#old daka

So many lives left this galaxy of late. She felt them all. Victims of war, slavery, grabs for positions of power. The Empire rearing its head above the surface and devouring anything standing in its’ way. The dark dragon that constantly eats and is never sated. 

She foresaw it’s growing power, for years. Tried to warn anyone who would listen...but no one would sit long enough to hear the rantings of an old woman. She did her research, consulting the elements, listening to tidbits of news along the grapevine, divination, interpreting dreams, reading entrails of small animals, the whispers of Force ghosts in the wind. The path all led to one source: 

Emperor Palpatine...now Darth Sidious. 

Daka spat on the ground even thinking his name. He was a curse to the galaxy. She never considered herself a rebel or freedom fighter. She was just an ancient Night Sister whose eyes were wide open to the higher vibrations of The Force. Palpatine was such a wasteful cur, leaving so many bodies in his wake. Including all her Night Sisters. Old Daka had narrowly escaped and went into hiding. The Jedi and Clones helped him do so, unaware that he would destroy them in the end.  

Oh Palpy, as she won’t to call him, thought himself a proper Sith. He was sorely mistaken. He played Sith. Clueless man.  

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Several days passed and word spread through the galaxy: The Jedi were dead, including the Younglings. The Jedi Temple was also destroyed. Daka was sick of the killing. She would reach out with the Force to see who she could align with. She would not rest.  

"The Witch Hammer" by Sacred Soundwave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv4lDkOym8Y&list=RDGMEMYH9CUrFO7CfLJpaD7UR85w&index=17 

Daka sat cross-legged on the floor of her room concentrating, humming, settling in on her sitting bones. As she relaxed, felt her essence leave her body and travel around the galaxy. Tasting star dust, riding on the tail of comets, listening to foreign songs of the planets. She was searching for someone in particular.  

She reached out to Master Yoda, his presence strong somewhere in the Outer Rim. But just as she thought she could sense his location, his presence immediately vanished. 

“Bah!” She was disgusted. He was blocking her attempt to find him. No matter, she had another option. And, she found him, still alive and hiding on a dusty planet among the Outer Rim. 

“Kenobi!” she screeched.  

He jumped and spun around, facing her Force Ghost. Obi-Wan looked older, tired, broken. “Old Daka, what brings you here to my cave???” He attempted the old Kenobi swagger but fell short. Those days were behind him. 

“Darth Sidious grows stronger. I seek your assistance to bring an end to him.” 

“You don’t waste any time with formality I see. We will bring him down, Daka. Vader’s son is hidden and safe. When he grows up...” 

“Save it, Kenobi! I have no patience for waiting years while many lives are lost in Sidious’ wake. The galaxy has no time for young Skywalker to grow up. We MUST act NOW!!!” 

“Your Sith blood is much too passionate and impulsive, Old Daka. In good time...” 

“BAH! Kenobi, I can smell your fear. You hide in this cave away from your failure with Anakin, unable to confront it!!!” 

“But Anakin...” 

“Can still be saved! He can raise his children even with the pitiful condition you left him in on Mustafar. Sidious must be taken out at the knees. With his absence the galaxy will pick up the pieces. Vader will die and Anakin reborn. His children will heal his heart. His children will know their father.” 

“Daka, listen to reason!” 

“The Jedi can rise again. The Sith can come back. They will unite to become a sum greater than two factions. The galaxy will finally know balance. My Night Sisters can be restored..." 

“No Daka! I will not help you. Not now, not ever.” 

“Weak man!” She roared. “I am but an old woman that sees a better future and willing to give my life to attain it. Not hide away for years hoping for the sliver of a chance that might blow away like a fart in the wind!!!” 

Obi-Wan winced at her language. He turned his back to Old Daka, stonewalling her. 

“Goodbye Kenobi” and with that she broke the Force link between her world and his. She snapped back into her body back in her antiquated room. She was still in cross legged position, and stiff from the extended time in it. 

She was terribly disappointed in Obi-Wan Kenobi. No help whatsoever.  

Old Daka had one other option.  

With effort, she got to her feet, stretching out her stiff old legs. She walked over to the ceremonial brazier and lit a bundle of Star Sedge. Dropping it in, she wafted the smoke to her face and deeply inhaled, then held the smoke in her lungs. Daka exhaled and started chanting and dancing The Spiral pattern on the floor. She reached out with both hands to find holes in the aether. She closed her eyes and continued her steps, concentrating. Continuing in the spiral, hands signing sacred symbols, reaching out for a doorway. She kept this up for some time, heating up, sweat beading her brow. Old Daka’s joints ached with the effort. The beads of sweat ran down her face, neck, now dripping. Her voice resonates, calling out past her little existence on this planet. Dancing, spiraling, hands gesturing, a transcendent exploration. 

“What do you seek, Grandmother?” The ancient voice boomed in her ears. 

Daka opened her eyes. The Bendu stood tall, dwarfing her. 

“I request assistance in the fall of Darth Sidious. The time is close to arrival. One chance to set the galaxy free of his dark reign. I cannot do it alone. If not acted upon days from now, the opportunity will be lost in Transit.” 

“The Bendu cannot interfere directly with connecting realities of The World Between Worlds. I can, however, speak the names of those who MAY help you on your journey. There is no guarantee they will help. I give this information freely and it’s use rests solely upon your shoulders.” 

“I am eternally grateful to you Guardian of Worlds” Daka bowed down to the Bendu. Her joints popped and crackled in the process. 

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"The Dream Song" by Ministry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaM-j7pzWsg&list=PLTsJd3M7E5ycaENNZcno0g45BCxUk98Zv&index=32

The Havoc Marauder was dark and quiet, save for Wrecker’s snoring and the occasional stirring of Tech working on a project through the night. Everyone else had fallen asleep, except for Hunter. An overstimulation migraine kept him up. He was hoping for the strong pain meds and hot shower to finally award him some shut eye. Hunter emerged from the refresher, nodded goodnight to Tech, who nodded back and settled into his bunk.  

With a deep sigh, Hunter closed his eyes and slowly relaxed. He blissfully started to fall into a deep sleep, settling into the blankets. His cocooned body warmed up comfortably. The sounds of Wrecker and Tech faded away to a weighted silence.  

“KEEN MAN!” 

Hunter bolted upright from his covers and looked around. He was no longer on the Marauder. An inky blackness with billions of stars surrounded his bunk. A wizened old woman sat at the foot of it. She looked as though she was lit by moonlight. 

“Maker!” Hunter thought. “Switching my pain medication. This is so vivid!!!” 

The old woman cackled “I’m real. Real as moonbeams and rainbows, and the wind you cannot see.” 

