Chapter 7

"You lost him?"

General Mortem stood tall refusing to quiver in fear at the Inquisitor knowing full well that she was angry at this news. Report from today were that jumptroopers of Beta squad were in pursuit till TIE Fighter Zeta 4 found the Jedi and attacked him force Beta Squad to lose sight of him. Zeta 4 wad "removed" by Zenobia for his actions. Later word came back about discovering Captain Taggret's squad unconscious. One of the soldiers gave the report that they found and cornered the Jedi and Captain Taggret chose to ignore orders and kill the Jedi himself. That led to the Jedi escaping once again. Taggret, like Zeta 4 had been "removed" by Zenobia. Those two had disobeyed orders had got what they deserved.

He shook his head and spoke to her. "As I recall it was your orders to have patrols search for him. You can't blame them, my lord. The order to hunt and kill a Jedi is something that no man in the Empire can refuse. Besides, will find him. The blockade had refused all ships from going to and from the planet. City defenses and patrols have been doubled as you ordered. There's no way he can get off here. However….this Jedi is full of surprise and he just might pull another one."

"That I can agree with you on, General." Zenobia said her eyes looking out the viewport starting down upon the planet aboard her flagship, Gargoyle. The Jedi escaped her and the patrols. There was still time for the army to capture him. She gave direct orders to NOT kill him. Disobey the order and they would be given a fate worse than death. It had given the message she wanted but so far there was no word about finding Vince. He was probably still running or hiding out somewhere. Every piece of the planet was to be search. Mountains, caves, jungles, every nook and cranny. They would find him, capture him, and bring him before her so she would fulfill her mission; kill Vince Silverton.

"Why not you search for him yourself? Lord Vader did assign you with this task." Mortem question.

Zenobia glared at the human. "When he had been apprehended I will go." Then she continued staring down upon the plant unware of the General's frown and clenched fist.

"Keep your eyes out for that Jedi. Scanner's showed he was last sighted in this vicinity. He can't be far." The Imperial captain ordered, weapon raised, and eyes scanning all about. Night vision was an advantage the Empire had thanks to their helmets and spot lights on TIE's and walkers. However, whether your hunter or prey the jungle was no safe place to be at night. You could be ambushed by enemy soldiers or become a midnight snack for a vicious predator waiting to strike at you from behind! Suddenly there was movement to the left and a blaster being raised. The Captain looked over to see what had happened. "Sargent, what is it?"

The Sargent stayed silent his weapon raised. He could have sworn he saw someone followed by movement a second ago. What it is imagination? Could have been a trick of the eye. The blasted helmet gave terrible visibility. Hell, he couldn't see a damn thing in it!

"Sargent, what did you see?" The Captain asked again.

At last the Sargent, shook his head and lowered his T-21. "It's nothing, sir. I thought I saw something. This jungle gives me the creeps. Who knows were that Jedi is? He could have been eaten for all we known."

"Maybe he was but regardless, Lady Zenobia wants us working around the clock to search for him and remember keep your weapons on stun. Animal or not we are to keep our blasters on stun. That Jedi is to be taken directly to the Inquisitor. Now let's get a move on."

As the Imperial patrol continued onward they were unaware of green dilated eyes watching them move on. The sergeant had in fact seen the Jedi for a brief moment. It was thanks to those helmets that he wasn't spotted. He released a silent breath of relief listening to the stormtroopers get farther and farther away till they were out of sight and ear shot. Quiet as a mouse he rose from his hiding spot beneath the jungle floor and continued his silent quest.

When night had fallen he had still been within the forest around the monastery avoiding Imperial search parties. It was at midnight he had managed to steal a speeder bike. That however caused another chase through the forest into the jungles were he ditched the speeder and hide in the underbrush waiting for the recent patrol to pass. Now he had to find a cave or tree, or some place to hide in and get some shut eye. The jungles would give him advantage against the Empire. They could only sent infantry after him. There hulking war machines couldn't move through the think jungles and he could use guerrilla warfare against them if need be. He looked to the skies, the stars were concealed by an endless blanket of clouds. The booming of thunder way off in the distance indicating they were thunder clouds. Rain would probably be with-

Drip… drip… drip… drip…

Pitter patter pitter patter pitter patter pitter patter pitter patter!

