-1All the characters appearing in Star Wars are copyright George Lucas. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of TVfan.
The Saga of the Chosen One, Chapter 21
By TVfan
Dagobah
Luke pulled his starfighter out of hyperspace over the planet of Dagobah to find that there were no Imperial ships waiting for him. He took the calmness as an opportunity to scan the planet's surface. As he did so, he heard Artoo beeping a series of questions to him.
"No, I'm not reading any sign of technology or cities," Luke answered the droid, "Massive life form readings though."
Artoo beeped something again, this time sounding nervous.
"Yes, I'm sure it's perfectly safe for droids," Luke smiled slightly as he took his X-wing into the atmosphere.
As soon as he did so, he found that the jungle atmosphere quickly played tricks with his star fighter's scanners, and he was forced to rely heavily on the Force, just to make a landing in a small open area that was surrounded by trees and bordered a small pond. Luke looked around to find nothing around and no one was waiting for him. He half expected Yoda to be expecting him.
"Might as well set up camp," Luke sighed as he pulled out the small survival pack that was stored behind his seat and hopped out of his X-wing.
Artoo also departed from his socket and moved to follow Luke over the swampy ground.
"I'll set up a camp here and let you get some power," Luke told the astromech droid, "then I'll go search for Yoda. He shouldn't be far, if he's still alive. Father told me that Yoda was already advanced in age when the Clone Wars began."
Artoo beeped a positive agreement in response.
Home One
Admiral Ackbar sighed quietly as he walked onto the bridge of the Rebellion's flagship with a heavy sigh. The first transports that had retreated from the Imperial attack on Hoth were now arriving, and he had to keep the fleet in one spot, and vulnerable while they arrived. Things did not look good, and he would have to wait awhile longer to know just how bad things actually were. As he walked past the main communications center area on the bridge, he was stopped by an incoming transmission.
"Hello?" a male voice asked, "Is this the Rebellion?"
Ackbar blinked in surprise and looked over to the communications officer who shrugged in response. Ackbar sighed and decided to answer the communiqué.
"This is Admiral Ackbar," Ackbar answered, "Who is this?"
The holoprojector then picked up the image of a man dressed in rather flashy clothing, and Ackbar could see that he was looking somewhat nervous.
"I am Lando Calrissian, I am the Baron Administrator of the mining facility, Cloud City on the planet Bespin," the man spoke quickly, "and I'm calling you to offer a very large opportunity that you can't resist."
"I'm afraid, Baron, that we can not afford to take this opportunity you're offering," Ackbar answered, "We've recently suffered a serious defeat on Hoth, and do not yet know how bad yet."
"Yes, my sources know of the Battle of Hoth," Lando answered, "but he's already laid a trap for the Imperials here on Bespin."
"I would advise evacuation," Ackbar spoke, "If you're attacked, you'll be destroyed, and it's unlikely that the Empire would bother to land troops."
"My source has set a trap that will force the Empire to land troops," Lando explained, "If you bring your entire fleet to Bespin in exactly ten hours, you'll find one lone Star Destroyer in orbit. Destroy it, and he tells me that you'll insure the end of Darth Vader and the destruction of his flagship."
This made Ackbar blink in surprise.
"One Star Destroyer? The end of Vader?" Ackbar asked, "Who could be giving you information that you could promise that?"
"He's a Jedi, and his name is Yoda, Admiral," Lando answered, "He's been helping us out here in recent years. This is all his idea. If you come here in ten hours, you'll be able to balance out the Battle of Hoth with the death of Vader and top portion of the Empire's military officer corps."
Ackbar could hardly believe what was going on.
"I need to go now, as I need to look as though I'm a simple businessman," Lando then said quickly as his signal ended.
That left Ackbar blinking in surprise at the whole thing. He could barely believe what he had been told. After a few moments he sighed and turned to the officer standing nearby.
"Contact Generals Skywalker and Kenobi, and the Council," Ackbar sighed, "I going to have to explain this…"
Bespin
"Will they come?" Mara Jade asked as Lando returned to his office.
Lando looked up to look at Mara, who for the time being was 'undercover' as his secretary and sighed.
"I don't know," Lando answered, "Our sensors picked up the signs of an approaching Star Destroyer and I needed to cut the transmission off before they could intercept it. I hope they decide to come. You're master's plan depends on their arrival."
Mara nodded, "Master Yoda still believes the plan will work."
"I hope so," Lando sighed, "I hope so."
Meanwhile, Yoda sat quietly with Kira Jade in deep focus, trying to foresee what was going to happen.
"Will they search this room?" Kira asked.
"Searching for us, they are not," Yoda answered, "Safe we are, here."
"Then, I guess, it'd be best to bring whichever JedI arrives from Hoth here first," Kira commented, "Can you see which one it is?"
"Skywalker's children, they will be," Yoda answered, "Closest, Leia is. And time, it is now to begin our part in springing the trap."
Vader sat quietly and with a great deal of confidence as his shuttle, escorted by two T.I.E. fighters began its landing cycle. The Millennium Falcon would have to land at Bespin, and when it did, its passengers and crew would fall into his hands. He had at least one hundred stormtroopers scheduled to land, and they would quickly take over the flying city. There was no problem in landing, and Vader was swift in moving to the ramp and then preparing to walk down onto the landing platform. He found a lone dark skinned man standing beside a red haired woman wearing a black jumpsuit.
