****************************
Chapter Sixteen: Destiny's Warriors
*
Several hours later, Anakin, Luke, and the rest of the Rebel pilots set down their fighters in the Rebel base's main landing bay. The Imperial forces, without support from the Death Star, and under a combined assault from Rebel air and ground forces, withdrew from the planet. Now, the Rebellion was taking stock in its victory in destroying the Death Star, and its losses in the process of defending the base.
But for Anakin, none of this was on his mind at the moment. All he could think about was climbing down from his fighter and taking off at a run towards another nearby landing bay. Luke followed him through the corridors, past strewn wreckage and blaster damage from the recent battle.
The two men got to the landing bay, and found the Millennium Falcon there. Obi-Wan came into the hanger as well, and Anakin nodded to him. "Obi-Wan," said Anakin.
"They should be out at any moment," said Obi-Wan.
A few moments later, the hatch to the Falcon opened up, and the ramp extended from the bottom. Coming out of the ship were Han, Chewie, Padme, and Leia. The last of the group leaned on her Mother for support, the wound on her leg having weakened her.
Anakin ran up to them, and took his wife and daughter into his arms. He kissed Padme, then took Leia and leaned her onto his side. "Easy, Princess, I've got you," he said. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Dad," said Leia. "Really, I am."
Luke walked over at that moment, and kissed Leia on the cheek. "Are you sure you're okay?" asked Luke.
"I'll be fine," she said with a reassuring tone. "Its not THAT BAD."
"Anakin," said Padme. "It was Captain Solo who saved her."
Anakin looked over at Han, the latter just standing still, not sure what to do or say. The Jedi reached out his hand to the smuggler. "Thank you," said Anakin.
Han smiled, taking the offered hand in a firm shake. "Happy to be of service."
Obi-Wan walked over to the group. "Padme, you and your companions did a splendid job keeping the leadership safe, and getting them evacuated. I've communicated with Mon Mothma, and she praised you to the stars."
"I was all too happy to help," said Padme. Then, looking at Leia, Han, and Chewie, she said. "I couldn't have done it without my team."
"I could say the same," said Anakin with a smile, turning to Luke. "My son, you performed very well. If you hadn't of taken out that last fighter, I might not have succeded."
"What are Padawan's for, Master?" said Luke with a grin, as Anakin put his arm around him.
"We are both so proud of you, Luke," said Padme, kissing her son on the cheek.
Then, Anakin hugged Leia. "We're very proud of both of you."
"And you," said Padme, putting her arms around the back of Anakin's neck, "my handsome husband who saved the day. What can I do to reward you?"
Anakin put his arms around Padme's waist. "Later," said Anakin, with a sly grin, "I'll show you."
"Um, sounds good," said Padme, just before kissing Anakin passionately on the lips.
Then, Luke and Leia spoke in unison. "Oh, GET A ROOM!"
"Um, I hate to break up this little family get together," said Obi-Wan. "But, there are other matters to attend to."
"What's to happen now, Obi-Wan?" asked Anakin.
"Well, we can't stay here," said Obi-Wan. "The Death Star may be gone, but the Empire isn't. They know where this base is now. We must leave within a day, as soon as all essential equipment can be secured."
"I figured as much," said Anakin.
"Where will we go?" asked Luke.
"We're still trying to work that out now," said Obi-Wan. "There's something else. Since Master Windu is...dead, Mon Mothma has asked me to take his place on the Rebel council."
"Congratulations, Obi-Wan," said Padme. "That's a great honor."
"Somehow, I don't feel like celebrating my advancement," said Obi-Wan with regret. "It came at the loss of one of the greatest Jedi in our history." Then, Obi-Wan shook himself from his thoughts. "Tomorrow, we will leave this place. But tonight, we will have other matters to attend to."
**
Darth Hister's ship docked with the Star Destroyer which had been sent to pick him up. Hister stepped onto the destroyer's hanger bay deck, and was met by the ship's Captain.
"Lord Hister," said the Captain. "Welcome aboard. We are honored by your presence."
"I'm sure," said Hister.
"The Emperor is waiting to speak with you," said the Captain.
Without a word, Hister walked past the Captain and headed for the communications room. When he got there, Hister ordered all of the officers working on station there to leave.
Hister activated a holo-viewer, and the image of Emperor Palpatine appeared to him. Hister bowed.
"Master," said Hister.
"So, you have failed to bring me Amidala," said the Emperor. "It seems you have joined the list of those who have failed me this day. The Rebellion lives, the Death Star is no more, and Amidala is not in my POSSESSION!"
"My Master," said Hister. "I beg forgiveness for my failure. I was able to kill Master Windu..."
"Mace Windu is not the Jedi I am CONCERNED with!" said Palpatine with fury. "Nor Jedi Kenobi, for that matter. It is Anakin Skywalker that is our concern, and his son! They are the real threat, and must be vanquished. I need Amidala to do this, and...to fulfill my other...plans of using her to produce an heir."
