Yavin 4
New Republic Senate
"Mon, we're talking about Nash Windrider here. He's not just a crazy guy in his TIE fighter anymore. He's amassed major resources and poses a threat to the New Republic!" Leia exclaimed.
"I understand who he is, Leia," Mon Mothma said. "What I still don't know is where he is, who he is with, and what he is doing. Without that information, how can I possibly bring this to the committee and ask for resources? You know how this works. I shouldn't have to explain it to you," Mon argued.
Leia sighed loudly. "This poor woman. What chance does she have if we don't help?" She shook her head and turned to leave Mon Mothma's office.
"Leia, I told you I will try, and I will. But you have to get me answers before the committee meets in an hour. Get me something – anything."
Leia nodded as she left. Frustrated, she walked the short distance to her apartment. The HoloVid was signaling an incoming call as she entered.
The Solo Apartment
Yavin 4
"Han! Thank the Force!" Leia exclaimed.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Han asked with concern.
"Long story short, Corran called. They need help. Nash Windrider has kidnapped Hinson's mother. Now Hinson and his father, Andrew, are being transported to Nash's ship. Nash claims he will let one of the men go with the mother, but it will depend on who Nash wants to keep after learning more about their Force abilities." Leia stared at Han's image floating in front of her waiting eagerly for his reply.
"Whoa, honey, slow down. I heard Corran and Nash, but who and what?" Han asked. "Hold on honey. Chewie! Are you trying to get us killed? The whole panel just crashed!" From somewhere in the distance, a frustrated Wookie could be heard biting back at Han. "Okay, Leia. I'm back. Now tell me again?"
"Okay, Corran is with Luke and the Jedi team on Lothal. Hinson is the new Jedi recruit I was telling you about – the one Luke says is-"
"Got it," Han interjected.
"Okay, Andrew is Hinson's father. The Empire imprisoned him until a couple days ago. Nash wants Hinson – at least I think he does. Maybe Andrew? To get to them, Nash kidnapped Hinson's mother."
"Windrider wants to trade Hinson's mother for Hinson?" Han leaned back and put his hands over his face, shaking his head in frustration.
"Yes. That's the gist of it. Only, Andrew, Hinson's father is also Force sensitive. Nash is taking them both and will pick which one he wants to keep. He says he will let the other leave with Hinson's mother."
"And they actually believe this?" Han stared at Leia with that look of astonishment that made Leia cringe.
"I know, I know. But, remember, Nash has that weird thing – Luke called him a 'villain with principles'? You two went back and forth about this at dinner with Lando last year. Remember?"
"Oh yah. Huh. Geez, I hope Luke was right," Han said without a touch of sarcasm.
Good, he gets it! Leia was less frantic now that Han seemed to be following along. "They are all in danger. Right now, they are trying to get the team airborne on X-Wings and the Star Gazer while Nash is positioned to bomb them from Space. It's so risky, Han. And if they are able to get off the ground, they have to find and rescue the Leffers – Andrew, Hinson and Andra. Andra is the mother."
"Hold on again, honey. Chewie! Knock it off, will ya?!" Leia could hear Chewie giving it right back to Han. "Yah - well we've got bigger problems. Farmboy is in trouble…again!" Leia put her hands on her hips and was opening her mouth when Han interrupted her pending tirade. "Come on, now, Your Worshipfulness. You know what I mean." Han gave her one of his irritatingly adorable, lopsided grins. Leia huffed and relented.
"Han, we have to help. You know Mon Mothma. She's… tied down."
"Don't get me started," Han said, his voice oozing with irritation. Han was not a fan of Mon Mothma's recent efforts to, as he put it, "placate the idiots." Leia had more patience for it. She was raised by diplomats. Still, even Leia had to admit that it seemed Mon was compromising a little too much.
There was a pause while Han rubbed his chin and stared in the direction of his lucky dice. Leia knew this was the moment. She held her breath.
"Okay," Han said, as he sat up and put on his serious face. "What do you need us to do?"
Leia let out a sigh of relief.
Unidentified Transport
Space Over Lothal
Hinson and Andrew sat silently as the Transport made its way out of Lothal's fiery atmosphere into the stillness of Space. The ride would have been rocky regardless. Having a bunch of Vader worshippers with blasters surrounding them wasn't Hinson's idea of a nice trip.
