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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Saga - OT Patriots of the Empire / OCs - New Chapter(11/28)

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction- Before, Saga, and Beyond' started by FORCEBlLADE, Jan 9, 2017.

  1. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Nineteen

    The two reunited friends sat down the ship's small sleeping quarters on opposite bunks. Both Katin and Vaila were still trying to wrap their brains around the fact that they were seeing each other again, after all this time, and under these circumstances.

    "Of all the people in the capital who could've been in this ship, and it turns out to be you, Vai," he said in disbelief. "You're sitting, right here, in front of me, and I'm still not entirely sure of it."

    "It's no different here on this side," she admitted with a light laugh. "Out of all the people in Coruscant I could've been coming to pick up. Of the trillions who could've been in this resistance cell, and been the only one left for me to rescue, it's you." Again, she let out a light laugh and shook her head. "I imagine someone with a religious personality would say a greater power is obviously at work."

    Katin might've laughed at that, were he not stuck on what Vaila also said about him being the only one left for her to rescue. His friends were all dead now. Dalvin, Aysa, Uma, Barten. Ten minutes ago, they were all jumping for joy about leaving Coruscant -

    - and now, they were all dead. Did they realize the Empire had found them before that hangar was blown up? Did those few moments in-between the doors being blown open and the missiles destroying the place give them enough time to process what was happening? Would it have been better if they weren't able to?

    "The others in your group?" Vaila asked. "Were they all in the hangar?"

    He nodded. "Your dad's men confirmed all of their bodies."

    "And Barten?"

    He nodded.

    She sighed. "I am so sorry, Katin. If we had gotten there sooner-"

    "Don't do that to yourself," he insisted. "The blame game won't do us any good."

    Leaning her head back against the wall, Vaila rubbed her face. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. "And it was my dad who gave the order. Of all the people it could've been, and it was him."

    "You two came this close to killing each other in that shoot out."

    The slight jump in her eyes told Katin that she wouldn't have had the easiest time dealing with that outcome if it had happened. For her sake, he was grateful it didn't get that far. "Your family figured something bad had happened to you. Now they'll know the truth."

    She nodded. "That I'm a traitor."

    "We both are?"

    She shrugged. "It wasn't going to go any other way. Not if we wanted to keep our souls."

    True enough. Still, of all the things Vaila could've ended up doing after running away, he never thought to consider she might've joined the Rebel Alliance. Now he felt stupid for not thinking it a possibility. Vaila was always a fighter. So of she wasn't going to fight for the Empire, that meant she would've eventually joined the other side.

    Her friend, Amis, finally came around from the bridge. "Hey, I just got word from General Reeikan. We're changing course."

    Vaila sat back up straight, confused. "What, why?"

    "An imperial probe droid was found wandering around, close to Echo Base. It's being evacuated right now. Hopefully they can get out of there before the Empire shows up. We've been sent coordinates for a rendezvous point."

    So now the entirety of the rebel forces were on the move again. It looked like Katin was going to be living the life of a fugitive from this point. At least he wasn't doing it alone, and he had one familiar face with him.

    When they arrived at the rendezvous point, there was nobody else there.

    "Are you sure we're in the right place?" Katin asked Amis, standing right behind him and Vaila on the pilot chairs.

    "These are the coordinates they gave us," Amis said, worry edged on that certainty.

    They were staring at empty space, and sensors weren't picking up any ships in the vicinity. So either the rebel forces were still in route, or they weren't coming at all. The later was not the most appealing possibility of the two.

    "If nobody shows . . ." Vaila suggested.

    "Let's not go there, alright," Amis begged.

    It was a few more minutes of fearing silence before finally, a large transport ship came out of lightspeed in front of them, being escorted by two fighters.

    "Thank the Force," Amis said with relief. Katin and Vaila exchanged grateful smiles.

    Little by little, more ships appeared out of hyperspace, and with each new arrival the mood between the three became more joyful.

    "Welcome to the Rebellion, Katin."

    ----------

    Once all the rebel forces from Hoth arrived at the rendezvous point, their cruiser finally got directions to link up with the Mon Calamari ship, Liberty. Vaila took note of all the ships present, and that they did not make up all the forces which had been stationed at Echo Base. Which told her that the Empire had arrived before they could evacuate, so not everyone made it out. So that meant Barten wasn't the only friend she might have to grieve for today.

    At the ship's hangar, they checked in and were informed that General Rieekan and the other high leaders present with the fleet were in an emergency meeting, so they would have to wait to give their report. So they took that down time to find out which of their friends had made it out of Hoth alive.

    They found fellow Rogue member, Wes Janson. "Where did you guys go?"

    "General Rieekan sent us on a mission," she explained, looking back to Katin behind her. "We'll explain later. Not everybody made it out, did they."

    His face dropping, Wes shook his head. "We lost Dak."

    He had been the latest addition to their squadron. Not seasoned like the rest of them, and now he never would be.

    "Also, Luke is missing. He took off on his fighter, but he didn't make it here. Neither did General Solo and Princess Organa."

    It wouldn't bode well for the Rebel Alliance if some of their top leaders had been lost all at once like this. Vaila, of course, was specifically worried for Luke. She had felt privileged to be able to fly under his command since joining the Rebellion. Knowing his skills at the helm of any ship, she had to believe he was still out there, somewhere.

    It was a while before they were finally called to meet with General Rieekan - and Mon Mothma, the de facto Chancellor of the Rebel Alliance. A few years back, she had made a public statement that was broadcasted all over the HoloNet, declaring the Emperor corrupt and a tyrant. Naturally, like the Imperial-raised teenager she had been, Vaila believed her father's assessment that the former senator was in fact a biter rival of Palpatine's, who was jealous of their Emperor's achievements.

    Not that she was going to share this with the woman.

    "Lieutenants, I am to assume that your mission to the capital did not go as planned," Rieekan said, looking to Katin.

    "No, General, I'm sorry to report that Imperial forces tracked the resistance cell to our rendezvous before we could make contact." She waved Katin to step forward. "This is Katin Lerus. He's the only survivor. He was about to be taken into custody when we finally got there."

    Mon Mothma, who had been looking at him the whole time asked, "And the records you stole from the Imperial Palace archives?"

    Dropping his head in shame, Katin shook his head. "They were destroyed. I'm sorry. You risked two of your people for nothing."

    "I wouldn't say that. You're here, with us, aren't you?"

    Katin finally looked up to meet her in the eyes, and forced a quick smile.

    "We're sorry about your friends."

    "Thank you."

    "Now, with Echo Base abandoned, and soldiers we lost, we need to get reorganized," Rieekan explained. "Wedge Antilles has been given command of Red Squadron. Mosney, Amis, you are to report to him."

    "Yes, sir." They said in unison.

    "As for you, Mr. Lerus, for now you can remain aboard the Liberty as a crewman, until we see where your suited best to serve the Alliance."

    Vaila took a step forward. "If I may speak on his behalf, General. Katin and I actually knew each other before I left Coruscant. We trained together, in fact. He has a good shot, and he was progressing well in his flying last time I saw him. I imagine now, after three years of academy training, he's improved far greater."

    Both he and Mon Mothma looked over to him. The general asked, "Would you agree with her assessment of your skills?"

    Katin nodded. "I can fly. I'll keep up with any squadron you put me in."

    "Then you are assigned to Red Squadron. Report to Commander Antilles as well. You are all dismissed."

    The three nodded, and left the room. As they made their way down the corridor, Katin and Vaila smiled at one another. Despite their losses in the last day, there was some solace in being by each other's side once again. Even though they were light years away from Coruscant, adn may never set foot back there again, together they still at home.
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2021
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  2. Mistress_Renata

    Mistress_Renata Manager Emeritus star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 9, 2000
    It's taken me a while to catch up.

    1) Teenagers. Just like Wookiees. Always thinking with their stomachs! A cake run when you are trying to lie low & make your escape? Yes, Katin got away (yay!), but still, not the smartest idea. It was pretty gutsy, infiltrating Imperial archives in the Palace itself! I'm kind of shocked they got away with as much as they did. Bummed about Barten; I really liked his character. I actually did feel sorry for Admiral Mosney, to see with his own eyes that the daughter he adored and mourned as dead has gone against everything he stands for to fight for the enemy. I wonder if he's going to try to justify it as Stockholm Syndrome.

    2) Katin has always been closer to Vaila than her sister (that's the way it seems to me!), so who knows...

    3) I'm sure Katin will do well in the simulators and fit in with the Rogues (I'm pretty sure Wedge won't be content with just Vaila's word)... but can he deal with Wes's pranks?

    And now the REAL adventures begin! And how will Kaila react, when she finds out the truth about her sister? I'm getting an Azula vibe from her... (Last Airbender Azula).
     
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  3. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty

    "So, this Luke guy is learning to be a genuine Knight of the Jedi?" Katin asked as he wiped down the repulsor cell.

    "Yep, he has a real lightsaber," Vaila explained gleefully, taking another bite out of her ration bar.

    Now he looked up from his work. "Have you seen him use it?"

    "Once or twice. I mainly see him at the helm of a fighter, and he's a quite the pilot."

    Katin pulled himself up into the opened panel of his X-Wing to place the cell back in place. "He'd have to be if he blew up the Death Star all on his own. A two meter open port, while speeding down a trench, is a one in a million shot."

    "The way people say it he did with the Force." It was obvious by her upbeat tone that Vaila admired this guy, and she's never been one to easily be impressed. Plus, if she was vouching for these supposed mystical powers that a Jedi was said to have, then there must be some merit to what it was said a Jedi could do.

    After reinstalling the cell, she helped him close the panel on the fighter. "You're greased up all over your face." She brushed a finger across his cheek. "And everywhere else."

    "Small price to pay for knowing a ship, from top to bottom."

    "You've definitely impressed me with how fast you've adjusted to all of the ships we've used."

    He threw a greasy cloth at her that she batted away, playfully. "You can't accuse the Imperial academies of not shaping slackers into capable soldiers."

    "It still couldn't have been easy, these last few years." Now her mood dropped a bit from its cheerful manner. "Training to fight for a government that you didn't believe in."

    "No, but the friends I made, who felt the same way, made it bearable. Then there was-" He stopped himself before saying Kaila. Was this really something Vaila would want to know about? What if she hated him for leaving her sister heartbroken? In any case, it was probably better for the two of them to have no secrets. "Well,, there was also Kaila. She and I got close."

    That last word seemed to have registered into Vaila significantly more than any of the others. "Close?"

    "Yeah," he dragged on that word a little bit.

    "Oh." She looked away from him, curling her lips. Maybe trying to decide how she felt about this.

    "I know it was a bad idea, consider her loyalties were obviously with the Empire, but it was hard to deny there was something between us."

    Finally, she eyed him again. "I kind of figured she had a crush on you. The way she would ask about you every time we hung out together, wondering if there was something between us."

    Now that the truth about both of their allegiances was exposed, might Kaila have come to the conclusion that her sister and boyfriend had been playing her all along? Even though it wasn't true, it would be understandable if that was what she thought.

    "We've both betrayed them all," Vaila declared. "So I guess we're both guilty of doing what we knew would break all of their hearts. Including my sister's."

    Despite having a greasy hand, Katin stroked his hair, sighing "I know we both left for the right reasons, but I do feel horrible for what I've done to her, and to my family even. No doubt my dad's officially declared me the failure he always knew me to be."

    "Well, we're in good company here," she told him. "We're far from the only Imperial deserters."

    "Vaila!" It was Amis calling out to her, sprinting down the cruiser's hangar. "Can we have a minute."

    In the short time that Katin had been a part of Red Squadron it was pretty obvious that this guy had a thing for Vaila, and the sudden presence of an old male friend didn't sit too well with him. Katin would tell him that there was nothing to worry about, but knowing Vaila, if she had any interest in someone she would've said so. She wasn't one to lead somebody on, or play games.

    "What's going on, Amis?" she asked puzzled.

    "Maybe we should go somewhere private," he suggested, clearly doing his best to avoid eyeing Katin.

    "Whatever you have to tell me, you can say here," Vaila insisted.

    So Amis took a deep breath before speaking, "Word just reached the fleet from our contacts in Enoob. The Empire sent forces to the planet again."

    Vaila had told Katin about how she wound up living in Enoob for a while, until the Empire arrived, but was then sent packing by rebel forces. It shouldn't be a surprise that they eventually returned. You couldn't accuse the Empire of being quitters.

    "So, what's the plan? Are they sending us to engage them again?" But Amis's face dropped completely as she asked this. "No. there's no point."

    "What are you talking about? How can there be no point?" There was the slightest it of hostility in her tone that made both men flinch a little.

    "Vaila, I'm sorry, but they didn't occupy the planet this time," Amis explained., then hesitated before also revealing, "They attacked all the towns with ground forces, and they bombed Akira with an air assault. The city is in ruins."

    All of Vaila's face became frozen complete disbelief. Katin had never seen this sort of reaction from her. Not when Misael was killed. Or when Alderaan was destroyed. This tragic news was hitting her in a completely different way.

    "What about Vaila's friends there?" he asked for her. She had also told him about Aya and Tusa. But he was afraid that the answer to that question might already be obvious.

    Amis hesitated before saying, "They're looking for survivors . . . but it doesn't look like they spared a single street in the city. I'm so sorry Vaila, but there's just no way of knowing right now."

    Silence was all Vaila had to offer in that moment. Utter bewilderment plastered across her face. Katin wanted to tell her that her friends could've very well survived the bombings. Hidden in some bunker, or be buried under some debris, and it would only be a matter of time before they were dug out. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to give her any sort of reassurance. It would all just feel hollow.

    "Wedge wanted to come and tell you this, but I said I would," Amis went on to say, but after this he seemed to have become lost for words.

    Katin could only offer him a thankful nod. He could tell he hated having to deliver someone he cared about this awful news, but somebody had to do it. "Vaila. Do you wan to go sit down somewhere?"

    At first, it seemed like his question met with deaf ears, but eventually she just nodded in response. With both hands on her shoulders he started to lead her out of the hangar. Amis seemed intended to follow, at first, but then stepped back and watched them leave.

    Halfway down that first hall out of the hangar, Vaila finally spoke after looked down at herself, covered in grease from helping him with his new fighter. "I need a shower."

    So he walked with her to the cruiser's communal bathroom and set one of the individual showers to run hot while she started to undress. With his eyes closed he moved for the door, until she asked, "Can you stay out here, please?"

    "Yeah. Of course," he said without looking towards her.

    Once she was inside the shower, he washed himself off at the adjoining sinks, and then stood and waited for his friend to be done, but a long time went on without Vaila stepping out of the shower. Eventually, he summoned the courage to call to her. "Is everything okay?" No response came.

    After a few minuets of arguing with himself about it, Katin finally decided to peek inside, warning her, "I'm checking in on you. So say something right now if you want to stop me." Again, no response. So he poked his head through the curtain, and waited for his eyes to adjust to the hot steam. He soon spotted Vaila at the corner of the shower, curled into a ball, with her head buried into her legs.

    Without even thinking about it, he stepped inside, complete clothed, and sat down beside Vaila. She didn't resist him pulling her into his arm and resting his head on her own. Now he could hear her soft whimpers. While he didn't doubt she had cried before, this was the first time she ever did it in front of him. She came to rest her face on his jumpsuit-soaked chest, continuing her soft cry. An entire storm could've been raging on them, and it still wouldn't compete with her tears of despair.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2021
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  4. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-One

    One upside to joining the Rebellion for Katin was the travelling. Up until recently he had only ever been to a few different systems outside of the capital, and they had all been in the Core Rim. Of course, their constant movement had everything to do with the Empire chasing down every lead, good or bad, if it lead to their location.

    While there were small cells being maintained here and there, the main forces weren't staying put everywhere, not after the heavy losses sustained when they had been found on Hoth. Katin was happy to have avoided being in a planet of endless winter. A few different people offered some stories of near-death experiences before the Empire even arrived. Apparently f the wildlife there was both big and blood thirsty. Then there was the environment itself. When finally meeting that Luke Skywalker Vaila had told him all about, he told him of some giant monster that had taken him hostage in a cave, with the intent of having him as a second course dinner.

    It didn't take long for Katin to get a hang of the x-Wing model fighters that were mainly used by the fleet, and even though Wedge had accepted him into the his squadron, he waited for him to prove his capabilities before offering any sort f praises. Like him, Wedge had been an academy student before defecting with two other friends. So he offered his understanding over what Katin was adjusting to.

    In fact, a handful of members in the Rebellion had either been training, or already in full-fledged service to the Imperial military before switching sides. There was even a guy in Corona Squadron who told Katin he had been stationed aboard the Death Star to bare witness to Alderaan's destruction, ultimately causing him to desert.

    It was a comfort to know that he was among a community of traitors, but he supposed that gave the Empire all the more incentive to find and kill them all. So that nobody else within their ranks who might want to abandon the Imperial cause will stay where they are, out of fear.

    He wondered what the news feeds reported about his and the others' break-in at the palace archives? Had it even been made public? Was there some cover story? Were any of his friends' families made aware of what really happened? Katin could never bring himself to check the HoloNet. What would be the point in seeing, Barten, Aysa, Dalvin, and all the others' names possibly being slandered and dragged through the mud? They were all dead, so nobody could hurt them anymore.

    He also wondered what they said about him. That he got away? Or died with the rest of the traitors? Was it made public that Vaila, an admiral's missing daughter, was in fact part of the loathsome rebel terrorists?

    If Vaila wondered this, too, she wasn't sharing it. After the news about Eboon, and her friends' deaths, she didn't seem like she was getting a whole lot of sleep. Possibly bad dreams, understandably. Then there was the fact that she was becoming withdrawn, not socializing with the squadron. Even if she was present, she would mostly remain silent. She would also be the first to volunteer for any available small operation that didn't need a large number involved, if Red Squadron was between assignments.

    And Katin was always there to volunteer with her. Partly out of the need to do all he could as well. Also as to make sure she wasn't trying to throw herself on some suicide mission. He hated thinking the loss of Aya and Tusa would cause his friend to have a death wish, but the desire for danger she was exhibiting made it hard not to consider. Then there was the lack of sleep she was having,

    Their latest mission was a simple delivery job of much needed food supplies to a moon colony where regular deliveries had been disruption by Imperial presence not allowing any forms of trade in the sector due to enemy presence in some of its systems.

    "Thank you for helping us," a man in the group receiving the supplies said as they unloaded the last crate. "This food will make all the difference."

    "Just keep our visit a secret," Katin suggested before stepping back inside.

    At the bridge, Vaila was prepping along with their third companion, a Rodian named Orlac, who joined up at the same time as Katin, and had been placed with Red Squadron as well.