He frowned. He had to jinx it didn't he? Now it was raining. He was standing in the rain getting drenched by it. He sighed and made his way forward hoping to find shelter from the rain. Lighting flashed across the sky and thunder roared like a wild beast. This thunder would be a problem. He had to double his efforts to not get spotted. If there was a search party nearby and lighting flashed he'd be spotted!

Water dripped into Vince's eyes forcing him to shake his head to clear his vison every once in a while. He cursed his unfortunate situation. No reinforcements, low ammo, and no way off planet. He shouldn't have ditched that speeder in the jungle. He had to get to civilization and get a ship off planet.

Then again…he could let himself get captured and if they brought him aboard a ship he could steal it. But what if they stun him? What if they bring him to a cell while he's unconscious and have no way of finding his weapons or his way out? No, he shouldn't think that way. He's a Jedi. The Force was his ally and he would use it in his escape and help find his lightsaber.

A sudden roar heard in the distanced followed by blaster fire brought the Jedi out of his thoughts and forced him to halt. He listening carefully to the nose. That roar came from a large creature. A jungle rancor no doubt. It was obvious what was going on; the Empire encountered a rancor and were now trying to kill it! Curious as he was to check it out his survival was more important. This would give him the time needed to get farther away from the Empire and find shelter. He went in the other direction of the noise listening to it grow faint and faint by each second. A final roar of the rancor followed by the booming of thunder came echoing through the jungle. Those poor troops. There was no way they'd beat that monster unless they had heavy firepower. Whatever happened to them wasn't his problem. It was the Empire's for loosing expendable troops.

On and on he marched through the jungle searching for shelter. Till at long last the Jedi found it in the form of a cave behind a waterfall. He peaked inside the dark cave. He couldn't see anything in it. Using the Force he searched the cave if anything lived within. No life forms sensed. Good. With no animals living here to pose a threat to him he could finally get some shuteye and wait till morning to continue his journey. Taking a final look behind to make sure nobody spotted him he went into the cave his lightsaber a makeshift light in the dark. He could only hope the Empire wouldn't stumble upon this area. Taking one last sense through the Force to make sure there was absolutely nobody within here he laid himself against the cold rocks and shut his eyes blaster beside him.

Mon Mothma paced the room in silence deeply troubled. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. Two days had pasted since General Silverton had gone to Teth and hadn't returned yet. There wasn't even a transmission from him or the shuttle. Had he been killed? Or did he fall into a trap and get captured? She hoped it was the latter of those two questions. Vince Silverton was too important to lose. She needed to know what was going on at Teth. So she gave direct orders to send a scout to investigate what was going on at Teth. Now she was waiting to hear what news the scout would bring back. The wait wasn't making her feel any better. She had to know if there was any sign of Vince upon Teth and what in the galaxy was going on over there. Finally after pacing for hours upon end the doors open and in came Leia her face filled with worry. The Alliance leader motioned for the young princess to speak, to tell her what the pilot relayed.

"The scout reported that the planet has been blockaded."

The Chief of State ceased her walking her eyes starting out at the endless ocean of Mon Calamari. She didn't like that news. Teth. Blockaded. Then it was obviously a trap set to capture or kill Vince Silverton and if they succeeded…

"His astromech droid scanned the plant and found hundreds of life forms within the jungles in the east. They seem to be searching from what it said."

