Author's Note:
Dearest readers,
This is a special moment as we reach another milestone. With the conclusion of this chapter, we are thirty away from finishing this multi-year story project. New readers and old, thank you for joining me over the years. We are finishing the season as this longfic turns five years old this month. I am so grateful to have been on this journey with all of you and I hope you enjoy the finale!
Sincerely,
~ Sparks
ADVISORY:The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Violence and major character death. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.
Chapter: All We Are (Part II)
- ACCESSING IMPERIAL NETWORK -
IHC: Imperial High Command to Grand Moff Tarkin.
Tarkin: Rest assured, High Command. I am well aware of the Scarif attack. Lord Vader has been informed. The very station this Rebellion seeks to destroy shall be their end.
IHC: See to it that it is, Grand Moff.
"There's too many of them!" a Y-wing pilot panicked while spiraling over Scarif. "Gold Leader! I need backup. I-" A pair of green lasers struck the pilot's cockpit, setting his craft ablaze. The TIEs were relentless, moving on from their kill to engage the Rebel cruisers without delay. Another strafe struck the Profundity at its bridge. Raddus and his fellow Mon Calamari clung to their rattling chairs.
"Deflector shields down to fifty percent!" an analyst warned. "We're sustaining heavy damage!"
Raddus' frantic eyes scoured the ongoing space battle. Realizing they were running out of options, he swerved his chair to the crew. "There's no turning back now," he declared. "We have to press the attack." Raddus made his way back to comms. "Admiral Taka, we need to engage those Star Destroyers guarding the shield gate." His bulbous eyes narrowed at her lack of a response. "Raddus to Deliverance, do you read?"
"They've lost their communications array, sir!" the analyst worried. "Engines are down too. We're on our own."
"That we are," Raddus professed. "If we're to win this fight, we can't spare any reinforcements to the Deliverance. May the Force...be with them." On the Mon Calamari's orders, his vessel set its sights on the shield gate. "All fighters," Raddus called in. "Concentrate fire on those Star Destroyers! Bring them down and the shield gate will be vulnerable."
Admiral Taka watched as the fleet moved to face the destroyers. It pained her that she couldn't join the fight. Every laser cannon counted, but her frigate was essentially dead in space. Only the sounds of scurrying boots could draw her attention away from the viewport. Still clutching her DH-17, she took a deep breath. If this was to be her end, she'd make it honorable. Her remaining soldiers had their rifles aimed at the doors. Unused computer terminals had been disconnected and propped up to form a makeshift barricade. The deck officer found his courage and raised his pistol for battle. He couldn't recall the last time he'd fired the slim weapon, as he'd spent so much time on the bridge.
"Courage, Krotan." Taka said and gripped his shoulder. She offered a reassuring squeeze and then lifted her pistol alongside his. "Courage for our friends." Krotan swallowed hard and forced his shooting hand to steady.
"Camera feed is down!" an analyst warned.
Taka gritted her teeth at such an announcement. "Show no fear," she whispered. "Show no fear!" Her second iteration rallied the bridge. Her finger caressed her pistol's trigger. "I saw worlds fall in the Clone Wars. I faced death in more engagements than I can count. It doesn't matter if you're new to war or if this is your first battle. You aim your gun, think of all you love, and shoot. We started this Rebellion throwing punches and that's how we'll finish it." Footsteps echoed from beyond the doors and were followed by a sudden banging. "Get ready!" the admiral shouted.
"Taka?" a muffled voice echoed from the other side. "Taka!"
The admiral raised a brow and inched closer to the door. Not once dropping her weapon, she called into the unknown. "Speak!"
"Taka, it's Elsa!" the woman's voice came through. "We're here to rescue you." Relief fell over the admiral, as she realized her distress call had been answered. "We need to hurry. There are Inquisitors on board."
Taka's crew looked to her for answers. "Open it," the admiral affirmed. "Quickly." On her orders, the crew worked to remove the barricades. They opened the doors just enough for Elsa and Tiana to squeeze through. "Elsa Dellian," Taka sighed. "You're a sight for sore eyes."
"Are you all okay?" Elsa asked as she impulsively embraced the admiral. Taka's nod was sufficient as Elsa gripped her forearms. "Then we need to go now. It's not too late to make it to the escape pods."
"They're two levels below." Taka explained.
"Then we best get moving," Elsa insisted. "We'll head for the nearest stairwell. Everyone stay together and-" Elsa paused as several crackles permeated her belt.
"E-sa," Anna's voice barely came through.
"Sis?" she called back to a plethora of raw shouts.