    "Did that guy kiss you," Orlac asked under a light laugh. "When we arrived and started unloading the supplies, I swear, it looked like he was wanted to jump all three of us."

    "He probably would've had you not been acting so grouchy," he remarked.

    "Trust me, this isn't grouchy for me." He looked over his shoulder to eye him, grinning as best any Rodian could manage. "You'll know when I'm grouchy."

    Once they were back in space, Vaila set the coordinates. "I found a place we can refuel the Retriever. It's out of Imperial territory, so we should be safe."

    "Famous last words," Katin said with what he considered to be healthy skepticism. But considering the moon colony were also short on fuel as well, they had no other option to stop somewhere else before being able to rendezvous back with the fleet. This Retriever, the same Naboo ship that Vaila had rescued Katn with on Coruscant, was now a go-to transport for small, quiet, fast in and out operations. So it was racking up a lot of parsecs these days.

    "So where's this place we're stopping at?" Orlac asked as they made the jump to hyperspace.

    "Takodana."

    The first impression Vaila had of the planet was how green it was. Where Coruscant was dominated by man made constructs, and Hoth by an endless winter, this world represented the great beauty of nature. It reminded her of the few times her father took the whole family to the jungle world of Kashyyyk on hunting trips.

    Of course, now, those memories were tainted with the reality that the planet's entire Wookiee population was enslaved by the Empire.

    In any case, after growing up in a city-based world she liked to always take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty displayed in a world.

    The castle she set down outside of looked old and made of stone rather than permacrete or durasteel. Once the docking crew was paid for the refueling the trio decided to go in for a meal.

    "I've heard about this place," Orlac said as they approached the front doors. "The woman who runs the place opened built it a thousand years back. Some call her the Pirate Queen."

    That was an odd concept, for pirates to have royalties within their societies, but considering the many flags hanging over the courtyard, not to mention the grand statue above the entrance of who she assumed was queen herself, Vaila supposed there was some truth to it.

    They stepped inside of a cantina full of what looked folks from all corners of the galaxy. A band was playing at a nearby stage to a tune that immediately got Katin rocking from side to side. They past a table of patrons who were in the middle of a card game with what looked like some high stakes. Then there was the food, which by the look and smell of various dishes she was catching, there must be some talented cooks on staff here.

    They found three empty stools at a counter, and quickly made their orders when a waiter came by.

    "You don't see a lot of diversity like this in the Core worlds," Katin commented, looking around. "Especially in Coruscant - at least not in the upper levels."

    "No question. The Empire is filled the most xenophobic of human," Orlac added. "It's a miracle folks like you didn't turn the like the rest of them. Growing up in the capital, with upper class Imperials for families."

    Vaila almost corrected him in saying that up until a little over three years ago, she had loyally saluted the Imperial flag and to Palpatine. their great Emperor. Thinking back to Kashyyyk again, her parents would both make degrading remarks about the Wookiees and how those barbaric lot had never really developed passed tree swinging and cave dwelling. Leeching off the advancement of other, more evolved societies. That they should've been put in their place ages before the end of the Clone Wars.

    What was worse about remembering these moments was how Vaila herself took their words as gospel, and adopting their points of views. Then came Alderaan, and Misael's death, and not only did she have to face the truth about the Empire and her family, but as well as about herself, and the person she had been up until that point.

    Their food arrived, and it was better than she had been having since joining the Alliance. Talented cooks in the ranks were too far and in-between, so when a first class meal made it to their table these days they knew to enjoy it -

    - except Vaila couldn't. As Katin and Orlac stuffed themselves in an undeclared eating contest, she took no more than a single bite of a baked potato, and nothing more. Which wasn't like her. If you didn't exercise as much as you do, you'd be the size of a Hutt. That's what her mother used to say about her eating habit. Now, her remarks about her eldest daughter were on a whole different level fro her eating habits. What did her family say about her now? Did they even bother ever acknowledging her now? Preferring to erase her from the family history all together?

    Wasn't it what she deserved. You could justify it however you wanted to, but she still abandoned and betrayed them. In her sleep, she still saw her father's face when he saw her on that ramp, blaster in hand and exchanging shots with him. The pain in his eyes. The heartbreak. Despite all the fatal flaws she now knew he possessed; all the horrific and cruel principals he stood for, Alaris Mosney's love for his family was never in question.

    The nights he always tucked Vaila into bed. The one-on-one flying lessons before she was even old enough to be licensed. What about the times her mother, even when in full military uniform would drop down to the floor to play with her children. What about her sister, whom she had pitched a makeshift tent with using their bed sheets and exchange ghost stories. Her younger sisters and brother whom she had all fed, changed, and sung to sleep trough the years.

    There was no question that Vaila grew up in nothing short of a loving home. If only that love could've expanded to the rest of the galaxy. Now she stood apart from all of them, and it killed her.

    Looking around the cantina at the all the faces, she when spotting what she thought might be a familiar face: Aya?

    No, when looking closely, she could see that wasn't her friend. Just a woman who looked a little similar. Aya was gone. So was Tusa. She waited for days after the bombardment of Eboon if they turned up among the small handful of survivors, but that didn't happen. It would be weeks before she would come accept that her friends were dead. Nobody she had known on Akire survived the attack.

    The city had been her home for a few months, but it had been a good home. A safe home. Until it wasn't. After saving Aya and those aboard the shuttle and the Rebellion had initially chased the Imperial forces away, she left with Luke and the others with a sense of accomplishment. As well as a promise to visit Aya and Tusa when she found the time. That would never happen now.

    Now, when she wasn't haunted by her family in her sleep, she was visited by the different ways the two sisters probably met their end. These continued nightmares were causing her to stay awake more often than she should be. Katin had already noted how ill-rested she looked these days.

    Deciding she would try and get a few hours in one of the Retriever's bunks right away she abandoned her barely eaten plate. "I'll met you guys back in the ship."

    "Wait, Vai, you should really eat something," Katin protested as she walked for the doors, only to bump shoulders with a Gran, who shouted a crude sounding response in his native language.

    Not understanding - as well as not caring to get a translation - her only rebuttal was a ,"Whatever." She attempted to walk way, but he wasn't satisfied, grabbing her by the shoulder and yelling something else at her. As if being louder would help her know what he was saying. "Just buzz off, okay. I'm not in the mood."

    That earned her the Gran's giant pair of hands seizing her by the arms and shoving her onto a table, which fell over, spilling the plates of food sitting on it. Vaila was quick to stand back up, but rather than return the physical sentiment, like might normally would, she merely remarked, "And here I always thought you guys had abnormal strength. Choke that up to Grans over selling themselves."

    This time, when the Gran grabbed her, he picked her up with much ease and through in the air. Vaila landed back on the floor in a strong crash, but it didn't really bother her. In fact, she welcomed the instant soreness of her entire back and slight dizziness.

    Next thing she knew, somebody had picked her up and led out of the cantina, despite Katin's protests. Both she and the Gran were thrown into neighboring cells that reminded her of the prisons in those holo dramas set in primitive times where the prisons were made purely of stone walls and wooden doors. No technological contributions of any kind. Even so, if she was doomed to stay in here for a while, at least she would have the opportunity catch up on some sleep.

    She wasn't sure how much time passed, but it couldn't have been long before someone came to visit. It wasn't Katin or Orlac, though. "Was your goal up there to be killed, or simply award yourself a few broken bones?" asked an exotic voice through the small bars of the door.

    The orange face of a woman with sunken eyes and a balled head that held a pair of large goggles was peaking in at her. Vaila didn't recognize the species, but she recognized the face as that if the statue outside. She guessed this to be the pirate queen who ran this place.

    "Hey, look that guy started the fight," she reasoned.

    "He is actually a she," the woman explained. "Also, I would not call it fight, as that would require more than one party to participate in it. You didn't so much as lift a finger to defend yourself."

    That was true. Vaila shrugged in agreement. "I'm off my game today."

    What followed after this was strange, to put it mildly. This woman set her goggles down on her eyes and focused the lenses. Vaila actually felt like she was in a trance as this was happening. She couldn't not meet this lady's gaze. A sensation almost made her insides tingle. Whatever this woman was doing, it something felt invasive.

    Finally, she put the goggles back up on her forehead, finished with whatever that was. "In you, I see the eyes of something deeply guilt-stricken. It is eating away at you, and you're letting it do this. You think you deserve it."

    Now this going from weird, to creepy.

    "Child. Whatever the consequences of your failings or mistakes, you do no one, especially yourself, any favors by letting yourself wither away." she offered her childlike hand through the bars, which Vaila to hold. It felt warm, and comforting. "Make peace with the heartaches of the past. So that there is room for joy in your present and future. Like the bonds you share with your friends - especially that other human."

    She opened the door, revealing herself to only be as tall as her little brother.

    "Now that Gran has been banned, but since you technically didn't participate in this little brawl, I will let you off with a warning. Your friends are waiting outside."

    "Thanks."

    She then handed Vaila a container she was holding. "The food you left on your plate. Eat it on your trip home. You're too skinny - even by human standards."

    As she told her, Katin and Orlac were waiting at the castle doors. Katin was the most relived to see her walking out. Happy, in fact. Even happier than when reuniting the night she got him out of Coruscant.

    "That was Maz Kanata you met," Orlac told her as they walked back to the ship. "What did she tell you?"

    She gestured the container of food in her hands. "To eat my dinner."

    Once they were back aboard the Retriever, and back off the ground, Vaila left Katin and Orlac at the bridge, dropped into one of the bunks, and opened the container of food. She picked up slightly cut baked potato, warm in her bare hand, and took a bite. It tasted good, better than that first piece from earlier.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2021
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  5. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Two

    "They were both there," Aeryn Lerus projected a small hologram from his hand, which showed Vaila and his brother disappearing up a ramp behind a Rodian. "The agent tried to track their ship's jump, but they covered their tracks too well. I'm sorry, Admiral."

    Alaris offered the elder Lerus brother no forgiveness nor scolding. It had been only by chance that an intelligence officer who was an old friend of Aeryn's spotted Katina nd Vaila just as they were leaving Takodana, where he was gathering some intel from a source at a travelling hotspot there.

    One would think after all these months since discovering his daughter's betrayal, he wouldn't have been fazed by seeing her in that brief recording, but it turned out to be a hard image to swallow into his mind. If he was being honest with himself, some small part of his mind had hoped that he mistaken the face he saw that night when Katin escaped arrest. That it must've been a different young woman who resembled Vaila. A small prick of denial that his eldest child was not a traitor.

    But no. Here she was, with Katin, boarding the same ship in which they had made their escape on board months before.

    "I won't speak about your daughter." Aeryn's voice turned into a snarl as went on to say, "But in regards to my brother, I wish my friend had gotten the opportunity to kill him."

    "Their day of judgment will come," he promised the young man. "A day of judgment will come for the entire Rebel Alliance."

    "Let's pray that day comes soon."

    Alaris held back a smile. That day would be coming in due time. The second Death Star was nearing completion, which was something a miracle, considering the two decades it took to complete the first one. . Although the station was still an open shell of round-the-lock construction, the primary weapon itself would be fully operational in a matter of months. Or so designers promised.

    The Alliance thought they had survived the worst after destroying the first station, thanks to the betrayal of one of its designers and a lucky shot from some pilot, but they would learn where the limits of luck would halt their success. Like all others, he trusted in the Emperor's plans, and his plans promised the end of the rebellion with this new station on Endor.

    "How is Kaila,?" Aeryn asked.

    "Persevering, as expected."

    In the aftermath of discovering both Vaila and Katin's betrayal, the horrible task of informing both families of this reality fell to Alaris. Latin's mother dropped to her knees in tears, while her husband began throwing things. Aeryn merely dropped beside his mother to comfort her.

    This didn't compare to the experience of telling his own wife that one of their own daughter's was with the enemy. She shook her head like a mad woman, while a steady stream of tears dripped off her face. he held her until she was able to collect herself for sake of telling all the children together. Alaris Jr., still being so young, had trouble understanding what they meant by Vaila turning on them. Kiera, who had loved her big sister above all else, locked herself in her room for an entire day. Oria cried in her mother's arms until she fell asleep. While Asia tried to come up with numerous explanations as to why her father saw Vaila with the rebels.

    She must've been brainwashed. She was being forced to help them by threat of her life, or by threat of the family's.

    Eventually, she succumbed to the truth, as the rest of them had. She immediately wiped away her tears and retreated to her own room.

    Then, finally, they delivered the news to Kaila at the academy. Her face as Alaris recounted confronting her boyfriend after his group of traitors broke into the palace archives, and seeing her twin sister arrive to his rescue was now burned into his memory forever. Slowly, her blank expression melted into a devastating pain that dug its way into her very core.
    She wasn't crying for long before she smashed a fist into the nearest wall, breaking her hand, and having to be forced to the medical bay.

    She hadn't been the same since. Emotionally cut off, some would put it, but she was now continuing on like a soldier. After graduating from the academy, he pulled favors to place her under his command here on Coruscant. For the time being, it was better, under her delicate state. Eventually, once the reality of their shared betrayal was accepted, Alaris promised both Mosney and Lerus clans that Katin and Vaila would suffer the consequences of their choices. That if they wished to stand with the Rebel Alliance, until the bitter and devastating end, then that was exactly what would happen.

    Yet, the question remained: why? Where had Vaila's parents gone wrong? How could one of their own children turn against the Empire and the order it represented. True, she questioned some of its more extreme actions right from the beginning, especially Alderaan, but the point of views Alaris laid out should've been enough to resolve her doubts - but they weren't. Was his daughter simply so soft-hearted that she was willing to see the rebels as the better side in this war?

    How could she think of them as the right choice? Did her friendship with that Katin alter her loyalties in ways nobody had seen? Possibly. By confession of his own family, the boy had always been trouble, and here everyone had believed Vaila to have been a strong influence on him instead. To whatever extent his influence was on Vaila, Alaris now cursed the young man with every fiber of his being for the damage he inflicted on both of his elder daughters. Whatever influences ultimately led his daughter's betrayal wouldn't change the outcome of it.

    Seeing this image of the two lost souls gave him the resolve to make peace with his daughter's ultimate fate.

    It pains me to accept it, Vaila. He looked out the window of his office, up into night and space, hoping he was looking in her direction. But you will not escape the doom that is approaching.
     
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  6. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Three

    "Five minutes until departure, guys," Amis said as he passed Vaila and Katin, who were working the belly of her X-Wing.

    "We're almost finished," Katin promised, and once he was out of ear shot, added, "You would think he was the time keeper in our squadron."

    "Well, we are being put in a tight schedule. Word is getting around we're gearing up for something big."

    They'd have to be if Mon Mothma and the other high ranking officers were pulling together most the fleet in this one base in this unnamed planet. According to Vaila, there were more people here than even in Hoth. Whatever was in the works, some were whispering it to be a big strike against the Empire. Maybe even a strike against the capital, which would be a bold move, but word from resistance cells there was some of the fleet protecting the planet was being pulled away for something else.

    One could feel it in the atmosphere that this was going to be one of their most crucial showdowns with the Empire.

    Once they were finished with the maintenance, they closed up the panel and cleaned up their greasy hands. "How many people are being kept in this factory, again?" Katin asked.

    "Tens of thousands. Our man on the inside says there's even kids being forced to work there." She quickly slipped into her flight suit as she said this. "If we don't get there soon, they're all dead."

    They and several other squadrons had been briefed on the mining operations in Yevrah that had spent the last three years completely depleting the planet of its natural resources for raw material that was being used for the construction of ship parts. Everyone's guess was that the Emperor as ordering the construction of more ships to multiply his fleet significantly in an effort to tear the entire galaxy apart in order to find the Alliance fleet. Now that the mining facilities were all being shut down, the labor forces were all being 'relieved' of their duties.

    "Do you figure this might've been where all those people from Eboon were being taken to?" Katin asked as he put on his own flight suit.

    She thought about it for a second before answering," Probably. The systems were only two parsecs away from each other."

    There was a pinch of discomfort in talking about Eboon in her voice, which was why he didn't specifically mention her friend, Aya. After her brief arrest at Maz's castle, Vaila was acting a bit more grounded. No longer scathing through with just the slightest bit of sleep, and eating a good three meals, but she was still a bit distant.

    Katin wouldn't push, though. He knew Vaila enough to not put any pressure on her to open up before she was ready to. As the canopy to his X-Wing closed he watched her settling into her own fighter, praying once more, that this wouldn't be the last time they saw each other.

    They came up on the tail end of their squadron with Orlac, being the last ones to jump. Arriving on Yevrah, the evidence to the Empire's scalping of the world was obvious to everyone from the moment they set eyes on it. Their briefing included an image of what should've been a bright red world, but instead they found one with heavy scarring all over the surface.

    "It doesn't look like they spared a single bit of land fro, their mining," Katin commented.

    "I've seen a few other planets stripped away like this over the years," Orlac mentioned. "All legacy planets."

    The Empire showed absolute disrespect for all life, sentient and of nature. Why do our families justify this, Vaila? How can they condone this?

    "Star Destroyer, dead ahead," the warning came.

    The entire squadron moved against the ship. Vaila led them against one of the lines of cannons. The destroyer was left crippled within minutes, and so the signal was giving for one of their large transport ships to come out of lightspeed. They escorted the transport down to the surface where one of mining facilities was located, at the bed of a mountain that had been torn open.

    The facility was heavily armed, with defense turrets by the dozens, AT-ST, two AT-ATs, and whole garrisons of ground troops. Luckily, their transport landed safely outside of the facility, and released their own ground forces that charged for the mining facility.

    "Enemy fighters, coming in," Vaila announced. By the looks of it, they were descending from the Star Destroyer that they had left floating in orbit, which they expected, but between those, and the heavy ground defenses, this was not going to be an easy hit and run.

    ----------

    The first trouble they faced was heavy fire form those gun turrets on the outer perimeter of the mining facility. "Follow me guys," Vaila ordered.

    As closed in on the nearest one, the laser fire became harder to maneuver around, and what was worse, these turrets seemed to posses some heavier shielding than they used to seeing. It took the combined fire of her, Orlac, and Katin to take it out, but nor before one shot got her on the starboard.

    "Are you alright?" Katin asked in panic.

    "Nothing I can't shake off for now," Vaila insisted, shutting off an alarm. "We've got another turret ahead."

    With this one they took turns firing while also giving each other cover, coming up at the front. After that turret was gone, they moved against one of the AT-ATs that was shooting at their ground troops. If they had brought any airspeeders, they would their tow cables to bring the walkers down, like on Hoth, but here they would have break through the heavy armor with their laser fire. Luckily, they had some vulnerable spots. "Aim for the joints at the legs."

