After landing on Yavin and being greeted by a small welcome committee, they had a little downtime, as Artoo had been ushered away for the Death Star data to be analyzed.

They were all shown to separate rooms, save for Han and Chewie, who went straight to work on repairing the Falcon.

Luke collapsed on the bed in his and Alesya's room. "This saving the galaxy stuff is hard work," he said, his eyes closed. A small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. He didn't truly feel amused, but it was either humor or tears, and he'd had enough of tears for a while.

Alesya sat down on the bed and gave him a light punch in the arm. "For once, you're not exaggerating. A planet-destroying spacestation is a pretty big deal."

He sat up, looking earnest. "You know, I talked to Leia. She thinks she can convince them to let us pilot during the attack on the Death Star."

"Really?" Alesya looked surprised. "That quickly?"

Luke shrugged. Somberly, he said, "They need a lot of pilots for this, and she knows what we're up against better than anyone. It's even more of a high-risk mission than usual, and a couple of people are probably backing out. Even if all their fighter pilots are sent, they can always use more, I'm sure."

"Well, then this is our chance to shine." Alesya smiled, trying to push the mood back to a lighter one.

"Do you think your parents are here?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I doubt it. The Rebels are scattered all across the galaxy, and the odds of them being here aren't that great. Besides, they always preferred being part of the ground forces. My dad's in demolitions, remember?"

"Hmm." Luke nodded. "And your mother's stealthy. Got it."

Alesya grabbed a pillow and hit him over the head with it.

"Hey!" he exclaimed. "What was that for?"

"Oh, you know."

"Oh, no, I don't."

"Oh, yes, you do."

He snatched the pillow from her. "Fine. Well, you know why you deserve this!"

And then there was a thud and a muffled laugh.


Before they could enter the briefing room, the two Skywalkers were stopped by Obi-Wan.

"I know you have volunteered to help in the offensive," Obi-Wan said. He had considered joining the attack himself but decided against it; he had not been exaggerating when he had said he'd gotten too old for this kind of thing. He just didn't have the fight left in him. "I support your decision, but I request that afterward you go with me to Dagobah to continue your training, Luke."

Luke nodded. "I will."

Alesya looked thoughtful but didn't say anything.

Obi-Wan gestured them forward. "After you."


Han and Chewie actually came to the briefing, though they stood in the back. Han had told Luke that they were coming not because they cared about the revolution but because of sheer curiosity; however, Luke suspected the smuggler really did care, somewhere deep down inside.

When everyone was gathered, General Dodonna quickly explained the basics of the situation, and when he had finished, the skepticism in the room was practically tangible. Almost everyone was wondering: how could a snubfighter make such a precise hit as was called for?

The young man next to Luke actually voiced what everyone was feeling: "That's an impossible shot to make, even for a computer."

"It's not impossible," Luke insisted. He gestured to Alesya. "We used to bull's-eye womp rats in our T-16s back home. They're not much bigger than two meters."

The black-haired youth still looked doubtful. "But were you dodging enemy fire at the same time?"

"It's the only chance we have," Dodonna said solemnly. "We'll meet at the rendezvous point. Hopefully, the Death Star will remain at Alderaan like Intel has informed us it will. Otherwise, we'll have to pursue it. And we will, even if we have to follow it across the galaxy. Our attack will begin almost immediately for the sake of surprise, so make sure you reach the rendezvous on time…And may the Force be with you."

Everyone rose to leave, and Luke walked up to the general, who, though he tried to hide it, looked a little troubled. "We won't let you down…We can't afford to."

Dodonna gave sad smile. "No, we can't."



Alesya and Luke suited up and walked across the hangar bay toward their ships. Luke spied Han loading some boxes onto a speeder, and he trotted over to him. His wife stopped and watched him go. She knew her husband was angry, and it wouldn't be pretty.

"So, now you have your reward, and you're leaving?" Luke's tone was almost accusatory.

Han wasn't fazed. "That's right, kid. We have some debts to pay off. And what, even if I didn't, do you think I would be foolish enough to join this attack? You know, the two of you are great in a fight—why don't you both come with us? We could use your help."

