Chapter 17 – Endor

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Star Wars, even if we wish we did. xD

Author's Note: Another familiar face shows up for those of you who may have been wondering where he was... ;)

~ Amina Gila

By the time we finally arrive back at the Rebel Fleet, I know that we're definitely late for the meeting. Unlike usual, there's hardly a soul in sight. Everyone must already be assembled.

"We better get moving," I mumble, picking up the pace as we hurry through the ship towards where the meeting is behind held.

At long last, we arrive and silently make our way into the room. Now, it's time to figure out what we missed. Hopefully, it wasn't anything important.

Mon Mothma is speaking from her position near the front of the room. "The data brought to us by the Bothan spies pinpoints the exact location of the Emperor's new battle station." Oh, so this meeting is about the destruction of the Second Death Star they're constructing. I didn't realize the meeting was about something so important. "We also know that the weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet operational. With the Imperial Fleet spread throughout the galaxy in a vain effort to engage us, it is relatively unprotected. But most important of all, we've learned that the Emperor himself is personally overseeing the final stages of the construction of this Death Star."

"The Emperor will be there?!" exclaims Luke in shock. I'm equally stunned. That's the last thing I would have expected to hear. The murmurs and exclamations throughout the assembled crowd show that the same goes for everyone.

"This is certainly going to be our chance," I murmur, as we make our way through the room to where Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Lando are sitting. They still don't know that we're back.

"Many Bothans died to bring us this information," continues Mothma, "Admiral Ackbar, please."

The Mon Calamarian – who really doesn't look much different from when I last saw him during the Mon Calamari civil war – steps forward, pointing at the holos of the Death Star and the nearby moon, Endor.

"You can see here the Death Star orbiting the forest Moon of Endor. Although the weapon systems on this Death Star are not yet operational, the Death Star does have a strong defense mechanism. It is protected by an energy shield, which is generated from the nearby forest Moon of Endor." Always an extra complication, isn't there? But it's nothing we can't handle, or we probably wouldn't be having this meeting right now. "The shield must be deactivated if any attack is to be attempted. Once the shield is down, our cruisers will create a perimeter, while the fighters fly into the superstructure and attempt to knock out the main reactor."

Murmurs of concern run through the room. It's a risky plan, but what else can we do? It's our best option right now. And the sooner the Death Star is destroyed, the better. We do not need any more destroyed planets – even if it won't really have happened when I get back home.

"General Calrissian has volunteered to lead the fighter attack," Ackbar continues. Interesting. I didn't really expect to hear that Lando was going to do that. I see our group of friends exchange comments as we approach them, still unnoticed.

"General Madine," calls Ackbar, stepping back. The General steps forward and picks up on the planning.

"We have stolen a small Imperial shuttle. Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Imperial code, a strike team will land on the moon and deactivate the shield generator." Doesn't sound too hard, as long as whoever is sent knows what they're doing... and doesn't promptly run into a large Imperial force. If the shield generator for the Death Star is there, it's bound to be well protected.

Murmurs pass through the assembled crowd.

"Sounds dangerous," frets Threepio.

"I wonder who they found to pull that off," comments Leia to Han, not noticing the smirk on his face.

"General Solo, is your strike team assembled?" General Madine inquires, startling me again. Han is planning to lead it? I wasn't exactly expecting that based on what I've heard about him. He didn't seem like that type of person. I must admit that changes my perspective on him for the better.

Leia looks to Han with admiration.

"Uh, my team's ready," he replies, "I don't have a command crew for the shuttle." Well, then, Luke and I are fixing that now.

Chewbacca raises a paw and growls his offer to come first.

"Well, it's gonna be rough, pal. I didn't want to speak for you," Han answers.

Chewbacca growls unconcernedly in response.

"That's one," smiles Han.

"Uh, General... count me in," decides Leia.

"I'm with you, too!" calls Luke as we hurry up.

"Me too," I add. I'm definitely coming. No questions asked.

The crowd cheers upon catching sight of us. Leia scrambles up and steps over to Luke. They both embrace.

"What is it?" questions Leia quietly, upon noticing the melancholy in Luke's expression. And my own for that matter.

"Ask us again sometime," Luke murmurs hesitantly.

