Disclaimer
All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Special thanks to fellow author J. Hellscythe for the use of his OC Rainah and the writing of her scenes.
Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Thirty-Seven – A New Hope Part One: Into the Dragon's Den Part II of III
By
Celgress
0 BBY
Death Star
"We can't just leave them back there with those two maniacs." Leia protested.
"Mission to accomplish we have." Yoda said doing his best to hurry the younger Jedi down a long corridor. "Obi-wan and Siri look after themselves they can."
"Leia's right," Mara said handling the group's forward progress. "We are Jedi we don't abandon our own."
"We are going back." Luke said with resolution making eye contact with his lover than his sister.
"Very well," Yoda sighed.
Nearby Obi-wan & Siri were facing off against Vader & Cyrin. Because of the practical limitations imposed by their cybernetics both Sith had completely retooled their fight styles since the Jedi masters had last faced them on Zeltros. Cyrin & Vader had minimized acrobatics and speed orientated movements in favor of power moves and precise based blade strikes. Unlike Vader who relied more on his force abilities Cyrin chained physical blows into her attack sequences, to devastating effect. The flesh and bones of very few purely physical beings could withstand offensive contact with her durasteel limps, as Mara Jane had learned firsthand five years before. While Vader advanced via short strides Cyrin propelled herself forward using intermittent leaps, swinging duel red blades around like a giant circular saw.
"Your powers have grown week old fools." Vader taunted.
"For your shake Vader and Cyrin I hope this duel ends differently than our last encounter." Obi-wan said grinning, "if not another extreme makeover maybe in store."
Cyrin laughed. "All talk no action, like all Jedi."
"Honey you still have much to learn, both about being a force user and a real woman." Siri said with a laugh shaking head. "We'll gladly provide you with another free lesson."
"Its' your fault I'm a glorified tin can." Cyrin snarled. "I hate you."
"We both hate you." Vader seconded.
"Déjà vu all over again" Obi-wan said almost sadly. "Have the pair of you learned nothing since our last encounter?"
In response Vader reached out through the Force. The gangway the four combatants were on began to violently sway. Obi-wan and Siri struggled to steady themselves. Vader and Cyrin on the other hand, possessing an unfair advantage in magnetize capable foot plates, steadily advanced on their prey.
In another part of the massive station Katooni leaned heavily against Boba Fett her strength almost gone. They'd been walking for what seemed like hours narrowly evading one group of storm troopers and battle droids after another. Struggling to remain conscious Katooni whispered in her dark protector's ear.
"Thank you Boba, but I don't think I can make it."
"Like hell you can't Jedi." Boba Fett said. "No way are you dying on me after what I've given up."
"I have no strength left." Katooni said dreamily. "Leave me behind, its' the only way. At least one of us should live."
"Jedi always with the selflessness," Boba Fett snorted. "With that attitude I seriously wonder how your Order ever won the ancient war before the age of Darth Bane and Darth Zannah."
"We were lucky I guess." Katooni said smiling weakly.
"Going somewhere traitor with the Emperor's Jedi prisoner? I think not." Darth Tropiheus said looming up in front of Bobba Fett & Katooni his unusually hilted lightsaber activated Darth Lumiya with her yellow light whip in her right hand, red bladed lightsaber in her left stood be Tropiheus' left side.
Boba Fett gently sat Katooni down against a nearby wall then turned his attention towards those blocking their path. "Stand aside Lumiya, Tropiheus or suffering my wrath." Boba Fett warned igniting his own crimson blade. His adversaries merely laughed.
"Your Dun Möch needs work Fett." Lumiya laughed her voice like ice. "Allow me to demonstrate." Lumiya said smiling slyly. "However I would expect nothing more from a glorified clone and science experiment of our esteemed master."
Boba Fett laughed. "You're as pathetic as your so called master Lumiya. Keeping in mind I bested him not more than an hour ago, what chance do you have against me?"
"Liar," Lumiya hissed.
"Its' no liar I never lie," Boba Fett said twirling his lightsaber around in his right hand.
