Chapter 20: Rescue
Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, I only own my OCs.
Last Paragons.
Leliana searches the star maps, desperately trying to locate Alexandra.
Kenta commented, "She's been like that ever since we stepped on the ship."
Yuna said, "Can you blame her? We fell for a distraction by Wyatt so Alexandra can be captured and taken to who knows where."
Leliana snapped her head at them, "Don't just stand there. Come over here and help me!" As they came over she asked herself, "Okay, where would Wyatt take her? A planet saturated with the dark side of the Force in the Unknown Regions?"
Kenta said, "Leliana, please calm down. We will find her."
Leliana whipped around and grabbed his robe sleeve, "The Empire is doing who knows what to Alex and you're telling me to calm down?!"
Kenta removed her hand, "I understand how much she means to you but stressing out doesn't help us."
Alec said, "We'll do this the old way: Torture an Imperial until he confesses and wreck Imperial bases on the side."
Leon grinned, "Now you're speaking my language. Let's start at the Inner Rim and work our way out. Kuat is first. I hear the Empire had constructed a new facility meant for producing a new type of walker. In addition to the torture, we'll blow it to hell." Venturing into the cockpit, Leliana types in the coordinates for Kuat and activates the hyperdrive.
Leliana whispered, "Please be okay, Alex." Inside an Empire base on an unnamed planet, Alexandra screams in pain as Wyatt shocks her with Force lightning in hopes of finding out where her friends are but despite being tortured for an entire week, disarmed and wearing a Force inhibiting collar, the young Sith apprentice refuses to crack. Even after being deprived of food, water and sleep.
Wyatt commented, "Your resistance is admirable, child but you won't last forever."
Alexandra glared at him through her pain, "Go to hell."
The Sith assassin told her, "Spare yourself further pain and submit to the dark side."
Alexandra said, "You can take that offer and shove it up your ass. If I die, you sealed your precious Empire's fate including yourself."
Wyatt laughed, "Such resolve for someone so young. But I see the truth in your eyes. The dark side calls to you, Alexandra Wolf. You hunger to taste it again." The door to the torture room slides open with a hiss and mechanical breathing fills the room. Turning around, Wyatt kneels before Darth Vader.
The Sith Lord gestured with his hand, "Rise, Wyatt." The Sith assassin does.
Wyatt said, "The girl's stubborn, master. It's been a week and she hasn't broken." He handed the Sith Lord her lightsaber, "She was armed with this."
Darth Vader accepted it, "Good work, Wyatt. Leave us. Continue your hunt for the girl's friends and bring them to the Emperor."
Wyatt bowed, "Yes, master." He exits the room, leaving Vader with Alexandra.
The Sith Lord stared at her with the soulless lenses of his mask, "You've been causing the Empire a lot of trouble, young one."
Alexandra said, "It's because your Emperor has caused the galaxy a great deal of suffering under his tyrannical rule!"
Darth Vader corrected, "Restoring peace to the galaxy. Of course, there are times you must use force." Alexandra can feel the Sith Lord trying to probe her mind. She does her best to keep him out. However, the week-long torture makes it hard. She next watches him activate her lightsaber, studying the craftsmanship.
He praised, "This lightsaber design is intriguing. It's robust, blade guards and a silver blade. No Jedi or Sith have a silver lightsaber." He turned the weapon off, "You are more powerful than I first thought, young one. I can feel the dark kernal inside you, eager to sprout. Under my tutalge you can bend the dark side to your will."
Alexandra sneered, "You're wasting your time, Vader. I'll never turn to the dark side and no amount of torture will convince me."
Darth Vader titled his head slightly, "Torture? No, dear Alexandra. I'll open your eyes to what true power is. The dark side is stronger than what your masters told you. The light side holds you back. The dark side is where true power resides."
The young Sith growled, "Screw you!" Despite being cuffed to the table, she gives him the finger.
Vader said, "Your defiance is amusing but everyone has their breaking point." He moves closer and Alexandra feels a chill run down her spine.
The Forgotten Star exits hyperspace reaching Kuat.
Touching down just outside the base's perimeter the group prepares to wreck havoc on the base.
Leliana loads a bag of explosive charges attached to a remate detonator along with thermal detonators on her belt.
She said to the others, "Let's go." They rush out.
A pair of stormtroopers stand guard outside the entrance find themselves clutcthing their throats then collapse to the ground lifeless with a loud crack.