The younger man was furious this time. "Did you even pay attention during the briefing? Look around you—you know what they're up against. Do you really want to sit back and let more Alderaans happen? You're a great pilot, and they could use you, but you're just turning your back on them."

"Kid, what good's a reward if you ain't around to use it? Besides, attacking that battlestation ain't my idea of courage. It's more like suicide."

Luke shook his head, looking disgusted. "Take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's what you're best at." He turned and started walking away.

Han hesitated briefly before calling out, "Hey, Luke."

Luke turned to look at him.

"May the Force be with you."

Knowing the words were sincere, Luke lifted his hand in a wave. "And you, too, Han." Then he moved to rejoin his wife.

After reaching their X-wing fighters, they found Leia waiting for them.

"What's wrong?" the princess asked, looking at Luke with concern.

"He met up with Han," Alesya explained.

"I was just hoping he'd change his mind," Luke said sadly, looking downtrodden.

"He has to follow his own path," Leia told him. "No one can choose it for him." She looked at Alesya and smiled. "Good luck to the both of you."

"Thanks," Alesya said, watching the other young woman leave. Not a fighter pilot like the two Skywalkers, Leia Organa was going to meet at the rendezvous point in one of the larger ships, where her command skills could be of some use.

"Luke! Alesya!" a voice called for them.


Turning, they saw a dark-haired man with a mustache coming toward them. "Long time no see!"

"Biggs!" both Luke and Alesya exclaimed.

"How did you two get here?" He looked at their outfits with raised eyebrows. "Are you going out with us?"

Luke grinned. "You bet we're gonna be up there. Man, have we got some stories to tell you, Biggs—"

A man from behind them interrupted, "Are you Luke and Alesya Skywalker? Have you both been checked out on the Incom T-65?"

"Sir," Biggs said, "these are two of the best Outer Rim pilots you'll ever find."

Red Leader smiled. "Well, if Biggs vouches for you, I think you'll do all right."

"Thank you, sir," Alesya said warmly. "We will try."

The man looked at Luke. "If you're anything like your father was, well, you won't do half bad." He nodded a goodbye before hurrying away to his own ship.

Luke watched him go in interest. That man had known his father?

Biggs smiled at Luke. "I need to go, but I promise I'll listen to those stories of yours one of these days, all right?"

"We'll hold you to that," Alesya told him.

"I told you we'd all make it here one day, Biggs," Luke said as Biggs began walking away.

"That you did, Luke. And it will be just like old times—the three of us will be like shooting stars blazing our way through the galaxy." Biggs gave a backwards wave and a chuckle.

Luke laughed as he watched his friend leave. Suddenly, he felt a sense of foreboding, and a chill went down his spine.

Alesya looked at Luke somberly. "Well…"

He embraced her suddenly. Burying his face in her hair, he whispered, "Good luck, Alesya Skywalker."

She smiled to herself. "And good luck to you, my rising Jedi. Just don't show me up too bad."

He pulled back and grinned at her. "Loser cooks breakfast?"

Alesya rolled her eyes. "What is it with you and food? I swear—the way to your heart is through your stomach."

"Well, in that case, I'm surprised you caught me." Luke's eyes twinkled.

She punched him in the arm. "Don't be such a bantha-brain. Come on, we need to prep our ships. We don't want to be late to the rendezvous, or we'll miss all the action."

"Oh, like that could happen when I'm involved!" Luke snorted. He placed his hand on the ladder to go up his ship but hesitated. He really was worried.

Evidently, his wife was, too. "Luke?" she said quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Be careful. No crazy stunts, all right?"

He smiled. "I won't do anything crazy if you won't."

"Can I get that in writing?" she returned.

Her husband shrugged. "I'll try to be careful, love." He rested a finger on her cheek, sliding it gently down to lift up her chin. "I'll return, I promise."

"And so will I," she whispered.

He pulled her close to him and pressed his lips to hers. She was his love, his life. He didn't know what he would ever do without her.

When they reluctantly pulled away, Luke whispered, "May the Force be with you, my angel."

"You, too, Luke," she replied, turning from him to go to her X-wing.

He watched her for a few moments. Stars, how he needed her.