"Lord Vader!" the man spoke, sounding nervous, "It's an honor to meet you, uh… to what do we owe the honor?"
"This facility is now the property of the Empire," Vader said firmly, not even bothering to find out who he was talking to, "You will assist Imperial Forces in laying a trap for a Rebel ship on its way here."
"Rebels?" Lando asked, "there are no Rebels here."
"You misunderstand me," Vader answered, "A small, but very important party of Rebels are on their way here. You are to assist me in capturing them."
"I'm afraid I do not have the means to fight anyone," Lando said nervously, hoping Vader couldn't tell that he was lying through his teeth.
"Do not worry," Vader told him, "You are to make it look as though you are friends with these Rebels. My men will deal with their capture."
Lando slowly nodded, "Alright, although, I must ask that you do nothing to threaten the people of Cloud City."
"You and your people will not be in danger so long as you cooperate," Vader said firmly, sounding threatening as he did so.
Dagobah
Luke had not had much luck in the way of finding any sign of Yoda on the jungle planet. He found a small hut that looked as though someone had lived there once, but no one was there. He was beginning to fear that Yoda had died of old age during his exile and that Obi Wan and his father didn't know it. As he slowly began to head back toward his X-Wing, hoping to get further instructions on where to look on the planet, he hoped he wasn't too late.
As he did so, a strange voice seemed to speak out to him.
"You're not 'too late' but you are on the wrong planet," the voice spoke, making Luke stop in his tracks.
He then blinked heavily as a somewhat transparent image of a man in brown robes, a beard, and long brown, but graying hair.
"I'm imagining this," Luke said in disbelief.
"No, I'm real," the image spoke, "My name is Qui-Gon Gin. I am… well, your father has referred t me as a 'force spirit' as he couldn't think of any other way to call me."
"He told me you died years before I was even born," Luke spoke, his surprise still obviously apparent.
Qui-Gon's image nodded, "I did, but the force is not mortal. The only thing that 'died' in the permanent sense was my physical form. My link to the force did not, and through that, I've been able to communicate with those who have not yet passed into the force."
Luke only looked with a perplexed look, as he had only heard of Qui-Gon Gin in stories that his father had told him about how he had been introduced to the Jedi.
"I've been around because I felt I need to do something to help," Qui-Gon's spirit spoke, "And at the moment, you seem like someone in need of help."
"How did you know I needed help?" Luke asked his surprise beginning to be replaced by curiosity, "I do, I mean, I was sent here to find Master Yoda, whom I haven't had any luck in finding. How did you know I needed help? Can you help?"
"Passing into the Force expands one's perception of events," Qui-Gon's spirit answered, "and as a 'spirit' I am not limited to the distances between stars and planets the way all living beings are. It is those expanded abilities that have allowed me to arrive here, and yes, I can help you. Yoda is not on Dagobah anymore. As the Rebellion began to grow from small group of dissidents to Palpatine's reign, he moved to Bespin to be closer to his students there. To make sure they were safe."
"Leia was sent to Bespin," Luke commented.
"Yes, I'd suppose that she could pick him up then," Qui-Gon's spirit answered.
"Thanks," Luke spoke and then thought of something, "He's done this to keep his students safe?"
"Yes, the war between the Rebellion and the Empire has made an already dangerous situation even more so," Qui-Gon's spirit spoke, "Although, much of it can not be avoided."
"The Empire attacked us on Hoth, it's partially why I was sent for Master Yoda," Luke commented, and then thought for a moment, "Bespin isn't that far away…"
Luke then paused and then turned back to Qui-Gon's spirit. He knew Han had been frustrated about the time it was taking to repair the Falcon, and Bespin was probably the closest place the Falcon could reach in order to get the repairs it needed. As he realized this, something then frightened him heavily, if he could realize that, the Imperials might be able to recognize that, especially if their ship captains saw that the Falcon didn't immediately jump into hyperspace.
"I think there could be trouble," Luke suddenly spoke, looking nervous.
Qui-Gon's spirit turned to face him.
"The Falcon was in the process of being repaired when the Empire attacked Hoth," Luke then explained not knowing if his 'guest' knew what he was talking about, "if it hasn't been repaired, the Empire might follow them… or worse."
"I'm afraid I can not help you with anything other then helping you make a decision," Qui-Gon's spirit told Luke, "the main problem with being dead."
"I have to help them," Luke spoke, "Leia is my sister, and the rest are my friends. I can't let the Empire get them."
"Always remember not to use any negative emotions," Qui-Gon's spirit spoke, "Hatred and anger can lead you down the path to the Dark Side."
Luke nodded and rushed toward the clearing where his fighter was sitting.
The Millennium Falcon
"Thank goodness we're coming out of the asteroid field," Threepio spoke as Han piloted the ship out of the asteroid field that he had used to escape the Imperials around Hoth.
Han groaned silently in response to that. He found Threepio to be annoying and troublesome, and with his ship damaged and the Empire hot on his tail, a droid complaining that things aren't easy was the last thing he needed.
"How far is it to Bespin?" Leia asked.
