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I do not own Star Wars. If I did, different people would be doing the scripts for the Prequel and Sequel films.
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Beta read by the wonderful lincoln time, Jeda31, and BlantonM. Could not have done it without you guys!
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Guest Review answers :-D
Zero
Yeah, rotating through my other stories, which adds time.
Personally, if I was going to do a Sequel Trilogy, I would have handed the script writing over to Timothy Zahn, Michael Stackpole, Aaron Alston (RIP), and Matthew Stover. They could have made it work.
Yes, Palpatine (Legends) made his return more impressive than Sidious' (new canon) attempt. Although I feel a key detail was how Sidious was stuck in decrepit and dying body, and thus why so dependent upon recruiting Kylo and/or Rey.
Wait and see for how I handle Kylo/Rey ;-)
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Reader
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
.
Gary
LOL how could I resist? And I love how you describe it as a "Artoo-Off Genius"!
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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N
LOL the galaxy shall tremble at the presence of two Artoo's! X-D
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Guest (please choose a name/nickname next time)
In fairness to Movie!Luke, that kind of astral projection is also beyond EU!Luke's abilities.
Oh yes, while I have issues with Dark Empire, it will indeed be coming up.
Here is the latest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Star Wars: Legends Never Die
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Chapter 7: Battle of Starkiller Base
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Previously:
Luke, Mara, and Co. have arrived at the Resistance headquarters, with the story of their origin slowly filtering through their high command. While tensions over the differences in universes exist, they are put aside in favour of the threat of Starkiller Base. Meanwhile, Sidious temporarily possesses his puppet Snoke to present a plan to kill the returned 'Master Skywalker' once and for all. Upon releasing his control though, the personality of Snoke himself sensed a connection between Kylo Ren and Rey.
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Starkiller Base
Secure Conference Chamber
"Sir," said Kylo Ren cautiously, "while killing the older student Skywalker replaced me with shall be a pleasure, I believe we should try and bring the other girl with us. She's strong in the Force, young enough to still see the truth of the galaxy, and would be valuable to us."
His master, Snoke, the man who had saved him when the galaxy had turned upon him, stared back impassively, face unreadable.
The moment dragged on, and to his dismay he found himself shifting with nerves, further cursing his weakness.
"We shall see," said Snoke suddenly, and a chill went through him at the worry he had failed some sort of test, only to be filled with elation at the next words. "I'm pleased to see you considering such avenues to help fulfil your destiny. First however, we shall see if she survives the weapon."
With that, the Supreme Leader of the First Order disconnected the holocom without a gesture, leaving Kylo with an empty room and the return of crushing thoughts and fears.
No, concerns.
Entirely rational concerns, given how Master Skywalker was back.
A man who he had trusted, only to be betrayed. A man who had returned now to destroy everything Kylo had made for himself. In all likelihood, he was working with Han Solo too, two old failures unable to accept their precious Republic was already dead. Maybe even deluded into believing there was some sliver of Ben Solo to be 'saved' out of some sense of too-late, far too late, guilt. To offer him 'forgiveness' as if it was all his fault.
He would kill them to prove his strength.
Prove himself to Snoke that he was worthy of learning those final secrets of the Force that his master was unsure he was ready for.
Then he would rise up to stand beside the Supreme Leader as a true equal to him. A partner in bringing order and peace to this chaotic, squabbling galaxy. The decadent and slothful would be swept aside, and the dregs would be given what they needed to be pulled up to rebuild the galaxy into what it deserved to be. All while provided with the protection and sense of safety they deserved, without being pressured or coerced into fending or thinking for themselves.
Yes, yes they would do all that, and Kylo will have fulfilled his grandfather's dream.
But first he had to protect Starkiller, and plan out how he would actually kill Skywalker.
The strategy Snoke had outlined would work, even if it would require an unfortunate amount of sacrifice. However, it currently consisted mainly of broad strokes, and relied heavily upon Starkiller and the fodder of the First Order, and little opportunity for Kylo to distinguish himself.
Of course he had been promised his training would be continued while Skywalker was being hounded across the galaxy, but he could read between the lines. There would always be something which would keep the Supreme Leader from believing he was truly ready unless he proved himself. So he had to show his initiative by discovering or creating the opportunity to do it all himself.
In all likelihood, his best chance would be defeating the older apprentice. Even at a glance she had demonstrated considerable talent at killing, so taking her head would serve as proof of his worth, while hurting Skywalker in the same stroke. He would have to isolate her though, to prevent interference.
Moreover, if he could figure out how to separate Skywalker from his apprentices, then he could also save the girl.
Through the Force he knew she would survive the destruction of the Resistance Base, and surely he could prove her worth to Snoke! In fact, he would be saving her from Skywalker as his master had done for him! Yes, he would train her, provide her the same tools for liberation. Then there would be three of them!
Despite himself, Kylo allowed the kernel of hope within him to grow. It would all be so perfect. His will being made manifest through the Force.
And together they would kill Skywalker.
Reinvigorated, and gripping his repaired lightsaber, he turned to stalk out of the room.
He had a base to defend, so it could wipe out a den of murderers, traitors and thieves, and all they were trying to ruin for everyone else.
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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D'Qar
Resistance Base
For the briefing on the First Order's superweapon, it was a man introduced as 'fighter pilot, Commander Poe Dameron who took the lead. They were all circled around a holotable.
"The scan data from Snap's reconnaissance flight confirms what the guys questioning Finn," oh, and there was a hint of a defensive edge there which was a pleasant surprise to catch, "forwarded us."
A bearded man took up the thread. "They've somehow created a hyper-lightspeed weapon built within the planet itself."
"A laser cannon?" asked someone else.
