Rebel Fleet-Home One
It was a couple of days of questions and answers from Lando Calrissian before they would allow him access to the facilities of Home One. It was Admiral Ackbar who was adamant that Lando stay in his quarters with a guard. He seemed harmless enough, wasn't an Imperial, and Princess Leia brought him into the organization herself, so they weren't that worried about him. Admiral Ackbar wasn't one to take any chances, and he was taking this issue very seriously. They used the same process when vetting new members from Imperial officials who joined the Rebel Alliance, and it was a matter of security and Lando did understand that. However, even though initially he has his reservations about him, it was Admiral Ackbar who found himself visiting Lando often. The first time, it was just to get a sense of the man, find out some of his history, which seemed a bit colorful and the stories he would tell. They were all so fascinating. Ackbar had first asked Han Solo about him while he was recovering in medical, and Solo was forthcoming with his background as a swindler, but also brought up his maneuver at the Battle of Taanab and that seemed very impressive. And Calrissian had spent the past couple of years running a business and supervising a city, which give him some interesting experience. Lando knew a lot about ships and a whole variety of subjects, and in his down time Ackbar found his company entertaining all the while Lando was in the process of security clearance. Though when he mentioned him to General Syndulla, she rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Oh yes, I've met him before. More than once," Hera Syndulla groaned, "I can't believe he wants to actually join the rebellion. He must have some scheme involved. Are you sure bringing this guy on the ship was a good idea?"
"Princess Leia herself recruited him and brought him here to us. I for one believe he will be useful for our cause," Admiral Ackbar gruffly spoke in admiration.
"I see he's charmed you. Oh he's a charmer alright," Hera said with a bit of a distaste.
"Indeed, quite the personality. I thought I would get him to help me in some of my administrative work before having him working in the field," Admiral Ackbar croaked.
"Just might want to double check if you put him on any supply work or anything involving funds. I wouldn't trust him there. Then again, he might be able to get us things for free, if he is truly working for us," Hera laughed.
"Since you know him, perhaps you would like to come and have a chat with him. It might help us get started with him. You being a well respected member of the fleet," Admiral Ackbar suggested.
"Is that an order, Admiral?" Hera folded her arms as she spoke.
"Just a suggestion, I'm sure he doesn't know many here on the ship, and I thought since you had worked with him before it could be a good thing. He might appreciate having people he knows around, and give the others on board a sense of security," Admiral Ackbar gruffly spit out.
Hera wiped her eye and replied, "Ah, no thanks. I think he may still owe me money, and I won't get into the swindle that involved trading me into slavery."
"Trading you into slavery?" Admiral Ackbar exclaimed in disbelief.
"It was all part of his con. I of course, was not aware of this ahead of time, but it seemed to work. He has a way of having things go his way. I think he will have no trouble though with meeting new people." Hera sighed.
"You may be right there, Syndulla. I for one quite enjoy his company," Admiral Ackbar said with what looked almost like a smile or at least one for a Mon Calamari. "Though a con like that has me a little concerned. We've had spies do some crazy things, however, to get a job done."
"I can't believe he's here, and Princess Leia brought him? I wonder what he did to get that to happen. Who knows, he could be a great asset if he's working for us. I'd just watch my back," Hera said as she was leaving.
Admiral Ackbar made his way to Lando's room, he dismissed the security detail and entered. "Calrissian, I've decided to have you help me with some administrative things on the ship, just to get you started. We'll see how you make out with that, then we'll find you a place where you will best suited. How does that sound to you?" Admiral Ackbar informed him with glee, "We'll also drop the security detail. You'll be able to have your meals in the mess hall, and will have access to more public areas as well as the areas you'll be working. I appreciate your patience and I'd like to personally welcome you to the Rebel Alliance."
"Why, Thank you, Admiral. I was getting a bit tired of just staring at these walls, though I appreciate the kindness you've all given me already," Lando replied as he got up to stand.
"If you'll follow me, Mon Mothma would like to meet with you personally. I've told her all about our chats and she's invited you for caf," Admiral Ackbar stated opening the door bidding Lando to follow. "I've just talked to General Syndulla. She said she knew you from a few years prior. Had quite a few stories to share."
"Hera Syndulla?" Lando answered with a startled tone, "So she's here on the ship?"
