Chapter 1: Day of Reckoning
One Year Later
Luke Skywalker looked up from his datapad feeling uneasy for the thousandth time. Over the past year, the Mandalorian clans, led by Mandalore the Ultimate, began a subtle invasion of the Republic. They had laid waste many worlds such as Cathar which were outside Republic jurisdiction. After the Republic sent minimal force to oppose him, Mandalore called the full might of his clans to battle in an all out invasion taking world after world forcing even the valiant Admiral Pallaeon into retreat. Now the Chief of State had requested Jedi support.
Luke however, knew something was not right about this war. "Why now? Why would the Mandalorians, after centuries of rebuilding their society, attack the Republic at the height of it's power. The Force is clouded but I feel something elsewhere . . . elusive."
"Luke and I believe that there is a greater threat than Mandalore," Mara said eying as many of the councilors as she could to satisfy herself. "A threat that has yet to reveal itself."
Tionne Solusar and her husband Kam shared a knowing look between them. Years ago, during the Yuuzhan Vong war, they had stayed behind to care for the children while all the Jedi that were of age went to war. The two Jedi took the children to Shelter, a space station located in the ever treacherous black hole cluster known as the Maw. At one point in time many of the children grew afraid as they and the Solusars felt a dark presence within the Maw, though Kam and Tionne didn't feel it long enough to get a grip on what it was. Ben Skywalker was one of the children who felt it, though he was to young to comprehend it. As a result he closed himself off from the Force which remained a mystery to this day. It took him years to fully open up to the Force again due in large part to masters like Jacen Solo. "I haven't felt something like this since Shelter," Tionne slowly announced.
Kyle Katarn, like so many masters, had tasted the dark side before. But now he was afraid it would return once more. "Do you believe there is a connection," Kyle asked the question on everyone's mind.
"There could be," Kam hesitantly admitted, "though it could have just been the increasing darkness the Vong were unleashing . . . I hope." Although it was a well known story among the councilors, neither Kam nor Tionne could discern what they had felt. They had often spoken to the older children there such as Valin Horn but had never gotten any results.
Jacen knew, like the others, that this war would be the most terrible yet. I would think there's a connection, Kam! Jacen quickly checked that thought. Starting a shouting match was not going to solve the situation. "I will have a talk with my old apprentice about this when he and Valin return from their mission." He wanted to speak with Ben before he would address the council about their discoveries on the frontlines of the war to gauge his opinion of the council's decision. Now it was just who would bring up the question.
Sitting quietly in his seat, Kyp Durron decided to just get it over with, though he knew the answer already. "Regardless, we must answer the Chief of State." The he looked toward Luke and asked, "Are the Jedi going to aide the Republic or not." Try as he might, he could not make his statement sound like a question.
All eyes turned to Luke to say what they knew had to be done. "The Jedi Order will not be involved in this war. We must be strong and ready for the true threat to reveal itself. I know we may be looked upon hatefully but we must be ready to defend the Republic against this threat. I don't mean to say that they are not a threat, but the Mandalorians are not Force sensitive. This threat is quite strong in the Force."
Corran Horn wasn't any happier than the others for leaving the Republic to fend for themselves but he knew what needed to be done. "Then Force help us if we are wrong. The Republic's fate rests upon this course of action as well as the Order."
Ben ran as fast as his legs could carry him across the rough terrain of Dantooine. Behind him blasterfire erupted everywhere. He and Valin had been assigned to this planet to oversee the Republic's military strategy to protect the planet's inhabitants. However, they didn't count on a surprise attack by a scouting Mandalorian fleet. Now the entire planet was under siege while the Republic fleet dogged it out with the Neo-Crusaders in the atmosphere. Over the past year the reputation of Ben Skywalker and Valin Horn grew to the stuff of legend. But neither one liked being publicly recognized so they left their assignments as soon as they finished. Due to his strategic mind, Ben was quickly whisked away to the Republic HQ to forge a battle plan. So far the battle was going well but he knew it was only a matter of time before hostile reinforcements arrived. Now he was running for his life in between mountain crevices as part of his plan to draw the enemy in while Valin lead the troops above them to encircle them. Alright Valin you better not be dead now or I will throttle you if I don't live through this. He could only pray to the Force that he was around here somewhere.
