Chapter 14 – Agents of the Empire
By sheer luck, it only took the Imperial fleet minutes to reach Christophsis. As soon as the ships dropped out of hyperspace, Darth Vader ordered a massive landing party to be assembled. As per his orders, the Star Trooper squad reported immediately to his personal quarters. Vader sat in his open meditation sphere, surveying the troops assembled before him. These troopers had been part of an elite division of clone troopers during the latter part of the Clone Wars. And now they were Vader's personal troops, fitted with tougher, yet more comfortable armor distinguished by black paint, armed with powerful quad-barrel blasters and concussion rifles, and trained to withstand the most extreme conditions and pain.
They were all assembled and standing at attention in flawless formation, awaiting their master's orders. At last, Vader spoke. "My loyal Star Troopers, you have served under me for many years, solely because you are the most elite troops in the Imperial Army. And now, I call upon you to follow me into battle once more." The Star Troopers were surprised to hear that Vader was going into battle. He rarely ever went into combat unless at the utmost need. But they hid their surprise well, not even flinching, much to Vader's approval.
He continued, "I have received word that a Jedi survivor is leading a rebel strike team to destroy our listening base on Christophsis. Among them is the rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star. We must act quickly to eliminate these threats. With our combined strength, we will destroy both the Jedi and the rebels, dealing a critical blow to the Rebellion. Do you all understand?"
In perfect unison, the Star Troopers yelled, "Yes, sir!"
"Good," replied Vader. "Prepare your supplies and report to my shuttle. I will be there shortly. You are dismissed." With that, the Star Troopers about-faced and marched from the room in two straight lines. Vader was now left alone with his thoughts. He was still riddling out the details of the message. Ahsoka Tano. Of all the Jedi, he had never expected the she would survive, let alone for this long without being discovered. She must have grown powerful and intelligent, indeed.
And then there was the rebel who destroyed the Death Star, also identified in the message, Luke Skywalker. Was it possible that he was the son of Anakin Skywalker, the heroic Jedi General? If so, Luke had the potential to become a powerful Jedi if he was trained. And, according to the message, Ahsoka was already training him to be a Jedi. Luke would have to be eliminated as well, but Vader couldn't fight both Ahsoka and Luke at the same time, and Luke may prove to be too great of a challenge for the Star Troopers. That's why Vader needed a bounty hunter. And not just any bounty hunter; he needed one of the Empire's top agents. He was supposed to rendezvous with the Executor when they arrived at Christophsis.
At that moment, the doors slid open, revealing the silhouette of a figure, dark against the light of the hallway beyond. A raspy voice said, "Sorry I'm late. I had a previous engagement." A jet-boot stepped into the room, followed by another. The figure the boots supported was now out of the path of the doors, so they slid shut, revealing the person in his entirety. Above his jet-boots was a belt with two pistol-carrying holsters, a brown leather jacket, and two rebreather tubes around his neck. He tipped his wide-brimmed hat, revealing his wrinkled, blue Duros face with large, solid, red eyes. "You summoned me, Lord Vader?"
Vader stood up to face the Duros. "Cad Bane, I have need of your services. Following the end of the Clone Wars, you were one of our top Jedi-hunting agents."
Cad Bane chuckled. "You're too kind, my lord. What is it you want from me?"
Vader didn't trust Bane any more than he trusted any other bounty hunter. But he knew that Bane was essential to the task Vader had planned. "I have received word that a Jedi survivor has joined the Rebellion. Perhaps you are familiar with her; Ahsoka Tano?"
Bane sneered. "Ah! So that little brat has been hiding in a hole all these years. I would've thought she'd be no match for the likes of you. I suppose you want me to do the job for you."
Vader seethed. He did not like being talked to in such a manner, especially by this bounty hunter. And yet, Vader couldn't do anything to hurt Bane, no matter how much the bounty hunter provoked him. So Vader contained his anger and replied, "No, the Jedi is mine. Your target is someone potentially dangerous. The rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star."
Bane laughed. "Dangerous, you say? Hardly, he just made a lucky shot. I'm surprised you didn't do more to defend your precious toy."
Now Vader was almost at his breaking point. If Bane continued to insult him, Vader would kill him, no matter how much he needed him. "You didn't let me finish. The pilot is named Luke Skywalker."
Bane smiled with sudden interest. "Skywalker, eh? I presume he's related to that Jedi Anakin Skywalker."
"So I believe. He is not just a rebel; he is a potential Jedi. He has already received some training. With more, he could become a dangerous adversary. Both he and Ahsoka are leading a rebel mission to destroy our listening base on Christophsis. While I take care of the Jedi, you and my personal squad will attack the rebels. You are to find out which one is Skywalker, and make sure he is killed."
Bane thought about it. "Hmmm, a less-trained version of Anakin Skywalker. Perhaps he could suffice as vengeance. All right, as long as I'm paid well, you got a deal."