"Shouldn't be far," Han answered, "We made the trip a lot shorter by going through the asteroid field. Hopefully Lando will let us get the Falcon fixed while we're picking up these Jedi friends of yours."
"Lando?" Leia asked, deciding to ignore Han's attempt to get under her skin.
"Yeah, he runs Cloud City," Han answered, "It's a mining facility on Bespin, and the planet's only 'settlement'. I'd like to think of him as an old friend."
Chewie growled something from the copilot's seat which made Leia look at Han with some suspicion and curiosity.
"No, I won the Falcon fair and square," Han answered back, "He couldn't be mad about that."
"Am I missing something?" Leia questioned.
"I won the Falcon on Bespin in its yearly Sabac tournament," Han answered, "Lando and I were playing each other for the championship, and he bet me any ship he had on his lot that he would win. I won the match and chose the Falcon."
"I take it from the way Chewie spoke up so quickly that Lando didn't want to give up the Falcon," Leia commented.
"He didn't," Han answered, "But he doesn't hold grudges. It's not in his character. Besides, if there are Jedi hiding on Bespin, he can't be bad. You hang around with me."
Leia didn't quite know how to answer that. While her partnership with Solo was officially business and for the benefit of the Alliance, she did like him, even though she tried to hide it. If she mentioned the business side of their partnership, she was afraid he would think she didn't like him.
"Not everyone is like 'us'," Leia finally answered him.
Han only smiled confidently to himself as he piloted the Falcon onward.
Home One
"What was his name again?" Obi Wan asked as he and the members of the Rebel's leaders listened to Ackbar's report.
"He said his name was Lando Calrissian," Ackbar answered, "He runs the mining facility on Bespin."
"And he wants us to go there?" Iblis questioned.
"Yes," Ackber nodded, "He wants me to bring the entire fleet, actually. I believe he wants us to fight the Empire there."
"Based on the initial reports on what happened on Hoth, I don't think we can afford another battle," Iblis commented.
"We also sent Leia and Solo to Bespin to pick up Mara and Kira Jade," Anakin commented, "If the Empire is threatening him and his facility that much, they can get him and most of those that are against the Empire off the planet."
"That is understandable, if it were only that, I would ignore Calrissian's offer outright," Ackbar spoke, "It sounds too risky, but there is something else that he added. He said that there would be only one Star Destroyer over the planet and that destroying it would guarantee the death of Darth Vader."
That made both Anakin and Obi Wan sit up.
"It will guarantee the DEATH of Darth Vader?" Anakin asked.
"That is what he said," Ackbar nodded, "It's that promise that makes this whole situation strange."
"How could he promise that only one Star Destroyer would be there?" Iblis demanded, "we all know Vader doesn't go anywhere in this galaxy without an entire fleet of Star Destroyers with him."
"He said that someone named 'Yoda' was actually the brains behind the plan he's offered," Ackbar responded, "but his transmission cut out before I could get any more information."
"Yoda?" Obi Wan suddenly asked.
"That is what he said," Ackbar nodded.
"Is something wrong?" Organa asked, sensing confusion from the two Jedi.
"Master Yoda went to Dagobah to hide, not Bespin," Obi Wan answered, "We sent Luke there to pick him up."
"So it's all a set up then," Iblis commented, "This Calrissian is obviously in league with the Empire."
"But this is the sort of plan that Yoda generally used in the Clone Wars," Anakin commented, "lure the droids into attacking a seemingly weak base or planet, and then ambush them when they've become too embroiled to get out."
"You don't honestly think that Yoda is actually there, do you?" Iblis asked not believing a word.
"It's possible," Obi Wan answered, "Kira had a ship which she used to take Mara to Dagobah so that she could be trained. It is possible that Master Yoda changed his mind and moved to Bespin. Even so, we may need to move anyway. If the Empire has already moved on Bespin, we may need to at least begin what looks like a battle to make sure that Leia and Captain Solo are able to finish their mission."
"Can't they get out on their own?" Mon Mothma asked, "If the information on the Imperial numbers around Bespin are wrong, we could risk taking far more damage then we can afford."
"Possibly," Anakin commented, "but it would be by the narrowest of margins, and it is unlikely that Mara, Kira, and possibly Yoda would be rescued."
He then looked to Padme and then turned to face the overall leader of the Rebellion.
"And I am not about to sit by and risk my daughter being killed because no one else will do something," Anakin then said firmly and quite pointedly.
"This has nothing to do with personal bravery and we certainly do not wish to see Leia killed," Mothma spoke, "We're just trying to be careful and trying to avoid making a mistake that would harm more people."
"We understand," Padme cut in, "but Anakin and I will always worry about our children. If you don't want to send the fleet, let Anakin and Obi Wan go. They might be able to distract the Imperials if you don't believe that this is a winnable option."
"It's more about trust," Iblis grumbled, "If what this Calrissian has said is true, and that there is only one Star Destroyer, it'd be a very winnable battle, but we don't know who he is and he's only raised confusion with the questions of whether or not he has Yoda with him."
"I'd think it's clear that he doesn't like the Empire," Obi Wan commented, "and if Master Yoda is helping him plan this out, there is likely to be only one Star Destroyer. If not, we don't have to stay there."
"What are you suggesting, Obi Wan?" Organa asked.