"We're not sure how to describe a weapon of this scale."
"It's another Death Star," said an older officer.
"I wish that were the case, Major," said Commander Dameron as he tapped some buttons. "This was the Death Star." An image of the infamous battle station appeared. "And this is Starkiller Base." The far larger orb dominated the ancient terror, the latter 'only' being the size of a moon in comparison.
Gasps of dismay echoed across the room. Luke and Mara kept quiet, displaying confidence. Han Solo took it a step further by spreading his hands, and mockingly said, "So, it's big."
Yep, that was just like the man. Although Luke was trying to pin down an uncomfortable feeling he was getting. While it was definitely the Force, and it was trying to warn him about something, his connection to it remained too vague.
"How is it possible to power a weapon of that size?" demanded Admiral Ackbar.
"We don't know yet," admitted Poe.
"Maybe multiple power stations set across the globe," offered Mara speculatively.
An aid passed General Leia a flimisi to read. There was a brief moment of hesitation from her Luke was sure nobody but Han, Chewie, Mara, and himself had caught. "The First Order," she said to the rest, "they're charging the weapon again now. Our system is the next target."
"They found you already?" demanded Mara, cutting through the dismayed exclamations. Luke would have said the same if he had not been so surprised. This was starting to feel like Yavin IV all over again. Unfortunately the Force was now blaring to him confirmation of the threat. Her eyes narrowed further in thought. "This must've been a recent development, or they'd have sent a fleet here. . . . How did you get this information about the Starkiller? Just the recon flight, or spies too?"
"No, we haven't managed any significant ones within the First Order," admitted Leia. Clearly it was a sore spot, so they dropped it. Still, between that and the sheer surprise of their whole assault upon the New Republic, it appeared the First Order had some impressive counter-intelligence.
"I did the reconnaissance flight there," said the bearded man from earlier, who must be Snap.
"Did you come straight here from there?"
"Yes?" he said with a touch of confusion before flinching back at the venomous glare she gave him.
For himself, Luke just stared with an appalled expression. "You never do that if you're hiding your base!" he cried out, having a flashback to the many, many lectures about that when part of the Rebel Alliance. If you failed to immediately snap back that you were going to make a multi-jump route back, you were sent straight to latrine duty.
"But you can't track ships in hyperspace!" protested Commander Dameron.
"You can in our universe," corrected Mara, cutting off anything else. "It's not easy, but you can pull someone's vector from a few microseconds after a jump. With that, and calculating in the fuel restrictions of whatever craft it is, and possibly other intel they previously had." Ruthlessly she cut off the scathing words Luke could sense seething within her at the urge to verbally savage Snap for his gross, criminal incompetence. And if Snap had been one of Karrde's employees? He would be lucky to only be fired on the spot.
The situation right now was more precarious however, and starting a fight, especially without her proper reputation behind her, was counterproductive.
Plus, seeing how they handle whoever it was, will be a good test for this Resistance, she placated herself.
Dameron was having similar thoughts about the couple, taking offence at the insinuation that some of his pilots and direct subordinates, his friends, had put the Resistance in any sort of danger.
Schooling his expression back into that of a serene Jedi, Luke mastered himself and turned his mind to their next step.
Currently they were in a situation similar to the First Death Star approaching Yavin 4, and he had to show he had learnt from that. As well as the aftermath of it all.
Thoughts crystalized together, and what followed was not born from the guidance of the Force, but Luke's own hard-earned experience. The sudden and sharply empty feeling of what his Leia would be doing at a time like this. Her snapping off orders to him so she could do her own thing, and their absence was now glaring. So he would have to take her place, however briefly.
Pausing, Luke bit off the first words he wanted to say, as the woman before him was not really his sister, and he could not undermine her in front of her own people. Fortunately he had long practice dealing with various dignitaries and military personnel.
"General Organa Solo," he said formally, and she cocked an inviting eyebrow at him. "I recommend you let us worry about Starkiller, while you handle the Republic itself. It may be wounded and reeling, but you were the one who was right about the threat it faced, and are still fighting, all of which I know you can leverage. Act now before the First Order has had a chance to solidify its hold, and reach out to your contacts. You said ninety percent of the military is gone? Well find out what happened to the rest. Planets with militias or anti-piracy patrols with ships which can be 'stolen' as they turn a blind eye. Retired Rebels with their own ships."
Falling into sync with him, Mara added her own thoughts. "Is the First Order as pro-Human as the Empire? Then call up the governments of those aliens who suffered the most. Senators off-world, retired military, find everyone you can and get them coordinated and moving."
"Exactly," said Luke, flashing his fiancé a smile. "This will only be a single battle, but you Leia, you can win us the war."
Blinking once, twice, an astounding three times in surprise, Leia gave a small smile, and he knew only family could tell how fragile and yet proud and strong it truly was. As ever, she was unbent, unbowed, and broken. "You really think they'll come?" she asked neutrally, yet he could sense the test underneath.
"But we've already called for reinforcements, and no one answered," protested Threepio. "And the Republic fleet was the only thing strong enough to save us!"
"You're here though," Luke fondly pointed out, cutting off the protocol Droid, making it turn to him in open confusion. "You know the odds we're up against, and someone like you could've slipped off at any time. Except you're here."
"Well, I could hardly abandon my friends!" cried the Droid. "My, I've never been so insulted!"
Both Artoo's whistled and beeped at him, and he stopped. "Oh. I see. Thank you."
"No, thank you," said Leia.
"And to answer your question," said Mara, jade-eyes glittering, "If only a few dozen people from throughout the entire galaxy will answer the call for freedom, then the Republic deserves to die. In which case, after Starkiller Base I'm taking Luke and seizing a few systems to create our own Force Sensitive monarchy."
