Chapter XIX: Wasteland

The smuggler didn't even realize when he fell asleep, which is why he was so startled after the rebel so rudely woke him up. "Come on, you bum we have to get out of here," she said in a dry voice as she kicked him.

"How long have I been asleep?" Han asked, passing a hand across his face.

"About an hour and a half," she answered.

"Oh," he complained. "I feel it was about five minutes."

He sat and rubbed his tired face, he regarded the rebel, and then the princess.

"Who's going to wake up Sleeping Beauty?" the rebel asked finally with less harshness, she almost seemed amused.

Han was going to do that, but the rebel went ahead of him and kicked the princess's back. Leia woke up screaming, instantly getting up, looking around for the person she was going to kill.

"You?" she said staring at the rebel. "You..!"

"Me, Leia," she nodded. "Hurry, Daughter of Vader, we haven't all day!"

By instinct, the princess reached for the hilt of her lightsaber, which prompted her to groan furiously when she remembered they had taken it from her. She had never wanted to kill a person more than at that moment. With more confusion that she would've liked to feel, Leia lifted her hand in an attempt to break the rebel's neck.

"Leia," she heard, and that masculine voice caused all anger to be vanished. All her focus went to him.

"Han!" she cried, running to his side. "You're alive!"

"Very much," he said, seemingly unmoved by her emotion. "And it's not thanks to you, princess."

The princess's smile was erased. "What?"

He pointed at the rebel. "She saved us."

Leia shook her head. "You're lying! What—what happened?"

"Too much to explain it now. Just know she helped us and we still have to get out of here."

"The stormtroopers…" she said, shaking her head. "They lost? They didn't see me? What happened?"

"I don't know," he said. "We've been hiding this whole time. I don't know the outcome of the battle."

"Hiding!" she cried, almost ashamed. "But why didn't I…" she then put her hands on her head, feeling the pain and remembering the last time she was conscious. "Oh, right…"

"Are you?" he approached her. "You look terrible."

She blushed at his comment. She wished for a mirror to see if it was true, but without looking at her face she knew it had to be. She saw her dusty and dirty hands and felt mortified, just imagining what her hair and face looked like. Her embarrassment at least prompted her to ignore the pain her body was in.

"The stormtroopers saw you, Leia," the rebel said. "But Captain Solo wouldn't let them take you."

Leia immediately turned questioning eyes on Han, who was trying fruitlessly to appear relaxed, his cheeks going red under his tan skin.

He shrugged. "They would've killed me had I not kept you in my arms."

Leia knew that to be true.

Wanting to not dwell too much on the subject, she looked around her surroundings.

"So we're out of the rebel base?" she asked.

"Not yet," Han answered. "It's been a couple hours since you fell 'asleep', so maybe the way is clear? Should we risk it?"

"Yes!" Leia said. "Come on."

She would've leaded the way, if only she could tell one wall from the other.

She stopped, embarrassed.

"After me," the rebel said, her mouth almost twisted into a smile. Her little droid walking by her side.

"Han," Leia said. "Where's Threepio?"

"I don't know," he answered tiredly.

"Where's Chewie?"

"I don't know…"

"Are they—"

"I don't know!" he cried.

She looked down, sadly and without the energy to even scold him for yelling at her.

Han sighed, hating life, and approached her. He took Leia's hand and they walked behind the rebel and droid.

The rebel opened the doors by inserting some code she got from the droid, and as they waited, Leia asked the rebel her name. Like she expected, she was ignored.

Leia's mouth almost dropped, shocked and sickened by the scene before her.

It was obvious the battle was over, the smell and sight of death showing it perfectly to her.

Though they tried, it was impossible for them to walk without accidently stepping on some corpse; it was hard not to slip on the mess and ruins.

Han felt the small hand he was holding tremble, he was curious about it but he knew better than to point it out.

"So… who won?" Han asked in a tone that perhaps was trying to relieve the tension. Neither the woman nor the girl found it relieving at all. They continued to walk, hopelessly.

"Won?" Leia said, unaware of how she was venting her personal thoughts, her voice sounding strange amidst nervous laughter. "Did anyone win?"

The remains of the rebel base looked all but victorious. Even though she had grown to hate the place, since it was a mark of treason, she couldn't help the depression of looking at it destroyed. It already seemed ancient and worn, now… it was almost nothing.

Seriously, did anyone win? How could either side claim victory after such destruction—such pointless destruction!

She fought her thoughts but they reached her nonetheless.

Leia was no stranger to violence, to fights, to death.

Her Sith training had seen about that.

But there was something different about this violence.

