Author's Note: Dearest readers, welcome back to the ongoing adventure. It's been a long four week vacation, but your wait is finally over. My typing fingers are refreshed and it's time to get back to the story! Your patience, love, and support is always greatly appreciated. Almost two years ago, I began this crossover journey combining two of my favorite fandoms. Since then, "The Frozen Force" continues to be an exciting and weekly epic. We've laughed, cried, and loved alongside the Dellian sisters for three seasons. Now, I invite you to plunge into this interstellar experience once again. Only this time, I want to add this important advisory:
Season: 4 of "The Frozen Force" will be covering the events of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith." This being said, we are entering a very dark and emotional period in Star Wars history. The events of "Revenge of the Sith" reflect both shock and tragedy. They vividly contrast the hopeful wishes for a Chosen One with the twisted realities of his fall from grace. Yet if we trust in the Force, a new hope shall emerge. Our path is set and the galaxy will never be the same. As we delve into this challenging season ahead, may the Force be with us all...
(Reader discretion is advised)
Long Live Imagination,
Michael
"Nothing is without purpose."
"Some day soon, this war is going to end. No matter which side prevails, the Jedi Order will be put to the test. All of us will be responsible for carrying its values and legacy into the future. And no kindness...nor crime...will go unnoticed."
THIRTEEN YEARS EARLIER...
"A Republic without war." Coined by Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, this phrase was meant to usher in a new era of peace for the galaxy. But beyond the glitzy propaganda and cacophonous fanfare, all the phrase did was add grey hairs to the chancellor's head. Enthused Valorum supporters saw a man willing to do everything to keep their Republic safe. While this might have been true, the 'anything' was rather problematic. Chancellor Valorum's administration was littered with corruptive scandal after scandal. But still he pressed on, claiming to pave paths of peace for the galaxy. Many on Coruscant continued to believe in him, considering the Republic hadn't gone to war for quite some time. For far too many Republic citizens, simply being kept out of conflict was enough to excuse all of the corruption and elitism.
Yet as the Senate squabbled amongst one another in their grandiose dome, the capital had never felt so tranquil. Whether their senses of security were valid or false, no one lived in fear of being attacked. In fact, it was a widely-accepted belief that not since the Sith Empire's 'Sacking of Coruscant' in the days of old...would any force in the galaxy dare to attack the Republic capital again. The thought became a mantra. The kind news reporters would say to stay relevant or politicians would mention to secure a vote.
The night skies were alive with constant skylane traffic, but there was still an order to it. Each robust engine rumbled steadily across the darkness. Airpeeder headlights drifted between lanes and glistened like stars against the cityscape. And as night cradled the capital in its inky embrace, five proud spires stood tall. These prominent towers were vastly different from any of the city's advanced skyscrapers. They represented elegance in a more civilized age. Centuries of valiant history stood amidst such prominent architecture. For all who traveled across Coruscant knew of the Jedi Temple and the noble Order which dwelt within.
The temple halls were calm and quiet. There was an eerie, almost surreal stillness to it all. The occasional shuffling of wandering boots echoed throughout its grandiose corridors. Meanwhile, the future of the Jedi Order was cradled away in the dormitory wing. Chamber upon chamber of Jedi younglings had descended into slumber after a long and studious day. Sectioned off into clans, each group of children was bound together by a single instructor who presided over their teachings of the Force. For the younglings of Brith Clan, there wasn't a thing Master Adersen wouldn't do to secure their futures. Once he was sure each child was tucked in their bunk, he departed from the chamber and retired to his own quarters.
While most of the younglings slept calmly, a lone child rolled in her bunk. Her sheets shifted with her shivering and balled up body. A series of whimpers left her barely parted lips. A single, fishtail braid of platinum blonde swished with each turn. The child's thin brows twitched amid her faint winces, as if she was reliving the same nightmare once more. Dark silhouettes flashed within her mind as a cacophony of screams rang out. These distant blurs were like haunting echoes. Familiar, yet mysterious shadows flailed under a wave of blasterfire. A pair of bodies fell over and over and over again.
Sweat trickled down the youngling's forehead and dampened her pillow. Tears fled the corners of her eyes while her lower lip quivered. And as her heart ached in the deepest recesses of her mind, a shadowy figure lurked towards her bunk. It crept along her bedside and slowly rose with the moonlight. Having little regard for the child's nightmare, this smaller figure crept closer. Short, auburn pigtails bounced from the intruder's head. Her adventurous blue eyes were bright with curiosity.
"Elsa," the little redhead whispered. "Pst!" She puffed her freckled cheeks and pouted while Elsa's whimpers quieted. Determined to awaken her, the youngling pounced onto the bed and began rocking her back and forth. "Wake up!" she whispered sharply. "Wake up!"
Elsa awakened with a gasp. Her ice blue gaze relaxed as her nightmare subsided. "Anna?" she mumbled. Once she realized who had awakened her, Elsa rolled over and sank back into her pillow. "Go back to sleep," she yawned.
"I just can't," Anna professed and dramatically gestured to the starry cityscape beyond. "The sky's awake, so I'm awake...so we have to play!" Elsa braced herself as Anna plopped and sprawled out on top of her.
"Go play by yourself, sis." Elsa mumbled. "We've got training in the morning."
Anna refused to yield and groaned, "We've got training every day."
"All the more reason to get some sleep," Elsa intoned and closed her eyes once more.
Her attempted slumber was short-lived as Anna poked her face. "But-" her little sister whined. "-it's my birthday."
Elsa lifted her head and groggily peered across the chamber. "No it's-" was all she could say before looking at Master Adersen's wall-mounted clock. The clan's mentor dabbled in crafts, and had carved a traditional clock in the shape of a convore. The bird's ticking wings read: 12:01
"Oh," Elsa realized. "It really is." She reached across her sheets and patted Anna's shoulders. "Happy birthday, sis."
"Thanks, Elsa. Now let's-"
"And good night," her big sister said before dropping back to her pillow.
"Oh come on," Anna groaned.
Elsa's eyes reluctantly opened once more. "Did you seriously wait until midnight just to wake me up?" she griped.
"Obviously," Anna said. "Who the heck sleeps on their birthday?"
"Shhh!" another youngling shushed from the adjacent bunk. Anna glared as a young Pantoran scoffed. "Some of us are trying to sleep here," the child said before throwing the pillow over her head.
"Tori," Anna scowled in disgust. She stuck her tongue out at the rolled over Pantoran before returning to Elsa. "Come on, sis. Let's do something fun." Anna said and lifted one of Elsa's eyelids.
Realizing she wasn't getting to sleep any time soon, the eldest sibling rose with a sigh. She sat up against her pillow and humored Anna with a faint grin. "And what exactly did you have in mind at this hour?"
Anna's smirk was far too daring for Elsa's taste. "You...me...temple exploring."
It took everything for Elsa too keep her voice down. "Are you crazy?" she blurted in a hushed tone.
"Think about it," Anna proposed. "How many times have we been escorted down these halls? Haven't you ever wondered what's behind some of these doors? And at this hour, there won't be that many grownups around. I figure we can keep to the shadows-"
"Do you hear yourself?" Elsa fretted. "Sneaking out? Snooping where we shouldn't? We could get the whole clan in trouble, Anna. We could be expelled from the Jedi Order. Do you want to be kicked out and living on the cold streets?"
