StarWars
Episode 10: The Dark Ages
Nine generations have passed since the Fall of the GALACTIC
EMPIRE. The great Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker, has aged to beyond
his years. He has perpetuated the Jedi into that which they once
were, the Guardians of Galactic Peace. However, the ancient
scourge that has always plagued the Jedi has returned. New Jedi
have arisen to claim the Dark Side as their ally, with only one
mission in mind: the destruction of the Jedi of the Light. With
Jedi Skywalker into his years, he has called upon his students in
a final stand, one that shall determine the fate of the Galaxy.
Along with this struggle between brothers, is the new
emergence of an EMPIRE. This new and powerful EMPIRE has steadily
regained sector after sector in the wake of the faltering NEW
REPUBLIC. The heirs to the galaxy must rally once again to defeat
the cancer of evil that returns to rend apart the galaxy, hurling
it into chaos.
Chapter 1
An aged man hobbles towards his bed. He is surrounded by
four men in the ancient garb of the Jedi Knights. The room is
filled with men, men who practice the ancient ways of the Jedi.
One shares his sister's name, the others have come from afar to
aid the master in his quest. The air is stale with tension, and
with expectance of what is to come.
"Noble Jedi", Skywalker speaks ever so slowly,"now is our
darkest hour. Not since the fall of the Empire, has there been
such treachery and danger. It falls upon us, the Guardians of the
Republic and the progenitors of these Dark ones, to stand to
defeat them."
"How can we defeat them, Master? They have evil and deceit
as their allys," says one of the hooded figures.
"Aye, they do. We, however, are aided by all that is good
and pure. We are aided by Life itself," says Skywalker.
"Grand Uncle," speaks the bloodnamed one,"we shall give our
lives in defense of the Jedi Code."
"I'm afraid you shall," says the Master,"Go now, travel the
Galaxy in search of these tainted ones, return them to the Light,
for they know not what they are."
As the four robed figures begin to exit, Master Skywalker
calls one back. "Orion? Might I see you for a moment."
"Of course, sir," says the one so called.
"It is you who shall be most endangered. You have always
skated perilously close to the Dark Side; you must not falter in
your ways, or they will destroy you. Beware the powers of the
Dark Side, do not underestimate them."
"I shall endeavor to follow your example, Master."
"Good. Leave; go forth and save us from this scourge."
Orion exits Skywalker's chambers, to find his friend
waiting. "So what'd he say?"
"Not much, simply a new lesson about the Dark Side."
"Oh well, shall we?"
"We shall," says Orion with a grin.
The two comrades board the small Lambda-class they have
owned what seems like forever. As Alexanian begins launch
proceedure, Orion checks the sublight drives. Nothing has come
about since the Galactic Civil War. With the New Republic's fight
to gain final and lasting victory over the Empire of ages past,
ship design almost came to a standstill. Indusrial complexes of the
Empire had been destroyed, and the planets that could have been of
aid in the reconstruction had themselves been mauled by Imperial
occupation. Even now, 150 years later, they were just recovering from
the chaos of the Imperial rule. X-Wing fighters of
immaculate repute still serve as frontline fighters in most
sectors, with only some being replaced by the newer V-Wings.
Then, with a lurch, the two Jedi are away from the planet of
galactic government, Coruscant.
Passing two B-Wing fighters, the two young men gain
clearance and press on into hyperspace, watching as the stars
turn into lines.
"Well, I guess that we might as well cover Bespin, since the
others have covered most of the regular sites," states Alexanian.
Orion ponders for a moment,"Yes, I suppose. Do you really
think that the Dark Clan will strike Bespin again?"
"Yeah, they need those refined gases to run their equipment.
They'll be back all right."
"Great."
Slowly the great Star Destroyer moves across the system. Two
robed men stalk back towards the sensors array, and approach the
officer in charge.
"Do you have a new site?", one asks.
The officer responds,"Yes, but I believe another strike at
the floating city of Bespin will yield more results."
One robed man turns to the larger,"Shall we raid Bespin, or
select a new site for raw materiel?"
"Graneth, will you never learn? We shall simply take what we
require from both systems at once. Send the 'Dominator' to
Bespin, and the 'Eliminator' to the Minos Cluster. The Republic
Guards will not have time to respond in either sector," speaks
the larger figure, his gray eyes boreing through the bridge
officer.
"What of the rumors of Jedi Skywalker's Quest?" Graneth
asks.
"What of it?"the larger speaks,"Even if they are true, what
are his Jedi to do? Chase us until we turn and destroy them like
we did on Hammeldar? No Jedi remain to threaten us. Skywalker is
too old, and the others too weak. We shall show them the true
power of the Force. Captain, turn about, point 186. Bring us into
position for lightspeed to Tatooine. Now Graneth, witness what
befalls foolish Jedi who meddle in our affairs."
