Chapter 67:
Dan Kyo moved silently through the trees towards the landing site, keeping alert for anything out of the ordinary. When a shuttle had been reported landing a short distance away from the Rebel base, he had immediately volunteered to check it out. At eighteen, he was eager to prove himself to the Alliance, but had few opportunities to do so. It had taken him a day and a half to reach the area their sensors had recorded.
As he approached, he kept his blaster close to hand, at the same time pulling a small portable scanner out of a belt pouch. Glancing at it, he could make out at least five humanoid life forms near the clearing up ahead. He crouched behind a patch of brush a short distance from the clearing, and brought his macrobinoculars up to his eyes. His mouth fell open in shock as a figure appeared at the top of the ramp.
Leia Organa! he thought wildly, flushed with excitement. He couldn't wait to tell the others that Princess Leia had returned. Standing up, he broke cover and waved a hand at her. "Princess Leia! Over—"
Darth Atrox swiftly but silently moved out from his hiding spot in the shadows of the trees and brush and snuck up behind the Rebel scout and used the butt of his lightsaber hilt to knock the young man out. After doing so, he swiftly dragged the Rebel into the shuttle's common room where Darth Vader was observing the whole spectacle. "This… boy was scouting out our shuttle, master." Atrox said as he dropped the Rebel onto the deck and used the heel of his boot to turn the Rebel so that he was facing upright.
Leia knelt at the youth's side, a pained expression on her face. Opening her small med kit, she bathed the welt rapidly appearing on his temple, overwhelmed with guilt. But for her, he might still be safe and free, but now…
His eyes fluttered open, and he squinted up at her. "P-Princess? What…"
"Shh," she soothed him. "You were knocked out. Don't try to move."
His eyes darted around the room, coming to rest on Atrox. "You're… you're Luke Skywalker! You betrayed us, you…" his expression switched from confused to guarded. "What are you doing here?"
An amused expression crossed Atrox's face, his cold blue eyes meeting the youth's. "Do you really think I would let my sister enter harm's way? Who are you… boy?" Atrox demanded.
A proud, defiant expression crossed the young man's face. "You won't learn anything from me, traitor!"
Vader chuckled dryly, attracting Dan's attention for the first time. "On the contrary, you are the traitor, by joining the Rebel Alliance and fighting against the lawful government."
"I fight for what is right! I will never serve the Empire, even if I have to face Darth Vader himself!"
Leia winced, filled with compassion for this brave lad trying to be a hero. He should never have had to be faced with this.
Atrox smirked at the boy. "Then it should be no shock to you that you are indeed in the presence of Darth Vader… my father and my master." Atrox said proudly before his voice darkened, "I am not Luke Skywalker. I am Darth Atrox, the man you used to know is dead."
Dan's eyes darted around the room, then returned to Atrox. "You trying to scare me, Skywalker? Vader's not here… though it wouldn't surprise me if you were licking his boots now," he added under his breath.
Atrox slammed the heel of his boot into the rebel's ribs. "Then you are blind… look next to you, rebel. You might notice that his appearance has changed… since you last saw him."
Vader locked eyes with the young man, coldly. Dan stared back at him, defiantly, but gradually was forced to look away by the intensity of his gaze. The man did bear a striking resemblance to Skywalker… or whatever he called himself now. "What… what do you want with me?" he asked, his tone subdued.
Atrox spoke up, wanting to try a different approach. He knelt down beside the rebel, "The Alliance originally wanted me to kill my father… someone who I had never known. Tell me; could you kill your father… even if you never knew him for twenty years of your life?" Atrox asked softly, his eyes no longer cold, but displaying how he truly felt about the situation.
Pain filled the boy's eyes, and he looked away. "My father is dead." His voice was empty, devoid of emotion. "He was killed by the Empire when I was twelve."
Darth Atrox gave him an understanding look. "That was when the Empire was being ruled by a madman, a blind old man. My master has plans to change the Empire… for the better." He paused, locking eyes with the boy, "I have no wish to harm you. However, if you provoke me, you will not like the consequences."
Dan simply looked at him, mistrust in his eyes. "Why are you here?"
Atrox didn't answer. Instead he stood, and turned away, arms crossed. Leia gently helped the young man into a sitting position, and squeezed his shoulder sympathetically. "I'm so sorry for your loss," she whispered.
