The past six to ten months had seen a transformation in the man once known as Darth Vader. The aftermath of the Battle of Jakku marked the beginning of his journey toward reclaiming the remnants of his humanity, and that journey had brought him to this point—a point where the iconic life support suit that had defined him for decades was no longer as essential as it once was. Yet, even as the need for it diminished, Vader sought to forge a new suit, one that would embody his strength and resilience, while allowing him the freedom that had long eluded him.
Vader had grown tired of the modified suit he had hastily constructed after the Battle of Endor. It was functional, but it lacked the refinement and power he desired. Now, as he looked upon his reflection in the mirror, he saw the evidence of his relentless determination. His body, once ravaged by the fires of Mustafar, was slowly being restored through a rigorous regimen of enhanced bacta sessions, surgeries, stretching exercises, and a carefully controlled diet.
He had subjected himself to intense physical therapy, stretching his scarred and stiffened muscles daily. The feeling of reintroducing a workout regimen focused on his upper body—his chest, back, and core—was one he had forgotten. The sensation of his muscles growing stronger, more defined, had ignited something within him, something that felt like a distant echo of the man he had been before he became more machine than man.
Even his face, once a gruesome mask of burned flesh, had begun to heal. The surgeries had been meticulous, the healing slow but steady. His skin was still scarred, but it no longer bore the same terrifying visage that had haunted the galaxy. He contemplated his bald head, running a hand over the smooth surface. The idea of undergoing hair follicle surgery had crossed his mind—an attempt to reclaim the appearance of the man he had once been. But, as he stood there, staring at his reflection, he made a decision. He would remain bald. There was a certain power in it.
It was an acknowledgment that he was done with relationships, done with the need to project a certain image for others. This was his form now—a warrior, a leader, and nothing more. The past was a distant memory, and the man who once had golden hair and a youthful visage was gone, leaving only the hardened shell of Vader behind.
The new suit he was constructing was far from the cumbersome, pain-inducing armor that had kept him alive all these years. Now, it was to be crafted from the strongest materials, with beskar plating to protect him from even the most formidable of weapons. It would be electricity-proof, guarding against the very lightning that had nearly killed him at the hands of his former master. His respirator was now a separate, compact device, and his helmet—sleek, streamlined, and easily removable—was still waterproof, providing him with the same level of protection but without the confinement.
His enhanced sessions in bacta, the surgeries to repair what could be salvaged, the rigorous stretching regimen, and a carefully managed caloric deficit had all contributed to his gradual transformation. Consuming enough protein and reintroducing a workout regimen for his upper body, chest, back, and core had given him glimpses of the body that once belonged to Anakin Skywalker. He was not the man he once was, but he was no longer entirely the machine, either.
When he first appeared before Admiral Piett and Grand Admiral Thrawn in his new form, they could not hide their surprise. The imposing figure before them was still unmistakably Vader, but now, there was something more. Thrawn, in particular, could now see the man who had once been Anakin Skywalker, the legendary Jedi Knight who had fought in the Clone Wars. The lines of the new suit were clean and sharp, the beskar plating giving it a powerful yet regal appearance.
"Lord Vader," Thrawn began, his voice calm and measured as always. "It is good to see you... renewed."
Vader inclined his head slightly. "The time has come for a change, Grand Admiral. I am no longer reliant on the suit for survival, but it still serves its purpose."
Thrawn studied him for a moment, his crimson eyes narrowing as he took in the details. "I trust your reconstruction is complete?"
"Nearly," Vader replied. "But enough about that. When will we be ready for an expedition to Exegol?"
Thrawn folded his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable. "The preparations are nearly complete. However, I believe it would be wise to bring additional reinforcements. I have an inkling that Moff Gideon and General Hux are hiding the Emperor's plans from us. They have been too secretive as of late."
Vader's gaze darkened behind his mask. "I had my suspicions as well. What do you propose?"
"Have Admiral Piett's fleet on standby," Thrawn suggested. "When you link up with the *Chimera, we will be ready to move on Exegol. However, I feel that will not be enough. I request that we have a couple of New Republic cruisers join us at Exegol. Piett can remain on standby in a nearby system, ready to assist should an unexpected battle with Gideon or Hux occur."
Vader nodded in agreement, appreciating Thrawn's foresight. "A wise precaution, Grand Admiral. I will ensure that Piett's fleet is prepared, and I will reach out to the New Republic for additional support."
"And what of your son?" Thrawn inquired, his tone betraying a hint of curiosity.
"I will contact him," Vader said, his voice low. "Luke and other Jedi who may be interested in assisting us. If the situation on Exegol is as dire as I suspect, we will need all the help we can get."
Thrawn inclined his head. "Indeed. Exegol is not a place to be taken lightly."
Vader took a step closer to the hologram of Thrawn, his presence imposing even in its reconstructed form. "We shall get in contact soon, Grand Admiral. The moment we have confirmation, we will move."