"Get out of there!" she panted. "Hans is coming, Ezzie's gone. He's coming! Move!" Her rapid and exasperated words had Elsa tensing up. The thought of her old friend's passing had her stumbling back.
"Elsa?" Tiana asked. "What is it?"
Elsa was about to answer when a ferocious hiss echoed down the corridor. Her blood ran cold as her and Tiana slowly turned towards the sound. There was Hans, skulking in the shadows. He ignited the other side of his lightsaber and let its dreadful crimson spread across the hall. His eyes were bloodshot and hungry, craving his next kill. And as his eyes fell on Elsa, he succumbed to a sinister grin. "What?" he taunted. "After all this time, still no smile for me?"
Elsa's eyes widened as she impulsively reached for Tiana. "Get behind me," she said. "Go!"
"I can help you," Tiana insisted.
"No!" Elsa's fired back. "Help Taka evacuate the crew."
In spite of Tiana's persistence, Taka understood Elsa's protectiveness. "Come on, rookie," she urged Tiana while simultaneously looking to her friend. "Elsa," she worried. "He's in front of the stairwell."
"I know," was all the elder Dellian said as she advanced on Hans. The Inquisitor was surprised, never expecting Elsa to take the offensive. He gladly doubled his speed and came dashing at her. Elsa ignited and spun her saber like a propeller in front. Hans mirrored her again and was determined to humiliate her. Red spun towards blue as Tiana had an idea.
"Admiral," she said. "Where's the security dashboard?"
Hans growled and prepared to easily smash through Elsa's defense. Knowing she didn't stand a chance charging in, Elsa aimed for a different approach. Gotcha, she thought as she raised a hand at the last moment. Calling on the Force, she crushed a fire extinguishing unit once Hans passed in front of it. A cloud of pottasium bicarbonate sprayed against Hans, throwing off his attack entirely. Elsa then threw her saber and used the Force to make it hover above the cloud. Blinded and dazed, Hans spotted her blue blade moving in. Thinking it was Elsa attacking, Hans struck back. She Force-pulled her saber back, making Hans bash his face into a wall instead. The metal clanged on impact, followed by a vicious crunch.
Hans stumbled, his saber sizzling against the floor as he leveled out. His grunts were stuffy as a red bruise formed on his nose. It wasn't long before blood was spilling from it as he stared Elsa down. "Bitch," he snarled amid his injury and prepared to charge again. Before he could, a pale wave of energy spiraled down from the ceiling. Hans froze and quickly assessed his buzzing entrapment.
Back on the bridge, Tiana had activated the ship's internal ray shields just in time. "Not bad," Taka complimented.
Elsa tried to catch her breath, but Hans was already bashing his saber against the shields. He was like a rabid, caged animal desperate to kill his spectators. "Cross now!" Elsa shouted, never once turning her back on Hans. Taka and the surviving crew dashed across the hall and into the stairwell, all while Hans swung and roared at them. Yet no matter how rageful he was, Hans' saber couldn't permeate a ray shield.
The crew's rapid footsteps clanged throughout the stairwell. "Go! Go!" Officer Krotan yelled. Taka continued down until Tiana halted beside her. They shared a deep and daunting gaze before looking back at the upper level. All Taka could do was offer Tiana a nod.
The Inquisitor ceased his attack and instead stared Elsa down. His breaths were heavy while blood bubbled at his nostrils. Pain only made Hans stronger as he peered down at the floor. He flashed a bloodied and toothy grin before digging his saber into the ground. Elsa gasped, realizing his foul motive. If he dropped to the lower level from the ceiling, he'd kill Tiana and the escaping crew. Elsa knew what had to be done, and played right into Hans' hand. With another toss of her lightsaber, she smashed the ray shield generator above Hans. He trudged out, still smiling at her with each step.
If I can just keep him up here, Elsa thought. I'll buy as much time as I can for the others to escape...no matter what.
Raising her double-bladed saber in a defensive stance, she prepared for his onslaught of attacks. Her heart sank...when a lightsaber activated beside her.
Taking up her own stance, Tiana Roze stood on Elsa's left. Focused on their foe, all Elsa could do was offer worried eyes. "I'm not leaving you," Tiana asserted. "My choice."
"Oh," Hans gawked before descending into gurgling laughter. Just when I thought you couldn't get any lower. Another one, Elsa?" Elsa raised a brow, unsure of what he meant. This only made Hans laugh harder. "Another little friend for you to get killed." His words stung at Elsa, forcing memories of Stel to bleed in. Tiana didn't waver and prepared to duel.
