Earthlings 3: RISE

7 (Part III)

A/N: ThyNoble  and MatteoSN7 's OCs mentioned

Alison ignited her lightsaber, the pink plasma blade springing forth as she assumed a defensive position, her eyes darting from one guard to another. Seeing them close in, she proceeded to Force push them back before leading them towards a more open area.

"Get her!" One of them shouted as they gave chase. Alison stopped at a crossroads before assuming a Form 3 ready position.

"COME AT ME, I DARE YOU!" She shouted, her eyes narrowed. 3 seconds later, the guards did exactly that. Alison's movements were swift, yet rusty from being trapped in a stasis chamber for more than 100 years. She ducked, parried, and Force pushed a few Red Guards into the ceiling, yet her endurance was dropping...

The remaining forces brandished their weapons, which suddenly glowed yellow before Alison found herself being levitated in the air, unable to move an inch as stormtroopers moved in with their blasters, flanking a hooded figure whom she assumed to be the Sith Lord, along with a Chagrian politician.

"Well, well, well..." The hooded figure spoke with an eerie voice, almost like a ghost or something. "Who do we have here? Alison Stuart... so lovely to have you out of your crypt."

"So you know who I am." Alison gave him a wry look. "A surprise to be sure. And who are you...?"

"I go by many names," Replied the hooded figure. "But you may simply call me Emperor."

So this is the Sith Lord who had taken over the galaxy, Alison realized, her eyes widening before she glared at him.

"It's quite amusing, really. You really thought you could distract me from finding your friend? Rest assured, I have not forgotten about Eli Henderson." With a flick of the Emperor's hand, the Red Guards released Alison, leaving her to fall to the floor with a grunt. He then proceeded to motion to them to go after Eli before turning to the Chagrian. "Grand Vizier, I leave her in your capable hands. Do not release her until she divulges all of the secrets of the High Republic... including the location of the Milky Way Galaxy."

"You won't get anything out of me!" Alison shot back indignantly as the stormtroopers grabbed her before dragging her towards the detention level. As the Sith Lord disappeared from view, she could only pray that Eli would be all right...

--

"So who were Alexander Blackwell and Romuel Shepard anyway?" Eli couldn't help but wonder as he and Huyang continued down the dark pathways that were the vents of the Imperial Palace.

"Well, for starters, they were both Jedi hailing from Earth, much like yourself and Stuart," Huyang said matter of factly. "Blackwell's father was allegedly a member of the British Parliament, hence his affinity for diplomacy. His mother was a historian, thus his love for the past."

"And Romuel-?"

"A Canadian. He and his sister, Mercedes Shepard were part of a long lineage of heroes and wayfinders, thus he held himself to a high standard. I remember during the Gathering, he strived to build a lightsaber far greater and more unique than the other Initiates."

"Interesting," Eli mused. "I wonder which one of them had Matteo as their grandson or whatever."

"I... believe it was Romuel," Huyang replied in thought. "Both he and Mercedes did form romantic attachments at some point in their lives, and I gather that Matteo Shepard came from the former based on the striking resemblance I've seen."