"Thank you, Lord Vader," Thrawn replied, his voice calm and steady. "Talk soon."
The communication ended, the hologram of Thrawn flickering out as the room returned to silence. Vader stood there for a moment, deep in thought. The galaxy was changing rapidly, and the threats they faced were unlike anything he had encountered before. But with the newfound strength in his reconstructed body, he felt more prepared than ever to face the challenges ahead.
As he turned away from the holotable, his thoughts drifted to Luke. His son had been on a journey of his own, one that had taken him far from the Core Worlds and into the depths of the Outer Rim. It was time to bring him back, to unite the strength of the Skywalker lineage once more.
XX
Two rotations later.
The Executor, the Chimera, and several Republic ships stood by in a nearby system, their massive silhouettes hovering in the void of space. This alliance of Imperial remnants and the New Republic was fragile but necessary, bound together by the common threat Exegol posed. Its mystery had long haunted the galaxy, and today, they were to confront it head-on.
In the main deck of the Chimera, Grand Admiral Thrawn stood alongside the imposing figure of Lord Vader. Luke Skywalker, Ezra Bridger, and Spectre Seven had just arrived, a quiet tension hanging between them as they exchanged greetings.
Ezra stepped forward first, embracing Luke. "It's been a while, Luke. I'm surprised you didn't reach out, but Vader filled me in on the mission."
Luke let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "Yeah... sorry about that, I suppose I haven't been as mindful lately. But I'm ready."
Ezra smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Yalara and I have been catching up on our sparring and Force training. It's good to be back in action."
Luke smiled, though he still felt a bit out of sorts. His mind had been preoccupied recently—by the mission, by the larger role he was supposed to play in shaping the future of the Force, and by his own lingering doubts.
Thrawn, ever composed, interrupted the reunion. "Thank you all for gathering," he began, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "The plan is simple. We will remain on standby here while the four of you travel to Exegol by shuttle. Your mission is to infiltrate the planet, locate the laboratory where the experimentation is taking place, and transmit the coordinates."
Luke, Ezra, Spectre Seven, and Vader all nodded, understanding the gravity of their task.
"Once we have confirmation," Thrawn continued, "the Chimera and a Republic starship will hyperspace to the planet and fire upon the laboratory. We expect resistance, likely from Imperial remnants still loyal to the Emperor's experiments. If they deploy any Star Destroyers, the Executor and the rest of the Republic fleet will engage and annihilate them."
Vader's mask betrayed nothing, but Luke could sense his father's unease at the prospect of returning to a place so deeply tied to the Sith.
Thrawn's final words were calm and measured, as always. "An unexpected ally may join us during the operation. Any questions?"
No one spoke. The gravity of what they were about to face made words feel unnecessary.
"Very well," Thrawn concluded. "Let's proceed."
XX
The shuttle descended toward Exegol with an ominous hum, the planet looming beneath them like a black scar on the face of the galaxy. Jagged lightning illuminated the storm clouds that covered the surface, casting brief flashes of harsh light onto the barren terrain. From the cockpit, Luke could see the swirling darkness that seemed to radiate from the planet itself—a place of malevolent power and hidden horrors.
"Last time I've seen a planet this haunted was Malachor," Spectre Seven murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as the shuttle neared the surface. She instinctively reached out, her mind brushing against the Force to steady herself.
Vader, sitting next to her, said nothing. He remained as silent and still as the grave, his memories of the dark side making him an uneasy companion on this journey. He had once touched the depths of the Force on Exegol during his time as Palpatine's apprentice, and now, returning here, he could feel its dark whispers creeping into his mind.
When the shuttle touched down, the ramp lowered, and the group stepped out into the cold winds of Exegol. The air felt thick with foreboding, heavy with the weight of the dark side. In the distance, they saw it—a construction site that stretched as far as the eye could see. Massive skeletal frames of Star Destroyers hung suspended in the air, some incomplete but menacing in their potential.
Ezra's eyes widened in astonishment. "What… is all of this?" he breathed, his voice barely audible above the howling winds.
"They're building a fleet," Luke replied, his voice tight. "A fleet that could wipe out the New Republic if it's completed."
The group pressed on, moving quickly through the barren landscape toward the towering Sith temple at the center of the construction site. The ancient building loomed ahead, its architecture sharp and imposing, like the bones of some long-dead monster. As they approached, the dark energy surrounding the temple grew stronger, pushing against their very presence.
Once inside, the temple's stone walls seemed to pulse with ancient dark side energy. Luke felt the oppressive weight of it pressing against his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task ahead. They found the lift that descended deep into the planet's core, and without hesitation, the four of them stepped inside.
As the lift whirred to life, descending deeper into the heart of Exegol, Luke could feel the tension between his companions growing. They were all attuned to the Force, and in this place, the dark side felt suffocating, overwhelming in its intensity.
