Star Wars – The Force Unleashed – Daughter of Fate
Chapter 5
2 BBY – On the Rogue Shadow approaching the planet Felucia
"Felucia in range" announced Juno as the Rogue Shadow neared the tropical and exotic jungle-like planet.
Starkiller emerged from his chambers dressed in his light training attire as the conditions of the planet were humid. His clothing consisted of his already tattered pants and nothing on his torso but two thick belt straps that went across his muscular chest and thick pieces of material wrapped around both arms down to his tattered gloves on each hand. Juno glimpsed his figure and couldn't believe the amount of scars she saw upon his body, each one a scar of battle from either his missions or the harsh training exercises he participated in with his master Lord Vader. Juno figured that she may ask Setra more about Starkiller. They had flown together now for two months and she still knew so little about him.
"Readings?" said Starkiller.
"No major settlements, but life sings are overwhelming the scanners. The planet is completely overgrown. I have no idea where we should set down" replied Juno.
"I'll tell you" said Starkiller.
With that Starkiller went to the dining alcove in the left corner of the ship, sat down and meditated on his coming task. Juno had started to worry about his well being. Ever since Raxus Prime he had openly avoided her during their time on the ship or the Executor and engaged in little conversation. Even with Setra he was still kind and caring to her but he kept their conversation brief and once again went into solitude within his chambers upon the ship. Setra had told Juno that she sensed something important was coming up for Starkiller, a sort of crossroads where one choice or action would decide his destiny and it was one that deeply disturbed the child. She had tried to ask Starkiller about what would happen but he kept avoiding the subject and told her that nothing would change; everything would stay the way that it was. Juno knew that he was telling this to not keep her from worrying but over the past few days Setra found it hard to meditate and when she kept glimpsing the future all she had were visions where she found herself in a tiny space of cold nothingness where she couldn't move or speak. After her attempted meditations Juno would find the girl in her quarters shaking uncontrollably and looking as if she was ill. Even Starkiller noticed this and tried his best to comfort her whenever he could but even that could not help her. After some time Setra returned to her normal self but felt a foreboding sense of dread surrounding Starkiller and became more aware that the choice that Starkiller would make would have dark and dire consequences for his companions. She sat in the co-pilot seat looking out upon the strange and mysterious planet of Felucia silently.
Juno kept her gaze upon Starkiller while he was meditating. She felt as though the air around him was thicker, more dense. Juno then found herself looking at the deeper shape of his cheekbones which brought out the shape of his eyes and mouth more. Quickly realising her thoughts about him she snapped out of her daydream and focused again upon landing the Rogue Shadow on steady ground. Starkiller got up and made his way to the Juno and bent over her shoulder, his hand pointing towards the map display.
"There, on the equator" said Starkiller.
"Where is there, exactly?" replied Juno.
Starkiller slowly exhaled and Juno felt the warmth of his breath spread across her cheek. It sent goosebumps trailing down the skin on her neck.
"Leave that to me. Engage the cloak and take us down" said Starkiller.
Nodding she began the descent to the planet's centre. She felt a slow flush spread across her face from the previous moment which had been unfortunately witnessed by Setra who was still sitting in the co-pilot's seat. A huge grin had spread across her face causing the flush on Juno's face to change from attraction to embarrassment. At least something had made the youngling feel better Juno thought to herself knowing that Setra's state of mind a few days before had been considerably worse. Suddenly the amazement on Setra's face became apparent as they descended through the dense and lively jungle atmosphere of Felucia. There was so much here that Setra had never seen before, so much life in every kind of form. Small blades of multi-coloured grass covered the ground only to be towered over by giant fungi and mushrooms with their large root systems covering the forest floor and numerous vines growing up the broad stems and the air was thick with all matters of pollen and spores, the most Setra had ever seen in her life. The new and unusual animal life surprised her too from the multiple legged flying and crawling insects to their predators the ferocious acklays, four legged crustacean-like creatures hunting for their daily prey of mammals and insects.
Juno carefully set the Rogue Shadow down on one of the gargantuan fungi that looked stable enough to hold the weight of the ship.