"That's not gonna happen," Anna assured. "Trust me. We'll be in and out. Just having a look around. After all, we're gonna be Jedi Masters some day. So think of this as extra research."
"Anna-"
"They won't even know we're gone. We'll use the Force, right?"
Elsa pinched the bridge of her nose. "That's not how the Force works." Her little sister sulked as Elsa sighed. "Anna, I know you're eager and excited. But we'll see the rest of the temple when we're old enough. Younglings have rules, just like I'm sure the grownups have rules."
"You're right," Anna moped and slid out of Elsa's bed. Her big sister smiled and sprawled out against her pillow once more. She was just about to drift back into slumber when Anna said, "I'll just have to go alone then."
"Wait, what?" Elsa sputtered as her eyes shot open.
"Yup," Anna lamented. "Just a lonely birthday girl...who trains so hard day after day...trying to find some fun...on her birthday. I'm sure I'll be fine on my own. After all, that's how birthdays are supposed to be spent, right? Oh well-" Anna trudged through the darkness until a single word emerged.
"Wait," Elsa said and a smile crept across Anna's lips. "I'm coming."
Anna eagerly spun to meet her sister. "You will? Oh thanks, Elsa. You're the best! Now come on," she urged and pulled Elsa by the hand. The sisters' initial exuberance simmered into a series of tiptoes. Every step towards the chamber door sounded as heavy as a rancor's stomps. Any youngling who shuffled in their bed sounded like an alarm just waiting to go off.
Elsa's heart pounded as Anna giddily led her towards the door. They paused before its durasteel casing and eyed the nearby panel. "It's probably locked," Elsa said. "We should go back to our-"
"This isn't a jail," little Anna snarked and reached for the panel against her sister's wishes. Gotta be fast, she reassured herself and bit her lip in concentration. Her other hand tightly gripped Elsa's as she mentally counted down. Three...two...go!
Anna tapped on a violet switch as the door hissed open. The sound was sharp enough to have Elsa bracing for the worst, but Anna dragged her forward. The duo rolled beyond the door just as it shut again. They tumbled into the hall and clung to each other amidst the eerie stillness. Anna and Elsa held their breath, watching the door and fearing that someone would come through. Yet no one came, and Anna sighed in relief.
"Yes!" the youngling boasted. "Anna Dellian...Sneak Master."
Meanwhile, Elsa was terrified out of her mind. Having left the safety of Brith Clan's chamber, they were fully exposed in the temple's expansive corridor. If anything happens, Elsa worried. If anyone sees us. We're done for!
"Hey," Anna whispered and reeled Elsa back into the moment. Her little sister's wide grin and fluttering eyes exuded a false sense of control. Still, Anna dared to ask, "Are you ready for the best birthday adventure ever?"
"As I'll ever be," Elsa sighed as they traversed the dark hallway. Every creak in the carpeting had the eldest Dellian tensing up. She felt like she could burst at any given second while Anna pranced about.
The corridor emptied out towards an expansive atrium. "Wow," Anna gasped and peered across the spacious, moonlit surfaces. Colossal statues of ancient Jedi rose from the lower levels. Anna focused on a single statue as it seemingly lifted an orb towards the ceiling. "I'm gonna climb that," she said ever so nonchalantly.
"Or you could not, and say you did." Elsa insisted.
Anna sulked. "You're no fun." She flashed a devious smirk and scampered downstairs.
"Anna, wait!" Elsa warned and dashed after her.
The redhead slid towards the statue's base and stretched her arms out. "It's my birthday, and I think I can-" A sudden set of footsteps had Anna's heart pounding. Voices accompanied a pair of shifting silhouettes as they emerged from the lower hall. "Uhoh," Anna gulped. "Elsa...help?"
Elsa gasped and frantically ushered Anna back upstairs. "This way," she whispered. "Hurry! Hurry!"
Anna bolted from the statue's base and scrambled to reach Elsa on the second floor. She was almost to her when the tip of her boot bumped on one of the stairs. Anna struck the carpeting with a resounding thud as Elsa crawled to grab her sister. She pulled Anna behind the railing and out of sight just as the figures arrived.
The pair's moonlit shadows stretched and faded at the atrium's center. Their robes were fresh and bulky as they traversed the vacuous space. Elsa kept her head down and hugged herself behind the railing. While she sought to appear as small as possible, Anna decided to peek and get a look at the strangers herself.
Polished lightsaber hilts swayed from their belts before being obscured by cloaks. The eldest of the two was a tall and deep-voiced individual. Long, brown tresses flowed down his shoulders while a half-ponytail rested atop them. Anna's eyes lit up when she noticed the shorter Jedi. A thin, ceremonial braid swayed with each of his strides.
"Elsa," Anna gasped. "It's a master and a Padawan!"
"That's great," Elsa panicked. "Now put your head back down." Anna refused while her sister remained hidden. Her brows furrowed with intrigue as the adults conversed below.
"You fought well," the elder Jedi said. "I'd say the temple's new training droids prove to be formidable opponents."
"On maximum difficulty, yes," the Padawan mumbled. His voice remained soft-spoken, even if he was stressed.
The apprentice's remark was enough to have his master raising a brow. "Something you wish to express, Obi-wan?"
The youthful Jedi sighed. "Forgive me, Master Qui-Gon. I mean no disrespect, but our mission for Chancellor Valorum is of the utmost importance. Was tonight really the time for a training session? The blockade over Naboo has-"
"My young Padawan," Qui-Gon said calmly. "There is always time to gain more knowledge. Although we do not seek such conflict, a fight can come from anywhere and we must be ready. Besides-" the master peered down at his apprentice. "-you defeated the dueling droid on its highest difficulty. That progress does not go unnoticed and shall serve you well. Our negotiations with the Trade Federation should go as planned. Still, be prepared for the unexpected." Qui-Gon's gentle, blue gaze listed across the atrium and lingered near its upper railings. His pause was brief before he and Obi-wan departed.
"Okay, they're gone." Anna assured while poking her head out once more.
"That was too close," Elsa fretted.
"I know," Anna answered much too enthusiastically. "I really am a sneak master! And what was that about new training droids?"
"Anna," Elsa warned. "We really shouldn't-"
"We've already come this far," Anna insisted and took Elsa's hands in hers. "I promise we'll just take a quick look. Okay? A birthday-look!"
Elsa sulked and followed her downstairs. "You know you don't have to add 'birthday' before everything you do tonight."
"Of course I do," Anna retorted. "Now let's birthday-sneak this way."
A tense lump formed in Elsa's throat. Younglings were only allowed to enter the temple dojo as a clan and had to be accompanied by a master. The dojo, she thought to herself. Why did Anna have to pick the dojo? If we had to peek at something, couldn't we look at holobooks in the Archives?
Elsa's eyes briefly squinted as she glimpsed several figures ahead. "Wait!" she worried and pulled Anna back. They crouched in the shadowy hall as the beings patrolled in pairs. Brief flickers of starlight set the intricate robes of temple guards aglow. Their expressionless and illuminated masks were as pale as the moon itself. While the siblings were focused on the passing guards, a heavy clang had them gasping. Although Anna remained alert, Elsa deduced that the clamor wasn't urgent. "None of the guards responded to that noise," Elsa whispered while keeping an eye on them. "We should leave it-" By the time she glanced back, her sister was already inching over to investigate. "Anna!" her big sister blurted through gritted teeth. She immediately lowered her voice, afraid that one of the guards might hear her.
