A Tenth of a Credit

Chapter One: Not Enough

Luke Skywalker closed his eyes as he pulled the trigger. Twin spheres shot out of his X-wing’s torpedo launcher and streaked toward the Death Star’s exhaust port. Use the Force, Luke still echoed in his mind, sounding strangely like his friend Obi-Wan Kenobi. He pulled back on his flight stick and angled his fighter out of the trench.

The proton torpedoes sped down the exhaust shaft, seemingly seconds away from detonating the Death Star’s reactor and destroying the battle station. Inside torpedo two, a small, almost insignificant navigation chip began smoking. It sparked and caught fire, causing the torpedo to slam into the wall and detonate. The resulting explosion vaporized three decks surrounding the exhaust port and caused parts of the surface to briefly expand as the pressure built up for a moment. The shockwave destabilized the other torpedo and sent it off at an oblique angle, slamming it into the wall and gouging out a hole. Three stormtroopers died before pressure doors sealed the area off.

Luke counted down the seconds until the torpedoes were supposed to reach the main reactor. A minute after he cleared the trench he began panicking. Why didn’t it explode? He looked to his left and saw a disk-shaped freighter pull alongside him. His X-wing’s radio crackled to life. “Kid, we better bug out, fast! That thing’s finally cleared the gas giant.” It was Han on the other end, piloting the Millennium Falcon. Luke glanced behind him and saw the Death Star, a silver orb larger than some planets, complete its orbit around the gas giant and was lined up perfectly with the small moon of Yavin IV.

On Yavin was the main base for the Rebellion. Leia Organa, Princess of the destroyed planet of Alderaan, bowed her head in defeat. Soldiers around her began panicking as they saw the planet destroyer on the main view screen. Leia had known defeat and pain; now she would know death as the screen flashed green before it, and Yavin IV, was disintegrated by the Death Star’s superlaser. The moon was ripped apart as the green beam penetrated the crust and ripped it apart.

Luke cried out in anger as he watched the destruction. “NO!” He shouted as tears ran down his cheeks. A rage built up inside him as Imperial TIE fighters advanced upon him. The young pilot swung his fighter around and fired multiple rounds from the X-wing’s laser cannons. Several TIEs exploded as Luke approached the Death Star again. He increased power to the engines. I will not go down without a fight! Suddenly his fighter rocked as an ion cannon bolt from surface batteries found its mark. Blue lightning played over the X-wing’s sleek lines as the engines overloaded and shut down. TIEs quickly surrounded Luke as the X-wing began drifting.

A tractor beam shot from the Death Star’s surface and snared the X-wing, pulling it in. The last thing Luke saw before reentering the hangar bay was a TIE Avenger hovering to his left. He felt a curious sensation run down his spine as he watched the bent-wing fighter escort him in. Why does that presence seem familiar? It’s almost like…Ben.

Chapter Two: A present

Luke could barely think as two Stormtroopers lead him down the Death Star’s corridors. Less than two days ago he was a simple moisture farmer on Tattooine. That was before Ben, Han, Chewie and Leia. His Uncle and Aunt were dead, and his life destroyed.

The three stopped before a door. The stormtrooper on Luke’s right inputted a code into the door’s controls, and they opened with a whoosh. He was shoved forward and found himself in the Death Star’s control room. A man was standing there, gaunt, skeletal and barely filling out his uniform. He half-turned around and acknowledged Luke. “Ah, I see you are well.” He turned back to a massive viewscreen covering the middle-third of the far wall. “Your friends, however, are not so well. The Rebellion is finished now, and the Empire rules the stars!”

The young pilot’s hands curled into fists as he contemplated jumping the ghoul. A hissing sound coming from his right distracted him. It sounded like a respirator a dying man would use. “Don’t be so rash, young Skywalker. Harness your hatred and anger. The power of the Dark Side will serve you well.” Luke’s jaw dropped as he observed the black-armored figure approach. Darth Vader? He’s here?” The Dark Lord walked up to young Luke and extended his hand. In it was a silver cylinder about 30 centimeters in length. He instantly recognized it; his father’s lightsaber, given to him by Obi-Wan Kenobi himself. The stormtroopers stepped back as Luke hit the activation switch. A beam of blue light sprang forth, illuminating the area around him and chasing the shadows away.

Vader unclipped a lightsaber from his belt and ignited it. A flame-red blade emerged from the hilt; reflecting off Vader’s helmet and making him appear even more inhuman. The Sith Lord tapped Luke’s blade with his own. He did it again, harder this time and overhead. Luke waited, then brought his blade up in a defensive block. Vader began swinging, testing Luke’s raw ability with the blade. He needs training, but his raw talent is almost as great as mine is. He deactivated his lightsaber’s blade and stepped back. “That's all for today. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As Luke was led back to his cell he couldn’t help but wonder what Vader had in store for him. A cold feeling of dread settled in the pit of his stomach as the doors closed behind him, sealing him in until the next day.

*****

Vader and Luke spent the next few weeks together, training in the Force. At first Luke refused to train, but after a few days he decided to go along with the Sith Lord. I can always turn back later he reasoned. After all, the Dark Side wasn’t stronger than he was, right?

After a month the Death Star arrived at Coruscant, capital of the Empire. Luke, Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin stood on the main bridge, observing the city-covered planet grow larger on the main screen. “Ah, Coruscant.” Exclaimed the Moff. “It’s good to be back among the civilized people. Wouldn’t you agree young Skywalker?” For his sake, Luke kept his temper in check. His father’s lightsaber was clipped to his belt, and he wore a black jumpsuit in place of his pilot uniform. He felt…darker, more serious. Vader’s training had been intense, and had taxed him to the limit. He shook his head at the Grand Moff. “Coruscant is impressive, but something even more impressive is heading our way.” At that moment a lieutenant from one of the control stations walked over to Tarkin. “Sir? A shuttle is landing at bay 23-A. It’s the Emperor.”

Tarkin tried to keep the shock from his face as he watched the jet-black Lambda class shuttle glide perfectly into the docking bay. An entire legion of Stormtroopers was at parade formation as the shuttle’s huge wings folded up and landing gear extended. A ramp lowered directly beneath the cockpit, disgorging red-robed Imperial Guardsmen. After a full dozen of them filed out, a single man in black robes shuffled down the ramp. He appeared unimposing, certainly not the dread lord of the Empire. That was until you looked him in the eyes; human eyes weren’t meant to be so sunken in, or so orange. They stared into your soul, and ripped it out.