    The walker turned its attention to them as they came towards it. A shot of burning red passed just above Vaila, momentarily blinding her. "Split up. Move against separate legs."

    They did as told. Vaila made the first shot, but missed the joint at her the joint by a miller second as the leg moved away. Vaila flew below the belly, having to angle herself diagonally to avoid striking any of the legs. One of the others was come around from her left - Katin, she assumed, - and fired on the walker as he flew above her.

    "I missed," Orlac groaned.

    "I got a few shots in, but not enough damage."

    "Let's all make another run," Vaila told them, already moving towards the walker again, which was already coming over a squad of their troops, who had no cover, whatsoever to protect them.

    As Vaila closed in on the walker once more, it fired several shots her way, forcing her to pull out from her run, and missed an opportunity at another shot to any of the legs. It did the same to one of the others, coming against it, and a Rodian's distinct groan came the comn channel. She had to give the pilot her reluctant admiration. He was fairing well against three pilots-

    Until Katin attacked from the opposite direction of Orlac while it was focused him, firing into the neck, and then into one of the legs, this time hitting the joints fatally. With the leg raised at this moment, it's lower part dropped to the ground. It's head was also now hanging loose from the rest of the body, as a large cloud pf smoke drizzled out of the neck.

    "You guys can say it," Katin gleamed. "I rock."

    "Nice one, Katin." If they weren't able to see each other's faces right now, she wouldn't be smiling. "Now how about we focus on actually winning this fight before celebrating in your honor."

    "You take lead, then Lie-"

    The shot came from a rocket that came from the ground. An Imperial trooper with a launcher and master marksmanship, because the rocket hit Katin's fighter right at its thrusters. A trail of smoke fell behind as Katin slowly, but surely descended to the ground.

    No! Not you! Please, not you, Katin!
     
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  7. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Four

    The first thing Katin did once he started going down was dispense his fuel. If he had any chance of surviving this crash, it would only be without a fiery explosion. Next course of action was keeping the fighter leveled, so that its belly would take most of the impact.

    As the ground came in beneath him. he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. If it weren't for his crash webbing he would've probably bounced through the canopy glass. Though the straps forcefully keeping him on his seat left a heavy burn on his skin. The heavy rocking of the fighter went on for maybe a whole minute until it finally steadied, but continued to slide through the rough ground.

    It wasn't until he finally came to a complete stop that he unbuckled and tried to open his cockpit, only the manual switch was no longer working. A few tugs of on it with his arms didn't even budge it, so that left him with one option. Pulling the blaster pistol out form the fighter's holster, his bobbed his head down and fired upwards. It took a few shots to shatter the entirety of the glass. Climbing out, he slid down the nose, and onto the ground.

    Three of the wings had broken apart I the crash, a line of smoke was still huffing out of the thrusters, and his astromech droid was also lost. So he was definitely going to need to hitch a ride out of here.

    A loud screech from above warned him of trouble. A single TIE fighter was coming his way, and so Katin did the only thing he could do: Run.

    Not that he got very far before it came up behind him and started firing. Even before the shorts got very close he could feel the heat and the shake of the ground from the impacts behind him. He knew when the shots that would reach were coming, and so he jumped down to the ground. The heat seared through his jumpsuit, and chunks of dirt enveloped him. The impact left him a wing in his ear, but otherwise he was still alive.

    Only the TIE was circling back around, and luck could only protect Katin for so long.

    Thankfully, the TIE never got a chance to take another run at him, because before it could close in again, an X-Wing took it out. Katin waved as it flew over him. His gut told him that it was Vaila who had just saved his skin, again. That was another one that she was going to hold over him for the rest of their lives.

    Now all that was left was getting to that transport that was picking up all the civilians from the mines. Unfortunately, he had crashed a bit of a distance away, so he started sprinting, blaster in hand in case he ran into any Imperial ground forces along the way. As he made his way, he watched the battle continue, air forces battling out over the facility, as well as blaster shots and explosions on the ground. When he saw an Alliance fighter go down he wondered which one of hi friends was just killed. Might one of them have been Vaila?

    But he couldn't think about that now. It was out of his hands. All he could focus onw as reaching that transport-

    a transport that took off from the ground as when Katin was still only halfway there. That's my only way out of here. I'm stranded.

    The slave force must've been liberated and been taken aboard. Their lives were the main objective, after all, so even if they knew Katin had been making his way to them, they could've waited, and put all those people's lives at risk. Especially since he could tell the fighting was still continuing, with great verbosity. He probably wasn't the only one getting left behind.

    He didn't even start to think about what his options were when an X-Wing came up above him, coming down for a landing. He backed away to give it the landing space, and once it settled he approached the fighter. The pilot quickly climbed out, helmetless, revealing it to be Vaila. "What are you doing?" he asked with horror.

    "Getting you out of here."

    "Last I checked, an X-Wing wasn't built for two," he pointed out in disbelief.

    But Vaila was already making for the storage compartment and pulling out a pack. "You're taking this fighter out of here, and I'll see you when I see you."

    He was not hearing her right. She was not telling to commandeer her fighter and leave her stranded in his place. That was the most insane thing he had ever heard.
    "That's not happening."

    With the pack strapped to both her shoulders, she stepped up close to him, meeting his eyes. "You're taking my fighter, and that's an order!"

    "An order from you?" He let out a sincere laugh.

    "I'm your superior!"

    "By one rank!"

    "You're wasting time!"

    "No, that would be you!"

    "You're not this selfless, Lerus! So jump in that fighter and go!"

    "I am not abandoning you!"

    "And I'm not abandoning you!"

    Their verbal battle was cut off by the screaming sound of another TIE fighter, followed the firing of it's laser cannons. Both instinctively ran from the fighter and jump as soon as they felt the impact of the fighter being hit behind them.

    "Oh, great, so much for your survival," Vaila bellowed after eyeing her X-Wing's fiery remains.

    The TIE that took it out, thankfully, made its way back to the mines to regroup with the rest of the Imperial air forces rather than target them. Vaila took out her comlink. "Orlac, are you there?"

    "Yeah, I'm still up here, unlike the two of you," he growled. "All rebel forces are being ordered to pull out. I'm sorry guys."

    "Don't be." The glare she gave Katin told him there was nobody to blame for both of them being stranded but him. "The rescued civilians come first. We'll figure something out."

    "Stay hidden, and stay alive. We'll come back for you when it's safe."

    In the next minute, all Alliance ships disappeared up into space.

    "So now what?" Katin asked.

    Vaila looked to the mines, where the fighting looked to be dimming down. Any friends they had there weren't going to last much longer. ""We'd be looking either imprisonment, or execution if we go there."

    Eyeing the opposite direction, there was nothing but baron terrain as far as the eye could see. So then they turned to the mountain beyond the mines. There was still some degree of wilderness that hadn't been stripped out by the mining operations. With their combined Imperial and Alliance training, they could survive up there, as long as they stayed out of the Imperial detection.

    "Yep, the mountain's our best bet," he concluded.

    "Then let's a get move on. We'll have to circle the mines at a safe distance." She tucked up her pack. "Let's hope none of their ships fly by and spot us, because with no cover out here, were toast."

    "Let's make this a race, for the hell of it." he slightly kneeled before shouted, "On your mark, get set, Go!"

    He shot off, but his head start only lasted seconds, as Vaila immediately caught up and started moving up ahead, despite carrying a pack. By the looks of things, getting killed today almost seemed like it would've been a more appealing outcome to Katin. Almost.

    ----------

    So far as either could tell, nobody noticed two stranded rebel pilots retreating into the mountain, as they hoped nobody noticed. It hiked up the mountain in a steady pace for hours without any Imperial ships appearing above them or ground troops coming to pursue them. Hopefully, they would continue unnoticed until they were rescued. If they were rescued.

    Having not talked much in those first few hours before it started getting dark, Katin finally spoke to suggest they stop and setup camp. Choosing a spot that still had plenty of tree cover, they setup a fire. Thankfully the mining had spared some spots of the mountain from being stripped down to keep them hidden.

    It wasn't until they had the fire going that Vaila finally opened up her pack to see what they had for supplies: a small handful of rations, one small portable lamp, a canteen of water, first aid kit, a homing beacon set for a rebel frequency, and a thermal blanket that was big enough for them to share.

    Taking out a pair of binoculars from his belt, Katin found a spot where they had a clear view of the mining facility down below. "Well, how do things look?" Vaila asked.

    "The one AT-AT that's left is patrolling the outer perimeter, and I'd say there's still plenty of Imperial personnel, licking their wounds."

    "Do you think they'll be leaving soon?" They were on the verge of closing the mining operations, after all, but after their attack, their plans might change. Katin only shrugged.

    If they did leave, they could go back down the mountain and setup camp down there until someone was sent back to get them. The Empire might even leave food and supplies behind for them to scavenge off of. She supposed they would have to sit and wait.

    As the night dragged on, they made sure to keep the fire going, as it became colder. After eating a few rations, they decided to call it a night and laid down together. So the blanket could cover them both they had to press themselves against each other, back-to-back.

    "Misael would probably get a laugh out of this," Katin remarked. "You and me, cuddled together in a fire."

    "We're not cuddling," Vaila corrected, "but yeah. he would get a laugh out of this."

    It then occurred that she hadn't thought much of Misael in a long while now. Was that a good or bad thing? Should she feel guilty, or at peace with having continued on with her life? She thought back to when she last saw him, as a he boarded a transport that would take him to Scariff, fresh out of the academy. Katin had been there to say goodbye, too.

    "Do you remembering when he left home?" she asked.

    "Yeah. Hard to forget now, since we never saw him, again."

    "Didn't you promise that if he died in service, you would name your son after him one day?"

    This got a laugh rom him. "Oh, yeah. Well, I kind of meant it as a joke. I honestly didn't think it would ever have to come to that."

    Neither did Vaila. That was the downside of being young. Of being innocent. You were blinded to the reality of things that would eventually become a part of your life. Loss, heartache, pain, terror, loneliness. That last one, she had been feeling a little bit too much of lately. Even though she was in the presence of comrades and friends, she felt so isolated. Maz's advice that day in her castle convinced to look after herself better, but she was still keeping everyone at arm's length. Even Katin.

    In truth, she surprised herself when she landed her fighter and tried to get him to fly it out of here in her place. She didn't even think about it, she just did it. Of course, now they were both stranded in Imperial territory, facing possible capture and death. She supposed if it came to that, she was glad to be facing it with Katin. In truth, he was the closest thing she had to family now, and her him.

    It's just the two of us in this grand galaxy. She thought this as she fell asleep, her eyes fixed on the dancing fire in front of her.
     
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  8. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Five

    In the last few days since being stranded, all Katin and Vaila could do was survive. Unfortunately, that proved easier said than done.

    While the mountain still contained plenty cover, food source was a different story. Whatever wildlife the mountain had possessed before the mining operations started, it had since been either exterminated or driven away. Vaila had set a trip on their third day that only caught a small creature that barely made for a full meal for two.

    Their supply of rations would only last them another two, maybe three days tops. The only saving grace was a steady stream of water that was keeping them from going thirsty, but that would only sustain them for so long.

    What would help was if they were able to raid the mining complex at the bottom of the mountain, but the remaining Imperial forces had yet to abandon the base like they had hoped. They were beginning to discuss sneaking in and stealing supplies in the cover of night. Risky, for sure, or more like downright suicidal, but if things for them got desperate enough. Well, it was better than starving to death.

    "I've been hearing birds around here," Katin told her as he washed his hands on the cold river. "Did your dad ever teach you how to set a trap for them?"

    She finished the last of their tube of paste before answering, "Yeah, but we'd need some bait. Worms, or bugs, if we can find any."

    After finishing with his hands, he splashed some water on his face, combing through his short hair that still managed to curl itself up quite well. "I'll start looking turning some rocks."

    Suring the day they stayed in the cover of the tree, and during the night they moved from one unmined spot to the next to give them less risk of being spotted. They couldn't be sure, but more than once they were sure they had heard the distant buzz of probing droids. Plus, a small squad of fighters were still being sent to fly over the mountain. So they had to keep moving, but they never went to far from the Imperial facility, not if they were going to eventually sneak in to rob them.

    "What do you think's happened?" Vaila looked up at the cloudy sky.

    "With the Alliance?" She nodded. "Hard to say. We knew they might not risk sending people for us as long the Empire maintained a presence here. Especially with whatever big operation the entire fleet has been gearing up for."

    "What if it's already happened?" Vaila hesitated before speaking her fears further. "What if they lost?"

    "Don't go there, Vai."

    "I can't help it." She stayed sitting on a boulder, her eyes wandering off to somewhere distant, and frightening. "What if while we've been ruffing it out here, the Empire's already beaten us?"

    "It hasn't." Katin's tone was absolute, it needed to be in this moment. The potential heartache he was seeing in her eyes reminded him of when she learned about Eboon, and the death of her friends there. He couldn't let her fall into that hole, again. Climbing out of there had been hard enough the first time, she wouldn't be able to do it a second time.

    He walked over to her, kneeled down, putting a hand on her shoulder, making sure she met his gaze. "You and I are still here. We're still breathing, and we're still fighting. So the Rebellion still lives, right here, right now. Don't question that. Believe in it."

    She pressed her lips together and nodded. He hoped that was enough. Not juts for her, but in truth, he needed to hear that just as much. The longer they went without knowing what was going on out there with the war, the more worried he became about their friends and the entire Rebel Alliance.

    The moment was ended by the sound distant sound of ships moving through the air, but it was a fighter. They looked in the direction of the Imperial facility where a small handle of shuttles and transports were taking off and made for space.

    "Please, tell me we're seeing what I think we're seeing," Vaila said with exasperation.

    There was only one way to know. "Let's go find out."

    Though the prospect of the mining base now being deserted filled them with a rejuvenated sense of hope, they still knew better than to go anywhere near the place without caution. There could still be some small personnel left to look after the miens, so they approached the base under the cover of the woods until they reached the baron terrain surrounding the complex.

    "I'm not picking up any heat signatures." Vaila handed the binoculars to Katin so he could see for himself. Of course, those things were nowhere near as sophisticated as the sensors on a fighter or even a droid, so there was a margin of error to take into account.

    "As soon as we step out of these woods, we're exposed. Should we take the chance?"

    Taking a deep breath, Vaila ran the pros and cons. With the next to nothing game in this mountain, and their rations soon to run out, they could starve out here before rescue came, if it even came, at all. If some small detail had been left behind, maybe they could pick them off with some stealth and smarts. If they were going to make it out of this planet, it was going to be by setting up camp here, and now.

    "Let's go."

    ----------

    So they slowly stepped out of the wilderness, and cautious moved across the baron land, towards the base. If there were any snipers on guard, being armed would do them no good, so they kept their weapons holstered. She looked out to all the visible towers for any glimmer of a soldier standing watch, or a light reflecting off a weapon. After what felt like a day-long walk they finally made it to the wall of the base, without raising an alarm, or receiving some form of a welcoming party.

    "So far, so good," Katin breathed in relief.

    They moved against the wall until reaching a side entrance that wasn't even locked. Katin took a few steps inside before letting Vaila follow him, in case there were any kind of surprises waiting. It was pitch dark, so they used the lamp to make their way around. Anytime they came across some control panel, or console, they tried them just to see if anything happened, but nothing ever did.

    "So they shut down the power," Vaila finally came to accept. "So much for using their communications array to reach the fleet."

    "Maybe we can get it going again," Katin suggested.

    When they found the mess hall, they raided every square inch of the kitchen. There were a handful of canned goods, drinks, and snacks that should keep them fed for a while.

    They made their way outside to the docking bay where all the ships had been cleared out, except for a TIE bomber that was stripped down of most of it's two wings and outer shell.

    "It's communication systems are still intact," Katin informed her from the pilot's cockpit, while she sat in the bomber's.

    "Yeah, but it looks like it's power cells were taken out to." Nothing was working. "We have no way of getting in touch with the Alliance, other than the homing beacon, which isn't long range."

    "Hey, we'll figure something out," he assured her with such confidence. "Just earlier today we weren't sure if we would even be able to step in here. Now we have the run of the whole place."

    She smiled, seeing the reason for his confidence. Yes, they would make it out of this. They would find a way to get power, and make contact with their friends. She looked up at the fighter's ceiling, and beyond into space, where the Revel Alliance fleet might be moving against the Empire right now. Whatever was happening, her prayers were with them.

    ----------

    How did this happen?

    Alaris couldn't believe what he was looking at. The multiple holo images playing in front of him showed the battle over Endor from different points. Only two words came to mind over what had happened.

    Complete disaster.

    He watched as the rebel fleet moved against the incomplete second Death Star, only to be ambushed by Imperial forces, and the surprising attack of the Death's Star's operation super laser. All seemed to be going well; the trap laid out for the rebel terrorists had gone smoothly, and this day would see the end of this war, but instead report came of the shield generating on Endor's forest moon was destroyed, leaving the battle station unprotected.

    Then a few of the Alliance ships made it through a series of tunnels right into the heart of the Death Star. Meanwhile, Lord Vader's super Star Destroyer was crippled and crashed into the surface of the Death Star - the Death Star, which followed it soon after, in an orb of flames and radiation.

    He demanded a report on the status of Lord Vader and the Emperor. Last he knew they were both aboard the Death Star as the battle was taking place, but they couldn't be gone They just couldn't be dead. The idea that they could be gone was . . . unrealistic.

    Their fleet on Endor saw the defeat and they retreated. The day belonged to the Rebel Alliance. Why? How? What he wondered even more dreadfully was what part did his daughter play in all of this?

    Are you celebrating with them on that moon now?

    The idea that his daughter had taken part in the decimation of what should've been the Empire's greatest weapon, and maybe even the deaths of their leader, was heart-wrenching. As well as infuriating.

    Celebrate all you want today. Tomorrow, the war continues.
     
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  9. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Six

    "Anything?'

    Vaila waited a few seconds before shaking her head from the console of the bomber's copilot seat. "No response of any kind."

    She shut down the communications systems as soon as the three minutes were up, no second later. After finding a few discarded power cells in a supply room the day before last, they had been able to configure it to he bomber and relay a signal by the homing beacon from their pack., but only for a limited amount of power, so they agreed that three minutes every three hours would have to do.

    "We'll try in another three hours." Katin waved to follow him out of the bomber. "Come on, let's have some dinner."

    A makeshift kitchen was setup in the hangar, where all the food they had was stacked on several trolleys, as well as two portable stoves that they found in different quarters, and a small table that they carried over from the mess hall.

    As Vaila stirred a pot of hot chocolate, Katin flipped a few slices of dried meat on his stove, and the two whistled a tune in unison. The song was called Calm of the Wilderness, and it was one of the oldest recorded songs in the galaxy. Multiple worlds and species tried to lay claim as its origin, but no one could be sure anymore. The song itself told of a cold winter in the woods that was both fearful, yet also peaceful.

