I could do this all day?
5 years after the Clone Wars May 18th, 2021
Revolutionary General Cham Syndulla stared at the city landscape of the Ryloth/Algeria capital from his base in the mountains. The sun was rising in the sky so the city was asleep. It looked peaceful and to the outside observer it was always this way. Cham knew better. Once the sun shined high above the sky the Stormtroopers would be out in full force. The Imperial Scout Ships hovering in the sky like vultures performing unethical surveillance over everyone. Legally speaking Ryloth wasn't officially a nation in the Global Empire. It was an unaffiliated territory with an Imperial protection treaty negotiated by Imperial Senator Orn Free Ta.
This arrangement quelled any unrest amongst Cham's fellow Twi'lek's because it was legally approved by the Imperial Senate and not the Imperial ruling council of Emperor Palpatine. It gave the impression of cooperation between the Imperial government and the government of Ryloth/Algeria. When in reality it was a distraction from the Imperial forces on Ryloth mistreating Twi'lek's and violently attacking them if they appeared to be disloyal to the Empire. The evidence for such disloyalty being the paranoid imaginations of Stormtrooper officers. Sam Wilson entered Cham's observation deck disrupting his cynical musings.
"Where's Captain America?" Cham Syndulla asked
"You're looking at him." Sam Wilson said
"I meant where is Steve Rogers?" Cham Syndulla asked
"He left the base to blow off some steam. He's been doing better with this arrangement we made with your group Cham but there are certain days where he gets frustrated. Constantly being on the run isn't something he's used to." Bucky answered trailing behind Sam
"My plan and focus is to free Ryloth/Algeria from the Empire not freeing the entire planet. Your optimism that you'll be able to operate as a superhero again the way you did before the Empire rose to power sounds delusional Sam. No offense." Cham added sounding exhausted
Sam folded his arms, "None taken. I wear the stars and stripes to remind myself why I fight the oppression of the Empire in the first place with Steve's blessing. I'm doing this to create a better world for all beings that reflects what Steve used to believe in."
"As honorable and inspirational as that sounds...I cannot think on such terms. Not when the plan you agreed to help me with must begin soon." Cham replied
Bucky groaned leaning back against the wall, "Are you serious? We've only been at your base for a couple of months."
"Isval informed me of some grave news that is forcing us to move up the timeline." Cham explained
"I know where Steve Rogers is. I sent Yelena to track him and she sent me this video. Rogers joined Pok in his raid of a Stark Industries warehouse. What happened during this mission is why we are moving up the timetable to initiate Operation Crush." Isval announced entering the airship landing area of the base
She had a handheld device and she gestured to the group of men to follow her to the video conference room. She would use the handheld device to project the video footage she received from Yelena into a Holo Vid Display. As she walked through the base of operations for the Free Ryloth Movement Isval was impressed. She still marveled at how quickly Cham used his wealth and contacts to reconstruct supply depots inside the mountains. Each depot was connected via a series of tunnels that had a mini electric rail car that allowed you to travel to each depot. Though to save time there was an elevator that took you to the central hub of the base. Each hallway in the central hub was efficiently connected to all parts of the base. Isval compared the Free Ryloth Movement to ants in an ant hill because of the base's design and joked that Cham was the Queen ant. Cham couldn't help but chuckle which Isval felt was a sign their romantic relationship was in a good place despite their entire nation suffering under the oppression of the Empire.
"Sending Yelena to spy on Steve doesn't scream trust and unity Isval. It's as underhanded a tactic as the ones Imperials like to use." Sam argued
"After I show you this video Sam I hope you change your mind. Our movement has made significant gains over the past year but now it's in dire straits." Isval replied
Isval played the video.
****
"We need to overwhelm his forces from our hiding places." Pok whispered
Steve noticed his Lekku (the tendrils on the back of Pok's head) were quivering betraying his show of bravery. Steve knew from experience that if a leader couldn't contain his fear it would spread to the troops. Steve remembered serving in the military in World War II with a few different Twi'lek's and their Lekku movement was a dead give away on their emotional state. Steve despite not being Captain America anymore knew that Darth Vader inspired fear like no other enemy he fought in Earth's history. Vader made humans and aliens alike who were not afraid of dying petrified with fear. This fear Vader created dwarfed the fear Count Dooku or Hydra caused during the Clone Wars.
"I'll draw Vader's attention. I was a former Avenger and I know he wants to destroy any remnant of the Jedi Order and the Avengers more than your Rebel movement Pok. That'll give your men a chance to get away maybe even salvage some of the Stark Tech you stole." Steve whispered
"No! We must make a stand against the Empire. Running away is too risky because it'll give Vader an opportunity to learn the location of our base. That location must remain secret so that the Free Ryloth Movement can continue." Pok insisted with a fierce whisper
"If you lose two dozen fighters that make up your squad then it'll weaken the Free Ryloth Movement. It'll give the Empire more confidence from another victory. Especially since it's a victory delivered by a figure they revere in Darth Vader." Steve argued
"Well it's a good thing our Rebel movement has a figure just as inspirational in Captain America. He'll allow myself and my squad to get into position to overwhelm Vader and his forces."
Steve stopped himself from correcting Pok that he was no longer Captain America. That he failed to protect the Avengers and the Jedi Order from the rise of the Empire during the events of Order 66. That he lost his original Shield and it was recovered by Sam and Bucky after a bloody war with a Rebel extremist group called the Flag Smashers led by Karli Morgenthau. That members of Clone Force 99 gave him a Vibranium Shield that was gifted to them by Queen Shuri of Wakanda. That he no longer wore his stars and stripes uniform but that he gave Sam permission to construct his own stars and stripes uniform as the new Captain America along with Steve's original stars and stripes Shield.