"Lower the ramp" said Starkiller "wait for me here"
Juno started "There's not much for us to do –"
"Just wait" replied Starkiller again and before Juno could protest he had already descended to the jungle floor and was making his way to his objective with his crimson blade in hand.
Juno sighed frustrated. This was the exact behaviour that Starkiller had towards her lately and it greatly annoyed her. She didn't know if she had done anything wrong but she doubted it, Starkiller had his own demons to deal with as it was. She then turned to Setra who had jumped out of the co-pilot seat and was looking down the ramp at the new world around her.
"Well, I guess it's just us again little one" said Juno.
"That's no problem Juno, I like spending time with you and PROXY, especially after the way papa has been lately" replied Setra.
Juno put a hand on Setra's shoulder comfortingly "I'm sure that whatever it is he'll sort it out, everything will be fine" said Juno.
Setra smiled to Juno and stayed where she was staring out at the scenery of Felucia while Juno went to consult PROXY.
"Captain Eclipse, I'll begin a check of all systems, if you so wish" said PROXY.
"That would be fine PROXY and don't feel the need to rush. I have a feeling we are going to be here for a while" replied Juno as she made her way back to Setra.
"Is he always like this Setra" said Juno.
"Like what Juno?" replied Setra.
"Moody and withdrawn. I've at least seen him smile a few times but after Raxus Prime. Nothing. What goes on inside his head?" said Juno.
"I understand what you mean. Normally papa is quite normal with me and PROXY but lately its like he's been avoiding me. I know he tried to make me feel better when I was having the bad dreams but it didn't feel like it was him talking to me. Something inside of him changed since Raxus Prime but I can't be sure yet. Lord Vader would know better then anyone. He's the one responsible for creating PROXY and taking care of papa" replied Setra.
"What do you mean by taking care of him little one?" said Juno
"Papa has been in Lord Vader's care since he was about my age" replied Setra.
"Like a father?" said Juno
"Papa only ever called Lord Vader master and teacher, it's nothing like the bond that I have with papa" replied Setra.
"Well what happened to his real parents? Where did he come from?" said Juno.
"I don't know Juno" replied Setra.
"Does he never talk about them?" said Juno.
"He says he's a lot like me, that he can't really remember them" replied Setra.
"What about friends?" said Juno
"Only you, me and PROXY really. Papa likes being alone, he thinks its essential to his development or something" replied Setra.
"Development into what, exactly?" said Juno.
"One way or another, we're all servants of Lord Vader" replied Setra.
"You're spot on their little one. I'll be back in a minute, I just need to talk to PROXY and then I think we should go outside" said Juno.
"Really Juno, can we?" replied Setra excitedly
"Absolutely, I think we've earned it, besides a young girl shouldn't always be cooped up in small spaces" said Juno.
Setra chortled happily as she made her way done the ramp to the top of the large fungus and began to play outside. Juno made her way to PROXY and consulted him.
"PROXY, continue with the systems check from within here. I'll perform a quick visual inspection of the hull" said Juno.
"I advise caution Captain Eclipse. Many of the life-forms on Felucia are hostile to humans" replied PROXY.
"Have no concern on that score" said Juno as she holstered her pistol to her utility belt "I can look after myself"
"One of your predecessors used exactly those words before he was shot in the back by a Corellian gunrunner" replied PROXY.
"Just watch your own back PROXY. Lord Vader has a master to you know" said Juno.
"Yes Captain Eclipse" replied PROXY.
Suddenly Juno heard a shrill scream coming from Setra at the bottom of the ramp. Leaping into action she sprinted down the ramp just as Setra was running up. On the large fungi an acklay had managed to climb its way up onto the large mushroom and had nearly consumed Setra for its daily meal.
"Setra, stay here" Juno said as she made her way down the ramp to confront the aggressive beast.