Further enticed, Hans launched his attack. He focused Elsa on his leaping strike, knowing she was mentally shaken. Her defense barely held while he used the other side of his blade to jab at Tiana. The youth swung at the same time, and was thrown off balance when their blades clashed. Hans already made an opening and lunged to bisect Tiana. The reach of Elsa's double blade saved her as she blocked the attack just in time. Hans spun to take another slash at Elsa, but she Force-pushed him towards the bridge.
Using what little time she'd bought, Elsa knelt beside Tiana. "Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yeah," the eager youth answered. "I'm good."
"Don't take him head on," Elsa huffed. "Find an opening and get to the escape pods."
"I can fight!"
"You don't know what you're-" Elsa was interrupted as Hans came surging back. Together, she and Tiana batted at the respective sides of his saber. Pushing together, they forced Hans to reset himself. Tired of toying with his victims, the Inquisitor set his saber to its spinning configuration. He pushed up and let the deafening buzz of his blade fill the narrow space. "Back up," Elsa told Tiana. "Back up! Back up!" Elsa and Tiana fell back as Hans boxed them towards the stairwell. Without looking back, Tiana's speed had her toppling over the railing. "No!" Elsa yelped and reached down to catch her. Using the Force, she stopped Tiana from dropping several flights. While she'd saved Tiana, her stretch left an opening as Hans jabbed into her shoulder. Elsa threw her arm up in pain, adding just enough of a push to get Tiana back on the stairs. Hans reveled in her aching hiss before attacking again.
Elsa didn't even bother parrying and instead rolled away. Hans sliced the railings and followed her evasion. He countered with his own Force push and sent Elsa tumbling down the stairs. He then leapt down with ease and perched on the lower railing. His cybernetic feet struck the opposing metal with a thud. Hans was like an ominous bird of prey, hunching forward and extending a hand to his dazed victim. Elsa was still recollecting herself when she felt a savage pressure wrap around her neck. Before she knew it, she was hovering in Hans' Force choke.
He chuckled while pulling her closer. "Try not to move," he jested and switched his saber to a single blade. "I want a clean cut when I carry your head to Anna." Elsa's eyes widened as she desperately tried to free herself. Tiana's battle cry caught Hans off guard as she swung up at him. He almost lost his footing, but was able to block her. Tiana's blade crackled against his, but Hans was adding pressure...all while keeping Elsa in a chokehold. Realizing she was losing, Tiana's eyes fell to Hans' hip. Remembering Anna's words, she spotted the blaster wound Ezzie had given him. Hans' pressure was forcing Tiana lower...and closer to pieces of severed railing from above. Snatching up a jagged piece in her offhand, she stabbed his wound with it.
Hans roared in pain and completely lost his balance. He fell from the railing and struck several others on the way down. Free of his grip, Elsa dropped to her knees and gasped for air. Tiana was quick to meet her and ask, "Are you okay?"
Elsa shimmied away, realizing Tiana's saber was dipping towards her face. "I'm fine," she coughed. "Watch the blade." Knowing how lucky they were to survive Hans, Elsa made a new course of action. "We need to find Anna and get out of here." Any hope of silent escape collapsed as Hans screeched from the lower stairwell.
When her tears had run her eyes dry and screams had run her throat raw...all Anna had left was her strength. She clawed at the ashy tiles, desperate to reach an unknown fate. Her hope would reset and crumble repeatedly every time she glanced at Ezzie. Her friend's body lay curled beside her. A constant reminder of Anna's failure to protect. Still she pushed, hoping to reach her sister in time. Her efforts exhausted Anna further as she fell flat on her face. When she raised her soot-smeared visage, she spotted a black hilt protruding from the far off debris.
Calling out with the Force, her lightsaber came zooming across the wreckage. Its presence in her palm brought much needed comfort as she ignited. Anna turned and hovered the saber over her thigh. Her heart raced as she contemplated amputating, yet couldn't bring herself to do it. "Kriff," she cursed under her breath and lowered the weapon. Her leg might've been a cybernetic, but it was still wired to her body. Any damage would activate the sensors connected to a plethora of nerve endings. Slicing her cybernetic would be just as painful as losing her real leg.
Out of options and battling heartache, Anna reached for the wreckage ahead of her. A wedged, metallic bar was bent beneath the debris. Clasping it, Anna pulled with all of her might. Her grunts became howls as she kept yanking. With each burst of energy, her leg started to scrape its way out. There would be no victory without sacrifice, and her leg's mechanisms paid the price. The pile of beams continued to weigh down on her, causing the leg to crunch and dent. As the cybernetic caved in on itself, Anna gritted her teeth to the point where she felt they'd shatter. With a final agonizing exhale, Anna pulled herself free of the wreckage. Sparks flared from her damaged leg as she willed herself to rise. Clutching her saber and limping forward, Anna pressed on to find Elsa.
