The Apprentice

Luke heaved Artoo off the back of his speeder to the rocky ground, the padawan patted the droid on the top of his dome.

"You alright little buddy?" The astromech beeped out a cheerful response, Luke glanced over at Threepio for a translation.

"He says he is fine and asked if this is the dwelling of Obi-Wan Kenobi?" The protocol droid gestured at the hut they'd pulled up outside of, Luke nodded.

"Yep, this is Master Kenobi's place, come on." The Padawan had to help Artoo over a few rocky patches on the way to the door. "Master Kenobi?" Luke knocked as loudly as he could, Obi-Wan had a habit of drifting away into deep mediation. After a moment of silence, Luke heard movement behind the door, then it opened.

"Luke? What's wrong?" Obi-Wan Kenobi peered curiously at his Padawan, then he saw the droids. "Ah." The Jedi sighed, as if he'd known this day was coming and had been dreading it. "You best come in, all of you." Obi-Wan stood aside and allowed Luke and the droids to pass him. Artoo paused in the doorway and tilted backwards to get a better look at the Jedi's face, the droid beeped softly. Obi-Wan smiled. "It's good to see you too old friend."

"He has a message for you." Luke sat down as Artoo rolled into the hut. "I saw part of it, and he says it's from the rebellion." Artoo activated his projector and the image of the woman in white robes was projected onto a low table.

"I seem to have found the rest of it." Obi-Wan sunk into a seat and stroked his chin as he watched the message play.

"General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Clone Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret I am unable to present my fathers request to you in person, but my ship has fallen under attack and my mission to bring you to Alderaan has failed." Obi-Wan grimaced, he'd felt a familiar presence not long ago, it looked like Remnous had his hands on the other Skywalker. "I have placed information vital to the survival of the Rebellion into the memory systems of this Artoo unit, my father will know how to retrieve it. You must see it safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is out most desperate hour, help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope." The woman glanced over her shoulder, then leaned forwards to shut off the recording, the hologram vanished. Luke glanced over at Obi-Wan.

"Who is she?"

"Her name is Leia Organa." The old Jedi sighed. "Luke, it is time." Luke sat up straighter.

"Are you sure? Am I ready?" Obi-Wan shook his head.

"No, but events have forced our hand, it's time for us to join the fight." The Jedi Master got to his feet. "We must go to Alderaan."

"Alright." Luke got to his feet, "I'll have to tell my Uncle and Aunt." Obi-Wan shook his head.

"That is unwise, they will attempt to stop you."

"They raised me Master, they've been good to me, they at least deserve to know I'm going."

##

"Luke?" Owen Lars stepped out of his front door and glanced worriedly about. Luke hadn't come to dinner and when he hadn't been in the workshop. "Luke?" Owen cupped his hands around his mouth and called out into the wilderness. "Luke? Luke!" The moisture farmer sighed and turned back to the house.

A figure in black armour barred the entrance. Owen took a few steps back out of surprise. "Who are you?" The figure turned to face him, his face was hidden behind a mask, the sunlight reflected brightly off its T shaped visor. "What do you want?" The stranger tilted his head to the side, then pulled something off his belt, Owen's eyes widened with horror as a crimson lightsaber blade came to life. "You're one of them! You've come for Luke!" The stranger laughed.

"No, I just had a lovely chat with some Jawas about some droids they claim to have sold you." Owen frowned, the droids? What did he want with the droids? His thoughts were cut off as he was pulled off his feet and into the air, he gasped weakly as he felt a hand close around his throat. "Where are the droids?"

##

Remnous followed Tarkin through the corridors of the Death Star, both men were obviously unhappy about the situation, though a small measure of smug pride could be seen in the Grand Moff's eyes.

"Remember Sith." Tarkin glanced over his shoulder. "The Emperor has placed you at my disposal, so watch your tongue." Remnous scowled at Tarkin, he truly hated the man, resisting the urge to drive his lightsaber through the old man's heart was truly challenging test of will. "Well?"

"As you wish." The doors to the Death Star conference room open for them as they approached, Remnous made a point to enter a few steps behind Tarkin, General Cassio Tagge seemed to be in the middle of some sort of point.