The frames holding the Ysalamiri were burdensome when sitting. They protected the Ysalamiri from injury, but made strapping in difficult. Hinson's back was starting to ache. He glanced at his father who seemed to be trying to find a better position for himself.
"How long until we get where we are going?" Andrew asked no one in particular. He looked up and down the rows at the Troopers. No one answered. "Look, you scanned us, you know we don't have trackers or listening devices on us. How long?"
One of them responded. "Thirty minutes."
Andrew looked at Hinson and Hinson grimaced as he tried to adjust his harness to allow him more room to move. "Thirty minutes, son. That's not so bad."
"Then a day and a half," the Trooper added.
Hinson looked up at the Trooper he thought was speaking (though it was impossible to be sure), and then he looked at his father in confusion.
"What do you mean, 'then a day and a half'?" Andrew asked.
"We are taking you to meet Mr. Windrider," the Trooper stated.
"You mean he isn't here? He has my wife somewhere else?" Andrew asked, masking the alarm that was rising inside.
"Dad?" Hinson asked, not quite masking his alarm. Andrew went to place a reassuring hand on Hinson's shoulder, but was instantly reminded of the binders restricting his movement. He used the only option available to him – showing Hinson it was okay with a small smile and a nod. Hinson stared intently at his father, then returned the expression.
Andrew had extensive experience with discomfort from his confinement. He had years of experience sitting and sleeping in uncomfortable places and positions. This allowed him the opportunity to stretch the boundaries of his Force abilities to combat the aches and pains. He made sure Hinson was observing him as he used one of several silent signals they planned earlier that afternoon. Two quick blinks signaled, "Watch me."
Hinson observed his father begin basic breathing patterns that helped ease him into a meditative state. Hinson followed his father's example. Hinson envisioned he was sitting under a waterfall of freezing water. Minutes later, the pain was relenting and a pleasant numbness spread from his neck to his thighs. It wasn't easy to achieve and maintain the illusion without his eyes closed, but given a choice he'd take fiery pain before turning his back on the goons with blasters.
It seemed only minutes later when they were docking with another ship. The Troopers were not rough. In fact they seemed more interested in assisting them than forcing them up from their seats. Weirder by the minute, Andrew thought.
They crossed a walkway leading into another ship, where Andrew and Hinson were lead to a room with two beds, a refresher, and a cooler with bottled water, containers of fruit, cheeses, bread and some sort of meat.
The two Troopers who escorted them observed them for a minute, then one of them pointed to an intercom on the wall. "Use this to communicate any needs you may have. We will update you on our progress every few hours. Mr. Windrider instructed us to make sure you are comfortable."
Hinson stared blankly at the guards. Andrew asked, "As we are confined to this space, did Mr. Windrider indicate whether or not we could remove the creatures to allow us a measure of comfort?"
The Troopers looked at each other, then the one who had been talking said, "He did not, but I will ask him. Is there anything else?" Hinson looked at his father and shrugged.
"No thank you. We…appreciate your help by contacting Mr. Windrider." The Trooper nodded and the two turned and left the room. The heavy door slid to a close behind them, followed by the clacking sound of what was obviously a locking mechanism.
Fifteen minutes later, a Trooper returned. "Mr. Windrider said you may removed the Ysalamiri frames with nutrient packs, but they are to remain within an arms length of each of you at all times. If we observe you do not follow this instruction, you will have to put them back on indefinitely." The Trooper stood and observed them removing the frames as they carefully set them next to the head of their beds. He then nodded, turned and left the room.
Several minutes later, while reclined on their beds, both Andrew and Hinson felt a shimmer. "Hyperspace," Andrew said quietly.
"Dad," Hinson said. When he didn't continue, Andrew turned to look at his son. A few moments later Andrew got the message and nodded in agreement. Not a word had to be exchanged. Hinson communicated the one signal they hoped they wouldn't have to use. "We are on our own."
Lothal
When leaving the house, Corran employed every strategy for covert movement, from Force enhanced speed to using manmade and natural structures to evade detection from orbital spy technology. Corran followed Hinson's map to a café roughly ten minutes from Marida's house by speeder. He was looking for a man in a green cap and beige tunic. As he entered the café, he spotted him without difficulty. Corran sat a table beside the man. "It's hot," he heard the man say to himself.