Setra watched from the ramp wide eyed and afraid as Juno carefully circles the creature with her blaster aimed at its head. In a matter of moments the acklay was upon Juno who ducked from the creature's quick attack and had succeeded in firing a few blaster bolts into its shoulder. The acklay shrieked in pain and once again ran towards Juno. Again the acklay attempted to attack and this time succeeded as it nearly knocked Juno off the edge of the large fungi platform and left her clinging to the edge. Just as the acklay was about to attack again a cryo cylinder from the cargo bay was hurled into the creature's head. The creature turned its attention to Setra who had used force push to hurl the object at the acklay.
"HEY, OVER HERE YOU UGLY OLD WAMPRAT" shouted Setra as she telekinetically hurled another cryo cylinder at the acklay which hit it in the head again.
The acklay screeched and made its way toward its first intended victim and as Juno climbed back up onto the platform all she could do was watch in utter horror as the beast stalked towards Setra. Remembering what Starkiller had told her about using mind control through the Force to control those who were weak minded Setra focused all her power upon the acklay. To Juno's utter amazement the creature stopped dead in its tracks and gently lowered its head towards Setra. Setra opened her eyes and looked directly into the eyes of the acklay. She had somehow calmed the creature; reluctantly she put out her hand toward it. Juno was about to shout at Setra to get back into the ship but remained silent as she saw the best place its head in Setra's hand. The acklay purred under Setra's touch who now smiled at the creature and began to stroke its shelled head gently. The acklay licked Setra's face and continued to purr. Setra giggled but suddenly seeing Juno's frightened face she began to talk to the acklay.
"Listen, I can't play with you okay. You have to go back home and go find something to eat alright" said Setra "go on, go home"
Juno continued to stare in awe as the acklay slowly retreated from the platform of the fungi and left. Juno instantly got up and ran to Setra and embraced her, making sure that she was okay.
"Oh sith spit Setra. Are you alright" Juno said as she looked over Setra for any sign of injury "how did you do that, how did you calm that thing"
"I don't know. I just remembered what papa said about using the force for mind control and I just concentrated on its mind and for some reason it wasn't angry anymore" Setra replied just as astonished at the feat that she had just performed.
Juno sat on the ramp with Setra in her arms just sitting there. She didn't know why but being here with her just felt right, being on this ship with Starkiller and PROXY just felt right as well. Juno recalled Setra's words of how some things just happened for a reason and that there was a purpose to her being here. She very well knew that the only way she had gotten here was because of her unfortunate success in the bombing of Callos, leading to her having been handpicked by Vader but did all this happen just so she could be right here, right now. Somehow Juno began to understand the meaning behind Setra's words and understood that maybe all the things that had happened were meant to happen and that her own destiny would be tied to that of Starkiller and Setra. She hoped so, for her sake, it was the only thing that would keep her from blaming herself for what happened on Callos. Juno took Setra's hand and they made a quick analysis of any damage that had been made on the outside of the ship and fixed it and quickly made there way back inside the shuttle not intending to go back outside again.
............
After what seemed hours of travelling across the terrain of Felucia and killing any of the natives that had gotten in his way Starkiller finally found the location where Shaak Ti's presence was emanating from. Starkiller made his way to the edge of the Ancient Abyss notably named for the menacing Sarlaac Pit that loomed overhead. Surely enough sitting in front of it was his target, the Jedi Master Shaak Ti meditating. Not believing the fight to be this easy Starkiller force pushed one of the smaller fungi towards her. Shaak Ti merely made a simple hand gesture and the mushroom was thrown off to the side many metres away.
"Vader's Assassin" said the Togrutan Jedi warrior as she faced Starkiller and ignited her lightsaber "Welcome to the Ancient Abyss. A place of sacrifice since time immemorial. Are you prepared to meet your fate?"