Elsa chased after Anna as the clanging grew louder. Something fizzed from beyond the adjacent hall while a welding tool flickered against the walls. The younglings poked their heads out from around the corner and observed a pair of maintenance droids. Although she was still frightened for their safety, Elsa found comfort in observing the droids. She'd been fascinated by their inner workings and unique attributes. An impulsive and wondrous grin found its way to her lips as she uttered, "Astromechs."
"Astro-who-whats?" Anna asked.
"Astromechs," Elsa reiterated. "Those repair droids are filled with so many different tools.'
The younglings watched in awe as the astromechs chimed to each other. A plethora of devices emerged from their cylindrical bodies as they repaired a hatch bolted against the floor. While Elsa remained fixated on the droids, Anna was curious about the hatch. "I wonder what that is," the redhead murmured.
"Probably an air vent," Elsa considered. "You can hear the rattling beneath us."
"Air vents?" Anna scoffed. "Boring. Welp, on to the dojo."
Elsa huffed, wishing they could just observe the droids and hurry back to their beds. Instead, she chose to keep an eye on her sister. The younglings' hearts raced as they approached a set of pristine doors. The Jedi Order's bold crest shined against each polished, doonium panel. The children gazed up at the emblem's curved wings and starry blade. Similar symbols lined the overhead banners as they entered the dojo. Each of their footsteps echoed throughout the blackness. Just looking at the expansive dueling circles left Elsa feeling uneasy. Her mind flashed back to their first combat lessons. She saw herself just returning from Ilum with a newly-crafted lightsaber. Elsa vividly recalled falling during Master Adersen's lesson. She'd tumbled over and could barely keep the weapon in her hands. The ensuing uproar of Elsa's fellow students had her cringing. Every snicker and chortle plagued the child's mind.
Only Anna could snap her big sister back into the moment. "Woosh!" the redhead declared and tumbled across one of the mats. While her saber remained deactivated, she clasped the hilt and swung it across the air. She added her own sound effects and pretended to triumph over imaginary foes. Elsa watched her little sister leap to a suspended balance beam. As Anna concluded with a twirl, she spotted a lanky figure. "Woah," she gasped and shuffled off of the beam. On her way down, Anna's heel nudged one of the cords suspending it. The peculiar figure was tucked away in a cylindrical capsule and kept its disk-shaped head bowed. "Elsa, check this out!"
The eldest Dellian cautiously stepped up to join her and observed the body. Elsa tilted her head with intrigue and said, "It's a droid of some kind."
The balance beam tilted behind them as the cord Anna nudged loosened.
"It's probably one of the new training droids those grownups were talking about," Anna realized. "It doesn't look so tough," she scoffed and pretended to fight it. After feigning a swing of her weapon, Anna noticed a nearby panel. "What's this?" she inquired and scampered over to it. While Anna fiddled with the panel, Elsa admired the droid's unique plating. Its slender body was composed of sleek and aerodynamic metals. Even its dangling digits were given a smooth and shiny finish.
A brightening light caught Elsa's eye as Anna powered up the panel. "What are you doing?" she asked her little sister.
"I just wanna see what kind of droid it is," Anna defended. The tiny screen lit up her face amidst the dark dojo. Her curious eyes scoured each tab as she eagerly swiped through the droid's log. "Wow," Anna mumbled. "Everyone beats this thing on Novice Mode. Imagine the highest difficulty."
"I'd rather not," Elsa jested while Anna searched for results.
"Not many wins here for maximum difficulty," her sister said. "That Obi guy was the last to beat it."
"I'm sure there's a reason for that," Elsa mumbled. "Not anyone could just beat that-"
Suddenly, the balance beam's loosened cord came fully undone. Its snap was sharp enough to startle the siblings and have them bracing from their respective sides. Elsa and Anna held their breath as the beam clunked over. They flinched from such a tumultuous thud and immediately sighed in relief.
"Anna," Elsa huffed. "That's enough close calls for one night."
"You know-" Anna panted. "-I agree." As Anna dropped beside her sister, a meek chime emanated from the panel.
"Did you hear that?" Elsa inquired and peered upward.
"What?" Anna murmured until a pair of silver lights fell upon them. The angle of each daunting glow left the sisters' hearts racing. Gears cranked and wires fizzed from just behind them. The younglings turned to see the cylindrical training capsule slowly hissing open. "What did you do?" Anna immediately scolded Elsa.
"Me?" she stammered. "I didn't-" Elsa's eyes widened as she observed the flashing panel. After being startled by the balance beam, Anna had cautiously grabbed hold of it. While clinging to the panel, she'd unknowingly reactivated the training droid and launched it under the most recently viewed setting. "Oh no," Elsa uttered as the droid's heavy feet stomped forward. Its silver photoreceptors scanned the dark environment before narrowing in on the younglings.
"Opponents located," the droid computed.
"No," Elsa gasped and threw her hands up. "No! No! Deactivate! We don't want to fight!"
On any lower setting, the droid would've taken such pleas into consideration. But on maximum difficulty, all remarks were overridden. It was designed to test a Jedi's survival skills, even if they were unarmed. Its targeting system had no age limit to scan for, given the fact that the Order never planned to use it on younglings. The droid's only goal was to incapacitate its opponents.
"Initiating dueling sequence: Maximum Difficulty," it said. Elsa stumbled back as the droid raised a peculiar limb. A synthesized lightsaber hilt replaced its hand and was moved by several rods. Elsa's yelped as a silver blade ignited from the droid's attachment.
"So it wants to duel?" Anna growled and clutched her lightsaber. "I'll give it a duel-" Anna suddenly felt herself pulled backward. "Hey!" she snapped as the droid's saber barely missed her. She glanced back to see Elsa dragging her by the collar. "Let go of me! We can fight it!"
"Are you crazy?" Elsa blurted while dashing. "Some grownups can't even beat it!"
"Then I'll be the first youngling to-" Anna boasted until the droid lunged forward. With a single swipe of its blade, it bisected the balance beam and sent both halves tumbling over. Anna gulped and patted Elsa's shoulder. "Maybe another time," she concurred as they sprinted towards the door.
The droid was relentless and cut down everything in its environment. No matter the obstacle, its photoreceptors remained transfixed on Elsa and Anna. The girls scrambled out of the dojo and immediately bumped into a temple guard. Her masked visage stared down at them as she asked, "What are you children doing out-" In that instant, the droid charged into an attack. The guard was quick to spark up her double-bladed, yellow lightsaber. While she was able to parry its first two strikes, the difficulty settings caught her by surprise. The versatile droid rolled beneath her slash and delivered a high-powered kick to her torso. While she hunched forward with a grunt, the droid threw her into another approaching guard.
Elsa and Anna kept running down the hall. Anna glanced over her shoulder just in time to see a rising shadow. Gears accompanied a saber's echoing hum as the droid continued its pursuit. "It's coming!" Anna warned. "We can't outrun it."
"Maybe we can hide," Elsa suggested as they dashed onward. An assortment of chimes from around the corner gave Elsa an idea. "This way," she intoned. "Hurry!" The dueling droid sped down the hall and scanned for the younglings.
Having discovered their dazed companions, other temple guards raised the temple alarm. Dozens of masked Jedi raced into action and were determined to find the rogue droid. Qui-Gon and Obi-wan were about to board a red-plated, diplomatic cruiser when they noticed several guards leaving the temple hangar.