A small hyperdrive shuttle leaps from hyperspace above the
historic planet, native planet to Master Skywalker. Scanners show
empty, but the two only members of the crew no what is lying in
wait in the sensor shadow of the planet, darkness and death.
"Quick! Turn about, bring us onto...uh...point 514. That'll
give us an escape route out," screams Halven.
"No! We have to report this in first. The others must know
that they are here," Jakler says.
"Look, that's an Imperial-class Star Destroyer,
complemented by a Dark Jedi. Do you really want to face it?"
"Doesn't look like we're gonna have a choice, brother."
Halven looks up in terror to see the giant bulk bearing down
on them at maximum drive. Jakler throttles the engines and dives
portside in a vain attempt to avoid the oncoming cruiser.
"Graneth, watch as I show them the true power that we
possess. We are not bound by the frail rules that they follow. We
have seen the true way to harness the Force," the large robed
figure speaks. He squints his eyes, and the entire bridge crew
stares in awe at the shuttle crumpling before their eyes. "You
see Graneth? Two more inane followers of those obselesent ways
enter the journey to beyond, and leave us no poorer," says
Renlar, amidst a soft cackle.
"Whoa. Did you feel that?,"asks Orion.
"Yeah. I think we just lost another battle in this war,
Orion," Alex says.
As the old shuttle exits hyperspace, the planet Bespin
appears on the sensors. The two young students of Skywalker clear
to land, and settle down on a docking pad, awaiting the
maintenance droids that will come out and link the ship to the
fuel pumps. Once the ship is connected and grounded, Alex and
Orion leave the ship for the interior of the famous Cloud City.
The two friends walk down the concourse, until they find a
suitable watering hole, namely the 'Seventh Heaven', a semi-
reputable gambling and bar establishment. Finding seats far from
any overt action, they settle down to a rest after the trip from
Coruscant. Just as they get comfortable, a Quarren approaches,
obviously inebriated with some strong ale.
"I shed, I waaant yur sheets," the alien speaks in ever so
eloquent terms.
"We were here first," Alex says," find another seat,
friend."
"NO!", the Quarren screams out, attracting the attention of
nearby occupants of the bar, "I want yoor shet, Jeedi!"
"Friend, we wish no quarrel, have our seats, we will gladly
find others," says Orion.
As the two get up to find other seating, Alex asks,"Why did
you do that? We had right to be there."
"Jedi must seek nonviolent solutions, even if that means
eating a little humble pie every now and then my friend," says
Orion.
"Well, I suppose. But we should've made a case anyway," Alex
says with a small grin, admitting his folly.
Suddenly both men stop dead. With a confirming look at one
another, they race for their ship at full tilt.
"Captain, when we have arrived at Bespin," Renlar
orders,"send the strike force down on my mark."
"Yes, Lord Renlar."
The Star Destroyer 'Dominator' exits hyperspace above
Bespin.
"Mark."
Four shuttles launch from the cruiser's main hangar,
carrying the elite shock troops that haunt the minds of any good
member of the Republic, Stormtroopers. The shuttles dive onto
Cloud City, repeating a task done five times in the last standard
month. As turbolasers fire at them from below, the shuttles
continue, pulling alongside the floating city. Stormtroopers,
long gone from the Galaxy, and now returned to it, leap
from the planks, onto the city, flanking out to cover all
entryways into the vital gas exchangers. Army troops from the
city converge on the scene, but to no avail. The stormtroopers
make easy work of them, and connect the hoses to the barge that
has come down after the area was secured.
"What is that ship there?" demands Renlar.
"It's an old Lambda, sir, only two lifeforms aboard,"
responds the sensors officer.
"Order TIE Squadrons one and two to intercept. I want that
ship destroyed."
"Yes, sir. TIE Squadrons one and two, launch and move to
intercept target Beta-Nine," the officer utters into the
intercom.
"Uh oh. TIE fighters on intercept course, Orion," says Alex.
"Oh boy. How long 'til hyperspace?" asks Orion.
"'Bout a minute or so, but they'll be on us before that."
"No they won't," says Orion with a grin. Squinting in
concentration, Orion reaches out with the Force probing the TIE
pilots' minds, altering their perceptions ever so slightly.
"TIE Squadrons one and two, moving to intercept target Beta-
Eight, the Barge leaving planet," Renlar hears over the ship's
com.
"Arrrrrrrrrrgh! Fools! Alert all pilots, Jedi on board
target Beta-Nine. Move Squadrons three and four to intercept.
Turn us onto point 437, go to three-quarters sublight," orders
the Lord of the Empire.
"That Star Destroyer is moving to cut us off, Orion."
