ADVISORY: The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Violence. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.

Chapter: 152 Return of Wrath (Part I)

- ACCESSING IMPERIAL NETWORK -

IHC: Imperial High Command to ISB HQ.

Partagaz: This is Major Partagaz. Go ahead IHC.

IHC: Clarify findings. We have a report on a Jedi spotted in the Dalicron Sector.

Partagaz: My agents will obtain confirmation. Nevarro is out of our recent range, but spies have traveled through in the past. We'll use old cipher codes to intercept any calls from persons of interest.

IHC: See to it that you do. If a Jedi is confirmed, Inquisitorius will be contacted. There can be no mistakes, major. The Rebels are enough of a thorn in our sides. They mustn't be allowed to rebuild the Jedi Order.

When former senator Mon Mothma had united the Rebel Alliance, so much remained uncertain. While a fleet's worth of ships had arrived, they lacked any stable organization. Mon didn't miss the days of being on the run. In a way, they never really ended. But the years had brought a semblance of stability to the Alliance. Yes they kept using irregular patterns across lightspeed to screen their movements, but they'd grown in number. Every time the Empire sought to crush an occupied world, its resistance would join the Alliance. The Rebel fleet had nearly tripled in size since the Battle of Scarif. They'd amassed formidable squadrons of X-wing fighters, Y-wing bombers, A-wings, and even B-wings. The valiant pilots of those ships sought refuge on a variety of capital vessels. Mon Calamari heavy cruisers lined the fleet while Nebulon frigates offered support. Bulk cruisers and blockade-running corvettes formed the fleet's backbone. And every once in a while, the Rebellion received aid from brave civilian vessels.

The HWK-290 light freighter was an effective craft. Its dagger-like body was flanked by a pair of sharp wings. Combined with an efficient set of smaller thrusters, "Hawks" could bolt through space and emit minimal sound. While the vessels were rushed into circulation prior to the Clone Wars, a handful were still in use by smugglers evading the Empire. As fate would've it, one of the light freighters had been impounded by the Rebellion just a year ago. In need of a new transport and willing to modify it, Kristoff had been granted permission to fly. The Nomad had become his aerial joy. It was compact enough to confine the crew to one flight deck, yet spacious enough to carry cargo in its hold.

Anna hadn't let go of the Onasi pistol all flight. She kept running her fingers across its grip and reminiscing on Blazer's presence. Anna only stashed the weapon when Kristoff had transmitted clearance codes. Once approved, the Nomad soared towards the mobile Rebel Fleet. Designated as the Alliance's Headquarters Frigate, Home One was the biggest of the Mon Calamari vessels. Like many ships from the planet, it was originally designed for civilian travel and had been refitted for wartime. Kristoff flew into one of its larger hangars and brought the Nomad in for a landing.

The crew disembarked and was immediately met by an Alliance maintenance crew. Comprised of off duty pilots and skilled technicians, these crews were ready to get back into the action. "Captain Bjorg!" One of the men hollered. "How's it running?"

"Steady for the most part, Millen." Kristoff answered. "But the hyperdrive stalls. I can't quite figure out why, but it has a tendency to exhaust before or after a lightspeed jump."

"We'll take a look at it," Millen assured. "And hey. You still owe me a flight mission."

Things were always bustling around Home One. When the Rebellion wasn't planning another mission, they were running drills to keep their fighting force sharp. The Nomad's crew traversed such ongoing endeavors to reach the ship's briefing room. Sectioned off from the bridge, this holographic amphitheater could hold dozens of people in its seats. Mon Mothma hadn't let age slow her down. With her hair trimmed into a shorter bob, she remained at her post like an angelic sentinel. Beside her stood the very princess who'd helped bring about the Death Star's destruction. Princess Leia kept her head held high, even if her gaze spoke otherwise of her feelings. Suited in khaki officer's garb, the princess nodded as the team arrived for debrief.

"We got back as soon as we could," Kristoff answered as he and the others took their seats. While Elsa and Tiana watched on, Anna input Mel's holoprojectors into the system.

