AN: So this was originally posted on AO3 a while back, since I just prefer the formatting there. But since I realized I typically get more feedback here, I posted all the chapters here. I'll probably post the last chapter around the same time I post it on Ao3 now. I'll be posting my AO3 notes here, although removing a few bits that a no longer relevant.
The theory this fic is based on is posted here: post/167906831715/rey-palpatine-theory (although it has some outdated trailer speculation) and the changes in my theory after TLJ: post/168629396213/my-rey-parentage-theory-after-tlj Although the odds of this being correct are a lot less likely, it's still possible, and most importantly, a fun idea to write about.
Chapter Managemen
Shortly after the battle of Jakku- The starship graveyard, Jakku
Carva Malarus blinked. Her head pounded and it felt full of medical gauze. Where was she? It all came rushing back to her. She had been assigned to the Eviscerator (her, a navy ensign working for an ISB Admiral, what a sorry state the Empire was in). Counselor Rax said that he had gotten enough factions to agree to make a last stand on Jakku. Then the Eviscerator had been heavily damaged in the sub-orbital atmosphere, forcing an evacuation. She had managed to get into an escape pod with a stormtrooper.
She looked to her left, the very effort causing her pain. There they were, the stormtrooper who had joined her. It looked like they were also coming to. Escape pods weren't meant to be launched sub-orbitally. Although they were still technically at a safe distance, the rough landing must have knocked them both unconscious.
Malarus unstrapped herself from her harness and forced herself off the bench. The pod was slanted up at a 40-degree angle and all the viewports were dark. Using the safety railings she pulled herself over to the box that stored rations and medpacs. They (or at least she. The ensign hadn't decided if the stormtrooper would be coming with) would need those. As she began to open it, she was relieved to hear a pleasant beep. Neither the locking mechanisms nor her code cylinders had been damaged in the crash. The stormtrooper had also unstrapped themselves and had joined her.
She lowered herself to the floor, wincing as her hips protested. Using the underside of the bench to keep her upright, she set the rations aside and began opening the medpac. The trooper had yet to say anything and was still supporting themselves with the supplies box. "Your name?" she asked not looking up or letting her pain upset her clipped tones.
"LT-621," he replied, clearly sounding hurt.
Malarus flinched as she injected the contents of a syringe marked with the word "stim." That would keep her going for a while. Turning her focus inward, she didn't feel any injuries worse than bruising from a bumpy ride. She'd best save the antibiotics and bacta bandages for later. Or if LT-621 needed any help.
"Injuries?" she asked as she packed up the contents of the medpac.
"Not quite sure. Everything hurts. Permission to remove helmet and armor to check?"
"Permission granted," Malarus replied as she went to inventory their other supplies.
LT took off his helmet and Carva saw he had pale skin with regulation styled, yet curly, black hair. After removing all his armor and patting himself down, he reported to her. "I feel pretty groggy ma'am, but I can't find any cuts or broken bones. Nothing worse than bruising." Without the voice modulator in his helmet, Malarus realized he sounded pretty young and scared. Heck, he looked young. For all she knew, he could have been pulled out of an academy early to bolster imperial forces after Endor just like her.
The ensign bit her lip. Malarus had used up half of the stim up on herself. She'd might need the rest later. However, a second person would allow both the more robust blaster the trooper brought with him and her small blaster to be used simultaneously, and make it easier to carry supplies. Carrying around dead weight would just weaken her. "There's enough stim left for you in this med pack, but we're only going to manage to reunite with the imperial forces if you follow my lead." Already her head was clearing and adrenaline was counteracting the soreness of her muscles.
LT-621 took the syringe and closed his eyes tight before injecting. When he did, he let out a small yelp. Carva sighed internally, she didn't know if his weak will would make this harder or easier. But she had already spent resources on him, she couldn't discard him too carelessly now.
Now that Malarus had finished inventory of all their supplies (enough food for 2 weeks, enough water for 1 week (being this was a desert planet), 4 doses of general antibiotics, 8 bacta patches, 2 lightsticks, 1 firestarter, 1 energy pack for a stormtrooper blaster, the material for a small prefab tent, and a handheld distress beacon), all they needed to do put it all in the backpack and try to rendezvous with the imperial forces. She stood up, trying to not show how the angle of the pod was making her unsteady. Then she listened. It was quiet. For better or worse, the battle had ended. "You'll be carrying your blaster and the supplies. Leave your armor and helmet behind, it will only slow you down." LT nervously swallowed, probably worried about breaking protocol, but this was also a direct order from the most senior member in the pod.