While Anakin trained her and Luke, he would give them a lightsaber, which was like an art form. It was never pointless. It made them powerful.

The dangerous situations in which her father had put them seemed like child's play compared to this… actual real life. War.

The Sith training… The Force… The Dark Side… it all had sense and meaning. But, this? She could think and think about it for the rest of her life and still she wouldn't ever see the point of war.

Without realizing it, Leia's views on war became almost identical to the ones of Padmé Amidala.

The princess stopped her pacing when her foot accidently touched the face of a fallen rebel. A young boy who never got to be a man. The one who's last sight was Solo holding the princess. "They wanted me," Leia said, quietly. "They didn't have to destroy this place. I could've gone at any time… I was never really a prisoner."

Could that be guilt in her voice?

How was that possible when she had wished for the rebels' deaths!

She now was in front of a stormtrooper armor, unable to see the dead man inside it. "Stormtroopers are good soldiers… they didn't have to die tonight," she sighed. "They could've lived and continue to protect the galaxy…"

The sound of a mocking laugh caught her attention, interrupting her haunting thoughts and sad words.

"Excuse me?" she asked the rebel. "What's so funny?"

The woman raised her head, high. "Do you really believe that or are you mocking the fallen rebels, Leia?"

There she goes… damn rebel scum! Leia's hate for the rebels resurfaced. She ran to her, standing face to face, her anger growing at the fact that she was not scaring the rebel in the slightest. "Of course I believe that!" Leia cried, incensed. "They're worthy men! They risk their lives every day to keep the galaxy safe! Safe from—your kind!"

"My kind?" the rebel acted oblivious like a child.

"Traitors! Criminals! Rebels—"

"Listen, child!" the rebel finally lost all patience and raised her voice with as much anger as the princess. "I'm getting pretty damn tired of all your babbling. You may insult me, attack me, do all your mighty tittle as Amidala and Vader's daughter allows you. But you will not demean the cause I've been dedicating my life for the last five years! I've fought, I've killed, I've lost too much for the rebellion; and I will do it forever, as always as the chance of freeing the galaxy from your parents is there! I might die trying but I don't care."

Leia was struggling to find a comeback. It was hard to process the rebel's words. "So you want the Republic back? You want corruption, lies and deceit to be back?"

"I am not the Republic's biggest fan, either, Leia. This isn't my first war…"

From a distance, Han was watching them argue with a hard frown on his face.

"The Clone Wars were even more violent than this Civil War," the rebel went on. "I was only a child then… All my life I've seen the galaxy being in turmoil. I want to see peace!"

"And causing a war is going to accomplish that?" the princess snarled.

"It just might. And we didn't start it."

"Of course you did! My father is stern; he might not be the softest person in the galaxy. But he is powerful enough to take care of it. Who else could do such a job? Why are you so against him that you would want to risk your life just to see him out of power?"

The rebel watched the princess for a long time, Leia thought she had gotten through her and won the argument; till she saw a sudden shock and emotion on the older woman's face.

"Oh Leia!" she cried, not an ounce of harshness in her voice. "You really are clueless!"

Somehow, the princess knew she wasn't trying to offend her.

A long silence again invaded them.

Han had to break in. "Listen, girls," he said, tiredly. "Can we get out of here?"

Leia said nothing, the rebel nodded, and both the princess and Solo went after her and of course, the little droid that never left her.

As they walked through the jungle, morning arrived in Yavin 4.

They went in silence, almost without acknowledging the persons around them. It was Han Solo who led the way now, and though she was not watching his face, Leia could sense his great fear and worry. In the middle of so much tragedy, Leia was somewhat amused at the fact that he was stressing over his ship. No matter how useful she had proven to be, the Millennium Falcon was still a bit of a piece of junk for the princess. She smirked for a second, thinking of how offended Han would be if he could hear her thoughts, then she realized she should also be freaking out about the Falcon. If the rebels or imperials found and took the ship, how the hell were they ever going to get out of there?!

When they reached the place in which the Falcon had landed and been left stranded, Han and Leia finally looked at each other, with eyes as wide as the smiles that attacked their young faces.

They screamed in joy and hugged so tightly the rebel had to look away.

Leia's feet were no longer touching the ground, and around her waist she felt Han's strong hands, clasping her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. She leaned to kiss his cheek and in response she obtained a hearty kiss from his lips. After a few moments in which they took long breaths, he finally put her down, without ever letting go of her.

"I don't see the fuzz," the rebel commented. "I never saw such a piece of junk."

Leia didn't need to see the man that was holding her to know he was frowning sulkily. She cleared her throat and she spoke, more lighthearted than she had in days: "Hey, lady, don't insult the Falcon. It's the fastest ship in the galaxy." The princess felt Han's grip tighten.

