Skywalker's Empire

[Darth Fanboy]

Just a little idea in my head that's kind of expanding. No more shitty EU books dictating to me the direction of SW so I came up with this.

Part I: Conquering the divided

Location: Imperial Stellar Palace "Overseer"

"Emperor Skywalker, our ships are in orbit around Tatooine as you requested. The bombardment will commence shortly."

"Good, I leave the rest of this operation in your capable hands Admiral. Under no circumstances are there to be any survivors, if anyone is fortunate enough to flee in time they will have to be dealt with."

"Yes majesty, for the New Empire, it shall be done."

The dark robed figure turned off the holoprojector. In the twenty five years since the Reclaiming of Coruscant from the Yuuzhan Vong things progress was only now being made. Once the infrastructure was back in place it hadn't taken long for the galaxy to become fragmented once again, even more so than it had been before the conflict. This allowed the dregs of the galaxy once again to thrive and the underworld was as deep as it had been since the days of the Exchange and Black Sun.

But the new Emperor would not be as permissive as previous governments. Even the legendary Palpatine allowed a significant underworld to thrive, prospering from it himself. It was no wonder to the new leader of the galaxy, that the Old Empire had crumbled in such a short period of time. Worlds like Tatooine, Nal Hutta and Nar Shaada did not have a place in the New Empire. There was no hope for these worlds, they couldn't be purified enough to join the rest of the galaxy as it ascendeded to the new era.

The image on the holoprojector rekindled, as the Mk 3 Imperator Class Star Destroyers began glassing the planet of tatooine, while mixed squadrons of XJ-Wings and Tie Defenders began sweeping for fleeing rabble. It was only a matter of time before the cleansing was complete, and its not like he was being unreasonable either. He had made his announcement one standard week ago, announcing that the NEw Empire was to be taken seriously on this matter.

In Twenty Five years the "Galactic Alliance" splintered. The Bothans were the first to leave, although it was widely believed that they left of their own accord rather than suffering the indignity of being expelled. Also, the incredible shift of influence towards the Mon Calamari, sympathy for the deceased Admiral Ackbar as well as its success as Provisional Capital, had ousted the Bothans and threatened their political position. Any other race would have accepted this probably, but to a race of schemers and politicians like the Bothans, it was upsetting.

The Bothan split however somehow isolated their territories from the economic collapse that followed the Sekot Accords. The Republic began to reel as its members squabbled with each other over trade disputes, desperately fighting for credits. Within five years the Galactic Alliance was an Alliance only in name, as various economic pacts created opposing factions within the Alliance. Major factions emerged being led by traditional powers: The Bothans, Mon Calamari, and the Imperial Remnant among a few.

In time the pacts dealt not only with economy, but extended to include shared technology, border patrolling, and extradition. It was highly unwritten that these were also mutual defense pacts as well, but no one ever stated that openly in order to avoid aggressive behavior.

It was during this time of rebuilding that Skywalker was forced into more decisive action. He would succeed where his father had failed before. He would not be held back by the authority because he would become the ultimate authority, no Emperor nor Senate would restrain his ambition. He would succeed because he was confident that he had learned from the folly of both sides of the Force.

Palpatine was correct, the Force made people strong and through strength in the Force should one be allowed dominion over those weaker than him. But he was a Sith and as such he was inherently flawed. The Sith relied too much on strength, strength above all else sacrificed control. Power could not be obtained without control. The Sith sacrificed control, always seeking an advantage to dominate their opponents, always searching the quickest path. In the end Palpatine lost control, defective clones sealed his fate. He had gained great power but no longer was he in charge of his own destiny. With him died the last of the true Sith.

And where were the Jedi in all of this? What few remained after the Vong War were disillusioned and many of them left the order. They had vowed to Master Skywalker that they would give their lives in service to the galaxy, only to watch as their comrades were butchered by those they tried to protect, while others found themselves in trauma, having to cope with the atrocities and genocide of the Vong without being able to release pent up anger and sorrow. The remaining Jedi were so overtaxed in their service to the greater galaxy that they were forced into prioritizing each new development, which furthered the stereotype of aloofness and hurt their reputation. The public at large was no longer as cooperative as in ages past, and the ranks were not swelling fast enough to replace the losses. Only a score of Jedi remained, a sizeable portion of them being of the Skywalker/Solo family.

It was a great shock to the entire galaxy when the leader of the New Empire was a Skywalker. Leia had nearly gone into shock when she had found out and Mara was absolutely crushed, she had been saved by the light only to watch her dearest love fall under the grip of temptation He had travelled in secret to the Imperial Remnant and announced he was taking charge. That was all he needed to do, Pellaeon was dead and the Moff Council was in desperate need of leadership. Skywalker could have chose any faction he wanted to stage the great revival, but the Empire had more of what he needed, discipline. The Moffs were quietly dispatched and control consolidated under the miltiary, the bureaucracy was slashed and the Remnant soon became to be known as the New Empire, a fitting acknowledgement to what was one the 'New Republic'. The New Empire became a role model for stability only twenty years after the Vong wars while the other factions looked on, either with admiration or in jealousy. The Jedi were stunned, the most powerful member of their order had begun treading down a dark path, but a much different one than the Sith took, or any other fallen Jedi for that manner. Different in that it skirted a different area of the force, the path mired in grey and the light dim but not completely blackened out.

But the new Emperor, Ben Skywalker, knew what he was doing.

[/i]

[SpecWar826]

OOOH This is good.

[Darth Fanboy]

Part Two: Assertion

Location: Imperial Stellar Palace "Overseer"

A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far Away...

Twenty years after the war with the Tuuzhan Vong, the Galactic Alliance as well as the rest of the galaxy has been divided in the midst of the Bothan exclusion, and the Galactic Depression. The Imperial Remnant, now led by Ben Skywalker, has taken to calling itself the New Empire. The Jedi have been decimated by internal strife and are unable to bring peace to the fractured Republic...

The New Imperial Fleet left Tatooine a smoldering ruin, and would do the same to planets across the Outer Rim that were known havens for pirates or guerilla activity. not even the larger criminal organizations could put up a token resistance. It's a wonder no one had ever done this before. Emperor Skywalker thought. In this time of conflict Tatooine went largely unclaimed. It had never had any true auhtority other than its vast deserts and only the central galactic government had ever been able to hold claim over it. This action would cost very little in terms of lives and manpower and only the extremist holdouts like his father could oppose it. But the Jedi had been reluctant to confront Ben, he hadn't crossed over into the Dark Side yet and they did not waant to provoke him. Ben could feel his family through the force, and by letting himself go into the force, he could forsee the consequences of his actions. So far there was little short of a needless massacre that would draw his father out of seclusion and into open conflict.

Five years ago the New Empire forged alliances with the Hapan Consortium after a revolution forced Tenel Ka and the monarchy out. Recent conflicts had taken a great toll on their Empire and the Hapans had seceded from the Republic/Alliance in quick succession, choosing instead to form their own power base using their wealth and still sizeable navy. But the Hapans were lacking in international respect. The larger coalitions led by non-humans were quick to distrust the Consortium, which had lived in opulence and luxury during the Old Empire.

