Chapter 61 - Not Alderaan!

Anakin breathed a tense sigh as he and the other engineers briefed the Rebellion high command on their plans to destroy the Death Star.

"You want to try a one man fighter. To attack a battlestation." Commander Jan Dodonna said in disbelief.

"It's the best way… The only way…" his fellow engineers all trumpeted at once.

Anakin spoke up next. "The station was designed by someone who either was really bad at their job, or someone who really wanted this station to fall."

"According to the late Andor's reports, It was the later," someone shared.

Anakin continued, "It has all of the obvious defenses for a large-scale assault, but there is a small weakness here…" He pointed to their digital model. "And a single, one manned fighter should be able to get close enough to fire on it's Thermal Exhaust Port."

"But what good will that do?" Dodonna sighed. "Just a single Torpedo."

"That's my point. A single torpedo will be enough to set off an explosion of the exhaust, taking out it's main systems and starting a chain reaction." Anakin finished.

"Really?" Dodonna looked skeptical.

"I know. If I designed the thing I'd have put several exhaust ports and a better system to be sure you're not blowing out good fuel as exhaust. He likely passed off the cheapo exhaust fans as a cost saver. I have no idea how he explained the single exhaust port. Or why he tied these systems to it so closely. If it's as you say, the man was brilliant!"

Dodonna leaned in and was about to speak again, when the door opened and a smaller green Jedi ran in. Everyone eyed him with confusion.

"Contacted Jedi council, I did. Keep track of the Death Star, I asked them to." Yoda gasped for breath but rushed to explain. "Left Tatooine, the empire has. A course to Alderaan, they have set."

"Alderaan!" Anakin gasped. Worried glances went all around the room.

"The superweapon is finished. It's no good as a threat if it's still top secret. They're looking to demonstrate its power." Dodonna suggested. His face was nearly as white as his hair.

"But Alderaan is home to Billions!" Anakin had trouble imagining it. Never, in all his time in the war, had so many died at once.

"Thank you Master Yoda. We have a battle to plan. Priority is urgent," Dodonna said.

Yoda nodded and left the room.

Dodonna turned back to Anakin. "My son is one of the fighter pilots. I hope you understand my hesitation sending them into such a dangerous field. But if there is even a chance of destroying this thing. We owe it to Alderaan to give them the option. Prepare a presentation. We'll see who volunteers."

Anakin nodded. "I'm a father too. Believe me, I understand how you feel. We'll prepare a presentation for you right away."


Not long later, Anakin sat with the other engineers in a briefing room on base. They were there in case anyone had any questions about the plan. Dodonna would be giving the presentation, as the pilots all knew and respected him. Leia was in the room, sitting with her unit. For once Anakin felt thankful she had never been interested in piloting. Luke walked in and sat down with the other pilots, amongst whom, it looked like he'd made quick friends. Anakin hoped he didn't get any ideas. One daughter in the service was enough for him. Han Solo entered and stood in the back of the room to listen to what was said. Even R2-D2, who seemed to have made friends with the droids of the rebellion, stood close to listen.

Dodonna stood up and began speaking. "The Jedi have told us that the battlestation is headed to Alderaan. When it gets there, we believe, they will fire on the planet as a means to demonstrate their station's power. Now, we've developed a strategy, but we will rely entirely on volunteer units to do this. No one shall feel commanded to take part." He paused to let that sink in. "The battle station is heavily shielded and carries a firepower greater than half the star fleet. It's defenses are designed around a direct large-scale assault. A small one-man fighter should be able to penetrate the outer defense."

One of the men who wore the uniform of a squadron leader stood up and addressed Dodonna. "Pardon me for asking, sir, but what good are snub fighters going to be against that?"

This was the same question Dodonna had asked. Anakin knew they had prepared him for it.

"Well, the Empire doesn't consider a small one-man fighter to be any threat, or they'd have a tighter defense. An analysis of the plans provided by Captain Eclipse has demonstrated a weakness in the battle station." Dodonna sighed. "The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station."

A murmur of disbelief ran through the room.

"Only a precise hit will set up a chain reaction. The shaft is ray-shielded, so you'll have to use proton torpedoes." Dodonna explained.

"That's impossible, even for a computer," said a young pilot who sat next to Luke. Anakin thought he remembered his son had said his name was Wedge.

"It's not impossible. I used to bull's-eye womp rats in my T-sixteen back home. They're not much bigger than two meters," said Luke.

This seemed to give some confidence to the other pilots, but many of them were still nervous.

"Okay, who'd like to volunteer?" Dodonna asked.

Anakin could sense a lot of anxiety around the room, but also a lot of respect for Alderaan. No one wanted to see the planet destroyed. Slowly hands raised around the room. Anakin almost screamed when he saw his son's hand go up. Instead he fell back into his chair, feeling dizzy, as one of the other engineers fanned him, and buzzed a medic. Anakin could barely hear much else, except for a loud announcement.