"When isn't it?" Corran said aloud.
The man stood and sat at Corran's table. "Orin Ivers. You can call me 'Hoot'." The man said, extending his hand to Corran. Corran took it, and noted the man wasn't quite as old as Hinson had implied.
"Corran Horn. Good to meet you Mr. Ivers."
"Hoot," the man said. "Just Hoot."
Corran smiled. "I'll try to remember. We better get moving," Corran said. The man lifted his chin slightly and made a distinct eye movement toward the other side of the room. Corran caught the look and nodded slightly. The man sipped on his caf – at least Corran assumed it was caf. You never knew with pilots, as all pilots understood.
Corran excused himself to visit the refresher, and captured a split second mental image of the room. As he made his brisk trip, he considered what Hoot might have wanted him to see. He recalled a table of men of various ages engaged in friendly conversation with cups of beverages and meals on the table. Beside him was a woman with two young children. Nothing suspicious there, he thought. Then Corran considered the man sitting at a third table wearing tinted eyewear. He had a data pad in front of him. Corran mentally zoomed in on the man, and realized the man had been looking at him over the top of his glasses. When Corran returned from the refresher, the man was at his table speaking to Hoot.
"I've told you a thousand times, Rowdy. I am not selling. Someone could offer me all of Lothal for that property and I'm not selling it," Hoot was saying.
"Who's this, Hoot?" the man – Rowdy – asked. "I know what you're up to."
"Rowdy, this is the son of a very good friend of mine. He's visiting from-"
"Corellia," Corran extended his hand to the man. The man took off his glasses and eyed Corran suspiciously, then slowly raised his hand to accept the gesture. "It's nice to meet you…"
"Rowdy. The name is Rowdy. Hoot and I go way back, right Hoot?" he said.
"You don't look old enough to go 'way back' with anyone," Corran said, with a friendly smile.
"Yah, well looks can be deceiving. Speaking of deceiving, I'm onto you, Hoot. If you even try to-"
"Oh, can it, will you Rowdy?" Hoot interjected. "He's only here for a couple of days, tops. He just lost his father, a pal of mine from my time in the service, and I have some memorabilia I want him to have."
Rowdy eyed Corran one last time. "Fine. You just remember what I said," Rowdy cautioned Hoot.
"And you remember what I said. I've just about lost my patience with you. Your mother would be ashamed to see you behaving this way." Rowdy's expression became so angry, his face so red; Corran tensed and readied himself to intervene. But Rowdy turned, fists by his sides, and stomped off - muttering some very choice curse words that would make any mother ashamed.
"Sorry about that. You ready?" Rowdy tossed a few credits on his old table and they left the café. As they approached the speeder, Corran glanced at Hoot.
"That was nothing. He's my son," Hoot said. Corran stopped and looked at Hoot, the surprise evident in Corran's expression. Corran had only known Hoot for less than ten minutes, and he'd already done what most people were incapable of doing in a lifetime: He caught Corran off guard. "Long story. And as for that other thing – the thing about the son of a father who died – that really happened last week, so it just sprang to my mind. Trust me, if I didn't come up with something, we'd still be back there."
"It's not my business, Hoot. You don't have to explain."
"Look, Corran, I'm not a dummy. When your son hates your guts, it tends to imply you're a bad father. I don't want anyone thinking I'm a deadbeat dad. I had a great father, and I was as good a father. At least, as good a father as a soldier can be when his son is a boy and his wife…" Hoot paused. They were speeding toward Marida's house, so Corran couldn't observe Hoot to see the pained expression on his face. "His mother died while I was away. I was across the Galaxy, stuck behind a Separatist blockade for months. I didn't even know she was sick." There was a longer pause this time. "My son's never forgiven me. I don't blame him for that. I can't forgive myself."
"A lot of dads missed a lot of important things, Hoot. They still do. That doesn't make them bad fathers," Corran said, matter-of-factly.
"Well, my son sees it the way he sees it. He thinks I'm going to sell the home and property he grew up on. My wife and I worked hard for that home and land, but my son won't live there as long as I live there. He has it in his head that I'll sell it instead of leaving it for him and his family." Hoot shook his head. "Anyway, I'm sorry you had to see all that."
