Chapter 42
A few hours ago, prior to the Third Battle for Endor
"Great King Gorneesh."
The Grand Commander kneels humbly in the blue-tinged hologram. Vee hovers near the Dulok chieftain, displaying the holographic message. "In our last meeting, I did not show you the proper respect. For that, I am sorry. To apologize, I offer you all the soap in the compound. Unfortunately, the Ewoks discovered my plan, and they're coming to steal it. I understand if you don't want to risk your people any further against your ancient enemies. No matter what you decide, I recognize your courage as a glorious king."
Surrounded by his guards and sitting with his wife, Gorneesh considers it. Although Duloks are dim by Human standards, he did not become the king by strength alone. Gorneesh recognizes the commander's trickery; worse, his wife and warriors witness the message too.
It is a challenge hidden beneath an apology. Weakened, he goads us, luring us to his side.
Despite it, Gorneesh admits, I like the Grand Commander. He fought Trop in the arena to rescue his enemies! He fought, bloody and battered, but ALWAYS without fear! Endor is no place for weaklings; the Dulok honor strength, courage, and toughness. The commander has it! He has enough to share with friends and enemies! No Dulok would share; no Ewok either.
Scouts warn of the Humans and Ewoks gathering a horde; there are far too many for the Dulok to fight. But word will spread. Fools will call him a coward, provoking challenges, and raids will follow. His people are bloodied, and his village scarred. This is no time for battle.
…but the soap! So much soap!
He looks at his wife, by far the cleverer of the two, who nods without hesitation.
Gorneesh jumps up, roaring, "To war!"
His warriors howl with approval as one races from the hut. Moments later, the gong thunders in the background. BOOOOOMMMM! Vee dances in excitement, head and torso spinning in opposite directions while his legs wiggle. Then he flies out of the tent.
"Where he go?" A Dulok asks. "Their village is the other way."
General Syndulla's Camp
"Ma'am," the head of security calls. General Syndulla barely contains her irritation. The battle goes well, but she knows how quickly that can change. "May I speak with you outside?"
"I hope this is important because I cannot afford any distractions."
"Yes, ma'am. You'll want to hear this," he assures her before exiting. Outside, he swiftly looks around, then leans close before whispering, "A technician discovered Lord Dyer's body in a shuttle. His neck was broken."
"What?" Hera demands then looks around before whispering harshly. "What about his guards? They said they were detaining him before transfer off-planet!"
He blinks, his face too blank to be lying, "This is the first I'm hearing about it."
"Two guards entered my command tent and told me that," she explains.
"Which guards? What were their names or ranks? A transfer like that would have transfer orders. They would require your authorization. Did you confirm their orders?"
"No," she shakes her head. Why would I? We're all rebels here… "I want a full investigation and autopsy. One of our droids will have a recording of their faces."
"Yes, ma'am, I already planned an autopsy; any droid holos will help too."
"Wait, wha-"
Before Hera can complete her question, the Mon Cal tech rushes through the door. "Ma'am, something is happening, and I think you need to return immediately."
"I'm coming," she replies. The tech waits, and Hera gestures harshly. "Go!"
The technician jumps at her tone, racing back inside before Hera refocuses.
"Why were you already planning an investigation?"
He licks his lips nervously, "Ma'am, I've seen…I've seen necks broken by special forces, suicides, and investigated industrial accidents before joining the Alliance. His neck was destroyed. From his body's position, I believe someone held him up and choked him before dropping him. I can't imagine what; maybe a Wookie, but someone would have heard it! Added to what you're telling me, we've raced past suspicion straight into a murder investigation."
Two deaths now! Hera adds, "Compare his autopsy to the tech killed earlier."
"Yes, ma'am, I will. Plus, I'm placing security on the command tent and limiting access until we've cleared this up."
I hadn't even thought of that. Hera admits, then curses, because we're all rebels here!
"Do we have any additional security? I thought we sent everyone to the compound."
"No," he winces. "I'll have to pull some off the parameter and replace them with the wounded. It's not ideal, but we can't risk it, and I won't concede, general. Don't argue with me; that's two deaths in as many hours. I have the final say when it comes to security in your camp."
Hera scowls; she WAS about to argue, and resources are stretched thin.
"Ma'am, we really need you," an officer appears at the door.
"Keep me updated," she orders the head of security before she returns to the tent. Within, Hera's officers huddle together, urgently discussing the issue but hush when they see her.
"General," the Mon Cal initiates as the rest return to their stations. "We have three issues requiring your attention. I'm listing them according to significance. The first is a report of a gong coming from the woods, panicking the Ewoks. They've repositioned to counter an attack."
