Chapter 26
Varl served as a stronghold for the Hutts. It was heavily fortified and housed many of their criminal enterprises, including gladiatorial arenas and weapons manufacturing. Conquering Varl would strike a major blow to the Hutts' military capabilities and disrupt their further control over the criminal underworld.
According to Hutt legend, Varl orbited two suns, Evona and Ardos. Evona and Ardos were venerated as gods by the Hutts. Evona was consumed by a black hole, and in fury, Ardos expelled its gaseous external layers and destroyed the other planets of the star system at the time.
Through a mysterious source of luck, Varl survived, though its atmosphere was vaporized, its biosphere was annihilated, and it was left as a wasteland. The Hutt Empire fled Varl before the cataclysm, and soon resettled at their colony on Evocar, which they promptly renamed Nal Hutta. They believed that by surviving the cataclysm, they had been elevated to the status of near gods. The planet they left behind was reinhabited by the descendants of abandoned servants of the Hutts, with only a few squalid manufacturing centers built in airdomes.
The tale was generally dismissed as Huttese hyperbole, and the most commonly accepted alternate theory was that the Hutts destroyed their world themselves in some ancient civil war.
There were signs indicating that the cratered wasteland of the planet was once a pleasant green world, and besides many asteroids, no other world orbited the white dwarf Ardos. Presumably, the asteroids were the remains of Varl's moons, as researchers at the Baobab Archives claimed to have found Hutt artifacts "on the moons of Varl."
Varl remained sacred in Hutt tradition, and they forbade other ships from approaching, holding patrol ships around the planet. They were prepared to race off planet if there were any signs of a repeat, and this certainly wasn't the only military capabilities fortresses the Hutts had, yet the one least likely to be invaded.
The patrols hadn't even been prepared. Vader learned that much when he took control of one of the Skyfighters that the Star Solar had on board and demonstrated his flying skills to them all, earning their admiration and awe into one.
While the Skyfighter was different from what Vader was used to, and while it had been a few months since he even piloted a ship in battle, his hands manipulating the controls with deadly ease. Blaster fire tore at the starships, decimating them out of the sky.
Even as a Sith Lord, Vader had a guilty pleasure jumping into his TIE Fighter. As Anakin Skywalker he was widely known amongst the Jedi to be the greatest starship pilot in the Order, but then after his transformation into Darth Vader, he was a deadlier and even more proficient pilot than before.
Those who had enough time to retaliate did not account for his piloting skills as he rotated the fighter around effortlessly and began to take them out too like the vermins they were. Their shots continued missing, as the fools on board were caught off-guard by this unexpected pilot coming down at them.
It ended the same for them all; with them falling through the sky until they fell out of the sky.
All in all, Vader came back without the fighter suffering any damage, disembarking as they all surrounded him.
"That was amazing!" Tann exclaimed, watching with fascination. "Can you teach me such some day?! Please say yes! Please say yes! Please say yes!"
Vader grinned. "Soon enough, Tann, soon."
No doubt, there would be an increased demand for learning how to do so when they have free time from their crusades against the Hutts. Oh, all the potential and things they could do when they have control over this type of space.
Vader would still have to work on giving them training on the battlefield. With his personal teachings, they would be able to match the best of the Jedi, Sith... and Clones if necessary. No matter of the friendship of his past life, if he had to consider his former men enemies, Vader would do just that for the betterment of the galaxy.
All of the Jedi were flawed, including the likes of Plo Koon and Qui-Gon Jinn. He could call Obi-Wan out for many flaws, but if Anakin hadn't been Force sensitive let alone had a high midichlorians count, would Qui-Gon have even given him a second glance? Anakin and Obi-Wan recalled him as a perfect man in their younger ages post his death. Yet Vader was humbled. Qui-Gon's actions in hindsight were foolish. Any buying, winning, or freeing of slaves outside the Republic or in territories where it was legal had to be improved in a Senate committee. Qui-Gon's actions could have led to the entire Jedi Order facing legal repercussions. Even freeing a slave as a boy as part of a bet was still a very gray area, and despite his good intent, he simply closed his eyes and allowed the slaves to work to their bitter ends or purchased by other masters. All in all, Qui-Gon was a Living Force fanatic, someone who Vader could break free of his indoctrination but would have to still pour reality into if the man lived this time around.
Granted, with those same Republic's laws in question, the institution was very likely not to act positively, exactly why Vader to drag a system together before the Republic presented a problem as they may attempt to argue he was within Jedi's jurisdiction. Those monks were another problem that he would have to deal with. He didn't entertained fighting Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon, but if they stood in his way, if he couldn't break them free of their indoctrination, they would have to be imprisoned until broken free or left to their own destinies.