He leaped over another rock in his path. As he was in midair, he felt a warning from the Force and turned his leap into a somersault as blaster shots passed through the space he had just occupied. He looked up and saw a clearing up ahead. I'm out of space he thought to himself. He kept on running at full speed trying to make the clearing. He took a chance and looked back and saw his hope restored as Republic soldiers started pouring down the rocky slopes. The Republic's soldiers continued to pour on blasterfire on the crusaders. Now they were the ones on the run for the clearing. Right where Ben was waiting for them. Only four Mandos made it through and Ben took the offensive at the first opportunity. He took a swipe at the first man instantly bisecting him . The other two caught on to his strategy and drew their cortosis weaved vibroblades. Ben had hoped to catch them all by surprise. One Mandalorian is hard enough but two going toe to toe with me and another shooting. Blast it Valin, where are you?
It would take the soldiers some time before they could get there and he had no clue where Valin was so he was on his own. His opponents were starting to maneuver him in between them. The one to his left raised his blade and struck out at Ben's head to decapitate him. He quickly brought up his blue saber to block. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other Mando start to swing for his legs. He used the position he had on his adversary in the sword lock to force his blade down and kicked out with his right foot, like his mother had taught him, connecting with the charging brute sending him backwards a few steps but not enough to make him fall. Kriff! These guys are well trained. At that moment, Ben looked back and stared at the lone Mandalorian with his blaster trained right on his head as he fired.
Right as the shot was fired, Ben knew that he was done for. But before the shot hit halfway, it was intercepted by a blue blade of light deflecting it into the grassy terrain. Ben quickly used the Force to push his opponent away to give he and Valin some room to work with. Valin ran to his side as they stood back to back ready to take on the best the Mandalorians had to offer. "Any ideas?" Valin asked. Now he wished he would have taken some of his men with him instead of leaving them to finish up the crusaders in the trench.
Ben saw all three of their enemies start to close in wielding their vibroblades and hoped that he could defeat these murderers. He knew that these men had to be among one of the more distinguished clans due to their tremendous skill. "You take the one on the right." Valin simply nodded his head knowing that Ben truly meant the one headed for Ben not the other. It was an old trick of theirs that they had perfected against many enemies including dueling ring opponents. As one the Mandalorians attacked, the trap was set. Valin leaped high over Ben, who was starting to execute his lightsaber sweep at the two oncoming Mandalorians, and landed directly in front of Ben's potential killer. He parried the first two blows and delivered a difficult series of thrusts to the Mando's chest which his assailant barely blocked.
Ben could see that Valin was handling his situation well so he put his full concentration at the task at hand. He sweeped at the oncoming crusader with all his might and knocked him back while he intercepted the thrust to his back. He quickly spun around to face both his adversaries. They both moved in sync as they came at him at full speed. But as the closest one struck at him, the other veered off and headed for Valin's blind side. Ben attempted to unleash a torrent of combos to gain an opening. As he did so he saw Valin dispatch his foe only to turn around to be slashed across the chest. Ben felt his anger soar as he watched his lifelong friend hit the ground. The Mandalorian stood over him and prepared to deal the killing blow. Valin had been there for him ever since shelter and he refused to lose his brother now. He looked at the Mandalorian before him and unleashed his fury quickly dispatching him with a strong blow to the head. He turned and threw his saber with everything he had at the unsuspecting Mandalorian.
Valin felt extreme pain as he lay at his foe's feet. The wound wasn't fatal but if not treated soon it could be. But when he looked up he knew it wouldn't matter anyway. The Mandalorian stood over him with his blade raised high and brought it down for the killing blow. He closed his eyes and waited, letting Force's peace wash over him in waves, waiting to become one with it once more. But the moment never came. He felt like he had laid there for hours though it was only mere seconds. Am I already dead? He checked that thought as he heard the sound of a lightsaber clashing just above him allowing him to feel the blade's intense heat. The heat retreated from him and he opened his eyes to see Ben standing behind the rather large Mandalorian with his blue blade embedded in his back. Ben shut down the lightsaber as the crusader fell to the ground in a heap. Ben could hear footsteps approaching as the Republic troops began to come out of the trench as he ran over to Valin to address his wounds.
