The Adventures of Rickon and Osha Chapter 8

Rickon Stark has been captured by the Dark Jedi Mara Taral. Meanwhile, Han Lee, Osha, and their new-found ally Able Fett hatch a plan to rescue Rickon. Darth Vader's shuttle rendezvous with Mara's forces on a plateau overlooking the north-eastern shores of Westeros. Please note, I don't own most of the characters, locations, and concepts with the exception of Mara Taral, Han Lee, and Able Fett. I borrowed the term New Villages from the history books. They were barb-wired settlements used during the Malayan Emergency and were later replicated during the Vietnam War as strategic hamlets. The rest rightfully belong to George R.R Martin, Lucasfilm, and J.K. Rowling. Also, feel free to leave reviews but be respectful and civil.

Part 1: Rickon's POV

Rickon was sitting in the Sentinel-class landing ship's holding cell, a tiny square room at the rear of the vehicle. The cell had electronic laser bars which stung when he touched them. Since his capture in the forest yesterday, Rickon had been locked in his cell for one-and-a-half-days. His right leg was still sore and raw from his previous encounter with the leghold trap. The trap had left a deep gash above his ankle. The Imperials had fastened a bandage around his leg that was made of a strange silky material. Grieving and despondent since the death of Master Tamati Kiore, Rickon had eaten nothing since he been taken captive yesterday. The Imperials had brought him some rations – bantha milk, cookies, a paste that looked like mash potatoes, strange-looking green vegetables, and a slice of meat. However, he had thrown it in the face of the unfortunate Stormtrooper guard. That had earned him a good trashing from the guard's stun baton, an electric baton that gave a painful electrical shock. Not enough to knock out someone but enough to cause the subject excruciating pain. After that incident, Rickon had learnt to keep a lid on his raging temper and grief which burned through his heart and mind like a raging forest fire. This morning, the guard posted on duty outside Rickon's cell was the furry dog-headed man who had taken him prisoner and murdered Master Kiore: the Bothan Imperial Intelligence officer Mer'slya.

"I must say your Jedi friend, the little Ranat guy, put up a marvelous fight," smirked the Bothan "Too bad, he wasn't watching his back. I'm sorry we had to kill your precious pet wolf but he was very dangerous."

Rickon did not answer him but glared at Mer'slya with hatred and anger.

"I like the look on your face," said Mer'slya, while lighting his cigar. "You would make a good Dark Sider Adept. But I wonder why does Vader have to send us all this way to the far side of the galaxy to fetch a scrawny little boy like you? Haven't heard from Able and Corrsk but I bet your friends are dead."

Rickon still did not answer the Bothan and maintained his defiant but silent gesture.

"Fine, so you don't wanna chat," remarked the Bothan "It's better to save up all your energies for that big meeting with Darth Vader tonight. Ah yes, he's flying all the way from Coruscant to come and meet you. He'll decide whether he wants you in his Inquisitorial corps. Don't look so glum kid, the Empire richly rewards its servants. I expect that Armand Isard will now promote me to a plump desk job rather than sending me halfway around the galaxy to keep an eye on Mara. Oh yes, Mara has something in store for Lord Vader tonight."

Part 2: Able Fett's POV

During the Westeros incursion, Mara Taral had lost eighteen men: her two IG-100 Magna Guards, Corrsk, and fifteen Stormtroopers. Four speeder bikes had also been destroyed. For Mara, casualties sustained during this mission had been unexpectedly high. She had not expected to encounter so much resistance. Mara would now have a tough time trying to procure more men and material from the Imperial Army.

"They put up a tough fight. I regret to report that they killed Corrsk and a squad of your Stormtroopers," reported Captain Able Fett "However, I managed to finish them off with a thermal detonator. I regret that I couldn't retrieve their bodies since they had been blown up to smithereens. However, I managed to recover these."

Able handed Mara a lock of Osha's hair and a torn piece of Han Lee's Jedi robe.

"Good, I'll write you a favourable report for the Imperial Army High Command," said Mara Taral "I regret not being able to have the pleasure of killing those two personally. But, one less Jedi is better for the Empire. Tonight, we'll proceed with stage two of our plan: Operation Vader."