The Hapans soon found respect as members of the New Empire. Ben Skywalker came to their capital, and promised stability and order as well as a way to show how strong Hapans could be. Emperor Skywalker granted Hapan military officials key positions and allowed tthem to remain in control of their forces while placing Hapan aristocrats in high profile but realtively harmless political positions. The admission of those sixty worlds provided a much needed boost of funds and capital. The Empire was now once again able to afford construction of new ships and no time was wasted in handing out work orders to shipyards across Imperial space. Hapan wealth allowed the New Empire to expand its military while other fleets in the galaxy scrambled to gather what they could during the depression. Out of gratitude for newfound prominence, the Hapans constructed a new version of their hyperspace palace that once housed the Queen Mother. Emperor Skywalker was given the Overseer as a way to rule over the New Empire from whichever seat he wanted. This proved helpful as the New Empire lacked a sufficient capital world for the time being. Bastion was unfit and Yaga Minor lacked the necessary aura.

There was no longer time to reminisce about the events that had brought him to this point. His father and the rest of the Jedi had not been found and it was of great importance that as much of his family as possible saw the need for his plan to succeed.

Location: Kashyyk, Solo Residence

"Luke, Tatooine is gone."

Mara had been reluctant to tell her ailing husband about the world he was raised on. Luke was only about seventy five years old, young for a human strong in the Force. But since Ben left and became Emperor he had fallen gravely ill, and Mara wondered wether or not the weight of the galaxy's was slowly crushing him, finally catching up to him after years of tribulations. Luke was tired, and barely managed to speak in response to her news.

"Was it Ben?"

"No one is entirely sure," She lied, she had felt the rpesence of those live sbeing lost and the familiar haze of her son's presence behind it. But she wouldn't leave out details of the official reports. "It looks like however that it was a fleet action. The entire system was sealed off for almost a day, and it would have taken at least three Star Destroyers to do the kind of damage done." Everyone in the galaxy seemed to have Star Destroyers, but only one group was willing to use them like that.

"I have failed him, I failed our son."

"That's not true Luke. You can still feel him yourself, he hasn't crossed over."

"I know the path he walks," Luke's sentence was abruptly cut off by a thick cough, he cleared his throat to finish. "If he does not turn around soon, he will fall."

"That won't happen. Just try to rest, i'll be around if you need me."

Mara left Luke in their room, hoping the solitude would allow him to focus and concentrate, she was getting worried for him more and more. The last time she helped him into a Force Meditation she could swear that parts of him were slipping away, as if the Force was slowly claiming him.

The Wookies had offered Han and Leia a great home on Kashyyk when they retired from service after the war and they had accepted. The home was big enough that Mara and Luke were welcome to rooms of their own as well whenever they required. Kashyyk was one of the few places left after the Five Year War that remained autonomous, they had no desire to be a part of the New Empire and the Emperor had not forced the issue and the Wookie government suspected it was because of the presence of the Skywalkers, which made them honored guests.

Mara walked until she was far enough away from look and masked her presence in the Force, she couldn't bear to let him feel her grief. For him and especially for their son. during his more lucid moment Luke had told her not to give in to sorrow for her son or him. That Ben's actions were a part of his Skywalker heritage, and that like he and his father before him, he would ultimately come to terms with the light. Mara wanted desperately to believe him, but she couldn't help but feel the presence of her old master, laughing at his traitorous pupil and forever shadowing her life. She couldn't help but be reminded of Darth Vader, and the stories she heard of Luke during his time as a Dark Lord.

Hidden within her shell, she cried.

[Darth Fanboy]

A Timeline by the Author:

BY = Before Yavin
AY = After Yavin

19BY - Palpatine forms Galactic Empire, now known as the Old Empire

0AY - Battle of Yavin

4AY - Battle of Endor, beginning of the decline for the Old Empire

7AY - Coruscant falls to New Republic, Old Empire no longer dominant power in the galaxy

19AY - Peace between Old Empire and New Republic. Old Empire becomes Remnant.

25AY - Vong Invasion begins with novel "Vector Prime"

30AY - Vong Invasion ends with novel "The Unifying Force"

35AY - Bothans expelled from Galactic Alliance. Galactic Depression begins, first "trade pacts" emerge.

38AY - Hapans secede from Galactic Alliance, which is only an Alliance in name.

40AY - A mass exodus of youth from the Jedi Order cripples their numbers. Jedi number less than two hundred.

47AY - Ben Skywalker no longer wishes to be a Jedi and discontinues all of his training. Leaving him very powerful, but untrained in the ways of the Jedi.

49AY - Coruscant declares itself neutral, planetary government officials describe their world as the unaligned center of free trade and education in the galaxy.

50AY - Ben Skywalker becomes Emperor, "New Empire" founded, Hapans admitted to New Empire. Outbreak of the "Five Year War" What few Jedi remain are inevitably and unwillingly drawn into conflict by the multitude of participants. Solo and Skywalker families move to Kashyyk, which has decided to remain neutral.

51AY - Major participants in the Five Year War emerge as smaller factions begin to gel. The Kothlis Alliance led by the Bothans, the "True Republic" led by the Mon Calamari, the Corellian Coalition, the Outer Rim League and the New Empire. Traest Kre'fey killed when his Bothan Assault Cruiser is destroyed during a battle with the True Republic, a battle which sees the Kothlis Alliance take an early advantage.

52AY - Treaty of Agamar (also known as the Jedi Neutrality Treaty) granted members of the Jedi Order full neutrality, signed by all major participants. The Chiss Empire sides Ben Skywalker's New Empire after recieving assurances of racial tolerance not found in the Old Empire. The treat also has the effect of decling the Jedi Order to a mere fifty, ass members leave the Order so they may fight for their own worlds and causes. the New Empire's latest capital ships, expensive to produce but unmatched on the battlefield, restore great respect to the Imperial Navy.

53AY - The Outer Rim League, after recieving little or no support from outside sources, surrenders to the New Empire. Bothan attempts to poison the oceans of Mon Calamari are unsuccessful, and senitments turn against the Bothans as former Bothan Allies defect to the True Republic and turn the tide. Luke Skywalker begins suffering from grave illness, and hands his leadership of the Jedi Order to Jacen Solo after a passenger ship carrying twenty of the remaining Jedi to Coruscant is destroyed after starying too close to an engagement between the Kothlis Alliance and the Corellian Coalition.

54AY - More and more worlds flock to the New Empire as economies further collapse around the galaxy. Bothawui takes heavy casualties from Mon Calamari attacks, forcing them out of the war. The overextended True Republic, overzealous in their victory find themselves targets of the New Empire. The Corellian Coalition leader are killed under suspicious circumstances, and new Pro-Imperial leadership signs an accord with the New Empire.

55AY - The New Empire emerges from the Five Year War as victorious as Selkath and Quarren defect from the True Republic, turning their guns against the Mon Calamari in a vicious attack along with Imperial reinforcements. The Battle of Manaan was the crippling blow for the Tru Republic in the five year war. Coruscant's planetary government ends its isolation by petitioning for admission into the New Empire seeking to regain capital status. Their admission is accepted but Emperor Skywalker declines to make it his throneworld for the time being. Soon after the victory the New Empire began a program of eradicating potential underworld and militant strongholds in the Outer Rim, which involved the destruction of Tatooine. The Jedi Order is splintered when Jacen Solo dismisses his students after they become the targets of spiteful activists who believe that the Jedi were to blame for the restoration of the Empire.


Other Notes:

I think that Ben's goal isn't to rule like the Sith or the Republic. He wants to have the order and stability of the Empire but without the strife and injustices that caused it to be so widely despised, especially among nonhumans. He is also careful not to give up any of his control, granting titles an territory when necessary to quickly build power but never giving anything of value to an Emperor strong in the Force.