Bobba Fett used the opportunity afforded by Lumiya's verbal sparring session to size up his would be opponents. Fett was fairly certain he could take either Tropiheus or Lumiya one on one on his worst day. Facing them together however would be tricky, especially when he had Katooni's safety to consider. In her extremely vulnerable state the female Jedi would be easily picked off by either Darth. His only chance of success lay in ending this early and if possible by using their numbers against them. Raising a high overhead guard more typical of Soresu than Fett's preferred form Juyo, he watched intently waiting for his adversaries to make the first move.
"I'm waiting, come now I don't have all day." Boba Fett taunted making a come here gesture with his free left hand.
Tropiheus was far too cool headed to fall for Fett's ruse. Lumiya on the other hand already hot over Fett's counter insult viciously lashed out with both whip and lightsaber at Fett. Seeing an opening as Fett parried Lumiya's saber strikes and avoided her whip lashes Tropiheus stabbed at Fett's exposed side. Skillfully sidestepping Tropiheus well positioned attack Fett grabbed Tropiheus's wrist with his free hand delivering several thousand volts of electricity via his armor gauntlets which knocked Tropiheus out cold. Unfortunately for Fett Lumiya used the opportunity to firmly wrap her light whip around his neck.
"Now who's laughing huh traitor?"Lumiya said venomously slowly tightening the coils of her sizzling whip around Fett's armor encased neck.
Fett could feel his armor warming significantly. He didn't have much time. Soon his armor would start melting away, probably in a matter of seconds. From there the whip would rapidly eat through his neck killing him. Death didn't frighten Fett, failure did. Fett knew he had failed Katooni which wounded him deeply. He had promised he'd save her. Forgive me he thought sending his message to her through the Force. I tried my best. Abruptly the searing pressure on his neck lessened then ceased all together. What had happened? How had he escaped his cruel fate?
"I thought you could use some help." Katooni said now propping up Fett.
"L-Lumiya," Bobba Fett coughed.
"Katooni pointed at a far wall where the dark lady lay unconscious. "She has terrible force shields. I knocked her out with a rather sloppy force push, all things considered." Katooni smiled weakly. "Let's get out of here."
Let's", Bobba Fett agreed.
In yet another part of the Death Star the droid known as EV-A4-D diligently repaired General Grievous. "My word General what happened this time?" Grievous mumbled several unintelligible words but otherwise did not answer. "Not feeling talkative eh General? I can understand that, there all better. Another job well do if I do say so myself." EV-A4-D said admiring his workmanship.
"Thank you doctor," Grievous grunted flexing his restored limbs. He was ready to punch the emergency distress alarm button mounted on the wall when klaxons wailed and red lights flashed. "Now what," Grievous said activating his buzzing built in com link. "What is it?" Grievous snapped at the wrist mounted hologram of an Imperial officer, a human by the look of him.
"The station has come under attack General from an as yet unidentified hostile fleet, consisting of an estimated thirty midsized ships. We need you on the bridge at once sir." The holographic officer said.
"What," Grievous said in disbelief.
"They ambushed us once we dropped out of hyperspace. We think they were waiting for us near the asteroid testing ground for the Super Laser sir." The holographic officer continued.
"Wonderful, tell me why didn't our honor guard detect their presence?" Grievous asked his rage building.
"Uh Emperor Plagueis ordered the honor guard to stand down. They remained back at the shipyards with the rest of the Imperial fleet designated for this sector sir. Emperor Plagueis felt they weren't needed." The holographic officer finished.
"I'll be there at once." Grievous said clipping on one of his capes and storming out of his quarters.
Chaos broke out all over the Death Star as it came under heavy attack. Everywhere officers, storm troopers, droids, dignitaries and Sith scurried to and fro, some groups driven by purpose others by sheer panic. In the detention block Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian who were still undergoing questioning. They used the occasion to slip their bounds and overpower their few remaining capturers.
"Glad they didn't find this." Lando said retrieving a small laser pistol from his right boot while Chewie grabbed an incapacitated storm trooper's rifle picking off a stray B1 Battle Droid with it. "Back to the Falcon we go, good buddy." Lando said Chewie voicing his agreement.