"Does Vader know our exact coordinates?," asked Fett

"Yep, I have forwarded our location to Vader this morning," said Mara "This will be the last errand that I will be running for Lord Vader."

"What do you mean?," asked Fetta surprised.

"It's very simple. Tonight, I'll kill Darth Vader," said Mara with a triumphant smile "Then, we'll report that he died heroically fighting a Jedi enclave. After that, I'll take my rightful place as the Sith apprentice of Emperor Palpatine. Vader is a cyborg. He is a former shadow of his strength since his little accident at Mustafar years ago. I am more than he will ever be."

"Excuse me, Madam," chimed a third voice "I have the pleasure to report that Darth Vader's shuttle is expected to arrive this evening at approximately 1900 local time."

The voice belonged to Murni, a Stormtrooper sergeant who served in Mara's personal bodyguard

"Good," said Mara "Now you and your boys know what to do. Wait for the signal."

Fett turned and walked away towards the Imperial landing ship Stalker. He breathed a sigh of relief that he had managed to pass his ruse off to the Inquisitor. This was the first time he had ever deliberately deceived his commanding officer. In truth, Osha and Han Lee were still very much alive and kicking. Together, they had concocted plan to rescue Rickon. Deep down in his heart, Able Fett knew that he hated the very Empire he was serving. Palpatine's Galactic Empire was a brutal dictatorship built on fear, terror, and greed. The seeds of his disillusionment with the Empire had first been sowed when Palpatine issued Order 66: the order to destroy the Jedi Knights. Fett's fellow Clone comrades had carried out their orders without any hesitation, gunning down Jedi whom many had previously shared a cup of tea or meal with the same day. Fett had learnt that the Kaminoan cloners had programmed the Clone troopers with a special gene that would activate when Order 66 was issued. However, Fett had discovered that he did not have that gene. But he did not report it to his superiors, knowing that faulty clones would be sent back to Kamino and would never see the light of day again.

Fett's disillusionment with the Empire grew when his unit was forced to take part in the subjugation of the Wookiees, the Empire's former allies during the Clone Wars. The Empire viewed the Wookiees as a valuable source of labour due to their great strength and endurance. Under the pretext that the Wookiees had harboured fugitive Jedi, Palpatine, at the urging of a Trandoshan delegation, had proceeded to invade and conquer the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk. Overnight, Kashyyk's liberators had become the planet's oppressors. Fett's unit had been forced to take part in the occupation of a Wookiee village. Following the village's surrender, the Stormtroopers had rounded up the inhabitants as slave labour, breaking apart families. Fett had been forced to wrestle a screaming Wookiee child from her mother. The mother was then beaten with stun batons. When the father tried to intervene, one of Fett's trigger happy comrades had shot him dead. It irked Fett deeply that this comrade had not been punished but had actually been promoted a rank up.

The final straw that had broken the bantha's back had been the infamous Ghorman Massacre. Ghorman protestors protesting an Imperial tax hike had occupied the landing pad which had been designated for Grand Moff Tarkin's Star Destroyer. Tarkin had solved the problem by simply landing the Star Destroyer on the crowd, crushing and maiming many protestors. Fett had been stationed on Tarkin's Star Destroyer on that fateful day. When he objected to the action, Tarkin had him reassigned to Castell, the homeworld of the Gossam species, as punishment. There was an active anti-Imperial separatist movement on Castell. Able Fett's unit had just taken a separatist-held village and were rounding up its inhabitants for settlement in "New Villages." Able Fett was piloting an LAAT gunship which had been transporting the civilians. However, a suicide bomber had gotten aboard the craft and blown it up. Fett had been caught in the explosion and suffered extensive burns and injuries. Following his near-death experience, Fett had been patched up by General Rom Mohc, who was in charge of a top-secret Dark Trooper project. In its early phase, Rom Mohc had selected aged Clone trooper veterans to be rebuilt as cyborg soldiers in order to return them to peak condition. In some cases, over 70% of their bodies were replaced by cybernetics. Since many of these subjects had been forcibly recruited for the project, many were unable to adjust to their new state of being cyborgs and committed suicide. However, Fett had been strong and able to come to terms with his new state. Due to the failure of this project, Mohc had instead turned his attention to building battle droids. Out of a job, Fett had secured a place with Mara's elite bodyguard force. Due to his piloting skills, he was made the captain of her landing ship The Stalker. Fett found his new Master to be ruthless, ambitious, cunning, and needlessly reckless. She aspired to be much more than an Inquisitor and coveted a place in the Sith Order. To do this, Mara was prepared to do anything necessary.