"Is it though?"

"It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs!" Leia could feel Han's smile behind her.

"And it's the ship that's gonna save your life," Han spoke in his usual relax and cocky manner.

Before they could take any step to enter the Falcon, Leia stopped Han by putting her hand on his chest. "Wait, Han," she said.

He looked around. "What, sweetheart?" she took no notice on the endearing way he spoke to her, neither did Han, almost as if they always had been that way with each other.

She closed her eyes, her face lost all expression. "Someone's in the ship. I can feel a presence," she whispered.

Solo reached for his blaster, as did the rebel.

"Wait here, I'm going to inspect," Leia proposed.

"Now, I don't think you should," Han protested.

"I agree," the rebel said, surprising them. "Solo, come, we will go."

Leia stopped both with the Force. "I'll be right back. Don't worry, I don't feel like killing."

Han was shocked to see the rebel's face looked as worried as he felt, as Leia entered the Falcon alone.

For a few moments there was silence.

Then Han felt his heart stop as Leia's voice was heard, screaming loudly: "HAN!"

He was in the ship before he even realized. He stood on the entrance with his blaster pointing at the individual behind the princess, who had her wrapped in his big arms. Han's mouth fell to the floor as he saw who it was. He lowered his weapon and walked to them, trying hard to not look so embarrassed. Leia was also struggling, but at containing her laughter.

"Captain Solo!" C-3PO cried, excited. "How good to see you!"

The Wookiee cried even more excited, expressing a similar happy feeling.

Chewbacca let go of the princess to go run and hug his best friend.

"Alright," Han said, embarrassed. "Stop it; we were only separated for a few hours. Don't be such a baby!" Leia could feel his happiness and it filled her heart. After such awful experience, she couldn't believe how warm her heart felt. "So," Han said. "How the hell…?"

"Oh, we couldn't leave without you," C-3PO said. "I never even suggested it."

The Wookiee growled.

"All right, maybe once," 3PO corrected. "But I knew you would come with the princess. How good to see you both!"

"Likewise," Han said, surprising himself as he knew that to be true.

Leia smiled at them. "Threepio, promise me you will never tell anyone you escaped the rebel base before us. Okay? You too, Chewie."

The Wookiee again walked to her to wrap her in a hug, she let him, happily. Definitely too happy for Vader's apprentice.

She was unaware of how much her company took her farther and farther from the Dark Side. She was feeling complete; she thought that wonderfulness would last forever, till her eyes found those of the rebel, which instantly reminded her of her present situation.

She grabbed Han's arm and brought him closer, taking him into a remote corner so they could speak in private.

"What are we going to do about the rebel?" she asked, praying that he would either answer kill her or leave her here.

"We will help her, of course," Han said to her disappointment.

"Why?" Leia questioned.

"She saved us!"

"Yeah, so?"

"If we abandon her, wouldn't you later regret it?"

"I'm pretty sure I could live with it. And so would you."

"Yes, but—"

"Han Solo," the rebel called. "I want to speak to you."

Han looked at Leia in an apologetic manner, and then he walked to the rebel.

"What is she doing here?" C-3PO asked Leia.

"I haven't the slightest idea," she responded, clenching her teeth.

After a few moments, Han return to her side, he had a strange grin on his face. Leia couldn't help clenching her teeth again as she said, "Well?"

Han scratched his face. He softly laid a finger on her bottom lip, looking at her more lovingly than he ever had. "We're gonna keep her for a very short time."

She slapped his hand away. "Why?"

"Princess, you know we can't leave her here…"

"I know," she sighed. Though she had thought and said it, she never really meant it.

"We're just gonna give her a ride, drop her, and you'll never have to see her again."

Her face showed defeat. "Where exactly will we be going?"

"Corellian System…"

Her eyes went wide, then they narrowed and looked down. "Are you—are you planning on staying there?" Doubt hurt her heart.

He put each hand on either cheek of her pretty face. "No. Of course not."

She smiled faintly. "Which planet?"

"She doesn't know yet…"

"Is she expecting you to circle your ship around the system till she can make up her mind?"

He laughed softly. "Why does that sound familiar?"

She gently banged her hands on his chest, he catch both between his own. "So you're cool with it?"

"I'm alright with it."

"Let's go then."

Once again he put his arms around her. As they held each other, Leia saw that the rebel was staring at them. "Come, rebel," she said as calmly as she could. "You might sit now. You must be tired."

The rebel's usually expressionless face gained a quality of shock and surprise. "What!" she cried. "You accepted? You aren't going to kill me, Sith Lady? You continue to amaze me, Daughter of Vader."

