Star Wars: Malignant Metamorphosis

by Forcechild

  “He wasn’t exaggerating sir. My uncle inherited his flying skills from his father. I’m sure

  you’ve heard of Luke Skywalker. He was the starpilot who took out the first Death Star.”

  “I don’t imagine anyone in the New Republic doesn’t know who Luke Skywalker is. He was a hero and quite an extraordinary starpilot.”

  “My uncle said he wasn’t half the pilot Anakin Skywalker was.”

  “I imagine you’ve inherited your skills from your grandfather as well, eh? Antilles said that Anakin Skywalker was the best starpilot he’d ever seen. That was quite a complement coming from him. Antilles wasn’t such a bad pilot himself. He had an outstanding reputation during the war. Took out a lot of TIE’s. Claimed he helped Bail Organa organize the resistance as well. I don’t think too many people believed his tales.”

  “I’ve met him. Raymus Antilles is an honest man. I didn’t sense any false statements or exaggerations on his part. His memory is sound. Most of our conversation centered around my grandfather. He seemed to be Antilles’ hero.”

  “So I gathered. There were many heroes during the struggle for independence. My generation owes them a lot. We probably would’ve never known freedom if it hadn’t been for the likes of Luke Skywalker. He was a remarkable man. You must be proud to be related to such a hero.”

  Ben was glad someone finally acknowledged how much his uncle had done for the New Republic. “Yes sir. I am. Extremely proud.”

  Lando butted in. “Not to change the subject, but where do you think we should start the search Ben?”

  Ben closed his eyes in order to let the Force guide him, trying to sense which direction to go, but it didn’t help. He shrugged his shoulders and made a wild guess. “Head towards the Outer Rim.”

  *

  “We’re orbiting Mustafar sir,” the officer told Gris as he stepped onto the bridge.

  Lucian couldn’t get used to Vader’s child calling him sir. Though hardly a child, the officer was quite young, as were all the children on board. They varied in age from teen to young adult, and they all looked exactly like their Emperor Vader. It was quite unnerving. “Good. Put your powers to use. Do you feel any resistance?” the Grand Moff asked.

  “No sir. There are only twenty humans stationed on Mustafar. We've already brought them on board.”

  “Then fire at your discretion.” Gris felt the massive engine hum at a higher pitch as the weapon drew power from the reactor. The vessel vibrated as the superlaser released its energy. It was over in a micro-second. Bits and pieces of debris that were once a planet spun furiously into space. Mustafar was gone.

  Vader had ordered Mustafar to be the Death Star’s first target. He explained that it was where he’d been wounded in his past life. When he told Lucian what happened on the volcanic planet, the Grand Moff finally understood why the former Vader never revealed his face. It was no wonder the man constantly wore the ebony suit of armor. Even if he’d wanted to, Darth Vader could never be free from it. His life depended on the mechanics the suit provided in order to support his existence. It was only natural that his clone would want this planet destroyed. Besides, it was an excellent test for the fire control crew. They’d destroyed the rebel cruiser, but there was a big difference between one ship and an entire planet. The Grand Moff had to be certain that his men would perform their duty without hesitation. After all, they’d be pushing the button that would incinerate not only planets, but trillions of life forms.

  Everything had gone off smoothly. There didn’t seem to be any problems with the system, nor the crew. Lucian was very pleased with the results. He turned to the navigator and asked, “Where’s the next target?”

  “The Malastare system sir.”

  “How long until we arrive?”

  “We’ll be in entering the system in approximately twenty-six standard hours sir.”

  “Very good. That gives the weapon more than enough time to recharge. I’ll be in my quarters. Notify me as soon as we’re in orbit.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Gris returned to his cabin. He looked at the star charts projected over his desk and followed their projected course. They’d only encountered that one cruiser so far. The rebels hadn’t time to send a message to alert anyone. Once the Death Star came into range of a target, the children were to take control and use the Force to block any communications being made. They were also to block all the defense systems. The enemy would be completely cut off and unprotected. Lord Vader’s ultimate goal would be easily attained. It would be like taking sweets from a youngling.

