Luke and Winter woke to alarms sounding and red warning lights flashing. They both quickly dressed and Luke grabbed his comlink and keyed it. "Wedge, what's going on, do you know?"

Wedge's voice was anxious. "Just received word that a fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers have dropped out of hyperspace. They're launching bombing runs and heavy transports as well as scout walker transports. All fighter squadrons are ordered to gather and launch. Get in here!"

Luke was already grabbing his helmet, lightsaber and blaster. Winter grabbed him, kissed him and said, "Be careful."

Luke nodded and said, "You too."

They both went their separate ways at a run. It was a good thing that the Alliance had slowly been evacuating non-critical personnel and equipment ever since the Death Star's destruction because there wasn't too terribly much left. Of course what that meant was that there were fewer individuals to defend the base while the remainder were evacuated. Luke pounded into the hanger and saw that his fellow pilots were there waiting for him - Wedge Antilles, Darak Klivian - called Hobbie, Zev Senesca, Dak Ralter, Sarkli Piett. "Any word on assignment or just launch and engage at will?"

Wedge had the orders. "The towers will designate targets for us. Also, a commando unit called Grey Strike has been deployed. Apparently they're the ground based counter part to Kota's Grey Squadron. They want us to give them eyes in the sky."

Luke nodded. "We'll all call targets to them as we see them. Mount up, Rogues."

Wedge lifted a hand. "Luke there are three new pilots who are trying out today, a Wes Janson, a Bothan named Risd Gar'dya and Tycho Celchu. What about them?"

Luke looked over at them and chewed his lip before asking, "Got any time in the simulators, gentlemen?"

They all affirmed that they had. "Mount up and get ready. Your evaluation begins now."

Outside was absolute chaos. TIE Fighters, Bombers and various Imperial transports were reining from the sky. The nine Rogues divided into trios and attacked targets designated by the command towers. There were dozens of Rebel Transports being attacked by TIE bombers and fighters as well Imperial Heavy Transports landing troops and tanks while scout walker transports dropped AT-ST Walkers and AT-AR Walkers. Luke took Wedge and Sarkli, targeting the Heavy Transports and Walker Transports while the other six targeted TIE Bombers and TIE Fighters. It was grueling work.

Luke nodded in satisfaction as yet another Heavy Transport exploded into shrapnel. Suddenly, he spotted three of them on the ground not far from the temple. Cursing, he keyed his comms. "Grey Strike Leader this is Rogue Leader, divert squads of men to command posts three, four and nine. We have Imperial Heavy transports unloading troops and tanks there."

The Grey Strike leader replied quickly, "Rogue Leader, we're pinned down right now. You and your Rogues may have to deal with it yourselves this time. Sorry, Commander."

Luke cursed and keyed the Rogue Squadron personal frequency. "Listen up Rogues, Rogue Two and I are landing to try and clear the base of anyone who made it as soon as we blow these three Heavy Transports. Everyone else, make sure that those transports of ours get off the ground. Rogue Four, we lost Rogue Nine. Join Rogues Seven and Eight and help them."

"Rogue Leader, you're going to need help in there;" said Sarkli

Luke gritted his teeth. "Just follow your orders, Rogue Four. Rogue Two, with me."

They blasted the landed transports on the ground and even managed to destroy the majority of the tanks that had been deployed before they landed in the temple's hanger. Quickly, they disembarked. Clearly a goodly number of Imperial troops were already inside. There were bodies everywhere. It was clear that prisoners were not initially a priority. Luke grabbed a blaster rifle and tossed it to Wedge before taking one himself. Quickly, quietly and carefully, they made their way through the carnage, avoiding looking at the faces of the fallen lest they recognize someone and it unnerve them. The first group they came on were regular Imperial Army Soldiers in jungle fatigues and body armor. Luke and Wedge opened as soon as they saw them, catching them by surprise and eliminating them quickly. They had been guarding a large group of prisoners. Luke began picking up and handing out weapons to them. "Go to the hanger and fortify it as best as you can. We'll keep sending other prisoners your way. Who all of command is still inside?"

A tech sergeant replied, "General Dodonna and three of his command staff are still inside."