"I imagine the ground patrols would have their fair share of thoughts on that," Ann quipped, rolling her eyes at the antics of Vader's.
"We'll have to pay them a visit," Vader responded, moving through to the bridge and taking control of the Star Jewel, landing the ship onto the planet, just where he could sense the outside of the major facilities. "We'll have to put on breathing masks. This atmosphere may be treacherous."
Moving over to the crates and revealing masks that Vader had ordered himself before they came onto this mission, he placed it on and had brief moment to be uncomfortable with how much it reminded him of his time after Mustafar. The small breathing noises didn't helped much in that regard.
Centering his emotions and doing his best to cast aside those painful memories, Vader pushed the lever that lowered the hanger ramp. His allies followed suit after placing the masks on, soon learning that Vader's caution about the atmosphere was valid.
He summoned the Force within him and pushed the air aside, buying him a clear view of the area around them.
"What good is breathing masks when it comes to that power of yours?" Mol quipped.
Vader doesn't reply as he walked down, leading his allies to the stronghold. Vader could already see the security cameras.
They were all surprised when they had encounter no resistance at first glimpse, including Vader. This was quickly answered when they saw an elevator down the hallway and clicked on a button. The doors opened, causing collective groans to escape them.
"Damn it, it's small," Ann cursed.
"Very likely some of the baddies are waiting down there," Tann grumbled.
Vader took the lead. "I'll deal with them. You all will have to wait."
He moved inside of the elevator and gave them one last stare.
"Don't remove your masks," Vader ordered. "We don't know what type of poisonous gas they have at their disposal."
The door closed, cutting him off from any possible responses. The lightsaber flew into his hand. Thirst for justice and vengeance coexisted at once within Vader.
He sensed lifeforms at the bottom. Despite the display that Vader previously done in the sky, they were not yet aware of his presence. They were just moving around as if everything was normal, knowing better than to risk disappointing their betters. Some of them were unhappy about being on such a planet where nothing ever happened. They would get their wishes soon...
Ding!
He flourished his hilt and activated the blade, lunging forward to the first fool, an unfortunate technician who never even had a chance to look up. The blade seared through its victim, before it retreated from the stomach, dropping him onto the durasteel floor.
All of the others looked with surprise at the sudden assault.
He sliced out, catching another one who barely had time to dodge. The rest of them raised their weapons and fired. Of course, what type of facility would it be without things that could provide Vader with a brief disadvantage at least?
"Turn off the bloody gravity!" Someone barked among the blaster fire.
Vader was actually surprised again when he was lifted into the air, but his lightsaber shielded its owner without much struggle. He couldn't advance without risking one of them managing to get a bolt off him. He had in truth never understood how that worked. With the lack of gravity, one would think that would slow the bolts as well, but with how much bantha-shit that happened in the galaxy, Vader just let the odd thought passed as their bolts kept coming at him.
Vader pulled himself forward, carefully directing one of the bolts to the direction of the controls. When gravity no longer was a problem, Vader dropped, digging his heels onto the durasteel floor. Some took a step back, eyes going wide. He raised his lightsaber in front of him, the red beam up in his face.
"Big mistake..."
He snarled and charged forward, slamming down on the fools who could only take several steps back and fired the best they could. Someone attempted to close the doors, but the former Sith kept them open without much effort. The unfortunate fools only fell back as they fired, receiving a lightsaber through their bodies for their efforts.
Some of the freedom fighters poured out of the small elevator and decided not to offer aid until they were all assembled. Not that Vader needed it as he continued to cut through the bastards standing in his way.
Once he made it inside of the main room, Vader moved through them all, slamming his lightsaber against them. His blows lacked all finesse, instead cutting through them with a brutality that they deserved. One fool remained, and only managed to put his hand on the trigger, when a blaster from his dead companion slammed into his gut, taking air of his lungs.
He raised the bastard into the air and slammed him against the floor, causing him to release his blaster, before bringing him to his direction just short of his hand.
Vader didn't have time for games. He pushed into his mind and searched for the information. The fool had no training in how to resist Force probes, so Vader cut through his mind like butter.
The man screamed as his mind was cut through. Vader didn't cared about being soft at this particular moment. He wanted information, and with simple pushes, he got the answers he wanted. As it turned out, no one here was competent enough to keep the codes hidden, so it just made Vader's whole life a lot easier.