"We send the fleet there on a 'scouting mission'," Obi Wan answered, "If there is only one Star Destroyer, we knock out its ability to flee or communicate and win the battle, and if not, we should have plenty of room to escape, which might distract the Imperials enough to allow Leia to complete her mission. It's a sort of compromise plan. We don't necessarily commit to the attack, but we don't entirely count it out. I know we are not in the strongest of positions, but risks are a part of war. We're going to have to routinely take them if we are to win."
"Could that work?" Mothma asked.
"Possibly," Ackbar answered, "as far as I know, it isn't likely that the Empire has a Interdictor Cruiser that could prevent the use of such tactics, but not impossible."
"How strong are these cruisers?" Iblis asked.
"Our best estimate is that they would not last long on their own without some other warship to provide them with cover," Ackbar answered, "and that might give us an advantage, as I doubt that anyone has come up with an effective use for them that will not mean that there is a great deal of risk in deploying them."
"So, you would favor taking a chance on this Calrissian's offer?" Iblis asked.
"It might be too big a target to ignore," Ackbar commented, "without Vader, the Empire will be substantially weaker, and we won't get many opportunities like this again."
"And you're confident we can escape if it is a trap?" Iblis asked.
Ackbar nodded, "We can drop out of hyperspace at the edge of the system and run a series of scans before advancing. That should give us plenty of time to see whether or not they've set up a trap or not."
Iblis sighed, "If you think you can pull this off, I'll accept it. We may not be able to afford a battle, but maybe it'll scare the Imperials a bit."
"We might also advise that you and the Council travel on a different ship and stay in a safer location," Obi Wan commented, "Just in case."
Bespin
Han saw nothing as he brought the Millennium Falcon into Bespin's atmosphere. Once they were out of the asteroid field, things had been much more peaceful. It had in fact, been quiet enough that he hooked up Threepio to the Falcon in the hopes that he could at least figure out what needed to be fixed and what didn't. As the Falcon came closer to Cloud City he saw a pair of the city's well know 'cloud cars' come up along side the Falcon. He had never been in one of them before, and he still wondered why the cloud cars had been built with two separate pods.
"Attention, unidentified freighter," came a voice over the radio, "please identify yourself and present a landing permit."
"I'm Captain Han Solo of the Millennium Falcon," Han answered, "I'm trying to reach Lando Calrissian."
"Please present your landing permit," the cloud car pilot responded.
"What's going on?" came Leia's voice, making Han turn around.
"Trying to get permission to land," Han answered, "I don't have a landing permit, I'm trying to reach Lando Calrissian."
"You are not to deviate from your present course," the cloud car pilot ordered.
"Whoa, wait, let me explain!" Han protested.
"I thought you were friends with this man?" Leia asked.
"I am," Han answered, "I'm sure a lot of this stuff is routine type stuff."
Han then turned his attention to the radio.
"Listen, I'm trying to reach Lando Calrissian," Han spoke, "I understand he currently RUNS Cloud City. Can't you let me land so I can at least meet with him?"
There was a silence for a few moments and then cloud car's pilot spoke again.
"Follow my car to landing pad thirteen," the cloud car pilot spoke.
"Thank you," Han answered.
The landing pad that they were led to was on a raised exterior platform near one of the main towers that made up the top portion of Cloud City. Han moved fairly confidently as he was certain that his friend would provide the parts or the tools to repair what had been damaged on the Falcon. Chewie, Leia, and Threepio were quick to follow him as he came down the ramp. To their surprise, they found no one coming out of the city.
"Oh, no one to meet us," Threepio commented, sounding annoyed.
After a few moments, the door in front of them opened and Lando and several guards walked out.
"See, my friend," Han spoke to Leia and walked forward.
"Why you double crossing no good swindler, you've got a lot of guts coming here, after what you pulled," Lando spoke aggressively as they got closer, making Han look nervous and confused.
That lasted about a minute as Lando quickly grabbed Han into a hug and then began shaking his hand.
"How ya doing you old pirate, it's so good to see you," Lando spoke with a smile, "It's been a long time what are you up to?"
"We are here on business," Leia spoke firmly as she stepped forward.
Lando then turned to Leia and gave her a small smile.
"Hello," Lando greeted her, "what have we here?"
"I'm Leia," Leia answered, "Now, please, we have business to do. It's rather urgent and the Empire is after us. We don't want to put you in any danger."
Lando then looked around, almost nervously and motioned for them to follow him. They quickly followed him inside and he lead them down a series of hallways. After a few moments, Lando finally spoke.
"I hate to tell you all this, but the Empire is already here," Lando spoke, "but don't worry, a friend of mine has worked a plan that will hopefully drive the Empire out."
"What?!" Han gasped, "What are you talking about?"
"What friend?" Leia asked in a softer voice.
"I'd assume he and his companions are why you're here, and I'd prefer to let them explain their idea to you," Lando told them as he lead them to a door and opened it.
Han and Leia were the first to walk in, and while Han showed no visible reaction, Leia was surprised by what she saw. The room they had been lead into was a private living quarters and seated on a small hover chair was Master Yoda. What then surprised them more were the growls that Chewie made when he came in behind them.
"What, you know this guy, Chewie?" Han asked.
