DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS OR ANY ASSOCIATED CHARACTERS
Howdy all. Hope you are enjoying the story so far! Drop me a review, and as always, enjoy!
Chapter 22
Obi-Wan watched intently as Threepio told the story of the last few years. Genuinely interested, Obi-Wan listened carefully, attempting to decipher the primitive language that Threpio was using to relay the information to the Ewoks. The only part that regarded him specifically was an apparent duel between him and Vader, which he lost.
When Threepio finished his story, the Ewoks murmured amongst themselves. In the corner of the large hut, a signal was given, and a few of the furry critters began to beat drums and cry out in celebration. "Oh, wonderful. We are now a part of the tribe!" the protocol droid exclaimed.
The Ewoks set themselves about embracing their new tribemates, and Han took it with sarcasm. Rex was tackled by three of them, and Chewie only looked like he gained some extra layers of fat. Obi-Wan held his hand up at the few approaching him. "No thank you, friends. Not for me."
Han stood up as an Ewok each took his legs. He looked over and shrugged to Obi-Wan and Chewie. "Well, short help is better than no help at all."
"Indeed," the Jedi Master nodded. He turned his studious gaze upon Luke. The young Skywalker had been brooding in the corner for much of the evening, scarcely even touching his food. When the celebration began, he ducked out. Leia moved to follow him, but Obi-Wan took her by the arm.
"Let me talk with him a moment."
She nodded and resumed her place at Han's side. Obi-Wan thrust open he flap of the hut and stepped out into the cool night air, his eyes laying upon Luke, who was leaning against one of the short wooden railings. Obi-Wan sat on it a few feet down from him. "What is it?"
Luke dropped his head, staring at the forest floor many feet below. "I keep thinking about my father."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Anakin? What about him? He's alright, the fleet hasn't even jumped to hyperspace yet."
Luke shook his head. "No my real father."
"Vader."
Luke nodded. "I keep wondering if I should be trying to bring him back. Whenever his and my mind touch, I feel the conflict within him."
"What sort of conflict? Between the light and the dark?"
"Not exactly," Luke said hesitantly. "I only feel his desire to destroy the Emperor."
Obi-Wan nodded. "That is the way of the Sith. When the master becomes too weak or old, the apprentice will kill him and take over. The lust for power within your father has destroyed every trace of goodness within him. Anakin told me as much."
"I keep debating whether or not I should tell Leia."
"Your sister? I guessed as much. She has the Skywalker rebelliousness, as well as her mother's strength."
"You knew my mother?" Luke asked, wide-eyed.
Obi-Wan tilted his head forward. "I did."
"Who was she? What was she like? Father wouldn't tell me much about her, I think it pains him to think of her," Luke said sadly.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose if I'm to tell you about her, you must hear the whole story. Be warned, this tale is long, and I may divulge information your father would not want you to hear just yet, so be cautious when you speak to him, for I cannot tell one's story without the other."
Luke nodded his assent, and Obi-Wan took a deep breath, preparing himself for the story.
"It all started back in my padawan days. My master and I were assigned to negotiate a truce between the Trade Federation and the people of Naboo. The Federation was blockading the planet's trade routes. We learned later they were under a Sith Lord's orders. They tried to assassinate us, and they invaded the planet. My master, Qui-Gon-"
"Qui-Gon?" Luke asked.
Obi-Wan blinked. "Yes."
"Father used that name as an alias when he first arrived here, not wanting people to know just yet," Luke explained.
"Ah, I see," Obi-Wan said. "Qui-Gon and I stowed aboard the Federation dropships and met up on the surface. There, we rescued the Queen, Padme, and her subordinates, taking them to Coruscant. On our way through the blockade, the ship's hyperdrive was damaged, and we had to make an emergency landing on Tatooine to repair it. There, Qui-Gon met a young, Force-sensitive boy in a parts store. He was a slave. The boy volunteered to race in the podraces to win us a new hyperdrive. He won, and afterwards, Qui-Gon freed him and took him with us."
