Imperial Memories and Forgotten Dreams

I do not own anything Star Wars. Han, Leia, and Luke are all borrowed characters, obviously, with Samantha Heart and Komiak being my own creation.

I wrote this a LONG time ago so please be patient as I "update" it...lol. Enjoy!

Chapter Eight:

Losing Fight

As the ship lifts off I kneel on the floor, opening the box slowly.

Inside is a long, thick black cloak, the material shimmering slightly in the pale light. On top of the cloak is a pair of black gloves, fingerless. I remove them almost reverently, staring at them a long moment before shedding my jacket and gloves.

As I slip the last glove on I hear a soft laugh behind me.

"Seeing you like this brings back memories." I keep my back turned as the soft male voice reaches me.

"It has been a long time, Jason."

"The republic spy and her daughter are off planet?" I nod, turning slowly. The young man behind me watches my movements with due caution, and rightly so. He wears clothing much like mine, though his cloak is gone. His gloves are fingerless, like mine. His hair, white like mine, is trimmed short, close to his scalp and glowing in the darkness of the doorway.

"Yes." He stares at me a long moment, his gray eyes going soft.

"You are just as beautiful as I remember."

"Why are you here?" I ask, remaining where I am. He glances around before stepping closer, into the light.

"You know why I'm here." I nod.

"You were never after Anita and Chelsea. It was me." He nods.

"They want you back."

"You know my answer Jason." I say quietly. He nods, taking another step forward.

"I knew what your answer would be before I even left the base." He says quietly. "To be perfectly honest, I don't want to take you back. I know what they are planning to do with you." He says quietly. "But I also know what they will do to me if I return without you. My orders stand regardless. I am to return with you, dead or alive." I laugh with no humor.

"So they are down to settling with my corpse?" He nods. "You know I will fight Jason, even you." He nods and smiles slightly.

"Yeah, I know. " The sudden silence is shattered as his lightsaber announces it's presence with a sharp snap-hiss. I back away a step as the green blade weaves slightly, almost playfully in the air.

"Please Jason, don't make me do this." I say quietly. He takes another step forward, more purposeful this time.

"I would rather die by your hand then by them." He says quietly. "It is the only thing I ask of you." I stare at him a long moment then nod slowly, reaching for my lightsaber.

The fight does not last long. We easily slip into habit, sparring the way we used to years ago, when we were both new to the base.

A split hesitation, a slightly smile, and I close my eyes as my blade impacts. I hear him grunt and instantly release the handle, the blade instantly disappearing. My lightsaber hits the concrete as I catch Jason as he pitches forward. I lower him to the floor, cradling his head on my lap. He smiles up at me slightly, his entire body going slack.

"I'm sorry." I whisper. His breath rattles in his chest from the whole in his chest, so near his heart. I feel his heart slowing beneath my hand and I close my eyes, reaching out to him. His mind is dim, fading, and I stay with him until that single spark is gone. I feel tears brim my eyes as I reach up, gently closing his sightless eyes.

I hear someone approaching before I sense them but remain as I am, Jason's head cradled in my lap. My tears are still wet on my cheeks as a hand touches my shoulder.

"Come on kid, let's go." Looking up I see Han leaning over me.

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with the group." I say quietly.

"Komiak sent me." I shift, lowering Jason's head slowly to the floor before rising. I find Jason's cloak draped over a pipe near the doorway and drape it over his body slowly, shrouding him. Han watches from the doorway as I take a few steps back, then extend a hand out. Fire suddenly blossoms, consuming the shroud quickly. I watch it a moment before turning, pulling the hood up before heading out the door, Han close behind.

Once in the woods one of Komiak's pack meets up with us, trotting along ahead of us as we traverse the woods. Han remains quiet behind me. The sun has risen before he speaks again.

"Who was he?" He asks quietly.

"Jason and I were at the base together." I say quietly. "We arrived around the same time. We trained together." He doesn't ask again, only speaking to suggest we stop.

While we are stopped near mid-day I feel the pack member press her muzzle against my leg. Looking down I see her eying my shirt near my waist. I smile slightly and pat her head reassuringly.

"Is something wrong?" Han asks, watching the exchange.

