Episode I Heir To The Empire
The sound of rapid blaster fire and heavy sludge shell bombardiment shook the frozen landscape of Xharrus IX that was a situated along the outskirts of the Hydian way along the Mid-Rim , the planet was historically a minor industrial and trade power on the galactic political Dejarik board, and has only recently become a pro-dominat player in the Expansion region thanks to many allocated corporate deals with the reformed banking clans and Techno union. The planet was politically a Neutral zone world that had no native sentient population...but was home to a semi-remote Imperial Military outpost that served as a vital military communication station for New Imperial-and now Alliance forces across the Mid-Rim.
War rages across the semi-arctic landscape like wildfire with True Imperialists’ forces actually managing to stave off advances from a joint front by New Imperial and Coalition troops.
Obi Wan Skywalker leading the Neo Imperial’s 686th Praetorian Legion’s most elite unit, the 99th Vanguard-an imperial sub-legion comprised of approximately two thousand elite clone troopers, all stemming from his own genetic stock with more than a relative handful showing varying degrees of Force sensitivity ranging from baseline to high level aptitude for Force potential. The Elite clone trooper unit was flanked on either side by Coalition Guerrilla fighter militias and Republic supplementary forces, who were only slightly more numerous than the New Imperialist forces.
Members of The Jedi Bendu’s Militia Corps boldly led the offense, including Nomi Tano, granddaugher of High council member Ahsoka Tano and Arren Naberrie, who himself was actually the young prince elect’s second cousin once removed-the biological grandson of Ben’s Grandaunt Sola Naberrie on his paternal grandmother’s side. The three young Jedi moved with almost supernatural speed and fluid movement as there Lightsabers swiftly cut through enemy lines in a blurred motion of Indigo, Citron and plantinum violet as they quickly cleared a path for the 99th vanguard.
Obi wan was in particularly was dark purple hazy of graceful, almost fluid movement and deadly precision as he wielded both sabers in a steady tandum and nearly ebbing rhythm in style that was equal parts harmonic, efficient and measured-a dual form style that Nomi’s grandmother and one of the young Skywalker’s closest spiritual mentors within the order of the Jedi Bendu, Ahsoka once described as being similar to the concept of ‘master and padawan’ where one guides and the follows intendum, the young Jedi had near seamlessly applied this principle to his unique innovation to the traitional form II-Makashi...an unorthodox variation that he had coinedly named: Bokken Makashi that took the usually single bladed, fencing movement of form II-Makashi and combined it seemingly random and semi-wild movement charateristic of form I Shii-Cho and defensive grounding of form III-Soresu; Nomi and Arren near perfect unison found a balance feel of synchronization between the young Jedi, the blades of their sabers immediately finding they’re marks in the heart or trachea of some unfortunate True imperialists’ soldier for quick...and hopefully painless death.
CIS Geurillas quickly struck at enemy flanks with flash hit-and-run tactics that made defensive all but impossible as the geurilla fighters’ snow white camouflge thermal tailored uniforms made finding them in the heavy snow next to impossible with the almost formfitted suits also disguising heat signatures, the militia fighters briefly striking ar enemy flanks before just abruptly vanishing back into the heavy snow. Bowcasters and blasters fired quick, sniper like shots..
The New Republic supplementary troops serving as either additional cavalry or infantry, repeatedly bartering against the enemy lines with unrelenting veracity and heavyhanded fury as fueled by some deeply primal lust for revenge against the true imperialists for what they had done to their former capital world, with automatic blaster fire roaring to life in a rapid, unyielding flurry of bright, blue plasma.
The trio of young Jedi fought on with the combined stubbornness of a pack of wild Rancors, quickly cutting through the enemy lines like a farmer’s scythe would cut through a field of weat.
A clone clad in the indigo with silver highlighting quickly reloaded his TK-Revolver automatic blaster that fired a hailstorm of blue ionic plasma bolts. “Commander Skywalker,” the eerily familiar voice of the clone trooper fighting directly beside himself, not only registered…but resonated in Ben’s mind-even as he continued reflecting blaster bolts with his dual lightsabers.” What is it?” Obi wan answered with a firm yet not entirely dismissive tone before abruptly sensing two recognizable signatures in the Force.”Finally!” He softly whispered, fainted grin playing at the edges of his mouth.
