Star Wars – The Force Unleashed – Daughter of Fate
Chapter 10
2 BBY – Night-time aboard the Eclipse
Setra was tossing restlessly in her sleep and dreaming of memories that had long past.
Setra was playing with a young woman with long flowing hair and big brown eyes just like hers. She picked up the small toddler and kissed her forehead gently and hugged her tightly in her arms. She looked then towards a man dressed in a combination of what looked like the local clothing and Jedi attire. The man himself was young, tall and strong. He had dark brown hair and soft green eyes. He looked lovingly at the scene before him. The young woman stood up and kissed him deeply, her eyes filled with love and compassion for her husband. His eyes lit up even more when he looked at his small daughter and took her small hand in his large one and kissed it. He then took the child out of his wife's arms spun her around eliciting a delighted laugh from her and then he stopped and embraced her lovingly just like her mother had. The young woman came around the back of her husband and embraced him from behind. Both of the parents looked down lovingly at their little one as she began to fall asleep in her father's arms.
............
She heard screams, explosions and the sound of battle coming from outside the house as she woke up in her small bed. Her mother burst into the room, still in her nightgown and her wavy hair a mess, fear was the only thing apparent in her once dark and gentle eyes and it scared the toddler to see her mother like this. The woman quickly picked up her daughter and tried to calm her down until suddenly the man burst into the room. It her father, his green eyes also blazed over with anger and fear. He told his wife to take their child and leave before anyone found them. Somehow knowing it would be the last time he would ever see his beloved family again he quickly kissed his wife deeply and passionately savouring every moment. He then looked upon his daughter and kissed her forehead longingly and stroked the toddlers cheek before turning his back igniting his lightsaber which blazed a deep amethyst purple and made his way out of his home and towards the dark, menacing figure who threatened his family.
It was none other then Vader himself who had come to Naboo to find the young Jedi Knight. Vader ignited his own blade of crimson and together the warriors danced out the deadly battle that would determine life or death. This Jedi was different from anyone Vader any of his former brethren he had faced before. The young Jedi like Vader was a user of the deadly saber form of Makashi making the battle a challenge for the Dark Lord. The young man was able to easily sweep around Vader's attacks and finally was ale to knock him back to the ground but not before Vader pushed him telekinetically into the opposing wall nearly knocking the Jedi unconscious. The Sith Lord prepared to charge as did the Jedi and in one final attack the Dark Lord succeeded in besting his opponent and the Jedi landed on the floor in pain and grasped his torso and the gaping saber wound that had been inflicted across it. He looked back towards the Dark Lord and saw him indicate to a group of some elite Imperial soldiers to enter his home and kill anyone in their path. The Jedi yelled out in desperation and sadness but stopped and fell dead as Vader's crimson blade stabbed through the warrior's chest and he breathed no more.
The Jedi's wife heard the door from the outside being bashed down. Quickly she ran into the main living area and opened a cupboard where a secret compartment was. She placed her small daughter in there and told her that she loved her so much and that she would come back for her once the fighting was over. The small child tried to get back to her mother and left the compartment and slightly had pushed the cupboard open just as the Imperial troop forced their way into the house. Instantly the leader of the group began to question the woman and when she didn't answer he began to beat her. Finally after a few minutes of failed interrogation the Dark Lord, Vader came through the door looming above the woman. Who begged him to spare her life but to no avail. Like the man he stabbed the woman through the torso and left the building along with the regiment. After hearing the battle move further away the fear stricken toddler left the safety of the cupboard and ran to her mother who's chest now steadily bled from the wound that had been inflicted inside of her. Realising that she was dead the girl began to cry heavily and put herself in her mother's arms trying to feel the warmth from her now dead, cold body.
Sometime later the girl looked up as what looked like a scared older man outside the house. Suddenly he was silenced and an adolescent no older then 16 entered the house, his crimson blade glowing in the darkness. The toddler knowing that her father had the same kind of blade looked up curiously at the teenager. Sensing her presence he saw the young one in the arms of her dead mother and knelt down to see her. He asked her questions and understanding what he meant told her everything. He smiled gently at her and picked her up in his own arms. They were just like the arms of her father, strong and protective. She nuzzled into the warmth of the adolescent as he left the house and took her with him.
Setra woke up with a start and knew that she probably wouldn't be able to go back to sleep again so she decided to go out and sit in the foyer of the Eclipse. She noticed that she wasn't alone as she saw Maris meditating in the middle of the room. Sensing her presence Maris opened her eyes and smiled softly at her.
