The Shadows of the Past Trilogy
Episode 9: Nemesis of the Force Part 14
The First Order fleet comes out of hyperspace above the planet Uratsixo. On the Valiant, Hux stares down at the dark world with a hungry look on his face. “That’s it! Scan for life forms.”
“Already done, Sir,” says the comscan officer. “I’m picking up on life forms; lots of them, centering around a structure near an open, rocky plain. It appears to be the ruins of some sort of religious temple. ETA would be approximately thirty minutes until we are orbiting above it.”
“Move the fleet into position,” says Hux.
“Shall I alert ground assault?” asks Traisl over a live com channel aboard the Finalizer.
“No!” snaps Hux, a bit too vehemently. Realizing this, he recovers his composure. “No ground assault. I don’t want to give our prey the ability to escape the planet. Launch all TIEs. I want a net formed around the planet, especially near where this structure is located. Shoot down anything that tries to leave the system. And get the Incinerator ready for launch. THAT will be our ultimate weapon against…” He cuts himself short of saying Snoke’s name. “…against all who oppose the First Order.”
A brief few scenes then depict the First Order ships moving towards the planet. Personnel are seen running around. TIEs are being boarded, and they begin launching from all the ships in the fleet. Other attack vessels are seen as well moving into position to form a net around the planet as the fleet closes in.
Aboard the Valiant, Hux stands on the bridge, overlooking Uratsixo. “Sir,” Traisl says, his holographic image standing near him. “Five minutes until we are in position.”
Hux nods. “This has been the longest thirty minutes,” he comments to Traisl.
“Indeed,” says Traisl. “Don’t worry, Supreme Leader.” Then his voice becomes more hushed and conspiratorial. “Snoke cannot escape from this. We will level the entire planet if we must. YOU are our Supreme Leader now. The First Order has had quite enough of these sorcerers and charlatans. They led to the downfall of the Empire and they will lead to ours if we don’t put an end to them.”
Hux nods again. “Indeed. Thank you, Traisl. I’ve always known I could rely on you.” Traisl smiles and nods in reply.
“Thank you, Sir,” he says.
But then, the Republic attack fleet drops out of hyperspace in front of them, hovering right above the temple. Unlike the First Order, the New Republic fleet was not arriving cautiously but boldly and swiftly to make a surprise attack on Uratsixo. Alarm sirens blare aboard the Valiant. An officer replies, “Sir! A small attack fleet has just dropped out of hyperspace.”
Hux, alarmed, immediately recognizes who they are. His surprise turns into that of a hungry animal. “The Resistance!" He refuses to acknowledge them as a valid government. "All flight groups attack at once. Move to prevent any ships from landing on the planet’s surface. All Destroyers! Move to block their escape at once. Traisl! Prepare the Finalizer to launch the Incinerator. Continue to move us into position above that structure.”
Traisl's holographic image meets his gaze with a confident look. “Two birds, Sir. We are the First Order! We will crush them all.”
Hux nods as he stares out the viewport at the battle with a newfound excitement.
The battle begins at a fast and furious pace. TIEs swarm the New Republic ships, but the Republic Starfighters were already launched and had jumped through space on their own, ready to engage. In his X-wing, Poe shouts his orders. “Evasive action! All units clear a path for the Falcon and the other drop ships to get planet-side.”
Explosive laser fire pelts the Restoration bridge’s shields, lighting up Hera's face. “I knew it,” she mutters, staring out the viewport at the distant First Order Fleet. "I just knew the First Order would be here."
“Sir,” says one of the officers. “I’m counting twenty-four Star Destroyers and another Dreadnaught class. It's the Valiant. They’re just beyond range.”
Hera looks at him grimly. “We don’t have the firepower to withstand that. Order all ships to keep the Destroyers out of range only until the Falcon and support personnel have reached the planet. After that, pull back. Let them have the space above the temple.” She then looks out the viewport again, her face strained. “Blast it! I just hope they don’t do some sort of orbital bombardment.” Then she turns to the com officer. “Get Commander Rey on the line.”
The officer acknowledges. “Online.”
“Rey, that looks like the full First Order main fleet out there. You sure we shouldn't just abort?”
In the Falcon’s cockpit, Rey drops into her chair next to Chewie. “No," she replies. "I'm not sure of anything, Admiral. But when I trust the Force, it's telling me to keep going. I FEEL as though this is our one shot. If we fail here, we lose our true enemy possibly for good.” She then throws a few more switches and the Falcon launches out into space. Right behind it, a host of ten dropships follows. “Rose, how’re the repairs going?”
In the back of the Falcon, Rose comments, “Just fly better than you normally do and we’ll be fine.” Her comments are meant to be humorous, and the typical hint of sharpness is gone.
