“Ten minutes to decant approximate Sir.” One of Hung’s technicians apprised him.
Chenyu Hung turned to his Tac officer, “Send word to both Kajg and Mattac. I want Broocal on our three, Herrell on our six. We will proceed to TIE formation immediately upon decant.” Audenhoen watched and listened with intense interest from his seat toward the rear of the command deck as Captain Chenyu Hung tugged rapidly at the long beard growth below his chin. “Captain Sylde, do you concur?” Hung asked, leaving the final decision to the defacto fleet commander.
‘TIE formation?’ Audenhoen thought to himself having never heard the term used concerning Star Destroyer deployment.
“Acknowledged Tagata Taia. Preliminary intelligence suggests redeployment of insurgent vessels, excellent precautionary tactic Captain.” Sylde’s voice responded, warped through hyperspace travel and interference.
“Listen up everyone.” Hung said clearing his voice, directing what he would say next to the entirety of Tagata Taia’s crew, “I want top deck gunnery crews working back up for our main batteries. We’ll be coming in hot and firing at will, I repeat at will. No quarter shown, no quarter given.”
Audenhoen felt the commonality of the Captain’s statement and knew it would have been wasted breath aboard a vessel bearing the crest of the Imperial Navy, however, as he looked around, he could see the impact distinct orders were having on those that respected their source. ‘These officers, this crew, weren’t assigned to the Tagata Taia, they were handpicked for the honor.’ Audenhoen thought to himself in realization, watching as everyone took up their stations with rapt attention and serious demeanor, ‘by whom?’ he finished the thought with a question that would nag at him till solved. “Hung or Sylde?” He said aloud, though not loud enough to be heard.
“Seven, can you please refresh asset position near and around target destination. Present insurgent locations would also be helpful if the information is available.” Hung spoke to the air before him, watching the inset chronometer in the console bank before him tick by the minutes.
“Refreshing now Captain.” Came a warbled response as Hung swung his gaze to the tactical display.
“What the hell is going on there?” Hung said upon inspecting the array of yellow triangles, Audenhoen getting up from his seated position with a heavy hand on the armrests to support his aches and pains.
As he approached the console bank, Audenhoen saw what Hung was looking at, “interesting.” Was all he could find himself saying. His vision found and locked on a blue square with an unidentifiable code tag displaying “CGT1”. “Captain, that isn’t Imperial code for anything that I am aware of.”
“Because it is not military Deputy Director.” Hung responded, his gaze sweeping from the tactical display to the chronometer and back again. “It is a Mon Calamari Star Liner.”
“Ackbar has upgraded?”
Hung was certain the Deputy Director was injecting humor into the conversation, but he didn’t have time for it, “there is no sign of ‘Home One’ Deputy Director. This isn’t the insurgent fleet responsible for DS1 nor the defense of Yavin. This is…..something else.” Hung responded in a morose deadpan that lit the fuse of concern within Audenhoen.
As the screen continued to refresh through ‘Seven’s’ efforts, increasingly coded entries came to life in their geometric simplicity. “VCD, KDLC, HF, CC…..” Audenhoen rattled off a few of the entries that were multiplying quickly with respective ‘dash one, dash two’ and so forth. “Captain, insurgencies rarely resemble organized discipline. Look at the way they are moving in relation to both the Imperial presence and the planet itself.” He expressed to Hung with a halting whisper. “We have no idea what we are getting ourselves into.”
Hung swung his gaze back to the chronometer, ‘three minutes’ then slowly turned to return a whisper of his own to the Deputy Director. “And they have no idea what is coming.”
Audenhoen stepped back from the man with a gentle push from the console bank, his eyes locked deep within the Mykapan’s own and began shaking his head slowly from side to side, “this is a severe tactical mistake Captain.”
Hung only intensified his gaze as his eyes bore into the man, “the mistake would only be underestimating what we are capable of.”
Audenhoen had not expected typical Imperial propaganda to issue forth from the Captains mouth, adopting a pitiful expression to reflect his disappointment, “famous last words I am sure.”
“Every man and woman on this vessel are prepared to give their life for the mission Deputy Director.” Hung took exception.
Audenhoen hadn’t expected the man to bite so quickly, “Ahhh…..and therein lies the problem Captain.” He began with an uptick in volume, drawing the attention of nearby technicians and duty officers. “Not every man is.” He said finding the edge of his seat again with which to relieve him of his dizziness. “This….Captain...I did not expect….not from one of the finest to leave Prefsbelt. The cause’ is something the rebels fight for, something the insurgents rally around.” He paused to make sure those that were listening could hear clearly, “not something proper Imperial graduates...brave enlistees, fly blindly into. Order is the backbone of my Empire Captain, not chaos.”
