CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Naboo
Remar Almor was starting to wonder if he had been forgotten about.
He was still sitting in the interrogation room, locked in with no way out. It had been hours since the Naboo Royal Guard had questioned him over his assassination attempt on Lady Valera Teramo. He had told them everything he knew, seeing no reason to keep quiet for the sake of the Malvis Cabal. They had done nothing for him and he owed nothing to them. All he wanted was to get out of this life and retire; he shouldn’t have even accepted this job in the first place.
Besides, the Cabal wouldn’t dare send another operative to Naboo to eliminate him, would they? Not if it meant breaking into Theed Palace. No one in their right mind would have been crazy enough to pull off such a stunt.
He heard footsteps just outside of the room. He rolled his eyes to himself; it was about time they finally remembered his existence. Hopefully they would come in, tell him that all charges were dropped, and let him and Sharbrook on their way. Then he would never have to think about the blasted Cabal ever again.
The footsteps stopped just outside the door. A long moment of silence followed before the door finally opened. However, it was not a Naboo Guard that stepped in; rather, it was a young, blond-haired woman wearing an elegant black dress. Instantly, Remar felt his blood run cold.
“Oh, fierfek,” he swore.
“Well,” said Lady Valera Teramo. “If it isn’t my would-be murderer. I trust the Naboo have been treating you well.”
Remar stood up from his seat, holding his hands up. “Look, lady, I never wanted this job. I knew it was a bad idea as soon as I accepted it. But, see, Drakmos was offering me and my partner a lot of creds and I didn’t think it would—”
“Oh, save it,” Valera said icily. “I did not come here to listen to your pathetic excuses.”
Remar blinked, swallowing hard. “Then… why did you come here…?”
“To figure out who hired you.” Valera smiled thinly. “But it sounds like you’ve already told me. Drakmos, you say? Is he not a leading member of the Malvis Cabal?”
“Hell if I know. I couldn’t care less about the Cabal. Look, if we could just forgive and forget, Sharbrook and I will be on our way and you’ll never have to worry about us again.”
Valera tapped her chin, looking as if she wasn’t even listening to Remar. “Interesting. Perhaps my sister was telling the truth after all.”
“Yeah, okay, great. Can I just go now?”
Valera sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but your fate was sealed the moment you accepted Drakmos’s offer.”
“No, please! I—I can make it up to you! I can… I can kill Drakmos for you! You don’t even need to pay me, I’ll do it for free!”
The Serennian woman let out a harsh, cold laugh. “Desperate, are we? You know, if I was in a better mood, I probably would take you up on that offer. As it stands, however….”
She reached into the folds of her dress and pulled out a small holdout pistol. She aimed it at Remar’s head and offered him a mirthless smile.
“I’m in need of some catharsis.”
As Remar opened his mouth to utter one last futile plea, Lady Teramo wrapped her finger around the trigger. Then, something struck her in the back of the head and she collapsed onto the floor, unmoving. Standing over her was a white-armored man holding a large blaster rifle. He lifted his gaze up from the unconscious woman to look at Remar.
“Oh,” he muttered. “It’s you.”
Remar blinked, finding the man’s voice to be awfully familiar. “Do I… do I know you?”
“Regrettably.” The armored man stepped into the room and he was followed in by five others: an Ortolan, a dark-haired woman, a blue-skinned Pantoran, and a dark-haired man in equally dark clothing. The last member of the party was an elderly Gungan in faded brown robes.
“What’s going on?” Remar asked.
“The Queen’s gone nuts and invited the First Order to Naboo,” said the Ortolan. “The entire city is on lockdown.”
“How were you able to get in then?”
“You can thank Boss Binks here for that.” The Ortolan gestured at the Gungan and the elder bowed his head in acknowledgment. “Now we just need to find the Queen and….”
The Ortolan trailed off before looking over to the others with a confused look.
“What exactly is the plan once we find the Queen?”
“Hopefully use her to get onto the Super Star Destroyer,” said the dark-haired woman.
“Super Star Destroyer?” Remar echoed. “Why?”
“So we can rescue Princess Leia.”
Remar opened his mouth to question them further but was silenced by the white-armored man with a raise of his hand.
“No more questions. We’ve got to get a move on. Now, you can either stay out of our way or you can help us with our mission. Choice is yours.”
Remar frowned to himself, weighing his options. If there was a Super Star Destroyer in the neighborhood, then he doubted he would have much luck in getting off Naboo.
“All right, I’ll help,” he said. “I just need to free my partner Sharbrook and get our hands on our gear.”
“We can help with that,” said the dark-haired man. “We’ll just need to keep evading the guards and not stir up any trouble.”