Kristoff was getting the hang of his X-wing. Darting above the Profundity, he eyed two TIEs chasing a fellow pilot. He locked on with his targeting computer and launched a proton torpedo at one of them. The ensuing explosion was enough to dishevel the second TIE and leave an opening for Kristoff to blast it. "You're all clear, Red Leader."
"Thanks for the save, pilot." Red Leader answered, unsure of Kristoff's callsign.
Amid their shots, Gold Leader moved his remaining Y-wings into formation. "Hit that opening," he ordered.
"We see it, Gold Leader," One of his pilots declared. "Iron torpedoes away!" With the TIEs distracted elsewhere, the Y-wings were able to complete a successful bombing run on one of the Star Destroyers. Their blasts were as precise as their training had been. Blue bolts buzzed across the warship as its systems powered down entirely. Admiral Raddus watched as the vessel dipped forward.
"That Star Destroyer's disabled," Raddus realized. "Call up a hammerhead corvette," he told his crew. "I have an idea."
Hate and suffering were the only things keeping Hans going. With a furious scowl, he pulled the metal out of his hip. His blood painted the tiles as he hurriedly pressed his own saber to the wound. Cauterizing the searing flesh, Hans roared his pains through the stairwell. While he slowly ascended, Elsa and Tiana descended to reach the emergency deck.
"Elsa," Anna groaned into comms.
"Sis," Elsa gasped. "Where are you?"
"Upper deck," she huffed. "Working...my way down."
"Can you make it to level two?" Elsa asked. "We can take an escape pod."
"Count on it," Anna answered and pushed through her pain.
Elsa and Tiana reached the emergency deck where Taka was overseeing their escape. Forever the dutiful admiral, she ensured that all of her crew had made it off safely first. Officer Krotan stood by her side, ushering as many crew members as he could fit into a pod. "Send a distress signal as soon as you're out," she told each group. "The Profundity should receive it." With two escape pods left, Elsa hoped to save the last for Tiana and her sister. She had no time to argue with the teen and focused on getting the others out. Taka loaded the next pod with her remaining crew. "Go, Krotan."
"But ma'am-"
"That's an order," she persisted. "I'll be on the next one." Krotan reluctantly joined the other survivors and sealed the pod. Its multiple thrusters fired up, but were followed by a a terrible grinding. Somehow, the pod had been stuck in place and was exhausting its launch fuel. A dreadful chill had Elsa turning around to see Hans. The Inquisitor stood at the end of the hall, furiously stretching out his hand.
Elsa raised her hands to counter him and tried to free the pod. Those aboard shuffled in his quaking wrath while Tiana tried to help. Lifting her hands in the spur of the moment, she couldn't bring herself to push with Elsa. Come on! she willed herself, yet couldn't Force push repeatedly on command yet. Please! Elsa kept pushing and stepped further down the hall.
Hans closed his fist, and used the Force to overload the pod's thrusters. Krotan pressed his hand to the glass, locking eyes with Taka one last time. As the admiral realized what was upon them, she threw herself at Tiana. "Get down!" Taka warned as Hans' overload completed. The escape pod exploded, killing everyone aboard and sending pod pieces shooting through the corridor. The incoming shockwave knocked everyone on their feet while a blanket of smoke shrouded all.
"Corvette 5 locked on target!" a Rebel captain called in as his hammerhead cruiser zoomed across the battle. Kristoff joined up with Red Squadron and cleared any pursuing TIEs. "Prepare for impact," the captain told his crew. As they braced themselves on the bridge, the hammerhead slammed into the destroyer's starboard side. The impact was powerful enough to shake the Imperials onboard. "Sublight thrusters, full power!" At the captain's command, the small yet mighty hammerhead started to push the Star Destroyer. The disabled vessel was unable to defend...as it was pushed towards the second destroyer.
The pod's smoke clouds were worse than anticipated. Elsa pushed through her cough to get upright. Her head darted to Taka and Tiana, as the latter stayed on top. Being the closest to the pod's explosion, Taka had thrown herself over Tiana to protect her. The old admiral rose just enough to roll onto her side, all while blood puddled from her back. Tiana's eyes widened through the smoke as she realized what had happened. "No!" Elsa gasped as she and Tiana crawled to Taka's side. The exploded pod projectiles had impaled Taka across her back. Tiana impulsively hugged herself, realizing she would've been hit if not for Taka's heroism.