"The boy was my father, wasn't he?"
Obi-Wan nodded with a twinkle in his eyes. "He was. Even at that young age, your father was a gifted pilot and mechanic. He built his racing pod with his bare hands. But I digress. On their way back to the ship, Qui-Gon and Anakin were attacked by a Sith Lord, the first one we'd ever heard of in centuries. They escaped, and Anakin, who had taken a shine to Padme, bonded further with her on the flight home, for she posed as a handmaiden when she did not wish to be seen as queen.
"Upon arrival at Coruscant, the Jedi Council deemed Anakin too old to begin the training, for he was governed by his emotions. Padme longed to return to her people after she pleaded her case in the Senate, so she scheduled her departure. My master and I were once again assigned to protect her, and Anakin accompanied us. When we set down on Naboo, Padme enlisted the help of the local Gungans, using them as a diversion while she and us infiltrated the palace. We freed pilots to knock out the droid control ship in space, and unbeknownst to us, Anakin accompanied them with R2. Before long, we were confronted by the same Sith Lord. He separated Qui-Gon and me, and killed my master. I did the same to him, or so I thought. Regardless, he disappeared for nearly a decade and a half. After Naboo, Anakin was made my padawan, and I a Knight."
Obi-Wan paused to let it sink in with Luke for a second. "So my father took part in a battle in space when he was eleven?" Luke aksed incredulously.
Obi-Wan smirked in amusement. "Yes. He grew to be the best starpilot in the galaxy."
The Jedi Master narrowed his eyes. "Now this part of the tale, I was not present for much of it. Ten years later, we were assigned to protect Padme again, who had become a Senator. After two attempts on her life, I was assigned by the Council to investigate while Anakin accompanied her home to Naboo as a bodyguard. It was there, they fell in love, as Anakin told me. But your father was plagued by nightmares of his mother's death. He took Padme to Tatooine to investigate, and they discovered his mother had been abducted by the sand people. Anakin set off alone into the desert. When he found their camp, he held his mother in his arms in her final moments before slaughtering the entire tribe, women and children all."
Luke's eyes were wide with horror. How could the man he had grown to love as a father commit such a terrible act? He then remembered that his father was Vader, which lessened Anakin's crime. However, it did provide context to their earlier visit to Tatooine, when he'd jumped out of the ship and set upon the sand people like a storm.
"It was nearly two years before he confided that to me. I held him as he wept into my shoulder, both at the memory of his mother's death, as well as horror for what he had done. When he returned to Padme, they discovered through a transmission I'd sent that I was being held captive. They attempted a rescue, but we all three ended up in a gladiatorial arena on Geonosis. We would have been killed if not for both the Jedi task force led by Master Windu and the clone army that the Republic employed. Anakin later lost his right arm to Count Dooku, and I myself sustained several injuries at the hand of the Sith. After the battle, Anakin accompanied Padme back to Naboo, where they were married in secret."
Obi-Wan nodded at the completion of his tale, and Luke stood quietly. "She sounds amazing."
"Oh, she was," Obi-Wan nodded. "A most extraordinary woman. I now wonder who indeed wore the big pants in that relationship, for her will was sometimes even stronger than Anakin's."
Luke smiled. "Thank you, Obi-Wan. I know you've only just met me, but I've known you my whole life. You were older, but the same."
Obi-Wan placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I see much of your father in you, Luke, but also much of your mother's kindness. It seems you got the best parts of the both of them."
A knock on a post at the end of the walkway prompted both Jedi to turn their heads. Leia stood, awaiting her turn to talk to Luke. Obi-Wan smiled warmly at him and rose to head back inside, brushing past Leia, who approached Luke. "You okay?"
Luke nodded. "I am. I was just thinking about the Force, and about my father."
"What do you mean?" she asked with curiosity.
Luke smirked. "You'll understand someday."
"Luke, I don't understand. You have a power I could never have, it's what made you special in the first place," she said.
Luke nodded. "The Force runs strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My . . . sister has it."