"Pasana was a safe bet," Anna explained while waiting for the projections to download. "But the Alliance should know what else we found." Heads turned as she rattled the Onasi pistol in her hands. "This firearm was found on a gunslinger claiming he purchased it from a 'Mistress Maleficent'."

Leia and Mon exchanged curious, yet stern gazes. "Who is that?" Leia asked.

"During the Clone Wars, Elsa and I ran investigations on the Crimson Dawn Syndicate." Anna continued even after the projections were flickering up. "Maleficent was a member we'd identified, but never encountered."

"Is she working with the Empire?" Mon asked.

"Well..." Anna bit her lip and glanced at her companions. "No. I mean, we can neither confirm nor deny."

Mon and Leia had ways of carrying authority without the slightest ounce of raised aggression. "Then, Master Jedi." Mon asserted. "This information is irrelevant to the cause. Unless this Maleficent has anything to do with these projections, I suggest we stay focused."

"But," Anna grumbled, even as Kristoff winced and Elsa shot her a look. Still Anna persisted. "Maleficent could be a threat to the Rebellion."

"Master Jedi," Mon countered once more. "The projections. Please."

Leia diverted the tension and observed schematics. "I know this system. The Archeon Nebula, right?" Anna grouchily nodded. "Han showed me." Bringing up her very close friend's name had her brows furrowing. Ever since the skirmish on Bespin a year ago, she hadn't taken his disappearance lightly.

Mon squinted at the images. "I too am familiar with this nebula. It covered my escape from Coruscant."

Snapping herself back into the moment, Leia posed a question. "What's an Imperial cruiser doing that far out?"

"Unknown," Kristoff answered and already saw Mon's dismay. "But the smugglers who provided this information say it's making routine trips through the nebula. If we're stealing TIE fighters, raiding this ship is our best bet. If we're efficient enough, we can stage the ship's destruction to look like an environmental accident."

"This is good," Mon professed. "However, we don't know the ship's schedule. And therefore don't know how much time we have."

"We can set up a patrol," Anna suggested. "Perhaps with some Bothan spies."

Mon considered her options while Leia leaned against the holotable. "Remember," the princess said. "Our goal is to take the least amount of casualties possible. We can get a scout team into position, but it'll be dangerous."

"Look," Anna huffed. "With respect Your Highness, all of this has been dangerous and it won't ever stop being so."

Mon raised a brow. "She's correct. Though I must say that stealing fighters from within a nebula will prove difficult. If we are to infiltrate Imperial High Command, we'll need those ships to be unscathed."

"We'll get it done." Kristoff spoke confidently. "Our success rate hasn't let us down yet."

"Let's hope you're right," Mon retorted. "We will speak with the rest of the Alliance Council. But be prepared to move once deliberations are complete. If we can successfully infiltrate and destroy the IHC, the Empire's primary communications link will be severed. You are dismissed."

Mon was quick to depart, but Leia stayed to look over the holos for a moment. Frustrated by their leaders' initial responses, Anna trudged away with Kristoff. Elsa and Tiana took a moment to consult with the princess. "You two," Leia greeted them with a faint smile. "I trust you kept those hotheads in check."

"More like one hothead," Elsa jested. "You know how my sister can be."

"That type of boldness makes for a good soldier. Although it's surprising for a Jedi." Leia admitted.

Elsa bit her lip, but ultimately spilled her thoughts. "Leia," she uttered. "Speaking of Jedi..." The princess tilted her head. "Have you heard anything from Luke?"

Leia had braced for that exact question. "No," she answered quickly. "Ever since we lost Han to that bounty hunter, he vowed to complete his training."

"He should've stayed," Elsa lamented. "I could've helped train him." Tiana's audible scoff had Elsa pursing her lips.

Leia shook her head. "Luke is on his own path," she said. "Just as we all are. When the time is right, those paths will cross again."

Elsa simpered. "You're wise beyond your years, princess. I'd say you sound like a Jedi."

"Oh I don't know about that," Leia chuckled. "But this Rebellion can use all the help possible. Keep up your courage and hone your skills. We'll need them all when the time comes."

