Chapter Nineteen
Just in time, the Alliance's reinforcements arrived and the fleet advanced against the Empire. The Rebels went behind the enemy, catching them in a pincer movement.
"Sir! A Rebel fleet has outflanked us! The situation is quickly deteriorating!" An Imperial officer said frantically. "We must retreat! Our reinforcements will not arrive in time."
Darth Vader snarled and turned his back to the viewport.
"Bombard the planet with everything you got! If we can't take it, we will destroy all life on it." Vader ordered. The Imperial officer tugged on his collar.
"Sir, it is impossible. We will get destroyed before we finish a quarter of the world." The Imperial officer said meekly. Darth Vader felt his rage boiling.
"Curse those Rebels. We have no other choice. We must withdraw." Vader said.
"But the troops and equipment…"
"Leave them. I will not be captured by the Jedi."
The officer ordered the pilots to retreat and the Executor and the remnants of Vader's fleet turned tail and blasted into hyperspace. The Rebel fleet bombarded Earth where there are known Empire troops located now that the Imperial fleet is gone. The Battle of Earth on the ground went on for a few more weeks (the trapped invaders held out fantastically well), but it was clear that the Rebels have won the day. The Jedi on Earth were picked up and soon Obi-wan, Siri, Ahsoka and their Padawans were back on Utapau, planning their next move. During the Battle of Earth, and Imperial probe droid discovered the Rebel base, prompting the occupants to prepare for departure.
"Now that the Imperials have discovered the location of this base, we must find a new, remote area to live in." Leia said, in her full diplomatic mode. The other Rebel leaders, as well as Obi-wan, were at the meeting.
"There are only a handful of planets in which the Empire does not pay attention to due to their remoteness. Hoth, Boz Pity, and Lutetia are a few that are unpopulated and good hiding places for us." Mon Mothma said.
"I suggest we move to Hoth. It is farthest away from the nearest area of Imperial activity and it is relatively close to Bespin, where we can purchase Tibanna gas for our ammuntions." Obi-wan suggested.
"That icebox? Really?" Another leader said.
"It is true. We are running low on ammo and the armies from Earth have elected not to fight alongside us due to the widespread damage caused by the Empire and due to their deficiency in a space fleet." Mon Mothma said. "Boz Pity is the parent planet to Pandora, who has a significant Imperial presence. Lutetia is rolling plains, which leaves our base wide open for bombardment."
"Then it is decided. We are going to Hoth." Obi-wan said. He remembered when he went to Boz Pity long ago. He didn't like the cold, but what other choice did they have?
-o0o-
Five days later…
Everything crucial to the Alliance was packed into crates ready to leave. The Rebel transports were almost done being loaded. Obi-wan, Siri, Ahsoka, and the Padawans entered the Millenium Falcon (The Courageous is being stored on one of the Rebel cruisers), Han Solo and Chewie already preparing for takeoff. After several hours, everything was set and the Rebel Alliance left Utapau and jumped into hyperspace. After three days, the fleet jumps out near a white planet. It was Hoth. A holo appeared in the cockpit where Han and Chewie, with the six Jedi behind them, were located at. It was Mon Mothma.
"We are holding around the planet. We need you to find a suitable place for us to set up base." She said.
"We're on our way." Han said. He guided the Falcon to the planet's surface, searching for a good cave. The Falcon's scanners searched for a cave until after a few minutes, the scanner beeped and Han set the Falcon down.
"Here's a sizeable one." Hans said.
"I will go inside the cave and check it out. Wampas are common in the area and we need to make sure there are none inside." Luke said.
"I will go with Luke." Sami replied. Han, seeing an opportunity to tease the two, spoke up.
"Sure, don't take too long or else we'll start thinking you two are having a long make out session."
"Han, we all know how much you wanted to have it with Ahsoka, so shut up." Siri said, taking that opportunity to get on Han and Ahsoka. Han bit his lip as his face turned red. Ahsoka innocently looked up. Luke and Sami, now in their winter uniforms, stepped outside as the ramp lowered into the snow. It was a bright sunny day, leaving the Padawans with a clear visibility. Luke and Sami entered the giant cave and explored. As they got into the deeper regions, they activated their lightsabers for light. After what seemed like an eternity for those back in the Falcon, Luke and Sami exited the cave with satisfaction.