"I will succeed, Master," said Hister. "I will pursue Amidala, Skywalker, and the Rebellion wherever they will go. They will not escape me."
***
The flickering light from a bonfire lit up the surrounding forest of the Yavin moon the now evacuated Rebel base was on. Standing around the fire were Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Luke, all in hooded Jedi robes. Also around the fire were Padme, Leia, Han, Chewie, Wedge, Biggs, Mon Mothma, Nadine, and a number of other Rebel leaders, soldiers, and pilots, all of whom there to bid a silent farewell to a fallen hero.
Mace Windu's funeral fire, which consumed his body and symbolized the release of his spirit to become one with the force, cast an orange hue over the faces of those in attendance. Everyone was somber, reflective, knowing that someone who had been powerful in the old Jedi order, who had fought valiantly in the Clone Wars, who had helped to organize the Rebellion against the Empire, was now only with them in spirit.
An hour later, Anakin and Obi-Wan walked alone through the woods back to the base, the others having already headed back there about twenty minutes before. Ships were seen rising from the base in the distance, and heading off into space to rendezvous on the planet Hoth.
"Obi-Wan," said Anakin. "Padme told me...about Hister. He came here to get HER. Hister said the Emperor wanted her captured and brought before him. Why?"
"I'm not entirely sure," said Obi-Wan. "Perhaps, as leverage...to get to you. I would imagine he has never forgotten how you rejected him and the dark side for Padme. We must assume Padme fits into his plans for avenging himself on you and your family."
Anakin sighed. "I knew I shouldn't have brought Padme with me," he said. "I should have ORDERED her to stay on Lessalia."
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Oh, yes, that would have worked," he said sarcastically. "What fantastic delusion gave you the idea she would have obeyed that ORDER?"
"If she had stayed on Lessalia..."
"Anakin," interrupted Obi-Wan. "You, your family...you are all fulfilling your destiny, which has brought you as warriors to this Rebellion. You have already served it well. The Rebellion needs you, Padme, Luke, and Leia. I see that now. Perhaps, when the prophecy said the chosen one would bring balance to the force, perhaps it meant that you would form the center of a family that would complete this task."
"No more ancient prophecies, Obi-Wan," said Anakin. "We are not here fighting the Empire because of such prophecies. We are here because...we know the difference between right and wrong. And we do not wish to live in a universe where evil triumphs. We will destroy Palpatine, and his Empire. We WILL restore the light to this universe."
The End of Story One.
Destiny's Warriors will continue with
"Destiny's Warriors: Story Two-Trials of a Jedi"
Chapter Sixteen: Destiny's Warriors
*
Several hours later, Anakin, Luke, and the rest of the Rebel pilots set down their fighters in the Rebel base's main landing bay. The Imperial forces, without support from the Death Star, and under a combined assault from Rebel air and ground forces, withdrew from the planet. Now, the Rebellion was taking stock in its victory in destroying the Death Star, and its losses in the process of defending the base.
But for Anakin, none of this was on his mind at the moment. All he could think about was climbing down from his fighter and taking off at a run towards another nearby landing bay. Luke followed him through the corridors, past strewn wreckage and blaster damage from the recent battle.
The two men got to the landing bay, and found the Millennium Falcon there. Obi-Wan came into the hanger as well, and Anakin nodded to him. "Obi-Wan," said Anakin.
"They should be out at any moment," said Obi-Wan.
A few moments later, the hatch to the Falcon opened up, and the ramp extended from the bottom. Coming out of the ship were Han, Chewie, Padme, and Leia. The last of the group leaned on her Mother for support, the wound on her leg having weakened her.
Anakin ran up to them, and took his wife and daughter into his arms. He kissed Padme, then took Leia and leaned her onto his side. "Easy, Princess, I've got you," he said. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Dad," said Leia. "Really, I am."
Luke walked over at that moment, and kissed Leia on the cheek. "Are you sure you're okay?" asked Luke.
"I'll be fine," she said with a reassuring tone. "Its not THAT BAD."
"Anakin," said Padme. "It was Captain Solo who saved her."
Anakin looked over at Han, the latter just standing still, not sure what to do or say. The Jedi reached out his hand to the smuggler. "Thank you," said Anakin.
Han smiled, taking the offered hand in a firm shake. "Happy to be of service."
Obi-Wan walked over to the group. "Padme, you and your companions did a splendid job keeping the leadership safe, and getting them evacuated. I've communicated with Mon Mothma, and she praised you to the stars."
"I was all too happy to help," said Padme. Then, looking at Leia, Han, and Chewie, she said. "I couldn't have done it without my team."
"I could say the same," said Anakin with a smile, turning to Luke. "My son, you performed very well. If you hadn't of taken out that last fighter, I might not have succeded."
"What are Padawan's for, Master?" said Luke with a grin, as Anakin put his arm around him.
"We are both so proud of you, Luke," said Padme, kissing her son on the cheek.
Then, Anakin hugged Leia. "We're very proud of both of you."
"And you," said Padme, putting her arms around the back of Anakin's neck, "my handsome husband who saved the day. What can I do to reward you?"