Able Fett walked to the Imperial landing ship. The Stormtrooper sentry standing outside the landing ramp saluted Fett and allowed him to proceed upstairs. Fett walked up all the way to Rickon's cell. Outside, the Bothan turncoat spy Mer'slya was puffing his cigar and sitting on a plastic stool.

"Attention," barked Fett, as he marched toward Mer'slya. The startled Bothan dropped his cigar and stood up, saluting Fett.

"Thank goodness, you're here," said Mer'slya "I have been cooped up her since morning watching a scrawny little boy. He's so boring. He hasn't said anything since his capture. But thankfully, he'll soon be someone else's problem."

"Go, and get some fresh air," replied Fett "And remember, that smoking indoors is not allowed on any Imperial ship. I'll let you off the hook this time. But next time, you won't be so lucky."

"Yes sir," panted Mer'slya as he scrambled downstairs.

Fett peered into Rickon's cell. Rickon was seating cross-legged and had a dejected look on his face.

"Rickon," whispered Fett "I'm here to help you."

"Go away!," screamed Rickon angrily "You killed Master Kiore, Aunty Osha, and Han Lee. Go away!"

"No, I'm here to help," Fett said "Osha and Han are very much alive and kicking. We're got a plan to get you out."

"Really?," asked Rickon inquisitively "How can I trust you?"

Knowing that Rickon would ask him such a question, Fett slid an applecake through the laser bars.

"This was the last apple-cake that Osha had in her pack," said Fett "She told me to pass this to you. Don't worry kid, we'll get you out of here. And you're be pleased to know that your direwolf Shaggydog is alive and well all thanks to Master Kiore."

"Thank you," said Rickon "But who are you?"

"I'm an old friend of the Jedi Han Lee," replied Fett "I had the honour of fighting alongside him during the Clone Wars."

"What's your plan?," asked Rickon

"Just, play along," whispered Fett, turning his back to make sure no one was watching them. "Here's how it will work…."

Part 3: Han Lee's POV

"You sure this is a good idea?," asked Osha "Can we trust this Fett guy?"

"Able Fett has been a loyal and good friend," replied Han Lee "He saved my life when he could have just easily followed orders from his superiors."

Night had descended on northern Westeros. Osha and Han Lee were hiding behind a thick bush, observing Mara's Imperial landing craft Sentinel. The starship was a hive of activity. Mara's black-armoured Stormtroopers had formed themselves into two rows with twelve men on either side. A second starship was landing nearby, about 150 metres away from Mara's landing craft. Like Mara's ship, this shuttle had a tri-wing design: two large folding wings and a smaller dorsal wing. Osha was leading Rickon to the shuttle, flanked by a Stormtrooper and the Bothan Mer'slya. Both men carried blasters.

"What's that thing?," asked Osha

"That's a Lambda-class shuttle," replied Han Lee "It's a favourite transport for high-ranking Imperial officers. Even Darth Vader and the Emperor have one."

The Lambda-class shuttle was a product of Sienar Fleet Systems, one of the Galactic Empire's leading shipyards and weapons manufacturers. The Lambda-class shuttle was designed for the purpose of transporting key Imperial personnel and cargo throughout the galaxy. The shuttle was equipped with an advanced Class One hyperdrive, which allowed it to travel from one corner of the galaxy to the other within a few hours. The shuttle was heavily armed and was equipped with two double laser cannons and two double blasters cannons. To dissuade pursuing starships, the shuttle was also armed with a third retractable rear double blaster cannon. To top it all, the Lambda-class shuttle was equipped with a state-of-the-art deflector shield array. These features made the Lambda capable of traveling through the galaxy without a starfighter escort.