Leia froze, her eyes widening. Luke nodded emphatically. "Yes, Leia. You're my sister. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. You have that power. In time, you'll learn to use it as I have."
She stepped back in shock. "I-I don't know what to say."
"Say nothing, then. I only wanted to tell you the truth. Anakin is your father, just as he is mine. Should I ever fall, you'll be trained to take my place," Luke said.
Leia's eyes watered. "You're speaking as if you're not coming back."
"Who knows what awaits us tomorrow? Vader has felt my presence, as well as Obi-Wan's. Of that I have no doubt. There may be more than we've bargained for up ahead."
Leia shook her head. "No. Tomorrow, we'll win. Promise me, Luke. Promise me!"
Luke sighed. "Alright, I promise," he relented.
Leia smiled softly. "Now come on, you need rest before tomorrow."
Han glanced over to Obi-Wan and Chewie in fear. Below them sat a massive shield generator, with a landing pad that was patrolled by several squads of stormtroopers and two Imperial walkers.
"Well, there's no getting in there. We'll be killed before we get within fifty yards."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I agree. And stealth is not an option in broad daylight."
Threepio stepped forward after one of the Ewoks spoke to him. "Um, sirs, he says there is another entrance on the other side of the ridge."
Anakin crossed his arms as the fleet formed up around the Pride. The Falcon and the Ghost were out in front, leading the X-Wings and A-Wings, since they had hyperdrives in them. The clone and droid fighters would not be launched until they reached their destination.
"Alright, Admiral, General, all fighters accounted for," Lando sounded off.
"Proceed with the countdown, all groups assume attack coordinates," Ackbar ordered.
Anakin surveyed the bridge, noticing how quiet it was. Usually, the bridge would be a hub of activity, but it seems the odds had gotten to the men, silencing their tongues. "Alright men, listen up. I know that today's task is daunting, but what else could they throw at us? All of you survived the Clone Wars, veterans of countless battles. I see the proud armor of many a legion on this ship. Do not dishonor your brethren's memory by showing fear in this final hour! For the Republic!"
"FOR THE REPUBLIC!" the resounding cheer went up. Anakin, a smile light on his face, turned back to the viewport.
"Nice speech," Alpha commented.
Anakin chuckled. "Just trying to keep the boys inspired is all."
"All craft, prepare to jump into hyperspace on my mark," Ackbar said.
As the stars turned to streaks, Anakin turned on his heel and headed for the hangar. He saluted to Alpha as he left, signifying the changing of command. Anakin was in charge of the fighter attack, and his starfighter would not pilot itself.
As they followed on of the small Ewoks, they noticed ahead that the trees had been cleared. Reaching the treeline, they took cover and surveyed the scene before them. Nearly a mile across, was a barren field of dark soil. Not a single tree of blade of grass could be found, only a small metal building on the opposite side. Behind it, a large, steel wall stood between it and the forest. Half a dozen men on speeders lazily patrolled the open field.
"Guess they don't want any uninvited guests," Han shrugged.
"What, you mean like us?" Luke asked sarcastically.
Obi-Wan pursed his lips in thought as he stroked his beard. "Seems to me that the only way to reach the building unseen would be to circle around to the other side and rappel down that wall."
Leia nodded. "I agree. Split up, meet on the other side?"
The group split into two teams, moving through the trees to the other side. When they met back up, they peered over the edge of the wall. Luke and Obi-Wan dropped down, landing lightly on their feet. They turned and used the Force to float the others down to them quietly, as they were still attempting not to attract any unwanted attention. Threepio should have been muzzled, because he was calling protests the entire way down. It was a wonder the entire Imperial army didn't know they were there.
When the group was formed up on the side of the building, Han crouched low and brought up his communicator. "Doom, we're in position. I need you to distract the guards. Have one of the men snipe a few of them."
Several seconds later, a shot rang out, followed by a cry of pain around the corner of the building. Chaos ensued. Scout troopers were leaping onto their bikes as fast as they could and heading into the woods to search for their attacker. When more shots rang out, this time clearly a firefight, Han signaled for the group to move forward. Telling the droids to stay hidden, he peered around the corner, spying two stormtrooper guards. He put a finger to his lips then beckoned for Chewie to follow him.