Ben never finished his training, his parents began training him as soon as they could but he never wanted to embrace the tradition, unlike the Solo Children. Ben's opinion that the Jedi were doomed to fail as the Sith had frustrated his parents, but they couldn't force him to follow in their footsteps lest risking him to fall deep into the Dark Side. Jacen is walking a careful line in between, not wanting to fall too far in either direction. Ben Skywalker sees the Force in nature, and sees that it is both beautiful and cruel, and thinks that in order to be in harmony with nature one cannot simply stay in the light and let ones self be blinded to the reality of the shadows. Falling to the dark side is a disaster as well, he thinks because strength without control is not true power.

I thought it would be a good idea that we finally get an heir to the Jedi tradition that doesn't buy into it. Think Lenin's son opening a Wal Mart in Red Square after the Revolution, or something like that.

[Admiral Bravo]

Seems like a good concept and a good story. I was actually planning to write a fanfic about a reborn empire thats been conquering galaxies all around it as well as staying ahead of other powers, but I was a little hesitent, but after reading yours I might give it a shot.

[Crazedwraith]

I like the Second Chapter has good mara.luke characterisation. Which is strange because after reading the first chapter is was thinking this was nothing I hadn't seen before. (Conquest came to mind)

[montypython]

This is a good story with a lot of potential. Build up on it.

[Darth Fanboy]

I like the Second Chapter has good mara.luke characterisation. Which is strange because after reading the first chapter is was thinking this was nothing I hadn't seen before. (Conquest came to mind)

I like Conquest, and stories like that where the Empire is reborn, I wanted to do my own take on it while using the Imperial Remnant as its focus rather than a single force user emulating Palpatine. But even more important to me than the Empire rejuvenating is the next generation of Father-Son feud in the Skywalker family.

We know how children can be, growing up I wanted to be an accountant like my father so I could follow in his footsteps and carry on his business (he has his own business, and thats always been appealing to me also). But growing up I saw all of these different things I wanted to do plus I detest crunching numbers. With that in mind I thought, "Wow, the writers and authors are really setting up Ben Skywalker to be this big powerful important Jedi. what if he doesn't WANT to be a Jedi." Ben's in this really unique situation being the child of arguably the two most force-sensitive people in the galaxy. Now if he doesn't want to be a Jedi its not like Luke and Mara can just tell him to be either, because that would push him towards the dark side, and we know what Skywalkers are like on the Dark Side.

Ben has a lot of interest with Balance. Every time the Light Side has pushed to near extinction they came back, every time the Dark Side has been pushed to near extension it came back. This creates cycles of violence that aren't limited to Jedi or Sith or unaligned Force Users. It affects the galaxy at large. What Ben wants to do is walk the center of the Force as tightly as he can. Notice how he isn't above using assassination, but he is also for the equal rights of all sentinents. If the Force must be balanced, then Force users must be balanced. While he may never have the raw power of the Force like Palpatine or the wisdom of Yoda his goals are completely different. In order to achieve this balance though the Jedi have to be defragmented, any Dark Siders he encounters will be dealt with as well. Eventually he reckons that after his family is neutralized, forcibly or otherwise, then he will be the only dominant Force User remaining, and as long as he walks the middle the Force will be in balance as will the galaxy, creating stability and order but not necessairly peace.

Ben decides on an Imperial government because it has more discipline, which is paramount at this juncture as his version of the Galactic Empire is fairly new and still establishing itself.

Thanks for all the feedback. There will be more, not just rebuilding the Empire but a Skywalker Arc, and hopefully whatever else I can conjure up too. Eventually i'd like to do a spin off cross over of this fic Where Ben's Empire goes against ST but not in this storyline at all. This will be PSW for the time being.

[darthdavid]

Sounds spiffy. If you execute it well I think this will be a killer story.

[Darth Fanboy]

Questions for readers:

Using the hyperdrive capable Hapan Palace (Like Ta'a'chume used previously), does that work for y'all reading this? I didn't want to constrain Ben to a planet just yet, plus he takes control of the Remnant during a weird period and the Empire is lacking a fitting capital for a monarch.

Also could use some feedback on what you all think of my initial use of the Hapans. I did away with the Queen Mother facet almost too easily I fear just so I could manipulate them better, but they were a very good fit I thought in helping the New Empire get a jumpstart over other factions.

One last whiny question, does the term "New Empire" with its nod to the "New Republic" seem good? Or is it a fleeting novelty appeal?

[CaptainChewbacca]

Questions for readers:

Using the hyperdrive capable Hapan Palace (Like Ta'a'chume used previously), does that work for y'all reading this? I didn't want to constrain Ben to a planet just yet, plus he takes control of the Remnant during a weird period and the Empire is lacking a fitting capital for a monarch.

Its good. Just remember that it has approximately the armanment and defenses of a Victory-class, at least the old one did.

Also could use some feedback on what you all think of my initial use of the Hapans. I did away with the Queen Mother facet almost too easily I fear just so I could manipulate them better, but they were a very good fit I thought in helping the New Empire get a jumpstart over other factions.

I would have had Ben take the daughter of TK or maybe some promising aristorcat to seal the alliance, but that's just me. Looks good.

One last whiny question, does the term "New Empire" with its nod to the "New Republic" seem good? Or is it a fleeting novelty appeal?

It seems pretty good. I notice Ben's philosophy is heavily patterned after the realizations Jacen had in the NJO. Perhaps cousin Jacen feels guilty for turning Ben from the true path?

[Darth Fanboy]

Its good. Just remember that it has approximately the armanment and defenses of a Victory-class, at least the old one did.

Ah thanks for mentioning, although I doubt Overseer will be overseeing any combat at all.

I would have had Ben take the daughter of TK or maybe some promising aristorcat to seal the alliance, but that's just me. Looks good.

I thought about I think Ben wants to focus on the task at hand. Doesn't need a woman dsitracting him, especially a Jedi one when ultimately he wants to be rid of the Jedi Order.

I notice Ben's philosophy is heavily patterned after the realizations Jacen had in the NJO. Perhaps cousin Jacen feels guilty for turning Ben from the true path?

You know what, I hadn't intentionally patterned that, but I got an idea now.

[Darth Fanboy]

Part 3: Tightrope across the Abyss.

Location: Imperial Flagship, SSD Remember Bastion Da Soocha

"Captain! Sensor readings confirm Mon Cal ruisers, MC-80 and MC90s. We'll be in optimum weapons range in elss than five minutes!"

The Star Destroyers had emerged from hyperspace as close to the watery world as they could with three of the Executor-class Super Star Destroyers in the lead like an unholy trident. Imperial Intelligence had been busy hunting down the last vestiges of the fleet of the Mon Calamari-led True Republic. One of the older officers involved was a veteran of the battle of Mon Calamari, serving aboard one of the ill-fated World Devastators. He remembered the Mon Calamari were forced at one point to evacuate their planet. He rationalized that wherever the Mon Cal had fled to could concievably be used as a future base of operations for the aquatic species. Imperial records salvaged from Byss indicated that there was an Alliance Headquarters in the Da Soocha system, ultimately destroyed by the infamous galaxy gun. It was simple enough then to examine the map and locate nearby words suitable for large Mon Cal populations. Da Soocha itself was a largely aquatic planet. Emperor Skywalker had commended the officers in charge and rewarded them accordingly while at the same time ordering in a fleet with enough firepower to take on a well entrenched opponent.

