Tuesday 14 April 2020

Star Wars: Old Wounds (13)

Wedge's eyes were shut. He couldn't escape the destruction around him, but nor could he bare to witness it. He found himself remarkably calm as the cavern continued to crumble around him, resolute to the last. Yet, as he continued to wait, the deafening roar began to subside. Briefly, he wondered if his sense of hearing was merely fading before the rest of his consciousness, but he still felt no pain. Cautiously, he opened one eye, then both.

The cavern had indeed collapsed, but somehow he was unharmed. He stared in disbelief at the rubble piled high around him. As he became aware of his surroundings, he noticed Dak, and R3, huddled to his left. Dak's arm was still outstretched, his face contorted with exertion. As Wedge looked on, in both awe and confusion, Dak began to lower his arm, staggering as he released his mental grasp. Wedge rushed to support his friend.

"What. Was. That?! Did you just use the... the Force?"

"Guess my secret's out." Dak replied, breathlessly. "Sorry... give a minute.... to catch my breath... haven't done.... something like that.... for years..."

"You're a Jedi!" the young pilot exclaimed.

"Was. I was a Jedi. A long time ago..."

Wedge stared in disbelief. He had be born during the Clone Wars, but he'd grown up under the Empire. He knew little of the ways of the Jedi, save for stories told by his parents. To him, they had always seemed like legends, fables of better times. There was no way such powerful heroes could have existed. If they had, they would not have fallen before the Emperor's rise. To Wedge, the Force was only a superstition, a tale for children. But here was proof that it was true, all of it. A sudden anger filled him.

"You are a Jedi!" he repeated, loudly. "All this time, you've had this power and kept it hidden? The Alliance is fighting, dying, for the scraps we need just to keep us fighting against the might of the Empire. We can only dare to dream of taking on the Emperor, or Vader." Wedge was yelling now.  "And all this time, you could have been leading the fight, inspiring populations to rebel. You have the power to confront Vader himself!" 

"Its not that simple..." Dak protested, weakly.

"Isn't it?" spat Wedge. "You could have been a symbol of hope. An inspiration to the masses. Instead you hide, as a smuggler, helping out here and there, whenever it suits you. Just to ease your conscience. What's the use in winning the occasional battle, when you have the ability to influence the Galaxy at large?"

"Who do you think the Jedi were, Wedge?" Dak said, softly. "Even before the fall of the Republic, there were planets on which we were considered charlatans. On many others we were despised, because we'd failed to intervene in a local dispute, or our actions indirectly caused some other harm. That only became more stark during the Clone Wars. We were so focussed on the war, we lept from battlefield to battlefield, leaving a trail of broken worlds in our wake. It was for the good of the Galaxy, we told ourselves. The Senate will coordinate relief efforts. We were blind fools."

"But there must have been worlds on which you were heroes? People whose lives you'd saved." Wedge's temper had cooled, but only slightly. "There are a lot of people, especially in the Alliance, who would look up to you."

"No, they would admire the idea of me. They hold the concept of a Jedi as some mythical paragon, but we were never that. I was certainly not.

"So you're flawed. We all are. But you could still inspire hope in others. You might not believe in yourself, but so many others would."

"So they can run off and get slaughtered?" Dak replied, raising his own voice. He stood up, unsteadily, and glowered at Wedge. "After all, it worked out so well during the Clone Wars. I led thousands of good men to their deaths. Men who believed in my command. I fought by their side, we helped each other, but even on our best days we still had losses. That's the nature of war." Dak's grief, which had been locked away for so long, began to spill out. "And for what? Who won that war? Not the Jedi, not the Republic, not the Seperatists. Only Palpatine and his emergent Empire. He played the whole galaxy, and got away with it. And, unwittingly, I helped it happen. The Jedi failed everyone."

"So get back out there. Take the fight to Palpatine. You have a power most of us can't even comprehend!" Wedge urged. 

