The Force Unleashed (RWBY Star Wars AU)

Chapter XVII

After rescuing Lux Bonteri, Blake leads him and Ilia back to where the White Fang and the Stinger Mantis were stationed at. Waiting outside was both respective crews as well as Senator Riyo Chuchi. Upon seeing Senator Chuchi, Lux smirks.

Lux: It's good to see you Senator Chuchi. Sorry I couldn't help you out of your situation.

Chuchi: It's quite all right, Senator Bonteri. It seems you had your own problems to deal with.

Lux: I take it that it was you who was behind my rescue. Does this mean you're ready to fight?

Chuchi: I was always ready to fight, Senator Bonteri. I was ready ever since the Empire took power away from the people. I had hoped we could've resolved this diplomatically.

Lux: In my experience, diplomacy can only get you so far. And with a system of government built on fear, diplomacy hardly works.

As Lux and Chuchi spoke, Ilia saw not only the Senators, but everyone else. She did her best to not be noticed, but she was then approached by Cere.

Cere: Who is this, Blake?

Blake: Ilia. Cin Drallig's Padawan. She lost her master to the Empire and had fallen to the Dark Side. I managed to bring her back.

As Blake said this, Cere turned to Ilia. She could feel the pain and lingering darkness from within her.

Cere: I knew your master well, Ilia. He was a true Jedi and knight of the Republic.

Ilia was saddened upon the mention of her master. Her master's death as well as her fall to the Dark Side had left a profound impact on Ilia.

Cere: I know how you feel, young one. The call of the Dark Side is tempting. You will recover.

Blake: I will help the girl in her training.

Cere: Are you sure? Training another Jedi is a heavy responsibility.

As Cere said this, Blake glanced over to Ilia. In her mind, Ilia was in the position she was in because of Blake's actions. If Blake hadn't killed her master, Ilia would probably not have fallen to the Dark Side.

Blake: I'm sure. I owe her.

As Blake says this, she was approached by Lux and Chuchi.

Lux: You are among the first to really fight the Empire. We're not prepared to go to war yet. We need weapons, starships, and people with the courage to use them. I don't know how many of them are willing to stand with us...

Blake: But you surely know some who will.

Chuchi: Before the rise of the Empire, Senator Padme Amidala had gathered a delegation of 2000 Senators in the Galactic Republic to help restore the Republic through diplomatic means. Unfortunately, many of the Senators were executed on the Emperor's orders.

Lux: Despite this, most of the Senators in that delegation have continued to speak out against the Empire. They will be hard to convince....

Cal: We just need to show them that the Empire is vulnerable. People across the Galaxy think the Empire is unstoppable. If we can show them that the Empire can be beat, then recruiting people to our cause won't be a problem.

As Cal said this, Blake thought about how to best do that. Since she was serving under the orders of Darth Vader, she knew that Vader could lead her to the perfect target to further gain the trust of her allies.

Blake: Let me meditate on that. I'm sure I can find the target. In the meantime, Senators, gather your friends. We're going to need all the help we can get.

Lux: We'll certainly try.

With that, Lux and Chuchi boarded the Stinger Mantis. As everyone of the Mantis crew boarded, Merrin took one last look a Blake. Blake could sense her distrust. Blake then turned to Ilia.

Blake: I know you're still recovering from what happened, but I will help guide you on your path.

Ilia: Do you really think I could be redeemed with everything I've done?

Blake: No one is beyond redemption. I know exactly how you feel, Ilia. I know how it feels to be taken by the Dark Side.

As Blake says this, she thought about everything that has happened to her. From her brutal training under Vader to Vader's betrayal, Blake had always followed the Dark Side. In her mind, the Dark Side was all she had. But during the course of her secret mission from Darth Vader, Blake had developed a strong bond with her allies. This mission had her deeply conflicted with her loyalties.

Blake: We'll start your training soon, Ilia. In the meantime, go rest up. Yang will show you to your room.

With that, Ilia followed Yang inside the White Fang. As Yang led Ilia to her room, Blake turned to Adam.

Adam: It appears our mission is going according to plan.

Blake: So it seems. Contact Lord Vader. I will need to meet with him about acquiring a target.

Adam: There are a bountiful of Imperial targets we could use to gain the trust of these Rebels. I'm sure Lord Vader will grant us the perfect target. I will make the necessary preparations.

With that, Blake and Adam boarded the White Fang. Adam would begin preparations for the meeting between Blake and Darth Vader. But at this mission went on, Blake found the conflict within her continue to grow. Blake would soon need to decide where her true loyalties lie whether they would remain to Darth Vader or would go to her allies in the Rebels.