The almost rumbling sound of high-output propulsion engines roared like thunder as a large pack of speeder bikes ramped down a nearby frost caked cliff led by the young crown prince elect’s two brothers: Owen & Anakin Skywalker with around 15-25 thousand troopers on speederbikers. Both Nomi and Arren were left semi-speechless as they watched the two younger Skywalker brothers quickly break the remaining enemy cohesive defense in a repeat series of flash and fade style strikes.
“Alright everyone…nows our chance,” obi wan states before quickly ordering a full offensive advance.
The remaining True Imperialists’ forces immediately buckled and collapsed under the consistent and overwhelming pressure on either side by the combined, masterfully coordinated series of chokehold style attacks on every side by the joint alliance forces, ultimately breaking into total collapse and disorderly confusion with some immediately throwing down their weapons and surrendering, while others either attempted a clumsily chaotic retreat or decided to hedge their bets on a doomed last stand against the alliance forces.
The frostbitten dust ultimately settles finally the battle lay strewned with the randomly scattered bodies of the dead, dying or nearly dying, with the metallic bits and pieces of destroyed battle droids and wrecked military vehicles.
*****
Obi wan immediately let out grateful sigh that held equal parts joy, sorrow and relief all at the same time, his purple and silver rimmed neo-Beskar armor caked visibly with frost and flurry chunks as his sky-blue eyes quickly swept across the frigid plains of Xharrus IX, the uncertain quiet and stillness bringing neither full relief or unease…only a feeling of neutral calm, the type of calm that signified not peace-No! But the somewhat unnerving type of silence in the endless stream of life known commonly as the Force that flowed through all forms of life across the Galaxy and perhaps beyond.
Ben could sense it, a long and tormented scar that immediately bled out like a festering pus in the natural ebb and flow of the Force; a gentle yet metallic hand soon came to rest peacefully on the young Crown Prince Elect’s right shoulder with a somewhat reassuring voice attempting to reassure Obi Wan halfway turned his head to face ‘him’.“Hey cheerup Obi Wan...we’ve won haven’t?” The man formerly known as Anakin Skywalker and would have been Darth Vader states in a misguided but well meant attempt at the young Prince and Jedi Knight...too little success as Obi Wan simply looked around them and gave a despondent shake of the head after taking a brief observation of their surroundings and seeing the fallen bodies of the dead, dying or near-dying.“...But at what cost?” he whispered in question...more so to himself and the Force rather than to anyone else physically surronding.
Cade didn’t know the right answer to that particular question...he rarely did when it came to the grander mechinations of things, still he did what he could to provide some small measure of solace to his fifteen year old grandson.” I think we should fall back to base for now begin to make preparations for last stages of the compaign?” he inquires lightly bumping the younger skywalker on the shoulder with a sense of familial bond...not the typical form of affectionate shown between a grandfather and grandson, or Uncle and nephew like the young Skywalker had with his time-displaced granduncle Owen Whitesun-originally named Owen Lars-No! they’re’ was a bond that could only compared to as close cousins with a noticeable age gap, the young crown prince elect lightly nodded-not outright dismissive...but certainly dispassionately. In fact Obi Wan’s thoughts were scattered, unfocused and weighed down with a degree fatigue that went beyond physical exhaustion, as several months of unending conflict gradually ebbed away at the young Jedi’s very core. From the fringe worlds of the rich core to the rougher, semiautonomous and isolated planets on the farthest borderline systems of the outerrim-from the dense, primordial jungles of Kashyyyk to the frigid plains of Hoth…and now Xharrus.
Obi wan quickly felt his own hands bawl tightly into fists and then almost visibly with a strong sense of powerlessness and frustration as he half vacantly stared out at the fallen bodies of the injured, dying and already dead, the young Jedi Prince not unreasonably already estimating the death toll to be somewhere in the lower hundreds of thousands with an ultimate death toll reaching potential into the lower millions.
Obi Wan lightly shook his head in bitter disgust and self shame at the massive loss of life despite the enemy forces primarily consisting of droids, Obi wan Skywalker quickly turned away from the frozen fields littered with the bodies of the dead and dying, his expression almost completely unreadable as he began to walking.” Gather the bodies…both ours and theirs, I don’t care-“ he commanded with a voice that faintly cracked, with the tremoring undertone that the young Imperial Commander didn’t even realize that he had let out as he gave the order.” Just-Just gather and bury them, burn or whatever military protocol and custom demands!” He almost roared as he immediately walked away in a series of measured micro-strides.
