Chapter 4: Black 5.
Because Barry had only just been promoted to commander, he still needed to pick out his teammates.
Unfortunately, due to the sensitive state the galaxy was in, Darth Vader had ordered Barry to accompany him to the death star. He was to temporarily help defend the vital battle station until the rebel base had been destroyed.
After that, he would then be granted a month's time to find and recruit his team. Vader even promised him access to the 501st, should he find someone of interest from that legion.
So, Barry did as he always did. He followed what his superior commanded.
After all, Good soldiers follow orders.
(Death Star, Battle Of Yavin Four)
"Black One, my sensors are picking up a YT freighter on an intercept course. Permission to divert rebel hostile."
"Permission Granted Black Five, you destroy that ship and I'll take care of this rebel pilot." Vader replied, shooting forwards in a burst of speed.
Barry span his tie interceptor out of the trench and gunned his engine, heading straight for the medium sized transport.
The pilot must have spotted him, because it turned to veer off, but Barry wouldn't let that happen.
Firing a concentrated volley of bolts, the special forces pilot caused major damage to the freighter's Shield generators, rendering them useless.
"Pop goes the womprat." Barry muttered, flicking up a button on his joystick.
His targeting computer confirmed his trajectory before he then pressed the joystick triggers down, sending a signal out of his cockpit and to the external weapon systems.
Said systems confirmed his request in microseconds before launching two proton missiles, which hit home.
The first missile struck the back of the rebel transport, shredding it's engines and hyperdrive into scrap metal.
The second detonated it's power core, causing the ship to erupt into a fireball of orange and blue energy. Effectively killing the pilot.
"Hostile Destroyed, moving to return to previous formation." He reported over the comms.
However before he could move to do so, a blaring alarm came over all channels.
"Warning! Vacate Immediate Area, Death Star Reactor Has Been Overloaded."
"Warning! Vacate Immediate Area, Death Star Reactor Has Been Overloaded."
Barry cursed and slammed a fist against his controls before directing all power into his thrusters, hoping to get enough distance before the station exploded.
Unfortunately, fate was not on his side.
A massive explosion could be heard behind him, and so Barry held onto his restraints as the following shockwave knocked out his stabilizers and engines, sending him spiraling towards Yavin Four.
"For the empire, for the empire, FOR THE EMPIRE!" Barry yelled out as his craft hit the atmosphere.
His transparisteel cockpit cracked, allowing the blistering heat to funnel in.
The young man screamed out in pain, turning his face quickly to hopefully save some of it from the wrath of the atmosphere.
After a few seconds of agony, Barry passed out.
Thankfully, the tie interceptor had an array of safety systems, allowing the pilot to survive a crash or landing on a hostile planet.
Thus, parachutes had ejected from the roof and sides of the Cockpit, allowing the Emperial fighter to float down into the jungle.
A few minutes later, a patrol of Rebels found him, lying in a pile of circuitry and tech.
Long story short, they woke Barry and began to interrogate him for information. But Barry didn't give them anything.
He didn't spill a single secret, he never winced when they caused him great pain or broke a bone in his body.
He refused to give then anything, not even his name. He didn't eat, drink or sleep.
And when they tried to slice his broken ships databank, he muttered the four word code that would activate the self destruct: "Long Live The Empire."
They beat him even more after that.
(A few hours later)
Barry awoke to the sound of a squad of 501st troopers breaking him out of the prison, and soon after, found himself in the medical bay of a Star Destroyer.
"Did you tell them anything?" Vader had asked him as soon as he was well enough to even be fully awake.
"No my Lord, my mouth nor body betrayed the empire." He replied tiredly, forcing himself to stay awake so as not to insult the dark side user.
"You have done well, you have served the empire greatly. You are to be commended, I have instructed my personal engineers to listen to your requests."
"My lord?"
"Hmm, oh yes. You are probably wondering what I meant by that. To put it simply, they will build you a custom Tie fighter. Constructed to your specifications and modified as you see fit." Vader replied before leaving the room, not even bothering to listen to Barry's protest.
The young Emperial loyalist sighed. He just wanted to do what he could, for the glory of the empire. He didn't expect rewards or compliments.
(End of chapter 4)
