Story Time: Star Wars VII Force Empire

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SaiyatonianSage

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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….

Star Wars Episode VII: Force Empire

The Sith have been defeated. Following the deaths of Darth Vader and the Emperor at the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance formed a New Republic over much of the galaxy. Long years of struggle have ensued.

Saving the precious image of his father, Luke Skywalker traveled across the galaxy as the last of the Jedi and searched amongst the stars for hidden knowledge of the Jedi that may have survived the Empire.

Guided by her evolving instincts in the Force, Leia was forced to learn in the ancient arts of the Force, guided by the sagely Force Ghost of Yoda. With her powers growing swift and powerful, Leia tried to venture out into the galaxy and search for her brother, only for her attention to be called back to the New Jedi Order and the New Republic.

-Star Wars Episode VII: Force Empire-

Sixty-six years had passed since the events that catapulted the events of the Clone Wars a decade later; the Invasion of Naboo, a planet dedicated to the principles of diplomacy and peace. It was a catalysis for many things it appeared, as during the time of peace grinds slowly towards the inevitable marches of war.

Located south of the city of Theed on the planet Naboo, Alec Skywalker strolled on the tender short grass of the Great Grass Plains. His boots threaded gently on the grass, wanting to preserve this historic moment of the Gungan Grand Army and the Trade Federation’s droid army. Looking beyond the hillside top laid the city of Theed, the serving residence of planetary monarchy and the nerve center of the government.

Alec Skywalker tightened the black cloak around his body, heading to his BARC speeder and gripped his hands on the handlebars. Hesitating, Alec eased back on his seat and gave one final look to the massive plain; he felt their presence on the battlefield, he felt their conviction to protect their homeland, both Naboo and Gungan. The greatest of calamities start at the most peaceful times.

The engine of the BARC speeder roared and thundered across the grassy plains, leaving the past mistakes behind him. Deciding to head to his ancestor’s home, Alec throttled the speeder to its full capacity, the high speed wind flourishing his brown hair. His cool blue eyes focused on the horizon ahead of him, empathized by the enormous Naboo palace resting on its holy pedestal on the cliff-side. Alec’s thoughts flickered back and forth on the many stories he’d heard from the Clone Wars, the Rebellion’s struggles against the Empire, and currently across the galaxy.

History seemed to repeat itself, one way or another. Maybe that was cruelty of the Force. Or perhaps the Force was telling the truth and the Jedi and Sith were too stubborn and self-righteous to acknowledge their flaws. Alec’s brow furrowed, the nature of The Force was ambiguous at best; perhaps it wasn’t meant to be over-thought or compartmentalized in the physical realm. Coming to a stop at the base of the cliff, the Royal Palace of Theed loomed over the young Skywalker, bathing him its silent dominance.

With his ship parked at the Civic Spaceport not far from where he was, Alec got off his speeder and walked towards the Theed Hangar.

-Star Wars Episode VII: Force Empire-

“It feels… cold,” Alec remarked. His blue eyes lamented over the dozen Naboo starfighters parked in the hangar bay. This type of coldness could only be felt in the presence of the Dark side. Someone strong in the Dark side at that. “And also empty.” Making his way to the opposite end of the hangar, Alec entered the Plasma Refinery Complex; the loud continuous hums calling to the young Skywalker as the purple plasma danced up and down in their tubes, eagerly displaying their raw power.

A stronger wave of the Dark side pressed against him, making its power abundantly known. Alec lowered the hood of his cloak and surveyed the scene, he didn’t know exactly why Palpatine wanted the Trade Federation to invade Naboo. It might’ve been the plasma reserves themselves, or a ploy itself to incite his ascension to Supreme Chancellor.

“The Force works in mysterious ways,” Alec said, reciting an old Jedi proverb.”And the Force is the biggest mystery to be solved yet.” Looking towards the proverbial Force above him, Alec placed his cloak back on his head and exited the Refinery; he had seen what he wanted: to return to his ancestral home of Naboo, wanting to see what had caused the Republic and the Jedi Order to fall, and for the Empire to rise and fall itself many years later.