"By which she means I'll be the court jester," he clarified with a lopsided smirk, which broke the rest of the tension. While Mara was not one for humour, she knew how to play a crowd and what they needed.
"Well now," smirked Han, "I don't like my odds under God Queen Jade, so we've definitely got to pull this off." Chewbacca roared at him, and the smuggler gave his friend a light smack to the shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, nobody likes a brown-noser."
The purple-haired woman from earlier, Holdo, stepped forward. She shot Mara a wary glance before turning her attention onto her friend. "They're right though. Show them that people haven't given up on the Republic. Turn the fear and dismay into righteous anger. Give them hope, and a cause to rally against tyrants once more."
Luke nodded. "If this First Order is anything like the Empire, they depend upon intimidation. Take that away from them."
The leader of the Resistance gave a small snort, except her eyes glittered with amusement. "Pretty words," she said. "Except it sounds to me like you're just as exasperating as my Luke; leaving all the hard work for me to do." Without giving him a chance to reply, she snapped out a few sharp gestures, and several aides and officers made their way over to follow her out to another room.
"Alright, so how are we going to do this?" said Han. "We're on a deadline here."
Taking a moment, Luke reached out to the Force, hoping for some hint. Something they had overlooked. Wait. He opened his eyes. "You said that Finn had intel. He worked there directly?"
"Yes he has," grinned Poe like a howler.
"Get him here then. We need all we can get directly."
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* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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At a dead run, Finn reached the meeting room, with his escorts right beside him.
Everyone was clustered around the hologram of Starkiller Base, and he felt something tighten in his gut.
"Finn," said Luke apologetically. "Sorry, but we need to know whatever you can tell us in person."
"Uhm, right."
"What can you tell us about the power source?"
Those were basically orders, and Finn found himself falling back into a familiar mindset as he disciplined himself. "It uses the power of the sun. As the weapon is charged the sun is drained until it disappears."
"Completely over the top and destructive to everything around it, why'm I not surprised?" sighed Mara Jade.
"True, but it beats having to disable multiple generators," pointed out Luke.
"In order for that amount of power to be contained," said one officer, gesturing with his hands for emphasis, "that base has to have some kind of thermal oscillator."
"There is one," said Finn, moving around the table. "Precinct forty-seven. Here," he pointed to a part of the installation isolated from the bulk of the base.
"If we can destroy that oscillator," continued the officer, who he now belatedly recognized from First Order briefings as Statura, "it might destabilise the core and cripple the weapon."
"Maybe the planet," said an older Human.
"We'll go in there," volunteered Poe, "we'll hit the oscillator with everything we've got."
The churning in Finn's gut returned in greater intensity as he realised what his friend, his first friend, would be flying into.
"They have defensive shields that our ships cannot penetrate," warned Ackbar gravely.
"We disable the shields," said Han Solo.
"How?" said Mara Jade in response.
In answer, the smuggler turned to Finn. "Kid, you worked there. What you got?"
"What was your position?" clarified Mara.
After a pause he hoped was not too noticeable, Finn admitted, "Sanitation."
A subtle groan of display travelled the room, only for Mara Jade to smile in a way which genuinely scared him. "Perfect. If it's anything like Imperial construction, there'll be all sorts of ways to get around away with that."
Giving a smile, Luke nodded. "They prefer intruders to stick to their nice, shiny corridors."
Shock filled Finn as he realised the truth of it. They really could do that! But how—oh. A deadly calm settled over him, and he felt numb.
"You want me to come with you," said Finn.
"We can't make you," said Luke with a touch of apology. "But we really are hoping you will. You're the only one with a remote idea of what the place is like."
Unbidden, he glanced in the direction of Poe's hopeful expression, and thought of Rey and how much she believed in him even after learning he had been with the First Order. The help Luke and Mara Jade had already given him.
Yes. For them he could do it.
"Okay," he slowly nodded, feeling a sense of warmth and strength returning to him. "I'm in."
"I like this guy," said Solo to the crowd, pointing at Finn. "So, you lead us around, and with two Jedi we take out the shields."
"Now we've just got to figure out how to get on the planet," said Luke, crossing his arms contemplatively.
Chewbacca and Solo exchanged a quick look, and then the man said, "We'll handle it."
"Good," nodded Luke, considering that settled.
"So we disable the shields," said Poe confidently, "we take out the oscillator and we blow up their big gun."
"What do we have for that?" interjected Luke before everyone could begin to celebrate.
"Red Squadron and Blue Squadron," Poe promptly answered. "Both made up of X-wings, with eight photon torpedoes each."
"Eight?" said Luke with clear surprise. "How did you fit in two more—"
"Keep it together, sky jockey," scolded Mara. "You can look at the blueprints later. The important question is if that'll be enough to blow up something that big." She looked at Statura. "How fortified would this thing have to be?"
Even Finn could see the concern slipping across the man's face as he considered the question. "Very. Even without being a key strategic target."
"They're the best we've got," protested Poe.
"That's it," blinked Luke in dismay. "No E-wings?" Blank looks. "K-wings? B-wings? Capital ships?"
"Unfortunately no," said Poe, sounding defensive. "And the only 'wing there I've heard of was the B."
"But we do have something else," spoke up a woman with purple hair. "We recently brought in those Star Fortresses."
"With all due respect, ma'am, those are too slow," the pilot said back.
"Can you bring them up," asked Mara, gesturing to the holotable. Obediently an officer made the correct input, and an image of the ship and their specs appeared for all to see.
It meant nothing to Finn, so he glanced at Luke, and was taken aback by the offended look on his face.
"These don't look very serviceable," noted Mara.