Emperor Palpatine shuffled along the rows of Stormtroopers, not even glancing at them. Eventually he came to Tarkin, Vader and Skywalker. “Ah, my friends. It is good to see you returning triumphant. The Empire is in your debt.” Tarkin half-bowed. “Your words are too kind my liege.” Palpatine continued walking with Vader and Luke a half step behind him. The Grand Moff took up the rear. Luke glowered at the Emperor. “You can’t win your highness. Your overconfidence is a weakness.” Palpatine chuckled. “It is not overconfidence I have, young Skywalker. Rather, it is knowing how the game will be played before the first piece is even moved.”

The quartet entered an elevator and quickly ascended to the very top of the Death Star, a 100-story tower at the battle station’s North Pole. Luke stepped out and marveled at where he was; a replica of the Emperor’s throne room on Coruscant! Palpatine broke away from the group and walked up a ramp leading to a chair. “Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen. The Rebellion has been crushed and now Skywalker’s son is mine.” Luke and Vader walked towards Palpatine, with Luke trying to contain his anger. “You think you can win, your highness? Don’t make me laugh. You’re a Sith Lord with delusions of godhood.” The young Jedi chuckled and crossed his arms in front of him-just in time to be flung back halfway across the room by a Force shove from Palpatine.

Vader walked over to Luke, unclipping his lightsaber from his belt and igniting it along the way. “You are unwise to challenge the Emperor. He is more powerful than either you or I.” Luke fought down rising panic and tried to think out his next move. He quickly rolled out of the way of Vader’s initial swing and backed off, keeping the Sith Lord in sight while searching for something, anything that could be used as a weapon. He glanced back at Palpatine-and saw him remove a cylindrical object from his sleeve. “I believe you want this?” He started playing with Luke’s lightsaber while Tarkin cowered behind the chair. Luke reached out with the Force and snatched the saber right out of the Emperor’s hand, igniting it before it reached him. He grasped it and held it up just in time to parry a blow from Vader.

Chapter Three: Reunited

Vader’s blows came fast and without any pattern, forcing Luke to recall all the training he had endured the past few weeks. The young Jedi fell back, weathering repeated blows without any chance to mount a counterattack. As Vader swung, he taunted Luke. “This is the best you can do? The old order would’ve laughed and assigned you to the agricultural corps!” The Dark Lord’s taunting sparked something in Luke, a fierce anger and hatred. He could hear in his head the voice of Obi-Wan. Luke! Don’t give in to the hatred! Vader is your…Luke tuned out Kenobi’s voice as he blocked a slash and turned a parry. He was going on full hate now, and woe to any Sith Lord who would stand in his way.

Vader felt Luke’s hatred like a storm. It pushed him back, threatening to consume him in a wash of red. Luke’s blue saber came at him with increasing ferocity, forcing the Sith Lord to his knees. Vader’s strength failed him, and a slash got through, severing his lightsaber in half. A shower of sparks erupted, and the power cell overloaded. It exploded in a small boom, fragmenting Vader’s right hand and ripping off his thumb and middle finger. The once powerful warrior groaned and collapsed in a heap, leaving his opponent to stare in horror at what he had done. Luke gasped at the fallen Vader, horror playing over his face. What is this…this hatred? I feel such power and yet, it’s barely under my control. Luke’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard clapping coming from behind. He looked up and saw Palpatine walking towards him, clapping with each step.

“Excellent! Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Feel the power of the Dark Side flowing through you, and take your rightful place by my side.” The Emperor paused in front of Vader’s prone form. “You were always weak. You threw away happiness and the Old Republic to serve by my side.” He turned to Luke. “Strike him down and take your rightful place by my side.” Luke backed away. “I’ll never join you! I am a Jedi, like my father before me.” Palpatine’s face contorted, and then a mirthless smile blossomed on his wrinkled face. “ ‘Like my father’?” Hah! You don’t know what happened to your father, do you?” Luke’ anger swelled as he marched up to Palpatine, lightsaber brandished. “Obi-Wan told me enough.” He pointed back at the still-fallen Vader. “He told me that Sith Lord killed him.” Vader finally got up. “No, Luke. I didn’t kill your father; I am your father!”

Luke’s eyes grew wide as he stuttered. “No. NO! That’s impossible! Obi-Wan would’ve told me. You can’t be my father.” Luke dropped his lightsaber, and dropped down to both knees. All energy left his body as the subtle pieces fell into place. He felt like Ben. He felt like Ben. The training…and his skills were similar to my own. How could he be my…The young Jedi tried to shut out the thoughts screaming in his head, but it was in vain. Palpatine chuckled. “You see, it is your destiny to be my apprentice. Join me.” Luke’s breathing slowed down. He summoned his lightsaber to his hand and leapt at Palpatine. “I’LL NEVER JOIN YOU!”

The Emperor flew back, wraith-like in appearance. “Fool! Your father was a fully trained Jedi, and he couldn’t stop me. The entire Order fell to me. What makes you think you have a chance, boy?” Blue arcs of electricity arced between his fingers as he summoned unnatural power. He held up his arms and fired off bolts of lightning at Luke, enveloping him and sapping his very life force. The young man fell to the deck plating in mid-jump as the lightning crawled across his body. Luke’s screams echoed across the throne room.

Vader walked over to Palpatine’s side, still in pain. He looked up at his master, then looked at his son, the son he abandoned almost two decades ago. With slight hesitation he lunged at Palpatine, tackling him and sending both flying. Luke watched as Vader and Palpatine rolled across the floor. Master and pupil struggled for the upper hand, each evenly matched for the moment. Luke saw this, and he reached out to grab his lightsaber…

Palpatine struggled, desperate to get Vader off. Although missing his right hand, the Sith Lord was dangerous, and the hand was artificial anyway. He was also weak; using the lightning had drained his energy. He worked one hand free, placed it on Vader’s chest and shoved with a telekinetic Force shove. Vader went flying off and sailed halfway across the room. Palpatine slowly got to his feet, breathed deeply for a few minutes in order to get his wind, and sneered. “Fool. Did you think you could-“ Palpatine never finished his thought as Luke snuck up on him and beheaded the Emperor with a single blow. Palpatine’s head flew across the throne room and landed with a plop in the throne. Tarkin, silent all this time, fainted dead away. Palpatine’s body imploded as the Dark Side energies within consumed it, leaving nothing but a faint trail of smoke.