"Nearly nine hundred years old, am I," Yoda spoke from his chair, "Impossible to have met him, it is not."
Han could only just barely hold back laughing at that as he had never heard anyone in the galaxy talk like that. It was Leia who decided to intervene to prevent things from becoming troublesome.
"You'll have to forgive Han, he is bit of a unprincipled scoundrel from time to time," Leia spoke, "and you will have to forgive me, but shouldn't you be on Dagobah? Obi Wan sent Luke to pick you up there."
"Find me there, your brother will not," Yoda answered, "but bigger plans, there are to be handled."
Yoda then turned in his chair to motion toward two figures coming into the room from another hallway. Leia followed Yoda's hand to see a young red headed woman in a black jumpsuit standing beside an older woman dressed in a technician's uniform.
"Mara and Kira Jade, they are," Yoda spoke.
"You were probably sent here for my mother and myself, right?" Mara asked as she and Leia shook hands, although Leia found herself slightly distracted and jealous.
"Yes," Leia finally answered, "although we can not leave until some repairs are made on Han's ship."
"What have you done to my ship?!" Lando demanded turning to Han.
"Your ship?" Han answered, "Hey, remember, you lost her to me, fair and square."
They were interrupted by the sound of a stick hitting plastic.
"Have time to argue, we do not have," Yoda said firmly, "Provide repairmen, Calrissian, you will."
"That's no problem, although it'll have to wait until after Vader and his ship is dealt with," Lando commented, "He wants the hyperdrive deactivated to insure it can't escape."
"What is that all about, anyway," Han asked, turning to Yoda, "Lando tells me you've planned all this?"
"Yes," Yoda nodded, "Laid a trap, Vader thinks he has. Trap him here, instead, we will."
"Vader thinks he'll catch at least one Jedi here, and he thinks it will either be you or your brother," Mara continued, "What he doesn't know is that there are three more Jedi already here and that we've gathered the old younglings and have the forces needed to throw the small occupation force that Vader landed with off of Bespin."
"He can still land with more," Leia warned, "Or bombard Cloud City from orbit."
"Send a message to your fleet, Calrissian has," Yoda told her, "Deal with Vader's ship it will."
"You're certain they'll come?" Leia asked, "We've just escaped a pretty bad fight on Hoth, I doubt the Rebellion will risk fighting another one so soon."
"I told them they'd have a shot at insuring Vader's death, as well as the highest levels of the Imperial command structure," Lando told her, "and against one ship, when you have a whole fleet, those are good odds."
"Not everyone gambles," Leia warned.
"Well," Han commented, "I think it might work. I mean, wars have sort of habit of having risks to them, and we're supposed to be fighting to free the galaxy. If you had a shot to remove one of the worst of the people oppressing it, would you take it?"
"I guess," Leia sighed, "And I suppose dealing with Vader will be our job?"
"The trials, Vader is to be for Mara and your brother," Yoda answered.
"We didn't bring Luke with us," Leia told him.
"On his way here, he is," Yoda responded, "More to say, we must."
They were then distracted by sudden growls from Chewie.
"What do you mean goldenrod ain't here?" Han asked as he turned to look back behind them.
Sure enough, Threepio was not there.
"We'd best find him," Leia sighed, "He he stumbles across the Imperials, he'll ruin everything before you're ready."
Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator
Vader was calm as he walked to one of the ship's communications rooms to speak directly with the Emperor. Everything was going according to plan. The Falcon did in fact arrive on Bespin and his spies had learned that it was Leia that was the Rebel Jedi that was on it. All he had to do now was spring the trap, which he was sure would also bring either Anakin or his son into his grasp. As he approached the main communications area, he kneeled down. The Emperor's face soon appeared.
"Things progress according to plan, my master," Vader spoke, "Skywalker's daughter will soon be my prisoner and either his son or Skywalker himself will be mine soon after."
"Be careful, my apprentice," the Emperor warned, "Things are not as they appear and you must be mindful. Do not allow your want for revenge on Skywalker and Kenobi allow you to miss anything obvious."
"Of course," Vader answered, "this victory will make the battle against the Rebellion as nearly all their Jedi 'heroes' will be our prisoners. I have taken care to put this operation in a situation where I can not fail."
"You had better, my apprentice," the Emperor answered firmly, "I am expecting you to give a direct report on this operation and on the Battle of Hoth."
"Of course, my Master," Vader answered.
Bespin
Chewbacca returned to the room that Lando had given them to stay in before the part of the plan to deceive Vader continued with a large box, containing bits and pieces of the missing droid Threepio. Leia and Han looked absolutely horrified.
"Oh man," Leia sighed, "Father isn't going to like this. Can you rebuild him Chewie?"
Chewie gave a growling groan, but nodded.
"Where did you find him?" Han answered, "Any Imperials nearby?"
Chewie answered slowly.
"A junk pile?" Han asked, "I guess he didn't run into Imperials then. He must have really angered one of Cloud City's workers."
"That isn't funny, Han," Leia said firmly.
Han was about to answer when Lando entered the room.
"What's going on?" Han asked.
"It's time," Lando spoke carefully, "I'm going to have to move you to a security cell, but it's the best I can do until the final part of the trap is sprung."
