Star Wars: Malignant Metamorphosis, Page 3

  All eyes were upon him as the ruler of Geonosis took his place in the center of the room. The insectoid looked around at the varied assembly gathered before him and was pleased. Ceris stood as tall as his small frame allowed and banged his staff on the floor for attention. He adjusted his translator and said, “Please come to order. We have serious business to discuss. Serious business indeed.”

  *

  Back on board his vessel in the privacy of the captain’s cabin he now occupied, Lucian pondered the unexpected turn of events. Ceris had instructed the fleet’s superior officers to assemble in a row. The young officer rose and joined the men in the line. Gris was still wearing his insignia and was asked why he stood with them while only having the rank of Second Lieutenant. He explained that his superiors were wounded or killed in the battle over Endor and he’d assumed command. He was ordered to sit back down. Other officers were questioned and it was discovered that three more vessels were now under the command of subordinates. These men were also told to sit down.

  The high ranking officers stood before Ceris wondering why they’d been asked to remain standing. Most of them were seriously injured, including Gris’ captain. Hardly able to support himself without any assistance, Gris’ superior stood proudly at attention. They were then escorted from the room by a squad of insectoid guards.

  The rest of the assembly was instructed to proceed to the tall doors at each end of the huge chamber. Gris passed through the nearest portal and walked the length of the curving corridor to the balcony that overlooked the outdoor arena. The ancient, fissured structure strained in protest under the profound weight as the crowd of onlookers watched their superiors being lined up below them along a towering wall. Gris assumed that they’d be given medals for their service to the Empire, but his assumption proved wrong.

  The insectoid guards left the arena in a rush. The spectators murmured among themselves as enormous, metal gates screeched open. A great roar was heard from within. A gigantic beast slowly emerged from the shadows. Gris had never seen a creature that looked so ferocious. The officers scurried like terrified eopie as this monster chased them around the arena. The sandy bottom was soon filled with bloodied body parts that had once been proud officers of the Galactic Empire.

  When the crowd was finally seated in the council chamber again, a numbing silence hung in the air. The insectoid leader broke the strained repose telling the assembly that their superiors were nothing more than unworthy cowards who shirked their duty and ran in the face of the enemy. Such desertion would not be tolerated and was punishable by death. The present company would not be held accountable for their superior’s cowardice during the battle over Endor, but their deaths would serve as a valuable lesson. It was certainly a lesson for Lucian Gris. He thanked his lucky stars it wasn’t learned that he’d given the order to retreat. The crew assumed their captain had issued the command.

  All remaining crewmembers had been given a promotion in rank. To his complete amazement, Gris learned that he had the most experience of all the survivors. What this really meant was that he had served the longest. By sheer luck of a few standard months, Lucian was given a promotion to “Rear Admiral of the Imperial Fleet.” His promotion wasn’t expected. He did deserve it; there was no question in his mind. However, the young officer had been stunned that he’d been selected above all others to command of the entire fleet. The rank given Lucian was an honor, to say the least.

  Lucian Gris was told that his assignment would be the most important undertaking since the fall of the Empire. He was well aware that the task placed before him would be significant to his career. He dared not fail with the enormous responsibility placed before him. He could never have imagined how many years would pass before this vital mission was finally accomplished.

  Chapter Three

  - Tatooine -

  ~18/02/00 ABE: Eighteen years, two months after the death of Emperor Palpatine. ~

  A parsec away from Geonosis there is a remote planet called Tatooine. This firmament has two suns that distribute their illumination and heat in tremendous amounts, making most of the surface a desolated wasteland. It would seem that these extreme conditions would make the planet uninhabitable, but many different life forms do exist on this intolerable world. The surface is nothing more than scorching, blowing sand. However, below the harsh surface Tatooine’s depths are pocketed with caches of underground springs that provide precious water to the residents who are brave enough to make this their homeland.

  The Old Republic had little influence over this planet that was far from the hub of democracy. Tatooine’s sparse outposts were under the strict control of the Hutt’s criminal organization. The vast, open spaces between the gangster’s havens consisted mainly of moisture farmers. These hardy, steadfast homesteaders built their commonplace dwellings underground helping them to achieve a cool environment.

