Art and Archaeology Chapter 10

THIS IS CHAPTER 10 of an ongoing story. The rest can be found at http://archiveofourown.org/works/13198722/chapters/30191943

The first thing Sabine felt as she woke was pain, not in her gut where she had been shot, but in her head.

She had fallen off the bridge into the darkness of the chamber, she remembered that much. She'd no doubt fallen unconscious. But now, as she slowly looked around, bright light filling her eyes, she realized she was somewhere else entirely.

"Well, you sure took a fall, didn't you?"

Sabine's eyes adjusted to the light. Kendo Kryze was standing over her. She reached forward and adjusted a bacta bandage that was strapped around Sabine's stomach, where Seela had shot her. As her brain fully regained consciousness, Sabine blurted the first thought that came to her mind.

"Where's Chelli?!"

Kendo stepped back. "Your friend wasn't there, I'm afraid. I had to wait until the Empire moved out. When we saw them coming, Bo-Katan scrambled the fighters, but they were gone by the time we arrived."

Sabine's heart was racing. "They found the Kybalah. They took her, and they're going to kill her after they find it." Her head was in splitting pain now, but she didn't care. "We have to find them. We have to track them or some--"

"Why track them when we have this?" Kendo reached behind the bed Sabine was laying on and pulled out a datapad. It was Aphra's, the one she had used to write down the coordinates to the Kybalah. "She must have thrown it in after you, so you'd know where to go."

"And where are we going, exactly?" Another voice came from the doorway. It was Bo-Katan, dressed in full Mandalorian armor, her helmet at her side.

"No." Sabine shook her head. "No, you're not coming. It's not safe. I have to go alone."

Kendo barked a laugh. "Really? It's not safe, so you're going to get yourself killed without help? That bump on your head must be worse than I thought."

"Mandalore's military is still too weak to take on the Empire directly," Bo-Katan admitted. "But we can provide support. We can get you to the Kybalah, provide backup, and get you and your friend -- and whatever that thing turns out to be -- out of there."

Sabine slowly got to her feet. The bacta bandage helped dull the pain from her gut wound, but it wasn't a perfect fix. Ideally, she'd need a few days of bedrest, but they couldn't afford that.

"Okay," she said. "Let's get going."

The Ark Angel dropped out of hyperspace at the coordinates from Aphra's datapad. At first, they saw nothing. Then, as the ship swung in a wide angle, it appeared before them.

Lurking in the pitch black of space was a grey space station, long and thin, made of some kind of metal Sabine couldn't recognize. It almost resembled a lightsaber hilt in its design. Floating next to the station was the Obliterator.

"Hyperdrive signs on that ship indicate it only just got here a few minutes ago," Bo-Katan said. The Mandalorian leader and six of her best warriors were crammed into the Ark Angel's cargo bay, ready to deploy once Sabine located the Kybalah. "Get in there, find the Kybalah, find Aphra, and then contact us. We'll extract you."

Sabine put on her helmet and nodded. Confidence and adrenaline surged through her. One thought consumed all others:

The entire Imperial fleet would not be able to stop her from rescuing Chelli.

I am coming for my girlfriend, you kriffing bucketheads.

The Ark Angel deftly flew below the Obliterator to a docking port on the side of the station. The entire structure was relatively small, dwarfed by the Star Destroyer next to it. It was too dangerous for the Ark Angel to remain docked, so Sabine floated out through the cargo bay, propelling herself through the weightlessness of space and onto the docking bay. She gave a salute to the ship, which pulled out to a safe distance. Then she entered through a door, one that looked surprisingly modern.

Inside was a long hallway, poorly illuminated. The lighting fixtures had mostly burned out centuries ago, Sabine guessed. Luckily, her helmet had built-in low-light vision capabilities, so she could see clearly. Heading down the hallway, she was surprised at the sleek, metallic design that was more similar to that of the Empire than any Jedi architecture she was familiar with. At the end of the hallway was another door with a turbolift. The controls, worn but still functional, showed only one direction: down.

The turbolift plunged into the depths of the station, and Sabine could hear her heart pounding in her ears. Every second she wasted was another second closer to Aphra's inevitable death.