Carva pressed the button to open the door of the pod, meaninglessly praying to the gods that were worshiped on her home planet. She had heard tales of people who had died in pods with broken doors. She didn't want to be one of them. Thankfully, the door managed to open, allowing sand to spill in. However, they couldn't be too deep, as she could see the bright blue Jakku sky shining through. "Guess we will have to climb, soldier," she said, turning back to see him carrying the pack and his weapon strapped to his side.
It was over. Malarus scanned the horizon. Everywhere she looked, there were downed imperial ships. She counted at least two star destroyers and could see the body of the Ravager in the far off distance. And countless smaller ships, shuttles, and walkers littered the ground, soon to be buried by the sand. Rebellion- no, Republic ships were also scattered across the sands, but only at a 3rd of the rate of imperial ones. She saw no star destroyer hanging above them, executing or forcing confessions out of the Republic leaders. This was going to be their last stand, where the Empire would obliterate the weak Republic dogs and strength would once again rule the galaxy. Any imperial remnants that didn't join them were not true members of the empire.
Not that she would be getting off. Jakku was a wasteland, even more so now. The Republic wouldn't become the strength here, even if they ruled the galaxy. It would return to the lost and hiding scum that lived here before. To survive here, she would have to be strong. And the Empire was no longer that.
She heard grunting and scrabbling as LT-621, pulled himself up, burdened by the backpack. "Ancients…" he said, his voice filled with equal measures of terror and awe.
"The empire is no more," Malarus fixed her eyes on the horizon. She put grief into her voice, but this was all a calculated move. She was relying on her force of will to overpower the trooper's, keep him following orders without imperial loyalty. "We must survive without it."
Then she turned to face LT. "What's your name?"
He seemed taken aback, as she expected. "I already told you, it's LT-"
"No, your given name. There is no more empire, no imperial navy to enforce these things. And besides, whatever it is will probably be faster to say than your ID number. I'm Carva Malarus."
"Casper. Casper Guffin."
"Well, Casper. We're stuck on a gods-forsaken desert planet. Which means finding a source of water is the most important." Malarus paused, scanning the horizon again. She didn't think any of the ships could be used as shelter, at least for awhile. Many of them were still burning and all had questionable structural integrity. She had almost resigned herself to picking a direction at random and hoping there was a settlement that way, when she heard the roar of engines above her. As soon as Malarus registered the shape of a U-wing in the distance, she grabbed Casper's wrist and bolted, forcing her legs to run.
She didn't stop until she pulled her companion behind the wing of a downed X-wing. Then she opened up and back and pulled out the distress beacon, not saying a word until after she had chucked it as close to the escape pod as possible.
"What was that for?" Casper sounded very offended.
Malarus took a deep breath to slow her head and steady her words. "I have no interest in being made an example of, executed, or quietly banished to some penal colony."
"Huh?"
"That was a Republic U-wing. They were looking for any escape pods or surviving pilots. Retrieving their people and enacting whatever their idea of justice is on the imps."
"Oh."
Malarus peaked over the rim of their cover. The U-wing had begun to continue its search in the other direction. It didn't seem to have access to imperial distress channels, but it paid to be safe. And it wasn't like there was any Empire that would even bother to rescue them left.
"Hey, Malarus," Casper called to her, fear in his voice. "I see some...things coming toward us. What should we do?"
Carva turned around to see what Casper had spotted. There, off in the distance, the heat distorting their forms, was what looked like a diminutive humanoid riding some fusion of a walker and a dewback.
"Draw your weapon, but do not fire," Maralus ordered, "we will meet it. It may be able to point us in the direction of a settlement." As Casper drew his rifle, Malarus drew snub-blaster (making sure the safety was off and it was set to kill). With Guffin marching a few paces behind her, they went to meet their new ally- or enemy.
The alien's beast of burden paused as the imperials came within ten feet of it. As the humanoid dismounted, Malarus saw it was almost completely covered in cloth wrappings. It looked like some sort of mutated Tusken Raider. Malarus hoped it wasn't as hostile those Tatooine savages.
The ensign held out a hand for her companion to pause. "We mean you no harm. Point us in the direction of the nearest settlement and you can go about your task. If you don't," Malarus casually lifted her blaster. "You'll get a blaster bolt through your head and we'll get a mount."
The creature began to chirp in some unknown language while drawing its spear. Great, damned the thing didn't even know Basic. She was about to put a blaster bolt through its head and be done with it, when she heard a man call for them to stop, and then presumably repeat the phrase in this creature's tongue.
The man was human, with one dead eye. He carried a walking stick made of worn and carved wood. His skin was brown, darker than one would get as a tan from spending so much time out in this blasted star. He wore the long cotton clothing you'd expect on a desert planet, although the dark purple tones didn't seem practical.
Although the creature had lowered its spear, it was still agitated. It garbled away at the new man. After listening intently, he turned to Malarus.
