Disclaimer: Not mine
Chapter 28
Ozzel's body dropped lifeless to the deck and two men quickly moved in to remove the corpse, the bridge utterly silent. Vader breathed carefully, reigning in his rage at the self-serving fool who had decided to contact Tarkin and spread the news of the Emperor's death. Tarkin was the Emperor's man, always had been when he looked back, and he was with the Death Star, something that could ruin their plans.
Firmus stood at attention, never wavering even as his superior officer died in front of him. He had never respected the man, had wished Yularen had still been their Admiral although he had understood why the man had been moved to Vengeance Squadron.
"Admiral Piett," Vader called and Firmus looked at him.
"Yes, My Lord?" he was not afraid of Lord Vader, the man did not kill indiscriminately or suffer fools.
"Have my shuttle prepared, you shall accompany me to the Palace."
"Yes, My Lord," Firmus waited for Lord Vader to dismiss him and then went to arrange it, they would be at Coruscant soon. He did not know what had happened to cause Vader's rage and the rush back to Imperial Centre, but it could not be good…and the Eclipse was meant to be there. Had something happened to the young Prince? He was well loved by the Navy and Army, if something had happened to him…
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Leia squeezed Luke's hand gently. "Luke, we're at Eadu," she called, and Luke stirred, coming out of the trance to smile at her and she smiled back. "Are you up to this?"
"Yes," he went to sit up and let her help him. "Ahsoka?"
"Resting with her companion," Leia answered as he turned to sit with his legs over the edge of the bed.
He stood carefully and wobbled but Cody was there, steadying him on one side, Leia on the other. He reached for the Force, taking deep breaths as he straightened up. "I better get dressed then, have my shuttle prepared and put the Blades on alert," he ordered, and Cody nodded as Luke went into the fresher to dress in the clothes that had been delivered while he slept. He ignored the uniform and instead pulled on the black and blue of his Imperial Heir 'uniform'. He settled the half cape in place and then pulled on gloves to hide the prosthetic for now. He wasn't ashamed of it but he wasn't ready to face it every time he saw his hand. It would be better once the permanent one was attached since it would look like his hand thanks to synthskin. He left the fresher to find them waiting for him. He offered Leia his arm and they left, heading for the bridge, only pausing to collect Ahsoka and Rex.
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"Excellent news, Galen. The battle station is complete. You must be very proud," Director Orson Krennic called as the other man approached his shuttle on the landing pad attached directly to the facility, both men ignoring the torrential rain.
"Proud as I can be, Krennic," Galen answered his one-time friend.
"Gather your engineers, I have an announcement."
Galen nodded and moved back to call his men forward where they lined up in front of the director, all hoping for a reward for their hard work.
"Is that all of them?"
"Yes." Galen moved to stand at his side.
"Gentlemen. One of you betrayed the Empire. One of you has conspired with a pilot to send messages to the Rebellion. And I urge that traitor step forward," Krennic commanded and the engineers shivered in the rain, exchanging glances. Who was the traitor? "Very well, I'll consider it a group effort, then." He motioned his men forward. "Ready!"
"No. No, please." Galen looked to Krennic.
"Aim...and..."
"No, no." Galen moved to stand between them.
"Fire!"
"Stop! Stop! Krennic, stop. It was me. It was me. They have nothing to do with it. Spare them," he begged and Krennic moved to strike him, sending Galen to his knees.
"Fire!" he snarled, and his men opened fire, killing the engineers. He knelt in front of his one-time friend.
"How do I know the weapon is complete? Let me share with you some details..."
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Admiral Yularen and Captain Needa looked over as they walked onto the bridge and the Admiral was shocked by the sight of the one-time Commander, she had changed a lot since they had served together. But she still shot him a cheeky grin, showing she hadn't changed too much. They were both relieved to see the Prince on his feet and no longer pale, moving easily.
Everyone on the bridge stood and saluted and Luke returned the gesture, touched by their actions. He moved to stand with his Admiral and Captain who both bowed to Leia in greeting and then Ahsoka and Rex were greeting Yularen warily, but he was happy to see them. Luke looked down at the planet and closed his eyes, reaching with the Force. "Report?"
"We have detected a downed UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft not far from the base. On the landing platform there is a Delta-class T-3c Shuttle that is assigned to Director Krennic," Needa answered crisply.
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"Cassian. Cassian, can you hear me?" K-2SO called over the comm.
