Chapter Nine:
Darkness in the Ancient Sith Shrine
On Coruscant, in the Imperial-controlled Core, a pair of uniformed beings made their way through the shadows of the planet's lower levels; They were one of many Rebel cells in the galaxy, connected to the Rebel Alliance.
In aftermath of Endor, the Coruscanti Underground had made contact with Mon Mothma, and had been attacking Imperial targets across the planet since then.
For years, many of the planet's citizens had opposed the Empire while the rest of their fellow Coruscant citizens accepted Imperial control. They would launch hit-and-run strikes on depots, and various shipyards, often striking garrisons in key regions across the capital. Even then, they never had the resources to take the former Jedi Temple-turned Imperial palace.
Led by Gi Erocsh, the resistance fighters were made up of humans, Imperial defectors, and a few non-humans. Gi was a former Republic pilot, and retired halfway through the Clone Wars. When the Republic became the Empire, he turned to the handful of people he could trust, and they condemned the regime.
After Endor, they'd launched more attacks on the major Imperial sectors, including city square. And now, following their latest attack, they were heading deep into the bowls of the planet to investigate one of Coruscant's biggest mysteries.
Their cruiser slowly descended upon their landing point, piloted by Uhani, Gi's co-pilot, and a fellow Clone War veteran. They'd made their way down to Level 4032, where the secret awaited. The thrum of the ship's engines slowed, until it had made its landing. The hatch open, and Gi stepped out with his team.
"You know there are Imperials in this area, right?" Qela Jeuva asked cautiously, holding her PK-986 blaster.
"Imperials have been everywhere for years." Gi replied, "I'm aware."
"URRRRRRRRR!" The cell's sole Wookie member K'Li'ki rumbled.
"Voice down, voice down!" Jundaki Horklohan cautioned.
"You want to alert every Imperial that we're here, ya big lump of fur?" Gi asked.
He looked at his comrades, and then, they made their way through the landing platform, walking through the dark corridors and catacombs ahead. Gi's transceiver was active, giving off static before the unmistakable sound of com chatter came over the speakers, indicating that Stormtroopers were close by and making reports.
Calmly, and steadily, Gi's team crept their way past the nearest Stormtrooper platoon, and planted a bomb near their position. They climbed up a crate, and knocked out a guard, then they tossed in a stun grenade at a pair of Imperials on guard duty.
"I've detected a fodder-ton of guards." The cyborg Zerto intoned.
"And we're getting past them." Gi reminded his comrade.
"YOU THERE, HALT!"
They found themselves facing a trio of Stormtroopers led by one with an orange pauldron to signify his leadership, the white-armored soldiers aimed their weapons at them, and the rebels did not hesitate to open fire while they activated the bomb. In seconds, the troopers they'd passed were blown into a wall.
Further and further, the group went, and they kept taking down guards as they went. The whole level seemed to be under heavier guard, especially when they soon turned a corner, entering a hallway full of Royal Guards and Stormtroopers.
Whatever was down here, the Empire didn't want anybody else to see the secret.
Gi nodded to his squad, and they threw themselves at the Imperials, unleashing a torrent of blaster fire. The Royal Guards ran to meet them, their pikes shining, but a stun grenade knocked them out before the rebels shot the remaining guards. However, they knew there would be reinforcements coming their way very soon.
The resistance squad walked past their fallen opponents, making their way towards the dark-red door on the other side. This was where the secret was waiting, and they could all see the red circle surrounded by strange waves etched upon it.
Zerto tapped into the control pad near the door, and the team stood back as it slowly opened. Gi stepped over the threshold, entering the darkest place he'd never seen before. The place looked ominous and ancient, debris lay everywhere, with tall pillars ascending towards the ceiling. And red-colored symbols lined the walls.
"It appears these symbols are connected to the Sith." Zerto remarked, scanning the area.
"We're in a Sith shrine." Jundaki quipped.
"...Beneath the Imperial Palace a good many levels above." Qela said breathlessly.
"Man, I can't believe the Imperials were guarding this." Gi commented, "It's like Palpatine didn't want anybody getting his hands on whatever is awaiting inside this place. But now; who are the Imperials answering to, and who's interested in this place?"
He walked through the abandoned structure with his group following behind, their weapons primed and ready, just in case they had to deal with more Imperials. The air felt cold and drab, chills crawled up the back of every rebel, as they moved deeper, and deeper into the shrine. The ruins became darker with step Gi's team took.
They listened to the transceiver, keeping their ears open for incoming Imperial com chatter. However, the device seemed to splutter and buzz randomly, without picking anything up.
Both rebels passed under a structure, strolling through an eerie tunnel ahead, and then, they were in a large chamber surrounded by hooded statues. Darkness loomed everywhere, even as the group's eyes adjusted and took in the light from the glowing texts on the walls. This place was certainly not a very inviting one at that, shrines of evil were never fun.
Just then, they heard a noise in the darkness; A slow, mechanical breathing, accompanied by eerie footsteps.
Gi raised his blaster, the rest of the rebels did the same. They stared into the black, listening to the ominous breathing sound that seemed to come from the other end of the room. A red light came closer, they could hear a thrumming noise, the light seemed to get closer. And then, a tall figure emerged, wearing a helmet, a cape and a black suit with a control panel on it.
It was him.
Fear encompassed every single rebel, their hands gripped their blasters intensely, as they took in the sight of Darth Vader before them with his lightsaber in hand. Deep behind the mask, Vader stared at them with cold yellow eyes.
"You thought you could oppose the Empire..." Vader said, slowly approaching Gi and his comrades, "No one will ever truly understand the true power of Imperial might, the true, raw power of the Dark Side of the Force that will unite the Galaxy under the will of the Empire. And any resistance to such power, deserves the fate that befell the Jedi; eradication."
The Coruscant Resistance opened fire, and Vader brought up his blade, blocking every single shot. Zerto grunted as he took a deflected bolt to the blade, and K'Li'ki ran at Vader, trying to grab his neck.
An invisible force closed around the Wookie's neck, as Vader raised a gloved hand, and K'Li'ki gasped for air while he was lifted into the air. The Sith brought up his blade, and the Wookie dropped, his torso smoking. Jundaki fired several shots at Vader, managing to get a lucky hit on his shoulder, only to receive a blade through the heart.
Gi and Qela ran for it, racing back the way they came from, only to be confronted by a squad of Stormtroopers. Vader approached them, ensuring their encirclement.
"THE GALAXY WILL NEVER SUBMIT TO YOUR KIND!" Gi yelled at the Sith Lord.
Blaster fire rang out, and Qela fell. Gi gasped as a bolt hit his arm. He saw Zerto get shot in the head. And then, he looked up to face the helmeted visage looming over.
Vader raised the blade, and the final thing Gi heard before the blade ended his life was the ominous voice of the Sith Lord as he declared; "The galaxy belongs to the Sith Emperor. Long live Emperor Vader..."