The Empire had learned from Admiral Ozzel's mistake at the Battle of Hoth, scanning equipment and planetary defensedthese days were too sophisticated to simply creep into a system unexpected. The Imperial ships rushed right in, immediately deploying fighters and targeting the most vulnerable ships in range. Imperial XJ-Wings emerged straight from hyperspace to begin defending the larger capital ships along with Imperial Lancer Frigates, which was necessary ,the Mon Calamari had a nasty reputation for utilizing B-Wing formations in their defensive screens to deliver early strikes. The Mon Cal had also formed strategic alliances with the Verpines, which gave them exceptional technical support as well has hive-minded pilots proficient in B-Wings that could coordinate better than anyone else in the galaxy short of the Jedi. Starfighter command realized there was a drawback in that this increased fuel consumption substantially, but the Emperor had ordered it noting that defending the crews of the capital ships and their heavy guns was more important than mere credits. While the XJ-Wings were superb in providing defensive starfighter support, the TIE Defender was a nightmare on the offensive side. Imperial Admirals offset the cost of the impressive machine by developing the Defender/B, which had no hyperdrive. These Starfighters would be deployed from ships at the beginning of each engagement like the old TIE Fighters and Interceptors, the added maneuverability and speed from removing the hyperdrive made the Defender slightly deadlier as well, although it took top-notch pilots to take advantage of it. Costs were also reduced by alloting a limited number of proton torpedoes to X-wing squadrons, which did not use them as frequently in defensive roles.

Not far behind the capital ships came the troop transports. Imperial Star Galleons carried not only stormtroopers, but Quarren and Selkath marines that were better suited to the environment. Their defection during the Battle of Manaan allowed the Imperial Fleet to cripple the True Republic and declare victory, now it would help wipe out potential resistance from the die hards. Selkath involvement as it turned out also allowed the Empire access to the once again lucrative kolto market, which broke the control of the bacta cartel. Kolto production was finally recovering after thousands of years due to a toxic contamination from an almost forgotten war between the Republic and the Sith.

The True Republic forces holed up on Da Soocha made the mistake of not preparing for an overwhelming Imperial attack force, thinking that the Empire would pay little heed to what was no more than a fledgling rebellion. The new Emperor had no intention of allowing the seed to even be planted however, and along with the systematic destruction of problem worlds in the outer rim was the order to wipe out remaining enemy enclaves. The Imperial advantage grew steeper as the larger MC-90s were targeted first, with the Super Star Destroyer Anakin's Blade getting the first kill. The Mon Cal were smart enough not to let the B-Wings charge ahead into the XJ-Wing fighter screen but not smart enough to afford them a proper escort. The TIE Defenders began making short work of the slow moving craft and reducing the ability of the defenders to protect the planet from Imperial troop landers.

Across the depths of space, Ben was watching. Sometimes he loathed simply watching these battles on the holonet, during the early parts of the war he had aided his cause by using the force to coordinate his attacks but his role was too important now for the battlefield. He wondered if his father or grandfather had ever felt the same way, constrained by their role in life and unable to act as they would have preferred. The battle was going well though, and the Super Star Destroyers were paying in on their investment rather well, it was a sight that reassured him in siding early with the Hapans. More and more of the ships fell as the disorganized Mon Calamari struggled to mount an effective defense and it wasn't long before the Empire had managed to drive a wedge between the capital ships and the planet. The troops began landing en masse soon afterwards, overrunning undermanned defensive positions and key compounds. The prisoners and data collected from this excursion would be exactly what was needed to finish the True Republic once and for all. Ben's attention was turned from the projector. A protocol droid lumbered into view behind the projector with the stealth of a drunken Gammorrean.

"Master, Grand Admiral Adair as requesting an audience with you over the holonet."

Ben nodded, if he knew his loyal admiral as well as he thought he did he would be requesting to boil the oceans of Da Soocha down to the basalt as he had done on Mon Calamari not too long ago. It was a spectacular sight really, to watch vast oceans boil into a planet covering cloud of scalding steam. He waved his hand with the force and switched to his private frequency, the image of the battle turned into a man.

"Your highness, I am pleased to announce that the battle has been decisively in our favor, the intelligence provided was perfectly accurate and..."

"Spare me the details Admiral, I was watching the entire conflict via the holonet. You may also displease with the brown nosing, your assessment is indeed accurate."

"As you wish my lord. If I may ask have you any plans for this world?"

Ben closed his eyes, briefly enveloping himself in the Force.

"We cannot simply destroy every planet we feel cannot be tightly secured by our fleet Admiral, in fact I plan on granting the Quarren full colonization rights. Their home ocean evaporated and the atmosphere no longer exists to contain it."

"A wise decision, had I thought of it myself I would have..."

Emperor Skywalker sternly interrupted him, Adair was a great leader but a braggart. "Let me make something clear to you Grand Admiral. this is not the Old Empire, flattery will do nothing to curry my favor, only performance. If you want to impress me htne you will be wise to continue rooting out insurgents and finish the list of targets you have been allocated."

Adair gulped so audibly it could be heard over the audio of the holonet, good, fear might be on the path to the dark side but in proper does anyone could be kept in line. Darth Vader would never have been as successful if not for his tight fist on operations under his command.

"Yes my lord. There is but one thing I have left to mention, it is regarding some of the initial data being uncovered by our troops. One of our stormtrooper detatchments found a document detailing the locations of hidden rebel treasures. Nothing of great financial value, mostly artifacts from the Rebellion."

"And why should these baubles concern me?"

"There aren't too many items on here worth mentioning really majesty, but one item on here caught my attention and if I am correct it may interest you. I am uploading it now."

"I will examine it at my leisure, you may resume your duties."

"Yes majesty."

Another gesture with his hand and the project was powered down, there had been enough interruptions for one day. The young Emperor was about to head to his more private chambers to meditate, but something in the Force called out to him, compelling him to to examine the list of artifacts Adair had just sent him. He downloaded the file onto one of his own datapads and began reading.

New Republic People's Inventory Roster #0071-a:

By order of the Provisional government, artifacts of the Rebellion are hereby proncounced protected treasures of the Republic. The penalty for illegal possession of the following items is immediate execution. All of the artifacts on this list are to be protected until such a time when they may be unveiled to the public at large. Secondly, this particular cache must be kept secret from known Jedi or Jedi Associates until such a time as declared by the High Council.

"Secret from the Jedi?", Ben pondered, "What could possibly be so important?"

Roster Items, Categorized in order delivered to Kashyyk Military Mueseum Archives:

0071-a01: T-47 Snowspeeder tow cable scavenged from AT-AT wreckage on Hoth.
0071-a02: Y-Wing wreckage from Battle of Derra V
0071-a03: Clone Wars-Era Stormtrooper remains from Geonosis
0071-a04: Mandalorian Basilisk War Droid uncovered on Althir

The list went on for a while, items that were of only trivial historical interest mized in with unecessary relics of inflated importance, that is, until Ben reached the middle of the list.


0071-a39: Ejected pilot seat from N-1 Nubian Starfighter
0071-a40: Vibroblade salvaged from palace of Jabba the Hutt
0071-a41: Wraith Squadron Unit Patch, archived after squadron decomissioned
0071-a42: Charred remnants of Darth Vader's Armor, scavenged on Endor


That was why the Republic had wanted to hide this little stash of theirs. It would have really outraged the greatest hero of their war effort! Ben's father had built the funeral pyre with his own two hands, only to have the remains defiled by an opporuntistic heathen from his own side! The armor, charred as it may be, was being kept in secret on Kashyyk. The Wookies might not even realize that they have. It was Ben's birthright to claim the armor, wether to return it to Endor or to take it as his own he wasn't sure. Perhaps the black and barren world of Tatooine would be a fitting resting place. that could be decided later. He had to go to Kashyyk as soon as possible.

Even if it meant confronting his father.