Corran felt for the man. They were nearing Marida's house. "What did Hinson tell you?"
"Not much. He said he needed a pilot – a good pilot. He used our code word for the café. I know it's serious, because he was using LothNet - our underground communications network – and he was still behaving as though someone else was listening. We've all relaxed a little in recent months, so it was a surprise to hear from him on LothNet. He's also supposed to be working at a high security prison somewhere, and when I swung by Andra's house there was security tape, some major damage, and she wasn't home. More than all of that, I know Hinson's voice. He's scared."
Corran parked the speeder a few minutes away from Marida's house and could now speak openly with Hoot. He was impressed with Hoot's patience, in spite of the fact he was concerned for people he cared about.
"Your instincts are right. Andra is in trouble. Hinson and his father are also in trouble." Before Corran could continue, Hoot interrupted.
"Wait – Andrew? Andrew is back?" Hoot asked.
"We only have a few minutes, so I'll do my best to tell you what I can. Some you'll be learning as you go along, and I apologize in advance for this. Do you know who Luke Skywalker is?"
Five minutes later, Corran stopped talking. Hoot stared at Corran, his expression remaining what it had been for the duration of the very brief briefing. Hoot nodded. With the grit and determination that spoke to his being a man who'd survived countless dangerous - likely impossible - missions, he said, "Let's go."
Lothal
Approaching Marida's House
The group moved as quickly as possible. Luckily, Marida and Luin had recovered from the toxin and were somewhat hydrated. Kendy's earlier suggestion that they "double-time" it did not account for Luin and Marida in the group, but their speed was nothing to scoff at.
Grhan couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease Kendy about a flaw in her tactical planning. She knuckled him in his arm for the fourth or fifth time that day. Grhan pointed to his upper arm and mouthed, "Durasteel, baby. Like a rock!" Kendy rolled her eyes and kept up her pace.
Luke was used to overseeing these little moments between the two lovebirds, and they amused him. It wasn't until the last couple of weeks that another emotion started creeping in. He hadn't had time to contemplate it with all that was happening, so when the realization came to him it was a surprise. Lonely. I'm lonely. It had never crossed his mind to consider it this way. Missing what you never had was not a foreign concept to Luke, so how he went all of this time without at least contemplating having a partner like his apprentice and Corran have was a mystery.
The image of his mother and father in the beautiful apartment on Coruscant entered Luke's mind. They were so in love. His heart ached with the feelings that came with those thoughts. It was taking the constant renewal of his fortitude to resist sitting in the hold of the Gazer and watching hours of unseen footage from Vader's recordings. Luke wasn't sure if they included more of his parents, but he wanted there to be more. Focus. Remain in the here and now.
Now his first moments with Master Yoda came to mind and Luke couldn't help but smile. Luke recalled Master Yoda's ruse to get Luke to accompany him to his little house on Dagobah, and his fighting with Artoo over a little flashlight. Something dawned on Luke in that moment. If Artoo was with my father, then Master Yoda knew Artoo and Artoo knew Master Yoda. Why didn't Artoo tell me? Why didn't Master Yoda tell me? Luke laughed out loud as they ran. He looked at the others with a sheepish grin. "Sorry. Just trying to… well, sorry," Luke said.
Luke was relieved when Kendy called to him. All of those thoughts needed to wait until people's lives were not in the balance. The group had slowed and was walking briskly now. Luke moved up to walk beside Kendy. She said, "We're close enough that we should probably start listening for the shuttle and X-Wing. I have a feeling Corran will try to make sure we know they are close."
Luke nodded. "Corran and I have been experimenting with something new. Grhan and I have also worked on this, though we haven't had success."
"Force bonding?" Kendy asked.
"Yes," Luke said. "My sister and I are able to communicate over increasingly long distances. I'm interested in seeing if this can be expanded to include Jedi with non-familial connections."
Grhan was listening. "Should we separate ourselves from the group a little?"
"That's not a bad idea. Let Luin and Marida know not to worry by our moving ahead of the group," Luke instructed Kendy. She nodded and slowed slightly to join the others.
Luke and Grhan jogged ahead then once again slowed to a brisk walk. It wasn't long before they both were mastering the incredibly challenging task of purposeful movement with meditative-like awareness.
