CHAPTER SIX
Senator Nik Netor observed the marvelous capital city of the planet of Empress Teta from his balcony. It had been so long since anyone had ruled as emperor or empress on Teta, but considering the evil that was caused by one of those empresses, he decided it was for the best.
As he turned around, Netor could hear a strange, distant noise, sounding as if something was jumping out of hyperspace. Looking up, he nearly fainted. Right there, invading the city's beautiful sky, was a large fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers.
The end had come.
* * *
Lando Calrissian rushed down the corridors of the Republic Headquarters to its central room, with Wedge Antilles and Nien Nunb doing their best to catch up with him.
"So you're telling me," Lando said, "that a fleet of Star Destroyers just all of a sudden popped up in the Empress Teta system."
"That's the gist of it," Wedge replied. "Senator Netor says they're just hovering over them, like they're waiting or something..."
The three of them reached the central control room and Lando approached one of the technicians. "Tell Supreme Commander Ackbar to organize Eighth Fleet so they can head for the Empress Teta system."
"Understood, sir," the technician said. "Also, Captain Solo wishes to speak with you. He should be on your comlink."
Lando unhooked his comlink from his belt. "Hey, Han!" he called into it. "What's up?"
"Well, I just picked up Senator Netor's transmission," Han replied. "I thought maybe Chewie and I can fend off some of those Imperials. It's been a while since the Falcon's seen any action."
Lando smiled at himself. "No problem. Just stick close with Wedge and the others, got it?"
"But he still owes me!" Han retorted just as Lando broke the connection.
The general then turned to Wedge. "You heard me. Get the Rogues flyin' out there!"
* * *
As he stared out towards the stars in Telos' night-time sky, Toah felt a cold breeze brush past his neck. He looked around and began to feel a presence of some sorts, as if he and Kyle were not alone...
He rose to his feet, lightsaber in hand, and stared into the darkness before him. The presence began to grow stronger, as if it was getting closer. Soon, coming out of the shadows, was a young man in a black outfit, with his hood raised over a young looking face. He approached Toah with a cold stare.
"Didn't take you long to find me now, did it?" the stranger asked, smiling.
Toah narrowed his eyes at the stranger. "Who are you?" he demanded. "And what do you want?"
"What do I want?" the man echoed. "I simply come with an offer. My name is Sen-Axe Valan."
Toah relaxed a little. Finally, he had found the person he and Kyle had been searching for. He beckoned for Valan to continue.
"I am apprenticed to a man named Soral," Valan went on. "He sent me to ask you to leave the Jedi and join him."
Toah gave the man a skeptical look. "I see. One of those offers. It's going to take more than that to-"
"Ah, you misunderstand me," Valan said reassuringly. "I did not mean to leave the Jedi in general. I refer specifically to Skywalker's order."
"Why should I leave Master Skywalker's order for this Soral person?" Toah asked. "Is he a Jedi?"
Valan hesitated slightly before replying. "Yes," he answered. "He was a Jedi who served the Old Republic before the Empire's purge. In my eyes, he is the only one who can reform the Old Jedi Order, rather than the son of the person who helped destroy it."
Toah loosened his stance a bit. "So are you a Jedi as well?"
Valan smirked. "Given the facts, I'd say I am."
"Fine," Toah said. "I'll see this Soral person, but I'm not leaving Luke's order just yet."
"I understand," Valan replied. He glanced at Kyle, who was surprisingly still sleeping. "I'm afraid we'll have to leave your friend here."
"Why?" Toah asked. "He's my friend. I can't just leave him here!"
Valan frowned but said, "Very well, he may come. Wake him up and gather your things. My ship is located not far in the south."
"Well, we already have a ship docked in the city," Toah said.
Valan sighed. "I'm afraid you'll have to leave it here, because only my ship has the coordinates to Master Soral's academy. You'll just have to go on my ship."
Toah nodded. "All right. We'll meet you in ten minutes."
"Long enough," Valan said, and with another smile, he took off for the south.
* * *
"The Galaxy Gun is ready, my lord," Klev said to Sidious, standing within the Emperor's chamber on the Eclipse. "Shall I have Lord Sedriss take it to Empress Teta?"
Sidious chuckled. "Yes, and while you're at it, set up a visual screen so that I may see the operation carried out."
Klev nodded and leaned toward a nearby computer, bringing up a red holographic screen, which displayed the world of Empress Teta in all its glory, surrounded by Imperial forces. Then, the chamber's primary holoprojector beeped and the holographic form of an Imperial admiral appeared.
"Your Highness, this is Admiral Evor," the Imperial said. "Our scanners have detected Republic ships in the sector. I believe they are headed here."
"Typical," Sidious muttered. "Being the coward he is, I'm sure Senator Netor called the Republic for help."
Evor nodded. "It appears so. What are your orders, my lord?"
A malicious grin crept onto Sidious' face. "Wait for the Republic to arrive. Then, activate the Galaxy Gun."
Evor raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "My lord? I understand that that would destroy Empress Teta and the Republic ships, but..."
"Is there a problem, admiral?" Sidious asked menacingly.
Evor shook his head. "N-no! Not at all, your Highness. It's just that...wouldn't the Galaxy Gun destroy our ships as well?"
Sidious smiled without joy. "Why would I waste time deploying you here just so you could die?"
Evor seemed to consider this. "You're right, my lord. My mistake. I shall proceed with your orders."
"Very good," Sidious said as the admiral's hologram vanished. Turning to Klev, the Emperor said, "Make sure my ship is as far way from the battlefield as possible. I do not want any...debris damaging my ship."
Klev nodded slowly. "Yes, my lord. As you wish."
* * *
On the bridge of the Defender, Supreme Commander Gial Ackbar viewed the Empress Teta system from afar. At his side was General Crix Madine, giving orders to Wedge Antilles via comlink.
"Have Rogues Two and Three take on the Star Destroyers on the east side," Madine was saying. "Rogues Five, Six, and Seven will be on the west."
Once Madine was finished, Ackbar decided to speak. "Never thought I'd see the day," the Mon Calamarian said.
Madine looked at him curiously. "Pardon, sir?"
"This will be my last mission, general," Ackbar replied. "If we survive this, I'll be retiring to spend my last years on Mon Cala, surrounded by family..."
He turned to look Madine in the eye. "If it comes to that, will you take my place as admiral of this fleet?"
The Corellian general nodded. "It would be an honor, sir."
Ackbar gave the Mon Calamari equivalent of a smile. "Then let us fight our best."
With that, the Defender and its fleet advanced towards the blockaded planet of Empress Teta...
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