"The Rebellion will continue to gain support in the Imperial Senate-"

"The Imperial Senate will no longer be of concern to us." Tarkin made a point to catch Tagge's eye as he made his way to his high-backed chair. "I have just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the Council permanently." Remnous frowned ever so slightly as he took his place behind Tarkin seat, Palpatine had told him of his plans to dissolve the Senate, but he hadn't known they were being put into action so soon. "The last remnants of the old Republic, have been swept away." Tarkin grinned smugly as he took his seat.

"Impossible, how will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?" Remnous noted Tagge's tone, the general might prove useful in the future.

"The Regional Governors now have direct control over their territories," Tarkin countered coldly. "Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station."

"What of the Rebellion?" Tagge wasn't done yet, the General glared at Tarkin "If the Rebels have managed to obtain a complete technical readout of this station, it is possible, however unlikely they might find a weakness and exploit it." Tarkin's eyes narrowed as he glared at Tagge, he wasn't used to being undercut by his subordinates.

"The plans you speak of will soon be returned, isn't that correct Lord Remnous?"

"We're working on it." Remnous rolled his eyes, Admiral Motti leaned forwards.

"Any attack made by the Rebels against this station would be a pointless gesture, no matter what technical schematics they have. This station is now the ultimate power in the Universe!" Tarkin raised an eyebrow at the Admiral as he sat back in his chair. "I suggest we use it." Remnous scoffed.

"You aren't actually foolish to destroy a planet with this thing, are you?" The Sith Lord shook his head. "If the weapon is used to destroy a populated world the fall of the Empire is all but inevitable." Tarkin glowered at Remnous as Motti snorted dismissively.

"Don't presume to lecture us 'Lord' Remnous, why the Emperor humours you will always elude me. What good has your defection done for the Empire? It has been of no help in the search for the stolen data tapes, or provided the location of the Rebel fort-" Motti words were cut off as he felt a hand close around his throat, the Admiral choked.

"You talk too much." Tarkin rolled his eyes.

"Enough of this, Remnous, release him!" Remnous didn't move, his gaze lingered on the spluttering Imperial. "Now!"

"As you wish." Motti fell slumped forward onto the conference table as Remnous released him.

"This bickering in pointless." Tarkin scowled at Remnous as the Sith Lord stepped away from the table. "Lord Remnous will provide us with the location of the Rebel base before this station is operational." Tarkin shot Remnous a piercing glare to punctuate his point. "We will then crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke."

##

Luke gaped in horror as the speeder came to a halt outside his house, smoke poured into the sky and the hut was covered in scorch marks.

"Uncle Owen!" Luke scrambled out of the speeder and ran towards the house, "Aunt Beru? Uncle Owen?" Luke came to a halt. Two charred skeletons lay in the doorstep, they were dead.

"There's nothing you could have done Luke." Luke turned to see Obi-Wan stood at his shoulder. "You would have been killed too, and the droids would now be in the hands of the Empire." Luke bowed his head and closed his eyes as smoke billowed up into the sky.

##

Zeb, Kanan and a squad of Rebel soldiers escorted Galen through the Rebel Base, his lightsabers were clipped to Kanan's belt and his hands were secured in front of him with binders.

"This isn't necessary." Juno did her best to push passed one of the soldiers and get to Galen, "he saved my life. Admiral Raddus is alive because of him, you can't just lock him up!"

"It's ok Juno." The Pilot gaped incredulously at Galen. "If they need to do this to feel safe, I accept that."

"But Galen, you gave your life for them!"

"Raddus will need your help. Talk to the council, that's how you can help me." Their eyes met for a second, Juno sighed.

"Alright." As Juno hurried away; Zeb muttered to Kanan.

"I'd feel a lot better about this if he weren't being so cooperative, you sense any dark vibes comin' off 'm?" Kanan shook his head.

"Nothing, but we can't take that as proof, not after Ezra." The Lasat nodded sombrely as he ducked under a doorframe into a secluded area of the temple the Rebellion had converted into a make shift cell block. Hera was waiting for them outside the Jedi's cell.

"Hera." Kanan frowned, "I thought you were at the council meeting?" Hera nodded.

"I slipped out, just to make sure the job was done right." Zeb took Galen by the shoulder and led him into his cell, The Lasat fumbled with the Jedi's binders until they clicked open.

"Thanks." Galen sat down on his bunk as he rubbed his wrists.