The lift arrived at the only floor it was programmed for. Sabine silently thanked the ancient Jedi for building a space station that was so easy to navigate. As she exited the lift, she found herself in a large, open room, similar to the vault on Mandalore. A high, arched ceiling was overhead, with a long bridge extending to the center of the room over a void. Five stormtroopers, their white armor sticking out in stark contrast to the black floor and walls, were walking along the bridge in formation.

Fiddling with some controls on a console at the center of the bridge were Aphra and Seela.

"Would you just let me figure this out?" Aphra snapped.

Seela let out a loud sigh that echoed off the walls. "You're stalling for time, Chelli."

Sabine moved forward, hiding in the shadows of a large pillar. The bridge was still another ten meters away, and Chelli and Seela another ten meters beyond that, at the center of the walkway.

"This is ancient Jedi technology. Do I look like a Jedi to you?" Aphra was looking the console over. "These switches do nothing. It's like the station isn't powered."

Aphra looked around the room, and that was when she noticed Sabine. A quick smile flashed over her face before she regained her composure.

"The turbolift worked," Seela said, unaware. "The station has power." She pushed Aphra aside and began inspecting a hole at the center of the console. Sabine tried to move forward, but there was no cover beyond her vantage point.

"There's scorching along the inside of this hole," Seela noted, running her finger along the inside. "It's like a..."

Aphra lit up. "Like the hole left by a lightsaber! Of course!" She slapped her forehead. Sabine felt somewhat annoyed that Aphra was legitimately trying to help figure out the weapon, but her archaeological instincts must have taken over. "It's a Jedi weapon! It's powered by kyber crystal energy!" She turned to Seela. "We need a lightsaber!"

At that moment, Sabine felt as though all the air had been sucked out of the room. A chill came over her entire body. The chamber fell silent, and the next sound was echoed off every wall: a deep, rasping, mechanical breathing, instantly recognizable.

Aphra and Seela turned around, facing another door at the opposite end of the room. A turbolift had opened, and a jet-black figure emerged.

Vader strode with a purpose down the bridge toward the console. Sabine, watching from the other end of the room, felt terror fill every part of her brain. This was not part of the plan.

The fear on Aphra's face was visible even from Sabine's distance. She let out a weak "Hey, boss, long time no see," but Vader completely ignored her, moving right past her to examine the console. Slowly, he removed a black object from his belt, and Aphra flinched, but then in one movement Vader swung the object into the air, shoved it into the center of the console, and pressed a button. The glow of red energy filled the device.

And nothing happened.

Vader deactivated the lightsaber and placed it back on his belt. There was silence for several seconds. Then Aphra began to laugh, first slowly, then louder, her voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Oh my stars, this is amazing."

Seela looked at her like she was insane. "Would you care to share your insight with the rest of us?"

Aphra was grinning. "According to old legends, Sith Lords do this thing called 'bleeding' to Jedi kyber crystals in order to make those red lightsabers. The Jedi must have accounted for that in the design of the station." She started to laugh again. "Your lightsaber won't work!"

Vader continued staring at the device while Aphra chortled. "What I wouldn't give to see the look on your face right now. Honestly, just kill me now, nothing's going to get better than this. I guess you won't be able to find the Kybalah, Darth. What a shame."

Finally, Vader spoke, his mechanically modulated voice low. "You are wrong on two counts, doctor. One: I have already found the Kybalah." He slowly turned to Aphra. "It is this entire station."

Aphra swallowed her fear as she looked up at Vader. "The entire station is a weapon?"

"Powered by kyber crystal energy. The design is...familiar." Vader paused, and Aphra filled in the blanks.

"Like a miniature Death Star." She paused. "And... the second reason I'm wrong?"

"I will not be the one to activate this weapon." He moved closer, and Aphra took a step back, nearly falling off the bridge into the abyss. Vader's next words reverberated through the room.

"Where is Skywalker?"

Aphra shifted uncomfortably. "You want that kid to activate it? Why not just... kill him and take his lightsaber?"

"If you will not give Skywalker's location to me, I will be glad to torture it from you." He turned to the stormtroopers standing on the bridge. "There are hyperdrive controls located on the floor above. Inform your men that we will be moving the station to the coordinates I will provide."

From her hiding spot, Sabine could see Aphra's eyes widen. And then the next words she spoke came tumbling out, crystal clear.

"He's your son."