Chenyu Hung did not have a retort available as his eyes flared a rare wave of anger and only watched as the Deputy Director swiveled himself into the seat he had been using as a crutch. The emotional urge to cut the man deep with words died away in his throat as he felt the eyes of his crew on him. The Captain was sure the interaction was intentional, and he had played right into the Deputy’s hands. He looked down briefly to discover where he had lost control of the conversation only to see the Deputy Director pointing at him when he lifted his head back up screwing his eyes into a quizzical knot.
“Times up Captain.” Audenhoen said, lowering his finger and fastening the harness built into the seat.
✦
“I’ve made it a point to trust you, now I expect the same N’dali Fardi.” Areti shouted into the comm from the Gozanti’s cockpit, “he isn’t what you think he is.” She finished her statement, wondering if even she believed who Walker Audenhoen truly was.
“I do trust you Areti Sigurn, but how would you suggest we get him off that ship?” N’dali returned via commlink from the aft cargo bay of the vessel.
“I am still working on that…” Areti trailed off with no more answers now than she had earlier while working through the same problem. “I was hoping you could come up with something.”
“And it isn’t as if we can simply pick him up Areti.” N’dali continued, Areti wondering if she had even listened to her reply, “if your version of events is accurate, he will want to remain seeded in his position. In fact, there may not be a limit to his ambitions at this point.” N’dali thought aloud.
“He hasn’t expressed that desire at any point since we’ve left Coruscant N’dali, he even suggested the Directorship was a ruse .” Areti returned.
“Perhaps, but this man sounds more interested in truth than personal achievement.”
Areti scrunched her eyes into themselves, “that doesn’t even make sense. If not for personal achievement, why pursue the Directorship?”
“Truth Areti Sigurn. There is nothing more powerful in the galaxy. There is nothing more worthy to fight for.” N’dali said after a few moments of introspection.
“Perhaps you’re right.” Areti finally conceded, knowing without a doubt N’dali would begin drawing parallels to her own circumstances and present location.
“And if I am, he’s going to need you more than ever.”
Areti could only stare through the canopy as improbability began to take hold of her. Her actions were spawned by a desire to uncover truth at its core, and she began to understand why, then, insurgencies took on a life of their own, became their own worthy initiatives. ‘It is the responsibility of those that can do something, TO do something’ Areti mumbled to herself, reciting the phrase Walker had forged into her memory for years.
“Pardon?” N’dali intoned over the comm.
“Nothing….I just said I agree with you.” Areti returned; her focused stare drawn fully into the twisting nexus of hyperspace. Her mind scrambling for answers that could help her to determine how she had gotten to this point, or what lay beyond. The pit of her stomach churned violently as she realized her unlikely partnership would more than likely lead directly to her own death, specifically with the precise company she was in. This Thebeskan’s intrusion into what should have been another day at the office had led her down this path, yet there was a comfort within that very knowledge that began to settle her nerves just as it had set them on edge. Areti had no idea what lay before them at Ambria, only that there was no returning from whence she came. She began to shake her head from side to side lightly within the knowledge that her life was completely in N’dali’s hands. She cast a quick glance toward the chronometer set within the ships control console, “N’dali we have another hour before decant. Any idea what we’re flying into?”
“Only what could be. I haven’t been able to isolate confirmation encryption yet.”
Areti wasn’t sure how to feel about the Thebeskan’s inability to decipher Imperial encryption given what she already knew of N’dali but felt some satisfactory comfort in the knowledge that she was at least working on the issue. “Ok, let’s start with what you do know.”
N’dali was silent for a moment before her voice crackled through the comm, a monotone devoid of emotion. “Fifth fleet, elements of various others. Grand Admiral Tethys is present, and Evan Sylde is on his way.”
“Fifth fleet….Lord Vader himself?” Areti asked herself more than N’dali. “What could prompt such attention?”
“Therein lies the answer we both seek Areti.”
Areti contemplated the Imperial presence for several long moments, calculating the magnitude of firepower present and what the intentions could be in utilizing it. “Planetary bombardment?” She closed her eyes in thought as she visualized the broad scope of Imperial installations throughout the galaxy, “unless there is an insurgent presence on Ambria that I am not aware of, there would be no gain whatsoever in the planet’s destruction. There’s nothing there.” Areti formulated the conclusion to her thoughts aloud.