"Are you intending to lay claim on this ship?" He pointed to the X-wing.
"No, go ahead," Malarus replied, slipping into a much less aggressive stance. Was that what the thing was so worked up about?
After nodding, the man translated her reply to the alien. The creature then got back on its mount and started lumbering towards the downed ship.
"You're imperials, aren't you?" the man asked.
Malarus couldn't tell which answer he wanted, so she answered truthfully. "Former imperials, correct. Now we're just like you."
The man laughed. "It is unlikely you intend to become anchorites. However, this metal graveyard will allow scavenging to be more than a Teedo's endeavor. The isolation of Jakku will also allow you to avoid the political fallout of this battle. Jakku will remain the same. Nor is there any way off this planet. However many of the inhabits still hold bitterness from the occupation. I'd endeavor to replace your uniform. At least remove the jacket for now."
Malarus nodded and began to unbutton the jacket that her code cylinder and rank insignia rested on. She then tied it around her waist by the sleeves, revealing the white undershirt she wore. "So, can you point us in the direction of a settlement?" She didn't want to be in this man's debt any more than she already was. He was the one with the advantage here.
"You'll find Cratertown just over the ridge," The man pointed in the direction he had come. "I had gone out to observe the battlefield, the ending of so many flames in the force, but life born from destruction has fulfilled me even more. I will walk with you." He turned on his heel and walked back the way he came.
Great, this was a religious nut. Well, who else would willingly live on such a backwater planet? Malarus knew the Force existed, that was an undeniable fact. But the concept that it would have a will of its own? That it would favor folks who spent hours honoring it. If it really favored some group, they'd be ruling the galaxy. It seemed to be just as passive as the wind or the sea. Not that she knew enough to get involved in theology. And angering their current guide would be unwise.
"What is your name, sir?" Casper asked. He still sounded differential, but Malarus could see protocol was falling apart. Not that she should worry. He would still follow her orders if she exerted her will and seemed in control.
"Amid Ozan. Your names?"
"L- Casper. Casper Guffin," It was clear he wasn't used to the whole given name thing.
"Carva Malarus," she replied, sounding calm and disinterested.
Their conversation was suddenly broken by the sound of a TIE screaming followed by S-foils firing. Looking up they saw an X-Wing chasing after a TIE, flying erratically. The starfighter chased the TIE into the graveyard where it was shot down. The New Republic starfighter then peeled off, looking for a new quarry.
Casper looked wide-eyed and nervous. His eyes were flicking between her and Amid, looking for reassurance. "But- I thought the fighting was over!"
"There's still a faction holding out." Amid replied, sounding as calm as ever. "Most of their forces are gathered on the far side of the planet. Without any capital ships, they are unable to mount a coordinated attack. They have lost, now it is just a matter of time. You do not need to worry about interference- imperial or Republic. The occupation left when the battle began and the staging area around Cratertown has been moved closer to the holdouts.
Malarus nodded, taking all this information in as they walked. Amid lead the way, and rather than hanging back behind her, Casper tried to match her stride and stay close to Amid. The entire time, he looked stressed and flustered, while Malarus tried to do her best to look in her element, and succeeded.
"What was that thing?" Casper asked, after a few more moments of uncomfortable silence. She was happy to let the trooper do all the probing for information, while she appeared the strong and silent leader.
"Oh, the Teedo?" Amid replied flippantly. "They're a hive-mind like race. No one really knows where they live. They're scavengers, not that they had much to scavenge before now. They're always itching for a fight if someone gets in the way of their loot. And if you do manage to kill one, you're marked by every other Teedo on this planet. Unless you have the skills or upper hand to properly negotiate with them, you let them to their loot and go on your way. I assume more rules will develop now that scavenging is lucritable."
So there's a scavenger race that only speaks its own tongue. She'll have to learn their language to properly handle them it seems. Another thing to put on her priority list, after finding new clothes and a source of income/food. Speaking of which-
"How do you survive here?" Malarus asked.
"My convent all work together to gather food from what we can find for ourselves and the remaining orphans under our care. Many beasts scamper across these sands and lichen can be found under rocks. We rarely have full bellies, for food is scarce and suffering brings you closer to the Force."
At least there was somethings Malarus could hunt, should the worst occur. But still, that assessment wasn't promising.
But Amid had more to say. "The aftermath of the battle will greatly change Jakku. For those more obsessed with material chains, you should be able to profit off of the scavenging market that should appear. Rumors say Niima has already begun a scrap market."
"Niima?" Casper asked. He clearly wasn't used to be able to ask questions freely, and seemed to be relishing in it.