Hunter looked skeptical. But he couldn’t deny the strange thrumming vibrations running through his body. 

“Hm...The Songs of the stars, planets, quasars, pulsars. The Fingerprints of the Universe. You feel them, Yes?” 

“Who are you??? A Force Ghost?” 

“The blessed few with a live body. I traversed the galaxy to speak with you. I am Old Daka.” 

“Why me?” 

“You were the only one of your brothers who would answer. I called out to Rex, Cody, Gregor, Wolffe, and those on the Marauder. Not one heard me. Omega, however, did. She and I spoke earlier.” 

“Omega? About what???” Hunter was worried that this being had unrestricted access to Omega...if what she said was true. 

“The Force is providing a narrow window of success in the defeat of Darth Sidious. A man you might know better by the name of Emperor Palpatine. The window will close and not open again for many years...until the son of Sidious’ main henchman is of age. By that time Sidious will be much stronger. The bloodshed in his wake will be more momentous. I refuse to wait and watch the waste of lives and resources. Refuse to watch the utter misery. I need your help.” 

“Asking again...why me?" 

“Because the Force chose you...and Omega. You both are

'sensitive' and understand a purpose higher than yourselves. If Echo were more man than machine, he would have heard The Call of The Force as well.” 

Hunter was aghast. This was bigger and more dangerous than trying to escape the destruction of Kamino or dodge bounty hunters. Their family could be ripped apart, or worse yet they all could die. 

“What’s in it for us?” 

“A galaxy without the fear of living. It is not enough to merely survive. Existence is meant for higher goals.” 

“Why should we trust you???” 

“Good question, Keen Man. But I wager my bargain is much better than the ones Cid springs on you. Or your brother working for the Empire offered.” 

Hunter winced at the mention of Crosshair.  

“Darthomir witch!” Hunter rumbled. 

“Yes. Not much different than a powerful Jedi, and yet you trusted them implicitly. The Jedi are gone for now. Not many allies left. Why not trust me?” 

Hunter sat in silence then replied. “What happens if we refuse to participate?” 

Old Daka brought her outstretched hand up in Hunter’s direction. She closed her eyes in concentration. “Let me show you the cost of Order 66.” Immediately vivid images filled Hunter’s head: The slaughter of the Younglings and all the Jedi, the duel between Kenobi and Anakin, the birth of Darth Vader, the death of Padme Amadala, the loss of the Republic Senate, the transfer of power to Palpatine, the final transition to Dark Sidious, the battle and death of the clones on Starship Tribunal. 

“Now...let me show you the future of The Empire.” More images: Fascist law across the galaxy, The Empire conscripting literal children into their growing army, then enslaving and killing thousands who refused to join them, The Death Star, the destruction of Alderaan...and so much more. Eventually the images faded, leaving a deep black void. 

Hunter held his head. His heart hurt mightily. 

“You have a day to think upon it and share this information with your siblings. I will physically meet you in the Marauder at Ord Mantell and discuss more details.”  

With that she faded away... 

...Hunter started awake bolting upright. Tech had lightly touched his shoulder and was standing by with a cup of caf.  

“I thought you would sleep in all morning. The medication must have been very effective.” He handed Hunter the cup. 

“It’s about time! Omega’s been going on all morning about a dream!!!” Echo groused. 

With that Omega ran into the room and jumped on Hunter’s bunk. “Did you talk to Gran-momma Daka??? She came to see me last night! We have a VERY IMPORTANT mission to go on!!!” 

“Oh KRIFF! It was all REAL!!!” Hunter groaned rubbing his face. 

“What’s real?” Wrecker was standing in the doorway. 

“Lads...and young lady...” Hunter trailed off. How to even being to explain it all??? “Have a HUGE mission ahead of us...if we choose to take it. We need to sit down and seriously discuss it today.” 

Everyone looked around at each other quizzically. 

“Just let me just have my cup of caf first.” Hunter sighed. 

Chapter 2 :

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In this next installment, the Batch has some SERIOUS decisions to make!!!

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She arrived halfway into one Imperial rotation. The ship that landed next to the Marauder was a stolen Republic shuttle, repainted with scrawling anti-Empire graffiti. Its name written in red Aurebesh: The Anarchy. The gangplank lowered and Old Daka emerged carrying a bandolier strap case. She was accompanied by a white armored clone also painted with graffiti: His chest emblazoned with an A inside a circle and the initials RR on his helmet, all spray painted in blazing red Aurebesh. 

The clone removed his helmet to reveal a shiny Reg clone sporting long red ponytailed hair with sides shaved. He saluted Hunter. “Sergeant, Private Riffraff, Sir. Requesting permission for Grandmother Daka to board the Marauder, Sir.” 

“No need for formality, Shiny.” Hunter scoffed. 

“Riffraff???” Echo called out.  

“Echo!” Riffraff beamed. He shook like a happy puppy, then quickly looked at Old Daka and Hunter for permission. They both nodded, and he took off like a shot, embracing Echo. Echo returned the hug, smacking his back enthusiastically. 

Wrecker, Tech, and Omega smiled at the clone reunion. They just gained another new brother. 

“Stars it’s good to see YOU!” Echo beamed. He pulled Riff back to get a better look. “Custom painted armor I see. Giving a good one to The Empire!!!” 

“I barely survived Order 66, Vod. Kriffin’ crazy time. Thanks to Granny Daka for saving my butt.” He beamed at the old woman, who returned a small warm grin. 

Hunter cleared his throat loudly. “Shall we go inside and discuss our POSSIBLE mission?” 

“OH! Yes...carry on.” Riff let go of Echo and stood at attention by his ship. His contented smirk never wavered as the crew climbed aboard the Marauder. 

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“Fight For Survival” by Klergy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epak9TqrKLs&list=PLTsJd3M7E5yeGJaZsh3pgYUAQdsnbgyBD&index=128

They exchanged introductions then settled in and Daka rehashed the Force conversation she had with Omega and Hunter openly with everyone aboard. She then dropped the bandolier bag in front of them and opened the top. It was chock full to the top with credits.  

“I am paying you all in full ahead of the mission...whether we succeed or not. The bottom line is that I require transport and cover to face Darth Sidious and destroy him forever. This is your role. However, participating in this will markedly change each one of your lives forever.” Daka advised. 

“Oh, how so?” Tech scrutinized the old woman. 

Daka grabbed Tech’s hand and looked deeply into his eyes. He shrank from her severe gaze. 

Echo spoke up. “He doesn’t like to be touched...or stared at!” 

She ignored him. 

“Look at me, Clever Boy! I bring news of your possible future.” 