"Prepare your ships! And may the Force be with you!" Dodonna dismissed the volunteers.


Han wasn't sure why he attended the meeting earlier at all. He had responsibilities. A buyer was waiting for their cargo, and Chewy needed the money to fund his 'Free the Wookiees' fund the lovely Padme had set up for him. He guessed he just wanted to see for himself what Leia and the others were putting their faith in. See if the Rebellion really stood a chance.

After the meeting Han went back to the Hangar to check up on the repairs Chewy was making to the Falcon. "Anakin sure did a number on the internal wiring when he ripped that tracker out."

"Raaaaah graaaaaaaaaaagh," Chewie lectured.

Han blinked for a moment, surprised that he said that last statement outloud. "Uh, yeah. I'm thankful. I know how much trouble an empire tracker can be. It's why I didn't want to get too close to the Bucketheads to begin with. I'm just mad they tagged her. We never should've been caught by that tractor beam."

"Yahhhh Yaaaaaaah Raaah," Chewy said with conviction.

Han Whispered, "I know it was the right thing to do." Han looked around to be sure no one was listening. "You don't want to say that too loud. People will think you're going soft. Then they'll try 'n talk you into other stunts."

Just then Luke walked up and startled Han. "What are we whispering about," he whispered.

"Oh. Uh… Nothing." Han answered in a normal voice.

"Well look. I need a place to hide. Master Ben is not too thrilled I raised my hand in there."

"Was Obi-Wan even at the meeting?" Han asked.

Luke looked miffed. "My sister's a womp rat!"

"I wouldn't say that too loudly. Besides, I think she's right."

Luke looked betrayed.

"Attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like suicide."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Not you too."

An official looking man walked up to where Luke and Han were standing. "Hello, Mr. Solo. The Viceroy of Alderaan sends his thanks for saving his daughter. This is for your time and expenses." He handed Han a chip of credits.

"It was nice doing business with you." Han took the chip.

Luke continued to stare with big pleading eyes. "You're leaving!"

"That's right, yeah! I've got other business I've got to do." Han explained. "Why don't you come with us? We can have an adventure on Christophsis when I drop this cargo off."

Luke's eyes grew angry. "Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them."

Han opened his mouth to respond, but Leia's voice surprised them both.

"Come on Luke. He's got his reward money. He's done his part." Luke looked down and away, Leia continued. "Come on now. Uncle Ben's been looking for you."

"Because you told on me," Luke spat.

"I had to tell him something. He wondered why Dad collapsed. They took him to the medics. That's why we've been looking for you." Luke looked alarmed.

"Dad collapsed!" Luke swiftly followed his sister out of the Hangar.

Before they got to the door, Han called out, "Hey, Luke, Leia... may the Force be with you!"

Luke waved, and Leia nodded before they left.

"Raaaaaaaaaaaaawrgh," Chewy Growled.

Han looked up at him "What're you lookin' at? I know what I'm doing."


Luke and Leia went right to the base's medical room. Luke felt bad he wasn't there for his father earlier. He hoped it wasn't serious. Before they walked in, they heard raised voices from inside.

"What do you mean I can't volunteer?" Anakin sounded frustrated.

"Sir… Master Jedi, would you please sit down?" asked a calmer voice.

"Anakin… Sit down and we'll discuss this like rational beings." Obi-Wan's voice was calm, yet stern. It was his Master voice. Luke knew it well.

Luke looked at his sister. They both wordlessly decided to wait and listen where they were.

Inside the room Anakin exhaled loudly. "Why can't I volunteer to carry out my own plan?"

"Sir, Your blood pressure is too high. I can't sign off on it," came the voice of the medic.

Anakin wined, "My blood pressure is so high because my Son just volunteered to go up with your men. I've been flying worse stunts since I was nine! Let me go."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan's voice became more gentle. "If you had another spell while you were up there, you'd be no help to anyone."

Luke pulled the curtain back to enter the room. "Dad, I'm sorry you're so worried. But I can do this. I'm meant to do this. I… I feel it."

"He is your son," Obi-Wan said.

Anakin stared up into Luke's eyes for several seconds, before he sighed and nodded. "Alright. But be careful. And when we tell your mother about this, I'm throwing you all under the transport shuttle."


Hello,

In writing this it was clear, under normal circumstances, Anakin would be volunteering to go up with Luke, or instead of him to destroy the Death Star. If I want to keep things similar to the movies, I had to find a way to keep him from doing that. Anakin having a dizzy spell and fainting when he saw Luke's hand go up was convenient. I wrote it that way before I even figured out the end of the chapter.

And calling your wife a "Transport Shuttle" is not that flattering. But it's a play on the english euphemism "To throw someone under the bus." I just had to Star-Wars-ize the terms.

A lot of the quotes here, especially in Dodonna's lines, came directly from the transcript of A New Hope I found online. I changed a few around to fit my AU, but credit where it's due.