"Is there anything else you need us to do?" Leia asked.
"Leave your weapons with me," Lando answered, "I'll get them back to you when the trap is sprung."
Chewie then growled something gesturing to the box holding Threepio.
"I'll see to it that he's moved into the same security cell," Lando sighed.
"How will we know when the trap is sprung?" Han asked as he, Leia, and Chewie began to follow Lando out.
"Mara will engage Vader while Kira, Yoda, and the former younglings will drive the stormtroopers out of Cloud City," Lando answered, "but for now, it's time to see how good an actor we all are."
"If Vader thinks he's set a trap, we shouldn't have to act," Leia answered, "He'll get overconfident and ignore any obvious signs that his plan might not be working."
"Maybe not, but let's not give him the chance," Lando commented, "Remember, you need to look surprised that would be best."
They then began their walk with Lando repeating information about the last few years he had spent running Cloud City, largely omitting his dealings with Yoda and Mara and Kira Jade. Fearing the Empire had placed listening devices, he talked about making a deal that he hoped would keep the Empire off of Bespin and Cloud City. As he finished he opened a door to reveal Darth Vader and several stormtroopers waiting behind a long conference table. Vader pulled them all into the room through the force and shut the door behind them.
"Well done, Calrissian," Vader spoke confidently from his seat, "I'm sure they will enjoy the last meal they ever have."
"I'm sorry, they arrived right before you did," Lando spoke and then turned his head to give Han a wink that Vader didn't see.
Han did his best to give a depressed sigh and answered, "I'm sorry too."
After a very brief meal, Vader had his stormtroopers escort Han and the others out. Lando knew they would be taken to a cell, but he was certain that Vader would try to get them off of Cloud City as soon as possible.
"Calrissian, this facility is a gas mine, is it not?" Vader asked as the door shut, leaving the two of them alone.
"That is one of the functions that is performed here, Lord Vader," Lando answered carefully, "Not the only."
"It is the only one that is of importance," Vader answered, "You will take Leia to your carbon freezing chamber."
"What?" Lando demanded, "What for?"
"She is a Jedi and member of the Rebellion," Vader answered, "Her death is certain, but I want the pleasure of executing her before my master."
"That could kill her on its own!" Lando said sounding shocked.
"I do not want the body damaged or risk her trying to escape," Vader answered, "If she dies, her friends will join the execution party."
Lando gulped in surprise and hoped that the Sith Lord hadn't noticed anything.
The Security Cells
Han and Leia quietly paced the floor of the cell they had been put in. Both were somewhat nervous about having to be there, even if it was part of a trap laid for the Empire. Chewbacca sat quietly on a bench working on putting Threepio back together ignoring them. After a few moments he looked up to see Lando enter.
"How long do we have to hide here?" Han asked immediately as Lando's security men came in after him.
"A little while longer," Lando said with a sigh, "We're getting everything ready to spring the final part of the trap right now, mostly because of a slight monkey wrench into the plans."
"What is that?" Leia asked.
"He wants you encased in carbonite," Lando answered, "Something about you being a prize for the Emperor because you're a Jedi."
"You can't let him do that!" Han said urgently, grabbing Lando by the shoulders, "You can't."
Lando glanced between Han and Leia and then sighed.
"You love her, don't you, buddy?" Lando asked and continued after Han nodded, "Don't worry. We'll spring the trap before they activate. Mara will deal with Vader while we deal with the stormtroopers on Cloud City."
"Have you heard any confirmation from the Rebellion that they'll destroy Vader's ship?" Leia asked.
"I didn't give them a contact frequency," Lando sighed, "The Empire would have traced it, especially as they're currently controlling the main communications center."
Above Bespin
Luke felt somewhat fearful as he pulled his X-Wing out of hyperspace to see a lone Star Destroyer in a high orbit over Bespin. He reached out trying to see if they had been captured. What he felt puzzled him immensely. Han, Leia, and Chewbacca were 'imprisoned' but on Bespin, and it felt as though the imprisoning was only an act. He decided to continue on to Bespin itself as the Star Destroyer hadn't moved out of its orbit.
He felt Leia's presence strongest on a floating city that seemed to be abandoned on the outside. There were no speeders, cloud cars, or even shuttles moving about. It was though everyone disappeared. This puzzled him slightly, and made him feel he had to investigate. He found the Millennium Falcon parked on a landing platform, and quickly landed his X-Wing next to it.
Luke then slowly made his way into Cloud City, Artoo following closely behind him.
Carbon Freezing Chamber
"These facilities are crude, but they should be enough to deal with our Jedi guests," Vader commented as his 'prisoners' were brought into the chamber.
"Lord Vader," Lando spoke in a pleading voice as he tried to follow him through the squad of stormtroopers guarding the platform, which would soon be even more crowded when the stormtroopers escorting the 'prisoners' joined them, "we use this facility for freezing carbonite as part of the mining process. You put a living person in there, and you could kill her."
"Thank you for reminding me, but the Emperor will not be saddened by her death, so I do not care," Vader said firmly, "And if you continue to defend these traitors to the Empire, I will destroy this city from space, is that clear?"
"Crystal," Lando answered nervously.
Lando glanced up at a hidden platform where Mara was carefully hidden. The red haired Jedi had both Leia's light saber and her own, and would have to move quickly. He silently hoped that the Rebel fleet would arrive soon.