"I already tried that!" Dak yelled, his eyes beginning to well up. He paused for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. Long buried memories unearthed themselves in his mind. "Even after the Purge, I kept fighting. Too stubborn to die, I suppose." Dak sighed. "I led a group of resistance fighters. Truth be told, it was too soon. We never stood a chance. The Galaxy wanted stability after the Clone Wars, and the Empire was there to provide it. But we fought on nonetheless. Nowhere was safe. We moved our base constantly, yet every time we did, we were located again almost immediately. I was still a Jedi then, I naively thought I could be a symbol, like you did."

"What went wrong?" Wedge asked, softly.

"Everything. I wasn't a symbol, I was a target. Every town we visited, every port we landed in, every battle we fought, someone recognised me. Or at least, they recognised the lightsaber. Everywhere we went, we were hounded by Imperial Purgetroopers, then the Inquisitors. Until Xantu. Our base was positioned on a rocky outcrop above a lavaflow. Dangerous, but remote, and offered natural barriers on three sides. Despite that, we were still set upon, by the Grand Inquisitor himself. I'd had enough of running, I ordered the rest of my team to evacuate, I needed to face him. Alone. Our duel was intense, he fought with a ruthless, refined, ferocity I was unable to match. Slowly, he gained the upper hand. I was disarmed, and fell to my knees, defeated. Yet, he did not kill me. He laughed, said I had been broken, and then he gave a gift so I would never forget that moment. He reached out with the Force, crushing the bones of my right arm, practically grinding them to dust."

"I'm sorry." Wedge said, gently. He looked at his own arm, still healing within a bactacast. Some wounds may heal, he thought, but the scars always remain.

"And the thing is, he was right. I was broken. Being Jedi Master Arven Vorlack hadn't helped the galaxy. I was no leader. I couldn't face having anyone else die under my command, to give the order that would doom a soldier who believed in me. So I became the lowly smuggler Dak Dogba. I tried to leave my past behind, but as the years went by, and the scale of the Empire's tyranny grew, I couldn't remain idle. It was Lara who pushed me to enlist in the Alliance. At least behind the controls of a starfughter, I can still do some good."

"I certainly know how that feels." agreed Wedge. "Look, I'm sorry for blowing up at you. I mean, you did just save my life."

"Which was only in danger because I dragged us down here without thinking it true. And I'm sorry too Wedge. I'm sorry I can't be the hero you want me to be. I'm just not a Jedi, and maybe that's for the best. After all, the Order was blind to Palpatine's corruption of the Republic. We had become too close-minded and dogmatic, even before the war. The Jedi failed, it's time for the rest of us to take our place and fight back." Dak sounded determined, and he felt a fire within him that had lain dormant for far too long. He smiled to himself, having forgotten what hope felt like.

"So, Mr. Smuggler. Do you think you could help move a few more rocks and clear an exit for us?" Wedge asked, cheerily.

"I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, kid." Dak replied, as he reached out once again. He'd kept his mind focussed inwards for so long, his senses were almost overwhelmed as he opened himself up again. For fifteen years, he'd surrounded himself with his own fears, doubts, and anger. Too long trapped inside his own thoughts. To feel the Galaxy again, was breathtaking. He was struck by the amount of life he could sense. Not just the miners above, but all sorts of burrowing creatures, insects, even scattered vegetation stubbornly growing in the barren landscape above. He felt the miner's exhaustion, and some sorrow, but also relief and joy. A thousand emotions, flooding in at once. Slowly, Dak filtered his thoughts, until he was focussed only on the rocks around him. He visualized the tunnel they had once formed, and urged the rubble to reform its old shape. 

"Stick close to me, you two. I can only hold up a small section at a time, so if you lag behind you'll be crushed." he warned, as a small section of the collapsed tunnel shifted, creating a slight opening. "Let's take this slow."

***

It took some time, but eventually they returned the turbolift shaft. The lift itself had been damaged in the blast, torn open with jagged metal shards twisted in every direction. 

"Guess we're not getting out that way." said Wedge, needlessly. "Hey Dak, you alright?" As they reached the open column of the lift shaft, Dak was able to let go of the earth around him. Devoid of his exertion, he slumped forward, feeling the exhaustion of his efforts. 

"I'll be fine. Just need a break. You try lifting several tons of rubble. With only your mind." he replied, testily.

"Don't exaggerate. It was cumulative, you didn't do it all at once." Wedge teased. "Now, all we need to find some way out."