"Are you sure our plan will work?," whispered Osha "It does sound pretty risky."

"Hey, anything is possible through the Force," said Han Lee

The two embraced for one last time as they waited for the right moment to strike. Their plan was for Han Lee and Osha to sneak up on the Imperial base during Darth Vader's visit. Able Fett would then create a diversion by ramming Mara's starship into Darth Vader's shuttle. The ensuing chaos and confusion would allow Han and Osha to rescue Rickon and take out Mara and maybe Darth Vader as well. Shaggydog would also help by attacking any Imperial stragglers. The direwolf was hiding among a thicket bushes on the opposite side, ready to spring into action. It was a risky and dangerous mission but Fett was prepared to lay down his life in order to save Rickon.

Peering through his binoculars, Han Lee watched as Darth Vader's Lambda shuttle lowered its frontal gang-plank. Clouds of foam rose as the hydraulic door made contact with the ground. After about a minute, a lone dark armoured figured strode down the gang plank. Han could sense that a strong Dark Side presence emanating from Vader and his shuttle. So, this was one of the dread Sith Lords. Deep down in his heart, Han dreaded the very thought of having to fight a Sith Lord. However, Han recalled the deep tide of pain he had felt in the Force when Palpatine had unleashed his pogrom against the Jedi. Han was determined to kill the man who had betrayed the Jedi and murdered his brothers and sisters.

Part 4: Mara's POV

Darth Vader loomed large and tall before her. He was entirely encased from head to toe in a black armoured suit which also doubled as a life support unit. Vader's life support system made a continuous raspy sound. The Sith Lord had sustained severe life-threatening injuries during a duel with his former Master Obi-Wan Kenobi on the volcano world of Mustafar. He had experience severe burns, lost several limbs, and had been force to reside in his black armoured suit in order to survive. Behind her, Rickon froze and gasped in fright. Mara and her entourage with the exception of Rickon knelt before the Sith Lord.

"Mi-Lord, I bring Rickon before you," said Mara "We captured him undamaged as you ordered."

Darth Vader bent down and touched Rickon's chin. He also gazed deep into the boy's eyes. Rickon shuddered in fear but maintained his composure. After finishing his inspection, Darth Vader stood up and turned to face Mara. Mara could sense the pleasure and satisfaction emanating from Darth Vader's mind.

"Good, you have been a faithful and productive hand," said the Sith Lord in a deep voice. "The boy is strong in the Force. He has received some training at the hands of those Jedi outlaws but he can be forged into a powerful servant. He has great potential. We must hone his wild and aggressive instincts."

"Now, I demand payment for the services I have rendered to you," asserted Mara "Three weeks ago, you promise me a place as your secret apprentice. Together, we would overthrow Palpatine and rule the galaxy. I now insist that you honour that promise."

"I don't believe I made such a promise," replied Darth Vader "You are a deluded little girl, full of ambition and delusions of grandeur."

Mara could sense that Lord Vader was lying. She raised her hand and at her signal her Stormtrooper honour guards raised their blasters at Darth Vader.

"I come for what I was promised," shouted Mara fiercely "If you don't honour your promise. I will kill you and take your place as Emperor Palpatine's apprentice and together we will rule the galaxy. You will not come between me and my ambitions."

"To hell with your ambitions," roared back Darth Vader in a stentorian voice "No one comes between me and the Emperor. There can only be two Sith Lords: a master and an apprentice. If you want your prize, you have to kill me."

Vader ignited his red lighsaber. In response, Mara ignited hers as well. She was ready to claim her prize by any means necessary.

"Oh, but I am not alone," barked Darth Vader

Suddenly, there was a cackle of laughter and Lord Vader was joined by a dark, cloaked figure. The man removed his hood to reveal himself as no other than Emperor Palpatine, the Dark Lord of the Sith. Mara and her men murmured in shock.

"Well, well. So we have a young upstart here who thinks she can take on the Sith and rule the galaxy," smirked Palpatine in a croaking voice.