"How bad is it?" Ben asked, trying to keep the urgency out of his voice. He had come so close to losing the man that he called his own brother. What would he tell Corran if his son died here because of him. He already disapproves of me. He would surely kill me if Valin dies.
"I'm not going to die if that's what you're asking," Valin took a deep breath in order to continue through the pain, "but I need bacta." He began to chuckle seeing Ben's face full of worry. "Come on, don't worry so much. You're starting to look like my mother."
Ben saw Valin's intent to cheer him up and laughed with him. "I'd rather face her than you're father." Ben quickly waved over to the commander of the squad.
Valin closed his eyes and smiling, replied, "Yeah, he'd probably kill you but he doesn't have to know now does he?"
"You've been hanging around me for far to long, my friend." He turned to address the commander standing behind him, "Sergeant have your medical officer treat the wounded and Knight Horn as quickly as possible."
"Yes Sir," the sergeant saluted and ordered his men to carry Valin and the the others over to the rocky slope, near the trench entrance, for treatment.
Ben was left alone there staring down at the corpse of the Mandalorian that he had wanted nothing more than to kill for nearly taking his friend's life. He had felt the darkness inside him flourish at that moment. He couldn't help but shudder at the memory. He had felt so alive and powerful. Is this what the dark side feels like? He threw that thought away as quickly as he could. He would have to talk to Jacen later, but first he would have a word with his first teacher, though she was not known by many if any at all to have been his first master. She knew what the dark side felt like more than many of the masters that had taught him. He would have a private word with her if he survived this. At that moment, a shiny object from the fallen Mandalore's belt caught his eye. It looked like a holorecorder. He was certain of this fact but not entirely sure he could decyfer the code. He thought of his cousin Anakin. Ben and Anakin both had an affinity for machines but Anakin had a special connection between himself and machines and far more experience. He remembered feeling his cousin's pain as he lie there dieing ever so slowly on Myrkr. Fortunately for both of them he had miraculously survived the fight and given proper medical treatment. Even now no one knew how Anakin Solo had lived. Some masters on the council believed the dark Jedi Vergere had something to do with it but they had failed to make a connection. Then she had died during the last battle of the Yuuzhan Vong war causing many to believe other theories but for the Solo family, they just rejoiced that there son and brother was alive and well. Where is Anakin when I need him? He picked it up and began to work on it the way Anakin had shown him.
After a quarter of an hour, he was watching the holorecording. Two figures stood together on the bridge of a Mandalorian vessel. One was unmistakably Mandalore the Ultimate while the other he recognized as the man whom he had killed not that long ago. "Mandalore we are ready for battle," the unknown Mandalorian stated.
Mandalore turned to face him directly. "Good. You will lead the scout fleet's invasion. If you win this battle you will be amply rewarded. If not . . . your sacrifice will bring honor to clan Ordo. I will notify Canderous to join our invasion of Dantooine. We will follow a few days behind you."
"Yes Mandalore. Sir is it true Skywalker and Horn are on planet?"
"Yes. It would be an added honor if you could eliminate them. I want a real fight. The Republic without Jedi support will fall. I want to fight the best the Jedi has to offer. I had expected Master Skywalker to come running with legions of Jedi to the Republic's aide. But they sit and cower in fear of us as their precious Republic burns around them. Perhaps the death of his son will bring him to action. Go now and die with honor brother."
"Hail Mandalore," the projection of the dead man said as the holo came to an end. Ben sat there there in utter disbelief that they would kill not only innocent civilians but him as well to draw the Jedi into the fighting. He knew what the Mandalorians were capable of but this was madness. Anger started to rise within him at the thought. He had to fight hard to bring it back to a manageable level. Valin and the sergeant came to stand beside him. At the lost look in his eyes, Valin kneeled down to be at eye level with him. "What's wrong?" he asked concerned.