Location: Kashyyk, Solo Residence

Luke rested deeply, allowing himself to meld with the Force, Mara objected when he did this in her presence, but he had no fear. After all, there was no death, there was only the Force. Mara was somewhat blinded by her affection for her husband, but Luke refrained from meditation for her sake. When she was away, attempting to hide her despair from him by conealing herself from the Force, he used the time to immerse himself in his legacy. The legacy given to him by his father. Luke's thoughts would drift within the Force effortlessly now, a far cry from the impetous days of his youth when he found it difficult to lift even a simple starfighter. There was a new reason now to embrace the energy that surrounded all living things. Nearly fifty years ago he had used it to seek out and confront his father, now he would have to do the same for his son.

Ben had grown powerful, Jacen and Jaina had made it a point to train him in many skills and talents early in his life, his natural affinity for the Force made it possible and his cousins were two natural teachers. They had also looked upon him as they had Anakin, in some ways Ben was much of a sibling to them as he was a son to Mara and Luke. But Ben had turned away from his training, perhaps he had learned too much too fast. Yoda had once told Luke he was too old to begin the training, but was Ben too young for the training given to him? There were many questions Yoda and Obi Wan had left unanswered. In their haste to defeat the Empire they had entrusted in Luke the Jedi legacy with almost none of its teachings. Ben had at first embraced the path as his cousins had, but turned away from the responsibility. He told his father that the Jedi were doomed to fail one day, and that as the son of the greatest Jedi Master in history and grandson of the most notorious Sith in history he was now obligated to a destiny he did not choose for himself. It was a reaction Luke had not forseen adequately, and on the day Ben disappeared, Luke thought he might attempt to find an anonymous life somewhere and never return.

But Ben did return, as the leader of the New Empire. While there were many differences than the twisted and corrupt system Anakin Skywalker had helped to create it was still the Empire. Ben was powerful Force user at a dangerous young age, through his acts people lost their lives and through his acts over 4/5 of the galaxy was reunified under a dictatorship. It was painful to know that Ben's prophecies were coming to pass, the Jedi were indeed failing.

Through the Force Luke reached out, it wasn't hard to roam the galaxy in this state but it was incredibly difficult to find a single presence, especially Ben's clouded aura of balanced dark and light side energy. Luke wondered if his father had attempted the same thing during the civil war so many years ago. Then it struck him, an overwhelming sensation and Luke arose out of bed with a jolt. A giant presence in the Force was approaching him.

Dwonstairs, Mara sat with Leia, who was attempting to console her. In the nearby room, Han Solo gritted his teeth, Luke had saved his kids countless times from just about every Force related threat they had come across. Now that hotshot kid who blew up the Death Star was withering away in his room while his own soon stood on the edge of a madness Han couldn't fathom. He'd do just about anything, he'd even take the Millenium Falcon out of mothballs for what seemed like the millionth time and take on Star Destroyers if he had to. That's what he needed right now, he walked over to where his wife and sister in law saw quietly. "Leia if you need me i'll be down tinkering with the rustbucket." Leia was about to shoot Han with an icy stare before looking up at his face, seeing the sorrow peremating his wrinkled complexion. Han wasn't being insnesitive, he was just trying to cope. "Thank you dear, if you see Jacen or Jaina have one of them look in on...Luke?"

Leia's quiet sentence ended with an energetic burst. Luke, fully dressed in Jedi Robes, was walking down teh staircase into the lounge. At first Leia thought to rush over to him and help his steps, but Luke was moving confidently and clearly. His mind seemed as sharp as a Rancor's claws. Han was so stunned to see his old friend, bedridden only hours ago, that he had to sit down. Luke was shining brightly as he spoke.

"Mara, our son is coming to visit."

[Admiral Bravo]

Pretty good.

[Crazedwraith]

Didn't I comment no this chapter yet? Very nice like the archeological items. Liked the Wraith Squad patch most of all. Nice building. We gonna see some actino soon?

[CaptainChewbacca]

Good. I'd like to point out that having a wife and paying attention to her are two separate things

[Darth Fanboy]

Part 4: The Bloodline That Changed the Galaxy

Location: Kashyyk, Great Tree

[I shouldn't have to remind anyone else of what happened the last time the Empire was on our beloved world! It appalls me that we are even debating the Emperor's request! Our Independent Fleet is still in its infancy and we're already facing the task of dealing with the Imperial Navy! Our traditions and way of life will not survive another Imperial occupation!]

Only two days prior, Emperor Ben Skywalker announced to the planet Kashyyk that he would be entering the Wookie system under a flag of truce. He declined to state his motives, but it was common knowledge that an ailing Luke Skywalker had taken up residence with the Solos, and that he was the only Master Jedi left to oppose Ben.

[Gowrrowrr, you speak of history young one as if you've lived it. Were you more than but an infant at your mother's teat when Luke Skywalker saved the entire galaxy from the Old Empire and its Death Stars? Or when Leia Organa and her husband helped to liberate our world in the aftermath? Do you forget the debt owed to these people by our race as a whole?]

That was Lowbacca, he had abandoned the role of active Jedi long ago to help lead his people, who were in desperate need of additional leadership and guidance as their greatest generation began to age and more of its warriors fell in honorable combat.

[I am well aware of the life-debt incurred by the noble Chewbacca, but the courtesy and gratitude made to the Skywalkers and Solos should not be extended to a man who dares call himself Emperor! Furthermore, I would suspect Lowbacca, that your feelings on this matter are not as clear!]

The degree of rudeness in that insult was most uncommon in Wookie society, between fellow Wookies at least, and with anyone else in that chamber there would have been an immediate challenge. But Lowbacca showed the mental integrity of his Jedi training, allowing the force to slow the rush of adrenaline to his blood. There is no emotion, there is peace.

[So what would you do when the Emperor comes to our world? Shoot him out of the sky as soon as his shuttle descends? Remember, he has shown no aggression on his part and promised that no military vessels other than a Sentinel-Class shuttle would enter within weapons range of Kashyyk.]

[Get to the point.]

Gowrrowrr was visibly irritated.

[The point is, if you threaten Ben Skywalker at any point it will be viewed as an act of aggression on our part, possibly as an assassination attempt, and the Empire would have a valid pretext for declaring War on us. The New Empire guaranteed our neutrality in the last conflict, they have no reason to adopt us as an enemy for the time being, they are too busy fortifying and pacifying recent acquisitions.]

Lowbacca could sense that his words were reaching the ears of those around him, cooler heads were beginning to prevail, now all he had to do was drive the point home.

[And when I speak of debt to this family, I'm not just referring to Chewbacca, or any individual. This is a family whom this world in particular owes a tremendous amount of respect. A respect which has been lost it seems on the younger generation.]

Gowrrowrr looked throughout the chamber, Lowbacca had turned the tide against him and he knew that he was defeated. He stepped down from his podium, he still had his honor, he wouldn't waste it on a diatribe like a spineless Bothan.

[For your sake, and for the sake of our world. Let us pray to Bacca that the Emperor doesn't use your respect for his father to enslave us all.]

Location: Solo Residence

"All right, thanks Lowie, hey just let us know when the shuttle is on its way and we'll make our way to the spaceport."

Leia set down the comlink and turned behind her, Jacen and Jaina sat in the lounge behind her.

"It looks like we won't have to worry about any overzealousness from the Wookies. Ben's arrival should be without incident."

Jaina didn't seem convinced. "Mom, Ben's arrival is an incident in itself. Do you really think he and Uncle Luke will be able to settle things between the two of them? They haven't directly spoken to each other since he left for the Remnant years ago."