"I see. Better get us out of here FAST, or we'll be Bantha
Fodder."
"Alright, ready for hyperspace, let's watch those guys
follow this!", shouts Alexanian as the shuttle lurches into
hyperspace and leaves the cruiser and its fighters far behind.
The female sensor officer lies dead on the grey metal floor.
"Failure," Renlar states," will NOT be tolerated. Is that
understood?"
The entire bridge crew nods in unison. A new officer moves
up to take over the now vacant position at the sensors station.
Not since Lord Vader had anyone heard of a commander like this.
Some liked it, thinking it was the way to reclaim the glory of
the Empire of ages past, others think it was folly to waste good
crewmen. Both were wrong. Lord Renlar had grouped his Dark Jedi
about him, and with their power, he proclaimed himself Lord, and
began his brutal takeover of the Outer Rim. He would not rebuild
the long gone Empire, but he would establish the New Empire,
built from the true Force as he saw it, and his Jedi would rule
the Galaxy, with him as its supreme leader, leading through power
and fear.
"How can we not have information on this new leader? He's
been around for two years!," yelled General Jundar. Jundar was
one of the few leaders to emerge from without the families that
had sprung from the Rebellion of long ago. The Solo's were
situated throughout the aerospace forces of the Republic, and
most had nothing more to their piloting skill than the name of
their long dead father, the hero, Han Solo. The Solo Jedis were,
of course, prone to follow their survivor into the Jedi ways, but
there, most could be turned away. If only that one....
"I don't know why, General," the speach bringing Jundar from
his mental rhetoric. Klas Mothma believes that he hails from
beyond the Outer Rim, and that that is why he has remained hidden
from our Guardians," stated the noble descendant of Admiral
Ackbar.
"Klas doesn't know anything about the situation, Faber."
"Careful, Jundar. Talk like that has seen the impeachment of
many people."
"I don't care. We must find a way to stop the incursion of
the Imperials into Republic space," Jundar says.
"I think that may be impossible for all but our Guardians,
Jundar. May the Force be with them in their struggle against
their own," Faber prays.
"Yes, may it..," Jundar trails off.
The New Republic had been beleaguered of late by multiple
problems. Not the least of which was the new Dark Clan. Many systems
had fallen to the Jedi who proclaimed himself Lord of the Empire. Many
more Jedi had fallen to him. The sudden collapse of the Galactic
peacekeepers, and the subsequent blitzkrieg of Imperial attacks had
caught the Republic flat footed and unprepared. Now they were paying
a hefty price for their lack of forsight.
"Sir. Sir. I have the information you requested," the
lieutenant said.
Lord Renlar carefully examined the intercepted message and a
small smile crossed his lips.
"Excellent. Skywalker will be leaving Coruscant for Tatooine in
four days. Captain, plot a course for Tatooine; best speed to
Tatooine when you are done. You see Graneth, final victory over
the Jedi shall be swift and merciless. Their esteemed hero shall
fall at my hands, and the Jedi will be crushed, for good."
"Yes Lord Renlar," Graneth groveled. Graneth had been one of
the first 'chosen' by Renlar when he had formed this 'Empire'.
Renlar had gained a fleet of ancient Imperial Star Destroyers,
althougth they still had power against even the mightiest
Calamari Cruiser of the Republic. Graneth had followed when
Renlar had claimed the souls of so many Jedi, Jedi that were
ambassadors to the Outer Rim territories. Some had fallen to
Renlar, others fell to his lightsaber, but all had fallen. Now,
Skywalker had called upon the last vestiges of his Jedi, the
young and weak, to aid him in a final quest to rid the Galaxy of
the terrible scourge they had spawned. One Solo remained inside
from the Skywalker line. Sel, decendant of the famous Han and
Leia Solo, was strong like the others of his family. Other Jedi
had answered his call, like all Jedi would. Renlar counted upon
this. This would mean that his enemies would come to him, and he
would see to their destruction personally. More and more Jedi had
come and died, like Renlar had proclaimed. Skywalker was to fall
next, should Renlar's plans go straight. Skywalker had reached
nearly two-hundred years of age, and he was feeble and weak, even
with his Force powers. Renlar felt assured of final victory, and
Graneth could not object with his evidence.
Far away, in the Sluis sector, three Star Destroyers shot from
hyperspace, followed by an escort of frigates and cruisers. The
garrison of X-wings and light cruisers sped to the defense. Blasts
of turbolaser fire lanced across the black void, as several groups
of drive trails left the hulls of the Star Destroyers.
"Careful Gold Squadron", Gold Leader shouted, "TIE fighters
at twelve o'clock."
"Roger Gold Leader", came the replys.
Skating sideways into a classic Ethruian Slip, Gold Squadron
banked outside the oncoming TIE's line of fire. White Squadron hit
the TIE's head on, searing through them with minimal losses. Gold
Squad broke up, intercepting the stray TIE's that escaped.