"Why yes, she was just here this morning," The Admiral answered.
Lando gulped, "Well, people tend to exaggerate a bit."
Admiral Ackbar gave a brief chortle.
They waited a few minutes before Mon Mothma sent them in.
"Why Admiral, you didn't tell me what a lovely lady your leader is," Lando said taking her hand and kissing it.
Mon Mothma was both startled and flattered. "Mr. Calrissian if you'll please have a seat."
"You may call me, Lando. Certainly, Mon? May I call you Mon?" Lando asked.
"The correct term would be 'Ma'am', Calrissian," Admiral Ackbar corrected.
"Well, I'm honored ma'am that you've taken the time to invite me to sit with you. The Alliance is quite lucky to have such a fine and lovely lady as yourself as it's leader," Lando spoke smoothly.
"We believe with your experience, you may be a valuable source for the Alliance. Your background is a bit, unorthodox, but then we've benefited from those with all different sorts of past experiences. So, I'm led to understand you've recently been administrator of a city as well as a gas mine? Family business perhaps?" Mon asked sipping her tea.
"I've taken that responsibility very seriously. I've recently lost my position thanks to the Empire as I'm sure you know by now. My, you have such beautiful eyes. Has anyone told you that?" Lando paused and leaned back a bit and continued, "If you really want to know, I won the whole operation in a card game. You could say, it was my lucky day."
Mon gave Admiral Ackbar a stunned look, while Ackbar seemed more chipper and enamored of Calrissian's accomplishments.
"I'm sure you'll be a wonderful asset here. Admiral Ackbar has assured me that he will observe your progress while under his supervision, and we can move on from there," Mon spoke in a stoic tone and stood up to take his hand.
Lando took hers again and kissed it instead of shaking. "I look forward to seeing you again, ma'am. You've got a fantastic organization here. I'm very impressed. Until we meet again."
Mon smiled awkwardly, "Thank you, Calrissian. Good luck."
"What did I tell you, Mon. Quite the charming fellow," Ackbar noted gruffly as Lando walked out.
Mon really didn't know what to say after that.
/
Star Destroyer The Executor
"Anakin," Qui-Gon's ghost called out.
Darth Vader tried to ignore the interruption to his meditation. He pushed it away and it was still pulling towards him. He felt lights flickering around him, and the presence of Qui-Gon Jinn again. When he could push it no further, he knew he was going to have to address it.
"How is this possible?" He asked the apparition. "This can't be, it must be something in my subconscious, a trick perhaps?"
"It is no trick, there is still much to learn. And answers you will not get from your Sith Lord master. I know you still exist in here, Anakin," Qui-Gon spoke.
"Where are you?" Vader asked, feeling as if he were a young boy again, sitting cross legged and floating in a cloud.
"In the Living Force. Anakin..." Qui-Gon explained and was cut off.
"That name means nothing. It is no longer who I am. You must go!" Darth Vader called out the feeling of being a boy disappeared.
"The boy I found is still here, and I feel him. I will come to you again. Reach out and you will feel it, and get the answers you are looking for," Qui-Gon said as he disappeared.
Darth Vader came out of his meditation and was re-suited. He was angry. How dare such an image interrupt his meditation. What kind of trick was this! Was this Palpatine's doing! He clutched his mechanical fist tight. A cleaning droid nearby shattered to bits as it was only trying to do it's duty of clearing some nearby dust.
Admiral Piett heard the noise and stepped into the room. "Lord Vader, we will be approaching Riosa shortly."
"Prepare my shuttle," Vader commanded.
"Yes, Lord Vader," Piett said as he left the room.
Vader stopped and paused reaching out into the Force to tell him if the voice he heard was real. It felt real and it disturbed him. He would transfer those feelings into pain and torment and use it to his advantage to gain more power. It was the only way.
/
The Rebel Fleet-The Millennium Falcon
For breakfast, Chewie brought out some dried flat bread that Luke had insisted on stocking up on while they visited Tattooine, and it was one of the few things still left in the galley that wasn't rations. He also had a crock of the berries they found on the jungle planet, and thought that would make a good breakfast. There was also some dried blue milk they mixed with water.
"This is something Luke was nostalgic about?" Leia marveled at the bread that was hard to eat. She smeared some of the berries on it to try to give it more flavor.