"I'm here. You got it working," Cassian answered from his position in the rocks, watching the landing platform through his scope. He could have taken the shot, should have taken it, Draven had given him clear orders but…he was losing his trust in his commander, he had made some bad decisions over the years. Maybe the Senators were right to bring Erso in front of the Senate? He then spotted Jyn climbing up under the platform to reach her Father. Or was it her keeping him from following orders?
"Affirmative yes, although we have a problem! There's an Alliance squadron approaching. Clear the area!" K-2 sounded very distressed for a droid, reprogramming had really given him a personality.
"No. No, no, no! Tell them to hold up! Jyn's on that platform!" Cassian yelled even as he got up and began running.
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"Jedha. Saw Gerrera. His band of fanatics. Their Holy City. The last reminder of the Jedi. Gone," Krennic counted off and Galen glared at him from his knees.
"You'll never win."
"Now where have I heard that before?"
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"Relay from Captain Andor," K-2's voice came over the communications channel.
A communications Private looked up at that and called out, "General." Draven moved over to hear.
"Captain Andor requesting a delay on squadron support. Alliance forces onsite. Please confirm."
Draven stiffened, "Get the squadron leader on, get him on now!"
"They're already engaged, sir." He answered in dread.
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"Sir! A squadron of X-Wings just left hyperspace," a lieutenant called.
"Leia, Ahsoka, you're turn," Luke indicated the communications and the two women went to try and call the attack off. They began trading codes as the X-Wing's flew towards the planet, having changed course as soon as they saw the super star destroyer, trying to get onto the planet without getting in range.
"Launch Blade Squadron but tell them to just block the fighters from getting into the atmosphere," Luke ordered. He then lifted his comm and called a single pilot. "Biggs?"
"Yes sir?" Biggs answered as he scrambled into his fighter.
"If your friend is out there try and raise him, we don't need bloodshed now."
"Understood," he answered as his ship launched.
Luke then switched frequencies, "Han?"
"Yes sir?"
"Just block them, Bigg's friend might be there."
"Understood." He led his squadron into the space between the X-Wings and the planet.
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Wedge checked his comm as it started hissing, cycling through frequencies until a voice came through.
"Wedge? This is Biggs, come in. Come on, answer!" Bigg's distorted voice came through and Wedge hesitated before flicking the switch.
"If you're asking for a surrender…" Wedge answered.
"No, just to stand down. War's over, time to share drinks."
Wedge blinked and stared out at the squadron of Tie Advanced blocking their way to the base they had been sent to destroy. "What?" the war was over?
"Red Squadron stand down," Garven Dreis' voice came over Red Squadron's channel. He sounded wary but also defeated, they were no match for that ship.
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"Open a landing bay for them Captain and prepare my shuttle," Luke ordered and Needa nodded.
"At once My Lord."
Luke and the rest of his party left the bridge, making their way to the landing bay. They waited with bated breath, but the two squadrons approached, the Blades flying escort, shields up but no one fired on them. The X-Wing's settled and then cockpits opened, and the pilots climbed down, moving into a group even as Blade Squadron landed and also left their ships.
"Princess?" Dreis questioned when he saw her, and she smiled.
"It is alright Commander, no one is in any danger," she assured him.
"Get your men comfortable Commander. Rooms are being prepared for them in pilot territory," Luke added. "No harm will come to any of you."
"I don't understand."
"The war is over; the Emperor is dead," Luke answered even as Han and Biggs approached, their life support and helmets gone.
"We'll show them the way sir," Han offered, nodding to his counterpart even as Biggs grinned at Wedge and Wes, glad his Academy friends had made it in one piece.
Luke nodded and indicated the pilots should follow his men. Once they were gone he kissed Leia gently and then headed for his shuttle with Cody and some of his men. Leia watched them go and then left the hanger to see to the Alliance pilots.
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Tarkin frowned as the coded message was finally translated. The Emperor was dead…Skywalker and the Princess were seen leaving the Palace which now appeared to be in Rebel hands. He had never trusted Vader, or his spawn, and it appeared he had been right not to. He would have to destroy them and take command. "Set course for Alderaan."
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"Sir!"
"What is it?" Krennic demanded, looking away from Galen.
"Your shuttle is being ordered to clear the platform, Prince Skywalker is inbound."
"What is he doing here?" Krennic snarled, what was that little upstart thinking to come here?
"All he said was for you to stand down sir."