Tech cowered but managed to look at Daka. 

“Listen to me. I am imprinting your mind with the coordinates of a blue-green planet. You will tell Hazard you seek Phee Genoa. And will take your little brother with you.” She grabbed Wreckers hand and put it in Tech’s. “NO ONE ELSE! You hear me??? Your other brothers and sister have their own path to walk.” 

“We understand Gramma Daka.” Wrecker answered reverently. He did not question her authority. 

Old Daka addressed Wrecker. “Good Strong Boy. You must take care of your older brother. Defend him from harm. Hazard is waiting for YOU, even though he doesn’t know it yet.” 

“YOU, The Unbroken!” She swung around to Echo. He gave her an annoyed look. “The time to emancipate your brothers has arrived. You spoke to Hunter about aiding a growing Rebellion. Now Rebellion is calling for you.” Daka eyed him. 

Echo threw up both arms and rolled his eyes. While he agreed with her message, he didn’t like her bossy attitude.  

Old Daka knelt to Omega. “I’m sorry, Sun Child. You cannot stay with your brothers.” 

Omega, somehow suspecting Daka was right, began to cry. “Why???” 

“Because some things are bigger than love for your kindred. Bigger than the desire for comfort in times of strife.  There is a darkness that threatens to devour everything in the galaxy. You all will play a part in stopping that darkness.” 

Old Daka glanced up at Hunter. “I have a Shaman among the Tuskan Raiders who will take Omega in. The Tribe will raise her as their own. Protect, teach, nurture her. If we succeed on this mission, she will seek out the Son of Vader. If we fail, she is to stay with the Sand People until Vader’s Son seeks her out. Omega will be safe there.” 

Hunter was thrown totally off balance by the news. “Now, wait. Leaving Omega with total strangers on Tatooine...” 

“I have seen Shatterpoints in all your futures. My own, even. This is the most favorable path for the galaxy.” 

“Shatterpoints??? Lady, no disrespect, but what are you going on about? Omega and my brothers are staying...” 

Old Daka stood with difficulty and faced Hunter. She stared him down...all 6 feet of her strong presence. 

Tech finally found his voice. “I think Daka is referring to her Force ability to sense a significant event and key moments where actions could change events.” 

Everyone turned to stare at him. 

“I...don’t claim to understand The Force. It’s not something I can quantify or calculate, being elusive. But I comprehend Daka’s logic of preventing Palpa...Darth Sidious’ pogrom of growing power. Although, I may be in the minority here?” 

“Seems that she isn’t asking of us something some of us wouldn’t already do.” Echo added. 

“As long as Omega's safe...” Wrecker looked so sad. 

Old Daka threw back her head and cackled with glee. “THEY get it!” 

Hunter shook his head, cutting eyes at the old woman. He wasn’t convinced. 

“Keen Man!” Daka snapped her fingers at Hunter. “What does it take to understand? I came to you in your dreams. You sense things others cannot...to a strong degree. Things you cannot quantify. Yet you struggle to understand while your brother who quantifies like the act of breathing understands.” She pointed at Tech. 

“No...” Hunter backed up. Put his hands up while shaking his head. 

“You FEAR! I smell it.” Old Daka slowly advanced at him, pointing her bony finger. 

The back of Hunter’s legs hit the front of The Marauders chair; he fell into the seat with a defeated look on his face. Then he put his face in his hands. He was going to lose everyone he loved. 

“The galaxy...possibly the universe hangs in the balance. You have had your brothers most of your short life. Omega was with you before you even were aware of her existence while on Kamino. She helped birth and raise you and your brothers. This is the life you have. Countless others didn’t or won’t even have that. If you sacrifice now, Omega will have a chance of a future. If you don’t, she will have NOTHING.” 

Old Daka’s words broke Hunter. Sobs shook him. 

Echo and tech hid their emotion and watched their brother struggle. Wrecker hugged Omega close while tears ran down both their faces. 

She softened her next words. “YOU will live out the rest of your life with your estranged brother. He will care for you.” 

Hunter looked up from his hands, tears streaking his face. “Crosshair???” 

“Yes, Crosshair.” 

Everyone in the Marauder was quiet. You could hear a pin drop. 

Eventually, Hunter composed himself. “Let me discuss this with my family. We’ll give you our answer then.” 

Old Daka nodded. Before exiting the Marauder, she turned to look at Echo. “Oh...Fives has a message for you: ‘For Hevy’. Whatever THAT means.”  

Echo’s eyes widened in shock...then he too started to cry.  

She left the Marauder, found a large rock to sit on, and settled in to wait. 

************************************************************************

“Wolves of The Revolution” by The Arcadian Wild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VXkFO0h75w 

Old Daka sat for some time. She watched the shadows on Ord Mantell grow long as the sun began to set.  

Riffraff still stood at perfect attention. “You think they’ll help us?”  

“Only The Force knows, Red Boy. We wait and see.” 

The shadows deepened before Hunter, looking tired and defeated, emerged from the Marauder. 

“We’ll do it. When do we leave?” 

“Tomorrow. But Omega must leave immediately. She will go back to Tatooine with Red Boy” she motioned to Riffraff. “He will take good care of your Sun Child.” 

Riff nodded to Hunter “I promise, Sergeant. Lay my very life on it.” 

“We’ll never see her again? Ever???” 

“I’m sorry...no.” 

Hunter hung his head. Clenched his fists. Then he turned and stalked quickly back to the Marauder. 

Ten minutes later he emerged with Omega in tow. She wailed and dragged her feet. Wrecker, Echo, and Tech following behind. None of them had a dry eye. 

“NOOOOOOO! I want to go on this mission with you!!!” She struggled fruitlessly in Hunter’s grasp. 

He stopped in front of Riff, tried to hand her over, she almost narrowly escaped back to the Marauder. Hunter snatched her up under her arms and hefted Omega off her feet lifting her to face him. 

“DON’T DO THIS! YOU SAID I COULD STAY WITH YOU!!!” She cried out, hammered her fists on his arms, kicked at him. 

Hunter shook her firmly, “OMEGA!!!” 

She went limp in his grasp. Then he embraced her tightly and held on. “I’m sorry. Never anticipated something like this happening. I didn’t know...what I didn’t know.” She embraced him, putting her head in the crook of his neck sobbing. Hunter pulled his bandana off. “Omega.” She leaned back and he placed it on her head. It was a little big and fell around her neck. “Take it. I’ll always be with you.” He embraced her again, kissing her head, inhaling the scent of her hair. “If you have any chance of a happy future, this is the right path.”  