The cruiser's captain descended from its ramp and respectfully nodded to the Jedi. "Ambassadors," she greeted. "We're ready for you." She grew concerned as Qui-Gon glanced back at the temple. "Is...something the matter?" the captain asked.
"I'm not sure," Qui-Gon said and squinted towards the dashing temple guards. "Obi-wan, stay with Captain Madakor."
The pair of temple astromechs were just finishing up on their designated hatch. As they prepared to spray a fresh coat of paint, Anna and Elsa came barreling through. "Sorry!" Elsa fretted as they slid under the hatch and into the air shaft. Before the astromechs could comprehend what happened, the dueling droid shoved past them. It glimpsed the fleeing younglings and descended into the vent after them.
Anna and Elsa's hastened breaths echoed throughout the expansive tunnel. Their boots clamored against the ongoing stretch of dimly-lit vent panels. The dueling droid's daunting stomps clanged from behind them. "It's getting closer!" Anna warned.
"Just keep running," Elsa insisted before colliding with a grated surface. Anna caught her sister as they found themselves standing at a dead end.
"Run where?" Anna panted. The younglings peeked through the grating and observed Coruscant's skyline. The firm, metal sheet was all that separated them from a multi-story drop to the ground floor. "Maybe we can climb down," Anna suggested.
"With what?" Elsa asked. "We wouldn't make it past this first ledge."
"Well I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas!" Anna snapped until the droid's stomps silenced. Instead, it skidded to a halt and observed its cornered prey.
"Opponents located," the droid computed while Elsa swallowed hard.
With nowhere else to turn to, Anna knew what had to be done. "Sis?" Elsa panicked as Anna stood her ground. "What are you doing?"
"It won't get me without a fight," the child affirmed and unclipped her lightsaber. Firmly grasping her durasteel hilt, Anna sparked up her bright blue blade. "Come on, Elsa." she urged. "We can take it together!"
Her big sister's timid hesitation made Anna sigh. Keeping her lightsaber raised for combat, Anna sidestepped to protect Elsa. She thought back to Master Adersen's teachings on Form I and steadied herself for battle. "Come on," Anna taunted the droid. "You wanted to duel? Then let's duel!"
The droid scanned Anna's weapon and beginner's stance to easily adapt against her. As much as Elsa wanted to support her sister, she knew that Anna didn't stand a chance against the droid. Although Elsa feared admitting it, escaping through the grate was their best bet. Unclipping her lightsaber, Elsa nervously clenched its arcetron hilt. The teal metal shook against her trembling hands as she caressed the activation switch. Before she could press it, another ignition sounded from across the shaft. Realizing her blade was still powered down, Elsa turned back to her sister. Anna was just as bewildered, and even the droid spun towards the sound.
A lightsaber's proud hum reverberated down the vent as Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood tall. His flickering blade painted his face in a rich, emerald tone. "New opponent located," the dueling droid said, yet Qui-Gon remained unfazed. The master stayed calm and collected while holding his saber close. He steadied himself with a deep breath just as the droid attacked. It mattered not how powerful its strikes were, for Qui-Gon's defenses went unmatched. He easily parried before going on the offensive. Their sabers had met seven times in three seconds as the droid raced to match Qui-Gon's intensity. Its hips spun while he front-flipped over and flourished his weapon for another attack. As Qui-Gon landed, he slashed upward just as the droid lunged from below. Elsa gasped as sparks crackled and flared. Qui-Gon concluded his strike, keeping his blade raised high as the decapitated droid collapsed at his feet.
While Elsa looked away from such metal carnage, Anna was utterly awestruck. The redhead's jaw dropped as Qui-Gon deactivated his blade and looked down at her. His eyes were relaxed and his skin was clean. It was as if he hadn't even broken a sweat. Before either Anna nor Qui-Gon could utter a word, the vent was suddenly flooded with temple guards. The Jedi observed the downed droid while stepping past Qui-Gon.
The guards quickly surrounded Anna and Elsa. Their faces might've been shrouded, but Elsa could feel the aggravation behind each mask. Rather than offer any excuse, Elsa simply hung her head in surrender. Her sister on the contrary, started laughing nervously. "Um...we were sleepwalking?" Anna attempted to fib as Elsa sighed frustratedly.
"What were you two thinking?" Master Adersen sputtered. The Dellian sisters stood before him with heads bowed and hands folded behind their backs. Their clan master paced back and forth, still trying to wrap his head around the entire ordeal. He stressfully ran his fingers through his curly, brown locks. "You could've been killed!"
"But we weren't!" Anna boasted and was immediately shut down.
"That isn't the point here," Adersen huffed. "You broke the basic rules of our clan and put every Jedi tonight at risk!" All Adersen had to do was look at Elsa and she was already trembling. Realizing how frightened the eldest Dellian was, Master Adersen slightly lowered his voice. He knelt down to her level and said, "I don't mean to yell. I was just so worried for you both." Despite his efforts to remain calm, Adersen couldn't help but say, "I'm very disappointed in you, Elsa. You've always been one of my most obedient students."
She wanted to blame Anna for everything, but it just wasn't so. Whether Elsa liked it or not, she'd willingly snuck out to join her sister. Now all she could do was lower her head and sniffle. Her eyes reddened as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Seeing her big sister in such a teary state brought sorrow to Anna. She slouched as Elsa wept, "Are-...are we going to be expelled?"
Elsa looked up at their master with genuine fear in her eyes. Adersen sucked his teeth while glaring at the siblings. Each passing second felt like an eternity as he thought over their lives. "No," he declared and serenity crashed over the girls. "But don't think your little stunt is going to go unpunished. I think we should give our janitorial droids a break for the next week." While Elsa was just relieved to not be expelled, Anna was outraged.
"What?" the little redhead blurted.
"Oh yes," Adersen affirmed. "You two are going to be on temple cleaning duty for a week. While everyone else in your clan is studying and training, you girls are going to make sure our home is spotless. You're dismissed."
"Some birthday this is turning out to be," Anna grumbled as they departed from Anderson's chamber. "I bet Tori tattled on us."
"Are you kidding?" Elsa scoffed.
"How else could they have found us?"
Elsa groaned. "I don't know...maybe the crazy droid we unleashed and racket we made? It's our fault, Anna."
"But hey," Anna considered. "At least we had some fun, right?"
Elsa leered at her sister. "What? No. Anna, we were almost expelled. What's so fun about that? Let's just get through this week of cleaning so our lives can get back to normal."
Anna's brows furrowed towards Elsa. "Oh come on," she jeered. "I saw your face when we saw the astrobots."
"Astromechs."
"Whatever. Please, Elsa." Anna lowered her voice to a gentle whisper. "Tell me that you at least enjoyed something tonight."
Blinded by Adersen's disappointment in her, all Elsa could say was "You got me in trouble, Anna. What's so enjoyable about that?"
Anna scowled as Elsa walked away. The child's pouting face reddened until she look like she'd burst. "Nothing, I guess!" Anna snapped. "Some sister you are!" Elsa hugged herself for comfort while walking away. "I don't need you. I don't need anyone!" Anna declared. "I'll make today a perfect day without any-" As she spun amidst her tantrum, Anna found herself staring down a Jedi Master. Without the vent's shadows to shroud his face, Anna could get a clean look at Qui-Gon Jinn.
