Raynor's Gamble
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars; this is merely a fanfiction.
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Starkiller entered a large, white room. Several medical droids stood over a table. He made his way over. "Let me see her!"
"Sir, please - we must ask you to leave!"
"What's going on? Is she -"
The droid gently pushed him back. "We are trying everything we can. She's not responding to our treatments."
"She's dying?"
""We cannot tell for sure. It's as though something in her cells - midichlorians you call them - are beginning to turn against her own body. We're losing her.""
"You can't be losing her! Do something!"
"I'm afraid that there is nothing more we can do ..."
Starkiller grunted as he pushed the droid aside. He stood over the operating table. He caressed the face below him, pushing the blonde hair aside.
"Juno..."
The heart monitor picked up speed. Juno stirred, but her eyes remained closed. The heart monitor continued to pick up speed until ...
It stopped.
"Juno?"
No response. The medical droids scurried about, trying everything in their power to bring Juno back. Starkiller held her head up against his chest.
"JUNO!"
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"JUNO!"
Starkiller bolted upright in his bed, his face bathed in sweat. He looked around ... he was in a medical facility of some kind. A syringe was embedded in his arm, filling him with medicine.
"I'm right here, you know."
Starkiller turned his gaze to his right. Sitting at his bedside was Juno, reading off a holopad.
"I haven't left your side since ..."
Starkiller fell back on his pillow. "... a nightmare."
"You've been having a lot of them. It's not surprising, what with everything that happened on Dantooine."
"Dantooine ... what happened again?"
"There was a clone of you ... He set Vader free, wounded you. And me." She pointed to a bandage on an exposed part of her chest. A nasty scar ran down her shoulderblade, then below her clothesline to her chest. "Son of a nerf-herder cut me with some kind of weird vibroblade."
"Vibroblade?"
"Indeed. Captain Antilles managed to grab the weapon as he and you carried me and General Kota unconscious to the Rogue Shadow. That was before you passed out and went into a coma."
"A coma? How long was I out?"
"A couple weeks."
Starkiller groaned and rolled over. "Where are we?"
"Cloud City. Where you first picked Kota up."
"You mean where the original Starkiller picked Kota up."
Juno rested her hand on his shoulder. "You are the original Starkiller."
"No, I'm not. I'm a replica, a fake."
"But Kota said -."
"Kota was wrong!" Starkiller bolted upright. "You saw what I was dueling on Dantooine! There's another clone of Starkiller out there working as Vader's executioner! Which means that it is possible to clone a Jedi!"
"That may be ... but I would know if you were a different person. You are the original Starkiller. There was a glimmer of light he held onto until the very end ... and he holds onto that light still." She put her holopad aside and got up. "Kota will want to know that you're awake."
"Where is Kota?"
"In the casino. Captain Antilles is with him, though he's itching to get back into action. Kota has taken up an ... interesting pastime. Sabaac."
"So while I was in a coma, he was busy gambling?"
"Well ... it's not really gambling. Proxy is disguised as a patron, and he's counting cards."
"A Jedi who cheats. Nice. But what if there are Imperials around?"
"They won't recognize him. He plays the part of the blind beggar very well." She chuckled as Starkiller rolled back over into his bed.
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"I win again! That was a good series of matches. I cleaned you out good, didn't I Landon?"
His opponent frowned. "It's Lando."
"That's what I said."
The defeated Lando Calrissian shook his head. He thought the blind old man would be an easy mark. He got cleaned out. He would have to return with more funds and try his luck at the casino again. Maybe he could play the Baron Administrator ...
Wedge Antilles stood over to the side wearing a veil and nomadic clothing to conceal his identity. Proxy had taken on the appearance of an old woman. Antilles shook his head. "This is totally unethical."
"I must concur, General," Proxy added. "It's against my programming to impersonate a -."
"Bah, don't get all moral on me. I never played by the Jedi's rules, I'm not about to play by droid rules." He stood up, stretching. "I'm going for a drink. Care to join me, Antilles? I'm buying." He held up the credits he had just won.
Wedge grinned as he followed Kota. Proxy waved his arms. "And what about me?"
Kota shrugged. "I'm sure they serve your kind."
Proxy shook his head. "Perhaps I can be of some service to Captain Eclipse." Kota and Wedge headed for the bar, as Proxy turned and headed back towards the hospital.
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Proxy traipsed up the landing platform that held the Rogue Shadow. "Captain? Captain Eclipse?"
Juno slid out from underneath the ship, hydrospanner in hand. "Yes, Proxy?"
"I was wondering if I might be of assistance. General Kota and Mr. Antilles have taken up a rather ... curious pastime."
"I could use the assistance, sure."
Juno stood up, heading over to her toolbox when -.
"Captain Juno Eclipse?"
Juno turned to see several of Cloud City's blue uniformed Wing Guards standing there.
"Yes, can I help you?"
The lead Wing Guard slapped energy binders on her wrists. "In the name of Baron Administrator Dominic Raynor, you are under arrest."
Juno was indignant. "For what charges?"
