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Missing Scenes
Post Revenge of the Sith: The End of the Road
The Imperial command carrier drifted nearby Chommel Minor. Less than an hour ago, Soren had brought his ship through the pressure door and flew into the docking bay. No one asked for his code clearance. There had been no one there to meet him. No arresting officers, no flurry of techs or armoured clones carrying out their duties. It was most un-protocol to say the least.
Now here he was in the tech bay, having assassinated the Imperials working there, trying desperately to hotwire the ship so the bridge would lose all navigation control and the ship would crash. He was working against the clock and he knew he would have company soon.
In a split second, memories of the past twenty-fours rushed to the forefront of his thoughts. Saché telling him Dormé had found out about his side trip…that little meer rat! But Soren hadn’t thought anything of it. He assured Saché that old Uncle Moff Panaka would sort things out. Oh how wrong he had been!
Mere seconds after Saché told him to run away, to leave Vader’s ship while he still had a chance, there were guards at the door. He bolted.
He ran straight for the closest ship he could find, dodging blaster shots from the clone troops. They put up a chase, but he was the better pilot and jammed their comlinks with the flick of a switch. He took a long route to his uncle’s vessel, making sure he wasn’t followed.
Though he had been suspicious at the ease of his landing and the lack of a welcome party, he had still been confident that his uncle would be on his side. Soren went to the command centre and was completely casual about meeting Panaka. But upon seeing the lack of remorse as he ordered his troopers to kill him, Soren knew Dormé wasn’t the only one who had betrayed him.
And Soren ran.
The clones were stupid and easily fooled. Once he hid so they ran past him, and then he darted into a tech hole, ordering the clone troopers who wandered in to seek out ‘Typho’ in the other direction. They didn’t recognise his face having only know they were after someone on the run. Soren took command of the tech hole and locked the door. If he was going down, he was going to take as many of the blasted Imperials with him as he could.
The control unit sparked and spat at him as he ripped the panel open. His left hand bled from the hissing wires that cut at his skin, but he continued working without fail. He knew it was only a matter of time before his location was found out.
Saché tried to warn him of the threat but as always he was stubborn and wouldn't back down. She tried to bury the memories as she guided her ship in the direction she knew that he would be headed. Why couldn't you have just listened to me you fool! She thought in despair as she drew in a shakey breath blinking away the tears that wanted to fall. Normally she was calm under pressure; a trait renowned for her best friend Sabé and one she had tried to emulate for most of her career. But as time past and the madness grew all around her Saché found it harder than ever before to wear the mask demanded of her. Now knowing that she was the reason for Soren being on the run Saché found herself reaching the breaking point of her steely resolve.
She did all she could to distract the troops from locating Soren but it was too late. For the monster that was Anakin was already alerted of the situation and with Dormé had her allies on the hunt for him. Thankfully Soren managed to escape though barely and after some painfully slow time Saché departed after him. She didn't care anymore if she got caught, all that mattered now was that he would make it out alive.
Clenching her jaw she landed her ship on the hanger deck of the destroyer and emerged. Her security was still cleared but she couldn't say for how long. Swiftly she moved through the Imperial clones her mind no longer registering her environment. The guards rushed past her and only then she realised that she still had one last card up her sleave. It wasn't much but it would buy him some time she hoped as she knew in that moment Soren had already attempted to talk to his treacherous uncle and had failed.
"There! The one you seek is headed that way! I saw him running off now hurry!"
She commanded drawing attention away from the direction she was headed. Saché didn't have to guess where he was headed for the cryptic words once spoken to her just after Obi-Wan had escaped with SAbé still rang clear in her thoughts.
If anything should ever happen, I'm not going to go down without a fight. If I'm to die than I will take as many of them with down with me.
Saché paused to collect her thoughts her emotions now warring fiercely against her thoughts that demaned her to keep a clear head. Her fingers twisted the material of her sleaves but this too went unnoticed as it suddenly occured to her just what he was probably going to achieve.
Perhaps there was still time yet. She could still convince him to slip of the ship while the confusion blinded them to the prey they sought. It wouldn't be too hard and then they could head to the outer rims, to the planets untouched by the Empire. They could still work with the resistance but in a different field, no one would be any wiser. It was wishful thinking to say the least but Saché had to make herself believe it lest she succumb to her sorrow as she rushed down the halls to the main tech hole where she hoped to find him.