"What are you doing up so late youngling?" said Maris
"I couldn't sleep. What about you?" replied Setra
"I couldn't sleep either. Did you have a dream or something?" said Maris
"No. More of a nightmare actually" replied Setra.
"Oh well. You know what makes me feel better if I have a nightmare, meditation" said Maris.
"Really? How?" replied Setra
"It's quite easy. It helps me to clear my mind and sometimes even gives me visions" said Maris.
"Really? I meditate quite a lot, but I've never had a vision in it before. How do you do it?" replied Setra.
"Well its not really a case of making a vision happen. You have to let it come to you. It's the will of the Force that visions will come to people and with good reason. Sometimes it lets us see into the future and lets us know if something important is going to happen, usually something that we might need to do or fix" said Maris.
"Wow! Can I meditate with you then" replied Setra.
"Sure thing youngling but if you're expecting to see anything remember its not about concentration. It's about patience. You have to wait for the vision to come to you" said Maris.
The Zabrak and Setra took their sitting positions and began to focus deeply upon the Force flowing around them. Setra let herself become lost in the trance and again began to feel everything around her. She felt Maris's energy next to her flaring brighter as her concentration and focus deepened. She felt Graddick and Kota in the cockpit and Senator Organa sleeping in the guest quarters, his mind lingering on his daughter Princess Leia. She felt PROXY recharging his own energy to perform hi daily tasks on the Eclipse and finally she felt the familiar and warm presence of her papa and mama, Galen and Juno together in each others arms again and sleeping peacefully. As she let her mind wander through the Force vivid images began appearing into her head as if she were watching the events with her own eyes. Setra saw the junk pile surface of Raxus Prime and saw her papa running upon what looked like a large landing pad. Up in the sky she saw what looked like a large Imperial shipyard exploding high in the polluted atmosphere of the planet. She watched as one of the Star Destroyers decoupled from the destroyed shipyard and came flying down towards her papa. Instantly he became worried an anxious but then summoned his force energy and with immense power on his side tried to push back the mammoth star cruiser. The immensity of the vision forced Setra out of her trance and made her breathe fleetingly. Maris sensing her distress opened her eyes and looked at Setra concerned.
"Are you alright youngling? What's wrong?" said Maris as she placed a hand upon Setra's shoulder.
"I saw something Maris. I had a vision" replied Setra.
"You did? Was it something important" said Maris.
"Very much so" replied Setra as she quickly got up and ran to the cockpit to tell Kota.
"General Kota, General Kota" said Setra.
"What's wrong youngling?" replied Kota noting the alarm in her voice.
"There's something really important I have to tell you" said Setra.
During the remainder of the night Setra told Kota about the vision she had and came to the knowledge that the Empire had built a large star ship facility in the atmosphere of Raxus Prime. Knowing that this would not improve their chances against fighting the Empire Kota thanked Setra for giving him the information and woke up the ship letting them know they had a new mission and a new destination. Galen quickly dressed lightly and left his and Juno's quarters and already found Kota and Organa in the foyer in deep discussion.
"Open rebellion is too dangerous. Kota I know I owe you my life but-"
"You don't owe me anything. I told you on Nar Shadda that I can't help you. Not since accident" replied Kota referring to his bandaged eyes "He's your hero" he said pointing towards Galen "and it's his rebellion. Join us because he's asking you to, not me"
"You're the first to openly take direct action against the Empire" said Organa referring to Galen "But we're not prepared to go to war. We need weapons and star ships and people with the courage to use them. I don't know how many others will stand with us"
"Ships and weapons we can find" said Kota
"There's no shortage of people" replied Juno as she came up behind Galen.
"And you're already thinking about what you'll approach first" said Galen.
"Well yes. There are other Senators who have spoken out against the Emperor. But they'll be hard to convince. Talk is cheap in the Senate, sometimes. Action is a much more expensive commodity" replied Organa.
"We just need to show them that the Empire is vulnerable" said Kota.
"Yes. Show them in a way that can't be written off as an accident. HoloNews doesn't cover everything, but word still spreads. And that word will be like acid eating at the foundations of the Empire. When push comes to shove, it will topple, The right push in the right place" replied Organa.
"And I think I know just the thing to do it. Setra, come over here youngling and tell everyone what you saw!" said Kota.
Setra looked up from her meditation that she was still doing with Maris and she quickly got up and made her way to the small group.
"What did you see Setra" said Galen.
"Well, while I was meditating I saw what looked like the surface of Raxus Prime. You were on a giant landing platform papa and you were looking up at what looked like and Imperial shipyard that was blowing up" replied Setra.