“Precisely what is eluding me.” N’dali returned.
Areti thought through her answer noting the formality of its diction, “N’dali...what do feel is there?”
N’dali did not respond immediately, a long silence ensuing as Areti could only hear the constant thrum of the ships hyperdrive course through its framework and the occasional chime ping her ears from various instruments set within the control console.
“Areti.” N’dali began after some time, the monotone lost to the human within as the simple recitation of her name was spoken with the same emotion and conviction displayed by the Thebeskan during their original conversation. “My friends...my sisters are there. And if the Empire is as well, then they are in trouble.”
Areti understood the implication but wasn’t eager to assign mutual exclusivity to both elements. One faction was there because of the other, at least to the best of her knowledge. She was missing something, and by default so was N’dali. She was certain there had to be a third element neither of them was aware of. “N’dali, what if this is something else?”
“I am listening.” N’dali responded immediately, the emotion continuing its presence in her voice.
“Have we ruled out planetary bombardment?”
“I believe so, yes.” N’dali replied.
“Then any present insurgency is there because of the Imperial presence. We….sorry….the Empire is looking for something….or someone.” Areti deduced.
“I’ll buy that.” N’dali chimed in with increasing enthusiasm, “which means any insurgent presence would know what they are getting into, to a point.”
“What do you mean?” Areti asked, not entirely sure insurgent groups possessed the detail this Thebeskan could determine.
“Evan Sylde.” N’dali said immediately, “they do not know he is coming.”
Areti understood the implication as well as their impending involvement. “But we do.”
“Yes, Areti Sigurn...we do.” N’dali said, Areti sensing the unforced smile on the dark woman’s face as she heard the words.
✦
The stinging of airborne dusts and particulate sands continued to pelt her face and bore into her montral as Ahsoka lowered herself into a more stable position atop the AT-ST. She could sense the swirling winds were something far more than natural occurrence as they continually whirled into eddies that drew up more of the blinding sands and dirt fragments, pinging them violently into the duranium framework of the walker she rode atop. She extinguished her sabers and drew out a length of cloth from the small pack at her side, wrapping it tightly about her face. Leaving a small crease within the folds to allow sight, she squinted her eyes nonetheless to take in the view that was becoming more central to her immediate position and little else.
The clang and scrape of metallic louvers just below her position told her the occupants had finally given up on visual perception as well, relying instead on instruments and navigation equipment. The thundering of nearby friendly artillery began to subside as it was replaced with the whipping of vicious hot winds that seemed to emanate from the ground and blow straight up. Ahsoka heard the violent crackle of balmy air collide with the cooler air above, driving piercing stabs of white-hot electricity back into the ground at completely random intervals from the overabundance of static clinging to the air.
The motion of the AT-ST slowed in its forward advancement as the old clone navigated around rocky protrusions, dried crevasse and pitching terrain toward its larger cousins in the distance, their own thunder not lost in the unnatural winds as they methodically drew nearer.
Ahsoka, assured of her footing, closed her eyes to concentration as she pushed her reach deep into the Force. She could place the fighters flying blindly above her as well as the throng of ground forces making their way westward, ineffective as they tried in vain to find openings in the storm. Their screaming Ion engines calling out to their uselessness with each pass overhead. A sudden and intense sense of foreboding coursed through her body as she lowered herself even farther upon the walker, a palm pressed wide to brace herself from the waves of discombobulation gripping her consciousness and balance. She heard the advancing scream of Ion engines again but noted the higher pitch within as the sound faded without passing overhead. Time stopped in its forward progression as her eyes flew open in comprehension, aided again by an unseen ally as the vortex of swirling debris clouds receded to reveal the forward cockpit of the stationary TIE advanced. Ahsoka did not wait as she lept from atop the AT-ST and rolled to an awkward stop on one knee with her left hand planted on the solid rocky ground. She had only the moment to turn her head toward the walker as the TIE unleashed bright green bursts of laser fire into the armored cockpit of the vehicle, reducing it to an explosive flash of white and orange as remnant shrapnel rained down all about her. Ahsoka swung her gaze back toward the fighter as realization took hold. She knew precisely who was piloting the craft.
