The dimly lit halls of the Rebel facility echoed with the distant hum of machinery and the occasional muffled sounds of conversations among the soldiers. Vader, flanked by Rebel soldiers, moved with an imposing presence that caused the air itself to tense. The soldiers escorting him maintained a cautious distance, their eyes nervously flickering between the dark lord and the path ahead.
"Lord Vader, she has been questioned since before the memorial for Mothma, but she has remained silent the whole time."
"Very well, I know how to proceed to get the information," Vader replied.
Vader's black cloak billowed behind him as he walked, the rhythmic mechanical breathing that accompanied him in the confined space. The cell area loomed ahead, the sterile lighting casting an unwelcome brightness. The Rebels leading the way reached the detention block, a series of metallic doors standing as a barrier between Vader and the prisoner within. The Rebel soldiers activated the security protocols, allowing access to Adea Rite's holding cell. The door slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing the dimly illuminated confines within.
Vader entered the room, his cloak trailing behind him as the door sealed shut. The Rebel soldiers stationed themselves at the entrance, their eyes alert, though they exchanged glances as if silently questioning the wisdom of bringing the dark lord into such close proximity to their captive. The detention cell, a stark environment with minimal furnishings, seemed even more austere in the presence of Vader. Adea Rite, restrained by energy binders, regarded the Sith Lord with a mixture of defiance and apprehension. Vader's stance and imposing silhouette filled the small space, creating an oppressive atmosphere. As the soldiers remained at the entrance, Vader, with deliberate steps, approached the detainee. The sounds of machinery and distant activities outside the cell faded, leaving only Vader's breathing and the subdued lighting.
Vader's figure loomed over Adea Rite, his oppressive presence almost suffocating. The energy binders hummed with a faint electronic pulse, casting a faint glow on her stoic face. Despite the restraints, there was a defiant glint in her eyes. Vader, without a word, raised a hand towards Adea. The dark side of the Force, a tangible and palpable energy, crackled in the air. Adea's expression wavered for a brief moment, a subtle acknowledgment that she understood the gravity of what was about to happen. The Sith Lord's gloved fingers curled into a fist, and the probing began. The connection was instantaneous, as if Vader had breached a barrier to delve into the recesses of Adea's mind. Memories, thoughts, and emotions were laid bare, a mental landscape that Vader navigated.
Visions unfolded before Vader's consciousness. Adea's upbringing, her loyalty to the Empire, and her eventual disillusionment—all flickered in rapid succession. Amid the tumult of her mind, a singular image seized Vader's attention: Jakku, a desolate planet marked by the scars of war. A battle played out in vivid detail. Imperial and Rebel forces clashed in a fierce struggle for dominance. The conflict reached its climax as the planet itself became a crucible of destruction. A massive explosion, the starting of which lay in the heart of Jakku, consumed everything in its cataclysmic embrace. Vader, through Adea's memories, witnessed the devastation, the culmination of a plan veiled in shadows. As the echoes of the explosion resonated in the Force, the Sith Lord witnessed the core of Rax's machinations—a facility hidden deep within Jakku's terrain, a place of immense power and purpose.
The probing ended abruptly, the connection severed as Vader withdrew from Adea's mind. He stood in the dim cell, the weight of newfound knowledge settling upon his conscious. The Sith Lord turned away from Adea, leaving her in the silence of the detention block. The Rebel soldiers outside the cell exchanged uneasy glances, unaware of the revelations that transpired within. Vader, his thoughts veiled by the mask of his helmet, departed the detention area. The puzzle of Jakku and Gallius Rax's designs had become clearer.
As Vader left, Adea felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She remained resolute, believing that the Empire's survival was inevitable, even if it meant enduring the might of Vader. The Rebels, however, were left puzzled, wondering what transpired between the fearsome Sith Lord and their prisoner.
In Vader's mind, the visions lingered. The battle on Jakku, a clash of ideologies and power. Destruction ensued, leaving both Imperial and Rebel forces in shambles. Then, the revelation of a sinister plan unfolded as Vader delved deeper into the depths of Adea's memories. A facility in a desolate valley, an operation to drill into Jakku's core. The source of the explosion that devastated the planet. Vader understood the magnitude of the revelation. Jakku was not merely a battleground; it was a pawn in a larger scheme. Exiting the detainee area, Vader pondered the implications of what he had witnessed. His usual stoic demeanor betrayed a hint of concern. The Rebellion's struggles were just a fraction of a grander design, and Vader, despite his previous allegiance to the Empire, found himself standing on the precipice of a more profound truth.
XX
The encrypted communication panel flickered to life with an ethereal blue glow, casting an otherworldly luminescence across Vader's imposing figure. Sloane's holographic projection materialized before him, her expression composed but with a glint of unease in her eyes.
"I must admit, Admiral Sloane, your choice to contact me has been a source of speculation. I was starting to believe you had aligned yourself with Rax," Vader's deep, mechanical voice resonated within the chamber.
Sloane, standing amidst the sterile environment of her personal quarters, straightened slightly. "I assure you, Lord Vader, I had no intention of keeping you waiting too long. Timing is everything, especially in these turbulent times."