He nodded, once, his expression a blank slate. Finally, he asked her, "Why are you with him?"
She looked down at her lap. "Damage control," she said quietly.
Dan looked into Leia's eyes, needing to know the truth. "Is… is what he said true? What does he want with me?"
She hesitated. "I… I don't know."
Vader's gaze bored into the boy. "You have a choice before you that will change your life. You can join us, and be both protected and rewarded, or you can defy us and remain a prisoner."
He glared at the Sith Lord. "Nothing you say or do can bring my father back. My family suffered because of you and your Empire, and I'll do everything in my power to stop you and your plans for the Alliance."
Vader grabbed the boy's tunic and started to lift him upwards. He locked his cold, dispassionate stare locked on the boy's eyes. "I will personally make sure they do suffer for the rest of their lives if you continue to defy me, boy!" He said as he raised him easily off the ground.
Atrox smirked at the scene in front of him and stepped forward. "How typical of the Rebellion… always putting your pathetic cause before your own families. Free yourself from it! Save what remains of your family while you still can." Atrox said as he unclipped his saber staff from his belt, preparing for more… direct methods of persuading the poor teenager.
Apprehension filled Dan's eyes as he stared at the long cylinder in Skywalker's hand.
"No!" Leia cried, moving between her brother and the lad. "You can't do this! He's done nothing wrong."
Atrox ignored his sister, his eyes never leaving the boy. "Your family's lives could be so much improved, young one." Atrox said as he sidestepped his sister, maintaining direct eye contact with him. "You hold their quality of life in your own hands! Don't be a fool! Don't throw away this chance to help improve their lives as well as your own!"
Before the young man could respond, Han and Ensign Beron entered the room. "Uh, sir? Any orders?" Han asked, uneasily.
Atrox didn't even look in their direction. "Yes. Explain to this young Rebel the benefits of joining our side."
Han and Beron exchanged glances. Finally, Beron offered, "Well… you live longer…"
Han shrugged. "It… it pays more than the Rebellion, and between you and me, it's healthier not to say no to a Sith."
Dan looked doubtful. Then suddenly his eyes widened. "You're… you're Han Solo! Hero of the Alliance! Don't… don't tell me you've turned traitor as well."
Han scowled. "Look, kid, I was in it for the money. I ain't no hero, and for the moment, Lord Atrox has the better offer. Now if you're smart, you'll do what I did, and sign on. I'm sure he'll make it worth your while."
Atrox continued to lock his eyes onto the Rebel. "This is your last chance. Join us, or face the consequences." Atrox said coldly, igniting one blade of his saber staff.
"How… how do I know you'll keep your word?" the youth asked, trying not to let his nervousness show in his voice.
"I might be a Dark Lord of the Sith, but I hold up my end of the bargain… unless you give me reason not to." He added coldly.
Dan bowed his head. "Just… don't hurt my family, leave them out of this. I don't want anyone to know that I'm… helping you."
Atrox shut off his lightsaber, and Vader released the boy, letting him fall to the ground. "Kneel," he commanded.
Leia watched with tortured eyes as the young man knelt at the Sith Lords' feet, coerced into joining a cause he despised. Why did I come? she asked herself again, bleakly.
Atrox looked down at the kneeling form of the boy. "What is your name?" he asked gently, a tone that was rarely used when he was outside of Mara's presence.
"Dan Kyo," he answered quietly, his expression unreadable.
Vader looked at him. "Dan Kyo, you will be placed under Lord Atrox's care. In time you may be eligible to join the Imperial Navy, but for now, obey Lord Atrox in everything, and he will protect you."
The boy was silent, taking in the information. Finally, he nodded reluctantly, accepting the situation.
"Now, what is the easiest way to get into the Rebel base without being seen?" Vader continued, calmly.
Dan's eyes narrowed. "Why do you want to know?"
"We are here to capture the Rebel Leaders." Atrox said coldly.
"Why? Are you going to kill them?" he asked, anger simmering behind his eyes.
"No…" Atrox answered vaguely.
"Why won't you tell me anything?!" Dan burst out with frustration. "These people took care of me and my family when my father was killed. They're heroes, they're my friends. I have a right to know!"