Attacking Fleet
On the bridge of the Dawn Bringer the decorated Chiss general Mitth'raw'nuruodo better known by his Basic name Thrawn feverishly coordinated the fleet of thirty ships under his command. Half the vessels were made up of Imperial Rebel cruisers the other half were Chiss Ascendancy battle ships. The conglomeration was the result of a recent alliance between the two groups. Their partnership brought about by Imperial treachery. A secret plan recently uncovered by rebel agents revealed a planned invasion of Chiss space to commence within half a standard solar cycle. It appeared the Empire had discovered rather lucrative previously unknown deposits of exotic materials needed in the construction of super star destroyer within Chiss territory. Deposits the Empire planned to secure exclusive rights to by force.
"Tell me my love." Thrawn said looking at the statuesque female Chiss standing to the right side of his command chair a lightsaber hilt clipped to the right side of her belt. "What type of sentient made monstrosity are we confronted by?"Thrawn indicated the overhead tactical holographic display dominated by the massive grey sphere that was the Death Star.
"It certainly is impressive, when judged by size if nothing else." Sev'rance Tann former dark acolyte under Count Dooku admitted. Tann's official duty was main liaison between the Chiss Ascendancy and the Rebel Alliance. She'd proven instrumental in facility the partnership between the two.
"It's size does not interest me my love rather it's capabilities do." Thrawn said steepling his fingers his white uniform spotless his metals gleaming. "What do the tactical scans reveal?"
"It is heavily armored captain. It also possesses an operational deflector shield." A male Chiss technician answered.
"Weapons," Thrawn asked.
"Other than what appears to be one massive frontal laser cannon, undetermined captain," Another female Chiss technician stated.
"Interesting," Thrawn said sitting back in his command chair.
"They're scrambling fighters to intercept our fleet captain." Another male Chiss technician announced.
"Ignore the fighters until they pose a serious threat, continue targeting the battle station." Thrawn commanded.
Death Star
Seated on a thorn like chain in his observation chamber Darth Plagueis calmly watched the battle unfold via a number of large observation ports. Around him stood eight royal guards and four hooded Sith acolytes. Plagueis' thin lips curled up into a predatory smile they were here the Jedi he could feel it. The Dark Side howled around him, a caged beast longing to be freed. Soon Plagueis would strike another terrible blow against the remnants of the Jedi Order all he must do was wait his target would come to him. The Dark Side told him so. Plagueis sat back in his chair enjoying the plush comfort.
Elsewhere outside the gangway chamber Yoda and the young Jedi were about to head back when the red alert occurred. "What's happening now?" Luke asked bewildered.
"Thrawn's attack no doubt." Mara said.
"But its' too soon," Leia said.
"Complete our mission at once we should." Yoda said. "Mara, Luke use the stolen plans find the hyperdrive chamber you must. Leia help your parents you will." The Jedi Knights each nodded as their names were called.
"What about you Master Yoda?" Leia asked.
"Meet an old enemy I will." Yoda said. "The will of the Force this meeting is I feel. Worry not young ones return soon I shall."
The Forced screamed at Leia, Luke and Mara this was a bad idea. However they all knew better than to question Yoda. He could be right down stubborn when he set his mind on something.
"Good luck with your mission Master Yoda." Leia said Mara and Luke saying the same.
"Good luck with your missions young ones." Yoda said. "Back at the Falcon in a standard hour we meet."
"Agreed," The others said in unison before the group broke up, each contingent heading their separate way.
"Father, mother we've got to get out of here!" Leia said standing on the violently swaying gangway. A horrifying sight greeted Leia's eyes. Siri and Obi-wan were in danger of being overwhelmed by Vader and Cyrin's relentless assault. Both were down on their knees barely fending off a seemingly endless barrage of powerful blows. "No," Leia screeched propelling herself forward she unleashed a monumental force wave, more a surge in actuality, that catching the surprised Cyrin and Vader off guard sent they hurling off the bridge and out of sight into the abyss below. "Oh," Leia said now that it was all over. She never thought herself capable of such fury.
"Leia you shouldn't have come back." Obi-wan admonished regaining his footing as Siri did likewise.
"You defied a direct order," Siri said.
"I, I couldn't let them kill you." Leia said jumping into her surrogate mother's arms embracing Siri. "I love mom, dad."
"We love you too." Siri said.
"Indeed we do. Leia you did the right thing. We shouldn't linger here. I assume from the red alert status Thrawn's attack has already commenced." Obi-wan said.