“Let’s not waste any more time then.” With those words, the armored man strode out of the room and the others followed him, with Remar trailing close behind. It was only then, as they were rushing through the palace halls, that he finally put a name to the armored man’s familiar voice.
And only then did he realize the mess he had gotten himself into.
The Supremacy
“How does it feel to be home, traitor?”
Finn did not humor his escort with a response as the white-clad stormtroopers led him and Rey through a corridor. After the shuttle carrying the captive Princess Leia and her team had docked in the Supremacy’s hangar bay, they had all been split up once the red-armored stormtroopers had handed them off to their white-armored counterparts; Toah Jarsan and Captain Solo had been taken to one cell block, Chewbacca to one all his own, and Leia had been escorted away by the red-armored stormtroopers and their commander. This left Finn and Rey to be taken a separate cell block, although Finn could not help but wonder if a special punishment awaited him due to his status as a rogue stormtrooper.
What didn’t help was the fact that the trooper escorting him was someone he knew all too well. FN-0926—or simply 926—had been his fellow cadet in Batch Eight back when they were in induct camp. While Finn would never say they had been good friends, there had nonetheless been a sense of camaraderie between all of the cadets in that batch, even though their instructors had frowned upon and even outright discouraged it.
“Gotta admit, I never really knew what to make of you,” FN-0926 went on, speaking in a low Outer Rim drawl. “The instructors always liked you; pretty sure they even had you pegged as officer material. Can’t say I ever saw it… but I definitely never had you written down as a traitor.”
He brought Finn and Rey to a stop before one of the prison cells and punched in an access code. The door slid open and he pushed Rey in but kept Finn nearby, turning him around so he could look the ex-stormtrooper in the eye.
“We were your brothers, Eight-Seven,” FN-0926 said in a low tone. “We were family. And you turned your back on all of us for this pathetic Resistance. I don’t know what your motives are or what your end goal is… but you sicken me. Straight down to my very core.”
He then put his hand on Finn’s chest and gave him a rough shove before moving his hand back to the control panel.
“Batch Eight, heigh-ho, you son of a murglak.”
The door slid shut and Finn and Rey were left in near darkness. A single red light above them provided the only illumination, tinting everything in a scarlet glow. Finn sighed heavily as he moved over to one of the two bunks and sat down, hanging his head low. Rey continued to stand, eying him carefully.
“Why did you desert from the First Order?” she asked.
He looked up at her, keeping his expression blank. “I’ve told you. It was because of that massacre back on Jakku.”
“Is that the only reason? Because it sounds to me that you were pretty close to your fellow stormtroopers.”
“I was. We were like brothers. I never knew my parents, so they were the closest I had to a family.”
“Then why would you leave that all behind?”
“Because I couldn’t stand for what they did on Jakku,” Finn said curtly. “You weren’t there, but it would have sickened you to the core. It would have sickened anyone with a conscience. Up until that point, I had seen my fair share of brutality on the part of the First Order, but I had been able to justify it in my head for being in favor of the greater good. But killing those innocent people on Jakku… that crossed the line.”
He paused for a moment before narrowing his eyes at Rey.
“I have to admit, I wouldn’t expect a Jedi of all people to excuse something so horrible as that massacre—”
“I’m not excusing it,” Rey protested. “I’m just….” She huffed, looking as if she was trying to select the right words. “I never knew my parents either,” she then said in a quiet tone. “And unlike you, I didn’t have anyone to call family. The Jedi and the Resistance are the first people to come even close to that and… I just can’t imagine ever turning against them. For any reason.”
Finn allowed his expression to soften at this. “Believe me, it pains me to fight against my brothers,” he said quietly. “I take no joy in shooting them down. When I… when I killed Nines back on Lothal, it….”
He choked on his words and forced himself to look away from Rey, focusing his attention on the durasteel floor.
“We never really got along and I don’t think he liked me much, but….”
He couldn’t get the rest of the words out and simply sat there with his head hanging low. He felt Rey sit beside him and wrap an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close.
Time no longer had any meaning as the two of them sat together in the darkened silence.
* * *
“Rise and shine, Skywalker.”
Luke Skywalker awoke from his meditative state as light flooded into his cell. It had been difficult for him to meditate due to the Force-dampening effects of the cell, but he had done what he could to the best of his abilities. Once his eyes had adjusted to the light, he saw the assassin known as Ochi standing there in the doorway, hands planted firmly on his hips.
“Today’s the big day,” Ochi said, his tone as mocking as ever. “The Supreme Leader wants to see you in his throne room.”