"They're flying death traps," said Luke bluntly. "They could never survive a bombing run on a capital ship unless you took out all the turbolasers first. And would need a serious fighter screen. Why would . . ." he trailed off, gesturing weakly at the picture.
"Don't mind him," said Mara to the crowd, "his inner snubjockey is apparently easily offended."
Whatever else she was about to say as the ancient astromech they had come with started beeping wildly.
"Their payloads," blinked Luke, before refocusing. ". . . Huh." He tapped a few keys to highlight details on a bunch of balls which Finn assumed were bombs.
"That's enough to crack open a star destroyer," said Mara in awe. "With just one ship."
"Okay. Okay, I have an idea," said Luke.
As he outlined it, he could tell everyone, even Poe, was quickly on board with it.
"Alright," said Luke. "We'll grab some commandos, and Finn will lead us in to sabotage the place."
An awkward pause.
"We don't have any commandos," admitted Ackbar.
"None," repeated Luke, blinking in surprise. "Okay, how about some Noghri. Ah. No. Intelligence operatives?"
"Elsewhere."
"I'm afraid it's just us, Kid," said Han.
"Seems like it," acknowledged Luke.
"You do realise this isn't really a plan, but a series of wild improvisations," said Mara dryly.
"It's worked for us so far," smiled Luke at her.
Chewbacca roared in affirmation, and the Jedi clapped his hands. "Alright. Let's go."
With a clamour, the crowd separated to do their parts.
"Oh," Luke's voice could still be heard, "and we need to get Threepio for this too."
"We're doomed," deadpanned Han.
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* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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Threading her way through a crowd of pilots and engineers rushing to get the starfighters ready, Rey raced towards the Millennium Falcon.
More people were moving along pallets of stuff while trying to stay out of the way of the X-wings as they hurried to pack up an entire base. Even to her amateurish eye, she suspected they would have to abandon a lot of stuff, which would be a horrid waste. But yes, once people knew where your valuables were, you either had to re-hide them, or stand watch every moment, and the First Order was too strong to stand up to like that.
She hesitated at the sight of Master Skywalker and Mara seeming to be having an argument with a Resistance officer. Something about how nobody had any sets of First Order stormtrooper armour to wear as disguises. Which yes was very weird. She had heard from others how in the olden days that the Imperial versions had been prime scavenging material since while it could not stop a military-grade blaster bolt, it was good for a lot of other stuff.
After another moment, she decided not to bother them.
Ah, there was Han!
She hurried over, only to realise he was talking to that older lady from before who was very nice, yet also seemed really scary for some reason. Now she knew the woman was General Leia Organa Solo, the leader of the Resistance, and incidentally Han's wife. Maybe. The man had not seemed very clear on the matter himself, so she had not pressed. Oh, and Master Skywalker's sister!
It had spread throughout the whole base on how they were evacuating, so she guessed the General had stepped aside to say good-bye. So she came to a stop, not wanting to interrupt.
"Some things never change," said Han to Leia.
Oh. Oh dear, she was close enough to overhear! Should she leave? She should definitely leave. Except they might catch her trying to back up, and that would be worse.
She caught sight of Finn just off to the side, with a blaster rifle and a bunch of balls, sharing an awkward look with her.
"True," said Leia, stepping closer to him. "You still drive me crazy."
They stared at each other for long seconds, before sliding into a warm embrace which made Rey's own heart clench for reasons she could not understand. She . . . felt something from them. Beautiful, and tender. Damaged, but still strong. Was this the Force? Showing her the love these two held for one another?
"If you see our son . . ." said Leia so softly, Rey nearly missed it. ". . . Bring him home."
Han did not answer back, raising the nerves on Rey as she fought the urge to jump in. Finally, Leia looked up to see her. "Rey," she said with a smile. "I'm glad to see you're better."
"I want to help!" blurted out Rey. "I can go with you!" She was good at sneaking around, and she had the Force, and Han would need all the help he could get saving Ben while Master Skywalker dealt with the First Order.
She had a connection with Ben! She knew it!
Before the General could say anything, Han let go of his grip on her, and turned to face Rey. "I've got a more important job for you," he said, with a touch of certainty to his voice which made her straighten up in anticipation of his orders.
"I need you to protect Leia."
The woman in question turned towards him. "Excuse me?" she asked with a sweet smile which made Rey want to step away, and Finn dropped the balls he had.
"I just told you those were explosives," said Han grumpily without looking back, focusing instead on his wife. Moreover, he did not flinch from that look, making him braver than Rey would ever be.
"Impressive, no?" said Master Skywalker, coming up beside her, putting a hand on Rey's shoulder. Han and Leia ignored him as he continued with, "The area feeling like it's full of cold glass, waiting to shatter and cut you?" Rey shuddered as the description, now feeling it was just as he said. "That's nothing to do with the Force, and entirely about what sort of woman Leia is."
Acting as if nothing had been said, Han turned his focus on Rey specifically. "I need someone I can trust to make sure she actually gets off this planet in time. Even if you have to stun her, and carry her to her transport over your shoulder." He winked. "Don't worry, the only one she'll kill is me."
At that, Leia huffed and rolled her eyes, breaking the tension, and Master Skywalker gave a small chuckle.
All of which only barely registered to Rey as her jaw dropped at the enormity of the trust Han was putting in her. What he was counting on her for. "I won't let you down!" she swore. She would repay the faith they had shown in her, with everything she had!
"Good," he said gruffly. Turning his attention now to Master Skywalker, Han said, "Chewie's just grabbing the last of the gear and medical supplies, since there's none aboard. No missiles though."
"Understood. Threepio will be here soon."
"Fantastic," Han said, and Rey did not think he meant it. The smuggler jerked his chin at her. "Last call to say goodbye to Finn and anyone else before we take off."
