It's January 16th. Exactly one year ago since my last update. I'm so sorry, but I got distracted by a lot of things and eventually jumped out of the Star Wars fandom. But as you can see I came back! And I hope there are still people who are interested in this story because that always means a lot to me and keeps me going.
Everything in this chapter has actually been written around January last year, but it was originally supposed to be longer. I'm going to resume that in the next chapter. Please review and show me signs of life!
Twist of Fate (Part 1)
Chapter 7 – Rebel Alliance
Darth Vader stood upon the perfectly polished black deck of the docking bay when an aide hurried rather nervously to his side, informing him of his daughter who had left against the Dark Lord's wishes. Leia was very stubborn. Something she definitely inherited from him.
There was a sparkle of hope though, for he knew Leia had been meaning to go back to that forsaken dust ball to find the boy. In comparison to his own emotional turmoil, Vader could feel the Force urging around Leia, which probably caused her futile obsession for that... Jedi Padawan of Kenobi.
"Send a squad to locate her and bring her to me at once. You have permission to use stun if necessary." Vader ordered his aide, irritation rising.
"Yes, my Lord!"
As his assistant left his presence, Vader went again and struggled with his inner thoughts. If he could feel the Force warning his daughter, then what would it have been for Leia? She had to be racked with pain and turmoil.
He had to admit, at first, he didn't care the least about this Luke. The boy was just something that should be left for dead, along with his master, Kenobi. Surely now he realized there was something more going on? The shock of that particular vision Leia told him alarmed the Dark Lord. It certainly made him feel uncomfortable.
He would not lose her. No, Vader wouldn't let that happen. Not this time.
Distinctly, Vader scratched off the idea of Leia ever being in love with someone, especially an untalented moisture farmer who just happened to be Force-sensitive.
But just what if...
No.
Just no.
He refused to let that happen.
Vader turned away from the platform, heading for his quarters with annoyance and puzzlement. There was something... somewhere...
[✩]
Somehow, Luke forced himself to keep moving, to keep following that odd whisper around inside his head. The sensation of Ben Kenobi strong imprinted in his mind, which was, Luke admitted; plain weird.
Was Ben telling him the truth? He wondered. If this power he felt was indeed the force, then surely, he would be taken to the Rebel Alliance as the Jedi insisted.
Later that day, he finally managed to get to the Rebel Base at Yavin 4, hoping he would be stuffed into their group without any problems. Of course, that would've been all too easy so instead, they thought him an Imperial. A spy.
Great.
Luke jumped at all the commotion, feeling regret fall down his spine as a group of rebels suspiciously gathered around him, one even pointed his weapon at him.
Luke ignored the threats and continued. "I came here because I want to join the Rebellion."
"Is that so?" The rebel named Edin Tran said, his emerald green eyes narrowing in suspicion. "How did you manage to find this secret base; our coordinates are strictly sealed away. Nobody except us should have that knowledge."
Luke shook his head. "A Jedi brought me here. It's really weird I know, but he told me where to go through the Force." He tried to remain as calm as possible. There was no lie in what he said, yet he admitted the moment didn't feel as pleasant as he hoped it to be.
Edin accused bitterly. "Ha! The Empire boy thinks he's a Jedi now? Really though, the Jedi are all but lost years ago. You are lying to us."
"I'm not, I swear!"
Many of the Rebels were unsure how to react and Luke could feel their confused eyes pressed onto him. He understood their discomfiture regarding his sudden appearance, but he still had hoped for a more welcoming gesture.
Another, a supposed rebel leader introduced herself as Mon Mothma, she didn't look as threatening as the other guy, but looks could be deceiving.
"Have him detained for questioning, we will decide whether he's a spy or not." Her voiced softened. "It's our job to keep safety within our Alliance, please understand."
Luke nodded his head and let them take him for questioning. He only hoped Ben was here to get him out of this mess. Just where was he anyway?
Many hours later, the full moon had risen high over Yavin 4. Its ghostly light illuminated abandoned villages on the planet and threw different parts of the woods in sharp relief. Despite the bright and peaceful night, Luke knew tonight his fate was going to be decided.
