Grand Inquisitor sat in his chair, consuming the information in the datapad before him. All of the former Jedi Temple's knowledge on A'Sharad Hett was before him. His preferred form, his father, his training patterns, tactics during the Clone Wars, his master and how it influenced him. All of it. Shortly after the Purge and seizing of the Temple, Grand Inquisitor was granted access to the entire library of the Jedi archives. The knowledge was finally his for the taking.
And he was using it to hunt his former brothers and sister. Their bodies were either left to rot or put in stasis at the fortress, it didn't matter to him. All that mattered was the knowledge that was lost. Ever since Jocosta Nu wiped the archives, his pursuit of knowledge had been hindered. Often he would interrogate captured Jedi for information, secret outputs, or leads that would put him on the trail of powerful Jedi. Where power lied, there was knowledge. Because how else would know become powerful? One who truly understands power understands the knowledge behind that power. Detonating a bomb is one thing. But to understand the mechanical parts and science behind it, and then to replicate it on your own, now that is power.
Such knowledge of the Force lay in the minds of hidden Jedi, buried holocrons, and in the hands of his Emperor. And his rival Darth Chasm.
The Grand Inquisitor mentally sneered as the thought of Chasm came to his mind. Ever since the Purge, he was under the assumption that he would be the Emperor's apprentice. But two months after the formation of the Empire, Lady Chasm appeared on the scene. In a show of force, before all of the Inquisitors and the Emperor, she challenged him to a duel. He suspected that she could sense his resentment when she was announced as 'Darth Chasm'. She made a fool of him, shattering his lightsaber and gashing his ribs. But he recognized her fighting style. Her duel-wield was unique. He had seen it before. But he kept this information to himself. After all, knowledge is power, and it would be foolish to tip his hand so soon.
A door hissed opened and Second Sister entered the room, followed by Fourteenth Brother.
"We are nearing Tatooine, Grand Inquisitor," Eleventh Brother said, his voice distorted by his skull-like mask. "The Purge Troopers and Death Troopers are ready and will assist with dealing with the Tusken Raiders, giving us the space to deal with Hett."
"The Hutt's have requested that the damage to the palace be minimal. Director Yulareen said to use your discretion on that 'request'," Second Sister reported, tilting her head in curiosity to her master's response.
Grand Inquisitor rapped his fingers several times before coming to a decision. "Tell Commander Dogma to utilize our starship weaponry on the Palace, but keep it to a minimum. Destroying the Palace would anger the Hutts greatly. But defacing it sends a message to the people of Tatooine and the Outer Rim. The Empire is here."
Hett sat on his throne, tuning out the noise. The Warband was in disaary. His chieftains were split. Many wanted to stay with him, others wanted to leave. Confusion, fear, and anger swept through the camp.
For many years, Hett had visions. Visions that he followed to a T. They pushed him to assemble the Warband, guided his everystep. In his visions was Skywalker, arriving at the camp. The visions had been his guidance. The words of Master Yoda echoed in his mind as he would meditate.
"Always in motion, the future is"
Hett knew what he wanted: the fall of the Empire and the fall of the Sith, and the restoration of the Republic. But also within his heart was revenge—revenge for the loss of his brothers and sisters at the hands of what they thought were their friends.
The visions carried him all the way to Jabba's palace. It showed him striking them down and raising a flag. But now... they showed nothing.
Fragments would be shown. A lightsaber rising out of the sand and piercing the Imperial Flag, the flames made from the heat burning it away. But they would be flickers. Nothing more. The harder he tried to peer into the future, the weaker he would feel. All he would feel is darkness and emptiness, like staring into a void, like his soul was leaving his body.
He sat on his throne in confusion and silence, pondering the visions. Something was blocking his foresight. Was he being tested? Did he act on a whim? Did he lead all these people to slaughter?
When his chieftains came to him awaiting orders, he shocked them all by disbanding them. Some took the opportunity and fled in the night, covering their tracks to the best of their abilities. But others were furious. The planet, the galaxy, had seen the strength of the Tusken Raiders. They imposed their will on the planet. Such actions would not go without a response, without retaliation from others.
