*****************************
Chapter Seven: Ambush
Darth Hister stepped into Grand Moff Tarkin's office. The latter was sitting at his desk, busily reading performance assessments of the Death Star's first act of destruction. Though Tarkin would never show it openly, he was internally as giddy as a school boy with the results of the battle station's performance.
Finally, Tarkin raised his head calmly from the reports and recognized Hister. "Yes, what is it, Hister?" asked Tarkin.
"I received information from our spy within the Rebellion regarding the rebel agents who possess the plans to this battle station," said Hister. "They are traveling on a ship that will arrive in the Solast system within a matter of hours."
"Excellent," said Tarkin. "Have you taken actions to have them intercepted?"
"Yes," said Hister, "I have summoned a destroyer to intercept them. I will be joining them to see to the agent myself."
"Very good," said Tarkin. "Make sure there are no mistakes this time. Though I don't think any plans will help the rebels against this station, I still want those plans retaken."
"It shall be done," said Hister.
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi was knealing in front of R2D2, inserting an information disk in the astro droid's memory bank. Anakin came into the room as Obi-Wan was just finishing with his task.
"Obi-Wan," said Anakin, "what are you doing?"
Obi-Wan shooed R2 away, rose, and turned to Anakin. "I have decided to hide a copy of the Death Star plans in R2. I still have the original copy, but now there will be two. Just in case."
"Well, I'm sure the plans are much safer with you than with an astro droid," said Anakin.
"I am not indestructable, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "Anything could happen."
"I suppose," said Anakin. "Anyhow, I wanted to speak with you...about Luke."
"Hmm," said Obi-Wan, "he has been very well trained in the Jedi arts. His saber skills are excellent. And you were right about his mental focus-it is very well developed."
"Would you agree with my judgement that he would be just about ready to become a full Jedi?" asked Anakin.
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "Within a year, as you said. He still needs to face real combat. Only then will his abilities trully be put to the test."
"Thank you, so much, for assessing his abilities," said Anakin. "I was concerned that too much of a Father's pride in his son was entering into my judgement."
"I was glad to do it," replied Obi-Wan. "Anakin, there is something else I would like to talk with you about."
Anakin nodded his silent "go ahead."
"Anakin," said Obi-Wan hesitantly, "before...on the planet, when we spoke last night. Your...anger. I could sense it in you. Though I understood it in the context of being upset about Padme's pain, and your own, it still raised some..."
"Alarms," said Anakin.
Obi-Wan nodded. "Anakin, you are not the same as you were when you were a young man. You...were so unfocused, so filled with a sense of...anger and ambition. It almost led to your fall to the dark side. I sense much of those things are no longer within you, but...I am concerned that in the battles to come, some of those dark emotions might come back to the surface. I sense that you will be the instrument of the Emperor's eventual destruction, but...if you battle him with anger in your heart, the dark side may yet pull you into its grasp."
Anakin was silent for a moment before replying. "Its hard...hard not to want to attack Palpatine in anger. He has caused so much pain to my family, to this whole galaxy. He is responsible for the destruction of the Jedi order, the deaths of so many that I called friends and comrades. But...I don't know what I am supposed to do when I face him. Compliment him on his fashion, perhaps?"
"Hmm," said Obi-Wan, "I see you have not lost your rapier whit." Then, the older Jedi considered for a moment before continuing. "That's what you have to do, Anakin. Keep your whits about you when you face Palpatine and Hister. Anger, hatred...those are the path to the dark side. Your whit, your skill, your positive emotions are your true weapons against the dark side."
"I will remember, Master," said Anakin, just as he did many times to Obi-Wan as a Padawan. "Now, its time to get some sleep. We arrive at Solast in twelve hours, and we should be well rested."
***
Just under twelve hours later, Han Solo stepped into the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon. He sat down in the pilot's chair next to Chewie, and began to check over the main flight systems in preparation for exiting hyperspace. As he and Chewie performed their checks, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Luke all entered the cockpit.
"Are we almost there?" asked Luke.
Han turned and smiled. "Yeah," he said. "Another minute, and we'll be in Solast. From there, we can go to Yavin. Is everyone in the back ready?"
"Standing by," said Anakin.
"Good," said Han, turning back to the controls. "Alright, Chewie, go to sublight engines."
The Millenium Falcon came out of hyperspace in the Solast system, just as planned. They would have to exit hyperspace here in order to make a more direct jump to the Yavin system. Longer hyperspace jumps required this quite often because longer hyperspace trajectories were harder to plan in direct routes. With a trip broken up by a course change stopover, longer range hyperspace travel was made easier.
"Well, prepare to say goodbye to Solast, because..."began Han. But before he could finish, an alarm went off on the console. Chewie made a noise and Han nodded agreement. "Oh, shit, looks like we've got company."
"What is it?" asked Luke.
"Imperial fighters, about a dozen of them," said Han.
Just then, a few laser blasts hit the Millenium Falcon.
"This isn't good," said Han. "We're going to have to out run them before we jump back to light speed. Luckily, my baby's got speed."