"I don't know, but are you sure you two kids want to be around right now? We can arrange a transport somewhere if you like, the 'Third Alderran' settlement is just outside of Imperial Space."

Jacen stood and walked over to his mother, putting a hand on his shoulder to reassure her. "We want to be here, don't forget I'm responsible for Ben's training. I have to be here just in case."

"Don't talk like that!" Leia spat. "Listen, first of all, you aren't responsible. Ben made his own decision to do what he did. Secondly, if this is some sort of deception we can't afford to lose you two."

"We couldn't afford to lose Anakin either."

Leia slapped her son hard across the face and stormed out of the room. The mere mention of her youngest son conjured strong emotions within her.

"Was that necessary Jacen? I should have hit you myself for that."

"Calm down, what mom did was very understandable. But that flash of anger, i've seen it in Uncle Luke once or twice before also."

"I sensed that, but there's nothing special about it, you just insulted a woman over her dead child, your mother at that."

"But did you sense how deep it ran? Did you feel that lack of hesitation to lash out? Our mother is as good a person as any, but that was definitely a flash of the dark side I could feel. The same thing I felt within you during our separation in the Vong War."

Jaina remembered her near damnation well. "Seems to be a curse on Skywalker blood isn't there."

"That's more true than you'd care to realize. I've spent many sleepless nights learning trying to learn more about our Skywalker blood. Do you know what i've found?"

"Jaina, let me guess, even Darth Vader's daddy had a mean streak?"

"No, in fact that's just it, there are no records of our grandfather's lineage at all, for Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker. Dad told me once that they had found a holocron on Tatooine that belonged to our great-grandmother, but there was little about her to be figured out. She was a slave on Tatooine, so there's probably no record of her lineage that ever even existed. And our grandmother, well whomever she was that knowledge died on Endor with Darth Vader."

"What are you tying to tell me with all of this? Its not like i'm planning a family reeunion."

"I'm just saying that in the decidedly short family history we have as Skywalkers, every generation has been afflicted with a real deep anger. Our grandfather, our uncle, our mother, right now we need to be more careful than ever. It wasn't fair to Ben to have the parents he did. Son of a Sith Lord and the Agent of another Sith Lord, with the almost predeterined destiny of becoming a great Jedi."

Jaina was left aghast at her brother's statements, almost wishing she hadn't kept asking questions. Jacen kept speaking.

"I'm not surprised this has happened to him at all."

Upstairs on the uppermost floor, Luke was fully dressed, and he clipped his lightsaber to his belt for the first time in ages. He looked in the mirror at himself for the first time in a long time, his wife mournfully looking over his shoulder.

"Relax dear, at least you're the only one who still calls me 'farmboy' anymore right?"

Mara laughed weakly, even at his ripe old age he still had a youthful look to him that he would never be able to be rid of. Luke was like that though, no matter what happened in the galaxy he couldn't be changed from the boy he had been on Tatooine. The world that her son had wiped out

"Do you know what you are going to say to him? Is he coming here?"

"You can't reach him anymore in the force, can you, is he so far gone then?"

"The force has been a great cloud as of late, I was having a hard time picking up Lowbacca's presence during the debate today."

"I can still sense him."

"Yes i'm sure you can, but you know how I feel about you going into those deep trances! We could lose you permanently!"

"Mara, the Force would not allow me to go if I still serve a purpose. You know that as well as I do, do not be afraid for me."

"I can't help it, my husband and son are about to confront each other, knowing Skywalkers a lightsaber will be drawn at some point, I keep sensing that Jacen and Jaina are on edge and I could swear that flash I felt a moment ago was Leia."

"Our family has had its, diffculties, with anger, but we'll be strong, have faith in our training. But there is something you should know. Ben isn't coming here for us."


Mara was stunned, "What other reason does he have to come to Kashyyk? Why all of this drama then surrounding his coming?"

"I don't know, but if he was coming for us I would have sensed it in the Force. He has another purpose in mind, if we are going to see him I will have to go to him directly."

"You don't have to worry about that, I'll be going with you."

Luke laughed, and did a perfect imitation of Yoda. "Look I so old to young eyes?" Of course Yoda was over 800 years older than Luke when he made that remark, but it still held true. Mara didn't quite understand the reference.

"I have to do this alone, if too many of us show up at once it could set things back. We don't want to appear too aggressive."

"But he's my son I can't just...!"

"Should things go well I would have you join us, but this is his turf. We cannot start dictating the parameters for this. I have to know what it is he is looking for on this world. Confrontation is inevitable, there is a reason that we are in his path at this time."

Location: Imperial Stellar Palace "Overseer", outskirts of Wookie Space

The small escort fleet held steady at the Edge of Wookie Space, within sensor range of outposts on the colony of Alaris Prime. Emperor Skywalker did not want to provoke the Wookies, at least not until he had acquired the hidden Republic storehouse, the storehouse that had his grandfather's remains.

The Overseer would travel on its own into Wookie Space and stop on the outskirts of the Kashyyk system, where the Emperor would travel aboard a shuttle craft to the spaceport in Kepitenochan. But that was still hours away yet, he wanted to give the Wookies time to analyze the strength of the Hapan-built steller palace, so the neutral species would not think there was any deception.

One thing about being Emperor was that there was never enough time to sit in silence, he began recieving a transmission on his private holonet frequency and decided to recieve the message.

"My Lord," It was one of his personal assistants, Ginobli. "We've detected a small ship, it appears to match the specifications for a Skipray blastboat. It is directly on a course with the Overseer sir."

Ben reached out with his feelings and stretched his mind beyond the confines of the ship, and towards the mind hurtling towards him at great speeds. It was a familiar presence to him, but it was different from the last time they had seen each other. Twisted and dark, but there was still that small corner of her mind that was distinguishable from anyone else in the galaxy.

"Deploy a squadron of Assault Gunboats, Ion cannons only. Do not bring this ship aboard until I have arrived at the docking bay."

"Majesty, we could take it aboard one of the Star Destroyers if you wish, we don't need to risk any damage to the palace for one simple Rebel."

"Ginobli, are you questioning my orders? This is no ordinary Rebel and it is required that I deal with this personally. My orders are to be carried out to the letter. Failure will displease me."

Ginboli absently fidgeted in place, a limited amount of instilled fear could be healthy.

"To the letter, of course. Your will be done excellency."

Ben stood rom the holoprojector and fetched his lightsaber from its stand, shortly it would be necessary.

The gunboats had no trouble disabling the blastboat, the pilot was only experienced enough to get the ship from system to system, not enough to engage a squadron of the Empire's toughest fighters. The current generation of assault gunboats kept the loose affiliation with the still popular Lambda shuttles, but the armaments had been upgraded consistently over the years. Beam turrets as were seen in the Clone Wars we're installed and an additional set of Ion Cannons were added. Weight was reduced by decreasing the amount of ordinance the standard gunboat carried.

As it was brought inot the hangar Ben could still feel the voice of his opponent screaming from within the metal shell. He was certain now of her identity. The blastboat was carefully tractored into the hanger, and landed with a graceful but audible bang against the deckplates.

A robed figure emerged from the ship, a hood covering the face of a distinctly female body. She carried a lightsaver in her right hand.

"I didn't think you would be brave enough to face me Ben, I thought that perhaps you would hide behind a legion of stormtroopers and make my job of killing you more difficult."

"Ah Tahiri, its good to see you again. Although it appears the last few years have not been kind to you."

Tahiri removed the cloak from over her body and tossed it aside, her face twisted in an agonizing manner and her body eminating dark waves of fury around her.