On queue, Chewie knocked the first trooper out with a powerful swipe of his paws, then trained his bowcaster on the remaining one as Han pulled out his blaster. He motioned towards the ground with it, and the trooper dropped his weapon and thrust his hands up in the air.
"Open the door," Han jerked his head to the blast door on his right as the rest of the group appeared behind them. Off in the distance, Doom and the rest of the squad could be seen approaching, their firefight over.
The trooper silently nodded, busying himself at the control panel. When he finished and the doors opened, Chewie smacked him as well, knocking him out cold. Han assigned two men to don the stormtrooper armor while the rest of the squad waited around the treeline. Doom joined them inside. The corridor was quiet as they crept down, but the hum of power generators that maintained the massive shield grew louder. At the end was another blast door, and Han shrugged to the group as he aimed his blaster at the lock.
"Here goes nothing."
The dark gray durasteel of the Executor was beginning to feel like home for Vader. Other than his castle on Mustafar, it was the only place that truly offered him solitude. Its vastness often meant that he could walk undisturbed if he took the right corridors. This was not the case, however, as his boots pounded across the surface as he entered the bridge. Closing off the communications room to the outside, Vader knelt on the glowing pad as the image of his master came into view.
"Rise, my apprentice," the gnarled form spoke.
As Vader rose to his full height, he began to relay the new information. "The rebels have sprung the trap, my master. They have taken over the shield generator."
"Good. Everything is proceeding according to my plan. Spring the trap. Let none of them escape alive. Bring young Skywalker and Kenobi before me in chains," the Emperor ordered.
Vader nodded. "Yes, my master."
The Pride jerked as it came out of hyperspace. The rumbling of its massive engines could be felt beneath Anakin's boots as he leapt into the cockpit of his fighter. Taking it out, he led all clone fighters, taking position at the head of all squadrons.
"Wing leaders, check in," he ordered.
"Gold Leader, standing by," Lando said.
"Red Leader, standing by," Wedge reported.
"Gray Leader, standing by," Hera said.
"Lock S-foils in attack position and accelerate to attack speed. We need to take this thing out and jump before any Imperial reinforcements arrive," Anakin said, gunning his fighter forwards.
"General Skywalker, we're getting no reading on that shield, up or down," Lando announced.
Anakin furrowed his brow. "They're jamming us, pull up!"
He went vertical and spun completely around, all fighters following on his tail. As soon as he did, he spotted a massive fleet of star destroyers in the distance. In the center, the massive Executor sat. He had not laid eyes on the massive dreadnaught since Bespin nearly two years ago. Right away, he sensed Vader's presence within the ship, bringing anger to the forefront of his mind.
"It's a trap, Admiral. Enemy fighters, incoming!"
"We'll form the fleet up to face those star destroyers as long as you keep those bombers off of us!" the Mon Calamari relayed.
"Copy that," Anakin said as he rolled to avoid a TIE fighter. His squadrons of V-Wings and A-Wings behind him, Anakin busied himself with protecting the bombers. Lando and Hera were doing their best, but the TIE fighters outnumbered the rebels nearly three to one.
As his cannons destroyed another interceptor, he glanced to his right as the Imperial fleet. "I don't like this. They're sitting back, it's not like them."
As if waiting for that exact statement, a massive green flash appeared behind them, and the MC80 Liberty disappeared in a fiery explosion. "What the hell was that?"
"The Death Star is operational!" Alpha yelled. "We need to engage those star destroyers up close so we don't take any more of those hits!"
"Do it! We may lose this battle, but we're taking as many of them with us as we can!" Anakin said, steeling himself for the return to combat.
As Luke tossed Han another charge, he felt a warning from the Force. He whipped his head around just in time to see several dozen stormtroopers force their way into the room. Blasters were aimed at their heads before they even had a chance to draw weapons. Fear began to grip Luke as he glanced helplessly around at his friends. As their lightsabers were confiscated from their belts, Obi-Wan seemed to be the only calm one.