    "There wasn't a single campout we went on where my dad didn't whistle this," Vaila revealed once they finished their encore. "It was our version of a lullaby when we were little."

    "I know, Kaila liked to hum it some nights . . ."

    Suddenly, it seemed like he got a lump in his throat. In all the time since reuniting, they had barely spoken of her sister to any degree, a big part of it being to avoid addressing his relationship with her.

    But Vaila now felt a need to put it all out there. "Was she okay? After I disappeared?"

    He stayed silent, taking a second to drop the meat slices onto their plates. "There was a while there when she didn't smile at all. Eventually, she started acting like her old self."

    "You know she admitted to me that she had crush on you," she revealed setting to warm mugs next to their plates. "I tried getting her to loose interests, but nothing I said made any difference."

    He actually laughed at this. "She is a stubborn one."

    Rolling her eyes, she recalled explaining to her twin sister of how Katin Lerus was a wild party boy who only looked as far ahead as the next night out to a club. That he was on a one way space lane to a black hole. All these warning, though, went through deaf ears. Kaila insisted there was more to Katin than what anybody else knew, which sounded like what Misael would say.

    Looking at him now, Vaila could see that they both turned out to be right. Yet, the irony was that the two sisters' opinion of him had since switched sides. No doubt, Kai was cursing his name whenever the thought of him arose. What about Misael? What would his judgment on them both be if he could see them now, as part of the Rebellion. He was an Imperial to his core, but still a good person. Yet, that's what Vaila had also said about her entire family and flock off friends, who were still saluting to the Emperor, even after all the travesties committed.

    Travesties that some of them had committed themselves, especially her father. Strangely, Vaila found herself a little grateful that Misael was gone, and she would never have to know what side he would've ultimately chosen. For all she knew, he had already bared witness to the evil behind the veil, and only came to justify all the Empire's action, just like hers and Katin's families. Better she remembered the Misael she had known before he put on the armor.

    "Let's eat," Katin announced.

    So they took their seats, and had their meal, as if they were two ordinary people, having an ordinary night.

    Then the united howls came echoing into the hangar and they both stared at each other, with pieces of meat stuffed in both of their mouths. So they both jumped off their seats and rushed over to the barricade they had made at the opened hangar, out of whatever wasn't attached to the walls or floors, containers, tables, chairs.

    "That was loud," Vaila said once she managed to swallow all of her food. "Louder than the other times. They're close."

    "We figured they were probably tracking us."

    They had heard the united howls from the pack before, but always in the distance. Now, though, they had finally made their way to the mining facility. It made sense. From their days up in the mountain, it was clear that food was scarce, so once this pack caught the scent of two large and edible pieces of meat they would follow it as far as they had to so that they could finally have a good meal. So prepared themselves for a fight.

    "How many do you figure?"

    Katin took a moment to count in his head. "I heard maybe, four or five."

    She pulled out her blaster. "Let's hope they come charging at us in a straight line, then."

    "If only."

    They stood at positions behind the barricade, blasters aimed and ready, eyes fixed on the darkening lands beyond the hangar doors. A long time of waiting followed. Neither spoke much, nor did they turn their gazes away from the opened hangar.

    "Maybe we should've put out some treats," Katin remarked. She didn't laugh, but did smile-

    -the smile dropped as soon as she saw a large figure appear from the darkness, moving towards them, fast. "Wait for it," she instructed Katin. "Wait for it." It soon came close enough that she could see its eyes. The wolf was big, bigger than them, dark brown coat, tall ears, and bright green eyes that were noticeable even in pitch black.

    "NOW!"

    They both fired. One shot hit it, dead in the head, but it kept coming. Another made its mark, but it kept coming. The third slowed it down. It stumbled on the fourth, and the fifth finally did the job. It tumbled forward, rolling across the ground, until finally stopping just a few steps away from the hangar doorway.

    She looked over to Katin, who was still holding his breath. "That's on - VAILA, BEHIND YOU!""

    He darted his blaster over to her direction firing several shots that went over the barricade, hitting another wolf that was coming in her direction. It stumbled away, trying to shake off the multiple shots, breaking open the barricade, sending the unmatched pieces all over. Vaila had to jump away to avoid being hit by the wave. Form the floor, she looked back to Katin and see that another one was now standing over him, on top of the barricade. He barely jumped away in time to avoid being snatched up in its mouth.

    Vaila took a shot that hit one of its eyes. As it fell back, though, another took its place. Combing his hand around the floor, Katin got a hold of the makeshift grenade that they had cooked together from the cleaning supplies they had put together. The wolf must've sensed, maybe even smelled what it was, because it turned away as soon as he threw the grenade. Vaila turned away to avoid being blinded by the explosion. The wolf's cry told her that the bomb did some damage.

    At this same time, the one Katin had saved her from was coming over the barricade. She fired, but it ran across the hangar, dodging her shots, disappearing into the other side of the hangar. She spared a moment to look back to Katin, who was now lighting up the top of a pole where a soaked rag was tied on. With his torch he held off the oncoming wolf that was now half blinded, thanks to her.

    For a moment, her instinct was to help him, but he had his beast to deal with, and she had hers - who was already coming back around, towards her. It was moving fast. She fired, but with every shot it only jumped away, but continued to advance towards her. So as it was a moment away from engulfing her under its pair of sharp fangs, she pulled out the blade holstered from her waist. Cut up from a long piece of discarded metal after hours of work. Vaila stepped to the side, and swung the blade as it passed.

    She could feel a splatter if warm blood spill onto her face, but she could handle that on its. The smell was a different story. She turned back to see the wolf, now cut open from the neck, already leaving a pool of blood beneath it.

    A loud scream got her attention. It looked like Katin had pulled the same move, only with his torch, because his wolf was now tossing itself around, madly, trying to shake away the flames engulfing its head. When it crashed into the remains of the TIE bomber, it finally settled down into a long and painful whimper that made her feel sorry for it.

    That's nature. Her father would say. Don't waste your empathy on something that won't do the same. She couldn't help it. If it felt pain, then maybe it felt more.

    Once the cries had died, and she and Katin were the only ones left breathing, they finally walked up to each other to look around at the carnage of their own doing. Of all the battles they had been in with the Empire, this was the first up close and personal fight where they saw the real blood shed. She wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight, that was for sure.

    "Do you want get the mop," he asked her, "or should I leave the skinning of their meat to you?"

    She already knew the answer, seeing as how he knew nothing about skinning an animal.
     
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  10. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Seven

    With days following the battle on Endor, madness seemed to have spread across the galaxy, like a hyperspace wave scattering in all directions. No sooner had confirmation reached them on Coruscant of not only the Emperor's death, but also Lord Vader, Admiral Piett, and other senior officers in the battle, that the news reached all over.

    Reports came in from Naboo, Bespin, and dozens of other systems that celebrations had erupted when learning the Empire's horrid defeat and losses. Celebrations!

    Some of which took place right here in the capital. Monument Plant became the center of one of these disgraceful celebrations. Statues commemorating Emperor Palpatine had been pulled down, and when local police and stormtrooper forces had been dispensed to bring order, a full blown riot broke out.

    Even as the days passed there were still reports coming in of numerous parades and festivities breaking out in various districts and levels of the planet. Even worse, open confrontations with Imperial troops were occurring by the dozens. A few troop stations in the Federal District were even raided, with their armories completely cleaned out.

    Coruscant is on the verge of civil war.

    From his desk, Alaris was reading the latest reports from all high ranking officers that remained. Admiral Sloan took command of what remained of the fleet on Endor and retreated to the Annaj system. Other admirals were holding their smaller forces together, but their were already a few who seemed to be refusing to respond, suggestion desertion.

    Even worse, the Imperial Ruling Council was remaining silent so far. They had elected to stay locked up in order to organize the Empire's next plan of attack, but Alaris suspected they were stalling because they had no plan of attack, whatsoever.

    Intelligence was also reporting of certain governors laying claim to systems under their care. There was now a near complete lack of command stability. More and more Imperial leaders were trying to stake a claim for power for their own satisfaction rather than how they would all better serve the Empire.

    It seemed that as soon as their Emperor was lost to them, so was their discipline and sense of order.

    "Father." Kaila waked in, in full ensign uniform, nothing but resolve in her face. "What's our next step, today?"

    "Are you sure you're ready to step in?"

    She eyed him with a hint of resentment for being handled with kid gloves. "I've been cleared by the med droid, and we can't afford to spare a single able-body, Admiral Mosney."

    Her tone at addressing him as a superior officer told him that she wasn't looking for consideration or special treatment, just because she was his daughter. She was ready to serve. That was one child who wasn't letting him down. For the sake of professionalism, he held in a smile.

    A transport was already waiting on their floor's landing platform take them to the academy, where Alaris was to oversee the cadet training.

    "Do you think they were on Endor?" Kaila asked once they were in the air, though she remained standing.

    He didn't need to ask who she meant by they. "Probably. As I understand it, the Rebel Alliance put their entire might into Endor."

    "I hope they both died." Her grip on the support bar she was holding onto over the door tightened. Alairs actually thought he heard it dent a little. "I hope they died horrible deaths, before the tide turned in their favor. I hope she died never knowing that their Rebellion was triumphant."

    He shared the same hope as Kaila - in regards to that slime Lerus - but with Vaila, he would simply be grateful if she was one of the many rebel soldiers to have lost her life since last seeing her. That meant he would never to enforce justice on her himself. Better some random Imperial pilot, or stormtrooper to end her wasted life than to have that burden placed on him. Despite it all, he wouldn't be able to bare having to ever look his eldest daughter in the eyes and see all that she had become under those rebels' influence.

    ----------

    The low beeping of the homing beacon woke them both up from their sleep. Katin was the closest to so he picked up to it a long and close look to make sure this wasn't a dream. That the homing beacon was receiving a response. Behind him, Vaila fell on the floor after taking one step off her cot.

    "Please tell me I'm not imagining this?" she asked once she reached him.

    "If you are, then I am too." He turned his head around to eye her, smiling. "We're getting out of here."

    They rushed outside into the early morning chill to watch as a familiar ship descended down. "t's the Retriever," Vaila announced.

    Also, as expected, Orlac was their rescuer. "So, you two just made yourselves right at home," he remarked as he helped pack things up in the hangar.

    "We were getting ready to build a fireplace," Katin joked.

    It didn't take them long to have everything packed and loaded onto the ship. Katin gave the place one last look around before stepping up the ramp. In truth, he had started getting comfortable here. Even though Vaila wouldn't admit it, she felt the same way.

    "Listen before we make the jump, I should fill you guys in on what you've missed," Orlac said from the pilot's seat.

    What followed was a well detailed play-by-play of the events that had transpired while they had been stranded Yevrah. The discovery of a second Death Star under construction over Endor, the ensuing assault against it. The trap set by the Empire, an alliance with the native Ewoks that resulted in the shield protection the station being disabled. A few rebel ships flying right into the heart of the super weapon and destroying it. Resulting in the Rebel Alliance winning the battle.

    What needed repeating, though, was the news that both Emperor Palpatine, and Darth Vader were also killed in the battle.

    "What does this mean?" Vaila asked once the minute of paralyzing shock passed away. "is the war over?'

    "it felt like it, for a hot minute," he said with a moan. "Sadly, the Empire just doesn't want to die with their ruler. I'd say things have actually gotten worse. Civil wars are breaking out all over. Planets are being blockaded, riots breaking out everyday, left and right."

    "Chaos. Probably even some infighting within the Imperial ranks," Katin suggested to Vaila. They both grew up around enough officers, governors, and generals to know there were plenty of snakes who were trying to make a play for greater power now that Palpatine was dead. There were probably back-stabbings being made every hour.

    Vaila sighed. "We have a camp out for a week, and look what we miss."

    "Sorry, I wasn't able to come for you guys until now." Orlac began keying in something onto the comlink pad. "Things have been hectic, but I come bearing gifts. In the form of an audience."

    On the console's screen, the image of General Crix Nadine came on, "Commander Mosney and Lieutenant Lerus. Welcome back to the war. I hope your time on Yevrah wasn't too troubling."

    "We made the best of our situation, General," Vaila said with sincerity.

    "And thanks for the promotions, I guess," Katin added.

    "It seemed appropriate, sense your newest assignment will give some greater responsibility."

    "Sir?"

    "I assume Commander Orlac has already caught you both up to speed on what ahs transpired as f late." They all nodded. "Good. So in light of these events, certain actions must be required. Coruscant is moving towards civil war. Reports are that what fleet remains is blockading the planet, and our spies there have gone silent. We fresh sets of eyes in the capital, and since the two of you are natives, you're the right people for the jobs."

    "Understood, General." Vaila said, Katin simply nodded.

    "You are to take command the Retriever and make contact with the open resistance movement on the planet. We expect regular reports to us aboard the Liberty of the conditions on Coruscant."

    "Yes, General," they both.

    With a nod, Nadine's image went off.

    "Right into the heart of the Empire." Orlac chuckled. "I do not envy you guys right now."

    "You're not coming?" Vaila asked.

    "Sorry, I have other duties." He stood up, gesturing to the pilot's seat for either one of them to take. "I have a fighter attached below and a new squadron waiting for me."

    "I guess we're all moving up in the galaxy, aren't we?" Katin said grinning.

    After a quick goodbye, Orlac went down to his A-Wing and detached from the Retriever. They watched it jump into lightspeed before Katin took to the pilot's chair and Vaila began setting the coordinates for Coruscant.

    "We're actually going home," she said in a whiff of disbelief. "Talk about a load of surprises. All in just one hour."

    Even though neither of them ever brought up the possibly of maybe getting to go back someday, it certainly crossed both of their minds. Katin's for sure-

    - but not while it was in middle of a civil war. Even worse. Their families were there.

    "Here we go." He pushed the lever, sending them into hyperspace.
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2021
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  11. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    I hope everyone had a wonderful and joyful holiday.

    ----------

    Chapter Twenty-Eight


    Katin had missed Coruscant. He missed the pattern of lights that could be seen from space, sometimes making up their own constellations. He missed the sky scrapers that met with the clouds. The endless stream of speeder traffic webbing through the skies.

    After leaving the capital the year before he came to the acceptance that he might never set foot here again. Which he would've been okay with, because the people whom he missed more than anything from here were all gone. Barten, Aysa, Mak. Just thinking about them all brought back the smell of burning durasteel.

    "Everything seems so normal," Vaila said as they moved towards the one of the open docking bays in the spaceport. "You would think it's business as usual."

    "I'm sure that's how the Empire wants to make it look." It was strange calling it the Empire now that its Emperor was dead. Whenever the he imagined that possible outcome he thought the entire war might end in that very second, that the entire Imperial force would drop weapons and surrender, but those were only the endings of a kid's adventure holo, with everything wrapped in a tiny bow.

    Of course the Empire would continue the fight. There were too many in their ranks who believed in Palpatine's ideology, or who were simply too power hungry to surrender. No doubt, some even grieved for the Emperor as a lost hero, and the Rebel Alliance was being painted as heartless monsters who had now committed the most monstrous of crimes.

    Once they were docked, they stepped out of the Retriever with caution. Both held their breaths as customs officers checked their forged papers, until they were allowed to through. Whatever instability the Empire's hold on the capital was in right now, they could still be recognized by some patrol officer and arrested. Many would argue in a planet of trillions, what were the chances that someone made them, but both of them argued that the more eyes here the bigger the chance of it happening. So they travelled through the dark corners and shadows, avoiding cameras and check points, which had increased significantly in this past year.

    "Are you sure they'll still be here?" Vaila asked once they reached their destination in the mid levels. "They might've been arrested, or disappeared since you left."

    "They wouldn't have needed to," Katin explained. "Barten scrubbed all traces of himself from the HonoNet. No connections can be traced back to them, so the Empire shouldn't know about any of them."

    Vaila looked around the street, keeping her hood as over her face as possible, to make sure no one was around before nodding an okay. So Katin knocked on the door. It took a minute for someone to finally answer. As soon as the door swung opened Katin's throat clogged up. Staring back at him was his dead friend, only twenty-some-odd years older. Barten's father looked worse for wear now. The last time he had seen him, he still had that spark of a young man in him as he jumped into a dance when a song he liked was playing or he pulled Barten's mom into a long and tender kiss.

    Now, he appeared weary, haunted in fact. Losing a child took its toll on a man, after all.

    "Katin." The man said his name as if in a daze, unsure as to what he was speaking.

    "Hi, Mais. It's been a while."

    He blinked a few times, consecutively. Katin could tell that he was trying to work out in his head who he was looking at.

    "Maiso, who is it." Barten's mother, Assandra, stepped into the doorway, and when she saw Katin, her reaction was the same.

    "Can we come in?"

    Assandra peaked outside to see if anyone else was around before nodding and waving them in. Once the door was closed, she scanned them both and covered her opened mouth with both hands. "You're really here."

    He nodded, smiling. Without warning, Assandra pulled him into a hug, twisting him from one way to the other. "But how can you be here? The hangar you and the others were leaving from was blown up. It was al over the news feeds. They said there were no survivors."

    "I wasn't inside when it was shot up. I was the only one that made it." he looked over to Vaila, still hooded. "This is Vaila."

    "Yes, we remember ur boy talking about you," Maiso said. "The admiral's daughter."

    She simply nodded.

    "Let's get away from the door. You ever know who might be listening in." So he waved everyone over to the kitchen. As Assandra boiled them some tea, Maiso sat with them at the table to give them a play-by-play of what was going on Coruscant.

    "As soon as word reached us of the Emperor's death, half the planet started a party like you'd never seen." His joyful smile at remembering this then dropped. "Then the Imperial forces started making arrests, or opening fire on everyone. They tried declaring marshal law, and have secured some of the levels and districts, but from what we're hearing some areas are already in open rebellion."

    Assandra walked over with a tray of steaming mugs. "Everyday we're seeing news reports of riots, fire fights all over. It's basic mayhem."

    "So the capital's at the start of a full-blown civil war," Vaila declared.

    "Then that means we have to get organized." Katin blew on his mug a few times before having a sip. "Are you in contact with any of the resistance cells? Any friends of Barten's?"

    But Assandra shook her head, tearfully. "Everyone we knew was in your inner circle, and they were all killed in that hangar, weren't they?"

    He sighed, nodding. Barten kept his contacts in Coruscant pretty close to the vest. Katin had no way of getting in touch with any of the existing in the capital. So it seemed he and Vaila would have to start their own with just the two of them. Meeting her gaze, he knew she was thinking the same.

    "How's Haf?"

    "Far away from here," Maiso explained. "We lost one son, we weren't going to loose another."