When he was at last on the ground, whimpering and trembling like a caught jawa, Vader found himself not feeling any pity. Anyone who worked for the Hutts were not good people, likely having dealt with their own fair number of slave trades.
Still, he had enough of a conscience to make sure he didn't break his mind entirely.
After doing a brief probe to check to see if stabbing his lightsaber through would be putting him out of his misery, Vader turned to face some of the freedom fighters. His mind was damaged slightly, but some rest would be enough for him to be back on his feet, and eventually in front of the court that Vader planned to establish in the future.
"Place him under arrest," Vader commanded, a Zabrak and Twi'lek complying with the demands as they shoved him up, and slammed handcuffs on his back.
Down the corridors, he sensed more lifeforms ahead. Fortunately, scanning the facility with the Force, there were no more inconvenient elevators. Varl was practically in their hands, unless someone was lucky enough to put each of them down.
He moved down, keeping his lightsaber activated. There wasn't anyone of concern aside from droids who seemed program to not consider any hostiles.
Once they made it inside, unexpectedly, there were minions waiting with all forms of weapons trained in their direction. Some of them already had their fingers on the triggers, only held back by self-control and a small amount of fear.
"We all had to deal with crusaders, but our Empire would last. Even with the assistance of the Jedi do you people really believe that you'll be enough?" an elderly man with wrinkles and white hair asked, blaster trained at his direction.
Vader's eyes looked at him, flashing a bright golden as his lightsaber appeared to pulsate next to him. Each of his allies fell into positions, training their blasters at their enemies, prepared to pull the trigger when needed.
Mol sneered. "We are here for your weaponry. The Hutts rule has come to an end. Look at yourselves, fool, and understand that your time has come!"
The minions chuckled at that as the same idiot eventually found his voice and responded.
"You are clearly ambitious. I like that, but no one can overthrow the Hutts. Get 'em, boys." He finished that statement by opening fire, attempting to catch Mol with only one blaster shot through the lungs.
Having seen it coming, Vader deflected the bolt away from the Zabrak, sending it back into his direction, hitting him in the neck and dropping the old greaser onto the floor. The freedom fighters grilled through them without effort led by Vader who again butchered through all of them without question.
It had been due to Vader that they stood any chance. While their weapons were average at most, the Hutts had supplies that they had been hiding from the galaxy for years in the case that the Republic would have gotten too reckless.
His eyes burned a glistening gold.
The freedom fighters marched through the facility, encountering threats by the numbers. He had to give it to the Hutts; they'd protected their worlds and moons with a good force. Sure, they were not enough for Vader's raw might but with the average Jedi especially at this time period they may have proved overwhelming without taking the current liberators at Vader's back into account of course.
To its credit, the stronghold was still heavily fortified, and Vader could see by the moment the weapons in crates as well as others such armory and supplies. He would come back for them later when they were not being shot at.
"For an abandoned world, it is very well protected, boss!" Mol yelled, earning a slight smirk from Vader but nothing else as he kept pressing the assault.
In all honesty, he'd agreed.
As it was right now, they were now nothing else than as helpless as a nuna calf.
When the last in his way fell, Vader had to do something. According to the rumors, Varl was actually one rare planet which apparently did not possessed slaves, mainly due to the lack of stable living conditions. He extended his senses regardless to check that this was accurate.
Upon not finding any innocent slaves signatures, Vader focused on his mission and charged forward at the head of his allies. Reaching the other corridor, Vader's eyes widened when he felt danger screaming through the Force. A brief lapse of concentration could have costed him everything, as blaster shots came down on him.
Ah Sithspit sonic weaponry, one of every Force user's nightmare. Fierfek! One of the rare times he missed the fraking damn suit! Of course the scum would have access to such weapons!
Vader only was able to dodge in the last moment, one actually managing to catch him in the back of his head. Fortunately, his concentration was high, meaning that it only deterred him slightly. He reached out and crushed the fools responsible before tossing his lightsaber at them, knowing that another close call could spell the Hutts having themselves back their slaves and one for the taking if they were feeling petty.
Not happening, Vader thought darkly.
Inspired by their fellows almost catching Vader, more poured in. He parried each of the bolts from the ones left, taking the time to send his heavy strikes. Decades of instinct honed into him demanded slowness, and truth be told, Vader enjoyed combat. To send a message to these fools that their times were up, Vader made sure not to kill them all. Some of them who survived were left in a state of shock by their missing limbs or screamed as they collapsed onto the ground mourning their missing limbs.
He left them to be dealt with by Mol, Ann, and the rest when they made it, just to take care of those in the way.