Searching? A glimmer of hope rose in the former Senators chest. So that meant the Jedi was still alive and the Empire was looking for him. This was good and bad. Vince was alive but they had no way of rescuing him. Launching a full frontal assault upon Teth to breach the blockade was suicide. Sure, with Mon Calamari as there headquarters and mass production of warships in the shipyards above, they still didn't have the firepower to pull this off. The blockade was a flotilla of capital ships and support craft. Nevertheless, they had to rescue Vince one way or another. They had to act quickly. Time was of the essence. They had to formulate a plant to breach the blockade, find Vince, and extract him from the plant. She turned and spoke firmly. "Leia, gather the High Command, we are going to make plans to save General Silverton."

SLING!

"Agh!"

Vince glared at the fallen Imperial's before him. He was rudely awaken from his sleep by a warning from the Force saying the enemy was in the cave. He was lucky they hadn't found him. That gave him the element of surprise and deliver a swift victory for himself. It however, deprived him of the much needed sleep.

The sun hadn't even risen.

With an annoyed sigh he shut off his weapon and departed the cave. He wasn't gonna get any sleep till he returned to the Alliance. He was lucky this patrol was accompanied by a squad of scout troopers. There speeder bikes were still here and now he could commandeer one and, unlike the previous one, take it all the way to civilization. It wouldn't be easy that was for sure. Once the Empire find him again and report his location they would be on him like a tiger catching its prey. This however, wouldn't hinder his progress to escape Teth. With the little strength regained from his short nap within the cave he could continue the journey to Inner Teth, which was on the other side of the planet. Judging from where he was now and the cities location it would probably take…a day or two to get there.

Stretching out with his feelings he cleared his mind and tensed his muscles preparing for the inevitable chase that would occur on this ride. He kicked the bike into motion and it zoomed off speeding pasted trees and many wild life. The wind assaulted him with cool refreshing air. He inhaled a breath letting it fill his lungs then set the speeder to full throttle. He pasted a blur of white, no doubt stormtroopers who probably spotted him, and continued forward.

Sure enough he felt his danger sense got on alert. Behind him he could sense two Imperial's approaching rapidly. Refusing to allow them to have their way he turned hard and took the speeder through a narrow canyon of trees and boulders. Those scout troopers would-

ZOOOOM!

"I can corrected…" The Jedi murmured. His eyes darting left to right seeing two more Scout Troopers come alongside him. He saw one go for their pistol trying to shoot him off. He was quicker. He drew his DL-18 and planted a fatal shot at the helmet right between the eyes. The dead trooper went flying off his speeder. The vehicle impacted against a tree exploding into flames. He swiftly switched targets aiming for the second missing him the first and grazing him the second.

Growling in frustration at his failed hits he sent a third this one hiding him in the shoulder. Thought it wasn't fatal it forcing his pursuer to fall back and tend to his wound. That wouldn't stop the Empire from capturing him though. More were coming! He could sense them all around closing in to prevent his escape. They were desperate to get him. He sensed it within them.

He increased speed again taking more hard turns left and right to lose his attackers. They refused to yield. Sooner or later they'd catch him and-

BOOM!

Vince veered hard to the right nearly colliding with a falling tree! This was getting more and more dangerous by the second. He had to concentrate and not worry about the future. Another Tie flew overhead and that gave the Jedi an idea. Holstering his still drawn pistol he held on tightly to the handles of the speeder and swiftly pulled up through a gap in the trees! Now he was soaring through the tree tops in clear view for the TIE's to target. He looked behind see a TIE getting a lock onto him.

He'd have to time this exactly at the right moment to pull this off.

He counted down the seconds as the ship approached rapidly. Six seconds….five….four, three…two…

He hit the brakes and felt the speeder's engines die. Once that happened gravity took effect and began to pull the speeder back to the earth underneath it. The Jedi released the handle bars immediately jumped spinning his body around to face the approaching TIE. His hands clasped upon the thin outer edge of the transparent steel canopy. He stared through the glass staring at the pilot who he sensed was shocked at this action and began to fear for the worse.

He knew he'd try to shake him off. He wouldn't let that happen however.