The chamber fell completely silent but for Vader's breathing. Vader, his back to Aphra, remained unmoved. Sabine's mind was racing. What the hell was Aphra talking about?

"I've been wondering this for three years... why you wanted to capture Luke and not kill him..." Aphra was speaking faster now. "Anakin Skywalker discovered the Kybalah data on Onderon...you had me hunting down info on Luke's mother, Senator Amidala..."

Only now did Vader turn back to her, still silent. Aphra's voice was laced with nervous fear. "You want Luke to help you use this thing, and you're taking it to coordinates only you know. You're not taking it back to the Emperor. You're going to use it against him."

The room remained quiet. The stormtroopers were looking at each other with confusion, while Seela's brow was furrowed, no doubt trying to come up with a plan.

Finally, Vader spoke. "Your powers of deduction remain impressive, doctor. To the very end."

Aphra's eyes darted to Seela. "Seela, listen to me. He's going to try and overthrow the Emperor. You think he's going to let anybody in here live with that knowledge? Help me get out of--"

That was when Aphra's voice cut out, and she began to gag as she was lifted into the air. Vader's hand clenched at his side as Aphra choked, kicking her feet in vain, and Seela hesitated for just a moment before making a break for the door, but she only made it a few feet before she, too, began to float, gasping for air.

There wasn't going to be another opportunity.

Sabine stepped out from her hiding spot, leaned down, and pressed a button on her wrist controls. The rocket pack on her back ignited, firing a missile straight into the ceiling. The resulting blast caused massive chunks of metal and rubble to rain down on the room below, smashing straight through the control console. Vader was forced to drop Aphra and Seela as he threw his hands up, using the Force to prevent the rubble from falling on him. Sabine drew her blasters and launched a volley of laser fire at the stormtroopers, who were caught completely off guard.

Aphra got to her feet and raced past Seela towards Sabine. "Took you long enough!" she said, grinning from ear to ear.

Sabine continued firing on the troopers. "You really got yourself into a mess this time, huh?" As Vader hurled aside the rocks he was holding, Sabine shouted into her comlink. "Bo-Katan, we need that evac now!"

Vader turned toward them and was about to approach when the entire station shook, knocking him off balance. In the bowels of the abyss below them, they could see burning green energy.

"The Kybalah is unstable!" Aphra screamed over the din. "We have to take this thing down!"

Right on cue, the Ark Angel hurtled in through the hole in the ceiling, hovering above the fray. Vader turned and raised his hand, and the Ark Angel opened fire. Each laser blast was deflected by Vader's command of the Force, slamming into adjacent walls and the ceiling.

"Bo-Katan!" Sabine yelled into her comm. "Fire below the bridge!"

Vader ignited his crimson lightsaber as the Ark Angel fired two missiles straight past him and into the void. The resulting explosions sent spurts of green energy soaring into the air. The Kybalah shook, the station's walls rattling. A second volley of missiles into the heart of the station sent a massive explosion throughout the room, annihilating the bridge and sending Vader plunging into the darkness.

The entire room was on fire now, orange flames mixed with sparkling green kyber energy. The Ark Angel turned and the back ramp opened.

"Come on!" Aphra shouted. "We've got to jump, now!"

They were standing on the edge of the room as the Ark Angel hovered over the flames. It was a long jump, and Sabine could feel the terror overwhelming her. Then Aphra took her hand, and Sabine looked into her eyes, and the fear dissolved. "Do you trust me?" Aphra said, her voice barely audible over the roar of the explosions.

Sabine didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."

Aphra nodded, and then took Sabine's hand, and they ran forward and jumped, hanging in the air for an eternity until they landed on the Ark Angel's ramp.

As they got to their feet, Sabine turned and saw Seela struggling to hang on to what remained of the bridge. "Bo-Katan, turn the ship around!" Sabine called. The ship swung 180 degrees so that the ramp was facing Seela. Sabine reached out, but Seela was still a good five feet away. "Jump! Take my hand!"

Seela looked over her shoulder at them as she clung to the bridge. "I've waited my whole life to find this place... I'd rather spend eternity here than rot in a Rebel jail."

Sabine started to shout "No!", but it was too late, and Seela closed her eyes and let go, falling and disappearing into the abyss.