"Because they intend to possibly ruin my family," Atrox bellowed as loud as he could, losing control of his emotions. "Because when I learned the truth about my father, they expected me to kill him. Because after my former friends learned of my parentage, and that I reunited myself with my father, they hated me." Atrox said, his hurt evident in his voice. He continued, his voice cold and vengeful, "I will make all of my former friends and the leaders of the vaunted Alliance painfully clear what I think about them... and their cause."
Dan was shaking his head, undeterred by Atrox's ranting. "You're wrong. You're wrong about them. I just hope I'll be there when you find that out."
"You can ask Mara Jade that question if you dare, when we return to the ship." He replied coldly, feeling sorry for the teen if he did so.
Vader turned towards Solo and the ensign. "Are your men in position?"
"Yessir," Han responded.
"Very well. Move out, but if any man of you jeopardizes the mission, I'll kill them myself."
Unfortunately for Solo and his men, they had been seen. All of them. Brand Carnyr had been watching from another part of the jungle when Dan was captured, and had made careful note of everything he had seen. Retreating deeper into the jungle, he began transmitting information back to the base, detailing Dan's capture and the mobilization of the men.
One of the men looked up from the sensor array. "Milord, we're picking up a transmission being sent not far from here. It's encrypted, so it could be something important."
Without a word, Vader stalked out of the room, activating his stealth generator as he went. Using a small handheld transceiver, he tracked the signal strength into the jungle, and found a young man feverishly inputting data into a larger, more powerful transceiver. Vader continued to walk up to the young man until he was within range of his lightsaber blade. "You just complicated our mission here." Vader said darkly as he ignited his saber and cut the poor man in half.
Mara gingerly sipped the cup of tea Padmé had managed to scrounge up from somewhere. Her stomach had been twinging more frequently in the days since the team had left. Padmé had been very kind, and helpful to a fault, though her mothering had driven Mara almost to distraction at times.
Padmé sat across from her, doing her best to keep a sympathetic look off her face. Mara hated to be patronized, she learned, even if it was unintentional. "How have you been doing with the cells?" she asked, hesitantly.
Mara frowned. "I've cleared out one of the storage holds, I just need to secure it and set up some safety mechanisms. Force-sealed, if I can manage it."
The older woman nodded her understanding. Since Atrox and Vader had left, Mara had immersed herself in work, and when she wasn't working she was practicing lightsaber skills. Padmé had tried to encourage frequent breaks, with little success. She was resolved to discuss Mara's health with Atrox when he returned, and hoped that he would be able to talk or order some sense into her.
Mara took a final sip from her cup, and stood. "I'd better get back to work," she said shortly, as if sensing Padmé's thoughts.
Padmé sighed, and watched her go, hoping her husband and son would return soon.
Dan's legs ached when they finally made camp for the night. Atrox and Vader had pushed them hard all afternoon, and it was only after dark that they even mentioned stopping. Dan had unpacked his bedroll, and laid it out as far away from the others as he'd dared. He sat with his back to the rest of the camp, staring out into the night, wrestling with his thoughts.
Darth Atrox walked up to where Dan was sitting and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did well today, Dan," he said softly. "You do not need to sleep where the troops are located; you are welcome to join me and my master." Atrox offered.
Dan's dark eyes met Atrox's light ones, gravely. "Thank you sir, but if it's alright with you, I'd rather stay here."
"It is really not alright with me, Dan. Not because I want you to be miserable, but because of your safety. The native creatures of this world will not hesitate to attack us, especially since me and my… father are Force sensitive. I want to be sure I can protect you. You are above the rest of the troops, you are… a part of our family as well now."
Dan stared at the older man for a moment, unsure what to make of his words. Finally, he nodded, and stood up, packing up his bedroll to accompany the Sith Lord.
Darth Atrox led Dan Kyo over to where Darth Vader had begun to set up his own bedroll. "This is where we are staying tonight. Make yourself at home." Atrox said as he indicated where he was going to set up for the night. Atrox glanced towards Vader. "Father… the troops have set up their camp for tonight. I had Dan move over here where we could protect him better if any of the… creatures pay us a visit," he greeted softly.
Dan again chose a spot slightly detached from the others, and noticed Leia had done so as well. He had seen her out of the corner of his eye on their trek through the jungle, but had not been able to talk to her since his capture. He wondered why she was here.
Leia was wondering the same thing. Steeling herself, she walked up to her father and asked, her tone so calm it was almost icy, "Why are all your men carrying detonation packs?"