Gasping, she quickly ran around them to Finn. Quickly he stood up, and looked like he wanted to say something, only nothing came out, and she was drawing a blank as well, so she just pulled him into a hug of her own. His arms just hung in the air, and she started to worry she had done something wrong when he returned the gesture. She squeezed him tighter for a few more seconds before letting go. "Stay safe," she managed, before running off to find Poe and give him a hug as well.
"Just ask someone, and they'll tell you where to find me," Leia called back after her.
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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"Oh dear me!" lamented Threepio. "We're doomed! The odds are terribly against us!"
From around the corner where the Droids were, Luke overheard an Artoo blat out a question to their friend.
"Because they'll be even worse without my help!" Threepio huffed back.
For themselves, Luke and Mara were seated down at the dejarik table, grabbing a quick breather for themselves.
Seeing as how they had some time, Mara took a moment to braid her red-gold hair. An extra little precaution as they were inevitably going to fight their way through at some point, but by putting it in the sort of style popular with lower-ranked female officers of the old Empire, she was prepared to disguise herself if necessary. Especially as Luke was stepping away from using the Force for everything like his old illusions and other mental tricks.
Really though, it was their stench they had to worry about giving them away. Neither of them had had a proper wash in over a week by this point.
Not that you would know it by the look Luke was giving her.
To distract herself, she turned her attention onto Finn, who was sitting on a crate of supplies, adjusting to his blaster. Observing him during the meeting had been an intriguing affair. At a guess, the Resistance people debriefing him had gone for a gentler, more indirect manner of questioning him. Only at the meeting, the ex-stormtrooper had responded promptly to direct requests for information that had been far more useful than what had been forwarded to them already from the kids' gloves approach.
She also doubted Finn realised the degree to which he had taken the lead during the meeting, easily keeping up with seasoned commanders. Much like he had done on Takadona. Definitely not the mindset of your typical 'trooper, and she would lay good odds his low rank was more for 'insufficient zeal' or even 'too much initiative,' all of which the First Order considered undesirable in a conscript.
Even when heading back into the heart of the First Order, he was keeping his composure.
Although, that said, from the emotions which had radiated off of the man during the hug, he was still struggling with the concept that other people valued and appreciated him.
Something she could painfully relate to.
Not that she was going to get involved in that. No, she would leave it to the Farm Boy given his previous success cases.
Catching Mara's assessing glance at Finn, and remembering how befuddled he had been while boarding, Luke's thoughts drifted off to his newest student.
Having learnt from his mistake after the recent battle, and the subsequent panic attack, Luke had not forgotten about Rey, and had taken a quick, private moment aside with Han to discuss what to do with her. While admittedly a tad hypocritical of him, the Jedi Master had learnt the hard way not to bring a powerful, untrained, and inexperienced Force Sensitive into combat situations.
It had even worked out better than he had hoped, with Leia making such a strong impression on Rey. Being a Jedi included learning about diplomacy after all, and who better to be a role model for it?
Plus, it had been heartening to see the hope light up in her eyes at Han's offer.
. . . Which unfortunately led his line of thoughts back to something they could no longer put off.
"Finn," he said. "Could you please give Mara and I some privacy? We've got some Jedi business to discuss."
"Oh, sure," he said, quickly vacating towards the cockpit.
"So," said Luke.
"Kylo Ren," said Mara evenly.
"Or Ben Solo," he replied. "We don't really know much about him."
"We don't need to. Only that he's committed atrocities, and emulates Darth Vader."
"And Anakin Skywalker proved you can come back from the Dark."
"Considering them as two different people isn't precisely healthy."
With a sigh, Luke leaned back in his seat. "I can see them as the same person if I need to, but I admit it's a lot easier this way."
"He made his choices," she said instead of touching that bundle of issues. "Like you told me long ago on Wayland, it all comes down to our own decisions. What worries me though, is that after hearing all that, if," she leaned forwards, "you can cut him down, knowing he's your own flesh and blood."
Yes, something he had been wondering about himself.
"If I had cut down my father then and there, you'd have ultimately only traded one Vader for another." Her jade eyes narrowed at him, yet let him continue. "For here though, I won't hesitate if it's necessary to save others from him." That was all he could allow, because that is all he can be certain of. Not that he is finished though, because he did remember how exactly Wayland ended, and so he firmly added, "But I won't leave it to you to settle."
Her gaze sharpened for a moment before softening in appreciation. "Good. You might've also succeeded with Solusar, and Solo with Durron," that was a pointed jab at how Luke had messed up with the teen, "but historically the only way to stop a Dark Sider who's reached the point of massacres is to kill 'em."
"It'll depend a lot on Han," he admitted. "If there's anyone who can convince Ben he wants to be redeemed, it'll be his father."
"That's your hope."
Luke paused and considered what he was feeling. "No," he said with durasteel certainty. "If there's going to be a chance, it'll have to be him to help set his son on the right path." He paused, and then added, "Or at least show him it."
"Alright," she nodded. "I won't hold back myself though."
"Understood," he smiled, accepting that as who she was, as she did for him in turn.
"That said, it won't be easy," he added, shifting their focus. "Finn described some impressive techniques I haven't even heard of before."
"Interesting," she said, pursing her lips. "I wonder if that's another difference between universes, something he developed on his own, or something you managed to miss." Many records had been destroyed after all, despite Luke's hunt across the galaxy for every scrap of clues.
A ping from the Force cut off his response, and he saw she felt it as well. Not a warning of danger exactly, but a warning all the same.
Instantly he raced for the cockpit, with her immediately behind him.
They arrived just as Finn asked, "How are we getting in?"
