************************
Chapter Fourteen: War on All Fronts
*
Padme raced through the corridor, back to the hanger, in order to secure help for Master Windu. Though battles between Jedi and Sith were normally private affairs, she felt that a Sith Lord in the base was a definite security threat, and that back up was needed to ensure it was dealt with.
As she ran, Padme also thought about why Palpatine wanted to see her. She couldn't find any reason for it, except-as a way to get to Anakin. He must be after Anakin again, and wants to use her to get to him. "Over my dead body," she thought.
Of course, that may indeed be the Emperor's idea.
Just as she got to the hanger, she felt a huge explosion rock the base. Then, a voice came over the base intercoms.
"Imperial troops have penetrated the base!" said the voice over the comm. "Man internal defense positions!"
This made things more complicated for Padme. As much as she wanted to get help to Master Windu, her first priority was to help evacuate the Rebel officials.
When Padme got to the hanger, she found Mon Mothma waiting for her, along with Solo, Leia, Chewbacca, and the rest of her security squad.
"I understand you were looking for me," said Mon Mothma.
"Yes," said Padme. "Are all the officials here?"
"Except Master Windu," said Leia.
"He is otherwise occupied," said Padme. "Get everyone secured on board their ships, and get them out of here! Solo, get the squad ready-we're bound to have company any minute."
"Oh, joy," said Han with a sardonic smirk.
**
Windu and Hister battled each other in a haze of purple and red flashes of light, emanating from their respective light sabers as they clashed together. The skilled warriors who wielded the sabers thrust and parried against one another with blinding speed, neither one finding a weakness in the other.
After several minutes of constant battle, Hister backed off slightly. He smiled, noticing Windu was breathing a little heavy. "Tiring out, old man," said Hister.
Windu did not respond. He figured Hister was trying to get his anger up and goad him into striking out without thinking. Instead, Windu did not respond, merely observed Hister for either a weakness, or for another attack.
Hister did not wait. He moved in once again, sending several swift strikes at Windu, each one effectively blocked by Windu's blade. Hister tried to back Windu against the wall of the corridor, but the Jedi jumped suddenly into the air, did a flip, and landed behind Hister.
The Sith swiftly turned to meet Windu's attack from the new direction. They battled on, as the sounds of their light sabers clashing emanated through the corridor.
***
"Dammit!" said the Rebel fighter squadron commander. "There goes another one of our boys! Anakin, do you copy?"
"I copy," said Anakin, while taking out his sixth enemy fighter.
"I haven't heard anything from Gold leader," said the commander. "We must assume enemy fighters got them, because they should have made their attack run by now. I'm going to take two of my remaining fighters and make a run. You take command of the squadron while I do so."
"Commander," said Anakin. "Your place is with your squadron. Let me do it."
"Are you sure?" asked the commander.
"I've spent more time with the schematics anyway back at the base," said Anakin. "And I can use the force to guide me."
"Very well," said the commander. "We'll try to keep those fighters off of you from up here. May the force be with you."
"Father," said Luke over the comm. "If your going..."
"I know," said Anakin. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Follow me in."
****
Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Rebel troops were now fighting the Imperial troops in and around the base. Their lines had been pushed back by constant enemy pressure, and even his force powers couldn't do anything about that. The Imperials brought up more walkers that overwhelmed the Rebel positions in the woods, forcing them to retreat to the base defensive line. That line crumbled soon after, and now the battle was in a state of confusion, with small units fighting each other in the base, outside the base, and in the woods.
While all of this weighed on Obi-Wan, he could also feel the dark force presence in the base itself. This worried him tremendously, wondering just what a Sith was doing in there. But, through the force, Obi-Wan also knew that Sith was being opposed, by Master Windu. He wished he could be helping him now, but he had to command the Rebel troops in the field, at least until the leadership was evacuated. Then, he could order a retreat to waiting transports.
Obi-Wan was suddenly shaken from his thoughts by a two-legged Imperial walker, that came straight at him. Undaunted, Obi-Wan put his light saber to work, cutting the legs out from under the metal monstrosity, then running as the top superstructure of the walker came crashing down.
*****
"Was that the last ship?" asked Padme, as she watched one of the transports with the Rebel leadership leaving the base.
"Yes," said Han. "Now, can we get the hell out of here?"
"We'll rendezvous with Obi-Wan," said Padme. "Last report, he and his troops were at the north end of the base. Then, we'll evacuate with the troops."
"Wait, what about..."began Han.