"So, this was all a set up?," stammered Mara. Shock and rage ran through her mind. Her grand scheme to rule the galaxy was unravelling.

"Fool, you should know that treachery and deception are the hallmarks of the Sith," sneered Palpatine "We laid out a trap and you happily took the bait, blinded by your own greed and lust for power. I guess we can do with one less rebellious Inquisitor."

Palpatine raised his hand. He and Vader were soon surrounded by another squad of Stormtroopers. These new Stormtroopers wore white armour and were armed with blasters. Mara quickly recognized them as members of Lord Vader's 501st Legion, the Sith Lord's personal legion and some of the best troops in the Imperial Army.

"May the best Sith win then," glared Mara, as she raised her hand giving the signal for her troops to attack.

Soon gunfire broke out. Mara's Stormtroopers fired on their opponents but the two Sith Lords deflected with a mere flick of their hands. Vader's Stormtroopers then unleashed a withering barrage of blaster bolts on Mara's troops, felling several of her men. Mara's men fired back, taking down some of Vader's men. Turning her back, Rickon had dived to the ground to evade the hail of blaster bolts. Suddenly, Mara heard a loud roar followed by a deafening scream. She turned to her left and saw a large grey wolf leap on her Bothan henchman and dive into his neck, ripping through flesh and bone. Mer'slya's death throes rang through the battlefield as Shaggydog ripped apart the Imperial Intelligence officer.

Suddenly, a fist slammed into Mara's face from the right, knocking her to the ground. Mara felt the crack of a broken cheek and tasted the distinct acrid taste of blood in her mouth. Spitting out a loose tooth, Mara turned her head to look up into the face of someone that she had not expected to see. Someone she thought had died: Osha, Rickon's Wildling guardian.

"That's for kidnapping Rickon," shouted Osha triumphantly before kicking Mara in the stomach "And that's for hurting Shaggydog."

Mara felt a stinging pain in her stomach. Giving in to her anger, Mara shoved Osha aside with the Force, knocking her to the ground. Osha recovered and quickly rose to confront Mara. The two women faced each other. Osha wielded a green lightsaber.

"Let's finish this off once and for all," shouted Osha "In my past life, you, Bellatrix Lestrange, killed me and my husband, leaving our child orphaned. You will not get away this time."

Mara's blood froze but she quickly regained her composure. Glaring with her eyes turning a lucid red and yellow, Mara raised her red lightsaber and said: "Fine, it will be my pleasure to finish you off once and for all, Mrs Tonks. I may not have the same magical powers that I used to have in my previous life. But I have the Dark Side."

In the background, Mara could see another supposedly dead opponent, Han Lee, confronting Darth Vader and Palpatine. He was joined by Rickon who had recovered his blue-bladed lightsaber from the fallen Bothan guard. Her Stormtroopers were fighting back against the Sith Lords' Stormtroopers. Blaster bolts flashed through the night. The ground was soon piled with bodies from both sides. None of these mattered to Mara. All that mattered was Nymphadora Tonks reincarnated in the body of Osha. She would finish off this enemy once and for all.

Suddenly, Mara heard the loud, familiar deafening roar of her ImperialSentinel-class landing ship powering up its engines. An armoured figure rushed out of the ship's gang plank. She quickly recognized the man as Able Fett and deduced that he had switched sides with the Jedi Knight and Osha. The landing ship took off and then raced towards Darth Vader's Lambda-class shuttle. The Stalker rammed into the Imperial shuttle, creating a brilliant conflagration. The burning wrecks of the two starships fell of the cliff and crashed onto the rocks below with a loud boom. Vader and Palpatine had only narrowly managed to avoid the fiery collision. Mara's heart sank: she had lost her only get-away transport. However, her heart rose when she quickly realized that the two Sith Lords had lost their get-away transport as well. Now the odds would be more even. Once she had finished dealing with Osha/Tonks, she would finish off the two Sith Lords, provided Han had not gotten to them first.

"Was that your getaway?," taunted Osha "You're now grounded."

Giving a loud cry of rage and hatred, Mara charged at her opponent with her crimson lightsaber flashing in the night sky.