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Post by wedge on May 27, 2007 14:18:24 GMT -5
Wedge guided his speeder bike in a wavy pattern through the city and noticed the city had been through a lot of reconstruction. He wondered if this place would indeed hide them from Imperial activity. But no sooner had he thought that, that Luke brought up the fact that trouble was on its way. Wedge jumped off his speeder and pulled out his blaster pistol. If it was who he thought it was, then indeed it appeared Luke would have to face it alone. "So...what do you want me to do?"
Wedge looked cautiously into an alleyway, then took a look up a flight of stairs. Their mission was to secure a base for the Rebellion, if this place was doomed like Ord Mantell...he kicked himself mentally. This place was so peaceful and full of vegetation, why did the Empire have to come and take it too?
"Luke...the Rebels will be here soon. Will we stay and fight...and if it comes to your family battle, what will you have me do?"
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Post by Padmé Amidala on May 27, 2007 16:27:21 GMT -5
"My Lady we have to move you now." The palace gaurd insisted. As they saw the Imperial soliders walk away from them. "We won't get another chance." He finished. The young woman sighed. And knew it was time to move to another part of the city. Her home was being invaded by the Empire with every step they took. She only hoped to be getting closer to the Rebellion than further away from it. "We must move swiftly and quietly." She ordered.
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Post by Wars Within Stars Admin on May 27, 2007 21:58:11 GMT -5
He heard his father's voice, feeling that hopeful feeling rise through him. If only there was a chance to bring him back. And now there was a chance, and he was going to take it, he was determined to. Whatever it would take.
Luke looked at his friend through the blank stormtrooper mask, glad for it so that he wouldn't see how worried he looked.
"Luke...the Rebels will be here soon. Will we stay and fight...and if it comes to your family battle, what will you have me do?"
If Wedge did stay with Luke when Vader came, even if he could convince him, he wasn't sure what would happen. And he didn't want Wedge to get hurt in whatever might happen.
"I think we should tell the Rebels to make for the countryside. Away from the cities and civilization. We have a better chance there. Then when we regroup we can send in troops to take this city and set up a puppet Imperial garrison." Luke said, musing, taking a look here and there as if said Imperials were going to come bursting out of nowhere.
"I don't want anything to happen to you, Wedge, and I want you to get as far away from us as possible."
It would be very probable that Vader might use Luke's friends as bait if he would try to turn him back to the dark side again.
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Post by wedge on May 27, 2007 22:50:25 GMT -5
"I guess this is bye for now...huh? Well, I won't object...I know where my duty lies. Take care of yourself Luke," Wedge said as he gave his friend a quick hug then got back on his speeder. "May the force be with you," he then started the engine and began to leave. If Vader was coming...he'd might as well gain some ground.
Wedge passed by a group of inconspicious people and would've kept going...but something about them made him stop. They seemed in a hurry, and sadly he forgot he was still in his armor.
"Where are you going?" His voice had a metallic ring...and the group seemed to be sheperading someone. He couldn't see...but the group seemed in a hurry.
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Post by Darth Vader on May 27, 2007 23:46:06 GMT -5
Lord Vader disembarked from the shuttle at nearly a jog. He was met immediately by the Imperial captain stationed here to watch over the garrison. Before the captian could get out a word, Vader interrupted him and set out giving his orders. "Captain, you will see to it personally that half of this garrison is loaded onto transports and taken to the frigate I arrived on. From there, they will go to assist in the capture of Umgul from pirates."
"That many, My Lord? Surely the forces in Death Squadron are-"
"Do not underestimate Death Squadron," Vader warned him, "Or the absolute authority of my orders. Surely you are not so foolish to question them?" He hardely even waited for the typically frightened 'No, My Lord' before continuing on, leaving the captain behind him and heading for the back streets and alleyways of Theed. Eventually, he made his way a government building across from the palace, moving inside of it without a word and heading straight to the throne room. "I have need of this facility," he told its inhabitants. "You will leave, now."
He didn't have to see it with his own eyes to know that the entire building was being evacuated and its civilians temporarily displaced. He would be the only one here when his son arrived; he would find the building quite unoccupied and unguarded. It was large enough that they could have their confrentation comfortably; now would be the time that one of the two would leave this place turned or in a body bag.
Vader was shaken at the fact that the latter option disturbed him...
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Post by Wars Within Stars Admin on May 28, 2007 10:06:44 GMT -5
"I guess this is bye for now...huh? Well, I won't object...I know where my duty lies. Take care of yourself Luke."
He returned the hug. He was glad that Wedge was getting away, he was seriously worried about the safety of his friend. Even though now he'd be alone, which worried him.
"Be careful Wedge. May the Force be with you." A wave as his friend took off on his speeder.
Technically he was never alone.
Though especially now, he looked towards the Palace and knew who had just stepped inside. A sort of sick feeling in his stomach. A confrontation was inevitable, he knew, but he wasn't sure he was prepared for it. Well, yes, he knew what he wanted to do the next time he met with Vader but for it to be this soon...
