Beyond - Legends Destiny's Heir (HTTE AU) Completed 2/19

Lando! Hope he'll be okay!
Great updates!!

 

Enjoyed the last two updates very much. I'm so jazzed seeing Leia take out the Chariot as she did... reaffirms my idea that the profic authors missed a real gem of a Jedi talent

 

So, Luke thinks he'll be okay w/o the Force? I can bet he's right, but the credit will probably go more to the more well trained Jedi.


I hope we can check on Mara soon. She's got to contact the Falcon or something soon.

 

Hope everyone gets out okay. Good work.

 

Great update!

 

not sure if you'll be posting tonight or not, but I wanted to send this UP cause I will be out of town tonight and not sure if I'll get a chance to reply.....probably not for a few days.

 

dm1: Yeah, Lando would be the one to go out in style. As for Leia, well, let's just say that if you underestimate a Skywalker, you get what you deserve.

dancing_star: I think Lando will be fine.

Jade_eyes: I don;t know if they really missed on Leia, or if they simply couldn't figure out a way to use her as well as they di her twin.

Liz: I think Luke may be letting some of that Skywalker overconfidence get the better of him. And thanks for the up!

Miraluka: Everybody should make it off Myrkr okay, unless Thrawn shows up sooner than expected...

ccp: Thanks!

Okay, as the calandar year draws to a close, I have one last post for 2008. It's a little longer than usual, to make up for not posting last week. Hope you'll enjoy the little twist here!

Chapter 28

Lumiya seethed as she flew the B-Wing back towards proper Imperial space. She had failed to bring Mara back to the Empire's side, failed to bring her into the service of the Sith. She hadn't expected Mara to be an easy target, but it irked beyond belief how much Lumiya had misjudged Mara's abilities. I never saw her as my equal when we were both serving the Emperor, she thought. That may have been a grave error.

Even more than the failure with Mara, though, was the fact that she was going to be returning to the Chimeara empty-handed. It would give Thrawn even more reason to doubt her abilities, a situation he would no doubt use to his advantage. She realized she'd need to find a new way to get the upper hand on Thrawn.

Once again, she contemplated the idea of heading for the Core. In the past, it simply hadn't been an option. The New Republic had split the Empire in two, leaving the Core Systems alone, probably due to the simple fact that the Core was so densely packed that it would take a Force-user to map a safe route. Vader had gone there several times, and Force only knew how many times the Emperor had headed for his private retreat.

There must still be some forces there loyal to Palpatine, Lumiya thought. As the heir to the legacy of the Sith, it might be possible for me to sway them to my side. It would certainly be easier than trying to claim acolytes from Leia Solo. When next we meet, Mara Jade, you will bow before me. And at that time, I will teach you the error of your ways. Lumiya set a course for the Core, assured that she would have little trouble with any picket forces from the Rebellion. After all, she was flying one of their fighters, one that was signed out by a Jedi. And, she thought with a smile, that Jedi wasn't going anywhere for the time being.

Mara would escape eventually, Lumiya knew. The woman was just too capable not to, even if Lumiya didn't consider Mara and equal. Lumiya turned the fighter away from the edge of the galaxy, and towards its core. She knew Palpatine had secrets, but knew that until she arrived on Byss, there was simply no point trying to guess.

***

The fighter dropped out of hyperspace, and Lumiya found herself surrounded by light. There was no darkness in the Core; the stars were simply packed to closely together. Perhaps that was why the Emperor had chosen this as his retreat; he was forced to draw the Dark Side around himself to be comfortable.

Lumiya brought the fighter in towards the planet, and was greeted halfway through the atmosphere by a squadron of TIE fighters. "Identify yourself in the name of the Emperor," a male voice said.

"I am the Lady Lumiya, heir to the power of the Emperor Palpatine. I have come to claim what is mine, by right and power."

"You will follow the course being transmitted. Deviate from it, and you risk immediate destruction."

"Understood," Lumiya said. She wondered for a moment why they had greeted her in Palpatine's name. In the name of the Empire, she could understand, since the Empire still existed. But Palpatine was dead. She'd felt him die on Endor, and had watched as the Empire tried to tear itself apart. Once she restored the Empire, a

 

Very cool

 

Marvelous little twist. How to get rid of the Emperor for good when they think they have already and he pops back up again?

 

Wow! That's quite the twist and nice way of integrating the Dark Empire with the TTT. Neat.

 

Wow, that was a great little twist! Wonderful post! I hope you have a Happy New Years too!!

 

"I am yours to command, my Master," Lumiya said, almost by rote.

"Then rise, Lady Lumiya. There is much work to be done before we reveal that the Sith are not as dead as some would like to believe. And then there is the little matter of my revenge upon Leia Skywalker," the Emperor Palpatine added, almost as an afterthought.

 

Oh my........you already brought back the Emperor? This is going to complicate things, especially for protecting Pregnant Leia.....

 

Glad to see Palpy back and up to no good. He and Lumiya will be a very dangerous pair I think.

 

ccp: Thanks!

Jade_eyes: Glad you liked it. That's a very good question, and in a way, Palpy is representative of evil. Just when you think it's gone, it emerges again.