At once the Jedi Master was on top of him. Blocking his every attack and offensive. Starkiller had expected a challenge but not one like this. The two force wielders seemed to dance their deadly dance as they fought each other across the field before the Sarlaac Pit. Starkiller continued to angle his jumps so that he could try and achieve the advantage of height over the Togrutan but Shaak Ti was instantly ahead of him and constantly on the offensive with Starkiller barely able to block her every move. In an act of desperation Starkiller shot a bolt of Sith lightning as the unsuspecting Jedi Master and knocked her down into the Sarlaac Pit. Thinking he had bested her Starkiller walked to the edge of the pit only to be telekinetically pulled down into the rows of teeth and surely enough he saw the Jedi Master perched on a tooth a few metres above him. The fight continued as the fighters leapt from tooth to tooth using all the force energy they could muster and all the lightsaber attacks they could perform until finally both opponents found themselves back where they started, on the small field next to the gaping Sarlaac Pit which in places where both Starkiller and Shaak Ti had struck the Sarlaac leaving behind gaping wounds where the creatures blood, made entirely of Ichor flowed freely making the great monster moan out in agony and making the battle more dangerous as its large tentacles lashed out around the perimeter of its gargantuan mouth.
This however did not disturb the fighters from their duel. In a final strike Shaak Ti ran towards Starkiller and swiped at him with her cerulean blade and passing him. Starkiller groaned in pain. Each of the three hits had just hit their targets, the first having cut a deep wound down his left shoulder, the second was another deep burn gash cut horizontally into his chest and the third may have very well been his right eye had he not moved his head in time but instead had left another burn gash across the right side of his cheek and had lost his lightsaber but for some reason Shaak Ti did not finish the job. Starkiller slowly turned around and found the Togrutan Jedi trembling behind, barely standing with his crimson blade skewered through her abdomen. She suddenly staggered back, her red skin pale and her eyes dull. Starkiller summoned his blade back to him and caused the Jedi Master more pain as it was abruptly removed from her. Starkiller could not believe his luck. He had merely raised his lightsaber as a natural reflex towards her attack and that simple movement had led to her demise. Shaak Ti gazed upon Starkiller uttering her last words to him.
"You are Vader's slave, but your power is wasted on him. You could be so much more" said Shaak Ti.
"You'll never convince me to betray my master" replied Starkiller defiantly.
"Poor boy. The Sith always betray one another – but – I'm sure you'll learn that – soon enough –"said the Jedi Master as she fell back into the Sarlaac Pit.
He had done it. Starkiller had finally proved himself worthy of his master's apprenticeship. It was now time for him to take his place at his side and rule the galaxy together. He would train Setra and teach her the ways of the Dark Side, watch her as she evolved into a warrior of discipline and danger, teach her that she could trust her feelings, her anger and her hatred and once she learned to become one with them she like Starkiller would be invincible. With these thoughts of triumph in his Starkiller made his way back to the Rogue Shadow and his destiny.
............
Juno and Setra ran down the ramp when they saw Starkiller return. Though the warrior was covered in blood and new battle wounds he graciously accepted the embrace from Setra and laughed as he twirled the girl around in his arms. Juno couldn't believe it, not only was he alive but he also seemed to be back to his old self again and he had such an ecstatic look in his eyes that she had never seen before. Both told him of the events that had happened while he was away.
"You can't be serious Setra. You were actually able to control it" said Starkiller gobsmacked.
"Yeah papa. I just remembered what you taught me about using the force to control minds and when I just concentrated hard enough the acklay didn't hurt me and when I told him to he just left and didn't come back" replied Setra.
"I'm very proud of you. This means that you've proven yourself Setra, I promise as soon as we return to the Executor we'll begin your next stage of training" said Starkiller.
"Really papa. Oh thankyou, thankyou, thankyou" replied Setra as she cheered out and Starkiller once again whirled the girl around him in his arms.
He smiled back up at Juno as he entered the Rogue Shadow and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Thankyou Juno. I must say I don't know what things would have been like without you here and I'm glad you are" said Starkiller.
"Your welcome" said Juno as she smiled back at him.
Starkiller placed Setra on the ground and retreated back to his chambers to send a message to his master via PROXY and tell him of his victory over the Jedi Master. When he entered the room PROXY had transformed into a holographic projectio0n of Darth Vader who was broadcasting all the way from his chambers in the Executor.
"Report" said Vader.
