Author's Note:
Dearest readers,
SURPRISE! As a courtesy for your patience this entire season, Chapter: 149 is coming out a day early! We've made it! Both to 2025 and to the Season 5 Finale. I know it was long and challenging year, but may this moment be a testament to how far we've all come. We stand ready as we step into a new day. And where this willpower, there is always hope. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I feel like I've grown and changed so much as a person since the beginning. Thanks for everything and brace yourselves. Part 1 of The Frozen Force Season 5 Finale starts NOW!
Sincerely,
~ Sparks
ADVISORY:The following chapter contains sensitive material relating to: Extreme violence and major character death. Remember to practice self care before, during, and after reading.
GOLDENHEART STORIES PRESENTS
A SPARKS GAVILÁN STORY
THE FROZEN FORCE SEASON 5 FINALE
Chapter: 149 All We Are (Part I)
- ACCESSING IMPERIAL NETWORK -
IHC: Imperial High Command to Director Krennic.
Krennic: Proceed.
IHC: Multiple distress signals from Scarif. Explain.
Krennic: I assure you the situation is under control.
IHC: Multiple, facility-wide explosions. Fighting on the beach. That does not appear to be under control.
Krennic: This nuisance will be dealt with, I assure-
IHC: Enough assurance. The Center for Military Research cannot be compromised. Sending reinforcements.
...
IHC: Imperial High Command to Inquisitorius...
Since the fall of the Republic, any planet was fortunate to say it had avoided the war. Neutrality would only get certain worlds so far, as rebel cells made anywhere a battleground with the Empire. While the planetoid Polis Massa had seen its share of engagements, silence had returned to its asteroid belt. Neither the Empire nor the Alliance saw any use in its vacant facilities. Instead, the abandoned compounds made for ideal grounds to begin Tiana's training.
Vague memories passed through Anna's mind as she flourished her new lightsaber. She could still recall leading her Deathchasers into battle to rescue a rather irksome lieutenant commander. But Anna had to keep herself grounded in the present. She focused on Tiana standing before her, ready to strike.
"Steady now," Anna said. "Take your time. Being on the offensive doesn't always mean rushing in." She and Tiana slowly sidestepped each other in a vacuous storage room. "Analyze your opponent. See where their weaknesses lie. What positions they favor. How nervous or confident they are." Tiana's brow twitched as she scanned over Anna. She tried to look beyond her stoic demeanor and focused on her body's movements. "Ready?" Tiana nodded and stayed concentrated. "Begin!"
Tiana lunged forward, meeting Anna's saber head on. Her parry was quick and Tiana stumbled back. She swung downward, but Anna was just as nimble. Tiana grumbled to herself while Anna said, "Don't give in to frustration. You're doing better than you think." Tiana leapt up, delivering two quick swings at Anna. While the younger Dellian blocked the first, she weaved to avoid the second. Instead of following her motions, Tiana stepped opposite of her opponent. She struck from the back and forced Anna to spin. While she was able to block Tiana's attack, she stumbled upon doing so.
"Nicely done," Anna lauded. "You know I'm still getting used to my cybernetic."
"Sorry," Tiana professed.
"Nope. Uh-uh," Anna swiftly refuted. "Don't be sorry for exploiting my weakness. That quick thinking could save your life in a real fight. Don't go easy on your opponents because they sure as hell won't hold back against you." Anna swished her lightsaber at an invisible foe while explaining. "If your enemy has weak knees-" She stomped forward. "Kick them out. If they don't have endurance-" She flourished her blade in a series of strikes. "Tire them out. If they fear the dark..." Anna deactivated her saber and jabbed a fist forward. "Turn out the lights."
"I'll do my best to remember that," Tiana said while powering her saber down. "Anna..."
"Yeah?"
"What weaknesses do you see in me?"
Anna raised a brow at the teen's question. Stepping towards Tiana, she began her evaluation. "Technique is all over the place, but that can be finessed. Endurance needs work, and that will come over time. But you're real weakness?" Anna raised a finger to Tiana's forehead. "There's a whole lot going on up there. I don't even have to sense the uncertainty radiating off of you. Wondering where you stand or what you believe in. Thinking about the past more than the present. If I was an enemy, I'd target your mind."
"How do I fix it?" Tiana asked. "If the other flaws can be mended, why can't this?"