Leon stared at the entrance door with a huge grin, "Here we go!" He sends a charged Force push blowing the door off its hinges. They move into the base.
An Imperial officer said into his holocommunicator, "We have a security breach! Send troops toward..." He next gasps when he feels cold metal pressed against his skull.
Leliana said menacingly, "And just like that the first Imperial met his end." She pulls the trigger ending the man's life.
Reaching a corridor leading to mess hall Leliana blows away a stormtrooper with a vengeful, murderious look on her face. Turning to her left the smuggler shoots a second Imperial trooper square in the chest plate.
Leon and the others joined her as the former Jedi quaried, "Starting the party without me?"
Kenta advised, "Let's capture the man in charge and torture him until he tells where Alexandra is."
Leliana said, "Go ahead. We're not leaving until that happens." She walks down the hall methodically green eyes burning with rage. The next thing anybody hears is blaster fire and Imperials screaming.
The smuggler wrapped her arm around an officer's throat in a choke hold, "Tell me where you Imperial fucks are holding Alex."
The Imperial officer said, "Go to hell."
Leliana tightened her hold, "Where is Alex?"
Her victim taunted, "Eager to join her in death?"
Leliana said, "Wrong answer." She snaps his neck.
One Imperial checks the weapons in the supply depot when a pair of thermal detonators roll into view at his feet, Leliana walks away seconds before the explosives destroy the room and the Imperial. Venturing into a corridor, an unarmed stormtrooper tries crawling away out of fear but Leliana puts a blaster bolt through his helmet. Eyeing an Imperial officer approaching her with a blaster pistol Leliana shoots it out of his hand followed by shooting his leg.
Grabbing him by the collar, Leliana pinned the man to the wall, "Where is Alex, you piece of Bantha shit? Tell me or the next bolt will be in your head."
The Imperial mocked, "You're wasting your time."
Leliana said, "If you play stupid, you're not going to last much longer. Where. Is. Alex?"
The Imperial sneered, "You won't live to find her, scum."
Leliana pressed her forearm against the man's throat, "Your Emperor and Vader will join you in hell soon enough. They're not invincible. One more time. Where is Alex?"
Her victim said, "She isn't here and even if she was I still wouldn't tell you." He next spits in her face, prompting Leliana to drop the man and quickly fires her blaster pistol ending the man's life.
Wiping the spit off Leliana resumes her search for someone who'll confess.
A contagion of stormtroopers check a hallway when they pick up the sound of lightsabers activating. All they see is a blur as Leon swiftly cuts them down.
Looking at the dead bodies, he scoffed, "Pathetic" His holocommunicator beeped, making him answer it,"Yes?"
Yuna informed, "It's me. Alec and I have cleared the second floor and making our way toward the third. None of the Imperials have been cooperative."
Leon said, "Copy. Report to me when you obtain information on Alex's whereabouts." He continues his hunt for information.
Back on the unnamed planet Darth Vader ends his torture session with Alexandra. The Dark Lord is impressed by the girl's mental strength. Despite his persistance Alexandra refuses to confess.
He steps out of the room.
Vader turned to the stormtrooper, "Ensure the girl is properly fed and cared for, trooper. I will return shortly."
The stormtrooper nodded, "Yes, Lord Vader." The Sith Lord departs allowing the trooper to peek inside the room seeing the young Sith apprentice laying on the table with her head resting on the table. He contacts the medical staff, ordering for food, water and medical supplies be brought to her.
10 minutes pass before a tray with said items is wheeled in. Alexandra, barely awake from the pain she endured, hardly reacts to the disinfectant applied to her wound. Once that's done the stormtrooper walks in he sets the blaster on the table opposite of him and grabs the water bottle off the tray, undoing the cap and pours some water into her mouth, lifting her head and messaging her throat, making the girl swallow. After he believes Alexandra gets enough water he looks into the girl's blue eyes seeing defiance in them. Ignoring it he next grabs the plate and removes the lid revealing the meal. It was composed of sliced up steak and vegatables.
Grabbing the fork, he cuts a slice into a smaller piece and places it in Alexandra's mouth using his hands to force her to chew the meat.
'Can't believe I'm force feeding a girl.' He thought.
Lifting Alexandra's head again he makes her swallow, hearing the food slide down her throat with a loud gulp. He continues doing this until the meal is picked clean. Or at least enough to where the girl is full. Placing the food plate back on the cart, he grabs Alexandra's jaw, turning it studying her face.