Miraluka: I've wondered for some time what Palpy was doing while Thrawn was attacking the New Republic.

dancing_star: Glad you liked that twist!

VaderLVR: Evil, isn't it?

Liz: I have my own plans for Palpy, don't worry.

Ultimate_Jedi_Master: Welcome to the fic. If you like the reborn Palpy, it looks like you've chosen the perfect time to drop in.


Okay, here comes the next post!


"Master, how did you survive?" Lumiya asked, as Palpatine led the way towards his citadel.

"The power of the Dark Side is without limit," Palpatine said. "My original body may have perished, taking with it some of my power. My spirit, however, remained as strong and hungry as ever. For a time, however, it drifted. But as the Empire crumbled, my spirit was drawn back to this place, and a new future."

"But why did you allow madmen like Zsinj and Isard to destroy what you fought to create?"

"There were two reasons for my inaction. Most important was the fact that even when I returned here, to my sanctuary, I was still relatively weak. Had Leia Skywalker discovered I existed, she might have been able to destroy me. Second, I needed the Rebellion to think that they had succeeded."

"You sought to lure them into a false sense of security," Lumiya said.

"Very good, my apprentice. And now, with Thrawn returning from the mission I created for him, I can finally show the Rebellion that the Dark Side will never die."

"I can't be sure Thrawn will fall in line," Lumiya replied. "He's grown accustomed to organizing things in his own fashion. And he has his own plans for the Empire. He's already discovered the secrets you hid on Wayland."

"Yes, the cloning facility and the cloaking shield. It will take him some time to grow enough clones to challenge me. Of course, any challenge he might instigate will be doomed to failure. Even the most brilliant tactician is nothing compared with the power of the Dark Side."

"It may not take him as long as you think, Master. Thrawn has learned how to keep a clone's mind from breaking, even under the most extraordinary conditions. He's already begun to churn out clones at rates the Kaminoans would find impossible."

"Thrawn will join me, or he will die," Palpatine pronounced. "And you, my apprentice, will stop thinking about taking control of my Empire."

"My only desire was to restore the peace and order that you created, my Master. The rabble of the Rebellion simply do not know how to run the galaxy."

"You have been unfettered for some time, too long without a Master. I must wonder, my apprentice, how you will adapt to being yoked to another's will."

"I am still a learner, my Master. It is merely my place to receive instruction."

"Yet you sought to bring Mara Jade to the Dark Side," Palpatine said.

"And I failed, my Master," Lumiya said. "I still do not have the knowledge or power required to enslave another to my will."

Palpatine smiled. "You understand the way of the Dark Side better than any of my apprentices. Maul was a tool, a weapon honed and then released. I would have preferred he do more damage, but he was not the ultimate goal. Tyranus was an idealist, and never truly gave in to the ways of the Sith. Oh, he succumbed to the Dark Side, but never truly understood it. And Vader," Palpatine snapped, "was my single greatest failure. He could have been the greatest of the Sith, but had been corrupted too long by the Jedi. That, and the fact that he allowed his affection for another to limit the Dark Side's hold."

"I shall endeavor to avoid their mistakes, my Master."

"You will avoid them, my apprentice," Palpatine said. "Or I shall have to destroy you as well as the Rebellion."

++++++++++++


That's all for now. More will be coming middle of next week.

Force be with y

 

"I shall endeavor to avoid their mistakes, my Master."

"You will avoid them, my apprentice," Palpatine said. "Or I shall have to destroy you as well as the Rebellion."
Yikes!! Great update!!

 

Back from the dead and it's the same old Palpatine. Mind you, that's probably not to be unexpected. Good work!

 

Great update!

 

"I shall endeavor to avoid their mistakes, my Master."

"You will avoid them, my apprentice," Palpatine said. "Or I shall have to destroy you as well as the Rebellion."

 

Very chilling conversation. I also believe Thrawn and Lumiya won't "fall in line" tamely either

 

dancing_star: Apparently, Palpy's a bit ticked about his previous apprentice's failures...

Miraluka: Apparently, he didn't learn anything from that fall down the power shaft.

ccp: Thanks!

VaderLVR: Glad you liked it!

Jade_eyes: I highly doubt Thrawn will, and Lumiya's been on her own for a while now.


Okay, here comes the last part of Chapter 28.


The Emperor had retreated to his own chambers, and the stormtroopers had escorted Lumiya to quarters within the Imperial Citadel. If anything, the place seemed even more confining than the Imperial Palace had. She admitted to herself that she had never felt quite comfortable on Coruscant. It didn't help that she could always sense some aspect of the Jedi lingering behind on the capital world. Whatever Palpatine might have done, it hadn't erased their presence completely.

She removed her cloak, and tossed it on the bed, which sat on a slight platform of pure black onyx. She settled to the floor, and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply, letting the Dark Side fill her. But rather than letting it remain, she exhaled it. Then she drew it back in, and let it out, letting it take with it any frustration she might be experiencing. After all, she had been her own master. Now, she found herself back under Palpatine's thumb.