“Yessir!” Two ARC clone troopers replied back in semi-perfect unison before immediately moving to carry out their commanding officer’s orders.
The young prince’s fellow Jedi immediately split in the middle with Arren Naberrie, Owen Skywalker and Cade Skywalker immediately moving to help with collecting the dead and wounded, while Anakin Skywalker the second and Nomi Tano followed Obi Wan Skywalker back to base for what was surely to be a long and drawn out series debriefings and casualty reports back to the military top brass.
******
The two imperial princes and female Togruta Jedi Padawan immediately board an Imperial Tauntaun class AT-AT walker that would transport them back to the Local Imperial Military communication station that currently served as the Alliance’s main communication hub in the Mid-Rim systems. Obi Wan immediately entered a semi-meditative posture, while beginning to sit on the faded green leather barrack seat of the imperial ATAT with posture somewhat lax as he quickly closed his eyes and almost instantly beginning to feel the natural river-like ebb and flow of The Force quickly surge and simultaneously past through his body in a rejunivating cycle as he entered a form of meditative tranquility the young Jedi dubbed ‘Sleep medition’, though it was hardly genuine slumber in the traditional sense...it was still close enough to ward-off fatigue and keep the young Jedi prince’s mind clear, razor-shapened and hyper-focused.“How many days has it been?” Obi Wan to no one in particular, but his voice still held a sense of humorless mirth to it. Obi wan’s companions were all silent at hearing the young prince’s drywitted toned comment…not sure whether to take it as a harmless joke or a genuine question of how long the Xharrus Compaign has lasted. Neither Anakin or Nomi answered, and simply stared at each other, exchanging an almost knowing look that only those close to the young crown prince elect would recognize…let alone understand the meaning of fully, or with the same deep, intimate concern.
Ben quickly entered a seemingly tranquil, serene and spiritually harmonious state of zen style bliss as the young Skywalker felt the intangible but no less oppressively heavy weight immediately lift from the young Jedi knight’s shoulders, and for a brief yet serene moment all is calm and still in the great cosmic river of the Force; Ben immediately gave himself to it, quickly and with no resistance as he consciousness instantly drifted into a semi-delirious state of euphoric bliss that felt to the young Jedi, both like he was physically’here’ in the ATAT with Anakin and Nomi-while at the same time spiritually everywhere and nowhere across the galaxy.
For the young Jedi-for any Jedi was unique and deeply interpersonal experience that was truly difficult to describe in its totality, not because they do not understand or couldn’t conceive of the Force’s concept…No! But in a many variety of ways because there was no true answer.
For what felt like a simultaneous eternity and only a few minutes, the young Jedi’s conscious peacefully wandered through the infinite laylines of the Force’s greater cosmic corridors.
*****
The young Jedi quickly felt the ice cold air and a snowy dampness that was somehow different from the frigid, tundra-style plains of Xharrus IX, before the young Jedi could even begin to take in the rough, fostered surroundings...the immediate warning of danger, Ben quickly pivoted out of the way just as a deep, blood shade of crimson red plasma blade immediately sliced downward and barely managing to avoid lightly scratching deep purple and silver lined Neo-Beskaar Pauldron that protected the young Imperial prince’s right shoulder. Obi Wan quickly ignited both of his Lightsabers, the young Jedi Knight automatically assuming a ready, guarded stance with his Sky-blue eyes sharp, calculative and almost analytically perceptive as half glared at the familiar yet unrecognizeable Dark side warrior.” Bail?” he stated, his tone sharp as a vibroblade cutting through butter as he immediately locked eyes, with the burning ember like pools of Judas Ren-formerly known as Bail Solo.
The Knight of Ren grinned ferally with hatred and almost foggy rage as he unflinchingly met the young Skywalker’s somewhat overtly stoic gaze, Judas quicly lifted his blood red blade as if aiming to challenge the young Jedi, who subtle a gesture for his fallen cousin to make the first move. Judas Ren immediately obliged swiftly half-launching at Obi Wan with a vicious and intensive series of microburst strikes that fueled with a mix of extreme passion and animalistic-both of which the young Skywalker immediately used as leverage throughout the skemmerish quickly parrying each strike and countering with swift and elegant with the young Jedi ultimately crossing both Dark Indigo Lightsabers, quickly catching his opponent’s red plasma blade. The young Skywalker prince’s dueling style took exceptional advantage of his body’s natural attributes, Obi Wan’s tall and slender build, with gradually developing but noticeable wiry musculature.