"I've been around a while, Tiana." Anna sighed. "And in all my ventures, I've learned that the mind cannot be repaired. The more we experience, the harder it becomes to sort things out. However, your thoughts can be tamed. You can shape what you'll focus on, but it's not a skill that can be taught. You'll overcome your mind the day you decide to change it. No one can save you on that one." Tiana thought on her words as Elsa stepped into the chamber. "She's all yours!" Anna's voice echoed throughout the room.
"I think we've been away from base long enough," Elsa answered cautiously. "Tiana and I can practice meditation on the ship."
"She's got a point," Ezzie added. "With all that's been happening, we shouldn't be out on our own very long."
Anna seemed skeptical as they left the facility. "How true could the news really be?" she asked while boarding the U-wing. "Jedha City...completely destroyed in a single hit? It's got to be an exaggeration."
"Not one we should take lightly," Elsa replied. "The Empire's leveled cities before."
"Yeah but with bombardments," Anna corrected. "If these rumors are true, you're telling me the Empire really has some kind of superweapon? How? And what kind of power could do such a thing?"
Ezzie seemed just as stumped and turned to Tiana. "Ever hear about anything like this at your fancy school?"
Tiana shook her head. "I learned a great deal at the academy, but nothing about superweapons."
Unwilling to enable further stress as they took off, Elsa changed Tiana's focus. "Let us meditate," she said and guided her to the hold.
As the two departed, Anna claimed the copilot's chair. "Always something, eh?" she quipped as Ezzie nodded. "During my service to the Republic, we encountered a type of nuclear weapon that was designed to target capital cities. While none of those nukes ever met their marks, I can't help but wonder...is that what the Empire now possesses? I don't want to believe it, but if it was a nuke-" Anna sighed and was unable to finish the thought.
"If it was," Ezzie concluded. "Then the Rebellion better think of something fast. Otherwise this civil war is going to be over before it ever really began."
Elsa knelt across from Tiana in the ship's rumbling hold. "Deep breaths," she whispered. Listening for Tiana's long exhale, Elsa continued. "Imagine your body loosening up with each breath. And as you sink into relaxation, focus on the darkness of your mind. Embrace the stillness. There is nowhere for you to be, nor is there a place you should've been. There is only right now. Focus on your body...every strength and weakness it holds. Both are crucial parts of you." Elsa took a deep breath herself. "Look past the happenings. Past the worries of others. Embrace yourself." Tiana's brows furrowed and she tightened her eyes. Sensing how troubled she was, Elsa whispered to check in on her. "Focus on the moment, and tell me what you see."
Tiana took great time with her answer. She didn't want to lie, nor did she want to fully feel her anxiety. Honesty got the best of her as she uttered, "I see nothing."
"Stay consistent," Elsa said gently. "Push away all distractions and-"
"I can't," Tiana uttered and had Elsa opening her eyes. "There's so much going on, even in my thoughts."
"Practice will help lessen such feelings," Elsa insisted. "Close your eyes once more. Deep breath...and embrace the light."
Even following Elsa's directions seemed to frustrate Tiana. "Am I supposed to feel something?" she asked as Elsa broke meditation. "Because all I feel is frustrated."
"Why?" Elsa inquired.
"Because nothing is happening."
"Why?" Elsa fired again.
"I don't know!" Tiana snapped. "Aren't you supposed to tell me?"
Elsa sulked, yet kept up her patience. "Tiana," she said. "Meditation is what you make it. Sure we can all see the Force at work in our daily lives, but you can still be blind to it within."
"That makes no sense."
"Just keep your mind open to my words," Elsa explained while reining in her exasperation. "Each and every one of us can receive a calling from the Force. But whether you like it or not, we need to meet the Force halfway." Elsa huffed at Tiana's bewildered expression. "While all of us may recieve a calling from the Force, it doesn't mean we'll like it. The Force will push us onward and challenge us to reach the best version of ourselves. Sometimes that means leaving something or someone behind. Because anything that doesn't embrace us is actually holding us back." Based on Tiana's shifting body language, Elsa realized that she understood her pain. "Your thoughts dwell on your mother," she suggested.
"I miss her," Tiana admitted. "I miss her no matter what's happened. I keep replaying our last conversation in my head, and that turns into any future words. If I could have just...talked to her one more time. If I could explain all that's happening and just-" Tiana buried her face in her hands.