After a few minutes Hunter handed her to Echo. She clung to him, and he hugged her back. “Come now, Meg. You’re doing a great thing for the galaxy. I know it hurts now...and will probably hurt for a very long time. But it’s a very noble sacrifice. We clones are strong. We were built to fight.” She nodded silently in the crook of his neck. He pulled off his kama and wrapped it around her.

Tech approached Echo and held his arms out. He was clearly NOT a hugger, but this time was different. Echo, mildly surprised, handed Omega to Tech. She clutched him tightly. “You were my best student.   There is no doubt you will do great things. Wherever you are, remember I am very proud of you, Omega.” Tech pulled something off his belt and handed it to her. It was an extra set of goggles with a recording device. “Our memories recorded, for you to watch any time.” Omega sniffled and nodded. 

Wrecker took Omega next and hugged her hard. “I’m gonna miss you! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH OMEGA!!!” He started bawling. She held his large face in her hands and kissed his cheek. “I’m givin’ ya Lula to keep. She’ll keep ya company when you're lonely. Maybe one day you’ll bring her back to me?” Wrecker tucked Lula into Omega’s arms and set her down in front of Riffraff. 

“I don’t want to go...I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!” She sobbed, taking one long last look of her brothers. 

Her brothers stood silently looking back. 

“Come, Miss Omega. We must go.” Riff held out his hand. She took it and they both boarded The Anarchy. 

“May The Force be with you, Child.” Old Daka blessed Omega with her words. Omega didn’t respond. 

The Anarchy took off from Ord Mantell. The Batch and Old Daka watched it ascend into the sky. Wrecker fell to his knees crying hysterically. Tech, unsure how to feel, stood there frozen, numbly watching the ship disappear from sight. Echo wiped away his tears, grateful Omega would be safe with his Reg brother Riffraff. Hunter walked away, refusing to watch the ship leave. He ran past the Marauder into the city and kept running with no known destination.  

Old Daka watched them all. There was a pain in her heart, too. She refused to show it. These men needed a strong presence now. They needed time to mourn before embarking on the most important mission of their lives. 

Aboard the Anarchy Omega lay upon the floor crying hysterically. A little girl wrapped in an oversized kama, wearing a red bandanna, clutching goggles, and a stuffed Tooka. If this was another type of situation, Riff would’ve found it comical. But it wasn’t and Riff’s heart went out to Omega. He had lost siblings too.  

He let her have her moment there on the floor until the ship settled into hyperspace. 

“Miss Omega? Hey...”  

A huge Purrgil floated up to the ship peering inside the windscreen. Its mournful song caught Omega’s attention. She got up and wandered over to Riff. He held out his arms. Omega climbed into his lap, and they watched the Purrgil together as the stars floated past. 

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Chapter 3

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Imps rounded the corner and were picked off by Hunter’s blaster fire. The doors opened a few inches with Echo’s ministrations, then slammed shut again. A string of profanity left Echo’s lips and he sweated furiously while trying to concentrate on breaking through the locking mechanism. Hunter covered him with blaster fire, but it was getting more and more difficult to do so as more troopers rounded the corner. The doors opened briefly and slammed shut again. 

“DANK FERRIK! Hunter, they won’t stay open long enough. Next time they open wide enough, you go through QUICKLY. But ONLY when I say so!!!” Echo yelled through the blaster fire. 

“Noted!!!” Hunter replied. 

Echo concentrated, scomp rotating back and forth. The doors shook and slowly opened again. Echo could feel them fight his scomp to slam shut. He shoved his scomp in deeper to try to hold them open. 

“HUNTER, NOW!!!” 

Hunter pivoted quickly and dove through the opening. As the doors slammed shut behind him, he could hear Echo’s screams of agony as he was hit by multiple blaster bolts. 

************************************************************************

At that same instant Tech heard a voice inside his head. It was clearly NOT his own inner voice. “Leave NOW!” He stopped; eyes wide in total disbelief. 

“Wrecker, HOLD ON!” Tech fired up the Marauder, engaged the afterburner, and PUNCHED it out of Docking Bay 3. A squad of Imps screamed as they got caught in the ship's fiery exhaust. 

Wrecker barely had time to register as the Marauder lurched forward violently. His large frame slammed into the tail gunner’s steering wheel and sent multiple cannon fire shots into the floor of the bay as they ascended...then through the outer top of the ship as the Marauder exited. His face squished against the tail gunner windscreen while the force of the ship's velocity held him there, chest still pressed up against the firing mechanism. Wrecker watched as Docking Bay 3 collapsed onto itself and exploded. He hoped with everything in him that Hunter, Echo...and Crosshair would be safe. 

Several Imperial Tie Fighters followed in hot pursuit. Wrecker’s chest was still doing the firing while he tried to peel himself off the tail gun windscreen. Tech clearly had the Marauder on full throttle for this escape. 

“Wrecker, keep those Imperial fighters occupied! I’m putting in co-ordinates for the hyperspace jump!!!” 

“I’M TRYIN’!!! 

Tech gritted his teeth and tried NOT to think about leaving his brothers behind. His leg bounced manically while he punched in co-ordinates for the blue-green planet Old Daka had given. Then he loaded the scrambling signature to cover their tracks. 

“Wrecker!” 

“WHAAAAAAT!!!” He had FINALLY pulled himself off the windscreen. “What NOW???” 

“Jump in 3...2...1!!!” Tech warned. 

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!” Wrecker slammed back into the windscreen as the Marauder made the jump successfully. 

************************************************************************

“Cold Blood” by Valen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZozhNENHy4 

Hunter tucked and rolled into Darth Sidious’ room. He came up firing, felling several stormtroopers who awaited his entrance. He could see Sidious torturing Old Daka with Force Lightning. She looked much weaker than when she exited the Marauder, but still chanting in an ancient tongue. A rift in the air was starting to form behind her, as the lightning entered and exited her body into it.  

He looked sharp, dual wielding blasters, and aimed at anyone who dared advance. Hunter noticed Sidious had a huge number of troopers around him. And his lap dog Darth Vader at The Dark Lord’s Side.  Hunter was vastly outnumbered in that huge room with a side entrance so that reinforcements could file in as needed. They all had their blasters trained on him. Hunter also noticed small circular mirrors placed around the walls... 

...a lone blaster shot rang out. Hunter stood his ground and didn’t move a muscle. The laser bolt bounced around the room, killing a good number of Imps. 

Sidious stopped torturing Old Daka. He turned to see the troops entrusted to his defense struck down. With the Force he sensed and turned to face the source: Crosshair removing his helmet looking Darth Sidious right in the eye with an angry defiant scowl. 

