Chapter 63- Covert and Going to Battle
Leia watched the shield generator as a ship took off from the platform. From what she now knew as the Force in her, Leia could feel her brother, sister, and uncle on that ship. After a night she had come to a small measure of accepting what Luke, Lena, and Talon had told her. She was Luke and Lena's triplet sister and the daughter of Darth Vader, who had once been Anakin Skywalker, the-hero-without-fear. Chewbacca growled as the ship went in the direction of the Death Star and motioned the troops behind them to join them.
"The main entrance to the control bunker is on the far side of that landing platform. This isn't going to be easy," Leia said, looking at the remote in her hand that showed her the landing platform and generator.
"Hey, don't worry. Chewie and me got into a lot of places more heavily guarded than this," Han said. Wicket, who had crouched next to Leia, turned to speak to Threepio, who spoke back.
"What's he saying?" Leia asked.
"He says there's a secret entrance on the other side of the ridge," Threepio said and they made their way to the place Wicket was talking about.
Cora Orran sat in the chair behind Lando and Nien Nunb in the Millennium Falcon. Lando was getting ready to make the jump to lightspeed with x-wings, y-wings, and Mon Cal cruisers and frigates behind them. "Admiral, we're in position. All fighters accounted for," Lando said to Admiral Ackbar.
"Proceed with the countdown. All groups assume attack coordinates," Ackbar said. Nunb chattered away in Sullustan. He was a very jittery creature that had to be talked to in a soothing voice.
"Don't worry. My friend's down there. He'll have that shield down on time. Or this will be the shortest offensive of all time," Cora heard Lando mutter the last half under his breath as he prepared the jump to lightspeed.
"All craft, prepare to jump into hyperspace on my mark," Ackbar said.
"All right. Stand by," Lando said as he pulled back the toggle.
Leia and the others made their way through the forest at Wicket's whistle. Wicket jabbered at Han. "Back door, huh? Good idea," Han said as he stood at a crouch and made his way to a blast door guarded by stormtroopers.
"It's only a few guards. This shouldn't be too much trouble," Han said to Leia and Logray started jabbering to Threepio.
"It only takes on to sound the alarm," Leia said nervously.
"Then we'll do it real quiet, like," Han said sarcastically.
"Oh, my! Princess Leia!" Threepio exclaimed. Leia stood and covered Threepio's mouthpiece with her hand in a way of telling him to keep it down. He lowered his modulated voice. "I'm afraid our furry companion has gone and done something rather rash," Threepio said, looking over to where speeder bikes were parked. Leia looked over and felt the blood drain out of her face as Wicket examined the bikes.
"Oh no," Leia said with a groan.
"There goes our surprise attack," Han said as Wicket got on one of the bikes. Somehow Wicket started the engine.
"Look! Over there! Stop him!" One of the troopers yelled. Wicket took off like a shot and all but one of the troopers followed on the remaining bikes.
"Not bad for a little furball. There's only one left. You stay here. We'll take care of this," Han said to Threepio as they left to go to the door.
"I have decided that we shall stay here," Leia heard Threepio say to Artoo and the Ewok guide.
Han went up silently and tapped the guard on the shoulder. "Hey!" The trooper yelled as he followed Han right into the rebel attack group, pointing blasters at him. They tied up the trooper and opened the door to the generator. Leia looked at Han and swallowed nervously as they made their way forward.