Some refused to leave, seeing Hett's commands as a test. Inside, his heart broke. They believed him enough to die for him. They pledged their loyalty to him. There was nothing he could do. Hett simply sat on his throne and meditated. Something was blocking his vision. And he would find his way around it, find the answer to the fall of the Empire.
The bar was crowded as people discussed the scene unfolding on the holonet amongst themselves. While not quite, the tension and uncertainty was palpable. Jabba's death had sent ripples throughout the planet. Nobody could have seen this coming. Tusken Raiders, much less Tusken Raiders led by a Jedi, storming the palace and killing the crime lord? It was unexpected. Were they under the rule of a Jedi? Would the Hutts take control? Nobody knew.
The zabrak on the holonet continued her speech.
"The situation on Tatooine continues to send shockwaves across the galaxy. For those of you unaware, a few days ago a Tusken Raiders led by a Jedi attacked the palace of Hutt Cartel leader Jabba Desilijic Tiure. The Jedi released a transmission, claiming the planet for the Tusken Raiders before executing the crime lord. Joining us now is our correspondent from the ISB, Major Gortal."
Anakin didn't need to watch the news channel to know what would come next. Before he turned around, the ISB Major began the classic 'Jedi uprising' and 'reminder of the treachery of the Order'. All too often Anakin had heard this when he returned to the bar for a drink. A Jedi hunted down and exposed, the past coming up from the bottle and sinking its teeth deep into his mind, reminding him of the Order. Reminding him of his failure to save them. To save her.
"They'll come for him, you know," a voice said. Anakin turned to see the visage of Padme standing at the exit to the bar. He swallowed hard, continuing his pace.
"I know."
"Then you know what's coming. What to expect," Padme said, following Anakin as he began walking back to the garage where the speeder was parked.
"This isn't the first time I've had to be worried about being found out."
"No, but it's the first time that you've had the Empire come knocking on Tatooine. And this isn't a squadron of Stormtroopers. Darth Chasm is probably coming. Or the Inquisitors. They'll sense you."
"They won't. They'll come to Tatooine, kill Hett, and leave," Anakin mused as he walked through the town, weaving his way.
"So you'll just leave your friend to die? You won't help him?"
"I have to protect Luke and Leia. Owen and Beru."
"So you'll abandon him like you abandoned me?"
Anakin's blood ran cold and he stumbled, tripping and falling to the ground. A few onlookers turned their heads, then quickly grew bored and turned their attention back to what they were doing. Anakin struggled to bring himself to his feet, sand clinging to his beard and wrapped hands. Looking around, he could no longer see the visage of Padme. Tears welled in his eyes as he struggled to steel himself, leaning against the wall for support.
Sand. The course rough feeling of it danced over his tongue as he spat some out. He remembered Naboo when he told Padme of his dislike for sand, thinking he was being cool and mysterious. Looking back he realized how weird he was, but she still loved him despite the awkwardness. Added to his charm, she said.
Rough hands gripped Anakin's collar and he found himself brought back to reality. Owen gruffed as he hoisted his step-brother's arm over his shoulder and helped him to the speeder. "Lay off the cantina, Anakin. I mean it."
"I only had two drinks, Owen,"
"Yeah and it looks like two too many right now. Stumbling around at midday? What are you thinking? Luke and Leia-"
"They don't know. They won't ever know or ever see me like this," Anakin growled as they got closer to the speeder. Anakin shook free of Owen's grasp and gripped the speeder's frame, hoisting himself into the passenger seat, and knocking things around as he did. "I'll be fine before we get home."
Owen paused before he entered the speeder. "Beru told me about your visions. That you see her. I don't know if drinking makes her come or go but-"
"Owen...brother...please drop it," Anakin pleaded, looking at his stepbrother with somber heavy eyes.