Rainah's four year old mind could not overcome her sense of curiosity about the space station they were aboard. She knew that Han and the droids wouldn't allow her to leave willingly. However the spirit of Darth Zannah that had befriended her since infancy and who would teach her something whenever she came to visit would help her if she got in trouble. With that singular fact in mind she reached out with the Force, and used it to overload the Falcon's internal Comm System, as the force ghost had previously instructed. C3PO squeaked in anguish prompting Han to shout, "I KNOW C3PO, I KNOW! R2,SHUTDOWN THE INTERNAL COMM SYSTEM!"
With her current guardians distracted by the Comm Overload, Rainah slipped out into the Space Station. "I wonder where Yoddie is," she said to herself, thinking of it as a game of hide and seek like the one's she occasionally played with Master Yoda. The girls eyes twinkled as she locked onto her green friends Force Signature and took off into the corridors to find him.
Unbeknownst to her, Zannah was following her. "I'm really starting to feel some Déjà vu over this,' she thought to herself. "Please,' she prayed, "Please let me be wrong."
Meanwhile Luke and Mara located the hyperdrive complex. Surprisingly it wasn't heavily guarded. Swiftly defeating a small group of storm troopers and technicians the two Jedi roamed around freely.
"Ah hear we are." Mara said pointing at a long, light purple cylinder. "Place the charge right here along the junction."
"Are you sure?" Luke asked.
"Of course I'm sure." Mara said. "I'm the one with Shatter Point remember?"
"Okay, I was just asking." Luke said placing the explosive charge along with a thirty minute timer where Mara had directed. The Jedi then fled the scene.
"Grand Master Yoda at last we met again." Plagueis his chair swivelling around to face the aged Jedi. "Tell me Grand Master Yoda what do you think of my newest accomplishment? The Death Star represents the latest in cutting edge military technology. With it a skilled leader can effectively police an entire galaxy without the need of costly, bloated armies. Merely the threat of it's Super Laser which is capable of destroying an entire planet should suffice in pacifying even the most aggressive of agitators. A remarkable engineering achievement, don't you agree."
"Perverse always you have been Plagueis." Yoda said.
"And arrogant you have always been Yoda." Plagueis said sneering. Without the slightest warning Plagueis unleashed torrents of force lightning at the diminutive Jedi. Getting up from his chair Plagueis stepped down towards Yoda.
Reaching out with his hands Yoda used his advanced knowledge of Tutaminis to absorb much of Plagueis' intense electrical attack. Within several seconds Yoda turned the tide and begun redirecting some of the charge back towards it's source. Yoda had almost created a continuous circuit when of exchange when Plagueis' four hidden dark acolytes emerged from the shadows behind Yoda. Further back the eight Royal Guards emerged wielding electro staffs just in case Yoda proved too much for the five Sith. Positioned in groups of two on each side of Yoda all four added their own force lighting to the maelstrom engulfing Yoda.
Plagueis laughed. "Fool, only now at the end do you grasp the true depth of my cunning and power. Did you truly believe I'd allow you to escape my clutches a second time? Now meet the Force Master Yoda."
Plagueis and his acolytes redoubled their efforts. Yoda withered under the storm. Unable to raise a finger any longer in his own defense Yoda fell down on all fours.
"Now die Jedi." Plagueis said spitting out the last word as if it were something vile.
At this terrible moment young Rainah entered the observation chamber just seconds before the last ounce of life left Yoda's tortured body. With his final breath, the aged Jedi Master shouted at the child, "RUN!" He collapsed his struggle over.
Although Rainah was a child, she understood the finality of death: Darth Zannah had been sure to drill that into her during their secret "playtimes". But seeing someone she cared for deeply die in front of her in such a violent manner was more than she could take. She was angry,,, angrier than she had ever been in her short life. In her boiling rage she began drawing subconsciously on the Force, creating a powerful maelstrom that lifted Plagueis' acolytes off the ground. The pull of this maelstrom intensified as tears began to stream down the small girl's face, and the guards along with the aged Muun soon found themselves caught in it's pull. Rainah's eyes snapped open to reveal the sickly yellow glow of the Dark Side flooding her once blue orbs. She screamed in anguish. Plagueis was able to erect a force shield in time to protect himself. His acolytes and guards however, were not so lucky. A massive explosion of energy propelled outward from Rainah left the room in shambles. Once it subsided Rainah walked up to Yoda's equally tiny corpse. She wrapped her arms around him and mourned the loss of her friend.