Vader looked his daughter directly in the eyes. "How can a government show that it is changing if there is a government always plotting against you? Planting lies about the changes you are trying to install? The changes need to be noticed, the Alliance is too narrow-minded to see that I intend to change our government." Vader replied, his eyes pleading with her to see his reasoning.
"The only reason the Alliance exists is to change things. That has always been the case. You haven't even tried to talk to them about working together to make the changes possible. If you kill them, it won't stop the rebellions, it will cause them. Give them a reason to stop rebelling, and they will gladly work on a peaceful solution. The only one who is being narrow-minded here is you." She paused, letting her words sink in. "If you kill them like this, you'll be proving them right, and the rebellion will continue."
"Perhaps… perhaps they will also just take one look at me and your brother and shoot us on the spot. Even if we tried to contact them… they would never believe me if I told them in the first place. You know this, Leia. As well as both your brother and I know it."
"Then perhaps they would believe me, or Mother." Leia challenged. "If you don't try, they will never believe you. Give them some sign that you mean what you say, and that you are going to be different than Palpatine was, and they will give you a chance. They worked for years to make changes through the political system before they turned to open rebellion. They will do so again."
"The leaders are still coming with us to our ship. The others will be spared unless they force my hand." Vader said in a tone similar to Anakin's. "They owe you this, my daughter… I am doing this only because I love you… and I trust you." Vader said as he reached up to touch his daughter's face. "Will you join us over here tonight? I… don't want you or Dan far away from me or your brother. You know the dangers of this planet to us." Vader said softly, pleading with her.
She bowed her head, accepting the compromise, much as she disliked it. "I… I believe that you mean what you say, Father. I'll stay close to you."
Atrox began to setup his own bedroll near his father's. He began to settle into a meditative position next to his father, meditating on the day's events. His thoughts drifted to the young boy that his master had placed under his care. With him at their side, their mission had become considerably easier in regard to locating the base itself. He would need to talk to him later about what kind of defenses that were setup. Although he was a member of the Alliance and knew most of their tactics, they probably had all been changed by now.
Leia walked over to Dan and sat down on the pallet next to him, gazing out into the darkness. At last he asked her, "Skywalker… I mean, Lord Atrox. Why is he doing this?"
She looked down into her lap. "It would be better if you asked him that. I scarcely know him anymore, and he seems to have taken a liking to you. Perhaps he will answer your questions, perhaps not. But I will give you this warning: do not give him a reason to discount you from his circle of protection. If you do, your life is forfeit. None of us are an exception to this, save perhaps one." With that she stood, and walked swiftly towards her own bedroll, which she had spread close to Vader's.
Dan watched her go, mystified. Each time he tried to understand the strange life he had been thrust into, he raised more questions, not answers. Finally he stood up, and walked towards Atrox's bed, where the young Sith sat meditating. He didn't know what drove him, curiosity or recklessness, but there were things he had to know, and he was determined to get them out of Atrox, regardless of the consequences.
Atrox heard someone walk up behind him and slowly glanced over his shoulder to see whom. When he saw Dan out of the corner of his eye, he made no movement to turn towards him. "Have you come for answers?" Atrox offered softly.
"Yes," he answered steadily. When Atrox made no move to respond, he burst out, "Why are you doing this?"
Atrox was silent for a moment. "My former master… enlightened me to the Alliance's reaction if I chose to embrace my heritage. They would never accept me, or my father, and the evidence speaks for itself," he added softly, but with a hint of steel in his voice.
"Have you tried?" Dan asked him quietly, genuinely curious.
Finally Atrox turned to look him in the eyes, his own eyes showing the fury he held towards the Alliance. "The very fact that earlier today you were calling me a traitor just because I joined my father is evidence enough. Be thankful that I don't punish you for it later… when I regain my Force abilities."
The youth said nothing, stunned by the sudden venom displayed by the Sith Lord. After a while, he asked, subdued, "What is the Force?"
Atrox fell into silence, lost in thought. Finally, he said, "The Force is an energy field that unites and surrounds everything in the galaxy. It is created by all living things, and flows through them, connecting them. It gives the Sith their power, and when they use it, they can achieve feats far beyond the wildest dreams of ordinary beings. Passions, emotions, strengthen you and enhance your power, unlocking new abilities you never knew you had."
