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-Eight – A New Hope Part Two: Grievous Consequences
By
Celgress
0.5 ABY
Super Star Destroyer Retribution nearing Lothal System
Retribution was the first of the new Super Star Destroyer class rushed through production following the unexpected destruction of the Death Star to meet the Rebellion and Chiss Ascendancy threat. Capable of rendering entire worlds uninhabitable with relative ease its construction had bankrupted an entire system. Inside this mammoth edifice of destruction Supreme Commander Grievous impenitently paced back and forth along the command deck of the behemoth mechanical hands tightly clasped behind his back.
"We have reached Lothal, awaiting your further orders sir." An Imperial technician a young female Bith reported.
"Excellent," Grievous said flopping down in his command chair with a noisy clank. "Target all habitations starting with the largest."
"Sir," The Bith said a note of unease in her voice.
"Do it, obey me order!" Grievous screeched.
"Y-Yes sir," The Bith said her voice cracking. "Habitations targeted."
"Fire all weapons," Grievous said.
"Sir this is an outrage." A male human Imperial Officer said stepping forward. "We are proud members of the Imperial Military, not butchers." A chorus of discontented mummers rose from the organic, nonclone personnel present rose in agreement.
"Are you questioning my orders Lieutenant?" Grievous said his red electronic eyes boring holes in the man's very soul.
"I-I suppose I am." The human Officer stammered bravely.
"I'd advise the rest of you should reconsider taking such, a rash stance." Grievous warned. Soon the human Officer found his feet kicking in the air an invisible hand wrapped tightly around his throat. An audible crack was heard as Grievous snapped the man's neck using the force. "Now where were we, ah yes fire all weapons." Grievous said letting the limp body hit the deck platting.
"A-At o-once sir," The Bith said applauded by Grievous' callous actions.
By the time what would go done in galactic history as the Lothal Genocide ended every sentient onboard the Retribution was extremely distraught, save General Grievous who sat elated in his command chair. Flanked by Super Battle Droids and Storm Trooper Clones he cared not how his officers reacted. He had a job to do securing the Empire. Its future took precedent over all use, including decency. In truth Grievous hadn't felt so alive since the Clone Wars his bloodlust fully sated for the first time in decades.
Certain sections of Lothal's diverse population had been supporters of the Rebellion from its very beginnings, a fact which disgusted Grievous more than he could expression through either his words of actions. Lothal had been a failing, backwater planet when its inhabitants elected to undergo direct Imperial rule. How had they expressed their thanks for prosperity and security, by betraying their new benefactors at the first opportunity; destroying countless Battle Droids, Storm Troopers and murdering scores of Imperial Representatives in terrorist attacks.
"Shoot down any vessel attempting to flee." Grievous ordered. "I want no survivors, understood?" Silently Grievous' orders were carried out. No one dared outright challenge him again but inside they were seething at having to carry out such unethical commands.
Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, early evening
Sitting on her father's shoulders young Rainah watched Jedi Knight Boba Fett spar with Jedi Master Sev'rance Tann. Fett had long since replaced the red synthetic crystal with a natural occurring orange one granting his lightsaber that hue. Both Tann and Fett were clad in loose fitting cream colored tunics typical of force users. Fett's distinctive armor sat in a pile nearby in the long grass outside the previously abandoned Jedi complex. Yellow and orange blades clashed Tann's Makashi and Ataru based hybrid style matching up well against Fett's heavily Juyo orientated style. First Tann gave ground then Fett. Their matchup seesawed back and forth until Fett used telekinesis to hurl a medium sized rock at Tann temporarily breaking her concentration. Tann deflected the projectile but left herself open while doing so. Fett pressed home his advantage and had forced Tann back on one knee when Tann retaliated by unleashing a torrent of force lightning with her free left hand that dazed Fett knocking away his lightsaber. Fett soon found the tip ofTann's sunshine colored blade at his bare neck.
"Cool," Said Rainah her eyes lighting up as for the first time in her short life she beheld force lightning in all its terrible glory.
"Yield," Tann asked more than said.
"Yield," Fett said with a frown that quickly turned into a smile as Tann deactivated her lightsaber and helped him up. Back on his feet Fett retrieved his deactivated lightsaber. Everyone present, including the other Jedi, Han Solo, Chewie and several other Rebels, clapped in approval.
"You did very well." Katooni said giving Fett a peck on the cheek. Her tussled light brown hair hanging down passed her shoulders. Like Fett and the other Jedi she was clad in a loose fitting tunic, lightsaber hilt clipped to her belt.
"Thank you but there is always room for improvement." Fett said.
"You're still my hero." Katooni said leaning in close. Her comment caused the usually unflappable Fett to blush.
"Ahem," Obi-wan said putting Rainah down and clearing his throat loudly. "Can anyone tell me the error Knight Fett made which led to his defeat by Master Tann?" Boba Fett raised his hand. "Other than Knight Fett or Master Tann of course," Obi-wan said smiling. Boba Fett quickly withdrew his hand.
"He underestimated his opponent?" Leia offered breaking the protracted silence.
"Precisely, good job Leia." Obi-wan said.
"Never assume that your adversary is beaten merely because the tide of battle has momentarily turned in your favor, and if they have yet to demonstrate a specific force technique do assume it is beyond their capability." Siri continued for Obi-wan standing by his right. "Arrogance leads to negligence which leads to doom always remember that students, class dismissed."
"We were lucky to find this place." Siri said to her husband and fellow Jedi master as the others dispersed.
"Indeed we were." Obi-wan said stroking his rapidly greying beard. "I assumed Plagueis and his followers would have long since destroyed such a refuge."
"Perhaps it didn't come to their attention because of its remoteness." Siri offered hopefully not truly believing her own reasoning.