"Fine, tell the shuttle to take off. Get him up," he ordered, and Galen was pulled up.
Cassian came up behind Jyn and watched in confusion as the expected strike never came and Krennic's shuttle left. Seconds later a sleeker model landed, and a figure known to all emerged, what was Skywalker doing here?
"Papa," Jyn whispered, terrified for him, and the Prince's head turned to them, making her gasp.
Luke looked over, feeling the rebels nearby, especially the fear of a girl…ah, Erso's daughter had come for him. He waved his men forward and they surrounded Krennic's.
"To what do we owe the pleasure My Lord?" Krennic asked and Luke stared at him coldly.
"Director Krennic you are hereby under arrest."
"On whose authority?" Krennic demanded angrily.
"Mine." Luke nodded, and his men soon had the others under control.
"The Emperor will hear of this!"
"You are behind the times Director, Emperor Palpatine is dead." He stated. "Take him away." He was dragged away, and Luke approached the scientist. "Are you injured Erso?" he asked more gently, and Galen eyed him warily.
"No…" he looked back at his men, all dead and Luke looked over.
"I am sorry we were not in time to stop the slaughter of your men sir," he offered before looking over to the shadows. "You can come out now, I give you my word you will not be harmed," Luke called, and Galen turned to look at where he was.
Jyn pulled free of Cassian and stood, throwing herself at her father. "Papa!" She cried.
Galen caught her, eyes widening at her cry. "Stardust?" She nodded, and he hugged her tight.
Cassian slowly stood, and Luke nodded at him. "I am sure you are confused but Princess Leia can explain if you would accompany us Captain?" He spotted the rank insignia.
"Why should we believe you?" Cassian asked warily.
"Because she killed the Emperor to save my life." He pulled off one glove, revealing the metallic prosthetic. "The war is over Captain," he promised, and Cassian looked around, he was vastly outnumbered and there was no way out, so he followed along as everyone boarded the shuttle. He wasn't at all surprised when they dropped down and hovered over the crash site to collect the others.
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When Luke's shuttle landed in the hanger it was a lot fuller than it had been. Krennic and his men were taken to the brig immediately, despite Krennic's arguments. Leia walked in and over to Cassian while Jyn stayed at her father's side. And then Luke staggered, hand going to his chest.
"Luke!" Leia rushed to his side even as Cody ran over as well. "Luke?"
"Something's happened…" he whispered. "Millions of voices cried out in pain and were silenced."
Cody lifted his wrist com. "Admiral Yularen, send word to the Fleet that there has been a planetary size catastrophe somewhere and we need to find where."
"Understood Commander. Is the General alright?"
Cody glanced at his commander to find him in the Princess' arms and smirked under his helmet. "He'll be fine."
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Garven kept an eye on his guys and the other newly arrived rebels, glad they were alive and that he hadn't ended up firing at where they had been. Things had picked up since Skywalker had half collapsed and it didn't take a genius to realise something had gone wrong. He didn't know what to think, he had never thought to be aboard a star destroyer as anything other than a prisoner and yet here he was lounging in the officer's mess. He looked up as Captain Andor approached. "Captain."
"Your men sir?"
"We're fine. It's a bit odd with all the imperial grey but there's been no trouble. I'm glad command was wrong, and your team is alive."
"Thanks for not shooting at us," Cassian returned. "Do you think this is on the up and up?"
"Princess said the Emperor's dead, she killed him to save General Skywalker. The war being over? I don't know. There's another Alliance agent here too who agrees with her."
"My Father has no interest in ruling." They both nearly jumped as Luke waked over, back in military uniform. "Don't worry, there is a plan, even if it has been greatly accelerated."
"Oh?" Cassian stared at him in suspicion.
"I will be taking the Throne with Leia at my side, we are engaged to be married. This gives both sides someone in control they trust."
The two Rebels stared in surprise, the Princess had agreed to marry him? Command would surely have something to say about that.
"What happens to us?" Garven asked.
"We're on our way to meet up with the rest of Vengeance Squadron and then we'll see what it was I sensed earlier. There are those, such as Tarkin, who will not accept the Emperor's death so easily. I would not be surprised to learn he was behind the catastrophe I sensed. The Princess is contacting her Father for any intel he may have. For now, you will remain onboard as our guests. Once we return to Coruscant or Alderaan you will be able to leave if you wish. Until then feel free to make use of the rec and training facilities." Luke nodded and then left as Biggs was coming in to see his old friends.
TBC…