Summery: Anakin has waited for six months and now the time as come to stop the Death Star. The lesson in hubris still continues with a terrible cost. Second in the 'Hubris' Series.
'Force speak '
*Thoughts*
Disclaimer : Don't own it or make money for this. I write for fun.
Chosen's Chance:
Chapter 9: All together now
Luke's POV:
Brace yourselves, I heard my father call all of a sudden. And then for the first time in six months my father's mental presence disappeared completely from my mind. Just as I felt the shock-wave of terror and agony slap me in the face. I'd been meditating with Aunt Snips when this nightmarish feeling started. Now I opened my eyes to see her shudder and Ben clutch at his chest. Ashoka turned to me with her eyes full of dread.
Can you reach your father, Luke? she sent to me. Her eyes were begging me to say yes, and I wished mightily that I could. No, Aunt Snips. I don't feel him at all. All I feel is cold, and it's getting colder. That got Ben's attention and he quickly called out, "Both of you put your shields up and refrain from contacting Anakin. He may be no longer with us on the mortal plane. The last thing we need is the Emperor to realize that you've survived Luke."
I wanted, needed to argue. If my father was still alive, he wouldn't be for much longer from what I was feeling. Ben was right though, and I knew it. We hadn't even gotten half of whatever shock-wave had poured into the Force. My father had shielded us all and took the greatest brunt of it. Even with my shields at full, I could still feel cold coming from the spot in my mind that my father's presence had always kept warm and bright.
And it was getting colder. I started shivering and bowed my head to hide the tears. Aunt Snips came and put a arm around me as Han came back to brag about leaving the Imperials behind. But he stopped dead when he saw our faces. "Bad news old man?" he asked Ben. "I'm afraid so, Captain Solo. We cannot sense Anakin with us any longer." Han just shook his head. "You guys and your Force mumbo-jumbo. I don't..." He was cut off by Chewbacca who growled angrily at him.
"Okay, okay, sorry! Look kid, Vader doesn't give up as far as I know. Bet they just got him off balance for a second. I ain't gonna deny that you got a connection to him, specially since he did what he did to get you outta that mess. So don't count him out yet." I stared at Han for a second, and then my attention was distracted. The cold was gone and my father's presence was back, tired and aching but there.
Father! What happened? Are you alright? I almost yelled across the distance between us. With every second his presence in the Force grew stronger. Not because he was getting stronger, I realized. We were getting closer to him and my twin. I'll live thanks to your sister, Luke. You're on the way to Alderaan yes? I flashed everyone a relieved smile as I answered him.
Yes, we're on board the Falcon and we're on our way there. My father's voice came back quite somber as he told me, Tell Solo to watch it as he comes out of hype-space. When you go to find Leia, I will be coming with you. It's time for 'Operation 180'. Tell Snips and Kenobi that I'm calling it. I will see you soon my son. Just like that the connection fell silent. I was so overjoyed that my father was still alive that I didn't realize right away that something was very wrong.
"HE'S ALIVE! THANK THE FORCE, HE'S ALIVE!" I crowed at the top of my lungs.
"Whoa! Calm down Lukey. Master Kenobi and I can feel it too. What did your father tell you?" Ashoka asked me. I suddenly remembered my father's mental 'tone' and sobered. "He said that he's calling for 'Operation 180' and that Han should watch it as he comes out of hype-space. He didn't sound too good either. He told me it was Leia's help that enabled him to survive." I paused then frowned. "I thought that Leia didn't know that she was my twin, let alone that our father is Anakin Skywalker."
Aunt Snips and Master Kenobi exchanged glances and I knew they they were both hiding something from me. And frankly, I didn't want to know, at least right at the moment. Just then Chewie gave a roar from the cockpit and Han said, "Better get ready, we're about to revert." "I suggest you put your shields up before you do, Solo" Ben said calmly. "Whadda think I am, stupid? I always have my shields up just in case some body that doesn't like me shows up when I revert!"
"I'm coming up front with you, Han." I told him. "As am I. Ashoka, I suggest you stay here and watch over C3PO and Artoo." "You don't have to tell me twice Master Kenobi, "Aunt Snips called as we went up front. Just as we reverted, asteroids began hitting the ship. "What's going on?" I asked uncertainly. Han looked jumpy at that point. "The position is correct but… No Alderaan." I was shocked. "What do you mean? Where is it?" I demanded. *Leia. Dear Force, no!* I added in my thoughts.
"That's what I'm trying to tell you, kid. It ain't there. It's been totally blown away." Han said softly."What? How?" I asked bewildered. "Destroyed, by the Empire." Ben said. He and Han exchanged grim glances.