The young Jedi knight’s saber movements seemed to naturally display a long reach that gave surprisingly perfect fluidity especially in the the arms making him very effective at delivering precise long range strikes, elegant yet devastating blade fencing movements, and semi-precognitive, interceptive attacks aimed at noted weakness the dark side maurader style armor worn by Judas Ren; Ben’s long athletically toned legs-somewhat inherited from his mother, Mara Jade’s naturally stealthy build were perfectly suited for high high kicks, spinning kicks and expertly evasive footwork...something that his fallen Jedi opponent can attest to firsthand as he barely land any decisive strikes on the young Skywalker, who was like living blur of motion and veracity.
Cracks immediately began to show in Judas’ attack as Obi Wan’s light frame immediately favored lightning like speed, deadly precisiveness and overt redirection over a more overt display of brute force style similar to Judas.
Obi Wan quickly slashed the fallen Jedi horizontally across the black plastoid chest plate cutting through the polymer-based material derived from processed form of plant matter, enhanced with synthetic resins and like Judas’ particular armor occasionally infused with metal alloys, making it easy to manufacture in large quantities...but also vulnerable to high level blasterfire and perhaps more relevant to the current situation at hand Lightsaber strikes, the dark purple blade of his dominate Lightsaber just narrowly missing Judas’ heart by a hair’s length.
The knight of Ren automatically retreated back, almost staggering as he prepared to defend himself, Obi Wan Skywalker quickly launched forward preparing to thrust the Indigo blades of his Lightsabers into his chest.
Before the young Jedi’s almost twin blades could make contact, the Force immediately pulled Obi Wan Skywalker away in a seemingly instantaneous action.
DATAT
Ben eyes abruptly snapped open, calm but hyper alert as he almost automatically took in his immediate surroundings; the young Skywalker instantly recognizing the somewhat familiar confines of the imperial ATAT transport with him quickly locking with his brother, Anakin Skywalker and the Togruta Jedi padawan, Nomi Tano.
“You doing okay, Obi?” Nomi questioned with a genuine, almost sisterly tone of concerned affection that matched the somewhat visibly worried expression on the orange tanned features of her face, with her bright and cool ocean blue eyes that were big and very expressive.
Obi Wan instantly put on a thin lined smile and almost masked of unshakable resolve that barely concealed the worry tiredness in Obi Wan’s Sky-blue eyes that looked to the young Togruta padawan with a stoic yet wary expression.” As well as can be expected after months of gruelling and seemingly endless conflict,” a laugh completely devoid any actual humor or even true sarcasm at the whole thing, his body immediately slouched almost somewhat sulking back in a rather deeply solemn type of grief and unquestioned weight of an entire galaxy barring down on his young shoulders.
The Quadrapel imperial ATAT walker soon at the remote Imperial communications outpost, which was a half bunker designed structure that transmitted a standard twenty four-seven hour long relay beacon that consistently routed and rerouted New Imperial and greater Alliance military broadcasts to local neighboring star systems within a transmission radius of a million light-years across the mid-rim.
The Skywalker brothers and their Togruta comrade immediately departed the ATAT with the icy frigid winds of Xharris IX that blew strong and mix with mild levels of sleet; the young Jedi could visibly see their own breath, foggy and semi-transparent like thick mist clouds escaping from between their lips like the boggy hazy of a swamp.
“Force! Why does it feel like the temperature just drop another forty…or sixty degrees?” Nomi Tano swore undwr her frostbit breath before immediately pulling down the faded tan hood of traditional Jedi cloak over her face and lekkuk, with the young Padawan lightly tucking the twin roughly shoulder length head-tails back underneath the wrinkled folds of her cloak.
“Arctic planet remember!” Anakin Skywalker the second promptly reminds his fellow Jedi with a tone that was mix sarcastic joking and playful teasing tone of voice that was very in character for the younger Skywalker brother. Nomi immediately punches Anakin’s shoulder plate with sly and almost secretive smirk that was like an Aquilaenian slothcat that plotting some form of mischievous trouble for its owner.” Geezs Skyguy…I never would have guessed with all the snow and ice covering the place.” Nomi states, with sassy tone of playful cattiness.
