STAR WARS DESTINY
EPISODE II
RISE OF THE DARK EMPIRE
It has now been six years since the fall of the Emperor and Darth Vader. For three years, the newly reformed Galactic Republic had striving against the remnants of the Empire, and have finally defeated the last of the major warlords.
However, somewhere in the Deep Core, unknown to the galaxy, Grand Admiral Thrawn has reawaken Darth Sidious-other wise known as Emperor Palpatine-in a new clone body. But the newly resurrected Dark Lord underestimates the abilities of the New Jedi Order...
CHAPTER ONE
Admiral Titus Klev observed the world of Ralok from the Eclipse's viewport. Ralok had been well-known for its large cities, said to be a rare occurrence on planets in the Deep Core. Unfortunately, it would soon become just as desolate and forgotten as its neighbors.
"Sir?" Klev turned around to see a young officer behind him. "Sir, the Emperor wishes to speak with you in his quarters," the officer said.
"Very well," Klev muttered as he left the Super Star Destroyer's bridge. He descended through the ship on a turbolift and then went through a long series of corridors until he finally reached a second turbolift, which led directly down to Darth Sidious' chambers. As he stepped onto the elevator, Klev coul not help but feel...scared.
Very few of the people that he knew were brave enough to come face-to-face with the Emperor. And even fewer had survived their encounter. The turbolift came to a halt and the doors slid open. Klev walked into the almost pitch-black room, with the only light source being a large, red, holographic projector screen. In front of the screen was a rotating chair, which sat the person who had summoned Klev.
The admiral cleared his throat. "My lord?"
The chair swiveled around, and Klev could see the imprint of a young, thin man, his yellow eyes glowing like a panther's. "Ah, Admiral Klev," the man said, his voice sounding quiet but menacing. He gestured to his side. "Come here."
Nervously, Klev walked over to the Emperor's side. Lord Sidious then pointed at an area on the holographic screen.
"You see this?" Sidious asked. Klev nodded, slightly confused. "That is Venen, capital city of Ralok," Sidious continued. "There resides Harkon Dell, who was once the Senator of Ralok during my reign as Supreme Chancellor and Galactic Emperor."
Sidious' voice dropped slightly. "He joined Organa and Mothma in their pitiful rebellion, and he is now part of that feeble New Republic as well."
"And you want him dead?" Klev asked.
Sidious laughed, quietly and sinisterly, causing the hairs on the back of Klev's neck to raise. "No, no, no. I want him here, on my ship, alive. I wish to have a friendly...chat with him."
"So, what are your orders, my lord?" Klev asked.
"Organize a strike team," Sidious replied. "Raid Venen, level the city, and being Senator Dell to me."
Klev nodded. "And then?" He could barely see the Emperor grin in the darkness.
"Well, if Harkon Dell does not agree tom my terms, there will be consequences." The Dark Lord chuckled. "Severe consequences."
* * *
"Holy Bantha..." Han Solo muttered, looking upon the remains of Imperial and Republic ships as he flew the Millennium Falcon through the Had Abbadon system. "This is worse than what Wedge described it to be."
"Han, the navicomputer is showing signs of Imperial cruisers," said Han's wife, Leia Organa Solo. "Active ones."
"Great," Han sighed. "Chewie, have all guns ready!"
The Wookiee co-pilot known as Chewbacca growled in acknowledgement. Just then, a golden protocol droid came up behind Han's seat.
"Sir, the space traffic is very narrow!" C-3PO said. "The possibility of navigating through that 'ship graveyard' is 3,722 to-"
"Shut it, goldenrod!" Han snapped. "Or I'll crosswire your voice box after we get through this!"
The Falcon flew past the wreckage and into the battle that had most likely caused it. TIE Interceptors greeted the ship with a barrage of plasma bolts, pounding the Falcon's hull. Suddenly, two of the TIEs were destroyed by a series of red blasters, firing from a squadron of X-wing fighters.
"Thanks, Wedge!" Han called into his ship's radio. "I owe you one."
"You mean three," Wedge replied. "Four if you count that incident on Salucemai."
Han sighed. "All right, fine. I'll pay you back soon."
"You better," Wedge laughed as he and the rest of Rogue Squadron returned to the battle.
* * *
"Master, I see two TIE squadrons ahead!" Toah Jarsan called into his communications headset.
"I see them," Toah's master, Luke Skywalker, replied. "Wes, Hobbie, can you cover us?"
"That's like asking a rancor if he can eat you!" Wes answered with a laugh.
Toah then readied his modified A-wing fighter's laser cannons and flew towards the attacking TIE fighters. Firing rapidly, he shot down two of the TIEs while Luke took down three more. Wes and Hobbie's X-wing fighters flew overhead and they began firing randomly, destroying even more Imperial fighters.
"I hope you two won't accidentally cause friendly fire," Luke said jokingly.
Wes laughed. "Hey, I've been flying ever since I signed up for the Rebellion! Which was quite a while ago, mind you."
"Six more TIEs coming in!" Hobbie called. Toah saw the eyeball-shaped fighters disembarking from a nearby Star Destroyer. He was ready to attack when, suddenly, the TIE fighters stopped, turned around, and headed back for the Imperial ship.
"What the heck is going on?" Toah heard Wes ask.
"I don't know," Luke muttered. "But it can't be anything good..."
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