A Twisted Fate

[Leo Vandermolen]

~ Hoth ~​

The bitter frost of the planet had turned Leo's lips a pale shade of blue as he slid his old mask down upon his face, an item he had not worn in quite a while, the haunting memories of his past still gnawing at him, telling him to melt it down to scrap, but a strange sense of nostalgia prevented him from doing so, and duty had required him to don it once again.

The rugged man edged along the icy wall as the cold winds howled through his head, numbing his very thoughts to dim memories. But he had to snap out of his temporary distractions, focusing on the task at hand, there was a job to do, of course. There always was. The First Order outpost Leo now found himself skirting along held a small band of Outer Rim fighters captive, fighters whom had recently discovered an interesting datapad which contained the name and last known location of certain individuals whom had been illegally shipping black market goods out of the Kathol sector, individuals who Leo had been tasked with uncovering. Why the First Order had brought the ORC troopers out to this secluded outpost was anyone's guess, but his primary objective was to break them out and recover the datapad, and if he could discover the FO's intentions with the fighters, all the better.

Leo began grow warmer as his mask provided much needed heat to his once frozen features, and his armor did well to keep him from slipping off of the perimeter wall, providing him the much need strength his own body lacked. Upon reaching the pinnacle of the wall, Leo peeked over, surveying the entire encampment and the most plausible location to be keeping prisoners. Deciding that the building with the sign reading, 'Prison,' would be his best bet, Leo vaulted over into the compound, sticking his signature silent landing before moving off to his target, being sure to watch for patrols along the way.

Leo had drawn the short straw, he always despised the cold weather. But such was his duty, tommorow was another day, another day to do some good...

| [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |

 

[Connor Harrison]

”It will be done.”

The hologram faded just as a couple of Snowtroopers walked into the bunker where Connor Harrison had been stood talking to the figure seconds before.

”Sir, he’s here.” the trooper crackled behind his white helmet.

Connor turned and drew his fingers up for a second, resting them on his chin. He needed to think how best to approach this. He didn’t ask questions, there was no point. If he was going to finally make some headway back into the First Order then this was it. His foot had been in the door for weeks, but now his body and arm were in as well – he was so close.

”Thank you.” He tipped his chin to the troopers. ”Expect casualties in your garrison Captain, but stick to the plan. Let him in, but show resistance. Let him take down what he needs to in order to feel safe.”

He walked across the room, blowing up tiny snowflakes from the ground that had crept in through small gusts from the open blast doors to the rear. His black cowl swirled gently with each step.

”Get him to where I told you and make sure the prisoners are ready. Go.”

”Right away!”

With a snap of the head, both troopers nodded, turned and made off out of the bunker leaving Connor alone with only the whine of holo-feeds and the radar beeps from the Outpost itself. The fact he had been sent to Hoth wasn’t a surprise, he had made it clear frozen wastelands were where many of his turning points had been, from here to Rhen Var and Ziost. Maybe this time he could leave in one piece and with the upper hand.

The target - [member="Leo Vandermolen"] – was here from the Outer Rim rebels, whatever they called themselves. The captives came in handy finally, drawing a moth to the flame. A moth with the intent for good but whom, Connor had been told, was to have both wings pulled off and burnt just enough to survive.

The Dark Sider walked to the front of the coms room and folded his arms across his chest, watching a live feed from outside the Outpost and waiting for any sign that things were – no pun intended – about to snowball.

[member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

The wind continued to blow, howling like a wolf thorough the compound as the darkness of the evening enveloped Leo, prowling alone in the cold. He left no trace but his tracks, which he made damn well sure to leave as few as possible, and making them look like a regular trooper's patrol route when he had to touch the ground. Darting from roof to roof, using his natural speed and guile to his advantage, as well as a little bit of his force sense, Leo sped towards the building at the far end of the compound, silencing the rooftop troopers in his way with a swift blow. Leo would avoid needless death where possible, and he expected to get in and out before any of them awoke from their induced slumber.

"...eyes open, we've got orders to make sure he gets to the prisoner hold alive." The audio sensors in Leo's mask picked up a nearby conversation in progress, he paused and listened intently, making sure that nobody would see him perched above the pair of troopers.