Rey smiles in spite of her stress. "I'll try my best." Then she spins the Falcon as TIEs zoom by, lighting up everything. In one gun turret, Finn fires at just about everything around him, and in the other is Jacen, doing the same.
The Falcon streaks towards the planet’s surface, TIEs trying desperately to stop it and the other dropships. Several of them hit the back of the Falcon, and a few of the Republic dropships ignite in massive explosions. In the cockpit, Rey is frantic as alarms are sounding. “Poe! Where are your fighters! They’re all over us!”
In his X-wing, Poe is staring at an image of all of his units. “My guys are doing the best they can out here, Rey. The TIEs are working hard to prevent anyone from landing on the surface. There’re just too many of them.”
“We need to abort,” says Hera. “We lost this battle even before it began. I'm sorry.”
Poe seems to ponder this a moment. Then, he replies. “Yeah…I agree. Rey, we have to pull back. I…”
“Sir! Another fleet of ships has just dropped out of hyperspace - right behind us!”
Hera spins back to the holo-projector she's been viewing. She sees the Zyn Empire’s fleet, all twenty-five capital ships, appear behind her own fleet of four battlecruisers. Her eyes widen, and immediately she touches a portion of the holographic image; the furthest point from both fleets. Where she touches lights up. “All ships! Move to this point! Capital ships try to lay some cover fire for the fighters, the Falcon and those dropships. Get away from both attack fleets. Now!”
On Saydra’s flagship, the Vengeance, an officer approaches. “M’Lady. The New Republic ships are within range. Shall we fire?”
“No,” says Saydra. “Alert all commands. The First Order is our enemy here. We will only destroy the New Republic ships if they get in our way or they attack us.”
Aboard the Revenant, another of the Zyn flagships, Darth Setdavel scowls at the officer’s image as he says, “…attack only First Order vessels. Repeat…Unless fired upon, all ships attack only First Order vessels.”
Setdavel switches off that communication and turns on another, pulling up images of the entire Sith Council. He puts on the air of worry and fret. “Oh, My Dear Friends, I think the New Republic has just fired upon me, wouldn’t you all agree that that gives us grounds to attack them?” The devilish look returns as they all laugh.
Suddenly, many of the Zyn ships begin launching towards the Republic ships, a cluster headed straight for the Falcon and the dropships. Aboard the Vengeance, Saydra watches, and her eye narrows to a slit. “Captain,” she says with ice in her every word. “Execute Order 66.”
Aboard the Revenant, Zyn clone troopers suddenly swarm into the bridge and drop into attack positions, firing upon Setdavel. He senses the attack just before it begins and draws his lightsaber. However, each of the staff of the bridge pulls out their weapons as well, firing at him. Setdavel is gunned down from all sides; too many attacks to block them all. Aboard other Zyn ships, the same thing occurs, cutting down the Sith Council in moments. Far away, on remote worlds, other Sith who have not joined the main fleet, are also killed by clone troopers and labor personnel. They put up a fight, but sheer numbers win. It is a scene very similar to that in Revenge of the Jedi when the first Order 66 was executed against the Jedi.
Aboard the Vengeance, the report comes to Saydra. “Order 66 executed, M’Lady. All Sith Lords are dead. All of our forces have withdrawn from attacking the New Republic and are engaging the First Order TIEs.”
“Notify surviving Sith Acolytes," says Saydra. "The Council has been executed for treason. If any others wish to share in their betrayal, they will also die. Comply with my orders and they will live and be given the opportunity to rise to positions within the new Sith Council. Attack the First Order and destroy all TIEs at once to clear a way to the surface of the planet for our ground forces and the Republic ground forces.”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
Aboard the Finalizer, Traisl reports to Hux, “The Zyn main fleet has arrived and are attacking our fighters. Their main fleet is moving to intercept us. It is clear they intend to assist the Resistance.”
Hux stares out the viewport of the Valiant, fury bubbling beneath the surface of his hard expression. “The Zyn will NOT rob us of our victory here. Send out a transmission to the Zyn fleet. Warn them to stand down now or we will show them no mercy.”
Traisl nods and swallows hard. “Yes sir.” He then turns to his com officer and gives a command via a gesture.
Aboard the Vengeance, the com officer from the Finalizer finishes delivering the order. “Stand down or we will consider you to be allied with the treasonous Resistance and will show you no mercy.”
Saydra merely looks at the com officer with an icy expression. She raises her left hand, clenches it into a fist and then jerks it in a twisting motion clockwise. As she does, the First Order com officer’s neck jerks sideways, snapping it and killing him instantly. He slumps out of view.
Aboard the Finalizer, Traisl stares down at his com officer, mortified. “End transmission!” Another officer rushes to the terminal and switches it off. Traisl turns back to communicate with Hux.
"What happened?" asks Hux, concerned.