    "We only had enough money to have him smuggled out of the capital," Assandra told them. "This world has felt more like a prison than a home for a long time now."

    "Then we won't make things worse for you by sticking around any longer." Vaila nodded for Katin to follow her outside. Barten's parents walked them to the door.

    "If the two of you came back to start some noises, I must ask you not to draw us into any of it," Maiso said firmly, but sympathetically. They both nodded, and he closed the door on them.

    Vaila sighed. "Just because we won't force them into this fight, it doesn't mean someone else won't."

    "They're trying to hang to whatever bit of peace they can have," Katin reasoned.

    So they started walking, but not back the way they came, back to the Retriever. With their only contact in the capital of no use, they had no plan of any kind. No strategy. They weren't off to a good start on this mission.

    "All we need is to make contact with any groups that's raising arms against the Empire," Vaila said. "If things are getting as heated here as they said, it shouldn't be too hard."

    "Then we stay vigilant. Keep ours eyes and ears out."

    From above they heard the distant cries of gun fire. They looked up at the clear skies where a few speeders were being pursued by patrols speeders, trading laser fire.

    "We may have missed the fight on Endor, but this war isn't ending anytime soon," Katin deduced.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2018
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  12. Thorn058

    Thorn058 Jedi Master star 3

    Registered:
    Jul 28, 2008
    I just stopped reading after your prologue to comment. Excellent start and great way to tie in Rogue One. I will try and leave more comments as I read more but great way to catch our attention and pull us in for more.
     
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  13. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Twenty-Nine

    "How did this happen?"

    No one gave him an answer. Instead, they remained where they stood, exchanging fearful expressions or staring at him shaken.

    So Alaris asked once again, only louder, "HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!"

    "The attack came from down here, Admiral," one of the communications officers explained from his console in the war room. "Reports are coming in from Nima base in the Orange District. They were attacked."

    Alaris, let out a slow, controlled, sigh of frustration. He and several lieutenants were surrounding a projector that showed one of their Star Destroyers, Remnant, currently stationed over the capital as part of the blockade. Only minutes ago, it was the recipient of a surprise attack of heavy laser fire. The live feed showed numerous breaches to the lower hull, as well as a large chip on the bow. As well a crater on the command tower, where the bridge used to be.

    Because a significant part of the Imperial fleet protecting the capital had been pulled away prior to Endor, the blockade had been pulled in tighter around the planet, using what Destroyers were left, as well as ISB ships. Some, like the Remnant, were hovering barely above atmosphere, making them easier targets for this kind of ground assault.

    In the two months since their defeat on Endor, no reinforcement had come to them. They were left to make due with what they had. Local law enforcements were working around the clock, patrolling the streets. The ISB was using all available manpower to hunt down the resistance cells popping up left and right.

    Yet, chaos was ensuing from all corners. Some districts, like the Federal and Verity remained secured and stable, but others were enduring constant riots and fire fights between Imperial and Rebel forces.

    And now, one of their few handful of remaining Star Destroyers had been heavily damaged, and with their means of repair cut off all they could do was bandage the cuts and limp on.

    "More reports coming in, Admiral," the same officer announced. "During the fight, several Rebel fighters commandeered the base's turbo laser cannons and fired on the Remnant. They were killed minutes later, and the remaining enemy forces have retreated, but our men in the base have suffered heavy losses, as well."

    The Nima base - while not one of their more strongly manned or secured of locations - should've been able to fight off an attack from any small group of untrained civilian idiots. Their forces and fire power couldn't have been of equal standing if they had ultimately been driven away.

    The only excuse for this could be absolute incompetence by those in charge.

    "Is Nima's commanding officer still alive?"

    "Yes, Admiral. He's the one who just reported the update to me."

    "Instruct him to report back to me, here, immediately," he ordered calmly, while resisting the urge to look down at, or set his hand on, his holstered blaster on his belt. Not just yet.

    Another image came to life next to the one of the Remnant. This one of its captain, Olisier, whom Alaris knew for many years.

    "Condition of your ship, Captain."

    "Twenty-Four sectors breached and sealed off, Admiral." His voice and face were of shock and exasperation, understandably. "Complete loss of my personnel within the bridge."

    "How fortunate that you were not present there, during the attack, Captain."

    "Yes, sir. Complete number of losses are still being counted at this moment."

    By the number of breaches and examination of damage to the ship, they were looking at an estimated death toll of hundreds. Wasteful. Especially with their limited manpower. In time, though, they would all be avenged, along with their Emperor.

    "Dismissed, Captain." They exchanged salutes and the feed died.

    A minute later, Kaila stepped into the war room, datapad in hand. "Admiral Mosney."

    "Yes, Lieutenant."

    "I was at my station, receiving data reports from Nima base when I caught something on the security feeds you'll want to see."

    She handed him the datapad, which showed a paused video image of a corridor with a laser bolt in midair. He took the video off pause, and so the bolt resumed its course going off screen. Three stormtroopers stepped into view, shooting down the corridor while being met with counter fire.

    One was shot down so the other two fell back out of view. The shots against them intensified as several of their attackers came to view, two of whom Alaris immediately became fixed on:

    "Vaila," he said in a calm fashion, her name hovering in the air for moment after he said it. "Katin."

    While keeping her demeanor, there was a tingle of gleam in his second daughter's voice when she said, "They're back."

    ----------

    One would think that being in the middle of a fire fight, while also sitting in the back of a speeder bike as the driver moved them at high speed, leaving her to exchange shots with the pursuing stormtroopers, your biggest concern would be avoiding getting shot down or crashing – but instead, for Vaila, it was keeping her hair from blocking her view.

    Note to self: keep hair tied back, or cut it short.

    "We're about to drop!" Katin warned over the screaming wind and laser shots.

    For a moment, as they dropped over the edge of the level they had been on she lost sight of the five troopers chasing them on their own speeder bikes. Their three surviving members of the raid were still on their opposite sides with the two other speeder bikes they commandeered when retreating from the failed takeover.

    Their intel the base's personnel had been bad. Because of the stretched numbers in the capital they had been led to believe that the base had lost half its numbers. Instead they were met with an opposition that they couldn't hope to overrun, forcing them to abandon their initial mission of raiding the armory and supplies before reinforcements arrived to take back the base.

    The secondary objective of taking control of the base's turbo laser cannons and shooting down the Star Destroyer parked directly over the base was a success, though only to a degree. The team that commandeered the cannons were presumably killed, along with the rest of the raiding team. They looked t be all that was left.

    All in all, not the best of days since coming back home.

    They leveled back and aimed for the opening to a tunnel, with the troopers remaining on their tail. Vaila eyed one and fired off a few shots, seemingly grazing him, but not enough to slow him down even just a little.

    "Hold on tight!" Katin told her, so she turned away from their pursuers and wrapped both arms back around him.

    The tunnel took a number of twists and turns, along with maneuvering through the traffic. To her relief, the troopers finally seemed to fall behind. Once the tunnel exit appeared dead ahead, she felt like she could breathe-

    -only to have that breath get lodged in her throat when an Imperial patrol transport hovered down right in front of the tunnel exit. "LOOK OUT!" she yelled to their two friends on the leading speeder bike, pointlessly, to her horror. As they were unable to divert away, colliding into the transport's nose.

    Katin dropped them down with a mad last-second spin that made Vaila's stomach twist into a knot. Their one remaining teammate managed to avoid crashing into the transport as well, thankfully, but the transport gave immediate chase, firing on them once it got a lock.

    "No way I'll be able to shoot that thing down!"

    "You won't have to!" Katin assured her. "Just hang on."

    They continued in a steady drop down into the mid levels while avoiding cannon fire that wound up making its way to innocent bystander ships and vehicles in the air lanes.

    "We need to move away from traffic!" Vaila insisted.

    So they moved into the more densely populated neighborhood, cutting through empty catwalks and alleyways. The patrol transport and speeder bikes remained on their tails, firing shots that they were barely able to avoid. She could feel the heat of every near miss and smell the faint smoke from her clothes, even in the piercing wind. They weren't going to last must longer in this chase.

    Thankfully, they didn't have to. "We're here!" Katin announced.

    As soon as they passed a long catwalk overlooking several buildings, their pursuers were fired upon by several vehicles of various types, but all retrofitted with blaster cannons strong enough to blow two of the speeder bikes into debris, and deliver some damage to the transport. Katin made a turn around as he halted their speeder bike. They watched as the patrol transport initially tried to return fire, but soon gave up and pulled back, as did the remaining speeder bikes.

    They waved down to their saviors in gratitude. "Do you think they realized they were chasing us into Rebel occupied territory?" Vaila wondered.

    "Maybe they were desperate enough to take us out to not care."

    "You know we just set foot in an Imperial complex?'

    "Right."

    "There were cameras."

    "Exactly."

    "There's no way our families won't know we're back on Coruscant now."

    "Should we go see if the welcome home banners have been put up yet?" Katin asked without any actual interest in the idea.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2018
    AzureAngel2 likes this.
  14. AzureAngel2

    AzureAngel2 Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Jun 14, 2005
    I am so sorry that I have not found this wonderful story before today. When you started your story in January 2017 my life started to fall apart bit by bit. I had to question a lot of things, like two of your main characters.

    What I like about your plot is that two young people show morals and reason while the state & their families don´t. It is a hard and a lonely road, but they follow their hearts. Well done!
     
  15. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty

    Standing with her arms crossed as she watched the live newsfeed on a large screen, Vaila let out a snarl. "Well, so much for a peaceful resolution to this war."

    Nearby, Katin was standing at the head-positioned window holding a pair of binoculars over his eyes. "Hey, I said it when this peace meeting was announced. It was a trap, no question. For all her talents and leadership skills, she made a stupid call."

    "Say that to her face if you ever meet her." Vaila grinned imagining him walking away from the new Republic Chancellor with all the blood having left his face. "It was a risk worth taking if it meant finally ending this war."

    "Yet it continues." Neither looked over to each as they talked. Vaila continued to watch the play-by-play footage of the group of liberated prisoners of Ashmead's Lock opening fire on Mothma and other New Republic officials. Early reports indicated that the former prisoners were under some kind of Imperial mind control, so she hoped they were all being treated as victims rather than enemies.

    "I see Kiera," Katin then alerted her, finally pulling her away from the news report.

    She walked to Katin, who handed her the binoculars. She zoomed them out to get a clear view of the entire building, where their families' apartments were. This was the closest she had been to her former home since running away four years before - but it might as well have been a lifetime ago.

    The building had been well secured all her life, since it housed nothing but military families, but now it had all been kicked up a notch; reinforcement paneling at certain points. Cannon turrets in every ten floors, patrol ships regularly passing by, and security personnel marching up and down corridors. It looked more like a military base now rather than a home.

    Refocusing the binoculars to a single floor, Vaila worked her way across the windows until she came onto the one to her family's, showing the living room, where Kiera was sitting on the floor shaking a container in both hands, then opening the lid, letting four pieces of dice drop to the floor.

    Vaila began crying. "She's playing quaf."

    "I was never any good at that."

    Taking in a stuttering breath, she explained, "We played that game together all the time. Only with each other. It was our game."

    "Maybe she keeps playing it to remember you," Katin suggested.

    That was a nice thought. She wished she could ask her, but there was a good chance that Kiera's reaction to seeing her would be turning her into custody. They were taking a big enough risk, spying on the building, in a district that was under Imperial control. While the intelligence gathering was determined important enough to take that chance, both she and Katin were also driven by the need to see their families again, even if it was from a distance.

    "She's so grown up. No more pigtails." She was also a lot taller, and her chest was no longer flat like she remembered. Vaila was looking at a teenager now rather than a little girl. How much had the others grown in these last few years since she had left? Alaris Jr. was seven now, so he had probably sprouted a bit too. Just another price that Vaila paid for following her conscience.

    "I saw Aeryn an hour ago with some girl," Katin told her as he took back the binoculars. "Things look pretty cozy between them. So much for never caring to settle down."

    For a moment, Vaila thought she saw a flickering smile pass through Katin's lips. A smile that showed him getting more than a little laugh out of his brother's romantic entanglements. "Do you miss them?"

    Looking down from the binoculars, he seemed to be mulling the right words around in his mouth. "Sometimes. maybe in the smallest, general ways a person can miss a family that, for the most part, was judgmental, cold, and emotionally distant."

    "There must've been moments that were good between all of you."

    "Sure, but that's all they ever amounted to. Moments. Nothing I could live off of long enough until the next one came around."

    It sometimes felt odd to think Vaila could say the opposite. So many wonderful memories of her family stilled came to her when she thought about them. Many would ask how that was possible when that family believed in the Empire's ideals right to their core. How could they be bad people, but still be a good family? Those who were a part of the Empire were supposed to be evil. Yet if one looked so many random moments with them, they would see only a loving family.

    What was evil supposed to be if not absolute?

    Still, all those happy moments became drowned in the horrors that the Empire was committing and that Vaila's parents either took part in, or supported. To stay by their side would've meant shutting down her conscious for the rest of her life, and she knew that this would've been something she could never do, not even for the people she loved.

    "What is that?" Katin asked in panic.

    "What is it?"

    He handed her the binoculars again. "It's heading towards the building - fast."

    She quickly spotted it as it was moving outside of the traffic lanes and patrol routes. A heavy speeder moving directly towards the building, impressive evading the defensive fire from several turrets from the building. Then, just before it seemed it would crash into the protective shield, it fired a single missile before pulling out of its course. One missile wouldn't do any kind of damage on the shields, though. So what were these people hoping to accomplish?

    Her answer came the next second, as when the missile hit the shield, instead a fiery explosion, a wave of energy pierce through the shield, hitting the building. The shields visibly flickered, and Vaila knew they were now dead. "That was an EMP missile. They took out the shields."

    "And by the looks of it, thirty floors worth of power."

    "Including my family's floor."

    In the living room Kiera was no longer playing her game. Instead, she was at the holo transceiver, checking the security, or rather trying to check them. She was panicked, looking in al directions, clearly uncertain as to what to do.

    Outside the building several speeders broke away from the lanes and fired at the patrol ships. One was shot down almost immediately, and it descended down in a fiery pile of debris, passing close enough to her windows for Kiera to see before it disappeared into the lower levels.

    "This can't be from any of our cells," Katin reasoned.

    No, none of them had the resources for this level of an attack, and there had been zero chatter about it in the network they had helped put together throughout the entire planet. Whichever group was behind this must've kept their plans close to the belt to avoid any challenges from the larger voice of the planetary resistance.

    "This late in the day, who knows how many families are home," Vaila said in worry. "How many kids?"

    She looked for Kiera again, whom she found now ducked under her bed, face down on the floor, shaking. Nobody else seemed to be in the apartment with her. She was all alone, and terrified. Suddenly, every rational thought and common sense she had was overwritten by the instinct to make sure her little sister wasn't harmed.

    "Catch."

    She turned away from the window, and Katin threw a heavy blaster into her arms that he had grabbed from the now opened wall of hidden arsenal. "We're probably going to regret this, but it would be stupid to assume those Imperial troops' top priority will be to protect Kiera."

    Vaila smiled. Either he had read her mind, or he just had the same instinct as her to jump into that inferno for her sister's sake. In any case, she never felt more grateful to have him by her side than right then.
     
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  16. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-One

    Neither of them spoke once leaving their hideout, and made a straight line towards the building within a single minute, with Vaila at the driver's seat. After she practically crashed the speeder onto the roof, Katin had to check if his pants were still dry. Thankfully, they were.

    By the time he was off the speeder she was already halfway to the door, rifle in hand.

    "So, who exactly are we going to be fighting here?" he asked, trying to catch up to her.

    Without turning back or slowing down, she instructed, "If they're shooting at my sister, we're shooting at them."

    "Straight forward enough." They weren't even on the first floor down when running into two storntroopers sprinting up the stairway. "Hey, who-," was all one of them could get out before they were both slid back down to the corner of the stairway with blaster holes in their chests.

    "Something that should probably be addressed is the fact that your sister might not be too happy to see you," he finally thought to point out. "Even if it is to save her life."

    "You don't think that hasn't occurred to me." At the floor to her family's apartment, she stopped at the doorway to peer out into the corridor, then waved him to follow her through. "She can still hate me all she wants for being a traitor. As long as she's alive to do it."

    They could hear shouting and blaster fire from somewhere else on the floor, but they stayed on coarse.

    At the door to her family's apartment Vaila keyed a code on pad that opened the door.

    "How have they not changed the security code since you left?"

    "They did, but I also know the central code. Thank you, Barten."

    A blaster bolt struck a wall down the corridor, and so they wasted no time stepping inside and closing the door behind them.

    Katin followed Vaila to her little sister's room, where Kiera was still huddled under the bed, not well-hidden.

    "Kiera," Vaila called, out of breath.

    The third Mosney sister slowly slid out from under her bed, eyes immediately finding Vaila, her stare giving away nothing but utter shock. The two sisters just stood there for what might've been hours. Eventually, Kiera approached her cautiously, and when she was close enough, she thrust a few consecutive fists into her chest, crying out hysterically.

    "YOU LEFT US!" she bellowed, now crying. "YOU LEFT US, YOU SHRAPPING HAUK!"

    Katin had never heard that kind of language from someone so young, but considering the situation he couldn't really blame the kid for losing her cool like that. He'd be receiving a miracle if Aeryn were to keep his response to seeing him again to a few fowl words and nothing more. For her part, Vaila did nothing to defend herself. She just stood there and took it. No doubt she felt that she deserved it. She deserved her little sister's anger at being abandoned by someone she loved, no matter what her reasons.

    "WHY?!"

    It wasn't until she finally stopped and rested her hands on Vaila's chest did she answer, "I just couldn't be what the Empire was expecting me to be. What Mom and Dad were expecting me to be."

    "I just expected you to be here," Kiera reasoned, her red eyes sealed shut in an attempt to stop the tears. "I just expected you to be my sister."

    "I wish I could've been," Vaila assured her. "I'm sorry for that much, Kiera. I am."

    Shaking her head, the younger Mosney girl nevertheless embraced her, and Vaila began crying herself, kissing Kiera on the side of her head.

    The tender moment was ruined, though, by more blaster fire piercing through the walls. This time, it sounded like it was coming from just outside of the apartment.

    "So, what's our next move?" Katin asked.

    Kiera only now seemed to be noticing him there. She darted back and forth from him to her, with ponder. Vaila took her hand. "We're going to get you somewhere safe."

    At the apartment door, the firefights sounded like it had moved away from corridor outside - for the moment, at least. After opening the door, they waited to see if anyone appeared or fired inside. Katin stepped outside first, checking both directions before waving the others to follow.