The admiral was going into shock as Elsa clasped her trembling hand. "Taka no," Elsa whispered and pressed her knuckles to her forehead. "Please don't go. I just found you again. I just-"
Taka squeezed Elsa's hand back. While her eyes widened, her lips struggled to smile. Blood trickled down the corner of her mouth as she whispered. "Don't...be afraid. Open the door." Her eyes started fluttering as her head fell back. "Open it," Taka declared with her final breath. Elsa felt like her face was going to burst with how tense she was. Her hand was shaking as she gently closed Taka's lifeless eyes. Cradling her friend's body, Elsa hung her head in grief.
"Wow." There was his voice again. His haunting, spiteful breath forming words on a cruel tongue. Hans didn't flinch at the sight of death, and brought himself to smile through the smoke. "There goes another one," he mocked. "You really do have a habit of letting people die on your watch." There was a sting to Hans' boisterous laugh. With head hunched forward and hair out of sorts, he just...kept...laughing. And betwixt his worried jeers, something in Elsa snapped.
Time seemed to freeze. She set Taka's lifeless body down and stared at her blood-soaked palms. Udo, Stel, Frost, Yelena, Mattias, Avett...Taka. All of those names were seared into her brain no matter how much she tried to move forward. She understood that each death was not entirely her fault, and yet that didn't bring her comfort. Elsa cursed the Empire and the galaxy that allowed them to hurt so many. Her hands trembled, dripping blood back on to Taka's uniform. Mindfulness was futile as Elsa's breaths accelerated. Tiana worriedly called for her, but the teen's words were a muffled blur. Instead, Elsa only heard Hans. Laughing on and on and on and on.
She felt the pain of her shoulder wound as it pulsed across her body. Her hands were shaking even more now as her head hung further down. It felt as though a spike had been driven through her chest with how heavily and painfully her heart sank. While she felt herself overheating, an ominous chill ran up her spine. With it came a cold and vengeful pull. The likes of which she hadn't felt so strongly in years. Elsa knew what it was. How could she not? Desperate, aching, and filled with anger, she shut her eyes. And in the darkness of Elsa's mind, she felt the alluring power. With a pounding heart and shortening breaths, Elsa...accepted the pull.
"Ready to lose that kid too?" was all Hans could say before a resounding shockwave gripped the hallway. He nearly lost his balance and had to check his surroundings. "What the hell?" he whispered and presumed the Deliverance was being shot at. But all fighters were focused on the Profundity. As Hans tried to comprehend what had happened, a sudden rattling overwhelmed his senses. The panels beneath him clinked while the walls scraped. As if something...or someone was putting an immense amount of pressure on them. The pressure extended beyond the walls and into the surrounding circuitry. The section's power cortex burst under the unseen force and the overhead lights powered down. When the hallway's red emergency lighting came on, Hans was left to follow a new sense. Its chill was familiar, and yet its source had him raising his brows.
"Elsa!" Tiana panicked in the darkness. "Wake up! Snap out of it!" When Elsa opened her eyes, it was enough to have Tiana gasping and inching away. Hans stood there, watching as Elsa stood up once more. She didn't have a word, nor a care to speak one to someone as vile as him. Her corrupted, yellow eyes were unblinking as she stared Hans down.
At her command, the entire hallway started to disassemble on itself. Panels unbolted and came flailing upward. Wall components went shooting off, several striking Hans at his shoulders. Enraged, he started slicing at debris with his lightsaber. In a moment of pause, Hans' focus returned to Elsa. Her steps were heavy, yet every stride was slow. Her flowing hair swirled around her head as if the Force was radiating through them. Seeing her unarmed and walking, Hans set his saber to rapid spin and threw it at her.
The savage look on his face melted as Elsa stopped his lightsaber in midair. She didn't even have to raise a hand, and had enough power to bring the blades spinning configuration to a halt. Smoke wisped from the hilt as the spinning mechanism failed. Elsa looked at his weapon with every ounce of pent up hate. Unleashing it, she caused the weapon to crunch and bend. Hans watched in astonishment as Elsa smashed his lightsaber to pieces. With each chunk that came off, the surviving component hissed and scratched into each other. The hilt was like a screeching parasite being crushed to death in Elsa's grip. With another shockwave, Elsa destroyed the remnants of his weapon. Exploded components shot towards the walls. His kyber crystal clattered to the floor, rendered utterly useless as Elsa kicked it away.
With her quickened speed came further devastation. The hall seemed possessed as debris came flying at Hans while the red lights strobed. Then came another burst, this time strong enough to knock Hans off of his feet. The Force shockwaves were booming from Elsa's body, and the next felt like Hans had been hit by an air cannon. Pieces of his armor were blasted off while the next wave ripped at his undershirt. He looked up in disbelief, yet still found it in himself to counter with a Force push.