As she tried to clear her mind so that she could open herself to the future, some traitorous voice whispered, isn't that how it should be? Palpatine had been a Master of the Sith, but was this really Palpatine? Nothing she had read suggested that a spirit could travel. If the Emperor had appeared near Endor, his explanation of taking a new body might have seemed more possible. As it was, she found that his explanation lacked a certain necessary substance.

But are you ready to challenge him? Are you going to storm into his chambers and demand an explanation? The voice seemed to question every one of Lumiya's thoughts. She wrapped the Dark Side tighter around herself, but felt a cold shiver. As long as he lives, he's a threat to you. As long as he lives, you're nothing more than a slave. Her own thoughts seemed to be at war with each other, and Lumiya opened her eyes. She could feel a presence approaching, one that was strong in the Dark Side of the Force. There was a soft knock.

Lumiya rose, and took a moment to calm her still raging thoughts. "You may enter," she said. The door opened, and a large human with hair as black as the stone upon which the bed sat entered. His dress echoed that of Vader, as he was clothed entirely in black, with a black cape that fell from his broad shoulders almost to the stone floor.

"I wished to welcome you to Byss, Lady Lumiya," he said. "I understand that you have returned to the Empire with knowledge of recent events."

"And what is that you?" Lumiya answered, keeping a haughty edge to her voice. Until she knew exactly where she stood, it would be better to treat anyone other than Palpatine as if they were a mere functionary.

"I am the coordinator of His Excellency's military might," the man said. "And I would watch my tone if I were you, milady. Even a Sith Lady could fall prey to an accident."

"Are you challenging me?" Lumiya asked. "I could crush you like a bug right now, but that would likely displease the Emperor. No doubt he has spent much time molding you into a perfect tool."

"I serve the Emperor of my own will," the man said. "You would do well to keep that in mind as you re-enter his service."

"Just keep in mind that it is I who have been trained in the ways of the Sith. Whatever secrets of the Dark Side he has shared with you, my skills will always be superior to yours."

"For now, Lady Lumiya. But you would do well not to cross me."

"You have my name, but have not given me yours," Lumiya said. She then called upon the Force, and drove a blade of the Dark Side into the man's mind, forcing him to his knees. "That's a much better position for you, Sedriss. Now get out of my sight, befo

 

Nice. Just one question though: will Leia find out about Palpatine's little returning from the dead trick soon or will it take some time? And what will she do about it?

 

Dark side goodness tehe

 

Miraluka: Actually that's two questions, but fortunately, they have the same answer. You'll just have to wait and see!

Sil: Oh, yes indeedee.


Okay, here comes the beginning of the next chapter!

Chapter 29

"Thanks for the help with the rescue, Karrde," Han said as he and the smuggler watched the stormtroopers surrender to Karrde's people, though he wondered what kind of reception they'd get from the Empire. "I know this is cost you dearly."

"I'll survive, Solo," Karrde replied. "Besides, once you showed up with Senator Organa, I didn't see that I had much choice in the matter."

"Talon Karrde, without an answer. Now that's something I would have paid good money to see," Han replied. "Still, if there's anything you need, I'm sure that the New Republic?"

"I'm not joining your revolution, Solo," Karrde said. "I have enough problems keeping the Empire from shutting me down as it is, especially after this," he added, gesturing towards the ruins of the archway. "I have to admit, I'm surprised that we managed to hold onto your wife as long as we did, in light of what she managed to do there."

"It's certainly not the first time that Leia's surprised me. I'm certain that it won?t be the last. Though I would like to have some words with Nera regarding whatever it was she did to Leia's face."

"The swelling has already begun to decrease, I'm sure," Karrde replied. "We discovered the plant entirely by accident?"

"Come on Karrde," Han said. "There's little you do by accident."

"It wasn't something I did, Solo," Karrde replied calmly. "One of my people brushed against the plant, and then a second did. Both immediately had a reaction. Before long, we all knew to keep well away from the things, unless we wanted to spend a few moments in agony." He stretched out his hand. "It was good to work with you, Solo. But remember that if the Imperials catch up with either of us, we never had this conversation."

"Nor any of the others that we had while we were planning this thing," Han said. "By the way, did your people actually fix Leia's hyperdrive?"

"Before I knew what I was going to do with her?" Karrde asked. "Really Solo, do you think I'm that stupid?"

"Right," Han said. "I wouldn't have taken that kind of chance if I were in your place. But then again, I know what Leia's capable of."

"And now, so do I," Karrde replied. Nera was approaching.

"Aves took a shot from one of the troopers," she said. "Just one more reason why this was a bad idea."

"It was a chance worth taking," Karrde said.

"Karrde, I still think you're not seeing the whole picture. The Empire's not going to simply forget about this," Nera said. "We're going to have to run.

"Then we'll have to run," Karrde said, and there was definite emotion in his voice. He looked back towards Hyllyard City. One way or another, he was unlikely to see it again.

+++++++++++


That's all for tonight. More to come mid-week, as I brace for some truly bone-chilling weather.

Force be with you,

Tych_sel

 

Terrific update!! Looking forward to more! In the meantime, stay warm!