Owen clenched his jaw in frustration. Whenever he tried to help Anakin open up, or pry into his trauma, his stepbrother would wall up and shut down. It was getting harder and harder. But Owen wouldn't give up. He had seen too many of his friends lose themselves to a bottle or become unrecognizable by grief. He refused to see it happen to his family. True, he and Anakin were only related by law, and their respective parents were long dead. But Luke and Leia were a source of joy and happiness in his and Beru's life. He knew that it would be hard for them to grow up without a mother. And that it would be devastating to grow up without a father that was available. He owed it to Shmi, to his nephew and niece, and to his stepbrother to not give up.
Silently, Owen hopped in and activated the speeder, racing back to the homestead. As he did so, he and Anakin looked up to the sky, hearing the irie scream of TIE Fighters rip across above them. They flanked a much larger, black shuttle and soared across the city toward Jabba's palace.
TIE fighters raced across the sky and laid down cover fire for the Sycthe as it landed. sand and rock erupted as Grand Inquisitor, Second Sister, and Eleventh Brother exited with a small group of Purge Troopers. The TIEs began their pursuit of several tribes that had already left A'Sharad's side. After killing the Hutt, many wanted to return home. The sea of sand was theirs now. Others feared retaliation. Many stayed behind. But those who tried to flee found themselves under the heavy fire of TIE Fighters.
The Tusken battle cry was heard as they emerged from the sand itself and charged forth, while others began to fire at the Imperial Forces. The Purge troopers raised their rifles to return fire, while the Inquisitorious activated their lightsabers and moved forward. Their blades cut through the gaffi sticks and cloth of the Tuskens with ease. The Tuskens may have fared well against the Jabba's forces, catching them off guard. But the Tuskens were never truly a military force. Their nomadic lifestyle, fighting to survive in the desert and skirmishes against other clans and raiders, did not equipt them to control a fortress. Nor were they prepared to face off against some of the Empire's elite forces.
Deflecting blaster bolt, the Grand Inquisitor snarled at the vermin attacking him.
A trio of Death Troopers descended down the rampway of the shuttle, one carrying a rocket launcher. No sooner as they exited the shuttle they fired at the wall where the bolts were coming from. An explosion ripped apart the castle wall, stopping the incoming hail of blaster fire.
The Grand Inquisitor gave a toothy grin, before unclipping his cape and stowing his lightsaber. "The Sand People have retreated deeper into the castle. The Inquisitors and I shall enter and kill the Jedi. Doing so will strike fear into the remaining Sand People who haven't already fled. Commander Dogma, secure the perimeter with the rest of your men. Send a squad to the Hangar Bay to prevent any escape."
"Right away, milord" Dogma said with a nod, motioning to his Purge Troopers to carry out the command. The remainder Purge and Death Troopers walked with the Inquisitors to the gate of the palace. Grand Inquisitor stood in awe for a moment, staring at the broken gate. He pondered at the display of power. If Hett intended to control the palace, why didn't he repair the gate? And the defenses weren't activated. Part of him believed it was a trap, yet he pushed the notion aside. There was something larger at play here. A dare? A display of power? If it was meant to be a trap, it wasn't concealed and Grand Inquisitor welcomed the challenge.
As the trio of Inquisitors entered the palace, Grand Inquisitor gave a toothy grin. It had been far too long since he had faced a Jedi Master. Typically Chasm was rewarded with such hunts. But now, he would relish in this moment.
The Force alerted him to a presence, and Grand Inquisitor sidestepped a flailing attack from a Tusken Raider that leapt from the shadows. His underlings reacted to their own attackers, their deadly lightsabers spinning. Eleventh Brother gleefully cut down his opponents, slicing away until there was only one left before him. He reached out with the Force and lifted the Tusken up, before sending his lightsaber spinning in a vertical motion.
Second Sister rolled her eyes and methodically took down her opponents. Swift, elegant strikes took the lives of the advancing Tusken Raiders. Outstreching her hand, she sent the remainder flying into a wall, hearing a sickening crack as they cratered into the stone.
Grand Inquisitor toyed with his assailant. He weaved his way out of the direction of the gaffi stick and tripped his opponent. He stared at the fallen opponent before his mind returned to his primary goal. The Jedi Master. Not even regarding the Tusken at his feet, Grand Inquisitor walked away and twisted his hand in a fist, snapping his opponent's neck. Eleventh and Second kept their lightsaber ignited, as the Grand Inquisitor began descending the stairs.