"I looked up the archival console and its exactly as the girl said. There's a construction facility in the atmosphere of Raxus Prime that's used to make Star Destroyers. If we get into the facility and somehow destroy it, it would be quite a bit of acid that we're throwing at the Empire's base" said Kota referring to Organa's description.
"It sounds like a good plan. I'll go and tell Graddick to set a course for Raxus Prime and the shipyard" said Galen.
"Oh no you don't. You have kept me off my feet for some time now Galen and I believe I am entitled to do some flying again. I'll go and tell Graddick myself and give him a break" said Juno and then she quickly wrapped her arms around Setra "Good work, little one. I'm proud of you" said Juno as she pecked Setra on the cheek and ran off to the cockpit.
Setra smiled back at Juno and looked back to the three men who continued their previous conversation.
"Well it seems that we have a target, in the meantime Senator, make contact with your friends and allies. We're going to need all the help we can get" said Galen
Bail nodded "Alright. Alone I could not even prevent my daughter from being taken hostage. Together we might make a difference for everyone in the galaxy" he said as he stood up and placed a hand on Galen's shoulder "That is the hope you've given me today. I will honour it"
"Thank you Senator" replied Galen as he watched Organa go to the console screen and began to send the messages to his colleagues in the Senate.
Graddick came out of the cockpit and stretched out his big furry arms and went and sat down in the dining alcove with a late breakfast in his hands. Galen went to Maris Brood to talk to her.
"Hey Maris. This mission is going to be dangerous and knowing how tired Graddick is do you think you can accompany me on the mission. After I saw your lightsaber skills on Felucia I must say I was thoroughly impressed. It would be better to have another Jedi to help her out" said Galen.
"It would be mu honour Galen but have you asked Graddick about coming with us still. It's always good to have a Wookie warrior on your side in any battle in my opinion" replied Maris.
"(Count me out you two. I've heard that place smells worse then rancor's breath after its eaten a Felucian dung beetle. Knowing what I'm like the air will knock me unconscious. You both go and gibe those Imperials a good old shot through the head for me)" said Graddick.
"Okay Graddick" replied Galen chuckling at his old friend.
As everyone prepared for the next mission Galen quickly picked up Setra and hugged her.
"What was that for papa" said Setra.
"Oh nothing in particular. Just that I love you and I'm proud of you. You're doing really well Setra. I know you'll make a great Jedi someday" replied Galen.
"Thanks papa" said Setra as he placed her down, kissed her forehead and went to change into his heavy survival gear.
Setra then remembered her vision of her old family. She knew that she would always love them but they were gone now. She had a mama and papa that loved her now more then anything and that was enough. Setra ran up to the cockpit and when Juno saw her she pulled Setra into her lap and taught her how to set the co-ordinates on the ship to get to Raxus Prime. Juno hugged the girl's middle and placed her head gently on Setra's shoulder as she told her what to do. Within a matter of hours the Eclipse was hovering over the junk world of Raxus Prime and the ship began to make its descent.
............
This time around Juno was able to land the Rogue Shadow and immediately set on the cloaking device. Setra jumped off her lap and both of the gathered with the other crew members inside the foyer. Senator Organa had been let off at Alderaan to go and see that Leia was safe and to continue find more contacts that were willing to help them with their cause. The meeting between the companions began.
"PROXY and I have been scanning Imperial databases for information. We think we have a plan, PROXY" said Juno.
"The Empire is using scrap metal from Raxus Prime to build the Star Destroyers. Metal collected on the surface is melted down and then fired into space, using this cannon" said PROXY while he projected the map from his photoreceptors and drew a line through the map to the objective.
"If you can commandeer the ore cannon you should be able to fire it directly at the facility itself" said Juno.
"The impact of the compressed ore should be sufficient to destabilise the entire shipyard. Of course master and mistress Brood, you'll both have to reach the ore cannon first" replied PROXY.
"We'll be fine, right Maris" said Galen.
"Naturally" replied Maris with a slight grin.
"(There may be lots of holes in this plan but at least we've got one)" said Graddick.
"Alright, take us down Juno and don't take any chances this time. I want to know that you're safe" said Galen as he placed a loving hand on her shoulder.
She squeezed it back "Don't worry. We'll be fine"
"Master. I'm picking up Imperial transmissions from the planet itself. They appear to originate in the sentient computer core" said PROXY "According to the records I've been able to access, the Empire has reprogrammed the Core to move salvaging towards the smelting pits. All the databanks I have accessed so far suggest that , apart from this new allegiance, its harmless"
"Hah! There's no such thing as a harmless computer. That thing probably knows everything that happens on the surface of the planet" replied PROXY.