Elsa slowly nodded. "I want to try something. Close your eyes with me again." Tiana followed Elsa's example and took a deep breath. "The more you push away the pain...the more you run from it...the worse your frustration will get. Think about your mother. Think about everything that comes crawling for you. It's taken me way too many years to learn this lesson, but it is better to feel every ounce of pain instead of feeling nothing at all."
Elsa paused, but opened her eyes to check on Tiana. The youth looked more focused as her breaths shortened. Curling her fingers, Tiana closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. And with her exhalation, a heavy tear left her eye. Tiana slowly returned from meditation and rubbed her wet cheek. "You okay?" Elsa asked.
"Yeah," Tiana murmured. "Just a lot to think about."
Their meditation session concluded as the U-wing lurched forward. Blasting out of hyperspace, it began its descent towards the familiar sights of Yavin 4. On the way down, Elsa thought about various locations to channel the Force. She considered an insightful lesson in the jungle, sensing and becoming one with nature. Ironically, Anna was also thinking over Tiana's training. She visualized creating an obstacle course through the jungle pathways. The sisters' planning was cut short as they approached the Rebel base. To their bewilderment, ships were departing from the hangar in waves. Frigates and entire cruisers were ascending on the faded horizon. Such a sight only made Ezzie speed up her landing.
Reaching the hangar raised more questions instead of answering any. It was as if the entire base was mobilizing to their ships. The symphony of such organized chaos only increased as the U-wing's ramp lowered. Those onboard stepped down to fully observe their rallying surroundings. Clusters of orange flightsuits bolted across the hangar as pilots made for their ships. Another U-wing was getting heavily loaded with Rebel marines while a voice boomed over base comms.
"Attention all flight personnel. Please report to your commanders immediately. All flight personnel, please report to your commanders immediately. We have been redirected to Scarif. Pilots, you'll be briefed by squadron leaders enroute. May the Force be with you."
"Scarif?" Elsa questioned while Anna's face went blank. She clenched up at the planet's mention, all while a familiar face emerged from the crowd.
"Room for one more?" Captain Bjorg greeted.
"Kristoff!" Elsa gasped. "I'm so glad you're safe. What's going on?"
"This is it," Kristoff explained. "You've been gone for some time, but this is it. We know where the superweapon's plans are! A detachment is already attacking the Imperial base but they need help. It's all hands on deck!"
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Ezzie blurted, her spirits reinvigorated. She dashed back into the U-wing as if she hadn't just been flying for hours in it. "Kriff the Empire!" she shouted. No matter how many years had passed, she'd always be a freedom fighter.
Elsa instinctively turned to Tiana. Whether it was the Force's intuition or annoyance, the teen glared at her. Elsa didn't even get a chance to tell Tiana that it was too dangerous and she needed to stay. Her stare said everything as Elsa relinquished her statement. As Kristoff boarded behind them, he couldn't help but notice Anna's idle stance. "It's good to see you back up," he said. "But what's wrong?"
"Scarif," Anna muttered. "I kriffing hate that stupid planet."
Kristoff rolled his eyes and motioned to the ramp. "Yeah well-" he teased. "That 'stupid planet' holds the key to our victory. Everything we've ever talked about, sitting hopelessly on Dantooine...can all actually happen now." He extended a hand to Anna and asked, "What do you say?"
Anna huffed as a smirk reached her lips. "I say-" She took Kristoff's hand. "For Mattias."
"And for Sven," he affirmed and guided her up the ramp. Once everyone was aboard, Ezzie took them up and joined the rest of the Rebel fleet.
Calmness was a lie. The tropical, oceanic world of Scarif looked like a marvel from afar. Coated in an iridescent deflector shield, the entire planet had been rendered virtually impenetrable. A single space station's shield gate served as the only means on and off the planet. For years, the installation on its surface had operated under heavy guard. Wandering spacers and smugglers didn't push their luck at the first sign of Imperial Star Destroyers. So all remained untouched...until now. Somehow, a Rebel detachment had made it to the surface. Using an impounded Imperial craft, the team had made it to Scarif and taken a chance. Among them were Captain Andor and Sergeant Melshi, each focused on finding the plans. Unbeknownst to the Empire, the daughter of one of their own was also planetside. Jyn Erso and her companions had caused a stir on the surface. While desperately fighting to obtain the plans, all hell had broken loose from Scarif base. And as the Empire tried to get the situation under control, they soon found themselves facing a battle on two fronts.