-Star Wars Episode VII: Force Empire-

Bathed in a blue-green sunlight, Byss was a lush and fertile world. The planet itself was somewhat a myth hidden in the depths of the Deep Core, seeming to be the perfect place to thrive. Its eerie blue-green glow, caused by its sun, also added to the strangeness of the world. Its location was situated at the end of the Byss Run, a heavily guarded artificial hyperlane kept open by hundreds of non-mass S-thread boosters, connecting the planet to the Core Worlds. The planet was otherwise nearly impossible to reach safely through hyperspace, due to the high density of stars in the Deep Core constantly shifting patterns of the region’s natural hyperlanes.

It was an ideal location for Luke Skywalker’s hidden Empire.

Looking down from his great black and red-tinted Citadel in the heart of his throne city, Luke Skywalker lamented over the course of actions that caused him to rise in power. His brow was furrowed together by troubled thoughts, tiny seeds of doubt plaguing his mind still. Taking a calming breath Luke focused his gaze to his own reflection. The dreaming doe-eyed youth that would gaze into the heart of Tatooine’s twin suns, daring to hope of a life filled with adventure and excitement, now looked upon himself with a critical eye.

Baggy white robes were now adorned on his body with an elaborate version of his Invictus Knight’s armor, colored of a fine champagne silver, and a regal black cape falling to his feet. Golden armor padded his neck and shoulder, encrusted with fine rubies.

What would his sister think of him? Han?

Turning away from his past reflection, Luke returned to his throne. The semi-circular throne room was surrounded with rounded walls and ceiling, with a massive area of the rounded wall occupied by a large circular display-screen, which allowed the throne room to function as a military command center. The throne, also rounded, was place in front of the screen.

The entirety of the galaxy stared at the former Jedi, his blue eyes reflecting on his future plans. Straightening himself against his throne, Luke activated the communications button on his armrest. “Is my flagship ready for a test drive?”

“Yes, my lord. We are preparing the diagnostics which shall be completed when you arrive.”

Luke nodded his head. “We’ll be leaving the Deep Core for this test, I wish to see how it fares in open space.”

“With all due respect your majesty, is that wise? A ship of this size and magnitude has never been constructed in the history of the galaxy.”

“I am aware of the risks involved, we won’t be traveling too far. Especially with the eyes of the Republic on Coruscant.”

“Apologies Emperor Skywalker, as you wish,” Luke waved a dismissive hand at the comment.

“No need for apologies, you have merit in your concerns. But as I said we won’t be going too far from the Deep Core. In fact I have a planned course for the test.” Luke drummed his metallic fingers on the arm of his throne, his eyes studied the individual walking towards him. “Prepare my ship, we’ll be leaving soon.” Ending the transmission Luke leaned forward in his throne. “Where have you been?”

Alec Skywalker kneeled at the bottom flight of stairs where his father was awaiting his son’s answer. “I left Byss and traveled to Naboo.”

“Naboo,” Luke repeated. “And you left without my permission?”

“I did,” Alec said calmly. “I wanted to see where everything started for the galaxy- with the fall of Republic and Empire.”

Luke sat in silence, studying his son. “And the Jedi and Sith.” The Emperor stood from his throne and descended to his son. “Rise Alec, walk with me.” Alec stood and lowered the hood of his cloak, watching his father concernedly. “Don’t look at me like that,” Luke continued, his tone playfully stern. “I have planned for this for a long time. I have studied both sides of the Force and I believe I have come close to understanding the Force- it is undefeatable and unconquerable.”

“While the Jedi and Sith are not, I know father,” Alec said. “That’s why you called your new order the Invictus Knights.”

“As for your trip to Naboo,” continued Luke, coming to a stop and glancing at his son. “Did you learn anything from your trip?”

Alec took a breath to collect his thoughts. “I felt the presence of the Dark side when I was at the Plasma Refinery Complex, even after those decades it was still so potent.”

“Anything else?”

Alec shook his head. “That was about it. I checked out the area where the Gungan Army faced against the Trade Federation, and the Theed Palace. The architecture is quite grand though, I do love the design of it.”

Leia had visited Naboo, years and years ago- shortly after the battle of Endor if he remembered correctly. Before he left…

She had mentioned that she felt the presence of the Dark side- describing it as cold and empty, hollow even.

