Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Path Forward
The hidden Rebel base was eerily quiet in the early hours, its corridors dimly lit by flickering holo-panels. Despite the hum of generators and distant murmurs of soldiers, Harry felt an unnatural stillness in the air—like the calm before a storm.
A storm that bore his name.
Shadowborn.
That's what they called him now.
He sat at the briefing table, the Imperial data chip in his palm. His fingers traced its sharp edges as he stared at the decrypted files on the screen before him. His past—his creation—everything the Empire had hidden from him was within reach.
But part of him hesitated.
Would knowing the truth change anything?
Would it make him stronger? Or would it confirm his worst fear—that he was never meant to be anything more than a weapon?
Zara leaned against the table, arms crossed. "You gonna stare at that thing all day, or are we actually doing something about it?"
Harry exhaled, pushing aside his doubt. "We're doing something."
He inserted the chip into the holoterminal, and the Empire's secrets unfolded before his eyes.
[SYSTEM ALERT: PROJECT SHADOWBORN DATA UNLOCKED]
• Subject Designation: Harrion Varyn
• Experiment Phase: Classified
• Project Lead: Unknown
• Final Directive: Subject must be retrieved or terminated upon activation.
• Status: Active. Target is aware of his origins. Initiate Phase II.
Harry's blood ran cold.
"Phase II?" Zara muttered, reading over his shoulder. "That doesn't sound good."
No. It didn't.
This wasn't just about his past.
It was about what came next.
[NEW QUEST: Phase II – The Empire's Next Move]
• Objective 1: Discover the meaning of "Phase II" before the Empire acts.
• Objective 2: Locate an Imperial scientist who worked on Project Shadowborn.
• Bonus Objective: Prevent Vader's forces from retrieving classified intel.
• Reward: 12,000 EXP | Advanced Force Ability Unlock
Harry shut off the terminal. "We need to move."
Zara scoffed. "And go where, exactly? The Empire has its eyes everywhere."
Harry clenched his fists. **"Then we start where it all began—Coruscant."
Her eyebrows shot up. "You're kidding. The literal heart of the Empire? Suicide."
Harry met her gaze. "Not if we do it right."
For the first time, she didn't have a sarcastic remark. Instead, she grabbed her blaster. "Fine. But if we die, I'm haunting you."
Meanwhile… Deep Within the Empire
Darth Vader stood in the shadows of his private chamber, watching as the holoscreen before him flickered to life.
A figure in a hooded cloak appeared, their voice distorted but calm, calculating.
"Project Shadowborn is moving into Phase II, Lord Vader."
Vader's mechanical breathing filled the silence.
"Explain."
The figure nodded. "The subject has survived beyond expectations. He is stronger than anticipated. Our window for control is closing."
Vader's fist clenched, the very air in the chamber growing heavy with the dark side. "Then we will force his hand."
The hooded figure hesitated. "And if he resists?"
Vader turned, his crimson blade igniting.
"Then we remind him that there is no escape from destiny."
Coruscant – The Heart of the Empire
The city-planet loomed ahead, its endless towers glowing against the darkness of space. The air traffic was constant, massive cruisers docking and departing like clockwork, all under the ever-watchful eyes of the Imperial security forces.
Harry gripped the edge of the cockpit window, watching the planet grow larger as their stolen Imperial transport descended into the atmosphere.
This was it.
The place where his fate was decided before he was even born.
The place where his answers waited.
Where Vader was waiting.
Zara checked her weapons. "If we're doing this, we do it fast. Get in, get the intel, get out."
Harry smirked, his hand resting on his vibrosword. "Yeah. Fast."
The ship descended into the dark heart of the Empire.
And the hunt began.