A lone X-wing beamed out of hyperspace. Its solitude was short-lived as a series of thunderous booms rattled the shield gate station. One by one, the Rebel fleet amassed just above the planet's surface. Fighters formed up alongside a mighty cruiser. Oblong in shape, this MC75 vessel was a force to be reckoned with. Formerly used for civilian transportation on Mon Cala, the ship had been modified for interstellar warfare. Contrary to most vessels carrying their bridge above, the Profundity's command bridge extended from a fin on the ventral side.
Within it, several Mon Calamari monitored readouts while their leader swerved in his seat. Grey-skinned, yellow-eyed and full of vigor, the older Mon Calamari steadied himself. He patched comms in to all fighters and said, "This is Admiral Raddus of the Rebel Alliance. All Squadron leaders report in." On his orders, a plethora of calls reached his comms.
"Admiral this is Blue Leader standing by."
"This is Gold Leader standing by."
"This is Red Leader standing by."
The Ghost soared alongside the fighters. "This is Phoenix Leader standing by."
Ezzie raised a brow and activated her comms. "I thought Phoenix Squadron was lost."
"It doesn't have to be," Hera remarked. "What do you think, Phoenix 4?"
Ezzie froze, for she hadn't taken such a callsign since she was ousted. As she realized the weight of such a title, determination rose from within. "Phoenix 4 standing by!" She declared and accelerated to attack speed. "Kristoff!" Ezzie hollered. "You were a pilot right?" He nodded inquisitively as she continued. "Dorsal hatch. There's an X-wing on standby. Take flight and help this U-wing shed some weight. Kristoff nodded dutifully and ran for the hatch. "What's the plan, Phoenix Leader?" Ezzie asked Hera.
"Form up on me," the Twi'lek answered without hesitation.
While Ezzie followed her orders, Kristoff entered the mounted X-wing. Dropping into its cockpit, he peered at the assortment of controls. The narrow cockpit had many a new sight, but he recognized the basic ignition and targeting computer. "Okay," he whispered between deep breaths. "I can do this." His foot struck a bulky helmet below and he was quick to equip it. Its yellow-tinted visor slid down, shielding him from Scarif's sun. "I can do this," he reaffirmed and primed the engines. Without an astromech, Kristoff would have to handle all functions on his own. Years of flight experience came crashing down while his starfighter soared upward.
"Red and Gold Squadrons!" Raddus called on all channels. "Attack formations. Defend the fleet! Blue Squadron, get to the surface before they close that gate."
"Copy you, admiral." Blue Leader answered. "Blue Squadron on me!"
"General Syndulla," Raddus continued. "Clear a path to the shield gate. Then get through and join up with Blue Leader on the surface. Admiral Taka, bank right and form a wall alongside my ship."
"Roger that," Hera confirmed as Ezzie and Kristoff followed her. "Still got those Jedi on your ship?" she asked the Rovani.
"As a matter of fact I do," Ezzie replied.
"We've got to get you through to the surface. Sounds like they could use some Jedi down there." The shield gate's defenses were almost immediate. Powerful turbolaser cannons launched heavy rounds towards the descending ships. One of the destroyers changed position in an attempt to cutoff invaders. "Focus that Star Destroyer!" Hera ordered. "Protect Blue Squadron." Kristoff turned a knob and locked his s-foils into attack position. He and Ezzie fired simultaneously, sending lasers darting from their respective ships.
"Woo!" Ezzie hollered. "Take it to them!"
The Ghost formed up ahead of them and added to the bombardment. While none of their shots were enough to break the Star Destroyer's shields, they kept its laserfire focused on them. Elsa, Anna, and Tiana braced themselves as the U-wing dipped and spun.
Meanwhile, Blue Leader weaved between turbolaser shots. Maximizing his thrusters, he was able to get his X-wing through the shield gate and into Scarif's atmosphere. One of his U-wings followed next, causing the Empire to swiftly shut the gate. The space station's locking mechanisms clacked out of place, allowing the deflector shield to slowly envelope the only opening. The rest of Blue Squadron diverted all power to thrusters and desperately tried to slip through. One by one, each X-wing barely made it planetside. The remaining five willed for their X-wings to accelerate beyond their capabilities.