Ben tilted his head to his right to look out at the beautiful Dantooine countryside. "We don't have much time." He turned to the sergeant, "Give me your comlink." The soldier obeyed the order and handed over his comlink.
"Skywalker to Admiral Pallaeon. Do you copy?" He nearly shouted at the small device in his hand.
"Admiral Pallaeon here. We've just finished mopping things up here in orbit. Have you been successful?"
"Yes. We have just operated another successful guerrilla attack. But I found information that is of the utmost importance. The fleet you destroyed was merely a scout fleet sent to exact as much damage as possible before a joint fleet would come in to finish the job. We must begin evacuations immediately."
"What about Dantooine. We can still defend her with-"
Ben cut him off, "Believe me Admiral, there are far to many reinforcements arriving to fight. Dantooine was lost before this battle even began."
There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the com, "I'll order the evacuation. Can you and your men cover the sector you're in?"
"Yes sir. We can handle it but we must move quickly. We don't have much time left."
"Understood Skywalker and well done. Get those people out and report to my ship when your finished. Pallaeon out." Ben heard the last words had a touch of nervousness to them. He could only hope that they could evacuate everyone in time and get out of here alive.
The mood in the council room was anything but tense. The full council along with the entire Solo family and others sat there listening to reports flooding in that the Mandalorians had invaded Dantooine. They sat watching the holo projection of the HoloNet describing the events taking place.
"Initially the Republic fleet, under the command of Admiral Pallaeon, was able to fend off the invading Mandalorian forces. However, due to newly found information, Admiral Pallaeon has decided to evacuate the planet. This information that has been discovered is that a giant fleet of Mandalorian warships are closing in on Dantooine and will arrive at any time. The source of the information has been revealed to be Jedi Knight Ben Skywalker. Because of his reputation we have to assume it is true. The planet has been evacuated. However Admiral Pallaeon's flagship is still in orbit around the planet and he refuses to leave until Jedi Knights Skywalker and Valin Horn are safely on board. There has been no word from Skywalker's squad in the last few hours. We must have faith that they will make it out in time."
Mara tried to hide her fear behind a scowl. "Luke, we need to get to them!"
Mirax Horn, however, was not a Jedi and displayed her fear for her son openly, "We need to send a group to find them now!" She was frightened for her son's safety as well as for his closest friend.
Corran and Luke shared a knowing look. Both knew what their wives wanted but they knew it would be impossible to get there in time before the invasion. They had to trust their children to get out while they had the chance. But Luke knew that Ben would never leave someone behind. He would stay until everyone had a way out and one day that compassion could be his downfall. He had inherited to much from his mother and father. Now it was all up to him and Valin.
"I don't want to see my brother dead, Dad, Master Skywalker. Can't we do something. Anything!" Jysella Horn's voice cracked and she started to cry. She had been very close to her brother which meant she was also fairly close to Ben. Many Jedi believed she had a crush on Ben. However, it was fairly evident that Anakin's apprentice, Vestara Khai, also had strong feelings for him. She stood by her master trying desperately to keep a straight face.
Luke hated to see everyone like this but he knew his hands were tied. "I don't like this any more than anyone else but there is nothing we can do. We must have faith that they will make the right decisions that will allow them to return home. I love my son. And I would do everything in my power to keep him safe but now we must trust them to handle their situation. Only they have the power to save the lives of those who cannot defend themselves on Dantooine. This is their trial that, sadly, they must face alone."
No one could argue with Luke's statement. Jacen looked torn apart by all this. Corran was holding up better than expected but even that was just a well donned facade similar to what Mara was showing. Luke could feel his wife's turmoil over possibly losing her son. He sent feelings of encouragement to her that she took greedily. He'll come home. He'll come home.