"Very good," said Vader. "My shuttle is waiting in the main hanger to take us to Christophsis. Report there now."
Bane tipped his hat and bowed courteously. "As you wish, my lord." He turned and left the room. Vader was still shaken from Bane's disrespectful attitude. But once Skywalker was dead, perhaps Vader would be forgiving. He made sure his lightsaber was secure on his belt before heading for the hanger. He knew that he would need his weapon.
Back at the Imperial base on Christophsis, the rebels' mission was going well. The two groups had successfully rigged the remaining two secondary towers to explode. As planned, they were to meet back at the main tower. Luke Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano, leading the second group, came out of their tower and began to run across the walkway. They all shuffled to a halt, however, when they saw what had been happening while they were inside.
Dozens of Imperial shuttles and landing craft were surrounding the base, deploying stormtroopers and two-legged AT-ST walkers. The Imperial forces were converging on the tower. At first, everyone just stared open-mouthed, turning in circles in an attempt to find a possible escape route. Then, a younger rebel pointed and yelled, "Look! It's Vader!" In response to the rebel's cries, everyone looked in the direction he was indicating. Sure enough, the tall, black figure of Darth Vader was standing next to a shuttle, watching as the Star Troopers were deployed. Standing next to him was a bounty hunter.
"Cad Bane!" exclaimed Ahsoka. "Every bounty hunter in the galaxy loathes Bane. He's been an Imperial agent for two decades." She turned to Luke and added, "He's responsible for the deaths of dozens of Jedi."
Luke continued to stare in awe. "What are they doing here? The Empire wouldn't send this kind of force to deal with a single strike team."
"It's obvious, isn't it?" said another rebel. "They know about Ahsoka, and they're here to kill her!" Everyone looked fearfully at Ahsoka, waiting for orders. But Ahsoka was stunned speechless. She didn't know what to do. The only way to escape Christophsis would be by stealing one of the Imperial ships. But they couldn't do that without drawing attention to themselves. They'd have been destroyed before they could get off the ground.
There was only one option left. "We'll just have to keep going. We'll finish the mission, even if we have to die doing it. Set the remaining explosives and then detonate them. If you can't get clear from the building by then, do it anyway. Luke, you have to lead them."
Luke was shocked. "You're not coming?"
"They're here for me. Our best chance is if I draw attention away from you. Once the bombs are in place, send me a signal on your comlink, and I'll get out as soon as I can."
The other rebels groaned in dismay to hear that Ahsoka wouldn't be able to protect them. Luke protested, "You can't kill Vader. He killed Obi-Wan Kenobi and my father. How much better would you do?"
"If you keep thinking like that," reprimanded Ahsoka, "then Vader will never be killed, and neither will the Emperor. Besides, I don't intend to kill him. I just need to distract him long enough for you to finish the mission. Don't worry; I've survived far worse than Sith." Ahsoka leaned over the railing and looked at the spot where Vader's shuttle was. "Luke, that square is where I first met your father. I remember it well. It was the day I was assigned to be his Padawan." She looked at Luke and, seeing the surprised expression on his face, nodded her head. "Yes, Luke. Your father was my master. But he was more than that, he was my best friend. He was always there for me whenever I was in trouble, and we protected each other like we were siblings."
Luke was stunned. "I never imagined that my father had an apprentice. So, you knew him better than anyone else. Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"I wasn't sure if you were ready," answered Ahsoka. "You'll find that some truths are too heavy to bear." She sighed sadly, as though she was reliving a painful memory in her head. Quickly, she snapped herself out of it and put a hand on Luke's shoulder. "I believe in you, Luke. I know you will find a way, just like your father always did. You two are very much… alike." She trailed off on this last word as though she had just said something she shouldn't have. Before Luke could question her, Ahsoka gave him a gentle push toward the main tower. "Now go!"
Luke didn't move at first. "Is something wrong? Why did you trail off just then?"
"I'll explain later. Just go!" Luke turned around and began to follow the rebels when Ahsoka called, "And Luke, if you see a person with big hat, run away." So Luke and the rebels ran across the walkway, leaving Ahsoka alone. In truth, she wasn't entirely sure that her plan was a good one. But it was the best she could do. They would have to trust to hope. In the meantime, she had to find a way to keep the Imperials away from the rest of the strike team.
The two rebel groups met at the main tower at the exact same time. Leia Organa reported that her group's bombs had been set as well. Then she asked, "What's going on? What's Vader doing here?"
Luke answered, "He's here for Ahsoka."
Leia's eyes widened. "How did he find out about her? Did she blow her cover?"
Luke shook his head. "I don't think so, but, whatever the reason, he's brought that huge force. Ahsoka said she's going to try to draw attention away from us so we can complete the mission."