"There's always a ladder, for emergency repairs, running up the shaft. But that's way too far for us to climb safely." Dak said, as he leaned on R3. The droid gave him a reassuring whistle, then beeped more energetically.

"Good idea, buddy." Dak replied warmly, before calling to Wedge: "He says the cables seem to be intact. If we disconnect it from what's left of the lift's roof, and release the counterweight, it should bring us all the way to the top."

"At enormous velocity. Smashing into the top of the shaft."

"Not if the emergency brake kicks in."

"Nice. Your use of the word 'if' is particularly reassuring." Wedge sighed to himself. It was still the best option. 

Wedge and R3 got to work dismantling what remained of the lift. The base of the shaft was partially filled with rubble, so it was easy for them to reach the roof. They found a flat panel of durasteel connected to a winch, and the elevator cable, with ease. As R3 used his arc welder to cut out a section centred around the winch and wide enough for them to stand on, Wedge continued the conversation.

"So, why Dak? Where did the name come from?"

"From a very old friend." Dak replied, wistfully. "We were locked up together on an old Trade Federation cruiser. Tried to break out, reach his ship. It didn't go to plan."

"Nothing ever does." replied Wedge. "He died?"

"Sacrificed himself so I could escape with his ship, and some highly valuable intel. He gave his life for the Republic. Afterwards, to honour his memory, I used his identity occasionally during the war whenever I needed to keep a low profile. Some places a Jedi draws too much attention."

"Sounds like he was a good man. If he was still around, I'm sure he'd have joined the Rebellion."

"Without hesitation."

"Then, he'd be proud of you too. Fighting for freedom in his name. You might not think of yourself a good Jedi, but you're a great Dak Dogba."

Dak chuckled to himself, then looked at Wedge and gave a curt nod of appreciation. He wanted to say more, to thank the young pilot for making him remember what he fought for, but his feelings were still too raw. He couldn't find the words he needed. "Come on, can't lay about chatting all day. We have a Grand Admiral to take down."

They made their way to the cut out platform, were R3 was waiting for them.

"Hold on tight to the cable." Dak warned. "This is not going to be comfortable. And you do not want to fall."

"Let's just get it over with."

"Ready R3?"

With a shrill whistle, R3 sent a signal through the control system, releasing the lift's counterweight. The platform jerked upwards, accelerating rapidly. The three passengers clinged desperately to the cable as the platform began to wobble and vibrate. The structure was unbalanced and unstable, shaking like some bucking beast. Wedge, despite his terror, was exhilarated by the experience. He was born to fly, it was the only time he ever felt in control, so he was used to high-speed, dangerous environments. Dak had his eyes closed, deep in a meditative calm. R3 however, shrieked with terror, despite his magnetized legs providing him with the steadiest grip of them all. 

As the remains of the lift neared the top of the shaft, emergency brakes activated, arresting the platform of its acceleration and speed, bringing it to a sudden halt. 

"Weve arrived." Dak announced, opening his eyes. "End of the line."

In fact, the lift had stopped just shy of the doors leading to the Imperial facility, but the three could easily climb the remaining few feet to emerge back into the oppressive corridors of Malefic's base. 

"No patrols, we're clear." Wedge said, as he hauled himself out of the doorway.

"Its only a matter of time." Dak replied, as he too emerged. R3 followed behind, helping himself up vis his rocket jets. 

"So, where to?" 

"We go with your first plan. Get to the shuttle, get out of here. We have enough detail about the TIE Indomitable project to get Raddus to send the fleet after Malefic."

"And hope the Admiral doesn't move his Destroyer in the meantime."

"He won't leave Andriss undefended. The cortosis mine is too precious to him." 

"And if he summons reinforcements?"

"We deal with that when it happens. What else can we do? The two of us can't take down a Destroyer by ourselves."

"Remember when this was a simple supply run?"

***

The trio made their way quickly through the corridors. They encountered a few patrolling Stormtrooper, but it was easier enough to avoid them. Obviously, Malefic had thought the Rebels destroyed, so the threat level in the base was lowered. They made short work to the nearest exit, and surveyed their way forward.