  Luke Skywalker had finally returned to Tatooine to rebuild his uncle’s farm now that the galaxy was under the control of the New Republic. The Empire’s Imperial Stormtroopers, who’d been duplicated from the original Clone Army, had destroyed the farm and killed his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru years ago. They’d been looking for data that was stolen by conspirators who’d plotted against the Empire. Suspected of being associated with the Rebel Alliance, Leia Organa’s cruiser had been chased towards the Outer Rim by Darth Vader’s destroyer.

  Leia’s role on board the vessel had been as an ambassador on a diplomatic mission, but she’d really been bringing this crucial information to her father on Alderaan. Leia and her father had been secretly active members of the resistance.

  Under orders from Emperor Palpatine to retrieve this stolen data, Darth Vader had attacked Leia’s ship while over Tatooine. The Sith Lord hadn’t been able to find evidence on board of a coded transmission they’d received from rebel spies. The signal contained schematics of Palpatine’s newest secret weapon.

  Leia, who was the princess of Alderaan, hid the data in a compartment inside of Artoo Detoo and ordered him to flee in an escape pod. She sent the droid to the barren sphere in order to find General Obi-Wan Kenobi. It was known only by her father and herself that the former Jedi Knight was living in seclusion on the dismal planet. She’d instructed Arto to seek the Jedi warrior’s help against the suppressive empire.

  See Threepio followed Artoo into the emergency vehicle while the Stormtroopers fired at the crew, their blasts barely missing the droids. The pod detached from the cruiser and spiraled down to Tatooine. Darth Vader sent cloned soldiers down to the surface in order to search for the vehicle, assuming the schematics were on board. When finding the pod, the clones discovered it had been occupied by droids who’d escaped with the plans.

  After the pod crashed in the midst of the desert wasteland, Threepio and Artoo tried to make their way to civilization, but they were captured by Jawa Traders. These strange, little scavengers roamed the badlands in search of junk and spare parts that they repaired and sold to the inhabitants of the planet. Luke’s uncle dealt with the indigenous species from time to time. When they’d stopped at his farm, Owen Lars bargained with the creatures and brought the two, dust covered droids.

  *

  As a lad Luke Skywalker couldn’t wait to escape the confinement of living on this remote and forsaken sphere. The knowledge that each day would bring about the same mundane tasks as the previous days, months, and years depressed him greatly. Luke had an adventurous spirit and felt his uncle was holding him back. He thought that he’d never be free from his bondage. If Luke had known what the future held in store for him, he wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to escape the farm and the constant boredom that plagued him.

  Luke first saw the holo-image of Princess Leia that Artoo projected on the floor of the garage when he mistakenly hit a switch while wiping smudges of blaster fire from the droid. The young princess had begged for Obi-Wan Kenobi’s help. The only one Luke had known by the name Kenobi was old Ben. He was an odd hermit who lived in the
badlands and rarely ventured out to visit anyone. Luke was intrigued by this message, but his duty done for the day, he’d gone outside to watch the suns set and then went to bed.

  The persistent, little droid escaped during the night and continued his search for General Kenobi. Luke would’ve been scolded by his uncle for losing the droid, so he went in search of him. In his pursuit of Artoo, Luke was attacked by the Tusken Raiders, or Sandpeople as the locals called them. Sandpeople were violent nomads who attacked unsuspecting travelers for any goods they could lay their hands on. Ben Kenobi rescued Luke from the murderous creatures when he was confronted by them.

  Owen warned him to stay away from this crazy wizard, but when Luke told the hermit why he traveled to such a dangerous area, the old man revealed that he was the Jedi warrior Leia Organa sought help from. He’d also revealed that Luke’s father wasn’t really a navigator on a freighter like his uncle claimed, but that Anakin Skywalker had really been a Jedi Knight who’d fought by Kenobi’s side during the Clone Wars.

