Here is chapter 8. We are coming up on the end of The Return of the Jedi part of the story. This will not be the last chapter of that part of the story. I plan on one more chapter after this one. While Disney went a different way then Legends I have always like Legends better.
Luke and Mara rejoined the fleet after taking Luke's aunt and uncle to where they had hid the twins along with the Naberrie family. After they landed on Home One the deck officer directed them to a briefing room. When the pair arrived there were a couple guards outside the door. One of the opened the door so the pair could enter. Seated around the table was Mon Mathma, Bail Organa, Master Yoda and Corran. All of then knew the truth of the time travelers.
"Masters Skywalker, welcome back." greeted Mon Mothma.
"Thank you, I'm assuming this as to do with what comes next." relied Luke.
Mara and Luke greeted the rest before taking their seats.
Bail Organa spoke up next "We have received intel that the emperor has started building a second Death Star. We we've discovered that the emperor will be present on the battle station and that it was not operational as of yet. Before we start making plans we wanted to speak to those of you that came back."
Luke looked around the table of all that were sitting at it. "If things go as last time then yes the Emperor will be present along with Darth Vader and his fleet. The stations is operational at this moment but the station is still several years away from being complete. The Alliance was allowed to receive the intel to lead you all in a trap to destroy you once and for all.
"So we will not be able to destroy the Death Star?" asked Mon Mothma.
Mara spoke up "OH, we will and kill the Emperor in the process. Thanks to Luke being there the last time we will be able to plan things so that we can still accomplish it."
"Master Skywalker, we can not hope to match the firepower of the Death Star." stated Mon Mothma.
"No, the fleet can not, not even if we gather all the sector fleets in. The last time we sent in a ground team in first to destroy the shield generator. They were given a time frame to accomplish this. Unfortunately, they were not, and we lost several ships. Admiral Ackbar was able to prolong the attack by engaging Vader's fleet head on. It worked but the loss of life was great.
This time we can do things a little different. We can send in the strike force to take the shield generator out. What we need to do is have a ship that can go undetected to monitor Endor and detect when the shield generator is destroyed. Once it is they can call in the fleet. I would also suggest that you call in more ships. If we do this right we can take out Vader's ship and most of his fleet. Here is what we can do. First if the Ghost is still around we will need them." Luke went on explaining the plan he had been working on with Mara for the last several years.
L/M
The main briefing room on Home One was packed. Luke and all his Jedi were there along with Han, Chewie and Lando. Luke saw Hera Syndulla and here crew. Mon Mothma, Admiral Achbar and General Madine were up front. Mon Mothma would be giving the briefing. Then Ackbar will give ship assignments and Luke will go over the jedi's jobs.
Once the briefing room doors were shut and sealed Mon Mothma spoke. "Thank you all for coming. We have received intel about a second Death Star being built around the forest moon of Endor. We have also learned the Emperor will be present. We were told that the station was not operational. After learning this Bail Organa and I spoke with Master Yoda and both Master Skywalkers. We believe this is a trap to destroy this fleet. The Emperor himself is to believed to be the one to allow this information to get out."
There was a lot of chatter that broke out at this. Once it died down Mon Mothma continued. "We have come up with a plan that we believe will insure that we are able to destroy the Death Star along with killing the Emperor along with it. Admiral Ackbar has called in several other ships that we have been staging at a different location. Master Yoda along with General Dodonna left to take command of the second fleet. Master Kenoni has return to the fleet to help Admiral Ackbar.
The plan is that General Syndulla will take the Ghost in ahead of everyone and monitor the space around Yavin 4. The Masters Skywalker will lead a Jedi strike team with some of General Madine's commandos to the moon using a stolen shuttle. They will head for the shield generator and destroy it. Once the Ghost detects the shield coming down they will contact the fleet. This fleet will come in and draw Vader's fleet in. Once the fleet arrives. Half the fighter leaded by General Calrissian on the Escape will head to the Death Star. They will enter the Death Star to reach the reactor core were the will destroy it. The other half of the fighters lead by General Solo on the Falcon will engage the fighters coming from Vader's fleet. Our fleet will also move in to engage the fleet. The hope is this will make it harder for the Death Star to engage our fleet. Once the battle is started General Dodonna will bring the second fleet in and hit it from behind. The primary target is Vader's flag ship the SSD Executor. It is not known weather or not Vader will be on the ship or the Death Star. If by some chance he is on Endor, Masters Skywalker will engage him. Now Admiral Ackbar will take over the briefing."