The Purge Troopers and Death Troopers moved to follow, but the Grand Inquisitor raised his hand.
"The Jedi is ours, Troopers. Secure the rest of the castle. No survivors."
"Yes, Grand Inquisitor" the highest-ranking Purge Trooper nodded and led the troopers down a long corridor, away from the throne room.
The three walked down the set of stairs and saw A'Sharad Hett sitting on a throne. He lurched forward, his hands intertwined, resting above his mask. The soulless lenses stared down the three inquisitors. He did not move. He was alone, unfazed. Grand Inquisitor could sense that there was no one hiding in the area. Second Sister and Eleventh Brother were Confusion washed over the Grand Inquisitor, but he kept his composure.
"Master Hett. It is a wonderful surprise to see you alive, after the Purge. I personally never believed that you died. I had always hoped you would turn up. And here you are, alive."
"You've been here for some time, amassing quite the war band. But then the moment you take this palace and send out a message to the galaxy, taunting the Empire, revealing yourself, you send them on their way. So, it begs the question. What is your goal here? I don't see you as a depressed old man wanting to die. There are simpler ways to perish. Why brings all the commotion here?"
Hett continued to stare down the three dark siders. "My reasons are beyond you're understanding. You are here, blocking my path. My future. The future."
Hett stood up and ignited his lightsabers, staring down his opponents. "First, you will fall. Then my path will become clear. And your masters will fall with you." Gathering the force, he threw his sabers in a large, circular motion around him and the Inquisitors, faster than they could react. By the time the four of them could react, they were falling to the pit below, the smell of burnt metal sharp in the air.
With a loud clang, the metal sheet hit the rocky surface, shooting sand and dust up. For a short moment, the only illuminating source was the light above and the glow of green and red lightsabers. Grand Inquisitor and Second Sister were able to right themselves, but Eleventh Brother wavered, landing on his back, groaning in pain.
Growling, Grand Inquisitor used the force to push the dust to the side, clearing the field. No sooner than he did so was Hett leaping forward, delivering a swift kick to his jaw, He stumbled back. Second Sister stepped between them, deflecting Hett's blades with her own. She locked blades with Hett's two sabers, forcing a standstill. Hett shifted his weight and pulled back his right arm, raising it for a strike to bisect Second Sister from upwards. As the green blade swung, it was intercepted by a crimson one. Second Sister had emitted her second blade from her unique hilt.
But Hett did not falter. Summoning his strength and the Force as his ally, he began to push forward. He was getting closer and closer, the Inquisitor's blades were almost upon her own skin-
Hett disengaged, barely dodging a fatal stab from the Eleventh Brother. The crow-masked dark-sider growled and gripped his saber with both hands, before engaging in a series of deadly swings and strikes at the Jedi Master. The sound of clashing lightsaber echoed throughout the dungeon, as Hett found himself back peddling. Second Sister was getting closer, and Grand Inquisitor was right behind her. He needed to get out of this enclosed space and into a larger arena. Or separate the opponents. He leaped back, flourishing his blades and landing in a taunting manner, hoping to goade the dark-sider. He could feel the anger rise up and knew he had taken the bait.
Backpeddling, he slashed the control panel with one blade as he deflected a swing from the Eleventh Brother. The creaking and groaning of the durasteel door slammed down, separating Hett and his opponent from the rest of the Inquisitors. But no sooner than the door slam down did two red blade pierce through. Hett would have to act fast. Gripping both of his sabers, Hett struck with his left, spun around, and slammed hard with his right. Spinning his sabers, he swung upwards, knocking Eleventh Brother's saber in the same direction. He tried to swing down, but Eleventh Brother was quick to recover. Utilizing his double-bladed saber, he swept his saber in an arc, Hett narrowing dodging by leaning backward, doing his best to avoid falling on his back.