Hans couldn't even tell if he'd been able to summon the Force. By the time he'd raised a hand to Elsa, her power had already snatched it. Without wasting a second, Elsa broke his wrist with a single burst. Hans screamed at his deformed hand, which had been twisted to a horrific degree. Gone was all devilish confidence as he found himself impulsively whimpering. He gasped for words that he couldn't even form. Blood dried around his nostrils as his eyes watered from the pain. Elsa just kept staring. And as the cold pull claimed more of her...she smiled.
Her faint grin was anything but welcoming. It was instead terrifying beneath her fiery eyes. In those moments, Hans could only bring himself to flee. He scrambled to his feet as Elsa continued to pelt him with wall panels. Throwing himself at the stairwell, he desperately climbed for his life. Elsa wasn't far behind and used the Force to dismantle the railings. The sound of grinding metal had Hans wincing as Elsa pushed the railings up to him. She'd turned durasteel into her own personal viper. slithering up and jabbing at Hans.
The hammerhead corvette didn't let up, and kept redirecting the Star Destroyer. With enough push, the ship collided with another destroyer, prompting explosions to ripple across both. As such tremendous destruction persisted, it was only a matter of time before the smashed destroyers plummeted to the shield gate. Scarif's planetwide deflector shield powered down while shockwaves pulsed from the exploding station.
Hans lost his footing again, but not of his own will. Elsa had snatched him with the Force and was bringing him back to her level. In the process, she applied even greater pressure to squeeze his very bones. Hans was so out of control in his situation, that he resorted to desperately screaming. Elsa didn't let up and tore at his flesh. Hans convulsed, as Elsa was using enough Force to rip his skin apart. Lacerations emerged on his chest, back, and legs. Hans' screams had become low-toned and panicked grunts. Tears fled his eyes as Elsa curled her bloody fingers. Hans could hardly move as an immense push reached his temples. She was taking her time, squeezing every muscle around his skull before she'd crush it into mush. Before she could obliterate Hans, one of the destroyed shield gate's shockwaves struck the Deliverance.
Elsa lost her balance and went rolling down the stairs. Free of her grip, Hans fell against the grating and crawled away for his life. The incoming shockwave tilted the entire frigate, causing its components to further come undone.
"Admiral!" the Mon Calamari analyst called as he examined an incoming readout. "Receiving transmission from Scarif."
Raddus clenched his arm rests as an automated readout said, "Transmission received."
"Admiral! We have the plans!"
The analyst's words had Raddus' digits loosening. "She did it," he sighed.
The Alliance's exhausted victory was short-lived. "Sir," the deck officer worried. "We're detecting a massive object emerging from hyperspace."
Raddus and those on his bridge looked to Scarif's horizon. Never before had any of the experienced soldiers seen such a mechanical feat. Roughly the size of a small moon, this operational battle station slowly crested the planet's hemisphere. Though faded by distance, they could still make out its circular and weaponized surface. Suddenly, the station generated several green beams. The likes of which combined into a targeted super laser that fired directly at the Scarif base.
Terror gripped those in their ships as a blinding epicenter emerged from the surface. The deathly blast continued to grow and consumed everything in its path. The explosion was so bright, that its fiery essence reflected against the Profundity's viewports. Realizing that all on the surface would be wiped out, Raddus bowed his head in respect. "Rogue One," he grieved. "May the Force be with you." Returning to comms, he gave new orders. "All ships, prepare to jump to hyperspace!"
On his command, the surviving Rebel fleet made their jumps for lightspeed. Several ships had already made their escape when another Star Destroyer boomed out of hyperspace. Unable to predict its arrival, a smaller Rebel transport couldn't redirect in time and crashed into the destroyer. From its immediate appearance, the Star Destroyer focused laserfire on any remaining ships. Its heavy lasers blasted through the Deliverance, severing the frigate's command bridge. Another laser volley struck the Profundity and destroyed its engines.
Such destruction reflected against the helmeted lenses of a sinister foe. Darth Vader was motionless as he observed the fleet's decimation. "The Rebel flagship is disabled, my lord." A captain reported. "But it has received a transmission from the surface."
"Prepare a boarding party," Vader commanded.
While the remaining ships fled the system, Kristoff still circled the Profundity. "Admiral, do you read?"
"Get out of here, pilot!" Raddus called back. "Make the jump and get back to base!"
Unwilling to leave his companions, Kristoff set his sights on the ravaged Deliverance. "General Syndulla," he beckoned. "I need your help."
Elsa found herself cradled in a shadowy void. Her rage pulsed like her own heartbeat. She lay in the coldness, unfeeling to any consequence. But suddenly, a voice called out to her. Distorted at first, it grew with each reiteration. And when the words finally came, they were accompanied by a guiding light. "Elsa!" shouted the Wraith of the Force.