It was a shot in the dark but if the layout of the ship was the same as most destroyer class than this one would be the closest to the Commander's office or in this case the Moffs and therefore the most logical place for him to go. After all it was also the most powerful.
Upon nearing the Tech hole she noted the lock was overridden with a security code that answered her deepest fears. He really was going to go through with it. Closing her eyes Saché took another deep breathe and quickly typed in the override that would open it for her once more. She prayed it would work and after what seemed an eternity the door parted and quickly Saché stepped inside her mind once more reminding her in its desperation that she could possibly talk him down.
"Soren!"
She was about to speak as the door locked behind her but the sight that confronted her silenced the woman for a moment. It was as she thought. The controls sparks and hissed and Saché didn't need to ask what he was trying to accomplish for his final mission was now about to draw to a close.
Rushing to him Saché eyes wavered as she struggled to maintain what little semblence of control she had over them. She wanted to tend to his wounds to stop the bleeding but htere was no time for that now, the self destruct would soon activate and they had to leave together before it came to that.
"Soren...You've done what you came for now lets go while we still have time!!"
Saché pleaded knowing deep within that this was a mission that he had no intention of returning from. Yet even so she had to try, her heart would not let her do otherwise. He would either leave with her or this too would be her final mission as well she inwardly surmised as she tried to take his arm to lead him out.
"They're confused! Its a mess out there we can do this I promise you we will get away to safety and no one will be any wiser for it!"
Saché said quickly the desperation evident in her eyes as she tried to convince herself that there was some chance still that he would listen to her.
Soren, listen to reason--for the love of cholak, your uncle is a MOFF. He's not going to--
There's still a chance this can all be swept under the carpet. We have to preserve our stations here. We can do more good for the Alliance in these positions. I have to try.
The circuits fried his fingertips but he kept working until the ship lurched. 'Ha ha!' Soren cheered through the smoking circuitry. 'Blasted imperials--'
And just as the ship lurched, the control panel was overridden.
'Perfect timing,' he said sarcastically to himself. But to his surprise, the Imperial officer was none other than Saché.
'Saché what in the-- What are you doing here?!' he exclaimed, increasingly concerned about her safety. 'If they catch you here trying to help me-- Oh this is no good, Saché...no good at all...'
She was pulling on his arm talking about running away and still having time. She was thinking like a crazy person. 'What--No, get off me!' he yelled at her. 'Get out of here before they see you!'
Saché's eyes harden with determination at his words. No there was still a chance they could leave she couldn't nor would she let him go out like this. She had to believe in this hope, to think otherwise would be just too painful. But he wasn't listening and Saché grew more frantic because of it.
"Don't talk like that Soren, there is still a chance! You just can't give up like this! We can slip through the security without a hitch while they're still caught off guard!"
Saché continued to argue. You don't understand Soren, I can't leave without you. Saché inwardly thought as she tried to harden her thoughts to keep from letting tears slip away.
"We don't have time to argue about this we have to go and quickly! Please listen to me you can still have your revenge and live to fight another day."
She continued desperately her eyes beginning to reveal her sorrow. She was no fool and knew deep down he was resolute but still had to try.
"We are in this together remember? I'm not leaving if unless you're coming with me."
She stated finally.
'You don't understand! This is not about revenge!' he shouted, his eyes wide with fear for her.
'If they see you with me, we're both dead and the Alliance is at a loss for two instead of just one--' he protested, overtly frustrated that she wouldn't just listen to him and leave while she had the chance.
The look in her eyes though...it tore at his heart, but he knew there was no other way. Even if they left together, the chances were not good and the Alliance would be no better for it. If they made contact with anyone, their lives would be forfeit as well as the missions they were under... Saché and he had the best intell out of any of the Alliance members. They were the link between the Empire and the Alliance.
Wires continued cracking and popping, the ship lurched once more.
Soren looked at his boots and exhaled before looking back into her dark eyes. 'This is it, Saché.'
Saché shook her head to his words the fear she saw in his expression mirroring her thoughts. She set her jaw and shook her head to his words her expression now growing frustrated and torn.
"I can't just leave you here like this Soren. I don't care if they know..."
The ship lurched and Saché barely kept her footing but she remained steadfast her eyes now studying him closely before falling to her feet.
"You're the only reason I've even made this far..."
