Hello guys

So, here's a new story that the basic of idea of certain events I've had since around earlier this year of April 2018.

Despite this probably not being one of my better works I finally got this story to where I feel fine publishing it.

Besides New Hope to Return of the Jedi films the only other canon I'm using in this is the Thrawn trilogy from the old EU.


A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

STAR WARS

Dancing between Choices

Four years since Grand Admiral Thrawn tried to defeat the New Republic and lost. Luke Skywalker now a Jedi Master has successfully rebuilt the Jedi Order into near a hundred Jedi that are operating in the galaxy. Recently certain New Republic Senate members called on Luke Skywalker to deal with a group of pirates attacking New Republic passenger ships.

Only Luke got captured so Han Solo, Chewbacca and Mara Jade go off to rescue the Jedi.


The planet Nal Hutta in a forest

On a speeder bike, Luke and Mara are riding alongside Han and Chewbacca who like them are sharing the same bike, much to Solo's chagrin. Naturally, they are being chased by multiple thugs all in worn clothes and various weapons, with some of the pirates firing the mini canons from their bikes.

Luke even with the Force and Chewbacca without does their best to dodge the fire, however, both bikes manage to get hit. Seeing that he's heading straight for a tree Luke and Mara jump off moments before the bike hits the tree. The resulting explosion knocks Skywalker and Jade to the ground.

Meanwhile, as soon as their bike gets hit Chewbacca and Han jump off as they go rolling onto the ground unharmed as their bike explodes some several feet away. Both Luke, Mara along with Solo and the Wookie get to their feet with running to each other.

"Where did you say the Falcon and Jade's Fire was again?" Luke asks.

"Just over this way" Mara replies.

[They have caught up to us] Chewbacca growls.

The two men, Wookie, and smuggler look around to see the eleven pirates surrounding them on the bikes before powering them down and climbing off. Rav, the alien leader steps forward.

"Your dead Solo and your Jedi friends. The Wookie's skin will make me a nice coat" Rav says viciously grinning upon reaching for his holstered pistol.

However, Han already has his blaster pistol out and fires hitting Rav directly in his chest killing the surprised Feeorin with sending his body to the ground. This causes the others to begin shooting.

Only moments before Luke having removed his lightsaber hilt, activated the green blade with a snap-hiss, is already starting to deflect the blaster bolts, one-handed. Mara gripping her lightsaber in both hands with the blue blade extended is deflecting the bolts as well. The Jedi and the smuggler let the Force flow through them guiding their actions.

Luke and Mara send a few bolts back into the shooters killing them as Han and Chewbacca return fire with their own weapons. All the blaster bolts fired by the pirates never hit Han and Chewbacca as every one of the bolts seem to be going by like there is a shield protecting them.

In a matter of minutes, the rest of pirates are on the ground with some dead and others severely injured. Luke turning off his lightsaber glances to Han and Chewbacca who look relieved. Mara turns her lightsaber off as well with attaching it back on her belt.

"Why are we not dead despite standing directly in the line of fire?" Han asks suspiciously.

"I was focusing some of my other energy into putting a sort of Force shield around you two. Increased the risk on my end but I figured it was worth it" Luke replies.

"Well, thanks, kid. Sometimes I regret ever saying the Force was a lot of simple tricks and nonsense" Han says.

[I told you it was real repeatedly Han only you didn't want to believe me] Chewbacca adds.

"Well, fuzzball you were over a hundred years old when we met. And given I pulled you out of a Imperial prison I figured maybe you were a little off the bend" Han replies.

Suddenly upon hearing a loud crashing sound, they turn to see three AT-ST walkers approaching them with leveling their guns at the four.

"I've got a bad feeling about this" Han says.

"Yeah I'd say now is a good time to run" Mara adds.

Reaching out through the Force Luke focusing on the AT walkers and with a mere handwave rips the vehicles apart from the inside out killing the men inside. As the metal rubble falls to the ground Luke, Chewbacca, Han, and Mara walk to the speeder bikes.

Climbing on individual bikes this time Luke, Han, Mara, and Chewbacca start heading off towards the ships parked a mile off.

Eventually reaching the worn YT-1300 light freighter and the Personal Luxury Yacht 3000 they climb off their bikes with boarding their individual ships. Within moments both the Millennium Falcon and Jade's Fire are in the air.

Despite various kinds of ships piloted by all manner of criminals firing at them, the Millennium Falcon and the Jade's Fire quickly enter hyperspace escaping.


the Millennium Falcon in hyperspace

Sitting in the pilot chair Han lets out a sigh of relief. Briefly, the thought crosses his mind he's getting too old for this, after all, has lived through lifetimes of horror fighting in the Galactic Civil War but quickly pushes it aside.

"I'm glad we made it out of there in one piece" Han says.

[Agreed] Chewbacca growls.

"Thanks for coming to rescue me yet again" Luke says while standing by the doorway.

"Don't mention it, kid. Just another one you owe me, and they should add Jedi Master rescue specialist on my military file" Han replies grinning.