Gold Leader finished the last TIE in time to glance back at
the frigate, and his error. The TIE's had lured both squadrons away
from the capital ships, and even now the TIE Bombers were making
short work of the Carrack-Class cruiser 'Lowan'. Even as he barked
the order to intercept the TIE Bombers, Gold Squadron was blocked off
by a frigate, and the situation went straight down the tubes from there.
The Tatooine system loomed into view as the cruiser left
hyperspace. Renlar paced the bridge, awaiting his confrontation
with Jedi Skywalker, a confrontation that would see the end of
the Jedi forever. The shuttle down to the planet was guided by
Renlar. He knew where Skywalker was, and he wished to go straight
to him, nothing shall stall his final victory.
The shuttle came to rest on the soft sands of the Dune Sea,
nearby, a hut stood in lone sentry over the desolate landscape.
Renlar exited the shuttle and stood before a lone figure, a
figure hunched over by age and tribulation. The Dark Lord's saber
ignited, spilling the scene in deep red. It's glow was met by a
vibrant green eminating from Skywalker's own lightsaber.
"You shall meet your fate at my hands, Jedi,"taunted the
Dark One.
"You shall never have my life, disciple of darkness,"
Skywalker returned.
And the two met in combat. Saber met saber in a duel to rule
the heavens, one that spelled the outcome of an entire galaxy.
Flashbacks of the Lord Vader filled Luke's head as he parried and
dodged the heavy attacks of this new menace. Shred after shred of
cloth was torn from Luke's robe as Renlar's saber came within
inches of claiming yet another Jedi. Luke had the edge of
experience, but Renlar had the ally of youth. Luke could no
longer withstand the blows of Renlar's saber, and it fell upon
Luke's thigh, casting his leg off. As he fell, Luke felt the
Force being drawn away from his body. With the final saber blow,
all Renlar claimed was an empty shell, its lifeforce gone.
"We are victorious, friends. Skywalker has fallen. I have
claimed their mightiest hero, and the Galaxy SHALL BE MINE."
Chapter 2
"May the Force save us," was all Klas Mothma could say. The
news of Jedi Skywalker's death had traveled fast, reaching
Coruscant within days. Many of the pupils of Skywalker had been
turned by Renlar, or his subordinates, shortly thereafter, when
they saw no point in continueing with their teacher dispatched so
easily. Some, however, remained. These few were the only hope of
the Galaxy. The only hope for freedom.
"Indeed. Alas, our savior has fallen, our only hope," said
General Jundar. "We have no way to halt the agression of the Dark
Clan now."
"What about the students of Skywalker that still roam
free?", asked Faber.
Klas said,"They are not of any level to spare with the likes
of this Renlar. He bested Skywalker. No one can save us."
"May the Force save us then....", said Jundar.
"And we lost valuable ships and men in the Sluis sector. This
Lord Renlar has us at a serious disadvantage. He has been able to
pull materiel from unknown sources. We can't divert enough ships to
cover the kind of backup he's been able to muster," said Faber.
"Five sectors have fallen. How many more can he afford to
garrison?," asked Klas.
"Intelligence projects a fleet numbering around 200 warships
at his disposal."
"Things look dark, indeed."
Orion and Alex had left hyperspace near Coruscant, and had
been on hand to hear the devastating news.
"We must find these Dark Jedi and destroy them, Alex."
"Yeah, sure. And what if they kill us?"
"Then we've lost nothing. We must, we are the only hope
left."
"There are others of us left, Orion."
"Sure there are, but none near our level. We have the only
chance, however remote, of ending this plague. We must leave for
Minos immediately, my friend."
A familiar voice stopped the two Jedi. "Some of us still
have faith," the gurgling Mon Calamari voice said.
"Thank you, Faber. May the Force be with you, and the entire
fleet," Alex answered.
"We will need it."
The time to Minos was minor, but upon arrival, both men
faced a sight they thought they would never see. A 6 kilometer
long nightmare from the past lay ahead, one the Galaxy had not
seen the likes of since the Emperor himself had reigned.
"I thought those were destroyed after the War," Alex said.
"Apparently not," Orion remarked, as the tiny shuttle bore
down on the Super-class Star Destroyer. All four of this class of
ships had perished shortly after the Galactic Civil War. No
records showed any fifth ship.
"It must be new then,"said Alex.
"How? Where in the Galaxy would they get the materiels? Do
you know how much metal it takes to build one of those?"
"No. But I bet they got it from the Outer Rim."
"Good bet, friend."
The intercom crackled to life,"Shuttle, identify yourself."
"Um, Shuttle Arachos, technicl parts and supplies."