His gaze was unwavering as he asked, "What is your name, youngling?"
The child gulped and straightened her posture. "A-Anna, sir. Anna Dellian."
Her nostrils flared in alarm as the tall master knelt before her. "Anna, what you did was-"
"Wrong and foolish," Anna recited. "I know."
"Very brave," Qui-Gon concluded instead. The youngling's eyes swayed back up to his firm gaze. "You chose to take a stand when that droid had you and your sister cornered."
"But I didn't do anything," Anna mumbled. "You're the one who saved us."
"You're focusing on my actions instead of yours, young one." Qui-Gon explained. "Your choice was everything in the face of your fears. Confronting them is the destiny of all Jedi." The master's communicator chimed, signaling for him to return to his mission. Before departing, he placed a firm hand on Anna's shoulder. "You are strong, Anna Dellian. But you must focus on honing your skills and not feeding your faults. Remember, your focus determines your reality."
"I-I will," Anna affirmed as Qui-Gon stood up.
"Good," the master replied. He was about to depart when another thought crossed his mind. "And Anna," Qui-Gon added as Anna glanced over. "Happy birthday."
As Qui-Gon left for his diplomatic mission, Anna was left with a widening smile. Gone was her doubt over the night's mishap, for she had taken Qui-Gon's advice. No matter what happened next, Anna would be brave and focus on her bright future ahead.
PRESENT DAY...
"Your choice was everything in the face of your fears. Confronting them is the destiny of all Jedi."
"You are strong, Anna Dellian. But you must focus on honing your skills, not feeding your faults. Remember, your focus determines your reality."
"And Anna...Happy Birth-"
Qui-Gon Jinn's words were like distant whispers in Anna's mind. She rolled throughout the cramped darkness as every physical sensation returned. The smokey stench in the air...the dull ache across her muscles...the taste of blood on her lips. Anna's shallow breaths and muffled grunts were deafened under a thick tarp. The likes of which continued to vibrate uncontrollably. As she stirred and struggled to make sense of her surroundings, the tremors came to a halt. A vehicle's engines leveled out and someone unlatched the lid of a compact containment unit. Anna tried peering beyond the bulky sheet, but could only make out a pair of hissing silhouettes. They loomed over her, snarling and cackling in their Trandoshan tongue.
One of the reptilians reached into the container and dug his claws into the tarp. He eagerly pried it off as if sadistically ravaging a gift. Tufts of humid air spewed in from under the tarp and instantly got Anna sweating. She glanced up at the hissing Trandoshans as they examined her. Their eyes were as red as the fiery clouds behind them.
Lava erupted from nearby and illuminated the container. Their Jedi prisoner had endured an atrocious beating. Bruises lined most of Anna's body while crusty bloodstains still trickled from her nose.
"It's time," one of the Trandoshans growled and reached in to grab Anna.
Chapter: 91 The Disaster (Part I)
It's been several months since the Revenant's failed nuclear attack, and peace is still nonexistent. Warfare has become a normality while new instigators step in. As the CLONE WARS rampage across the stars, more and more systems COLLAPSE in the crossfire. The galaxy hinges on anarchy as neither side in the conflict shows any signs of yielding. For over a thousand generations, the JEDI ORDER has been a prominent beacon of hope for the Republic. Now, public opinion for the Jedi is at an all-time low. Seeking hope for a brighter future, the Galactic Senate entrusts SUPREME CHANCELLOR PALPATINE with more emergency powers. Each newly-drafted amendment keeps him in office long after his elected term. While the war rages on, the galaxy's criminal underworld is in shambles. Power vacuums have members of Crimson Dawn desperately trying to end a feud against the Hutts. Meanwhile, whispers of a rogue Sith named MAUL echo throughout the Outer Rim. In a galaxy teeming with desperate souls, no one is safe...
All of Anna's aches and pains were collectively unified when the Trandoshan grabbed her. He reached towards the back of her neck and scrunched her hair up in his claws. Once he had a firm grip on her auburn locks, he pulled up and relished in her angry growl. Anna's scalp stung as the Trandoshan forced her out of the container. He threw her against a warm platform and kicked her for good measure. Anna's heart sank, for the sounds of a beating continued long after she'd been left alone. The Jedi gasped the moment she heard an all too familiar grunt.
"Huh?" Anna blurted and tried to rise. She flopped against the platform, unable to use the hands bound behind her back. As Anna rose to her knees, she tried analyzing her surroundings. Volatile, scorching splatters bubbled beyond heavy smoke clouds. Given her struggled balance, Anna deduced that she was aboard some sort of barge. The open vessel skimmed along the surface of a flowing lava river while Anna glimpsed her volcanic surroundings. The ailing grunt returned and had her head snapping leftward. Two more Trandoshans were hunched by a bound prisoner. While one of the reptilians held him steady, the second delivered one ferocious blow after another. One of the Trandoshan's strikes was so powerful, that it sent his victim toppling over.
Despite her boiling surroundings, the blood in Anna's veins chilled. Her eyes widened as she looked upon the collapsed, bruised, and battered prisoner. One of his eyes was nearly swollen shut while his face smeared against the floor. Blood fled his lips as he coughed for a sliver of nonexistent, fresh air. The blood dampened his short, black beard as Anna noticed the iconic scar across his face. That dreadful mark was a reminder of the night she'd almost lost him. Now, it felt like she was reliving that horror all over again.
"B-Blazer," Anna uttered through her own pain. Still reeling from his beating, Blazer twitched his brows at Anna's voice. Before he could even try lifting his head, one of the Trandoshans kicked him in the gut, laughing while he did so. The sergeant's agonizing grunt sparked Anna's rage. "Kriffing scumbag!" she roared and lunged headfirst at Blazer's attacker. "Leave him alone!" With bound hands and dwindling energy, Anna didn't last long. The Trandoshan easily backhanded her before the others joined in. Stripped of all armor...left in tank tops and long pants, the duo was forced to endure their captors' wrath.
Their painful groans and murmurs reverberated towards the barge's upper deck. The Trandoshans above stood at attention as their superior emerged from her quarters. Her elite, well-polished boots clacked against the deck. Her leather jacket swished with her pompous stride as she approached her prisoners. Anna's lightsaber dangled from her belt like a personal trophy. The humidity caused her bright red hair to frizz as she halted in front the captives. When the woman simply raised her hand, a massive and yellow-scaled Trandoshan roared. His bellow made his brethren conclude their collective beating. They bowed their heads and backed up, respecting the commanding figure that was Madame Meduza.
Entirely new waves of excruciation surged over Anna's body. She writhed in her restraints as fresh blood seeped from her bruised nose. "B-Blazer," she croaked. Her reddened eyes listed towards the barely conscious clone. "Brother?" His eyes fluttered as she said, "Talk to me. Stay awake. Don't you kriffing...give up on me."
"A-" Blazer could hardly speak as his bloodshot eyes searched for his general. "Anna..."
"That's it," Anna murmured. "Stay with me. Stay-" The Trandoshans forcefully shoved her and Blazer back. Anna's ensuing screech matched the yellow Trandoshan's intensity. "You damn lizards! I'll kill you...I'll kriffing kill you all!" Anna was silenced with a swift jab to her already aching abdomen. The Trandoshan's scaly knuckles had left dreadful cuts on her and Blazer's faces.
