POV Rio
Right before I entered the Trial, I was told about some meteors that were going to impact Earth. None of them were going to be a danger to the Imperium, so I just told them to capture what meteors they could and let the rest impact. At most, the Enclave might requisition them. Once that was settled, I entered the trial, and when I left, so did most of our armed forces. I appeared on a planet that I could immediately tell was quite strong in the force.
'There is something very dark on this planet. But I also sense a large group of people nearby. The System said I would be given a prebuilt background that allowed me to assist the Rebels.'
I walk to where I sense the group of people and see some rebels. I waved at them, and they checked my ID before taking me to the leaders of the base.
Dodonna: "General Rio, it is good you could make it in time. I was just told that the Death Star plans are on their way. They should arrive within the hour."
Rio: "I would suggest having the ship not come to Yavin 4 directly. The ship was let go on purpose. The Empire is tracking that vessel to find this base and crush the rebellion in one fell swoop."
Dodonna: "Ar-are you certain?"
Rio: "Yes, but we can use this. We will have the plans for the Death Star. The Empire, with its pride, will not wait for reinforcements. They will bring the Death Star to us. That battle station is not designed to fight small craft. They haven't equipped it with maximum starfighter numbers and instead only have a few hundred ships."
Dodonna: "You suggest we strike the Empire while they are not expecting an attack?"
Rio: "Exactly. I can assist with keeping your starfighters safe from enemy fighters. So, if we make the Empire believe that the rebel base is in this system but on another moon, we could earn some time in case we fail. But just in case, we should evacuate as much of the base as possible since even if we destroy the Death Star, the Empire will notice quickly and will send a fleet here to clean up the survivors."
Dodonna: "Very well, I will send the order to evacuate the base except for necessary personnel. We should manage to evacuate with enough time to spare. But where should they go?"
Rio: "Hoth. You can also make a base on this planet."
I gave him the coordinates for a planet that Dooku planned to build a CIS facility on, but I was ambushed before I could. I already checked with the Palantir and knew it was never used.
Rio: "This planet is not on any Imperial registries. I would suggest building a base on both, but it is up to you. The Coordinates I gave you include only two paths into the system."
Dodonna: "Thank you. I will send them to Hoth for now, but we will move to the other planet once we are certain of the location."
After waiting for a bit, the Death Star entered the system, but unlike before, all ships were moved to Yavin 13. It was chosen both for the fact that it was furthest from Yavin 4 and because it was habitable. That and its placement meant that the Death Star would require around 30 minutes to clear the planet and get in range. The other biggest change was that I convinced them that the targeting computers couldn't hit the target.
'Well, at least I tried, but they are still not fully willing to give Luke the chance.'
I told them that only a Force Sensitve could hit the target. Which meant only Luke or I could hit it. But my Arwing didn't have Proton Torpedoes. But they wanted to attempt at least one attack using Gold Squadron. If they missed, then they would send Luke to try. My job was to sanitize the trench and keep fighters away from the bombers.
Red Leader: "All right, boys, the Death Star is here. Do the final checks and then take off in 2 minutes."
I get in my ship and make sure it is running properly, then I take off with the other ships. We make our approach.
(AN: Play Star Wars: A New Hope Soundtrack - 10. The Battle Of Yavin on YouTube for some battle music.)
Computer: "Standby Alert: Death Star Approaching. Estimated Time To Firinig Range. 29 Minutes."
Red Leader: "All wings report in."
Red 10: "Red 10, Standing by."
Red 7: "Red 7, Standing by."
Red 3: "Red 3, Standing by."
Red 6: "Red 6, Standing by."
Red 9: "Red 9, Standing by."
Red 2: "Red 2, Standing by."
Red 11: "Red 11, Standing by."
Luke: "Red 5, Standing by."
Rio: "Blue Leader, Standing by."
Gold Leader: "Gold Leader, Standing by."
Red Leader: "Lock S-Foils in attack position."
A few moments later.
Red Leader: "We're passing through the magnetic field. Hold tight. Switch your deflectors on, double front."
Red 2: "Look at the size of that thing."
Red Leader: "Cut the chatter, Red 2. Accelerate to attack speed. This is it, boys."
Gold Leader: "Red Leader, this is Gold Leader."
Red Leader: "I copy, Gold Leader."
Gold Leader: "We're starting for the target shaft now."
Red Leader: "We're in position. I'm going to cut across the axis and try and draw their fire."
Rio: "I will move to sanitize the target area before the enemy launches fighters."
Red Leader: "Copy Blue Leader, we will support you."
Red 2: "Heavy fire, boss! Twenty degrees."
Red Leader: "I see it. Stay low."
I move my Arwing and start ripping any turbolasers to pieces. My ship is not only far faster than they can target, but even if I am about to be hit, I can do a barrel roll and cause the shot to bounce off me.
Luke: "This is Red Five; I'm going in!"