Han manuevered the Millenium Falcon to turn and run away from the Imperial fighters. The TIE fighters zoomed after the Millenium Falcon and began to pour laser blasts into the Falcon's deflector shields.
"Where did they come from?" asked Anakin.
"I don't know," said Han. "There aren't any Imperial bases around here."
The Falcon screamed through space as it attempted to get away from the Imperial TIE fighters. In the meantime, Padme and Leia joined the others in the cockpit.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Leia.
"Imperial fighters, sweatheart," said Han. "Looks like they know who we are, too, because they are really anxious to get us."
"How long until we can jump back to lightspeed?" asked Anakin.
"Still waiting for the power to build back up," said Han. "Shouldn't be but a minute or two."
"In a minute or two, we could be dead," said Luke.
"Jumping to hyperspace aint a walk in the park, kid," said Han. "If your not carefull, you can fly right into a star, or..." Again, he was cut off by an alarm on the control panel.
"What is it?" asked Padme.
Han looked at the console with wide eyes. "I think we're in trouble," said Han.
Just then, a large shape loomed in front of the Millenium Falcon. Everyone in the cockpit focused their eyes on it as it grew larger and larger.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Luke.
"Solo, turn this ship around, now," said Anakin.
"What is it?" asked Leia.
"Bad news," said Han.
"An Imperial star destroyer," said Obi-Wan.
Han attempted to turn the ship, but just then the ship shuddered. His attempts to turn the ship failed and the Falcon still plunged towards the approaching Imperial warship.
"What is it?" asked Anakin.
"Shit, they've got us in a tractor beam," said Han. "I can't get us free. They're bringing us in."
"You mean there's nothing we can do?" asked Leia.
"Yeah," said Han. "We can pull our blasters..." then, as he looked at the three Jedi, "...or whatever else we have to fight with, and duke it out with them."
"That's suicide," said Padme. "There must be another solution."
"The only way to shut off that tractor beam would be from the inside," said Han, "and I sincerely doubt they are going to show us to their tractor beam control room."
"No," said Anakin, turning to Obi-Wan. "But we could find it."
Obi-Wan nodded with a smile.
"Are you sure?" asked Leia.
"I am familiar with the schematics of a star destroyer," said Obi-Wan. "We can do it."
"But we'll need a distraction," said Anakin.
"Leave that to us," said Padme, drawing her blaster pistol.
Anakin smiled. "Good," he said, "Luke, stay with them as added protection."
"Yes, Father," said Luke.
Chapter Seven: Ambush
Darth Hister stepped into Grand Moff Tarkin's office. The latter was sitting at his desk, busily reading performance assessments of the Death Star's first act of destruction. Though Tarkin would never show it openly, he was internally as giddy as a school boy with the results of the battle station's performance.
Finally, Tarkin raised his head calmly from the reports and recognized Hister. "Yes, what is it, Hister?" asked Tarkin.
"I received information from our spy within the Rebellion regarding the rebel agents who possess the plans to this battle station," said Hister. "They are traveling on a ship that will arrive in the Solast system within a matter of hours."
"Excellent," said Tarkin. "Have you taken actions to have them intercepted?"
"Yes," said Hister, "I have summoned a destroyer to intercept them. I will be joining them to see to the agent myself."
"Very good," said Tarkin. "Make sure there are no mistakes this time. Though I don't think any plans will help the rebels against this station, I still want those plans retaken."
"It shall be done," said Hister.
**
Obi-Wan Kenobi was knealing in front of R2D2, inserting an information disk in the astro droid's memory bank. Anakin came into the room as Obi-Wan was just finishing with his task.
"Obi-Wan," said Anakin, "what are you doing?"
Obi-Wan shooed R2 away, rose, and turned to Anakin. "I have decided to hide a copy of the Death Star plans in R2. I still have the original copy, but now there will be two. Just in case."
"Well, I'm sure the plans are much safer with you than with an astro droid," said Anakin.
"I am not indestructable, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "Anything could happen."
"I suppose," said Anakin. "Anyhow, I wanted to speak with you...about Luke."
"Hmm," said Obi-Wan, "he has been very well trained in the Jedi arts. His saber skills are excellent. And you were right about his mental focus-it is very well developed."
"Would you agree with my judgement that he would be just about ready to become a full Jedi?" asked Anakin.
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "Within a year, as you said. He still needs to face real combat. Only then will his abilities trully be put to the test."
"Thank you, so much, for assessing his abilities," said Anakin. "I was concerned that too much of a Father's pride in his son was entering into my judgement."
"I was glad to do it," replied Obi-Wan. "Anakin, there is something else I would like to talk with you about."
Anakin nodded his silent "go ahead."
"Anakin," said Obi-Wan hesitantly, "before...on the planet, when we spoke last night. Your...anger. I could sense it in you. Though I understood it in the context of being upset about Padme's pain, and your own, it still raised some..."
"Alarms," said Anakin.