"Our com officer just died - a snapped neck," reports Traisl.
On the Valiant: "Force-users," growls Hux. "Enough. Order the fleet to attack. We will show all who oppose the First Order exactly what we are made of.” Then he turns to one of his own officers. “And make sure a live broadcast of this assault is transmitted all over the galaxy. I want the universe to witness not only the destruction of the Resistance’s pathetic little fleet but also the grand execution of the Zyn Empire.”
In space, the Falcon is smoking and lightning is spraying out of gouged holes in the hull. Inside, Rose and the droids are frantically trying to put out fires. “We’ve lost access to the entire rear of the ship. Hull breach in sections four, six and nine. AND…" Another explosion occurs. "...I can’t get that stabilizer locked down.”
“I know!” Rey cries back. “At this point, we have no choice. We can’t get back to the Restoration.” She looks over at Chewie, concern in her eyes. Chewie has the same look in his. The Porg, Kuranraha, issues a mournful cry.
Then a Dart fighter swarm smashes into the TIEs around the Falcon, kamikaze-ing them. In an instant, the entire way to the planet is clear except for pelting debris. Rey and Chewie stare out the viewport in disbelief.
“Are you seeing this?” Finn’s voice blurts over the com.
“Yes!” says Rey, suddenly ecstatic. “I…What just happened?”
From behind her, having made her way into the cockpit without notice, Amelia replies, a very serious look on her face. “The Zyn Empire. My mother is here.”
Rey glances over her shoulder at her. “But why are they helping US?”
Amelia meets her look, locking eyes with her. "In spite of everything, I am the only thing she cares about in this universe. This is one of the main reasons I had to come."
“Gold Leader! Blue Leader!” Poe shouts into his com. “Move in now to defend the Falcon. The way is clear!”
Commander Ki-isha spins her B-wing around and aims right for the Falcon’s smoke trail. “Blue Squadron, cover fire!” Then she launches a series of strikes, blowing TIEs apart that even dare to move into attack position near the Falcon. Darts continue to weave around, but Ki-isha avoids them effortlessly. “Hey Boss? Any reason why we’re getting the help of the Zyn?”
Poe shakes his head. “No idea,” he replies. “But I’m not complaining. All units but Gold and Blue Squadron form up on me and continue to protect the rest of our fleet. Keep an eye on those Zyn. I’m not taking any chances.”
“Roger!” Ki-isha replies. “Don’t worry, Boss. The Falcon will reach the surface.”
“Roger!” replies Chegon, or Gold Leader, from the cockpit of his A-wing. He is a Gotal male wearing a customized helmet that allows for his horns. A series of other captains issue their affirmations as well.
The scene shifts to the First Order and the Zyn Empire fleets as they come into range of one another. “Attack!” Hux cries. “All units attack! Power up the Valiant's autocannons. Fire on that capital ship.” Immediately, the main guns of the First Order Dreadnaught begins to fire up.
Aboard the Vengeance, Saydra regards the First Order attack fleet with little concern. “Aim for the Dreadnaught,” she commands. “Hit it with the main cannon. Fire when ready.”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
Suddenly, the main cannon of the Vengeance begins to power up, as it does, the entire top portion of the Vengeance splits open to reveal another large cannon. A few moments later, this new cannon fires several ionized shots at the Valiant. The ion cannon shots spray across the Valiant's hull in various locations, pummeling it until the entire ship loses power. Its cannons go dead, and its shields vanish.
As the capital ship begins to be pulled into the planet’s atmosphere, the Vengeance fires its main cannon right into the Valiant's center. The resulting explosion tears a massive hole into the ship’s heart which immediately compromises the ship’s structural integrity. It begins to crumble into pieces, sending massive fragments in all directions.
On the bridge, Hux stares out the viewport in disbelief as he scrambles to maintain his hold on a nearby railing. The vessel lurches. All he can see is his flagship grumbling into pieces as it splits in half down the center. In a panic, he cries, “Tell me that did NOT just happen!”
An officer nearby, equally paralyzed with horror, only shakes his head. “Sir…the…the Valiant is…a total loss.”
There is no gravity, and Hux is floating. Then sudden realization dawns on him. He shoves himself towards the exit. "All personnel, evacuate! EVACUATE!"
"To where?" cries an officer, struggling to follow him. Everyone else on the bridge is following as well. Hux seems to be their only hope. "There is no power on the ship at all. No other ships aboard will have power either."
Hux rips a comlink off his belt. "Traisl! Send transport vessels to the Valiant immediately! We have no power. The ship is falling apart. GET US OUT OF HERE!"
Traisl receives the transmission. His nostrils flare. “All ships concentrate firepower on that flagship! No matter what happens, I want that ship destroyed!” He then unclips his comlink from his belt. "Supreme Leader, we are sending transports now." As he says this, he gestures to another officer to begin issuing the orders.