Admiral Ackbar started his part of the briefing. He went over ship assignments and order of attack. Once he was done Luke got up and spoke about the plan for the strike team and which jedi would go. He also informed the others that were not part of the strike team were they would be. Leia, Hal and Mara would join him on the strike team. Corran would join Rogue Squadron and follow the Escape on the attack of the Death Star. Cilghal would be on the medical frigate to help with any wounded.
L/M
The shuttle caring the strike team came out of light speed as planned. Luke could see the Death Star plus the imperial fleet off to the side. All the Jedi suppressed their force signatures as much as possible so hopefully they would not be detected.
Once they got close, they received a transmission. "Shuttle state your purpose."
"Shuttle Tydirium with parts and personal for the forest moon." Luke replied back.
"Send your access code." Mara sent the pass code.
It took a few minutes which Luke detected his father probing them. He hoped that the Jedi would not be detected but knew it was possible. This was the risky part of the plan. Last time Vader detected Luke and came down to the moon to bring Luke to the Emperor. This time Luke would not be going. Mara was very firm with this. They would try to convert Vader back if he came down to the moon but no one would be going to the Death Star.
"Shuttle Tydirium you are cleared to proceed."
Mara sent a tight short burst transmission to the Ghost that just said "Land Fall" it was a code to let the Gost know they were proceeding.
L/M
Admiral Ackbar was on the bridge with Master Kanobi when the communications officer called out "Land Fall"
Admiral Ackbar sighed "May the force be with us all. There is no turning back Now. We can just hope it ends well."
"Thats all we can do Admiral." Ben told him.
"Alert the fleet that we can be moving out anytime now." Ackbar called out.
L/M
After Hera relayed the message she turned to her crew. "Everyone the strike team is heading down. As soon as we hear from them or detect the shield coming down we will alert the fleets and then jump in to extract the strike team."
Sabine called out threw her spot in the nose gun "Once this is over maybe we can finally go after Ezra. I got an ass whooping to give him for leaving me. I mean leaving us."
Hera couldn't see her blush but was sure she was. Zeb called back "Is that before after you kiss him."
"Shut up Zeb, I don't like him like that." shouted back Sabine.
Kallus just shook his head from the co-pilot seat. "She just needs to admit it. Everyone sees it but her and Ezra before he left."
Before Hera could reply another one spoke. Tristen who came to help his sister and her friends spoke up from the Phantom 2. Were he and Ahsoka were. "Sabine I don't know who you think your fooling with your denial. Everyone knows your in love with Bridger. Even mother and father."
A loud groan came from the nose gun. Everyone just laughed.
L/M
Luke lead the strike team towards the shield generator. Remembering that the Empire had scout bikers spread out all around he and the other jedi would prob out around them. Luke was hoping to keep the Ewok out of the battle. So he had no plan for his sister to take off after any speeder bikes.
Several times he felt them and had everyone stop and hunker down and hide the best they could. It was a couple hours after dark when the strike team reached the back entrance to the shield generator. Luke could not see the landing platform, but he saw a shuttle heading that way and felt a dark presents.
"Vader is on the moon." Luke whispered to Mara. "We need to hurry."
Mara led the strike team. Two commandos and Mara snuck up and took out the guards. Once the coast was clear Luke and the others took off for the door. Mara had it opened. Hal, Leia and half the commandos stayed to guard the exit. Luke and Mara lead the others in. Once the reached the thier target Luke instructed the commandos to start laying the charges while he and Mara guarded them.
"Luke we have a large force heading this was" radioed Hal.
"OK, we are just about done." just as Luke spoke several storm troopers appeared. Luke, Mara and half the commandos engaged them while the rest finished setting the charges.
The battle lasted longer the Luke was happy about but they were able to get the explosives planted and defeat the storm troopers sent against them. Luke called for all of them to fall back with Mara leading and Luke bringing up the rear.