As if Anna wasn't enraged enough, the last sight she needed was that of her saber clipped to Meduza's belt. So close, yet so far. As if the Doonium hilt and every life it stood for was calling out for Anna to take action. Her body pulsed with pain as Meduza lurked closer. Noticing Anna's gaze, the criminal tauntingly patted the lightsaber. "The mighty Anna Dellian," Meduza mocked. "Jedi General...Republic Hero...reduced to this. Nothing more than a broken and bloody pulp. Pathetic."
"Take off my bindings," Anna huffed. "I'll make you eat those words."
"Oh please," Meduza scoffed. "Your threats have never been emptier, Dellian." She lunged forward and siezed Anna by her swollen chin. Meduza was sure to squeeze and make her victim wince. "Did you think we wouldn't find out?" she growled. "Crimson Dawn has spies everywhere. Even in Jabba's Palace. We know you and your Jedi friend tried to pin your exploits on us. You thought you could just start a gang war between syndicates and walk free?"
Anna's ensuing mumbles had Meduza relaxing her grip. She loosened up just enough for the Jedi to speak. "It worked, didn't it?" she retorted.
Meduza furiously shoved Anna back. "Do you have any idea what Crimson Dawn has been through after your repeated stunts?"
"I know you're down a few members," Anna grumbled.
Meduza sneered at the Jedi's words. "No thanks to you, Republic scum. The Hutts won't even trust us to come clean with evidence, so we're stuck in this conflict. And then, you and your pet have the audacity to try and bring me down?" Meduza snorted and glared at Blazer. "Never underestimate a woman with nothing to lose," she intoned. Her Trandoshans hissed and hollered as they glided across the lava river. "I should thank you for your stupidity," Meduza remarked while fixing her hair. "Your ransom should fetch a handsome price with the Separatists and get Crimson Dawn back in business."
Anna's subtle guffaw had Meduza glowering. "From Dryden's pawn to Dooku's, hm?"
"I'm no one's pawn," her captor asserted. "I'm an opportunist. You'd be one to talk about pawns, Jedi. You and this clone are just slaves to the Republic. Your expendable lives mean nothing to those you serve." Anna's silent ignorance only further infuriated Meduza. Despite her best efforts to resist the Jedi's quip, Meduza couldn't help but offer another rebuttal. "I'm no pawn," she reaffirmed and glanced at her lead Trandoshan. "G'dora," she beckoned. "How much are the Separatists paying for dead Jedi these days?"
"A million credits, mistress." G'dora hissed as the lava set his jagged scales aglow.
Blazer's nostrils flared as he shook in his restraints. "Don't you dare-" was all he could growl before a Trandoshan shoved him back.
"Dare what, clone?" Meduza snarked. "Do you honestly think you've had a real say in any of this? You're nothing but a test-tube product, programmed to follow orders. Now you can see what all of that blind following has led to." Meduza waved her hand towards the barge's railing. "G'dora," she commanded. "Toss the Jedi overboard." She smirked as Blazer gasped. "And make sure he watches."
"Anna," Blazer blurted. "No!" Out of sheer exasperation, the sergeant tried wriggling out of his captors' grips. While one of the Trandoshans held him down, another forced his head up to observe his general's execution.
G'dora himself dragged Anna across the platform. Her tired legs scraped at the metal plating beneath her while Meduza chuckled. "Take a good long look, Jedi. Mustafar's ashy plains will be the last sight you ever see." She peered down at Anna's lightsaber and sighed. "Pity I'll have to present this as proof of your death. I could probably fetch a handsome price for it."
Anna desperately strived to gather what remaining energy she could. Her aching knees wobbled as G'dora neared the railing. Sweltering heatwaves emanated from the river below as she dropped to her knees. "Get up!" G'dora growled.
I've got one shot at this, Anna thought as she bowed her head before the barge's edge. It's now or never.
She could feel G'dora breathing down her neck as he hunched over. "I said-" the Trandoshan threatened. "-get-"
Mustering what strength she still had, Anna fought through her excruciation and launched upward. Her aching legs felt like they were on fire as Anna sprung out. On her way up, she struck G'dora's snout with the back of her head and dug her bound wrists into his forearm. The commotion caught Meduza and her henchmen off guard as Anna actually leapt towards the lava. As she did so, her bindings dug into G'dora's scales. The Trandoshan wailed as Anna let gravity weigh her down. The only thing keeping her from going for a lava swim was the fact that her bindings were caught on G'dora. He yelped as a horrific series of crunches sounded. One by one, G'dora's scales started cracking off under Anna's pressure. Each sharp scale weakened Anna's bindings until they broke altogether. That resounding and liberating snap had Anna hurriedly twirling in midair.
G'dora crashed against the railing and clasped his forearm. A section of his scales had been crudely shredded off. While two Trandoshans saw to him, a lanky third peered over the edge. He scoured the lava and deduced that Anna had fallen in...just as her hand came lunging up. With a mighty heave, Anna dragged the reptilian over the railing and pulled herself up. While he went plummeting into a scalding demise, Anna barely managed to land on the platform. Without wasting a moment, Anna used her adrenaline to bolt forward and tackle Meduza. As soon as Blazer felt one of the Trandoshans loosen their grip on his shoulder, he lunged up and charged with all of his might. Anna and Blazer were running on sheer desperation as they wrestled to survive.
As Meduza struck the floor, Anna's lightsaber unclipped and went rolling across the platform. "No!" Meduza gasped and frantically reached for the fleeing weapon. Furious, Anna punched her across the face. The criminal retaliated with a fierce elbow to Anna's chin. Her strike was enough to get the Jedi off of her. But as Meduza recovered, Anna was quick to kick her down one of the barge's stairwells. She would've continued her attack, but more Trandoshans rushed to their master's aid. "Kill them!" Madame Meduza brayed.
The Trandoshan who Blazer tackled quickly shoved him off. As the clone collapsed, his eyes widened at the sight of Anna's doonium hilt. Unable to use his restrained hands, Blazer snatched the lightsaber in his mouth. With a quick swish of his face, he spat the weapon in Anna's direction. "Heads up!" he grunted.
Anna had just finished kicking a Trandoshan when she heard Blazer's call. Her eyes widened as she observed her clattering lightsaber. She was about to recover it when a scarlet laser struck the floor. The blastershot forced her back as Meduza emerged with a pistol drawn. "Damn it!" Anna cursed and watched her lightsaber roll away again. Her head spun to Meduza, who prepared to fire again. Anna waited for her foe to aim and then redirected her arm with the Force. Meduza misfired and sent her laser ricocheting off of the barge's surface. Everyone ducked as the stray blast darted across the barge and bounced against the upper platform. It crashed through the viewport and struck the vessel's pilot in his scaly head. As his body collapsed against the controls, the craft started dipping towards the volcanic river.
Those aboard struggled to keep their balance as globs of lava spewed upward. They landed atop the platform in scorching heaps, forcing the passengers to crawl in the opposite direction. As Blazer glimpsed a sliver of lava beside him, he quickly turned his back to it. The clone winced as he cautiously hovered his wrists over the sizzling drop. "Come on," he grunted through gritted teeth. Relief surged over him as his bindings were burnt off. "Haha!" he cheered through his injuries and valiantly stood up. As soon as Blazer did so, he was immediately confronted by G'dora. "Oh great," he grumbled as the Trandoshan took a swing.