"Perhaps," Obi-wan said. "Whatever the reason this place is a Force send. Here we can rebuild the Order. Nurture generations of better, more understanding Jedi who will in time help create a safer, more equitable galaxy."
Not far away Luke, Mara and little Rainah were clustered around Master Sev'rance Tann. "Can you teach me how to use force lightning?" Mara asked mentally crossing her fingers.
"Me too," Rainah said beaming up at the blue skinned, red eyed female.
"You're too young," Luke said.
"Am not," Rainah said sticking out her tongue at her much older surrogate brother. "Granny Zannah's spirit says I'm 'mature for my age'." Rainah shrugged she didn't fully understand the meaning of 'mature' but it sure sounded grown up.
"Yes I'll teach you how to use force lightning Mara and you as well Luke if you wish?" Tann said.
"Let me think it over." Luke said.
"Please do," Tann said. "Rainah I'll also teach you, once you're older."
"Aw krif," Rainah said.
"Rainah," Mara gasped. "Where did you hear such language?"
"From Han and Lando," Rainah said.
"Looks like we'll be having a word with Lando and Han in the near future, right Luke?" Mara said exchanging a knowing glance with her lover.
Secret Training Facility on Imperial Center
"He improves daily." Darth Vader said to Darth Cyrin. They watched from a distance as their secret apprentice and foster son Starkiller bested a simulation of Darth Maul generated by the droid Proxy. "Soon he'll be ready."
"He needs more time." Darth Cyrin said shaking her helmeted head. "I, we cannot risk losing him. He is far too valuable an asset."
"That he is." Vader said. "Together I believe we will soon overthrow Plagueis and then rule the galaxy in his steed."
"Maybe," Cyrin said.
"You doubt me?" Vader said.
"Never, however Plagueis has proven far more difficult to eliminate than we ever dreamed," Cyrin said. "With his immense cunning, he won't be easily caught off guard."
"I know." Vader said. "We must pick the right time to strike, timing will be crucial to our success or failure."
"Grievous he should also be eliminated." Cyrin said. "If we spare him he could prove our undoing."
"I concur." Vader said. "Grievous is another threat that must be removed by any means necessary, preferably before we deal Plagueis his final blow. Otherwise our rule may be a short one."
"How should we deal with that glorified tinny?" Cyrin asked taking great pleasure in using the derogatory term for droid she'd picked up during the Clone Wars.
"If we play our cards right these new young Jedi will take care of Grievous for us." Vader said folding his arms across his chest. "Given the proper set of circumstances I sense they are more than capable of doing so. What they lack is the required experience, given enough time that won't be an issue. Much like our own apprentice they grown more skilled every day."
"Hmmm, they should be turned before they can threaten our plans as we original intentioned." Cyrin said thoughtfully. "In the meantime I'm intrigued. What do you have in mind for Grievous' end my love?"
"They shall be turned and the General shall perish all in good time my treasure, all in good time." Vader said. "One day in the increasingly near future I swear we will take from Obi-wan and Siri what they took from us all those years ago, their family."
Cyrin and Vader continued to watch in silence as Star Killer now contended with Proxy imitating the aforementioned Grievous. Both Sith observed with pride that Star Killer was holding his own against the simulated legendary Jedi slayer. Someday soon what Star Killer had learned would be put to practical use. When that day arrived the Empire and Sith Order alike would change forever.
Imperial Throne Room
Darth Plagueis scowled at the small holographic images generated by the emitter sitting on the outstretched right palm of Darth Tropiheus. In front of Plagueis' poisonous yellow eyes Cyrin and Vader's treacherously was played out for all to see. A spark of force lighting sprung from one of the Muun's long fingers shorting out the emitter. Tropiheus stood unflinching before his ultimate master.
"Lord Vader and Lady Cyrin have once more betrayed our Order, as you suspected master." Tropiheus said his other hand behind his back. "Such treachery cannot be tolerated let me take these vile traitors in hand before they further undermine our way of life. I beg of you master."
"No," Plagueis said after a moment of contemplation.
"But master…" Tropiheus said his usually cold, emotionless voice steadily rising in tempo.
"Silence," Plagueis warned getting up from his throne. "I will not have my orders questioned by you Tropiheus or anyone."
"Of course," Tropiheus said bowing his head respectfully and taking a step back.
"Vader and Cyrin are mine. They have always been mine, even before they knew they were mine. I shall have none other meddle with them, no matter the crime." Plagueis ranted. "Your enthusiasm however is duly noted and will not go unrewarded." Tropiheus raised his head and inclined it slightly. He interest peaked by his wise leader's cryptic words. "I think a new Imperial Bureau of Inquisitors is in order. I of course shall personally hand pick these Inquisitors from our Sith ranks. They will be charged with hunting down and stamping out rebellion by force users, such as that thrice cursed ingrate Boba Fett."
"Very good master, capital idea," Tropiheus said.
"I am appointing you Tropiheus head of this new Bureau of Inquisitors, which shall operation under the utmost secrecy reporting directly to me and me alone." Plagueis said sitting back down in his throne. "You are the first of my Grand Inquisitors."
"I am honored master." Tropiheus said. "Rest assured I will cleanse these reprobates from our fair Empire."
"No doubt," Plagueis said. "Leave me I must meditate on recent events." Tropiheus bowed low then turned on his heels and departed. Plagueis sat back deeper in his throne. Red armored force sensitive Clones, male and female, stood around his position silent, deadly sentinels. "Betray my trust a second time Vader, Cyrin I think not. Once I no longer need you perhaps your children known and unknown will make suitable replacements. Yes Galen, Luke and Leia shall stand by my side or join you in death. I warned you what the price of continued betrayal would be. It is high time you two learned I am God of the Dark Side." Plagueis' thin lips curled up in a sinister smile.
To Be Continued