“At least I’ll have a chance to stretch my legs,” Luke replied, getting up onto his feet and stretching.
“Yeah, yeah, keep your remarks to yourself,” Ochi grunted. He then turned on his heel and began walking away, not waiting for Luke to catch up although the Jedi Master quickly fell in line behind him.
The assassin led him through the corridors of the Supremacy, passing by several stormtroopers and officers. The uniforms the officers wore were Imperial in design though with more of a sharp edge to them, which was enough to make Luke wonder if they even were Imperial. The overall design aesthetic of the Supremacy was certainly close enough to that of an Imperial Star Destroyer, with white lights glowing from dark walls. He tried reaching out with the Force, to see if he could sense anything or anyone, but his senses were still as muddled out here as they had been inside his cell.
It was only when they reached the turbolift to the Supreme Leader’s chambers did Luke finally feel it: the cold sensation that he had associated with the dark side ever since he had first encountered it back on Dagobah, all those years ago. He had felt it again when he had faced the Emperor, and then Darth Vorath. He knew that Vorath was also likely somewhere on the ship, though whether he would be awaiting him with Snoke he was not sure. He also sensed something else, separate from the dark side; something warm and familiar, yet it also filled his heart with dread for the connotations its presence here, in this place, meant.
The turbolift came to a stop, the doors opened, and Luke immediately saw the source of this familiar sensation.
“Leia!”
His sister stood there, hands bound by stun cuffs, with two red-armored guards surrounding her. She turned her head at the sound of his voice, her eyes going wide as they met his.
“Luke!”
Laughter filled the wide, red-curtained chamber that was Supreme Leader Snoke’s throne room. The ruler himself, dressed in his golden robes, sat comfortably in his throne, regarding them all with a mocking grin.
“And so, after sixteen long years, brother and sister are united once more.” Snoke splayed his withered hands. “A family reunion long in the making. Oh, but what family reunion isn’t complete with the father himself?”
The Supreme Leader gestured with his hands and Luke looked over to see Kane Skywalker, still clad in his white replica of Darth Vader’s armor, standing there with two more guards flanking him. The clone of Anakin Skywalker was missing his mask and helmet, looking weak and tired.
“I know it’s not quite the same,” Snoke went on. “But I did the best I could with what I had.”
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded Leia. “What do you want with us?”
“The same thing any Force-user set to rule the galaxy would want,” Snoke said. “The power of the Skywalkers at his disposal.”
“You may have turned my son, but you will not turn us,” Leia said firmly.
Luke glanced at her. “You know?”
“He’s been kind enough to tell me,” Leia replied, glaring at Snoke.
The Supreme Leader chuckled. “I will admit, Ben Solo’s descent had been a pleasant surprise for me. After all, if Lord Sidious had failed to turn Luke Skywalker, how could someone like me turn his nephew? But, alas, I proved myself wrong. Sometimes I surprise even myself.”
“There is still good in him,” Leia protested. “I have felt it.”
“The boy has been conflicted as of late, I will admit. But I have already sent him on a trial to amend that. In fact….” A cruel smile crept onto Snoke’s scarred face. “I believe he has already returned.”
The doors to the turbolift opened again and Luke and Leia turned to see a dark-haired man storm in. Having abandoned his mask, Kylo Ren’s dark eyes were cold and resolute, betraying no emotion. Not once did he spare a glance at his mother or his uncle, instead keeping his gaze focused on the Supreme Leader.
“Ah, the mighty Kylo Ren!” Snoke declared, rising from his seat and raising his arms. “Son of darkness! Heir apparent of Darth Vader! Where once there was conflict, I now sense resolve! I trust your journey to Mustafar was fruitful, my apprentice?”
“It was,” Kylo Ren said simply, his voice cool and even. He walked past Luke and Leia and came up to stand beside his master, regarding them all with an emotionless expression.
“Then I release you from my teaching. You are an apprentice no more. I hereby name you Executor of the First Order; the blade through which I shall execute my will once I have taken control of the galaxy.”
Snoke returned his attention to Luke and Leia, lowering his arms to point his bony fingers at the Skywalker twins.
“Now then,” he rumbled. “Watch as I bend the entire Skywalker dynasty to my will!”
Before either of them had a chance to act, a storm of lightning erupted from Snoke’s finger tips and struck Luke and Leia, pulling them into a world of pain….
Tython
Light-years away, on the Jedi ancestral world of Tython, Jacen Solo collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest.
“Jacen!” He heard Master Kyle Katarn call his name, though the older Jedi’s voice was faint through the agony Jacen was sensing. “What’s wrong?”