Obi-Wan nodded. "Anakin, you are not the same as you were when you were a young man. You...were so unfocused, so filled with a sense of...anger and ambition. It almost led to your fall to the dark side. I sense much of those things are no longer within you, but...I am concerned that in the battles to come, some of those dark emotions might come back to the surface. I sense that you will be the instrument of the Emperor's eventual destruction, but...if you battle him with anger in your heart, the dark side may yet pull you into its grasp."
Anakin was silent for a moment before replying. "Its hard...hard not to want to attack Palpatine in anger. He has caused so much pain to my family, to this whole galaxy. He is responsible for the destruction of the Jedi order, the deaths of so many that I called friends and comrades. But...I don't know what I am supposed to do when I face him. Compliment him on his fashion, perhaps?"
"Hmm," said Obi-Wan, "I see you have not lost your rapier whit." Then, the older Jedi considered for a moment before continuing. "That's what you have to do, Anakin. Keep your whits about you when you face Palpatine and Hister. Anger, hatred...those are the path to the dark side. Your whit, your skill, your positive emotions are your true weapons against the dark side."
"I will remember, Master," said Anakin, just as he did many times to Obi-Wan as a Padawan. "Now, its time to get some sleep. We arrive at Solast in twelve hours, and we should be well rested."
***
Just under twelve hours later, Han Solo stepped into the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon. He sat down in the pilot's chair next to Chewie, and began to check over the main flight systems in preparation for exiting hyperspace. As he and Chewie performed their checks, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Luke all entered the cockpit.
"Are we almost there?" asked Luke.
Han turned and smiled. "Yeah," he said. "Another minute, and we'll be in Solast. From there, we can go to Yavin. Is everyone in the back ready?"
"Standing by," said Anakin.
"Good," said Han, turning back to the controls. "Alright, Chewie, go to sublight engines."
The Millenium Falcon came out of hyperspace in the Solast system, just as planned. They would have to exit hyperspace here in order to make a more direct jump to the Yavin system. Longer hyperspace jumps required this quite often because longer hyperspace trajectories were harder to plan in direct routes. With a trip broken up by a course change stopover, longer range hyperspace travel was made easier.
"Well, prepare to say goodbye to Solast, because..."began Han. But before he could finish, an alarm went off on the console. Chewie made a noise and Han nodded agreement. "Oh, shit, looks like we've got company."
"What is it?" asked Luke.
"Imperial fighters, about a dozen of them," said Han.
Just then, a few laser blasts hit the Millenium Falcon.
"This isn't good," said Han. "We're going to have to out run them before we jump back to light speed. Luckily, my baby's got speed."
Han manuevered the Millenium Falcon to turn and run away from the Imperial fighters. The TIE fighters zoomed after the Millenium Falcon and began to pour laser blasts into the Falcon's deflector shields.
"Where did they come from?" asked Anakin.
"I don't know," said Han. "There aren't any Imperial bases around here."
The Falcon screamed through space as it attempted to get away from the Imperial TIE fighters. In the meantime, Padme and Leia joined the others in the cockpit.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Leia.
"Imperial fighters, sweatheart," said Han. "Looks like they know who we are, too, because they are really anxious to get us."
"How long until we can jump back to lightspeed?" asked Anakin.
"Still waiting for the power to build back up," said Han. "Shouldn't be but a minute or two."
"In a minute or two, we could be dead," said Luke.
"Jumping to hyperspace aint a walk in the park, kid," said Han. "If your not carefull, you can fly right into a star, or..." Again, he was cut off by an alarm on the control panel.
"What is it?" asked Padme.
Han looked at the console with wide eyes. "I think we're in trouble," said Han.
Just then, a large shape loomed in front of the Millenium Falcon. Everyone in the cockpit focused their eyes on it as it grew larger and larger.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Luke.
"Solo, turn this ship around, now," said Anakin.
"What is it?" asked Leia.
"Bad news," said Han.
"An Imperial star destroyer," said Obi-Wan.
Han attempted to turn the ship, but just then the ship shuddered. His attempts to turn the ship failed and the Falcon still plunged towards the approaching Imperial warship.
"What is it?" asked Anakin.
"Shit, they've got us in a tractor beam," said Han. "I can't get us free. They're bringing us in."
"You mean there's nothing we can do?" asked Leia.
"Yeah," said Han. "We can pull our blasters..." then, as he looked at the three Jedi, "...or whatever else we have to fight with, and duke it out with them."
"That's suicide," said Padme. "There must be another solution."
"The only way to shut off that tractor beam would be from the inside," said Han, "and I sincerely doubt they are going to show us to their tractor beam control room."
"No," said Anakin, turning to Obi-Wan. "But we could find it."
Obi-Wan nodded with a smile.
"Are you sure?" asked Leia.
"I am familiar with the schematics of a star destroyer," said Obi-Wan. "We can do it."
"But we'll need a distraction," said Anakin.
"Leave that to us," said Padme, drawing her blaster pistol.
Anakin smiled. "Good," he said, "Luke, stay with them as added protection."
"Yes, Father," said Luke.