Once they got back to the exit. Hal, Leia and their commandos were under fire.
"Well this looks like fun" Mara said.
"OK, Mara and I will step out first and start blocking fire coming from the storm troopers. Hal you and Leia come out next and help. Once we our out the commandos will come out behind us. They will lay down covering fire. Mara and I will then take out the two scout walkers. Once they are down. Hal you and Leia lead the commandos out while Mara and I cover you. Then we will fall back. Once we are clear I will blow the place."
Everyone nodded. Once they were all set Luke and Mara ignited their light sabers and stepped out in front of everyone. They started blocking enough of the shots so that Hal and Leia could step out. Once the two jedi joined the two masters Luke and Mara sent a couple strong force pushes to the scout walkers knocking them over.
Once they were down Hal and Leia started towards the right blocking shots from the storm troopers. The commandos started following them as they made their escape. Luke and Mara cover their escape while falling back them selves. A few of the commandos helped them. It was a intense fight. A few of the commandos were wounded and were helped by their comrades. It took longer than anyone liked but the broke threw. Once they were clear Luke triggered the explosives. In the confusion of the blast the rebels made their escape.
L/M
"Hera, I'm detecting the shield coming down. There is also an increase in chatter in the fleet." Kallus called out.
Hera sent a transmission "STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE"
"OK everyone the shield is down. Prepare, we will be heading out as soon as the fleet arrives.
L/M
"ADMIRAL, we have a transmission. STRIKE, STRIKE, STRIKE." yelled the communications officer.
"Sent to fleet. All ships STRIKE." said Ackbar.
Ackbar watched as all the fighters then the fleet start entering light speed.
L/M
The commandos lead the way to the extraction point with Hal and Leia leading them. Luke and Mara covered their retreat. Luke also felt the dark presents that was Darth Vader approaching.
Once the group reached a clearing large enough for the Ghost to land a commando set out a beacon for the Ghost to find the strike team.
Hal and Leia started helping the commandos set up a defendable position so they could hold till their ride out of there arrived. Luke and Mara waited for Vader to arrive.
L/M
Above the forest moon of Endor a large rebel fleet dropped out light speed. While half the fighters headed towards the Death Star. The other half of the fighters and the fleet headed to engage the star destroyers.
Ackbar started shouting out orders as all the ships accelerated to attack speed.
Han lead his group of fighter as he saw the enemy fighters approach. He called out to his gunners the Madine loaned him that they had incoming.
Lando who was leading another group of fighters alerted his gunners as Mirax told all fighters to blow throw the enemy fighters. Once they were threw the Escape and two squadrons would continue on. The other 8 squadrons would turn around and engage the fighters they just flew threw to keep them from following the group that was heading to the Dath Star still.
L/M
Fleet Admiral Priett watched as the rebel fleet and fighters approached. He ordered all fighters to launch an attack.
Just as the two fleets came in range of each other, his communication officer yelled out. "Admiral a second fleet just dropped out of hyperspace."
"WHAT, where did a second fleet come from. There was only supposed to be one." No one replied as they knew he didn't expect and answer. "Have half the fleet continue on to the first fleet the other half come about and attack the second fleet." He knew that this battle may not end as the Emperor predicted.
L/M
Master Yoda sat in an area of the bridge set aside for him. As the fleet came out of light speed he started reaching out to all those in the fleet, in what was call a battle meditation. Master Kanobie would be doing the same on Home One. Doing this the two jedi master's would help the rebels remain calm and coordinate their actions better. After speaking with Luke, he knew that the emperor had done the same thing in the old timeline.
L/M
The strike team had their position fortified the best they could. Leia and Hal were near the two ends of the line while Luke and Mara were at its center. When the storm troopers came out in the clear the rebels opened up on them. The four jedi use their lightsabers to block as many shots as they could and direct them back towards the storm troopers. When Vader arrived he moved out front of the storm troopers and started advancing on the rebels.
Luke had instructed the strike team not to fire on Vader as the dark lord would just send their shots back at them. So, all the members of the strike team avoided Vader and concentrated on the Storm troopers.
Luke stepped out from the rebel lines and advanced on Vader. "You have a choice Vader surrender or join the force."