Eleventh Brother snarled and his hilt began to spin his saber in a rapid windmill motion, stopping as he brought his down upon the Jedi Master, who rolled to the side and out of the way. Eleventh Brother growled and raised his free hand, flexing his talons.
Seeing an opening, Hett dove forward, crossing his arms and then slashing at his opponent as he did so. He landed gracefully in a crouched position. He heard Eleventh Brother's body slump to the floor, followed by the rest of his body clanging on the metal ground. Under his mask, he grimaced. He was sloppy. Rushing to take advantage of separating the Inquisitors, he gambled on his last move. While he did kill the Eleventh Brother, he did not escape unharmed. Four deep slashes cut across his chest, blood racing out of the wounds. Hett swore he could feel the talons touch the bone when he was cut.
The durasteel door fell to the floor, as Grand Inquisitor and Second Sister entered the room. Hett steadied himself, trying to avoid showing any weakness, but Grand Inquisitor let out a low laugh after seeing his opponent.
"Ah Master Hett. There was a time where your prowess in the force inspired me. I would look up to you and try to learn from your fighting style during my days in the Temple Guard. But now, all I see is a wounded wolf. A strong wolf, no doubt, but simply one that is old and wounded, gnawing away at the pull of time, trying to resist the movement of the future."
Grand Inquisitor gave a toothy grin, his sharp yellow fangs bared. "Lay down your blades. Tell us of the remaining Jedi on the planet and we shall spare you and your people. The Empire will work with you to secure this planet. All you need to do, is kneel."
Hett couldn't help but laugh himself. Whether it was the exhaustion from the fight, the delirium from the blood loss, or something else, laughter escaped his lungs.
"I would have thought that after all these years, my friend, you would have become a better liar. It seems I was wrong. I pity the Jedi who fell for your lies. But most of all, I pity you."
Letting loose a tusken roar, Hett lunged forward, striking at both of his opponents. He summoned the Force to his aid, trying to ignore and fight through the pain on his chest. Moving with the speed of a Jedi and the ferocity of a Tusken Raider, the Jedi Master spun, blocking with one blade and striking with the other, changing his rhythm to avoid catching, doing his best to balance his use of Jar'Kai and Niman, switching between the two. Getting close enough to Second Sister, he delivered a kick to the chest, followed by a backhand to the face. She stumbled back, dazed. Hett moved his blade behind his back, deflecting a deadly strike from Grand Inquisitor as he jabbed forward at Second Sister. The blade found its opening in the gaps of her unique hilt and with a flick of the wrist, he cut it in half, rendering her defenseless.
Before Hett or Grand Inquisitor could react, Second Sister violently pushed out with the Force, sending both friend and foe spiraling backward through the air. Dazed and caught off guard, Hett tried to steady himself but faltered, his focus taken off controlling his wounded chest. He tried to recenter himself but was forced to his feet by the incoming strike from Grand Inquisitor. Hett blocked with his left and raised his right, swinging down in a rapid, sloppy motion. He knew it was sloppy, but he had to make the gamble again.
But he gambled and lost. His strike missed and left him wide open. A flash of red sparked on his left and he felt a searing hot numbing sensation where his left arm was. The same feeling came to his knees as they detached from his body and he fell to the ground, groaning in agony, dropping his sabers.
Hett lay on his back, feeling the Grand Inquisitor put a foot on his chest. He leaned down and began to undo the wrappings of his mask. Grand Inquisitor intended to humiliate him, expose his skin to the sun, a great shame to the Tusken People.
His face and eyes were exposed and he locked eyes with the Grand Inquisitor who leaned forward with an evil toothy grin as he slowly sank his blade into Hett's chest. Hett groaned and felt his life fading, but as it did, the Force granted him one last vision.
It was the same vision as before. A lightsaber rose out of the sands of Tatooine, its saber igniting the Imperial Flag which burned rapidly, being consumed. But the figure holding the saber formed before his eyes and in his vision, Hett saw Anakin Skywalker rise out of the sand and burn the Imperial flag, its flame spreading faster and faster, burning more and more of the Imperial flag.
The vision ended and as Hett breathed his last a smile came across his face.