[Still wondering why, they sent the cub into a hive of scum despite how recognizable you are Luke] Chewbacca says.

"Eh, it's the politicians including Mothma and their stupid games Chewie I wouldn't over think it. After all, they are the ones who helped get us into nine years of the Clone Wars and elected Palpatine as Vice Chancellor." Han replies.

Giving a nod "Well I'm going to give Leia a holo-call to let her know I'm fine. How did you know I was in trouble anyway?" Luke asks.

"I don't need the Force to tell sending you to the Hutt home world alone was a bad idea. Then Leia felt something in the Force before you seemed to shut off from it" Han explains.

"Yeah, the pirates had ysalamiri to cut off my connection. I really hate those animals" Luke replies.

[How did you get caught?] Chewbacca asks.

"The pirates knew who I was and were waiting for me. Thankfully I was held only some hours compared to other times. The leader decided to keep me around in hopes of selling me at an auction in a few days. Which given the time difference when are going to be coming out on Coruscant?" Luke asks.

"During the night, so you've got some hours on board" Han replies.

"Thanks," Luke says.

Han watches his brother in all but blood in concern for a moment as Skywalker leaves.

Glancing over to Chewbacca "I guess that maggot didn't realize I shoot first when he was doing a Greedo speech" Han says.

[A mistake people keep making a mistake with thinking you don't shoot first] Chewbacca replies.

"Yep" Han says.


a small bedroom in the Falcon

Luke having taken a quick shower and a shave with his change into fresh clothes is sitting on a bed. Grabbing a holo-communicator from a nearby table presses a few buttons before suddenly an image of Leia appears in a hologram.

"Oh, hey Luke. I'm so glad they found you. Are you alright brother?" Leia asks in concern.

"I'm fine sis. They got me bailed out in enough time. So, after everything that has happened in my life, I'm used to it by now" Luke replies.

Nodding "I know the feeling, still, we get worried. I've got to go have a meeting with Borsk Fey'lya and other senators soon" Leia says.

"With Borsk? I'd rather face Yoda lecturing me" Luke replies.

"You know you're always welcome to help out as a Jedi Master for your wisdom" Leia says with a teasing grin.

"No thanks, Leia. Which tell whoever you need to that the pirate crew is no longer going to be a problem since their small organization has been shut down" Luke says.

Giving a nod "I will. Oh, by the way, there is a ball tomorrow I could use you at tomorrow to put in an appearance" Leia says.

"I shall see if I am able to go and I will try to be there" Luke says.

"You better be. You know it might not be so bad if you took a date with you" Leia suggests.

"No, and even if I wanted to, how would you suggest I get one?" Luke asks.

"There are plenty of women who wouldn't mind dating you" Leia says.

"I just don't want somebody who has hero worship for me Leia. And how many of the men interested in solely the wealth of the Organa family you met growing up, would you have actually wanted to date?" Luke asks.

"Good point" Leia replies wincing "None of them."

"I know you would like me to be happy Leia, but some people are meant to be alone" Luke says grimly.

"I just want you to be happy" Leia says.

"I know, and I am" Luke replies with a perfected fake smile, one to hide the pain of being alone "Also, could you let Jaina and Jacen know their uncle said hi when they get back from school?

"I will let them know and take care of yourself brother. Love you" Leia says.

Nodding "Love you too sis" Luke replies before ending the call.

Tiredly Luke places the holo-communicator back onto the table.


Hope you all enjoyed this and as always let me know what you think if you want.

Luke using the Force to destroy the AT walkers was fun to write for him doing that type of stuff.

Oh, with Han mentioning about nine years of the Clone Wars and electing Palpatine as Vice-Chancellor is referencing to my own Before the Dark Times story that I'm using as backstory for this.

Which is my telling of Anakin becoming Darth Vader and why I'm mentioning this is I put in some things from Timothy Zahn's books into the Before the Dark Times story.

Now timeline wise for matching up I ditched doing that in the story just because trying to drove me into stress land. However, stuff like the clones being the enemies of the Republic like Zahn first set up in the Thrawn trilogy I used.

Anyway, moving on

In the original plans, I didn't have the whole rescue on Nal Hutta but I added it after deciding to need action stuff. Besides having Luke, Han, Chewbacca, and Mara get into some trouble with their interactions is too good to pass up.

Yes, Han shooting Rav before the alien can fire is a nod to killing Greedo in the original version of New Hope and Beckett in the Solo film.

I never got George Lucas's reasoning for making Greedo shoot first in the special edition version. And in a later version had both Han and Greedo shoot at the same time. Lucas has said he changed it because of not wanting Han Solo to be a cold-blooded killer.

Yet in the official prequels, George Lucas has Anakin murder children twice for both the Tusken Raiders and the children at the Jedi temple.

So, let me get this straight George killing a hired thug before he can shoot and who has made it very clear he wants you dead, aka called self-defense is too far.

Yet Anakin Skywalker who has murdered innocent children is fine for a redemption arc? Zero sense.

Until next time