Luke quickly ducked behind a corner and glanced out. There were at least two stormtroopers guarding the end of another hallway. It confirmed to him that the Empire had taken over Cloud City, but the feeling in the force that there were was something that even the Imperials didn't know or expect was still present, and getting stronger. That puzzled him somewhat, but he hoped that whatever it was, it would beat the Empires armored soldiers.
Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator
Admiral Piett stood calmly on the bridge of the warship and gazed out the main windows toward the planet below it. He hoped things on the planetary side of the mission were going well. He had sent a report down that Luke Skywalker's X-Wing had been detected, but he doubted that had reached Vader yet. That now left him board beyond belief. He almost wished there would be some sort of surprise, just to make sure there was something to do. As he turned around, he was called to by a nervous looking technician in one of the bridge's crew pits.
"Admiral, we have a fleet of Rebel ships dropping out of hyperspace, sir," the crewmen reported quickly, "They're already on top of us!"
"What?" Piett said in surprised and turned back to the bridge windows to see several large capital ships and escorting cruisers moving into position above his lone Star Destroyer.
"Raise shields, contact the rest of the fleet we must…" Piett began to order but was cut off when a massive explosion shook the Devastator, throwing him to the ground.
As he got up, he heard the humming sound of the ship's shields coming up.
"Damage report," Piett ordered.
"They fired a heavy barrage before we could raise our shields," an officer reported, "as a result, our power generators are damaged and functioning at fifty percent capacity, we've lost long range communications and our hyperdrive."
"Pull us closer to the lead ship and return fire," Piett ordered, "We can't their whole fleet firing on us at once. Launch all fighters, and send a message to Bespin. Tell our men there to contact the rest of the fleet and we'll destroy these Rebels!"
Bespin, Communications Center
"We will retransmit the message as soon as possible," an officer answered another officer on the communications screen, "We'll have the fleet here in no time."
"Good," the officer on the screen replied, "Devastator, out."
The officer in the room then turned to a pair of technicians and prepared to transfer the message to the fleet. But, before he could speak, both technicians flew into the ceiling and then fell to the floor unconscious. He turned to face two men holding blaster rifles who were clearly not stormtroopers and a small green alien in brown robes.
"Communicate with your fleet, you will not," Yoda ordered the Imperial officer and paused while he repeated the order in a trance like state and then continued, "Surrender, you will."
The officer then surrendered and Yoda turned to the former younglings with him.
"Defend this room, we must," Yoda spoke clearly.
Carbon Freezing Chamber
Leia was nervous as she was pushed onto the platform above the chamber itself.
"Do you have any last words?" Vader asked.
"You won't get away with this," Leia answered firmly and turned away.
"Touching, put her in," Vader answered and then ordered a nearby officer.
Leia then felt the platform suddenly begin to lower and she found herself looking at Han and hoping the trap would work.
"I love you," Han called to her, sounding fearful that the plan might have failed.
"I know," Leia answered only to hear the snap-hiss of a lightsaber being activated.
Leia looked up to see Mara leap down from the rafters with her violet bladed lightsaber ready. Mara quickly decapitated the officer at the controls and then stood between the chamber and Vader.
"You're reign of terror ends here, monster," Mara said firmly as Vader stepped back briefly in surprise.
Lando, meanwhile produced a blaster and shot several stormtroopers while Chewie grabbed those close to him and threw them over the edge and down a long pit below them. Han, meanwhile, rushed to pull Leia out of the chamber. Mara tossed Leia her lightsaber as soon as she was out.
"A very brave effort Calrissian," Vader spoke confidently the other stormtroopers moved to block their escape, "but ultimately foolish. Your city is now doomed to destruction."
"You all go," Mara instructed, "I'll deal with tall, dark, and stupid."
Leia nodded and moved forward and the remaining stormtroopers in the room and began to walk toward the exit. Han and Chewie picked up the blasters that had belonged to the stormtroopers and followed Lando out.
"Come on," Lando said urgently, "We've got to make sure the Imperials don't get off of Cloud City."
Mara, meanwhile, stood defiantly in front of Vader as the dark lord watched his prisoners fled the room. She was sure that Vader was fuming as he readied his own red bladed lightsaber.
"Your efforts are in vain," Vader said firmly, "My men will catch them and they will be brought back here. But your abilities do seem formidable. My master could use the services of a warrior like yourself."
Mara knocked Vader back up the steps and began to approach him.
"I'd prefer to remain on the light side of the force," Mara answered.
"Very well," Vader replied, "Then you will soon experience the full power of the dark side!"
Elsewhere, Luke was surprised by what he saw as he moved through the back hallways of Cloud City. Bespin's own security men were ambushing the stormtroopers in nearly hallway, and Luke could hear the sounds of blaster fire going on in the background. He didn't want to get involved yet, at least not until he was sure that Leia and Han were safe. As he walked along, a small panel suddenly opened and Luke found himself looking at a hidden passageway. He could hear the buzzing hum of a lightsaber echoing along its walls.
"That must be Vader fighting with Leia," Luke thought and began to move down the passageway.
Artoo followed after him.