Chewie roared then did the same.
"Maybe he dipped it in the milk?" Han wondered, "It beats ration bars though and we might as well finish it. Maybe we should have given it to him to take with him."
"Then we wouldn't have it now," Leia answered. "So where are we going?"
"I dunno, just Cracken said something about a mission and asteroids," Han answered. "Said he'd give you the details if you were up for it."
"I'll go speak with him," Leia said. "I'll comm him when I get on Home One."
"I gotta fix something in the fresher. You two go ahead and finish up. Let me know what Cracken says, if it's not 'classified'." Han laughed.
Chewie roared and got up to clean up a bit.
Leia finished her bread and fruit. It actually did taste good with the berries spread on it and it softened it up a bit. It did make a bit of a mess, but at least it was palatable. She imagined that Luke probably dipped this bread in the milk, or it was just that the desert was so dry that even the bread was as well. She wiped her mouth and headed up a bit nervously to the hanger where the ship was attached from the hatch. She didn't know why it bothered her so much, but she really didn't want to be seen leaving the Falcon when it was obvious that she had spent the entire night there. The noise from the hatch wouldn't draw attention she thought to herself. It hadn't been uncommon for Chewie to go back and forth from the ship off and on throughout the day. She stepped out, trying not to be seen and when she started walking, she heard whispers everywhere. Whispering around her usually didn't bother her and she usually just let it roll off her back, but why did this bother her so much? So, she spent the night. People do that, right? They were still whispering. One of the young women who worked there came up to her.
"Uh Princess?" She said quietly.
The whispering continued, and some laughing, then some pointing. Leia couldn't take it anymore.
"What? So how many credits got exchanged this time? Yes I'm in an intimate relationship with Captain Solo. So I spent the night! What business is it of yours!" Leia shouted out loudly.
Everyone got quiet.
"Uh, Princess? You have berry stains all over your lips. You might want to try and clean that up before you get on the shuttle. And by the way, we all know about the other thing," she answered meekly.
"I thought you were back on Echo Base," one of the deck officers said.
"That time we took the star destroyer? I knew it was going on then," one of the shuttle pilots offered.
Leia just put her hand on her face and just shook her head."Thank you, I'll clean it off."
"There's a fresher right over there that the mechanic's use," the young woman offered.
"They do fight like they're married," one of the mechanics said quietly.
"Is there any whatever that is staining your face left? If you don't mind me asking. It's been a while since I had anything but protein paste and ration bars," the young woman asked.
"I'll see if Chewie will give you some," she said feeling exacerbated as she went into the fresher and closed the door.
With a cleaned up face, and a shuttle ride to Home One, Leia arrived and met General Cracken in the conference room.
"Princess, have a seat," Cracken asked motioned to the chair to his right. He started a holo image that flashed above the table. "I have a proposal for you, and I believe you are the one to be able to pull this off. We have an operative on Telos IV who has been able to secure us medical supplies, including some much needed bacta. Since going through the nearby asteroid field seems to be the best way to avoid Imperial entanglements, a supply ship outside the planet will transfer the supplies to a nearby asteroid. It's a large asteroid, large enough to be inhabited. There will be a collection of intel in another location after. I should tell you that most of High Command is against your going on this trip. I believe that it's remote enough that Imperial activity has been rarely seen in that part of the system, and I knew you might prefer it to the other option that High Command is suggesting."
"Which is?" Leia asked.
"You would be in command of your own ship, and basically you would be in constant motion as a method to hide you and avoid detection to the Rebel Fleet. Some feel you've become a liability. I'm sorry to say," General Cracken informed her.
"A liability? How is that different than Mon Mothma? Surely she is a known wanted individual?" Leia argued.
"Mon Mothma isn't wanted personally by Darth Vader alive. Princess, you do know the danger of that? Until we can organize our move on the Empire, the best course of action will be to keep you away from the Rebel Fleet. I thought putting you on missions would be the best way to utilize your talents. Mon agreed with me," Cracken informed her.
"Again, they've been having conferences about me without me or my input there!" Leia shouted,"Even Han knew something about it."
"I only asked Captain Solo if he was willing to fly through the asteroid belt and land on the asteroid in question," Cracken explained. "Also that the mission would involve you. He only asked if he could use his own ship. While it's well known, I think in this case, we can make an exception. There will still be a great danger of detection involved."