"Come on! Come on! Come on!" one of the pilots urged as they closed in on the shield gate. Mere seconds before they could breach, the shield closed completely. As if it were made of scraps, the sturdy X-wing was smashed to pieces upon striking the deflector. The second pilot tried pulling up, but thrusters proved to be his downfall. The edge of his wing scraped the shield, causing the rest to combust. With two pilots down, the remaining trio was able to pull up in time.
"Bad news, Phoenix 4," Hera called in. "You're not getting your people to the surface." Ezzie observed the sealed and pulsing gate. "That was our only way in."
"Let's hope enough air support made it down there," Ezzie lamented. "We can try to shut down the gate altogether!"
"Red Leader, this is Gold Leader." Called the commanding pilot of a Y-wing squadron. "We're starting our attack on the shield gate."
As Kristoff and Ezzie followed Hera's lead, they observed Gold Squadron's bombing run. Only two were able to get any bombs off while turbolasers blasted the others. "Break formation!" Gold Leader shouted. "Reform at the Deliverance and Profundity."
As the Y-wings retreated, all gazed upon the horrific sight of launching TIE fighters. Shrouded in a storm of engine shrieks, the TIEs emerged from their hangar like angry insects from a hive. The Rebel fleet reformed and braced for the initial wave of laserfire. Green beams battered against the capital ships in seemingly endless bouts.
"Protect the fleet," Hera ordered. "Scatter and engage all hostiles." She swerved the Ghost through a squadron of TIEs, blasting away at them in the process. Kristoff found another X-wing to soar alongside and returned fire. While his first burst of shots missed, he was able to shoot down one of the Imperial fighters.
Admiral Taka kept her head held high. Are TIEs were closing in fast. While it wasn't as broad and fearsome as the Star Destroyer she commanded in the Republic, her new vessel carried its name. This second iteration of the Deliverance was a Nebulon-B Frigate. A cylindrical hull bridged its essential compounds into a formidable vessel. Yet despite its unique stature, the frigate still rumbled upon taking fire to its shields.
Taka's balance didn't waver, for she'd endured many a strafing run in her career. Her crews scrambled about, keeping the ship in position. "Shields are holding, ma'am!" a deck officer reported.
"Excellent," the elder admiral responded. "Hold position. Keep the Empire's eyes on us. Dispatch fighters to the shield gate. Bring it down!" Taka's stern gaze followed her squadron as it left the hangar. She wanted to keep watching, ensuring that they hit their targets. But the deck officer's panic pulled her attention elsewhere.
"Ma'am!" he alerted. "Incoming vessel! Unknown make."
Taka's head swiveled as a shuttle bolted towards them. Its dark hull blended with the blackness of space, making it almost impossible to keep track of. Instead, a bright blue beam emerged from one of its cannons and struck the Deliverance's hangar shields. The ion blast temporarily powered down the ray shields, and the Rebels were unable to power up emergency bulkhead doors in time.
"We're breached," the deck officer reported as alerts blared throughout the ship. "Enemy shuttle onboard!"
"There can't be that big of a boarding party from one shuttle," Taka inferred. "Get troops down there to intercept now. Keep the ship in place and get the power back online. Everyone else, stay at your posts!"
"Copy that, admiral," a Rebel commander called to the bridge. The Twi'lek primed his blaster rifle while his troops followed suit. Together, they rushed into the hangar as sirens screeched overhead. The dark, Imperial shuttle had barely made it into the hangar. Its ramp hadn't dropped yet and the Twi'lek was already giving orders. "Open fire!" he yelled and thrust a blue hand forward. At his command, the Rebels set the shuttle alight with red bolts. Still the ramp dropped, revealing a different form of scarlet energy.
While Taka had been right to assume that the boarding group was smaller, she didn't anticipate a party of only two. Hans and Namaari wasted little time to make their presence known. Instead, the Inquisitors launched themselves into the fray with sabers spinning. Their red blades batted away any incoming fire and made short work of the shooters. Years of elite training fueled by belief in the Rebellion...ended in a matter of seconds as the Inquisitors slaughtered them. Smashed blasters clattered to the hangar floor. Severed arms and legs swiveled to final resting places. And soon the imposing shouts of Rebel fighters had amounted to an assortment of fearful screams. Hans had lost track of how many Rebels he'd killed. They were meaningless nobodies to his blade as he hacked them with ease. Using the Force, he pulled a soldier into his saber. He then set it to spinning configuration and minced his victim.