"You think you and your punny rebel fleet can win. The emperor foresaw this battle and insured you received the stolen plans so that your fleet along with your rebellion could be destroyed and peace brought to the galaxy."
Luke didn't bother relying, he just moved in and attacked Vader to keep him away from the others. While he dueled Vader Mara would send debris at Vader and fallen trees at the Storm Troopers line, killing several at a time.
L/M
Once the Ghost came up on the second fleet several Mandalorian fighter joined up with it to escort it threw the battle so the Ghost could extract the strike team. If Vader was planet side the Ghost would help suppress ant imperial ground troops while Ahsoka helped with Vader.
Hera called out to Tristen "How many Mandalorian were you able to bring with you?"
"Most of my clan plus Fen Rual and the Protectors. My Mother and sever of our clan are on a Kom'rk transport that fell in with us. They will be going in with us to help with any ground troops or walkers." replied Triston.
Hera saw several Mandalorian fighters join up with the rebel fighters engaging the imperial fighters.
L/M
Mirax was directing the fighters with them as they approached the Death Star. Only Corran, Wedge and Tycho would follow the Escape. The rest would keep tie's from following them in the Death Star.
"We just entered the Death Star" Mirax transmitted back to the fleets.
L/M
Luke and Vader were still dueling when the Ghost appeared with it's escort. Several Manadlorians jumped out of their transports and reinforced the Strike team. Ahsoka jumped out of the Ghost and joined up with Luke. Mara and Hal stayed with the strike team while Leia joined Luke.
"So the apprentece as decide to come out of hiding." Vaader spoke to Ahsoka.
"I have not been hiding Anikin. I have been doing my duty. You can not win Master. It's time to drop your light saber and surender." Ahsoka replied.
Luke had told Leia the truth about Vader befor the battle. She was angery about not being told sooner but calmed down once Luke explaind why. So she was not suprised when Luke address Vader as his father.
"Father it's time to stop and let us help you return to the light. If you truly want peace then let us help you. Palpatine does not want peace he wants fear and power at any cost." Vader turn to his son. "Father, I can fell the conflict. Let it go."
"You do not know the power of the dark side" Vader started to state before Luke interrupted him.
"Yes I do. I know how seductiv it can be. It seems easier but thinks that worth fighting for are never ment to be easy. You want to know what killed my mother your late wife. It was not your actions on Mustafar. It was you giving into the dark. My mother believed there was still good in you even if others did not. Don't make her last moments be a lie."
L/M
The escape and her escort came out in the center core of the Death Star. Mirax radiod the two X-wings "Corran, Wedge get the power regulator on the north tower."
The two x-wings fired as instructed and the headed back out. Lando fired the killing blow and followed the two fighters.
"Admiral, we are detedting a massive explosion inside the Death Star."
"All ships fall back away from the Death Star. General Dodonna have your fleet join up with mine." Ackbar radiod.
During the battle the Imperial fleet commander had started pulling his fleet away when he realized he couldn't win against both fleets. Now the Imperial fleet was farther out from the Death Star with both Rebel fleets persuing.
L/M
Palpatine and his Royal guard were heading towards his shuttle to escape once he realized he could not win. Due to his arrogance he would leave too late. Before he could reach the safety of the shuttle the Death Star exploded. Killing him.
L/M
The Escape and her fighters joined up with the fleet. The fleet was pulling back from the Imperial fleet to a safe distance. It had seem like Admiral Priett was also pulling his fleet back after suffering heavy cassualties. The Excuter itself heavely damaged.
L/M
Vader and all the Jedi felt the Emperor's death just before they saw the explotion in the sky. Vader knew it was all lost now. He also notice with the Emperor dead a lot of his anger was gone as well. He turned his light saber off and held it out to his son. Turning to the remaining imperial troops he ordered them to lay their weapons down.
Hal seeing the storm troopers drop their weapons he orders all the commandos to stop firing while Countess Ursa did the same with the Mandalorian. The battle was over.
This is the end of this chapter. It was getting a little long. This is my longest chapter of the story. I plan on one more chapter of this part of the story. I plan on a couple things for sure. The conquest of Coruscant and them finding Thawn and Ezra. I am going to go more with the legends Thawn then Disney.