Planting his feet upon transparent steel he used the Force to flip himself onto the cockpits hatch. With a wave of his hand he opened it and stared the pilot who looked back at him. With another wave of the hand the Force obeyed his command by throwing the pilot out of the ship. His screams echoing behind as he fell to his death. It wasn't the right thing to do but he had no choice. He hopped into the seat and shut the hatch. Taking the controls he steered to the left dodging a barrage of laser fire from enemy TIE.

Skill and luck were needed to pilot these weak delicate craft. It was like a Jedi Starfighter all over again which Vince didn't approve. Shields were a valuable asset to dogfighters, they helped you survive longer in combat. Combined it with skill and you were a worthy pilot. Right now Vince had to rely on skill alone to save him.

He took the stolen fighter into a step dive narrowly dodging a stream of laser fire from his attacker. His dive was immediately changed to a steep climb! The wings skimming the surface of the jungle tree tops! A barrel roll followed by a loop to loop brought him behind his opponent. Getting a lock onto his target the Jedi squeezed the trigger unleashing his cannons upon the TIE hitting it dead center in the cockpit turning it into a ball of fire!

His eyes flickered to his scanners seeing many more TIE's converging onto his position. He couldn't fight them all and running away would just result in another chase that would soon follow up with the Empire searching for him. He, like the Empire, were getting fed up with this game of cat and mouse. For now, he would stand and fight. The Force would guide him in battle.

He turned hard locking on to another TIE and gunning it down. Two more came at him from the left. He dodged there shots with easy and pulling up into a speed climb. This was his only chance to get a message out to the Rebellion. Transferring power to the communication array within the ship he input the coordinates to all Alliance channels and spoke clam and clearly.

"Attention any and all Rebel Alliance frequencies who can here this. This is General Vince Silverton. I have been trapped on Teth for two days after a trap set by the Empire. If anyone can get this transmission please reply as soon as possible. I repeat, any and all Rebel Alliance frequencies who receive this message reply as soon as possible and sent help immediately to Teth."

Ending the emergency message he sighed and hoped someone, anyone, would get it and sent help for him. Sensing his pressures catching up, he barrel rolled away and turned left shaking them off and flying south towards a canyon. Hopefully he could lose them there. Vince eyes flickered to the scanners seeing them still chase three more adding in. Great. Just great. He escapes ground pursuit to get chased through the sky. However he, unlike the Imperial pilot, had much more skill then they did.

Vince allowed the Force to guide to which control lead to what for the ships. He transferred power to the engines and zoomed off. His body pressed into the chair of the vessel. Getting some distance between him and his attackers. He immediately turned around and fired at them. Blasting off the left wing of one and sending it sinning out of the control toward the jungle.

One down five more.

Giving chase to two more he swiftly gunned them down with easy.

Three left.

As he prepared to attack the last two he saw them cease there assault and retreat. Seeing this golden opportunity to escape he flew off toward a canyon and ducked into it the mist obscuring him from sensors. The Force guided him safely through the hazardous terrain.

He continued flying through till he reached the end. Staying that long in the canyon had no doubt made the Empire lose track of him.

Satisfied with the ending of this skirmish he now could final get some rest. Vince set coordinates for Inner Teth and put the small craft on auto pilot. Once those were done he relaxed his body doing what he could to make himself comfortable in the small cockpit and shut his eyes.

"General Mortem, the Jedi escaped once more. This time stealing a TIE fighter. Gama squad gave chase but were obliterated. After that all scans lost sight of him."

The auburn haired man narrowed his eyes at this news. That damn Jedi evaded the Empire again! This was getting tiresome! Imperial resources were being wasted and not once had those incompetent troops manage to capture him! They were always close but lucky would always favor that Jedi. Was it just luck that was allowing his escape or skill? It didn't matter! The Stormtroopers, his men, had been thrown into the hunt as cannon fodder and had no luck. Was this really how that Inquisitor hunted Jedi? Deal with the Jedi on the first try and if that failed send endless waves of soldiers to capture the target? This was her mission so why the hell was she not hunting him herself!?