The commander stumbled back, still firing as his troops were decimated. "Commander Solvak to bridge! We need backup! I repeat we-"
Hans Force-pulled the commander to him. Instead of slashing, he punched the Twi'lek to the ground. Then, without the slightest ounce of hesitation...Hans brought his saber sailing down. He pierced, slashed, and twisted his blade into the commander's back repeatedly. The man was dead from the first strike, yet still Hans stabbed. His disheveled, auburn locks fell forward as he growled with each blow. Vader's Wrath lived up to his name. His yellow stare fell upon the brutally eviscerated victim. Hans then slowly looked up and leered at the hangar's security camera. He lingered on the feeble lens and hoped those in the command bridge were watching. Anticipating that they were, he smirked until a blaster bolt narrowly missed him. One of the downed Rebels still found the courage to fire his sidearm. Hans easily advanced on the wounded soldier.
Taka and her crew watched in horror as Hans repeatedly stomped on the wounded soldier. Meanwhile, Namaari was already engaging more troops in the hangar. "Ma'am," the deck officer spoke, trying to hold back his shakiness. "Orders?"
She knew better than to promote false hope. From her early years in Republic service, she'd become familiar with the devastation saber wielders could cause. General Grievous had gained notoriety for slaughtering clone troopers by the scores. "Lock down the bridge," Taka said. "Pull the troops out and seal the hangar."
"We can't," the deck officer stammered. "They're already engaging."
While Taka didn't say anything, she knew that any staff member facing the Inquisitors was already doomed. Acknowledging her only hope, she placed a call over comms before it was too late. The Battle of Scarif was raging on, but no Rebel would live to see an outcome if she didn't act quickly.
"This is Admiral Taka of the Deliverance," she spoke sternly on all Rebel frequencies. "Our frigate is under attack by highly trained Imperials. They have lightsabers. I repeat, they have light-" A surplus of static had Taka slamming her fist on the the bridge's comm table.
"Ma'am," an officer swerved from her seat. "Our communications array has been destroyed from the inside."
Taka's heart sank as she realized the Inquisitors were tearing through her ship. "Finish locking down the bridge," she reiterated. "Gather anything you can to barricade the doors. I want soldiers stationed at the entrance immediately!" Taka drew her measly pistol. Peering down at the lightweight DH-17, she knew any effort was more to give the illusion of safety. Their only chance of survival hinged on whether or not her distress call was received.
"Fall back!" a Rebel brayed, hoping his words could be heard over the laserfire. "Get everyone out!" Despite his efforts, Hans and Namaari continued their rampage down a hallway. Their lightsabers set the tight corners ablaze with sparks and pulsing crimson. And amid such terrible slashes, the silhouettes of their opponents fell. Hans and Namaari kept surging, eliminating all who tried to hinder. Barging into a power chamber, Namaari raised her hand to a cylindrical core. Curling her fingers, she crushed it to pieces and sent warnings blaring throughout the ship.
"The shield generator is down," Namaari reported over comms. "Target the engines." At her command, TIE squadrons began strafing runs on the Deliverance's only means of propulsion. In the process, the TIEs blasted several holes across the frigate. While some were easily repaired with ray shields, others took longer and a few Rebels were sucked into space.
Hans and Namaari continued to fight their way to the bridge. He went out of his way to spare any cameras, as he wanted those in command to know they were coming. They reached a secondary hangar, where a line of Rebels had chosen to make their final stand. Namaari sneered at the hapless fools while Hans offered a chuckle. Still the Rebels held position. But once they opened fire, their fates had been sealed.
In the initial volley, Namaari redirected three shots into one soldier. Hans just charged in and separated the line with a Force push. Rebels tumbled in multiple directions, some meeting Hans and Namaari's blades immediately. One of the Rebels crawled for her blaster, but Hans stepped in front. He glared before kicking the weapon to her. "Go ahead," he taunted. "Pick it up. Take a shot." Desperate, she clutched the blaster and fired. Hans blocked it with embarrassing ease and kept staring. "Try again. I'm sure you'll get me this time." She fired again to the same result. Hans was about to offer another taunt when an engine roared beyond the hangar shields. All turned as a U-wing came screeching into the hangar.
Hans and Namaari dispersed as the routed Rebels regrouped. Turning his attention to the mysterious craft, Hans' eyes narrowed. Both he an Namaari sensed a disturbance emerging from its misty ramp. For amid the smoke and carnage came another beam. This proud, golden blade pierced through the darkness, for Taka's distress call had been heard. Right steps were heavier as the cybernetic leg clanged downward. Always keeping her saber up, Anna Dellian had arrived.