Kendy was watching them when in almost perfect synchronization the two men slowed to a stop. They had not looked at or signaled to one another. Luke turned back to Kendy and the others. "Let's go!"
As the group picked up the pace to a near run, Kendy heard a distant rumble. She knew that sound. After a brief moment of excitement, she fell into a battle mindset. Kendy's mission objectives were her entire focus now: Head for the rendezvous point, make sure the Gazer is coming in with the ramp lowered, board and get to the co-pilot's seat, have the pilot transfer control of the ship, send him to help the others get strapped in while I start a rapid ascent...
Sure enough, as they approached the area East of Marida's home, the Star Gazer was in sight. Kendy, Grhan, and Luke had their own private bouts of relief seeing her arrive. She was beautiful!
The next few moments were a blur. As they had practiced in the basement before leaving, Luke put his right arm around Marida's waist and his left hand on her left hip. She put her left arm around his neck. Luin and Grhan assumed the same position. Both Jedi leapt with their passengers holding on tight, and they cleared more than two meters, landing at least a meter up the ramp. Their forward momentum propelled all four of them up the remainder of the ramp into the body of the shuttle. Grhan immediately turned and headed back down to assist Kendy.
As the shuttle slowed to a near crawl, the pilot skillfully maintained the delicate balance between too much forward momentum and hovering, allowing Kendy the ability to keep a steady pace by the ramp until the ramp was low enough for her to leap and reach for Grhan's outstretched hand. Grhan grabbed her arm with a vice-like grip and pulled, calling on the Force to bring her safely on board. Grhan slapped the ramp control button and it began to close. He instinctively wrapped his arms around Kendy in a fierce embrace. Kendy had to pull away after Grhan seemed to forget the urgency of the situation. She kissed him on the cheek and ran toward the cockpit.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly as he looked at the others. "She's precious cargo."
Smiles of relief and hugs were shared as the winded passengers caught their breath. The plan was a success so far. All five passengers had boarded the shuttle without it having to come to a complete stop.
Kendy was now in the cockpit. Introductions can wait, she thought. She exchanged a quick nod with the stranger in the pilot's seat.
"Climb, climb, climb!" Kendy heard Corran's voice yelling over the comm. Suddenly they were nearly sideways; debris and smoke enveloped the ship. Kendy wasn't in her chair. She was on her back, leaning against the pilot's seat looking up at the co-pilot's chair. She yelled, "What the kriff?" Only, she must not have yelled. She couldn't hear a sound. There is no sound, Kendy realized. I can't hear anything.
Lights were flashing all around her and Kendy could feel the unnatural movement of the shuttle. Gazer was fighting against an incredible force, but now she seemed to be picking up steam. There seemed to be more forward than sideways movement. Beams of daylight broke through the darkness outside the transparisteel windows. As the shuttle began to level out, Kendy rolled away from the pilot's seat and was able to grab the arm of the copilot's chair. She pulled herself up, clammering her way into her seat. She strapped herself in and gathered her senses.
Kendy got her a good look at the pilot. He hadn't broken a sweat. He was in control and Kendy had the oddest thought: Gazer likes him.
Kendy called out to the cabin over the comm. "Grhan! Luke! Are you okay?" Luke appeared in the doorway, a small cut on his forehead.
"Everyone is okay," Luke answered. Kendy must have looked more alarmed than she thought. "Grhan is okay. Not a scratch on him." Luke squeezed her shoulder and Kendy breathed a sigh of relief.
"What the kri-... -er, what was that?" Kendy asked. Kendy didn't tend to use foul language, especially in the company of strangers.
"Nash," Luke answered. "Marida's house is gone." Kendy gasped. The pilot turned to Luke and grimaced. This was the first reaction of any kind she saw on the pilot's face.
"Orin Ivers," he offered. "You must be Luke Skywalker and you must be Kendy," he said. "Let me give you the ship if I may? I'd like to check on Marida and Luin." Luke nodded and shook the man's hand as he turned to leave the cockpit.
"Mr. Ivers?" Kendy called behind him. Orin paused and turned back. "You can fly our ship anytime. That was…" Kendy took a deep breath and shook her head, "…brilliant. I don't know how you did it, but thank you." Luke was nodding in agreement. Orin simply nodded once, turned, and disappeared into the cabin.