She barked, "Let go or I'll snap your neck."
The trooper ignored the threat, "For someone so young, you're certainly beautiful." Alexandra bites his thumb making him pull back his hand, shaking it to get rid of the pain.
Remembering what his object is the stormtrooper nods to the person who brought the cart to return it and steps out of the room.
A short while later, Darth Vader returns stepping inside.
Alexandra said, "You're wasting your time torturing me. I won't give you the location of my friends."
Vader replied, "No, child. I'm testing you. For some time I have been searching for an apprentice. Someone to aid me to destroy the Emperor and take his place. And Alexandra Wolf, you've been chosen. Your connection to the Force is impressive. Far greater than any Jedi I've slain. With proper training you can become a powerful Sith."
The girl scoffed, "If you think you can fill my head with empty promises, Vader you're a fool."
Vader discarded the insult, "We shall see." Walking over to the console, he presses the button to her restaints freeing her. Alexandra falls to the ground catching herself. Placing a pair of handcuffs on her, the Dark Lord leads them out of the room and through the endless hallways until they reach a sparring area inside a huge arena. With a wave of Vader's hand, the cuffs fall off.
Alexandra sees her lightsaber floating towards her. She grabs it with confusion and looks at Darth Vader. The Sith Lord already has his red lightsaber ignited.
Glaring at Vader with hatred, Alexandra charges wanting nothing more than chop his head off. Vader easily blocks a strike aimed for his chest, manipulating his blade with only his wrists. Deflecting a downward chop he pushes the girl back with a casual thrust of his arm.
Vader taunted, "Is this the best you can do? If so then your master chose poorly."
Alexandra yelled, "Shut your damn mouth!" She executes the Vornskyrr Ferocity, fueling herself with aggression.
Leliana and the others exit the Kuat base seconds before it explodes, Leon releases a sigh of content. Though he was disappointed they didn't find information about Alexandra's whereabouts slaughtering Imperials made up for it. Kenta had to stop Leliana from getting too caught up in anger.
Yuna said, "Well that sucked. All of that destruction for no useful information."
Leon told her, "What are talking about, beautiful? Killing those Imperials and destroying the base was satisfying."
The fiery red-haired Sith Warrior replied, "To you, maybe."
Leon looked at her, "Come on, Yuna. Admit it. Even you enjoyed it."
Alec said, "At least we found out what kind of walker the Empire was developing here. All Terrain Armored Transport or AT-AT for short."
Leon waved it off, "Bah, just a taller, more armored version of the AT-TE in my opinion. No match for me. Let's move on to the next planet, shall we?" The gang boards the Forgotten Star lifting off to the next planet of the Inner Rim.
Alexandra moans on the floor of her prison cell after being thrown inside. Over the last few hours she endured a brutal training session she had no say in. Vader plans to overthrow the Emperor so Vader can take his place. As the Rule of Two insituted by Darth Bane commands. However, he knows his injuries and limitations his suit presented made the Dark Lord unable to challenge and beat Sidous one on-one-along with being more powerful than Vader, both in the Force and knowledge. So he's been on a covert quest to find an apprentice to aid him and Alexandra has been chosen against her will. To ensure she doesn't escape Vader keeps her lightsaber with him until the next sparring/training session.
Crawling over to the bed she climbs on rolling onto her back in pain.
'Is this a lesson? Using the pain to fuel myself? Oh, who am I kidding? It has to be.' She thought.
She closes her eyes to sleep doing her best to ignore the pain ravaging her nerves. The young Sith apprentice needs to hold out, knowing the others will come for her.
Back with Leliana and the others, they land on each planet located in the Inner Rim interrogating Imperials for Alexandra's whereabouts and to satisfy Leon's desire to make the Empire's life a living hell.
Yuna said, "Well, the Inner Rim's no good. So onward to the Mid Rim."
Leon sighed in jubilation, "Ah, this is so much fun. Wrecking Imperial property. But it's not gonna compare to what the Emperor suffers when I cross paths with him again."
Kenta said, "Besides that, we need to find out what kind of superweapon the Empire is developing. We know the Imperials are tight-lipped about it so that's a clue on how big of a project it is." He donned a thinking pose, "With the amount of money and labor resources needed to build such a weapon the Emperor wants it kept hidden from the public eye until it's completed and ready for testing." They board the Forgotten Star.