"Later," I add quietly. There's no time right now. Maybe I'd feel better talking to her about it. Hopefully.

With the planning over for now, the assembled rise and begin milling about, making their way out of the room. But it's time for us to prepare for this mission.

"Hey Luke and Ahsoka," Han welcomes us, stepping over as well.

"Hi, Han, Chewie," Luke greets them back.

"Hi everyone!" I add.

Artoo beeps in the background. "This sounds like it's going to be very exciting."

"'Exciting' is hardly the word I would use," protests Threepio worriedly. Typical.

"Come on," I declare, glancing between the members of our newfound team, "We better get moving."

**w**

Before long, we're almost done with the preparation on the stolen imperial shuttle and ready to go. The crew is already in the back of the shuttle. Only one person is still missing. Luke is working on a control panel in the back of the cockpit while Chewbacca is working on figuring out what all of the controls are for. I stand back to observe them for now until I'm needed.

"You got her warmed?" questions Han, stepping into the cockpit at last and sliding into the pilot's seat.

"Yeah, she's comin' up," responds Luke.

"These weren't designed for Wookies. I can hardly fit," growls Chewbacca in frustration as he continues looking over the controls.

"No, I don't think the Empire had Wookies in mind when they designed her, Chewie," replies Han before his gaze turns to something out the window.

"I don't think there's any Wookie Imperial pilots," I agree. Leia walks in from the hold area, taking a seat next to me and Luke in the back.

"Ready to go?" asks Chewbacca. Han doesn't reply, his eyes fixated on something outside the front window. I follow his gaze to see that he's watching the Falcon. Oh. He told us he was giving the ship over to Lando to take on the mission.

Leia leans over, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, are you awake?"

"Yeah, I just got this funny feeling. Like I'm not gonna see her again," he sighs. Chewbacca looks out the window at that, staring longingly at the ship. They must be really attached to that ship, although from what I've heard about them, it's like their home, so it's not surprising. I honestly really miss the Temple, which was like my home.

"Come on, General, let's move," says Leia softly.

"Right," replies Han, snapping back to the present situation, "Chewie, let's see what this piece of junk can do. Ready everybody?"

"Yes," I confirm.

"All set," adds Luke.

"Here we go again," frets Threepio from his position in the back of the cockpit as Artoo beeps happily.

"All right, hang on," replies Han, pushing some of the controls. The shuttle flies out of the main docking bay of the Rebel Cruiser, and out into space before lowering its wings into a flying position and zooming away.

After the ship has jumped into hyperspace, I head back to the place the other rebels are to wait. No use sitting pointlessly in the cockpit the entire time.

The others are sitting around in the main hold, some talking with each other, others sleeping. I wander over to the viewport, staring out at the endless swirls of blue and white.

"Commander?" a vaguely familiar voice asks. What?

I turn around, spotting a man with white hair who looks strangely familiar standing behind me. Umm... Wait a minute.

"Rex?!"

"Yes, it's me," he confirms with a smile.

I throw my arms around him without a second thought. I can't believe it. It's really him. And here all this time I thought there was no one else left who I used to know.

"I didn't realize you were part of the Alliance," I murmur, letting go of him after a long moment.

"So, you're really like... from the past?" he asks hesitantly, "I'd heard rumors, but I didn't believe it until now."

"I am," I reply, "Though I don't think I'm going to be here in this time period for much longer."

"How will you get back? And how did you even get here in the first place?"

"The Force," I answer with a shrug. "I don't know. I expect when it's time, the Force will take me back."

"...When are you from?" he queries.

"Right after the framing," I answer, realizing that I look a lot older from that time. I've been aging in the future, and it's going to be weird to return to the size I was half a year ago. Unless, of course, I've been unexplainably unconscious for the past half year back at home. I do hope not.

"It was never the same after you left," he murmurs, "The General and the boys really missed you."

"I won't leave them this time," I state with determination, "I've already sorted out everything I needed to then... in your time. I'll do whatever I can to change the past once I go back. There won't be any Empire, not if I can help it." I suddenly find myself wondering, does he know what happened to Anakin? That he's Vader? There's so many things we have to talk about, but I don't think now is really the time to do so. Especially not since we've attracted the attention of a number of the other people in the hold.