In a nearby alley, he pulled off his stormtrooper helmet, his blond hair resting stickily on his forehead. Soon he took all the armor off and was merely clad in his usual black clothing, his lightsaber attached firmly on his belt. He walked up to the fantastically ornate building, knowing that his father would be waiting for him in the throne room.
Not surprisingly, the building was empty by the time he got in it. Despite never having been there before, he knew exactly where to go and how to find who he was looking for. He glanced around from side to side, not really interested in the decor but it was something of note, at least. Naboo seemed to be a planet interested in and of beauty.
At last he made it to the Throne room. He went through the doors.
"Hello, father."
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Post by Darth Vader on May 28, 2007 10:20:03 GMT -5
Vader wasn't facing Luke, but even so he knew as soon as he had entered the building, tracking him until he had entered the throne room, where this confrentation would be taking place. For the first time in a long time, he was nervous. His son was easily the most formidable opponent he had ever faced through all his years hunting down and killing the Jedi. It wasn't necessarily because of his power, which was undeniably great indeed, but because of his incredible affinity to the light side. He was far more deadly an opponent to him right now then even the Emperor would be, for on his side was temptation.
Of course, Vader had that weapon in his arsinel, too.
Butterflies danced about in what was left of his stomach as he turned about, facing the boy he had bested at Bespin, a boy that had grown into a man and a powerful Jedi Knight. "You have come at last, my son," Darth Vader said. He didn't cite destiny, Luke knew as well as he did that it was the Force that had made a unanimous decision and brought them together; the will of the Dark that Vader destroy Luke and the will of the light... Well. Vader didn't hear the will of the good side very well these days.
However, Vader did cite one more phrase as he approached Luke, stopping barely out of lightsaber range with him. "At last, the circle is complete," he said, though he was fairly certain that Luke already knew this was the case. "This will be our final confrentation," he elaborated further. He trusted that Luke could figure the implicaions out for himself; he was a very, very bright boy. 'He gets that from...' He pushed all thoughts of his son's long-dead(or so he thought) mother from his mind, focusing on the present.
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Post by Wars Within Stars Admin on May 28, 2007 10:33:31 GMT -5
"You have come at last, my son."
Luke's hand brushed his lightsaber but he didn't turn it on. He didn't want to, he would rather use the sword of words than a physical one. Now that he knew that Vader was his father, it was harder to attack with the same sort of disposition. Even though he knew if it came to it, he'd have to defend himself.
"At last, the circle is complete. This will be our final confrontation."
"Will it?" Luke stepped closer on the fine marble floor, his footsteps echoing in the large chamber. "Because it doesn't have to be."
He held out his hand, the same hand that was severed before by the man in front of him. Before he had seen him as a monster. A cruel, unforgiving enemy. How about now?
"You have good in you still," he said firmly, his blue eyes flashing. "Join me."
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Post by Darth Vader on May 28, 2007 10:52:00 GMT -5
At the moment, Vader was very tempted to do just that. He knew that there was still good in him, he had felt it in himself. He wasn't questioning weather he had some righteousness left in him; the question was how he could ever go back after all the horrible things he'd done. The answer came to the same indubitable conclusion every time: He couldn't. His whole life, since he was nine years old, the Emperor had been poisoning his mind subtly, but thoroughly. He had even become the Emperor's dark apprentice, slaughtered men, women and children - many of whom had formerly been his friends - without mercy and without an instant's hesitation.
How foolish that they once called him the 'Chosen One.'
"I have already told you," he said in the same sad voice he'd spoken in on Endor's moon, "It is too late for me." He extended his hand toward Luke in the same manner. "The Emperor has seen your potential, my son. With his teachings, you can obtain the power needed to strike him down and take his place. Then you can reform the galaxy, reshape it any way you wish, undo the evil that the Emperor has sewn." It was the best temptation Vader had to offer; he could only hope it wouldn't work.
Though he couldn't put his finger on why he wanted to fail here...
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Post by Wars Within Stars Admin on May 28, 2007 11:06:12 GMT -5
"I have already told you. It is too late for me."
Luke knew why he said that, and sometimes he thought that was true himself. How could he possibly be redeemed after a lifetime of such terrible deeds? It seemed impossible. But how could he know if such a thing was impossible or not if it was never tried?
"The Emperor has seen your potential, my son. With his teachings, you can obtain the power needed to strike him down and take his place. Then you can reform the galaxy, reshape it any way you wish, undo the evil that the Emperor has sewn."
He stood there, wondering about what his father was talking about. He had once entertained the possibility of walking on the dark side to understand it and use it to help the light. But that was a recipe for disaster. He didn't know if he would be able to leave once there, even if he was doing it for the 'good guys'.
It was a good idea, in theory, but he didn't want to possibly get corrupted.
"I'm not going to try that," he muttered, not taking his eyes off Vader. But there was doubt in his voice. He shook his head. "Why can't we overthrow him together? You would gain your freedom as well as the rest of the galaxy."