"We all received the same comm idiot, there's no need to announce our orders to the night air." A second voice responded as a sly smile grew upon Leo's face. Chit. What was going on, where they talking about him? So many thoughts rushed through his brain in that instant, it couldn't have been a trap, could it? Either way, there was no going back now. Leo couldn't just pull out and come back later with back-up, the prisoners could have been moved to a different location, or worse, executed, by then it would be too late, he would have to play into their hands. Fine.

Leo continued on, leaping to a low-lying building that sat adjacent to the prisoner hold, half a dozen or so differing plans jumped to and fro within his head before Leo decided, Kark, let's just wing it. Making sure his mask and hood were securely in place, Leo slid down from the building, creeping around to the front of the prison. Leo wasn't sure whether or not to be surprised when he found it unguarded, It was definitely a trap.

As Leo approached the door, his senses heightened, his hair standing up on ends, his usually silent footsteps crunched against the soft snow underneath, the wind seemed to pick up and scream at him. I don't like this, I don't like this at all. Leo could feel something, some presence from inside the building, causing his head to throb. If he was walking into a trap, he may as well walk in with style.

| [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |

 

[Connor Harrison]

As this Outpost was near enough a straight structure from entrance to exit, with only certain rooms and holds branching off, it wasn’t going to be hard to get lost. The communication hub and tooper garrison was under the ground level, and Connor walked across the frost covered floor towards the stairwell, metallic rungs clanking under his boots.

As he circled up and arrived out onto the main floor of the Outpost, the chilling wind was blowing through open vents to keep the place fresh. The small hangar was at the front of the building which was open, letting in the crisp Hoth air. Two speeders and a TIE fighter covered in frost were stationed there.

Outside, Connor could see the other buildings in the small complex and the figures of the Snowtroopers on patrol. As two of them passed on their circuit, a figure moving as quickly and fluidly as a shadow dropped from the roof where they passed. The prison blast doors were open. Connor stood in the lip of the hangar watching the figure enter slowly but with confidence.

He kept watching and after a minute or two, he walked from the hangar across the snowy courtyard and towards the prison. Behind him, a unit of six Snowtroopers had risen from the garrison and marched behind, E-11 blaster rifles in hand, ready to act.

The prison was built as a structure inside a structure; the outer perimeter would lead into a more central one with various cells and holdings bays on either side with guards loyal to the Order stationed there. Built with one way in and one way out, Connor didn’t need to guard the main door itself, he just let it close too behind him, rattling some loose ice from the ceiling that sprinkled onto the ground as he walked in with the troopers.

[member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

The pounding in Leo's head got worse the further he went inside the complex, it seemed to go deeper underground, appearing much larger inside than it seemed from outside, its countless twists and turns confusing him as he pushed onward. Leo had to stop to gather his bearings and concentrate once again on the task at hand, he leaned weightlessly upon the metal wall, cracking his neck from one side to the other. The tiny sounds of the cracking seemed to echo on forever through the dimly lit corridor, bouncing off of the enclosing, grey walls. Every movement, every noise, seemed to weigh heavy on Leo, etching its way through his mask and into his head.

It was at that moment when Leo felt the power surge. Something almost radiating from its source towards the entrance of the complex. Leo's body clenched as he began to realise just how powerful the energy was... and how it was coming straight for him. After analysing the entire building before entering, Leo knew that there was only one way in or out, so if he wanted to get out, he would have to go straight back the way he came, through whatever was blocking his way.

Leo's thoughts were interrupted by the slight sounds of footfalls, heavy against the cold steel. He had to act, and quickly. Looking above him, Leo noticed the metal grills above him that ran parallel with the corridor, he leaped upwards, using the industrial piping as handholds and scampering onto the makeshift platform just in time for the First Order troops to breach and clear the doorway behind him, the metal doors sliding open with a hiss. Closing his eyes, Leo concentrated on concealing his presence with the force. Whilst he was pretty skilled in force usage by now, he prayed that he was able to overcome whoever he'd sensed before, or just karking hide from it, the extraordinary presence apparent like dark tendrils, slithering forth in search of prey.

Physical power was never his strength, so he'd have to rely on stealth and sly tactics in this situation, and hope that it didn't come down to a hand to hand. "Clear!" Called one of the troopers as they pushed forward down the corridor, an organised group in search of their target, thank the gods they hadn't found him. Yet.

| [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |

 

[Connor Harrison]

Next, it was time to set the bait to see what sort of beast they were dealing with.