The invasion began sooner than Ben ever could have anticipated. Admiral Pallaeon had notified them that a nearby tracking station had discovered a large fleet of warships about to drop out of hyperspace. Ben and Pallaeon had argued that they had to leave but Ben insisted that they had to save one last family before they left so Pallaeon told them he would wait for them and monitor the situation behind the nearby moon. Ben had to admire Pallaeon for not leaving them behind.
Ben led what remained of his team down the grassy hills as the the Mandalorian ground troops started pouring down on the planet. Ben ran along the path as Basilisk war droids rained down blasterfire on them. They had to weave through the trenches in order to stay out of the open. Several dropships landed in their vicinity and the two Jedi knew the hunt had begun. Neither Ben or Valin could leave without getting to the last family known in the sector.
Ben looked around and had to admit he was worried. "Are we close, sergeant?"
The sergeant was the last surviving member of the original team. He had been through thick and thin with them and he had Ben's utmost respect. "We are currently only a few kilometers away . . . This reminds me to much of Cathar."
Valin had to agree with him on that one. The longer they stayed the more they found dead bodies of the citizens of Dantooine. Now that the Mandalorians had fully invaded the system, any settlers that were still around were most likely dead. Ben didn't want to admit it but he knew that this was it for them. Once they got this family secured they would hopefully find a ship to maybe break through the blockade. He had went over it with Valin and the sergeant. They all knew it was a foolhardy plan but it was all they had.
They continued onward, meeting heavy resistance, but managed to breakthrough to the farmhouse in the valley. They approached the front door cautiously, not knowing what would lie within. Ben waved the door open with the Force and walked in. The home was fully lit, nothing appeared out of place until they walked into the next room. Clothing, food and other supplies were strewn around the room. Furniture was overturned. Then they spotted what they feared the most. Blood. A blaster shot erupted from down the hall followed by the cry of a woman. He and Valin sprinted down the hallway far ahead of the soldier. When they got to the end Ben's heart broke in two. Lying on the floor in a pool of blood were two human males. One looked not much older than Ben himself and the other must have been the young man's father. Valin held an angry scowl on his face as he took the sight in. Then the Mandalorian turned to look at them. He spoke in a low voice as he said the word many people say to them. Jedi. In one lightning quick motion that could rival any Jedi's, he turned and plunged his vibroblade into the woman's stomach. The woman's eyes went wide as she fell in a lifeless heap next to her dead husband and nearly adult son.
Ben and Valin instantly ignited their lightsabers and the sergeant trained his blaster on the lone Mandalorian. Ben felt an even stronger urge to kill this man before him. He had ruthlessly killed a family that had done him no wrong. He felt more than anger towards him. Very few people had ever had the effect that these Mandalorians had on him. He felt his hatred rise to heights it had never known. He felt Valin's own pain and anger but nevertheless, Valin reached out to him to help him gain more control over himself. It helped to a degree but he still had an incredible urge to torture the man.
"All this is your fault Jedi. You could have prevented this. Instead you cower in your temple," the Mandalorian spoke with an angry tone.
Valin took the first chance to speak, "Why are you murdering innocent people?"
"The Jedi Council has decided to leave the Republic to fend for itself. We want to fight the best the Republic has to offer. You Jedi are the so called 'protectors of the Republic' yet you leave them to fight a war they cannot win. We want better than petty soldiers to fight."
Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing, "So you will murder innocent people to draw the Jedi into this. You're a kriffing liar as well as a murderer! The Jedi would never leave the Republic defenseless."
"Open your eyes to the truth. If you live past this day you will know that I am right. But it will be my honor to fight the great Ben Skywalker in combat. If I kill you then surely your father will finally enter this war as we always wanted." The Mandalorian's hand dropped to his belt but there was no vibroblade there. Instead there was a small cylinder. He grabbed it and ignited the weapon to reveal a green blade of light. Ben was taken aback by this man. He had to have killed a Jedi in combat and taken his saber as a trophy. The Mandalorian waved and two more Mandalorians came out of the shadows behind them, blocking their exit.