Aphra grabbed Sabine and pulled her back as the ramp began to close. They saw Vader climbing up the wreckage. "We need to go now! Punch it!" Aphra screamed. She and Sabine ran inside the cargo bay as the ramp closed, and the Ark Angel flew out of the hole and into space. Sabine and Aphra ran into the cockpit, where Bo-Katan and the Mandalorian warriors were watching the Obliterator as it attempted to move away from the badly damaged Kybalah station.

"Everybody hold on to something!" Bo-Katan yelled, and the Ark Angel soared away from the Kybalah right as the entire station was consumed with green energy. The resulting explosion tore through the Obliterator, ripping the Star Destroyer in half.

"That shockwave is gonna hit us any second now! Get to lightspeed!" Aphra ordered. Bo-Katan didn't hesitate, grabbing the thruster and sending the Ark Angel into the void of hyperspace right as the energy hurtled towards them.

Sabine finally exhaled and realized she had been digging her hands into Aphra's arm. She let go, and Aphra laughed.

It was done. The threat of the Kybalah was gone. For now, just for this short moment, the galaxy was safe.

"This was my idea, General."

Sabine attempted to project confidence as she and Aphra stood in Home One's control room. Leia had her back to them, shaking her head.

"You went on a series of unauthorized missions dealing with an Imperial superweapon and didn't bother to inform me?"

Aphra raised her hand. "Technically it was a Jedi superweapon, ma'am."

Leia turned to them. "This was incredibly dangerous. Not only could you have gotten yourselves killed, but who knows what would have happened if Vader had been able to get his hands on that weapon, regardless of whether he was going to use it on the Rebellion or the Emperor." She paused for a moment. "With that being said, I'm glad you were able to destroy it. The two of you have been an influence on each other, I can tell." She looked at Aphra. "Doctor, you've earned my trust. Whatever our past differences, I'm glad you're a part of our Alliance."

Aphra nodded. "Thanks, Princess. Er, General. Ma'am." She gave an awkward salute that made Sabine laugh.

That was when Luke entered the room. He had abandoned his usual light attire and was now dressed in black, with a glove over his mechanical hand. "Sabine, Aphra, I'm glad to see you. Could I speak to you for a moment?"

The pair excused themselves and left the room with Luke. As they walked down the hallway, he drew the small holorecording of Anakin Skywalker from his pocket.

"I wanted to thank you again for giving this to me. I never knew my father as he once was." He gave them a look. "But I know him as he is now. And I can sense that you do as well."

Sabine and Aphra gave each other a look. Then Aphra spoke. "Vader...is your father?"

Luke nodded calmly. "He is. Or he says that is. I can't be sure. But I could sense the truth in him when he spoke to me."

"I'm sorry, Luke," Sabine said. "I don't know what you must be feeling."

Luke looked past Sabine at Aphra. "Actually, I feel...confident. Aphra, you were once an enemy of this Rebellion. You did things that we could never abide. But you've changed and become a better person, a valuable member of our cause, and a friend. Maybe..." His voice trailed off. "Maybe there is still a good man inside Vader too."

Aphra snorted. "I wouldn't count on it, Luke. That guy is beyond gone."

Luke smiled. "All things are possible with the Force. No one is ever really gone." He put his hand on Aphra's shoulder, then walked away down the hall.

Aphra shrugged. "Weird guy. I like him, but yeah, kind of strange."

They had come to a window overlooking the stars. Sabine put her arm around Aphra's waist. "You and I have come a long way, Doctor Aphra."

"We found the Kybalah. Centuries of ancient mystery, and we were the ones to learn the truth." Aphra grinned. "This is why I love this stuff!"

Sabine blushed. "I agree, this is kind of addicting. You've made an archaeologist out of me."

Aphra lay her head on Sabine's shoulder. "Hard to believe this began with an intel sale. And I never thought I'd actually join this dumb little band of rebels."

"I knew you had it in you. You might be a bit of a rogue...but you're my rogue."

They turned to each other, and Sabine leaned in and pulled Aphra in for a kiss, their first since the adventure to the Kybalah. It was long and sweet and perfect, like little fireworks going off.

"I love you," Sabine whispered.

"I love you," Aphra replied.

There was no telling what the future would hold. The Empire still loomed large over the galaxy and victory seemed elusive. But Sabine Wren had found a rock to hold on to, someone with whom her life would be linked forever, and that was all she needed.