Luke walked over to his father and extended a hand to him. Vader accepted and was pulled to his feet. Vader looked over Luke. “There is a rule in the Sith; the rule of two. Only a master and apprentice is allowed. Will you be my apprentice?” Luke nodded. “Yes. I will be your apprentice. Now I am a Sith Lord, like my father.” He looked over at Tarkin, who was just realizing what was going on. The old politician stammered. “Wait! You can’t kill me! Darth, please. We’re friends! I was plotting to kill Palpatine too. Doesn’t that count?” Vader walked up the ramp leading to Tarkin. “You are a good administrator, and a friend.” He held up his hand and began to squeeze. “However, if you were plotting to kill Palpatine, you would also be devious enough to try and kill me.” He stopped squeezing, letting up on the invisible pressure around Tarkin’s throat. The Moff dropped to the deck plate, gasping and wheezing.

*****

Two hours later every monitor on Coruscant flickered to life, displaying an image of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker standing. Vader started talking. “Citizens of the Empire! Your leader, Palpatine, is dead. I, Darth Vader, now command the Empire. The rebellion is no more, and soon order and peace will be restored.” The screens then either went blank or returned to what they were previously showing, leaving approximately one trillion people very confused.

Luke and Vader stepped away from the holo-cameras and quickly walked out the room, not fully certain of what to do. Finally Luke stopped and turned to his father. “Father, forgive my ignorance but, now what? We rule the government, the Empire, but can we?” Vader shook his helmeted head. “That is why I have decided to reinstate the Imperial Senate. It will run the bureaucracy while we handle the more…important matters.” The two Skywalkers began walking again toward their destination; the Imperial Senate’s chambers.

*****

Luke had seen some impressive things in his relatively short time on Coruscant. The Imperial Senate’s chambers were not one of them. It was a huge chamber in the middle of the Imperial Palace, running the height of the building. In it, over 10,000 senators sat in pods attached to the wall. To Luke Skywalker, pilot and Sith Apprentice, it seemed rather…dull.

He and Vader were in a pod along with Tarkin in the center of the chamber. Vader was addressing the senators. “I leave the running of the Empire up to you. I have appointed Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin as my representative. The days of corruption and sloth are over. You will work toward the betterment of the galaxy, or suffer my wrath.” In response, one of the pods detached itself from the main wall and floated out on repulsorlifts. It was the Bothan Senator Borsk Fey’lya. “Do you really expect us to kowtow to your demands? You have no power over us.” He crossed his arms in front of him in defiance.

Vader turned to Luke, who nodded and stepped forward. “It is you, Senator, who is powerless.” Luke raised his arm and reached out with the Force. He grabbed Fey’lya in a Force grip and levitated him into the center of the chamber. Gasps and shouts emanated from the senators as the furred Bothan floated in mid-air, screaming his lungs out. Luke levitated him to the very top of the chamber, 100 stories up, and let go.

Vader waited a full minute before addressing the horrified Senate. “Any questions?” There were none. “Excellent. That was a warning. Never again stand against me, or you will wish you were Fey’lya now.”

Chapter Four: Scenes from Life

Three years after Yavin

The bridge of the I.S.S. Executor itself seemed nervous as word spread about who was coming aboard. The flagship of the fleet was used to receiving important people, but nobody of this magnitude had ever stepped on board.

Admiral Ozzel and Captain Piett hurried to the main shuttle bay. Ozzel, a competent but uninspiring officer, was perhaps a bit too thick around the middle for regulations. Piett on the other hand looked younger than his age and seemed to radiate confidence. Many junior officers whispered that the two acted sometimes like Piett was the admiral and Ozzel the captain.

The two arrived just in time to watch a Lambda-Class shuttle land in the main docking bay. Two companies of stormtroopers were lined up at attention as the entry ramp lowered and the docking hatch opened up. There was a hiss of escaping gases, and then he stepped down.

Luke Skywalker, Dark Lord of the Sith and son of Emperor Vader walked past the stormtroopers, eventually coming to Ozzel and Piett. The Admiral saluted and stammered. “L-L-Lord Skywalker, what an honor. It is an honor to serve with you.” Luke looked over the sweating Ozzel. “Don’t waste my time, Admiral. Is the information correct?” Ozzel nodded. “Yes, my Lord. She is with a group of rebels on the sixth planet. There won’t be any escape this time.” Luke nodded. “There better not be. Remember this, though. I want her alive!” Both Piett and Ozzel nodded furiously at the last statement.

*****

Mara Jade hated life. She truly, openly and fully despised the life she was leading.

Three years ago she was known as the Emperor’s Hand. She was the personal assassin of Emperor Palpatine, and had carried out his will across the galaxy-until that traitorous dog Vader and his son killed him. Then all hell broke loose. She fled Coruscant when she felt her master die, skipping across the galaxy. She couldn’t believe how quickly everyone, from the common citizens to the Imperial Guard themselves had quickly accepted the new Emperor.

She had eventually fallen in with one of the few rebel cells left. The group, numbering only 250, had spent the last year and a half on the sixth planet of the Hoth System, barely eking out an existence. She hated it. She hated the cold. She hated the people. She hated. It was at times the only thing that kept her going.

At the moment she was in the hangar, the coldest part of the base, when the comm system activated. “Mara Jade, please report to Ops.” Mara groaned and began making her way to Ops, the warmest part of the base.

Five minutes later she arrived, shivering in her gray jumpsuit. She rubbed her hands along her arms, desperately trying to absorb some warmth. She walked up to a man standing in front of a screen. “What is it, Bren?” Bren Derlin, a man in his late forties with a graying mustache, turned to Mara. “Our sensors have detected an imperial battle squadron exiting hyperspace. The comm signals intercepted confirm the worst; it’s Skywalker’s ‘Death Squadron’.” Mara shivered, but not from the cold. “How much time do we have?”

“They’ll be here in about ten minutes. Our shields are up, but our defenses are totally inadequate. I’ve already started loading up the transports, but I’m not sure how many will get away.” Mara nodded at the news; she had already suspected as much. She shook her head. “Is the ion cannon operational?” Bren nodded. “Yes, but it won’t do much good. The power generators we have will only give it 5 shots.” Mara nodded. “I’ll organize the defense.” She turned and ran out of Ops, hoping against hope that, somehow, she wouldn’t be killed.