"Thank you, princess." Elsa bowed and departed alongside Tiana.

As they exited the briefing room, Anna could be heard griping down the hall. "What's the point of giving someone as much intel as possible if they're just going to pick and choose what's important?" she groused.

"To be fair, sis." Elsa interjected. "The Alliance never knew how personal that blaster was to you."

"The blaster was mine to retrieve," Anna replied. "But the intel about Maleficent was separate." She sulked towards Elsa. "You don't see the bigger picture with this, do you?" Her sister's curious face said enough. "How would Maleficent get her hands on Blazer's lost firearm if she wasn't on Aren? Imperial Aren." Elsa's eyes slowly widened with realization. "Yeah," Anna continued with a snap of her fingers. "If we tell the Alliance that there's an Imperial presence on Aren, that's our way in."

Elsa let her mind wander and thought deeply on their homeworld. She wondered what had become of Ryder and Honeymaren. If the Northuldra had held together after all of these years. The thoughts were as hopeful as they were terrifying. She thought about dragging Stel into that mess, and that made her glance at Tiana. "Time and place, I suppose." Elsa muttered. "We won't get far without the Alliance's backing. Right now, we need to focus on training Tiana."

"She knows the blade," Anna insisted. "Hell, she's got the speed of her age on her side too. It's that Force she needs to master."

"I fear that's become harder to teach," Elsa murmured. "The Light Side of the Force flows through peacetime. Wartime makes things clouded."

"And yet," Anna teasingly pat Elsa's shoulder. "You turned out just fine." She departed with Kristoff, leaving Elsa to glance at Tiana and think on those words.

I turned out just fine? Elsa thought to herself. After everything I've been through? She took a deep breath. Oh well. I suppose no amount of talking about the past will effect the present. The flagship's many stations provided Elsa with vacuous training spaces. She and Tiana sat on an upper catwalk overlooking the hangar.

"I sense...stress," Elsa said. "Is it the altitude?" Tiana's judgmental stare said far more. "Padawan?" Elsa worried. "Don't keep it pent up. Talk to me. You can trust me."

"But can you trust me?" Tiana countered. "Our new objective was clear: Get the blaster. So that's what I set out to do."

"Pasana," Elsa realized. "Tiana, no one is faulting you for taking initiative. But there was no communication. We're a team. We need to work things through as such. Mentor and apprentice."

"I understand synergy," Tiana answered. "But it also depends on what the situation calls for. There was no time to waste, so I acted. If I was just going to make reports and follow orders, I'd go back to the academy." Elsa wrinkled her nose at Tiana's last comment. Still the youth persisted. "I had him," she whispered while extending a hand. "I was using the Force just like you showed me. His mind was cracking. I had him!"

Elsa frowned, recalling what'd happened. "And then Anna-"

"She just barreled in. You said the Force is never meant to harm. Well I was about to persuade him to just hand the blaster over."

Elsa sighed. "Jedi also need to expect the unexpected. Even when we plan things out entirely. You'll have another chance, Tiana. Count on it. But if you hold on to an error, you won't create space for future opportunities."

"I'll work on it," Tiana huffed. "Elsa," she inquired as her mentor peered up. "I sensed how frightened you were when you couldn't find me. It was heavy."

Elsa curled her fingers. "Yes well...I care about you."

"There wasn't anything else to it?" Tiana asked as Elsa tried not to look away.

"No," she insisted.

"So let me get this straight," Millen laughed. His oil-stained gloves cranked away at the Nomad's power compounds. "You picked a fight with not one, but five Muuns? Did you have a death wish?"

"Well to be fair, I was just backup." Kristoff said. "Anna threw the first punch."

"Yeah well he had it coming," Anna defended.

"Renegade Muuns are no laughing matter," Millen said. Sweat dripped from his short buzzcut as he ran a towel over it. "They're fast with their hands when handling money. I would imagine it's the same in a fight."

"It was nothing we couldn't handle," Kristoff assured. "The mission was a success and that's all that matters."

Millen smirked. "Speaking of which. If you need pilots for that TIE fighter heist, my A-wing is itching for battle."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kristoff laughed off his request.