Dan took in this information, unsure whether to be amazed or skeptical. He had never seen a Force user in action, though he had seen the lightsaber Atrox carried. "If it's in everything, why can't you use it now?"
Atrox frowned. "There are creatures inhabiting this planet called ysalamiri. Their natural predators are vornskrs, which use the Force to find their prey. The ysalamiri invoke a defense mechanism that creates a bubble around themselves where the Force does not exist. Because of the number of ysalamiri, the entire planet is encompassed in such a bubble, stripping Force-sensitives from their connection to the Force."
The boy nodded his understanding, then asked, "What kind of abilities?"
"The kind where your only limitation is your imagination, and your strength. I could lift you in the air, rip one of these trees out by the roots, shoot lightning from my fingertips… the possibilities are as limitless as the stars, and your potential is only as limited as you choose it to be."
Dan's expression turned doubtful. "And anyone can do this?"
"No. Only those who can sense the Force, who have the ability to draw it into themselves can harness its power." A hint of a smile twisted his lip. "The Force is strong in my family. My father, my sister and I all share this ability."
New curiosity filled Dan's eyes. "Your sister?"
Atrox smirked. "You know her as Princess Leia Organa."
Shock spread across the youth's face, as his eyes snapped towards Leia, talking quietly with Vader. "But… but Princess Leia is from Alderaan, and you are from Tatooine."
The glare that Atrox gave Dan was murderous. "We were separated from our father… and mother, by KENOBI! I will personally see to it that the Jedi never return again!" He roared, fury burning inside him.
All eyes in the camp turned to Atrox, and Dan recoiled, shocked and confused. What did I do? he thought, numbly.
Leia slowly got up off of her bedroll and walked over to where Atrox and Dan were sitting. She placed a hand on Atrox's shoulder, as she looked Dan, eyes meeting his and expressing her sympathy. "Our past is… a difficult subject, Dan. Obi-wan Kenobi watched over my brother as he was growing up on Tatooine, at the same time telling him all those years that his father was dead." She paused, glancing down at her brother. "He is the reason that we were raised separately... without our parents," she added softly.
Dan nodded, still stunned by the reaction his innocent question had caused. "I… I'm sorry," he muttered, edging away. "I didn't know…"
Atrox's voice was still cold, etched with his anger not only at Obi-Wan, but now at his Uncle Owen as well. "It was more than just telling me he was dead. I was told he was a freighter pilot! Owen got what he deserved for lying to me. The great Anakin Skywalker a freighter pilot! He insults not only my father but our entire family. I can only hope his death was slow and painful for the lies he told me."
Dan refrained from voicing the shock and horror he felt at Atrox's vengeful words. "It… was wrong of him to lie to you," he allowed, cautiously.
"It was a lot more than that." Vader said harshly as he quietly walked behind Lord Atrox and Dan.
Dan jumped, and turned sharply, startled by Vader's sudden appearance. "L-lord Vader," he said, barely concealing the fear that twisted in him at the Sith Lord's presence.
Vader's cold eyes bored into Dan's. "Do you approve of what my son was told about me?" Vader demanded coldly, the threat clear.
"N-no sir, he should have been told the truth," the youth answered, honestly.
"He has searched his entire life for a father, and the Alliance expects him to continue to serve with them. He does not care who his father is, he wants a family... no matter what the cost. If that means destroying the people you used to serve with because of their views, so be it. You pledged yourself into our service. You will find that I do not take betrayal... kindly." Vader warned, still suspicious of the kid and whether or not he would return to the Rebellion at the first opportunity.
"Neither do I," Atrox said just as coldly, turning to look Dan right in his eyes.
Dan said nothing, a torrent of emotions filling him. Bitterly, he thought to himself, If it weren't for them, I would have a family. But now I am alone. Mother would never understand. Better that she thinks I'm dead that know the truth. Aloud, he said in a low voice, "I understand."
"Good. It would be unfortunate if I told Mara Jade to do whatever she pleases with you when we return." Vader said coldly turning to Atrox. "It is time to rest, we move out at 0500."
"Yes, master." Atrox replied as he got up. "Come Dan, sleep closer to us; if there was something attacking you I would not be able to defend you there without the Force," he ordered softly as he walked over to his own bedroll with Vader.
Reluctantly, Dan pulled his bedroll a little closer towards the Sith, and climbed into it, wondering again what he had gotten himself into.