Luke cursed and said, "Alright. We'll get them out if we can."

A trio of security operatives stepped up, hefting their weapons. "We'll come with, Commander Skywalker. You're going to need some help."

Luke nodded and they continued on. The next group was ready for them and they had a real fight of it. The assistance of the three security operatives was most welcome. Their training helped them more quickly eliminate the Imperial soldiers. The next group was easier as was the one after that. The fifth group however were Imperial Stormtroopers guarding a large security team that looked to have all been stunned. There were twelve Stormtroopers and Luke got two of them before they were able to fire back. Wedge got another and then it was a dangerous game of sharpshooting between them until one of the Rebel operatives threw a concussion grenade. The Stormtroopers broke cover and most of them were cut down before they could reach new cover. Luke broke cover and advanced on them, firing as he did. Before long, the last Stormtrooper was down. One of the Rebels who had been assisting them had taken a blaster bolt to the chest and died. Luke looked at the other two. "Tend to these men. You need to get them out as quickly as possible. Captain Antilles and I will press on."

After elimination several more groups, mostly pairs and groups of four, they came to the command center and saw that it had six Stormtroopers, four Imperial Army Soldiers and a pair of techs trying to recover information. In charge was one officer in the light gray uniform of an ISB Agent. Luke blasted the agent and techs before the Stormtroopers took cover and returned fire. Wedge and Luke were pinned. "Well, what now, Boss? They have a group of prisoners over there, including Winter Retrac and Jan Ors."

Luke had seen them. He wracked his brain but couldn't think of anything. Suddenly, he heard the voice of the old Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi speaking to him. "You are a Jedi, Luke. Take up your Jedi weapon."

Luke shook his head and thought, But I don't know how.

"Remember to stretch out with your feelings. Your eyes can deceive, don't trust them. Use the force and let it flow through you. Open yourself to it."

Luke sighed and put down his blaster rifle. "Luke what are you doing?" asked Wedge anxiously. Luke didn't answer. He unclipped the lightsaber and stepped out from behind cover. One of the Stormtroopers called, "Hands up, Rebel scum!"

"Luke!" growled Wedge. Luke ignored him again and ignited his weapon. Silence - and then, "Oh Frak! It's a Jedi! Kill him!"

Luke closed his eyes and stretched out. Immediately, he felt it and reacted. Blaster bolt after blaster bolt deflected off his sapphire blue blade. Wedge, seeing that he would be defended, knelt a few meters behind Luke, took aim and fired. The Stormtroopers and soldiers didn't stand a chance. Their prisoners attacked and subdued them before blasting them. Luke opened his eyes and closed down his lightsaber. Winter glared at him. She was actually glaring at him as she walked up to him. Luke didn't need the force to tell him what was about to happen. With a sound crack her right hand collided with his face in a stinging blow. Luke took it and didn't resist or respond. Winter glared for another second and then called out, "Listen up. The General and the remainder of the command staff are stuck in the great hall. You can hear the blaster fire from here. Everyone who can, grab weapons. If you can't, make your way to the hanger. I assume you have survivors there holding an exit for us, Commander."

Luke nodded. "Yes, Agent Retrac, I do."

Wedge was just staring at him, his eyes wide and surprised as he handed Luke a blaster rifle. Winter picked another up and said, "Let's move."

The closer they got to the doors to the main hanger, the louder and more savage the fight within seemed. Luke tossed aside the blaster rifle and pulled out his lightsaber again. Winter said, "Commander Skywalker..."

"Trust me. If I get shot, I'll let you beat the living shavit out of me."

Wedge, who had overcome his shock at his CO's earlier actions, growled angrily, "Oh I'll be there too, you dumb son of a kath hound."

Luke shrugged and the others stacked the door before Luke hit the release and ignited his weapon. Calling on the force as he had before, he took several long steps in. It was only moments before the Imperials within saw them and opened fire, especially on the lightsaber wielding rebel pilot. Luke batted the bolts away with relative ease until the fire began to become more concentrated. Sensing his danger, he ducked behind a massive chunk of stone debris and drew his service blaster pistol. Running from cover to cover and returning fire, Luke was able to outflank and bring down a good number of his opponents. He came around a fallen pillar to find that three Stormtroopers were firing at his companions. Using his lightsaber, Luke charged and cut them down before they could respond to them, amazed and slightly disturbed at the ease with which the weapon cut through armor and bodies. After only fifteen minutes of rough fighting, the fight seemed to be over. Rebel soldiers and guards began to check the enemy to make sure they were dead. General Dodonna was injured though not severely. Luke ran up and said, "We need to go."