They were boxed in with no way out but to fight. For all they knew there could be more elsewhere in the building. The sergeant quickly pulled out his own vibroblade. Though he wasn't nearly as strong as a Mandalorian, his stance showed that he had deadly proficiency with the blade. They stood together in a circle ready for them to make the first move. Then the Mandalorian leader charged at Ben, his lightsaber in a high guard position. Ben stepped forward ready to meet him head on. "He's mine!" he shouted bringing his saber up to block the first blow. Valin quickly turned to meet his own opponent. He had to admire their skill though he hated their means of showing it by murdering people that had done nothing to them. He looked over at the sergeant and saw him deal blow after blow to the Mando causing him to fall back. This thought spurred him on as he saw Ben in a valiant duel with the enemy leader.
Ben blocked one bone rattling blow after another then delivered some of his own. He couldn't help but think of what the Mandalorian said. He just couldn't believe the Jedi would allow the Republic to fight alone. It's only an insult . . . but why would we have waited so long to go to war then? He lifted his blade to parry yet another strike to his head. This Mandalorian was not holding back so why should he? He quickly spun his saber and kicked him square in the gut knocking back. He took that moment to steal a look at the others. Valin had just cut his man in two and he and the sergeant would make short work of the other no doubt. Now we end this, he thought as he lifted his saber high to bring it down on his foe with all the strength he had. The Mando lifted his blade to parry and his blade instantly sizzled with the impact. The strength behind Ben's attack brought the Mandalorian to his knees. He heard a load thud behind him and he pictured his two brothers in arms cutting down this brute's clan brother. The Mandalorian got on one knee to raise himself from the floor but Ben had lightning quick reflexes of his own. He brought his saber up to parry then quickly reversed as he spun around the warrior cleaving his saber arm cleanly off at the elbow. The man started to swing his other arm back in retaliation but before it could reach him, Ben buried his saber in the warrior's chest. He shut down the saber and watched with a small amount of satisfaction, but much regret, as he fell to the floor. Valin and the soldier were watching them with awestruck faces at what had just happened.
The Mandalorian began to raise his remaining hand to his head and pulled off his helmet, revealing an older man of about forty standard years with black hair and growing stubble all over his face. Blood was started to spurt from his mouth as he spoke with gasping breaths, "You . . have bested . . . me. Just remember . . to tell your council . . we will use any methods . . necessary to get what we want." He brought his trembling body to his knees and looked up at Ben, lifting what remained of his right arm and beat his chest. "You are a worthy adversary . . . Ben Skywalker . . I did not think it . . possible to fall to you. But . . now I see you have . . great battles to fight." He started to slump and with one final show of his great strength he stood tall and confidently proclaimed, "This war has only just begun!" With those final words he fell to the hard floor below and breathed his last.
He looked to Valin who reflexively tried to hide the blood starting to seep from his old wound. "What happened?" Ben asked urgently. He couldn't lose him now. He refused to lose either one of his friends.
Valin was attempting to stand tall but he couldn't stand for much longer. "It's been reopened and I think it's infected." The sergeant stood behind him to give him support.
Ben's mind went into overdrive trying to find a way out. If he recalled correctly, there was a Republic outpost not far from where they were. It was most likely overrun by now but it was their only shot of getting off planet.
Suddenly his comlink beeped signaling an incoming transmission. "You still there Skywalker?"
"Admiral Pallaeon. It's good to hear your still alive sir. We're done here. We're heading for a Republic outpost a little less than a kilometer from our position," Ben quickly told the former Imperial admiral that he had a new found respect for.
The transmission began to crack with static. "You better get there asap, Skywalker. Your position has been reported in. The fleet is preparing to bombard your position."
A quiet fear entered Ben as he thought of the possibilities of survival. They were minimal at best. "Understood Admiral. If we get in the air we'll need a quick getaway."
"I'll see what I can do. Now get moving and -" The transmission was cut off with nothing to hear but static.
He pocketed the comlink and picked up the fallen Mandalorian's lightsaber. He turned to the sergeant holding Valin upright. "Can you carry him?" At the man's nod, Ben started to lead them out of the building. "I'll cover you. Let's move."