"Of course," Rex says, "Has anyone helped you plan what you'll do, or have you been trying to do it all alone?"

"Well... I talked to my older self once six months ago, but other than that, no," I admit.

"Maybe we could discuss it more later," he suggests.

I nod in agreement. Now it's time to get my mind back on the upcoming battle. Weird, that I'll be fighting together Rex now, just like old times.

The remainder of the trip passes uneventfully, and before long, we're coming out of hyperspace above Endor. The green moon is looming in front of us, with the partly constructed structure of the second Death Star not far away. Flying between the moon and the Death Star is a large Imperial cruiser.

An unsettling feeling creeps up on me as we fly closer towards the cruiser. Something is not right. Something's going to happen. And it doesn't feel good.

"If they don't go for this, we're gonna have to get outta here pretty quick, Chewie," warns Han.

"I know," growls Chewbacca, his hands on the controls already.

"We have you on our screen now. Please identify," calls a voice from the shuttle over our radio.

"Shuttle Tydirium requesting deactivation of the deflector shield," answers Han, glancing over his shoulder at us, looking a little nervous.

"Shuttle Tydirium, transmit the clearance code for shield passage."

"Transmission commencing," Han replies as we fly a little closer to the Imperial shuttle. It's then that I finally begin to realize just what is wrong. The presence I feel on that ship... Even at this distance, I can tell who it is and that is not good news.

I listen to the sound of high-speed transmission as concern mounts inside of me. A dark presence slips over me, and I can feel him brushing against my mind. If I can sense him, that means he can sense me. And he's totally going to think I decided to become an Imperial pilot. Not.

"Now we find out if the code is worth the price we paid," comments Leia, concern etched on her face.

"It'll work," Han tries to reassure everyone, "It'll work." The only question is, will it work with me on this ship? And Luke?

"They're not responding," worries Chewbacca as we continue to fly closer to the cruiser.

"Vader's on that ship," murmurs Luke, his eyes rooted on it. So, he senses it too now. Even better.

"Now don't get jittery, Luke," chides Han.

"It's – he's right," I reply quietly, unable to take my eyes off the ship either.

"There are a lot of command ships," Han replies, trying and failing to reassure anyone, before turning to Chewbacca. "Keep your distance though, Chewie, but don't look like you're to trying to keep your distance."

"How do I do that?" asks the Wookie as we fly even closer.

"I don't know," shrugs Han unhelpfully, "Fly casual."

"We're endangering the mission," Luke insists, looking even more worried as there's still no response, "We shouldn't have come."

I sigh in agreement. At least it's less likely that Vader would sense something off if neither of the two of us were here. Even if he sensed it, he wouldn't know for sure, right? This isn't good.

"It's your imagination, kid," retorts Han, "Come on. Let's keep a little optimism here."

"We can feel it in the Force," I respond, "Which means so can Vader." Which means perhaps we should think about making a hasty exit. Not that I want to. I want to talk to him again, very badly. But that doesn't mean I'm willing to put our friends in danger for it. They could die here. Even Leia since he doesn't know she's his daughter.

"I'm beginning to dislike this 'Force' more and more," complains Threepio, "If it's responsible for destroying the Rebellion, what's it good for?" Fortunately, everyone ignores him. If the Force didn't exist, neither would he, so he had better be grateful. But now is not the time to explain that to a droid.

"They must be suspicious," Chewbacca barks worriedly as our ship heads ever closer.

"They're not goin' for it, Chewie," Han concludes finally, as there's still no response. I just knew it.

But then, right on cue, there's suddenly an answer over the radio. "Shuttle Tydirium, deactivation of the shield will commence immediately. Follow your present course." Han, Chewbacca, and Leia all breathe a sigh of relief, assuming that at least for now, the danger is over.

But it most certainly is not. Vader is on that ship. And he knows we're here. There's no question about that. That also means that he probably told them to let us through. Which means, just what kind of trap is waiting for us down on that moon?

"It worked!" growls Chewbacca in relief.

"Okay!" Han exclaims, "I told you it was gonna work. No problem." No, just a bigger problem forming.

As the shields open to let us path through, we fly down towards the surface of Endor. The mountains, covered with forests of towering trees in every direction, quickly come into view.