When the lift doors finally opened, they stepped into a massive underground laboratory, and what they saw chilled them to the bone.
Rows upon rows of capsules lined the walls, each one filled with grotesque, incomplete beings suspended in clear fluid. They were abominations—twisted attempts at cloning life, their forms distorted and wrong, as though something had gone horribly wrong in their creation.
Ezra stepped forward, his eyes wide with horror. "These are… clones? Or at least, they're trying to make them."
Luke nodded grimly. "This is what they've been working on? A new army."
Vader's voice was tense. "We have to stop this now."
Without warning, a dozen Sith Eternal acolytes emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by dark hoods. Red lightsabers ignited in unison, bathing the room in a crimson glow. But the four Force users were prepared. With a quick motion, they ignited their own lightsabers—blue, green, and in Vader's case, red.
The acolytes charged, but they were no match for the combined strength of Luke, Ezra, Spectre Seven, and Vader. In one fluid motion, the four of them used the Force to send their attackers flying back, their lightsabers cutting through the air with deadly precision.
Within moments, the acolytes were defeated, their bodies lying motionless on the cold stone floor.
"Let's move," Vader said, his voice colder than ever.
They moved deeper into the laboratory, bypassing more of the grotesque cloning experiments until they reached the control hub—a large terminal at the heart of the facility. Vader stepped forward, his mechanical hand hovering over the controls.
"This is the source of the experiments," he said quietly. "If we destroy this, we stop all of it."
Luke, Ezra, and Spectre Seven watched as Vader input commands into the terminal, overriding the security protocols. Moments later, the screens around them went dark, the entire system shutting down with a low hum ready for annihilation.
"It's done," Vader said. "But we're not finished yet. We need to make sure nothing remains."
The group turned to leave, but as they reached the lift, it powered down, leaving them stranded in the underground laboratory.
"No power," Luke muttered in frustration. "We'll have to take the emergency exit."
One by one, they used the Force to leap up the emergency shaft, their bodies propelled by the energy around them. It was a long climb, but eventually, they reached the surface, where the cold winds of Exegol greeted them once more.
As they emerged from the temple, they could see the skeletal frames of the Sith fleet looming ominously in the distance, incomplete and dormant, yet somehow still threatening. But the time for caution had passed. They needed to act, and they needed to act quickly.
The four of them rushed toward the nearest Star Destroyer, its massive hull gleaming dully in the faint light. Their footsteps echoed off the stone surface beneath their feet, the cold biting at them as they pressed forward.
"We need to disable their weapon systems first," Vader instructed, his voice cutting through the wind. "That will render the rest of the fleet useless."
Ezra nodded, his expression focused. "We should split up. If we sabotage multiple ships at once, we'll have a better chance of taking the whole fleet out before reinforcements arrive."
Luke looked toward his father, then back at Ezra. "Agreed. Let's move fast."
Vader and Spectre Seven broke off toward the nearest Star Destroyer while Luke and Ezra headed toward another. They moved in silence, their minds focused on the task at hand, aware that time was slipping away.
When Luke and Ezra reached the massive ship's base, they found an access hatch leading to the interior. Inside, the ship was quiet, almost eerie in its stillness. The halls were dimly lit, the sounds of their footsteps echoing through the corridors.
"It's too quiet," Luke muttered under his breath as they made their way deeper into the ship.
Ezra nodded. "Let's hope it stays that way."
The control room wasn't far. When they reached it, Luke went straight for the console, his fingers moving quickly over the controls. "If I can disable their weapons from here," he said, "it should trigger a chain reaction that will neutralize the entire ship."
Ezra stood guard, his senses on high alert, as Luke worked.
"Got it," Luke said after a few moments. "Weapons systems are down. Let's—"
Suddenly, an alarm blared through the ship, and red lights began flashing. "Looks like we've overstayed our welcome," Ezra said, his lightsaber already igniting in anticipation.
Luke nodded, igniting his own saber. "We need to get out of here—now."
The two of them raced through the ship, the alarm echoing around them, alerting any remaining Imperial forces in the area. But they were faster. With the Force guiding them, they moved swiftly through the ship, avoiding any potential traps or opposition.
As they neared the exit, a group of Sith Eternal soldiers appeared, their red lightsabers igniting as they prepared to block the path. But Luke and Ezra were ready. With a coordinated series of moves, they deflected their attacks and cut through their defenses. The Sith soldiers fell quickly, their bodies slumping to the floor as the two Force users continued toward the exit.
Outside, the winds had picked up, and the storm clouds overhead swirled ominously. Luke glanced up at the sky, sensing the growing tension in the air.
"Let's find the others," he said.
The two of them ran toward the rendezvous point, where they soon spotted Vader and Spectre Seven emerging from their own Star Destroyer, having completed their part of the mission.