"PROXY, make contact with it. Maybe you can intercept some Imperial transmissions. Let Maris and I know if it works out who we are and decides to attack, or call for reinforcements" said Galen.
"Of course, master" replied PROXY as he continued to mentally slice into the planet's computer core.
"Alright. Let's get ready and fast" said Galen and the meeting disassembled.
Maris herself quickly changed into some survival clothing that Juno had given her and quickly tested her two lightsabers which now glowed a brilliant yellow again. She had kept the lightsabers crystals and had remodified them to their previous forms. Once both Maris and Galen were ready they ignited their lightsabers and ran into the garbage piles of Raxus Prime. Nothing had changed on the surface much except larger pieces of scrap metal had disappeared, likely being used to build Star Destroyers in the shipyard in the atmosphere. Suddenly both Maris's and Galen's comlinks went off.
"You have company down there, moving your way" said Juno.
"Imperials, I presume" replied Maris.
"Doesn't look like it from here. Most likely scavengers" said Juno.
Ending the transmission the companions determined that they could make better progress through the deeper channels and tunnels of the planet so they could try and avoid the scavengers and most of all, their leader Drexl Roosh. The two came across a group of scavenger droids and quickly disposed of them before they could call upon their Rodian masters. Both Maris and Galen ran through numerous tunnels of the underground but when they came out they sensed trouble and were cautious.
"Yes. I thought it was you" said and alien voice nearby.
Suddenly dozens of armoured Rodian warriors came towards the Jedi brandishing their viro-blades, blasters and mini-cannons. Drexl emerged in the middle of his troupe brandishing his own modified viro-blade.
"You will drop your weapons" said Drexl.
"Not until your goons have dropped theirs" replied Maris.
Drexl laughed "You have spirit; I'll grant you that! But that meddler who brought the Imperials down on our heads is going to need more then spirit today" he said as he pointed towards Galen.
"I think you're being unreasonable" replied Galen.
"Take aim!" said Drexl.
Instantly Galen quickly used Force Repulse to knock back the armoured Rodians and quickly landed on the ground. Maris got ready for combat.
"Galen! Go ahead and get to the ore cannon. I can take care of these nerf herders. I'll meet up with you later" said Maris.
"Be careful. I could use your help later" replied Galen as he ran off in the direction towards another set of tunnels that led to the ore cannon.
Maris instantly swept into action, twirling her duel blades in the air and cutting down any of the Rodians that had survived the Repulse attack. Drexl ran away through a different tunnel with some of his cronies following shooting back at Maris who deflected each of the bolts back and killed all three of them and continued to pursue Drexl. She followed him into a chamber with a half collapsed roof. She noticed it was the possible lair of the Rodians and knowing some could still be in there she began using Force pull to yank down the roof supports of the lair and successfully the roof began to collapse in even more.
"Stop that, you idiot!" cried Drexl
To shut him up Maris took one of the beams and telekinetically pushed it into Drexl knocking him to the ground. Maris continued to yank the roof down with the Force and more success came as it began to collapse in. Seeing no more chance of fighting Drexl grabbed his jetpack and took off just as the ceiling collapsed on whatever was left of his soldiers. As Drexl tried to escape Maris once again used Force Pull to yank the Rodian towards her as he desperately tried to make the jetpack work. Seeing that she could use the jetpack to her advantage Maris clutched one of her hands, concentrating upon the engine inside the jetpack. Suddenly with one final squeal from Drexl the jetpack exploded sending pieces of machinery and Drexl across what remained of the collapsed roof on the ground. Maris quickly opened her comlink port back to the Eclipse and talked to Juno.
"You were right Juno. It was Drexl" said Maris.
"Do you think Drexl saw you and Galen?" replied Juno
"I'm sure he did. But don't worry. I got him good before he could alert the Imperials. The situation is contained. I'll go and find Galen now. Maris out" said Maris.
Maris quickly made her way through the tunnels and junk piles finding dismembered droids and Imperials lying scattered across the ground. It looked like Galen had done most of the handy work for her. She continued until she finally saw Galen at the entrance of the chamber containing the ore cannon. Both the companions reunited and informed Juno they had reached their objective.
"We've reached the cannon. We just have to deal with a little security first" said Galen.
"Alright. PROXY accessed the construction plans. Once you get past the Imperials, you shouldn't have any trouble reconfiguring the cannon to fire at the shipyard" replied Juno.
"That's good. I'd hate to have to aim this thing with my bare hands" said Galen
"Good luck to both of you" replied Juno.
"Thanks" said Galen as he shut off his comlink.