The old General nodded. "We'll take the round about way to the hanger."

Luke nodded and two soldiers helped Dodonna along. They ran into few more enemies and easily over came any they did. When they reached the hanger, however, they were dismayed to see a pair of AT-ST scout walkers firing on the survivors that Luke and Wedge had sent there. Luke sighed and clipped his lightsaber to his belt to the obvious relief of Winter and Wedge. "Anyone have any heavy artillery?"

Before anyone could answer, an X-wing screamed into the hanger, its s-foils still in attack position. Bolts of energy leaped from the ship and blew the scout walkers away before the ship spun around as if it were on a spindle and blasted back out of the hanger. As soon as it exited, a quartet of RM-09 drop ships landed. The majority of the command staff could get on board and Luke and Wedge ran to their fighters. Luke wanted to stay until all the rescued survivors got on board but Dodonna said, "You and your squadron need to escort them to safety, Commander Skywalker. I'll take another drop ship."

Luke obeyed reluctantly and he and Wedge blasted off, immediately engaging the first group of enemy fighters that they saw. The other six Rogues formed up on them. "Rogues, engage any and all starfighters. Those dropships need to make it out."

As the dropships lifted from the hanger and blazed as quickly as possible towards the awaiting Rebel frigate just out of orbit, Luke and his fighters destroyed TIE after TIE. Suddenly, a group of the fast, sleek Imperial dropships sped down and landed in the hanger. Luke felt a dark presence in one of them and immediately, one name came to mind - Darth Vader. "Luke those ships just landed in the hanger!" called Wedge. Luke cursed and shook his head. "There's nothing we can do now, Rogue Two. We have to withdraw."

"What?"

Luke was just as frustrated and snapped back, "You heard me, Rogue Two! I don't like it anymore than you but there must be at least six squads of troopers and the general only had a handful of guards. They're already lost and we have our orders. Those ships need to make it out of the system. We'll jump to hyperspace as soon as the frigate is ready."

Within minutes, the ships were on the frigate and Rogue Squadron jumped to hyperspace to a pre-designated rendezvous point. There, they boarded the Alliance flagship Liberty, a Mon Calamari MC80 Star Cruiser. Luke and the Rogues were sober as they gathered in the hanger. "Well, everyone did an excellent job today. Needless to say that you two..." Luke motioned to Tycho Celchu and Wes Janson, "...make the cut. Here, these patches go on your right shoulders. Welcome to Rogue Squadron. Everyone, go get some rest and a good meal."

They all saluted and turned to the droid who would guide them to their new quarters. Luke, on the other hand, went to his X-wings and climbed back into it. He buried his head in his hands and covered his face, trying to keep tears from running down his face. In his short time here, Luke had thought that he was doing a decent job at being a squadron commander. He was getting extremely talented new pilots and completing important missions. He was making a difference in the galaxy but now Luke felt like a failure. He had left General Jan Dodonna, the commander-in-chief of the Alliance armed forces to be captured and tortured by Darth Vader. Suddenly, a soft hand was stroking the back of his head. Looking up, Luke saw Leia there. He felt even more ashamed and wanted to tell her to leave him be but she got the words out first. "It's not your fault, Luke. General Dodonna gave you orders and you followed them. You got dozens of Alliance personnel out of the temple and made sure that every drop ship made it back to the frigate. The general is proud of you. I know he is."

Luke sighed and wiped his eyes. "I feel like I should have done more for him. I feel like there is more I could have done."

Leia smiled through her own tears and said, "We all feel that way, Luke. Believe me, we all do. The best thing we can do is accept, learn, move on and never forget. We keep fighting to make their sacrifice worth it. Just like we did with Ben Kenobi and just like we did with all the friends we lost at the Death Star."