"The Hutt who tries to rule this land. She lives in cave systems near the Carbon Ridge. She creates slaves to her will with torture and is worshiped like she is a goddess leading a cult. Stay away from her fortress or you will join their ranks. But if you come from a place of power, you may interact with her emissaries without too much fear for your life."
That was better. The two of them could be scrappers, and depending on exchange rates, they could maybe, eventually, save up enough for a ship off this hellhole.
After that, there were no more questions exchanged. The two of them simply followed in silence, with Amid walking stocically infront of them. It didn't take long for Casper to drop any semblance of military posture. Malarus remained straight as a rod, a silent sentinel planning her escape.
By the time they reached Cratertown, the sun had begun to set and cold seeped into her bones. Great, it was either deadly cold or deadly hot. None of that "sleep during the day and work at night" thing other desert planets had. But the cold seemed to be more dangerous than the heat, so she would have to remain on a diurnal sleep cycle, for now.
"I will return to my convent now," Amid stated, stopping at the edge of the town. "I suggest you find somewhere safe and warm to spend the night, not that those who are fortunate to have dwellings would be too willing to share." With that, he turned and began walking to the right, not even giving the former imperials a chance to thank him or ask more questions.
With their mysterious guide gone, Malarus could now take the lead again. With the sun setting, she saw people scurrying into the few sandstone buildings that stood around the town. But even more people were setting up ragged tents and a few fires dotted the landscape. Some people had nothing more than a box they could curl up in and hope for the best. "Stay on guard," Malarus ordered, "These savages would kill for a flask of water. We will do our best to stay in the background, but should a conflict arise, do not hesitate to kill. We must show we are as brutal- and stronger than everyone else."
Casper nodded, but Malarus could see the fear in his face. He'd never had to worry about his expressions before, since he was clad in white plastoid armor, no different from any other stormtrooper.
Carva led her traveling companion through the town, searching for an appropriate spot. She could feel the citizens' greedy and starving eyes staring at them. They wore what would be considered fine clothes, and even more strangely they were mostly clean. They saw Casper's blaster, not coated in sand and his full pack, filled with wonders they could only imagine.
The attack came from behind, but Malarus could hear the scrabbling over the sand. She took one moment to focus before turning around and firing. Then everything went silent, other than the crackling of fires. A dead Abednedo, only a child, she reckoned, lay crumpled on the sand with a smoking hole through his chest.
Malarus scanned the town, the anger from the kill filling her. Casper looked horrified, but his hand was near his blaster. Then she spoke, projecting her voice the best she could. "This will be your fate if any of you attempt to attack us again. We want nothing from you. Allow us to establish our camp in peace and no one else would die. Cross us, and you will share his fate." She motioned to the corpse in the sand beside her.
She knew she could have attempted to extort some pitiful tithe from the people watching, but she knew doing so would make her existence span style their problem. She just didn't have the manpower or influence to rule over them. If anyone else would attempt to strike now, they would be alone, because it would be a reckless disregard for life, desperation, and greed. It wouldn't hurt them to just stay out of her way. And she only had so many charges in her blaster.
After her speech, the sounds of speaking and working returned, this time more hushed and anxious. Casper seemed to have relaxed, but he looked terrified.
"Did we have to do that?" he whispered.
"Yes," Malarus replied, the disdain clear in her voice, "He would have fought us to the death for our supplies. And with such a demonstration of power, we have already cemented ourselves as a deadly force, but not one that actively threatens them, for now. We do not have the strength to rule over such a mob, but they are less of a threat now."
"Okay," Casper said, but Malarus wasn't finished.
"You are not to question my orders. I may no longer be your superior, but I am the person with the tactical knowledge to keep us alive. If you continue to question me, I span will throw you to these dogs."
Casper nodded, completely silent.
Malarus returned to look at the section of the town she had been surveying before the disruption. And there she found it, a spot that would suit her needs. Two small structures, made from a collection of stone and metal met at a corner. Incorporating such walls into their tent would make it so an attack could only come from the front, something setting up a watch would prevent.
"Set up the tent between those two buildings," Carva said to Casper, pointing the location she had selected out, "I assume that was in your academy training."
"Yes ma'am," Casper replied, obedient fear in his voice.
"Afterwards you may have one ration serving and half a water serving. I will take first watch to prevent us from being attacked in our sleep."
"Casper nodded and went to work. Malarus plan proceeded without disturbance, as a well fed person with a working blaster was sufficient deterrent to people who had rarely seen either.
The Abendo who Malarus had killed was soon stripped of anything valuable by those with camps nearest to him. No one bothered to remove the body once it had nothing more than a few scraps of worthless fabric left on it. Eventually, it was eaten by carrion-feeders and became another anonymous being who died on a dead planet.