Leon answered, "Another thing added to my bucket list. Any way to give the Empire a headache is fine by me." In the pilot seat, Leliana flies the ship her mind occupied with the location of her beloved.
She choked, "Alex, where are you? I miss you." Her normal calm yet playful, sometimes flirting exterior breaks as tears run down her cheeks, she frees one hand to wipe them away.
A week goes by and the group searches the Mid Rim for Alexandra's location but just like the Inner Rim, the Imperials never confess. Leliana's rage keeps building and the bodies leaving in her wake starting to unnerve everyone including Leon to an extent yet he understood the feeling.
Alexandra she spars with Vader again, the Dark Lord unrelenting in his attacks. Prior to starting this lesson, Vader removed her Force inhibiting collar.
Vader Force pushes Alexandra into the wall the young Sith apprentice bounces off with a shout of agony even through her armor. She next finds herself pinned to the wall.
Vader instructed, "Give in to the dark side, girl. Only your hatred can destroy me."
Alexandra grunted, "Never." Through her growing connection to the Force, she conjures Force lighting propelling it towards Darth Vader who uses his lightsaber to absorb the current. This momentary distraction allows Alexandra to break free of the Force grip falling to the floor. She doesn't get a moment's rest because a wave of pipes and rods are sent toward her by Vader. Alexandra seizes them with the Force.
'Don't give in to hate. Don't give in to hate. Don't give in to hate.' She recited in her mind.
She sends the projectiles back at her instructor. Vader uses Force repulse to deflect them.
The Sith Lord said, "The light side is holding you back. Makes you weak. I can feel your anger mounting, begging to be released."
Alexandra grunted, "I won't fall for your taunts."
Vader said, "I was naive like you once, believing the Jedi were rightous and noble gaurdians of peace. But my master saw through their arrogance. He felt the Jedi should use the Force to grow more powerful, take more active role. If they did, they wouldn't have been hunted down with the survivors fleeing to whatever star system that welcomed the fools with open arms. My master showed me the truth. Though not without suffering crippling injuries that confine me to this suit. In time, you'll see the truth as well."
Alexandra scoffed, "You want me to feel sorry for you? A monster like you deserves no sympathy." She charges the Dark Lord, utilizing the Vornskyrr's Ferocity releasing a series of aggressive fueled attacks that Vader blocks.
He commented, "Using the dangerous Form VII Juyo. Rarely seen. Impressive." Parrying a side sweep he counters with a jab to her right shoulder then a hard kick, launching her back.
Alexandra asked, "Are you toying with me?"
Vader said, "Toying? No, instructing." Alexandra ducks a horizontal swing but the Dark Lord is relentless, raising his lightsaber as high as the pectoral armor would allow slamming his red blade onto Alexandra's raised lightsaber. Vader's height and cybernetically enhanced strength force the younger Sith apprentice to one knee. A one-arm uppercut by Vader breaks Alexandra's guard. A vicious backhand connects with her jaw, launching her back.
She exclaimed, "Gah!" Landing on her butt, she glares at Vader. Frustration and anger builds wiping blood from her mouth, she wonders how she didn't lose any teeth from that backhand. Vader doesn't flinch from the glare sent his way. He can feel her struggling to contain the dark emotions like a volcano about to erupt. All she needs is that little push.
Vader mocked, "You're weak, child. Your compassion prevents you from unlocking your potential. You must break free of those chains. Especially for...Leliana." He saw the girl tense at the smuggler's name, "So, you love Leliana that deeply. You are too weak to protect her or those close to you. Leliana will pay for her defiance and you'll watch." That was the final straw.
Alexandra roared, "FUCK YOU!" Her lightsaber ignites as if sensing the wielder's anger.
Augmenting her speed with the Force the young Sith apprentice charges, Vader either deflects or counters Alexandra's strikes. However the young Sith apprentice hammers at Vader's defense hoping to break it. She succeeds and lands a blow to Vader's shoulder. A grunt escapes the Dark Lord but instead of being angry he's pleased. He enters a Force lock with her, noticing her eyes flickering between blue and yellow.
Vader praised, "Good. Harness your anger, use it against me." Alexandra pumps more Force energy into the lock Vader mirrors her action.
Alexandra snarled, "You will die like the Emperor will! You're causing nothing but pain to the galaxy!"
