A Destiny Rewritten

chapter x: the battle of yavin.

Darth Vader's Imperial troops are upon them, and the rebels have been defending themselves valiantly.

Neither the Empire or the Alliance currently has the upper-hand. While the rebels are outnumbered, they have the advantage of knowing the territory and being able to hide more effectively in the forest due to their camouflage uniforms. (Save for Padmé, the only one not dressed in camouflage; she didn't have time to change, so she remained in her white bodysuit.)

She is able to contact the command center with her earpiece--she has a commlink on a silver bracelet around her wrist, too, but this way, Leia can send her updates while she is on the move. So far, things seem to be going well enough for the rebel pilots, though the space battle has hit quite a few rough patches. But most importantly, despite suffering some heavy losses, Luke is still alive.

Padmé's long cape billows in a brisk gust of wind as she advances through the moon's dense jungle with a group of Alliance soldiers. It has been a while since they encountered any Imperial troops, but the ones they have met with were taken care of without losing any soldiers.

But after a few more minutes of walking, Padmé and her squadron reach a clearing. She draws her blaster from her belt as she hears a twig snap from somewhere in the shadows of the underbrush.

"Stay alert," she commands her soldiers, keeping her voice hushed. They all draw their weapons and move into a defensive position, looking in all directions for a possible threat.

A figure emerges from the forest on the other side of the clearing, and Padmé and her troop turn, their stances aggressive. But they lower their blasters when they see that it is only another group of rebels.

"We thought you were Imperials," Padmé says in relief. "It looks like it's just us, then."

"Not quite," a voice interjects. Padmé freezes, her body immersed in ice. As everything in her body turns cold, her heart sinks like a stone in her chest. She knows that voice, that familiar, distorted, harsh voice. A chill runs down her spine, but it is not out of fear for herself.

She sees his shadow before she sees him, elongated in its projection onto the dirt ground, but unmistakably Vader's. He appears not even a moment after from the left side of the jungle, followed by his own squadron--which Padmé immediately notices is double the size of her own, including the other group of rebels they had just run into.

When Vader's Stormtroopers do not open fire, the rebels hesitate, looking to Padmé for orders. But unlike the others, Padmé isn't confused; she knows exactly what's going on. She suspects he hasn't ordered his troops to fire because of her, because she could be injured, or even killed, in the crossfire.

"General Amidala," says a woman in Padmé's squadron--Sergeant Mallorus. "What are your orders?" Mallorus has her gun raised defensively, and she twitches with anxiety. Padmé can't exactly blame her; if she were her soldiers, completely oblivious to the truth, she would feel the same way.

"General, is it?" drawls Vader, especially extending the word 'general.' He takes a step forward, and in response, the rebels draw back, all except for Padmé. Though adrenaline is quickening her heartbeat, she is not afraid.

She knows that Vader is only trying to goad her. He draws out that word because to him, it must signify a betrayal. To be a rebel is one thing, but to be a general on the Alliance Council is a whole other level.

Padmé maintains her composure, an expression of steel, betraying nothing. If she shows even a hint of her true relation to Darth Vader, her soldiers would know that is something off.

"Yes," she answers Vader simply, careful to keep a neutral tone with him.

"Then, General Amidala, I will give you and your soldiers the option to surrender," he says. It was to be expected--Vader wants her, of course. It has to be what he came here for.