Han, Leia, and Chewbacca rendezvoused with the rest of the group, bringing along the two droids and the Ewoks. They hid on the ridge overlooking the bunker, seeing that it was heavily armed and had the landing platform.
"The main entrance to the control bunker is on the far side of that landing platform," Leia informed as she shook her head. "This isn't going to be easy."
"Don't worry, Chewie and me got into a lot of places more heavily guarded than this," Han bragged. The Ewoks started talking with each other, catching Leia's attention.
"What's he saying?" she wondered.
"He says that there's a secret entrance on the other side of the ridge," Threepio explained.
"Back door, huh? Good idea," Han smiled as they made their way over to the ridge. Once at the entrance, they could see a few troopers below, but it wasn't anything like the main entrance. "It's only a few guards. This shouldn't be too much trouble."
"It only takes one to sound the alarm," Leia reminded, thinking about the day prior.
"Then we'll do it real quiet-like," Han bargained with a grin. Leia rolled her eyes before Threepio got her attention.
"I'm afraid our furry companion has gone and done something rather rash," Threepio pointed out as two Ewoks went down to the bunker.
"Oh no," Leia whispered as they watched helplessly from the ridge. One of the Ewoks carefully swung onto one of the speeder bikes and flipped the switches. Once the engine started, the scouts leap up in surprise.
"There goes our surprise attack," Han groaned before the speeder bike quickly vanished into the forest. The scouts yelled after them before three of them jumped on their bikes in pursuit. "Not bad for a little furball. There's only one left. You stay here. We'll take care of this."
"I have decided that we shall stay here," Threepio told Artoo and the other Ewoks.
Han and the entourage snuck down to the base of the ridge before Han crept behind the remaining scout. With a quick trick and having the trooper chase him into a trap, they had control of the outside of the bunker. The crew ran into the building and found the main control room, taking prisoners as they went.
"Alright! Move, come on quickly!" Han shouted as the rebels herded the Imperials away from the controls.
"Han! Hurry, the fleet will be here any moment!" Leia warned.
"Charges!" Han shouted as they brought out the timed bombs and placed them around the control room. Chewie threw him one before he turned to see more Imperial officers walk in on them, blasters aimed at them.
"Freeze, you rebel scum!" the commander spat before Han put down the charge and raised his hands.
~~F~~
Lando sat in the Millennium Falcon with his Sullustan copilot, Nien Nunb. The fleet was behind them, waiting for their mark. Fighters surrounded them, preparing for the imminent attack. He leaned forward, turning on the commlink.
"Admiral, we're in position. All fighters accounted for," Lando informed.
"Proceed with the countdown. All groups assume attack coordinates," Ackbar answered as they flew forward. Lando turned to his copilot and smiled.
"Don't worry, my friends are down there. They'll have that shield down on time," Lando reassured before whispering to himself. "Or this'll be the shortest offensive of all time."
"All craft prepare to jump to hyperspace on my mark," Ackbar instructed before the fleet sped through the galaxy towards Endor.
The came out of hyperspace and the Falcon took the lead as the fighters flanked them, waiting for orders. Lando flipped a switch before glancing at the screen and turning on the commlink.
"All wings report in," Lando called as he heard the fighter groups respond. They all were standing by, ready to commence.
"May the Force be with us," Ackbar called in as Lando glanced at Nien. His copilot pointed out the control panel before voicing his concern.
"We've got to be able to get some kind of a reading on that shield, up or down. How could they be jamming us if they don't… know we're coming," Lando asked before it clicked in his mind. He grabbed the commlink again. "Break off the attack! The shield is still up!"
"I get no reading, are you sure?" Red leader asked.
"Pull up! All craft pull up!" Lando commanded as they scattered. Ackbar called for evasive action as a fleet of star destroyers came out of the void.
"It's a trap!" Ackbar exclaimed as Lando noted the number of TIE fighters heading towards them.
"Accelerate to attack speed! Draw their fire away from the other cruisers!" Lando shouted as they diverted the fighters' attention.
~~F~~
Vader brought Luke to the elevator before telling a trooper to take Padme to a security holding cell. Padme watched her son disappear into the lift after he gave her a hopeful look. She nodded before she was dragged away. Luke stood next to his father as they traveled upward in silence.
Once the lift stopped, Vader led Luke towards the throne to the middle of the room. Vader bowed as the Emperor faced them. Luke straightened his spine, challenging the leader.
"Welcome, young Jedi. I have been expecting you," the Emperor greeted before glancing at the binders and bid his guards to leave. Then the binders slid from Luke's wrist and sounded on the floor. "You no longer need those. I'm looking forward to completing your training. In time, you will call me Master."