Vader responded, "You are wrong. The Jedi and the Republic have let the galaxy plunge into chaos. Their arrogance was insufferable. They had to be destroyed. The Empire is restoring peace and order." With a sudden thrust of his hand the Sith Lord propels her away.
Alexandra rolls on the ground. She jumps back to her feet and runs at Vader again. Their blades lock.
The Dark Lord stated, "Let the dark side flow through you." He shoves Alexandra back switching to offense, the younger Sith grits her teeth. Vader's mastery of his hybrid lightsaber form bashes through her defense. She walks back as Vader continues his barrage. Another 14 hours pass when a panting Alexandra struggles to keep herself up her body wrecked with pain.
'Vader fights differently from the Emperor. The Emperor relies more on his Force abilities than the lightsaber and Vader's the opposite. His skill with the lightsaber is amazing backed up by his powerful connection to the Force. What can I do?' She thought.
She's sent flying via an uppercut from Vader's red lightsaber. Alexandra struggles to sit up but the pain is too much and passes out. Vader deactivates his lightsaber, clipping it to his belt. He felt the girl almost give in to the darkness within but the light stubbornly holds it back. No matter. He'll chip at it every day until it's extinguished and the next phase of her training will begin.
In another Imperial base on a Mid Rim planet, Leliana and the others wreck the place up with sirens blaring. Having captured the commander and Alec pinning him to the chair with the Force, Leliana commences with the torture.
She said, "You have somebody I love dearly, Imperial scum. Where are you hiding Alexandra?"
The base commander replied, "I won't tell you!" Alec uses Force wound on his lungs causing the Imperial to gasp for air.
The Sith Warrior ordered, "I can crush your lungs anytime I want. Talk."
Their victim scoff despite the pain, "You're wasting time. This Alexandra you speak of is likely dead." A savage right hook from Leliana lands across his cheek.
The smuggler demanded, "Tell us where she is while you're still alive!"Alec tightens his Force hold on the man's lungs increasing the pain.
The Imperial grunted, "Never."
Alec said, "You'll talk." He changed target, placing pressure on the fool's heart instead, "Where is Alexandra? Tell us and we'll spare your life." Their victim remains defiant until Leliana points one of her blaster pistols at him, firing a warning shot past his ear.
Leliana warned with cold eyes, "Your head is next if you don't co-operate, asshole." Alec performs a squeezing gesture with his hand, sending bolts of agonizing pain through the Imperial.
After screaming he said, "Okay, okay, I'll talk!"
Alec relieved the pressure slightly, "Where is she?"
The Imperial confessed, "She's on Malachor II in the Malachor systems located in the Outer Rim!"
Leon smiled, a mocking one, "See? That wasn't so difficult, was it?"
After the human gave them the coordinates Alec said, "Now you die."
The Imperial gasped, "But...but you said you'd spare me!"
Alec confessed, "I lied." He clenches his fist, crushing the Imperial's heart completely evident by the blood spewing out of his mouth.
Kenta said, "The Malachor system. I overheard teachers at the Sith Academy on Korriban about it during my time with the Brotherhood of Darkness. Apparently Malachor V was the site of the final battle between the Mandalorians and the Old Republic during the Mandalorian War. Some kind of superweapon was used against both the Republic and Mandalorian fleets, the sheer power of the weapon destroyed every ship in the planet's orbit and scarred Malachor V forever."
Leon turned on his heel, "Onward to Malachor II, more Imperials to kill." They depart the planet they're currently on and input the coordinates for Malachor II, having to dodge Imperial fleets. The Forgotten Star enters hyperspce.
Leliana said, "If Alex is dead, I swear I'll murder every Imperial in that base myself!" She holds the Kaiburr crystal dangling from the necklace.
Leon shares Leliana's concerns about their comrade.
Their relationship is still rough but making progress and not wanting to admit but it's true with Kenta, Yuna and Alec despite them being Sith.
He can imagine what kind of torture the Empire is doing to Alexandra, having undergone the sessions himself for three days after he was captured by the CIS during the Clone Wars. Virtually every form of torture imaginable was used on him. Though he survived the excruciating pain and scars he carries, Leon still experiences nightmares about it.
Kenta sits in the co-pilot seat looking at the smuggler. The concern for her love was coming off of her in waves.
He promised, "We'll get her out of that hellhole, Leliana. She's strong."
Leliana replied, "I know but what if she...she..."