*****

Luke watched from the Executor’s bridge as landing craft shot toward the planet at hypersonic speeds. Already transports were lifting from the planet; each escorted by only one or two X-wing fighters. He knew that the slow, poorly shielded and unarmed craft were no match for Imperial-Class Star Destroyers. One Star Destroyer, the I.S.S. Invincible, moved into sight. The 1.6 kilometer-long arrowhead fired off a dozen turbolaser blasts, quickly collapsing the transport’s shields and puncturing the slate-gray hull. The ovoid ship’s thrusters fired wildly, ripping free from the weakened hull and speeding off before being destroyed. Suddenly he turned to Ozzel, who was standing 10 meters behind him. “Ready my shuttle.”

The attack on the planet was proceeding in much the same way. Three dozen poorly trained troops with weapons no larger than an E-web heavy blaster cannon were no match for Imperial AT-AT walkers. The 25-meter high quadrupeds trundled across the frozen landscape, spitting heavy blaster bolts from their ‘heads’. AT-ST walkers sped ahead, running along like chickens and picking off stray soldiers.

Mara Jade was in the hangar, readying her personal X-wing. There was no way she was going to be caught on the ground when the base fell. A shudder went through the base, and the comm system came on. “Imperial troops have broken through. I repeat Imperial-oh, screw this. I’m getting out of here.” Mara chuckled at that as she got her X-wing ready. She tied her long flaming red hair in a ponytail and put on her helmet. Now if only luck can hold out.

A large explosion ripped through the entire base as the hangar doors were blasted open. Stormtroopers began pouring through like a white tide of death, shooting anybody moving. Mara gasped as she felt somebody powerful in the Force approach her. She tried to run, but there was literally nowhere to go. She looked at the hole and saw Luke walk through, wearing only a jumpsuit but was seemingly unaffected by the cold. He locked eyes with her, and an iceball formed in Mara’s stomach. The Stormtroopers parted for Luke as he walked up to her. “Hello, Mara. It’s nice to see you again. You do realize that you’re trapped and have nowhere to go, right?”

The former Hand backed away slowly. “Stay back! I mean it, stay back!” Luke held up his hand, and Mara found herself floating. “I can give you something, Mara, something you’ve always dreamt about.” He reached behind him and unclipped a datapad from his belt. “I can give you your past.”

Mara’s eyes went wide in shock. “What? That’s impossible! All records were destroyed by rebel saboteurs.” Luke threw back his head and laughed. “You really believe that? Your precious Palpatine deleted all but one copy. I hold that copy in my hand.” He levitated it up to her, but held it just out of arm’s reach. “Join us. Join me, and we shall be unstoppable.” Mara’s green eyes watered as tears flowed freely. She had always wanted to know who she was, and where she came from. Now here were the answers. And all she had to do was betray Palpatine.

“All right. I’ll join you.”

Four Years after Yavin

“And Lord Skywalker and Lady Jade are proud to announce the birth of their new baby girl, Padme Skywalker. In other news…”

Five Years after Yavin

Vader stood in the Imperial Palace’s main hangar as a shuttle landed. It was a long time since he had seen this particular individual, and Vader had much to discuss with him. The shuttle’s side doors opened, and a humanoid male in a white Grand Admiral’s uniform descended the ramp. His blue skin and glowing red eyes marked him as a Chiss; one of the most tactically brilliant species in the known galaxy. He was Thrawn, Warlord of the Empire. Thrawn walked up to Vader. “My lord, it is good to see you again. How is Coruscant?” Vader smiled behind the mask. “Same old, same old.” The two walked away from the landing pad and entered a turbolift. “How were the Unknown Regions?” Asked Vader. Thrawn’s face took on a serious expression as the lift descended. “My phalanx has fought off scouting groups from an unknown source. It’s not the Ssi-Ruuk, but something far more dangerous.”

After a few minutes the lift stopped, allowing the occupants to leave. Thrawn noted the location immediately. “Ah, so I’ll be meeting Lord Skywalker?” Vader nodded.

Thrawn and Vader went up to the door to Luke and Mara’s room. The comm unit activated. “Enter.” The two went in and were greeted by Luke. “Hello, Father. Hello, Thrawn. Please sit down.” Thrawn sat in a posh recliner, while Vader remained standing. “My Son, there are reports of a scout force probing our forces in the Unknown Regions. I want you to take your squadron of star destroyers and investigate.” Luke sat down and sighed. “Very well, but I don’t see why. The Chiss forces can handle just about anything thrown at them.”

The Dark Lord of the Sith walked over to his son and promptly smacked him upside the head. “You’ve grown soft here, my son. It’s time you were reminded of the duties you’ve been assigned.” Luke shot up and stared at his father, eye-to-helmet. “In case you forgot, I have a family to raise and duties here on Coruscant. Being Lord of the Empire does have certain obligations.” Vader’s temper rose. “And I am the Emperor of the known galaxy! You will obey me!” Both father and son began summoning the Dark Side, ready to destroy their opponent, when Thrawn distracted them. “Gentlemen, please! I assume a compromise can be made here. I will go back and begin the probing. Is that agreeable?”

Both Luke and Vader nodded. “Agreed, Thrawn. However I’m assigning you to a new star destroyer. The I.S.S. Chimaera’s captain was killed recently, and the highest-ranking officer is a man named…Pellaeon, I believe. He’s capable, but not very imaginative. Whip the crew into shape, Thrawn.” The Grand Admiral nodded. “It shall be done.” He turned to leave, but hesitated. “Oh, yes. Have you had an opportunity to speak to Tarkin about his little ‘secret’?” Vader’s anger spiked at Thrawn’s words. “It’s the next thing I’m going to do. Trust me on this, Thrawn. Never hide anything from me, understood?”

Thrawn nodded and left, leaving Luke and Vader alone. Luke turned to his father. “Does this have anything to do with Tarkin’s trips to the Maw Cluster?” Vader nodded. “Yes, and I believe it’s time we pay the Senate a visit.”

*****

“And if there is no more business, I motion that we stop for today and reconvene tomorrow.” Tarkin looked around the vast Senate Chambers. Nobody brought up any new business. “Very well. This ends today’s session.” He turned around and walked out of his pod and exited the chamber, entering the hallway-and ran into Vader.