"Send an X-wing," Hera orders. "They're not doing anything at the moment."
"Yes, ma'am," the communications officer motions for a tech to handle it. "The second is the Zeta blasted the northern wall and woods again. Our forces had already retreated from there. Once it stopped shooting, a group of Yuzzum fled the compound, heading north."
Hera dismisses it, waving a hand, "Tell our forces to ignore them. Unless they're attacking us or trying to flank, they're irrelevant. The compound is our focus."
"Yes, ma'am, but some Ewoks pursued them."
"There's not much we can do about that. What's the third issue?"
The Mon Cal hesitates, surprising Hera and making her curious. Then she details, "During the battle for the Western wall, several rebels fought hand-to-hand with the Grand Commander. They claimed to have captured him, but something…crushed them…."
"Crushed them?" Hera's eyes narrow. "Was it a gravity weapon or an explosion?"
"No," the Mon Cal shares a look with her fellow techs. "They fell inside the walls when suddenly a wind or barrier smashed them. Simultaneously. Only the commander emerged unscathed before escaping into the compound."
An officer inquires, "Is there any chance he can use the force?"
No, it's-that's impossible…or is it? His leadership, fighting skills, and how easily he lures people to his side. Even I feel she struggles to word it. I…respect him? But, it can't be…
"What, uhh," Hera stumbles over her words. "What exactly did they see?"
"Nothing, ma'am," the Mon Cal replies. "Their words were 'something large' slammed into them but didn't affect the commander."
"That would explain his success up to this point," another officer points out. "He slaughtered Ewoks and Pathfinders in the woods, where they have every advantage. He escaped Rex's ambush and consistently outmaneuvered or overpowered every opponent. Even the Death Troopers were no match for him after they butchered Major Shin's company."
"We'll investigate this further once the battle ends," Hera declares. I-we can't deal with this now. "The fog of war is real; for now, all we have is conjecture."
"Ma'am, if he has access to these powers," the Mon Cal interjects. "We must inform command and prepare the troops. This could catastrophically alter the battlefield."
She motions for them to stop, "We don't know anything yet. I've seen the commander fight twice and walk off injuries that would have killed most men. He is extraordinary but not supernatural. I have not seen any signs of the Force," Hera pauses, recalling the diabolical ax. The way he slew the stormtrooper when she first met him, his unbridled savagery. Can he use the Force? Could it have been hidden all this time, only to awaken from stress, trauma, and desperation? "We must not spread rumors until we have something tangible. Focus on your-"
Suddenly, several comm. officers jolt before swiftly passing on orders.
"Ma'am! The-the Duloks! They're attacking from the east!"
Near the compound, the witch observes the conflict, engulfed in the Dark Side. The suffering and devastation hatched from her schemes thrill her. Every death and injury invigorates her; a thousand individual fights amplify her power. Her wounds disappear, and her pain fades.
"This was not my original plan," she admits before hissing. "This is much better!"
She watches rebels cut down during the assault. Ewoks overwhelm stormtroopers, stabbing and slashing furiously. An imperial astromech drags a wounded stormtrooper until a blast tears off its dome, and three arrows plunge into the soldier's chest. The AT-ST decimates the walls, cutting down everyone. A probe droid blasts attackers until it falls, riddled with holes.
Then Charal is rewarded for her patience. She watches the commander fall into the compound beneath a pile of rebels. She witnesses Gary trying so desperately to help and failing.
"I told you we must be patient," what's left of Charal's sanity insists. "Now, the Shadow Stone will be mine!"The animalistic survivor, the mad witch, seethes but remains silent.
"No! No!" Suddenly a groundswell of power radiates from Gary, startling her, rippling with each denial. It shocks the witch, expelling her glee. Every throb provokes, agitates, and disturbs her. She shakes her head frantically, refusing to accept it. Gary screams, "NO!"
"I didn't see this! This can't be happening!" In spite of her protests, Gary's power blooms, slamming the mass of rebels restraining the commander. Somehow, the Grand Commander breaks free before gathering Gary and the other survivors. She watches them rush towards the compound. The rebels are too preoccupied with the second floor's support fire and taking the wall to bother with them. Charal howls, "No! No! NO! NONOnonono!"
Overflowing with the Dark Side, the witch seizes control of their body, squashing Charal's schemes and countermoves. She drops from the tree branch where she watches the battle, racing through the woods with blinding speed. The witch flies by rebels in a blur and bounds over the wall with no more than a glance or momentary confusion. The attackers cannot risk distraction. She expertly weaves through them before reaching the compound. Then she vaults straight up to the second-floor window before leaping onto the roof.