Kenta said, "Don't think like that, Leliana. Remain positive." An alarm sounded, "We're here." Leliana pulls the lever of the hyperdrive back, bringing the Forgotten Star out of light speed and Malachor II enters their view.
Gray clouds partially obscured the planet's surface but they could tell it's a terrisitial world, its color an abyssmal gray. Occasional flashes of light indicate a storm raging on the surface.
The others join them, taking in the sight.
Alec commented, "This planet. It's a nexus of the dark side, I can feel it despite not being on the surface."
Leliana ordered, "Sit down and buckle up, guys. We're going in." She flies the Forgotten Star down toward Malachor II's surface, touching down in a burnt forest.
They disembark.
Yuna shivered, "Alec isn't joking. This planet. It radiates the dark side, I can literally feel it wrap its evil tendrils around me."
Surprisingly Leon urged, "Let's find Alex and get out of here. I don't want to remain on this planet longer than needed." Inside her cell, Alexandra rests after another brutal training session with Vader. She wonders how much longer she can withstand the brutality of Vader's training. The Dark Lord is merciless as shown by Alexandra almost dying on more than one occasion. She only survived thanks to the intervention of the Empire's best medical team on Malachor II.
Suddenly alarms blare throughout the base and faintly picks up the sound of stormtroopers running past her cell saying there are intruders.
Leliana searches for her love when she finds herself exchanging blaster fire with stormtroopers. This won't stop her from rescuing Alexandra.
She exclaimed, "You won't stop me! Alex is coming with us!" Leliana spots a thermal detonator thrown at her, she quickly catches and throws it back at the trooper who threw it seconds before it explodes, killing him.
Unfazed she moves forward mowing down any Imperial troops that get in her way.
She faintly heard Leon saying on the holocommunicator, "Hey, save some for the rest of us."
Alec replied, "She can't hear you, Leon. She's too focused on getting Alexandra back."
Leon told him, "Nah, you think? I'm asking to her stop hogging all the glory."
Alec answered back, "You murder Imperials on a daily basis."
Leon defended, "Hey, it's theraputic, Sith loser."
Alec said, "Whatever you say, Jedi."
Leon replied, "Ex-Jedi!"
After killing a group of stormtroopers Leliana grabbed the holocommunicator, telling them, "Shut up, you two! You're acting like children." She ends the communication before either of them can respond.
'Alex, I won't stop until you're safe.' The smuggler thought.
She meets up with Kenta at the prison floor the Sith Warrior had fought her way through as well.
The Imperial in charge of the floor sees the stormtroopers serving as guards being gunned down. He next both hears and feels one end of Kenta's saberstaff mere inches from piercing his throat.
Kenta ordered, "Where's Alexandra? Tell us or I'll cut your head off! One swing of my arm is all it will take!"
The Imperical gulped, "She's on this level. Cell number twenty-three down the hall." Leliana runs toward that cell as Kenta beheads the guard.
Leliana presses the button to the cell door, opening it with a hiss of air. Stepping foot inside her eyes widen at the physical state Alexandra is in. Bruises covered her torso and lightsaber cuts littered her left arm and leg, her beautiful face was black and blue in places and she appeared to wince every time she took a breath.
The smuggler ran up to her, "Alex!" The Sith apprentice struggles to open her eyes, too weak from the pain.
Alex whispered, "Leliana? Is that you?"
Leliana nodded, "Yes, it's me. Come on, we're getting you out off this planet." Kenta steps inside, scooping Alexandra into his arms. The injured girl weakly wraps her arms around his neck to hold on.
Kenta looked at Leliana, "Let's move. She needs medical treatment." The smuggler follows him into the elevator.
Leliana pulled out her holocommunicator, "Leon, this is Leliana. Kenta and I have Alex. We're on our up."
Leon said, "Copy that. I'll inform Yuna and Alec." Kenta and Leliana soon reach the main floor, the Sith Warrior handing Alexandra to Leliana sensing a dark presence behind the door closing in.
Kenta said more to himself, "Someone's behind this door." The young man approached the door and it slid open, ignting one end of his saberstaff to block Darth Vader's lightsaber, "Knew it!" They exchange blocks and parries.
The Sith Lord commanded, "It would be wise for you to return the girl."
Kenta shook his head, "No can do. Leliana, I'll hold Vader off you meet up with the others!"
Leliana asked, "What about you?"