“Ah! Don’t do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack.” He brushed imaginary dirt off his uniform, either oblivious to Vader’s anger or trying to ignore it. “Do you realize how difficult it is to-uurkh!” Tarkin stopped speaking as he felt Vader squeezing his throat through the Force. “Don’t play games with me, Tarkin. Did you really think your visits to the Maw Cluster would go unnoticed? You’re hiding something there, and I want to know what it is, now!” Tarkin fell to his knees. “My Lord, please…forgive me. It was started before you took over. Palpatine himself didn’t know about it.” Vader released Tarkin, and then hauled him up. “You will take me there, so I may see it myself.”

Three days later Tarkin found himself on the Executor’s bridge, standing alongside Luke. Outside the window was the Maw Cluster, a group of black holes. Farther away, one could make out the prison planet Kessel only a few light years away. It was truly an awe-inspiring sight.

Luke turned to Admiral Ozzel, who was in the crew pit below Luke’s feet. “Are the coordinates in?” Ozzel looked up at Luke. “Yes, my Lord. However, are you sure you want to do this? A shuttle can-“ Ozzel stopped speaking and began clutching at his throat. “It would be wise never to question me, Admiral.” Luke let go of the force choke, letting Ozzel drop to the floor, gasping for air.

The Executor entered the Maw. Although approaching it was usually deadly, there were areas where the black holes canceled each other out. There were whole regions inside that were perfectly safe, and areas where nothing escaped. Luke found the trip through fascinating, but nothing prepared him for what lay at the end. He turned to Tarkin and got within a few inches of his gaunt face. “Care to explain this, Tarkin?”

Outside, in the largest area of safe space, was a network of asteroids clustered together. It was immense, dwarfing even the Death Star itself. Orbiting it was what appeared to be a Death Star before construction was finished. Little more than girders and the superlaser were actually built. Finally, four old Imperial-Class star destroyers came over the horizon. The lead one launched TIE fighters and bombers and broadcasted a message. “This is the I.S.S. Gorgon, under the command of Admiral Daala. Who are you and what do you want?” Luke cleared his throat. “This is Luke Skywalker, Dark Lord of the Sith and son of Emperor Darth Vader. You will recall your TIEs and prepare to be boarded. Otherwise I will destroy you.” He elbowed Tarkin, who spoke up. “Daala, it’s true. They found out. You’d better surrender.”

There was a pause, and then Daala spoke again. “Does your wife know?” Every eye on the bridge focused on Tarkin, who turned a noticeable shade of crimson. He tugged at his collar. “Do you mind? Or are you actually out of it?” Luke grunted. “Discuss your personal life later, Grand Moff. I’m coming aboard, Daala. Be prepared to receive me.” And with that, Luke turned and left the bridge.

A half-hour later, Luke found himself taking a tour of the Maw Installation. He was impressed with Daala. Like his wife she had striking red hair and green eyes. She was also very efficient, but untested in battle. The pair found themselves in the hangar bay while the chief scientist prattled on about the latest prototype.

“So you see, this prototype mounts a resonance torpedo launcher on the bottom. It’s capable of igniting a nova in any star within two hours.” Luke turned to the blue-skinned humanoid. What was her name again, Qwi something? “That’s very…interesting, but does this have any practical application? The Death Star alone has been enough to quell even the loudest of opposition to my father’s regime.” The scientist, whose name was Qwi Xux, shrugged her shoulders. “Grand Moff Tarkin told us to top ourselves when we designed the Death Star. We felt the next step was destroying stars.”

Luke slapped his forehead in frustration. “How naïve are you? The Death Star is useful even in peace. What the stang can this ‘Sun Crusher’ do besides destroy star systems?” Qwi shrugged. “I guess it can’t, but it did top the Death Star, didn’t it?”

Luke fought off the urge to break the idiot’s neck right then and there. He turned away-and saw a fat, ugly man whipping a Wookiee slave. Luke’s anger grew hot. He reached out and grabbed the whip away from the man, who was surprised. He looked around and saw Luke with the whip. “Hey! That’s my whip! I need it to keep those fleabags in line.” The Lord of the Empire growled. “Slavery is illegal in the Empire, and unlike the Old Republic, we enforce it!” He reached out, grabbed onto the man with the Force and snapped his neck. The Wookiees went over to the body and howled, unsure if they were free or not. Luke activated his comlink. “Admiral, send over a team to pick up some former Wookiee slaves. They are to be returned to their home planet posthaste.” He turned back to Daala. “This prototype is to be scrapped, and all resources put into making that prototype Death Star fully operational. Understood?” The Admiral could only nod mutely as Luke stalked off.

Chapter Five: Fast Forward

Twenty-five years after Yavin

If the holo-reporter sitting at the desk seemed nervous, he didn’t show it. This was a momentous broadcast, and everything had to be right. Off camera, a stagehand counted down until transmission. Three, two go!

“This is Tam Rathous, coming to you live from Coruscant. Twenty-five years ago the Death Star destroyed the moon of Yavin IV, ending the rebellion and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity under Emperor Vader and Lord Skywalker. Now we look back at the past quarter-century as we try and put it all in perspective.” Luke turned off his personal holo-projector and settled back in bed, his wife Mara by his side. He thought back to when he was a simple moisture farmer on Tattooine, before he became a Sith Lord and second most powerful man in known space. Mara stirred beside him, slowly waking up. He caressed her long hair, wondering what the night would bring.

*****

The I.S.S. Chimaera glided into Coruscant’s orbit. The Imperial-Class star destroyer was returning home after another mission to the Unknown Regions. On board were Grand Admiral Thrawn and Vice-Admiral Pellaeon. Both were deeply disturbed by events taking place beyond the reach of the Empire. Pellaeon, who had put on a few kilos since the start of the mission and was graying, turned to the Star Destroyer’s captain. “I want to speak to either Emperor Vader or Lord Skywalker, understood?” The captain nodded and jumped into the crew pit. Pellaeon sighed and stared out the bridge windows, wondering whether the Empire was strong enough to face the coming difficulties. It had been thirteen years since the last uprising in the Sennex Sectors, and an untested fleet was a weak fleet.

Two decks down sat Thrawn. He was in his meditation chamber, studying the ‘art’ of the enemy. It was a strategy of the Chiss to study an opponent’s art, learn their psyche through it, and defeat them through it. Holographic images danced in front of him, enticing him with unlearned knowledge. An odd emotion began festering in his gut; frustration. He, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Warlord of the Empire, was feeling frustrated! He put his head in his hands and chuckled softly, hoping that something would pop…

Thrawn sat up straight. That’s it! Now I know how to defeat them.