"Baron Administrator Raynor will read off the charges. Come with us."
Juno was led at gunpoint, as Proxy followed along behind them. "Oh dear."
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"Juno. I won't let you die."
Starkiller stood in a large medical room, Juno lying on the medical table.
"We're losing her," a medical droid commented.
Starkiller held Juno's hand. "Don't give up, Juno. Don't give up."
Juno's heart-monitor was going off. "Don't give up," Starkiller found himself repeating. "Don't give up ... Padme."
Padme?
The heart monitor went off again, and Juno slipped into eternity.
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Starkiller bolted upright in his bed, lashing out in fierce anger. His rage caused him to blast the first thing he saw up against a wall.
Which happened to be one of the Bespin Wing Guards which had come to arrest him.
One of the guards nodded to the others. "Blast him!"
They raised their pistols, opening fire.
Starkiller sprang out of bed, wearing nothing but his hospital shirt and slacks. He Force Repulsed the guards against the wall, knocking them clean out. Where are my clothes? And lightsabers?
He didn't have time to look. A tremor in the Force took hold. "Juno!"
He took off down the hall, leaving nurses confused and horrified as their patient tore past them.
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Juno and Proxy were led to a large office. Juno took notice of an extensive collection of antiquities. A tall chair sat behind a desk; the back of the chair concealed who was sitting in it. Next to the chair was a bald man, with a machine plugged into his head.
A puff of smoke exhaled from the chair, as it swiveled around to reveal an older gentleman.
"Captain Juno Eclipse, I presume?"
"So you know who I am," Juno commented. "But I'm afraid I'm at a loss for who you are? And why am I here?"
The older man puffed on a smoking device. "I am Dominic Raynor, Baron Administrator of Cloud City."
"Okay. Now I know who you are. Now why am I under arrest?"
Raynor smiled as leaned back in his chair. "Are you a gambling woman, Captain Eclipse?"
"Not really, no."
"Pity. There's such a ... thrill to it."
"What are you getting at?"
Raynor's smirk only grew wider. "You see, life on this city can get rather dull. I'm a high stakesman. I enjoy the thrill of it, and you have brought me what may be the ultimate gambling piece."
"Oh. What?"
"I've bet on sports, the outcome of space battles ... but I've never had the opportunity to wager against a Jedi before."
Juno's mouth hung open. "General Kota?"
"Don't be foolish woman. That old drunk won't let excite my patrons. But the young Jedi you left lying in the hospital ward ... If he can get past my security, you're free to go."
"Starkiller. You're betting against the wrong one, Baron Administrator."
Raynor blew smoke right in her face. "Oh, that's why I've evened the odds. Show them, Lobot." The bald man next to Raynor, Lobot, held open a small case. Inside were both of Starkiller's lightsabers. "Your Jedi will be more taxed without his signature weapons," Raynor said. "And if he can defeat my champion ..." A door opened, and a figure in red armor and a red helmet appeared. "... you'll be free to leave," Raynor finished.
"And if Starkiller loses?" Juno asked.
"Then I turn all of you over to the Empire and collect a sizable reward."
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Starkiller bolted through the streets of Cloud City, totally weaponless. Well, the Force served as a weapon just as easily as a blade.
"There he is! Set for stun!"
More Wing Guards appeared in the street behind him. Starkiller threw himself behind a statue as blaster fire lanced around him. Patrons screamed and ducked for cover.
"We've got him pinned down! Move out!"
Starkiller sprung out from behind the statue, using the Force to lift it free of its moorings. He suspended it up in midair, before launching it at the Cloud City cops.
BAM!
Two of the Wing Guards were trapped underneath it. The rest were merely slowed down as they spread out around the hallway, climbing over the statue and their fallen comrades.
Starkiller darted into a nearby elevator just as its doors closed.
Inside, elevator music played as an old man and his Twi-lek escort eyed him suspiciously. Starkiller shifted uncomfortably as the music continued playing. The elevator opened up onto another level.
"Here's my stop."
Starkiller respectfully nodded to the old man as he rushed out into the next level of streets.
"There he is! Spread out!" More Wing Guards appeared.
Starkiller ducked through a doorway, slamming it shut as it was riddled with laser fire. He was outside on a balcony overlooking Cloud City. No time to admire the beautiful red clouds. The door behind him burst open - and the doorway on the other side of the balcony slid open. Several more guards appeared. "You're surrounded!"
Starkiller looked forward and behind and then ... leaped.
Trusting the Force, he dove over the edge of the balcony, landing spread-eagle on the outside of a Cloud Car.
Inside, the pilot aimed his blaster straight at Starkiller's head. The young Jedi rolled up onto the roof as laser fire riddled upwards. The Cloud Car accelerated, and Starkiller hung on for dear life.
He spared a glance downward ... big mistake. He gulped as he saw nothing but swirling clouds. If he fell, it would be for forever.
He rolled onto the cockpit, kicking through the glass. His boot connected with the pilot's head, and he slumped forward. Completely knocked out. Starkiller shoved him aside and took over the controls.