"Hey!" a technician shouted from inside the ship. "Call coming in!"

Anna and Kristoff hurried up the ramp and over to the pilot's dashboard. Tapping the receiver just in time, Kristoff sat down as Anna leaned on his shoulder. A holoprojection of Datya Vica flickered into view. "Thank the moon," she rejoiced. "The signal is always faltering out here."

"Mrs. Vica," Anna greeted. "What's going on? Is the Hidden Path safe?"

"The Path is fine," Datya assured. "However, our teams intercepted a transmission from the Dalicron Sector."

"The Outer Rim?" Kristoff identified.

"Quite right," Datya continued. "A pirate crew on Navarro is having an auction alongside rival factions. The prize on the line? A Jedi."

"Not on our watch," Anna asserted.

Datya smiled. "Just what I like to hear. I'm transmitting coordinates to the auction now."

"We'll help in any way that we can," Kristoff said as the data chimed in through their dashboard.

"The Path thanks you for all your continued help over the years," Datya said. "I know my Tori would be proud." She wanted so badly to speak of her daughter, yet it pained her heart. Holding back the unending ache, she concluded. "Good luck and may the Force be with you."

"Tori," Anna reminisced as the transmission ended. "I think back to her at times. I never would've made it out of the temple without her. If her parents are helping Jedi, so can we. Plus it would be nice to see some action again. That fistfight on Pasana was just a warmup to bust some pirates. What do you say, Kristoff? You and me."

Kristoff was willing, yet personal duty held him back. "We should get permission from base first," he said.

"Oh come on," Anna pushed. "We'll be in and out with a new Jedi recruit."

"No," Kristoff put his foot down. "I know it's been a while, but all this recklessness does catch up. We're in the military again and will follow our procedures." Anna crossed her arms as he placed a call. "Captain Bjorn to Home Base."

There was a brief delay before his device started crackling. "Home Base reads," a guttural voice responded. "Go ahead."

"Admiral Ackbar," Kristoff greeted. "We've got a lead on a potential Jedi survivor captured by pirates on Nevarro. Our success can only benefit the Alliance."

The Mon Calamari paused, and could be heard conferring with others. Mon Mothma's voice permeated the background noise as Kristoff and Anna braced. "Reports show no Imperial presence in the Dalicron Sector. You are authorized to pursue this lead with caution."

"Copy that," Kristoff responded while Anna silently cheered. "See? We can still have fun and play by the rules."

The Nomad's engines could be heard powering up below the catwalk. "Where are they heading?" Tiana asked.

"Anna?" Elsa called. "What's going on?"

Her sister's voice hastily answered over comms. "Datya Vica called," Anna explained. "Kristoff and I are going to bring one of our own back. It's just a pirate gang. We'll be back before you know it!"

Elsa bit her lip and quelled any frustrations. She'd had to get used to the fact that she and Anna would still split at times. The years might've brought them closer together, but memories of being separated still stung. "Just please be careful," she said.

"Don't worry. Kristoff won't let me be reckless," Anna teased. "It'll be okay, Elsa. May the Force be with you."

Elsa found comfort in her sister's ongoing acceptance of the Force. As she ended the transmission and watched the Nomad's exit, Elsa noticed Tiana's dismay. "What's wrong?" she inquired.

"It's just that Anna rarely practices dueling with me anymore," Tiana sighed. "She taught me just enough to be on my own and then seems to have left it at that."

Elsa shook her head and let realization take hold. "You know," she began. "My master was often absent from my apprenticeship. It's true. She'd go off on missions and leave me in the care of different mentors."

"Why have a student if you're not going to teach them yourself?" Tiana proposed.

"I asked myself that same question for a long time," Elsa said. "But looking back, I really think my master was trying to carry more than she could handle. She always meant well, but everyone has a limit." Elsa reached out and took Tiana's hand. "The past will always leave an impact on us. Which is why I want you to know, that I will not be absent from your training. I know I can be a lot at times, but I want to make sure you know that I'm always there for you."

Tiana smiled faintly at Elsa and squeezed her hand back. "That means more than you know," she said.