"Shut up worm. I came her ebecause of what you've done. You dishonor the very tradition you were supposed to protect!"

Ben gave her a steely gaze. He did not know when it ha happened but she hard surely fallen for good at some point, perhaps the anxiety and stress of her genetic modifcations finally caught up to her.

"A pity, it seems you've permanently lost the ability to rationalize. And here I was hoping that you would be joining me."

It was a lie, Ben didn't want any other Jedi to exist in the galaxy let alone have the opportunity to ursurp him. but in her rage, Tahiri fell for it.

"You filthy traitor! I would never join you! I came here to take revenge for all of the people that have died because of you! For wasting the sacrifice made by the people who fought to save this galaxy INCLUDING YOU twenty five years ago!"

"You're approaching some forty years old yet you still are a mirror image of the impetuous young girl that Jacen and JAina had always told me about. How could by deceased cousin have ever seen anything in you, i'll never know."

Ben was calculating his insults like a master mathemetician, the deeper she gave in to her hate. The easier it would be to dispatch her, but she was feeding off of her hatred too much right now for the battle to be easy.

"Do NOT speak of Anakin like that! You owe him your life!"

"The only Anakin i've ever been able to identify with was the original. Anakin Skywalker knew the true path and would have liberated this galaxy for good had it not been for the meddling of the Jedi and SIth, he would have saved us all long before."

"ENOUGH, I didn't come here to exchange banter! Take up your blade coward!"

Tahri began a reckless charge at Ben and thumbed her violet lightsaber to life, Ben stood completely motionless as Tahri swung the blade in a wide horizontal arc, but the Emperor leaped into the air in a heartbeat and was behind her in a moment.

"You aren't strong enough Tahiri, or should I start calling you Riina?"

Riina Kwaad was the alias Tahiri's Vong-given genetic alterations had, over the years she had been able to supress that part of her and live normally. But Ben knew that with the Dark Side of the Force she had lost control.

"Shut Up!"

Tahiri whirled around a second too slow as Ben moved backwards using the Force.

"What is the matter, a true Jedi would be attempting to predict her opponent's move right now. Doesn't Riina have the same fluency with the Force as you?"

As a Vong, Riina's connection to the force as minimal at best. The rage controlling Tahiri's mind began to fight with her Vong personality, and another duel broke out in her mind. She collapsed to the floor, curled up within herself. Ben walkjed over to her, raising his lightsaber over her head, it came on with a bright red light.

"You'll be one with the Force soon, perhaps eternity should be long enough for you to finally find peace."

And with those words he brought the blade down on her body, the blade struck through her shoulder and cut in a diagonal slash through her chest and spinal cord, emerging trhough the other side of her body near her abdomen. Ben reached down and took the lightsaber from her lifelss hand and the body vanished, her corpse dissapating into a blue light and fading away. He motioned over to Ginobli, who stood a respectable distance away behind a security contingent of stormtroopers.

"See to it that what's left of this mess is cleaned up, and prepare my shuttle for departure."

[CaptainChewbacca]

YES! TAHIRI IS DEAD!!

Nitpick, wookiees have never prayed to anything called "Bacca". They pray to the "Life Power", or Force by another name.

[Darth Fanboy]

YES! TAHIRI IS DEAD!!

Nitpick, wookiees have never prayed to anything called "Bacca". They pray to the "Life Power", or Force by another name.

I only recently defeated KOTOR, and in that game it is mentioned that Bacca was the first great Wookie cheiftan or something like that. Which makes sense to me.

[Crazedwraith]

Very nice. Tahiri turning up to be killed is strange. There didn't seem to be much point plot wise to it at all. Other than perhaps you dislike Tahiri and want her to die.

[Darth Fanboy]

True I disliked the whole Tahiri character, she should have been killed off. The only reason she became a character in the first place was to be Anakin Solos love interest and then when he got killed off she became fukkin' pointless.

But although its a brief appearance, I think it serves a purpose. If I continue this fic in the way I want, whats left of the JEdi are going to be hunted maliciously. I had a few ideas for Kyp Durron that I believe I will enjoy writing. Ben wants to get rid of the Jedi Order because he believes that they throw the galaxy out of balance, this is just one less issue that has to be 'dealt with later'.

SPOILER
Maybe a side result is that when Luke finds out about this he won't be too happy, because it will be the first *confirmed* time that Ben has struck down another Jedi with his own saber

[Darth Fanboy]

Part 5: From Darkest Light to Brightest Shadow

Location: Kashyyk, Zaalbar Memorial Spaceport

The Imperial landing craft descended into the spaceport, the first time such a craft had graced Kashyyk's atmosphere in decades. The winds howled as if to voice their disapproval, but the Wookie delegation remained still. The Wookie Council, along with the combined honor guard stood at attention waiting to recieve their guest. The craft slowed down in a methodical descent, which served to cause uneasiness in the onlooking crowd below. After touching ground there was little time for rear hatch to open with the familiar hissing sound. A solitary figure, clad in a black cape and tunic descended the ramp slowly, as he strode off of his ship and onto the platform he only paused briefly to assess his situation. Standing in traditional jedi robes, almost pulled out of an Old Republic historical holo, was his father.

Luke stood next to Lowbacca, enveloping himself in the force to keep the thoughts of the Wookie Council shielded from him, it would do him no good to get caught up in his surroundings. He had to focus on the moment, fight the call within him to approach his son and fight the call to keep a firm grip on his lightsaber. Many years had passed since he had slain the Yuuzhan Vong Supreme Overlord, Shimrra, and since then he had not activated the blade of his lightsaber, not for defense nor for training excercises. Yet the familiar feel of the hilt at his side caused the memories of battle to flood his mind.

Location: Former Location of Alderaan System, Aboard the "Chu'unthor II"

The strange craft floated amongst the rubble formerly known as Alderaan. "Chu'unthor II" had been constructed by the Galactic Alliance shortly after the liberation of Coruscant. A gesture of thanks to the Jedi Order which had played such an integral role in the entire conflict. The ship was intended to be used to help train new classes of Jedi, and to act as a roving embassy for the order. But the decline of the Jedi during the Five Year War had left the ship unable to fulfill its primary functions, and due to recent events, its caretaker had begun refitting it to serve a new purpose.

"This is the legacy of the Empire. Old, New, there is nothing that truly differentiates this one from the last."

Kyp Durron looked across the wide empty room and the assembled masses inside. The design schematics for this ship had this room listed as a gymnasium originally, but it was the only space big enough for these sort of assemblies.

"Some of you might be asking if the man who destroyed Carida should even begin to lecture on the Empire's history of devastating worlds and butchering the inhabitants. I am here right now to tell you, that there is no one better at this time. Our galaxy has been in a downward spiral of suffering ever since the Clone Wars began, because of the cycle of violence formed by the founders of the Empire. While I make no excuses for my actions in participating in Carida's destruction, I remind all of you, it was an Imperial weapon that was used, it was the result of my brother's Imperial conscription that I was driven to madness, it was the result of my enslavement by the Empire in Kessel that I did not recieve the proper training to resist the temptations of vengeance."

Kyp sighed, no longer did the pain of these memories affect him as they used to. The thought of becoming impervious to atrocities such as Carida was sickening. But he couldn't let that show, today he was here to inspire, not to grieve.

"I stand before you today on this ship, which was one heralded as a new beacon of hope for us all, to ask for your help."

Kyp turned on his lightsaber, a new one fashioned only recently, from the combined parts of fallen comrades. The blade burned with a birght orange light as if a flame bent itself to Kyp's whim.