"Their shields have a fractional refresh rate," said Han, glancing back briefly. "Keeps anything travelling slower than lightspeed from getting through."
That made zero sense.
"We're making our landing approach at lightspeed?" demanded Finn incredulously.
"That's impossible," said Mara bluntly. "That gravity well alone—"
"Alright Chewie," interrupted Han, "get ready."
Luke blinked. That also made absolutely zero sense. He had checked the galactic map, and discovered to his disheartenment that Starkiller Base had been made out of Ilum, a desecration of the ancient Jedi Temple there, and easily days away even for the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive.
Except . . . would the First Order really invest in a superweapon which took days between each firing?
Plus there was how strangely fast they had reached D'qar before.
And this was Han Solo talking.
Alarm and comprehension burst through Luke, and he felt Mara's own shock as she sensed everything rushing through him despite all his Jedi training.
Finn grabbed a seat.
"Han—!" started Luke.
"And . . ." said Han, peering at the roiling lights of hyperspace. "Now!"
The roiling blue lights of hyperspace vanished and before them was a solid grey they all had less than a heartbeat to realise was stone and approaching fast before the pilot yanked back the controls to make them climb.
Chewie roared, and he snapped back, "I am pulling up!"
Thrown back as the inertial dampeners failed to keep up, Luke and Mara wrapped one arm around each other, while their free ones grabbed the bulkheads for a grip. Their minds were too blanked by sheer shock to do much else. Distantly they heard the wailing of the Droids behind them.
They crested over the mountain only to run into a thick forest atop of it. Wood splintered against the viewport as they snapped trees in half.
In response to Chewie's next growl, Han said, "I get any higher they'll see us!"
They broke through the treeline, and acting on instinct Luke reached out with the Force to switch on the repulsors, keeping them from hitting the ground and crashing. Quickly adjusting, Han slapped off their sublight engines to reduce their sensor signature, and settled them down gently to a complete stop.
In the distance they could see the light of the sun being sucked down into the planet.
". . . See," he said with a touch of maniac cheer. "That wasn't so bad."
Mara turned her dead gaze at him. "The truest sign I'm a Jedi right now is that I don't kill you for that."
"Don't worry," said Luke, reluctantly letting go of the sides of the ship, if not her arm. It helped that he could tell she was only half-serious. "We'll just tell Leia what stunt he pulled."
"And people say you're the nice one of us."
Despite himself, Han had to wince at that, while Chewie huffed in amusement, before asking a question.
"Yeah, that does seem like another difference between our universes," said Luke. "We should've been yanked out back into realspace right over the planet."
Snorting, Han shook his head. "That's not how the hyperdrive works."
"Apparently," said Luke, thinking over the implications of this. A hyperdrive with none of the limitations they were used to, and at far greater speeds, would have a massive impact back home. Something they would have to be very careful about. "We can talk about it later."
Once he no longer had to worry about shakes.
"Agreed," said Mara with a scowl. Farm Boy could be all about improvisation if he wanted to, but she still preferred at least a semblance of a plan, and had assumed they would have a few days to do so. "Where are we relative to the base? Faster trip or not, we're still on a deadline."
A quick check of their screens showed they were not too far away after all. That said, given the distance and snow outside . . .
". . . Did we pack any hoverbikes?"
". . . No."
With a groan, Mara chose to press a palm to her face over threatening Solo with violence once more. "This is starting to sound like Wayland all over again."
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Kylo Ren paused, slowly turning around as he stretched out with his will to use the Force to find what he sought. That glimmer of something which had brushed against his mind, There and gone, but not 'nothing.' Not for him.
"Skywalker," he hissed out with boiling emotions. "Solo."
He spun about to confirm there were no witnesses with him in the corridor aside from his Knights of Ren.
Vicrul, Cardo, Ushar, Trudgen, Kuruk, and Ap'lek.
All armed and talented with their weapon of choice. Taught in the ways of the Dark Side, and his personal warriors.
"He's here," he announced. "On the planet."
It should be impossible, and yet they had done so all the same.
"How . . . fortuitous," he said, projecting all his confidence. Because was this not what he had asked for? He would prove his strength by killing Skywalker. His conviction in killing Solo. And as a final touch of quark frosting, he would discredit Hux by having to save Starkiller after the man's precious technology had failed to protect it.
"Time for a rematch," said Cardo eagerly.
The others nodded in agreement. They were stronger than they had been before.
"What will Skywalker do?" asked Ap'lek. "Where will he go?"
Raising his hand in a silent gesture for patience, their leader stopped to think. Tried to anticipate where exactly Skywalker would go. If it was Kylo himself behind it, he would make his way to the control centre, cutting a path to the heart of the problem to ensure victory. Except Skywalker had been strangely non-confrontational on Takodana. Well, at least with his 'nephew' he had been. Probably holding onto some Jedi nonsense. Still, that was the point: he had to think like a Jedi. So either they would seek out Kylo himself, or they would try and disarm the weapon somehow.
The deserter!
With a lowlife like Solo along as well, with his history as a saboteur.
Yes, it was all coming together. Now they merely had to try and anticipate where Skywalker would go, and how he would go about it.
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Unknown
"—considers disagreements and discussion to be chaos and anarchy, instead of efforts by beings from all over this galaxy to come together in the name of their right to be free and decide their own destiny."
The red-eyed individual considered the holomessage of Leia Organa Solo's message carefully.
"The First Order relies upon fear to survive, to create the illusion it is stronger than the rest of the galaxy despite being such a minority. By tomorrow its superweapon will be destroyed, proving the inevitable futility of its vision of tyranny. To the rest of the people of the Republic, I say this:
"Resist.