"Lady Zenobia has recalled all patrols to the cities to reinforce their defenses. She suspects the Jedi will try to steal a ship with a hyperdrive to escape." The officer continued.

Mortem nodded at the news. This had to be the smartest plan she made so far. However, something was bound to go wrong for his men. The Jedi would find another lucky way of escaping! Since he captured a TIE fighter, he was probably using the ships communicator to transmit a message to the Rebel scum right now! This all would have been avoided had the stupid Inquisitor had given orders to killhim! But no, she wanted him captured so she could kill him. He was informed of other Rebel's, including Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, escaping capturing. Instead of just killing them they would be captured and fine some way of escaping. Truly, those were embarrassing occurrence for the Empire.

In the past, taking prisoners had been so easy. What with them only being pirate, smugglers, and other low life scum of the galaxy. But these Rebels…this Rebellion was different. Sure they took prisoners once in a while in the early stages of the war but after Yavin, after the destruction of the Death Star, taking prisoners were becoming complicated. They refused to surrender or would find ways to escape.

This Jedi was no different was like the same. Finding ways to escape because the superior officer wanted him a prisoner and not a dead corpse yet. He though this old man would be a simple snatch and grab for his boys and Zenobia but that was proven wrong. The old man, Vince Silverton, had great skill in combat. Prove shown in security footage on Dantooine. Being a veteran of the Clone Wars and Jedi of the Old Republic made him a foe to be reckoned with. Nevertheless, they had to capture this Jedi.

Or at least Zenobia wanted him captured.

If that witch kept failing in her mission he would take this matter into his own hands. The Nightsister say his talents were wasted quelling the rebellion on Dantooine. Instead he was put upon the sidelines to direct her task force. His skills would be better suited hunting the Jedi. They would be put to the test once he saw it was his time to take over the hunt. For now he would wait and see how this would play out.

Quiet.

So quiet and peaceful, just what he wished for. The only sound being his steady breathing and the engines from the fighter. When he awoke from his nap the ship was flying he was lucky to have the scanners not pick up any Imperial forces. Bad news, was that he had not received any transmission from the Rebellion. Or perhaps the blockade was now jamming transmissions and he couldn't receive any. He prayed to the Force that his message got through and the Alliance would send help for him.

Stretching his limbs best he could in the tiny cockpit he looking all around seeing the different switches for the ship. The Force guided him to what buttons and switched were needed to send a radio message to the Alliance. And he hoped the Force would guide him in his escape. It hadn't failed him now and he trust it to guide him home.

Speaking of which he would have to focus on Luke's training in the ways of the Force once he returned.

The young boy was skilled, but he had much anger in him…like his farther.

However, with the right training and discipline he would become better than him. He'd have patience, unlike Anakin and better control over his emotions. If the Council had just change their ways then Anakin would never had been seduced by the dark side of the Force. Or murder everyone he knew. His choice to betray his friends and murder them in cold blood for power had left the galaxy in darkness and under the control of the Sith.

Yoda was right; once you start down the dark path it will forever consume you…

Or would it?

His master told him stories of other Jedi who fell to the dark side, but were redeemed. While others chose to allow the darkness to consume them and turn them into a servant of evil. There was one Jedi, who fought in the Jedi Civil War, who became the Dark Lord of the Sith in the ancient times of the Old Republic but returned to the light and saved the Republic. He forgot his name but his story proved that no matter how far you fall, there is always hope for redemption. Could it be possible to redeem Anakin? Or had all these years as a Sith consume him?

Perhaps Yoda's teachings were wrong. Perhaps everything of the Old Republic was wrong…

Was changing the Republic into an Empire good?

Was destroying the Order and rebuilding it from the ground up a good idea?

Yes…and no…

Yes the Order had to be destroyed and rebuilt. They had to change for the sake of the galaxy. There teachings, life style, and code had played roles in there downfall. He knew the Council had made many errors in the past and had brushed them off. It was after Ahsoka left the Order he had lost all faith in the Council but not the Order. He had hoped that someone else would realize the mistake and want change in the Order. But nobody spoke up. Not one soul spoke up against the Council.