As as they got out they met Mandalorian squads of various numbers. But Ben was to dialed into the Force now to even consider the odds. He attacked and brought them down in mere moments with help from the sergeant, who placed some very well timed blaster shots into Mandalorian skulls while carrying, a now unconscious, Valin Horn.
They fought their way forward till they reached the outpost that was now crawling with the Mandalorian butchers. Ben took the lead and quickly swiped through the first enemy with two quick strikes from his dual blades. They mowed through wave upon wave of them until they closed in on the hanger. Ben entered and just as he had hoped, there was a freighter waiting for them surrounded by what seemed to be a battalion of Mandalorian warriors. "Get Valin to the ship," he ordered the sergeant as he leaped ahead to clear a safe path. The sergeant did as ordered and reached the ship unharmed. Ben heard the ship's engines begin to come alive as he continued to deflect blasterfire back at his enemies. Then a rumble from the ground shook them all off their feet. Ben's horror had manifested. The bombardment has begun. Ben took the time he had been given to scramble aboard the ship. He ran through the vessel's corridors toward the cockpit and found the sergeant waiting for him. "We're ready for takeoff sir," the man stuttered out quickly due to the increasing amount of firepower being thrown down at the defenseless planet. "Is Valin secured?" Ben asked as he launched himself into the pilot's seat.
"Yes sir, we need to go now!" the man nearly shouted. Ben couldn't agree more as he lifted the old freighter into the air. They would be lucky if this thing even held together.
Just as soon as they took to the air they were spotted by patrolling aircraft. Ben put the ship into a tight spin as the missiles passed through the space they once were in. "Get on those guns," Ben shouted as the ship screeched because of the strain it was now under. He didn't hear a reply or even footsteps heading out but he could feel the man, who he would gladly call his friend, run toward the slowly dieing ship's gun emplacements.
He continued to dodge blasterfire and weave through ships as he entered the atmosphere. He once again felt hope start to drain away when he saw the massive Mandalorian warships closing in around them to blow them apart. He put the ship into a screeching dive under one of the massive vessels but it wasn't enough. Not even the sergeant could keep up with the hordes of hostiles that kept coming at them. The ship lurched forward as it took heavy fire from all sides. Ben did every trick he had, even the ones Uncle Han had shown him but the ship was falling apart on him. "You here me baby, hold together. Just hold together a little longer," Ben tried pleading with the ship. In response the ship broke into flames as they barely got through the barrage of turbolaser fire. But now all they were was dead weight waiting to be blown out of space. Ben refused to admit defeat. He couldn't. Not after all he and the others had been through. The Force wouldn't abandon him now to have him die a death his family would never see, would it. A familiar presence rapidly started to grow around him through the Force and he couldn't help but smile as the Mandalorian warships' turbolasers began to pepper them with deadly firepower. Then at that moment a Republic capital ship came out of hyperspace right before them beginning to return fire on the Mandalorians.
"Skywalker, it's now or never! We're prepping for hyperspace," Admiral Pallaeon shouted over the nearly dead ship's com.
"We're coming in for a rough landing sir." The ship continued to lurch to and fro from the beating it was taking. Ben flipped on the ship's intercom and ordered the sergeant, who he strangely did not know the name of, to get to the infirmary to strap Valin and himself down. He dove the ship under the belly of the massive star destroyer and entered the hangar bay in a screeching mass of burning metal. Ben felt his whack against the console after the initial impact and watched helplessly, before he blacked out because of the large gash that had been ripped open on his forehead, as what remained of the ship smashed into the hangar bay's far wall.
"They're aboard sir," a lieutenant in his late thirties announced as he got word from the hangar bay control room.
Gilad Pallaeon had been around long enough to know when to make an exit from battle. "Punch it!" he ordered the lieutenant and watched with relief as the forward viewport took in the stars of hyperspace.
Author's Note
Sorry for the delay. I expect to post the next chapter by next week. Thanks for reading and please review.