The Nomad zoomed through hyperspace. Like a missile through the indigo void, it carried on to reach its destination. Ever the dutiful pilot, Kristoff kept a firm grip on the controls. Normally he'd recline and relax during a lightspeed sequence. But he couldn't risk anything happening to the Nomad. The ship had become a home to him, and he couldn't take any chances of something happening to it. While he lost himself gazing into the lightspeed vortex, Anna spoke up.

"Hey," she started up. "I wanted to thank you for having my back on Pasana. I know I started that fight, but your help meant a lot."

"I won't start something, but I'll help finish it." Kristoff admitted. "I'm just glad you're alright."

As Anna nodded to Kristoff, she focused on his idle hand on the dashboard. She fought the intrusive urge to hold it and instead reclined. "Well, I've been putting off a nap for long enough." She reclined in the co-pilot's seat and shut her eyes. "Wake me when we get there-"

In that instant, the Nomad boomed out of hyperspace. "We're here," Kristoff joked as Anna stared at him. "What?" he chuckled. "You're the one who procrastinated a nap."

"It's not my fault that I'm easily distracted," Anna fired back.

The Nomad glided closer to Nevarro. The volcanic planet's vast lava fields could be seen from orbit. This treacherous landscape held any semblance of safety in civilization. A deadly river of lava flowed towards the sewage systems of Nevarro City. A hub for outcasts and cutthroats, the capital comprised of shady bazaars and deadly cantinas. As the Nomad entered the smokey atmosphere, Kristoff looked over readouts. "Storms rolling in over those coordinates," he said.

"Good," Anna considered. "It'll help mask our movements."

Stormclouds could be seen in the lower atmosphere as the Nomad flew under them. This hasty descent heralded the sudden patter of rain on the viewport. "I'll grab the cloaks," Anna said, anticipating the chill.

"The coordinates for that meeting put us in the heart of the city," Kristoff called back to her. "I'm gonna set us down on a cliffside overlooking it all."

While Kristoff was wise to keep his distance from the city, he'd complicated their trek. As the steady rainfall continued, Anna and Kristoff made their way down from the ridge. The slow gush of lava battled the storm for sound supremacy. Still, the duo pressed on to reach the city. With each closing step across the volcanic fields, the ruckus of pirates filled the air. Silhouettes of speeder bikes and marauder skiffs could be seen at the city's main entry points.

"Looks like we're going through the sewers," Kristoff said as they traveled alongside the lava river. Any semblance of warmth was appreciated as the rain chilled their bodies. "It could make for a good escape route once we save the Jedi." Anna nodded as they began their travels. Rainfall still echoed from within the sewers. Unbeknownst to Anna and Kristoff, Nevarro City's underground system split into a multitude of tunnels. Had it not been for the Vica's coordinates, they would've certainly been lost. The tunnels were a mixture of echoey voids and abandoned squatting sects. Finding anything from empty jars to discarded clothing left Anna wondering how many people called the underground home.

The coordinates led Anna and Kristoff to a junction towards the city square. Staying cautious, the duo discreetly ascended into an alleyway. Anna slid out while Kristoff gingerly set the sewer grate back down. "Goodbye mustiness," Anna grumbled. "Hello again rain." She tucked the hood of her cloak further down to repel the chill. However, her warm stride came to a halt when a cacophony of pirate cheers filled the air.

"Get back!" Kristoff whispered sharply as he and Anna kept to he shadows. Poking their heads out from around the corner, they observed the gathering of interstellar thugs. One crew was comprised of strictly Ishi Tib, who clicked their beaks as one to display dominance. Another crew was a melting pot of different species, but was united through their green bandanas. A third pirate clan took the center. While it was mostly comprised of humans, they were no less fierce than their adversaries. The crew's burly and bearded captain raised a banner. A snarling nexu was etched into its waving, crimson fabric. Civilians had grown used to pirates and other villains traveling through their city, so they kept their heads down per routine.

"Settle down, you spacer scum!" The captain growled. "We're about to start the bidding. Now as you all know, the Empire's paying 30,000 credits for a Jedi."