✦
Nara squeezed her eyes shut as she projected the sphere encapsulating her prone form from the cascading fingers of lightning that exploded into the ground about her with dull thuds as she put more effort into the waves of clarity she continued to thrust toward Ahsoka. She sensed what Ahsoka could as the forward portion of the fighter’s cockpit was revealed through the swirling debris and knew as Ahsoka did who was piloting the starfighter. She sensed Kowani lowering the targeting reticle on her helmet to line up her next shot into the exposed fighter as she slowed her breathing to stretch further into her meditation. ‘Very good Nara, you are able to not only see but to foresee.’ Zannah whispered into her mind. ‘The more you exert your will upon your objective the more favorable the outcome.’ She continued.
Nara hesitated at that, conjuring scenarios not unlike the relationship she had recently ended with Sidious. “That sounds all too familiar Mistress.” She responded to the wayward spirit in thought.
‘No Nara. Exert your will upon your objective, not upon the Force. There is a vast difference.’ Zannah responded without hesitation. ‘Let the Force guide your endeavor and nothing more.’
Nara felt the truth of Zannah’s words flow through her as she let the Force itself course through her body without hinderance. Again, she was able to see not only what was transpiring but also what would. She felt the passage of time slow to a crawl as she placed her calm and her composure into the actions of the Mirialan to her side. The foresight to see what would happen to Ahsoka would depend on the success of Kowani’s marksmanship, the image flowing through her completely. Time stopped altogether as Kowani drew in her breath to hold it for the shot and with a last second effort, Nara was able to part the debris cloud long enough for clear line of sight right into the starboard solar anchor of the TIE advanced. The thunderous report of the modified A-180 returned time to normal as the muzzle of the rifle flared a single white-hot burst of furious energy right into the anchor support and housing mechanisms constructed to keep the ship together. With a glorious flare of reds, yellows and bright oranges, the starboard solar wing burst apart into a cascading effect that backlit the returning swirl of gusting sands. The ship fell straight into the rocky surface below it with a crash of metal that overtook the increasing intensity of the winds surrounding them all. The eerie effect of multiple secondary explosions within the debris storm, reminiscent of distant nebulae, could not hide the image of a solitary figure clad in black strolling forward through the chaos and straight toward Ahsoka.
✦
He knew this day would come; he had willed it into existence. How fate had worked its tragic poem directly into his hands could not be understated. He saw her push herself up from the ground only to rest a casual hand on her hip as he watched the wrappings about her head flutter in a silent wind that obscured her vision in flashes before returning out of the desert storm. He could not help but draw comparisons to his youth, despite his greatest efforts to remove himself from the child of Tatooine. Each time the image of his former padawan was exposed through the circling debris clouds she was two steps closer to him. He could feel the contempt raging through her, the unabating anger course through her very blood as she waged a war within for control of the emotion. He could sense the raw, naked hatred she was trying so urgently to reject and flush away. He sensed the equal amount of determination she was contemplating to give into the Dark side completely as the ground began to quiver under his feet. Without removing his helmeted vision from the approaching Togruta he called upon the Force to snap his lightsaber into his waiting hand and ignite it, bathing the advancing tension in a renewed eeriness of backlit fury. He halted his own progression, cognizant of the appearance of his approach in the foreground of the continuing explosions his fighter was doomed to behind him. She did not stop advancing.
✦
Kowani opened her eyes after releasing the trigger, aware that something else had aided her aim, but could only watch on through her reticle as the black figure somersaulted itself from the explosive downfall its fighter had become. She watched as it came to rest on its feet with a crouched landing and slowly rose to them, the fireball its fighter had become, illuminating a radial visage with it at its center. She slowly swung her gaze toward Ahsoka and could only drop her mouth open as she saw her friend slowly advancing on the figure without missing a step. “No Ahsoka, let it go.” She said to herself, fear tugging at her instincts over the prophetic plea the Togruta had sense enough to share earlier. “Don’t give in to it.” She pleaded as she pounded the side of her helmet to activate the comm link, even knowing Ahsoka wouldn’t reach for it at her waist, not in her present state.
✦
Rex shook his own head as he slowly lowered the quadnocs, their ability to deliver close images sending wavering pulses of dread through his aging body. He had never bothered to wonder what he would think or how he would react in Skywalkers presence, how he would feel or what he would do. Finely worked ribbons of anger began filtering their way through the siphon of his mind, betraying the oaths he had committed himself to prevent them. He knew his attachment to his old general was something he could never rid himself of but was surprised nonetheless by the raging aggression that gripped him now, the intent to tear the man apart the way they had always done in tandem to advancing clankers. Internal warnings flared their survival instincts as he felt a burning urge to take up his place in duty and honor beside Ahsoka who was advancing on the cybernetic mutation of his former general. The man that had saved him from countless deadly encounters and trials against numerous mechanical threats and enemies had become one himself. A ruthless harbinger of the Emperor’s fancy, the man had since ceased being a man, Rex knew, and proceeded down an irrevocable path of doom and destruction in his wake. “Be careful Ahsoka.” He found himself saying as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he felt the winds cool the tear falling from his eye he hadn’t been aware of as he investigated Kowani’s shaded visor. He could only pat her hand as he turned back to watch Ahsoka advancing on Darth Vader in the distance.