  The Grand Moff didn’t want to get overconfident at this point. They were still very far from their finally destination. The Death Star was only in the fringes of the Outer Rim. The New Republic only had a few scattered, undermanned bases this far out. Once the battlestation entered the inner systems, there’d be more for the children to handle. Lucian had his doubts about the children’s abilities, but he did have total confidence in the Supreme Ruler. Lord Vader would make certain his children did not fail. If all went according to plan, he’d be dining with the new Emperor in Palpatine’s former Imperial Palace very shortly.

  Chapter Fifteen

  - Unexpected Encounter -

  The crew of the Solaris searched every inhabited planet as they made their way. They’d soon be reaching the outermost systems. So far, Ben hadn’t sensed Padmay’s presence anywhere. He was standing at the navigator’s station with Lando going over the star charts when he suddenly sensed a huge tremor in the Force. The young man not only felt, but heard over a million souls scream out in terror at the same time. The sensation was gone in an instant, but Ben couldn’t help but wonder what happened. Was what he’d experienced a premonition of events to come, or had millions of beings just been killed?

  “Captain on the bridge,” the yeoman announced, yanking Ben from his thoughts.

  “At ease,” Brant said to the crew as he walked over to the navigator’s station. “Have you any idea where we should look next Solo?”

  “No sir,” Ben responded.

  “We’re nearing the Outer Rim. There are only a few more systems left to check in this region.”

  “I’m aware of that sir.”

  “The men are getting restless and are starting to question this mission. If we don’t find some sign of you sister soon, well..., I don’t want you to think that we’re giving up, but how much longer can we continue? We’ll have to head back to Coruscant soon. We’re running low on supplies. No one expected this to be an extended mission.”

  “I understand that sir, and I do appreciate all you’ve done, but please, don’t give up yet,” Ben pleaded.

  “With the Admiral’s permission, we’ll check out the remaining systems, but if we don’t find your sister by then I’ll have to scrub the mission and return to Coruscant. Is that clear?”

  “You have my permission, as well as my insistence that we continue the search Captain Brant.” Lando stated strongly.

  “But sir. You’ve got to be realistic. The girl could be anywhere. She could even be in another galaxy. How long do you expect to keep these men from their families? Their leaves were cut short as it is. We can’t keep looking for her forever. It’s out of the question. We might never find her. Even if we do, what if she left Coruscant on her own accord and refuses to return with us? This mission will be for naught.”

  “Padmay would’ve told someone if she’d left without being forced. I’m certain of it. That being the case, we’ll continue searching for her as long as I deem it necessary. Is that clear to you?” Lando asked. It wasn’t really a question. It was a command. He refused to give up the search.

  “But...,”

  The first lieutenant came over and saluted, interrupting his superiors.

  Brant turned to him. “What is it Lieutenant Gregor?”

  “We’re coming up on an uncharted moon sir.”

  Brant climbed the steps to the upper deck and looked out the main viewport. He saw
what appeared to be a moon, but it was traveling at an unnatural speed. Brant though it quite odd.

  Lando followed Brant up the staircase and joined him. His eyes opened wide as soon as he looked out. He gasped in shock. “It can’t be possible,” the man uttered in disbelief.

  Brant looked at him and asked, “What is it sir? What’s wrong?”

  The navigator suddenly called out to his superior, “Captain Brant.”

  Brant turned towards him. “What now?”

  “We’re coming up on Malastare sir, but...,”

  “But what?”

  The planet isn’t there sir,” the officer stated.

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s gone sir. There’s no trace of Malastare on the scanning screen at all. We’re just picking up bits of debris.”

  The helmsman suddenly shouted, “Captain Brant. The target just changed course. It’s heading straight towards us.”

  Lando felt his blood turn to ice. He turned towards Brant and said as calmly as he could, “Raise your shields immediately Captain Brant.”

  The captain stood transfixed at the viewport. He hadn’t heard him.

  “RAISE YOUR SHIELDS IMMEDITELY BRANT! THAT’S A DEATH STAR!” Lando couldn’t help but yell.

