Chapter 13 – Dead Zones
Who was this Jedi?
Where had he come from? Who had trained him? Vader probed the boy's defenses, not yet attempting to win the duel but more so trying to answer these questions. He recognized his style. It was reminiscent of Kenobi's. Yet the boy was not as disciplined as Kenobi. The third form of lightsaber combat focused predominantly on the defense, with a closed stance and measured strikes of the saber. While this young Jedi had mastered the basics of the form, his disposition was toward the attack. In the back of his mind, Vader thought how much untapped potential the boy had. If only he would adopt Vader's own form, the fifth, he would become a far more formidable warrior.
Yet he was formidable enough. Vader was by no means dictating the duel. The boy's parries and counterstrikes were powerful and deftly executed. Vader thought back to Lothal, where he had dueled the renegade Jedi Kanan Jarrus and his pupil Ezra Bridger. He had easily dispatched them. He could have killed them in a half dozen ways, yet had decided not to. This Jedi was clearly superior to Jarrus and Bridger. He gave Vader very few openings for attack. He was confident, and Vader sensed that confidence growing as the fight wore on. He thought he was matching Vader stroke for stroke, and, by any visible measure, he was. Yet in reality Vader was holding back. He needed to learn more.
"Your skills are impressive," Vader said, pulling away with his lightsaber raised. The boy was breathing heavily, his tan face shining with sweat. Vader's respirator sounded slightly labored. Yet he was not tired. On the contrary, he was terrifically excited. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and his musculature, atrophied as it was, swelled with vigor.
"Drop your weapon," he said. "You cannot beat me."
"We'll see about that," the young Jedi said.
Vader launched another assault, his off hand held casually behind his back. The young Jedi repelled Vader's blade with persistent parries.
"Do you know who I am?" Vader asked, conversationally almost.
"I do," the young Jedi said, teeth gritted as he pushed against Vader's red blade.
"Then you must know you are beaten."
"I know who you are. I know what you did."
Vader's eyes narrowed. He twirled his blade and pushed the young Jedi back with a pattern of probing attacks.
"What do you know?" he said.
"You killed my father."
Vader nearly laughed. "I have killed very many fathers," he said. "You will have to be more specific."
The young Jedi's face twitched. He raised his lightsaber over his shoulder. Vader saw the attack before it happened. It was easily predictable, and poorly executed. Sidestepping the errant swing, Vader stuck out his boot, causing the boy to trip. He fell flat on his face, and the lightsaber went skidding out of his hand. Vader permitted him to get back to his feet. When he had done so, he attempted to summon the lightsaber back to his hand, but Vader deflected it with a casual flick of the wrist.
"You are beaten," he said calmly.
For the first time, Vader saw a familiar shining in the boy's eyes. He knew that look well. It was fear.
"You will come with me," Vader said.
"Never."
"The decision is not yours to make."
With a sudden thrust of his arms, the young Jedi pushed Vader away with the Force. Vader had not anticipated it. Yet he kept his balance nonetheless, grabbing hold of the technical station as he went by. The boy was running in the opposite direction, lightsaber back in hand. With his footing firmly in place, Vader glanced at the technical station. He pressed a square button, and the blast doors locked. There would be no escape now.
"Cowardice is not becoming of a Jedi Knight," Vader said. He began to close in on his cornered foe. The young Jedi reactivated his blade as he turned.
"I'm not afraid of you," he said.
"You should be," Vader replied.
Now when he attacked, Vader did not hold back. The boy had no space to retreat into, with his back against the blast doors. He managed to defend himself for a few fleeting moments, then Vader displaced his blade with a powerful overhead strike. With his body exposed, Vader chose to strike him in the sternum with the butt of his saber. The strength of the blow flung the boy into the blast doors. His head threw back and hit the durasteel with a loud crack. He instantly went limp and crumpled to the ground.