✦
She felt the tugging of the facial wrap as it pulled at her Lek’ku and montral in the forceful winds, not away from her goal but toward it...toward him. She felt it strange in the absence of fear how calm she truly was, owing in some part to Nara’s efforts no doubt, but also through a sense of self that overpowered anything else she believed she should have felt. ‘Master Yoda, guide my strength so that I may stay my hand.’ The words came to mind without thought given to them as she continued her progress toward the man she would otherwise unwittingly usher to the next life if given to her instinct alone.
Within five meters Vader ignited his saber bathing himself in its crimson aura as the swirling dusts obscured the hem of his cape and his heavy boots in its sweeping embrace. Ahsoka paused only to place her hands around the hilts of her own sabers, never taking her cloaked eyes from the black orbs of his helmet.
“You are not welcome here. Take your forces and leave this place while you still draw breath.” She said as she slowed her pace a meter from his unmoving stance.
“Threats do not become you apprentice.” Vader responded through his vocater, the rhythmic breaths of forced oxygen keeping a measured cadence of both heartrate and temperament.
Ahsoka did not respond immediately, waiting to come within striking distance before placing foot over foot to move around her target to the left and away from his dominant hand. The pulsing hum of his activated saber reaching through the operational chaos of whipping winds and blaster fire that hadn’t slowed one bit. Green, blue, and red bursts of energy trading places and direction through the swirling sands above and around her, changing her perspective by the second as they cast their radiant glows, his helmet swiveling to maintain his own eye contact with her.
“I haven’t been your apprentice since you took it upon yourself to dismantle the Jedi order Anakin. Do not think for an instant your manipulations will work on me.” She had so much to say to him but was decidedly malpracticed in verbal sport to engage with him for very long.
She could feel him probing her. Probing her senses and emotions, trying to insert his psyche within her own mind to battle her very thoughts. She felt pity for the man she admitted to herself as she casually thwarted his attempts with almost laughable ease.
“Do you not see Anakin? Do you not see that this confrontation stands in contrast to your own fate and destiny?” She said with a little more conviction as she decided to dissuade his efforts through manipulations of her own.
“I promised you a death I have not yet carried out apprentice.”
“A promise you are powerless to deliver upon.” She retorted as the resonance of his voice died on the winds.
She reached his prone side and came to a halt, having successfully swiveled her opponent to position his back toward her friends.
“Do not fool yourself into a sense of security or a position of control Ahsoka.” Vader paused to give his suit a moment to regulate his breath. “I know what lies behind me.” He finished, bearing his saber across his chest to let it rest toward his left, his armor reflecting the crimson arc across his breast plate in the process.
“And that is precisely where she’ll stay.” She said without thinking through the statement. “She doesn’t belong to you or your Master. Search your feelings Anakin, you know how this will end.”
The tip of his saber lowered to the ground as his grip relaxed, dropping his shoulder in the process. Ahsoka saw her opportunity but hesitated, knowing he wouldn’t offer any opening without reason.
“Despite what you’ve been led to believe, I am not here for her.” Vader said unexpectedly as he did the unthinkable and deactivated his saber.
Ahsoka could feel her mouth drop open as the inrush of scenarios that were actively playing out in her mind expanded tenfold. Her eyes tried to convince her that what she saw was a ruse as the winds died down enough to hear the extinguishing blade return to its hilt with electronic finality. The creaking of her former Masters synthleather suit betraying her own imagination as his dominant hand returned the hilt to his waist. She could only stare on in disbelief as he lowered his gaze slightly and lifted that same hand toward her with the palm extended upward, his fingers splayed open.
The winds tore at the head wrap and pelted the exposed skin on her arms with particulates as she was oblivious to the chaotic sounds that died in her ears. A silence fell between the two amid the raging battle that transpired despite them. Thin wisps of debris filled air snaked in between them as they stared at each other, She in wonderment of his purpose, He on the precipice of revelation. His regulator offered a final exhale that seemed to Ahsoka to ring with its own finality.
“Where is my son?”