  The Death Star fired their lethal weapon. Brant hadn’t ordered their deflector shields raised. Lando closed his eyes expecting his imminent death. The laser streaked towards them, but as the exorbitant amount of energy hit its target, the beam reflected harmlessly back into space.

  *

  Lucian Gris had ordered the children to fire at will. The Grand Moff felt the vibration race through the battlestation as the laser released its energy. He hadn’t bothered to look. Lucian was well aware what their weapon was capable of.

  After a few seconds the lieutenant said, “Grand Moff, um..., sir. The cruiser’s still there.”

  “What?” Lucian spun on his heels and looked out the viewport. “What do you mean it’s still there? How?”

  “I don’t know sir.”

  “Why don’t you know? Scan the ship or whatever it is you do. Find out at once!”

  “Yes sir.”

  *

  The alarms sounded on board the Solaris. Ben already reached the flight deck. Jumping into his X-Wing, he strapped in and waited for clearance to take off. The Death Star fired a second blast, but once again the powerful beam was reflected back out into space.

  *

  “Sound the alarms. Get our fighters out there now!” the Grand Moff shouted.

  Vader’s children scrambled to their fighters as the alarm resounded throughout the battlestation. Lucian watched the TIE fighters exit the Death Star. He then turned to the nearest child and demanded an explanation. “Why did we fail to destroy that vessel?”

  “I don’t know sir. I can’t explain it. We can’t penetrate their shielding. Something is blocking us.”

  “Blocking you? How?”

  “I don’t know sir.”

  “Well find out!”

  “Yes sir.”

  Lucian went back to the viewport and looked out. The TIE fighters were converging on the rebels.

  *

  Ben had a TIE on his six o’clock position. He couldn’t shake it no matter what maneuver he pulled. He corkscrewed and broke right in a tight turning radius and got up behind the TIE. Being in the kill zone, the young man centered the fighter in his crosshairs. The TIE suddenly broke into a tight loop, soaring up behind Ben again. He closed the short distance between them and fired on the X-Wing. It was a direct hit. Ben’s craft should’ve been blown to pieces, but nothing happened.

  Ben took advantage of the situation. He brought his ship around and came up on the enemy’s six once more. Catching the pilot off guard, Ben got him in his sights again and fired a single burst. It was a direct hit.

  The starpilot didn’t have time to wonder why he’d escaped certain death as another TIE approached. As it did, Ben sensed the pilot trying to scan his mind by means of the Dark Side. “It can’t be!” the young man exclaimed. He knew beyond any doubt that the enemy he faced was Sith. He was certain of it.

  Ben concentrated with all his might in an attempt to block the pilot from intruding upon his thoughts. It worked. He immediately reversed thrusters. Getting on the TIE’s tail, he fired. The ship burst into fragments. Then he went after another one and took him out, then another, and another. TIE’s continued targeting his X-Wing, but their blasts were repeatedly deflected. Ben continued to fire on his foe as he soared thorough the melee.

  *

  The Grand Moff couldn’t understand it. He’d felt the Death Star vibrate as soon as they’d activated the superlaser, but the powerful weapon failed to destroy the target. They had used a full charge to destroy Malastare. The weapon’s system did need a full twenty-four hours to completely recharge, but Lucian was certain that it held more than enough energy for the short burst needed to destroy a cruiser. Regardless, why had Vader’s children failed in their attempt to break through the cruiser’s defense system? How had they been blocked? Gris was completely baffled.

  Lucian continued to stare out the viewport as the battle continued. The enemy was being destroyed, thank the stars; all except for one X-Wing. Lucian had never seen such flying ability before. This ace was soaring through the TIE’s, taking them out one at a time without suffering any damage to his own ship. This allowed his comrades to escape annihilation. How could this possible with the children’s use of the Force? The Grand Moff had enough of this incompetence. He couldn’t stand here and watch helplessly while his pilots allowed themselves to be destroyed. Vader’s children or not. “Order our fighters back at once,” he commanded.

  “Back sir?”