    Vaila took the lead into the stairway, while Kiera stayed between them.

    "How many Rebels are in the building?" Kiera asked.

    "Couldn't say," Vaila told her. "We're not part of this attack."

    "You're not?"

    "No, we were just spying on all of you from another building," Katin revealed, receiving a glare from Vaila to watch what he said.

    "Why are we going up?" Despite their heavy-paced sprint up all these flights of stairs, Kiera was not trailing behind, keeping steady breathing that showed she was already in the cusp of a life in service as a soldier. "There aren't any hangars above us."

    "We have a speeder on the roof." Vaila held her hand up when they reached the roof door, stepped outside, looked around, then signaled them over. "It's empty."

    And by empty, this also turned out to mean their speeder, too.

    "How could someone have taken it?" Vaila bellowed in disbelief, holding her head in one gripped hand.

    Katin immediately thought to ask, "Did you leave it running when we got off?"

    Her weaponless hand dropped down, seemingly losing all strength, and despite facing her back, Katin knew Vaila was cursing under her breath. Looking around them, maybe hoping some other solution was going to drop out from the sky, he didn't get the chance to even start putting together an alternative plan when a sudden movement next to him brought his attention back to Vaila-

    -or rather Kiera, who in one jump, came up behind her sister and grabbed the holstered pistol on her waist and jumped back far away enough that neither of them could make a grab for her, or the weapon. Her swiftness and agility in this move was impressive, no question, but not a happy surprise, in any way.

    "Kiera!" Vaila instinctively raised her rifle to meet with the pistol, but stopped herself, instead raising her free hand up. "Don't!"

    "Just shut up!" The wind suddenly picked up and a gust blew into them, Kiera had brushed away the hair being blown into her face. Katin momentarily thought to make a move, but decided against it. This was not a typical situation. This wasn't a fully-grown, trained enemy soldier. This was a kid, and his best friend's sister.

    "Kiera, think about what you're doing?" Vaila told her soothingly.

    "I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm stopping two traitors from kidnapping me."

    "Hey, kiddo, we're not kidnapping you. We're rescuing you," Katin corrected, "Res-cu-ing."

    "Do you think I'm that stupid?" Kiera eye-balled her sister, still red from her soft crying. "Not that you were here to see, but I've had to do a lot of growing up these past few years. We all have.

    "Dad had to sit us down and tell us you had disappeared, but he was doing everything he could to find you and bring you home to us safely. I must've asked him everyday about you for months, but his answer never changed. Then, one day, I finally just stopped asking, because I stopped believing I would ever hear the answer I wanted. I stopped believing that I would ever see you again.

    "Dad was barely home. We would only see him when he was in bed, if we were lucky. Mom went days without talking. Kaila drove herself crazy stepping up to take care of all of us for them, when she should've been putting all of her focus on her academy training." She looked over to Katin. "You saw all of this. You were there to see what we were going through, and you knew what had happened to her. You knew where she was"

    Now Katin found himself wishing he could find a dark corner to shamefully disappear into.

    Vaila moved, not towards Kiera, but rather in front of Katin, between him and her sister, and set a hand on his arm to keep him from stepping away from her cover, which he wanted to do.

    "None of this is his fault. I left. I walked out on the family."

    "But why!" Kiera's hand shook, with the pistol on it, so she put both hands on the handle to steady it back. "Why did you leave? What was so horrible here that you had to runaway?"

    "It wasn't just what was horrible here, but out there. Kiera, the Empire isn't what we were raised to believe it is. It isn't just. It isn't order. Or glorious. It's rotten, right down to its core. Palpatine, Vader, Tarkin, they inspired dominance over those who weren't the strongest or smartest, Worlds that have been scorched, and completely obliterated. Species that have been enslaved. Just because we could do it.

    "I knew that if I stepped into that academy, and pledged myself to a flag that I no longer believed in, I would hate myself for becoming part of the problem in this galaxy. So I left, and eventually I ended up with the Rebellion, because they actually do want the galaxy to be better."

    Kiera nodded down to the building sitting beneath their feet. "And this is better."

    "Believe us, the people behind this attack didn't tell the rest of us about it," Katin explained to her. "Because they knew we wouldn't approved of something this extreme."

    She looked to Vaila, maybe looking for her to backup his claim.

    "It's true, Kiera. The only reason I'm here today is to make sure you're safe. Because you're my sister and I love you. Even if we're on opposite sides of this war, even if you hate me for the rest of our lives. Even if you pull that trigger and shoot us."

    Really, Vaila. You want to just go ahead and give her permission to do that.

    Still, a flicker in the girl's face told him that she wasn't sure about what to do next. If she waited to long to decide, though. somebody else was bound to make their way up here. Maybe the attackers, who would probably take Kiera prisoner, or maybe even kill her if she refused to surrender. Or Imperial troops could appear and kill him and Vaila right on the spot, no hesitation. Something had to be done right now.

    The barrel of Kiera's gun wasn't moving away from their direction. Katin's loose hold on the handle on his rifle was tightening back up. He hated himself for it, but he started to wonder if he would be able to come out from behind Vaila to take a shot, catching her little sister by surprise. A shot to the shoulder would put her down without-

    -and then she fired.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2018
    Flyboy240 likes this.
  17. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Two

    The blue bolt blinded Vaila, freezing in a moment where she was looking at the abyss in all its infinity. She wasn't even really standing on that roof, behind Katin, as the bolt zoomed passed them. A yell from behind finally brought her back into her body, and she turned around to see a stromtrooper on the floor, a blaster wound on his shoulder. He raised his own gun, but Katin was quick to finish him off before he could get off a shot.

    Vaila went over to her sister, who was in shock, blaster still held firmly in her hands until she reclaimed it for herself. "It's okay."

    "I saw him . . . and he was about to shoot you," she explained in a tremble. "I didn't even think. I just fired."

    "Hey, are you okay?" She took Kiera's face in her hands. Even her eyes were shaking. "Are you with me?"

    She nodded.

    "Well, this escape plan is a bust," Katin proclaimed. :I say our best bet now is the hangar."

    Vaila nodded, sliding her hand down to take Kiera's. "Let's go."

    She pulled her sister along back inside, into the stairway. They could hear blaster fire echoing from far down below, and even a few shots reaching all the way to the top, causing Kiera to shriek.

    "What will you do with me when we make it out?" she asked her older sister. Vaila noticed the bit of fear in her question, as one would hear from a newly captured prisoner of war, and Vaila did that to her. Now she was feeling like the villain today. How could she not be if she was forcing a child to go somewhere she didn't want to go? Even if Vaila sincerely believed that her sister was better off with her than with their family?

    "As so as we're clear of the building, we'll drop you off somewhere for Mom and Dad to find you," she promised her. "If that's what you really want."

    Kiera seemed t be genuinely debating this in silent, but her train of thought was disrupted by a blaster bolt hitting the stairs directly above them. Vaila pinned Kiera to the wall, then looked over the railing to see several stormtroopers maybe ten floors below. "You three, freeze!"

    Both she and Katin fired back, but made no hits.

    "We're blocked." Katiin opened the door to floor they were, checking the corridor before signaling them to follow.

    "The hangar is fifteen floors down. We just need to take the other stairway," Vaila suggested.

    "What if there are troops there, too?" Kiera asked.

    Katin and Vaila eyed each other, searching for an alternative in the other's expressions. The futile exchange was interrupted when a crash came from somewhere close by that could only be from a vehicle crashing into the building.

    Without any inspiration, an idea popped into Vaila's min, "The garbage chute."

    She took the lead into another corridor where they found the door to the chute. "Are sure about this?" Katin asked.

    She peaked her in, and caught the faint hint of odor. "It's big enough that we can fit through, but small enough that we can hold ourselves steady and ease our way down."

    Katin nodded and strapped his rifle onto his back. "Then let's go."

    "You first, then you Kiera."

    She nodded, and didn't hesitate to jump into the chute once Katin was inside, arms and legs pushed firmly into the chute walls. To vaila's pride, Kiera manage to hold her weight inside as she lowered herself down, bit-by-bit. No one could say their family didn't teach capable kids. The smell aside, Vaila quickly made a heavy sweat, fighting the pull of gravity.

    "So, are you two dating now?"

    "No," Katin answered for them both, utter shocked at the question.

    "It's just before you both left, I figured you would end up together."

    "So much for your keen prediction skills," Vaila remarked between steady breaths.

    Kiera shrieked, and Vaila heard her loose her hold against the chute, skidding down, until Katin's whale ended it. She managed to angle her body to the side enough that she could look down and see that he had indeed caught her sister while keeping himself still, despite the extra weight.

    "You sure fool people with this little frame of yours," he groaned. "I feel like I'm holding up a full-sized Wookiee."

    Once Kiera got her footing back against the wall and was holding herself up again, Katin let out a moan of relief before continuing the rest of the way down. "We're here."

    As soon as Vaila swung herself through the door out of the chute, she felt like giving her arms and legs a day long massage, which would have to wait. They rushes through the next door into a grand hangar where a ship was just taking off, leaving only two transports for them to pick from: a small, two-seat speeder, and a civilian shuttle.

    "Kiera's too big to sit on someone's lap now, so we're going to have to steal the shuttle," Katin proclaimed.

    A sudden rocking of the hangar caused them all to loose their balance. Vaila had to use her rifle to keep herself from falling to floor. Once the rocking stopped, all three looked to each other in panic.

    "I'm pretty sure I heard an explosion somewhere just before the shaking."

    Vaila had heard it too. Somewhere beneath them, distant but powerful. "I think they're trying to bring the building down. We need to go, now."

    "You said you'd leave me somewhere for Mom and Dad to find me, right?" Kiera asked as they approached the shuttle.

    "Yes, if that's what you really want." Although a part of Vaila was disappointed to hear that this was the case. It would've meant something to have at least one member of her family back in her life, but just because Kiera wasn't willing to let her be taken prisoner or killed, it didn't mean she was going to stop being loyal to the Empire, and their parents.

    Kiera took her hand, placing a small holo projector on its palm. "Mom and Dad got rid of every reminder we had of you after finding out where you went, but I hung onto this." She wrapped her sister's fingers around it, fighting back tears.

    She tucked it into one of her pockets. "I'm so sorry that our family is broken apart like this."

    "Vaila, if-"

    "You three! Stay where you are!"

    From one of the hangar entrances, a an in an imperial uniform was marching in, followed by a squad of troopers, weapons raised."

    "Go!" Vaila shoved Kiera towards the shuttle, that Katin was already stepping into, as another shake occurred - this one a lot worse.

    To her benefit, the squadron that was about to fire on them lost their focus on her so that they could keep their footing. Before any of them could put their attention back on her, she had her rifle raised and got a few shot into, putting down two stormtroopers.

    Once they finally began firing back, she ducked behind a large container/ She looked back towards Kiera, grateful to see her running up the ramp, then continued in the fire fight, which she quickly became overwhelmed in. She couldn't get a clear on any of them, and they were begin to close in on her.

    Thankfully, the shuttle's engines soon came to life , and Kiera reappeared at the ramp. "Come on!"

    She jumped out of her cover, dashing for the ramp with her speed -

    - but a bolt still found its way to her leg, sending her tumbling down to the floor. Her rifle slid across the floor, out of her reach, leaving Vaila a sitting duck.

    Then came another shake, but persisted, t instead of ending, and to Vaila's horror the floor around her cracked apart like an egg shell.

    "The building's coming down!" one of the stormtroopers yelled. The officer leading aimed his pistol at Vaila, clearly bent on having this one last kill before they all perished, but the ceiling above them began collapsing, and a large piece of permacrete crushed him before he could pull the trigger. Half the squadron was also hit by falling debris, and the few remaining retreated, forgetting all about their target.

    Vaila began making an effort to stand, despite her shot leg, but then a pair of hands picked her up by the shoulders. "Kiera, what the shrap are you thinking?"

    "That I need to save my sister, again."

    Vaila tried to put some weight on her injured leg, only to be rewarded with burning pain, so she had to allow her baby sister to be a crutch into the shuttle.

    The floor directly beneath then broke apart, collapsing into the growing abyss below, and for a moment, the shuttle looked to be following, almost completely disappearing into the new hole, but then rose back up. Vaila was sure her heart had stopped in the single moment at the thought Katin being lost.

    They reached the edge, where they could the hundreds of floors beneath them quickly breaking down and collapsing. The shuttle ramp was dead ahead, hovering in the air, but it wouldn't be if it remained in this hangar any longer than the next few seconds. The only problem was that with Vails's bad leg, she wouldn't make the jump. She knew this. It was over for her.

    "Kiera! Jump!" she insisted to her sister. "Jump! Now!"

    She nodded and locked onto he ramp, getting into a stance-

    -and then took her older sister by the waist and pushing off the ledge.

    Instinctively grabbing onto the ramp's support bar, she spun around it, getting to look back at her sister as the rest of the hangar floor went down, taking her with it.

    The shuttle shot out of the hangar in that same instant, just barely avoiding the falling debris that would've pushed it down with the them. As the shuttle cleared away from the building, Vaila got a better view of the entire thing breaking down into the lower levels, and raising a mountain cloud in its place.

    In all this, Vaila couldn't hear her own voice, but she knew she was screaming.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2018
  18. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Three

    When a lieutenant ran into the private meeting between the admirals and grand moffs. Alaris' first instinct was to remind the subordinate of proper protocol for interrupting a war conference, but when he blurted out that there had been an attack on one of the military residential building, everyone in the room instantly decided to forego the scolding of the young man.

    He opened a channel to the news feeds in the transceiver at the center of the table, projecting the image of a building that Alaris immediately recognized as his home. Various vehicles were in the midst of aerial duels with patrol transports, while blaster fire could be seen being fired from the windows of various floors all over the complex.

    Without a word, he marched out oft he conference, never even hearing the calls from the others.

    Kaila was on duty at a checkpoint, and Elva had taken all the other kids to a park for the afternoon - except for Kiera. Like most days now, she wasn't keen on doing much in family activities. Whenever Alaris would see her now, she would be playing that dice game that she and her older sister used to play with each other, and no one else. Now she was there alone, and who knew what those rebel scum would do to any children whom they captured in the building.

    He commandeered the nearest vessel he saw in the hangar and flew home, ignored the designated traffic lanes-

    -only once he arrived, what used to be his family's home had been reduced to a mountain of rubble mere seconds before his arrival. He stared at the cloud dust, in horror, for what might've been the rest of the day. At some point, he made contact with Elva and Kaila, confirming they and the other kids were okay, but the same couldn't be said for Kiera.

    The building's security feeds were taken out by the EMP missile on a handful of floors, but those that remained active simultaneously sent their recordings to the Security Bureau archives up until the point they were destroyed when the building went down.

    Footage of one of the stairways showed his eldest daughter, and that Lerus boy rushing down the floors. Of course they were part of the attack. Perhaps they even masterminded it, having grown up in the building, they would know it better than anyone. They were determined to erase every trace of their upbringing. Had they hoped that their entire families would be inside when the building went down? Was the goal of this demolishment to eradicate their bloodline in the name their rebellion?

    But the recording then cut to ten minutes later, when they were racing back up the same stairway, only now Kiera was with them. Although not restrained or having a weapon pointed at her, they must've nonetheless taken her against her will. For what purpose? A bargaining chip maybe? This idea infuriated him even more. If he could see his reflection right now he would see a boiled red face.

    Just when he thought his daughter couldn't fall any further down. Vaila no longer had any regard for those who loved her. So be it then. That was her choice. So Alaris would proceed according. He would find and save Kiera/

    Then he would enact justice towards Katin Lerus, and Vaila. One way, or another.

    You did this to yourself, my daughter.

    ----------

    Stroking her bare leg, on the spot where the blaster bolt hit her, Vaila could still feel a burning sensation, despite a month having passed now, and a few bacta patches had completely healed the wound, leaving nothing but a light pink dot.

    If I had just been able to avoid getting shot, Kiera wouldn't have come back for me.

    It was supposed to have been her job to keep her safe. She was the big sister. But instead, Kiera ended up having to save her, and she had lost her life for it.

    In the days that followed, Vaila wasn't much for talking, unless it was to discuss the attack, and the people responsible for it. In the weeks that followed, there was no other mission for her other than tracking down every single person that had anything to do with the attack on the building. From the orchestrators up top to the grunt followers.

    Once they realized that both Imperial forces and the larger resistance movement was looking for them, these people went underground, hiding the deepest, darkest corners on Coruscant. Not that Vaila didn't search every single one of these places, dragging them out into the light and delivering them to newly assembled justice council formed on a count of their very actions.

    It had been widely agreed within most rebel cells that the attack and demolishment of the residential building, and the civilian families, had been a cold and monstrous act that couldn't be waved away. Of the tens of thousands of spouses, parents, and children that had lived there, several hundred of them were still unaccounted for, along with all Imperial servicemen and women. Yet were undoubtedly buried in that rubble that salvage droid were still digging through.

    Imperial news feeds were using this as an example of which to prove what the Rebel Alliance, as a whole, stood for in this war, and Vaila found herself wondering this herself. Katin had to remind her that the Alliance's high command would've never sanctioned this sort of attack. The fault lay completely on the people who orchestrated this attack, without the approval of the larger Alliance forces. So they both got to work on bringing them all to justice.

    Now the day finally came for that justice to be delivered.

    Vaila pulled the sleeve of her pants back down her leg and stood up from the wall that she had been leaning against. She had needed a minute to collect herself before walking into a grand theatre room where hundreds were gathered. Vaila went back to her seat, next to Katin, just a few rows away from the stage were a few dozen people lined up in three rows, for everyone to be able to see.

    The trial had commenced early in the morning, with evidence laid out in spades: an obtained readout of the building's schematics and key architectural weaknesses, witness testimonies from people involved in the attack that would receive leniency in exchange. Something Vaila wasn't too happy about, but would have to make peace with. Now the deliberating was done, a sentence was about to be carried out.

    At the front row of the theatre, the justice council sat. One spoke with a magnified voice for all to hear, "Before your sentences are carried out, is anything that any of you would like to say?"

    At first, no one stepped up, which angered Vaila. For the most part, this entire group had stayed silent during the whole trial, only speaking when acknowledging the specific actions that they each partook in the attack.

    Then Thadeas Ros stepped forward from the line. The leader of the attack who spearheaded the entire thing. Early on in the hunt these people, it had been discovered that the idea to attack the residential building was his. He put together the team. Laid out the plan. Even placed one of the bombs that helped bring don the entire building.

    A droid hovered down directly in front of him. The entire trial was being recorded and would be broadcasted on the HoloNet, for to see, and show that the Rebel Alliance would not stand of the slaughter of innocent civilians. Vaila doubted the people on the Imperial side would be moved, but it needed to be shown anyone who believed in the Alliance, and the newly born Republic that they were the better regime. That actions like this would not go unanswered.

