Chapter Seven – Base

Seated at the controls of the Falcon's belly gun, Luke Skywalker fought with Han Solo against the Death Star's sentry TIE fighter ships. Though flying was usually Luke's forte, he surprised even himself as he got used to the controls faster than he'd expected he would. What also helped him a great deal was his past experience of shooting Womp rats on Tatooine in his T-16 Skyhopper. Although the Falcon took a few hits during the fight, Luke and Han managed to blow up all the TIE fighters.

Luke's heart leapt with both joy and relief "That's it! We did it!"

"We did it!" Leia's voice echoed with delight over the comlink with a happy howl from Chewbacca.

"Great kid! Well done!" Han's voice spoke to him in his ear.

Once they got clear of the battle station the Millennium Falcon made the jump to light-speed.

Back on the Death Star, Darth Vader strode into the control room, where Tarkin was standing watching through the viewport where the Falcon had been only a moment ago but now showed just a sea of stars.

"Are they away?" Tarkin asked the Dark lord.

"They have just made the jump into hyperspace," Vader growled.

"You're sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I'm taking an awful risk, Vader. This had better work."

The dark lord didn't acknowledge Tarkin or give him any response as he was also staring out at the spot where the Falcon and his son had been. He was both furious and shocked at the boy's flight. He was not supposed to escape, that was not how it had meant to be. Why did he run from him? His own father. He knew that Luke had seen the truth in his words and yet he had run all the same.

All he could do now was pin all his expectations on the homing beacon he had the troopers secure on board that ship. Now at least he could follow both his son and the ship to the rebel base itself. It was a risk, but it was all Vader had now and he refused to even believe it could possibly fail. He would find his son and the Rebel base even if he had to rip planets apart piece by piece with his hands if that was what it took to get to him.

Their successful escape felt great, but once the brief celebrations were over, that icy feeling of dread seeped through Luke once again and the memory of Vader's voice entered his ears.

I am your Father.

Removing the comlink earpiece he closed his eyes. Even if he lived to be a hundred he would never forget those words. Although he had made his decision to follow his own path forward, he could feel the temptation which Vader's offer presented. To be with his father, something which he had longed for all of his life. And yet the thought of following him into darkness and the path of the evil and unjust Empire did not settle well with him. It was that thought alone which convinced him that he did not belong in darkness.

Slowly climbing the ladder back up he arrived to see Artoo helping Threepio untangle himself from a mess of wires on the floor. "Help!" The golden droid cried. "I think I'm melting! This is all your fault!" he scolded Artoo who let out amused whistles. Then once Threepio was freed, the two of them went and plugged themselves into the charging station.

He went to join Leia who was sitting in front of the holo chess table and looking slightly annoyed. "Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he cares about anything or anybody."

"I care," Luke replied quickly. Not wanting her to think that he was like Han in that way.

Her expression became a little softer and she patted the space next to her with a small smile.

"So, where are we headed then?" he asked as he took a seat beside her.

"The fourth moon of the planet Yavin. That's where the Rebel base is located. Once we're there we can analyze the plans of the Death Star I hid inside Artoo, and hopefully we can find a weakness."

"Everything has a weakness. Even things which are colossal as that."

"You're right Luke, I believe there is a weakness too. You see, a band of Rebels snuck away from the Rebel base and stormed the Planet Scariff to steal the plans." She lowered her gaze looking downcast. "Unfortunately they all had to give their lives just so they could get the plans sent to the rebellion. If they believed that this was something worth dying for, then I know there must be a weakness of some kind. Because of that, I will see that their sacrifices were not in vain."

Luke was astounded knowing that these freedom fighters were brave enough to put their lives in such danger to fight the entire Empire. He now knew more than ever that he would stride to do the same. He would join the rebels and fight for the freedom of everyone in this galaxy and save them from suffering the same fates that he and Leia had suffered this very day.

"They won't be in vain Leia, and I will not allow it. I won't let the Empire win. If you need more help then I shall join the ranks and fight."

She met his eyes again. "I was thinking about that and what you said before. You don't have to Luke. I mean you've already done so much. You protected Artoo, you rescued me and just barely escaped Vader."

Luke shook his head. "Leia, after everything that has happened today I am not just going to just sit and do nothing." He took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat as an awful memory resurfaced. "I had to bury my Aunt and Uncle's burnt remains today and I swore over their graves that I would become a Jedi like my father. I almost lost all my hope when I saw Ben get struck down, but having seen what we're all up against, no planet will stand a chance if that monster of a station is not destroyed. I'm a pilot who can fly any fighter into a battle and you're going to need all the help you can get. I have nothing else left and you told me I could find a new purpose. Well I decided that this is it."

Princess Leia smiled and she leaned forward to wrap her arms round him and he hugged her back needing the comfort. "You're right Luke. You have a strong heart full of hope and courage. That is something which every rebel needs. Hope brought us this far and we won't let anything stop us fighting for freedom."

Luke nodded against her shoulder, but his confidence was drained as he recalled what he'd said about having nothing else. Because once again those four words filled his ears.

I am your Father.

He didn't know what would happen if they crossed paths again. But as long as he stood with the rebellion he would stop at nothing to help them bring an end to the Death Star and the Empire. They both then stood up from the seat and went to join Han and Chewie in the cockpit.

When the Millennium Falcon finally arrived at Yavin, Luke stared around at his surroundings as they flew over the vast jungles and stone temples. Luke felt as though his eyes were playing tricks on him. After spending all his life on a desert planet with nothing but lands of sand, dunes and rock cliffs, this was almost like something out of a dream seeing landscapes like this.

"Luke? What is it?" Leia asked from beside him.

"It's just…all this green…it's…so beautiful."

"Sounds like you've been living on that dust ball of a planet too long kid," Han commented.

Luke decided not to reply to Han, instead he continued to take in the incredible surroundings of the planet.

The ship headed towards one of the tall temples and gently it landed onto the ground. Once the ramp was lowered, the small gang headed down with the princess leading the way through the trees. Luke walked behind her with Artoo and Threepio beside him and Han and Chewie bringing up the rear.

The air outside was muggy and the sky was full of clouds which were shaded grey with sunbeams slicing through them. All this was new again for Luke. Having been used to a dry climate with the endless heat from the twin suns, this day had given him a taste of two different atmosphere environments. He definitely preferred this place to the Death Star. The Imperial base itself had been just as cold as space itself and the air within smelt of metal with hints of excess fumes and smoke. The air here on Yavin was the closest to what Luke guessed was fresh air. Despite that this place also had the scent of fumes from the rebel ships this was many times better than the dry air on Tatooine.

Author's Notes
Hello There Everyone! May The Fourth Be With You All!
I know there has been a long wait since I last updated a fanfic. The reason was that I was going through a case of writers block and then I decided to take a break. And it really helped me because I have spent this bank holiday weekend working on the rest of the chapters for this fanfic. So I'm sure that this will be the next Star Wars Fanfic which I will complete.

So please Follow and Favorite this and share what you think in your Reviews so I know if you're enjoying it.
Thank you once again to my Beta Reader Carrie2sky!

May The Force Be With You All!

LouisaJane007