*The Death Star. It had to be that.* I thought sadly. Father had been right about Tarkin using any excuse to attack Alderaan. But what had my 'uncle' Bail done to irritate Tarkin so badly? "There's another ship coming in!" Han called as he began to flip switches and punch buttons. "Maybe they know what happened!" I said, hoping that I was wrong about my sudden sense of trouble. Ben quickly stopped that false hope before it could take root.
"It's an Imperial fighter Luke and a short range one at that,"he told me. "If they identify us, we're in big trouble." I shot back in mingled outrage and sorrow."Not if I can help it. Chewie, jam its transmissions. It won't be around long enough to tell anyone about us." Han said as he sent the Falcon after it. A few seconds of tense silence past and then I spotted something. "Look, he's headed for that small moon!" I called. "Think I can get him before he gets there." Han replied. Ben suddenly looked shocked "That's no moon! It's a space station."
"That's way to big to be a space station." Han replied in disbelief. It had to be the Death Star and as soon as I thought that I knew I was right.
"I have a very bad feeling about this." I muttered slowly. Meanwhile Ben ordered "Solo, turn the ship around." Han nodded, looking very uncomfortable."Yeah… I think you're right old man." He started playing with the control board again even as Chewbacca started growling and barking. I noticed we weren't breaking free and yelled, "Why are we still moving?" "Because they've pulling us in with their tractor beam!" Han howled over his shoulder. He shook a fist at the growing form of the Death Star. "They're not getting me without a fight!" He snapped angrily. Ashoka chose that moment to come forward and look around.
"Oh boy, another mess I gotta get Sky-Guy outta of." Meanwhile Ben was speaking earnestly to Han. "This is a fight you can't win, but there are alternatives to fighting." Ashoka grinned at that and waved at the floor. "Like smuggling ourselves in your secret hold." Han looked at her in outrage. "How the kriff did you know about that?" "Let's just say that I keep my eyes open Captain. Are we gonna just sit here and wait or are we gonna get settled?" Han snorted and punched a few buttons. "There, I just logged that we set the Falcon on auto and left it to go to Alderaan." He moved towards the middle of the passenger lounge, muttering about 'Kriffin' Jedi' all the while.
Han, Ashoka, and I settled into one compartment with Artoo, while Chewie,Ben, and 3PO went into the other. "Hope Chewie manages to scare C3PO into shutting up for once. He was always talking about being 'doomed' when we got into tight spots," Aunt Snips whispered to me with a grin. We quickly fell silent as we heard footsteps almost right above us. I heard someone say, "There is no one here," practically in my ear. It nearly made me jump, until I released my tension into the Force. Yet soon the footsteps faded away.
"They've left for now. Let's get going before they bring the scanners,"Aunt Snips said. Han and I looked at each other and nodded. Then we both pushed up and lifted the panel covering us off to the side. As we looked up and around I heard a grating sound and turned just in time to see Ben's head rise from the other compartment, followed by Chewie's. "This is ridiculous." Han said. "Even if I could take off, I would never get past the tractor beam. And somehow I doubt that dear Daddy Vader's gonna just wave us through." "You need not worry about it. Leave that to me." Ben said.
I didn't like the look on his face. I'd seen it before, but I couldn't remember right then just where. And yet I knew what that look meant. It was the look of someone about to go into a situation which they knew they weren't coming back from. I didn't say anything about it though. Han grunted as he pulled himself out of the compartment "Why did I get the feeling you were gonna say that?" he asked sarcastically as Aunt Snips got to her feet. He was about to add some other withering comment, when Aunt Snips held up a hand.
"I sense we're about to get company," she told us. The words were barely out of her mouth before we heard the sounds of something being brought on board. Let's give them a warm welcome Lukey. Aunt Snips sent. I'm right with you! I sent back. We slipped to the archway, staying in the shadows until both officers came even with us. I slugged the one on the left and caught him. Ashoka tapped the officer on the right on the shoulder even as I attacked. She'd used the Force to snag a piece of what looked like piping and she brought this down on the guy's temple.
"That ought to keep them for a while," she smirked as the Falcon rang from the crashing equipment. "I think we need something more concealing for Han and yourself, Luke." Ben added thoughtfully. At that Han grinned at me and went near the Falcon's ramp. "Hey, down there. Could you give us a hand with this?" he yelled out. He pulled his blaster and snickered. "Stormtroopers are stupid by nature," he muttered back to us. As soon as the troopers appeared, Han blasted both with a stun charge.
"Okay, let's get this stuff on," Han muttered as we stripped the Troopers of their outfits and weapons. "This has got to be one of the most badly designed helmets in existence," I complained bitterly as I slid it on. "If I couldn't use the Force, I'd be walking into walls!" As I adjusted the helmet as best I could the comm unit inside crackled to life. "TK – 421, why aren't you at your post?" it asked. "They're calling for 'us'," I told everyone. The call repeated as Aunt Snips sent, You're ready to go. Head outside and tap your helmet like you can't hear them. Chewie and Solo can handle them after that. I nodded as I turned towards the ramp.