All Destroyers turn towards the Vengeance and begin spraying turbolaser fire at it. As they do, Zyn capital ships move to act as a shield for it, quickly blocking out the First Order’s view of their leader.
Aboard the Vengeance, Saydra regards the battle with no further interest. “Notify all command ships. Continue to engage the First Order and do as much damage as you can. Utilize our hit-and-shield tactic. That will be our best chance for success and survival.” Then she turns to leave.
“M’Lady! Where are you going?” asks the captain.
“To join our ground assault. See to it that everyone believes I am still on this bridge, though, Captain. No one is to know I have left. You are in command of the fleet in my place.”
“Yes, M’Lady,” he replies, giving her a crisp bow. She then exits the bridge, and the captain takes her place.
Meanwhile, the Falcon rockets through the atmosphere of Uratsixo. It shakes violently as the fierce storms that are hovering over the temple threaten to both ionize the systems and blow it out of the sky. At last, the Falcon breaks through the clouds and streaks like a fireball towards the ground. Rey and Chewie fight the controls to try to bring it in safely, but it is obvious that the damage the ship has sustained is too much for it. The Falcon crash lands, skidding across the broken, rocky, flat terrain, coming to a halt only after smashing into a very large boulder. The entire front end of the ship is smashed in. A few moments later, several of the Republic dropships appear out of the clouds, some crashing in fiery explosions. Only three of them actually land near the Falcon. As they do, their cargo holds open to allow the tanks and walkers and group troops to rush forward.
As Rey recovers, she begins flipping off alarms and checking status. “Everyone okay?” she asks over the com.
“Does “feeling like I just got chewed up and spit out by a krayt dragon” count as being okay?” Rose’s voice cuts over the com.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” says Rey, unstrapping herself and moving for the exit. Amelia, strapped into the seat behind her, immediately starts to get up as well. Rey stops her. "Do you need a weapon?”
Amelia pulls open her jacket to reveal two lightsaber hilts. She takes one in each hand. Then Rey nods and leads the way out of the ship as she says, “Rose. You, Chewie and the droids stay here and try to get the Falcon up and running again. I’m not sure we can take off in this state.”
“We can't,” says Rose. “Believe me. I know better than you do.”
Finn, dropping out of his turret, rushes up to where Rose is working. “We’ll take care of this,” he tells her with a regal air. Rose looks at him, not sure where he is going with this. Then Finn says with mocking pride. “It’s a Force thing. You know, you non-Force-using simpletons need to stay here and let us Jedi handle things.” He then returns to grinning at her.
Rose can’t help but laugh at him. “Get out of here! Dummy…” He then leaves, his smile still on his face. Rose shakes her head, smiling and chuckling a bit to herself. She pauses for only a moment, and then gets to her feet and starts off after him.
Rey makes her way to the airlock of the ship as the others meet her there. “The ramp’s no good. We’ll have to go out this way.” She then leads the way up and out onto the top of the Falcon.
As Finn is about to go, last of all, Rose stops him. Without warning, she plants a big kiss on him. Finn, taken aback, just stares at her. “What…was that for?”
Rose smiles at him sadly but also worriedly. “Hey, Dummy. Don’t you remember Crait? Nothing’s changed…for me anyway.” She then steps back. “Come back safe, okay? No matter what, you have to come back.”
“I prom...” says Finn, but Rose puts her hand over his lips.
“No,” she replies. “My sister, Paige, made a promise like that to me. Don’t promise me. Just do it.” She then hugs him in a way that it seems she will never let go. Finn, not sure what else to do, hugs her back, placing his chin on top of her head and welcoming the embrace for a moment.
“Don’t worry, Rose,” he says softly.
Then she pushes him away as quickly as she had first hugged him. “Who’s worried?” she says with a grin, wiping tears away with the backs of her hands. “Now get out of here! They’re waiting for you. What’s your problem? We don’t have time for this.”
Finn fumbles for the ladder and starts making his way up. He pauses just at the last second, looking back down at her. “Hey Rose, I…”
Rose smiles at him and shakes her head. “No. Just don’t.” Then she waves him away. “Go on! Get!” Then Finn vanishes out of the Falcon, rifle slung over his shoulder.
It is pouring down rain outside as Finn comes out onto the roof of it. As he stares around him, lightning flashes wildly. Rey and Jacen both stare off into the distance as if frozen in place. Finn comes up next to Rey. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Rey then looks over at him, her expression haunted. “I know this place,” she says. “Back in Maz Kanata’s castle, when I touched Skywalker’s lightsaber, I had a vision. THIS was where I first saw Kylo Ren and the Knights of Ren.” Standing next to her on her right, Jacen turns to look past Rey and right towards Finn. He has a grave look on his face.
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