"The cave is perfect for operations. We dealt with the few Wampas that we're inside, but this should be good for a Rebel base." Luke said.
"The front area I believe can hold several snowspeeders and starfighters. Let's get the Alliance in." Sami said. Obi-wan contacted Mon Mothma through the Falcon's holodash.
"Any finds, General?" Mon Mothma said.
"We found a large cave that is suitable for operations. We will send you our coordinates." Obi-wan replied.
"Very good. We will see you in three days." Mon Mothma said before disconnecting.
"So… Any ideas to pass the time?" Ahsoka said. "We have three days of free time. I suggest we use it wisely."
"I couldn't agree more." Sami said as she gave Luke a sultry look. This is going to be an interesting three days.
-o0o-
The rest of the fleet arrived in that time, which the occupants in the Flacon spent their time racing across the white desert of Hoth using two old speeders found in the Falcon's cargo hold. Luke and Sami often excused themselves to the escape pod bay, and if heard very closely, one could hear the couple making out. Unbeknownst to everyone, Han was in two states of mind. In the morning, Han would go inside the cave, thinking the same thing over and over.
'Leia or Ahsoka? Leia or Ahsoka? Leia or Ahsoka?'
Han couldn't make up his mind. Leia was a strong leader with a calculating mind and brilliant resilience. Ahsoka was a Jedi Knight who was smart, resourceful, witty, and experienced to being on the wrong side of the law. At the presence of six Jedi, Han found it difficult to mask his turmoil. But as long as nobody suspected anything, he will continue to think about whom to go for.
-o0o-
The Rebel base was a quarter of the way to being built when after a lengthy debate, Obi-wan, Siri, and Ahsoka decided that it was time. After getting the Padawans (Luke and Sami got caught making out again), Siri flew the Courageous out of Hoth. She set the freighter for Dagobah, where Yoda had self-exiled himself there. The Padawans asked where they were going, but she nor Obi-wan and Ahsoka revealed the destination. After a while, the freighter jumped out of hyperspace and descended on Dagobah's surface. After they landed, Obi-wan and Siri led the rest of the group into the swampy forest. At last, they found a small hut with a roaring fire blazing in it. The place emanated with the Force, and Obi-wan knew that Yoda was inside.
"Master Yoda? It's me, Obi-wan Kenobi." Obi-wan called out. Ahsoka was surprised.
'So that's where Master Yoda went.' She thought. Luke, Riekan, and Sami were shocked.
"The Master Yoda?" They said in exclamation. The one and only slowly walked out, leaning heavily on a cane that looked almost like his trademark gimer stick.
"Master Kenobi? Master Siri? Good to see you again, it is." Master Yoda said. "Brought friends, you have, hmm?"
"Hello Master Yoda. Remember Ahsoka?" Siri said. Yoda smiled.
"Good to see another survivor, it is." Master Yoda said.
"Master, there are a lot more survivors." Riekan said. "Master Windu was even found alive."
To this, Master Yoda looked surprised.
"Possible, how is it? Died, Master Windu had." Yoda said.
"We will explain that later, Master. We need you to do the Knighting ceremony." Obi-wan said. Luke, Sami, and Riekan dropped their jaws in disbelief. They were finally getting knighted? Yoda sighed deeply.
"Very well. Get on with it, we will." He said. The group went out to an open area. Then, the Masters circled the Padawans and activated their lightsabers. Yoda lifted his walking stick, motioning forward the Padwans. They stepped forwards.
"Luke, Riekan, and Sami. Fine Jedi, you have become. Ever greater, you will be. Now, dub thee I do, Knights of the New Order." Yoda said. The masters stepped forward and sliced their Padawan braids off. They fell before their respective owners Force-pulled them into their hands. It is a great day for them. It is the day that Luke, Sami, and Riekan are finally Knights of the New Jedi Order.
TBC…