"We don't hace you on record, I'm afraid you'll have to
return to base."
"Um, ur, we have orders..."
The comlink beeped,"Shuttle, prepare to be boarded."
"We can't let them get us, they'll slaughter us!," Alex
yelled.
Orion remained calm,"No, they won't capture us, not if I
have anything to say about it! Run the hyperdrives up while I get
the numbers...move!"
Alex frantically initiated the hyperdrive while Orion
scrambled for the coordinates, but it was too late. With a sudden
rocking motion, the two young Jedis knew that they had been
caught in the giant ship's tractor beam.
As they came closer to the mammoth ship, the docking bay
loomed over their heads. With a rough clank, they had docked and
heard the sound of the hull breaching as Stormtroopers filed
aboard. Taken away, towards the detention area, Orion and Alex
saw the true scope of the ship. The cell was small and cramped.
"What now?, Alex asked quietly.
"Easy. We escape," Orion said with a grin.
"That's not funny."
"It's not meant to be. Gimme a hand here, with this door."
The two Jedi's collective power lifted the door, and they
moved out into the hallway. Guards stood at both ends, facing
outward. The two friends moved silently along the hallway, until
they came to a ventilation duct. Removing the screws, the pair
slipped into the vent. They made their way down, until they found
a suitable hallway for exiting the shaft. Replacing the grate,
Orion said,"We need to find a fast ship outta here, before they
miss us up there."
"Agreed. But where in the Republic is the hangar bay on this
monstrosity?", asked Alex.
Orion closed his eyes, concentrating on the guards on the
floor above, "Six floors down, forward nine blocks. We can get a
ship there.
Alex grinned, "Let's go then."
The pair of Jedi made their way forward and down, until they
were within sight of the hangar bay. There, they found their
ship, several TIE fighters, and an Assault Shuttle. Darting for
the Shuttle, they were spotted by Imperial Stormtroopers.
"Halt!", came the mechanized voice from across the bay.
Without lightsabers to deflect the bolts, they were sitting
womprats. Diving behind a stack of crates, Orion barely missed
the barrage of blaster bolts aimed at him. Alex caught one going
over the power coupling to the Assault Shuttle.
"You okay?", Orion shouted above the fire.
"Yeah, just a nick, let's get outta here!", Alex yelled
back.
Orion, summoning all of his ability, lept over the crates
and darted for the shuttle. Blaster bolts singed his cloth robe
as he rolled into the shuttle's entryway. Alex followed suit, but
instead jumped onto the roof of the shuttle, avoiding the
hazardous bolts of energy. Once inside, the pair lit the engines
and was off.
"If that tractor beam gets us, we're finished,"said Orion.
"I know," Alex replied as he rolled the shuttle into a dive
away from the behemoth star cruiser.
Orion went aft to man a laser cannon, and just in time as
four TIE fighters came bearing down on them. Three quick shots
dispatched the first two, and Alexanian took the other two from
the cockpit. Alex let out a yell as they pulled away from the
Star Destroyer and lept into hyperspace towards Tatooine.
"We'll need to make new lightsabers now, damn the luck,"
Orion cursed.
"Calm down, we can probably jump to Coruscant to get the
parts, but we need to stop at Tatooine first to get supplies and
stuff," Alex replied.
Neither was very happy. Both had lost their lightsabers, and
narrowly escaped the Imperials. On top of that, their teacher of
old had been murdered, and the Dark Clan was gearing up to move
on Coruscant. Things looked bleak for the Jedi and the New
Republic both.
Renlar was furious,"They _escaped_?! How? From our best
troops! Prepare the 'Victorium' for the attack on Coruscant. The
New Republic shall pay dearly for this! Graneth? Go to Tatooine,
remove our supplies that we stored there. We will attack
Coruscant upon your return."
Graneth entered the hangar bay, and boarded his shuttle for
Tatooine. He new that Renlar's wrath would be severe. He had
witnessed this wrath first-hand. Many officers had died due to
simple mistake made under fire, or worse, under pressure of
Renlar himself. The other ships in the Fleet were already massing
near 'Victorium', the Super-class Star Destroyer that had been
Renlar's first priority when he established the 'New Empire'.
That ship had cost them time, time that could sped the conquering
of Coruscant. Renlar had remained adamant, however, that the ship
was vital to his goal, and no one was about to question his
reasons.
The trip to Tatooine was uneventful, for both shuttles
headed there. Orion and Alex landed near their fallen teacher's
abandoned hut, and stowed away supplies on their ship. Suddenly,
Orion sprang up.
"What's the matter Orion?", Alex inquired.
"One of them's here, on Tatooine. In Mos Eisley."
"So?"
"So??? We have to stop him. Let's go."
Alex sighed and followed his friend aboard the shuttle.