"Move back! Move back! We-"
One deflected blaster bolt silenced the fool if only accidentally. The rest took the hint and charged in the nearest room, locking the door, and some of them pressed against it, he sensed. He loved it when worms attempted to outsmart him. It gave him more of a challenge.
He blasted the door open with a surge of the Force. The few guards didn't even have a chance to raise their blasters as Vader ripped through them with minimal effort.
He made a sentry point, all the while cutting through them. Some of the freedom fighters dealt with the ones Vader deliberately left behind. They would be fixed with prosthetic and other healing tactics for them to be made an example for the galaxy to see.
Others were able to keep up, offering flanks to Vader. Given the enclosed area and their positions, they were helpless as they continued falling back, hoping they would receive mercy.
"We surrender!" A young Sephi cried, his eyes wide as Vader continued coming down on them.
Vader swung his lightsaber up, but not to the remaining ones in particular, but rather poised in a battle stance. The freedom fighters stopped firing with bolts, slowly becoming used to how to deal with the rush going through their bodies.
"This is your last chance." Vader barked, "surrender, or pay the price for your lack of vision."
The stragglers all looked at one another before they threw their blasters to their feet and raised their hands above their heads. Under the advisement of the freedom fighters, they dropped to their knees where they were frisked like Vader gave all of them a brief survey about how to do. And by no means, they were gentle with it either, taking off coms and anything else that could be used as a potential weapon.
When they were stripped down, one of the humans gave Vader a nod.
"Be grateful for my mercy," Vader snarled, deactivating his lightsaber and placing the hilt back onto the belt as he walked inside of the final room, where he'd discovered the command tower.
He began entering the codes given to him earlier. Had he been a younger man, he would have been unable to hide his enthusiasm. Even now, he was feeling gleeful. They were working hard. As he told Ann a few days ago, not only they had to worried about the slavers, but the harsh living conditions Tatooine had, their neighbors the Tuskens, and how to keep things going for the hundreds of planets the Hutts own that would retaliate.
Not all of them would be problems. Planets like Toydaria had honorable leaders who perhaps a bit of coercion to see the right side. Proving himself to them namely after killing their bosses wouldn't be that much of a difficulty. Others however didn't have the same codes of conduct and would throw their lives away just to kill Vader and those at his back.
When he entered the final number in and entered by pressing the button, Vader grinned in immense satisfaction. Was idiocy a common theme in the galaxy? The fact that the Hutts were being cut off from their own planets with no retribution was a funny concept in on itself. Why did they contain so much information on one planet and expect that nobody would come down on them? Sure thing, their Empire lasted for thousands of years, but these worms could even react better than that!
Sidious was far from an idiot, but in his arrogance, he allowed the Rebellion to form as far as it did. Aside from dealing with the Moffs and manipulating them into believing he was their pawn, Sidious wasn't matching wits with Jedi in secret any more - he had Vader and the Inquisitors to dispatch against any threat. He wasn't struggling to secretly orchestrate the Senate any more - he was the Senate. He was at that stage in strategy games where one haven't won yet, but the road to victory, however long it was, had no major risk to it and is easy and predictable. And for an adrenaline junky like Palpatine, the old man hated that.
The Hutts didn't even considered them a threat yet or hadn't noticed after their own resources. At this point, they could claim all of the planets and deal with the fractions in a day, proving Vader's statement about abolishing slavery in the lifetime moot... he squashed down a rise of arrogance.
Today would be when they were standing at a stand-still with major vital points of the Hutts.
When Vader was leading his fellows back onto their ship and they left orbit, he stood out at the viewport to the galaxy of stars, seeing much opportunities in place. All of his allies were cheering in the background at a job well done. The least likely they would have to worried about an orbital bombardment or repurchased back into slavery as time went on.
'The unsuspecting fools know not what awaits.'
Arthur's note: Vader just casually stealing Grievous's line at the end there. Lol
I want to make this clear. Remember, these are the same Hutts who were successful in fighting the Vong to a standstill, using machinery they've been establishing for years in case the Republic got reckless enough to ambush them. It took a mighty force for the Vong to take the Hutts down on Nar Shaddaa. Even a militarized Republic could face complications along the way so him being cautious is really the wise thing to do so he can gain access to that hardware. The Hutts are intelligent and could waste assets on Vader if he became too bold. They also helped Han against an Imperial militia in the EU as well. Besides, I enjoy Vader's operations and him tearing the Hutt Empire apart. XD
May the Force be with you all always.
