for Lightsaber practice. After all it had been nearly twenty years since the Jedi Master wielded such a weapon and he needed to gain his bearings again as to undo the rust that had covered him during his exile. "Don't hold back you mustn't. Hinder me it will," said Yoda who had requested Chewie much to Han's dismay that help with the practice as well.
"You won't get me out there you old dwarf I have to work on the Falcon and when my pale as well as yours Chewie's done, he has to help me too," said Han as he went to work on the Falcon.
"Han! That's not very nice to say and to an elderly Jedi Master who has seen the rise and fall of the Old Republic," said Leia surprised at Han for belittling the 900 year old alien.
"Leia I know having a Jedi Master may seem great now, but our luck and record with Jedi helping us against the Empire have been slightly on the down side. One died, one turned into a Sith Lord, that same Sith Lords son who was a Jedi in training joined in his father's footsteps, and now we got a 900 year old Jedi Master who hasn't used one of those damn Lightsaber swords in 20 of those years. Let's face it Princess the Jedi had their run and even though it was a good run it's the Sith Lords time now," said Han furiously at Leia and then to himself for saying such hope killing words.
Leia couldn't speak as she had turned to face Yoda who was deflecting blaster bolts left and right to great surprise to everyone who was watching or participating in the event. "Maybe you're only seeing the Blue Milk glass half empty Han," said Leia who notice out of the corner of her eye that Han had turned to see what she did.
"Well put fur on me and call me a Wookie's uncle. And to think his skills are rusty! Man he must have been some Jedi back in the day," said Han who was clearly impressed by the old Jedi's maneuverability and skill.
"Maybe now you'll give the Jedi more credit then you once did Han," said Leia as she started walking to her room to relax.
"You think I could take him with me to Jabba's palace and have him take that price off my head that every bounty hunter wants to collect," said Han who was in all reasonable truth actually considering it.
(Imperial Palace)
The Emperor watched with pride as his apprentice Darth Vicious destroyed 10 Lightsaber wielding droids that were on the hardest level of AI that had ever been produced in less then 3.5 standard seconds. They had surrounded him in a circle ready to attack and Luke with just a raised right hand pointing upward summoned a massive storm around him like a tornado that sent the droids flying, breaking, and colliding with each other. The rotting flesh of a body that was Palpatine was clapped his hands pleased at how little effort it took to dispose of the enemy he set up for the boy. "You have done well my apprentice. You're master over your power through seeing and learning has paid off several fold of what it took to teach this power. You have made an old Sith Lord happy this day my boy," said the Emperor rising from his throne as he walked down the steps with his cane in hand.
"Thank you my master I am honored to hear such words of praise coming from you," said Darth Vicious kneeling before his master.
Just then a burst transmission came in from Darth Vader that had been recorded by R2 to address to his master immediately in case of important news. "My master I have located the Rebels and that old Jedi Master Yoda. I have several Star Destroyers joining me to pursue this campaign, but I must request my son join me to help fight the old Master as it will not be easy as you once said yourself," said the image of Darth Vader before disappearing.
"Well master. Should I go?" said Luke looking up at the now thinking Emperor who was also pondering such thoughts.
"Hmmmmm. Yoda is a formidable warrior and Jedi Master. Knowing him he has made a new Lightsaber with the help of the Rebels giving him the materials that he needs. Still, it would put you in harm my boy and I don't want to see my most successful apprentice to date meet the same crippled form as your father," said the Emperor who really didn't give Darth Vicious an answer.
"With all do respect my master my father requested me for the campaign and I have already proven myself to be very skilled Lightsaber duelist. After being trained by both you and my father I know I can beat that old Jedi Master of a fool. All I need is a chance my master and I will show you the fruit of your and my father's labor into training me," said Darth Vicious whose eyes became an orangey yellow again.
"Hmmmm. As you wish Darth Vicious. I won't stop you since it is your father who has requested this of you and I trust your father's tactic in battle since I've known him," said the Emperor, who knew that whether he approved or not his apprentice would go to his father from the bond they had with each other.
"Thank you master I will not disappoint you," said Darth Vicious bowing to his master before leaving.
"No. You will not," said the Emperor smiling as he saw his apprentice rush out the door hungry for battle and bloodshed like a true Sith.
(Hoth-2 days later)
One Super Star Destroyer and 3 normal sized Star Destroyers appeared out of hyperspace above the planet of Hoth. Unfortunately, one of the Admirals in all his wisdom went too close the planet as was detected preventing any hope of a surprise attack. This got Darth Vader upset since he had wanted to remain undetected for as long as possible so his son could arrive to join him on the campaign, but a single star fighter in hyperspace from Corusant to Hoth was a 3 day trip an this was the second. Needless to say the Admiral was shortly terminated and a new was appointed shortly after. "Report Commander Veers," said Vader to the Imperial officer he had chosen to lead the ground troops in his place.
"My Lord all troops are ready to deploy at your command and are waiting to go after the previous Admirals...error in an approach to the surface. We have done a scan of the area and triangulated the coordinates from the probe droid that was destroyed by the Rebels and have determined their location. The energy shield they have up prevents us from entering orbit, but the scan we used on the surface tell us that multiple ships getting ready to leave the planet meaning they will have to lower the shield to let them get past us. When that happens all Imperial transports with troops, vehicles, and other equipment will be deployed once they hit the ground to attack the base and their little Shield Generator. Once the Shield Generator is destroyed it will allow you to land my Lord and fight the enemy yourself," said Commander Veers choosing his words carefully in front of the Sith Lord.
"Very good Commander Veers you will be in the main ATAT when the shield goes down and your primary target is to be the Shield Generator. Understand?" said Vader as the once calm Commander Veers paled slightly after receiving those orders.
"Yes my Lord," said Commander Veers as he left to prepare.
"It has begun," said Vader after the door shut behind the officer.
(A/N: I know I said in the last chapter there would be some battle of Hoth for this one. Well I was going to, but I have this little thing about writing chapters around the 3000 words range and not more. If I write anymore it would be over 3000 words area. Don't worry I promise that NEXT chapter you will get the battle of Hoth. I promise on a Sith's honor. HAHAHAHAHA! That's funny. Seriously though I will. Review!)