"I know what you're going through my dear," said a familiar voice as the red glow the accompanied Zannah's presence enveloped the area, "I had a green friend too when I was little, but now is not the time nor the place to mourn him."
"And what would you have me do," Rainah snapped at her face streaked with tears.
"Follow my instructions," Zannah said soothingly as she used the Force to lift the Jedi Master's lifeless body off the floor, "and let me carry him."
Rainah wiped away her tears and nodded, "What are you instructions."
"Call upon that anger and hate you now have for Plagueis," commanded Zannah, "use it to draw upon the Dark Side, and channel that power throughout your body so you can keep up. We must leave this place soon. Plagueis is not the only danger that lurks in this accursed place my dear."
Five minutes later Plagueis struggled out of the tangled, burning wreckage of the decimated observation room. His body aching more than it had in years. Plagueis surveyed the apocalyptic scenery including the brutalized bodies of his guards and acolytes in disbelief. He couldn't believe what his senses beheld. How could one small child now matter have powerful in the Force and spurred on by emotion wreak such havoc? It didn't seem possible. Thinking of the girl who had caused such destruction his eyes narrowed with hatred. She'd pay for marring his latest moment of glory. He'd see to that personally. He'd enjoy reviving her from death multiple times as he had his long dead rival Venamis. Hearing hissing air Plagueis glanced at the large windows lining his former throne room. Noticing the heavily cracked view ports Plagueis decided it was best if he beat a hasty retreat. Plagueis painfully limped away cursing the child as he did..
Later as Katooni and Boba continued to limp down the corridors, they noticed something that felt completely out of place: a small child following a red Force Shade. It was when they noticed Master Yoda's Lifeless body floating between the two that Katooni realized who it was. She could tell that whatever happened, her baby sister Rainah had been right there to see it. She looked at the Sith Spirit and demanded answers. "What happened," she said with a cold edge to her voice.
"Rainah decided to go looking for Master Yoda," the Dark Lady said with a far off look in her translucent eyes, "and history repeated itself." It was then that a sizable group of storm troopers stumbled upon them. "Take Rainah and this cadaver to the Falcon," ordered the spirit as a sadistic grin spread across her face, "I'll deal with these charming clones."
Katooni could tell that the ancient Sith was quite looking forward to this massacre and would not hesitate to hurt someone if they got in her way. "You'd better come back," Rainah said as she stared up at Zannah, allowing Katooni and Boba to see her eyes for the first time. It was in this moment that they got the feeling that this is what Zannah meant when she said history had repeated itself.
"Don't worry these chumps are a thousand years too late to be kill me dear," replied the Mother of the Modern Sith as a multitude of serpents formed from a black mist of raw Dark Side energies, "Now go!" Katooni took Master Yoda's body, and Boba gave Rainah a piggy back ride as they took off as fast as their physical condition would allow them. "Now, let me taste your pain," Zannah said evilly as she gave the psychic command to her Dark Side tendrils to butcher her enemies, "and your despair." Rainah looked back to see the Storm Troopers being massacred, and made a silent vow to all of her special friend's secrets so she may one day have her revenge upon Yoda's killer.
Millennium Falcon, twenty minutes later
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE ISN'T HERE," shrieked Siri.
"The Falcons Internal Comm System suddenly began to overload and we were so busy trying to shut it down that she must have slipped out during the confusion," stated C3-PO, "But I'm sure young that Mistress Rainah is alright where ever she may be."
As furious as Siri was, she was that much more worried about her daughter's safety. "Don't worry," Lando said casually, "That girl's crafty for her age, hell I wouldn't be surprised if she somehow used the Force to overload the Falcon's ICS."
"Lando with all due respect your observation really doesn't help the situation," Obi-Wan said as he struggled to keep his own emotions in check.
"She's alright," Luke said with a surprising calmness, "That's what the Force is telling me."
"Then we'll have to trust in the Force," Obi-Wan said though he certainly didn't feel very trust right now.