Anakin put his arms around Padme's waist. "Later," said Anakin, with a sly grin, "I'll show you."
"Um, sounds good," said Padme, just before kissing Anakin passionately on the lips.
Then, Luke and Leia spoke in unison. "Oh, GET A ROOM!"
"Um, I hate to break up this little family get together," said Obi-Wan. "But, there are other matters to attend to."
"What's to happen now, Obi-Wan?" asked Anakin.
"Well, we can't stay here," said Obi-Wan. "The Death Star may be gone, but the Empire isn't. They know where this base is now. We must leave within a day, as soon as all essential equipment can be secured."
"I figured as much," said Anakin.
"Where will we go?" asked Luke.
"We're still trying to work that out now," said Obi-Wan. "There's something else. Since Master Windu is...dead, Mon Mothma has asked me to take his place on the Rebel council."
"Congratulations, Obi-Wan," said Padme. "That's a great honor."
"Somehow, I don't feel like celebrating my advancement," said Obi-Wan with regret. "It came at the loss of one of the greatest Jedi in our history." Then, Obi-Wan shook himself from his thoughts. "Tomorrow, we will leave this place. But tonight, we will have other matters to attend to."
**
Darth Hister's ship docked with the Star Destroyer which had been sent to pick him up. Hister stepped onto the destroyer's hanger bay deck, and was met by the ship's Captain.
"Lord Hister," said the Captain. "Welcome aboard. We are honored by your presence."
"I'm sure," said Hister.
"The Emperor is waiting to speak with you," said the Captain.
Without a word, Hister walked past the Captain and headed for the communications room. When he got there, Hister ordered all of the officers working on station there to leave.
Hister activated a holo-viewer, and the image of Emperor Palpatine appeared to him. Hister bowed.
"Master," said Hister.
"So, you have failed to bring me Amidala," said the Emperor. "It seems you have joined the list of those who have failed me this day. The Rebellion lives, the Death Star is no more, and Amidala is not in my POSSESSION!"
"My Master," said Hister. "I beg forgiveness for my failure. I was able to kill Master Windu..."
"Mace Windu is not the Jedi I am CONCERNED with!" said Palpatine with fury. "Nor Jedi Kenobi, for that matter. It is Anakin Skywalker that is our concern, and his son! They are the real threat, and must be vanquished. I need Amidala to do this, and...to fulfill my other...plans of using her to produce an heir."
"I will succeed, Master," said Hister. "I will pursue Amidala, Skywalker, and the Rebellion wherever they will go. They will not escape me."
***
The flickering light from a bonfire lit up the surrounding forest of the Yavin moon the now evacuated Rebel base was on. Standing around the fire were Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Luke, all in hooded Jedi robes. Also around the fire were Padme, Leia, Han, Chewie, Wedge, Biggs, Mon Mothma, Nadine, and a number of other Rebel leaders, soldiers, and pilots, all of whom there to bid a silent farewell to a fallen hero.
Mace Windu's funeral fire, which consumed his body and symbolized the release of his spirit to become one with the force, cast an orange hue over the faces of those in attendance. Everyone was somber, reflective, knowing that someone who had been powerful in the old Jedi order, who had fought valiantly in the Clone Wars, who had helped to organize the Rebellion against the Empire, was now only with them in spirit.
An hour later, Anakin and Obi-Wan walked alone through the woods back to the base, the others having already headed back there about twenty minutes before. Ships were seen rising from the base in the distance, and heading off into space to rendezvous on the planet Hoth.
"Obi-Wan," said Anakin. "Padme told me...about Hister. He came here to get HER. Hister said the Emperor wanted her captured and brought before him. Why?"
"I'm not entirely sure," said Obi-Wan. "Perhaps, as leverage...to get to you. I would imagine he has never forgotten how you rejected him and the dark side for Padme. We must assume Padme fits into his plans for avenging himself on you and your family."
Anakin sighed. "I knew I shouldn't have brought Padme with me," he said. "I should have ORDERED her to stay on Lessalia."
Obi-Wan chuckled. "Oh, yes, that would have worked," he said sarcastically. "What fantastic delusion gave you the idea she would have obeyed that ORDER?"
"If she had stayed on Lessalia..."
"Anakin," interrupted Obi-Wan. "You, your family...you are all fulfilling your destiny, which has brought you as warriors to this Rebellion. You have already served it well. The Rebellion needs you, Padme, Luke, and Leia. I see that now. Perhaps, when the prophecy said the chosen one would bring balance to the force, perhaps it meant that you would form the center of a family that would complete this task."
"No more ancient prophecies, Obi-Wan," said Anakin. "We are not here fighting the Empire because of such prophecies. We are here because...we know the difference between right and wrong. And we do not wish to live in a universe where evil triumphs. We will destroy Palpatine, and his Empire. We WILL restore the light to this universe."
The End of Story One.
Destiny's Warriors will continue with
"Destiny's Warriors: Story Two-Trials of a Jedi"