"My mission is complete master" replied Starkiller.
The head of Vader nodded at him"Then you are ready to stand with me against the Emperor. Return to the Executor at once. We will at last control the galaxy" said Vader triumphantly.
"Yes my master" replied Starkiller.
The holographic projection flickered back to PROXY.
"Congratulations master. It seems you are about to achieve your primary programming" said PROXY.
"Yes" said Starkiller placing a friendly hand on the droid's shoulder "Finally"
"Well don't worry master. I'll still keep trying to kill you" said PROXY quite cheerfully.
Starkiller chuckled "I know, PROXY. I know"
Starkiller left his chambers and went to see Juno.
"Everything okay" said Starkiller.
Quickly turning around in surprise Juno replied "Yes. But I'm just wondering where we go from here. Shaak Ti was unique. Your job might seem routine from here on out"
"Killing Jedi is never routine. But I doubt I'll be doing this kind of thing much longer" Starkiller replied.
"And what about me? Will I return to standard bombing runs when you're finished with me?" replied Juno.
"Don't worry. I'll be sure to give you the highest possible recommendation" said Galen.
"We form as strong team. It's unfortunate we can't keep on as we are" replied Juno.
Starkiller smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders. They just stood there for a few moments staring at each other as if nothing else in the galaxy mattered but the two of them. Breaking out of his reverie Starkiller turned around silently and left back to his chambers to change into something more appropriate for the occasion with his master in their time of triumph. Setra the ran to Juno and hugged her waist.
"Wait Juno. Does this mean you're going. Are you leaving me" said Setra sadly.
"No little one. I promise no matter what happens I will always come and see you. Maybe when we both get time off I can take you too different planets and we could see the galaxy together" replied Juno.
Setra beamed at Juno and embraced her again. No matter what Juno would not leave the child likely. Maybe if Starkiller's new position took up too much of his time she could take care of Setra instead and raise her as her own. Even though it seemed like a time of celebration Juno couldn't help but feel that something was coming, something that none of them would anticipate. This feeling remained in her mind when they returned to the Executor and Juno noticed that Setra was once again feeling ill and began to realise that the moment that she had foreseen was coming. Before Setra could tell Starkiller he had already left the Rogue Shadow to have an audience with his master. The sense of dread returned to Setra and also Juno as she hacked the security feed on the archive console to view the security camera that was within Vader's chambers and both of them watched on at the events that unfolded.
Starkiller walked into his master's chambers with PROXY waiting inside by the door. Starkiller took his place standing by the right side of his master.
"The Emperor's Fleet has arrived" said Vader.
Starkiller replied excitedly but seriously "You lured him here. When do we strike?"
"I did not summon him. His spies followed you here" replied Vader.
Before Starkiller could protest Vader's blade had ignited through his abdomen and he found himself sprawled upon the floor in agony.
"Begin the transmission" said Vader to PROXY.
"Yes, Lord Vader" replied the droid as his holographic projectors took the form of Emperor Palpatine, ruler of the Sith and the Galactic Empire.
Vader knelt before the projection "What is thy bidding, my master"
"You have forgotten your place, Lord Vader" said the old and cackled voice of the Emperor "by taking this boy as your apprentice you have betrayed me. Now you will kill him or I will destroy you both"
Starkiller pleaded with his master "Don't Master. Together we can defeat him!"
"Do it now, Lord Vader" countered the Emperor "strike him down and prove you loyalty to me"
Unquestioningly Vader picked up his apprentice with the Force and tossed his weakened body across the room into the walls and all Starkiller could do was give in to his fate and the pain that shot throughout his body and the haunting voice of the Emperor.
"Yes Vader! Kill him! Kill him!" chortled the Emperor.
Finally Vader hurled Starkiller through the plexiglass of his chambers into the darkness of space before him and as Starkiller screamed out his last unheard cry darkness enveloped his world and the galaxy as he knew it was gone.
............