"We've disabled the weapons," Vader said. "But the fleet isn't fully neutralized yet. We need to destroy the ships entirely."
Spectre Seven nodded. "I've set charges in the engine rooms. The whole fleet will go up in flames when they detonate."
Ezra smiled. "Good. Let's get off this planet before it blows."
Seven mumbles, "We will return to Ygnacio soon enough..." Ezra blushes.
As they made their way back to the shuttle, they could hear the rumbling of the charges deep within the ships, the sound growing louder as the seconds passed. The incomplete Star Destroyers began to shudder, their structures destabilizing as explosions erupted from within.
When they reached the shuttle, Luke took one last glance at the Sith fleet, now engulfed in flames. The sight of the crumbling ships filled him with a sense of relief but also an underlying unease. This was only one piece of the puzzle. There were still remnants of the Empire out there, and he knew their fight was not over.
As they boarded the shuttle and lifted off from Exegol's surface, Vader opened a comm channel to Thrawn.
"Grand Admiral," Vader said, his voice steady, "the Sith fleet is destroyed. You may proceed with the final bombardment."
Thrawn's voice came through, calm and calculated as always. "Understood, Lord Vader. The Chimera and Republic forces will begin the assault momentarily. Stand by."
From the shuttle, Luke, Ezra, Spectre Seven, and Vader watched as the Chimera and the Republic ships entered appeared above Exegol. Moments later, the sky was lit up by the massive barrage of laser fire from the fleet, striking the planet's surface and obliterating everything in its path.
The Sith temple, the laboratories, and the incomplete Star Destroyers were reduced to rubble, their twisted remains buried beneath the planet's surface. The darkness that had once permeated Exegol was slowly fading, but it would take time for the scars of the Sith to truly heal.
As the bombardment continued, Vader's commlink chimed again.
"Lord Vader," Thrawn's voice said, "we have received no communications from Imperial remnants in the sector. However, we cannot afford to be complacent. There are still forces at play that we do not fully understand."
Vader nodded, though Thrawn couldn't see him. "Understood, Grand Admiral. We will remain vigilant."
The commlink clicked off, and for a moment, the shuttle was filled with a heavy silence. Luke, sitting across from Vader, felt the weight of his father's presence—his history, his regrets, his role in the galaxy's tumultuous past.
Ezra broke the silence, his voice tentative. "Anakin, I… I should've asked earlier, but… what exactly was all of this about? Exegol, the clones… Why was this place so important to Palpatine?"
Vader's gaze shifted toward Ezra, his mechanical voice betraying no emotion. "Palpatine was obsessed with cheating death. He used me, manipulated me with promises of immortality, all to keep me as his apprentice. But in the end, it was all about control. The cloning experiments were his last attempt to create an army that could rival any threat, even death itself."
Spectre Seven, sitting beside Ezra, shivered slightly at the thought. "Even from you as a Sith Lord to me as a former Inquisitor, it's unsettling to acknowledge how small we were in his game. His plans, his ambitions—they spanned the entire galaxy, and no matter what happened, he always had contingencies in place."
Vader's mechanical breathing filled the shuttle before he responded. "You're right. In many ways, we were all pawns. But today, we've taken a big step."
Luke's gaze turned inward, his thoughts swirling. He had been distant lately, lost in his own journey, but now, with his father and his friends by his side, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"We've destroyed Exegol," Luke said, his voice firm, "but there's still Gideon and the Yuuzhan Vong. We also have to watch out for the true intentions of the Grysk."
Vader nodded. "And we will face those threats together. One at a time, my son."
Ezra frowned. "So, what now? In terms of starting our force order?"
Vader's gaze turned distant. "That is not my concern Bridger, but for you and Luke. I will seek guidance on how we can responsibly use the World Between Worlds to handle these future threats."
Luke, listening intently, spoke up. "I've realized something during my time in solitude. We've used the Force—light and dark—when it suited us. I want to build a Force Order where our students can learn both sides, where they can think for themselves. No blind allegiance, no dogma. And if they wish to live with their families, they can."
Ezra nodded thoughtfully. "All this came from your time alone?"
"Yes," Luke admitted. "Journaling helped. I compared who I was to who I am now, and I see how complicated it all is. I'm sorry for being distant. You're my family, and I want us to face this future together."
Vader listened, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. The future wasn't clear, but he knew one thing: together, they were stronger than they'd ever been alone.
In the distance, the remnants of Exegol burned, the final vestiges of Palpatine's twisted legacy consumed by flames.
As their shuttle approached the Chimera and Republic ships prepared to obliterate what remained of Exegol, Thrawn's voice echoed in their minds.
"My, I am surprised at the outcome today. Gideon did not attack. It makes me suspect he has hidden experiments of his own. The question is… how much of a threat does he still pose to the galaxy?"