    "I . . . make no apologies for my action that day." A small uproar of disapproval from the audience was given in response. Vaila could feel her hand slightly slipping towards her holstered blaster, but her other hand was taken by Katin, giving her the strength to calm herself. " The families that lives in that building while maybe had taken no part in this war, nor any part in the Empire's crimes against the galaxy, were still guilty pledging loyalty to the imperial flag and cheering for our deaths and the continued rule of the Emperor. Children, who would have, no doubt, grown up to wear the uniform, stormtrooper armor, and committed any horrendous that the Empire commanded of them. If the Empire is to be defeated, once in for all, then we must tear out the seeds before they have a chance to sprout. So that is what I did. What we did. Death to the Empire, and all who salute to it!"

    An even greater uproar of berating meet his speech. this one took a few minutes to be quieted down so that Justice Council could speak again. Vaila remained still and quiet through it all, her hold on Katin's hand tightening.

    "If you have nothing else to say then we will proceed: For the crimes of attack and deaths of hundreds of civilians, all present defendants are sentenced to life imprisonment. May the Force have mercy on all your souls."

    An unified applause took over the theatre. Armed men then proceeded to lead Ros and his people off the stage. A temporary prison had been put together not far from here, in the mid levels. Once the war was over, and Coruscant was under Republic control, a more permanent arrangement would be made for them.

    In the midst of all the cheers of approval over the sentence, Vaila began to cry.

    "Come on," Katin said to her. "Let's get out of here."

    So they left the theatre, his arm wrapped around her. Her head rested on his shoulder.
     
  19. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Four

    At first glance, many believed Endor to mark the end of the war. It certainly seemed that way, in the moment, not that Katin or Vaila had been there in that moment; but from what they'd heard there had been a big celebration on the forest moon for the entire night that also coincided with celebrations all over the galaxy, including Coruscant, but it wasn't long before the fighting resumed.

    Now, a year later, all roads seemed to leading to the orb of sand and rock that they were staring at along with a few dozen other resistance fighters surrounding a holo projector.

    "What's this planet called again?" someone asked.

    "Jakku," Katin answered.

    "Never heard of it."

    "It's in the Western Reaches," someone else elaborated. "A total sand trap."

    "And this where the Empire's remaining forces have chosen to make their stand."

    "Definitely an odd choice," Vaila expressed. "But whatever the reason for choosing this place, they have a fortified blockade."

    The image showed as much, with Star Destroyers surrounding the planet, as well as it's one remaining Super Star Destroyer positioned under the fleet. The still newborn Republic was going to have to throw everything it had against them, if this was truly be the end.

    What they were getting out of this incoming battle was an even weaker imperial position here in the Coruscant. The support they had from the Empire was now nearly completely pulled in the name of strengthening their position on this seemingly random desert planet. Only a small portion of its once mighty aerial defense remained.

    "Are all of our people positioned?"

    "Yes, and waiting for the order to move," Vaila informed everyone.

    "Then all that's left is for us to make our move," Katin declared.

    "Everyone has their assignments. Let's move out, and may the Force be with us."

    So with that, they filed out of the briefing room towards a nearby hangar, where everything they had been planning for the last month was about to be put into motion.

    "I can't believe we're flying these things," Vaila admitted to Katin as they stepped into the hangar. "I mean when was the last time anyone one of them got off the ground?"

    "Twenty, twenty-one years."

    They were staring at a horde of Arc-170 fighters, A3N V-Wings, E2A interceptors, a couple of assault shuttles, a single gunship and D7A interceptor. All Clone Wars era Republic Navy ships that would be seeing action again, for the first time, in years. One of their cells had found what had once been a repair hangar for the Republic fleet, but was eventually closed and forgotten, along with all ships left inside.

    After weeks of repairs, the decades old battleships were now ready for another fight.

    "The Republic fleet should be moving into Jakku right about now," Vaila pointed out. "Hoth. Endor. How do we keep missing all the big battles?"

    "Oh, as if what we've been doing here has been a cake walk," Katin reasoned. "As if what we're about to do is a simple hit and run attack."

    "Do you think you can fly that thing?" Vaila pointed to the red Delta-7 fighter.

    "Yeah, nothing to it. As long as she doesn't break down on me in the middle of this fight."

    She walked him over to the tiny fighter. It didn't even have room for the smallest of hyperdrives, having to interlock with a hyperdrive ring that would remain in orbit if it needed to make a jump into lightspeed. They had been built specifically for the Jedi Order, meant more for stealth travel, great maneuvering capabilities to avoid fire fights, but he would have to make the most of it.

    Vaila took his hands in her own. "Please, be careful up there." For some reason, Katin found himself feeling out of sorts with her holding his hands in this moment. As if it was a gesture of goodbye.

    "Do you have a bad feeling about this?"

    "No. More like an awareness that we can't rule out any of these battles as maybe being the one to finally lay claim on us." Her hands still held onto his; they gently rubbed one another. "You're all I've got now, Lerus. We're closing in on the end, and you're the family that I'm now fighting for.."

    He couldn't hold in a laugh. "Can you imagine we'd be here five years ago? When we were standing in a lift, you getting an early morning workout, like a good soldier."

    "And you only just coming, with a shoe missing."

    He laughed again. "I never found that shoe."

    Her brief grin became somber. "Then I find out Misael died, and just like that, everything changed."

    "Do you wish it had gone differently? That Misael had survived Scarif?"

    Rather immediately say yes, like he expected, she mulled it over for a second. "Even if he had lived, Alderaan would've still happened, and as much as I believe him to have been a good person, I can't say he would've been able to bring himself to break away from the Empire, like we did. In a twisted way, I'm grateful I lost him before this war tore us apart in an even worse way than death."

    "Mosney, let's move it!" a soldier yelled from the ramp of the Retriever.

    They finally broke their hands apart. "Give them hell up there," Katin told her.

    Rather than say a goodbye, she quickly hugged and gave him a peck on the cheek before sprinting towards the Retriever. Katin wanted to watch her board, take her place on the pilot's seat and take off, but the R5 astromech droid in the fighter's socket called for his attention, probably telling him to get moving himself. So he hopped inside and strapped in.

    "Please, let this all be finally ending," he said to himself.

    ----------

    Once the alert reached him, Alaris pulled a live feed from his office of a diverse group of ships moving out of the planet, but rather than going towards jumping point, they were advancing towards one of the planet's few remaining Star Destroyers, the Obelisk. Simultaneous reports were also coming in of numerous strong holds being attacked across the planet.

    They're making a move to take Coruscant.

    Well, he wouldn't be allowing that to happen. Not as long as he drew breath.

    Opening a channel to the complex's nearest hangar as he marched out of his office, he instructed the deck officer to ready a fighter for him. He would not be a spectator in this fight. With the majority of the Empire's forces now fighting for all of their futures on Jakku, they needed a capital to return to.

    An interceptor was fueled and readied for him by the time he made it to the hangar, along with a squadron of a dozen other TIE fighters and pilots, including Kaila.

    "Admiral," she announced, saluting ahead of everyone else.

    "All pilots, ready for takeoff, form up on me," he instructed without stopping towards his fighter, not even bothering to change into a pilot's uniform.

    Within the next minute, they were shooting out of the hangar, at full speed towards the Obelisk. "Show no mercy. Turn every ship, and rebel on board, into space debris."

    All pilots confirmed his command with the same, "Yes, sir."

    The fight around the Star Destroyer had already commenced. Squadrons of TIEs were in dog fights with the odd assembly of outdated ships that the rebels were flying. A testament to how sad their resources really were. With the so-called Republic fleet in the midst of being decimated at Jakku, the attempted seizing of Coruscant would end with all rebel sympathizers being crushed along with their comrades who were being killed off half way across the galaxy.

    A squadron of Arc-170s broke away to meet with them. Alaris stayed his course. "Remain in tight formation"

    He fired once they were in range, taking out the leading fighter. A second was also destroyed, causing their first combatants to break off into two smaller groups. He pulled around, his squadron following, in the same closed in formation, despite losing one man. Their speed allowed them to beat out the enemy fighter, which were still making a turning around to meet them in another charge. So they were unprepared for the rain of cannon fire coming from overwhelming numbers.

    Alaris couldn't hold back a satisfying smile as he saw the last one disappear in a brief fire .

    They moved towards the Obelisk, which was still surrounded with intense fighting. The rebels still had strong numbers, but not for much longer. Despite this, all of the Star Destroyer's cannons, as well as its engines and shields remained untouched. The TIE fighters were keeping their sole attention.

    ----------

    "The fighters are being kept busy. Now's is as good a chance as any," her copilot proclaimed.

    "Agreed. All ships, move in," Vaila ordered over their channel.

    The Retriever and assault shuttles had remained in the hangar until the fighters engaged with the Star Destroyer's defense squadrons. Orders were to keep all focus on the enemy fighters, never advancing on the Obelisk itself. Until now, with the TIE forces distracted, the ships carrying readied soldiers would move in. If any TIE pilots noticed them coming, they were too preoccupied with the rebel ships they were already engaged to do anything as they moved through the fight and towards their Star Destroyer.

    A hangar came into view, cannon fire tried to take her out, but she evaded. "We're closing in," she announced over the ships comn to the soldiers already positioned at the ramp. "Get ready."

    Seconds later, the view was swallowed by the hangar door. Immediately, Vaila targeted the overhead tower, and fired two rockets into it.

    "Retriever aboard," Vaila reported to the other ships.

    A screen on the console showed the ramp dropping open before she even settled down on the deck. Rebel soldiers jumped out in pairs, wearing stormtrooper armor that came from a commandeered armory, and would surely cause confusing amongst the crew aboard, for at least a short time. Blaster fired erupting all over the hangar within seconds. Without even caring to shut off the engines, Vaila unstrapped, pulled out her blaster, her copilot did the same, and they sprinted out of the cockpit.
     
  20. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Five

    From his fighter, Katin watched the Retriever land inside the Star Destroyer's hangar, which meant Vaila was now within enemy lines, all in the hopes of securing one of the few remaining Star destroyers in the planet for their side. It was an insane idea, without question, but orders came from high up. Attempts were also being made with what remained of the Imperial fleet over Jakku.

    But Katin couldn't worry about a mission that wasn't his. Nor could he worry about Vaila, as much as he wanted to. His focus needed to remain on the fight out here.

    The small fleet that they had managed to put together was holding strong, but they knew the dwindled Imperial forces would still eventually overpower them. Within the first few minuets of the battle, he had lost both of his wingmates within the Their duty was to call attention to ever Imperial personnel they could, so that their ship could be commandeered.

    "Hatch Two, watch your tail!"

    "I see them."

    he evaded the laser fire easily enough. The maneuver on this Delta-7 was phenomenal, but a little had to keep tinged in. He was warned that they were designed to take into account the Jedi's supposed enhanced reflexes, which he couldn't really doubt, considering how it moved. Those two TIEs, though, were still closing in.

    "Do we have the reserve power the thruster for a little trick?" His astromech droid chirped a confirmation. "Good, hang onto something."

    He gave the fighter its boost, clearing some room between himself and his pursuers, but rather then clear away, he yanked t the controls, sling shooting by the fighter's nose. His droid squealed in panic. Now moving back in the course he was coming from, the two TIE fighters were dead ahead, and came into his range. As one got taken out, the others tried to dart away, but Katin was too fast.

    His droid warned him that they no longer had the reserve power to pull that trick again.

    "I have a few others we can still try."

    It gave an enthusiastic response that he knew was actually sarcasm.

    When he was at a viewing angle he looked over to the Obelisk. A brief explosion enveloped one of its lower sections, close to the engine room. If they secured that they could prevent the crew from self destructing the ship. Was Vaila in that explosion?

    Stay focused. You have your battle, she has hers.

    He moved to regroup with the squadron of Arc 170s moving over the tower-

    -only to have to watch all of them be taken out in a rain of fire from group of standard TIEs that were being led by an interceptor. "Oh, great." Next they were advancing towards him, and he could all the blood dropping from his face. His droid gave him a mortified alert. "I see them. I see them."

    They were coming in too fast for him to be able to change trajectory, so he went into a spinning dance to evade every laser bolt shot at him. Barely avoiding a collision with the squadron s they remained in a tight formation, Katin saw the inside of one TIE as he passed right between its wings.

    These pilots weren't giving up, though. They quickly came back around to move behind him and continue their pursuit.

    So he moved directly over the surface of Obelisk, coming in close proximity to its cannon turrets. The TIEs continued their pursuit, and lost two of their own to the cannon fire from their own battle ship. Coming at the last cannon at the nose, he stayed on a collision, barely evading its laser shots, to the horrific screams of his droid, and then finally darted away.

    His pursuers lost another pilot to the cannon, and as he came around he a third TIE limping away from the squadron, missing half a wing. Yet, despite this, the interceptor continued to lead his remaining squadron in the chase.

    "Don't suppose you have any moves?" Katin asked his droid, and only received a disappointingly low beep.

    Their breather ended quickly, as the squadron came back behind them, only this time every TIE fired at him. He supposed they'd finally had enough of his evasion after losing four men in the pursuit of a single enemy fighter. Katin tried to escape the attacks, but there were too many coming at him, and with unending persistence. These guys were not letting him get away.

    Until, finally, several shots hit his fighter. Alarms went off, along with a terrified scream from his astromech. One of his wings was now chipped, along with the damage to his thrusters, he was a sitting duck. Quickly weighing his options, Katin ruled out retreating; his fighter no longer had the speed or maneuvering to get away before being blown into space debris. Then he looked over to the Obelisk, and the still open hangar. With Vaila and the others aboard, he stood a chance at surviving in there. So he limped towards the hangar, still under fire.

    "Put what you can towards the rear shields."

    More hits rocked the fight, sounding out more alarms, but he kept a course towards the hangar, until finally breaching the protective shields and crashing onto the deck. He finally stopped with t=his fighter tilted over where his wing was missing. having to shove the cockpit open, he crawled out and looked around the empty hangar.

    The Retriever was docked here, the watch tower was in shards, and bodies lay around docking bay. Katin grabbed his blaster from the cockpit, telling his droid, "Watch the fighter."

    From the mouth of the hangar a TIE interceptor appeared, the same one that had been pursuing him, advancing towards him. "Shrap, this guy isn't give up."

    He darted for the nearest door, avoiding the laser fire form the interceptor, which took out what had been left of his fighter, along with his droid. He returned a few futile shots at the interceptor before making through the doorway, to safety. For the moment anyways.

    ----------

    It was him.

    Of all the pilots he could've been pursuing into the Obelisk, it was Katin Lerus. Now he was running around this Star Destroyer, where Kaila had retreated into after her fighter had been damaged, which was also docked in this same hangar. Perhaps the universe was blessing them with the opportunity to finally enact justice on the person who splintered his once united family.

    Alaris docked his interceptor, and jumped out of the cockpit without even bothering shut off the engines. "Kaila," he called into his comlink.

    "Yes, Admiral."

    "He's here. Katin Lerus is aboard the Obelisk. I'm in pursuit."

    Even if the Rebellion didn't perish today, this would be the day when Katin Lerus finally died.
     
  21. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Six

    Because of the stormtrooper armor their forces were wearing numerous squads were taken out by surprise, so the journey to the engine room was a well-space run though the Obelisk. By the time they mad it to the engine room, though, word had finally spread across the ship about their façade, so the battle there had cost them time and a dozen soldiers.

    But they had seized the engine room now, so the ship couldn't be set to self-destruct.

    "This is Ace Group," Vaila soon heard in her helmet's comlink system. "Imperial troops have the doors to the bridge. We're at a stand off. We need backup. Repeat. We need backup."

    "Copy that, Ace Group. We're on our way," her squad leader replied. Pointing to Vaila and five others, he ordered them to follow him while the rest of their team kept the engine room secured."

    When the line of lifts that would take them up the command tower came up, dead ahead. "Ace Group, we're a minute out," the squad leader commed. "Hold your-"

    A single laser shot struck him in the neck, knocking him down, dead. From an opened lift stood a single individual in a TIE fighter uniform, same as Vaila, minus the helmet, only it wasn't a stranger that they were staring at, but who continued to fire on them, hitting another squad member in the shoulder.

    "Wait, what am I looking at?" one of her squad members asked in bewilderment.

    "My sister!" Vaila explained

    The momentary shock of seeing the face of a comrade on an enemy had given Kaila a quick window of opportunity to get the drop on them, but once they recuperated and fired back, she stepped to the side for cover, while continuing to fire. They resumed their advance towards the lifts and were coming close to overpowering Kaila - only for her sister to come back out into the open, throwing two thermal detonators towards them.

    While the rest of the squad turned and ran for their lives, Vaila jumped over the two spheres, and dashed into the lift tackling a surprised Kaila. The door closed just as the thermal detonators blew, so the sounds got muffled. Hopefully, what was left of her squad was still alive and would make it up to help take the bridge, but she couldn't think about that right now.

    She had Kaila pinned against the wall, but she managed to push her off quickly. Her expression as hot red, growling and brought her fists up. This was not going to be an easy fight; so Vaila might as well put it all out there for her sister to know. "Hey, Kaila." She pulled off her helmet, letting it drop to the floor. "Fancy seeing you here."

    And so there they both stood, within breathing distance of each other, two reflections of one another that couldn't be anymore apart than they were now.

    ----------

    Another blaster shot grazed his head, Katin wondered if maybe he now had a bald spot or two that he would need to try and comb over. Of course, he wouldn't be getting that chance if he didn't keep running.

    After barely escaping that TIE interceptor's attack in the hangar he immediately came across crewmen who tried to shoot him. Unlike Vaila and the rest of the boarding team he didn't have trooper armor to keep him from standing out so he had to stay on the move.

    Thanks to his time aboard one of these as a cadet he knew where he was going. Since the separate teams were meant to seize the main turrets, the engine room, and the bridge, all he needed to do was link up one any of them before he was cornered and killed.

    He reached a cross of corridors, taking the opportunity of being alone to catch his breath and search his memory to know where exactly he was and which team he was closest to. If he remembered correctly, this main corridor would lead him all the way to the ship's stern, and the lifts that would take him up the command tower and to the bridge.

    "There he is! Shoot to kill!"

    And so he was once again running with all the speed he had towards those lifts. "At least I got few seconds of rest," he said to himself.

    Thankfully, there was enough distance from his latest batch of pursuers that they couldn't get a good shot at him. Soon, the lifts came into view, growing closer and closer, until he was finally a few quick paces away-

    -only for a man step in front of the lifts , eyes as cold as ice and red veins grilling out of his face. Alaris Mosney, of all people was now standing in his way. What were the chances of that?