"Be patient. Be strong. Fight back where you can. Their war machine shall fall apart one gear, one gun, one stormtrooper at a time just as the Empire did. The Republic is not dead, and it is coming to help you finish the fight."
"Not bad," complimented the man beside him.
"She reused one of her old speeches," he said back, blue skin tightening around his eyes as he thought.
"It's doubtful they had much time."
"True. Regardless, our course is clear, Captain. Inform the fleet to prepare for lightspeed."
/ * * \
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D'Qar orbit
Raddus
It was sheer chaos, but General Leia was a center of calm in it.
The woman had insisted on being called 'Leia,' since Rey was still not an official member, except that title felt impossible to separate from the older woman. Still, the offer had been . . . nice. Moreover, as Han had promised, she was not offended by having Rey tailing after her, even into the bridge of the biggest ship she had ever seen. It was so much more clean and smooth compared to all those Imperial ones she had grown up climbing within!
Not that she was too obvious in her staring at everything about the Resistance flagship. Or at least tried to be.
She mostly stood to the side to be out of the way, although the General was not doing much at the moment. Initially she had been giving out lots of quiet yet firm directions to the Resistance members, or skimming over flimsies and datapads, only for it to settle down.
"It's because I trust them to do their jobs."
Shocked, Rey jumped a little at General Leia suddenly being beside her and speaking. "I—what?"
"Why I'm not going about barking orders or getting in people's way," elaborated General Leia. "There comes a point where you need to let them handle it, while you focus on the bigger picture. They know what to do, and I've made all the calls and proclamations I can for the moment. It's a waiting game now while I wait for certain people to call back, and to leave the coms free for the rest of the evacuation." She leaned closer and said more quietly, "And sometimes part of being in charge is just standing around, letting everyone see how confident you are."
"Oh, I see," said Rey, even though that was a half lie.
The raised eyebrow she received told her she was fooling nobody, except instead of being offended General Leia was looking at her with unmistakable fondness. "We're lucky to have you by the way, Rey," she said, referencing how Rey had found herself spilling her life's story on the shuttle ride up to the ship.
"Thank you," said Rey, hoping her face was not flushed.
Another flimsi appeared before General Leia, and she gave it a glance before turning her attention back to Rey. "We're about to head to hyperspace. Once we do, we'll be safe, so you can consider your job complete. I'd suggest stopping by the medical bay though."
"I'm fine," Rey protested.
"I'm sure you are," said General Leia not unkindly. "But medical checks are a mandatory part of joining the Resistance like you said you wanted to." Instantly Rey brightened up, and was eager to run down there straightaway. "Also," and the Resistance leader leaned in again to keep it private, "you can ask them to run your DNA samples to see if your parents are in our database."
Her feet shifted towards the door before Rey caught herself despite the young voice in her head screaming to go find her parents; because she would not abandon her duty. "But only once we're in hyperspace," she managed to force out stiffly.
General Leia gave her a wink and encouraging smile, and then turned her attention back to the holotable detailing the final steps of the evacuation, leaving Rey to her buzzing thoughts.
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Starkiller Base
Command Center
Brisk and professional, General Hux approached the office primarily overseeing preparations. "Report."
She glanced at the readout to verify, and looked at him. "Weapon charged in fifteen minutes, sir."
Without another word he walked away, impatiently waiting for it to all come together. Looking for a distraction, he took a moment to gaze up at the fleet overhead which the Supreme Leader had called in as pointless reinforcements. No matter, it was merely more witnesses to his triumph.
/ * * \
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Ignoring the dead stormtrooper laying on the ground, the infiltration team took stock of the First Order's base. While Luke had not sensed anyone, they had to keep an eye out for electronic security measures.
Pointedly, Mara made sure their winter gear was stored outside the door, not dumped inside on the floor for anyone to find and set off an alert. No need to be sloppy after the First Order had been kind enough to leave a poorly guarded door leading to the frigid outdoors.
"The longer we're here the less luck we're gonna have," declared Solo.
"Not luck, it's the Force which is with us," said Luke calmly. The smuggler scowled at that, yet said nothing.
"The shields," said Finn. "I have an idea about that."
"Go on," said Mara. It'll be a loss for the Resistance if we can't get this man to stay. Even if I wish he'd thought of it sooner.
Despite this, at first she was sceptical, only to admit she had no better idea. "We've also got that fleet they just brought in to worry about. We'll have to call in the fighters before we take it down, or else they'll notice."
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The First Order was apparently built out of the ruins of the Empire.
Formed by survivors who had fled into the Unknown Regions, the best of the best of their fallen nation, determined to build something greater than it. One which would have none of the old failings, while institutionalising and strengthening everything which had made Palpatine's vision worth dying for. An institution of law and order which would span millennia.
In practice, they fell woefully short in Luke and Mara's eyes; functionally little different in substance from the myriad of warlords who had risen up after Endor.
And not just because they had still not yet learnt the value of railings.
Or the absolutely abysmal security. They had not even needed to use a single Jedi mind trick to get around!
No, the worst part was how perfectly Finn's whole plan played out.
In bits and pieces as they hurried around dodging patrols, he explained how there was this woman named Phasma who lead the Stormtrooper Corps, who by the sounds of it ranked up there with Kylo Ren and General Hux, who was the head of this base, in the First Order's (surprisingly vague) military hierarchy. Finn was confident she would have the necessary access codes. Moreover, she regularly went for her own independent patrol around, and of course people like Finn learned how to avoid her if necessary. Which also meant he knew where she would be.
And despite whatever else Solo might think, it had to be the work of the Force that Phasma was so conveniently close-by for them.
It was the work of a moment for Mara to slip behind the woman and kick her legs out from under her, while Luke and Finn grabbed the stormtrooper's arms and hauled her out of the main corridor. One quick application of a lightsaber at Phasma's throat, and the fight went out of her.