Lando and their group found that the battle with Vader's stormtroopers was going easily. Vader had enough to enforce laws and deal with small criminals, but not enough to do well against a full-scale uprising. As they made their way through the hallways, they all saw that the stormtroopers had tried to retake hallways through massed assaults, which the hallways wouldn't allow, and had been forced back. Chewie growled something as they did so.
"You said it Chewie," Han commented, "I think this was overkill on your part Lando. If this keeps up, they'll all be dead."
"Certainly embarrassing for the Empire, though, right?" Lando answered with a slight smile and fired a shot at one of the few remaining stormtroopers that was trying to take that hallway, "besides, there are probably other patrols that we haven't found yet."
Home One
Obi Wan and Admiral Ackbar watched from he bridge as the Rebel fleet began to move around the damaged Devastator. So far everything they had been told about the situation had been right. There was only one Star Destroyer, and while it sent a message to Cloud City on Bespin, it didn't send any other messages, and there was no relay message from Bespin to the Imperial Fleet. X-Wings and Y-Wings were now running strafing runs on the damaged Imperial warship while the Rebel ships continued to bombard the Devastator.
Ackbar actually looked on confidently at the scene. From what he could see, the Devastator was clearly in bad shape. Several of its most powerful guns had been destroyed and one of the domes above the bridge was on fire and there were the beginnings of several small stress fractures in the ship's hull. Ackbar guessed it wouldn't be long before the Imperials began to abandon their ship.
"I'd think your Master Yoda is on Bespin," Admiral Ackbar commented, "Everything is going as we were told it would go."
Obi-Wan nodded as he watched the space battle going on outside them. It was definitely one sided in the Rebellion's favor so long as there was no help for the lone Imperial warship.
"The only thing left will be to insure that Vader doesn't escape," Obi-Wan answered.
Bespin
The duel between Vader and Mara went back and forth. While Vader was able to show that through his greater strength he was able to push Mara back, the feminine Jedi quickly proved that her greater athleticism was more then enough to keep Vader at bay. Vader tried to hurl random objects at her, in the hopes that she would be too distracted to do anything, but Mara either managed to deflect them away with her lightsaber, or hurl them back at Vader himself. Eventually, he managed to get Mara to back onto an open gangway, where either of them could easily all to their death.
"You're beaten," Vader spoke triumphantly, "No place for you to run now."
"Who said anything about hiding," Mara answered as she kicked Vader in the chest, knocking him down, "Power isn't everything."
Vader threw Mara back with a powerful force shove and nearly through Mara off the gangway.
"But it does help," Vader said triumphantly and prepared to kill Mara as she tried to get up.
Vader never got a chance to finish as a scream of 'no' interrupted him, and soon the burning pain of a lightsaber slicing through his sword arm stopped him. The arm fell to the floor and then bounced down into the abyss below them. Vader turned to face the newcomer, only to feel Mara's blade slice through his side.
Mara slowly got to her feet as Vader's body fell into two pieces to look at her 'rescuer'. He was a blonde man, about her age, wearing clothing closer to what Yoda wore in terms of design. In his hands he held a lightsaber with a bright emerald green blade. Something about him was familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"Thank you," Mara spoke after a few moments, "But I had everything under my control."
Luke just looked forward, almost dumbly, at the woman standing there before him. He found her to be very beautiful, and despite her figure, was captivated most by her eyes.
"You can talk to me whenever you find the time to breathe," Mara spoke after a few moments.
Luke shook himself out of stupor and spoke carefully.
"My name is Luke," Luke choked out.
"Mara, Mara Jade," Mare replied, "Do you have a last name, or is it just Luke?"
"Skywalker," Luke answered, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Mara answered, "I suppose you're looking for your sister, am I right?"
Luke slowly nodded.
"Don't worry, she should be fine," Mara informed him, "She and the others are driving the Imperials off of Cloud City."
Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator
Things were going terribly for the Devastator's crew. The ship's shields were nearly gone, and there were now visible signs of damage to the ship's hull and they were taking fire from multiple sides as other Rebel ships moved to fire on the Devastator from multiple angles. There was no sign of the rest of the fleet.
"Is there any sign of them?" Piett demanded.
"No, sir," one of the crewmen answered as the ship shuddered under another barrage of fire.
Another crewmen then checked a functioning crew panel and gasped.
"Admiral, we've lost shield power!" the crewman screamed.
"Have we repaired the engines?" Piett demanded, deciding that if he could not beat the Rebels, he would have to escape them.
"No, sir," the crewmen said, "We need to get out of here."
Piett then sighed as another barrage of fire hit the damaged Devastator. That made sparks fly everywhere on the bridge. Piett easily saw that the battle was lost and new he couldn't win.
"Abandon ship," Piett ordered, "All hands abandon ship."
Home One
The Devastator exploded violently a few moments later, and on the bridge of the Rebel flagship, Admiral Ackbar and Obi-Wan sighed with relief.
"Well, I suppose that ends our part in the battle," Ackbar sighed, "I'd better see to the collection of any escape pods that they launched."
Ob-Wan nodded, "And I sense that Vader's forces have been defeated on the planet."
After a few moments Obi-Wan added something else, "hopefully this makes the Empire pause long enough for us to recover from the battle on Hoth."
To Be Continued…