A collective gasp came over the remaining stormtroopers in the room. They were all very aware of Crosshair’s allegiance to The Empire. To see him rebel shocked them, and shook some of them up. 

“I NEVER did care for YOUR kind.” Sidious hissed. “CLONES!” He spat. “Think your act of heroism will redeem you? Or save your brother?” He chuckled and grinned. Ruined teeth in a ruined head. 

Vader’s mind recalled old memories of long ago...serving with clones...serving with THESE clones...but there were others. Memories flooded back to him...somebody named Rex? There were the others...what were their names??? 

Crosshair aimed Firepuncher toward Sidious. He really didn’t think he had a chance at killing the Sith Lord, but at this point it was worth a try. What did he have to lose. Crosshair was willing to die with all the horrible things he had done after leaving The Batch. 

Unfortunately, Sidious wouldn’t let it go down that easily. When Cross pulled the trigger, Firepuncher didn’t discharge. Sidious laughed, then reached out and Force grabbed Hunter, slamming him into the wall and holding him there. 

“YOUR weakness is your HEART” He addressed Hunter. "Such an easy thing to destroy.” Hunter dropped his blasters and held his chest. Sidious slowly started crushing Hunter’s heart. He screamed in agony and kicked the wall furiously.  

Then Sidious addressed Crosshair. “Watch your brother die before your eyes, CLONE!” 

Horrible sounds were coming from Hunter as the Sith crushed him. Crosshair screamed and threw his ineffective rifle at Sidious. It was Force blocked and tossed aside. Then the Sith released Hunter letting him fall onto the ground in a heap. 

A stormtrooper doubled over, holding his stomach, and made retching noises inside his helmet. 

Crosshair ran to his brother, knelt and put Hunter’s head in his lap. 

Hunter barely managed to speak. “I’m...sorry...” 

Cross sassed back, but with utter grief on his face. “Hush Hunter.  There’s no need to apologize.”   

He searched Hunter’s glassy eyes. They stared far off somewhere he couldn’t see... 

“SPARE ME!” With utter disgust Darth Sidious reached out with the Force and snapped Crosshair’s neck. His dead body fell over his brother. Sidious then turned his attention back to torturing Old Daka again. 

************************************************************************

“Angels Among Demons” by Instrumental Core: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ecg2mahps 

Hunter and Crosshair laid there for a few moments. 

They both heard someone approaching. Calling their name.  Someone familiar. 

Cross rolled over and looked up.  Hunter stared past Cross’ shoulder. 

Jesse was standing there next to them, a huge smile on his face.  “Welcome, Vod!” 

“WHAT???”  Both Hunter and Crosshair exclaimed simultaneously.   

Hunter followed up “Didn’t you go down with The Tribunal right after Order 66???” 

Jesse inhaled sharply and rubbed the back of his neck “Well...about that...” 

************************************************************************

Old Daka grimaced with the onslaught of Force Lightning against her back.  The Transference Spell was wearing thin.  Instead of passing though her to open the veil, she was absorbing more of it.  The pain was unbearable, and she was growing weaker.  It was getting more difficult to pull open the veil wider.  She could see the fabric of time-space bulging, starting to separate at the seams, but it wasn’t enough. 

“I see you are succumbing to The Power of the Dark Side, Old Woman!”  Sidious leered with pleasure at her agony. 

“Hardly, you nasty worm!”  Daka shot back.  She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of admitting how painful this was.  “Old Daka’s still a STRONG Night Sister.” 

Sidious shot her with another round of Force Lightning.  Maker, she was going to need some help.  She fell to her hands and knees. 

Sidious howled with gleeful malice.  He rose from his throne and signaled to the remaining troopers to fall back and hold fire.  Vader stood in front of them, watching it all play out. 

Daka spied Hunter and Crosshair’s dead bodies several feet away.  She crawled slowly to them. 

“Tsk...look at you, reduced to crawling on your hands and knees.  You cannot escape my wrath, witch!”  Sidious slowly approached Old Daka relishing her helplessness. 

Daka reached out and yanked Hunter’s vibroblade from its sheath.  She glanced up to Sidious, who was now standing almost over her. 

“You dare think you can injure a powerful Sith such as I with that tiny weapon?  Give up, old woman, I clearly have the high ground.” 

Old Daka slowly stood with immense effort.  She looked Sidious right in the eye.  With the last of her strength, she traced the blade over the artery in her neck and across her heart.  The arterial spray hit Sidious across the face, but it didn’t dampen his terrifyingly hideous smile.  Rather, enhanced it, now highlighted in crimson red. Daka turned and managed to take one step away from her assailant. 

The stormtroopers, used to seeing clean cauterized deaths, gasped at the carnage and looked around at each other.  One took off his helmet and dropped it to the ground.  His young eyes wide and tearing up. 

“Come now...I cannot let you escape in death, can I?  At least not without me serving THE FINAL BLOW!”  

Vader stumbled backwards, bumping into the stormtrooper behind him.  The trooper, who was paying attention to the horrifying scene in front of him, squawked fearing Vader’s wrath.  The Dark Lord paid the trooper no mind, as this all felt...so wrong...SO, SO WRONG!  The Force tearing at his mind, dredging up painful memories. 

Sidious raised his hands and shot Daka with larger bolts of Force Lightening, lifting her off her feet and away like a rag doll.  Old Daka perished...but not before screaming out one last incantation and stabbing the bloodied enchanted vibroblade into the space-time rift. 

It ripped wide open as Old Daka fell dead upon the floor and...  

...Tup and Fives spilled out through The Veil.  The clones looked at Sidious, with bared teeth and clenched their fists in seething anger. 

Sidious stopped and looked upon them in horror.  He hadn’t anticipated the Night Witch to successfully cut open the veil between the living and the dead.  Of course, he hadn’t done his homework and plotted the thinnest day belonging to The Wheel of the Standard Cycle! 

Vader fell to his knees.  He didn’t think it possible. 

Sidious let loose a barrage of Force Lightening at the two clones.  It passed through them like nothing and split the hole even wider.  Hunter stepped out.  Crosshair followed.  Sidious’s eyes bugged from his head.  The stormtroopers turned tail and ran, pushing and trampling each other to get away from the ghosts coming back from the dead.   

Something broke in the young stormtrooper.  He raised his blaster screaming, tears streaming down his face and squeezed off several shots at Sidious.  Sidious, sensing this, raised his hand to strike the youth down... 

...and was Force blocked by Darth Vader...still on his knees.  The blaster shots hit Sidious in the arm, leg and his chair.  He went down screaming. 