But before he could continue, blaster fire erupted into the hanger as a dozen Imperial storm troopers entered. Two of the Rebel soldiers in Padme's squad went down almost instantly under the fire from the enemy troops.
"Take cover!" yelled Padme.
The Rebels and Imperials engaged in a fierce firefight, with Padme picking up a discarded blaster and adding her fire to that of her soldiers. As she crouched behind a crate, she yelled to her men.
"Fall back!" she yelled. "Get to the north end of the base and rendezvous with the main force."
The Rebel soldiers began filing out of the hanger bay, and the Imperials came forward slowly. Padme remained in position, firing at the oncoming enemy troops so her squad could escape.
Leia, concerned for her Mother's perilous position, tried to cross the hanger to get to her. But a blast fired from an Imperial storm trooper struck Leia in the leg, and sent her rolling onto the deck with a scream.
"LEIA!" yelled Padme.
Han, who was towards the rear of the hanger, saw Leia go down. "Ah, shit!" he yelled. Then, he turned to Chewbacca. "Chewie, cover me!"
Chewbacca began laying cover fire as Han raced across the hanger bay towards Leia. He managed to get to her, and knelt beside her. "Hey, you alright?!"
"Argh, NO!" she yelled. "I've been shot! What do you think?"
"Can you stand?" asked Han, in between shots at the Imperials.
"Yeah," she said.
"Good. GO! I'll cover you," said Han.
Solo picked up Leia's blaster, and opened fire on the storm troopers with blasters in both of his hands. Leia hobbled to the rear of the hanger.
"Lady Skywalker!" yelled Solo to Padme. "Go! NOW!"
Padme stood and fired, moving backwards as she did. Han also rose from his position, and the two of them joined Leia and Chewbacca at the rear door to the hanger.
"Leia!" said Padme. "Dear, are you alright?"
"I'll be fine," said Leia. "Should we go and try to link up with Obi-Wan?"
"No," said Padme. "Your wounded, and the north end of the base would be too far."
"The Falcon is not far," said Han. "I can get you out of here. We can also comm the old man from there, and tell him we got out."
"Good thinking, Solo," said Padme. "Let's get going."
******
Anakin's and Luke's X-Wings flew into the Death Star's trenches, dodging laser cannon fire along the way. As the two fighters zoomed down the trenches, Anakin felt the rush again that he only felt when flying. He could still remember when he was a boy, flying in pod races on Tatooine. Especially the race that he won, and in so doing gave Padme, Master Qui-Gon, and the others a way to get to Coruscant. That was also the day he left to become a Jedi.
"Dad, we're moving awfully fast," said Luke. "Sure we can maneuver at these speeds and in this tight trench?"
"Just like pod racing," said Anakin. "Just keep your mind on the force, let it guide you. That, and your skill. Stay with me, and keep any Imperials off my back."
*******
Grand Moff Tarkin stood in the Death Star's control room, reading the reports coming in from General Bliloc and the ground forces. The Rebel troops were losing ground faster now, and the enemy base had been penetrated in several sections. As for the fighters attacking his station-Tarkin scoffed at their meaningless attempts to destroy this awesome weapon. All seemed to be going well.
"Sir," said an officer that walked up behind Tarkin. "We've analyzed the Rebel fighter attack patterns, sir, and there is a danger. Shall I have your ship standing by?"
Tarkin, for once, showed emotion on his face. Shock and anger. "EVACUATE!" he said. "In our moment of triumph?! I think you overestimate their chances! Now, take your cowardice and leave my sight!"
********
Anakin's fighter was getting closer to the target now. He would be on the exhaust port in a matter of moments. Just then, laser fire struck the trench next to his fighter. An Imperial fighter was coming up on him from above, trying to target him.
"I don't think so," said Luke with determination, pulling his fighter up sharply and heading directly for the attacking enemy. He fired his weapons, and turned the attacking enemy fighter into a fireball.
"All clear," said Luke.
Anakin smiled. "Good job, son."
The latter focused now on the target. He opened himself up completely to the force, and could see the exhaust port in his minds eye. With the force guiding him, Anakin held his finger over the trigger, and finally fired. Two proton torpedoes were sent flying into the exhaust port.
"ALL SHIPS! BREAK OFF!" yelled Anakin into his comm.
The Rebel fighters made a hasty retreat away from the Death Star. Within a matter of moments, the dreaded battle station exploded.
Anakin looked back on the explosion with a satisfied expression. "That was for Naboo," he said, "and for Padme."