"No problem," Zeb paused, "thanks. For what you did on the Death Star." Hera activated the ray-shield as the other Rebels left. The Twi'lek scowled at the Jedi before turning to follow them.

"Hera?" Hera froze in her tracks and turned back to Galen, the Jedi flinched when he saw her glare.

"Don't you dare apologise now! Not after what you've done! We took you in! We trusted you! Kanan trained you as a Jedi! And all the while you were the one who tore our family apart! Who took my son from me!" Hera's hands balled into fists as tears. "You don't get to be sorry!"

"I know." Hera was taken aback.

"What?"

I know, I don't deserve forgiveness." Galen sighed and got to his feet. "I was a monster Hera, I've killed so many people." The Jedi paused and took a deep breath, Hera frowned. "That's why I came back, so I can use this new chance I've been given to redeem myself by finally fighting for a just cause."

"How can we be sure you won't betray us again?" Galen sighed.

"You can't, all you can do is trust me when I say I'm not the man who wronged you anymore." Hera raised an eyebrow sceptically.

"Kanan must have rubbed off on you a little, you almost sounded like a Jedi there."

##

Leia sat with her knees drawn up to her chest in her cell aboard the Death Star. Her mind was a mess of questions, did Remnous really know who her Mother was? What did he mean when he 'cooperate and you might just find out'? Did he really expect her to betray the rebellion to find the answer? The door of her cell hissed open and Remnous stepped over the threshold.

"And now, your highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel Base." Leia's eyes widened as a black spherical droid floated into the cell, she recognised it as an IT-O interrogation droid. The door slammed shut as Remnous advanced on her.

##

Luke sat gloomily at the bar in the Mos Eisley Cantina; staring vacantly at his glass of weequay pirate brew. He hadn't exactly been close with his aunt and uncle, but they were the only real family he'd ever had. There was a tap on his shoulder, the Jedi glanced up.

A thuggish Aqualish grunted at him in a language he couldn't understand, Luke rolled his eyes and turned back to his drink. There was another tap on his shoulder, Luke ignored it this time. A hand seized his shoulder and roughly turned him around, Luke did a double take. The human who had grabbed his shoulder had horribly disfigured face, his right was completely missing and his nose looked as if it had been split in half.

"He doesn't like you." Luke sighed.

"And?" The human puffed himself up indignantly.

"I don't like you either." The human pointed at himself. "You best watch yourself, we're wanted men, I have the death sentence on twelve systems!"

"Alright." Luke raised his hands in mock surrender, "why don't I get you both a drink?" The Aqualish snorted, then went for his blaster. Luke's lightsaber flew from his belt and into his hand. The bartender dived to the ground as the blue blade came to life.

"Code Black! Code Black!" Luke deflected the few shots the Aqualish managed to fire before neatly slicing off the alien's arm. The human roared with rage and charged the Padawan only to receive a slash across the chest. There was a moment of silence as Luke deactivated his lightsaber, then the band began to play again and conversation resumed. Luke turned to Obi-Wan as he clipped his lightsaber back to his belt.

"I'm sorry Master." Obi-Wan shook his head.

"You handled that situation as well as I would have." The Jedi gestured to the Wookie that was stood at the other end of the bar. "Chewbacca here, is first mate on a ship that might do for us." The two Jedi followed the Wookie to a secluded booth at the back of the bar. The three took a seat to wait for Chewbacca's captain, the Wookie examined the Master and Apprentice closely. Luke shifted uncomfortably, most of the locals had no idea what a lightsaber was, but he couldn't shake the feeling this Wookie knew exactly what they were.

"Han Solo." Luke breathed a sigh of relief as a man with deep brown hair; wearing a white shirt and a sleeveless black jacket slid into the booth. "I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here says you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system?" Obi-Wan nodded.

"Yes indeed, if it's a fast ship." Solo scoffed.

"Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?" The Jedi Master shook his head.

"Should I have?"

"It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs." Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow and nodded. Solo pointed at his chest.

"I've outrun Imperials, not the local bulk cruisers mind you, I'm talking the big Correllian ships now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?"

"Only passengers, myself, the boy, two droids." Obi-Wan fixed the smuggler with a pointed stare. "And no questions asked." Han smirked.

"What is it? Some kind of local trouble?"