"Evara!" Elsa gasped and bolted upright.
Instead of hearing the wraith, she heard Anna shouting amid the smoke. "Elsa!" she called again until her sister threw a hand up. Smoke clouds and sirens meshed together as Elsa slowly came to. "There you are," Anna coughed and knelt beside her.
"What happened?" Elsa murmured. "Where's Tiana?"
"She's with me," Anna explained and gestured over her shoulder. "Found her moments before you."
To Elsa's concerning surprise, Tiana didn't get any closer. She actually inched further back, even if Elsa's eyes had returned to their normal blue. Before Elsa could question things, Kristoff called over comms. "Time window's closing!" he shouted. "Get to the lower hangar before the rest of the ship blows up on itself."
Anna helped Elsa up and the sisters struggled to rush. While the eldest felt drained and faint, her little sister limped with a damaged leg. While keeping her distance, Tiana guided them through the smoke. "Where's...Hans?" Elsa croaked.
"No idea," Anna answered. "Dead with the other Inquisitor I hope."
"There!" Tiana pointed as they reached the lower hangar. Hera had the Ghost on standby, its engines roaring. "Let's go!"
Their time window was indeed closing. Hera got the trio onboard just in time before sealing the ramp and zooming out. Kristoff watched from another flyby and sighed in relief when the Ghost made it through. "Kristoff," Hera transmitted. "I have them. Sending you coordinates for the jump."
"But what about Admiral Raddus and the Profundity?" Kristoff asked.
"There's no time," Hera lamented. "Either what's left of us makes it, or none of us do."
Chaos had erupted aboard the Mon Calamari transport. While a squad of stormtroopers cleared the ship's upper floors, Darth Vader personally pursued those who had been given the plans. He'd left a trail of corpses in his terrible wake as he marched on relentlessly. Every swipe of his crimson blade claimed another Rebel's life. While he massacred those taking a stand, the plans were passed to a docked transport.
"Launch!" a soldier shouted as the Tantive IV dropped from its maintenance clamps. Its crew hurriedly powered up its multi-engine processor and launched away. After such a close call, those aboard rushed to takeoff positions. Sweaty and heart pounding, the Profundity's sole survivor handed the retrieved datadisc to the Tantive IV's captain.
He was quick to head for the bridge. "Captain Antilles," a fellow soldier saluted.
With a dutiful nod, Antilles continued to the bridge as he walked alongside the trooper. "Make sure you secure the airlock," he said. "And prepare the escape pods." While the soldier went off with new orders, Captain Antilles was left to think over every precaution. He mustered his bravado, entered the bridge, and found the most important passenger in his care. Her pale, hooded dress contrasted against the blackness of space in their viewport. "Your Highness," he began respectfully. There turned Princess Leia of the House of Organa. Her dark and inquisitive eyes focused on the datadisc in his hand. "A transmission we received," he explained. Leia took the chip in her hand and softly smiled. "What is it they've sent us?" Antilles asked.
Leia could hear the ship's hyperdrive powering up. Her smile grew as she looked beyond the viewport's stars, and imagined each as a world saved. "Hope," Leia answered as the Tantive IV jumped to lightspeed.
"Standby, Kristoff." Hera reported. "Jump on my mark." She glanced back from her seat and spoke to her passengers. "Buckle up." Elsa, Anna, and Tiana followed suit. As they did so, the group took one last look at Scarif as the blast continued to spread. They didn't have time to wonder how many Rebels had made it out. All they could do was push forward knowing that...for the first time in years...they had truly struck a crucial blow to the Empire. The Alliance had the Death Star plans...and the galaxy would never be the same. "I'll never forget you, Ezzie." Hera lamented. "You'll always be Phoenix 4." As the Twi'lek bowed her head, both she and Kristoff rocketed into hyperspace.
How much could change through the void of time. An Empire that had stood for nineteen years...had taken its biggest loss in a matter of days.
"You're all clear, kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home!"
A pair of X-wings, a Y-wing, and a unique freighter darted away. And as the very space station they'd come to fear prepared to fire on the Rebel base, it instead exploded. Its fiery, immediate burst lit up the darkness. The might of the Galactic Empire, was obliterated into nothing more than stardust. And for the first time in history, the Empire didn't feel immortal.
A gentle breeze passed over Dantooine's rolling plains. Having hidden on the planet for so long...Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff were no strangers to its eerie calmness. Even after all of these years, the Old Republic Enclave still remained. Nature had reclaimed it, and only a few of the ancient monoliths still emerged. The sacred site had been where Anna and Elsa's Clan Master became one with the Force. Now, they would honor those they'd lost.