Chapter Fourteen: War on All Fronts
*
Padme raced through the corridor, back to the hanger, in order to secure help for Master Windu. Though battles between Jedi and Sith were normally private affairs, she felt that a Sith Lord in the base was a definite security threat, and that back up was needed to ensure it was dealt with.
As she ran, Padme also thought about why Palpatine wanted to see her. She couldn't find any reason for it, except-as a way to get to Anakin. He must be after Anakin again, and wants to use her to get to him. "Over my dead body," she thought.
Of course, that may indeed be the Emperor's idea.
Just as she got to the hanger, she felt a huge explosion rock the base. Then, a voice came over the base intercoms.
"Imperial troops have penetrated the base!" said the voice over the comm. "Man internal defense positions!"
This made things more complicated for Padme. As much as she wanted to get help to Master Windu, her first priority was to help evacuate the Rebel officials.
When Padme got to the hanger, she found Mon Mothma waiting for her, along with Solo, Leia, Chewbacca, and the rest of her security squad.
"I understand you were looking for me," said Mon Mothma.
"Yes," said Padme. "Are all the officials here?"
"Except Master Windu," said Leia.
"He is otherwise occupied," said Padme. "Get everyone secured on board their ships, and get them out of here! Solo, get the squad ready-we're bound to have company any minute."
"Oh, joy," said Han with a sardonic smirk.
**
Windu and Hister battled each other in a haze of purple and red flashes of light, emanating from their respective light sabers as they clashed together. The skilled warriors who wielded the sabers thrust and parried against one another with blinding speed, neither one finding a weakness in the other.
After several minutes of constant battle, Hister backed off slightly. He smiled, noticing Windu was breathing a little heavy. "Tiring out, old man," said Hister.
Windu did not respond. He figured Hister was trying to get his anger up and goad him into striking out without thinking. Instead, Windu did not respond, merely observed Hister for either a weakness, or for another attack.
Hister did not wait. He moved in once again, sending several swift strikes at Windu, each one effectively blocked by Windu's blade. Hister tried to back Windu against the wall of the corridor, but the Jedi jumped suddenly into the air, did a flip, and landed behind Hister.
The Sith swiftly turned to meet Windu's attack from the new direction. They battled on, as the sounds of their light sabers clashing emanated through the corridor.
***
"Dammit!" said the Rebel fighter squadron commander. "There goes another one of our boys! Anakin, do you copy?"
"I copy," said Anakin, while taking out his sixth enemy fighter.
"I haven't heard anything from Gold leader," said the commander. "We must assume enemy fighters got them, because they should have made their attack run by now. I'm going to take two of my remaining fighters and make a run. You take command of the squadron while I do so."
"Commander," said Anakin. "Your place is with your squadron. Let me do it."
"Are you sure?" asked the commander.
"I've spent more time with the schematics anyway back at the base," said Anakin. "And I can use the force to guide me."
"Very well," said the commander. "We'll try to keep those fighters off of you from up here. May the force be with you."
"Father," said Luke over the comm. "If your going..."
"I know," said Anakin. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Follow me in."
****
Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Rebel troops were now fighting the Imperial troops in and around the base. Their lines had been pushed back by constant enemy pressure, and even his force powers couldn't do anything about that. The Imperials brought up more walkers that overwhelmed the Rebel positions in the woods, forcing them to retreat to the base defensive line. That line crumbled soon after, and now the battle was in a state of confusion, with small units fighting each other in the base, outside the base, and in the woods.
While all of this weighed on Obi-Wan, he could also feel the dark force presence in the base itself. This worried him tremendously, wondering just what a Sith was doing in there. But, through the force, Obi-Wan also knew that Sith was being opposed, by Master Windu. He wished he could be helping him now, but he had to command the Rebel troops in the field, at least until the leadership was evacuated. Then, he could order a retreat to waiting transports.
Obi-Wan was suddenly shaken from his thoughts by a two-legged Imperial walker, that came straight at him. Undaunted, Obi-Wan put his light saber to work, cutting the legs out from under the metal monstrosity, then running as the top superstructure of the walker came crashing down.
*****
"Was that the last ship?" asked Padme, as she watched one of the transports with the Rebel leadership leaving the base.
"Yes," said Han. "Now, can we get the hell out of here?"
"We'll rendezvous with Obi-Wan," said Padme. "Last report, he and his troops were at the north end of the base. Then, we'll evacuate with the troops."
"Wait, what about..."began Han.