"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial Entanglements." Solo sat back and glanced at Chewie.

"Well, that's the real trick isn't it, and it's going to cost you something extra; ten thousand, all in advance."

"Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that!" Luke glanced at Obi-Wan incredulously.

"Yeah, but who's going to fly it kid? You?" Luke glared indignantly at Solo.

"You bet I could, I'm not such a bad pilot myself!" Obi-Wan raised a hand, Luke trailed off.

"We can pay you two thousand now." Solo shook his head and sat back in his seat. "Plus." Solo cocked his head to the side curiously, "fifteen, once we reach Alderaan."

"Seventeen?" Obi-Wan nodded, Han smiled, "alright, you guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave when you're ready. Docking bay ninety-four." Obi-Wan nodded.

"Ninety-four, come on Luke." Han waited until they were out of ear shot before grinning broadly and clapping his hands together.

"Seventeen thousand! Those guys must really be desperate." Han turned to Chewie. "Get back to the ship, get her ready to go." Both smugglers got to their feet, but as Han attempted to leave a Rodian stepped out of the crowd and pulled a blaster on him.

"Going somewhere Solo?"

"Yes Greedo." Han took a seat in the both as the Rodian sat down opposite him, his blaster still trained in him. "I was just going to see his boss, tell Jabba I've got his money."

"It's too late, you should have paid him when you had the chance. Jabba's put a price in your head so large every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you." The Rodian chuckled as Han rolled his eyes. "I'm lucky I found you first."

"Yeah, but this time I've got the money." Han threw a leg up onto the table.

"If you give it to me and I might forget I found you."

"I don't have it with me, tell Jabba"

"Jabba's through with you!" Greedo snapped, Hans right hand wrapped around the grip of his blaster. "He has no time for smugglers who drop their shipments at the first sign of an Imperial cruiser."

"Even I get boarded sometimes, do you think I had a choice?" Hans eyes narrowed as he slowly began to draw his blaster.

"Tell that to Jabba, he might only take your ship."

"Over my dead body." Han raised his blaster under the table.

"That's the idea." Greedo chuckled. "I've been looking to this for a long time."

"Yes, I bet you have." Both men raised their blasters, but Han shot first.

##

"You have failed, 'Lord' Remnous!" Tarkin scowled at the Sith Lord, who simply shrugged.

"Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be some time before we can extract information from her." Tarkin rolled his eyes at the Sith as Admiral Motti cautiously approached them, he was making a noticeable effort not to look Remnous in the eye.

"The final checkout has been completed, we are fully operational. What course shall we set?" Tarkin stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Perhaps she would respond to an alternate form of persuasion."

"What do you mean?" Remnous's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Tarkin.

"I think it is time we demonstrated the full power of this station, set your course for Alderaan." Motti grinned.

"With pleasure." Remnous separated himself from the crowd of officers and found a secluded corner of the command deck. The Sith tapped his comm.

"Cody?"

"Yes, my Lord?" Remnous glanced around to make sure no one was watching.

"I need you to bring half a dozen of your best troops to the Death Star, I think Tarkin is going to do something stupid."

##

"What a piece of junk." Luke stared, unimpressed, at the Millennium Falcon.

"She'll make point-five passed light speed." Solo smiled up at the ship affectionately. "She might not look like much, but she's got it where it counts kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself, but we're a little rushed, so if you would just get on board we'll be on our way." The smuggler ushered the droids and the two Jedi up the loading ramp, the kid was really starting to get on his nerves.

"Piece of junk." Han scoffed as he patted the ships underside affectionately. He was engrossed in a last-minute check on some exposed cabling when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Han looked up to see an armoured warrior stalking towards them, he had one of the laser swords the kid had, but crimson. "What the hell?!" Solo drew his blaster and let off a few shots as he ran to the loading ramp. "Chewie! Get us out of here!"

Starkiller batted the laser bolts away as the Falcon's ramp hissed upwards into place. The freighters engines flared to life and the battered Correllian ship rose into the sky, Starkiller leapt after it and managed to cling onto the ship for a few seconds before letting go and landing neatly on the edge of the docking bay. The Sith Assassin looked down at the device in his hand, the tracker was live.

Authors Note: I was going to wait a few days before I released this, but what the hell, why make you wait?

So, until we meet again

Regards

Nighttrek