Leia nodded.
"When do we leave?" Leia asked.
"You will leave in two cycles. You will be required to make a direct stop to Almania after the landing and pick up on the asteroid. It will be near a village in a field rather than a spaceport, where you will meet a contact who hopefully will have a data chip containing vital information for the Alliance. After the medical supply pickup and leaving the asteroid, you will be given a signal to send to let them know you will be arriving when you approach the Almania system. The instructions will be in the itinerary," Cracken spoke then handed her a datapad with all the instructions. "I've already talked to Captain Solo about crew. Chewbacca may accompany you. If you wish, your protocol droid will also be returned from service in Draven's office."
Leia nodded.
"Don't think it will be an easy trip. It's still very dangerous sending you out." Cracken warned.
"I'd rather do something useful than sit around on some giant ship, General," Leia insisted.
"I knew you'd say that, May the Force be with you," Cracken said standing up.
Leia got up before leaving and said, "Thank you."
/
Dagobah
Luke spent half a day tilling out more ground to make the garden bigger. He didn't know if Yoda was using him for manual labor, or if this was actually part of his training. Once he got into the work though, it gave him a sense of purpose and while digging, he reflected on some things. He thought about asking Yoda about his father. He really didn't know very much about him, just basic things that he was a good pilot and strong in the Force. Ben said he had been a good friend. What was he like as a person though? He wondered if Yoda would even tell him. He wasn't very forthcoming in conversation except for when it suited him, and sometimes he was vague on questions about the Force. Often, they made Luke think harder though. Luke found so many answers just on his own and he was starting to realize his instincts were his best teacher. Luke had spent some of his time fighting for the Rebel Alliance finding out what he could about the Jedi, and now here he was with probably the last living Jedi, and he was just doing a lot of digging. The search for the crystal though. He thought he made progress, but nothing else was said. He put it in the small bag with the other objects from the broken lightsaber, and remembered when he took that apart to study how it functioned and worked. Yoda said he would know, whatever that meant. Ben's journals had some notes as well. He would just have to trust the Force and his own instincts as he always tried to do.
He started to remember the Battle of Hoth. That loss did something to him. His gunner shot down right next to him, and he probably lost a lot of his buddies from Echo Base, too. Maybe he learned something while he was traveling with Chewie. It did get a bit wild and crazy, but he figured out he could leap as far as he could in Jabba's palace. That confrontation with Vader though? What had he planned to do with him? As he was digging and thinking, Yoda made his way over to him. Yoda tapped him with his cane.
"Come. Walk with me you will." Yoda instructed.
Luke put the shovel down, wiped his hands off on his pants, and followed the Jedi Master. Yoda led him to a clearing and sat down on a log. Luke sat on the ground next to him. Yoda stopped and looked to the sky and closed his eyes. He put out his arms.
"Questions you have?" Yoda asked.
"Yes, a lot of questions," Luke said sighing.
Yoda nodded. Then Obi-Wan appeared.
"I want to know more about my father. I know he was a great pilot, and strong in the Force. And a great friend to Ben. But what was he really like? How am I like him?" Luke asked and sighed.
"And this important to you is? For what will this teach you?" Yoda asked.
"I can understand you wanting to know more about your father, Luke. It's only natural. It's a strange thing for us as Jedi. The Jedi were our families," Obi-Wan tried to explain.
"The Jedi were your families?" Luke asked.
Obi-Wan explained further, "Most of us were raised from a very young age, still infants by the Jedi, or we might show signs as toddlers, and then led to the Jedi. We knew Master Yoda more than we knew our parents. Your father was different. He was nine when he came to us. He knew his mother as well and had left attached to her. My Master Qui-Gon found him. We had never come across anyone stronger in the Force than that young boy."
"Too old for training. My words were," Yoda said closing his eyes.
"But what was he like?" Luke asked further.
"Like you, reckless. Impulsive. Calmer you are than he," Yoda explained.
"If he was so strong, why was it that Darth Vader was able to kill him?" Luke asked.
"No more time for questions. Walk more we will," Yoda said getting up and pointing in a different direction.
"You should tell him more, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said. "His father still lives. I've visited him again."
Obi-Wan just waved his hand at Qui-Gon.