Connor cleared his head and walked through the prison corridor, passing various passages that split off, past a turbolift and into the main bowel of the building itself. The troopers, all but two behind him, dispersed.

”Open up the cell with the women.”

One of the troopers peeled to the left to work at a console and the glow of purple shields cast a glow across the otherwise dim hall. Connor paced a little slower, looking at the faces of those captured, split into men and women. Some pilots, some smugglers, soldiers and simple slicers. All giving him a stare that showed they were not going to be intimidated. The second sheild dropped and the trooper nodded, returning to stand behind Connor.

”Ok ladies, I'm sorry to ruin things, but we have a problem. You see, we think your little group are here to try and bust you out, and we can't have that, can we?” He smacked his lips and paced. ”If I am wrong, I am wrong, but I never usally am. But there's a first time for everything.”

He lifted his hand and pointed a finger at the women pilots and soldiers in the cell, looking confused and slightly disgusted. The two troopers edged forward into an aggressive stance and aimed their blasters.

”Nothing boils the blood than the danger of the weaker sex, am I right? I will count to ten, to be sporty. If nobody emerges, you died for a good cause at least in your life.”

A few small gasps and the men in the next cell shouted curses at the Dark Sider.

Connor began a slow, steady count from ten down.

[member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

TEN

Chit.

The voice echoed through the steel halls with a grim malice only a Sith could match, or at least someone equally as bad.

NINE

Things were going to get messy quickly if Leo didn't act soon. He was here for those prisoners first and foremost, he couldn't make sacrifices.

EIGHT

Leo lay there on his back, shutting his eyes tight as he whispered a silent prayer to whoever the kark would listen. He drew one of his signature Westar pistols, holding the nozzle parallel with his face, just concentrating.

SEVEN

The time for thinking was over, he had to act now before the woman was executed.

SIX

Cocking his head and peering over the edge slightly, he spied two troopers inching along the hallway. Just before they were directly underneath him, Leo grabbed the edge of the grill and swung down, his armored boots meeting the head of the trooper with a vicious thud.

FIVE

Quick as a cat, Leo rotated as he came down, firing a quick shot at the other trooper before he could redirect his weapon towards the surprise assailant.

FOUR

Leo darted to the other end of the hallway, making sure the area ahead was clear as he frantically searched for the way into the holding cells.

THREE... TWO...

He approached with both his Westars drawn, making sure that one was aiming at a troopers head and the other at the man who'd obviously been counting. He was incredibly outnumbered, and they had copious hostages, but the best he could do was play it cool.

ONE!

"Alright, Alright." Leo addressed the stern looking one, he emitted the force like a disease, "You can put the girl down now, no need to get nasty." He continued with a sly grin. The only option he had was to attempt to talk his way out, or at least ensure the survival of the prisoners.

| [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor didn’t feel anything for these people. He didn’t have a connected to these rebels, whoever they were. He had spent years of his life serving the Jedi and been betrayed, broken and beaten by trying to do what he thought was best. So now he was doing what he wanted for a vision that allowed him to be him, there was no remorse in each digit heading to zero.

He didn’t shout, scowl or glare – he just counted softly, listening to the way the male captives grew more desperate and aggressive to bargain, and the woman grew more resilient and defiant in the face of fear. Admirable, but foolish.

So focused on the counting, he ignored the sound of the chaos unfolding outside before he made it to “one” and then he was interrupted. The man had arrived with a bang, and made both Connor and the two troopers behind him turn. One blaster pointed at him, one at the trooper and a similarly defiant smile. These Outer Rim types had a common theme it seemed.

”Ah.” Connor said. He raised a finger at their guest to silence him. ”Trust me, the prisoners? They’re the least of your concerns. But they thank you for caring.”

Then, he thrust his arm out sideways, the finger pointing at the open cell. Connor was ready – the spike in the air from this man proved he was going to act first and think later, and with a blaster trained on him, it would be the first point to react to.

The troopers had their orders, to serve and show their might. White armour span and fingers squeezed the triggers of rifles to start picking off the woman and taking them down in a single execution.

At the sound of blaster fire and screams, the far blast doors to the complex opened, letting in the sliver of light, as the Snowtrooper garrison who had waited outside began marching down towards the cells to box in their guest.