"I never forget your words," Anna said as she stared at freshly budding flowers atop the enclave. "You weren't always right, but no one was. And at the end of the day, Mattias...all you ever did was work to keep us safe." Anna sniffled as Kristoff put a hand on her shoulder. "We got'em, Mattias. We got'em good. The Empire just took a massive hit, and I know we can beat them." Knowing they didn't have much time, Anna backed away from the natural grave. "The Alliance is going into hiding. But no matter where we are, I will never forget all you've done for me. For us."
While her little sister mourned, Elsa observed a patch of blueblossoms blowing in the wind. Taking it as a sign, she bowed her head in respect of Yelena. She wanted to find the words, but thinking of her made Elsa think of the Force. And that made her focus on Tiana. The youth had been quieter for days, and Elsa knew it was her fault. That caving to the Dark Side in a moment of weakness had shaken both of their spirits. Elsa could only hope time would provide an answer. She tried to think of Taka instead, and the sacrifices she'd made to save all under her watch.
Lastly, the group came together to mourn their dear friend Ezzie. "You loved Dantooine," Elsa whispered. "Its vast ranges are as free as your spirit always was. And...will continue to be. Thank you, for helping us find each other again." Elsa took Anna's hand as they softly smiled to one another. Kristoff held Anna's other hand, reminding her that she'd never be alone again. He put an arm around Tiana, and a new sensation came over the group. For the first time in truly far too long, hope had returned. It was just as Obi-wan's final message had dictated, and it had indeed emerged from the humblest of places.
The fight was far from over. The Empire would surely strike back after such a devastating loss. But no matter what path the group took with the Alliance, they'd face whatever came...together.
BEHIND THE SCREENS FROZEN FORCE TRIVIA
1. When Admiral Taka tells Officer Krotan to have "Courage for our friends" this is a reference to what Eowyn tells Merry in "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003).
2. Officer Krotan's name is an homage to the Rebel NPC generator in Star Wars: Battlefront (2004).
3. When Admiral Taka says "I saw worlds fall" this is an homage to the same line said by Captain Rex in a TV Spot for "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" (2008).
4. When Hans taunts Elsa for not smiling, he is referencing their very first introduction in Season 1 - Chapter: 1 "Sisters of the Force." Unfortunately for him, Elsa DOES end up smiling while unleashing her wrath.
5. The ceiling-mounted ray shields that trap Hans were first seen capturing Obi-wan, Anakin, and Palpatine in "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" (2005).
6. Many readers had attempted to predict or request this over the years. Five seasons later and "Dark Side Elsa" is real. While the pull had its moments of being teased throughout the series, this is the first time we see what Elsa would look like if she fully embraced the Dark Side. Every person has their breaking point, and losing one too many friends was hers. She is a terrifying force, and her abilities are amplified as the Dark Side feeds on her hatred. The red emergency lighting symbolizes her descent to Hans' level. Taka's blood on her hands represents guilt and suffering. Will Elsa succumb to the pull again? Only time will tell.
7. The end of Season 5's climax reflects the end of Season 4. Both conclude with our heroes leaving a devastating battle. But this time, the galaxy will never be the same for the better...as a new hope has emerged.
POST-CREDIT SCENE
Tubes of Kolto serum pulsed through shadowy canisters. Stormtroopers kept the med unit under heavy guard. Darth Vader's haunting breaths persisted as the Dark Lord observed two tanks. In one floated Namaari, who was having her bones reset by metal claws. Hans was in the other, getting his body stitched and patched by similar robotics.
Vader felt a ripple in the Force and turned towards Hans' tank. The Inquisitor furiously opened his eyes, even as the kolto burned into them. Hans' piercing, yellow gaze persisted through the tank and locked eyes with his master. Vader's Wrath...was alive.
Author's note: Thank you so much for reading the final chapter of Season 5! As a gift, I will be sending out links of the Season 6 poster to any username that leaves a review on the season! Your reviews mean a lot as each season ends and I am most grateful for them. My heart is full and my smile wide. As for my hands...I'll do some stretches. Curse you, carpal tunnel! Anywho, it's bittersweet coming to the end like this. This was the longest season to complete given so many life changes along the way. But we made it through and I thank you for your patience. These last thirty chapters are going to fly by and we'll be there before we know it. So let's save the adventure together. This being said, I have good news. I am doing a shorter break between now and Season 6.
Mark your calendars...
THE FINAL SEASON OF THE FROZEN FORCE DEBUTS ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with you,
~ Sparks