"I hope you know what you are doing," Qui-Gon argued.
"I could say the same for you," Obi-Wan retorted.
"Ben? About what?" Luke asked.
"Oh, I was just making a remark to Yoda. He understands," Obi-Wan told Luke.
"Hmmmmph, understand I do," Yoda answered.
Yoda sat down and took a deep breath.
"Time for a rest? If you want me to carry you, I will," Luke offered.
Yoda jumped up on Luke's back and pointed ahead.
"Faster, build your strength you should," Yoda demanded.
"But I've been digging all morning!" Luke insisted.
"No matter! Run, run!" Yoda insisted.
Luke ran until he came to a ledge.
"Swing across! Swing you must!" Yoda demanded.
"Yoda, where are we going?" Luke looked confused and tired.
"Swing!" Yoda called out.
Luke took the vines and swung across to another tree and then another, Yoda still clinging to his back.
"Run!" Yoda demanded.
Luke found a new found energy and ran harder.
As he was running, Yoda called out, "Flip! Flip you will!"
Luke did a flip, then another and ran some more and flipped again.
"Hey, this is fun!" Luke exclaimed.
"Fun it is not. Jedi's strength flows through the Force. Darkside sparks from anger, fear, aggression! Easily they flow, destroy you they might! Easy path it is! Run, run!" Yoda suddenly spilling out with adrenaline reflecting Luke's own found energy.
Luke was really gaining speed, feeling the energy within.
"Once you chose the dark path, forever will it be your destiny! Consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice!" Yoda warned.
Luke stopped to listen. He asked, "Is the darkside stronger?"
"No, quicker, more seductive." Yoda said seriously.
"How will I know the good side from the bad?" Luke asked.
"When you are calm at peace. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge, never for attack," Yoda explained.
"Why?" Luke asked.
"There is no why? Nothing more will I teach you today. Always questions. Hmmmph," Yoda exclaimed.
Yoda jumped down and sat down.
"Should we move on?" Luke asked huffing from the work out.
"No, the place this is," Yoda told him.
Luke saw a lot of thick branches and a cave. He walked closer, "It feels so cold here."
"Darkside you feel. That place, a domain of the darkside it is. In it you must go," Yoda spoke softly.
"What's in there?" Luke asked shaking his head.
"Only what you take with you," Yoda answered poking at the dirt.
Luke walked into the dark cave pushing out some of the vines. It felt colder and colder. He felt very afraid. He heard laughing, but he shook it from his mind. Concentrate he thought to himself. Then he saw a small boy. It wasn't a boy he recognized, but he was dressed very much like the children on Tatooine. The boy ran away then disappeared. He walked further and further into the cave. He heard the word 'no' called out as if it were someone in pain or agony. Then he saw it. The tall menacing Darth Vader standing and pointing to him. Luke started to turn to run, but he couldn't and then he turned and stood his ground. He had no weapons, nothing to fight him with, so he grabbed a stick. Vader walked closer and closer to him, Luke walked back holding the stick as if the stick would protect him somehow. Vader then stopped and looked at Luke up and down. He said nothing. He put his hands on his helmet and took it off. What he saw next frightened him. It was his own face, his own head in Darth Vader's armor. He was looking at himself as Darth Vader. He turned and ran, but he was suspended into air and couldn't move. He felt himself being pulled back as if it were a tractor beam. Then he fell down to the ground. He looked up, and Vader was gone. When he turned around again, standing there was Leia dressed in black and laughing at him. Her eyes were not the warm brown he knew, but they were yellow and she lifted Luke up by the Force and threw him across the cave. He caught his balance again and looked back at her. She had turned around with her back to him. He walked up to her to ask her why, touching her shoulder, and she turned around back towards him. Only she wasn't Leia at all, again she was Luke as if he were looking again at himself, dressed in black robes, standing there with yellow eyes and a cackling laugh. The other Luke was coming towards him closer, and putting his hands up towards his neck. He backed away and the image disappeared.
He ran out of the cave and back to where Yoda was sitting. Yoda was looking at the ground picking at the dirt below him with his cane. Luke stood there panting and sweating, and looked at Yoda as if he had a question, but no words came to his mouth. Yoda stared at him and let out a, "Hmmmmph," and continued scratching in the dirt.