"I'm fine." Han stares at me a moment then at the wolf. She looks from him to my shirt again and Han approaches me.

"Are you hurt?" I rise, turning away.

"We have to keep going. We will be meeting up with them in about an hour." Han nods, dropping the subject and following me as I head out, up the slight incline toward the foothills.

Luke doesn't even realize that Komiak has disappeared until Nakita suddenly stops, turning back as Han appears through the trees where Komiak had once been. Seeing him Leia slides down off her horse and rushes to him, asking all sorts of questions. Luke scans the area before linking his mind to Nakita's.

Where is Komiak?

She went to join Samantha. They will scout the area. Luke nods, not missing the sound of concern in the mare's voice.

Is something wrong?

Samantha was wounded during a fight. Luke tenses.

Is she all right?

She will be, but the wound goes deeper than skin. Luke frowns, his gaze on the trees around them.

What do you mean? Beside him Nakita sighs heavily, the leather of her saddle creaking slightly.

She had to kill a friend. Nakita says quietly.

I pace alongside Komiak, the she-wolf slowing her pace for me. We are roughly parallel to the group, though far enough away that we cannot see each other.

So it was Jason they sent? Komiak asks. I nod.

Yes, it was him. She glances sideways at me.

That wound on your side. You should have me look at it. I shake my head, my hand going to my side a moment. The cloth is soaked through with blood and sticking to the wound and skin around it.

No, when we stop for the night. We don't have what we need. Komiak stops and I do as well, turning back slightly to look at her. She is staring at me, her eyes locked on mine.

It is already starting to get infected. I can tell. Let me help you. I turn away and her voice stops me. Why are you wearing that? That cloak still reeks of the base. Why? I stop once more.

My time is coming. We both know that. When it does come, I will take out as many of them as I can before I fall.

You're going back to the base? She asks, clearing angry. I ignore her a long moment, then begin walking.

Why don't you head back to the group? I'd like to be alone for a while. I say, not even checking to see if she obeys as I walk slowly away, up the slope.

Luke notices when Komiak rejoins the group but wisely remains silent, noticing the black look on the she-wolf's face. She trots forcefully ahead of Nakita and stays there, her movements stiff with anger. Luke watches her a moment then taps Nakita's side with his heel.

Let's go find Samantha. Nakita looks back at him.

If we do, she will be quite angry. Luke shrugs as Nakita picks up her pace.

I'm willing to face her wrath.

It does not take Luke long to find me, which I knew would happenI sense them approaching before I hear Nakita coming toward me through the brush. I stop, unable to resist the urge to lean against the nearest tree.

"Samantha?" I hear the saddle creak slightly as Luke dismounts but he keeps his distance.

"What do you want?" I ask quietly.

"We'll be camping soon." He states. I glance up at the sky overhead and nod.

"Go on ahead and set up camp. I'll be there soon." There is silence a long moment, and when I turn back Luke is gone. Nakita is still standing back where she had been, staring at me. I feel her reach out to me and let her into my mind.

He is just trying to help.

I can't take his help or I will suck him down with me. I send. She approaches slowly and I reach out to her, faltering. The pain in my side and the blood loss I finally allow to take a hold of me, no longer able to fight it back. I slump down onto the ground and Nakita lies beside me. I manage to pull myself to her side and she glances back at me.

You have to fight it. She sends.

I know.

Do you want help? I will summon Komiak. She says, not even giving me the chance to answer her. I wait silently, minutes passing.

I feel a touch on my leg and jerk, awaking with a start. Nakita is still behind me, dozing. Komiak is in full wolf form, her head in my lap as she sleeps. I shift slightly, testing my side. The residual pain is there, but not nearly as bad as before.

Looking up I see Han standing nearby. His expression is neutral as he studies me.

"We've set up a tent for you. You should not be sleeping out here." I smile slightly as Komiak wakes, hearing his voice.

"I'll be fine."

Go, Samantha. Komiak whispers to me. You will not be able to rest out here. I scowl at her before nodding. Han comes forward, extending his hand. I allow him to pull me to my feet, but my legs give out almost immediately. Han catches me, slinging my arm over his shoulder.

"I got ya kid."