Obi wan quickly rolled his eyes halfway in almost amused sense comraderie, the young Jedi prince soon hears what appears to be a rather urgent and somewhat breathless voice call out to him and his brother.” Field Marshal Skywalker! Commodore Skywalker!” Both Skywalker brothers immediately turn their heads to see a half-winded Twi-Lek male dressed in a standard, pristine Imperial blue officer’s uniform that immediately gave away the young man as an official officer of the New Galactic Empire-the redesigned sunburst imperial cog insignia proudly embroidered on his right shoulder in shimmering golden thread, Obi wan immediately gave a stern but outright unkind expression.“Yes...what is it ensign?” Obi Wan Skywalker immediately replies back with the stiff yet formal with radiate aura of compatent military commander, the fifteen year old crown prince elect could automatically deduce the Twi’Lek’ officer’s rank by the two tiles on his uniform’s silver metal alloy plaque on his right breast with one red tile and one blue to denote the alien officer’s rank in the immediate chain of imperial command.
The young Twi’Lek-who at most was at least three or four years older than the two imperial princes and Nomi, briefly took a moment to properly compose himself before cotinuing to speak in a more calm and collected manner.” Apologies your Highnesses...but I was instructed to inform you that her Majesty, the Empress has arrived on Kharrus IX with a small entourage of Masters from the Jedi Bendu and an older man and woman, who were ‘relatives’ of yours,” The ensign states, now properly able to speak without sounding like he was audibly wheezing for air every five minutes in between words.
Obi Wan curtly nodded before again examining the imperial officer’s uniform, among other mineut detail with the sharp and almost cold analyticalistic sense of perfectionism that often proved both boon and curse for the young Skywalker. Ben gently patted the ensign’s shoulder and somewhat casually asks for the young Twi’Lek’s name-for a moment the young ensign thinks that maybe just maybe this is some kind of test that the young crown prince elect, Ben immediately shuts down any thought of such a thing, with a firm yet kind tone in his voice, which was measured and calm with an undertone that was like tempered durasteel.“I’m not testing you...I just want to know your name nothing more.” he assured with an overtly warm tone in his voice.
The young Twi’Lek was still semi-hesitant but gave his name.” Zyaine my lord…Zyaine Ryo. 502nd Wing Corps.” He stated with an immediate, if somewhat militar salute.
“Ah right, ” Anakin states, after hearing the name of his own unit, the technically ‘younger’ Skywalker brother immediately chiming into the conversation with a tone that was more casual and familiar as he addressed his immediate subordinate.” You’re the one from Tattooine right?”he questions The young male Twi’Lek questions with underlined sense of curiosity.
“Tython actually,” Zyaine Ryo stated, his voice still laced with an awkward undertone.
Obi wan simply gives another stiff nod before ordering the young officer to go rest.” Enjoy quiet while you can-“ he paused briefly to give the ensign a reassuring grin.” Trust me…knowing our luck you’re definitely going to need!” Obi Wan stated, his voice still maintaining its steely firmness while also assuming a somewhat more gentle and friendly tone.
Zyaine Ryo awkwardly gives a rigid military salute, his words becoming shaky and semi-clumsily each word coming forth as either awkward or near incomprehensible.” Y-Y-Yes, I-I mean ofcourse your H-highness,” the young Twi’Lek imperial officer immediately departing with an anxious, oddly hurried sense of urgency as he absently pushed past several coalition and Republic military officers with careless pace.
Nomi Tano realizing that her name had been notably omitted from the Empress of the New Galactic Empire’s personal summons quickly excused herself, her tone awkward yet steady with the casual tone of friend that knew when not to interfere in family affairs that she had no right interfering in, She quickly half murmured something about checking on the wounded with a casual wavy gesture.” I’ll make sure to send Owen or Cade your way if I see either them!” Nomi states not bothering to back at either Skywalker as she calmly strode off to the medical wing of the station.
“ What do you think mom wants?” Anakin questions his brother, who was equally curious as to what their mother was doing on Xharrus IX.
“Hopefully not to Court martial us for that not so little war crime we committed on Hoth or the one on Concordia or any other number of others.” Obi Wan stated, with a sarcastic edge to his clipped tone.
“For the record…I’m like eighty seven to ninety percent sure that what happened on Hoth is only a technical ‘war crime’.” Anakin Skywalker states back in a fake attempt at self defense of his actions.
“Let’s hope the courts share the same sentiment too.” Obi wan replies back already beginning to walk towards the station’s promptu debriefing room with the tired wariness of someone that has seen the absolute worst of war and beyond with reprieve.