“YOU INSOLENT SHITS!  YOU’LL ALL FEEL THE WRATH OF MY POWER!!!”  The pain, anger, hate...all the horrible dark evil intent on crushing anything in the way of his attainment of unlimited power was on full display. 

Echo stepped out of the veil.  He looked back into it motioning “ALL RIGHT EVERYONE! LET’S GO!!!” 

The veil burst wide:  Clones, Jedi, Younglings, Twi’lek, Nomaadi, Wookies, Mandalorian, Rebels, and many more who were causalities of the Empire and the machinations of Darth Sidious appeared.  They flooded through the veil and advanced on the now immobilized Dark Lord.  They passed by Vader and the young stormtrooper, filling the room, reaching out for Sidious.   

Sidious, still screaming full of fear and rage impotently struck out with his Force Lightening to its full potential.  It accomplished nothing.  Vader shielded himself and the trooper.  The horde of souls descended upon Sidious, reaching into his body, pulling free the ghost within the twisted man.  His physical shell fell over onto the floor, eyes rolled up into its head.  The screaming continued, but not from Sidious’ corporeal body.  His Force Ghost was passed along like some grisly postmortem spiritual crowd surfing.  Every hand that touched him pulled a little more power from him, rendering Sidious weak and even more dreadful looking than before. 

He was shoved into the opening of the veil where more hands awaited him.  The unholy screaming continued as he passed from the physical world to the spiritual one.  Souls carrying him to his eternal punishment. 

“The Gravity of Love” by Enigma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MExoMS5uHnk&list=RDGMEMQ1dJ7wXfLlqCjwV0xfSNbA&index=5 

The room slowly emptied as the crowd stepped back into the veil.  Soon only Tup, Fives, Echo, Crosshair, and Hunter were left.  They turned and looked at Darth Vader and the stormtrooper by his side.  Vader cowered and the trooper stood in disbelief. 

“What about them?” Echo inquired 

“Oh...they have another path.” Fives winked. 

Tup added, “Yeah, no need to bother.” 

Jesse stuck his head out, “What’s taking you all so long?  Your brothers are waiting!” 

Fives grabbed Echo’s hand and took off into the rift.  Tup ran after them. 

Crosshair stepped into the rift and looked over the Hunter, “Coming?” 

“In a minute.” 

“Suit yourself, vod.” Cross inserted a ghost toothpick into his mouth and disappeared. 

Hunter stared at Vader and narrowed his eyes, “General Skywalker.”   

Vader looked up at Hunter, amazed the clone figured it out. 

Hunter leaned in close to Vader, almost touching his nose to his mask.  His voice deep.  “Lost two brothers and a sister to turn the tide on this Empire situation.  Whatever you do from here on out...MAKE IT RIGHT.  AND MAKE IT STICK!”   

Vader weakly nodded. 

Hunter gave him his most feral dad expression before stepping into the veil and vanishing. 

The room was quiet.  Vader still upon his knees. 

“Ani?” 

Vader looked up.  Padme Amidala stood next to the breach in the veil. 

“Padme???”  Vader’s voice softened. 

As she stepped toward him, Vader disconnected the life support seal on his helmet and opened it up. 

“Have you come to take me with you?”  Tears ran down his face. 

Padme stopped in front of Anakin “Oh Ani...no. It’s not your time yet.” 

Anakin's face fell and he sobbed.  “I’m so sorry...the things I did to you...to so many...” 

“You have a lot of work to do, Ani.  The galaxy needs help putting things right.  It will be difficult, but you are left with the power to change things for the better.” 

“They’ll hate me, Padme.  I tortured and killed people...destroyed so many homes, families...” 

“Ani, you won’t be alone.  Obi-Wan is still alive.  So is Ashoka Tano” 

Anakin’s eyes widened. 

“Yes, you will have to face the repercussions of your actions.  Other surviving Jedi: Yoda, Quinlan Vos, Shaak Ti will preside over your trial.  You’ll need to be strong, Ani.  Perhaps they will decide that your punishment will be to rebuild what was broken?” 

“Perhaps...I hope...” 

“Obi-Wan is expecting you.  On Tatooine.  He will help you...and help find our children.  Take good care of them for me, Ani?  Will you do that?” 

“Anything for you, Padme...I love you.”  More tears. 

“I love you too, Ani.” 

Padme looked up and addressed the young stormtrooper.  “Please help him get off this ship.  Make sure he gets to Tatooine safely.  You also have a bright future ahead...AFTER facing the consequences of your actions.”  

The stormtrooper nodded wide eyed. 

Padme walked to the opening in the veil and turned to them, “May the Force be with you both.” 

With that she was gone. 

Anakin closed his mask and engaged the life support seal.  He slowly rose to his feet, then turned to the young stormtrooper.  “What is your name?  How old are you?” 

The young stormtrooper was clearly terrified...and confused. 

“I’m Anakin Skywalker.  And I promise not to hurt you.” 

“Jebith...Jebith Freed.  Fourteen Standard Cycles old...sir.”  The age Ashoka Tano was when she joined as his padawan.  A child. 

“Well, Jebith, looks like we have a lot ahead of us.  Are you ready?” 

************************************************************************

“All Soul’s Night” by Loreena McKennitt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RooTTuLCfNM 

“And... that is The Tale of The Dathomir Witch.” 

There was a hush from the group around the bonfire. 

“So that’s why we celebrate The Thin-Veil Time?” 

“Yes, Little One.  We Night Sisters lead The Parade and make Pilgrimage to the Memorial Garden to care for it.  Many all over the galaxy joined the Pilgrimage to leave offerings as thanks for freeing them.  As the galaxy healed from unrest and adjustment after Sidious’s absence, more arrived every year.” 

The child stared into the forest.  Plasma candles lit piles of gifts, flowers, and holo tributes arranged around graves with five helmets, each with names written across the top...and one missing a helmet. 

“On this night, we remind those that visit The Memorial: 

If you see The Keen Man 

He will lead away you from trouble 

If you see The Clever Man 

He will help solve your predicament 

If you see The Strong Man 

He will soothe your grief 

If you see The Unbroken Man 

He will open doors closed to you 

If you see The Eye Man 

He will remind you an outlook can change 

These are helper spirits 

If they seek you, trust in them 

For death is not terrifying, nor final 

Grandmother Daka blesses you this night 

May The Force Be With You” 

“Why are you crying?  Are you sad???” 

“No child, just remembering loved ones tonight.  They are tears of gratitude.” 

The full moon broke free from the dark inky clouds, to shine down upon The Memorial.  Six Force ghosts materialized, as if conjured into presence. 

“Thank you...I love you all.” 

“Happy Halloween, Gran-momma Omega.” chirped the littlest little one. 