*****

Waking Darth Vader was never a pleasant experience, thought Sate Pestage. The wizened old man walked up to Vader’s chambers and tapped the control panel. The door slid open, allowing him entrance. Besides a few seats, the only other object in the room was a large, spherical chamber large enough to hold a person and chair for him to sit in. Sate walked up to the chamber and touched a panel on a seam separating the upper and lower half. “Lord Vader? A star destroyer has arrived in orbit. Grand Admiral-“ The old man’s voice cut off as he felt his throat constrict.

The two halves of the chamber opened, and Vader stepped out. As the Grand Vizier collapsed to the floor and struggled to live, Vader looked down at him. “Why did you wake me up to tell me that a star destroyer is arriving? There are 250,000 star destroyers in the fleet!” Finally, Sate’s struggles ceased.

Vader stepped over the body and walked over to a comm panel on the wall. “This is Emperor Vader. I want to know who has just arrived in a star destroyer, and what he or she wants. Oh, and also.” He looked down at Sate Pestage’s stiffening corpse. ”Send cleaning down here. There’s a mess that must be picked up.” He stepped out of the room and headed for the turbolift.30 minutes later found him sitting across from Thrawn and Pellaeon. “This had better be good.”

Thrawn shifted uneasily in his chair. “My Lord, the Helska System has been conquered by the invaders. We lost seven ships, and they have established a foothold in our galaxy.” Pellaeon reached out and touched a control panel on the table. The lights dimmed and a holographic representation of a solar system emanated from a projector embedded in the table. “The fourth planet of the Helska System has been taken. Over 500 planetoids, a few about the size of Death Star One, have entered the galaxy. Unfortunately, I estimate that that is only half of their force.”

Vader snarled in disgust. “You are the head of the military, and one of the most brilliant admirals ever. Surely you can find a way to defeat them.” The Grand Admiral nodded and inputted a series of commands into the holo-projector. The image changed from the system to a humanoid. Dull brown armor covered his body, and a helmet covered all but the eyes. He held a serpentine creature in his right hand, and resembled something out of a nightmare. “This is a Yuuzhan Vong warrior. The armor he wears, and the staff he carries, are living creatures.” Pellaeon slammed his fist into the table in frustration. “They massacred entire squadrons of stormtroopers before we pulled out. They used some sort of…gravitic manipulation to strip our shields, and it took multiple broadsides to breach theirs. Our TIEs couldn’t lock onto their fighter analogs, and finally they seemed ready, willing and able to die for their cause.”

Just then Luke walked in. He looked around the room and noted Thrawn sitting there. “Grand Admiral, how was your recent trip to the Unknown Regions?” Thrawn sighed and settled back in his chair. “This may take a while.”

*****

Two hours later, Luke found himself on the bridge of his flagship, the Executor. The massive Super Star Destroyer was being prepped for war, and at 8 kilometers, it took a lot of work to get it ready. The Sith Lord paced the bridge, anxious to get underway. Finally an officer in a white uniform walked up to him. “My Lord? We’re ready to get underway.”

Luke turned to the Grand Admiral. “Excellent, Piett. I want us underway and en route to the Helska System now.” The graying Admiral saluted and about-faced, walking quickly to the aft section. The slate-gray arrowhead began moving out, accompanied by nine smaller but similar looking star destroyers. One of them was the I.S.S. Chimaera. On board, Thrawn contemplated the insights he had gained about this new threat. So they like pain? Fine. We will give them pain.

*****

Space around the Helska System appeared thick with asteroids. However, if you looked carefully, you could see they moved too carefully, and their paths were too straight. Furthermore, blue pulsating growths normally didn’t grow on asteroids. Living ships flew around the Helska System, manned by the Yuuzhan Vong.

On board one of the cruiser analogs was Tsavong Lah, Warmaster of the Vong forces. He was very pleased with the invasion so far. The infidels’ galaxy would soon belong to the Vong, and the Empire would fall. The Warmaster was on the bridge, discussing strategy with fellow Warmaster Malik Carr. “These infidels fled the battle fairly quickly. I wonder if any of them have the stomach for a war.” Malik shrugged, bouncing his dull brown vonduun crab armor almost up to his partially ripped off earlobes. “ I know not if these Imperials have the stomach for war. Their stormtroopers were slaughtered like animals, and the ships also were cracked open like eggs.”

Lah growled in disgust as he walked up to the viewports. “I yearn for combat, my old friend. We have traveled between galaxies for generations, now. We must see if our blood has cooled.” A lieutenant walked up to Lah and crossed her arms in front of her. “Warmaster? The last of our forces have crossed into the galaxy. Roughly half of them are concentrated here, while the rest have begun attacking pre-assigned targets along the Outer Rim of the infidels’ territory. What are your orders?” The Warmaster walked past her and approached his command chair. He picked up a small lump of flesh and stroked it. The lump, an organic communication device known as a villip, split along an invisible seam and formed itself into an approximation of Lah’s head.

“This is Tsavong Lah. Destroy the infidels and their abominations. Let rivers of their blood cleanse their worlds for our ascendance to godhood! Dorrik Vong Pratte!”

*****

After being stuck in the Maw Cluster for close to thirty years, Admiral Daala was quite glad to be back on Coruscant. It had changed little since she was a Captain. It was still one big city, and thousands of airspeeders still whizzed by at subsonic speeds. The Imperial Palace, however, had taken on an air of dread. She was in a conference with Emperor Vader, discussing new weapons being developed.

Vader examined a holographic image of a large squarish vehicle. “You say these ‘World devastators’ are only in the developmental phase?” Daala nodded uneasily. “Yes, my Lord. Although in tests they can strip a planet in three days.” Vader growled. “I have an massive extra-galactic invasion happening! I don’t want theories, I want results now!” The Admiral searched her mind frantically. Finally she latched onto something. “Sir! We still-urk!” The Emperor had had enough. He began squeezing, putting pressure on her neck, waiting for the moment when her vertebrae snapped, when he sensed a thought of hers. “Wait. What is this ‘sun crusher’?” He let up on the pressure, just enough to allow Daala the ability to speak. “We…kept it. My Lord it still exists please don’t kill me please don’t kill me.” Vader stopped choking her completely, allowing Daala’s beet-red face to hit the table. The Emperor sat back in contemplation, mulling Daala’s actions over. Finally he leaned forward. “You disobeyed a direct order from my son, and kept a highly lethal weapon from me for over twenty years. I have no choice in this.”

