Chapter 6: Yavin IV

An hour or two ago

Vader steered his shuttle down over the tall canopy of trees that grew on the planet Yavin V. Ahead of him he could see a huge temple, pyramid like and ancient. Similar to the one on Dxun in which he and Yoda had been trapped in by Traya. He flew further but had no intention of landing near the temple. There were storm troopers there. Instead he landed in a clearing in the tree canopy and lowered the boarding ramp. Yoda perked up in the chair beside him.

" Ah, arrived we have." Yoda stated. " Haven't we?"

" Well if you weren't sleeping you would know, wouldn't you?"

" Sleep is required more and more often when older you become. When nine hundred years old you reach stay awake as long as I you will not."

" I have told you already I will not live to be nine hundred."

" Confidence in you I have, with proper dieting and exercise live to be nine hundred you will."

" Master I have proper dieting. I eat seven pure protein and calcium bars a day and I practice with my lightsaber at least three hours a day."

" Mm, well then halfway to good health you are."

" We haven't the time to argue about my health master."

" Mm, in denial you are then?"

" Master stop trying to be funny, I told you it doesn't work. What happened to your Jedi restraints?"

" Faded away they did when nine hundred and twenty I reached."

" That would have been a few years ago?"

" Correct, when nine hundred twenty you reach"

" I'm not going to reach nine hundred twenty."

" Keep telling yourself that."

" Lets just get to the temple."

" I agree."

Vader flicked a switch on the control panel and the ramp lowered. He and Yoda both walked down it into the forest of Yavin.

" Split up we should. Take different ways in, that way more likely for one of us to succeed it is." Yoda said.

" I agree." Vader replied. He walked straight into the woods and Yoda went a bit to the right.

XxX

He could see the temple now, just ahead. Vader that is. Silently he crept to the edge of the forest and crouched down behind a bush, he peered over. He was on the pyramid's west side. He could see a huge crack in its wall. A potential way in. He leaped out of the bushes quickly, so as not to be seen, and hopped through the crack in the wall. He found himself in a large hallway with pillars on either side. Glow sticks were attached to the ceiling and they provided a dim light.

He turned to his right, but before he could take a step, he heard the voices. Storm trooper voices. Thinking fast, he dived behind a pillar and crouched there, looking to his right. As predicted a group of armed troopers came around the corner. There were four of them. This was his perfect chance. Once they were past the pillar he was behind he skulked out and crept slowly behind the band, unhooking his lightsaber from his belt.

He stood up and activated the blade. All four storm troopers turned around at the snap-hiss and raised their weapons. Before even one could squeeze off a shot though Vader's saber spun, danced, and cut three down. The last managed to squeeze off a shot but Vader deflected the bolts and they burned into the wall, then he brought his blood red saber through the barrel of the trooper's blaster rifle and it fell down smoking with a clunk.

The trooper dropped the hunk of useless metal and fell on his rear end, backing away slowly, hand raised in a defensive posture. Vader swung his saber and cut it off. The trooper whined in pain.

" Please don't kill me Lord Vader." He begged inching into a pillar.

" I won't if you can give me some adequate information." Vader hissed slicing a deep gash in the trooper's chest that blistered the skin under the armor.

" Anything, anything!"

" Where is Traya?"

" Who?"

Vader tapped into the force at this remark. He sensed no lie from this trooper, not even the slightest thought of deceit. Traya was not here. Angrily he sent a powerful force suggestion to the troopers mind, and he fell asleep instantly. Vader looked up and turned around to the end of the hall just as another storm trooper came around. Only this one was flying. He crashed into the wall and was knocked unconscious. Seconds later Yoda peered around the corner.

" Find anything?" He asked.

" No, she is not here."

" So sure of yourself?"

" Do you sense her?"

" No."

" Then I really doubt she is here."

" I agree. Let us leave this place."

" Yes."

XxX

Vader and Yoda flew back to the Executer, which was orbiting the planet, and Vader went straight to the bridge.

" Admiral Piett." He barked. Piett practically sprinted up to him.

" Yes Lord Vader."

" Send troops down to the planet. Storm troopers still attached to the Empire are hiding in a temple. There may be more as well. Kill them all."

" Yes Lord Vader."

" After that have this ship primed to jump to light speed. Yoda and I will discuss where to go next."

" As you wish milord."