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Post by Darth Vader on May 28, 2007 11:18:52 GMT -5
Of all the words his son had just thrown at him, one of them stuck in his mind more then any other: Freedom. Now there was a thought. To be free to do as he wished, to pick for himself what was and was not important. He had information on the Imperials, detailed information including the Emperor's battle plans for extermination of the Rebelion. He could be of great assistance to the Alliance if he went with them, and he would get his chance for revenge against the Emperor while he was at it. That was what he wanted deep within his heart; It was only the trace ammounts of the potent Sith Poison still running through his veins that stopped him.
That same poison had left him confused. What was he supposed to do against an argument like that? 'It's too late for me' didn't quite cut it when a chance for genuine redemption was involved. Unwilling to think of any powerful, legitimate arguments and unable to succumb to the transition he wanted, Vader took the one option he had left. "I can see that you have grown far too strong in your beliefs to be turned," he stated, taking his lightsaber from his belt. "It is most unfortunate that I will now have to destroy you..." With that, the switch was flicked and the lightsaber ignited, its crimson beam spilling from the hylt for the third time that day.
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Post by Wars Within Stars Admin on May 28, 2007 12:12:43 GMT -5
The pause had Luke hopeful. He could almost sense the debate going on behind the dark mask of Vader. He thought he might've broken through. Was it too dangerous to hope for the best?
"I can see that you have grown far too strong in your beliefs to be turned. It is most unfortunate that I will now have to destroy you..."
The dreaded red lightsaber had come out.
A deep sigh on Luke's part. He thought he had him there, for a moment. Almost. He knew how close he had gotten.
"I don't want to fight you," he shook his head once more, though his hand was on his lightsaber.
Before, he had only been too eager to fight Darth Vader. He had ached for the chance to avenge Ben. Now it was such a strange turn, he didn't even want to turn on his weapon, much less strike him down. Despite all the bad that his father had done, there was still good in him and he didn't want to destroy that part.
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Post by Padmé Amidala on May 28, 2007 14:19:36 GMT -5
"I guess this is bye for now...huh? Well, I won't object...I know where my duty lies. Take care of yourself Luke," Wedge said as he gave his friend a quick hug then got back on his speeder. "May the force be with you," he then started the engine and began to leave. If Vader was coming...he'd might as well gain some ground. Wedge passed by a group of inconspicious people and would've kept going...but something about them made him stop. They seemed in a hurry, and sadly he forgot he was still in his armor. "Where are you going?" His voice had a metallic ring...and the group seemed to be sheperading someone. He couldn't see...but the group seemed in a hurry. Padmé turned around to face the storm trooper. And just glared at him. How he knew this area was a surprised it was a secret hide away to get clear of any Imperials if they needed to mive fast. Plus Padmé knew of this secret while during her service as queen here. Never used it before until now. And what was so strange about the passage way, it was out in plain sight. No one would know about it but high palace gaurds the queen and her body gaurd. But that made Padmé wonder if the Imperials have already found out about it. Since the rebels arrived in Naboo everything was being brought out in the open. "A storm Trooper? Here?" A palace gaurd asked? "That makes no sense. No one would ever know of this passage way." The other palace gaurd agreed. "We do not say anything. Stay quiet." Padmé ordered her body gaurds. They nod in agrreement. "If you are a storm trooper, then what rank are you?" Padmé asked curiously. "My lady!" The first gaurd spoke louder this time! "Quiet. Let him answer. And if he can answer my question then we are indeed in the clutches of the Empire. If not we continue our mission. "Padmé told them with much assurance." Well?" She asked the trooper again.
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Post by wedge on May 28, 2007 16:19:34 GMT -5
"I...I am a sergeant...sent on a scouting mission," he said weakly, this role was ill suited for him. He looked at the group and realized they had no activity, nor concern with the Imperials. He wasn't one to lie...and...if they were really Imperials pretending to be good..he was a fast draw. "I have a question for you now," he said matching the question, "are you imperial or rebel?"
He knew this was a stupid question, but he couldn't think up anything else. He sat on his bike awaiting their answer. If they said something about the Empire being scum or bantha fodder, then he was in the safe. He still had his helmet on, so they didn't see him sweating the time out.
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Post by Darth Vader on May 28, 2007 23:09:58 GMT -5
Vader stalked in, trying to mask every good emotion he was feeling with a blanket of rage and hatred. But what for? Luke had confused him like this; it was his fault he was so self-doubting. Yes, that was it. He had turned Darth Vader's mind to mush and somehow forced him to go against that which he had ultimately stood for in the beginning. For that, he had to give the one thing he could paternally give his son: Discipline and punishment. Who knew? Perhaps it would even wind up being for the boy's own good.
He raced toward Luke, closing the distance between them in a single leap. He started his swing early so that when he was within striking range, his lightsaber was already set to carve into Luke's flesh. The battle he had been craving for so long - or at least, he told himself he had been craving it - was finally under way. If he had his way about it, one of the two of them would not be leaving this place with life still within them.
Still, there was a nagging feeling in the back of Vader's mind, an unpleasant sensation that urged him with all it was worth to stop, to listen to reason and go with his son to the Rebellion. Still, Vader dismissed that feeling as the beginnings of the insanity that sometimes accompanied the use of the Dark Side, oblivious that he was even now falling deeply within it; If something wasn't done about it, and soon, he may well become truly lost forever.
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