I ignore him as I know he will be fine for now, and I focus on dealing with all the turbolasers in and on the trench.
Red 3: "Luke, pull up!"
I hear Biggs shout at Luke over the comm.
Red 3: "Are you all right?"
Luke: "I got a little cooked, but I'm okay."
As I heard Luke's response, I had just dealt with the 19th turbolaser. There were only 3 more in and on the trench, and then I could focus on the fighters that would be released soon.
Red Leader: "Watch yourself! There's a lot of fire coming from the right side of that deflection tower."
Luke: "I'm on it."
As they strike, I finish off the last turbolaser.
Rio: "This is Blue Leader. I have sanitized the trench of all resistance. You are clear for your attack run."
Gold Leader: "This is Gold Leader. I copy. We are making our run now."
Base 1: "Squad leaders, we've picked up a new group of signals. Enemy fighters coming your way."
Luke: "My scope's negative. I don't see anything."
Red Leader: "Keep up your visual scanning. With all this jamming, they'll be on top of you before your scope can pick them up."
I see the Tie Fighters approaching and send point out data to the other fighters.
Red Leader: "Red 3! You've picked one up on your tail."
Red 3: "I can't see it! He's on me tight, I can't shake him... I can't shake him."
Rio: "I'm on my way!"
I strike the Tie Fighter from the left before it can even respond. We were doing well so far as we hadn't lost a single ship. After I had wiped out most of the Tie Fighters, I felt the presence of someone I once met. Or at least I met a version of him.
'So Anakin has made his appearance.'
Rio: "All fighters, be aware I will be dealing with Darth Vader and will be unable to assist for the time being."
Red Leader: "Copy that, Blue Leader. Good luck, and may the Force be with you. All fighters focus on dealing with any reinforcing enemy fighters. "
I speed up my ship and destroy Anakin's 2 wingmen before they can even respond. Anakin dodges the attack, and we get locked in a fierce dogfight. I open a comm to Anakin only and talk to him.
Rio: "It seems I get to fight you in starfighter combat this time. I hope you are a better pilot compared to a duelist. But then again, Obi-Wan said you were the best pilot."
Anakin: "Who is this?"
Rio: "Why? Don't recognize me, Anakin? It is me, Rio Magus. Padme said you could be forgetful, but this is some serious dementia if you forgot me. Oh wait, I guess that was probably another you. My bad."
I could feel the intense amount of anger and hatred beaming from him. Which meant he was becoming irrational. Which was exactly what I needed. When his rage blinded him, I did a barrel roll and deflected the shot right back at his ship. He wasn't killed, but his ship was damaged. Then, I followed up with another attack that disabled his engines. Then I let him drift through space. I couldn't kill him because Padme wanted a chance to talk with him.
'Interesting that this is the Universe I summoned her from. But the least I can do for her is give her my support.'
Once I was certain that Anakin's ship was disabled for the time being, I moved back into the fight. While I was gone, Gold Leader made a shot, but like I said, it didn't go in. Now Luke was doing his attack run. It seems that Tarkin was getting worried once he saw Anakin get destroyed easily. He launched all the remaining fighters.
'Well, let's clean this up.'
A Few Hours Later...
We destroyed the Death Star and only lost 4 X-Wings and 1 Y-Wing. There was no immediate celebration as I showed that an Imperial Fleet would be arriving soon. They evacuated the remaining personnel and equipment, and I stayed behind. Once I was certain everyone was gone, I addressed the ghost in the room.
Rio: "You can come out, Exar Kun."
Exar Kun: "Hmm, I am surprised anyone remembers me. It has been so very long since I last felt another Force Wielder."
Rio: "Yes, well, you would be correct that most have forgotten your existence, and most think you died around 4000 years ago."
Exar Kun: "So it has been 4000 years? I have been away from the Galaxy for so long. So, what do you want from me? I presume you have called for me with a proposition."
Rio: "Indeed, I came here for you. But not what for what you are expecting."
I use a technique that was designed to deal with beings like him. I could sense and see the look of fear on his face when I used it.
Exar Kun: "What have you done?!"
Rio: "I can't let your spirit escape. You will be dying here. Once and for all."
I use Force Light.
Exar Kun: "AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! CURSE YOU!!!!"
He sends lightning at me, but it melts off me as if it was never there. He tries to crawl away from me, but I just walk over to him and place my hands on his head. Then I start ripping his mind apart. I use Drain Knowledge and Force Light to steal and weaken his memories. Once I get all I can get from him, I purge him from existence. But his soul doesn't get to leave. No, I had Azura's Star out and had it absorb his soul. It was a mindless soul but a soul of a powerful darksider. Then I looted his stashes and temple before finishing the first stage of the trial.
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Authors Note:
The first stage is done. Next is the Grand Strategy Conference. In case it wasn't clear, Padme was summoned from the universe in which this trial takes place. Until next time Ciao.