“Mom,” Jacen murmured. “She’s in danger. As is Uncle Luke.”
“Do you know where they are?” The second voice belonged to Master Kam Solusar, who was now helping Jacen onto his feet.
Jacen struggled to pierce through the fog of pain and pinpoint the source of the disturbance. “Naboo,” he eventually managed to get out. “They’re on Naboo.”
“Then we have no time to waste,” said Master Katarn. “I’ll mobilize a Jedi strike team to head to Naboo.”
“We should also radio the Resistance,” suggested Master Saba Sebatyne. “Leia is their leader, after all.”
As the Jedi Council moved to carry out their missions, Jacen tried to find it within himself to dissuade them, to warn them of the dangers that awaited them all. But he knew there was no point, because it was already too late.
The vision he had experienced in the Unknown Regions was already replaying itself in his mind, accompanied by the cold, raspy voice repeating a single word:
“Mine.”
* * *
“Mom!”
Jaina Solo nearly fell to the floor, gripping her lightsaber tight in her hands. Sweat dripped down from her forehead, soaking her undershirt.
“Jaina?” Her sparring partner, Zekk, regarded her with concern. “Is everything all right?”
“No,” Jaina whispered. “My mother… she’s in danger.”
But before she could elaborate even further, a cold, raspy voice began to ring in her ear, drowning out Zekk’s questioning as he laid a hand on her shoulder.
“Mine,” was all the voice said, repeating endlessly.
* * *
Anakin Solo shot up in bed, crying out in alarm. Beside him, his wife stirred and opened her eyes, sitting up upon sensing his panic.
“Anakin, what’s wrong?” Tahiri Veila asked, touching his arm.
He was unable to answer her; his words immediately caught in his throat as he felt a shiver run down his spine, accompanied by a dark voice that echoed endlessly in his mind.
“Mine.”
The Supremacy
“It is useless to resist!” Snoke bellowed over the sound of his own Force lightning. “Submit yourselves to the dark side! It is the only way you can survive! The only way you can save the galaxy!”
“No!” Kane Skywalker cried out as he pushed out with his arms. The two Praetorian Guards that had been surrounding him were instantly banished away by the Force and the clone of Vader charged to intercept the umbrage of lightning. It immediately began to crackle through his suit, shorting the circuitry within.
“You fool!” Snoke growled. “Do not throw away your life as recklessly as your progenitor! There is no stopping my power! Your sacrifice will be in vain!”
“Luke, Leia! Get out of here!” Kane yelled through the pain of the lightning. “Save yourselves while you still can!”
“No!” Leia cried. “I’m not leaving without my son! Not this time!”
“Your son is gone!” Snoke snarled. “He is mine now! You will all be mine!”
The Supreme Leader increased his barrage and Kane Skywalker released a deafening bellow of agony. Unable to withstand the assault any longer, the clone of Vader collapsed to the floor, his body unmoving as wisps of smoke exuded from it. Only then did the lightning finally cease, Snoke stepping away to regather his strength.
“Unfortunately for you, Kane Skywalker, you are the most disposable of your clan,” Snoke said venomously. “I have no particular use for a clone; you are but a weaker shell of a more powerful man.”
“At least you have come to that realization sooner than I did.”
Snoke’s eyes snapped to the turbolift doors, from which three figures were emerging. In the lead was the young child Kalon Sendor, the current vessel of Darth Vorath’s spirit, while behind him were his parents, Varon Sendor and Lysira Naris. All three of them wore vacant expressions, their eyes tinted gold. Ochi moved to intercept them only to be flung away with a simple gesture from Kalon’s hands.
“I apologize for the intrusion,” Darth Vorath spoke through Kalon’s mouth. “But the disturbance in the Force you caused was too great for me to ignore.”
Snoke’s deformed face twisted into a sneer. “The last thing I need is for you to serve as spectator, Vorath. Do not delude yourself into thinking you have any sort of power here.”
“Don’t I?” This time, Vorath’s voice came from Varon, the ancient Sith’s own offspring. “Unless I am mistaken, I am the only one in this room who is a Dark Lord of the Sith. Surely that means something even in this day and age.”
“It doesn’t,” Snoke spat. “Not with someone as powerful as myself in the picture.”
“Then perhaps I should amend that.” Vorath’s voice now came from Lysira’s mouth as she and her husband each drew and ignited a red lightsaber. “Let this be a day long remembered, where the fate of the galaxy is decided by two beings battling for supremacy.”
With these words, Vorath gestured with the hands of his grandson and both Varon and Lysira moved in to attack. With a silent glare, Snoke raised his hands at them and unleashed another burst of lightning….
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