Chapter Seventeen:

Down With The Fortress

Mustafar, long had it been known as one of the most dangerous planets in the galaxy.

For years, the Empire had operated here, in the midst of the volcanic chaos. The Imperial presence was undeniable, evident by the towering structure that was Darth Vader's castle, which loomed over the volcanic river beneath the peak it stood upon.

Legions of stormtroopers guarded it, loyal to the will of Vader, just as they were fanatically loyal to the Emperor. A few Red Guards were often seen within the castle's walls, and not many people knew what awaited inside.

In the weeks since Endor, a couple rebel units had made incursions into Imperial territory on Mustafar, striking at the compounds near Vader's fortress, and started coordinating with various Mustafarian natives.

Many inhabitants of Mustafar had launched countless raids against the Imperials over the years, only to be pushed back by Vader's forces.

Now, a group of Transdoshian mercenaries employed by the Rebellion-turned New Republic had infiltrated Vader's Castle, and began looting whatever they found inside. Sith holocrons, training droids, collected Jedi lightsabers, and various treasures that Vader had kept in the years since the castle was founded.

"Hurry up with thosssssse detonators!" Tarsha ordered Ssss'tawk.

"Patience, Tarsha." Ssss'tawk told his associate as he set up a couple thermal detonators on a wall next to a black throne, "If I messsssss up, we'll all be blown to piecesssssss. The explosssssives must be set up perfectly, no missssssstakes."

"Hurry! Hurry!" A Terellian Jango Jumper hissed, "I can hear an Imperial patrol coming this way!"

The rebels made haste, and finished arranging the last of the explosives.

They climbed out the nearby open window, and started their journey down the castle wall, right before a pair of Stormtroopers entered what was Vader's throne room. Tarsha pressed the button on the small canister, and the explosives detonated, shaking the sinister Imperial castle in the process.

At that moment, a couple Mustafarians riding giant lava fleas rushed towards Vader's Fortress and attacked a stormtrooper unit near the entrance. The white-armored Imperials cried out in pain the second they felt lava from the fleas' feet burn into their uniforms, just before a pair of Mustafarian warriors impaled the troopers with intensely hot spears.

More explosions shook Fortress Vader, courtesy of more detonators planted at strategic areas within the imposing structure by Mustafarians, Transdoshians and a couple of Alderaan-born vigilantes in league with the Alliance To Restore The Republic.

"For Alderaan!" A rebel proclaimed as he fired on a Red Guard.

Seconds later, a horde of Mustafarian warriors riding lava fleas began swarming the area, and the other rebels pulled back. Imperials scrambled, attempting to defend the fortress, only to be overrun in seconds. Fireballs shot through the air, fired by Mustafarians wielding catapults, and the balls of magma struck the fortress' walls, damaging it even further.

Loud engine roaring filled the air and all eyes turned to see a trio of TIE Bombers soaring in, captured and piloted by a few Mustafarians. The fighters streaked towards Fortress Vader, and the bombs fell upon the structure.

Rebel forces cried out with glee as Darth Vader's castle toppled over, crumbling into ruins, while a couple of pieces flew into the lava before melting away. A Stormtrooper corps rushed onto the scene, attacking the ragtag forces with full force, and determined to drive them away from whatever remained of what was a vital stronghold to the Empire.

"GET ME LORD VADER!" Lieutenant Burtodeth shouted to a Death Trooper, "AND CALL FOR..."

SKYEW! A blaster bolt slammed into the lieutenant's head, killing him in an instant, before several Lava Fleas surrounded the fallen Imperial and began feasting on his corpse. TIE Fighters flew in, opening fire on the rogue TIE Bombers before they were knocked out by Mustafarian volleys of fireballs.

On the banks of the world of Mustafar, where the armored dark lord known as Darth Vader was born, Imperial might buckled in it's struggle against the very insurgency that was sweeping the known galaxy.