“I promote you to the rank of Grand Admiral, with all the privileges and responsibilities.” Daala virtually deflated in relief as Vader activated the comm system. “Put me in touch with Kessel. I have need of a pilot on the moon there.”

Chapter Six: Shatterblast

Lord Skywalkers’ ‘Death Squadron’ came out of hyperspace just outside the Helska System. Ten star destroyers flanked the Executor as TIE defenders were deployed. For the past ten minutes Luke was in direct communication with his father, Darth Vader. Daala kept the sun crusher?

Yes, my son. I had a pilot fly over from Kessel to pick it up. It will be arriving within thirty minutes.

Thank you, Father. Admiral Thrawn has come up with several strategies that could prove useful. I will be in contact later. Luke broke the link and stared out the viewport. Strangely, the Vong couldn’t be sensed through the Force, but it didn’t matter. The Empire would wipe them from the galaxy like a stain.

Space became thick with turbolaser bolts from star destroyers and plasma shots from Vong worldships. TIE bombers, loaded with explosives in their double-hulled craft, made suicide dives against the enemy. Coralskippers and defenders danced in the rapidly closing gap between the two fleets. On board the Chimaera, Thrawn noted the tactics. “They are using no real strategy, just blunt force. And I was right. Their precise maneuvering points to a central intelligence.” He looked down into the crew pit. “Lieutenant, scan for gravimetric flux emanating from the planetoids. One of them must be controlling the fighters!” The ship rocked as she took a direct hit. “And increase power to the inertial compensators! They’re the only thing keeping us from losing our shields!”

*****

Halfway across the galaxy sat Vader. He couldn’t stand it. He was a warrior, not an administrator! He got up and walked to the window and looked out at Coruscant. An entire Empire looked to him for peace and stability. He could stand it no longer. He contacted Tarkin. “Wilhuff, bring me a shuttle. I’m going to Helska.

*****

An entire wing of TIE bombers dove in on a worldship. The roughly spherical hunk of rock spat out high temperature plasma from a hundred orifices, burning down half of them. The other thirty-six, however, got past the initial volley and began firing off proton torpedoes from their forward launchers. Great geysers of rock and gas erupted from the impact as the hull was cracked. Whole sections were blown off from the impact, and the hulk began to drift, resembling an actual asteroid and not a worldship.

Thrawn observed the worldship’s destruction from the bridge of the Chimaera. He sat back in the command chair and allowed a slight smile to form across his usually stoic face. “That did it. With their communication ship destroyed, chaos will befall their ranks.” The entire star destroyer rocked as plasma slammed into its shields. A sensor technician in the crew pit shouted up at Thrawn. “Sir, the Invincible has lost power and is drifting-no, it’s collided with an enemy planetoid!” Thrawn glanced at the status boards built into his chair. Three star destroyers were floating scrap, and five more were damaged. And that left only two fully functional not counting the Executor. He activated the comm and contacted the Executor. “Lord Skywalker? This is Thrawn. I suggest we pull back and wait for your ‘surprise’.”

Lord Skywalker was in another world as Thrawn talked with him. “I disagree, old friend. The resonance torpedoes need two hours to-wait. There she is. Oh, my. You’re correct. Prepare for hyperspace.” Luke reached out with the Force and contacted the pilot of the sun crusher. It’s good to hear from you. How’s Kessel?

Cold and dry. Why did you have Administrator Fel send me there? Guarding spice freighters isn’t exactly my idea of fun!

You are the heir to the Galactic Empire, my daughter. Don’t take your training too lightly. You wouldn’t like to go to Tattooine, would you?

Padme Skywalker sighed as she lined the sun crusher’s torpedo launcher up with the Helska System’s primary. She brushed a lock of bright red hair from her eyes and waited for the targeting scope to lock on. Finally the board went green, and she launched a burning sphere directly at the star. She half-closed her blue eyes and reopened the link with her father. You have five minutes. Make them count. With that she piloted the sun crusher away from the already destabilizing star.

Luke smiled as saw sunspots and solar flares already erupting from the star. He turned to Grand Admiral Piett and was about to tell him to move out, when Piett walked up to him and said. “My Lord. A Lambda-class shuttle has just exited hyperspace two hundred kilometers off our stern. It registers as…your father’s personal shuttle.” Piett stepped back as he could feel Skywalker’s anger grow. The Lord of the Empire gritted his teeth and contacted Vader. Why are you here? We have four minutes before the star goes nova!

I…failed to arrive in time? How could this happen? I’m coming aboard. Wait for me.

Luke sighed as Vader cut off the telepathic link. “Admiral, prepare to receive the shuttle.” With that he turned and marched off to the aft sections of the bridge. Piett looked down into the crew pit. “You heard him! Get shuttle bay one prepped, now!”

*****

Half of the Yuuzhan Vong race would die today. This much Tsavong Lah knew. The very second the infidel’s ship fired some weapon at the star, he knew. With the destruction of the yammosk control ship, chaos had spread among the ranks. Worldships crashed into each other as they attempted to flee, cracking open and spilling their guts into space. The rest of his race, scattered among the edges of the Empire would be easy pickings. So the Gods lied after all. Curse Shimmra to Hell! He had commandeered a coralskipper and pointed the tear-shaped rock straight at the largest ship. The arrowhead-shaped abomination was taking on an infinitely smaller vessel, leaving its shield down.

Lah directed the coralskipper and brought the fighter as close as possible to the ship as possible. He waited until the shuttle disappeared into the landing bay, and then he ‘gunned’ it. The coralskipper’s propulsion, an organic gravity manipulator called dovin basil, pulled the ship at full speed. The warship rapidly grew in the viewport until it filled it entirely, and it still grew. After a minute and a half, the coralskipper slammed into the Executor’s hull. The Warmaster ripped off the cognition hood used to operate the coralskipper and rapidly put on an ooglith cloaker: an organic spacesuit. He popped the viewport open and gingerly stepped onto the gray hull of the warship, expecting to be burned by the foul technology.