While Namaari's eyes widened, Hans' remained furious. Hate and lust formed the grin on his lips as he started to spin his saber. "The coward returns," he hissed, yet received no response.
Anna stared down at him, denying any satisfaction of the jab. He wasn't her lover, and his paths were not her fault. At least that's what she kept telling herself to stay strong. Flourishing her blade, she took Hans and Namaari head on. While Hans was quick to take an aggressive stance, Namaari leapt from above. Finding fault in his rage, Anna Force-pushed Hans immediately. He lost his footing and went rolling back. Anna then dealt with Namaari first, blocking her leaping strike and commencing a duel. Frustrated by his faulty start, Hans took his rage out on any nearby Rebels and returned to Anna.
The younger Dellian waited until both foes were with her. As she batted away their sabers, she shouted back to the ramp. "Go!" On her orders, Elsa and Tiana dashed across the hangar. While she was concerned about her sister, Elsa knew she had to get to the bridge if they were to save the crew. Moving on that trust, she guided Tiana onward. Anna kept dueling, facing against Hans' furious slashes and Namaari's calculated ones.
She put some distance between the Inquisitors, and used the hangar space to her advantage. "You think a new saber and a haircut makes you better?" Hans growled. "You can't compensate for what you've done." Anna was too focused on their double attacks to respond, so Hans kept up his barrage. "You ran away before, you'll run away again."
Fury built up within Anna as she swung at his head. While Hans blocked the attack, Anna kicked Namaari away. Her cybernetic added an extra push to send the Inquistor rolling back. Staring into Hans' corrupted eyes, Anna pressed her saber further against his. "I haven't done shit to you," she snarled. "You brought this on yourself." Her words angered him further as he and Namaari attacked together. While she kept up her momentum, Hans lost control.
"How dare you!" Hans roared, barely swinging his saber anymore. "You dare to blame me for this? You abandoned me. You left me for dead!" He started throwing anything he could get his hands near. Hans used the Force to launch dead bodies and scrap metal at her mid-fight. "You're a coward and you always will be!" His throws were so sporadic, that he struck both Namaari and Anna with corpses. He then sliced an entire hangar support beam and flung the severed parts. Anna and Namaari dodged the incoming pieces and caught their respective breaths. "For years, you made me suffer." Hans continued. "Now you will suffer with me."
"Hans!" Namaari scolded while rising to his side. "Keep yourself under contr-"
"Shut up," He snapped, his eyes fully focused on Anna. Hatred warped him further and it felt as if his yellow eyes were about to catch fire. He imagined the different ways he'd torment and crush her spirits. He let the sound of her screams fill his ears. He became so focused on her suffering, that he didn't notice Anna's new saber stance. She bent her legs and kept the saber twisted behind her. "Reverse grip?" Hans cackled. "The worst form? You really have lost your touch-" Anna jolted forward and Hans instantly went to block. But instead of attacking him, Anna threw her lightsaber at the ceiling. The yellow saber spun and screeched atop the hangar, capitalizing on the support beam Hans had already broken. Slashing the rest of it, Anna braced as the spacecraft storage supports came crashing down.
"Go to hell!" Anna yelled as all were soon attacked by refuse. The falls were deafening as durasteel beams smashed into the hangar floor. Namaari braced herself with the Force, but still found herself buried in debris. Her muffled screams vanished beneath the pile while Anna leapt to evade. But the beams fell faster than anticipated. Anna fell forward, hearing a daunting clang and crackle behind her. As her face struck the hangar floor, any effort to rise was suddenly hindered. A fallen beam had wedged itself atop her cybernetic leg, pinning her in place.
Hans staggered out of the wreckage, having narrowly avoided being crushed. Once he glimpsed Anna's predicament, he cared little for anything else. Namaari's fate was nothing to him as he caught his breath and approached Anna. He couldn't help but chuckle at her useless struggle while he closed in. Her lightsaber was nowhere in sight. Lost in the mess of it all as Hans spoke. He barely got an utterance out as a blaster bolt struck his hip. Snapping himself back into the moment, Hans went on the defensive. He spun his saber, deflecting several shots as Anna was left to infer the shooter's identity.
Anna told her to stay on the ship...
Anna told her to be ready for a getaway...