Just then, they heard the sound of footsteps coming up the Falcon's boarding ramp. They saw Katooni carrying Master Yoda's dead body, and a crestfallen Rainah riding piggy back on Boba Fett's shoulders. "Rainah Siri-Wan Kenobi," Siri said sternly as she was about to scold her daughter, only to find herself at a loss for words when she saw the crushed expression on her four year old's face..
"No way is Sith boy coming with us." Han said taking direct notice of Boba Fett for the first time. Han shook his head vigorously "I don't trust him." By now everyone had safely arrived back at the Falcon, save poor Yoda.
"Han he saved my life." Katooni protested with renewed strength. "If he stays I stay." Boba Fett gently put Rainah down and moved to Katooni's side.
"No," Obi-wan said.
"Please father." Katooni said.
"Very well, he can come with us." Obi-wan said exchanging a looking and nod with Siri. This was no time to be arguing.
"Hey don't the rest of us get a say." Han protested. "Isn't this a democracy?"
"Master Yoda," Leia said gasping hand covering her mouth.
"What happened to him?" Mara said in shock. The others stood by in stunned silence.
"They hurt him bad with lightning." Rainah said softly by now her eyes had lost their yellow taint. "It was the Emperor's fault. He did it. He took away my friend."
"My poor baby," Siri said scooping the girl up into her arms. "It must have been awful."
"It was mommy." Rainah whined clinging around her mother's neck.
"Han you were supposed to watch her." Siri said accusingly.
"Hey it wasn't my fault." Han said throwing up his hands.
At that moment the Death Star was rocked by a series of huge explosions; one internal three external. The impacts of which threw everyone around the cockpit of the Flacon. Leaping into the pilot chair Han shouted.
"We can debate things later. Right now we'd better book it. Chewie assume navigation station." Chewie followed Han's direction and took over navigation. "Lando man the primary weapons array."
"Got it," Lando said.
"Alright people strap in. I have a feeling this is going to be one rocky ride." Han said smashing the Falcon at full speed through the damaged ship bay door out into the melee of Thrwan's assault upon the Death Star. Dodging friendly and enemy fire alike the Flacon safely escaped the battle zone. Behind them over half of the allied fleet hung dead in space in front of the Death Star which hadn't escaped unscathed. The behemoth's surface was pockmarked by a series deeply gouged fiery trenches.
"Incoming message," Hand said listening over his headset. "The fleet has taken too many losses they are falling back to regroup at our forward base. They also wish to congratulate us on a job well done." In light of their recent loss no one's expression aboard the Flacon was brightened by the congratulatory message. Chewie punched in the proper coordinates the Falcon then preformed a hyperspace jump to rendezvous with the remaining ships outside the Yavin System.
Death Star command center
Plagueis collapsed into his makeshift throne on the command deck his tattered black robe still smoking slightly. Vader and Cyrin entered the room a few moments later both noticeably battered. General Grievous glanced up from the operation pit at the trio but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
"Report General," Plagueis said wearily.
"The enemy fleet has retreated. Twenty-seven percent damage to the superstructure. Over half our compliment of fighters have been either heavily damaged or destroyed. More troubling is the internal damage."
"Internal damage," Plagueis said his interested peaking.
"A party, as yet unknown, successfully sabotaged the hyper drive complex crippling long distance travel." Grievous said.
"I see," Plagueis said his expression growing dark. "Put out the word throughout the Empire I want these saboteurs found and punished. In the interterm contact the nearest fleet."
"That would be the Seventh Fleet under command of Admiral Tarkin." Grievous said.
"Instructed them to divert to our current position immediately," Plagueis said. "Our current situation invites further attack. The Dark Star must be secured before repairs can commence."
"At once my master," Grievous said with a quick bow.
"They were no mere saboteurs my master." Vader spoke up taking the opportunity.
"Really, what were they Lord Vader? Do enlighten us." Plagueis said his words loaded with implied threat. Clearly telling the lesser Sith Lord he had best carefully consider his answer before voicing it in front of the swarming Imperial personnel on the command deck.
"They were, rebel terrorists my master." Vader said.
"We've put up with this situation long enough. These terrorists must be decisively dealt with." Plagueis said grimly. "Before everything we've created unravels."
To Be Continued