Han pressed the princess tightly, afraid that she would hurt the rebel. But Leia was seemingly at ease. She even smiled at the rebel. "I'm not going to kill you. Not yet, that is."

"Well then," the rebel said. "I would advise you to mentally prepare for what you might later see, Leia. One of the many times you shocked me, was when you showed your dread at seeing the destruction the imperial forces caused in the rebel base. So I don't think you will like where we're going. You think last night's battle was bad? Child, it is only a small taste of what the Empire can do. If we reach Corellia and find it's still there, you will see an actual wasteland."

Her words affected not just the princess, but also Solo. Leia saw him getting apart from her again, and unwilling to allow any distance between them, she remained calm and collected. Feeling a million emotions within.

When they were flying across the immensity that is space, Leia took advantage of the privacy she and the rebel had. C-3PO was deactivated, Han and Chewbacca were flying the ship; Leia thought she had her chance to let the rebel know she hadn't yet gotten the best of her.

She watched her lying on the floor next to her droid.

"Rebel," Leia said in a calm voice.

"Yes?"

"Do not mention my father again, or I will forget all you've done for me and break your neck without a second thought."

Darth Vader and Queen Amidala walked around the ruins that were once the hidden rebel base in the Fourth Moon of Yavin.

His black leather boots and her bloody-red stiletto heels getting stained from all the dirt.

Stormtroopers marched around every corner of the place, never finding anything other than lifeless bodies from both sides. No ships, no droids, no information… no princess.

"They escaped?" Padmé couldn't remain using the usual Amidala voice, that cold, imperial, and monotonous voice. This was the tone of a heartbroken mother. "They escaped!"

Vader rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Where is the report?" he asked a commander.

Before he could take it, Padmé had her hands on it.

"None of the living stormtroopers claim to have seen her here," she said, releasing air to maintain her voice steady. "What if it wasn't true? Anakin, maybe they never had her?"

He turned his back on her. "When I suggested that, you thought I was crazy and blind—"

"Now is not the time to fight! Listen, maybe she escaped before the imperials arrived? Maybe… I don't even know what to think!"

It was hard for her to keep a strong countenance in front of the troopers when she was so broken inside. The Emperor could tell, but he didn't have the time to comfort her.

He was busy. He was trying. Really hard.

He had to not look at Padmé. She could too easily take all of his attention.

He was looking for his daughter's presence. Any trace of her that the Force could give him… oh he had to not fall into despair! He had to keep his focus and listen to the Force. Be mindful, Anakin… just be—

"Leia," he suddenly said.

"What?" Padmé questioned, confused.

He still paid no attention to his wife; he walked, as if he knew where she was. As if she was standing there calling out to him.

He stopped, opened his eyes widely, and frowned as he stood over what was Leia's cell.

"She was here," he pronounced. "And not long ago… she was here!"

"How do you know?" Padmé asked now accompanying him.

"There was a room here," he said, and keeping control was becoming harder. "This is where they held her prisoner!"

Padmé paled and looked around the mess. "This was a room?"

"It broke apart. Look, the ceiling fell off…"

"Oh!"

He closed his eyes again, this time to blink away tears. Then he walked again.

"Anakin!" Padmé called him but received no response.

She had to follow him, as he entered another room. It was dark, which caused Padmé to hold onto him for support and guidance, which she didn't like when he was in such a Vader mood.

Even in the darkness, he walked without tripping.

As she was alone for a few moments, and as no one could see her, Padmé allowed a few tears to escape her eyes. She had such pain! Such frustration! If only they'd arrived sooner. She might have caught her daughter. She might have seen her one time again.

Oh how much she missed Leia! And Luke! She just wanted to see her children again.

As she sorrowfully thought of her long-lost children, a light finally illuminated the room. But it was not one that could make her see much better. And more than a light, it was a fiery glow; it was bright, no doubt, loud and powerful. It was a vibrant red.

The red of a Sith lightsaber, but it was not the one she had seen so often be used recently. It wasn't Vader's.

"Leia," Anakin muttered and his pain finally broke his voice. "Leia's lightsaber."

The Emperor and Empress of the Skywalker Empire walked out of the former rebel base with a little more information than they had entered, but certainly not any more at ease, if anything, their pain increased excessively.

Before entering the Executer, Vader stared for a last time at the building he was sure he'll never see again. Thinking that probably no one would ever enter it again.

"Clever," he said with bitter irony. "They chose a former Sith temple for a hiding place. Damn clever rebels!"

As all sign of life left, the temple was finally left deserted again.

The Great Temple, they harmed it but they could not destroy it. It was still standing.