Alec’s cloak opened partially as his lightsaber floated to Luke’s hand. The prince looked to his belt to his saber then his father in confusion. The low hum of Alec’s yellow blade resonated in the vast chambers of the throne room, only for the high pitched sheathing of the blade to enter back into its hilt. “I never knew my father, only during the times when our blades clashed. Yet I felt a connection to him, and as I studied more of his past, the more I realized what I’m doing will be worth it.” The lightsaber rose from the Emperor’s metallic palm and floated towards his son. Alec grabbed his lightsaber and clicked it on his belt. “Vader was a troubled Sith. Anakin Skywalker was a misguided Jedi. Yet both of them made major contributions to their beliefs when they were alive.”

The Emperor pointed at his son’s chest, tapping the armor beneath his cloak. “You carry the legacy of the Force- both the Light and Dark working in unison. Our family carries the burden of the Force, its weight and influence insurmountable. That will be our advantage- the true nature of the Force.”

On cue Alec felt a weight on his shoulder. Though he didn’t know what weighed more- the balance of the Force or the expectations of his father. “I am sorry for leaving without your permission.”

“It is forgiven,” Luke said. “But not without punishment. What you did is dangerous, too close to when we will begin our crusade. You are strong and talented, so was my father. I will be leaving for a few days to test my newest flagship, designed to strike intimidation into the Republic. Now, head to the training chamber and run through the courses.”

The prince bowed his head apologetically. “Yes, Father.”

Watching his son leave his sight and down the large corridor, Luke’s face softened. “You have grown into a fine Invictus Knight…. Time will tell if he will be ready to lead.”

-Star Wars Episode VII: Force Empire-

A squad of Nssis-class Clawcrafts flew overhead of the Emperor, as he walked at a brisk pace as the blue-green sun casted its glow on him. The Clawcraft fighters had been produced for some time before the Empire under the rule of Emperor Palpatine began sharing technology with the Chiss Ascendancy, an action initiated by the Chiss Imperial Thrawn.

The fuselage was based on the “ball cockpit” of the TIE starfighter series, with a Sienar ion drive pod mounted on the rear, but stemming from the junction of the cockpit and drive pod were two pairs of curving wings which thrust out like an X-wing’s strike-foils, and then extended forward in a claw-like grip around the cockpit. At the tip of each wing was a Sienar L-s7.2 laser cannon.

With modest deflector shields and thicker hull armor, Clawcraft were slower at sublight speeds than their TIE fighter predecessors, although the ion engines allowed the ship to achieve an atmospheric speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour, and a respectable sublight acceleration of almost forty thousand meters per second squared.

Clawcraft made up for their lower sublight speed by greater maneuverability. Each curved wing could make minor position adjustments and was paired with a mounted control jet to allow a Clawcraft's pilot to throw the ship into sharp turns and complex maneuvers. A unique hyperspace beacon system allowed a Clawcraft to make lightspeed jumps without an on-board navigation computer, enabling it to function as a long-range craft while significantly reducing the weight, size and complexity of non-combat equipment carried. But the starfighter's dependence on navigational data transmitted from a nexus of anchor points also restricted the area in which most Clawcraft could operate. For long-range deployment, ships of this class typically had to travel with specialist beacon ships, until new variants began to enter service that featured on-board navicomps for the first time, as well as warhead launchers.

Naturally Luke understood Thrawn’s intellectual mind better than anyone in the galaxy, and even back then he respected it, if not frightened somewhat. Tailing behind were a squad of Stormtroopers; they wore the black and white armor of the old Empire, but now their helmets included visors. And they had undergone much harsher training than their predecessors, nearly rivaling the Mandalorians in hand to hand combat. A true sight to behold; Luke had seen the faults in the Jedi and Sith, and the Republic and Empire. Now, his quest to bring unity to the galaxy were about to go underway.

A female Imperial Captain walked along her Emperor as they walked up the ramp. “The ship is prepped and ready your highness, we’re just awaiting your command and destination.”

“Set the Eclipse through the Mid-Rim to Naboo, perhaps it was time I went… home,” Luke ordered. Saying Naboo as his home… a tiny flicker of remorse sparked in him. He had been so fixated on his father that he neglected to learn anything of his mother; he knew that she was a Senator during the Clone Wars, that was about it. And now since he had redeemed his father, now was the time he should spend some attention to his mother; his son’s grandmother.