They were like children listening to their parent's strict rules.

As for the Republic becoming an Empire. It was wrong. Wrong it so many ways. They were evil. Killing thousands of innocents and racist toward aliens. Only those within the Empire were treated like humans, including the people who believe the Empire were doing good deeds to keep peace and order in the galaxy.

For a time yes there was peace when the Empire first arose from the ashes of the Clone Wars. They had maintained stability throughout the Galaxy using its endless array of military forces to quell pirates and other criminal networks. However, as the years went by things changed. Unnecessary banning's were commenced and slavery was performed by the Empire along with genocide and murders.

What the Rebellion was doing was right. A New Republic had to be installed to replace the Empire and allow freedom to reign over the Galaxy once more. A New Jedi Order had to come forth too. Once the war was won Vince, along with Luke's help, would rebuild the Order anew.

The Jedi was brought out of his thoughts by the alerting of approaching Inner Teth. At long last he could find a ship with a hyperdrive and get back to the Rebellion. His hope however deflated at what scanners showed.

There were hundreds of Imperials within the city. Every entrance in and out of the city was heavily guarded with many patrols within the streets.

This was not gonna be easy. It appeared Zenobia was smarter than he thought her to be. The city had hundreds of not thousands of troops within. Slipping by security wasn't going to be easy nor would avoiding patrols. Fighting was a definite no go for this. He was severally outnumbered and civilian casualties would be high.

Powerful as he was, even he couldn't take on this many troops by himself. He was no master like Yoda, or Obi-Wan or Mace. He was just a Jedi knight.

If he was to get into the city he'd have to ditch the fighter. Problem was, someone could spot him. Seeing someone just out of a fighter wasn't normal. Plus the entire Imperial force were probably were given a description of what he looked like. This truly was a tricky situation for the old Jedi. Nevertheless, he wasn't gonna let this stop him from getting into the city.

Suddenly scanners started going wild. He looked to it and saw a squad of TIE's coming in followed by an Assault Transport!

Not good!

He dove down just as a volley of fire replaced were he once was. Yup, they knew it was him! Then his radio came to life and a voice came through.

"Jedi, we know you're piloting Eta 3. We have orders to capture you. Power down and surrender or we will be forced to kill you."

Vice replied back crisply. "I'll take my chance in playing dogfight with you boys." He pulled out of the dive and returned fire at the leading TIE grazing the port wing. This caused every time to scramble and began attacking. Back to dogfighting! He began his maneuvers of dodging and counterattacking. With all the power directed to the engines the lasers were set to minimal power causing his attackers to only be damaged. However, there overwhelming numbers weren't what worried him.

It was the assault transport. If he remembered corrected, those big boys had ion cannons and if he was disabled…

He shook his head not wanting to think of what would happen if he was. Instead he focused on the fight at hand. More barrel rolls and other maneuvers were preformed to dodge attacks by the TIE's his eyes flickering to the transport and to Inner Teth. They were hundreds of people down there and if he flew down to the city they would be hurt. However, the city had the only cover for him.

No, he wouldn't risk these people's lives for his own safety. He was a Jedi and a Jedi's life is self-sacrifice.

With that he chose that if he couldn't escape the planet they he'd at least go down with a fight. But, it wouldn't be above the city. He'd take it into space.

Swiftly he pulled the fighter into a deep climb above the clouds. More TIE's joining the chase. Warnings were blaring saying the engines were close to overheating at the speed he was going. He wouldn't let that spot him. He just had to keep going to-

BOOM!

The shook rocked violently. This was followed by more warnings. The starboard wing was shot off and he had lost control.

Sithspit!

Seeing no other choice he pulled the ejection and was shot out of the cockpit. He watched the vessel fall with hundreds more swarming all around.