Connor kept his eyes on the man, the sly grin returned in kind.

[member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

KARK IT, this guy was merciless. At the first sign of the troopers opening fire, Leo didn't hold back. He unloaded his Westar's on as many troopers as he could get, if he could finish off the squad in front of him, he could at least try to save the people in the holding cells. Then, it would just be him and this stranger, this maleficent stranger.

Leo had managed to take down about four troopers in quick succession before he heard the doors behind him open, felt the multitude of blasters pointed at his back. He'd known he was walking into a trap the second he entered the complex, it was only a matter of time before it was sprung. Leo raised his hands above his head in surrender, letting his Westar's drop to his feet with a smooth clang. There was nothing he could do for the rest of the prisoners now, no way he could stop the First Order from slaughtering them where they stood.

Leo had figured out that they needed him alive by now, but for what reason? That he was still trying to figure out. And while this man in front of him clearly wasn't one to listen to his reasoning, maybe, just maybe, he could use this situation to his advantage. "Alright, alright. I'll admit it, you've got me where you want me. Why don't we make a deal?" Leo tried to remain as calm as he could, stemming his breathing and calming the usual jitters in his hands.

He was going on a whim, but it was the best he could do in this situation. "Now, obviously I could still take, oh... I don't know, maybe half these here troopers out, maybe three-quarters, with the fight I still got left in me. So, to prevent any more bloodshed on either side, why don't we just settle out differences here and now, and you let these innocent people go?" Despite the grin now plastered upon his enemies' face, Leo decided to keep his own, more toned version upon his as he thought of his next words carefully.

"I'll come with you quietly, provided you guarantee the safety of those there prisoners, well, the ones you haven't massacred already." He gestured towards them with a curt nod, their yelling had subsided by now and Leo seemed to be the only one making any noise. When he finished, a cold silence dawned upon the room as it seemed like everybody was waiting for an answer. "So, what will it be?"

| [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor winced slightly – blaster fire was so noisy in a confined space, especially bolts blasting backwards and forwards. A fleeting crossfire soon diminished as the numbers of troopers pushed the man to stop, and the smell of burnt flesh and steel wafted up into the air.

Keeping his eye on the rebel, the white troopers surrounding him from behind, Connor walked forward.

”You know your problem?”

He shrugged slightly.

”You talk too much.”

The frame of a trooper came up behind the man and delivered a sharp crack to the back of the rebel’s head with the butt of his rifle, the reason all but to render him out for the count.

With the unit to stay at the prison outpost on Hoth, Connor had orders to bring him to the Master of Ren who had summoned this rebel to be brought before her. This was what he needed; an actual outcome that went to plan for once and had him in good favour.

A spear-headed shaped shuttle was resting on the snowy landing pad outside, and all being well, would be the transport used to take Connor, two troopers and their prisoner to the awaiting Order and his pre-determined fate.

[member="Leo Vandermolen"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"]

 

[Leo Vandermolen]

Leo went to retort a witty reply, but the only noise he could produce was a sudden choke as he was struck from behind, his mask falling from his hand and onto the cold ground below. All he could recollect of the next few days was a mixed blur of events, the progression of time muddled and faded.

His old guns and mask laying stationary on the ground as his limp body was dragged across the cold, hard steel of the base...

The sound of a transport shuttle preparing for take-off, a low drone as a throbbing pain in the back of his head...​

Hands, HIS hands restrained by to force-locking magna-cuffs.

Darkness... Fal​

l​

i​

n​

g​

​

Leo awoke with a start, trying his best to recollect what had just happened. He'd only been knocked unconscious? That trip was more then just the haze of a blow to the head. No, something else was at play here. Why did they want him? Why would the First Order want an Outer Rim commander as a prisoner of war so badly?

Too many questions, he had to focus on getting himself out of this situation. The ship seemed to be slowing down, they were reaching their intended destination. Kark! He had no time, and he doubted that the folks back at the Coalition would know what happened to him. Their faces ran through Leo's mind, needlessly reminiscing on the past and all the great times they'd shared.

Stop it! You aren't going to die here. They clearly need you alive, you'll see everyone again soon. Leo reassured himself, but something told him it wasn't enough. He could hear the doors of the shuttle slide open, the boarding ramp extending with a sinister hiss.

| [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Ara Zambrano"] |