Hans weaved away from laserfire and thrust a hand to an unseen section. With a violent pull of the Force, he snatched his attacker and brought her into view.
Anna told her not to engage...
But a Rovani's heart was forever valiant.
A blur of Ezzie's raven hair was enough to have Anna's heart sinking. Impulsively she sputtered through sweat-soaked lips. "This is between you and I!" she shouted. "Let her go!" Hans ignored her remark while tightening his Force grip on Ezzie. She writhed and flailed, no match for the power of the Force.
Hans smirked, reveling in Anna's pain. Drug use had robbed him of seeing Anna plead for her master's life. But now, her very sober gaze fell upon him. "Go...to hell?" Hans reiterated as his eye twitched. "I am hell." Hans flicked his wrist and sent a surge of energy to push Ezzie towards him. He swept his saber upward, moving so swiftly that he'd barely made contact.
Ezzie dropped to her knees before Anna...with a cauterized gash smoking from her throat. Anna had no words as her longtime friend fell in front of her. The light faded from Ezzie's emerald eyes until her hair shrouded the rest. The tears were instant as Anna unleashed an animalistic screech. Hans didn't even budge, and reveled in Anna's torment. He knelt in front of her, even as she haplessly clawed at his thigh. His unblinking stare was horridly ominous. "Feel it all," he murmured. "Drown in this pathetic life of yours. I won't take it from you until you've withered to nothing." He leaned closer as she tried to seize his throat. "I'll be right back...babe." His words made Anna sick to her stomach as he rose from the ground. "I'll be dangling your sister's head by her hair." Anna's eyes reddened at the threat. "Suffer with me," he said as he'd told his other victims...as Darth Vader had told him. Hans continued to the bridge, tuning out Anna's ferocious and desperate screams behind him.
BEHIND THE SCREENS FROZEN FORCE TRIVIA
1. This chapter's title is a mirror of how the season started. The premiere was titled "All We Were." But now our once despairing heroes' growth is reflected in "All We Are." This season was never about getting our heroes back to where they were. It was about them rediscovering hope and becoming something greater.
2. Polis Massa is referenced to have had prior engagements. This is a reference to the Imperial/ Rebel skirmish from Star Wars Battlefront II (2005).
3. Anna recalls Polis Massa, as this is a reference to her mission from Season 3 - Chapter: 62 "A Daring Rescue." Ironically she and the Deathchasers saved Krennic, who would go on to oversee the Death Star's construction. By saving him, Anna inadvertently led to the events of Rogue One.
4. Elsa senses that Tiana's "thoughts dwell on her mother." This is a reference to "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999). In the film, young Anakin is told the same by Ki-Adi Mundi.
5. Anna's hatred of Scarif is a running gag with a long-awaited punchline. In Season 1's finale, Anna suffers intense trauma on Scarif. At the end of Season 3, Anna helps save the galaxy on Scarif, but continues to hate the planet. Now, her hatred is solidified as the final battle of Scarif commences.
6. The Deliverance was a Venator-class Star Destroyer from the Republic Navy. Admiral Taka commanded it in the first four seasons of the story. Now part of the Rebel Alliance, Taka has kept the name and applied it to a Nebulon-B Frigate.
7. In the past, we've talked about Hans' hellish motif. From Gaston cursing to see him in hell to Hans falling through the temple's fire, Hans furthers his damnation. When we meet him at the start of Season 5, he's emerging from flames and dwelling in crimson-lit spaces. All leading us to this chapter. Hans is no longer on his way to hell. When he declares "I am hell" he's telling us that his path is complete. Every horrific deed throughout the seasons has taken him to this state. Hans is the embodiment of evil, and it's been growing over the years. Instead of healing, he's become effectively worse than anyone who's ever abused him. But all of this is HIS choice. Despite his wickedness, Hans has been one of my favorite characters to write. His descent to from troublesome Jedi to evil Inquisitor is gradual, and you can find red flags and signs of his sociopathic behavior as early as Season 1. Hans was always meant to be the main villain of "The Frozen Force." The pieces just had to come together.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading the first part of the Season 5 finale! This is what it all comes down to. I'll see you next Friday January 17th for the pulse-pounding conclusion. Thanks for continuing to support this story! Anyone who leaves a review for the final chapter will be messaged a link to the Season 6 story poster!
Long Live Imagination and May the Force be with you,
~ Sparks