"I thought it was 60,000, Captain Sal?" An Ishi Tib hissed.

"Aye," Sal concurred. "For the treacherous Luke Skywalker. But none have been able to find 'em. But this-" He gestured to a veiled and rain-dampened cage. "This Jedi was captured trying to steal our supplies. And she'll fetch a handsome reward for any who turn her in."

"Her?" Anna and Kristoff mouthed to each other.

The captain clutched the veil and yanked it off. Rain entered the cage and poured down on the knelt prisoner. Her long, black hair fell further forward. Yet no matter how much she'd endured...how much she'd lost...Raya still held her anger. She raised her head to the captain and glared daggers at him. "Now then," Sal carried on. "You know the reward to any who turn the lass in. But you'll have to match my price." His words prompted chatter amongst the other crews. He started stomping and counting off options on his fingers. "I'm taking starfighters, coaxium, kyber...even a full vessel if you've got the stomach to part with it. And if ya think about it, you'll make it all back if not more when you sell her away to the Empire." The crews took to deliberating, leaving the captain to impatiently tap his boots.

"We've got to get in there," Kristoff whispered. "If we could cause a distraction..."

"Or maybe it's better to let one of the crews buy her," Anna suggested. "Once the others depart, we just rescue her from the buyer. Less people to fight."

Before a solid plan could be reached, a dreadful screech filled the air. The engines of a TIE fighter boomed through the storm. As it flew by, it unleashed a barrage of laserfire into a hovering skiff. As the pirate ship exploded, a trio of TIEs strafed any landed vehicles. Blasts and screams ignited across Nevarro city.

"It's the Empire!" an Ishi Tib panicked. "Scatter!"

"Damn them," Captain Sal clenched his fist and scowled at the sky. "It's too soon," he grumbled under his breath.

The TIEs completed their flyby and paved the way for an Imperial assault shuttle. Sal swallowed hard, imagining what kinds of troops were in its elongated hold. Before he could contemplate further, the TIEs zoomed overhead and caused him to duck.

"Looks like we weren't the only ones to intercept that call," Anna told Kristoff.

The shuttle landed on a street just ahead of the auction. Inhabitants ran for their lives as the ramp dropped and a platoon of stormtroopers descended. The Imperials wasted no time rushing out and securing the area. A pirate tried drawing his weapon, but one of the troopers put two lasers in his chest. This prompted the platoon to take the pirates head on, gunning them down and routing the survivors.

Blasterfire continued to reverberate amid the storm as an officer reported within. "Sir," he said. "Ma'am. We have the pirates on the run. No sign of the Jedi yet."

"Leave that to us," Namaari answered. Her black boots sunk into the loamy terrain beyond the ramp. The ongoing breeze had her undercut swishing as she scanned her surroundings. "I sense something," she murmured. "The Jedi yes. But something else...Something-"

"Familiar," a haunting voice answered for her. The Inquisitor's cybernetic feet clanged as he stomped down the ramp. The storm clouds might've blanketed the city in darkness, but the occasional lightning strike would reach the shuttle. And with each flash, the Inquistor's black armor was further revealed. His fiery yellow eyes persisted through the shadows, and the next lightning strike brought forth his visage. Hans Westgard leaned into his senses. His short-boxed beard quivered with his lustful smirk. "Anna's here," Hans said as lighting flashed across his scarred face.

BEHIND THE SCREENS FROZEN FORCE TRIVIA

1. The HWK-290 model ship is from Star Wars Legends. It is first introduced as Kyle Katarn's ship in the video game "Star Wars: Dark Forces" (1995). It was one of the first Star Wars games I ever played as a kid, so I wanted to include this unique ship!

2. The volcanic planet of Nevarro made its first appearance in the series "The Mandalorian" (2019).

3. Raya made her first story appearance in Season 3 Chapter: 72 "Mysteries of the Heart (Part: I)."

Author's note:

Thank you so much for reading this week's chapter of "The Frozen Force." I'll see you next Friday, February 21st for Chapter: 153 "Return of Wrath (Part: II)."

Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with you,

~ Sparks