"The light of the Jedi will always shine, no Sith, no Vong, no one can ever extinguish it. But the light alone has never been enough to gain freedom, for there is an even more powerful feeling that exists within the hearts of all good men no matter their affinity for the Force. It is the sense of justice and liberty that powers the hearts of sentinent beings. When the hearts of the righteous are joined as one they create an unstoppable flow that glows brighter than any shadow, even teh depths of space itself. If we are to restore the nation that was stolen from us then we must join together! Not for the name of a Republic, and not for the people who would lead it,but for the freedom of all living things! For all species! To fight a true and just cause that will not be beaten! Will you join me?"

Kyp's audience roared with applause, much to his surprise. Many of these men had served opposing factions during the Five Year War, now the joined in unison as one cause united them.

Outside of the ship, many more ships joined to listen to Kyp's message, which was being broadcast over local channels via the holonet. In time the Empire would hear of this and move to stop the meeting, but by then there would be nothing left but the Graveyard. Dozens of small to large size capital ships flooded the area. Although there were tensions as Bothan Assault Cruisers and Mon Calamari Cruisers entered from opposing vectors, those soon broke as Kyp gave his speech from his command ship.

"Fellow comrades of all species, I welcome you to the Rebel Alliance."

And as he spoke he could feel the Force flow through him like a great river, connecting him to the universe as a whole.

Location: Kashyyk, Spaceport

The strange feeling hit Ben's mind like a saberdart, but he maintained his composure. Whatever that fool Durron was doing he was only reaffirming Ben's decision to get rid of him. When this was over he would have to act decisively. He approached Lowbacca and kept eye contact, Lowbacca spoke for Kashyyk, and he had to maintain discipline in front of his father. To prevent him from taking any drastic measures as well, even in his advanced age Luke Skywalker was the greatest and only remaining threat to acheiving the balance required to right the galaxy.

"I am grateful for the reception, Counselor." Ben was careful not to acknowledge Lowbacca's Jedi status. "As per our agreement Imperial ships and military forces remain on the fringes of the Kashyyk system. However..."

As Ben spoke four droids began rolling out of the Sentinel's rear compartment.

"These are Nemoidian second generation Droidekas. Should any attempts to sabotage my ship take place or should any of these droids percieve danger to themselves or to my person they will go into full attack mode. While I have confidence that the great warriors of your people would eventually subdue them, the damage and loss of life would be regrettable I am sure."

Lowbacca supressed a snarl, there was nothing he could do now that the droids were already there, but their presence he had not forseen and he would lose face in front of Gowrrorr and the other hawks in the Wookie Council.

[I assure you Emperor Skywalker, your droids will remain quite inactive.]

"Wookie honor has never been in my doubts before. Now if we may speak somwhere, in private, there is much to be discussed."

Ben's words spoke volumes, he didn't want his father around at all.

[Master Skywalker is serving in an official capacity with our government as a security advisor, anything you have to say to me you may say in front of him.]

"Security advisor, is that so?" Ben turned to look at his father for the first time, Lifeless grey eyes blazing in a glare. "I thought you had forsaken your military role years before I was even born General Skywalker."

"My only job is to help Kashyyk avoid becoming involved in affairs against their wishes, and to erve as a mentor for those who seek guidance."

"Ever the teacher, if it must be so then let us not waste time in debate. I came here with a purpose."

Location: On approach to Nar Shaddaa

"Seeker Squadron" With its twin interdictors and two dozen Star Destroyers encircled the planet Nal Hutta and the smuggler's moon of Nar Shaddaa. Nal Hutta had become desolate while under Vong occupation, the fattest and wealthiest Hutt crimelords found their way off planet and formed bases of power elsewhere. The occupiers had not been kind to the inhabitants during their tenure, the local commander had seen the depravity of these Hutts and the arrogance of their religion and decided to educate his thralls. Millions of Hutts were sacrificed, and the ritual offerings of Nal Hutta were among the most gruesome and abundant in all of occupied space. When word of the surrender at Coruscant broke out, the local commander refuse to cooperate, instead gathering his forces and devastating Nal Hutta as Ithor had been ruined earlier in the war. Nar Shaddaa had been left alone though and wa sused by the Peace Brigade as a local waystation. When that organization collapsed, it quickly became the smuggler's moon once again.

But now Emperor Ben Skywalker's Seeker Squadron had been dispatched to the area to render it useless to the foul underworld of the galaxy, looking to perform an objective which had previously been failed. The lead Star Destroyer arrived in system, and Admiral Adare ordered the Interdictors to charge their gravity wells.

But as night turned to day on their side of the planet, the ensign at the sensor station began to notice strange things.

"Sir, i'm not tracking much on the surface, only a minimum of biological and technological activity."

"That's impossible, we gave them no warning this time. How could they have..."

"Sir! Look!"

As night turned to day Admiral Adare saw first hand what had happened. Nar Shaddaa had already been destroyed, at least half of it. While one half sat largely abandoned the other had been reduced to rubble and was completely barren save for a large pattern on the surface. The precision for creating planet wide patterns was not uncommon, but only in military grade starships. This pattern was also distinct, for it formed the flowing crest of the old Rebel Alliance. A communication's officer shouted over the mayhem.

"Admiral, you may want to listen to this."

"Put it over the speakers."

The voice was audible, but filled with crackling static. The message was being broadcast over remote beacons on a tight beam to anyone who tuned into their frequency.

"The people of Nar Shaddaa have decided to pack up and leave for a more hospitable climate, one decidedly less Imperial. And after we let them know where they could go without worrying about you Imps, we figured we'd paint a little picture for you."

Adare cursed profusely, how was he going to explaint his to the Emperor.

"The Rebel Alliance is back. We've alreayd beaten one Empire, we're more than happy to do it again. Oh and if you're listneing to our broadcast from a Star Destroyer he's a little something you should know. The sensor signature of a Star Destroyer is quite unique, and one appearing in system can trigger a great many number of electronic alarms including..."

An explosion rocked the Star Destroyer, then another, and another.

"...miniature stealth mines, jamming systems on planet. Oh and of course, A nifty alarm system that can call even the most distant of friends."

"Sir! We have inbound ships from opposing vectors, they've begun encircling our formation!"

"It's a trap!"

About fifty Rebel Capital ships in various shapes and sizes began to converge on Seeker Squadron, bringing plenty of firepower with them. Admiral Adare was forced out of his seat.

"Deploy all fighters, signal all ships to engage imminent threats and advantageous targets only. Shield Collaboration Formation Adare Four. Have a flight of TIE Defenders attempt escape to Corellia at once."

"Admiral, doctrine would indicate that we should be attempting to use our ships in a wedge and clear a path for escape."

Under normal circumstances the communications officer would have been thrown in the brig for such insubordination, but even more important for Adare than to maintain discipline in battle was to maintain the loyalty of the soldiers under his command.

"Doctrine is what they teach you at the Academy enisgn but I follow the will of the Emperor. If we can get message to Corellia then we might be able to bring in enough reserves to destroy these ships once and for all while killing as many of these terrorists as possible."

A Star Destroyer spouting flames from bow to stern began a suicidal plunge into the rebel enirclement, attemtping to push its way into the middle of the formation to do as much damage as possible before the inevitable.

"And the more of them we kill today. The fewer there are tomorrow to impede our victory."

[darthdavid]

I'm liking this.

[The Cleric]

Please. Please let the bad guys win in the end. Please?

[Darth Fanboy]

Please. Please let the bad guys win in the end. Please?

that all depends on your definition of "bad guy"