Within minutes they were within sight of the other Jedi, loading
crate upon crate aboard a shuttle of his own. He looked up in
amazement when they cleared the ridge, and he ran for his
cockpit. A few well placed shots from Alexanian put an end to his
plans of escape, and Orion brought the shuttle to a landing
nearby. The other ran towards the pair's ship, screaming demonic
curses and wielding his lightsaber. Orion lept from the doorway,
and rolled away from the maniac Jedi. Alex crawled around to the
other side of the shuttle. The Dark Jedi came at Alex, swinging
his saber in wide arcs. Alex dodged backwards, avoiding the
deadly blade. Orion jumped Graneth from behind, and wrested the
saber from his hand. Graneth spun and threw Orion onto the
ground. In the meantime, Alex had drawn a blaster, and ordered
Graneth to halt. Graneth simply grabbed the blaster with the
Force and crushed it. That was the last thing he would ever do.
With a single swing of his arm, Orion dispatched the Dark Jedi
into oblivion with his own saber.
"Whew! That was close," Alex gasped out.
"We can use this saber, and the parts in the hut, to build
two new ones. I have a feeling we'll need them, my friend. We
must journey to Coruscant, for Renlar is on his way there now to
crush the Republic high command," Orion said, walking into the
hut.
"We cannot wait on Graneth any longer. Begin countdown for
the jump to Coruscant. All ships report in," Renlar ordered,
pacing the bridge. Graneth was never this late before. what
could've happened to him? A comlink beep brought him back to the
matters at hand.
"All ships ready, your Lordship. We await your signal," the
captain said.
"Very well, proceed to Coruscant, Captain, we need not await
or brother. We shall crush the Republic, and in its place,
establish the Empire. With the Jedi gone, they are defensless
against our might," Renlar said as a tight smile crossed his
lips. Victory was his. The Jedi were dead, and the Republic was
his to take.
Chapter 3
Two lone figures stood within the small adobe hut amidst the
Dune Sea. They bent over a small cylindrical object, using tools
of ancient manufacture, creating a weapon of lore and myth. When
finished, a flip of a switch lit the room in blue light.
"We are done, my friend," muttered one figure.
"Yes, now, we must journey to Coruscant, to stop this
scourge and stain upon our kind."
The two men climbed aboard the small shuttle, and left the
planet of their teacher's birth. Along the hyperspace journey to
the site of what would be a climactic, and decisive, battle, the
two companions of the Force lay quiet, joining with the source of
their power, to unlock the truest seeing that can be had by the
ancient users of the Force. Upon arrival at the once capital of
the Empire, and site of the New Republic's leaders, a sudden
awakening shook the two from a dream state.
"We have arrived, Alex."
"So we have. I'll put us down at the palace," Alex said,
referring to the site of an emperor's rule and the site of the
justice that had replaced it.
The shuttle landed calmly, and the star travelling
companions were met by four cloaked figures who led them into the
heart of the Imperial Palace. The subsequent briefing at the
hands of Klas Mothma and General Jundar was exactly that, brief.
The Imperial Fleet was on its way to Coruscant, and the
Republic's starfighter's were above, in a screen of protection
over the Imperial City. All of the available warships that could
make it had been recalled 'home'. Calamari Cruisers, Nebulon-B
Frigates, and small Corellian Corvettes all provided the
Republic's last ditch defense against the coming tempest of
darkness. In his mind, and within Alexanian's, Orion knew that
the warships would not be the last defense against the chaos that
threatened to reign, but it would he and his dear friend, the
last of their kind that could provide what was required. Even
they may not have the strength to face this Dark Lord. The Master
Skywalker could not, and yet they must conquer him, lest the
Republic fall.
A Republic officer ran forward, "We have an incoming group
of signals, sir," he reported to Jundar.
"They have arrived to vanquish us," Klas whispered,
revealing the emotions of all within the command room. No one
noticed two robed men leave the room, headed towards the central
gardens.
The epic warfare erupted in a fury of turbolaser fire and
starfighter explosions. The Super-class Star Destroyer pressed
through the contingent of capital ships surrounding the
governmental planet. Twelve dropships left the main hangar bay,
heading down onto the planet. TIE fighters and X-Wings engaged
each other in the well rehearsed battle of old. Many pilots had
seen this scene in films, films from the ancient Galactic Civil
War. Now, it was to be relived, fought out above the planet of
the galactic government for ages past.