Vader considered the defeated Jedi for a few long moments. He had sandy blonde hair and pale blue eyes which, oddly enough, were still open, staring blankly at Vader's boots. It struck him as unseemly. Leaning down, Vader attempted to shut the boy's lids. His metal fingers were imprecise. He made a bungle of the effort, clumsy fingers grazing across the boy's face, but he did eventually succeed. He stopped briefly to consider why he had bothered to do such a thing. Unable to come up with any sort of answer, Vader shook his head and stood. Lifting the boy's body into the air with the Force, he slung it over his shoulder, causing his knees to buckle. No matter. They were made of steel, after all.
The blast doors suddenly opened. Vader was surprised to find himself face to face with a dour man in flowing white robes.
"Krennic?"
"Lord Vader?"
They sized each other up. At the director's flank were a trio of black-armored Death Troopers.
"Who is that?" Krennic asked, gesturing to the Jedi.
"Immaterial," Vader dismissed. "Why are you here, Krennic?"
"I would ask you the same question."
"I am dealing with the Rebel infiltration," Vader said.
"How did you know?" Krennic asked. "I only just arrived myself. The Rebels appeared only minutes later."
"I had a source," Vader said.
"Why was I not informed?"
"I do not report to you, Director. I report to the Emperor, and to him alone."
"What about Governor Tarkin? Was he informed of this source?"
"Out of my way, Krennic."
"Lord Vader, this is all remarkably unorthodox."
"Out of my way."
Even Krennic was not a fool enough to disobey. He stepped aside, and Vader went marching down the hallway with the Jedi weighing heavily on his shoulder.
Behind him, he heard Krennic and the Death Troopers following.
"I was told there was a breach in the data vault," Krennic called. "I presume you dealt with that?"
"I did," Vader said. "The Rebels' mission to steal the Death Star plans has been thwarted."
"But how did they know?" Krennic asked. "Did Erso –"
"Galen Erso is innocent," Vader said.
"Are you sure, my lord?"
He came to a stop at the turbolift. Turning, he looked Krennic in the eye.
"Do you doubt me, Director?"
"Of course not, my lord," Krennic said. "But it is odd that –"
Vader cut him off. "The Rebels have failed. That is what matters. That is all that matters. Is that understood?"
Krennic's brow furrowed. "If you say so."
The turbolift arrived. Vader had to stoop as he stepped in. When Krennic attempted to follow, he held out his free hand.
"Take the next one, Krennic," he said. "I have had enough of your incessant questioning."
The director's face reddened. "My apologies, my lord."
The door sealed shut, and Vader exhaled. Krennic could present a problem to him. But now was not the time to focus on that. He was on his way to his shuttle.
Where his daughter was waiting.
Δ Δ Δ
Leia sat in a bucket seat aboard Vader's personal shuttle. Was it the same one she had stolen from Palaam? It looked the same. She had to say, she hadn't ever planned on being back here.
Vader had found her. Why did he care so much? The way he had spoken to her – Leia, you are coming with me – had been terrifying; he sounded possessive, as if she were a stray pet who had gotten away from him.
"What are we waiting for?"
Leia looked up. Jyn was pacing the length of the cabin, glowering at her father who was seated, eyes following her back and forth.
"I told you," he said, wearily. "We cannot leave without Vader."
"Why not?"
"I am in debt to him," Galen said. "And besides…" He looked at Leia. She looked back, intrigued by the odd expression on his face. What was it? Curiosity, in part. But more than that. A shade of repugnance almost.
"What?" Jyn asked.
"Appenza, is it?" Galen said.
Leia nodded.
"He will not rest until you are in his possession," Galen said. "If we leave him behind, we are all as good as dead."
A heavy silence followed.
"Why?" Leia asked.
Galen's brow twitched. "You do not know?"
"Tell me," Leia demanded.
Galen hesitated. He looked at Jyn.
"If this remains a secret to you," he said, "then I am not the one who should spoil it."
"What does that mean?" Leia asked, indignant.
"Ask the man yourself," Galen said.