  “You heard me! Order them back immediately! Can’t you see what’s happening out there? Our ships are being destroyed. I cannot and will not allow this to continue. It’s a complete disgrace. I want our fighters back on board this minute.”

  “Yes sir.” Vader’s child closed his eyes and silently communicated with his brothers. “The TIE’s are heading back sir.”

  “Good. As soon as they’re on board initiate the cloaking system. We’re getting the hell out of here. Maybe then you’ll be able to figure out why we failed to destroy that cruiser!”

  “Yes sir.”

  *

  Captain Brant slowly came out of his stupor. The man was dumbfounded, not understanding why he hadn’t heard Lando screaming. It was just that he’d been completely shocked to see a Death Star. He thanked the stars that the Solaris hadn’t been destroyed when the battlestation fired on them. Admiral Calrissian had immediately taken command of the vessel and given orders for the shields to be raised and the X-Wings deployed.

  Brant stood transfixed at the viewport watching his fighters being destroyed. All of them, except for one X-Wing. It had to be Ben Solo. The captain assumed the young man was using the Jedi powers he claimed to have in order to defend his ship. He was engaging the enemy fearlessly, while not taking any hits at all. Brant had never seen such flying ability before.

  Lieutenant Gregor suddenly shouted, “The TIE’s are retreating sir.”

  “Retreating?” Brant asked, puzzled by this announcement.

  “Yes sir.”

  Brant couldn’t comprehend such an action. The enemy had the advantage. Why in the hell were they retreating? His brows wrinkled in a frown as he replied, “Order our fighters back. I’m going down to the flight deck. Lieutenant Gregor. You’ve got the con.”

  “Aye Captain.”

  Alec Brant needed to speak with Ben. Perhaps this strange young man did posses a special skill that enabled him to use this so-called Force. Brant had heard extraordinary tales of the Jedi’s defeating foes of the Old Republic by using some sort of miraculous power. His brother had scoffed and told him that the Jedi had never existed. Alec idolized his older brother and naturally believed everything he said, but what if he’d been wrong? If Solo really had trained to be a
Jedi, maybe he’d know why the TIE’s were retreating.

  Alec walked over to Admiral Calrissian and asked him to accompany him down to the flight deck. Lando stood as if frozen to the spot. He slowly turned and looked at Brant with a perplexed expression on his face. He couldn’t understand the enemy’s retreat any more than Brant could. They started towards the turbolift, but both men stopped short when they heard the first officer call to his captain again.

  Brant turned and asked, “What’s wrong Lieutenant Gregor?”

  “Sir. The target. It’s gone. It disappeared.”

  “Disappeared?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “What do you mean, disappeared? Where is it?”

  “I don’t know sir. As soon as their fighters returned it vanished. Look for yourself.”

  Both men walked back to the viewport and looked out. The battlestation was nowhere in sight. Brant shook his head in utter disbelief. Did this Death Star have some kind of cloaking device? It was very unlikely. No cloaking system he’d ever heard of held enough power to conceal a vessel an eighth that size. “Keep your eyes peeled Lieutenant. If you notice anything, and I mean anything out of the ordinary, sound the alarms immediately.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Brant and Calrissian entered the turbolift and hit the button for the flight deck. Having reached the level, they exited the elevator and waited for Ben to land. Both men suspected the youth had knowledge beyond their limited means of comprehension. While waiting, Brant asked Lando, “Do you have any idea what just happened out there sir? Why would they retreat?”

  “I have no idea Alec, but Ben might. He’s got some kind of abnormal ability. Claims he’s connected to this supposed Force in some way.”

  Brant continued rambling about the attack, not hearing Lando’s response at all. “Our pilots are better trained than that. I can understand a few losses, but the TIE’s were taking all our fighters out. If it weren’t for young Solo, who knows how many ships they would’ve destroyed.”

  Lando Calrissian wondered how any of them survived at all.

  *

  Ben was in Brant’s quarters. “I’m telling you those TIE pilots were Sith!” the young starpilot exclaimed for the third time.

  “Calm down son. You’re not making sense,” Brant stated as he listened to the flustered youth rant. “Just who or what are these Sith you’re talking about?”