CHAPTER TWO
"See anything, Hawk?" Lando asked the veteran commander as he surveyed the dusty sky of Had Abbadon outside the Republic's base stationed on the ancient world.
"Nothing, general," Hawk replied. "Seems like Master Skywalker has things under control." He lowered his macrobinoculars to look at Lando. "You sure do put a lot of faith in him, sir."
Lando grinned. "Hey, any friend of Han is a friend of mine," he said. "And besides, he's a Jedi. He's got the Force at his side."
* * *
"I've got a bad feeling about this, master," Toah said as he and most likely everyone else anxiously waited for the Imperials to make their next move. Suddenly, his headset beeped and he heard the voice of General Crix Madine speak through it.
"Skywalker? Jarsan?" the Corellian man asked. "Please return to the Protector. You're needed here."
"On our way, general," Luke said. "Janson, Hobbie, you go regroup with Wedge."
"On it, Luke," Hobbie said.
As the fighters disembarked, Toah heard Luke ask, "Toah?"
"Yes, master?" Toah replied.
"You're right. There is a bad feeling about this..."
* * *
As the Millennium Falcon landed in the Protector's hangar, Leia couldn't help but feel uneasy, as if an impending evil was looming over them. Shaking off the feeling, she followed Han, Chewbacca, and C-3PO off the Falcon and towards the bridge. Waiting for them there were Generals Crix Madine and Garm Bel Iblis.
"Welcome, General Solo," Madine said. "And you, Senator Organa."
"Thank you, General Madine," Leia replied. "What's happening? Why have the Imperials stopped?"
"Wish we could tell you," Bel Iblis said. "The leader of these Imperials seeks an audience with Master Skywalker, however."
"You called?" Everyone turned to see Luke and his apprentice Toah Jarsan walk onto the bridge.
"Ah, Master Skywalker," Madine said. "You have a transmission from the commander of the Imperial Fleet."
"Is it live?" Luke asked, to which Madine nodded. "Play it."
Madine pressed a series of buttons and switches until a blue holographic figure appeared.
"Ah, you must be Luke Skywalker," the figure said. "I am Admiral Argen, commander of this fleet. I request to speak with you, in person, on Had Abbadon. I'm sure we can agree to a truce..."
Luke eyes Argen skeptically. "How do I know you won't have an army of stormtroopers hiding somewhere, waiting to execute me?"
"Even if I did," Argen said, smiling. "I'm sure they'd be no match for you. Even the great Darth Vader has been said to be beaten by you."
Luke still kept his eye on the holographic man. "Very well," he said. "I'll come, as long as there aren't any hidden soldiers."
"You have my word, Master Jedi," Argen said, as the hologram dispersed. As soon as it had, Han was the first to speak.
"Kid, it's obviously a trap!" he said. "You can never trust an Imperial!"
"I know," Luke replied. "But I sense there's something else behind this, and I must find out what."
"What if something happens to you?" Toah asked. "Who will complete my training?"
Luke smiled. "Toah, your training has exceeded even my expectations. I'm sure you'll find a way."
He placed a hand on Toah's shoulder. "I think you're ready to go for your first solo mission. You will accompany Han and Leia to Naboo."
"Why?" Toah asked, but Luke did not answer.
"Farewell," he said, leaving the bridge. "And may the Force be with you."
* * *
For all his life, Harkon Dell never thought he would see the skies of Ralok fall apart.
He was wrong.
For all his life, Harkon never thought he would see the magnificent city of Venen be invaded.
He was wrong.
The skies were dominated by Imperial Star Destroyers, the city's ground being marched by stormtroopers, and an Imperial commander was at his door. He thought it would have all ended at Endor. He thought this new Republic would sort out the last of the warlords.
He was wrong.
The Republic had failed him once again...
* * *
"Admiral Klev, we have Senator Dell cornered," a stormtrooper sergeant said to Titus Klev, standing before Dell's tower. "There is no way he can escape."
Klev nodded. "Good job, sergeant."
He glanced up at Senator Dell's fortress, looking into the window which Harkon was sure to be hiding behind. He turned back to the sergeant.
"Did you find the security codes?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," the stormtrooper said. "From the representative."
"Very good," Klev said, smiling. "Now he only has two choices: to surrender...or die."
"I'll do neither!" a voice cried from the fortress. Klev looked up to see the green-skinned Senator of Ralok leaning out the window.
"Whatever it is you want from me," Harkon Dell shouted, "you will not get it!"
"The Emperor simply wishes to speak with you," Klev called to the senator. "We come in peace."
"You call scaring my people and destroying my buildings peaceful?!" Harkon cried.
"We merely wished to attract your attention, senator," Klev said. "Which had obviously work-"
"Silence!" Harkon shouted. "I'll never agree to you Emperor's terms!"
"You're asking for death, senator," Klev replied coldly. "If you won't come with us, then you shall be executed on my signal."
Harkon's red eyes looked upon the hundreds of stormtroopers below him. He then glanced at the people of Ralok, who were being rounded up, intimidated by the Imperials.
What would these people think of him after today, he thought. If he surrendered, they would call him a coward for not standing up to the Empire. If he died, they would then call him a fool for not taking the chance to save his own life. It was between fear and foolishness.
And no one wants to be a fool, Harkon told himself.
"Fine," he said to Klev. "I will speak with your Emperor. But do not harm my people."
Klev smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it, senator."
As Harkon walked down the stairs, he could already hear the shouts of condemnation from the captured civilians. But he no longer cared. He had made his choice.
And besides, he could find out what the Emperor's plans were...he hoped.
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