But before he could continue, blaster fire erupted into the hanger as a dozen Imperial storm troopers entered. Two of the Rebel soldiers in Padme's squad went down almost instantly under the fire from the enemy troops.
"Take cover!" yelled Padme.
The Rebels and Imperials engaged in a fierce firefight, with Padme picking up a discarded blaster and adding her fire to that of her soldiers. As she crouched behind a crate, she yelled to her men.
"Fall back!" she yelled. "Get to the north end of the base and rendezvous with the main force."
The Rebel soldiers began filing out of the hanger bay, and the Imperials came forward slowly. Padme remained in position, firing at the oncoming enemy troops so her squad could escape.
Leia, concerned for her Mother's perilous position, tried to cross the hanger to get to her. But a blast fired from an Imperial storm trooper struck Leia in the leg, and sent her rolling onto the deck with a scream.
"LEIA!" yelled Padme.
Han, who was towards the rear of the hanger, saw Leia go down. "Ah, shit!" he yelled. Then, he turned to Chewbacca. "Chewie, cover me!"
Chewbacca began laying cover fire as Han raced across the hanger bay towards Leia. He managed to get to her, and knelt beside her. "Hey, you alright?!"
"Argh, NO!" she yelled. "I've been shot! What do you think?"
"Can you stand?" asked Han, in between shots at the Imperials.
"Yeah," she said.
"Good. GO! I'll cover you," said Han.
Solo picked up Leia's blaster, and opened fire on the storm troopers with blasters in both of his hands. Leia hobbled to the rear of the hanger.
"Lady Skywalker!" yelled Solo to Padme. "Go! NOW!"
Padme stood and fired, moving backwards as she did. Han also rose from his position, and the two of them joined Leia and Chewbacca at the rear door to the hanger.
"Leia!" said Padme. "Dear, are you alright?"
"I'll be fine," said Leia. "Should we go and try to link up with Obi-Wan?"
"No," said Padme. "Your wounded, and the north end of the base would be too far."
"The Falcon is not far," said Han. "I can get you out of here. We can also comm the old man from there, and tell him we got out."
"Good thinking, Solo," said Padme. "Let's get going."
******
Anakin's and Luke's X-Wings flew into the Death Star's trenches, dodging laser cannon fire along the way. As the two fighters zoomed down the trenches, Anakin felt the rush again that he only felt when flying. He could still remember when he was a boy, flying in pod races on Tatooine. Especially the race that he won, and in so doing gave Padme, Master Qui-Gon, and the others a way to get to Coruscant. That was also the day he left to become a Jedi.
"Dad, we're moving awfully fast," said Luke. "Sure we can maneuver at these speeds and in this tight trench?"
"Just like pod racing," said Anakin. "Just keep your mind on the force, let it guide you. That, and your skill. Stay with me, and keep any Imperials off my back."
*******
Grand Moff Tarkin stood in the Death Star's control room, reading the reports coming in from General Bliloc and the ground forces. The Rebel troops were losing ground faster now, and the enemy base had been penetrated in several sections. As for the fighters attacking his station-Tarkin scoffed at their meaningless attempts to destroy this awesome weapon. All seemed to be going well.
"Sir," said an officer that walked up behind Tarkin. "We've analyzed the Rebel fighter attack patterns, sir, and there is a danger. Shall I have your ship standing by?"
Tarkin, for once, showed emotion on his face. Shock and anger. "EVACUATE!" he said. "In our moment of triumph?! I think you overestimate their chances! Now, take your cowardice and leave my sight!"
********
Anakin's fighter was getting closer to the target now. He would be on the exhaust port in a matter of moments. Just then, laser fire struck the trench next to his fighter. An Imperial fighter was coming up on him from above, trying to target him.
"I don't think so," said Luke with determination, pulling his fighter up sharply and heading directly for the attacking enemy. He fired his weapons, and turned the attacking enemy fighter into a fireball.
"All clear," said Luke.
Anakin smiled. "Good job, son."
The latter focused now on the target. He opened himself up completely to the force, and could see the exhaust port in his minds eye. With the force guiding him, Anakin held his finger over the trigger, and finally fired. Two proton torpedoes were sent flying into the exhaust port.
"ALL SHIPS! BREAK OFF!" yelled Anakin into his comm.
The Rebel fighters made a hasty retreat away from the Death Star. Within a matter of moments, the dreaded battle station exploded.
Anakin looked back on the explosion with a satisfied expression. "That was for Naboo," he said, "and for Padme."