It seemed he'd be having to take this fight back onto the ground unfortunately. Releasing the straps of the chair he lunged off allowing gravity to pull him down.

The wind howled pasted him as his fell. TIE's zoomed by nearly hitting him a couple times. Vince could see the city now and the many Imperial's. He just hoped he'd not be killed by this! He twisted his body dodging more TIE's and even running along the side of one's wing.

Suddenly an exposition came from the left. A TIE had apparently exploded. However what he caught were blots of lasers.

Red laser!

Turning his body to have his back facing the ground he saw a squad of X-wings racing forward with a CR90 Corvette following behind!

The Jedi's heart skipped a beat. The Alliance had received his message! He whooped and clamed not caring one bit he was freefalling. He knew they'd rescue him! They wouldn't leave him behind! The Corvette zoomed by its cannons blasting away at the TIE's.

The sudden sound of engines and beeps caught his attention. He looked to his left and saw to his surprise an X-wing diving right beside him. What was more shocking was the pilot in the ship.

"Wedge!"

Wedge Antilles the very same one who participated in the Death Star assault and call sign was Rouge 2 gave the Jedi a thumbs up. After doing so he mouthed to him "Grab my fighter".

Vince did so by latching by grabbing his astromech droid head, who wasn't very pleased by this. "Sorry little guy." The Jedi said patted the droids head with affection. He held on tight as Wedge piloted his ship back to the Corvette. Once situated underneath the great ship the hanger opened revealing a Rebel waving to him.

"Jump!"

"Thanks, Wedge." The Jedi called even though he couldn't hear him and used the Force to jumping onto the ship. He glanced behind seeing Wedge give another thumbs up and fly away to rejoin the dogfight. The bay doors closed just once the X-wing flew away, and just in time too. For a TIE was beginning an attack run on the underbelly hoping to damage the ship and kill Vince.

"Welcome aboard the Lapis, General. We were making plans to rescue you when we got your message. Admiral Ackbar divided the Imperial blockade with a ruse by attacking a critical Imperial shipyard in the neighboring system. After that he sent us and Rouge Squad to rescue you. I tell you it wasn't easy. That blockade was still not easy to punch through but we managed. It was also lucky Commander Skywalker spotted you ejecting from that TIE earlier."

Vince couldn't help but let a grin appear on his elderly face. "Kids a natural pilot. Glad you arrived just in time too. I don't know how much longer I'd last stuck on that planet. Anyway now that you got me we can get out of here."

Luke watched the Lapis carefully. Though its shields were still holding he knew a direct hit from a Star Destroyer would cripple or destroy it. That ship was carrying his master and friend, Vince. He had to see it safely back to the Alliance in one piece. He and the Rouges had to do what they could till the corvette jumped to hyperspace.

The objective of getting in was hard enough and getting out wouldn't be simple either. What with the remaining Star Destroyers in orbit. Nevertheless, they would do this. They could do this.

They'd complete the mission and he would continue his training with the elder Jedi. He had just returned from his mission minutes after Vince had left to Teth. In that time he had continued the training he learned from Vice and his skills had grown rapidly. Once training continued he'd put his skills to the test and show Vince how much stronger he became. However, like Vince said before. He wasn't strong enough to defeat Vader. He still had much more to learn.

R2's beeps and whistles alerted him of incoming fire to the left. The Jedi pulled up narrowing dodging the attacks. There were so many TIE's that it seemed hopeless. It seemed hopeless but it wasn't even close to it. The Imperials tactic was strength in numbers and heavy assaults. Looping around he targeted the TIE fighter that attacked him and got him lined up for a hit. He squeezed the trigger and four red lasers shot forward hitting the TIE dead center.

Bullseye!

That was easy! However, there were still more fighters to deal with. They wouldn't stop till they escaped the system. The dogfight continued on into space were the Imperial blockade awaited to prevent the Rebel's from escaping.