“Happy Halloween, Love.” Omega cackled 

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Old Daka, who had been meditating and humming opened her eyes, “He’s on his way back.”  Then she closed her eyes and resumed humming.  Ten minutes later Hunter stumbled aboard the Marauder, dirty, sweaty, exhausted. 

“Hunter!”  Echo exclaimed. 

“Caf, shower...” he rasped.  Hunter, trying to be a leader after his absence and thinking those two things would give him the energy to continue forging ahead on the journey. 

“Shower THEN sleep!” Daka commanded, eyes still closed.  “You may have started to process your grief, but rest is required...then caf.” 

Hunter, too tired and beat down to argue headed to the refresher. 

“Clever Boy and The Unbroken, I will give you the coordinates to our destination.” 

“What is the plan of action to secure us proximity to Darth Sidious undetected?”  Without Hunter present, Tech needed details. 

“You all are on a need-to-know basis for now.  For safety reasons.” 

Echo leaned over and whispered to Tech, “Pretty glib, eh?  Hope she knows what she’s doing.” 

“I heard that.  And, yes, I do!”  Old Daka sassed, eyes still closed. She resumed humming. 

Tech and Echo exchanged glances. 

Tech fired up the Marauder and took off from Ord Mantell.  It left the upper atmosphere of the planet and eventually settled into hyperspace. 

“Granny Daka?” 

Old Daka stopped humming and opened her eyes.  Wrecker was standing before her holding out a ration bar and cup of caf.  “Thought ya might be hungry.” 

The old woman smiled warmly at Wrecker.  “You’re a sweet boy.  Thank you.”  She patted his hand and took the items.  “You’ll be a wonderful partner to Hazard.” 

“Who’s Hazard?” 

“Oh...you’ll see.” Old Daka smiled and winked as she bit into the ration bar. 

************************************************************************

Many hours later Hunter emerged from his bunk.  He looked much better than he did earlier in the rotation.  Daka had helped him sleep while she meditated.  Echo handed him a cup of caf. 

“So... what’s the plan?”  Hunter inquired. 

“According to Old Daka, we are on a need-to-know basis for safety reasons.”  Tech quipped. 

“I know we usually go by the seat of our pants, but this seems like a mission we shouldn’t be improvising.”  Hunter sipped his caf. 

“My thought’s exactly.” Echo added. 

Wrecker sat and watched the conversation unfold. 

Old Daka was quiet for a moment.  Then she spoke, “We are to be captured.  That is the easiest way to gain access to Sidious.  I will give you more information as we progress.  If I were to give you too much, he would be able to read your minds with the Force.  That would put a damper on our mission.” 

“Wouldn’t he be able to anyways.”  Tech playing devil’s advocate. 

“He’d see us coming before we even got to his location.” Echo stated. 

“No. Because I will be dampening his ability to see us clearly.  And the less you know, the less he will.  The rest you must trust me on.”  Old Daka closed her eyes and started humming again. 

“What makes you so sure you can block out a powerful Sith Lord like Sidious?”  Hunter asked. 

Old Daka kept humming with her eyes closed. 

“Uh, Granny...hello?” 

Still humming.  Eyes closed. 

“Good talk.”  Hunter frowned sarcastically. 

*********************************************************************** 

“Hide and Seek” by Kergy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c03J4wXMuGM&list=RDEpak9TqrKLs&index=13 

Several hours later Tech perked up and addressed Old Daka.  “We are nearing our destination in a few moments.  What is our next plan of action?” 

Old Daka opened her eyes.  “The large Imperial ship we will be infiltrating will enquire about who we are as standard protocol.  Answer them as you would if you were bringing me in as a prisoner.” 

“They’ll recognize us right away.  We’ll be blasted right out of existence.”  Echo piped up. 

“Sidious has had a large bounty on my head for some time now.  Delivering me was eventually expected.  Plus, I can handle the crew on the Imperial bridge right from here.  For all they know you are Trandoshan Bounty Hunters who finally managed to bring me in. Speak as you normally would.  They won’t suspect a thing.” 

The Batchers, all shot each other uneasy glances. 

“Hope you're right Granny, or this is going to be a VERY short mission.”  Hunter frowned. 

The Marauder left hyperspace and a large Imperial vessel came into view.  A minute later, the Marauder was being hailed.  Tech opened communications then glanced at Old Daka.  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  The Imperial ships bridge inquired about their presence.  As Tech began to speak, Daka waved her hand and muttered something under her breath. 

“This is Cradossk aboard the Trandoshan Bounty vessel.  We have captured Night Sister Old Daka and are here to claim our bounty.  We request access to board.”  Tech’s leg bounced continuously as he spoke to help keep his voice even. 

The comm was quiet.  Everyone held their breath. 

“Do ya think they bought it?”  Wrecker finally spoke up. 

Still no answer. 

Echo ran a hand down his face, “We’re kriffed.  Lads, it’s been a pleasure working with you.”  He looked at Old Daka, “Well, at least we tried.” 

Still no answer. 

Then... 

“Permission granted.  Proceed to Docking Bay 3.” 

Everyone exhaled audibly.  Tech maneuvered to land inside the ship.

“Before we land, I should inform you all that Sidious isn’t alone on that vessel.  I sense another strong presence on board.”   

“Oh?  And who would that be???  Hunter had a bad feeling. 

“Darth Vader is with him.” 

Everyone on the Marauder threw up their hands and groaned. 

************************************************************************

The Marauder touched down at Docking Bay 3.  The Batch stood and awaited their next piece of the plan. 

“Clever and Strong Boys, you will stay with the ship and leave when I give the signal.  From there you will proceed to the blue green planet I gave you coordinates to.”  Old Daka nodded to Tech.  “Keen Man and The Unbroken will chaperone me as prisoner.” 

“How will I know ‘The Signal’” Tech seemed confused. 

“You will ‘know’ through the Force.”   

“That will be difficult as I lack Force sensitivity.”  Tech was concerned 

“No matter.  I will use the Force to alert you.  Trust me.”  Old Daka’s reply had him scratching his head. 

Hunter interjected, “Wait...once we step off the Marauder Echo and I won’t see Tech and Wrecker ever again?” 

“Yes.” 

“Lady, you sure don’t leave people time to say goodbye!”  Hunter was trying to hold his composure.  After having to quickly leave Omega, losing two more brothers was more than he could deal with. 

Echo stood by terribly crestfallen.  His face didn’t hide it.  But then he had lost so many brothers before joining The Batch.  At least with this mission there would be a reason...and possibly a future. 

Tech knew logically this was the best scenario for the most favorable outcome.  His head accepted this.  However, he had a horrible feeling in his chest...just about heart level. 