Like hell, Leia thought. No way was she doing that.
From the far end of the cabin, K2 spoke. "He is here. Shall I open the hatch?"
Leia jumped from her seat. "Vader?" she said. "What about Luke?"
"He appears to be… accompanying him."
"What does that mean?" Leia asked.
"Open the hatch," Galen ordered. "Do it, now!"
K2 obliged.
"Jyn, with me," Galen said, beckoning her to the cockpit. Jyn begrudgingly followed, Cassian right on her heels.
"Welcome, Lord Vader," K2 said as the ramp fully deployed.
"Out of my way, droid," she heard Vader say. K2 stepped aside, and Vader appeared in the opening. Leia gasped.
"Luke!"
The Jedi was slung over Vader's shoulder like a sack of meiloorun fruit. Vader took a few heavy steps into the cabin and dropped Luke to the ground without much in the way of delicacy.
"What did you do to him?" Leia cried. She fell to her knees by Luke's side. Flipping him over, she took his face into her hands. He was unconscious, but otherwise was unscathed. It was as if he were peacefully asleep. "Luke," she said, giving him a gentle shake. "Luke, can you hear me? Wake up."
"Leave him," Vader said.
Leia craned her head to massive man. A shiver of fear ran through her. He loomed above like a shadow, seven feet tall and pitched in darkness.
"Stand," Vader ordered.
Leia did. Her legs wobbled beneath her.
"Where is Erso?"
Leia's mouth was dry. She couldn't speak.
"Is he here?"
"Cockpit," she managed.
Vader nodded. "With me," he said. Stepping over Luke, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her along with him.
"Is the phase disruptor ready?" Vader asked when he arrived in the cockpit.
"Yes, my lord," Galen said from the co-pilot's chair. "We're being hailed."
Vader shooed Jyn and Cassian out of the way. He leaned over the control panel and keyed the comm.
"Yes?"
"Lord Vader, this is Krennic."
Out of the corner of her eye, Leia saw Galen flinch.
"What is it, Director?" Vader said, the irritation loud in his voice.
"I have been informed that the Death Star has arrived in the system."
"Is that so?" Vader said.
"Governor Tarkin may deem it prudent to use the weapon to extinguish the Rebel force on the planet."
"Yes, I suspect he may."
"In which case we are stranded. I suspect somehow that Governor Tarkin would not be troubled by my demise."
"No, I daresay he would not be. But this is not a cause for concern, Director. I anticipated this development."
"Is that so?"
"Follow my shuttle." Vader severed the connection and stood up straight. "Leia," he said, turning to her. "You will fly."
"Me?" Leia said, blinking.
"I know you are more than capable." Was that humor she detected? Did Darth Vader even have a sense of humor? "Besides," he said, "I want to keep an eye on you."
"Oh," Leia said. So that was the real reason he wanted her at the helm. So she wouldn't attempt to escape.
"Ready, Dr. Erso?" Vader asked.
"Just running a quick diagnostic," Galen said. "We should be all set."
Leia sidled around Vader and settled into the pilot's chair. As she grasped the control sticks, she thought to herself how she was going to wiggle her way out of this situation. But no daring plan came to her. There was nothing she could do.
"How are we going to get through the planetary shield?" Jyn asked.
"By tampering with it, of course," Galen said.
"What do you mean?" Cassian asked.
"A shield is a sophisticated piece of technology, but at its core it is actually very simple."
Jyn groaned. "We didn't ask for a lecture."
Galen smiled at her. "Very well," he said. "Captain, take us into the air please. I'll explain along the way."
Leia had just finished her pre-flight check of the controls. Satisfied, she activated the engine and directed the shuttle into the air. She felt Vader's eyes on the back of her neck as she did this, but Leia was calm. Calm enough, that is. She was comfortable in this position, in the pilot's chair. It felt as if she were in charge, even though she knew she was not.
"Fly low," Vader instructed. "We want to get as far from the battle as possible. Once it's behind us, you can begin climbing."