A reptilian's jagged, dislodged tooth went swirling through the air as Anna kicked him across the face. She immediately dropped after such a stunt and clutched her tender leg. Anna barely had time to rest as another Trandoshan lunged. She hurriedly Force-pushed him over the balcony and into the lava below.
Blazer grappled with G'dora as they shuffled across the platform. Despite the clone's bold prowess, his strength was fading. Furious, Blazer punched at his opponent's torso. Any effort to break G'dora's sturdy defense seemed futile. As they wrestled one another, Blazer glimpsed Anna's lightsaber rolling near their feet. Determined to reach it, he dropped and stretched between G'dora's arms. The Trandoshan pushed back, still unaware of what Blazer was reaching for. His fingers grazed the weapon's hilt as G'dora punched back. Thinking of the scales Anna had removed, Blazer jabbed at his foe's wounded forearm. His fleshy and tender limb inflamed from Blazer's strike. As the Trandoshan growled and staggered, Blazer sprung for the lightsaber.
"Catch!" the sergeant yelled and prepared to toss it. Before he could, G'dora punched Blazer into a stack of buckled crates. The impact caused the straps around each container to loosen and Blazer hurriedly rolled away. The crates nearly collapsed and swayed back and forth with the rocking barge.
"You brat!" Meduza growled while recovering. As she aimed at Anna, the Jedi curled her fingers into a fist. Calling upon the Force, Anna crunched Meduza's pistol just as she pulled the trigger. The blast backfired and sent stinging flares sparking against her palm.
Thinking quickly, Anna spun to assist Blazer. "Sarge!" she hollered. "Jaw-dropper!" Blazer nodded at her command and lunged to join her. They met up in front of G'dora and threw their arms together as one. Uniting their strength, Anna and Blazer pushed up on the hulking Trandoshan's jaw. In a single, synchronized motion, they slammed their foe against the platform.
"And stay down!" Blazer growled while panting over the dazed Trandoshan. G'dora struck the floor so hard, that his impact caused the nearby crates to topple over.
As Anna pulled Blazer back to safety, G'dora briefly regained consciousness. All the Trandoshan could do was screech before being crushed to death by smuggled goods. "You okay?" Anna huffed while leaning next to Blazer.
"I'll live," he groaned and raised a familiar hilt to Anna's tired eyes. "I believe this is yours."
"You're the kriffing best," Anna gasped. She recovered her lightsaber just as Meduza's remaining henchmen arrived. With a daring grin and knitted brows, Anna sparked up her lightsaber. Bright green plasma surged forth as she growled, "Let's finish this." Amidst her injuries and beyond her distress, Anna charged forward. She was a relentless machine, taking the fight to her captors. The reptilians' firearms were useless as Anna deflected every blast. She sliced off one of the Trandoshan's arms before driving her saber through his chest. While she pressed onward, Blazer scavenged a blaster from the severed limb. He provided covering fire as Anna cut down the others. There wasn't a hint of mercy in Anna's eyes. Every wild slash left sizzling and scaly corpses in her wake. As she impaled another foe, she suddenly heard a pair of familiar engines overhead. A Republic gunship descended from the ashy clouds and glided along the river.
"About damn time," Blazer scoffed while observing the ship.
"Took them long enough," Anna added.
The barge teetered while its ventral shields gave out. Lava engulfed its underside as Anna and Blazer proceeded to a storage unit. The last Trandoshan aimed his blaster, but Blazer was quick to counter. Three, swift lasers struck the reptilian as he crashed against a nearby doorframe. Anna slashed across his chest for good measure and severed a bandolier in the process.
Madame Meduza rummaged across the barge's bridge. Waves of bubbling lava coated her face in a fiery hue as she hurriedly recovered valuables. Warning symbols flashed and sirens blared while the ship continued to sink. Meduza's eyes widened when she noticed a daunting dip on the scorched horizon. If the barge continued floating downriver, it was doomed to plummet down one of the planet's largest lavafalls. She stuffed whatever valuables she could carry in her satchel and then observed the dead pilot. Without the slightest hesitation, she stole the credits from his pocket and shoved his corpse off the dashboard. Meduza typed away at the comm panel and optimized the frequency.
"Dryden," she called in. "It's me. I need your help. Dryden? Dryden!"
"Are we...interrupting something?" Anna inquired and Meduza's heart sank. The criminal bit back a gasp as a lightsaber's green glow illuminated the chamber. She slowly turned to see Anna standing in the doorway. Blazer snuck in from her side and fired a laser into Meduza's comm panel. With her communications disabled, all Meduza could do was scoff and surrender.
"Well," Meduza grumbled while listening to the gunship outside. "I suppose this is the part where you arrest me?"
"Of course not," Anna said and deactivated her lightsaber. Such actions prompted Meduza to raise a brow. Her confusion turned to terror when Anna lifted the Trandoshan's bandolier. "What was it you said?" Anna inquired. "Oh that's right..." She ran her fingers across a string of thermal detonators and activated them all. "Never underestimate a woman with nothing to lose."
Genuine fear gripped at Meduza as she glared at the ticking grenades. Each daunting explosive strobed as Anna swayed the bandolier. "N-now Dellian," Meduza panicked. "Let's talk about this." Anna flung the detonators into the bridge and slammed the door shut. "Dellian!" Meduza screeched as the explosives landed at her feet. Her eyes frantically scoured the chamber as the hopelessness of her situation sunk in. Meduza didn't make it two steps before the detonators reached their highest pitch. A tremendous explosion ignited within the bridge. The blast engulfed Meduza's figure and shattered all nearby windows. Any spewing flames clashed with seeping lava as the barge started capsizing.
Anna and Blazer clung to each other for balance while flames roared around them. They peered ahead to see their doomed vessel nearing the lava fall. The Republic gunship glided along the cascade's edge and opened its hatches. A pair of scarlet-armored ARF troopers stepped near the edge and brought a sense of relief to Anna's exhausted mind. She'd recognize the colors of her fellow Deathchasers anywhere.
"Come on!" Speedy shouted and steadied his cybernetic legs.
"It's now or never!" Lieutenant Sparx hollered from beside him.
"Together," Blazer grunted and gripped Anna's shoulder. Their adrenaline dwindled as the duo forced each other forward. Their battered muscles and bleeding cuts sent horrid levels of pain shooting through their bodies. Still they surged onward and picked up speed as they neared the barge's edge.
Knowing they'd only get one shot, Anna pushed herself to keep running. She gritted her teeth until it felt like they'd shatter. Sparx and Speedy extended their hands from the gunship while the barge started tipping. Anna and Blazer reached the vessel's edge just as it plummeted from the lavafall.
"Jump for it!" Speedy shouted over the roaring flames. Taking a leap of faith, Anna and Blazer sprung themselves off the falling barge and towards the gunship. Their brief, airborne moment had their hearts sinking. Gravity took hold just as Sparx and Speedy lunged into action. Relief came over Anna once she felt Speedy's firm hand snatch her wrist. "Gotcha!" he cheered and heaved Anna up. Meanwhile, Sparx caught Blazer and pulled him in alongside her. "They're in!" Speedy yelled to the pilot. "Close us up and get us out of here!"
The gunship hatches clanged shut just as Blazer and Anna collapsed. Their bodies became bathed in the hold's dim, crimson lighting. "Karabast," Sparx huffed while looking over his superiors. "We need some medpacs over here!"