They were forced back down the corridor at blasterpoint with their hands behind their heads. When the outer doors opened, Luke's fear was suddenly justified as he spied rank upon rank of black-clad stormtroopers that stood taller than the others. He remembered a few encounters with some of them, but never in this great of numbers. The rest of their squad in their camo gear was kneeling in a circle in front of the troopers. Their two guards that had donned the stormtrooper armor lay dead with smoking holes in their breastplates.
"Death troopers," Luke whispered.
Obi-Wan smirked, unamused. "Well, the name is certainly disconcerting," he said simply.
"How are you so calm right now, old man?" Han demanded.
"When one has been captured as many times as I have, it tends to not affect you," the Jedi Master said.
As they scanned the barren field, it became clear the Emperor had sent an entire legion to protect the generator. Several AT-ATs, as well as AT-STs were present, all arrayed behind the death troopers. Ranks of elite stormtroopers stood behind their black-armored counterparts.
"This is not good," Luke whispered. "The fleet has already started the attack. They'll need us to get that shield down, or they'll be sitting ducks."
Leia nodded. "Yeah, but how do you propose we do that? We'll be dead in seconds if we try anything."
That was when all hell broke loose. Horns sounded within the trees, followed by fierce cries of war. Several good-sized boulders fell out of the sky, knocking over a couple AT-STs in front of the doors to the generator station. Stone-tipped arrows began flying in, piercing some of the stormtroopers through the gaps in their armor. The stormtroopers returned fire, red bolts whizzing into the trees, and many small, furry creatures could be seen scurrying around in the undergrowth.
"It seems our help has arrived," Obi-Wan mused as he called his lightsaber to him, igniting it and charging into the fray. Their squad fell upon some of their captors with their bare hands, recovering their weapons and returning fire where they could. The Imperial army was in such disarray at the moment, they didn't know which way to turn their heads. The only ones seeming to have kept their heads were the death troopers. They returned fire on the rebels, dropping a few of the strike commandos. Rex and Doom fought back to back, firing at any trooper that dared to look at them. When a shot grazed the pauldron of Rex, the pair dove behind the wreckage of one of the fallen AT-STs. There, they rallied the squad to them and returned fire.
As Chewie and Obi-Wan made for Rex's position, Han led Luke and Leia to the doors of the generator station. Leia knelt down and took a look at the panel, uttering a few curses when she couldn't open it. "The code's changed! We need R2! R2, where are you? We need you at the terminal right away!"
Luke busied himself with deflecting bolts meant for him and his friends, sending them back to their shooters. After several quick scans of the battle, it became apparent that while valiant, their furry Ewok friends were not capable of combating such an advanced fighting force. The AT-ATs and AT-STs were slaughtering them by the dozen. Desperate, Luke raised his arm, sending a transmission to the fleet in orbit.
"Does anyone copy? This is General Skywalker! We need help down here! Send as many troops as you can! Does anyone read?"
On the bridge of the Pride, Alpha watched as Home One moved into position next to them. The two most powerful ships in the fleet, they were complete polar opposites. Home One was all about shielding and tanking damage, and the Pride was about dealing as much damage as fast as possible. That juxtaposition worked well in tandem as they soon found out as they moved into range of the first star destroyers. Fields of blue and red fire flew past green ones, colliding with shields.
As Alpha directed a squad of bombers to focus the shield generators, an urgent call came through the comms. "Does anyone copy? This is General Skywalker! We need help down here! Send as many troops as you can! Does anyone read?"
"I read you, General," Alpha acknowledged. He hardened his eyes, unconsciously checking his blasters in their holsters. Making his decision, he turned to Commander Jet, who stood behind him. "You have the bridge."
Jet looked surprised as Alpha pulled his helmet down over his head. "Where are you going?"
Alpha smiled mischievously underneath his helmet. "To kick some Imperial ass."