Galen took care of the Imperial forces surrounding the area while Maris was quick enough to sneak on ahead and reprogram the ore cannon manually. Maris reached the control panel and instantly began furiously typing away at the controls. Once reprogrammed she stabbed both of her lightsabers into the console making sure that no one could reprogram it. Galen arrived just as the cannon launched a large chuck of the scrap metal towards the Imperial shipyard. Instantly upon impact explosions emanated across the base of the superstructure. Suddenly one of the Star Destroyers broke off the shipyard and was slowly headed directly for their position and for the position of the Eclipse. Looking on in horror both Maris and Galen sprinted to higher ground where they both stood upon a landing platform. Galen quickly contacted Juno to inform her of the danger but heard Kota's voice instead.
"What's going on boy" said Kota through the comlink.
"There's a Star Destroyer that's dethatched from the shipyard and its coming directly towards us" replied Galen.
"Both you and Maris concentrate on what's important boy. That Star Destroyer is coming down fast. You'll both never get clear in time. You need to pull it into the cannon" said Kota.
"You're insane! It's massive!" replied Maris.
"What is mass! It's all in your mind. You're both Jedi! Size means nothing to you! Reach out and grab that ship or we'll all die on this trash heap" said Kota.
Both Maris and Galen looked at each other in panic and knew that Kota was right, it was now or never. Both the Jedi clipped their lightsabers back onto their belts and began to concentrate their power on the Star Destroyer that was getting closer every second. Maris and Galen could see the 1600 metre leviathan in their minds, the engines, the armament, the hyperdrive, the numerous turbo lasers, ion cannons and tractor beams, every nut, bolt and durasteel plate that made up the massive starship. With every ounce of strength they had Maris and Galen directed their hands down toward the ground to try and pull the Star Destroyer into the ore cannon. By unfathomable odds the ship began to move slowly but surely in the direction that both the Jedi had turned it. The Star Destroyer slowly headed toward its intended destination. Both Galen and Maris yelled out trying to control the great ship until finally it crashed into the ore cannon exploding violently upon impact. The shockwaves knocked both the Jedi off their feet and sent them sprawling upon the landing platform. Both Jedi got up and sprinted as fast as their legs could carry them. As if in perfect timing the Eclipse hovered just above the landing platform and lowered its ramp. Both Galen and Maris leapt onto the ship and before another shockwave could hit the Corellian freighter Juno sent the ship hurtling through the atmosphere of Raxus Prime and into the safety of space.
All the crewmembers gathered in the cockpit and looked on in silence at the mayhem that was going on down below. This hit would definitely be enough to draw the attention of the Emperor and make him realise that his Empire was not quite as indestructible as he had thought. Setra then ran into the cockpit.
"Everyone. Senator Organa has contacted us. He said he has gathered all his contacts in the Senate to start the rebellion. He said to meet him at the ruined temple in the polar region on Corellia. He said we should get there as soon as possible" said Setra.
Everyone in the cockpit cheered. Juno happily set the co-ordinates for Corellia and left the ship in PROXY's control.
"Okay everyone. It'll at least be over a day to get to Corellia, everyone get some rest. We have a very big event ahead of us so I want us all to be sharp" said Galen.
Everyone went to their separate quarters to get some much needed sleep but Kota on the other hand went into the cargo bay to get drunk. Galen happily picked up Setra and hugged her. He couldn't believe that this was finally it. It was the beginning of the resistance, the Rebel Alliance. Juno joined in the happy throng and the small family hugged each other.
"What's going to happen now papa" said Setra.
"Well, the fighting really all begins here. I don't how long it will take but I know that we will achieve peace" replied Galen.
"Don't worry little one" said Juno stroking Setra's cheek "we'll all still be together no matter what happens. This means now that we can travel across the galaxy just like I said we would and save lots of people from the Empire"
"Thanks mama and papa. Thank you for just being here with me" said Setra.
Both Galen and Juno embraced the little girl lovingly. Setra had never felt so loved in her life. She was part of a family again and there was nothing that the galaxy could throw at them that would ever tear them apart.
"Do you wan to sleep with us tonight Setra" said Galen.
Setra nodded her head and yawned sleepily. Juno took her small body into her own arms and Galen followed. The three of them entered Galen's quarters and got into the double bed with each other. Juno place Setra in front of her and hugged her arms around Setra who buried her head into Juno's chest and instantly fell asleep. Galen looked lovingly upon his lover and his daughter and embraced his arms around both of them while placing his head upon Juno's shoulder dreaming of his vision he had seen of his and Juno's family playing together upon the fields of Corulag.