An imperial watches the battle and spots her before pointing his blaster. She motions, hurling him from the building. His scream draws the attention of the wounded, waiting in line to get on the transport. She compresses the force into an unstable ball, concentrating it before unleashing it among the imperials. Dozens fly off in the blast while many more are hurled aside.
The witch darts to the transport, where a familiar face peeks out, seeking the danger.
"YOU!" The witch shrieks before cackling madly. "Ecaterina Windsor!"
Dr. Wither pales. Hearing the name is almost as terrifying as seeing the witch. Before she can react, the witch seizes her, chokes her, and rips her free of the transport. Wither gasps and claws her throat, kicking frantically and helplessly.
"You will pay for your interference," the witch promises.
"STOP!"
"Gary? GARY!" The witch turns, hissing. "I will ROAST you alive! I'll PEEL the flesh from your BONES! Deceiver! You thwarted my PLANS! Now you will SUFFER!"
Gary replies sincerely, "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
The Grand Commander leaps onto the stairs, racing up them as Gale and Diggs blast anyone in pursuit. The imperial officer and Death Trooper decimate the Ewoks and rebels below. Then the commander motions for them to follow him, leaving the wounded to continue shooting. Simz, the storm commando, immediately takes command of them.
BOOOOMMM! The gong only grows louder before a battlecry rises from the east. The trio crouch before creeping up to a window, cautiously peeking out. The burly Duloks surge across the east, slamming into the rebel forces, completely caught by surprise.
The shock lasts only a moment; the capable rebels swiftly respond with grenades, shredding the Dulok ranks. Spears fly through the air, driving snipers from the trees. The Ewoks turn and counterattack, but the momentum is with the Duloks, who crush the Ewoks underfoot. Even as blaster fire cuts through them, the Duloks reach the rebels and smash their lines.
"How'd you convince them to fight?" Diggs demands breathlessly.
"I offered them all the soap in the compound."
Diggs turns and stares at him. Then he grunts, "I hate this planet so much."
"Ugh!" Gale sighs in relief. "I thought I was the only one. Everyone kept saying the Ewoks are so cute! I told them, 'They eat the dead,' and no one cares!"
The commander chuckles before calling over the radio, "Dr. Wither? Blast the north wall and surrounding woods one more time. Yowza, as soon as the last blast hits. You need to run!"
The blasts begin immediately, shaking the building with their explosive power. Once they cease, the musician calls, "Thank you, commander. I hope we meet again."
The commander turns his attention back to the first floor. Serrano's movements are equally breathtaking and deadly. He thrusts with his forcepike, slices with a dagger, and launches powerful kicks in a whirlwind the attackers cannot approach. The chieftain of the Lightfoot probes with quick thrusts but cannot penetrate the royal guardsman's defenses.
Caizor sweeps his neurowhip overhead, thrusting swiftly with his stunstick. Spears strike him harmlessly, and even the blaster bolt that scorches his heavily armored chest seems irrelevant. The dungeoneer laughs manically as the Ewoks scream from the agony he inflicts.
"Are we going to talk about the bantha in the room?" Diggs asks.
"What?" The commander asks as he fires two blasts into a rebel marksman.
"Gary's powers, his new abilities. Our standing orders are to detain or execute."
"You saw that?"
"Everyone saw that sir," the death trooper declares. "They had you until Gary screamed, and something smashed them. Then you popped out like everything's normal."
"Wait, Gary's a wizard? That's amazing!" Gale exclaims. The pair stare at him until the army officer cringes and clears his throat. "I mean, we-uhh need to have a serious talk with him."
"He's a good trooper and earned a pass," the commander explains. "Besides, everyone that gave that order is dead or filling their pockets from the Empire's corpse. Agreed?"
"Yes, sir," both men nod.
"Sir!" Gary cries over the radio. "SHE's here! I don't know how I know, but she's here!"
"Commander, ugh!" Dr. Wither gags before mad cackling comes over the radio.
"What's that?" Diggs demands.
"The witch!" he warns. "Gale, gather whoever is left and come to the roof."
"I have to get Iona; she's deleting the mainframe."
"Go! Diggs, on me!" The commander races to the roof access, where Imperials huddle in terror. They stand when they see the commander and make a path so he can climb to the roof.
The Witch shrieks, "You think you can STOP ME, Gary?"
From behind Gary, the commander motions for Diggs to flank as the death trooper readies his carbine. Then Gary steps aside to let the commander pass. An ascension cable strikes the roof's edge with a 'dink,' and Serrano soars onto it. His crimson cape is slashed, marred, and pockmarked, but his armor is spotless.
"No," Gary admits, shaking his head. "But they can."