  Luke decided to join the aged warrior on his important mission after the Stormtroopers murdered his family and left the farm a burning ruin. They hired Han Solo to take them to Alderaan where they’d discovered the Emperor’s newest weapon against the resistance, the Death Star. The massive space station had vaporized the entire planet. Alderaan was now nothing more than scattered debris.

  Luke paid for his impetuous decision to avenge his family’s death. He’d witnessed Ben Kenobi die at the hands of Darth Vader on the first Death Star. To his complete shock, Luke later learned that the Sith Lord had really been his father, Anakin Skywalker. Luke was also surprised to learn that Leia, the beautiful princess he'd rescued from the Death Star, was his twin sister. The Jedi separated them at birth fearing Emperor Palpatine would sense their presence. He would’ve had them murdered because they’d inherited the power of the Force through their father.

  In his quest for revenge, Luke later joined the Resistance and helped to destroy the first Death Star. He’d witnessed Emperor Palpatine’s violent end at the hands of Darth Vader, whose death he also witnessed. Luke participated in the birth of the New Republic after the downfall of the Empire. He then helped reestablish order within the galaxy.

  When Leia finally admitted her love for Han Solo, Luke stood happily by the couple’s side when they were wed a year after Palpatine’s death. Luke had been elated the following year when Leia discovered she was pregnant and carrying fraternal twins. He’d been overjoyed at the children’s birth, which coincided with the anniversary of the Emperor’s death three years prior. Leia insisted her son be named Benjamin Bail honoring Ben Kenobi and Bail Organa. Leia named her daughter Padmay Hanna honoring her mother and Han. She spelled her daughter’s name differently than her mother’s, hoping no one would make the connection to Padme Amidala. Everybody thought the Organa’s were her real parents. Only Lando Calrissian knew of the secret adoption.

  *

  The last surviving Jedi Knight now lived on his uncle’s moisture farm on Tatooine. Luke was finally content to reside on his home planet and view the simple, yet beautiful sunsets provided each evening. Memories of past events flooded his mind as he watched the twin suns setting above the desert with his young niece and nephew this evening.

  It wasn’t long before the blazing orbs sunk below the horizon and distant stars appeared in the heavens above. As deepening darkness took hold of the night, he bid the twins goodnight, once again warning them about the peril of staying out too late due to Tusken Raiders. The locals knew enough to stay indoors after dark.

  Luke entered the humble abode and sought his bed. He soon fell into a deep, troubled sleep. He started to toss wildly as the recurring nightmare began. In his terrifying dream Emperor Palpatine held him within a deadly grasp. Force lightning issued from the Sith Lord’s aged, crooked hands, entrapping Luke in sheer agony. He cried out loudly in his sleep, “Father, help me. Please!”

  Young Padmay Solo rushed into her uncle’s chambers when she heard him cry out. “Are you alright Uncle Luke? Can you hear me?” She turned as her fraternal twin hurried in behind her. “He’s not answering me Ben.”

  Benjamin Solo looked down at Luke with deep concern. His uncle wasn’t getting any better. He appeared to be having disturbing dreams lately that were seriously affecting his sleep. If Luke didn’t get a decent night’s rest soon, the youth feared his uncle would never regain his heath. He asked, “Can you make out what he’s saying?”

  “No, he’s just mumbling. Oh Ben. I’m so worried. Isn’t there anything we can do to help Uncle Luke recover? I feel so useless.”

  “You’re doing all you can Padmay. The best we can do is keep him as comfortable as possible. His last attack has taken a tremendous toll on him, but I am sure if we keep him calm he’ll recuperate fully. He’s always been a fighter Padmay. You know that. I’m sure he’ll get better this time too. He needs lots of rest. He’s quiet now. We better let Uncle Luke get some undisturbed sleep. I don’t want to wake him. Come on. Let’s go back outside.”

  The twins joined hands and quietly left the room.

  *

  Luke’s vivid nightmare continued. In reality, Darth Vader had turned on Darth Sidious in order to save his son’s life. However, in Luke’s terrifying dream, the Sith Lord joined his evil Master in his son’s destruction. Vader’s own Force lightning shot out at him leaving Luke completely helpless. He watched in frozen horror as his father’s dark figure approached him. Vader reached down and lifted Luke’s limp body high over his head. He carried his son to the railing that led out over the central core of the Death Star. Darth Vader then tossed Luke into the deep abyss...