Ahead of them, some fifty metres away, was the landing pad, still containing a cortosis clad shuttle, and two TIE Indomitable fighters. A pair of Imperial sharptroopers manned sentry points above the base walls, and there were about a dozen other Stormtroopers scattered around the open area. Various containers and fuel pods were scattered around the landing pad, which provided them with a modicum of cover. 

"Well, this looks easy." Wedge hissed.

"Its worse than you think. Look at the shuttle." Dak whispered in reply. Wedge turned in the direction Dak indicated and frowned. Standing at the boarding ramp was Ageis Malefic, flanked by two cortosis wearing troopers. 

"He's leaving?" Wedge asked.

"He assumes we're dead. The threat has been dealt with. Hes probably on his way back to micromanage his factory."

"We need that shuttle."

"But we'll never make it there in time. While avoiding the snipers, the troopers, or his bronze buddies over there." Dak sighed. Nothing was working out like it was supposed to.

"There's always the TIE fighters." Wedge said. "We could take those."

"Probably won't get us very far." Dak warned. "You know most TIEs lack hyperdrives."

"Of course." Wedge replied. "Maybe his Indomitable fighters include hyperdrives. Maybe they don't. But we can't let Malefic escape here. Either way, if we're in the air, we can take out his shuttle. That'll be a big enough blow to his precious project."

"Even if it means our lives?"

"I'm done running. It's time to take the fight to him."

R3 whistled urgently, indicating that Malefic had boarded his shuttle. Dak's heart sank. There was something else a TIE lacked: room for an astromech. Sensing his master's plight, R3 gave a reassuring beep.

"No buddy, I can't leave you behind." Dak protested. R3 gave an insistent whistle, and before Dak could answered, the droid reversed slightly, then went forward again. He continued to bump Dak, repeatedly, pushing his master away, towards his objective.

"It's now or never." Wedge insisted, gently.

"I'll be back R3. This isn't goodbye buddy. I'm coming back. Just stay safe!" Dak shouted, as he turned to follow Wedge. R3 warbled softly to himself as he watched them run. He might have been left behind, but he could still help his friends.

The pilots ran swiftly, catching the scattered Stormtroopers off-guard. By the time they managed to ready their weapons and fire, Dak and Wedge had already neared the fighters. 

"Its no good!" Wedge said over the staccato shrieks of Imperial blaster fire. "Can't make a break for the ladders, those snipers have us pinned down."

"Just be ready." Dak called back, as he watched R3 in the distance, trundling towards a fuel pod. The astromech passed the pod, deliberately leaking a trail of oil behind him. Once he reached a safe distance, he ignited the trail with his welding arm, and gave an electronic chuckle. The pod ignited, sending a shockwave across the landing pad. Several troopers near the blast were punched upwards by the concussive force. R3 cried out and wheeled himself behind cover , surprising himself by the severity if the explosion. 

"Now!" Dak yelled. The pilots dove for the ladders and clambered into their TIE fighters while the Imperial forces were distracted. Dak primed his fighter for take-off, flipping toggles and switches semi-frantically as he tried to recall the layout of Imperial controls. "Open fuel lines, ignition, weapons toggle..." he muttered. "Integrated life support, that's a bonus." The basic TIE models all relied on external life support systems fitted directly to a pilot's uniform. Given their lack of shields, this allowed a pilot to eject and survive in the vacuum of space long enough to be retrieved after a battle, a scenario the TIE Indomitable was designed to avoid.

"Dak, do you copy?" called Wedge, syncing up his comms array. "Ugh, these things handle like a drunken Bantha."

"I hear you Wedge. I thought TIEs were supposed to be nimble?"

"They are. It's how the Empire justifies the lack of shields. Stripped down for maximum efficiency, or so the propaganda says. But these things, the cortosis armour really weighs it down"

"Good thing they're designed to take a few hits then. Come on, let's get out of here. We have a shuttle to catch."

The twin fighters rose from the landing pad, unaffected by the remaining troopers below firing up at them. With a howling whine from the ion engines, the pair soared off in pursuit of Malefic. From his hidden position on the base below, R3 watched as the TIEs faded away into the distance, leaving him alone.


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