"You should...see the...other guys," Anna panted.
"Good luck finding 'em," Blazer murmured. He turned towards Anna and grumbled, "Hell of a way to spend your birthday, sister."
"Kicking sleemos to the curb with my squadmates?" Anna chuckled lightly. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Without a surge of adrenaline to keep them going, the duo succumbed to all of their injuries. They leaned on each other for support as the gunship left Mustafar's volcanic atmosphere and soared through the coldness of space. It was only a matter of time before it latched on to the familiar frigate that was the Legacy.
GOLDENHEART STORIES PRESENTS
A MICHAEL J. PINEDA PRODUCTION
THE FROZEN FORCE: SEASON IV - "Good Soldiers Follow Orders"
For an upgraded, Old Republic Hammerhead, the Legacy looked phenomenal. If anything, Anna and Blazer were the least put together assets onboard. Yet their stubborn selves insisted on reporting to the bridge first instead of going straight to the medbay.
No matter how stressful the war had become, Admiral Ozwon Shang continued to run an efficient ship. He considered the ability to command a frigate at such a young age to be an honor and wouldn't squander it. He'd thought back on his graduation from time to time and wondered where his fellow cadets had ended up. However, Shang never had much time for deep reflection. Especially since he was consistently managing the ordeals of a certain, reckless Jedi. That very redhead came limping onto the command bridge and Shang's jaw dropped.
"General Del-" he stammered. "Anna! What the-...How did-"
"I'm okay," Anna assured as half her face swelled with bruises. Her reddened eyes glared at him when it looked like he was holding back. "Wait," she murmured. "You wanna say it...don't you?"
"Pardon?" Shang inquired.
Anna's gaze intensified as she crossed her tender arms. "Well go on. Let's get this over with."
"Fine," Shang affirmed. "You should've listened to me," he scolded like a stern parent. "But do you ever? Of course not. You've had your close calls in the past, but this takes the cake."
"We had a lead on Meduza," Anna insisted.
"Just a lead," Shang grumbled. "You had minimal intel and went in nearly blind. Of course you and the sergeant were captured. For what, three days?"
"Give or take," Anna mumbled and shrugged towards Blazer. "But what does it matter? Meduza's dead. So that's another Crimson Dawn crook who won't be terrorizing the galaxy any time soon. "And Blazer and I made it out because we always do. Am I wrong?"
Shang pinched the bridge of his nose. "Results don't negate the consequences of your methods," he groaned. "I want both of you in bacta tanks right now."
Anna bit back a scoff. "But we still need to report Meduza's death to Watcher."
"I'll do it," Shang doubled down and jabbed a finger towards the nearby doors. "Bacta. Now."
Anna sulked and started trudging off the bridge. "By the way, happy nineteenth birthday, Anna." she mumbled to herself. "Oh thanks, Admiral Shang."
She was nearly out when a hologram appeared on Shang's table. All involved in the Republic's most elite operations knew Watcher's face well as she materialized before them. The war's stressful progression and her constant surveillance had taken a toll on her eyes...and hair. While no one aboard the Legacy could see beyond the blue-hued hologram, Watcher's hair was already starting to grey. Several, silver strands lay nestled between a pair of thin glasses.
"Those are new," Anna blurted and returned to the holotable.
"I told you to go get bacta!" Shang whispered sharply until Watcher spoke over them both.
"A mandatory addition," she commented on her glasses, only to straighten them at Anna. "Oh my-...General Dellian. Your face-"
"I'm fine," Anna assured. "And you can consider Meduza taken care of."
It was as if Watcher's concern over Anna's physical state had completely vanished with that news. "Well done," she said sternly while Shang shook his head. "With each passing day, our Republic comes one step closer to ushering in a new era of peace, freedom, justice, and security for the galaxy."
"Then let's keep this 'peace-ushering' ball rolling," Anna insisted. "What's our next mission?"
"That's precisely why I called," Watcher replied while Shang looked on in disbelief. He couldn't get over Watcher's complete disregard for Anna's physical being, just as long as she was willing.
Anna hobbled past her admiral and leaned against the table for support. "Hit me," she boldly inquired as Watcher pulled up holofiles.
Several projections of a gas giant emerged. Anna instantly recognized the planet from her mission with the Flying 54th. "My officers have just received a transmission from Cloud City," Watcher explained. "It's a mining colony on the planet Bespin. Several dock workers reported suspicious activity in the lower, Industrial District. Suspect descriptions match those of the renegade Sith Lord, Maul."
Anna's eyes widened as holoimages of a sneering Zabrak flashed before her. Despite Maul's ominous appearance, nothing was more demonic than his stare. His eyes were like insidious pools of yellow swirling betwixt a bloody crimson. Iconic, haunting horns protruded from his red-skinned head. Deep, dark tattoos streaked across his face and extended down his torso.
"Maul," Anna growled. "It's about time we got a new lead on that maniac. He and his brother have murdered and pillaged long enough. The Deathchasers and I will shut them down, Watcher."
"I was hoping you'd say that," she concurred.
"Hold on just a moment," Shang intervened. "Anna, you're in no condition for another fight and neither is Sergeant Blazer."
"We'll be fine," the Jedi insisted. "We just need some bacta bandages and a stimulant or two. Bacta tanks would make us drowsy."
"Respectfully, I must disagree." Shang continued. "I've read the reports on this Maul. He's a Jedi killer. Even General Kenobi was almost-"
"Respectfully, I don't need a history lesson," Anna snarked. "I know what that psycho's doing and what he's capable of. But he's never faced me before. Now set a course for Bespin."
Shang pursed his lips in protest and turned to Watcher's projection. "Ma'am," he said. "General Dellian cannot go directly into another engagement like this. Is there not another Jedi in that sector for you to contact?"
The ensuing pause had Anna's heart skipping a beat. Watcher sighed and turned to the Jedi. "There...is," she said. "It's...part of the reason that I called you, General Dellian."
"Watcher," Anna murmured as her breaths quickened. "Please start making sense."
"According to recent reports from my team-" Watcher began. "-your sister is in Cloud City. But all efforts to contact her have...failed."
"W-what?" Anna spoke in a barely audible tone. She'd heard the stories of Maul's carnage. Him and his brother, Savage Opress, had been leaving a trail of blood in their brutal wake. Just the thought of Elsa's corpse fallen before the Zabraks' feet sent a chill down Anna's spine. "Set the course," she whispered.
"Anna?" Shang inquired.
"I said set the course!" the youngest Dellian shouted. Her broken voice reverberated across the bridge and had officers raising their heads. "Make the jump to lightspeed now! I want us in Cloud City by yesterday! And someone get me some kriffing bacta bandages and stims!" Anna glared at Shang and asserted, "Do it."
As he observed the concern she felt for Elsa, Shang reluctantly nodded and commanded his officers onward. As the Legacy blasted off into hyperspace, Anna reflected on their mission ahead. Her heart sank when she tried calling Elsa to no avail. Come on, sis, she thought. Where the hell are you?
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading the first part of Season 4's premiere! I am so happy to be back in action and posting for this continuous story. The break was nice, but I'm so ready to get back to weekly writing and epic adventures ahead. Thank you all for your ongoing support as we venture into this challenging season. I'll see you next Frozen Force Friday for Chapter: 92 - The Disaster (Part II).
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with You,
~ Michael