Kenta said, "I'll catch up. Get going!" Leliana reluctantly does what she's told leaving Kenta to battle Vader.
The Dark Lord commented, "You're either brave or foolish to come here." Kenta blocks Vader's red blade and counters with a powerful Force push.
Vader skids back while Kenta presses the attack, sending numerous Force pushes at him Vader counters with his own. Kenta walks forward and the two exchange blocks and parries then enter a saber lock.
The cybernetic Sith Lord said, "The Force is exceptionally strong with you. You would have made an excellent inquistor."
Kenta replied, "I would turn down your offer anyway. The dark side only leads to death and destruction. It corrupts the user, twisting them into a mockery of everything they once stood for."
Vader blocked a side sweep, continuing, "For a Sith, you use the light side. It holds one back."
Kenta informed, "It provides more steady energy and doesn't corrupt you." Leliana meets up with Alec, Yuna and Leon who are busy dealing with stormtroopers.
Leon felt her presence, "Where's that other Sith los...I mean Kenta?"
The smuggler answered, "He stayed behind to let me escape. Come on, Alex needs medical treatment."
Alexandra moaned weakly, "It...hurts. Everything hurts." Hearing her love mutter those words make Leliana's heart sink.
Leliana said, "Bust through these Imperial troopers!"
Alec replied, "I'm on it." Clipping both lightsabers to his belt, lightning crackles between Alec's fingers.
Busting out of the corner, he unleahses Chain Lightning. The stormtroopers scream in pain as the lightning tears through them, skeletons show through the armor from the sheer intensity. After a full minute, Alec relents. The stormtroopers fall to the ground their charred bodies smoking.
Alec said, "Let's move." They head for exit when Leon suddenly falls to his knees coughing.
He groaned, "Not now!" His coughing gets worse and winds up coughing up blood into his hand. The bout continues for what feels like an eternity to him then it finally relents leaving him sucking in breaths.
Yuna came up to him kneeling, "Leon, you okay?"
Leon smiled weakly at her, "Never been better, beautiful." He weezed holding his chest, "Ow. That hurt."
Yuna said, "Come on, get up. We need to get to the ship!" She helps him stand and run.
They board the Forgotten Star and Alexandra's placed in the medical bay resting on a table while Leon does the same in the cargo hold. Alec uses the Force to stablize Alexandra as Yuna tends to her injuries.
The fiery redhead Sith asked, "Any idea where to go? I'm all ears."
Leon came into the bay, "I know one. Let's head for Alderaan, there's someone I know who can help us."
Alec said, "We're not leaving until Kenta returns."
Leon replied, "Either him or Alex."
Yuna asked, "Are you crazy? I've known Kenta for a long time and he isn't a quitter."
Leon said, "We'll come back for him later, Alex is hanging on by a thread." Leliana starts up the engines, beginning the take-off procedure.
The Forgotten Star lifts off the ground when Leliana sees Kenta running out of the base and jumps onto the ramp minutes before it closes.
He ran into the cockpit, "Okay, Leliana, get us off this planet!"
Leliana nodded, "I'm on it. Setting course for Alderaan!" The Forgotten Star leaves Malachor II and enters hyperspace.
Kenta walks to the medical bay, Alexandra's lightsaber and his own saberstaff clipped to his belt.
Yuna enveloped him in a hug, "You're back!"
Kenta returned it, "Of course."
Alec asked, "How'd you escape?"
The older Sith Warrior explained, "I shot Vader with Force lighting to disable him long enough for me to escape. I managed to retrieve Alexandra's lightsaber before I left. Turns out Vader kept it with him. My objective at that point was hold the Dark Lord off so you guys could get back to the ship, there'll be another time to kill Vader."
Yuna queried, "You're not hurt, are you?"
Kenta waved it off, "No, I'm fine."
Leon said, "You got lucky, that's all Sith."
Kenta noticed the blood stains on Leon's hand, "What happened to you?"
The ex-Jedi replied, "None of your business." Eventually the Forgotten Star reaches Alderaan and Alexandra's rushed to a hospital, entering a bacta tank where the liquid does its job healing the Sith apprentice.
Leliana sits outside the room, clutching the Kaiburr crystal in a praying gesture. She next sees a water bottle in front of her face, looking up Leliana realizes Kenta's offering her one. She takes it, unscrewing the cap and takes a sip while the Sith Warrior sits next to the smuggler with his own, giving some space between them.