He slipped through a closing airlock door and bumped into two infidel warriors. They were dressed in white armor similar in appearance to vonduun-crab armor, but weaker. His amphistaff, coiled around his arm, snaked out and decapitated them both within seconds. He looked around, but found the hallway empty. He ran down and ducked into the first open doorway. It sealed behind him, trapping him there.

Chapter Seven: Nightmares and Darkness

The Executor and all surviving Imperial ships fell back and executed a mini-hyperspace jump. Two minutes later the six ships emerged into real space-just as the Helska System was obliterated. Luke and Vader watched the spectacle from the bridge. “Now all that remains is the cleanup.” Luke turned to his father. “Over half of their fleet is still out there. It will take time.” Vader nodded. “We have time. Your daughter ensures the new line of the Sith.” A crewmember walked timidly up to the two Sith. “My Lords? We have a…problem. A Vong fighter crashed into the Executor just as you were docking.” He stood there, waiting to be strangled. Instead Vader unclipped his lightsaber and turned to the nervous lieutenant.

“Were there survivors?” He nodded. “Yes. We trapped him in an old cargo bay. He cannot escape.” Vader turned to Luke. “I must go alone. If I die, you will become Emperor.” Luke nodded as the Dark Lord marched off and entered the turbolift. He whispered under his breath. “May the Force be with you, Father.”

*****

He stalked the area, reaching out in a seemingly vain attempt to sense his prey. His normal senses couldn’t detect the enemy, and the Force was blind to him as well. Still, there were ways. He could focus on what he couldn’t sense, where a hole appeared in the Force. It felt like the hole behind him…

The man unclipped a 30-centimeter rod from his belt and pressed a button on it. A blood-red beam of plasma energy sprang forth, reflecting off his helmet and casting shadows all around. He glanced around, increasing his breathing so he’d have more oxygen available for him. After all, his opponent was right…there!

He swung around and brought up his lightsaber in a blocking position as a creature birthed from insanity leapt at him. What appeared to be living rope sprang from the creature’s arms and snapped at him with razor-sharp teeth. The creature rolled to the left and gripped his opponent’s shoulders, snarling. “You are good, infidel. But I shall triumph over Skywalker’s father!” He jumped back and stood tall, allowing ‘Skywalker’s father’ to shine his lightsaber over him and finally gauge his opponent. He stood almost as tall as him, covered from neck to ankles in dull brown armor. A variety of writhing weapons were attached to his belt, and a shimmering cloak hung from large hooks in his shoulders. Tsavong Lah, Warmaster of the Yuuzhan Vong, snorted and hurled a globule of spit onto Darth Vader’s obsidian-black armor.

Vader chuckled as he brought his lightsaber up to ready position, while Lah’s amphistaff snapped and hissed. “You really think you can defeat the Dark Side? Don’t make me laugh. I destroyed a millennia-old order and sent it’s most powerful leaders into hiding. You and your followers are nothing to me.” With that he called upon the Force, augmented his leg strength and leapt at the Warmaster. Lah readied himself, and when Vader collided with him, he hung on. The two rolled around, tussling for position. Vader got his right hand free and plunged his blade into Lah’s gut-or he tried to. The scarlet blade skidded across the Warmaster’s abdominal plates while the amphistaff clamped onto Vader’s helmet!

The dark lord snarled as the living staff scratched and gouged micrometer scars in his helmet. Lah clenched his fist, and the amphistaff uncoiled from his arm and became rigid. Vader quickly realized that, in such close quarters, it would be easy for this ‘warrior’ to strike and kill him. He channeled the Force through his arms and pushed, flinging himself back. He somersaulted before landing in a crouch. Lah snarled a curse and threw his amphistaff at Vader. “Die Jeedai!” The black staff flew at Vader, who brought up his lightsaber to parry it. Unfortunately that was what the Warmaster was expecting…

As soon as the amphistaff hit, it lost all rigidity. Vader realized his folly, but it was too late. It coiled around his right arm and dug in with its tail fins. Sparks flew from damaged servomotors as a faint trail of smoke began emanating from the gashes. Vader cried out-not from pain, but from anger. This Force-blind amateur dares to fight against the Chosen One? A deep red anger began building within him. He grabbed the amphistaff, tore him off his arm and flung it back at Lah, who caught it. “Now the games are over, Tsavong Lah. Now you will feel the Dark Side!”

Vader brought his lightsaber up to ready position and held it in front of him. Lah took a few steps forward-and fell flat on his face as a piece of burnt-out machinery hit him in the knee. He swore and looked back. Impossibly, a dozen similar pieces were floating! Lah quickly got to both feet-just in time to receive a chunk of armor to the face. Greenish blood flowed from his already smashed-in nose as he stumbled back. “What sorcery is this?” He yelled as the impromptu projectiles soon pelted him. He gripped his amphistaff and began twirling it about, trying to deflect them before they hit. Unfortunately that brought him closer and closer to Vader…

The Dark Lord wasn’t just waiting. He had been building up the energy necessary for his next offensive. Normally only his former master Palpatine did this, but he was more than capable. The random sparks from his right arm became more intense. Lah turned around to face his adversary. “So, your infidel arm fails you? You and your entire galaxy shall fall, Jeedai!” Vader screamed. “Fool! Taste the full power of the dark Side!” The Warmaster’s eyes grew wide as the sparks coalesced into a coherent form. They leapt across the short distance and impacted.

Tsavong Lah was a Yuuzhan Vong. His species thrived on pain. They worshipped it. However, nothing he had ever done could’ve prepared him for the agony of Sith lightning as it drained the very life from his body. His screams echoed as he felt the pain. After an eternity-or one minute, Vader stopped. The Warmaster fell to the ground, panting. Vader stood over him, ready to deliver the final blow, but Lah wasn’t ready to die that easily.

As Vader lifted his lightsaber, Lah screamed and threw his amphistaff with all his might. This will kill him! At this range I can’t miss! Vader chuckled and brought his blade low. The scarlet blade intercepted the living weapon-and went straight down the open mouth. Blood-red liquid spurted from its mouth as it died and slid off Vader’s blade. Lah gasped at that sight, eyes wide in disbelief. Then Vader shifted his lightsaber again, and plunged deep into the Warmaster’s skull. Lah’s eyes glazed over as he slumped over. Vader deactivated his lightsaber and clipped it back to his belt. He turned and walked off, not even glancing back at his opponent. “All too easy.”

The End

All Star Wars characters are the property of Lucasfilm. I make no claim of ownership.