The dropships came to a earthshaking stop upon the ground
nearly fifty miles from the Imperial City. Fearsome AT-ATs
emerged from the bays, flanked by AT-STs and troop transports. An
entire army made its way towards the Republic's capital, driven
by the will of their leader, and by the intent of restoring teh
Empire itself. Republican troops met them, and the two sides
locked in combat, gaining and losing ground as the battle
progressed. Between the blaster bolts and ion blasts, a large
Imperial Juggernaut broke through the defender's line. It made no
attempt to turn to support its allies in the fight, instead it
broke full speed for the city, joined by a horde of stormtroopers
and two AT-ATs. The Republic defenders were held back by the
Stormtroopers, and the Juggernaut and the AT-ATs approached the
city unmolested. Two solitary figures stood at the edge of the
city, cloaked in garb of ancient warriors and arbitrators. Two
Jedi against the full might of the Empire. The AT-ATs passed the
Juggernaut, and began a systematic levelling of the surrounding
city. One figure gestured with his hand, and a nearby building,
seized by the Force, crumpled onto the AT-AT, crushing it beneath
its rubble. Momentarily, the other armored monstrosity viewed its
compatriot's death before turning its cannons on the two men. The
other figure drew a small cylinder from his belt, and ignited the
mythical weapon of Jedi Knight's. The blade flashed in brilliant
blue, and deflected the oncoming cannon blasts. The commander of
the huge machine flinched, agast at the scene he beheld. Shortly,
he had no more worry, for the head of the AT-AT, the command
module, fell to the ground, the neck sliced by a flying
lightsaber.
The 'Vindicator' had rejoined the battle. The debris from
starship explosions and collisions was strewn accross the
starfield. The Imperial Fleet was overcoming the Republic Fleet,
with the TIE's support after dismantling the X-Wing fighters
numbers. The remaining capital ships held the final line against
the Star Destroyers, hoping that the ground forces fared better
than they. A man stepped onto the flight deck of one such ship.
He was flanked by eleven men clad in flight suits. He was a
student of the master, and now the time had come to support his
fellow Jedi that fought below.
"To your fighter's men, we'll concentrate fire on that Super
Star Destroyer," he ordered, climbing into an X-Wing fighter.
The squadron shot from the cruiser, and sped past the
surprised TIE's. A hail of laser fire sent the line of TIE
bombers that intended to cripple the cruiser sprawling. The
squadron formed up, and dove on the immense starship.
"Blue one, head for the shield generators. Blue four and
five, cover him. The rest of you, follow me, " the fledgling Jedi
ordered. Three X-Wings split from the group as it headed toward
the hangar bay. The three fighters screamed toward the exposed
shield generators on the bridge section, blasting away with the
wingtip lasers that hallmarked the X-Wing. In an eruption of
flame, the generator gave way, and the three fighters pounced on
the bridge of the dark ship. Meanwhile, the rest of Blue squadron
threw torpedo after torpedo into the hangar bay, putting a halt
to the swarms of TIE fighters that had continued to emerge from
it. As the ship began to list, the squadron raced away, watching
it fall into the atmosphere of the planet, and burst into flames.
The Juggernaut came to a halt. The two robed figures stood
adamant. A throng of Stormtroopers came forth, blasters firing
into the two men. The Jedi backed into the city, herded by the
white armor clad troops. The Stormtroopers reached the Imperial
Palace, followed by a command vehicle. A dark clad figure stepped
from the armored vehicle, and joined his troops, leading them at
the head into the inner palace. Republic troops met them at every
turn, and at every turn, fell to the elite Imperials. Nothing
slowed the onslaught. The group continued to secure the palace
for their Dark Lord. The Lord himself left to enter the sanctum
of the Republic's leader. Joined with him were his disicples,
Jedi tainted in the ways of the Dark Side, who numbered at ten.
They found the main corridor in the palace, and marched down it
with determination and malevolence. The dark ones entered a large
open garden, and their leader halted. The two figures they had
met at the city edge awaited them in the center of the gardens.
Renlar grumbled, "Away Jedi! We shall not be stopped!"
"Never, Dark One. The Jedi have returned to aid the Galaxy
again, and you shall fall before us," was the only utterance from
the two.
Three of the men with Renlar moved towards the heroes,
lighting their sabers and prepareing for combat. The two Jedi did
the same, and combat ensued. Three red sabers fell upon the two
friends, and were met by white and blue. Orion had been astute in
the wielding of the saber, and now he gave a final lesson to the
darklings facing him. Two bodies fell, ad Alexanian dispatched
the third.
"See Renlar, "asked Orion, "Your dark followers have failed,
you cannot win."
Renlar stopped two more from approaching the two Jedi, "No.
I will face them myself. I shall destroy them, as I destroyed
their master."
Renlar's red blade lit, and he dashed at Alexanian. Orion
went to aid his friend, but was intercepted by the remaining Dark
Jedi. Alex parried blow after blow, and swung his blade wide,
catching Renlar off guard. His saber missed the thigh of his
opponent by millimeters, taking off half of the Dark Lord's
cloak. Renlar twisted, striking down. His blade struke true,
cutting a deep gash into Alexanian's leg. Alex fell, his saber
rolling away. Renlar brought his saber down for a killing blow.
