The Dark Side of Luke Skywalker

Chapter 6~ Report to Coruscant

   Nero lay on the ground. He opened his eyes. All around him, lay dead bodies. Both rebels and his own troopers. The battle seemed to be over. He must've passed out. His stormtroopers were walking around, patrolling the area. His knee seared with pain. He remembered he had been shot there.

   "Sir, are you alright?" Asked a Stormtrooper who was standing above him.

   "Yes, I'm... fine." He replied. He felt embarrassed. He was in charge now, in charge of his troopers yet here he lay, having to be helped to stand up by his inferiors.

"And, sir, we found this. I think you might be needing it." The Stormtrooper held out Nero's double sided lightsaber. He grabbed it quickly

"Yes. Thank- uh... right. Very well." He put the saber back on his armored black belt, where it belonged. Not in the hands of a simple Stormtrooper.

He shuddered at the thought of what his father would say. He had failed his mission to kill Leia; he was so close, too. He had her cornered. She was on the ground, completely defenseless. He didn't know what had stopped him. Then that Wookiee had shot him. He didn't see which Wookiee it was, but it's blast had hit him hard enough to knock him unconscious for several minutes.

   Nero's wound felt very serious. It burned and seared, leaving him in agony. Wookie weapons were very effective. They often carried bowcasters, large crossbows that desolated their targets. Yet somehow this shot hadn't. It hurt a lot, for sure, but he didn't believe it would cause any lasting injury.

   Nero turned to the Stormtrooper. "You. Where's the ship?"

   "Just a few yards north, my lord." Responded the trooper. The trooper pointed north.

   Nero turned back around and headed the direction the trooper had pointed. He walked up the plant-covered path, kicking away dead and burnt plants. He was limping; his knee was causing him the greatest pain.

   Emperor Vader would be mad. That was for sure. Nero dreaded his father's wrath. But he must not think of that now. He had an army to take care of.

   He walked up to the large Super Star Destroyer that had landed on the planet. Star Destroyers normally stayed in space, especially Super Star Destroyers, but this was a surprise attack. There were a group of important looking Stormtroopers gathered around the foot of the ship.

   Nero spoke: "Which one of you is in charge, here?"

   An important looking trooper stepped forward.

   "Me, sir. I'm Commander Cody. I'm well up for the job, sir. I served in The Clone Wars." Said Cody.

   "The Clone Wars?" Asked Nero. "I was under the impression that clones from the clone wars underwent growth acceleration. Aren't you a bit old to be in service?

   "Well... I do age much faster than a normal trooper, but I am still highly experienced and... definitely up for the job." Replied Cody.

   "Very well. Which Jedi did you serve? Did you serve my father?" Probed Nero.

   "Your father, sir? Your father was a Jedi?" Asked Cody in surprise.

   Nero remembered that no one was supposed to know that Vader was his father, or know his true identity as a Skywalker.

   "N-no... of course not. Which Jedi did you serve?"

   "General Kenobi, sir. Sometimes General Skywalker, as well." Said Cody.

   "Skywalker? Anakin Skywalker?" Asked Nero.

   "Yes, sir. Commander Rex was his main clone captain, though."