Back on the Lapis her crew worked nonstop to keep the ship safe. Both inside and out. The gunners firing at the TIE's, while engineers and droids repaired breaches and other damage to the ship.

On the bridge her captain sat at the command chair bellowing orders on what to do. His brow furrowed in concentration. "Continue on course try and fly as far out of range as you can from your Star Destroyers. What is the statues of Commander Skywalker and Rouge Squadron?"

"Shields have dropped to 63 percent but there still holding. Rouge Squad are still keeping most of the fighters away but some are still slipping by and attacking directly.

The Lapis Captain looked to the view port seeing three of the Rouges fly ahead and prevent a squad of bombers from delivering there payload. TIE bombers were another threat they had to worry about. Those bombs could rip through there shields and breach the hull causing significate damage.

The doors opened making the captain glance over his shoulder to see the Jedi walk in. "Greetings, General. We in space as you can see, now we just gonna get through one last obstacle and where home bound." He turned back to the navigator. "Are those coordinates punched in yet?"

"Almost done sir."

"You better hurry those Imperial ships are trying to close our escape route!"

Suddenly the ship jolted to a halt and they could feel they were movie up. That only meant one thing…

"Rouge's get us out of here! Where caught in a tractor beam!"

"On our way! Wedge, save the Lapis! Take out the tractor beam projectors." Luke ordered.

Vince rushed to the viewport and saw the Star Destroyer they were being pulled towards. He didn't sense Zenobia aboard it. In fact, he couldn't sense Zenobia at all. She must have gone with the Imperial fleet to protect the shipyards. Wait no, she was here. She was…On the planet of all places! He could clearly sense her rage at the failure of keeping him trapped on Teth.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Wedge flying by launching torpedoes at the tractor beam projectors destroying them and releasing the Lapis from its grasp. Freed from that situation the engines roared to life and the corvette steered away from the ship. Its shields buckling under the turbolaser fire from the capital ship.

"Coordinates locked in!"

"Punch it, pilot!" Vince ordered before the Captain could. Once the order was given the stars turned to blue streaks and then were away! The crew cheered victoriously. Whoops, claps, filled the ship. Vince sighed relaxing his body posture and looked to the captain a smile upon his face.

"Well done, captain. Your actions in rescuing will be noted to High Command. I possible foresee a promotion for you."

"Sir, thank you sir." The captain saluted.

The elder general returned the salute with his own. "Tell the rouges they did well today. If you'll excuses me I'd like to find an empty room and sleep." With a final salute and congratulations to the crew the Jedi Knight departed to finally get some sleep.

From his positon on the Gargoyle's bridge Mortem watched helplessly as the corvette and its fighter support jumped to hyperspace! They failed to capture the corvette and fell for the ruse of an Alliance assault on the neighboring system diving the fleet and allowing that lone ship to slip through and rescue the Jedi. If only an Interdictor had been here to use its gravity wells to prevent ships from escaping!

"I want the fleet back in formation and recall all fighter squads. Captain, the bridge is yours. I'll be in quarters."

With that order the General departed the bridge his rage seething off him. He refused to let his men see this side of him. The side of pure anger. Once reaching his quarters he released a roar of furry and kicked his desk making the items atop it shake from the force.

Zenobia's way had taken too long with too many casualties to his troops, and the Jedi had been rescued by the Rebellion! This was out of Zenobia's hands! She failed and he would now do what must be done to eliminate the Jedi!

He tapped his communicator to deliver an important call to ask an important request and order.

The caller answered and the hologram activated bringing forth the tall intimidating image of supreme commander of the Empire. Morten stood at attention knowing he would have to choose his words careful to ask of this from him. Who knew how he would take this news but he had to ask this of him. "Lord Vader, I have a request to make regarding the hunt for Silverton…"

End

Well at long last the the chapter is posted. What could it be that Mortem request? Answers will be given in due time. And don't worry this won't be the end of Zenobia and Vince's encounters. Those will come in time soon also. Hope you enjoyed the chapter read and review.