They exited the hangar and a flash of bright morning light struck the viewport. The skies were dotted with fighters – TIEs aplenty, a smattering of X-Wings and Y-Wings. From this vantage, the battle looked all but won for the Empire. The Rebel forces were on their last legs. And there was nothing Leia could do to help.
"As I was saying," Galen continued, "a shield is nothing more than a highly charged electrostatic field. Typically that field is uniform, meaning there are no weak points along the spherical surface area which the generator creates, but if you corrupt the algorithm with a little piece of code which I wrote, then you can inflict a dead zone in the shield."
"Like a hole?" Cassian asked.
"Of sorts," Galen said. "The field is still present at these points, but it is much weaker. Typically it takes a heavy barrage of sustained firepower to breach a strong electrostatic field like this one, but at these dead zones all it takes is one shot from the phase disruptor which I had fitted to Lord Vader's shuttle. It's perfectly calibrated to the wave frequency of the dead zone, so when we open fire, the entire shield should come down."
"The entire shield?" Jyn said. "Does that mean the Rebels will be able to escape?"
"Not unless they are impossibly fast," Galen said. "Whenever a shield is breached, the generator automatically attempts to regenerate. Under circumstances where the shield has been overwhelmed by superior firepower, the generator is unable to reproduce the same electrostatic barrier. But in this circumstance, the shield has barely been nicked. It typically takes a few minutes for the generator to regenerate the shield, which is plenty of time for us to escape, but not enough for the Rebels."
"Ingenious," Vader said.
"Heinous," Jyn corrected. "We're supposed to leave them to die?"
"Would you prefer you be with them?" Vader asked.
Jyn was silent.
"Some gratitude would not be out of order, Jyn Erso," Vader said. "Were it not for your father, you would almost certainly be dead."
"Instead I get to be your prisoner," Jyn spat. "And you tell me to be grateful?"
Vader raised a gloved hand. Leia found herself transported back to Palaam where the Dark Lord had strangled Val. She had to intervene before history repeated itself.
"Don't, please," she said, twisting in her chair to face Vader. "Don't hurt her."
Vader considered the request. Then he lowered his hand.
"If you insist."
Leia was astonished. That had really worked? How? Vader, man of steel, was downright pliant.
"Jyn, could you and Cassian go look after Luke in the cabin?" Leia said. When Jyn gave her a fiery look, Leia added, "Please?"
Jyn's eyes darted to Vader. "Fine," she bit out. "Come on Cassian." The pair left the cockpit and Leia breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your daughter is insolent, Erso," Vader said when they were alone.
"Irreverent, like her mother," Galen said with a chuckle. Then he sighed. Leia saw the smile slip from his lips.
A few minutes went by. Leia was conscious of the hammering of her heart, the tension in her limbs. She was horribly afraid – for herself, for Jyn and for Luke. Yet she kept flying.
"I've input the coordinates into the navcom," Galen said. "Another twenty miles or so to the closest dead zone."
Leia nodded, glancing at the tactical. She pulled up on the control sticks a bit, and their altitude began to tick upward.
"Where is she?" she asked out of the blue.
"Pardon?" Galen said.
"Jyn's mother."
Galen's features darkened. "Oh," he said.
"I'm sorry," Leia said quickly. "I shouldn't have –"
"It's quite all right," Galen said.
"She's gone, isn't she?" Leia asked.
"Gone," Galen confirmed. "Murdered."
"By whom?" It was Vader who asked it. The question itself was insensitive, yet there was a certain delicacy to his voice.
"Krennic," Galen said. "It was Krennic who had her killed."
The temperature in the cockpit seemed to drop by several degrees. Leia caught her breath when she felt Vader's fingers grasping the back of her chair. In her ear, she heard the leather make a strangled, cracking sound.
"I am sorry," Vader said. And to Leia, he sounded entirely genuine.
Galen bowed his head. "As am I."
They flew on.