    ----------

    "You should've stayed missing!" Kaila bellowed in-between punches, of which Vaila could barely parry away. "I wish some alleyway predator had chopped you up into little pieces, like some people thought! At least then I could still love you!"

    Her swings grew more aggressive with each attempt. One was bound to slip past Vaila's defense, and there was no question any of these punches would leave her in a stunned state that Kaila would be able to take advantage of and this fight would end in her sister's favor. So as another swing came towards her, instead of simply blocking it, she grabbed her by the wrist, then stopped the other arm right at the fist.

    "I am sorry it turned out like this," she told Kaila. "Leaving all of you was the hardest, and most painful thing I ever had to do."

    "SHUT UP!"

    Spinning around together, Kaila came to pin her to the door and head butt her. She then got her hands free from Vaila's hold, turning her around to face the door and wrapped an arm around her neck. "You shouldn't have skipped out on the academy. That training would've come in handy."

    Well, in this moment, Vaila couldn't argue this to not be the truth.

    ----------

    By the time Alaris Mosney appeared in his path to the lifts Katin had no time to stop his run, and even worse, the admiral was bringing around so that his fist would meet with Katin's face. So he instead dropped down to the floor, barely avoiding the punch and sliding right beside the man's legs.

    Coming back up, only to lock eyes with the barrel of a pistol, Katin grabbed the hand holding it and yanked it to the side before the shot could put a hole between his eyes. He made an attempt for his face with the butt of his gun, only to have the punch parried out from his hand.

    Behind Alaris, the squad of troopers that had been chasing Katin were getting closer. So this wasn't looking good for him. If he could just get Vaila's father off of him long enough to get one of the lif-

    -the sudden explosion on the ceiling of the corridor now called to everyone's attention, Mainly by pulling at everything that was in the vicinity and not bolted to the floor or walls.

    The squadron of troops were closer to the breach. The one at the lead was instantly pulled up through the breach into space, letting out a horrified scream before he was gone.

    As Katin and Alaris began to get pulled towards the opened ceiling, both scrambled their hands around for something to grab onto for their dear lives. Katin's hands manage to find the doorway frame before being pulled down the corridor. Alaris, meanwhile, grabbed a hold of Katin's legs, and he was to focus on hanging onto the frame to even think about getting the man off of him.

    Finally, the blast doors surrounding the breach closed down, and the vacuum pull into space seized.

    Alaris relinquished his hold of Katin and rolled away. As he tried to get his composure back and stand, Katin began crawling around the corner of the doorway, to where he saw Alaris' pistol, close enough to reach. Once he had it in his grasp, he was about to turn to shoot the pistol's owner with it, but then one of the lift doors opened, to reveal two TIE pilots in the middle of a struggle.

    Both with the very same - and familiar - face.

    One had her arm around the other's neck and in a death grip, until she was flipped over, and out of the lifts. Both Mosney sisters were heaving for breath, clearly having been in a brutal brawl in that lift. Of all the levels in this ship that they could've stopped at.

    ----------

    Kneeled down, with a hand holding onto the lift's doorway, Vaila put all of her focus into getting the air back into her lungs that they needed. Things had started getting blurry for her just as the lift door came open and she manage to flip Kaila over and free herself from the choke hold. There was sadly little question as to whether her twin sister was just trying to incapacitate her, or kill her. She had been out for blood. Which, while not at all surprising, was still a hard reality to swallow.

    But what was even crazier than reuniting with her sister, here and now, was that once the lift stopped, they were brought into the company of both their father and Katin.

    How was that even possible? Katin was supposed to be fighting out there. How was it plausible that the four of them would all end up here and now, together? Luke Skywalker would probably say the Force was at work here.

    Both men were on the floor, and Katin had a pistol in his hand that was unsteadily directed at them.

    "Katin . . . it's me," Kaila yelped from the floor, pointing up to Vaila. "Don't let her . . .. kill me."

    Vaila wanted to deny it, but she was still trying to find her breath, so she couldn't muster enough of a voice to convince him that she was Vaila before Katin fired.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2018
  22. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Seven

    Kaila's head, arms and legs all dropped flat on the floor as soon as the stun bolt from Katin's blaster hit her.

    Standing up over her twin sister, Vaila needed to take a few more steady breaths before finally being able to talk. "It really looked like you were going to shoot me instead."

    "Right up to the millisecond before I pulled the trigger, I was going to do just that," Katin admitted with a hint of shame. "It would've helped if you had kept your hair blonde."

    Behind Katin, her father was already back on his feet, albeit with wobbling legs. He was staring back at her in complete bewilderment. Once more, they were reunited by chance, while in the midst of a battle, and on opposite sides. Only this time around, they actually had the opportunity to say something to one another.

    "Hi, Dad," seemed like a reasonable start.

    "Vaila," he said as if trying to understand what the name meant. "Vaila . . . Vaila, why? Why did you betray our family? Why did you throw away everything you had, and were going to have?"

    "Because it was all wrong." She had rehearsed this conversation a thousand times in her head. Lining up so many different things to say. Now that the moment was here, though, she found herself winging it. "All of this: The Empire, the Emperor, the flags, the ideals, the principals, the beliefs, it was all wrong. It was all seeded in darkness, cruelty, prejudice, and terror."

    It seemed like what she was saying was registering with her father, since he didn't rebuff it right away. He looked over to Katin, who was now back on his feet as well, and moving over to stand beside Vaila. "How many times did he have to say these things to you so that you would believe it?"

    She sighed. "He didn't have to tell me anything. I realized this all on my own. What happened with Alderaan. The way the Empire was able to justify it, along with every other amoral act, made me sick to my stomach."

    "So you decide to break my heart, along with your mother's, and your entire family's!"

    "You had already broken mine," she explained, tearfully. "When you showed yourself to be part of the same sickness that was consuming this galaxy. The same compromised conscience as all the others in your circle. You forfeited your soul to this Imperial flag right at the start. So did Mom, and I guess Kaila has now, too. I knew I would be forfeiting mine the second I set foot in that academy, so instead I stepped onto a ship and left everything that mattered to me, for the sake of my heart, and I'm not sorry for it."

    As she said all this, her father slowly shook his head in . . shame, disappointment maybe. For him, everything she was telling him was blasphemy, but she wasn't going to hold back.

    "I'm sorry for our family not being able to stay what it was, but this war wasn't going to allow that. My conscience wasn't going to allow that."

    Her father took a long, deep breath, absorbing in what she said, his head settled down against his chest. When he rose it back up, his face was of rage. "Well, I hope your clean conscience gives you comfort when you're being escorted to your execution, my daughter, and I promise you that you won't die before this boy does. So that way you can watch the family you chose over ours die right before your eyes. Along with your filthy Rebellion."

    The conviction in his voice shook Vaila, despite her expectations of this very reaction. No matter, it was never easy to become what the people, who once loved you more than anything, now hate you above all else. If they didn't get out of here now, though, her father would keep this new promise, without question.

    "Attention, crew of the Obelisk!" The voice came through ship's comm speakers, and it belonged to the rebel captain who had led the attack on the bridge. "This Star Destroyer is now under the control of the Rebel Alliance. All Imperial personnel are free to abandon ship. Those who remain will be arrested under the authority of the Republic."

    Vaila and Katin exchanged looks of relief. Then they looked back to her father, who was in utter disbelief over what they had just heard.

    "You choose, Dad. For you, and Kaila. Stay or go."

    Halfway towards the nearest escape pods, Kaila regained consciousness. so her father set her back down from his shoulder. Once she looked over to her sister and former boyfriend, both holding blasters at them, it registered with her that the fight did not go in their favor.

    "Just because you've taken the Obelisk, doesn't mean you'll win Coruscant," she pointed out, confidently. "This victory won't mean anything in the bigger picture"

    "Maybe not, but Jakku will." Vaila tapped the ear piece that she took from the pilot's helmet. "Reports are coming in by the minute. The Empire's blockade has been broken. Republic forces are sweeping through the planet. The tide is in our favor."

    Kaila stared at her, wide-eyed, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're lying."

    "Don't take our word for it then," Katin told her. "Check in on it when you've regrouped with your people."

    Now, nothing else seemed to exist to Kaila except for him. A mask that showed a stone-faced, unshakable young woman fractured, and Vaila could see glimpses of someone with a broken heart.

    "How easy was it for you to play with my heart, Katin?"

    "I am sorry I hurt you, Kaila. I knew I shouldn't have let things get so far between us, but I did it anyways, and I am so sorry. I am so sorry I set us up to fail."

    "I'm sorry too, but not in the same way that you might think I would be."

    Their father gave her a shooting glare that made her drop her head in withdrawal. Vaila wasn't sure what to make of that, but there wasn't anytime for them to have it out like they would all want to. If her father and sister were going to leave this ship, it needed to be now.

    So they rushed the rest of the way to the escape pods at a launch bay where they stepped aboard one of the two remaining ones. Before Vaila could reach the keypad to close the door shut, though, her father asked, "Where's Keira?"

    Vaila froze still. She couldn't even bring herself to meet his eyes. Katin quickly spoke for her. "She chose to leave that building with us. She chose Vaila over you. I'm sorry, but you lost a second child to her better nature."

    There was nothing Katin said that wasn't the truth. It would have to be enough for her family. Was it cruel to let them go on believing that she was alive and well, along side them? Maybe. But here and now, Vaila was just too much of a coward to face them with the reality of what had happened to her little sister.

    But she managed to force herself to face her father and Kaila one last time. "If this ends up being the last time see each other, I want you to know that I do love you, and that my heart is broken, the same as yours, but I won't look back anymore. Wherever Katin and I go from here, we go with a clear conscience."

    Neither said anything right away, but just stared at her and Katin with absolute resistance, until finally, her father responded with, "So do we."

    And with that, Vaila closed the pod door, and set it to launch. Once it broke free from the Star Destroyer's grasp, Vaila put herself against Katin, burying her crying face into his chest, and he held her quietly in the empty launch bay.

    ----------

    "This can't be happening," a captain bellowed from a few seats away.

    But it was happening. Alaris, along with the small handful of remaining admirals, captains and governors were surrounding a HoloNet projector that was showing them image after image of the state on Jakku. There one remaining Super Star Destroyer, the Ravager, was shown being dragged into the planet's desert surface by a New Republic ship. As were numerous other Imperial ships. They were no longer able to raise half the fleet that was present at the battle.

    "Versio, Randd, Ree, Hux, they're probably all dead," a captain said. "No word from Rax, either. What little communication we have with our forces there are saying that they're being overrun."

    "So what do we do? Send reinforcements?"

    "What reinforcements? If we were o send any reasonable number of ships and manpower that we still have then we might as well hand Coruscant over to the rebel forces."

    "Mosney, your thoughts."

    All eyes fell on him, as if he had the answer that was going to solve everything for him, but he didn't. "Jakku is lost. Let's not waste anymore attention on that sand trap."

    He turned around, eyed Kaila who had been standing behind him, still in her pilot's uniform, and he marched out of the room, with her at her heels.

    What more could really be said now, other than they had lost? Vaila was right aboard the Obelisk. The Empire had lost this war.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2021
  23. FORCEBlLADE

    FORCEBlLADE Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 2, 2003
    Chapter Thirty-Eight

    "And with the signing of the Galactic Concordance by Mas Amedda, alongside Chancellor Mothma on Chandrilla, the Galactic Empire has officially surrendered to the Republic."

    The news anchor made this report with genuine glee. As he continued to speak the image changed to live footage from numerous worlds holding grand celebrations over the war now coming to an end.

    "Isn't that Enoob?" Katin rewound the news feed to the brief image of what looked like the ruins of Akire now at the center of a party for hundreds. Vaila smiled, imaging Ayla and Tusa among the crowd of dancers. Maybe they were dancing with their parents wherever they were now.

    "As part of the Concordance, all remaining Imperial forces on Coruscant are to abandon the capital, hence forth."

    Both smiled to one another. So their home would now be with the Republic. According to Orlac, Chandrilla would continue to house the newly formed Republic senate for Mon Mothma's term, and from that point worlds would be rotated to serve as the capital. It felt like the right call. Now this way no single planet could lay claim as the heart of their government.

    "Reports are saying that some Imperial ships have already left the system," Katin revealed. "This war may actually be over."

    "On the large scale, sure." But Vaila new better. Like in any war, one side's official declaration of surrender didn't mean that all forces were going to seize the fighting. No doubt, there would some holdouts. Pockets of resistance from loyal Imperials too stubborn and suicidal to drop their weapons and give up their lost cause. No, the fighting would continue for months, maybe even years.

    Still, the Imperial flag would no longer be hung over any buildings. The skies would be clear of any Star Destroyers and Death Stars. Stormtroopers that came marching down streets, inciting fear and anguish were fading away. Enslaved societies were having their chains broken. This truly was a victory. Liberty now had dominance over the galaxy.

    On a personal level, she and Katin were no longer fugitives. From this point on, they could move about freely, without having to look over their shoulders.

    "Do you feel like a walk" Katin asked, to which she nodded.

    They ended up at a plaza, where one of countless parties was taking place. At a railing they eyed a Star Destroyer in the distance as it ascended out of the planet, and then jumped into lightspeed.

    "Do you think our families are still here?" she asked, still staring at where that Destroyer had just been.

    "If they are, they'd better leave soon, or they'll be the ones being hunted down here, now."

    "I wonder where they'll go."

    "One of the designated territories setup for the Imperial Remnants," he suggested. "The better question is what are they going to do with their lives now that everything that they've worked for means nothing?"

    That was the better question. She had trouble imagining her parents living a simple domestic life. For better or worse they would be soldiers until their last days. So did that mean her family would continue fighting with one of the remaining factions until they were all dead? She hoped not. Despite what logic told, Vaila hoped they would walk away from it all and find new lives for themselves somewhere far away.

    Despite it all, she still loved them. Even if she hated what they were.

    "Katin, how did you know it was my sister when you shot her?"

    He smiled, as if maybe there was some distinct difference between the two twins that neither was ever aware of, but everyone else was. "I just trusted my gut. I know it sounds stupid, but that's what it came to. Me just knowing who was who without having any proof."

    Now Vaila found herself thinking of Luke and his gut feelings. "Maybe you have the Force."

    "Or maybe you and I are just that bonded."

    Oddly, she felt no desire to dispute that. Five years ago, they stood in a turbolift, two kids, barely friends and on opposite paths, but from that moment on they became intertwined in each other's lives in the most fundamental ways any people could be connected.

    "So, the biggest question of all now is what are we going to do with our lives?" He looked all around, as if trying to find some new laid-out path that he could now travel down. "For the first time in years we have options."

    After seeing that image of Akire's remains, Vaila knew what she would be doing with herself, without any doubt. "I want to go back to Eboon. It became my home, just like Coruscant, so I want to help with the rebuilding. I know Aya and Tusa would appreciate that."

    "Sounds like a plan." Vaila caught the quickest of whimpers in one of his eyes. He would really miss her if they separated after all this time together.

    "You could come with me. Every extra hand counts."

    "No doubt it will, but I'm already making some other plans here."

    "Oh?" The surprise of his news hit her harder than she would've expected, and pinched just a little.

    "First thing I'm doing is bringing Barten's little brother back home to his folks. Now that the Empire is leaving here, there's no reason for him to stay gone. " His face fell somber for a moment. "I owe Barten that much."

    "And then?"

    "School."

    Wait, Vaila must've heard him wrong. "School? As in classes, and homework, and reading assignments? That kind of school?"

    He nodded with utter satisfaction over putting her in such shock. "It's time I got my act together, wouldn't you say?"

    A chuckle was all she could manage at first. "Well then, I can't wait to see what the effects the life of higher education has on you."

    "Good then, we're in agreement. We're not saying goodbye. Not in any serious way."

    "No. We most certainly are not." There was a sense of relief in this. Whatever time and distance there was soon going to be between them their lives were not untangling from one another. It wasn't what she wanted in the slightest. They were the family that had, and that would continue to, endure.

    They stayed at that railing, watching as the sun settled down, taking with it the age of the Empire. What would come tomorrow? She couldn't say, but here and now, arm-in-arm with Katin, all was well.

    ----------

    Epilogue

    "All systems are go, Admiral," the captain reported beside him.

    "Make the jump."

    Admiral Alaris Mosney remained at the front of the bridge, directly in front of the viewport to watch as space once more turned into hyperspace and their ship now crossed the borderline of the Outer Rim.

    Alaris had commandeered one of Coruscant's last remaining Star Destroyers, filling it with every loyal officer, pilot, and troop it could house, along with their families.

    The war was lost. The Empire was all but in ruins, and would continue to deteriorate until it was nothing but crumbled remains of no significance. This sad truth needed to be accepted.

    But even with the Empire in their past, their future still held promise. Aeryn Lerus had procured information on Emperor Palpatine's secret endeavor in mapping out safe routes within the Unknown Regions. Anyone who would wander about this uncharted place within the galaxy knew it remained unknown because of many a solar storms, black holes, gravity wells, magnetospheres, and supposedly even far more dangerous entities, thus preventing safe travel within its terrain. It was one of the reasons their Emperor had allowed the Chiss, Thrawn, a native to this region, to rise within their ranks; so as to procure all the knowledge he had of his home region.

    As they understood it, other Imperial remnants were already within this mysterious region, per the design of their late Emperor, who had the foresight to setup a contingency, should his Empire fall along with him, so that his legacy wouldn't.

    Turning from the viewport, he nodded to the captain and exited the bridge. He retired to his suite, where his family was already settled in. As was the Lerus clan. Both families suffered the loss an betrayal of one of their own, but those travesties would only come to make them stronger. Vaila and Katin's shame would not be theirs.

    "We're away."

    All smiled with confidence and good spirit. Yes, the Rebel slime would have their victory, for now. Maybe for a quick generation they would even be allowed to rule the galaxy, but it wouldn't last. They would see to that.

    Maybe you will see to that little one, he thought as he walked over to Kaila, on the sofa, holding the promise to their people's vision. She was only a little over a year old, but already his first grandchild was showing strong vigilance and instinct, along with a keen sense of awareness. He took her from Kaila's arms, smiling at the sight of those wonderful green eyes. Same as the rest of the family's.

    Kaila's pregnancy was a surprise, to say the least, but even so the poorly timed occurrence was embraced by all, even if the man responsible for it was a traitor. His sins would not be held against this innocent child. There was a hint of Katin Lerus in her, unfortunately; when she smiled, it was his sniveling sort of smile that Alaris remembered he would sometimes give, but no matter. This child would carry nothing more of him.

    "This galaxy will know our might," h whispered into her ear, "and I promise you. You will help show it to them."

    THE END
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2021