She admitted softly as she watched him look to his boots before returning her gaze. At his final words her eyes widen slightly she didn't need to ask what he meant for it was clear enough. Glancing away briefly she drew in a shakey breath.
"Please don't ask me to do this. I can't...I won't..."
She whispered softly fighting back the tears that even now were beginning to collect in her eyes.
When she stated he was the only reason, he swallowed hard, as he stared at his boots. He felt the same way too and prayed she knew it.
The catch in her throat stung his heart. He couldn't resist stepping towards her and pulling her into his arms, if only briefly. Gods, how he loved this woman! 'The Alliance needs you,' he told her firmly. 'You have so much to give--' His own voice was now threatened by emotions.
He brushed an errant strand of hair from her eyes, saying in a softer tone, 'I love you.'
Saché closed her eyes as she felt his arms slip around her pulling her near to him. Her mind barely registered the blood that was seeping through the material of her jacket soaking through till it reached her shaking arms. Gods grant me strength she inwardly prayed as she took another shaky breathe and slipped her arms around him. For a moment Saché let her head rest on his shoulder permitting herself this last moment, this one last memory.
His words though firm and filled with meaning were not enough to convince her.
"But I promised you when we got into this I would not back down...I would not abandon you. I meant every word..."
Saché tried to fruitlessly argue, before being silenced as he brushed back the strand of hair from her eyes and spoke the simple words that carried so much more meaning than either could ever express. It was then she knew there could be no turning back; this really was the end. With that realization the former handmaiden knew while she might be physically alive her soul would die with him in this place.
Furrowing her brow deeply, Saché tried to set her jaw to keep her emotions in check but this too was too late. As she closed her eyes to push back the tears one still managed to escape and she felt a flood of shame for it. She had to be strong for his sake.
"I love you too..."
She softly whispered before opening her eyes as she stared at him intently putting his face to memory for one last time. Bowing her head then Saché drew in a shaky breathe as she could hear the sounds of footsteps approaching from the down the hall. Time was running out and yet even now the fools were trying to hunt down the one about to be responsible for their demise. Had it been another time or place she might have shook her head at the audacity of it all but Saché had far more pressing matters on her mind to even consider such thoughts.
Yet she knew what she had to do and the thought brought her no less relief for it, in fact it made her heart sink that much further. It was an unspoken understanding one that neither would openly discuss. She knew what he would ask and she knew ultimately she would have to give in. But even so she wouldn't let herself consider the situation bad enough for such a finality. It was hard enough as it was to have to part ways like this, nevermind - she promptly ignored the train of thought. For a but moment she needed let herself believe it wouldn't come to that even though she knew it was far too late now for wishful thinking.
Soren heard the footsteps in the hallway and a clone commander ordering his troops to unlock each of the doors on this level.
Saché was never one to cry, not about anything. To see just a single tear made this so much harder. He swallowed. Putting her face to memory, wishing this moment didn't have to be the last, that there was a chance they could make it out of here but knowing it was not meant to be.
They had made a pact before joining the Imperials that should one of them be found out, that if anyone was going to take them out it would be one of them. It would be a far more noble death that way.
Besides, if anyone was going to be the death of me, I'd want it to be you.
Soren kissed her then, this one last time, with all of the love, honour, respect and passion he felt for her.
They were at the door now, trying to override the jammed security codes.
He pulled back saying, 'Do it.' His voice did not waver for the love they shared gave him strength. He would not blink nor hesitate as she delivered the killing shot. He wanted the last thing he saw in this universe to be her.
Saché could hear the voices from down the hall and finally accepted that it truly was over. A strange calm poured over her and she returned his gaze with eyes filled with love and peace. For she knew it would not be long before she would be joining him. Gently she touched his cheek as a sad smile crept into her features.
I'll see you soon my love. She thought inwardly as she shared all of her love and affections for him in their final kiss. Saché would not let despair ruin their last moment together and as he pulled away, she nodded slightly to his words.
There is no greater honour than the honour of serving humanity the words of Saché's instructor echoed in her thoughts and filled her with such loving pride for Soren. There was so much she wish she could tell him but it was too late now. So as the Imperial guards moved to override the jammed codes of the locked door Saché quietly drew her weapon. Placing it to his forehead, she hesitated but for a moment as she took a deep breathe.
"...Good-Bye..."
With that she pulled the trigger and felt her soul breathe its last breath.