Steve took a deep breath and steadied himself. The past was the past. This was not a time to dwell on past defeats. As long as he breathed he wouldn't squander another opportunity to stop tyranny. Another opportunity to fight for freedom against an oppressive regime. He didn't need the title of Captain America to fight for this goal. Ever since Steve was young he always fought back against bullies and fighting Darth Vader would be no different. He gave a subtle nod to Pok and leapt over a crate and jumped off the side of the wall to fight Vader in a hallway using his Wakandan Shield to strike Vader's chest plate.
Vader ordered his 1st Legion Troopers to turn the corner to attack the location of the airship that Steve leapt from. He dodged Steve's attack with ease while giving the order. Steve leapt over Vader's swipe of his lightsaber and quickly ducked when Vader did a violent slash with the lightsaber. Steve struck Vader's chest plate with his Vibranium Shield and then tossed Vader across the room disarming him. Steve deactivated the Sith Lord's lightsaber but was struck from behind by a heavy crate. Steve lay sprawled on the ground dropping the deactivated lightsaber and saw Vader channel the dark side of the Force. Steve levitated in the air due to Vader's outstretched hand while Vader's other hand recovered his lightsaber.
"Why do you keep running towards failure Captain America? Oh wait...I forgot you call yourself Nomad now. Whatever you call yourself Rogers doesn't change the fact you are a mere child punching an immovable boulder. Your notions of hope and freedom are fantasy and stand no chance against the Dark Side." Vader taunted
"Could have fooled me. I know who you really are and I know what you've lost. You've been a nomad just like me the past 5 years." Steve replied
"I stand for the Empire. You stand for nothing. How long do you have to continue to fail to realize you should stop fighting?" Vader asked
Vader raised Steve Rogers higher using the Force. Steve struggled to break free from Vader's grip.
"I can fight you all day." Steve said managing to break free by using enough willpower to toss a flash grenade at Vader
Vader temporarily blinded chased after Steve and he led him to the cargo hold of the airship the deceased bodies of 1st Legion Troopers lining the path to the cargo hold. Steve activated his magnetized gauntlets and stuck himself to the wall while the air lock opened. The airship still was in orbit albeit low orbit but still a few thousand feet in the air. Steve was impressed with Pok's tactical ability. As powerful as Vader was he couldn't fly or survive a long range fall to the ground which made opening the cargo doors a brilliant plan. Steve's jaw dropped when he witnessed Vader use the Force to crush the bay doors that opened up. The plan failed.
Sparks flew off of the bay doors as they struggled to open as programmed. The sparks started a flame and before Steve could resume another attack on Vader a pair of Clones that were in Vader's 1st Legion Stormtrooper unit ambushed Steve. While Steve fought the two Clone troopers who were leagues better at fighting than the Stormtroopers Vader blocked the blaster bolt fire from two dozen of Pok's fighters with his lightsaber. In mere minutes after Steve defeated the Clone troopers knocking them unconscious Vader slaughtered Pok's fellow Twi'lek's fighters with his lightsaber. Vader held up Pok with the Force slowly choking him with the Force.
"You may have killed me you monster but you still have to fight every single Twi'lek who wants to free Ryloth from the Empire. There are more of us. Your victory over me and my forces changes nothing!" Pok gasped struggling to speak
"You are a mere bumblebee. A flying bug. Your words are a mere annoying buzzing that is of no consequence to me or any Imperial." Vader dismissed crushing Pok's throat
Pok dropped to the ground dead. Vader turned to face Steve and stood with no emotion no body language exhibiting the battle was a challenge or physically strenuous. Vader made Ultron seem like a children's toy. Steve was frozen with horror transfixed by Vader's detached cruelty.
Steve knew Vader's true identity and unlike Bucky there was nothing left of Anakin he could sense inside Vader. Granted Steve wasn't Force sensitive but he was good at reading people and connecting with them. He formed a close bond with Anakin during the Clone Wars. Yet Anakin never acted as emotionally detached and cold like Vader did...unless he truly embraced Palpatine's vision like Bucky feared all those years ago. Yelena tugged on Steve's arm startling him. She told him there was nothing they could do and that they needed to exit the airship via an escape pod. Steve knew Vader was allowing them to escape to spread the story of his easy victory over Pok and his men.
***
"Vader is a vile disgusting monster that needs to be crushed for what he did to Colonel Pok. He treats war like a twisted game. Just slowly crush Pok's throat with his strange Jedi powers. The time to strike directly at the Empire for their cruelty is now! All of you and Steve owe us for hiding you from the Empire within our base!" Isval said passionately
"She's right. I was reluctant as you were Sam about a direct assassination attempt against powerful figures within the Empire. But I've discovered a fool proof plan to assassinate not only Vader but Emperor Palpatine as well. I've learned from an Imperial spy in my employ that Vader and the Emperor are performing an official state visit to Ryloth/Algeria led by Imperial Senator Orn Free Taa in 2 days. That means you all which includes Nomad, Captain America, the White Wolf, the White Widow and the second Mockingbird are going to help us. 48 hours from now the Empire will be panicking and scrambling in fear because it's two leaders Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader will be dead because of us." Cham Syndulla announced to his stunned audience