Orion lept into the air, flipping over the shocked figures, and
landed in front of Renlar. His white blade blocked the blow that
would have ended his friends life.
"Very well, Jedi. I shall dispose of you first, "Renlar said
quietly.
"You cannot destroy me Renlar, for the Force is my ally. It
stands at my side to aid me," Orion retorted.
Anger filled the Dark One, and he lifted his saber. Orion
parried the blow and swung his own attack at Renlar. Blow after
blow was exchanged between the two duelers, as the battle raged
above and inside the city itself. Renlar forced Orion down,
striking repeatedly and heavily with his saber.
"Don't you know, Jedi? No Jedi trained by Skywalker can best
me, that much I have forseen," Renlar exclaimed over lightsaber
blows.
"That's convienent, Renlar, but you forget something...,
"Orion responded.
"And what would that be?" Renlar asked, adding another blow
for effect.
Orion calmly said,"I was not trained by Skywalker..."
Horror crossed Renlar's face. In an instant, his Jedi
farseeing had shown himn the truth. Orion had come from his own
training, trained by a Jedi Knight killed in the ancient purge of
Jedi by the Emperor. Orion had grown and trained alone, without
the aid of Skywalker. Now, Renlar had met his destiny.
Orion rose up, repulsing Renlar's furious blows. The two
Jedi locked in combat, in a battle to determine the future of the
Galaxy. Orion swung wide, throwing Renlar's lightsaber into the
garden. Renlar lunged at Orion, but to no avail. Orion swept his
arm low, removing Renlar's legs. As he fell, Orion asked, "Cease
this sensless war, or die as a Dark Jedi."
"I will never surrender to you, impotent one!" Renlar
shouted. A pain shot across Orion's skull, and a laugh sounded
from Renlar.
"You see, fledgling, I am more powerful than you can ever be.
Now, I will show you the true power of the Dark Side," Renlar
leered at Orion, failing to notice the new absence of Alexanian.
White lightning, reminiscent of the Emperor, arced from Renlar's
hands, engulfing Orion in agony. Orion cringed on the ground of the
garden, winceing in pain. Slowly, Renlar was killing the very life
force within the Jedi. With a final twitch of pain, Orion left the
mortal world behind.
The Dark Lord shouted aloud," I have truimphed! Can no one in
the Galaxy stand against me?!"
Several cloaked figures appeared at the edges of the garden.
They stood quiet, watching the scene in silence. Then, they joined
hands as their leader spoke.
"Yes," spoke one figure, as the Dark Jedi spun as a group to
find themselves surrounded,"we, the heirs to Skywalker's legacy,
stand against you."
"Ha!," the Dark Lord shouted. "You are weak and powerless
against me."
"No Dark Jedi, we are Jedi, and our ally is the Force, Life
itself," the group said in unison.
Bright light flooded the garden area, a light of purity and
life. The Dark Jedi cringed in pain, pain and truth. In an instant of
sight, they found themselves lonely and sad, not with power, but with
empty souls. Renlar stood at the center, and the light poured into him
and around him. Then, with a violent explosion, a blue-white light
seared from his body, leaving it a lifeless hulk upon the ground.
The orchestrator of the chaos that had engulfed the Galaxy was
vanquished, and the Dark Side defeated.
With their master gone, the other Dark Jedi abandoned the
power he had taught them, returning to the Light. They stood
aghast at the man they had followed, and aghast at the deeds they
had committed. Alex, healed by the Jedi that had been present, ran
to Orion's lifeless body that lay onthe ground. His Jedi healing
techniques encompassed far more than mere medical technology could
ever comprehend, and even as he knelt over Orion's body, the life
force was moving from his body to the dead Jedi's. Orion awoke, and
they ran again to the head of the Republic troops that
even now were repelling the Imperial from the city. A large
object was burning in the atmosphere, and the Fleet had routed
the Imperials.
After the mopping up of the Imperials, removal of the dead,
and the following ceremony of victory, Orion found himself alone
atop the palace. Alexanian was healing soldiers in the camp, and
the Fleet had claimed a fair number of ships n the aftermath of
the battle. The 'New Empire' had been halted and destroyed. The
evil plague of the Dark Side had been defeated, and the Jedi once
again meant justice and peace to the galaxy.
---This story is NOT canon, of course. I simply wrote it as much
for my amusement as for others enjoyment. I hope you like it. It
also isn't the best grammar, I know. Just deal :) If you liked
it, or have any ideas, email me at stu_jsdrisco@vax1.acs.jmu.edu
Jeff Driscoll
(
geocities.com/hollywood)