The rebels in Leia's group were as dismayed as those in Luke's. Leia addressed them all; "We don't have time for sorrow. We have to complete the mission, if the Alliance is to survive. Let's move!" Sadly, but willingly, the rebels followed Luke and Leia into the main tower. They had to take an elevator to the ground floor so they could set the final bombs. Then, the Imperial listening base would be destroyed.
Outside the base, Darth Vader ordered his forces to surround the complex. No rebel would be allowed to escape. Once the area was secure, he would send in Cad Bane and the Star Troopers to clear a path for Vader to find Ahsoka. Several AT-ST walkers and a company of stormtroopers would remain outside and patrol the perimeter. He said to himself, "Now, Ahsoka Tano, your luck finally runs out."
Suddenly, there was an explosion. Everyone turned to face the source and saw the smoldering ruins of an AT-ST at the base of one of the secondary towers. Another AT-ST was standing behind it, firing its laser cannons at the Imperial forces. The stormtroopers tried to fire back at the walker, but its armor was strong enough to resist standard blaster bolts. Quickly, the stormtroopers fell one by one.
Vader pointed at the walker. "There! The Jedi's in that walker! Destroy it!" On his command, the remaining Imperial troops focused their attention on the rouge AT-ST. Pretty soon, its armor was compromised, and the walker was overheating. The top hatch flew open and Ahsoka Tano leapt out to stand on top of the walker, lightsabers in hand. The stormtroopers continued to fire at her, but at such a long range, very few shots came close to their mark, and those that did were deflected by Ahsoka's lightsabers. More stormtroopers were being hit by deflected blaster bolts.
From around the corner of the tower came another AT-ST, preparing to fire at Ahsoka. But the Jedi was quick. She jumped from the walker just before it was destroyed. Propelling herself using the Force, she landed against the wall of the tower, using her lightsabers to stick long enough to perform another leap onto the AT-ST that had destroyed her first one. Ahsoka thrust one of her lightsabers through the hatch and sliced through the heads of the two drivers. Then he jumped to the ground as another AT-ST came up behind her. She lashed out with the Force, pushing the driverless walker backwards so that it fell against the new one. Both walkers exploded as they hit the ground.
Cad Bane commented, "She's even cleverer than I remember. I'll take care of her." He pulled out his two blasters and prepared to attack.
Vader restrained him. "No, she is my target. You're here to kill Skywalker, not her."
"Well, I don't see him anywhere. So I'll destroy any target I can find."
"I would have thought you would be smart enough to know that she's trying to draw our attention away from the other rebels so they can complete their mission. Go into the tower, bring the Star Troopers, and kill every single rebel, including Skywalker."
Bane scowled. "I came here hoping for a challenge, not some kid who's related to a Jedi."
"You may get your challenge yet," replied Vader. "Now go."
Grudgingly, Bane led the Star Troopers into the main tower, looking for the rebels.
Ahsoka, knowing that she would soon be overrun, fled into the secondary tower and entered the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor. The other stormtroopers tried to follow, but the elevator was closed, and the next one wouldn't come in time. It seemed that they had lost her. But Vader had a plan. Using the Force, he flung a stormtrooper off of a nearby speeder bike and climbed onto it himself. Revving up the engine, Vader drove the bike upward as high as it would go. Just as it reached its altitude limit, Vader jumped from the bike, using the Force to propel himself upward, and landed on the walkway. Not a second later, Ahsoka ran out of the tower onto the walkway and slid to a stop when she saw Vader standing in front of her.
For a few seconds, Ahsoka just stared at Vader in shock. Not only had he suddenly appeared when she least expected him, but he also intimidated her slightly. But Ahsoka was brave and put on a determined face. She drew her lightsabers and assumed a ready pose. Vader, in turn, ignited his own lightsaber and said, "I am surprised to see you still alive, Ahsoka. It seems that your master taught you well. But now you must fall, just as he did."
"We'll just see about that," replied Ahsoka.
When the rebel strike team reached the elevators, they were surprised to find that the lifts were all busy. Luke said, "Someone must be coming! Run!" The rebels ran down the hallway to their left, but stopped when they saw ten Star Troopers run toward them. The rebels turned around to go down the other hallway, but they were met by ten more Star Troopers. Then the three elevator doors opened. The two on the ends each held six Star Troopers, and the one in the center held four. There was also another person in the center elevator. It was Cad Bane.
The bounty hunter saw Luke and laughed. "So, you must be Luke Skywalker, the rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star, and the son of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker."
Luke's eyes widened in fear. Somehow, the Empire had discovered him. And now he, Ahsoka, and the other rebels were trapped by the Empire's most sinister agents.
The Star Troopers were invented by me and used in my first story, The Clone Wars: The Final Season. You can also read the final chapter of that story to find out how Cad Bane came to work for the Empire.
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