Vader inclined his helmeted head, a gesture that could only be inferred from the subtle modulation in his voice. "You have my attention. Speak."
Sloane, choosing her words carefully, revealed the intelligence she had gathered. "Rax is insistent on instigating a conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion on Jakku. However, his motivations remain unclear to me. There's an undisclosed facility in the Valley of the Eremite, and Rax is personally overseeing its protection."
Vader absorbed the information, the cogs of his strategic mind turning within the impenetrable mask. "If a battle unfolds on Jakku, Rax is likely to activate the facility, resulting in the destruction of both our forces and the Rebels."
There was a brief pause on the transmission, Sloane processing Vader's revelation. "How do you know about this facility?"
Vader, ever enigmatic, responded, "My sources extend beyond the force. It houses a device capable of drilling into the planet's core, wielding the power to obliterate. Rax's authority over this facility must be a key component of the contingency plan."
Sloane, recognizing the gravity of the situation, asked the pivotal question, "What do you intend to do?"
Vader's plan unfolded succinctly. "I propose a covert expedition to Jakku. We shall collaborate to eliminate Rax. His death will likely prevent the activation of the planet-destroying facility. The rest of the plan will be discussed in person."
Sloane, nodding in agreement, transmitted a secure clearance code to Vader. "Very well. Use this code on any Imperial shuttle when entering the system. The rendezvous point is set, and I'll expect a ping once you are in hyperspace."
Vader, concluded with a nod. "Your cooperation is noted, Admiral Sloane. This operation requires precision, and we shall ensure the demise of Gallius Rax." The holographic projection dissipated, leaving Vader alone in the dimly lit chamber, plans grinding into motion.
XX
Vader's mechanical breath echoed in the room, a reminder of the urgency that surrounded them. Luke stood, the decision to embark on this mission etched across his determined expression.
Vader concluded, "The most important step is to take out Rax. Once completed, it will be safer to bring in our respective Rebel and Imperial fleets. Our role at that point is to deactivate the functions within that facility."
"Understood, father."
Spectre Seven, her eyes briefly meeting Ezra's, gestured for him to remain. "Can Ezra and I stay back for this mission, Skywalker?"
"Very well, Spectre Seven. Luke, I will find a pilot that will help us fly to the system in case Rax's forces question our clearance code," Vader remarks.
"Wait, why do you want us to stay back?" Ezra queried, a mix of curiosity and concern etched on his face.
Seventh Sister hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "There's something I need to share with you, something important. It's about us," she said, her voice a mixture of rare vulnerability.
Luke, catching the undertones of the conversation, nodded understandingly. "I'll go with my father. You two can catch up here. We'll talk once the mission is about to start," he decided, sensing the significance of the moment.
As Luke and Vader exited the room, leaving Ezra and Spectre Seven alone, the atmosphere shifted. Ezra turned to her, his eyes searching hers for clues about the impending revelation.
"What's going on? Why the secrecy?" Ezra asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Seventh Sister took a deep breath, a momentary pause that hung in the air. "Ezra, I'm..." She trailed off from the weight of the revelation.
"I'm pregnant," she revealed, her gaze fixed on him.
Ezra's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and joy playing on his features. He took a moment to absorb the news before breaking into a wide grin. "Pregnant?"
The atmosphere in the room shifted, taking on a weighty yet joyous tone as the revelation hung in the air. The dim glow of the lights seemed to flicker with an added warmth for the unexpected news that had just been shared.
Ezra, standing in the center, felt like the ground beneath him had shifted. "I... uh... Force," his expressive eyes darting between Seventh Sister's face and the hand that gently rested on her stomach. A mix of emotions played across his features — shock, excitement, and a touch of nervousness.
Seventh Sister, ever the playful partner, rolled her eyes at his stunned reaction. "Yes, you're going to be a father," she affirmed, her tone a delicate dance of amusement and affection.
Ezra's mind raced to grasp the reality of impending parenthood. He moved toward her, intertwining his fingers with hers and placing his other hand tenderly on her abdomen. The room seemed to resonate with their shared secret, as if the walls themselves were celebrating the beginning of a new chapter.
"So, is this from our recent trip?" Ezra asked, trying to piece together the timeline of this unexpected development.
Spectre Seven chuckled at his inquisitiveness, appreciating his attempt to make sense of the situation. "Yes, Ezra, it seems our little expedition had some... unexpected consequences."
Ezra's face lit up with a mixture of delight and realization. "Well, that settles it then. I'll make sure to assist in any cravings you might have. Pickles and Nectrose Freeze, right?" he teased, a playful glow in his eyes.
Seventh laughed, shaking her head at his suggestions. "You're too sure of yourself, Bridger."
"Well, you were the one who agreed that your species has a high metabolism. So, it won't matter too much, right?" Ezra retorted, his grin growing wider.
Her giggles echoed in the room, a melody of joy. Ezra, finding himself overcome with happiness, cupped her face gently with one hand. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it was as if the outside world ceased to exist. In that shared gaze, they acknowledged the enormity of the journey that lay ahead — the challenges, the surprises, and the boundless love that would shape their new family.