Post by Asenath Parnell on Jun 26, 2018 7:00:42 GMT -5
Dozens of TIE fighters blared in close vicinity of three Star Destroyers sailing through the black canvas of space. As the menacingly shaped vessels of war approached a lush green planet‘s orbit, there was no doubt left about their destination.
Endor.
Common knowledge immediately attributed vast forests and Ewoks to the world. That, and the infamous battle in which the unstoppable Imperial war machine supposedly fell victim to stick-wielding primitives. Hidden within the lucking shadows of centuries-old trees, remains of the epic battle rested in deathly stillness, overgrown with moss and fern. The world had been a source of much shame for the Empire – and now it wished to rub salt in the wound. Rebels had taken up residence on the world, hiding within its sprawling sea of leaves and bushes, ready to wage guerilla warfare against the only legitimate ruling body in the galaxy.
Asenath Parnell stood at the bridge of the leading Star Destroyer, the Justiciar. Holding her gloved hands clasped behind her back, keeping her posture straight, shaking ever so slightly, the High Inquisitor stared through the thick layer of transparisteel that separated her from the vacuum of space and also allowed unparalleled view of Endor. Others at the bridge worked diligently on tasks assigned to them and ignored the Inquisitor, although a stray pair of eyes stole a glance at her every once in a while. She hadn’t moved for hours, her mind’s eye gazing into the abyss beyond the viewport – be it their destination or the future yet to come.
The Justiciar’s captain occasionally issued a few orders, receiving court replies of confirmation. Aside from the sound of fingers tapping into consoles, the beeping of monitors and the thudding of boots to resonate over the bridge, there was a complete lack of any other sound. No idle chatter disturbed the pious silence, for everyone knew what was to come. Anxiety ran thick in the air, so thick its stench had spilled into the Force, allowing the woman draped in black to taste it. It wasn’t her haunting presence to cause the spike in unease, no – it was the task ahead, something men and women aboard Star Destroyers usually only hear about.
Silence.
The gargantuan warships reached a halt, orbiting the world below. Everybody held their breath, all gazes fixed upon the enigmatic fair-head, one last confirmation away from unleashing hell upon the moon.
The fair-haired woman’s eyes fluttered open, unveiling a sulphur yellow fires of the dark side blazing within.
“Fire.”
And by saying that word, the Inquisitor erased an entire chapter of history. Ewoks wouldn’t enjoy their ill-acquired reputation of Empire-beating primitives any longer.
Billions would celebrate this long-overdue retribution; a great victory over the rebellion. Others would ignore the event altogether, deeming Endor too insignificant to pay it any attention. Whatever the reaction, the world’s destruction was a statement to the galaxy – but unlike Alderaan, Endor could not feign innocence. Indisputable evidence declared it guilty of harbouring and training Jedi, supporting anti-Imperial sentiments, housing small armies of rebels ready to take up arms against the Empire and receiving rations, weapons and technology bearing the rebellion’s insignia.
A humiliating display of defiance right in the Galactic Empire’s back yard.
But compared to the thousands of other worlds in the Empire's care, this primitive ball of trees and rocks did not matter one bit. To ensure the galaxy did not perceive the Imperial rule weak, indecisive, brutal measures were to ensure every other voice of dissent fell in line. The stability of the Empire was at stake. To that end, Endor was expendable.
Asenath’s sickly yellow eyes gleamed behind the viewport as she eagerly awaited death and destruction to spill into the Force. A terrible, uncontrollable shaking seized her entire body and she bit her lip in anticipation, breathless in this unbearable wait. The Inquisitor’s lungs screamed for oxygen, and yet she couldn’t fulfil their request, mentally counting down seconds until it happened. Then – finally! Her hands behind her back clenched into fists.
A gleam of satisfaction dawned on Asenath’s face. The truth officer drew a deep, eager breath, filling her lungs with fresh air, and hungrily watched the cosmic shower of bright green light leave the dagger-shaped ships and slowly cascade down the world below. It was beautiful, surpassing anything she had ever witnessed.
And just as her wide open eyes memorized this moment, her mind tapped into the Force and felt it.
The forest moon of Endor lit up like a Life Day tree; its inhabitants suffered the same fate while their executioner observed the world-wide carbonization from far, far above.
In a matter of hours, Endor’s upper crust would be reduced to molten slag and there was nothing to stop it.