"You remember me?" squinted Finn at the woman before the Jedi could intervene.
"FN-2187," Phasma replied readily through her helmet's synthesised voice.
"No anymore," corrected Finn with a heavy intensity. Mara was about to intervene before a glance from Luke made her stop. Her fiancé felt that Finn needed this. As the scene continued to unfold, she had to acknowledge the increasingly manic look in the defector's eye made for a surprisingly effective 'bad cop' approach. "The name's Finn," he whisper-shouted, jabbing with his blaster, "and I'm in charge. I'm in charge now, Phasma. I'm in charge."
"Bring it down," said Han softly, his own blaster never wavering from their prisoner. "Bring it down."
"Yeah," whispered Finn as he mastered himself. "Follow me," he ordered Phasma.
Next thing they knew, they were in an isolated room before a suitable computer terminal.
"Tell us your codes," instructed Luke, and with barely a hint of hesitation the head of the First Order's fanatically loyal legions complied, and the Force confirmed it was true.
Disgust radiated off of Mara as the First Order's highest leadership proved no better than the Empire's had been. There was no true belief in 'order' or 'stability' at the top, only naked self-interest and advancement. Possibly even worse, as there had been some Imperials who would have rather died than betray the Empire and their fellow soldiers and pilots.
Whistling smugly, Artoo, Luke's Artoo, wheeled his way to the console and plugged himself in.
He could feel Phasma's attention sharpen on the Droid, and knew even now she was trying to find an opening.
Mara shot her in the neck with a stun blast.
Surprised, Finn nearly dropped the limp and large Phasma, but Luke braced her. "We need to put her somewhere out of sight," he said.
"Probably more merciful to just kill her," said Mara with a touch of bitterness. "She won't wake up in time like that." Not that she acted upon it, or really meant to directly murder a helpless prisoner. Even like this, Phasma had the slightest chance of survival.
Another sharp whistle, the cleverest little astromech confirmed he was in, and with full access.
"Good. Alright, Artoo, start with their shields. Han, call Chewie."
Meanwhile Han pulled out his com, cued to a frequency Chewie was monitoring, and said, "Issue on sanitation corridor seven-three-eight-dash-wesk-cresh." According to Finn that would sound legit, without being an actual place. Not that they were expecting anyone of the First Order monitoring transmissions to catch on in time.
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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Millennium Falcon
Nice and toasty warm with the heat on, Chewbacca clicked the com twice in acknowledgement. He barked an order to Threepio, only the Droid was already on it. "Thank the Maker!" he exclaimed even as he sent his own message.
Meanwhile, the Wookie began finalising preparations for his own job. Idly he took a sip of his hot caf while he wondered if being able to send messages through hyperspace was another thing their new associates could not imagine.
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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Raddus
Hyperspace
"General, the signal's been given," reported one of the officers.
"Han did it," said Leia with relief. "Send them in," she ordered.
"Give Poe full authorization to attack," Admiral Statura relayed.
"Black Leader, go to sub-lights on your call."
/ * * \
* * * Legends Never Die * * *
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Fulminatrix
Orbit above Starkiller Base
"Captain!"
Captain Moden Canady of the First Order swivelled to his sensor operator even as she continued.
"Enemy contacts! 'Fighters matching older Republic models. It's the Resistance!"
"Target them with our surface cannons," he ordered automatically, even as he tried to understand what they were thinking. A desperate suicide run?
"Captain!" she called again, only now with clear concern. "The planetary shield's down!"
"What?" he said on reflex before catching himself. It appeared the Supreme Leader had been wise to pull his ships away from finishing the dismantlement of the corrupt Republic after all. Obviously a traitor and saboteurs were at work. "Contact the base immediately!" he thundered. "Scramble our fighters! Tell the other ships to do the same!"
With a sense of foreboding he turned to look out the viewscreen at the sight of the star being sucked into the installation below. While he was hardly briefed upon the specifics of it, he could imagine how volatile such a containment system must be. "They're targeting the weapon!"
/ * * \
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Author Notes:
First off, I have to present to you this fic, which may very well be my very favourite Expanded Universe/Legends AU:
tvtropes pmwiki / pmwiki . php / Fanfic / Interregnum
"Interregnum," by Admiral_Byzantium, DrMckay, and Isabelinski
Lots of inspiration here, including help on how to write lightsaber duels ;-)
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In fairness to Snap, the situation of getting the reconnaissance data on Starkiller Base was a bit more complicated than that. The other pilot was his wife, and she had to swoop in to save him, and then she took them straight to D'qar. However that still provided the First Order with what they needed, and frankly they should not have put a husband and wife together in the first place.
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Sharp-eyed readers will note that by having the evacuation happening sooner, we are already removing one of the major challenges the Resistance faced in The Last Jedi. Plus there is no need for Rey to go be trained by Luke when already have one available.
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For the events of The Force Awakens, the plot of my story is strongly restrained from going off the rails due to the realities of Starkiller Base. After this though, I am far more free to create a fresh new AU.
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Mara means that part about a monarchy as a joke, but honestly the Legends' democracies are little better off. The fact they appear to only remain functional thanks to the Skywalker-Solo Clan is not a point in their favour.
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I also recommend going on YouTube to watch "The First Order - New Republic War Doesn't Work | Star Wars," and "The First Order - New Republic War Reimagined | Star Wars." It is a very interesting take on how a war would look between a more competent First Order and New Republic. Enjoyable on its own, although you may wish to watch the other videos which set up things beforehand.
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Next Chapter: "Battle of Starkiller Base, Part 2"
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Please Review, and I will get back to you!