"So, you claim to be a full-fledged Jedi?" Mon Mothma insisted on questioning the mysterious boy who believed he could use the Force, to have actually known a Jedi. There was also someone else with her, a relatively dark-skinned man who seemed to be in his fifties, and possibly another rebel leader.
Luke shook his head. "No, I'm not a Jedi. But I know someone who is. His name is Obi-Wan Kenobi and he brought me here."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Obi-Wan? No, that cannot possibly be..." Her voice came out as a soft whisper as she eyed her Rebel comrade who had a rather drained expression by now. Luke understood that they must have heard about him.
"What makes you believe he is alive? Kenobi has been gone for years." Mon Mothma pressed.
Luke bit his lip. "From what I know, he said to have protected me all these years since I have this connection to the Force, keeping me away from the Empire to become a Jedi." He hoped this was enough information to confirm these false accusations.
"Where do you live?" The man questioned. He seemed to be curious yet alarmed at the same time, his brown eyes glistered with something that made Luke feel... almost familiar.
"Tatooine."
"An isolated desert planet..." Mon Motha continued, not having noticed the distraction of her rebel friend. Instead, her eyebrow raised as she paced around the room. "A perfect place to keep someone away from the Empire. I agree. So where is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
Shaking his head in dismay Luke's soft eyes gloomed down in defeat. "Last time I saw him was when Vader's daughter attacked him, and I managed to escape. I later found out he lost the fight and got taken away, but... he made contact with me through his Force powers or something. He must have gotten away."
Yet he had some doubts and Luke frowned deeply at himself. He hoped and believed that Ben would come find him and then teach him. But somewhere in the back of his mind, he felt something was terribly amiss.
He only hoped he would get out of this troublesome mess... alive.
But if Mon Mothma was shocked, she didn't show it. Nodding her head, she decided to just get straight to the point. "So why do you want to join the Rebel Alliance."
His youthful face looked up and he straightened with a more serious and desperate expression. "Because ever since I was a little kid I was dreaming of becoming a pilot who does something good for the galaxy. I want to help you all."
"Tell us, what is your name?" The dark-skinned man asked him in a rather gentleness tone.
"Luke Skywalker, sir."
At that, the man sighed and lowered his head in awe. "Thank you," he turned to Mon Mothma who kept her pale blue eyes steady on Luke, "we must discuss this knowledge, please wait for further information."
[✩]
Time went by slowly as Luke stood upon a balcony, overlooking the forest which was covered in darkness. Ever since the rather burdensome misinterpretation back when he had just arrived here, it hadn't crossed his mind yet but Yavin 4... looked beautiful. In a sense that it made him feel captivated by its opposite element, in comparison to Tatooine.
The moment Luke let out a yawn someone knocked on the door of his room that was given to him for only a short period of time. He noted how the dark-skinned man had come again and Luke felt his muscles relax a little, feeling more at ease in his presence. He had been kind to him.
"Hello, Luke Skywalker," The man walked over to his side and Luke felt a hand slide to his shoulder. It felt soft... and strong at the same time. A warm smile made its way onto the man's lips. "I am pleased to inform you that the Rebellion has accepted your request to join us, if you still want to."
"Of course." Luke said with all honesty, but he had been dying to ask. "Does this happen to all new recruits who wish to join? I mean, getting a blaster pointed at your head and all... it just doesn't sound very rebel-like."
Sorrowful brown eyes stared up, at the sky. "You're right. The Empire has located one of our hidden Rebel Bases just the other day, it has been revealed that a spy within our ranks has provided them with important information which is why we had to act. Especially with the sudden appearance of a boy who decides to fly in without any help from rebels."
Luke looked away ashamed, it was true.
"You just came in at the wrong time. Yet, perhaps, you could become a great help to us." He turned to Luke, and a smile formed its way onto his lips.
Luke returned the warm smile. "Thank you for everything... err..."
"You may call me Bail, Bail Organa."