"You're gravely mistaken," Luke answered as the Emperor started to walk towards them. "You won't convert me as you did my father."
"Oh, no, my young Jedi," the leader argued, close now to Luke. "You will find that it is you who are mistaken about a great many things."
"His lightsaber," Vader informed, handing the weapon to his master. The Emperor grinned as he took it.
"Ah, yes, a Jedi's weapon. Much like your father's," the leader remarked while he admired the weapon. He laughed under his breath before turning back to Luke. "By now you must know your father can never be turned from the dark side. So will it be with you."
"You're wrong. Soon I'll be dead, and you with me," Luke informed. The Emperor laughed as he returned to his throne, glancing out the large window.
"Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack of your rebel fleet," the Emperor smiled, startling Luke. "Yes, I assure you we are quite safe from your friends here."
"Your overconfidence is your weakness," Luke accused. Vader turned to his son, watching his reaction. The Emperor frowned and turned to the two of them.
"Your faith in your friend is yours," the Emperor growled before motioning towards a door to the side. Luke and Vader saw Padme come into the room, still bound, and escorted by two troopers. Anger boiled in Vader's veins as he saw a bruise form on her cheeks. Luke glared at the Emperor, who had his grin back. "It's pointless to resist. Everything that has transpired has done so according to my design. Your friends up there on the Sanctuary Moon are walking into a trap. As is your Rebel fleet! It was I who allowed the Alliance to know the location of the shield generator. It is quite safe from your pitiful little band. An entire legion on my best troops awaits them. I'm afraid the deflector shield will be quite operations when your friends arrive."
The Emperor motioned for Luke to join him near the window as he saw the rebel fleet arrive and the Imperial fleet to meet them. As Luke stared, the Emperor walked back to his throne with Vader nearby. Vader had placed himself between the Emperor and Padme, blocking her view from him.
"From here you will witness the final destruction of the Alliance, and the end of your insignificant Rebellion," the Emperor mocked before Luke spun towards him, glancing at his weapon. The Emperor touched the lightsaber, smiling. "You want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you now. Take your lightsaber. Use it, I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give into your anger. With each passing moment, you make yourself more my servant."
"No," Luke growled as Vader watched his son.
"It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You, like your parents," the Emperor informed, flashing a knowing glare at Vader. "Are now mine."
"My lord-" Vader began, unsure if he was going to offer an explanation or an excuse. However, the Emperor interrupted him.
"Did you think I would not notice her, Vader? Did you think that you could hide her from me?" he chuckled as Vader froze. Of course the officers would have reported back to his master. He should have been more careful. The Emperor turned to Padme as she was brought forward. "I must commend you, Padme, I didn't think you would have the strength to carry on. Nor did I think you could hide your son from me so well. Truly remarkable."
"I hid him better than you think," Padme answered, struggling underneath the troopers' grip. The Emperor stared at her evenly.
"Perhaps. I had my suspicions about Bail Organa, but I never would have expected him to be harboring you," he remarked before chuckling. "Not that I need to suspect him of anything anymore."
"You bastard," she growled before a trooper yanked her back by her bound wrists.
"Call me what you wish, it won't matter soon enough. Once the rebels have been dealt with, I will deal with you," the Emperor threatened as Luke faced him again. Vader could feel the conflict within his own son. Luke found that Vader was not the enemy, the Emperor was. Vader watched Luke carefully as his thoughts became apparent. The Sith realized that Luke was going to try and attack the Emperor, which could lead to Padme being used as a bargaining chip. However, the Emperor turned back to Luke with a grin. "Your friends have failed, as you can see. Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station."
Luke paled before turning back to the fleet as the Emperor gave the command. He could hear the hum of the weapon being powered before a green line tore apart a rebel ship. Padme shouted as she watched helplessly for the second time as people she knew died.
~~F~~
Lando saw the laser shoot past the Falcon and destroyed a rebel ship behind him. Panic gripped him as he realized where the shot had come from. Nien gaped when Lando turned to him.
"That blast came from the Death Star! That thing's operational!" Lando shouted before turning to the commlink. "Home One, this is Gold Leader."
"We saw it. Prepare to retreat," Admiral Ackbar instructed before Lando came in again.
"We won't get another chance at this, Admiral."
"We have no choice, General Calrissian. Our cruisers can't repel firepower of that magnitude," the admiral reminded.
"Han will get that shield down. We've got to give him more time!" Lando urged. A silence fell over the intercom for a moment before a sigh.
"Move the fleet away from the Death Star and prepare another wave," Ackbar commanded as Lando exhaled in relief. Nien turned to Lando, unsure of the plan.
"Han will get that shield down. He has to," Lando informed his copilot, trying to instill confidence. Nien only nodded as the prepared for a second round of attack.