Wrecker knew he had no control over the situation and did what a good soldier and brother should: follow orders and complete the mission.  It took everything he could to not break out in tears again. 

Hunter grabbed Tech by the front of his shirt and pulled him into a hug.  His other hand reached up and pulled Wreckers forehead to his.  Wrecker gave up and started bawling, squeezing them both in a huge bear hug.  Tech was trapped in the middle, silent tears escaping his goggles.  Wrecker reached out and grabbed Echo, squeezing him into the group hug. 

Old Daka watched the clones say goodbye for the last time. “We must hurry.  An Imperial officer, Vader, and two stormtroopers are approaching.  I will use the Force to disguise you as Trandoshans.” 

The Batch parted.  Wrecker wiped his face.  Tech dabbed at his goggles.  Hunter grabbed handcuffs and snapped them on Old Daka’s wrists.  Echo disengaged his scomp, holstered it, and replaced it with his mechanical hand.  Then he along with Hunter took out their blasters and escorted the old woman to the Marauder’s gangplank to leave the ship.  Everyone had a lump in their throat. 

Old Daka took a deep breath and exhaled.  Nobody but Hunter could feel something in the air change.  Everyone and everything looked the same, but he suspected Daka’s glamour spell was radiating around them. 

Hunter and Echo escorted Old Daka off the Marauder.  They walked down the gangplank and a few feet into the landing bay to meet Vader and the Imperial Officer. 

Daka had cloaked Hunter and Echo with her glamour spell.  Everyone laying eyes on them wouldn’t know the difference...except...she sensed a presence... 

…up above and ahead several floors up a tall, thin man with silver hair stared down at them.  He seemed very interested in the interaction that was to take place.  Strangely enough, he was hard to read using the Force.  Not that he fought her trying to read him...there was just...nothing.  An impenetrable wall to the inside of his head, his thoughts.  This man was trying very hard to hide his true feelings.  She didn’t sense Jedi, but more like Hunter, someone actively designed with a special ability.  He also had a long-range rifle trained on them.  

  “Start a Riot” by Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRa9XSVrblI 

Tech, ever-vigilant noticed their brother on the upper platform. 

“Wrecker, look!” He whispered and pointed out Crosshair’s position. 

Too late, Vader sensed some small change in the Force, cocked his head.  Old Daka, catching this employed an underhanded tactic to distract Vader. 

“Ani?”  Vader started at a familiar voice.  His gaze shot back at Old Daka...but she wasn’t there.  Instead stood Anakin Skywalker’s mother.  “Ani!  Don’t let them kill me!!!”  She had tears in her eyes, her face pleading.  His sweet long-lost mother.  

Vader was prepared for some type of scheming and magic by Old Daka...but NOT this.  Old vivid memories ripped through his head and heart.  He Force snatched the old woman up by her neck.  She expertly kept her glamor spell up, still pleading and crying as Schmi Skywalker, but could only barely maintain this deception.  Her glamour spell on Hunter, Echo, and the Marauder melted away and they were revealed. 

The Imperial officer yelled an order to open fire on them while attempting to comm for backup.  A blaster shot caught the back of his head and he went down.  The two stormtroopers next to him barely had enough time to squeeze off a shot before they too were taken out.  Hunter looked up to catch a glimpse of Crosshair and they locked eyes for a moment before all hell broke loose.  Imps spilled out into the bay, shooting. 

Aboard the Marauder Tech opened fire from the pilot's seat and Wrecker from the tail gunner's roost.  They had kept their shield up ever since landing and the stormtrooper blaster shots harmlessly pinged off it. Tech engaged the Marauder’s propulsion system to turn the ship 360 degrees so they could continuously fire at everything in the landing bay.  Explosions and smoke filled the space.   

Hunter and Echo ducked double wielding their blasters while furiously looking for Vader and Old Daka.  They had disappeared entirely from view.  Fortunately, Hunter could still sense the old woman’s glamour spell.  It tickled his senses but was quickly getting away from them. 

“Echo!”  He yelled.  “Vader took Old Daka into the ship.  Cover me while we follow and track her.” 

“Got it, Vod” Echo yelled back. 

The Marauder came full circle firing away.  Tech spotted Hunter and Echo through the windscreen attempting to get access to the Imperial ship. 

“Wrecker, I’m opening the gangplank.  You must cover Echo and Hunter!” 

“I’m ON IT!!!”  Wrecker jumped down from the gunner's seat, grabbed the rapid rotating blaster from the Marauder’s gun rack.  He took his position at the open gangplank and fired away hollering like mad. “AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!” 

Tech aimed for the door between the landing bay and inner ship entrance.  He fired the Marauder’s cannon and blew a hole through it.  Hunter and Echo hopped over the smoldering wreckage of the door, quickly turned and saluted their brothers.  Then they both disappeared into the ship.   

Wrecker stepped back onto the ship and ran back to the aft gunner's roost. Tech closed the gangplank. With the Marauder’s shield still strongly intact, they continued to use the ships’ cannons to shoot and destroy everything they could until they were signaled to leave the Imperial vessel.  

Hunter’s senses tingled stronger.  He was on Vader and Old Daka’s trail.  He holstered his second weapon and pulled his vibroknife, slashing and shooting as he progressed forward.  Echo, holding the rear shot furiously at anything that moved. Troopers fell by the dozens as both clones progressed quickly down several hallways and corridors. 

************************************************************************

Meanwhile, Old Daka kept up her ruse as Schmi Skywalker, crying, pleading. Vader still had her by the neck as he Force dragged her above the floor and down the corridor towards Darth Sidious’ room aboard the vessel. He was angry about her choice of deception. It hurt him deeply, but he couldn’t kill her. Sidious needed her power...and... even if he didn’t...Vader seriously started to doubt he could kill her. Not due to a lack of power...but a lack of will.  

Backup stormtroopers advanced past them to stop the oncoming clones. They stole glances at Vader yanking a crying, levitating woman past their formation. A few stopped cold, tripping up troopers behind them. Shaking their heads and unsure what was going on aboard the ship. This was indeed unprecedented and shocking. 

Vader arrived at Sidious’ door. Blaster shots rang out from Hunter as he and Echo rounded the corner and advanced. Vader turned to see Hunter fully feral shooting a blaster in one hand and mowing down Imperial troopers with a vibroknife in the other. He ducked, parried, jumped, flipped, and dispatched them easily. Darth Vader briefly admired this clone. He would have made an ideal Sith. Pity he would be killed. Vader then turned, dragging along Old Daka, and slamming the doors shut behind them. 

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