Kenta said, "Given your current emotional state, alcohol won't help. It'd make it worse."
Leliana asked, "Where are the others?"
The young man replied, "Alec is outside meditating, Yuna is practicing her lightsaber technique and Leon went to talk to some Twi'lek he knows. Someone named Rhia, I believe."
Leliana asked, "Is she hot?"
Kenta smiled, "You'll have to ask Leon. I never met this Rhia."
Leliana said, "Then I'm right."
Kenta queried, "You're concerned about Alexandra, right?"
Leliana asked, "Why? Is that a problem?"
Kenta shook his head, "Not at all. It shows how much you love her. The bodycount you racked up during our search for Alexandra proves it."
The smuggler told him, "Mess with those close to me, I make you regret it."
Kenta said, "Can't blame you, Leliana. When Kaan killed Lora in front of me because he believed her love poisoned my mind, I never felt such anger in my life. Although it wasn't fueled by the dark side. No, it was righteous fury. Kicked Kaan's ass."
Leliana allowed a small laugh escape her, "I would have done the same thing if Alex was killed. What you saw during our search for her proved it. So what happened next after you kicked Kaan's ass?"
Kenta said, "I continued fighting the Army of Light without being affiliated with the Brotherhood of Darkness until the Thought Bomb was detonated."
Leliana looked at him, "Thought Bomb? Never heard of it."
Kenta agreed, "Neither did I until I felt it go off. Alec, Yuna and myself reached a safe distance when it did. The resulting deaths I felt was so great it made me faint."
Leliana whistled, "Whew! Hope it's never used again."
Kenta nodded, "So do I, Leliana. So do I."
The smuggler directed her gaze at the ER door, "I lost Cynthia, I can't lose Alex."
Kenta placed a comforting hand on Leliana's shoulder, "Alexandra will pull through. She's a fighter." He can feel Leliana struggling to control her emotions.
The smuggled clenched the fist in her lap, "What if she..."
Kenta said, "Don't think like that. As I said, Alexandra will pull through. You need to think positive." At that point sobs escape Leliana, launching herself into Kenta's arms. Kenta holds his friend, letting her cry into his armor. Leliana cries until there's no more tears to shed.
She pulled away, wiping her eyes, "Sorry you had to see that."
Kenta said, "Hey, that's what friends are for. We're a family."
Leliana mumbled, "Family."
Kenta titled his head, "Is something else wrong?"
Leliana shook her head, "No. Thank you for that."
Kenta nodded with a smile, "You're welcome."
Leon called out, "Hey, I'm back!" They both turn to see the ex-Jedi running up to them.
Leliana said, "Hi, Leon. Where'd you go?"
The ex-Jedi said, "Had to pick up some medication from Rhia." He saw the way they were embraced, "Are you starting a relationship behind Alex's back?"
Kenta replied, "No." Eventually the Twi'lek doctor Rhia approaches.
Leliana checked out the female Twi'lek, "You weren't kidding. She's quite the looker."
Rhia shook her head, "Great another flirt." She looked at the ex-Jedi, "Remember Leon, only take a pill once per day. They're pretty strong. Any more than one pill per day can lead to side effects we don't want."
Leliana asked, "How's Alex?"
Rhia informed, "I just got done with a physical exam after she left the bacta tank. She's healed up but I advised her to limit her physical activity for a few days."
Kenta queried, "Is she able to leave the hospital?"
The Twi'lek doctor nodded, "Yes." That night the gang retire to their quarters after a great meal cooked by Leon.
Leliana sleeps on the bed with Alexandra inside the smuggler's room, elated to be reunited with the young Sith. She holds Alexandra close fearing she'll disappear if the smuggler doesn't.
A/N: Chapter 20 done.
Here the gang went out to search for Alexandra, who endured a week-long torture session and brutal sparring lessons with Darth Vader trying to turn her to the dark side, becoming his apprentice in his quest to overthrow the Emperor. She nearly died a few times, showing how merciless Vader is as a teacher. Well, Sith training is nothing short of torture, physically and mentally designed to make you a deadly weapon or kill you trying.
Leliana mowed down countless Imperials in her quest to find Alexandra's whereabouts, culminating in their rescue mission on Malachor II. I don't know if a planet being a dark side nexus can spread the dark side to neighboring planets. If someone knows you can PM me.
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Stay tuned for chapter 21.
Vader 23A