Not a problem Aunt Snips. I'm ready. I sent back to her. I walked down the ramp and tapped the side of my helmet just as Aunt Snips suggested. I felt her and Ben lead the others out and over towards the control room. As the door slid open I heard Chewie roar and the sound of blaster fire. I quickly ran over to the others and whipped my helmet off. "You know, between your blasting and Chewie's roaring, it's a wonder the whole base doesn't know we're here!" I snapped at Han.
"Bring 'em on! I prefer a straight fight to all this sneakin' around." He grumbled back at me. "Oh really. You think that you can use 'aggressive negotiations' to take on the whole place?" Aunt Snips said quietly.
I looked back over at her. She was smiling slightly, but it wasn't too friendly. "Heck, these guys wouldn't know what hit 'em," Han boasted. "Force save us, another reckless idiot! And you don't even have half the excuses Sky-Guy did!" Ashoka muttered. Just then 3PO spoke up, breaking the growing tension.
"We found the computer outlet, sir!" he announced. "Well then Artooie, plug in. You should be able to interpret the entire imperial network, knowing you." Aunt Snips said. Artoo did so and then let out a few beeps. "He says he's found the main controls to the power beam that's holding the ship here!" 3PO translated. I looked back at Ben and Aunt Snips as they nodded to each other. "I don't think you boys can help. I must go alone." Ben finally spoke to Han and myself. "Ben, you're not telling me something. You're not coming back are you?" I asked him quietly as he paused by the door. He sighed. "Luke, you know your destiny lies along a different path than mine. The Force will be with you. Always."
I suddenly reached out and hugged him, much to his surprise. Thank you, for everything Ben. I wish we had longer together on the mortal plane. Yet even with the little training I have, I can sense the Force calling you. Ben stiffly hugged me back and then held me at arm's length. You've grown indeed Luke. Know that I will be with you and your father though the Force. Then he let me go and was gone. I looked back at Aunt Snips as she casually jumped down and drew up the hood of her Jedi robe.
"I got a job of my own to handle. You boys stay here. And stay outta trouble!" She gave a snort of disgust. "Who am I fooling. Luke is Sky-Guy's kid and that practically screams trouble. And you Solo, you're not much better. Just try not to cause too much mayhem, please?" Aunt Snips called softly over her shoulder as she ran out. I thumped down next to the comm board as Han took a seat. "Those two are something else,"He told me. "With your Pops thrown in, the three of 'em are great for getting us into trouble I swear!"
I might have replied if Artoo hadn't started beeping and whistling like mad. For a second I feared that the security programs had kicked in and were going to harm him. 3PO started translating almost immediately though. "Artoo-Deetoo you are not making sense. Who is here?" "What is he saying 3PO?" I asked seeming concern. I had a feeling I knew what Artoo was saying though. "I'm not quite sure Master Luke. He keeps saying 'she's here, she's here,' over and over again."
"Who is he talking about 3PO?" I said in exasperation. "Princess Leia, it seems that she has been brought on board the station."
I nodded, wondering if my sister had been forced to watch as the Death Star destroyed the only home she had ever known. Father had said that Leia had help him survive the shock. Which meant that she probably had. If Tarkin was anything like the emperor, he would have enjoyed such a torment. I shook my head mentally and asked "Where is she?"
From his seat, Han looked up at my tone and said, "What's the big deal? So she's a princess. So what?" I shot Han a withering glance even as 3PO replied,"She is on Level 5, Detention Block AA23. I am afraid she is scheduled to be terminated!" I felt the blood drain from my face. My sister was in danger! Father why didn't you tell me? I sent hotly at him. His reply wasn't long in coming. I would have thought you would have realized that they would do so as a matter of course. I felt him sigh then continue. I've known about the execution order for some time. I thought you had picked that up from me. Yet I am glad you did not. It would have done you harm to be worrying over your sister's predicament and worse might have inspired you to charge headlong into who knows what kind of trouble.
As I would at your age. Not even Obi-wan and Ashoka combined could stop me at times. If you had not arrived when you did, I would have gotten Leia out of here myself. Yet I knew you were coming and didn't want to leave before you got here. Take care of getting your sister out and we'll all meet at the Falcon. Whether Solo likes it or not! He ended the conversation before I could send anything else, but not without a mental hug and the sense that he had forgiven me before I had even asked for it.
I shook my head and smiled slightly. Now that had been the easy part. Getting Han interested in helping me without telling him she was my sister? That was going to be.. delicate.