Behind him, two more Cloud Cars slid into position, giving chase.
Starkiller jerked the control stick, sending his vessel into a dive - right for several towering spires. Several patrols watched from the spires as Starkiller nearly crashed right into them.
Laser fire filled the yellow sky, as the two Cloud Cars continued their pursuit. Starkiller programmed the ship into autopilot as he released some spare parts from the back. The spare parts were blasted by the other two Cloud Cars.
The explosion of the spare parts masked Starkiller as he opened the cockpit of his airship, and dove into a freefall.
The other two Cloud Cars didn't notice the Jedi diving out of his ship. They continued to pursue the renegade Cloud Car, unaware that it was now on autopilot.
Stariller reared his fists back, and then jammed them forward, Force blasting the roof of a building as he landed back inside a street on Cloud City. Stretching out, he mentally searched for Juno.
There!
He turned and sprinted in her direction.
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Juno cried out as two Wing Guards jabbed her with miniature force pikes. "I'm going!"
Raynor grinned as Lobot and the rest of his men led them into a large, dark room. Orange lights sprang on, and steam erupted with a hiss. Juno looked around. It was a large, circular room, surrounded by stairs and elevated catwalks.
Raynor noted the expression on her face. "Impressed?"
"What is this place?"
"A fitting arena for your young Jedi to face my Champion. Ah, and my clientele have already arrived."
Standing on the catwalks were what appeared to be several dignitaries, Senators, even a few Nemoidians from the Trade Federation. Raynor gestured in their direction. "Come, you deserve your spot to witness the ultimate in intergalactic gambling."
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The door to the large room opened as Starkiller burst his way through. The dim orange lights cast an eerie glow on Raynor and his cohorts. And there, with them -.
"Juno!"
Raynor stepped forward to address the Jedi. "I must congratulate you on making it this far. Especially without your signature weapons." He nodded to Lobot who showed the Jedi his twin lightsabers.
"Let them go!"
"Now, now, you're not in any position to be making demands." Raynor smirked as he turned to his guests. "For those who may not know, you are now standing in Cloud City's carbon freezing chamber. Freezing prized possessions in carbonite is especially effective in preserving them for years to come. Now, to make this gambling occasion more exciting, this young Jedi will duel my Champion. The winner is free to leave with some extra credits. The loser will be encased in carbonite." A wicked grin spread across his face. "Held captive in suspended animation forever ... immune to sickness, disease ... of course, it hasn't been properly tested on a human subject before, so it may very well kill the loser. How about we take some bets on whether the freezing process is survivable or not?"
"Enough!" Starkiller's fists were clenched. "I'm taking my friends out of here, even if I have to go through a hundred of your so-called 'Champions'!"
Raynor's eyes narrowed to slits. "Very well. Let the duel begin!"
A door on the far side of the Carbon Freezing Chamber sprang open, and the masked Champion entered. The Champion tilted his head curiously at Starkiller, before spinning a large vibrosword.
Raynor held out his hand. "It has always been my contention that Jedi were helpless without their prized lightsabers. But of course, I will not have this Jedi completely defenseless." Lobot entered the circular platform on the chamber, awarding Starkiller with a vibrosword of his own, before joining the others atop the catwalk.
And the Champion lunged, their vibroswords clashing violently.
Above, Juno grinned. "You have no idea who this Jedi is, Raynor. He's gone toe to toe with, and nearly defeated, Darth Vader himself."
Raynor raised his eyebrow. "Then you should have nothing to fear then."
"Oh, I'm not afraid for him. I'm afraid for you for. For what he's going to do to you when he defeats your man down there. People who harm those whom he loves have a nasty habit of walking away without a couple of limbs."
"I'm not worried. You underestimate my Champion."
Starkiller leaped over a horizontal slash, before responding with a kick to the head. The Champion grunted, before thrusting the sword forward. Starkiller turned him aside, spinning, nicking him in the leg. The Champion grunted, before spinning back and raising his hand. Starkiller was hit with a surge of Force energy.
As he stood up, his mouth hung agape in shock. He's a Force-user, he marveled.
He threw himself back into the duel, hammering away at the Champion's defenses. The Champion was nicked again, and let out a yelp. Starkiller cocked his head - the Champion had a feminine voice. So he's actually a she! And there's something I recognize about her.
The Champion thrust out her weapon, nearly taking Starkiller's arm off. Starkiller circled her, pointing the tip of his vibrosword at her. "You seem very familiar ..."
The Champion cocked her helmet. "How could you have forgotten?"
And everyone watched in shock as the Champion backed away, pressing a button on her wrist. Slowly, her armor fell away, revealing grey skin, a feminine figure and a black jumpsuit. Starkiller and everyone else watched in amazement as she reached up, pulled her helmet free, and tossed it aside.
Starkiller could not contain his shock. "You!"
Maris Brood grinned. "Ah, you finally recognize me." She tossed aside her vibrosword and flicked her wrists, activating her red shoto-mounted lightsabers.