Taking a breath to clear his thoughts, Luke turned his side to side to witness his swan song: the Eclipse-class Star Dreadnought. And it was a perfect name, with a length of 17.5 kilometers it was the first of a new generation of Super Star Destroyers. This was to be his flagship, his symbol for his Empire… his Death Star.

-Star Wars Episode VII: Force Empire-

Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.

Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.

Jedi respect all life, in any form.

Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.

Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.

These were the final words that her brother left her. Leia had realized long ago how Luke had grown from a moisture farmer to a strong warrior, now his thoughts were written down in front of her. He was indeed wise, how she wished he was with her now. Forming the Holocron that he left back together, Leia stood from her meditation and caressed the Holocron fondly.

“Luke, don't talk that way. You have a power that I don't understand and can never have."

"You're wrong, Leia. You have that power, too. In time, you will learn to use it as I have. The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. And…my sister has it. Yes. It's you, Leia."

“Our father,” Leia spoke hollowly at the name. A swirl of anguish lurched in her stomach as an explosion flashed in her mind, pieces of her homeworld blasted off into the dust of the stars. Her father, standing right behind her, did nothing. Why would he?

"Maybe Vader had died heroically, but ten minutes of contrition did not make up for years of atrocities." Those were the only final words she said to the Force Ghost of Anakin Skywalker. She looked away from the Holocron, hot tears festering in her eyes. “Is this how you felt all this time? How did you do it?”

Hollowly expecting an answer, either from her brother, or almost ironically her father, Leia levitated the Holocron to her nightstand. “Jedi respect life, in all forms.” A sad smile appeared on her lips. “I wonder if that’s why you wrote that. For him.”

Exiting her chambers and walking to the large open balcony of her palace on New Alderaan, Leia took in the glorious view of the mountain range many miles away. The smell of the earth and grass ensnared her senses, she felt the flowing calmness of the Force wrap around in its comforting, spiritual embrace. The kind of embrace her husband couldn’t give her, try as he might. A warm fond smile manifested from the memories of his warmth in their bed after the Battle of Endor. And many nights after.

But ever since Luke’s disappearance, she felt alone. Empty.

“Mom.”

Leia faced her daughter Jaina, she had grown very beautiful in her young years. Evident by the boys, and Han’s reaction to said boys. The Grandmaster resisted a laugh of her husband’s antics, threatening them in slanders and open threats.

“Come here,” Leia said, waving her hand towards Jaina.

The daughter of Leia obeyed her mother and leaned against the edge of the balcony, taking in the natural beauty of the planet. Dark brown flowing hair rested on her shoulders, and brown eyes brimmed with tiredness yet filled with energetic life lingered deep within. Affectionately, and sometimes teasingly, called the Jedi Princess, Jaina followed her mother in the art of politics and diplomacy, as well as the Jedi arts.

“What is it?” Leia asked gently.

“You still miss Uncle Luke,” Jaina said. Leia blinked quickly at the declaration but stayed quiet. “I was wondering if you might’ve known why he left.”

Leia shook her head, that was the only thing she couldn’t figure out. Everything seemed fine… maybe that was the problem. She couldn’t find anything, and if even she did, she probably couldn’t had helped Luke. “I wished I did. I still do honestly, to this day. But it might be the will of Force that called to him, and even after all this training I’ve undergone, that you’ve undergone too, that the Force does at it wills.” Leia reached her to Jaina’s shoulder and rubbed it affectionately. “Your uncle was a good man. Strong, wise, and filled with curiosity; you have his spirit.”

“I thought I had your spirit.”

“No, you have your father’s stubbornness and my will,” Leia quipped, color returning to her face as she laughed endearingly.

Jaina laughed alongside her mother. “You can be kinda stubborn yourself at times.”

“Careful, Princess,” Leia playfully reprimanded.

“Sorry,” Jaina’s lips flickered with a smirk.

“How are the Jedi doing at the Temple on Coruscant?” Leia asked, her voice becoming firm and direct.

“They’re doing well, and we have some news of activity with the Hutts and Black Sun,” reported Jaina.

“Anything major?”

“Just gossip. Though rumors have stirred of an alliance.”