Not believing what had just happened Juno just stared blankly at the screen speechless. Setra backed up against the wall and began to hyperventilate. Concerned now more then anything for Setra Juno quickly got up out of the chair and took the youngling into her arms and tried to calm her down but the now wailing alarms and the sound of a stormtroopers marching towards the ship didn't help the situation. Within moments the ramp was down and the stormtroopers were upon quickly separating them.
"JUUUUNNNOOOOO! PLEASE DON"T LEAVE ME. DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME! JUUUUNNNOOO PLEASR!!!" screamed Setra as a stormtrooper ripped her from the arms of her carer.
"NOOOOOOOO! LET HER GO! SHE IS ONLY A CHILD! SHE'S NO THREAT TO VADER! PLEASE JUTS LET HER G……" Juno shouted but was then abruptly stopped as she was knocked unconscious by a stormtroopers rifle butt and was dragged off the ship.
"JUUUUUUUNNNNOOOOOO!" shouted Setra as the Stormtrooper took her to a different facility within the Executor.
The stormtrooper dragged Setra into a factory chamber that had been set up for something but beforehand he placed her on the ground before the looming figure of Vader himself. Setra shakily looked up toward the Sith Lord before her. She had only rarely seen the Dark Lord before he had never spoken to her until now.
"Listen youngling. I am willing to make this easy for you. If you come with me for a time I shall teach you in the ways of the Dark Side until you see you master again" said Vader.
No longer seeing that she had anything to lose Setra vented her anger upon the Sith Lord.
"YOU LIAR! MY PAPA IS DEAD! YOU KILLED HIM! HE AND JUNO TRUSTED YOU, BUT YOU POISONED THEIR MINDS AND YOU KILLED HIM! AND YOU TOOK JUNO FROM ME!" shouted Setra.
"This is your last chance youngling. This can be done the easy way or the hard way. Will you join me?" replied Vader.
"I WOULD RATHER DIE! I COULD NEVER JOIN WITH A MONSTER LIKE YOU! NEVER!" shouted Setra.
"As you wish" replied Vader.
With a hand gesture the stormtrooper seized Setra again and dragged her to the centre of the room where the temperature began to feel colder and colder. Her eyes widened in terror as she saw the dark and solitary chamber before her.
"WAIT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME!" shouted Setra in terror.
"Saving your life" replied Vader as the stormtrooper dropped her inside.
Unbeknownst to her Vader had placed her in a carbonite chamber, where she would be frozen and taken with PROXY aboard the Rogue Shadow to another secret location. Terrified Setra tried to climb up the smooth walls but it was no use. She huddled at the bottom of the chamber tears streaming down her face as the roof of the chamber began to descend upon her. Setra quickly stood up to try and push the ceiling up but to no avail it stopped and wouldn't budge. In the pitch black restraints suddenly projected themselves from the walls of the carbonite chamber and secured Setra into position for the freezing process. Suddenly along with the projectiles Setra felt a needle stick into her neck and then felt the fluid inside coursing through her veins. It was exactly like her visions. The cold and black emptiness that stopped her from moving or speaking. Within moments Setra felt herself fall away into the nothingness that had consumed her.
Vader waited in the chamber until the freezing process was done. When it was over the chamber floor rose from the ground and before him stood the carbonite casket containing the youngling, her face of sheer terror and dread marked upon the outer moulding of the carbonite. Vader had PROXY brought to the facility.
"Listen droid. You are to stay with this at all times until your master has been revived. Do I make myself clear" said Vader.
"Yes Lord Vader. Perfectly clear" replied PROXY.
With that Vader had PROXY and Setra in the carbonite escorted back to the hangar bay and a pilot came and flew the Rogue Shadow to its new temporal destination. PROXY looked upon the mask that situated the face of the youngling that he knew so well and a part of him felt saddened by her terrorised face. The timer on the casket had been set for six months in which was the time that his master would be revived back to his old self again.
"It's alright youngling. The master didn't die. He is to be revived as will you be" said PROXY knowing that Setra couldn't hear him but it brought comfort to his own poor circuits as on three separate journeys Juno, Setra and Starkiller would be taken to a place where the nest step of their journey together would begin.