Luke knew she was right. It didn't make him feel any better but he knew she was right. Sighing, he gave a weak smile. "Thanks, Leia."

Leia nodded and leaned in, giving him a gentle kiss on the forehead before saying. "Come on. Winter's looking for you."

Luke sighed and said, "I knew I'd have to face her eventually. She thinks I'm way too reckless."

Leia cocked an immaculately groomed eyebrow. "Aren't you a little reckless though, Mr. stormed-the-Death-Star-with-two-droids-a-wookie-a-smuggler-and-an-elderly-gentleman? Hmmm? I think you are a little reckless."

Luke couldn't help but chuckle as he stood. Leia climbed down the ladder and Luke followed. "What do you think she'll do to me, Leia?"

Leia frowned and shrugged, "I don't know Mr. Took-on-a-squadron-of-TIE-bombers-with-only-his-wingman. You'd probably know better than I would."

Luke laughed. "Knock it off, Leia. Those bombers are slow and weren't really any danger to us. Winter overreacted."

"Oh, overreacted did I?" came a cool voice from behind them. Luke sighed and his shoulders slumped forward. Leia had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing at the look of utter defeat on the poor young man's face. Luke physically braced himself before turning around to face her. He expected another slap in the face. Instead, Winter studied him for a few moments and then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips tenderly. Leia's eyes widened. She had never seen her friend act like that out where anyone could just walk by. After several long minutes, Winter stopped and turned to Leia. "Do you require anything, your Highness?"

Leia shook her head. "No, no. You two go and get some rest. REST, I say. Don't keep each other up too terribly long. We need you both strong, alert and healthy."

Winter gave the ghost of a smile and said, "I hope that isn't an order, your Highness because I cannot make any promises. Come along, Luke. We need to talk."

In the quarters assigned to Luke, Winter sat waiting for the fighter pilot to get out of the sonic shower. She had so many mixed feelings about Luke. On the one hand, she really liked him. He was smart, heroic, a natural leader and a very considerate gentleman. On the other, he was beyond reckless, often doing things that she thought totally illogical and unnecessarily dangerous. She sighed and knew that this conversation wasn't going to be pleasant. Luke strode out of the refresher wearing a pair of comfortable pants and a short sleeved shirt. He sat down in a chair next to her. After a few moments, she asked in a perfectly calm voice. "Why did you do it, Luke?"

Luke sighed and said, "I promise, I'm not trying to be an ass. Which time are you referring to?"

Winter actually gave a small smile. "All of them, I suppose. Why is it that you constantly put yourself in unnecessary danger?"

"I promise I'm not trying to be a hero, Winter. I don't LIKE running into situations like that. Sometimes, I just feel..." Luke shook his head and said, "How much do you know about the Jedi, Winter?"

Winter frowned. "Not much, just that they supposedly died out years ago and that they could command this massive energy field known as the force. Why do you ask?"

Luke looked at her intently and said, "Because I have the force. Obi-Wan Kenobi told me that I was strong in the force - that I could and should become a Jedi Knight. Now though, I don't know how that's even possible. Obi-Wan is dead and There's no one else who can teach me."

Winter had heard something like this from Leia but she didn't know everything. "But that doesn't explain why you do what you do?"

Luke groaned and leaned back, covering his face. "This is going to make me sound like a religious fanatic but the force tells me to. It calls me to take action and, so far at least, the force hasn't lead me wrong or caused me to get into trouble or to suffer an injury. The shots on the Death Star, going down to the Rock Pinnacles and, yes, even stepping out in front of a dozen raised blasters, all of it was because the force was guiding me."

Winter sighed and looked exhausted. "I would call you a crazy religious fanatic if my adopted father Bail Organa didn't tell me tales of the Jedi and of what they could do. But please, Luke, PLEASE be careful. It makes me worry, knowing that you are going to do something potentially stupid."

Luke nodded. "I'm always careful, even when it doesn't seem like it."

They sat silently for awhile and Winter allowed a ghost of a smile to cross her face. She stood and Luke did too. As she had before, she wrapped her arms around Luke's neck and kissed his lips. Luke decided that he didn't care if it was going to be a long night.

Updated 10.31.2016