“Keep an eye out for any truth to those rumors. I wouldn’t be surprised,” Leia sighed and walked back towards the palace that reminded her so much of her old home. Perhaps a little too much like home.

Jaina followed shortly after her mother, appearing by her side and following her pace step for step. “Are you going to talk to the Senate about this? Or we going to wait?”

“Wait until we have some concrete evidence,” Leia stated. “Luckily we don’t serve the New Republic as the old Order did, so we have a lot more breathing room to work with. But with our low numbers, that might prove equally as difficult.”

“We can go to the heart of the problem and find out for ourselves,” suggested Jaina. “Just like when you saved Dad from Jabba the Hutt.”

“Your mother’s still telling that story? I figured a Jedi wasn’t supposed to be prideful or something,” Han Solo stated, announcing his presence to his family.

“Dad!” Jaina exclaimed, hugging her father tightly. “How was work?”

“Pushing papers, so you know, dying slowly. Not really the kind of work a scruffy-looking nerf herder is used to,” Han quipped, smirking towards his beautiful wife. “I heard something about Jabba, so…”

“Rumors have been circling that the Hutt Cartel and the Black Sun are joining in a alliance,” Leia said.

Han sighed and rubbed the lines on his forehead. “Kinda of surprising actually, since the Hutts don’t usually create alliances.”

“And since they might be planning to join the Black Sun, that’s two criminal empires working hand in hand. Lot of ships, lot of money, and lot of soldiers,” Leia continued.

“Not to mention the old Republic didn’t want to deal with them during the Clone Wars, and supposing what you say is true, that’s not good. At all,” Han agreed. “Since the New Republic is still recovering from the debt of the two Death Stars, they won’t be able to pull up any resistance. Not in time at least.”

“That’s why me and Mom are heading over to Nar Shaddaa and see if it’s true, right?” asked Jaina.

Leia nodded. “Go prep the ship, I’ll join you in a minute.” Jaina ran off to the docking bay, her boots tapping loudly before dying softly as she disappeared. “I’m sorry about running off.”

“Ah, I know you’ll come back to me. You always did,” chuckled Han.

“Says the man captured by a fat slug,” teased Leia.

Han stifled a groan. “You’re not too forget are you?”

“No,” Leia grinned cheekily. “But that wasn’t as bad as what happened on Kashyyk.”

Leia laughed loudly and briskly ran down the hall as Han growled at the cruel memory. “I gonna kill that furball when I see him again.”

A/N: So this is a more novel approach to my writing style (I guess) and I wanted to rewrite Episode VII: Force Awakens and write something more original… Cause let’s face, it really is a copy/paste of A New Hope. And that’s my only real problem with it (and no explanation for Rey…), there’s no originality in it. So what I decided to do is take components of the EU (the good parts) and make it canon under the Disney banner (…) and how it would fare on the big screen.

Plus I took some inspiration from the one of the original endings of Return of the Jedi- where Luke kills Vader and takes his place alongside Palpatine- and use it here, at least in spirit anyway.

In this case, I have taken the good elements of the Thrawn Trilogy, Dark Empire (perhaps the biggest inspiration for this story), and the Fel Empire (the second biggest influence) and put them in this story. It makes sense to me since Luke would continue to progress in his power and knowledge and become more gray, and given Rebels Season 3’s theme of the Force being more than Light or Dark, I could see Luke being a canon version of Revan.

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cbishop

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Is Story Time a Star Wars group thing you and @bigsambino87 started? Just a collaboration between the two of you? Same person? Just trying to figure out if the stories are related or not.

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bigsambino87

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@cbishop: I started doing the story time thing as a way to make some of the fights on the battles forum come to life. Completely unrelated.

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SaiyatonianSage

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@cbishop: No problem, but what do you think of the story so far?

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@saiyatoniansage: Haven't read it. I just needed clarification for the Fic-O-Pedia. I like Star Wars, but I have a hard time reading fics, because I don't remember a lot about the movies, and know nothing about all the other stories in books, games, etc. So while I'm reading a fic, half of my brain is reading, and the other half is overriding with a flatline tone from not knownig what's referenced and what's made up. That's why the couple Star Wars fics I've written have no regard for SW continuity, and tend to lean almost towards comedy in spots.