  Luke bolted up from his nightmare. He was shaking badly. He felt chilled to the bone, yet was dripping in his own sweat. His heart was hammering violently inside his chest. When his eyes finally focused on his surroundings, he realized that he was in his own room. Luke reached out to the Force in order to calm himself and slowly gained control over his emotions.

  Struggling to stay awake, it seemed to Luke that all he did lately was sleep. He didn’t want to slip back into his nightmare. He knew that Emperor Palpatine would have killed him if his father hadn’t intervened, so why was he dreaming of Anakin wanting to kill him as well? Darth Vader had been incapable of using Force lightning not having the use of his hands due to traumatic amputation. Luke couldn’t understand why he’d envisioned Vader using the power in his dream, nor why was he having such disturbing dreams about him. Learning all he had, and knowing Anakin Skywalker was released from the Dark Side of the Force, Luke couldn’t fathom the reason behind the terrifying images that plagued him. He could actually feel the rage emitting from the Vader of his nightmares. The intensity of wrath was extreme, aimed towards anyone who stood on the positive side of the Force. Luke felt tremendous hatred towards himself, towards Leia, and especially towards Obi-Wan Kenobi. He’d never felt such penetrating hatred from Darth Vader while alive, even being under Emperor Palpatine’s influence. Luke had felt his father’s indecision and regret at having to end his son’s life when Sidious attacked him on the second Death Star. He knew what little remained of Anakin Skywalker’s soul had resurfaced. Darth Vader had saved Luke by killing his Master.

  The only other time Luke could recall feeling such deep hatred was when Darth Sidious tried to taunt him into giving in to his anger while watching his comrades die during the battle of Endor. The pure rage that flowed from the man when Luke subdued this temptation was immeasurable. The Sith Lord’s anger couldn’t compare to the rage Luke felt from the Vader of his nightmares. That Vader’s hatred was more intense, almost as if it were a living force.

  A chilling shudder of fear ran the length of Luke’s spine. Could his nightmares be a vision of things to come? No. It wasn’t possible. Both Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine were dead. How could his dreams be a premonition? He shook the eerie feeling and tried to convince himself that these surreal images were due to his failing hea
lth. He thought about the obscurity of death everyone faces. Humanity fears the unknown, but Luke Skywalker was a Jedi. Death was not an end to life; it was a new beginning. Luke knew his soul would be entering the Netherworld after his body died, but being in a weakened state, he thought perhaps his subconscious was twisting his experiences. It calmed him and sleep soon reclaimed Luke’s weary body.

  *

  Later that evening Ben slipped quietly back into his uncle’s darkened room. Luke’s health had deteriorated greatly through the years. Having endured Force lightning when attacked by Darth Sidious, he’d ended up with a weak heart. The lad feared his uncle might now have a fatal attack. The twins felt he needed to be watched over constantly. Both Ben and Padmay had shared this responsibility since bringing their uncle home to Tatooine.

  Padmay had watched Uncle Luke most of the day. She’d insisted that Ben get some rest, but he thought she needed it more. She’d been fretting over Luke since they arrived. Padmay was nearing exhaustion herself. It would never do if she got ill on top of everything else. He demanded that she get some proper sleep. She told him that she was fine and didn’t need to rest. Ben almost had to get physical in order to get her to leave Uncle Luke’s side. Padmay reluctantly let him take her place.

  The teen quietly approached his uncle’s bedside and pulled the wooden chair closer in order to begin his vigil. Luke’s emdee hadn’t given a good prognosis. He seemed to be getting weaker by the day. Ben was very concerned about his uncle’s worsening condition. As he sat silently watching over his beloved uncle, Luke’s eyes fluttered open. He didn’t seem to be aware of his surroundings. He wasn’t asleep, but he didn’t appear to be quite awake either. Luke was gazing towards the end of the bed and started muttering. The boy leaned in closer, but couldn’t make out his words. The youth thought he heard Luke say Ben.

  Chapter Four